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<rss xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" version="2.0"><channel><title>European Fintech News</title><description>european fintech news</description><link>https://fintechnews.eu</link><item><title>Digital Banking Strategies Prioritize Refinement of Existing Products and Super Apps</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxFollowing a period of rapid digital innovation, the global digital banking market is now maturing, shifting from developing and implementing new features to reevaluating banking services and improving user experience (UX), a new Deloitte study found.The Digital Banking Maturity 2024 report, released in October, surveyed 349 banks in 44 countries to understand the state of digital banking around the world and offer a comprehensive analysis of how banks are evolving in the digital era.A shift toward redefining existing offeringsThe report compares its findings with the previous 2022 edition, revealing a noticeable stagnation in the adoption of new functionalities in banking apps. Instead of focusing solely on introducing new functionalities, banks are now placing greater emphasis on refining existing features and enhancing the overall user experience, the study found.This shift is particularly evident among “Digital Champions” – those excelling in digital innovation, seamless customer journeys and real-time services – which are redesigning customer interaction channels and expanding relationship ecosystems, especially in areas like investment services.What are the primary focus areas driving digitalization growth among Digital Champions? Source: Digital Banking Maturity 2024, Deloitte, Oct 2024Overall, the study found that remote, digital onboarding is now common practice across the sector. However, Digital Champions are going the extra mile by adding user-centric features such as information on the application status, real-time validation and a “save and finish later” option.% functionalities offered by banks, Source: Digital Banking Maturity 2024, Deloitte, Oct 2024According to the report, this strategy aims to generate outstanding value for customers, offering them with a full range of key banking operations and fulfilling all financial needs. It aligns with the growing importance of customer experience as a key differentiator.The rise of super-appsThe report identifies another dominant approach that banking leaders are adopting. In this strategy, banks are focusing on adding many new functionalities and to provide comprehensive “super applications”. These platforms streamline end-to-end remote product offerings while enabling users to manage various aspects of their financial lives in one place.According to the study, Digital Champions are largely leading this revolution, providing savings and investment solutions 2.5 times more frequently than their competitors. Additionally, many top players are integrating fully digital cash loans into their standard services, and an increasing number are extending their digital capabilities to mortgage products.% of banks offering fully end-to-end product opening method in mobile or Internet channels, Source: Digital Banking Maturity 2024, Deloitte, Oct 2024Some of these apps have gone a step further, expanding beyond traditional banks to include a range of features such as mobility services, insurance options, and real estate tools, enabling customers to manage various aspects of their lives via a single platform. By providing an all-in-one solution, these institutions aim to keep users engaged within the app for more than just financial tasks, enhancing customer loyalty and convenience.According to the report, this approach has gained prominence in the Middle East and Asia, where Digital Champions are now offering such services 2.5 times more often than other banks, with significant differences seen in healthcare (6.5x) and public services (5.9x).Top value-added services by category, % of banks offering given functionality, Source: Digital Banking Maturity 2024, Deloitte, Oct 2024Real-estate, personal financial management to improve customer engagementThe research found that banks are also innovating in mortgage lending by introducing real estate marketplaces. These marketplaces are designed to facilitate home purchase, as part of the mortgage process and the only marketplace available, or they can make part of a bigger property-related ecosystem.% of personal financial management functionalities offered by banks, Source: Digital Banking Maturity 2024, Deloitte, Oct 2024Banks are also actively seeking new methods to improve customer engagement, introducing personal financial management functionalities and enhancing financial knowledge and awareness. These strategies aim to increase the duration and frequency of mobile app usage. They also create cross-selling opportunities, further driving customer interaction and loyalty.According to the report, Europe is the global leader in digital banking, with the highest number of Digital Champions at 17.Real estate marketplace functionalities offered by banks, Source: Digital Banking Maturity 2024, Deloitte, Oct 2024In the European neobank sector, the UK’s Revolut leads the market with 50 million customers, followed by Wise with 12.8 million, Bunq with 10 million customers, Monzo with 9.7 million, and N26 with 8 million, according to Statista.Number of customers at selected digital banks in Europe in 2024 (in millions), Source- Statista, 2024Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digital-banking-strategies-prioritize-refinement-of-existing-products-and-super-apps</link><guid>3805</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Digital Banking Strategies Prioritize Refinement of Existing Products and Super Apps</dc:text></item><item><title>Reuters Events to Host Future of Insurance Europe 2025 in Amsterdam</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxReuters Events has announced its “Future of Insurance Europe 2025” conference, set to take place on 7-8 May in Amsterdam.The event will address key challenges and opportunities in the European insurance sector, including AI integration, risk management, and evolving customer demands.The conference will bring together over 200 leaders from more than 35 countries.Attendees can expect discussions and insights on topics such as AI, technology, inflation, risk, talent, strategy, and customer engagement.Sessions will include panels, roundtables, workshops, hackathons, and presentations featuring prominent industry experts.Key speakers include Arturo Lopez-Linares, Chief Claims Officer at AXA; Henrik Ryden, CEO Nordics at Marsh McLennan; and Barbara Lieich-Steiner, Chief Digital Officer at UNIQA.Discussions will revolve around four key themes:Digital Transformation &amp; AI-Powered Innovation: Exploring technologies like generative AI and advanced analytics to revolutionise underwriting, claims processing, and customer service.Customer-Centric Strategies &amp; Product Development: Addressing ways to develop insurance products that are transparent, simple, and tailored to evolving customer needs.Risk Management &amp; Resilience: Examining strategies to mitigate emerging risks such as climate change and cyber threats while promoting sustainable solutions.Talent &amp; Workforce Evolution: Focusing on upskilling, attracting, and retaining talent, with AI playing a role in building dynamic workplaces.The event brochure, which includes details and a €200 discount available until 20 December, can be accessed here. ]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/reuters-events-to-host-future-of-insurance-europe-2025-in-amsterdam</link><guid>3804</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Reuters Events to Host Future of Insurance Europe 2025 in Amsterdam</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Bitcoin App Relai Raises US$12M Funding, Eyes MiCA License for EU Growth</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxSwiss-based cryptocurrency app Relai has secured US$12 million in funding to drive its expansion across Europe.The investment was led by ego death capital with participation from Plan B Bitcoin Fund, Timechain, and Solit Group.The heavily oversubscribed funding round will enable Relai to enhance its platform, streamline the Bitcoin buying process, and educate users on the benefits of the crypto as a savings tool.Relai also shared its plans to obtain the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) license to gain access to a potential user base of 400 million.The company has reported significant growth, with a 300% year-on-year increase in user adoption, and is on track to reach 1 million downloads by 2025.Founded by Julian Liniger and Adem Bilican in 2020, Relai’s self-custody feature allows users to independently manage their Bitcoin while simplifying the buying process.Jeff BoothJeff Booth, Founding Partner at ego death capital, said,“Julian and Adem have built an incredible team and platform by focusing relentlessly on long-term value to users – helping them to both understand Bitcoin and to buy it safely and securely.They are already a European leader and are well positioned to become a household name.”Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-bitcoin-app-relai-raises-us12m-funding-eyes-mica-license-for-eu-growth</link><guid>3803</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Bitcoin App Relai Raises US$12M Funding, Eyes MiCA License for EU Growth</dc:text></item><item><title>Finpension greift ETF-Sparpläne an mit 0% Gebühren im 2025 / Next Stop: Bank-Lizenz</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your Inboxfinpension ist 2024 stärker gewachsen als je zuvor. Die verwalteten Vermögen haben um mehr als eine Milliarde Franken auf über drei Milliarden Franken zugelegt.Durch einen temporären Gebührenverzicht auf die neu lancierte Anlagelösung will finpension das Wachstum weiter an-kurbeln.Dynamische Marktentwicklung mit erhöhter Wechselbereitschaftfinpension konnte im Jahr 2024 bereits mehr als 15’000 Eröffnungen registrieren. Damit hat sich das Wachstum gegenüber dem Vorjahr mehr als verdoppelt. finpension führt das erhöhte Wachstum einerseits auf die breitere Produktpalette zurück, andererseits auf eine höhere Wechselbereitschaft der Schweizer Bankkundinnen und -kunden. Um maximal von der erhöhten Dynamik am Markt zu profitieren, verzichtet finpension 2025 auf die Gebühr von 0.39 % der Anlagelösung fürs freie Vermögen.Lösung zur Anlage von Kapitalbezügen aus der VorsorgeDer Ursprung der Anlagelösung lag im Wunsch von bestehenden Kundinnen und Kunden, ihre Vorsorgegelder auch nach der Pensionierung durch finpension verwalten zu lassen. Das Angebot setzt auf kostengünstige ETF und eine tiefe Verwaltungsgebühr. Es ermöglicht auch den Vermögensaufbau mit einem Sparplan und die Geldanlage in Private Markets ab einem Franken.Die Gebühr für diese Anlagelösung fürs freie Vermögen wird nun temporär auf 0.00 % reduziert. Die Fee-Holiday, wie ein Gebührenverzicht auf English genannt wird, gilt sowohl für alle Neukund:innen als auch für alle bestehenden Kund:innen.Vom Nischenplayer zur All-Finanz-App- Banklizenz im 2025?Bisher war finpension in der Vorsorge mit einer Wertschriftenlösung präsent. Seit dem Jahr 2024 bietet finpension auch ein Vorsorgekonto mit 100 % Cash an. Zudem konnte die Anlagelösung fürs freie, nicht in der Vorsorge gebundene Vermögen lanciert werden. Langfristiges Ziel von finpension ist eine All-Finanz-App, wozu auch Zahlungsdienstleistungen und das Hypothekengeschäft gehören. Dazu strebt finpension eine Banklizenz an.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finpension-greift-etf-sparplane-an-mit-0-gebuhren-im-2025-next-stop-bank-lizenz</link><guid>3802</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Finpension greift ETF-Sparpläne an mit 0% Gebühren im 2025 / Next Stop: Bank-Lizenz</dc:text></item><item><title>N26 Introduces Ready-Made Funds to Its Investment Offering</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxN26 announced the launch of Ready-Made Funds, a new offering added to its existing Stocks &amp; ETFs trading.Ready-Made Funds allow customers to select a multi-asset portfolio made up of Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) and Index Funds, managed by investment experts from BlackRock. These funds are allocated across equity, ﬁxed income, and non-traditional investments and offer more diversiﬁcation than investing in a single asset class. The range also allows customers to choose a fund option to match the risk level they are most comfortable with: Mindful, Balanced or Ambitious.Simplifying Investment DecisionsReady-Made Funds are the latest addition to N26’s trading offering and are designed to be easy, cost- and time-efficient. Users can select a fund based on their risk appetite and resulting estimated yearly return, directly within the N26 app. The funds offer three different target allocations, with varying risk and yield ranges, fully managed by investment experts. Users can seamlessly access their fund via the N26 app to monitor holdings, deposit or withdraw funds, manage investment plans, and view fund details.Mayur KamatMayur Kamat, Chief Product Officer at N26, said:“Investing in the capital markets is an increasingly important way to build wealth over the long term. With Ready-Made Funds, N26 customers can now embark on their investment journey in a couple of taps, backed by the expertise of seasoned professionals.”This new product is available in Germany, Austria, Spain, Ireland, The Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Belgium and will be gradually made available to eligible customers over the next few days, starting from today. Ready-made funds are offered in cooperation with BlackRock, giving customers access to their global investment and multi-asset investing expertise.Timo ToengesTimo Toenges, EMEA Head of Digital Wealth at BlackRock said:“We are delighted to work with N26 to bring Ready-Made Funds to their customers. These multi-asset funds are part of a simple investing process that make it easy and affordable to invest. With our global investment expertise, we aim to empower more Europeans to take their ﬁrst steps into investing with conﬁdence and ease, harnessing the beneﬁts of different asset classes in a few taps.”Until 1 April 2025, N26 will waive its fees for this new product for all eligible customers. Thereafter, Ready-Made Funds will be available for annual fees starting at just 0.29% of the total investment value.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/n26-introduces-ready-made-funds-to-its-investment-offering</link><guid>3801</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>N26 Introduces Ready-Made Funds to Its Investment Offering</dc:text></item><item><title>Media M&amp;A Activity Rebounds, Driven by Europe and Thriving Events Sector</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxAfter 18 months of economic and geopolitical uncertainty, marked by recession fear, macroeconomic stability is making a comeback. This recovery is driving a resurgence in mergers and acquisitions (M&amp;A) activity in the media sector.The first half of 2024 recorded a 17% year-on-year (YoY) increase in deal volumes in the sector, climbing from 60 transactions to 70, according to a new report by Collingwood, a consulting and advisory firm specializing in the media sector. This growth was driven by Europe and the UK, which recorded 42 deals in H1 2024, up 35% YoY.Events businesses, which specializes in conferences, trade shows, awards, and one-on-one meetings, emerged as the most active area for dealmaking in Europe in 2024 with 69 deals. The UK, in particular, players a central role in this surge, the report says, hosting several prominent and private equity-backed event organizers such as Clarion Events, CloserStill Media, Hyve Group, Informa, Nineteen Group, and RX Global.Meanwhile, information businesses, which generate revenue from high-value content subscriptions and other recurring revenue models, also drove significant M&amp;A activity in Europe, with 62 deals recorded compared to 42 in the US.Though Europe and the UK led the media M&amp;A landscape in H1 2024, the report notes that the US remained a principal market, particularly in the media vertical, which encompasses publishers that generate revenue from multichannel sponsorships, content marketing, and demand- and lead-generation services.The US led globally with 70 media-specific transactions in 2024, ahead of Europe with 46 deals. The trend is driven in part by the country’s larger marketing market size, and the activities of private equity-backed consolidators like Endeavor and BridgeTower Media. These firm are looking to acquire business-to-business (B2B) digital marketing revenue platforms, the report says.Deal volume by region across information, media and events, Source: The Media Acquisition Report 2024, Collingwood, Oct 2024Key deals underscored this rebound in late 2024. Notably, media company Axel Springer sold its German finance platform, Finanzen.net and associated trading platform to private equity firm Inflexion for a staggering EUR 400 million, according to media reports. The transaction was one of the largest fintech deals in Germany this year.In December, Dow Jones acquired London-based WorldECR for an undisclosed amount. WorldECR is a provider of news, data and analysis for compliance professionals. WorldECR will integrate with Dow Jones Risk and Compliance, which reported a 16% YoY increase in Q1 2025 earnings to US$81 million.Information businesses remain most valuable, followed by media companiesAccording to the Collingwood report, valuation multiples this year remain broadly consistent across business models.In 2024, information businesses continued to be considered the most valuable, with EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) multiples typically standing between 13x and 16x. These high valuations stem from their recurring business models and high margins.Media businesses followed, with multiples typically ranging between 8x and 12x. Modern and data-led media businesses stand in the higher end of this range, while traditional publishing or ad-led businesses are seen as riskier, exhibiting thus lower multiples.Finally, events businesses are typically valued lower, at 7x to 11x EBITDA. However, they can command higher multiples if they host scaled trade shows, have a strong recurring business (e.g., high rebooking rates for trade shows) or exhibit international expansion opportunities.Optimism ahead for 2025Looking ahead to the remainder of 2024 and 2025, the media M&amp;A landscape appears promising, the Collingwood report says. With inflation easing and interest rates beginning to fall, the cost of capital is decreasing, creating favorable conditions for dealmaking. In addition, political uncertainty is expected to diminish in 2025, further stabilizing the market, the report says.Buyers are anticipating M&amp;A activity to continue to increase over the next 18 months, moving back towards 2022 levels. The event vertical is expected to remain a focus point, driven by its profitability and growth potential.According to a report by A Media Operator, major players such as Informa and EasyFairs, but also PE firms are actively pursuing strategic acquisitions and looking for smaller firms for consolidation.Informa, a prominent British publishing and exhibitions group, has already spent some US$3 billion over the past few years on assets like Industry Dive, Tagus, Ascential, and others. However, the company still has the capacity for big acquisitions, the report says.Meanwhile, EasyFairs, a Brussels-based international events company, secured PE investment earlier this year to launch new events, broaden its geographic and sector presence, and tap strategic M&amp;A opportunities.Questex is another information and events company reportedly on the lookout for acquisitions, media or events, seeking deals that would likely fall into the US$50 million to US$60 million range, according to the report.BridgeTower Media, which specializes in B2B media and events, and HW Media, publisher of HousingWire, RealTrends and Reverse Mortgage Daily, are also said to be looking at M&amp;A opportunities.Transactions in the events space, Source: Eagletree Capital via A Media Operator, Oct 2024Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/media-ma-activity-rebounds-driven-by-europe-and-thriving-events-sector</link><guid>3800</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Media M&amp;A Activity Rebounds, Driven by Europe and Thriving Events Sector</dc:text></item><item><title>Retail Investors Show Divergent Behaviors in Crypto versus Traditional Assets</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxRetail investors are showing distinct behavioral patterns when trading cryptocurrencies compared to traditional assets such as gold and stocks. Traditionally, investors tend to sell their stocks and gold when prices rise.In contrast, when cryptocurrency prices increase, retail investors are more likely to hold or buy more. This aligns with a “momentum-like” strategy, reflecting the belief that rising prices signal greater future adoption and value, a new research found.The research, published in September by finance academics from the US and the UK, analyzed trading behaviors for cryptocurrencies and traditional assets, using a dataset of trades from 200,000 individual retail accounts on brokerage eToro between 2015 and 2019.The analysis used the 200 most traded stocks on eToro, which account for over 91% of stock trading on the platform during the sample period. Similarly, it focused on the three most traded cryptocurrencies, namely bitcoin, ether, and ripple, which constitute over 78% of cryptocurrency trading during the sample period.For stocks and gold, the research found contrarian tendencies, where retail investors actively rebalanced their portfolios when prices went up, and put money into stocks when the prices went down.An analysis for the full set of traders in the dataset found that a 1% increase in stock prices was associated with a 1.2% decrease in the portfolio share due to rebalancing, translating to a 0.28% decrease in total portfolio share of stocks.Similarly, in gold trading, a 1% increase in gold prices was associated with a 38.1% decrease in the portfolio share due to rebalancing, translating to a 37.3% decrease in total portfolio share of gold. This strong contrarian behavior is explained in part by gold returns having much lower volatility than other asset classes as well as the high leverage used by retail investors when trading gold.Buy and Hold and Double Down on SurgesIn contrast, cryptocurrency investors tend to hold onto their assets after large price movements. Some even double down on cryptocurrencies during price surges. An analysis of trading activity found that a 1% increase in prices is associated with a 0.67% increase in the total portfolio share of cryptocurrencies, reflecting this trend.According to the report, these results are not the outcome of inattention, differential preferences for lottery-like assets, differences in fees, or the lack of cash flow information about cryptocurrencies. Instead, they reveal that retail investors are applying a model of cryptocurrency pricing in which positive returns increase the likelihood of future widespread adoption, which in turn leads them to update their price expectations in the direction of the price change.Unlike traditional assets, where adoption is already well-established, cryptocurrencies are a nascent industry, with their value tied to expectations of future growth. This explains the contrarian behavior when trading cryptocurrencies compared to more established assets like stocks and commodities, and the momentum-like tendencies.Booming crypto trading activityCrypto trading has undergone drastic evolution over the past decade, shifting from being a niche market among tech enthusiasts to becoming a mainstream financial phenomenon influencing global markets.Despite criticism on their speculative nature, extreme volatility, and lack of regulatory oversight, cryptocurrencies have gained significant traction among supporters.The State of Cryptocurrency Ownership Worldwide in 2024 report estimates that the number of digital currency users reached 562 million people this year, up 34% increase from 420 million in 2023. This figure implies that 6.8% of the world’s population are now crypto owners, with crypto ownership rising by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 99% between 2018 and 2023.Crypto ownership worldwide, Source: The State of Global Cryptocurrency Ownership in 2024, Triple A Technologies, Sep 2024Institutional interest has also surged. A study by EY-Parthenon found that 94% of the 277 institutional investor decision-makers surveyed believe in the long-term value of blockchain and digital assets, with 79% considering them crucial for portfolio diversification.38% of respondents said they had already committed between 1%-5% of funds to digital assets or crypto-related investments, and in the case of family offices, nearly half are in that allocation range. Traditional hedge funds are reaching for digital assets gains even more aggressively than their peers, with 22% allocating greater than 5% of funds.What percentage of your funds have you allocated to cryptocurrencies, digital assets or related crypto funds/products?, Source: Gaining Ground: how institutional investors plan to approach digital assets in 2024, EY-Parthenon, May 2024Last month, crypto trading hit a new milestone, exceeding US$10 trillion across spot and derivatives markets for the first time in November, according to CCData, a data and index solutions provider specializing in the digital asset market.Spot trading volume rose 128% month-on-month (MoM) to US$3.43 billion, marking the second-highest monthly total since the previous peak in May 2021. Derivatives trading volumes, meanwhile, surged 89.4% to US$6.99 trillion, surpassing the previous all-time high set in March 2024.Monthly spot versus derivatives volume, Source: Exchange Review, November 2024, CCDataThis surge was fueled by significant events including Donald Trump’s election victory, which spurred expectations of a pro-crypto regulatory shift. Since election day on November 05, the price of bitcoin climbed more than 40%, crossing the US$100,000 mark on December 06.South Korea also played a key role in the global trading surge, driven by an altcoin frenzy. Aggregate trading volumes across major South Korean exchanges, including Upbit and Bithumb Korea, reached a record of US$254 billion, representing a 294% MoM increase. South Korea now accounts for 7.38% of the total spot trading volumes on centralized exchanges.Change in market share on selected exchanges, monthly, Source: Exchange Review, November 2024, CCDataInstitutional trading also soared, with CME’s aggregate trading volume hitting US$245 billion in November. Bitcoin futures volume rose by 72.2% to US$186 billion while ether futures volume increased by 122% to US$33.6 billion, a new all-time high for both the instruments.CME institutional volume, Source: Exchange Review, November 2024, CCDataFeatured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/retail-investors-show-divergent-behaviors-in-crypto-versus-traditional-assets</link><guid>3799</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Retail Investors Show Divergent Behaviors in Crypto versus Traditional Assets</dc:text></item><item><title>Google Emerges as a Key Tech Enabler for Banks and Fintech Startups</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxThe role of Google in the financial services industry has evolved significantly, shifting away from direct consumer-facing offerings to becoming a critical technology enabler for fintech startups and financial institutions, a new report by C-Innovation, a French fintech-focused research firm, says.The analysis, released in November, explores Google’s expanding role in the financial services industry, focusing on how technologies such as Google Cloud, artificial intelligence (AI) tools, and Google Wallet, are empowering banks and fintech companies to swiftly innovate, scale and enhance customer experiences.Google Cloud: supporting growth and improving efficienciesThe report highlights the growing influence of Google Cloud in the financial services industry. Google Cloud is a suite of cloud computing services offered by Google. It provides infrastructure, platforms, and software that allow businesses and developers to build, deploy, and scale applications, store and analyze data, and more.In the financial services industry, Google Cloud allows banks and fintech startups to meet changing customer demands, scale their operations efficiently and manage large user bases without the need for substantial investments in IT infrastructure.Meanwhile, Google Cloud’s AI tools are designed to improve operational efficiencies. Lending Doc AI, for example, is an AI-driven tool designed to streamline the processing of loan documents. The tool uses advanced machine learning (ML) to extract, classify and analyze data from complex documents like mortgages applications, tax forms, and financial statements.Today, over 200 companies within the financial services sector rely on Google Cloud, cementing its position as a major force in the digital banking landscape. Notable customers include industry leaders such as Deutsche Bank, HSBC, BBVA, Revolut, Monzo, and Starling Bank.Google Cloud finance customers, Source: C-Innovation, Nov 2024The report highlights the case of Revolut, which uses Google Cloud’s infrastructure to enhance infrastructure scalability, automation and security. Through Google Compute Engine, Revolut has optimized its infrastructure, enabling automated deployments and updates that allow the company to scale in response to growing demand efficiently.Revolut also makes use of Google Cloud APIs and automation tools to further streamline processes and improve scalability across its operations in over 35 countries.Another example is the partnership between Google and GoHenry by Acorns, a fintech company focused on children’s financial education. This collaboration focuses on enhancing financial literacy through wearable technology, integrating GoHenry’s financial education tools with Google’s Fitbit Ace LTE.It allows children under 13 to manage money safely using GoHenry debit cards linked to Google Wallet. Parents, meanwhile, can set spending limits and monitor transactions, providing kids with real-world financial responsibility in a controlled and secure environment.Expanding Google Wallet capabilities for banks and fintech startupsThe C-Innovation report also notes the expansion of Google Wallet, which now offers digital identity (ID) solutions alongside its traditional payment features. These products and features are providing new ways for digital banks to improve onboarding and facilitate cross-border services.By enabling users to store digital versions of government-issued IDs, Google Wallet allows for seamless identity verification, simplifying the onboarding process for neobanks, reducing friction and enhancing user experience with secure biometric authentication.Google Wallet digital IDs, Source: C-Innovation, Nov 2024While Google services offer significant benefits to financial services companies, including enhanced scalability, cost efficiency and operational effectiveness, C-Innovation cautions against the risks of deep integration into Google’s ecosystem, highlighting concerns including over-reliance on Google products, regulatory challenges, and privacy issues.In addition to its business-to-business (B2B) services, Google also has a strong customer-facing presence in financial services.Google Pay is a mobile payment service that powers in-app, online, and in-person contactless purchases on mobile devices, enabling users to make payments with Android phones, tablets, or watches. Launched in 2011, Google Pay has amassed approximately 150 million users worldwide, recording US$110 billion in transaction value in 2019. The service is available in over 60 countries and territories.Google has also expanded its services through partnerships with banks and financial services providers. In India, Google is partnered with banks like Axis Bank and ICICI Bank to offer consumer and business loans. Google is also teamed up with Affirm and Zip, two major buy now, pay later (BNPL) players, to offer BNPL options to Google Pay users.Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/google-emerges-as-a-key-tech-enabler-for-banks-and-fintech-startups</link><guid>3798</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Google Emerges as a Key Tech Enabler for Banks and Fintech Startups</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Emerges as One of Europe’s Top Tech Startup Sectors</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxIn Europe, fintech has risen to prominence as a leading startup sector, with some of the continent’s biggest tech companies operating in the field.These success stories have not only driven innovation but also cultivated some of Europe’s most active angel investors, who are now playing a critical role in nurturing the growth of their local ecosystems, according to a new report by Atomico, a London-based venture capital (VC) firm.The 2024 edition of the State of European Tech report, released in November, looks at the evolution of the European tech ecosystem, the progresses made, but also the hurdles to overcome for sustained success.According to the report, European companies valued at more than US$1 billion have proliferated in recent years, with the number of unicorns created in the past decade standing five times higher than pre-2015 levels. In particular, the finance sector led this surge, accounting for 24% of all unicorns formed in the past five years.Companies reaching US$1 billion+ valuation (%) by sector and year of milestone, 2024, Source: State of European Tech 2024, Atomico, Nov 2024Fintech: a leading tech sector in EuropeResponses to a survey of industry stakeholders conducted for the report underscore this dominance, with fintech companies like Revolut, Klarna, Adyen and Wise standing out as emblematic of the growth of the European tech sector over the past ten years.Revolut was named by 15% of respondents, ranking second after Spotify (26%). These companies are followed by Klarna and Adyen, with 110+ and 90+ mentions, respectively, underlining Europe’s characterization as a global centre of excellence for finance. Wise is another fintech company named, cited more than 50 times.Revolut is a neobank and fintech company headquartered in London that offers banking services for retail customers and businesses, including currency exchange, debit and credit cards, virtual cards, Apple Pay, interest-bearing “vaults”, personal loans and buy now, pay later (BNPL), and stock trading.Founded in 2015, the company serves over 45 million retail and 500,000 business customers globally, operates in more than 140 regions and supports over 25 currencies.Recently, Revolut reached a US$45 billion valuation after a secondary share sale, making it worth more than some of Europe’s biggest banks, Reuters reported. In July, it was granted a UK banking license after a three-year wait, though with some restrictions.Klarna is a leading global payments and shopping service, boasting 85 million active end-users, and more than 575,000 merchants in 26 countries. Founded in 2005 in Stockholm, Klarna offers direct payments, pay after delivery options and installment plans in a smooth one-click purchase experience.Klarna achieved net income of SEK 216 million (US$19.8 million) in Q3, up 57% year-over-year (YoY) and marking the second profitable quarter for the company.Klarna recently filed for an initial public offering (IPO) in the US. While no financial details have been provided, analysts in October put Klarna’s implied valuation at about US$14.6 billion.Adyen is a Dutch payment company with the status of an acquiring bank that allows businesses to accept e-commerce, mobile, and point-of-sale (POS) payments. Founded in 2006, Adyen provides end-to-end payments capabilities, data-driven insights, and financial products in a single global solution, serving the likes of Meta, Uber, H&amp;M, eBay, and Microsoft.Adyen is listed on the stock exchange Euronext Amsterdam with a market capitalization of more than US$47 billion.Finally, Wise, formerly known as TransferWise, is a global tech company, specializing in cross-border transactions. Serving both individuals and businesses, Wise allows its customers to hold 40 currencies, move money between countries and spend money abroad.Launched in 2011, Wise is one of the world’s fastest growing, profitable tech companies, supporting around 12.8 million people and businesses, and processing approximately GBP 118.5 billion (US$151 billion) in cross-border transactions in its fiscal year 2024. Wise is listed on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker, WISE.Europe’s biggest success stories, Source: State of European Tech 2024, Atomico, Nov 2024Fintech entrepreneurs shape the European tech ecosystemEurope’s fintech success stories extend beyond operational growth to fostering local innovation. This manifests both in the number of investments Europe’s fintech founders make, but also their contribution to building their local market.Taavet Hinrikus, co-founder of Wise, is currently the most active angel investor in Europe. Hinrikus has made more than 90 investments to date with roughly half based in either the UK or Estonia, Wise’s two key hubs.Another prominent angel investor is Tom Blomfield, co-founder of GoCardless and Monzo based in the UK. Blomfield has made more than 40 investments to date, with 60% of these investments being based in the UK. He is the fourth most active angel investor in Europe.Other fintech founders in the leaderboard include Maximilian Tayenthal, co-founder of N26, ranked 8th with more than 30 investments to date, and 68% of these investments being in Germany; and Stefan Jeschonnek, co-founder of SumUp, ranked 9th with more than 30 investments and 45% of these investments being in his home country of Germany.Top angel investors among European US$B+ company founders, Source: State of European Tech 2024, Atomico, Nov 2024Europe’s tech momentumEurope has become a global leader in technology. The continent is now home to over 35,000 startups, a fourfold increase from fewer than 8,000 in 2015. Growth-stage companies, meanwhile, saw an eightfold increase to over 3,400.Count of early-stage, late-stage and US$B+ companies, 2015 versus 2024, Source: State of European Tech 2024, Atomico, Nov 2024The tech workforce has also expanded significantly, with 3.5 million people now employed in the sector. The vast majority of those employees have joined over the past decade with close to 3 million jobs created over that time frame. It’s growing at a 24% compounded annual growth rate, comparable to the US.Total tech industry employees in Europe and the US, 2015 to 2024, Source: State of European Tech 2024, Atomico, Nov 2024Total funding over the past decade is ten times higher than that of the previous decade, having soared from US$43 billion to US$426 billion. This year, investment levels are on track to reach around US$45 billion, three times as much as the US$15 billion recorded in 2015.Top capital invested (US$B) in Europe per year, 2005 to 2024, Source: State of European Tech 2024, Atomico, Nov 2024Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-emerges-as-one-of-europes-top-tech-startup-sectors</link><guid>3796</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech Emerges as One of Europe’s Top Tech Startup Sectors</dc:text></item><item><title>Mambu Acquires French Payment Technology Provider Numeral</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxMambu has announced the acquisition of Numeral, a French payment technology provider for banks and fintechs.The acquisition strengthens Mambu’s position as an industry leader, in a move that underscores market confidence and growing demand for modern financial experiences.With Numeral’s platform, Mambu is set to drive new value from wider audience segments that will increase its overall share of the market. It also offers a unique strategic fit to the foundation of the cloud banking leader’s long-term expansion efforts.Fernando Zandona“This acquisition marks a considered move to deliver a more modern, comprehensive payment offering which is now an integrated part of Mambu’s product portfolio. Numeral’s advanced payments platform will enable us to address changing customer demands, strengthen existing product lines and expand our market reach, while offering businesses advanced capabilities to meet an extensive range of needs.”Fernando Zandona, CEO at Mambu.Speaking about why Numeral was the ‘right fit’ for Mambu, Zandona added:“Numeral’s values, proven agility, and robust onboarding processes match perfectly with our growth mindset as a business. We look forward to welcoming their talented team as we unlock new growth opportunities together.”Founded in 2021, Numeral is a fast-growing payment technology provider that offers financial institutions a universal gateway to connect to partner banks and access schemes and a modern payments hub to automate payment processing. The Paris-based firm processes more than €10 billion in payments annually and has established a strong presence in Europe, having expanded its operations to the UK last year.The size of the market opportunity for bank payments is striking. In 2022, the value of bank payments in the Eurozone stood at €191 trillion, that is 58x more than card payments (€3.3 trillion). This vast global market is transforming rapidly, driven by the rise of instant payments as a catalyst for modernising core banking and payment platforms. With its robust bank integrations, a modular API and modern dashboard, Numeral’s platform will enable Mambu to capitalise on this market opportunity.The cloud banking platform will also benefit from Numeral’s roster of partnerships with some of Europe’s leading banks, including BNP Paribas, Barclays, HSBC, and ABN AMRO.Édouard Mandon“Payments are at the heart of how companies do business around the world, yet they remain trapped in systems designed decades ago, unfit for the ongoing instant payments revolution,”said Numeral co-founder and CEO, Édouard Mandon.“This is a problem that Mambu intimately understands having helped banks and financial institutions worldwide to migrate from rigid, traditional core systems to agile and adaptable cloud infrastructure. Bringing together our dedicated payments technology with Mambu’s leading cloud banking platform and global customer base, we can enable more companies to make their payments future-proof and ever-compliant while eliminating hidden payment complexity at scale.”The integration of Mambu and Numeral’s advanced payment platform will enable banks, fintechs, and non-financial service firms to seamlessly manage end-to-end payment workflows, support multiple payment methods, and provide real-time transaction capabilities. This will drive greater operational efficiency, improved customer experiences, and accelerated time-to-market for innovative financial solutions.Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mambu-acquires-french-payment-technology-provider-numeral</link><guid>3797</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Mambu Acquires French Payment Technology Provider Numeral</dc:text></item><item><title>Making the Digital Transition With 4 Zeros for Financial Institutions</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxIn the last two years, some large banks have been hit with very public, lengthy – over 10 hours – disruption of their digital banking services.And that’s just the incidents we are aware of. Cases like these highlight the fears bankers may have in moving away from legacy systems in the name of innovation.Such unreliability erodes customer trust, impacts revenue, and perhaps most importantly, raises the ire of regulators.This fear factor also makes it harder for traditional banks to embrace going digital to fight neobanks and other digital-first financial institutions.Thus, many bankers and C-suites take a conciliatory route to keep boards, customers, and regulators happy: small innovations here, a product-only digital makeover there.Rarely, if ever, are legacy systems changed. Unfortunately, half-measures can only last so long in the uber-competitive BFSI space, especially with the increasing rollout of digital banking licenses across different Southeast Asian markets.Huawei’s 4 Zeros to resilienceAt the recent Singapore Fintech Festival 2024 (SFF), Huawei advocated that redefining financial resilience in the AI era be guided by Huawei’s 4 Zeros goal.Huawei Redefines Financial System Resilience with 4 ZerosZero TrustZero WaitZero DowntimeZero TouchEnsures end-to-end (E2E) in-depth security.Refers to business agility and ultra-low transaction latency.Means always-on services.Intelligent operation and maintenance (O&amp;M), similar to autonomous driving1. Zero data breaches.2. Virus blocking shortened from seconds to milliseconds.1. Service rollout shortened from months to days.2. Transaction latency reduced from 200ms to 50ms.1. Reduced Recovery Point Objective (RPO) from 15 minutes to 0 minutes.2. Reduced Recovery Time Objective (RTO) from 2 hours to 2 minutes.1. Zero human error.2. Provides 1-3-5 troubleshooting, proactively identifying service exceptions and automatically locating root causes within three minutes.Jason Cao, CEO of Digital Finance Business Unit, Huawei, said legacy banks in China have already made the jump into the deep end, choosing the visionary route and making wholesale changes to their foundations from a business standpoint.“Visionaries think that I have to do it, because if I don’t do it, my whole bank will lose capability for innovations.This requires not only a particularly strong focus on technology but also a comprehensive focus on the legacy systems as a whole: hardware, software and also engineering middleware, database.“So we take a holistic view of banks that want to make this change: we learn about the whole architecture, the business, and their business targets,”he told Fintech News Singapore on the sidelines of SFF.Jason Cao, CEO of Digital Finance BU, HuaweiFrom legacy to software-defined bankingIn China, over 80% of China’s top financial institutions have migrated critical applications and core banking from legacy to cloud infrastructures.There’s the Postal Savings Bank of China (PSBC), which boasts 650 million customers. With Huawei’s architecture, PSBC has moved its legacy applications from a monolithic structure to cloud-native applications on a private cloud, delivering more than 5,000 microservices, reducing the rollout time of composable products from two weeks to T+1, and achieving a transaction volume of 67,000 transactions per second (TPS).Cao said,Cao said,“We’ve also managed to help both traditional and neobanks build resilience with no legacy architecture, instead basing it on user journeys.The Shenzhen-based China Merchants Bank removed its legacy system entirely and is now a software-defined bank with over 137 million credit card users and more than 188 million mobile banking customers. In 2022, it rolled out more than 50,000 products and five million functioning points, essentially turning them into a giant Internet company from a traditional bank.“On the neobank side, Huawei’s solutions have helped ensure WeBank’s reliability: its system availability in 2023 was 99.999%, with daily transactions peaking at more than 1.1 billion, at an IT O&amp;M cost per account of 30 US cents.Our clients enjoy omni-channel secure service access, real-time interaction for better experience, core transaction and risk management, as well as SLA assurance through fast fault isolation,”he added.Huawei builds new resilience to surpass mainframes and achieve 99.999% availability by focusing on nine foundational technology domains: transactional databases, financial-grade platforms (PaaS), the R&amp;D tool chain, cell-based architecture, software and hardware collaboration acceleration, chaos engineering, data security, lossless upgrade projects, and cloud native deterministic O&amp;M.With Southeast Asian traditional banks fighting for the piece of the digital banking pie with non-BFSI competitors as well as lithe neobanks and digital wallets, Huawei’s 4 Zeros resilience solution deliverables have also attracted customers like the Philippines’ UnionBank, which has more than 15 million customers.In an impressive 35-day timeline, Huawei and its partner launched a cloud-based core banking system for UnionDigital Bank, enabling access to financial services for millions of unbanked Filipinos. Such a project usually requires three to six months to complete.Global ecosystem partnersIn a post-payments world, Huawei has upgraded its finance industry strategy, Cao said.“We provide comprehensive solutions which combine hardware and software, so it’s an ecosystem to help customers. But now our customers want us to solve more complex issues, beyond simply replacing their legacy systems.“So Huawei is growing its ecosystem by working with global partners, for example, like Temenos, a top player for core banking. On the other hand, we also work with a lot of regional leading fintech players in our ecosystem.With our top partners from China, we launched the Huawei Financial Partner Go Global Program (FPGGP) in 2021.Today there are more than 30 partners in FPGGP, and we want to introduce all these top-performing partners to the global market.“While we have access to global customers, we don’t do applications. Our partners work on applications, we work on the platform.Bringing our Chinese partners to the global market is just the first step – next we want to bring partners from across all the regions onto our global platform, giving them global access,”Cao said.To date, Huawei has served over 3,700 financial customers in more than 80 countries and regions, including 53 of the world’s top 100 banks. Huawei has also established strategic partnerships with more than 80 large banks, insurers, and securities companies across the globe, becoming their trusted partner in digital transformation.Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/making-the-digital-transition-with-4-zeros-for-financial-institutions</link><guid>3795</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Making the Digital Transition With 4 Zeros for Financial Institutions</dc:text></item><item><title>Top Fintech Market Trend 2025: Tokenized Private Credit Market</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxDigital markets and tokenizations represent a potential avenue of growth for the rapidly evolving private credit market. Tokenization, in particular, is poised to address some of the underlying challenges inherent in private credit, while enhancing efficiency and enabling broader investor participation, a new report by S&amp;P Global says.The report, released in October 2024, explores how tokenization could unlock new opportunities in private credit by enabling fractional ownership on blockchain platforms, mitigating liquidity risks and addressing operational inefficiencies that deter many investors.Private credit refers to a non-banking type of loan typically offered to companies but also individuals. In the private credit market, investors make loans to entities or individuals who may have trouble accessing credit from banks or the public markets. Because of the heightened risk, investors typically collect higher interest rates on private credit than they would earn on bonds or other debt investments.Despite these prospects, many investors are still hesitate to participate because of inherent challenges related to private credit. A year-end 2023 survey by Coalition Greenwich found that a majority (70%) of the wealth and asset managers would have allocated more to private credit investments if it weren’t for liquidity risks and/or high management fees. Additionally, a substantial share (38%) of survey respondents cited concerns about transparency.These issues are where tokenization offers transformative potential. Tokenization enables easier trading of fractionalized assets on digital marketplaces, making private credit more accessible by improving liquidity. Furthermore, the use of smart contracts reduce back-office costs and improve operational workflows. Finally, shared ledgers enabled by the use of blockchain technology enhance transparency and thus trust through real-time immutable records of records of ownership and transaction history.Barriers to investing in private credit, Source: Coalition Greenwich 2023 Private Credit Market Structure Study, with S&amp;P Global Ratings and 451 Research, Oct 2024arketStrong growth potentialThough still in its early stages, the tokenized private credit market is growing rapidly. According to S&amp;P Global, there is currently about US$500 million of tokenized private credit globally, but that market has surged by 66% over the past 18 months.With the broader private credit market currently standing at about US$1.7 trillion in investment globally, there remains significant room for growth, signaling a positive outlook for the market in the years to come.Digital domain, real-world assets, Source: S&amp;P Global, Oct 2024Diving into the current state of the tokenized private credit market, the report notes that there are currently two main ways in which private credit is being tokenized: first, by tokenizing existing private credit funds like Hamilton Lane’s SCOPE fund, which includes corporate loans; or by creating tokenized debt directly on decentralized lending platforms.Currently, decentralized platforms make up for the bunch of the tokenized private credit market. Centrifuge, for example, is a specialized blockchain designed for individuals and businesses to borrow against traditional financial assets from decentralized finance (DeFi)-based lenders. The platform had US$289 million of active loans outstanding as of July 26, 2024, focused on consumer asset backed securities (ABS), real-estate bridging loans, and trade finance.London-based digital finance company Greengage has taken a different route, focusing instead on small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) financing. The company announced in July a partnership with Coinbase to issue tokenized private credit to provide e-money account services to SMEs.Asset tokenization gains momentumAsset tokenization, which refers to the process of digitalizing ownership rights to physical or intangible assets, is gaining traction across the financial services sector. By leveraging blockchain technology and smart contracts, tokenization allows financial institutions to improve efficiency through programmable, composable financial instruments. It also allows for increased liquidity through fractionalization, and unlocks new revenue streams with innovative financial products.Formerly known as Onyx, Kinexys is the permissioned blockchain of banking giant JP Morgan. The platform allows users to trade tokenized assets like US Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities, and has exceeded US$1.5 trillion in notional value, processing an average of more than US$2 billion daily in transaction volume.Similarly, Goldman Sachs launched in January 2023 its Digital Assets Platform in partnership with blockchain software provider Digital Asset. Using Digital Asset’s purpose-built Canton Network blockchain, Goldman Sachs’ platform facilitates the issuance, registration, settlement, and custody of various tokenized assets.While the adoption of tokenization remains nascent, the tokenized assets market is gaining momentum. Roland Berger estimates that the tokenized assets market size reached US$400 billion in 2023. By 2030, asset tokenization is projected to grow to become a market worth at least US$10 billion, representing a 40-fold increase in the value of tokenized assets between 2022 and 2030.Market potential of asset tokenization, Source: Roland Berger, Oct 2023Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-fintech-market-trend-2025-tokenized-private-credit-market</link><guid>3794</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Top Fintech Market Trend 2025: Tokenized Private Credit Market</dc:text></item><item><title>Viac Brings Its 3A Pillar Saving Solutions to Private</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxHaving surpassed the milestone of 100’000 customers, VIAC is expanding its offering with VIAC Invest, taking another step into the future of cost-effective wealth management.With Invest, the Basel-based fintech is opening a new chapter and entering the private client sector. Until now, VIAC has primarily focused on retirement planning, managing assets of approximately CHF 4 billion. This has established VIAC as one of Switzerland’s leading digital investment platforms.VIAC Invest broadens the existing service by offering fund savings plans for free savings. Similar to its retirement solutions, customers can use passive funds to create personalized savings or withdrawal plans. These plans are just as simple, flexible, and transparent as VIAC’s retirement offerings, with investments starting from as little as CHF 1. This provides a cost-effective, diversified investment option tailored to the needs of existing customers.Launch OffersTo celebrate the launch of VIAC Invest, customers can invest without any administration fees until the end of 2025. In addition, they will receive a lifelong fee-free allowance of CHF 2’000. The first 25’000 customers will also receive a third welcome gift: a sign-up bonus of up to CHF 100.Even after 2025, VIAC will continue to set new standards for automated fund savings with its low administration fee of just 0.25% per year.Daniel Peter«We are proud to have 100’000 customers who trust us. With VIAC Invest, we want to offer them an even broader range of opportunities to save for their future»,says Daniel Peter, co-founder of VIAC.«Our goal is to revolutionize everyday banking and provide everyone with the tools they need to achieve their financial goals».VIAC Invest is available immediately via the app.More information about the new fund savings plans can be found at viac.ch/en/products/invest/]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/viac-brings-its-3a-pillar-saving-solutions-to-private</link><guid>3793</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Viac Brings Its 3A Pillar Saving Solutions to Private</dc:text></item><item><title>Splint Invest Secures CHF 2.5M in Pre-Funding Round via Crowdfunding</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxZug-based startup Splint Invest has raised CHF 2.5 million from its Pre-Funding Round with 815 investors, exceeding its target and cancelling the planned public campaign. To date, the company has raised a total of CHF 4 million to pursue its European growth.MARK Investment Holding, the brains behind this platform, has announced that it has secured CHF 4 million in pre-funding and crowd-investing campaign.The pre-funding round raised CHF 2.5 million from 815 investors, sufficiently above the target which leads to the planned public campaign being cancelled.With over 200 assets to invest in on its platform, it already counts over 15,000 investors, one-third of which are from the EU. Over EUR 21 million has been invested in tokenized shares (Splints). The company is expecting a revenue increase of 280% annually relative to last year, so it is likely that it will continue to grow rapidly.The web-based savings platform Splint Invest successfully closed a CHF 1.5 million financing round with business angels and new investors. So far, the company has secured a total of CHF 8.3 million in funding, from recognized investors like Lukas Speiser, Jürg Schwarzenbach, and Patrick Mollet, as well as investment companies Haute Capital Partners and Kick Fund.Featured image credit: Splint Invest team: Dmitry Patuk (Head of Growth &amp; Co-Owner), Djuro Kojic (Head of Product), Mario von Bergen (Head of Investments &amp; Co-Founder), and Aurelio Perucca (CEO &amp; Co-Founder)]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/splint-invest-secures-chf-25m-in-pre-funding-round-via-crowdfunding</link><guid>3791</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Splint Invest Secures CHF 2.5M in Pre-Funding Round via Crowdfunding</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 10 Fintech and Payments Trends 2025</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxJuniper Research revealed the 10 trends that are poised to transform the financial landscape in 2025.Each year, Juniper Research’s team of market experts identify the key trends that will drive the fintech market for the year ahead.Nick MaynardJuniper Research‘s VP of Fintech Market Research, Nick Maynard, commented:“Fintech and payments is changing rapidly, with alternative payment methods gaining popularity, fraud presenting a bigger challenge than ever, and regulations evolving quickly. As such, Juniper Research predicts that 2025 will see dramatic shifts, with these 10 trends representing the most impactful developments.”Top Ten Fintech &amp; Payments Trends 20251.  Apple NFC to Boost Competition in Digital Wallets2. Virtual Cards to Revolutionise B2B Expenses and Procurement3.  Behavioural Biometrics Driving Shift to Passive ID Verification4. eCommerce Merchants to Adopt ‘Glocal’ Payments5. Regtech to Accelerate Amid BaaS (Banking-as-a-Service) Compliance Challenges6. Banks to Invest in PSD3 and PSR1 Readiness7. Capital One’s Acquisition of Discover to Challenge Visa &amp; Mastercard8. Wero and Instant Payments Harmonisation to Transform European Payments9. AI Hype to Diminish as Fraud and Identity Drive Innovation10. Sustainable Fintech Becomes Key Differentiator for BanksFeatured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-10-fintech-and-payments-trends-2025</link><guid>3792</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Top 10 Fintech and Payments Trends 2025</dc:text></item><item><title>Die günstigsten Schweizer ETF- und Fonds Sparpläne</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxWährend vielen Jahren waren Sparpläne eine Nische. Inzwischen bieten auch Neobanken Sparpläne an.Zudem sind Mindestgebühren bei vielen traditionellen Banken inzwischen Geschichte. moneyland.ch hat die aktuellen Sparplan-Angebote von 36 Anbietern aus der Schweiz unter die Lupe genommen .Mit einem ETF- oder Fondssparplan können Sparerinnen und Sparer regelmässig einzahlen und so Schritt für Schritt in den Aktienmarkt investieren. Ein Sparplan richtet sich an Kundinnen und Kunden, die zum Beispiel jeden Monat einen Betrag investieren wollen.Während vielen Jahren haben insbesondere etablierte Banken einen Sparplan angeboten. Viele Angebote waren unattraktiv, da die Fondssparpläne teure Strategiefonds enthielten. Für den Kauf von Anteilen sowie für die Depotführung fielen hohe Mindestgebühren an. Das hat sich inzwischen geändert: Nur noch relativ wenige Banken verrechnen Mindestgebühren.ralf beyeler«In letzter Zeit ist viel frischer Wind in den Markt gekommen»,sagt Ralf Beyeler, Experte von moneyland.ch. So bieten inzwischen auch die Smartphone-Banken Neon, Radicant und Yuh sowie Online-Broker wie Saxo Bank und Swissquote Sparpläne an. Manche Anbieter, zum Beispiel Swissquote und Yuh, ermöglichen den Kauf von Bruchteilen eines Anteils – sogenanntes Fractional Trading. Auch bei Robo-Advisors sind Sparpläne erhältlich.Die Vorsorge-App Viac hat den Start eines Sparplanes angekündigt, wobei die Konditionen bisher noch nicht bekannt sind. Bei Alpian wird es noch in diesem Jahr möglich sein, automatisch regelmässig in ETF zu investieren. Nicht immer haben die Produkte den Begriff Sparplan im Namen. Doch die Funktionsweise ist ähnlich: In regelmässigen Abständen wird ein definierter Betrag in Fonds oder ETF investiert.Unterschiedliche TarifsystemeDie verschiedenen Anbieter setzen auf verschiedene Gebühren, was einen Vergleich der verschiedenen Angebote komplexer macht. Bei allen untersuchten Sparplänen müssen die Sparerinnen und Sparer die Produktkosten der Fonds und ETF übernehmen, die in der Regel als TER ausgewiesen werden. Zudem verrechnen alle Anbieter die Umsatzabgabe weiter. Bei vielen Anbietern kommt die Mehrwertsteuer zusätzlich hinzu. Nur ganz wenige Anbieter betonen ausdrücklich, dass die Mehrwertsteuer enthalten ist.Einige Anbieter verrechnen eine Gebühr für den Kauf und/oder den Verkauf von Anteilen. Bei den Anbietern, die eine solche Gebühr verrechnen, beträgt diese bis zu 1.5 Prozent. Es wird jedoch keine Mindestgebühr verrechnet. Ein anderes System wendet Swissquote an, die eine Pauschale von mindestens 3 Franken pro Transaktion verrechnet. Viele Anbieter wie zum Beispiel Raiffeisen, Berner Kantonalbank und Valiant verrechnen eine Depotgebühr von meist 0.2 bis 0.5 Prozent. Bei den teuersten Anbietern beträgt die Depotgebühr 1 Prozent.Immer mehr Anbieter setzen statt auf Courtagen für Kauf und Verkauf sowie die Depotgebühr auf eine einzige Pauschalgebühr. Darin sind die Transaktions- und Depotgebühren bereits enthalten. Je nach Anbieter beträgt die Pauschalgebühr bis zu 0.9 Prozent.Eine wichtige Rolle spielen auch die über einen Sparplan angebotenen Fonds und ETF.«Zu empfehlen ist eine breit diversifizierte Anlagestrategie mit Aktien in aller Welt. Dies ist mit einem ETF oder Indexfonds auf einen Welt-ETF, aber zum Beispiel auch mit einer Anlagestrategie von einem Robo-Advisor möglich», erklärt Ralf Beyeler. «Voraussetzung ist jedoch, dass man noch ruhig schlafen kann, wenn der Wert der Anlagen sinkt. Kann man das nicht, so ist ein solcher Aktien-Sparplan keine optimale Anlagemöglichkeit»,ergänzt Ralf Beyeler.Es ist unbedingt empfehlenswert, auf die Kosten der Fonds oder ETF zu achten. Diese werden oft als TER angegeben. Bei den günstigsten im Rahmen eines Sparplans angebotenen Produkten beträgt die TER 0.03 Prozent, bei den teuersten sind es über 2 Prozent. Aufgepasst: Bei Produkten mit niedrigen TER handelt es sich teils um Geldmarkt- oder Obligationenfonds, die fürs Aktiensparen nicht geeignet sind.Kostensimulation von moneyland.ch zeigt grosse UnterschiedeUm trotz der unterschiedlichen Gebührensysteme einen Vergleich vorzunehmen, hat moneyland.ch eine Kostensimulation erstellt. Für die Kostensimulation wurde angenommen, dass eine Kundin oder ein Kunde während zehn Jahren jeden Monat 200 Franken einzahlt. Nach zehn Jahren kündigt die Kundin oder der Kunde den Sparplan, verkauft die ETF oder Fonds und lässt sich den Betrag überweisen.Die Kostensimulation wird als Bandbreite angegeben, mit den günstigsten sowie teuersten Kosten eines Sparplans. Insbesondere aufgrund der Gebühren eines Fonds oder ETF gibt es grössere Unterschiede, ausserdem kennen manche Anbieter je nach Fonds unterschiedliche Konditionen bei der Courtage, der Depotgebühr oder der Pauschalgebühr. moneyland.ch hat die Bandbreite zwischen dem teuersten und dem günstigsten Fonds berechnet, aber für die Kostensimulation nicht berücksichtigt, welche Art von Fonds im Sparplan enthalten ist.Die Kostensimulation ist eine Vereinfachung, so wurde der Wertzuwachs nicht berücksichtigt. Da die Gebühren oft auf dem Wert basieren, sind die Gebühren effektiv noch höher. Ebenfalls ignoriert wurden Mindestbeträge bei der Ersteinzahlung.Das sind die günstigsten Aktien-SparpläneDer günstigste Aktien-Sparplan wird von der Saxo Bank für Kundinnen und Kunden angeboten, die der Saxo Bank die aktive Wertpapierleihe erlauben. Über die Zeit von zehn Jahren fallen für den Sparplan mit einem ETF auf den S&amp;P-500-Index mit 500 US-amerikanischen Aktien Kosten von 80 Franken an. Bei der Variante ohne Wertpapierleihe sind es hingegen 346 Franken. Würden Anlegerinnen und Anleger in einen geografisch breit diversifizierten ETF auf den Welt-Index MSCI World investieren, würden sich die Kosten auf 261 Franken mit Wertpapierleihe und 527 Franken ohne Wertpapierleihe belaufen.Die weiteren Plätze auf dem Podest belegen die Smartphone-Banken Neon (193 Franken) und Yuh (325 Franken). Bei beiden Anbietern besteht der Sparplan aus jeweils einem ETF auf den S&amp;P-500-Index mit 500 amerikanischen Aktien. Der Sparplan mit dem günstigsten weltweit diversifizierten ETF umfasst sowohl bei Neon als auch bei Yuh jeweils einen ETF auf den FTSE All-World. Die Kosten betragen dabei 301 Franken (Neon) respektive 386 Franken (Yuh).Die Kosten für den günstigsten Sparplan sind bei Avadis und der Basellandschaftlichen Kantonalbank zwar geringer. «Aber die im Sparplan enthaltenen Geldmarkt- und Obligationen-Fonds sind für den Vermögensaufbau nicht geeignet», merkt Ralf Beyeler an. Beide Anbieter bieten auch Fonds mit Anlagen in Aktien an, diese sind jedoch wesentlich teurer.Interessant ist auch der Blick auf die Bandbreite der Angebote der drei günstigsten Anbieter: Bei Saxo kann der Sparplan bis zu 1592 Franken kosten, bei Neon bis zu 1402 Franken und bei Yuh bis zu 1365 Franken. Dies zeigt einmal mehr, dass es je nach ETF grosse Unterschiede gibt.Bei einigen Anbietern kosten die Sparpläne mit einem teuren Fonds mehr als 3000 Franken für zehn Jahre. Das teuerste Angebot kostet 4263 Franken.So schneiden traditionelle Banken abIn der Sparplan-Analyse von moneyland.ch wurden die Angebote von 19 traditionellen Banken berücksichtigt.Der günstigste Sparplan einer traditionellen Schweizer Bank mit einem Aktienfonds kommt von Raiffeisen. Über zehn Jahre gerechnet entstehen für den Sparplan mit einem Indexfonds auf den S&amp;P-500-Index Kosten von 636 Franken. Mit einem Fonds auf den weltweit diversifizierten MSCI World kostet der Sparplan von Raiffeisen 733 Franken.Oft beinhalten die günstigsten Sparplan-Angebote bei einem Anbieter einen Geldmarkt- oder Obligationenfonds. Bei Postfinance beispielsweise umfasst der günstigste Fondssparplan einen Geldmarktfonds mit einer TER von 0.13 Prozent, der günstigste Aktienfonds ist mit einer TER von 0.6 Prozent erheblich teurer. Die Mehrkosten entsprechen in unserer Kostensimulation über zehn Jahre insgesamt 569 Franken.Der Blick auf die Sparplan-Angebote der grössten Schweizer Banken zeigt folgende Bandbreiten für die Kostensimulation über zehn Jahre:Tabelle 1: Kosten für einen Sparplan bei grösseren Schweizer BankenEine ausführliche Tabelle mit sämtlichen untersuchten Banken ist als PDF verfügbar. Sie können sich die Tabelle als PDF in der Box unterhalb des Artikels kostenlos zustellen lassen.So teuer sind Sparpläne bei Smartphone-Banken und Robo-AdvisorsIn der Analyse hat moneyland.ch auch die Sparpläne von vier Smartphone-Banken sowie sieben Robo-Advisors untersucht. Bei Neon können die Kundinnen und Kunden für den Sparplan aus 98 ETF auswählen, bei Yuh aus 81 ETF und Tracker-Zertifikaten. Das ist eine vergleichsweise grosse Auswahl für einen Schweizer Sparplan. Sowohl Neon wie Yuh werben damit, dass Anlegerinnen und Anleger ausgewählte ETF im Rahmen des Sparplans ohne Gebühren kaufen können. Beim Verkauf fallen jedoch die üblichen Gebühren an.Bei der Wahl eines günstigen ETF gehören Neon und Yuh zu den günstigsten Anbietern. Beide Anbieter haben allerdings auch vergleichsweise teure ETF mit einer TER von knapp unter einem Prozent im Angebot. Die Kosten für zehn Jahre Sparplan gemäss Kostensimulation betragen bei Neon zwischen 193 und 1402 Franken, bei Yuh zwischen 325 und 1365 Franken.Alpian und Radicant entsprechen bei den Sparplänen eher dem Dienstleistungsangebot von Robo-Advisors. Diese erstellen eine individuelle Anlagestrategie, in der Regel basierend auf ETF und allenfalls Indexfonds. Oder anders gesagt: Die Anbieter stellen für die Kundinnen und Kunden individuell einen Korb mit verschiedenen ETF zusammen.«Typische Sparplan-Kundinnen und -Kunden investieren jeden Monat einen Teil ihres Einkommens in Aktien. Viele Angebote von Robo-Advisors richten sich jedoch nicht an diese Kundinnen und Kunden»,erklärt Ralf Beyeler. Denn manche Robo-Advisors verlangen eine Mindesteinlage von über 1000 Franken, je nach Anbieter gar bis zu 8500 Franken. Damit sprechen diese Anbieter ein Kundensegment an, das neben dem Notgroschen bereits etwas gespart hat, diese Ersparnisse in Aktien investieren und zudem regelmässig in einen Sparplan einzahlen möchte.Tabelle 2: Kosten für einen Sparplan bei Robo-Advisors und ähnlichen Anbietern* Hypothetische Berechnung ohne Berücksichtigung der Mindesteinlage.Drei Online-Broker bieten Sparpläne anDie drei Online-Broker Cash – Banking by Bank Zwei Plus, Saxo Bank und Swissquote bieten Sparpläne an. Konkurrent Cornèrtrader wird im Verlaufe des Jahres 2025 mit einem entsprechenden Angebot starten.Die Online-Broker haben eine vergleichsweise hohe Auswahl an unterschiedlichen Produkten, in die Kundinnen und Kunden im Rahmen eines Sparplanes investieren können. Bei der Saxo Bank sind es über 100 ETF und bei Swissquote sind es 94 ETF. Swissquote bietet zudem die Möglichkeit, regelmässig in 298 Aktien, 44 Kryptowährungen und 38 Themes-Trading- Produkte zu investieren. Cornèrtrader gab an, ab 2025 insgesamt über 5000 ETF anbieten zu wollen.Bei der Analyse fallen die grossen Kostenunterschiede zwischen den verschiedenen Anbietern auf. Saxo Bank ist mit Kosten von 80 bis 1326 Franken (mit Wertpapierleihe) beziehungsweise 346 bis 1592 Franken (ohne Wertpapierleihe) für zehn Jahre gemäss Kostensimulation günstiger als Swissquote (1205 bis 2343 Franken) und Cash – Banking by Bank Zwei Plus (1976 bis 4263 Franken). Ein Grund dafür sind die verglichen mit der Konkurrenz relativ hohen Depotgebühren, bei Swissquote sind es mindestens 80 Franken im Jahr. Bei Swissquote ist der Sparplan kein eigenes Produkt und dürfte damit eher Kundinnen und Kunden ansprechen, die Online-Trading nutzen und zusätzlich noch regelmässig Wertschriften kaufen möchten.Tabelle 3: Kosten für einen Sparplan bei Online-BrokernTitel-Bild Nachweis: Bearbeitet von freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/die-gunstigsten-schweizer-etf-und-fonds-sparplane</link><guid>3790</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Die günstigsten Schweizer ETF- und Fonds Sparpläne</dc:text></item><item><title>Maerki Baumann to Form a Technology Advisory Board</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxThe Zurich-based private bank Maerki Baumann is to establish a Technology Advisory Board headed up by Marc P. Bernegger from 1 January 2025.The new expert body, which will also include PD Dr Alexander Ilic and Sandra Tobler, will focus on strategic topics related to technology.This step has been guided by the family-owned company’s belief that disruptive technologies and new companies such as fintech firms will have a major impact on the financial and banking industries going forwards. The Technology Advisory Board will actively support the private bank’s Board of Directors and Executive Board in the further development, digitisation and innovation of its business model.Technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain and robotics are increasingly permeating the economy and society in general. Their potential to trigger change will be felt in all sectors of the economy and will also see the market for financial services, in particular, undergo a fundamental transformation.This development is likely to see a shift in the competitive landscape, with new business models, such as those of fintech firms, becoming established.The Board of Directors and Executive Board have entrusted Marc P. Bernegger with responsibility for Maerki Baumann’s Technology Advisory Board.Marc P. BerneggerMarc P. Bernegger has been a founder, board member and managing director of numerous technology-focussed companies for over 20 years. In the recent past, he has been active as a successful entrepreneur in the areas of blockchain, crypto and longevity.In his role as Head of the Technology Advisory Board, Marc P. Bernegger will report to the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Hans G. Syz-Witmer, and the Chief Executive Officer, Dr Stephan A. Zwahlen, of Maerki Baumann. The new committee will advise the two management bodies as well as various key individuals at the private bank on strategic issues relating to technology.Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/maerki-baumann-to-form-a-technology-advisory-board</link><guid>3780</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Maerki Baumann to Form a Technology Advisory Board</dc:text></item><item><title>Quirin Private Bank Relies on Swiss 3rd-Eyes Analytics for Their Advisory Process and Services</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxQuirin private bank has been using the digital wealth platform from the Swiss wealth and insurtech company 3rd-eyes analytics for its client advisory services since June 2024.With the help of 3rd-eyes, the financial goals and wishes of Quirin private bank’s clients can not only be calculated, but above all visualised and optimised.Karl Matthäus Schmidt‘3rd-eyes convinced us because their software can depict exactly what we want to experience with our clients during the advisory process. We provide a visual answer to the question: Can I achieve my personal financial goals and wishes? This has impressed us and has been very well received by our customers,’comments Karl Matthäus Schmidt, CEO of Quirin private bank, on the collaboration.‘The interactive planning solution – implemented by us as the Q-Navigator – ensures that customers can simultaneously view the development of their assets in different constellations. This motivates them to scrutinise their own goals and wishes and actively shape their own financial journey.’Wealth development is calculated by 3rd-eyes using a modern asset liability management (ALM) methodology that considers all assets, liabilities, cash flows, goals and market conditions. With the 3rd-eyes software, the individual wealth development of each client can be calculated for the first time in 1,000 realistic capital market and inflation scenarios. In addition, the achievability of personal goals is simulated and optimised.Due to the pleasing success of the project and the high level of acceptance of the 3rd-eyes software, Quirin Privatbank also acquired a financial stake in the Swiss wealth tech company, which is headquartered in Zurich. In addition, Karl Matthäus Schmidt, CEO of Quirin private bank, and Stefan Schulz, CFO of the Quirin subsidiary ‘quirion’ and member of the extended management of Quirin private bank, joined the board of directors of the Swiss company.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/quirin-private-bank-relies-on-swiss-3rd-eyes-analytics-for-their-advisory-process-and-services</link><guid>3781</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Quirin Private Bank Relies on Swiss 3rd-Eyes Analytics for Their Advisory Process and Services</dc:text></item><item><title>Die Digitalsten Schweizer Retail Banken</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxDie siebte Ausgabe der Studie „Digitalisierung &amp; Kundenerfahrung im Schweizer Retailbanking 2024” von Colombus Consulting zeigt, dass die Retail-Banken auch 2024 weiter in digitale Medien investieren.Die mobilen Apps werden immer aktueller und beliebter, die sozialen Netzwerke generieren mehr Engagement, und die Budgets für digitales Marketing steigen um 23 % auf über 58 Mio. Schweizer Franken pro Jahr. Das Web steht dem in nichts nach, da Tools zur Optimierung der Kundenerfahrung oder Chatbots eingesetzt werden, aber die Aufmerksamkeit für digitale Verantwortung oder ethische KI noch gering ist.Ein seit zwei Jahren unverändertes PodiumDie gleichen Banken bilden auch 2024 das Spitzentrio: UBS, PostFinance, Raiffeisen. Durch das Ausscheiden von Credit Suisse aus dem Panel und die Fortschritte von Swissquote in den Bereichen Web und mobile Apps kann die digitale Bank diesem Trio dicht auf den Fersen bleiben. Andere Banken machen Fortschritte wie Yuh und dieMigros Bank, die in unserer Rangliste auf Platz 7 bzw. 8 stehen.Die Anstrengungen im digitalen Bereich lassen sich in allen Kanälen feststellen. Das Publikum wächst insgesamt um 13,5 % (fast 30 Millionen Besuche pro Monat), die Investitionen in das digitale Marketing bleiben stark (+23 %, d.h. mehr als 58 Millionen Schweizer Franken pro Jahr), der NPS der mobilen Apps wächst um 5 Punkte (67 %) und das Engagement in den sozialen Netzwerken steigt um 64 % auf insgesamt fast 100.000 Interaktionen pro Monat.Das Web angetrieben von Kundenerlebnissen und digitalen ProduktenDie Optimierung des Kundenerlebnisses bleibt das A und O mit der Einführung neuer Webanalyse-Tools in diesem Sinne bei der FKB, N26 und Neon oder der Entwicklung des direkten Kontakts über Chatbot bei der BKB und Neon. Die Digitalisierung erfolgt auch über naturgemäss digitale Angebote und den nunmehr möglichen Zugang zu Kryptowährungen bei PostFinance und ZKB, in der gleichen Reihe wie die Kantonalbanken von Luzern, St. Gallen und Zug, mithilfe von Partnerschaften mit Akteuren, die auf diese Art von Vermögenswerten spezialisiert sind (Sygnum Bank und Crypto Finance AG).Mobile Apps werden beliebter und zu mehr Sicherheitsdiensten Die mobilen Apps der Banken sind in diesem Jahr ein grosser Erfolg. Der NPS steigt um 5 Punkte auf 67 % und auch die Anzahl der Aktualisierungen pro Bank steigt mit durchschnittlich 30 Aktualisierungen, 6 mehr als im Jahr 2023. Es gibt jedoch weiterhin eine Spaltung zwischen Neo-Banken und traditionellen Banken (64 Updates gegenüber 24). Die innovativsten neuen Dienstleistungen werden von der Neobank Revolut dank der automatischen Steuerung von Investitionen und eines verbesserten Schutzes gegen den Diebstahl von Telefonen angeboten. Swissquote setzt ebenfalls auf Sicherheit mit einer 2-Faktor-Authentifizierung für die Validierung der sensibelsten Transaktionen.Soziale Netzwerke: Engagement getragen von Instagram und LinkedInDie Reichweite der sozialen Netzwerke ist in diesem Jahr geringer: Die Zahl der Abonnenten ist um 26 % (insgesamt 2 Millionen) gesunken, was auf das Fehlen von Credit Suisse und FlowBank im Panel sowie auf den Rückgang von Facebook zurückzuführen ist.Das Engagement ist auf dem Vormarsch und wächst um 64 %, vor allem dank Instagram und LinkedIn, und erreicht fast 100.000 Interaktionen pro Monat. Die Inhalte sind sichtbarer und ermutigen die Abonnenten, sie zu liken, zu kommentieren oder zu teilen, vor allem dank des Influencer-Marketings von UBS mit dem F1-Team und dem Fahrer George Russel. Raiffeisen wendet sich mit einer eigenen Instagram-Seite und einem aktiven und engagierten TikTok-Konto, das mehr als 700.000 oder sogar 800.000 Aufrufe für einige Videos generiert, an die jüngsten und netzwerkaktiven Zielgruppen.Erobert (generative) KI die Schweizer Banken?Während Privatbanken wie Pictet und Vontobel kürzlich mit auf generativer KI basierenden Assistenten zur Optimierung ihrer internen Produktivität und Kundeninteraktionen den Weg geebnet haben, zieht die UBS über ihren KI-Assistenten, der in den letzten 12 Monaten intern entwickelt wurde, um Unternehmensdaten im Rahmen von Fusionen und Übernahmen zu analysieren, nach.Temenos, ein Schweizer Anbieter von Banking-Lösungen, bietet nun eine Reihe von Lösungen an, die mit generativer KI angereichert sind. Seine Kundenbanken können damit einzigartige Informationen und Berichte generieren oder auch Produkte in Echtzeit nach Kundenpräferenzen erstellen, um die grundlegenden Bankaktivitäten und die kritischsten Geschäftsfunktionen zu unterstützen.In der gleichen Logik haben andere allgemeine Anbieter wie Oracle, Salesforce und Microsoft ihre Lösungen mit generativen KI-Modulen angereichert, um die verfügbaren Funktionen zu erweitern und gleichzeitig eine starke Geschäftslogik beizubehalten.Digitale Verantwortung noch im WerdenDer bereits im letzten Jahr in unseren digitalen Index aufgenommene digitale Verantwortung misst die Umweltauswirkungen der Websseiten der Panelbanken, indem er deren Komplexität, Gewicht und Ressourcenoptimierung analysiert. Die im Jahr 2023 festgestellten halbherzigen Ergebnisse bleiben auch 2024 mit einem nahezu unveränderten EcoIndex-Durchschnitt von 36/100 noch aktuell.Swissquote bleibt mit einem ausgezeichneten Ergebnis von 95/100 Punkten allein an der Spitze. Die CA Next Bank und LUKB haben sich gut entwickelt, ohne jedoch die 50/100 zu überschreiten, und die schlechtere Bewertung von Akteuren wie BCV, N26 und Yuh konnte nicht ausgeglichen werden. Es bleibt abzuwarten, ob die Banken in den kommenden Monaten die digitale Verantwortung stärker in den Mittelpunkt ihrer digitalen Strategie stellen werden.Auf dem Weg zu einer ethischeren und verantwortungsvolleren Art Banken?Die Themen rund um die Ethik und die Verantwortung der Banken entwickeln sich an allen Fronten, insbesondere auf regulatorischer Ebene in Europa (und zweifellos langfristig auch in der Schweiz), wobei die CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) und das KI-Gesetz an erster Stelle stehen.Zur Erinnerung: Die CSRD verlangt von den Unternehmen eine detaillierte nichtfinanzielle Berichterstattung über ihre Auswirkungen auf Umwelt, Soziales und Governance und damit die Verpflichtung, auf diesen Achsen zu handeln, und das KI-Gesetz verlangt, dass KI-Systeme nach Risikoniveaus klassifiziert werden, mit Verpflichtungen je nach ihrer Nutzung. Die Schweizer Banken sind nicht alle im gleichen Boot: die internationalen Banken mit einer europäischen Ausrichtung, die daher diese Richtlinien befolgen müssen, und die anderen, die eher lokal ausgerichtet sind, aber letztendlich davon betroffen sein werden.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/die-digitalsten-schweizer-retail-banken</link><guid>3782</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Die Digitalsten Schweizer Retail Banken</dc:text></item><item><title>Bx Swiss Found CEO for Its New Digital Asset Exchange</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxBX Digital announced the planned appointment of Lidia Kurt as its new Chief Executive Officer.BX Digital is a sister company of the Swiss exchange BX Swiss and part of the Boerse Stuttgart Group.BX Digital aims to create a transparent, accessible and liquid market for digital assets based on blockchain technology in Switzerland.Lucas Bruggeman“With the appointment of Lidia Kurt, we intend to continue on our dynamic path,”says Lucas Bruggeman, Chairman of the Board of Directors of BX Digital.“We have the ambition of becoming the first licensed DLT trading system in Switzerland. The application has been submitted to FINMA.”Lidia Kurt holds a PhD in Finance from the University of St. Gallen, is the author of the book Digital Assets and Tokenisation and has extensive expertise at the interface of financial systems and innovative technologies. Since founding vision&amp; in 2017, she has been working as a consultant for digital assets and has successfully supported numerous tokenisation projects. Previously, she was Managing Partner of a quantitative finance consultancy and gained valuable experience at J.P. Morgan and Swiss Re in Zurich, London, and Hong Kong.Since 2021, she has been involved at Boerse Stuttgart Group on Blockchain specific topics as an external consultant.Lidia Kurt“I am looking forward revolutionising financial market structures with BX Digital at the forefront, opening up new avenues for efficiency and innovation,”says Lidia Kurt.“The possibility of trading digital assets such as tokenised shares, bonds and certificates on a regulated secondary market for the first time in the future is groundbreaking for the financial centre.”Transactions can be processed within minutes via a public blockchain, without the need for centralised financial intermediaries such as central securities depositories or clearing houses.Matthias Voelkel“As Boerse Stuttgart Group, we are pioneers in the field of digital assets and with BX Digital we want to shape the future European market infrastructure for tokenised securities. We are therefore delighted that Lidia Kurt will contribute her extensive expertise and experience to the management of BX Digital and thus contribute to our success.”added Dr. Matthias Voelkel, CEO of Boerse Stuttgart Group.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bx-swiss-found-ceo-for-its-new-digital-asset-exchange</link><guid>3783</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Bx Swiss Found CEO for Its New Digital Asset Exchange</dc:text></item><item><title>Private Equity Firm Acquires finanzen.net From Axel Springer</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxInflexion, an European mid-market private equity firm, announced that it has agreed an investment in Finanzen.net Group, a digital broker and market leading financial information portal in the DACH region, alongside the founders.According to a Reuters report the company value could be around 400 millions Euro.The investment is being made by Inflexion’s Buyout Fund VI and is the second investment in the DACH region after Tierarzt Plus Partner since Inflexion opened its office in Frankfurt earlier this year.The Group consists of three divisions: high-growth low-cost digital investment platform, also known as a neobroker, called Zero, a capital markets information platform called Finanzen.net, and a trading software platform for semi-professional retail investors called TraderFox. The business will be acquired from Axel Springer, a leading transatlantic media company.Inflexion will work with Finanzen.net Group’s founders and management to carve-out the business as a standalone integrated company and drive future growth. In particular, Inflexion will support the launch of additional saver and investing products.Inflexion has a strong track record in carving out businesses from large corporates, and this will be the sixth carve-out in four years following investments into Marlowe (GRC), GlobalData Healthcare, Curinos, aosphere and Giacom.Florencia KassaiThis transaction exemplifies the power of collaboration between regions and sectors, with our Frankfurt team working with our Financial Services specialists in London, leveraging the full capabilities of Inflexion, including our extensive experience in supporting carve-outs. Such collaboration will be pivotal in driving the future growth of Finanzen.net, as we aim to create a leading digital investment platform in the DACH region.Florencia Kassai, Managing Partner and Head of Buyout Fund, InflexionMaximilian von RichthofenThe goal is clear: We want to develop Zero in connection with the financial news business into the broker of choice for investing, trading and saving. More than ever, the focus of Finanzen will be on delivering innovative technological solutions for capital markets. I am thrilled that with Inflexion we are partnering with a successful investor who will support us in executing on this strategy with investments in products and technology. Special thanks are due to the excellent Finanzen team and our shareholder Axel Springer who provided us with entrepreneurial freedom, thereby creating the conditions under which we have been able to open this new chapter of our growth story.Maximilian von Richthofen, CEO, Finanzen.net GroupFeatured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/private-equity-firm-acquires-finanzennet-from-axel-springer</link><guid>3784</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Private Equity Firm Acquires finanzen.net From Axel Springer</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Marketplace Lending Volume Falls</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxIn 2023, Switzerland’s marketplace lending witnessed a significant contraction, with the volume of new debt capital issued on online platforms falling by 10.8% year-over-year (YoY) to approximately CHF 18.6 billion, a joint report by the Lucerne School of Business and the Swiss Marketplace Lending Association (SMLA) says.The Marketplace Lending Report Switzerland 2024, released in October, provides a comprehensive analysis of online debt financing trends for corporations, public entities, and private individuals in Switzerland. It focuses on online platforms directly connecting lenders and borrowers, offering an overview of the current state and emerging trends within the Swiss marketplace lending landscape.This year’s report reveals a decline in marketplace lending volumes, with key subsegments of the markets, including crowdlending and mortgage financing, facing the steepest drops.In 2023, crowdlending plummeted by 20% YoY to CHF 389.1 million in new loans, down from CHF 497.5 million in 2022. Similarly, mortgage loans brokered on platforms and financed by institutional and professional investors fell by 20%, falling from CHF 6.2 billion in 2022 to CHF 5 billion in 2023.Meanwhile, the subsegment of loans and bonds targeting mid-sized and large corporations, as well as public and near-public entities, showcased the most resilience, declining by just 6.7% YoY to CHF 13.2 billion.Total volume Swiss marketplace lending, 2017-2023 (in CHF million, *estimate), Source: Marketplace Lending Report Switzerland 2024, The Lucerne School of Business and the Swiss Marketplace Lending Association (SMLA), Oct 2024Crowdlending: a market led by real estate but in declineWithin crowdlending, real estate continued to lead the subsegment, generating CHF 203.9 million in 2023 and accounting for 52.4% of the market. The sum, however, represents a major YoY decline of 27.9% from CHF 282.7 million in 2022.That volume mainly consisted of loans to companies in the real estate development business, many of which were issued as short-term credits, later redeemed by banks.Business crowdlending was the second-largest subsegment, contributing CHF 132.8 million or 34.1% of the market. While it saw a milder drop of 6.4% YoY, this performance reflects ongoing interest despite broader market pressures.Crowdlending volumes and number of loans in Switzerland, 2012-2023, Source: Marketplace Lending Report Switzerland 2024, The Lucerne School of Business and the Swiss Marketplace Lending Association (SMLA), Oct 2024At the end of 2023, 16 crowdlending platforms were active in Switzerland, with increased involvement by banks and insurance companies, as well as market consolidation, the study found.Lend acquired Lendico from PostFinance in 2019, and in a reciprocal move, PostFinance acquired a stake in Lend; Basellandschaftliche Kantonalbank is a strategic investor in Swisspeers; and Funders is a platform launched by Luzerner Kantonalbank in 2016.Mortgage loans witness first decline in a decadeIn 2023, the mortgage brokerage subsegment recorded its first decline in ten years, reaching approximately CHF 5 billion, down from CHF 6.2 billion in 2022.The report anticipates that in 2024, some platforms will exit the business-to-consumer (B2C) mortgage market, with further consolidation expected moving forward. This will be driven by a number of factors, including a lower growth rate than expected, as well as relatively low margins per transactions, it says.Volume of mortgage brokers in Switzerland, 2017-2023, Source: Marketplace Lending Report Switzerland 2024, The Lucerne School of Business and the Swiss Marketplace Lending Association (SMLA), Oct 2024At the end of 2023, 12 different platforms operated in the mortgage vertical, serving a professional investor base of banks, insurance companies and pension funds as lenders.Key players included UBS key4 mortgages, through which UBS offers its own mortgages and mortgages from third parties, and BrokerMarket from Thurgauer Kantonalbank, which operates as an intermediary platform connecting mortgage borrowers with lenders through mortgage brokers. Several independent mortgage brokerage firms were also present, including RealAdvisor, Resolve, topHypo ,Hypohaus, PropertyCaptain and Hypo Advisors.Loans and bonds for public entities and corporationsFinally, loans and bonds for entities and corporations, another key subsegment in the Swiss marketplace lending landscape, remained a dominant force within the sector in 2023, capturing a 71% share of the market with CHF 13.2 billion in new loans issued.This section includes two types of loans or private placements: firstly, the online market for loans to public or near-public entities; and secondly, the market for loans to mid-sized and large corporations. Investors in both subsegments are banks and institutional and professional investors, such as asset managers, family offices and pension funds.Two market participants were currently active in this segment in Switzerland in late 2023. Loanboox, launched in 2016, has grown rapidly in the loan market for public entities with now more than 3,000 transactions and CHF 30 billion in volume closed. Cosmofunding, meanwhile, is a platform launched in 2018 by Bank Vontobel. The company focuses on public and corporate borrowers.Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-marketplace-lending-volume-falls</link><guid>3785</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Marketplace Lending Volume Falls</dc:text></item><item><title>EU Leads in Crypto Regulation with MiCA, Travel Rule Updates</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxThe regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies has undergone significant transformation in 2024, with the European Union (EU) leading the charge through landmark initiatives such as the Markets in Cryptoassets (MiCA) regulation, but also guidelines on stablecoins as well as updates to the so-called “travel rule” for crypto transfers, a new report by Elliptic, a British blockchain analytics firm, says.These efforts represent some of the most significant crypto regulatory advancements of the year, highlighting the EU’s pioneering role on the global stage, and setting the stage for regulatory trends in other regions.MiCA: a groundbreaking regulationThe report, released in September 2024, highlights MiCA as a pivotal step in the global regulation of cryptocurrencies. The regulation, which aims to harmonize crypto regulations across the EU, marks the first comprehensive framework introduced by a major global economy.A major component of MiCA is the licensing requirement for cryptoasset service providers (CASPs), which obligates them to adhere to strict market conduct, consumer protection and prudential standards.Once licensed by a national supervisory authority in one EU member state, a CASP is allowed to extend its services across the entire bloc, creating significant business opportunities.The rollout of MiCA is being conducted in phases. Provisions on stablecoins took effect on June 30, 2024, while the remaining parts of the regulation will start to apply on December 30, 2024.Updates on the “travel rule”Another key regulatory development in 2024 was the EU’s updates to its travel rule to cover crypto transfers.The travel rule refers to regulations that require financial institutions to share information about the sender and receiver of financial transactions. It’s designed to combat money laundering, terrorism financing and other illicit financial activities.The new guidelines, released by the European Banking Authority (EBA) in July 2024, specify the informations required to accompany every crypto transfer, regardless of their amount. They also outline steps for payment service providers and CASPs to address missing or incomplete details, and establish measures for managing non-compliant transfers.The update aims to ensure a consistent EU-wide approach to tracing transfers for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) purposes, taking effect from December 30, 2024, and replacing earlier guidance.Stablecoin rulesFinally, stablecoins, because of their growing importance in the crypto ecosystem, have come under increased regulatory scrutiny.Under MiCA, stablecoin issuers are required to obtain approval from relevant member state authorities before offering their tokens within the EU, or when offering stablecoins pegged to the euro or other member state currency.They must maintain adequate reserves with a one-to-one ratio and partly in the form of deposits. They must also provide redemption rights to token holders at any time and free of charge, and must have a registered office in the EU.Outside of the EU, other jurisdictions have also released stablecoin regulations over the past year. In Switzerland, the Financial Market Supervisory Authority published on July 26, new guidance, clarifying the obligations of stablecoin issuers.The guidance, which emphasizes AML/CFT compliance and default guarantees, requires issuers to determine whether their tokens qualify as deposits or investment schemes and comply with banking license requirements if applicable.New challenges for industry playersAlthough these regulatory developments are providing greater clarity for businesses operating within the crypto space, they also introduce new compliance challenges to industry stakeholders.Critics argue that MiCA could increase costs for providers and create significant burdens for startups and smaller players, raising barriers to entry and stifling innovation.Meeting the new standards may prove challenging for some companies as they involve costly licensing applications, adjustments to the business operations to meet the requirements of the license, including capital and AML and compliance functions, as well as ongoing obligations for monitoring and reporting, KPMG warns.This dynamic is expected to give larger companies with substantial financial resources a competitive edge, enabling them to acquire, at a discount, smaller crypto companies unable to comply with the new legislation.Such consolidations are already taking place. In July, British crypto trading platform Iconomi acquired Triaconta, a Dutch crypto investment platform to grow and develop in the Netherlands and wider EU market. In September, Kraken, a leading American crypto exchange, completed its acquisition of BCM, one of the Netherlands’ oldest and most renowned registered crypto brokers.In addition, some companies are navigating these challenges by choosing jurisdictions with less stringent regulatory environments. For example, OKX, one of the world’s largest crypto exchanges by trading volume, selected Malta over France as its EU hub, citing “more lenient … compliance”. Similarly, Israeli broker eToro chose Cyprus as its EU hub where it secured a CASP registration in September 2023.The Elliptic report, titled Global Crypto Regulation Landscape 2024, provides an update on regulatory progress related to cryptoassets. It highlights key trends and advancements in 2024 so far, offering a detailed overview of global and regional developments in crypto regulations.Featured image credit: image via freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/eu-leads-in-crypto-regulation-with-mica-travel-rule-updates</link><guid>3786</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>EU Leads in Crypto Regulation with MiCA, Travel Rule Updates</dc:text></item><item><title>Germany’s 12 Fastest-Growing Fintech Startups in 2024</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxSifted, a tech media brand backed by the Financial Times (FT), has released its annual ranking of Germany’s fastest-growing startups, showcasing the resilience and dynamism of the country’s tech ecosystem.The Sifted 50: Germany Leaderboard, released in September, ranks the 50 startups with the strongest revenue growth in the country over the past three financial years. These companies have achieved remarkable revenue growth despite double-digit inflation and sharply rising interest rates.This year’s average two-year revenue compound annual growth rate (CAGR) stands at a remarkable 162.08%, with the top three companies surpassing the 500% CAGR mark.Geographically, Berlin leads as the hub for innovation, with 22 of the top 50 companies based in the capital, followed by Munich with nine and Cologne and Hamburg with three each.Combined, these 50 companies have raised EUR 6.98 billion in funding and generated revenues of EUR 3.03 billion over the past three financial years.This year, fintech dominates the leaderboard, with 12 companies offering cutting-edge solutions in areas including personal finance, expense management and regtech. This underscores fintech’s prominence in Germany.Today, we look at the 12 fintech companies that made it into this year’s Sifted 50: Germany Leaderboard, highlighting their value propositions and recent achievements.Anybill (+328.17% revenue CAGR)Anybill platform, Source: AnybillFounded in 2019, Anybill allows retailers of all sizes to issue receipts digitally, directly at checkout. The solution integrates with merchant apps, wallets, banking, and payment apps, bridging gaps in payment infrastructure.Anybill, which is based in Munich, has secured EUR 5 million in funding, and recorded a two-year revenue CAGR of 328.17%. The figure makes it the 6th fastest-growing German startups of the past two years, according to Sifted.Finanzguru (+168.67% revenue CAGR)Finanzguru illustration, Source: FinanzguruLaunched in 2018, Finanzguru is a financial assistant app that leverages artificial intelligence (AI). The platform allows users to manage all of their banking accounts and contracts in one place, and provides them with advice on insurance and financial products based on a digital analysis of their banking data.Operated by Frankfurt am Main-based dwins, Finanzguru claims more than 1.5 million registered users, making it the largest bank-independent financial app in the German market. The company achieved a revenue CAGR of 168.67% these past two years, making it the 15th fastest-growing startup in Germany.HeyData  (+144.9% revenue CAGR)HeyData illustration, Source: HeyDataEstablished in 2020, HeyData is a leading compliance startup headquartered in Berlin. The company provides an all-in-one compliance solution, helping more than 1,500 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups manage their data protection and compliance requirements.HeyData secured a EUR 3.3 million seed funding round in September 2022 to fund its product expansion and venture into new markets. The company achieved a revenue CAGR of 144.9% during the prior two years, making it the 18th fastest-growing startup in Germany.Circula (+140.48% revenue CAGR)Circula illustration, Source: CirculaFounded in 2017, Circula is a leading expense management solution for SMEs in Europe. The platform helps businesses manage employee expenses, such as travel costs, out-of-pocket expenses, and benefits. It automates the process of submitting and approving expense reports, and seamlessly integrates with existing enterprise resource planning (ERP), accounting and human resources (HR) software.Circula claims 2,000+ business customers. The company has secured US$25 million in venture capital (VC) to date, and recorded a revenue CAGR of 140.48% in the last two years, making it the 20th fastest-growing German startup.Hawk (+105.74% revenue CAGR)Hawk illustration, Source: HawkFounded in Munich in 2018, Hawk uses explainable artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionize anti-money laundering (AML) and regulatory compliance for financial institutions. The company’s technology combines AML transaction monitoring, payment screening, know-your-customer (KYC), and fraud detection to provide comprehensive tools that help institutions fight financial crime effectively while saving costs.Hawk, which works with leading financial institutions and partners such as Moss, Mambu, Visa, and LexisNexis, has raised US$27 million in funding. The company recorded a revenue CAGR of 105.74% in the last two years, making it the 25th fastest-growing German startup.Bezahl (+102.96% revenue CAGR)Bezahl platform, Source: BezahlBezahl is a digital payment management platform for car dealerships. The platform automates, digitizes and simplifies the entire receivables process, from payment request to 100% data quality for automated posting in accounting systems.Operated by Aufinity Group, a company founded in 2018 and based in Cologne, Bezahl claims it has already won more than 80% of the top 100 German car dealers and is now starting its internationalization in Europe. In the last two years, Bezahl achieved a revenue CAGR of 102.96%, making it the 26th fastest-growing startup in Germany.Secjur (+84.8% revenue CAGR)Secjur illustration, Source: SecjurFounded in 2018, Secjur is a Hamburg-based company that provides an automated compliance platform using AI technology. The company’s platform, known as the Digital Compliance Office (DCO), helps businesses streamline compliance processes in areas such as data security, AML and whistleblowing.Secjur has already gained significant traction with partnerships established with the likes of Mercedes Benz, Samsung and Tomorrow Bank. The startup secured EUR 5.5 million in December 2022. It recorded a revenue CAGR of 84.8 in the last two years, making it the 33rd fastest-growing German startup.Timeless (+76.27% revenue CAGR)Timeless illustration, Source: TimelessTimeless is a wealthtech startup specialized in unique collectibles such as art, watches, classic cars, and whiskies. Through its digital platform and the use of blockchain technology, Timeless enables fractional investments starting at just EUR 50, allowing individuals to benefit from the value appreciation of these tangible assets.Timeless, a brand of New Horizon, a company based in Berlin and founded in 2018, claims it has tokenized over 600 collectibles to date, totaling more than EUR 27 million in value. The company achieved a revenue CAGR of 76.27% in the last two years, making it the 35th fastest-growing startup in Germany.Spotixx (+73.21% revenue CAGR)How does safeAML work, Source: SpotixxFounded in 2019, Spotixx specializes in AI-driven solutions for financial crime detection. The company’s advanced solutions help banks effectively address the challenges of fraud and money laundering.With safeAML, a large-scale project developed in collaboration with industry partners, Spotixx connects banking data to create a powerful tool in the fight against financial crime. At the same time, its add-on products AMALIA and FREDDY bring AML- and fraud monitoring into the AI-era, enhancing banks’ existing systems with advanced AI capabilities.Spotixx achieved a revenue CAGR of 73.21% in the last two years, making it the 38th fastest-growing startup in Germany.ProNoblis (+66.4% revenue CAGR)ProNoblis logo, Source: ProNoblisFounded in 2013, ProNoblis is a SME financing company based in Berlin. The company’s core product is a buy now, pay later (BNPL) solution for business-to-business (B2B) clients that helps SMEs financing the purchase of goods.ProNoblis leverages a strong distribution network, strategic partnerships, and AI-driven technology to deliver scalable, automated financial solutions through its flagship product, CreditEngine. CreditEngine is a digital platform that offers a fully automated credit process with a three-minute decision time, self-service features, and AI-powered rating.ProNoblis achieved a revenue CAGR of 66.4% in the last two years, making it the 41st fastest-growing startup in Germany.Prestatech (+41.42% revenue CAGR)Prestatech illustration, Source: Prestatech via LinkedInFounded in 2021, Prestatech is a cloud-based platform that provides modern underwriting solutions for lenders and innovative embedded finance products for commercial players. Through its platform, Prestatech offers banks API solutions based on AI, algorithms and big data. The services focus on end-to-end digital credit processes.Prestatech is currently active with major European players including Fabrick and Banca AideXa. The startup achieved a revenue CAGR of 41.42% in the last two years, making it the 46th fastest-growing startup in Germany.Pair Finance (+35.32% revenue CAGR)Pair Finance mockup, Source: Pair FinanceFounded in 2016 and headquartered in Berlin, Pair Finance s a leading fintech for digital debt collection and receivables management. The company is transforming the debt collection industry with its sustainable, digital, efficient, and customer-centric approach. Using AI, behavioral psychology and data science, Pair Finance is setting a new standard in debt collection that supports businesses and consumers alike.Pair Finance, which claims more than 500 business customers, achieved a revenue CAGR of 35.32% in the last two years, making it the 49th fastest-growing startup in Germany.Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/germanys-12-fastest-growing-fintech-startups-in-2024</link><guid>3787</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Germany’s 12 Fastest-Growing Fintech Startups in 2024</dc:text></item><item><title>Schweizer Krypto-Anleger Studie: Revolut, Swissquote und Binance führend</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxDie Bedeutung von Kryptowährungen hat in den letzten Jahren stark zugenommen.In der Schweiz investieren 11 Prozent der Bevölkerung in Krypto-Anlagen. Die meisten Personen tun dies aus Interesse und Neugier mit verhältnismässig kleinen Beträgen – und weniger aus Rendite- oder Diversifikationsgründen.Mit der zunehmenden Verbreitung von Kryptowährungen bieten immer mehr Banken den Handel mit digitalen Anlagen über das E-Banking und Mobile Banking an. In einer Studie hat die Hochschule Luzern (HSLU) im Auftrag von PostFinance untersucht, wer in Krypto-Anlagen investiert und aus welchen Gründen dies geschieht.Es ist die erste umfassende und repräsentative Studie zum Thema Krypto-Anlagen von Privatpersonen in der Schweiz.Hohe Bekanntheit – moderates InteresseDas Interesse an Krypto-Anlagen ist in der Schweizer Bevölkerung insgesamt mässig. Rund 8 Prozent sind eher stark oder sehr stark daran interessiert, wobei das Interesse bei jüngeren Generationen, bei Männern und bei Personen mit hohem Einkommen stärker ausgeprägt ist (Abbildung 1).Gleichzeitig kennt die Mehrheit der in der Schweiz lebenden Personen inzwischen zumindest die bekanntesten Kryptowährungen wie Bitcoin (87 Prozent) und Ether (35 Prozent) (Abbildung 2). Trotzdem haben 82 Prozent der Bevölkerung noch nie in Krypto-Anlagen investiert.Abbildung 1: Besitz von Krypto-Anlagen nach demografischen Merkmalen (Besitz aktuell und früher)Nur wenige handeln aktiv und mit grösseren BeträgenAndreas DietrichKrypto-Anlagen geniessen zwar in den Medien hohe Aufmerksamkeit, wie Studienautor Prof. Dr. Andreas Dietrich von der HSLU sagt.«Das erweckt den Eindruck, dass viele in der Schweiz wohnhafte Personen aktiv in diesem Markt investieren oder handeln.»In Wirklichkeit besitzen aktuell nur 11 Prozent der Bevölkerung Krypto-Anlagen. Von dieser Gruppe handelt nur etwa jede siebte Person aktiv oder mit grösseren Beträgen. Dietrich:«Dies bedeutet, dass Krypto-Anlagen insgesamt derzeit wohl lediglich für etwa 1 bis 2 Prozent der Bevölkerung eine hohe Bedeutung haben.»Neugier statt Rendite und DiversifikationDie Mehrheit der Krypto-Investorinnen und -Investoren engagieren sich mit kleinen Beträgen in dieserAnlageform. Dies deutet laut Andreas Dietrich darauf hin, dass viele Investitionen einen eher experimentellen Charakter haben. So halten 31 Prozent der Befragten weniger als CHF 1’000 in Krypto-Vermögen. Als Hauptmotiv für diese Investitionen nennen die Anlegerinnen und Anleger vor allem die Neugierde (Abbildung 2).Abbildung 2: Gestützte Bekanntheit von Krypto-AnlagenDie populärsten Kyrpto Handelsplatformen in der Schweiz: Revolut, Swissquote und BinanceDie Nutzung von Renditechancen und die Diversifikation des Portfolios sind nicht unwichtig, spielen aber insgesamt für viele Investorinnen und Investoren (noch) eine untergeordnete Rolle. Die bei Krypto-Anlegerinnen und Anlegern populärsten Anbieter für den Handel von Krypto-Anlagen sind Revolut, Swissquote und Binance.Wachstumspotenzial von Krypto-AnlagenDie potenziellen Krypto-Anlegerinnen und -Anleger lassen sich in drei Gruppen unterteilen: Jene, die aktuell in Krypto-Anlagen investieren, jene, die es noch nie getan haben und Ehemalige, die es momentan nicht mehr tun. Die Analyse zeigt, dass es herausfordernd ist, Neukunden zu gewinnen, die bisher keinen Kontakt mit Krypto-Anlagen hatten.Aus Sicht von Andreas Dietrich liegt das grösste Potenzial für Finanzdienstleister bei den bestehenden Investorinnen und Investoren über den Ausbau ihrer Investments. Es ist aber auch möglich, dass die Befragten das langfristige Potenzial selbst unterschätzen. Dazu sagt Dietrich:«Die Integration von Krypto-Anlagen in die Angebote etablierter Schweizer Banken verdeutlicht den wachsenden Einfluss dieser Anlageklasse. Durch den einfachen Zugang über das E- und Mobile-Banking wird die Verbreitung von Krypto-Anlagen in der Bevölkerung weiter steigen.»Abbildung 3: Gründe für die Investition in Krypto-AnlagenEin Hinweis auf das Potenzial zeigt sich auch darin, dass Wertschriften-Anlegerinnen und -Anleger deutlich häufiger in Krypto-Anlagen investieren als Personen, die nicht in Wertschriften anlegen.Gemäss der Studie legen 18 Prozent der Wertschriften- Anlegerinnen und Anleger in Krypto-Anlagen an. Damit sind diese Krypto-Anlagen zwar weniger bedeutend als klassische Anlagekategorien wie Aktien, Fonds oder Obligationen. Es wird aber deutlich häufiger in Krypto-Anlagen investiert als in Derivate (z.B. Optionen).Titel-Bild Nachweis: Bearbeitet von freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schweizer-krypto-anleger-studie-revolut-swissquote-und-binance-fuhrend</link><guid>3788</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Schweizer Krypto-Anleger Studie: Revolut, Swissquote und Binance führend</dc:text></item><item><title>LSEG Taps IDVerse to Combat Deepfakes, Enhance Digital Identity Verification</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxThe London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) has partnered with IDVerse to strengthen its digital identity verification services.LSEG aims to combat the growing threat of digital deception, including synthetic media and deepfakes.This collaboration will integrate IDVerse’s advanced technology, including its fully automated “Zero Bias AI,” which leverages regenerative AI, into LSEG’s existing spectrum of risk solutions.This AI-powered tool aims to provide accurate identity verification while minimising potential bias based on race, age, and gender.The partnership will focus on improving the speed and reliability of document and biometric checks, addressing issues of accessibility and fraud prevention.This is crucial in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape where IDVerse reports that one in four fraud attempts now involve some form of digital deception.Both companies emphasise the importance of creating interoperable systems that can be customised to meet the specific needs of each customer.This offers a next-generation workflow without compromising on security or user experience.By enhancing digital identity verification, LSEG and IDVerse aim to improve access to vital services while ensuring legal and regulatory compliance for global operations and maintaining trust and security.Daniel FloweDaniel Flowe, Head of Digital Identity at LSEG, said,“Onboarding IDVerse complements LSEG’s identity verification capabilities and adds yet another means of low-friction, high assurance identity verification for our customers. IDVerse’s ability to scale across a huge variety of geographies and customer verification use cases allows us to offer our customers a future-proofed solution to digital identity verification.To give our customers confidence, we extensively tested IDVerse’s interoperability, performance, and agility to ensure that it matched our existing best-in-class standards. This combination gives us a truly next generation workflow to bring to market.”John MyersJohn Myers, CEO, IDVerse added,“The pace of evolution in digital deception that identity platforms like LSEG required a tool that adapts to new fraud vectors whilst giving a great customer experience to good customers. This is illustrated by IDVerse now experiencing 1 in 4 fraud attempts involving digital deception.The partnership with LSEG allows businesses to remain open to new opportunities whilst adapting to a changing world. Their spectrum of risk solutions, all from one trusted partner, helps organisations efficiently navigate risks, avoid reputational damage, reduce fraud and ensure legal and regulatory compliance around the globe”.Featured image credit: Edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/lseg-taps-idverse-to-combat-deepfakes-enhance-digital-identity-verification</link><guid>3789</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>LSEG Taps IDVerse to Combat Deepfakes, Enhance Digital Identity Verification</dc:text></item><item><title>12 Swiss Firms to Showcase Expertise at Singapore Fintech Festival 2024</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxTwelve Swiss companies representing various aspects of the Swiss financial system will participate in the Singapore Fintech Festival 2024 (SFF 2024), held from 6 to 8 November at the Singapore Expo.This marks the eighth year of Swiss presence at the festival, organized under the Swiss Pavilion by Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE) and the Swiss Business Hub South East Asia + Pacific.The Swiss delegation aims to demonstrate the strengths of their fintech industry, emphasizing Switzerland’s reputation for trustworthiness, quality, and innovation.SFF 2024 will focus on six key themes, including the Roadmap for AI &amp; Quantum, Blueprint for Digital Assets, Next-Gen Transactions, Sustainability in Action, Bridging the Financial Gap, and Talent of Tomorrow.The event is expected to attract global leaders from government, finance, investment, and technology sectors.Returning participants are aiming to build on their existing presence in Singapore and the broader ASEAN market.Switzerland’s financial sector is recognized for blending tradition with innovation, contributing to its standing as a global leader in financial services.The country has retained its top-ranked position in the 2024 Global Innovation Index by WIPO, marking 14 consecutive years of leadership in innovation.S-GE, acting on behalf of the Swiss Confederation and cantons since 1927, supports more than 5,500 Swiss companies in expanding internationally each year.It also facilitates foreign companies’ investments in Switzerland through its global network, including the Swiss Business Hub South East Asia + Pacific.Renee KohRenee Koh, Deputy Head of Swiss Business Hub South East Asia + Pacific said,“The steadfast support from Swiss financial institutions and fintech companies at SFF 2024 underscores our commitment to bringing innovative Swiss enterprises to Singapore, empowering them to establish a strategic foothold in Southeast Asia.Swiss solutions are globally acclaimed for their robust, time-tested reliability and strict adherence to regulatory frameworks. This proven excellence positions Swiss companies as invaluable partners for Asian market players, providing a clear competitive edge in navigating the region’s complex and dynamic environments”.Featured image credit: Edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/12-swiss-firms-to-showcase-expertise-at-singapore-fintech-festival-2024</link><guid>3770</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>12 Swiss Firms to Showcase Expertise at Singapore Fintech Festival 2024</dc:text></item><item><title>Swissquote Introduces Fractional Trading and a New Investment Saving Plan</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxSwissquote announced the launch of its new fractional trading feature, along with a new “Saving Plan” order type.These innovations are designed to meet the growing demand for flexible and affordable investment options, enabling investors to build a diversified portfolio over time, regardless of their budget.In today’s market, many investors seek the possibility to invest smaller amounts across a broad range of assets, spreading risk and enhancing potential returns. Until now, Swissquote’s platform supported only the trading of full shares, which limited clients to strategies constrained by share prices rather than their available cash. This new feature allows investors to purchase fractions of the most popular stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies and Themes Trading products, providing them with the opportunity to invest any amount and gradually build a robust portfolio.Jan De SchepperJan De Schepper, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Swissquote, emphasised the significance of these advancements:“Our mission at Swissquote has always been to democratise investing and empower our clients with the tools they need to achieve their financial goals. With the introduction of fractional trading and the new “Saving Plan”, we are offering our clients unprecedented flexibility and control over their investments. This solution not only meets the market demand but sets a new standard in the industry.”Swissquote’s “Saving Plan” allows clients to set up recurring investments with the freedom to adjust them based on their available funds, ensuring they can maintain their desired level of diversification.Investing starts as of today at the reduced price of CHF 3 per trade for shares, making fractional trading an accessible and attractive option for all investors.These platform upgrades and the new reduced pricing are now available to all Swissquote clients.Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swissquote-introduces-fractional-trading-and-a-new-investment-saving-plan</link><guid>3771</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swissquote Introduces Fractional Trading and a New Investment Saving Plan</dc:text></item><item><title>AI Takes Center Stage in Banks’ Digital Transformation Strategy</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxArtificial intelligence (AI) is taking center stage in banks’ digital transformation plans as financial institutions seek to improve customer experiences and operational efficiencies. According to a new study conducted by Publicis Sapient, a leading American digital consulting company, banks are spending 29% of their investments in customer experience digital transformation on machine learning (ML), AI and generative AI (genAI). Banks are also placing AI as their biggest focus for digital transformation over the next three years.These findings come from the Global Banking Benchmark Study 2024, which surveyed more than 1,000 senior retail and commercial banking leaders in early 2024. The study, which sought to explore the maturity of banks’ digital transformation initiatives, reveals that banks are actively exploring AI’s potential, with executives highlighting data and AI as the most critical areas for digital transformation, followed by genAI for internal use.Interestingly, developing existing talent is executives’ third most common functional focus for digital transformation, suggesting that executives are equally focused on the human side of the human-machine equation and recognize the need to prepare their employees to work with AI.The study also found strong interest from banks in deploying genAI across both internal and customer-facing use cases. 61% of respondents want to use genAI to streamline transaction-related functions such as credit analysis, underwriting, and contract management. Additionally, 55% are focused on deploying genAI for employee and internal functions such as developer tools, search capabilities, and virtual assistants. Meanwhile, 49% are targeting customer-facing roles, such as marketing and customer service.Focus areas for genAI deployment among banks, Source: The Global Banking Benchmark Study 2024, Publicis Sapient, 2024The study, which categorized banks into four groups based on their digital transformation maturity, found that the top performers, labelled “Transformation Leaders”, are at the forefront of AI adoption. These banks allocate 34% of their digital transformation budget to AI, ML, and genAI, a proportion that’s 6% more than the least mature banks, or “Laggards”, and which stands above the industry average.Percentages of investment in digital transformation allocated to AI/ML/genAI, Source: The Global Banking Benchmark Study 2024, Publicis Sapient, 2024Transformation Leaders aren’t just spending more on AI, ML and genAI, they are spending differently. 44%  prioritize AI tools for internal use, while just 25% of Laggards do. Moreover, 84% of Transformation Leaders agree that it’s better to take time to develop custom-made AI tools rather than save time by using third-party solutions, compared to just 70% of Laggards.Transformation Leaders are also laying the groundwork to support AI integration. These players are heavily investing in key areas such as cloud infrastructure and migration, data and analytics, and organizational culture changes.Despite the clear commitment to AI and digital transformation, banks are facing growing challenges. The study found that the process of digital transformation has become more difficult over the past years, with respondents citing regulatory challenges, the lack of operational agility, and outdated legacy technology as their top barriers in the past 12 months.Budget constraints are another significant obstacle. In 2024, 32% of banking executives cited budget limitations as a key hurdle to digital transformation, up from 19% in 2022.But despite these challenges, the outlook for AI adoption in the banking sector remains strong. Gartner predicts that by 2026, more than 80% of banks will have adopted genAI, driven by the technology’s potential to improve efficiencies, customer service and risk management. McKinsey and Company estimates that across the global banking sector, genAI could add between US$200 billion and US$340 billion in value annually, or 2.8 to 4.7% of total industry revenues, largely through increased productivity.Featured image credit: freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ai-takes-center-stage-in-banks-digital-transformation-strategy</link><guid>3772</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Focus-areas-for-genAI-deployment-among-banks-Source-The-Global-Banking-Benchmark-Study-2024-Publicis-Sapient-2024.png</dc:content ><dc:text>AI Takes Center Stage in Banks’ Digital Transformation Strategy</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Banks Embrace Blockchain, Prioritizing Cryptocurrencies, HSG Study Finds</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxIn Switzerland, financial institutions are increasingly recognizing the long-term potential of blockchain and integrating the technology into their growth strategies.According to a new study by the University of St. Gallen, in collaboration with vision&amp; and mintminds, more than 80% of Swiss banks are either planning to develop and actively expanding their blockchain offerings, with a particular focus on cryptocurrencies.Conducted between April to June 2024, the study polled 19 banks in Switzerland, including retail (47%), private banks (37%), universal (11%) and investment banks (5%) to understand the blockchain strategies, priorities, and challenges these institutions face as they integrate blockchain technology, cryptocurrencies and tokenized assets.The research found that over 60% of banks in Switzerland are pursuing concrete plans related to cryptocurrencies, with half of these institutions considering the development and expansion of their crypto offerings as highly prioritized. This underscores growing interest and acceptance of cryptocurrencies within the traditional banking sector, the report says.Planned offerings in the blockchain sector, Source: Blockchain für Finanzdienstleister, University of St.Gallen, 2024A focus on crypto custodian, trading and ETP productsWhen looking at planned crypto offerings, the study found that approximately 60% of banks are either looking to implement or have already implemented custodial services, underscoring the importance of these offerings in the crypto space.Trading services, which allow for the buying and selling for cryptocurrencies, are another critical component of the crypto industry, prioritized by around 60% of banks.Exchange-traded products (ETPs) and certificates, which are financial instruments that track the value of cryptocurrencies and which can be traded on traditional stock exchanges, are also perceived by Swiss banks as critical. Around 60% of respondents intend to offer these products, highlighting ETPs as an attractive alternative for investors to participate in the crypto space.Planned offerings in the area of cryptocurrencies, Source: Blockchain für Finanzdienstleister, University of St.Gallen, 2024Cryptocurrencies are still in the early stages of market development. Currently, only 0.53% of total assets under management (AuM) are invested in the asset class. While this figure may appear low at first glance, it is significant. Many Swiss banks have only recently introduced their crypto offerings, suggesting substantial interest in the asset class and considerable growth potential, the report says.The rise of tokenized assetsSwiss banks are also showing strong interest in tokenized assets. These are physical or digital assets that have been converted into digital tokens on a blockchain, making them easier to trade, divide and track.According to the study, 47% of the Swiss banks polled are planning to develop a tokenized asset offering, reflecting a clear interest and confidence in the future of this technology. However, most banks remain in the nascent stages of implementing tokenized asset offerings, indicating that many institutions are just starting to familiarize themselves with the technology and its application possibilities.Industry stakeholders are optimistic about the prospects of tokenization due to its transformative benefits, including increased liquidity, transparency, and efficiency. Global consulting firm Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and digital exchange ADDX forecast that asset tokenization will expand into a US$16.1 trillion business opportunity by 2030, driven by greater access to private markets, improved liquidity, and increased recognition by monetary authorities.Blockchain strategyThe study conducted by the University of St. Gallen revealed that nearly 60% of the banks surveyed have already developed or are working on a blockchain strategy. This includes 16% of institutions that rank blockchain topics as highly prioritized. Almost all banks with an existing strategy have management support and launched their first blockchain offering in 2023 or earlier.When asked about their motivations for adopting blockchain, more than 40% of the institutions said they viewed the technology primarily as an innovation driver. Additionally, 21% of the institutions are investing in blockchain as a growth driver, pursuing an offensive strategy and expecting strong growth in managed assets and customer numbers. In contrast, nearly 11% of all banks are adopting a defensive approach, investing in blockchain as a means against customer losses and withdrawals of managed assets.What is the primary motivation for the blockchain initiatives in your organization?, Source: Blockchain für Finanzdienstleister, University of St.Gallen, 2024Swiss banks are also exploring more advanced applications of blockchain technology, with 58% reporting active efforts in this area. Their primary motivation is a general willingness to innovate.The study also found that larger banks and those with more employees involved in blockchain projects are more likely to integrate advanced blockchain applications into their business strategies. This implies that bigger banks with more resources tend to be further along in implementing blockchain.Prioritization of additional blockchain applications, Source: Blockchain für Finanzdienstleister, University of St.Gallen, 2024Featured image credit: edited from freepik here and here]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-banks-embrace-blockchain-prioritizing-cryptocurrencies-hsg-study-finds</link><guid>3773</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Planned-offerings-in-the-blockchain-sector-Source-Blockchain-fur-Finanzdienstleister-University-of-St.Gallen-2024.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Banks Embrace Blockchain, Prioritizing Cryptocurrencies, HSG Study Finds</dc:text></item><item><title>Relio bietet neu internationale Transaktionen, Fremdwährungen und Multi-Währungs-Konten</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxDas Schweizer Fintech Relio, das als Anbieter von Geschäftskonten mit Schweizer IBAN bekannt ist, lanciert internationale Transaktionen, Fremdwährungen (FX) und Multi-Währungs-Konten.Der erweiterte Service profitiert von der fortschrittlichen AML- und Compliance-Technologie von Relio, welche das Monitoring von Transaktionen anhand von über 100 Datenpunkten auf jeden Kunden zuschneidet und so einen reibungslosen und effizienten grenzüberschreitenden Zahlungsverkehr gewährleistet.Globales Business, Schweizer Zuverlässigkeit.Vor einem Jahr lancierte Relio, als eines von nur fünf Instituten mit einer Fintech-Lizenz der FINMA, voll digitale Geschäftskonten für Freelancer, KMU, Start-ups und Firmenkunden.Dieses Angebot umfasste Schweizer IBANs und CHF-Konten für Inlandszahlungen. Nun erweitert Relio seine Funktionen mit internationalen Zahlungen, Fremdwährungen und Multi-Währungs-Konten. Zum Start unterstützt der Service CHF, EUR sowie GBP und ermöglicht Transaktionen in über 40 Länder. Weitere Währungen und Länder werden demnächst hinzugefügt.Maximale Compliance und minimale Reibung.Grenzüberschreitende Transaktionen sind oft mit komplexen regulatorischen Anforderungen verbunden, die von den Finanzinstituten verlangen, die Rechtmässigkeit der Geldflüsse zu überprüfen, die Herkunft der Gelder zu dokumentieren und den Zweck der Transaktionen nachzuvollziehen. Typischerweise sehen sich Unternehmen bei internationalen Zahlungen mit Verzögerungen und Unterbrechungen konfrontiert, die auf regulatorische Herausforderungen und falsch positive Compliance-Warnungen zurückzuführen sind.Relio will mit seiner neu entwickelten Technologie die Compliance im internationalen Zahlungsverkehr neu definieren. Die Plattform automatisiert viele AML- und Compliance-Workflows und sammelt über 100 Datenpunkte während des Kunden-Onboardings, um sowohl einfache als auch komplexe Geschäftsmodelle zu unterstützen.Das automatisierte Compliance-System von Relio beschleunigt die Kontoeröffnung und nutzt die gesammelten Daten für die Transaktionsüberwachung, um dem individuellen Geschäftsprofil eines jeden Kunden gerecht zu werden.Dieser datengesteuerte Ansatz verbessert die Erkennung verdächtiger Aktivitäten bei gleichzeitiger Minimierung von falsch-positiven Meldungen und sorgt für eine reibungslose, schnelle und zuverlässige Abwicklung. Das Ergebnis ist, dass sowohl die Kunden als auch Relio erheblich weniger Zeit und Ressourcen für die Einhaltung der Vorschriften im grenzüberschreitenden Zahlungsverkehr aufwenden müssen.Titelbild Nachweis: Bearbeitet von freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/relio-bietet-neu-internationale-transaktionen-fremdwahrungen-und-multi-wahrungs-konten</link><guid>3774</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Relio bietet neu internationale Transaktionen, Fremdwährungen und Multi-Währungs-Konten</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Retail Banks Unfazed by Fintech, Bigtech Competition, New Study Finds</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxSwiss retail banks expect technology to increase competition but not as dramatically as anticipated.A new study by auditing and consulting firm EY, in collaboration with the University of St. Gallen, reveals that while incumbents are aware that bigtechs, neobanks and fintech companies are driving innovation, they remain confident that their ability to maintain strong customer relationships and deliver high-quality advice will help them retain a competitive edge.The “Retail Banking 2035” report, released in September 2024, shares insights from 33 retail banks in Switzerland on ten key areas thesis about the future of retail banking. It identifies the most important challenges and opportunities facing the industry through 2035.Impact of technology is overestimatedThe research found that Swiss retail banks expect technological innovations to intensify competition in the medium term. However, the short-term impact of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain and quantum computing are largely overestimated.Innovative technologies will lead to greater competition in the medium term, Source: Retail Bank Study 2035, EY and the University of St. Gallen, Sep 2024Swiss retail banks believe that for a new technology to have a significant impact, it must align with customers. However, these needs are not expected to change dramatically in the next ten to fifteen years. Employees and customers also have to want to use this new technology, the respondents said.Taking the example of AI, the respondents said that while the technology has received a lot of hype, it is still perceived as merely a tool for increasing efficiency and improving chatbots, with applications like robo-advisors receiving mixed success.Traditional banks’ strengths over newcomersDespite the rise of fintech, Swiss banks believe they still maintain several advantages over competitors. These advantages, which include capital strength, brand trust, a diverse product offering and long-established customer relationships, position incumbents well against fintech companies and neobanks, whose market penetration remains limited due to smaller customer bases and challenges in scaling their business models.The respondents argue that while Switzerland has seen a sharp increase in fintech companies, which grew from less than 200 players in 2016 to nearly 500 in 2023, the experience with these new providers has not been very dramatic so far.Moreover, fintech companies have not been able to revolutionize the business. If anything, they are actually moving steadily in the direction of the traditional banks.Finally, Swiss retail banks expect that the vast majority of local customers will continue to seek personal advice in the future, especially during key life events such as buying a home, saving for a pension or wills and inheritance. This means that traditional banks will maintain an edge over new market entrants.Minimal threat from bigtechs, retailers and telcosWhen it comes to bigtechs, Swiss retail banks feel that the country’s small size and peculiarities, such as its four national languages, many cantons and different cultures, represent significant challenges for the likes of Apple and Google.Additionally, banking regulations and the high level of trust that Swiss customers place in domestic financial institutions make it difficult for bigtech companies to compete directly.Swiss retail banks are also unconcerned about competition from domestic retailers and telecom companies. Although these players have access to vast amounts of customer data and the tools to use these data to offer financial services through open banking, they would not be able to maintain accounts or lend due to regulatory restrictions. This would limit their potential and ability to compete in the sector.If competition from outside the banking industry is to intensify, Swiss banks believe insurers are their most likely threat. This is because insurance advisors traditionally have a closer relationship with their customers than bank advisors, giving them an edge in personal interactions and trust.Overall, Swiss retail banks perceive their biggest competition as coming from within the industry itself. According to the respondents, this is because all of the retail banks in the country are pursuing technological upgrades, and that none of them has achieved groundbreaking results so far. For example, the introduction of digital pension solutions prompted competitors to respond with similar solutions designed to boost volumes. However, in the end, no one saw an increase in volumes.How strongly is technology-driven competition being fuelled by the following players?, Source: Retail Bank Study 2035, EY and the University of St. Gallen, Sep 2024Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-retail-banks-unfazed-by-fintech-bigtech-competition-new-study-finds</link><guid>3775</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Innovative-technologies-will-lead-to-greater-competition-in-the-medium-term-Source-Retail-Bank-Study-2035-EY-and-the-University-of-St.-Gallen-Sep-2024.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Retail Banks Unfazed by Fintech, Bigtech Competition, New Study Finds</dc:text></item><item><title>radicant und Numarics wollen fusionieren</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxDie radicant bank und das von der UBS finanzierte Treuhand Fintech Numarics streben den Zusammenschluss an und haben entsprechende Verträge unterzeichnet.Vorbehaltlich der Zustimmung der zuständigen Behörden wird durch diesen Zusammenschluss ein umfassendes Angebot geschaffen, welches die nahtlose Integration von Finanzdienstleistungen und digitalen Lösungen in den Alltag von Privatpersonen und KMU ermöglicht.Künftig will man gemeinsam unter dem Namen radicant auftreten.Durch den Zusammenschluss entsteht eine integrierte Banking- und Administrations-Plattform für Private und Unternehmenskunden. Bestehende Dienstleistungen und Produkte von radicant im Bereich Banking, Investment und Vorsorge für Privatkunden werden durch eine umfassende digitale Administrationslösung von Numarics erweitert.Gleichzeitig wird das Administrations- und Treuhand-Angebot der Numarics für Geschäftskunden durch ein digitales Bankkonto ergänzt, wodurch ein durchgängiges Angebot entsteht, welches sich vor allem an kleinere und mittlere Unternehmen richtet.Ganzheitliches Finanzangebot für Privat- und KMU-KundenAnton Stadelmann«Wir machen mit dem geplanten Zusammenschluss den nächsten grossen Schritt hin zu einem ganzheitlichen Finanzangebot»,sagt Anton Stadelmann.«Privat- und KMU-Kunden werden von einem digitalen Dokumentenmanagementsystem und digitalen Lösungen profitieren können. Das reduziert die Zeit, die sie heute noch für administrative Aufgaben benötigen, auf ein absolutes Minimum. Wir wollen Banking noch smarter machen.»Kristian Kabashi«Mit der Integration von Bankfeatures in unsere Administrationsprozesse werden wir einen wichtigen Schritt in Richtung Automatisierung und vollintegriertes, digitales Ökosystem schaffen.»,sagt Kristian Kabashi, Mitgründer von Numarics, und ergänzt:«Der Vorteil dabei ist, dass sich die Unternehmenskunden ganz auf ihr Kerngeschäft konzentrieren können. Das führt zu einer spürbaren Erleichterung im Alltag und im Geschäftsleben.»Designierter CEO des neuen Unternehmens wird Anton StadelmannDie Basellandschaftliche Kantonalbank (BLKB) bleibt Mehrheitsaktionärin, neben den bisherigen Finanzinvestoren von Numarics, wie Founderful, FiveT, SeedX, Davidson Capital sowie der UBS.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/radicant-und-numarics-wollen-fusionieren</link><guid>3776</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>radicant und Numarics wollen fusionieren</dc:text></item><item><title>Open Banking kombiniert mit KI – ein Game-Changer?</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxDie Schweizer Banken arbeiten an Open Banking. Der Bundesrat sieht sogar Fortschritte bei Umsetzung.Doch die Menschen in der Schweiz spüren davon noch nichts. Das hat damit zu tun, dass «die Ziele […] noch nicht vollständig erreicht sind», so der Bundesrat. Schade eigentlich, denn die Möglichkeiten von Open Banking könnten für Bankkunden einen echten Mehrwert bieten – vor allem, wenn sie mit den Möglichkeiten von KI kombiniert werden.Bankkunden arbeiten für die BankenHeute haben Schweizerinnen und Schweizer im Durchschnitt zwei Bankbeziehungen. Ob das für sie immer die besten Bankbeziehungen sind, ist fraglich. Denn Bankkundinnen und -kunden bezahlen oft zu viel Gebühren und erhalten zu wenig Zinsen. Das hat hauptsächlich damit zu tun, dass sie die Konditionen der Banken nicht kennen – auch der Hausbank nicht.Schweizer Bankkunden «verschenken» so rund 13.4 Milliarden Franken pro Jahr. Allein bei Sparkonten (2.5 Mrd.) und Privatkonto/Debitkarte (2 Mrd.) – also Produkten, die jeder hat – sind das rund 500 Franken pro Einwohner. Schweizerinnen und Schweizer arbeiten also im Durchschnitt eineinhalb Tage, um bei ihrer Bank nicht die besten Konditionen zu haben.Und trotzdem wechseln sie ihre Bankbeziehung nicht. Warum nicht? Weil sie den Aufwand scheuen. Nicht nur den Aufwand für die Kontoeröffnung, sondern auch den Aufwand, das Geld zu verwalten: «Wäge dem Bitzeli…»idibeko – mein TraumOpen Banking kombiniert mit künstlicher Intelligenz hat das Potential, den Markt zu verändern. Stellen Sie sich folgendes Szenario vor:Alle meine Bankkonten sind über Open Banking mit dem (fiktiven) Service «idibeko» («immer die besten Konditionen) verbunden. idibeko kennt die Konditionen (Zinsen, Rückzugsbedingungen etc.) aller meiner Konten – und die aller anderen Banken. Da idibeko Zugriff auf alle meine Konten hat, kann es meinen Liquiditätsbedarf analysieren und eine entsprechende Planung erstellen.Basierend auf dieser Analyse schlägt idibeko immer die beste Anlagemöglichkeit für meine Finanzen vor. Die Umschichtungsvorschläge können per Knopfdruck akzeptiert werden – die Umsetzung übernimmt idibeko.Wenn idibeko ein besseres Produkt bei einer Bank findet, bei der ich noch kein Konto habe, bietet idibeko mir direkt die Kontoeröffnung an. Dank der neuen e-ID kann idibeko in Zukunft (vielleicht) die Kontoeröffnung selbst übernehmen und die Überweisung vornehmen, sobald das Konto verfügbar ist.Da idebko die Rückzugsbedingungen aller Konten kennt, muss ich nur noch einen Bruchteil auf einem (unverzinsten) Privatkonto halten. Denn wenn ich mal mehr Liquidität brauche, zieht idibeko die benötigte Summe von den verschiedenen Banken und Konten zusammen – so dass keine Rückzugslimite verletzt wird.Damit idibeko nicht einfach macht, was es will, kann ich Limiten und Wünsche definieren. Einfach als Freitext. Zum Beispiel so: «Ich möchte nicht mehr als 100’000 Kunden bei einer Bank angelegt haben. Verteile das Geld so, dass ich jederzeit 50’000 abheben kann. Berücksichtige nur reine Schweizer Banken. Bei der Bank xy möchte ich nie ein Konto.»Gut für Bankkunden – und für Banken?idibeko wird unweigerlich die Arbeit der Banken verändern.Banken, die heute zusätzliche Kundengelder benötigen, müssen sich heute intensiv um diese bemühen. Es reicht nicht, einfach die Zinsen zu erhöhen. Potenzielle Kunden müssen erst einmal vom Angebot erfahren. Es muss Werbung gemacht werden. Vergleichsplattformen müssen die neuen Konditionen publizieren – bei neuen Konten, ist das nicht immer so einfach, wie es tönt. Kunden müssen in Einzelgesprächen beraten und überzeugt werden.Ein Kampf gegen die Trägheit der Kunden.Mit idibeko wird das anders. Einfach die Konditionen etwas erhöhen und idibeko optimiert die Verteilung auf die verschiedenen Konten und Banken. Neugeld fliesst schnell und zuverlässig rein – bis eine andere Bank noch bessere Konditionen bietet.Ja, das wird das Bankgeschäft verändern. Einfach die Zinsen senken und darauf wetten, dass die Kunden träge sind und das Geld nicht abziehen, wird nicht mehr funktionieren. Zinsanpassungen müssen wohlüberlegt sein. Nach oben und nach unten.Auch für die Bankkunden brechen neue Zeiten an. Endlich kriegen sie etwas ihr Erspartes.Der alte Slogan «Lass dein Geld für dich arbeiten» wird endlich Wirklichkeit.Dieser Blog Post erschien zuerst auf dem Blog von Claudio GislerTitel-Bild Nachweis: Bearbeitet von Freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/open-banking-kombiniert-mit-ki-ein-game-changer</link><guid>3777</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Open Banking kombiniert mit KI – ein Game-Changer?</dc:text></item><item><title>AI-Driven Fraud Soars Across Europe Financial Sector, Driven by Deepfakes and Identity Theft</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxFraud is surging in Europe’s financial services sector, with both the scale and sophistication of attacks growing on the back of advancements in artificial intelligence (AI).A survey by Signicat, involving 1,206 fraud decision-makers at financial institutions across seven European countries, reveals that 76% of respondents believe fraud is now a bigger threat than three years ago, and 66% specifically view AI-driven identity fraud as a greater concern.The study, conducted by Censuswide in March and April 2024, found that while fraud is increasing overall, some types of fraud are becoming more popular. Deepfakes and impersonalization, in particular, have emerged among the top three most common types of identify fraud reported by financial institutions.What are the most common types of identity fraud you experience?, Source: The Battle Against AI-driven Identity Fraud, Signicat, Sep 2024This trend aligns with Signicat’s own experience in detecting deepfake fraud. In 2021, deepfakes accounted for a mere 0.1% of fraud attempts. However, the figure has soared to 6.5% in 2024, marking a staggering 2,137% increase over the period. This sharp increase in deepfake attempted fraud is part of a broader trend, with overall fraud attempts tracked by Signicat rising by 80% over the past three years.Signicat’s real-world fraud data, Source: The Battle Against AI-driven Identity Fraud, Signicat, Sep 2024The rise of deepfakesMore specifically, the research found that deepfakes have risen to become the most prevalent threat in eID fraud. These schemes aim to undermine national digital identity systems either by taking over an existing account or creating a false identity.What are the most common types of eID : digital identity fraud you experience?, Source: The Battle Against AI-driven Identity Fraud, Signicat, Sep 2024eID systems are digital platforms that allow individuals or organizations to prove their identity online, securely and efficiently. These systems are designed to verify a person’s identity electronically, enabling them to access various services, both public and private, without needing physical documents.While eID are effective against many types of fraud, some criminals are able to subvert these systems, leveraging AI to sample voices and video with striking accuracy to deceive organizations or individuals. For example, a deepfake might prompt a victim to authorize payments where no ID check is required on the fraudster’s end, leaving eIDs ineffective in such scenarios. Deepfakes can also be used to direct victims to fake eID verification sites to steal logins or as part of a “man-in-the-middle” attack.60% of fraud executives polled for the Signicat study stated that eID fraud is a bigger threat today than three years ago, compared to 74% saying the same of fraud in general. This suggests that while eIDs are helping slow the growth of fraud, they are not enough to fully stop it.AI-driven identity fraud, Source: The Battle Against AI-driven Identity Fraud, Signicat, Sep 2024The cost of AI-driven fraudOverall, findings from the Signicat survey reveal that criminals are increasingly relying AI to conduct fraud. An estimated 42.5% of detected fraud attempts now use AI, the study found, with 29% of them considered successful. For some respondents, that rate is even higher, with one in nine sharing an estimated AI usage in fraud attempts as high as 70% for their organization.Fraud attempts that use AI, Source: The Battle Against AI-driven Identity Fraud, Signicat, Sep 2024These AI-driven frauds are becoming an increasingly expensive challenge. Respondents estimate that, of the revenue loss to fraud, 38% was due to AI-driven identity fraud. This suggests that, while AI-driven identity fraud is not yet more successful than other means of identity fraud, it is more lucrative and used for more sophisticated, high-value scams.A separate analysis by Deloitte’s Center for Financial Services predicts that generative AI (genAI) could enable fraud losses to reach US$40 billion in the US alone by 2027, rising at a compound annual growth rate of 32% between 2023 and 2027. This growth is expected to be fueled by advancements in genAI, which will enable the creation of highly realistic images and videos that can convincingly impersonate individuals.Fraud losses, actual and expected, 2017 to 2027 (US$ billion), Source: Deloitte’s Center for Financial Services, May 2024Businesses embrace technology to address evolving fraud landscapeResults from the Signicat study show that financial services providers are aware of the threat of AI. Over three-quarters of the businesses polled have specialist teams dedicated to the issue of AI-driven identity fraud, are upgrading their fraud prevention technology stack, and expect to have more budget to do so.Attitudes towards deepfakes, Source: The Battle Against AI-driven Identity Fraud, Signicat, Sep 2024However, despite this awareness, just under a quarter of respondents have actually started implementing measures. Most are planning to do so in the next year. Smaller organizations are actually further behind, with only 18% having mitigation in place already. This indicates a delay in deploying necessary defenses against AI-driven identity fraud.Timeline to implement AI-driven identity fraud measures, Source: The Battle Against AI-driven Identity Fraud, Signicat, Sep 2024Financial services companies are also adopting advanced technologies to combat this evolving threat. JP Morgan, for example, uses the AI to reduce fraud, streamline payment validations, and improve overall customer satisfaction.Additionally, companies are partnering with tech firms to enhance their fraud detection capabilities. For example, Microsoft has partnered with risk assessment firm Moody’s to develop enhanced risk, data, analytics, research and collaboration solutions powered by genAI.Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ai-driven-fraud-soars-across-europe-financial-sector-driven-by-deepfakes-and-identity-theft</link><guid>3778</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/What-are-the-most-common-types-of-identity-fraud-you-experience-Source-The-Battle-Against-AI-driven-Identity-Fraud-Signicat-Sep-2024.png</dc:content ><dc:text>AI-Driven Fraud Soars Across Europe Financial Sector, Driven by Deepfakes and Identity Theft</dc:text></item><item><title>Fabrick and TerraPay Join Forces to Revolutionize Cross-Border Payments in Europe</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxFabrick, an Italian Open Finance operating company is expanding its geographical footprint by partnering with TerraPay, a company simplifying global money movement.Initially focused on the Italian market, this partnership will enable businesses to access a unified platform that streamlines payment processes, reduce operational costs, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.It represents a significant milestone in Fabrick’s international growth and consolidation strategy, building on its strong presence in Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom.Following the recent acquisition of finAPI, which enabled Fabrick to enter the strategically important DACH region, Fabrick has continued to solidify its position at the forefront of Europe’s digital payments landscape.With TerraPay’s extensive global network spanning 7.5 billion bank accounts, 12 billion cards and 2.4 billion digital wallets across 145 countries and by leveraging Fabrick’s Banking-as-a-Service platform model, the two are creating a unified platform with tailored offerings that streamline payment processes, enhance security, and elevate the customer experience for businesses and financial institutions. Moreover, TerraPay’s global infrastructure aligns with Fabrick’s mission to support Open Finance across different domains, including cross-border payments.TerraPay, regulated by the FCA, the Bank of Italy, and in 30 other jurisdictions globally, excels in international anti-money laundering (AML) and fraud prevention regulations, while Fabrick offers deep knowledge of Italian and EU compliance standards. Hence, both have a shared expertise in navigating the complexities of their respective regulatory environments.Paolo ZaccardiPaolo Zaccardi, CEO and Co-Founder of Fabrick, stated:“We are delighted to announce our partnership with TerraPay, providing us with a gateway to the world’s most extensive cross-border payments network. By integrating TerraPay’s vast global reach with our innovative solutions, we not only enhance our service offerings but also reinforce Fabrick’s broader strategy of global expansion”.“This move therefore signifies an important step forward in consolidating our presence in key international markets, enabling us to deliver a comprehensive suite of payment services tailored to the rapidly evolving needs of the financial services sector worldwide, enabling businesses internationally to navigate the complexities of cross-border payments with greater efficiency and security”.Ani SaneAni Sane, Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer at TerraPay, stated:“Our collaboration with Fabrick marks a significant milestone in our efforts to expand our footprint in Europe. By combining our expertise in payment infrastructure with Fabrick’s innovative approach to banking services, we are poised to deliver our value proposition to help Italian and European enterprises and banks to streamline complexity of cross border payment.”Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fabrick-and-terrapay-join-forces-to-revolutionize-cross-border-payments-in-europe</link><guid>3779</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fabrick and TerraPay Join Forces to Revolutionize Cross-Border Payments in Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>Apple Shifts Payment Strategy to Ecosystem Expansion</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxApple is changing its payments strategy, stepping away from managing balance sheet-based financial products and focusing more on strengthening its iOS ecosystem and proprietary products.These changes will transform the competitive landscape, benefiting third-party wallets, BNPL providers and merchants, a new report by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) says.The report, released in September, explores Apple’s recent fintech announcements and examines their implications for different markets and players. In particular, it highlights the termination of Apple’s buy now, pay later (BNPL) service, Apple Pay Later, the end of the firm’s partnership with Goldman Sachs, and the opening of its near field communication (NFC) chip and secure element application programming interfaces (APIs) to developers in select regions.These moves are all part of Apple’s strategy to strengthen its ecosystem and avoid direct involvement in financial products that carry significant risk.Apple’s BNPL ChangeApple discontinued in June 2024 Apple Pay Later, a BNPL solution that allowed users to pay off purchases of as much as US$1,000 over four installments. Instead, the firm has introduced installment payment options via Apple Wallet in partnership with financial institutions such as Synchrony, Citi, and Affirm in the US, and banks like ANZ in Australia and HSBC and Monzo in the UK. These moves marked Apple’s retreat from offering financial services in-house, likely due to the challenges of overseeing balance sheet-based products, opting instead to integrate BNPL services via third-party providers.BCG predicts that BNPL players will be the biggest winners of the change since integrating into Apple Wallet means they will gain access to a massive customer base. For example, Affirm’s merchant acceptance is projected to grow from about 290,000 to about 10 million, BCG says.Another major announcement this year was the opening of Apple’s NFC chip in the European Union in compliance with the Digital Markets Act. The firm proactively did so in seven additional countries: the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Japan and Brazil. The move will allow developers in these markets access to key elements of Apple Wallet’s infrastructure. This will likely foster greater collaboration with third-party financial providers, significantly altering the digital wallet landscape by increasing competition.According to BCG, leading paytech and e-commerce companies like PayPal, Cash App and Shopify are expected to benefit from the newly democratized NFC landscape. PayPal, a longstanding leader in e-commerce digital wallets, and Cash App, a popular digital wallet service by Block, will have the opportunity to expand its reach in offline transactions.BCG also expects many merchants to add NFC payment functionality to their proprietary apps and partner with lenders to offer BNPL options within their wallets, enhancing consumer loyalty through in-app reward and personalized offers.Most large merchants have enabled contactless payments in their stores but have hesitated to integrate payments with their standalone apps, reflecting the need to invest in new acceptance infrastructure such as QR codes at point of sale (POS). However, the ability to drive consumer loyalty through in-app rewards, personalized offers, and seamless checkout experiences will push many retailers to launch digital wallets and integrate NFC payment functionality as these help them drive both increased consumer engagement and operational efficiencies.Besides benefiting third-party wallets, BNPL players, and merchants, BCG expects Apple’s recent moves to benefit payment networks like Visa and Mastercard. This new landscape will entrench their presence in card payments and set them up to dominate POS installment payments over time, the firm says.Featured image credit: edited from Apple]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/apple-shifts-payment-strategy-to-ecosystem-expansion</link><guid>3769</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SIC-Instant-Payments.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Apple Shifts Payment Strategy to Ecosystem Expansion</dc:text></item><item><title>The Class of Swiss Fintech Venture Leaders 2024 Going London</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxVenturelab announced the seventh edition of the Venture Leaders Fintech roadshow with a selection of ten ambitious Swiss fintech startups ready to increase their presence and boost their growth on the international stage.From December 2nd to 6th, the 10 startups will represent Swiss innovation at Fintech Connect in London and will pitch to investors.After reviewing 50 applications, a jury of investors and financial experts selected ten fintech startups to join the Venture Leaders Fintech 2024 selection.The roadshow will take the Swiss National Fintech Team to London for investor pitch sessions and customer meetings; the entrepreneurs will also participate in the Fintech Connect conference to meet banking leaders and expand their network. The roadshow is organized by Venturelab in partnership with Swissnex, and supported by EPFL, ETH Zürich, and Walder Wyss.This year’s Venture Leaders Fintech entrepreneurs join an impressive group of Fintech alumni including high-flying startups such as:Crypto Finance (acquired by Deutsche Börse), eCollect (acquired by Intrum), Imburse (acquired by Duck Creek Technologies), Qumram (acquired by Dynatrace), Lend, Sonect, TP24, and many more.Meet the 10 Swiss Fintechs Joining the Swiss National Startup Team in 2024:CrowdTransfer AGEmpower fans to fund and shape their favorite football clubsFumex AGOn-Chain Fund Admin ProtocolhyptBoost your sales with digital word-of-mouthKasparund AGWe democratize saving and investing for everyone!KEMIEX AGOnline B2B marketplace for Active Pharmaceutical IngredientsLayer Finance (Airon 1 AG)We are an AI-enabled Deal Closing Engine for Private MarketsRelai AGRelai is Europe’s leading Bitcoin App – made in Switzerland!Riskwolf AGIf you can measure it. You can insure it.SmartPurse Switzerland GmbHPioneering Financial Education for Alltiun AGChange the way you pay for media online]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-class-of-swiss-fintech-venture-leaders-2024-going-london</link><guid>3768</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SIC-Instant-Payments.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>The Class of Swiss Fintech Venture Leaders 2024 Going London</dc:text></item><item><title>21Shares and Crypto.com Forge Strategic Partnership</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your Inbox21.co, the parent company of 21Shares – one of the world’s largest issuers of crypto exchange traded products (ETPs), and Crypto.com announced that they have entered into a strategic partnership.Central to the partnership, 21.co Wrapped Bitcoin (21BTC) will source Bitcoin liquidity from Crypto.com, leveraging the exchange’s liquidity. Looking ahead, 21.co and Crypto.com intend to build on the strategic partnership, with future announcements in the pipeline.Eliezer Ndinga“We are thrilled to integrate 21BTC with Crypto.com, enhancing user access to crypto and marking the starting point of a long-term, strategic partnership. As two leaders in digital asset innovation, know-how and operations, the 21.co–Crypto.com partnership creates a powerful combination,”said Eliezer Ndinga, Head of Strategy and Business Development, Digital Assets at 21.co.“Crypto.com is one of the world’s largest digital assets exchanges serving over 100 million users globally. As one of the world’s largest issuers of crypto ETPs, 21.co brings asset management best practices and operational excellence to the world of wrapped assets.”Eric Anziani“This partnership is a strong demonstration of how our exceptional liquidity can support the innovations of companies like 21.co and how Crypto.com is constantly aiming to better serve our existing customers,”said Eric Anziani, President and COO of Crypto.com.“21.co is a proven global crypto company, driving innovation across multiple ETP, ETF and tokenization projects. By coming together, we will offer retail and institutional crypto traders the liquidity solutions they need in the market of today and tomorrow.”Featured image credit: Eliezer Ndinga, Head of Strategy and Business Development, Digital Assets at 21.co and Eric Anziani, President and COO of Crypto.com. Edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/21shares-and-cryptocom-forge-strategic-partnership</link><guid>3767</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SIC-Instant-Payments.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>21Shares and Crypto.com Forge Strategic Partnership</dc:text></item><item><title>European Fintech Funding Continues Downtrend; Digital Banks Emerge as Sector’s Bright Spot</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your Inbox2024 continues to be a challenging year for European fintech companies, with funding levels experiencing a significant decline.In H1 2024, European fintech companies raised EUR 2.9 billion (US$3.2 billion), representing a 24% decline from EUR 3.8 billion (US$4.2 billion) in the same period the prior year, according to a new report by Finch Capital, a Dutch growth capital firm. The number of deals also fell, declining by 19% to 443 rounds.Valuations remained under pressure, as flat and down rounds accounted for 25.2% of all deals in H1 2024, up from 19.7% in H1 2023. This trend further reflects the challenging fundraising environment.Regional trendsIn H1 2024, the UK remained the dominant player in the European fintech landscape, accounting for 65% of capital raise, up from 58% in H1 2023. Meanwhile, fintech sectors in the Netherlands and the Nordics showed resilience, with funding levels remaining stable despite broader market difficulties.2024 is also seeing more emphasis on profitability than revenue growth, a trend that’s driving the development of a thriving low- to mid-market mergers and acquisitions (M&amp;A) ecosystem in Europe. Notably, the share of Europe on global M&amp;A deals under EUR 500 million (US$549 million) rivaled the US in size in H1 2024 at 32%. In contrast, the US share of similar exits has shrunk over the past years, declining from 49% in 2021 to 35% in H1 2024.Fintech exits by volume, Source: State of European Fintech 2024, Finch Capital, Oct 2024Digital banks: the bright spot for European fintechDespite the challenging fundraising climate, digital banks are emerging as a standout area in the European fintech sector this year. According to Finch Capital, banking was the favored fintech verticals in H1 2024, attracting the majority of capital despite being ranked fifth in terms of deal count. This indicates that large rounds led much of the sector’s funding activity.Top subsectors in deal count and deal value – H1 2024, Source: State of European Fintech 2024, Finch Capital, Oct 2024According to Finch Capital, large rounds of fundraising in the banking sector over the past year have been driven by record profits by challenger banks. Top challenger banks in the UK generated nearly GBP 800 million (US$1 billion) in profit in 2023 compared to just GBP 28 million (US$37 million) in 2022. These strong financial performances have made the UK a hub for fintech funding, with success stories like Revolut, Monzo and Atom Bank contributing to this trend.Monzo, for example, has raised north of US$610 million in 2024. Monzo claims it is the 7th largest bank in the UK, boasting more than 10 million customers. The digital bank achieved its first full year of profitability in 2024, reporting a pre-tax profit of GBP 15.4 million (US$20.5 million) for the financial year ending March 31, 2024. Monzo is now looking to expand its presence internationally, particularly in the US.Atom Bank also delivered its first year of operating profit in fiscal year 2023, with operating profit rising to GBP 27 million (US$35.4 million), up from GBP 4 million (US$5.2 million) last year. Founded in 2014, Atom Bank was the first online bank to be granted a full UK regulatory license. Between 2018 and 2023, the bank’s customer base increased significantly, reaching 224,000 in March 2023.Revolut, meanwhile, delivered record profits and revenue growth in 2023, with group revenue increasing by 95% from US$1.1 billion in 2022 to US$2.2 billion. Profit before tax was US$545 million, and net profit grew to US$428 million, up from US$7 million in 2022. Revolut operates in more than 40 markets globally and claims more than 45 million customers, making it one of the most prominent digital banks in the world.European neobanking sector, Source: State of European Fintech 2024, Finch Capital, Oct 2024Outlook for 2025: AI drives growth, BNPL reboundsLooking ahead to 2025, Finch Capital anticipates several key trends that will shape the European fintech landscape.In particular, the firm expects continued adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), especially in the insurance sector. According to research, four out of five actuaries are now using AI to improve risk analysis and pricing models and 65% of executives say they will invest more than US$10 million in AI in the next 3 years. This technology is expected to make the industry more efficient.Another emerging trend is the resurgence of buy now, pay later (BNPL). At the beginning, BNPL was largely restricted to e-commerce. However, the payment method is now gaining traction in physical stores such as grocery stores, restaurants as well as gas stations. Furthermore, improvement in risk management, driven by AI, have helped BNPL firms enhance their lending standards, improving profitability among BNPL players, Finch Capital says.Swedish BNPL giant Klarna, for example, said in August that it posted a profit in H1 2024, reporting an adjusted operating profit of SEK 673 million (US$66.1 million) in the six months through June 2024, up from a loss of SEK 456 million (US$44 million) in the same period a year ago. Revenue, meanwhile, grew 27% year-on-year to SEK 13.3 billion (US$1.3 billion). Founded in 2005, Klarna is a leading BNPL player boasting over 31 million monthly active users.Finch Capital also notes that the fintech sector is beginning to see signs of recovery in the job market. Incumbents, in particular, have been hiring en masse, with HSBC, Mastercard and American Express adding more than 700 employees to their engineering teams over the past 12 months. Among digital leaders, Stripe and Revolut were the most active in hiring, expanding their engineering teams by 457 and 320 employees, respectively, during the same period.Fintech hires, Source: State of European Fintech 2024, Finch Capital, Oct 2024Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/european-fintech-funding-continues-downtrend-digital-banks-emerge-as-sectors-bright-spot</link><guid>3766</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SIC-Instant-Payments.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>European Fintech Funding Continues Downtrend; Digital Banks Emerge as Sector’s Bright Spot</dc:text></item><item><title>Enterprise Fintech VC Funding Bounces Back, Driven by Larger Deal Sizes</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxIn Q2 2024, global enterprise fintech secured a total of US$4.6 billion in venture capital (VC) funding across 315 deals, a 27.1% year-on-year increase and 2.2% growth quarter-on-quarter, breaking the downward trend of the previous two quarters, data from PitchBook show.Enterprise fintech VC deal activity by quarter, Source: Q2 2024 Enterprise Fintech Report, PitchBook, Jul 2024This increase was driven by larger deal sizes. In H1 2024, enterprise fintech companies logged a median VC deal size of US$5 million, up 11.3% from 2023’s median of US$4.5 million. Notably, late-stage deals experienced a 20.1% jump in median deal size to US$9.9 million.Other stages, however, decreased from their 2023 median, with pre-seed and seed declining 22.8% to US$2.2 million, early-stage VC falling 6.2% to US$5 million, and venture growth decreasing 31.5% to US$17 million.Median enterprise fintech VC deal value (US$M) by stage, Source: Q2 2024 Enterprise Fintech Report, PitchBook, Jul 2024In Q2 2024, capital markets and CFO stack led VC funding activity. Capital market startups closed 35 transactions, securing a total of US$1.6 billion, or 34.8% of all enterprise fintech deals during the period. The vertical recorded some of the quarter’s largest enterprise fintech rounds including Clear Street’s US$685 million Series B, AlphaSense’s US$650 million acquisition financing to purchase competitor firm Tegus, and Finbourne’s US$70 million Series B.CFO stack followed capital markets, securing the second highest deal value in Q2 2024 at US$1.2 billion (26%) across 76 transactions. Notable deals included Kapital’s US$165 million Series B, Ramp’s US$150 million Series D2, and FloQast’s US$100 million Series E.Q2 2024 enterprise fintech VC deal activity by segment, Source: Q2 2024 Enterprise Fintech Report, PitchBook, Jul 2024Enterprise fintech exits and M&amp;ADespite somewhat of a rebound in VC funding, exits and mergers and acquisitions (M&amp;A) in the enterprise fintech space remained subdue, with only US$1 billion of recorded exit value across 33 deals in Q2 2024.Notable acquisitions during the quarter included AlphaSense’s US$930 million acquisition of Tegus, Aurionpro Solutions’ acquisition of a majority stake in Arya.ai for US$16.5 million, Digits’ acquisition of Basis, Stripe’s acquisition of Sumatra, Paystand’s acquisition of Teampay, and Toggle AI’s acquisition of Atom Finance.Noteworthy deals also took place for public companies, such as Nuvei’s all-cash take-private deal by private equity (PE) firm Advent International, Shift4’s acquisition of a majority stake in point-of-sale (POS) payments company Vectron Systems, and Global Payments’ acquisition of UK-based payment service provider Takepayments.Only one initial public offering (IPO) occurred in Q2 2024. It involved Trust Fintech, a bank technology provider, which listed on the National Stock Exchange of India and recorded an exit value of US$21.3 million.BaaS, AI, crypto payments as top enterprise fintech verticalsThe PitchBook report also highlights some of the key trends driving enterprise fintech in Q2 2024. First, banking-as-a-service (BaaS) continued to dominate headlines during the quarter amid heightened regulatory scrutiny following the collapse of BaaS platform Synapse.Synapse filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April 2024 after a combination of internal mismanagement, failed partnerships, and broader market challenges led to the company’s downfall. The collapse impacted nearly 100 fintech companies and millions of customers, TechCrunch reported, leaving around US$160 million in deposits inaccessible and raising concerns about the stability of the BaaS model and the fintech industry’s heavy reliance on a few service providers.Despite these setbacks, fintech companies continued to explore BaaS in Q2 2024: FIS launched in May its BaaS platform, Atelio; Equals Money, a payment solutions provider, introduced in June a new BaaS product; Atmos Financial expanded its relationship with banking partner Five Star Bank in June to explore BaaS opportunities; and Velmie announced in May a partnership with Unlimit to bring together Velmie’s platform with Unlimit’s cutting-edge BaaS offering.Artificial intelligence (AI) is another top trend outlined by PitchBook, with fintech leaders and banks continuing to explore generative AI (genAI) applications in Q2 2024. In May, Visa introduced its new Visa Account Attack Intelligence (VAAI) tool, which uses genAI to detect and prevent enumeration attacks in card-not-present transactions. That same month, JP Morgan unveiled its IndexGPT tool, which provides an automated approach to curating thematic investment baskets.Finally, crypto payments gained notable traction in Q2 2024 as leading payment players embraced blockchain solutions. In April, Stripe announced it would begin supporting global stablecoin payments using Circle’s USDC. That same month, Block, the company behind Square, Cash App and other services, announced a new program allowing merchants using Square’s solutions to convert a percentage of their daily sales to bitcoin, TechCrunch reported. The firm also unveiled plans to expand its bitcoin mining ambitions from designing chips to developing a full bitcoin mining system.In Q2 2024, enterprise fintech startups continued to capture the majority share of VC deal value in the fintech sector, making up 51.9% of total VC, according to PitchBook.Fintech VC deal activity by quarter, Source: Q2 2024 Enterprise Fintech Report, PitchBook, Jul 2024Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/enterprise-fintech-vc-funding-bounces-back-driven-by-larger-deal-sizes</link><guid>3765</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SIC-Instant-Payments.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Enterprise Fintech VC Funding Bounces Back, Driven by Larger Deal Sizes</dc:text></item><item><title>True Wealth Rolls Out ETF Transparency Feature</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxETF investors are familiar with the problem: finding out which individual securities are included in an investment instrument can only be done with great difficulty using factsheets and supplementary data tables.Identifying overlaps in a portfolio used to be extremely time-consuming. True Wealth is now changing that.True Wealth launches the «ETF Lookthrough». This tool allows clients to look through ETFs and index funds: The individual securities held in their portfolio, i.e. stocks and bonds, can be viewed instantly, displayed with just a few mouse clicks and searched.This unique functionality is not only available to invested clients, but also to all other interested visitors to the website who would like to test True Wealth with a free virtual portfolio.Felix NiedererWith the ETF-Lookthrough, True Wealth is once again setting a higher standard in asset management: «Trust and transparency are crucial for our clients. With this new function, we are giving them a tool to better understand the composition of their portfolio,»explains Felix Niederer, CEO of True Wealth.No distinction is made between investments in free (untied) assets and Pillar 3a. In addition to ETFs, index funds are also taken into account. For a more meaningful view of the investment risk, shares and bonds from the same issuer are shown in aggregated form.The aspect of home bias, for example the tendency of some Swiss investors to invest disproportionately in Swiss stocks, is now also apparent to everyone with the tool. For example, the fact that an SMI investment primarily holds three local champions from the food and pharmaceutical sectors (Nestlé, Roche and Novartis).The question of how much of your own assets are at risk in the event of a company insolvency (across the shares and bonds issued by the company) is also revealing. The tool also shows this optionally in a holistic view that combines free assets and Pillar 3a.View through the ETF portfolio: The «Lookthrough» shows transparently which companies you are effectively invested in. Other issuers such as the US Treasury are also shown.A simplified view of the review down to individual issuers can be seen here in the sample portfolio.Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/true-wealth-rolls-out-etf-transparency-feature</link><guid>3764</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SIC-Instant-Payments.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>True Wealth Rolls Out ETF Transparency Feature</dc:text></item><item><title>M&amp;A Deals Increase in Tech-Enabled Media Signaling Recovery and New Opportunities</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxIn H1 2024, mergers and acquisitions (M&amp;A) activity in the tech-enabled media and marketing sectors continued to rise, with a 7% year-on-year (YoY) increase in volume, according to data from Ciesco, a London-based M&amp;A advisory firm specializing in the tech, media, healthcare and sustainability sectors.This trend is expected to accelerate in the second half of the year, a sentiment that’s echoed by Collingwood, a consulting and advisory firm specializing in the media sector. Collingwood anticipates a surge in demand for live events and an increasing need for access to trusted information, fueling M&amp;A activity in the sector.In H1 2024, 1,129 transactions were announced in the technology and media sectors, representing a 7% YoY increase in deal activity and a 9% increase compared to H1 2022, Ciesco reports. This growth demonstrates a rebound in M&amp;A deals after years of subdued activity.During the period, traditional media saw the highest YoY increase in buyer interest, followed by agency services, and, events and experiential. Conversely, customer relationship management, digital agency and martech experienced the biggest YoY decline.H1 2024 – Tech and media M&amp;A activity by sub-sector (volume), Source: Ciesco, Jul 2024Key trends and predictionsCiesco outlines several key trends shaping the tech-enabled media and marketing sector this year. In particular, it highlights that AI advancements are transforming areas such as enterprise data management, content production, forecasting and customer experience. These technologies are enhancing efficiency and driving innovation in the sector.Ciesco also highlights the booming influencer marketing industry which has been fostering personalized, authentic engagement between brands and consumers. This sector has proven resilient amid economic uncertainty and an increasingly crowded space, with spending rising roughly 3.5 times faster in 2023 than social ad spending, according to Emarketer’s July 2023 forecast.Finally, spending on events and experiential marketing is experiencing a strong post-COVID-19 resurgence. A recent study by experiential marketing agency Gradient reveals that 80% of the 750+ senior brand marketers polled have increased their experiential marketing budgets so that they now account for 10-30% of their overall marketing spend. This surge underscores the growing emphasis on immersive marketing strategies and creating memorable, engaging experiences for consumers.Echoing Ciesco, Collingwood notes that demand for live events is rebounding as both audiences and sponsors continue to place value on the capacity of live events to help them learn, network, and ultimately forge business partnerships. This has spurred increased M&amp;A activity in the events segment representing over 50% of 2023 transactions.Another trend outlined by Collingwood is the increasing focus on sophisticated marketing services. There is strong interest in businesses that offer advanced client and sponsor propositions, with a shift towards demand generation driven by high-quality content, it says.Finally, Collingwood notes the growing need for access to trusted, high-quality information, especially in the business-to-business market, highlighting opportunities to leverage quality content to engage audiences, and address currently underserved audience needs. Key areas where information gaps exist include regulatory information, information on industry best practices, information and suppliers and information on emerging technologies.Types of information that C-suite and vice presidents think are currently underserved by existing information sources, Source: Plural Strategy B2B audience survey 2023, CollingwoodNotable media deals announced so far this year:In June, Keleops, a leading European online tech media company, announced its acquisition of Gizmodo, a renowned tech media company. This acquisition, previously under the ownership of G/O Media and Boston-based private equity firm Great Hill Partners, aims to bolster Keleops’ position in tech journalism and expand its reach within the industry and internationally.In July, Britain’s Informa announced that it had reached a deal to buy Ascential, a company specializing in events, intelligence and advisory services for the marketing and fintech industries, for GBP 1.2 billion (US$1.6 billion) in cash. This acquisition is significant because, while the media industry struggles to generate revenue from advertising, live events like those hosted by Ascential are a bright spot for growth. Ascential is one of the last large-scale events companies, running prestigious event series such as Lions and Money20/20.In August, Red Ventures, an American digital media and marketing firm, announced that it was selling its tech news and reviews site CNET to Ziff Davis, a publicly-traded digital marketing behemoth, in a deal valued at over US$100 million, sources told Axios. The development marked a surprising twist for CNET, which had previously bought Ziff Davis, then a tech magazine company, in a deal worth US$1.6 billion more than 20 years ago. Founded in 1994, CNET is an American media website that publishes reviews, news, articles, blogs, podcasts and videos on global technology and consumer electronics.American news website Axios signed in August 2022 a deal to sell to its most recent lead investor, Cox Enterprises. The cash deal valued the company at US$525 million and included an additional new investment of US$25 million in Axios’ media arm to help the company expand across its local, national and subscription news products. Axios is a news website founded in 2016 by former Politico journalists Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, and Roy Schwartz. It’s known for its concise and reader-friendly format, designed to deliver important information quickly and efficiently.In January Thomson Reuters has acquired World Business Media, a London-based provider of subscription-based, cross-platform editorial coverage for the (re)insurance industry.In February, US asset manager Franklin Templeton announced a funding round for Blockhead, a Singapore-based digital asset media firm. Blockhead said it will use the proceeds to support the growth and development of blockchain technology and digital assets, and to evolve its business model to become a leading digital asset research platform in the region. Launched in 2022, Blockhead currently operates a news publication covering global stories from the blockchain and digital assets industry, with an Asian focus.Despite the robust M&amp;A activity, 2024 has also seen notable media closures:In June, Fintech Nexus, a fintech media company previously known as LendIt, said that it was shutting down after 11 years of operation and filing for bankruptcy. The company was launched in 2013 to foster collaboration in the online lending industry and quickly grew to host large fintech events across the US, the UK, Europe, China and Latin America. However, external challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the fintech funding downturn, led to financial difficulties, culminating in the sale of its events business 2023 and now a full closure.London-based fintech news website Altfi announced in January that it was shutting down after ten years of operation, citing “severe headwinds over the last 18 months.” Set up in 2013 by finance journalist David Stevenson, a columnist at the Financial Times (FT), Altfi provided market-leading news, opinion, insights and events for the alternative finance and fintech community. It organized a series of corporate events in the UK, including the AltFi Lending Summit, the AltFi Awards and the Money Talks webinars.In the Philippines, television network CNN Philippines officially ceased operations on January 31, citing “serious financial losses” which was “worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic,” inside sources told Philstar.com.Read also:Fintech, Tech and Crypto Media Sector Shows Resilience with Notable Strategic Acquisitions and Funding Rounds in 2023 – Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News – FintechNewsCHFintech and Finance Firms Snap Up Media Companies to Gain Audience – Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News – FintechNewsCHFeatured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ma-deals-increase-in-tech-enabled-media-signaling-recovery-and-new-opportunities</link><guid>3763</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SIC-Instant-Payments.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>M&amp;A Deals Increase in Tech-Enabled Media Signaling Recovery and New Opportunities</dc:text></item><item><title>Private Equity Firm Summa Acquires NetGuardians</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxSumma Equity, a Stockholm-based private equity firm, has acquired NetGuardians, a Swiss-based provider in AI-driven fraud prevention and anti-money laundering solutions.This opens an opportunity for a collaboration between NetGuardians and Intix, another Summa portfolio company specializing in Know Your Transaction (KYT) data management.The new group is poised to advance the financial security landscape by driving the development of next generation financial crime solutions.NetGuardians has earned widespread recognition for its pioneering approach, underpinned by its proprietary 3D AI technology.Building on this foundation, the synergy between NetGuardians fraud detection technology and Intix’s financial data management make sense.Gisle Glück EvensenSpeaking on the new group, Gisle Glück Evensen, Partner at Summa commented:“Money laundering and fraud pose significant challenges to the financial system and society through the harmful activities they support. The combination of Intix and NetGuardians represents the next generation of tools in the effort to combat these. We are very enthusiastic about the continuation of this journey.”Joel WintereggSpeaking on the new group, Joël Winteregg, NetGuardians CEO and future group CEO commented:“Today marks a transformative moment for Intix and NetGuardians. This strategic union provides a unique approach to addressing financial crime challenges, tackling issues from data pipeline and traceability to advanced AI analytics. We are not just expanding our reach but also deepening our commitment to secure, sustainable financial practices”.Following the acquisition, Sergi Herrero, former Chair of Intix will assume the role of Chairman of the group. NetGuardians’ initial co-founders will play pivotal roles in this new venture and Raffael Maio will spearhead the group’s strategy. Both will be instrumental in shaping the development and strategic direction of the organization.Featured image credit: Gisle Glück Evensen, Partner at Summa and Joel Winteregg, CEO, Co-Founder and CSO of NetGuardians. Edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/private-equity-firm-summa-acquires-netguardians</link><guid>3762</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SIC-Instant-Payments.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Private Equity Firm Summa Acquires NetGuardians</dc:text></item><item><title>European Digital Banks Focus on Innovation Amid Lower Interest Rates Challenge</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxFalling interest rates are posing challenges for digital banks, particularly in regions like Europe, the US, and Latin America.These digital banks, which previously thrived on high margins from savings and loans, now face pressure on their profitability models as central banks worldwide begin lowering rates. In Europe, digital banks are responding to this shift by prioritizing product diversification and innovation to sustain growth, according to a new analysis by C-Innovation, a French fintech-focused research firm.The report, released on September 23, explores how digital banks around the world have benefited from high interest rates and what the future holds as rates begin to fall. In Europe, it highlights that leading digital banks are implementing different strategies to adapt to this new environment, with some leveraging advanced technology to improve operational efficiency, while others opt instead to expand their product offerings to diversify revenue streams.Following the global inflation surge that started in 2021, central banks around the world raised interest rates, often at unprecedented speed to bring inflation rates back to target. During this period of elevated interest rates, digital banks capitalized on the widening gap between the interest rates they offered on savings accounts and the higher rates they charged on loans, allowing them to generate considerably more revenues, significantly boosting profitability. They also took advantage of higher savings rates to offer more attractive returns than traditional banks, which drew in new customers, strengthened their customer base and increased their liquidity.But in 2024, central bankers began the process of easing up on the aggressive stances they took to quell high inflation, lowering interest rates as inflation slows and falls within sight of their targets.In Europe, the European Central Bank cut its main interest rate to 3.5% in September 2024, marking the second reduction this year following a move in June. Though economists believe rates may not return to their ultra-low levels of 0.25% seen before, C-Innovation argues that this new baseline of around 3% could still offer digital banks opportunities to capture decent margins.Reuters ECB interest rates chart, Source: Reuters, Sep 2024EU digital banks introduce innovation offeringsAcross the European Union (EU), digital banks are already adapting to this evolving landscape. Bunq, a Dutch neobank, is leading the way with innovative offerings such as Freedom of Choice, which allows users to control deposit investments, and MassInterest, which offers a 3.36% bonus rate to reward savers. Additionally, Bunq’s entry into the insurance market in May will allow it to diversifying its income streams and reduce reliance on interest margins.Bunq boasts over 12.5 million customer, and total deposits of over EUR 8 billion. This year, it plans to increase its global headcount by over 70% to expand into new regions including the UK and the US, Bunq CEO and co-founder Ali Niknam told CNBC last month.In Germany, N26 has expanded into investment products, offering services such as stock and exchange-traded fund trading, as well as portfolio management. This strategic move not only diversifies its revenue streams but also attracts a broader customer base, particularly those looking for easy access to financial markets, C-Innovation says. It also positions N26 as a more comprehensive financial platform that meets both banking and investment needs.N26 has introduced several new products this year, including Joint Accounts, which allow N26 customers to manage both their personal finances and finances shared with a partner, as well as Instant Savings accounts, which offer customers in 13 European markets up to 4% interest on deposits.N26 serves eight million customers across 24 European markets. The digital bank reported a 27% increase in revenues to more than EUR 300 million in 2023, and says it is on track to become profitable in the second half of 2024.Klarna, the Swedish buy now, pay later (BNPL) giant, is a standout example of how digital banks are using advanced technology to stay ahead. The company has implemented solutions that leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to not only reduce operational costs and remain competitive as margins tighten, but also enhance customer experience in the increasingly competitive BNPL space.These solutions include Kiki, Klarna’s bespoke internal AI assistant. In its first month, Kiki handled 2.3 million conversations, managing two-thirds of Klarna’s customer service interactions. It effectively performs the work of 700 full-time agents, matching human staff in customer satisfaction scores. Used by 87% of Klarna’s employees, Kiki responds to approximately 2,000 inquiries daily, significantly streamlining operations.Klarna has also introduced an AI assistant for its 150 million customers via its app. This assistant is designed to enhance the shopping and payments experience and is capable of managing a range of tasks, including multilingual customer service, managing refunds and returns, and fostering healthy financial habits.Digital banks in the UK put a focus on product diversificationIn the UK, banks like Starling Bank, Revolut and Monzo are putting a strong focus on product diversification and innovation, allowing them to remain profitable in a lower-rate environment.Revolut continues to offer a broad suite of services, including travel insurance, stock trading, and budgeting tools, which help diversify its revenue streams and reduce reliance on traditional banking margins. The digital bank has launched a number of new products this year, including Mobile Wallets, a remittance service; Revolut X, a stand-alone crypto trading platform; and Revolut BillPay, a new feature designed to help businesses manage and pay bills to suppliers in over 150 destinations with just a few clicks. It’s now working on a new stablecoin initiative as it seeks to expand its crypto offering.Additionally, Revolut is pursuing cross-border expansion with plans to enter the Middle East by seeking licenses to operate in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Dubai. This expansion will enable Revolut to offer remittance services, tapping into a region with significant growth potential. By providing such diverse financial products and expanding globally, Revolut can better withstand interest rate fluctuations, offering value-added services that go beyond core banking.Revolut, which operates in more than 40 markets globally, claims more than 45 million customers, making it one of the most prominent digital banks in the world.Revenue change by banking player, Source: Monzo Snapshot Report 2024, C-Innovation, 2024Similarly, Monzo is positioning itself through product diversification. Recent moves include the launch of a pension consolidation product with BlackRock, which allows customers to combine pots, a free account for 6 to 15 year olds, an “industry-first” Call Status fraud prevention tool that prevents customers falling victim to impersonation scams, the Monzo Investments offering, and an instant-access savings account.Like Revolut, this broad product range enables Monzo to reduce reliance on interest-based income by generating fee-based revenue from various financial services. Moreover, its Monzo for Under 16s offering allows it to cultivate future loyalty, which will be crucial in maintaining a solid customer base as interest margins shrink, C-Innovation says.Monzo claims it is the 7th largest bank in the UK, boasting more than 10 million customers. The digital bank achieved its first full year of profitability in 2024, reporting a pre-tax profit of GBP 15.4 million (US$20.5 million) for the financial year ending March 31, 2024.Monzo’s product offerings, Source: Monzo Bank Profile 2024, C-Innovation, 2024Starling Bank as well is diversifying its revenue streams, focusing heavily on its expansion into business banking and the provision of tailored services for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This helps cushion the effects of reduced lending margins.The digital bank has also been franchising its software to other banks through a service called Engine, with recent partnerships in Australia with AMP and Romania with Salt Bank highlighting the bank’s commitment to scaling this technology​.Starling Bank, which offers personal, business, and joint accounts through a mobile app, has 4.2 million customers and serves about 9% of the UK’s SME banking market. The digital bank has been profitable for three years now.Major SME digital banks in the UK, Source: Monzo Bank Profile 2024, C-Innovation, 2024Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/european-digital-banks-focus-on-innovation-amid-lower-interest-rates-challenge</link><guid>3761</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SIC-Instant-Payments.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>European Digital Banks Focus on Innovation Amid Lower Interest Rates Challenge</dc:text></item><item><title>Selma Finance sammelt 1.2 Millionen via Crowdinvesting-Kampagne in 24 Stunden</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxSelma Finance hat eine Crowdinvesting-Kampagne gestarted, mit der Möglichkeit Teil vom Schweizer Fintech-Unternehmen zu werden.Seit letzter Woche Mittwoch läuft Selmas Crowdinvesting-Kampagne. Schon nach 25 Minuten war bereits die 500 000 Euro Marke erreicht.Nach nur einer Stunde hatte die Kampagne 608’810 Euro eingesammelt. Über Nacht hat sich diese Summe dann nochmals verdoppelt, teilt das Unternehmen mit.Knapp 24h nach Start der Kampagne waren 1.2 Millionen Euro zusammengekommen. Stand 14:30 Uhr am 30.09.2024 hat die Kampagne über 1.42 Millionen Euro eingesammelt. Aufgrund der weiterhin hohen Nachfrage hat Selma sich dazu entschlossen, nun das ursprüngliche Kampagnenziel anzupassen und die 1.5 Millionen Euro anzupeilen.Mit den Mitteln wird die digitale Vermögensverwalterin Selma AI weiterentwickeln, das Angebot erweitern und die Position von Selma Finance als führende Finanzberaterin der Schweiz stärken.Patrik Schär“Unser Vorteil gegenüber anderen Schweizer Fintech-Unternehmen ist, dass unser Kerngeschäft bereits profitabel betrieben werden könnte. Mit unserer Crowdinvesting-Kampagne wollen wir nun Menschen einbinden, die an unsere Vision einer demokratisierten und technologiegestützten Finanzberatung glauben und in unsere Weiterentwicklung investieren wollen“,erklärt Patrik Schär, CEO von Selma.so Patrik Schär.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/selma-finance-sammelt-12-millionen-via-crowdinvesting-kampagne-in-24-stunden</link><guid>3760</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SIC-Instant-Payments.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Selma Finance sammelt 1.2 Millionen via Crowdinvesting-Kampagne in 24 Stunden</dc:text></item><item><title>6 Swiss Banks and SIX Join BIS Tokenisation Project Agorá</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxMore than 40 private sector financial firms, convened by the Institute of International Finance, will join the Bank for International Settlements and a group of leading central banks in Project Agorá to explore how tokenisation can enhance wholesale cross-border payments.The BIS and the IIF selected a diverse set of firms from applicants that met the eligibility requirements and other criteria laid out in the public call for participation.Participating firms must be regulated in a participating jurisdiction as a commercial bank, payment services provider, or financial market infrastructure company; be significantly involved in cross-border payments; and have innovation expertise. These firms represent a diversity of private sector partners in terms of business models, institution size, expertise and geography.Participating private sector institutions are: (in bolt the Swiss one’s)Amina BankBanco SantanderBanorteBanque Cantonale VaudoiseBasler KantonalbankBBVABNP ParibasBNYCaixaBankCitiCrédit Agricole CIBDeutsche Bank AGEurex Clearing AGEuroclear S.A./N.V.FNBOGroupe BPCEHana BankHSBCIBKIntercam BancoJPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.KB Kookmin BankLloyds Banking GroupMastercardMizuho BankMonexMUFG Bank Ltd.NatWest GroupNongHyup BankPostFinance Ltd.SBI Shinsei Bank Ltd.Shinhan BankSIX Digital Exchange (SDX)Standard CharteredSumitomo Mitsui Banking CorporationSwiftSygnum BankTD Bank N.A.UBSVisaWoori BankProject Agorá will now begin the design phase of the project.Project Agorá (Greek for “marketplace”) is structured as a public-private collaboration. It brings together seven central banks: Bank of France (representing the Eurosystem), Bank of Japan, Bank of Korea, Bank of Mexico, Swiss National Bank, Bank of England and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. They will work in partnership with the selected financial firms, and the IIF will act as the private sector convener.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/6-swiss-banks-and-six-join-bis-tokenisation-project-agora</link><guid>3759</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SIC-Instant-Payments.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>6 Swiss Banks and SIX Join BIS Tokenisation Project Agorá</dc:text></item><item><title>Real-Time Payment Infrastructure, Open Banking Initiatives Drive Growth in A2A Transactions</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxBy 2029, account-to-account (A2A) payments are projected to reach 186 billion transactions, marking a staggering 209% from 60 billion in 2024, new estimates by Juniper Research show. This growth is expected to be driven by advances in instant payment rails and open banking technologies, which are reshaping the payment landscape.A2A payments refer to the direct transfer of funds from one bank account to another, without the need for intermediaries such as card networks or third-party payment processors. These transactions typically rely on traditional bank payment systems such as ACH (Automated Clearing House) in the US or SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area) in Europe, bypassing credit card and third-party payment platforms.A2A payments have increased in popularity in recent years due to their cost-effectiveness, security, and speed. In 2023, they accounted for 7% of global e-commerce payments last year, according to the Global Payments Report 2024 by Worldpay. Countries including Finland, Malaysia, the Netherlands, and Nigeria led the way in adoption, with A2A payments standing as the leading payment method for e-commerce transactions.Juniper Research predicts that A2A payments will continue to grow through 2028, fueled by the widespread adoption of open banking initiatives across governing bodies worldwide. Asia-Pacific (APAC) is projected to make up for the bunch of these transactions, accounting for more than half of all A2A consumer transactions by then, outpacing both the Americas and Europe.Real-time payments and open banking fuel the growth of A2A transactionsThe rise of A2A payments has been largely propelled by the development of instant payment rails, Juniper Research says. Historically, traditional A2A payments faced delays in fund transfers, often taking several business days through systems like SEPA. However, real-time payment systems such as the UK’s Faster Payments and the US’s RTP (Real-Time Payments) allow for instantaneous or near-instantaneous transfers between bank accounts. This speed has made A2A payments highly appealing for situations where speed is crucial, such as paying bills, transferring money between individuals, or settling business invoices, leading to increased adoption.While instant payment rails are crucial to the rise of A2A payments, the report notes that open banking is also playing a significant role by providing the secure infrastructure that allows banks and financial institutions to share data with third-party providers.Open banking enables third-party providers to initiate payments directly from consumers’ bank accounts, allowing for the development of innovative solutions, including payment initiation services (PIS). These third-party services facilitate the initiation of payments directly from a customer’s bank account, offering more seamless payment experiences, particularly in e-commerce.The adoption of open banking has seen steady growth in recent years, especially in Europe. In the UK, open banking penetration reached 13% of digitally active consumers by January 2024, with small businesses reporting an even higher rate of 18%, according to the UK’s Open Banking Limited (OBL). The agency estimates that there are now 10 million active users of open banking-powered financial tools and payment apps in the UK.In Europe, about 5% of digital consumers in France, Spain, Italy, and Germany had used open banking in 2022, according to Rolands Mesters, CEO of open banking provider Nordigen.Globally, Juniper Research estimates that there were a little less than 100 million open banking payments users in 2023. By 2027, that number is projected to reach 400 million, and by 2028, it could approach 600 million.Number of open banking payment users globally (million), 2023-2028, Source: How open banking is driving A2A payments, Juniper Research, Sep 2024Europe: A leader in open bankingEurope is recognized as a pioneer and leader in open banking due to proactive regulation, technological innovation and the collaborative financial ecosystem that has emerged in the region.The bloc introduced in 2015 the Revised Payment Services Directive (PSD2), a regulatory framework designed to foster competition and innovation in the financial services industry. It mandated that banks open their customers’ financial data to authorized third-party providers with the customer’s consent, effectively kickstarting the open banking movement.The European Union (EU) is now working on an open finance framework, expanding the access and reuse of customer data across a broader range of financial services, including loans, investments, savings, pension schemes, real-estate and even crypto-assets. The European Commission (EC) put forward the legislative proposal in June 2023. The proposal is now going through the legislative process, including discussions and approvals by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU.These initiatives are part of the EU’s Digital Finance Strategy, a development plan adopted in September 2020 aimed at modernizing the European financial sector by embracing digital transformation. Other key initiatives under the plan include the Regulation on Markets in Crypto-assets (MiCA), the Digital Identity Framework, and the Instant Payments Regulation.The Instant Payments Regulation, which entered into force in April 2024, requires banks and payment service providers to offer instant payment services in euros, ensuring that transactions are processed within seconds, 24 hours a day, all year round. It also mandates that instant payments must be offered to customers at the same cost as standard transfers.Though instant payments bring about a number of benefits for both consumers and businesses, the EC estimates that only 11 % of all money transfers in euro are instant. One in three EU payment service providers does not offer them, and some 70 million payment accounts in the euro area do not allow their holders to use instant transfers.Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/real-time-payment-infrastructure-open-banking-initiatives-drive-growth-in-a2a-transactions</link><guid>3758</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SIC-Instant-Payments.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Real-Time Payment Infrastructure, Open Banking Initiatives Drive Growth in A2A Transactions</dc:text></item><item><title>EBP Acquired Minority Stake in Pelt8</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxPelt8, a Switzerland based sustainability reporting solution provider, has entered into a strategic partnership with the consulting firm EBP.Additionally, Tenity and SICTIC investors have joined the round as follow-on investors.This collaboration aims to significantly strengthen the reporting and sustainability efforts of medium and large companies in Switzerland and internationally. To reinforce this commitment, EBP has acquired a minority stake in Pelt8.The partnership comes at a critical time, with increasing market-driven and regulatory pressure on corporate sustainability. Pelt8’s comprehensive solution supports all sustainability reporting standards. Currently, the Swiss Federal Council is consulting on extending reporting requirements that are in line with new EU CSRD requirements. If passed, it is estimated that an additional 3,000 Swiss companies will need to report on their sustainability by 2027.Julian OsborneJulian Osborne, CEO of Pelt8, expressed his enthusiasm:“We are thrilled about our partnership with EBP. With a very similar impact-driven culture, their extensive experience and expertise in sustainability consulting significantly enhance our ability to reach our clients’ sustainability goals.”Christoph ZulaufChristoph Zulauf, CEO of EBP Switzerland, emphasizes:“Pelt8’s solution and team perfectly complement our Corporate Sustainability Consulting offering. The partnership with a young SustainabilityTech company marks the beginning of a new chapter for EBP.”]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ebp-acquired-minority-stake-in-pelt8</link><guid>3757</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SIC-Instant-Payments.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>EBP Acquired Minority Stake in Pelt8</dc:text></item><item><title>Taurus Partners with Aktionariat to Launch Token Secondary Market for SMEs</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxSwiss equity token specialist Aktionariat AG and securities firm Taurus SA announced a new partnership.Aktionariat’s tokenization tools and Taurus Digital Exchange (TDX) organized trading facility are natural complements. Under the newly announced partnership, Taurus will support selected shares tokenized with Aktionariat on the Ethereum blockchain and Aktionariat will offer client companies a smooth path towards being admitted to trading on TDX as they grow in market capitalization and match admission criteria.This collaboration brings together Aktionariat’s expertise in tokenizing Swiss companies’ equity with Taurus’ institutional-grade trading technology. It aims to increase liquidity and unlock value for tokenized SMEs and their shareholders by providing access to TDX’s network of banks, professional investors, and retail clients.Murat ÖgatMurat Ögat, CEO of Aktionariat, said:“Our mission is to enable companies to leverage the power of blockchain-based financing. While we already offer tools to enable the sale and limited informal trading of security tokens, there is a lack of licensed marketplaces for security tokens. Taurus fills this gap with its digital marketplace. Having a smooth path to access this market will provide value to our clients and also strengthen the usefulness of our offering for their investors.”Victor BussonVictor Busson, CMO at Taurus, commented:“By combining Aktionariat’s expertise with our TDX marketplace, we’re helping to create a robust ecosystem for issuers and investors alike. This collaboration demonstrates how tokenization can increase liquidity and accessibility for the private capital market. We’re particularly excited about the potential for companies like RealUnit to leverage our platform, showcasing the tangible benefits of tokenization for both issuers and investors.”Among the first tokenized SMEs expected to be admitted for trading on TDX following this partnership is RealUnit Schweiz AG, an investment company focused on real assets, with several additional companies expected to follow in 2025 as the ecosystem of tokenized SMEs expands. RealUnit tokenized its shares with Aktionariat in April 2022 and used its tools to allow investors to hold them using any Ethereum-based crypto wallet. Investors could choose between classic bearer shares and registered shares as tokens – a first in the Swiss capital market.Dani StüssiDani Stüssi, CEO of RealUnit Schweiz AG, said:“As one of the first Swiss companies to offer tokenized instruments, we’re excited to be at the forefront of this partnership between Aktionariat and Taurus. Being admitted to trade on TDX is a natural next step in our journey to increase accessibility and liquidity for our investors. This move aligns perfectly with our mission of opening up access to actively managed real asset investments.”The collaboration is expected to go live in November, enabling the first Aktionariat-tokenized SMEs to begin trading on TDX.Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/taurus-partners-with-aktionariat-to-launch-token-secondary-market-for-smes</link><guid>3756</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SIC-Instant-Payments.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Taurus Partners with Aktionariat to Launch Token Secondary Market for SMEs</dc:text></item><item><title>EIB Provides €220 Million Financing to Italian Paytech Company Nexi</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxThe European Investment Bank (EIB) is providing €220 million in financing to Nexi Group, an Italy based PayTech company, to support innovation in the digital payments sector.The agreement was announced in Milano by EIB Vice-President Gelsomina Vigliotti and Nexi Group CFO Bernardo Mingrone.Nexi will use the EIB funds to develop and manage projects aimed at modernising digital payments in Europe, and to finance specific initiatives that leverage the expertise of Nexi Digital, a European technological innovation hub created in collaboration with Reply, an Italian company and European leader in digital transformation.The identified projects are fully aligned with Nexi Group’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives, which have already been communicated to the market. These include promoting digital payment innovation across Europe, creating jobs for young people and in disadvantaged areas, and enhancing environmental sustainability by optimizing data centres and developing cloud-based activities.This is the first EIB loan granted to a publicly listed company in the digital payments sector, underscoring Nexi’s commitment to advancing the digital and technological transition.Gelsomina VigliottiEIB Vice-President Gelsomina Vigliotti commented:“This operation represents a major step forward in the development of Europe-wide digital payment solutions, helping to reduce the use of cash and prevent fraud and tax evasion. This operation highlights the EIB’s commitment to promoting digitalisation and innovation in businesses and public sector organisations, which are key elements of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan.”Bernardo MingroneNexi Group CFO Bernardo Mingrone added:“We are proud that the European Investment Bank has recognised our ongoing commitment to the development of innovative products and services promoting digital payment reliability and security, two key requirements for rolling out these services in the European countries where we operate. This agreement is further confirmation that even major players like the EIB recognise Nexi’s vital role in developing and supporting digitalisation in Europe.”Featured image credit: EIB Vice-President Gelsomina Vigliotti]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/eib-provides-220-million-financing-to-italian-paytech-company-nexi</link><guid>3755</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SIC-Instant-Payments.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>EIB Provides €220 Million Financing to Italian Paytech Company Nexi</dc:text></item><item><title>1 Billion USD Takeover: Visa to Acquire Payment Fraud Protection Provider Featurespace</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxVisa announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Featurespace, a developer of real-time artificial intelligence (AI) payments protection technology that prevents and mitigates payments fraud and financial crime risks.The acquisition of London based Featurespace will complement and strengthen Visa’s portfolio of fraud detection and risk-scoring solutions used by clients around the world to grow and protect their businesses.Although Visa did not disclose the acquisition’s value, a recent report from SkyNews, citing sources, estimated it to be around $935 million.Since its inception out of Cambridge University’s engineering department, Featurespace has developed innovative algorithmic-based solutions to analyze transaction data and detect even the most elusive fraud cases.Antony CahillAntony Cahill, Global Head of Value-added Services at Visa, said:“Providing our clients with solutions that can adapt to and anticipate the changing threat landscape is of the utmost importance. Featurespace’s strong foundation in AI will enhance our existing product portfolio and enable us to address our clients’ most complex and pressing challenges. We look forward to welcoming the Featurespace team to Visa.”The combined expertise of Visa and Featurespace will enable clients to manage fraud in real-time and further protect the payments ecosystem using AI-fueled solutions. This investment builds on Visa’s commitment to ecosystem security. In the last five years alone, Visa has invested billions of dollars in technology, including to reduce fraud and enhance network security.Dave ExcellDave Excell, Founder of Featurespace, added:“Over the past 12 years we have served the financial services industry, building a company that has gone from strength to strength, and we are thrilled to become a part of Visa. With Visa, we can bring the innovation, integrity and purpose of our platform and our team to more payment service providers and ultimately, stop more people from becoming victims of financial crime.”The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of applicable regulatory approvals. The transaction is expected to close in fiscal year 2025 and will provide significant benefits to financial institutions, consumers, and the wider payments industry.Featured image credit: Antony Cahill, Global Head of Value-added Services at Visa and Dave Excell, Founder of Featurespace]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/1-billion-usd-takeover-visa-to-acquire-payment-fraud-protection-provider-featurespace</link><guid>3753</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SIC-Instant-Payments.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>1 Billion USD Takeover: Visa to Acquire Payment Fraud Protection Provider Featurespace</dc:text></item><item><title>Innosuisse is Looking for Innovation Startup Mentors</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxInnovation mentors support SMEs by conducting an initial analysis of their innovative idea as well as helping them understand their potential and find research partners.They are very familiar with innovation support offers in Switzerland and can help their customers apply and develop their idea.The mentors also facilitate access for Swiss SMEs to the skills and technologies available at Swiss universities and colleges. Thanks to their extensive network, they enable SMEs to find partners to carry out innovation projects.To work as a mentor, the following qualities are essential:Be able to provide sound advice to innovative companies;Benefit from extensive experience in defining and implementing product, service and process development strategies;Be able to recognise the critical success factors of an innovation project and support partners in defining the project;Benefit from a strong network at national, cantonal and regional level, in particular with Swiss universities and colleges, as well as with innovation support and economic promotion organisations.You can find more details on the Innosuisse’ profiles in their legal basis.When it comes to selections, a diverse and inclusive balance is essential to the mentor pool, especially with regard to gender parity, diversity of ages and languages. This is why female applicants are particularly encouraged to apply if interested.This call for applications is an opportunity:To support Swiss SMEs on their innovation path;Make valuable contacts and expand your network by supporting exciting projects;Actively contribute to shaping the future of business and research.Apply by 30 November 2024 here Only complete applications, submitted will be considered. The required documents are as follows:CV;Cover letter;Declaration of possible conflicts of interest, including:professional activities;activities in management and supervisory bodies, as well as advisory boards and similar bodies of Swissand foreign corporations, institutions and foundations under private and public law;advisory or expert activities;permanent consulting or advisory activities for Swiss or foreign interest groups.Accreditation ProcessFollowing an oral interview in December 2024, the Innovation Council will select the successful candidates and announce its decision in February 2025. The chosen mentors will begin their work in June 2025.Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/innosuisse-is-looking-for-innovation-startup-mentors</link><guid>3754</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SIC-Instant-Payments.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Innosuisse is Looking for Innovation Startup Mentors</dc:text></item><item><title>Despite Promising Fintech Growth, MENA and LatAm Remain Underfunded Regions</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxBetween 2015 and 2023, more than US$350 billion of venture capital (VC) funding was invested in the fintech sector globally, with the US and Canada alone accounting for 39% of total fintech funding.North America also has much higher funding per capita than other regions, highlighting the concentration of fintech funding activity.But in recent years, fintech funding in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) has experienced significant growth on the back of booming fintech innovation and soaring adoption of digital financial services.Despite this growth, there is still a mismatch between fintech funding and future growth potential in these regions, representing a significant opportunity for investors worldwide, a new paper by the World Economic Forum (WEF) says.The whitepaper, released on September 04 and produced in collaboration with McKinsey and Company, examines global fintech funding trends and delves into where fintech funding gaps exist.It highlights the surge in fintech funding that regions including MENA and LAC have recorded over the past few years. Between 2015 and 2023, LAC saw the highest funding compound annual growth rate (CAGR) across all major regions, reaching 37%. MENA, meanwhile, recorded the second highest CAGR with 33%, while the volume of fintech VC funding in the region more than tripled from US$600 million to US$1.9 billion between 2020 and 2023.Fintech VC funding, and funding-to-GDP ratio by region (2015 to 2023), Source: Fuelling Innovation: Closing Fintech Funding Gaps, World Economic Forum, Sep 2024According to the paper, rising fintech funding activity in MENA and LAC has been driven by booming adoption of digital financial services. In LAC, there were more than 300 million users of digital payments and more than 30 million users of digital banks in 2021, mostly concentrated in Brazil and Mexico.In MENA, this growth was driven by a series of successful fundraisings by regional fintech leaders, including the birth of three unicorns in 2023: buy now, pay later (BNPL) companies Tabby and Tamara, both from Saudi Arabia, and microfinance and payment startup MNT-Halan from Egypt.These companies have managed to garner significant customer bases of 14 million users for Tabby, 10 million for Tamara, and seven million for MNT-Halan. The MENA region has a young, educated and growing population and some of the world’s highest mobile, internet and smartphone penetration rates, making the region for a fertile ground for financial innovation.An untapped opportunityWhen looking at fintech funding between 2020 and 2023 and comparing it to estimated future revenue by region, the WEF paper notes that fintech funding was not distributed according to future growth potential in different region.Between 2020 and 2023, Europe and North America received more fintech funding than their projected 2028 revenue, with Europe getting 109% and North America 180% of expected future earnings. In contrast, regions like Asia-Pacific (APAC), LAC and MENA received much less, only 67%, 70%, and 63% of their anticipated future fintech revenue, respectively.These findings suggest that global VC funding does not align with the emerging growth opportunities. This is despite forecasts that emerging regions such as APAC, LAC and MENA are projected to account for a significant share of the global fintech revenue by 2028 at 30%, 9% and 6%, respectively.Fintech funding to future revenue (indexed worldwide to 100), Source: Fuelling Innovation: Closing Fintech Funding Gaps, World Economic Forum, Sep 2024This mismatch between fintech funding and future growth potential means that regions like LAC and MENA are currently underfunded, even though they are expected to see substantial growth in the coming years. This presents a significant opportunity for for investors.Closing the funding gapsFinally, the WEF paper formulates a series of recommendations to close these funding gaps, outlining five pathways. The first pathway involves investing in digital public infrastructure by developing core building blocks centered on digital identity, payments, data sharing and emerging technologies.The second pathway involves enhancing regulatory clarity and encouraging regional collaboration. This includes improving certainty and clarity in banking regulation, launching initiatives such as regulatory sandboxes, and encouraging interoperability and regulatory standardization.The third pathway involves nurturing talent by establishing local hubs for global talent, and strengthening support networks including incubation and acceleration programs, and innovation hubs.The fourth pathway involves developing local financing capabilities by broadening the investor base beyond traditional VC funds to include corporate venture capital (CVC), minority equity investment from incumbent banks, sovereign wealth funds with growth equity expertise, and family offices. Governments can also play an important role in fostering innovation by deploying policy instruments to boost effective investment returns and attract more capital from investors to fund various industries.Finally, the fifth pathway involves encouraging sustainable fintech growth strategies by leveraging emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and demonstrating a clear path to profitability.This article first appeared on fintechnews.aeFeatured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/despite-promising-fintech-growth-mena-and-latam-remain-underfunded-regions</link><guid>3752</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SIC-Instant-Payments.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Despite Promising Fintech Growth, MENA and LatAm Remain Underfunded Regions</dc:text></item><item><title>LUKB bietet neu sichere Ein- und Auslieferung von Kryptowährungen an</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxDie Luzerner Kantonalbank (LUKB) bietet ab dem 1. Oktober 2024 ihren Kunden die Ein- und Auslieferung für die Kryptowährungen Bitcoin und Ethereum an.Bereits im Juni 2024 hat die LUKB einen Kryptoanlageplan auf den Markt gebracht und ergänzend zu Bitcoin, Ethereum und USD Coin neu auch Investitionen in die Kryptowährungen Chainlink und Polygon ermöglicht.Ab dem 1. Oktober 2024 können Kunden der LUKB ihre Kryptowährungen Bitcoin und Ethereum aus anderen Wallets in ihr Wertschriftendepot bei der LUKB übertragen. Die LUKB wird diese Dienstleistung schrittweise einführen. Sie ergänzt damit das bestehende Angebot im Bereich des Handels und der Verwahrung von Kryptowährungen.Kryptoanlageplan seit Juni 2024Der bereits im Juni 2024 lancierte Kryptoanlageplan ermöglicht ein regelmässiges und automatisiertes Investieren in Kryptowährungen bereits ab einem Betrag von 10 Franken. Der Kauf von Kryptowährungen erfolgt automatisiert und auf Wunsch der Kundschaft per Dauerauftrag. Der Kryptoanlageplan ist nahtlos in das Kernbankensystem und das E-Banking der LUKB integriert.Ausbau der KryptowährungenErgänzend zu den bisher verfügbaren Kryptowährungen Bitcoin, Ethereum und USD Coin hat die LUKB ebenfalls im Juni 2024 ihr Angebot um Chainlink und Polygon erweitert.ISAE zertifizierte VerwahrungDie LUKB setzt bei der Verwahrung von Kryptowährungen auf anerkannte Sicherheitsstandards. Die Verwahrung der eingelieferten Kryptowährungen erfolgt in einer ISAE 3000 zertifizierten Infrastruktur. Für die Kunden besteht somit Gewähr, dass ihre Kryptowährungen bei der LUKB sicher verwahrt sind.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/lukb-bietet-neu-sichere-ein-und-auslieferung-von-kryptowahrungen-an</link><guid>3749</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SIC-Instant-Payments.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>LUKB bietet neu sichere Ein- und Auslieferung von Kryptowährungen an</dc:text></item><item><title>FBI Crypto Report: Fraud Surges Driven by Investment Scams</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxIn 2023, cryptocurrency fraud continued to surge globally as rising adoption of digital currencies attracted scammers seeking to exploit the hype and target credulous users.Last year, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received a record of 69,468 crypto-related complaints, a 33.6% increase from 2022’s ~52,000, new data released by the division show. Losses soared by a whopping 45% year-over-year (YoY) to an all-time high of US$5.6 billion.Though crypto fraud represented only 10% of total financial fraud complains in 2023, it accounted for nearly 50% of total fraud losses, highlighting the disproportionately severe financial impact of these schemes compared to traditional fraud.IC3 complaints with reference to cryptocurrency, Source: 2023 Cryptocurrency Fraud Report, US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Sep 2024Investment fraud emerges as top crypto fraud typeInvestment fraud fueled much of the rise in crypto-related scams, emerging as the most reported crypto scheme in 2023. Last year, it accounted for nearly half of all complaints received and a staggering 71% of the losses associated with these complaints.The increasing popularity of cryptocurrencies, driven by the potential for high returns and belief in blockchain’s future, is attracting fraudsters. As cryptocurrencies are increasingly perceived as viable alternatives to traditional investments, and with major companies enhancing the market’s legitimacy, scammers are exploiting this trend, taking advantage of the hype, investors’ lack of experience, and the anonymity of blockchain transactions to deceive unsuspecting individuals with promises of high returns and minimal risks.In 2023, losses from crypto-related investment fraud schemes reported to the IC3 skyrocketed from US$2.57 billion in 2022 to US$3.96 billion, a 53% increase, with many victims accumulating massive debt to cover losses from these fraudulent investments.2023 crime types with cryptocurrency nexus – Losses, Source: 2023 Cryptocurrency Fraud Report, US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Sep 2024While various schemes were used to defraud individuals last year, the IC3 has identified a particularly prominent method that emerged in 2023. These schemes were socially engineered and involved criminals using dating applications, social media platforms, professional networking sites, or encrypted messaging apps to establish relationships with their targets. Once trust was established, the criminals introduced the topic of cryptocurrency investment and convinced their targets to invest through fraudulent websites or apps controlled by them.The IC3 also warns of the risk of false job advertisements linked to labor trafficking at scam compounds overseas. These compounds hold workers against their will and use intimidation to force the workers to participate in scam operations.In these schemes, criminals would post false job advertisements on social media and online employment sites to target people, primarily in Asia, offering a wide range of opportunities across tech support, call center customer service, and beauty salon technicians. These opportunities would include enticing salaries, lucrative benefits as well as coverage for travel experiences and accommodation.However, upon arrival in the foreign country, victims would find their passports and travel documents confiscated, facing threats and coercion to comply with their captors.These cyber scam centers are primarily located across Southeast Asia, mainly in the poorer states of Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar, and are operated by well-connected organized criminal groups, largely originating from China. They are often staffed by thousands of people, most of whom the criminal groups have illegally trafficked and forced to work in inhumane and abusive conditions.The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights estimates that more than 200,000 people have been trafficked into Myanmar and Cambodia to execute these online scams.Crypto kiosks and recovery as rising trendsIn addition to crypto investment fraud, the IC3 report also highlights the rise of crypto kiosks scams. Crypto kiosks are ATM-like devices or electronic terminals that allow users to exchange cash and cryptocurrency. They enable a more anonymous transaction than depositing the cash at a financial institution, making them attractive to criminals.Typically, criminals would instruct victims to use these kiosks to send funds, providing detailed guidance on withdrawing cash, locating a kiosk, and completing the transaction. These scams frequently involve QR codes, allowing the victim to send cryptocurrency directly to the criminal’s intended destination.According to IC3 data, the use of cryptocurrency kiosks to perpetrate fraudulent activity is increasing. In 2023, the division received more than 5,500 complaints reporting the use of cryptocurrency kiosks, with losses over US$189 million. Top crime types involving crypto kiosks in 2023 were tech support (46%), extortion (17%) and government impersonation (10%), all of which were among the top fraud complaints for the year.2023 crime types with cryptocurrency nexus – Complains, Source: 2023 Cryptocurrency Fraud Report, US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Sep 2024Crypto recovery schemes are another rising form of fraud, often emerging as the next iteration of a fraud scheme.In these schemes, criminals would pose as representatives from businesses offering crypto tracing services, falsely claiming they can recover lost funds.They would typically contact individuals who lost money from the scheme via social media or messaging platforms or advertise their fraudulent cryptocurrency recovery services in the comment sections of online news articles and videos about crypto; among online search results for cryptocurrency; or on social media.These fraudsters would charge an up-front fee and either cease communication after receiving an initial deposit or produce an incomplete or inaccurate tracing report and request additional fees to recover funds. To appear legitimate, they may also falsely claim affiliation with law enforcement or legal services.Global crypto activity continues to grow this year, driven by the launch of bitcoin and ether exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the US, rising adoption in developing economies and a rebound in crypto prices.Data from Chainalysis show that between Q4 2023 and Q1 2024, the total value of global crypto activity rose substantially, reaching higher levels than those of 2021 during the crypto bull market. This growth was mainly fueled by lower-middle income countries, with nations in Central and Southern Asia, as well as Oceania (CSAO) recording the strongest increase crypto adoption.The launch of spot bitcoin and ether exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the US this year also played a key role in boosting adoption. A recent Gemini survey reveals that 37% of US cryptocurrency owners now hold some of their crypto through an ETF. Moreover, 13% of respondents own cryptocurrencies exclusively through an ETF, underscoring the role of these instruments in driving growth within the sector and improving accessibility.The price of bitcoin increased substantially in 2023, soaring by a staggering 153% from about US$17,000 in January to about US$43,000 by the end of the year.Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fbi-crypto-report-fraud-surges-driven-by-investment-scams</link><guid>3750</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SIC-Instant-Payments.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>FBI Crypto Report: Fraud Surges Driven by Investment Scams</dc:text></item><item><title>SmartStream Upgrades Its Data Automation Platform with AI Capabilities</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxSmartStream, a financial transaction management solution provider, has launched version 9 of its Air platform, offering enhanced data automation and intelligence capabilities.The new release aims to enhance data management across front-to-back office operations in financial institutions.Key features of version 9 include the Air Data and Air Cash modules, both utilising AI and machine learning technologies.Air Data automates various tasks such as data cross-checking, error detection, and trade record comparison.It also enhances internal data quality by identifying inconsistencies.The Air Cash module focuses on simplifying cash reconciliations, even handling complex scenarios.The platform prioritises security, adhering to DORA and PCI compliance standards.Built on SaaS technology, it is designed to be globally accessible, scalable, and cost-effective.Andreas BurnerAndreas Burner, Chief Technology Officer, SmartStream, said,“Today, companies are overwhelmed by large amounts of complex or unstructured data, which often impedes their ability to gain critical operational and commercial insights. Version 9 transforms data into a strategic asset, enabling customers to enrich their data with greater ease.Through observational learning, it offers intelligent suggestions of how best to gain valuable insights from data – significantly boosting competitiveness. The introduction of low-code / no code environment makes it easy to deploy, operate and scale”.Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/smartstream-upgrades-its-data-automation-platform-with-ai-capabilities</link><guid>3751</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SIC-Instant-Payments.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>SmartStream Upgrades Its Data Automation Platform with AI Capabilities</dc:text></item><item><title>IN Groupe in Talks to Acquire IDEMIA Smart Identity</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxIN Groupe, a French identity solutions provider, has entered exclusive negotiations to acquire IDEMIA Smart Identity, a key division of IDEMIA Group.The acquisition would create a new entity with over €1 billion in sales, bolstering IN Groupe’s presence in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Asia.The combined capabilities would provide enhanced access to critical segments of the identity value chain, including chip design and advanced software, crucial for secure identity documents.This acquisition aligns with IN Groupe’s growth strategy, addressing the increasing demand for secure identity solutions, the trend towards digitalization, and the rise of European standards in the digital identity ecosystem.The French state, IN Groupe’s sole shareholder, supports the acquisition.The transaction, subject to regulatory approvals and consultations, is expected to close in 2025.Agnès DialloAgnès Diallo, CEO of IN Groupe, said,“We are looking forward to joining forces with IDEMIA Smart Identity to create a new global leading player for advanced and secure identity solutions. This is a unique and transformative milestone for IN Groupe.It is fully aligned with our strategy to consolidate our position in physical and digital identity at a global scale to better serve our clients. IDEMIA Smart Identity’s teams, technologies and solutions, perfectly complement our own capabilities and I firmly believe that coming together would strongly benefit our customers.”Pierre BarrialPierre Barrial, CEO of IDEMIA Group, said,“We are reaching a decisive milestone with this project to sell IDEMIA Smart Identity, one of the leading providers of secure identity solutions, to create a market leading player.With €2.5 billion in revenue, 12,500 employees, and 4,000 customers with its Secure Transactions and Public Security divisions, IDEMIA Group would embark on a new chapter in its history and remain focused on delivering mission critical solutions powered by biometrics and cryptography addressing specific market segments, and accelerating its future growth”.Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/in-groupe-in-talks-to-acquire-idemia-smart-identity</link><guid>3747</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SIC-Instant-Payments.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>IN Groupe in Talks to Acquire IDEMIA Smart Identity</dc:text></item><item><title>HSLU-Analyse: Wie wird die Investment App Yuh genutzt?</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxDie von PostFinance und Swissquote lancierte Smartphone-App Yuh ist mittlerweile die am zweithäufigsten genutzte Smartphone-Bank der Schweiz.Rund 3.5 Jahre nach ihrer Einführung nutzen bereits über 250’000 Menschen die App. Für den IFZ Retail Banking Blog wurden mir verschiedene interessante Kennzahlen zur Nutzung und zu den Nutzerinnen und Nutzern von Yuh zur Verfügung gestellt.Die Nutzerbasis von über 250’000 Personen verteilt sich auf verschiedene Altersgruppen. 45 Prozent der App-Nutzer sind jünger als 35 Jahre, und 72 Prozent sind jünger als 45 Jahre (siehe Abbildung 1). Zum Vergleich: Das Median-Alter in der Schweiz beträgt rund 46 Jahre. Das bedeutet, dass 50 Prozent der Bevölkerung jünger und 50 Prozent älter als 46 Jahre alt sind.Abbildung 1: Altersverteilung von Yuh (Stand: Ende August 2024; Quelle: Yuh)Neben dem tendenziell eher jüngeren Publikum zeigt sich auch eine klare Tendenz in der Geschlechterverteilung: 70 Prozent der Nutzer sind männlich, während 30 Prozent weiblich sind. Gemäss Angaben von Yuh konnte der Frauenanteil aber gesteigert werden. Laut Angaben von Yuh konnte der Frauenanteil jedoch gesteigert werden. Lag dieser zu Beginn noch bei nur 20 Prozent, so konnte er inzwischen erhöht werden.Kontostand von CHF 8’900Die Verteilung der Nutzer nach Regionen entspricht weitgehend der Bevölkerungsdichte in den einzelnen Kantonen. In Zürich beispielsweise, dem bevölkerungsreichsten Kanton, finden sich 18% der Yuh-Nutzerinnen und -Nutzer, was auch dem Anteil an der Gesamtbevölkerung der Schweiz entspricht. Es ist jedoch eine leichte Tendenz erkennbar, dass Yuh in urbanen Kantonen (bspw. Basel, Genf) etwas stärker vertreten ist als in ländlichen Gebieten.Die Yuh-Nutzerinnen und -Nutzer verfügen im Durchschnitt über einen Kontostand von CHF 8’900. Rund 60 Prozent der Kundinnen und Kunden nutzen die innerhalb der App angebotenen Sparprojekte.Nutzung der App, 75’000 Unique UserDie Yuh-Nutzerinnen und -Nutzer zeigen eine bemerkenswert hohe Aktivität. Im Durchschnitt loggen sie sich mehrere Male pro Monat in die App ein.Aktuellen Daten zufolge sind täglich 75’000 unique Nutzer aktiv, während 155’000 die App mindestens einmal pro Woche nutzen. Innerhalb der letzten 30 Tage haben sich sogar 220’000 Nutzerinnen und Nutzer mindestens einmal in die App eingeloggt, was einer – aus meiner Sicht – beeindruckenden Aktivitätsrate von 88 Prozent entspricht.Krypto-Investoren und HandelsaktivitätenEine beachtliche Anzahl von 38 Prozent aller Yuh-Nutzerinnen und -Nutzer, also 95’000 Personen, investiert derzeit via Yuh in Kryptowährungen. Unter diesen Investierenden sind 88 Prozent männlich. Der durchschnittliche Handelsbetrag für Kryptowährungen liegt bei etwa CHF 375 pro Transaktion.In einer Studie, welche wir im November im Rahmen der IFZ Retail Banking Konferenz veröffentlichen werden, werden wir aufzeigen, dass diese hohe Zahl deutlich überdurchschnittlich ist für die Schweizer Bevölkerung. Offensichtlich ist es also Yuh gelungen, viele Krypto-Interessierte als Kundinnen und Kunden zu gewinnen.Insgesamt halten 50 Prozent der Yuh-Nutzer Wertschriften wie Aktien, ETFs und Kryptowährungen, wobei auch hier der männliche Anteil mit 87 Prozent überwiegt. Das durchschnittliche Depotvolumen beträgt CHF 5’600.Yuh nutzt als einzige mir bekannte Bank die Möglichkeit von sogenannten «Fractional Shares» in der Breite (willBe bietet das auch an, aber nur für einzeln Aktien).Das bedeutet, dass Kundinnen und Kunden einen Bruchteil einer Aktie oder eines ETFs erwerben können, wodurch sie anteilig auch Dividenden erhalten. Dabei agiert Yuh als Käufer und fungiert als eine Art Treuhänder für die Kundschaft. Beim Erwerb von «Teilaktien» erhalten die Kundinnen und Kunden jedoch kein Stimmrecht und werden nicht ins Aktienregister eingetragen.Die technische Umsetzung solcher Lösungen ist zwar komplex, aber sie sind stark auf die Bedürfnisse von Retailkundinnen und -kunden ausgerichtet, wie die Zahlen von Yuh zeigen: Laut Yuh entfallen beeindruckende 50 Prozent aller Trades auf Fractional Shares.FazitYuh etabliert sich zunehmend als wichtige Finanzplattform in der Schweiz und zieht dabei eine breite und diverse Nutzerschaft an. Die hohe Aktivität der Kundschaft und das wachsende Interesse an innovativen Investmentmöglichkeiten wie Kryptowährungen und Fractional Shares zeigen auf, warum die App möglicherweise erfolgreicher ist als andere Angebote.Die Benutzerbasis ist geografisch breit gestreut, zeigt aber eine Tendenz zu eher jungen, urbanen und männlichen Nutzern. Das durchschnittliche Kundenvermögen bei Yuh ist auf den ersten Blick noch eher tief. Einerseits kann dies mit der Altersstruktur zusammenhängen (Gut 72% der Yuh-Kundschaft sind unter dem Schweizer Median-Alter). Als Zweites wird Yuh wohl häufig (noch) als Zweitbank genutzt. Zudem sind Vermögenswerte von unter CHF 10’000 bei vielen klassischen Retailkunden ebenfalls nicht ungewöhnlich..Mit Blick auf den hohen Anteil von Trades mit Fractional Shares wird ein klares Kundenbedürfnis deutlich:Warum bieten andere Banken diesen Service nicht an?Dieser Artikel erschien zuerst auf dem HSLU-Retailbanking-Blog]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/hslu-analyse-wie-wird-die-investment-app-yuh-genutzt</link><guid>3748</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SIC-Instant-Payments.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>HSLU-Analyse: Wie wird die Investment App Yuh genutzt?</dc:text></item><item><title>LSEG Simplifies Data Access with DataScope Warehouse Launch</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxLondon Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) has announced the launch of DataScope Warehouse.This is a cloud-based solution designed to provide enterprise clients with easy access to its extensive fixed income and equity data.The platform supports Structured Query Language (SQL), allowing users to query LSEG’s Pricing and Reference database.It also enables collaboration by offering access to LSEG’s data through various cloud partners.The service offers immediate access to a comprehensive range of data, including global equities, derivatives, bank loans, and funds, sourced from more than 180 exchanges worldwide, including emerging markets.LSEG’s Pricing Data Service covers over 2.8 million fixed income securities and derivatives, providing independent, transparent pricing.Its Reference Data offers global coverage of over 80 million active and matured financial instruments across a broad spectrum of asset classes.Initially available on the Snowflake cloud infrastructure, DataScope Warehouse will expand to other cloud providers through 2025.Kristin HochsteinKristin Hochstein, Global Head of Pricing and Reference Services commented,“Our customers are looking for flexible solutions that allow them to consume as much data as they need exactly when they need it.The launch of DataScope Warehouse will be key in enabling our customers to spend less time on data remediation and more on discovering insights and boosting productivity in their businesses.Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/lseg-simplifies-data-access-with-datascope-warehouse-launch</link><guid>3746</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SIC-Instant-Payments.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>LSEG Simplifies Data Access with DataScope Warehouse Launch</dc:text></item><item><title>Argentina’s Top 3 Digital Banks Capture Nearly 90% Market Share</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxUalá, Brubank and Naranja X dominate the Argentinian digital banking sector, collectively serving 16.44 million customers and holding an 88% share of the market, a new analysis by C-Innovation, a French fintech-focused research firm, reveals.These digital banks have managed to establish themselves as key pillars of the digital banking ecosystem, carving out substantial user bases by focusing on innovation, financial inclusion, and customer-centric services, the report says. Their growth has been driven by strategic product offerings, user-friendly platforms, and the ability to meet the evolving needs of Argentine consumers.Ualá, one of Argentina’s leading fintech players, offers a comprehensive financial platform that includes prepaid cards, personal loans and bill payment services. Its user-friendly app and focus on financial inclusion make it particularly popular among younger consumers and those previously underserved by traditional banks. Ualá serves 6 million customers, recording a 13% year-over-year (YoY) growth between 2023 and 2024.Ualá has heavily relied on a mergers and acquisitions (M&amp;A) to grow and broaden its product offerings. The acquisition and rebranding of Wilobank to Uilo Bank have expanded Ualá’s service offerings, integrating traditional banking into its digital ecosystem. Additionally, Ualá’s acquisitions of Empretienda, an e-commerce platform for entrepreneurs, and Ceibo Créditos, a fintech company specializing in credit services, have further strengthened the company’s market position.Brubank, launched in 2018, provides a wide range of banking services, including savings accounts, loans, and investment options. Its seamless digital experience and no-fee model have attracted a broad customer base, particularly among tech-savvy individuals seeking an alternative to traditional banking. Brubank serves 5.81 million customers, recording a 14% YoY growth between 2023 and 2024.Finally, Naranja X, originally known for its credit cards, has evolved into a full-fledged digital bank offering accounts, loans, and investment products. The company has leveraged its strong brand legacy and established customer relationships to tap cross-sell opportunities and boost its growth. Naranja X serves 4.63 million customers, recording a 84% YoY growth between 2023 and 2024.Digital banking in Argentina, Source: C-Innovation, Aug 2024Argentina’s digital banking landscapeUalá, Brubank and Naranja X are among the seven licensed digital banking bands in Argentina, along with Banco Del Sol, IUDÚ, Openbank, and Uilo Bank (formerly Wilobank).Mercado Pago is another leading neobanking company mentioned in the report, though without a formal banking license. Mercado Pago began in 2003 as a payment solution within the Mercado Libre e-commerce platform before evolving into a leading neobanking player in Argentina and across the broader LatAm. The company now serves 7 million customers in Argentina and 49 million users across the broader LatAm region, offering a broad range of financial services, including a digital wallet, QR code payments, prepaid cards, loans and investment services.One of the greatest strengths of Mercado Pago is its seamless integration within the Mercado Libre ecosystem. This integration allows it to leverage Mercado Libre’s extensive user base and tap cross-selling opportunities that other digital banks cannot easily replicate. This helps boost customer loyalty and provides a steady stream of transactional data, which can then be used to refine and expand its product offerings.Mercado Pago’s global reach, combined with its deep penetration in Argentina, positions it as a strong competitor in the marketForeign leaders eye Argentinian marketArgentina’s already crowded digital banking sector is bracing for heightened competition with the potential entry of Revolut and Nubank. The arrival of these global giants is expected to reshape the market landscape by introducing substantial resources, cutting-edge products, and valuable experience from other regions. This shift could challenge the dominance of local players and bring new dynamics to the competitive environment, C-Innovation says.Revolut, which has already established a strong presence in Europe and parts of LatAm, is now targeting Argentina as a key market for expansion. Earlier this year, it launched a search for “head of expansion” to lead its efforts in the country, including establishing a local team and navigating regulatory approvals.C-Innovation expects that Revolut’s entry will disrupt the Argentinian market. The company’s offerings, which include multi-currency accounts, international remittances, and cryptocurrency trading, surpass those of local neobanks, giving it a competitive edge. Furthermore, Revolut’s profitability in 2023 gives it the financial muscle needed to invest in advertising and market penetration, making it a strong competitor in Argentina.Nubank, the largest digital bank in LatAm, entered Argentina in 2019 but withdrew shortly after due to the challenging macroeconomic environment. However, in a recent interview, Cristina Junqueira, co-founder and chief growth officer of Nubank, stated that the company might reconsider re-entering Argentina if the macroeconomic conditions improve.She emphasized that while Argentina is a significant market with a large population eager for better financial services, the country’s economic instability remains a major hurdle. Should Nubank decide to re-enter the market, its deep understanding of LatAm and its ability to tailor products to local needs could give it an edge over newer entrants like Revolut, C-Innovation says.Nubank serves more than 100 million customers across Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia, providing a fully digital bank account, credit cards, investment products, a digital wallet, and more.This article first appeared on fintechnews.amFeatured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/argentinas-top-3-digital-banks-capture-nearly-90-market-share</link><guid>3745</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SIC-Instant-Payments.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Argentina’s Top 3 Digital Banks Capture Nearly 90% Market Share</dc:text></item><item><title>Boerse Stuttgart Provides Crypto Infrastructure to DZ Bank</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxBoerse Stuttgart Digital is the crypto infrastructure partner of DZ BANK, representing the German cooperative banking group – one of the largest banking groups in Europe and the second largest one in Germany.Leveraging Boerse Stuttgart Digital’s regulated institutional crypto infrastructure solutions, DZ BANK will enable 700 cooperative banks to offer their retail customers to trade cryptocurrencies and to securely store them in licensed fiduciary custody.The implementation of the technical and operational set-up has already started. The first banks are to be connected as early as this year, with a phased roll-out and a first testing phase for selected retail customers.Matthias Voelkel“We offer Boerse Stuttgart Digital’s proven and fully regulated crypto trading and custody infrastructure to financial institutions across Europe. This is especially interesting for financial institutions which put a particular focus on professionalism, security, reliability, and trust – as does DZ BANK. Our infrastructure solutions are retail-customer-oriented, this is the towering strength of our group”,says Dr Matthias Voelkel, CEO of Boerse Stuttgart GroupFeatured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/boerse-stuttgart-provides-crypto-infrastructure-to-dz-bank</link><guid>3743</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SIC-Instant-Payments.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Boerse Stuttgart Provides Crypto Infrastructure to DZ Bank</dc:text></item><item><title>Commerzbank and Crypto Finance Offer Digital Assets in Corporate Banking</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxCommerzbank and Crypto Finance, a subsidiary of Deutsche Börse, are now offering Commerzbank’s corporate clients in Germany crypto assets. The joint service will initially focus on bitcoin and ether, targeting selected existing Commerzbank corporate clients in Germany.Under this strategic partnership, Commerzbank will manage the custody of digital assets, while Crypto Finance will ensure their secure trading.Combined Expertise for New Digital MarketsIn November 2023, Commerzbank became the first German universal bank to obtain a crypto custody licence under §1 Abs. 1a Satz 1 Nr. 6 of the German Banking Act (KWG). This licence enables the Bank to offer a broad range of services in the field of digital assets, particularly crypto assets. The Bank can now provide a regulatory-compliant and reliable platform for crypto custody based on blockchain technology.As a pioneer in digital assets, Crypto Finance has been enabling institutional clients to enter the crypto sector since 2017 through regulated and secure trading and custody services. Established as a FINMA-regulated provider of crypto asset solutions in Switzerland, Crypto Finance has recently expanded its presence in Germany by obtaining four licences from the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin). This expansion allows the company to offer crypto services to all institutional clients in Germany.Gernot Kleckner“Our offering in digital assets, enables our corporate clients to seize the opportunities presented by bitcoin and ether for the first time,”explained Gernot Kleckner, Divisional Board Member Capital Markets in the Corporate Clients segment at Commerzbank, about the partnership.“We are a reliable and competent partner for our corporate clients in these future markets. Our joint solution represents the highest level of security in the trading and custody of crypto assets, which is also a standard we also share with the Deutsche Börse Group.”Stijn Vander Straeten“The partnership with Commerzbank is an important milestone for Crypto Finance as it enables us to offer more companies and institutions in Germany access to regulated crypto services,”said Stijn Vander Straeten, Chief Executive Officer of Crypto Finance.“With a solution tailored to Commerzbank, we are reinforcing our commitment to offering secure digital asset solutions across Europe. We are very much looking forward to the collaboration and to supporting the growing demand for institutional crypto services in Germany and the EU.”Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/commerzbank-and-crypto-finance-offer-digital-assets-in-corporate-banking</link><guid>3744</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SIC-Instant-Payments.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Commerzbank and Crypto Finance Offer Digital Assets in Corporate Banking</dc:text></item><item><title>findependent verwaltet nun 150 Millionen Franken und 15000 Kunden</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxDas ETF-Anlage-Startup findependent hat nun über 15’000 Kundinnen und Kunden für die Geldanlage App begeistern können.Das verwaltete Vermögen stieg gar um 140% auf 150 Millionen Franken.findependent wächst in allen Teilen der Schweiz schnell und in den letzten 12 Monaten besonders rasant in der Romandie und beim weiblichen Teil (+140%) der Anlegergemeinde.Das Durchschnittsalter aller Nutzerinnen und Nutzer der findependent Anlage-App liegt bei 39 Jahren. Starke prozentuale Zuwächse zeigen auch die 18 bis 25jährigen (+160%) und die Altersgruppe der “Neupensionäre” (+224%) rund um das offizielle Rentenalter.Die Summe der verwalteten Vermögen hat per Anfang September erstmals die Marke von 150 Millionen Franken überschritten. Der Grossteil (90%) des Wachstums der vergangenen 12 Monate stammt aus neu anvertrauten Geldern. Dieses Wachstum ermöglichte findependent eine verbesserte Preisgestaltung bei den Vermögensver- waltungs- und Depotgebühren.Matthias Bryner“Wir wollten diesen Preisvorteil an unsere Kundinnen und Kunden weitergeben, schliesslich sind sie es, die dieses Wachstum erst ermöglicht haben”,verrät Matthias Bryner, Gründer und CEO von findependent.“Im Laufe des Frühlings haben wir daher ein weiteres Mal die Gebühren gesenkt, auch wenn wir schon vorher der günstigste digitale Vermögensverwalter der Schweiz waren”,so Bryner.Neuer Head of OperationTobias KatzfussAufgrund des starken Kundenwachstums schafft findependent zudem neu die Stelle des Head of Operations. Per Oktober 2024 wird Tobias Katzfuss in dieser Rolle zum findependent Team stossen. Er verfügt über langjährige Bankerfahrung und war in verschiedenen Operations- und Business Development Rollen im Institutional Clients Bereich der Credit Suisse und zuletzt im Group Integration Office der UBS tätig.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/findependent-verwaltet-nun-150-millionen-franken-und-15000-kunden</link><guid>3742</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Starkes-Wachstum-bei-findependent.png</dc:content ><dc:text>findependent verwaltet nun 150 Millionen Franken und 15000 Kunden</dc:text></item><item><title>Global Crypto Adoption Rises in 2024, Led by Developing Economies and ETF Launches</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxIn 2024, global cryptocurrency activity continues to grow, with developing economies leading in crypto ownership.Adoption of the new asset class is increasing worldwide, driven in part by the launch of bitcoin and ether exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the US, which has boosted adoption, particularly in institutional transfers and higher-income regions.However, regulatory concerns remain a key obstacle, especially in the US and UK, though Europe is taking steps to address these challenges with the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation.Global crypto activity on the riseGlobal crypto activity has continued to rise this year despite market volatility. Between Q4 2023 and Q1 2024, the total value of global crypto activity rose substantially, reaching higher levels than those of 2021 during the crypto bull market, data from Chainalysis show.The report says that while growth in crypto adoption was driven primarily by lower-middle income countries in 2023, this year has seen growth across countries of all income levels, supported by positive developments.Chainalysis’ findings echo those of a new Triple A Technologies research. According to the “State of Cryptocurrency Ownership Worldwide in 2024″ report, the global user base of digital currencies has reached 562 million people this year, up 34% increase from 420 million in 2023. This figure suggests that 6.8% of the world’s population are now crypto owners, with crypto ownership rising by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 99% between 2018 and 2023.Crypto ownership worldwide, Source: The State of Global Cryptocurrency Ownership in 2024, Triple A Technologies, Sep 2024Central and Southern Asia and Oceania dominates crypto adoptionThis year, adoption of cryptocurrencies has been the strongest in Central and Southern Asia, along with Oceania (CSAO). The region dominates Chainalysis’s “2024 Global Crypto Adoption Index”, with seven of the top 20 countries located in CSAO. These countries are India (#1), Indonesia (#3), Vietnam (#5), the Philippines (#8) Pakistan (#9), Thailand (#16) and Cambodia (#17), all of which have demonstrated strong activity in both cryptocurrency trading and decentralized finance (DeFi) between 2023 and 2024.The Global Crypto Adoption Index is based on four sub-indexes, each measuring different aspects of cryptocurrency usage. It ranks a total of 151 countries based on factors like transaction volume, population size, and purchasing power.The 2024 Global Crypto Adoption Index Top 10, Source: Chainalysis, Sep 2024Developing economies lead crypto ownershipDeveloping economies currently lead in crypto adoption, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Singapore (24.4%), Turkey (19.3%), Argentina (18.9%), Thailand (17.6%) and Brazil (17.5%) showing the high levels of crypto ownership, according to Gemini’s 2024 “Global State of Crypto” report.The high penetration of cryptocurrencies in developing economies is often due to limited access to traditional banking, high remittance costs, inflation, and currency instability. These digital assets offer an attractive alternative for saving, transferring money, and accessing financial services, especially in regions with weak financial infrastructure. Additionally, the younger, tech-savvy population in these countries is more open to adopting new digital solutions.Global distribution of cryptocurrency ownership, 2024, Source: The State of Global Cryptocurrency Ownership in 2024, Triple A Technologies, Sep 2024ETF brings growth through accessibilityThe launch of spot bitcoin and ether ETFs in the US in January and July 2024, respectively, has been among the key drivers of increased crypto adoption this year. According to the Chainalysis report, the development marked a significant milestone for the broader crypto industry, and spurred significant growth in crypto activity across all regions, particularly in institutional-sized transfers and in higher-income regions like North America and Western Europe.In the US, 37% of cryptocurrency owners surveyed by Gemini in 2024 reported holding some of their crypto through an ETF, underscoring the role of these instruments in driving growth within the sector. Notably, 13% of respondents said they own crypto exclusively through an ETF, indicating that many investors entered the market via ETFs when they were introduced this year.The introduction of spot bitcoin ETFs earlier in 2024 generated considerable enthusiasm. Within the first month of trading, daily trading volume totaled nearly US$8 billion, marking a 63.8% increase from the previous peak of US$4.7 billion on January 11, 2024, the first day of trading, and reflecting strong interest from investors in this new asset class.Investors remain bullish on cryptoThis year, consumer attitudes around crypto has remained positive among owners and past owners. According to the Gemini survey, 57% of current crypto owners feel comfortable making crypto a significant part of their investment portfolios. Furthermore, 27% of past crypto owners expressed similar sentiments, indicating that many may re-enter the market.Institutional investors are also showing increasing interest in digital assets. A study by EY-Parthenon found that 94% of the 277 institutional investor decision-makers surveyed believe in the long-term value of blockchain and digital assets, with 79% considering them crucial for portfolio diversification.The long-term value of digital assets and the potential of blockchain, Source: Gaining Ground: how institutional investors plan to approach digital assets in 2024, EY-Parthenon, May 2024Additionally, 38% of these respondents said they had already committed between 1%-5% of funds to digital assets or crypto-related investments, and in the case of family offices, nearly half are in that allocation range. Traditional hedge funds are reaching for digital assets gains even more aggressively than their peers, with 22% allocating greater than 5% of funds.What percentage of your funds have you allocated to cryptocurrencies, digital assets or related crypto funds/products?, Source: Gaining Ground: how institutional investors plan to approach digital assets in 2024, EY-Parthenon, May 2024Regulatory concerns as a barrierDespite increased crypto activity and rising adoption among both retail and institutional investors, regulatory concerns remain a significant barrier.In 2024, a higher percentage of respondents in the US, UK, and Singapore cited regulatory uncertainty as a key obstacle to investing in cryptocurrencies compared to 2022, according to the Gemini survey.Percentage of past owners and non-owners citing regulatory concerns as a barrier, Source: The State of Global Cryptocurrency Ownership in 2024, Triple A Technologies, Sep 2024These results align with the findings of the EY-Parthenon survey which found that while half of firms are interested in investing in tokenized assets, 28% don’t plan to invest until 2026 or later, and 30% are waiting for regulatory clarification before moving forward.Interest in investing in tokenized assets, Source: Gaining Ground: how institutional investors plan to approach digital assets in 2024, EY-Parthenon, May 2024The European Union (EU) has taken a major step toward addressing these concerns, approving in June 2023 the MiCA regulation. MiCA, set to be applicable from December 30, 2024, will introduce uniform market rules for crypto-assets across the EU, providing a more robust and transparent legal framework that is expected to foster further crypto adoption and investment in Europe.Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/global-crypto-adoption-rises-in-2024-led-by-developing-economies-and-etf-launches</link><guid>3741</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Global Crypto Adoption Rises in 2024, Led by Developing Economies and ETF Launches</dc:text></item><item><title>Surge in Cashless Transactions Driven by Payment Innovations, New Regulations</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxConsumers from around the world are increasingly favoring digital payments over cash, fueling a surge in cashless transactions. A new report by Capgemini Research Institute reveals that non-cash transaction volumes worldwide reached 1,411.3 billion in 2023, up 17% from 1,202.8 billion in 2022.Even established regions like Europe experienced significant growth, with non-cash transactions rising by 15.6% between 2022 and 2023 to reach 361.1 billion.The World Payments Report 2025, released on September 10, forecasts sustained growth in cashless transactions. Global digital payments are expected to rise at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15% from 2023 to 2028, reaching a total of 2,838 billion transactions. In Europe, cashless payments are set to grow by a CAGR of 12% over the same period and reach 637.1 billion.Worldwide non-cash transactions (enterprise and retail, volume in billions, 2018-2028F), Source: World Payments Report 2025, Capgemini Research Institute, Sep 2024A heterogeneous regionIn Europe, cashless transactions are primarily composed of card transactions, credit transfers and direct debit, which accounted for 66%, 17% and 8% of non-cash transactions in 2023, respectively.However, the report notes that the landscape is evolving as consumers increasingly adopt alternative payment methods like instant payments and e-money, including digital wallets. The pan-European instant payment scheme, SEPA Instant Credit Transfer (SCT Instant), was launched in 2017 and by Q1 2024, 17.3% of all SEPA credit transfers were instant, the report says. Instant payments made up 4% of payment transactions in 2023, while digital wallets accounted for 5% of payment transactions, data from the report show.Despite SEPA harmonization efforts, the European payments landscape remains fragmented with nearly 30 retail payment systems active in the eurozone as of H1 2023.Furthermore, customer preferences vary greatly across countries. In Germany and the Netherlands, users tend to favor bank transfers such as iDeal in the Netherlands, while in France, customers prefer local card schemes. Mobile wallets, such as the unicorn Satispay in Italy or Bizum in Spain, are gaining popularity and adoption.Payment mix: New payments vs traditional payments (% of transaction volume by region, 2023), Source: World Payments Report 2025, Capgemini Research Institute, Sep 2024Banking consortium launches digital wallet WeroTo address Europe’s fragmented payment landscape, the European Payments Initiative (EPI) started rolling out this year Wero, a new mobile wallet. Leveraging SCT Inst, Wero enables instant payments across the eurozone, aiming to simplify digital payments and promote the EU’s strategic financial autonomy.Wero allows users to send and receive money instantly using phone numbers, QR codes, or email addresses. Initially focused on person-to-person payments using phone numbers, QR codes, or email, Wero plans to expand by 2025 to support payments for small businesses, online merchants, and recurring bills, with in-store payments and additional features arriving by 2026.Industry observers say Wero will offer European banks a competitive alternative to bigtech wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, enhancing their ability to compete in the digital payments market. The solution will also streamline Europe’s diverse payment systems under one brand, improving user experience and fostering cohesion across the continent.Wero was launched in Germany and Belgium in July. France will follow this autumn, with the Netherlands and Luxembourg joining later in 2024.EPI is an initiative launched in 2021 by 16 European banks and financial services institutions. These institutions include BBVA, BNP Paribas, Groupe BPCE, Deutsche Bank and ING. EPI’s members currently represent more than 70% of retail banking customers in Belgium, France, and Germany.Wero: A unified solution and an alternative to traditional payment methods, Source: World Payments Report 2025, Capgemini Research Institute, Sep 2024Government initiatives fuel the rise of cashless transactionsIn Europe, the rise of cashless payments has largely been driven by government policies designed to create a more connected financial ecosystem in Europe.One key initiative for 2024 is the One-Leg-Out (OLO) Instant Credit Transfer (OCT Inst) service. Launched by the European Payments Council in November 2023, OCT Inst is a cross-currency payment system designed for processing international instant credit transfers between accounts. The service aims to speed up international payments, increase cost transparency, and improve payment traceability.2024 also saw the launch of the Instant Payment Regulation (IPR). The regulation, which entered into force in April 2024, mandates that all eurozone payment providers must be able to receive instant payments by January 2025 and send them by October 2025. Non-eurozone markets have until 2027 to comply. Any fees for these instant payments must be the same as or lower than those for standard credit transfers. The IPR aims to ensure instant payment availability, standardization, fair pricing, and enhanced security across Europe.Another key initiative is the Payment Service Directive 2 (PSD2). Introduced in 2018, PSD2 marked a pivotal regulatory step by mandating consent-driven access to payment and account data for third-party providers, laying the groundwork for open banking.Open banking boosts cashless payments by allowing banks to securely share customer information with other financial services. This fosters innovation and competition in payment solutions, creating more options for easy and secure payments.The European Union (EU) is now overhauling PSD2 with the Payment Services Directive 3 (PSD3). This directive, slated for publication in late 2024 or early 2025, will introduce more stringent customer authentication rules and tighten control over access to payment systems and account information.Complementing PSD3, the commission also proposed a regulation on a framework for financial data access (FIDA) in June 2023. This initiative seeks to promote open finance and data-driven financial services by granting consumers greater control over their financial data.Key regulatory and industry initiatives are driving payments transformation, Source: World Payments Report 2025, Capgemini Research Institute, Sep 2024Digital B2B transactions on the riseBesides retail payments, business-to-business (B2B) payments are also in the midst of a digital revolution, driven by widespread digitalization among companies and fintech innovations catering to both small businesses and large corporations.This surge is further being propelled by the explosive growth of B2B online marketplaces. In 2023, there were nearly 750 online marketplaces globally, and projections for 2025 exceed 1,000, the report says.In 2023, B2B non-cash payment transactions totaled 51.6 billion in Europe, up from 46.5 billion in 2022. This trend is expected to continue with a 10.8% year-over-year increase in 2024 and an 11.4% CAGR from 2023 to 2028. By 2028, Europe is projected to become the largest market for B2B non-cash payments, representing 32.3% of global transactions with an estimated 89.9 billion transactions.B2B non-cash payment transactions are fast catching up with the digital trend, Source: World Payments Report 2025, Capgemini Research Institute, Sep 2024Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/surge-in-cashless-transactions-driven-by-payment-innovations-new-regulations</link><guid>3739</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Surge in Cashless Transactions Driven by Payment Innovations, New Regulations</dc:text></item><item><title>PostFinance, Sygnum and UBS Will Study Swiss Franc Deposit Token Feasibility</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxTo assess the feasibility and potential benefits of a deposit token in Switzerland, the Swiss Banking association members PostFinance, Sygnum, and UBS have signed a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU).This MoU demonstrates their commitment to designing and implementing an initial Deposit Token PoC, focusing on two main use cases in the areas of peer-to-peer payments and digital assets settlement.The MoU outlines the shared objectives of conducting the PoC during the course of 2025 and addresses the resulting inter-institutional technical and legal challenges.The joint work aims to provide a non-binding evaluation for all interested financial market participants on how such a deposit token design may be implemented, potentially leading to a nationwide rollout of the Swiss franc deposit token.However, a successful PoC will not prejudge a decision on a rollout.Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/postfinance-sygnum-and-ubs-will-study-swiss-franc-deposit-token-feasibility</link><guid>3740</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>PostFinance, Sygnum and UBS Will Study Swiss Franc Deposit Token Feasibility</dc:text></item><item><title>HSG Startup Accelerator Erhält 5.4 Mio. CHF Sonderkredit vom Kanton</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxDer St.Galler Kantonsrat hat am Montag einem Sonderkredit von 10 Mio. Schweizer Franken zum Ausbau der Startup-Förderung zugestimmt.5.4 Mio. davon werden eingesetzt für den «HSG START Accelerator». Dieser ist ein Gemeinschaftsprojekt der Universität St.Gallen (HSG) zusammen mit dem Switzerland Innovation Park Ost und START Global.Die restlichen 4.6 Millionen Franken sollen die bestehende Stiftung «Startfeld» stärken.Der «HSG START Accelerator» ist als Stiftung organisiert, die im Juni 2024 gegründet wurde. Er soll das führende Accelerator-Programm Europas werden und starke, technologieorientierte Startups auf ihrem Wachstumskurs begleiten.Das Programm bereitet die nationalen und internationalen Jungunternehmen gezielt auf die Wachstumsphase vor. Es hilft ihnen mittels intensiver Coachings und Vernetzung, ihre Überlebenschancen und ihre Attraktivität zu erhöhen, insbesondere für Risikokapital-Investor:innen. Die Stiftung hinter dem Accelerator soll künftig selbsttragend sein.HSG und kantonale Standortförderung entwickelten StrategieDer Kanton St.Gallen stärkt mit diesem Parlamentsentscheid weiter seine Attraktivität als Standort für innovative Jungunternehmen. Die Idee des Accelerators basiert auf einer Startup-Strategie, die der HSG-Startup-Experte Prof. Dr. Dietmar Grichnik und ein Team des Center for Entrepreneurship (CfE-HSG) entwickelt haben. Dies geschah im engen Austausch mit der Standortförderung des Kantons St.Gallen, die die Strategieentwicklung in Auftrag gegeben hatte.Basierend auf dieser Strategie wurden die HSG Entrepreneurial Journey Programme im neuen Prorektorat Innovation &amp; Qualität entwickelt. Diese Programme sollen an der HSG Innovationen auslösen, Ideen inkubieren und skalieren und diese auf den Markt bringen. Die erste Förder- und Transferstrategie wurde auf den Weg gebracht.Neben der HSG trägt START Global den Accelerator mit. Diese Organisation wird in Freiwilligenarbeit von rund 100 HSG-Studierenden geleitet. Diese organisieren jährlich in den Hallen der Olma Messen den START Summit, Europas grösste Gründerkonferenz.Der dritte Partner, der Switzerland Innovation Park Ost, ist eine gemeinsame Initiative von öffentlichen Institutionen, Wissenschaft und Privatwirtschaft. Er ist Teil des Netzwerks Switzerland Innovation, das sechs Haupstandorte in der Schweiz unterhält und auf einem gesetzlichen Auftrag des Bundesrates basiert.Featured image credit: edited from freepik.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/hsg-startup-accelerator-erhalt-54-mio-chf-sonderkredit-vom-kanton</link><guid>3738</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>HSG Startup Accelerator Erhält 5.4 Mio. CHF Sonderkredit vom Kanton</dc:text></item><item><title>Tech Consulting Firm Whizkey Mulls Swiss Expansion Amidst Global Growth</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxWhizkey, a global software design and consulting firm, is considering expansion plans in Switzerland.The company is exploring potential office openings in Zürich and Geneva as part of its plan to strengthen its footprint in Europe, with the Zürich office potentially serving as Whizkey’s European hub, while Geneva would support regional development.Switzerland’s reputation as a financial and technological hub makes it a strategic location for Whizkey’s next phase of growth.Aligned with Switzerland’s sustainability goals, Whizkey plans to incorporate environmentally friendly practices into its operations if the expansion proceeds.Founded over a decade ago by Abdulaziz Alamiri and Harsh Hirani, Whizkey has partnered with clients worldwide, reaching over 3.3 million people and generating more than US$400 million in client revenue.Specialising in AI, Robotic Process Automation (RPA), and Blockchain, Whizkey creates tailored software solutions across industries.Whizkey operates globally, with key partnerships in the UAE, Africa, North America, and Europe, and is now expanding into the United States.Leading Whizkey’s client-focused approach is Rishmeen Ronak Chashmawala, who manages the entire client journey from solution development to execution, ensuring the delivery of technology solutions that meet diverse client needs.Abdulaziz AlamiriAbdulaziz Alamiri, Chief Operations Officer, WhizKey said,“We’ve always believed in aligning our business goals with markets that share our values, and Switzerland feels like a natural fit for our next step.We’re excited about the opportunities to innovate in such a forward-thinking environment and bring our most creative solutions to life.”In addition to these expansion plans, Whizkey is developing Cogniver, a product designed to enhance the ERP landscape by using AI and automation to help businesses improve efficiency and streamline operations.Whizkey’s exploration of new locations reflects its broader global strategy, as it continues to focus on advanced technology solutions in fintech and other sectors.Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/tech-consulting-firm-whizkey-mulls-swiss-expansion-amidst-global-growth</link><guid>3737</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Tech Consulting Firm Whizkey Mulls Swiss Expansion Amidst Global Growth</dc:text></item><item><title>Landesbank Baden-Württemberg Selects Fenergo for Cloud Onboarding and Compliance</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxLandesbank Baden-Württemberg (LBBW), Germany’s largest state bank, has selected Fenergo, to provide a new cloud-based client onboarding system to enhance its compliance processes.Fenergo will support LBBW’s business in Europe (excluding Germany), the United Kingdom and Asia and thus around 1,500 institutional and corporate customers.With total assets of €324 billion, LBBW is Germany’s largest Landesbank. The bank selected Fenergo to enhance automation of its compliance processes and increase operational efficiencies. This will strengthen the bank’s reputation and competitiveness as part of its international growth.Ruth Ormsby, Managing Director of EMEA at Fenergo, says:Ruth Ormsby“The cooperation with LBBW is an important milestone for Fenergo as we expand our footprint in Germany. Our mission is to support local financial institutions (FIs) on the path to digital transformation by applying our deep experience gained from transforming the world’s most well-known and largest FIs.”“Many German banks are focused on modernising compliance solutions especially for client onboarding and customer lifecycle management,” continued Ormsby. “Fenergo enables firms to digitalise and automate onboarding and compliance processes throughout the client lifecycle to increase operational efficiencies, improve customer experience and ensure regulatory obligations are met, thus avoiding costly penalties.”Jonathan Bashforth, Head of Compliance EMEA at LBBW, adds:Jonathan Bashforth“We expect Fenergo’s solutions to increase efficiency in the areas of onboarding and customer data management. Thanks to the higher degree of automation, we can implement regulatory changes faster while delivering more streamlined customer onboarding journeys and thus achieve greater customer satisfaction.”]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/landesbank-baden-wurttemberg-selects-fenergo-for-cloud-onboarding-and-compliance</link><guid>3728</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Landesbank Baden-Württemberg Selects Fenergo for Cloud Onboarding and Compliance</dc:text></item><item><title>Crypto VC Fundraising Rebounds After Weak Year 2023</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxIn 2024, crypto venture capital (VC) fundraising is showing signs of recovery, with fund raised so far this year on pace to exceed 2023’s total of US$2.6 billion for 49 funds, new data released by PitchBook show.As of July 30, 2024, US$2.2 billion had been secured across 24 funds and numerous large funds are still actively being raised. This will contribute to larger fundraising totals in the next 12-18 months and reveals a positive outlook for VC fundraising for the rest of the year, the PitchBook report says.Crypto VC fundraising activity, Source: PitchBook Analyst Note: Crypto VC Funds Report, Sep 2024Crypto VC fundraising had a tough year 2023 after reaching an all-time high of US$23.7 billion raised in 2022. The sum was almost double the US$14.8 billion amassed in 2021 and surpassed the aggregate sum of the previous eight years, which totaled US$22.7 billion.However, the spike in fundraising in 2022 was followed by a steep decline in 2023, with fundraising volumes plummeting by a staggering 88.9%.In 2024, the market began to rebound, owing to a number of factors. First, the total crypto market cap recovered, reaching 93% of its previous cycle’s high in March 2024. Second, a number of projects funded during the 2020-2022 boom matured and are now entering more advanced stages of development, offering more attractive investment opportunities.In addition, negative sentiment within the crypto industry has subsided this year, driven by the adoption of digital assets by trusted, traditional financial institutions such as BlackRock, Fidelity Investments, and Franklin Templeton.In January 2024, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved 11 spot bitcoin ETFs from asset managers including BlackRock, Invesco and Fidelity Investments, marking a significant milestone for the broader crypto industry. These regulated investment funds, now traded on traditional securities exchanges, allow investors to gain exposure to bitcoin without directly owning the cryptocurrency, thereby broadening access for everyday investors and further integrating digital assets into mainstream finance.Fund sizes increase though megafunds lackHighlighting trends in crypto VC fundraising, PitchBook notes that the size of investment funds in the crypto industry has evolved throughout the years. Initially, smaller funds dominated the young and nascent market. After 2020, as the market developed, larger funds started emerging with midsized funds worth US$100 million to US$500 million beginning to increase in number.Share of crypto VC fund count by size bucket, Source: PitchBook Analyst Note: Crypto VC Funds Report, Sep 2024Between 2022 and 2023, fund sizes declined because of the market slump, PitchBook data show. They rebounded between 2023 and July 2024, growing by a remarkable 76% from a median fund size of US$25 million to US$41.3 million.Median and average crypto VC fund size (US$M), Source: PitchBook Analyst Note: Crypto VC Funds Report, Sep 2024The report notes that while the trend of creating megafunds worth US$1 billion or more has slowed since 2023, large funds are still entering the market. These include the Pantera Fund V, which seeks to raise more than US$1 billion to offer investors exposure across a wide spectrum of blockchain-based assets.PitchBook expects that a number of these new funds will have broader investment mandates beyond crypto, blockchain, and Web3 in order to deploy their capital more effectively and mitigate the risk of over concentration in a still nascent sector. For example, crypto-native manager Paradigm, closed in June the largest fund so far this cycle, securing US$850 million to invest in early-stage crypto projects but also artificial intelligence (AI).PitchBook also highlights the sustained dominance of emerging managers in the crypto VC fundraising landscape. In 2024, emerging managers, which are defined as firms that have launched fewer than four funds, continue to lead in terms of the number of funds raised.Since 2016, these managers have raised between 77% to 87% of the crypto VC funds annually, a dominance which stems from the fact that many crypto-focused firms are relatively new.Share of crypto VC fund count by manager experience, Source: PitchBook Analyst Note: Crypto VC Funds Report, Sep 20242022 and 2023 trendsCrypto VC fundraising surged in 2022 to record-breaking levels. Several key factors contributed to this growth. First, the prolonged low-interest-rate environment punctuated by pandemic era federal stimulus led to a fundraising spike in the broader VC markets. This, combined with the extraordinary growth in the tech sector during the pandemic, fueled strong interest in emerging technologies, including blockchain and crypto.But in 2023, crypto VC fundraising declined substantially, owing to the lack of liquidity events, particularly the slowdown in token launches in the second half of 2022 and much of 2023, as well as the significant devaluation of tokens distributed during the 2021-2022 token-launch boom.Another contributing factor was the heightened regulatory scrutiny following the collapse of high-profile projects and platforms such as FTX, Celsius, and BlockFi, which led to a risk-off sentiment amonginvestors. Additionally, the global macroeconomic environment began to shift, with rising interest rates and inflation concerns making capital more expensive and harder to raise.Market capitalization of cryptocurrencies peaked at approximatively US$3 trillion in November 2021, but by December 2022, it had dropped to a two-year low of under US$800 billion, data from Coinmarketcap show. Since then, the market has rebounded and now stands at around US$2 trillion.Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crypto-vc-fundraising-rebounds-after-weak-year-2023</link><guid>3729</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Crypto-VC-fundraising-activity-Source-PitchBook-Analyst-Note-Crypto-VC-Funds-Report-Sep-2024.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Crypto VC Fundraising Rebounds After Weak Year 2023</dc:text></item><item><title>Siemens Launches €300 Million Digital Bond on Blockchain</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxSiemens has again issued a digital bond in accordance with Germany’s Electronic Securities Act (Gesetz über elektronische Wertpapiere, eWpG).This follows the successful issuance of its first digital bond last year. In issuing the bond, the company is supporting the trials by the Eurosystem and the Bundesbank in particular, that are aimed at testing blockchain technology for the digital financial market.Ralf P. Thomas“Since the successful issuance of our first digital bond on a blockchain, we have been rigorously focusing on the further development of this forward-looking technology. By issuing another digital bond, we are demonstrating once again our spirit of innovation and underscoring our aim to continuously drive digital solutions for the financial markets. Siemens remains a pioneer in the application of the latest technologies on the capital and securities markets,”said Ralf P. Thomas, Chief Financial Officer of Siemens AG.Peter Rathgeb“Automated processing within a few minutes shows the enormous potential of this new technology and confirms our strategy of playing a leading role in continuously shaping the digital transformation. We are proud to be an active driver of further developments in this area and of the further digitalization of the capital markets. Thanks to our successful collaboration with our project partners, we have reached another key milestone,”added Peter Rathgeb, Corporate Treasurer of Siemens AG.The current bond has a volume of €300 million and a maturity of one year. The securities transaction was settled via the private permissioned blockchain of SWIAT, and the Trigger Solution provided by the Bundesbank, making it possible to settle a Siemens bond for the first time in a fully automated manner, within minutes and in central bank money.Settlement in MinutesIn the transaction, Siemens leveraged its valuable experience with last year’s first-time €60 million digital bond issuance, which had still required a two-day settlement period. As a result, this time the settlement risk was almost fully eliminated for all parties involved.DekaBank acted as bond registrar for the transaction. BayernLB, DekaBank, DZ BANK, Helaba and LBBW invested in the securities. Deutsche Bank ensured settlement for Siemens in central bank money via the Bundesbank Trigger Solution.Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/siemens-launches-300-million-digital-bond-on-blockchain</link><guid>3730</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Siemens Launches €300 Million Digital Bond on Blockchain</dc:text></item><item><title>HSLU Research: Neue Zahlen zur Entwicklung der Digital Vorsorge von Frankly</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxDie private Vorsorge ist ein Wachstumsmarkt, dessen Entwicklung mit Hilfe von digitalen Lösungen noch weiter an Fahrt gewinnen dürfte.In dem (durchschnittlich) kleinvolumigen Markt der wertpapiergebundenen Säule 3a scheint eine hoch standardisierte, digitalisierte und dennoch individualisierbare Lösung der richtige Weg in die Zukunft zu sein.Entsprechend erlebt die digitale Vorsorge in den letzten Jahren (volumenmässig) einen deutlichen Aufwärtstrend, der sich durch wachsende Nutzerzahlen und steigende Anlagevolumen bemerkbar macht. Ein Produkt, das sich in diesem Markt erfolgreich positioniert hat, ist „Frankly“ von der Zürcher Kantonalbank.Ich habe nachgefragt, wie die aktuellen Entwicklungen aussehen und welche Nutzergruppen die App heute ansprechen. In diesem Blogbeitrag beleuchte ich die Nutzerstrukturen.Frankly wurde im März 2020 eingeführt und betreut nach etwa 4.5 Jahren (per Ende August 2024) bereits 108’000 aktive Kundinnen und Kunden mit einem verwalteten Vermögen von über CHF 3.3 Milliarden.Seit dem Jahresstart 2024 konnte Frankly weitere 13’000 Neukundinnen und Neukunden gewinnen.Das verwaltete Volumen hat seit Jahresbeginn um CHF 800 Millionen zugenommen. Frankly bietet derzeit eine Säule 3a-Lösung sowie Freizügigkeitskonten an.Der ehemalige CEO Martin Scholl hat gegenüber diesem Blog in einem Interview im Jahr 2021 gesagt, dass Frankly langfristig (innerhalb von fünf bis acht Jahren) ein Ziel von CHF 10 Milliarden an verwalteten Vermögen erreichen will. Rund drei Jahre später ist ein Drittel dieser Zielmarke erreicht. Damit scheint man auf Kurs zu sein.Das durchschnittliche Vorsorgevermögen der Kundschaft beträgt rund CHF 30’500. Mit einem Durchschnittsalter von 39 Jahren zeigt sich, dass noch immer eher jüngere Kundengruppen die Vorteile digitaler Lösungen für ihre langfristige finanzielle Planung zu schätzen wissen. Insgesamt sind knapp 60 Prozent der Frankly-Kundschaft jünger als 40 Jahre (vgl. Abbildung 1).Abbildung 1: Altersstruktur der Kundschaft von frankly (Anfang September 2024; Quelle: ZKB Daten)Gezielte Marketingstrategien als WachstumstreiberEin wesentlicher Aspekt der positiven Entwicklung ist gemäss Angaben der ZKB die erfolgreiche Ansprache neuer Zielgruppen, insbesondere weiblicher Nutzerinnen. Der Anteil der weiblichen Kundschaft konnte von ursprünglich 33 Prozent auf nunmehr etwa 41 Prozent erhöht werden.Diese Steigerung ist vor allem auf eine gezielte Content-Marketing-Strategie zurückzuführen, die Inhalte und Kampagnen speziell auf die Bedürfnisse und Interessen von Frauen ausgerichtet hat. Ergänzt wurde diese Strategie durch die Einführung eines Referral-Marketings, das bestehende Kundinnen und Kunden motiviert, ihre Erfahrungen im persönlichen Umfeld zu teilen und damit neue Nutzerinnen und Nutzer zu gewinnen.Ich bin persönlich überrascht von der hohen Interaktionsrate bei Frankly: Im Durchschnitt loggen sich die aktiven Nutzerinnen und Nutzer 7.2 Mal pro Monat in die App ein. Dass die Kunden eine digitale Vorsorge-App, die vorwiegend zur Überwachung der Vermögensentwicklung dient, so häufig nutzen, ist bemerkenswert. Dies lässt sich aber wohl durch eine Mischung aus Neugierde, Routine, Interesse an der Marktentwicklung und dem Bedürfnis nach Kontrolle und Sicherheit erklären.Präferenzen bei Anlageprodukten: Tendenz zu höheren AktienanteilenAuch bei den Anlageprodukten lassen sich klare Trends erkennen. Im Bereich der Säule 3a wählen 33 Prozent der Kundschaft eine Option mit einem Aktienanteil von 95 Prozent, was auf eine hohe Risikobereitschaft und das Vertrauen in langfristige Renditechancen hindeutet. Knapp dahinter liegt die Option mit einem Aktienanteil von 45 Prozent, die von 32 Prozent der Nutzerinnen und Nutzer bevorzugt wird.Bei den Freizügigkeitskonten zeigt sich ein ähnliches Bild: 48 Prozent der Kundschaft entscheidet sich für ein Produkt mit einem Aktienanteil von 45 Prozent, während 39 Prozent eine höhere Aktienquote von 75 Prozent bevorzugen.FazitDie Entwicklung von Frankly verläuft weiterhin positiv, und das Volumen der verwalteten Vermögen liegt im Einklang mit dem Business Plan. Dieser Erfolg ist jedoch keineswegs selbstverständlich, wie Beispiele von anderen Banken und Versicherern zeigen. Doch warum ist Frankly erfolgreich? Dafür sehe ich vier zentrale Gründe:Erstens investiert die ZKB erhebliche Marketingressourcen in Frankly, um die Marke bekannt zu machen und Vertrauen bei potenziellen Kunden zu gewinnen.Zweitens profitiert Frankly von den Synergieeffekten innerhalb der ZKB, insbesondere durch die Nutzung bestehender Infrastrukturen und Kundenbeziehungen.Drittens überzeugt das Angebot durch eine attraktive Preisgestaltung. Und schliesslich punktet die App mit einer benutzerfreundlichen Gestaltung und einem intuitiven User Interface.Dieser Blog-Artikel erschien zuerst im HSLU-Blog]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/hslu-research-neue-zahlen-zur-entwicklung-der-digital-vorsorge-von-frankly</link><guid>3731</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>HSLU Research: Neue Zahlen zur Entwicklung der Digital Vorsorge von Frankly</dc:text></item><item><title>Global Surge in UHNWIs Driven by Tech Entrepreneurs and Emerging Markets</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxOver the past 30 years, the number of ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) around the world have surged, driven by the technology industry boom, the expansion of financial markets, real estate price rises, globalization and the growth in emerging market economies.The Global Wealth Report 2024 by UBS attributes much of this increase to entrepreneurial activity. Specifically, UBS’s Billionaires Ambitions Report reveals that two-thirds (65%) of new billionaires  who emerged during 2022 and 2023 accumulated their wealth through organic means.Tech founders, including those behind giants like Google, Amazon and Facebook, have become some of the world’s wealthiest individuals. By creating platforms and products that billions of people use daily, they generate unprecedented revenue and profit, amassing immense fortunes often outpacing traditional industries.As of July 2024, seven of the top ten billionaires globally were tech entrepreneurs, data from Statista show. Elon Musk, co-founder of Tesla and SpaceX, led the ranking with a net worth of US$242.6 billion, followed by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, with US$211.6 billion. Oracle’s Larry Ellison ranked fourth with US$176.3 billion, followed by Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg at US$174.5 billion, and Google’s Larry Page at US$152.2 billion.The world’s leading billionaires as of July 2024, based on net worth (in billion US dollars), Source: Statista, Jul 2024New data from UBS also reveal a broader increase in global wealth, with more individuals reaching higher wealth brackets. In 2023, 14 individuals were at the top of the wealth pyramid, collectively owning nearly US$2 trillion. The group, though extremely wealthy, was not the smallest in terms of the number of people. The next tier comprised 12 individuals with wealth ranging from US$50 billion to US$100 billion.Below this tier is a much larger group of over 2,600 individuals who had wealth ranging from US$1 billion to US$50 billion. Below this is the band that spans between US$1 million to US$1 billion and which comprised roughly 58 million people.The global wealth pyramid 2023 (top bands), Source: Global Wealth Report 2024, UBS, Jul 2024Emerging economies drive wealth growthIn 2023, global wealth rebounded from its 3% contraction the previous year, growing by 4.2%. This growth was driven by increases in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) at 4.8%, as well as Asia-Pacific (APAC) at 4.4%.Although global wealth has been on a steady upwards trajectory since 2008, the pace of growth differs from one region to another. APAC, for example, has experienced the fastest growth in overall wealth, up nearly 177% over the past 15 years. The Americas come in second, at nearly 146%, while the EMEA lags far behind at just under 44%.Euroclear attributes the substantial growth in private wealth in APAC to a significant transfer of wealth to a younger generation. It notes that this new generation of high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) is tech-savvy, mobile-oriented, and seeks innovative solutions, a shift which requires the development of advanced digital platforms and modern technological infrastructure.The role of genAIFor Accenture, generative artificial intelligence (genAI) is poised to play a significant role in the future of wealth management in Asia, promising to enhance efficiencies across the value chain and enabling highly personalized client interactions at scale. Accenture’s analysis of six key genAI use cases suggests that the technology could bring hundreds of millions of dollars in profit uplift from cost optimization and productivity gains over a three year period, resulting in a total profit increase of 3.5 times.Early adopters are already integrating genAI into their services and operations. Wells Fargo is using genAI to improve customer interactions, making them more personalized and engaging; Morgan Stanley has introduced AI @ Morgan Stanley Assistant, a new internal AI model for research tasks; and JPMorgan has unveiled Moneyball, a genAI tool that helps portfolio managers make better investment decisions.The potential of DLTBoston Consulting Group (BCG) recommends a broader approach to digital transformation in wealth management, emphasizing the importance of incorporating additional cutting-edge technologies beyond AI.Among these, distributed ledger technology (DLT) stands out for its ability to record transactions across multiple participants in a decentralized ledger, visible to all participants. The BCG notes that a number of market players are already leveraging the technology to improve efficiencies and tap new growth opportunities.For example, Northern Trust, an American financial services company, has implemented DLT to enhance the transparency and efficiency of private equity fund administration; Tokenbridge, a UK-based company founded by financial services veterans, uses DLT to tokenize investments, reducing friction and lowering embedded costs; and FundsDLT, a Luxembourg-based company owned by the Deutsche Börse Group, leverages blockchain to automate various processes in fund management, streamlining operations and cutting costs for wealth managers.Wealth forecastsUBS has an optimistic outlook on global wealth, expecting continued growth in wealth per adult in almost all key markets. This year, the firm expects the share of emerging markets in global wealth to surpass 30%, a proportion which it projects will rise to nearly 32% by 2028.The percentage of adults in the lowest wealth bracket will decrease over the next five years, while the number of adults with wealth of over US$1 million is set to rise in 52 out of the 56 markets studied.Taiwan is projected to experience the most significant growth in the number of USD millionaires, with an estimated 47% increase from 2023 to 2028. While UBS anticipates that some of this sharp rise will be driven by organic wealth growth, particularly from Taiwan’s thriving microchip industry benefiting from the AI boom, a significant portion is expected to come from the immigration of wealthy foreigners.Finally, roughly US$83 trillion in wealth is expected to be passed on within the next two decades, equivalent to the total value of global economic activity in a single year. A notable amount of this wealth will move horizontally between spouses first, before moving to the next generation, while just over 10%, about US$9 trillion, is expected to be passed on horizontally first, most of it in the Americas.Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/global-surge-in-uhnwis-driven-by-tech-entrepreneurs-and-emerging-markets</link><guid>3732</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Global Surge in UHNWIs Driven by Tech Entrepreneurs and Emerging Markets</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 10 Fintech Startups in France in 2024</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxFrance’s fintech sector is the third-largest in Europe, boasting a robust and rapidly expanding ecosystem.In 2023, the country’s fintech user base surpassed 73 million, generating over US$1.5 billion in revenue, according to data from Statista.France ranks just behind the UK and Germany, which recorded 98.5 million users with US$3.36 billion in revenue, and 84.27 million users with US$2.9 billion in revenue, respectively.Number of fintech users in selected European countries in 2023 (in millions), Source: Statista, Mar 2024Within this dynamic and fast-growing sector, several ventures have emerged as category leaders, recording substantial growth and garnering investor attention.Today, we look at some of France’s most successful and fastest-growing fintech startups in 2024, highlighting their value propositions, recent achievements and growth strategies.Top 10 Fintech Startups in FranceQontoQonto demo, Source: QontoFounded in 2016, Qonto is a leading European business finance solution provider. The company simplifies day-to-day banking for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and freelancers by offering an online business account integrated with various financial tools, including invoicing, bookkeeping, and spend management. The company’s goal is to become the preferred business finance solution for 1 million European SMEs and freelancers by the end of 2025.Qonto serves over 500,000 customers, operates in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, and employs more than 1,600 people. It is currently ranked as the fifth most valuable tech startup in France, with a valuation of US$5 billion, according to CB Insights. The startup has raised EUR 622 million from well-established investors such as Tiger Global, KKR and Insight Partners, and is reportedly working on an initial public offering (IPO) planned for 2025.Most recently, Qonto launched its first in-house financing solution, further enhancing its product offering. The development marked a significant milestone for Qonto, which had previously relied on strategic partnerships for customer financing. The new short-term financing option, launched in March 2024, utilizes Qonto’s existing payment services license and is accessible through the company’s mobile and web apps. It complements the financing platform launched in 2023 through strategic partnerships, offering customers a comprehensive range of financing solutions, including amounts up to EUR 10 million.AlmaAlma app mockup, Source: AlmaFounded in 2018, Alma is a European leader in buy now, pay later (BNPL) payment solutions, dedicated to creating a more balanced and sustainable approach to commerce. The company focuses on developing financial products that empower merchants to increase sales and customer loyalty while enabling consumers to make more responsible purchasing decisions without the risk of over-indebtedness. Its tech solutions are designed to be accessible, easy to implement, and to reduce purchase friction.For merchants, Alma offers installment and deferred payment options that can generate up to 20% additional sales revenue while maintaining customer satisfaction and loyalty, the startup says. For consumers, the BNPL platform allows for an enhanced customer experience.As the leading BNPL provider in France, Alma is rapidly expanding across Europe, now processing payments in 10 countries. Over the past five years, more than 17,000 merchants have chosen Alma’s innovative solutions, and the company has served over 3.6 million consumers. Alma is recognized as part of the French Tech 120 and one of the most promising technology companies in France.To date, Alma has secured EUR 185 million in equity funding, according to TechCrunch.LedgerLedger Nano X, Source: LedgerFounded in 2014, Ledger is a world leader in the area of digital asset security. Ledger’s products, which include connected devices like the Ledger Stax, Nano S Plus, and Nano X hardware wallets, as well as the Ledger Live companion app, are used by over 6 million customers across 180 countries and in more than 10 languages. The company’s technology safeguards more than 20% of the world’s cryptocurrency assets, making it a critical player in the digital asset space.Beyond consumer products, Ledger has expanded its offerings to include Ledger Enterprise, a comprehensive digital asset custody and security solution for institutional investors and financial entities. This platform supports trading, buying, spending, earning, and managing non-fungible tokens (NFTs), solidifying Ledger’s position as a global platform for digital assets and Web3.In addition to its hardware and software solutions, Ledger offers educational resources through Ledger Academy and Quest, helping users to navigate the digital asset landscape safely and confidently.Ledger is headquartered in Paris and Vierzon, and has offices in London, New York, and Singapore. To date, Ledger has sold more than 6 million devices globally and has garnered the trust of over 100 financial institutions and commercial brands. The startup has raised over US$574 million in funding and, according to CB Insights, is valued at US$1.47 billion.Younited CreditYounited Credit mockup, Source: Younited CreditYounited Credit is a leading provider of instant credit in Europe, renowned for its continuous innovation, disruptive technology and exceptional user experience. The company offers an integrated instant credit solution within the customer journey, providing a seamless interface for payment or credit transactions, whether online or in-store. Its credit offerings extend up to EUR 50,000 with repayment terms of up to 84 months, all delivered instantly.Operating in France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Germany, Younited Credit generates nearly EUR 2 billion in annual gross merchandise value (GMV). Since its founding, nearly a million consumers have accessed instant, simple, and transparent credit through the platform to finance a variety of needs, such as home renovations, holidays, purchasing new smartphones, or other personal projects.Younited Credit is fully authorized as a Credit Institution and Investment Services Provider by the Autorité de Contrôle Prudentiel et de Résolution (ACPR) and the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) since September 23, 2011. The company has raised more than US$508 million in funding and is valued at US$1.16 billion, according to CB Insights.AlanAlan illustration, Source: AlanFounded in 2016, Alan is an all-in-one health partner for businesses and freelancers, offering tailored health services focused on both physical and mental well-being to its members. The company leverages technology to provide a simple, transparent, and unique insurance offering. It was the first new health insurance provider to be licensed by the Banque de France and the ACPR since 1986.Alan offers a comprehensive health services offering that includes customized prevention plans, augmented reality for ordering glasses, access to doctors and healthcare professionals seven days a week through a virtual clinic, and psychological support. The company is known for its swift service, with a response time of just 2 minutes and 90% of healthcare expenses reimbursed on the same day, 80% of them within an hour.Alan operates across France, Spain, and Belgium, serving more than 25,000 businesses, 13,000 freelancers, and a total of 500,000 end-customers. It reports an annual recurring revenue (ARR) of EUR 350 million and a growth of ARR of more than 38% in 2023. More than 5,000 new clients, such as Celio, Clinitex, Duracell, Mantu, and Sia Partners, chose the platform last year.Alan has raised EUR 440 million since its inception and was valued at over EUR 2.7 billion during its Series E funding round in 2022.SpendeskSpendesk mockup, Source: SpendeskSpendesk is a comprehensive spend management platform designed to save businesses time and money by streamlining and connecting all aspects of company spending. The platform integrates everyday technologies, incorporates built-in automation, and features an intuitive approval process, enabling employees to manage expenditures efficiently while providing finance leaders with complete visibility over the entire company’s spend.Founded with a vision to simplify financial operations, Spendesk is trusted by thousands of companies and serves over 200,000 users across France, the UK, Germany, and Spain. The company operates offices in Paris, London, Berlin, and Madrid, emphasizing community at the core of its operations. In addition to its spend management platform, Spendesk also runs a global community of finance leaders called CFO Connect which boasts more than 12,000 members.Spendesk also provides payment solutions through a subsidiary called Spendesk Financial Services. This entity operates independently and is authorized by the ACPR to provide payment services across the European Economic Area (EEA), supporting the company’s operations with agile and secure financial services.To date, Spendesk has raised over US$300 million in funding and is valued at US$1.5 billion, according to CB Insights.Shift TechnologyShift Technology team, Source: Shift Technology via FacebookFounded in 2014, Shift Technology is a leading provider of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered decisioning solutions designed to enhance the global insurance industry. The company’s products enable insurers to optimize and automate critical decisions throughout the policy lifecycle, from underwriting to claims processing.Shift Technology employs sophisticated AI technologies to assist insurers in mitigating fraud and risk, enhancing operational efficiency, and delivering exceptional customer experiences. The company’s offerings include fraud detection software that leverages AI and machine learning algorithms to analyze extensive datasets, identify patterns, and flag potentially fraudulent claims. Additionally, its claims automation solutions streamline various aspects of the claims process, accelerating handling times, improving accuracy, and reducing the overall time required to settle claims. These solutions are utilized by leading insurers in property and casualty, travel, health, workers’ compensation, and life insurance sectors across more than 25 countries.Headquartered in Paris, Shift Technology also has offices in major cities including Boston, Frankfurt, Tokyo, Singapore, London, Madrid, Toronto, Mexico City, and São Paulo. To date, the company has raised US$320 million in funding and is valued at US$1 billion, according to CB Insights.Shift Technology has been recognized for its impact on the insurance industry, being named to the 2022 Fintech Global Insurtech 250, the 2022 CB Insights Insurtech 50, and the 2021 Digital Insurance Agenda Top 100 Insurtechs to Watch.SwileSwile illustration, Source: SwileFounded in 2018, Swile specializes in digital solutions for employee benefits, such as meal vouchers and gift cards. The company provides a super-app for employees and an accompanying payment card.The Swile Card is an all-in-one card that consolidates meal vouchers, gift vouchers, and mobility benefits onto a single smart card. Compatible with Apple and Google Pay, the Swile Card simplifies transactions and allows users to link their bank card to cover any excess amount beyond the daily limit.Additionally, the Swile App fosters team cohesion by enabling employees to send praise, organize social events, and manage collections. The app also features gamified surveys and a powerful analytics tool to gauge and enhance team engagement.Swile stands out as one of the largest players in France’s employee benefits industry, handling EUR 3 billion in transaction volume annually. It operates in France and Brazil, supporting over 5.5 million users and collaborating with 85,000 companies, including prominent names such as Carrefour, JCDecaux, PSG, and Spotify.To date, Swile has raised over US$328 million in funding, according to CB Insights, and is one of France’s tech unicorns.LydiaLydia app mockup, Source: LydiaFounded in 2013, Lydia is a leader in peer-to-peer (P2P) payments. The company provides a platform for users to send and receive money, pay bills, and manage their finances through a mobile app. It’s known for its user-friendly interface and its focus on simplifying financial transactions for its users.Lydia has gained popularity in France and has expanded its services to other countries, including Spain and Germany. It claims more than eight million users.In May 2024, Lydia launched a new strategic initiative by introducing a challenger bank called Sumeria. This move is accompanied by a significant investment of EUR 100 million and plans to hire 400 new employees over the next three years. The new strategic direction involves repositioning the Lydia app solely for P2P payment transfers between friends and contacts, while the broader banking services will be provided through Sumeria.Sumeria will offer a comprehensive suite of banking services, including current accounts, joint accounts, savings, credit, and investments, along with a dedicated IBAN and a Visa debit card. To enhance customer experience, Sumeria will also open a bank branch in Paris, designed to provide personalized support similar to the Apple Store’s Genius Bar. The company aims for Sumeria to attract five million customers within the next three years.Lydia has raised a total of EUR 235 million to date, including a US$100 million Series C round in 2021, which contributed to its unicorn status.PayFitPayFit platform, Source: PayFitFounded in 2015, PayFit is a company dedicated to simplifying payroll management and human resources (HR) processes for SMEs. The company has developed a fast, intuitive, and automated software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution designed to help business owners and HR professionals save time and money.PayFit’s platform automates the payroll process, including calculations, deductions, and payments, and handles various HR functions, such as employee onboarding, time tracking, and leave management. The solution is designed to be intuitive and easy to use, allowing business owners and HR professionals to efficiently manage their payroll and HR processes without needing extensive technical knowledge. The platform also integrates with other business systems and tools, facilitating seamless data exchange and reducing the need for manual data entry.Initially established in France, PayFit has rapidly expanded its presence to Spain and the UK, now serving over 6,500 companies, including notable names like Biocoop, Heetch, and Gymlib.As of now, PayFit has secured more than $497 million in funding and holds a valuation of US$2.1 billion, according to CB Insights.Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-10-fintech-startups-in-france-in-2024</link><guid>3733</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 10 Fintech Startups in France in 2024</dc:text></item><item><title>The Top 11 Fintech Startups in Switzerland in 2024</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your Inbox11 fintechs made it to this year’s  TOP 100 Swiss Startup list, an award organized by Venturelab.The 2024 ranking features in total 100 Startups, Yokoy is once again the highest ranking fintech.Highest fintech newcomer this year is Calvin Risk on rank 44.Of the 11 fintechs 5 were repeats from the 2023 startup ranking and 6 were newcomers.Meet the 11 Swiss fintechs that made the TOP 100 Swiss Startups 2024 list:Yokoy Group AG (#3)-1Your expenses and company credit cards on autopilotRelai AG (#24) unchangedRelai is Europe’s leading Bitcoin app, made in SwitzerlandUnique AG (#32) -1Supercharge Your Team With Unique FinanceGPTNumarics AG (#33) newSwitzerland’s digital accountantCalvin Risk (#44) newRisk management platform for AI algorithmsAktionariat AG (#51) -11Create a market for your shares with Aktionariat’s solutionsLeaseTeq AG (#56) newFully digitalized leasing provider in SwitzerlandAisot Technologies AG (#60) newAisot is pioneering a new way to investTresio AG (#62) newThe world’s smart co-pilot for SME CFOsGrape Insurance AG (#67) -32Grape is a fully digital employee insurance platformMARK Investment Holding AG (#95) newDiversify your portfolio like an expert]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-top-11-fintech-startups-in-switzerland-in-2024</link><guid>3734</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>The Top 11 Fintech Startups in Switzerland in 2024</dc:text></item><item><title>True Wealth Reaches CHF 1.5 Billion AUM Milestone</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxTrue Wealth continues to record strong and consistent growth and reaches another mileston.eThe ETF digital wealth management managed CHF 1.5 billion in client assets in its direct business as of 31.8.2024. This corresponds to growth of 47 percent within twelve months.True Wealth, founded over 10 years ago.Client assets under management increased by CHF 481 million within 12 months, which corresponds to growth of 47%. The net inflow of client assets amounted to CHF 365 million, while a positive investment result further boosted growth.The number of client relationships also increased by 48% in the same period (31.8.2023 to 31.8.2024), from 17’600 to 26’000.Felix Niederer«The steady growth is an expression of the high level of trust in True Wealth as an asset manager,»says Felix Niederer, founder and CEO of True Wealth, explaining the company’s sustained success. Innovations in the product portfolio and proximity to clients are further reasons for the strong growth.The accelerating trend towards drawing Pillar 2 (occupational pension provision) as a lump sum instead of a retirement pension is also making itself felt.«We are taking this as an opportunity to develop practical digital concepts to meet this need. With a remaining life expectancy of over 20 years at the age of 65, online asset management that offers a return on capital with an individually defined capital withdrawal rate is a suitable solution. We now offer a practical payout plan for this client group,»explains Niederer.Featured image credit: Felix Niederer, founder and CEO of True Wealth. Edited from Truewealth ]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/true-wealth-reaches-chf-15-billion-aum-milestone</link><guid>3735</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>True Wealth Reaches CHF 1.5 Billion AUM Milestone</dc:text></item><item><title>ZKB bietet neu den Handel und die Verwahrung von Crypto an</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxAb dem 4. September 2024 können Kundinnen und Kunden über die Zürcher Kantonalbank Kryptowährungen rund um die Uhr direkt im ZKB eBanking oder ZKB Mobile Banking Crypto handeln.Die Bestände der Kryptowährungen werden dabei in die bestehende Depotsicht integriert. Vorerst stehen Bitcoin und Ethereum zur Auswahl.Crypto VerwahrungKryptowährungen nutzen die Blockchain. Mit den Chancen und Risiken dieser Technologie beschäftigt sich die Zürcher Kantonalbank schon seit Längerem.2021 war die Bank beispielsweise an der Emission der weltweit ersten digitalen Anleihe an der SIX Digital Exchange beteiligt, 2023 wickelte sie als Joint Lead Managerin im Rahmen eines Pilotprojekts der Schweizerischen Nationalbank die Ausgabe digitaler Anleihen mit digitalem Zentralbankgeld ab.Alexandra Scriba«Unser neu lanciertes Angebot im Bereich der Kryptowährungen bietet eine hohe Sicherheit und erlaubt die Integration von weiteren Währungen und Anwendungen»,sagt Alexandra Scriba, Leiterin Institutional Clients &amp; Multinationals bei der Zürcher Kantonalbank.«Bei den Kryptowährungen übernimmt die Zürcher Kantonalbank die kritische Funktion der sicheren Verwahrung der Private Keys. Kundinnen und Kunden sowie Drittbanken benötigen somit kein eigenes Wallet und müssen sich deshalb nicht um die Verwahrung ihrer eigenen Private Keys kümmern. Beides übernimmt die Zürcher Kantonalbank.»Angebot steht auch Drittbanken offen, Thurgauer KB erste PartnerbankDie Business-to-Business-Lösung der Zürcher Kantonalbank eröffnet Schweizer Banken die Möglichkeit, ihren Kundinnen und Kunden den Handel und die sichere Verwahrung von Kryptowährungen anzubieten.Mit der Thurgauer Kantonalbank nutzt eine erste Partnerbank diese den Drittbanken zugängliche Dienstleistung bereits. Der Handel der Aufträge erfolgt über die Crypto Finance , ein Tochterunternehmen der Deutschen Börse Gruppe.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/zkb-bietet-neu-den-handel-und-die-verwahrung-von-crypto-an</link><guid>3736</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>ZKB bietet neu den Handel und die Verwahrung von Crypto an</dc:text></item><item><title>SNB Study: Tornado Cash Case Highlights the Challenge of Regulating Decentralized Services</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxTornado Cash, a decentralized smart contract protocol built on the Ethereum blockchain, was sanctioned in 2022 by the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for its role in laundering over US$7 billion worth of illicit funds since 2019.The sanctions initially led to a drop in Tornado Cash use, weakening its ability to provide anonymity. However, transactions on the platform continue, reflecting the mixed effectiveness of sanctions on decentralized networks and highlighting the challenges in regulating these systems, a new research paper by the Swiss National Bank (SNB) says.The SNB working paper, released in August 2024, assesses the impact of OFAC sanctions on Ethereum communities and actors, with a particular focus on Tornado Cash.Tornado Cash is a cryptocurrency mixer operating on the Ethereum blockchain that facilitates anonymous transactions by obscuring the origins, destinations, and counterparties of funds, without attempting to identify their source. The service receives various transactions, mixes them, and then transmits them to their intended recipients. While its primary purpose is to enhance privacy, it has also been used by illicit actors to launder stolen funds.In August 2022, Tornado Cash was sanctioned by the US OFAC for money laundering. This includes over US$455 million stolen by the Lazarus Group, a North Korea state-sponsored hacking group. These sanctions were significant because they marked the first time a decentralized, non-custodial entity had been targeted, raising questions about the effectiveness of such regulatory actions.The SNB study analyzed the immediate and lasting impact of these sanctions on Tornado Cash, noting a sharp decline in the value of its governance token, TORN, which dropped by 60% within the few days of the announcements.Value of TORN tokens around sanction announcement, Source: Swiss National Bank, Aug 2024There was also a significant decrease in Tornado Cash’s transaction volumes post-sanctions, with a drop in average weekly transactions by 72%.Deposit volumes fell by 74%, from an average of 1,184 weekly deposits before the sanctions to approximately 307 weekly deposits afterward. Similarly, withdrawal volumes declined by 69%, from an average of 1,093 weekly withdrawals to about 341 weekly withdrawals. These reductions a significant decline in user engagement.Weekly deposit and withdrawal volume around sanction announcement, Source: Swiss National Bank, Aug 2024User diversity, measured by the number of unique addresses interacting with Tornado Cash, also dropped significantly, following patterns observed with transaction volumes. This suggests a lasting impact on the protocol’s usage and the privacy it offers.User diversity on Tornado Cash, Source: Swiss National Bank, Aug 2024Despite the initial decline, the SNB paper notes that the net flows into Tornado Cash contracts eventually recovered, with the number of Ethereum blocks containing Tornado Cash transactions increasing over time. Moreover, the proportion of non-cooperative blocks (those including Tornado Cash transactions) generally rose over time, suggesting continued support from network participants.Net value and volume of Tornado Cash pools, Source: Swiss National Bank, Aug 2024This is despite the fact that priority fees (extra fees paid by users to prioritize their transactions) are consistently lower for non-cooperative blocks compared to cooperative ones. This indicates that economic motives are not the primary driver behind the decision to cooperate with sanctions and that non-cooperation is often motivated by philosophical beliefs.Decentralized blockchain-based crypto mixers like Tornado Cash present unique challenges for regulatory enforcement. These services use smart contracts that autonomously run on the blockchain, providing high levels of anonymity and privacy, and their global accessibility and distributed infrastructure make them resilient to enforcement efforts.To this day, Tornado Cash remains operational and continues to be used for money laundering, experts report. According to blockchain analytics firm Elliptic, more than US$100 million in ether from the HTX/HECO heist of November 2023 has been laundered through the platform since March 13, 2024. Elliptic attributes this theft to the Lazarus Group, based on various attributes of the hack and the subsequent movement of funds.Cryptocurrencies are increasingly being used to obscure the origins and movement of illicitly obtained funds. Blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis estimates that nearly US$100 billion has been transferred from known illicit wallets to conversion services since 2019. The highest amount recorded was in 2022, with US$30 billion identified.Total value leaving illicit crypto wallets and arriving at conversion services including off-ramps, 2019-2024 (YTD), Source: Chainalysis, Jul 2024Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/snb-study-tornado-cash-case-highlights-the-challenge-of-regulating-decentralized-services</link><guid>3726</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>SNB Study: Tornado Cash Case Highlights the Challenge of Regulating Decentralized Services</dc:text></item><item><title>Netcetera Appoints New Managing Director of the Financial Technology Division</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxAs of September 2024, Edouard Papaux will take over the role of Managing Director Financial Technology at the  software company Netcetera.Together with the division, he will further develop Netcetera’s services in Financial Technology, Real Estate, and Pensions to successfully accompany customers on their journey into the digital future.Edouard PapauxEdouard brings a broad background in the financial services sector as well as a proven experience in sales management and leading transformation projects to this role.He has been Head of Business Development &amp; Sales at Viseca Card Services for the past five years, reporting directly to the CEO. Prior to that, he was Director of Business Development &amp; Innovation at the real estate company Crowdhouse and Management Consultant Digital &amp; Strategy at the management and technology consultancy BearingPoint. He also holds a Master of Arts in Business Innovation from the University of St. Gallen (HSG).Carsten WengelCarsten Wengel, CEO Netcetera, on the new appointment:“I am very much looking forward to working with Edouard Papaux and am convinced that he will successfully develop the Financial Technology division and our services together with the entire team. Financial Technology has been part of Netcetera’s core business since the beginning and we want to expand this area further. With our forward-looking software, we support our customers in reacting proactively and quickly to changing business and market requirements, thus setting themselves apart from the competition.”Featured image credit: Edouard Papaux, Managing Director Financial Technology at Netcetera]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/netcetera-appoints-new-managing-director-of-the-financial-technology-division</link><guid>3727</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Netcetera Appoints New Managing Director of the Financial Technology Division</dc:text></item><item><title>Commerbank Innovation Accelerator Program for Sustainable Finance Selects First 10 Startups</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxThe Accelerator Program for Sustainable Finance by Commerzbank in collaboration with Tenity and neosfer selected their first 10 Sustainable Finance Startups.  With Pelt8, also one Swiss Startup made the cut.This initiative aims to evaluate and accelerate a potential collaboration with Commerzbank through an organized and efficient process in Frankfurt.The selected startups represent a diverse range of innovative approaches. Each brings a unique solution in various sustainability areas such as biodiversity/climate data, real estate/renovation management, supplier management, and corporate mobility. Bettina StorckBettina Storck, Head of Group Sustainability Management at Commerzbank, says: “Sustainability is an integral part of our strategy, our aim is to become a net zero bank by 2050 at the latest. Both new ideas and innovative approaches help us advance this topic, particularly in the area of sustainable finance. We’re pleased to support the Joint Innovation Accelerator Program for Sustainable Finance and look forward to collaborating with the selected start-ups to bring expertise and innovation together.”This program includes sessions and events uniquely tailored to enable collaborations, from open exchanges, to use case definition, PoC roadmap preparation, PoC validation, fundraising, growth hacking, as well as pitch training. The program will conclude with Demo Day on 30 October 2024 at the Impact Festival in Frankfurt.Meet the 10 selected sustainable finance startups:IKOSIA | GermanyImproving energy efficiency for greater sustainability.They offer an all-in-one platform for comprehensive renovation measures.VREED | GermanyVreed makes digital technologies applicable to everyone involved in the real estate market and brings digital building twins to life.Novo | Germany Novo provides an overview of where a building stands today in terms of energy efficiency and where it can be taken in the future.Deedster | Sweden Accelerates business by connecting and engaging audiences and employees with sustainability data, insights and actions.Carployee (Pave Commute) | Austria An app for employees that recognizes and rewards sustainable commuting. It can be used to find carpools, participate in team challenges, and celebrate colleagues.KIRI | UKThe mission of Kiri is to accelerate the adoption of sustainable behaviours and drastically change the approach to sustainability by creating a community of forward-thinking consumers and brands. Veridion | RomaniaVeridion offers comprehensive business data enrichment for private companies, delivering accurate classification and real-time insights for procurement, insurance, market intelligence, and more.EIVEE | DenmarkEIVEE calculates CO2 emissions with market-leading precision across scope 1, 2 and 3. They deliver industry-leading data quality for company’s entire carbon footprint.Pelt8 | SwitzerlandPelt8 is providing a platform helping companies move away from excel spreadsheets to save time and money with their sustainability data collection and reporting.Fuchs&amp;Eule | GermanyFuchs &amp;Eule encourage as many homeowners as possible to make their homes energy efficient. To achieve this, they combine energy expertise with digital innovation, believing that now is the time to act to combat the climate crisisFeatured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/commerbank-innovation-accelerator-program-for-sustainable-finance-selects-first-10-startups</link><guid>3725</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Commerbank Innovation Accelerator Program for Sustainable Finance Selects First 10 Startups</dc:text></item><item><title>Yapeal Appoints New CEO and Secures Fresh Capital</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxSwiss Fintech company Yapeal has appointed Michael Eidel as the new Chief Executive Officer.the same time, the company announced the successful completion of a financing round, attracting new investors and strengthening the board of directors. With the increase in capital, Yapeal can advance its strategic realignment and growth phase with full force.Michael Eidel brings experience from listed financial institutions and technology companies. Most recently, he served as CEO at a financial technology company in Australia, where he drove the strategic repositioning and expansion of the company and successfully introduced an innovative technology platform for corporate clients to the market. Other positions in his career included leadership roles in commercial banks and board mandates at FinTechs in Australia and Switzerland. Michael Eidel already played a role in shaping Yapeal’s strategic realignment over the past year.Michael Eidel succeeds Thomas Hilgendorff, one of the co-founders of Yapeal, who will continue to serve as Chief Commercial Officer in the company. In this role, Thomas Hilgendorff will focus on commercial business development and the expansion of strategic partnerships.Werner Vontobel“We are very pleased to welcome Michael Eidel as the new CEO of Yapeal,”said Werner Vontobel, Chairman of the Board of Yapeal.“With his extensive international experience in the financial and technology sectors, he will play a crucial role in driving forward our strategic realignment and future growth of Yapeal.”Michael Eidel“I am excited to join the Yapeal team and lead the company successfully into the future withthe great employees,”said Michael Eidel on his appointment.“Together, we will focus consistently on the growing market for Embedded Finance solutions tailored to corporate customers and their end customers. The strategic alignment based on Yapeal’s unique Digital-First platform will enable us to accelerate our growth and take a leading role in the Swiss Embedded Finance market in the medium term.”At the same time, the company announced the successful completion of a financing round with existing and new investors. This enables Yapeal to consistently implement its strategic realignment and focused growth strategy in the rapidly growing market for Embedded Finance solutions for corporate customers and their end customers.Existing strategic investor and ERP provider Abacus reinvested in the financing round.Dominik Bollier, Christoph Burkhard, and Markus Granziol have joined as new anchor investors. Dominik Bollier and Christoph Burkhard were also elected to the board of directors of Yapeal.Featured image credit: Michael Eidel, Chief Executive Officer of Yapeal. Edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/yapeal-appoints-new-ceo-and-secures-fresh-capital</link><guid>3724</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Yapeal Appoints New CEO and Secures Fresh Capital</dc:text></item><item><title>6 Swiss Fintech Startups Joining Tenity’s Accelerator Batch in Zurich</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxThe Tenity Zurich Fintech Accelerator Program kicked off this week in Zurich, with 13 startups selected from over 130 applications .This specialized pre-seed program is designed for ambitious founders ready to refine their groundbreaking fintech solutions and accelerate their growth by accessing Tenity’s global network of partners, mentors, and investors.The startups impressed Tenity throughout the application process, which concluded with in-person Selection Days in Zurich.Over the next four months, these startups will engage in an intensive program featuring workshops and events focused on product-market fit, marketing, and fundraising. Besides receiving personalized support from the Tenity team, participants will benefit from the extensive Tenity ecosystem, which includes over 300 alumni from its fintech-focused programs, more than 200 mentors, and a vast network of 200+ investors.The program will conclude with a Demo Day event on 05.12.2024 where the startups will showcase their progress and pitch to an audience of investors, corporate partners, and industry leaders. Tenity remains committed to fostering innovation in the fintech sector and supporting startups that have the potential to make a significant impact.Applications are now open for our Spring 2025 Tenity Fintech Accelerators in Singapore, Zurich, and Tallinn.13 Fintech startups of Zurich Fintech Accelerator Program Batch 13:Six out of them are from Switzerland.BILLD | ItalyBILLD is a green fintech startup, which provides a disruptive digital receipt service collecting Offline Market BigData through AI.‍Settlr | SwitzerlandSettlr aims to solve post-trade issues, not just make the process more efficient. The company achieves this through a unique combination of deep domain knowledge and cutting-edge technology, including AI.‍Depoformance AG | SwitzerlandThis investment system for rental deposits allows tenants to profitably invest their deposits. This results in an increase in the deposit amount, to the landlord’s advantage through capitalization.ComplyTaxonomy.EU | NetherlandsHelping financial institutions collect data on their customers required under new sustainability regulations.Quanted | UKQuanted develop cutting-edge AI tooling that enhances asset managers’ strategy profitability by uncovering hidden correlations in the market. Our proprietary explainable AI provides 0-100% confidence scores for each trade before it’s executed, allowing our users to better manage risk, as well as detailing which factors contribute to successful outcomes.Verdant Data | SwitzerlandVD turns ESG metrics into actionable insights with process mining, AI, and real-time nudges, enabling organizations to achieve net-zero goals with precision, driving significant environmental impact.Naera | GermanyThe software enables risk-mitigated, cost-efficient and scalable financing of natural capital.UpGrid | SwitzerlandUpGrid offers a hassle-free green energy subscription for corporates and individuals, making energy sharing and trading accessible to new market segments by decoupling financial and physical flows.BondAuction | NetherlandsBondAuction is a platform for the Primary Debt Capital Markets. It delivers efficiency and transparency for Issuers, Investors, and Underwriters.Efides.io | SwitzerlandEfides is developing a business application to help commodity trading companies finance food trades by automating due diligence.TradrLab | UKTest trading strategies in minutes without coding. TradrLab is a Trading Intelligence platform that makes generate, building and optimising trading strategies fast and simple.Automated Data Inc. (ADI) | United StatesThis company equips people with the right capabilities to confidently connect and integrate their data, identify relationships across disparate datasets, and drive actionable insights.Checksum | SwitzerlandThe checksum payment solution consists only of high-quality products that have been tried and tested over many years. This allows you to benefit from various advantages.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/6-swiss-fintech-startups-joining-tenitys-accelerator-batch-in-zurich</link><guid>3723</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>6 Swiss Fintech Startups Joining Tenity’s Accelerator Batch in Zurich</dc:text></item><item><title>SIX and Diebold Nixdorf Collaborate in Cash Supply</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxThe digitalization of payments is progressing rapidly, and cash and cash supply are adapting to market changes.In Switzerland, cash continues to be highly valued by large segments of the population. The decline in the number of bank and post office branches and ATMs is having an impact on the availability of cash.Between 2015 and 2023, the number of bank branches fell from 3,100 to 2,600 and the number of post office branches from 1,500 to 800, while the number of ATMs fell from 7,200 at the beginning of 2020 to less than 6,400 today.In the current situation, there is a risk that the cost of providing cash will rise, putting further pressure on banks as ATM operators and driving up the cost of providing the ATM infrastructure.In order to ensure a sustainable, efficient and broad-based cash supply in Switzerland in the long term, new cooperation models are required. Against this backdrop, SIX and Diebold Nixdorf have decided to combine their expertise in cash supply and ATM operations. By combining expertise, technology and a broad partner network, the two companies are developing an innovative approach to market challenges and, together with partners such as Helveticor Ltd, are evaluating how to make cash logistics more sustainable and efficient.Goals of the CollaborationBy working together, SIX and Diebold Nixdorf are covering the entire cash supply value chain to ensure continuous optimization of ATM operations in Switzerland. For ATM users, this means the usual secure and reliable cash transactions, while banks benefit from leaner processes. The aim is to achieve efficient cash management by offering all relevant operating and management services from a sole source.Vision for Cash Supply in SwitzerlandSIX and Diebold Nixdorf believe that ATM pooling is an indispensable contribution to an efficient, nationwide and reliable cash supply in Switzerland. With ATM pooling, the Swiss banks that operate ATMs will integrate them into a separately operated network. In particular, such a network would have the task of optimizing the operation of ATMs in terms of geographical coverage, operations and cash logistics in such a way that the Swiss banks can continue to guarantee their customers and ATM users comprehensive access to cash. ATM users will also benefit from state-of-the-art ATM technology and an expanded network.The requirements for the implementation of ATM pooling will be discussed at an event in September with the Swiss banks as ATM operators.Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/six-and-diebold-nixdorf-collaborate-in-cash-supply</link><guid>3722</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>SIX and Diebold Nixdorf Collaborate in Cash Supply</dc:text></item><item><title>Switzerland’s Summer Fintech Roundup: Key Developments and News Stories</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxThis summer, Switzerland has witnessed significant strides in its fintech sector, including the launch of instant payments, progress in the exploration of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), and regulatory updates.In this article, we provide an overview of these recent advancements, focusing on fintech innovations, regulatory changes, and evolving market dynamics, such as the growth of sustainable fintech and current funding challenges.Instant payments launches in SwitzerlandOn August 20, 2024, Switzerland officially launched instant payments, marking a significant development in the modernization of the country’s financial sector.Around 60 financial institutions are now able to receive and process instant payments, covering more than 95% of Swiss retail payment transactions. In the coming months, more banks will announce similar services, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) said, with all financial institutions in the country expected to be on board by the end of 2026.Instant payments allow private individuals and companies to perform account-to-account transactions with immediate execution and final settlement in seconds. This payment method has been available in Europe since 2017 and in the US since 2023.Swiss central bank advances CBDC experimentAt the beginning of June, the SNB became the world’s first central bank to carry out a monetary policy operation in a live production environment using distributed ledger technology (DLT). Specifically, the central bank successfully issued digital SNB Bills on the SIX Digital Exchange (SDX) with a token-based issuance volume of CHF 64 million and a term of one week.The initiative was part of Project Helvetia, a joint experiment between the Bank for International Settlements, SIX and the SNB. Given the success of the pilot, the central bank said it will extend the project for at least two more years and to expand its scope. It hopes to see increased participation from additional financial institutions and aims to make wholesale CBDC available for a broader range of financial transactions.FINMA publishes guidance on stablecoinsThe Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) published on July 26 new guidance on the issuance of stablecoins. This guidance emphasizes the financial market laws that apply to projects aiming to issue stablecoins, including anti-money laundering (AML) regulations and minimum requirements for default guarantees.FINMA has established technology-neutral minimum requirements for default guarantees, which also apply to stablecoins. In the event of a stablecoin issuer’s bankruptcy, each customer must have an individual claim against the Swiss bank providing the default guarantee. Customers must be informed about this guarantee, which must cover the total amount of all public deposits, including any accrued interest. The guidance also stipulates that depositors must be able to claim their guarantee quickly and without unnecessary complications.Additionally, FINMA’s guidance underscores that stablecoins can fall under the AML Act due to their common use as a means of payment and their classification as deposits under banking law. Thus, issuers are subject to a number of obligations, including verifying the identity of stablecoin holders as customers and determining the identity of the beneficial owners.Open finance: no government measures required at presentDuring a meeting on June 19, 2024, the Federal Department of Finance (FDF) updated the Federal Council on the latest developments in open finance in Switzerland, stating that the industry’s progress has been sufficient, eliminating the immediate need for government intervention and regulatory measures.The FDF highlighted the multibanking initiative launched by means of a memorandum of understanding signed by 40 banks in May 2023. This development, which focuses on opening up access to data from private accounts, savings accounts and current accounts, demonstrates the banking sector’s strong commitment to open finance, even though the Federal Council’s goals for open finance such as establishing common standards, opening interfaces and achieving scalability, have not yet been fully realized, the FDF said.Unlike in the European Union or the UK, there is no legal obligation in Switzerland for financial institutions to make financial data available to third-party providers at their clients’ request. Instead, the Federal Council expects the private sector, together with interested stakeholders, to adopt open finance principles and push ahead with the standardization and opening of interfaces on their own.Swiss fintech funding remains depressedThe Swiss Venture Capital Report’s half-year update for 2024, published on July 16, reveals that investor interest in Swiss fintech startups waned in H1 2024. During the period, fintech startups in the country raised a mere CHF 79.2 million, down 58.5% year-on-year (YoY) from CHF 191 million in H1 2023. The number of financing rounds also saw a sharp decrease, falling from 30 in H1 2023 to just 13 in H1 2024, a decline of 56.7%.In contrast, investment levels in startups in the verticals and biotech, and energy and cleantech improved significantly, reaching CHF 405.3 million (versus CHF 282.8 million in H1 2023) and CHF 160 million (versus CHF 137 million in H1 2023) in H1 2024, respectively.The downturn in Swiss fintech funding aligns with global patterns. CB Insights’ State of Fintech Q2’24 Report, released on July 16, shows that global fintech funding totaled US$16.4 billion in H1 2024. This marks a 32% YoY decline from US$24.1 billion in H1 2023.Switzerland ranks 2nd in 2024 European Fintech IndexDespite ongoing funding challenges, Switzerland remains a leading global fintech hub, ranking as the second most attractive location in Europe for fintech stakeholders in the 2024 European Fintech Index.Switzerland outpaces the Netherlands, Estonia, and the UK, thanks to its conducive business environment and the appeal of its local market to fintech players. However, it ranks just 8th in Europe for “fintech attractiveness,” behind jurisdictions like Estonia and Luxembourg.Previous research studies have highlighted the difficulties fintech companies face in the Swiss market, including funding challenges and limited international recognition. Moreover, with a population of just nine million, the local market is too small for startups to thrive, compelling young Swiss tech ventures to seek international expansion early in their development.Access to well-educated workers is another key challenge. A 2024 study by UBS, Credit Suisse, and the Swiss ICT Investor Club reveals that 46% of the founders polled are finding it hard to fill vacancies with suitable candidates. Labor market challenges are more pronounced for startups in the growth and expansion phase, with 55% of struggling to recruit qualified employees, compared to 39% for startups in the pre-seed and seed stages.Switzerland sees booming sustainable fintech industryE.foresight, a Swiss banking think tank operated by telecommunications provider Swisscom, has released its Swiss Sustainable Fintech Map, highlighting the fintech companies in Switzerland that incorporate sustainability into their core business models, operations, and products.The map shows that Switzerland is currently home to 49 companies that fall under the sustainable fintech category, providing the segment a share of 12% of the overall fintech ecosystem.The figure implies that the Swiss sustainable fintech sector rose by 53% between 2023 and 2024, growing at a much faster pace than the fintech sector as a whole (16%) during the period, data from the 2024 IFZ Fintech Study by the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts’ Institute of Financial Services Zug (IFZ) show.Moneyland.ch gets acquiredSMG Swiss Marketplace Group acquired in July a 100% of Moneyland.ch, a popular comparison platform in Switzerland. The acquisition aims to strengthen SMG Swiss Marketplace Group’s finance and insurance division and allow it to gain valuable comparison services for consumers.Founded in 2013, Moneyland.ch is a financial comparison service. The platform provides users with tools and information to compare a wide range of financial products and services, such as bank accounts, credit cards, loans, insurance policies, investments, and telecommunications plans.SMG Swiss Marketplace Group operates a network of online marketplaces. Its portfolio spans four business areas, namely real estate, automotive, general marketplaces and finance and insurance, and includes several well-known online platforms such as AutoScout24, FinanceScout24, Homegate, and Tutti.Moneyland.ch will continue to operate independently and maintain its mission of providing unbiased financial product comparisons, calculators, and information to consumers in Switzerland. The Moneyland.ch brand, platform and team will remain unchanged, and founder Benjamin Manz will continue to act as managing director, the company said.Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/switzerlands-summer-fintech-roundup-key-developments-and-news-stories</link><guid>3721</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Market-Launch-of-Instant-Payments-in-Switzerland.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Switzerland’s Summer Fintech Roundup: Key Developments and News Stories</dc:text></item><item><title>Instant Payments Officially Launched in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxInstant payments were launched in the Swiss market on 20 August 2024.Around 60 financial institutions are now able to receive and process instant payments, covering more than 95% of Swiss retail payment transactions. By end-2026 at the latest, all financial institutions active in retail payment transactions will be reachable. The first institutions have already launched retail offerings enabling customers to send instant payments.In the coming months, further banks will announce similar services.Instant Payments are 24/7  including WeekendsInstant payments allow private individuals and companies to perform account-to-account transactions with immediate execution and final settlement in seconds – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (including public holidays).This offers significant advantages for individuals, companies and commercial banks. Thanks to shorter settlement chains, risks are reduced and funds received are available immediately. For companies and commercial banks, instant payments expand opportunities for automating processes and linking with other services. Traditional transfers will still be possible.The Swiss National Bank and SIX InterbankClearing Ltd anticipate that instant payments are likely to become established in Switzerland in the medium term and form the basis for further innovation in payment transactions.The technical framework for this new type of payment was put in place with the successful go-live of the new generation of the central Swiss payment system in November 2023.Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/instant-payments-officially-launched-in-switzerland</link><guid>3720</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Instant Payments Officially Launched in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Neue Schweizer Crypto Assets-Ökosystem Studie der Hochschule Luzern</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxIn der Schweiz und Liechtenstein hat sich in den letzten Jahren ein diverses Ökosystem rund um Investitionen in Crypto Assets entwickelt.Auch in den letzten zwölf Monaten ist dieses stetig gewachsen und hat an Vielfalt hinzugewonnen. Die Regionen Zug und Zürich beherbergen die grösste Anzahl von Unternehmen. Einen aktuellen Überblick gibt die neueste «Crypto Assets Study» der Hochschule Luzern.Zwischen Juli 2023 und Juni 2024 haben sich die Preise und die Marktkapitalisierung von Bitcoin und anderen Crypto Assets erheblich erhöht. Auch das Schweizer und Liechtensteiner Ökosystem für entsprechende Investitionen ist gewachsen – sowohl, was Anbieter als auch was Produkte angeht.Ende Juni zählten die beiden Länder insgesamt 359 Unternehmen, die Produkte und Dienstleistungen rund um Investitionen in Crypto Assets anboten. Das Crypto Valley konzentriert sich in Zug und Zürich – mit gewichtigen Ablegern in Liechtenstein, Genf, Tessin und Waadt (siehe Abbildung 1).Abbildung 1: Regionen Zug und Zürich klar führend bei Crypto-Unternehmen in der Schweiz (n=359). (Zum Vergrössern klicken)Vor allem Privatkunden scheinen Crypto Assets zu nutzenCrypto Assets entwickeln sich als Ergänzung oder teilweise als Alternative im Finanzsystem. Was anfänglich ein Geheimtipp für Blockchain-Enthusiastinnen und -Enthusiasten war, erlangt nun eine breitere Akzeptanz – so besassen bereits im Jahr 2022 rund 10 Prozent der Schweizer Bevölkerung solche Vermögenswerte. Auffällig ist, dass Privatkundinnen und -kunden scheinbar öfter auf Crypto Assets setzen als institutionelle Investorinnen und Investoren, was bei Finanzinnovationen eher ungewöhnlich ist.Vielfältiges Crypto Assets-Ökosystem in der Schweiz und LiechtensteinViele Crypto-Unternehmen konzentrieren sich auf Unternehmens- und institutionelle Kundinnen und Kunden. Entsprechend bedeutsam sind B2B-Geschäftsmodelle für das Crypto Assets-Ökosystem in der Schweiz und in Liechtenstein. Das Angebot ist vielfältig – mit einem Schwerpunkt auf zentralisierte Investmentdienstleistungen für direkte und indirekte Investitionen.Unternehmen, die Dienstleistungen für Blockchain-basierte, dezentrale Lösungen anbieten, setzen primär auf Selbstverwahrungslösungen (sogenannte «Crypto Wallets»). Fast 90 Prozent der untersuchten Unternehmen sind nicht auf nationale Märkte beschränkt, sondern auch international tätig.Steigende Tendenzen beim HandelsvolumenIm ersten Halbjahr 2024 verzeichneten die Handelsvolumina für indirekte Crypto-Produkte an den traditionellen Schweizer Börsen wieder einen Aufwärtstrend, nachdem sie in den Jahren 2022 und 2023 auf einem relativ niedrigen Niveau stagnierten (siehe Abbildung 2). Insgesamt wurden in diesem Zeitraum rund 2 Milliarden Schweizer Franken umgesetzt. Gleichzeitig stiegen auch die Handelsvolumina aus der Schweiz für direkte Investitionen in Crypto Assets über Cryptobörsen.Abbildung 2: Handelsvolumen für indirekte Crypto-Produkte an traditionellen Schweizer Börsen nehmen zwischen Juli 2023 und Juni 2024 erstmals seit zwei Jahren wieder zu. (Zum Vergrössern klicken)Vielfältige Möglichkeiten und Risiken von Crypto AssetsDie Marktrisiken zeigen sich einerseits in den sehr volatilen Preisen. Andererseits bestehen zusätzliche operationelle Risiken sowie Liquiditäts- und Kreditrisiken entlang der gesamten Wertschöpfungskette. Diese variieren je nach Art der Investition. Sprich, ob direkt oder indirekt in Crypto Assets investiert wird, und ob dies dezentral über die Blockchain («Decentralized Finance», kurz «DeFi») oder über einen zentralisierten Anbieter geschieht.Eine neu entwickelte Klassifizierungsmethode teilt Crypto Assets gemäss drei wesentlichen Kategorien ein: erstens das Design des Tokens, das festlegt, wie ein Crypto Asset technisch aufgebaut ist. Zweitens sind es die Eigenschaften des zugrunde liegenden Blockchain-Systems, auf dem das Asset basiert. Und drittens sind es die dynamischen Aspekte, wie das Crypto Asset im Markt verwendet wird. Die Marktteilnehmenden können damit die Eigenschaften von Crypto Assets strukturiert evaluieren und entsprechend ihren Präferenzen agieren.Titel-Bild Nachweis: Bearbeitet von freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/neue-schweizer-crypto-assets-okosystem-studie-der-hochschule-luzern</link><guid>3719</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Neue Schweizer Crypto Assets-Ökosystem Studie der Hochschule Luzern</dc:text></item><item><title>Relio bietet neu digitales Kapitaleinzahlungskonto bei Firmengründungen</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxRelio bietet neu digitale Kapitaleinzahlungskonten an, die Geschäftskunden online eröffnen können.In einer Pilotphase profitierten rund 50 Startups von der einfachen und schnellen Kontolösung für die Unternehmensgründung. Der neue Service erweitert das bestehende Angebot von Relio, das bisher operative Geschäftskonten umfasste. Relio verfügt über eine FinTech-Lizenz der FINMA und wird von namhaften Investoren wie der SIX Group, Betreiberin der Schweizer Börse, der TX Group, Eigentümerin von Tamedia, und dem High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), einem der grössten deutschen Tech-VCs, unterstützt.Der neue Weg zur digitalen UnternehmensgründungDie Schweiz ist ein attraktiver Innovationsstandort mit über 50’000 Unternehmensgründungen im Jahr 2023. Doch der Enthusiasmus, ein Unternehmen zu gründen, wird oft durch die Bürokratie gebremst. Für die Gründung einer Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (GmbH) oder einer Aktiengesellschaft (AG) benötigen Unternehmerinnen und Unternehmer ein Kapitaleinzahlungskonto bei einer Bank, die mit einer Einzahlungsbestätigung belegt, dass mindestens CHF 20’000 für eine GmbH respektive CHF 50’000 für eine AG auf einem Sperrkonto hinterlegt wurden. Relio bietet Kundinnen und Kunden neu ein solches Kapitaleinzahlungskonto für die Firmengründung an.Dies, nachdem das Eidgenössische Amt für das Handelsregister (EHRA) kürzlich eine Praxismitteilung veröffentlicht hat, die es Finanzinstituten mit einer FINMA Fintech-Lizenz erlaubt, Kapitaleinzahlungsbestätigungen auszustellen. Damit hat der Schweizer Regulator den Weg für innovative Akteure wie Relio geebnet, die Unternehmensgründungen in der Schweiz digitalisieren und erleichtern. Auch komplexere Business Cases oder Gesellschaften mit ausländischen wirtschaftlich Berechtigten und internationalen Geschäftsführern profitieren von diesem Angebot. Diese Gruppe wurde bisher von vielen Banken vernachlässigt, da diese den Mehraufwand in der Compliance meiden. Mit der eigens entwickelten Compliance-Technologie kann Relio auch dieses Segment optimal abdecken.Erfolgreiche Pilotphase und neue FunktionenSeit der Pilotphase im Juni haben rund 50 Start-ups das unkomplizierte Kapitaleinzahlungskonto genutzt und die ersten Relio-Kunden sind bereits im Handelsregister eingetragen.Milos Stokic“Viele Treuhänder und Anwälte sind mit dem Bedürfnis an uns herangetreten, Firmengründungen in einem digitalen Workflow abzuwickeln. Mit dem neuen Angebot schliessen wir diese Lücke für unsere Kunden und Partner”,sagt Milos Stokic, Head of Marketing bei Relio.Bald mit Online KapitaleinzahlungsbestätigungDie Lösung wird in Kürze um weitere Funktionen ergänzt. So bietet Relio demnächst die Möglichkeit, die Kapitaleinzahlungsbestätigung mit einer qualifizierten elektronischen Signatur (QES) vollständig digital auszustellen. Ebenso können Kundinnen und Kunden demnächst eine Nachliberierung oder eine Kapitalerhöhung mit dem gleichen Service durchführen. Für Treuhänder und Rechtsanwälte möchte Relio auch die Möglichkeit der treuhänderischen Konto-Eröffnung anbieten.Bei der Produktentwicklung stand Relio in engem Austausch mit mehreren Schweizer Gründungsplattformen, die zusammen über 3’000 Firmengründungen pro Jahr abwickeln und künftig mit Relio zusammenarbeiten werden.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/relio-bietet-neu-digitales-kapitaleinzahlungskonto-bei-firmengrundungen</link><guid>3718</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Relio bietet neu digitales Kapitaleinzahlungskonto bei Firmengründungen</dc:text></item><item><title>Instant-Payment ab sofort kostenlos bei der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxAb heute können Instant-Zahlungen bei der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg kostenlos gesendet und empfangen werden.Silvan Hilfiker«Wir sind überzeugt, dass die neue Technologie grosses Potenzial hat»,sagt Bank-CEO Silvan Hilfiker.Was in vielen europäischen und asiatischen Ländern schon fast normal ist, kommt nun auch in die Schweiz. Ab heute ist bei ausgewählten Banken der neue Überweisungsstandard Instant-Zahlung möglich. Alle grösseren Banken sind verpflichtet, ab heute Geldtransaktionen innerhalb von zehn Sekunden empfangen zu können. Das Versenden von Instant-Zahlungen wird hingegen nur von einigen wenigen Banken angeboten und ist teilweise gebührenpflichtig.Die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg hingegen hat entschieden, Instant-Zahlungen kostenlos anzubieten. Kundinnen und Kunden profitieren in mehrerer Hinsicht: Instant-Zahlungen sind rund um die Uhr verfügbar, 7 Tage die Woche und 365 Tage im Jahr. Die zahlende Partei erhält sofort eine Zahlungsbestätigung und die begünstigte Partei verfügt sofort über das Geld. Keine der beiden Parteien geht ein Kreditrisiko ein, da Belastung und Gutschrift gleichzeitig und final erfolgen. Die Sicherheitsstandards von Instant-Zahlungen sind die gleichen wie bei herkömmlichen Geldüberweisungen.In einer zunehmend digitalisierten Welt werde erwartet, dass Zahlungen sofort bei den Empfängerinnen und Empfängern ankommen.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/instant-payment-ab-sofort-kostenlos-bei-der-hypothekarbank-lenzburg</link><guid>3717</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Instant-Payment ab sofort kostenlos bei der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg</dc:text></item><item><title>Insurtech Sees First IPOs Since 2022 and Booming Deal Activity in Europe</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxThe insurtech industry has witnessed a significant resurgence in 2024, with funding volume rising 44% in Q2 2024, the first initial public offerings (IPOs) since 2022 and a surge in deal activity across Europe, new data released by market intelligence platform CB Insights show.The “State of Insurtech Q2 2024 Report,” released on August 06, offers an overview of the global insurtech landscape, focusing on equity funding activity in Q2 2024. The report highlights key investment trends, geographic activity, and exit activity during the quarter.In Q2 2024, global insurtech funding outpaced the growth seen across the broader venture and fintech landscapes, rising to a remarkable US$1.3 billion. The figure represents the highest funding level since Q1 2023, marking a five-quarter high.Quarterly equity funding and deals in insurtech worldwide, Source: State of Insurtech Q2 2024, CB Insights, Aug 2024The growth in funding was primarily driven by a 50% increase in equity funding in property and casualty (P&amp;C) insurtech, which rose from US$600 million in Q1 2024 to US$900 million in Q2 2024. Funding to life and health (L&amp;H) insurtech startups also increased quarter-over-quarter (QoQ), rising from US$300 million to US$400 million. However, despite the rise in funding, both verticals recorded a decrease in the number of deals, with deal counts falling by 28% and 26% QoQ, respectively.This indicates that deal sizes grew significantly, a trend further supported by a 25% increase in median insurtech deal size in H1 2024 compared to 2023, rising from US$4 million in 2023 to US$5 million in H1 2024.Annual average and median deal size in insurtech, Source: State of Insurtech Q2 2024, CB Insights, Aug 2024Q2 2024 also saw the sector’s first IPOs since Q3 2024, with two listings. Digit Insurance, an India-based insurance provider, debuted on the National Stock Exchange in May 2024, and Rasan, a Saudi Arabia-based company focusing primarily on auto insurance sales and vehicle services, started trading on the Saudi Exchange in the same month.Merger and acquisition (M&amp;A) activity in the insurtech sector also rebounded, surging 150% QoQ from six in Q1 2024 to 15 in Q2 2024. A notable M&amp;A transaction was the acquisition of Arya.ai, a deep learning and artificial intelligence (AI) startup, by Aurionpro Solutions.Aurionpro Solutions is a technology solutions firm from India that serves the banking, mobility, payments, and government sectors. Aurionpro Solutions acquired a majority stake (67%) in Arya.ai through an all-cash deal, involving the purchase of shares from existing shareholders and the subscription of new equity capital in Arya.ai.Looking at regional trends, the report shows that Europe’s influence in the global insurtech industry is increasing with the region’s share of insurtech deals reaching 35%, a record high.Percent of quarterly insurtech deals by global region, Source: State of Insurtech Q2 2024, CB Insights, Aug 2024Insurtech deal activity in the continent also surged, soaring 67% QoQ to about US$500 million and reaching a seven-quarter high. That rise was driven by two US$93 million deals for Iceye, a Finland-based provider of data from satellite imagery, and Vitesse, a UK-based claims payments processor. Deal counts, meanwhile, stayed steady, increasing slightly from 28 in Q1 2024 to 29 in Q2 2024.Insurtech quarterly funding and deals in Europe, Source: State of Insurtech Q2 2024, CB Insights, Aug 2024Comparatively, the US saw insurtech deal count fall from 61 to 40. However, like Europe, VC funding volume increased in the US, surging from US$500 million in Q1 2024 to US$700 million.Insurtech quarterly funding and deals in the US, Source: State of Insurtech Q2 2024, CB Insights, Aug 2024Insurtech startups based in Asia raised a total of US$51 million in equity funding in Q2 2024, down from US$100 million in Q1 2024, data from CB Insights show. Notable deals secured this year include Qoala, an Indonesian startup that completed its US$47 million Series C funding round in March.Featured image: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/insurtech-sees-first-ipos-since-2022-and-booming-deal-activity-in-europe</link><guid>3716</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Insurtech Sees First IPOs Since 2022 and Booming Deal Activity in Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>Apple Drives Fintech Growth Ambitions with Strategic Initiatives, AI Integration</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxApple is transitioning from a technology company to a key player in the fintech sector, driven by its diverse financial products, strategic initiatives and use of cutting-edge technologies.A new analysis by C-Innovation, a French fintech-focused research firm, discusses the firm’s growing role in the financial services industry, delving into its range of financial products, recent strategic moves, and potential growth driven by the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI).Apple’s financial services ecosystemThe report, released on July 17, explores how Apple has emerged as a leading force in the financial services industry with products like Apple Pay and Apple Card. These offerings have made a substantial impact, and changed how people pay, save, invest and take on debt, effectively cementing Apple’s position as a fintech leader. They comprise:Apple Wallet, a mobile app launched in 2012 as Passbook that allows users to store digital documents, debit cards, and most of Apple’s financial services, and which integrates with other Apple services and devices;Apple Pay, a mobile payment service introduced in 2014 in the US that allows users to make convenient contactless payments with their Apple devices in physical stores, online, and within apps;Apple Cash, a service that enables users to send and receive money via the Messages app launched in 2017;Apple Card, a credit card introduced in 2019 and developed in partnership with Goldman Sachs and Mastercard that offers cashback rewards on purchases, enhanced security measures, and more;Apple Tap to Pay, a software point-of-sale (softPOS) solution launched in 2022 that allows merchants to accept contactless payments directly through their Apple mobile devices without needing additional hardware;Apple Pay Later, a service launched in 2023 that allows users to split the cost of a purchase into multiple interest-free payments; andApple Savings, a high-yield savings account launched in 2023 that’s integrated with the Apple Card and which allows users to save money and earn competitive interest rates.Apple’s fintech products have gained a notable foothold in the market. For instance, Apple Card has garnered 12 million users, and estimates by Dutch consultancy and mergers and acquisitions advisory firm Flagship Advisory Partners suggest that Apple controlled a remarkable US$800 billion worth of payments in 2022.Recent developments and strategic movesRecent developments, including the proposed termination of the partnership with Goldman Sachs and the shutdown of Apple Pay Later, reflects Apple’s fintech strategy moving forward. This strategy focuses on bringing more financial services in-house to gain more control and flexibility, as well as exploring global opportunities that could guarantee it more profitability and penetration, the C-Innovation report says.In November 2023, reports surfaced that Apple was considering ending its consumer banking partnership with Goldman Sachs, sourced briefed on the matter told the Wall Street Journal. This move followed reports of Apple working on “Project Breakout,” an initiative aimed at internalizing more financial services, including those currently offered with Goldman Sachs, such as Apple Savings and Apple Card.Additionally, Apple has shut down its buy now, pay later (BNPL) business in the US, opting instead to partner with specialist providers. This approach allows Apple to minimize its risks, while collecting fees from these partners.Apple Pay Later was discontinued in the US in June 2024, ahead of the launch of new Apple Pay features set to hit iPhones this fall. These features will allow Apple Pay users to make purchases as well as access installment loans from credit and debit cards withing the mobile app. The service will be available in countries including Australia, Spain, the UK and the US where users will be able to apply for loans through partners including ANZ, CaixaBank, HSBC, Monzo, Citi, and Affirm.Entering the AI eraApple is now stepping into the AI era with its new Apple Intelligence platform and collaborations with generative AI (genAI) providers like ChatGPT. This new direction is poised to place Apple on the verge of more groundbreaking innovations, with the transformative potential of genAI presenting significant opportunities in the fintech sector, the C-Innovation report says.In June, Apple unveiled Apple Intelligence and a partnership with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT into the iOS operating system, opening to new interesting scenarios. Apple Intelligence is an AI platform that combines generative models with personal context to provide users with highly relevant recommendations and insights.The technology will introduce several new capabilities relating to language tasks and image creation, among other things, and is poised to have widespread impacts across the entire Apple ecosystem, including the firm’s financial services offering, C-Innovation says.Apple Intelligence infographic, Source: C-Innovation, Jul 2024By using the vast amount of user data that Apple has garnered over the years, the firm is poised to revolutionize the banking industry and stay at the forefront of the rapidly evolving fintech landscape, it says. Overall, C-Innovation predicts that Apple Intelligence will usher in a new era for the company where genAI plays a crucial role in personalizing and enhancing user experiences.Featured image: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/apple-drives-fintech-growth-ambitions-with-strategic-initiatives-ai-integration</link><guid>3715</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Apple Drives Fintech Growth Ambitions with Strategic Initiatives, AI Integration</dc:text></item><item><title>EU’s Underdeveloped VC Sector Threatens Growth and Global Competitiveness: IMF</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxThe European Union (EU) lags behind the US in the development and strength of its venture capital (VC) industry.This weak VC landscape is not only stifling productivity and economic growth within the EU but also hindering the bloc’s environmental ambitions and global competitiveness, a new working paper by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) says.The paper, titled “Stepping Up Venture Capital to Finance Innovation in Europe” and released in July, examines the current state of the VC industry in the EU, highlighting the main obstacles to its development. It argues that building a robust and advanced VC ecosystem is crucial for fostering innovative startups and enhancing economic growth and productivity, and offers recommendations to support the growth of the VC industry in Europe.A weak VC landscapeOver the past decade, VC investments in the EU have averaged 0.2% of gross domestic product (GDP) per year, significantly lower than the 0.7% average in the US. This difference is also reflected in the fact that US VC funds have raised US$800 billion more than EU funds for investing in innovative startups.Venture capital investments, 2013-2023, Source: Stepping Up Venture Capital to Finance Innovation in Europe, International Monetary Fund, Jul 2024The EU’s weak VC industry negatively affects its competitiveness, growth prospects, and green ambitions. Several studies find that innovative, young fast-growing firms that go on to be “superstars” contribute disproportionately to aggregate jobs and growth. Such firms typically invest heavily in research and development (R&amp;D) and information and communications technology (ICT), two key areas where the EU lags significantly behind the US.Intellectual property (IP) and information and communications technology (ICT) investments breakdown, 2000-2020, Source: Stepping Up Venture Capital to Finance Innovation in Europe, International Monetary Fund, Jul 2024Europe also trails behind the US in aggregate productivity, with real output per hour worked 26% points lower in the EU than it would be if it had kept pace with US productivity growth since 2000.Real gross domestic product per hour worked, 1995-2023, Source: Stepping Up Venture Capital to Finance Innovation in Europe, International Monetary Fund, Jul 2024VC financing is also critical for developing new technologies and scaling up firms in the so-called “clean tech” sectors, which the EU in its Green Deal Industrial Plan has identified as strategically important. However, European VC investments in these sectors currently represent just a fraction of US levels.Venture capital cleantech investments, 2021, Source: Stepping Up Venture Capital to Finance Innovation in Europe, International Monetary Fund, Jul 2024EU’s weak VC landscape has also prompted many of the most successful EU startups to move elsewhere for financing, causing the EU to lose out on both the direct growth benefits and positive spillovers from these innovative firms.For example, Miro, an enterprise software publisher from Russia, moved its headquarters to the US in 2019. The startup is valued at US$17.5 billion. Chainalysis is a blockchain analysis firm founded in 2014 in Copenhagen. The company is now headquartered in New York and is valued at US$8.6 billion. And Hugging Face, an artificial intelligence (AI) startup from France, is now headquartered in New York and is valued at US$4.5 billion.Factors hindering VC activityAccording to the IMF paper, several factors are contributing to the financing challenges faced by European startups. For one, the EU’s fragmented economic and financial markets are a major obstacle. The European financial system is predominantly bank-based, and banks are often ill-equipped to finance high-tech startups due to the lack of tangible collateral, the mismatch between bank risk models and the needs of fast-growing but initially unprofitable firms, and regulatory constraints that discourage riskier investments.Financial market structure, Source: Stepping Up Venture Capital to Finance Innovation in Europe, International Monetary Fund, Jul 2024Additionally, European households tend to be more risk-averse compared to US households. They prefer to place a larger proportion of their savings in bank deposits rather than in equities, investment funds, or private pension schemes. This risk aversion contributes to a greater reliance on bank loans and unlisted equity for financing in Europe, whereas in the US, listed equity plays a more central role.Household financial assets and liabilities, 2022 (percent of GDP), Source: Stepping Up Venture Capital to Finance Innovation in Europe, International Monetary Fund, Jul 2024Another major hurdle is the fragmentation of Europe’s financial system. Cross-border integration in banking is lower today than before the global financial crisis, and capital markets remain fragmented, with pools of private capital confined to national boundaries. Most occupational pension schemes do not offer pension products across borders because of the differences in national social benefits and labor laws and the attendant costs, complexity, and operational risks. Pension funds and insurers also tend to exhibit strong home-country bias in their asset allocations.Furthermore, regulatory, legal, and tax frictions impede cross-border investment and consolidation. Finally, long and complicated procedures for reclaiming withholding taxes discourage cross-border investment within the EU.These constraints leave the EU with fewer and smaller VC funds than the US, with “exit” options for successful startups through initial public offerings (IPOs) or acquisitions being similarly constrained, the report says.Fostering VC funding activityThe paper outlines several proposals for reforming the EU’s economic and financial policies, emphasizing the need for greater market integration across the bloc, targeted investments and regulatory adjustments.First, it argues that the best solution to the EU’s scale, productivity and growth issues lies in fully integrating its market for goods, services, labor, and capital. Achieving a true single market would make it easier and less costly for the most productive firms to grow, find the necessary talent, reap economies of scale, and access deeper pools of capital, the paper says.It also emphasizes the importance of investing in education, R&amp;D, and ICT to foster innovative startups, citing Estonia as an example where an emphasis on digital skills in education along with public and private investment in digital infrastructure has helped create fertile ground for innovative startups to emerge and grow.The paper further notes that startups require access to skilled employees and the flexibility to adapt as they grow. It recommends that EU policies should evaluate immigration and labor laws to ensure they do not hinder startups’ ability to attract talent or adjust their strategies. The paper also underscores the importance of stock options as a form of compensation for startup employees and calls for harmonized tax treatment of stock options across EU countries. Additionally, the development of portable private pension schemes across the EU would make it easier for firms to attract skilled workers from other EU countries.In the financial sector, the paper identifies VC as a critical area for policy focus and suggests expanding public support for the VC industry. Reforms should consider tax incentives to stimulate VC investments, and national public financial institutions (PFIs) should play a more significant role by complementing private investments, it says. The paper also calls for closer partnerships between national PFIs and EU institutions like the European Investment Bank (EIB) and European Investment Fund (EIF) to strengthen local VC ecosystems and connect them with more developed hubs across the EU.Regarding the regulatory framework, the document notes that while EU rules on VC are generally well-received, some fine-tuning may be necessary. For instance, the eligibility criteria for investors in large VC funds should be aligned with those for smaller funds to avoid unnecessary barriers. Furthermore, regulatory reforms in the insurance sector and for pension funds are needed to remove obstacles preventing them from investing in private equity and VC.Finally, the paper recommends a broad review of EU laws and regulations affecting high-tech sectors to identify unintended consequences that may impede the growth of innovative firms. Recent regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation and the Digital Markets Act, for example, have generally improved competition in the digital sector. However, they may also create inconsistencies and complications for startups, the paper says.Europe has consistently trailed behind the US in VC funding. In Q2 2024, European startups secured a total of US$14 billion in equity funding across 1,522 deals, a far cry from the US$39 billion and 2,419 transactions raised by tech startups in the US, data from CB Insights’ State of Venture Q2 2024 show.Venture funding and deals by global region in Q2 2024, Source: State of Venture Q2 2024, CB Insights, Jul 2024Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/eus-underdeveloped-vc-sector-threatens-growth-and-global-competitiveness-imf</link><guid>3713</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>EU’s Underdeveloped VC Sector Threatens Growth and Global Competitiveness: IMF</dc:text></item><item><title>Choosing a Payment Gateway for E-commerce: 6 Critical Aspects to Consider</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxThe spread of global e-commerce businesses is one of the defining aspects of the modern world. The data speaks for itself: in 2023, worldwide e-commerce reached an immense 5.8 trillion U.S. dollars (source: Statista) in sales.That’s why choosing a payment gateway that meets specific business requirements and securely handles sensitive customer data is a top priority for any e-commerce business.In collaboration with FYST, a leading-edge fintech powerhouse of customized and secure payment solutions, let’s review 6 key factors to keep in mind while choosing a payment gateway for your online business.What is a payment gateway and how does it work?Before diving into the topic, let’s understand the payment gateway and how it works.Payment gateways function like point-of-sale terminals in physical stores (except it happens online). This system is the cornerstone of electronic transaction processing: payment gateways process visitors’ card details once they enter them at your checkout store and make the transaction happen.Top 6 factors to consider when choosing a payment gateway for your e-commerce businessAccording to a study, the global market revenue of payment gateways reached 31 billion U.S. dollars in 2023, and it’s expected to get to 161 billion dollars by 2032 (source: Market.us Scoop), so the competition between these payment solutions for businesses available in the market is enormous.Therefore, choosing the payment gateway that best suits your business mightn’t be that straightforward. That’s why FYST has prepared the top 6 critical factors you need to consider in your payment gateway.Security measuresAlthough 59% of customers expressed concern about the risk of online payment in 2022 compared to the previous years (source: Statista), most payment gateway solutions adhere to strict compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS). Besides, make sure you choose the online payment gateway that comes with features like built-in fraud prevention, encryption, tokenization, and more.Transaction feeMost payment gateways charge a fee per transaction, which can increase your business’s cost. Therefore, consider payment solutions for e-commerce businesses with low transaction charges when choosing a payment gateway. Considering your volume of transactions also helps you reduce expenses, as there are online payment gateways that offer pricing based on your transaction volume.Types of payments allowedChoose a payment gateway that supports your target customer base, including debit and credit cards, digital wallets, and other relevant payment methods. If your e-commerce business targets a worldwide customer base, choose a payment gateway that supports multi-currencies and relevant international payment methods.Integration with other systemsConsider how easy the payment gateway integrates with your existing software, website, mobile app, and other platforms. Otherwise, it may cause your online shopping platform to become glitchy, leading your customers to leave your website.Transaction limitsCheck for transaction limits while choosing your solution. Some payment gateways have a transaction limit on the amount it can process per month. If your e-commerce business is small, it may not be an issue. Otherwise, be certain that your selected payment gateway has no such transaction limits.24/7 customer supportEnsure the payment gateway solution provider offers 24/7 customer support through various channels such as chat, mail, phone calls, etc. It’s one of the major concerns when choosing a payment gateway, as customers may panic if technical problems or other issues arise during their payment process.Wrap upWith the myriad of payment gateway options in the market, choosing the best one for your business can be challenging. Because of many advantages and disadvantages to consider, making an informed decision in this domain isn’t always that straightforward.By trusting fintech experts like FYST to handle the selection and integration of proven payment solutions, you can simplify and streamline the process and ensure you pick the best solution for your needs.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/choosing-a-payment-gateway-for-e-commerce-6-critical-aspects-to-consider</link><guid>3714</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Choosing a Payment Gateway for E-commerce: 6 Critical Aspects to Consider</dc:text></item><item><title>Coop to Discontinue Finance+ Neobank Project After Less Than 1 Year</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxFollowing a short pilot phase, Coop has decided to no longer act as the operator of the Finance+ platform, as the demand did not meet expectations.Furthermore, Coop informed that the environment has changed as a result of increased competition in the financial sector in recent months.As one of several Finance+ partners, Coop will be withdrawing from the project. The exact date has not yet been determined. Glarner Kantonalbank also announced to withdraw from the project.Coop claim to guarantees the continued operation of the Finance+ platform until further notice and will provide all services to their full extent. Follow-on solutions for customers are being assessed.Coop Neobank am Start in der Schweiz – Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News – FintechNewsCH]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/coop-to-discontinue-finance-neobank-project-after-less-than-1-year</link><guid>3711</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Coop to Discontinue Finance+ Neobank Project After Less Than 1 Year</dc:text></item><item><title>Crypto Wealth Report: Integration of Cryptocurrencies Boosted by Institutional Interest</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxCryptocurrencies are increasingly being integrated into traditional finance, driven by both retail and institutional interest. Financial institutions are embracing tokenization and institutional investors are increasingly entering the cryptocurrency market.Bitcoin, in particular, is emerging as a valuable diversification tool in wealth management, highlighted for its low correlation with traditional asset classes and its strong growth performance, a new report by Bitcoin Suisse, a Swiss crypto services provider, says.The inaugural “Crypto Wealth Management Report”, released in July 2024, looks at the historic performance of bitcoin, showcasing the crypto’s position as a potential powerhouse within diversified portfolios. The report explores the key drivers behind the performance of bitcoin and the potential benefits of incorporating the cryptocurrency into wealth management strategies.Banks embrace cryptoFollowing record highs in 2021 and a subsequent slump, cryptocurrency prices have risen significantly in recent months. This resurgence has prompted various retail banks in Switzerland to develop crypto offerings, adapting to changing market dynamics and customer preferences, the report says.A recent study by the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts found that 28% of Swiss banks currently offer or plan to offer cryptocurrency investment opportunities. State-backed banks, such as the cantonal banks of Zug, St Gallen and Lucerne, as well as Postfinance, the banking arm of the Swiss Post Office, have recently launched their crypto offerings.The Bitcoin Suisse report also highlights the broader potential of blockchain technology beyond cryptocurrencies, noting that projects involving tokenization have proliferated and witnessed remarkable traction. For example, BlackRock’s introduction of its tokenized treasury fund, the BlackRock USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund, achieved a market value of US$500 million just four months after its launch, according to CoinDesk. This surge is part of the broader growth of the tokenized treasury market, which has more than doubled this year, rising from US$780 million in January 2024 to US$1.8 billion in June 2024.In Switzerland, the central bank has also been exploring the concept of a central bank digital currency (CBDC). In collaboration with the Bank for International Settlements the Swiss National Bank (SNB) has been actively involved in Project Helvetia, an initiative which began in 2020 and which aims to integrate wholesale CBDCs (wCBDCs) into existing financial systems.Project Helvetia recently entered a new phase, with the SNB and the SIX Digital Exchange (SDX) expanding their exploration of settling tokenized securities through a wCBDC to other financial institutions and transaction types.Institutional adoption on the riseAdoption of cryptocurrencies has also increased among institutional investors. The world’s first bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which debuted in the US in January 2024, have exceeded expectations, attracting US$12 billion in inflows within the first three months and almost US$300 billion in year-to-date trading volume. Globally, net flows into crypto exchange-traded products reached a record US$88.1 billion in assets under management (AUM) in Q1 2024.Initial bitcoin ETF flows, Source: Crypto Wealth Management Report #1, Bitcoin Suisse, Jul 2024Currently, bitcoin ETF flows largely stem from registered investment advisors, asset managers, hedge funds and family offices that have already established access. Bitcoin Suisse predicts that as more institutional consultants, corporations, pension funds, and sovereign wealth funds complete their due diligence, even more substantial capital flows will follow.Bitcoin: a tool for diversificationAcross the crypto market, bitcoin in particular is emerging as a powerful source of diversification. Bitcoin has low correlation with traditional asset classes, offering the lowest average correlation (0.04) to all relevant asset classes over a 12-month period, according to the report.This low correlation makes the cryptocurrency a powerful tool for risk management and a diversification opportunity. By including bitcoin in a portfolio, wealth managers can potentially mitigate overall portfolio volatility while enhancing risk-adjusted returns, the report says.Bitcoin has recorded remarkable growth. Since 2013, the cryptocurrency has dominated every other asset class in annual performance in nine out of twelve years, providing an annualized return of ~109% and an astounding cumulative return of ~470,000%, according to the report.Performance of major asset class, Source: Crypto Wealth Management Report #1, Bitcoin Suisse, Jul 2024Many factors contribute to bitcoin’s remarkable performance. One key differentiator lies in its finite supply, capped at 21 million coins. This scarcity creates a unique economic long-term value proposition where demand is almost guaranteed to outpace supply in the long run, the report says.Another key property of bitcoin is its function as a store of value. Mimicking gold, bitcoin serves as an inflation hedge, carries no credit or counterparty risks, mostly features an inverse relation to the dollar, and can serve as a source of trust, because its network is decentralized, permissionless, and immutable.Finally, bitcoin resonates with the new generation of investors. These investors are typically more technologically savvy and comfortable with digital innovations. They also value autonomy and have a growing distrust of traditional financial institutions, making bitcoin’s decentralized nature particularly appealing.Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crypto-wealth-report-integration-of-cryptocurrencies-boosted-by-institutional-interest</link><guid>3712</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Crypto Wealth Report: Integration of Cryptocurrencies Boosted by Institutional Interest</dc:text></item><item><title>Ant International Expands European Footprint with Payment Partnerships and Sports Sponsorships</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxAnt International, the global arm of China’s Ant Group, is expanding its presence in Europe by partnering with fintech companies and financial institutions to grow its merchant network, and sponsoring major sports events to grow brand recognition.In a recent interview with FXC Intelligence, a data platform for cross-border payments, Douglas Feagin, president of Ant International, shared ambitious plans to expand the Alipay+ network in Europe with more digital wallets, banking institutions and merchants. Additionally, Ant International aims to strengthen the European presence of its other brands, including Ant to Merchant (Antom) and WorldFirst, promising enhanced access to the Asian market for prospective partners.Expanding the Alipay+ networkAlipay+ is the company’s cross-border payment ecosystem that connects local digital banking apps and e-wallets to a single payment platform. The platform allows users to make payments in foreign countries using their local e-wallets, meaning that users do not need to switch to a different e-wallet when traveling or shopping internationally.Currently, Alipay+ links 30 digital wallets, including Alipay itself in China, Kakao Pay in South Korea, GCash in the Philippines and TrueMoney in Thailand, serving a total of 1.5 billion end-users. 14 of these 30 digital wallets are integrated with European merchants, allowing seamless cross-border payments for their users.To facilitate these integrations, Alipay+ collaborates with local acquirers, working with the likes of Barclays in the UK, and UniCredit in Italy to enable their merchants to accept payments from Alipay+ users. This integration allows businesses to reach a broader customer base, including international travelers and online shoppers.Most recently, Ant International announced a wide-ranging partnership with French banking group BNP Paribas. Among other things, the collaboration will enable European merchants using the bank’s acquiring service to accept payments for 30 Alipay+ wallets.Ant International has also inked a number of deals with European fintech companies these past couple of months, forging partnerships with the likes of Tinaba from Italy, Nexi from Germany and DNA Payments from the UK.Feagin emphasized the company’s openness to incorporating more European institutions into the Alipay+ ecosystem, explaining that the aim is not only to serve Asian travelers but also to tap into opportunities to support European customers.He envisions considerable growth moving forward, noting that European banks are increasingly introducing innovative fintech and digital services to reach different customer bases. This includes solutions tailored for younger customers or those preferring simpler, stored-value accounts instead of traditional bank accounts.Currently, Alipay+ claims 400,000 European merchants within its network, a far cry from its 80 million merchants in China. These merchants range from luxury goods stores to local businesses and travel services like taxis. Recently, the company partnered with Freenow, a German mobility service, allowing customers of Alipay, AlipayHK and Touch n’ Go to book taxis in seven European countries including France, Germany and Italy.Ant International’s increasing focus on Europe, Source: FXC Intelligence analysis, Jul 2024Enhancing the footprint of Antom and WorldFirst in EuropeAnt International is also working on the expansion of its Antom brand in Europe. While Alipay+ focuses on offline customers, Antom supports online commerce by offering payment and digitalization services in 150 markets and over 100 currencies. It caters to major online marketplaces such as those offered by Alibaba, digital goods marketplaces, including gaming, entertainment, as well as online travel agents.In Europe, Antom aims to increase merchant access to an increasingly lucrative Asian market, while also increasing cross-border payment options for e-wallet users in the continent. Most recently, the company bolstered its presence through the acquisition of MultiSafepay, a Amsterdam-based payment services provider serving over 18,000 small and medium-sized enterprises.Finally, WorldFirst, a UK-founded company acquired by Ant International in 2019, will reinforce its standing in Europe by joining the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) scheme. The development, enabled by Ant International’s recent partnership with BNP Paribas, will enable WorldFirst’s clients to access payment schemes under SEPA in real-time and automate treasury payments to optimize their operations.WorldFirst provides business-to-business payment solutions, including a multicurrency account and marketplace cross-border collections. The company has served one million customers worldwide and is connected to over 120 marketplaces.Sports sponsorships to increase brand visibilityAlongside partnership announcements, Ant International also made headlines this year for its three-way sponsorship of the UEFA European Football Championship (Euro) 2024. The sponsorship, which heavily showcased Alipay+, Antom and WorldFirst branding across the tournament, led to increased brand recognition and transaction volumes in Europe.Feagin noted that the partnership was an excellent opportunity for brand exposure, aligning with Ant International’s interests and broadening its audience.Around the tournament, Feagin said Alipay+ saw increased flows in the host country of Germany. In its opening week, Ant International reported a 29% year-over-year increase in visitor spending via Alipay+ partner e-wallets in Europe and a 67% increase in transactions in Germany compared to the previous week.The Euro is the primary association football tournament organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). It is one of the most prestigious football tournaments in the world, second only to the FIFA World Cup in terms of its significance and popularity within Europe. This year, Euro 2014 set records for TV audiences, achieving an estimated global cumulative audience in excess of 5 billion viewers.Headquartered in Singapore, Ant International aims to support merchants worldwide through a comprehensive range of digital payment and financial services solutions. The company aims to become the “most trusted digital services connector”, thanks to its four key businesses and brands: Alipay+, Antom, WorldFirst and Anext Bank, a digital wholesale bank in Singapore.Ant International’s brand structure, Source: FXC Intelligence analysis, Jul 2024Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ant-international-expands-european-footprint-with-payment-partnerships-and-sports-sponsorships</link><guid>3710</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Ant International Expands European Footprint with Payment Partnerships and Sports Sponsorships</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Funding Falls 58.5% YoY</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxSwiss fintech startups are losing favor with investors.In H1 2024, investments in fintech startups in Switzerland fell by 58.5% year-on-year (YoY), plummeting from CHF 191 million in H1 2023 to CHF 79.2 million in H2 2024, according to the new Swiss Venture Capital report.The number of financing rounds also saw a significant drop, declining from 30 in H1 2023 to just 13 in H1 2024, marking a 56.7% decrease.The half-year 2024 update to the Swiss Venture Capital Report, released on July 16, reveals that fintech funding continued to decline in H1 2024, despite notable rounds like Sygnum Bank’s CHF 34.5 million round. That fall was much more pronounced in the fintech sector than the broader Swiss startup landscape. In H1 2024, approximately CHF 1.1 billion was raised across 138 financing rounds in Switzerland, a slight decline of about 10% in both figures compared with 2023.Investment in Swiss startups in first half of year, Source: Swiss Venture Capital Report 2024 | Update, Startupticker.ch, SECA and startup.ch, Jul 2024This year, investors are shifting their focus to sectors like biotech, as well as energy and cleantech. In H1 2024, biotech startups generated CHF 405.3 million, the third highest amount ever, with four of the five largest financing rounds completed by these companies. This is a significant improvement compared to H1 2023, during which biotech startups secured CHF 282.8 million through 14 deals. Energy and cleantech startups, meanwhile, secured CHF 160 million across 27 rounds, up from CHF 137 million and 19 deals in H1 2023.Swiss startup funding in H1 2024 by sector, Source: Swiss Venture Capital Report 2024 | Update, Startupticker.ch, SECA and startup.ch, Jul 2024Large and later-stage deals declineThe continued decline in Swiss startup funding is primarily driven by the lack of large rounds. In H1 2024, the three biggest rounds in the country attracted only CHF 218 million, compared to CHF 331 million in H1 2023. This difference of CHF 113 million nearly matches the overall drop in total invested capital (CHF 121 million), indicating that funding for the majority of rounds outside the top three remained relatively stable in H1 2024, the report says.Another sign of the reduced number of large rounds is the drop in later-stage deals, which fell from 45 in H1 2023 to 26 in H1 2024. The amount of capital invested in later stage startups also continued to decline, though at a much slower rate. This trend suggests that the selection process among startups is becoming more stringent as investors are more reluctant to provide interim financing to startups with less than convincing performance.Similarly, seed stage funding experienced a continued decline in both invested capital and the number of rounds. This indicates that investors are shying away from the high risks associated with seed funding.In contrast, early-stage investments performed surprisingly well in H1 2024, with total investment reaching CHF 344 million, up 60% YoY. The number of financing rounds also increased, rising from 43 in H1 2023 to 56 in H1 2024.Swiss startup funding by phase and amount, Source: Swiss Venture Capital Report 2024 | Update, Startupticker.ch, SECA and startup.ch, Jul 2024Valuations and exitsLooking at valuation and exit trends, the report shows that Swiss startups in the seed and early-stage phases that have secured investors are still achieving historically high valuations. In H1 2024, the average valuation for seed rounds stood at CHF 11 million, significantly higher than the CHF 6.9 million seen in the boom year of 2022. Early-stage financing valuations, meanwhile, averaged CHF 24 million, only slightly below the CHF 27 million valuation in H1 2022.In contrast, later-stage rounds saw much lower valuations, averaging CHF 138 million in H1 2024. That’s a significant decline from the average of around CHF 350 million recorded in both H1 2023 and H1 2022.Average valuation by phase of investment (CHF m), Source: Swiss Venture Capital Report 2024 | Update, Startupticker.ch, SECA and startup.ch, Jul 2024The number of exits also remained low, totaling 20 transactions in H1 2024. According to the report, many of these exits were rescue operations, providing little impetus for a revival of the venture capital (VC) market.Furthermore, strategic investments, which involve an older company acquiring an interest in a startup to collaborate with it, were also few. In H1 2024, just over 5 strategic investments were recorded, indicating that companies are not extensively taking advantage of the lower valuations to acquire innovative young companies.Exits and strategic investments, Source- Source: Swiss Venture Capital Report 2024 | Update, Startupticker.ch, SECA and startup.ch, Jul 2024Optimistic outlookDespite the continued decline, investor sentiment remains optimistic. A survey of about 100 Swiss startup investors conducted by investor association SECA reveals that the vast majority of respondents anticipate an increase in both investment opportunities and the number of investments over the next 12 months.In addition, they expect that opportunities for exiting portfolio startups will improve through the year, with 56% of respondents anticipating a rise of up to 25% in exit opportunities.The survey also highlights that VCs still have significant uninvested capital available for the coming two to four years. On average, 50% of VCs have around 60% of their funds remaining for future investments.Fintech funding activity in Switzerland mirrors global trends. CB Insights’ State of Fintech Q2’24 Report, released on July 16, shows that global fintech funding totaled US$16.4 billion in H1 2024. This marks a 32% YoY decline from US$24.1 billion in H1 2023.Quarterly fintech funding, Source: State of Fintech Q2’24 Report, CB Insights, Jul 2024Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-funding-falls-585-yoy</link><guid>3709</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Funding Falls 58.5% YoY</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Financial Regulator Issues Stablecoin Guidelines, Emphasizing AML Obligations and Default Guarantee Requirements</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxThe Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) has published new guidance on the issuance of stablecoins. This guidance emphasizes the financial market laws that apply to projects aiming to issue stablecoins, including anti-money laundering (AML) regulations and minimum requirements for default guarantees.The new FINMA guidance, released on July 26, 2024, addresses the questions frequently arising regarding the issuance of stablecoins in Switzerland. It builds on an initial notes from 2019 that outlines how the regulator treats stablecoins under Swiss supervisory law.The document defines stablecoins as a type of cryptocurrency designed to be a low-volatility means of payment on a blockchain. The primary goal of stablecoins is to provide the benefits of digital assets, such as fast transactions and blockchain transparency, while minimizing the price volatility that is characteristic of traditional cryptocurrencies like bitcoin and ether.To achieve a stable value, issuers typically peg their tokens to a reserve of assets like a fiat currency. Consequently, this gives stablecoin holders a payment claim against the issuer at any time. These claims are generally categorized as either deposits under banking law or as collective investment schemes, and require a banking license.However, in Switzerland, various stablecoin issuers are partnered with banks and use their default guarantees, obviating the need for a banking license. This creates risks for both the stablecoin holders and the banks, FINMA says.Requirements for default guaranteesTo protect depositors, FINMA has established minimum requirements for default guarantees. These requirements are designed to be technology-neutral and also apply when dealing with stablecoins.Firstly, if a stablecoin issuer goes bankrupt, each customer must have their own claim against the Swiss bank issuing the default guarantee, and customers must be informed of the default guarantee. The default guarantee must cover at least the total of all public deposits including any interest earned by customers.Furthermore, the provisions must allow depositors to easily and quickly claim the guarantee without complications.To ensure customers can quickly claim the default guarantee, FINMA also requires that the claim be due at the time of the stablecoin issuer’s insolvency, meaning at the latest when bankruptcy proceedings are initiated, and not only when a certificate of loss is issued.Overall, FINMA warns that while these requirements increase depositor protection, they do not match the protection level provided by a banking license, especially considering that stablecoin holders do not benefit from deposit protection under banking law. For banks, any irregularities at stablecoin issuers can cause reputational and legal risks, the regulator notes.AML regulationsThe guidance also emphasizes that stablecoins can fall under the AML Act. This is due to their usual intended purpose as a means of payments, and because they are classified as deposits under banking law, leading to a permanent business relationship within the meaning of AML legislation.Therefore, stablecoin issuers are considered financial intermediaries for the purposes of AML legislation, imposing thus a number of obligations. Among other things, issuers must verify the identity of the stablecoin holder as the customer in accordance with the applicable obligations and establish the identity of the beneficial owner. If doubt arises in the course of the business relationship as to the identity of the customer or of the beneficial owner, the verification of identity or establishment of identity must be repeated.FINMA highlights the increased risks of money laundering, terrorist financing, and sanction circumvention associated with stablecoins. This is because stablecoins share many of the features of cryptocurrencies, including the possibility for anonymous transfers via self-managed wallets and the global reach, the regulator says.The rise of stablecoinsStablecoins have proliferated in recent years, with several projects launched in Switzerland. In 2020, Sygnum launched its CHF-pegged settlement token, DCHF. The stablecoin, a key component of Sygnum’s digital asset ecosystem, enables real-time transfers, allowing for immediate transaction settlement and eliminating the need for intermediaries, thereby reducing complexity, costs, and counterparty risk.Swiss Stablecoin, a startup founded in 2022 by former National Council and Council of States member Pascale Bruderer, is working on launching its own CHF stablecoin, the digital franc (CHFD). This stablecoin aims to simplify and improve the Swiss payment system, providing a regulated, widely accessible payment method that appeals to retailers, banks, and the Swiss population.Globally, the top five stablecoins are Tether (USDT), USD Coin (USDC), Multi-Collateral Dai (DAI), Binance USD (BUSD) and USDP Dollar (USDP), according to a S&amp;P Global analysis. As of June 2023, these tokens accounted for more than 90% of the US$125 billion market capitalization.USDT and USDC were the two largest stablecoins by market capitalization, at US$83 billion and US$28 billion, respectively. Both are centralized, real-world assets collateralized stablecoins, meaning that each token is backed by US$1 in reserve assets.DAI, which had a market capitalization of US$4.7 billion in June 2023, is a decentralized cryptocurrency pegged to the US dollar produced by the Maker protocol and managed by a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO), MakerDAO.Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-financial-regulator-issues-stablecoin-guidelines-emphasizing-aml-obligations-and-default-guarantee-requirements</link><guid>3708</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Financial Regulator Issues Stablecoin Guidelines, Emphasizing AML Obligations and Default Guarantee Requirements</dc:text></item><item><title>FINMA Publishes Guidance on Stablecoins</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxThe Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA published guidance on the issuance of stablecoins.In it, it comments on default guarantees, the associated risks and discloses its practice on stablecoins. It further draws attention to the increased risks in the area of money laundering.In recent years, projects seeking to issue stablecoins have also gained in importance in Switzerland. They generally pursue the goal of providing a means of payment with low price volatility on a blockchain. FINMA has already commented on this in its supplement to the ICO guidelines for enquiries regarding the regulatory framework for initial coin offerings (ICOs) from September 2019.In the guidance, FINMA provides information on aspects of financial market law that arise in relation to stablecoin projects and the impact of such projects on the supervised institutions.In connection with stablecoin projects, FINMA draws attention to the increased risks in the areas of money laundering, terrorist financing and the circumvention of sanctions. These also result in reputational risks for the Swiss financial centre as a whole.FINMA notes that various issuers of stablecoins in Switzerland use default guarantees from banks, which means that they often do not require a licence from FINMA under banking law. This creates risks for both the stablecoin holders and the banks providing the guarantee. In addition, FINMA provides information on its minimum requirements for default guarantees in order to protect depositors. These also apply when dealing with stablecoins.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finma-publishes-guidance-on-stablecoins</link><guid>3707</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>FINMA Publishes Guidance on Stablecoins</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintechs Worldwide Can Now Apply for InvestHK’s Expanded Global Fast Track 2024</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxInvest Hong Kong (InvestHK) has opened applications for the 7th edition of its fintech programme Global Fast Track (GFT) 2024, accepting submissions until 20 September.The programme invites fintech companies from both local and international markets to pitch their ideas on global platforms, offering mentorship and business matchmaking to help unlock their potential.The global finalists of the GFT’s pitching competition will compete in the grand finale at Hong Kong Fintech Week (HKFW).This year’s programme includes new features aimed at strengthening Hong Kong’s position as the premier international fintech hub.King LeungKing Leung, Global Head of Financial Services, Fintech and Sustainability at InvestHK, said,“The Global Fast Track has evolved into a fintech-friendly platform in the past few years. We have helped over 1,000 fintech companies from more than 50 economies to showcase their cutting-edge innovations and expedite their market entry in Hong Kong and beyond.We are thrilled to build on this success and continue to offer unparalleled access to a global network with more than 100 investor and corporate champions, mentors, and industry leaders through GFT 2024.”Enhanced Networking OpportunitiesThe new features of GFT 2024 include enhanced networking opportunities.These opportunities encompass ongoing one-on-one meetings facilitated by the GFT matchmaking platform.Additionally, the new Founders Champions Night will bring together successful homegrown champions from Hong Kong who have raised funds, been acquired, or expanded internationally, allowing them to network exclusively with GFT finalists.More international champions, including investors and financial institutions from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, will participate, fostering connectivity between the GCC region and Hong Kong.The new Investor Network Night will enable companies to connect with key investors, presenting them with growth and funding opportunities.Expanded Vertical Tracks for 2024For 2024, GFT is expanding its featured verticals to include ESG/Green Fintech, Blockchain, and Insurance/HealthTech, alongside the established fintech and artificial intelligence tracks.This expansion reflects the evolving trends in the financial services industry.Semi-finalists from each track will be invited to Hong Kong to pitch their ideas in person during HKFW, with the grand finale scheduled for the second day.This event offers fintech innovators a unique opportunity to present their ideas to thousands of attendees, including key corporations and investors seeking fintech solutions and investment prospects.Past winners have hailed from diverse countries such as Canada, France, Israel, Mainland China, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.InvestHK will collaborate with Finoverse, the appointed co-organiser of GFT 2024, to elevate the programme to new heights.Leung added,“With the introduction of new features this year, we aim to further unlock the true potential of innovation within the fintech industry and provide a springboard for groundbreaking solutions to make a transformative impact.I look forward to welcoming high-caliber applicants from around the world and the remarkable outcomes that will emerge from this programme.”For details of the entire programme of GFT 2024 and the application process, please visit here.Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintechs-worldwide-can-now-apply-for-investhks-expanded-global-fast-track-2024</link><guid>3706</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/663c6a323c1a6475af56ddd1_global-scale-up-comp.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintechs Worldwide Can Now Apply for InvestHK’s Expanded Global Fast Track 2024</dc:text></item><item><title>Strengthening Financial Resilience: Huawei’s Role in the Future of Finance</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxThe financial sector is on the edge of a major transformation powered by continuous technological advancements. At the recent Huawei HiFS Frontier Forum 2024 in Shenzhen, industry leaders discussed how cloud, network, storage, and computing infrastructures can strengthen financial systems’ resilience.The forum’s theme, “Boost Resilience, Reshaping Smarter Finance Together,” encapsulates the industry’s collective ambition to navigate the challenges of an uncertain future through technological excellence and collaborative innovation.This gathering comes at a pivotal moment. Traditional banking boundaries are dissolving, and the definition of financial services is evolving unprecedentedly.The imperative for digital transformationAs we hurtle towards 2030, the financial landscape is poised for a seismic shift. This evolution places user experience at the forefront, elevating it to a key performance indicator for banks.Financial services will no longer be confined to traditional banking channels in this new paradigm. Instead, they will be seamlessly integrated into every aspect of our daily lives, powered by artificial intelligence, and delivered through myriad digital touchpoints.This shift towards omnipresent, AI-driven financial services necessitates fundamentally rethinking how banks operate and deliver value to their customers.Consequently, the ramifications of service interruptions have escalated dramatically, threatening reputational damage and severe economic losses.In an ecosystem where financial services are expected to be always-on and instantaneous, even momentary disruptions can have far-reaching consequences. Banks must, therefore, prioritise resilience and continuity as never before.Identifying the Achilles’s heel of financial servicesIn recent years, business losses due to service interruptions have surged exponentially. Meticulous statistical analysis has revealed four critical factors behind these failures: security and protection vulnerabilities, data centre interruptions, system and connection failures, and operations and maintenance errors.As financial services become more digitalised, they face increasing susceptibility to sophisticated cyber threats, demanding advanced security measures.Disruptions in data centre operations due to the growing reliance on cloud computing and centralised data processing can have cascading effects on a bank’s entire service ecosystem.The intricate web of interconnected systems powering modern banking services is only as strong as its weakest link, meaning failures in any part of this network can lead to widespread service disruptions.Additionally, human error remains a significant risk factor; as systems become more complex, the potential for misconfigurations or operational mistakes increases.Addressing these factors requires a holistic approach encompassing technology, processes, and people to construct resilient financial infrastructures.The ‘4 Zeros’: A paradigm shift in financial resilienceJason Cao, CEO of Huawei Digital Finance BU, stressed the need for financial institutions to stay competitive by adopting the ‘4 Zeros’ approachHuawei’s vision for the future of finance is crystallised in its ‘4 Zeros’ approach: Zero Downtime, Zero Wait, Zero Touch, and Zero Trust. This comprehensive strategy forms the bedrock of Huawei’s mission to empower financial institutions to reshape their resilience, agility, and intelligence.Zero Downtime ensures continuous service availability, eliminating the concept of ‘offline’ in financial services. This requires robust infrastructure, intelligent predictive maintenance, and seamless failover mechanisms.Zero Wait focuses on optimising user experience through minimal latency. In an era where instant gratification is the norm, banks must ensure that every interaction, from balance checks to complex transactions, happens in real time.Zero Touch emphasises the importance of automation in reducing human error and increasing operational efficiency. By automating routine tasks and decision-making processes, banks can free up human resources for more strategic, value-adding activities.Zero Trust acknowledges the evolving security landscape, where traditional perimeter-based security models are no longer sufficient. It advocates for a security approach that trusts nothing and verifies everything, ensuring robust protection at every level of the financial ecosystem.Jason Cao, CEO of Huawei Digital Finance BU, emphasised that in this rapidly evolving intelligent world, financial institutions must reimagine these core attributes to remain competitive in the digital economy.The ‘4 Zeros’ approach provides a framework for this reimagining, offering a roadmap for banks to evolve from traditional financial institutions into agile, resilient digital enterprises.iBASE: The cornerstone of lifecycle managementTo actualise the ‘4 Zeros’, Huawei advocates a holistic lifecycle management strategy encompassing planning, construction, operation, and ongoing optimization.This approach is underpinned by the iBASE (Insight-Blueprint-Architecture-Step-Evaluation) methodology, a comprehensive framework guiding institutions through the entire process of infrastructure transformation.The Insight phase leverages advanced analytics tools to thoroughly understand an institution’s current IT and network health status. This deep dive into existing systems helps identify pain points and areas for improvement.In the Blueprint stage, a five to 10-year planning roadmap is developed, outlining a clear vision of the target architecture. This may include plans for active-active and hybrid cloud architectures, positioning the institution for future growth and innovation.Architecture focuses on designing optimal target infrastructures aligned with the institution’s strategic goals. This involves technological considerations, business alignment, and regulatory compliance.The Step phase involves implementing solutions and procedures for seamless upgrades, migrations, and reconstructions. This phase translates plans into tangible improvements in the bank’s infrastructure.Finally, the Evaluation stage ensures continuous assessment and improvement. This ongoing evaluation is crucial for maintaining relevance and competitiveness in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.The power of strategic partnerships for financial resilienceKing Tsui, CTO of Huawei Digital Finance BU, leverages Cutting-edge technologies comprehensive risk mitigation for financial resilience, running automation and AI to simplify operation, and underscored the importance of partnering with a robust professional services teamKing Tsui, CTO of Huawei Digital Finance BU, underscored the importance of partnering with a robust professional services team. Many banks lack the technical reserves necessary to navigate this complex transformation independently.Huawei’s global network of technical service centres and certified engineers provides the expertise required in IT modernisation, cloud and data centre modernisation, and smart branch modernisation.This partnership approach recognises that the journey to digital transformation is not one that banks need to—or indeed should—undertake alone. By leveraging the expertise of technology partners, banks can accelerate their transformation, reduce risks, and stay focused on their core business of serving customers.Cutting-edge technologies for resilient financeTo achieve the ‘ Zeros’, Huawei has introduced advanced technologies. Their AI Storage solution for Trusted Active-Active Architecture ensures service continuity from applications to databases while safeguarding against cyber threats achieving a reliability of 99.999 percent.This solution ensures data availability and maintains data integrity and performance, crucial factors in the always-on world of digital finance.The Xinghe Intelligent Network provides a comprehensive networking solution integrating branch networks, multi-cloud environments, security, and open automation data centre links.This solution addresses the need for a secure, reliable, high-utilisation network infrastructure supporting rapid service development and improved management efficiency.These technologies form the backbone of a resilient financial infrastructure, enabling banks to deliver consistent, secure, and high-performance services to their customers, regardless of external challenges or internal complexities.The keystone of operational excellenceAutomated operations and maintenance are crucial in addressing the perennial challenge of managing increasingly complex architectures. As new systems and technologies are constantly added to the IT landscape, the risk of building what Huawei terms a “heavy architecture” is becoming increasingly difficult to manage over time.Huawei’s approach leverages automation and AI to simplify processes, provide key insights, and mitigate risks. Tools such as configuration simulation, network-wide visualisation, and big data analysis of services and user behaviour help to identify potential problems and generate proactive warnings.This proactive approach to operations and maintenance represents a paradigm shift from reactive problem-solving to predictive risk management.By automating routine tasks and leveraging AI for complex decision-making, banks can significantly reduce the risk of human error while improving overall operational efficiency.Comprehensive risk mitigation for financial resilienceHuawei’s suite of solutions goes beyond mere equipment upgrades. The ManageOne cloud management platform, iDRP automated disaster recovery management platform, and network digital map are essential tools for reducing risks and enhancing O&amp;M capabilities.These solutions focus on comprehensive risk reduction and operational enhancement, ensuring that financial institutions can build truly resilient systems capable of withstanding the challenges of tomorrow. They provide a holistic view of the entire IT ecosystem, enabling banks to manage their infrastructure more effectively and respond to potential issues before they escalate into service-affecting problems.Continuous optimisation is not merely a buzzword but a full-stack, one-stop service. Huawei’s formidable team, comprising over 10,000 service experts, over 3,000 digital transformation specialists, and over 760,000 certified engineers worldwide, provides unparalleled support.Their services span the entire spectrum from consulting and planning to optimisation, ensuring financial institutions can build and maintain truly resilient systems.This ongoing support recognises that digital transformation is not a one-time project but a continuous journey of improvement and adaptation.Architecting the future of financeThe path to achieving Zero Downtime, Zero Wait, Zero Touch, and Zero Trust is undoubtedly complex, but it is within reach with the right approach and partnerships. As we advance toward an AI-driven financial future, the institutions that embrace these principles will be best positioned to thrive.By leveraging cutting-edge technologies, comprehensive lifecycle management, and robust professional support, banks can construct resilient infrastructures that withstand today’s challenges and are primed for tomorrow’s opportunities. In this new era of finance, resilience is not just about survival; it’s about reimagining the essence of financial services for a digital age.The financial institutions that successfully navigate this transformation will not just be banks; they will be technology companies delivering financial services. They will be characterised by their ability to innovate rapidly, adapt to changing customer needs, and maintain unwavering reliability in the face of technological and market disruptions.As we stand on the brink of this new financial era, the message is clear: the future belongs to those who can build robust and resilient systems.In the age of cloud and AI, financial resilience is the new competitive advantage, and those who master it will lead the industry into its next golden age.Partner with Huawei to construct resilient infrastructures that withstand today’s challenges and seize tomorrow’s opportunities.Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/strengthening-financial-resilience-huaweis-role-in-the-future-of-finance</link><guid>3705</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Jason-Cao-1.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Strengthening Financial Resilience: Huawei’s Role in the Future of Finance</dc:text></item><item><title>AI Becomes Crucial for Detecting Financial Statement Fraud in the Digital Age</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxThe proliferation of technology in modern business has created new avenues for financial statement fraud, but it has also provided sophisticated tools to detect and prevent such fraud.Artificial intelligence (AI) approaches, in particular, have the potential to be more efficient and accurate in identifying fraud, especially new schemes that traditional methods might miss, according to a recent article by Karina Kasztelnik, PhD, and Eva K. Jermakowicz, PhD, CPA, from the Tennessee State University in Nashville.The article, published in June, explores the evolving landscape of financial statement fraud detection, emphasizing the role of AI in enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of identifying fraudulent activities compared to traditional methods.Financial statement fraudFinancial statement fraud involves the intentional creation of false or misleading information in financial statements. It’s typically perpetrated by owners or managers to deceive stakeholders, and aims to present a false picture of a company’s financial health, often to boost stock prices, meet financial targets, or secure favorable terms on financing.Although financial statement fraud is among the least frequent types of fraud, its impact can be severe. Several real-world cases showcase this.Wirecard, a German payment processing company, collapsed in June 2020 after it was revealed that EUR 1.9 billion purportedly held in its accounts was missing, leading to its insolvency and the arrest of several executives on charges of fraud and embezzlement. The company had inflated its revenue and profits to deceive investors and lenders.Wells Fargo employees created millions of unauthorized bank accounts and credit cards between 2002 and 2016 to meet aggressive sales targets, without customers’ knowledge or consent. This led to widespread legal and regulatory repercussions, including a US$3 billion settlement in 2020, significant fines, and a major overhaul of the bank’s management and practices.Finally, Enron, once a high-flying energy company, collapsed in December 2001 after it was revealed that it had engaged in widespread accounting fraud to hide its financial losses and inflate its earnings. The scandal led to the bankruptcy of the company, the conviction of several top executives, and the implementation of new regulations to enhance corporate accountability and financial transparency.The challenge of detecting financial statement fraudDetecting financial statement fraud is a multifaceted challenge due to the sophistication and adaptability of fraud schemes, the complexity and volume of financial data, inherent human limitations, and the evolving nature of fraudulent activities.First, financial statement fraud schemes are becoming more and more sophisticated, making detection difficult. Fraudsters often have an in-depth knowledge of their company’s operations and internal controls, enabling them to design complex schemes that are well-concealed within regular financial reporting processes and hard to detect.Secondly, the volume and complexity of financial data further complicate the detection of fraud. Modern businesses generate vast amounts of financial data, and financial statements often include complex transactions, multiple subsidiaries, and various forms of accounting treatments, making it difficult to identify irregularities without advanced tools. This overwhelms traditional analysis methods.Human limitations also play a significant role in the challenge of detecting fraud. Auditors have limited time and resources to conduct detailed examinations of every transaction and financial statement line item. As a result, they may miss subtle signs of fraud, especially when dealing with large datasets or when the fraud involves collusion among multiple parties.Finally, fraud techniques are continually evolving. As detection methods improve, fraudsters develop new techniques to circumvent these measures, creating a constantly evolving challenge.AI-based approaches to financial statement fraud detectionModern AI-based approaches are emerging as powerful technologies for more accurate and efficient fraud detection amid evolving fraud schemes and increasing amounts and complexity of financial data, the report says.AI encompasses a range of techniques, including machine learning (ML), natural language processing (NLP), robotic process automation (RPA), computer vision, and expert systems. These techniques enable machines to analyze large amounts of data, learn from experience, and make decisions based on changing patterns and rules.Machine learning (ML), a subset of AI, involves developing algorithms to recognize patterns in data and make predictions or decisions based on those patterns; NLP, another subfield of AI, deals with the interaction between computers and human languages, focusing on unstructured data; and data mining involves using statistical and ML techniques to extract meaningful information from large sets of data.RPA involves the use of software robots to automate tasks performed by humans and improve efficiencies, while finally, predictive analytics, a subset of data analytics, entails the use of statistical and ML algorithms to examine historical data and make predictions about future events or behaviors.Advantages of AI techniquesAccording to the report, AI and data mining techniques offer significant advantages over traditional methods.AI approaches use ML algorithms to learn from past examples of fraudulent and non-fraudulent financial data. These algorithms can automatically detect patterns and anomalies in the data without relying on predefined rules, and are more effective at detecting new and previously unknown fraud schemes, adapting to changes in the data and fraud landscape over time.In addition, AI can analyze large volumes of data more quickly and accurately than humans can do manually. This allows AI models to detect fraud earlier and more efficiently, reducing an entity’s financial losses.In comparison, traditional rules-based approaches rely on a set of pre-defined rubrics that are programmed to detect specific patterns or anomalies in financial data. These rules are typically based on expert knowledge and experience, and they require human intervention to update or modify the rules as new fraud schemes emerge.AI vs traditional methodologies of financial statement fraud detection, Source: Karina Kasztelnik, PhD, and Eva K. Jermakowicz, PhD, CPA, from the Tennessee State University, via CPA Journal, Jun 2024Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ai-becomes-crucial-for-detecting-financial-statement-fraud-in-the-digital-age</link><guid>3704</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>AI Becomes Crucial for Detecting Financial Statement Fraud in the Digital Age</dc:text></item><item><title>Eurex Launches Ether Derivatives</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxEurex expands its crypto derivatives portfolio with the launch of FTSE Ethereum Index Futures and Options as of 12 August 2024.Following the launch of FTSE Bitcoin Index Futures and Options in 2023, this is another major milestone in Eurex’s ambition to offer secure access to cryptocurrencies in a regulated market environment.Ethereum is the second largest cryptocurrency with a market capitalization of approximately USD 400 billion. There is significant trading and hedging demand from institutional and professional customers, as reflected in record trading volumes in derivatives and other investment products.The new options and futures are listed in EUR and USD, with the respective FTSE Ethereum Index as the underlying. The contract size is equivalent to 10 Ether (approximately USD 35,000). Both contracts are cash settled and expire on the last Friday of the month. In addition to monthly and quarterly maturities, weekly expiring contracts for options will also be available.The FTSE Ethereum Index was developed by FTSE Russell together with Digital Asset Research (DAR). It captures data from vetted assets and exchanges to meet EU Benchmarks. The final settlement rate of the new Eurex contracts is determined as the volume time-weighted average of the FTSE DAR Digital Asset Price over a 15 minute period prior to the fixing time. Liquidity will be supported by orderbook and over-the-counter liquidity providers.Eurex had already launched futures on the FTSE Bitcoin Index in April 2023. Over 100,000 contracts, equivalent to over USD 3.5 billion notional, have been traded since the launch. Crypto product offering was expanded with options on Bitcoin Index Futures in October 2023, to allow investors to hedge their Bitcoin exposure and express a more sophisticated market view with various trading strategies (e.g., straddles, put/call spreads, etc.).Randolf RothRandolf Roth, Member of the Eurex Executive Board:“We look forward to expanding our offering in crypto derivatives together with FTSE Russell and Digital Asset Research for our clients. As one of the world’s leading CCPs, Eurex offers trading on a regulated exchange and is therefore the right partner to enter the crypto space for institutional clients.”Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/eurex-launches-ether-derivatives</link><guid>3703</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Eurex Launches Ether Derivatives</dc:text></item><item><title>Top Grants and Competitions for Fintech Startups in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxSecuring funding without giving up equity is a strategic approach that allows startups to maintain full control over their company while obtaining necessary financial support. In Switzerland, several methods and programs are available for fintech startups seeking financial support that does not require repayment or equity exchange.One method is competitions and awards. Many organizations host competitions that award cash prizes or resources to winning startups, providing financial support and recognition without equity dilution. These competitions can be either online or in person, and the funds won typically do not require repayment or equity exchange, although there can be exceptions.Another approach is obtaining grants, which are non-repayable funds provided by the government, organizations, or foundations to support specific projects or purposes. Grants are often available for research, development, and innovation in various sectors. The primary benefit of a grant is that it usually does not require repayment, allowing startups to use the money for business growth, including marketing and research and development.Today, we look at some of the most renowned startup competitions and prominent grant programs for Swiss fintech startups to consider. For this list, we used data compiled by Swiss Startup Resources and the Basel Area.Startup competitions:Venture KickVenture Kick is a Swiss initiative that annually supports approximately 100 new, high-potential spin-off projects from Swiss universities. The program provides initial funding starting at CHF 10,000, even before the formal incorporation of the company, with potential funding increasing up to CHF 1,150,000 as the project progresses through three stages. At each stage, participants present their startup projects to a Venture Kick jury, with a 50% chance of advancing to the next stage.The first CHF 10,000 is offered as a non-repayable grant, and entrepreneurs make a moral pledge to return the money in case of success. The second CHF 40,000 and final CHF 100,000 kicks are offered as convertible loans with startup-friendly conditions, which convert at the company’s next significant equity round.Winners of the first stage can also apply for an additional CHF 150,000 through the Innobooster grant. Furthermore, he ultimate winner of the final stage gains access to further funding of up to CHF 850,000 via Kickfund.Beyond financial support, Venture Kick offers comprehensive guidance in business development and fundraising. Participants benefit from structured entrepreneurial paths and “kickers camps” held after each stage, which facilitate networking with successful entrepreneurs, industry experts, and investors.&gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt;The &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; startup competition is a significant initiative supporting early-stage startups in Switzerland, awarding over CHF 500,000 annually and providing access to a valuable network of experts, mentors, and executives from leading Swiss companies.Each year, the competition offers CHF 590,000 in prize money distributed across various categories:First-ranked teams in each of the five business verticals (finance and insurance, health and nutrition, information and communications technology (ICT), industrials and engineering, retail and consumer services) receive CHF 50,000;Second-ranked teams receive CHF 20,000; andThird-ranked teams receive CHF 10,000.For the Social and Environmental Impact vertical, it welcomes impact-driven startups and nonprofit organizations aligned with the United Nations’ sustainable development goals, launched after January 01, 2019.Additionally, a Grand Prize of CHF 100,000 is awarded to the top team selected across all verticals.Beyond financial rewards, the competition also helps startups systematically refine their business plans, develop actionable implementation strategies, and prepare comprehensive documents crucial for engaging with investors and strategic partners.The competition is open to innovative business ideas and newly established companies in Switzerland.Startfeld DiamondStartfeld Diamond, sponsored by St. Galler Kantonalbank in collaboration with Startfeld, is a prestigious award designed to support young companies in Eastern Switzerland with innovative business ideas. The program aims to help startups fully realize their potential by providing financial support and enhancing their visibility within the entrepreneurial ecosystem.The award process consists of two stages. Initially, a preliminary jury selects six finalists from all applications received, with three finalists each from the “Development Phase” and “Idea Phase” categories. In the second stage, the nominated startups receive intensive support to critically evaluate and optimize their business models in collaboration with industry experts. Additionally, they benefit from enhanced communication measures aimed at increasing the visibility of their ideas or products.Two distinct awards are presented:The “Rough Diamond,” valued at CHF 10,000, is awarded to the best idea, particularly focusing on projects from technical colleges and universities; andThe “Diamond,” valued at CHF 30,000, recognizes the startup with the most promising business model, supporting Eastern Swiss startups in maximizing their growth potential.Participation in the Startfeld Diamond competition not only offers financial prizes but also opportunities for startups to refine their strategies, gain exposure, and leverage the expertise of mentors and industry professionals. It serves as a significant platform for emerging entrepreneurs in Eastern Switzerland to showcase their innovation and entrepreneurial spirit.ZKB Pionierpreis TechnoparkThe ZKB Pionierpreis Technopark, jointly awarded by Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB) and Technopark Zurich since 2001, is a prominent accolade within Switzerland’s startup ecosystem. This prestigious award celebrates deep-tech projects on the brink of market introduction, emphasizing the founders’ dedication and risk-taking spirit.Annually, the ZKB Pionierpreis Technopark recognizes outstanding innovation with a grand prize of CHF 100,000 for the winners. Additionally, runners-up receive CHF 10,000 each. Beyond financial rewards, the award serves as a significant catalyst for startups, helping them secure further capital and providing a prestigious platform for public exposure.W.A. de Vigier AwardThe W.A. de Vigier Award is the oldest award for young entrepreneurs in Switzerland and, with annual prize money of up to CHF 500,000 (five times CHF 100,000), is one of the most highly endowed startup prizes in Switzerland. Over the past 35 years, the foundation has distributed over CHF 14 million of seed money. The results are over 100 flourishing startups, successful initial public offerings (IPOs), multiple company exits and above all, many newly created jobs.Projects competing for the W.A. de Vigier Award are evaluated based on several criteria:The entrepreneurial qualities and leadership skills of the founders;The degree of innovation demonstrated by the project;The potential societal impact and benefits;The technical and financial feasibility of the project;The market prospects and growth potential; andThe capacity to generate new employment opportunities.Beyond financial support, winning the W.A. de Vigier Award provides startups with valuable recognition and credibility within the entrepreneurial community, serving as an endorsement that can help attract additional funding and support.Grants:InnosuisseInnosuisse offers project funding tailored to startups aiming to enter the market with highly innovative projects. This support is specifically designed for science-based initiatives that have substantial potential for innovation.The funding is targeted at startups based in Switzerland, registered in the Swiss commercial registry, and established within the last five years (with exceptions for cases justified up to ten years). Startups must employ fewer than 50 full-time equivalents (FTEs) at the time of application, or less than 250 FTEs if controlled by another company whose financials consolidate with the startup.The initiative focuses on startups that have not yet commercialized products or services (excluding research and development services) and have a scalable business model poised for more than linear growth. Non-commercial associations, foundations, and units of public administration are ineligible.Innosuisse supports innovation projects that are based on applied research and are aimed at accelerating market entry. These projects should demonstrate significant potential for innovation and readiness for market launch upon project completion. Startups receive funding directly from Innosuisse; research partners are not eligible for direct funding. Innosuisse covers up to 70% of the direct project costs, with the startup required to contribute at least 30% of the costs themselves.Innosuisse, formerly known as the Swiss Innovation Agency (formerly CTI), is an organization in Switzerland dedicated to promoting science-based innovation in the country. It focuses on fostering collaboration between research institutions, businesses, and entrepreneurs to encourage innovation and the commercialization of new technologies.BRIDGEBRIDGE, a joint program of the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and Innosuisse, offers funding at the interface of basic research and science-based innovation. The program consists of two funding schemes.The Proof of Concept grant supports young researchers who have recently completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree within the last four years, are about to complete their PhD within the next six months, or have obtained a PhD within the last four years. Applicants must be supported by a Swiss research institution and apply individually.This grant funds projects for 12 months, covering salaries and project expenses up to CHF 130,000 per year. It also supports participation in Innosuisse’s Start-up Training and the Assisted Patent Search scheme by the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI). Additionally, applicants are encouraged to apply for Innosuisse’s Initial Start-up Coaching.The Discovery grant is aimed at experienced researchers working at Swiss universities, federal institutes of technology, universities of applied sciences and arts, or other research institutions defined by the Federal Act on the Promotion of Research and Innovation (RIPA). Applicants should have the ability to lead and manage research projects and may apply individually or as part of a small consortium (up to three applicants).This grant funds projects for up to four years, with total costs not exceeding CHF 850,000 per applicant. It covers salary costs for project employees and project-related expenses. However, it does not cover applicant salaries unless the applicant is employed by a university of applied sciences and arts or by the Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology (CSEM), in which case they may receive a salary supplement under specific conditions.Grants by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology LausanneThe Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) offers funding to help transform ideas into the companies of tomorrow. It provides two funding schemes to help entrepreneurs seeking to accelerate their ideas out of an EPFL labThe Ignition Grant supports early-stage projects, offering CHF 30,000 in the form of a salary and/or of consumables and/or outsourcing needs. The grant is for a maximum of six months to validate technology and develop a prototype or market fit.Applicants must have a startup vision based on a novel technical solution, demonstrated lab technology or market traction, and a strong connection to a  lab where they will incubate their spinoff. The grant is intended for motivated and engaged entrepreneurs with innovative technology and feasible plans.The Innogrant provides CHF 100,000 for up to one year, allowing entrepreneurs to focus entirely on accelerating their startup project. Applicants need a clear startup vision with a scalable technical solution, demonstrated lab technology, market traction, and a solid one-year plan. They must be connected to an EPFL lab for incubation. The grant seeks committed entrepreneurs with impactful, innovative technology and feasible project plans.Grants by the Federal Institute of Technology ZurichThe Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich offers its students, alumni, and aspiring entrepreneurs throughout their journey, from the initial stages of idea experimentation to the creation of spin-off companies and beyond.The jFund is a practical funding initiative aimed at supporting ETH junior startups in their early stages. Besides financial assistance, it offers startups access to essential resources, expert guidance, and a strong network, laying a solid foundation for growth and success in a competitive market. To qualify for the jFund application, applicants must be either former ETH juniors mainboard members or former employees who have been recognized as outstanding.The funding program consists of three rounds, each offering increased funding opportunities. The Orientation Ticket provides a grant of CHF 10,000 for startups in their early stages of exploration. Applicants must complete a form and meet all outlined requirements. Finally, the Advanced Funding rounds offer grants of CHF 30,000 and CHF 60,000 for startups that have progressed beyond the orientation phase and may already have a prototype or initial market traction.The Pioneer Fellowship Deep-Tech Incubation Program of ETH Zurich supports entrepreneurial ETH students and researchers in transforming their research-based technologies into marketable products and services with the aim of launching successful ETH spin-off companies. Pioneer Fellows receive up to CHF 150,000 for 18 months, or 12 months for a team of two Fellows. They also benefit from coaching, entrepreneurial training, support from their host professor, and access to ETH infrastructure and the entrepreneurial ecosystem.National Research ProgrammesThe National Research Programmes (NRPs) by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) aim to promote research projects that address societal challenges of national significance. These programs are initiated by the Swiss Federal Council and focus on topics of national importance, with a research budget ranging between CHF 10 and 20 million.NRPs are characterized by their interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approach, ensuring that individual research projects are aligned with the program’s overarching goals. NRPs are solution-oriented, closely linked to practical applications, and emphasize the importance of knowledge transfer and communication of results. Researchers involved in NRPs engage in continuous dialogue and collaboration with practitioners and commit to disseminating research findings to both specialists and the broader public.Proposals for NRP topics and priorities can be submitted by federal offices, research institutes, research groups, or individuals to the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). The final selection of NRPs is made by the Federal Council, which then assigns them to the SNSF for execution.Horizon EuropeHorizon Europe is the European Union (EU)’s key funding program for research and innovation with a budget of EUR 95.5 billion. It tackles climate change, helps to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and boosts the EU’s competitiveness and growth. Horizon Europe encourages collaboration and amplifies the impact of research and innovation in shaping, supporting, and executing EU policies while addressing global challenges. It promotes the creation and dissemination of excellent knowledge and technologies.The program aims to create jobs, fully utilize the EU’s talent pool, boost economic growth, enhance industrial competitiveness, and maximize investment impact within a strengthened European Research Area. Legal entities from the EU and associated countries are eligible to participate in Horizon Europe. Additionally, Swiss startups can engage in many collaborative projects within Horizon Europe through Euresearch.Boldbrain Startup ChallengeBoldbrain Startup Challenge is an accelerator addressing early-stage startups and entrepreneurs with innovative ideas who want to start and grow their businesses from the Canton of Ticino. The program offers continuous and personalized support, coaching, workshops, and a final competition with cash prizes totaling CHF 120,000 and over CHF 80,000 in in-kind prizes.Boldbrain Startup Challenge provides coaching to help outline the project, focused workshops, targeted training, and access to a network that supports the development and growth of startups in Ticino. This includes office space, financial aid, and exposure to investors. The Boldbrain Startup Challenge is ideal for those looking to grow their innovative ideas with comprehensive support and resources.Boldbrain welcomes early-stage startups and projects from any sector, provided they are innovative and scalable, with the potential to benefit the Ticino area. Eligible projects must be proposed by teams of at least two people. If the team already has a registered company, it must be less than three years old at the time of application. Teams must be willing to develop their projects in Ticino, have not completed another acceleration program, and participate with at least one team member in all mandatory events and meetings.FONGIT Innovation FundThe FONGIT Innovation Fund (FIF) offers financial support to startups in Switzerland, aiming to accelerate innovation processes within universities, Hautes Ecoles, and other Geneva-based research institutions, as well as within startups, scale-ups, and SMEs experiencing rapid growth in a technological environment. The FIF targets technological innovations that positively impact people and the planet.FIF provides different levels of financial assistance based on the stage of the project. Early-stage projects transitioning from research institutions to new companies can receive a FIF Grant of CHF 50,000. Seed-stage companies needing additional financial support to reach the market can receive a FIF Seed Loan of CHF 100,000. Finally, expanding companies requiring significant investment to sustain rapid growth can receive a FIF Growth Loan of CHF 400,000.Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-grants-and-competitions-for-fintech-startups-in-switzerland</link><guid>3702</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Top Grants and Competitions for Fintech Startups in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Auch Yuh bringt kostenlosen ETF Sparplan</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxYuh lanciert 6 ETF-Sparpläne ohne Trading-Gebühren und bietet somit nun ein ähnliches Angebot an wie Neon.Die Auswahl an ETFs für die kostenlosen Sparvarianten ist bei beiden Banken jedoch nach wie vor sehr beschränkt, trotzdem grenzen sich die beiden Neobanken damit klar von der teueren Konkurrenz ab.Sie erlauben das automatisch wiederkehrende Investieren in ETFs ohne Trading- oder Depotgebühren.Lediglich die staatliche Stempelgebühr fällt zusätzlich zu den TER-Kosten der ETFs an.Die gebührenfreien ETF-Sparpläne sind bei Yuh für folgende sechs Fonds verfügbar: iShares SMI ETF (CH)iShares MSCI World CHF Hedged UCITS ETF (Acc)Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITSVanguard FTSE All-World High Dividend Yield UCITSInvesco EQQQ Nasdaq-100 UCITS ETF CHF Hdg AccInvesco CoinShares Global Blockchain UCITS ETF AccMarkus SchwabMarkus Schwab, CEO von Yuh, sagt:«Mit unseren neuen ETF-Sparplänen, die in dieser Form in der Schweiz neu sind, bieten wir eine Anlagemöglichkeit, die Ertragschancen und Sicherheit besonders gut miteinander kombiniert. Durch den Verzicht auf Ordergebühren und den Mindestanlagebetrag von nur CHF 25 wird Investieren noch einfacher und effektiver. Wir sind einen Schritt weiter in unserem Bestreben, Finanzdienstleistungen für alle zugänglich zu machen und sie zu demokratisieren.»]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/auch-yuh-bringt-kostenlosen-etf-sparplan</link><guid>3701</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Auch Yuh bringt kostenlosen ETF Sparplan</dc:text></item><item><title>Nuvei Launches Digital Asset Off-Ramping via Mastercard Cards Across Europe</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxNuvei announced a partnership with Mastercard to launch a new off-ramping solution that enables consumers in Europe to seamlessly convert their Digital Assets, including cryptocurrencies, into traditional fiat currency via debit, credit and prepaid cards.This new functionality provides a bridge between digital and traditional finance that can be spent via Mastercard’s global network. This off-ramping solution is integrated directly into Nuvei‘s modular payment platform, delivering a simple, secure user experience.The off-ramping process is designed to be rapid and user-friendly. Consumers can seamlessly convert a wide range of supported Digital Assets into fiat currency. They can then transfer the funds to their eligible Mastercard in near real-time, leveraging Mastercard Move’s money movement capabilities. No longer requiring third-party exchanges or money service businesses, this integrated solution simplifies transforming digital value into global spending circulation.Philip Fayer“We’re excited to collaborate with Mastercard to accommodate access liquidity and payments for Digital Asset holders,”commented Philip Fayer, Chair and CEO of Nuvei.“Our mission is to enable businesses and their customers to connect through payments, wherever consumers are and however they want to pay. Offering crypto off-ramps through our single integration aligns perfectly with this mission to facilitate frictionless transactions across the digital economy.”Christian Rau“Enabling choice how consumers can engage in Digital Assets in a safe, simple and secure manner in line with all relevant regulation is at the heart of our strategy in this space”added Christian Rau, Senior Vice President, Fintech and Crypto Enablement, Mastercard Europe.“Combining our global network of partners and digital solutions with Nuvei’s advanced integration opens new opportunities and choice for businesses engaging in digital assets and consumers alike.”Nuvei’s off-ramp solution with Mastercard is the latest example of its strategy to connect the worlds of traditional payments, open banking and blockchain technology into one seamless experience.Featured image credit: Philip Fayer, Chair and CEO of Nuvei and Christian Rau, Senior Vice President, Fintech and Crypto Enablement, Mastercard Europe. Edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/nuvei-launches-digital-asset-off-ramping-via-mastercard-cards-across-europe</link><guid>3700</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Nuvei Launches Digital Asset Off-Ramping via Mastercard Cards Across Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>Apple Pay Needs to Open in EU</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxThe European Commission has made commitments offered by Apple legally binding under EU antitrust rules.The commitments address the Commission’s competition concerns relating to Apple’s refusal to grant rivals access to a standard technology used for contactless payments with iPhones in stores (‘Near-Field-Communication (NFC)’ or ‘tap and go’).The Commission’s competition concernsApple Pay is Apple’s own mobile wallet used to allow iPhone users to pay with their devices in stores and online. Apple’s iPhones run exclusively on Apple’s operating system ‘iOS’. Apple controls every aspect of its ecosystem, including access conditions for mobile wallet developers.The Commission preliminarily found that Apple has significant market power in the market for smart mobile devices and a dominant position on the in-store mobile wallet market on iOS. Apple Pay is the only mobile wallet that may access the NFC hardware and software (‘NFC input’) on iOS to make payments in stores, as Apple does not make it available to third-party mobile wallet developers.In its investigation, the Commission preliminarily concluded that Apple abused its dominant position by refusing to supply the NFC input on iOS to competing mobile wallet developers, while reserving such access only to Apple Pay.The Commission’s preliminary view is that Apple’s refusal excluded Apple Pay’s rivals from the market and led to less innovation and choice for iPhone mobile wallets users.Such behaviour may breach Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (‘TFEU’), which prohibits the abuse of a dominant position.The commitmentsTo address the Commission’s competition concerns, Apple initially offered the following commitments:To allow third-party wallet providers access to the NFC input on iOS devices free of charge, without having to use Apple Pay or Apple Wallet. Apple will enable access to NFC in Host Card Emulation mode (‘HCE’). HCE allows to securely store payment credentials and complete transactions using NFC, without relying on an in-device secure element.To apply a fair, objective, transparent and non-discriminatory procedure and eligibility criteria to grant NFC access to third-party mobile wallet app developers.To enable users to easily set an HCE payment app as their default app for payments in stores and to use relevant functionalities such as Field Detect (which opens the user’s default payment app when a locked iPhone is presented to an NFC reader), Double-click (which launches the default payment app when double clicking the phone’s side or home button), and authentication tools such as Touch ID, Face ID, and device passcode.To establish a monitoring mechanism and separate dispute settlement system to allow for independent review of Apple’s decisions restricting access.To apply the abovementioned commitments to all third-party mobile app developers established in the European Economic Area (‘EEA’) and to all iOS users with an Apple ID registered in the EEA, also while traveling temporarily outside the EEA.Between 19 January 2024 and 19 February 2024, the Commission market tested Apple’s commitments and consulted all interested third parties to verify whether they would remove its competition concerns. In light of the outcome of this market test, Apple amended the initial proposal and committed:To extend the possibility to initiate payments with HCE payment apps at other industry-certified terminals, such as merchant phones or devices used as terminal (so called SoftPOS), if this is enabled.To explicitly acknowledge that HCE developers are not prevented from combining the HCE payment function with other NFC functionalities or use cases.To remove the requirement for developers to have a licence as a Payment Service Provider (‘PSP’) or a binding agreement with a PSP to access the NFC input.To allow NFC access for developers to pre-build payment apps for third party mobile wallet providers.To update the HCE architecture to comply with evolving industry standards used by Apple Pay, and to continue to update standards even if they are no longer implemented by Apple Pay, under certain conditions.To enable developers to prompt users to easily set up their default payment app and redirect users to the default NFC settings page, enabling defaulting with only a few clicks.To comply with the same industry standard-specifications as developers of HCE payment apps and to protect confidential information obtained in the context of an audit.To shorten deadlines for resolving disputes. Moreover, Apple offered additional independence and procedural guarantees for the monitoring trustee.The European Commission has made commitments offered by Apple legally binding under EU antitrust rules. The commitments address the Commission’s competition concerns relating to Apple’s refusal to grant rivals access to a standard technology used for contactless payments with iPhones in stores (‘Near-Field-Communication (NFC)’ or ‘tap and go’).The Commission’s competition concernsApple Pay is Apple’s own mobile wallet used to allow iPhone users to pay with their devices in stores and online. Apple’s iPhones run exclusively on Apple’s operating system ‘iOS’. Apple controls every aspect of its ecosystem, including access conditions for mobile wallet developers.The Commission preliminarily found that Apple has significant market power in the market for smart mobile devices and a dominant position on the in-store mobile wallet market on iOS. Apple Pay is the only mobile wallet that may access the NFC hardware and software (‘NFC input’) on iOS to make payments in stores, as Apple does not make it available to third-party mobile wallet developers.In its investigation, the Commission preliminarily concluded that Apple abused its dominant position by refusing to supply the NFC input on iOS to competing mobile wallet developers, while reserving such access only to Apple Pay.The Commission’s preliminary view is that Apple’s refusal excluded Apple Pay’s rivals from the market and led to less innovation and choice for iPhone mobile wallets users.Such behaviour may breach Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (‘TFEU’), which prohibits the abuse of a dominant position.The commitmentsTo address the Commission’s competition concerns, Apple initially offered the following commitments:To allow third-party wallet providers access to the NFC input on iOS devices free of charge, without having to use Apple Pay or Apple Wallet. Apple will enable access to NFC in Host Card Emulation mode (‘HCE’). HCE allows to securely store payment credentials and complete transactions using NFC, without relying on an in-device secure element.To apply a fair, objective, transparent and non-discriminatory procedure and eligibility criteria to grant NFC access to third-party mobile wallet app developers.To enable users to easily set an HCE payment app as their default app for payments in stores and to use relevant functionalities such as Field Detect (which opens the user’s default payment app when a locked iPhone is presented to an NFC reader), Double-click (which launches the default payment app when double clicking the phone’s side or home button), and authentication tools such as Touch ID, Face ID, and device passcode.To establish a monitoring mechanism and separate dispute settlement system to allow for independent review of Apple’s decisions restricting access.To apply the abovementioned commitments to all third-party mobile app developers established in the European Economic Area (‘EEA’) and to all iOS users with an Apple ID registered in the EEA, also while traveling temporarily outside the EEA.Between 19 January 2024 and 19 February 2024, the Commission market tested Apple’s commitments and consulted all interested third parties to verify whether they would remove its competition concerns. In light of the outcome of this market test, Apple amended the initial proposal and committed:To extend the possibility to initiate payments with HCE payment apps at other industry-certified terminals, such as merchant phones or devices used as terminal (so called SoftPOS), if this is enabled.To explicitly acknowledge that HCE developers are not prevented from combining the HCE payment function with other NFC functionalities or use cases.To remove the requirement for developers to have a licence as a Payment Service Provider (‘PSP’) or a binding agreement with a PSP to access the NFC input.To allow NFC access for developers to pre-build payment apps for third party mobile wallet providers.To update the HCE architecture to comply with evolving industry standards used by Apple Pay, and to continue to update standards even if they are no longer implemented by Apple Pay, under certain conditions.To enable developers to prompt users to easily set up their default payment app and redirect users to the default NFC settings page, enabling defaulting with only a few clicks.To comply with the same industry standard-specifications as developers of HCE payment apps and to protect confidential information obtained in the context of an audit.To shorten deadlines for resolving disputes. Moreover, Apple offered additional independence and procedural guarantees for the monitoring trustee.The Commission concluded that Apple’s final commitments would address its competition concerns over Apple’s restriction of third-party mobile wallet developers’ access to NFC payments in stores for EEA iOS users. It therefore decided to make them legally binding on Apple.The commitments will remain in force for ten years and apply throughout the EEA. Their implementation will be monitored by a monitoring trustee appointed by Apple who will report to the Commission for the same time period.Apple’s commitments are without prejudice to Apple’s current or future obligations under other regulations, in particular relating to other use cases and functionalities within the scope of the Digital Markets Act (Regulation 2022/1925) and the implementation of the Digital Euro.BackgroundArticle 102 of the TFEU prohibits the abuse of a dominant position that may affect trade within the EU and prevent or restrict competition. The implementation of this provision is defined in Regulation No 1/2003, which can also be applied by the national competition authorities.Following the opening of a formal antitrust investigation into Apple’s behaviour in June 2020, the Commission sent Apple a Statement of Objections in May 2022. In January 2024, the Commission market tested Apple’s first set of commitments. In parallel to today’s Article 9 commitments decision, the Commission also adopted today a second decision closing its investigation into online restrictions and alleged refusals of access to Apple Pay for specific products of rivals that the Commission also opened in June 2020. This second decision also closes all proceedings in relation to the UK, which no longer forms part of the EEA.Article 9 (1) of Regulation 1/2003 enables companies investigated by the Commission to offer commitments in order to meet the Commission’s concerns and empowers the Commission to adopt a decision to make such commitments binding on the companies. Article 27(4) of Regulation 1/2003 requires that before adopting such decision the Commission shall provide interested third parties with an opportunity to comment on the offered commitments.If the market test indicates that the commitments are a satisfactory way of addressing the Commission’s competition concerns, the Commission may adopt a decision making the commitments legally binding on the company concerned. Such a decision would not conclude that there is an infringement of EU antitrust rules but would legally bind the company to comply with the commitments it has offered.If the company concerned does not honour such commitments, the Commission may impose a fine of up to 10% of its total annual turnover, without having to find an infringement of EU antitrust rules, or a periodic penalty payment of 5% per day of its daily turnover for every day of non-compliance.More information, including the full text of today’s Article 9 commitments decision and the full version of the commitments will be available on the Commission’s competition website in the public case register under the case number AT.40452.Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/apple-pay-needs-to-open-in-eu</link><guid>3697</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Apple Pay Needs to Open in EU</dc:text></item><item><title>Finastra Finalizes SIC Instant Payments Readiness Project</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxFinastra announced the completion of a Swiss Interbank Clearing (SIC) instant payments readiness project.Using Finastra’s cloud-based Service Bureau offering, Swiss banks can seamlessly transition to facilitating instant interbank payments.It is expected that the 50 largest banks must be able to facilitate instant interbank payments in Switzerland and Liechtenstein by August this year. All active participants in the Swiss customer payment transactions system via SIC are expected to be capable of processing incoming customer payments instantaneously by the end of 2026.Finastra’s 24/7 instant payment service, already being used by several banks, includes real-time sanctions screening, with transactions processed in seconds. Finastra will continually evolve the service, allowing banks to respond quickly to changing customer, industry and regulatory demands.Andreas Helbling“Finastra is helping banks implement instant payments in the most seamless and cost-effective way using the latest technologies to deliver robust sanctions screening and fraud prevention,”said Andreas Helbling, Country Head Switzerland, Financial Messaging Marketplaces at Finastra.“Facilitating connectivity to SIC Instant Payments, and any critical payments infrastructure of this kind, reflects our commitment to supporting banks on their broader payment modernization journey – helping them to work in a more agile way and deliver value-added services to customers.”SIC5 is developed by the Swiss National Bank (SNB) and SIX. It is based on the ISO 20022 messaging standard which Switzerland has been using for several years. The standard helps facilitate interoperability and cross-border transactions, also giving Swiss banks the opportunity to implement international payment capabilities in the future.Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finastra-finalizes-sic-instant-payments-readiness-project</link><guid>3698</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Finastra Finalizes SIC Instant Payments Readiness Project</dc:text></item><item><title>Clanq Family Saving App Launches in Switzerland with Corner Bank</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxAfter being on the market in Germany for over two years, the Clanq app officially launches in Switzerland. With Cornèr Bank as a strong partner, Clanq offers family accounts and payment cards.Additionally, Clanq supports families with expertise in financial planning and sustainable saving.Focus on parents‘ needs Saving money for the future can be quite challenging for some parents. With Clanq, Cornèr Bank aims to address the needs of families in Switzerland in its role as a banking partner, introducing a product that hasn’t existed before. Combining cashback, saving goals, and support from the entire family clan, saving becomes much easier.More savings with cashback and saving rules«Clanq» is reminiscent of the sound a coin makes when dropped into a piggy bank – and this happens quite often in the app. Every time a family member pays with the Clanq payment card, the child automatically receives cashback. Together with individual saving rules, the financial cushion grows steadily, bit by bit, without parents having to think about it amid their often busy family lives.Family Banking for the whole «Clan»Clanq is a play in the words «Clan» and «Bank». In the Clanq app, each child has their own digital piggy bank. Family members can easily and securely link accounts within the family clan to save together. Family members are invited directly through the app. With the ordered credit card, they can help save for the children with every purchase thanks to cashback, without opening a new account.Clanq supports parents with a modern app, ensuring sustainable financial planning for their children’s future. The fintech is working on expanding the app with the functionalities «Kids and Teenage Banking» – targeting the age group of children and teenagers from 7 to 18. This allows family members to manage their own money.Clanq powered by Cornèr already offers this today:Financial app with direct payment card orderingVarious account types and payment cards for parents and supporting family members, as well as digital piggy banks for childrenCashback on every purchase, additional offers with our cashback partners up to 20 %, and up to 25 % in the cashback online shopAutomatic saving rules to achieve individual goalsChristina HammerChristina Hammer, Clanq Co-Founder:«The financial world is changing rapidly, and for young parents, it is particularly challenging to keep track amidst other demands. Financial education is a crucial building block for a secure and independent future, especially today. The most important aspect is the role model function of the parents, which is why we want to encourage mothers to engage with this topic. »Alessandro SeralvoAlessandro Seralvo, Executive Vice President Cornèr Bank:«As a family business in its third generation, family values have always played a central role in all our activities. We are very pleased to have found an ideal partner in Clanq, who shares our values. Together with Clanq, we provide families with an ideal digital tool that allows relatives and friends to lay a financial foundation for the next generation We are particularly proud to launch this innovative fintech product in our home market Switzerland. »Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/clanq-family-saving-app-launches-in-switzerland-with-corner-bank</link><guid>3699</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Clanq Family Saving App Launches in Switzerland with Corner Bank</dc:text></item><item><title>TX Ventures With First Irish Fintech Investment</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxTX Ventures led the USD 5.5m Series A round of Ireland-based Trustap. The investment will fuel the company to continue its global expansion, enabling online marketplace participants to transact in full trust.Trustap provides marketplaces an embedded end-to-end transaction capability by managing payments, logistics and customer support on their behalf. One of the key features is escrow-style payment, which helps buyers and sellers transact in full trust on the platforms.‍The Ireland-based company announced that it has added $5.5 million in funding led by TX Ventures.Coinvestors in the round include new investors SeedX, Partners Resolute, Aperture and existing shareholders MiddleGame Ventures, ACT VC, Atlantic Bridge &amp; FurthrVC.Conor LydenTrustap CEO Conor Lyden explained how this fundraise will help the company moving forward.“We are delighted to have closed this round and it’s great to have added new investors to our cap table who bring with them a wealth of experience in our core markets. Our plan is to invest in our go-to-market to ensure we make the most of some of the recent partnerships we have established. We will also look at adding further features to cater for the wide range of use cases we deal with across both C2C and B2B marketplaces.”‍Krzysztof Bialkowski‍Krzysztof Bialkowski, Managing Partner of TX Ventures comments on the investment:“Our view is that within the near-mid term, marketplaces will have to offer trusted payment solutions otherwise they will miss out on new business. Trustap, by providing escrow-like payment options and by lifting the operational burden off the shoulders of marketplaces, offer just that. The product is immensely scalable which is proven by the global presence of clients and the numerous categories Trustap facilitates among buyers and sellers. The easy-to-implement solution, the underlying trends in the marketplace industry and the execution-driven team will play a pivotal role for Trustap to become the leading infrastructure provider for trusted payments around the globe. It is a special addition to our fintech portfolio.”Featured image credit: Trustap CEO Conor Lyden]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/tx-ventures-with-first-irish-fintech-investment</link><guid>3696</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>TX Ventures With First Irish Fintech Investment</dc:text></item><item><title>Switzerland Ranks 2nd in 2024 European Fintech Index</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxSwitzerland has been named the second most attractive location in Europe for fintech stakeholders, surpassing the Netherlands, Estonia, and the UK. The country is recognized for its conducive business environment and the attractiveness of the local market for fintech players, according to the 2024 European Fintech Index.The index, released on June 27 by Lithuanian fintech company ConnectPay, provides an overview of the fintech landscape across Europe. It evaluates key markets in the region and their potential for fintech businesses, government institutions, investors, and other stakeholders, assessing market potential through three dimensions:“Fintech attractiveness”: This includes metrics such as the presence of fintech-related regulation, funding per capita, workforce share, and the number of fintech licenses. These factors determine whether a country can be deemed a favorable market for establishing a fintech business;“Business attractiveness”: This spans several parameters such as startup friendliness, ease of doing business, and taxation competitiveness to define the overall context for conducting business; and“Market attractiveness”: This covers aspects that make a market favorable for fintech to conduct commercial operations and successfully scale. Metrics include population engagement with digital and financial services, economic health, and relevant regulations.Across the 32 European countries studied, Switzerland ranks second, recognized for its favorable business landscape (ranked 3rd) and market potential (ranked 3rd). The country also boasts one of the region’s largest numbers of startup unicorns.Comparison of unicorn hubs, total numbers versus per capital leaders, Source: 2024 European Fintech Index, ConnectPay, Jun 2024Switzerland has made some efforts to create a conducive business environment for fintech companies. In 2023, it launched the Swiss Financial Innovation Desk (FIND), an independent unit within the State Secretariat for International Finance (SIF), aimed at fostering financial innovation by supporting collaboration between the public and private sectors.The government has also introduced regulatory changes to provide greater legal clarity and encourage innovation. These include the Fintech license introduced in 2019, the regulatory sandbox introduced in 2017, and the pioneering “DLT Act”, a legislation covering blockchain technology, digital assets and tokenization that came into force in 2021.Challenges in fintech attractivenessDespite its high rankings in business and market dimensions, Switzerland ranks 8th in Europe for “fintech attractiveness,” behind jurisdictions like Estonia and Luxembourg.Overview of the top 5 countries in the 2024 European Fintech Index, Source: 2024 European Fintech Index, ConnectPay, Jun 2024Previous research has delved into the difficulties fintech companies face in the Swiss market. The 2024 IFZ Fintech Study by the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts’ Institute of Financial Services Zug (IFZ) highlights that Switzerland is lagging behind fintech hubs such as Singapore and Sweden. These countries have been more proactive in enhancing their support for fintech companies, overshadowing Swiss efforts.Additionally, a 2024 study by UBS, Credit Suisse, and the Swiss ICT Investor Club (SICTIC) indicates that Swiss startups face significant funding challenges and limited international recognition. Moreover, with a population of just nine million, the local market is too small for startups to thrive, compelling young Swiss tech ventures to seek international expansion early in their development.Access to well-educated workers is another key challenge faced by Swiss startups, with 46% of the founders polled by Credit Suisse finding it hard to fill vacancies with suitable candidates. Labor market challenges are more pronounced for startups in the growth and expansion phase, with 55% of struggling to recruit qualified employees, compared to 39% for startups in the pre-seed and seed stages.Sweden recognized as the most attractive country in Europe for fintech stakeholdersThe 2024 European Fintech Index ranks Sweden as the most attractive country in Europe for fintech stakeholders. The country, which ranks within the top five across all three dimensions, is recognized for its high number of information and communications technology (ICT) and fintech professionals, and its fintech-friendly labor market structure.Baltic state Estonia tops the ranking in the business (ranked 2nd) and fintech (1st) dimensions, thanks to its strong unicorn presence per million capita, high number of fintech deals per million capita, and favorable regulatory frameworks.Finally, Denmark ranks 1st in market attractiveness, supported by its strong gross domestic product (GDP) per capital and private consumption growth indicators. The Scandinavian country takes the 3rd place in the overall ranking.Top 10 countries in the 2024 European Fintech Index, Source: 2024 European Fintech Index, ConnectPay, Jun 2024Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/switzerland-ranks-2nd-in-2024-european-fintech-index</link><guid>3695</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Switzerland Ranks 2nd in 2024 European Fintech Index</dc:text></item><item><title>TX Ventures co-leads EUR 2.4m funding round into Trever</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxTrever, an institutional operating system provider for digital assets, continues fuelling its growth in the European market with a €2.4 million seed investment.The software provides a compatible infrastructure and enables trading, transfer, and bookkeeping of digital assets.Trever provides financial institutions (banks, brokers, and funds) with a state-of-the-art infrastructure to offer and manage digital assets seamlessly. Clients from the DACH region such as V-Bank, Bankhaus Scheich, or Futurum Bank have been relying on the proven system for many years. The time has come to equip banks across Europe with an efficient go-to-market product.The software provides a compatible single-connection infrastructure and enables trading, transfer, and bookkeeping of digital assets. The modular approach allows financial institutions to start trading with a quick-to-deploy solution and expand it as their business model evolves. This ensures maximum simplicity and flexibility across the entire business process.Hans-Jurgen Griesbacher“Our system, developed by industry experts, is ready to equip banks across Europe and beyond. In addition, with prestigious investors on board, we will be able to enter new European markets much more quickly”,comments Hans-Jürgen Griesbacher, CEO of Trever. The funding round was co-led by TX Ventures (CH) and Market One Capital (LUX). Blockchain Founders Capital (DE) and Dr. Alex von Frankenberg joined the round as co-investors.Krzysztof BialkowskiKrzysztof Bialkowski, Managing Partner at TX Ventures, emphasizes his conviction about the investment:“Institutional traders need a reliable and efficient go-to-market product, and Trever is bringing the solution on a silver platter for them. Further, we see that regulation in Europe is paving the way both on the supply and demand side which drives adoption to a great extent. In sum, the underlying market trends, the banking-grade solution, and Trever’s execution-oriented team are the perfect ingredients to capture this early market.”Featured image credit: Hans-Jürgen Griesbacher, CEO of Trever and Krzysztof Bialkowski, Managing Partner at TX Ventures. Edited from Freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/tx-ventures-co-leads-eur-24m-funding-round-into-trever</link><guid>3694</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>TX Ventures co-leads EUR 2.4m funding round into Trever</dc:text></item><item><title>Global Fintech Revenue Set to Reach US$1.5T by 2030</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxRecent advancements in technologies like generative artificial intelligence (AI), coupled with the large number of people worldwide who remain unbanked or underbanked, present significant opportunities for the global fintech sector.By 2030, the sector is expected to reach a market size of US$1.5 trillion in revenue, a value that’s equivalent to five times the market’s current size, a new report by the Boston Consulting Group and QED Investors says.The report, titled “Global Fintech 2024: Prudence, Profits, and Growth”, provides an overview of the sector’s evolution, drawing insights from industry leaders and investors. It discusses future developments in fintech, mentioning the potential of technologies like genAI, and outlines trends shaping the sector, including embedded finance, open banking and connected commerce.Embedded finance to become pervasive by 2030The first major theme highlighted in the report is the rise of embedded finance where financial services are integrated into non-financial interactions to eliminate friction and enable highly tailored customer experiences.Initially, embedded finance use cases mainly focused on payments, lending, and insurance across both business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) contexts, but key players including Stripe and Adyen are expanding these use cases into areas such as pay by bank, cryptocurrency payments and digital assets. These two leading embedded finance firms crossed the trillion-dollar mark in overall payments volume in 2023, showcasing substantial growth in embedded payments.Embedded lending has also seen robust growth, with buy now, pay later (BNPL) leaders Klarna and Affirm processing significant transaction volumes of US$90 billion and US$20 billion, respectively. Similarly, embedded insurance has shown rapid expansion, with premiums reaching roughly US$8 billion in Europe last year.Looking ahead, the global embedded finance market is anticipated to exceed US$320 billion in revenue by 2030, with the small and medium-size business (SMB) segment accounting for about half (US$150 billion) of that sum. This growth will be driven by increased adoption of vertical and horizontal software solutions that address SMB’s needs in payments and lending.The consumer segment is also expected to contribute substantially to the rise of embedded finance, projected to reach US$120 billion in revenue by 2030 as adoption of BNPL, point-of-sale (POS) lending and embedded insurance increases.Finally, the enterprise vertical is anticipated to account for US$50 billion of embedded finance revenue. This growth will be driven by the integration of payment, lending, and trade functionalities into horizontal software solutions, aimed at addressing pain points in accounts payable and receivable.The Embedded Finance Market Will Be Worth More Than US$320 Billion in Revenues by 2030, Source: Global Fintech 2024: Prudence, Profits, and Growth, Boston Consulting Group and QED Investors, Jun 2024Connected commerce poised to take offConnected commerce, which refers to the integration of online and offline shopping experiences into a seamless, unified customer journey, represents a significant opportunity for traditional banks to capitalize on their customer data. The approach enables new revenue streams and enhanced customer loyalty through personalized marketing. Furthermore, it allows incumbents to serve as a platform for SMBs and enterprises.Major banks and some fintech companies are already investing in connected commerce. Examples include initiatives like JPMorgan’s Chase Media Solutions, Capital One Shopping, and Citi Shop. Some fintech companies, including Klarna, are also entering the connected commerce space, while others like Revolut and PayPal are launching advertising businesses.The adoption of connected commerce is expected to increase, emerging as a key application for banking incumbents. As core revenue streams continue to come under pressure, and as deposits risk becoming commoditized in a higher-yield environment, connected commerce offers a promising future model for traditional financial institutions.Open banking to continue to expandOpen banking will continue to expand as more countries implement customer-permissioned access to their financial data, enabled by application programming interfaces (APIs). So far, over 65 countries have instituted open banking, and more are expected to follow suit.However, the report notes that while open banking will drive innovation and increase financial access, it is unlikely to change the basis of competition in banking. In fact, in countries where open banking has had a decade or more to mature, no killer use case has emerged, and impact has been modest.In the UK, open banking has been live for six years, and yet, consumer adoption has plateaued at 12% monthly active users. In the Nordics, a region that’s traditionally in the vanguard of digital adoption, open banking user penetration is well below 50%, standing at roughly 30% in Sweden and 25% in Norway.Moving forward, open banking will remain relevant but won’t revolutionize consumer and SMB financial services and fintech, the report says.GenAI emerges as game-changerFinally, genAI is already proving its worth in the realm of financial services, delivering tangible productivity gains in customer service and support; software coding, testing, and documentation; in the regulatory arena; as well as for targeted, automated digital marketing.Looking ahead, genAI applications and impact will only grow. Across cost of goods sold (COGS), genAI will increase productivity for developer and service operations. In sales and marketing, the technology will increase speed to output for content creation and improve salesforce effectiveness. And in general administrative expenses, it will optimize third-party spending, simplify the tech stack, and automate support functions.GenAI is expected to have a much greater impact on fintech companies than on traditional banks in the near future. This is because fintech companies have “digital first” cost structures which are heavily weighted toward areas where genAI is delivering huge gains, such as coding, customer support, and digital marketing.GenAI Will Be a Game-Changer for Enhanced Productivity, Source: Global Fintech 2024: Prudence, Profits, and Growth, Boston Consulting Group and QED Investors, Jun 2024Fintech revenues grow despite falling fundingGlobal fintech funding dropped significantly in 2023, plunging 71% from an all-time high of US$144 billion in 2021 to US$42 billion. Despite funding challenges, global fintech revenues continued to grow at a robust rate, increasing by 14% annually over the past two years to reach US$320 billion in 2023, according to the report.Global fintech funding and revenues, Source: Global Fintech 2024: Prudence, Profits, and Growth, Boston Consulting Group and QED Investors, Jun 2024In particular, challenger banks were star performers in 2023. Brazil’s Nubank, for example, crossed the 100-million-user milestone in May 2024 and achieved record 2023 financial results with over US$1 billion in net profit and over US$8 billion in revenues. In Europe, Monzo reached operational profitability in the first half of 2023 and received GBP 340 million (US$430 million) in additional funding to fuel its global growth plans. In the US, Chime achieved profitability in Q1 2024 and is now preparing for a possible initial public offering in 2025, Bloomberg reported in March.Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/global-fintech-revenue-set-to-reach-us15t-by-2030</link><guid>3693</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Global Fintech Revenue Set to Reach US$1.5T by 2030</dc:text></item><item><title>Moneyland.ch Got Acquired</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxSMG Swiss Marketplace Group AG is acquiring 100% of moneyland.ch AG with immediate effect.moneyland.ch will become part of SMG’s Finance &amp; Insurance business unit alongside FinanceScout24. The moneyland.ch brand, platform and team will not change and will be fully integrated into SMG. Founder Benjamin Manz will also remain active as Managing Director.moneyland.ch will maintain its operations as an independent brand and continue providing greater transparency for consumers in Switzerland with its neutral financial comparisons, calculators and editorial content.Expertise and renowned comparisonsSince it was founded in 2013, moneyland.ch has made a name for itself with its neutral comparisons, calculators, studies and guides.Jochen PerneggerJochen Pernegger, Managing Director Finance &amp; Insurance at SMG, says:«moneyland.ch has raised the bar in the industry both in the past and the present with its high-quality financial comparisons. We look forward to working together to drive forward the Finance &amp; Insurance division – and to benefiting from the Moneyland team’s product range, expertise and years of experience.»moneyland.ch is the perfect additionSMG’s Finance &amp; Insurance division has been represented by the FinanceScout24 brand on the market for almost five years. Now, the acquisition of moneyland.ch provides the perfect addition to this business unit and expands its portfolio. The aim is to help as many consumers in Switzerland as possible to find the right product for their financial and insurance needs, as quickly as they can, and to enable them to take out this product digitally.With the acquisition of moneyland.ch, SMG now offers an important range of comparison services for consumers which the network previously lacked.Benjamin Manz«In addition, moneyland.ch can benefit from the digital expertise, network, reach and awareness associated with SMG’s established platforms,»adds Benjamin Manz. By extension, this means that the comparison platform can be made accessible to as broad an audience as possible.«We are particularly looking forward to working with the FinanceScout24 team.»Featured image credit: Jochen Pernegger, Managing Director Finance &amp; Insurance at SMG and Benjamin Manz, Founder at moneyland.ch]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/moneylandch-got-acquired</link><guid>3691</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Moneyland.ch Got Acquired</dc:text></item><item><title>Findependent Grabs CHF 5 Million in Crowdinvestment Round</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxThe ETF investment startup findependent has received CHF 5 million as part of its recently announced crowd investment.The original financing target of CHF 2 million was thus oversubscribed several times over. Over 1,500 existing customers ensured that the participation certificates were sold out within just 30 hours.The existing investors around Roland Brack had already provided additional growth financing totalling CHF 1.5 million in recent months. The crowd investment now exceeded all expectations.Matthias Bryner“We knew we had a strong community, but this is beyond all expectations,”says a delighted Matthias Bryner, CEO and founder of findependent.The original financing target of CHF 2 million was raised to CHF 3 million after just a few hours and shortly afterwards to the final CHF 5 million. Now 29% of the company is owned by findependent’s customers.Originally, a three-day phase exclusively for findependent customers was planned, followed by a ten-day public subscription period.“The fact that the entire sum of CHF 5 million is being raised solely by our existing customers shows that our customers are 100% behind our product,”explains Bryner.This means that findependent will not have to concern itself with fundraising in the coming years, but can concentrate fully on the further development of the company and the app.“A privilege that we appreciate and don’t take for granted,”concludes Bryner.Featured image credit: Findependent team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/findependent-grabs-chf-5-million-in-crowdinvestment-round</link><guid>3690</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Findependent Grabs CHF 5 Million in Crowdinvestment Round</dc:text></item><item><title>Wo die KI das perfekte Investment findet: revolutionäre Crowdhouse-Plattform ist online</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your Inbox«Navigier mich zum Zürichsee» – für die KI kein Problem. «Schreib mir einen persönlichen Brief» – auch das beherrscht der Algorithmus.Doch wie ist es mit Investitionen. «Finde ein Renditeobjekt, das genau zu meinem Bedarf passt» – kann auch das eine KI leisten? In der Immobilienbranche heisst die Antwort ab sofort: Ja! Mit dem Launch des neuen KI-basierten Matchingsystems stösst die Crowdhouse AG das Tor in Richtung Zukunft weit auf. Daraus ergeben sich Vorteile für Branchenkenner ebenso wie für Neulinge, die nach einem Investment suchen.Renditeobjekte mit der KI finden: So funktioniert esWenn Investoren auf der Suche nach Renditeobjekten sind, brauchen Sie vor allem drei Dinge. Gute Angebote, eine rentable Finanzierung und Zeit. Für ihre zahlreichen Angebote ist die Crowdhouse AG mit ihren Gründern Ardian Gjeloshi und Robert Plantak seit Jahren bekannt. Auch das Thema Rentabilität ist ein zentraler Faktor, der traditionell im Vordergrund steht. Allein die sprichwörtliche Investition der Zeit war bisher ein Aspekt, der durch das Konzept der Crowdhouse-Plattform bisher nicht vollständig optimiert wurde. Das hat sich nun entscheidend geändert.Robert PlantakUm die Neuartigkeit zu verstehen, ist es wichtig, das bisherige Prinzip der Immobiliensuche zu kennen. Bis zum Mai 2024 arbeitete die Suchmaske auf Crowdhouse.ch wie bei vergleichbaren Portalen auch. Wer interessiert war, erhielt einen Überblick über das gesamte Portfolio. Das mag im ersten Moment sinnvoll klingen, allerdings ist die Immobilienbranche kein Warenhaus, wie CEO Robert Plantak betont. Stattdessen ist jedes Objekt einzigartig und spricht eine bestimmte Käuferschicht an. In diesem vielfältigen Angebot das perfekte Match zu finden, kostete Zeit.Seit Mai 2024 übernimmt eine KI den aufwendigen Prozess der Immobiliensuche, und zwar in Sekundenschnelle. Auf Grundlage des Profils findet sie interessante Objekte und meldet eine entsprechende Verfügbarkeit. So können sich Investoren nicht nur viel Zeit sparen – sie erhalten auch proaktiv Empfehlungen, wenn relevante Objekte im Portfolio erscheinen.Das Profil als wichtigste GrundlageDamit das KI-Matching bestmöglich funktioniert, weist Robert Plantak auf die Wichtigkeit des Profils hin. Damit die künstliche Intelligenz arbeiten kann, braucht sie Daten – je mehr sie hat, desto präziser werden die Ergebnisse. Zudem gibt er den Tipp, das Profil regelmässig zu updaten, um stets aktuell passende Empfehlungen zu erhalten.Auf sich allein gestellt sind potentielle Investoren aber auch in diesem Punkt nicht. Parallel zur Vertiefung der Profilinformationen lernt die KI den Investor immer besser kennen – maschinelles Lernen macht es möglich. Dadurch werden die Genauigkeit und die Relevanz weiter verbessert.Neues System ist eine technische RevolutionRenditeimmobilien finden mit Hilfe der KI, das ist nichts weniger als eine technische Revolution, mit der die Crowdhouse AG aufwartet. Die Tragweite der Neuerungen wird Besuchern wahrscheinlich erst beim Testen der neuen Funktionen bewusst. Zwar geht die technische Neugestaltung auch mit einem Update der Webseite einher, die zeigt sich jedoch zeitgemäss schlanker als ihr Vorgänger.Der eigentliche Wandel ist im Backend erfolgt, wie CEO Robert Plantak betont, gewissermassen «unter der Haube». Robert Plantak stellt auch heraus, dass es sich bei dem Re-Design nicht um eine einfache optische Aufwertung der Seite handelt. Im Gegenteil: Es wurden Möglichkeiten geschaffen, die in dieser Form nicht gegeben waren. In über neun Jahren, in denen es Crowdhouse gibt, haben wir immer dazugebaut. Jetzt waren wir an einem Punkt, an dem wir die Herkulesaufgabe angenommen haben, alles neu zu gestalten und neu zu denken. Damit haben wir die ganze Produktlogik auf ein neues Niveau gebracht.»Vorteile durch KI-Matching für ImmobilienkäuferWelche Vorteile haben Nutzerinnen und Nutzer vom neuen Crowdhouse-Portal? Das Matchingsystem bringt gleich eine ganze Reihe von Vorzügen mit sich. Elementar ist der Zeitgewinn. Den nennt auch Robert Plantak an erster Stelle:«Eines der wichtigsten Güter im Leben ist die Zeit. Ein gutes Investment zu finden, kann sehr viel Zeit dauern. Die möchten wir unseren Kundinnen und Kunden sparen.»Doch auch darüber hinaus ist die neue Plattform vorteilhaft. Die Automatisierung bedeutet zum Beispiel, dass Interessierte nicht mehr zwangsläufig selbst das Angebot sondieren müssen. Stattdessen behält die KI den Überblick über aktuelle Renditeimmobilien auf Crowdhouse.ch und sendet im Fall eines positiven Treffers eine Nachricht. Damit wird die gesamte Recherche effizienter – und das ist nicht weniger als eine 180-Grad-Wende in der Immobilienbranche.Nicht zuletzt wird das KI-basierte Matching auch noch einmal die Attraktivität einer Renditeanlage in Immobilien erhöhen. Der Nachteil der zu hohen Investitionssummen wurde durch das Miteigentum-Konzept der Crowdhouse AG bereits nivelliert, nun gewinnt das Modell auch noch einmal mehr an Übersichtlichkeit. Das heisst, die neue Plattform wird der alten in gleich mehreren Bereichen überlegen sein.Die KI hilft erfahrenen Investoren und NeulingenMehr Effizienz, mehr Automatisierung, weniger Zeitaufwand – die neue Crowdhouse-Plattform wird erfahrenen Investorinnen und Investoren ganz sicher gefallen. Doch nicht nur alte Hasen spricht das KI-Matchingsystem an.Neulinge profitieren genauso von dem Konzept. Indem sie ihr Profil initial möglichst präzise pflegen, erhalten sie in Rekordgeschwindigkeit Zugang zu Angeboten, die genau zu ihrem Bedarf passen. Das erleichtert den Einstieg in die Welt der Immobilieninvestitionen erheblich. Ausprobieren kann es ab sofort jeder, der möchte. Das KI-Matching ist als integraler Bestandteil der neuen Crowdhouse-Seiten bereits implementiert.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/wo-die-ki-das-perfekte-investment-findet-revolutionare-crowdhouse-plattform-ist-online</link><guid>3692</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Wo die KI das perfekte Investment findet: revolutionäre Crowdhouse-Plattform ist online</dc:text></item><item><title>ECB Publishes Progress Report on Digital Euro</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxThe European Central Bank (ECB) published its first progress report on the digital euro preparation phase, which was launched on 1 November 2023 with the aim of laying the foundations for the potential issuance of a digital euro.The report outlines the progress made on key digital euro design aspects and the envisaged next steps for the project.Digital euro privacyThe design of the digital euro includes an offline functionality that would offer users a cash-like level of privacy for payments in physical shops and between individuals. When paying offline, personal transaction details would only be known to the payer and the payee and would not be shared with payment service providers, the Eurosystem or any providers of supporting services.In recent months, the ECB has agreed on the technical features required to guarantee that online digital euro transactions will provide an even higher privacy standards than current digital payment solutions, while still ensuring robust end-user protection against fraud. The Eurosystem would use state-of-the-art measures, including pseudonymisation, hashing and data encryption, to ensure it would not be able to directly link digital euro transactions to specific users.In line with current practice, payment service providers would only have access to the personal data that are required to ensure compliance with EU law, such as anti-money laundering regulations. To use data for commercial purposes, payment service providers would need users’ explicit consent. As the issuer of and payment infrastructure provider for a digital euro, the ECB will be supervised by independent data protection authorities that will monitor its compliance with the European Union Data Protection Regulation (EUDPR) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).An offline digital euroThe Eurosystem is developing an offline functionality that would enable digital euro users to pay without an internet connection after pre-funding their digital euro account via the internet or an ATM. Payments would take place directly between the offline devices – e.g. mobile phones or payment cards – belonging to the users involved in the transaction, without having to rely on third parties.The ECB has been investigating the technical tools already available on the market that could allow the settlement of offline digital euro transactions directly in end users’ devices. It has also assessed other essential aspects of offline digital euro payments, with a view to making them seamless, secure and user-friendly.The ECB’s technical work has focused in particular on delivery considerations and how to fund and defund offline digital euro wallets, including how to perform anti-money laundering and forgery checks. For offline payments, users would be able to use their mobile devices, while the Eurosystem is also investigating the potential use of battery-powered smart cards or non-powered smart cards which use a bridge device to communicate.The effective implementation of an offline digital euro on mobile devices will ultimately depend on the requirements laid down for equipment manufacturers and providers of electronic communication services in the digital euro Regulation.Digital euro holding limitsThe design of a digital euro must ensure it can be widely used as a means of payment while still preserving financial stability and the transmission of monetary policy. For this reason, digital euro holdings of individuals would not be remunerated and would be subject to holding limits. Moreover, users would have the option to link their digital euro wallet with a commercial bank account, allowing them to make payments through their digital euro wallet without needing to pre-load it with funds.The ECB has started work on a calibration methodology to define the holding limits, which entails a comprehensive monetary and economic assessment. A newly created workstream, including experts from the national central banks of the Eurosystem and national competent authorities, has begun to identify the factors that could influence the holding limits calibration. In this context, the ECB has launched a dialogue and a data collection exercise to obtain the granular data required to perform the assessment. As this is a collective endeavour, the ECB is holding regular exchanges with co-legislators and market participants (consumers, merchants and financial institutions) to update them on the technical work and gather feedback. The first engagements have already taken place, with more to follow in the coming months given the relevance of this work for all the stakeholders involved in the digital euro project.Findings from this initial assessment will feed into the design of the calibration methodology. The exact holding limits would be based on this methodology and defined closer to the time of issuance, taking the prevailing economic conditions into consideration.Digital euro rulebook and tender processThe digital euro Rulebook Development Group has completed an interim review of the first draft of the rulebook, which sets out the rules and procedures to standardise digital euro payments across the euro area. The group is expected to deliver an updated version of the digital euro rulebook by the end of 2024, including the pending chapters, which focus on user identification and authentication as well as infrastructure-related requirements.In parallel, the ECB issued five calls for applications aimed at establishing framework agreements with suitable external providers for the provision of digital euro components and related services. The Eurosystem will now proceed with the selection process by inviting the highest ranked respondents to tender. This process will help decide the final technical details for designing a digital euro.Supporting the legislative processAs legislative deliberations evolve, the ECB has continued to provide technical expertise to the European institutions involved. In particular, to support ongoing discussions, the ECB has (i) provided technical input with regard to analysing the dynamics in the euro retail payments market; (ii) published an in-depth technical analysis of the feasibility and implications of allowing multiple digital euro accounts per user and (iii) conducted additional technical work on a digital euro app with a view to making it highly inclusive and accessible.“The digital euro preparation phase is progressing well and we support the ongoing democratic debate on the legal framework for the digital euro,” said Executive Board member Piero Cipollone, who chairs the High-Level Task Force on a digital euro. “The digital euro is a common European endeavour. As such, we will continue engaging with all stakeholders, including the European public, to ensure that it is successful and benefits us all.”The Governing Council of the ECB will only decide on the possible issuance of a digital euro once the relevant legislation has been adopted, since this legal framework is essential for the concrete function of the digital euro.Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ecb-publishes-progress-report-on-digital-euro</link><guid>3689</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>ECB Publishes Progress Report on Digital Euro</dc:text></item><item><title>Erstes Direkt Lending Investmentprodukt in der Schweiz</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxDas Crowdlending Unternehmen Lend und Helveteq, der Schweizer Emittent für Investmentprodukte, lancieren gemeinsam das erste Direct Lending Zertifikat für Schweizer Immobilienfinanzierungen.Damit wird es für private und institutionelle Investoren möglich, direkt in einen diversifizierten Pool von Schweizer Nachranghypotheken zu investierenDas Zertifikat hat eine für den Schweizer Zinsmarkt ausgesprochen hohe Zielrendite von brutto 5.5-6.5%. Es investiert in Nachranghypotheken, die LEND auf ihrer Plattform zur Finanzierung durch die Crowd aufschaltet. Das Zertifikat investiert nach einer fixen Allokationsregel und stellt so eine Diversifikation hinsichtlich Kreditqualität, Finanzierungsobjekt und Anlagegrösse sicher.LEND betreibt die Plattform für Direktfinanzierungen seit 2016 und bietet seit 2018 Hypothekarfinanzierungen an.Stefan JaecklinStefan Jaecklin, Chairman von Switzerland AG meint dazu:“Über unsere Plattform schliessen wir mit unseren privaten und institutionellen Investoren eine Finanzierungslücke in der Schweiz. Wir schalten dabei bisweilen kostspielige Intermediäre aus und schaffen einen Mehrwert für Investoren und Hypothekarnehmer, was letztlich auch unserer Wirtschaft und der Gesellschaft zugute kommt. Wir bedienen mit unserer Plattform und dem Modell der direkten Finanzierungen bereits rund 3’500 Investoren. Mit dem Zertifikat machen wir nun im Hypothekarbereich den Renditevorteil einer noch grösseren Investorengruppe zugänglich.”Christian KatzChristian Katz, CEO von Helveteq, bemerkt dazu:“Wir freuen uns, mit LEND ein innovatives Anlagezertifikat zu lancieren, welches der breiten Öffentlichkeit die Möglichkeit gibt, von attraktiven Hypothekarmärkten zu profitieren. Mit der Besicherung durch grundpfandbesicherte Hypothekarforderungen haben wir ein interessantes Rendite-Risiko-Profil für die Investorengemeinschaft in der Schweiz schaffen können.“]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/erstes-direkt-lending-investmentprodukt-in-der-schweiz</link><guid>3688</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Erstes Direkt Lending Investmentprodukt in der Schweiz</dc:text></item><item><title>Advertising in Digital Publications Becomes Integral to Modern B2B Marketing Strategies</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxAdvertising in digital publications has become integral to modern marketing strategies, connecting brands with consumers in an increasingly digital world.A new post published on StudioID highlights the strategic importance of digital publications in modern marketing strategies, emphasizing their ability to drive demand, generate high-quality leads, and enhance brand recognition and reputation affordably within business-to-business (B2B) content distribution strategies.The post, titled “B2B Content Distribution: Why Advertising in Digital Publications Is an Essential Strategy”, explores the rapid rise of digital publications in the global media landscape, the various advertising formats that are being utilized, and the various benefits of advertising in digital publications.Rise of digital publicationsDigital publications are rapidly gaining popularity. German data platform Statista forecasts that the global market for digital newspapers and magazines will grow to US$40.23 billion in revenue by 2024, with a projected annual growth rate of 2.06% through 2029, reaching US$44.54 billion.Worldwide digital newspapers and magazines revenue, Source: Statista Market Insights, May 2024By 2029, the market is expected to attract 1.6 billion, up from 1.4 billion in 2024, while user penetration is projected to grow from 17.7% in 2024 to 20.4% in 2029.User penetration of digital newspapers and magazines worldwide, Source: Statista Market Insights, May 2024Research indicates that the shift away from physical publications towards digital publications is being driven by several key factors and trends, including the proliferation of the Internet, technological advancements, and changing reader preferences for online content.Recent YouGov research across 48 markets illustrates this transformation. It reveals that globally, 47% of consumers now rely on social networks as a primary source of news, while 38% prefer news apps, and 35% visit newspaper websites. Additionally, 27% of respondents turn to independent news websites, with 17% favoring digital magazine apps and 15% opting for online magazines.Furthermore, 9% of global respondents seek news updates from non-major media blogs, with particularly high usage in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) (13%), Saudi Arabia (12%), and India (11%).Mechanics of advertising in digital publicationsThe growth of digital publications has led to a significant increase in advertising within these platforms. Advertising in digital publications involves a close collaboration between a brand and a publisher to create a campaign specifically targeted to that publication’s readers. The resulting ads are often informative in nature and demonstrates the brand’s expertise to build trust with the audience over time.In the fintech sector, for example, companies like Revolut, PayPal and Robinhood may promote a piece of sponsored content in publications like Business Insider, TechCrunch or Forbes. This allows them to reach a tech-savvy audience and decision-makers interested in financial tools and solutions.This strategy allows brands to enjoy the benefits of paid channel advertising while providing the same informative nature of organic content marketing. It simultaneously provides demand generation of new leads and builds brand recognition and reputation.Besides sponsored content, digital publications may offer other ad formats. These include display ads, such as banner ads, sidebar ads and pop-ups; video ads, which are short clips that play before, during or after video content; interstitial ads, which are full-screen ads that cover the interface of their host app or website; and rich media ads, which are interactive ads featuring video, audio, or other engaging components.Benefits of advertising in digital publicationsAdvertising in digital publications offers significant benefits. First, the StudioID post says that the method provides brands with exposure to potential customers that may be beyond the reach of organic or traditional advertising networks. Some brands find that advertising with very niche publications is most effective, while others find the highest success from a broader approach, but ultimately, the right selection depends on a brand’s specific needs and audience.Another key benefit is the ability to reach readers in the right mindset. When visitors are on a publication’s website, they are typically in a stage of their knowledge journey where they are actively seeking information. With this channel, brands get to provide information when the potential customer is looking to make an investment, significantly increasing the quality of leads and conversion.Furthermore, advertising in digital publications allows companies to extend a campaign’s reach across various stakeholders, allowing them to easily connect with multiple decision-makers within the same organization and facilitating multi-threading opportunities.Finally, readers trust digital publications as credible sources of accurate information. By associating their brand with these trusted sources, companies start off with a higher level of trust from the audience. Brands that work with the publisher on collaboration opportunities, such as co-creating a webinar, can enjoy even greater benefits.Partnership methodsThe StudioID post notes that brands are collaborating with digital publications in various ways. Content amplification is one method where brands promote events, activations, and campaigns to increase visibility. This is often done through pay-per-click ads directly within specific publications.Another strategy involves leveraging newsletter placement. Digital publications often send newsletters with high open and click rates to their subscribers. Sponsored content within these newsletters blends seamlessly with regular updates, boosting its perceived value and trustworthiness among readers interested in the topic.Sponsored articles are also popular. These involve partnerships with publications to create informative articles to be published alongside their regular content. Sponsored articles use paid content distribution to help build brand awareness as well as trust with potential customers, which drives both engagement and revenue.Another method is co-branded content, such as sponsored webinars. These combine the publication’s the publication’s promotional efforts with the sponsor’s industry knowledge. This collaboration generates demand and attracts a highly targeted audience interested in specific topics, resulting in effective engagement and conversion rates.Finally, brands can also choose in-article callouts, which place advertisements for specific content within regular publication articles. These ads blend in with the publication’s style, leveraging its authority to drive clicks and engagement. Positioned strategically within popular articles, they effectively amplify the reach of co-sponsored content, targeting niche audiences with precision.Featured image credit: edited from freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/advertising-in-digital-publications-becomes-integral-to-modern-b2b-marketing-strategies</link><guid>3687</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Advertising in Digital Publications Becomes Integral to Modern B2B Marketing Strategies</dc:text></item><item><title>Schweizer Unternehmen Top in Zahlungs-Moral</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxDie Zahlungsmoral von Unternehmen bleibt in vielen Ländern trotz der herausfordernden geopolitischen Lage stabil – und verbessert sich im Vergleich zum Vorjahreszeitraum sogar teilweise.Schweizer Unternehmen belegen mit 68,8 Prozent pünktlicher Zahlungen eine führende Position im nordeuropäischen Raum.Deutsche Unternehmen folgen mit 64 Prozent und positionieren sich damit ebenfalls im oberen Segment des europäischen Marktes. Dies geht aus der Payment Studie 2024 von Dun &amp; Bradstreet (D&amp;B) und CRIBIS hervor, die das Zahlungsverhalten von Unternehmen in über 30 Ländern untersucht. Für die Studie wurden Daten bis zum 31. Dezember 2023 berücksichtigt.Europäischer VergleichIm europäischen Vergleich zahlen Unternehmen in Dänemark (94,2 Prozent), Polen (82,7 Prozent) und den Niederlanden (76,1 Prozent) pünktlicher als in der Schweiz. Firmen in südeuropäischen Ländern wie Spanien (46,7 Prozent), Italien (41,1 Prozent) und Portugal (19,2 Prozent) rangieren dagegen hinter der Schweiz.Im Branchenvergleich zeigt sich in der Schweiz ein differenziertes Bild: Unternehmen im Bauwesen (75,2 Prozent) und Finanzwesen (73,5 Prozent) zahlen weiterhin sehr zuverlässig. Grosshandel (63,3 Prozent) und Einzelhandel (62,9 Prozent) zeigen ein durchschnittliches Zahlungsverhalten. Besonders auffällig ist der deutliche Rückgang pünktlicher Zahlungen in den Branchen Spedition und Logistik, Kommunikationsdienstleistungen sowie im Nah- und Fernverkehr.Zahlungs-Moral von Unternehmen in AsienAsiatische Unternehmen weisen im Durchschnitt eine geringere Zahlungsmoral auf. Firmen in China (56,3 Prozent) und Singapur (41,1 Prozent) stechen dabei mit einer positiven Entwicklung hervor.In Nordamerika zahlen Unternehmen in den USA (59,5 Prozent), Mexiko (44,9 Prozent) und Kanada (33,8 Prozent) seltener pünktlich als in der Schweiz. Weltweit zeigt sich ein anhaltender Trend: Kleinere Unternehmen zahlen häufig pünktlicher als grosse Konzerne.Get the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your Inbox]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schweizer-unternehmen-top-in-zahlungs-moral</link><guid>3686</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Schweizer Unternehmen Top in Zahlungs-Moral</dc:text></item><item><title>Zendesk Launches Venture Fund to Invest into AI Startups</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxZendesk officially launched its global venture fund to back AI-first companies focused on enhancing customer and employee experiences.Zendesk Ventures also announced new investments in PolyAI, a developer of advanced conversational voice assistants, and unitQ, an AI-powered product quality platform. The fund empowers emerging companies to unlock their potential by providing capital, CX and AI expertise, and strategic partnership opportunities for growth and innovation.Ben Barclay“Every organization is on a path to becoming AI-driven, and we’re eager to form partnerships with companies leading this new era,”said Ben Barclay, SVP of Strategy, Corporate Development, &amp; Transformation, Zendesk.“Our goal extends beyond building our own products; we’re also supporting an ecosystem of startups whose visions align with ours. Customer and employee service is changing rapidly because of advancements in AI. Investing in these companies does more than drive their growth, it elevates our customers’ ability to provide exceptional interactions.”The Zendesk Ventures portfolio already includes conversational intelligence platform Observe.AI, and field service management software provider, Zuper. The two new portfolio additions announced today are focused on AI-powered CX and operational efficiency:PolyAI, a voice-focused solution, allows Zendesk customers to handle complex interactions such as order tracking and delivery updates as natural as a human conversation. This capability has increased revenue for customers across a variety of industries while also reducing human agent call volumes and time spent on inquiries.unitQ, an AI-powered product quality platform, enables businesses by efficiently collecting and analyzing customer interactions and feedback across a range of 60+ sources in real-time, to pinpoint the root cause of all user fiction and improve Net Promoter Scores (NPS).Beyond capital, Zendesk Ventures offers access to CX and AI experts, strategic partnership opportunities to accelerate growth and innovation, and the chance to be featured on Zendesk Marketplace.Featured image credit: Ben Barclay, SVP of Strategy, Corporate Development, &amp; Transformation, Zendesk, edited from freepikGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your Inbox]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/zendesk-launches-venture-fund-to-invest-into-ai-startups</link><guid>3685</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Zendesk Launches Venture Fund to Invest into AI Startups</dc:text></item><item><title>HSG START Accelerator Stiftung investiert in Startups in der Ostschweiz</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxDie neu gegründetet Stiftung «HSG START Accelerator» unterstützt mit einem speziellen Förderprogramm nationale und internationale Startups bei der Professionalisierung ihrer Unternehmen.Gründungspartner sind die HSG, START Global und Switzerland Innovation Park Ost (SIP Ost).Am 26. Juni 2024 haben die drei Stiftungsräte die Gründungsurkunde unterzeichnet. Ab sofort ist die im SIP Ost angesiedelte Stiftung für Unternehmer:innen im Einsatz.Der «HSG START Accelerator» soll das führende Accelerator-Programm in Europa werden und starke technologieorientierte Startups auf ihrem Wachstumskurs begleiten. Im Herbst 2024 testen die Organisatoren ein dreimonatiges Intensivprogramm mit einem sogenannten «Pilot-Batch». Der erste reguläre Batch startet im Frühjahr 2025. Das Programm bereitet die nationalen und internationalen Jungunternehmen gezielt auf die Wachstumsphase vor und hilft ihnen, ihre Überlebenschancen und ihre Attraktivität zu erhöhen, insbesondere für Venture-Capital-Investoren.St.Gallen als attraktiver Standort für Jungunternehmer:innenDer Kanton St.Gallen möchte sich als attraktiver Standort für Jungunternehmer:innen etablieren. Deshalb möchte die Regierung des Kantons St.Gallen das Gemeinschaftsprojekt «HSG START Accelerator» der Universität St.Gallen zusammen mit dem Switzerland Innovation Park Ost (SIP Ost) und START Global mit 5.4 Millionen Franken unterstützen.Gleichzeitig sollen 4.6 Millionen Franken für die finanzielle Stärkung der bestehenden Stiftung «Startfeld» zur Verfügung gestellt werden. Der Kantonsrat hat das Geschäft in der Sommersession in erster Lesung beraten. Die zweite Lesung ist für die Herbstsession 2024 vorgesehen.Entstanden ist das Gemeinschaftsprojekt aus dem Auftrag der Standortförderung des Kantons St.Gallen, eine Startup-Strategie für den Kanton zu entwickeln. Das Accelerator-Programm wird die regionale Gründerszene nachhaltig stärken und eine Angebot- und Finanzierungslücke schliessen. Ein solches Angebot fehlt bisher in St.Gallen. Während des Gründer:innengipfels «START Summit» Ende März 2024 wurde bekannt gegeben, dass die Stiftung im Juni 2024 gegründet wird.Drei Stiftungsräte mit Startup-ErfahrungDer Stiftungsrat des Accelerator-Programms setzt sich zusammen aus drei in der Startup-Szene St.Gallen aktiven und engagierten Mitgliedern:Prof. Dr. Dietmar Grichnik (Präsidium):Dietmar GrichnikProf. Dr. Dietmar Grichnik ist Prorektor für Innovation und Qualität, Ordinarius für Entrepreneurship und Direktor des Instituts für Technologiemanagement (ITEM-HSG) an der Universität St.Gallen. Als Gründer und Direktor des Center for Entrepreneurship (Startup@HSG) und des Global Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation setzt er sich ein für die Förderung von HSG Spin-Offs und des Schweizer Startup-Ökosystems. Als Coach und Investor engagiert sich Dietmar Grichnik in schnell wachsenden Unternehmen wie First Stop Health, einem in den «Inc. 500»-notierten Telemedizinunternehmen, und CareerOS, einem EduTech-Startup aus den USA. Zudem ist er Mitglied im Stiftungsrat der Foundation Switzerland Innovation und des Verwaltungsrats des Switzerland Innovation Park Ost (SIP Ost). Dietmar Grichnik zählt zu den TOP-100 der führenden Entrepreneurship-Professoren weltweit.Dr. Cornelia Gut-Villa (Vize-Präsidium):Cornelia Gut-VillaCornelia Gut-Villa machte ihren Abschluss an der Universität Zürich und verfügt über 20 Jahre Erfahrung im Bankwesen, in der Strategieberatung und im Startup-Coaching. Sie ist u.a. Geschäftsführerin der Startfeld-Stiftung, die Jungunternehmer in der Seed-Phase finanziert, und verantwortlich für die Investor Relations des Switzerland Innovation Park Ost (SIP OST). Zudem ist Cornelia Gut-Villa im Vorstand des Swiss ICT Investor Club (SICTIC) aktiv, der ersten Anlaufstelle für Technologie-Startups mit Sitz in der Schweiz, die auf der Suche nach einer Finanzierung durch «smart money» sind. Sie ist Verwaltungsratsmitglied in verschiedenen Unternehmen (u.a. Egonym AG und Signifikant AG) sowie Mitglied des Verwaltungsrats von Swiss VR. Die SECA (Swiss Private Equity &amp; Corporate Finance Association) hat Cornelia Gut-Villa 2021 zum 18. «Business Angel des Jahres» gewählt. An der HSG ist sie im wissenschaftlichen Beirat tätig.Andreas Göldi (Mitglied des Stiftungsrats):Andreas GöldiAndreas Göldi ist seit 2019 Partner bei der Venture-Capital-Firma b2venture und begeisterter Technologe, Serienunternehmer und Investor mit über 25 Jahren Erfahrung. In den 1990er Jahren gründete er noch während seines Studiums an der Universität St.Gallen sein erstes Startup Namics, ein digitales Beratungsunternehmen, das ein paar Jahre später übernommen wurde. Das Unternehmen baute in den Anfängen des Internets mehrere bahnbrechende Webseiten im deutschsprachigen Raum auf. Nach 2004 gründete Andreas Göldi mehrere weitere Unternehmen in den Bereichen Online-Medien, Social Media Analytics und Video-Marketing. Zwölf Jahre verbrachte der gebürtige St.Galler in der Region Boston, zunächst als Sloan Fellow am Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) und ab 2007 als Unternehmer. Seine beiden in den USA ansässigen Startups waren frühe Anwender von maschinellem Lernen und Cloud-Infrastruktur.Mitglieder des Projektteams (v.l.n.r.): Jürg Stuker, Max Bieri, Prof. Dr. Dietmar Grichnik, Dr. Cornelia Gut-Villa, Niklas Rückwald, Dr. des. Bernd F. SchneiderGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your Inbox]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/hsg-start-accelerator-stiftung-investiert-in-startups-in-der-ostschweiz</link><guid>3684</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>HSG START Accelerator Stiftung investiert in Startups in der Ostschweiz</dc:text></item><item><title>&gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; Celebrates Sustainable Innovation: CLIMADA Technologies Clinches Finance &amp; Insurance Top Prize</title><description><![CDATA[Switzerland’s premier startup competition, &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt;, has just concluded its highly anticipated 2024 Award Ceremony, crowning the most promising early-stage startups in the country. Among the winners was CLIMADA Technologies AG, which took first place in the Finance &amp; Insurance vertical.Since launching in 1997, the &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; startup competition has been a cornerstone event in Switzerland’s innovation landscape, supporting and celebrating startups for over 25 years.Past winners and participants have gone on to found over 1,500 companies and created more than 15,000 jobs in Switzerland, a testament to the competition’s enduring impact on the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem.The 2024 edition of the competition offered over CHF 500,000 in cash prizes, along with access to a deep network of mentors and investors. The competition is renowned not only for recognising outstanding startups but also for providing them with the essential support needed to thrive.Winners are also awarded non-dilutive cash prizes, which provide crucial funding without requiring founders to give up equity. The top three finishers in each vertical receive CHF 50,000, CHF 20,000, and CHF 10,000, respectively, to kickstart their entrepreneurial journeys.CLIMADA Technologies: A Leader in Climate Risk AnalyticsFounded by Sebastian Glink, Simone Thompson, and their climate science advisor, Prof. Dr. David N. Bresch, &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; 2024 Finance &amp; Insurance First Place Winner CLIMADA Technologies AG is a data-driven fintech with a focus on sustainability.“CLIMADA Technologies specialises in comprehensive climate risk analytics, leveraging advanced data models and AI to provide precise and actionable insights,”explained Sebastian.Their platform offers forward-looking analysis for clients’ exposed locations, covering acute and chronic hazards.CLIMADA Technologies’ event-based simulation platform is designed for the socio-economic impact assessment of weather and climate events. Using mathematical models, the platform compiles risk assessments, enabling companies, authorities, and other decision-makers to better prepare for rising weather and climate risks.Simone elaborated,Simone Thompson“What sets us apart is our integration of cutting-edge technology with a deep understanding of climate science, enabling us to offer customised solutions that cater to diverse industries.Our commitment to open-source principles and collaboration with scientific communities further distinguishes us from competitors.”With 20 years of experience in international blue-chip organisations spanning finance, marketing, project management, branding, sales, and communications, Simone’s expertise complements Sebastian’s extensive background in building scalable technology solutions in insurance, reinsurance, and retail industries.Unique Approach to Climate RiskThe company aims to contribute to a more resilient and sustainable global economy by empowering organisations with the tools they need to manage climate risks effectively.Sebastian Glink“We aspire to be a leading provider of physical climate risk analytics in the Swiss and global financial ecosystems.Our goal is to integrate our solutions into mainstream financial, insurance, and industry practices, driving the adoption of climate-resilient strategies and sustainable investment decisions,”said Sebastian.Their simulation models calculate risk assessments for various events like cyclones, heatwaves, droughts, floods, and forest fires, both historically and probabilistically. This predictive technology, including AI, enables them to forecast impacts of weather extremes that have not yet occurred, but are physically plausible.A Journey Towards ImpactParticipation in the &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; competition was driven by CLIMADA Technologies’ commitment to expanding its impact.“The competition provides a unique platform to showcase our innovative solutions in climate risk assessment and resilience building,”said Sebastian.The recognition from &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; is expected to enhance the company’s credibility and visibility, attracting top-tier clients and partners.“The recognition will open doors to new markets and opportunities for collaboration, further establishing our position as a leader in climate risk analytics,”stated Simone.Strategic Growth and PartnershipsLooking ahead, CLIMADA Technologies plans to scale its technology, expand market reach, and become a thought leader in climate adaptation over the next three to five years. The mentorship and networking opportunities offered by &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; are particularly valuable.“Access to experienced mentors in the finance and insurance sectors will provide us with strategic guidance and industry insights,”noted Simone.Winning startups receive exclusive access to mentorship and coaching from industry experts, which is invaluable in navigating the challenges of early-stage growth.In the Finance &amp; Insurance vertical, mentors included Magdalena Tarasinska, Board Member at the Swiss ICT Investor Club (SICTIC); Ulrich Hoffmann, Board Member at UBS Business Solutions; Philipp Steinberger, the owner of Steinberger Consulting; and Massimo Soriano, Client Advisor at Rothschild &amp; Co.CLIMADA Technologies AG Founder &amp; Co-CEO Sebastian Glink (left) with Head of Business Development Alvaro PachecoSebastian added,“Insights from leaders like Ulrich Hoffmann and Frédéric Lauchenauer will be invaluable in refining our products and strategies to meet the evolving needs of the market.”In addition, CLIMADA Technologies plans to use the CHF 50,000 cash prize to invest in research and development, hire top talent, strengthen marketing efforts, and establish strategic partnerships to enhance service delivery and expand into new geographic markets.Commitment to Climate ResilienceThe company is committed to addressing climate risks as both a business opportunity and a responsibility, aiming to deliver solutions that support businesses in mitigating risks and contributing to global climate change efforts.Their innovative approach allows for precise impact assessments, positioning them at the forefront of climate risk management and earning them the top spot in the &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; competition’s Finance &amp; Insurance category for 2024.This recognition is seen as an acknowledgement towards realising CLIMADA Technologies’ vision of a more resilient and sustainable future.Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/venture-celebrates-sustainable-innovation-climada-technologies-clinches-finance-insurance-top-prize</link><guid>3683</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>&gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; Celebrates Sustainable Innovation: CLIMADA Technologies Clinches Finance &amp; Insurance Top Prize</dc:text></item><item><title>Global Cross-Border Payments to Surge by 53% by 2030, Fueled by Digital Innovations</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxCross-border payment flows are projected to increase by 53% between 2023 and 2030, rising from US$190 trillion to US$290 trillion. This growth will be driven by the rise of innovative payment technologies and trends including real-time payment (RTP), blockchain, and embedded finance, which are poised to make transactions faster, easier and more transparent, a new report by Convera, an American business-to-business (B2B) cross-border payments company, says.The report, titled “Fintech 2025+: Trends, technology, and transformation in global commerce”, provides an overview of the cross-border payments landscape, shares industry projections and explores emerging trends.According to the report, cross-border payments are expected to experience strong growth over the next seven years, fueled by digitalization efforts by industry stakeholders and technological advancements.RTP systems are highlighted as a key growth driver, praised for their ability to enhance liquidity and financial stability by unlocking working capital and reducing transaction times. Around the world, RTPs have proliferated over the past years, propelled by government support.These have contributed to their growth by establishing and enforcing regulatory frameworks that create a standardized and secure environment for RTP systems. These regulations address data privacy, fraud prevention, and consumer protection, ensuring that the RTP ecosystem is safe and reliable.In addition to regulatory support, governments have also invested in and supported the development of national RTP infrastructures. Examples include India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI), and Brazil’s PIX, both of which are direct results of governmental initiatives aimed at modernizing payment systems.Governments are now working on integrating RTPs with cross-border payments. In Europe, Sweden joined the Eurosystem TARGET Instant Payment Settlement (TIPS) in February 2024, becoming the first non-euro area country to join the instant cross-border payment scheme with its national currency, the Swedish krona. Meanwhile, the European Payment Council’s One-Leg Out Instant Credit Transfer scheme, which went live last year, aims to streamline international transactions within and beyond Europe.In Southeast Asia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Singapore have joined hands to connect their RTP systems, emphasizing QR code usage for retail. This collaboration aims to bolster trade and resilience across the region.In 2023, RTPs continued to climb to new record highs, totaling 266.2 billion transactions and recording a year-over-year (YoY) growth of 42.2%, an industry report by ACI Worldwide and GlobalData show. The figure gives RTPs a share of 19.1% among all electronic transactions globally. By 2028, that proportion is expected to rise to 27.1%, and reach a total of 575.1 billion transactions, representing an annual growth rate of 16%.Global real-time payments volume and share in overall payments, 2016-2028f, Source: 2024 Prime Time for Real-Time Global Payments Report, ACI Worldwide/GlobalData, Apr 2024Another growth driver highlighted in the report is the integration of blockchain technology. Fintech companies are increasingly using distributed ledger technology (DLT) to address the challenges associated with cross-border payments by enhancing transparency and traceability, reducing fraud risk and improving security.A survey conducted in 2022 by PYMNTS.com found that 37% of businesses were already using blockchain for cross-border payments, with an additional 13% expressing a desire to adopt this technology in the future.The use of blockchain for cross-border transactions is expected to grow rapidly, with projections by Statista indicating a significant increase in B2B transactions on blockchain by 2025, led primarily by the Asian market.On a global scale, the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) is collaborating with central banks on several DLT projects aimed at enhancing cross-border payment speed, transparency, and interoperability.Project Agora, for example, seeks to integrate tokenized commercial bank deposits with tokenized wholesale central bank money using smart contracts for instantaneous settlement. Project mBridge aims to create a unified platform for issuing and exchanging wholesale central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) from multiple central banks, reducing cross-border transfer times from days to seconds. Finally, Project Dunbar focuses on developing a common platform for CBDC issuance and exchange to address interoperability challenges.Embedded finance is another driver of cross-border payments outlined in the report. Embedded finance, which refers to the integration of financial services or tools into non-financial platforms, apps or ecosystems, represents a significant evolution in the financial services landscape, building upon concepts like open banking, open finance, modular banking and banking-as-a-platform (BaaS).The approach is now utilized across various sectors to enhance shopping experiences and mobile services. It’s also used in supply chain operations to streamline processes and facilitate trade finance. For businesses with international operations, embedded finance simplifies currency exchange in cross-border transactions.Estimates suggest that the global opportunity for embedded finance will reach US$7.2 trillion in the next decade, twice the combined value of the world’s top 30 banks today.Cross-border payment revenues are expected to reach US$260 billion by 2030, driven by the B2B segment (US$220.5 billion). Consumer-to-business cross-border transactions are set to generate US$34 billion in revenues, followed by business-to-consumer (US$13.4 billion), and consumer-to-consumer (US$12.3 billion).Cross-border payment revenues by transaction type, 2023-2030, Source: 2024 Prime Time for Real-Time Global Payments Report, ACI Worldwide/GlobalData, Apr 2024Featured image credit: edited from freepikGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your Inbox]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/global-cross-border-payments-to-surge-by-53-by-2030-fueled-by-digital-innovations</link><guid>3682</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Global Cross-Border Payments to Surge by 53% by 2030, Fueled by Digital Innovations</dc:text></item><item><title>Federal Department of Finance Reports Progress in Open Finance in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxDuring its meeting on 19 June 2024, the Federal Council was informed by the Federal Department of Finance (FDF) about the most recent open finance developments in Switzerland.The latest advances made by the industry are considered sufficient at this time, so that there is no need for further regulatory measures to be proposed. The FDF will continue to closely monitor developments in the financial sector as a whole based on the targets set by the Federal Council in December 2022.Open finance refers to the practice of financial institutions using standardised and secure interfaces to make financial data available to other financial service providers such as fintechs, insurance companies and banks at the request of clients. In this way, clients can benefit from new, innovative products. It would be possible to create an overview of all bank accounts, investments and retirement assets or calculate the carbon footprint of financial investments, for example, at the click of a button.Open Finance: Different to UKUnlike in the European Union or the United Kingdom, there is no legal obligation in Switzerland for financial institutions to make financial data available to third-party providers at their clients’ request. Instead, the Federal Council expects the private sector, together with interested stakeholders, to push ahead with the standardisation and opening of interfaces in the various areas. In December 2022, the Federal Council instructed the FDF to submit possible measures to it by June 2024 in the event that the financial sector failed to make sufficient efforts to open its data interfaces.The Federal Council was updated on the latest progress in the area of open finance during its meeting on 19 June 2024. The most recent developments, especially the multibanking initiative that was launched by means of a memorandum of understanding signed by 40 banks in May 2023, are seen as a clear commitment by the banking sector to open finance, even if the Federal Council’s targets for open finance in Switzerland (common standards, opening of interfaces, scalability) have not yet been fully reached. The FDF therefore informed the Federal Council that no government measures are required at present.Deadline end of 2025The February 2022 Federal Council report on digital finance stipulates that the need for action to promote and expand open finance should be reviewed on a regular basis, with a deadline of the end of 2025. The FDF will thus keep a close eye on further developments. It will monitor whether the multibanking initiative is being implemented effectively, whether the interfaces to non-bank third-party providers such as fintechs are being opened and how committed the insurance sector is to open finance. In addition, the multibanking initiative offers an interesting model for opening further interfaces, e.g. for securities custody accounts, for pillar 3a or in the insurance sector.The Federal Council will continue to have the FDF keep it abreast of any measures that may need to be taken to promote open finance in Switzerland.Featured image credit: edited from freepikGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your Inbox]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/federal-department-of-finance-reports-progress-in-open-finance-in-switzerland</link><guid>3681</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Federal Department of Finance Reports Progress in Open Finance in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Outdated Systems, Traditional Mindset Among Key Challenges Hindering Success of Incumbent Bank Digital Spin-Offs</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxTraditional banks have launched separate digital banking arms – referred to as spin-offs – to compete with digital challengers and fintech companies offering smoother digital experiences and innovative products. However, spinning off a digital bank also presents challenges and many incumbents fail in their endeavor due to legacy technology, outdated business models, traditional mindsets, and core cultural incompatibility, a blog post by Gazi Yar Mohammed, a C-level bank executive and fintech entrepreneur, says.The post, titled “Can Traditional Banks Compete with Digital Banks Through Spin-Off Strategies?”, discusses the potential of traditional banks to compete with digital banks by creating their own digital banking arms. It also explains why many banks fail in their spin-off attempts.According to Mohammed, a number of incumbents make the critical mistake of viewing spin-offs as extensions of their existing businesses. Hence, many spin-offs are constrained by established procedures, preventing them from adopting the innovative approaches necessary to compete in a digital landscape.Spin-offs can also be hampered by legacy technology. Burdened with outdated systems, they struggle to match the agility of fintech startups.Thirdly, a traditional mindset is another major hindrance. The lack of fresh perspectives makes it difficult for these ventures to disrupt the status quo and meet evolving customer needs.Lastly, there is an incompatibility with the core culture of the parent bank. Operating within the existing framework stifles the customer-centric culture and agile work practices crucial for success.A successful strategyTo overcome these challenges, Mohammed advises incumbents to establish a truly separate entity for their spin-off ventures. This new entity should have a dedicated team with a distinct mission. This team should consist of both experienced bank personnel and individuals with forward-thinking digital expertise.The business model should rely on a highly efficient and low-cost operation. This can be achieved by adopting a lead organizational structure and relying on cloud-based technology, automated processes and a remote workforce.The foundation should involve a cloud-native, API-enabled technology stack which facilitates rapid innovation, seamless integration, and easy scaling. Key components of this technology stack should include a modern core banking system that handles deposits, lending, and other essential functionalities; a data and artificial intelligence (AI) platform that centralizes transaction and customer data, and which enables AI and machine learning (ML) models for personalization, fraud detection, and advanced analytics; DevOps and micro-services that utilize agile development practices and a containerized micro-services architecture, ensuring flexibility and scalability; and open banking capabilities with standard APIs that enable data sharing and integration with third-party service providers, fostering embedded finance opportunities.Digital bank spin-offs should also adopt efficient client acquisition methods, including digital onboarding, social media marketing, self-service tools, and data-driven outreach strategies. Premium value-added services should be offered, including premium accounts with enhanced features, commission revenue from product cross-selling, and revenue sharing from partnerships.Finally, the product roadmap should balance innovative offerings with traditional banking services. This can include mobile-first checking and savings accounts, peer-to-peer (P2P) payments, high-interest savings products with robo-advisory capabilities, digitized loan products for mortgages, cashback programs or integration with buy now, pay later (BNPL) platforms.The growing popularity of digital bank spin-offsOver the past years, digital-only spinoffs have become an increasingly popular way for incumbent banks to target new demographics, expand their reach, and test new products and technologies. According to Mohammed, more than 50 digital banks have been spun off by incumbents.Digital bets of incumbent banks, Source: Gazi Yar Mohammed, Apr 2024Bank Jabo by PT Bank in Indonesia is among the most successful ones. The venture, launched in 2021, has rapidly grown to reach 10.2 million customers, becoming one of the few profitable digital banks globally.Bank Jago’s consistency in innovation and collaboration with the digital ecosystem has played a vital role in its customers’ growth. One of Bank Jago’s strategic initiatives is GoPay Tabungan by Jago, launched in October 2023. Through its collaboration with GoPay, part of GoTo Financial, GoPay Tabungan by Jago is a savings account product for daily transactions that can be accessed directly via the GoPay and Gojek Apps.The bank has also inked partnerships with other leading brands including Atome, Tokopedia, Bibit, and Stockbit, allowing it to offer a unique value proposition and reduce customer acquisition costs.Furthermore, Bank Jago has achieved successes in implementing AI and analytics to enhance customer experience, personalize services and adapt to user needs. An example of the bank’s innovative features is the “pockets” and “shared pockets”, inspired by the Indonesian “amplop” system in which a person uses envelopes to save money for different purposes. Bank Jago’s pockets allow users to digitally manage money for different purposes and share these pockets with others, aligning with local financial management practices.Another successful digital bank spin-off is Chase UK, the digital banking arm of US banking giant JP Morgan. Launched in 2021, Chase UK has grown to serve two million customers and manage some GBP 15 billion in deposits.Chase UK is winning over customers through a slick digital experience and high standards of customer care. It’s benefiting from JP Morgan’s brand recognition and deep pockets to invest in building out its UK digital banking capabilities rapidly.Featured image credit: edited from freepikGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your Inbox]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/outdated-systems-traditional-mindset-among-key-challenges-hindering-success-of-incumbent-bank-digital-spin-offs</link><guid>3680</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Outdated Systems, Traditional Mindset Among Key Challenges Hindering Success of Incumbent Bank Digital Spin-Offs</dc:text></item><item><title>Private Capital Activity Rises in DACH; AUM Surge Over 140% Since 2018</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxPrivate capital activity has increased remarkably in Germany (D), Austria (A) and Switzerland (CH), collectively referred to as DACH.In December 2022, DACH-based fund managers held a total of EUR 238 billion in assets under management (AUM), up by more than 140% since 2018, a new report by Preqin, a London-based investment data company, shows.DACH-based assets under management, Dec 2003 – Dec 2022, Source: Private Capital in DASH 2023, PreqinWithin private capital, private equity (PE) activity witnessed momentum, rising from EUR 26.7 billion in 2018 to EUR 75.7 billion in 2022. The surge was driven by several billion-dollar deals, including the EUR 17.2 billion TK Elevator deal of 2020, the CHF 10.2 billion deal for Galderma, formerly Nestlé Skin Health, in 2019, and the US$5 billion deal for Veeam Software Group in 2020.DACH-based private equity assets under management, Dec 2013 – Dec 2022, Source: Private Capital in DASH 2023, PreqinVenture capital (VC) AUM climbed from about EUR 12 billion in December 2018 to EUR 32.3 billion by the end of 2022, with notable deals including US$1 billion rounds secured by Gorillas Technologies, a German on-demand grocery delivery and dark store operator, and Celonis, a German data processing company; a US$900 million Series E raised by German digital bank N26; and a US$900 million Series C secured by German neobroker Trade Republic.DACH-based venture capital assets under management, Dec 2013 – Dec 2022, Source: Private Capital in DASH 2023, PreqinIn DACH, private capital activity is increasing as more managers enter the market. Between 2018 and 2023, the number of active general partners in the region doubled, surging from 986 to 2,084, with the most dynamic manager growth happening in PE and VC. PE grew by 90% during the period, while in VC, the figure doubled.Number of active DACH-based GPs by asset class, 2018 vs. 2023, Source: Private Capital in DASH 2023, PreqinThe surge is largely due to more DACH-based investors participating in private capital, driven by private wealth. Since 2018, the number of family offices involved in private capital has increased by over 140%. This growth is primarily focused in Germany, where the number of private capital investors has risen by nearly 70% over the same period.Number of DACH-based private capital investors by type, 2018 vs. 2023, Source: Private Capital in DASH 2023, PreqinDespite the momentum in private capital activity, the data show that DACH still represents under 10% of the total EUR 2 trillion European private capital AUM. The region is lagging behind its two regional rivals, France and the UK, which have embraced alternative investments more actively over the last decade. In fact, private equity AUM in the UK is over six times greater than that of DACH.DACH private equity assets under management vs. France and the UK, Dec 2013 – Dec 2022, Source: Private Capital in DASH 2023, PreqinOver the mid-term, Preqin expects Germany to become a popular home for PE investments, particularly in the Mittelstand market. Mittelstand are generally private, family run companies that specialize in one product or service. These companies are typically defined as mid-market organizations with up to 250 employees and annual turnovers of no more than EUR 50 million.Private equity fund managers across Europe have sought access to Mittelstand companies, which are the economic backbone of Germany, making up over 99% of firms and accounting for 58.5% of jobs.Deutsche Beteiligungs AG, a PE firm specializing in mid-sized companies, reported in January 2024 that the buyout market in the German Mittelstand market is growing at an average annual rate of around 7%, indicating a yearly increase in the number of businesses being sold by founders and families.The importance of PE firms for Germany’s Mittelstand has significantly increased in recent years. Ulrike Hinrichs, executive board member of the German Equity Capital Association, told springerprofessional.de in an interview in March 2024 that this is because SMEs often need more support for growth, internationalization, and technological innovations than traditional bank financing can provide.Munich Strategy, a consulting firm specializing in mid-sized companies, conducted an analysis of over 800 mid-sized companies, and found that companies backed by PE grow faster in sales and profits compared to owner-managed companies.In particular, PE-backed companies recorded an average annual sales growth of 7.5% between 2018 and 2021, while owner-managed companies grew by only 2.3% during the same period. After the COVID-19 pandemic, PE-backed companies showed a particularly rapid recovery with an average sales growth of 15.6% in 2021, compared to 7.7% for owner-managed companies.PE investments also lead to more job creation. Between 2018 and 2021, the number of employees in owner-managed companies increased by 1.3% per year. In contrast, PE-backed companies saw an 8% annual increase in employees, partly due to takeovers.Featured image credit: edited from freepikGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your Inbox]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/private-capital-activity-rises-in-dach-aum-surge-over-140-since-2018</link><guid>3679</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Private Capital Activity Rises in DACH; AUM Surge Over 140% Since 2018</dc:text></item><item><title>Economic Growth for Southeast Asia Forecast to Reach 4.5%; AI to Fuel Demand for Semiconductors</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxThe Asian Development Bank (ADB) has released its annual outlook and economic forecasts for Asia-Pacific (APAC), predicting strong economic growth in Southeast Asia driven by robust domestic demand, a continued recovery in tourism, and an expansion of the semiconductor industry.The subregion is expected to grow by 4.6% in 2024 and 4.7% in 2025, up from 4.1% in 2023.Singapore’s gross domestic product (GDP) is forecast to grow by 2.4% in 2024, up from 1.1% in 2023, supported by continuing recovery in manufacturing and external trade. Growth in manufacturing will gradually pick up in tandem with the turnaround in global electronics demand, while services will remain resilient, supported by trade-related sectors, the ADB predicts.Stable consumption and a recovery in investment will support domestic demand, despite higher domestic taxes, and external demand is already showing signs of recovery, increasing by 16.1% in January 2024.Across the broader Southeast Asia subregion, the Philippines (6% in 2024 and 6.2% in 2025) and Vietnam (6% in 2024 and 6.2% in 2025) are expected to see the strongest economic growth through 2025, boosted by a resurgence in merchandise exports starting in mid-2024. Indonesia, meanwhile, will maintain a 5% growth rate over the next two years, supported by strong private consumption, public infrastructure spending, and gradually improving investment. Across the region, tourism will further support services growth across the subregion, while industrial output will align with a recovery in exports and easing monetary policy.Finally, Southeast Asia’s inflation will continue to ease, the ADB predicts, falling from 4.1% in 2023 to 3.2% in 2024 and 3% in 2025.Southeast Asia: GDP forecasts, Source: Asian Development Bank, Apr 2024In 2023, economic growth in Southeast Asia slowed, dipping from 5.7% in 2022 to 4.1% in 2023 as weaker external demand contributed to slower growth in nine of the subregion’s 11 economies.Southeast Asia’s exports of electronics contracted by 7.5% in 2023 (up to November) after a strong 19.1% expansion in 2022. With the exception of Singapore, the subregion has been less involved in producing the AI and automotive chips driving the upturn in the semiconductor demand cycle.Sector contributions to nominal goods export growth in developing Asia, Source: Asian Development Bank, Apr 2024The rise of AI fuels demand for semiconductorsSemiconductors are the fundamental building block of modern electronics. They are critical not to consumer electronics but also to technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), 5G telecommunications, and electric and autonomous vehicles, among others.Southeast Asian economies have been striving to increase their share in the global semiconductor value chain, and the ADB predicts that the rising AI-driven demand for specialized microchips could benefit these economies.Southeast Asian countries could see gains due to their focus on downstream services such as assembly, testing, and packaging, which are vital to the global semiconductor industry. Moreover, these economies provide younger, more abundant, and lower wage workers that can attract investments from large semiconductor manufacturers in East Asia as they diversify their production base.Evidence suggests that this is already taking place, with the state of Penang in Malaysia attracting almost US$13 billion in semiconductor-related foreign direct investment in 2023, exceeding the total for the previous seven years combined, according to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.Malaysia, which already accounts for 13% of global semiconductor testing and packaging, is targeting at least MYR 500 billion (US$107 billion) in investment for its semiconductor industry. The country has already dran investments from leading international firms including US chipmaker Intel and German firm Infineon. Western firms AT&amp;S, Nvidia, Ericsson and Bosch are also expanding their operations in Malaysia, as are the Chinese companies Xfusion, StarFive, and TongFu Microelectronics.Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, is also working to become a semiconductor production hub by 2050, offering tax breaks and other incentives to attract semiconductor companies.To keep harnessing this potential, the ADB advises governments in the region to continue devising policies that attract foreign direct investment, increase spending on research and development, and invest in human capital development, as semiconductor manufacturing requires highly skilled labor.Asia’s semiconductor sectorHigh-income and developing economies in Southeast Asia and East Asia, such as Taiwan, South Korea and Mainland China, account for more than 80% of global semiconductor manufacturing.Semiconductor exports, selected Asian economies, Source: Asian Development Bank, Apr 2024After contracting sharply at the end of 2022, exports from Asia’s main semiconductor manufacturing economies picked up over 2023 and were about 15% higher in the last quarter of the year relative to the first quarter.Exports of electrical machinery equipment and parts, selected Asian economies, Source: Asian Development Bank, Apr 2024This increase in semiconductor exports was primarily driven by increasing demand for microprocessors and memory chips, which grew by almost 25% from the first to the last quarter of 2023. Their share in overall semiconductor exports from Asia’s main producers rose almost 5% points over 2023, boosted by the exponential growth in generative AI applications like ChatGPT and the need for specialized, high-performance hardware to support these applications, the report says.Global sales of semiconductors are expected to reach US$588 billion this year, up from US$520 billion in 2023, according to the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization.Global sales of semiconductors forecasts summary, Source: World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS), Nov 2023Featured image credit: edited from freepikGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your Inbox]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/economic-growth-for-southeast-asia-forecast-to-reach-45-ai-to-fuel-demand-for-semiconductors</link><guid>3678</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Economic Growth for Southeast Asia Forecast to Reach 4.5%; AI to Fuel Demand for Semiconductors</dc:text></item><item><title>Postfinance Starts with ETF Saving Plans</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxPostFinance customers will in future be able to open e-trading saving plans for 30 different ETFs, around 300 shares from the most important indices and PostFinance themed certificates.As of 18 June 2024, PostFinance is the first major Swiss retail bank to offer its customers access to the saving plan function for ETFs, shares and themed certificates.Philipp Merkt“Thanks to their simplicity and cost efficiency, saving plans are experiencing growth and increasing popularity among investors,”says Philipp Merkt, Chief Investment Officer at PostFinance.Put simply, a saving plan works like a standing order. Philipp Merkt explains:“Customers can use the saving plan to buy securities regularly – weekly, fortnightly or monthly – and automatically via the PostFinance e-trading platform.”Saving plans offer a great deal of flexibility: customers can take a break at any time, and they can also adjust their maximum investment amount based on their current financial possibilities.Comprehensive range of saving plan optionsCustomers can choose from a wide range of e-trading products: there are a total of 30 different ETFs, i.e. five per issuer. The partners for the ETF saving plan service are the issuers iShares, Invesco, UBS Asset Management, Amundi, Xtrackers by DWS and Vanguard.The saving plan function will initially be available in the desktop version of e-trading. Integration into the PostFinance App will follow at a later stage.Get the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your Inbox]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/postfinance-starts-with-etf-saving-plans</link><guid>3677</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-fasttrack-2024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Postfinance Starts with ETF Saving Plans</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Sustainable Fintech Map Reveals Booming Sector</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxE.foresight, a Swiss banking think tank operated by telecommunications provider Swisscom, has released its Swiss Sustainable Fintech Map, highlighting the fintech companies in Switzerland that incorporate sustainability into their core business models, operations, and products.The map shows that Switzerland is currently home to 49 companies that fall under the sustainable fintech category, providing the segment a share of 12% of the overall fintech ecosystem. Investment management is the most developed sustainable fintech vertical in Switzerland, with 28 companies. It’s followed by banking infrastructure with 15 companies, payments with four, and deposit and lending with two.Swiss Sustainable Fintech Map, Source: e.ForesightThe figure implies that the Swiss sustainable fintech sector rose by 53% between 2023 and 2024, growing at a much faster pace than the fintech sector as a whole (16%) during the period, data from the 2024 IFZ Fintech Study by the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts’ Institute of Financial Services Zug (IFZ) show.An analysis of the founding years of the sustainable fintech companies based in Switzerland reveals that around half of all sustainable fintech companies were founded in the last three years, which indicates a certain momentum in this area.From a regional perspective, the report shows that the largest cluster of sustainable fintech companies can be found in the canton of Zurich (22 companies), followed by Geneva and Zug (8 each), Basel-City and Schwyz (three each), Vaud (two), and Jura, Neuchâtel, and Thurgau (one each).Sustainable finance on the riseSustainable fintech companies leverage technology to promote environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria while providing financial services. These companies are rising in prominence for their positive contribution to sustainable developments goals such as reducing carbon footprints, promoting financial inclusion, and encouraging ethical investments.Open Forest Protocol, for example, is developing a scalable open platform that allows forest projects of any size, from around the world to measure, report and verify their forestation data. The company, which raised US$4.1 million in January 2023, uses blockchain technology to verify and record forest data publicly, so anyone can see what is happening with the forests registered.Frigg.eco is a Zurich-based company that provides business-to-business (B2B) software for the financing of renewable energy projects through tokenized green loans. The platform utilizes AI and distributed ledger technology (DLT) to streamline the creation of tokenized green bonds backed by sustainable infrastructure projects and improve transparency.And Pelt8 offers a comprehensive solution for auditable data collection, climate key performance indicators (KPIs) calculation and reporting, helping companies move away from excel spreadsheets to save time and improve efficiencies. The company was named “Early Stage Start-up of the Year” at the 2023 Swiss Fintech Awards.Sustainability in banking and finance has gained increasing attention in recent years, a trend that is evident among investors and with investment activities. Analyses by IFZ show that around half of people in Switzerland have a some preferences for sustainability in financial investments. Moreover, a 2024 report by the Swiss Sustainable Finance organization reveals that sustainability-related investments have been on the uptick over the past years, rising from a volume of CHF 717 million in 2018 to about CHF 1.7 billion in 2023.Development of sustainability-related investments in Switzerland (in CHF billion), Source: Swiss Sustainable Investment Market Study 2024, Swiss Sustainable Finance, Jun 2024The topic is also highly relevant at a regulatory level. On January 01, 2023, the new self-regulation of the Swiss Bankers Association came into force, obliging banks to survey the sustainability preferences of their customers and provide customers with investment products that are in line with these preferences.Switzerland’s green fintech ambitionsSwitzerland is recognized as the fourth market globally for sustainable fintech. This thriving space has risen on the back of supportive initiatives and promotion efforts by the government.Key initiatives include the establishment of the Green Fintech Network, set up in November 2020, and the subsequent release of the Green Fintech Action Plan in April 2021. The Green Fintech Network is an informal group of experts representing companies and organizations such as the Zurich University of Applied Sciences, F10 Fintech Incubator and Accelerator, PwC and Swisscom, but also green fintech startups like MSCI Carbon Delta, Rep Risk and Yova. The group was initiated by the State Secretariat for International Finance SIF and is part of Switzerland’s broader ambition to become a global leader in green digital finance.In 2022, the Federal Council launched a new system that measures the environmental impact of financial investments. The Swiss Climate Scores are designed to provide both institutional and private investors in Switzerland with clear, comparable information on how well their financial investments align with international climate goals.Currently, the Swiss government is working on a new legislation to regulate greenwashing in the financial sector. The Federal Department of Finance said a draft bill should be available for consultation by August 2024.Featured image credit: edited from freepikGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your Inbox]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-sustainable-fintech-map-reveals-booming-sector</link><guid>3675</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10-Fintech-Finalists-for-ventures-2024-Startup-Competition.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Sustainable Fintech Map Reveals Booming Sector</dc:text></item><item><title>2024 Money20/20 Europe Key Takeaways and Top Themes</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxThe Money20/20 Europe conference, one of the largest annual payments and fintech events in the region, returned to Amsterdam from June 04 to 06, 2024, bringing together global innovators, venture capitalists (VCs), banks, regulators and media platforms to discuss the fintech industry’s biggest opportunities and most pressing issues.The 2024 edition ran under the theme “Human X Machine”, examining the dynamic relationship between humans and intelligent machines, and how a partnership between artificial and human intelligence can forge a new era in finance.With over 350 speakers, the event explored significant technological advancements and trends, including artificial intelligence (AI), open banking, growing collaboration between industry stakeholders, and business-to-business (B2B) fintech innovation.Optimism persistsMcKinsey reports that, despite funding challenges over the past three years, optimism remains strong within the fintech ecosystem. Funding volumes have stabilized with year-to-date numbers standing at about the same level as the last three quarters of last year and industry stakeholders showed confidence on the sector’s growth prospects, particularly in the untapped potential of B2B fintech.The consultancy notes a shift in investment patterns with a larger portion of capital going allocated to middle-market companies rather than just large, high-profile deals. Mid-market companies typically refer to the companies that are not as large as major corporations but which are more established than early-stage startups. In Q1 2024, the share of smaller deals of less than US$100 million accounted for almost 70% of the total, suggesting a diversification of investment that’s expected to drive greater innovation in untapped fintech verticals, including B2B fintech.The growth of B2B fintechInitially, fintech innovation focused on consumer-targeted services such as mobile banking, peer-to-peer (P2P) payments, personal finance management, and investment apps. However, there has been a growing emphasis on B2B fintech solutions.McKinsey notes that this year’s Money20/20 Europe edition highlighted the continuing acceleration and scaling of B2B business models. Successful business models are scaling well, especially in B2B, and are moving from exploratory niches to robust growth domains.FXC Intelligence, a data platform specializing in the cross-border payment and e-commerce sectors, reports signs of growing engagement with the infrastructure side of the industry, with more companies discussing payment rails, networks and interoperability. This has led to greater interest in real-time payment solutions, particularly in markets with traditionally slower rails and for applications such as B2B payments.Ecosystem convergesOne main theme at the 2024 Money20/20 Europe conference was the convergence of the fintech ecosystem and the collective willingness to solve issues together. Many conversations involved fintech startups, banks, regulators, platform operators and merchants, all seeking to unlock new opportunities.While all sides have their own priorities and challenges, fintech startups are recognizing that they need banks for reach, and banks are understanding that they need fintech startups for product, McKinsey reports. It notes that currently, collaborative efforts mainly focus on infrastructure, open banking, digital identity, compliance services, fraud, and anti-money laundering (AML).Cloud migration opportunitiesMcKinsey reports significant opportunities in cloud migration. While nearly all players are in some stage of a transition, considerable progress is still needed. McKinsey’s cloud survey suggests that while financial institutions globally aspire to invest more than one-third of their IT spending on private cloud systems, they for now are spending less than half of that.Likewise, there was much ambitious talk about moving to software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions for payments, though more action is needed to fully realize this transition. This presents significant opportunities for providers, the consultancy says.AI still in the early adopter phaseWhile AI was a major theme at this year’s event, research and advisory company Forrester reports that discussions remained mostly high-level and focused on operationalizing generative AI (gen AI). This includes conversations on budget and generating return on investment, legal and ethical implications, as well as investing in appropriate data and risk foundations.Overall, organizations are largely focusing on how they can realistically make use of the technology, with proven areas such as fraud prevention currently winning out over some of the more exciting but experimental areas of focus.Experts noted that technology departments currently lead gen AI efforts, but for significant impact, business ownership is crucial. Seamus Smith, group president of global B2B payments at FIS, highlighted the potential of AI and machine learning (ML) in transforming B2B payments, though he noted the early stage of these technologiesmOpen banking opportunitiesChanging payment methods is difficult because of the complex value chain, high security and reliability standards, and business models that depend on scale. This is why open banking payments have been slow to catch on since the Payment Services Directive 2 was introduced. In January 2024, only 8.2% of digitally enabled customers in the UK used open banking payments, and these payments still made up a small portion of total payment volume.However, there was a lot of energy and optimism about open banking at Money20/20 Europe, with practical solutions discussed that could lead to significant growth in open banking payments by 2025, Forrester reported.In retail, discussions focused on how payment stakeholders can replicate the success of card schemes. One approach is to unbundle card services and add value as needed. For example, merchants could offer discounts or rewards to customers who use open banking payments, or provide insurance for transactions where customers might want a chargeback option.Huw Davies, co-founder and CEO of Ozone API, and Marie Walker, open futurist at Raidiam, explored the evolution of open banking into “open everything”, embedding financial services into sectors like healthcare and transportation to create new market opportunities, the Fintech Times reports. They emphasized the importance of leveraging common infrastructure and industry collaboration.Tokenization sees slow adoptionTokenization, a process which involves converting assets into digital tokens that can be traded on a blockchain, is gaining increasing traction within the financial industry.Industry leaders discussed the progress and future of tokenization. Anthony Day, head of strategy and marketing at Midnight, noted that mass adoption of tokenization has been slower than expected, a sentiment which was shared by Ryan Rugg, head of digital assets at Citi Treasury and Trade Solutions, who expressed surprise at the slow progress.Alisa DiCaprio, chief economist at R3, emphasized that tokenization offers more efficient solutions compared to existing paper-based systems. It allows for continuous, real-time transactions and can integrate various systems seamlessly.Featured image credit: Money2020EUGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your Inbox]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/2024-money2020-europe-key-takeaways-and-top-themes</link><guid>3676</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10-Fintech-Finalists-for-ventures-2024-Startup-Competition.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>2024 Money20/20 Europe Key Takeaways and Top Themes</dc:text></item><item><title>Rise in AI Adoption Prompts Global Push for Regulation</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxThe rapid expansion and deployment of generative artificial intelligence (gen AI) and AI more broadly across organizations worldwide has resulted in a global push for regulation.In the US, President Joe Biden signed an executive order on AI in October 2023, laying out AI standards that are set to be eventually codified by financial regulators. Over the past five years, 17 US states have enacted 29 bills focused on regulating the design, development and use of AI, according to the Council of State Governments.In China, President Xi Jinping introduced last year the Global AI Governance Initiative, outlining a comprehensive plan focusing on AI development, safety and governance. Authorities have also issued “interim measures” to regulate the provision of gen AI services, imposing various obligations relating to risk assessment and mitigation, transparency and accountability, as well as user consent and authentication.Recently, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida unveiled an international framework for the regulation and use of gen AI called the Hiroshima AI Process Friends Group. The group, which focuses on implementing principles and code of conduct to address gen AI risks, has already gained support from 49 countries and regions, the Associated Press reported on May 03.Impact of EU’s AI Act on financial services firmsThe European Union’s AI Act is perhaps the most impactful and groundbreaking regulation to date. Approved by the EU Parliament in March 2024, the regulatory framework represents the world’s first major law for regulating AI and is set to serve as a model for other jurisdictions.According to Dataiku, an American AI and machine learning (ML) company, the EU AI Act will have considerable impact on the financial services industry and firms should prepare for compliance now.Under the AI Act, financial firms will need to categorize AI systems into one of four risk levels and take specific mitigation steps for each category. They will need to explicitly record the “Intended Purpose” of each AI system before they start developing the model. While Dataiku says that there’s some uncertainty about how this will be interpreted and enforced, it notes that this indicates a stricter emphasis on maintaining proper timelines than current regulatory standards.Additionally, the AI Act introduces “Post Market Monitoring (PMM)” obligations for AI models in production. This means that firms will be required to continually monitor and validate that their models remain in their original risk category and maintain their intended purpose. Otherwise, reclassification will be needed.Dataiku recommends financial services companies to promptly familiarize themselves with the AI Act’s requirements and assess whether current practices meet these standards. Additionally, documentation should begin at the inception of any new model development, particularly when models are likely to reach production, it says.Moreover, Dataiku warns that the EU’s proactive stance may encourage other regions to accelerate the development and implementation of AI regulations. By 2026, tech consulting firm Gartner predicts 50% of governments worldwide will enforce use of responsible AI through regulations, policies and the need for data privacy.A groundbreaking regulatory frameworkThe EU’s AI Act is the world’s comprehensive regulatory framework specifically targeting AI. The legislation adopts a risk-based approach to products or services that use AI, and impose different levels of requirements depending on the perceived threats the AI applications pose to society.In particularly, the law prohibits applications of AI that pose an “unacceptable risks” to the fundamental rights and values of the EU. These applications include social scoring systems and biometric categorization systems.High-risk AI systems, such as remote biometric identification systems, AI used as a safety component in critical infrastructure, and AI used in education, employment and credit scoring, are forced to comply with stringent rules relating to risk management, data governance, documentation, transparency, human oversight, accuracy and cybersecurity, among others.Gen AI systems are also subject to a set of obligations. In particular, these systems must be developed with advanced safeguards against violating EU laws, and providers must document their use of copyrighted training data and uphold transparency standards.For foundation models, which include gen AI systems, additional obligations are imposed, such as demonstrating mitigation of potential risks, using unbiased datasets, ensuring performance and safety throughout the model’s lifecycle, minimizing energy and resource usage and providing technical documentation.The AI Act was finalized and endorsed by all 27 EU member states on February 02, 2024, and by the EU Parliament on March 13, 2024. After final approval by the EU Council on May 21, 2024, the AI Act is now set to be published in the EU’s Official Journal.Provisions will start taking effect in stages, with countries required to ban prohibited AI systems six months after publication. Rules for general purpose AI systems like chatbots will start applying a year after the law takes effect, and by mid-2026, the complete set of regulations will be in force.Violations of the AI Act will draw fines of up to EUR 35 million (US$38 million), or 7% of a company’s global revenue.AI adoption surgesGlobally, jurisdictions are racing to regulate AI as adoption of the technology surges. A McKinsey survey found that adoption of AI has reached a remarkable 72% this year, up from 55% in 2023.Gen AI is the number one type of AI solution adopted by businesses worldwide. A Gartner study conducted in Q4 2023 found that 29% of respondents from organizations in the US, Germany, and the UK are using gen AI, making it the most frequently deployed AI solution.Organizations that have adopted AI in at least one business function, Source: McKinsey and Company, May 2024Featured image credit: edited from freepikGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your Inbox]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/rise-in-ai-adoption-prompts-global-push-for-regulation</link><guid>3674</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10-Fintech-Finalists-for-ventures-2024-Startup-Competition.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Rise in AI Adoption Prompts Global Push for Regulation</dc:text></item><item><title>5 Tips from PayPal on Minimising Fraud and Risk During Summer Holidays</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxThe World Economic Forum (WEF) 2023 Global Risks Report states that cybersecurity ranksamong the top 10 global risks both currently and in the future. The annual cost of cybercrime isexpected to reach US$10.5 trillion by 2025Data from Barracuda, a cybersecurity company, shows that cyberattacks are more effective during the summer, when companies are short-staffed. In January, only about 1 in 80 (1.25%) threat alerts were serious enough to warrant a security alert to a customer, rising to 1 in 5 (20%) between June and September.Cybersecurity is a growing concern also in the Baltic region, which is home to the rising number not only of foreign-owned companies, but also small and medium-sized businesses, that more and more often become the key targets of cyber assaults.As the summer holiday season approaches, businesses are urged to remain vigilant against a surge in cybercriminal activity. During this time, many companies operate with reduced staff, making them prime targets for hackers.This comes even more alarming since many consumers globally spend more and more online. The recent PayPal e-Commerce Index reveals that the average monthly spend on online shopping in the set year-on-year increased by 17% in the UK and Spain, by 12% in Italy and by 11% in Germany. More money being spent online combined with an increased number of fraudulent activities force businesses of all sizes to employ data and payment security measures that protect client data and integrity.Efi DahanIn the digital age, all companies operating within the online space must remain vigilant as a single breach can jeopardize years of trust and hard work. This concerns not only the biggest market players, who employ an army of people specialising in security management issues, but also startups and smaller businesses who often have limited resources in this field. In their case, co-operating with a reliable payments partner can help them protect themselves and their customers against different types of frauds. At the end of the day, providing a secure shopping experience not only helps protect the business but also fosters customer loyalty and confidence, ultimately strengthening the business’s reputation, and delivering more revenue –says Efi Dahan, VP, General Manager, Central and Eastern Europe and Israel at PayPal.As the summer holiday season approaches, PayPal has prepared a short guide that can help merchants protect themselves and their customers against scams and other cybersecurity threats.Stay alert: constant vigilance is crucial. Cyber threats can occur at any time, especially during busy periods like summer holidays, Black Friday shopping festival or Christmas. Monitor your systems for unusual activities and be prepared to respond quickly to any suspicious activity. Multiple orders of the same item or various orders shipping to a single address can be red flags. Unusual customer behaviour, such as trying to recover the password multiple times or logging from other locations, should also raise attention.Make sure your software is secure: update your software on regular basis to patch vulnerabilities that cybercriminals could exploit. Use security software to help protect against malware and ensure your systems are compliant with the latest security standards.Use trusted payment methods: clients, both domestic or international, naturally lean towards payment methods they recognize and trust, hesitating to use options they’re unfamiliar with. This inclination can often influence their purchasing decisions in specific online stores. For foreign shoppers, incorporating widely acknowledged payment solutions like PayPal can help. Such platforms instill a sense of security and trustworthiness, as customers can rest easy knowing that if any issues arise, the payment service can help. For merchants, using globally trusted and experienced payment processor can help protect against potential fraud.Educate your customers: Inform your customers about safe online practices, such as recognizing phishing attempts and using strong, unique passwords. An informed customer base can be an additional line of defence against cyber threats.Prevent chargeback frauds: chargeback occurs when a contested transaction is resolved in the cardholder’s (customer’s) favor. If the cardholder’s financial institution agrees with the dispute, it will undo the transaction, retrieving the money from the merchant and refunding it to the cardholder. It is a common cost of business operations. While many of chargebacks are legitimate, others can be the result of frauds. Protection solutions can help merchants automatically manage chargebacks, recovering time and money. Businesses should implement strong verification methods that can check if the billing information a customer inputs matches the billing information on file with the issuer.5 Tips from PayPal on Minimising Fraud and Risk During Summer HolidaysThis article first appeared on Fintech News BalticFeatured image credit: edited from freepikGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your Inbox]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/5-tips-from-paypal-on-minimising-fraud-and-risk-during-summer-holidays</link><guid>3673</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10-Fintech-Finalists-for-ventures-2024-Startup-Competition.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>5 Tips from PayPal on Minimising Fraud and Risk During Summer Holidays</dc:text></item><item><title>FINMA Opens Bankruptcy Proceedings Against Flowbank</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxThe Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA is opening bankruptcy proceedings against FlowBank SA on 13 June 2024.This measure became necessary as the bank no longer has the minimum capital required for its business operations. There are also fears that the bank is over-indebted. The aim of the bankruptcy proceedings is to protect depositors. According to current calculations, the privileged deposits can be repaid in full out of the bank’s available funds.FINMA established in the last week that FlowBank SA no longer has sufficient capital for its operations as a bank. The minimum capital requirements, which must be met at all times, have been significantly and seriously breached.FlowBank SA and its management bodies were unable to take steps to sustainably restore compliance with the capital requirements within the required timeframe. Moreover, there are well-founded concerns that the bank is currently over-indebted. As there is no prospect of a restructuring, the bank must be wound up. FINMA has appointed the law firm Walder Wyss AG as liquidator to carry out the bankruptcy proceedings.Serious breach of supervisory lawFINMA took its first enforcement action against FlowBank SA in October 2021 when it identified serious breaches of supervisory law, specifically with regard to capital requirements, the requirement for an adequate organisation and risk management. In October 2022 FINMA therefore ordered wide-ranging measures to restore compliance with the law and appointed an independent auditor to monitor their implementation.When new information on various compliance deficiencies came to light – including ongoing breaches of the capital ratio – FINMA again took enforcement action against the bank in June 2023 and appointed a monitor to oversee the bank’s activities and investigate its compliance failures.The monitor reported that FlowBank SA repeatedly breached the capital requirements, while its organisation remained deficient in various areas of the bank. The bank’s bookkeeping and financial reporting was found to be inaccurate and incomplete. The bank also failed to fulfil disclosure and reporting obligations to FINMA.In addition, the investigation found that the bank entered into numerous higher-risk business relationships and processed large transactions without properly investigating the background of these business relationships and transactions. The bank increased its risks considerably by entering into these relationships, even though it had not yet resolved its organisational deficiencies. In FINMA’s view, this represented a serious breach of the bank’s money laundering due diligence obligations and FINMA’s prohibition on the bank from entering into additional higher-risk business activities.Given the serious malpractice, the prolonged non-compliance with licensing conditions and the bank’s inability to restore compliance with the law, FINMA ordered the withdrawal of the bank’s licence on 8 March 2024 and disqualified its guarantee of proper business conduct. This ruling does not yet have legal force due to a pending appeal at the Federal Administrative Court. However, during the appeal various precautionary measures decreed by FINMA, e.g. to prevent assets from being withdrawn by the bank, are in effect.FINMA intervening immediatelyAfter the bank’s board of directors approved the 2023 financial statements just a few days ago, and confirmed data to assess the risk of insolvency has only been available for a short time, FINMA established that FlowBank SA’s financial situation is much worse than the bank originally reported. The bank was clearly in breach of the minimum capital requirements at the end of 2023 and again at the end of April 2024. In addition there are well-founded concerns that the bank is over-indebted as at the end of April 2024. The bank was unable to carry out an eligible capital increase within the required timeframe. This new situation requires FINMA to intervene immediately to protect depositors, which is why it has placed the bank into bankruptcy.Repayment of privileged depositsFINMA’s primary aim is to protect depositors. In a first step the liquidator will therefore repay deposits up to CHF 100,000 (privileged deposits) to the clients concerned as quickly as possible. According to current calculations, the privileged deposits can be repaid in full out of the bank’s available funds. Therefore we do not expect the Swiss banks’ deposit insurance scheme (esisuisse) to be involved. Client custody accounts will also be segregated from the estate and repaid.FlowBank SA is a bank offering online brokerage and trading with its head office in Geneva and subsidiaries in London and the Bahamas. The bank has total assets of approximately CHF 680 million, holds over 22,000 client accounts and employs around 140 staff worldwide.In March 2022 London based Digital Asset Manager CoinShares announced a 20.28% Investment into FlowBank.Featured image credit: edited from freepikGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your Inbox]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finma-opens-bankruptcy-proceedings-against-flowbank</link><guid>3672</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10-Fintech-Finalists-for-ventures-2024-Startup-Competition.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>FINMA Opens Bankruptcy Proceedings Against Flowbank</dc:text></item><item><title>The Swiss Fintech European Championship Football Team 2024</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxAm Freitag ist es endlich soweit und die Fussball Europameisterschaft in Deutschland startet mit den Eröffnungsspiel Deutschland gegen Schottland.Wie bereits 2022 an der WM in Qatar und 2021 an der letzen EM haben wir wieder für die Fussball EM 2024  unser “Swiss Fintech Football Dream-Team” zusammengestellt. (Wie immer: just for fun und weil wir Fussball und Fintech begeistert sind)Das Fintechnews.ch Redaktion freut sich sehr auf die Spiele, hat aber im Gegensatz zum jetzigen Team kein Stürmer-Problem.Schweizer Spiele:15.06 Schweiz-Ungarn, 15.00h in Köln19.06 Schweiz-Schottland, 21.00h in Köln23.06 Schweiz-Deutschland, 21.00h in FrankfurtIm Achtelfinale dann wahrscheinlich gegen Spanien, Italien oder Kroatien ????Hopp Schwiiz!Warum ist Twint seit 2016 der Torhüter?Wir finden Twint verteidigt den Mobile Payment Markt Schweiz sehr gut und so lange Apple Pay keinen Schweizer Pass bekommt, stehen wir zu unseren Oldie Torhüter. Murat Yakin hat ja mit Sommer und Kobel die Qual der Wahl, wir haben auf dieser Position aber ein Problem.Wo bleibt der Nachwuchs?Es ist richtig, dass unsere Formation seit der Fussball WM sich nicht gross geändert hat. Neu im Team sind bspw. Everest und Kaspar&amp;, nachnominiert wurden zudem auch die beiden frisch gekürten Swiss Fintech Awards Gewinner, ansonsten sieht es eher schlecht aus mit dem Fintech Nachwuchs in den letzten par Jahren. Falls Du das anders siehst, lass uns das via Social Media Kommentar wissen.Unsere vergangenen Fussball Fintech Teams findet ihr hier:2022202120182016Das Schweizer Fussball Fintech EM National Team 2024Get the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your Inbox]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-swiss-fintech-european-championship-football-team-2024</link><guid>3670</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10-Fintech-Finalists-for-ventures-2024-Startup-Competition.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>The Swiss Fintech European Championship Football Team 2024</dc:text></item><item><title>Top Publicly-Listed Fintech Companies</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxCypriot fintech company MD Finance has released its selection of the world’s most promising publicly-listed fintech companies.These companies, selected out of a pool of 200 ventures, are standing out in terms of growth potential and investor appeal, and represent the “most attractive fintech companies for investors in 2024,” according to MD Finance.The 18 companies shortlisted come from North and South America (11), and Asia-Pacific (7), with the USA being the most represented country, totaling ten companies. It is followed by South Korea and Japan, with two companies each. Other countries represented include Kazakhstan, India, Taiwan and Brazil, with one company each.Fintech snapshot: the most attractive fintech companies for investors in 2024, Source: MD Fintech, Jun 2024Valuations and investor sentimentThe analysis by MD Finance reveals that the 18 companies exhibit a median enterprise value (EV)/earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) ratio of 34.5. The EV/EBITDA ratio is a popular valuation multiple used to determine the fair market value of a company. It is a widely used measure to assess the relative value of companies, especially within the same industry.An EV/EBITDA ratio below the industry average might suggest the company is undervalued or facing challenges. On the other hand, an EV/EBITDA ratio above the industry average might suggest the company is overvalued or has strong growth prospects.Bank of Montreal, from Canada; Kaspi, from Kazakhstan; and OneMain Holdings, from the US; have the lowest EV/EBITDA ratios of the cohort at 19.5, 10.4, and 22, respectively. The ratios, which stand below the industry median, suggest that these companies are either undervalued or facing challenges.Bank of Montreal is the eighth largest bank in North America by assets, providing personal, commercial and investment banking to 13 million customers. Kaspi offers payments, marketplace, and fintech solutions to 12.6 million monthly active users. Finally, OneMain Holdings provides non-prime consumers responsible access to credit.Conversely, nCino, Navient Corporation, and Rocket Companies – all from the US – have the highest EV/EBITDA ratios of the cohort at 274.7, 172.7, and 159.2, respectively. These numbers are way above the industry average, suggesting that these companies are either overvalued or have strong growth prospects.nCino is a cloud-based banking software provider that’s partnered with more than 1,800 financial services companies. Navient Corporation is a student loan servicer. Finally, Rocket Companies is a fintech company that provides simple, fast and trusted digital solutions for complex transactions, and which serves 2.5 million clients.The analysis by MD Finance also reveals that all companies have a EV/Revenue (EV/Rev) ratio higher than 6 with a median of 9.4. The EV/Rev is another valuation metric used to assess a company’s value relative to its revenue. This ratio helps investors understand how much they are paying for a company’s sales, without taking profitability into account.Like for the EV/EBITDA ratio, an EV/Rev ratio below the industry average might suggest the company is undervalued or limited potential in the eyes of investors, while an EV/Rev ratio above the industry average might suggest that the company is either overvalued or that the market has faith in the company’s ability to generate more efficiently in the future.Bank of Montreal, Kaspi and KeyCorp, from the US, have the lowest EV/Rev ratios of the cohort, at 5, 5.3 and 6.3, respectively. These ratios stand below the industry median, making these companies either undervalued or witnessing slow revenue growth.KeyCorp is a bank holding company that offers a range of retail and commercial banking, commercial mortgage and special servicing, consumer finance and leasing, investment management, and investment banking products and services. It holds about US$187 billion in AUM.At the other end of the spectrum, JIO Financial Services, from India, Navient Corporation and KB Financial Group, from South Korea, have the highest EV/Rev ratios at 109.8, 47, and 34.9, respectively, suggesting overvaluation or strong revenue growth potential.JIO Financial Services provides financial services, including payment services and insurance broking, and boasts 439 million subscribers. KB Financial Group offers a broad range of banking and financial services, and holds around KRW 517.8 trillion of assets under management (AUM).Top public fintech companies KPIs and key valuation multiples, Source: MD Fintech, Jun 2024Financial performanceThe analysis also shows that all of the 18 companies are EBITDA profitable, meaning that their core operations are generating positive earnings before accounting for non-operating expenses and non-cash expenses. However, it also reveals that two companies – nCino and Rocket Companies –  reported a negative net income of -US$16 million and -US$42 million, respectively, in 2023.In contrast, Bank of Montreal, KB Financial Group, Kaspi and Nubank achieved the highest performance in 2023, recording a net income of US$4.4 billion, US$3.5 billion, US$1.9 billion, and US$1 billion, respectively.Nubank is a digital banking platform from Brazil serving about 100 million customers. The company offers digital credit cards, transfers, and payments.Other noteworthy publicly-traded fintech companies featured in the MD Finance shortlist include Payonneer Global and KakaoBank. Payoneer is an American financial services company that provides online money transfer, digital payment services and provides customers with working capital. The company posted US$93 million in net income in 2023 and serves 5 million customers. KakaoBank is a South Korean financial institution specializing in mobile banking services and fintech. The bank recorded US$321 million in net income in 2023 and boasts 23 million customers.Fintech stocks reboundIn Q1 2024, fintech stocks continued their upward trend. The RPP Fintech Index, which tracks the performance of key fintech verticals, saw a 4% increase from its December 2023 value, a sustained growth which highlights the continued strength and expansion of the fintech sector, according to London-based corporate finance advisory Royal Park Partners.Across the fintech verticals covered by the RPP Fintech Index, insurtech recorded the strongest growth, rising by a remarkable 61% quarter-on-quarter (QoQ). The rise of the insurtech index was largely driven by Root Insurance’s strong performances, with its stock price soaring approximately fivefold following the release of its “best-ever” Q4 results.Meanwhile, payments and capital markets witnessed more moderate growth at 5% and 4%, respectively. Conversely, the cryptocurrency and blockchain sector tumbled 16% QoQ. However, the crypto and blockchain vertical rebounded in the first months of 2024 and added 3% after the launch of the first spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds garnered substantial market momentum.Breakdown of fintech verticals, Source: Q1 2024 Quarterly Fintech Market Update, Royal Park Partners, Apr 2024Featured image credit: edited from freepikGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your Inbox]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-publicly-listed-fintech-companies</link><guid>3671</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10-Fintech-Finalists-for-ventures-2024-Startup-Competition.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Top Publicly-Listed Fintech Companies</dc:text></item><item><title>Ergon Supports Tenity Fintech Accelerator</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxTenity and Ergon Informatik AG, a pioneer in digitalization and technological solutions based in Switzerland, have partnered to promote digital innovation in Switzerland.Tenity is a leading innovation ecosystem and early-stage investor promoting innovation primarily in the financial and insurance sectors through pre-seed acceleration programs, collaboration-focused open innovation programs for partners, and industry events, among other activities.Andreas ItenAndreas Iten, CEO &amp; Co-Founder of Tenity, explains,“This partnership with Ergon represents a powerful fusion of our expertise in nurturing fintech and insurtech startups with Ergon’s unparalleled experience in digital transformation. We are convinced that the extended Tenity ecosystem will benefit greatly from Ergon’s know-how and expertise.”Strong partners – from the initial idea to market successErgon is a leading provider of IT solutions and services based in Switzerland. Together, Tenity and Ergon will support the fintech and insurtech markets in Switzerland and beyond.Adrian BergerAdrian Berger, Managing Director Finance Solutions &amp; Member of the Executive Board at Ergon, explains the importance of this cooperation:“The partnership with Tenity will allow us to effectively use our extensive knowledge and experience in the field of digital transformation and create innovative solutions for fintech and insurtech companies. Together, we combine our strengths and support startups from the initial idea through to market success.”Ergon has over 20 years of experience in working with both international and local financial service providers, establishing many meaningful and lasting partnerships along the way. These partnerships have included projects in retail banking, private banking, wealth management, asset management, stock exchange and POS transactions. Ergon even developed the first Internet banking system in Switzerland. When it comes to insurance, Ergon has extensive know-how in broker systems, B2B transactions and insurance portals.Within the Tenity ecosystem, Ergon offers specialist expert knowledge in areas such as tech consulting, user experience design, software engineering and data and artificial intelligence. This expertise is specially tailored to the requirements of startups accepted on the “Tenity Pre-Seed Fintech Accelerator Program”.Featured image credit: edited from freepikGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your Inbox]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ergon-supports-tenity-fintech-accelerator</link><guid>3669</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10-Fintech-Finalists-for-ventures-2024-Startup-Competition.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Ergon Supports Tenity Fintech Accelerator</dc:text></item><item><title>The Winners of the Swiss Fintech Awards 2024 Are….</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxFor the ninth time, the Swiss FinTech Awards celebrated outstanding Swiss start-ups and influential personalities from the Swiss fintech scene on the evening of June 11 in Zurich.AI Start-up Neur.on AI Wins “Early Stage Start-up of the Year”Neur.on AI emerged victorious in the “Early Stage Start-up of the Year” category. This young company offers an AI-based translation solution specialized for the financial industry, enabling more cost-effective and precise translations of any financial documents compared to existing market offerings. With this, the start-up addresses a $10 billion market (USD) infinancial and legal translations.Also making it to the finals in this category was the start-up CLIMADA Technologies, which provides financial service providers with transparent and regulatory-compliant climate change reporting.GenTwo Expands the Investment Universe and Wins “Growth Stage Start-up of the Year”In the “Growth Stage Start-up of the Year” category, GenTwo took the prize. GenTwo expands the investment universe through the “assetization” of previously inaccessible, unbankable assets – driven by technology and innovations in securitization and tokenization. With their offerings, GenTwo has created financial products worth five billion US dollars for over 300 clients in 26 countries.Also in the finals was payrexx, a payment service provider offering easy access to over 200 payment options on its platform. The company has so far acquired 60,000 merchants as customers and integrated its platform as a white-label solution with over 100 partners.Johannes “Johs” Höhener HonoredJohs. HoehenerJohannes “Johs” Höhener received the “FinTech Influencer of the Year” award for his decades-long positive impact on the fintech industry. Throughout his career, Höhener has influenced the Swiss FinTech community in various roles and companies, including establishing and leading Swisscom’s fintech division, founding and developing the ecommerce competence center for cantonal banks e-research AG, and numerous advisory roles such as with Swiss Stablecoin AG and board positions like for example with daura AG.The jury of the Swiss FinTech Awards honors Höhener’s constant and tireless dedication to the Swiss fintech landscape with this award.Die Swiss FinTech AwardsSince 2015, the Swiss Finech Awards have fostered a strong Swiss fintech ecosystem.While start-ups undergo a multi-stage application process and must convince the jury, the “FinTech Influencer of the Year” is directly nominated and selected by the jury. The jury of the Swiss FinTech Awards consists of around 20 renowned fintech experts and industry representatives.Get the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your Inbox]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-winners-of-the-swiss-fintech-awards-2024-are</link><guid>3668</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10-Fintech-Finalists-for-ventures-2024-Startup-Competition.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>The Winners of the Swiss Fintech Awards 2024 Are….</dc:text></item><item><title>Joe Montana and Ashton Kutcher Among Top Celebrity Startup Investors</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxCelebrity investors are becoming an influential force in the venture capital (VC) landscape, offering significant visibility, credibility and strategic support to the startups they invest in. But some are standing out from the pack, demonstrating a knack for identifying future unicorns or strong merger and acquisition (M&amp;A) targets.Market intelligence platform CB Insights has released its “Celebrity VC Index”, ranking the top 20 celebrity investors based on the strength of their portfolios. The index takes into consideration recent financing and exit activity, unicorn metrics, as well as the Mosaic scores of portfolio companies, to identify the most successful celebrity VCs.The Mosaic score is a proprietary algorithm developed by CB Insights that evaluates the health and growth potential of private companies. It combines various metrics and data points into a single score to assess the viability and future prospects of a company.Most active celebrity VCs and best investors at spotting future unicornsAccording to the Celebrity VC Index, Joe Montana, a former American football player, is the most active and successful celebrity VC, topping the ranking by making more investments than any other celebrities and minting more unicorn startups.Since 2020, Montana’s Liquid 2 Ventures has invested in a whooping 569 deals and backed 10 of today’s unicorn startups. These companies include Airbyte, an open-source data integration platform valued at US$1.5 billion, Pipe, a financial services company providing non-dilutive capital solutions for businesses worth US$2 billion, and Whatnot, a livestream shopping platform valued at US$3.7 billion.American actor and entrepreneur Ashton Kutcher ranks second with his Sound Ventures having invested in 118 deals since 2020 and bet on five companies that reached unicorn startups. These ventures include Misfits Market, an online grocery delivery service now valued at US$2 billion, Truepill, an online pharmacy platform worth US$1.6 billion, and Papa, an elderly homecare startup valued at US$1.4 billion.Most exits and highest Mosaic score averageThe Chainsmokers, an electronic DJ duo, and Jay-Z, a rapper and entrepreneur, have seen the most exit activity in proportion to their overall deal volume, recording five exits via M&amp;A or initial public offering (IPO) each since 2020. The Chainsmokers and Jay-Z rank third and fourth in the Celebrity VC Index, respectively.The Chainsmokers have backed startups such as Flink, an online supermarket valued at US$1.07 billion, and WeLoveNoCode, a marketplace that connects 5,000 companies and 36,000 no-code developers; while Jay-Z has invested in ventures including K Health, a healthtech startup worth US$1.5 billion, and Oatly, a Swedish company that develops oat-based diary alternatives. Oatly went public in 2021 at a valuation of US$10 billion, giving Jay-Z a 5x return on investment, according to CB Insights.Mindy Kaling, an actress and producer, leads the ranking in terms of portfolio companies’ Mosaic scores, averaging 883 out of 1,000. Since 2020, Kaling has only invested in seven startups and backed one company that became a unicorn. Maven, a virtual clinic specializing in women’s and family health, reached a US$1 billion valuation in 2021 after raising a US$110 million Series D funding round. Kaling ranks sixth in the Celebrity VC Index.Investment trendsData from CB Insights show that celebrities investors tend to invest in consumer-facing brands and media-adjacent businesses, which align with their personal brand, expertise, and influence. These sectors offer high visibility and market engagement, allowing celebrities to leverage their fame to drive business success.Kutcher, for example, has invested in Warby Parker, a direct-to-consumer eyewear startup that went public in 2021. Kaling, Jay-Z and Serena Williams (#17) have backed Impossible Foods, a company developing plant-based substitutes for meat products.The CB Insights report also notes that the top-performing celebrity investors have turned investing into a consistent business practice. This is shown by the fact that the top five celebrities in the ranking have established their own VC funds in addition to complement their individual investing activity. Alongside Montana’s Liquid 2 Ventures and Kutcher’s Sound Ventures, these funds include the Chainsmokers’ Mantis, Jay-Z’s Marcy Venture Partners, and Kevin Durant (#5)’s Thirty Five Ventures.Other celebrity featured in CB Insights’ Celebrity VC Index include professionals athletes Michael Jordan (#12), Chris Paul (#13), and LeBron James (#19); actors Robert Downey Jr. (#7), Will Smith (#8) and Leonardo DiCaprio (#18); rappers Snoop Dogg (#11) and Drake (#16); social media personalities Josh Richards (#10) and Jake Paul (#20); comedian Kevin Hart (#14); TV host and producer Oprah Winfrey (#9); and DJ Steve Aoki (#15).Top celebrity VCs, Source: CB Insights, May 2024Notable celebrity investors in fintechSeparate research by Fintech Global shows that several of these celebrities are also active in fintech. In particular, Durant, the Chainsmokers, Hart and Smith were among the 10 most active fintech celebrities investors between 2019 and 2023, the report says.Durant’s key investments over the period include Goalsetter, a mobile banking app that allows peer-to-peer transactions; Jeeves, which provides open global business accounts; and Titan, an investment firm also backed by Smith.The Chainsmokers invested in Step, a teen banking app also backed by Smith; Pluang, an Indonesian fractional investing app; and X1 Card, a challenger credit card. Hart backed Fonoa, a tax automation platform, and Mercury, a business banking startup, while Smith invested in Front, a strategic investment platform, and Public.com, a social investing platform.Top 10 most active fintech celebrity investors 2019-2023, Source: Fintech Global Research, Mar 2024Featured image credit: edited from freepikGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your Inbox]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/joe-montana-and-ashton-kutcher-among-top-celebrity-startup-investors</link><guid>3665</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10-Fintech-Finalists-for-ventures-2024-Startup-Competition.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Joe Montana and Ashton Kutcher Among Top Celebrity Startup Investors</dc:text></item><item><title>AI in Banking Presents Both Risks and Opportunities</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxDespite the promised benefits of improved customer support and personalization, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in banking also introduces several disadvantages and risks, including data privacy and security issues as well as fraud risks, a new survey by Glassbox found.The study, which polled 1,000 US consumers aged 21+ in May 2024, found that 60% of respondents believe AI in banking presents equal parts benefit and risk. Notably, 47% of respondents identified security risks as their primary concern regarding AI in banking.Security is considered an extreme priority in digital banking by over half of the respondents, with 90% stating that the security of personal information is important or extremely important. This underscores the urgent need for banks to prioritize security and reliability in their digital services.There is also a clear demand for transparent and proactive communication about AI use and related security measures, with 85% of consumers expecting proactive communication from their banks. Moreover, more than half of the respondents indicated they would switch banks if they were victims of AI-related fraud.These concerns are substantiated by another survey conducted by BioCatch, a security services firm. The company, which polled financial institutions in the US and ten other countries in January and February 2024, found that 51% of the organizations surveyed lost between US$5 million and US$25 million due to AI-based or AI-driven threats in 2023. Nearly half of the respondents anticipate an increase in financial crime and fraud in 2024.A rising challenge in this context is deepfake technology, which allows for the creation of fake videos, images, and audio to impersonate individuals. This technology has become increasingly sophisticated and accessible, leading to a significant increase in its use for fraudulent purposes.According to Sumsub’s 2023 Identity Fraud Report, there was a tenfold increase in the number of deepfakes detected globally across all industries from 2022 to 2023, with the crypto and fintech sectors accounting for 96% of these cases. In the fintech space alone, deepfake incidents rose by 700% in 2023 compared to the previous year.Deloitte expects deepfake incidents to proliferate in the years to come as bad actors continue to exploit increasingly sophisticated and affordable generative AI (gen AI) technologies to defraud banks and their customers.The firm estimates that gen AI, which refers to AI systems designed to autonomously generate new, original content, could drive fraud losses in the US to US$40 billion by 2027, up from US$12.3 billion in 2023, representing a compound annual growth rate of 32%.Fraud losses, actual and expected, 2017 to 2027 (US$ billion), Source: Deloitte Center for Financial Services, May 2024Despite the risks and challenges, consumers recognize AI does provide some valuable use in banking. According to the Glassbox survey, 59% of US consumers are comfortable with AI being used to identify potential fraud, and nearly half support its use in fixing mobile app or website errors to improve usability.AI also aids in providing a seamless customer experience across digital platforms, a feature deemed important by 66% of consumers. Additionally, 79% of users emphasized the importance of quality customer support online, and 63% consider personalization based on past activity and history to be significant.Furthermore, customers expect reliable and consistent experiences when accessing financial information and resources. In fact, 87% of respondents stated that overall reliability and the absence of errors are essential when conducting transactions via app or website.Globally, AI is being adopted by the banking sector at a fast pace. A recent McKinsey survey found that adoption of AI has reached a remarkable 72% this year, up from 55% in 2023. Also, responses show that companies are now using AI in more parts of the business. Half of respondents reported that their organizations have adopted AI in two or more business functions, up from less than a third of respondents in 2023.Business functions at respondents’ organizations that have adopted AI, % of respondents, Source: McKinsey and Company, May 2024Top executives in the finance and banking sector are willing to take significant risks for the efficiency improvements brought about by AI. A study conducted by IBM, which surveyed more than 3,000 CEOs in the banking and financial markets, found that 66% believe the potential productivity gains from automation and AI are so substantial that they would accept significant risks to stay competitive. Additionally, 67% said they would take more risks than their competitors to maintain their competitive edge, underscoring the importance of adopting AI in this sector.Featured image credit: edited from freepikGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your Inbox]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ai-in-banking-presents-both-risks-and-opportunities</link><guid>3666</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10-Fintech-Finalists-for-ventures-2024-Startup-Competition.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>AI in Banking Presents Both Risks and Opportunities</dc:text></item><item><title>Studie: Die Digitalsten Privatbanken in der Schweiz noch nicht im KI Fieber</title><description><![CDATA[Free NewsletterGet the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your InboxColombus Consulting veröffentlicht die vierte Ausgabe seiner Studie über die Digitalisierung der Kundenbeziehungen der Schweizer Privatbanken, die mit einem Panel von fast 30 Hauptakteuren des Sektors durchgeführt wurde.Die Studie zeigt, dass die explosionsartige Entwicklung der KI zu immer schnelleren Veränderungen führt. Es ist noch nicht zu spät und für Privatbanken höchste Zeit, sich auf die neuen digitalen Herausforderungen einzustellen, die KI mit sich bringt.Die Rangliste 2024 bleibt weitgehend unverändert, wobei sich eine Top-5-Gruppe vom Rest des Panels abhebtDas Quartett Vontobel, Julius Bär, Lombard Odier und Pictet dominiert auch dieses Jahr die Rangliste.Dank hoher Besucherzahlen auf ihren Webeiten profitieren sie in allen untersuchten Aspekten von einem „Schneeballeffekt“ und generieren einen natürlichen oder bezahlten Besucherstrom, der die Kunden auf ihre digitalen Plattformen (Web, Mobile, soziale Netzwerke usw.) weiterleitet. Der bemerkenswerte Einstieg von Alpian an die Spitze des Rankings im Jahr 2023 wurde in diesem Jahr bestätigt, was den innovativen und digitalen Charakter der Bank unterstreicht.Abgesehen von den Veränderungen in der Rangliste ist das Wachstum des Internettraffics für das gesamte Panel positiv (+10 % mit fast 590 Millionen monatlichen Besuchern), und die Leistungen der verschiedenen E-Banking-Plattformen haben sich erheblich verbessert. Dies spiegelt sich auch in einem stärkeren Engagement des Publikums wider (+17 %).Dennoch haben die untersuchten Banken bei der Digitalisierung noch einen weiten Weg vor sich, insbesondere was die Beherrschung des digitalen Marketings und der Verwaltung mobiler Apps betrifft, wo nur langsam Fortschritte erzielt werden. Lombard Odier und Vontobel zeichnen sich jedoch durch eine regelmässig aktualisierte und gut bewertete App aus, und neue Marktteilnehmer wie Alpian bieten moderne Funktionen wie In-App-Videoanrufe an.Soziale Netzwerke: Eine neue Ära hat begonnenWährend die Zahl der Abonnenten in den sozialen Netzwerken im Jahr 2023 stabil blieb, verzeichnet die Studie in diesem Jahr ein Wachstum von 32 %. Die bei Facebook festgestellte Verlangsamung (+9 %) wurde durch LinkedIn (+42 %, das 77 % des gesamten Publikums der sozialen Netzwerke erreicht) mehr als wettgemacht, gefolgt von YouTube und Instagram (+20 % und +17 %). Dagegen scheint X (ehemals Twitter) nicht mehr attraktiv zu sein (+0,2 %).Im Jahr 2024 zog das Aufkommen von Videoinhalten, in denen die Überzeugungen der Banken in Bezug auf Marktvisionen und Investitionen dargestellt werden, ein neues Publikum auf diese Medienplattformen an. Insgesamt blieben CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) und ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) auch in diesem Jahr die meist behandelten Themen dieser Inhalte.Die Studie stellt auch Kommunikationsbemühungen zu gestellschaftlichen Themen fest, insbesodere zum Sport oder zu gemeinnützigen Engagements. Obwohl diese Art der Information ein neues Publikum anspricht, erzeugt sie nur wenig Engagement und fördert nicht den Austausch mit ihren Zielgruppen.„Digitale Verantwortung: Im Rückstand?In den letzten Jahren haben die Privatbanken begonnen, ESG-Kriterien zu berücksichtigen, und die nachhaltige Entwicklung ist zu einem wichtigen Aspekt der Bankprodukte, insbesondere der Fonds, geworden.Banken sind endlich bereit, ihre Instrumente den Kunden zur Verfügung zu stellenDie Anbieter digitaler Lösungen haben dieses Konzept verstanden und bieten nun B2B2C-Tools an, die die Banken für ihre eigenen Konten nutzen und ihren Kunden zur Verfügung stellen können (Online-KYC [Know-Your-Customer], elektronische Unterschrift, Portfoliosimulation und Auswirkungsanalyse, Auftragserteilung).Neue Technologien und Private Banking: Auf dem Weg zu präziseren und personalisierten EmpfehlungenPrivate-Banking-Berater profitieren stark von neuen Technologien, die die Art und Weise, wie sie mit ihren Kunden interagieren und deren Portfolios verwalten, revolutionieren. Mit Hilfe von Instrumenten wie Portfoliomanagementdiensten, Software für das Kundenbeziehungsmanagement, E-Banking und generativer künstlicher Intelligenz können sie genauere und individuellere Empfehlungen aussprechen und anbieten.Diese Technologien ermöglichen ein besseres Verständnis der Kunden (z. B. AirWealth von Avaloq), verbesserte Bankdienstleistungen, insbesondere in den Bereichen Simulation und Portfoliomanagement (z. B. Swissquant), sowie schnellere und bessere Reaktionen sowohl intern als auch extern. Die Einführung dieser neuen Technologien ist jedoch mit einigen Hürden verbunden, wie die Weitergabe von Kundendaten mittels Tools von Drittanbietern, das Bankkundengeheimnis zu wahren und den Wandel innerhalb der Finanzinstitute zu bewältigen.Private Banking und KI: Auf dem Weg in einer neue Ära der Effizienz und ComplianceIm vergangenen Jahr haben viele Banken KI-Initiativen lanciert, die sich in unterschiedlichem Ausmass auf ihre operative Leistung auswirken. Mit der Einführung von One.chat, einer mit dem Zürcher Startup Unique entwickelten Lösung zur Optimierung der Produktivität, oder der Lancierung eines KI-basierten Fonds zur Erzielung einer Outperformance ist Pictet der Konkurrenz einen Schritt voraus. Diese Anwendungsfälle zeigen, dass die Banken die KI für ihre internen Prozesse nutzen. Derzeit gibt es noch keine Initiativen, die sich mit Kundendaten befassen, was zeigt, dass die Schweizer Privatbanken nach wie vor um die Vertraulichkeit besorgt sind.Digitaler Index : Die globale digitale Performance der BrancheColombus Consulting präsentiert das globale Ranking des digitalen Index, welcher die digitale 360°-Performance von Privatbanken anhand von 50 Indikatoren (Web, Mobile, Marketing und Social), misst. Die Ergebnisse zeigen sehr unterschiedliche Situationen zwischen den Akteuren.Get the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your Inbox]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/studie-die-digitalsten-privatbanken-in-der-schweiz-noch-nicht-im-ki-fieber</link><guid>3667</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10-Fintech-Finalists-for-ventures-2024-Startup-Competition.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Studie: Die Digitalsten Privatbanken in der Schweiz noch nicht im KI Fieber</dc:text></item><item><title>Bitpanda Expands Partnership With Deutsche Bank</title><description><![CDATA[

		
				
		
	
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Austrian Fintech unicorn Bitpanda is expanding its partnership with Deutsche Bank to provide real-time payment solutions for incoming and outgoing transactions for users in Germany.
This API-based account solution will provide Bitpanda with access to German IBANs, streamlining and enhancing the experience for users and ensuring confidence, speed and efficiency.&#13;
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Deutsche Bank already supports the operational needs of Bitpanda as its European Hausbank for cross-currency solutions in Austria and Spain.
Bitpanda is a regulated multi-asset broker platform offering more than 2,800 selected virtual assets and indices as well as stocks, ETFs and commodities to retail investors. Deutsche Bank represents another major institutional partnership for Bitpanda, who are currently undergoing a period of significant growth. Cooperation with traditional financial services providers is a strategic goal throughout 2024 for the unicorn, which believes that such integration will shape the future of the financial services industry.
Lukas Enzersdorfer-Konrad
Lukas Enzersdorfer-Konrad, Deputy CEO of Bitpanda, commented:
“Bringing the best parts of the industry together is where we can create real value for people. Deutsche Bank’s commitment to working with new and innovative players in the financial industry continues to make our partnership possible. From today, we can access a range of Deutsche Bank’s products, unlocking benefits for our team and our users.”
Kilian Thalhammer
Kilian Thalhammer, Global Head of Merchant Solutions, Deutsche Bank, added:
“We are always looking to partner with companies who share our commitment to user safety and security. With Bitpanda, a recognised and regulated fintech provider, we are confident to help build a secure and trusted environment for users in this innovative field of virtual asset investing. With our strategy to be the bank of choice for the high-potential platforms, the partnership with Bitpanda represents a key milestone as we shape this emerging ecosystem through active engagement with leading industry players.”

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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bitpanda-expands-partnership-with-deutsche-bank</link><guid>3663</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10-Fintech-Finalists-for-ventures-2024-Startup-Competition.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Bitpanda Expands Partnership With Deutsche Bank</dc:text></item><item><title>Money20/20 Europe Crowns 6 Fintech Startups</title><description><![CDATA[

		
				
		
	
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Money20/20 Europa has unveiled six startups that are poised to transform the world of money.
The selected startups are Flexvelop, Brite Payments, Kore Labs, Nomyx, Velexa, and NALA. The emerging startups were unveiled during Money20/20 Europe’s Startup Media Session on June 5th at the RAI in Amsterdam.&#13;
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Money20/20 Europe brings together the most influential figures in the fintech and financial services landscape, unlocking growth opportunities for these startups to transform into industry heavy hitters.
Scarlett Sieber
“Startups have always been at the heart of Money20/20. It has been a real pleasure seeing the early-stage startups begin on our stages before maturing into some of the biggest players in the industry. As the world of money comes together for Money20/20 Europe, we are delighted to showcase startups that we believe will change the future of money, covering the entire gamut of the ecosystem from regulations to infrastructure. It’s a core mission for Money20/20 to identify, support, and elevate startups and we couldn’t be more proud to provide a platform for these handpicked businesses as they continue their growth journey,”
said Scarlett Sieber, Chief Strategy and Growth Officer at Money20/20.
The six crowned fintech startups are:
Flexvelop is a German flexible financing solution for business equipment, enabling companies to lease technology and purchase it at a reduced price. Thanks to this flexible leasing, rental, and credit model, businesses can trial different equipment to see what best suits their needs, better react to market shifts, and find more cost-effective solutions tailored to them.
Brite Payments is a Swedish instant payments startup offering smarter, faster, and more financially sustainable ways for payments and payouts thanks to open banking. Their technology allows funds to be transferred immediately and seamlessly with bank-grade security, minimizing risk for merchants and creating a hassle-free payment experience for consumers.
Kore Labs is a UK-based, award-winning RegTech startup digitizing financial product management to reduce regulatory risks, costs, and time to market for financial products. Kore serves a wide range of financial institutions, including major European banks, investment managers, and insurance companies.
Nomyx is an American Web3 and AI tokenization startup enabling companies to transform traditional assets into digital tokens in a seamless, secure, and transparent manner. Businesses can tokenize a wide range of assets with Nomyx, such as traditional financial assets, real estate properties, art pieces, company shares, intellectual property rights, and collectibles. Nomyx unlocks liquidity for businesses and provides them with increased flexibility with portfolio management.
Velexa is a London-based white-label API-based investing platform offering global market access across all major asset classes and currencies. Velexa is the only multi-asset platform that offers a cutting-edge B2B2C WealthTech technology that empowers banks, brokers, wealth managers, and other institutions to embed investing services in their portfolios, delivering a unified personal finance experience for their end users, ultimately making finance less intimidating. In this way, Velexa aims to revolutionize financial literacy and wealth management across Europe.
NALA is an international money transfer app enabling individuals (nala.com) and businesses (rafiki.com) in the EU, US, and the UK to send money to 11 countries in Africa. Payments to Africa are significantly more expensive than payments to any other continent; NALA was built to reduce those fees through fast, reliable, and affordable cross-border payments. NALA has grown 29x in the past 20 months. Earlier this year, NALA turned profitable and achieved 10X revenue growth in the past 12 months. Their team grew from 7 to nearly 100 in this same time period.
Money20/20’s Startup Media Session was designed as part of its goal to support startups sitting at the intersection of finance and technology. Last year’s winners included Net Purpose, Clima Cash, Eljun, GoKind, KYP, Zing, and Conduit, among others.


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/money2020-europe-crowns-6-fintech-startups</link><guid>3664</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10-Fintech-Finalists-for-ventures-2024-Startup-Competition.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Money20/20 Europe Crowns 6 Fintech Startups</dc:text></item><item><title>Avaloq beteiligt sich an Kaspar&amp; CHF 2.5 Millionen Seed-Finanzierungsrunde</title><description><![CDATA[

		
				
		
	
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Das Schweizer Fintech-Unternehmen Kaspar&amp; hat eine Seed-Finanzierungsrunde über CHF 2.5 Millionen abgeschlossen und geht eine strategische Partnerschaft mit Avaloq ein.
Im Rahmen der neuen Partnerschaft hat Avaloq eine Minderheitsbeteiligung an Kaspar&amp; erworben und plant, die Investment-App des Unternehmens in die Avaloq Core Platform zu integrieren. Damit können Banken, die die Plattform von Avaloq in der Schweiz nutzen, ihrer Kundschaft einfacher zugängliche Anlagemöglichkeiten bieten.&#13;
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Kaspar&amp; wurde 2020 als Spin-off der Universität St. Gallen und der ETH Zürich gegründet. Das Unternehmen bietet Zugang zu Bankkonten und Zahlungsdienstleistungen sowie eine App für kostengünstige Investments. Die innovativen Anlagemöglichkeiten von Kaspar&amp; umfassen eine Save-as-you-spend-Lösung, die Kreditkarteneinkäufe aufrundet und die Differenz in Indexfonds und ETFs investiert. Das erleichtert es Schweizer Konsumentinnen und Konsumenten, erste Anlageerfahrungen zu sammeln und langfristig Vermögen aufzubauen.
Mit der Partnerschaft unterstreicht Avaloq das Bekenntnis zu Innovation und einem niederschwelligen Zugang zur Vermögensverwaltung. Durch die einfache Integration ins Kernbankensystem von Avaloq können Finanzinstitute in der ganzen Schweiz die Investment-App von Kaspar&amp; rasch für ihre Retailkunden und vermögende Privatkundschaft verfügbar machen.
Martin Greweldinger
Martin Greweldinger, CEO von Avaloq, dazu:
«Wir sind stolz auf unsere Innovationskraft und unser solides Netz an Fintech-Partnern. Mit unserer Beteiligung an Kaspar&amp; würdigen wir das Potenzial des Unternehmens, das Anlageverhalten im Schweizer Retail-Markt zu revolutionieren. Kaspar&amp; bietet seiner Kundschaft nicht nur automatisierte, kostengünstige Anlagelösungen, mit der intuitiven Benutzeroberfläche erleichtert die App ihren Nutzerinnen und Nutzern auch erste Anlageerfahrungen. Durch die vollständige Integration der App in unser Kernbankensystem fördern wir das Wachstum von Kaspar&amp; und ermöglichen es Finanzinstituten, die die Avaloq Plattform in der Schweiz nutzen, ihren Kundinnen und Kunden Zugang zu dieser innovativen Anlageplattform zu gewähren.»
Für Kaspar&amp; stellen die Partnerschaft und der Abschluss der Seed-Finanzierung wichtige Pfeiler des künftigen Unternehmenswachstums dar. Angeführt von Avaloq sind noch weitere Minderheitsinvestoren wie die Basellandschaftliche Kantonalbank (BLKB) sowie institutionelle Anleger und Business Angels an der Finanzierungsrunde beteiligt.
Jan-Philip Schade
Jan-Philip Schade, Mitbegründer und CEO von Kaspar&amp;, dazu:
«Mit der strategischen Partnerschaft mit Avaloq schreiben wir ein neues Kapitel unserer Unternehmensgeschichte. Die Beteiligung eines wichtigen Vertreters des Schweizer Finanzmarkts bestätigt das Potenzial unserer Plattform und ermöglicht es uns, den Wachstumskurs von Kaspar&amp; beizubehalten. Ich glaube, dass die Integration der Kaspar&amp;-App ins führende Schweizer Kernbankensystem einen wesentlichen Schritt hin zur verstärkten Zusammenarbeit zwischen Banken und Fintechs darstellt. Wir freuen uns auf den langfristigen Ausbau unserer Partnerschaft mit Avaloq und darauf, Finanzinstitute in der Schweiz bei der Erweiterung ihres Anlageangebots für Retailkunden und ihre vermögende Privatkundschaft zu unterstützen.»

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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/avaloq-beteiligt-sich-an-kaspar-chf-25-millionen-seed-finanzierungsrunde</link><guid>3662</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10-Fintech-Finalists-for-ventures-2024-Startup-Competition.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Avaloq beteiligt sich an Kaspar&amp; CHF 2.5 Millionen Seed-Finanzierungsrunde</dc:text></item><item><title>B2B Influencer Marketing Shifts Towards More Interactive and Immersive Collaborations</title><description><![CDATA[

		
				
		
	
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A new research by Onalytica, an influencer marketing software platform, shows that while brands are prioritizing social content for their business-to-business (B2B) influencer marketing strategies, influencers are increasingly engaging in dynamic and interactive brand collaborations, with a strong preference for speaking at in-person events and co-creating content.
This trend highlights a shift towards more immersive and substantive engagements, highlighting a deeper partnership between brands and influencers to attract audience attention across various platforms.&#13;
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The 2024 B2B Influencer Marketing Report reveals that 76% of brand marketers prioritize social content, closely followed by video at 70%. However, influencers are most enthusiastic about speaking at in-person events (71%) and co-creating content in partnership with brands (67%).
Influencer marketing tactics for 2024, Source: 2024 B2B Influencer Marketing Report, Onalytica
How influencers are planning for collaboration in 2024, Source: 2024 B2B Influencer Marketing Report, Onalytica
These figures show a divergence in preferences for engagements, with influencers favoring direct interaction and immediate impact of live events, while brands emphasize digital content, including blogs and videos, to broaden reach and deepen engagement. This reflects strategic opportunities for brands to integrate live influencer engagements with digital content strategies, enhancing both their reach and relationship depth, the report says.
LinkedIn as the top channel
In 2024, the channel preferences of brands and influencers show strategic alignment. Brands and influencers rated LinkedIn as their top channel for 2024, highlighting the platform’s pivotal role in B2B influencer marketing. However, platforms like Instagram and YouTube continue to hold strong appeal, reflecting an ongoing trend towards visual and video-based content for engaging audiences.
However, divergence emerges on platforms like Reddit and Threads, where priorities vary significantly, indicating differences in audience engagement and platform suitability.
Brand and influencer channel prioritization, Source: 2024 B2B Influencer Marketing Report, Onalytica
Data from Onalytica show a clear premium on B2B influencer tasks requiring personal interactions or significant preparation. Speaking at an in-person event costs an average of US$17,000, while authoring an ebook or whitepaper has an average price of US$10,000. Video content, especially long-form, also commands high fees, reflecting its importance and effectiveness in current marketing strategies. Long-form video as part of a series costs an average of US$8,000, the data show.
B2B influencer investment, Source: 2024 B2B Influencer Marketing Report, Onalytica
Towards deeper and more impactful collaborations
The outlook for B2B influencer marketing in 2024 is positive, with 50% of customers planning to invest more or significantly more in B2B influencer marketing this year as businesses increasingly recognize the nuanced value of influencer partnerships.
Onalytica expects companies to forge deeper, more impactful collaborations, emphasizing long-term relationships over one-off campaigns. This commitment underscores a strategic shift towards leveraging authentic voices to amplify brand presence and drive meaningful business outcomes, the report says.
B2B influencer marketing is a strategy where businesses collaborate with industry experts, thought leaders, and influential figures to promote their products, services, or brand to other businesses. This type of marketing leverages the trust, reach, and expertise of industry influencers to connect with targeted business audiences, build credibility, and drive engagement.
The influencer marketing industry is thriving. According to German data platform Statista, the global influencer marketing market is projected to reach US$22.2 billion by 2025, more than double what it was in 2020 (US$9.7 billion).
Research by Ogilvy, an advertising company, reveals that three-quarters of B2B decision-makers around the world currently use influencer marketing. Among those, more than 9 in 10 (93%) are planning to expand their use of influencers.
In the fintech sector, prominent influencers include Jim Marous, a financial industry strategist, co-publisher of The Financial Brand, and one of the most influential people in banking; Oliver Bussmann, a senior technology executive with 30+years of influential leadership with UBS, SAP, Allianz, Deutsche Bank, and IBM; Lex Sokolin, a New York and London entrepreneur with senior operating and board-level experience in blockchain, digital investing, and wealth management; and Efi Pylarinou, an independent fintech and blockchain advisor.

Featured image credit: edited from freepik

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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/b2b-influencer-marketing-shifts-towards-more-interactive-and-immersive-collaborations</link><guid>3660</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10-Fintech-Finalists-for-ventures-2024-Startup-Competition.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>B2B Influencer Marketing Shifts Towards More Interactive and Immersive Collaborations</dc:text></item><item><title>EU’s New Open Finance Regulations: Opportunities and Challenges for the Financial Sector</title><description><![CDATA[

		
				
		
	
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New regulations in the European Union (EU) concerning payments and financial data access are laying the groundwork for open finance.
Though these initiatives aim to foster innovation and improve customer experiences in the financial services sector, they may also pose complex and costly implementation challenges to the sector, according to a note by the Institute of International Finance (IIF) released on May 22, 2024.&#13;
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The note, released on May 22, examines the recent regulatory changes in the EU’s data-sharing landscape, focusing on the impact of new open finance rules on financial institutions.
A major highlight is the European Commission (EC)’s financial data access and payments package, released in June 2023. The package comprises proposals for a revised Payment Services Directive (PSD3), a new Payment Services Regulation (PSR), and a proposed Financial Data Access Regulation (FIDA). These proposals are designed to expand data access beyond payments, improve fraud prevention, and set the foundation for open finance.
Payment innovation and fraud prevention
The PSD3 and PSR are intended to replace and modernize the current Payment Services Directive or PSD2. Their objectives include combating fraud, enhancing customer rights, improving access to bank accounts for non-banking players, and ultimately facilitate open finance.
The European Parliament voted in favor of both the PSD3 and PSR on April 23, 2024, marking a significant step forward in shaping the future of open finance in the EU. It proposed several changes to the texts primarily to improv fraud prevention. These changes include:

Strengthening consumer protection amid booming fraud activity;
Promoting innovation through new payment services, risk-based strong customer authentication (SCA) and interoperability;
Increasing transparency and user control over data sharing;
Improving fraud data sharing through a dedicated IT platform overseen by the European Banking Authority (EBA); and
Clarifying the regulations’ scopes regarding electronic money tokens, location-based discrimination, and direct debit refunds.

The EBA responded only a few days after the Parliament’s vote, formulating on April 29, 2024 specific suggestions for further amendments to the PSD3 and PSR texts such as requiring two different SCA factors, mandating comprehensive fraud risk management frameworks, and ensuring pre-execution transaction monitoring for instant payments.
Finalized versions of PSD3 and PSR are now expected by late 2024, with potential implementation around 2026, expects Sia Partners, a consulting firm.
Giving customers more control over their data
The FIDA, meanwhile, is intended to establish clear rights and obligations to manage customer data sharing in the financial sector, giving customers control over their data and allowing third parties access to a wide range of financial information. This includes data on mortgages, loans, savings, investments, insurance, pensions, and creditworthiness assessments.
Proposals under the FIDA include requirements for financial institutions to provide data access to other institutions or fintech firms, subject to customer permission. Customers will have full control over who accesses their data and for what purpose, enhancing trust in data sharing. Additionally, data holders and users will need to join Financial Data Sharing Schemes (FDSS), which will govern data access in line with FIDA and other EU regulations.
FIDA was voted on at the European Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee on April 18, 2024. However, industry experts do not expect FIDA to be finalized before 2025.
Impact on financial institutions
According to the IIF, the PSD3, PSR and FIDA present opportunities for the financial services industry to collaborate with new players in the ecosystem to develop innovative, value-added products and services and improve customer experiences.
However, the trade association highlights the significant challenges financial institutions may face in implementing these challenges. In particular, it notes that meeting the real-time data sharing requirements under FIDA may prove technically challenging and costly for data holders.
Moreover, industry stakeholders remain skeptical of the expected benefits of new regulations. A 2023 research by the EC examined the application and impact of PSD2, and found that the costs of implementing PSD2, particularly for API development (estimated at EUR 3.2 billion) and SCA rollout (estimated at ~ EUR 5 billion, were substantial. An overwhelming majority of banks and associations consulted for the study suggested that these costs largely outweigh the benefits to them.

Featured image credit: edited from freepik

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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/eus-new-open-finance-regulations-opportunities-and-challenges-for-the-financial-sector</link><guid>3661</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10-Fintech-Finalists-for-ventures-2024-Startup-Competition.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>EU’s New Open Finance Regulations: Opportunities and Challenges for the Financial Sector</dc:text></item><item><title>Private Equity Firms Set Sights on Middle-Market Fintech and Payment Companies</title><description><![CDATA[

		
				
		Middle-market fintech and payment companies are gaining significance within the broader fintech mergers and acquisitions (M&amp;A) landscape, attracting attention from private equity (PE) firms for their strong growth potential, stable profits margins, and solid customer bases, a new analyst note by private market data provider PitchBook says.
Middle-market fintech firms fall between small, early-stage startups and large, established corporations in terms of size and maturity. These companies target mid-sized businesses or consumers, and often specialize in specific products or services tailored to their target audience. They typically generate moderate revenue and hold moderate market presence compared to larger fintech players but still represent a significant portion of the overall fintech ecosystem.
According to the PitchBook note, middle-market fintech companies are increasingly appealing to larger firms, especially given the relative ease of financing and executing deals in this space. These companies have also shown strong performance amid high inflation, making them attractive targets for investment.&#13;
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In Q1 2024, PitchBook recorded 16 fintech PE buyouts, a notable increase compared to 11 in Q1 2023, to 2023’s average of 11 buyouts per quarter, and to H2 2022’s average of 14 per quarter. Among these transactions, payments companies accounted for the majority at 38%, continuing a trend observed over at least the past four years. Enterprise payment had been the top segment for PE buyout over the prior 12 months (27%), as well as over the last four years (26%), the note says.
Quarterly enterprise fintech PE buyout deal activity, Source: Q1 2024 Fintech M&amp;A Review, PitchBook, May 2024
According to PitchBook, payment companies are particularly attractive targets because of their ability to withstand inflation and maintain steady revenue streams. These companies provide a service that nearly everyone needs and benefit from robust consumer and business spending. Unlike software-as-a-service (SaaS) businesses, payment companies charge customers based on a percentage of each transaction rather than a fixed annual contract price. This model shields them from the negative impacts of inflation and may even offer some advantages in such economic conditions, the note says.
Additionally, PitchBook emphasizes that industry-specific payment tools, combined with workflow software, can generate the kind of revenue growth and margin that create attractive buyout returns. One such example is the acquisition of Jobox.ai by Talus Pay, a provider of payment processing solutions for small and mid-sized merchants that’s owned by Alvarez and Marsal Capital. Jobox.ai specializes in home services payments and workflow software. This acquisition complements Talus Pay’s existing focus areas, including healthcare, retail, restaurants, manufacturing, and government.
Another example is the acquisition of MuniciPAY by Autoagent Data Solutions in January. MuniciPAY operates as a citizen payment gateway for municipalities. Autoagent Data Solutions, known for its escrow tax and government payment processing services, acquired MuniciPay to expand its citizen payment gateway, allowing local governments to consolidate their incoming revenue in one place.
According to the note, these companies, which combine payments and software, have a competitive advantage that is hard for others to penetrate, along with a loyal customer base, making them attractive targets.
Fintech M&amp;A activity sees rebound
Delving into corporate acquisition patterns, the PitchBook note highlights a rebound in activity this year. In Q1 2024, corporate acquisitions reached 18 deals, up from a four-year low of 14 in Q4 2023.
During the quarter, the increase in corporate M&amp;A was largely driven by a more positive outlook among executive leadership teams. Until recently, corporate leaders faced challenges related to slowing revenue growth due to waning stimulus. They also expected a recession due to rate hikes and an inverted yield curve. However, the ecosystem surpassed expectations, the report says.
The quarter also witnessed large financial companies actively acquiring fintech companies to add new products and improve existing offerings. JP Morgan, for example, purchased LayerOne Financial in March to improve its offerings for hedge funds. With the deal, clients of JP Morgan’s wholly-owned subsidiary Neovest will be able to monitor their portfolios, conduct risk assessments, send orders to their brokers and perform compliance checks all from one platform, the companies said in a statement.
In Q1 2024, corporate acquisitions in North America were concentrated in New York, San Francisco, and other major cities, the note says. Many of these deals involved small businesses with five to 20 employees, indicating that corporates continue to acquire for talent and technology. Top segments by deal count were capital markets (23%), CFO software (18%) and financial services infrastructure (18%).
Globally, the total value of fintech M&amp;A deals announced in Q1 2024 reached its highest level since Q4 2021, totaling US$75.7 billion across 282 transactions, data from Financial Technology Partners, an investment banking firm focused on fintech, show. Although the number of deals decreased 11% compared to Q1 2023, the overall volume increased 7.5 times.
Increased M&amp;A volume was driven by a resurgence in US$1 billion+ M&amp;A deals, which totaled 11 in Q1 2024 compared to only two announced during the same period last year. These large deals included Capital One’s proposed US$35 billion acquisition of Discover Financial Services, KKR’s purchase of a 50% stake in Cotiviti at a US$11 billion valuation, trading platform Webull’s US$7.3 billion merger agreement with special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) SK Growth Opportunities, and Nationwide Building Society’s US$3.7 billion acquisition of Virgin Money.
Global fintech M&amp;A volume – quarterly, Source: Q1 2024 Quarterly Fintech Insights, Financial Technology Partners Research, Apr 2024

This article first appeared on fintechnews.am
Featured image credit: edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/private-equity-firms-set-sights-on-middle-market-fintech-and-payment-companies</link><guid>3659</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10-Fintech-Finalists-for-ventures-2024-Startup-Competition.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Private Equity Firms Set Sights on Middle-Market Fintech and Payment Companies</dc:text></item><item><title>Die digitalsten Schweizer Retailbanken im 2024</title><description><![CDATA[

		
				
		Das Institut für Finanzdienstleistungen Zug (IFZ) hat in Zusammenarbeit mit e.foresight zum vierten Mal untersucht, wie hoch der Digitalisierungsgrad von 40 in der Schweiz tätigen Retailbanken und Neobanken im Privatkundengeschäft ist.
Dabei wurden 132 verschiedene Faktoren berücksichtigt, um digitale Funktionalitäten, Dienstleistungen und Produkte zu analysieren. Die Ergebnisse dieser Studie wurden diese Woche auf der IFZ-Konferenz «Innovationen im Banking» präsentiert.
Bewertungen oder auch Aussagen zu «digitalen» oder eben «nicht-digitalen» Schweizer Retailbanken sind oft nicht einfach nachvollziehbar und scheinen manchmal etwas willkürlich. Mit der unten vorgestellten Untersuchung soll durch transparente Kriterien aufgezeigt werden, welche Banken tatsächlich einen höheren oder niedrigeren Digitalisierungsgrad im Privatkundenbereich haben.&#13;


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Vorgehen
Hierfür hat das IFZ gemeinsam mit dem Digital Banking Think Tank e-foresight der Swisscomper April 2024 bei 37 Retailbanken und 3 Neobanken eine Untersuchung durchgeführt. Es wurde analysiert, welche (digitalen) Funktionalitäten, Produkte und Dienstleistungen für Privatkunden angeboten werden (digitale Angebote für Firmenkunden wurden explizit nicht berücksichtigt).
Dadurch soll eine objektiv nachvollziehbare Grundlage für einen Vergleich zwischen den Banken geschaffen werden. Die entsprechende systematische Erfassung von Funktionalitäten, Produkten und Dienstleistungen wurde in zwölf Themenblöcke eingeteilt. In Abbildung 1 sind die zwölf Themenblöcke ersichtlich. Die Anzahl der abgefragten Funktionalitäten pro Block ist jeweils in den Boxen unten rechts ersichtlich.
Die Anzahl der analysierten Elemente in diesem Jahr (132) ist deutlich höher als im Vorjahr (103). Es gab zudem auch einige Veränderungen im Fragebogen. Es wurden 35 neue Funktionen hinzugefügt, während 6 Aspekte nicht mehr berücksichtigt wurden.
Der Hauptgrund für den Wegfall der sechs Funktionalitäten war die Tatsache, dass Banken eine sehr hohe Abdeckung dieser Funktionen aufwiesen (in der Regel boten fast 100% der Banken diese Funktionalitäten an). Daher sind die Ergebnisse dieses Jahres nicht zu 100 Prozent mit denen des Vorjahres vergleichbar.
Abbildung 1: Messkonzept und Anzahl untersuchte Elemente pro Themenblock
Die detaillierte Liste der 132 untersuchten Elemente und auch die einzelnen Gewichtungsfaktoren finden Sie hier.
Der Fokus der Analysen lag wie in den Vorjahren ausschliesslich auf den Verfügbarkeiten von Funktionalitäten. Auf eine Bewertung der Qualität der entsprechenden Angebote wurde verzichtet. Auch eine Bewertung des Nutzererlebnisses («User Experience» UX) wurde in unseren Analysen nicht vorgenommen. Des Weiteren wurden Aspekte wie die Performance von Webseiten oder des E-Bankings oder schwierig messbare Grössen wie die «Digitale Kultur» oder die «Agilität der Organisation» nicht berücksichtigt.
Eine im Vorjahr durchgeführte Umfrage bei gut 1’000 Schweizerinnen und Schweizer hat gezeigt, dass eine möglichst breite Abdeckung von Funktionalitäten aus Sicht der Kundschaft insgesamt als «wichtig» angesehen wird (die aus Kundensicht wichtigen Funktionalitäten finden Sie ebenfalls in diesem Blog-Artikel).
Um den Digitalisierungsgrad im Privatkunden-Geschäft der einzelnen Banken miteinander zu vergleichen, wurden zwei Werte berechnet.

Bei Variante 1 wurden die Anzahl angebotener digitaler Funktionalitäten, Produkte und Dienstleistungen addiert.
Bei Variante 2 wurden die einzelnen Themenblöcke basierend auf unserer Einschätzung unterschiedlich gewichtet. Die Gewichtung hat den Vorteil, dass gewisse Funktionalitäten eine höhere Bedeutung erlangen als andere an sich weniger wichtige Funktionalitäten. Auf der anderen Seite ist die «Wichtigkeit» immer mit unserer subjektiven Einschätzung verbunden. Daher zeigen wir nachfolgend beide Ranglisten auf.

Der Maximalwert beträgt 132 Punkte (ungewichtete Variante) respektive 13.85 Punkte (gewichtete Variante) und wäre erreicht, wenn alle in dieser Studie untersuchten Funktionalitäten, Produkte und Dienstleistungen von einer Bank angeboten würden. Wie schnell ersichtlich wird, ist der überwiegende Teil der Schweizer Banken derzeit noch weit davon entfernt, den Maximalwert zu erreichen.
Welches ist die digitalste Schweizer Retailbank im Privatkundengeschäft? Die Ranglisten
Nachdem im Vorjahr die Migros Bank die UBS vom ersten Platz verdrängt hatte, hat die UBS den Spitzenplatz – unabhängig vom Messansatz – wieder eingenommen (vgl. Abbildung 2). Die Migros Bank liegt aber noch immer auf dem guten zweiten Platz.
Die VZ Depotbank und die Credit Suisse befinden sich auf den Rängen 3 und 4 (abhängig vom Messansatz). Die BCV liegt neu auf dem fünften Rang (ungewichtet; Vorjahr: 6. Rang).
Aufgestiegen ist auch die St. Galler Kantonalbank (von Rang 16 auf Rang 10). Hingegen ist die Raiffeisen-Gruppe weiter zurückgerutscht und liegt nun unabhängig von der Berechnungsmethode auf Rang 9. Des Weiteren hat sich PostFinance wieder etwas nach oben gearbeitet, nachdem sie in den letzten Jahren stetig zurückgerutscht war. Sie liegt in unserem Ranking nun wieder abhängig von der gewählten Methode auf Rang 7 (gewichtet) oder Rang 8 (ungewichtet).
Weiter in den Top 10 befinden sich die Kantonalbanken aus Zürich (ZKB) und Luzern (LUKB). Mit der Valiant Bank und der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg haben es auch zwei Regionalbanken in die Top 15 geschafft.
Wie ersichtlich wird, variieren die einzelnen Ränge zwischen den beiden Messmethoden leicht. Die grundsätzliche Aussagekraft wird durch die Gewichtung der einzelnen Themenblöcke aber nicht bedeutend verändert.
Abbildung 2: Rangliste der digitalsten Retailbanken der Schweiz (linke Tabelle: ohne Gewichtung, rechts: gewichtete Rangliste)
Rankings der einzelnen Kategorien
Wir haben auch verschiedene Sub-Rankings für die oben vorgestellten zwölf Teilbereiche erstellt. Nachfolgend zeigen wir Ihnen einige ausgewählte Erkenntnisse daraus:

In Bezug auf das E-Banking schneiden UBS (Rang 1) und die VZ Depotbank (Rang 2) am besten ab.
Die drei Top Banken im Bereich der Funktionalitäten im Mobile Banking sind die UBS, das VZ und die Luzerner Kantonalbank.
Im Bereich (Digitales) Anlegen und Vorsorgen liegt die Zürcher Kantonalbank an der Spitze vor der VZ Depotbank. PostFinance und UBS folgen (gleichauf) auf dem dritten Rang.
Kombiniert man die Bereiche «Touchpoints» und «Digitalisierungsgrad der Filiale», liegt die UBS an der Spitze vor der Credit Suisse und PostFinance (beide sind gleichauf).

Generelle Entwicklungen
35 der 40 untersuchten Banken nahmen bereits im Vorjahr teil. Die nachfolgenden Ergebnisse beziehen sich auf die Entwicklung dieser 35 Banken.

Im Vergleich zum Vorjahr werden durchschnittlich 14.3 Prozent mehr Funktionen angeboten
In die Bereiche „Anlegen und Vorsorgen“ wurde besonders stark investiert (u.a. Handel und Verwahrung von Kryptowährungen)
In den Bereich „Konto, Karten und Zahlen“ wurde am wenigsten investiert
31 der 35 untersuchten Banken haben sich gegenüber dem Vorjahr verbessert
Eine deutliche Verbesserung von zusätzlichen 10 Funktionen/Angeboten gegenüber dem Vorjahr konnte man bei den folgenden Banken (und in dieser Reihenfolge) feststellen: St. Galler KB, Valiant Holding, Aargauische KB, BC de Genève, Zürcher KB, Berner KB, PostFinance, UBS, BC Vaudoise, Glarner KB, Schwyzer KB
Im Vergleich zum Vorjahr ist es deutlich verbreiteter geworden, Devicedaten an den Support zu übermitteln (+9 Banken bieten diese Funktion an), virtuelle Sub-Konten im E-Banking (+7 Banken) und im Mobile Banking (+6 Banken) zu erstellen, mit einem Chatbot auf der Webseite zu kommunizieren (+6 Banken) sowie als Kunde selbst mit Kryptowährungen direkt im E- und M-Banking zu handeln (+5 Banken)
Aktuell sind nur wenige Banken mit folgenden Funktionen ausgestattet: Online-Leasing; Fraktionshandel von Aktien; Multibanking-Lösung (Retailbanking); Elektronisches Schliessfach für persönliche Dateien des Kunden; Voice-Bot für Bankanwendungen; Stimm- und Spracherkennungssoftware; ein digitaler Vorsorgeauftrag-Konfigurator; Digitaler Handel von physischem Gold; Social Trading Angebote; digitales Archiv für Bankverträge; Neuabschluss von Hypotheken im Mobile Banking

Fazit
Vor dem Hintergrund der aufgezeigten Resultate können folgende Konklusionen gezogen werden:

Es bestehen nach wie vor erhebliche Unterschiede zwischen den Banken hinsichtlich der Abdeckung von Funktionen. Die Bandbreite reicht von 17 bis 102.75 Punkten, wobei 22 der untersuchten 40 Banken weniger als die Hälfte der Funktionen der UBS anbieten. Insgesamt besteht weiterhin erhebliches Verbesserungspotenzial.
Die Schweizer Banken sind aber keineswegs untätig. Fast alle erweitern ihre Funktionalitäten in verschiedenen Dienstleistungsbereichen. Im Jahr 2023 wurden dabei, hinsichtlich der Anzahl der angebotenen Funktionen, mehr Fortschritte erzielt als im Vorjahr.
Obschon heute viele Banken eine „Mobile First“ Strategie fahren, zeigt die Studie, dass der angebotene Funktionsumfang im Mobile Banking demjenigen im E-Banking weiterhin hinterherhinkt (d.h. verschiedene Angebote sind teilweise „nur“ im E-Banking verfügbar). Vor allem kleine Banken setzen weiterhin vermehrt auf E-Banking anstatt auf Mobile Banking.
Es besteht eine positive Korrelation zwischen der Unternehmensgrösse (gemessen anhand der Bilanzsumme) und dem Grad der Digitalisierung.



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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/die-digitalsten-schweizer-retailbanken-im-2024</link><guid>3658</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10-Fintech-Finalists-for-ventures-2024-Startup-Competition.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Die digitalsten Schweizer Retailbanken im 2024</dc:text></item><item><title>Leonteq Joins Neon’s Free Investment Plan</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Leonteq announced the launch of a collaboration with neon under which neon will offer the ETP+ on the FuW Swiss 50 Index NTR to their clients as part of the recently launched investment plan without purchase or deposit fees.
As a challenger of traditional Swiss banking, neon offers a user-friendly account and investment solution as an app for all smartphones.
The collaboration between neon and Leonteq aims to address a new growth market for investment plans in Switzerland. In this context, Leonteq recently launched a dedicated ETP+ on the FuW Swiss 50 Index NTR to enable monthly investments by neon customers in small sizes.&#13;


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Alessandro Ricci
Alessandro Ricci, Head Investment Solutions of Leonteq, stated:
“Our shared goal with neon is to simplify the investment process for retail investors. Together with this fast-growing fintech company, we provide easy and affordable access to a straightforward investment solution that delivers enhanced investor safety through the ETP+ wrapper.”
Timo Hegnauer
Timo Hegnauer, Head of Trading of neon added:
“We are excited to also challenge the Swiss retail market for investment plans together with well-established partners like Leonteq. As a leading financial technology company, Leonteq brings their expertise as well as their innovative products to neon invest. We are dedicated to removing barriers to investing: By offering our customers the opportunity to buy the FuW Swiss 50 Index NTR with 0% trading fees as part of the new neon investment plan, our cooperation with Leonteq extends our selection of assets with 0% purchase fees with a product that focuses on Switzerland.”
About ETP+ on FuW Swiss 50 index
The FuW Swiss 50 Index NTR is developed by the editorial team of Finanz und Wirtschaft (FuW) and includes the top 50 tradable Swiss companies. Every six months, the companies in the index are selected according to their free float market capitalization and considering minimum liquidity requirements. The top 25 companies are double-weighted, while the remaining 25 companies are single-weighted, resulting in a broader diversification compared to market capitalization weighted indices. The recently launched ETP+ on the FuW Swiss 50 Index NTR is listed on BX Swiss.


Featured image credit: edited from freepik


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			&#13;
				About Author&#13;
				More info about author&#13;
			
			
		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/leonteq-joins-neons-free-investment-plan</link><guid>3655</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10-Fintech-Finalists-for-ventures-2024-Startup-Competition.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Leonteq Joins Neon’s Free Investment Plan</dc:text></item><item><title>Maerki Baumann Cooperates With Bitcoin Suisse</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					The Zurich-based private bank Maerki Baumann has entered into a cooperation with Bitcoin Suisse.
The collaboration will allow the private bank to utilize the proven crypto expertise of Bitcoin Suisse in managing its crypto investment solutions, and to expand its existing offering in the area of digital assets under the “ARCHIP” brand.
The cooperation is to be integrated into Maerki Baumann’s investment process via the “Joint Crypto Advisory Board”. Clients of Bitcoin Suisse will gain access to first-class private banking services for traditional assets. Maerki Baumann’s longstanding experience in serving clients with a crypto background makes the private bank Bitcoin Suisse’s preferred partner for traditional investments.&#13;


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Bitcoin Suisse, Switzerland’s leading crypto financial services provider, and the Zurich-based private bank Maerki Baumann &amp; Co. Ltd. have entered into a cooperation. While Bitcoin Suisse will contribute its crypto-related expertise, Maerki Baumann will provide access to its experience in the realm of private banking.
Stephan Zwahlen
Stephan A. Zwahlen, CEO of Maerki Baumann, is convinced of the cooperation’s merits:
“The collaboration between Bitcoin Suisse and Maerki Baumann reinforces our strengths by allowing both companies to focus on their core competencies. This is for the benefit of our clients as well as for those of Bitcoin Suisse.”
Luzius Meisser
Luzius Meisser, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bitcoin Suisse, expressed his enthusiasm about the new arrangement:
“Together, we create a robust bridge in both directions, enabling crypto natives and traditional investors alike to diversify their portfolios across a wider spectrum of assets with the guidance of relevant experts.”
Since March 2024, Maerki Baumann has bundled its offering in the area of digital assets under the new “ARCHIP” brand. As part of its collaboration with Bitcoin Suisse, Maerki Baumann will draw on its many years of experience as a private bank in serving private and institutional clients as well as corporate clients with a crypto background.
The clients of Maerki Baumann will benefit from the cooperation, as it will enable the private bank to leverage the proven crypto expertise of Bitcoin Suisse in managing its digital assets investment solutions.

Featured image credit: Stephan A. Zwahlen, CEO of Maerki Baumann and Luzius Meisser, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bitcoin Suisse, edited from Linkedin


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/maerki-baumann-cooperates-with-bitcoin-suisse</link><guid>3656</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10-Fintech-Finalists-for-ventures-2024-Startup-Competition.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Maerki Baumann Cooperates With Bitcoin Suisse</dc:text></item><item><title>Robinhood to Acquire Bitstamp For $200 Million in Cash</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Robinhood has entered into an agreement to acquire Bitstamp, a global cryptocurrency exchange. Bitstamp was founded in 2011 and has offices in Luxembourg, the UK, Slovenia, Singapore, and the US.
Acquiring a global exchange will significantly accelerate Robinhood Crypto’s expansion worldwide. Bitstamp holds over 50 active licenses and registrations globally and will bring in customers across the EU, UK, US and Asia to Robinhood.
This acquisition will introduce Robinhood’s first institutional business. Bitstamp has been trusted by its institutional clients for reliable trade execution, deep order books and industry-leading API connectivity. With Bitstamp’s other institutional offerings like white label solution Bitstamp-as-a-service, institutional lending, and staking, Robinhood will enter the space with active and established relationships, infrastructure and industry-leading products. Bitstamp’s core spot exchange, with over 85 tradable assets, and products like staking and lending, will enhance Robinhood’s Crypto offering.&#13;


&#13;

Johann Kerbrat
“The acquisition of Bitstamp is a major step in growing our crypto business. Bitstamp’s highly trusted and long standing global exchange has shown resilience through market cycles. By seamlessly coupling customer experience with safety across geographies, the Bitstamp team has established one of the strongest reputations across retail and institutional crypto investors,”
said Johann Kerbrat, General Manager of Robinhood Crypto.
“Through this strategic combination, we are better positioned to expand our footprint outside of the US and welcome institutional customers to Robinhood.”
JB Graftieaux
“As the world’s longest running cryptocurrency exchange, Bitstamp is known as one of the most-trusted and transparent crypto platforms worldwide,”
said JB Graftieaux, CEO of Bitstamp.
“Bringing Bitstamp’s platform and expertise into Robinhood’s ecosystem will give users an enhanced trading experience with a continuing commitment to compliance, security, and customer-centricity.”
Bitstamp’s team will join forces with Robinhood, fostering collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing across continents. Robinhood and Bitstamp customers can expect the same level of service, security and reliability and as we move forward, we are committed to maintaining transparency throughout this process.
Robinhood expects the final deal consideration to be approximately $200 million in cash, subject to customary purchase price adjustments. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, and is expected to close in the first half of 2025.
Featured image credit: edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/robinhood-to-acquire-bitstamp-for-200-million-in-cash</link><guid>3657</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10-Fintech-Finalists-for-ventures-2024-Startup-Competition.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Robinhood to Acquire Bitstamp For $200 Million in Cash</dc:text></item><item><title>HPS Acquires Irish Digital Banking Software Provider CR2</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					HPS announced that it has agreed to acquire CR2, a prominent digital banking and payments software company headquartered in Dublin, Ireland.
This strategic transaction underscores HPS‘s commitment to enhancing its digital banking and payments capabilities.
CR2, with offices in Dublin, Dubai, Jordan, India and Australia, is renowned for its innovative digital banking and payments solutions. Through its flagship platform, BankWorld, CR2 powers 90+ banks across more than 50 countries, offering a comprehensive suite of digital banking, digital wallet and payment functionalities. In addition, CR2’s Partner Ecosystem combines the confidence of BankWorld with access to easy plug-in third-party fintech innovations.&#13;


&#13;

HPS views CR2’s business as highly attractive and aligned with HPS’s AccelR8 strategic growth plan. HPS believes there is strategic synergy between the two businesses, and that the parties’ respective complementary software and capabilities will help existing and new customers address their increasingly complex challenges. The transaction also consolidates HPS’s position as a leader in the African market thanks to its presence in the French-speaking regions, to be complemented by CR2’s strength in English-speaking Africa and Australia.
The acquisition marks an important strategic milestone in HPS’s growth journey as it continues to execute on its AccelR8 strategic plan. CR2 is expected to contribute materially to HPS’s financial performance by delivering new potential revenue opportunities in complementary markets. In addition, combining CR2’s digital banking solutions with PowerCARD will enable HPS to strengthen its value proposition with current and new customers. The transaction is expected to be EPS accretive in the first year following completion, reflecting synergies expected to be realised. In the 12 months to June 2023, CR2 generated revenues of €23.8 million.
Building on its successful acquisitive track-record, including the switching activity in Morocco and the recent acquisitions of IPRC and ICPS, HPS continues to expand its global presence and strengthen its position as a leading consolidator in the global payment industry.
As we embark on this new chapter of growth and innovation, HPS remains committed to delivering excellence in digital payments, while upholding the highest standards of integrity and customer service.
Abdeslam Alaoui Smaili
Commenting on the acquisition, Abdeslam Alaoui Smaili, Co-Founder and CEO of HPS, said:
“Today marks a significant milestone in the continued growth of HPS. CR2 has a differentiated and exciting capability set, which is a strong fit for HPS and adds significant depth and breadth to our platform. Both companies share a common passion for excellence in digital payments and for providing high-value solutions to customers. With similar cultures valuing customer focus and high performance, we believe that HPS will be an excellent home for CR2 to thrive and deliver long term growth. On behalf of the HPS board, I look forward to welcoming all our CR2 colleagues as we join forces to build upon our strong momentum going forward.”
Fintan Byrne
Fintan Byrne, CEO of CR2 commented
“We are pleased to be joining Abdeslam and the team at HPS. Together, we share a wealth of experience, a passion for innovation and a relentless focus on customer success. This transaction is a recognition of what the team in CR2 have created and the opportunity within our business for future growth. Importantly, it aligns with our continued international scale ambition. With additional scale comes even more opportunity to invest and innovate. This is an exciting time to be in the digital banking and payments technology sector. Together, we look forward to continuously delivering for customers and all stakeholders with confidence.”
Evercore is serving as exclusive financial adviser to HPS. Norton Rose Fulbright and Matheson LLP are serving as legal advisers to HPS. The terms of the acquisition are not being disclosed. The transaction is subject to customary regulatory conditions and is expected to close in the coming months.

Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/hps-acquires-irish-digital-banking-software-provider-cr2</link><guid>3654</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10-Fintech-Finalists-for-ventures-2024-Startup-Competition.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>HPS Acquires Irish Digital Banking Software Provider CR2</dc:text></item><item><title>2024 Shows Signs of Improvements for Established European Fintech Firms</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						May 31, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					Established European fintech firms are experiencing some relief this year following a challenging 2023.
Last year, venture-growth companies faced difficulties due to several factors, including the withdrawal of tourist investors, increased volatility, lower returns, and weak public market valuations. However, 2024 is showing signs of improvements, with deal values and valuations increasing significantly Q1 2024, data newly released by PitchBook show.
The figures, shared in the “Q1 2024 European VC Valuations Report”, reveal a positive note in European venture-growth valuations this year, with median venture capital (VC) deal values in the stage increasing significantly to EUR 9.3 million in Q1 2024, compared with EUR 6.0 million last year. Valuations also displayed signs of uptick, increasing 4.5% to EUR 21.7 million.&#13;


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Venture-growth VC pre-money valuation (EUR million) and deal value (EUR million), Source: Q1 2024 European VC Valuations Report, PitchBook, May 2024
According to PitchBook, this rise was likely helped by the rally public equity valuations have seen since January 2024, providing more favorable comparables. Notably, prominent venture-growth fintech companies such as Klarna and Monzo have achieved higher implied valuations recently.
Klarna, the Swedish fintech company once crowned as Europe’s most valuable startup, is reportedly in discussions with banks for a potential US initial public offering (IPO) as early as Q3 2024, with an expected valuation of US$20 billion. The company, known for its buy now, pay later (BNPL) services, was last valued at US$6.7 billion after US$800 million fundraise in 2022. It had reached a staggering US$45.6 billion valuation in a 2021 round.
Monzo, a digital bank from the UK serving nine million customers, raised a US$430 million round in March 2024, giving it a post-money valuation of US$5 billion. The company, which said it became profitable in March 2023, said it would use the funds to expand and introduce new products. Monzo was valued at US$4.5 billion in late 2021 after a previous funding round.
Deal sizes and valuations for fintech VC investments also grew in both early-stage and late-stage deals. The median early-stage VC deal value in fintech sat at EUR 3.3 million in Q1 2024, up 50% from EUR 2.2 million in 2023. Median late-stage VC deal value rose 2.4% during the same period, reaching EUR 4.2 million in Q1 2024.
In Q1 2024, fintech led early-stage VC deals across all major verticals, securing the largest median round of the quarter, followed by cleantech (EUR 2.8 million) and software-as-a-service (SaaS) (EUR 2.6 million).
Median early-stage VC deal value (EUR million) by vertical, Source: Q1 2024 European VC Valuations Report, PitchBook, May 2024
Europe sees growth in 2024
The recovery in European fintech VC is further supported by data released in April by market intelligence platform CB Insights. The data, released as part of the “State of Fintech Q1 2024” report, reveal that Europe was the only major global region to see fintech funding increase in Q1 2024, growing by 22% quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) to US$2.2 billion.
Key deals were secured in the UK and the Netherlands, exemplified by Monzo’s US$430 million Series I, Flagstone’s US$139 million round (UK), Mews’ US$110 million Series D (Netherlands), and DataSnipper’s US$100 million Series B (Netherlands).
Experts anticipate continued growth in the European fintech sector moving forward, especially in areas such as alternative payments, blockchain technology and regtech.
James Booth, VP Partner Management EMEA at PPRO, anticipates an increase in the use of payment methods such as bank transfers, e-wallets, and buy now, pay later, telling Sifted in January 2024 that British consumers are already using alternative payment methods in more than 50% of online transactions.
James Devlin from Fidelity International Strategic Ventures predicts that regtech will gain traction in 2024 as regulators continue to pressure financial institutions to meet compliance obligations, particularly in monitoring staff communications.
Finally, Carol Hagh, a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Screening Committee at Harvard Business School Alumni Angels of the UK, claims that while a mass resurgence of cryptocurrency is unlikely, blockchain technology holds promise. She anticipates that 2024 might witness substantial adoption and commercialization of the technology, particularly in sectors such as insurance, healthcare, and supply chain management.
Despite the positive outlook for Europe, global fintech investments faced challenges in Q1 2024, with a 16% decrease in funding compared to the previous quarter and a 119% year-over-year (YoY) decline. This decline reflects broader economic uncertainties, soaring inflation and a looming global recession. Global fintech funding dropped by 50% to US$39.2 billion in 2023, falling from US$78.6 billion in 2022 – a far cry from the record of US$140.8 billion secured in 2021.

Featured image credit: edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/2024-shows-signs-of-improvements-for-established-european-fintech-firms</link><guid>3653</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024-Shows-Signs-of-Improvements-for-Established-European-Fintech-Firms-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>2024 Shows Signs of Improvements for Established European Fintech Firms</dc:text></item><item><title>TWINT ist jetzt auch auf Stripe verfügbar</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Die Finanzinfrastruktur-Plattform Stripe gab gestern eine Partnerschaft mit der Bezahl-App TWINT bekannt.
Die Kooperation eröffnet Stripe-Nutzern weltweit die Möglichkeit, TWINT als Zahlungsmethode zu integrieren, und erschliesst damit den Zugang zu mehr als fünf Millionen aktiven Nutzern von TWINT in der Schweiz.
TWINT ist mit einer Abdeckung von über 76 Prozent im Schweizer E-Commerce eines der beliebtesten Zahlungsmittel der Schweiz. Nahezu alle Schweizer Banken bieten ihren Kunden TWINT als mobile Bezahllösung an. TWINT-Nutzer können direkt und bargeldlos von ihrem Bankkonto aus Zahlungen für eine hohe Zahl an Use Cases auslösen, unter anderem im E-Commerce, an der Kasse, in Apps und an Verkaufsautomaten. Weitere Funktionen und Einsatzbereiche kommen laufend neu dazu.&#13;


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Die Allianz zwischen Stripe und TWINT ist nicht nur bedeutsam für Schweizer Nutzer von Stripe, sondern auch für internationale Unternehmen, die ihre Produkte und Dienstleistungen in der Schweiz anbieten. Für viele deutsche Unternehmen etwa zählt die Schweiz zu den wichtigsten Expansionsmärkten.
Marcos Raiser do Ó
Marcos Raiser do Ó, Head of DACH and CEE bei Stripe:
„Wir freuen uns sehr, mit TWINT zusammenzuarbeiten, um unseren Nutzern einen noch besseren Zugang zum Schweizer Markt zu ermöglichen. TWINT ist eine sichere und bequeme Zahlungsmethode, die von Millionen von Menschen in der Schweiz genutzt wird. Wir erwarten, dass viele unserer Nutzer ihren Umsatz im Schweizer Markt mit TWINT deutlich steigern können.”
Adrian Plattner
Adrian Plattner, CSO bei TWINT, ergänzt:
„Die Integration von TWINT als Zahlungsmethode bei Stripe eröffnet zahlreichen internationalen Händlern die effektive Möglichkeit, den Schweizer Markt zu erschliessen. Gleichzeitig bauen wir die Vielfalt an Einsatzmöglichkeiten für die Nutzenden von TWINT zunehmend aus. Wir freuen uns darum, unsere Reichweite mit dieser Partnerschaft über die Grenzen der Schweiz hinaus weiter zu festigen und das Leben von Nutzenden und Händlern zusätzlich zu vereinfachen.”


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/twint-ist-jetzt-auch-auf-stripe-verfugbar</link><guid>3652</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10-Fintech-Finalists-for-ventures-2024-Startup-Competition.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>TWINT ist jetzt auch auf Stripe verfügbar</dc:text></item><item><title>BIS: Digitalization Enhances Bank Efficiency and Customer Experience But Introduces Risks</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						May 29, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					Digitalization and technology are introducing a number of benefits to banks, allowing them to improve efficiencies, cut cost and enhance customer experience. However, these advancements also introduce risks, including operational, reputational, and strategic risks, according to a new report by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS).
The report, titled “Digitalisation of Finance” and authored by the BIS’s Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, examines the ongoing digitalization of finance on banks, highlighting both the advantages and risks of new technologies and the rise of new technology-enabled service providers in the banking sector.
APIs are facilitating data sharing
According to the report, the ongoing digitalization of finance is characterized by the emergence and growing use of innovative technologies across various aspects of the banking value chain. These technologies include application programming interfaces (APIs), artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML), and distributed ledger technology (DLT).&#13;


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Innovative technologies and the banking value chain, Source: Digitalisation of finance, The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, Bank for International Settlements, May 2024
APIs facilitate data sharing between different applications, enabling efficient real-time processing and increased data connectivity. Around the world, banks are using APIs to share and import data between their internal systems for mobile banking, collaborate with external partners within their systems, collaborate with external partners through models like banking-as-a-service (BaaS), and connect with third parties such as account software providers, payment processors and alternative credit scoring companies.
APIs are also commonly used in open banking and open finance frameworks, which are rapidly being implemented around the world to encourage further innovations in business models and products, and foster financial inclusion.
Adoption of open banking and open finance, Source: Digitalisation of finance, The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, Bank for International Settlements, May 2024
AI and ML to boost efficiencies
Banks are also increasingly adopting AI and ML techniques to enhance their operations. These techniques are capable of predicting a wide variety of complex phenomena and have the potential to increase banks’ operational efficiency, risk management capabilities and product offering. This includes improving customer experience through streamlined interactions, offerings superior pattern recognition ability and predictive power, providing greater accuracy and consistency in processing, as well as enabling cost efficiencies.
AI holds tremendous potential in finance, with McKinsey estimating that AI technologies could deliver up to US$1 trillion of additional value each year for the global banking industry. This would be achieved through increased revenues through personalized services, cost efficiencies, and the uncovering of new and previously unrealized opportunities using data.
Banks are using AI and ML applications for both back office and front office functions with use cases including credit underwriting, trading activities, pricing models, regulatory capital and planning, liquidity requirements and planning, fraud detection and prevention, anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT), chatbots and marketing.
Most recently, generative AI (gen AI), a subfield of AI focused on developing algorithms and models capable of generating new text, images, or other media, has received significant public attention. Though banks’ use of gen AI remains limited at present, the BIS report notes that some are exploring or piloting gen AI applications internally to improve operational efficiency and staff productivity. Specific use cases observed include digital assistants, market analysis, fraud detection and code generation.
McKinsey estimates that gen AI could improve productivity in core corporate and investment banking (CIB) activities by between 30% to 90% in individual use cases, potentially adding up to about 10% of CIB operating profits in the long run.
Generative AI use cases in banking, Source: Digitalisation of finance, The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, Bank for International Settlements, May 2024
DLT is opening up new opportunities
DLT is another technology transforming the banking industry by enabling digital money, tokenization, and improving the operational management of banks’ existing business activities. The technology is praised for its ability to lower costs and enhance efficiencies through automation and desintermediation.
One particular area of interest for banks is the tokenization of assets. Asset tokenization refers to the process of recording the rights to a given asset into a digital token that can be held, sold, and traded on a DLT platform. The resulting tokens represent a stake of ownership in the underlying asset. Asset tokenization has been praised for its potential to facilitate new ways of using financial assets to serve end users, offering new opportunities previously hindered by monetary system frictions.
Global management consultancy Roland Berger forecasts that the market for asset tokenization could mushroom to at least US$10 trillion by 2030. The value implies a 40-fold increase of the value of tokenized assets from 2022 to 2030, and marks a significant rise from the current value of around US$300 billion.
Estimated value of tokenized assets by 2030, Source: Roland Berger, Oct 2023
Notable use cases of asset tokenization by banks include the issuance of security tokens backed by real estate, the tokenization of banks’ shareholders’ equity, the tokenization and custody of bank customers’ shares, the tokenization of financial instruments such as intraday repo options and bonds, and the tokenization of the ownership rights in works of art.
Beyond tokenization, some banks are also using or exploring DLT for other purposes, including identification verification, settlement of tokenized transactions, cross-border payments, digital asset custody and bookkeeping.
Cloud computing fosters innovation
Finally, cloud computing promotes efficiency and economies of economies of scale by providing on-demand computer processing resources. These solutions allow for easier access to technology and computing infrastructure that would otherwise be expensive or take a long time to build and be costly to maintain. This reduces the barriers to entry for firms expanding into new products and services, and over time, reduce costs in financial services.
For banks, cloud services eliminate building costly on-premise data centers that cover peak-level computing burdens and, instead, allow them the flexibility to accommodate seasonal fluctuations in the need for computing.
For fintech startups, cloud services provide them with the infrastructure, tools, and flexibility needed to innovate, grow, and compete in the dynamic fintech landscape.
In the financial services sector, industry participants are embracing cloud computing at a fast pace. An industry survey conducted last year by Capgemini revealed that 91% of banks and insurance companies had initiated their cloud journey, a significant increase from 2020, when only 37% of firms had embarked on their cloud transformations. 89% of the financial services executives polled viewed cloud-enabled platform as crucial for delivering the agility, flexibility, innovation, and productivity necessary to meet escalating business demands.
Impact of new banking competitors and business models
Technological advances have led to the emergence of new market entrants and business models, increasing competition in the banking sector.
Digital-only banks, fintech startups, and bigtech firms are offering specialized digital financial services targeting individuals, entrepreneurs, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), often leveraging data and technology to enhance user experience. These companies also benefit from regulatory advantages over traditional banks due to their nimble nature, innovative technologies, and sometimes less complex business models.
Technological advances have also fostered strategic partnerships between banks and other firms. These partnerships aim to leverage the strengths of both parties, with banks providing infrastructure, expertise and regulatory permissions, and non-bank intermediaries contributing to product development, data analytics and user experience.
For banks, new technologies and partnerships offer opportunities for innovation, efficiency gains, and enhanced risk management. For consumers, digitalization promises expanded financial access, reduced transaction costs, improved experiences, and increased competition.
However, digital transformation also introduces new vulnerabilities and amplifies existing risks. Large-scale digital transformation projects carry risks related to legacy infrastructure and lack of expertise, particularly for smaller banks. Partnerships with non-banks, meanwhile, can create dependencies, jeopardizing banks’ control over volumes, product design, origination processes and customer relationship, and leading to potential losses in business and financial performance.
Furthermore, reputational and operational risks may arise from failures, non-compliance, and issues with third-party partners. Finally, increased data sharing and interconnectivity between banks and third parties pose challenges for data security and protection. This expanded access can lead to data breaches and a larger surface area for cyber attacks.

Featured image credit: edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bis-digitalization-enhances-bank-efficiency-and-customer-experience-but-introduces-risks</link><guid>3651</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Digitalization-Enhances-Bank-Efficiency-and-Customer-Experience-But-Introduces-Risks-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>BIS: Digitalization Enhances Bank Efficiency and Customer Experience But Introduces Risks</dc:text></item><item><title>7’000 Schweizer Online-Shops vereinfachen Online-Zahlungen mit Visa und Payrexx</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Der Zahlungsdienstleister Payrexx integriert Click to Pay mit Visa ab sofort bei mehr als 7’000 Online-Shops kleiner und mittlerer Unternehmen in der Schweiz – darunter die Automobilplattform Carvolution, das Energieunternehmen BKW und die Zweifel Pomy-Chips AG.
Mit Click to Pay können die Online-Händler den Bezahlvorgang per Karte vereinfachen und ihre Chance auf erfolgreiche Kaufabschlüsse erhöhen, ohne dass ihnen zusätzlicher Aufwand oder Kosten entstehen.
Santosh Ritter
«Das Bezahlen im Internet ist oft noch zu kompliziert. Click to Pay ist angetreten, um die Kartenzahlung im Netz so einfach zu machen, wie man es vom kontaktlosen Bezahlen im Geschäft kennt. Damit Schweizer Banken ihren Kundinnen und Kunden die Lösung zur Registrierung anbieten, ist eine breite Verfügbarkeit im Online-Handel zentral. Die Integration von Tausenden von Online-Shops in Zusammenarbeit mit Payrexx ist ein wichtiger Meilenstein für den breiten Roll-Out von Click to Pay im Schweizer Markt»,&#13;


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sagt Santosh Ritter, Country Manager Schweiz und Liechtenstein bei Visa.
Händler profitieren von schnellerem Checkout, höherer Kaufabschlussquote und mehr Sicherheit
Click to Pay ist eine Weiterentwicklung der Kartenzahlung im Internet. Für Online-Händler bietet dies eine Reihe von Vorteilen. Bisher ist fast die Hälfte der Kaufabbrüche (44%) in digitalen Warenkörben auf Probleme beim Bezahlen zurückzuführen. Denn Konsument:innen begegnen in diesem Prozess oft noch gleich mehrere Hürden.
Sie müssen ihr Portemonnaie zur Hand haben, Daten von der Karte abtippen und mehrere Formularfelder ausfüllen. Click to Pay macht diese Schritte überflüssig und beschleunigt damit den Checkout-Prozess, wodurch die Quote erfolgreicher Kaufabschlüsse erhöht werden kann. Denn Online-Käufer:innen können mit Click to Pay shop- und geräteübergreifend mit wenigen Klicks bezahlen, ohne die Kartendaten überall neu einzugeben zu müssen. Selbst beim Ersteinkauf in Online-Shops, die diese moderne Checkout-Methode anbieten.
Zudem senkt Click to Pay für Händler das Risiko, Ziel von Kriminellen zu werden. Denn jede Zahlung mit Click to Pay ist tokenisiert und dadurch mit einer zusätzliche Sicherheitsebene abgesichert. Das bedeutet, dass Händler und ihre Zahlungsdienstleister bei einer Zahlung keine Kartennummern verarbeiten, sondern einen digitalen Platzhalter.
Visa Tokens können nicht an anderer Stelle eingesetzt werden und sind für Unbefugte damit wertlos, selbst wenn sie in falsche Hände geraten. Hiervon profitieren auch Konsument:innen: Die Betrugsrate bei Token-Zahlungen ist um bis zu 50 Prozent niedriger. Zudem ist die Payrexx-Zahlungsplattform PCI DSS Level 1 zertifiziert, verwendet Verschlüsselungsprotokolle wie SSL (Secure Socket Layer) und reduziert das Betrugsrisiko mithilfe des 3-D-Secure-Verfahrens.
Automatisches Update für Payrexx-Kunden – kein zusätzlicher Aufwand
Click to Pay modernisiert bestehende Kartenzahlungen im Online-Handel. Händler müssen keine neuen Zahlungsart akzeptieren und auch keine neue Partei wird zwischen sie und ihre Kund:innen geschaltet. Damit erhalten sie nicht nur die Kundenbeziehung, sondern geniessen auch weiter Vorteile wie die Zahlungsgarantie, sofort in dem Moment, in dem eine Transaktion autorisiert wird.
Die Integration von Click to Pay für Händler erfolgt in Zusammenarbeit mit Zahlungsdienstleistern wie Payrexx, die von Visa die notwendigen API-Spezifikationen und Integrationsanleitungen erhalten. Für Payrexx-Kunden entsteht kein zusätzlicher Aufwand. Die Aufschaltung von Click to Pay ist mit ihren bestehenden Konfigurationen kompatibel. Zudem sind Kartenzahlungen auch weiterhin per manueller Eingabe möglich.
Ivan Schmid
«Insbesondere für kleinere Händler ist es wichtig, dass ihre Kundschaft schnell und bequem einkaufen kann. Click to Pay mit Visa beschleunigt den Checkout-Prozess und erhöht so die Wahrscheinlichkeit, dass der Kauf auch tatsächlich abgeschlossen wird. Aus der engen Zusammenarbeit mit Visa ergibt sich also nicht nur ein enormer Mehrwert für die Händler von Payrexx, sondern auch für all ihre Shopperinnen und Shopper»,
sagt Ivan Schmid, Gründer und CEO von Payrexx.


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/7000-schweizer-online-shops-vereinfachen-online-zahlungen-mit-visa-und-payrexx</link><guid>3650</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10-Fintech-Finalists-for-ventures-2024-Startup-Competition.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>7’000 Schweizer Online-Shops vereinfachen Online-Zahlungen mit Visa und Payrexx</dc:text></item><item><title>Schweizer Retailbanken im Krypto-Anlage-Fieber</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Trotz breiter Skepsis, immer mehr Retailbanken bieten Kryptowährungen als vollwertige Anlageklasse an. Während einige Banken gezielt eigenes Know-how rund um Blockchain aufbauen, greifen die meisten auf Drittanbieter zurück. Dies zeigt eine neue Studie der Hochschule Luzern.
Nach Rekordwerten im Jahr 2021 und einem darauffolgenden Einbruch sind die Preise von Kryptowährungen in den letzten Monaten wieder deutlich gestiegen. Verschiedene Retailbanken haben sich entschlossen, ein Angebot an Kryptowährungen aufzubauen.
Gemäss einer Studie der Hochschule Luzern (HSLU) bieten 28 Prozent der Retailbanken Kryptowährungen als vollwertige Anlageklasse an oder beabsichtigen, dies künftig zu tun. Nach Jahren der Zurückhaltung sieht es danach aus, dass mindestens grössere Retailbanken in ihrer Kundenbasis ein Bedürfnis nach Kryptowährungen erkennen.&#13;


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Banken gelten als vertrauenswürdiger
Felix Buschor
«Die Banken scheinen in Kryptoanlagen Potenzial zu sehen»,
sagt Co-Studienautor Dr. Felix Buschor. Der Finanzexperte führt dies auf zwei grosse Vorteile zurück, welche Banken gegenüber Kryptobörsen haben:
«Erstens geniessen sie das Vertrauen ihrer Kundschaft, wenn es um die sichere Abwicklung und Verwahrung von Kryptowährungen geht. Zweitens können Kryptowährungen kundenfreundlich mit vorhandenen Bankdienstleistungen verschmolzen werden.»
Das heisst gemäss dem Studienleiter, dass Kryptowährungen im E- oder Mobile-Banking gehandelt werden können oder im Depotauszug und im Steuerverzeichnis zusammen mit den übrigen Vermögenswerten ausgewiesen werden.
Abbildung 27: Übersicht über mögliche Ausprägungsformen von Kryptowerten.
Blockchain: Gamechanger für die Banken?
Die Einführung von Kryptowährungen sei für die Banken nicht nur eine reine Erweiterung ihrer Produktpalette. Gemäss Buschor stellt sich damit unweigerlich auch die Frage, welche strategische Bedeutung sie der Blockchain für die Zukunft des Bankgeschäfts beimessen. Wie die Studie zeigt, gibt es hierzu unterschiedliche Auffassungen:
«Manche Banken sehen Blockchain als eine Technologie, die das Rückgrat des Bankings der Zukunft bilden wird. Das Beherrschen der Blockchain Technologie wird als Kernkompetenz angesehen»,
so Buschor. Die Mehrheit der Banken sei sich diesbezüglich aber weniger sicher. Für sie stehe im Vordergrund, rasch auf das Kundenbedürfnis nach Kryptowährungen reagieren zu können.
Diese unterschiedlichen Auffassungen zeigen sich im Sourcing: Wer viel Potenzial in Kryptoanlagen sieht, investiert jetzt substanziell, um bankintern Know-how, Systeme und Prozesse rund um die Blockchain aufzubauen. Die Banken, welche in Kryptoanlagen im Moment eher einen kurzfristigen Businesscase sehen, würden sich dieses Know-how bei Drittanbietern einkaufen.
«Das geht wesentlich schneller, als eigene Prozesse aufzugleisen»,
hält der Co-Studienautor fest.


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schweizer-retailbanken-im-krypto-anlage-fieber</link><guid>3649</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10-Fintech-Finalists-for-ventures-2024-Startup-Competition.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Schweizer Retailbanken im Krypto-Anlage-Fieber</dc:text></item><item><title>Crédit Agricole Next Bank Revolutionizes Its Lead Management and CRM With Investglass</title><description><![CDATA[
						
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					In a strategic move to transform the customer experience and automate internal operations, Crédit Agricole Next Bank launched its new lead management platform and CRM in March 2024. This launch marks a significant step in the digitalisation of retail banking.
Maxime Charton, Deputy Director of Development, is at the forefront of this initiative and expresses his satisfaction with the successful implementation of this new automation tool.
Maxime Charton
“The deployment of InvestGlass within Crédit Agricole Next Bank represents more than just a technical improvement; it’s a cultural transformation that allows the bank to continue innovating and improving its digital journeys for the benefit of its clients,”&#13;


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says Maxime Charton.
The Right Message at the Right Time with Personalized Journeys with AI
Choosing InvestGlass as a lead management solution addresses a significant challenge faced by Crédit Agricole Next Bank: effectively meeting the needs of a growing clientele while managing significant linguistic diversity among employees and clients who speak more than four languages. The flexibility and automation capabilities of InvestGlass have been crucial in providing a tailored response to this substantial influx of new clients while ensuring a personalised and efficient service.
The Digitalisation of Lead Management: The InvestGlass Platform as the Backbone
The appointment scheduling, prospect flow automation, and mailing tools integrated into InvestGlass have played a crucial role in achieving this objective, enabling the bank to manage its communications more agilely and personally, regardless of the channel used.
Stephane Graeffly
“InvestGlass allows us to optimise our operational efficiency while significantly improving our client’s experience,”
adds Stephane Graeffly, Director of the Online Agency.



Featured image: InvestGlass and Credit Agricole Next Bank team


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								]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/credit-agricole-next-bank-revolutionizes-its-lead-management-and-crm-with-investglass</link><guid>3648</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Redefining-Resilience-for-Banks-in-the-Digital-Era-With-the-Four-Zeros.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Crédit Agricole Next Bank Revolutionizes Its Lead Management and CRM With Investglass</dc:text></item><item><title>Finastra to Power LGT’s Instant Payments in Austria and Liechtenstein</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						May 27, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					Finastra, a global financial software provider, has been chosen by private bank LGT to launch instant payment services in Austria and Liechtenstein, with plans to expand to other markets.
LGT will utilise Finastra’s payment hub, adopting a model bank implementation approach to expedite compliance with the EU’s instant payments regulatory timeline.
By separating payment processing from its core banking system, LGT aims to manage anticipated growth in instant payment volumes and ensure 24/7 service availability.&#13;


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Finastra’s payment hub is designed to offer a scalable and resilient payment processing system, enabling banks to meet regulatory requirements and quickly adapt to future changes.
LGT’s implementation of Finastra’s payment hub will allow the bank to swiftly comply with the upcoming EU regulatory deadline for instant payments.
The solution also facilitates the adoption of other payment schemes, such as SIC5 IP in Switzerland, supporting ongoing modernization and innovation.
LGT already employs Finastra Kondor, a treasury management system, and Finastra’s Total Messaging platform.
Bernhard Strauch
“We selected Finastra’s payment hub as it supports multiple payment types within one standalone system, while enabling seamless integrations of new services as and when we need them.

With Finastra’s solution and industry expertise, we will gain the necessary agility required to keep pace with regulatory and industry demands.”
said Bernhard Strauch, Head Securities &amp; Payments Services at LGT Financial Services.
Neil Macro
“Underpinned by open architecture, APIs and our partner ecosystem, our solutions enable banks like LGT to innovate at speed, boost risk management and deliver enhanced services to end-users.

For example, the bank can seamlessly implement new functionality to strengthen its instant payments offering, such as Verification of Payee and real-time sanctions screening. We look forward to supporting LGT on further developing its payments services.”
said Neil Macro, Vice President, Managing Director – EMEA mid-markets, Payments at Finastra.

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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finastra-to-power-lgts-instant-payments-in-austria-and-liechtenstein</link><guid>3647</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Finastra-Provides-LGT-With-Solution-to-Fast-Track-Compliance-With-the-EU-Instant-Payments-Regulation-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Finastra to Power LGT’s Instant Payments in Austria and Liechtenstein</dc:text></item><item><title>The 4 Finalists of the Swiss Fintech Awards 2024</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						May 24, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					A jury of 20 decision-makers and opinion leaders from the Swiss fintech sector has selected the finalists for this year’s Swiss Fintech awards from over 60 applications.
The finalists in the “Early Stage Start-up of the Year” category are Climada and Neur.on AI.
In the “Growth Stage Start-up of the Year” category, GenTwo and Payrexx reached the finals.&#13;


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The Early Stage Finalists Swiss Fintech Awards 2024

Climada Technologies aims to provide financial service companies with transparent and regulatory compliant climate change reporting with a high degree of automation. The open-source platform provides science-based insights into climate risk analysis, offers assessments of the effects of these risks on a company’s finances, productivity or supply chains and develops future scenarios.

Neur.on AI tackles the problem that financial institutions have to process and translate a vast number of legal documents. By using artificial intelligence, Neur.on AI can translate legal documents cost-effectively and accurately. Neur.on AI has proven that its specialized financial and legal translations are significantly better than those of non-specialized competitors.
Growth Stage Finalists Swiss Fintech Awards 2024

GenTwo expands the investment universe through the assetization of previously unbankable assets – driven by technology and innovation in securitization and tokenization. With its offering, GenTwo has been able to create five billion US dollars’ worth of financial products for over 300 clients in 26 countries.

Payrexx is a payment platform that integrates a wide range of both local and global payment methods to facilitate online commerce for all types of businesses. With just one Payrexx account, merchants can tap into over 200 payment options. The company has so far acquired 60,000 merchants as customers and integrated its platform with over 100 partners as a white label solution.
Finalist Presentation
On June 11, the finalists will present their innovations in Zurich at the Swiss fintech conference by Finanz und Wirtschaft and the winners will be announced that same evening at the Swiss FinTech Awards Night. Since their inception in 2016, the Swiss FinTech Awards have become the most important award in the fintech industry and have since honored outstanding innovators, startups and influential players within the Swiss fintech ecosystem every year.


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-4-finalists-of-the-swiss-fintech-awards-2024</link><guid>3645</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Swiss-FinTech-Awards-Announce-Finalists-of-2024-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>The 4 Finalists of the Swiss Fintech Awards 2024</dc:text></item><item><title>3 Top Fintech Megatrends of 2024</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						May 24, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					2023 acted as a reset year in the venture capital (VC) ecosystem as investments witnessed their first significant drop since 2017. In 2024, investors anticipate a gradual growth in both the number and size of funding rounds compared to 2023, with massive opportunities for fintech startups in the areas of generative artificial intelligence (gen AI), sustainable finance, business-to-business (B2B) solutions and tokenization, a new report by American VC firm Plug and Play says.
The “Fintech Megatrends 2024” report, released in March 2024, shares the major fintech trends to look out for this year, drawing on market research and interviews with VCs and investors from Plug and Play, LBBW Venture Capital, BlackFin Tech, Elevator Ventures, Breega, Illuminate Financial, Auxxo, DB1, Fidelity International Strategic Ventures, HV Capital, and Dawn Capital.
Sustainable finance
Although significant efforts have been made to reduce greenhouse gases, global progress towards net-zero emissions is lagging, with CO2 emissions from energy and industry increasing by 60% since 1992.&#13;


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In the financial sector, the Net-Zero Banking Alliance has been established, comprising 142 banks from 44 countries committed to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from their lending and investment activities by 2050. However, some European banks such as Deutsche Bank, HSBC, Barclays, and Crédit Agricole have been found to support fossil fuel companies by facilitating the raising of over EUR 1 trillion through global bond markets, according to an investigation by The Guardian.
These challenges are bringing about opportunities for sustainable finance startups to tap into, with Plug and Play emphasizing renewable energy, carbon capture and accounting technologies, circular economy solutions and precision agriculture technologies as promising verticals.
The VC firm also see significant opportunities in the voluntary carbon market (VCM). VCM, which allows entities to purchase carbon credits to offset greenhouse gas emissions, was valued at US$2 billion in 2021. By 2030, the market is projected to reach US$40 billion, with sectors including banking, oil and gas, and airlines expected to remain key adopters of VCM. In this area, technological solutions that are enhancing market transparency and efficiency through automated verification and predictive analytics are expected to gain momentum.
The firm also anticipates increased demand for transparent, standardized, and accurate ESG data, fueling the growth of startups in the sector. This will come amid stricter regulations on ESG standards and requirements.
Generative AI integration and RPA
Gen AI, a type of AI technology capable of producing various forms of content, including text, imagery, audio, and synthetic data, emerged prominently in 2023, driven by the excitement following the introduction of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in late 2022.
Despite the frenzy that ensued, enterprise adoption of AI systems lagged behind expectations in 2023, with a survey of approximately 600 enterprise executives from Coatue suggesting that while 60% of enterprises were planning to adopt AI in 2023, less than 10% had managed to do so.
This slow adoption is being attributed to challenges like the complexity of integrating AI with existing systems, the lack of accuracy and insufficient quality data. These obstacles present opportunities for fintech startups to help enterprises incorporate gen AI into their systems more effectively.
Plug and Play also anticipates an increase in demand for robotic process automation (RPA) this year as banks seek to cut costs and reduce their workforce. RPA involves the use of automated “bots” to handle high-volume, low-complexity, and repetitive tasks typically performed by employees, improving efficiencies, reducing overall costs, and allowing for continuous operation without errors. Over the past decade, RPA has emerged as a prominent technology in business-to-business (B2B) software tech. This growth is projected to carry on, with Forrester expecting the market size to reach US$22 billion in 2025.
CFO tech and B2B fintech
CFO tech, a fintech subsector dedicated to assisting CFOs and finance teams in managing their financial operations more efficiently, is another trend to look forward to this year onwards. The sector is expected to grow on the back of technological advancements, evolving business needs and increasingly complex regulatory environments.
Finance teams are grappling with significant challenges in managing and analyzing data due to their disparate nature and complex interconnections. The process involves collecting and cleaning data from various sources, such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, human resources management systems, billing tools, customers, and suppliers, a tedious and time-consuming process that detracts from more strategic activities. Furthermore, normalizing and reconciling data across systems is time-consuming, and obtaining inputs for budgeting from numerous stakeholders leads to inefficiencies and errors.
CFO tech will emerge to address these challenges by providing a comprehensive suite of tools designed to improve accuracy, efficiency, compliance, and strategic decision-making within the finance function. They will enhance collaboration and empower finance teams to adopt a more proactive approach across the entire value chain. These tools will cover areas such as ERP, accounting, payroll, spend management, and compliance, Plug and Play says.
Tokenization, alternative assets among top wealthtech trends
In the wealthtech segment, asset tokenization is expected to gain traction this year owing to the technology’s potential to enhance liquidity, simplify trading, and open up new investment opportunities. This trend will be driven by increased adoption among banking incumbents like JP Morgan and ABN AMRO which are developing infrastructure to support the trend. Plutoneo, a German-based blockchain consulting firm, projects that the European security token market will grow 81% annually over the next five years and reach EUR 918 billion by 2026.
The democratization of alternative assets is another major trend to look out for in 2024 and beyond. These assets, which include private equity funds, luxury goods, art and real estate, offer diversification and new investment opportunities for both institutional and retail investors. Fintech companies are driving this trend by making private banking accessible to a broader audience.
Finally, indexing is poised to be a hot trend in fintech in 2024 driven by the rapid growth and needs of the exchange-traded fund (ETF) market. Many asset managers lack the sophisticated in-house capabilities required for index development and benchmarking, a gap which creates opportunities for innovative indexing fintech startups to provide the necessary infrastructure for designing and maintaining these custom indices. Their services will be particularly crucial for the growing segment of thematic ETFs, which require specialized and dynamic indexing solutions.
Next-generation compliance tools
Finally, next-generation compliance tools are expected to gain prominence and experience significant growth this year onwards as financial crimes and fraudulent transactions continue to pose threats to the financial system and global economies.
Plug and Play predicts that a new wave of regtech startups will emerge. These startups will spearhead the “compliance 2.0 wave”, leveraging technologies like gen AI models to discern intricate fraudulent schemes. They will focus on bringing know-your-customer (KYC), know-your-business (KYB), and anti-money laundering (AML) capabilities within one platform. This integration will facilitate continuous customer monitoring, streamline the onboarding process and ensure ongoing anti-fraud controls.
EY estimates that the annual cost of money laundering and associated crimes ranges from US$1.4 trillion to US$3.5 trillion.

featured image credit: edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/3-top-fintech-megatrends-of-2024</link><guid>3646</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Sustainable-Finance-Gen-AI-Tokenization-Among-Top-Fintech-Megatrends-of-2024-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>3 Top Fintech Megatrends of 2024</dc:text></item><item><title>Fabrick Enters German Market With the Acquisition of FinAPI</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Fabrick, an Open Finance operating company based in Italy, continues to execute its international growth and consolidation strategy in a growing market, and announces agreement to acquire finAPI GmbH, one of the leading German operators of Open Finance solutions.
The operation, subject to approval by the German and Italian supervisory authorities, is carried out through an agreement signed with SCHUFA Holding AG, from which Fabrick will acquire 75% of finAPI. The other 25% of the shares will remain with the two founders of finAPI, Dr. Florian Haagen and Dr. Martin Lacher, who will both continue to play a role in the unified entity.
The strategy aims to drive forward the innovation of European businesses by enabling new embedded finance service models. Founded in Munich in 2008 to develop solutions for the aggregation and analysis of financial data, finAPI is a pioneering force across the Open Banking, Data Intelligence, KYC, and Payments services. It serves over 350 clients, including banks, financial service providers, fintech companies, insurance companies, and software providers, not only in Germany, but also in Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary.&#13;


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Expanding its presence beyond Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom, Fabrick takes a significant step by entering into the strategically important DACH region. This move not only establishes Fabrick’s leadership in Germany, but also solidifies its position as one of the key players in Europe’s burgeoning Open Finance segment for services provided.
Paolo Zaccardi
Paolo Zaccardi, CEO of Fabrick, stated:
“This agreement to acquire finAPI, following the recent capital increase with Mastercard and Gruppo Reale Mutua and the acquisition of JudoPay in the United Kingdom, represents another significant milestone for Fabrick, enabling the proliferation of the internationalisation strategy defined since our inception. It allows us to enter the DACH Region, an area of strategic importance in allowing us to scale up our operations and seize the growing opportunities offered by the sector in which we operate. This operation is also a further step in expanding our offering, which now covers the entire value chain of Open Finance services.”
The strategic importance of the German market is also confirmed by the results of the study “Embrace Embedded Finance For Seamless Payment Success: A Spotlight On Europe,” conducted by Forrester Consulting for Fabrick. Of the 126 German decision-makers and managers interviewed, 74% stated they would invest or increase investments in payment acceptance solutions in the next 24 months. Specifically, 77% of the sample said that they will assign a high priority to payment orchestration solutions and 71% to solutions for accepting account-to-account payments via API.
The combined portfolio of finAPI and Fabrick offers customers a wider range of centralised digital solutions. In particular, finAPI‘s customers will benefit from this merger, thanks to the European coverage and Fabrick’s extensive portfolio of payment solutions.
Tanja Birkholz
Tanja Birkholz, CEO of SCHUFA, stated:
“Over the past three years, we have worked intensively with the goal of creating the greatest possible value for individuals and businesses. Technology plays an important role in developing customer-oriented products and services, and this requires strong partners capable of focusing on technological development. In this sense, Fabrick represents the ideal partner for the further development of finAPI. We know the needs of our customers, and Fabrick and finAPI possess the technological know-how to meet them, allowing them to benefit from further product developments in the field of Open Banking.”
Florian Haagen
Florian Haagen, CEO and Co-founder of finAPI, stated:
“The operation with Fabrick, characterised by its European approach, offers great opportunities for all. Together with the German market business, we will continue to actively shape the future of Open Finance in Europe.”
The transaction remains subject to approval by the German and Italian supervisory authorities. finAPI will remain regulated in Germany and will continue its strategic collaboration with SCHUFA for the development of Open Finance in the German market.
Drake Star Partners and White &amp; Case supported SCHUFA as advisors and legal, while Fabrick was assisted by Chiomenti and Gleiss Lutz for legal matters and Deloitte Financial Advisory for due diligence.

Featured image credit: edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fabrick-enters-german-market-with-the-acquisition-of-finapi</link><guid>3644</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10-Fintech-Finalists-for-ventures-2024-Startup-Competition.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Fabrick Enters German Market With the Acquisition of FinAPI</dc:text></item><item><title>Need for Enhanced Developer Ecosystems Among B2B Fintech Companies</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						May 23, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					A new study conducted by tech marketing agency Z3x reveals that while business-to-business (B2B) fintech companies are active on social media and maintain blogs to connect with their audiences, there is room for improvement, particularly in creating an engaged developer ecosystem and offering developer portals.
The research, which polled 200 business-to-business (B2B) fintech companies worldwide and analyzed their websites, sought to evaluate the sector’s marketing strategies and technical details, aiming to provide insights to industry specialists.
Key findings indicate that 95% of B2B fintech companies use LinkedIn, 75% use Facebook, and 60% use X, making these three platforms the top social networks for B2B fintech businesses. Additionally, 77% of the companies have blogs, with 60% having general blogs, 36% news blogs, and 8% tech blogs. This reveals that most B2B fintech businesses have understood the importance of maintaining a blog to support authority building, education and lead generation.&#13;


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The report emphasizes the need for diverse blog content, pointing out that the relatively small percentage of companies offering tech content represents a growth opportunity. By showcasing technological expertise, companies can engage their users more effectively, the report says.
Furthermore, the report highlights opportunities for improvement in the use of channels such as TikTok and Instagram. B2B fintech companies can stand out from competitors by leveraging these channels, it says. However, to effectively reach their audience and strengthen their industry position, they must tailor their content to each platform’s unique features and target audience.
Developer portals and communities
The Z3x study also examines the use of developer portals and communities, including the presence of “Dev Zones”, or dedicated spaces for developers.
Developer portals and communities are critical in driving product adoption, fostering innovation, and building long-term relationships with their clients. These platforms provide essential resources, support, and engagement opportunities that empower developers to effectively utilize fintech solutions and contribute to the ecosystem.
However, the research reveals that only 36% of the B2B fintech companies polled have a separate, dedicated area specifically for developers, and just 22% provide changelogs, a low percentage which may raise transparency concerns about product evolution.
Changelogs are websites that track and describe the changes made to a software project or product over time, such as the version number, date of release, and a summary of the changes made. They help developers and users understand the evolution of the system and stay informed about the latest updates.
Additionally, only 37% of B2B fintech companies offer a public application programming interface (API) that enables communication and data exchange between different software applications. This cautious approach may reflect a lack of trust in the developer community or fear of revealing competitive advantages, but may also limit product development and sector innovation.
Equally concerning is that only 43% of companies make their API documentation publicly available. At a time when application interactions are central to most technological solutions, keeping such documentation private can stifle innovation and collaboration, the report says. This practice, often driven by competitive fears, might protect certain business interests but at the expense of broader developmental opportunities.
Regarding community-building efforts, the study shows that only 9% of fintech companies have dedicated platforms for developer communities. The most used platforms are GitHub (67%), followed by Discord (17%), Stack Overflow (11%), Reddit, and Slack (both 6%).
SDKs and public code repositories
The report also discusses software development kits (SDKs) and public code repositories, emphasizing their importance in promoting transparency, support community and ecosystem development, and simplify integration.
SDKs are comprehensive collections of software tools, libraries, documentation, code samples, processes and guides that developers user to create applications. These offerings simplify integration, enhance developer experience and reduce development costs.
However, the study reveals that only 27% of the B2B fintech companies surveyed provide SDKs. Similarly, just 16% of companies maintain public code repositories, predominantly utilizing GitHub. Public repositories are online platforms that facilitate collaboration, code sharing, and community building among developers. They provide a centralized and transparent environment for hosting and managing software projects, promoting open collaboration, code reusability, transparency, accountability, community building, and visibility for projects and contributors.
For B2B fintech companies, not providing SDKs or not maintaining a public code repository can result in integration challenges, poor developer experience and reduced developer adoption, and a loss of community engagement. It can also lead to security concerns, difficulty scaling, limited innovation and competitive disadvantage.
The rise of B2B fintech
B2B fintech has witnessed remarkable growth and innovation in recent years, driven by increasing demand from businesses for tailored financial solutions, efficiency improvements, and technological advancements. Data from Dealroom.co reveal that there has been a notable shift in fintech activity from consumer-focused to business-oriented propositions, particularly evident in 2023.
According to the data provider, B2B fintech startups received the majority of fintech funding last year, accounting for 79.8% of total investments through November 30. In contrast, business-to-consumer (B2C) startups attracted only 20.2% of fintech funding during the same period. This represents a considerable decline from the 50.6% share that B2C fintech startups held in 2016, indicating a notable trend shift worth monitoring.
Nirav Choksi, CEO and co-founder of Indian digital banking platform CredAble expects the trend to carry on in 2024 and beyond, driven by opportunities in payment platforms, lending solutions, and software-as-a-service (SaaS) tools.
Choksi foresees several technology trends dominating the sector moving forward, including robotic process automation (RPA), blockchain technology, open finance, generative artificial intelligence (gen AI), and banking-as-a-service (BaaS).
RPA stands to automate repetitive tasks, improving efficiency and reducing costs; gen AI is poised to play a pivotal role in customizing financial services, optimizing investment portfolios, and enabling fairer credit access; and blockchain technology is set to enhance cross-border transactions, digital identity verification, trade finance, and compliance, he says.
Additionally, BaaS will allow non-financial companies to integrate financial services into their platforms, offering a connected and convenient financial experience for businesses; and open finance will evolve from open banking to utilize diverse data sets for more innovative and inclusive financial solutions.

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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/need-for-enhanced-developer-ecosystems-among-b2b-fintech-companies</link><guid>3643</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://bunny-wp-pullzone-luetain2ag.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/New-Study-Reveals-Need-for-Enhanced-Developer-Ecosystems-Among-B2B-Fintech-Companies-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Need for Enhanced Developer Ecosystems Among B2B Fintech Companies</dc:text></item><item><title>Ebankit Opens Operational Hub in Germany</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						May 23, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					ebankIT, a fintech company that offers financial institutions a customer-centric digital banking experience , announced the opening of its newest hub in Berlin, Germany.
With a strong presence of over 10 clients in the DACH Region, particularly in Switzerland, the establishment of this strategic hub in Berlin signifies a significant step for ebankIT in providing exceptional value to financial institutions, partners, and industry stakeholders.
ebankIT offers tailored banking solutions that align with local regulations while also meeting the needs and expectations of banking clients. By placing a strong emphasis on innovation and user-centric design, ebankIT’s omnichannel platform distinguishes itself in the market by offering seamless integration, advanced security features, and intuitive user experiences.&#13;


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Renato Oliveira
“We are delighted to inaugurate our new operational center in Berlin. With this center we will strengthen our ability to deliver tailored financial solutions to better serve FI in the DACH Region,”
Said Renato Oliveira, CEO of ebankIT,
“With Berlin’s dynamic tech ecosystem and talented workforce, we’re ready to start creating a meaningful impact and help shape the future of digital banking.”


Featured image credit: edited from freepik



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			&#13;
				About Author&#13;
				More info about author&#13;
			
			
		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ebankit-opens-operational-hub-in-germany</link><guid>3642</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://bunny-wp-pullzone-luetain2ag.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Ebankit-Expands-Its-International-Footprint-With-the-Establishment-of-a-New-Operational-Hub-in-Germany-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Ebankit Opens Operational Hub in Germany</dc:text></item><item><title>Trust Square Appoints New CEO</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Trust Square has announced the appointments of Marc Hauser as CEO and Daniel Gasteiger as Chair of the Advisory Board.
The leadership appointments support Trust Square’s aims to accelerate innovation, foster global collaboration, and drive adoption in emerging technologies.
The latest leadership appointments follow Trust Square’s recent announcement of a strategic partnership with The Hashgraph Association (THA).&#13;


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Marc Degen
Marc Degen, Chairman of the Board of Directors, states:
«We are excited to have Marc and Daniel join us and bring their expertise to our mission of driving the adoption of new technologies. Both have an outstanding reputation within the community and share their expert view on how new technologies find their path into reality from the corporate, startup and influencer perspective. The board of Trust Square is convinced that we have won the best talent to nurture the seeds we’ve planted into a bouquet of helpful instruments to simplify tech innovation for everyone.»
The appointment of Marc Hauser as CEO as per the start of June 2024 reinforces Trust Square’s strategic direction. As a renowned expert in the technology and innovation space, he brings with him 18 years of experience across deep tech, fintech, Web3, banking, and entrepreneurship and is uniquely positioned to lead Trust Square in fostering innovation and collaboration across various domains. He states:
Marc Hauser
«I am honored to join Trust Square as its new CEO at this pivotal moment in the technology landscape. My mission is to leverage our central role at the intersection of innovation and collaboration to drive the adoption of technology into the corporate environment. We will build on our solid foundation in Switzerland to expand our impact internationally, creating vibrant ecosystems in new locations.»
Having served as Head Europe &amp; Managing Partner at Tenity, Marc Hauser will use his expertise to drive Trust Square’s strategy of expanding its reach beyond Zurich and Switzerland, forging partnerships with global entities like The Hashgraph Association to establish international hubs, and support enterprise use cases.
Daniel Gasteiger, Co-Founder of Trust Square, takes over the position of Chair of the Advisory Board. In this capacity, he will drive expert communities to further strengthen Trust Square’s position as a thought leader in the emerging tech space



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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/trust-square-appoints-new-ceo</link><guid>3640</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://bunny-wp-pullzone-luetain2ag.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10-Fintech-Finalists-for-ventures-2024-Startup-Competition.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Trust Square Appoints New CEO</dc:text></item><item><title>SAP Fioneer and Deutsche Pfandbriefbank Launch Solution for Commercial Real Estate Financing</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					SAP Fioneer, the software specialist for the financial services industry, and Deutsche Pfandbriefbank AG (“pbb”) have launched the Digital Credit Workplace, a solution for commercial real estate financing that covers the entire lifecycle of transactions – from lending to credit risk management, all processes are supported.
The Credit Workplace is the answer to typical challenges faced by banks and financial service providers. Numerous manual process steps, fragmented IT support, distributed and redundant data and extensive use of end-user computing characterize the day-to-day work of experts. As a result, substantial efficiency potential cannot be realized, the use of AI is made more difficult, compliance requirements can sometimes only be met with great effort and ensuring consistent data requires additional measures and coordination.
The Credit Workplace relies on a significantly improved integration capability, introduces uniform and optimized data structures (e.g. when mapping assets) and enables the digitalization and automation of decision-making and risk processes. End-user computing applications can be scaled back and document-based process steps can be replaced by interactive dashboards tailored to the target group. The effort involved in recording, maintaining and copying data is significantly reduced, allowing employees to focus on the actual lending business and risk management. Overall, collaboration between employees within and between departments and with customers is significantly simplified.&#13;


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Michael Spiegel
“Thanks to the agile way of working in mixed teams of SAP Fioneer and pbb employees and the high level of commitment on all sides, the co-innovation was implemented on schedule,”
explains Michael Spiegel, Head of Operations &amp; Digitalization at pbb.
“The Credit Workplace has considerably simplified our lending process. The intuitive structure and specific dashboards help enormously to maintain an overview of the complex processes involved in lending, risk assessment and portfolio management and to always have up-to-date information available. In addition, a number of manual processes have been automated.”
Alexander Wehrmann
Dr. Alexander Wehrmann, Managing Director at SAP Fioneer, adds:
“Together with pbb as a strong and competent partner, we have established a new solution that not only comprehensively supports and substantially improves the processes for commercial real estate financing, but we have also taken an important step in expanding our product portfolio in commercial lending.”


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sap-fioneer-and-deutsche-pfandbriefbank-launch-solution-for-commercial-real-estate-financing</link><guid>3641</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://bunny-wp-pullzone-luetain2ag.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10-Fintech-Finalists-for-ventures-2024-Startup-Competition.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>SAP Fioneer and Deutsche Pfandbriefbank Launch Solution for Commercial Real Estate Financing</dc:text></item><item><title>World Bank Issues Digital Bond in Switzerland on the Blockchain</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					The World Bank priced the first CHF digital bond by an international issuer, which will settle using Swiss Franc wholesale Central Bank Digital Currency (wCBDC) provided by the Swiss National Bank (SNB).
This 7-year CHF 200 million digital bond, the largest World Bank CHF bond issuance since 2009, uses Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) and advances the digitalization of capital markets while also supporting the financing of World Bank’s sustainable development activities.
The World Bank partnered with the SNB and SIX Digital Exchange (SDX) to further scale efforts in the use of DLT in capital markets. This partnership introduces the use of wCBDC by the SNB for initial settlement.&#13;


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The coupon and redemption payments will be made using tokenized CHF on the SDX. The SDX connects to conventional settlement systems such as Euroclear and Clearstream, via SIX SIS, allowing investors to hold the digital bond through their traditional custodians. The transaction follows the World Bank’s recent digital issuance on Euroclear’s Digital Financial Market Infrastructure (D-FMI) and builds upon its partnerships with core market infrastructure providers to scale digitalization efforts.
The bond is listed on both SIX Digital Exchange and the traditional SIX Swiss Exchange. The securities are governed by Swiss law. The bond was placed mainly in Switzerland, with banks, bank treasuries and corporates representing the majority share of allocations at 60%, followed by asset managers, insurance companies and pension funds at 39%. The remainder was placed with central banks and official institutions.
Jorge Familiar
“We are grateful for the opportunity to issue the first CHF digital bond as an international issuer. This achievement marks another significant step in the World Bank’s commitment to increasing capital markets’ efficiency through digitalization in partnership with central banks and central securities depositories. It builds on our previous accomplishments with bond-i and the issuance of digitally native notes last October,”
said Jorge Familiar, Vice President and Treasurer of the World Bank.
David Newns
“Being able to settle wholesale transactions in tokenized central bank money is a critical, foundational requirement for the adoption of a blockchain based capital markets infrastructure. Today, the World Bank takes the industry one step forward. SDX is truly delighted to have the World Bank’s first CHF-denominated digital issuance settle in wCBDC on our platform as part of the SNB’s groundbreaking initiative Project Helvetia. This is further testament of the World Bank’s pioneering innovation in the digital asset space,”
said David Newns, Head SIX Digital Exchange.
Commerzbank was the sole lead manager and is also the paying and issuer agent for this transaction.

Featured image credit: edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/world-bank-issues-digital-bond-in-switzerland-on-the-blockchain</link><guid>3639</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://bunny-wp-pullzone-luetain2ag.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10-Fintech-Finalists-for-ventures-2024-Startup-Competition.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>World Bank Issues Digital Bond in Switzerland on the Blockchain</dc:text></item><item><title>Innosuisse Appoints New Director</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						May 21, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					The new director of Innosuisse is Dominique Gruhl-Bégin. The Federal Council approved her appointment by the Innosuisse Board on 15 May 2024.
Innosuisse is the Swiss Innovation Agency. It is dedicated to promoting science-based innovation in the interest of industry and society in Switzerland. Innosuisse’s activities include funding innovation projects between companies and research institutes, both at the national and international levels. They also offer support for startups through training, coaching, internationalization offers, and participation in international trade fairs.
Ms Gruhl-Bégin will take over the position from 12 August 2024. The current director, Annalise Eggimann, is stepping down for reasons of age, but will continue in her role as chair of the Innosuisse 2024 presidency of TAFTIE, the European network of innovation agencies.&#13;


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Dominique Gruhl-Bégin
Dominique Gruhl-Bégin, who is a Swiss-Canadian dual citizen, has considerable experience in the field of innovation promotion. The 48-year-old is currently CEO of Serpentine Ventures, a subsidiary of the Swiss Ventures Group, which is involved in innovation funding and start-up support. She headed the Start-ups and Next-Generation Innovators division at Innosuisse between 2017 and 2022.
Ms Gruhl-Bégin graduated from the University of Montreal with a Master’s degree in Economics. She went on to complete a further Master’s degree in Art Gallery and Museum Studies at the University of Leeds.
She began her professional career as a research assistant at the University of Montreal before working as a management consultant and supply chain management specialist in the United States and Switzerland. Among other things, she worked at the Canadian Embassy in Bern as Trade Commissioner for Trade Relations and Innovation. In August 2016 she became deputy head of the Start-up and Entrepreneurship division in the secretariat of the then Commission for Technology and Innovation CTI. The following year she went on to head the Start-ups and Next-Generation Innovators division at Innosuisse.
Annalise Eggimann is stepping down as director of Innosuisse at the end of July 2024. Until her retirement in spring 2025, she will continue in her role as delegate and chair of the Innosuisse 2024 presidency of TAFTIE, the European network of innovation agencies.


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/innosuisse-appoints-new-director</link><guid>3638</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://bunny-wp-pullzone-luetain2ag.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/New-Innosuisse-Director-Appointed-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Innosuisse Appoints New Director</dc:text></item><item><title>Mastercard Debit Cards Are Forced to Lower Interchange Fee in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Payments with debit cards are charged with fees, such as the interchange fee. COMCO settles with Mastercard on an interchange fee of 0,12 % for Swiss card-present transactions.
Last June, COMCO launched two investigations to find long-term solutions for domestic interchange fees for Visa and Mastercard debit cards. With Mastercard, COMCO quickly reached an amicable settlement.
For domestic card-present transactions, i.e. when the debit card is physically presented at the point of sale, COMCO settles with Mastercard on an interchange fee of 0,12 % with a cap at 30 cents for transaction amounts of CHF 300 and more. This solution is equivalent to an average rate of 0,1 %, which is considerably lower than the rate of 0,2 % by European regulations. The purpose of this settlement is to create a solid legal framework for all stakeholders involved with a view to enabling sound business decisions and to encourage innovation. Therefore, it cannot be terminated before 2033.&#13;


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Currently and related to previous proceedings of the competition authorities, for domestic payments made via the Web or mobile devices (e- or m-commerce) an interchange fee of 0,31 % is charged. Prior to the present investigation, the competition authorities and Mastercard agreed, that this rate will be lowered to 0,28 % as of November 1, 2025.
The settlement applies to Mastercard debit cards only and does not prejudge the findings of the simultaneously launched and ongoing investigation into domestic interchange fees for Visa debit cards for card-present transactions.
Domestic interchange fees are revenues that a Swiss card issuer (usually a bank) receives when its debit cards are used in Switzerland. Those fees are passed on by the acquirer as part of its merchant service charge to the company that accepts the card during the payment process (typically a merchant). Thereby the interchange fee is only one of numerous fee components of the merchant service charge.

Featured image credit: edited from Pexels


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mastercard-debit-cards-are-forced-to-lower-interchange-fee-in-switzerland</link><guid>3637</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://bunny-wp-pullzone-luetain2ag.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10-Fintech-Finalists-for-ventures-2024-Startup-Competition.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Mastercard Debit Cards Are Forced to Lower Interchange Fee in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 10 Fintech Events in UK and Ireland to Attend in H2 2024</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					The UK and Ireland boast thriving fintech sectors characterized by robust revenue growth, diverse innovation, and burgeoning startup ecosystems. The UK, renowned as a global fintech hub, leverages its rich financial services expertise, tech talent, and progressive regulations. It’s home to approximately 2,500 fintech firms, representing 11% of the global industry, data from the government show.
In Ireland, the fintech landscape has rapidly expanded, with over 280 indigenous and 130 international companies operating there, particularly in areas like payments, open banking, crypto, and crowdfunding, according to industry trade group Fintech Ireland.
Highlighting the prominence of fintech in both nations, Sifted’s inaugural leaderboard of the UK and Ireland’s fastest-growing startups reveals that nearly a third of the 2024 entries are from the fintech sector, totaling 31 startups. This makes fintech the most populous and successful startup vertical in the two countries based on revenue growth. Notable fintech companies featured include neobank Allica Bank, insurtech YuLife, lending business Tembo Money, and buy now, pay later (BNPL) startup Zilch.&#13;


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With fintech continuing to grow and evolve, a number of conferences and events are being organized in the UK and Ireland to facilitate networking and knowledge exchange among industry professionals. In this article, we delve into some of the most prominent fintech events taking place in the UK and Ireland during the second half of 2024, shedding light on their key themes and highlights.
The Fintech Summit 2024
May 16, 2024
Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland

Scheduled to take place on May 16, the Fintech Summit inaugural event is set to connect financial institutions with the fintech innovators revolutionizing the financial system.
With a focus on advancing the financial system’s efficiency and inclusivity, the summit will explore how cutting-edge technologies can be effectively utilized, regulated, and scaled. The event will feature panel discussions, keynote speeches, and masterclasses addressing the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing both emerging fintech startups and established financial services incumbents.  Additionally, it will provide ample opportunities for networking and business development.
Attendees can expect a comprehensive agenda designed to achieve two primary objectives: thought leadership and connectivity. They will also have access to one of Ireland’s largest fintech trade shows, facilitating connections with potential customers and partners. Various networking sessions and strategic business meetings will be organized to encourage meaningful interactions and collaboration among participants.
DIGIT Expo West
May 29, 2024
Scottish Events Campus (SEC) Centre, Glasgow, Scotland

DIGIT Expo West, scheduled for May 29, 2024, at the Scottish Events Campus (SEC) Centre in Glasgow, will bring together Scotland’s largest annual technology showcase to the forefront.
The event will feature a comprehensive conference program comprising keynotes, interactive workshops, panels, and an extensive exhibition hall, providing attendees with valuable insights, networking opportunities, and engagement with leading IT and digital vendors. The conference program will cover a wide range of themes, including cloud computing, DevOps, cybersecurity, digital leadership, and data innovation.
Key speakers at DIGIT Expo West 2024 include:

Ed Parsons, Geospatial Technologies, Google;
Cheryl Hung, Senior Director, Arm;
Faisal Kamrn, Principal Technology Analyst, Sony;
Elizabeth Fairley, COO, Talking Medicines;
James Maciver, CTO, Phlo;
Ayorinde Thompson John, Executive Director, JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co;
Dr. Sofiat Olaosebikan, Lecturer in Computer Science, University of Glasgow;
Marika Lohmus, Head of Risk &amp; Payments, Cleo;
Alison B Lowndes, Senior Scientist: Global AI, Nvidia; and
Euan Wielewski, Machine Learning Lead, NatWest.

Moreover, the exhibition at DIGIT Expo West will feature 50+ exhibitors, making it one of the largest gatherings of IT and digital vendors in the west of Scotland. Delegates will get to engage with leading solutions providers, experience live product demos, and participate in interactive games, enhancing their understanding of the latest technologies and solutions available in the market.
Dublin Tech Summit
May 29 – 30, 2024
RDS, Dublin, Ireland

The Dublin Tech Summit 2024, scheduled to take place on May 29 and 30 at the RDS in Dublin, is a two-day event poised to bring together global tech leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs, with an expected attendance of over 8,000 participants and hundreds of speakers from around the world. The summit aims to showcase the latest technological advancements, highlight innovative ideas, and explore the future of tech in a rapidly evolving landscape.
This year’s edition will focus on emerging technologies like quantum computing and deep tech, positioning them as the new frontier of innovation. Discussions will also address the future of artificial intelligence (AI), emphasizing the importance of regulation and security in shaping a digital future. Speakers from diverse backgrounds, including tech innovators, social media influencers, and entrepreneurs, will share their insights on topics such as digital transformation, next-generation computing, startups, and global investing.
Dublin Tech Summit aims to foster collaboration, strengthen tech ecosystems, and facilitate networking opportunities to drive innovation and entrepreneurship forward. Since its inception in 2015, the summit has grown to become a significant event in the tech industry, providing a unique blend of Irish culture and global networking.
London Tech Week
June 10 – 14, 2024
Olympia, London, UK

Scheduled to take place from June 10 to 14, London Tech Week 2024 promises to be even more expansive than its previous editions, offering attendees unparalleled opportunities to showcase innovations and connect with their target audience. With the event expanding to the vast London Olympia campus, doubling its space, opportunities, and impact, participants can anticipate an extraordinary week filled with groundbreaking innovations and transformative experiences.
London Tech Week 2024 will bring together innovators, investors, tech giants, and entrepreneurs from over 90 countries, offering a platform for the global tech ecosystem to intersect with investment, innovation, and talent in the UK.
Attendees can expect visionary insights from cross-industry leaders, deep dives into the startup ecosystem, and engaging discussions on social impact from prominent figures in the realms of technology, business, and politics. Participants will also get to engage with top founders, industry experts, leading investors, and enterprise tech leaders, gaining inspiration and connections to thrive in the tech industry.
Highlighted themes for this year’s event include:

Artificial Intelligence: Exploring the ethics and real-world impacts of AI, fostering creativity, and enhancing efficiency;
The Future of Security and Data: Addressing the importance of securing data and privacy, and exploring proactive solutions and ethical responsibilities;
Tomorrow’s Talent: Discussing strategies for preparing for the evolving job market, including upskilling, talent retention, and lifelong learning;
The Deep Tech Revolution: Exploring radical innovation in AI, biotech, and beyond, and its impact on future industries;
Green Innovation: Harnessing technology for a sustainable future, with discussions on eco-solutions, circularity, and environmental sustainability; and
Empowering Entrepreneurship: Encouraging innovation, venture building, and disruption in various sectors.

London Tech Week 2024 will feature multiple stages, including the Main Stage, Start-Up Stage, and Corporate Innovation Stage, each hosting a range of sessions, panels, and presentations on diverse topics.
Customer Experience in Financial Services Conference 2024
June 18 – 19, 2024
etc.venues, London, UK

The Customer Experience in Financial Services Conference 2024, taking place on June 18 and 19 at etc.venues in London, aims to bring together professionals from banking and insurance sectors to explore the latest advancements in customer-centric and digital strategies. The conference is expected to host over 200 attendees, feature more than 15 exhibitors, and offer insights from over 20 speakers.
Targeted towards retail banks, wealth management firms, private banking institutions, insurance companies, and building societies, the Customer Experience in Financial Services Conference 2024 aims to offer a platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing on delivering enhanced customer experiences in a digital era.
Distinguished speakers from leading organizations such as Citi Bank, Saffron Building Society, Consumer Duty Alliance, and Monzo will deliver presentations, participate in panel discussions, and engage in Q&amp;A sessions, providing valuable insights into customer experience strategies and innovations.
Attendees can expect to delve into innovative content, including discussions on leveraging the metaverse for customer experience, digital inclusivity, updates on consumer duty regulations, brand management, achieving balance between hybrid, digital, and human interactions, data-driven personalization, and the application of AI in enhancing customer experiences. Participants will also get to engage with industry experts, initiate meaningful conversations, and explore potential partnerships vital for achieving their customer experience objectives.
MoneyNext 2024
June 19 – 20, 2024
ExCeL, London, UK

MoneyNext 2024, scheduled for June 19 and 20 at ExCeL in London, stands as a premier digital transformation event for financial services worldwide. The event will bring together four co-located industry-leading events: the Banking Transformation Summit, the Wealth Management Transformation Summit, the Insurance Transformation Summit, and the Lending Transformation Summit.
MoneyNext 2024 will offer a platform for connection with 2,500 financial services tech professionals, all united in their pursuit of delivering digital innovation and advancing their transformation journey. The event promises an immersive experience, with attendees granted access to all four co-located summits, offering a comprehensive view of the latest trends, ideas, and opinions from experts, innovators, and visionaries in the field.
Attendees will benefit from insights shared by 200 industry-leading speakers, who will illuminate their stories, visions, and innovations in the financial services sector.
Highlighted features of MoneyNext 2024 include:

Expanded Speaker Lineup: Visionaries from esteemed institutions such as Handelsbanken, Santander, Metro Bank (UK), Shawbrook Bank, Castle Trust Bank, Deutsche Bank, Standard Chartered, Recognise Bank, and more will contribute their insights;
Sponsor Support: Confirmed sponsors including Appian Corporation, Telefónica Tech, Pure Storage, Comarch, nCino, Inc., Version 1, Workday, Bud, Feedzai, among others, underscore the event’s significance in the industry; and
Roundtable Program: Featuring over 100 discussions, the roundtable program will offer participants the opportunity to engage as contributors or observers, covering a wide array of topics relevant to their interests and expertise.

CDAO Financial Services and Insurance UK 2024
September 11 – 12, 2024
London, UK

The CDAO Financial Services and Insurance UK 2024 conference, scheduled for September 11 and 12 in London, will offer a unique platform for data and analytics professionals serving the financial services industry to explore the latest trends and challenges in their field. With over 40 speakers, this year’s event will delve into critical areas such as data security, AI, and digital transformation.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to discover emerging trends and solutions providers to navigate evolving landscapes effectively. They will also get to engage with experts through a mix of panel discussions, roundtable sessions, and Q&amp;A opportunities, fostering interaction and collaboration within the financial services data and analytics community.
Moreover, the conference will provide a unique networking opportunity, allowing attendees to interact with industry leaders, influential technologists, and data scientists, learning from over 100 industry innovators sharing best practices and advice to improve data and analytics strategy.
Fintech Summit
September 25, 2024
Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh, UK

The Fintech Summit 2024, scheduled for September 25, at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh, UK, will mark the 11th edition of the annual event and will serve as the launch event of the Scotland Fintech Festival. The summit will provide a platform for industry professionals to engage in discussions, share insights, and explore innovative solutions to navigate the evolving landscape of fintech in Scotland and beyond.
Amidst one of the most turbulent periods in modern history, the summit aims to explore the role of financial innovation in socio-economic recovery. The pandemic accelerated the adoption of mobile banking, digital channels, and cashless payment systems while underscoring the fragility of the economic system and the need for fast, frictionless finance.
The conference will reflect on the evolution of fintech against this backdrop of volatility, focusing on key trends, challenges, and market disruptions. It will discuss the opportunity for fintech to assist customers in managing the cost of living crisis and contribute to building a better future for the country.
Core conference topics include:

Landscape: Addressing the cost of living crisis, financial health, and sustainability;
Customer Strategy: Enhancing engagement, inclusion, user experience, and data insight;
Emerging Technologies: Exploring advanced analytics, AI and machine learning (ML), robotic process automation (RPA), blockchain, and mobile;
Regulation: Navigating GDPR, MiFID II, PSD2, and open banking; and
Infrastructure: Assessing IT, security, digitalization, cloud computing, mobile technologies, and “anything-as-a-service” (XaaS).

Fintech Talents Festival 2024
November 11 – 12, 2024
The Brewery, London, UK

The Fintech Talents Festival, scheduled this year for November 11 and 12, 2024, at The Brewery in London, stands as one of the UK’s largest and most impactful fintech festivals. The festival aims to serve as a platform for showcasing visionary ideas, practical innovation, and in-depth explorations of industry challenges across various sectors of financial services.
Marked as a two-day must-attend event, the 2024 Fintech Talents Festival is set to bring together over 2,000 participants, including global financial institutions, merchants, brands, marketplaces, digital platforms, technology enablers, innovators, and fintech startups. The attendees will comprise C-level executives, founders, as well as leaders in innovation and digital transformation from across the UK and Europe.
The 2024 Fintech Talents Festival promises to be an immersive experience, offering attendees a comprehensive view of the latest trends, innovations, and challenges in the fintech industry. Its content will span a wide range of topics and will include co-located events, each focusing on specific areas of interest:

Fintech Talents Festival: Explore a broad menu of fintech content, delving into the digital transformation of the financial services landscape. Engage in debates, discussions, and conversations designed to spark innovation and collaboration;
Future Identity Festival (co-located event): Gain insights from industry experts, technology leaders, and policymakers on the evolving landscape of identity and trust, exploring the latest developments shaping the future;
FTT AI Transformation Stage: Dive into the AI revolution within finance, examining internal strategies and the impacts of AI application in the fintech landscape;
FTT Embedded Finance and Customer Alpha Stage: Connect with a growing community of financial and non-financial brands exploring new pathways for delivering financial products and services through a range of distributors;
FTT Open Finance Stage: Explore the possibilities of open finance, evaluating new business models and the competitive landscape powered by open finance initiatives;
FTT Mutuals (co-located event): Unite with leaders from mutual finance sectors to future-proof and grow mutual finance institutions; and
FID Fraud and FinCrime Stage: Experience transformative discussions shaping the future of finance, identity security, and crime prevention, particularly focusing on how AI can revolutionize operations and enhance security in a digital world.

FMLS:24
November 18 – 20, 2024
Old Billingsgate, London, UK

FMLS:24, taking place from November 18 to 20, 2024, in London, invites participants to immerse themselves in the world’s financial epicenter. The event promises an exploration of trends, networking opportunities with industry leaders, and direct engagement with top speakers.
FMLS:24 is part of a series of events by Finance Magnates slated to captivate the financial industry in 2024. These gatherings offer unparalleled networking opportunities, knowledge sharing, and avenues for industry advancement.
These events aim to bring together industry leaders, professionals, and experts from across the globe to partake in meaningful discussions, explore innovative solutions, and shape the future of the financial sector. They focus on four key sectors, namely fintech, payments, online trading and digital assets.

Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-10-fintech-events-in-uk-and-ireland-to-attend-in-h2-2024</link><guid>3636</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://bunny-wp-pullzone-luetain2ag.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10-Fintech-Finalists-for-ventures-2024-Startup-Competition.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 10 Fintech Events in UK and Ireland to Attend in H2 2024</dc:text></item><item><title>Tenity Hires New Chief Investment Officer</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						May 15, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					Tenity announced that Andrea Fritschi has joined its leadership team as new Chief Investment Officer and Managing Partner, effective May 1st, 2024. Andrea takes over the role from Maximilian Derpa.
Andrea brings over 20 years of extensive experience from her tenure in private equity and venture capital investment management at Swiss Re and BlackRock, as well as from the entrepreneurial expertise she gained as founder and CEO of startup companies.
Her strong financial acumen and ability to thrive in both corporate and entrepreneurial environments will be pivotal as Tenity continues to expand its VC investment program in Fintech and Insurtech.&#13;


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Andrea Fritschi
“I am excited to advance Tenity’s VC investment offerings. The targeted investments aim to set new industry standards and catalyze significant innovation, driving the development of the financial ecosystem”,
says Andrea Fritschi, CIO at Tenity.
Andrea holds an MBA from IMD and has furthered her executive education at INSEAD, ensuring a strong academic foundation that complements her hands-on industry experience. Her vision and leadership will be instrumental in driving Tenity’s strategic growth and innovation.
Andreas Iten
“We are thrilled to welcome Andrea to the Tenity family,”
said Andreas Iten, CEO &amp; Managing Partner at Tenity.
“Her impressive track record and deep understanding of investment management and entrepreneurship will be invaluable as we scale our operations and enhance our investment strategies in the fintech and insurtech sectors.”


Featured image credit: edited from freepik



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			&#13;
				About Author&#13;
				More info about author&#13;
			
			
		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/tenity-hires-new-chief-investment-officer</link><guid>3635</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://bunny-wp-pullzone-luetain2ag.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Tenity-Welcomes-Andrea-Fritschi-as-New-Chief-Investment-Officer-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Tenity Hires New Chief Investment Officer</dc:text></item><item><title>8 Upcoming Fintech Events in South America to Attend in H2 2024</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Latin America (Latam) is emerging as a hotbed for fintech innovation, driven by its young, tech-savvy population and government support for digital financial services.
In 2021, the number of fintech platforms in Latam and the Caribbean reached 2,482, soaring 112% from 2018, data from a report by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), IDB Invest and Finnovista show, underscoring the region’s increasing reliance on digital financial services.
At the same time, government initiatives like Brazil’s Pix and Mexico’s CoDi instant payment systems are further propelling the adoption of digital transactions and highlighting efforts by Latam governmental bodies to modernize their financial frameworks.&#13;


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As fintech continues to rise and evolve in Latam and South America, numerous conferences and events are being organized to facilitate networking and knowledge exchange among industry professionals. Today, we delve some of the most prominent fintech events in South America scheduled for in H2 2024, shedding light on their key themes and highlights.
Chile Fintech Forum 2024
May 14 – 15, 2024
Espacio Riesco, Huechuraba, Chile

The Chile Fintech Forum 2024, taking place on May 14 and 15 at Espacio Riesco in Huechuraba, Chile, will bring together over 3,000 attendees to explore Chile’s leadership in fintech.
Featuring more than 100 speakers, including policymakers and industry leaders, the forum will address critical issues in fintech such as regulatory frameworks, digital payments, and innovation. This year’s event, organized in partnership with Chócale as a media partner, seeks to position Chile as a fintech hub in Latam.
The forum will commence with remarks from Chile’s Finance Minister Mario Marcel, focusing on the impacts of current governmental policies. Subsequent discussions will delve into the regulatory landscape and digital currencies, led by public policy expert Ignacio Briones and Banco Central’s Alberto Naudon.
A highlight of the first day will include a panel on the current and future state of digital payments in Chile, featuring industry experts Rodrigo Quijada, Paola Ledezma, and Thiago Dias. They will analyze trends and challenges within the rapidly evolving local market. Later sessions will explore open finance, with insights from leaders like Roberto Opazo and Carlos Oviedo.
Day two will emphasize financial inclusion and ecosystem development, featuring contributions from Solange Berstein of the CMF and Nelson Rojas of Caja Los Andes. Notably, there will be discussions on regional financial growth with fintech leaders from across Ibero-America.
The forum will conclude with a discussion on the role of influencers in the fintech ecosystem, featuring Francisco Ackermann, Romina Capetillo, and David Ávila. Tickets for the event are available on the official Chile Fintech Forum website, where attendees can also engage in matchmaking and networking opportunities.
Money Expo Colombia 2024
May 15 – 16, 2024
Agora Bogotá, Centro de Convenciones, Bogota, Colombia

Money Expo Colombia 2024, scheduled to take place on May 15 and 16 at Agora Bogotá Centro de Convenciones in Colombia, will bring together traders, introducing brokers, investors, financial institutions, and brokers from the dynamic trading and investing community.
With over 3,000 visitors expected, 300+ financial brokers, 30+ speakers, and representation from more than 10 countries, Money Expo Colombia will offer a unique platform for individuals to expand their professional network, gain insights into fintech, stay informed, engage with experts, attend topical workshops, and connect with market leaders.
The event will offer a unique networking opportunity and facilitate interactions with industry-leading service providers to enhance skills, knowledge, and investment strategies. It will also feature a showcase of top brands in the financial field, offering their products and services in one convenient location.
Attendees will get to expand their knowledge through educational sessions led by speakers and industry experts, covering topics such as US stocks, commodities, metals, and other online trading products. Networking activities will also allow attendees to make meaningful connections with potential clients, partners, and investors. This includes one-on-one meetings, business discussions, panel discussions, and workshops where industry experts share insights on current market trends and best practices.
Febraban Tech 2024
June 25 – 27, 2024
Transamerica Expo Center, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Febraban Tech 2024, one of Brazil’s largest technology and innovation event in the financial sector, is set to celebrate its 34th edition from June 25 to 27, 2024, at the Transamerica Expo Center in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The event aims to serve as a platform for leaders from various sectors including finance, technology, sustainability, and agribusiness, as well as those interested in innovation, to engage in discussions on pressing topics in the digital economy.
With the central theme “The responsible journey in the new AI economy”, Febraban Tech 2024 aims to shed light on how the financial sector, along with the broader economy, is gearing up to responsibly leverage new resources and advancements in AI.
The event will feature thematic tracks addressing key areas such as:

Responsible AI: exploring trust, security, and business transformation;
Open finance and Pix: shaping Brazil’s influence on the global financial landscape;
DREX: examining opportunities and emerging trends in the tokenized economy;
The future vision of banks in ensuring cybersecurity;
Leveraging data intelligence to enhance customer loyalty;
Harnessing connectivity for next-generation financial services;
The role of cloud technology in driving agility, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness;
Cross-industry collaboration in the digital market landscape;
Agro 5.0 and the transformative potential of financial technology in agriculture;
The synergy between empathy and technology in shaping the modern workforce;
Advancing the environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards agenda in Brazil: transitioning, fostering inclusion, and promoting equity; and
Strengthening the financial sector and fostering inclusion through partnerships between fintechs and banks.

WebCongress Latam
August 08 – 09, 2024
Chamber of Commerce Bogotá Salitre, Bogota, Colombia

WebCongress Latam is a leading technology and digital transformation conference with 46 editions in 17 countries, dedicated to helping companies, entrepreneurs, creators, and future professionals engage actively in the new era of technology.
This year’s edition, scheduled for August 08 and 09, 2024, will focus on the pervasive role of artificial intelligence (AI) in various aspects of our lives, including strategies, campaigns, governments, creative ideas, and physical spaces. Attendees can expect a program featuring conferences, workshops, and networking sessions designed to provide a comprehensive view of the industry.
Renowned experts will share revolutionary ideas, strategies, and success stories in areas such as:

AI in key industries;
Virtual experiences;
The future of immersive content;
Social networks and content creation;
Digital transformation and data analysis;
Startup and entrepreneurship culture;
Digital culture and community building; and
Security, ethics, and privacy.

WebCongress events worldwide attract the entire industry and major companies, with sponsors and allies including brands like Meta, TikTok, LinkedIn, Samsung, Nvidia, Salesforce, Adobe, and Google, among others. This year’s event is expected to draw hundreds of decision-makers, agency owners, digital creators, and marketing directors, providing attendees with a valuable business experience and meaningful connections.
Volcano Innovation Summit 2024
August 31 – September 02, 2024
Hotel Casa Santo Domingo, Antigua, Guatemala

The Volcano Innovation Summit is a global initiative aimed at fostering innovation, science, and culture exchange, with a particular focus on incorporating Latam into the global network. Held in Antigua, Guatemala, from August 31 to September 02, the event will bring together world leaders from various fields including digital, corporate, financial, telecom, cyber, energy, and sustainability, and is expected to be attended by over 2,000 participants, 30 partners and more than 130 speakers.
The Volcano Innovation Summit 2024 will feature co-located events and sessions, in addition to cultural and social happenings. This includes Content Treks and immersive content journeys covering topics such as investment, technology, innovation, entrepreneurship, sustainability, inspiration, wellness, and fintech. Attendees can expect thought-provoking discussions, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities with industry leaders and innovators.
The summit will also include the Startup Avenue Competition 2024, aimed at promoting an entrepreneurial culture in Latam and fostering innovation to drive economic growth. Additionally, the Volcano4Good philanthropy initiative will seek to make a real difference in Guatemala’s future by addressing core obstacles such as education, malnutrition, natural resources, and mobility.
ANDICOM
September 04 – 06, 2024
Cartagena de Indias Convention Center, Bolivar, Colombia

ANDICOM, held at the Cartagena de Indias Convention Center in Bolivar, Colombia, from September 04 to 06, 2024, aims to serve as a platform for high-level leaders and executives from the technology, real estate, financial sectors, as well as government and regulatory entities, to explore the latest trends and technological solutions.
Featuring a high-profile academic agenda, a commercial exhibition showcasing innovative solutions from leading technology companies in the region, and networking opportunities with decision-makers, ANDICOM strides to facilitate the strategic exchange of knowledge and the creation of key alliances for organizations.
Each day of the congress will focus on a specific theme:
Day 1 will emphasize the intersection of technology, business, and society, with a particular focus on AI as a catalyst for innovation. Attendees will learn about the effective application of emerging technologies and the importance of implementing ethical frameworks and appropriate regulations for social and business development.
Day 2 will center on innovation and the digital future, highlighting how creativity and human capacity shape tomorrow’s solutions. Topics will range from automation and data analysis to personalized experiences, promising efficiency, connectivity, transnational trade, and a more equitable world.
Finally, day 3 will shift the focus to digital ecosystems and tech trends applications, exploring how these ecosystems are driving innovation and business growth. Attendees will delve into the integration of emerging technologies and the practical application of technological trends, analyzing their impact on industries, global collaboration, sustainable development, and an inclusive digital economy.
Fintouch Brasil 2024
September 13, 2024
Rebouças Convention Center, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Fintouch Brasil 2024, scheduled for September 24-25 in São Paulo, Brazil, stands out as a premier fintech event in the country. Organized annually by ABFintechs, the event aims to serve as a vital platform for fostering discussions on the challenges encountered by fintech companies, covering topics such as innovation, business strategies, regulations, and sector trends.
Participants can expect engaging discussions, thought-provoking panels, and networking opportunities tailored to meet the specific demands of the fintech industry in Brazil.
Gartner CIO and IT Executive Conference
September 23 – 25, 2024
WTC Sheraton Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil

The Gartner CIO and IT Executive Conference 2024, taking place from September 23 to 25 at the WTC Sheraton Sao Paulo in Sao Paulo, Brazil, will offer a gateway to a new era of possibilities for CIOs, IT leaders, and business executives. With a focus on leveraging digital and emerging technologies, especially AI and generative AI, the event aims to serve as a platform for strategic leaders to update enterprise governance and operating models and strategies.
The 2024 Gartner CIO and IT Executive Conference will addresse the strategic needs of enterprise IT leaders and their teams across various areas, including digital business strategy and execution, leadership development, culture and talent, technology and innovation, technology finance and value, cybersecurity, risk, and compliance, application strategy and modernization, infrastructure and operations, and more.
Highlights of the event include workshops, executive stories, social engagements, guest speakers, Gartner Magic Quadrant sessions and Market Guides, solution provider sessions, one-on-one meetings with Gartner experts, ask the expert sessions, and more.
Attendees can expect to explore innovative and transformational opportunities alongside a global community of experts and peers. With insights and expert guidance on digital business transformation, data value realization, the future of intelligent applications, building digital foundations, and mitigating cyber risks, participants will be equipped with the tools needed to support mission-critical priorities.
Through interactive and collaborative sessions, attendees will have the opportunity to connect with Gartner experts, industry-leading CIOs, and technology executives, fostering new relationships, gaining insights, and uncovering solutions to pressing challenges.

This article first appeared on fintechnews.am
Featured image credit: edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/8-upcoming-fintech-events-in-south-america-to-attend-in-h2-2024</link><guid>3634</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://bunny-wp-pullzone-luetain2ag.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10-Fintech-Finalists-for-ventures-2024-Startup-Competition.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>8 Upcoming Fintech Events in South America to Attend in H2 2024</dc:text></item><item><title>HSLU-Crowdfunding Monitor 2024: Volumenrückgang im Immobilien-Crowdfunding</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Finanzierungen über das Internet erreichten im Jahr 2023 das zweite Mal in Folge einen Volumenrückgang. Abgenommen haben vor allem Immobilienfinanzierungen. Dies zeigt eine Studie der Hochschule Luzern.
Noch im Jahr 2021 verzeichnete der Crowdfunding-Markt mit 791.8 Millionen Franken ein Rekordvolumen. Seither sinkt es jedoch: 2023 betrug es 558.7 Millionen Franken und schrumpfte somit um 15.6 Prozent gegenüber dem Vorjahr. Dies zeigt der neueste Crowdfunding-Monitor der Hochschule Luzern (HSLU).
Starker Rückgang bei Immobilienfinanzierungen
Die einzelnen Segmente von Crowdfunding (siehe Definition in Box) haben sich unterschiedlich entwickelt. Crowdinvesting sank um 2.9 Prozent auf 131.5 Millionen Franken. Die markanteste Verschiebung ergab sich im Crowdlending: Hier verringerte sich das Volumen um 20 Prozent auf 398.1 Millionen Franken.&#13;


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Die Gründe für diese Entwicklungen sind gemäss den Studienautoren vielschichtig. Einerseits können höhere Zinsen eher hemmend auf die Kreditnachfrage wirken. Andererseits hängt das Wachstum von Teil-Sektoren wie den Immobilienfinanzierungen immer auch stark von der Entwicklung einzelner Plattformen und der Wettbewerbssituation ab.

Viele Plattformen – aber nur wenige sind relevant
In der Schweiz gab es per Ende 2023 insgesamt 36 Crowdfunding-Plattformen. Für die einzelnen Teilbereiche von Crowdfunding sind aber nur wenige Plattformen relevant. Im Crowdsupporting/Crowddonating erzielten die vier grössten Plattformen einen Marktanteil von 86 Prozent.
Beim Crowdlending erzielten die fünf grössten Plattformen einen Marktanteil von 80 Prozent und beim Crowdinvesting sind es sogar lediglich drei Plattformen, welche ein Volumen von 85 Prozent des Marktes auf sich vereinen können. Insgesamt wurden über 23 der 36 Plattformen überhaupt Crowdfunding- Projekte finanziert. Mehr als ein Drittel aller Plattformen wickelte demnach keine (oder in Ausnahmefällen nur sehr wenige) Projekte ab.
Hohe Erfolgsquote für Finanzierung von Sport- und Kulturprojekten
Crowdsupporting/Crowddonating blieb im Vergleich zum Vorjahr (-0.4 Prozent) stabil. Seit 2017 hat sich das jährliche Volumen zwischen 25 und 30 Millionen Franken eingependelt. Ausnahmen bildeten die von Covid-19 geprägten Jahre 2020 und 2021, in denen zahlreiche Unterstützungsprojekte über das Internet finanziert wurden und die Volumina entsprechend anstiegen.
Für Sport- und Kulturprojekte sei die Finanzierung über Online-Plattformen zu einem erfolgsversprechenden Standbein geworden, sagt Co-Studienautor Prof. Dr. Andreas Dietrich. Die Erfolgsquote sei in der Schweiz auch in einem internationalen Vergleich sehr hoch. Im vergangenen Jahr wurden über 75 Prozent der ausgeschriebenen Projekte auch tatsächlich finanziert. Auch der durchschnittliche Betrag, welcher pro Person in ein Projekt investiert wird, ist mit knapp 180 Franken hoch.
Andreas Dietrich
«Finanzierungsprojekte auf Schweizer Plattformen sind im internationalen Vergleich sehr erfolgreich. Wir führen dies auch auf die professionelle Betreuung bei der Projektfinanzierung durch die Schweizer Plattformen zurück»,
so der Studienautor.





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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/hslu-crowdfunding-monitor-2024-volumenruckgang-im-immobilien-crowdfunding</link><guid>3633</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://bunny-wp-pullzone-luetain2ag.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10-Fintech-Finalists-for-ventures-2024-Startup-Competition.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>HSLU-Crowdfunding Monitor 2024: Volumenrückgang im Immobilien-Crowdfunding</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Thrives Post-COVID-19 with Customer Growth Exceeding 50%</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						May 13, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					Post-COVID-19, the global fintech industry maintained its growth trajectory, driven by both increased consumer interest in fintech offerings and improved accessibility to digital financial services.
Findings from a study conducted by the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF) and the World Economic Forum (WEF) unveiled that the fintech sector experienced robust customer uptake after the pandemic, achieving an average annual growth rate exceeding 50% across most major sectors from 2020 to 2022.
The survey, which polled over 200 fintech companies across five retail-facing industry verticals and six regions, found that fintech companies continued to expand after COVID-19. Except for digital capital raising, which witnessed a significant decrease linked to a challenging environment and rising interest rates, all verticals experienced robust year-on-year (YoY) customer growth rates since 2020.&#13;


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Notably, insurtech recorded remarkable growth, particularly between 2020 and 2021 (-76%), but experienced a slight decline between 2021 and 2022 (-66%). That drop is being largely attributed to the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on insurtech in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs) where higher value claims, higher numbers of claims and a greater number of insurance policy lapses were observed. Digital payments also showed continued growth, rising slightly between 2021 and 2022 from 53% to 57% and reflecting the continued growth catalyzed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rate of customer growth 2020-21 and 2021-22 – by business model, Source: The Future of Global Fintech: Towards Resilient and Inclusive Growth, Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance and the World Economic Forum, Jan 2024
Robust customer growth was observed across various regions, except in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where rates were comparatively lower at 42% between 2020 and 2021 and then at 36% between 2021 and 2022 likely due to infrastructure challenges exacerbated during the pandemic. North America and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions emerged as leaders in customer growth, driven by increasing digitization and structured regulations regarding digital payment methods, banking and credits.
Results of the study also reveal that consumer demand (51%) was the main driver of growth, a trend which is consistent across all regions.
Rate of customer growth 2020-21 and 2021-22 – by region, Source: The Future of Global Fintech: Towards Resilient and Inclusive Growth, Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance and the World Economic Forum, Jan 2024
Challenges faced by fintech companies
Despite the positive growth trends, fintech companies are also encountering challenges. Macroeconomic factors, an unfavorable regulatory environment and poor funding environment were identified as the major growth hindering factors, noted by 56%, 47% and 40% of respondents, respectively, amid global inflation and interest rates across the globe.
Interestingly, while challenges varied, regulatory concerns were consistently ranked among the top three factors impacting fintech growth, reinforcing how critical regulation is for fintech growth.
Factors supporting or hindering fintechs’ ability to grow, Source: The Future of Global Fintech: Towards Resilient and Inclusive Growth, Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance and the World Economic Forum, Jan 2024
Regionally, fintech companies faced different challenges, suggesting regional variations. European (52%) and North American (45%) fintech companies cited a highly competitive market as their primary challenge to scaling their services to additional or new customer sectors, while those in the MENA region emphasized high compliance requirements (52%). In Asia-Pacific (APAC), fintech companies identified consumer education as their most prevalent challenge (59%), followed by a highly competitive market (45%) and high compliance requirements (36%).
Most challenging factors in scaling services to additional or new customer segments – top factors by region, Source: The Future of Global Fintech: Towards Resilient and Inclusive Growth, Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance and the World Economic Forum, Jan 2024
Advancing financial inclusion
Results of the study also underscore the role of fintech in advancing financial inclusion. Globally, female, low-income and rural or remotely-located customers constituted a substantial portion of fintech customer bases, averaging 39%, 40% and 27%, while contributing 39%, 26% and 31% of total transaction values, respectively. This trend was consistent across advanced economies (AEs) and EMDEs with small disparities.
Regionally, fintech companies in SSA and MENA recorded the highest proportions of low-income and rural or remotely located customers, with a 47% and 46% representation for low-income customers, as well as 34% and 32% for rural or remote customer segments, respectively.
MENA also led in challenging gender biases, with females constituting 45% of fintech companies’ total customer base, followed closely by APAC and North America at 42% and 41%, respectively. Female MENA customers also contributed nine percentage points more to transaction values than their customer base representation and accounted for 54% of the overall transaction values. In contrast, European fintech companies reported the lowest proportion of female transaction values, at 28%.
AI, the digital economy and embedded finance as the sector’s biggest trends
Looking ahead, fintech companies identified artificial intelligence (AI) as the most relevant topic for the industry’s development over the next five years. Nearly all verticals acknowledged the significance of AI to bring changes to business models, customer engagement and regulatory frameworks.
Embedded finance, the digital economy and open banking were all nearly tied as the second most relevant factors (53-54%). Surveyed companies said they expected the use of digital platforms to continue to grow, which would ultimately drive the digital economy and, in turn, the rise of embedded finance products. Finally, open banking and open finance are projected to play a critical role in enabling data sharing at scale with customer consent, fueling further innovations in business models and new products.
The most relevant, relevant and least important topics for fintech industry development in the next five years, according to fintech companies, Source: The Future of Global Fintech: Towards Resilient and Inclusive Growth, Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance and the World Economic Forum, Jan 2024

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik



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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-thrives-post-covid-19-with-customer-growth-exceeding-50</link><guid>3631</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://bunny-wp-pullzone-luetain2ag.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Fintech-Thrives-Post-COVID-19-with-Customer-Growth-Exceeding-50-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech Thrives Post-COVID-19 with Customer Growth Exceeding 50%</dc:text></item><item><title>Alpian Closes CHF 76M Series C Round</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Alpian, Switzerland’s digital bank for premium clients, announced the completion of the last step of its  Series C, totaling CHF 76M of which CHF 40M to be executed upon the regulatory approvals.
The CHF 40M investment has been led by Fideuram – Intesa Sanpaolo Private Banking with contributions from other existing investors enabling the former to have majority ownership upon achievement of all the required regulatory authorisations.
Accelerated Growth Amidst Innovation
Alpian has experienced strong growth in 2024. In the first four months of 2024 alone, the client base more than doubled to several thousand, and total client assets are rapidly nearing CHF 100 million.&#13;


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Strengthened Partnership and Strategic Ownership
Alpian’s strategic partnership with Fideuram – Intesa Sanpaolo, initiated in 2022, has been instrumental in fueling innovation. This collaboration would deepen, also as a result of Fideuram – Intesa Sanpaolo becoming Alpian’s majority shareholder (subject to customary regulatory approval), positioning Alpian to further transform digital wealth management within the Swiss banking landscape.
Gianmarco Bonaita
Gianmarco Bonaita, CEO of Alpian, says:
“This strategic development signifies strong validation of our achievements and our vision for the future. With the enhanced partnership and additional capital, we are poised for accelerated growth and continued redefinition of Swiss banking and wealth management.”






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			&#13;
				About Author&#13;
				More info about author&#13;
			
			
		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/alpian-closes-chf-76m-series-c-round</link><guid>3632</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://bunny-wp-pullzone-luetain2ag.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10-Fintech-Finalists-for-ventures-2024-Startup-Competition.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Alpian Closes CHF 76M Series C Round</dc:text></item><item><title>Tech Giants Lead Q1 2024 Market Surge; Fintech Maintains Momentum</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						May 8, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					In Q1 2024, public markets surged, led by tech giants, while the fintech sector maintained its momentum, a new report by London-based corporate finance advisory Royal Park Partners shows.
The report highlights that Royal Park Partners’ RRP Fintech Index, which tracks the performance of key fintech verticals, saw a 4% increase from its December 2023 value, a sustained growth which highlights the continued strength and expansion of the fintech sector, the report says.
Across the fintech verticals covered by the RPP Fintech Index, insurtech recorded the strongest growth, rising by a remarkable 61% quarter-on-quarter (QoQ). The rise of the insurtech index was largely driven by Root Insurance’s strong performances, with its stock price soaring approximately fivefold following the release of its “best-ever” Q4 results.&#13;


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Payments and capital markets witnessed more moderate growth at 5% and 4%, respectively, while the cryptocurrency and blockchain sector tumbled 16% QoQ. However, the crypto and blockchain vertical rebounded in the first months of 2024 and added 3% after the launch of the first spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) garnered substantial market momentum.
Breakdown of fintech verticals, Source: Q1 2024 Quarterly Fintech Market Update, Royal Park Partners, Apr 2024
Looking at key stock valuation measurement metrics, data show that payments recorded the lowest enterprise value-to-revenue (EV/R) and enterprise value to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EV/EBITDA) multiples, standing at 2.6x and 9.5x, respectively. This makes payments the fairest priced and healthiest cohort of the verticals studied for Q1 2024.
EV/R and EV/EBITDA are two popular valuation tools that help determine if a stock is adequately priced. EV/R only considers the top line, focusing on a company’s revenue-generating ability, while EV/EBITDA, on the other hand, takes into account operating expenses and taxes, helping thus determine a company’s ability to generate operating cash flows.
Performances of the RPP Fintech Index and its indices, Source: Q1 2024 Quarterly Fintech Market Update, Royal Park Partners, Apr 2024
Private fintech funding
Private funding to fintech companies experienced a downturn in Q1 2024, with total capital deployed falling 45% QoQ while deal count dropped 10%. In total, US$7.8 billion were raised through 248 rounds in Q1 2024, a far cry from the US$14.1 billion closed across 276 deals in Q4 2023.
The crypto and blockchain vertical was a significant funding recipient, attracting 25% of all the funding rounds of Q1 2024. A total of US$1.3 billion was secured across 62 deals by companies in the sector during the quarter, representing a 30%+ QoQ increase in both deal count and value.
Crypto and blockchain financing activity, Source: Q1 2024 Quarterly Fintech Market Update, Royal Park Partners, Apr 2024
In terms of total funding value, banking and lending represented 29% of fintech funding in Q1 2024, underscoring several large mega-rounds of US$100 million and up, including Monzo (US$430 million), Svatantra (US$230 million), SK Finance (US$160 million) and Flagstone (US$139 million). Banking and lending startups raised a total of US$2.3 billion through 44 rounds, representing a 18% and a 35% QoQ decline in funding value and deal count, respectively.
Banking and lending financing activity, Source: Q1 2024 Quarterly Fintech Market Update, Royal Park Partners, Apr 2024
Geographically, North America remained the dominant region in fintech funding, receiving 40% of total invested capital in Q1 2024, followed by Europe with approximately 31%.
Private fintech funding in Q1 2024, Source: Q1 2024 Quarterly Fintech Market Update, Royal Park Partners, Apr 2024
Fintech M&amp;A
In Q1 2024, mergers and acquisitions (M&amp;A) activity remained dynamic, totaling US$62.6 billion through 240 deals. Payment and capital markets/wealth management led the sector, accounting for a staggering 82% of total M&amp;A transaction value.
Notable deals in Q1 2024 include Capital One’s landmark US$35.3 billion acquisition of Discover Financial Services, a deal which signaled a trend within the payments sector with companies consolidating to streamline operations and sharpen core business focus. Another notable deal in Q1 2024 is the US$7.2 billion merger of digital investment platform Webull with SK Growth Opportunities Corporation, a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company.
Like for private financing, North America led M&amp;A transactions in Q1 2024, making up 44% of total M&amp;A fintech deals and 82% of M&amp;A deal value. Europe followed closely, accounting for 36% of M&amp;A deals and 16% of M&amp;A deal value.
Fintech M&amp;A transactions in Q1 2024, Source: Q1 2024 Quarterly Fintech Market Update, Royal Park Partners, Apr 2024
The quarterly funding decline in the fintech sector reflects a continued downward trend observed in the global fintech funding landscape in 2022 and 2023 amid economic uncertainties, soaring inflation and a looming global recession.
However, some venture capital (VC) firms are optimistic about a rebound in 2024. Bukie Adebo Umeano, an investment principal at global investment firm Anthemis, told the Financial Brand in a recent interview that enough uncertainty has settled, and that VC firms are becoming more enthusiastic about investing. She anticipates an increase in deal activity, especially in embedded finance and pure play fintech.
Chuckie Reddy, a partner at American fintech VC platform QED Investors, told the publication that while deal activity may be more measured, the quality of deals has improved. He expects to make more investments in 2024 compared to the previous year, provided there are no major geopolitical events.
The equity market accelerated its growth in Q1 2024, with the S&amp;P 500 and NASDAQ rising 11% and 9%, respectively. This surge was driven by strong QoQ performances from five of the so-called “Magnificent 7” tech giants. Nvidia rose by a staggering 82%, while Meta, Microsoft and Alphabet recorded a notable 37%, 12% and 8% increase, respectively, the Royal Park Partners report shows.

Featured image credit: edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/tech-giants-lead-q1-2024-market-surge-fintech-maintains-momentum</link><guid>3630</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://bunny-wp-pullzone-luetain2ag.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Tech-Giants-Lead-Q1-2024-Market-Surge-Fintech-Maintains-Momentum-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Tech Giants Lead Q1 2024 Market Surge; Fintech Maintains Momentum</dc:text></item><item><title>BIS Proposes Vision for New Financial System Built Around Tokenization and Platforms</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					A new paper by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) presents the think tank’s vision for a new financial system dubbed the “Finternet”.
This new financial system involves multiple financial ecosystems interconnected with each other to empower individuals and businesses, and leverages innovative technologies such as tokenization and unified ledgers to expand the range and quality of financial services, lower barriers between financial services and systems, and promote access for all, the paper says.
Released on April 15, the paper lays out the BIS’ vision for the Finternet, arguing that this envisioned financial system could help address today’s financial system’s shortcomings, including the slow transactions, high costs and a lack of competition. These shortcomings are limiting the range of financial services on offer, especially in rural and low-income areas.&#13;


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While the report acknowledges that considerable progress has been made in recent decades, it notes that 1.4 billion adults are still excluded from the financial system. Lack of access is particularly acute in emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs) where only a quarter of adults used a savings account in 2022 and just about half borrowed that same year, it says. Moreover, in most EMDEs, insurance premiums per capita, also referred to as “insurance density”, are less than US$1,000 per year, and premiums relative to GDP, or “insurance penetration”, stand at less than half the level in advanced economies.
Access to financial services, Source: Finternet: the financial system for the future, Apr 2024
In response to these shortcomings, the paper identifies technological innovations as potential solutions, exploring the prospects of tokenization and artificial intelligence (AI) in revolutionizing the financial system through faster service, lower costs, and greater choice to users.
Tokenization involves creating digital representations of financial or real assets on a programmable platform. The technique simplifies asset trading, enables more complex asset transfers, and alleviates bottlenecks in the financial system by reducing dependency on intermediaries.
Another technology with significant potential impact is large language models (LLMs) and AI. LLMs are AI systems capable of understanding and generating human-like text. Applications of these models has the potential to transform financial systems, allowing financial institutions to quickly identify and respond to suspicious activities, streamline compliance processes and streamline many back office tasks.
The “Finternet”
The paper then introduces the concept of the Finternet as a vision for the future financial system. In this vision, the Finternet comprises a network of interoperable financial ecosystems through which individuals and businesses are able to transfer any financial asset at any time, to anyone anywhere in the world and using any device.
The paper proposes a token-based financial system supported by unified ledgers. These unified ledgers would contain digital representations of central and commercial bank money and other tokenized financial assets. Within a given ledger, different types of assets would reside in separate partitions that would be owned and operated by their respective operating entities, or so-called “token managers”.
Unified ledgers would also include the information necessary for their operation, such as the data required to ensure the secure and legal transfer of money and assets, as well as real-world information sourced from outside the ledger.
Individuals and businesses would interact with these ledgers through applications. These applications would allow users to conduct transactions within individual ledgers, between ledgers or in exchange for assets that exist outside the Finternet.
According to the BIS, unified ledgers offer transformative potential by streamlining transactions, enhancing security and increasing transparency. Equipped with tokenized assets, these ledgers would reduce the need for lengthy messaging, clearing and settlement systems. They would enable programmable transactions and greatly simplify compliance processes, and would meet the regulatory and supervisory standards that are required in today’s financial system.
The high-level architecture of the Finternet, Source: Finternet: the financial system for the future, Apr 2024
To combat financial fraud like impersonation, circumvention, and compromise, the Finternet would employ advanced mechanisms including identity verification, real-time authentication, and smart contracts for compliance.
Internal threats would be addressed through automated monitoring and immutable records, deterring fraud and manipulation, while social engineering attacks would be countered with educational programs, behavioral analytics, and multi-factor authentication. Compliance would be automated through smart contracts, with regulatory requirements such as know-your-customer (KYC) and anti-money laundering and the countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) directly programmed into the system.
The BIS argues that its vision for the Finternet could bring about a broader range of services and assets, increase flexibility in financial management, and enable faster, more secure transactions accessible to everyone. According to the organization, emerging markets, where financial services access is most pervasive and the potential to leapfrog to the technological frontier is the greatest, stand to benefit the most.

Featured image credit: edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bis-proposes-vision-for-new-financial-system-built-around-tokenization-and-platforms</link><guid>3629</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://bunny-wp-pullzone-luetain2ag.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10-Fintech-Finalists-for-ventures-2024-Startup-Competition.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>BIS Proposes Vision for New Financial System Built Around Tokenization and Platforms</dc:text></item><item><title>Checkout.com and Mastercard Partner to Bring Virtual Cards to Online Travel Agents</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Checkout.com, a leading global digital payments provider, has announced a partnership with Mastercard to bring virtual cards to Online Travel Agents.
As part of the Mastercard Wholesale Program, which reduces costs for travel businesses through virtual card technology and an innovative pricing model, customers of Checkout.com will be able to pay their suppliers more easily and benefit from higher conversion rates by issuing virtual cards.

George Simon
“Mastercard remains committed to powering the travel economy with digital payment solutions that provide greater flexibility, visibility, and protection. Over 400,000 travel providers worldwide already rely on us to enable payments through the Mastercard Wholesale Program, and we’re thrilled to be collaborating with Checkout.com to support their customers to embrace the next generation of payment solutions for B2B travel,”&#13;


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said George Simon, EVP, Market Development, Mastercard Europe.
Meron Colbeci
‍“We’re delighted to partner with Mastercard to complement our virtual card issuing solution, enabling Online Travel Agents to unlock new revenue streams and deliver a connected customer experience. Together we’ll offer higher payment performance to travel merchants by combining the Mastercard Wholesale Program with our single integration connecting acquired sales to issued cards, which unifies acquiring and issuing, for better cash flow management”,
said Meron Colbeci, Chief Product Officer at Checkout.com.


This article first appeared on fintechnews.ae


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			&#13;
				About Author&#13;
				More info about author&#13;
			
			
		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/checkoutcom-and-mastercard-partner-to-bring-virtual-cards-to-online-travel-agents</link><guid>3628</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://bunny-wp-pullzone-luetain2ag.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10-Fintech-Finalists-for-ventures-2024-Startup-Competition.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Checkout.com and Mastercard Partner to Bring Virtual Cards to Online Travel Agents</dc:text></item><item><title>Securitize Announces $47 Million Strategic Funding Round Led by Blackrock</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Securitize, a leader in tokenizing real-world assets announced last week the successful completion of a $47 million funding round led by BlackRock.
The strategic investment also includes funding from Hamilton Lane, ParaFi Capital, and Tradeweb Markets.
This investment underscores Securitize’s industry pioneering efforts in digitizing capital markets with blockchain technology. The contributed capital will fuel Securitize’s continued innovation and expansion as it further solidifies its position as a leader in the digital asset securities ecosystem.&#13;


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As part of the investment, Joseph Chalom, BlackRock’s Global Head of Strategic Ecosystem Partnerships, has been appointed to Securitize’s Board of Directors.
Carlos Domingo
“We are thrilled to have the support of such distinguished investors as we continue to drive the digitization of capital markets through tokenization,”
said Securitize Co-Founder and CEO Carlos Domingo.
“In our view, the transformative potential of blockchain technology to reshape the future of finance in general – and tokenization in particular – is promising.”
Joseph Chalom
“At BlackRock, we believe that tokenization has the potential to drive a significant transformation in capital markets infrastructure. Our investment in Securitize is another step in the evolution of our digital assets strategy,”
said Joseph Chalom.
“We are pleased to lead this investment round alongside other participants and help foster innovation that will help meet the future needs of our clients.”

Other strategic investors in the round include Aptos Labs, Circle and Paxos. Securitize will leverage the proceeds of the funding round to accelerate product development, expand its global footprint, and further strengthen its partnerships across the financial services ecosystem.
The funding round coincides with the launch of BlackRock’s first tokenized fund issued on Ethereum, the BlackRock USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund (BUIDL), available to investors by subscribing to the fund with Securitize.
BUIDL seeks to offer a stable value of $1 per token and pays daily accrued dividends directly to investors’ wallets as new tokens each month. The Fund invests 100% of its total assets in cash, U.S. Treasury bills, and repurchase agreements, allowing investors to earn yield while holding the token on the blockchain.
Investors can transfer their tokens 24/7/365 to other pre-approved investors. Through Circle, BUIDL holders can transfer their shares to Circle for USDC through its smart contract functionality. Fund participants will also have flexible custody options allowing them to choose how to hold their tokens.

Featured image credit: Securitize Co-Founder and CEO Carlos Domingo, edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/securitize-announces-47-million-strategic-funding-round-led-by-blackrock</link><guid>3626</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://bunny-wp-pullzone-luetain2ag.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10-Fintech-Finalists-for-ventures-2024-Startup-Competition.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Securitize Announces $47 Million Strategic Funding Round Led by Blackrock</dc:text></item><item><title>Neon und Invesco lancieren kostenlose ETF-Sparpläne für die Schweiz</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Lange schauten Herr und Frau Schweizer – oftmals sogar neidisch – auf die Anlagemöglichkeiten vieler EU-Nachbarstaaten. Das gebührenfreie, monatliche Ansparen in börsenkotierte Fonds (ETFs) war bis anhin in der Schweiz nicht möglich. Nun hat das Warten ein Ende.
Allerdings, vorerst nur für ein par wenige ausgewählte Invesco ETF.
Invesco und der Banken-Challenger neon erweitern ihre Partnerschaft. Ab sofort bieten sie ETF-Sparpläne an, die gebührenfrei gehandelt und ohne Depotgebühren gehalten werden können.&#13;


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Die gemeinsame Initiative zielt darauf ab, den Zugang zu ETFs weiter zu demokratisieren und Anlegern und Anlegerinnen die Möglichkeit zu geben, ihren Vermögensaufbau deutlich einfacher und effizienter umzusetzen. Das Angebot eines monatlichen, kostenlosen ETF Sparplans auf dem Schweizer Markt wurde in der hiesigen Anlagelandschaft bisher so nicht angeboten. Inspiriert von erfolgreichen Modellen in EU-Ländern wie Deutschland und Italien wollen beide Häuser damit in der Schweiz eine neue Ära zugänglicher undkostengünstiger Anlagelösungen einläuten.
Im Gegensatz zu herkömmlichen Anlagemöglichkeiten, die teilweise mit komplexen und exorbitanten Handels- oder Depotgebühren belastet sind, bietet die benutzerfreundliche Investment-App neon kostenfreien Zugang zu ausgewählten ETF-Sparplänen von Invesco an. Als Banken-Challenger beseitigt neon die Barrieren, die in der Schweiz typischerweise immer noch mit traditionellen Anlageinstrumenten verbunden sind, wie eine komplizierte Zusammenstellung und hohe Gebühren für kleinere Anlagesummen. Die Plattform ermöglicht, dass Anleger und Anlegerinnen ihre Rendite maximieren können, ohne durch unnötige Kosten belastet zu werden.

Zu den wichtigsten Merkmalen des ETF-Sparplans gehören:

Kostenfreies Anlegen: Anleger können den ETF-Sparplan nutzen, ohne sich Gedanken über zusätzliche Kosten machen zu müssen, wie Depot- und Devisenkosten. Zudem gibt es bei ausgewählten ETFs keine Handelsgebühren beim Kauf.
Automatisierte Anlage über mehrere Wertschriften direkt vom Konto: Die einfache Einrichtung eines Sparplans und die breite Auswahl von ETFs ermöglicht eine mühelose und diversifizierte Vorsorge.
Flexible monatliche Sparraten ab 1 CHF: Ohne Mindestsparrate und frei wählbarem Verkaufszeitpunkt können Anleger und Anlegerinnen ihre Investmentstrategie flexibel auf ihre finanziellen Ziele und Präferenzen abstimmen.

Nima Pouyan
«Als ETF-Anbieter setzen wir in der Schweiz neue Anlagestandards. Wir sind innovativer Vorreiter unter den Vermögensverwaltern und machen den Zugang zu attraktiven ETFs für Privatkunden besonders einfach, digitalisieren sie und reduzieren die Kosten deutlich»,
kommentiert Nima Pouyan, Head of Institutional Business &amp; ETF bei Invesco Schweiz &amp; Liechtenstein, die Lancierung.
Die Einführung des ETF-Sparplans kann die traditionellen Angebote der Banken auf den Kopf stellen und die Zugänglichkeit von ETF-Investitionen für Schweizer Anleger verbessern. Mit Invesco als Vorreiter ist zu erwarten, dass andere Branchenakteure diesem Beispiel folgen und den Druck auf konventionelle Finanzinstitute verstärken werden, sich an die sich verändernden Anlegerpräferenzenanzupassen.
Timo Hegnauer
«Die Einführung von einfachen Sparplänen stand schon lange oben auf der Wunschliste unserer Depotnutzer. Zusammen mit Invesco konnten wir auch auf der Gebührenseite noch einen Schritt weiter gehen und nun das schweizweit erste Angebot mit gebührenfrei zugänglichen ETF Sparplänen1 in der Schweiz schaffen»,
freut sich Timo Hegnauer, Head of Investment Products bei neon.
«Wir sind zuversichtlich, dass man mit solchen, attraktiven Angeboten in den nächsten zwei Jahren ein starkes Wachstum auf 500’000 aktive ETF-Sparpläne im Schweizer Markt sehen wird»,
so Hegnauer weiter.


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/neon-und-invesco-lancieren-kostenlose-etf-sparplane-fur-die-schweiz</link><guid>3627</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://bunny-wp-pullzone-luetain2ag.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10-Fintech-Finalists-for-ventures-2024-Startup-Competition.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Neon und Invesco lancieren kostenlose ETF-Sparpläne für die Schweiz</dc:text></item><item><title>Global Venture Capital Funding Rises 11% Driven by Large Gen AI Deals</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Venture capital (VC) funding increased by 11% in Q1 2024, driven by massive deals in generative artificial intelligence (gen AI), including Amazon’s US$2.75 billion investment in Anthropic and Alibaba’s US$2.5 billion investment in Moonshot AI, new data released by business analytics platform CB Insights show.
This surge underscores the ongoing enthusiasm for gen AI among investors, with major tech players viewing it as a pivotal innovation catalyst, promising efficiency enhancements and new market opportunities.
This momentum in gen AI builds on the sector’s remarkable performance in 2023 during which VC funding shot up five times compared to the previous year while deals increased by 66%. In 2023, gen AI startups amassed a record-breaking US$21.8 billion across 426 deals, data from CB Insights reveal, with the largest deals going to OpenAI (US$10 billion), Inflection AI (US$1.3 billion), Anthropic (US$1.8 billion), Databricks (US$504 million) and Aleph Alpha (US$500 million).
Disclosed generative AI equity funding and deals, Source: State of Generate AI 2023, CB Insights, Feb 2024
Booming investment activity in gen AI helped sustain global VC funding, which increased slightly in Q1 2024 and reached US$58.4 billion, up from US$52.8 billion in Q4 2023, the data show. However, the figure represents a 21% year-over-year (YoY) decline compared to Q1 2023’s US$74 billion, putting quarterly VC funding roughly where it was in 2017.
Quarterly equity funding and deals, Source: State of Venture Q1 2024, CB Insights, Apr 2024
Meanwhile, VC dealmaking continued to decline in Q1 2024, slipping for an eighth straight quarter and falling 7% quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) to 6,238. Asia and Europe saw 8% and 9% declines, respectively, in VC deal activity, while the US bucked the global trend, seeing deals tick up 1% QoQ.
Mega-rounds rise 30%
VC rounds worth US$100 million and over, also known as mega-rounds, were the bright spot in Q1 2024, increasing by 30% quarter-over-quarter (QoQ) and by 14% YoY to reach 105 rounds. Corporate investors like Amazon, Disney, and Alibaba were behind some of the quarter’s largest rounds, pointing to investors’ sustained interest in blockbuster deals in capital-intensive areas, the report says.
At US$26.2 billion, funding from mega-rounds represented 45% of Q1 2024’s total funding, a rebound from 34% in Q4 2023.
Quarterly mega-rounds as percent of funding, Source: State of Venture Q1 2024, CB Insights, Apr 2024
Q1 2024 saw 19 startups reach unicorn status, down slightly from 23 in Q4 2023. These new billion-dollar companies were distributed across the US (8 new unicorns), Asia (6), and Europe (5).
Europe’s total, which represented a five-quarter high in unicorn births for the continent, included new unicorns like Italy’s Bending Spoons (US$2.6 billion valuation) and Netherlands-based Mews (US$1.2 billion).
Fintech faces decline
Data from CB Insights show that the fintech sector experienced a setback. In Q1 2024, fintech startups amassed a total of US$7.3 billion through 904 VC rounds, down 16% from US$8.7 billion in Q4 2023 but up 13% from 786 deals. The figures represent a 119% YoY decline in VC funding and a 40.6% YoY decline in deal count.
Quarterly fintech equity funding and deals, Source: State of Fintech Q1 2024, CB Insights, Apr 2024
The fintech sector also saw its new unicorn count slip from eight in Q4 2023 to six in Q1 2024. Notable additions to the unicorn club in Q1 2024 include HashKey from Hong Kong, Mews and DataSnipper from the Netherlands, Uzum from Uzbekistan, Perfios from India and Polyhedra Network from the US.
Europe stood out as the only major global region to see fintech funding increase in Q1 2024, growing by 22% QoQ to US$2.2 billion. In the continent, the UK and the Netherlands secured some of the quarter’s biggest deals, with examples including Monzo’s US$431 million Series I (UK), Flagstone’s US$139 million round (UK), Mews’ US$110 million Series D (Netherlands), and DataSnipper’s US$100 million Series B (Netherlands).
The quarterly funding decline in the fintech sector reflects a continued downward trend observed in the global fintech funding landscape in 2022 and 2023. This trend has been driven by economic uncertainties, soaring inflation and a looming global recession. Global fintech funding dropped by 50% in 2023, falling from US$78.6 billion in 2022 to US$39.2 billion. These figures are a far cry from the record of US$140.8 billion secured in 2021.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/global-venture-capital-funding-rises-11-driven-by-large-gen-ai-deals</link><guid>3625</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://bunny-wp-pullzone-luetain2ag.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Disclosed-generative-AI-equity-funding-and-deals-Source-State-of-Generate-AI-2023-CB-Insights-Feb-2024.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Global Venture Capital Funding Rises 11% Driven by Large Gen AI Deals</dc:text></item><item><title>ComplyAdvantage Acquires Financial Crime Intelligence Provider Golden</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						May 3, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					ComplyAdvantage, a leader in financial crime intelligence, announced its acquisition of Golden.
Golden is a San Francisco-based innovator automating the construction of one of the world’s largest knowledge graphs, which shows interconnected data points and their relationships for the purpose of analyzing complex information.
Financial institutions and other regulated entities are required by law to ensure the people and organizations they choose to do business with are legitimate and that the transactions they facilitate are legal.
ComplyAdvantage uses AI and machine learning to parse through a continuously updated database of entities to give clients the most accurate 360-degree view of financial crime risk. As clients respond to alerts, a feedback loop continuously enriches the insights ComplyAdvantage provides. Golden’s data extraction and disambiguation using sophisticated natural language processing will bring additional disparate data sources into ComplyAdvantage’s data ingestion layer to provide clients with even more comprehensive real-time financial crime risk insights.
As part of the acquisition, Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) joins an illustrious group of leading technology investors, including Goldman Sachs, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, Index Ventures, and Balderton Capital.
This announcement comes on the back of continued momentum for ComplyAdvantage as the scale-up continues its impressive growth, significantly expanding its client roster since the last fundraising round led by Goldman Sachs. The acquisition also strengthens ComplyAdvantage’s foothold in North America, with Golden bringing an extensive base of US customers.
Vatsa Narasimha
“Delivering AI-enriched financial crime insights to our customers through a best-in-class user experience built on the most interconnected data has been our north star at ComplyAdvantage since day one. The acquisition of Golden is a critical milestone on that journey,”
said Vatsa Narasimha, CEO of ComplyAdvantage.
“We are excited to welcome their talented team to the ComplyAdvantage family, alongside a16z, who bring powerful expertise as we embark on the next phase of our growth journey.”
Jude Gomila
Jude Gomila, Golden founder and CEO, who will join ComplyAdvantage as a board observer and special advisor, added:
“I have known Charlie Delingpole, the founder of ComplyAdvantage, since 2005, and I am thrilled to bring together our capabilities. By combining our experienced team of AI and large language model (LLM) specialists with ComplyAdvantage’s industry-leading data science team, we are creating a global team of data experts. Together, I’m confident we will transform financial crime risk management for businesses worldwide.”

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/complyadvantage-acquires-financial-crime-intelligence-provider-golden</link><guid>3624</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://bunny-wp-pullzone-luetain2ag.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ComplyAdvantage-Acquires-Golden-Expanding-Financial-Crime-Intelligence-Offering-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>ComplyAdvantage Acquires Financial Crime Intelligence Provider Golden</dc:text></item><item><title>New WEF Report Explores the Potential of wCBDC to Advance Financial Markets</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					In a new report released on April 16, the World Economic Forum explores the potential of wholesale central bank digital currencies (wCBDCs) to address challenges in financial markets, improve settlement efficiency and tap into new market opportunities.
The report, titled Modernizing Financial Markets with Wholesale Central Bank Digital Currency (wCBDC) and produced in collaboration with Accenture, outlines key areas wCBDCs can provide unique value, highlighting their potential to establish a “global settlement window” to synchronize different settlement times. It also discusses how wCBDCs could improve data sharing to reduce operational risks and settlement failures, broaden payment-versus-payment (PvP) arrangements to address foreign exchange (FX) risk, and enable central bank money to settle transactions involving tokenized securities.
Boosting settlement efficiency
The first opportunity involves addressing the challenges stemming from disparate settlement cycles across regions and the lack of a global settlement window – challenges that are increasing settlement, counterparty and technology risks.
Real-time gross settlement (RTGS) system operating hours on working days for CPMI (Committee on Payments and Market Infrastructures) jurisdictions, Source: Modernizing Financial Markets with Wholesale Central Bank Digital Currency (wCBDC), World Economic Forum/Accenture, Apr 2024
Efforts to move towards shorter settlement cycles, such as transitioning from T+2 to T+1, are underway and aim to increase liquidity availability, reduce counterparty risk, and lower market and liquidity risk. There is also anticipation for T+0 settlement to become an industry standard in the future.
Implementing a global settlement window using wCBDCs could ensure settlement finality round the clock,  the report says, providing advantages like mitigating liquidity and credit risk, optimizing settlement window accessibility, and streamlining multi-asset transactions across different regions.
Addressing operational risks
The second opportunity outlined relates to addressing operational risk and reducing settlement failures in securities markets that stem from data quality issues, limited interoperability, and manual processes.
Settlement failures and delays are increasingly common due to factors such as market volatility, liquidity constraints, and legacy systems. Data from the Swift network covering cross-border settlement and reconciliation flows, show that about one out of every ten securities transactions requires correcting or ends up failing. These incidents are increasing, with a 9% growth in cancelled instruction rate and a 16% increase in late settlements between 2020 and 2022.
To address these issues, the report proposes mutualizing data sharing using wCBDCs. In this application, wCBDCs could address information asymmetry issues by providing a trusted platform for data sharing among market participants, potentially accelerating the settlement cycle and reducing manual reconciliation efforts. Distributed ledger technology (DLT) is highlighted as a promising tool for enhancing trade and post-trade activities and improving transparency.
Reducing FX settlement risks
The third opportunity relates to addressing foreign exchange (FX) settlement risk stemming from limited accessibility and affordability of PvP arrangements globally.
Expanding PvP arrangements using wCBDCs could optimize FX markets by facilitating affordable and accessible multilateral PvP arrangement mechanisms, supporting flexible currency conversion arrangements for emerging market currencies, and expanding access to non-domestic and non-bank institutions to trade currencies.
Projects like mBridge demonstrate how wCBDCs can increase accessibility to PvP arrangements by facilitating direct bilateral connectivity between banks, supporting local currencies, and reducing settlement risk.
Tapping into the tokenized asset opportunity
Finally, the fourth opportunity outlined in the report relates to the increasing tokenization of assets and the need for corresponding tokenized cash to support settlement processes.
Tokenization of assets involves creating digital tokens representing various assets like real estate, equities, and cash. This process is seen as a key use case for blockchain, promising improved accessibility to financial services through fractionalization. Citi estimates point towards US$4-5 trillion in tokenized securities on DLT by 2030.
Tokenization total addressable market in trillions of US dollars, Source: Citi, March 2023
The report highlights examples of rising tokenized asset adoption, particularly in the bond market, with projects like Project Genesis and Project Evergreen in Hong Kong demonstrating the feasibility of using blockchain and smart contracts for tracking and settling securities tokens. Money market funds are also seeing growth in tokenization, with Franklin Templeton’s tokenized MMF surpassing US$270 million in assets under management in April 2023.
The report says that in the case of asset tokenization, wCBDCs could allow for the settlement of financial transactions using base money, eliminating counterparty risk, improving financial stability and reducing costs for market players who rely on privately issued monies.
Challenges remain
Central banks around the world are actively exploring the potential benefits of CBDCs, investigating their merits to improve process efficiencies, reduce risks and facilitate trade. Data from the Atlantic Council show that a staggering 130 countries were exploring a CBDC in November 2023, representing 98% of the world’s gross domestic product.
But despite their potential advantages, industry stakeholders are also warning of the pitfalls of CBDCs. A 2023 paper by Patrick Schueffel, adjunct professor at the Institute of Finance of Fribourg’s School of Management, outlines several drawbacks of CBDCs, including concerns about privacy infringement due to increased government surveillance of financial transactions, potential restrictions on spending and transactions imposed by authorities, and the risk of freezing or blocking accounts of individuals or organizations engaged in suspicious activities.
The report also stresses that CBDCs are vulnerable to cybersecurity attacks, account and data breaches, and theft. A successful hack could result in electronic counterfeiting of money, the theft of funds, or even to a disruption of the financial system, the report says.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-wef-report-explores-the-potential-of-wcbdc-to-advance-financial-markets</link><guid>3623</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://bunny-wp-pullzone-luetain2ag.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Real-time-gross-settlement-RTGS-system-operating-hours-on-working-days-for-CPMI-Committee-on-Payments-and-Market-Infrastructures-jurisdictions.png</dc:content ><dc:text>New WEF Report Explores the Potential of wCBDC to Advance Financial Markets</dc:text></item><item><title>PayPal Ventures to Ramp Up Investments in AI, Cybersecurity, Crypto</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					PayPal Ventures, the investment arm of the online payment firm, plans to increase its investment activity to keep up with technological advancements, seeking investment opportunities in fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, employee benefits and stablecoins, James Loftus, managing partner at PayPal Ventures, told Global Venturing in an interview.
Discussing PayPal Ventures’ strategies and investment focuses for the years to come, Loftus said the fund will be shifting towards placing more emphasis on early-stage ventures, especially in Series A rounds. This move aims to gain valuable insights and strategic advantages early on.
Investing in early-stage startups allows PayPal Ventures to stay innovative, agile, and competitive in the dynamic fintech landscape, while also positioning the company for long-term success and growth.
These companies are often at the forefront of innovation, developing new technologies, products or business models that have the potential to disrupt existing industries. They can provide PayPal with access to cutting-edge innovation and emerging trends that drive future growth and which set the online payment company apart from competitors.
Investment focuses
Loftus highlighted some of the investment areas PayPal Ventures is targeting. One significant target is AI, with Loftus emphasizing the necessity for AI tailored for corporate use.
“Right now, there’s an opportunity for true experts to build AI. There’s a gap,” Loftus said. “Open AI has built an amazing tool that has opened up the world’s eyes to AI; but at the enterprise level, there needs to be different layers.”
PayPal Ventures recently launched an AI fund to invest in early-stage AI startups. It’s eyeing applications of the technology in areas such as advertising, customer success, risk, compliance, legal, and personalization. The PayPal Ventures AI Fund made its inaugural investment in February 2024, co-leading Rasa’s US$30 million Series C funding round.
Loftus also noted renewed interest in credit startups. Unlike early credit startups, which attempted to reduce lending risks by leveraging innovative credit scoring methods, the newer generation of credit startups is adopting a different approach, using instead credit as a strategic starting point to introduce customers to a wider range of financial products and services, like B2B payments or consumer fintech solutions.
In the cryptocurrency space, Loftus said PayPal Ventures seeks to invest in the ecosystem around its stablecoin, PYUSD, and in the solutions that would support and encourage usage. PayPal launched its US dollar stablecoin in August 2023. The cryptocurrency is designed for use in Web3 and digital native environments, promising most efficient and frictionless transactions.
Cybersecurity is another area of interest for PayPal Ventures, recognizing the importance of understanding and combating cyber threats, especially for businesses handling financial transactions. PayPal Ventures also sees potential in expanding fintech innovations into new markets like Latin America and Southeast Asia, as well as in startups focusing on employee benefits programs.
Finally, PayPal Ventures is interested in reconciliation, highlighting the need to improve and streamline finance operations post-transaction. Reconciliation is an accounting procedure that aligns data between internal records and external sources like banks and payment partners. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of financial data and supporting regulatory compliance.
According to PayPal Ventures, reconciliation can also help set the underlying data layer for various financial applications to be built upon, making it a strategic entry point for companies looking to expand across finance departments.
An increase in investment activity
Set up in 2017, PayPal Ventures is the corporate venture arm of PayPal. The unit focuses on six areas of high strategic relevance to the payment firm: fintech, payments, commerce enablement, AI, blockchain and cryptocurrency, and regulatory/cyber technology.
Since its inception, PayPal Ventures has made more than 70 investments, Loftus told Global Venturing. Data from Crunchbase reveal a heightened investment activity this year. Since the start of 2024, PayPal Ventures has participated in nine rounds of fundraising, including a follow-on investment in local payment platform PPRO. This nearly matches the total number of investments made in 2023, which stood at around ten.
Among the investments made in 2024 are Pliant, a B2B payments credit card platform from Germany; SingleInterface, an Indian hyperlocal marketing-to-commerce software for multi-location brands; Qoala, an Indonesian omnichannel insurtech startup; NX Technologies, a Germany-based company that operates the payment management platform bezahl.de; Rasa, a generative conversational AI specialist based in San Francisco; Seal Security, a cybersecurity startup from Israel; Mesh, an embedded finance solution from the US; Prometeo, an embedded banking software platform from Uruguay.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/paypal-ventures-to-ramp-up-investments-in-ai-cybersecurity-crypto</link><guid>3622</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>PayPal Ventures to Ramp Up Investments in AI, Cybersecurity, Crypto</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 7 Most Active Gulf Investors in Europe</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						May 2, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					The Gulf region has historically been depended on the oil sector, an industry prone to price fluctuations and which is heavily influenced by geopolitical circumstances. But recent years have seen a shift toward greater diversification as Gulf investors aim to reduce reliance on oil revenues and seek a hedge against local volatility.
Against this backdrop, Europe has emerged as an attractive destination for Gulf investors to diversify their investments. The region boasts a more balanced economic landscape, and has a stable and mature investment environment with established legal frameworks, regulatory systems, and transparent markets. Europe also presents a wide range of investment opportunities across various sectors including real estate, finance and renewable energy.
Increased involvement of Gulf investors in the European landscape is evident in the technology sector. In 2023, Gulf investments in European startups reached US$3 billion, a significant increase from US$627 million in 2018, according to Sifted. This influx of capital, particularly for growth-stage companies, is considerablr, with over two-thirds of Gulf investments in 2023 going to funding rounds over US$100 million.
Sifted has identified the most active Gulf investors in Europe based on their participation in funding rounds over the past two years. These investors represent nations such as Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and are investing across industries such as energy, technology, finance and healthcare.
Aramco Ventures

Aramco Ventures, the corporate venture arm of state-owned Saudi Arabian oil and gas firm Aramco, was the most active Gulf investors in Europe in these past two years, participating in 17 deals during the period.
Headquartered in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia and with offices in North America, Europe, and Asia. Aramco Ventures invests globally in startups and technologies that have strategic relevance globally and to Aramco’s business, with the ability to scale and disrupt.
In January, Aramco allocated an additional US$4 billion to Aramco Ventures, bringing the firm’s total investment allocation from US$3 billion to US$7 billion.
Aramco Ventures managed three funds before the capital increase: the US$500 million Digital/Industrial Fund, which invests in technology of strategic importance to Aramco; the US$1 billion Prosperity7 Fund, which invests in disruptive technology ventures beyond the energy sector; and the US$1.5 billion Sustainability Fund, which invests in startups with the potential to support Aramco’s ambition to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Aramco Ventures also has a US$500 million venture capital (VC) fund Wa’ed Ventures, which invests in Saudi startups.
Mubadala Capital

Mubadala Capital, the asset management arm of Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala, was the second most active Gulf investor in Europe in the past two years, participating in 13 deals during the period.
Mubadala Capital is the wholly-owned asset management subsidiary of Mubadala Investment Company, with approximately US$20 billion of assets under management (AUM).
In addition to managing its own balance sheet investments, Mubadala Capital manages approximately US$13 billion in third-party capital vehicles on behalf of institutional investors, including four flagship private equity funds, three early-stage venture funds, two funds in Brazil focused on special opportunities and a highly diversified evergreen investment strategy focused on private market opportunities, as well as a series of co-investment vehicles, special purpose vehicles (SPVs) and continuation funds.
Mubadala Capital closed its last fund in October 2023, raising over US$710 million for its Brazil Special Opportunities Fund II.
Ventura Capital

Venture Capital, an investment firm headquartered in Dubai, was the third most active Gulf investor in Europe in the past two years, participating in nine deals during the period.
Founded in 2012, Ventura Capital is an investment company specializing in pre-initial public offering (IPO) technology startups. The firm provides institutional investors with exposure to disruptive consumer technology, enterprise technology and cybersecurity companies that are growing exponentially and approaching medium-term IPO.
To date, Ventura Capital has invested US$750 million in 23 technology companies including Upgrade, Paytm, Delos, Xiaomi, Twitter, C8 Technologies, Nextdoor, Alibaba, Lookout Mobile Security, Auto1, Coursera, Uber, Spotify, Didi and Lyft.
According to Sifted, Ventura Capital closed its last fund in January 2022, raising a total of US$150 million.
Qatar Investment Authority

Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, participated in six deals in Europe in the past two years, making it the fourth most active Gulf investor in the region during the period.
Established in 2005, QIA focuses on investment management across various sectors and geographies. The company’s main services include long-term responsible investment in diversified asset classes, sectors, and global markets to protect and grow Qatar’s financial assets.
QIA announced in February that it would launch a VC “Fund of Funds”, a strategic investment program to foster innovation in the country. The program would invest more than US$1 billion in international and regional VC funds, and would not invest in private equity or debt. It would aim to yield market level commercial returns for the sovereign wealth fund in addition to developing Qatar’s VC sector.
MetaVision

MetaVision, a private investment fund based in Dubai, participated in six deals in Europe in the past two years, making it the fourth most active Gulf investor in the region during the period, neck-and-neck with QIA.
Founded in 2022, MetaVision is active in the metaverse and Web3 space, mainly focusing on startups at the pre-seed or seed stage.
According to Sifted, MetaVision closed its last fund in 2022. The fund’s notable investments include Kinetix, Ngrave and Cathedral Studios.
Investcorp

Investcorp, a global investment manager headquartered in Manama, Bahrain, participated in six deals in Europe in the past two years, making it the fourth most active Gulf investor in the region as well.
Founded in 1984, Investcorp is an investment manager specializing in alternative investments across private equity, real estate, credit, absolute return strategies, general partner stakes, infrastructure, strategic capital, and insurance asset management.
Investcorp has 14 offices across the US, Europe, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Asia. The firm currently has over US$50 billion in total AUM, including assets managed by third party managers, and employs approximately 500 people from 50 nationalities globally across its offices.
Investcorp closed its latest round in February 2023, raising over US$1.2 billion for its inaugural North America Private Equity Fund. The fund focuses on family- and founder-owned business across six subsectors including: tech-enabled, knowledge and professional, data and information, supply chain, industry and specialty consumer services.
Chimera Capital

Chimera Capital, an investment firm based in Abu Dhabi, was the fifth most active Gulf investor in Europe in the past two years, participating in four deals during the period.
Chimera Capital is 100% owned by Chimera Investments, an Abu Dhabi-based private investment firm. These entities are part of Abu Dhabi’s Royal Group, a diversified conglomerate of companies comprising over 60 entities and employing 20,000 employees.
Chimera Capital invests worldwide from Series B onwards and is sector agnostic. It focuses on providing its clientele with access to innovative investment instruments and value-added services with a primary focus on the alternative asset management space.
Chimera Capital closed its last fund in 2022, raising US$10 billion for its Alpha Wave Ventures II fund. The fund focuses on the fintech, artificial intelligence (AI), life sciences, consumer internet and business-to-business (B2B) sectors.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-7-most-active-gulf-investors-in-europe</link><guid>3621</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://bunny-wp-pullzone-luetain2ag.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Top-7-Most-Active-Gulf-Investors-in-Europe-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 7 Most Active Gulf Investors in Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>Europe’s 15 Biggest Banking Technology Companies</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						April 30, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					The Financial Technology Report has released its selection of the world’s top banking technology companies of 2024, highlighting the 25 biggest and fastest-growing banking technology companies globally.
The Top 25 Banking Technologies Companies of 2024 were selected for their technological expertise, impactful contributions, leadership initiatives, and overall influence on the banking sector. These companies utilize technology including artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing to disrupt traditional banking processes and improve efficiency, accessibility, and user experience. They provide various services, including banking software, digital banking products and banking-as-a-service (BaaS).
The 25 featured companies represent three regions, with Europe being the most prominent. Unsurprisingly, the UK is the most represented country in the continent, boasting a total of nine companies. It is followed by France and the Netherlands with two companies each, and Germany and Denmark with one company each.
Today, we look at the 15 European companies that made it into this year’s top banking tech companies list, delving into their product offerings and highlighting their growth and scale.
Biggest Banking Technology Companies in UK (9)


Finastra is a global provider of financial software applications and marketplaces. The company serves more than 8,000 institutions, including 45 of the world’s top 50 banks, providing software solutions and services across lending, payments, treasury and capital markets and universal banking (retail, digital and commercial banking).


Revolut is a global fintech company offering an all-in-one finance app. The company serves more than 40 million customers around the world, providing them with banking, currency exchange, debit and credit cards, stock trading, cryptocurrencies services, and more.


Monzo is a British digital bank that provides checking accounts, debit cards, savings accounts, access to exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and some credit products. The company claims more than 9 million users in the UK.


Starling Bank is a British digital challenger bank providing a range of limited personal and business banking services, including personal current accounts, joint accounts, business accounts, and euro accounts. The company also offers a software-as-a-service (SaaS) proposition through its subsidiary Engine. It claims 3.6 million customers.


Tide is a fintech company providing mobile-first banking services for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It enables businesses to set up a current account and get instant access to various financial services, including automated bookkeeping, integrated invoicing and loans, and claims 500,000 customers.


ClearBank is a purpose-built, technology-enabled clearing bank. Through its banking license and intelligent, robust technology solutions, ClearBank enables its partners to offer real-time payment and innovative banking services to their customers.


Thought Machine provides cloud-native core banking and payments technology. The company’s core banking platform, Vault Core, is trusted by leading banks and financial institutions worldwide, including Intesa Sanpaolo, ING Bank Śląski, Lloyds Banking Group, Standard Chartered, SEB, Lunar, Atom Bank, Curve, and more.


Allica Bank specializes in financial services for established businesses, focusing on banking solutions within the financial sector. The company offers a range of products including business current accounts, savings accounts, asset finance, commercial mortgages, and growth finance.


Atom Bank is an app-based bank, offering award-winning mortgages and savings through its app, alongside secured business lending for SMEs. The company serves 224,000 customers.

Biggest Banking Technology Companies in France (2)


Sopra Banking Software is a global fintech company serving more than 1,500 financial institutions and large-scale lenders in 80 countries worldwide, including Santander, Societe Generale, KCB Bank, Kensington Mortgages, Mercedes-Benz, and Toyota. The company’s cloud platform offers clients a composable architecture to digitize operations, ranging from banking, lending, compliance, to payments, and consumer and asset finance.


Qonto is the solution that simplifies financial management of freelancers, SMEs, startups, and associations. The company provides an online business account that’s combined with invoicing, bookkeeping and spend management tools. It claims 450,000 customers.

Biggest Banking Technology Companies in the Netherlands (2)


Backbase provides the Backbase Engagement Banking Platform, a unified platform that allows banks to accelerate their digital transformation. From customer onboarding, to servicing, loyalty and loan origination, the platform improves every aspect of the customer experience. Backbase serves over 120 financial institutions including BNP Paribas, Citibank, Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest, Raiffeisen and Societe Generale.


Mambu is a cloud-native, SaaS core banking platform created with scale, agility, ease of use and speed in mind. The company services more than 260 banks, lenders, fintech companies, and even retailers, with over 101 million end users.

Biggest Banking Technology Company in Germany (1)

Solaris is an embedded finance platform. The company’s proprietary modular business-to-business (B2B) tech stack and scalable licensing system empowers its partners to offer unique, customer-centric financial services. Solaris holds a full German banking license, including a Digital Assets Custody license, and also an e-money license covering the UK and the European Economic Area (EEA).
Biggest Banking Technology Company in Denmark (1)

Lunar is an independent, regulated and licensed bank. The company provides digital banking solutions including personal and business accounts, savings accounts with positive interest rates, and investment opportunities in stocks, funds, and ETFs, serving more than 850,000 users in Denmark, Sweden and Norway, including 20,000 entrepreneurs.
The Top 25 Banking Technologies Companies of 2024 list also features nine US companies, including payment giant Square, digital banking startup Chime, and banking tech provider Nymbus. Latin America is represented by one company: Pismo, a Brazilian cloud-native financial transaction processing platform that was acquired last year by Visa for a whopping US$1 billion.


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/europes-15-biggest-banking-technology-companies</link><guid>3620</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Europes-15-Biggest-Banking-Technology-Companies-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Europe’s 15 Biggest Banking Technology Companies</dc:text></item><item><title>ETF Anlage Startup Findependent Erreicht 100Millionen CHF AUM Meilenstein</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Das Schweizer Anlage-Startup findependent erreicht kurz nach dem 3-jährigen Geburtstag gleich zwei Meilensteine. Einerseits nutzen bereits weit mehr als 10’000 Kunden die App für die Geldanlage. Andererseits hat das verwaltete Vermögen die Marke von 100 Millionen Schweizer Franken überschritten.
Ende Februar feierte die Anlage-App von findependent ihren dritten Geburtstag. Kurz danach konnte der 10’000ste Kunde, der sein Geld bei findependent anlegt, begrüsst werden.

Matthias Bryner
“Das akzentuierte Wachstum der vergangenen Monate ist nicht nur dem freundlichen Marktumfeld zu verdanken, sondern ist auch Ausdruck des gestiegenen Vertrauens in uns als Vermögensverwalter. Die monatlichen Geldzuflüsse stammen zu rund drei Viertel von bestehenden Kund:innen”
erklärt Matthias Bryner, CEO und Gründer von findependent.
Nicht nur die Zahl der Kundinnen wuchs stark, auch das durchschnittlich investierte Vermögen stieg signifikant an und verdoppelte sich in den letzten 18 Monaten auf 10’500 Franken. Für jede Kundin verwaltet findependent die ersten mindestens 2’000 Franken lebenslang gebührenfrei.
“Die Testphase überzeugt Kundinnen und schafft Vertrauen”,
zeigt sich Bryner überzeugt. Als Resultat dieses gestiegenen Vertrauens überschritt das verwaltete Vermögen im April den Wert von 100 Millionen Schweizer Franken.
Trotz der mit 500 Franken sehr tiefen Einstiegsschwelle legen immer mehr Kundinnen auch grössere Vermögenswerte mit findependent an. Sie profitieren mit einem Anlagebetrag über 50’000 Franken von zusätzlich reduzierten Gebühren (0.33%-0.42%), während die 0.44% p.a. gemäss eigenen Angaben von Findependent der schweizweit günstigste Tarif für die Vermögensverwaltung darstellen.


Titel-Bild Nachweis: Bearbeitet von Freepik


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			&#13;
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				More info about author&#13;
			
			
		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/etf-anlage-startup-findependent-erreicht-100millionen-chf-aum-meilenstein</link><guid>3619</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/independent-CHF-100-Mio.png</dc:content ><dc:text>ETF Anlage Startup Findependent Erreicht 100Millionen CHF AUM Meilenstein</dc:text></item><item><title>Money20/20 Europe Returns to Amsterdam with Focus on Human/Machine Partnership</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Money20/20, a leading fintech event series, will return to Amsterdam for its European edition from June 04 to 06, 2024. This event aims to serve as a premier platform for global innovators, venture capitalists (VCs), banks, regulators and media platforms to explore and discuss the fintech industry’s biggest opportunities and most pressing issues.
Launched in 2012, Money20/20 focuses on the future of payments, fintech, and financial services, offering deep analytics and inspirational speakers. It seeks to keep participants ahead of the curve by fostering strategies, relationships, and mindset shifts, and allow industry stakeholders to network, pitch innovations, and gain insights crucial for success in their respective sectors.
This year’s theme and topics at Money20/20 Europe will encourage ambitious thinking and critical inquiry into the latest trends and innovations within the financial industry. Participants will explore the technological shifts poised to redefine the financial landscape and the underlying architectural changes driving them.
Money20/20 Europe 2024 themes and topics
Money20/20 Europe 2024, slated to take place at the RAI Convention Center, will run under the theme “Human X Machine”, examining the dynamic relationship between humans and intelligent machines, and how a partnership between artificial and human intelligence can forge a new era in finance.
Attendees will witness the convergence of human ingenuity and machine intelligence, leading to transformative changes in consumer-business interactions. This evolution promises to redefine not only the experiences within the financial ecosystem but also how they are perceived and engaged with.
The event will spotlight the stories of individuals pushing the boundaries of innovation, showcasing the achievements of those navigating this uncharted territory and embodying the concept of “superhumans” in the evolving financial landscape.
Money20/20 Europe 2024 will feature sessions revolving around five key topics within the “Human X Machine” theme:

“A Customer Universe of One”: This topic will highlight hyper-personalization in finance where every touchpoint is customized to meet individual customer needs and where technologies converge to create seamless experiences across financial journeys;
“The Age of Atomic Finance”: This topic will explore how monumental technological advancements, such as artificial intelligence (AI), cryptography and quantum computing, are delivering atomic-level precision, unlocking the potential for a “Universe of One”, empowering hyper-personalization and reshaping the future of finance;
“Meet the Architects”: From the leaders of trailblazing startups to changemakers in agile incumbents, these sessions will showcase the architects of the new dawn and the visionaries who are creating new landscapes for the financial futures;
“Signal Vs Noise”: These sessions will address the rapid pace of financial innovation driven by emerging technologies such as AI, blockchain, and Web3, emphasizing the importance of discerning the real potential amidst the noise; and
“The Business of Money”: These sessions will explore the factors contributing to success and analyze activities that led to undesirable outcomes, offering insights from founders, key decision makers, consultants, investors, and disruptors on partnerships, investments, and customer relationships.


Keynotes and speakers
Money20/20 Europe 2024 will feature over 350 speakers, including industry leaders, innovators, and regulators who will provide valuable insights into the future of finance, particularly within the context of the evolving human-machine partnership.
Among the prominent keynote speakers scheduled to address the event are François Hollande, the former President of France, whose tenure witnessed significant economic reforms. Monica Long, President at Ripple, will share her expertise in blockchain technology and its transformative potential for the financial industry; Marnix van Stiphout, COO and CTO at ING, will bring his extensive experience in operational strategy and digital transformation to the forefront; and Joanne Hannaford, CIO and CPO for the Corporate Bank at Deutsche Bank, will offer insights into technology-driven innovation within the banking sector, drawing from her career spanning multiple financial institutions.
In addition to these keynote speakers, Money20/20 Europe 2024 will feature a diverse range of experts and decision-makers, including executives from global banks such as Citi and JP Morgan, leading fintech companies like Adyen and Revolut, as well as representatives from regulatory bodies such as Bank of Canada and the German Federal Ministry of Finance.
Other highlights
Money20/20 Europe 2024 will also focus on fostering inclusion within the finance world through two empowering programs: RiseUp and Amplify.
Initiated in 2018, RiseUp is an annual global program designed to champion diversity across the fintech ecosystem. It focuses on providing women and non-binary individuals with the necessary network, tools, and techniques to strategically advance their careers. The program, explicitly inclusive for all who identify as women, has seen over 175 participants from around the world since its inception.
Amplify, launched in 2021 at Money20/20 USA and subsequently introduced to the Europe show, is tailored for people of color and underrepresented communities. Like RiseUp, it provides participants with networking opportunities, tools, and techniques to advance their careers strategically. With over 450 candidates from around the world, 60% of whom are people of color or Latinx, and 1% having disabilities, Amplify aims to create a more inclusive fintech landscape.
Fintech News Network readers will enjoy a €200 discount when applying the code ‘FNN200’ at checkout.

Featured image credit: edited from Money2020


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/money2020-europe-returns-to-amsterdam-with-focus-on-humanmachine-partnership</link><guid>3618</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Money2020-Europe.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>Money20/20 Europe Returns to Amsterdam with Focus on Human/Machine Partnership</dc:text></item><item><title>Top Fintech VC Funding Rounds in Europe for Q1 2024</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						April 25, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					In Q1 2024, Europe experienced an increase in fintech venture capital (VC) funding, reaching a total of US$2.2 billion after rising by 22% quarter-on-quarter (QoQ), data from CB Insights’ “State of Fintech Q1 2024” report show. This is in stark contrast to the overall global fintech funding landscape which saw a decline of 16% compared to the previous quarter, dropping to US$7.3 billion, the lowest since 2017.
Notably, Europe was the only major global region to see fintech funding increase in Q1 2024, underscoring its enduring attractiveness to investors.
Against this backdrop, we’ll look today at the key deals that shaped Europe’s fintech industry in Q1 2024. We’ll focus on the largest VC funding rounds secured by fintech and insurtech startups in the region during the quarter, shedding light on these companies’ offerings, growth strategies, and plans for the future.
Monzo – US$431 million, Series I

Monzo, a British digital bank, raised GBP 340 million (US$431 million) in a Series I funding round in March 2024, reaching a valuation of GBP 4 billion (US$5 billion). The Series I was the largest VC round closed by a fintech or insurtech startup in Europe in Q1 2024.
Founded in early 2015, Monzo provides checking accounts, debit cards, savings accounts, access to three exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and some credit products. The company, which became a regulated bank in August 2016, serves more than 9 million users in the UK, and is one of the largest digital banks in the country.
Monzo said it would use the proceeds from its Series I to fuel its expansion plans, on product development initiatives, and to broader accessibility to its services. The company said it became profitable in March 2023. In 2023 alone, it added two million customers, and served 400,000 business customers.
Flagstone – US$138 million, Private Equity

Flagstone, a British cash deposit platform, announced in March a GBP 108 million (US$138 million) equity investment by Estancia Capital Partners, a US financial services specialist private equity firm with deep expertise in the cash management market. The round was the second largest deal secured by a fintech or insurtech startup in Europe in Q1 2024.
Founded in 2015, Flagstone provides a fintech platform aimed at assisting UK savers in optimizing their savings potential. Over the years, Flagstone has emerged as one of the largest cash savings platforms in the country, boasting a diverse panel of banks and savings accounts. Individuals, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and charities, either directly or through various fintech platforms, financial advisors, or brand partnerships, can access over 200 savings account offerings from 60 prominent UK cash savings providers via Flagstone.
Serving a customer base of over 600,000, Flagstone’s total assets under administration (AUA) stands at more than GBP 11 billion (US$13.7 billion). It says its AUA increased by more than GBP 1 billion (US$1.2 billion) per quarter in 2023 as more personal and business savers looked to maximise the interest earned on their cash.
Flagstone achieved profitability in December 2022 and has sustained accelerating profitability since then. The company’s growth strategy focuses on forging robust partnerships, establishing scalable operational functions, and delivering seamless cash solutions.
Solaris – US$104 million, Series F

Solaris, a credit institution headquartered in German, announced in March the closing of its Series F funding round, securing EUR 96 million (US$104 million) in additional capital, along with a financial guarantee of up to EUR 100 million capital equivalent. The Series F was the three largest deal secured by a fintech or insurtech startup in Europe in Q1 2024.
Founded in 2015, Solaris is a leading embedded finance platform in Europe, offering a proprietary modular business-to-business (B2B) tech stack and scalable licensing system. The company serves a diverse range of partners, from global non-financial corporations to innovative fintech firms, allowing them to deliver customer-centric financial services seamlessly across various industries. In 2022, it recorded net revenues of EUR 130 million.
Solaris said it would use the proceeds from its Series F to onboard the ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club) credit card program, strengthen its core capital and invest in the resilience of its platform. With a focus on achieving profitable growth over the next five years, the company aims to concentrate on its main vertical markets and provide accessible financial products such as cards, accounts, and lending.
DataSnipper – US$100 million, Series B

DataSnipper, an intelligent automation platform for audit and finance professionals from the Netherlands, raised a US$100 million Series B in February, reaching a valuation of US$1 billion. The Series B was the fourth largest round secured by a fintech or insurtech startup in Europe in Q1 2024.
Founded in 2017, DataSnipper provides an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered platform that brings efficiency to the process of audit. The platform embeds automation directly into Excel, eliminating crushing manual work by letting auditors simply “snip” numbers from any file, such as an invoice, bank statement or inventory document. These “snips” automatically reconcile against transactions, creating airtight audit trails with a click.
DataSnipper has recently released new product suites to better serve finance professionals across diverse sectors. Its Cloud Collaboration Suite allows for secure and seamless real-time coordination across distributed teams, while its AI Suite lets users ask questions in natural language, and then automatically analyze and surface insights from any unstructured documents and data.
PPRO – US$93 million, Private Equity

In March, PPRO, a leading local payments platform, announced the completion of a dual tranche funding round totaling EUR 85 million (US$93 million) to support its growth into key markets, expand its global network of local payment methods, and assist in strengthening its core teams across legal, compliance, and commercial. The round was the fifth largest deal secured by a fintech or insurtech startup in Europe in Q1 2024.
Founded in 2006 and headquartered in the UK, PPRO provides digital payment solutions to businesses and banks so that they can scale their local payment services through one connection. Stripe, PayPal, and JP Morgan are just some of the names that work with PPRO to accelerate their roadmaps, boost their conversions, and eliminate the complexities of local payments.
Following its US$93 million fundraise, the company entered the US market in April, enabling global payment service providers and merchants to reach millions of US consumers via a single API. This followed PPRO’s previous successful geographic expansion into the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region and Latin America.
Hyperexponential – US$73 million, Series B

In January, Hyperexponential, a leader in pricing decision intelligence (PDI) software, announced the completion of its Series B funding round, securing a total of US$73 million. The Series B was the sixth largest deal secured by a fintech or insurtech startup in Europe in Q1 2024.
Hyperexponential serves insurance and reinsurance companies in the multi-trillion-dollar global property-casualty insurance industry, which protects individuals and businesses from a wide array of risks, such as climate change, geopolitical unrest, and cyberterrorism.
Hyperexponential’s flagship PDI platform, hx Renew, enables insurers to leverage large and alternative datasets, develop and refine rating tools rapidly, and employ sophisticated machine learning (ML) approaches to price risk and make data-driven pricing decisions at the portfolio and individual level.
Since the company’s Series A in 2021, Hyperexponential has grown sales 10x while staying profitable, serving some of the world’s largest insurers, including Aviva, HDI, and Conduit Re.
Hyperexponential said it would use its Series B to support its expansion into the US as the company targets opening its New York office this year. It will also enable increased investment in new product capabilities to serve growing client demand in adjacent insurance markets, including the SME insurance sector. The company plans to double its global team to over 200 in the next year.
Element – US$54 million, Late VC

Element, an insurtech startup based in Germany, closed in March a EUR 50 million funding round. The round was the seventh largest deal secured by a fintech or insurtech startup in Europe in Q1 2024.
Established in 2017, Element is a leading player in the insurtech landscape operating under a cloud-based model and offering innovative white-label insurance products. The company’s core mission is to deliver insurance solutions that are not only the fastest and most flexible, but also unfailingly reliable and efficient, covering the entire “B2B-to-any-end-user” (B2B2X) value chain.
Element emphasizes speed, flexibility, reliability, and efficiency in their operations, aiming to empower partners to create and distribute personalized insurance products and build robust ecosystems. Its white-label insurance products are supported by a fully digital and efficient infrastructure. The company is licensed by the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin).
Element has garnered substantial support from both industry insiders and growth investors, raising over EUR 90 million from notable investors such as SBI Investments, Mundi Ventures, Signals VC, and finleap. Recently, it partnered with Warranty Expert, the Baltic States’ leading extended warranty and purchase protection service provider, to launch multiple products across Europe.
Finom – US$54 million, Series B

Finom, a neobanking startup from the Netherlands, secured in March a EUR 50 million (US$54 million) Series B. The deal was the eighth largest VC round secured by a fintech or insurtech startup in Europe in Q1 2024, and brought the company’s total raised to over EUR 100 million.
Founded in 2019, Finom aims to facilitate financial management for entrepreneurs and SMEs worldwide by offering an all-in-one financial B2B solution. This solution integrates banking functions, accounting, financial management, and invoicing into a seamless, mobile-first platform, enabling businesses to focus their resources on growth.
With exponential growth over the past two years and a strong presence in key European markets such as Germany and France, Finom claims it is on track to become a unicorn startup by 2025.
The company plans to use the proceeds from its Series B to enhance its product offerings and continue shaping the future of financial services for SMEs in Europe. Key investment targets include improving the speed and functionality of the web and mobile versions, enhancing security measures, and expanding marketing activities to reach a broader audience.
This year, Finom wants to reinforce its presence in current markets while strategically expanding into new territories, with a particular focus on Poland.
10x Banking – US$50 million, Late VC

10x Banking, a cloud-native software-as-a-service (SaaS) core bank operating system, raised in January US$50 million in a new funding round. The deal was the ninth largest VC round secured by a fintech or insurtech startup in Europe in Q1 2024.
Based in the UK and founded by former Barclays CEO Antony Jenkins in 2016, 10x Banking empowers banks to move from monolithic to next-generation core banking solutions delivered through the world’s most comprehensive and powerful cloud native SaaS bank operating system.
With its secure, reliable, scalable, and modular core banking platform SuperCore, 10x Banking supports highly customizable product behaviors and accounting rules, integrates with banks’ wider technology estates, and harmonizes with local and regional compliance and regulatory requirements. SuperCore enables banks to deliver products, services, and customer experiences to retail and SME customers faster and more cost-effectively.
Building upon its success in the UK, 10x Banking has expanded its footprint into Australia and New Zealand, with plans for further strategic expansions as banks seek to adopt “neo-core” banking systems to accelerate their digital transformation and effectively compete in the marketplace.
The US$50 million funding round, led by BlackRock and JPMorgan Chase, will support 10x Banking’s growth in the competitive core banking market.
Flowdesk – US$50 million, Series B

Flowdesk, a digital asset firm, announced in January the closing its US$50 million Series B. The deal was the tenth largest VC round secured by a fintech or insurtech startup in Europe in Q1 2024.
Founded in 2020, Flowdesk is a full service digital asset trading tech firm that offers market making, over-the-counter (OTC) and treasury management. The company has pioneered the concept of “market-making-as-a-service” (MMaaS), offering a novel approach to liquidity management on secondary markets. Through its MMaaS infrastructure and global trading team, Flowdesk empowers crypto projects, exchanges, and institutions to manage their own liquidity effectively.
Flowdesk is based in France with offices in Singapore and North America. The company claims it is experiencing a threefold increase in revenues year-over-year, driven primarily by strong growth in the APAC region. Flowdesk was also recently named as an approved liquidity provider for the Grayscale ETF, marking another milestone in the institutionalization of its flow after its recent collaboration with Societe-Generale Forge.
Flowdesk plans to use the proceeds from its Series B to consolidate its position as a leading market-making service provider and expand its OTC offering. In addition, Flowdesk plans to expand regulatory coverage in Singapore and in the US. The raise will also be invested into expanding offices in financial hubs and key hires.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-fintech-vc-funding-rounds-in-europe-for-q1-2024</link><guid>3617</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Top-Fintech-VC-Funding-Rounds-in-Europe-for-Q1-2024-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Top Fintech VC Funding Rounds in Europe for Q1 2024</dc:text></item><item><title>Der Immobilienmarkt in der Schweiz bietet eine der grössten Chancen der letzten 20 Jahre</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Company Announcement								
																						April 25, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					Der Schweizer Immobilienmarkt bleibt auch in Zeiten nach Negativzinsen und trotz gestiegener Fremdfinanzierungskosten attraktiv.
Robert Plantak und Ardian Gjeloshi, Gründer der Immobilien-Plattform Crowdhouse, sehen in der aktuellen Marktlage eine optimale Gelegenheit für antizyklische Investitionen in die Asset-Klasse des «Betongolds». Stark rückläufige Bautätigkeiten, die das ohnehin schon knappe Angebot weiter verknappen werden, treffen auf eine hohe Nachfrage nach Wohnraum. Anleger können auf dem Schweizer Markt für Rendite-Immobilien derzeit eine der «grössten Chancen der letzten zwanzig Jahre» nutzen.
Der Schweizer Immobilienmarkt 2024 wird landläufig als ein Markt mit «neuer Realität» bezeichnet. Die Fremdkapitalkosten befinden sich laut Robert Plantak, CEO von Crowdhouse, auf einem «nach wie vor tiefem Niveau». Zwar wurden die Leitzinsen erst kürzlich wieder gesenkt und es wird erwartet, dass sie in Zukunft noch weiter fallen können – der Immobilienmarkt in der Schweiz hat sich jedoch noch nicht wieder vollständig erholt.
Das heute schon knappe Angebot an Schweizer Wohnrenditeliegenschaften wird sich nochmals deutlich verknappen – denn die Bautätigkeit in der Schweiz ist stark zurückgegangen. Gleichzeitig steigt die Nachfrage nach Wohnraum. Für die Gründer der Immobilien-Plattform Crowdhouse ist diese neue Realität alles andere als ein bedrohliches Szenario – im Gegenteil! Die Immobilienexperten Robert Plantak und Ardian Gjeloshi sehen hervorragende Aussichten auf stabile und steigende Cashflows. Der Schweizer Immobilienmarkt bleibt für Investoren attraktiv. Vermieter können sich auf langfristig steigende Mieteinnahmen verlassen, Anleger auf wiederkehrende Erträge über langfristige Anlagehorizonte mit einem besonders wertbeständigen Asset.
Goldene Zeiten für Vermieter
Mit ihrer Idee, den Erwerb von Renditeimmobilien mittels Technologie einfach und transparent zu machen, haben Robert Plantak und Ardian Gjeloshi mit ihrem Unternehmen Crowdhouse diese Anlageklasse zugänglicher gemacht. Über 1.500 zufriedene Investoren haben in nur wenigen Jahren für ein Transaktionsvolumen von über zwei Milliarden Franken gesorgt. Crowdhouse hat mit einer digitalen Plattform ein Ökosystem auf die Beine gestellt, das die Kunden des Unternehmens auf jeder Stufe ihrer individuellen Investmentstrategie unterstützt. Die beiden Gründer von Crowdhouse kennen die Situation im Immobiliensektor der Schweiz bestens – und sehen auf dem Markt für Renditeimmobilien, anders als der Mainstream, aktuell eine der besten Chancen der letzten zwei Jahrzehnte.
Gerade für Vermieter brechen gemäss den beiden Gründern goldene Zeiten an – sowohl bei Neuvermietungen als auch beim Bestand. Immer weniger freistehende Wohnungen sorgen bei den Angebotsmieten für eine starke Marktdynamik, gleichzeitig wird der Referenzzinssatz auch in Zukunft weiteren Raum für Mietzinsanpassungen bereithalten. Dabei bleibt die Vermietungsstabilität auf hohem Niveau, denn «die Wohnungsleerstände in der Schweiz werden sinken» .
«Korrektur einer coronabedingten Anomalie»
Die Preise für Mehrfamilienhäuser sind zuletzt teilweise gesunken – keine gute Ausgangslage für Immobilienbesitzer, die aktuell verkaufen möchten. Robert Plantak sieht darin allerdings keinen Grund für Besorgnis.
Robert Plantak
«Es gibt in der Schweiz wenige Akteure, die gezwungen sind, ihre Objekte ausgerechnet in solchen Umfeldern zu verkaufen»,
so der CEO von Crowdhouse.
«Viele Besitzer haben auch im neuen Zinsumfeld problemlos Möglichkeiten, ihre Liegenschaften kurzfristig anständig zu refinanzieren. Sie können abwarten, sich weiterhin entspannt zurücklehnen, die Cashflows einfahren und auf einen günstigeren Verkaufszeitpunkt warten.»
Der Immobilienprofi sieht in den jüngsten Preisentwicklungen eine natürliche «Korrektur einer coronabedingten Anomalie» auf dem Immobilienmarkt. Mit Beginn der Pandemie 2020 erlebte die Schweiz einen zwar kurzen, aber sehr deutlichen Run auf Schweizer Immobilien und damit einhergehend einen ungewöhnlich steilen Anstieg der Preise. «In Zeiten von geopolitischer Unsicherheit gewinnt Betongold als sicherer Hafen mangels Alternativen schnell an Attraktivität», ergänzt Crowdhouse-Mitgründer Ardian Gjeloshi. Für Gjeloshi sind die derzeitigen Preisrückgänge «nichts anderes als die Korrektur dieser krisenbedingten Preisanomalie auf ein Vor-Covid-Niveau.»Zwar kann die Zinsdynamik der vergangenen Jahre diese Korrektur wahrscheinlich beschleunigt haben, aber «früher oder später wäre sie eh gekommen».
Klar ist: Die derzeitige Preisdynamik ist für Verkäufer von Immobilien alles andere als erfreulich. Die Marktlage seit dem vergangenen Jahr ist für Verkäufer anspruchsvoll, entsprechend haben sich die Akteure auf dem Markt in eine Warteposition begeben. Die Zinsentwicklung spielte den Kaufinteressenten in die Hände, die eine gute Gelegenheit sahen, die bestehenden Angebotspreise nach unten zu korrigieren. Die Verkaufsseite hingegen war nicht bereit, die niedrigen Preise zu akzeptieren. «Das Ergebnis war eine Pattsituation», so Robert Plantak.
Entsprechend stark war der Einbruch bei den Transaktionen mit über 75 % im Vergleich zu den Vorjahren.
Weniger Konkurrenz, dafür noch stabilere und wachsende Erträge
Die Ausgangslage auf dem Schweizer Immobilienmarkt ist aus mehreren Gründen derzeit einmalig, da sind sich die Gründer von Crowdhouse sicher. Während noch vor mehreren Jahren von einem Überangebot und massiven Leerständen die Rede war, von schwächelnder Zuwanderung und einem ausgetrockneten und überbewerteten Markt, hat sich die Lage heute drastisch geändert.
«Statt Leerstandsproblematik haben wir nun Wohnungsnot und die Aussicht auf weiter steigende Mieten»,
so Ardian Gjeloshi.
«Die Zuwanderung hat angezogen, die Neun-Millionen-Schweiz ist Realität und die Zehn-Millionen-Schweiz absehbar.»
Die derzeit erkennbare Abkühlung des Marktes führt zu weniger aktiven Akteuren und damit zu weniger Konkurrenz. Dies wiederum steigert die Chancen bei der Akquisition von Immobilien.
«Aktuell haben wir die Aussicht auf noch stabilere und tendenziell wachsende Erträge bei deutlich weniger Konkurrenz»,
ergänzt Robert Plantak.
Für die Immobilienprofis von Crowdhouse steht fest, dass sich Investoren über die Wertentwicklung ihrer Assets keine Gedanken machen müssen – vor allem dann nicht, wenn ein langfristiger Horizont mit einer Denkweise in Jahrzehnten im Fokus der Investition steht. Aktuell bietet sich auf dem Schweizer Immobilienmarkt eine der seltenen Gelegenheiten, antizyklisch zu agieren. «Diese einmalige Gelegenheit ist jetzt da», ist sich Robert Plantak sicher.
«Sobald sich die Wolken am Himmel verziehen, werden auch alle Schönwetterkapitäne wieder in See stechen. Spätestens dann, wenn die Nationalbank damit beginnt, die Zinsen wieder zu senken.»
Seit kurzem scheint die Zeit der «Schönwetterkapitäne» gekommen zu sein, denn die Leitzinsen wurden gesenkt – der Experte von Crowdhouse hat mit seiner Prognose hinsichtlich sinkender Zinsen somit voll ins Schwarze getroffen.
Crowdhouse wird trotz der Unsicherheiten auf dem Markt auch weiterhin Liegenschaften im Miteigentum anbieten. Die beiden Gründer gehen von einer konstanten Nachfrage in den nächsten Jahren aus, die das Unternehmen mit guten und sorgfältig geprüften Liegenschaften bedienen möchte. Crowdhouse hat sich mit seiner zugänglichen, transparenten Immobilienplattform längst als Investitionsalternative auf dem Markt etabliert – und wird auch zukünftig eine zentrale Rolle auf dem Schweizer Immobilienmarkt einnehmen.


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/der-immobilienmarkt-in-der-schweiz-bietet-eine-der-grossten-chancen-der-letzten-20-jahre</link><guid>3616</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Der-Immobilienmarkt-in-der-Schweiz-bietet-eine-der-grossten-Chancen-der-letzten-20-Jahre-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Der Immobilienmarkt in der Schweiz bietet eine der grössten Chancen der letzten 20 Jahre</dc:text></item><item><title>Betterment Acquires Marcus Digital Investing From Goldman Sachs</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Betterment, the largest independent digital investment advisor in the United States, announced that it has reached an agreement with Goldman Sachs to acquire Marcus Invest’s digital investing accounts.
Marcus Invest, which offers digitally customized investment portfolios to consumers, will transfer these accounts to Betterment in the coming months.
Betterment pioneered digital investing more than a decade ago, and today serves more than 850,000 customers and manages more than $45 billion in assets. Betterment’s diversified, expert-built portfolios, commitment to service excellence, and easy-to-use technology make it a natural fit for Marcus Invest customers as they continue to build towards their financial goals.
Goldman Sachs will continue to focus on its growing Marcus Deposits platform which serves over three million customers globally and has well over $100 billion in consumer deposits.
Sarah Levy

“This acquisition further cements our leadership in the digital investing space,”

said Sarah Levy, Betterment’s CEO.
“We are excited to welcome these customers to Betterment where our scalable technology platform will continue to support them on their investing journeys.”
Subject to customary closing conditions, the digital investing accounts will be transitioned to Betterment on or about June 29, 2024. Customers will have the option to opt out of this transfer if they choose to do so. Betterment will only be acquiring Marcus Invest accounts and assets under management; it will not be acquiring any additional accounts, technology, employees, or operations as a part of the transaction.

Marcos Rosenberg
“As we increase our focus on our growing Marcus Deposits platform, we made the decision to transition away from our digital investment advisor offering and wanted to find a great home for those customers,”

said Marcos Rosenberg, global head of Goldman Sachs Marcus.

“Betterment was the obvious choice for those accounts as we share a deep commitment to customer satisfaction. We look forward to continuing to serve our Marcus Deposits customers with great products and a great experience.”


This article first appeared on fintechnews.am
Featured image credit: Sarah Levy, Betterment’s CEO and Marcos Rosenberg, global head of Goldman Sachs Marcus


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/betterment-acquires-marcus-digital-investing-from-goldman-sachs</link><guid>3615</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Betterment Acquires Marcus Digital Investing From Goldman Sachs</dc:text></item><item><title>Airwallex Partners With Tech Company Bird</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Airwallex, a leading global payments and financial platform, announced its partnership with Bird (formerly MessageBird), a global communication platform, to power Bird’s international payments operations.
Powering Bird’s global payments infrastructure Bird’s platform, applications and APIs help 29,000+ businesses to streamline conversations and build engaging experiences through their customers’ preferred channels – including WhatsApp, Email, SMS, Voice, WeChat, Messenger, and Instagram.
The global nature of Bird’s business – with multiple currencies flowing in and out of operating entities around the world – had led to a fragmented financial operating system, split across more than 20 banking partners around the world. This created operating inefficiencies for the Bird Finance team, particularly in relation to the creation and approval of supplier payments and reconciliation with Bird’s accounting software.
Using Airwallex’s global payments and financial infrastructure, Bird has been able to consolidate its financial operations across multiple entities and currencies into a single platform. This has enabled greater visibility and control as well as the automation of supplier payments around the world, leveraging Airwallex’s proprietary foreign exchange (FX) engine. Bird is also utilising Airwallex’s issuing product to pay its global suppliers and the batch transfers tool to run its own payroll across entities. Additionally, Airwallex and Bird collaborated on a superior integration via Netsuite that provides greater speed, consistency and depth of reconciliation for Bird’s finance team.
Robert Vis
Robert Vis, Founder and CEO at Bird, commented:
“Prior to working with Airwallex, we were using legacy systems and technology which slowed down our entire global operations. With Airwallex, we’re able to streamline our payments infrastructure and supercharge our finance operations globally. We are continuing to explore more opportunities to leverage the Airwallex product and I look forward to deepening our relationship with the team.”
Pranav Sood
Pranav Sood, Executive General Manager, EMEA at Airwallex said:
“Bird is one of the standout success stories in the Dutch tech community and has revolutionised the way that consumers and businesses communicate on a global scale. We’re proud that Airwallex’s financial technology and payments infrastructure can support Bird’s mission of creating a world where communicating with a business is as easy as talking with a friend. We’re looking forward to deepening our partnership with Bird and serving many more world-leading Dutch businesses with our growing local team in Amsterdam.”
Airwallex was founded in Melbourne in 2015 and is headquartered in Singapore. The company has since grown to over 20 locations globally, currently employs 1,400 people and plans to hire approximately 300 people in 2024.



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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/airwallex-partners-with-tech-company-bird</link><guid>3614</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Airwallex Partners With Tech Company Bird</dc:text></item><item><title>Launch of the Swiss4 Application, Combining Financial Services and Lifestyle</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Swiss4, a financial player founded in Geneva in 2020, announces the launch of its application combining financial services and high-end lifestyle management services.
Entirely designed, developed and hosted in Switzerland, the app guarantees security and ease of use for its customers, deposits in CHF held with the Swiss National Bank (SNB).
The multi-currency account (CHF, EUR, GBP, AED, and SGD), alongside the MasterCard World Elite card, allows for everyday financial transactions worldwide without being impacted by significant currency exchange fees on these currencies. The application also includes a digital concierge service designed to provide customers with the best possible leisure and travel support. Swiss4 is distinguished by high service standards and accessibility, inherited from the tradition of Swiss private banking and dedicated to a broader clientele with a discerning level of expectations.
Founded in Geneva in 2020, Swiss4 is the first company in French-speaking Switzerland to have obtained a fintech licence from the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA). Since its creation, the company has been developing a financial services application, making customer support as fluid, responsive and inspiring as possible. This application is now available all across Switzerland, combining payment and foreign exchange facilities, personalised lifestyle management services for organising leisure activities – travel, hospitality, gastronomy, access to prestigious cultural and sports events, recommendations for experiences, and private events for its members.
Zhina Asmaei
According to Zhina Asmaei, CEO and co-founder of Swiss4,
“We aim to enhance the client experience by offering a service model influenced by the traditional excellence of Swiss banking with cutting-edge digital innovation. We have designed it as an integrated financial ecosystem to support our customers and provide them access to exceptional lifestyle services.”
The Swiss4 application targets mass affluent customers, i.e. people with bank balances of between CHF 50,000 and CHF 1 million.
Swiss4 is based on SwissCore, a technological infrastructure developed in-house to guarantee total independence and flexibility. Customers benefit from a multi-currency account, with funds held at the Swiss National Bank (SNB) and Swiss-Euro Clearing Bank. The platform enables domestic and international payments thanks to its integration with Swiss and European payment systems and the SWIFT network. As a principal member of Mastercard, Swiss4 is the first financial player in Switzerland to issue World Elite debit cards. On top of the autonomous management of its features through the app, this elegantly designed metal card offers its users many benefits, including a range of high-coverage insurance services.
Swiss4 also offers a digital concierge service, giving customers 24/7 global coverage, rapid chat response from dedicated agents, and access to premium experience.
Swiss4’s pricing model is based on an entry annual membership of CHF 1’400. The membership decreases upon usage for the following years. It offers excellent value for money given the wide range of services provided. Swiss4 ensures that additional costs, such as transaction and exchange fees, are competitive, guaranteeing transparency for the users of its services


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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/launch-of-the-swiss4-application-combining-financial-services-and-lifestyle</link><guid>3613</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Launch of the Swiss4 Application, Combining Financial Services and Lifestyle</dc:text></item><item><title>Leading Fintech Marketers of 2024 Based in Europe</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						April 23, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					In the dynamic world of fintech, marketing is a critical business function that helps drive innovation, foster business growth and nurture enduring relationships with various stakeholders including consumers, partners, investors, policymakers, and the media.
The Fintech Marketing Hub, a London based global fintech marketing community, released on April 10 its 4th edition of the Top 30 Most Influential Fintech Marketers list, recognizing the contributions of marketing professionals who have significantly impacted the European fintech sector.
This year’s top 30 marketing professionals were selected by a jury of level-C executives from the fintech sector based on the degree of these marketers’ influence and achievements over the past year, including their total reach across different channels, engagement levels, insights relevance, community involvement, media appearance, and any notable achievements.
Among this year’s top 30 fintech marketers, 19 are based in Europe, and represent industry leaders including Wise, Finastra and Airwallex. These professionals are spread across seven different countries, with the UK being the most prominent (13). Other locations represented include Switzerland, France, Czech Republic and Germany.
Today, we’ll take a closer look at the 19 fintech marketers based in Europe that made it into this year’s Top 30 Most Influential Fintech Marketers list, delving into their careers and notable accomplishments.
Andrew Davies, CMO, Paddle (UK)

Andrew Davies serves as the CMO at Paddle, a company specializing in providing complete payments infrastructure for over 4,000 software companies.
Before joining Paddle, Davies held the position of vice president (VP) of corporate marketing at Optimizely (formerly Episerver), following its acquisition of Idio. In this role, he led global strategy and activities for demand generation, branding, digital marketing, account-based marketing (ABM), and content creation. During his tenure, Optimizely integrated five acquisitions, underwent a complete rebranding, and achieved significant growth in pipeline and sales.
Davies is also the co-founder of Idio, where he served as the CMO and oversaw people operations. Under his leadership, Idio emerged as a market leader in business-to-business (B2B) personalization, catering to enterprise clients such as Pegasystems, BNY Mellon, Fitch Group, and Pure Storage. The company raised over US$13 million from institutional investors, including Notion Capital, and various angel investors.
Additionally, Davies sits on the board of Ninety, an agile digital transformation consultancy catering to the insurance industry. Ninety operates as a social enterprise, with 90% of distributable profits allocated towards alleviating global poverty.
Outside his professional roles, Davies is actively involved in advising, supporting, and investing in early-stage startups, assisting them with proposition development, team building, marketing strategy, and funding.
Chantal Swainston, Founder, The Heard (UK)

Chantal Swainston is the founder of The Heard, an award winning platform to get more women and non-binary people in fintech into public speaking.
Swainston has nearly a decade of experience in technology and fintech public relations, and throughout her career, she has collaborated with a diverse array of household consumer brands and groundbreaking B2B entities
Swainston’s professional portfolio encompasses a broad spectrum of accomplishments, including the introduction of brands to new markets, the successful launch of innovative products within the realms of open banking and investments, and adeptly managing corporate issues and reputational crises. Notably, she played a pivotal role in overseeing the UK communications strategy for Wise’s listing on the London Stock Exchange.
Cian Weeresinghe, CMO, Wise (UK)

Cian Weeresinghe is the CMO of cross-border payment specialist Wise. Previously, Weeresinghe was the chief customer officer of Secret Escapes, a members-only travel and experiences company, working across brand, performance marketing, customer relationship management (CRM), data science, and product. He’s also spent time at The Guardian, ASOS, eBay, Lloyds Bank, and Capital One.
Duarte Garrido, Growth Marketer and Startup Advisor (UK)

Duarte Garrido is a seasoned growth marketer and startup advisor with over a decade of experience spanning both B2B and business-to-customer (B2C) sectors. His expertise encompasses brand and growth marketing, social media management, omnichannel strategy, corporate communications, and content development. Over the years, Garrido has collaborated with prominent players in financial services, media, fintech, and greentech industries on a global scale.
Throughout his career, Garrido has achieved notable milestones, including establishing an internal digital marketing studio serving over 70 markets, transforming online sentiment from 18% to 80% positive, reducing customer acquisition cost (CAC) by 24% within two months, and boosting marketing generated pipeline by 40% in under six months. Additionally, he has played a pivotal role in advising on martech adoption and driving digital transformation initiatives.
Currently, Garrido serves as vice president of marketing and corporate advisor to several Series B-C scaleups where he leverages his expertise to develop and implement effective marketing and brand strategies. Moreover, he is sought after as a speaker and workshop facilitator, delivering insights on growth marketing and branding.
Elaine Mullan, Head of Marketing, Corlytics (UK)

Elaine Mullan serves as the head of marketing and business development at Corlytics, a global provider of regulatory risk intelligence solutions. Mulla has an extensive background spanning over two decades in fintech marketing, and a proven track record of delivering results-oriented marketing programs, built on identified market opportunities and customer needs.
Mullan’s core competencies include making complex technical communications engaging, content creation and development, integrated marketing programmes, and new business development. She is passionate about collaborating with cross-functional teams and stakeholders, and applying an entrepreneurial approach to marketing.
Mullan has successfully developed and launched marketing campaigns and initiatives in various regions, including Asia-Pacific (APAC), Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), South Africa, and the US, and has established a strong reputation in the fintech industry.
Harjeet Singh, Marketing Director, Finastra (UK)

Harjeet Singh is the marketing director of Finastra, bringing over two decades of experience in marketing, marketing operations, digital marketing, and marketing strategy and planning within the fintech and technology sectors. With a keen understanding of both technical and business aspects, Singh is known for his data-driven approach to marketing, with his expertise spanning various go-to-market (GTM) channels, enabling him to develop comprehensive marketing strategies with global coverage.
Throughout his career, Singh has played a crucial role in supporting C-level executives and boards on strategic projects, corporate initiatives, and brand development efforts.
Joseph Williams, Co-Founder, ZeroKey (UK)

Joseph Williams is the co-founder of ZeroKey, a web-app with a mission to integrate technology and eliminate the need for financial advisers to manually key data.
Prior to ZeroKey, Williams was the CMO of CashCalc, leading both the marketing and general day-to-day operations of the company from young startup through exit via its acquisition by FE fundinfo. During his time with CashCalc, he helped the company achieve a market-leading 44% market share, disrupting the UK financial services industry for financial advisers.
Katie Hayes, Head of Marketing, Ozone API (UK)

Katie Hayes is the head of marketing of Ozone API, leveraging over 15 years of global marketing experience across diverse industries. She specializes in scaling marketing departments, spearheading revolutionary rebrands, and enhancing marketing capabilities to drive business growth.
With a strong focus on people management, digital marketing strategy and execution, affiliate marketing, event management, keynote speaking, and workshop facilitation, Hayes is equipped with a broad skill set to lead successful marketing initiatives.
Throughout her career, Hayes has collaborated with clients in various sectors, including fintech, e-commerce, fashion, print journalism, education, travel, finance, and health and wellness.
Leonard Burger, Product Marketing Manager, Sopra Banking (UK)

Leonard Burger serves as a product marketing manager (PMM) at Sopra Banking, boasting over a decade of experience in fulfilling global and local roles across multiple countries. He is a certified PMM and holds an executive MBA from Quantic.
Burger’s professional journey has been characterized by a deep-seated passion for technology products and their strategic positioning and communication within diverse markets. He embodies a T-shaped professional archetype, possessing a broad and multi-disciplinary skill set fueled by innate curiosity and a penchant for continuous learning.
An avid consumer of information, Burger thrives on distilling vast amounts of knowledge to tackle any challenge that comes his way. He excels in discussing and presenting data and insights through compelling storytelling, leveraging his innate ability to connect with others and foster meaningful relationships.
Mariette Ferreira, CMO, PPRO (UK)

Mariette Ferreira is the CMO of PPRO, bringing a wealth of experience in marketing across the entire spectrum. As a skilled marketing professional, Ferreira is adept at implementing agile marketing strategies to drive business growth and enhance brand visibility.
A member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ferreira possesses a diverse skill set encompassing brand positioning, product launches, and lifecycle management. Her expertise includes online marketing, direct marketing, content marketing, public relations, integrated cross-platform campaigns, project management, website development, budget management, and event coordination.
Miranda McLean, CMO, Ecommpay (UK)

Miranda McLean is the CMO of Ecommpay, an international payment service provider and an UK and Europe direct bank card acquirer. At Ecommpay, McLean is responsible for determining the global strategic direction for marketing.
With more than 25 years’ B2B marketing experience, predominantly in the financial services sector, McLean is one of the most high-profile women in fintech. She has recently been recognized as one of the Standout 45 as part of the Innovate Finance Women in Fintech Powerlist.
McLean joined Ecommpay this year from Banking Circle. At Banking Circle, she joined as part of the founding team and created and launched the company’s brand identity and marketing strategy. Prior to that, she held senior leadership positions at Thomson Financial, Reuters, and Standard and Poor’s, leading and shaping marketing strategy and operations, with responsibility for multi-million-pound budgets.
Natalie Williams, Marketing Director EMEA, Airwallex (UK)

Natalie Williams is the marketing director of the EMEA at Airwallex, boasting extensive expertise as a marketing, brand, and growth leader. With a proven track record in scaling startups across the EMEA region, Williams has made significant contributions to tech, software-as-a-service (SaaS), e-commerce, fintech, and luxury product businesses, focusing on customer and community growth.
Williams has proven success developing marketing strategies for both B2B and B2C/direct to consumer (DTC) brands, and experience building and leading high performing teams of direct reports, freelancers and agencies to achieve effective campaigns and hit commercial targets in fast paced and changing environments.
Her experience spans across organic, paid, online, offline, branding, strategy, partnerships, sales, project management, growth, search engine optimization (SEO), social media, content, public relations (PR), events, campaign management, communications, relationship management and agency management.
Tom Davies, VP Marketing, Yonder (UK)

Tom Davies is the VP of marketing at Yonder, a UK credit card challenger brand.
Davies began their career in business development at Not For Sale before transitioning to a role as a customer success manager at SimpleLegal. He then moved into PMM at Wise and Monzo Bank, eventually becoming a senior product marketing manager at Monzo Bank.
Kamile Mazrime, Head of Marketing and Communications, Rockit (Lithuania)

Kamile Mazrime is the head of marketing and communications at Rockit, where she brings a wealth of expertise as a specialist in communication, public relations, branding, and events. With a background in journalism and European politics, Mazrime is passionate about empowering individuals and fostering connections between organizations and professionals.
At Rockit, Mazrime leads communication and partnership efforts, spearheading impactful projects, programs, conferences, and communication strategies.
Loic Jeanjean, Marketing Consultant and Fractional CMO (Portugal)

Loic Jeanjean is a marketing and growth consultant, and a fractional CMO for B2B startups. In this capacity, he assists companies in enhancing their marketing capabilities and achieving their pipeline and revenue goals. Jeanjean’s expertise lies in building, coaching, mentoring, and equipping marketing and growth teams to drive hyper-growth for their organizations. He collaborates closely with C-suite executives as a trusted marketing advisor, translating strategic goals into actionable marketing plans.
Jeanjean has over 18 years of extensive experience in marketing leadership roles within B2B companies across various stages of funding and growth. He has made significant contributions to several prominent companies, including Pleo and Ledger. At Pleo, he led marketing efforts across 16 European countries, overseeing a team of 20+ marketers and contributing to a revenue growth of 4x. Similarly, at Ledger, Loic played a pivotal role in creating and executing global outbound and inbound marketing strategies.
Nicolas Pinto, Head of Growth, Skaleet (France)

Nicolas Pinto is the head of growth at Skaleet, bringing extensive expertise in marketing with a track record of international success within global organizations. Pinto has collaborated closely with executive teams and management groups to define and execute local and international strategies across both B2B and B2C sectors.
Pinto is recognized as an influencer and specialist in the fintech domain, and actively engages with the fintech community on X under the handle Nicolas2Pinto. His insights and contributions have earned him recognition as one of the top fintech influencers by Onalytica in 2020, 2021, and 2022.
Owen McCall, Head of Marketing, SwissQuant (Switzerland)

Owen McCall is the head of marketing of SwissQuant, boasting over a decade of experience as a strategic marketing leader in both B2B and B2C domains across diverse industries, including fintech and Web3/blockchain. McCall holds a Master’s degree in International Law from the University of St. Gallen, complemented by several professional certifications in marketing analytics, AI/innovation, and strategic communications.
In his role at SwissQuant, McCall leads the charge in developing and executing strategic go-to-market plans, fostering collaboration across cross-functional teams, and curating impactful content. His primary focus is on driving growth and elevating brand visibility for SwissQuant, a global leader in risk software solutions and consultancy services for the financial and industrial sectors.
Radim Oulehla, Co-Founder, Fintree (Czech Republic)

Radim Oulehla is the co-founder of Fintree, a platform that leads the fintech conversation in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Oulehla is a key figure in fintech marketing, recognized for his influential work and his  ability to engage a wide audience on social media, particularly LinkedIn, with insightful content on fintech and e-commerce.
Oulehla is deeply involved in the fintech community, including organizing major B2B fintech conferences and contributing to professional networks like the Czech Fintech Association and European Fintech Hub. He has earned a number of accolades and was named among the top influencers in Central and Eastern European fintech by 25.
Vanessa Schotes, CMO, Enfuce (Germany)

Vanessa Schotes is the CMO of Enfuce, boasting a distinguished career as a senior marketer with a track record of success spanning various industries.
Schotes excels in implementing results-driven marketing, communications, and brand building programs. Her specialties include marketing planning, strategic market penetration, market research, creative development, external/internal communications, full campaign management, comprehensive brand messaging, PR strategy, product development, and project leadership.


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/leading-fintech-marketers-of-2024-based-in-europe</link><guid>3612</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Leading-Fintech-Marketers-of-2024-Based-in-Europe-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Leading Fintech Marketers of 2024 Based in Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>Croatia Sees Remarkable Growth in Tech Ecosystem; Fintech Remains Nascent Though</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						April 22, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					In the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) region, Croatia is witnessing remarkable growth in its startup ecosystem. N
ew data released in a report by Dealroom, supported by Uniqa Ventures, Cogito Capital Partners and Vestbee, reveal that the country’s startup landscape has surged in value over the past five years. Since 2019, the combined enterprise value of Croatia’s tech startups has increased by a staggering 7.4 times, surpassing the growth rates of other rapidly developing tech hubs in the region like Poland (2.4 times) and Estonia (1.8 times).
This growth trend in Croatia’s startup scene is even more significant when compared to the European average, which stands at 2.1 times. This indicates that Croatia, along with other nations in the CEE region, is experiencing a rapid expansion of their startup ecosystems.
Five-year growth, combined enterprise value in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), Source: Central and Eastern European Startups 2024, Mar 2024
The figures, featured in the fourth annual report on the startup and tech ecosystem of CEE, highlights the emergence of a young and vibrant startup ecosystem in the CEE region.
The report reveals that Croatian startups are not only growing rapidly but also achieving higher success rates than their CEE peers. About 7.1% of Croatian startups that secured more than EUR 1 million in funding have become unicorns, surpassing the rates of the overall CEE region (3.2%) and Europe (2.1%). More specifically, the report says that over 40 startups in Croatia have raised more than EUR 1 million in funding, with three of them already achieving unicorn status.
Percentage of &gt; EUR 1 million funded startups that become unicorn, Source: Central and Eastern European Startups 2024, Mar 2024
A thriving startup ecosystem
In recent years, the CEE region has emerged as a vibrant hub for tech innovation, driven by a thriving ecosystem of early-stage tech companies. Since 2019, the combined enterprise value of startups in the CEE startup ecosystem has grown by 2.4 times, soaring from EUR 89 billion in 2019 to EUR 213 billion in 2023.
Combined enterprise value of CEE startups, Source: Central and Eastern European Startups 2024, Mar 2024
According to the report, 60% of this combined worth is concentrated in the region’s 52 unicorns, totaling a total value of EUR 129 billion. Notably, startups from Poland, Ukraine, and Estonia contribute significantly to this value (50%), accounting for EUR 49 billion, EUR 28 billion, and EUR 28 billion, respectively.
Looking at funding trends, CEE startups amassed EUR 2.1 billion in 2023, with enterprise software, security and energy dominating the funding landscape. Enterprise software and software-as-a-service (SaaS) remained the leading segment in the region in 2023, with over EUR 655 million raised. Enterprise software is followed by security with EUR 351.3 million raised, and energy, a segment that rose from being a niche just a few years ago, to capture a third of venture capital (VC) investment in CEE in 2023 (EUR 302.6 million).
In contrast, fintech saw a decline in appeal compared to other sectors, landing in fourth place with a total funding of EUR 279.5 million in 2023.
Most funded verticals, CEE startups, Source: Central and Eastern European Startups 2024, Mar 2024
Looking at sub-industries, logistics and delivery, mobility, and vehicle production startups in CEE raised a combined EUR 4.8 billion since 2019, ranking as the top three categories. They were followed by three fintech verticals: cryptocurrency and decentralized finance (DeFi) (EUR 816.8 million), payments (EUR 740.8 million) and financial management solutions (EUR 711.1 million).
VC investment by sub-industry since 2019, Source: Central and Eastern European Startups 2024, Mar 2024
Croatia’s nascent fintech sector
In Croatia, the fintech sector is still in its early stages but is showing promising signs of growth and dynamism. A 2023 report by Hungarian digital product design agency Ergomania sheds light on the state of the industry, highlighting a growing interest in digital finance among industry players.
The report says that digitalization has become a banking priority in recent years, accelerated by the pandemic. This has prompted a shift towards enhancing customer experience across online, call center, and branch channels.
Filip Saravanja, formerly with HANFA, the Croatian Financial Services Supervisory Agency, highlighted Croatia’s potential in fintech innovation but notes challenges such as limited access to capital and foreign dominance in the financial sector.
Linardo Martincevic from the Croatian National Bank described efforts to enhance fintech knowledge within the institution. Since 2019, he has chaired a cross-department working group on fintech at the central bank comprising representatives from all sectors of the bank, and a pool of experts. Initially focused on crypto, the group has since expanded its scope to emerging technologies that fall within the bank’s regulatory framework.
Martincevic predicts the inevitable emergence of central bank digital currency (CBDC), stating that while Croatia is still heavily reliant on cash, there has been a gradual decline in this trend and increased adoption of mobile wallets.
This shift is mirrored in the findings of a recent MasterIndex survey. Conducted in October 2023 and involving over 1,000 Croatian banking customers, the survey found that 82% of respondents utilized their mobile phones for bill payments. Moreover, a significant 92% of participants expressed the belief that retailers should provide various payment options, including cards, cash, mobile apps, digital wallets, and even cryptocurrency.
Aircash, a licensed electronic money institution and a prominent fintech startup from Croatia, saw its revenue grow by a staggering 2,819% growth rate between 2019 and 2022, making it the fourth fastest-growing tech companies in Central Europe during the period, according to Deloitte’s recent Technology Fast 50 Central Europe ranking.
Aircash operates as a digital payment platform, providing services related to electronic money and mobile payments. The platform allows users to make payments, transfer money, and manage their finances digitally, offering convenience and accessibility. In 2023, Aircash reached the one million user milestone and was integrated into over 200,000 points of sale.

Featured image credit: edited from freepik



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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/croatia-sees-remarkable-growth-in-tech-ecosystem-fintech-remains-nascent-though</link><guid>3610</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Croatia-Sees-Remarkable-Growth-in-Tech-Ecosystem-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Croatia Sees Remarkable Growth in Tech Ecosystem; Fintech Remains Nascent Though</dc:text></item><item><title>Croatia Sees Remarkable Growth in Tech Ecosystem; Fintech Remains Nascent</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						April 22, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					In the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) region, Croatia is witnessing remarkable growth in its startup ecosystem. N
ew data released in a report by Dealroom, supported by Uniqa Ventures, Cogito Capital Partners and Vestbee, reveal that the country’s startup landscape has surged in value over the past five years. Since 2019, the combined enterprise value of Croatia’s tech startups has increased by a staggering 7.4 times, surpassing the growth rates of other rapidly developing tech hubs in the region like Poland (2.4 times) and Estonia (1.8 times).
This growth trend in Croatia’s startup scene is even more significant when compared to the European average, which stands at 2.1 times. This indicates that Croatia, along with other nations in the CEE region, is experiencing a rapid expansion of their startup ecosystems.
Five-year growth, combined enterprise value in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), Source: Central and Eastern European Startups 2024, Mar 2024
The figures, featured in the fourth annual report on the startup and tech ecosystem of CEE, highlights the emergence of a young and vibrant startup ecosystem in the CEE region.
The report reveals that Croatian startups are not only growing rapidly but also achieving higher success rates than their CEE peers. About 7.1% of Croatian startups that secured more than EUR 1 million in funding have become unicorns, surpassing the rates of the overall CEE region (3.2%) and Europe (2.1%). More specifically, the report says that over 40 startups in Croatia have raised more than EUR 1 million in funding, with three of them already achieving unicorn status.
Percentage of &gt; EUR 1 million funded startups that become unicorn, Source: Central and Eastern European Startups 2024, Mar 2024
A thriving startup ecosystem
In recent years, the CEE region has emerged as a vibrant hub for tech innovation, driven by a thriving ecosystem of early-stage tech companies. Since 2019, the combined enterprise value of startups in the CEE startup ecosystem has grown by 2.4 times, soaring from EUR 89 billion in 2019 to EUR 213 billion in 2023.
Combined enterprise value of CEE startups, Source: Central and Eastern European Startups 2024, Mar 2024
According to the report, 60% of this combined worth is concentrated in the region’s 52 unicorns, totaling a total value of EUR 129 billion. Notably, startups from Poland, Ukraine, and Estonia contribute significantly to this value (50%), accounting for EUR 49 billion, EUR 28 billion, and EUR 28 billion, respectively.
Looking at funding trends, CEE startups amassed EUR 2.1 billion in 2023, with enterprise software, security and energy dominating the funding landscape. Enterprise software and software-as-a-service (SaaS) remained the leading segment in the region in 2023, with over EUR 655 million raised. Enterprise software is followed by security with EUR 351.3 million raised, and energy, a segment that rose from being a niche just a few years ago, to capture a third of venture capital (VC) investment in CEE in 2023 (EUR 302.6 million).
In contrast, fintech saw a decline in appeal compared to other sectors, landing in fourth place with a total funding of EUR 279.5 million in 2023.
Most funded verticals, CEE startups, Source: Central and Eastern European Startups 2024, Mar 2024
Looking at sub-industries, logistics and delivery, mobility, and vehicle production startups in CEE raised a combined EUR 4.8 billion since 2019, ranking as the top three categories. They were followed by three fintech verticals: cryptocurrency and decentralized finance (DeFi) (EUR 816.8 million), payments (EUR 740.8 million) and financial management solutions (EUR 711.1 million).
VC investment by sub-industry since 2019, Source: Central and Eastern European Startups 2024, Mar 2024
Croatia’s nascent fintech sector
In Croatia, the fintech sector is still in its early stages but is showing promising signs of growth and dynamism. A 2023 report by Hungarian digital product design agency Ergomania sheds light on the state of the industry, highlighting a growing interest in digital finance among industry players.
The report says that digitalization has become a banking priority in recent years, accelerated by the pandemic. This has prompted a shift towards enhancing customer experience across online, call center, and branch channels.
Filip Saravanja, formerly with HANFA, the Croatian Financial Services Supervisory Agency, highlighted Croatia’s potential in fintech innovation but notes challenges such as limited access to capital and foreign dominance in the financial sector.
Linardo Martincevic from the Croatian National Bank described efforts to enhance fintech knowledge within the institution. Since 2019, he has chaired a cross-department working group on fintech at the central bank comprising representatives from all sectors of the bank, and a pool of experts. Initially focused on crypto, the group has since expanded its scope to emerging technologies that fall within the bank’s regulatory framework.
Martincevic predicts the inevitable emergence of central bank digital currency (CBDC), stating that while Croatia is still heavily reliant on cash, there has been a gradual decline in this trend and increased adoption of mobile wallets.
This shift is mirrored in the findings of a recent MasterIndex survey. Conducted in October 2023 and involving over 1,000 Croatian banking customers, the survey found that 82% of respondents utilized their mobile phones for bill payments. Moreover, a significant 92% of participants expressed the belief that retailers should provide various payment options, including cards, cash, mobile apps, digital wallets, and even cryptocurrency.
Aircash, a licensed electronic money institution and a prominent fintech startup from Croatia, saw its revenue grow by a staggering 2,819% growth rate between 2019 and 2022, making it the fourth fastest-growing tech companies in Central Europe during the period, according to Deloitte’s recent Technology Fast 50 Central Europe ranking.
Aircash operates as a digital payment platform, providing services related to electronic money and mobile payments. The platform allows users to make payments, transfer money, and manage their finances digitally, offering convenience and accessibility. In 2023, Aircash reached the one million user milestone and was integrated into over 200,000 points of sale.

Featured image credit: edited from freepik



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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/croatia-sees-remarkable-growth-in-tech-ecosystem-fintech-remains-nascent</link><guid>3611</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Croatia-Sees-Remarkable-Growth-in-Tech-Ecosystem-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Croatia Sees Remarkable Growth in Tech Ecosystem; Fintech Remains Nascent</dc:text></item><item><title>SFTI’s “Open Pension” Vision Aims to Transform Pension Provision in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Industry trade group Swiss Fintech Innovations (SFTI) released on April 16 a new position paper, presenting its vision of “Open Pension”, a concept that’s intended to address longstanding concerns regarding pension provision in Switzerland by enhancing transparency and enabling data sharing.
The “Open Pension” concept would leverage modern technologies to upgrade the Swiss pension system, centering on empowering individuals to receive and share pension information with trusted third parties in a secure and standardized way, and improve efficiencies.
Drawing insights from European practices, particularly pension tracking systems (PTS), the paper advocates for digital access to pension data across all three pillars of the Swiss pension system. It notes that in many European countries, PTS are already actively used to enhance transparency, flexibility and control over pension investments.
A PTS is a system that provides an overview of individualized, objective and impartial information by accessing and aggregating pension data from all three pillars of pension provision. This encompasses accrued entitlements and projected retirement income from various sources, presented in a user-friendly manner through a front-end interface, commonly known as a pension dashboard.
In 2021, more than half of the countries in the European Economic Area (EEA) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) already provided a PTS to their citizens that covered all or at least some of the countries’ pension pillars, the report says. Data suggest that there is significant active usage of PTS, with rates in the 30 to 40% of the working population.
Top strategic implementation options
The paper emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive and open PTS in addressing the challenges faced by Swiss retirees, with a focus on the second pillar due to its critical role in pension provision.
The report identifies five strategic implementation options for opening the second pillar which are categorized in two clusters: centralized platforms facilitating data exchange, and self-sovereign data sharing.
Five strategic implementation options, Source: Open Pension, Swiss Fintech Innovations, Apr 2024
Two of these five options are highlighted as the SFTI’s favored options. Option B, the “open data hub with consent @ TPP”,  presents a centralized open platform that facilitates the secure exchange of pension data among organizations. In this option, consent for data sharing is given at the level of trusted third parties (TPPs), where individuals authorize the sharing of their data directly with these TPPs.
According to the SFTI, Open B is a very balanced option and promises a high usability and adoption potential. However, there are relevant risks, particularly with regard to privacy protection and legal aspects. In addition, there is a need to find a legally and technically feasible way to match users across platform participants and sectors.
Option B: Open data hub with consent @ TPP, Source: Open Pension, Swiss Fintech Innovations, Apr 2024
Like Option B, Option C, the “open data hub with consent @ source”, presents a centralized platform for the secure exchange of pension data among organizations. However, it stands out by implementing consent management at the level of data providers like pension funds. Individuals access a pension dashboard at a TPP and the TPP then directs them to the data provider’s client portal. There, individuals log in and authorize the sharing of their data with the specific TPP.
Option C builds on proven methods from open banking and multibanking. Compared to B, the strengths of option C lie in the direct control of data access by the individual. However, this model also imposes a fragmented stakeholder landscape and more complex implementation requirements, introducing considerable challenges and probably higher costs for the pension providers.
Option C: Open data hub with consent @ source, Source: Open Pension, Swiss Fintech Innovations, Apr 2024
A clear mandate needed
The SFTI argues that a clear federal mandate from federal authorities is essential for advancing the “Open Pension” vision and opening the second pillar’s interfaces. This assertion is backed by evidence from the SFTI’s Open Pension survey and insights from several SFTI working groups.
A public survey conducted in 2023, involving 92 participants from diverse stakeholder groups including data providers and users, revealed that while a slight majority favored a self-regulatory or voluntary approach to opening pension data, a notable 38% expressed a preference for regulatory intervention.
Preferred options for the opening of the 2nd pillar pension data, Source: Open Pension, Swiss Fintech Innovations, Apr 2024
45% of the respondents believed a regulatory approach to be the swiftest path to implementing digital access to pension data for secure third-party providers, anticipating realization within three to five years.
How long will it take for the 2nd pillar pension data to be opened based on the different scenarios, Source: Open Pension, Swiss Fintech Innovations, Apr 2024
Overall, industry stakeholders expressed optimism regarding the potential of data sharing to enhance user experience and improve efficiencies in pension provision. More than 80% of the survey respondents foresee relevant benefits for data users, individuals and data providers resulting from digitally opening up second pillar data of the insured.
Industry stakeholders set to benefit the most from digitally opening up 2nd pillar data, Source: Open Pension, Swiss Fintech Innovations, Apr 2024
The Swiss pension system comprises three pillars: the state-run pension scheme, the pension funds run by investment foundations, and voluntary, private investments. The system is designed to ensure financial security for retirees, serving as the foundation of retirement planning.
However, the system faces challenges, with retirement concerns consistently ranking among Swiss citizens’ top worries. Factors such as an aging population and workforce shortage are raising doubts about the long-term viability of the system, prompting discussions on reforms.
Adding to these concerns is the lack of clarity among individuals regarding their expected monthly pension, owing to the complexity of calculations, fragmented data across pillars, and limited understanding of the pension system.

Featured image credit: edited from freepik



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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sftis-open-pension-vision-aims-to-transform-pension-provision-in-switzerland</link><guid>3609</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Five-strategic-implementation-options-Source-Open-Pension-Swiss-Fintech-Innovations-Apr-2024.png</dc:content ><dc:text>SFTI’s “Open Pension” Vision Aims to Transform Pension Provision in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Awards 2024 Announce Top 10 Swiss Fintech Startups</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						April 19, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					A jury of 20 experts from the Swiss fintech space have reviewed over 60 applications (out of a total of 100 submissions) of fintech startups and have picked the five most promising companies in the categories “Early Stage Start-up of the Year” and “Growth Stage Start-up of the Year” for their 2024 edition.
Reducing Friction And Adding Value With AI And Blockchain Applications
While being diverse in its use cases, this year’s top 10 of the Swiss Fintech Awards showcases the vitality and maturity of the Swiss fintech landscape.
The ten nominated companies cover a vast range of innovative business models. Some aim at providing more and better investing opportunities to individual or business clients while others serve financial professionals and institutions with the help of technologies such as AI and blockchain to increase efficiency and transparency.
The top 10 of the Swiss FinTech Awards also feature startups in fields such as cyber insurance or sustainability reporting.
The top 10 Swiss Fintech Startups of the Swiss Fintech Awards 2024 are:
Early Stage Top 5 (Alphabetical Order)


CLIMADA Technologies aim at delivering transparent and regulatory-aligned climate change related reporting.


Cyberion is a insurtech start-up that specializes on providing insurance against cyber threats by offering vulnerability checks, insurance solutions and training.


Evorest want to digitalize the process to open and close rental deposits and make these unproductive rental deposits – worth around CHF 15 billion in Switzerland alone – investable.


Kaspar&amp; want to make investing the new normal by democratizing and giving access to professional and easy to manage investment strategies.


Neur.on AI are addressing the burden of vast numbers of legal documents floating around in financial institutions that need accurate translation. By utilizing artificial intelligence Neur.on AI translate legal documents more cost-effectively.

Growth Stage Top 5 (Alphabetical Order)


ARF is a global transaction service platform offering scalable liquidity to financial institutions for cross-border settlements.


Divizend automate the process of reclaiming foreign withholding taxes for investors and other dividend receivers.


GenTwo expand the investment universe through assetization – driven by technology and innovations in securitization and tokenization.


Payrexx is a payment service provider that integrates a wide range of payment methods – both local and global options – to make online commerce accessible for all kinds of businesses.



WeCan is a blockchain-based solution for data management and secure communication both internally among employees and externally with clients.


Previous winners of the awards include companies like Yokoy or Crypto Finance as well as important shapers of the Swiss fintech landscape such as Tenity, SICTIC or former Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer.
The Swiss Fintech Awards is a broadly supported initiative what is made possible through the collaboration and support of the fintech and finance ecosystem including banks, insurances, investors, accelerators, media, academia, associations and more.
The winners of the awards 2024 will be announced at the Swiss Fintech Awards Night taking place on June 11 in Zurich.


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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-awards-2024-announce-top-10-swiss-fintech-startups</link><guid>3608</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Swiss-Fintech-Awards-2024-Announce-Top-10-Swiss-Fintech-Startups--1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Awards 2024 Announce Top 10 Swiss Fintech Startups</dc:text></item><item><title>Austria’s Most Prominent and Fastest-Growing Fintech Startups of 2024</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						April 19, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					In Austria, fintech is emerging as a dynamic force within the country’s economic landscape.
The Fintech Technology Report by the Vienna Business Agency, sheds light on key drivers shaping the sector’s growth. It highlights Vienna’s prominent IT sector, buoyed by robust infrastructure and a skilled workforce, alongside the city’s commitment to innovation and research, which serve as primary drivers of fintech advancement.
These drivers have catalyzed the evolution of a thriving fintech ecosystem, which is said to now comprise over 400 companies, according to Tracxn, with digital payments, digital investment and digital assets emerging as some of the most significant trends.
Within this landscape, several ventures have emerged as category leaders, recording substantial growth and garnering investor attention. Today, we look at some of Austria’s most successful and fastest-growing fintech startups in 2024, highlighting their value propositions and recent achievements.
Bitpanda

Founded in 2014 and based in Vienna, Bitpanda stands out as one of Austria’s premier fintech startups. The company provides a seamless and intuitive platform for both new and experienced investors to trade a diverse range of assets including stocks, exchange traded funds (ETFs), cryptocurrencies, crypto indices, precious metals, and commodities.
With nearly a decade of experience in the crypto and trading realm, Bitpanda holds multiple licenses and registrations across Europe, ensuring adherence to stringent regulations such as VASP, MiFID 2, E-Money, and PSD2. The startup recently attained the coveted crypto license from Germany’s Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) and expanded its custody services into the UK market.
With over 4 million users and a listing of more than 3,000 digital assets, Bitpanda has firmly established itself as a major player in the fintech landscape. In 2021, it achieved unicorn status, reaching a valuation of EUR 1 billion following a massive US$170 million fundraise. Bitpanda’s exponential growth trajectory is evident, with a staggering 764% increase in users recorded that same year.
In 2023, the startup’s Bitpanda Pro platform, a digital asset exchange for seasoned trading and financial institutions, rebranded as One Trading after raising a EUR 30 million Series A and becoming a fully-fledged company of its own.
According to CB Insights data, Bitpanda has raised US$497.43 million in funding and is valued at US$4.11 billion.
Wikifolio

Established in 2012 and headquartered in Vienna, Wikifolio is a rapidly expanding fintech startup dedicated to democratizing the investment market and popularizing social trading among European private investors.
The platform’s innovative approach allows users to explore and replicate trading ideas shared by a diverse array of traders, including full-time investors, successful entrepreneurs, experts from various industries, portfolio managers, and financial editors.
Investors can participate in Wikifolio’s trading strategies by purchasing Wikifolio certificates, which are listed on the Stuttgart Stock Exchange and BX Swiss Stock Exchange. These certificates mirror the performance of the corresponding Wikifolios on a 1:1 basis, enabling investors to track and benefit from their chosen strategies seamlessly.
With strong partnerships with media and product partners, as well as brokers like onvista.de, finanzen100, comdirect, and Société Générale, Wikifolio has established itself as a trusted platform for investors of all backgrounds.
According to Dealroom, Wikifolio has raised EUR 8.5 million in venture capital (VC) funding. Its last round was secured in 2017 and amounted to EUR 1 million.
Blockpit

Founded in 2017, Blockpit stands at the forefront of crypto tax regulation in Europe, offering pioneering solutions to allow individuals and businesses to navigate the complexities of the crypto landscape with confidence and compliance. The company claims it has generated over 1 million tax reports and serves more than 350,000 customers worldwide.
Blockpit’s software provides automated calculation of taxable profits from various crypto activities, including trading, staking, decentralized finance (DeFi), lending, mining, and margin trading. By importing real-time data from popular crypto exchanges and wallets, Blockpit ensures precision and reliability in tax reporting, offering country-specific reports that display taxable profits and other essential information.
In November 2023, Blockpit acquired rival Accointing, marking its entry into the UK market. The acquisition was undisclosed in amount but described as a “multi-million dollar” deal by CEO Florian Wimmer. The development followed Blockpit’s merger with Germany-based firm Crypto Tax, further solidifying its position as a key player in the crypto tax software domain.
Blockpit closed its last round of fundraising in July 2021, securing a EUR 8.4 million Series A. According to CB Insights, the startup has so far raised a total of US$11.48 million in funding.
Morpher

Founded in 2018 and based in Vienna, Morpher is a pioneering force in DeFi, dedicated to democratizing trading on a global scale. By leveraging blockchain technology, Morpher enables users to trade virtual replicas of real-world financial markets seamlessly through its proprietary protocol and MPH token. Backed by notable investors including Tim Draper, Morpher aims to break down barriers and making financial markets universally accessible.
The Morpher platform distinguishes itself as the only trading app offering access to a diverse array of markets, including stocks, cryptocurrencies, forex, commodities, indices, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and more. With features designed for both seasoned traders and newcomers, Morpher boasts zero fees, infinite liquidity, and unparalleled flexibility, allowing users to trade 24/7 and act on breaking news alerts even over weekends. It also offers advanced trading features such as short selling and fractional shares, all powered by the Ethereum blockchain technology.
In February 2022, Morpher secured US$6 million in a Series A round. At the time, the startup claimed 50,000 active monthly users and said it had managed over a million trades. Prior to its Series A, Morpher raised US$1.5 million in 2020.
Finmatics

Founded in Vienna in 2016, Finmatics has emerged as a force in digitalizing and automating accounting processes.
The company’s cloud-based, hardware-independent platform employs self-learning artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to automate formerly labor-intensive tasks such as document information entry and batch scanning. Seamlessly integrated with existing accounting systems like DATEV, SAP, BMD, and RZL, Finmatics allows organizations to significantly reduce time spent on accounting and document processing by up to 70%, allowing for more efficient resource allocation.
Finmatics claimed a client base encompassing over 900 law firms and 50,000 companies in March 2023, including the majority of the so-called “Big Four” such as KPMG. The startup said at the time that it had increased its total revenue by over 300% over the preceding 12 months.
Finmatics secured a EUR 6 million Series A last year, led by Mangrove Capital Partners with participation from existing investor eQventure. The startup said at the time that it would use the proceeds to fuel further expansion in Germany and the growth of its teams in Vienna and Berlin, as well as drive product development initiatives. It planned to hire up to 20 employees in Berlin and expand into other European markets in 2024.
Monkee

Founded in 2018 and based in Innsbruck, Monkee aims to help millions of people achieve their financial goals without building up debt. By offering a novel approach to saving, Monkee strives to revolutionize how individuals perceive and interact with their finances.
At its core, Monkee is dedicated to changing how people think about and manage their finances. The app encourages users to save with purpose, offering a gamified experience that makes saving money both fun and rewarding. Collaborating with over 500 commerce partners, Monkee offers also attractive cashback opportunities, helping users achieve their financial goals more quickly.
With more than 300,000 app downloads and savings goals surpassing EUR 250 million, Monkee has garnered significant traction, underscoring the demand for alternative financial solutions to the prevalent buy now, pay later (BNPL) model.
Monkee raised in April 2024 a seven-figure investment to fuel its ambitions for further growth and expansion. The startup also announced it was expanding its reach to over 150,000 account holders through a partnership with Vereinigte Volksbank Raiffeisenbank (VVRB). The alliance with VVRB will also strengthen Monkee’s product offering, particularly for long-term savings, and bolsters customer trust through a reputable banking partner.

Featured image credit: edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/austrias-most-prominent-and-fastest-growing-fintech-startups-of-2024</link><guid>3607</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Austrias-Most-Prominent-and-Fastest-Growing-Fintech-Startups-of-2024-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Austria’s Most Prominent and Fastest-Growing Fintech Startups of 2024</dc:text></item><item><title>Abacus neu mit Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer in Geschäftsleitung</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						April 19, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					Alexander Vegh, langjähriger Director of Research &amp; Development bei Abacus Research AG, ergänzt ab dem 1. April 2024 als Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer (CAIO) die Geschäftsleitung des Schweizer Software-Unternehmens.
Alexander Vegh,
Dabei bringt er seine umfangreiche Erfahrung im Bereich Künstliche Intelligenz (KI) und sein Verständnis für innovative Technologien in seine neue Rolle mit ein.
Dazu Claudio Hintermann
Claudio Hintermann, Co-CEO und Chief Research Officer der Abacus, betont die Bedeutung der neugeschaffenen Position:
«Künstliche Intelligenz steht im Zentrum unserer technologischen Entwicklungen. Mit der Ernennung eines CAIO stellen wir sicher, dass KI sowohl für unsere Führungskräfte als auch für alle Mitarbeitenden wichtig wird und ein fester Bestandteil unserer Produktentwicklung ist. Gleichzeitig treiben wir damit unsere Vision, eine Software für die nächste Generation zu entwickeln, weiter voran.»


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			&#13;
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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/abacus-neu-mit-chief-artificial-intelligence-officer-in-geschaftsleitung</link><guid>3606</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Abacus-starkt-Geschaftsleitung-mit-neuem-Chief-Artificial-Intelligence-Officer-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Abacus neu mit Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer in Geschäftsleitung</dc:text></item><item><title>Andreessen Horowitz Collects $7.2 Billions</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Andreessen Horowitz announced that they have just raised $7.2B for the following venture strategies: American Dynamism ($600M), Apps ($1B), Games ($600M), Infrastructure ($1.25B), and Growth ($3.75B).
When Ben Horrowitz and Marc Andreessen started the firm in 2009, the conventional wisdom in Venture Capital was that in any given year, only 15 companies would ever generate $100M in revenue and those 15 companies would drive almost all of VC returns. At that time, the conventional wisdom was right. Venture Capital firms configured themselves to address a market of 15 important companies. This meant relatively small fund sizes and a small number of partners in a single fund was the optimal approach. Andreessen Horowitz began in exactly this way with a $300M fund and 2 General Partners.
Ben Horowitz
Shortly after they started the firm, all that began to change. They saw the new world coming and wrote about it in 2011 in a piece called, “Software is Eating the World.” What he predicted then came true. In the past 10 years, nearly every significant business has been reimagined as a software company, and the market for these companies has, as a result, increased dramatically. Along the way, each submarket – American Dynamism, Apps (Consumer, Enterprise, Fintech), Bio+Health, Crypto, Games, Growth, and Infrastructure – has become as big as the original entire Venture Capital market.
As a result, to win in each category, they needed to expand from one great investor in each segment to a dedicated investing team with a differentiated platform in each category to help the best founders in those fields build amazing companies. Each area requires deep expertise, so it’s not wise to try to cross-train someone in, for example, Games and Infrastructure. More importantly, founders building AI foundation models need an entirely different set of networks and capabilities than founders building biotech therapies.
“To best serve the market, we created dedicated venture funds, each with its own team of experts and capabilities, specifically focused on each segment. We did this because we believe as former entrepreneurs that your investors really matter. A great investor with the right help, the right networking, and the right expertise at the right time can be the difference between success and failure.”


Featured image credit: Edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/andreessen-horowitz-collects-72-billions</link><guid>3605</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Andreessen Horowitz Collects $7.2 Billions</dc:text></item><item><title>12 Fintech Events to Attend in Europe in Q2 2024</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						April 18, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					Over the past decade, the fintech landscape has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from a niche trend to a dominant force in the global financial sector. According to data from Statista, the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region boasted over 10,000 fintech companies in 2024, trailing behind only the Americas with 13,100 ventures.
Number of fintechs worldwide from 2018 to 2024, by region, Source: Statista, Jan 2024
This massive ecosystem is rising on the back of soaring fintech adoption and usage. Online banking penetration rates exceeded 90% in four European nations in 2023, with Norway leading the pack, followed by Denmark and the Netherlands. Moreover, projections by Statista indicate that the user base for digital payments in Europe will exceed 547 million by 2024.
In terms of user distribution across countries, the UK, Germany, and France stands out with the highest number of fintech adopters. In 2023, the UK had the highest number of fintech users in Europe, with an estimated 106.53 million users. The UK was followed by Germany and France, with 96.4 and 79.4 million users, respectively.
The significant growth of fintech in Europe has led to numerous fintech events being organized across the region. These events are serving as platforms for networking, knowledge exchange, and the showcase of innovative solutions. Here’s a curated list of the top fintech events taking place in Europe in Q2 2024.
Fintech Marketing Conference
April  23, 2024
Level 39, London, England

The Fintech Marketing Conference is set to take place on April 23, 2024, at Level 39 in London, England. This conference is designed to delve into the latest trends in business-to-business (B2B) marketing and how they will impact future strategies and outlooks.
The event aims to bring together senior professionals from the financial services and technology sectors and will provide a platform for attendees to engage with influencers and decision-makers, gain fresh perspectives through inspiring discussions, access insightful thought leadership content from top experts, and participate in valuable networking opportunities.
Highlighted topics include innovative methods for driving new customer acquisition and retention, improving operational efficiency, implementing accelerated marketing automation, and reducing marketing costs.
Crypto and Digital Assets Summit
May 08-09, 2024
Convene 155 Bishopsgate, London, England

The Crypto and Digital Assets Summit is returning for its third edition on May 08 and 09, 2024, at Convene 155 Bishopsgate in London. The summit aims to serve as the premier gathering for traditional financial institutions, regulators, policymakers, and digital asset thought leaders.
The event will explore key questions such as the use cases for blockchain in financial markets, the impact of ETFs on crypto markets, the geopolitical influence on digital asset investment, and the path to industry regulation and compliance.
Over two days, attendees will engage in keynote interviews, networking sessions, and debates, where industry leaders will discuss navigating Bitcoin’s growth, institutional interest in tokenization, and blockchain technology’s broader applications. They will also get to connect with industry stakeholders, gain insights into market trends, and explore new product developments, including AI, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), tokenization, and more.
Conf3rence 2024
May 15-16, 2024
Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany

Conf3rence 2024, taking place on May 15 and 16, at Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund, Germany, stands as the premier Web3 event for decision-makers and executives across all industries.
This event aims to serve as a hub for the brightest minds and forward-thinking companies in blockchain, cryptocurrencies, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), the metaverse, and AI, providing a platform to understand and harness the transformative potential of blockchain technology, a cornerstone of Web3. Enthusiasts, high-profile speakers, and innovative companies will converge to share ideas, innovations, and visions for the future.
Attendees at Conf3rence will delve into the exciting possibilities that arise when bridging the gap between the traditional economy and Web3. By combining the best of both worlds, the event aims to foster meaningful applicability and support the growth of blockchain technology, laying the groundwork for a more decentralized future.
Participants can expect to:

Connect with influential professionals, thought leaders, and innovators to expand networks, forge partnerships, and exchange ideas;
Discover new leads, prospects, and potential clients while showcasing products or services, establishing partnerships, and exploring collaborations;
Stay ahead of the curve with insights into the latest industry trends, emerging technologies, market shifts, and potential opportunities; and
Gain knowledge and insights from industry experts through keynotes, panel discussions, and interactive masterclasses, staying updated with the latest trends, strategies, and best practices.

Global Regtech Summit 2024
May 16, 2024
etc.venues, 155 Bishopsgate, London, England

The Global Regtech Summit 2024 is scheduled for May 16, 2024, at etc.venues in London, England, promising to be the world’s largest gathering of regtech leaders and innovators.
With a notable 2:1 buyer-seller ratio, the event will connect attendees with a global audience of regtech leaders. Participants will have the chance to engage with senior executives working in compliance, risk management, technology, financial crime prevention, and information security. Over 1,000 regtech leaders are expected to attend, with 81% holding director-level positions or above, ensuring a high caliber of industry expertise.
The summit will feature leading experts and innovators facilitating active debates, discussions, and high-impact interactions, providing valuable insights and networking opportunities.
Highlights of the event include:

Exploration of the latest regtech innovations in financial services through debates and presentations led by industry leaders;
Enhancement of knowledge on strategic and compliance issues faced by financial institutions amid ongoing digital transformation efforts;
Access to leading-edge industry innovations through a dedicated Demo Stage, showcasing how technology can address regulatory challenges; and
Identification of current and future commercial opportunities for organizations operating within the regtech sector.

In addition to networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities, attendees will get to leverage an AI matchmaking tool to make lasting business connections with active regtech buyers, sellers, investors, and innovators.
ePay Summit Europe
May 21, 2024
Kensington Conference and Event Centre, London, England

The ePay Summit Europe, scheduled for May 21, 2024, at the Kensington Conference and Event Centre in London, is a must-attend event for e-commerce professionals, business owners, and anyone interested in the latest payment trends.
This premier conference, also known as E-Commerce Payments 2024, aims to inspire, educate, and connect attendees, offering valuable insights to revolutionize payment strategies and elevate e-commerce businesses to new heights. Attendees can expect engaging discussion panels, inspiring keynote speeches, and ample networking opportunities.
FTT Embedded Finance and Superapps
May 21, 2024
etc.venues 155 Bishopsgate, London, England

Scheduled for May 21, 2024, at etc.venues 155 Bishopsgate in London, England, FTT Embedded Finance and Superapps promises an exploration of the burgeoning realm of embedded finance and super-apps, challenging traditional financial service paradigms.
Highlighted features of the event include a substantial attendee count, with over 600 individuals expected to participate, among which approximately 60% being actively involved in embedding financial services.
Attendees will have the chance to engage with over 150 expert speakers from various fields, promising a day filled with insightful discussions and networking opportunities.
The event will center around several key themes, including:

Unleashing the Power of AI on Embedded Finance: Exploring the transformative potential of AI in reshaping financial services;
Partnerships: Understanding the significance of partnerships in unlocking opportunities and driving growth.
Venturing Beyond Traditional Financial Service Players: Examining the expanding landscape of financial services beyond conventional institutions;
Unlocking the Potential of B2B Embedded Finance: Exploring how embedded finance can enhance efficiency and innovation within B2B operations;
Exploring the Impact of Regulation on Embedded Finance: Navigating the regulatory landscape and its implications for product development; and
The Future of Wealth Management: Discussing the role of embedded wealth management in improving financial well-being for individuals and businesses alike.

FTT Embedded Finance and Superapps will be co-located with the Customer Alpha, Future Identity Customer, and FTT Payments, providing attendees with a wealth of content and networking prospects across multiple domains.
AI in Finance Summit London
May 22-23, 2024
America Square Conference Centre, London, England

The AI in Finance Summit London is scheduled for May 22 and 23, 2024, at the America Square Conference Centre, aiming to showcase the latest advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) within the financial services sector. This event serves as a premier platform for discovering cutting-edge technologies and their practical applications to enhance efficiency and address challenges within the industry.
The summit will offer a unique opportunity to engage with AI pioneers, explore case studies demonstrating AI’s business value, and learn from practical examples of AI implementation. It will delve into topics such as ML tools and techniques, financial forecasting, trading and investment strategies, as well as emerging trends in fintech applications. It will cover a wide range of topics, including financial forecasting, fraud prevention, regulation, natural language processing (NLP), portfolio optimization, risk management, conversational AI, anti-money laundering, wealth management, investing, and fintech innovations.
Attendees can expect to encounter a blend of academic research and industry expertise, providing insights into the forefront of AI innovation and its real-world implications. They will also get to interact with industry leaders, technologists, data scientists, and founders shaping the future of AI in finance. Through various sessions and Q&amp;A discussions, attendees will be able to collaborate on solving shared challenges and gain valuable insights into AI’s role across banking, financial services, and insurance sectors.
New additions to this year’s event include dedicated networking sessions, multiple streams of content tailored to specific interests, access to post-event presentation recordings, and expanded networking opportunities, including a reception at the end of the first day.
AssetRush x Zurich VIII
May 29, 2024
Kaufleuten, Zurich, Switzerland

AssetRush × Zurich VIII, scheduled for May 29, 2024, at Kaufleuten in Zurich, Switzerland, stands as a leading event merging digital, alternative, and traditional assets. This gathering will unite qualified and institutional investors with today’s financial pioneers, offering a unique opportunity to explore the evolving landscape of asset management.
Participants will delve into the significance of diversification in the rapidly evolving realm of asset management, which is doubling every decade. They’ll also discover the immense potential of alternative assets, valued at a staggering US$78 trillion, and explore the booming digital asset realm set to reach US$24 trillion by 2027.
Over the past five years, AssetRush has earned its place as one of the premier events on the Swiss financial services calendar. It’s designed not only as a conference but as an immersive experience, bringing together international innovators and investors to examine and create new investment models and pathways for shaping the future.
Key highlights of the event include five-minute presentations that maintain an active and engaging atmosphere, skilled moderators who balance serious topics with a festival atmosphere, and professional production values that ensure the event exceeds typical finance industry standards. Additionally, its high-quality network ensures participants receive meaningful exposure and opportunities for valuable connections
Money 20/20 Europe
June 04-06, 2024
RAI Exhibition and Convention Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Money20/20 Europe, scheduled from June 04 to 06, 2024 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, is set to usher in a profound transformation within the financial landscape, redefining the dynamics between consumers and businesses. The event aims to serve as a unique platform, spotlighting the narratives of extraordinary individuals who fearlessly explore the uncharted territory of human-machine collaboration.
Positioned as the epicenter of industry progress, Money20/20 Europe acts as a catalyst for change, fostering the convergence of diverse people and ideas. Each year, the event brings together influential global leaders, ambitious newcomers, tech giants, and nimble startups to collectively define the trajectory of the financial landscape, not only within Europe but also on the global stage.
Fintech News Network readers will enjoy a €200 discount when applying the code ‘FNN200’ at checkout.
Fifteen Seconds
June 06-07, 2024
Graz, Austria

The 2024 Fifteen Seconds festival, taking place in Graz, Austria on June 06 and 07, will explore pressing questions across key thematic areas, covering emerging industries and societal shifts such as:

In the realm of leadership, discussions will focus on emotional intelligence and adaptive leadership in today’s dynamic world. The impact of technology on team empowerment and the importance of continuous learning will be explored for fostering effective leadership;
In the future of world, topics will include the evolving role of digital human resources (HR), workplace inclusion, and the significance of soft skills in the digital age;
In marketing, speakers will delve into authentic brand communication, data-driven storytelling, and maintaining visibility in the digital era;
Impact leaders will address sustainability challenges, such as driving a green transition, championing circular economies, and building resilient communities;
Entrepreneurial discussions will revolve around scaling with purpose, fostering winning team cultures, and innovating beyond boundaries; and
Tech enthusiasts will explore the human-machine interface, ethical implications of AI, and the importance of open source and community collaboration.

Proof of Talk
June 10-11, 2024
Louvre Palace, Musée Arts Décoratifs, Paris, France

Proof of Talk, scheduled for June 10 and 11, 2024, at the Louvre Palace, Musée Arts Décoratifs, in Paris, aims to serve as a global forum where the wisdom of traditional economic forums converges with the dynamic innovation of Web3.
Held over two days, the event will bring together investment funds, crypto companies, traditional institutions, exchanges, and policymakers. It will boast over 150 speakers and is set to attract more than 2500 high-profile attendees, including C-Level executives, industry leaders, investors, and over 100 international and national journalists.
Content-driven sessions will include 20+ panel discussions, 15+ workshops, 10+ keynotes, 5+ fireside chats, and deep one-on-one conversations. Themes for 2024 will span real-world assets and traditional finance going Web3, AI and blockchain integration, the crypto-UX revolution, the evolution of the gaming economy, efficiency versus empowerment, and smart contract security.
TNW Conference
June 20-21, 2024
Taets Art and Event Park, Amsterdam, Netherlands

The TNW Conference, scheduled for June 20 and 21, 2024, at the Taets Art and Event Park in Amsterdam, is a premier two-day technology event that brings together a global community of tech executives, investors, scale-ups, and startups. This immersive experience combines the elements of a conference with the vibrant atmosphere of a festival, creating a unique platform for business and knowledge sharing.
With a focus on technology, the conference aims to inform and connect industry leaders, startups, investors, and policymakers to address present and future challenges.
This year, the TNW Conference will welcome 10,000 attendees, ensuring face-to-face interactions while adhering to the highest health and safety standards. Featuring over 190 speakers sharing fresh insights, 220+ exhibiting companies showcasing their innovations, and a Startup Program empowering over 160 startups to thrive, the conference will serve as a platform for collaboration and opportunities.
Attendees can anticipate a blend of conference professionalism with festival vibrancy, offering ample opportunities for networking, learning, and entertainment. Participants will get to forge valuable connections, gain inspiration, and propel their businesses forward amidst a dynamic and inspiring environment.


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/12-fintech-events-to-attend-in-europe-in-q2-2024</link><guid>3604</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/12-Fintech-Events-to-Attend-in-Europe-in-Q2-2024-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>12 Fintech Events to Attend in Europe in Q2 2024</dc:text></item><item><title>Prominent Law Firm Provides Comprehensive Guide on Switzerland’s Regulatory Framework</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						April 17, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					The fintech sector in Switzerland has experienced significant growth in recent years, maintaining its appeal as a hub for financial innovation.
With over 400 active participants in Switzerland’s fintech ecosystem, the landscape is dynamic and diverse, boasting both emerging startups and established enterprises offering digital payment services, automated financial advice, digital asset trading, and more.
Swiss law firm Lenz and Staehelin released on March 21 2024 an extensive guide on the regulatory landscape for fintech activities, highlighting the main laws and requirements companies providing these types of services must comply with.
According to the guide, regulatory oversight of the Swiss fintech sector follows a technology-neutral and principle-based approach, relying on existing regulatory frameworks and stringent compliance requirements designed to ensure financial integrity and consumer protection. These laws include the Swiss Financial Services Act (FinSA) and Swiss Financial Institutions Act (FinIA).
However, several regulatory changes have also been introduced by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) to facilitate fintech advancement. Most notably, a specialized license termed the “fintech license” or “banking license light” allows businesses to accept deposits of up to CHF 100 million without engaging in traditional commercial banking activities, such as interests on deposits and reinvestments.
Additionally, fintech companies may hold deposits under CHF 1 million without such a license, and no banking license is needed if deposits are held for less than 60 days on a settlement account.
In addition to these rules, AML legislation applies to fintech companies acting as financial intermediaries, mandating compliance with know-your-customer (KYC) rules. Other regulations may also apply including data protection and cybersecurity laws, as well as specific requirements relating to outsourcing.
Robo-advisors in Switzerland
Robo-advisors, which offer online financial advice and investment management, aren’t subjected to specific regulations in Switzerland. However, in a bid to contribute to a fintech-friendly legal environment, FINMA has enhanced the regulatory framework to facilitate client onboarding via digital channels by removing the requirement that asset management agreements have to be concluded in writing. FINMA has also eased the rules of the online onboarding process for new businesses.
Under FinSA, financial service providers need to ensure that client orders are always executed in the best possible way with regard to financial terms, timing of execution and other terms and conditions. Providers must define, in a best execution policy to be reviewed annually, the criteria necessary for the execution of client orders. This includes the price, costs, timeliness and probability of execution and settlement.
Online lenders in Switzerland
Online lenders, also known as crowdlenders, fall under general financial services regulation, including AML legislation.
However, online lenders providing consumer loans must also comply with the Swiss Consumer Credit Act (CCA). Requirements include being registered with the Swiss Canton where they are established or, if activities are conducted on a cross-border basis by foreign lenders, with the Swiss Canton where they intend to perform their services.
Additionally, consumer loans that are obtained through a crowdlending platform must comply with the same consumer protection provided by the law as if they were extended by a professional lender.
Fund administrators in Switzerland
In Switzerland, the authorization or licensing process for investment funds varies based on whether these companies manage Swiss or foreign investment funds and the structure of the investment fund in question.
Open-ended collective investment schemes must be established in the form of either a contractual fund or an investment company with variable capital (SICAV). On the other hand, closed-ended collective investment schemes may only be set up as either a limited partnership for collective investments (LP) or an investment company with fixed capital (SICAF). Both LPs and SICAFs must obtain the relevant license from FINMA.
The Collective Investment Schemes Act further distinguishes open-ended funds based on the type of investments. Accordingly, securities funds, real estate funds, other traditional investment funds and alternative investment funds each follow a different set of rules regarding investment policy and permitted investment techniques.
Marketplaces, exchanges and trading platforms in Switzerland
In Switzerland, marketplaces and trading platforms are regulated by the Financial Markets Infrastructure Act (FMIA) and must seek authorization from FINMA as either a stock exchange or a multilateral trading facility. For the trading of digital assets, the distributed ledger technologies (DLT) trading facility authorization allows individuals to participate in such a trading facility without an intermediary.
FMIA differentiates between two primary asset classes: derivatives and securities. Derivatives involve additional obligations such as clearing through a central counterparty, using authorized trading facilities, and adhering to position limits for commodity derivatives. For cryptocurrency platforms, exchange activities in relation to virtual currencies are subject to AML rules.
Authorized stock exchanges and multilateral trading facilities are required by FMIA to implement appropriate self-regulation, implement rules on orderly and transparent trading, and monitor trading in order to detect violations of statutory and regulatory provisions. The rules on best execution as well as the general principles on fees also apply.
Finally, most FINMA-supervised institutions must also meet certain organizational requirements regarding market integrity. The requirements include investigating trades that may involve unlawful market behavior, the handling of insider information in a way that prevents unlawful market behavior and allows for its detection, as well as the monitoring of employee transactions.
High-frequency and algorithmic trading in Switzerland
Algorithmic trading, which relies on computer algorithms to automate order execution based on predefined parameters, is regulated under FMIA. High-frequency trading, a subset of algorithmic trading characterized by rapid order transmission and short-term trading strategies, is subject to regulations under both FMIA and FMIO.
Stock exchanges, multilateral trading systems and organized trading systems supporting these types of trading must have the proper systems in place. Requirements include ensuring orderly trading, the ability to identify orders generated by algorithmic and high-frequency trading, as well as the ability to temporarily suspend or restrict trading if there is a significant price movement in the short term.
Insurtech in Switzerland
Currently, there is no specific legislation tailored to govern insurtech business models in Switzerland. Consequently, any regulatory implications for insurtech models are evaluated based on the overarching principles governing the provision of insurance services.
The Insurance Supervisory Act (ISA) distinguishes between three kinds of insurance: life insurance, indemnity/non-life insurance and reinsurance. A key rule is that life insurers can only offer casualty and sickness insurance besides life insurance. Additionally, mandatory sickness insurers follow a completely different regulatory regime under Swiss law. Moreover, different rules apply with regard to capital requirements.
Regtech in Switzerland
Regtech, a subset of fintech, focuses on leveraging technology and software solutions to assist companies in meeting regulatory requirements and ensuring compliance in a cost-effective and comprehensive manner.
Switzerland doesn’t have any specific legislation governing regtech. However, regulated financial service firms using regtech providers must adhere to general outsourcing requirements. Additionally, depending on the nature of the services provided, regtech providers are required to comply with service-level agreements, ensuring performance and accuracy.
Blockchain in Switzerland
Swiss regulators generally apply existing rules concerning risks, liability, intellectual property, AML and data privacy to blockchain and DLT. Regarding initial coin offerings (ICOs), FINMA focuses on the economic function and purpose of the tokens, as well as whether they are tradeable or transferable, in order to classify them.
The regulator categorizes tokens into payment tokens (cryptocurrencies), utility tokens, and asset tokens, with each being subject to varying legal and regulatory frameworks.
On September 25, 2020, the Swiss Parliament approved a new legislation known as the DLT Law. Amendments include a civil law change aimed at increasing the legal certainty in the transfer of DLT-based assets; the possibility of segregation of crypto-based assets in the event of bankruptcy; and a new authorization category called DLT Trading Facilities which allow for the provision of DLT-based asset trading, clearing, settlement and custody.
Fraud in Switzerland
In Swiss law, fraud primarily pertains to criminal conduct as defined in the Swiss Criminal Code (SCC), with potential liability for corporations under specific conditions. To constitute fraud under the SCC, the perpetrator must deceive the victim, act maliciously, act willfully with the intention of unlawfully gaining financial benefit for themselves or others, and induce an error in the victim, leading to actions detrimental to their financial interests or those of others, resulting in damage.
Apart from this broad concept of fraud, other criminal offenses under the SCC relevant in commercial contexts encompass behaviors like forgery, mismanagement, bribery, corruption, and money laundering. Swiss financial market laws may also include provisions concerning fraudulent conduct and impose organizational measures such as fraud prevention and detection.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik



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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/prominent-law-firm-provides-comprehensive-guide-on-switzerlands-regulatory-framework</link><guid>3603</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Prominent-Law-Firm-Provides-Comprehensive-Guide-on-Switzerlands-Regulatory-Framework--1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Prominent Law Firm Provides Comprehensive Guide on Switzerland’s Regulatory Framework</dc:text></item><item><title>neon lanciert digitales Gemeinschaftskonto</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Der Schweizer Banken-Challenger neon setzt das Wachstum ungebremst fort und zählt gemäss eigenen Angaben nun 200’000 Konto-Nutzer:innen. Gleichzeitig lanciert neon das erste rein App-basierte Schweizer Gemeinschaftskonto.
Kontinuierliches Wachstum auf Augenhöhe mit Grossbanken
Julius Kirscheneder
«Wir freuen uns, dass das Wachstum der letzten Jahre weiter geht»,
sagt Julius Kirscheneder, Gründer und CMO des Zürcher Fintech-Unternehmens neon.
«Wir konnten im letzten Jahr wieder deutlich mehr als 50’000 neue Konten eröffnen. Ein Wachstum, mit dem auch einzelne Grossbanken in der Schweiz für 2023 zufrieden waren. Und das haben wir mit deutlich geringeren Kommunikationsaufwänden erreicht.»
Das fortgesetzte Wachstum der letzten Jahre auf nun 200’000 Kund:innen basiert stark auf Weiterempfehlungen innerhalb der Nutzerschaft, aber auch auf attraktiven, neuen Produkten wie einem seit Mitte 2023 direkt in der neon-App integrierten Aktien- und ETF-Handel. Das gewachsene Vertrauen in neon zeigt sich analog bei den Einlagen und Anlagen der Nutzer:innen, die Ende Februar 2024 1,1 Mrd. CHF erreichten. Das entspricht einem Anstieg von +70% in den letzten 12 Monaten.
neon bietet ab sofort ein Gemeinschaftskonto für 2 Personen, das sich direkt in der neon-App eröffnen und führen lässt. Das echte Gemeinschaftskonto mit Einzelverfügungsberechtigung bietet eine einfache Erweiterung der neon-Privatkonten auf eine gemeinsame, gleichberechtigte Haushaltsführung, mit zusätzlicher CH-IBAN, 2 zusätzlichen neon Mastercards und den zugehörigen Statistiken. Es setzt einen gemeinsamen Wohnsitz voraus und kostet 3 CHF pro Monat pro Person.


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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/neon-lanciert-digitales-gemeinschaftskonto</link><guid>3601</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>neon lanciert digitales Gemeinschaftskonto</dc:text></item><item><title>Twint Integrates Cumulus, Supercard and Co</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Switzerland’s payment app continues to promote digital shopping innovations and is integrating loyalty cards such as Coop Supercard and Migros Cumulus directly into the payment process.
TWINT has grown to become one of the preferred payment methods and one of the most popular brands in Switzerland thanks to its digital simplification of everyday life. By allowing its users to save loyalty cards directly in the app, TWINT is now making the payment process at in-store cash registers even easier.
Users can now save a variety of loyalty cards from popular Swiss merchants in every version of the TWINT app. This means that they no longer have to carry the physical copies of these cards wherever they go, as they can store them simply and securely in the TWINT app. Once saved, loyalty cards from numerous businesses can be presented directly in the TWINT app during the payment process.
The loyalty cards of a variety of partner companies are compatible with the feature, including popular merchants such as Coop, Migros, Globus, Ex Libris, Tchibo, Transa, TopPharm and many more.



Markus Kilb
Markus Kilb, CEO of TWINT:
“We are confident that the integration of loyalty cards in the TWINT app represents a significant improvement in the payment process for both our users and our network of merchants. This will help us to achieve our goal of making digital everyday life as simple, secure and convenient as possible with innovative solutions.”


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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/twint-integrates-cumulus-supercard-and-co</link><guid>3602</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Loyalty-Cards-Twint-App-1024x576.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Twint Integrates Cumulus, Supercard and Co</dc:text></item><item><title>Lakestar Closes $600 Million European VC Funds</title><description><![CDATA[Lakestar announced the recent closing of their latest funds, Lakestar Early IV and Lakestar Growth II, for around $600 million to inject new capital into the next generation of European startups, bringing Lakestar’s assets under management to €2bn.

Lakestar invests in disruptive businesses enabled by technology and founded by exceptional entrepreneurs in Europe and beyond, through dedicated early-stage and growth funds.
Both new funds will focus their investments across geographies, with a focus on Europe in sectors such as AI, digitalisation, deep tech, healthcare, and fintech.
The funds are aligned with Lakestar’s commitment to forge a stronger future for Europe by nurturing the region’s innovation and tech ecosystem through the funding of business models which support economic growth and social prosperity.
These new funds have already led investments in tech companies such as energy supplier platform Fuse Energy (UK), embedded finance solution Swan (France), healthtech company Nelly (Germany), NEKO Health (Sweden), the preventative health care technology company co-founded by Daniel Ek, and AI text-to-video technology platform Colossyan (UK/Hungary).
With the closing of the two funds, Lakestar will deploy new capital backed by a mix of limited partners (LPs), including sovereign wealth funds, family offices, fund of fund investors and other institutional and individual players, including founders. The closing of Lakestar Early IV and Lakestar Growth II places Lakestar in a strong position to further deepen its impact on Europe’s entrepreneurial community.



Klaus Hommels, Founder and Chairman of Lakestar said:



d generations.”
Lakestar is supported by a diverse team of 40, spanning 15 nationalities across London, Berlin, and Zurich and takes an active role in supporting its portfolio which includes the likes of Revolut, IsarAerospace, sennder, AccurX and Builder.ai.
In addition to financial resources, Lakestar provides access to its extensive partner and founder ecosystem, expertise, extensive network, and influential voice to drive its companies to success and strengthen Europe’s tech sovereignty. The company also recently co-published its latest edition of the ‘State of Quantum Report’ along with its third iteration of the ‘European Deep Tech’ report.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/lakestar-closes-600-million-european-vc-funds</link><guid>3599</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Lakestar Closes $600 Million European VC Funds</dc:text></item><item><title>Deepfake Gains Momentum as a Powerful Tool for Fraud and Deception</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) has introduced new and sophisticated tools for threat actors to scam and defraud individuals. One particular concern is the emergence of deepfake technology, which allows for the creation of fake videos, images and audio to impersonate people. This technology has become increasingly popular over the past couple of years, fueled by growing accessibility.
New research by Kaspersky reveals how readily available deepfake tools have become on darknet marketplaces, with prices for creating fake videos starting as low as US$300 per minute. This accessibility poses a significant threat to businesses and individuals alike as cybercriminals now possess the means to impersonate others, carry out fraudulent schemes, and steal sensitive data.
Despite these risks, there’s a notable gap in digital literacy among Internet users. A survey conducted by the Russian cybersecurity firm shows that while 51% of employees in the Middle East, Turkey and Africa claimed they could distinguish a deepfake from a real image, only 25% could actually do so in a test.
Similarly, research by the University College London reveals that people are struggling to identify deepfake audio, even after training. A study conducted in 2023 on 529 individuals found that participants were able to identify fake speech only 73% of the time. This number improved only slightly after participants received training to recognize aspects of deepfake speech, highlighting the need for advanced detection systems to combat the growing threat posed by deepfakes.
The rise of deepfakes
Deepfakes utilize deep learning algorithms to generate highly realistic simulations of people saying or going things they never actually did. The technology has gained attention due to its potential for various malicious activities, including spreading false information, blackmailing people or even disrupting elections.
Ahead of the Indonesian elections on February 14, 2024, a AI-generated deepfake video depicting late Indonesian president Suharto advocating for the political party he once presided over went viral. The video, which cloned his face and voice, racked up 4.7 million views on X.
Most recently, a finance worker at a multinational company’s Hong Kong office was tricked into paying out US$25 million to fraudsters using deepfake technology to pose as the company’s CFO in a video conference call.
Deepfakes are also widely used to pornographic videos featuring the faces of celebrities or non-consenting individuals. One recent study found that 98% of deepfake videos online were pornographic and that 99% of those targeted were women or girls. This raises concerns about privacy breaches, emotional distress and the exploitation of individuals for malicious purposes.
Europe takes steps to tackle the risks associated with deepfakes
In response to the risks posed by generative AI such as deepfakes, the European Commission (EC) launched in March a probe into bigtech’s use of AI and their handling of computer-generated media.
The EC’s requests, which are aimed at companies including Meta, Microsoft, Snap, TikTok and X, seek detailed information on the platforms’ mitigation measures for various risks linked to generative AI, including the dissemination of false information, the viral spread of deepfakes, and the automated manipulation of services that could influence voters.
Additionally, the EC is seeking information on risk assessments and mitigation measures related to a range of issues, including electoral processes, illegal content, fundamental rights protection, gender-based violence, minors’ protection, mental well-being, personal data protection, consumer protection, and intellectual property.
The probe demonstrates the EC’s commitment to addressing the challenges posed by generative AI and follows the approval of the AI Act. The legislation, the first comprehensive regulation on AI by a major regulator anywhere, assigns applications of AI to three risk categories: applications and systems that create an unacceptable risk, such as government-run social scoring, which are banned; high-risk applications, such as a CV-scanning tool that ranks job applicants, which are subject to specific legal requirements; and applications not explicitly banned or listed as high-risk, and which are largely left unregulated.
Key provisions of the AI Act include proper data governance and an appropriate risk management system for high-risk systems as well as transparency requirements for deepfake material.
The AI Act is part of the EU’s digital strategy, the bloc’s comprehensive approach to digital transformation, encompassing various aspects such as connectivity, digital skills, cybersecurity, and the digital economy.
The number of deepfakes has soared over the past years, rising by ten times globally between 2022 and 2023 alone, a report by identify verification company Sumsub released last year shows. North America witnessed the strongest growth during the period, recording a 1,740% increase in deepfakes. The region is followed by Asia-Pacific (+1,530%), Europe (+780%), the Middle East and Africa (+450%) and Latin America (+410%).

Featured image credit: Edited from freepk


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/deepfake-gains-momentum-as-a-powerful-tool-for-fraud-and-deception</link><guid>3600</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Deepfake Gains Momentum as a Powerful Tool for Fraud and Deception</dc:text></item><item><title>HSLU Report: Growth Momentum Carries on in Swiss Marketplace Lending</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						April 12, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					In 2022, online marketplace lending continued to rise in Switzerland, driven by mortgage loans and corporate and public sector debt instruments.
A study by the Lucerne School of Business and the Swiss Marketplace Lending Association (SMLA) reveals that in 2022, the total volume of debt capital issued on online platforms reached a new record of CHF 21.4 billion, up 15.7% year-over-year (YoY). Much of this growth was fueled by an increase of online mortgage loans and corporate and public debt financing volumes, which rose by 5% and 22.6% YoY, respectively.
The data, shared in the latest iteration of the Marketplace Lending Report Switzerland, shows that digital lending continued to see increased economic significance in the Swiss market in 2022, with loan volumes for corporates and public entities debt, and mortgage loans carrying on the upward trend they’d witnessed since 2017. Online loans to mid- and large-sized corporations and public entities surged from an estimated CHF 2 billion in 2017 to a considerable CHF 14.7 billion in 2022, while brokered mortgage loans rose from CHF 3.3 billion to CHF 6.2 billion.
Overall, the total volume of volume of debt capital issued on online platforms grew by nearly fourfold between 2017 and 2022, increasing at an annual average growth rate of about 32%.
Total volume of Swiss marketplace lending, 2017-2022, Source: Marketplace Lending Report Switzerland 2023, Lucerne School of Business and the Swiss Marketplace Lending Association, Oct 2023
While online mortgages and corporate and public sector debts continued their ascending trajectory in 2022, online crowdlending pulled back by 18% YoY in 2022. This decline was largely driven by a reduced number of real estate loan transactions (-32.4%), and more moderately, a decline in consumer loans (-7%).
Switzerland’s marketplace lending ecosystem
By the end of 2022, there were 29 homegrown marketplace lending platforms in Switzerland with crowdlending being the most crowded segment, comprising 14 platforms. These platforms connect private and/or institutional investors with consumers and/or businesses to provide them with debt. A third loan segment is real estate crowdlending, which provides mortgage-backed loans to individuals and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
A number of banks and insurance companies are involved in the Swiss crowdlending ecosystem, including PostFinance (Lendico), Vaudoise Group (Neocredit) and Luzerner Kantonalbank (Funders). Basellandschaftliche Kantonalbank is also a strategic stakeholder in Swisspeers.
Not included in the list of crowdlending platforms is Systemcredit, a marketplace that went online in 2018. Systemcredit provides SMEs with several credit offers from banks, institutional investors and crowd lenders, making its business mode comparable to that of a broker.
Swiss crowdlending platforms, Source: Marketplace Lending Report Switzerland 2023, Lucerne School of Business and the Swiss Marketplace Lending Association, Oct 2023
Online mortgage loans were the second largest marketplace lending segment in late 2022, comprising 12 different platforms. These platforms have an exclusively professional investor base, such as banks, insurance companies and pension funds as lenders, target private borrowers, and allow the mortgage application process to be done partially or entirely online.
The category includes Atrium, a platform launched by UBS in 2017 which eventually evolved into UBS Key4 Mortgages, and Valuu, launched by PostFinance in 2019. HypoPlus, Hypotheke and MoneyPark are independent mortgage loan platforms that are nevertheless attached to bigger institutions. Fully independent mortgage brokerage firms in Switzerland include RealAdvisor, Resolve, topHypo, Hypohaus, PropertyCaptain and Hypo Advisors.
Though the market for online mortgages remains a niche, the report notes that volumes have grown substantially, reaching an approximate 3.5% share in late 2022.
In the online corporate and public sector debt segment, two homegrown platforms were active in Switzerland at the end of 2022. Loanboox, which has been operational since 2016, has grown rapidly in the loan market for public entities, and is now active in twelve European countries. Cosmofunding is the other platform operating in the sector. The platform, which targets public and corporate borrowers, is owned by Bank Vontobel and was launched in 2018.
Finally, in the money market segment, online one platform was active in late 2022. This platform is Instimatch Global and provides digital price discovery, negotiation, counterparty diversification and automated execution of money market products across various sectors and countries.
Marketplace lending trends in Switzerland
The Marketplace Lending Report Switzerland 2023 highlights key trends observed in 2022 in the Swiss marketplace lending ecosystem, which are anticipated to continue shaping the industry’s trajectory.
One significant trend is the increasing emphasis on sustainability, with platforms beginning to integrate environmental considerations into their lending practices. Initiatives like “green mortgages” by UBS Key4 Mortgages, green scoring systems, and sustainability-integrated decision-making processes are emerging, indicating a shift towards more environmentally conscious lending products. Marketplace lending platforms are also addressing climate change concerns by facilitating emission-reducing projects for Swiss municipalities.
Another trend outlined in the report is the evolution of the mortgage brokerage business. With growth rates starting to decline, it expects the business-to-consumer sector to see some stagnation or even a decrease in volume in 2023 and 2024, prompting a shift towards the business-to-business sector.
Finally, another key trend is the role of marketplace lending in financial innovation. These platforms, which are leveraging technologies such as artificial intelligence to enhance efficiency and streamline loan evaluations, are contributing to the ongoing evolution of modern finance, the report says.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/hslu-report-growth-momentum-carries-on-in-swiss-marketplace-lending</link><guid>3598</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Growth-Momentum-Carries-on-in-Swiss-Marketplace-Lending-with-Volumes-Rising-16-in-2022-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>HSLU Report: Growth Momentum Carries on in Swiss Marketplace Lending</dc:text></item><item><title>French Business Planning Startup Pigment Announces $145 Million Series D</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Paris based Pigment announced a $145 million series D funding round, led by ICONIQ Growth. Sandberg Bernthal Venture Partners, as well as several other existing investors including IVP, Meritech, Greenoaks and Felix Capital have also participated in the round.
Pigment was started with one problem in mind: to simplify and inform how business teams plan and make decisions in an increasingly complex environment. Complexity kills efficiency, and it’s everywhere in modern business: constantly shifting macro-conditions that add uncertainty to decision making, disjointed tech solutions, vast volumes of unmanageable data, and organizational silos all play a role.
Indeed, two-thirds of business leaders say their organizations are overly complex, and as a result Pigment’s own research revealed that 89% of finance leaders are making decisions every month based on inaccurate or incomplete data.

Matt Jacobson
“We are exceptionally confident that Pigment is successfully addressing a clear and very large need in the market. This confidence in the market, product and team drove our enthusiasm to continue to support the company’s continued success.”Matt Jacobson, General Partner, ICONIQ Growth


So what are Pigment’s plan?
Raising money is fantastic, but it’s important to have a strategy for it.  Here’s what’s in store for Pigment soon.
1. Build on ease of use to ensure continued adoption
2. Double down on Pigment’s scenario planning capabilities
3. Expand our support for xP&amp;A capabilities
4. Scalability
5. Bolster the team


Featured image credit: Eléonore Crespo and Romain Niccoli, Co-Founder and Co-CEO at Pigment



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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/french-business-planning-startup-pigment-announces-145-million-series-d</link><guid>3596</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>French Business Planning Startup Pigment Announces $145 Million Series D</dc:text></item><item><title>N26 Launches Couple Accounts in 21 New Markets</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					N26 announced the launch of Joint Accounts in 21 new markets.
Joint Accounts allow N26 customers to manage both their personal finances as well as finances shared with a partner – all in the N26 app, and at no extra cost.
This reduces complexity and makes it easier than ever to budget, track expenses, and achieve financial goals together. The new feature will now be available to customers in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
N26 Joint Accounts offer transparency and full control over shared finances
From today, N26 customers in these markets with accounts across all personal membership tiers, including the free N26 Standard, can create a Joint Account with just a few taps, directly within their N26 App.
Each N26 customer can create one Joint Account, with a maximum of two N26 customers participating in a Joint Account together. Every Joint Account comes with its own dedicated IBAN, making shared expenses like rent payments or household expenditures easy to manage and split. The Joint Account can simply be linked to both customers’ personal virtual or physical cards within the N26 App, for a convenient everyday banking experience.
Valentin Stalf
“N26 customers can open a Joint Account with their partner or loved one in just a few taps, without complexity or tedious paperwork”
said Valentin Stalf, Founder and CEO of N26.
“This way, our customers can easily manage their personal and shared finances within the N26 app, while building healthy financial habits and achieving their financial goals together.”
N26’s Joint Accounts will complement its existing Shared Spaces feature, which allows customers with a premium subscription to create shared sub-accounts with close contacts without the long-term commitment of a joint bank account. Shared Spaces allow customers to budget for holidays and leisure activities with friends, split expenses with roommates, or share larger gifts and purchases, where the owner of the Shared Space is legally the owner of the funds held within. To learn more about Joint Accounts, click here.



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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/n26-launches-couple-accounts-in-21-new-markets</link><guid>3597</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>N26 Launches Couple Accounts in 21 New Markets</dc:text></item><item><title>Meet the 10 Fintech Finalist for &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt;’s 2024 Startup Competition</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					The &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; startup competition is a cornerstone event for supporting emerging startups in Switzerland, emphasising the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Introduced to the competition in 2019, the Finance &amp; Insurance category reflects &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt;’s commitment to broadening its impact and supporting new ideas in various sectors.
Positioned as the premier platform in Switzerland for showcasing and developing groundbreaking business ideas and plans, &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; plays a crucial role in empowering young entrepreneurs to transform their visions into reality. This effort is central to stimulating the exploration of untapped innovation.
Highlighting this commitment, the top 10 finalists for the 2024 &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; startup competition in the Finance &amp; Insurance category have now been announced.
These finalists represent the forefront of Swiss innovation and promise within the finance and insurance sectors, and they are listed here in alphabetical order:

CLIMADA Technologies


CLIMADA Technologies, specialising in climate risk analytics, has crafted a scalable software solution to provide advanced, forward-looking analysis for client-exposed locations. This comprehensive tool addresses acute and chronic hazards and caters to various needs, including regulatory reporting, detailed resilience assessments, and the investigation of suitable adaptation strategies.

CrowdTransfer

CrowdTransfer has developed a platform that allows fans to support their favourite sports clubs by crowdfunding tokens associated with player transfers or existing team members. Token holders can enjoy social perks and earn rewards based on the player’s performance, with a potential payout when the contract ends. These tokens can also be exchanged on a secondary market among fans.

Decentralized Energy Corporation

Decentralized Energy Corporation (DEC) is launching a platform that enables businesses to buy precise fractions of photovoltaic plants. This allows them to meet sustainability regulations effortlessly, instantly, and passively by becoming producers of green energy.

Elysium Lab Sagl


Elysium Lab Sagl is developing a digital wallet emphasising asset management and payments. Their multi-factor Key Algorithm introduces a new approach to self-custody, significantly enhancing security measures for digital asset ownership.

Evorest


Evorest is addressing the issue of inactive rental deposits in Switzerland, estimated at around 15 billion CHF, by enabling tenants to invest these funds in ETFs. This approach offers a potential return and a way to mitigate inflation. The platform’s intuitive web app simplifies the process for tenants and property managers, allowing them to open quickly and close deposits within 24 hours. This enhances efficiency and presents an alternative to traditional, complex bank processes.

Fortunnity


Fortunnity is revolutionising personal finance management by offering an application that tracks your wealth and makes managing it fun and educational. The platform is committed to making wealth management accessible to everyone, turning personal finance into an engaging and informative experience.

Infrabase


Infrabase is set on narrowing the infrastructure investment gap and drawing foreign direct investments into regions needing infrastructure development. They are developing a SaaS syndication platform that uses advanced machine learning and AI to enhance the precision of its matching algorithm. Additionally, it offers a comprehensive clinic to prepare infrastructure projects for investment, aiming to catalyse growth in underdeveloped areas.

IngageMe!

IngageMe! introduces a cutting-edge, incentive-based underwriting simulator that integrates AI, gamification, and Web3 technologies for the global insurance sector. It aims to enhance financial literacy while attracting, educating, and retaining talent through engaging gameplay, personalised AI coaching, and unique NFT rewards, setting a new standard in insurance training.

MC² Finance AG

MC² Finance AG merges blockchain technology and regulatory compliance to provide an automated platform for managing digital asset portfolios. Catering to the modern investor’s demand for intelligent, adaptable, and secure investment options, it features intent-based development, ensures on-chain transparency, and facilitates cross-chain operations, redefining digital asset management.

Moon AI

Moon AI arms venture capitalists with AI-powered tools that refine investment strategies enabling them to pinpoint and invest in startups with substantial growth potential more accurately. By evaluating a company’s financial health, market potential, and competitive position, Moon AI empowers investors to make data-driven decisions, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of venture capital initiatives.

What it means to be a finalist
The climax of the Finance &amp; Insurance category at the &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; startup competition will see finalists pitching their groundbreaking ideas to an expert panel tasked with crowning the sector’s standout. The winning team will be awarded CHF 30,000 and advance to the competition’s grand finale, setting the stage for an even greater challenge.
At the finale, the top three finalists from each sector will contend for the top honour, with the chance to secure up to CHF 150,000 and the prestigious opportunity to present their vision to the &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; Advisory Board.
This stage of the competition is not just about the prize; it’s a gateway to unparalleled exposure and support within the dynamic Swiss startup ecosystem.
The &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; finance &amp; insurance finalists bring innovative solutions with the power to redefine the industry. As anticipation builds, the startup community and beyond are eager to see which team will rise to the top.
Mark your calendars for the Award Ceremony on June 17, 2024. This occasion is open to all and free of charge, promising a glimpse into the future of finance and insurance innovation. For more insights into this electrifying event, visit www.venture.ch.
Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik


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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/meet-the-10-fintech-finalist-for-ventures-2024-startup-competition</link><guid>3594</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Climada-Technologies.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Meet the 10 Fintech Finalist for &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt;’s 2024 Startup Competition</dc:text></item><item><title>Meet the 10 Fintech Finalists for &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt;’s 2024 Startup Competition</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					The &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; startup competition is a cornerstone event for supporting emerging startups in Switzerland, emphasising the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Introduced to the competition in 2019, the Finance &amp; Insurance category reflects &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt;’s commitment to broadening its impact and supporting new ideas in various sectors.
Positioned as the premier platform in Switzerland for showcasing and developing groundbreaking business ideas and plans, &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; plays a crucial role in empowering young entrepreneurs to transform their visions into reality. This effort is central to stimulating the exploration of untapped innovation.
Highlighting this commitment, the top 10 finalists for the 2024 &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; startup competition in the Finance &amp; Insurance category have now been announced.
These finalists represent the forefront of Swiss innovation and promise within the finance and insurance sectors, and they are listed here in alphabetical order:

CLIMADA Technologies


CLIMADA Technologies, specialising in climate risk analytics, has crafted a scalable software solution to provide advanced, forward-looking analysis for client-exposed locations. This comprehensive tool addresses acute and chronic hazards and caters to various needs, including regulatory reporting, detailed resilience assessments, and the investigation of suitable adaptation strategies.

CrowdTransfer

CrowdTransfer has developed a platform that allows fans to support their favourite sports clubs by crowdfunding tokens associated with player transfers or existing team members. Token holders can enjoy social perks and earn rewards based on the player’s performance, with a potential payout when the contract ends. These tokens can also be exchanged on a secondary market among fans.

Decentralized Energy Corporation

Decentralized Energy Corporation (DEC) is launching a platform that enables businesses to buy precise fractions of photovoltaic plants. This allows them to meet sustainability regulations effortlessly, instantly, and passively by becoming producers of green energy.

Elysium Lab Sagl


Elysium Lab Sagl is developing a digital wallet emphasising asset management and payments. Their multi-factor Key Algorithm introduces a new approach to self-custody, significantly enhancing security measures for digital asset ownership.

Evorest


Evorest is addressing the issue of inactive rental deposits in Switzerland, estimated at around 15 billion CHF, by enabling tenants to invest these funds in ETFs. This approach offers a potential return and a way to mitigate inflation. The platform’s intuitive web app simplifies the process for tenants and property managers, allowing them to open quickly and close deposits within 24 hours. This enhances efficiency and presents an alternative to traditional, complex bank processes.

Fortunnity


Fortunnity is revolutionising personal finance management by offering an application that tracks your wealth and makes managing it fun and educational. The platform is committed to making wealth management accessible to everyone, turning personal finance into an engaging and informative experience.

Infrabase


Infrabase is set on narrowing the infrastructure investment gap and drawing foreign direct investments into regions needing infrastructure development. They are developing a SaaS syndication platform that uses advanced machine learning and AI to enhance the precision of its matching algorithm. Additionally, it offers a comprehensive clinic to prepare infrastructure projects for investment, aiming to catalyse growth in underdeveloped areas.

IngageMe!

IngageMe! introduces a cutting-edge, incentive-based underwriting simulator that integrates AI, gamification, and Web3 technologies for the global insurance sector. It aims to enhance financial literacy while attracting, educating, and retaining talent through engaging gameplay, personalised AI coaching, and unique NFT rewards, setting a new standard in insurance training.

MC² Finance AG

MC² Finance AG merges blockchain technology and regulatory compliance to provide an automated platform for managing digital asset portfolios. Catering to the modern investor’s demand for intelligent, adaptable, and secure investment options, it features intent-based development, ensures on-chain transparency, and facilitates cross-chain operations, redefining digital asset management.

Moon AI

Moon AI arms venture capitalists with AI-powered tools that refine investment strategies enabling them to pinpoint and invest in startups with substantial growth potential more accurately. By evaluating a company’s financial health, market potential, and competitive position, Moon AI empowers investors to make data-driven decisions, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of venture capital initiatives.

What it means to be a finalist
The climax of the Finance &amp; Insurance category at the &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; startup competition will see finalists pitching their groundbreaking ideas to an expert panel tasked with crowning the sector’s standout. The three winning teams will be awarded CHF 80,000 in total and advance to the competition’s grand finale, setting the stage for an even greater challenge.
At the finale, the top finalist from each sector will contend for the top honour, the Grand Prize, with the chance to secure up to CHF 150,000 and the prestigious opportunity to present their vision to the &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; Advisory Board.
This stage of the competition is not just about the prize; it’s a gateway to unparalleled exposure and support within the dynamic Swiss startup ecosystem.
The &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; finance &amp; insurance finalists bring innovative solutions with the power to redefine the industry. As anticipation builds, the startup community and beyond are eager to see which team will rise to the top.
Mark your calendars for the Award Ceremony on June 17, 2024. This event is open to all and free of charge, promising a glimpse into the future of finance and insurance innovation. For more info about this event, visit www.venture.ch and subscribe to their newsletter.
Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik


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			&#13;
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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/meet-the-10-fintech-finalists-for-ventures-2024-startup-competition</link><guid>3595</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Climada-Technologies.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Meet the 10 Fintech Finalists for &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt;’s 2024 Startup Competition</dc:text></item><item><title>N26 Goes Live With Stocks and ETFs Trading in Germany, 0.90EUR per Trade</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					N26 announced the launch of its Stocks and ETFs trading product in Germany.
The company also announced an increased interest rate of 4% on Instant Savings for N26 Metal customers from April 9th, 2024.
With the introduction of N26 Stocks and ETFs, customers will be able to manage their investment portfolio directly alongside their personal bank account, savings accounts, joint accounts, and their crypto portfolio, all within the N26 app.
The new Stocks and ETFs trading product will allow customers to buy and sell shares of hundreds of the most popular European and US assets, and invest in global ETFs. The range of assets available to trade is set to expand progressively to over a thousand stocks and ETFs in the coming months.

With a simple pricing structure of a fixed 0.90 EUR per trade, German customers will be able to invest at one of the most competitive prices in the market, without being charged commissions or custody fees.
N26 customers with N26 You and N26 Metal memberships will also be able to benefit from free trades as part of their subscription. N26 You customers will have 5 free transactions per month included as part of their membership, while N26 Metal customers will get 15 free transactions per month. In addition, the digital bank plans to roll out free recurring Investment Plans in the upcoming months, giving all customers access to fee-free investing.
Valentin Stalf
Valentin Stalf, Founder and CEO at N26, said:
“With this new feature, we are expanding our product portfolio at once to offer our customers one of the most attractive investment and saving products in Germany.”
N26 Stocks and ETFs will be made available progressively to eligible customers in Germany over the coming weeks.


*Source: German Stock Institute (Deutsches Aktieninstitut) 2023 data, where 17.6% of Germans over the age of 14 currently own stocks, stock funds or ETFs.


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/n26-goes-live-with-stocks-and-etfs-trading-in-germany-090eur-per-trade</link><guid>3593</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>N26 Goes Live With Stocks and ETFs Trading in Germany, 0.90EUR per Trade</dc:text></item><item><title>European Fintech M&amp;A Poised for Rebound as Traditional Banks Eye Struggling Fintech Startups</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						March 25, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					Mergers and acquisitions (M&amp;A) activity in the European banking sector is expected to rebound this year as lower valuations are anticipated to entice traditional lenders to snap up struggling fintech startups to enhance their tech capabilities and expand their portfolio of products, a new report by market data and intelligence platform S&amp;P Global Market Intelligence says.
While 2023 was a lackluster year for dealmaking in the European banking sector, 2024 is presenting favorable moves in inflation data and introducing strong prospects of joint ventures and partnerships with fintech startups.
In 2023, fintech M&amp;A deals globally totaled US$29.92 billion, down by more than 20% from US$37.56 billion in 2021 and by a staggering 60% from the all-time high of US$76.15 billion recorded in 2021, data from S&amp;P Global Market Intelligence show. Deal count also plummeted, pulling back 41% between 2022 and 2023 to 261. The figure is half of the number of fintech M&amp;A deals in 2021 of 572.
Fintech and payments M&amp;A deals announced since 2021, Source: S&amp;P Global Market Intelligence, Jan 2024
Looking at the European market in particular, data from Flagship Advisory Partners reveal that fintech M&amp;A in Europe hit a new low in H2 2023. This pullback was driven in large part by challenging macro-economic conditions with high inflation and interest rates, and was further amplified by fintech stakeholders refusing to lower valuations, the fintech consulting and M&amp;A advisory firm says.
Fintech M&amp;A in Europe, Source: Flagship Advisory Partners, Dec 2023
In 2023, several deals fell through, but this year promises new strategic opportunities in fintech M&amp;A. As many fintech companies will continue to struggle for profitability and grapple for capital, banks will look to capitalize on stressed situations to acquire valuable assets at a discount to enhance their services, reach new customer segments and stay competitive, the S&amp;P Global Market Intelligence report says.
Payment is expected to be one area of particular focus, driven by the growing need for modernization. “As the payments chain becomes more digitized, it’s likely to be to an extent disruptive to M&amp;A markets, and we think that presents a potential opportunity,” Tom Macdonald, head of banking at Deloitte, told S&amp;P Global Market Intelligence.
“It is a sector where stock markets have repriced many of those institutions, which perhaps could lead to more [M&amp;A] activity.”
Activity in payments has already begun in 2024 with French lender Credit Agricole buying a 7% stake in Paris-based payment group Worldline, a deal that came after Worldline’s share price fell nearly 70% in a year, the report notes.
There will also be demand for deals in specialty finance, such as mortgage lending, and investment banking as European banks look to strengthen their positions by expanding growth areas or by adding new capabilities.
This was the case for Deutsche Bank, which purchased investment bank Numis in October 2023, to expand overseas; as well as for Credit Agricole’s Indosuez Wealth Management, which acquired in August 2023 a majority stake in Bank Degroof Petercam, a European wealth manager, to access growth without relying on costly and scarce capital.
Additionally, European banks will likely seek to consolidate to compete more effectively against the growing market share of North American investment banks on the continent. Reports suggesting that Deutsche Bank was considering taking over ABN AMRO Bank and Commerzbank are hinting at that, indicating that 2024 could be a year of large-scale mergers in the European banking industry, the S&amp;P Global Market Intelligence report says.
American law firm White &amp; Case expects that in 2024, European banks will continue to heavily invest in digital transformation strategies to not only meet customer demands and enhance customer experience, but also better manage costs and mitigate risks.
The firm says that top technologies are now “must have” tools as banks face escalating costs from traditional brick and mortar product delivery models, increasing sophistication of cyberattacks and financial crime penetration, as well as fierce competition from digital challengers and neobanks.
White &amp; Case forecasts that while new entrants in the tech market may find it challenging to secure financial sponsor or bank equity in 2024, investor appetite will remain strong for technology that enhances existing business lines, addresses cybersecurity concerns, or improves regulatory compliance.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/european-fintech-ma-poised-for-rebound-as-traditional-banks-eye-struggling-fintech-startups</link><guid>3592</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/European-Bank-MA-Poised-for-Rebound-as-Traditional-Lenders-Eye-Struggling-Fintech-Startups-for-Tech-Enhancement-Portfolio-Expansion-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>European Fintech M&amp;A Poised for Rebound as Traditional Banks Eye Struggling Fintech Startups</dc:text></item><item><title>Blackrock Launches Its First Tokenized Fund on Ethereum</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					BlackRock unveils its first tokenized fund issued on a public blockchain, the BlackRock USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund (“BUIDL”)
BUIDL will provide qualified investors with the opportunity to earn U.S. dollar yields by subscribing to the Fund through Securitize Markets, LLC.
Robert Mitchnick
“This is the latest progression of our digital assets strategy,”
said Robert Mitchnick, BlackRock’s Head of Digital Assets.
“We are focused on developing solutions in the digital assets space that help solve real problems for our clients, and we are excited to work with Securitize.”
Tokenization remains a key focus of BlackRock’s digital asset strategy. Through the tokenization of the Fund, BUIDL will offer investors important benefits by enabling the issuance and trading of ownership on a blockchain, expanding investor access to on-chain offerings, providing instantaneous and transparent settlement, and allowing for transfers across platforms. BNY Mellon will enable interoperability for the Fund between digital and traditional markets.
BUIDL seeks to offer a stable value of $1 per token and pays daily accrued dividends directly to investors’ wallets as new tokens each month. The Fund invests 100% of its total assets in cash, U.S. Treasury bills, and repurchase agreements, allowing investors to earn yield while holding the token on the blockchain. Investors can transfer their tokens 24/7/365 to other pre-approved investors. Fund participants will also have flexible custody options allowing them to choose how to hold their tokens.
The initial ecosystem participants in BUIDL include Anchorage Digital Bank NA, BitGo, Coinbase, and Fireblocks, among other market participants and infrastructure providers in the crypto industry.
BlackRock Financial Management will be the investment manager of the Fund and Bank of New York Mellon will serve as the custodian of the Fund’s assets and its administrator. Securitize will act as a transfer agent and tokenization platform, managing the tokenized shares and reporting on Fund subscriptions, redemptions, and distributions. Securitize Markets will act as placement agent, making the Fund available to eligible investors. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has been appointed as the Fund’s auditor for the period ending December 31, 2024.
The Fund will issue shares pursuant to Rule 506(c) under the Securities Act of 1933 and Section3(c)(7) of the Investment Company Act. The Fund’s initial investment minimum is $5 million.
Blackrock Invests into Securitize
BlackRock has also made a strategic investment in Securitize. As part of the investment, Joseph Chalom, BlackRock’s Global Head of Strategic Ecosystem Partnerships, has been appointed to Securitize’s Board of Directors.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/blackrock-launches-its-first-tokenized-fund-on-ethereum</link><guid>3591</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Blackrock Launches Its First Tokenized Fund on Ethereum</dc:text></item><item><title>Redefining Resilience for Banks in the Digital Era With the Four Zeros</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					The banking industry stands at the brink of a major transformation, driven by rapid technological advancements and changing customer expectations in a dynamic digital landscape.
This transformation is not without its challenges, as banks grapple with the critical task of bridging the gap between traditional banking services and the demands of a digital-first customer base. 
Factors such as the unbanked population, system outages, cybersecurity threats, and the rise of fintechs pose significant barriers to this connection, underscoring the urgent need for banks to fortify their operational resilience (OpRes) and Information Technology resilience (ItRes). 
In this context, the notion of resilience transcends its conventional boundaries to become a catalyst for intelligence within the banking sector. 
Redefining resilience is not a mere response mechanism to adversity but a proactive enabler of intelligence, innovation, and inclusive financial services.
The disconnect between banking services and customers
The banking industry faces several obstacles in maintaining a seamless connection with its customers, each presenting unique challenges that necessitate a reevaluation of traditional operational frameworks. 
The unbanked or underbanked populations remain largely isolated from financial services due to geographical, socio-economic, or regulatory barriers. System outages further exacerbate this disconnect, eroding trust and reliability in digital banking platforms. 
Cybersecurity threats loom large, instilling fear and apprehension among customers concerning the safety of their personal and financial data. 
The emergence of fintechs has introduced a layer of disintermediation, weakening the direct relationship between banks and their customers by offering alternative, often more user-friendly and innovative, financial solutions.
Huawei’s steps towards resilient banking
In this complex backdrop, the concept of resilience emerges as a cornerstone for not only safeguarding against these challenges but also as a springboard for leveraging intelligence and innovation. 
Resilience in the banking sector must evolve beyond the traditional focus on recovery and stability, to encompass the enablement of dynamic, intelligent systems that can anticipate change, mitigate risks proactively, and offer personalised, real-time services to customers.
Huawei has been at the forefront of this transformation, partnering with some of the world’s largest banks across Germany, Singapore, Italy, Brazil, and South Africa, and serving over 3,300 financial customers globally. 
The company’s strategic focus on building resilient infrastructure, accelerating application modernisation, enhancing data-driven decisions, and enabling business scenario innovation, marks a significant leap towards redefining resilience in the banking sector.
The Four Zeros: A new paradigm for banking resilience

Drawing inspiration from Brett King’s Bank 4.0, Huawei proposes a paradigm shift towards ‘Bank Four Zeros’ – zero downtime, zero wait, zero-touch, and zero trust.
 This model prioritises the delivery of always-on, stable, and reliable services, underpinned by multi-technology collaboration and a ‘design for failure’ approach that embraces chaos engineering principles. 
Such a framework not only ensures operational continuity and security but also facilitates digital engagement, real-time insights, and hyper-personalisation, thus redefining the essence of resilience in the digital banking era.
Zero Downtime: Ensuring continuous banking operations

Huawei addresses the challenge of zero downtime through its deployment of advanced, multi-active system architecture (MAS) solutions, such as its distributed database and cloud-native infrastructure. 
Huawei’s MAS architecture is designed to support real-time, uninterrupted banking services, ensuring that financial institutions can offer their customers 24/7 access to banking operations. 
This approach is complemented by Huawei’s GaussDB, a next-generation distributed database that enhances the resilience and scalability of banking systems, thereby minimising the risk of service interruptions and achieving the high availability that modern banking demands. 
In the last decade, GaussDB has been deployed on a large scale across multiple top banks in China. Thanks to its focus on security, availability, and performance, GaussDB has supported over two billion peak daily transactions since its launch in April 2022. 
This is the world’s largest cloud-native core development practice, Going forward, GaussDB will be an ideal choice to ensure Zero Downtime.
Zero Touch: Automating and streamlining operations
Huawei’s commitment to zero-touch is evident in its development of AI, machine learning, and robotic process automation (RPA) technologies. These technologies automate routine banking operations, from customer service to compliance checks, reducing manual interventions and the potential for human error. 
Huawei Autonomous Driving Network has been enhanced from 1-3-5 to 0-1-3-5 (“0” means “0 Human Errors”), helping the finance industry embrace Zero Touch operations.
Digital Map, as a critical capability, has helped a leading bank achieve 88 percent faster troubleshooting, one-click simulation of application changes, and 50 percent faster risk assessment. It also ensures 100 percent accuracy in network configuration changes while reducing touch time by 90 percent.
By adopting Huawei’s zero-touch technologies, banks can not only enhance their service quality but also redirect their resources toward innovation and strategic growth initiatives.
Zero Trust: Enhancing cybersecurity measures
In alignment with the zero-trust principle, Huawei offers a comprehensive suite of cybersecurity solutions designed to protect banks’ digital infrastructure and customer data from evolving threats.
Huawei has provided the industry’s first multi-layer anti-ransomware solution. It uses firewalls to detect and the storage air gap to isolate viruses in seconds, preventing intrusions in a timely manner.
By implementing Huawei’s zero-trust security model, financial institutions can build a robust defence against cyber threats, ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of their digital transactions and fostering trust among their customers.
Zero Wait: Delivering real-time banking services
To achieve zero wait, Huawei leverages its expertise in data analytics and artificial intelligence, enabling banks to process transactions and customer inquiries with minimal latency.
Huawei Data Intelligence Solution is tailored to enhance the speed and efficiency of banking services, ensuring instant response times for customer interactions and real-time processing of financial transactions.
By integrating Huawei’s cutting-edge technology, banks can significantly improve their operational efficiency and customer satisfaction, offering a seamless and responsive banking experience that meets the expectations of today’s digital-savvy consumers.
Resilience as the bedrock of intelligent banking
The banking industry is at a pivotal moment, facing the dual forces of challenge and opportunity as it moves towards digital transformation. This journey, while complex, opens doors to greater innovation, intelligence, and accessibility within the sector.
Redefining the concept of resilience is key to this transformation. It enables banks to move beyond traditional operational boundaries, embracing new possibilities for growth and customer engagement. 
Huawei’s approach to building a resilient and intelligent banking ecosystem serves as a guiding framework for the industry, helping banks adapt and thrive in a digital-first world.
Resilience is vital to the banking industry’s future development. Huawei’s focus on the “Four Zeros” – zero downtime, zero wait, zero touch, and zero trust – outlines a comprehensive strategy for banks to address the evolving demands of digital transformation.
By leveraging Huawei’s advanced technologies and solutions, financial institutions can maintain continuous operations, offer instant services, streamline processes through automation, and ensure robust cybersecurity measures.
Collaborating with Huawei allows banks to improve their operational efficiency and intelligence, positioning them well in a competitive and changing financial landscape.


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/redefining-resilience-for-banks-in-the-digital-era-with-the-four-zeros</link><guid>3590</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Huawei.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Redefining Resilience for Banks in the Digital Era With the Four Zeros</dc:text></item><item><title>Solaris Raises 96 Million EUR Series F</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Solaris announced the signing of its Series F round led by SBI Group and other existing investors.
The current round consists of EUR 96 million in additional capital and a financial guarantee of up to EUR 100 million capital equivalent. Solaris will use the funds to onboard the ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club) credit card program, strengthen its core capital and invest in the resilience of its platform.
Carsten Höltkemeyer
“This is a significant milestone for Solaris on our path to sustainable, profitable growth. The funding underlines the high level of confidence our investors have in the transformation of our company. 2024 heralds a bright new chapter for Solaris and we are committed to delivering on our business priorities, enhancing the product offering for our partners and making regulatory compliance our USP. I am proud of our team, which is passionate about defending and extending our market leadership. Together, we will now build a new Solaris.”
Carsten Höltkemeyer, CEO of Solaris
The funding round was led by SBI Group, one of Solaris‘ early strategic investors, and will enable the delivery of the ADAC migration. In September 2022, Solaris secured a long-term agreement to become ADAC’s co-branding credit card partner, issuing more than 1.2 million credit cards going forward. In July 2023, Solaris closed its first round of Series F funding at EUR 38 million, also led by existing investors, with the funds being used to strengthen governance and compliance and navigate the challenging market environment.



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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/solaris-raises-96-million-eur-series-f</link><guid>3588</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Solaris Raises 96 Million EUR Series F</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Financial Innovation Desk Launches Fintech Hackathon</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						March 20, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					FIND, the new formed government supported Swiss Financial Innovation Desk (FIND), announced the launch of its flagship event “SwissHacks”, a fintech-focused hackathon powered by Tenity.
FIND aims to concierge and hatch financial innovation and consolidate Switzerland’s leadership in the global financial arena by having the smartest minds solve real-world issues within 48 hours and link prototype solutions with corporates and investors.
The hackathon is set to occur 28-30 June 2024, the weekend prior to the Point Zero Forum, a renowned platform for global leaders to address latest developments in financial technology and the future of finance.
As an independent unit within the State Secretariat for International Finance of the Federal Department of Finance, FIND serves as the catalyst for financial innovation in Switzerland. The desk’s mission is to promote financial innovation through concierging dialogue and collaboration between innovation projects, research, investors, and authorities at both national and international levels.
SwissHacks 2024 as a Premiere
With the premiere of SwissHacks 2024, FIND invites students, developers, designers, entrepreneurs, and finance professionals to tackle real-world challenges and opportunities within the financial sector. It encourages seasoned hackatheers and hackanewbies alike to immerse in SwissHacks 2024.
Participants will have the chance to showcase their innovative prototype solutions and ideas in front of a panel of visionaries, industry experts and potential investors. FIND’s flagship event promises to be a melting pot of creativity and innovation, generating actionable solutions that contribute to the future of finance and benefits society at large.
The premiere of SwissHacks 2024 is made possible through innovation rockstar partners and challenge sponsors SIX, Julius Baer, Ripple, Postfinance, and Microsoft in collaboration with Unique, as well as innovation visionary partners Raiffeisen and Finance Swiss, as well as more partners yet to be announced.
Eva Selamlar
For Eva Selamlar, Head of FIND,
“SwissHacks 2024 is a first. Never before has there been a Swiss government driven hackathon with an exclusive focus on financial innovation. Switzerland is the cradle of finance, education and entrepreneurial spirit. All we need to do is to unleash this DNA by putting the cleverest to work on five distinct problems. Best case is we see visionary and scalable solutions that address pressing societal challenges, worst case is we are smarter than 48h before and have had a good time with like-minded peers”.
The winning teams will be honored in a closing ceremony in the presence of the State Secretary for International Finance, Daniela Stoffel, but additionally have the opportunity to present their solutions on stage at the Point Zero Forum and at a side event on 2 July 2024 (by invite only) to decision makers and investors from around the world.
Applications for SwissHacks 2024 are open until April 30, 2024.



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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-financial-innovation-desk-launches-fintech-hackathon</link><guid>3589</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/FIND-Concierges-a-Groundbreaking-Hackathon-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Financial Innovation Desk Launches Fintech Hackathon</dc:text></item><item><title>Global Retail Fintech Funding Shows Resilience, Supported by Banking and Credit Deals</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						March 19, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					Retail fintech recorded a slight growth in Q4 2023 with deal value increasing by 5% quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) to US$2.6 billion, a modest rise that was driven by large deals in banking and credit verticals, new data released by PitchBook reveal.
The Q4 2023 Retail Fintech Report, released on March 07, 2024, delves into venture capital (VC) funding trends in retail fintech, exploring the largest rounds observed in the sector during the quarter and sharing predictions for what’s to come in 2024.
According to the report, large rounds of funding to startups in the verticals of buy now, pay later (BNPL), consumer lending and digital banking helped sustain retail fintech funding levels in Q4 2023 despite the prolonged downturn that began in 2022.
During that quarter, the largest round of the sector was secured by Tamara, a BNPL startup from Saudi Arabia, which raised a US$340 million Series C in December. Founded in 2020, Tamara is a BNPL platform that provides users with the option to pay in 30 days or in three installments over 60 days at zero interest. Tamara operates in Saudi Arabia, where it is headquartered, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kuwait. The startup has more than 10 million users and over 30,000 partner merchants, including Shein, Jarir, noon, Ikea, eXtra and Farfetch.
After Tamara, Canada’s Koho raised the second largest round of Q4 2023, securing a US$$277.8 million Series D, according to PitchBook. Koho, which was founded in 2014, offers a full-service spending and savings account with no hidden fees that gives cash back on every purchase, and an integrated app that helps users spend smart and save more. The startup claimed more than 500,000 customers in 2022.
Tabby, another BNPL startup from Saudi Arabia, raised the third largest round of Q4 2023, securing US$250.0 million in equity and US$700 million in debt Series D in December. Founded in 2019, Tabby allows users to split their online and in-store purchases into four interest-free payments. The startup, which is active in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Kuwait, claims more than 11 million users and 40,000 brands and businesses part of its network, including Amazon, Adidas, H&amp;M and Samsung.
Other notable deals came from wealthtech and consumer payments. Scalable Capital, a German online brokerage, raised a US$227.8 million Series E; Stash, a New York City-based provider of an investing app, closed a US$40 million late-stage round in October; PaySend, a UK-based international money transfer specialist, raised US$65 million in a late-stage round; and YouTrip, a Singapore-based multi-currency digital wallet, secured US$50 million for its Series B.
Retail fintech VC continues its downtrend
Retail fintech VC funding has been on a downtrend since 2022. While VC funding grew by a mere 5% QoQ in Q4 2023, representing the third quarter in a row where VC deal value increased quarterly, deal value remained down by 18.2% year-over-year (YoY) and continued to sit at its lowest level since Q1 2017.
For the full year, retail fintech companies secured US$10 billion in VC, pulling back 57.5% from the US$23.6 billion recorded in 2022.
Retail fintech VC deal activity by quarter, Source: Q4 2023 Retail Fintech Report, PitchBook, Mar 2024
In terms of deal count, retail fintech companies recorded 148 VC rounds in Q4 2023. Compared with the 166 deals seen in Q3 2023, this represents a 36.0% QoQ decrease. On a YoY basis, deal count in Q4 2023 was down by 32.1% compared with the 218 deals seen in the prior year period. 699 deals were logged for 2023, representing a 36% drop from 1,093 deals in 2022.
Retail fintech VC deal activity, Source: Q4 2023 Retail Fintech Report, PitchBook, Mar 2024
The PitchBook report also dives into the new wave of BNPL startups, projecting that BNPL will make a comeback in retail fintech funding this year.
It highlights the case of Klarna, a Swedish BNPL player that has witnessed tremendous growth. In 2023, Klarna booked its biggest ever year in terms of gross merchandise volume (GMV), nearing SEK 1 trillion (US$96 billion) and increasing by 17% from 2022.
The startup says its revenue increased by 22%, reaching SEK 23.5 billion (US$2.3 billion) in 2023. Absolute credit losses reduced by 29% in 2023 while consumer credit losses declined by 32% YoY. Cost efficiencies led to a 95% improvement in adjusted operating result, helping net result to improve by 76% to a loss of SEK 2.5 billion (US$240 million).
Klarna’s last disclosed post-money valuation stood at US$6.7 billion but recent reports suggest a valuation of around US$20 billion.
Klarna offers BNPL loans, which can be paid in installments, within 30 days, or over monthly payments up to 36 months. It also offers debit cards, a monthly subscription service, and business-to-business (B2B) checkout solutions. Klarna, which operates in European, the US and Australian markets, claims 150 million global active users and two million daily transactions.

Featured image credit: edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/global-retail-fintech-funding-shows-resilience-supported-by-banking-and-credit-deals</link><guid>3587</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Global-Retail-Fintech-Funding-Shows-Resilience-Supported-by-Banking-and-Credit-Deals-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Global Retail Fintech Funding Shows Resilience, Supported by Banking and Credit Deals</dc:text></item><item><title>SAP Rolls Out New Cloud Payment Solutions for Retailers</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					SAP announced a new composable payment solution to help retailers stay ahead of changing customer expectations.
The new solution, SAP Commerce Cloud, open payment framework, helps retailers become more agile as new payment options – such as buy now, pay later – gain popularity.
The framework integrates SAP Commerce Cloud with numerous third-party payment service providers (PSPs), including Stripe, Adyen, Worldpay and Airwallex, based on their specific use case. Additionally, SAP’s composable architecture allows retailers to pick payment partners tailored to their unique needs and international markets, enabling them to build at their own pace, scale their business faster and avoid being confined to a single provider.
Sven Denecken
“SAP’s unmatched industry expertise is the foundation of our strategy, as it enables us to deeply understand the complexities of delivering seamless and positive customer experiences that reinforce the brand promise with every interaction,”
said Sven Denecken, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Product Marketing for SAP Industries &amp; CX.
“SAP’s unique, industry-led approach to composability places the retailer’s digital commerce needs front and center while we work with them to manage their digital transformation, navigate pathways to sustainable growth, and deliver on industry expectations.”
This no-code, low-code framework gives retailers a low-cost, adaptive, and agile payments system that can best fit their business and customer needs. It covers common payment needs and end-to-end payment processes across authorization, capture, refunds, and re-authorization as well as automatic updates with security and compliance standards.

Featured image credit: edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sap-rolls-out-new-cloud-payment-solutions-for-retailers</link><guid>3586</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>SAP Rolls Out New Cloud Payment Solutions for Retailers</dc:text></item><item><title>Top Trends in Europe’s Digital Finance Landscape</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					In Europe, digital finance is being driven by the adoption of innovative technologies including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), distributed ledger technology (DLT), big data and cloud computing.
These technological advancements are presenting both opportunities and challenges, forcing regulatory and supervisory authorities to adapt and introduce rules to address the risks associated with their use, a paper by the the EU Supervisory Digital Finance Academy (EU-SDFA) says.
The paper, titled “Digital finance in the EU: drivers, risks, opportunities”, presents the challenges and opportunities presented by the rapid digitalization of the financial sector. It provides an outline of some of the main initiatives taken at the European Union level in the field and explores the main technologies and drivers of digital finance.
According to the document, significant transformations have occurred over the past decades in the European financial system, driven by the adoption of innovative technologies. These technologies have led to the emergence of new financial products, services, applications, processes, and business models collectively known as digital finance.
Overall, digital finance is perceived as a positive force in Europe, the paper says, offering a range of benefits to industry stakeholders including improved access to financial services, a wider range of products, a more competitive market environment, and enhanced operational efficiency. Despite this, digital finance is also introducing new challenges and risks associated with the extensive use of technologies including big data, AI and DLT.
Blockchain, AI as key technologies driving innovation in finance
The EU-SDFA paper highlights AI and DLT among the main technologies shaping the transformation of the financial sector, promising increased innovation, improved efficiency, and heightened access to financial services.
Currently, AI technologies and ML algorithms are used across a wide range of applications, utilized to analyze large datasets, identify patterns, and make data-driven predictions in financial decision-making processes. These technologies are applied in functions and processes such as credit scoring models, algorithmic trading systems, and customer segmentation strategies.
Despite their potential, AI and ML also introduce a number of concerns, including issues regarding data privacy and security, algorithmic bias, explainability and transparency, and operational risks related to system failures and errors, the document says.
Europe’s financial services sector is embracing opportunities brought about AI adoption at a fast pace. A 2023 survey conducted by EY found that 60% of the senior business leaders polled actively invested in generative AI over the prior year. 75% of executives planned to increase capital allocation over the year ahead.
DLT and blockchain, meanwhile, are praised for their potential to transform the financial system by replacing intermediaries with direct interactions among financial market participants. These technologies allow for the creation of distributed ledgers that record transactions and which are shared across a network of nodes using a consensus mechanism, enabling secure, transparent, and decentralized transactions.
Compelling applications of blockchain and DLT in finance include cryptocurrency transactions, smart contracts, tokenization of assets, supply chain finance, and identity verification. These applications have the potential to streamline processes, reduce fraud, and enhance security in financial transactions, the paper says.
Though DLT and blockchain are poised to introduce a number of benefits, their adoption has regulatory implications and risks, the report says. The regulatory landscape surrounding DLT and blockchain technologies is still evolving, leading to uncertainty for market participants and regulators. Additionally, DLT and blockchain systems are not immune to cybersecurity threats, including hacking, data breaches, and malicious attacks.
The paper also notes scalability issues, such as network congestion and slow transaction processing times, which are hampering the widespread adoption of blockchain technology in high-volume financial transactions, in addition to data privacy and protection concerns.
Key EU regulatory initiatives
To address these risks and ensure fair and equitable outcomes for all participants in the financial ecosystem, the European Commission has introduced significant policy initiatives to govern digital finance.
The Digital Finance Strategy for the EU, adopted in September 2020, is the most prominent and comprehensive one, serving as a framework to regulate risks, support the ongoing digital transformation of finance, and enhance Europe’s competitiveness.
The Digital Finance Package includes a number of regulatory proposals covering cryptocurrencies, operational risks, and payment innovation.
The Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), which officially entered into force in June 2023, establishes uniform EU market rules for crypto-assets. The regulation covers crypto-assets that are fungible and which had so far not been regulated by existing financial services legislation. Key provisions on regulated entities issuing and trading crypto-assets cover transparency, disclosure, authorization and supervision of transactions.
The framework aims to promote responsible innovation in crypto-asset markets while providing heightened market integrity, consumer and investor protection, and preserving financial stability.
The second main legislative proposal included in the 2020 Digital Finance Package focuses on addressing the risks associated with the financial sector’s growing dependence on software and digital processes.
The regulation, called the Digital Operational Resilience Act, entered into force on January 16, 2023 and aims to strengthen firms’ capacity to withstand technological disruptions and threats, mandating compliance with strict requirements to prevent and limit the impact of incidents. In addition, the framework outlines a mechanism to oversee service providers which provide cloud computing services to financial institutions. The regulation is to apply as of January 27, 2025.
Other initiatives included in the EU Digital Finance Package include the 2020 Retail Payments Strategy, which focuses on enhancing the European payments market through digitalization; the framework for Financial Data Access (FICA), which aims to promote data-driven finance and open finance; the Data Hub, which seeks to offer specific non-personal data sets to firms for product testing and AI model training; and the so-called “Single Currency Package”, which aims to safeguard the role of cash and proposes a framework for a digital euro.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-trends-in-europes-digital-finance-landscape</link><guid>3585</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Top Trends in Europe’s Digital Finance Landscape</dc:text></item><item><title>Citi Ventures Invests in Core Banking Provider Tuum</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						March 14, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					Tuum, a London and Tallinn based core banking provider, announced that Citi Ventures, a venture capital arm of US-headquartered Citigroup, has become a strategic investor in the company as a follow-on from Tuum’s recently announced series B fundraising.
At the start of February, Tuum announced a EUR25m Series B fundraise led by CommerzVentures, the proceeds from which will be used for product and market development. The company plans to expand its international presence — targeting new territories in the DACH region, Southern Europe, and the Middle East — and to accelerate investment in its market-leading solution.
As strategic investors on behalf of Citi, Citi Ventures — whose mission is to catalyze innovation at Citi by investing in and partnering with category-defining startups with the potential to revolutionize financial services — has invested in an extension to the Series B round and plans to introduce Tuum to key stakeholders within the bank to gauge interest in commercialization opportunities.
Luis Valdich
Luis Valdich, a Managing Director responsible for Citi Ventures’ fintech investments globally, commented:
“At Citi Ventures, we have been tracking the modernization of core banking tech stacks for years. After exploring numerous opportunities to invest in next-gen core banking providers, we are excited to invest in Tuum, whose API-first, cloud-agnostic and modular platform promises to strike an optimal balance between no-code hyper-configurability and total cost of ownership that can help accelerate this long overdue transformation across the industry.”
Myles Bertrand
Myles Bertrand, CEO of Tuum, added:
“We are delighted to welcome Citi Ventures as a strategic investor. This investment from one of the largest banking groups in the world, with market-leading positions globally in corporate, private and retail banking, represents a major milestone as well as a significant market endorsement of what Tuum has achieved. We are excited about working with the team and exploring opportunities together.”


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/citi-ventures-invests-in-core-banking-provider-tuum</link><guid>3584</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Citi-Ventures-Invests-in-Tuum-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Citi Ventures Invests in Core Banking Provider Tuum</dc:text></item><item><title>PPRO Secure Additional 85 Million EUR Growth Funding</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					PPRO, a London based payments platform, has announced the completion of a dual tranche funding round totalling €85 million to pursue growth in key markets and further enhance its global network of local payment methods.
Rahul Raswant
The funding is provided by new and existing investors, including Eurazeo, HPE Growth, Sprints, PayPal Ventures, J.P. Morgan, Citi Ventures, and funds managed by BlackRock.
“Our focus on helping customers access new markets by creating seamless local payment experiences is validated by the strong demand we’re seeing, as well as by this infusion of capital which represents a real vote of confidence in PPRO’s growth prospects.”
said Rahul Raswant, Chief Financial Officer, PPRO.
Anne-Charlotte Philbert
“PPRO has set itself apart as a leader in the payments industry and is at the forefront of enabling businesses to sell goods and services to anyone in the world using their preferred way to pay,”
added Anne-Charlotte Philbert, Managing Director – Growth at Eurazeo.
“The company combines distinctive technology, robust financial performance with an exceptional management team, and is firmly on track to reach profitability. We are more enthusiastic than ever to continue our support of PPRO’s mission to simplify access to local payment methods.”
“Since our first investment in 2018, PPRO has grown its market reach and prominence in the constantly evolving payments space,”
commented James Loftus, Managing Partner, PayPal Ventures.



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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ppro-secure-additional-85-million-eur-growth-funding</link><guid>3583</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>PPRO Secure Additional 85 Million EUR Growth Funding</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Investors in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						March 13, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					Switzerland boasts a vibrant investment ecosystem supported by a robust network of investors and venture capitalists (VCs). A database created and maintained by The Week in Swiss Startups, in collaboration with swissVC and Swisspreneur, reveals that the market now comprises a total of 127 investors supporting the tech startups in Switzerland and beyond, among which 22 fintech investors.
The database, which relies on publicly available information sourced from official websites, startup platforms such as Crunchbase, Dealroom and Pitchbook, as well as details provided by the investors, reveals that out of the 22 fintech investors recorded in Switzerland, 18 are VCs firms while four are corporate VC (CVC) funds.
These investors are located in strategic locations where the concentration of fintech startups is high. The vast majority of them (10) are based in Zurich, Switzerland’s tech startup hub and biggest fintech ecosystem. Zug, Geneva and Lausanne follow suit with two fintech investors each. Other locations represented include Pfaffikon, Bern, Liechtenstein and Gland.






The data also highlights the prominence of early-stage investors, with 18 out of the 22 fintech investors in Switzerland focusing on pre-seed, seed and Series A stage startups solely. In contrast, only four investors are backing growth and late-stage startups looking to secure Series B rounds or larger investments. These findings corroborate with other research which highlight the lack of follow-on funding capabilities in Switzerland and limited access to VC for later-stage investments.
Early-stage fintech investors
14Peaks Capital

Based in Zug, 14Peaks Capital is an early-stage investor in business-to-business (B2B) software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies located in Europe and the US. Within SaaS the focus is across three core verticals: fintech, proptech, and the future of work.
14Peaks Capital initially partners with founders from pre-seed to Series A and provides on-going support throughout their growth journey via capital, operational involvement, network access and strategic advice.
Fintech companies in 14Peaks Capital’s portfolio include Dutch fraud prevention specialist Threat Fabric, American earned wage access (EWA) provider Rain, and Swiss interconnected cash management platform Instimatch Global.
ACE Ventures

Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Geneva, ACE Ventures invests in early-stage founders building enduring companies in climate tech, deeptech, fintech and software.
Comprised of a team of operators, engineers, and investors, ACE Ventures combines capital with expertise to empower and uplift bold entrepreneurs on their journey. The firm’s engagement extends beyond financial investment, offering meaningful support informed by their own experiences in the grind and hustle of building companies.
ACE Ventures portfolio companies include cloud-based payroll service Dopay, London-based GoCardless, and German digital bank N26.
Allegory Capital

Founded in 2019, Allegory Capital is a venture-building firm providing strategic and operational support to bold entrepreneurs and ideas. The firm focuses on tech startups disrupting regulated industries in Europe and Switzerland, supporting the growth of these startups from seed to Series A stage. It is particularly interested in ventures in digital health, fintech and greentech.
Portfolio companies of Allegory Capital include Unblock, a digital asset platform, Pryv.io, a Swiss personal data and privacy management software provider, and healthcare startup PiQuant.
Alpana Ventures

Alpana Ventures is a Swiss VC firm supporting promising deeptech solutions in Switzerland, Europe and the US. The firm invests in them to embed their solutions into innovative business models. Since 2016, Alpana Ventures has backed 45 founder teams, supporting them in their journey towards a positive impact.
Fintech companies in its portfolio include The Glue, a Belgian software platform provider serving financial institutions, Flowcast, an American AI company that helps financial institutions make smarter credit decisions, and Zact, a real-time corporate expense management solution from the US.
Arc Investors

Arc Investors is a VC firm based in Zurich that supports impact-driven entrepreneurs and cutting-edge technologies poised to reshape traditional ecosystems. Leveraging the partners’ background and access to legacy industries, the firm operates at the intersection of industry and technology, aiming to improve the success rates of entrepreneurial endeavors.
Arc Investors’ investment philosophy emphasizes the importance of connecting relevant dots between established industries and emerging technologies, facilitating validation, de-risking, and accelerating access and scale. The firm engages across sectors, including special situations, with a preference for B2B or business-to-business-to-consumer (B2B2C) solutions in industrial and enterprise technology, fintech and digital health.
Baloise

Baloise is an insurance holding company headquartered in Basel and the third-largest Swiss all-industry insurance provider for individuals and businesses. Its CVC fund focuses on strategic investments in innovative startups and growth-stage companies that align with Baloise’s core business areas and strategic objectives. It partners with innovative startups and emerging companies to stay at the forefront of technological advancements, improve its competitive position, and provide innovative solutions to its customers.
In addition to providing financial support, the CVC fund offers strategic guidance, industry expertise, and access to its network of resources to help portfolio companies succeed and grow.
Helvetia Venture Fund

The Helvetia Venture Fund invests in early-stage startups poised to shape the future of insurance. It is the CVC fund of international insurance Helvetia headquartered in St Gallen. The fund is run by former entrepreneurs and takes a very hands-on approach, placing a lot of emphasis on the relationship with the founders.
Portfolio companies of the Helvetia Venture Fund include Flitter, a mobile-first insurtech focusing on car insurances, Napo, a digital-first pet insurtech startups, and Coinscrap Finance, a financial health artificial intelligence (AI) platform.
Polytech Ventures

Founded in 2015, Polytech Ventures is an early-stage VC firm operating out of Switzerland and Silicon Valley, with a strong international focus. Strategically located at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), which is renowned as one of the world’s foremost innovation hubs, the firm maintains a constant presence in Silicon Valley and aims to bridge global innovation ecosystems.
Polytech Ventures boasts a team of seasoned investment professionals and industry experts with over 100 years of collective experience. The firm invests in seed and early-stage companies operating in the fintech,  proptech, healthtech, human resources (HR) tech and foodtech.
Its portfolio of companies comprises Bitcoin investment app Relai, point-of-sale (POS) terminal provider Kiwi, peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platform Lend as well as Taurus and Neguardian.
PostFinance Ventures

PostFinance Ventures is the CVC fund of PostFinance, a financial institution based in Switzerland. The fund participates in innovative startups, especially those in the fintech sector, supporting these startups with limited funds.
PostFinance Ventures offers various types of participation: CVC, innovation participations, and cooperation participations. It tailors its collaborations to its partners’ needs to ensure every company can benefit as much as possible.
Fintech companies in which PostFinance Ventures has invested in include Swedish climate tech startup Doconomy, German social financial network and personal finance tool provider Moneymeets, and Austrian social trading and investing platform Wikifolio.
Prediction Capital

Prediction Capital is an early-stage consumer tech and fintech investment firm. It partners with pioneering startups and support founders not only financially but also by actively aiding their progress with its expertise and network.
Prediction Capital primarily invests in the German, Austrian and Swiss (DACH) region, and looks for founders with the potential to positively impact society.
Companies in its portfolio include Heritas, a German company automating and standardizing the inheritance process digitally, and Bling, a German mobile application for children banking.
Redstone

Founded in 2014, Redstone is an European VC firm following selected investment strategies. The firm has specialized investment teams for each strategy, a strategy that has enabled it to develop strong sector expertise and networks.
Redstone has created a proprietary startup analytics and data platform called Sofia which allows it to make evidence-based and data-driven investment decisions. This platform enables it to predict industry trends, benchmark the segments, and identify appropriate investment targets.
Redstone is headquartered in Berlin with offices in Zurich and Helsinki. Fintech startups in its portfolio include Atlas Metrics, a German climate fintech startup, Banxware, a German SaaS provider for embedded financial services, and Finanzguru, a German digital and individual financial assistance based on AI.
Seed X Liechtenstein

Seed X Liechtenstein is a European-focused VC firm with strong roots in Liechtenstein. The firm helps startups scale by providing a strong network of experienced entrepreneurs and industry leaders. It selectively collaborates with qualified investors and focuses on investing in strong teams with a clear value proposition and relevant business traction.
Seed X Liechtenstein invests in pre-seed, seed and Series A round, targeting international teams with diverse founders from different genders, races, and nationalities. Its investment scope includes fintech, insurtech, proptech and legaltech startups.
Fintech startups in its portfolio include Elucidate, a financial crime risk quantification platform, Troy, a debt collection platform, and Helvengo, an Internet-of-Things (IoT) insurance platform.
Seedstars International Ventures

Seedstars International Ventures is an industry-agnostic VC fund dedicated to global emerging and frontier markets. The firm has invested in over 30 countries across Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, backing ventures that work to solve key societal challenges such as access to financial services, healthcare, education, or commerce.
Headquartered in Geneva, Seedstars International Ventures operates with a hands-on methodology, emphasizing capacity building, impact investment, community engagement, and market insights. Fintech startups in its portfolio include Cubo from El Salvador, Kuunda from South Africa and Datacultr from India.
SpiceHaus Partners

SpiceHaus Partners is a Swiss VC investor focusing on early-stage companies in the technology sector in Switzerland. The firm’s team combines investment experience and entrepreneurship, believing in creating long-term partnerships between entrepreneurs and investors.
Spicehaus Partners drives digital transformation by backing successful founders, and has a strong investment portfolio with more than 35 companies funded. These startups include Amnis, a payment platform for international money transfer, Descartes Finance, a digital asset manager, and Fidentity, an online identification and digital signature specialist.
Tenity

Tenity is a startup incubator, accelerator and early-stage VC based in Zurich. The firm is primarily focused on powering the future of finance. With its incubator and accelerator, it foster collaboration between startups, incumbents and investors.
Tenity operates the longest-running fintech innovation hub in Switzerland, and is currently running the 11th incubation program in Zurich for ambitious early-stage fintech and insurtech founders. It works with world-leading organizations in Switzerland and beyond, and has a extensive portfolio of startups which includes Dematrading.ai, a crypto startup, SmartPurse, a financial education platform, and Elysium, a self-custody wallet for digital assets.
Tomahawk.vc

Tomahawk.vc is an entrepreneur-led early-stage VC firm focusing on pre-seed, seed and Series A investments. The firm invests in global-first companies, particularly those that are driving digital transformation.
Tomahawk.vc’s portfolio includes companies in various sectors such as fintech, decentralized finance (DeFi), blockchain, and more. These companies include Buynomics, a pricing tools for transactional businesses, Grape, a digital employee insurance company, and Lano, a German software solution enabling businesses to hire and pay full-time employees and contractors.
TX Ventures

TX Ventures is the CVC arm of TX Group, a Swiss media company headquartered in Zurich. The fund invests in companies that democratize access to financial products, empower people to gain financial security, and improve efficiency and sustainability. It targets early-stage startups operating in the fintech, proptech, insurtech and digital assets sectors, focusing on the DACH and broader European region.
Companies in the portfolio of TX Ventures include Monito, a Swiss money transfer startup, Selma Finance, an independent financial advisor, Neon, a Swiss neobanking startup, and Pricehubble, a real estate price intelligence software.
UBS Next

UBS Next is an early-stage VC fund managed by the UBS Group. The fund was launched for the group to further engage with fintech startup and the broader tech ecosystem, accelerate innovation by making strategic venture investments in fintech and enterprise technology companies, and find new ways to engage with its clients and deliver its services.
UBS Next focuses on several key areas: hyper-personalization, sustainability and impact, DeFi, future wealth, platform enhancements, and partner ecosystems.
Its portfolio comprises companies including Synthesized, a data generation platform, Numarics, a platform that digitizes and expands financial and administrative solutions for small and mediums-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Switzerland, and Tenity, the Swiss startup incubator and accelerator.
Late- and multi-stage fintech investors
EQT Partners

EQT Partners is a global investment organization based in Zurich. The firm focuses on active ownership strategies and has a track record of almost three decades of delivering consistent and attractive returns across multiple geographies, sectors, and strategies.
EQT Partners’ mission is to invest in good companies across the world and help them develop into great and sustainable companies. To achieve these goals, it provides access to ownership skills and operational expertise, which helps the acquired companies grow and prosper, both under EQT Partners’ ownership and with future owners.
Fintech companies in its portfolio include Mambu, a SaaS cloud banking platform, and Mollie, a payment platform from the Netherlands.
FiveT Fintech

FiveT Fintech is a Swiss investment company that focuses on redesigning financial services through digitization and the use of cutting-edge technologies. Formerly known as Avaloq Ventures, FiveT Fintech collaborates closely with Avaloq’s ecosystem, which includes over 150 financial institutions across more than 30 countries with a total of US$4.5 billion in client assets.
FiveT Fintech engages with 120+ fintech startups. Its mission is to help banks and financial service providers venture into new areas and provide early-stage fintech companies a platform to prosper and scale.
Companies in its portfolio include Assetmax, an integrated software platform that allows independent asset managers to automate repetitive work and to focus on their core business activities, and Metava, a fully integrated digital asset management solution for banks and exchanges, and Optio Pay, an open banking specialist.
G Squared

G Squared is a global VC fund manager established in 2011 and based in Zurich. The firm provides transitional capital to portfolio companies, addressing the growing trend of venture-backed firms staying private for longer durations. It focuses on investing in companies that tackle significant challenges, disrupt industries, and challenge the status quo, offering elite access to value creation in private markets.
G Squared’s portfolio encompasses over 100 companies, including prominent names like Airbnb, Coursera, Instacart, and Spotify, as well as emerging disruptors such as airSlate, Brex, and Gorillas. Fintech startups in its portfolio include Airwallex, a financial services platform for businesses, Brex, a B2B financial product provider, and Chime, an American mobile banking app.
Lakestar

Founded in 2012, Lakestar is a VC firm headquartered in Zurich and with offices in Berlin and London. The firm invests in tech companies led by exceptional entrepreneurs, focusing on sectors including tech, Internet, fintech, healthcare, digitalization infrastructure, industrial, deeptech, gaming, B2B commerce and climate tech.
Lakestar accompanies its founders from seed to exit, and manages an aggregated volume of over EUR 2.8 billion across four funds.
Fintech companies in its portfolio include French insurtech startup Alan, crypto company Blockchain, and enterprise payment infrastructure company Imburse.


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-investors-in-switzerland</link><guid>3582</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Fintech-Investors-in-Switzerland--1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech Investors in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Unabhängige Finanz News Portale erste Wahl für Anlageentscheidungen</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Gut informiert, besser investiert: Wer seine Anlageentscheidungen nach objektiven Kriterien trifft, braucht verlässliche Informationen.
In der Online-Umfrage Trend des Monats März hat der Deutsche Bundesverband für strukturierte Wertpapiere (BSW) Anlegerinnen und Anleger befragt, auf welche Informationsquellen sie überwiegend vertrauen.
Auf Platz eins stehen wie im Vorjahr unabhängige Finanzportale (55,7 Prozent), gefolgt von Zeitungen, Zeitschriften und Magazinen (17,8 Prozent). Ausserdem werden die Internetseiten der Emittenten (10 Prozent), Social Media (8,6 Prozent) sowie Bank- und Anlageberater (7,9 Prozent) zu Rate gezogen.






Christian Vollmuth
„Damit Anlegerinnen und Anleger souveräne Entscheidungen treffen und ihre finanziellen Ziele erreichen können, braucht es Finanz- und Medienkompetenz. Der effiziente Zugang zu Informationen und qualitativer Journalismus mit solider Recherche sind dabei von elementarer Bedeutung für alle, die Vermögen aufbauen, erhalten und absichern wollen.“,
so Christian Vollmuth, geschäftsführender Vorstand des BSW.



An dieser Online-Trendumfrage haben sich insgesamt 995 Personen beteiligt. Die Umfrage wurde gemeinsam mit den Finanzportalen finanzen.net, marktEINBLICKE.de, onvista.de sowie wallstreet-online.de durchgeführt.


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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/unabhangige-finanz-news-portale-erste-wahl-fur-anlageentscheidungen</link><guid>3580</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Exploring-SIC-Instant-Payments-in-Switzerland.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Unabhängige Finanz News Portale erste Wahl für Anlageentscheidungen</dc:text></item><item><title>2024 IFZ Fintech Report: Swiss Fintech Hubs Fall Behind</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						March 13, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					Switzerland is losing competitiveness as a global fintech hub, overshadowed by nations including Singapore and Sweden which have been actively improving their support of fintech companies and enhancing their environments to allow for the development of the sector, findings from the latest IFZ Fintech Study by the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts’ Institute of Financial Services Zug (IFZ) reveal.
2024 Fintech Hub Ranking, Source: IFZ Fintech Study 2024, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts’ Institute of Financial Services Zug (IFZ), Mar 2024
The IFZ Fintech Study 2024, released earlier this month, gives an overview of the Swiss fintech sector, outlining the developments that occurred over the prior year and sharing emerging trends arising in 2024.
Data show that Swiss fintech hubs Zurich and Geneva experienced a decline in competitiveness in 2023 as other hubs improved their performances relative to these two cities. This year’s edition of the Fintech Hub Ranking, a rating that evaluates the attractiveness of different destinations for fintech companies, reveals that Zurich stepped back from its second-place position to Stockholm, while Geneva dropped from third to fourth place.






Fintech Hub Ranking by year, Source: IFZ Fintech Study 2024, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts’ Institute of Financial Services Zug (IFZ), Mar 2024
Looking more closely at Zurich and Geneva, the data show that, as in previous years, these Swiss cities performed strongest in the political/legal dimension in 2023. Furthermore, both these cities reported a year-over-year (YoY) improvement in social environmental factors, where they achieved fourth and sixth places, respectively last year. The only deterioration for Zurich and Geneva can be found in the technological dimension, which declined
Concurrently, Sweden’s capital city of Stockholm led the ranking on social dimension, outperforming Singapore, the world leader. But more remarkable, Stockholm witnessed its biggest improvement in the economic dimension, which improved by five ranks last year.
Other locations that recorded notable advances in 2023 include New York City and Toronto, which improved in the social dimension, and Berlin, which improved in the technological dimension. All three cities rose four places in their respective dimensions.
These findings indicate that while Swiss cities are maintaining certain strengths, other cities are making greater strides in creating a favorable environment for fintech companies. As other cities invest in improving their ecosystems for fintech companies, the competition among global fintech hubs is intensifying, putting a greater pressure on Swiss cities and leading to a relative decline in their competitiveness.
PEST dimension rankings, Source: IFZ Fintech Study 2024, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts’ Institute of Financial Services Zug (IFZ), Mar 2024
In addition to the Fintech Hub Ranking, the IFZ Fintech Study 2024 also features a ranking of the actual fintech ecosystems of different countries, including their numbers of fintech companies per capita, jobs at fintech companies per capita, and the total funding of fintech companies per capita.
The analysis reveals that in 2023, Singapore led the overall ranking, followed by Estonia, Hong Kong, the UK, Luxembourg and Switzerland. This ranking is similar to those of previous years.
Looking at changes, the analysis shows that Singapore maintained its lead in funding per capita, while Estonia led in fintech companies per capita and jobs per capita in 2023. Luxembourg descended three positions in the overall ranking, a decline which is attributed to a significant drop in funding per capita.
Switzerland, ranked 6th, maintained its position in companies per capita, and saw an improvement in funding per capita. However, Switzerland lost one place on jobs per capita, suggesting a decline in the number of fintech jobs available relative to the population size in the country.
Fintech-related output ranks for the top ten countries of the total output ranking, Source: IFZ Fintech Study 2024, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts’ Institute of Financial Services Zug (IFZ), Mar 2024
Swiss fintech trends
Despite loosing attractiveness to other fintech hubs, the IFZ Fintech Study 2024 reveals that the Swiss fintech industry developed in 2023. Last year, the sector comprised 483 fintech companies, representing a 11% YoY increase in relative terms. In addition, a first-time assessment showed that Liechtenstein was home to 22 fintech companies in late 2023, bringing the total number of fintech companies in Switzerland and Liechtenstein to 505 companies.
Number of Swiss and Liechtenstein fintech companies by year, Source: IFZ Fintech Study 2024, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts’ Institute of Financial Services Zug (IFZ), Mar 2024
The analysis also reveals that the number of companies offering technologies in the categories of analytics, big data, artificial intelligence (AI), and distributed ledger technology (DLT) grew the most last year.
A YoY comparison shows that companies in DLT category saw the most positive trend with an increase of 40 companies (+30%) compared to 2022, followed by analytics/big data/AI with an additional 27 companies (+24%).
These metrics show that the Swiss fintech sector is increasingly evolving from traditional digitization towards the application of more complex methods and concepts such as AI and blockchain, the report says.
Swiss fintech companies by technology category, Source: IFZ Fintech Study 2024, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts’ Institute of Financial Services Zug (IFZ), Mar 2024
The study also reveals that sustainable fintech is on the rise. Although the sector only accounted for around 10% of all fintech companies in the Swiss and Liechtenstein fintech sector last year, their growth rate was significant, amounting to over 50% in 2023 and therefore rising substantially stronger than that of the fintech sector as a whole.
This growth is not solely driven by new incorporations but is also being driven by existing companies transitioning to sustainable fintech models, the report says. This is revealed by the fact that around half of sustainable fintech companies in operations in late 2023 were established in the prior three years, while companies with purely environmental or social objectives had more recent founding dates.
As of late 2023, Switzerland and Liechtenstein were home to a total of 49 sustainable fintech companies, with most of these ventures (22) being located in Zurich, followed by Geneva and Zug with 8 each. The majority of these companies were engaged in investment management and banking infrastructure sectors, leveraging technologies primarily in the analytics, big data and AI categories.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/2024-ifz-fintech-report-swiss-fintech-hubs-fall-behind</link><guid>3581</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IFZ-Fintech-Study-2024-Highlights-Switzerlands-Declining-Competitiveness-Against-Other-Global-Fintech-Hubs-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>2024 IFZ Fintech Report: Swiss Fintech Hubs Fall Behind</dc:text></item><item><title>The Top 50 Climate Fintech Startups</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					In 2023, global climate fintech investments totaled US$2.3 billion, declining by a slight 19% compared to the previous year, data from CommerzVentures, a venture capital (VC) firm backed by German banking group Commerzbank, reveal.
The rate is much lower than the 38% slump recorded for the overall venture capital (VC) market, indicating that climate fintech investment volume held up well throughout 2023 despite the massive VC funding pullback.
Global climate fintech funding volume, Source: Climate Fintech Report 2024, CommerzVentures, Mar 2024
These data were shared in the newly released Climate Fintech Report 2024, a report which explores the growth of the global climate fintech sector and which analyzes funding dynamics across geographies, sub-sectors and company stages.






According to the report, European companies continued to dominate the global climate fintech scene in 2023, raising 1.5x more VC funding than the US at US$1.4 billion versus US$881 million. European climate fintech companies also secured 3.3x more financing rounds (109) than the US (33).
Climate fintech funding volume EU versus US in US$ million, Source: Climate Fintech Report 2024, CommerzVentures, Mar 2024
Within Europe, German startups attracted the most funding in 2023 (US$710 million), surpassing the UK (US$210 million). These countries are followed by France (US$134 million), Finland (US$77 million) and Denmark (US$56 million).
Climate fintech funding volume by country (top 10) in US$ million, Source: Climate Fintech Report 2024, CommerzVentures, Mar 2024
CommerzVentures data also show that climate fintech is no longer an emerging sector, with the share of Series B and later-stage investments reaching 31% in 2023, up 13 points from 18% in 2022. Similarly, the share of pre-seed and seed stage climate fintech startups that raised funding in 2023 declined to 42%, down 14 points from 56% in 2022.
Climate fintech funded companies by stage, Source: Climate Fintech Report 2024, CommerzVentures, Mar 2024
In 2023, carbon markets were the favored segment, with startup in the sector raising a total of US$720 million. Energy management came in second with US$530 million in funding, followed by carbon accounting with US$333 million, and environmental, social and governance (ESG) data reporting with US$197 million.
Climate fintech funding volume by country (top 10) in US$ million, Source: Climate Fintech Report 2024, CommerzVentures, Mar 2024
Besides fundraising trends, the Climate Fintech Report 2024 also features a selection of the world’s most promising and impactful green fintech startups.
The Climate Fintech 50 list showcases the climate fintech startups with the strongest business models and the highest potential for growth. These startups are delivering positive impact to their customers, and have secured notable rounds of VC funding from prestigious investors. They are categorized in nine sub-sectors, namely carbon markets, energy management, carbon accounting, climate risk management, ESG reporting, supply chain analytics, climate mitigation management, natural capital management and climate investing.
Carbon markets:

Abatable is a carbon offsetting procurement platform from the UK that connects companies with carbon project developers of high quality carbon offsets.
Arbonics is an Estonian nature tech specialist building a high-quality, scalable forest carbon removal platform in Europe.
Opna is a London-based startup that offers a climate financing platform that empowers corporates to discover, finance, and manage pre-assessed carbon removal and reduction projects to accelerate the journey to net zero.
Ecosystem Restoration Standard (ERS) is a French company that assesses and monitors the impact of restoration projects on climate, biodiversity, and local livelihoods.
Agreena is a Danish startup that helps farmers to plan, track and validate their transitions to regenerative agriculture practices that store soil carbon.
Klimate.co is a Danish startup that aims to address climate change through innovative carbon management solutions.
Isometric is a London-based startup developing a carbon removal registry  and science platform built to ensure the transition to carbon removal happens responsibly and fast.
Open Forest Protocol is a Switzerland-based company developing a scalable open platform that allows forest projects of any size, from around the world to measure, report and verify their forestation data.
Ocell is a Munich-based climate tech startup that offers data-driven, high-quality carbon credits to support local landowners.
Single.Earth is an Estonian startup using blockchain technology to create a marketplace that protects nature by making carbon removal and biodiversity tradable.
Pachama an American harnesses artificial intelligence (AI) and satellite data to empower companies to confidently invest in nature.
Cloverly is an American advanced digital platform that launched the first application programming interface (API) for carbon credits.
Mantle Labs is an UK-based company building a firm fintech platform that offers banks and insurance companies a complete risk assessment solution for managing their agriculture portfolios.
Choose is a Norwegian startup building digital tools so that everyone, anywhere, can easily integrate climate action into everyday life and business.
Veritree is a Canadian startup offering a platform providing registered users with access to integrated planting and reforestation verification and tracking tools to manage projects, share and publicize planting and reforestation initiatives and view planting and reforestation initiatives of other users.
Oka is an American carbon insurance company.

Energy management:

Cloover is a Stockholm-based climate fintech startup that enables vendors of renewable energy technologies to offer their services as a subscription.
Ostrom Climate is a Berlin-based startup providing carbon management solutions.
Enpal is a German startup offering the first integrated package for a climate-neutral home including photovoltaic (PV) systems, energy storage, electric vehicle (EV) chargers, green electricity tariffs and smart energy management.
Predium is a Munich-based startup offering a platform for sustainable real estate management.

Carbon accounting:

Tanso is a Munich-based climate tech startup that offers a climate intelligence suite to industrial companies.
CarbonChain is an UK-based startup building technology for companies to track, report and reduce their supply chain emissions, covering the most carbon-intensive industries, including metals and mining, agriculture and manufacturing.
Cleartrace is an American energy data and carbon accounting platform providing companies with the digital infrastructure to enable decision-making to mitigate environmental risk, prove their climate achievements and create new market opportunities within the evolving energy landscape.
Sinai is a San Francisco-based technology startup focused on transforming the way companies price, analyze, and reduce carbon emissions around the world.
Doconomy is a Stockholm-based company that helps banks, brands and consumers better understand their environmental impact.
Coolset is a Dutch startup that helps small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to measure, analyze, reduce, and eliminate their carbon impact.

Climate risk management:

Climate X is an UK-based startup that’s helping companies identify, assess, and manage climate-related risks to their business and assets.
Mitiga Solutions is a Spanish startup providing climate risk intelligence that combines science, AI, and high-performance computing.
Terrafuse AI is an American startup developing an advanced climate and weather risk prediction solution.

ESG reporting:

Atlas Metrics is a German startup building tools that make it easy for companies to measure and share the impact of their activities.
Briink is a German startup building an AI toolbox for ESG standards teams.
Apiday is a French startup helping businesses collect all ESG data in one place, automate ESG reporting and certification processes, and collaborate with third parties, such as specialized ESG consultants, to improve ESG scores or make specific ESG improvements.
Coolset is a Dutch company helping growing companies measure and improve on sustainability swiftly.
WeeFin is a French company providing a software-as-a-service (SaaS) for financial institutions to implement and oversee ESG strategies, ensuring compliance with national and international regulations.
Novisto is a Canadian startup offering an end-to-end enterprise software for smarter sustainability management, empowering companies to create value from their ESG data and reporting.
Mavue is a Frankfurt-based startup developing sustainability compliance software designed to collect, analyze, and report sustainability data in a simple and secure way.
Novata is an American public benefit corporation created to help private equity firms and private companies navigate the ESG landscape by providing relevant reporting metrics, a contributory database to store information, and tools for analysis and reporting to key stakeholders, including limited partners and regulators.

Supply chain analytics:

Orbio Earth is an American startup that uses satellite imagery to track methane emissions from the oil and gas industry.
Hydrosat is an American startup providing daily, high resolution thermal data and analytics for food security, public safety, and the environment.
Chloris Geospatial is an American company that uses remote sensing, machine learning (ML) and ecological science to measure forest carbon stock, gains and losses.
Overstory is a Dutch startup applying ML to satellite imagery to create insights about the quantity and quality of forests and other natural resources.
IntegrityNext is a German startup providing an all-in-one platform for supply chain sustainability management.
Treefera is a London-based startup that uses AI algorithms to map trees globally, collecting data that can then be used to measure, report and verify carbon credits, which are bought by companies to fund carbon reduction projects to offset emissions.

Climate mitigation management:

ClimateView is a Swedish climate tech company providing SaaS insights to accelerate cities’ transition to net zero.

Natural capital management:

Nala is a German startup that helps companies measure, manage and report their impact on nature &amp; biodiversity.
NatureMetrics is an UK tech startup using genetic techniques to monitor biodiversity.
Pivotal is a UK startup developing ways to measure biodiversity and turn it into a tradable asset.

Climate investing:

Carbon Equity is a Dutch fintech platform that democratizes access to impact private equity.
Earthly is a London-based startup that connects businesses to high-quality nature-based solutions that remove carbon, restore biodiversity and support local communities.
EnverX is a German startup providing a marketplace connecting capital, carbon projects and monitoring providers.


Featured image credit: Edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-top-50-climate-fintech-startups</link><guid>3579</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Global-climate-fintech-funding-volume-Source-Climate-Fintech-Report-2024-CommerzVentures-Mar-2024.png</dc:content ><dc:text>The Top 50 Climate Fintech Startups</dc:text></item><item><title>The Best Rated Mobile Banking Apps in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Over the past two years, mobile banking has developed strongly in Switzerland, overtaking e-banking as the most popular transactional and delivery channel.
This industry is seeing the emergence of leaders, among which banking incumbents Zurcher Kantonalbank and Luzerner Kantonalbank, a new report by the Lucerne School of Business Institute of Financial Services Zug (IFZ) says.
The report, released on February 19, 2024, shares findings of an analysis of mobile banking apps in Switzerland. It looked at the customer reviews of the mobile apps of 38 of the largest retail banks in the country and digital banking players in both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store to determine the providers who are excelling in digital experience.






The findings show that despite growing competition from market entrants, banking incumbents are performing well and living up to the challenge. In fact, the two highest ranked mobile banking apps in Switzerland are those of Zurcher Kantonalbank and Luzerner Kantonalbank. These apps achieved a weighted average score across the two app stores of 4.80 and 4.74 out of 5, respectively.
Behind them are the mobile apps of Wise and Revolut, as well as UBS Switzerland and Berner Kantonalbank, with a score of 4.7 out of 5 each, showcasing that Swiss banks are successfully facing the challenge posed by new market entrants and demonstrating both competence and resilience.
Rating of mobile banking apps (as of February 6-7, 2024; weighted by the number of ratings in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store; highlighted in gray: smartphone banks), Source: Lucerne School of Business Institute of Financial Services Zug IFZ, Feb 2024
The analysis also reveals that several banks have increased their performances significantly since 2022. Berner Kantonalbank recorded the strongest growth between September 2022 and February 2024, gaining 1.76 points in its rating. Berner Kantonalbank is followed by St. Galler Kantonalbank, UBS Switzerland and VZ Depotbank with increases of 0.9 points, 0.52 points and 0.51 points, respectively. These findings suggest that Swiss banks are continuously striving to enhance their mobile platforms in order to provide superior experiences to their customers.
Change in the average rating of mobile banking apps between 2022 and 2024
Findings of the IFZ analysis are similar to those of the 2022 Digital Index and Performance of Swiss Players report by Colombus Consulting. The study, which evaluated the digitalization of customer experience in Swiss retail banking, shows that traditional banking institutions are outperforming digital challengers in terms of digital presence, engagement, social media, and app usage in Switzerland.
In 2022, UBS retained the top position in digitization efforts, demonstrating strong performance across social networks, web, and digital marketing. PostFinance followed closely with a focus on marketing and satisfactory web and mobile performance but a lack in social networking. Raiffeisen ranked third with excellent web performance but lower scores in social media and marketing. Credit Suisse maintained a balanced profile, ranking fourth.
Top 5 Digital Index and Performance of Swiss Players 2022, Source: Colombus Consulting, 2022
Mobile banking on the rise in Switzerland
In Switzerland, banks are making significant efforts to provide their customers with improved mobile banking experiences. This is happening as more people are using mobile devices to carry out transactions and access banking services.
A 2023 study conducted by IFZ and digital banking think tank e.foresight reveals that digital banking has evolved greatly in Switzerland over the past years, with mobile banking emerging as the preferred channel for customers.
The joint research, released in May 2023, polled 29 institutions in Switzerland to examine how widespread e-banking and mobile banking are among Swiss bank customers and explore the development of digital banking in the country.
It reveals that up until 2020, e-banking was the favored channel for Swiss customers, recording the largest share of customer logins. In 2020, however, the number of logins for e-banking and mobile banking were almost equal, signaling the beginning of a shift. And by the end of 2022, mobile banking had surpassed e-banking, with 62% of logins being done by a smartphone.
Estimates by IFZ suggest that customer logins in e-banking increased by an average of 1.43% per year between 2018 and December 2022. In contrast, customer logins via smartphones surged by over 33% per year during the same period.
Development of e-banking and mobile banking logins from January 2018 to December 2022, Source:

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-best-rated-mobile-banking-apps-in-switzerland</link><guid>3578</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Exploring-SIC-Instant-Payments-in-Switzerland.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>The Best Rated Mobile Banking Apps in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Mike Stawchansky to Spearhead Finastra’s Gen AI Initiatives as New Tech Chief</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						March 8, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					Financial software provider Finastra has appointed Mike Stawchansky as its new Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Innovation Officer.
Mike, who will be working closely with the Office of the CEO, is set to spearhead the company’s initiatives in customer technology and innovation, particularly focusing on generative AI advancements.
Tasked with leading the customer technology senior leadership team, Mike reports directly to Finastra’s CEO Simon Paris. His role emphasises enhancing operational excellence and propelling the company’s technology initiatives.






Mike brings to Finastra a solid background in technology and innovation, having previously served as Senior Vice President of Platform and Production Engineering at Collibra, a data intelligence platform. His extensive career, spanning over 25 years, also includes key positions at Salesforce and WebMD.
Mike Stawchansky
Mike said,
“I am so excited to be part of Finastra and I’m truly inspired by the passion and excitement that I see here around delivering innovative and modern technology solutions to our customers.
In addition, it is an honor to head up such an advanced generative AI (Gen AI) team. Finastra is ahead of the curve when it comes to educating its workforce on how to use this technology and I can’t wait to build on that, bringing more customer-facing solutions to market which encapsulate Gen AI benefits.”
Simon Paris
Simon said,
“Mike brings a wealth of expertise in building modern tech stacks and cloud transformations.
His knowledge will be invaluable as we continue to bring our customers open technology solutions which drive business growth and efficiencies, and ultimately empower financial institutions with our relentless commitment to innovation.”


This article first appeared on fintechnews.sg
Featured image credit: Mike Stawchansky, Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Innovation Officer, Finastra


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mike-stawchansky-to-spearhead-finastras-gen-ai-initiatives-as-new-tech-chief</link><guid>3575</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Finastra-Hires-Chief-Technology-Innovation-Officer-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Mike Stawchansky to Spearhead Finastra’s Gen AI Initiatives as New Tech Chief</dc:text></item><item><title>10 Female Founders Shaping the Swiss Fintech Landscape</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						March 8, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					In honor of International Women’s Day on March 08, the Fintech News Network is presenting its spotlight on the trailblazing female founders in Switzerland’s fintech landscape. These remarkable women are not only shaping the future of the industry but also championing diversity, innovation, and inclusion within fintech. They are driving forward the industry, showcasing resilience and leadership in the vibrant world of fintech.
For this list, we’ve focused on female founders of fintech companies in Switzerland, highlighting 11 of the most influential leaders in the country and delving into their professional journeys, accomplishments, and contributions to the advancement of their respective companies.
Brigitte Baumann, Founder, GoBeyond Investing







Brigitte Baumann is the founder of Go Beyond Investing, a platform that facilitates angel investing for both novice and seasoned investors in Switzerland. Baumann boasts over 30 years of experience in introducing new technologies to markets across the US and Europe.
In addition to her role at Go Beyond, Baumann is a prominent figure as a keynote speaker, trainer, and consultant, focusing on designing educational content for angel investors, startup board members, and entrepreneurs seeking financing.
Before founding Go Beyond Investing, Baumann was CEO and director of iWORLD Group, a venture capital (VC)-backed mobile content developer, and served as the senior vice president at American Express Corporate Services where she launched internet businesses including the online travel agency Expedia.com. Baumann was also the president of Gemalto for the US and Canada, and worked with McKinsey &amp; Company as a senior engagement manager in New York, Paris and Tokyo.
In May 2015, Baumann received the European Investor of the Year award from EBAN. In 2017, she was selected In EY’s European Winning Women Entrepreneur program. In 2016 and consecutively in 2017, Baumann was listed as one of Europe’s Top 50 Most Influential Women in the startup and VC space and Top Women in FinTech.
Cecilia Mueller-Chen, Founder, Comply Now

Cecilia Mueller-Chen is the founder of Comply Now, a regulatory compliance advisory company serving the crypto and fintech sector. Mueller-Chen is regarded as a visionary thought leader in the realm of regulations and compliance and was recognized in 2020 by Finews as one of Crypto Valley’s Top Female Talents.
With a background as the former chief compliance officer and other key roles in institutions such as China Construction Bank Zurich and Deutsche Boerse, Mueller-Chen has amassed a wealth of experience in managing systemic risks during various crises and navigating complex regulatory environments globally. Her expertise extends to regulatory strategy, compliance, legal, and operations.
Mueller-Chen’s accomplishments include devising regulatory strategies for the original bitcoin and bitcoin cash protocols, obtaining licenses in multiple jurisdictions, and advocating for third-country equivalence in European Union (EU) laws during her tenure at SIX Exchange and Deutsche Boerse.
Beyond her corporate roles, Mueller-Chen has been instrumental in shaping industry standards, such as authoring the Crypto Valley Association’s Code of Conduct. She has also collaborated with organizations like the World Bank and Consensys to address United Nations’ sustainability goals.
With a diverse educational background including an E-MBA from the University of St. Gall, an MBA from the University of Toronto, and dual degrees from the University of California at Berkeley, Mueller-Chen combines her expertise in finance, technology, and compliance to drive innovation and positive change.
Dr. Lidia Kurt, Founding Partner, Vision&amp;

Dr. Lidia Kurt is the founder of Vision&amp;, a Swiss digital asset business studio. Kurt has extensive experience in the intersection of traditional finance with new technologies. With Vision&amp;, she builds products and creates ventures in the digital asset industry for her clients.
Besides her role at Vision&amp;, Kurt is also a co-founder of the recently launched Swiss Stablecoin, an initiative aimed at establishing a regulated and widely accessible digital Swiss franc.
Previously, she was the managing partner of a consulting boutique for quantitative finance and has worked for JP Morgan and Swiss Re in Zurich, London and Hong Kong. Lidia graduated from the University of St. Gallen with a PhD in asset management. Although loving to tackle the challenges of the financial world, Lidia’s actual happy place are technologies – during coding she regularly loses track of time.

Zulma Prieto, Co-Founder, CPO and CMO, Emilian

Zulma Prieto is the co-founder, chief product officer and chief marketing officer at Emilian, an “insurtech-as-a-service” provider based in Zurich.
Drawing upon over 20 years of industry experience, Prieto has a comprehensive understanding of the insurance value chain, acquired through roles with esteemed companies such as Marsh, Winterthur, Zurich, and SwissRe. Her expertise spans diverse domains, including reinsurance for corporate solutions, international programs, and coverage for the public sector and personal lines.
A Colombian and Swiss citizen, resident in Switzerland for many years, Prieto graduated with an MBA in Economics with a focus on insurance and will graduate soon as an user experience (UX) Designer. She is passionate about technology, digital platforms and UX design and strives to democratize insurance distribution.
Dr Luba Schoenig, Co-Founder, UMushroom

Dr. Luba Schoenig is the co-founder of UMushroom, a Swiss digital platform helping users to make investment decision in an intuitive way. Schoenig brings a wealth of experience from a distinguished career in the financial industry. With a background spanning over two decades, she has held various prominent roles in leading institutions such as Julius Baer, Credit Suisse, and Lehman Brothers.
Schoenig’s journey in finance began as a research and teaching assistant at the University of Zurich, where she also earned a doctor of quantitative finance degree. Prior to that, she completed a master’s degree in Finance from the University of Fribourg, Switzerland.
In 2020, Schoenig co-founded UMushroom. Leveraging her extensive expertise in investment solutions, structured credit, and structured products, Schoenig embarked on a mission to democratize access to financial information and empower users with professional research and insights.
Together with co-founder Tonia Zimmermann, whom Schoenig met during her tenure at Credit Suisse, she is expanding UMushroom beyond the borders of Switzerland to conquer European markets.
Sandra Tobler, Co-Founder, Chief Customer Officer, Chairwoman, Futurae Technologies

Sandra Tobler is the co-founder, chief customer officer and chairwoman of Futurae Technologies, a Swiss cybersecurity company enabling users seamlessly authenticate to online, mobile, and smart home device applications.
At Futurae Technologies, Tobler is responsible for igniting the company’s sales strategy, fueling exponential customer growth and unleashing untapped potential. She orchestrates a seamless fusion of sales, marketing, and customer success, all driven by an unshakable dedication to elevating the customer experience.
Tobler is a well-respected figure in the fintech industry, renowned for her visionary leadership and impactful work. Her journey in the industry began in London and continued with her work for the official economic representation of Switzerland with tech companies in the US.
With IBM background and fintech passion, Sandra holds a degree in International Relations from the University of Geneva and is committed to shaping the future of the fintech industry for the better.
Stephanie Feigt, Founder and CEO, 3rd-eyes

Stephanie Feigt is the founder and CEO of 3rd-eyes, a Swiss wealthtech and insurtech provider founded in 2015. Feigt has over 20 years of experience in investment expertise and management roles intersecting strategic asset allocation, asset liability management, sustainable investing, and asset management across diverse asset classes.
Prior to 3rd-eyes, Feigt co-founded Contrast Capital in 2011, a consultancy firm specializing in sustainable investing, where she provided advisory services to institutional clients.
Her journey in sustainable investing began as the chief investment officer, co-CEO, and head of portfolio management at RobecoSAM Zurich. Before that, she held pivotal roles such as head of investment strategy at Bank Leu in Zurich and spearheaded the strategic asset allocation for Siemens’ pension funds. Feigt’s tenure in institutional asset management at Siemens equipped her with invaluable experience as a senior equity portfolio manager and quantitative analyst.
Feigt holds a master’s degree in economics from the University of Constance and the Humboldt University of Berlin, with a focus on capital markets theory, econometrics, and statistics. Additionally, she is a chartered financial analyst (CFA).
Yoko Spirig, Co-Founder and CEO, Ledgy

Yoko Spirig is the co-founder and CEO of Ledgy, a Swiss equity management platform for scaleups. The platform enables team members to better comprehend their equity stakes, streamlining the process of running equity plans. Under Yoko’s leadership, Ledgy has emerged into a prominent player in the equity management sphere, boasting a team of over 60 professionals across offices in Zurich, London, and Berlin.
Prior to Ledgy, Spirig was project lead on Swissloop, Switzerland’s first Hyperloop research initiative.
Spirig studied Physics at the University of Oxford, CERN, and ETH Zurich, where she met her Ledgy co-founders Ben Brandt and Timo Horstschaefer. Together they identified the administrative burden that equity management creates for startups – a problem that needed solving.
Spirig has received several honors and accolades. In 2020, she was named one of the Digital Shapers by Bilanz and in 2019, she was recognized as one of Forbes’ 30 under 30 for the DACH edition.
Olga Miler, Co-Founder and CEO, SmartPurse

Olga Miler is the co-founder and CEO of SmartPurse, a Swiss financial wellness platform designed to empower individuals to achieve financial abundance and impact.
Miler is a global innovation expert, specializing in women and finance, sustainability, and gender-smart investing. She has been broadly recognized for her transformational achievements to change the financial services industry for women and gender equality with features in the global press such as Sky News, BBC News, CNBC, the Financial Times, Bloomberg and The Guardian and has won numerous awards including Inspirational Woman of the Year 2019 by CityWealth Magazine and a place on the Senior Leaders in Fintech Powerlist by Innovate Finance.
Miler founded SmartPurse after a 12-year career at UBS where she developed an award-winning program for women and led marketing and client experience functions. Besides her role at SmartPurse, Miler is also an ambassador and consultant for Alpian, a Swiss digital private bank, a columnist for Watson News’ MoneyTalks, and a member of the board of trustees of the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women.
Isabella Brom, Co-Founder, Kore Technologies

Isabella Brom is the co-founder of Kore Technologies, a Swiss tech company specializing in creating and managing blockchain certificates for people and products. Brom is a fintech professional with a focus on enterprise architecture and blockchain technology and an international background.
Apart from her role at Kore Technologies, Brom is also a managing consultant at Vision&amp; where she builds the bridge between technology and business, combining vast experience in the tech space and financial advisory services with blockchain, distributed ledger technology (DLT), digital assets and decentralized finance (DLT). She’s also a lead lecturer at the HWZ University of Applied Sciences in Business Administration Zurich where she teaches the blockchain economy, as well as a guest lecturer at the ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences.
In her previous role at Ernst &amp; Young (EY), Brom worked with Fortune 500 companies on digital transformation projects and was fundamental to the rise and growth of EY Switzerland’s blockchain and crypto technologies advisory practice. Leading this practice, she delivered first DLT pilot projects in the insurance, crypto storage and treasury space.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/10-female-founders-shaping-the-swiss-fintech-landscape</link><guid>3576</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Female-Founders-Shaping-the-Swiss-Fintech-Landscape--1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>10 Female Founders Shaping the Swiss Fintech Landscape</dc:text></item><item><title>eBill hat erstmals über drei Millionen User</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					eBill gewinnt an Beliebtheit und wird immer häufiger genutzt, diese Woche hat gibt eBill in der Schweiz den 3 Millionen Meilenstein bekannt.
Die grösste Nutzendengruppe ist zwischen 30 und 39 Jahre alt, das grösste Wachstum zeigt sich mit 15% bei den über 65-Jährigen. Seniorinnen und Senioren nehmen somit auch zunehmend am digitalen Zahlungsverkehr teil. Insgesamt nutzen über 40% der 15- bis 89-jährigen Einwohnerinnen und Einwohner der Schweiz eBill. Sie erreicht also mittlerweile mehr als die Hälfte der Schweizer Haushalte.
Mit eBill werden Rechnungen dort empfangen, wo man sie auch bezahlt: im E-Banking. Um Rechnungen nicht mehr per Post oder E-Mail zu erhalten, können sich Konsumentinnen und Konsumenten im E-Banking ihrer jeweiligen Bank anmelden, eBill aktivieren und dann mit wenigen Klicks die Rechnungen prüfen und bezahlen. Dies bietet sowohl Konsumentinnen und Konsumenten als auch Unternehmen Vorteile.






95% aller Schweizer Finanzinstitute bieten Bill an und fördern diese aktiv. Viele Rechnungssteller setzen auch bereits auf die digitale Rechnung, wie zum Beispiel führende Telekommunikationsanbieter, Krankenversicherungen, Energieanbieter, öffentliche Verwaltungen und Kreditkartenanbieter. Auch immer mehr kleine und mittlere Unternehmen nutzen eBill.


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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ebill-hat-erstmals-uber-drei-millionen-user</link><guid>3577</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Exploring-SIC-Instant-Payments-in-Switzerland.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>eBill hat erstmals über drei Millionen User</dc:text></item><item><title>Tenity Invests in 3 Swiss Early-Stage Fintech Startups</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						March 6, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					The upcoming edition of the Tenity Incubation Program in Switzerland welcomes a cohort of 9 early-stage startups selected from a pool of more than 400 applications globally.
For the next four months, the Fintech startups will go through an intensive program, including workshops and events on topics such as product-market fit, marketing, and fundraising. The program will culminate in a Demo Day event on June 13, 2024.
Brigitta Gyoerfi
Brigitta Gyoerfi, Head of Operations Tenity Switzerland commented:






“Congratulations to the startups selected for the Spring 2024 Incubation Program in Zurich. This year’s program proudly unveils a diverse array of nine groundbreaking startups, spanning the realms of Investing, WealthManagement, RegTech, Climate Fintech, and Financing for SME. We stand ready to support their growth and create opportunities to connect them with Tenity´s extended ecosystem shaping the future of finance and sustainability together.”

Meet the 9 startups selected Fintech Startups for the Tenity Incubation Batch 12 in Switzerland

Arca | Spain

Arca provides a comprehensive solution for implementing Employment Pension Plans, making the process of saving both accessible and easily understandable for everyone.

CyberTide | Germany

CyberTideare revolutionizing data security with AI, ensuring businesses in regulated sectors (financial and insurance) maintain compliance and protect their sensitive information seamlessly.

Darksquare | United Kingdom

Darksquare is an investment platform for individuals which focuses on alternative, private market investment opportunities. Darksquare’s platform allows its customers to better diversify their portfolios, whilst offering them the opportunity to generate strong risk-adjusted returns.

Kapnative | Germany

Kapnative is dedicated to empowering advisors to unlock the immense opportunities within the private market sector. By broadening access, they are providing investors with entry to an expansive range of private market assets, including PrivateEquity, Venture Capital Funds, Private Debt, and Hedge Funds.

Lendit | Italy

Lendit is a credit sharing platform where businesses and professionals can lend and apply for micro loans easily, quickly, and on a customized basis. Through innovative embedded lending technology, financial institutions and B2B partners, can integrate Lendit’s services, offering credit services to their customers directly from their platform, thereby increasing customer retention.

MITI | Estonia

MITI has created an autopilot for financial institutions’ regulatory compliance that helps to streamline regulatory compliance, mitigate risks and ensure up-to-date quality.

Newbridge | Switzerland

Newbridge enables financial institutions to unlock the potential of crypto asset management. Thier AI-driven SaaS platform equips asset managers with the tools and insights needed to master the end-to-end lifecycle of crypto assets.

Rezonanz | Switzerland

Rezonanz is developing software solutions aimed at measuring the impact of responsible investment practices and enhancing the effectiveness of investment stewardship.

Zurichberg | Switzerland

Zurichberg’s platform allows for fractional investments up to full ownership of luxury timepieces. With easy-to-understand, data-driven insights and real-time evaluation, they bring transparency to the watch investment market.




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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/tenity-invests-in-3-swiss-early-stage-fintech-startups</link><guid>3574</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Tenity-Invests-in-9-Early-Stage-Startups-Selected-for-Its-Spring-2024-Incubation-Program-in-Switzerland--1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Tenity Invests in 3 Swiss Early-Stage Fintech Startups</dc:text></item><item><title>Visa and Western Union Expand Partnership to Enhance Global Money Transfers</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Visa and Western Union have entered into a seven-year agreement to significantly enhance the way money is sent across borders. This collaboration aims to simplify the process for Western Union customers to transfer funds directly to Visa cardholders and bank accounts in 40 countries across five continents.
The partnership involves the issuance of cards, integration with Visa Direct for faster money transfers, and the provision of risk management services.
Additionally, it will introduce Visa prepaid cards in certain markets, offering a seamless blend of physical and digital payment solutions. Using Visa Direct capability, Western Union customers will be able to quickly send funds to friends and family around the world.






Moreover, Visa and Western Union are working on creating disbursement programs targeted at assisting humanitarian organizations and governments in efficiently distributing funds during emergencies.
These initiatives are designed to facilitate emergency relief, cross-border pension, and domestic benefits payments. Western Union’s government and NGO customers will also be able to use prepaid cards to aid humanitarian relief.
This deal expands upon previous collaborations between the two financial services giants in 2019 and 2022, which made it possible for customers in the U.S. and Europe to send money to Visa cardholders internationally.
The companies also plan to issue Western Union/Visa Debit Cards across North America, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Europe.
Chris Newkirk
“People rely on remittances to send lifeline payments to their loved ones overseas. When we consider the urgency and need for accessibility, secure payment options with added convenience can make all the difference.

Visa’s global scale and Western Union’s digital capabilities are revolutionizing how customers send funds around the world. We are proud to offer more people fast and efficient solutions for cross-border payments.”
said Chris Newkirk, Global Head of Commercial &amp; Money Movement Solutions, Visa.
Sam Jawad
“Aspiring populations around the world rely on Western Union to provide them with innovative and accessible financial services that offer flexibility, value and trust.

By strengthening our strategic collaboration with Visa, together we will deliver impactful products and services that can help empower our customers to build a life of opportunity for themselves and their loved ones.”
said Sam Jawad, Head of Ecosystem, at Western Union.

This article first appeared on fintechnews.sg


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/visa-and-western-union-expand-partnership-to-enhance-global-money-transfers</link><guid>3573</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Exploring-SIC-Instant-Payments-in-Switzerland.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Visa and Western Union Expand Partnership to Enhance Global Money Transfers</dc:text></item><item><title>Neuer CEO bei Hypothekarbank Lenzburg</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Der Verwaltungsrat der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg hat sich für den neuen CEO entschieden, Der 44 jährige Silvan Hilfiker wird das Amt übernehmen.
Silvan Hilfiker
Wie bereits zuvor angekündigt, wird Marianne Wildi, CEO der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg, an der Generalversammlung vom 16. März 2024 für die Wahl in den Verwaltungsrat vorgeschlagen. Zu ihrem Nachfolger hat der Verwaltungsrat Silvan Hilfiker gewählt. Er wird sich an der Generalversammlung vom 16. März den Aktionärinnen und Aktionären persönlich vorstellen und seine Tätigkeit am 1. Juni 2024 aufnehmen.
Silvan Hilfiker ist im Aargauer Freiamt aufgewachsen und verfügt über einen ausgezeichneten Leistungsausweis im Finanzbereich mit diversen bankfachlichen Aus- und Weiterbildungen inklusive MBA. Seine Stationen führten ihn von der Aargauischen Kantonalbank zur Neuen Aargauer Bank und schliesslich zur Credit Suisse Group. Auf seinem Werdegang hat er sowohl Linien- wie auch Stabsaufgaben wahrgenommen. In den vergangenen Jahren hat er hauptsächlich die Unternehmensentwicklung und zentrale Dienste rund um das CEO-Office bei der Credit Suisse mitgeprägt und dabei anspruchsvolle strategische Projekte verantwortet.






Gerhard Hanhart
«Der Verwaltungsrat freut sich, mit Silvan Hilfiker eine sehr ausgewiesene Führungspersönlichkeit, mit bedeutendem aargauischen Netzwerk, für die CEO-Position gefunden zu haben. Wir sind überzeugt, dass er die Bank positiv prägen und die eingeschlagene Strategie, gemeinsam mit der Geschäftsleitung, konsequent und initiativ weiterführen wird»,
sagt Gerhard Hanhart, Verwaltungsratspräsident der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg.
Im Zeitraum zwischen der Generalversammlung und dem Amtsantritt von Silvan Hilfiker am 1. Juni 2024 wird Stefan Meyer, stellvertretender CEO, die Geschäftsleitung ad interim führen.


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			&#13;
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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/neuer-ceo-bei-hypothekarbank-lenzburg</link><guid>3570</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Exploring-SIC-Instant-Payments-in-Switzerland.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Neuer CEO bei Hypothekarbank Lenzburg</dc:text></item><item><title>Luzerner KB steigt in den den Handel und die Verwahrung von Kryptowährungen ein</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Die Luzerner Kantonalbank AG (LUKB) ermöglicht ihren Kundinnen und Kunden seit Anfang März 2024 den Handel und die Verwahrung von Kryptowährungen.
Das neue Angebot ist technisch nahtlos in das Kernbankensystem und das E-Banking (Mobile und Desktop) der LUKB integriert. Aktuell stehen drei Kryptowährungen zur Wahl: Bitcoin, Ethereum und USD Coin.
Die LUKB hat sich seit dem Jahr 2020 mit dem Thema Digital Assets bzw. Kryptowährungen befasst und nach intensiven Abklärungen des Marktes und der Kundenbedürfnisse einerseits interne Kompetenz und anderseits eine eigene Infrastruktur aufgebaut, die nahtlos in ihr Kernbankensystem eingebunden sowie im E-Banking und Mobile Banking der Bank integriert ist.






Das Produkt und die Infrastruktur wurden im Vorfeld über mehrere Monate und in verschiedenen Produktphasen erprobt. Das Angebot der LUKB richtet sich an Personen mit Domizil in der Schweiz, die einfach, sicher und bequem in Kryptowährungen investieren möchten. Voraussetzung ist ein Wertschriften-Depot bei der LUKB.
Durch die vollständige Integration der Kryptowährungsfunktionen in das E-Banking der LUKB erhalten Kundinnen und Kunden mit sehr wenigen Klicks einen vollständigen Überblick über ihre Krypto-Vermögenswerte. Als erste traditionelle Bank hat die LUKB dabei eine eigene Verwahrlösung für Digital Assets aufgebaut, deren Schlüsselverwahrung ISAE 3000 zertifiziert ist.
Aktuell lassen sich über die Lösung der LUKB drei Kryptowährungen rund um die Uhr handeln: Bitcoin, Ethereum und USD Coin.
Die LUKB plant, in den nächsten Wochen weitere Kryptowährungen aufzuschalten und einen Krypto-Anlageplan für regelmässiges Investieren an den Kryptomärkten zu lancieren. Ebenfalls in Planung ist die Möglichkeit, Kryptowährungen von anderen Wallets in die Lösung der LUKB ein- und auszuliefern.


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/luzerner-kb-steigt-in-den-den-handel-und-die-verwahrung-von-kryptowahrungen-ein</link><guid>3571</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Exploring-SIC-Instant-Payments-in-Switzerland.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Luzerner KB steigt in den den Handel und die Verwahrung von Kryptowährungen ein</dc:text></item><item><title>Zurich Recognized as Switzerland’s Leading Fintech Hub</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						March 5, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					Switzerland is home to several tech startup hubs that each has their speciality. Among these tech hubs, Zurich is recognized as the country’s fintech hub owing to the canton’s proximity to financial institutions, a new report published by UBS/Credit Suisse says.
The report, titled “Founders and investors: One aim, two perspectives”, draws on a survey of Swiss startups conducted by Switzerland-based non-profit association the Swiss ICT Investor Club (SICTIC) to shed light on various aspects of the Swiss startup landscape.
According to the study, Zurich is both the country’s biggest startup center and leading fintech hub. In 2022, Zurich secured the highest amount of venture capital (VC) investment, with CHF 2.1 million raised by tech startups located in the canton. The amount represents more than half of Switzerland’s total investment volume that year. Of that sum, CHF 500 million went to fintech startups, the largest amount among all cantons, showcasing Zurich’s leadership in the fintech sector.






Zug is another prominent fintech hub highlighted in the report. In 2022, tech startups located in Zug raised about CHF 250 million in VC funding, making it the second biggest recipient of fintech investment that year. The canton is widely known as the “Crypto Valley”, owing to the high number of startups specializing in blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies located in the canton, including prominent names in the space such as the Ethereum Foundation, Amina Bank, formerly known as SEBA Bank, and Bitcoin Suisse.
Invested capital by canton and year, in CHF million, Source: Founders and investors: One aim, two perspectives, SICTIC/Credit Suisse UBS Group, Feb 2024
Findings from the Credit Suisse and SICTIC study corroborate with other industry research. The last year’s iteration of the IFZ Fintech Study, released in March 2023, reveals that Zurich was the largest canton in Switzerland in terms of the number of resident fintech companies, with a total of 164, followed by Zug with 123 companies.
The IFZ report also highlights that Zurich is not only the leading fintech hub in Switzerland, but also a prominent global fintech hub, ranking second worldwide after Singapore for seven years in a row. Among Zurich’s biggest strengths, the study highlights the canton’s favorable political and legal landscape, advantageous social attributes, and advanced technological infrastructure.
Fintech hub ranking by year, Source: IFZ Fintech Study 2023, IFZ, Mar 2023
A focus on international expansion
Besides its highlight of the dominance of Zurich, the Credit Suisse and SICTIC report also shares findings of a study conducted among Swiss startups and investors to understand the market’s biggest opportunities and issues.
Results of the study reveal that while Switzerland is globally recognized for its exceptional universities and highly educated workforce, local startups are facing challenges in gaining international recognition due to limited visibility and funding within the country. This finding highlights that with a population of just nine million, the local market is just too smart for startups to thrive, forcing young Swiss tech ventures to focus on international expansion early on in their journey.
Of the 100 startup founders surveyed in July 2023, 88% said they were already operating internationally. Even at the pre-seed and seed stages, approximately 78% of Swiss startups indicated being engaged with foreign stakeholders across various levels.
The survey results also shed light on the diverse nature of these international links. Around 72% of the surveyed startups indicated selling products or services abroad, while 60% said they were involved with foreign investors and/or foreign suppliers.
Internationalization ambitions of Swiss startups, Source: Founders and investors: One aim, two perspectives, SICTIC/Credit Suisse UBS Group, Feb 2024
Results also reveal intentions to expand further in the future, with a vast majority of respondents (95%) stating that they were looking to extend their global footprint. Among them, approximately 58% already had specific plans in place, while 37% had yet to develop specific strategies.
An analysis of the current internationalization status showed that almost all startups operating internationally had either concrete or reasonably well-defined plans to further expand abroad in the future. Among the startups not yet operating internationally, about 75% said they aspired to expand internationally.
When asked about the countries they aimed to target in the future, Swiss startup founders named the US, Germany, the UK and France as their preferred destinations. These results suggest that expansion efforts typically occur in a gradual manner, starting with neighboring countries and then progressively reaching other destinations further away. Moreover, the market entry into the US and the UK stand out as significant touchpoints, as both countries are recognized as essential startup hubs for scaleups, the report says.
Future internationalization plans, Source: Founders and investors: One aim, two perspectives, SICTIC/Credit Suisse UBS Group, Feb 2024
Business opportunities, access to investors, talent acquisition among top motives for internationalization
Motivations for internationalization are numerous and varied. A striking nine out of ten Swiss startups cited the desire to open up new sales markets abroad as one of their motivations to expand overseas, a result that comes as little surprise considering the small size of the Swiss market. Better access to foreign investors and the expansion of existing networks were other prominent motivations driving internationalization efforts, cited by about 40% of the surveyed startups. Finally, regulatory inefficiencies ranked third, cited by 20% of the respondents as a reason to expand abroad.
Main motives for Swiss startups to operate internationally, Source: Founders and investors: One aim, two perspectives, SICTIC/Credit Suisse UBS Group, Feb 2024
Access to well-educated workers was named as another motive behind global expansion. This is most relevant to startups in the growth and expansion phases facing labor shortages domestically.
A survey of 65,000 companies in the secondary and tertiary sectors conducted by the Swiss Federal Statistical Office found that recruitment difficulties for Swiss companies are fluctuating over time. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, around 32% of Swiss companies struggled to find skilled workers, but this dropped to 28% in Q1 2020 due to increased unemployment. However, by Q2 2022, the indicator reached its highest level, with approximately 41% of companies reporting difficulties finding qualified workers or not finding anyone at all, a trend that was particularly pronounced in manufacturing and information and communications technology (ICT).
Recruitment difficulties among Swiss tech startups, Source: Founders and investors: One aim, two perspectives, SICTIC/Credit Suisse UBS Group, Feb 2024
A deep dive into the Swiss startup ecosystem reveals a widespread shortage of skilled workers among young tech ventures. 46% of the Swiss startup founders polled by Credit Suisse said that it was hard to fill vacancies with suitable candidates.
An analysis of different startup stages reveal that labor market challenges are more pronounced for those in more advanced stages. 55% of startups in the growth and expansion phase reported difficulties to recruit qualified employees. In comparison, that rate stood at 39% for startups in the pre-seed and seed stages.
Recruitment difficulties according to development stages, Source: Founders and investors: One aim, two perspectives, SICTIC/Credit Suisse UBS Group, Feb 2024

Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/zurich-recognized-as-switzerlands-leading-fintech-hub</link><guid>3572</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Zurich-Recognized-as-Switzerlands-Leading-Fintech-Hub-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Zurich Recognized as Switzerland’s Leading Fintech Hub</dc:text></item><item><title>US Spot Bitcoin ETFs Daily Trading Volume Soars to 6 Billion USD</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Ten newly launched US spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) broke their daily volume records on February 28, 2024, totaling nearly US$7.7 billion worth of assets being traded on that day alone, data shared on X by James Seyffart, an ETF analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, reveal.
The figure represents a staggering 63.8% increase from their previous peak of US$4.7 billion from their first day of trading on January 11, 2024, and demonstrates booming interest from investors in the new asset class.
BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) is emerging as the clear winner, leading the group with US$3.4 billion traded on February 28 through with nearly 97 million shares traded. IBIT is followed by Grayscale Bitcoin Trust BTC (GBTC) with US$1.9 billion and 34 million shares traded, and Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) with US$1.4 billion and almost 27 million shares.







The new record for #Bitcoin ETF trading volume is officially $7.69 billion. Previous record was $4.66 billion from launch day. https://t.co/rZsOSUqk35 pic.twitter.com/QaOKe2LuVU
— James Seyffart (@JSeyff) February 28, 2024

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved 11 spot bitcoin ETFs on January 10, 2024 from asset managers including BlackRock, Invesco and Fidelity. These regulated investment funds, which are traded on traditional securities exchanges, allow investors to gain exposure to bitcoin without directly owning the cryptocurrency, increasing access to the cryptocurrency for everyday investors.
Bitcoin ETFs operate by allowing investors to buy shares that represent ownership in actual bitcoins held by the fund. These issuers manage purchasing, storing, and safekeeping of bitcoin on behalf of ETF investors in exchange for an annual fund management fee.
The approvals of US-listed bitcoin ETFs were a win for the crypto industry, which faced turmoil over the prior two years with several high-profile collapses including crypto exchange FTX.
Since their debut last month, ten of the newly listed spot bitcoin ETFs have witnessed tremendous traction, drawing in nearly US$7.4 billion in net inflows, data from BitMEX Research show. This week, allocations to the ETFs accelerated, surpassing US$1.7 billion in three days, with BlackRock’s IBIT alone pulling in US$1.2 billion of fresh funds.

[1/5] Bitcoin ETF Flow – 28th Feb 2024
All data in. Today was a record inflow day, with $673.4m of net inflow. This was driven by Blackrock, which also had a record day, with $612.1m of inflow pic.twitter.com/vklRVtrDoI
— BitMEX Research (@BitMEXResearch) February 29, 2024

Attacking Gold ETFs
These heavy inflows have sparked comparisons between bitcoin and gold with analysts speculating about how long it will take for the total assets under management (TAM) of bitcoin ETFs to surpass TAM for gold ETFs. Bloomberg senior ETF analyst Eric Balchunas predicts that this could take less than two years to achieve given the current market frenzy.

Gold's Pain is Bitcoin ETFs' Gain in Store of Value Smackdown.. new from me on how gold being in the gutter is like the cherry on top for bitcoin fans who just got to witness the biggest ETF launch ever. Decent chance bitcoin ETFs pass gold ETFs in aum in less than 2yrs w… pic.twitter.com/rXJra1dyhF
— Eric Balchunas (@EricBalchunas) February 26, 2024

Echoing Balchunas, Hunter Horsley, CEO of American crypto index fund manager Bitwise Investments, stated on X: “Bitcoin is going to eat into gold’s TAM faster than people expect. US$250k Bitcoin could happen much sooner than most who’ve followed the space for years would imagine.”
Bitcoin Passed 60’000USD
The market upsurge is also likely a sign that retail traders are using the bitcoin ETFs to participate in the ongoing bitcoin rally. On February 28, 2024, bitcoin surged past US$62,000, a level last seen in November 2021 and which represents an increase of 40% since the beginning of the year.
Price of bitcoin year-to-date, Source: CoinDesk Indices, Feb 29, 2024
This rise was largely driven by the launch of the US spot bitcoin ETFs and their subsequent success, fueling demand for the cryptocurrency and pushing its price further up.
Data from Vetle Lunde, a senior analyst at Norwegian digital assets brokerage K33, reveal that US spot ETFs now hold more than 760,000 BTC under management. Since their launch, these funds have seen a net inflow of over 149,000 BTC, with the past three days alone pulling in some 30,000 BTC.

U.S. spot ETFs now hold 768,280 BTC. They have seen a net inflow of a whooping 149,080 BTC since its launch. 
The net flows in the past three days sit at a massive 30,754 BTC! pic.twitter.com/ndhTt3oa94
— Vetle Lunde (@VetleLunde) February 29, 2024

Another possible factor driving the rally is the upcoming bitcoin halving. The pre-programmed event, which occurs approximately every four years, is designed to control the issuance rate of new bitcoins into circulation by cutting the reward for mining bitcoins by half.
Upcoming Bitcoin Halfing
After the halving, which is expected to take place in April, the number of new coins mined daily will decline to 450 from 900 currently, effectively decreasing the rate of supply growth. If demand for bitcoin remains constant or increases, the reduction in new supply entering the market could create a supply-demand imbalance and potentially lead to upward price pressure, advocates claim.
Bitcoin’s halvings history, Source: eToro
Despite investor enthusiasm in the availability of bitcoin ETFs, advisors and top management at the European Central Bank (ECB) argue that bitcoin remains unsuitable both as a means of payment and as an investment.
ECB Sees Fair Value of Bitcoin at Zero
In a new blog post published on February 22, 2024, Ulrich Bindseil, general director of the Market Infrastructure and Payments at the ECB, and Jürgen Schaaf, an advisor to the senior management of the Market Infrastructure and Payments at the ECB, state:
“On 10 January, the US SEC approved spot ETFs for bitcoin. For disciples, the formal approval confirms that bitcoin investments are safe and the preceding rally is proof of an unstoppable triumph. We disagree with both claims and reiterate that the fair value of Bitcoin is still zero. For society, a renewed boom-bust cycle of Bitcoin is a dire perspective. And the collateral damage will be massive, including the environmental damage and the ultimate redistribution of wealth at the expense of the less sophisticated.”
The authors attribute the ongoing price rally to factors including rising interest rates, the forthcoming bitcoin halving and the approval of spot bitcoin ETFs, but warn that such upswings are not sustainable in the absence of economic fundamentals.
They criticize US regulatory authorities for their perceived failure to address the risks associated with bitcoin, and call for tighter regulation and enforcement measures to protect society from the negative consequences of bitcoin’s volatility, speculative behavior, and its associated risks.

Featured image credit: edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/us-spot-bitcoin-etfs-daily-trading-volume-soars-to-6-billion-usd</link><guid>3569</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Exploring-SIC-Instant-Payments-in-Switzerland.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>US Spot Bitcoin ETFs Daily Trading Volume Soars to 6 Billion USD</dc:text></item><item><title>Exploring SIC Instant Payments in Switzerland: Challenges, Solutions, and Future Prospects</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Instant payments are the most positive development for the Swiss financial sector in years due to their proven role as a catalyst for change within that system.
Whilst instant payments are mainly used for domestic purposes (96%) rather than cross-border, they hold the promise of providing Switzerland with a competitive and innovative marketplace where citizens and SMEs can leverage the speed for improved liquidity and enriched data for transparency.
Implementing SIC IP is not only about coping with a processing time of 10 seconds; it also has ramifications across the whole ecosystem, with many areas such as end-user experience, non-stop availability, sanctions screening, balance check, reporting, storage, and flow orchestration being impacted. Therefore, this whole integration needs to be carefully planned and implemented.
As of the 17th of November 2023, the four pilot banks have been successfully processing and handling productive instant payments with an average latency of 3.5 seconds and with zero rejections.
A further 62 SIC participants will join by August 2024 as part of Phase 1, the official launch date. Phase 2 of the SIC5 project is currently underway with two key elements: connecting a further 260 SIC participants to the SIC IP service and migrating the SIC and euro SIC RTGS services from the SIC4 platform to the SIC5 platform.
As Phase 2 FIs kick-start their project roadmaps to meet the SIC IP Group 2 deadline in 2026, it is vital that they unpack the most efficient strategy for SIC IP implementation.
This article summarises the key challenges, solutions, and potential benefits of SIC Instant Payments that emerged from business payments company Bottomline’s recent webinar SIC Instant Payments: A Catalyst for Competitive Advantage.
Here are a few actionable insights and an overview of the current state and future trajectory of instant payments in Switzerland.
Key Considerations for Implementing SIC Instant Payments
Bruno Kudermann, the Senior Project Manager at SIX for the Swiss payment systems SIC and euroSic and who is leading the business stream with the project for SIC5, had the following key advice.

Register early for the testing window to avoid delays as it is first come, first served.
Look at the full end-to-end process from booking systems to the treasury when preparing for SIC Instant Payments.
Talk to system providers right away about SIC Instant Payment readiness.
Focus first on getting domestic instant payments, then consider cross-border as a secondary priority.
Consider using external providers/platforms to help update your organisation’s core systems.
Address operational aspects like 24/7 operations, reporting, and customer service for instant payments.
Develop customer offerings leveraging instant payments.

Dennis Flad
This was a view supported by Dennis Flad, partner at t’Charta AG, a leading Swiss-based consulting boutique. He said,
“From registering early for testing windows with SIX to optimising sanction screening filters, the action items outlined by Bruno above offer a strategic roadmap for navigating the intricacies of instant payment implementation.
Moreover, the emphasis on prioritising domestic instant payments before venturing into cross-border transactions underscores a pragmatic approach toward ensuring operational efficiency and regulatory compliance.”
Bruno Kudermann
Bruno also had a message for those private banks and asset managers that aren’t already included in the mandate and considering opting out:
“Opting out of SIC IP means you can’t make any customer payments within the entire SIC system, including RTGS.
Therefore, it is a very dangerous choice to make, and so please consider this very, very carefully.”

Overcoming Infrastructure and Resource Hurdles
One of the central themes that emerged from the discussion was the prevalence of challenges hindering the seamless adoption of instant payments – 48% of the webinar attendees said that lack of IT resources and prioritisation within an already busy road map was the most significant barrier to adoption for SIC IP.
This was followed by legacy infrastructure at 30% and the cost and hassle of implementing a new rail at 22%.
Frédéric Viard, Head of Commercial Product Propositions for Financial Messaging at Bottomline, echoed these sentiments, emphasising the necessity of 24/7 availability and scalability in overcoming infrastructure limitations.
He also suggests a key solution to these pain points: leveraging trusted and experienced third-party providers for support, rather than attempting to manage everything internally.
Frédéric Viard
Frédéric also addressed the issue of security within transactions such as fraud protection, sanctions screening, and IBAN pre-validation.
“You don’t have the time in a 3.5-second end-to-end transaction for exception handling, so you can’t rely on in-flow screening to reduce your false-positive rate. The solution is to optimise your filters in advance by doing offline batch screening and cleaning your customer database to address known screening issues.
I also recommend following the lead of the European Commission, which has made IBAN checks and daily KYC part of the criteria for the SEPA Inst Mandate that was ratified on the 7th of February 2024.”
Despite the challenges, the conversation illuminated the myriad opportunities and benefits of embracing instant payments for banks and financial institutions.
Speakers highlighted the potential for enhanced customer offerings, improved working capital management, and reduced transaction costs by adopting real-time payment solutions.
Moreover, the interoperability of instant payment systems, both domestically and across borders, emerged as a cornerstone for fostering collaboration and innovation within the industry.
Role of Tech in Fueling Real-Time Payments
Central to the discourse was the pivotal role of technology and innovation in driving the evolution of instant payments.
From leveraging ISO 20022 structured data for operational efficiency to streamlining internal systems for bank payments, the dialogue underscored the transformative potential of technological advancements in reshaping traditional banking paradigms.
Furthermore, exploring emerging use cases, such as QR code-based bill payments as opposed to traditional invoicing to provide instant remuneration and avoid trapped liquidity and real-time balance visibility for corporate clients, highlights the dynamic nature of instant payment ecosystems.
Accelerating Timeline for Adoption
Starting the SIC IP project immediately is crucial due to limited time and longer than expected implementation timelines.
Additionally, treat the implementation as more than an IT project as it covers all silos within the bank, from operations through to customer-facing support.
Ultimately, SIC IP empowers financial institutions to deliver added value to customers, reducing churn and fostering loyalty. It is also about optics; all banks want to be seen as innovators by their customers, not laggards, and access to real-time payment rails is the top priority for corporations, followed by cash visibility.
By fostering collaboration, embracing innovation, and prioritising customer-centric solutions through SIC IP, banks and financial institutions in Switzerland can maintain their premier status on the world stage and chart a course toward a more inclusive, efficient, and resilient payment ecosystem in the digital age.
Watch Bottomline’s on-demand SIC Instant Payments: A Catalyst for Competitive Advantage webinar here. 

Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/exploring-sic-instant-payments-in-switzerland-challenges-solutions-and-future-prospects</link><guid>3568</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Bottomline-SMG-3.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Exploring SIC Instant Payments in Switzerland: Challenges, Solutions, and Future Prospects</dc:text></item><item><title>A Wealthtech Startup in Germany to Offer Mobile Phone Plans</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					The family-focused fintech Bling and Telekom partner to launch Bling Mobile.
18 months after its launch, the Berlin-based Fintech counts over 50,000 families on its platform.
In the midst of the ‘funding winter’ a year ago, Bling raised millions from renowned investors such as La Famiglia (General Catalyst), PEAK, and Ben Tellings, former CEO of the German ING branch.






Bling is designed as a family platform, allowing children and parents to manage and invest their money with the Bling Card and App, as well as organize their household.
Bling Mobile is the first mobile product in the European Union specifically designed for families, including innovative child safety functions and content to promote media literacy. Bling’s integration of a telco tariff portfolio within its app, enriched with parental control functionalities, reflects a strategic move towards a more holistic family-oriented platform.
Mobile virtual network operators on the rise
The partnership with Telekom, the largest telco provider in Europe, showcases the potential for Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs), highlighting the intersection of fintech and telecommunications for a lucrative business proposition with comparatively higher margins than in the B2C fintech sector.
Bling’s venture into mobile communications taps into the rising popularity of e-SIMs, providing users with seamless connectivity options. This strategic shift also addresses the changing dynamics within the fintech sector. Bling benefits from serving the first touch points that parents get for their children: the first bank account, the first investment and now the first SIM card, implying a multi-billion TAM.
Nils Feigenwinter
“With Bling Mobile, we make the next step in expanding to a holistic family platform. From managing pocket money, facilitating effortless parent investing, and organizing households’ tasks, we now streamline mobile communication for families”
– explains Nils Feigenwinter, CEO and co-founder of Bling.



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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/a-wealthtech-startup-in-germany-to-offer-mobile-phone-plans</link><guid>3567</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Bottomline-Catalyst-For-Competitive-Advantage.png</dc:content ><dc:text>A Wealthtech Startup in Germany to Offer Mobile Phone Plans</dc:text></item><item><title>SNB Study: Results of the Swiss Payment Methods Survey</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					In spring 2023, the Swiss National Bank conducted its second payment methods survey of companies in Switzerland.
Around 1,750 companies, across all sizes, language regions and industries, participated in this survey on payment method topics. In-depth knowledge of these topics helps the SNB to fulfil its statutory tasks in relation to the supply and distribution of cash and to cashless payments.







The most important findings of the payment methods survey of companies are as follows:
Companies are creating a good basis for freedom of choice between cash and cashless payment methods in everyday transactions by accepting a wide range of payment methods. Since the last survey in 2021, companies have tended to broaden their payment method acceptance. In particular, mobile payment apps and transfers are accepted more often. Cash acceptance continues to be high and has changed little since 2021.

For cash to continue to be accepted by companies, it has to be used by the population. According to the payment methods survey of private individuals from 2022, there is a broad desire among the population for cash to continue to be available as a payment method. The company survey now shows that customer needs play a key role in determining which payment methods are accepted by companies. A decline in cash usage could therefore lead to a decline in cash acceptance.
To be able to accept cash, companies are also reliant on having good access to cash infrastructure. The survey indicates that ATMs and bank counters are key for companies’ cash withdrawals and returns.
The majority of companies state that they are satisfied with their access to cash. There are however some companies which do not have an alternative available (e.g. a bank counter) to their current supply source. In the case of a decrease in the cash infrastructure, one in four companies would use less cash, which would in turn be likely to have a negative effect on cash acceptance.
You can find the full report on the 2023 payment methods survey of companies on the SNB website.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/snb-study-results-of-the-swiss-payment-methods-survey</link><guid>3566</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/payment-method-acceptance-1024x515.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>SNB Study: Results of the Swiss Payment Methods Survey</dc:text></item><item><title>Abschaffung von Kontoführungsgebühren – merkt es die Schweizer Kundschaft überhaupt?</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Die Preise für Bankdienstleistungen sind in den letzten zwanzig Jahren wesentlich stärker gestiegen als das allgemeine Preisniveau. Ein Hauptgrund hierfür war das Negativzinsumfeld, das zu einer Verengung der Zinsmarge bei den Banken führte und gewisse Banken dazu veranlasst hat, ihre Preispolitik in anderen Bereichen anzupassen.
Durch die seit 2022 gestiegenen Leitzinsen und wohl auch durch den Erfolg von Smartphone Banken haben erste traditionelle Banken die Kontoführungsgebühren abgeschafft. Dies sollte die Kundschaft erfreuen. Aber wissen die Kundinnen und Kunden überhaupt, wie hoch die Kontoführungsgebühren sind? Wie oft informieren sie sich über diese Kosten?
Und bei welchen Bankengruppen hat die Kundschaft die genaueste Kenntnis über ihre Kosten? Um dies zu überprüfen, haben wir gemeinsam mit der Beratungsgesellschaft Simon-Kucher das Preisbewusstsein von knapp 1’500 Personen in der Schweiz abgefragt. Die wichtigsten Erkenntnisse zeigen wir im nachfolgenden Blog.






Die Inflation in der Schweiz, gemessen am Landesindex der Konsumentenpreise (LIK), war in den letzten 20 Jahren sehr tief (durchschnittlich rund 0.5% pro Jahr). Das bedeutet, dass die Preise über den gesamten Warenkorb hinweg etwa um 11% höher sind als Ende 2003. Im Gegensatz dazu sind die Kosten für Finanzdienstleistungen im selben Zeitraum um 60% gestiegen (vgl. Abbildung 1).
Abbildung 1: Entwicklung der Preise in den vergangenen 20 Jahren
Abschaffung von Kontoführungsgebühren – merken es die Kunden?
Die Bankgebühren sind vor allem in den vergangenen 17 Jahren deutlich angestiegen. Lange Zeit wurde diese Entwicklung nur am Rande thematisiert. Doch mit dem Eintritt von Smartphone-Banken, die eine kostenlose Kontoführung (meist zusammen mit einer Zahlungskarte) anbieten, ist das Thema zunehmend in den Fokus gerückt.
Besonders mediale Aufmerksamkeit erhielten die Kontoführungsgebühren, als die Zürcher Kantonalbank ankündigte, ab dem 1. Januar 2024 die Jahresgebühren für Privatkonten und Debitkarten abzuschaffen. Bereits zuvor hatte die Aargauische Kantonalbank ab 1. April 2023 sämtliche Kontoführungsgebühren und Buchungsspesen auf Privat- und Firmenkonti gestrichen. In der Zwischenzeit haben auch die St. Galler Kantonalbank oder die Thurgauer Kantonalbank bekanntgegeben, dass sie diese Gebühren per April 2024 abschaffen werden. Was bei Smartphone-Banken wie Revolut, Yuh oder Neon bereits Standard ist, übernehmen nun also auch die ersten traditionellen Banken.
Im Rahmen unserer empirischen Untersuchung wollten wir daher eruieren, wie wichtig die Höhe der Kontoführungsgebühren für die Bankkundschaft überhaupt ist und ob sie sich dieser Kosten bewusst sind. Zu diesem Zweck wurden zwischen dem 25. August und dem 7. September 2023 insgesamt 1’410 Personen mittels einer Online-Umfrage befragt.
Die Stichprobe umfasst die internetnutzende Bevölkerung in der Deutschschweiz, der Westschweiz und dem Tessin im Alter von 18 bis 75 Jahren. Es wurde eine Quotensteuerung angewendet in Bezug auf Alter, Geschlecht und Sprachregion, damit ein möglichst repräsentatives Bild der aktuellen und potenziellen Kundschaft von Retailbanken gezeichnet werden kann.
Unsere Erhebungsmethode
Für die Analyse der Preise von Basisdienstleistungen bei der Hauptbank (Konto und Zahlungskarte) wurde ein dreistufiges Verfahren angewendet (vgl. Abbildung 2). In der ersten Stufe wurde gefragt, wie oft sich die Befragten über diese Konditionen informieren. Anschliessend wurde das subjektive Wissen über die Konditionen erfasst. Die Umfrageteilnehmenden wurden gefragt, ob sie die Konditionen genau, ungefähr oder überhaupt nicht kennen.
Im dritten Schritt wurden die Preise in Franken pro Jahr abgefragt und diese Informationen mit den aktuellen Konditionen verglichen, basierend auf den zuvor erhobenen Daten zu den Bank- und Kontoverbindungen. Hierbei wurde ein Datensatz verwendet, der von Moneyland zur Verfügung gestellt wurde (Stand: Anfang August 2023, übereinstimmend mit Umfragezeitraum).
Abbildung 2: Schema der Erhebung
Wenig Interesse an einem Preisvergleich
Als erstes haben wir die Teilnehmerinnen und Teilnehmer der Umfrage zu ihrem Informationsverhalten befragt («Wie oft informieren Sie sich über Preise im Basisbereich (Kontoführungskosten, Kartengebühren) von Banken und vergleichen diese?»). Über 40 Prozent gab an, sich nie, oder so gut wie nie über die Kosten ihres Basispakets zu informieren. 17 Prozent der Befragten gaben an, diese Preise monatlich zu vergleichen. Eine weitere 42-prozentige Gruppe gab an, dies sporadisch zu tun, mindestens einmal im Jahr (vgl. Abbildung 3).
Bei der Betrachtung der demografischen Merkmale zeigt sich das folgende Bild: Männer, Angehörige der Generation Y, Personen mit Hochschulabschluss, sowie Personen mit höherem Vermögen und Einkommen informieren sich häufiger über die entsprechenden Kontoführungskosten oder Kartengebühren im Vergleich zu anderen Personen. Das geringe Interesse von Personen mit tieferen Einkommen und Vermögen überrascht etwas, da die jährlichen Kosten für Basispakete oft deutlich über CHF 100 liegen.
Subjektive und tatsächliche Preiskenntnisse in Bezug auf Basisdienstleistungen
So viele Schweizerinnen und Schweizer denken, dass sie die Preise kennen…
In einem zweiten Schritt wurde eruiert, wie es um das Wissen bezüglich der Kosten für Basisdienstleistungen in der Schweiz steht.
Abbildung 4 zeigt die subjektiven Preiskenntnisse nach demografischen Merkmalen. Insgesamt gibt ein Drittel der Befragten an, die Kosten für das Basispaket nicht zu kennen. Auf der anderen Seite geben 22 Prozent der Befragten an, diese Kosten genau zu kennen. Weitere 21 Prozent der Befragten gaben an, dass diese Dienstleistungen für sie bei ihrer Hausbank kostenlos seien.
Abbildung 4: Subjektive Preiskenntnisse
Unsere Untersuchungen zeigen Unterschiede in der Selbsteinschätzung der Preiskenntnisse zwischen Männern und Frauen. Frauen geben dabei tendenziell an, weniger gut über die Preise informiert zu sein als Männer. Eine weitere interessante Beobachtung ist, dass es auch Unterschiede in der Wahrnehmung der Preiskenntnisse nach dem Vermögen gibt. Personen mit höherem Vermögen scheinen sich selbst häufiger als gut informiert über Preise einzuschätzen als solche mit geringerem Vermögen.
…und so viele Befragte kennen die Preise tatsächlich
Wie oben aufgezeigt, gaben lediglich 22 Prozent der Befragten an, die genauen Kosten zu kennen. Doch unsere Analyse zeigt, dass von diesen Personen tatsächlich nur 30 Prozent den exakten Preis und 11 Prozent den Preis ungefähr kannten.
26 Prozent der Befragten gaben an, dass sie die Preise ungefähr kennen. Tatsächlich wissen aber nur knapp 19 Prozent dieser Gruppe Bescheid über die ungefähre Höhe dieser Gebühren (5% dieser Befragten kennen die Preise sehr genau). Dies verdeutlicht, dass es in Bezug auf die Kenntnis der tatsächlichen Kosten für Bankdienstleistungen in der Schweiz erhebliche Unklarheiten gibt und viele Menschen fälschlicherweise das Gefühl haben, die Preise zu kennen.
Insgesamt wissen derzeit nur rund 17 Prozent der Bevölkerung, wie hoch ihre Gebühren für die Kontoführung und Karten sind. Rechnet man die Gruppe der Personen mit «kostenlosen Bankpaketen» weg, kennen 9.1 Prozent der Bevölkerung in der Schweiz die Bankkosten für ihre Basisdienstleistungen.
Die Preiskenntnisse werden deutlich überschätzt
Abbildung 5 fasst die obigen Resultate noch einmal zusammen und zeigt, dass rund 2/3 all jener Personen welche ihre Preiskenntnisse als sehr gut einschätzen, die Kosten deutlich über- oder unterschätzt haben (um mehr als 20% pro Jahr). Es ist auch erstaunlich festzustellen, dass mehr als die Hälfte derjenigen, die angeben, dass die Kontoführung kostenlos ist, tatsächlich für ihr Basispaket bezahlen (sofern sie keine Sonderkonditionen haben).

Abbildung 5: Subjektive und tatsächliche Preiskenntnisse in Bezug auf Basisdienstleistungen
Eine Analyse nach demographischen Merkmalen zeigt auf, dass überdurchschnittlich viele Personen aus der Generation Z ihre Kosten für Basisdienstleistungen kennen. Allerdings ist zu beachten, dass diese Dienstleistungen für junge Bankkundinnen und -kunden in der Regel kostenlos sind, was das scheinbar positive Ergebnis hinsichtlich der Preiskenntnisse erheblich relativiert. Ansonsten zeigen sich auch in einer detaillierten Analyse nach verschiedenen Merkmalen nur wenige Auffälligkeiten.
Es kann aber festgestellt werden, dass im Allgemeinen die Befragten mit höheren Einkommen und Vermögen ein besseres Verständnis für die Kosten von Bankprodukten aufweisen.
Nach Bankengruppe zeigen sich interessante Unterschiede im Kenntnisstand der Befragten bezüglich der Kontoführungsgebühren (vgl. Abbildung 6). Als erstes zeigt unsere Analyse wenig überraschend, dass die meisten Kundinnen und Kunden von Neobanken wissen, dass bei den meisten Anbietern keine Kontoführungsgebühren anfallen. Als weiteres fällt auf, dass die PostFinance Kundschaft die tatsächlichen Preise ziemlich gut kennt. Im Gegensatz dazu wissen mehr als 90% der Kundinnen und Kunden von Raiffeisen und UBS nicht, wie viel sie eigentlich für die Basisdienstleistungen bezahlen.
Eine weitere interessante Feststellung ist, dass bei über einem Viertel der Kundschaft von Kantonalbanken und UBS der Eindruck besteht, dass sie mehr bezahlen, als sie tatsächlich müssen. Im Gegensatz dazu fällt besonders bei PostFinance auf, dass etwa 30 Prozent der Kunden das Gefühl haben, weniger zu bezahlen, als sie tatsächlich tun.
Bei Raiffeisen ist zu beobachten, dass 43% der Kundschaft nicht wissen, wie hoch die Kosten für die Basisdienstleistungen sind. Unter denen, die angeben, die Kosten zu kennen, stellen sich die tatsächlichen Gebühren als deutlich höher heraus als die angegeben, was bedeutet, dass sie mehr bezahlen, als sie annehmen. Auch Personen mit tiefem Einkommen und tiefem Vermögen haben das Gefühl, dass sie weniger bezahlen, als sie tatsächlich müssen. Nach Region schliesslich fällt auf, dass vor allem Personen im Tessin ihre tatsächlichen Kosten im Schnitt deutlich unterschätzen (also mehr bezahlen, als sie denken).
Abbildung 6: Tatsächliche Preiskenntnisse nach Hauptbank
Fazit
Eine einfache Fokussierung auf den Preis des Basispakets spricht gemäss unseren Analysen nur eine kleinere Bevölkerungsgruppe an. Einerseits kennt nur rund eine Person von sechs den tatsächlichen Preis der Basisdienstleistungen. Rechnet man die Gruppe der Personen mit «kostenlosen Bankpaketen» weg, kennen sogar nur 9.1 Prozent der Bevölkerung in der Schweiz die Bankkosten für ihre Basisdienstleistungen.
Zudem sind nur für rund 14 Prozent der Gesamtbevölkerung die monatlichen Gebühren der wichtigste Entscheidungsfaktor für die Wahl der Hausbank. Auch bei den meisten dieser preissensitiven Personen ist der Preis bei der Wahl der Hauptbank nur sehr selten der alleinig ausschlaggebende Faktor für die Bankkundschaft. Auch bei besonders preissensiblen Kundinnen und Kunden zeigt sich, dass auch Leistungsfaktoren oder die Marke der Bank bei der Entscheidungsfindung eine relevante Rolle spielen. Auch wenn eine Ankündigung von Kostensenkungen für (potenzielle) Kundinnen und Kunden erfreulich ist:
Eine einseitige Fokussierung auf den Preis dürfte nur eine (zeitlich) begrenzte Wirkung haben, eine eher kleinere Gruppe an Neukundinnen und Neukunden zu gewinnen.

Dieser Artikel erschien zuerst auf dem Blog der HSLU und wurde mit deren Bewilligung veröffentlicht


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/abschaffung-von-kontofuhrungsgebuhren-merkt-es-die-schweizer-kundschaft-uberhaupt</link><guid>3565</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Bottomline-Catalyst-For-Competitive-Advantage.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Abschaffung von Kontoführungsgebühren – merkt es die Schweizer Kundschaft überhaupt?</dc:text></item><item><title>Media M&amp;A Landscape Confident for Growth Amid Strategic Shifts</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						February 26, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					In 2023, the mergers and acquisitions (M&amp;A) market underwent a considerable decline, dropping by 15% year-on-year (YoY) in value to US$4.3 trillion and reaching its lower level in a decade, data from Bain and Company’s M&amp;A Report 2024 shows.
Strategic M&amp;A declined 6% and strategic deal multiples were the lowest they’ve been in a decade. Deals were delayed for a number of reasons, the report says, including high interest rates, mixed macroeconomic signals, regulatory scrutiny, and geopolitical risks.
M&amp;A deal market value (in trillions of US$), Source: M&amp;A Report 2024, Bain and Company, Jan 2024
Media M&amp;A in 2023
In the media industry, companies navigated significant shifts driven by the decline of linear TV and the need for profitability in streaming services. They actively adjusted strategies to focus on profitability rather than subscriber growth solely, diverting non-core assets and making bold moves like joint ventures with former competitors.






Some of 2023’s most notable deals:

Walt Disney’s cable sports channel ESPN inked in August a US$2 billion deal with casino-owner Penn Entertainment to jointly launch a sports betting business under the brand ESPN Bet. The strategic partnership is notable because it represents Disney’s initial foray into sports betting, an industry sector that Disney CEO Bob Iger indicated was not an arena that he saw as compatible with the Disney brand back in 2019.
Disney bought in November 2023 Comcast’s one-third stake in Hulu for US$8.6 billion. The acquisition will see the two platforms merge into a single unified streaming app, offering standalone options for both Hulu and Disney+ while also exploring bundle deals.
Lionsgate Entertainment closed in December its acquisition of global entertainment platform eOne from Hasbro for approximately US$500 million. The deal represents a strategic expansion of Liongate’s content portfolio and global reach, adding 6,500 film and television titles to its library and expanding its presence in Canada and the UK.
In October, Microsoft concluded its acquisition of Activision Blizzard for US$69 billion, the company’s largest ever deal. Activision Blizzard is the publisher and developer of several massive gaming franchises, including Call of Duty, Diablo and World of Warcraft. Its mobile gaming subsidiary, King, is the developer behind Candy Crush Saga. The deal emphasizes Microsoft’s commitment to community-driven gaming experiences.
In the publishing vertical, British group Informa secured two deals in 2023, acquiring in March international business-to-business (B2B) group Group Tarsus, and in May, specialist B2B events, data and media group Winsight. The Tarsus deal, valued at US$940 million, will see Tarsus combining with Informa’s live and on-demand events portfolio. The Winsight deal, worth US$380 million, will allow Informa to strengthen its position in the specialist B2B foodservice market.
In June, Providence Equity Partners, a premier private equity firm specializing in growth-oriented investments in media, communications, education and technology, closed its acquisition of global events business Hyve in partnership with Searchlight Capital Partners. Hyve operates a global portfolio of market-leading in-person and tech-enabled events including brands such as Shoptalk, Spring Fair, Bett, Mining Indaba and the recently acquired Fintech Meetup.
In July, multi-platform media company Vice Media Group completed its sale to a consortium of its former lenders. Launched in 1994 as a fringe magazine, Vice Media operates in more than 30 countries. The company’s revenues have been flat for some years and it has also struggled to turn a profit. Once valued at almost US$6 billion, Vice Media was sold for US$350 million.
American mass media, publishing and information services company Penske Media Corporation acquired in February a 20% stake in Vox Media for US$100 million. The deal made Penske Media the largest single shareholder in the digital publisher. Vox Media operates several brands including Vox.com, New York Magazine, Popsugar, Thrillist, Vulture and SB Nation.

2024 outlook
In 2024, the M&amp;A landscape is poised for significant activity, driven by an excess of assets waiting to be traded. Bain expects corporates to sell assets that do not fit with their strategy, and private equity to sell aging portfolio companies. The firm anticipates more scale deals for consolidation before a return to growth-oriented investments.
In the media industry, companies will continue to turn to different M&amp;A strategies to get out ahead of the evolving sector, pursuing opportunities in divestitures, partnerships with competitors and capability acquisitions.
Reed Phillips, CEO of Oaklins DeSilva+Phillips, a middle market investment bank focusing on media, technology and marketing industries, expects to see moderate activity in the digital media sector this year, though valuations will be substantially lower than they were in 2021-2022.
Similarly to Bain and Oaklins DeSilva+Phillips’ Reed Philips, FE International, a digital media M&amp;A advisory firm, forecasts notable deals in the digital media space this year as companies shift strategies to adapt to new market expectations, opting for concentrated investments and prioritizing innovation, efficiency, and fortification of organizational structures.
Several trends will drive this surge, the report says, including the rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI). Generative AI is set to fundamentally restructure the digital media value chain, helping generate more engaging and personalized content, improving efficiency and productivity, and enabling predictive analytics.
According to FE International, industry players will consolidate their grip this year onwards, investing in technological add-ons including generative AI-enabled tools to maintain the edge of their offerings.
Notable digital media deals in 2024 so far:

Thomson Reuters Corporation, a global content and technology company, announced in February the acquisition of World Business Media Limited, a cross-platform, subscription-based provider of editorial coverage for the (re)insurance industry. World Business Media’s products include The Insurer, The Insurer TV, and The Insurer Events. The acquisition aligns with Reuter’s strategic priority to provide must-have news and insight for new customer markets and professional verticals.
TechTarget and Informa struck a deal in January to combine Informa Tech’s digital businesses with TechTarget to create a leading global platform in B2B data and market access. The combined company, called New TechTarget, will focus on helping vendors in enterprise technology and other markets, providing services in audience development, demand generation, buyer intent, content marketing and tech research. In addition to its Informa Tech digital businesses, Informa said it would contribute US$350 million of cash in exchange for a 57% stake in the combined company.


Featured image credit: edited from freepik



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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/media-ma-landscape-confident-for-growth-amid-strategic-shifts</link><guid>3564</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Media-MA-Landscape-Poised-for-Growth-Amid-Strategic-Shifts-and-Tech-Advancements-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Media M&amp;A Landscape Confident for Growth Amid Strategic Shifts</dc:text></item><item><title>Vencora Acquires Crealogix</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						February 23, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					UK based Vencora announced the settlement of its public tender offer for all publicly held registered shares of Crealogix Holding with a nominal value of CHF 8.00 each.
The Offer was completed successfully on February 21, 2024.
With a proven track-record of providing quality solutions to its customers and a history of successful transactions, the acquisition of Crealogix greatly expands Vencora’s presence within the banking technology industry.






Crealogix was founded in 1996 and was listed on the SIX Swiss Stock Exchange in 2000. Since then, it has successfully grown its customer base, and serves more than 600 customers in 15 countries around the globe. Crealogix is recognized as a Swiss Fintech 100 company, and its solution set includes Conversational AI, Funding Portal and Lending Origination Hub.
Ateet Patel
“We are incredibly excited to have Crealogix become part of Vencora,”
said Ateet Patel, Banking Portfolio Manager at Vencora.
“Crealogix is an incredible company with an outstanding team, and we look forward to enabling them with resources and guidance to help drive even greater success.”
Crealogix becomes Vencora’s sixteenth brand in its growing portfolio. Under Vencora, the company will gain access to new best practices and have ongoing opportunities to network and learn from leaders from the entire portfolio of companies. The Vencora portfolio helps its companies and leaders become stronger together.
Crealogix will continue to operate independently under the leadership of Oliver Weber, CEO of Crealogix. Vencora’s decentralized business model offers its portfolio of businesses the ability to maintain their independence, which allows them to focus on the needs of customers and employees post-acquisition.
Oliver Weber
“We are proud to be now part of the Vencora family. We share Vencora’s value-based culture with a clear focus on investing in our people through continuous learning,”
said Weber.
“Crealogix has a proven track record in acquiring companies with a long-term focus and a wealth of experience in acquiring software companies in the banking and financial services sector. Our specialisation in vertical markets with international distribution and our history of successful acquisitions make us a very a good fit for Vencora.”
Vencora is a global collective of technology companies passionate about changing the face of the financial services industry. Headquartered in Toronto Canada, Vencora acquires, strengthens and grows vertical market technology companies in the banking, insurance and financial services sector.
Terms of the Offer
Following the settlement, Vencora directly and indirectly holds 1,391,622 CREALOGIX shares in aggregate, representing 99.07% of the issued share capital and voting rights of CREALOGIX.
Vencora intends to initiate squeeze-out proceedings and to have the shares of Crealogix delisted from SIX Swiss Exchange, and to have Crealogix apply for an exemption from certain disclosure and publicity obligations under the listing rules of SIX Exchange Regulation AG.

Featured image credit: Oliver Weber, CEO of CREALOGIX and Ateet Patel, Banking Portfolio Manager at Vencora


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/vencora-acquires-crealogix</link><guid>3563</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Vencora-Acquires-Crealogix-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Vencora Acquires Crealogix</dc:text></item><item><title>Synthesized Receives UBS Next Investment</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						February 23, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					Synthesized Ltd, a London based data firm who provides engineering teams a quick way to create and share production-like test and training data through machine learning and automation, announced that UBS Next, the group’s venture and innovation unit, is investing in its next phase of growth.
Synthesized enables engineering teams to have:

Faster development cycles – completely removes test databases and provisions time delays from the software development lifecycle, leading to faster time to market and increasing developer productivity.
Cloud adoption strategies – optimizes cloud spend, reduces data storage costs for non-production environments, and provides compliant datasets for migration to the cloud.
Improved application quality – catches software bugs earlier when defects are less costly to address, while simultaneously improving application end user experiences.
Compliant experimentation and innovation – reduces vendor onboarding time and data approval time for POCs, guaranteeing 0% production data leakage risk.







Nicolai Baldin
Dr. Nicolai Baldin, Founder and CEO at Synthesized said:
“AI-based and more traditional software applications are only as good as the data used in their development and testing. This UBS Next investment will enable Synthesized to grow and evolve our mission of providing high-quality, privacy-preserving training and test data for application development, AI/ML, and analytics. We are excited to solidify our partnership with UBS on our mission.”
Christopher Purves
Dr. Christopher Purves, Co-Head of Group Emerging Technology and Global Head of IB Digital Platforms at UBS, added:
“The market opportunity for Synthesized is vast and growing. As companies increasingly rely on data for application development and AI/machine learning initiatives, the need for efficient, secure, and compliant production-like test data becomes paramount. Synthesized stands out by enabling software engineers to provision high-quality data on demand. It is intuitive as writing code and is a pioneering approach in the industry.”


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			&#13;
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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/synthesized-receives-ubs-next-investment</link><guid>3562</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Synthesized-Receives-UBS-Next-Investment-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Synthesized Receives UBS Next Investment</dc:text></item><item><title>IT Industry’s Surveillance Capitalism Threats Democracies, Autonomy</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						February 23, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					The information technology (IT) industry is taking a problematic trajectory, with major corporations running on business models that heavily rely on gathering personal data and manipulating user behavior.
If left unchecked, this “surveillance capitalism business model” poses an important threat to liberal democracies, providing further tools for repression to autocratic regimes, and threatening the quality of life of consumers.
To address this complex issue, a multifaceted approach must be deployed, involving pressure from civil society, alternative technological development, and regulatory responses, a doctoral thesis by Marvin Landwehr of the University of Siegen in Germany says.






The paper, titled “Surveillance Capitalism and two Cases of Currency Innovation”, explores the dominant business model behind the world’s largest free Internet services, highlighting their “devastating societal spillover” and exploring some of the solutions to address these issues.
The rise of surveillance capitalism
According to the report, the IT industry is taking a concerning direction, especially considering the rise of surveillance capitalism. Surveillance capitalism refers to a business model where companies profit by collecting and analyzing vast amounts of personal data from individuals, often without their explicit consent, and then using that data to influence user behavior for commercial gain.
The problem with surveillance capitalism lies in several aspects. For one, surveillance capitalism collects extensive personal data which are then used to manipulate and steer consumers’ behavior towards specific actions or purchases without their awareness. The model also prioritizes profit over user welfare, leading to exploitative practices such as monetizing user data without adequate compensation or consent.
Furthermore, the extensive gathering and analysis of personal data can undermine democratic processes by enabling targeted political messaging, manipulation of public opinion, and erosion of privacy rights. Finally, companies that excel in surveillance capitalism often achieve significant market dominance, creating monopolistic conditions that hinder competition and innovation.
In light of the rise of surveillance capitalism, the paper outlines suggestions for citizen education and resistance, highlighting the need of continued discussion and exposure of the extent of surveillance and political and other behavior manipulation.
The paper also formulates a set of technological considerations, stressing the need to design technology that decentralizes data ownership and communication. It notes that existing technologies can support alternatives to surveillance capitalism, citing key innovations including open source software, which allows for transparency, collaboration and building upon existing code; application programming interfaces (APIs), which facilitate adversarial interoperability and portability, encryption, which is crucial for safeguarding user privacy; and peer-to-peer (P2P) systems, which can bypass central control, offering alternatives in situations with power imbalances or risks of coercion or censorship.
The paper notes that while blockchain is a relevant technology that adheres to the theme of decentralization, their fundamental limitations, including issues relating to energy and the scalability, disqualify it in this case. Instead, the report recommends the use of post-blockchain distributed ledger technologies (DLTs), citing the examples of IoTA and Hashgraph in particular.
On the regulatory front, proposals include enforcing informed consent and promoting adversarial interoperability to combat user exploitation and monopolies.
The Case of Facebook Digital Currency
The paper then connects this discussion to two currency case studies. The first case study examines Facebook-backed digital currency project Diem, noting that while the firm presented a currency with an architecture that uses a blockchain variant and despite claims of decentralization, Diem shared the orientation of surveillance capitalism to a large extent, boasting an architecture that was prone to use payment data to fuel consumerism.
The second case study examines a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) project in Germany, experimenting with alternative currencies within a sustainable agriculture framework. In the Luzernenhof case study, the report notes several innovation gaps, particularly in making these properties accessible through software for other CSAs and enabling cooperative distribution and accounting for alternative food networks. Moreover, it suggests exploring DLTs other than blockchain and centralized databases to align with community values of sustainability in future software design.
The thesis builds on previous work by Harvard Business School professor Shoshana Zuboff who has warned in her books about how tech giants are mining user data, analyzing them and selling them for predictive purposes, arguing that surveillance capitalism is hindering autonomy, eroding democracy, and fostering societal inequality.
For Zuboff, Google, Facebook, and increasingly Microsoft have emerged into three paradigmatic cases of surveillance capitalist companies. Rather than the previous model of selling hardware or software for use, they have all come to demonstrate a model in which they provide users services in return for appropriating their data.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/it-industrys-surveillance-capitalism-threats-democracies-autonomy</link><guid>3560</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IT-Industrys-Surveillance-Capitalism-Threats-Democracies-Autonomy-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>IT Industry’s Surveillance Capitalism Threats Democracies, Autonomy</dc:text></item><item><title>Digital Nomadism, a Catalyst for Growth but also Fraud Surge</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						February 23, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					For companies, the digital nomad movement is a double-edged sword.
Bringing about new growth opportunities but also increasing fraud cases involving forgeries and counterfeit documents, a new study conducted by Regula, a global developer and provider of forensic devices and identity verification solutions, found.
This ambivalence is requiring businesses to adopt new methods of verifying users’ identities that are not only secure and reliable, but also seamless and user-friendly, the report says.






The study, conducted in partnership with UK-based market research agency Sapio Research, surveyed 750 fraud prevention decision makers and 750 digital nomads from the US, UK, Germany, Spain, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Mexico in September 2023 to explore emerging trends and identify effective strategies for businesses to navigate and capitalize on the rise of remote working.
According to the survey, companies worldwide are witnessing an influx of business coming from digital nomads and remote workers. Globally, 92% of the businesses surveyed by Regula and Sapio Research in 2023 indicated that the number of foreign documents they needed to verify had gone up since the summer of 2021. More than a third of businesses in the UAE (37%) reported that the number of these cases had increased by more than 25%. Industry-wise, insurance (27%) and finance (25%) recorded the biggest increase.
For many of these companies, the influx of business has been considerable. Worldwide, 50% of businesses indicated that at least 21% of their new revenue could be attributed to digital nomads. That’s also true for as many as 62% of businesses in the US and 64% of large enterprises. The retail, telecom, insurance, and banking sectors are benefiting the most from the rise of digital nomads, with 64% to 68% of businesses attributing almost a half of their new revenue to digital nomads.
While remote workers are opening up new growth opportunities for businesses, the study also found that it is introducing new risks. 80% of the businesses polled reported that digital nomads are increasing the number of fraud cases they need to deal with. On average, this increase was estimated at 14% with the highest rates being reported by the insurance (22%) and finance (19%) industries.
Identification challenges faced by businesses
Despite the rise of fraud attempts, the study found that businesses are facing a number of challenges when it comes to verifying the identities of digital nomads holding foreign documentations. 41% of respondents indicated the lack of unified document standards as their primary issue, followed by the increase in fraud cases using, for example, forged documents (40%), issues relating to language barriers (36%), different document formats (32%) and internal expertise gap (32%).
Primary business challenges when it comes to verifying foreign identities, Source: Identity Verification in a Globalized World, Regula, Feb 2024
Looking at the processes the most impacted by foreign documents, the study found that 71% of finance and banking businesses reported an increase in foreign document verification when customers open a new bank account.
In government services, there’s an even split between visa applications (45%), work permit applications (44%) and applications for new documents (42%), contributing to the increase in foreign documents needing verification.
Similarly, insurance applications (64%), bookings (54%), medical treatments (65%), online account creation (71%) and new phone activations (65%) are also responsible for increasing workloads across industries.
Technology adoption
To address the shifting landscape, businesses are adopting innovative methods and technologies to appropriately and accurately verify users. Among the top methods adopted, biometric verification tops the list, with 57% of those surveyed having it already implemented in their workflows, followed by electronic document verification (53%).
Adoption of biometric verification is the highest in the financial services and banking sector where 70% of respondents said that they had already implemented the technology, a rate that stands at 68% for insurance businesses. Similarly, 61% of businesses in both of these sectors are already equipped with the necessary capabilities to verify documents electronically.
Globally, a third of businesses (34%) said that they’ll need to increase their spending on identity verification by 11%-20%, with 38% of respondents sharing plans to implement blockchain-based identity verification within the next 12 months, followed by device fingerprinting (36%) and behavioral biometrics (36%). In particular, businesses in finance, banking and insurance were found to be the most serious about increasing their investments in identity verification solutions.
Technologies for detecting and preventing fraud currently used and planned for future implementation, Source: Identity Verification in a Globalized World, Regula, Feb 2024
Digital nomads represent a booming demographic and a massive business opportunity. According to the 2023 Digital Nomads Report by US-based consultancy MBO Partners, 17.3 million US workers were digital nomads last year, up 131% from the pre-pandemic year 2019 to 2022. 24 million other American adults said they aspired to join them within the next two to three years.
A 2023 study by travel writer Carlos Grider estimates the global population of digital nomads to be standing at approximately 35 million members with a collective economic value of approximately US$787 billion. SafetyWing, an insurance provider for digital nomads and remote teams, made US$24 million in revenue in 2022, a twofold year-on-year (YoY) increase from US$12 million the year prior.

Featured image credit: edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digital-nomadism-a-catalyst-for-growth-but-also-fraud-surge</link><guid>3561</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Digital-Nomadism-a-Catalyst-for-Growth-but-also-Fraud-Surge-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Digital Nomadism, a Catalyst for Growth but also Fraud Surge</dc:text></item><item><title>The Top Swiss Law Firms for Fintech and Blockchain Practice</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						February 22, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					Chambers and Partners, a legal research company, has released its Chambers Fintech 2024 guide, an annual report which recognizes the top fintech advisors and litigators worldwide.
In this year’s Swiss edition, Chambers and Partners ranked MME Legal | Tax | Compliance, MLL Legal, Baer and Karrer, and Lenz and Staehelin as the top Swiss law firms in the fintech legal category, recognizing them for their expertise, diligence and customer service.
MME is a law firm based in Zurich and Zug that’s widely regarded for its work in the fintech sector. The company offers legal, tax and compliance advice to financial institutions and startups involved in various areas including cryptocurrency, electronic payments and robo-advisory. But its main domain of expertise is blockchain and digital assets. The company has worked with players such as Sygnum Bank, advising the company on regulatory and compliance work concerning the structuring for its digital asset bank.






MLL Legal is one of the largest Swiss commercial law firms, advising its clients in all areas of commercial law. MLL Legal stands out for its industry expertise in technically innovative specialist areas such as fintech, blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI), and also in regulated and innovative industries such as life sciences, information and communications technologies (ICT), financial services, real estate and retail and luxury. In the fintech sector, MLL Legal has worked with Kraken, one of the leading crypto exchanges worldwide, advising the company on anti-money laundering (AML) issues and financial market regulation matters related to the crypto exchange offering its products from the European Union (EU) into Switzerland.
Top Blockchain and Crypto Lawyers in Switerland
In addition to being named among Switzerland’s top four law firms in the fintech field, MME and MLL Legal also made the ranking in the blockchain and cryptocurrency category, being recognized as the most prominent Swiss law firms in the domain and gaining nine recognitions in the individual lawyer category. Individual lawyers recognized this year are Andreas Glarner, Ronald Kogens and Thomas Linder from MME, and Kilian Schärli, Catrina Luchsinger Ghwiler, Alexander Vogel, and Reto Luthiger from MLL Legal.
Fintech Legal, Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies, Leading Firms and Leading Individuals, Source: Chambers Fintech 2024, Chambers and Partners, Dec 2023
Baer and Karrer is another Swiss law firm that made it into this year’s the Chambers Fintech ranking. A leading legal firm, Baer and Karrer has a team of more than 200 lawyers spread across Zurich, Geneva, Lugano, Zug, Basel and St. Moritz. The firm specializes in banking and finance, capital markets, corporate and tax law, and has worked with established financial institutions as well as startups in the implementation of new technological platforms and initial investment rounds. The lawyers also assist in the development, implementation and protection of new business models and innovative financial products. Baer and Karrer has advised Bitcoin Suisse, one of Switzerland’s leading crypto service providers, on various novel compliance issues related to cryptocurrencies.
Finally, Lenz and Staehelin is a Swiss full service law firm, serving global clients from its offices in Geneva, Lausanne and Zurich. The firm has notable practices in banking and finance, corporate and intellectual property (IP), and tax, advising startups, investors, technology companies and established financial institutions on high-end fintech matters.
Fintech Legal, Leading Firms, Source: Chambers Fintech 2024, Chambers and Partners, Dec 2023
Top Swiss Fintech Lawyers (Category Individual)
In addition to being recognized for their fintech practice, these four law firms gained a total of ten recognitions in the individual lawyer category.  Practitioners from MME, MLL Legal, Baer and Karrer and Lenz and Staehelin who made it into the 2024 Leading Individuals ranking are Andreas Glarner, Ronald Kogens and Thomas Linder from MME; Kilian Schärli, Reto Luthiger and Alexander Vogel from MLL Legal; Daniel Flühmann, Peter Hsu and Eric Stupp from Baer and Karrer; and Ronald Kogens and Lukas Morscher from Lenz and Staehelin.
Fintech Legal, Leading Individuals, Source: Chambers Fintech 2024, Chambers and Partners, Dec 2023
Each year, Chambers and Partners releases its selection of the world’s top performing payments, blockchain, cybersecurity and data protection specialists across the world. These law firms and practitioners are selected and ranked after in-depth interviews with clients and a thorough assessment of their reputations and expertise. Criteria taken into account include technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial awareness/astuteness, diligence and commitment.
This year, the Chambers Fintech 2024 report comprises 860 department rankings and features 490 unique ranked organizations. This represents double-digit growth over the previous guide in percentage terms. A total of 703 individual lawyers were ranked, up 26% from 2023 and almost double the 383 lawyers included in the 2021 edition. Chambers Fintech 2024 also ranked 26 Up and Coming junior partners and 31 Associates to Watch/Star Associates.
Top Fintech and Blockchain Consulting Firms in Switzerland
In the Swiss ranking, Chambers Fintech 2024 also recognized the most prominent and experienced consulting firms in the fintech sector, putting EY, PwC and Validity Labs at the top of the list.
The report highlights EY’s work in the financial sector, emphasizing the firm’s involvement with licensing matters, audits, and regulatory advice related to blockchain technology and digital assets. PwC is recognized for its strong expertise in traditional tax and audit services, as well as for its initial coin offering (ICO) services. Finally, Validity Labs is a market-leading consultancy widely known in the Swiss market for the quality of its blockchain, tokenization and ICO expertise.
Consulting, Leading Firms, Source: Chambers Fintech 2024, Chambers and Partners, Dec 2023
In Switzerland, law firms are sharpening their fintech expertise amid a thriving fintech sector and ecosystem. According to the 2023 Tech Cities Index by Savills, Switzerland has emerged into a fintech powerhouse, with two Swiss cities claiming spots in the top ten fintech hubs in Europe last year.
Zug, which is known for its extensive crypto and blockchain ecosystem, secured the fourth position regionally, while Zurich followed closely at the sixth position, recognized for its massive fintech startup ecosystem, highly educated and skilled workforce, and robust financial sector.
Savills 2023 Tech Cities Fintech Index, Source: Savills

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-top-swiss-law-firms-for-fintech-and-blockchain-practice</link><guid>3559</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/MME-MLL-Legal-Baer-and-Karrer-Ranked-Among-Top-Swiss-Law-Firms-for-Fintech-Practice-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>The Top Swiss Law Firms for Fintech and Blockchain Practice</dc:text></item><item><title>KI Partnerschaft zwischen Adnovum und Squirro</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Company Announcement								
																						February 21, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					Adnovum und Squirro starten eine strategische Partnerschaft, um innovative Lösungen für die Banken- und Versicherungsbranche, für Transport- und Logistikunternehmen sowie für den öffentlichen Sektor anzubieten.
Das Ziel der Zusammenarbeit ist es, mit den modernen Technologien von Squirro in den Bereichen künstliche Intelligenz (KI), Natural Language Processing (NLP) und Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) die digitalen Lösungen von Adnovum weiter zu verbessern. Damit entsteht eine leistungsstarke Synergie, die den dynamischen und sich verändernden digitalen Anforderungen der oben genannten Sektoren gerecht wird.
Dorian Selz
Dr. Dorian Selz, CEO und Mitbegründer von Squirro, äussert sich begeistert über die Zusammenarbeit:






«Die Partnerschaft zwischen Squirro und Adnovum ist ein Meilenstein für innovative Lösungen im Banken-, Versicherungs- und öffentlichen Sektor. Durch die Integration der massgeschneiderten digitalen Lösungen von Adnovum mit der modernen generativen KI-Technologie von Squirro transformieren wir nicht nur die Geschäftsabläufe – wir leisten Pionierarbeit für eine Zukunft, in der sich unsere Kunden durch eine intelligente Datennutzung und verbesserte Entscheidungsfindung auszeichnen. Diese Synergie verspricht beispiellose Fortschritte im Servicemanagement und bei der Kundenbindung und stellt sicher, dass unsere Kunden ihre strategischen Ziele nicht nur erreichen, sondern übertreffen.»
Thomas Zangerl
Auch Thomas Zangerl, CEO von Adnovum, ist vom grossen Potenzial dieser Partnerschaft überzeugt:
«Mit der vereinten technischen Expertise von Squirro und Adnovum wollen wir Kunden in der Schweiz und in Singapur bei der nächsten Generation von KI und bei Fortschritten der generativen KI an die Spitze führen. Dies geht über die herkömmliche digitale Transformation hinaus. Unsere Lösungen fügen sich nahtlos in bestehende Arbeitsabläufe ein, um die Produktivität zu steigern, und ergänzen menschliche Intelligenz durch KI, um den Betrieb zu optimieren.»


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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ki-partnerschaft-zwischen-adnovum-und-squirro</link><guid>3558</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Adnovum-und-Squirro-tun-sich-zusammen-um-Banken-Versicherungen-und-den-offentlichen-Sektor-mit-generativer-KI-zu-verandern-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>KI Partnerschaft zwischen Adnovum und Squirro</dc:text></item><item><title>European Banks Invest in Fintech Startups, Embrace New Tech Amid Rising Threat from Digital Challengers</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					In Europe, incumbent banks are responding to rising competition from platform players, neobanks and payment providers by launching their own digital-only subsidiaries, investing in technology and providing banking-as-a-service (BaaS) offerings.
These strategies are arising as banks are perceiving considerable threat coming from new-age digital players, and most particularly from payment service and technology providers, findings from a new study conducted by Economist Impact and commissioned by Swiss enterprise software provider Temenos reveal.
The findings, shared in a report titled “Challenging the challengers: Europe’s banks face the competition”, were drawn from a global survey of 300 executives in retail, commercial and private banking spanning Europe (25%), North America (23%), Asia Pacific (18%), Middle East and Africa (17%), and Latin America (17%) to understand emerging trends in the banking industry.






Results of the survey reveal that European banks are more likely than banks elsewhere to expect neobanks to be their company’s biggest competitors in the next five years. Despite this, payment players and tech providers continue to be at the top of mind, with payments being the space banks predict new entrants will gain the most market share moving forward.
Electronic payments have soared in recent years, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the European Union (EU), the volume of electronic payments hit EUR 240 trillion in 2021, up from EUR 184.2 trillion in 2017, data from the European Commission show. Fintech growth has been particularly strong in the space, with 93 of the global sector’s top 335 unicorns in June 2023 providing payment solutions, showcasing the rising threat these digital players are putting on financial incumbents.
What is the main area where you expect new entrants to gain the most market share? Source: Challenging the challengers: Europe’s banks face the competition, Economist Impact/Temenos, Jan 2024
Recognizing the growth of new-age paytech companies, European banks are planning to maintain their own products all the while becoming aggregators of third-party banking and/or non-banking products, more so than banks in other regions.
They will also be focusing on providing banking-as-a-service (BaaS) offerings to brands and fintech companies with hopes of diversifying their revenue streams, scaling their operations more efficiently by serving a broader range of customers through partnerships, and deepening their relationships with existing customers.
What is the primary way in which you see your current business model evolving over the next 12-24 months? Source: Challenging the challengers: Europe’s banks face the competition, Economist Impact/Temenos, Jan 2024
Banks are also realizing that they are losing ground to fintech companies due to poor digital customer experience, a predicament they aim to address by investing in technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR).
European banks see AI as a key part of their tech investment strategy, the study found, in particular to improve the customer experience and support digital marketing, with three quarters (75%) of European bankers believing that the banking sector will be significantly impacted by generative AI. Some are also investing in AR/VR to improve customer experience.
European banks are also migrating to public cloud services and software-as-a-service (SaaS) in greater numbers than their counterparts in other regions. Over a fifth of European banks (21%) view cloud as a strategic priority that will ensure that their operations are agile and secure, allowing them to compete with more nimble competitors. Digital channels are the most focus of migration for European banks.
What type of applications do you believe that banks will prioritize in moving to the cloud over the next 12-24 months?
When asked about their innovation strategies, European banks cited investing in fintech startups as their top strategy (43%), followed by building their own greenfield digital bank or fintech company (36%). These strategies are aimed at offering innovative services, reaching new customers and/or tapping new digital capabilities.
What is your bank’s innovation strategy? Source: Challenging the challengers: Europe’s banks face the competition, Economist Impact/Temenos, Jan 2024
The study also found that the European banks surveyed are more concerned than their peers in other regions that environmental, social and governance (ESG) regulations will lower the financial profitability of the banking sector. However, European banks are lagging behind their peers in offering embedded ESG/sustainable banking propositions to their customers.
Banks will offer embedded ESG:sustainable banking propositions to their customers – both retail and enterprise, Source: Challenging the challengers: Europe’s banks face the competition, Economist Impact/Temenos, Jan 2024
ESG considerations are growing ever-so critical to European banks. Firstly, regulatory authorities are increasingly emphasizing ESG compliance, necessitating banks to disclose ESG-related risks and adhere to environmental and social regulations. Secondly, ESG considerations can directly impact a bank’s financial performance.
For example, investments in environmentally sustainable projects may generate positive returns while reducing exposure to climate-related risks. Moreover, integrating ESG factors into risk management processes allows banks to identify and mitigate risks associated with climate change, social issues and governance practices.
In December 2022, the European Banking Authority (EBA) published its roadmap on sustainable finance, outlining the objectives and timeline for delivering mandates and tasks in the area of green finance and ESG risks.
The EBA’s objectives include enhancing transparency and disclosures regarding ESG risks, integrating ESG factors into risk management and supervision, assessing prudential regulations related to environmental and social considerations, contributing to the development of green standards, and monitoring developments in sustainable finance and institutions’ ESG risk profiles.


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/european-banks-invest-in-fintech-startups-embrace-new-tech-amid-rising-threat-from-digital-challengers</link><guid>3557</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Bottomline-Catalyst-For-Competitive-Advantage.png</dc:content ><dc:text>European Banks Invest in Fintech Startups, Embrace New Tech Amid Rising Threat from Digital Challengers</dc:text></item><item><title>PostFinance Starts with New Crypto Product Offering</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					PostFinance is launching a crypto service tomorrow.
The new offering will enable its customers to purchase or securely store an initial range of 11 cryptocurrencies at the click of a mouse or even set up a crypto saving plan – similar to a funds saving plan. The launch aims to promote user-friendliness, transparency and attractive conditions for all.
PostFinance will be the first systemically important bank in Switzerland to bring crypto trading directly to its customers. Easy access and the low entry threshold of 50 US dollars for crypto saving plans and individual orders make this service particularly accessible and help democratize the crypto market for everyone.






Philipp Merkt
“Cryptocurrencies offer an additional investment option and are here to stay. The benefit is that our 2.5 million customers can now invest in cryptocurrencies easily and securely with their principal bank,”
says Philipp Merkt, Chief Investment Officer at PostFinance.
“In addition to traditional asset classes such as cash, bonds and shares, cryptocurrencies are part of a variety of attractive alternative investment options such as real estate and raw materials.”
The launch on 21 February 2024 is a milestone for PostFinance. In conjunction with the FINMA-regulated crypto bank Sygnum, PostFinance is offering its customers a clear range of cryptocurrencies with transparent and attractive prices.



Featured image credit: Edited from freepik


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			&#13;
				About Author&#13;
				More info about author&#13;
			
			
		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/postfinance-starts-with-new-crypto-product-offering</link><guid>3556</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Bottomline-Catalyst-For-Competitive-Advantage.png</dc:content ><dc:text>PostFinance Starts with New Crypto Product Offering</dc:text></item><item><title>Citi Collaborates to Explore Tokenization of Private Markets</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Citi has announced that it has successfully completed a proof of concept on tokenization of private funds along with Wellington Management and WisdomTree.
The proof of concept, which was conducted on the Avalanche Spruce institutional test Subnet, found that smart-contract capabilities could deliver new functionality and operational efficiencies, which are currently unavailable with traditional assets. These new functionalities could enable buy- and sell-side institutions to engage with distributed ledger infrastructure in a low-risk, low barrier-to-entry manner that is consistent with regulations.
Private markets, although a $10 trillion asset class, are characterized by an infrastructure that is complex and manual, with a lack of standardization and transparency, leading to inefficient distribution and operations. There are often complex legal and regulatory restrictions related to private assets.






With ABN AMRO simulating the role of a traditional investor, the proof of concept tested the tokenization of a Wellington issued private equity fund by bringing it onto a distributed ledger technology (DLT) network. The underlying fund distribution rules were encoded into the smart contract and embedded in the token transferred to hypothetical WisdomTree clients. The proof of concept demonstrated how smart contracts could be used to enable greater automation and potentially create an enhanced compliance and control environment for issuers, distributors, and investors.
As part of the experiment, Citi also evaluated multiple scenarios of transfers using smart contracts relying on simulated identity credentials issued by WisdomTree and using a private fund token as collateral in an automated lending contract with DTCC Digital Assets (formerly Securrency).
By evaluating relevant technical, legal and operational frameworks needed to bring traditional assets on to a digital platform, Citi explored how to support clients issuing and accessing tokenized private assets in a controlled and scalable manner, while ensuring interoperability with the traditional ecosystem.
Nisha Surendran
“Smart contracts and blockchain technology can enable enhanced rule-enforcement at an infrastructure-level, allowing data and workflows to travel with the asset. We believe that by testing the tokenization of private assets, we are exploring the feasibility to open-up new operating models and create efficiencies for the broader market,”
stated Nisha Surendran, Emerging Solutions Lead for Citi Digital Assets.
“The Avalanche Spruce test network has proven to be an ample technical sandbox environment for coming together with partners and exploring the potential of blockchain technology within our industry. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with Citi, strong, long-term partners who are providing meaningful developments and thought leadership in the blockchain space,”
Citi continues to develop digital asset solutions, in line with its goals and risk appetite, using a unified set of shared technology capabilities and a common strategic approach. These innovative solutions enhance Citi’s products and services including digital money, trade, securities, custody, asset servicing and collateral mobility.

This article first appeared on fintechnews.am
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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/citi-collaborates-to-explore-tokenization-of-private-markets</link><guid>3554</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Bottomline-Catalyst-For-Competitive-Advantage.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Citi Collaborates to Explore Tokenization of Private Markets</dc:text></item><item><title>New Senior Management Team at Swisscom Ventures</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						February 16, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					Dominique Mégret, founder and head of Swisscom Ventures, will be moving to Ecorobotix per 1 March, where he will take over as CEO.
His role at Swisscom Ventures will be handed over to an established team: Stefan Kuentz, Alexander Schläpfer and Pär Lange will assume the leadership of the company as joint Managing Partners.They have been closely working together in the ventures team for years and have built it up in collaboration with Dominique. They bring with them a range of skills and experience, are extremely well connected and will lead Swisscom Ventures successfully into the future.
Dominique Mégret founded Swisscom Ventures in 2007. Since then, the division has become a key player in the Swiss startup scene and is now one of the biggest venture capital investors in Switzerland. Swisscom Ventures supports companies on their journey over several years from the start-up to the growth phase, with the aim of ensuring that they develop into sustainably successful companies. Abroad, Swisscom Ventures focus lies on new technologies with the potential to help Swiss companies and the Swiss economy to grow.






In Switzerland, Swisscom Ventures supports promising startups in order to further advance Switzerland’s digital transformation and strengthen the country’s innovative power. This means that companies like Sophia Genetics, Ecorobotix and Yokoy have been able to develop and grow.
Isa Müller-Wegner, who took over as Head of Group Strategy &amp; Business Development at Swisscom in June 2023, has various reasons to be pleased regarding the change in management at Swisscom Ventures:
“It’s wonderful that Dominique Mégret is the new CEO of Ecorobotix, a company in which Swisscom Ventures has invested in recent years. And I’m also delighted that the appointment of Alexander, Pär and Stefan ensures the continuity within the team. After all, strong partnerships, trust and having good connections in the start-up ecosystem are key success factors at Ventures. All three have been working side by side for years, have access to a large network and have supported companies such as ANYbotics, Kandou and Scandit. They recognise challenges, opportunities,trends and companies that are developing in Switzerland and abroad through digitisation and new technology.”
Swisscom Ventures relies on a team with different professional, cultural and functional backgrounds and is committed to a diverse portfolio. And the new management team brings also varying knowledge and a range of expertise to the table.
Alexander Schläpfer, MSc in Finance
Alexander Schläpfer
Before joining Swisscom Ventures in June 2016, Alexander was the co-founder and partner at Aster Capital in Paris, the corporate venture platform of Schneider Electric, Alstom and Solvay, where he managed investments in the areas of renewable energies, industrial IT and IoT. Before becoming VC, he headed the strategy, M&amp;A and S&amp;M departments at Alstom’s Power Service division, and had previously held several operational management positions in the Middle East with ABB. He also co-founded and chaired a robotics start-up at the Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich.
His areas of focus are: robotics, Industry 4.0, edtech, fintech.
Pär Lange, MSc in Physics, MBA INSEAD
Pär Lange
Before helping to set up Swisscom Ventures in 2007, Pär was co-founder and chief executive of a Stockholm-based consultancy firm focusing on early-stage investments in the ICT sector. Before that he co-founded a mobile phone operator, which successfully obtained a 3G licence in Sweden. He started his career in Sweden by developing RF and microwave transmission solutions and then worked in sales and marketing for Ericsson in Japan.
His areas of focus are: communication, semiconductor and sensor technologies.

Stefan Kuentz, MSc in Computer Science
Stefan Kuentz
Stefan has been with Swisscom since 2003. In 2011, he joined Swisscom Ventures where his focus has been on international investments in the cloud, SaaS and cybersecurity. Stefan has held various management positions at Swisscom, including running the company’s US outpost in Silicon Valley and establishing new solution units for the B2B sector. Before joining Swisscom, Stefan was employed for many years at IBM, where he was Associate Partner in charge of IT strategy consulting.
His areas of focus are: IT, cloud, enterprise software, cybersecurity, USA ecosystem

Featured image credit: Pär Lange, Stefan Kuentz and Alexander Schläpfer


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-senior-management-team-at-swisscom-ventures</link><guid>3555</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/New-Senior-Management-Team-at-Swisscom-Ventures-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>New Senior Management Team at Swisscom Ventures</dc:text></item><item><title>Apple Claims Expanding Reach in Finance with 12M Credit Card Users and US$10B in Savings Balances</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Apple has been steadily expanding its foothold in the financial services industry, with new data released by the company revealing more than 12 million users of its Apple Card credit card product, and US$10 billion in total balances in Apple Savings accounts.
In a new blog post published on January 30, 2024, Apple shares growth metrics for its Apple Card product, highlighting the popularity of the credit card among customers. Among the key data, Apple claims that:

Apple Card has garnered 12 million users;
In 2023, users earned over US$1 billion in Daily Cash from spending on Apple Card;
Apple Card’s Savings accounts have reached a total of US$10 billion in deposits;
The vast majority of users auto-deposit their Daily Cash into Savings, and nearly two-thirds of users have deposited additional funds from a linked bank account to their Savings account;
Nearly 30% of Apple Card users making two or more payments per month;
More than one million Apple Card users share Apple Card with their Family Sharing Group through Apple Card Family;
Nearly 600,000 users are building credit equally with their spouses, partners, or another trusted adult on Apple Card; and
Over 200,000 users have been approved for an Apple Card after enrolling in Path to Apple Card, a personalized program designed to improve a user’s financial health.








Several factors are contributing to the widespread popularity of the Apple Card among consumers. A key draw is the absence of fees, making the credit card particularly appealing to users seeking a cost-effective financial solution. Furthermore, the card’s focus on financial health is evident in its suite of tools within the Wallet app that facilitate easy tracking of purchases, spending management, and interest calculations, and which encourage users to avoid debt or pay it down quickly. Additionally, the card promises low interest rates and offers up to 3% Daily Cash rewards on every purchase, providing tangible benefits for regular usage.
Apple is continuously enhancing the Apple Card, an offering it launched in 2019 in collaboration with Goldman Sachs. In 2021, it introduced joint accounts under the Apple Card Family brand, allowing people to share their Apple Card, track purchases, manage spending, and build credit together with their Family Sharing group. This followed in 2023 with the launch of the Apple Savings account, a high-yield savings account for Apple Card users which currently offers a competitive 4.5% annual percentage yield.
In a recent interview with the Financial Brand, industry experts and observers noted Apple’s patient approach to financial services and willingness to experiment and invest upfront without immediate monetization.
Alex Johnson, consultant and creator of the Fintech Takes newsletter, told the online publication that because of Apple’s deep pockets and its all-inclusive strategy, the firm doesn’t have to monetize every single thing that it does. What doesn’t make money right away can still make the iPhone “better and slicker,” Johnson said.
Despite the success of its products, several observers criticized the “walled garden” concept of Apple. While the idea of an all-encompassing ecosystem and seamless integration might sound appealing to some, others like payments veteran Peter Davey argued it might lead to one-sided activities and resistance from traditional financial institutions due to fees and concerns over dealing with a non-bank tech giant.
Jason Mikula, consultant and publisher of Fintech Business Weekly, stressed that it was time for Apple to open the gate and permit other financial providers to introduce selected products and accounts. This “marketplace” could function like the App Store, he said, allowing Apple to collect fees for transactions going through that platform, enabling financial institutions to tap into a huge distribution network, and providing consumers with access to a wide and diverse range of financial solutions.
When asked about their predictions for what might come next for Apple, these experts said they envisioned a subscription management service, and identity verification solutions leveraging biometric technology, as next logical steps.
Johnson said that a centralized “command center” for managing subscriptions would align with Apple’s emphasis on customer care and financial well-being. Plus, Apple itself has diverse subscription offerings, ranging from cloud storage to Apple TV+, he added.
Mikula, meanwhile, emphasized the potential for identification services, noting that Apple is already working with a handful of states on digital drivers’ licenses through the Apple Wallet.
Apple has been operating in the finance market for less than a decade, and has already managed to gain a notable foothold. According to a 2023 report by Dutch consultancy and mergers and acquisitions advisory firm Flagship Advisory Partners, Apple controlled an estimated US$800 billion worth of payments in 2022.
About 3% of all Visa and Mastercard consumer card value and 10-12% of Visa and Mastercard card transactions in North America and Europe went through Apple Pay in 2022, Flagship Advisory Partners claims, making Apple a significant fintech player globally.
So far, Apple has relied on a slew of partners including Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase as well as Visa and Mastercard, to process payments and offer Apple-branded consumer fintech products, but evidence suggest that the firm may be looking to reduce its dependency on third parties and banking partners.
In 2022, Apple established Apple Financial, a wholly-owned subsidiary dedicated to powering the firm’s Apple Pay Later service. That same year, a Bloomberg report revealed the company’s secret “Breakout” initiative that’s allegedly seeking to bring more financial services capabilities, including payment processing, risk and fraud analysis, credit checks, subscription programs for hardware purchases, and buy now, pay later (BNPL), in-house.
In November 2023, CNBC reported that Apple was looking to end its credit card and savings account partnership with Goldman Sachs within the next 12 to 15 months.

Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/apple-claims-expanding-reach-in-finance-with-12m-credit-card-users-and-us10b-in-savings-balances</link><guid>3553</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Bottomline-Catalyst-For-Competitive-Advantage.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Apple Claims Expanding Reach in Finance with 12M Credit Card Users and US$10B in Savings Balances</dc:text></item><item><title>PPRO Appoints new CCO and CMO</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					PPRO, a leading digital payment platform based in London, has announced the appointment of two senior leader.
Eelco Dettingmeijer as Chief Commercial Officer and Mariette Ferreira as Chief Marketing Officer. These strategic hires come at a time when PPRO is gearing up for a new phase of growth.
Eelco brings over a decade of experience in payments, and over two decades in international sales roles with an impressive track record of driving commercial success. He spent seven years in commercial leadership roles at global payments processor Worldpay, served on the board of Icepay, and then spent three at Nuvei.






Eelco’s leadership experience is especially focused on EMEA markets, and he is recognised for building robust teams and strategic commercial growth. As CCO, Eelco will be spearheading growth in PPRO’s key strategic markets in Europe and the US, while also expanding its merchant network worldwide.
Mariette Ferreira joins PPRO as a CMO with over 15 years of B2B marketing experience, including ten years within the fintech industry. She has helped scale businesses such as payments platform FairFX (now Equals Group) and most recently served as CMO at fintech consultancy 11:FS. Mariette is poised to deliver a marketing strategy that drives commercial success and advances PPRO’s market position.
Eelco Dettingmeijer
Eelco Dettingmeijer, CCO of PPRO said,
“PPRO is well positioned to move up the value chain and has a unique value proposition that empowers growth for both payment companies and direct merchants. The payments industry is rapidly evolving, and I look forward to leveraging my experience and network to drive PPRO into the next stage of hyper-growth. There’s a vast opportunity for PPRO to deepen relationships, double its revenue and boost commercial success by providing more and better services and products to our existing and prospective customers.”
Mariette Ferreira
Mariette Ferreira, CMO of PPRO commented,
“I am looking forward to taking PPRO to new heights from a marketing perspective. The payments landscape is continuously changing and PPRO has a fantastic opportunity to enhance its competitive offering and serve customers in new and interesting ways.”
Motie Bring
Motie Bring, CEO of PPRO added
“We’re thrilled to welcome Eelco and Mariette to PPRO. Eelco’s extensive sales expertise and Mariette’s strategic marketing insights will be instrumental in our mission to simplify access to local payments, and enable the sale of goods and services to anyone in the world using their preferred way to pay.”


Featured image credit: Eelco Dettingmeijer, CCO of PPRO and Mariette Ferreira, CMO of PPRO


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ppro-appoints-new-cco-and-cmo</link><guid>3550</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Bottomline-Catalyst-For-Competitive-Advantage.png</dc:content ><dc:text>PPRO Appoints new CCO and CMO</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Tech Funding Falls 35% Driven by ICT, Fintech</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						February 15, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					In 2023, venture capital (VC) investment to Swiss tech startups fell by 35% year-on-year (YoY), a slump that was more pronounced in segments that are more mature and which require higher levels of capital, including information and communications technology (ICT) and fintech, data from the latest edition of the Swiss Venture Capital Report show.
The 2024 Swiss Venture Capital Report, produced by news portal Startupticker.ch, reveals that the investment downturn hit the ICT and the fintech sectors the hardest. In 2023, Swiss fintech companies secured a mere CHF 424.3 million in funding through 60 deals, making the sector the third biggest recipient in funding volume and deal count.
The numbers represent a 53% YoY decline in funding volume but a 11% YoY increase in deal count, suggesting that investors are shifting towards smaller-sized deals and startups at earlier stages of development. The figures are in stark contrast to 2022 numbers during which Swiss fintech companies raised US$909.9 million and 54 rounds.






Invested capital and financing rounds by sector in 2023, Source: 2024 Swiss Venture Capital Report, Startupticker.ch, Jan 2024
Fintech VC funding was cut in half in 2023 largely because of the lack of mega-rounds of CHF 100 million and up. The report also notes a slight decline in the number of growth rounds of CHF 10 million and up, which totaled 10 in 2023 against 13 in 2022. Overall, the year saw the median deal size fall from CHF 3 million in 2022 to just under CHF 2 million in 2023.
Nevertheless, Swiss fintech startups managed to secure some of the year’s largest rounds, with four fintech rounds being among 2023’s top 20 largest tech investments. These rounds were Taurus’ CHF 60.1 million Series B, the two rounds raised by Wefox of CHF 49.5 million each, and Tradeplus24’s CHF 45 million round, according to the report.
Swiss tech VC funding drops 35%
Swiss tech VC funding totaled CHF 2.6 billion in 2023, down 35% YoY. Despite the drop, the figure is still the third best value of the past decade, and represents a level that’s significantly higher than in the pre-pandemic years. In comparison, Swiss tech startups secured only CHF 2.3 billion in 2019. Furthermore, a total of 397 deals were secured in 2023, a new record for the market that reflects the dynamism of the market.
Invested capital and financing rounds of Swiss startups, Source: 2024 Swiss Venture Capital Report, Startupticker.ch, Jan 2024
Across all major segments, ICT was particularly hard hit by the VC funding downturn with only CHF 361.7 million raised by startups in the sector, down by a staggering 70% YoY from CHF 1.2 billion in 2022. For ICT rounds, the median deal size stood at a mere CHF 1.9 million in 2023, slightly lower than the CHF 2 million recorded for 2022.
Like fintech, ICT didn’t see any mega-round during 2023. The sector also recorded a massive dip in growth rounds with only four investments of CHF 10 million and up being secured during 2023, against 19 in 2022.
At the other end of the spectrum, sectors including biotech and medtech saw an increase in invested capital. VC funding to biotech startups rose by 22% to CHF 491.8 million while medtech funding increased by a staggering 41% to reach a new record of CHF 379 million. Meanwhile, although VC funding to cleantech startups witnessed a slight YoY decline in 2023, the sector rose to prominence last year, becoming the top funded tech sector in Switzerland with a share of 24% of all VC funding secured last year (CHF 630.1 million).
Invested capital and financing rounds by sector 2014-2023, Source: 2024 Swiss Venture Capital Report, Startupticker.ch, Jan 2024
The VC funding downturn in Switzerland aligns with trends observed globally. Data from KPMG’s Pulse of Fintech H2 2023 reveal that total fintech investment (US$113.7 billion) and the number of fintech deals (4,547) experienced their weakest results since 2017 amid a high interest rate environment, high inflation in many jurisdictions, and geopolitical uncertainties.
Total global funding activity (VC, PE and M and A) in fintech 2020–2023, Source: Pulse of Fintech H2 2023, KPMG, Feb 2024
A YoY decline was witnessed across all key regions with Asia-Pacific (APAC) experiencing the biggest drop, plummeting by a staggering 79% from US$51.3 billion in 2022 to just US$10.8 billion in 2023. Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) saw investment fall 51% from US$49.6 billion to US$24.5 billion over the same timeframe. The Americas showed the most resilience, with fintech investment dropping 18% from US$95.4 billion in 2022 to US$78.3 billion in 2023.
At a jurisdictional level, the US continued to maintain its dominance, attracting two-thirds of all fintech funding during 2023 (US$73.5 billion).

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-tech-funding-falls-35-driven-by-ict-fintech</link><guid>3551</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Swiss-Tech-Funding-Falls-35-Driven-by-ICT-Fintech-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Tech Funding Falls 35% Driven by ICT, Fintech</dc:text></item><item><title>UBS Issues Hong Kong’s First Investment-Grade Tokenised Warrant on Ethereum</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					UBS has launched Hong Kong’s first investment-grade tokenised warrant, leveraging the Ethereum public blockchain. This product is part of the bank’s UBS Tokenise initiative, aimed at advancing its in-house tokenisation services.
The product is a call warrant with Xiaomi Corporation as the underlying stock. The tokenised warrant is also reportedly the first natively issued warrant on a public blockchain that was sold to OSL Digital Securities Limited, a licensed virtual asset platform operator and wholly-owned subsidiary of OSL Group (formerly BC Technology Group).
Tokenised warrants are distinguished by enhanced accessibility, efficiency, and transparency. They enable investors to access digital structured products through blockchain technology, which facilitates extended trading hours and compatibility with various platforms.






The use of smart contracts in these warrants streamlines trading and administrative operations, reduces costs, and leverages a decentralised ledger for transparent transaction and ownership records.
UBS has been exploring blockchain and digital assets since 2015, focusing on developing institutional grade infrastructure for tokenised assets.
Its efforts include the issuance of a US$50 million tokenised fixed rate note to clients in the Asia Pacific in 2022 through the UBS Tokenise platform, which caters to the origination, distribution, and custody of various financial products.
Winni Cheuk
Winni Cheuk, Head of Sales, APAC Public Distribution, UBS Global Markets said,
“The introduction of the UBS tokenised warrant reinforces the bank’s position as the leading derivative products issuer in Hong Kong.

Created natively on a public blockchain in a permissioned environment, this innovative product enhances transparency, reduces transaction fees, streamlines settlement processes, and allows for more flexible trading hours.”
Patrick Pan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at OSL Group said,
Patrick Pan
“We are simulating the whole product life cycle of an equity-linked structured product token, from token mint, through simulated secondary market transactions, and finally to token burn at maturity.

Hong Kong’s regulated virtual asset landscape has just crossed another major milestone with this investment grade tokenised financial product issuance.”

This article first appeared on Fintech News Hong Kong.
Featured image credit: Edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ubs-issues-hong-kongs-first-investment-grade-tokenised-warrant-on-ethereum</link><guid>3552</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Bottomline-Catalyst-For-Competitive-Advantage.png</dc:content ><dc:text>UBS Issues Hong Kong’s First Investment-Grade Tokenised Warrant on Ethereum</dc:text></item><item><title>Forrester Report: Top Digital Wealth Management Platforms</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					The digital wealth management platform (DWMP) market has witnessed growth and development over the past years, evolving into an established industry comprising global and regional players, advanced solutions tailored to specific market needs, and increased integration of modern technologies to keep up with the pace of digital change.
To help wealth management business and technology executives make sense of this vast and diverse market, American research and advisory company Forrester Research has released a guide offering an overview of the DWMP market, outlining these platforms’ key functionalities and market focus, and spotlighting the most prominent vendors in the sector.
The digital wealth management platform (DWMP) market
The report, titled The Digital Wealth Management Platforms Landscape, Q4 2023, defines DWMPs as solutions designed to optimize client experience and advisor productivity across the investor lifecycle. These platforms include features like customizable workflows, data models, and integration with existing core and customer relationship management solutions. They also support regulatory compliance requirements, and enable a variety of use cases ranging from prospect management and financial planning, to self-service, personalized recommendations and client performance reporting and analytics.






According to the report, wealth management firms are increasingly turning to DWMPs to advance key business objectives, including revenue growth, enhanced customer experiences, and cost reduction. This is done by modernizing both the investor and financial advisor experiences and assisting financial institutions in the attraction, acquisition, and retention of customers, while simultaneously improving operational efficiencies for financial advisors. Additionally, these platforms contribute to addressing other business priorities like risk mitigation, bolstering operational resilience, and fostering innovation.
Market maturity and trends
According to Forrester, the DWMP market has experienced considerable growth and consolidation in the past 24 to 36 months as industry stakeholders pursue private equity investment opportunities and strategic acquisitions to expand their capabilities and geographic footprints.
DWMPs are also integrating modern functionalities to meet the current and future needs of wealth management firms, leveraging application programming interfaces (APIs), artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to differentiate from competitors and partnering with fintech startups to connect to the broader ecosystem and introduce new functionalities rapidly.
DWMPs are using intelligent automation to drive better digital experiences and operations, enabling automated and optimized workflows and improved efficiencies. They also use AI and ML to monitor investor and advisor interactions, preferences, and goals to deliver personalized financial advice.
In addition to increased adoption of advanced technologies, the report notes that the DWMP market is witnessing the growth of global and regional players. These players are tailoring their solutions specifically for their focus markets. Regional players bring regulatory compliance and geographic knowledge to help differentiate their solutions from global competitors, while global platforms have sales and customer success organizations worldwide and often have capabilities in other domains such as banking.
Prominent DWMP providers
Finally, the report spotlights notable DWMP vendors, highlighting Backbase, Envestnet, InvestCloud, SS&amp;C, Tala Consultancy Services and Temenos as prominent providers in the sector. These vendors have a global footprint, serving markets including North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and Asia-Pacific (APAC).
Wealth management and retail banking are the top two targeted industries by DWMPs, though some of them appear to also be focusing on other specific markets. Prometeia, for example, targets the insurance industry in addition to wealth management; InvestCloud has a sharp focus on security and commodity brokers and exchanges; and Avaloq and Comarch are targeting the corporate and commercial banking industry.
The Digital Wealth Management Platforms Landscape, Q4 2023, Source: Forrester, Oct 2023
The wealth management sector is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by changing customer expectations and technological advancements.
A 2023 report by Bain and Company estimates that tokenization – the process of issuing a digital representation of an asset on a blockchain platform – could yield an approximately US$400 billion in annual new-revenue for asset managers and distributors by addressing address the distribution challenges facing the alternative assets industry.

Featured image credit: edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/forrester-report-top-digital-wealth-management-platforms</link><guid>3548</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Bottomline-Catalyst-For-Competitive-Advantage.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Forrester Report: Top Digital Wealth Management Platforms</dc:text></item><item><title>Switzerland and Qatar Continue Collaboration Discussion About Digital and Sustainable Finance</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						February 9, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					The second session of the Joint Economic and Financial Committee between the Ministry of Finance of the State of Qatar and the Swiss Federal Finance Department was held recently in Doha.
Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari
HE Minister of Finance Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari chaired the Qatari side while the Swiss side was chaired by HE Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) of Switzerland Guy Parmelin. A lineup of senior officials from government and private agencies in both countries attended the meeting.
The committee discussed a set of proposals and visions to enhance economic and investment cooperation between the two countries, where digital financing, sustainable financing, and ways of cooperation in the infrastructure sector were discussed, in addition to cooperation in the field of strategic projects related to food security and bilateral cooperation in development projects.






In the closing speech of the session HE Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari stressed the importance of the partnership between the two countries, stressing that the meeting is part of the State of Qatar’s commitment to constantly improve the business environment, and to enhance and strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries in the financial and economic fields of mutual benefit.
Guy Parmelin
For his part, HE Guy Parmelin underscored the goals of promoting common interests, adding that the committee contributes to formulating proposals regarding strengthening and promoting financial and economic relations between the two countries.
The convening of the Qatari-Swiss committee comes after the State of Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Finance, and the Swiss Federal Council, represented by the Federal Finance Department, signed in March 2022 a memorandum of understanding on joint cooperation to establish the joint committee concerned with the financial and economic fields with the aim of developing and enhancing relations between the two countries. Joint meetings are held alternately in the two countries.

This article first appeared on fintechnews.ae


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/switzerland-and-qatar-continue-collaboration-discussion-about-digital-and-sustainable-finance</link><guid>3549</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Second-Session-of-Qatar-Switzerland-Joint-Economic-and-Financial-Committee-Convened-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Switzerland and Qatar Continue Collaboration Discussion About Digital and Sustainable Finance</dc:text></item><item><title>Despite Investment Decline, Growth and Innovation in Digital Banking Carried on in 2023</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Despite plunging investments, the digital banking sector witnessed increased innovation and dynamism in 2023.
New neobanks were launched to address specific needs, banking incumbents introduced digital banking arms to keep up with the changing competitive landscape, and market leaders expanded their global foothold in emerging markets, a new analysis by French fintech-focused research C-Innovation reveals.
The report, released in January 19, 2024, explores the global neobanking scene, delving into the sector’s key players and their growth strategies, investigating the main trends observed in 2023 and sharing predictions about what lies ahead for the industry.






According to the report, 2023 saw funding to digital banking companies decrease substantially, plummeting by 65% from US$10.9 billion in 2022 to US$3.8 billion in 2023 amid lingering inflation, hawkish monetary policies, and supply chain disruptions. The dip is reflective of the broader pullback observed in the global fintech industry, which saw fintech investments decrease by 52% year-over-year (YoY) to US$44.9 billion.

Yearly digital banking venture capital investment (2019-2023), Source: C-Innovation, Jan 2024
Looking at regional investment trends, the analysis found that Oceania was the hardest hit, recording no digital banking investment at all, followed by North America which experienced a significant decrease of 74% in venture capital (VC) funding.
Europe and Asia showed some resilience by securing substantial funding of US$1.2 billion and US$1.1 billion, respectively. This trend was driven by strong VC investment activity in eight countries, namely Finland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Singapore, South Africa, and South Korea, where VC funding defied the odds and recorded an increase in funding to the digital banking segment.
Global digital banking funding in 2023, Source: C-Innovation, Jan 2024
A new wave of neobanking players
Despite the funding downturn, the C-Innovation analysis reveals that the global digital banking segment expanded in 2023 by adding more than 20 market entrants, bringing the total number of neobanks available around the world to 354.
These new players are catering to various market niches across different regions and spearheading a shift towards more accessible, inclusive and user-focused financial services.
Number of digital banks globally, Source: C-Innovation, Jan 2024
In Asia-Pacific (APAC), new market entrants are addressing specific needs by providing competitive interest rates and multi-currency accounts, and by targeting migrant populations. In Singapore, Maribank offers a highly competitive rate of 2.88% per annum for personal savings accounts, and an appealing 2.5% interest rate on business accounts. In Myanmar, Spring Development Bank lets customers enjoy the flexibility of a multi-currency account, supporting transactions in up to 10 different currencies.
In South America, innovation in the neobanking space is being largely driven by banking incumbents and traditional financial institutions, with notable examples of solutions that have hit the market over the past year or so including Bineo from Grupo Financiero Banorte in Mexico, Io from Banco de Credito (BCP) in Peru, and Itu from Itau in Chile.
Bineo aims to offer savings accounts and personal loans with seeks to add 2.8 million new clients in the next five years; Io is a digital banking offering that comes with virtual and physical Visa-backed consumer credit cards with no onboarding fees; and Itu is a digital banking venture initially offering a virtual account and a Mastercard debit card.
Other neobanks are expected to hit the South American market soon, including the Openbank digital banking service by Santander Mexico, and Hey Banco, which is backed by Banregio Grupo Financiero.
In Europe, UK-based company Sibstar launched in March 2022 a neobanking offering comprising a debit card and an app designed to help people living with dementia and their families to safely manage everyday spending. The Mastercard debit card is pre-loaded with funds, then how and where the money is spent can be managed through the Sibstar app. The app’s money management controls include spend limits, ATM, online, phone switch on/off, instant freeze, auto top up, and real time notifications which can be changed instantly and remotely.
In the realm of emerging markets, UK-based firm Fintech Farm continued to pursue its global expansion plans, launching in 2021 Leobank in Azerbaijan and opening Liobank in Vietnam in 2023. Targeting underdeveloped banking sectors and markets with large underbanked populations, Fintech Farm aims to launch neobanks in India and Nigeria this year.
Fintech Farm secured a US$22 million Series B funding round in April 2023 to fuel its growth and create user-friendly mobile apps and credit products for the underserved. The round, which comprised a combination of equity and convertible loan, valued Fintech Farm over US$100 million, according to online publication AIN.Capital.
Predictions for 2024
Looking ahead to 2024, C-Innovation expects the global digital banking landscape to continue to evolve, shaped by the interplay of traditional financial institutions, established neobanks, and new market entrants.
Traditional banks are set to continue their digital journey, focusing on refining digital transformation strategies. This may entail enhancing digital interfaces, integrating technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain, and offering personalized financial services to retain and attract tech-savvy clients.
Established neobanks are likely to maintain or enhance their market share through agility, innovative products, and customer-centric approaches. To sustain profitability, they may expand into lending services, tapping into personal and business loan markets to diversify revenue streams.
Finally, new neobanking companies entering the market in 2024 are expected to target specific market gaps, such as underserved demographics and niche financial products. Their success will depend on their ability to differentiate themselves in an increasingly crowded market and their capacity to swiftly adapt to regulatory and economic shifts, the report says.
With VC funding drying up for tech startups, companies in the neobanking industry are shifting their priorities from rapid expansion to profitability. Data released in November 2023 by strategy consulting firm Simon-Kucher indicate that this strategy has so far paid off, with an increasing number of neobanks reaching profitability and industry revenues growing by about 43% over the past two years or so. As of October 2023, the global neobanking sector served roughly 1.1 billion clients, a figure which represents an impressive increase of more than 30% between mid-2022 and Q4 2024.

Featured image credit: edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/despite-investment-decline-growth-and-innovation-in-digital-banking-carried-on-in-2023</link><guid>3546</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Bottomline-Catalyst-For-Competitive-Advantage.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Despite Investment Decline, Growth and Innovation in Digital Banking Carried on in 2023</dc:text></item><item><title>Instant Payments: Ensuring Euro Money Transfers Arrive Within 10 Seconds</title><description><![CDATA[
The new regulation aims to make sure that retail clients and businesses, especially SMEs, will not have to wait for their money, as well as to enhance the safety of transfers. Banks and other payment service providers (PSPs) will have to ensure credit transfers are affordable and immediately processed. The text, already agreed with EU member states, updates the current Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) rules.
Instant credit transfer
An instant credit transfer is supposed to be executed regardless of the day or hour and the money must arrive into the recipient’s account within ten seconds. The payer should be also informed within ten seconds of whether or not the funds transferred have been made available to the intended recipient.






Member states whose currency is not the euro will also have to apply the rules, where the accounts already offer regular transactions in euro, after a longer transition period. There will be a special derogation from making the payment within ten seconds for such accounts outside business hours, given possible concerns about access to liquidity in euro.
Customer safety, penalties and sanctions
To guarantee safety, PSPs should have in place robust and up-to-date fraud detection and prevention measures, to avoid credit transfers going into the wrong account due to fraud or error. To this end, PSPs operating in the EU should immediately, and without any additional charges or fees, provide a service to verify the identity of the recipient.
As an additional safeguard against fraud, PSPs should allow their clients to set a maximum amount for instant credit transfers in euro, which could be easily modified prior to the next transfer.
If a PSP does not fulfil its fraud prevention duties and this results in financial damage, a client may demand to be compensated by the service provider, according to the new rules.
PSPs offering instant credit transfers should also verify whether any of their clients are subject to sanctions or other restrictive measures related to money laundering and terrorist financing.
Charges stay the same
Charges applied by a PSP in respect to instant credit transfer transactions in euro cannot be higher than the charges applied to “non- instant” credit transfer transactions in euro.
Michiel Hoogeveen
Michiel Hoogeveen (ECR, NL) the lead MEP said:

“The Instant Payments Regulation marks the long-awaited modernisation of payments in the European single market. Customers can now say goodbye to the inconvenience of waiting two or three working days to access their money. We are delivering on something that people and businesses truly care about: transferring money within 10 seconds at any time of the day.”

Next steps
The text was adopted with 599 votes to 7 and 35 abstentions.
The new rules enter into force 20 days after publication in the EU Official Journal.  PSPs located in the euro area will have 9 months to be ready to receive instant credit transfers in euro and 18 months to send them.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/instant-payments-ensuring-euro-money-transfers-arrive-within-10-seconds</link><guid>3547</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Klarpay-Simplifies-Global-Micropayments-for-Digital-Businesses.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Instant Payments: Ensuring Euro Money Transfers Arrive Within 10 Seconds</dc:text></item><item><title>Core Banking Provider Tuum Grabs 25M EUR Series B Led by Commerzventures</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Tuum, a London based core banking provider, announced that it has raised EUR25m, in a series B financing round led by CommerzVentures, with participation from Speedinvest alongside existing investors.
Tuum has expanded rapidly since signing its first client partnership in February 2019, working with banks to ease their digital transition onto cheaper, flexible systems that can free them up to develop new products and enter new verticals. The company now boasts a customer base across 10 countries, with a pronounced presence in the UK, and Nordics. Over the last three years, Tuum’s revenues have soared, demonstrating a compound annual growth rate of over 250%.
The fresh infusion of capital will bolster Tuum’s international presence, allowing it to target new territories in the DACH region, Southern Europe, and the Middle East, where it is opening a new office. The company plans to enhance its direct sales and marketing operations, while also fortifying its partner channel with key managed service relationships to amplify sales reach and implementation scalability.






The fundraise will also be used to deepen Tuum’s key competitive differentiators. The company will increase investment into its “smart migration” capabilities, which are making complex core migrations possible in as little as two months. Further investments will refine Tuum’s ‘Business Builder’, a platform designed for significant customization through configuration, providing a compelling alternative to the generic ‘one size fits all’ or ‘toolbox’ approaches of other cloud-native cores. Finally, Tuum will invest funds into expanding its comprehensive suite of modules and rich functionality, which currently include accounts, lending, payments, and card services, catering to both corporate and banking sectors.
Myles Bertrand
Commenting on the fundraise, Myles Bertrand, CEO of Tuum, said:
“I joined Tuum in the summer of last year because I saw the gap in the market for its proposition. Everyone knows that banks need to replace their aging core banking systems if they are going to successfully adapt their business models for digital banking. However, no core banking vendor has to date made core migration simple and predictable, which is what Tuum is now doing through a combination of smart migrations, a modular and functionality rich core, massive extensibility, and a broad ecosystem of partners.”
Heiko Schwender
Heiko Schwender, Managing Partner at CommerzVentures, added:
“At CommerzVentures, we have been following and investing in the core banking market for a long time. While it’s hard to break into, this is a huge, highly attractive space, with over USD15bn in annual spending. Tuum’s standout modular approach is particularly suited to today’s ever-changing environment, offering a mature, yet flexible solution to a real pain point.
Tier 2 to 5 banks around the world will have to replace their aging core systems smoothly and cost-effectively. Tuum has developed an impressively mature and differentiated offering that can help them do just this. We are delighted to be leading this series B, and we look forward to working with the Tuum team to help realize the company’s massive potential.”

Featured image credit: Myles Bertrand, CEO of Tuum


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/core-banking-provider-tuum-grabs-25m-eur-series-b-led-by-commerzventures</link><guid>3544</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Klarpay-Simplifies-Global-Micropayments-for-Digital-Businesses.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Core Banking Provider Tuum Grabs 25M EUR Series B Led by Commerzventures</dc:text></item><item><title>Thomson Reuters Acquires Insurance Media Niche News Platform</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Thomson Reuters Corporation, a global content and technology company, announced that it has acquired World Business Media Limited, a cross-platform, subscription-based provider of editorial coverage for the (re)insurance industry.
This acquisition is in line with Reuters strategic priority to provide must-have news and insight for new customer markets and professional verticals.
Based in London and with an additional editorial hub in New York, World Business Media Limited’s editorial team provides must-have content and insight for global professionals working within the global (re)insurance and specialty markets.






Its products include The Insurer, the go-to and digital source for news, analysis and data on the (re)insurance industry and The Insurer TV, which brings exclusive insight and intelligence on the market through video interviews, panel discussions and mini docuseries. Through its events business, The Insurer Events, World Business Media Limited provides networking opportunities through a global series of events, conferences and awards ceremonies.
The business will be operated as part of the Reuters News division of Thomson Reuters and report into Reuters Professional.
Paul Bascobert
“Reuters produces trusted, must-have content for professionals across industries and borders,”
said Paul Bascobert, President of Reuters.
“With this transaction, we are thrilled to extend that mission deeper into the insurance and reinsurance markets. By combining World Business Media Limited’s specialized expertise in these markets with the global scale and reach of Reuters, we believe we can help uncover greater growth, advantages and actionable insight for insurance professionals across the globe. We plan to invest in this business to increase its coverage and reach, and we believe we will be able to bring services of greater value to our customers in this sector.”
“As the industry undergoes rapid change, increasing regulatory complexity, and growing severity of risks, the need for context and clarity for insurance, reinsurance and adjacent professionals has never been greater,”
said Peter Hastie, Managing Director of World Business Media Limited.
“Reuters is the perfect partner to achieve just that for our customers. We anticipate that we will be able to grow our business much faster together as part of Reuters than on our own. Building from World Business Media Limited’s strong platform and expertise, Reuters global, cross-platform and trusted approach to journalism will continue to ensure that our engaged audience remains a step ahead. We are excited to see the benefits this new phase of our company will bring to them.”

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/thomson-reuters-acquires-insurance-media-niche-news-platform</link><guid>3545</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Klarpay-Simplifies-Global-Micropayments-for-Digital-Businesses.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Thomson Reuters Acquires Insurance Media Niche News Platform</dc:text></item><item><title>Erste Mietkaution der Schweiz die in ETFs investiert werden kann</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						February 8, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					Ein Novum in der Schweiz: Erstmals können Schweizer Mieterinnen und Mieter ihre Mietkautionen in kostengünstige Fonds investieren, statt ihr Geld auf niedrig verzinsten Konten zu parken.
Zur Auswahl stehen 10 bewährte ETFs von führenden Anbietern wie UBS und iShares von Blackrock. Ähnlich wie bei Säule 3a Lösungen soll das angelegte Geld mit dem Markt wachsen und nebenbei eine Rendite generieren.
Möglich macht dies das Schweizer Proptech Startup Evorest.






Neben der Mietpartei kommt die Anlage auch Immobilienverwaltern und Eigentümern zugute: Die eingezahlte Kaution ist bei jeder Marktlage vollständig von Evorest garantiert. Bei steigenden Märkten erhalten Eigentümer sogar eine höhere Schadensdeckung. Für Mieterinnen und Mieter, die nicht investieren möchten, bietet Evorest ebenfalls ein herkömmliches Kautionskonto an.
Gleichzeitig digitalisiert Evorest die gesamte Customer Journey für Immobilienverwalter und Mietparteien. Während Verwalter bislang auf analoge Formulare zurückgreifen mussten, können Kautionen neu vollständig digital in wenigen Schritten eröffnet werden. Dank Wegfallen des Postwegs erspart Evorest allen Parteien wertvolle Zeit und ermöglicht die Einrichtung von Kautionen innerhalb von nur 24 Stunden.
Die von Evorest angelegten Mietkautionen werden von der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg verwaltet. Dafür nutzt das Startup die innovative Open Banking Schnittstelle des Schweizer Bankdienstleisters.

Auf dem Foto v.l.n.r: Felix Graule (Evorest), Marc Schuster (Evorest), Gianluca Cottiati (Evorest), Manuela Spillmann (GL-Mitglied Hypothekarbank Lenzburg, Direktorin des Bereichs Services)


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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/erste-mietkaution-der-schweiz-die-in-etfs-investiert-werden-kann</link><guid>3543</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Evorest-eroffnet-die-erste-digitale-investierte-Mietkaution-der-Schweiz-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Erste Mietkaution der Schweiz die in ETFs investiert werden kann</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Trade Group Details Vision of “Tokenized Finance”</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					A new paper by industry trade group Swiss Fintech Innovations (SFTI) shares the association’s forward looking vision for the coming ten years in the digital asset industry, exploring the concept of “tokenized finance” and detailing ways and recommendations to create a financial system that’s more inclusive, transparent and efficient than the traditional financial system.
The SFTI paper, titled “Vision of Tokenized Finance”, investigates the idea of a tokenized financial system, putting forward the idea of a new infrastructure for the financial services industry, platforms and applications that allow for the creation and exchange of products based on digital assets, including tokenized shares, stablecoins, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), staked cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). This system, the report says, promises faster and cheaper transactions, greater transparency, and more accessibility for people who are currently underserved by the traditional financial system.
Tokenization ecosystem
SFTI’s vision of tokenized finance
Tokenized finance involves the use of digital tokens on decentralized or distributed ledger technology (DLT), commonly known as blockchain. Tokenized finance is similar to decentralized finance (DeFi) in that it runs on blockchain platforms and makes use of smart contracts. However, it defers from DeFi in that tokenized finance can involve intermediary functions or parties at certain interaction points in the ecosystem.






The report outlines the main elements of its tokenized finance vision, starting with issuing tokenized assets, addressing custody and safekeeping, and progressing to trading, payment, lending, and staking.
In tokenized finance, assets would be issued on various blockchain-based business networks. These networks would interconnected, facilitating streamlined processes with intermediaries offering specialized token-enabled services. In terms of custody and safekeeping, investors would have the freedom to choose between two main options: self-custody or custody with a regulated party.
The SFTI also emphasizes the importance of reliable means of payment for the future development of DLT. In particular, the organization foresees the emergence of stablecoins pegged to local currencies, and expects these stablecoins to be fully interoperable with various blockchain protocols. Alongside stablecoins, retail CBDCs are also set to play a role in the broader adoption of tokenized finance.
The trading landscape in Switzerland is also poised to undergo significant transformations through blockchain enablement. These developments are expected to include the emergence of new-generation exchanges built on blockchain infrastructure, the availability of atomic settlements, greater integration between traditional finance and digital assets and the advent of hybrid trading platforms.
The SFTI also anticipates an increase in the demand for cryptocurrency lending services as crypto gains broader acceptance and mainstream adoption. This will prompt traditional banks to join the crypto lending space. Several financial institutions, including Swissquote and Julius Baer, have already started exploring or integrating crypto lending services, a trend which SFTI expects will accelerate as crypto becomes more integrated into the global financial system.
Prerequisites for tokenized finance
After providing the main elements of tokenized finance, the report gives contextual elements and prerequisites to achieve the vision.
In particular, it notes that proper regulation is crucial in shaping and adapting to the challenges associated with tokenized finance. These regulatory frameworks should address concerns such as fraud, market manipulation, money laundering, and cybersecurity, and should focus on establishing trust in these emerging ecosystems.
A strong and secure digital identity and know-your-customer (KYC) foundation is another prerequisite to tokenized finance. This foundation should enable smooth transfer of tokenized digital assets, and should focus on streamlining client due diligence, identification and verification process, allowing both individuals and businesses to easily onboard onto different platforms.
In the current scenario, client due diligence processes are primarily non-digital, lacking common standards, and are often repeated at various institutions.
The vision for KYC and digital identity in tokenized finance involves a solution where clients would possess their own self-sovereign identity based on a recognized electronic identification. This identity would be connected to various DLT systems, giving clients control over their identification data in a tokenized format. Clients would be responsible for managing and updating their data, and would be able to decide which institution is allowed to access specific details and for what purpose. This information would be securely linked to DLT systems in compliance with data protection regulations, accessible only by the data owner and temporarily by associated institutions, with transparent access logs.
Cyber and token security is another critical issue to address. In this context, the focus should be on implementing robust security measures to protect clients’ digital assets and ensure that only authorized parties can access and transfer tokenized assets. These measures should prevent misuse, enable clear identification of asset ownership and be user-friendly for clients.
The SFTI’s envisioned solution for digital asset safeguarding encompasses a number of best practices. First, the solution should give clients full control over who can access and view their assets. Private keys should be stored securely and linked to a client by a financial institution or an intermediary of the client’s choice. And assets kept during a prolonged period of time should be moved to a cold storage, reducing exposure to potential cyber threats. Lastly, enhanced insurance coverage should be provided by custody providers to address concerns related to potential losses stemming from cybersecurity breaches or operational interruptions.
In recent years, Switzerland has taken significant strides to establish itself as a global leader in blockchain technology and tokenization. Notable initiatives include the creation of the Crypto Valley, an area in the canton of Zug known for its concentration of crypto and blockchain-related businesses, startups and organizations, as well as the implementation of a regulatory framework known as the “DLT Act”.
The legislation, which came into force in August, 2021, provides legal certainty for businesses and individuals engaging in activities related to DLT activities, allows for the tokenization of traditional securities, and imposes anti-money laundering (AML) and KYC obligations to entities operating in the blockchain space, among other things.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-trade-group-details-vision-of-tokenized-finance</link><guid>3542</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Tokenization-ecosystem-1024x842.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Trade Group Details Vision of “Tokenized Finance”</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Regtech Pioneer Apiax Releases AI Policy Assistant</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Apiax has launched a new compliance solution today, aiming to enhance operational efficiency and the accuracy of policy searches.
The solution is a synthesis of Apiax’s compliance expertise, rule-based technology, and Generative AI, creating a new standard for financial institutions in accessing and verifying company policy details with ease.
Apiax, a leading provider of embedded compliance solutions for the financial industry, released its AI Policy Assistant , an innovative Generative AI-driven solution transforming compliance policies into dynamic conversations. Based on Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI services, the solution offers instant, precise, and verified answers to policy queries, ensuring governance is maintained anytime through its robust verification layer. It seamlessly integrates with the existing rules-based solution, enhancing decision-making efficiency without compromising compliance standards.






Nicolas Blanchard
“We developed the AI Policy Assistant with the expertise gained from serving multiple global financial institutions. The solution doesn’t compromise on control and transparency and is fully integrated into our comprehensive compliance workbench, ready to tackle complex and multi-faceted policy frameworks,”
said Nicolas Blanchard, Chief Product Officer at Apiax.
“Being part of the Microsoft for Startups Program accelerated our innovation process massively by leveraging the extensive resources and expertise of Microsoft.”
René Huerlimann
“Working closely with numerous financial institutions in Switzerland and all over the world, we see our customers’ need to deliver precise and accurate policy answers, while maintaining strict institutional governance. In this landscape, Apiax is providing an innovative generative AI solution,”
says René Huerlimann, Director Solution Sales at Microsoft Switzerland.
“Their competitive AI policy assistant is integrating proprietary rule-based frameworks with the Azure OpenAI Service hosted in our Swiss datacenters, while ensuring rigid compliance oversight.”



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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-regtech-pioneer-apiax-releases-ai-policy-assistant</link><guid>3541</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Klarpay-Simplifies-Global-Micropayments-for-Digital-Businesses.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Regtech Pioneer Apiax Releases AI Policy Assistant</dc:text></item><item><title>Cembra digitalisiert Sparprodukte mit Finstar-Technologie</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Sparkonti und Kassenobligationen bietet Cembra neu digital an. Die Bank nutzt dafür die Technologie der Open-Banking-Plattform Finstar.
Zudem unterstützt die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg Cembra bei Servicedienstleistungen für die Kundenbetreuung.
Die Eröffnung eines Sparkontos oder die Zeichnung einer Kassenobligation erfolgt bei Cembra neu auf digitalem Weg. Die börsenkotierte Schweizer Bank hat zu diesem Zweck Softwaremodule der Open-Banking-Plattform Finstar in ihr Banksystem integriert. Dies haben die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg und Cembra heute bekannt gegeben.






Damit können neue Kundinnen und Kunden ab sofort ein Sparkonto bei Cembra digital eröffnen und auf Wunsch auch in Kassenobligationen mit Laufzeiten von zwei bis zehn Jahren investieren.
Patrick Vogt
«Dank unserer offenen Architektur und den vielfältigen Schnittstellen konnten wir unsere Lösung innert kurzer Zeit auf Cembra anpassen und mit ihren existierenden Systemen verbinden»,
sagt Patrick Vogt, Leiter Finstar Professional Services.
Modulare Integration von Banking-Services
Die Implementierung der neuen Module bei Cembra hat Finstar in der zweiten Hälfte des vergangenen Jahres umgesetzt. Die Open-Banking-Plattform Finstar verfügt über eine offene Schnittstellenarchitektur mit über 300 Endpunkten für zahlreiche Banking-Services. Die einzelnen Services können modular in die Systeme von Drittbanken oder Fintech-Unternehmen integriert werden.
«Mit dem Cembra-Case haben wir eine modulare Integration in Rekordtempo realisiert»,
sagt Vogt.
Manuela Spillmann
Im Rahmen der Zusammenarbeit mit Cembra unterstützt die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg zudem bei Zahlungsverkehrs- und Kundenbetreuungsaufgaben.
«Wir freuen uns auf eine erfolgreiche Kooperation mit Cembra»,
sagt Manuela Spillmann, Bereichsleiterin Services der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg.



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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/cembra-digitalisiert-sparprodukte-mit-finstar-technologie</link><guid>3540</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Klarpay-Simplifies-Global-Micropayments-for-Digital-Businesses.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Cembra digitalisiert Sparprodukte mit Finstar-Technologie</dc:text></item><item><title>Higher Fintech Presence Causes Heightened Risk-Taking Among Banking Incumbents</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					A new study by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has established a link between the prominence of fintech and the level of risk financial institutions are willing to take, revealing that greater fintech presence is associated with heightened risk-taking by incumbents. This result indicates that high fintech penetration and competition are eroding the market power of traditional banks, their profit margins and their franchise value, subsequently encouraging incumbents to take greater risks in a bid to maintain their market position and profitability.
The study, released on January 26, 2024, used a curated database covering over 10,000 financial institutions and global fintech activities to investigate how fintech activities influence risk-taking by financial institutions.
Findings reveal that fintech companies are putting pressure on traditional financial institutions, a threat which incumbents are responding to by taking greater risks. These findings have notable policy implications, the report says, and highlight that the combination of robust institutions and well-defined policy frameworks is crucial for harnessing the benefits of expanding fintech activities while maintaining financial stability.






Impact varies across fintech and bank types
Delving deeper into the results, the study found that the impact of fintech varies between distinct fintech business models on different types of traditional financial institutions.
For example, commercial banks were found to be the most negatively impacted by fintech companies operating under a balance sheet lending model. Fintech companies operating under this model provide credit and manage the entire loan process, making them direct competitors to commercial banks.
In contrast, commercial banks were found to be positively impacted by fintech companies running peer-to-peer (P2P) lending activities, suggesting that larger banking players are benefitting from partnerships with P2P lenders.
On the other hand, the profitability of cooperative banks was found to be the most negatively impacted by P2P models. This may be because P2P lenders, which allow people to lend or borrow money from one another without going through a bank, are targeting underserved or less creditworthy borrowers, a key target of cooperative banks. These innovative players are more efficient in serving the needs of these demographics, leveraging alternative data and advanced technology to more quickly and efficiently evaluate creditworthiness. They are also better equipped to swiftly adapt to changing market conditions and are known for providing superior customer experiences.
In contrast, cooperative banks may find it difficult to afford the necessary IT investments to meet customer expectations, particularly among younger generations who are more inclined to use digital banking services and may not have strong attachments to community-oriented institutions.
For both commercial banks and cooperative banks, the report says that a key factor linked to increased risk-taking among banks may be the deterioration of their profitability. As fintech companies enter the financial landscape, they introduce new competitive pressures, forcing incumbents to take on more risks in an effort to maintain their financial performance, it says.
These results indicate a policy trade-off concerning fintech activities. While certain regulatory and supervisory measures can lead to reduced risk-taking as fintech companies expand, other measures, such as restrictions on bank activities, may prompt increased risk-taking. Hence, striking the right balance between regulatory stringency and supervisory intrusiveness is crucial to reap the benefits of fintech while maintaining financial stability, the report says, and in this context, employing multiple supervisory approaches may aid in managing this trade-off.
A threat to banking incumbents
Results of the IMF study are consistent with a prior research conducted by the organization last year. The “Is Fintech Eating the Bank’s Lunch?” study, released in December 2023, explored the impact of fintech on traditional financial institutions, uncovering that the rise of fintech is negatively affecting the profitability of incumbents.
Effect of fintech on bank performance measures, Source: Is Fintech Eating the Bank’s Lunch?, International Monetary Fund, Nov 2023
Specifically, the study found that as fintech transaction volumes increase, there is a corresponding reduction in return on equity and return on assets for incumbent financial institutions. The heightened competition in the lending market and increased costs are identified as the primary drivers of this negative impact on profitability.
The research also delved into the impact of different fintech business models. Cooperative banks, compared to larger commercial banks, were found to experience greater profit deterioration from P2P lending and balance sheet lending. Commercial banks, on the other hand, were less affected by fintech, potentially due to their larger size and wider geographical reach.
Overall, incumbents with a lower risk profile tended to be more prone to a decline in profitability due to fintech competition.

Featured image credit: freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/higher-fintech-presence-causes-heightened-risk-taking-among-banking-incumbents</link><guid>3539</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Klarpay-Simplifies-Global-Micropayments-for-Digital-Businesses.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Higher Fintech Presence Causes Heightened Risk-Taking Among Banking Incumbents</dc:text></item><item><title>Giesecke+Devrient Steps Up Stake Ownership in Netcetera to 95%</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Giesecke+Devrient (G+D), headquartered in Munich, has increased its ownership in the software firm Netcetera to 95%. This move, completed in January 2024, marks a strategic enhancement of G+D‘s offerings in digital payment and banking solutions.
Building on its initial announcement in December 2022 to double its stake in Netcetera from 30% to 60%, G+D has been steadily expanding its ownership in the company.
This move aligns with G+D’s ongoing strategy to invest in innovative digital technologies, aiming to strengthen its footprint in the digital finance sector.






Netcetera, known for its extensive suite of digital products and services for financial platforms, provides a range of solutions including web and mobile banking, financial advising, digital wallets, e-commerce, and services for commercial banks and financial service providers.
Netcetera’s digital offerings complements and supplements G+D’s product portfolio in the financial platforms business.
Ralf Wintergerst
“Digital banking and payments are strategic target markets in which we will continue to grow. Acquisitions, investments and partnerships play a key role in this, both now and in the future.

Our investment in Netcetera underlines this goal and is a good example of the way in which G+D is successfully implementing its growth strategy and digital transformation.”
said Ralf Wintergerst, Group CEO of Giesecke+Devrient.
Carsten Wengel
“We are pleased to be part of the G+D Group and to benefit from its global presence. As the market leader for software solutions in the DACH region, we are excellently positioned and strengthen G+D’s digital portfolio.
We will continue to expand our leading role internationally and continue to provide our customers with innovative and scalable digital solutions in the future,”
adds Carsten Wengel, CEO of Netcetera.


This article first appeared on fintechnews.sg
Featured image credit: Ralf Wintergerst, Group CEO of Giesecke+Devrient and Carsten Wengel, CEO of Netcetera.  Edited from Freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/gieseckedevrient-steps-up-stake-ownership-in-netcetera-to-95</link><guid>3538</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Klarpay-Simplifies-Global-Micropayments-for-Digital-Businesses.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Giesecke+Devrient Steps Up Stake Ownership in Netcetera to 95%</dc:text></item><item><title>Spain Business Banking Poised for Digital Transformation</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					The Spanish banking sector is poised for significant progress in the area of digital banking, a growth which will be driven by increased innovation in the business banking category, the introduction of the “Ley Crea y Crece” law, and the advent of foreign digital banking leaders in the market, a new analysis by French fintech-focused research reveals.
The report, released on January 09, 2024, explores the growth of the Spanish digital banking scene, delving into the sector’s key players and their growth strategies, and sharing predictions about what lies ahead for the sector.
According to the report, Spain has witnessed considerable growth in digital banking, a sector that currently boasts 28 players encompassing digital outlets launched by incumbent banks, domestic pure-players and global digital banking leaders. These players have captured a remarkable user base exceeding 15 millions by providing intuitive and user-friendly app experiences, streamlined services, and continuous innovation in app functionality.






Looking at the state of digital banking in Spanish, the report says that innovation in Spain has mostly focused on the retail segment, leaving the business segment largely untapped. This year onwards, C-Innovation expects Spanish digital banks to build upon the innovation in retail banking to deepen their penetration in the business banking segment. Harnessing Spain’s embracement of fintech, these players will expand their product offerings and help create a diverse digital banking ecosystem.
The report highlights the introduction of the “Ley Crea y Crece” (Business Creation and Growth Law) as a critical driver of business banking innovation.
“Ley Crea y Crece”, which was approved by the Congress of Deputies in September 2022, is a new regulation designed to facilitate the creation of companies, reduce regulatory obstacles and promote business growth and expansion. Among its key provisions, the law generalizes the use of electronic invoices, establishes measures to combat late payments in commercial operations, and promotes alternative financing by encouraging mechanisms such as crowdfunding, collective investment or venture capital (VC).
The law also removes previous restrictions on the types of banking services non-traditional entities can offer, inviting digital banks to serve the demands of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and fostering a more competitive banking environment.
These provisions are paving the foundation for neobanks to expand and offer a wider spectrum of services, the report says, delivering promising prospects for expansion and evolution in the years ahead.
The business digital banking sector in Spain is currently underdeveloped. While domestic digital-only banks including Imagin Bank, Rebellion and bnext, have established a successful presence in retail banking, these players have relatively modest value propositions for their business offerings compared to their European counterparts such as Boursorama and Hello bank!, both from France, Fineco Bank from Italy, as well as Starling Bank from the UK.
The report notes that France’s business finance management provider Qonto has already taken advantage of the new “Ley Crea y Crece” regulation to expand its services to areas once monopolized by incumbents, offering a broader array of services that appeal to SMEs seeking agility, efficiency, and user-focused banking solutions.
Extension of business banking product offering by European digital players, Source: C-Innovation, Jan 2024
Spain’s digital banking landscape
Spain has witnessed rapid growth of its digital banking sector, though this growth has been largely driven by traditional banks. Imagin Bank, a subsidiary of CaixaBank, currently leads the market, providing some 4.2 million customers with a comprehensive digital offering that aligns with the convenience-oriented demands of modern consumers. The figure gives Imagin Bank a 28% market share in Spain.
Imagin Bank operates as a mobile-only bank, offering a banking experience tailored to a younger, tech-savvy demographic. The bank’s services extend beyond traditional banking, integrating lifestyle and e-commerce features such as discounts on entertainment, travel, and technology, to serve as a lifestyle hub.
Standing at the second most-popular digital bank in Spain is Fintonic. The neobanking startup, which focuses on personal finance management, has carved out a niche in the domestic market by offering a centralized platform for users to manage their finances, track spending, and aggregate accounts from different banks. This strategy has allowed it to attract 2.8 million customers in Spain, representing a 19% market share.
At the third position and with 2 million customers is WiZink. Owned by investment firm Varde Partners, WiZink caters to the credit segment of the market, specializing in flexible credit options and competitive savings products. The platform holds a 13% market share.
Openbank, the digital banking arm of the Santander Group, boasts 1.7 million customers, making it the fourth largest digital bank in Spain with a 11% market share. Openbank offers a full range of banking services from standard checking and savings accounts to investment and lending products.
In addition to homegrown brands and players, Spain is also witnessing the advent of global digital banking leaders. Names such as Revolut from the UK and N26 from Germany are gaining traction in the country, now boasting a combined 3 million customers, which represents a remarkable 20% market share.
These companies have been aggressively expanding their footprint in Spanish market, the report says, focusing on developing appealing suites of services encompassing products such as remunerated accounts, small consumer loans, and the integration of popular domestic payment methods such as Bizum.
Spain’s digital-only banks, Source: C-Innovation, Jan 2024


Featured image credit: Edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/spain-business-banking-poised-for-digital-transformation</link><guid>3537</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Klarpay-Simplifies-Global-Micropayments-for-Digital-Businesses.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Spain Business Banking Poised for Digital Transformation</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech on the Rise in Uzbekistan: A Short Overview</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						January 31, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					Fintech is experiencing rapid growth in Uzbekistan, playing a pivotal role in improving financial inclusion, driving digital transformation, and contributing to economic development. But despite the growth, the domestic fintech sector remains small and nascent, presenting opportunities for players to tap into, a new report by Mastercard says.
The report, titled “Fintech Market Uzbekistan” and released in December 2023, provides a comprehensive analysis of the Uzbekistan fintech market, offering insights into the trends, challenges, regulatory environment, key ecosystem players and emerging fintech startups.
According to the report, fintech adoption in Uzbekistan has accelerated over the past years, owing to the development of digital infrastructure in the country, including internet and mobile services. This trend accelerated at the COVID-19 pandemic, which fueled demand for remote access to financial and banking.






Evidence of this is the significant expansion of digital payments and the development of digital wallets. Between 2020 and 2022, the volume of transactions through QR-online systems grew by a remarkable 119% average annual growth rate. Total value skyrocketed by a staggering 1,500% during the period.
Transactions through QR-online system, Source: Fintech Market Uzbekistan, Mastercard, Dec 2023
Remote banking has also experienced significant growth, revealing untapped opportunities for enhancing financial services. In 2018, only 8 million people out of the country’s 32 million population used remote transactions, a number that rose to 30 million in 2022 and which implies an annual growth rate of 30% between 2018 and 2022. Total POS transaction value, meanwhile, grew by 56% between 2021 and 2022, reaching US$14 billion, reflecting the shift to digital payments and cashless transactions.
Remote and POS-terminal transactions, Source: Fintech Market Uzbekistan, Mastercard, Dec 2023
The Mastercard report identifies several critical trends driving the growth of fintech in Uzbekistan. It notes that the government is actively promoting financial inclusion and working on establishing a conducive foundation for fintech to strive. Recent developments in this regard include a banking reform strategy for 2020-2025 which has spurred the entry of foreign entities and prompted local banks to diversify their loan and deposit portfolios, and develop newl products, deposits, loans and other commission-based products to attract new customers and enhance experiences.
The rise of fintech in Uzbekistan has also been fueled by increased investment in the country’s startup ecosystem. From 2022 to 2023, venture capital (VC) funding in domestic startups totaled US$7.1 million, with 61% of that amount going towards fintech companies.
According to the report, notable fintech rounds secured during that period include a US$3 million round raised by banking infrastructure provider Iman, US$650,000 secured by Billz, a startup that provides easy-to-use tools for retail management; and US$250,000 secured by Zypl.ai, a credit scoring startup.
Uzbekistan venture capital deals by sectors, Source: Fintech Market Uzbekistan, Mastercard, Dec 2023
Uzbekistan’s fintech ecosystem
A fintech landscape map produced by Mastercard as part of the report reveals a dynamic and diverse Uzbek fintech ecosystem. This ecosystem comprises a number of segments including payment, mobile banking, buy now, pay later (BNPL), wealthtech and blockchain, as well as various stakeholders such as industry trade groups, international organizations, startup programs and VC firms.
Uzbekistan fintech ecosystem map, Source: Fintech Market Uzbekistan, Mastercard, Dec 2023
The report also delves into specific fintech trends shaping the landscape in Uzbekistan. Notably, the rise of digital payments is driven by the government’s commitment to financial inclusion and is being fueled by the slow pace of bank digitalization. Notable players in the space include payment company Click, digital services ecosystem Uzum, and online payment service Payme.
Simultaneously, neobanking is experiencing significant growth, serving both individuals and businesses. Digital bank Anorbank, for example, offers a mobile app that facilitates a diverse range of online payments for various services including online card ordering, online credit application and approval, and online deposit account opening. Multibank, a neobanking company, provides a digital solution for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) encompassing banking services, electronic document management and invoicing.
Another key trend outlined in the report is the growing popularity of BNPL services which have become a significant catalyst for e-commerce, offering Sharia-compliant options and swift online installment approvals. Popular options in Uzbekistan include halal installment service Uzum Nasiya, which boasted more than 350,000 customers in April 2023, and ZoodPay BNPL, a product launched in 2019 as part of the Zood digital ecosystem.
Finally, in the digital lending segment, companies like ZoodPay are filling the gap left by traditional institutions, offering digital consumer lending services, while Oasis Microcredit is contributing to the fintech ecosystem by providing SME lending opportunities.
The report also puts the spotlight on rising Uzbek fintech stars, emphasizing the growth of Zood, an ecosystem that combines an e-commerce lending platform (ZoodPay), a marketplace (ZoodMall), delivery and logistics services (ZoodShip), and a digital bank; Marta, a startup that provides mobile acquiring services for small businesses; Billz, an all-in-one store management automatization solutions for companies in retail business; Iman, a digital investment and financing startup; and Sug’urta Bozor, an insurance marketplace.
The Mastercard report concludes that while the Uzbek fintech sector is still small and nascent, the landscape presents numerous opportunities for both local and international players to contribute to the evolution of the country’s financial services sector. This growth will be supported by strategic government initiatives, a conducive regulatory environment and the presence of a burgeoning ecosystem of startups.

Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-on-the-rise-in-uzbekistan-a-short-overview</link><guid>3536</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Fintech-on-the-Rise-in-Uzbekistan-Fueled-by-Increased-Customer-Adoption-Government-Initiatives-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech on the Rise in Uzbekistan: A Short Overview</dc:text></item><item><title>Schweizer Wettbewerb für Finanzwissen Startet</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Am 1. Februar startet der Investitionswettbewerb ‘Switzerland for Financial Literacy’, der von der Finanzplattform UMushroom organisiert wird. Der Wettbewerb richtet sich an alle Personen ab 18 Jahren mit Wohnsitz in der Schweiz und zielt darauf ab, das Verständnis für die wichtigsten Finanzkonzepte und die Entwicklung von Anlagekompetenzen zu fördern.
Swissquote ist Hauptpartnerin und die Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB) wichtige Unterstützerin.







Luba Schönig
Luba Schönig, Mitgründerin von UMushroom, erklärt:
«Beim Investment Contest ‘Switzerland for Financial Literacy’ geht es nicht nur um Performance, sondern auch um den Erwerb von Finanzwissen. Deshalb können auch Personen mit wenig Anlageerfahrung teilnehmen.»
Der Wettbewerb findet vom 1. Februar bis am 24. April 2024 statt. Die Teilnehmenden können spielerisch, ohne echtes Geld einzusetzen, Wertschriften handeln, Finanzaufgaben lösen und Preise gewinnen. Nach der Anmeldung über UMushroom erstellen sie ein Portfolio und fügen es der Wettbewerbsgruppe hinzu.
Wer eine Meilenstein-Aktivität abschliesst, wird nicht nur mit Wettbewerbspunkten, sondern auch mit wertvollen Tipps für die weitere Investitionsreise belohnt. Die Teilnahme ist kostenlos und kann jederzeit erfolgen; ein späterer Einstieg reduziert jedoch die Anzahl Punkte, die bis zum 24. April 2024 gesammelt werden können.
Nach Abschluss des Contests wird eine Jury, bestehend aus Vertretern von Swissquote, der Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB) und der Universität Zürich, die Gewinnenden anhand verschiedener Kriterien ermitteln: Performance (Swissquote), Diversifikation (ZKB) sowie Portfolio- und Strategiedokumentation (Universität Zürich).
Weitere Partner sind Invesco, ViCAFE, Faulhaber Marketing und verschiedene Schweizer Luxushotels. Auf die besten Teilnehmenden des Wettbewerbs warten attraktive Preise, darunter zwei VIP-Tickets für das Europa League Finale 2024 in Dublin, ein ZKB-Fondsportfolio im Wert von 10 000 Franken, ein Barista-Workshop bei ViCAFE, und viele weitere.


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schweizer-wettbewerb-fur-finanzwissen-startet</link><guid>3535</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Klarpay-Simplifies-Global-Micropayments-for-Digital-Businesses.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Schweizer Wettbewerb für Finanzwissen Startet</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 20 Fintech Events to Attend in Europe in H1 2024</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						January 30, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					The European fintech industry witnessed a considerable pullback in 2023, with fintech investment declining by a significant 70% year-on-year in the first half of 2023 to reach a mere EUR 4.6 billion, according to a report by Finch Capital.
This drop was due to fewer large investment rounds, reduced participation from American investors, and a return to basic investment principles. The report highlighted a 48% decrease in the number of deals, with the top 20 funding rounds making up a larger share of the total volume, signaling a preference for more established fintech companies.
But despite the funding downturn, fintech in Europe continued to develop in 2023, especially in segments including business-to-business (B2B) fintech, regtech and artificial intelligence (AI), the report notes. Additionally, the key focus on building profitable businesses with sustainable valuations is expected to generate economic value for all stakeholders in the upcoming phase of fintech development.






In the fast-paced world of fintech, key events are being organized across the continent to offer industry stakeholders with the opportunity to witness, engage, and stay abreast of the latest trends. Today we look at the top twenty fintech events taking place in Europe in the first half of 2024, focusing on large-scale gatherings that are set to bring together some of the industry’s biggest innovators and decision-makers.
Vision Bank – Vision Swiss Financial Center #21 Build on Stability
February 01, 2024
SIX Convention Point, ConventionPoint, Zurich

On February 1, 2024, Finanz und Wirtschaft will be hosting the “Vision Bank – Vision Swiss Financial Center #21 Build on Stability” event, a gathering aimed at addressing the numerous challenges currently facing the Swiss financial center, including war, inflation, the interest rate environment, and pervasive uncertainties that are testing its resilience and adaptability.
The event will seek to underscore the importance of stability and security in navigating the turbulent financial landscape. Participants will explore how to guarantee these advantages amidst a backdrop of change and innovation, ensuring stable framework conditions and planning security during times of crisis. The role of a diversified banking landscape for success will be examined, along with an exploration of the motivations and needs of the customer of the future, and the readiness of financial providers to meet those demands. Additionally, the event will analyze the strategic roles of foreign banks currently operating aggressively.
Confirmed speakers for the event include:

Marc Pictet, Pictet;
wan Deplazes, AMAS and Zürcher Kantonalbank;
Patrick Frost, Swiss Life;
Hansruedi Köng, PostFinance;
Zeno Staub, Vontobel;
Roman Studer, Swiss Bankers Association;
Laurent Gagnebin, Rothschild and Co Bank AG;
Dr. Mara Harvey, VP Bank (Switzerland) AG;
Enna Pariset, BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA;
Marc Steinkat, Commerzbank Switzerland; and
Moderation: Reto Jauch, Schulthess Zimmermann and Jauch.

Swiss WealthTech Live 2024
February 06, 2024
SIX ConventionPoint, Zurich

Organized by The Wealth Mosaic, Swiss WealthTech Live 2024 will take place on February 06 at the SIX ConventionPoint in Zurich. The event aims to provide valuable insights into wealthtech and fintech within the Swiss and international wealth management sectors.
The conference will cover the most pressing topics of the moment, while engaging market participants from private banks, cantonal banks, external asset managers, family offices, technology vendors, consultants, and more, to express their views, experiences and vision for the future.
Throughout the day, attendees will have the opportunity to engage in presentations, panels, interviews, pitches, and networking sessions. The mixture of these formats aims to facilitate an enriching experience for participants, allowing them to gain insights, share knowledge, and discuss the current state and future trajectory of the wealth management sector.
Access to the event is limited and operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Attendees are encouraged to secure their tickets promptly. The event is free for wealth manager employees, while vendors can refer to specific ticketing options and pricing for attendance.
Frankfurt Digital Finance
February 07 – 08, 2024
Gesellschaftshaus Palmengarten, Frankfurt, Germany

The Frankfurt Digital Finance conference, scheduled for February 07 and 08, 2024, will take place at Gesellschaftshaus Palmengarten in Frankfurt.
The event, spanning two days, will feature a diverse range of activities. On day one, top executives, entrepreneurs, investors, academics, and policy makers will convene to discuss pivotal topics that are shaping the future of the financial industry.
Day two will be dedicated to the Frankfurt Digital Finance’s inaugural European Fintech Day. The event will assemble best-in class fintechs across different verticals representing Europe’s top digital finance hubs and connect them directly with potential clients, co-innovation partners and venture capital (VC) investors.
The conference will cover a spectrum of essential topics transforming the industry, including the environmental, social and governance (ESG) transformation in European finance, fintech funding and investment, regulation and supervision, cryptocurrency, decentralized finance (DeFi) and tokenization, payments, the digital euro, open banking and open finance, and generative artificial intelligence (AI).
Participants will get to broaden their connections, share ideas, and establish potential business partnerships. Attendees can expect two days filled with high-quality content, including keynotes, panels, and interactive workshops.
17th NextGen Payments and Regtech Forum
Mar 07 – 08, 2024
Marriott Hotel, Zurich

On March 07 and 8, 2024, the Marriott Hotel in Zurich will host the 17th NextGen Payments and Regtech Forum, an event focusing on the continuous evolution of the payments industry, propelled by technological advancements, enhanced security measures, and evolving customer preferences that contribute to the efficiency and convenience of modern financial systems.
The forum aims to explore how organizations are optimizing their operations with a growing emphasis on adopting the latest technologies that are reshaping the payments and regtech industry. It will bring together global key influencers, innovators, strategists, and thought-leaders in the payments and regulatory space for discussions on market trends, digitalization, regulations, innovation, and technology.
Key topics to be covered include the evolving payments technology landscape, with insights from industry experts on global trends such as augmented reality (AR), contactless payments, digital wallets, embedded payments, variations of buy now, pay later (BNPL), the rise of digital currencies, and more. Data privacy, ethics, and cybersecurity will also be addressed, exploring themes like connecting cybersecurity with risk and fraud management and the evolution of artificial intelligence (AI).
Regtech and compliance innovation will be a focal point, showcasing how these technologies go beyond simplifying compliance and cutting costs, providing a verifiable competitive advantage.
With over 40 keynote speakers and more than 400 industry leaders participating from over 100 companies, the event promises to deliver tailored content for senior executives, offering a comprehensive exploration of the latest developments and insights in the dynamic landscape of payments and regtech.
FintechWorld24
March 13 – 14, 2024
Motorwerk Berlin, Berlin, Germany

FintechWorld24, scheduled for March 13 – 14, 2024, will take place at Motorwerk Berlin in Germany. Positioned as the largest finance tech event in the German, Austrian and Swiss (DACH) region, the event aims to bring together professionals from the banking and financial services industry for idea exchange and networking.
Building on the success of FintechWorld23, where 550 individuals from the banking and financial services sector convened, the upcoming event promises even more participation from fintech companies, banks, investors, and expanded networking opportunities.
Over 120 expert speakers will deliver forward-looking lectures on the main stage, covering 13 key themes:

Financing: Crowdfunding, loans and credit scoring, and factoring;
Investment: Trading, robo-advisory, and asset management services;
Payment: Mobile payment, e-payments, e-wallets;
Personal finance management: Digital tools for personal money, budget, and account management;
Proptech: Digitalization of the real estate industry;
Insurtech: All digital services related to insurance;
Crypto: Tools for cryptocurrency trading, initial coin offerings (ICOs), and asset tokenization;
Sustainability: Tools and technologies related to green investments, sustainable finance, ESG, and more;
Regtech: New technologies for managing regulations and compliance;
Accounting: Tools relating to accounting and human resources (HR) management;
Open banking: Open application programming interfaces (APIs) between banks and third-party providers;
Services and tools: Other solutions to make financial services more effective; and
Corporate banking: Everything from the world of classic corporate banking.
This year’s event is expected to bring together more than 1,000 participants and 150+ exhibitors/partners.

Pay360
March 19 – 20, 2024
ExCeL, London, UK


Pay360, scheduled for March 19 and 20, 2024, will take place this year at ExCel in London. The award-winning event is heralded as the largest gathering of the entire payments ecosystem under one roof, drawing in professionals, innovators, and industry leaders.
This year’s Pay360 edition promises an impressive lineup of 120+ speakers, 4,000+ attendees, and 100+ exhibitors. The two-day conference aims to provide a platform for attendees to have their views heard on the industry’s most pressing topics, shaping future policies, and staying abreast of upcoming technologies.
Pay360 will feature C-suite keynotes, debates, and consultation briefings, a Startup Pavilion to explore upcoming technologies, a 1-2-1 meeting service to connect with key stakeholders, working groups to problem-solve with peers, and the Disruption Theatre with bite-sized sessions focusing on industry trends.
Key features and reasons to attend Pay360 include networking opportunities with payment professionals, interaction with top payment innovators showcasing cutting-edge solutions, and access to expert speakers on free-to-attend disruption and innovation theaters.
Reinvest Forum Vienna
March 20 – 21, 2024
Albert Hall, Vienna, Austria

The Reinvest Forum Vienna, scheduled for March 20 – 21, 2024, will take place at the Albert Hall, promising an exclusive platform for industry stakeholders to shape the future of financial services.
Key highlights of the event include the SME Banking Summit 2024, which will provide a deep dive into the challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the dynamic landscape of retail financial services; the SME Banking Awards 2024, which will recognize and honor the best in banking and SME banking; and the Community Meetup, which will allow participants to exchange insights on sustainability resilience.
Attendees can also expect to gain valuable insights from global leaders and industry experts, discover how to embrace artificial intelligence and contribute to the digital banking revolution through engaging sessions with expert speakers.
Finance 2.0 – Crypto Assets 24
March 21, 2024
Kaufleuten Zurich, Zurich

Finance 2.0, one of the leading digital finance conferences in Switzerland, will take place this year on March 21 at Kaufleuten Zurich. This event aims to serve as a crucial platform for understanding the future of finance, particularly as Swiss banks progressively venture into the realm of crypto assets.
This year’s conference will delve into the opportunities and challenges that await in 2024, shedding light on the initiatives of leading asset managers who oversee a staggering US$16 trillion and are influencing the Bitcoin market through recent exchange-traded fund (ETF) applications, a pivotal development for the crypto market.
Participants will have the opportunity to gain insights into the crypto journey’s trajectory, understand the considerations professional investors must bear in mind, and evaluate the balance between opportunities and risks in the crypto space. The 2024 Bitcoin halving will be a focal point of celebration, with discussions on its profound impact on the crypto landscape.
Finance 2.0 – Crypto Assets 24 stands as a flagship conference and represents one of the most significant and influential digital finance venues in Switzerland. It serves as a meeting ground for the industry’s innovators and leaders, where discussions and collaborations shape the future of digital finance.
Blockchain in Financial Services 2024
March 21, 2024
Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute, Ruschlikon

On March 21, 2024, Finanz und Wirtschaft will host the Blockchain in Financial Services 2024 conference, providing a platform to explore the dynamic landscape of blockchain in the financial sector.
Amidst the current volatility in financial markets, the conference aims to delve into the strategic potential of blockchain, marking the foundation for “Blockchain 4.0”, the advent of Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and emerging trends in decentralized finance (DeFi) and smart contracts.
The conference will specifically address the challenges and opportunities surrounding privacy in blockchain technology, examining its significance for trust in the blockchain. Regulatory developments affecting digital assets and the progress made in the field will also be discussed. Opinion leaders from both the traditional financial industry and the crypto industry will come together to share insights on shaping the future of a decentralized financial economy.
The forum targets decision-makers in the banking and insurance industry, regulatory authorities, startups, visionary thinkers, and interested individuals from science and politics. Attendees are invited to network and exchange experiences with experts in a trusting and exclusive setting.
Confirmed speakers for the event include:

Mark Dambacher, InCore Bank;
Marianne Wildi, Kreditarbank Lenzburg AG;
Dr. Stephan A. Zwahlen, Maerki Baumann and Co. AG;
Pascale Bruderer, Swiss Stablecoin AG and TX Group;
Stefan Schwitter, Crypto Finance (Asset Management) AG;
Dr. Alexander Thoma, PostFinance;
Simon Kuehne, Sygnum;
Marc Bürki, Swissquote;
Mathias Imbach, Sygnum;
Deputy State Secretary Christoph König, Swiss State Secretariat for International Financial Affairs (SIF) Federal Department of Finance (EFD);
Daniel Fischmann, L1D;
Olaf Hannemann, CV VC; and
Dr. Attilio Zanetti, Swiss National Bank.

Paris Blockchain Week 2024
April 09 – 11, 2024
Le Carrousel du Louvre, Paris, France

The Paris Blockchain Week 2024, set to take place from April 09 to 11 at Le Carrousel du Louvre in Paris, France, is announced as the leading blockchain and Web 3.0 event in Europe. The 5th edition of the event promises cutting-edge industry content, renowned keynote speakers, and extensive networking opportunities with various blockchain and Web 3.0 communities.
Paris Blockchain Week 2024 will feature various pivotal topics in the blockchain and Web 3.0 arena, such as open finance, artificial intelligence (AI), regulations, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), corporate Web 3.0, and payments.
In addition to the main conference, Paris Blockchain Week 2024 will encompass a week-long series of events. The Paris Blockchain Week Hackathon will allow talented coders to explore new horizons for blockchain innovation. The Talent Fair will bridge key recruiters from leading crypto, Web 3.0, and digital assets companies with top students, candidates, and professionals.
Investors and Founders Day will bring together investors interested in Web 3.0, blockchain, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and the metaverse, providing valuable market insights and industry leader feedback. The event will also feature a unique VIP experience, including a private viewing of the Louvre museum and a dinner set under the famous pyramid.
The dedicated Corporate Programme, highlighted by the Corporate Breakfast, will emphasize the significance of corporates in the blockchain space, attracting traditional finance and corporates from various industries seeking to leverage blockchain and related enabling technologies.
Following the immense success of Paris Blockchain Week 2023, which saw over 8,500 participants from over 75 countries, the 2024 edition of the event is expected to draw over 10,000 attendees, feature more than 500 speakers, host 400 journalists, and collaborate with 300 partners.
Finanz ’24
April 24 – 25, 2024
Halle 550, Zurich

On April 24 and 25, 2024, the 25th edition of Finanz, Switzerland’s largest financial fair, will be held at Halle 550 in Zurich. This event, exclusively designed for professional investors, including asset managers, private bankers, family offices, insurers, pension funds, and more, will offer a comprehensive platform for networking, discussions, and exploration of the latest trends in the financial industry.
The event will encompass a range of activities, including roundtables, keynote speeches, specialist panels, training seminars, and exhibitor presentations. Attendees will have the chance to participate in various discussions covering topics such as central bank preparedness for the next crisis, the dynamics of globalization versus re-nationalization, and the future of energy strategy.
Roundtables will bring together experts from various fields for high-profile discussions on current issues, specialist panels will be organized to delve into specific financial topics, offering in-depth insights, and training seminars, organized by specialist financial associations, will provide additional educational opportunities.
Exhibitors will have the chance to give presentations in various areas, offering visitors detailed product and specialist information, and the Open Forum Crypto will provide a platform to discuss topics related to crypto, blockchain, fintech, and banking.
FIBE
April 24 – 25, 2024
City Cube Messe Berlin, Germany

Scheduled for April 24 and 25, 2024, at the City Cube Messe Berlin, Fintech Berlin (FIBE) will unite traditional banking with the disruptive fintech industry, bringing together industry experts, fintech visionaries, and finance enthusiasts to explore the newest trends and developments for the industry.
FIBE will delve into the dynamic nature of the fintech ecosystem, where traditional banking converges with disruptive innovations. The festival will adopt a holistic approach by presenting the latest trends and developments in the industry, not only through a congress format but also in an expo setup.
Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with all relevant players and experts, participate in deep discussions, partake in workshops, and explore curated mini-events that promise inspiration. Participants can anticipate valuable insights and real networking opportunities, contributing to the festival’s goal of creating a vibrant and interconnected fintech community.
Crypto and Digital Assets Summit
May 08 – 09, 2024
etc.venues, London, UK

The Crypto and Digital Assets Summit is retuning in 2024 for its third edition on May 08 and 09 at etc.venues in London. This two-day summit will feature a series of keynote interviews, networking opportunities and debates as industry leaders share how they will navigate the growing interest and adoption of tokenization by institutions, and the use cases for blockchain technology beyond cryptocurrencies.
Discussions at the summit will explore real-world applications of blockchain technology in financial markets, the potential of Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the role of stablecoins beyond currency, the geopolitical implications of crypto, and the pathway to achieving full industry regulation and compliance.
Key themes will include digital assets, geopolitics and regulation, risk management and compliance, currencies, tokens, and payments, trading and investing, and the emergence of Asia as a crypto and digital assets hub.
Confirmed speakers include:

Michael Sonnenshein, CEO, Grayscale Investments;
Bim Afolami, Economic Secretary to the Treasury and City Minister, UK Government;
Lucy Wong, Advisor, Bank for International Settlements Innovation Hub;
Lucy Gazmararian, Founder and Managing Partner, Token Bay Capital; and
J. Christopher Giancarlo, Former Chairman, US Commodity Futures Trading Commission and Co-Founder and Executive Chairman, Digital Dollar Project.

Viva Technology
May 22 – 25, 2024
Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, Paris, France

Scheduled from May 22 to 25, 2024, at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, Viva Technology stands as one of Europe’s largest technology and startup events, bringing together disruptive tech topics, innovative entrepreneurs, and groundbreaking technological advancements, to foster collaboration, inspiration and networking.
The event promises four exciting days in Paris, exploring disruptive tech topics through world-premiere demos, launches, and conferences within a collaborative ecosystem where business meets innovation.
In 2023, Viva Technology welcomed a record 150,000 international visitors, solidifying its status as an international showcase for technology and startups. Visitors from 174 countries explored hundreds of world-exclusive innovations and listened to prominent speakers like Elon Musk and Marc Benioff.
2024 Crypto Valley Conference
June 06 – 07, 2024
Hochschule Luzern, Risch-Rotkreuz

The 5th edition of the Crypto Valley Conference is set to take place on June 06 and 07, 2024, at Hochschule Luzern in Risch-Rotkreuz. Hosted by the Lucerne University and the Crypto Valley Association, this conference stands as a pivotal gathering for in-depth discussions on the current state and future prospects of blockchain technology.
The conference will cover a wide array of topics through more than 60 speakers representing the industry. Some of the key topics include decentralized exchange (DEX) development, staking, yield generation, blockchain venture capital (VC), compliance, on-chain data analytics, regulation, cybersecurity, sustainability, SSI (self-sovereign identity), gamefi, play-to-earn, metaverse, tokenization, stablecoins, CBDCs (central bank digital currencies), managing the blockchain “trilemma”, and infrastructure/interoperability/protocols.
The Crypto Valley Conference 2024 promises to be a dynamic and comprehensive forum for industry professionals, researchers, and enthusiasts to gain insights, share knowledge, and explore the latest advancements in blockchain technology.
Key highlights of the event include:

Master classes conducted by top industry leaders, offering profound insights, best practices, and technical solutions;
Over 40 presentations by global industry leaders covering a spectrum of topics on technology, economy and finance, and legal and regulation;
Attendees from diverse backgrounds including start-ups, corporate entities, academia, and government representatives;
Companies showcasing their latest products and services in the blockchain space;
Panel discussions challenging opinions live on stage, fostering engaging discourse; and
A legendary boat cruise party on Lake Zug to conclude the conference.

The event will feature a distinguished lineup of speakers, including:

Pascal Gauthier from Ledger
Teana Baker-Taylor from Circle
Frederik Gregaard from Cardano Foundation
Dominic Williams from Dfinity
Samia Bayou from Kraken
Dirk Klee from Bitcoin Suisse
Dan Held, Bitcoin Educator
Payal Shah from CME Group
Guillaume Chatain from Coinbase
Ilya Volkov from YouHodler
Demelza Hays from Cointelegraph
Alfonso Gomez from BBVA Switzerland

Fintech Week London 2024
June 10 – 14, 2024
London, UK

Fintech Week London 2024 will take place this year from June 10 to 14, offering a comprehensive series of events showcasing the city’s dynamic fintech landscape, providing global insights, and fostering collaboration among diverse players in the financial industry.
The flagship conference, set for Thursday, June 13, at ExCeL London, will be the focal point of Fintech Week London 2024, attracting over 1,000 senior decision-makers from leading fintechs, banks, investment firms, regulatory bodies, media companies, and service providers.
Key topics explored during the event will include embedded finance, insurtech, artificial intelligence (AI), payments, venture and fundraising, Web 3.0 and metaverse, crypto, inclusive ESG, and fintech for good. The event promises a fast-paced and dynamic exchange of ideas, featuring keynote presentations, interactive panel debates, workshops, roundtables, and ample networking opportunities.
Fintech Week London stands as a unique opportunity to connect with London’s key influencers, decision-makers, and innovators. This week-long event, nestled in one of the world’s foremost financial districts, facilitates collaboration between traditional financial institutions and emerging fintech players.
Perks of Fintech Week London 2024 include an enhanced conference experience at ExCeL London, boasting an expanded capacity of up to 1,200 attendees, two concurrent session stages, and a 1,500-square-meter expo area. The event also offers orchestrated and curated speed networking sessions, facilitating connections with key players in the fintech industry.
Fintech and SFAN 2024
June 11, 2024
Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute, Ruschlikon

On June 11, 2024, the Fintech and SFAN 2024 conference will take place at the Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute. The conference promises a diverse program featuring inspiring input, workshops, and entertaining networking opportunities for all participants.
Although the detailed conference program is yet to be unveiled, attendees can expect:

Interesting lectures and panel discussions led by industry experts;
Workshops covering both scientific and practical aspects, including concrete use cases designed to enhance knowledge and skills; and
Networking opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals within the fintech community;
The live conference program will be revealed in the coming weeks, offering a glimpse into the engaging content and activities planned for the event.

MoneyNext 2024
June 19 – 20, 2024
ExCel, London, UK

MoneyNext is a leading digital transformation event for the financial services sector, encompassing four co-located industry-leading summits: Banking Transformation, Wealth Management Transformation, Insurance Transformation, and Lending Transformation.
The event, scheduled for June 19 and 20 at ExCeL in London, will serve as a convergence point for 2,500 financial services technology professionals committed to advancing digital innovation and progressing in their transformation endeavors.
With a distinguished lineup of 200 industry-leading speakers, MoneyNext will offer a platform for these experts to share their stories, visions, and innovative insights, promising an unparalleled opportunity for attendees to learn, connect, and stay abreast of the latest trends and advancements in financial services transformation.
Point Zero Forum
July 01 – 03 2024
Zurich, Switzerland

From July 01 to 03, 2024, Zurich, Switzerland, will host the third edition of the Point Zero Forum, an international fintech conference. Jointly organized by Switzerland and Singapore, the annual event aims to foster a policy and technology dialogue in the Financial Services industry.
This year’s forum will bring together central bankers, regulators, policymakers, and industry leaders to delve into the latest developments in financial technology and discuss the future of finance. The program includes leadership dialogues, public-private roundtables, deep-dive workshops, and networking events. The forum’s overarching goals are to instill confidence, promote adoption, and facilitate the growth of transformative technology. Additionally, it aims to assess and endorse appropriate governance and risk frameworks.
The 2023 edition of Point Zero Forum witnessed the participation of representatives from over 50 countries, engaging in dialogues in Zurich. The event hosted more than 1,300 high-ranking financial leaders from regulatory and financial authorities, central banks, financial organizations, investor circles, startups, and academia. Against the backdrop of ongoing turmoil in the financial services sector, representatives exchanged views on the potential of new technologies, including artificial intelligence in financial services and sustainable finance, to strengthen the financial industry.
Swiss Fintech and AI Investor Day 2024 – SD133
October 03, 2024
TX Group, Zurich

On October 03, 2024, the Swiss Fintech and AI Investor Day 2024, labeled SD133, will take place at TX Group in Zurich. This hybrid event, organized by the Swiss ICT Investor Club (SICTIC). This event is primarily intended for angel investors, including novices. Family offices, fund managers, and VCs looking to invest in Swiss startups are also welcome to attend.


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-20-fintech-events-to-attend-in-europe-in-h1-2024</link><guid>3534</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Top-20-Fintech-Events-to-Attend-in-Europe-in-H1-2024-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 20 Fintech Events to Attend in Europe in H1 2024</dc:text></item><item><title>Visa Cash App Forms Partnership with Red Bull Formula 1 Teams</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						January 29, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					The Formula One grid is charging into the 2024 season with a new look and new support.
Red Bull F1 Teams and Visa announced an unprecedented multi-year agreement where Visa will become the first global partner of both Red Bull F1 teams, bringing a new look team to the F1 grid in the form of Visa Cash App RB, formerly Scuderia AlphaTauri.
Visa’s first new major global sports sponsorship in more than 15 years, the agreement encompasses the Visa Cash App RB team, corresponding title partnership on the F1 Academy team entry and the Oracle Red Bull Racing team. The Visa logo appearing on both the Oracle Red Bull Racing and Visa Cash App RB cars as well as the F1 Academy entries from the respective teams.






Frank Cooper III
“This is a groundbreaking partnership, and a great opportunity for the Visa brand to engage one of the fastest-growing sports communities on the planet,”
said Frank Cooper III, Chief Marketing Officer, Visa.
“This alliance resonates strongly with Visa’s vision to inspire individuals to ‘make it,’ striving to take small steps for improvement each day, during every race or event.”
Visa Cash App RB Races into the Future
Visa Cash App RB Drivers Yuki Tsunoda of Japan and Daniel Ricciardo of Australia will sport a newly designed Visa and Cash App inspired car livery and driver’s kit when the F1 2024 racing series kicks off in Bahrain on February 29. The full livery unveil will take place during a special Las Vegas event on February 8.
Beyond the high impact branding opportunities with Visa Cash App RB, the two companies are committed to both propelling the team to excellence on the grid and providing cardholders opportunities to get closer to the action through team activities including behind the scenes access, driver meet and greets, merchandise and elevated hospitality at races.
Peter Bayer
“It’s fantastic to reveal the new identity and to welcome new partners as we embark on the next phase of the team’s Formula 1 story,”
said Peter Bayer, Chief Executive Officer of the newly named Visa Cash App RB team.
“Faenza is entering a new era of racing, staying true to our roots as a hothouse for talent but now with an even greater focus on competing for the biggest prizes in F1. We have a bold vision for the team led by myself and Team Principal, Laurent Mekies and having future-focused partners such as Visa and Cash App alongside us on that journey is hugely exciting.”
Championing Equality in Motor Sports
Visa has long been committed to women’s empowerment and economic advancement through sponsorship platforms. Furthering that commitment, Visa and Cash App will join Red Bull to champion Visa Cash App RB in the F1 Academy series. The all female driving series takes place at seven select F1 tracks over the same weekend as the F1 races. This livery will also be unveiled during February’s special event.

This article first appeared on fintechnews.am




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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/visa-cash-app-forms-partnership-with-red-bull-formula-1-teams</link><guid>3532</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Visa-Cash-App-Forms-Partnership-with-Red-Bull-Formula-1-Teams--1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Visa Cash App Forms Partnership with Red Bull Formula 1 Teams</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 10 Fintech Events to Attend in 2024 in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						January 29, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					Switzerland’s fintech ecosystem has experienced significant growth over the past years. With over 400 fintech companies, Switzerland is home to 10% of all European fintechs, and Zurich hosts 46% of these, data from recruitment consultancy Michael Page show. The sector’s total investment reached CHF 191 million in H1 2023, making up 16% of the CHF 1,196 million raised by Swiss tech startups secured during the period, according to the Swiss Venture Capital Report 2023 Update.
As Switzerland maintains its position as one of the leading players in the global fintech landscape, an array of noteworthy events are being scheduled each year to capture the essence of this dynamic sector. These gatherings serve as critical platforms for networking and knowledge exchange, providing participants with the opportunity to connect with their peers and discuss the future of finance.
In this list, we present the top ten fintech events slated for 2024 in Switzerland, offering a selection of must-attend conferences that are poised to bring together some of the industry’s biggest innovators and influential industry stakeholders.






Vision Bank – Vision Swiss Financial Center #21 Build on Stability
February 01, 2024
SIX Convention Point, ConventionPoint, Zurich

On February 1, 2024, Finanz und Wirtschaft will be hosting the “Vision Bank – Vision Swiss Financial Center #21 Build on Stability” event, a gathering aimed at addressing the numerous challenges currently facing the Swiss financial center, including war, inflation, the interest rate environment, and pervasive uncertainties that are testing its resilience and adaptability.
The event will seek to underscore the importance of stability and security in navigating the turbulent financial landscape. Participants will explore how to guarantee these advantages amidst a backdrop of change and innovation, ensuring stable framework conditions and planning security during times of crisis. The role of a diversified banking landscape for success will be examined, along with an exploration of the motivations and needs of the customer of the future, and the readiness of financial providers to meet those demands. Additionally, the event will analyze the strategic roles of foreign banks currently operating aggressively.
Confirmed speakers for the event include:

Marc Pictet, Pictet;
wan Deplazes, AMAS and Zürcher Kantonalbank;
Patrick Frost, Swiss Life;
Hansruedi Köng, PostFinance;
Zeno Staub, Vontobel;
Roman Studer, Swiss Bankers Association;
Laurent Gagnebin, Rothschild and Co Bank AG;
Dr. Mara Harvey, VP Bank (Switzerland) AG;
Enna Pariset, BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA;
Marc Steinkat, Commerzbank Switzerland; and
Moderation: Reto Jauch, Schulthess Zimmermann and Jauch.

SIC Instant Payments: A Catalyst for Competitive Advantage
February 08, 2024
Webinar

Instant payments are the most positive development for the Swiss financial sector in years due to their proven role as a catalyst for change within that system. Whilst Instant payments are mainly used for domestic purposes, rather than cross-border, they hold the promise of providing Switzerland with a competitive and innovative marketplace where citizens and SMEs can leverage the speed for improved liquidity and enriched data for transparency.
The implementation of SIC IP is not only about coping with a processing time of 10 seconds; it also has ramifications across the whole ecosystem, with many areas such as end-user experience, non-stop availability, sanctions screening, balance check, reporting, storage, and flow orchestration being impacted. Therefore, this whole integration needs to be carefully planned and implemented.
Join Bottomline, SIX, t’charta AG and other experts as they highlight the best strategy for digital payments transformation in Switzerland and how to ensure you stay one step ahead of your competition:

New banking trends and initiatives for 2024 &amp; beyond and why they matter (SIC 5, SIC Instant, SSFN, SEPA Inst, ISO 20022, Pre-validation)
Use cases for banks to develop new offerings for cross-border &amp; domestic payments
Deep Dive: Getting ready for SIC Instant Payments in 2026
Overcoming issues of legacy infrastructure and building the business case for transitioning to SaaS

Speakers:

Bruno Kudermann, Senior Product Manager, SIX
Dennis Flad, Partner, t’charta
Frédéric Viard, Head of Commercial Product Management – Financial Messaging, Bottomline, Bottomline
Zhenya Winter, Head of Marketing – Financial Messaging, Bottomline

Register Here: https://bit.ly/41TtAvS
17th NextGen Payments and Regtech Forum
Mar 07 – 08, 2024
Marriott Hotel, Zurich

On March 07 and 8, 2024, the Marriott Hotel in Zurich will host the 17th NextGen Payments and Regtech Forum, an event focusing on the continuous evolution of the payments industry, propelled by technological advancements, enhanced security measures, and evolving customer preferences that contribute to the efficiency and convenience of modern financial systems.
The forum aims to explore how organizations are optimizing their operations with a growing emphasis on adopting the latest technologies that are reshaping the payments and regtech industry. It will bring together global key influencers, innovators, strategists, and thought-leaders in the payments and regulatory space for discussions on market trends, digitalization, regulations, innovation, and technology.
Key topics to be covered include the evolving payments technology landscape, with insights from industry experts on global trends such as augmented reality (AR), contactless payments, digital wallets, embedded payments, variations of buy now, pay later (BNPL), the rise of digital currencies, and more. Data privacy, ethics, and cybersecurity will also be addressed, exploring themes like connecting cybersecurity with risk and fraud management and the evolution of artificial intelligence (AI).
Regtech and compliance innovation will be a focal point, showcasing how these technologies go beyond simplifying compliance and cutting costs, providing a verifiable competitive advantage.
With over 40 keynote speakers and more than 400 industry leaders participating from over 100 companies, the event promises to deliver tailored content for senior executives, offering a comprehensive exploration of the latest developments and insights in the dynamic landscape of payments and regtech.
Blockchain in Financial Services 2024
March 21, 2024
Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute, Ruschlikon

On March 21, 2024, Finanz und Wirtschaft will host the Blockchain in Financial Services 2024 conference, providing a platform to explore the dynamic landscape of blockchain in the financial sector.
Amidst the current volatility in financial markets, the conference aims to delve into the strategic potential of blockchain, marking the foundation for “Blockchain 4.0”, the advent of Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and emerging trends in decentralized finance (DeFi) and smart contracts.
The conference will specifically address the challenges and opportunities surrounding privacy in blockchain technology, examining its significance for trust in the blockchain. Regulatory developments affecting digital assets and the progress made in the field will also be discussed. Opinion leaders from both the traditional financial industry and the crypto industry will come together to share insights on shaping the future of a decentralized financial economy.
The forum targets decision-makers in the banking and insurance industry, regulatory authorities, startups, visionary thinkers, and interested individuals from science and politics. Attendees are invited to network and exchange experiences with experts in a trusting and exclusive setting.
Confirmed speakers for the event include:

Mark Dambacher, InCore Bank;
Marianne Wildi, Kreditarbank Lenzburg AG;
Dr. Stephan A. Zwahlen, Maerki Baumann and Co. AG;
Pascale Bruderer, Swiss Stablecoin AG and TX Group;
Stefan Schwitter, Crypto Finance (Asset Management) AG;
Dr. Alexander Thoma, PostFinance;
Simon Kuehne, Sygnum;
Marc Bürki, Swissquote;
Mathias Imbach, Sygnum;
Deputy State Secretary Christoph König, Swiss State Secretariat for International Financial Affairs (SIF) Federal Department of Finance (EFD);
Daniel Fischmann, L1D;
Olaf Hannemann, CV VC; and
Dr. Attilio Zanetti, Swiss National Bank.

Finanz ’24
April 24 – 25, 2024
Halle 550, Zurich

On April 24 and 25, 2024, the 25th edition of Finanz, Switzerland’s largest financial fair, will be held at Halle 550 in Zurich. This event, exclusively designed for professional investors, including asset managers, private bankers, family offices, insurers, pension funds, and more, will offer a comprehensive platform for networking, discussions, and exploration of the latest trends in the financial industry.
The event will encompass a range of activities, including roundtables, keynote speeches, specialist panels, training seminars, and exhibitor presentations. Attendees will have the chance to participate in various discussions covering topics such as central bank preparedness for the next crisis, the dynamics of globalization versus re-nationalization, and the future of energy strategy.
Roundtables will bring together experts from various fields for high-profile discussions on current issues, specialist panels will be organized to delve into specific financial topics, offering in-depth insights, and training seminars, organized by specialist financial associations, will provide additional educational opportunities.
Exhibitors will have the chance to give presentations in various areas, offering visitors detailed product and specialist information, and the Open Forum Crypto will provide a platform to discuss topics related to crypto, blockchain, fintech, and banking.
Finance 2.0 – Crypto Assets 24
March 21, 2024
Kaufleuten Zurich, Zurich

Finance 2.0, one of the leading digital finance conferences in Switzerland, will take place this year on March 21 at Kaufleuten Zurich. This event aims to serve as a crucial platform for understanding the future of finance, particularly as Swiss banks progressively venture into the realm of crypto assets.
This year’s conference will delve into the opportunities and challenges that await in 2024, shedding light on the initiatives of leading asset managers who oversee a staggering US$16 trillion and are influencing the Bitcoin market through recent exchange-traded fund (ETF) applications, a pivotal development for the crypto market.
Participants will have the opportunity to gain insights into the crypto journey’s trajectory, understand the considerations professional investors must bear in mind, and evaluate the balance between opportunities and risks in the crypto space. The 2024 Bitcoin halving will be a focal point of celebration, with discussions on its profound impact on the crypto landscape.
Finance 2.0 – Crypto Assets 24 stands as a flagship conference and represents one of the most significant and influential digital finance venues in Switzerland. It serves as a meeting ground for the industry’s innovators and leaders, where discussions and collaborations shape the future of digital finance.
2024 Crypto Valley Conference
June 06 – 07, 2024
Hochschule Luzern, Risch-Rotkreuz

The 5th edition of the Crypto Valley Conference is set to take place on June 06 and 07, 2024, at Hochschule Luzern in Risch-Rotkreuz. Hosted by the Lucerne University and the Crypto Valley Association, this conference stands as a pivotal gathering for in-depth discussions on the current state and future prospects of blockchain technology.
The conference will cover a wide array of topics through more than 60 speakers representing the industry. Some of the key topics include decentralized exchange (DEX) development, staking, yield generation, blockchain venture capital (VC), compliance, on-chain data analytics, regulation, cybersecurity, sustainability, SSI (self-sovereign identity), gamefi, play-to-earn, metaverse, tokenization, stablecoins, CBDCs (central bank digital currencies), managing the blockchain “trilemma”, and infrastructure/interoperability/protocols.
The Crypto Valley Conference 2024 promises to be a dynamic and comprehensive forum for industry professionals, researchers, and enthusiasts to gain insights, share knowledge, and explore the latest advancements in blockchain technology.
Key highlights of the event include:

Master classes conducted by top industry leaders, offering profound insights, best practices, and technical solutions;
Over 40 presentations by global industry leaders covering a spectrum of topics on technology, economy and finance, and legal and regulation;
Attendees from diverse backgrounds including start-ups, corporate entities, academia, and government representatives;
Companies showcasing their latest products and services in the blockchain space;
Panel discussions challenging opinions live on stage, fostering engaging discourse; and
A legendary boat cruise party on Lake Zug to conclude the conference.

The event will feature a distinguished lineup of speakers, including:

Pascal Gauthier from Ledger
Teana Baker-Taylor from Circle
Frederik Gregaard from Cardano Foundation
Dominic Williams from Dfinity
Samia Bayou from Kraken
Dirk Klee from Bitcoin Suisse
Dan Held, Bitcoin Educator
Payal Shah from CME Group
Guillaume Chatain from Coinbase
Ilya Volkov from YouHodler
Demelza Hays from Cointelegraph
Alfonso Gomez from BBVA Switzerland

Fintech and SFAN 2024
June 11, 2024
Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute, Ruschlikon

On June 11, 2024, the Fintech and SFAN 2024 conference will take place at the Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute. The conference promises a diverse program featuring inspiring input, workshops, and entertaining networking opportunities for all participants.
Although the detailed conference program is yet to be unveiled, attendees can expect:

Interesting lectures and panel discussions led by industry experts;
Workshops covering both scientific and practical aspects, including concrete use cases designed to enhance knowledge and skills; and
Networking opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals within the fintech community;
The live conference program will be revealed in the coming weeks, offering a glimpse into the engaging content and activities planned for the event.

Point Zero Forum
July 01 – 03 2024
Zurich, Switzerland

From July 01 to 03, 2024, Zurich, Switzerland, will host the third edition of the Point Zero Forum, an international fintech conference. Jointly organized by Switzerland and Singapore, the annual event aims to foster a policy and technology dialogue in the Financial Services industry.
This year’s forum will bring together central bankers, regulators, policymakers, and industry leaders to delve into the latest developments in financial technology and discuss the future of finance. The program includes leadership dialogues, public-private roundtables, deep-dive workshops, and networking events. The forum’s overarching goals are to instill confidence, promote adoption, and facilitate the growth of transformative technology. Additionally, it aims to assess and endorse appropriate governance and risk frameworks.
The 2023 edition of Point Zero Forum witnessed the participation of representatives from over 50 countries, engaging in dialogues in Zurich. The event hosted more than 1,300 high-ranking financial leaders from regulatory and financial authorities, central banks, financial organizations, investor circles, startups, and academia. Against the backdrop of ongoing turmoil in the financial services sector, representatives exchanged views on the potential of new technologies, including artificial intelligence in financial services and sustainable finance, to strengthen the financial industry.
Swiss Fintech and AI Investor Day 2024 – SD133
October 03, 2024
TX Group, Zurich

On October 03, 2024, the Swiss Fintech and AI Investor Day 2024, labeled SD133, will take place at TX Group in Zurich. This hybrid event, organized by the Swiss ICT Investor Club (SICTIC).
This event is primarily intended for angel investors, including novices. Family offices, fund managers, and VCs looking to invest in Swiss startups are also welcome to attend.


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-10-fintech-events-to-attend-in-2024-in-switzerland</link><guid>3533</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Top-10-Fintech-Events-to-Attend-in-2024-in-Switzerland-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 10 Fintech Events to Attend in 2024 in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>VanEck and Marketvector Indexes Complete Strategic Investment in Digital Asset Data Provider CCData</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					CCData, a London-based digital asset data and index provider, announced that it has secured a strategic investment round led by VanEck, the New York City-based asset manager.
The investment comes through VanEck’s affiliate MarketVector Indexes, a leading global index provider with more than $33 billion in licensed assets tracking its benchmarks. MarketVector has partnered with CCData on its suite of market-leading digital asset indexes since 2017. CCData’s successful funding strategically positions the company to meet increasing institutional demand and further enhance its data and index solutions.
Founded in 2014, CCData aggregates live crypto data feeds from globally recognised exchanges to provide comprehensive and accurate digital asset data, reference rates and indexes. At present, CCData’s market-leading data solutions are utilised by leaders in the traditional financial and digital assets worlds, including MSCI, Pantera, Ripple, BitGo, Metamask, Coinbase, and 21Shares, alongside strategic distribution partnerships with platforms such as Refinitiv, SIX Digital, and FactSet.






This announcement follows a year of significant milestones for the digital asset sector, highlighted by numerous regulatory advancements, substantial institutional inflows, and a surge in spot Bitcoin ETF applications, including a submission by VanEck that features underlying data from CCData. As an increasing number of institutions look to gain exposure to this asset class, accurate digital asset data solutions have never been more important.
Charles Hayter
“With influential institutions actively entering the digital asset sector, the demand for robust data and indexing solutions that mirror the gold standard of traditional finance is paramount. VanEck’s investment in CCData stands testament not only to the achievements and growth we have made in this area since launching in 2014, but also to the strides taken by the digital asset industry over the last years. With the first U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs now approved, the digital asset sector is poised for a powerful phase of adoption, in which trusted market-leading data solutions will play a crucial role in steering its growth”
said Charles Hayter, CEO and Co-Founder of CCData.
“CCData is aligned with our goal of providing quality information to digital asset investors. To make informed decisions, investors need accurate data. We look forward to CCData’s continued growth and expansion of products to meet client needs. stated Jan van Eck, CEO of Van Eck Associates Corp. ‘To me, one of their most impressive milestones was when they received authorisation as an FCA authorised benchmark administrator, aligning their market-leading methodologies with the U.K.’s regulatory standards, “
he added.
Steven Schoenfeld
“MarketVector has been a partner with CCData since 2017, when we launched our initial family of Digital Asset indexes,”
stated Steven Schoenfeld, CEO of MarketVector Indexes.
“We continue to innovate and grow our crypto index and data capabilities together with CCData, ensuring relevant, reliable and regulatory-compliant solutions for our clients,”
he continued.‍

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/vaneck-and-marketvector-indexes-complete-strategic-investment-in-digital-asset-data-provider-ccdata</link><guid>3531</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Klarpay-Simplifies-Global-Micropayments-for-Digital-Businesses.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>VanEck and Marketvector Indexes Complete Strategic Investment in Digital Asset Data Provider CCData</dc:text></item><item><title>EU Moves Closer to Instant Payment Ubiquity</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						January 25, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					Europe is undergoing a profound transformation in its instant payment landscape as the bloc strives to become a leader in payment innovation. Recognizing the need for enhanced adoption of real-time payments, regulatory bodies are driving the push for better instant payment infrastructure and working towards the unification of systems and experiences across the Single Europe Payments Area (SEPA).
Last year, the European Union (EU) moved closer to making instant payments ubiquitous across the bloc by advancing instant payment regulation. The regulatory proposal, which was first put forward in 2022, amends and modernizes the SEPA regulation of 2012 by adding specific provisions designed to expedite the adoption of instant payments and the SEPA Instant Credit Transfer scheme (SCT Inst).
The European Commission’s Instant Payments Regulations, Source: Instant Payments: a spotlight on the European Commission for Regulation, PwC, Dec 2023
Launched in 2017, SCT Inst is a pan-European instant payment scheme that allows domestic and cross-border payments in euro to be made to and received from participating PSPs. It provides tangible benefits for public administrations, with funds being made available immediately to the payee, and removes the limitations of traditional credit transfers, which are typically bound to the business hours of the handling payment service provider, with credited funds taking more time to appear as a result.






Though SCT Inst has been available for some time and despite the system’s clear advantages, adoption of instant payments across the EU has been slow, partly due to high bank pricing. The new regulation aims to address that by mandating payment service providers (PSPs) including banks to offer the service of sending and receiving instant payments in euro at no extra cost.
Published in November 2023, the final regulation proposal requires banks to provide instant payments to their customers without exceeding the costs of non-instant transfers.
To address increased speed and potential risks, the regulation instructs providers to verify the match between the bank account number (IBAN) and the name of the beneficiary provided by the payer in order to alert the payer of a possible mistake or fraud before the payment is made. This aims to stop scams like authorized push payment fraud where people are manipulated into sending large sums to bogus accounts while believing they’re paying a legitimate invoice.
Speaking to Fintech Futures, the EC said that a mandate is essential at this point in time to realize the comprehensive benefits of instant payments for EU citizens, businesses, public authorities and society.
“Five years after the necessary technology was put in place to process euro payments instantly, it is apparent that the efforts of the European payments industry or member states have not been sufficient to remove these obstacles throughout the EU in a timely fashion,” the EC told the media outlet.
“Legislative intervention is necessary to unlock the full-scale network effects by connecting all payment service providers to instant payment technology, tackling high prices and frictions, and mitigating the risk of fraud or errors.”
Slow uptake of instant payments
Although policymakers are pushing for instant payment adoption, the current state of adoption varied widely across countries within SEPA. Denmark, for example, has embraced instant payments through MobilePay, an app that enables low-cost instant payment capabilities and which is said to have reached a 93% penetration rate amount the country’s adult population, according to data from the Danish central bank.
France, on the other hand, has seen lower adoption due to the popularity of the national debit scheme, Cartes Bancaires, and the high cost associated with using real-time payments. In France, while users typically receive instant payments for free, instant payments still incur a costly premium fee of up to EUR 1 per transaction for senders, according to Victor Mithouard, vice president of growth at UK paytech provider Numeral.
Mithouard believes that a key challenge to widespread adoption of instant payments in the EU is the current high pricing by banks, estimating that instant credit transfers cost on average five times more than regular credit transfers.
Average cost of SCT Inst transfers in Europe, Source: Victor Mithouard, vice president of growth of Numeral, Dec 2022
Currently, only 11% of the EU’s euro money transfers are instant, Carlos Cuerpo, secretary general of the treasury and international financing of the government of Spain and minister for economy, trade and companies, told The Banker in November 2023.
The new EU mandate seeks to address these obstacles and benefit consumers by reducing operational delays and costly requirements associated with credit transfers. However, the implementation may pose challenges for smaller PSPs.
Nadish Lad, managing director and global head of strategic business at Volante Technologies, an American paytech firm, expects major banking players to adapt more easily to the new requirements. “Some institutions are very tech savvy, and so would look at probably doing something internally with their own teams,” Lad told Fintech Futures.
However, smaller PSPs with limited internal leverage may encounter some difficulties and could opt for the outsourcing route.
“If [you are an experienced vendor with an established history of implementations] you have implemented it in other countries, you know the pitfalls, you know what needs to be done,” he said. “And that is where we think that a lot of the preference is going to be more on using a vendor rather than doing something internally.”
Interoperability with international markets
Lad noted that while the mandate underlines SEPA-wide connectivity, it also encourages a global view of interoperability with international markets, such as the Middle East and the US.
“If we look at the steps where we are heading now, it is probably important to look at a more global scale, because the concept is that, at the end of the day, we are looking at Europe today, but within a few years, we fully expect some key corridors, for example, USD to euro,” he told the media outlet.
“All the key ingredients for an international global standardization approach are there. If you have to do it, let’s think about where it’s heading and think about the next steps.”
The main provisions of the instant payment regulation were agreed by representatives of the EU’s Council and Parliament in November 2023, but the law still however needs to be formally signed off by both those EU institutions.
The Parliament also voted in favor of implementation deadlines for the new regulation. The timeline, included in the text, requires all euro-area PSPs to support receiving and sending SCT Inst payments along with fulfilling IBAN name checking and entity screening requirements by the end of 2025. From the end of 2026 onwards, these obligations will be expanded to payment institutions and to banks located in non-euro area nations.
European Commission timeline for PSP’s instant payment adoption, Source: Instant Payments: a spotlight on the European Commission for Regulation, PwC, 2023
A webinar will be hosted by Bottomline on Feb 8, 2024 at 11am CET to discuss about SIC Instant Payments and its impact for Swiss banks and financial institutions. Join this webinar to learn more on getting ready for SIC Instant Payments by 2026, and new banking trends and initiatives.


Featured image credit: Edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/eu-moves-closer-to-instant-payment-ubiquity</link><guid>3530</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/EU-Moves-Closer-to-Instant-Payment-Ubiquity-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>EU Moves Closer to Instant Payment Ubiquity</dc:text></item><item><title>Sygnum Funding Round Exceeds Expectations, Raising Over US$40 Million</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						January 25, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					Global digital asset banking group Sygnum has reported an interim close of its Strategic Growth Round, successfully raising over US$40 million, surpassing its initial target of around US$35 million. This funding has elevated the Sygnum post-money valuation to US$900 million.
The Strategic Growth Round aims to fund Sygnum’s expansion into new markets and the enhancement of its regulated products and services, aligning with the growing trends in the digital asset industry. The funding round, having exceeded its original target, was led by Azimut Holding, a global asset management group.
Sygnum‘s latest fundraising efforts were driven by its solid financial performance and expanding regulatory footprint, especially notable during the recent ‘crypto winter’. The company finished the previous year with a significant annualised revenue and achieved a positive cash flow in the last quarter of the year.






The funding round saw investments from both new and existing strategic and financial investors, including Sygnum employees who participated on the same terms as external investors. The majority ownership of the company continues to be held by its employees, co-founders, board members, and management team.
The raised capital is intended to support Sygnum’s growth plans, including the expansion of its B2B platform and other regulated product offerings. Sygnum has recently formed partnerships with institutions such as Bordier &amp; Cie in Singapore and PostFinance in Switzerland, reflecting its expanding global presence.
Sygnum has experienced substantial growth in its assets under administration, reaching over US$4 billion, with a diverse client base from over 60 countries. The company has maintained its momentum in expanding its global team, nearing 250 members, and holds operational licenses in Switzerland, Singapore, the UAE, and Luxembourg.
Giorgio Medda
Giorgio Medda, CEO of Azimut Holding, expressed his enthusiasm for leading the funding round.
“We are pleased to have led Sygnum’s Strategic Growth Round fundraising at this topical moment when the demand for well-regulated, institutionalised services in crypto looks set to surge in 2024. Sygnum has been a key partner since 2021, and we have appreciated the team’s expertise and high degree of innovation.”
Mathias Imbach
Mathias Imbach, Co-Founder and Group CEO of Sygnum, shared his perspective.
“Closing a successful funding round in this macro environment with such strong partners is exciting, and we are thankful for our investors’ trust in us. Our core thesis has always been that Future has Heritage, and our strategy to build trust via regulation and good governance has guided us throughout all market cycles.
We look forward to continuing to empower everyone everywhere to own digital assets with complete trust,”
he said.


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sygnum-funding-round-exceeds-expectations-raising-over-us40-million</link><guid>3529</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Sygnum’s-Digital-Asset-Trading-Facility-Gets-Regulatory-Clearance-From-FINMA-1440x564_c.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Sygnum Funding Round Exceeds Expectations, Raising Over US$40 Million</dc:text></item><item><title>Carvolution Secures CHF 200 Million Financing from Barclays</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						January 24, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					Carvolution, a Swiss market leader for car subscriptions, secures up to 200 million Swiss francs. This takes Carvolution’s fleet development and the related financing to a new scale, as the young company from Oberaargau has succeeded in attracting international partners whilst maintaining its growth trajectory.
A couple of months ago, Zuger Kantonalbank committed funds of 24 million Swiss francs for the expansion of the fleet. With the beginning of the year, another, considerably larger asset backed-financing round follows, securing Carvolution as far as additional 200 million Swiss francs.
Olivier Kofler
Olivier Kofler, CEO and co-founder of Carvolution, underlines the importance of this deal:






“Financing is a key driver of our business model. Car subscriptions are becoming increasingly popular. To keep up with this trend and to satisfy the increasing demand, we need strong partners and good fleet financing solutions.”
The 200 million Swiss francs financing is both an opportunity and a great encouragement for the young company to consistently continue the expansion of its profitable growth path.
The majority of the funding comes from Barclays, an international bank from the UK. Commenting on the Carvolution deal, Gordon Beck, Director Corporate &amp; Sustainable Securitisation at Barclays, says:
“Carvolution is one of the international flagship start-ups in the mobility space and we are delighted to be able to support them in their future growth with this innovative debt financing solution.”
In addition to Barclays, clients of Waterfall Asset Management provided a Mezzanine Facility. Waterfall Asset Management is an active investor in structured credit opportunities across the capital structure, supporting similar businesses across the US and Europe.
Financing solutions of this magnitude are a rarity in the Swiss start-up ecosystem, says Kofler:



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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/carvolution-secures-chf-200-million-financing-from-barclays</link><guid>3528</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Carvolution-Secures-up-to-CHF-200-Million-1-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Carvolution Secures CHF 200 Million Financing from Barclays</dc:text></item><item><title>News Overview: The Leading Crypto Valley Top 50 Companies in 2024</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					In the 9th edition of the CV VC Top 50 Report, the Annual Report of the Crypto Valley, the Top 50 Report meticulously captures and quantifies the ecosystem, utilizing a refined methodology to identify the Top 50 entities. A
Aligned with a commitment to providing clarity in charting this dynamic industry, it delves into venture funding activity for the 2023 calendar year, comparing Crypto Valley data to that of Global and European venture funding. The report highlights the deeper foundational factors, regulatory perspective, building blocks, and globally focused impact activities of Crypto Valley pioneers.
Key Findings:







Crypto Valley Top 50 experiences a 106% valuation surge, reaching $382.93 billion.
Crypto Valley now counts 1290 companies, a 13.6% increase, with nearly 40% in Zug.
13 Unicorns, 10 by token market cap, and 3 by market valuation, a 44% increase.
47 blockchain startups in Crypto Valley raised $283.5m.


Global Impact: In 2023, Crypto Valley, spanning Switzerland and Liechtenstein, thrives with assured regulation and a resolute decentralized approach. The CV VC Top 50 Report 2023 published in partnership with MME, underscores the region’s pivotal role as its incumbent blockchain sector evolves into a multi-billion dollar landscape, extending beyond its Swiss origins and impacting globally.
Crypto Valley Top 50 Sector Insights:

Blockchain networks (34%) and financial services (26%) dominate, followed closely by data management (16%) and infrastructure (14%).
There’s a notable rise of DeFi, Gaming, and other Web3 companies, with 5 making it into the Top 50 for 2023.


Notable Venture Funding Facts:

Crypto Valley remains at parity with the global average deal count change, outperforming the European continent.
Crypto Valley represents 4.8% of all global blockchain venture deals, up from 4.1%.
Crypto Valley secures an all-time high of 20.4% of European blockchain deals, up from 17.9%.

Blockchain businesses in Crypto Valley account for 10% of all venture funding and 19% of all venture deals in the region in 2023. Zug, Geneva, and Zurich contribute 81% of all blockchain startup venture funding in Crypto Valley across 35 deals, with Zug leading at 17 deals.


Crypto Valley spearheads the advancement of decentralized, trust-based systems through blockchain technology and infrastructure initiatives, driving technology for a world without economic borders. Beyond its stable of 14 Unicorns, newly arrived businesses and associations such as DAO Swiss will join the 1,290 industry entities building the future.
Meanwhile established players’ recent fundraises, such as by Gentwo, Swissborg, and Taurus showcase the sector’s steady growth. Swissborg operates a community-centric cyber bank platform, and Taurus enables financial institutions to tokenize various assets. Gentwo focuses on securitizing both bankable and non-bankable assets, expanding the investment universe.
In one of the largest deals globally, Metaco, the Swiss digital assets custody firm was acquired by Ripple, a US company. New blockchain Unicorns such as Hedera and Copper stand out for their unique contributions, offering efficient and secure solutions in distributed ledger technology and digital asset infrastructure, respectively.


Featured image credit: Edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/news-overview-the-leading-crypto-valley-top-50-companies-in-2024</link><guid>3527</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Klarpay-Simplifies-Global-Micropayments-for-Digital-Businesses.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>News Overview: The Leading Crypto Valley Top 50 Companies in 2024</dc:text></item><item><title>Bank Frick vergibt Stipendium für Blockchain-Studium</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Das Bank-Frick-Stipendium in Höhe von 9800 Franken für den Zertifikatsstudiengang Blockchain und FinTech 2024 geht an Sven Lagger. Der Masterstudent hat durch sein fundiertes Verständnis der vernetzten Blockchain-Technologie überzeugt.
Die Bank Frick hat zum wiederholten Mal ein Stipendium in Höhe von 9800 Franken für den zertifizierten Studiengang Blockchain und Fintech an der Universität Liechtenstein vergeben. Träger des Bank-Frick-Stipendiums ist gemäss einer Medienmitteilung der Masterstudent Sven Lagger aus dem österreichischen Göfis.
Dem Stipendiaten kamen im Bewerbungsverfahren seine soliden Vorkenntnisse im Bereich von Blockchain-Technologien zugute. Lagger studiert Master of Science in Wirtschaftsinformatik an der Universität Liechtenstein und konnte durch seine bisher erworbenen Kenntnisse im Bereich der speziellen vernetzten Datenbanksysteme überzeugen.






Der laut der Mitteilung „hochkarätig besetzte” Studiengang, der laufend überarbeitet werde, sei weit über die Landesgrenzen hinaus bekannt. Die praxisnahe Vermittlung von Kenntnissen im Bereich der technologischen Neugestaltung bestehender finanzwirtschaftlicher Systeme stehe im Vordergrund.
Studierende erwerben ein sicheres Verständnis der vernetzten Systeme und deren Auswirkungen auf neue Geschäftsmodelle und Wertschöpfungsnetzwerke. Zudem erhalten sie einen Überblick über technologische, rechtliche und steuerliche Aspekte.
Martin Angerer
Martin Angerer, Studienleiter des Zertifikatsstudiengangs Blockchain und FinTech und des MSc in Finance, bezeichnet die Kooperation mit der Bank Frick als Erfolgsmodell.
„Eine grosse Teilnehmerzahl, hohe Nachfrage nach dem Stipendium und nach weiteren Projekten beweisen eindrucksvoll die grosse Relevanz für das Land, aber auch für die gesamte Rheintalregion“.




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			&#13;
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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bank-frick-vergibt-stipendium-fur-blockchain-studium</link><guid>3526</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>Bank Frick vergibt Stipendium für Blockchain-Studium</dc:text></item><item><title>Inventx Board Member Joins Ti&amp;m</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						January 22, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					Ti&amp;m announched that the experienced banking and consulting expert Pascal Wild as the new Head of Consulting to the Executive Board.
Thomas Wüst
“With his many years of experience, his extensive technological know-how and his broad network, Pascal Wild is the ideal match for ti&amp;m. He will provide important strategic impetus for consulting and drive forward new business models together with our clients,”
says Thomas Wüst, founder and CEO of ti&amp;m.
Pascal Wild
In his long career, the graduate in business informatics has worked in various positions in the IT and financial sectors, most recently as a member of the management board at Inventx, where he was responsible for the banking division. This includes application operations, the further development of the banking platform and consulting. He has also worked for Deloitte, IBM and InCore Bank.






We are particularly pleased that no expertise will be lost for ti&amp;m as a result of this personnel change. Pascal Wild’s predecessor Holger Rommel will continue to work for ti&amp;m as Head of Delivery and Executive Consultant.

Featured image credit: Pascal Wild as the new Head of Consulting to the Executive Board, ti&amp;m


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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/inventx-board-member-joins-tim</link><guid>3525</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/With-Pascal-Wild-Another-Banking-It-Heavyweight-Joins-tim-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Inventx Board Member Joins Ti&amp;m</dc:text></item><item><title>N26 Begins Rollout of New Stock and ETF Trading Product</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Company Announcement								
																						January 22, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					N26 announced the launch of a new Stock and ETF trading product that will allow all account holders to buy and sell stocks and ETFs for 0.90 EUR per trade, directly in the N26 app.
The launch of this new and comprehensive trading product will see N26 continue to expand its offer beyond its digital bank accounts, bringing customers more solutions in savings and investments.
With financial independence increasingly front-of-mind for all customers, a growing number of Europeans aspire to proactively build their wealth. N26 Stocks and ETFs aims to make managing and building one’s investment portfolio simple and accessible to all. The new product will allow customers to buy and sell partial shares of some of the most popular European and US assets on the global equity markets at a market-leading execution price, thanks to N26’s partnership with Upvest.







The new product will be gradually made available starting today in the form of an early version to eligible customers in Austria, offering fractional investing in more than 100 ETFs, with orders starting from 1 EUR. The product’s simple and transparent pricing structure of a fixed 0.90 EUR per trade offers customers access to the equity markets at one of the most competitive prices in the market. N26 will also shortly roll out free trades with its premium memberships.
N26 plans to expand the range of assets offered to trade to the full suite of over a thousand stocks and ETFs in the coming months to customers in both Germany and Austria, with further availability in additional markets to be announced in due course. In the coming months, customers will also be able to invest on a recurring basis with fee-free Savings Plans.
Valentin Stalf
Valentin Stalf, CEO at N26, said:
“Following the launch of N26 Instant Savings and N26 Crypto, N26 Stocks and ETFs will give our customers the ability to manage all their finances within the N26 app. Our customers can spend, save and invest within one app at extremely competitive rates, with no hidden fees and an exceptional user experience.”
Customers will easily be able to view a summary of their Stocks and ETFs portfolio and purchased assets alongside their Instant Savings and N26 Crypto accounts to get a full view of their finances with N26.
N26 account holders who have successfully completed N26’s identity verification and eligibility checks will be able to sign up to open their trading account in a matter of seconds to begin investing. Funds for purchasing stocks and ETFs can then be easily moved from the main account to the trading account and invested with just a few taps.


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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/n26-begins-rollout-of-new-stock-and-etf-trading-product</link><guid>3523</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/N26-Begins-Rollout-of-New-Stock-and-ETF-Trading-Product-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>N26 Begins Rollout of New Stock and ETF Trading Product</dc:text></item><item><title>DACH’s Biggest Fintech VC Funding Rounds of 2023</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					The DACH region, encompassing Germany, Austria and Switzerland, has been experiencing significant growth in its fintech sector, driven by a combination of factors including technological advancements, regulatory support, and increasing consumer demand for digital financial services.
This growth has elevated the region to the status of leading fintech hubs in Europe, with cities including Berlin, Zurich and Hamburg, in particular, being acknowledged among the world’s top 30 influential fintech cities, a report by fintech research and analytics firm Findexable says.
However, despite the growth, the DACH region witnessed a notable decline in fintech funding in 2023. In Q2 2023, DACH recorded 64 fintech deals down 32% compared to the same period the previous year, data from Fintech Global show. Investment in DACH-based fintech companies amounted to US$376 million, representing a year-on-year (YoY) decrease of 56%.






In spite of the challenges, the fintech sector in DACH managed to secure notable fintech venture capital (VC) funding rounds in 2023. Today, we look at some of the largest funding rounds secured by DACH fintech startups last year, focusing on VC funding solely and excluding debt funding.


Scalable Capital – EUR 60 million, Series E extension

In December 2023, Scalable Capital, a leading European digital investment platform, secured EUR 60 million in equity financing in an extension of its Series E round. The company said it would use the proceeds to deliver further growth and fuel the expansion of Scalable Capital’s brokerage platform across Germany, Austria, Italy, France, Spain, and the Netherlands.
Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Munich, Scalable Capital provides retail investors easy and affordable access to investment opportunities. Originally a digital wealth management service, it expanded in 2020 into a full-service brokerage. The platform now operates in five European countries, allowing clients to invest in a variety of financial instruments, including exchange traded funds (ETFs), stocks, funds, bonds, cryptocurrencies, and derivatives. With over two-thirds of investments in ETFs, Scalable Capital oversees more than 1.2 million savings plans.
Raisin – EUR 60 million, Series E

In March 2023, Berlin-based savings and investment specialist Raisin raised EUR 60 million in a Series E funding round from existing and new investors. With the new investment, Raisin aims to give more consumers access to simple and convenient products by investing in new features, even simpler processes and broader accessibility, and to accelerate growth in expanding markets such as the US, where Raisin entered in 2020 and added over US$1 billion worth of assets under management (AuM) in 2022 alone.
Raisin recently exceeded 1 million customers, for which a total of EUR 850 million in interest has been generated since the company was founded back in 2012. The startup has been profitable for half a year and currently manages a total of EUR 38 billion AuM for customers globally.
Operating in the European Union (EU), the UK, and the US, Raisin is a leading global savings and investments marketplace. The company offers a diverse range of savings, investment, and pension products, providing customers with a broader choice of attractive options for managing their finances.
Raisin operates business-to-consumer (B2C) marketplaces under various brands, including Raisin, WeltSparen, ZINSPILOT (in Europe), and SaveBetter (in the US). In Germany the company offers ETF-based investment and retirement products as well as private equity and cryptocurrency investments, in addition to savings products. Raisin works with over 400 banks and financial service providers from more than 30 countries.
Taurus – US$65 million, Series B

In February 2023, Swiss digital asset infrastructure provider Taurus announced a US$65 million Series B capital raise from strategic investors. The company said it would use the proceeds to support its growth strategy across three main priorities: hire top engineering talent to further develop what is considered as the most complete platform in the industry; get closer to clients and expand the sales and customer success organization of its infrastructure solutions with new offices Europe, UAE and soon after in the Americas and Southeast Asia; and maintain the most stringent security, risk and compliance requirements across product lines, processes and organizations.
Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Geneva, Taurus provides enterprise-grade solutions for financial institutions to issue, custodize and trade digital assets. The company has established itself as one of the leading digital asset infrastructure providers for Tier 1 banks in Europe, including Deutsche Bank, Pictet, Swissquote and Vontobel. It claims it serves more than 25 financial institutions and corporate clients in eight countries and three continents.
Wefox – US$55 million, Series D

Wefox, the Berlin-based insurtech, secured in May a US$55 million credit facility from JP Morgan and Barclays alongside a US$55 million second close in its Series D at US$4.5 billion valuation from existing investors and new investors including Squarepoint Capital. The new funding is earmarked to further strengthen Wefox’s insurance and distribution business, which includes the recent launch of a global affinity business, and developing the technology platform.
The funding came on the heels of Wefox delivering a record first quarter financial performance, signaling the company’s clear path towards profitability.
Founded in 2015, Wefox is a insurtech platform that is connecting insurance companies, distributors, and customers, to give consumers simple access to digital insurance solutions. The company’s goal is to keep people safe by making insurance 10-times better through technology. Wefox is the parent company of Wefox Insurance, which is the in-house regulated insurance carrier. The company claims two million customers.
Solaris – EUR 38 million, Series F

In July 2023, embedded finance platform Solaris announced the first close of its Series F round, securing EUR 38 million. The company said it would use the proceeds to strengthen governance and compliance and lay the foundation for its next phase of growth.
Despite a challenging year 2022, Solaris demonstrated resilience, closing the fiscal year with net revenues of EUR 130 million representing a 30% growth compared to the previous year.
Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Berlin, Solaris is a leading embedded finance platform and a pioneer in the banking-as-a-service (BaaS) market. Solaris’ proprietary modular business-to-business (B2B) tech stack and scalable licensing system empowers its partners, including large global non-financial companies and innovative fintech companies, to offer unique, customer-centric financial services. The company currently employs more than 800 people at ten locations in Europe and India.
Upvest – EUR 30 million

Berlin-based investment infrastructure provider Upvest announced in October 2023 the successful closure of a EUR 30 million funding round. The round was led by Upvest’s existing investors Bessemer Venture Partners, HV Capital, Earlybird, Notion, ABN Amro Ventures, Partech, and 10x Capital, with a new addition from BlackRock.
Upvest said it would use the proceeds to strengthen its position as the investment API category leader, enhance its product offering and fuel its regional expansion.
Founded in 2017, Upvest enables financial institutions to offer superior investment experiences to their customers. Upvest’s API-based investment infrastructure enables real, physical fractional investing across ETFs, stocks and mutual funds, lowering the entry barriers for investments to as little as EUR 1 in any asset class. Upvest is an investment firm regulated by the German supervision authority. The company currently employs 150+ people across Europe.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik



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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/dachs-biggest-fintech-vc-funding-rounds-of-2023</link><guid>3524</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>DACH’s Biggest Fintech VC Funding Rounds of 2023</dc:text></item><item><title>Experts Meet in Davos to Discuss How India’s UPI and Digital Public Infrastructure Has Helped Reduce Inequalities</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					On 16th January, during the Davos Innovation Week hosted by World Innovation Economics Limited, a panel discussion was held on the above topic.
The panel discussion was graced by Mr. Sanjeev Sanyal (Economic advisor to PM Modi), Mr. Phillip Weights (renowned Swiss banking leader), Mrs Efi Pylarinou (Swiss fintech influencer), Mr Ashok Ranadive (Ex Indian Navy, Ex Google, Entrepreneur and Investor).
Phillip Weights, Sanjeev Sanyal, Efi Pylarinou, Ashok Ranadive at Davos Innovation Week
The panel discussed about UPI, Digital Public Infrastructure, India Stack 2.0, CBDC, Blockchain, Data privacy.






All the panelists praised India’s rapid inclusive growth due to its robust digital public infrastructure, good governance and inclusive growth. Panel also discussed how technologies like UPI can be in future exported to US or EU as it is better alternative than SEPA and SWIFT.
During the panel, Mr Sanjeev Sanyal gave emphasis on India’s Digital Stack 2.0 and how India is building its next level of Digital Public Infrastructure.
Mr Philip Weights talked about Swift, Global banking and new payments system.
Mr. Ashok Ranadive talked about how India’s digital public infrastructure is better than USA. How UPI is better than US banking and SWIFT.
Mrs Efi Pylarinou at Davos Innovation Week
Mrs Efi Pylarinou spoke about Blockchain, CBDC and also praised India’s UPI system.


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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/experts-meet-in-davos-to-discuss-how-indias-upi-and-digital-public-infrastructure-has-helped-reduce-inequalities</link><guid>3521</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Davos-Innovation-Week-speakers-225x300.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Experts Meet in Davos to Discuss How India’s UPI and Digital Public Infrastructure Has Helped Reduce Inequalities</dc:text></item><item><title>McKinsey: Digitalization, Generative AI, New Market Structures Among Key Changes Shaping Investment Banking</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					The corporate and investment banking (CIB) sector is undergoing a significant transformation, marked by several major shifts including technological advancements in client engagement, changes in the regulatory and risk management environment, and new market structures, which are creating both opportunities and challenging for the industry, a report by global consultancy McKinsey and Company says.
The report, titled “Five big shifts shaping a new world for corporate and investment banks”, explores the state of the global CIB sector, delving into emerging trends in the industry and sharing key strategies CIBs can adopt to tackle the opportunities and challenges ahead.
According to the report, new technologies including intelligent process automation, machine learning (ML), advanced analytics, cloud adoption, and generative artificial intelligence (AI), are transforming operations in CIB and changing the ways in which organizations can engage with their clients.






Technological advancements are arising alongside a shift in consumer preference towards digital channels. Citing findings from a prior study, the report notes that 70% of CIB clients want to migrate all financial transactions to digital channels; 50% want to manage their short-term lending needs in a fully digital way; and 40% prefer remote interactions with relationship managers when discussing new products.
These trends and findings suggest that offering a truly digitally enabled front office has become crucial for CIBs, McKinsey says, urging organizations to invest strategically in technology and capabilities most closely tailored to their unique client and product franchises.
The potential of generative AI
One technology in particular that’s highlighted in the report is generative AI. Generative AI refers to a class of AI systems designed to generate new, original content autonomously. The technology can be applied across a broad range of use cases to automate routine tasks, improve efficiencies, and enhance recommendation engines and customer experiences.
McKinsey estimates that generative AI could improve productivity in core CIB activities by between 30% to 90% in individual use cases, potentially adding up to about 10% of CIB operating profits in the long run.
In CIB, the report notes that generative AI is mostly applied in three areas, citing new product development, client operations, and marketing and sales as the most prominent functions in which the technology is now being used.
In product development, generative AI is used to accelerate software delivery, using so-called code assistants to help with code translation and bug detection and report. These tools can also improve legacy code, rewriting it to make it more readable and testable and then documenting the results, the report says.
In client operations, generative AI is used to extract, search and summarize unstructured servicing information. In post-trade services, the technology is able to read documentation on corporate actions and assess the implications for clients and products, while in the middle office, generative AI is used to automate manual tasks, creating first drafts of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) and audit reports or even basic loan contracts.
Finally, in marketing and sales, generative AI is used to take over all voice and text interactions with clients, helping answer questions on topics such as investment ideas, sales, and product policies nearly instantly, and reducing time to respond to clients from hours or days down to seconds. The technology can also help junior relationship managers with training simulations and call transcripts, and can be used to create viable marketing content such as market recaps, research reports, and pitch books.
To capitalize on the opportunities brought about generative AI, McKinsey advises CIB organizations to choose the right use cases and build scalable capabilities, stressing that key elements for successful implementation include a strategic roadmap, talent development, data optimization, and modern technology infrastructure.
The consultancy warns however that CIB organizations must be mindful of risks related to generative AI, such as bias, privacy concerns, security threats, ESG impact, and computing costs.
To mitigate these risks, organizations should plan meticulously and establish robust AI governance frameworks that help ensure attention to data selection, continuous performance monitoring, and periodic, unbiased testing and auditing, the report says. These emerging technologies call for a reevaluation of current operating models and a fresh focus on risk management strategies.
New market structures
Another trend highlighted in the McKinsey report is the shift in the structure of the CIB market with increased competition from nonbanks.
Originally operating in areas adjacent to wholesale banking such as private equity and retail payments, nonbanks have over the past years managed to scale their value propositions to target some of the same client segments as CIB organizations.
But the biggest disruption is arguably in leveraged lending where direct lenders are rapidly gaining ground, the report says. In March 2023, direct lending assets under management (AUM) globally reached US$760 billion, carrying on a 27% per annum growth rate since 2012. The surge in direct lending is expected to continue, driven by substantial private equity dry powder and expansion into larger deals and various debt instruments.
Global assets under management breakdown, US$ billion, Source: Five big shifts shaping a new world for corporate and investment banks, McKinsey and Company, Dec 2023
McKinsey advises CIB organizations looking to respond to the rise of direct lenders to consider revisiting their on-balance-sheet lending approach and taking advantage of off-balance-sheet partnerships and funds. However, prudent risk management is crucial given concerns about direct lending asset performance. Key risks to consider include rising interest rates, economic slowdowns, limited historical data on performance during recessions, and growing regulatory scrutiny.
The rise of digital assets
Finally, the McKinsey report highlights the rise of digital assets, a phenomenon that has prompted CIB organizations to explore the potential of the technology through tokenization.
Tokenization refers to the process of issuing a digital representation of an asset on a blockchain platform. These assets can be real-world assets such as real estate, commodities, and art; financial assets such as equities or bonds; or other non-tangible assets such as digital art and intellectual property.
Tokenization brings about many benefits including 24/7 operations, instantaneous settlement, and composable programmability, the report says, promising improved capital efficiency, operational costs, compliance, transparency, and market access.
Although the report notes that tokenization is still at an early-stage of adoption, the industry is showing signs of growth and development. It notes significant advances in cash tokenization with now US$120 billion of tokenized cash in circulation, emerging regulatory frameworks, better short-term business case fundamentals and a maturing infrastructure.
For CIB firms looking to tap into the potential of digital assets and tokenization, McKinsey advises them to consider building their understanding of the technology and its associated risks, especially in the areas of wallet infrastructure and management duties, and system design. They should also consider establishing ecosystem relationships, and participating in efforts to set standards for the sector.
The state of the global CIB industry
CIB organizations have faced multiple challenges over the past decades but have against all odds managed to remain resilient and recover. In 2022, CIB organizations generated US$2.9 trillion of revenue, representing 44% of the global banking revenue pool and an average growth rate of more than 5% per annum since 2020.
Commercial lending and cash management accounted for more than 80% of CIB revenues that year, reflecting the sector’s tight link to the real economy. In contrast, more complex and volatile products such as specialized lending, investment banking, and sales and trading, accounted for less than 20% of CIB revenues.
Banking revenue, Source: Five big shifts shaping a new world for corporate and investment banks, McKinsey and Company, Dec 2023


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mckinsey-digitalization-generative-ai-new-market-structures-among-key-changes-shaping-investment-banking</link><guid>3522</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>McKinsey: Digitalization, Generative AI, New Market Structures Among Key Changes Shaping Investment Banking</dc:text></item><item><title>Why Does the Insurance Industry Need Middle-Layer Architecture?</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Have you ever used multilingual websites and applications? Companies that would like to provide multilingual and multi-platform experiences to their customers don’t develop separate apps for this purpose. They are just following the middle-layer approach to IT architecture. So, what is it, and why do insurers need it?
Middle-layer architecture explained
The widely recognized client-server architecture is familiar to all. It’s commonly understood that an intermediary element exists between the client and server sides. In many instances, this software framework is composed of intermediary layers, each catering to specific purposes. When these layers can function autonomously, the architecture is referred to by various names like “layered,” “multi-layer,” “middle-layer,” “tiered,” “n-tier,” and similar terms.
Below are the typical layers of multi-layer architecture:

The presentation layer displays the content through a graphic user interface. This layer is accessible via laptops, mobile phones, desktops, etc. The element presenting content is a website that can be accessed through a browser, a mobile app, or any other element via which people can communicate with the system.
The application layer represents the business logic, which defines the rules according to which the app works. This layer may include several elements functioning as independent layers with similar functionalities.
The persistence layer offers database storage and allows the rest of the layers to access the necessary data. Therefore, users have the capability to interact with the database via the user interface, following the business logic defined by the application layer.

How it works?
The essentials of multi-layer architecture define almost all principles of software engineering. So, software architects and business owners consider the development projects regarding server, client, and middle layers. In their turn, development jobs are divided across the teams responsible for each layer. Let’s take a closer look at how n-tier architecture works:

It allows flexibility modifying and managing various system components while developing and operating. Scalability is ensured when it is needed.
Various components of the layer are interdependent, which allows for easy app deployments.
In intricate projects, components can span multiple physical layers, communicating through networks without requiring constant engagement of the entire system from top to bottom.
The application (business logic) layer works as a middle layer that guides and channels data flows according to the user’s input.

Advantages of n-tier architecture
One of the key benefits of layered architecture is its ability to simplify IT infrastructure management. Among other advantages, we can distinguish the following:

Cloud-based apps are easier and cheaper to develop using this architecture type
Legacy systems can be quickly upgraded
Customization is easier to do
No difficulties in understanding the functionalities of each layer

However, it is essential to remember that layered architecture design and development requires in-depth business analysis, special skills and knowledge, and much time and effort. So, you should carefully choose a software vendor experienced in designing multi-layer architecture.
How are digital transformation and n-tier architecture connected?
The flexibility brought about by multi-layer architecture enhances business values in the digital transformation era. This is particularly important for well-established industries striving to align with customer expectations. Numerous enterprises within these sectors display hesitate to update their applications rooted in outdated frameworks.
Large international insurance companies are among the industries that strive to continuously improve customer experience. Insurers understand that legacy core systems are becoming a challenge for both clients and employees. However, it’s pretty difficult to quit using this software since insurance operations can’t be stopped. To sum it up, among the most frequent hurdles insurers need to overcome are the following:

Outdated systems can’t meet modern customer expectations.
Vertical architecture is difficult to modify into horizontal architecture.
Developing new modules atop outdated systems won’t help—some useful functionalities like CRM or data analytics can’t be implemented without middle layers.

The solution is to develop n-tier architecture on top of the legacy core or from scratch. Here are some tips on building multi-layered architecture:

Partition the application into tiers by creating autonomous components, each accountable for specific segments of the business logic.
Layers can be located across servers to create a horizontal architecture.
Enhance the current core layer by integrating one or more service layers that can collaboratively handle the business logic present in the original core.

Regardless of all the challenges, insurance core systems can be transferred to layered platforms with the help of professional software vendors.
Features to consider for layered platforms in insurance
The project stakeholders and developers should consider the following concerns to implement the required functionalities.

Locations where the company operates
Languages users use
Staff diversity (managers, agents, leadership, etc.)
Data access level
Compliance with laws, regulations, and policies of countries where the company operates
Data security rules and measures
Data analytics and dashboards
Customer experience
Alignment of business processes with CX
Features that will differentiate the company from its competitors

All these aspects should be carefully discussed, discovered, and formalized before developing layers. Their number will depend on the company’s requirements and the readiness to embrace digital transformation. Typically, these layers can be divided into the following areas:
The digital layer is all about user interface and user experience. UX should be considered both for clients and agents. Here, the following features should be developed: web and mobile user interfaces, chatbots if needed, notifications, data collection tools, APIs, CMS and CRM systems, and solutions for customer support and onboarding.
The decoupling layer ensures asynchronous data collection from diverse sources to process and keep it in one centralized place. This area is created according to the event-driven and microservices-based approach to architecture.
The insights layer supports the legacy system’s monolith architecture and provides BI, analytics, data security, and other features.As you see, modern approaches to legacy insurance systems can be applied to custom solutions and legacy systems, as well.
Conclusion
The tiered structure embodies a contemporary software development methodology for complex, user-friendly systems. Intermediary layers possess the potential to significantly enhance the capabilities of seemingly unmodifiable legacy core platforms, which are widely prevalent in the insurance domain. This intermediate architecture furnishes them with opportunities for digital transformation substantial enough to facilitate a paradigm shift towards a different echelon of service – Insurtech.
Effecting the conversion of a legacy insurance system into an Insurtech platform necessitates a well-rounded development team comprising specialists proficient in the various layers intrinsic to multi-tier architecture. Moreover, practical involvement in executing such a transition holds immense value.

Featured image credit: image via freepik


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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/why-does-the-insurance-industry-need-middle-layer-architecture</link><guid>3520</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Why Does the Insurance Industry Need Middle-Layer Architecture?</dc:text></item><item><title>10x Banking Raises US$50M, Appoints New Chief Revenue Officer</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					10x Banking, a cloud-native SaaS core bank operating system founded by former Barclays CEO Antony Jenkins, has recently raised US$50 million in a new funding round and appointed Matt Mills as Chief Revenue Officer.
The funding round, led by BlackRock and JPMorgan Chase, aims to support the company’s growth in the competitive core banking market.
Matt Mills, previously with Featurespace, has joined 10x Banking this month, adding to the company’s leadership team.






The company’s growth in the UK has led to expansion into Australia and New Zealand, with further strategic growth anticipated.
10x Banking’s platform, designed to assist banks in their digital transformation, played a key role in Chase’s foray into the UK retail banking sector.
Matt Mills
“There has never been a more exciting time for banking transformation and core modernisation, as banks across the world embark on this journey. I’m incredibly excited to have joined a company with the strongest offering in this space, offering unparalleled resiliency and scale, combined with flexibility and speed beyond the rest of the market.

Our mission is to enable banks to make banking better for their customers and society – 2024 is already set to be the most significant in our history, and I’m excited to be part of this journey.”
said Mills.


Featured image credit: Chief Revenue Officer, Matt Mills


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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/10x-banking-raises-us50m-appoints-new-chief-revenue-officer</link><guid>3519</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>10x Banking Raises US$50M, Appoints New Chief Revenue Officer</dc:text></item><item><title>Crypto Regulation Advances Though Jurisdictional Disparity Remains Key Issue</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Notable developments occurred throughout 2023 to advance digital asset regulation, including the release of global regulatory frameworks, crypto-assets policies, and prudential standards. But despite advancements in creating a well-functioning, secure and sustainable ecosystem for cryptocurrencies and digital assets, there is still much work to be done, especially when it comes to jurisdictional equivalence, a new report by the global consultancy PwC says.
The report, titled “Navigating the Global Crypto Landscape with PwC: 2024 Outlook” and released in December 2023, provides an overview of the global regulatory landscape, exploring how regulatory frameworks are developing across the world and the impact of new regulations on crypto and traditional financial services firms.
According to the report, regulators were actively working on advancing cryptocurrency and digital asset regulations in 2023, with many countries recognizing the need to establish clear regulatory frameworks to address issues such as consumer protection, financial stability and anti-money laundering concerns associated with the growing market.






Key regulatory developments in 2023 included the release of a regulatory framework for crypto-asset activities and crypto-asset roadmap in July 2023 by the Financial Stability Board (FSB), an international body that monitors and makes recommendations about the global financial system. The framework comprises two interconnected sets of recommendations: one addressing the regulation, supervision and oversight of crypto-asset activities, and the other focusing on revised recommendations for global stablecoin arrangements.
The FSB is now working closely with other standard-setters to ensure coordination, mutual support, and complementarity in the monitoring and regulation of crypto-asset activities and markets. The organization plans to review the implementation status of the recommendations at the jurisdictional level by the end of 2025 and says it will continue its work on assessing the policy implications for decentralized finance (DeFi).
The International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) also published several recommendations in 2023, addressing DeFi risks in September and sharing its views on how to regulate crypto and digital assets markets in November.
But most noteworthily, 2023 saw the entry into force of the European Union (EU)’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR). The groundbreaking regulation, which came into force in June 2023, offers a harmonized regulatory framework for crypto-assets in the bloc, replacing the patchwork of individual member states’ national framework on the regulation of the new asset class.
MiCAR is the world’s the first cross-jurisdictional regulatory and supervisory framework for crypto-assets, and covers nearly all business activities related to crypto-assets taking place in the EU. Non-EU crypto-asset firms carrying out activities for EU customers must also comply with MiCAR’s requirements.
Timeline for MiCAR implementation, Source: Navigating the Global Crypto Landscape with PwC: 2024 Outlook, PwC, Dec 2023
For digital asset firms, choosing the right jurisdiction for incorporation and operational base is a critical matter that must be considered thoroughly, the PwC report says. Several factors must be taken into account, including the jurisdiction’s regulatory maturity, cost of operations, available talent pool and the global reputation of the jurisdiction.
Crypto native firms should favor jurisdictions with a mature regulatory regime which offers certainty, legitimacy and protection for service providers and consumers, while fostering a conducive and competitive environment for innovation and growth, it advises.
Operators should also consider the operational costs associated with doing business from a certain jurisdiction, taking into account the cost of obtaining and maintaining a license or registration, tax obligations and reporting requirements.
The size of the local talent pool is also critical. Locations such as Switzerland, Singapore, Hong Kong and Malta, in particular, have well-established talent pools with deep subject matter expertise in digital assets and blockchain technology. These locations have emerged into leading crypto hubs thanks to supportive regulatory frameworks and investment in blockchain education and research, the report notes.
Finally, jurisdictional reputation is another important factor to consider. It typically signals whether or not a country has a stable and transparent regulatory framework, which is essential for the growth and development of the digital asset industry. Investors and businesses tend to choose jurisdictions with a positive reputation which provide them with a sense of security and assurance that their rights and interests will be protected, the report notes.
To conclude, it says that while progress has been made over the years to provide regulatory clarity, some challenges remain that digital asset firms must cope with, including jurisdictional disparity.
For digital asset firms, navigating through contradictory regulatory obligations across countries with varying levels of regulatory maturity poses challenges and can lead to operational complexity. While Europe and the Middle East have made significant progress in providing comprehensive guidance, other locations such as the US have complex and fragmented regulatory systems with overlapping and conflicting mandates between federal and state agencies, the report notes.
It advises that as the crypto regulatory landscape continues to evolve, digital asset firms looking to operate in numerous territories must design internal standards complying with the strictest and most reputable regulatory jurisdictions.
Cryptocurrencies have gained widespread adoption and legitimacy over the past decade. Just this week, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved the first bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the country, marking a watershed moment for the crypto industry and improved accessibility of bitcoin for institutional investors.
The eleven spot bitcoin ETFs, which began trading on January 11, saw US$4.6 billion worth of shares trade hands by the end of their first day of trading, Reuters reported.
Bitcoin is currently trading at US$45,000, up 7% from the start of 2024 and 164% from a year prior, data from Coinmarketcap show.

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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crypto-regulation-advances-though-jurisdictional-disparity-remains-key-issue</link><guid>3518</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>Crypto Regulation Advances Though Jurisdictional Disparity Remains Key Issue</dc:text></item><item><title>Commerzbank Forms New Digital Payment Venture Globalpay</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Commerzbank and Global Payments, a leading worldwide provider of payment technology and software solutions, announced a joint venture to offer digital payment solutions to small and medium size business customers across Germany.
The new entity, Commerz Globalpay GmbH, is expected to launch in the first half of 2024 and will provide a comprehensive suite of innovative omnichannel payment and software solutions at scale, providing a one-stop-shop for merchants to run and grow their businesses more efficiently.
Commerzbank will hold a 49 percent stake in the company, which will be based in Frankfurt and Global Payments will hold 51 percent.






The joint venture unites two strong brands. Commerzbank brings the knowledge and customer relationships within the German small and medium sized business market, while Global Payments brings commerce enablement solutions and distinctive payment offerings.
Commerz Globalpay GmbH will offer digital payment capabilities, including Global Payments’ smartphone-based payment applications that enable merchants to accept mobile payments without a separate card reader, modern card terminals and e-commerce/mobile payment solutions, all integrated to deliver seamless omnichannel experiences. Furthermore, business customers will have access to a variety of leading value-added services, including cloud-based point-of-sale software, customer loyalty programmes, an analytics and customer engagement platform, and more.
Thomas Schaufler
“With this joint venture with Global Payments, we are investing in modern forms of payments at the highest level. Through simple solutions, new products, and technologies provided by Global Payments, we are creating an optimal experience for Commerzbank customers. This makes the project an important part of our strategy update to create added value and excellence for our customers,”
said Thomas Schaufler, member of the Board of Managing Directors responsible for Private and Small-Business Customers at Commerzbank.
Cameron Bready
“Commerzbank is the ideal partner to expand our presence in Germany to deliver industry-leading services to merchants across the country,”
said Cameron Bready, President and CEO of Global Payments.
“This joint venture significantly enhances distribution for our distinctive payment offerings and commerce enablement solutions in an attractive growth market where there are substantial opportunities to digitize the payment experience.”
The completion of the transaction is subject to the approval of the responsible supervisory and antitrust authorities.

Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/commerzbank-forms-new-digital-payment-venture-globalpay</link><guid>3517</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>Commerzbank Forms New Digital Payment Venture Globalpay</dc:text></item><item><title>Zurich Based Card Payment Fintech Rivero Raises $7 Million Series A</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Rivero, a Swiss Fintech specialising in digitalisation and automation of payment processes, announced that it has raised $7 million in a Series A round.
The round was led by 6 Degrees Capital and Inference Partners, with participation from Kraken Ventures, Seed X Liechtenstein, the venture arm of PostFinance and angel investor and former COO of Adyen, Robert Kraal, together with a long list of payment executives.
The investment will help Rivero accelerate its growth across new markets and boost its product development and workforce.






Founded in 2019, Rivero is a fast-growing European fintech. Headquartered in Switzerland, Rivero is aimed at simplifying payment operations for the highly regulated payments industry, filling a gap in the market for fraud recovery, dispute management and payment scheme compliance solutions. Leveraging the benefits of SaaS, Rivero’s products cater to all players in the payment ecosystem, but in particular towards issuing banks.
The fintech’s competitive edge is reflected in its two unique SaaS product offerings, which are focused on making costly and manual payment operations seamless. Kajo, the first product, is the only solution on the market for payment scheme compliance and enables all licensees of payment networks to minimise the effort and the risks involved in this process.
Its second product, Amiko, is the only SaaS solution that digitalises the entire fraud recovery and dispute process. This helps issuing banks efficiently manage this process while offering a unique self-service experience to their customers. Amiko empowers banks to promote consumer protection of card payments to their customers without being concerned with increasing volume or costs.
In just three years since its go-to-market, Rivero has secured partnerships with over 20 well-established financial institutions, ranging from issuing banks to acquiring banks and payment processors. In 2022, Rivero became the first Swiss Fintech to be selected for the Visa Fintech Partner Connect programme, a prestigious, game-changing initiative that provides the company with access to a selection of best-in-class and trusted technology partners.
Thomas Müller
Commenting on the Series A round, Thomas Müller, co-founder and CEO of Rivero, said:
“We’re thrilled to share the news of our Series A round. Especially given the current challenging market conditions. We take this as confirmation of our strong business model and clear market demand for our products.”

Featured image credit: Stephan Wächter, Head of Operations, Thomas Müller, Co-founder/CEO &amp; Fatemeh Nikayin, Co-founder/Growth


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/zurich-based-card-payment-fintech-rivero-raises-7-million-series-a</link><guid>3516</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>Zurich Based Card Payment Fintech Rivero Raises $7 Million Series A</dc:text></item><item><title>Klarpay Simplifies Global Micropayments for Digital Businesses</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					In the ever-evolving landscape of digital businesses, micropayments have emerged as a pivotal financial mechanism, particularly on platforms hosting freelancers, creators, and gig workers.
These small-scale transactions are increasingly vital in a world where digital services and content are monetised incrementally, catering to the growing trend of microtransactions in various online economies.
From digital media to freelance services and content creation, micropayments enable a flexible, efficient, and user-friendly approach to handling financial exchanges in the digital domain.
What are Micropayments?
Micropayments refer to small-value transactions, typically below a certain threshold, executed online.
These transactions play a crucial role in the gig and creator economy, where individuals often receive compensation in small amounts for their work or content.
They are essential in online marketplaces, mobile applications, and content platforms (like social media and blogging sites) where transactions are usually frequent but of lower value.
How do Micropayments Work?
Micropayments work by leveraging streamlined and cost-effective payment infrastructures. Micropayments are generally quick, efficient, and low-cost transactions.
These are particularly beneficial for digital businesses that operate in the gig economy, where freelancers and creators may need instant access to their earnings.
The technology behind micropayments often involves secure digital wallets and blockchain technology, enhancing the speed and security of these transactions.
Consider a freelance graphic designer who offers digital art services online. Instead of waiting to accumulate a large sum, they receive small, regular payments for each design they create.
These micropayments allow the designer to access their earnings quickly and efficiently, ensuring their financial security.
Similarly, a content creator on a video platform might receive micropayments based on viewership and engagement, illustrating the diverse applications of this payment method.
Klarpay’s Role in Transforming Micropayments
Financial Institution Klarpay specialises in providing Swiss Corporate Accounts in 17+ currencies and 80+ payout currencies with local ACH capability, global payment acceptance, and efficient disbursement solutions, all of which are API-enabled.
Multi-Currency Accounts: Klarpay facilitates transactions in multiple currencies and multiple local clearing systems, enabling digital businesses to operate on a global scale.
This feature is particularly valuable for platforms that send payments to freelancers and creators around the world.
Global Payment Acceptance: Klarpay also ensures that digital businesses can accept payments from alternative sources globally.
This is crucial for platforms hosting freelancers and creators, allowing them to reach a broader audience without the hassle of dealing with currency conversion complexities.
Efficient Disbursement: Klarpay streamlines the disbursement process, making it easy for digital businesses to make micropayments to their freelancers and creators.
With Klarpay’s infrastructure, payments can be processed quickly, automatically (using APIs), and securely while meeting the instant and frequent payout needs of the gig economy.
Micropayments are at the forefront of transforming how digital businesses handle financial transactions.
Klarpay’s role as a financial institution is instrumental in providing the necessary tools for seamless, efficient, and secure multi-currency payouts, ensuring that freelancers and creators can focus on what they do best – creating and contributing to the digital landscape.
Get in touch with Klarpay here. 



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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/klarpay-simplifies-global-micropayments-for-digital-businesses</link><guid>3515</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Get-in-touch-with-Klarpay.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Klarpay Simplifies Global Micropayments for Digital Businesses</dc:text></item><item><title>BIS, Swiss National Bank and World Bank Launch Token Project Promissa</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Today, many international financial institutions (including multilateral development banks) are partly funded by financial instruments known as promissory notes, most of which are still paper-based.
While the current system provides the operational controls for member nations to make subscription and contribution payments to institutions like the World Bank, the custody of outstanding promissory notes can be digitised to address operational challenges and enhance efficiency.
Project Promissa is a joint experiment of the BIS Innovation Hub Swiss Centre, the Swiss National Bank and the World Bank that aims to build a proof of concept (PoC) of a platform for digital “tokenised” promissory notes. The International Monetary Fund is participating in the project as an observer.






Using distributed ledger technology, Project Promissa intends to simplify the management of the notes and provide a single source of truth for all counterparties throughout the notes’ lifecycles. That means that the government of a member nation and its central bank, acting as the designated custodian, will have a comprehensive overview of all notes outstanding with different international financial institutions. And, vice versa, international financial institutions, such as the multilateral development banks, will have uniform visibility of the outstanding notes held by different central banks.

The volume of promissory notes across international financial institutions is significant: for example, two of the World Bank’s largest entities, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA), both have a substantial amount of notes pledged by member nations.
The goal is to complete the PoC and testing by early 2025.
While the project aims to simplify the management of promissory notes between member nations and international financial institutions, in the future it could be extended to include payments (or encashments) associated with such notes by integrating tokenised payment systems based on private or public money.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bis-swiss-national-bank-and-world-bank-launch-token-project-promissa</link><guid>3513</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>BIS, Swiss National Bank and World Bank Launch Token Project Promissa</dc:text></item><item><title>Austrian Crypto Platform Bitpanda Sponsors Bayern Munich</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					FC Bayern and Bitpanda have agreed a multi-year partnership.
The Austrian company will be visible as the German record champions’ new Platinum Partner and official crypto trading partner for the first time as the Bundesliga season resumed aon 12 January 2024 and will be present at all Munich home matches in the future.






Jan-Christian Dreesen
Jan-Christian Dreesen, FC Bayern CEO:
“Bitpanda stands for quality and a long-term perspective. Like FC Bayern, Bitpanda is also the market leader in its field. We want to achieve our goals together in the future.”
Andreas Jung, FC Bayern board member for marketing:
“Bitpanda fits in very well with FC Bayern’s aspirations. Two strong brands that set standards are coming together here.”
Eric Demuth
Eric Demuth, Bitpanda CEO:
“Bayern Munich and Bitpanda are united by a strong winning mentality and the desire to improve every day. For us, these shared values are the perfect basis for a long-term partnership.”


Featured image credit: Jan-Christian Dreesen, FC Bayern CEO, Andreas Jung, FC Bayern, Eric Demuth, Bitpanda CEO and Lukas Enzersdorfer-Konrad, Bitpanda


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			&#13;
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				More info about author&#13;
			
			
		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/austrian-crypto-platform-bitpanda-sponsors-bayern-munich</link><guid>3514</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>Austrian Crypto Platform Bitpanda Sponsors Bayern Munich</dc:text></item><item><title>Netcetera Appoints New MD for Digital Banking Division</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Swiss software company Netcetera announced Dominik Wurzer as the new Managing Director for its Digital Banking Division.
Dominik Wurzer combines exceptional software product management and sales experience with many years of leadership experience in the Swiss market. Together with the division, he will further strengthen Netcetera’s holistic offering for the digital bank in the Swiss market and thus drive the digitalization of the financial industry with an end-to-end digital banking offering from mobile and web banking to advisory services.
Dominik Wurzer
Netcetera is appointing Dominik Wurzer as the new Managing Director of its Digital Banking Division as of February 2024. The appointment is in line with the long-term growth strategy and ongoing investments in its Digital Banking offering. Dominik Wurzer brings a wealth of experience from his previous positions as CEO at Contovista, specializing in data-driven digital banking solutions.






With his comprehensive experience in various innovative Swiss and international companies, Dominik is well equipped to further strengthen and position the holistic Digital Banking offering in the market together with the Digital Banking team.
Carsten Wengel
Netcetera CEO Carsten Wengel on the new appointment:
“I am delighted that we have been able to recruit Dominik Wurzer for our team. His passion for product management and leadership skills fit perfectly with our vision of strengthening the Digital Banking Division as a forerunner in the industry. With his expertise and commitment, Dominik will continue to drive our endeavor to offer pioneering Digital Banking solutions for our customers. Welcome to Netcetera!”
Dominik Wurzer takes over from Kurt Schmid, who wants to reorient himself after more than 16 years at Netcetera and its predecessor company in Austria.

Featured image credit: Dominik Wurzer, Managing Director, Digital Banking Division of Netcetera


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			&#13;
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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/netcetera-appoints-new-md-for-digital-banking-division</link><guid>3511</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>Netcetera Appoints New MD for Digital Banking Division</dc:text></item><item><title>New SNB Study Reveals Critical Role of Card Schemes and Banks in the Contactless Payment Usage</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Financial intermediaries, including card schemes and issuing banks, are playing a critical role in the use and promotion of new payment methods in Switzerland. A 2023 research by the Swiss National Bank (SNB) revealed that the rules and standards set by these intermediaries are impacting usage and frequency of contactless payments.
The findings, shared in a new report titled “Consumer adoption and use of financial technology: “tap and go” payments”, are based on an analysis of anonymized, transaction-level data for more than 400,000 payment cards and almost 18,000 merchants in Switzerland between 2019 and 2021. The study looked at data retrieved during four different periods, comparing contactless payment usage in 2019 (Base period), during the weeks immediately before the onset of COVID-19 in Switzerland (Pre-wave 1), during the first wave of COVID-19 and after contactless limits were increased (Post-wave 1), and during the second wave of COVID-19 (Post-wave 2).
Calendar periods applied for sample construction, Source: Consumer adoption and use of financial technology: “tap and go” payments, Swiss National Bank, August 2023
An analysis of the data uncovered a significant increase in the adoption and use of contactless payments following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic with the share of contactless transactions increasing by 17% points from 44% during the Base period in 2019 to 61% during the Post-wave 1 period in 2020. At the beginning of the pandemic, the increase in contactless payments was four times higher than the trend growth prior to the pandemic outbreak.






The share of cards that were used at least once in contactless payments (adoption rate) also increased between the two periods, rising by 18% points from 68% during the Base period to 86% during the Post-wave 1 period.
Share of contactless transactions and adoption of contactless transactions, Source: Consumer adoption and use of financial technology: “tap and go” payments, Swiss National Bank, August 2023
In Switzerland, the “tap-and-go” limit was doubled from CHF 40 to CHF 80 in April 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 outbreak. This increase was coordinated by the main intermediaries in the Swiss payment industry, including card schemes, card-issuing banks and acquirers, in dialog with the authorities.
Results of the analysis uncovered a substantial causal effect on the use of paytech after an increase in the contactless cardholder verification limit, revealing considerable growth in the use of contactless payments for cards that benefited most from the higher “tap-and-go” limit.
Moreover, transactions that were newly eligible for “tap-and-pay” (CHF 40-80) recorded a stronger growth in contactless payments than transactions that were either previously eligible (below CHF 40) or remained ineligible (above CHF 80).
Between the Base and the Post-wave 1 periods, the share of contactless transactions increased by 24% points for transactions in the range between CHF 40 and CHF 80, compared to 16% for below CHF 40 transactions and 18% points for above CHF 80 transactions.
Effect of tap-and-go limit on contactless payments: within-card analysis, Source: Consumer adoption and use of financial technology: “tap and go” payments, Swiss National Bank, August 2023
These findings provide key insights on how policy-makers and payment system intermediaries should proceed to boost usage of instant payment systems and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), the report says, revealing that it is critical to provide convenient identity verification for retail payments when promoting new payment instruments. In particular, the results suggest that the value limit for instant verification of payments will affect the intensity of use by consumers who adopt the technology.
The rise of contactless payments
Results of the study are consistent with those of other research which found considerable growth in cashless payments in Switzerland. A 2022 study conducted by SNB revealed a shift from cash to cashless payment methods in the country, with mobile payment apps in particular picking up steam.
The research, which studied more than 22,000 transactions and polled some 2,000 Swiss residents between August and November 2022, revealed that cash was used by the population in 36% of transactions, a figure that’s lower than the 43% and 70% rates observed in 2020 and 2017, respectively. These numbers show that usage of cash in Switzerland has been declining over the past years but that cash remains nevertheless one of the most used payment methods for day-to-day purchases.
Volume share by payment method in Switzerland, Source: Payment Methods Survey of Private Individuals 2022, Swiss National Bank, August 2022
At the other end of the spectrum, cashless payment instruments continued to witness increased adoption with mobile payments apps recording the strongest increase. In 2022, 68% of respondents indicated owning a mobile payment app, representing a more than sixfold increase from 2017. Usage of mobile payment app also grew, rising from a volume share of 5% in 2020 to 11% in 2022.
Ownership of cashless payment instruments, Source: Payment Methods Survey of Private Individuals 2022, Swiss National Bank, August 2022
To address growing consumer preference and usage of mobile payments, Swiss merchants are rapidly integrating these new methods into their payment offerings. A 2023 study conducted by the Zurich University of Applied Sciences and the Management Center Innsbruck revealed that Swiss online merchants are embracing mobile wallets at a fast pace, with local player Twint but also Apple Pay and Google Pay witnessing strong traction.
In 2023, Twint was the second most integrated payment method among Swiss online merchants behind credit cards (90%), with four out of five (79%) Swiss online shops polled indicating supporting the mobile payment app.
Twint is a mobile payment method in Switzerland that allows users to connect their bank account or card through an app to make payments online and at brick-and-mortar stores. The service claims more than 5 million users and says it carried out a total of 386 million transactions in 2022. Established in 2016, Twint is owned by some of Switzerland’s biggest banks, including UBS, PostFinance, Raiffeisen, Banque Cantonale Vaudoise, Zürcher Kantonalbank as well as Swiss stock market operator SIX and French payment company Worldline.

Featured image credit: edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-snb-study-reveals-critical-role-of-card-schemes-and-banks-in-the-contactless-payment-usage</link><guid>3512</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Calendar-periods-applied-for-sample-construction-Source-Consumer-adoption-and-use-of-financial-technology-tap-and-go-payments-Swiss-National-Bank-August-2023.png</dc:content ><dc:text>New SNB Study Reveals Critical Role of Card Schemes and Banks in the Contactless Payment Usage</dc:text></item><item><title>Comarch Bolsters Executive Board with Dr. Pruska’s Appointment as President</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						January 11, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					Software firm Comarch announces that it has appointed Dr. Anna Pruska as its President of the Management Board. Joining her in the executive team are Marcin Warwas and Marcin Kaleta, who have been appointed as Vice Presidents of the Management Board.
Dr. Pruska, an accomplished economist, brings a wealth of experience to her new role. She graduated from the SGH Warsaw School of Economics in 2003, majoring in Finance and Banking, and has furthered her education in macroeconomics and development economics at the Jan Gutenberg University in Mainz and in Geneva, respectively.
Dr. Pruska earned her PhD in International Relations from the Jagiellonian University in 2019.






Her career at Comarch began in 2004, where she successfully led the company’s expansion in Western Europe, especially in Germany, France, and Belgium.
Since 2013, Dr. Pruska has been the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Comarch Swiss AG and a member of the Supervisory Board of Comarch S.A.
Dr. Anna Pruska
Dr. Pruska said,
“I believe that this will be a strong year for Comarch. We aim to sustain our dynamic growth and boost sales on foreign markets without letting go of the challenges of the Polish market.

We want to rise to the challenge and strengthen the brand of a significant Polish IT company on the global stage. We are focused on making Comarch’s products even more innovative, which will be possible by investing in cutting-edge IT technologies and cultivating a progressively robust team of specialists in these domains.”
Marcin Warwas, a telecommunications graduate from AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków, has been with Comarch since 1996.
He has played various key roles in the company, including Sales Director and Vice President of the Management Board.
Marcin Warwas
Warwas said,
“For nearly three decades, Comarch has maintained a steadfast commitment to investing in its products and services, subsequently distributing and implementing them on a global scale.

This growth strategy hinges on the accumulation and consistent application of knowledge, aligning with customer needs. Such an approach enables effective adaptation to the latest market trends, including digitalisation, personalisation, AI, cloud computing and cost optimisation.”
Marcin Kaleta
Marcin Kaleta, a Computer Science graduate from the Cracow University of Technology, joined Comarch in 2010.
His career has seen him take on significant roles, including Director of Innovation of the Comarch Group and Director of the Telecommunications Sector.
The company also announced the appointment of Professor Maria Jolanta Flis to the Supervisory Board of Comarch.





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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/comarch-bolsters-executive-board-with-dr-pruskas-appointment-as-president</link><guid>3510</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Anna-Pruska-PhD-Appointed-President-of-the-Management-Board-of-Comarch-S.A-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Comarch Bolsters Executive Board with Dr. Pruska’s Appointment as President</dc:text></item><item><title>DACH Insurtech Map and Funding Highlights in 2023</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					House of Insurtech presented at the end of 2023 a comprehensive report showcasing the Insurtech Map’s growth and impact.
The platform has emerged as a hub for innovation, featuring over ±200 startups from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. This interactive platform not only highlights entries but also showcases innovative solutions that are shaping the future of the insurance industry.
HITS, House of Insurtech Switzerland, acknowledges the paramount relevance of the strategic curation of the Insurtech Map, ensuring that all relevant information from the insurtech industry is easily accessible, fostering a collaborative environment and empowering decision-makers with a wealth of knowledge at the palm of the user’s hands.






Ruth Armalé
“We recognize the importance of contributing to the development of a thriving open ecosystem, therefore we are curating and further investing in the Insurtech Map. Insurtech developments are closely monitored by HITS by scouting and vetting startups in the DACH region and we keep at the forefront of early market developments by actively engaging with partners and investors.”
explains Ruth Armalé, Chief Innovation Officer at HITS.
Insurtech DACH Trends 2023
These trends collectively illustrate the dynamic nature of the insurtech sector in the DACH region, showcasing a combination of technological innovation, strategic investments, and resilience in the face of economic challenges.
Generative AI and the Rise of LLMs (Large Language Models):

Generative AI is anticipated to become a key component of the insurtech stack.
Approximately one-fourth of the insurtechs in the region are already utilizing analytics and AI technologies.
Recent technological advancements in AI, especially Large Language Models (LLMs), are poised to play a crucial role in transforming the insurance industry.
The ultimate goal is to utilize Generative AI to enhance and provide the best possible customer experience in the insurance sector.

Equity Deals in the DACH Region:

On the capital side, top equity insurtech deals from the DACH region in Q3 2023 have been landed by Hepster (EUR 10M Series B) and SureIn (EUR 4M Seed) both from Germany, according to cbinsights, in a challenging macro economical environment. After record years 21-22, capital invested in Europe overall still growing at +18% vs. 2020 (source: Atomico). .

Top DACH Insurtech Funding Rounds in 2023
Congratulations to all the startups securing funding this year. The Insurtech Map has witnessed remarkable achievements in funding rounds, despite the hard conditions for fundraising. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the following startups for successfully securing funding:
Wefox Group: €50,000,000
Thinksurance: €22,000,000
TONI Digital: €12,000,000
Hepster: €10,000,000
Feather Insurance: € 8,500,000
SureIn: €4,000,000
DGTL: € 3,200,000
Decentriq: €2,000,000
Swiss Insurtech Success Stories on the Map
Zoundream’s Breakthrough: Technology Embedded in MaxiCosi Baby Monitor:
One of the standout success stories from the past year involves Zoundream, whose cutting-edge technology understanding babies cry, has been seamlessly embedded in Dorel’s most popular baby monitor, MaxiCosi.
Imburse getting acquired by Duck Creek Technologies: The payment platform provider Imburse was acquired by Duck Creek Technologies, a solutions provider for property and casualty (P&amp;C) insurance. Imburse ranked among the TOP 100 Swiss Startups in 2021 and 2022 and is part of the Insurtech Map.

Calingo Insurance launched digital pet insurance for dogs and cats in Switzerland together with Simpego. The innovative product contains many customer-friendly features, such as a monthly cancellation right. The offer is already meeting with great success on the market.

Simpego launched the license plate calculator, Switzerland’s fastest car insurance premium calculator. Additionally, Simpego began using AI for semantic document recognition and automated quote creation.

TONI Digital launched the new car insurance “Belsura” exclusively on FinanceScout24. TONI Digital also launched new bicycle insurance for the Swiss market in cooperation with ÖKK.

Smile expanded into the Austrian market in 2022 as Switzerland’s largest digital insurer. In addition, Smile was able to generate over 140,000 app downloads with the freemium offer and has over 30,000 active users every month. As another highlight, Smile took bold steps in Web 3.0. The digital insurance company launched the first NFT for a good cause and had its first experiences in the metaverse.
Meet The New Startups on the DACH Insurtech Map
Touch Risk: Developing new and enhancing existing risk transfer solutions through AI and advanced technology.

AKUR8: AKUR8 is a SaaS Insurtech specializing in Insurance pricing optimization with Transparent AI.

Pelt8: Making efficient sustainability reporting accessible.

Cyberion: Cyberion provides cyber security protection to businesses in Switzerland. Get your cyber risk assessment and your quote online in less than 5 minutes.

Apinity: Offer a Software-as-a-Service solution that empowers businesses to start and manage their API ecosystem – without any development efforts.

Over 2023, the Insurtech Map has evolved into a dynamic platform, catalyzing innovation and fostering collaboration across borders. We are proud to be at the forefront of showcasing startups that redefine the insurance landscape. As we reflect on the past year, we anticipate even greater achievements and breakthroughs in the years to come.



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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/dach-insurtech-map-and-funding-highlights-in-2023</link><guid>3508</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>DACH Insurtech Map and Funding Highlights in 2023</dc:text></item><item><title>IMF Study: Fintech Poses a Threat to Traditional Financial Institutions</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						January 5, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					The rise of fintech is posing a threat to traditional financial institutions, with these emerging companies encroaching on incumbents’ market share. This is evidenced by the adverse impact of fintech on the profitability of established financial institutions, a new research by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) found.
The findings, shared in a paper titled “Is Fintech Eating the Bank’s Lunch?”, were drawn from an analysis of a cross-country database encompassing 10,167 financial institutions and data on digital finance activities across 57 countries. The study sought to gain insights into the relationship between fintech and financial institutions’ profitability and examine the impact of the rise of fintech on banking sector.
Findings of the study reveal that established financial institutions are witnessing a negative impact on their profitability when the presence of fintech companies is high, an impact that’s primarily driven by reduced interest income due to heightened competition in the lending market as well as increased costs.






Specially, the study found that a 1% point increase in fintech transaction volumes correlates with a reduction of 0.09% points in return on equity (ROE) and a 0.02% points decline in return on assets (ROA) for incumbent financial institutions. An analysis of the transmission channels also uncovered a negative impact on net interest margin (NIM), with a 1% point increase in fintech transaction volumes prompting a 0.03% point decrease in incumbent’s NIM.
Effect of fintech on bank performance measures, Source: Is Fintech Eating the Bank’s Lunch?, International Monetary Fund, Nov 2023
Furthermore, fintech appears to have an adverse effect on incumbent’s cost to income (CTI), with a 1% point increase in fintech transaction volumes leading to a 0.14% point increase in incumbent CTI. According to the IMF, this could be attributed to the higher level of IT investments required because of fintech pressure. These costs are exacerbated by outdated legacy technology, further impacting profitability.
In parallel, the analysis found that fintech has a positive effect on non-interest income (NONIC), with a 1% point increase in fintech transaction volumes being associated with a 0.01% point increase in incumbent NONIC. This result suggests that, although incumbents are responding to the intense competition by exploring new revenue streams, these efforts to diversify have not fully offset the profitability losses from fintech competition.
Impact of different fintech business models
Delving deeper into the fintech sector, the study found that different fintech models have varying effects on financial institutions with cooperative banks tending to experience greater profit deterioration from P2P lending and balance sheet lending than larger, more complex commercial banks.
Results show that for a 1% point increase in P2P lending transactions, cooperative banks are witnessing a 0.3% point decrease in ROE. Likewise, a similar increase in balance sheet lending results in a 0.2% point ROE decrease. These results are significant given that the median ROE for cooperative banks is 3.8%, the report notes.
Low profit levels for cooperative banks are attributed to reduced NIM and higher CTI. Some of these institutions are facing challenges in affording IT investments and meeting digital banking expectations, potentially limiting lending opportunities, the report notes. Fintech platforms, on the other hand, can achieve economies of scale and broader geographical reach by leveraging technology. Moreover, these platforms may target the same untapped customer segments that cooperative banks aim to serve.
In contrast to cooperative banks, commercial banks seem to be less affected by fintech, potentially due to their larger size and wider geographical reach. In fact, the study found a positive effect of the presence of P2P lending on the NONIC of commercial banks, indicating potential benefits from collaboration with P2P lending platforms to expand revenue streams. However, balance sheet lending was found to be a threat to commercial bank, impacting their NIM negatively.
Effect of fintech models on bank performance measures, Source: Is Fintech Eating the Bank’s Lunch?, International Monetary Fund, Nov 2023
Disparities between markets
Looking at geographical trends and disparities, the study found that incumbents located in markets with lower bank concentration, higher stock market turnover, higher credit depth, and higher commercial bank profitability are more prone to losing ground to fintech companies.
Lower bank concentration suggests fewer entry barriers for new fintech firms, and higher stock market turnover and credit depth imply more competitive and developed financial systems, indicating more sophisticated investors, and access to skilled talent. These conditions are advantageous for fintech success but pose a threat to incumbent profits, the report says.
At the institutional level, incumbents with a lower risk profile, including lower non-performing loans (NPLs), a lower probability of insolvency, and higher capital, are more susceptible to see their profitability decline because of fintech. This is because financial institutions with these characteristics are more risk-averse and less inclined to lend, introducing opportunities for fintech firms to fill the gaps by serving as substitutes for traditional bank lending.
Finally, the study found that in countries with high regulatory quality and government effectiveness, incumbent profitability tends to be positively impacted by fintech competition. This suggests that well-designed regulations can establish a level playing field, enabling new fintech companies to thrive while protecting incumbents from unfair competition practices.
Study Recommendations
The report concludes by emphasizing the importance of ongoing monitoring of fintech development and its impact across the financial system, noting that while fintech platforms are delivering benefits such as enhanced efficiency in financial service delivery, increased competition, and improved access to finance, the sector also presents challenges to incumbent institutions by limiting their profit margins and eroding their market shares.
Consequently, banks may encounter difficulties in building capital buffers necessary for absorbing losses and maintaining solvency. There is also the potential for incumbents to engage in riskier lending and investment activities to preserve market share and boost profits.
These risks and challenges require regulators to establish a proper framework that balances financial innovation and systemic risk mitigation. The report proposes a number of recommendations to broaden the regulatory scope and establish a level playing field, advocating for the review and redesign of licensing regimes to encompass new service providers within the regulatory framework where appropriate, the implementation of more robust capital, liquidity, and operational risk management requirements tailored to the risks posed by different fintech business models, and the enhancement of the regulatory framework for smaller, less technologically advanced incumbents that are more vulnerable to fintech competition.
The IMF also encourages incumbents to respond to the rise of fintech and their growing threat by adjusting their business models, focusing on enhancing cost efficiency, diversifying income sources, consolidating operations, improving internal governance, and addressing problematic loans.

Featured image credit: edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/imf-study-fintech-poses-a-threat-to-traditional-financial-institutions</link><guid>3506</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Fintech-Poses-a-Threat-to-Traditional-Financial-Institutions-New-Study-Finds-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>IMF Study: Fintech Poses a Threat to Traditional Financial Institutions</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech, Tech and Crypto Media Sector Shows Resilience with Notable Strategic Acquisitions and Funding Rounds Secured in 2023</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						January 5, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					Over the past year, global economic and geopolitical uncertainty posed challenges for media and telecoms mergers and acquisitions (M&amp;A) activity, but despite this, the sector continued to see strategic acquisitions and funding rounds driven by factors such as digitalization, innovation, consolidation and the pursuit of new market opportunities, reports by consultancies Deloitte and KPMG highlight.
Deal activity in the technology, media and telecom continued their downtrend in Q2 2023, with deal value falling 32% from Q1 2023 to Q2 2023 on a 15% decline in deal volume. Tech transactions suffered a considerable pullback, with deal volume decreasing to 854 from 1,011 in Q1 2023 and deal value dropping to US$23.9 billion from US$47.4 billion. Telecom deal volume plunged from 74 to Q1 2023 to 44 in Q2 2023, though combined deal value remained steady at US$5.9 billion from US$5.8 billion.
Media stood out in Q2 2023, emerging as the subsector of the bunch that defied the odds. Even though deal volume declined slightly to 354 in Q2 2023 from 382 in Q1 2023, deal value more than tripled to US$8.4 billion in Q2 2023 from US$2.6 billion in Q1 2023.






Strategic transactions accounted for the bulk of media deals in Q2 2023, with 281, down 5.7% from the previous quarter, compared to 73 private equity deals, down 13.1%. The picture was even more lopsided value-wise with strategic deals reaching a value of US$7.9 billion, up 491.3%, while private equity transactions collectively amounted to just US$400 million, down 64.5%.
Media deal activity by subsector, Source: Nearing the bottom?: M&amp;A trends in technology, media and telecom, KPMG, Q2 2023
2023 has so far recorded a number of notable M&amp;A deals in the media sector, focusing primarily on streaming, digital media, gaming, emerging economies, adtech, and social media, among other key themes. These deals were aimed at gaining access to a broader audience, connecting with new demographics and markets, and diversifying revenue streams.
Tech News and Crypto Media M&amp;A acquisitions Accelerates in Asia
Notable media acquisition deals this year include SPH Media acquiring Tech in Asia to strengthen its tech and events business, Bullish acquiring CoinDesk to invest in global expansion, and TechCrunch acquiring StrictlyVC to refocus on its roots in venture investments.
Leading Singaporean media organization SPH Media announced in November its purchase of local digital news publication Tech in Asia. The deal aims to support SPH Media’s ambition to turn its publication, The Business Times, into a regional player and accelerate its goal of becoming a trusted source of business and tech news for investors, dealmakers, entrepreneurs and readers who have an interest in Southeast Asia.
The acquisition means both more startup coverage and perhaps more importantly picking up Tech in Asia’s events business, which specializes in tech shows in Singapore and Jakarta that attract thousands of attendees and top sponsors.
Tech in Asia is a Singaporean online news publication founded in 2010 that covers startup and venture capital (VC) news across Southeast Asia, India and North America. The company also operates a regional events network, an advertising agency unit called Studios, and a regional startup and tech jobs marketplace.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed, but sources told DealStreetAsia that the agreed transaction pegged Tech in Asia’s valuation at US$30 million.
In the US, cryptocurrency exchange Bullish acquired this year crypto-focused media company CoinDesk in an all-cash deal with undisclosed financial terms, the Wall Street Journal reported in November. Bullish, which is run by New York Stock Exchange president Tom Farley, aims to invest in CoinDesk’s global expansion and the growth of the company’s media, events, and indexing businesses.
CoinDesk was previously owned by the Digital Currency Group (DCG), which acquired the media company back in 2016 for US$500,000. However, in the aftermath of the collapse of FTX, DCG found itself entangled in its own financial troubles. The firm’s lending subsidiary Genesis Global Capital filed for bankruptcy after rounds of layoffs, and its institutional trading platform TradeBlock and wealth management unit headquartered in were forced to closed shop.
CoinDesk, which generated US$50 million in revenue in 2022, has faced challenges this year, laying off 16% of its internal staff in August. The company had been exploring options, including a partial or full sale, and was earlier this year in the final stages of sealing an approximate US$125 million deal involving a syndicate of investors, the Wall Street Journal reported in July.
Founded in 2013, CoinDesk is a leading media, events, data, and indices company focusing on the crypto and blockchain industry. CoinDesk’s key businesses include CoinDesk Media, which delivers news stories on the crypto and blockchain industry; CoinDesk Events, which gathers the global crypto, blockchain and Web 3.0 communities at annual events such as Consensus, the world’s largest and longest-running crypto festival; and CoinDesk Indices, which offers expertise in digital asset indices, data and research to educate and empower investors.
Another noteworthy media M&amp;A deal this year is the acquisition of media startup StrictlyVC by Yahoo. The deal, unveiled in August, will see StrictlyVC being incorporated into Yahoo-owned TechCrunch, operating as a sub-brand within the TechCrunch portfolio.
The acquisition showcases Yahoo’s commitment to TechCrunch under its new ownership, and signals a shift by TechCrunch back to its roots covering venture investments and startups in Silicon Valley. It’s part of a broader effort by Yahoo to invest in a few key pillars, often through acquisitions, including news, sports, finance, mail and search.
Launched in 2013, StrictlyVC is a popular daily newsletter focusing on the VC scene in Silicon Valley and beyond, and which claims 60,000 free email subscribers. The company also runs events and a podcast, and earns revenue from sponsorships.
Besides these three noteworthy acquisition deals, the media sector also recorded a number of smaller transactions that are nevertheless worth mentioning.
In Austria, magazine publisher VGN Medien Holding joined in May Die Brutkasten Gruppe as a strategic investor, becoming the new majority shareholder of the Austrian tech news company. As part of the transaction, VGN Medien Holding said it will support the further growth of Die Brutkasten Gruppe and accompany the company in its expansion into new markets and segments.
Die Brutkasten Gruppe describes itself as a “multimedia platform for startups, the digital economy and innovation” and has witnessed considerable growth over the past years. According to Austrian national public broadcaster ORF, Die Brutkasten Gruppe grew its sales from EUR 600,000 to EUR 3.2 million between 2018 and 2022, and consists of a team of 35 people spread across Vienna, Munich and Berlin.
In Asia, Singapore-based Foresight Ventures completed in November the acquisition of the majority of the shares of crypto news and data provider The Block. The purchase was completed at a US$70 million valuation, and the company plans to “build out new exciting products” and expand into Asia and the Middle East, CEO Larry Cermak said in an X post on Monday.
Founded in 2018, The Block is a media outlet that delivers news, research, and data. The company makes most of its revenue from ads and subscription. It generates around US$20 million in revenue last year, told Axios last year.
In July 2022 the market already monitored the acquisition of Grvty Media (owner of  Asian tech news page Vulcanpost) through Singpapor based Towerhill by Kiat Lim.
But of course the whole media market was overshadowed in July 2022, by the sensational acquisition of Industry Dive by Informa, who bought the niche publication service for an estimated whopping 525m USD.

Media funding rounds and deals
In the fast-paced media and tech landscape, 2023 has also witnessed several strategic moves, with significant funding rounds shaping the industry.
In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia’s Events Investment Fund (EIF), a part of the National Development Fund, acquired in July a stake in Tahaluf. Tahaluf is a local large-scale live events company created through a strategic joint venture between the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP) and Informa, the international event organizer and digital services group behind the Finovate event series.
The investment in Tahaluf aligns with EIF’s strategy to develop a sustainable infrastructure for the culture, tourism, entertainment and sports sectors across Saudi Arabia, by building multiple world-class venues by 2030.
Tahaluf is the organizer of tech events LEAP and Black Hat Middle East, as well as the artificial intelligence (AI) event DeepFest in Saudi Arabia. In the span of just two years, Tahaluf, together with the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Communications and IT, managed to turn LEAP into one of the world’s most-attended tech events with attendance reaching 172,000 this year.
Tahaluf plans to launch further diverse original concept events, including the Saudi Maritime Congress, Global Health Exhibition and Inflavour, for the food industry. Tahaluf will also bring iconic Informa brands to Saudi Arabia including CityScape, CPHI and Cosmoprof, serving the global real estate, pharmaceutical and beauty industries respectively.
In Singapore, Bitsmedia, the creator of popular Muslim lifestyle application, Muslim Pro, secured in December a US$20 million Series A funding round from Asia-focused venture capital (VC) firm Gobi Partners, CMIA Capital Partners and Bintang Capital Partners.
Bitsmedia said it would use the proceeds to advance AI capabilities; enrich content offerings on Bitsmedia’s streaming platform, Qalbox; continuously develop educational features; and improve the Quran experience within Muslim Pro.
Muslim Pro is a highly-rated and comprehensive Muslim lifestyle app with more than 150 million downloads globally to date, and Qalbox is a global subscription video on demand entertainment streaming service aimed at the global Muslin community.
Finally in the US, crypto media outlet Blockworks raised in May a US$12 million funding round led by private equity firm 10T Holdings at a US$135 million post-money valuation. The company said it would use the proceeds to expand its research and data analytics offering, Blockworks Research.
Already in June 2021 Lloyds Capital invested GBP13 million into Hybrid Media, a UK and Malaysia based media agency which owns also the the tech news page Techwireasia,
Read also: Fintech and Finance Firms Snap Up Media Companies to Gain Audience
Fintech and Finance Firms Snap Up Media Companies to Gain Audience

Featured image credit: edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-tech-and-crypto-media-sector-shows-resilience-with-notable-strategic-acquisitions-and-funding-rounds-secured-in-2023</link><guid>3507</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Fintech-Tech-and-Crypto-Media-Sector-Shows-Resilience-with-Notable-Strategic-Acquisitions-and-Funding-Rounds-Secured-in-2023-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech, Tech and Crypto Media Sector Shows Resilience with Notable Strategic Acquisitions and Funding Rounds Secured in 2023</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech, Tech and Crypto Media Sector Shows Resilience with Notable Strategic Acquisitions and Funding Rounds in 2023</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						January 5, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					Over the past year, global economic and geopolitical uncertainty posed challenges for media and telecoms mergers and acquisitions (M&amp;A) activity, but despite this, the sector continued to see strategic acquisitions and funding rounds driven by factors such as digitalization, innovation, consolidation and the pursuit of new market opportunities, reports by consultancies Deloitte and KPMG highlight.
Deal activity in the technology, media and telecom continued their downtrend in Q2 2023, with deal value falling 32% from Q1 2023 to Q2 2023 on a 15% decline in deal volume. Tech transactions suffered a considerable pullback, with deal volume decreasing to 854 from 1,011 in Q1 2023 and deal value dropping to US$23.9 billion from US$47.4 billion. Telecom deal volume plunged from 74 to Q1 2023 to 44 in Q2 2023, though combined deal value remained steady at US$5.9 billion from US$5.8 billion.
Media stood out in Q2 2023, emerging as the subsector of the bunch that defied the odds. Even though deal volume declined slightly to 354 in Q2 2023 from 382 in Q1 2023, deal value more than tripled to US$8.4 billion in Q2 2023 from US$2.6 billion in Q1 2023.






Strategic transactions accounted for the bulk of media deals in Q2 2023, with 281, down 5.7% from the previous quarter, compared to 73 private equity deals, down 13.1%. The picture was even more lopsided value-wise with strategic deals reaching a value of US$7.9 billion, up 491.3%, while private equity transactions collectively amounted to just US$400 million, down 64.5%.
Media deal activity by subsector, Source: Nearing the bottom?: M&amp;A trends in technology, media and telecom, KPMG, Q2 2023
2023 has so far recorded a number of notable M&amp;A deals in the media sector, focusing primarily on streaming, digital media, gaming, emerging economies, adtech, and social media, among other key themes. These deals were aimed at gaining access to a broader audience, connecting with new demographics and markets, and diversifying revenue streams.
Tech News and Crypto Media M&amp;A acquisitions Accelerates in Asia
Notable media acquisition deals this year include SPH Media acquiring Tech in Asia to strengthen its tech and events business, Bullish acquiring CoinDesk to invest in global expansion, and TechCrunch acquiring StrictlyVC to refocus on its roots in venture investments.
Leading Singaporean media organization SPH Media announced in November its purchase of local digital news publication Tech in Asia. The deal aims to support SPH Media’s ambition to turn its publication, The Business Times, into a regional player and accelerate its goal of becoming a trusted source of business and tech news for investors, dealmakers, entrepreneurs and readers who have an interest in Southeast Asia.
The acquisition means both more startup coverage and perhaps more importantly picking up Tech in Asia’s events business, which specializes in tech shows in Singapore and Jakarta that attract thousands of attendees and top sponsors.
Tech in Asia is a Singaporean online news publication founded in 2010 that covers startup and venture capital (VC) news across Southeast Asia, India and North America. The company also operates a regional events network, an advertising agency unit called Studios, and a regional startup and tech jobs marketplace.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed, but sources told DealStreetAsia that the agreed transaction pegged Tech in Asia’s valuation at US$30 million.
In the US, cryptocurrency exchange Bullish acquired this year crypto-focused media company CoinDesk in an all-cash deal with undisclosed financial terms, the Wall Street Journal reported in November. Bullish, which is run by New York Stock Exchange president Tom Farley, aims to invest in CoinDesk’s global expansion and the growth of the company’s media, events, and indexing businesses.
CoinDesk was previously owned by the Digital Currency Group (DCG), which acquired the media company back in 2016 for US$500,000. However, in the aftermath of the collapse of FTX, DCG found itself entangled in its own financial troubles. The firm’s lending subsidiary Genesis Global Capital filed for bankruptcy after rounds of layoffs, and its institutional trading platform TradeBlock and wealth management unit headquartered in were forced to closed shop.
CoinDesk, which generated US$50 million in revenue in 2022, has faced challenges this year, laying off 16% of its internal staff in August. The company had been exploring options, including a partial or full sale, and was earlier this year in the final stages of sealing an approximate US$125 million deal involving a syndicate of investors, the Wall Street Journal reported in July.
Founded in 2013, CoinDesk is a leading media, events, data, and indices company focusing on the crypto and blockchain industry. CoinDesk’s key businesses include CoinDesk Media, which delivers news stories on the crypto and blockchain industry; CoinDesk Events, which gathers the global crypto, blockchain and Web 3.0 communities at annual events such as Consensus, the world’s largest and longest-running crypto festival; and CoinDesk Indices, which offers expertise in digital asset indices, data and research to educate and empower investors.
Another noteworthy media M&amp;A deal this year is the acquisition of media startup StrictlyVC by Yahoo. The deal, unveiled in August, will see StrictlyVC being incorporated into Yahoo-owned TechCrunch, operating as a sub-brand within the TechCrunch portfolio.
The acquisition showcases Yahoo’s commitment to TechCrunch under its new ownership, and signals a shift by TechCrunch back to its roots covering venture investments and startups in Silicon Valley. It’s part of a broader effort by Yahoo to invest in a few key pillars, often through acquisitions, including news, sports, finance, mail and search.
Launched in 2013, StrictlyVC is a popular daily newsletter focusing on the VC scene in Silicon Valley and beyond, and which claims 60,000 free email subscribers. The company also runs events and a podcast, and earns revenue from sponsorships.
Besides these three noteworthy acquisition deals, the media sector also recorded a number of smaller transactions that are nevertheless worth mentioning.
In Austria, magazine publisher VGN Medien Holding joined in May Die Brutkasten Gruppe as a strategic investor, becoming the new majority shareholder of the Austrian tech news company. As part of the transaction, VGN Medien Holding said it will support the further growth of Die Brutkasten Gruppe and accompany the company in its expansion into new markets and segments.
Die Brutkasten Gruppe describes itself as a “multimedia platform for startups, the digital economy and innovation” and has witnessed considerable growth over the past years. According to Austrian national public broadcaster ORF, Die Brutkasten Gruppe grew its sales from EUR 600,000 to EUR 3.2 million between 2018 and 2022, and consists of a team of 35 people spread across Vienna, Munich and Berlin.
In Asia, Singapore-based Foresight Ventures completed in November the acquisition of the majority of the shares of crypto news and data provider The Block. The purchase was completed at a US$70 million valuation, and the company plans to “build out new exciting products” and expand into Asia and the Middle East, CEO Larry Cermak said in an X post on Monday.
Founded in 2018, The Block is a media outlet that delivers news, research, and data. The company makes most of its revenue from ads and subscription. It generates around US$20 million in revenue last year, told Axios last year.
In July 2022 the market already monitored the acquisition of Grvty Media (owner of  Asian tech news page Vulcanpost) through Singpapore-based Towerhill by Kiat Lim.
But of course the whole media market was overshadowed in July 2022, by the sensational acquisition of Industry Dive by Informa, who bought the niche publication service for an estimated whopping 525m USD.

Media funding rounds and deals
In the fast-paced media and tech landscape, 2023 has also witnessed several strategic moves, with significant funding rounds shaping the industry.
In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia’s Events Investment Fund (EIF), a part of the National Development Fund, acquired in July a stake in Tahaluf. Tahaluf is a local large-scale live events company created through a strategic joint venture between the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP) and Informa, the international event organizer and digital services group behind the Finovate event series.
The investment in Tahaluf aligns with EIF’s strategy to develop a sustainable infrastructure for the culture, tourism, entertainment and sports sectors across Saudi Arabia, by building multiple world-class venues by 2030.
Tahaluf is the organizer of tech events LEAP and Black Hat Middle East, as well as the artificial intelligence (AI) event DeepFest in Saudi Arabia. In the span of just two years, Tahaluf, together with the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Communications and IT, managed to turn LEAP into one of the world’s most-attended tech events with attendance reaching 172,000 this year.
Tahaluf plans to launch further diverse original concept events, including the Saudi Maritime Congress, Global Health Exhibition and Inflavour, for the food industry. Tahaluf will also bring iconic Informa brands to Saudi Arabia including CityScape, CPHI and Cosmoprof, serving the global real estate, pharmaceutical and beauty industries respectively.
In Singapore, Bitsmedia, the creator of popular Muslim lifestyle application, Muslim Pro, secured in December a US$20 million Series A funding round from Asia-focused venture capital (VC) firm Gobi Partners, CMIA Capital Partners and Bintang Capital Partners.
Bitsmedia said it would use the proceeds to advance AI capabilities; enrich content offerings on Bitsmedia’s streaming platform, Qalbox; continuously develop educational features; and improve the Quran experience within Muslim Pro.
Muslim Pro is a highly-rated and comprehensive Muslim lifestyle app with more than 150 million downloads globally to date, and Qalbox is a global subscription video on demand entertainment streaming service aimed at the global Muslin community.
Finally in the US, crypto media outlet Blockworks raised in May a US$12 million funding round led by private equity firm 10T Holdings at a US$135 million post-money valuation. The company said it would use the proceeds to expand its research and data analytics offering, Blockworks Research.
Already in June 2021 Lloyds Capital invested GBP13 million into Hybrid Media, a UK and Malaysia based media agency which owns also the the tech news page Techwireasia,
Read also: Fintech and Finance Firms Snap Up Media Companies to Gain Audience
Fintech and Finance Firms Snap Up Media Companies to Gain Audience

Featured image credit: edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-tech-and-crypto-media-sector-shows-resilience-with-notable-strategic-acquisitions-and-funding-rounds-in-2023</link><guid>3509</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Fintech-Tech-and-Crypto-Media-Sector-Shows-Resilience-with-Notable-Strategic-Acquisitions-and-Funding-Rounds-Secured-in-2023-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech, Tech and Crypto Media Sector Shows Resilience with Notable Strategic Acquisitions and Funding Rounds in 2023</dc:text></item><item><title>The Swiss Early Stage Tech Venture Funding Map</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						January 5, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					Over the last decade, venture capital has emerged as the most profitable asset class, with tech companies in particular enjoying high popularity. However, building a tech startup is challenging due to the high risks, time and cost intensity.
Significant investment is required to generate initial revenue, and up to CHF 5 million may be required to achieve profitability. Early stage funding often takes up to 100% of a founder’s time, and in the current economic climate, raising capital is increasingly difficult.
Against this background, Axelra has developed the «Swiss Early Stage Tech Venture Funding Map». This map is a direct contribution to the Swiss startup ecosystem and is designed to enable founders and investors to make the best use of their valuable time.






The Global Innovation Index 2023 ranks Switzerland as the most innovative country and it is also considered an attractive location for tech ventures, far beyond the FinTech sector. Approximately 50,000 new companies are founded each year, of which statistically only 10-20% survive after 5 years. Good entrepreneurs are more in demand than ever, because they and their teams make the difference.
Early Stage Funding: A Critical Challenge
Early stage financing is a critical aspect of a start-up’s success. Not only do founders need to build their business, acquire customers and talent, but they also need to raise capital. Quick and easy access to liquidity and support in Switzerland is a critical factor.
While an impressive CHF 3.9 billion of venture capital was invested in the Swiss startup ecosystem in 2022, the path to getting the money into the account is often complex and intransparent.
Swiss Early Stage Tech Venture Funding Map: A Time-Saving Guide for Tech Startups
To address the challenge of early stage funding, Axelra developed the «Swiss Early Stage Tech Venture Funding Map». This map is a comprehensive guide for startups and makes the landscape of early stage funding in Switzerland understandable.
Peach Zwyssig

«The creation of the map is a direct result of Axelra’s own experience in building tech ventures»,

says Peach Zwyssig, CEO of Axelra.

«We cover the three areas of product, management and growth, and funding is essential. After more than 20 tech ventures, we have amassed a wealth of experience and data points and find that an aggregated collection of information can be of great benefit to all parties involved.»

The Swiss Early Stage Tech Venture Funding Map will continue to evolve as the ecosystem changes. It will be regularly updated to ensure that it has a firm place in the Swiss startup ecosystem and always provides relevant and up-to-date information. Axelra is also happy to receive changes/corrections and integrate them into the next update.
The latest version of the map is always available on their Website. However, it is most useful as a printed poster (60.9 cm x 109 cm), which provides a comprehensive overview of all phases and financing options. The current version can be purchased on www.axelra.com/fundingmap for CHF 29.-.
Phase-Specific Funding Options
The «Swiss Early Stage Tech Venture Funding Map» takes into account that funding options differ depending on the phase of the tech venture. It provides a clear overview of the different phases of an early-stage startup: Ideate, Validate, Launch, Scale and Grow. For each of these phases, specific funding amounts and options are presented that are tailored to the stage and maturity of an early-stage startup.
It is grouped by:

Incubator &amp; Accelerator Programs and Venture Builders
Grants (without program)
Investor syndicates &amp; groups (including angels)
Venture Capital Firms
Family Offices



Featured image credit: Edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-swiss-early-stage-tech-venture-funding-map</link><guid>3505</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Axelra-Presents-the-Swiss-Early-Stage-Tech-Venture-Funding-Map-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>The Swiss Early Stage Tech Venture Funding Map</dc:text></item><item><title>The Future of Fintech and Funding in 2024</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						January 4, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					The recent slowdown in venture capital (VC) investment, coupled with increased regulatory scrutiny, has created a more complex landscape for fintech founders and investors. But despite these challenges, opportunities still exist in the sector as demand for regtech, embedded finance and artificial intelligence (AI) rises, and as adoption of blockchain networks continues to progress, a new report by Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) says.
The report, titled “The Future of Fintech ”, provides an outlook on innovation in the fintech industry based on the bank’s proprietary data and sector knowledge, highlighting how fintech companies are finding opportunities regardless of obstacles challenging their growth.
According to the report, regulators in the US are increasing their oversight of fintech platforms that have emerged in the past decade, a regulatory catch-up that encompasses risks and concerns ranging from data privacy and fair lending to digital assets.






At the same time, the financial sector is experiencing a growing trend of fraud, impacting companies’ bottom lines. A 2023 survey commissioned by regtech firm Alloy revealed that as many as 60% of fintech companies paid at least US$250,000 in compliance fines and penalties in 2022.
The study also found that larger organizations were experiencing the highest losses due to compliance, with 37% of 1,000+ employee organizations indicating paying between US$500,001 and US$1 million in fines and penalties in 2022.
Money lost due to compliance fines/penalties, Source: State of Compliance Benchmark Report 2023, Alloy, 2023
Money lost due to compliance fines/penalties per organization size, Source: State of Compliance Benchmark Report 2023, Alloy, 2023
Against this backdrop, fintech startups are embracing automation, including through the use of AI, to better detect fraud. According to the same Alloy survey, 56% of the fintech companies polled were already using AI for compliance and another 29% are considering it.
The traditional financial sector is also jumping on the bandwagon. A 2020/2021 industry study conducted by the European Banking Authority revealed that a considerable number of financial institutions already had advanced experience of regtech solutions and services at the time. The study, which polled a total of 115 financial institutions and 147 regtech providers across the European Union (EU), found that more than half of regtech projects were already in the production stage.
In the fields of anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT), the study found that the share of fraud prevention and information and communication technology (ICT) in production was even higher, standing above 60% of regtech solutions.
Further showcasing the surge in regtech adoption, the study revealed that although for half of the surveyed financial institutions, investment and spending on regtech solutions stood below 20% of the overall IT budget in 2020, a handful of institutions showed significant reliance on regtech, with up to 40%‐60% of the total IT budget going into the operations of regtech solutions.
2020 IT spend on regtech solutions, Source: EBA Analysis of regtech in the EU financial sector, EBA, June 2021
Beside sustained demand for regtech solutions, the SVB report notes that in the payment vertical, established firms managed to secure substantial rounds of funding this year despite the challenging fundraising environment, a trend which reflects investors’ strong confidence in the payment and embedded finance sector, particularly due to the continued growth of digital payments.
American digital payment firm Stripe secured a significant US$6.9 billion funding round in March, marking one of the largest VC tech rounds ever. The payments app was valued at US$50 billion, a far cry from US$95 billion in 2021, but still good enough to maintain its position as the second most valuable US unicorn after SpaceX.
This comes amid surging usage of digital payments surged during COVID-19 and after. A 2022 survey conducted by American global payment firm NMI polled a thousand consumers in the US and found that 69% of respondents had made a contactless payment that year. In 2020, only 22% had used contactless payments.
Tap-to-pay technology is also on the rise, and embedded finance transactions, including embedded banking, lending and insurance, are expected to top US$7 trillion by 2026.
Projected transactions by embedded product type, Source: Future of Fintech 2023, Silicon Valley Bank, 2023
Like other fintech companies, Stripe faced macro headwinds this past year, laying off 14% of workers in November 2022. But towards the end of 2023, business rebounded with revenue growth improving 35% in Q3 2023 from 25% for all of 2022, the Information reported. Stripe posted an operating profit of US$150 million in the third quarter alone, bringing company’s total profit for the first three quarters of 2023 to US$200 million.
Finally, the last fintech vertical outlined in the SVB report is the blockchain segment. The report notes that while 2022 and 2023 were challenging years for the industry, marked by slumping prices and high-profile collapses, positive indicators are suggesting ongoing development activity.
The number of daily active wallets and weekly developers continue to stand above 2021 levels, reaching 1.14 million and 7,700 in 2023, respectively, the report notes. The figures are below the record-breaking levels recorded in 2022 but surpass the 2021 numbers of 1.09 million and 7,000, respectively.
According to SVB, these metrics suggest the possibility of entering a new, long-term growth cycle in the sector, presenting opportunities for new innovations in blockchain as adoption increases over time.
Global blockchain development activity, Source: Future of Fintech 2023, Silicon Valley Bank, 2023
Following global trends, fintech VC fundraising activity in the US declined substantially this year, with a stated interest in fintech plunging nearly 70% and aggregate fundraising dollars falling at a similar rate.
Regardless, VC firms are still actively raising capital, with Ribbit Capital securing US$800 million for Fund X in its first round, and corporates such as PayPal and Nationwide being in the process of raising fintech funds, the report notes.
US VC investment into fintech, Source: Future of Fintech 2023, Silicon Valley Bank, 2023


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-future-of-fintech-and-funding-in-2024</link><guid>3504</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/US-VC-investment-into-fintech-Source-Future-of-Fintech-2023-Silicon-Valley-Bank-2023-1440x564_c.png</dc:content ><dc:text>The Future of Fintech and Funding in 2024</dc:text></item><item><title>New IFZ Paper Explores the Opportunities and Challenges of Quantum Computing and AI in Finance</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						January 4, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					Quantum machine learning (QML), a subfield of quantum computing that combines the principles of quantum mechanics with machine learning (ML) algorithms, hold transformative potential in banking and finance, offering opportunities to enhance decision-making processes, better mitigate risks, and uncover new business opportunities.
But despite these many promises and opportunities, there are still several challenges and risks that need to be addressed, including the complexity of quantum algorithms, the high costs associated with the development and implementation of quantum computing and QML, and regulatory and ethical challenges in integrating these technologies in the financial industry, a new report by the Institute of Financial Services Zug IFZ at the Lucerne School of Business says.
Quantum computing is a type of computing technology that harnesses the principles of quantum physics to perform computations. In contrast to classical computing where information is processed using bits represented as 0s and 1s, quantum computing uses quantum bits or qubits that can exist in a state of superposition, simultaneously representing both 0 and 1.






In addition to superposition, another unique principle of quantum computing is entanglement where the state of one qubit is directly influenced by the state of the other, even if they are physically separated.
These properties allow quantum computers to solve certain types of problems much more efficiently than classical computers.
On the other hand, AI technology relies on algorithms and data to create systems that emulate human intelligence and which are capable of performing tasks such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and language translation. ML is a subset of AI focusing on gives computer systems the ability to learn from data without explicit being programmed.
Quantum computing and AI converging
The Institute of Financial Services Zug IFZ report, titled Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence in Finance and released in December 2023, explores the relationship between quantum computing and ML in the financial sector, highlighting both opportunities and challenges in this technological convergence.
According to the report, when quantum computing and AI/ML are combined, these technologies can unlock unparalleled potential for financial services, a sector that’s characterized by substantial data volumes, intricate problems, and critical decision-making. This integration promises to revolutionize how the financial services sector handles complex challenges and data-intensive processes, enhancing speed, precision, and intelligence, it says.
In the financial sector, QML, which refers to the use of algorithms run on quantum devices to process and analyze large volumes of data, is able to perform certain calculations exponentially faster than classical computers, potentially offering many benefits in use cases ranging from fraud prevention and creditworthiness calculations, to more efficient pricing strategies and optimized portfolio management strategies.
In fraud prevention, quantum algorithms can enhance fraud detection systems by efficiently and promptly analyzing large volumes of financial transaction data and identifying patterns indicative of fraudulent activities. In credit scoring, QML can aid in assessing credit-worthiness by analyzing diverse data sources to provide more accurate risk assessments for individuals and businesses.
Quantum algorithms can also be utilized to expedite the calculation of financial product prices, enabling more efficient pricing strategies and uncovering arbitrage opportunities. Finally, in portfolio management, trading and hedging, QML can be employed to develop advanced strategies and optimize portfolio management by processing market and financial data and identifying patterns that can inform decision-making processes as well as determining optimal investment opportunities.
Challenges to widespread adoption
But despite these opportunities, the report notes that quantum computing is still in its early stages of development and that several challenges are hampering the finance industry from fully harnessing the potential of quantum computing and QML.
These challenges primarily relate to scalability and reliability. High-performance quantum computers require hundreds of thousands of qubits for practical use, and while the industry is actively developing new and scalable hardware, it will still take a few years before a service is available in the required quantities, the report says.
Additionally, the use of quantum computing is still complicated and not user-friendly today, implying that further innovations in the area of quantum-related software are required.
Finally, the issue of reliability is a sticking point in the operation of a quantum computer that’s associated with the issue of decoherence. Decoherence effects arise when a quantum system interacts with its environment and the superposition is lost. It can introduces errors and limits the depth and complexity of quantum computations that can be reliably performed.
Interest in quantum computing has risen sharply over the past year. In 2022, investors poured US$2.35 billion into quantum tech startups, surpassing 2021’s record for the highest annual level of quantum tech startup investment, findings from a McKinsey analysis show.
Volume of raised investment in the indicated year, US$ million, Source: McKinsey and Company, April 2023
Deloitte expects the financial services industry’s spending on quantum computing capabilities to grow 233x from just US$80 million in 2022 to US$19 billion in 2032, reflective of the sector’s confidence in the technology’s future commercial potential.
Spending on quantum computing capabilities from the financial services industry (US$ million), 2022-2032, Source: Deloitte Center for Financial Services analysis, July 2023
According to McKinsey, the financial services industry stands as one of the four sectors likely to see the earliest economic impact from quantum computing, potentially gaining up to US$700 billion in value by 2035 thanks to the technology.
Estimated value at stake for quantum computing in four key industries, Source: 2023 Quantum Technology Monitor, McKinsey and Company, April 2023
Switzerland welcomed in 2022 its first quantum hub. Called QuantumBasel, the center is located in the uptownBasel innovation campus and provides customers and researchers with workshops, training sessions, and access to quantum systems to further their understanding of quantum computing and drive progress towards commercial applications. Funded by the family of Dr. Thomas Staehelin and Monique Staehelin, QuantumBasel is set to house the country’s first commercially viable quantum computer starting in 2024.

Featured image credit: edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-ifz-paper-explores-the-opportunities-and-challenges-of-quantum-computing-and-ai-in-finance</link><guid>3502</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/New-Paper-Explores-the-Opportunities-and-Challenges-of-Quantum-Computing-and-AI-in-Finance-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>New IFZ Paper Explores the Opportunities and Challenges of Quantum Computing and AI in Finance</dc:text></item><item><title>6 Payments Trends to Watch in 2024 According to Visa</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					The payments industry is nothing, if not constantly changing. And 2024 promises to bring its fair share of change.
Visa identified 6 payment trends to watch in 2024, such as the return of leisure travel and the rise of AI.
1. Creators, SMBs go global.
From the creator and sharing economies to ecommerce and traditional brick-and-mortar businesses, 2024 is the year SMBs go global. For businesses of all sizes, the mindset has largely shifted beyond the local neighborhood to the global digital economy.






Nearly 4 in 5 SMBs (79%) cited selling across borders as a focus for their growth, and consumers are ready for it. Some 72% of consumers said they are comfortable buying from businesses in other countries.
Digital payments are transforming opportunities for SMBs to pay and be paid, making it possible to reach new audiences, easily accept secure payments, track and monitor spending, increase security and safety, improve efficiencies and grow like never before. And with payments innovations allowing for access to earnings in real-time, making it convenient to receive consumer and B2B payments, getting paid has never been easier. Payment solutions like virtual cards are also enabling SMBs with the cashflow, purchasing power and expense management capabilities needed to thrive in today’s digital-first world.
In 2024, we expect small and micro businesses will benefit from increased digitization that both speeds and protects payments, making expansion beyond geographical borders easier than ever before.
image credit: Visa
2. Interoperability gains steam.
The convenience and speed of digital payments have transformed the way we move money, both domestically and across borders. But the explosion of networks and payment methods — from money-moving apps and wallets, to blockchains, together with legacy infrastructure — has made for a splintered, fragmented experience. Each solution often operates within its own, siloed ecosystem.
But that is beginning to change. With payments players prioritizing interoperability, we will soon see a more seamless future-state of global money movement — one where paying across services is as seamless as using any one service, breaking down barriers and bringing a myriad of benefits to end users, FIs and their corporate clients, fintech enablers and app providers alike.
In 2024, we will continue to see collaboration across the payments ecosystem — amongst banks, FIs, merchants, technology providers/enablers and issuers — bringing us greater global financial inclusion, accessibility, cross-system compatibility and interoperability. We expect to see more technologies developed to help both consumers and businesses navigate the intricacies and complexities of cross-border money movement.
3. Open infrastructure solves hard payments problems, making commerce easier.
Today, as consumers, if a tech solution doesn’t suit us, we walk away from it — because we know a better, easier, more suitable option likely exists. And payments are not immune to these kinds of expectations.
In 2024, we expect a notable shift to more modular, platform-agnostic infrastructure in payments technology, making it possible for businesses to more easily provide the kind of experiences consumers have grown to expect.
What does that mean in practice? It means businesses being able to use the products and services they need as they need them. Don’t have a good token solution? Add one to your existing tech stack. Need a better omni-channel experience? Implement one without unseating your entire payments gateway. Network-agnostic payments services create plug-and-play solutions for truly complex problems.
Not only will we see more payments companies transform their infrastructure with these kinds of open tools, but more and more businesses will benefit from these new layers and capabilities. As a result, the world of commerce will become easier to operate.
4. Consumers expect tailored solutions. For merchants, banks and FIs, services make them possible.
Consumer expectations are shaping more than payments infrastructure. Consumers increasingly expect an experience that is tailored to them. Whether you are a merchant or a bank, to give consumers the experience they expect — quickly — it can take scarce tech and engineering resources, or bring greater complexity than they may be prepared to take on. As a result, more businesses are looking toward partner-based solutions or managed services to close the gap.
Value-added services built through partnerships can help companies give consumers what they want, without having to disrupt their businesses or develop new capabilities in-house — efforts that can be costly, time-consuming and still don’t guarantee success.
With a growing reliance on digital payments, there’s increased urgency around these decisions — and the decisions merchants, banks and FIs make today will likely be felt throughout their business years into the future. These improvements can serve as a vehicle to unlock the full potential and efficiency of a business, helping build trust with customers and move faster during a time of rapid change.
5. AI brings new opportunities — and challenges — to payments.
A little more than a year after LLMs burst onto the scene, one of the most exciting future applications of generative AI is in fighting fraud — specifically, in the opportunity to analyze and learn from an unprecedented amount of data compared to traditional predictive models. The next generation of AI has the potential to take insights from multiple domains and generate new insights, helping to train fraud tools to make more informed and accurate decisions to differentiate fraudulent transactions from legitimate purchases.
Generative AI will also transform the ways we work, improving product, data structure, models, operations and infrastructure. At Visa, we are already seeing a net coding productivity improvement of 30%, as time consuming/repetitive tasks (e.g. boiler plate code generation) are handled very well by Gen AI tools, freeing engineers to focus on producing high-value code that results in market differentiating products.
AI also brings new challenges to payments. Generative AI tools will help fraudsters create more realistic phishing scams, making it harder for consumers to spot the once characteristic spelling and grammar errors. All of this raises the bar for business and consumers, who will need to adapt to an evolving threat landscape.
6. Travel returns with a vengeance.
With the worst of the pandemic in the rearview, travel is back, and momentum is expected to continue in the coming months. What’s driving the spike? A yearning for relaxation and stress-free holidays, after years of COVID-driven, we’ll say, inconvenience.
According to Visa’s Global Travel Intentions Study 2023, over 70 percent of travelers are aware of the rising cost of vacation, but most are undeterred, with only 4% planning to cut back on travel plans. Globally, travelers are looking forward to an average of 2 leisure trips over the next 12 months, with affluent travelers banking on even more.
But not everything about travel is an escape from the pandemic-era. A preference for flexibility in travel arrangements remains, and a priority placed on safety and cleanliness have become clear drivers when it comes to choosing accommodations.
Apart from smaller ticket items, travelers are mainly opting for safe, digital, and touch-free payments experiences. And while many tourists are aware of sustainable travel and tourism, research conducted by Visa and Oxford Economics found that 41% feel they lack information about sustainable travel options, and 36% feel that available information is not credible. Solutions like Visa’s partnership with Ecolytiq, where consumers can see estimated carbon emissions based on their transactions — and Travalyst, a global sustainable travel initiative that presents consumers with more consistent and visible sustainability information, starting with accommodations and aviation — can help close the gap.
Change can be good
At the end of the day, change can be good, particularly when it means better outcomes for consumers, businesses, communities and economies. And if change means a world where small businesses can increasingly serve a global marketplace, where open-infrastructure and managed services mean banks, FIs, businesses and consumers get the solutions the need — and where moving value across networks is as easy, seamless and secure as moving it across a single network — then 2024 can’t come soon enough.

Featured image credit: edited from Freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/6-payments-trends-to-watch-in-2024-according-to-visa</link><guid>3503</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>6 Payments Trends to Watch in 2024 According to Visa</dc:text></item><item><title>Assets Invested in Listed Crypto ETFs and ETPs Globally Have Increased 119.6% in 2023</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					ETFGI, a leading independent research and consultancy firm covering trends in the global ETFs ecosystem, reported that assets invested in Crypto ETFs and ETPs listed globally have increased 119.6% in the first 11 months of 2023.
Crypto ETFs and ETPs listed globally gathered net inflows of US$1.31 billion during November, bringing year-to-date net inflows to US$1.60 billion, which is higher than US$744.08 million in net inflows at this point last year.
Highlights







Assets invested in Crypto ETFs and ETPs listed globally have increased 119.6% in the first 11 months of 2023 going from $5.79 Bn at end of 2022 to $12.73 Bn.
Net inflows of $1.31 Bn during November.
Year-to-date net inflows of $1.60 Bn during 2023 are the second highest on record, after YTD net inflows of $9.02 Bn in 2021.
2nd month of net inflows.


Global Crypto ETFs and ETPs asset growth as of end of November

Since the launch of the first Crypto ETF ETP in 2015, the Bitcoin Tracker One-SEK, the number and diversity of products have increased steadily, with 176 Crypto ETFs/ETPs and 482 listings globally at the end of November 2023. During November, 6 Digital Asset ETFs/ETPs were launched.
Substantial inflows can be attributed to the top 20 ETFs/ETPs by net new assets, which collectively gathered $1.30 Bn during November. ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO US) gathered $278.72 Mn, the largest individual net inflow.
Top 20 Crypto ETFs/ETPs by net new assets 


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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/assets-invested-in-listed-crypto-etfs-and-etps-globally-have-increased-1196-in-2023</link><guid>3500</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>Assets Invested in Listed Crypto ETFs and ETPs Globally Have Increased 119.6% in 2023</dc:text></item><item><title>Payrexx Secures First Series A Investment</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Payrexx AG is starting its Series A financing round: INS Holding AG is supporting the Swiss online payment platform for SMEs with an amount of around CHF 2.5 million. The resources will be used to improve the existing offering and to launch new projects.
It is an important step for Payrexx AG: until now, the Swiss online payment provider has successfully financed itself through organic growth and with the help of smaller investments from existing private investors. In this way, the startup from Thun was able to build up a comprehensive service.
If a company uses Payrexx, it can offer its customers over 200 payment methods for payment with just a few clicks. Payrexx was also named the most popular payment service provider (PSP) among Swiss SMEs in the 2023 online retailer survey conducted by the Institute of Marketing Management.






The company is now entering the next financing round, known as Series A, in which external investors are involved: INS Holding AG from Zug is investing around 2.5 million Swiss francs in the platform as an investor. As part of this transaction, carried out by a consortium of Icelandic investors, the company valuation of Payrexx is in the double-digit million range.
This investment was made in close cooperation with Corestar Partners GmbH, which acted as exclusive strategic and financial advisor to Payrexx in this financing round. The investment banking boutique has focused exclusively on the fintech sector in Europe since 2013 and is regarded as the market-leading investment advisor within the payment service provider sector.
Improving the existing and tackling the new
Ivan Schmid
CHF 2.5 million is a rather small investment compared to the international payment industry, says Ivan Schmid, founder and CEO of Payrexx. And yet the financial injection represents an important step, especially for the more than 50,000 customers:

“The resources will be used to a large extent to expand our existing service, strengthen customer service and create jobs in the region. This investment will also enable us to launch pioneering growth initiatives and position them on the market for the first time since our foundation.”

The existing offering is not only to be improved, Payrexx also intends to tackle new projects in the future. The company is currently pursuing five major growth targets, such as the introduction of bank-to-bank instant payment methods, the further development of distance selling into an on-site POS terminal solution and the expansion of the already launched QR code payment – all functions designed to simplify online and on-site payments for end customers.
This constant development is particularly important for an SME like Payrexx, emphasizes CEO Ivan Schmid:

“The digital payment market is characterized by intense competition and an international presence. To survive in this dynamic environment and secure the best conditions for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), it is crucial to be innovative and agile.”

This is the only way to implement the company’s own vision: Payrexx wants to simplify digital payment transactions and thus enable all people and companies to participate in the success of global online commerce.

Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/payrexx-secures-first-series-a-investment</link><guid>3501</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>Payrexx Secures First Series A Investment</dc:text></item><item><title>New Chief Revenue Officer for Boerse Stuttgart Digital</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Joaquín Sastre Ibáñez (32) will be joining the management team of Boerse Stuttgart Digital as Chief Revenue Officer as of 1 January 2024.
In his role, Sastre Ibáñez is set to oversee the institutional business, strategic partnerships and sales activities of Boerse Stuttgart Digital, strengthening its position as a regulated and trusted infrastructure partner for financial institutions in Europe venturing into cryptocurrencies and digital assets. Boerse Stuttgart Digital bundles business solutions for brokerage, exchange, and custody and is part of Boerse Stuttgart Group, Europe’s sixth largest exchange group.
Joaquín Sastre Ibáñez
Joaquín Sastre Ibáñez is moving from global digital asset service provider BitGo, where he was responsible for operating and expanding the business across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America as Managing Director.






Sastre Ibáñez was assisting large European financial institutions in their digital assets journey, and his contributions were key in several of BitGo’s funding milestones. Prior to this, Sastre Ibáñez started his career in the digital asset space in 2017 at XAPO, establishing a regulated institutional crypto custodian and an OTC trading services provider.
Matthias Voelkel
“One important layer of our strategy at Boerse Stuttgart Digital is growing our institutional business in Europe. We are very delighted that Joaquín Sastre Ibáñez, with his extensive experience and international network, is joining us in our effort to become the infrastructure partner of choice for banks, asset managers and other financial institutions across Europe for crypto and digital assets. Joaquín will have a pivotal role in enhancing Boerse Stuttgart Digital’s institutional business and further expanding our client base,”
comments Dr. Matthias Voelkel, CEO of Boerse Stuttgart Group.

Featured image credit: Joaquín Sastre Ibáñez,Chief Revenue Officer of Boerse Stuttgart Digital 


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-chief-revenue-officer-for-boerse-stuttgart-digital</link><guid>3499</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>New Chief Revenue Officer for Boerse Stuttgart Digital</dc:text></item><item><title>EMEA VC Scene: Who Are the One’s With the Best Track Record in Identifying Future Unicorns</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						January 3, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					The venture capital (VC) landscape in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) has experienced a significant transformation over the past decade, with the number of active investors contributing to the sector each year surpassing 10,000, new data released by Dealroom show. The figure represents a 4.5x increase from ten years ago and showcases the dynamism of the market as EMEA nations continue to push for innovation.
The data, released in the 6th annual ranking of VC investors in EMEA, also reveal the dominance of seed stage funding and the region’s focus on nurturing the inception of new ventures. Out of the 10,000+ investor pool that supports the EMEA startup ecosystem every year, 4,100 are predominantly active from the seed stage onward. The total number of investors active at seed stage stands higher than this figure at 5,400 investors, because many Series A and later-stage investors also participate in seed rounds.
Unique number of investors in EMEA startups (at least one investment in the year), Source: Investor Ranking EMEA 2023, Dealroom, Nov 2023
Underscoring the vibrancy of the EMEA entrepreneurial ecosystem, the data show that approximately 3,500 new startups in the region start their venture-backed journey each year by raising their first VC round.






Number of first-time VC rounds in EMEA, Source: Investor Ranking EMEA 2023, Dealroom, Nov 2023
But despite a dynamic VC market, achieving unicorn startup remains a big challenge for ventures in EMEA. In recent years, about 50 new unicorns are minted each year in EMEA out of the 3,500 annually first-time funded startups. This translates to roughly a 1-1.5% conversion rate. Additionally, just about 25% of EMEA startups making it to Series A or beyond, the data show.
Proportion of EMEA startups reaching unicorn status, Source: Investor Ranking EMEA 2023, Dealroom, Nov 2023
Data also indicate that choosing the right investor is critical for a startup to succeed, revealing a strong correlation between the top performing investors, and the likelihood of their portfolio companies converting from seed to Series A. More specifically, startups backed by top quartile VCs were found to be three times more likely to successfully graduate to Series A compared to those backed by VCs in the bottom quartile.
Conversion from Seed to Series A after 36 months, Source: Investor Ranking EMEA 2023, Dealroom, Nov 2023
Top 20 EMEA investors
Dealroom’s 2023 VC Investor Ranking, released on November 24, presents the startup investors that are the most successful at picking winners and supporting them to become future unicorns. This is done by giving each investor a score based on their investments in unicorns, their investments in future unicorns, and their pace of investment. These scores are then ranked to determine the most successful startups investor.
The 2023 EMEA ranking, which focuses on VC investors targeting the region, reveals that LocalGlobal is the top VC investor in EMEA startups. LocalGlobe is UK-based VC that focuses on seed and impact investments, targeting mainly startups in the enterprise software, fintech, marketing and media sectors. Notable investments include Robinhood, Wise and Monzo.
LocalGlobe is seed-stage dominant, meaning that it’s backed most of its unicorn startups since the seed stage and implying that it’s very successful in identifying future winners from their very beginning.
After LocalGloba, the next top two VC investors are Index Ventures and Accel. Index Ventures is a VC firm with dual headquarters in San Francisco and London, investing in technology-enabled companies with a focus on e-commerce, fintech, mobility, gaming, infrastructure and artificial intelligence (AI), and security. It’s a renowned VC firm that has backed the likes of Skype, Facebook, Adyen, Plaid and Revolut.
Accel is an American VC firm that works with startups at the seed, early and growth stage. It concentrates on tech sectors including consumer, infrastructure, software-as-a-service (SaaS) and enterprise software, and has backed the likes of Slack, Flipkart, Spotify and Animoca Brands.
Both Index Ventures and Accel are Series A-dominant, the ranking shows.
Finally, for Series B startups and up, Insight Partners is the most successful investor in EMEA. Headquartered in New York City, Insight Partners is a global VC and private equity firm that invests in high-growth tech, software, and Internet businesses. The firm has backed Checkout.com, Alibaba and Shopify, among others.
Insight Partners is ranked at the 10th position in the overall 2023 EMEA ranking.
Other VC firms that made it into the top 20 VC ranking the year include Point Nine (#4, Germany), HV Capital (#5, Germany), Sequoia Capital (#6, USA), Bessemer (#7, USA), Global Founders Capital (#8, Germany), Seedcamp (#9, UK), Kima Ventures (#11, France), Balderton Capital (#12, UK), Creandum (#13, Sweden), Cherry Ventures (#14, Germany), Speedinvest (#15, Austria), Mangrove Capital Partners (#19, Luxembourg) and Entree Capital (#20, Israel). These firms are all seed-stage dominant.
Meanwhile, SoftBank (#16, Japan), Tiger Global Management (#17, USA) and Eurazeo (#18, France) have been the most successful in identifying future unicorns at the Series B and upper stages.
2023 combined EMEA ranking, Source: Investor Ranking EMEA 2023, Dealroom, Nov 2023

Featured image credit: edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/emea-vc-scene-who-are-the-ones-with-the-best-track-record-in-identifying-future-unicorns</link><guid>3498</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/EMEA-VC-Scene-Surges-4.5x-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>EMEA VC Scene: Who Are the One’s With the Best Track Record in Identifying Future Unicorns</dc:text></item><item><title>Zühlke Divides Operations, Establishes Group Executive Board</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						January 3, 2024
																				





					
					
							
					Zühlke Group, a global technology innovation service provider, has unveiled a new global structure and leadership changes, effective from 1 January 2024. Zühlke aims to better cater to the needs of its clients across various regions while also enhancing its operational efficiency.
The reorganisation involves dividing the group’s operations into two parts namely Asia Pacific (APAC) and Europe as well as the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). This division is designed to streamline operations and improve client services, while also aligning supply and demand effectively within these areas.
Accompanying this structural change, the Zühlke Group has established a new Group Executive Board. This board is tasked with steering the company’s strategy and operations under the revised organizational framework.






The board includes Group CEO Fabrizio Ferrandina, Group COO Ernst Ellmer, Group CFO Tom Grützmann, Group Chief People Officer Anabel Fall, Group Chief Technology &amp; Delivery Officer Aleksandar Marjanovic, CEO for the EMEA region Nicolas Durville, and Group Chief Financial Services Industry Officer Thomas Memmel.
The company is also in the process of recruiting for the CEO position for the APAC region and the Group Chief Healthcare Industry Officer, who, once appointed, will join the board.

Featured image: Members of the newly established Group Executive Board


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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/zuhlke-divides-operations-establishes-group-executive-board</link><guid>3497</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Zuhlke-Divides-Operations-Establishes-Group-Executive-Board-as-Part-of-Strategic-Shift-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Zühlke Divides Operations, Establishes Group Executive Board</dc:text></item><item><title>Year End Message to Our Readers – Offline From 22nd December to 2nd January</title><description><![CDATA[
						

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									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						December 22, 2023
																				





					
					
							
					Fintech News Switzerland would like to take this opportunity to wish all our readers a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.
We will be taking a break from the 22nd of December 2023 to the 2nd of January 2024.
Until then, you can access some of our year-end articles that may be of interest to you. We look forward to seeing you all again on the 3rd January 2024!







7 Young Fintech Startups from the DACH Region to Keep an Eye on

6 Green Fintech Startups from the DACH Region to Follow in 2024

Swiss Startup Investor Map 2023

The Cheapest and Best Swiss Neobanks for Summer Travel

Rise of Digital Nomads Introduces Identify Verification Challenges to Banks and Fintech Companies

8 Hot DeFi Startups in Europe to Watch in 2023






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								]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/year-end-message-to-our-readers-offline-from-22nd-december-to-2nd-january</link><guid>3496</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AFF-2024-Banner-E-scaled-1.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>Year End Message to Our Readers – Offline From 22nd December to 2nd January</dc:text></item><item><title>FinanceGPT Provider Unique Secures CHF 5.6 Million New Funding</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						December 21, 2023
																				





					
					
							
					Swiss AI Fintech Unique, who just announced a new deal with Pictet, announce also a new funding round, as they  raised an additional USD $6.4 million (CHF 5.6 million) to further develop a tailored Microsoft Azure-based Co-Pilot platform for the financial industry.
The aim is to supercharge client-facing teams and allow them to automate administrative tasks with the power of Generative AI. The total investment now stands at USD 24 million (CHF 21 million) and reflects investors’ confidence in generative AI and its potential impact on the financial industry.
Unique managed to secure new funding in the financing round led by Vi Partners that also included such investors as Daniel Gutenberg, Boris Collardi, and Young Sohn, who emphasizes his confidence in Unique:






“Unique has the potential to become a global vertical AI leader with its tailored solution for the financial industry. I’m committed to helping Unique’s founders with their expansion plans and ambitions as an advisor,”
said Young Sohn, Founding Managing Partner Walden Catalyst Ventures and former Corporate President of Samsung Electronics.
Manuel Grenacher
Manuel Grenacher, the CEO and Co-founder of Unique, said:
“We are excited to develop the Unique FinanceGPT solution together with leading financial institutions. I’m particularly proud to count top names such as LGT Private Banking, Pictet Group, Partners Group, PostFinance, Die Mobiliar and Key Group, to name a few, among over 40 clients. Their trust underscores our firm commitment to aligning with the evolving needs of financial institutions, where GenAI is becoming increasingly indispensable.”
Unique’s expertise and years of experience with GenAI position them to facilitate the seamless integration of innovative technology within the banking sector and make a tangible impact on the industry.


Featured image credit: Manuel Grenacher, the CEO and Co-founder of Unique


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/financegpt-provider-unique-secures-chf-56-million-new-funding</link><guid>3494</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Top-Swiss-Banks-Embrace-GenAI-Transformation-with-Unique-FinanceGPT-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>FinanceGPT Provider Unique Secures CHF 5.6 Million New Funding</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss-Backed CBDC Project Explored Feasibility of Cash-Like, Anonymous Digital Currency</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Project Tourbillon, an initiative led by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) Innovation Hub Swiss Centre and supported by the Swiss National Bank (SNB), explored the feasibility of a retail central bank digital currency (CBDC), finding that it is possible to implement a CBDC design that provides anonymity to the payer and which is scalable and secure.
In a new report released in November 2023, BIS shares details of the project, outlining findings of their efforts.
Project Tourbillon, which had been running since at least late-2022, saw the development and testing of two CBDC prototypes based on the eCash design by American computer scientist, cryptographer and inventor David Chaum.






These prototypes were designed to address three features simultaneously: privacy, by enabling payer anonymity, security, by implementing quantum-safe cryptography (QSC), or algorithms that are resistant to attacks by both classical and quantum computers; and scalability, by testing these systems’ ability to handle a growing number of transactions using payment data.
They leveraged the existing two-tier banking system and involved four parties: a central bank, commercial banks, consumers and merchants.
First, consumers and merchants were handed deposit accounts with banks, while banks were given reserve accounts with the central bank. Consumers and merchants were then required to be initially onboarded by their respective banks to ensure that know-your-customer (KYC) procedures were met.
Once onboarded, consumers and merchants were able to install and use the Tourbillon apps on their mobile devices: the consumer Tourbillon app allowed consumers to withdraw, hold CBDCs via self-custody, and make payments, while the merchant Tourbillon app allowed businesses to request payments, receive payments and view the status of payments.
Tourbillon application, Source: Project Tourbillon: Exploring privacy, security and scalability for CBDCs, Bank for International Settlements Innovation Hub Swiss Centre, Swiss National Bank, Nov 2023
To use CBDCs, consumers were required to request a withdrawal through their bank, which debited their deposit account and forwarded the request to the central bank. The central bank then issued CBDCs, debiting the bank’s reserve account, and sending the CBDCs to the consumer.
Consumers could then hold the CBDCs and later use them to pay various merchants.
As of merchants, once they received CBDCs as payment, they submitted them to their bank, which forwarded them to the central bank. After verification, the central bank credited the merchant’s bank reserve account, and the merchant’s bank credited the merchant’s deposit account.
Tourbillon high-level architecture, Source: Project Tourbillon: Exploring privacy, security and scalability for CBDCs, Bank for International Settlements Innovation Hub Swiss Centre, Swiss National Bank, Nov 2023
Challenges and considerations
According to the report, Project Tourbillon concluded its experiment successfully, revealing that it is possible to develop a retail CBDC that’s anonymous, secure and scalable.
But despite its successful completion, Project Tourbillon also revealed three critical areas for further development.
Firstly, Project Tourbillon showed the challenges of implementing QSC and the ensuing reduction in transaction processing speed brought about these technologies. Hence, the report advises for further research and experimentation to enhance QSC functionality, efficiency, and to determine a safe transition from current cryptography to QSC.
Secondly, although Tourbillon confirms the feasibility of the eCash design, the report notes the potential for improvement in privacy, security, or scalability based on evolving requirements. Modeling the trade-offs between privacy, security and scalability and the extent to which they impact each other will be crucial for advancing the prototypes, it says.
Finally, future work should explore how an eCash-based design could be implemented. This includes considering additional use cases, such as offline payments, and exploring economic viability with a sustainable business model, the report concludes.
Project Tourbillon is the latest CBDC project led by BIS in which SNB is evolved. It follows initiatives such as Project Mariana, a collaboration that tested the cross-border trading and settlement of wholesale CBDCs developed jointly with Bank of France and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS); Project Jura, a collaboration involving Bank of France, BIS, SNB and a private sector consortium that explored the direct transfer of euro et Swiss franc wholesale CBDCs between French and Swiss commercial banks on a single distributed ledger technology (DLT) platform operated by a third party; and Project Helvetia, a multi-phase investigation by BIS, SNB and Swiss financial infrastructure operator SIX on the settlement of tokenized assets in CBDC.
Building on findings of Project Helvetia, SNB launched this month a pilot project with a wholesale CBDC (wCBDC) on the SIX Digital Exchange (SDX). The pilot, which is scheduled to run from December 2023 to June 2024, allows for real bond transactions to be settled using a wCBDC. Several banks are taking part in the pilot, including Commerzbank, Hypothekarbank Lenzburg and UBS.
Despite a clear keenness in CBDC, the Swiss central bank has said that the initiative “does not constitute a commitment on the part of the SNB to introduce wholesale CBDC on a permanent basis.”
 
Featured image credit: Edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-backed-cbdc-project-explored-feasibility-of-cash-like-anonymous-digital-currency</link><guid>3495</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss-Backed CBDC Project Explored Feasibility of Cash-Like, Anonymous Digital Currency</dc:text></item><item><title>ZKB schafft Jahres­gebühren für Debit­karten und Privat­konten ab</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Die Zürcher Kantonalbank schafft per 1. Januar 2024 die Jahresgebühren für Privatkonten und Debitkarten für Privatkundinnen und Privatkunden ab.
Mit dem neuen Angebot ZKB Banking geht die Zürcher Kantonalbank voran und bietet als erste grosse Schweizer Bank sowohl digital wie auch in Filialen kostenloses Alltagsbanking für alle.
Pro Person umfasst das Angebot bis zu zwei Debitkarten, drei Privatkonten sowie Sparkonten, eBanking, Mobile Banking und TWINT.






Insgesamt beträgt die jährliche Ersparnis bis zu CHF 116.–. Dabei spielt es keine Rolle, welche Kanäle und Dienstleistungen bevorzugt werden: Ob digital per Smartphone oder physisch in einer Filiale – die erwähnten Jahresgebühren fallen für alle Privatkundinnen und Privatkunden weg. Für die bestehende Kundschaft geschieht dies automatisch per 1. Januar 2024.
Urs Baumann
«Der Verzicht auf die Jahresgebühren ist für die Zürcher Kantonalbank ein wichtiger Schritt, um die Zukunft des Schweizer Bankings voranzubringen. Wir wollen damit ein Signal setzen und im Sinne unseres Leistungsauftrages unseren Erfolg zurückgeben: Uns war wichtig, dass alle unsere heutigen und künftigen Privatkundinnen und Privatkunden ohne Wenn und Aber profitieren – unabhängig vom Vermögen oder von digitaler Affinität»,
sagt Urs Baumann, CEO der Zürcher Kantonalbank.
«ZKB Banking ist einerseits ein Dankeschön an unsere bestehenden Kundinnen und Kunden für das Vertrauen, das sie uns entgegenbringen. Anderseits möchten wir damit schweizweit ein attraktives, digitales Bankangebot lancieren.»
Debitkarten und Konten für CHF 0.–
Die Jahresgebühr für die ZKB Visa Debit Card von jährlich CHF 40.– und die Jahresgebühr für das Privatkonto von CHF 12.– entfallen per Januar 2024. So spart jemand, der bisher ein Privatkonto mit Debitkarte nutzte, künftig CHF 52.– pro Jahr. Bei bis zu drei Privatkonten in Schweizer Franken und zwei Debitkarten steigt die jährliche Ersparnis auf bis zu CHF 116.– pro Person. Auch Inhaber von ZKB inklusiv, der Paketlösung mit Kreditkarten, können ab Januar 2024 automatisch Geld sparen: Der Preis der Silber-Paketlösung sinkt auf CHF 72.– pro Jahr, das Gold-Paket gibt es neu für CHF 150.– und das Platin-Angebot gibt es neu für alle Kunden für CHF 384.– jährlich.
Das Angebot richtet sich deshalb nicht nur an digital affine Kunden, sondern es ist genauso attraktiv für alle, die einen Besuch in einer Filiale im Kanton Zürich bevorzugen.
Die Bank investiert zudem bis 2030 in die Modernisierung ihrer 51 Filialen im Kanton Zürich um ein attraktives hybrides Angebot zu bieten.



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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/zkb-schafft-jahresgebuhren-fur-debitkarten-und-privatkonten-ab</link><guid>3493</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>ZKB schafft Jahres­gebühren für Debit­karten und Privat­konten ab</dc:text></item><item><title>Pictet Launches Internal Chat GPT Finance Platform</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						December 21, 2023
																				





					
					
							
					Pictet launching an internal GPT-powered platform to over 5,000 employees. The technology is co-developed with Unique.
This rollout enables Pictet employees to experience the power of One.Chat, which is what Pictet are calling the platform internally.
One.Chat is two-facetted: on the one hand, it allows easy access to all internal information through a chat interface, and on the other, it gives Pictet employees the chance to access all ChatGPT capabilities that stretch far beyond regulatory documents.






Unique’s approach allows the finance industry to use generative AI technology without stressing over data security and protection. By utilizing Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service, Unique adheres to the highest security standards, which also ensures no client data is hosted outside of Switzerland.
Now Pictet employees can create tailored client proposals, swiftly access regulatory compliance information, and compose personalized emails.
Although the launch was recent, the results are impressive. Over 3,000 employees have used One.Chat and a staggering 1,200 use the platform weekly.
Steve Blanchet
“…and that number is growing.”
Says Steve Blanchet, Head of Technology and Innovation at Pictet Group.
Pictet and Unique launched the entire project in only 5 months.
his move into technology innovation will allow their employees to become more efficient. Reducing hour-long tasks to minutes will free up time for more value-adding activities, which will ultimately improve the client experience.


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/pictet-launches-internal-chat-gpt-finance-platform</link><guid>3492</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Pictet-Launches-the-One.Chat-Platform-Co-Developed-with-Unique-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Pictet Launches Internal Chat GPT Finance Platform</dc:text></item><item><title>Schneller als gedacht: Die Einführung des Digitalen Euro im Turbo-Modus</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Die Europäische Zentralbank (EZB) macht Dampf. Im Oktober dieses Jahres hatte die EZB beschlossen, die Vorbereitungsphase für den Digitalen Euro einzuläuten.
Diese digitale Version des Euros, die von der EZB herausgegeben wird und als elektronisches Zahlungsmittel vorgesehen ist, soll elektronische Transaktionen direkt zwischen Verbrauchern und Unternehmen ermöglichen, ohne dass dabei kommerzielle Finanzdienstleister involviert werden. Nach Abschluss der zweijährigen Vorbereitungsphase will der EZB Rat entscheiden, ob der Weg für eine Einführung beschritten werden soll. Dann kann es schneller geschehen, als man glaubt.
Als digitales Zahlungsmittel, über dessen Verwendung auf einem zentralen Ledger genau Buch geführt wird, birgt der Digitale Euro erheblichen Gefahren für die Privatsphäre und finanzielle Autonomie eines jeden Nutzers. Transaktionen mit dieser digitalen Währung könnten nicht nur lückenlos nachverfolgt werden könnten, sondern dessen Nutzung könnte auch von staatlicher Seite auf Knopfdruck eingeschränkt oder gänzlich verhindert werden.






Warnungen vor dem Digitalen Euro aus Politik und Wissenschaft werden jedoch regelmässig in den Wind geschlagen, kurioserweise oftmals von den Befürwortern des Digitalen Euros ebenso wie von den dessen Gegnern. Denn das Argument lautet wie folgt: Der Digitale Euro kann nicht gegen den Willen der Bevölkerung eingeführt werden können. Er fände schlichtweg nicht hinreichend Nutzer.
Doch wie stichhaltig ist dieses Argument? Eine schnelle Verbreitung des Digitalen Euro ist durchaus zu bewerkstelligen, auch ohne dass es dafür einen Rückhalt in Bevölkerung gäbe. Die EZB, deren Anteilseigner die Staaten der Eurozone sind, kann bei der Einführung des Digitalen Euro auf die tatkräftige Unterstützung der Regierungen dieser Länder zählen.
freepik
Divide et Impera
Diese Regierungen könnten in einem ersten Schritt – frei nach dem Motto «Divide et Impera» also «teile und herrsche»  dazu übergehen, zunächst einmal Transferleistungen in Digitalen Euros auszubezahlen. Die gesetzliche Grundlage gäbe es hierfür, wenn der Digitale Euro wie von der EZB vorgesehen ein «obligatorisches» gesetzliches Zahlungsmittel wird.
Dieses Setup würde die Privatautonomie aushebeln und die Annahme des Digitalen Euro könnte nicht verweigert werden, ganz im Gegensatz zum herkömmlichen Euro-Bargeld. Diese Vorgehensweise hätte den Vorteil, dass zunächst einmal nicht die gesamte Bevölkerung von der Einführung des Digitalen Euros betroffen wäre, sondern lediglich diejenigen Schichten, die mit grösster Wahrscheinlichkeit nicht gegen den Digitalen Euro aufbegehren werden, da sie auf staatliche Unterstützung angewiesen sind.
Schritt für Schritt
Für Deutschland würde dies beispielsweise bedeuten, dass zunächst einmal die 3,9 Millionen Empfänger von Bürgergeld zumindest einen Teil ihrer Zahlungen in Digitalen Euros erhalten würden. Hinzu kämen die ca. 0,8 Millionen Bezieher von Arbeitslosengeld. In einem zweiten Schritt könnten gesetzliche Renten zumindest teilweise in Digitalen Euros ausbezahlt werden.
Hiervon wären ca. 25,9 Millionen Rentenempfänger betroffen. In einem dritten Schritt könnte man die Gehälter der insgesamt 5,1 Millionen Beschäftigten in öffentlichen Dienst in Digitalen Euros entrichten. Hinzu kommen dann noch, viertens, die Löhne und Gehälter von Arbeitern und Angestellten in Betrieben, die sich in staatlicher Hand befinden. Die Deutsche Bahn beschäftigt allein in Deutschland mehr als 200’000 Mitarbeiter (alle Zahlen Stand 2022).
Mithilfe dieses staatlichen Zwangs könnte die Nutzeranzahl des Digitalen Euros innerhalb von wenigen Jahren oder gar Monaten auf mehr als 35 Millionen Nutzer hochskaliert werden und damit auf mehr als 40% der Wohnbevölkerung. Ähnlich beeindruckend wären die monetären Zahlen: Würde das Sozialbudget Deutschlands in Höhe von 1,1 Billionen Euro via Digitaler Euros ausbezahlt, so würde dies fast 30% des Bruttoinlandsprodukts ausmachen.
Weitere Massnahmen zur Verbreitung des Digitalen Euros wären denkbar wie die ausschliessliche Zahlung von Subventionen in Digitalen Euros ebenso wie die Rückerstattung von Steuern in Digitalen Euros.
Nudging
Weichere Massnahmen, wie sogenanntes Nudging, könnte angewendet werden, indem Rabatte für Zahlungen mit dem Digitalen Euro eingeführt werden, bspw. für Fahrten mit öffentlichen Verkehrsmitteln oder die Begleichung von GEZ Rechnungen. Auch die Jugend könnte ins Boot geholt werden, indem Konzerte und Festivals von der EZB gesponsort werden und der Digitale Euro bei diesen Veranstaltungen als einziges Zahlungsmittel gilt.
Fazit
Während diese Beispielrechnung lediglich für Deutschland gilt, ist davon auszugehen, dass die Situation in anderen Ländern der Eurozone ähnlich ist. Doch selbst wenn man annimmt, dass die Lage in anderen Euro-Staaten grundlegend anders ist, so kämen diese Länder nicht umhin sich für den Digitalen Euro zu öffnen, da 30% des Bruttoinlandsprodukts der grössten Volkswirtschaft Europas nunmehr auf Digitalen Euro umgestellt hätte.
Aufgrund der engen wirtschaftlichen Verflechtungen innerhalb des Euroraums gäbe es auch für die europäischen Geschäftspartner kein Entrinnen mehr. Mit seinem immensen Sozialbudget könnte Deutschland zum ersten grossen Dominostein in der Eurozone werden an dessen Ende womöglich die Abschaffung des physischen Bargelds steht.
Noch sind die EZB-Aussagen zum Zeitplan der Digitalen Euro-Einführung recht vage. Doch sollte die Entscheidung zugunsten des Digitalen Euro fallen, kann der Roll-out sehr schnell geschehen. Die Gegner des Digitalen Euro sollten sich keinesfalls in Sicherheit wähnen mit dem Argument, dass der Digitale Euro ohnehin keinen Anklang bei den Nutzern fände.
Noch ist es Zeit, zukunftsweisende Alternativen zum Digitalen Euro zu entwickeln wie bspw. «tokenisierte Einlagen» und eine öffentliche Diskussion darüber zu führen. Doch dieses Zeitfenster schliesst sich. Schon bald.


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schneller-als-gedacht-die-einfuhrung-des-digitalen-euro-im-turbo-modus</link><guid>3491</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>Schneller als gedacht: Die Einführung des Digitalen Euro im Turbo-Modus</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Startup Competition &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; Gears up for 2024 Edition</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Switzerland’s startup competition &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; is inviting early-stage fintech and insurtech startups to apply for its 2024 edition which is now open for submissions until 28 February 2024.
Co-organised by ETH, McKinsey &amp; Company, Knecht Holding, Innosuisse and EPFL, &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; has grown to become a cornerstone of the Swiss startup landscape since it was founded over 25 years ago in 1997.
It is worth noting that &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; takes no equity, interest or fees from those participating and/or winning the competition.
Participants will receive significant financial incentives, including non-dilutive cash prizes totaling nearly CHF 600,000, with a Grand Prize of CHF 150,000.
The competition provides networking opportunities by opening doors to a rich network of industry contacts. Winners of the competition gain significant exposure in the ecosystem and media, enhancing their visibility.
Additionally, finalists benefit from mentorship and training, including pitch training workshops and individualised feedback from mentors. They will also have access to a wealth of expertise through invaluable insights from the advisory board.
&gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt;’s Advisory Board for the Finance &amp; Insurance vertical
Who Can Participate in the 2024 Edition?
How the Competition Works
The &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; competition welcomes a wide array of participants, especially those at the early stages of their startup journey. Whether you’re still fine-tuning your business idea or have already made strides with customers and funding, &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; is an opportunity to take your startup to the next level, provided you’re based in Switzerland or plan to establish your business there.
Here is a 5-step guide on how to apply for the &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; competition according to its playbook:
Submit Your Startup Plan: A detailed 10-20 page PDF document outlining your business on the &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; website as a pitch deck which will be reviewed by the jury. According to &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt;, every single participant will receive highly valuable written feedback from 3 different jurors. Upon request, every applicant also receives a CHF 300 voucher valid for IP research at the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property.
Jury Round 1: The top 10 finalists will be chosen for the “Finance and Insurance” vertical based on the submitted plans. As a finalist, these startups will get access to the &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; mentors. They will also be able to refine their pitching skills by participating in a pitch training session held by McKinsey &amp; Company communications experts and investors.
Jury Round 2: Following a pitch to the jury during round two, only 3 startups will be selected from the 10 finalists to move on. At this stage, each startup has already bagged the non-dilutive prize money of at least CHF 10,000.
Winner Ranking: The competition will culminate in a pitching session in front of top-level leaders of established not-for-profit organisations from &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt;’s advisory board. &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; advises startups to share their long-term vision alongside practical short-term next steps as well as providing key figures during the pitch. The winning startup receives CHF 50,000 and a McKinsey consulting package, while the second-place finisher is awarded CHF 20,000, and the third-place receives CHF 10,000.
Grand Prize Awarded: The top winners from each of the five verticals pitch again to the entire advisory board for a chance to win an additional CHF 100,000 and the coveted Grand Prize. The ultimate Grand Prize winner will receive a total of CHF 150,000 along with a comprehensive business consulting package from McKinsey &amp; Company.
2023 Winners from the Finance &amp; Insurance Vertical
1st place: Frigg (Zug)

Streamlining sustainable finance processes for small to mid-sized renewable energy developers, reducing manual efforts and costs.
2nd place: Grape Health (Zurich)

Providing fully digital employee insurance that prioritizes physical and mental well-being, investing in preventive services for healthier teams.
3rd place: Ascentys (Courroux)

Automation of ESG assessment and reporting for companies, simplifying the process and enabling actionable reports.
Fintech News Switzerland got the opportunity to speak with these three top winners at the &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; startup competition to understand their journey and their role in shaping the future of fintech and insurtech in the country.
Submit Your Idea Today for the 2024 &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; Edition
The &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt;competition is chance for to refine your business concept through access to an extensive mentor network where you will receive expert feedback, and stand the chance to secure funding to kickstart your startup.
Moreover, the &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; competition aims to support your startup journey by helping you rigorously evaluate your business plan to identify and address any weaknesses promptly, develop a practical implementation strategy, and create a comprehensive document that will be pivotal in your communications with investors and strategic partners.
Apply here for the &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; 2024 edition which will be open for submissions until 28 February 2024.



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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-startup-competition-venture-gears-up-for-2024-edition</link><guid>3489</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Venture-Banner-3-977x1024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Startup Competition &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; Gears up for 2024 Edition</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Companies Lagging Behind Responsible AI?</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						December 20, 2023
																				





					
					
							
					How can companies ensure that they make responsible, reasoned, and transparent use of artificial intelligence?
At a time when the European Union is legislating to provide a better framework for AI, Ethos has published its third study on the digital responsibility of the largest companies listed on the Swiss stock exchange.
While progress has been made over the past three years, the study also shows that most companies are still not very transparent about their policies in this area and are not very well-prepared to deal with the many issues linked to their digital responsibility.






Generative AI, autonomous cars, surveillance, and facial recognition: artificial intelligence (AI) was at the heart of the news in 2023. While the European Union has just agreed on an unprecedented legislation at global level to regulate its use, Ethos is publishing its third consecutive yearly study on the digital responsibility of the largest listed companies in Switzerland.

How do companies ensure responsible use of AI? What policies are they putting in place to combat data leakage? What measures are they taking to reduce the environmental and social footprint of the technologies they use? Conducted in collaboration with EthicsGrade, this study examines companies’ practices in seven digital-related areas: governance, transparency, data protection, AI, sensitive activities, and social and environmental impact.
The 50 largest companies listed in Switzerland (SMI Expanded) were given three months to answer around 100 questions. At the same time, the same questionnaire was completed for each company based on publicly available information (websites, annual reports, sustainability reports, codes of conduct, etc.).
A growing number of good examples
The main finding of this third study is that the results are once again on the rise. All the companies have seen their score improve from one year to the next, proof that the dialogue and awareness-raising efforts undertaken by the Ethos Foundation since 2020 are bearing fruit. The average score rose from 22.8 points (out of 100) in 2022 to 27.5 points this year, with a maximum of 91.3 points for Swisscom. It was only 10.5 points in 2021, with a maximum of 39.6 points for Baloise. In all, eight companies scored more than 50 points in 2023, whereas only three had exceeded 20 points in the first study.

Perhaps even more encouraging, the results based on public information alone, which reflect the level of transparency of companies, are also up. The average is 15.6 points in 2023, compared with 11.2 points in 2022 and 8.5 points in 2021. The best result, again obtained by Swisscom, is 40 points, compared with 28.3 points in 2022 and just 18 points in the first study (Adecco). In 2023, 12 companies obtained a score based on public information of more than 20 points.
Among the most significant improvements is the fact that 39 of the 50 companies analysed now not only have a cybersecurity strategy in place, but also publish information on the subject. This corresponds to an increase of 25 companies since 2021. Or the fact that at least 40 companies have measures in place to reduce the environmental impact of the digital technologies they use, compared with just eight in 2021. Two companies (Georg Fischer and Baloise) have not only adopted a digital responsibility code but have also published it. In so doing, they met one of Ethos’ key expectations.
While this transparency does not guarantee that companies will behave beyond reproach, it is nonetheless essential. Not only does it engage the responsibility of management and enable any inconsistencies between public commitments and actual actions to be detected, but it also enables Ethos to draw on concrete examples – both good and bad – when advocating best practice to all companies.

A widening gap between the best and worst performers
Vincent Kaufmann
“Although undeniable progress has been made over the past three years, there is still a great deal of room for improvement,”
stresses Vincent Kaufmann, CEO of the Ethos Foundation.
“In particular, Swiss companies are still very reluctant to communicate publicly on issues as important as data protection and AI. It is also regrettable that Nestlé, Novartis and Roche, the three largest stock market capitalisations in Switzerland, persist in not participating voluntarily in the Ethos survey, despite the importance of these issues, particularly in their sectors of activity”.
What is perhaps most worrying is the widening gap between those companies that seem to have grasped the scale of the issues and the importance of demonstrating a degree of transparency towards them and the others.
Nearly half of the companies targeted by this study obtained a final score of less than 20 points. Among the most worrying points is the fact that only eight companies in the SMI Expanded, five more than in 2021, have adopted or claim to have adopted ethical principles relating to the use of AI. Or the fact that only eight companies claim to have a working group that focuses on issues related to ethics in AI, only one of which has public training on the subject.


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-companies-lagging-behind-responsible-ai</link><guid>3490</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Digital-Responsibility-Swiss-Companies-Still-Lagging-Behind-When-It-Comes-to-the-Challenges-of-AI-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Companies Lagging Behind Responsible AI?</dc:text></item><item><title>ABN AMRO to Acquire European Neobroker Bux</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					ABN AMRO Bank announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire BUX, one of Europe’neobrokers. With this acquisition, ABN AMRO aims to strengthen its footprint in the retail investment space and substantially enhance its digital offering.
Leading market position
Since it was founded in 2013, BUX has grown to be one of Europe’s leading neobrokers with 500,000 clients, and operating across eight markets. BUX brings advanced financial technology, a user-friendly and intuitive platform, and a brand that strongly resonates with the new generation of investors. The acquisition gives ABN AMRO and BUX a combined #1 position in the Netherlands for investors who want to start building their wealth. Acquiring BUX also contributes to ABN AMRO’s pan-European growth ambition.

Annerie Vreugdenhil
Annerie Vreugdenhil, ABN AMRO’s Chief Commercial Officer Personal &amp; Business Banking: 






“It’s a lot more common now for people to start thinking well ahead about their financial future and to take control of it themselves. Over the past few years, BUX has excelled in helping clients who want to do exactly this. Welcoming BUX into the ABN AMRO family will create a unique combination of innovative user-friendliness and financial strength, stability and expertise – a powerful foundation for future growth (in the private investment domain), both for our clients and for the bank itself.”


Yorick Naeff
Yorick Naeff, CEO of BUX: 
“We’ve always had the ambition to be the leader in Europe’s retail investment arena, and joining forces with ABN AMRO is a crucial stride towards achieving this goal. We strongly believe that at BUX, our speed, agility, and relentless drive for innovation, merged with ABN AMRO’s deep expertise in personal finance and decades-long reputation, form a synergy unparalleled in the entire investment sector. This powerful combination positions BUX ideally to become a leading investment platform across Europe for everyone looking to grow their wealth for the future.”


Successful partnership


Together, BUX and ABN AMRO offer an attractive range of investment and savings products, both to new investors who want to explore the world of investments, and to more experienced clients with larger investment portfolios who are looking for expertise to help them achieve their goals. 


ABN AMRO and BUX are no strangers to each other. ABN AMRO’s venture arm, formerly known as ABN AMRO Ventures, was among the first companies to invest in BUX. Also, since 2019 BUX and ABN AMRO Clearing have enjoyed a successful partnership that links the bank’s technology to the BUX app. In 2022, 
BUX became the first broker in Europe to offer fractional European ETFs in partnership with ABN AMRO Clearing Bank. Together they built the technology that enables investors with smaller budgets to purchase parts of shares or ETFs.


The transaction is subject to approval by the regulator and is expected to be finalised in 2024.


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			&#13;
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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/abn-amro-to-acquire-european-neobroker-bux</link><guid>3487</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>ABN AMRO to Acquire European Neobroker Bux</dc:text></item><item><title>Leonteq Acquires 10% Stake in BX Swiss</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					BX Swiss has an additional shareholder: The Swiss financial product issuer Leonteq has acquired a 10% stake in the Swiss stock exchange. BX Swiss is a subsidiary of Boerse Stuttgart Group.
Leonteq maintains a close partnership with BX Swiss. Leonteq has been operating as an issuer since 2021 and has successfully been offering structured products in the regulated trading segment deriBX and listing exchange-traded products.
With the acquisition of a 10% share of BX Swiss by Leonteq for a single-digit million amount, the two financial institutions are laying the foundation for a long-term strategic partnership. BX Swiss will benefit from Leonteq’s investment solutions ecosystem, which facilitates connectivity and collaboration with local and global financial market participants.






In return, Leonteq will gain access to the ecosystem of Boerse Stuttgart Group, the sixth largest exchange group in Europe, and will be able to participate in the growth of Swiss exchange BX Swiss. Furthermore, the partnership aims to strengthen the position of regulated exchange trading.
«With a strategic partner like Leonteq, we can create ideal conditions for our partners. Together, we focus on the needs of self-directed investors in Switzerland and enable them to trade securities easily and cost-effectively, also thanks to our low-fee strategy.»,
says Lucas Bruggeman, CEO of BX Swiss.
The partnership will enable BX Swiss to strengthen exchange trading in structured products and other asset classes in Switzerland and to implement innovative trading and fee models.
Lukas Ruflin
Lukas Ruflin, CEO of Leonteq, adds:
«BX Swiss is an attractive partner with whom Leonteq shares a strong fit in terms of client focus and innovation. We believe that exchange access and listing of investment products will continue to play an important role for our partners and clients. We are committed to further expanding our product offering and ecosystem, and a strategic stake in BX Swiss underpins our commitment to transparency, service and liquidity, a key focus for Leonteq since its foundation in 2007.»


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/leonteq-acquires-10-stake-in-bx-swiss</link><guid>3488</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>Leonteq Acquires 10% Stake in BX Swiss</dc:text></item><item><title>Coop hat neu Crypto-Gutscheinkarten im Regal</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Coop hat neu die Krypto-Gutscheinkarten von Cryptonow ins Sortiment aufgenommen. Damit ist Coop die erste grosse Schweizer Detailhändlerin, die ihrer Kundschaft den Kauf von Kryptowährungen ermöglicht.
Simon Grylka
Simon Grylka, CEO der Cryptonow Group AG, betont die Bedeutung dieser Partnerschaft:
„Unsere Mission ist es, Kryptowährungen für alle einfach und sicher zugänglich zu machen. Die Zusammenarbeit mit Coop markiert einen bedeutenden Schritt in der weiteren Akzeptanz von Kryptowährungen.“
Kryptowährungen einfach kaufen und sicher nutzen
Mit Cryptonow kann man Kryptowährungen direkt im Laden kaufen. Die Gutscheinkarten sind in verschiedenen Wertstufen von CHF 50 bis CHF 500 erhältlich. Nach dem Kauf lassen sich diese in nur wenigen Schritten aktivieren. Das Besondere: Die Kryptowährung befindet sich nach der Aktivierung direkt auf der Gutscheinkarte, die gleichzeitig als sogenanntes Offline Wallet dient – die sicherste Form der Krypto-Aufbewahrung.






Ab sofort sind Cryptonow Gutscheinkarten in 160 Coop-Filialen in der ganzen Schweiz erhältlich. Coop ermöglicht somit seinen Kundinnen und Kunden den direkten Kauf von Bitcoin und Ethereum im Laden.


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			&#13;
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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/coop-hat-neu-crypto-gutscheinkarten-im-regal</link><guid>3485</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>Coop hat neu Crypto-Gutscheinkarten im Regal</dc:text></item><item><title>Apex Group Invests Into Luxembourg’s Tokenization Pioneer Tokeny</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Apex Group, a global financial services provider, announced their investment as the strategic lead investor in Tokeny, a leading enterprise-grade tokenization solutions provider based in Luxembourg.
This move solidifies Apex’s dedication to leading the digitization of finance, with tokenization at its core. By leveraging Tokeny’s expertise, Apex is strategically positioned to provide its single-source solution in the tokenization era to lead digital transformation and drive positive change in the financial services space.
Apex Group’s extensive global reach and commitment to providing cross-jurisdictional services are central to its business approaches. With over 12,000 employees in 112 offices worldwide, Apex offers a unique single-source solution, delivering a wide array of services to a diverse clientele. This includes asset managers, capital markets, corporates, and family offices.






The collaboration between Apex and Tokeny is aimed at ushering institutions into the tokenized financial market, which is seen as the future of the capital market. Tokeny acts as an enabler for Apex to allow their clients to tokenize assets on the blockchain, thereby reducing operational costs and increasing revenues by reaching broader investors compliantly and seamlessly. Tokeny’s integration into Apex’s single-source solution is pivotal in this strategy, positioning Apex as a leading innovator in the tokenized era. This partnership is expected to catalyze the widespread adoption of tokenization.
Peter Hughes
We at Apex Group are pleased to embark on this journey with Tokeny. This investment is more than a financial commitment; it represents our belief in the transformative power of tokenization in the financial sector. We are confident that our collaboration with Tokeny, a leader in this revolutionary field, will pave the way for innovative, digitized financial solutions that meet the evolving needs of our clients and the market.
Peter Hughes, Founder and CEO of Apex Group.
Luc Falempin
The partnership with Apex Group marks a significant milestone for Tokeny. In the last six years, we’ve meticulously developed a complete suite of solutions and a comprehensive ecosystem to support institutions on their tokenization journey. The market is in dire need of influential institutional players like Apex to drive and expedite the industry’s advancement. We’re exhilarated to be integrated into Apex’s strategic vision, joining forces to turn the blueprint of a digitized financial future into reality.
Luc Falempin, CEO Tokeny Solutions.

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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/apex-group-invests-into-luxembourgs-tokenization-pioneer-tokeny</link><guid>3486</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>Apex Group Invests Into Luxembourg’s Tokenization Pioneer Tokeny</dc:text></item><item><title>Raiffeisen Schweiz Goes Digital Assets</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Raiffeisen Schweiz joins SDX, a Swiss regulated financial market infrastructure for digital assets.
SDX operates a stock exchange and CSD utilizing distributed ledger technology (DLT).
These memberships position Raiffeisen Schweiz at the forefront of the digital asset revolution and align with its ambition to issue native digital products upon joining the SDX CSD.






SDX offers a blockchain-based platform for the issuing, trading, settling, and custody of digital securities. Its “atomic settlement” feature synchronizes trade execution, securities transfer, and payment, eliminating counterparty risks for clients. Furthermore, SDX’s integration with SIS (SIX CSD) facilitates access for institutional clients, bridging the gap between digital and traditional infrastructures.
Werner Leuthard
“By joining the SDX ecosystem, Raiffeisen Switzerland increases its footprint and experience in digital assets with the aim of actively contributing to the development of the digital assets industry and product landscape”,
says Werner Leuthard, Head of Trading at Raiffeisen Switzerland.


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			&#13;
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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/raiffeisen-schweiz-goes-digital-assets</link><guid>3484</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>Raiffeisen Schweiz Goes Digital Assets</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Robo Advisor True Wealth Reports Strong Demand for New Kids Portfolios</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					In September 2023, True Wealth was the first Robo Advisor who launched an ETF-based investment solution for children and young people.
The new offering has now been very well received by the market: since its launch in September, the ETF-based portfolios for children and young people have been in high demand report True Wealth.
Felix Niederer
«Of the 1’000 securities portfolios opened, 50 percent are for the 0 to 6 age cohort, with the youngest child only a few weeks old,»
says CEO Felix Niederer, summing up the current situation. The investment amounts range from a thousand to over half a million francs per child. This confirms that the child’s long investment horizon is being put to good use and that a favorable balance between risk and return can be achieved.






Strengthening the financial education of young people
True Wealth’s children’s portfolio is a separate, legally protected account with its own investment strategy. Upon reaching the age of majority, the right of disposal is transferred to the child without the need to liquidate or transfer securities.
The account must be opened by the legal representative, i.e. the mother or father. Once opened, all family members and friends can pay in.
«Our experience since the launch shows that children’s portfolios are not only in demand from parents, but often also meet the wishes of grandparents in particular,»
says Niederer.
The investment strategy is determined by the parents, but as soon as the child is capable of making decisions, parents can involve them in the decisions. Like everything else at True Wealth, this is done conveniently and easily online. Children and young people experience the market development of their portfolio live and familiarize themselves with volatility.
Children can also make their own investment suggestions, although parents always have the last word.


Featured image credit: edited from freepik



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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-robo-advisor-true-wealth-reports-strong-demand-for-new-kids-portfolios</link><guid>3483</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Robo Advisor True Wealth Reports Strong Demand for New Kids Portfolios</dc:text></item><item><title>AllUnity to Launch EUR-Denominated Stablecoin</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Flow Traders has partnered with DWS and Galaxy to establish AllUnity, a collaborative effort to introduce a regulated EUR-denominated stablecoin.
The primary objective of this partnership is to explore opportunities within the on-chain economy by creating a fully collateralised stablecoin.
AllUnity’s core partners, Flow Traders, DWS, and Galaxy, each bring their expertise to the project. DWS contributes portfolio management and product structuring capabilities, Flow Traders brings liquidity provisioning experience, and Galaxy offers technical infrastructure.






Together, they aim to develop a regulated EUR-denominated stablecoin with potential applications for institutional, corporate, and private users. This initiative comes when the regulatory landscape for digital assets in the European Union is evolving, with the recent adoption of the Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation (MiCAR).
AllUnity plans to apply for an e-money license from BaFin, Germany’s financial supervisory authority, to launch the stablecoin within 12 to 18 months, contingent on regulatory approvals.
Alexander Höptner
Alexander Höptner, designated CEO of AllUnity said,
“The envisaged partnership between DWS, Flow Traders and Calaxy is unique. Their market reach and expertise will enable AllUnity to develop a go—to—market strategy for a viable EUR—denominated stablecoin in order to advance the on—chain economy.”

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			&#13;
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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/allunity-to-launch-eur-denominated-stablecoin</link><guid>3482</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>AllUnity to Launch EUR-Denominated Stablecoin</dc:text></item><item><title>Miles &amp; More and qiibee Transform Loyalty Rewards with Blockchain</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Miles &amp; More, the loyalty program of the Lufthansa Group, has partnered with blockchain-based B2B marketplace qiibee to allow small and mid-size enterprises (SMEs) to join the program easily.
The key highlight of this collaboration is the integration of blockchain technology, which simplifies the onboarding process for SMEs while ensuring the secure and efficient management of loyalty rewards.
qiibee’s blockchain-based marketplace offers instant, cost-effective transactions and guarantees full data privacy control. Through this integration, Miles &amp; More members gain access to a broader and more diverse network of partners, including regional businesses.






The partnership also aims to enhance connectivity between enterprises and customers, with plans to onboard more partners and launch a Shopify plug-in for seamless integration.
Johann-Philipp Bruns
Johann-Philipp Bruns, Managing Director of Miles &amp; More GmbH:
“The partnership is a win-win situation for everyone. We are expanding our partner network with exciting and diverse enterprises. These, in turn, gain access to our members and thus to a further, demanding target group in the premium segment.”
Gabriele Giancola
Gabriele Giancola, CEO at qiibee:
“The qiibee blockchain is 100 percent focused on the needs of the loyalty market, featuring instantaneous, low-cost transactions and full control over data privacy. This will position our technology further as the industry standard for Web3 loyalty partnerships.”

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			&#13;
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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/miles-more-and-qiibee-transform-loyalty-rewards-with-blockchain</link><guid>3481</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>Miles &amp; More and qiibee Transform Loyalty Rewards with Blockchain</dc:text></item><item><title>Worldline Introduces Metaverse Shopping Hub</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						December 13, 2023
																				





					
					
							
					Worldline has released the Worldline Metaverse Shopping Hub within Spatial, a significant upgrade to its white-label solution for merchants seeking access to the Metaverse.
Through this platform extension, online businesses will be able to benefit from major advances in graphical quality and accessibility across desktop, mobile and VR devices. With the Metaverse e-commerce marketplace estimated to reach US$2.6 trillion by 2030 according to McKinsey, this platform extension will provide merchants who do not have a Metaverse presence with a market-leading solution and offer their customers an even more engaging experience in the new era of commerce.
After a successful launch of the Worldline Metaverse Shopping Mall earlier this year in Decentraland, Worldline now adds Spatial, thus creating a Metaverse Shopping Hub across various Metaverse platforms.






Understanding the transformative nature of gaming’s influence on the digital world, season two within Spatial will provide new customer engagement methods supportive of the digital environment’s pre-existing intuitive behaviours. For example, merchants can incentivise users to participate in virtual scavenger hunts, allowing them to collect digital eggs in exchange for community card NFT rewards.
image source: Worldline

Sascha Muenger
Sascha Muenger, Head Competence Center Crypto Related Products &amp; Metaverse at Worldline says:
“We are delighted to present the second season of our Metaverse Shopping Mall in Spatial. This important milestone gives us the opportunity to create a new shopping experience together with some of our most innovative customers and take another step towards commerce solutions in the Metaverse.”
Expanding reach in Germany and Austria with PAYONE
The launch of the Metaverse Shopping Hub Season Two also marks a geographical expansion: PAYONE, a joint venture between Worldline and the German Savings Banks Association (DSV Group), will also distribute the Worldline Metaverse White Label solution in Germany and Austria, starting in the 1st quarter of 2024.
This collaboration will bring global innovation to important local markets and will help to further scale the Worldline Metaverse Shopping Mall, allowing more merchants to gain initial experience around the Metaverse as a potential new commerce channel alongside point of sale and eCommerce.





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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/worldline-introduces-metaverse-shopping-hub</link><guid>3479</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Worldline-Introduces-Metaverse-Shopping-Hub-and-Expands-the-Reach-of-Its-Metaverse-White-Label-Solution-With-Its-German-JV-PAYONE-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Worldline Introduces Metaverse Shopping Hub</dc:text></item><item><title>UBS Report: Generative AI for Financial Services</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						December 13, 2023
																				





					
					
							
					In the financial services industry, generative artificial intelligence (AI), a class of AI systems designed to generate new, original content autonomously, is being deployed to automate time-consuming, tedious jobs in areas including customer service, fraud prevention, coding and information analysis.
However, its use in more sensitive tasks closer to the core of financial service business models remains limited, hindered by regulatory hurdles and weaknesses in the technology itself, a new report produced by the MIT Technology Review Insights and developed in partnership with UBS Group says.
The report, which is based on six in-depth interviews with senior executives and experts conducted in June to September 2023, looks at the early impact of generative AI within the financial sector and the barriers that need to be overcome in the long run for its successful deployment.






According to the report, banks have started deploying generative AI nimbly, focusing on use cases revolving around cutting costs and freeing employees from low-value, repetitive work. But despite the potential benefits of enhanced productivity and improved efficiencies, financial services companies are facing challenges in adopting these new technologies due to entrenched legacy systems, regulatory risks and challenges relating to bias and accountability.

Customer service
According to the report, financial services firms have so far focused their generative AI deployment efforts on customer service, fraud prevention, coding and software development, and information analysis.
In customer service, the report notes that the most common innovation is the creation of chatbots for either direct use by customers or company service agents. These generative AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants are used to provide round-the-clock customer support, create instant and accurate responses, and offer highly personalized customer interactions.
At Betterment, an American financial advisory company, a chatbot based on predictive AI has already “reduced the workload on our customer service team drastically,” John Mileham, CTO of Betterment, told the MIT Technology Review Insights in his interview.
Lito Villanueva, chief innovations officer and executive vice president of Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), said during his interview that a generative AI–based chatbot is one of the bank’s leading digital priorities, noting that these tools allow for “real-time quality customer service interactions and contributes to a seamless customer experience” by facilitating the filing of complaints, accommodation of client requests, and collection of relevant customer data.
Fraud prevention
Another popular generative AI use case outlined in the report is fraud prevention. For some years, financial services companies have been using advanced technologies, including predictive AI, to improve risk management and fraud prevention, but generative AI allows the sector to go further, notably through greater integration of unstructured data into these efforts, the report says. By using such information, companies can identify new patterns and anomalies with associated risks at both a micro level, such as the potential for an individual to default, but also at a broader one, like market trends.
Use of generative AI is particularly accelerating in the payment industry where players such as Visa and PayPal have already deployed the technology to prevent fraudulent transactions by blocking suspicious ones. Fintech companies, including such as Datavisor, Feedzai, and Forter, have also integrated generative AI into their off-the-shelf solutions to reduce payment fraud.
Coding and software
In the banking sector, generative AI is also being used for coding and software development. If properly trained, these tools can produce requested computer code as easily as others can answer questions or generate pictures, addressing technical challenges, accelerating development processes and driving innovation, the report says.
Goldman Sachs, for example, has started using generative AI tools to help its code developers. In Australia, Westpac ran a trial with generative AI to assist its coders and found a 46% productivity gain against a control group, with no reduction in code quality.
Meanwhile, Betterment’s Mileham said that his company is using generative AI software to help with debugging. The company has also procured GitHub Copilot, a cloud-based AI tool, to help with code generation and auto-completion.
Information analysis and summarization
Generative AI is also being used for information analysis and summarization, offering valuable applications in the financial services sector that enhance employee performance. This includes tasks such as querying the latest public regulations globally, generating research reports, pitch decks, customer sentiment analyses, and instruction manuals, acting as a knowledgeable “virtual expert”.
Morgan Stanley, for example, has reportedly built an AI assistant, using GPT-4, that helps its tens of thousands of wealth managers quickly find and synthesize answers from a massive internal knowledge base. The tool also summarizes the content of client meetings and generates follow-up emails.
Another leading bank reported it’s close to cutting the time to produce an investment brief by more than 90%, from nine hours to 30 minutes, by using generative AI, according to McKinsey.
And at Man Group, a large hedge fund, managers have found that generative AI can speed up initial research by reviewing academic papers and spotting patterns.
Challenges in adoption generative AI
Despite the many opportunities and benefits brought about generative AI, financial services companies are facing challenges in adopting the new technology. One of the main hurdles shared by the interviewees is the sector’s entrenched legacy systems, including their outdated software and obsolete siloed data storage arrangements.
For example, in the banking sector, the prevalence of COBOL, a six-decade-old programming language, is hindering adaptability to modern technological advancements. As of 2017, 43% of banking systems relied on COBOL, which was also behind 80% of credit card transactions and 85% of ATM activity.
The adoption of generative AI is also challenged by a shortage of talent and expertise. Since the technology is considered new, this makes it difficult to find experienced professionals in the field. But as the technology evolves over time, the report says that the availability of skilled talent will increase, especially with new entrants into the workforce.
Also, generative AI applications, while impressive, are considered general-purpose tools that may not fully address the specific needs of the financial services industry. This requires the necessary customization to meet the particular requirements of the sector.
Additionally, significant challenges lie in ensuring the reliability of the generated output, as well as addressing bias and ensuring accountability.
Finally, UBS research points to potential regulation as the main barrier to adoption of generative AI in the fintech space. The anticipation of regulatory frameworks and guidelines may impact how businesses approach the integration of generative AI, especially in fintech applications.

The potential of AI
AI is expected to impact all major industries, promising to profoundly transform the way firms conduct business. Across key industries, banking is set to have one of the largest opportunities, with AI potentially adding an estimated US$1.2 trillion in global value annually, new data released by McKinsey show.
The estimates, shared in a new report titled “Capturing the full value of generative AI in banking”, reveal that the economic impact of AI will likely benefit all banking segments and functions, with the greatest absolute gains in risk and legal (US$385 billion annually), corporate banking (US$321 billion), and retail banking (US$306 billion).
Value created by AI at stake by segment and fucntion, US$ billion, Source: Capturing the full value of generative AI in banking, McKinsey, Dec 2023
Generative AI is one branch of AI that’s highlighted in the report for its potential to automate routine tasks, improve efficiencies, and enhance recommendation engines and customer experiences. McKinsey estimates that generative AI could deliver an annual potential of US$200 billion to US$340 billion (equivalent to 9 to 15% of operating profits) in the banking sector.
Generative AI productivity impact by business functions, Source: McKinsey and Company, June 2023

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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ubs-report-generative-ai-for-financial-services</link><guid>3477</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/UBS-Report-Generative-AI-for-Financial-Services-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>UBS Report: Generative AI for Financial Services</dc:text></item><item><title>Visa Payment Monitor Schweiz 2023</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Wenn es um Geld geht, greifen Konsumenten in der Schweiz immer häufiger zum Smartphone.
Das zeigen die Ergebnisse der dritten Auflage des Schweizer Visa Payment Monitors in Zusammenarbeit mit forsa. Laut der repräsentativen Onlinebefragung unter 1000 Menschen in der Schweiz bezahlen fast vier von zehn Schweizern (37%), indem sie ihr Mobiltelefon oder Wearable an der Kasse auflegen. Vor zwei Jahren lag der Anteil noch bei 25 Prozent.
Insgesamt nutzen fast drei Viertel (72%) der Schweizer:innen inzwischen am liebsten digitale Zahlungsmethoden, wobei es besonders wichtig ist, dass das Bezahlen schnell geht (59%) und ihnen ein guter Überblick über die Ausgaben ermöglicht wird (53%). 27 Prozent aller Deutschschweizer meiden aktiv Geschäfte, in denen sie nicht digital zahlen können – in der Romandie sind es gar 34 Prozent und im Tessin sogar 37 Prozent (schweizweit: 29%).






Obwohl neun von zehn Konsument:innen (91%) inzwischen angeben kontaktlos zu zahlen, funktioniert digitales Bezahlen auch 2023 noch nicht überall. Jede:m Dritte:n (36%) passiert es mindestens einmal im Monat, dass sie nicht mit Karte, Smartphone und Co. bezahlen können. Zu den am häufigsten genannten Einkaufsmöglichkeiten, wo Konsument:innen digitale Bezahlmöglichkeiten vermissen, gehören Wochen- und Weihnachtsmärkten (20% bzw. 17%) und kleine Geschäfte (17%).

Zahlungsdaten vielfach digital hinterlegt
Zwei Drittel (67%) der Konsument:innen haben ihre Kreditkarte inzwischen digital gespeichert. Mit der Einführung moderner Debitkarten, mit denen nun auch online bezahlt werden kann, hinterlegen bereits 59 Prozent ihre Debitkarte in digitaler Form. Besonders häufig sind Kartendaten in Bezahlapps (66%), Onlineshops (33%) sowie Streamingdiensten (29%) hinterlegt.

Insgesamt geben sieben von zehn Menschen in der Schweiz (72%) an, mit mobilen Endgeräten im Internet einzukaufen, ein Plus von 7 Prozentpunkten im Vergleich zum Vorjahr. Mehr als die Hälfte (52%) versendet zudem mindestens einmal im Monat Geld per App an Familienmitglieder, Bekannte oder Freunde innerhalb der Schweiz, wobei sich jede:r Zweite (50%) eine Lösung wüscht, mit der man auch nahestehenden Menschen im Ausland direkt per App Geld schicken kann.
Santosh Ritter
«Digitale Technologien prägen zunehmend den Umgang mit Geld und ermöglichen Flexibilität, Transparenz und Kontrolle»,
sagt Santosh Ritter, Country Manager Visa Schweiz und Liechtenstein.
«Der Visa Payment Monitor zeigt, dass die Menschen in der Schweiz in zunehmendem Masse elektronisch bezahlen und sich zugleich weitere Innovationen wünschen, wenn es darum geht, Geld digital zu bewegen.»
Banking-Apps ersetzen bei der Ausgabenkontrolle den Blick ins Portemonnaie
Auch um tägliche Ausgaben im Blick zu behalten, werden inzwischen digitale Bezahlmethoden (65%) bevorzugt. Bargeld bietet nur noch für 29 Prozent der Befragten die beste Ausgabenkontrolle. Letztes Jahr waren es noch 35 Prozent. Für den Überblick über die Finanzen nutzen 66 Prozent am liebsten ihre Banking-App. Kontoauszüge aus Papier sieht die Hälfte (51%) als nicht mehr zeitgemäss an, doch 43 Prozent nutzen sie weiterhin.

Generationenunterschiede im Bezahlverhalten gehen zurück – lieber Smartphone als Portemonnaie
Im Vergleich zu früheren Auflagen der Studie zeigt sich, dass die über 60-Jährigen beim kontaktlosen mobilen Bezahlen deutlich aufholen. Jede:r Vierte (25%) von ihnen hat schon einmal mobil bezahlt, ein erhebliches Wachstum im Vergleich zum Vorjahr (+14 Prozentpunkte). Wobei auch die junge Generation der unter 36-Jährigen hier weiter zulegt. Von ihnen hat inzwischen mehr als die Hälfte per Smartphone oder Wearable an der Ladenkasse (52%) bezahlt, ein Plus von 8 Prozentpunkten gegenüber 2022. Müssten sie zwischen Smartphone oder Portemonnaie wählen, würde sich inzwischen auch mehr Menschen über 60 für das Mobiltelefon (49%) als für das Portemonnaie (47%). Entsprechend hat auch bei der Schweizer Gesamtbevölkerung das Smartphone (59%) erstmals gegenüber dem Portemonnaie (38%) die Nase vorn.
Super-App und Selbstbedienungskassen als Standard in fünf Jahren erwartet
Mit Blick auf die Zukunft erwarten Konsument:innen eine weitere Digitalisierung des Alltags. So glauben 72 Prozent, dass es Standard sein wird, im stationären Handel an Selbstbedienungskassen zu bezahlen. Schon heute nutzen 39 Prozent der Befragten diese Kassen, wenn diese verfügbar sind. Mehr als die Hälfte (56%) glaubt zudem, dass es in fünf Jahren alltäglich sein wird, Einkäufe vorab zu bestellen und im Supermarkt lediglich abzuholen. Ausserdem erwarten 46 Prozent der Befragten, Super-Apps würden sich durchsetzen, die verschiedene Anwendungen wie Shopping, Onlinebanking und Messaging-Dienste kombinieren.



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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/visa-payment-monitor-schweiz-2023</link><guid>3480</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>Visa Payment Monitor Schweiz 2023</dc:text></item><item><title>UBS Key4 Starts Offering Digital Investing for Kids</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					With the digital investment solution UBS key4 smart investing, adult clients can now digitally open investment accounts as a gift for children and invest directly in selected funds – simply via their smartphone.
UBS key4 smart investing is ideal for parents, grandparents, godparents and anyone who wants to save for a child and is an attractive alternative to the classic UBS youth savings account. Children in particular benefit from a long investment horizon.
From a minimum amount of 50 Swiss francs, it is possible to invest regularly in selected funds with a standing order or with individual payments. A wide selection of more than 20 actively and passively managed funds is available, many of which are sustainably oriented. With the personal investor profile, clients receive an investment proposal that they can adapt to their needs. This consists of broad-based UBS strategy funds or thematic funds with a focus on topics such as digitalization or megatrends. Clients can manage their investments independently and around the clock in the app.






A UBS youth savings account can now be opened completely digitally as a gift savings account with or without the digital gift investment solution. The opening process only takes a few minutes and by eliminating the need for paper documents, our clients save a lot of time.
Sabine Magri
Sabine Magri, COO UBS Switzerland:
“By the end of the year, more than 200 000 clients will be using at least one UBS key4 product. The new gift investment account is the next step in the continuous expansion of our digital offering, which will enable us to respond even better to the ever-changing needs of our clients.”


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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ubs-key4-starts-offering-digital-investing-for-kids</link><guid>3478</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>UBS Key4 Starts Offering Digital Investing for Kids</dc:text></item><item><title>SumUp Secures €285 Million Funding Round Amidst Global Fintech Fluctuations</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						December 12, 2023
																				





					
					
							
					SumUp, a London-based fintech company with German and Swiss origins, has recently raised approximately €285 million (around US$307 million) in growth funding. This funding comes at a time when the fintech market is experiencing notable fluctuations, making SumUp’s successful capital raise noteworthy.
The company, which offers payment and related services to around 4 million small businesses across Europe, the Americas, and Australia, plans to use this investment to expand its financial services.

Currently, SumUp provides a range of products including card readers, invoicing, loyalty programs, and business accounts. With this new funding injection, SumUp aims to grow organically and explore expansion into new geographical markets beyond the 36 countries where it currently operates.






In addition to organic growth, SumUp is also focusing on inorganic growth strategies such as mergers and acquisitions. This approach is particularly relevant in the current market, where fintech startups are facing a more challenging funding environment. Recent S&amp;P data indicates a global decrease of 36% in fintech funding over the last quarter.
SumUp’s strategic move into the US market was bolstered by its acquisition of Fivestars, a loyalty startup, in 2021. This expansion not only increased its geographical footprint but also diversified its service offerings.
Hermione McKee
Hermione McKee, SumUp’s recently-appointed CFO, stated that the recent funding is primarily equity-based, though exact financial figures were not disclosed.
She confirmed that the company’s valuation is now higher than its 2022 valuation of US$8.5 billion, achieved during a funding round that raised €590 million.
Despite a positive EBITDA since the fourth quarter of 2022 and over 30% growth in its top line year-on-year, SumUp faces challenges in a competitive market. The company’s customer base has remained static at around 4 million for the past two years. Moreover, recent market shifts were highlighted by Groupon’s sale of part of its stake in SumUp at a valuation of US$4.1 billion, less than half of its 2022 valuation.
SumUp’s current scenario reflects the broader trends in the fintech industry, where companies like PayPal and Square have also seen fluctuations in their share prices and market caps since 2022. As SumUp celebrates its 11th year of operations, the company’s longevity in the market is seen as a key factor in its continued stability and growth prospects, drawing attention from investors including Sixth Street Growth.





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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sumup-secures-285-million-funding-round-amidst-global-fintech-fluctuations</link><guid>3476</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/SumUp-Secures-E285-Million-Funding-Round-Amidst-Global-Fintech-Fluctuations-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>SumUp Secures €285 Million Funding Round Amidst Global Fintech Fluctuations</dc:text></item><item><title>Germany’s Payroll Software Startup Lano Lands TX Ventures Funding</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					In the payroll software sector, the German-based startup Lano has recently secured a substantial investment led by TX Ventures. This new funding, complemented by contributions from existing investors like Atlantic Labs, is earmarked to enhance Lano’s growth and bolster its payroll and fintech offerings.
Lano is known for its payroll consolidation software, and offers a comprehensive solution for businesses globally to hire, manage, and remunerate employees. The platform centralises payroll data from various sources, presenting a unified view of all employee payroll details.
This integration not only negates the need for manual data entry but also significantly reduces reconciliation efforts, offering time and cost savings to businesses.






Aurel Albrecht
Aurel Albrecht, Co-founder and CEO of Lano, expressed enthusiasm about the new partnership with TX Ventures, stating,
“This funding will allow us to continue to develop our innovative payroll consolidation software and expand our fintech capabilities. We are committed to providing businesses with the tools they need to streamline their payroll processes and improve their bottom line.”
Krzysztof Bialkowski
Krzysztof Bialkowski, Managing Partner at TX Ventures, shared similar sentiments, lauding Lano’s team, technology, and market potential.
“We believe that Lano has the potential to become a leader in the payroll software market. We are excited to support the company’s growth and help it achieve its full potential,”
he remarked.
This new investment puts Lano on a trajectory for rapid expansion, solidifying its position as a significant entity in the payroll software industry. The company says that it remains dedicated to equipping businesses with effective and efficient payroll management tools.

Featured image credit: Lano founders Aurel Albrecht (left) and Markus Schünemann (right)


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/germanys-payroll-software-startup-lano-lands-tx-ventures-funding</link><guid>3474</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>Germany’s Payroll Software Startup Lano Lands TX Ventures Funding</dc:text></item><item><title>Basel Committee to Revise CryptoAsset Risk Standards</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision met virtually on 5 and 7 December to discuss a range of policy and supervisory initiatives.
The Committee took stock of its review of various elements of the prudential standard for banks’ exposures to cryptoassets published in December 2022.
It agreed to consult on potential targeted revisions related to the criteria for stablecoins to receive a preferential regulatory treatment. The Committee will also consult on various technical amendments to help promote a consistent understanding of the standard.






The Committee concluded that cryptoassets that use permissionless blockchains create risks that cannot be sufficiently mitigated at present and therefore agreed to retain the existing treatment for such cryptoassets. A consultation paper about that topic will be published this month.
The Committee also reviewed the risks arising from banks providing cryptoasset custody services. Such services raise various operational risks for banks, which reinforces the importance of full implementation of the Principles for operational resilience and those for the sound management of operational risk.
The Committee will continue to monitor the evolution of banks’ cryptoasset custody activities and, taking account of market developments, will consider whether any additional work may be needed.

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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/basel-committee-to-revise-cryptoasset-risk-standards</link><guid>3475</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>Basel Committee to Revise CryptoAsset Risk Standards</dc:text></item><item><title>DACH Payment Survey: Contactless Debit Card Preferred, but Cash Is Still King</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						December 11, 2023
																				





					
					
							
					Cash is the primary form of payment across Europe, being most frequently used in Austria and Germany and least frequently used in Finland.
However, the frequency of payment method usage varies greatly between countries and age groups. The characteristic of anonymity is only attributed to cash, while the characteristics of speed and convenience are attributed to digital payment methods such as card payments and payment services.
Cash is king in German-speaking countries
Cash use is significantly higher in Austria (79%) and Germany (71%) than in other European countries. Respondents from Switzerland (63%), Ireland (61%), the Netherlands (57%), and France (55%) also show a relatively high level of cash use but are well behind Germany and Austria. Finland has a significantly lower frequency of cash usage at 43%.






Cash usage also varied across the surveyed age groups. The most frequent use of cash is seen in the 55+ age group in Austria, at 86%, while Finland has the lowest frequency in this age group at 39%. In general, the 55+ age group uses cash most frequently, except in Finland, where the 35-44 age group uses cash most frequently at 51%. In the 18-24 age group, Austria again tops other countries at 68%, whereas France has the lowest frequency of cash usage in this age group at 37%.

Contactless debit card most frequently used payment method in Finland
In Finland, the contactless debit card is the most frequently used payment method across all age groups at 71%, which is significantly higher than cash use. On average, the contactless debit card is the second most frequently used payment method in the countries surveyed at 56%. Cash and contactless debit cards are used almost equally frequent in France, Ireland, and the Netherlands. Compared to the other countries, the frequency of use of non-contactless debit cards is lowest in Finland at 17%, which is well below the average of 33% for the countries surveyed.
People in France still frequently use cheques as a payment method
For France, it can be seen in the 18-24 age group that no payment method is preferred for frequent use. At a relatively low level, there is a very homogeneous frequency of use of cash, card payments, mobile payment services and online payment services and digital wallets in the range between 24% and 37%. Cheques, on the other hand, are clearly lagging behind at 6%, while the frequency of use in France is steadily increasing across the age groups and is highest for the 55+ age group at 41%. Cheques are almost not used as a payment method in the other countries.
Mobile payment services used mainly by younger people in Ireland and France
In most countries, contactless debit cards are used evenly across all surveyed age groups. The exceptions are France and Ireland, where the 18-24 age group differs significantly compared to the national average, with the lowest frequency of contactless debit card use in this age group at 31% in France, closely followed by Ireland at 40%. In contrast, mobile payment services are used significantly more frequently in the 18-24 age group in France at 33% and Ireland at 54% than the national average for the other age groups.
Christian Bruck
It is interesting to see that cash is very common across all age groups and is clearly number one among respondents. It is also noteworthy that in the 18-24 age group, cash is used more frequently on average than mobile payment services. From my point of view, the contactless debit card has experienced more intensive use during the pandemic and established itself as a heavily used digital payment method in Europe.
Christian Bruck, Partner and payments expert at BearingPoint
Anonymity is only attributed to cash
43% of respondents attribute the characteristic of anonymity to cash, while card payments and payment services are not assigned this characteristic. With 56% of respondents, Austria is the leader in the country comparison for the anonymity characteristic of cash. Contactless cards are rated as fast by 64% and as convenient by 57% of respondents on average, putting them above the other payment methods surveyed. There are clear differences between countries. Regarding contactless cards, 74% of respondents in Finland agree with the characteristic of fast, and 69% agree that they are convenient, while in Germany, only 54% agree with fast, and 42% agree that they are convenient.
For payments between private individuals, country-specific digital payment methods are used
Austria and France remain loyal to the traditional payment methods of cash and bank transfer, with cash being the most frequently used payment method for payments among private individuals in Austria at 64% and bank transfer at 64% in France.
Individual digital payment providers are the first port of call for payments among private individuals in the Netherlands (69%), Switzerland (62%) and Ireland (55%).
One in two had experienced problems or concerns with digital payment methods
Around one in two respondents had problems or concerns when using digital payment methods. In Ireland, most respondents (63%) stated they had experienced problems or concerns, whereas in Finland, only 38% had experienced either.

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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/dach-payment-survey-contactless-debit-card-preferred-but-cash-is-still-king</link><guid>3472</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/DACH-Payment-Survey-Contactless-Debit-Card-Preferred-but-Cash-Is-Still-King-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>DACH Payment Survey: Contactless Debit Card Preferred, but Cash Is Still King</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Venture Fund Canapi Raises $750m</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Canapi Ventures, a fintech venture capital fund backed by nearly 70 financial institutions and strategic investors across the United States, announced the raise of a $750 million Fund II.
Canapi is backed by the Canapi Alliance, the fund’s network of strategic banks and financial partners institutions across North America, as well as institutional investors. This latest raise brings Canapi’s total assets under management to over $1.4B and will allow the Fund to continue to support the most innovative entrepreneurs and companies looking to create a sounder, more inclusive and equitable financial ecosystem.
Core to Canapi’s value proposition is the delivery of best-in-class financial and strategic returns to its Alliance. In Fund I, Canapi made 20 investments across key verticals, including fraud and identity, financial infrastructure, lending and credit, payments, and real estate technology. As part of these investments, Canapi has helped to facilitate nearly 100 partnerships between its LPs and portfolio companies – including such names as Alloy, Built, Thoropass, and Greenlight. Canapi estimates that this has delivered some $40 million in annualized revenue and supported the creation of nearly 1,500 new jobs in the fintech and financial services industry.






In Fund II, Canapi will maintain this considered strategy and support these key industries, while broadening its investment aperture to include additional opportunities and challenges facing the financial industry and other industries.
This includes the responsible use and governance of AI, cybersecurity, and the intersection of financial services and climate technology. To that end, Canapi has made a handful of investments out of Fund II in companies such as DynamoFL, Island, and Crux Climate.
Gene Ludwig
“Our venture capital model connects high-quality fintech companies to our extensive network of banks and strategic partners, creating strong symbiotic value in this important ecosystem,”
said Canapi Managing Partner, Gene Ludwig.
Canapi also seeks to back diverse leaders who reflect the increasingly heterogenous financial landscape; to that end, 61% of C-suite members or founders in Canapi’s portfolio are either minorities, women, or veterans.


This article first appeared on fintechnews.ch


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-venture-fund-canapi-raises-750m</link><guid>3473</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech Venture Fund Canapi Raises $750m</dc:text></item><item><title>Robinhood Crypto Trading App Arrives in EU, Offers Bitcoin Rewards</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Robinhood is set to make a significant stride in the European Union by launching the Robinhood Crypto app for all eligible customers in the region. The company claims that the app is the only custodial crypto platform in the EU where customers can earn a portion of their trading volume back every month in Bitcoin (BTC).
In an effort to drive new users, Robinhood Crypto is offering a unique opportunity for both new and existing customers. New customers are eligible to earn up to one Bitcoin when they open a Robinhood Crypto account and trade a minimum amount of €10 in crypto. Similarly, existing customers can earn up to one Bitcoin for every referred friend who successfully opens an account and trades a minimum €10 worth of crypto.
Johann Kerbrat
Johann Kerbrat, the General Manager of Robinhood Crypto, expressed excitement about the expansion:






“We believe crypto is the financial framework for tomorrow and that it plays a significant role in our mission to democratize finance for all. For this reason, we’re thrilled to expand crypto trading to customers throughout the EU, enabling them to buy and sell their favorite tokens safely and securely.”
The app provides support for buying and selling over 25 different cryptocurrencies, boasting industry-leading safety and security measures. Robinhood Crypto also purports to be the most cost-effective crypto trading platform in the EU on average.
Further enhancing its appeal, the platform offers customers a monthly Bitcoin rebate based on their total trading volume. This rebate program is detailed in the help center, allowing customers to understand how it operates and the potential benefits they can receive.
To ensure transparency and informed decision-making, Robinhood Crypto displays the spread in the app, including the rebate received from sell and trade orders. This all-inclusive pricing model ensures that customers are aware of the full cost of their transactions, with no hidden fees.
For a limited period, eligible customers can also earn a reward of up to one Bitcoin when they sign up and trade a minimum amount of crypto. Additionally, they have the chance to earn up to one Bitcoin for the first 300 successful eligible referrals. Each customer receives a unique referral link to share with friends and family upon signing up.

According to a statement, Robinhood Crypto is designed to be a secure trading platform where users maintain ownership of their cryptocurrency. The platform allows users to buy and sell over 25 cryptocurrencies, track real-time prices, access charts, and fine-tune their trading strategies. Users can also explore various digital assets, create watchlists, and stay updated with the latest news directly in the app. Support for additional tokens, crypto transfers, crypto staking, and crypto learning rewards are all expected to launch in 2024.



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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/robinhood-crypto-trading-app-arrives-in-eu-offers-bitcoin-rewards</link><guid>3471</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>Robinhood Crypto Trading App Arrives in EU, Offers Bitcoin Rewards</dc:text></item><item><title>Portuguese Fintech Map and Report 2023</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						December 11, 2023
																				





					
					
							
					2023 has been a challenging year for the fintech sector, which has been marked by high inflation, political turmoil and a looming global recession. The prevailing environment of macroeconomic uncertainties has led investors to become more risk-averse. This shift in attitude has reduced their willingness to make substantial investments, subsequently putting a halt on the investing mania.
But despite the challenges, Portugal’s fintech ecosystem has shown resilience, with investment, talent, business and innovation continuing to speed up this year. This growth has been driven by significant developments in industries such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, digital banking, cybersecurity and open banking, and should carry on in 2024 as consumer demand for more personalized, convenient, and secure services continues to increase and as corporates accelerate their digitalization efforts, a new report produced by KPMG, Visa and Morais Leitao says.
The Portugal Fintech Report 2023, released last week, offers a comprehensive overview of the Portuguese fintech landscape, presenting industry statistics and expert insights, and highlighting the top fintech startups in Portugal. The report also captures the trends of the 2023 fintech industry and provides valuable insights into the anticipated developments in 2024.






According to the report, the Portuguese fintech sector continued to see dynamism in 2023, with total funding to date surpassing EUR 1.1 billion. Much of that sum went to startups in the blockchain and cryptocurrency (34%), lending and credit (27%), insurtech (18%) and regtech and cybersecurity (18%) industry.
Deals secured this year mostly involve early-stage ventures at the Series A stage and under, showcasing the rather nascent fintech landscape. Lending and credit startups took the lion’s share, accounting for 59% of all fintech funding raised in 2023, followed by insurtech (30%), payments and money transfers (6%), regtech and cybersecurity (3%) and real estate (2%).
Notable deals include StudentFinance’s EUR 39 million Series A, Coverflex’s EUR 15 million Series A, HolyWally’s EUR 2.3 million round and Visor.ai’s EUR 2.3 million round. StudentFinance is a global career mobility fintech platform from Spain; Coverflex is a Portuguese compensation management platform that offers employee benefits, insurance, meal allowance, and discounts; HolyWally is a wallet-as-a-service platform headquartered in Singapore; and Visor.ai is a no-code conversational AI platform for customer service automation headquartered in Portugal.

Emerging trends
The report delves into key industries and trends emerging in the Portuguese market. The first industry outlined is cybersecurity, a space that’s been growing on the back of rising cyberattacks.
Research by American cybersecurity firm SentinelOne found that financial institutions were the second most impacted sector based on the number of reported data breaches last year with institutions in the US, Argentina, Brazil, and China being the most affected. As of December 2022, finance and insurance organizations globally experienced 566 breaches, leading to over 254 million leaked records.
Data breaches cost the finance sector the second highest costs amongst all others at US$5.9 million.
Ransomware attacks on financial services increased from 55% in 2022 to 64% in 2023, which is nearly double the 34% reported in 2021.
This trend is expected to continue, making prevention crucial. Additionally, EU legislation, such as DORA, will mandate organizations to implement proactive cybersecurity measures, starting in 2025, adding further urgency to preparations, the report says.
Another trend outlined in the Portugal Fintech Report 2023 is open insurance, a model that’s presenting significant benefits for both consumers and insurers. For consumers, open insurance allows for tailored solutions, enhanced accessibility and improved customer experience. For insurers, open insurance allows them to tap into broader markets by collaborating with various partners, efficiency gains, as well as innovation opportunities and new revenue streams.
The report also discusses the transformative impact of Web3 on traditional finance and its implications for Portugal, highlighting three main Web3 use cases explored by banks and fintech companies, namely custody, payments, and tokenization. Notable examples include Fidelity and BNY Mellon in digital asset custody, PayPal’s stablecoin initiative, and Visa’s pilot for settlement with USD Coin.
These organizations are adopting tokenization and blockchain with hopes of improved efficiency, reduced costs and enhanced security. They are also looking to capitalize on the transformative potential of these technologies in the financial sector and ride on the digital asset frenzy.
But despite the opportunities, the report notes that financial institutions are facing challenges in the adoption of Web3, including a lack of expertise, security and interoperability issues, and regulatory constraints.
To overcome these hurdles, it stresses the need for banks and fintech companies to actively engage with regulatory bodies and participate in industry experiments to shape standards and best practices. One example is the ongoing Project Guardian by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, involving financial institutions like HSBC, OCBC bank, and Standard Chartered, which seeks to explore Web3 concepts.
As various countries navigate their Web3 journeys, the report anticipates a pattern of regulators working with the industry to define rules and laws, providing clarity and legitimacy. It concludes by highlighting that banks and fintech companies actively learning and testing with Web3 technology will have a competitive advantage.
A rapidly-evolving regulatory landscape
The regulatory landscape for fintech in Portugal is undergoing a rapid transformation that’s marked by the introduction of groundbreaking legislation, such as the Portuguese startup law, as well as ongoing advancements in the European Union’s Payment Services framework.
The Portuguese startup law, published in May, 2023, introduces significant changes to the tax regime and includes a more favorable scheme for stock options for startup employees. The law aims to foster innovation, stimulate competition, and ensure the financial well-being of both consumers and businesses.
In parallel, at the European level, the European Commission has proposed a Payment Services package, featuring a proposal for a new Payment Services and Electronic Money Services Directive (PSD3) and a new Payment Services Regulation (PSR1). The proposal aims to amend and modernize the existing Payment Services Directive (PSD2) to address critical gaps, encourage innovation and respond to the rapidly changing landscape of electronic payments in the EU.
Next year, the Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation (MiCA) will take effect, making the European Union the first major jurisdiction in the world to introduce comprehensive, tailored rules for the cryptocurrency sector.
The regulation identifies and covers three types of crypto-assets, namely asset-referenced tokens, electronic money tokens, and other crypto-assets not covered by existing EU law. The legislation regulates issuance and trading of crypto-assets as well as the management of the underlying assets, where applicable.
By enhancing the protection of consumers and investors as well as financial stability, MiCA aims to promote innovation and the use of crypto-assets.

Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/portuguese-fintech-map-and-report-2023</link><guid>3470</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Portuguese-Fintech-Industry-Sees-Further-Growth-Despite-Challenging-Macro-Environment--1440x564_c.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>Portuguese Fintech Map and Report 2023</dc:text></item><item><title>Largest VC Startup Growth Fund of Fund in Germany Ever: 1 Billion EUR Target</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					The VC fund of funds “Wachstumsfonds Deutschland” (Growth Fund Germany) has reached its EUR 1 billion target volume.
A key building block of the Future Fund of the German Federal Government has thus been completed. The Wachstumsfonds Deutschland one of the largest VC funds of funds ever to be set up in Europe.
It is funded primarily by private resources. Besides the Federal Government and KfW Capital as anchor investors, the fund has more than 20 major institutional investors including insurers, superannuation funds, foundations, asset managers and large family offices such as Allianz, BlackRock, Debeka, Generali Deutschland AG, Gothaer Versicherung, HUK-Coburg, the RAG-Stiftung, SIGNAL IDUNA, Stuttgarter Lebensversicherung a.G., Tecta, and Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG.






Together with other investors, the Wachstumsfonds invests in German and international VC funds with a focus on Europe and Germany. This will significantly improve access to urgently needed growth capital for start-ups and innovative technology firms while strengthening Europe and Germany as an innovation location. KfW Capital acts as both an investment intermediary and an investment advisor for the Wachstumsfonds Deutschland. The fund will be managed by the fund service platform Universal Investment Group.
What is special about the structure of the Wachstumsfonds Deutschland is that it is composed of two parallel investment vehicles, consider the different risk preferences of the individual groups of investors. The German Insurance Association (GDV) and its members played an important role in accompanying the structuring of the Wachstumsfonds.
Stefan Wintels
Stefan Wintels, Chief Executive Officer of KfW Group and Chair of the Supervisory Board of KfW Capital:
“By launching the ‘Wachstumsfonds Deutschland’ we have succeeded in setting up a marketable structure for mobilising private capital. This fund is a great example showing how the public sector and private investors can jointly bolster the VC ecosystem in Germany and Europe.”
The fund invests primarily in German and European VC funds with a focus on the later stage segment. The sectoral focus is on information and communication technology (ICT), life sciences as well as climate and food tech. As is customary, the Growth Fund Germany began its investment activity already after the first closing, which was in mid-December 2022. By mid-November 2023, it had already invested in 16 VC funds with a volume of more than EUR 260 million.
KfW Capital is the coordinator of the “Future Fund” (“Investment Fund for Technologies of the Future”). Under this fund, EUR 10 billion will be available for the quantitative expansion and qualitative enhancement of existing financing offers and the development of new instruments until 2030.
In addition, the ERP Special Fund is participating financially in multiple instruments of the Future Fund. Together with further private and public partners, the Future Fund aims to strengthen the VC ecosystem with its various modules on a sustainable basis.
KfW Capital is coordinating the individual building blocks of the Future Fund jointly with the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and the Federal Ministry of Finance as well as KfW, the European Investment Fund, the High-tech Start-up Fund (HTGF) and the Deep Tech and Climate Fund (DTCF). The Future Fund is currently composed of eight building blocks.


Featured image credit: edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/largest-vc-startup-growth-fund-of-fund-in-germany-ever-1-billion-eur-target</link><guid>3468</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>Largest VC Startup Growth Fund of Fund in Germany Ever: 1 Billion EUR Target</dc:text></item><item><title>Germany’s Biggest Ever VC Startup Growth Fund of Fund Aims for 1 Billion EUR</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					The VC fund of funds “Wachstumsfonds Deutschland” (Growth Fund Germany) has reached its EUR 1 billion target volume.
A key building block of the Future Fund of the German Federal Government has thus been completed. The Wachstumsfonds Deutschland one of the largest VC funds of funds ever to be set up in Europe.
It is funded primarily by private resources. Besides the Federal Government and KfW Capital as anchor investors, the fund has more than 20 major institutional investors including insurers, superannuation funds, foundations, asset managers and large family offices such as Allianz, BlackRock, Debeka, Generali Deutschland AG, Gothaer Versicherung, HUK-Coburg, the RAG-Stiftung, SIGNAL IDUNA, Stuttgarter Lebensversicherung a.G., Tecta, and Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG.






Together with other investors, the Wachstumsfonds invests in German and international VC funds with a focus on Europe and Germany. This will significantly improve access to urgently needed growth capital for start-ups and innovative technology firms while strengthening Europe and Germany as an innovation location. KfW Capital acts as both an investment intermediary and an investment advisor for the Wachstumsfonds Deutschland. The fund will be managed by the fund service platform Universal Investment Group.
What is special about the structure of the Wachstumsfonds Deutschland is that it is composed of two parallel investment vehicles, consider the different risk preferences of the individual groups of investors. The German Insurance Association (GDV) and its members played an important role in accompanying the structuring of the Wachstumsfonds.
Stefan Wintels
Stefan Wintels, Chief Executive Officer of KfW Group and Chair of the Supervisory Board of KfW Capital:
“By launching the ‘Wachstumsfonds Deutschland’ we have succeeded in setting up a marketable structure for mobilising private capital. This fund is a great example showing how the public sector and private investors can jointly bolster the VC ecosystem in Germany and Europe.”
The fund invests primarily in German and European VC funds with a focus on the later stage segment. The sectoral focus is on information and communication technology (ICT), life sciences as well as climate and food tech. As is customary, the Growth Fund Germany began its investment activity already after the first closing, which was in mid-December 2022. By mid-November 2023, it had already invested in 16 VC funds with a volume of more than EUR 260 million.
KfW Capital is the coordinator of the “Future Fund” (“Investment Fund for Technologies of the Future”). Under this fund, EUR 10 billion will be available for the quantitative expansion and qualitative enhancement of existing financing offers and the development of new instruments until 2030.
In addition, the ERP Special Fund is participating financially in multiple instruments of the Future Fund. Together with further private and public partners, the Future Fund aims to strengthen the VC ecosystem with its various modules on a sustainable basis.
KfW Capital is coordinating the individual building blocks of the Future Fund jointly with the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and the Federal Ministry of Finance as well as KfW, the European Investment Fund, the High-tech Start-up Fund (HTGF) and the Deep Tech and Climate Fund (DTCF). The Future Fund is currently composed of eight building blocks.


Featured image credit: Edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/germanys-biggest-ever-vc-startup-growth-fund-of-fund-aims-for-1-billion-eur</link><guid>3469</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>Germany’s Biggest Ever VC Startup Growth Fund of Fund Aims for 1 Billion EUR</dc:text></item><item><title>German Online Trading Platform Trade Republic Receives Full Banking License From European Central Bank</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Trade Republic has obtained a full banking license from the European Central Bank (ECB).
The additional license allows Europe’s largest savings platform to expand its product offering in the areas of investing and saving. Furthermore, corporate governance structures will be expanded forming an experienced audit committee.






Christian Hecker
“Receiving the full banking license opens up a new chapter for Trade Republic,”
says Christian Hecker, Co-founder of Trade Republic.
“In collaboration with our customers, we aim to continue growing strongly and establish ourselves as one of the leading financial institutions in Europe.”
Almost five years after entering the market, Trade Republic can now provide all essential banking services, and meets all requirements that are linked to a full banking license. By passing on interest rates of 4 percent, the opening of bond trading for retail investors and the new app, Trade Republic has developed its offering in 2023.
“The new products have enabled us to expand our market share in Europe in 2023. The focus remains unchanged on the easy, secure and affordable accumulation of wealth,”
adds Hecker.
As part of obtaining the full banking license, Trade Republic strengthens its corporate governance by establishing an experienced audit committee.
Trade Republic sees itself as the innovation powerhouse within the financial industry, pioneering affordable trading and establishing ETF savings plans as a new form of savings account.

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			&#13;
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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/german-online-trading-platform-trade-republic-receives-full-banking-license-from-european-central-bank</link><guid>3467</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>German Online Trading Platform Trade Republic Receives Full Banking License From European Central Bank</dc:text></item><item><title>PPRO Expands Its Payment Method Portfolio with Twint</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					London based Digital Payment Solution provider PPRO has integrated Swiss payment method Twint onto its platform. Processing over 386 million transactions in 2022 alone, Twint is the preferred way to pay for more than half of the Swiss population and it has become an essential choice for online merchants looking to reach Swiss consumers.
According to PPRO research, the Swiss e-commerce market is currently valued at US$14 billion and is projected to reach US$22 billion by 2027. With over 5 million active users, Twint has gained significant traction in Switzerland, and now accounts for well over half of mobile payment transactions in the country*. By providing Swiss consumers with their payment method of choice, payment service providers and merchants can ensure a more seamless and efficient checkout experience, which positively impacts conversion rates.






Adrian Burgess
Adrian Burgess, Head of Payment Partnerships, EMEA at PPRO, said:
“We’re thrilled to be able to offer Twint as part of our portfolio. Payment service providers and merchants globally can now access this essential Swiss payment method in a market where mobile-first ecommerce is seeing impressive growth. Our partnership will unlock the full power of the US$14 billion Swiss e-commerce market for our customers, and open up the rest of Europe for Swiss consumers.”
Adrian Plattner
Adrian Plattner, Chief Sales Officer at Twint, said:
“Twint’s goal is to make our users’ lives easier on a daily basis. Our collaboration with PPRO as a connecting platform will enable many international merchants from a diverse range of industries to offer Swiss customers their favorite mobile payment method at checkout. This means that even more consumers and merchants benefit from easy, fast and secure payments via Twintf.”


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			&#13;
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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ppro-expands-its-payment-method-portfolio-with-twint</link><guid>3466</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>PPRO Expands Its Payment Method Portfolio with Twint</dc:text></item><item><title>Switzerland Sees Slow Uptake of Open Banking</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Despite ranking high in digital evolution, Switzerland lags behind some of its European counterparts in digital trust, behavior and demand. These attributes, coupled with consumers’ stronger affinity for cash and their loyalty to the traditional banking sector, have led the country to see slower open banking momentum compared with countries such as the Netherlands, France and Spain, a new report by Mastercard says.
The report, titled “Four European takes on open banking”, shares findings of Mastercard surveys, supplemented with other sources, to shed light on the development of open banking in Switzerland, the Netherlands, France and Spain and compare these countries between one another.
According to the document, Switzerland ranks high in the 2020 Digital Intelligence Index (DII), a rating that orders each country based on their state of digitalization, ranking sixth in the state of digital evolution, second in digital trust environment, eighth in attitudes to digital trust, and fifth in digital trust experiences. These are higher than the Netherlands’, France’s and Spain’s rankings.






Yet, in the user behavior category, Switzerland ranks last out of the 42 nations studied, indicating a relatively low level of trust and online engagement from consumers, a discrepancy which can be partly explain why open banking momentum in Switzerland currently appears slower than France and Spain, the report says.
A cash-reliant economy and a well-entrenched banking sector
Another key trait of Swiss consumers that may contribute to the slow uptake of open banking is their affinity for cash. Data from the Swiss National Bank (SNB) show that cash accounted for 43% of all transactions in 2020, equivalent roughly to the combined share of credit and debit cards. The figure is in sharp contrast to nations in the Nordic region where almost a third of consumers indicated this year never paying with cash in physical sales locations, findings from a new study conducted by Nets, part of Nexi Group, reveal.
Shares in % by number of transactions, Source: Swiss National Bank, Nov 2022
Giving these circumstances, the Mastercard report notes that it isn’t surprising that only 59% of Swiss consumers said they would like to make a payment directly from their bank account without having to input credentials, a figure that pales in comparison to 61%, 65% and 74% in France, the Netherlands and Spain, respectively, and which reflects Swiss consumers’ relatively low interest in new digital experiences.
In addition to a preference cash, the report notes that payments cards are firmly established in Switzerland, a characteristic that’s exhibited in the fact that Swiss consumers own 3 payment cards on average, higher than the European Union (EU) average of 2.4, Spain’s average of 2.7, the Netherlands’ average of 2.5 and France’s average of 1.8.
Cards are also the preferred payment method for e-commerce transactions, accounting for 42% of the total value of e-commerce transactions in 2022, worth CHF 9 billion, the report says. Credit transfers follow with 16%, which is more than the 11.4% contributed by debit cards, alone. Twint, an account-to-account payments provider owned by a consortium of Swiss banks, takes 7.4%.
The report also notes that close private relationships with banks and the sector’s strong foothold in the country could make Swiss consumers less willing to try new solutions and share their data.
A 2021 research conducted by Mastercard found that three quarters of consumers were satisfied with their primary bank. 48% said they had had a banking relationship since childhood, 56% had never changed their primary bank, and 94% said they did not plan to change banks.
Still, the study found that, despite strong customer loyalty to their primary bank, a significant proportion of respondents (49%) said that they would be willingness to change their primary bank or add a new banking relationship to benefit from at least one open banking-enabled service.
A market-led approach
Unlike in other countries, such as the UK or EU member states, there is currently no legal obligation in Switzerland for financial institutions to make financial data available to third-party providers at their clients’ request. This has prompted industry stakeholders to come together and initiate standardization efforts.
The Mastercard report notes that, today, most demand for open banking in Switzerland currently comes from corporate and wealth clients, a demand which the OpenWealth Association is attempting to address by developing open API standards that cover wealth management-related services.
These standards are meant to complement the Common API Specification for Finance being developed by industry trade group Swiss Fintech Innovations (SFTI). The standards currently cover APIs related to account information, payment initiation, loans and wealth management (the latter one in collaboration with the OpenWealth Association), and aim for international compatibility,
The Common API initiative overlaps with the Swiss NextGen API, an initiative by openbankingproject.ch that seeks to develop APIs based on the PSD2 standards with minimal deviations and which aims to achieve international interoperability for API users.
But despite limited involvement from Swiss regulators, the Federal Council is closely watching developments, instructing in December 2022 the Federal Department of Finance (FDF) to submit measures to them by June 2024 if the financial sector does not sufficiently commit to opening up their interfaces.
 
Featured image credit: edited from Freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/switzerland-sees-slow-uptake-of-open-banking</link><guid>3464</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>Switzerland Sees Slow Uptake of Open Banking</dc:text></item><item><title>6 Prominent AI Investors in Switzerland to Know</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Venture capital (VC) into Europe’s tech industry dropped by half this year, plunging from US$82 billion in 2022 to an estimated US$45 billion this year, a new report by European VC firm Atomico says. But in this gloomy VC landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a standout category, seeing continued traction this year.
Atomino’s “State of European Tech 23” report, released on November 28, reveals that investment into AI in Europe is defying the broader downturn, with 2023 total investment on track to come close to, or perhaps even surpass, last year’s record-breaking amount of US$8.7 billion.
Findings from the study show that AI is the biggest pull for fundraising rounds amounting to US$100 million or more, with 11 AI companies bagging megarounds so far this year. The sector is also the buzziest space for investors, attracting 11% of the total investment in 2023.






Total capital invested (US$B) in AI:ML in Europe and the US, 2014-2023, Source: State of European Tech 23, Atomico, Nov 2023
In Switzerland, the VC downturn is having a much more pronounced impact on AI funding. Findings from startup data Zefyron reveal that Swiss AI companies have so far secured a total of CHF 129 million in funding this year, down 77% from 2022’s CHF 561 million. In total, 2023 has seen the closing of 56 AI deals, which is half the number recorded in 2022 of 110.
AI funding in Switzerland, Source: Zefyron
Zefyron data show that despite the ongoing market downturn, Switzerland is home to a robust investment landscape for AI, with around 75 investment and VC firms actively investing in AI across diverse sectors such as fintech, cleantech, deeptech, biotechnology, and more. These investors have totaled approximately 3,500 investments to date, and have since 2017 accelerated their pace of investment.
As AI continues to pick up steam in Switzerland, we look today at some of the country’s most prominent investors. For this list, we’ve focused on private investors, using data from startup data platforms Dealroom, Shizune and Zefyron to shortlist six of Switzerland’s most prolific AI backers.
SICTIC

Founded in 2014 and based in Zurich, the Investor community of the Swiss ICT Investor Club (SICTIC) is a non-profit association that connects investors to innovative seed and early-stage tech startups. The organization organizes the deal flow and the matchmaking of startups and investors online and at pitching events.
SICTIC primarily focuses on information and communications technologies (ICT) and fintech startups, but also targets verticals including healthtech, medtech, foodtech, and cleantech.
Since 2018, SICTIC claims it has been the largest and most active business angel network in Switzerland, and has backed the likes of TradePlus24, a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) alternative financing platform, Grape Insurance, a digital employee insurance startup, and Calingo, a digital insurance platform, data from Dealroom show.
According to Shizune, SICTIC has been the most active AI investors in Switzerland, having made 20 AI investments so far including Acodis, Advaisor, Agrinorm and SquareFactory.
Verve Ventures

Founded in 2010, Verve Ventures is a network and technology-driven VC firm headquartered in Zurich. The firm invests in startups across Europe from seed stage onward, in software, hardware and healthcare, and provides its pan-European network of selected private and institutional investors access to top-tier investment opportunities.
Verve Ventures invests from EUR 500,000 to EUR 3 million from seed to Series B and beyond. The firm makes around 20-30 new investments per year, making it one of Europe’s most active startup investors.
Verve Ventures claims it has backed over 164 science and technology startups across Europe, investing a total of EUR 180 million in ventures such as Wefox, one of the largest insurtech companies in Europe, NetGuardians, a fraud prevention platform from Switzerland, and Oper, a Swiss digital mortgage platform.
According to Shizure, Verve Ventures is the third most active AI investor in Switzerland, having made 16 investments so far. AI startups in its portfolio include Axelera AI, Cognism, and Ecorobotix.
Swisscom Ventures

Founded in 2007, Swisscom Ventures is the VC arm of Swisscom, a leading telecom and IT provider in Switzerland. With over US$650 million assets under management (AUM) and advisory, of which two thirds is financed by 20 institutional investors and one third by Swisscom, the firm invests during the full life cycle of high potential startups. Its minority investments typically range from US$1 million per company at early stage up to US$20 million in growth rounds.
As a strategic investor, Swisscom Ventures offers entrepreneurs access to a broad range of portfolio services in addition to financial support. Those comprise the use of Swisscom’s technical infrastructure but also access to market channels and key experts in the lines of business.
Swisscom Ventures has invested in over 80 technology companies from its offices in Switzerland (Zurich, Bern, Lausanne) and the USA (Silicon Valley), the firm claims. Its portfolio comprises one fintech startup – Yokoy, a Swiss fintech startup that leverages AI to fully automate all expense- and company credit card processes -, and four AI startups, namely Inpher, Ecorobotix, Unsupervised and Deepomatic. It’s one of the most active AI investor in Switzerland, according to both Shizure and Zefyron.
Tenity

Founded in 2015 as F10, Tenity is a startup incubator and accelerator with an integrated investment arm that backs innovative technology companies in the financial and insurance industries. Tenity provides incubation and acceleration programs helping startups to connecting with corporates, experts, mentors, and investors for early stage venture and late stage venture investing, and collaboration opportunities. Its investment strategy focuses on early-stage companies and seeks broad geographic diversification.
As of July 2023, Tenity had accepted over 280 companies into its programs who had raised more than US$370 million combined. Companies it has backed include Swiss AI startups DemaTrading.ai, Drivata, Luumeos, Swiset and Splint Invest.
Tenity, which is one of the most active AI investors in Switzerland, according to Zefyron, closed the Tenity Incubation Fund I in March 2023, with investments from SIX Group, UBS’s strategic venture and innovation unit, UBS Next, Julius Baer, and Generali’s House of InsurTech Switzerland. The new fund will seek to invest in up to 400 new fintech and insurtech companies across Switzerland, Western Europe and Asia-Pacific.
Redalpine

Founded in 2006, Redalpine is a seed and early-stage VC investor that backs in disruptive technologies with a focus on highly scalable ICT and healthtech models. The firm brings together financial investment, operational expertise, and a vast international network to help ambitious entrepreneurs transform their vision into a reality.
With over EUR 1 billion in AUM and a disciplined, sector-agnostic investment strategy, Redalpine has backed some of Europe’s most disruptive companies, including N26, Taxfix, Inkitt, 9fin, Carvolution, Zenjob, vivenu, and Umiami.
Redalpine has over 85 companies in its portfolio and invests Europe-wide from its offices in Zurich and Berlin. Dealroom data show that the firm currently has 26 Swiss companies in its portfolio, including AI startups Lakera AI, a security platform, and Daedalean, a startup building AI applications for autonomous flight. According to Zefyron, Redalpine is one of the top ten AI investors in Switzerland.
B2venture

B2venture, formerly known as Btov Partners, is an early-stage European VC firm. Founded in 2020, the firm makes investments through its dedicated funds and stage-agnostic investments through its direct investment track. It deploys over EUR 100 million per year across Europe, leveraging the power of its multi-generational investor community.
B2venture currently manages roughly EUR 510 million in institutional funds, partner funds and direct investments of private investors. With teams in St. Gallen, Zurich, Berlin, Munich and Luxembourg, the firm works with seasoned entrepreneurs and business angels to back the most promising startups across Europe.
B2venture has backed companies such as 1KOMMA5°, DeepL, Facebook, SumUp and Raisin. The firm currently counts 17 AI startups in its portfolio including Swiss companies Immoledo, DeepCode, RetinAI, LatticeFlow and Calvin Risk. According to Shizune, B2venture is the tenth most active AI investor in Switzerland, having participated in six rounds.

Featured image credit: edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/6-prominent-ai-investors-in-switzerland-to-know</link><guid>3465</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>6 Prominent AI Investors in Switzerland to Know</dc:text></item><item><title>Scalable Capital Raises €60M Growth Financing</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						December 8, 2023
																				





					
					
							
					Scalable Capital, a leading digital investment platform based in Germany, announced the closing of a 60 million euro equity financing.
This extension of the series E round was led by European venture capital firm Balderton Capital with participation from HV Capital’s new growth fund and existing investors, underscoring their strong support for Scalable Capital’s mission to empower everyone to become an investor.
The funding will be used to deliver further growth and to capitalise on Scalable Capital’s position as a leading provider of easy and cost effective investing solutions for retail clients.






Erik Podzuweit
“The funding is a testament to the strength investors see in Scalable Capital’s business. The scale up potential of a holistic pan-European investment platform that empowers everyone to become an investor is huge. With the fresh money, we will focus on further developing our product and striving for sustainable growth.”
says Erik Podzuweit, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Scalable Capital.
Alongside Balderton, Scalable Capital received strong backing from HV Capital’s new ‘Fund IX Growth’, which made its first cross-fund investment in Germany.
Since 2014, Scalable Capital has provided retail investors with easy and affordable access to investing. It started with a digital wealth management service and expanded in 2020 into a full service brokerage offering.
Over the past two years Scalable Capital expanded its broker into Austria, France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands. Clients can invest in ETFs, stocks, funds, bonds, cryptocurrencies and derivatives, with over two thirds of the money invested in ETFs.

Featured image credit: Erik Podzuweit, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Scalable Capital


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/scalable-capital-raises-60m-growth-financing</link><guid>3462</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Scalable-Capital-Receives-Backing-From-Balderton-Capital-And-Raises-E60M-Growth-Financing-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Scalable Capital Raises €60M Growth Financing</dc:text></item><item><title>TX Ventures Leads USD 7.5M Seed Round of Triple</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Triple, a London based provider of transaction data enrichment for financial institutions, has successfully raised a $7.5M Seed Round led by TX Ventures. The funds will allow Triple to further accelerate its growth and to continue bringing more AI solutions to the financial sector.
Triple’s founders, Mario Navarro and Ibai Iturricha, started working on an automated rewards marketplace on top of transaction data. Although Triple worked directly with banks, the data received was very messy and they had to build an enrichment engine to map descriptions to specific merchant counterparties.
Mario Navarro
“After meeting with many banks and fintechs, it was clear that this problem was extended within the financial industry. So we started focusing on solving this and helping banks get access to better data, prioritising accuracy and security.”
explains Triple’s CEO Mario Navarro.






“Enriched transaction data allows banks to decrease OPEX costs by substantially reducing customer support calls and chargebacks, and improving customer engagement across their digital channels.”
While the problem of unclear transaction data has been known for a long time, recent developments in AI allow fintechs like Triple to solve this at scale in a way which wasn’t possible before.
Jens Schleuniger
“We realised that accurate transaction data enrichment is an important albeit complex problem to solve after talking to a number of financial institutions. Apart from the strong founding team we were particularly impressed by the quality and accuracy of Triple’s API-first solution. The team has set a new benchmark and we are all very excited about the use cases that are now possible on top of accurate enriched transaction data”
said Jens Schleuniger, Managing Partner at TX Ventures.
Triple already processes billions of transactions and has grown to become a leading API for transaction enrichment, working with more than 20 banks and fintechs globally. Triple’s main market is EMEA, but it also has clients in APAC and the Americas. The company recently completed a program with FIS, working on collaborating with banks across the US.
Other participants in the round include Form Ventures, Portfolio Ventures, Neosfer and Core Angels Barcelona as well as several successful entrepreneurs such as Paul Forster (Indeed) and Pedro Tortosa (Devo).
This $7.5M Seed Round brings the total amount raised to $10M, having previously raised $2.5M from investors such as PlugandPlay and Barlon Capital.


Featured image credit: Triple founders Mario Navarro and Ibai Iturricha


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/tx-ventures-leads-usd-75m-seed-round-of-triple</link><guid>3463</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>TX Ventures Leads USD 7.5M Seed Round of Triple</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 6 Fintech Trends to Keep an Eye on in 2024</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						December 7, 2023
																				





					
					
							
					The fintech landscape is poised to undergo significant transformations in 2024, driven by cutting-edge advancements and evolving consumer needs.
As technology rapidly advances and customer behaviors shift, the financial sector is set to experience unprecedented changes that redefine traditional banking and payment systems — so what are the top fintech trends in 2024 that we can expect?
Top 6 Fintech Trends Anticipated for 2024
1. Harnessing AI and ML: A New Frontier in Fintech
AI and ML are transforming the fintech industry by enhancing efficiency and preventing crime.
These emerging technologies are being used to streamline banking processes, improve customer experience, enhance decision-making, and detect fraud. AI chatbots and virtual assistants also play a crucial role in customer service.
2. Stablecoins as the Future of Digital Money
These digital currencies can offer several advantages to global digital businesses that find traditional banks to be too slow, too costly, and too cumbersome.
For one, stablecoins provide a stable transaction medium to businesses in regions where traditional banks are not as competitive, available, or reliable.
Stablecoins also enable faster, cheaper, and more transparent transactions, as they use blockchain technology to eliminate intermediaries, lower fees, and increase traceability.
3. Growth of Niche Neobanks
Neobanks are poised to disrupt the traditional banking sector, as they offer a compelling alternative for online businesses that require their banking partners to provide all services digitally and instantly through up-to-date technical integrations and protocols.
4. The Evolution of Embedded Finance
Financial services integration into non-financial products and platforms is transforming the payment landscape, as it offers convenience, affordability, and a range of options.
Although still in early development, embedded finance is rapidly growing, giving users more financial control and diminishing their reliance on traditional banks.
5. Faster Global Payments: The Shift to Instant Transfers
More and more national payment schemes are rolling out instant payment systems. Some of these systems are also starting to interconnect and offer international instant cross-border payments.
This trend is anticipated to lower expenses and improve the overall efficiency of the global financial system. As more banks participate in instant payment networks, both consumers and businesses will enjoy a more efficient and seamless payment system.
6. Global Payments: Advancing with End-to-End Tracking
SWIFT GPI has been gradually expanding worldwide. Similar to tracking packages, end users can track cross-wire payments end to end globally, enhancing transparency and efficiency in the financial system.
Klarpay’s Role in the Evolving Fintech Landscape
﻿
In 2024, fintech trends will continue to transform how we handle money, offering faster and more convenient transactions that cater to the evolving needs of customers in a digital and connected world. To succeed in this evolving digital banking landscape, financial institutions need to keep pace with these changes.
Committed to innovation, Swiss fintech company Klarpay is stepping in to provide innovative alternatives to traditional services, effectively bridging the gap between online businesses and accessible transactional banking.
Unrestricted by rigid legacy systems, Klarpay aims to be an all-in-one solution for digital businesses seeking borderless, scalable, and omnichannel payment and banking services.
Klarpay offers online businesses fully embedded payment solutions with simple API integration, Swift, SEPA, local ACH payments, corporate Visa cards, currency exchange, fully digital client onboarding and IBAN accounts in over 17 currencies, as well as hassle-free transfers and payouts.
As online payments become more common and diverse, digital businesses require smart and flexible solutions that can adapt to the changing needs and preferences of their customers, as well as regulatory and technological challenges.
Get in touch with Klarpay here. 





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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-6-fintech-trends-to-keep-an-eye-on-in-2024</link><guid>3460</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Top-6-Fintech-Trends-to-Keep-an-Eye-on-in-2024--1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 6 Fintech Trends to Keep an Eye on in 2024</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss AI Initiative: Universities Work to Position Switzerland as Trustworthy AI Hub</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						December 7, 2023
																				





					
					
							
					ETH Zurich and EPFL are launching the “Swiss AI Initiative”, whose purpose is to position Switzerland as a leading global hub for the development and implementation of transparent and reliable artificial intelligence (AI).
The new Alps supercomputer based at the Swiss National Supercomputing Centre (CSCS) provides the supporting world-​class infrastructure.
In spring 2024 the new Alps supercomputer goes live at the Swiss National Supercomputing Centre (CSCS) of ETH Zurich in Lugano. Boasting the next generation of more than 10,000 graphics processing units (GPUs), Alps is one of the world’s most powerful computers for applications in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). This new computer gives Swiss scientists access to the sort of computing power only available to the world’s biggest tech companies.






The AI-​supported photomontage shows the “Rolex Learning Center” of EPFL and the main building of ETH Zurich. (Image: ETH Zurich)
Technological edge to protect Switzerland’s digital sovereignty
The new supercomputer therefore gives Switzerland a significant competitive advantage over international rivals. This is because the infrastructure for supercomputing is in short supply worldwide due to the rapid development of generative AI and – where available – is mostly owned by a handful of large multinationals.
Christian Wolfrum
“Through this joint initiative we want to exploit our advantage as a location and make Switzerland’s expertise in artificial intelligence transferrable to society as a whole,”
explains Christan Wolfrum, ETH Vice President for Research.
“Science must assume a pioneering role in such a forward-​looking field, rather than leaving it to a few multinational corporations. Only in this way can we guarantee independent research and Switzerland’s digital sovereignty.”
Transparency and Open Source
The aim of the initiative is to develop and train new large language models (LLM). These must be transparent, deliver comprehensible results and ensure legal, ethical and scientific criteria are met. “Unlike the large language models that are usually available in the public domain today, the Swiss AI Initiative strongly emphasized transparency and Open Source. Everyone must be able to understand how the models were trained, the sort of data used, and how results are recovered,” stresses Jan Hesthaven, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at EPFL.
To develop such models, the Swiss AI Initiative will use ten million GPU hours on the new Alps computer over the next 12 months, equivalent to the computing power of a single GPU running at full load for over 1,100 years. Switzerland is therefore the first country in the world to operate a research infrastructure on the next-​generation NVIDIA Grace Hopper Superchip.
Swiss AI Initiative already up and running
This additional computing capacity will be used to develop new, industry-​specific AI base models for use in different areas such as robotics, medicine, climate sciences or diagnostics. In addition, the Initiative will also explore fundamental questions in the development and use of LLM models, such as: What form will future interaction between humans and AI take? What is the appropriate ethical framework? How do we manage security and data privacy? What new approaches can be used to scale up models and make them more energy efficient?
ETH Zurich and EPFL operate their own AI centres that will work closely together in future, along with the Swiss Data Science Center, to conduct world-​class interdisciplinary AI research. This initiative aims to pool the specialist knowledge of around a dozen Swiss universities, technical universities and research institutes. Over the past few months over 75 professors from all over Switzerland have signed up to the initiative. In addition, other international researchers have also been invited to work together on the development of multilingual, cross-​border open source LLMs. ETH Zurich and EPFL are already members of ELLIS, the European network of AI excellence, which incudes some 40 AI hot spots in Europe.


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-ai-initiative-universities-work-to-position-switzerland-as-trustworthy-ai-hub</link><guid>3461</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Joint-Initiative-for-Trustworthy-AI-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss AI Initiative: Universities Work to Position Switzerland as Trustworthy AI Hub</dc:text></item><item><title>Hypothekarbank Lenzburg lanciert eigene Marke für den Bereich Banking-as-a-Service</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg AG lanciert eine Marke für den Bereich Banking-as-a-Service
Die Marke HBL Solutions ist gemäss Hypi ein strategisches Bekenntnis für die Aktivitäten in den Wachstumsbereichen Banking-as-a-Service und Embedded Finance. Insbesondere werden damit der Vertrieb und das Partnermanagement in diesen Bereichen gestärkt.






Marianne Wildi
«Eingebettete Finanzdienstleistungen entsprechen einem Bedürfnis der Zeit»,
sagt Bankchefin Marianne Wildi.
Im Rahmen der strategischen Transformation richtet die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg ihr Geschäftsmodell stärker auf den Geschäftsbereich Banking-as-a-Service aus. Der Verwaltungsrat und die Geschäftsleitung der Bank haben entschieden, die entsprechenden Vertriebs- und Managementaktivitäten unter der eigenständigen Marke HBL Solutions zu bündeln. Das soll die strategische Bedeutung des Geschäfts unterstreichen und den Banking-as-a-Service-Bereich klarer von den Tätigkeiten im klassischen Banking unterscheiden.
Von Coop Finance zu Zinsli und Evorest
Wachstumspotenziale sieht die Bank nicht zuletzt im Bereich eingebetteter Finanzdienstleistungen, also dort, wo Nicht-Banken Finanzprodukte in ihre Wertschöpfungsprozesse integrieren. Die Unternehmen können so ihrer Kundschaft Bezahlkarten im eigenen Design, Bankkonti, Wertschriftendepots oder andere Finanzdienstleistungen anbieten. Einen Meilenstein hat die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg in diesem Geschäft vor kurzem mit dem Schweizer Detailhändler Coop für das Produkt Coop Finance+ erreicht.
Weitere Projekte realisiert HBL Solutions derzeit mit den Plattformen Zinsli und Evorest. Evorest wird über die Open-API-Technologie von Finstar eine Anlagelösung für das populäre Mieterkautionskonto anbieten, mit der Mieterinnen und Mieter an der Entwicklung auf den Finanzmärkten partizipieren können. «Die Zusammenarbeit mit HBL Solutions ermöglicht uns ein neues Geschäftsmodell an den Schweizer Markt zu bringen und die Mietkaution mit einem erfahrenen Partner erstmals investierbar zu machen», sagt Gianluca Cottiati, Co-Founder &amp; COO von Evorest.
Zinsli entwickelt im Bereich Mietkautionen eine Online-Plattform, die verschiedene Angebote von mehreren Finanz- und Versicherungsunternehmen umfasst. Die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg ist aktuell mit ihrem digitalen Mietkautionskonto eingebunden. Ein Kautionsdepot mit Wertschriftenlösung ist in Vorbereitung.
Für die Abwicklung der von HBL Solutions vertriebenen Banking-Services ist die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg verantwortlich. Technisch erfolgt die Verarbeitung über die Open-Banking-Plattform Finstar.


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/hypothekarbank-lenzburg-lanciert-eigene-marke-fur-den-bereich-banking-as-a-service</link><guid>3459</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>Hypothekarbank Lenzburg lanciert eigene Marke für den Bereich Banking-as-a-Service</dc:text></item><item><title>6 Green Fintech Startups from the DACH Region to Follow in 2024</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					In 2023, European green fintech startups continued to see traction from investors, securing about EUR 144 million across 24 deals in the first four months of the year, a Sifted report claims. The figure suggests a slowdown in funding activity, similar to what is being observed in the fintech sector as a whole, but comes after the subsector posted a record year 2022 despite an overall dip in venture capital investment.
Continued interest in green fintech comes amid growing focus on sustainability, increasing recognition of climate-related risks, and the implementation of policies and regulations that incentivize or mandate sustainable practices.
As green fintech continues to pick up steam in Europe, we look today at some of the most promising and fastest-growing startups in the sector. For this list, we’ve focused on ventures headquartered in Germany, Switzerland and Austria, also referred to as the DACH region, concentrating on those that have either secured considerable rounds of funding, won notable prizes, or achieved strong traction over the past year, making them prone to witnessing further growth and development in 2024.






Plan A (Germany)

Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Berlin, Plan A is a corporate carbon accounting, decarbonization and ESG reporting software provider. The company has developed a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform that allows businesses to self-manage their entire net-zero journey – from data collection over emissions calculation, target setting, and decarbonization planning to non-financial reporting – in one central hub.
By automatically mapping all necessary data across Scopes 1, 2, and 3 and merging them with national emission factors and datasets, the Plan A Sustainability Platform is able to provide granular emissions profiles and ESG insights in dynamic dashboard overviews. Based on the indicators with the most significant reduction potential, the software empowers companies to set science-based net-zero targets and achieve them through 1,000+ decarbonization solutions and activities, best practices, as well as a network of service providers and sustainability professionals. At the end of this holistic process, the platform produces regulation-proof ESG reporting.
Plan A claims more than 1,500 clients including high-profile brands and companies such as Chloé, BMW, Deutsche Bank, Visa, GANNI, N26, HomeToGo, trivago, Personio, Sorare, KFC, and DFB. The company says that it is experiencing rapid growth, witnessing a 600% year-over-year (YoY) increase in software revenues in December 2022.
In September 2023, Plan A raised US$27 million in a round led by Lightspeed Venture Partners. The company said it would use the proceeds to double its headcount to 240+ employees, expand its market penetration in Europe with a strong focus on France, the UK, and Scandinavia, as well as deepen its platform capabilities.
IntegrityNext (Germany)

Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Munich, IntegrityNext provides a software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution that allows companies to assess and monitor their supply chain for sustainability risk and compliance.
The cloud-based platform enables businesses to check their supplier base against sustainability-related regulations, standards, and voluntary commitments, and helps them identify and manage ESG risks along the value chain, reducing reputational and financial risks and improving sustainability performance.
IntegrityNext claims more than 200 customers and says it monitors almost one million suppliers, making it one of the leading ESG certification software solutions in Europe. Its customers include Siemens Gamesa, Infineon, SwissRe, Generali, Henkel, OSRAM, RWE, ThyssenKrupp, Hilti and Grohe. IntegrityNext also partners and integrates with leading enterprise software tools, including Celonis, Coupa and SAP, allowing it to offer supply chain assessments across numerous major industries.
IntegrityNext secured an equity round of EUR 100 million in March 2023, which it said it would use to continue building the breadth of the platform as well as the company’s go-to-market position.
Atlas Metrics (Germany)

Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Berlin, Atlas Metrics provides a comprehensive ESG accounting platform that caters to the needs of both companies and investors. The company’s platform allows organizations to effortlessly report across multiple standards and meet diverse ESG requirements with a single entry.
The platform is designed to simplify ESG compliance by consistently generating fully compliant outputs aligned with the world’s leading impact standards, keeping up with evolving guidelines and regulations. Additionally, it enables safe data sharing with various stakeholders, allowing data inputted once to be efficiently shared with portfolio companies, investors, or suppliers.
Organizations can also showcase their ESG performance and achievements through a customizable, secure Microsite, providing them with the flexibility to tailor, manage, and present their data publicly or selectively.
Atlas Metrics secured a EUR 5.2 million seed funding round in March 2023 to expand its all-in-one platform for ESG data management. The company’s next steps are focused on developing new high-impact features and helping a wider range of organizations meet their most pressing sustainability requirements. The company’s solution is also undergoing an accreditation process with Big 4 auditing firms.
Most recently, Atlas Metrics was named one of the top 100 ESG fintech companies in the world by ESGFintech100, an annual selection of the most innovative and fastest-growing ESG companies serving the financial services industry.
Tanso Technologies (Germany)

Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Munich, Tanso Technologies is a software company that offers a carbon intelligence suite to industrial companies, helping businesses gather, manage and report carbon footprint emissions on Scope 1–3 on both corporate and product levels and in alignment with the leading standards. The suite currently comprises Corporate Carbon Footprint (CCF), Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) and ESG management for ESRS compliance.
Tanso Technologies co-founder and CPO Gyri Reiersen told TechCrunch in an interview in April 2023 that the company’s customers numbered in double digits, stressing that it was picking up customers around the German-speaking DACH region most particularly. These companies mainly represent industries such as automotive, machine manufacturing and steel production, she said.
Tanso Technologies has raised about US$9 million in early stage growth funding over the past three year, including a a EUR 4 million seed raise and a EUR 2.5 million innovation grant from the European Union (EU) both secured in 2023.
The startup said it would use the proceeds to move into the next phase of product development, focusing on making its software more modular to provide targeted support for both CCF and PCF calculation and optimization, as well as mesh with more manufacturers’ needs.
The Climate Choice (Germany)

Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Berlin, the Climate Choice is the supplier of a climate intelligence and engagement platform. The company offers software designed to assess an organization’s readiness to adopt climate-friendly practices and provides guidance on steps needed to move closer to climate neutrality.
The Climate Intelligence Platform, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered decarbonization platform, allows companies to access and acquire audit-ready company risk and emission data, supporting suppliers in their decarbonization journey. The platform’s data engine provides climate performance data from the user’s company, business partners, and suppliers, allowing the implementation of tailor-made decarbonization measures with validated partners, as well as effective purchasing decisions based on climate-relevant data.
The company’s platform is currently in use by several early customers, including O2 Telefonica and HiPP. The company says it is actively monitoring thousands of suppliers.
The Climate Choice secured in March 2023 a US$2 million pre-Seed funding round which the company said it would use for further development and expansion of its Climate Intelligence Platform.
Frigg.eco (Switzerland)

Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Zug, Frigg.eco is the developer of business-to-business (B2B) software for the financing of renewable energy projects through tokenized green loans. The platform utilizes AI and distributed ledger technology (DLT) to streamline the creation of tokenized green bonds backed by sustainable infrastructure projects and improve transparency.
The vision of Frigg.eco is for its tokenization workflow to become an international standard for onboarding sustainable projects to the blockchain. The transparency investors gain into their individual investments is a crucial aspect and differentiator. This includes all of the financial details for each sustainable project, and additional metrics that are not normally accessible such as the amount of electricity produced and carbon emissions avoided. All metrics are provisioned real-time. Developers of sustainable projects also benefit from lower costs than traditional finance models, as various intermediaries are removed from the process.
Frigg.eco launched its first digital green bond in October 2022 with Malthe Winje, a Norwegian government-backed hydro developer. This year, the company was named one of the most promising fintech and insurtech startups in the DACH region by Fintech Innovators, and won the premier early-stage startup competition &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; in Switzerland.
Frigg.eco is currently active in Switzerland, Norway, Germany and Liechtenstein, and plans to expand across the broader European region, Africa and North America within the next two to three years.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/6-green-fintech-startups-from-the-dach-region-to-follow-in-2024</link><guid>3456</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>6 Green Fintech Startups from the DACH Region to Follow in 2024</dc:text></item><item><title>Societe Generale Issues Digital Green Bond on Public Blockchain</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					End of November Societe Generale issued its first digital green bond as a Security Token directly registered by SG-FORGE on the Ethereum public blockchain with increased transparency and traceability on ESG data. 
Security tokens have been fully subscribed AXA Investment Managers and Generali Investments, through a private placement.


This transaction is the first digital green bond issued by Societe Generale to leverage blockchain’s differentiating functionalities. This digital format enables increased transparency and traceability as well as improved fluidity and speed in transactions and settlements.






This operation is structured as a EUR 10m senior preferred unsecured bond with a maturity of 3 years. An amount equivalent to the net proceeds of this bond will be exclusively used to finance or refinance Eligible Green Activities, as defined in the Sustainable and Positive Impact Bond framework[2] of Societe Generale. 
This is also a first step towards using blockchain as a data repository and certification tool for issuers and investors to foster transparency on ESG and impact data on a global scale.


Featured image credit: edited from Freepik




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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/societe-generale-issues-digital-green-bond-on-public-blockchain</link><guid>3457</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>Societe Generale Issues Digital Green Bond on Public Blockchain</dc:text></item><item><title>After Zug and Zermatt, Now You Can Pay Taxes Also in Lugano with Bitcoins</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					The Swiss city of Lugano announced that it has broadened its payment options by including cryptocurrencies for the payment of tax invoices and all other community fees.
Lugano will accept Bitcoin (BTC) and Tether (USDT) as a means of payment through a simple and fully automated process.
The new payment option introduced by the City of Lugano marks a modern shift in how people handle city-related expenses. Citizens and companies alike may now use Bitcoin (BTC) and Tether (USDT) to pay any invoice issued by Lugano, including tax invoices. While cryptocurrency payments in Lugano were reserved for transactions made on the City’s online portal, Lugano is now extending this possibility to all its invoices, regardless of the nature of the service or the amount invoiced.






Lugano is taking a big step by becoming one of the first cities to accept Bitcoin and Tether for all transactions, making payments more flexible and modern for everyone. This move is part of Lugano’s Plan B, a collaborative effort with Tether to use Bitcoin technology as the basis for transforming the city’s financial system. The plan aims to integrate blockchain and Bitcoin into various aspects of daily life in Lugano.
Bitcoin Suisse supports Lugano in its Plan B by handling the technical part of the integrated payment solution, providing a convenient option to accept payments with Bitcoin and Tether for tax collection and other invoices for municipal services. By using the benefits of the Swiss QR-Bill, a fully automated solution is being offered: Citizens and companies of Lugano may merely scan the QR code on the invoice received and then simply pay with their preferred mobile wallet by choosing the cryptocurrency they wish to pay with.
Bitcoin Suisse assisted in the technical infrastructure setup. Following successful implementations in the City of Zug, and the municipality of Zermatt, Lugano has become the latest Swiss municipality to officially embrace cryptocurrency as a recognized form of payment.

Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash


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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/after-zug-and-zermatt-now-you-can-pay-taxes-also-in-lugano-with-bitcoins</link><guid>3458</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>After Zug and Zermatt, Now You Can Pay Taxes Also in Lugano with Bitcoins</dc:text></item><item><title>New Board Member for Ti&amp;M: Insurtech Expert on Board</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						December 5, 2023
																				





					
					
							
					Insurance expert Andreas Maier joins Zurich based ti&amp;m as a new board member.
He joins Sonja Wollkopf Walt, Johannes Hoehener and Urs Buner.
With the addition of Andreas Maier, a seasoned expert in the Insurtech industry, Swiss digitalization company ti&amp;m strengthens its leadership team.






Andreas Maier
After completing his studies at HSG and holding various positions as CIO at Zurich Insurance and AXA, Andreas Maier has been serving as a senior advisor at AXA since his retirement in September 2023. Additionally, he is the founder of bluerock27, an IT service company.
Thomas Wüst
“Andreas Maier brings profound technological expertise, a deep understanding of the insurance business, and extensive industry connections. As the founder of an IT company, he also understands the intricacies of our business and brings a business perspective. I am very pleased to welcome his expertise as a new board member at ti&amp;m,”
says Thomas Wüst, founder and CEO of ti&amp;m.


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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-board-member-for-tim-insurtech-expert-on-board</link><guid>3455</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Insuretech-Expert-Andreas-Maier-Joins-TiM-as-New-Board-Member-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>New Board Member for Ti&amp;M: Insurtech Expert on Board</dc:text></item><item><title>Alpian Launches Young Adult Account</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Swiss Online private bank Alpian announced the introduction of Alpian PULSE, a new banking service designed specifically for young adults aged between 18 and 25.
Alpian PULSE was created to align with the financial growth and lifestyle aspirations of this age bracket, offering two-year complimentary access to Alpian’s premium banking services. After this introductory phase of two years and up to the age of 26, access to Alpian’s banking services will cost these young adults a monthly fee of CHF 5. In collaboration with Titolo, a well-known Swiss-based retailer of sneakers and streetwear, the package also includes a CHF 100 voucher, enhancing the value of the banking experience.
Gianmarco Bonaita
Gianmarco Bonaita, CEO of Alpian, articulates the rationale behind this move, stating,






“Our intention with Alpian PULSE is clear. We’re here to support the financial growth of young adults. With Alpian PULSE, we offer them the opportunity to lay a firm foundation in premium banking for a financially strong future. This is how we’reinvesting in the potential of the new generation.”
The rollout of Alpian PULSE underscores the bank’s commitment to adapt to and meet the evolving needs of its clientele. It is part of Alpian’s broader strategy to foster early financial literacy and empowerment among the youth while establishing a long-term relationship with the upcoming generation. Alpian, a Swiss bank licensed by FINMA, is known for blending the convenience of digital banking with professional wealth management through an intuitive app.



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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/alpian-launches-young-adult-account</link><guid>3453</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>Alpian Launches Young Adult Account</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss National Bank Launches Wholesale Central Bank Digital Currency Project</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					On 1 December 2023, the Swiss National Bank – together with five Swiss and one German commercial bank – started a pilot project with central bank digital currency for financial institutions (wholesale central bank digital currency) on the regulated platform of SIX Digital Exchange (SDX).
With this pilot, called Helvetia Phase III, the SNB will for the first time issue real wholesale CBDC in Swiss francs on a financial market infrastructure based on distributed ledger technology (DLT). The SNB is thus moving its work from test environments into production and is making wholesale CBDC available for the settlement of real bond transactions. The banks involved will carry out the transactions on the DLT platform as intermediaries for issuers and investors. The tokenised bonds will be settled against wholesale CBDC on a delivery-versus-payment basis.
The pilot with real Swiss franc wholesale CBDC is scheduled to run from December 2023 to June 2024. The participating banks are Banque Cantonale Vaudoise, Basler Kantonalbank, Commerzbank, Hypothekarbank Lenzburg, UBS and Zürcher Kantonalbank. In addition to the SDX platform, the pilot project will use the SIC infrastructure for the tokenisation of central bank money and that of SIX SIS for integration with the traditional bond settlement infrastructure. Furthermore, SIX Repo and SDX test systems will be used to explore the trading and settlement of repo transactions with wholesale CBDC.






DLT and tokenised assets are already being used in some areas of the regulated financial system, where they promise to deliver efficiency gains and greater transparency. If DLT establishes itself in the financial system, the question for central banks is how token transactions between financial institutions can be settled in central bank money. Central bank money, which poses no counterparty risk, could thus continue to play its key role in maintaining the stability and efficiency of the financial system.
In March 2023, the SNB announced that it would examine three models for settling the cash leg of tokenised asset transactions. One model involves the issuance of wholesale CBDC for settling tokenised assets; another involves the linking of settlement systems for tokenised assets with the existing SIC payment system; and a third involves the use of private, bankruptcy-protected token money that is backed by central bank money. The upcoming pilot project adopts the first model, for which the SNB will be able to build on the findings of earlier Project Helvetia phases.
The upcoming pilot does not constitute a commitment on the part of the SNB to introduce wholesale CBDC on a permanent basis. Rather, the SNB aims to test the various models for settling tokenised assets.
Thomas J. Jordan
“For several years now, the SNB has been testing a variety of potential applications for wholesale CBDC. Together with our partners, we have already been able to make important contributions to research in the CBDC field. With this pilot project, we are now, for the first time, making it possible to securely and efficiently settle transactions with tokenised assets on a regulated and productive DLT platform using real wholesale CBDC. We are proud of our internationally pioneering role in this area as we carry out this innovative project together with SIX and the participating banks,”
says Thomas J. Jordan, Chairman of the Swiss National Bank’s Governing Board.

Featured image credit: edited form freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-national-bank-launches-wholesale-central-bank-digital-currency-project</link><guid>3454</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss National Bank Launches Wholesale Central Bank Digital Currency Project</dc:text></item><item><title>Neuer digitaler Vermögensverwalter für freie Vorsorgegelder der Generation 50+</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Im Zuge der kontinuierlichen Weiterentwicklung hat sich die PSS AG, ein Vermögensverwalter mit Fokus auf digitale Geldanlage für freie Vorsorgegelder der Generation 50+, für einen neuen Firmen- und Markennamen entschieden.
Ab sofort firmiert das Unternehmen als Finpact AG mit dem Claim «Meine moderne Geldanlage fürs Leben». Die Namensänderung spiegelt nicht nur die Entwicklung des Unternehmens vom Startup zum etablierten Finanzdienstleister wider. Sie bekräftigt auch den Anspruch, der Generation 50+ intuitive und zukunftsweisende Anlagelösungen für Kapitalbezüge, Erbschaften und Erspartes anzubieten.
Die wachsende Bedeutung, die Bedürfnisse und das Nutzungsverhalten der Generation 50+ in Bezug auf digitale Anlage- und Vorsorgelösungen, untersucht eine neue Studie, die Finpact in Zusammenarbeit mit der Hochschule Luzern (HSLU) und unterstützt von Innosuisse Anfang 2024 veröffentlichen wird.






Alain Beyeler
Alain Beyeler, CEO der Finpact AG, erklärt:
«Mit der Neuausrichtung unter dem Namen Finpact unterstreichen wir unsere Position als Entwickler und Anbieter von intuitiven, digitalen Anlagelösungen, die speziell auf die Bedürfnisse der Generation 50+ in der Schweiz zugeschnitten sind. Finpact ist in diesem Bereich die Alternative zu traditionellen Banklösungen, die von unseren Kundinnen und Kunden oft als komplex, für Laien schwer verständlich und als intransparent wahrgenommen werden. Der Name “Finpact” ist ein bewusst gewähltes Wortspiel, das die Elemente “Pact” (Vertrag), “Act” (Handeln) und “Fin” (Finanzen) geschickt miteinander verbindet. Der Name widerspiegelt unsere Grundwerte und unsere Mission.»
Bewirtschaftung des freien Vorsorgevermögens gewinnt weiter an Bedeutung
Im Alter zwischen 55 und 65 Jahren fallen überdurchschnittlich hohe Kapitalflüsse aus Kapitalbezügen, Erbschaften und Erspartem an. So beziehen 54% der Neurentnerinnen und Neurentner in der Schweiz jährlich einen Kapitalbezug von durchschnittlich CHF 260‘000 (Bundesamt für Statistik BFS, 2020). Entsprechend zeigt auch die HSLU-Studie «Digitales Anlegen in der Schweiz – ein Markt mit Potential», dass der Anteil der Anlegerinnen und Anleger unter den Befragten mit steigendem Finanzvermögen und Alter deutlich zunimmt (IFZ, 2022). Für den Wachstumsmarkt der digitalen Anlageplattformen sind über 50-Jährige somit eine wichtige Zielgruppe.
11 Milliarden jährliches Potential
Ralf Seiz
Dr. Ralf Seiz, VRP der Finpact AG, sagt:
«Jährlich fliessen gemäss Bundesamt für Statistik zurzeit rund 11 Milliarden Schweizer Franken an Kapitalbezügen aus der beruflichen Vorsorge in die freien Vermögen. Wir verstehen uns als Pionier in der Vermögensverwaltung dieser freien Altersguthaben, wo wir heute und in Zukunft ein enormes Potenzial sehen. Unser Ziel ist es, die bestmögliche Geldanlage für die Generation 50+ zu schaffen.»
Und weiter:
«Als Spin-off der Universität St.Gallen wollen wir als digitaler Vermögensverwalter neue Massstäbe in der Zusammenarbeit mit Pensionskassen setzen. Der neue Markenname Finpact stärkt unsere Position als digitale Anlageplattform für die Generation 50+ und kommuniziert unseren Anspruch klar. Wir danken all unseren Kunden, Partnern und Mitarbeitenden für die anhaltende Unterstützung und freuen uns darauf, mit dem neuen Namen den Grundstein zu legen, um viele spannende neue Anlagelösungen und Funktionen zu lancieren.»
In weniger als fünf Minuten zum persönlichen Anlagevorschlag
Die Finpact AG hat sich auf die digitale Geldanlage für die Generation 50+ spezialisiert – für Kapitalbezüge, Erbschaften und Erspartes. Sie verfolgt das Ziel, der Generation 50+ mit modernster Technologie und intuitiver Beratung die moderne Geldanlage näher zu bringen und so einfach wie möglich zu gestalten.
Mit dem benutzerfreundlichen Anlageplaner von Finpact können auch Personen und insbesondere ältere Menschen ohne grosses Finanzwissen in nur wenigen Minuten personalisierte Anlagevorschläge erstellen und erhalten eine massgeschneiderte und intuitive Anlagelösung.
In der anschliessenden persönlichen Beratung unterstützt Finpact seine Kundinnen und Kunden bei der Umsetzung ihrer Vermögensziele und bietet moderne Anlagestrategien mit zukunftsorientierten Portfolios. Bei der Entwicklung und Verwaltung der Vermögenswerte arbeitet Finpact mit mehr als 60 Partnern zusammen, darunter Finanzberater, Pensionskassen und Banken.
Neue Studie zur Generation 50+ zeigt grosses Potenzial für freie Vorsorgegelder auf
Die Generation 50+ verfügt über den grössten Teil des Vermögens der privaten Haushalte in der Schweiz. Ihr Vermögen stammt aus Erbschaften, Kapitalbezügen, Ersparnissen oder Unternehmensverkäufen und ist beträchtlich. Mit einem Privatvermögen zwischen 200’000 und 2 Millionen Franken trägt sie rund 40% zum gesamten Finanzvermögen des Landes bei.
Eine bevorstehende Studie der Hochschule Luzern (HSLU) in Zusammenarbeit mit Finpact wird erstmals die aktuelle Relevanz, die Bedürfnisse und das Nutzungsverhalten der Generation 50+ in Bezug auf digitale Anlage- und Vorsorgelösungen in der Schweiz untersuchen. Im Rahmen dieses Forschungsprojektes, das von der Schweizerischen Agentur für Innovationsförderung Innosuisse unterstützt wird, wurde eine umfangreiche Onlineumfrage durch das LINK Institut durchgeführt. Ausserdem wurden die Teilnehmenden zu ihrer generellen Einstellung zum Thema «Anlagen» befragt. Die Ergebnisse werden Anfang 2024 publiziert und vorgestellt.


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/neuer-digitaler-vermogensverwalter-fur-freie-vorsorgegelder-der-generation-50</link><guid>3452</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>Neuer digitaler Vermögensverwalter für freie Vorsorgegelder der Generation 50+</dc:text></item><item><title>Swift Launches Instant 24/7 Cross Border Payments in Europe</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Cross-border payments destined for Europe can now reach beneficiaries in seconds through seamless connection to instant domestic payment systems, with full transparency and end-to-end tracking powered by Swift.
The European Payment Council’s One-Leg-Out Instant Credit Transfer scheme, which went live this week, enables payments to and from Europe to be processed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The go-live follows on from a successful proof of concept earlier this year in which Swift collaborated with Spanish banks Iberpay, BBVA, CaixaBank and Santander; and commercial banks from Australia (ANZ and the National Australia Bank), Brazil (Itaú Unibanco) and the UK (Lloyds Banking Group), with dozens of international payments successfully reaching Spanish accounts within seconds.






Interlinking market infrastructures in this way is a key method by which to achieve the G20’s goals for cross-border payments around speed, transparency, cost and access. Swift announced earlier this year that 89% of payments on its network reached the end bank within an hour. The G20 is targeting 75% of cross-border payments to be credited with the beneficiary within an hour by 2027.
OCT Inst is seen by financial institutions as an opportunity to leverage the benefits of domestic instant payment systems globally, while enabling outgoing flows and using existing rails.
Marianne Demarchi
Marianne Demarchi, Chief Executive of Swift in Europe, said:
“Interoperability is at the heart of everything we are doing at Swift to achieve our strategy of instant and frictionless payments for all, and it will be key to achieving the G20’s goals for cross-border payments. The EPC’s OCT Inst scheme is a positive step for Europe that will enhance the user experience for payers in Europe, but also all around the world.”


Featured image credit: Freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swift-launches-instant-247-cross-border-payments-in-europe</link><guid>3451</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>Swift Launches Instant 24/7 Cross Border Payments in Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>Swift Launches Instant 24/7 Cross Border Payments</title><description><![CDATA[[unable to retrieve full-text content]]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swift-launches-instant-247-cross-border-payments</link><guid>3449</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swift Launches Instant 24/7 Cross Border Payments</dc:text></item><item><title>SEBA Bank Rebrands to Amina Bank</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					SEBA Bank AG, a fully licensed Swiss crypto bank, announced today its new brand identity: AMINA Bank AG. The group operates globally from its regulated hubs in Zug, Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong, offering its clients traditional and crypto banking services.
SEBA Bank made history in 2019 by becoming one of the first FINMA-regulated institutions to provide crypto banking services.
The name ‘AMINA’ stems from the term ‘transAMINAtion’, meaning transference of one compound to another. AMINA is a brand driven by perpetual change, bringing together the various ‘compounds’ of traditional, digital, and crypto banking to unlock new potential and growth for our clients. This vision of change represents the transformation of our clients’ financial future.






Franz Bergmueller
Franz Bergmueller, CEO of AMINA, said:
“We are delighted to introduce the world to our new brand identity. While we say goodbye to the SEBA name, we remain forever proud of the achievements made by the group under the former brand.
Current clients of AMINA Bank (formerly SEBA Bank) will be unaffected by the rebrand other than encountering the new name; all operations will be business as usual across the board.
The branch office based in Abu Dhabi and the subsidiaries in Hong Kong and Singapore will subsequently apply for a name change to align with the head office in Zug.

Featured image credit: AMINA webiste


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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/seba-bank-rebrands-to-amina-bank</link><guid>3450</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>SEBA Bank Rebrands to Amina Bank</dc:text></item><item><title>7 Young Fintech Startups from the DACH Region to Keep an Eye on</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						December 1, 2023
																				





					
					
							
					Fintech Innovators, a community of fintech and insurtech innovators from Germany, Switzerland and Austria (DACH), has released its annual report featuring the most exciting and fastest-growing fintech and insurtech companies across the DACH region.
Produced in collaboration with robo-advisory platform Inno Invest, the 2023 Rising Stars Report showcases more than 70 fintech and insurtech newcomers in the region, highlighting their plans, successes and solutions.
Among these players, several startups are standing out from the crowd for having witnessed considerable growth and traction despite their young age. These ventures, which have been established less than three years ago, have already managed to ink partnerships with notable players and have all secured their first round of fundraising. These startups are now poised for growth, and should be watched closely this year onwards.






Debtist (Germany)

Founded in early 2023 and based in Germany, Debtist specializes in end-to-end receivables management, focusing on optimizing debt collection processes for businesses worldwide. The company provides a comprehensive suite of services, seamlessly integrating technology and best practices to ensure efficient workflows and smooth transitions.
Debtist relies on embedded technology to integrate its platform with subscription management, bookkeeping, and treasury management platforms, allowing for the seamless meshing with businesses’ established systems.
Debtist operates in Germany and France and is extending its services to German clients in Spain, the UK, Italy and beyond. The startup, which launched in May 2023, claims that it is doubling its number of customers and revenue on a monthly basis, and says it is currently rolling out its embedded solution with two leading European software companies to bring its offering directly to more than 50,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Debtist secured an undisclosed pre-Seed round of funding in October to enhance its product and enlarge its team.
Tapline (Germany)

Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Berlin, Tapline develops an intelligent finance platform that enables software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies to predict future cash flows and raise instant, non-dilute capital by trading their subscriptions as needed.
The funding platform allows for swift onboarding, providing clients with a proprietary tech-enabled credit score and a free financial dashboard to monitor various metrics of users’ businesses daily. It’s a one-stop shop for SaaS clients to run their business more efficiently through key free business metrics and access to liquidity.
Tapline is focused on business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) business models, especially in the DACH and fast-growth Central and Eastern Europe market. The platform can deploy capital in less than 48 hours after client onboarding, and companies with as little as EUR 8,000 monthly recurring revenue can trade up to 60% of their annual recurring revenue into instant, non-dilutive capital. It offers startups six or 12 months of upfront cash at a discount against the future value of their revenues. Funding of up to EUR 1 million is offered making this solution suitable not only for SaaS startups, but also for later growth stage like companies.
To date, Tapline says it has made EUR 100 million in SaaS finance requests and has accomplished 100% successful pilot trades.
Tapline raised EUR 31.7 million in a pre-Seed round in November 2022 to increase sales and marketing efforts, accelerate product development by hiring people for key product positions, and to tap into the exponentially growing SaaS market.
Pile (Germany)

Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Berlin, Pile is a so-called “neo treasurer” that supports startups and venture capital (VC) firms in managing their capital and reducing financial risks. The company’s mission is to help startups find a secure place to invest their capital, independent of individual bank risks, and earn interest to extend their runway.
Pile’s product provides a way to diversify capital across multiple banking providers, from neobanks to traditional institutions, supporting customers in banking with various providers simultaneously while having an overview in one place. This gives founders and CFOs a real-time and accurate summary of their capital. Additionally, customers can choose between different interest-bearing deposit products, so they can extend their runway and let their money grow.
Pile, which went live just earlier this year, was founded by former Penta Founder Jessica Holzbach. The startup is backed by prominent fintech founders such as Max Tayenthal from N26, Carolin Gabor from Finleap, Luka Ivicevic from Index Health and Tuomas Toivonen from Holvi, and secured a EUR 2.8 million Seed round in June 2022.
Bling (Germany)

Founded in Berlin in 2021, Bling is a family fintech startup that delivers digital financial solutions for parents and their children. The company’s offering includes an allowance app and a payment card for children and young people. In the app for children, Bling provides financial tips, savings goals, and many other functions and content, teaching financial literacy. Depending on the age of the children, parents can decide for themselves how much trust and freedom is appropriate.
Bling also provides a banking offering for parents that’s designed to help adults manage and understand personal finances. These products include a payment card that works alongside the Bling platform, in addition to spending insights and analytics.
In addition, families on Bling can invest money sustainably starting at just EUR 1 a month.
Bling claims that tens of thousands of families are currently using its app, and says it plans to expand across Europe within the next two to three years. The startup secured “millions” in its Seed financing round in December 2022.
Bunch (Germany)

Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Berlin, Bunch is building a platform to streamline processes to manage investment funds end-to-end and automate large parts of previously manual work. The company’s private market investing platform, the Bunch OS, is an asset and jurisdiction agnostic investment platform that allows investors to set up and manage their investment entities in a seamless way, while at the same time offering investors more professional tools.
The platform, which is currently in public beta, is designed to make investing in private markets easy, cost-efficient and fast, without compromising regulatory and tax compliance. It is a flexible and adaptable platform that works across legal structures, asset classes and jurisdictions to fully unlock private markets for everyone.
Bunch, which is currently available in Germany and the Netherlands, hopes to expand to the UK and Luxembourg within the next two to three years. The startup secured a EUR 7.3 million Seed funding round in July 2022 to expand across additional geographies and asset classes, and advance the technical and product development of its holistic software platform. Its backers include founders of European fintech companies like Adyen, Klarna, Juni, and Moonfare, as well as private market investment and fintech experts.
Yainvest (Switzerland)

Yainvest is a Swiss-based digital subsidiary established in 2022 by BhFS, a spin-off company of the universities of St. Gallen and Zurich. The company helps banks, fintech companies, and wealth and asset managers generate more investment returns for their clients with applied behavioral finance individual investor profiles.
Yainvest’s behavioral finance services are based on individual investor profiles, education, and optimal personalized investment strategy. The company also provides behavioral finance-based market signals for tactical asset allocation and transactional data analysis to detect investor biases. Its products enable  compliance with UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)’s Consumer Duty rules to serve retail investors applying behavioral finance for their best interest and also helps to do advanced measures of individuals’ environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards preferences and risk.
As a result of applying Yainvest’s solutions, investors stay invested longer, customers witness fewer withdrawals, and more clients are satisfied. The company claims its solutions help to increase investment performance by up to 3% a year.
Yainvest was one of the ten finalists of the 2023 Finance and Insurance industry vertical of the &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; startup competition. The company, which currently operates in the US, the UK, DACH, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia, is looking to consolidate its presence in the US and expand into Hong Kong and Singapore within the next two to three years.
Findustrial (Austria)

Founded in 2020, Findustrial is an Austrian provider of pay-per-use and as-a-service solutions. The company aims to create a digital ecosystem, streamlining the shift to so-called “equipment-as-a-service” models and offering flexible machinery financing solutions that make use of data analytics, the Internet-of-Things (IoT) and blockchain technology.
Findustrial’s main services include the implementation of pay-per-use models and the provision of usage-based financing, which allows businesses to generate long-term revenue. These services primarily cater to the manufacturing industry, specifically manufacturers of machinery and equipment.
Findustrial has managed to sign some notable customers since its inception, including Trumpf Austria, Matsuura, RubbleMaster and GlenDimplex.
Findustrial, which currently operates in the DACH region, aims to expand to the UK and the US within the next three years, and hopes to breakeven in the next 18 months. The startup secured US$1 million in a Seed funding round in 2022, data from Dealroom show.

Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/7-young-fintech-startups-from-the-dach-region-to-keep-an-eye-on</link><guid>3447</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/7-Young-Fintech-Startups-from-the-DACH-Region-to-Keep-an-Eye-on-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>7 Young Fintech Startups from the DACH Region to Keep an Eye on</dc:text></item><item><title>Impact Investing: Partnerschaft zwischen Migros Bank und Inyova</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Die Migros Bank geht mit Inyova eine Partnerschaft ein, um eine gemeinsame Vermögensverwaltung und den Bereich des Impact Investing aufzubauen.
So werden Kundinnen und Kunden künftig in Unternehmen investieren können, die einen Beitrag zur Lösung der Klimafrage leisten.
Manuel Kunzelmann
«Nachhaltigkeit gehört seit der Gründung der Migros-Gruppe zum Kern ihrer Unternehmenswerte»,
erläutert Manuel Kunzelmann, CEO der Migros Bank.






«Dabei helfen uns Partnerschaften, Angebote nahe an den Wünschen unserer Kundinnen und Kunden zu schaffen. Inyova ist für uns ein idealer Partner, da er über eine jahrelange Erfahrung im Impact Investing verfügt und dadurch die Bereiche Nachhaltigkeitsimpact und Geldanlage optimal verbindet»,
so Manuel Kunzelmann.
Tillmann Lang
Tillmann Lang, CEO und Co-Gründer von Inyova, erklärt:
«Mit der Migros Bank und Inyova haben sich zwei sehr engagierte und zukunftsgerichtete Unternehmen gefunden. Wir freuen uns sehr auf die Zusammenarbeit. Wir möchten die Migros Bank darin unterstützen, das Thema Nachhaltigkeit und die Chancen des Impact Investing einem breiten Kreis interessierter Kundinnen und Kunden zugänglich zu machen. Gleichzeitig kommen wir damit unserem eigenen Ziel, Millionen von Menschen zu Impact-Investorinnen und -Investoren zu machen, einen Schritt näher.»


Titel-Bild Nachweis: Bearbeitet von freepik



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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/impact-investing-partnerschaft-zwischen-migros-bank-und-inyova</link><guid>3448</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>Impact Investing: Partnerschaft zwischen Migros Bank und Inyova</dc:text></item><item><title>N26 Goes Stocks and ETF Trading</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						November 30, 2023
																				





					
					
							
					N26‘s primary strategic goal remains sustainable and profitable growth. To achieve this, the company continues to position customer activity and daily account usage at the core of its product strategy across its portfolio of spending, saving, investment and credit features.
Following the introduction of N26 Crypto in 2022 and the recent launch of new Instant Savings Accounts, N26’s product offering will be expanded further to include an additional investment product next year.
In partnership with German fintech Upvest, N26 customers will have the opportunity to trade stocks and ETFs directly in the N26 app within the first half of 2024.






 
Featured image credit: Edited from freepik


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			&#13;
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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/n26-goes-stocks-and-etf-trading</link><guid>3446</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/N26-Group-Shares-Profitability-Expectations-and-Announces-Upcoming-Trading-Product-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>N26 Goes Stocks and ETF Trading</dc:text></item><item><title>Nasdaq Launches Digital Platform for Global Carbon Markets Based on Smart Contracts</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Nasdaq announced the launch of a new technology that securely digitizes the issuance, settlement, and custody of carbon credits. It will be provided to market infrastructures, registry platforms, and other service providers globally.
The service will support the development and institutionalization of global carbon markets. Despite being a relatively young market the carbon credit operating model is characterized by bilateral trading and a heavy reliance on manual interaction, providing limited ability to scale as the market develops. This inflexibility has also led to an absence of standardization – where credit data can be categorized and integrated into existing systems – which is a major barrier to attracting significant capital flows.
The technology will allow market operators and registries to create standardized digital credits and distribute them with full auditability throughout the transaction lifecycle. Nasdaq has also developed a carbon taxonomy framework that can readily incorporate new types of credit as the market evolves, along with a comprehensive set of APIs that will allow participants to seamlessly interact across the market. Together, this will help establish a standardized, trusted ecosystem capable of attracting high-quality liquidity from a variety of investors.






Roland Chai

“Fragmented technology choices in the trading and settlement of carbon credits has prevented the carbon industry from growing and maturing as an asset class. A lack of system flexibility, standardization, and connectivity has made it challenging for critical infrastructure providers and institutional investors to access the market in a meaningful way,”
said Roland Chai, Executive Vice President and Head of Marketplace Technology at Nasdaq.
“Bringing institutional grade technology to underpin the market will drive ever-greater liquidity across carbon marketplaces and open the possibility of greater interoperability between registries in the future.”

The service will utilize smart contract technology, allowing customers to securely create and process rights, obligations, and other information relating to the underlying asset. By automating several asset servicing and settlement procedures, the technology has the power to enhance efficiency and transparency throughout the trade lifecycle and provide a complete audit trail of credit ownership and retirement. The technology can also be used to reimagine current multiparty workflows in industries where paper, manual processes, and risk are obstacles to growth.
The issuance, settlement, and custody capabilities can be readily integrated with existing technology architectures used across the financial system, or deployed as a standalone platform, while also offering flexibility to connect to existing payment networks and bilateral settlement options. This will allow infrastructure providers to continue serving traditional markets, whilst also capturing growth opportunities from carbon markets, without the cost associated with major change programs.
Additionally, Nasdaq offers infrastructure optionality that enables the technology to be deployed on either a centralized database or using private blockchain technology.
Nasdaq announces technology partnership with Puro.earth
Alongside the launch of the service, Nasdaq has today announced a new technology partnership with Puro.earth, a world-leading standards and registry platform for engineered carbon removal, to register CO2 Removal Certificates, or CORCs. The registry tracks the issuance, retirement, and the transfer of the assets, providing full traceability and transparency to avoid double counting carbon removal projects.
Antti Vihavainen
Antti Vihavainen, CEO of Puro.earth, added:
“Accurately managing the lifecycle of carbon credits is essential for trust. By leveraging Nasdaq’s technology, the core part of our carbon crediting infrastructure, the Puro Registry will be modernized. The system will become available for carbon marketplaces and exchanges through the Puro Connect API and will also have the preparedness for labeling CORCs compliant with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.”
The company’s Puro Standard is the first carbon removal standard for engineered carbon removal methods in the voluntary carbon market. It consists of high-quality carbon removal methodologies, aligned with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change definition for carbon removal.
Certified suppliers and their carbon removals are verified by an independent third-party and the CORCs can be bought by companies seeking to offset their carbon footprint directly from suppliers or through a third-party marketplace.

This article first appeared on fintechnews.am




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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/nasdaq-launches-digital-platform-for-global-carbon-markets-based-on-smart-contracts</link><guid>3444</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>Nasdaq Launches Digital Platform for Global Carbon Markets Based on Smart Contracts</dc:text></item><item><title>Nasdaq Launches Digital Platform for Global Carbon Based on Smart Contracts</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Nasdaq announced the launch of a new technology that securely digitizes the issuance, settlement, and custody of carbon credits. It will be provided to market infrastructures, registry platforms, and other service providers globally.
The service will support the development and institutionalization of global carbon markets. Despite being a relatively young market the carbon credit operating model is characterized by bilateral trading and a heavy reliance on manual interaction, providing limited ability to scale as the market develops. This inflexibility has also led to an absence of standardization – where credit data can be categorized and integrated into existing systems – which is a major barrier to attracting significant capital flows.
The technology will allow market operators and registries to create standardized digital credits and distribute them with full auditability throughout the transaction lifecycle. Nasdaq has also developed a carbon taxonomy framework that can readily incorporate new types of credit as the market evolves, along with a comprehensive set of APIs that will allow participants to seamlessly interact across the market. Together, this will help establish a standardized, trusted ecosystem capable of attracting high-quality liquidity from a variety of investors.






Roland Chai

“Fragmented technology choices in the trading and settlement of carbon credits has prevented the carbon industry from growing and maturing as an asset class. A lack of system flexibility, standardization, and connectivity has made it challenging for critical infrastructure providers and institutional investors to access the market in a meaningful way,”
said Roland Chai, Executive Vice President and Head of Marketplace Technology at Nasdaq.
“Bringing institutional grade technology to underpin the market will drive ever-greater liquidity across carbon marketplaces and open the possibility of greater interoperability between registries in the future.”

The service will utilize smart contract technology, allowing customers to securely create and process rights, obligations, and other information relating to the underlying asset. By automating several asset servicing and settlement procedures, the technology has the power to enhance efficiency and transparency throughout the trade lifecycle and provide a complete audit trail of credit ownership and retirement. The technology can also be used to reimagine current multiparty workflows in industries where paper, manual processes, and risk are obstacles to growth.
The issuance, settlement, and custody capabilities can be readily integrated with existing technology architectures used across the financial system, or deployed as a standalone platform, while also offering flexibility to connect to existing payment networks and bilateral settlement options. This will allow infrastructure providers to continue serving traditional markets, whilst also capturing growth opportunities from carbon markets, without the cost associated with major change programs.
Additionally, Nasdaq offers infrastructure optionality that enables the technology to be deployed on either a centralized database or using private blockchain technology.
Nasdaq announces technology partnership with Puro.earth
Alongside the launch of the service, Nasdaq has today announced a new technology partnership with Puro.earth, a world-leading standards and registry platform for engineered carbon removal, to register CO2 Removal Certificates, or CORCs. The registry tracks the issuance, retirement, and the transfer of the assets, providing full traceability and transparency to avoid double counting carbon removal projects.
Antti Vihavainen
Antti Vihavainen, CEO of Puro.earth, added:
“Accurately managing the lifecycle of carbon credits is essential for trust. By leveraging Nasdaq’s technology, the core part of our carbon crediting infrastructure, the Puro Registry will be modernized. The system will become available for carbon marketplaces and exchanges through the Puro Connect API and will also have the preparedness for labeling CORCs compliant with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.”
The company’s Puro Standard is the first carbon removal standard for engineered carbon removal methods in the voluntary carbon market. It consists of high-quality carbon removal methodologies, aligned with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change definition for carbon removal.
Certified suppliers and their carbon removals are verified by an independent third-party and the CORCs can be bought by companies seeking to offset their carbon footprint directly from suppliers or through a third-party marketplace.

This article first appeared on fintechnews.am




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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/nasdaq-launches-digital-platform-for-global-carbon-based-on-smart-contracts</link><guid>3445</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>Nasdaq Launches Digital Platform for Global Carbon Based on Smart Contracts</dc:text></item><item><title>Aurachain Partners with Microsoft Azure Marketplace</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						November 29, 2023
																				





					
					
							
					Aurachain, a Swiss platform for low-code process automation solutions, announced its availability in the Microsoft Azure Marketplace.
Microsoft Azure users worldwide can now access Aurachain’s low-code platform while Aurachain customers gain  deployment and management through Azure’s cloud infrastructure.
Aurachain’s platform is uniquely designed to address the evolving needs of enterprises in an increasingly digital world. Offering a low-code solution for process automation, it empowers organizations to streamline operations, automate workflows, and accelerate innovation.






Adela Wiener
Adela Wiener, CEO of Aurachain, expressed her excitement:
“We’re honored to join the Microsoft Azure Marketplace as a trusted technology provider, extending the reach of our cutting-edge low-code solution to customers around the world. This collaboration signifies a significant milestone in our journey to empower enterprises for the digital era.”
The Azure Marketplace provides a trusted platform for companies seeking cloud solutions certified and optimized for use with Azure. It connects businesses with innovative, cloud-based solutions developed by trusted partners who have a proven track record of delivering excellence.
Alina Irma Orban
Alina Irma Orban, Senior Director ISV Partners &amp; Startups Central Europe &amp; Central Asia at Microsoft, commented:
“We are pleased to welcome Aurachain to the Microsoft Azure Marketplace, offering our cloud customers access to a leading low-code platform. The Azure Marketplace continues to provide world-class solutions from trusted partners, tested to seamlessly integrate with Azure, enhancing the digital journey for organizations globally.”


Featured image credit: Adela Wiener, CEO of Aurachain and Alina Irma Orban, Senior Director ISV Partners &amp; Startups Central Europe &amp; Central Asia at Microsoft. background edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/aurachain-partners-with-microsoft-azure-marketplace</link><guid>3443</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Aurachain-Announces-Availability-in-the-Microsoft-Azure-Marketplace--1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Aurachain Partners with Microsoft Azure Marketplace</dc:text></item><item><title>Commerzbank Goes AI Banking via Avatars Powered by Microsoft Azure</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Commerzbank launched a project to realize a new customer experience with an AI Banking Avatar as mobile first approach.
The banking avatar is a virtual assistant in form of a digitalized person that interacts with customers in natural language. Customers can ask their virtual assistant questions, get general information as well as personalized advice. The Avatar will offer various banking services for the Bank’s Private and Small Business Customers. The Banking Avatar will be developed for mobile devices as a first step for the target group of 2.2 million active Banking App users.
The Banking Avatar will be powered by Microsoft Azure which offers enterprise-grade security, scalability, and reliability as well as data security. Specifically, it will integrate Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service for advanced GPT models and to generate natural and engaging conversations. It will also integrate the new Microsoft Azure text to speech avatar service, just announced at Microsoft Ignite, which enables the creation of realistic and expressive digital avatars.






Commerzbank to be one of the first banks combining Generative AI and Avatar technology in a customer facing application
Commerzbank is one of the first banks combining Generative AI and Avatar technology in a customer facing application to provide a cutting-edge customer experience, which will be part of the digital footprint of the bank. The bank believes this innovative digital offering will improve customer satisfaction and significantly simplify banking, because customers will need digital credentials only and can interact with the assistant in a natural manner. First customer tests show very good results and the highly appreciated innovative character of this new solution, which is a hybrid customer experience, i.e. a mixture of a human and digital interaction.
The Avatar project started in an agile, joint-team approach with stringent and regular customer involvement. The AI logic will combine conventional AI with Generative AI and attach high attention to develop trustworthy and responsible AI as well as data security.
New chapter in Commerzbank’s digital strategy aiming to provide customers with the best digital experience
Thomas Schaufler
“We are excited to start the Banking Avatar project. It is a new way of banking and combining convenience, personalization, and digital performance on the next level. We want to offer our customers the best digital experience and help them manage their finances with ease and confidence,”
said Thomas Schaufler, Board Member for Private and Small Business Customers at Commerzbank.
Ralph Haupter
“Commerzbank has established itself as one of the leading banks in Germany, with a focus on offering products and services that are tailored to the needs of its customers. The Banking Avatar project powered by Azure AI’s advanced speech capabilities is a great example of how businesses can use Generative AI technology to provide a new level of dynamic, personalized customer experiences,”
commented Ralph Haupter, President Microsoft EMEA.


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/commerzbank-goes-ai-banking-via-avatars-powered-by-microsoft-azure</link><guid>3442</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>Commerzbank Goes AI Banking via Avatars Powered by Microsoft Azure</dc:text></item><item><title>Banking in 2024: Global Challenges, Europe’s Focus, and Innovation Path</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Vitus Rotzer, Chief Revenue Officer - Financial Messaging Globally, Bottomline								
																						November 28, 2023
																				





					
					
							
					As the Roman poet Ovid once said, ‘A horse never runs as fast as when it has other horses to catch and surpass.’ This metaphor aptly captures the essence of today’s banking sector, where understanding market demands and competitor strategies is crucial for staying ahead in the race. Competition not only drives the market but also serves as a catalyst for continuous innovation and growth within financial institutions.
Plus, there is no shortage of global issues for banks to put on their agenda for 2024. Right off the top, we have cloud migration, the acceleration of real-time or instant payments, new regulations, and fraud mitigation to contend with.
Those priorities were evident in this year’s global “Future of Competitive Advantage in Banking and Payments” report from fintech solutions provider Bottomline.
However, look under the surface of the key findings, and one can see something very interesting. What’s front of mind for banking executive in New York City might not meet the same priorities in London, Frankfurt, Zurich, or Singapore. Those differences are necessary to track as executives continue to craft their 2024 and future roadmaps.
Bottomline has identified three key findings in the report that are essential to understand as we enter the new year. They also highlight the different priorities and pain points across the regions globally covered.
Modernizing payments with digital and cloud strategies
Image by rawpixel.com on Freepik
This strategy should start with payments modernization. According to the report, there are some significant regional differences here.
First, when it comes to digital transformation, Bottomline surveyed over 600 global respondents to see if they were confident in their institution’s current digital payments transformation strategy.
The findings were that North America seems much more sceptical than other regions, with 39% choosing options “highly” or “somewhat” sceptical. Europe is the most bullish, with 78% feeling “highly” or “somewhat” confident.
That’s a big swing and could be attributed to the regulations coming down in the UK and Europe, most of which concern real-time/instant payments. If banks feel like their digital transformation roadmap is mandated, it’s entirely possible they feel more confident about achieving it).
The next question supports that theory, which centered around migrating to the cloud or, as it was phrased, “a single SaaS-based platform for your payments and messaging ecosystem.”
73% of APAC respondents have a “strong” or “extremely strong” appetite to transition to SaaS versus 60% globally and only 44% for NA. Again, does digital transformation equate to the cloud for many banking executives? Bottomline’s research suggests that it does.
Real-time payments picks up the pace
Image by Freepik
There’s arguably no more important issue globally for 2024. FedNow, an instant payment service developed by the Federal Reserve for depository institutions in the U.S., will see its first full year as a payment platform.
In the EU and EAA, the European Payments Council’s new mandate will be approved (November 2023 saw political agreement), which will mean all EU and EAA citizens need to be able to send and receive instant payments within six and 12 months respectively (EEA is 30 months and 36 months).
Therefore, financial institutions must get cracking and pick up the pace. Not only because adding a new payment rail in itself involves at least a 9-month project but also to ensure you achieve certain added requirements.
These include ensuring the new instant payment fees stay in line with non-instant transfers and that you have the functionality in place to match the international bank account number (IBAN) and the name of the beneficiary and can verify clients against the regularly-updated EU sanctions list.
Similarly, any bank in the Swiss market that processes 500,000+ SIC messages needs to be ready for SIC IP by Aug 2024 (the planning for SIC IP service corresponds to a ‘technical go live’ in November 2023 and a ‘market go live’ in August 2024). Testing should start no later than mid-2023 for early adopters and so yet another date for your strategic diaries) and all the remaining banks by 2026.
Additionally, Pay.UK is announcing changes to the New Payments Architecture, and UK Faster Payment’s role is increasing imminently.
Lastly, will P27 in the Nordics be on hold permanently, or will a new proposition be resurrected soon?
According to the Competitive Banking report, the message has been delivered. Real-time rails and mitigating fraud risk are the top two pain points everywhere except APAC, which focuses more on cross-border payments, as you would expect from a region with so many currencies.
Compliance and regulation are much more important in Europe than elsewhere globally in reaction to a plethora of new mandates for Confirmation of Payee, Instant Payments, and the UK’s New Payments Architecture expected update. It’s no surprise then that Europe is the most aware of how compliance and regulation will be more important over the next 12 months. North America tracked second, supporting our belief that the pace of change will not abate.
However, 94% of Europe respondents believe it will be “very” or “somewhat” challenging to remain compliant, well above the global combined view of 88%. Presumably, 11% of European respondents don’t think it will be difficult because they have already started following best practices and pre-empted the implementation in their roadmaps.
ISO 20022 messaging

It seems like all roads, at some point, intersect with ISO 20022 messaging format.
Digital transformation is necessary to reap all the benefits of ISO. ISO 20022 is the linchpin of real-time payments. The functionality and attributes that it adds also correlate with the key expectations that corporates have from their banks – connectivity to real-time rails, improved fraud mitigation and management tools, and access to real-time cash balance, and end-to-end visibility – all interlinked through faster payments, potential fraud, and 24/7/365 cash visibility.
When asked, “Which areas of your company’s cash positioning and fraud monitoring could benefit from the improved data that ISO 20022 provides?”. All regions agreed that improved fraud monitoring and management would reap the biggest benefits of moving from the basics ISO ‘connectivity-only’ to the more data-rich ‘market-ready’ and then through to the optimum status of ISO 20022 ‘native’.
Europe and North America emphasized reducing manual intervention and focusing on straight-through processing.
Looking ahead at 2024
Yes, 2024 will feature busy product roadmaps for financial institutions but expect it to be a year of driving innovation and developing best practices. Institutions can leverage ISO and SaaS to make things easier.
That said, organizations cannot roll out each solve in isolation. They are all interlinked from real-time, cross-border and domestic payments to liquidity management and visibility, fraud mitigation and new pre-validation compliance requirements.
As the report shows, the industry faces common issues with regional subtexts. It’s by addressing the common issues that progress will be made.
The financial institutions that pre-empt both customer and market demand, will drive innovation that surpasses their competitors, leading the herd and becoming the true payment heroes.
Read Bottomline’s “Future of Competitive Advantage in Banking and Payments” full report here. 



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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/banking-in-2024-global-challenges-europes-focus-and-innovation-path</link><guid>3440</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Competitive-Banking-Report-Shows-Common-Global-Issues-With-Regional-Differences-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Banking in 2024: Global Challenges, Europe’s Focus, and Innovation Path</dc:text></item><item><title>Virtual Card Spend to Reach $13.8 Trillion Globally by 2028</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					A new study by Juniper Research found that by 2028, global virtual card spend will have increased by 355% from $3.1 trillion in 2023. The key driver will be the adoption of API-based virtual card issuing platforms.
Virtual cards use randomly generated and generally temporary card numbers linked to a payment account, which are used to process payments; replacing genuine payment details. Virtual cards provide a secure and fast way to distribute funds, while effectively managing spending limits.






API-based virtual card issuing enables cards to be issued in a more seamless and cheaper way, improving efficiency and unlocking greater use cases within B2B and consumer payments.


Stripe, Revolut and Marqeta Lead in Virtual Cards
The new Juniper Research Competitor Leaderboard report reveals that Stripe, Revolut and Marqeta are the established leaders in the virtual cards space. The report identified intuitive, API-based platforms, with easy-to-use functionality to securely deploy cards and manage spending restrictions, as the most important factors in their success.
Daniel Bedford
Research author Daniel Bedford commented:
“Virtual cards offer an adaptable solution that can be heavily customised, including spending limits and restrictions; enabling businesses to significantly improve their spend management, while reducing costs.”
Incentives Driving Adoption
In the highly competitive consumer virtual cards space, Juniper Research recommends that vendors offer loyalty- and rewards-linked cards, to differentiate themselves. Exclusive offers on partner products, rewards points and cashback on specific merchants can successfully encourage virtual card spending and customer retention. This will require virtual card platforms to build out partnership ecosystems, either by partnering directly with merchants, or with existing loyalty services.




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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/virtual-card-spend-to-reach-138-trillion-globally-by-2028</link><guid>3441</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>Virtual Card Spend to Reach $13.8 Trillion Globally by 2028</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech for Good: Finyard CEO, Dmitrij Pruglo’s Vision for Positive Impact</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Technology has long been a catalyst for positive change. From the printing press increasing literacy, to vaccines eradicating disease, to the internet connecting people across borders, humanity’s inventions have aimed to improve lives.
FinTech is no different. Mobile payments bring financial services to the unbanked. Digital advisors make investing accessible to all. Blockchain allows to transfer monetary values in matter of seconds and digitalize ownership of almost any physical asset. The potential for technology to spread prosperity knows no bounds.
Yet purpose must remain at the core. This is the Finyard mission. Without ethical guidance, technological progress can falter. Profit can eclipse people. Convenience can compromise conscience.
FinTech making a difference
Technology has already fundamentally improved our daily life.

Email allows instant communication across the globe for free, strengthening connections.
Ridesharing services like Uber provide affordable, convenient urban transportation options.
Home rental platforms like Airbnb enable new income streams and foster cultural exchange.
Challenger banks like Revolut simplify money management, saving users time and fees.

These innovations have become so ingrained that it’s hard to imagine a world without them.
Finyard, an innovative software solutions provider, seeks to build on the countless examples of how applications and services are already making a meaningful, tangible difference improving lives across the globe. These existing FinTech solutions inspire Finyard’s vision of positive technological change, including:

Microlending platforms that empower entrepreneurs in developing nations to access capital and grow their businesses. This stimulates economic activity and creates jobs.
Automated advice services that lower the barriers to investing, allowing anyone to grow their wealth, promoting financial inclusivity.
Biometric ID systems that give refugees without documentation access to financial services. This provides stability and safety for vulnerable populations.
Mobile wallets that allow the unbanked to store and transfer funds securely using just their phones, increasing financial access.
Remittance services that enable inexpensive cross-border money transfers, helping support families back home.
Crowdfunding platforms that let socially conscious startups raise capital from a wider pool of investors.
Donation processing systems that provide transparency around how charitable contributions are used, building trust.
Compliance automation tools that help detect financial crimes to prevent money laundering and fraud.

While the FinTech industry already offers uplifting examples of positive technological change, Finyard seeks to leave its own unique and forward-thinking mark on driving human progress.
Pruglo’s vision
Dmitrij Pruglo
Dmitrij Pruglo, CEO of Finyard, understands this delicately balanced dichotomy. For him, FinTech presents a monumental opportunity to lift up humanity. But only if moral imperatives steer the ship.
Pruglo’s motivations stem from experience. Having experience from major financial institutions, he witnessed technology’s benefits firsthand. Transactions became seamless, costs plummeted, access widened.
Technology has seen investing apps evolve. Not only providing low-cost access to major financial markets, but also a wider range of assets, for investors to diversify their portfolios, and help improve returns. Innovation has made emerging markets, previously only accessible to hedge funds and major financial institutions, available to all.
FinTech apps have become more user-friendly, leading to the democratisation of the whole financial system. This has made it easier, even for the least tech-savvy people, to bank or invest, without even having to leave home. No more waiting in queues – technology allows us to save time, the most precious commodity we have.
Then there’s social investing or copy trading, which allow inexperienced users to profit from the global financial markets, simply by relying on the knowledge of more experienced investors, lowering the barrier to entry.
But he also saw how FinTech could do more. How applications could simplify lives beyond finances. How ethics could parallel efficiency.
This sparked an epiphany. Technological innovation and human progress need not be mutually exclusive. With conscientious leadership, FinTech could drive societal change, not just economic returns.
Pruglo realised companies like his possessed immense power – and responsibility. The solutions they created impacted millions. Their words resonated globally. From this privilege came the duty to speak for good.
Thus he vowed Finyard would blaze a trail, showcasing FinTech’s promise to propel humanity forward. Code became more than a competitive edge; it became a change agent.
Leading with purpose
This philosophy now embodies all Finyard pursues. For Pruglo, this constitutes enlightened self-interest. Doing good does well – rising tides lift all ships. But that should not be the incentive. As FinTech gains influence, its leaders must ask, “How can we help?” Progress means little if people are left behind.
Pruglo challenges our industry to live these ideals. To forge technology that serves humankind, not just shareholders. To measure success not by the numbers, but by the lives changed. To believe, as he does, that FinTech can make the world better.
A call to action
The industry must pledge itself to ethical innovation that lifts up lives. To judge success not by balance sheets, but by the light spread. To unleash FinTech’s full promise as a change agent.
FinTech harbours huge potential for human betterment. But only if people remain the priority. If so, a brighter future awaits. Dmitrij Pruglo and Finyard will lead the way. Who will join them?
Learn more at the official Finyard website.


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-for-good-finyard-ceo-dmitrij-pruglos-vision-for-positive-impact</link><guid>3439</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech for Good: Finyard CEO, Dmitrij Pruglo’s Vision for Positive Impact</dc:text></item><item><title>New Tenity/Julius Baer Program Picks 3 Swiss Web 3.0 Startups</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					In a forward-looking initiative, innovation platform Tenity has launched the Julius Baer Global Web 3.0 Program which enables collaboration between the bank and the next generation of web 3.0 startups in the wealth management space across the European and Asia Pacific region.
This integrated program is focused on collaborations, pairing Julius Baer internal teams with startups to bring fresh perspectives and accelerate innovation.
Brigitta Gyoerfi
Brigitta Gyoerfi, Partner Innovation Lead at Tenity, added:






“As Tenity’s partner innovation lead, I emphasize the importance of looking beyond short-term goals and embracing the spirit of experimentation with new technologies. Early exploration is our compass to navigate the ever-changing tech landscape and seize opportunities on the horizon.”
Jonathan Chan
Jonathan Chan, Head of Global Innovation at Julius Baer, added:
“Our partnership with Tenity has provided us with a wealth of experience and unlocked innovative solutions in wealth management. We are committed to working with innovative startups that emerge from the program to transform ideas into impactful implementations within the bank.”
The program included a thorough scouting of the market, singling out Web 3.0 startups geared for the wealth management sector. Following an in-depth assessment phase, the five standout startups were chosen. Currently, in a four-month engagement phase, tailored interactions between these startups and Julius Baer stakeholders focus on identifying key industry use cases and executing targeted experiments.
The following five startups have now been selected for the program:
Frigg | Switzerland

A B2B blockchain-powered platform cutting through layers of intermediaries to streamline sustainable infrastructure financing for institutional investors.
HOPR | Switzerland

Empowering private data transmission with unbreakable privacy, HOPR’s decentralized network, and its data protection solution enable secure and competitive data transmission for the bank, its partners and its clients.
PIER | Switzerland

A cutting-edge wallet platform designed to make using web3 technologies simpler for individuals and businesses, using smart contracts and advanced privacy protection technology.
RociFi Labs | Singapore

Empowering Wealth Management with real-time, on-chain insights through a data and analytics platform, offering actionable information on client portfolios, transaction history, and compliance.
Phuture Finance | United Kingdom

Redefining crypto finance with on-chain index funds and structured products, offering a streamlined way to mint indices using various assets and a transparent, rebalanced methodology.



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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-tenityjulius-baer-program-picks-3-swiss-web-30-startups</link><guid>3438</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>New Tenity/Julius Baer Program Picks 3 Swiss Web 3.0 Startups</dc:text></item><item><title>Helvetia Enhances Its Online Chatbot with ChatGPT</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Helvetia insurance enhances its digital assistant Clara. The pilot project was launched in spring 2023 and provides an easy way for customers to ask questions and describe issues via the Helvetia website.
Now that the trial period is over, Clara is going live with immediate effect as a standard service powered by the latest generative AI technology.
Jan Kundert
Jan Kundert, Head Customer and Market Management and Member of the Executive Management of Helvetia Switzerland:






“We’re delighted that our ChatGPT project has been well received by our customers. Our focus moving forward will be on tailoring what is now Helvetia’s key self-service channel even better to user requirements.”
International pioneering role
Following the successful completion of the test phase, Clara is now going live as a standard service incorporating the latest generative AI technology, further optimizing response quality compared to the previous version. Helvetia thus offers its customers in Switzerland a service that is unique in the insurance sector, providing simple and uncomplicated answers to questions about insurance and pensions around the clock, thereby also playing a pioneering role internationally. It remains exploratory in nature, with users contributing to the learning process. Thanks to user feedback, Clara is constantly being developed further. Customer service can be accessed in German, French, Italian, English and various other languages.
Customers can easily ask a question or describe an issue via the digital assistant Clara. The service is designed to be low-threshold and can be accessed without registration. User numbers since the launch of the trial in spring 2023 show it has been well received. Helvetia predicts it will have handled over 150,000 chats by the end of this year – almost double the figure for last year. In just a short period of time, Clara has thus become Helvetia’s key self-service channel. The chatbot is the perfect addition to the existing customer service offering.

Trust is essential
Trust plays a key role in the relationship between insurers and their customers. This is true whether customer services are offered via conventional or digital channels. Although there are currently still no binding regulations for the industry, Helvetia has decided to go live with its chatbot powered by the latest GPT technology.
Helvetia is aware of the resulting responsibility and only uses artificial intelligence within a controlled framework. The data is managed and processed in accordance with the highest security standards and the new Swiss Data Protection Act (DSG), which came into force on 1 September 2023. For example, users are informed that Clara may also provide incorrect answers because these are generated by artificial intelligence. As Clara only uses verified sources when answering customer questions, the risk of incorrect information is low, but Helvetia recommends contacting the customer advisory service or using alternative contact options if anything is unclear. Users can also rate Clara’s answers and thus help improve the service.
Helvetia has been using artificial intelligence for several years already in areas such as claims processing, identification of fraud, underwriting and marketing. The company actively involves its employees in AI-adoption; for example in the development of self-learning models. Helvetia believes that using artificial intelligence expertly and transparently is crucial in the development of current and future insurance models.


Featured image credit: Helvetia


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/helvetia-enhances-its-online-chatbot-with-chatgpt</link><guid>3437</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>Helvetia Enhances Its Online Chatbot with ChatGPT</dc:text></item><item><title>Warum Schweizer Retail-Banken Digital Investing einführen sollten</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Investieren wird für Anleger immer einfacher und dank Neobrokern und Fintechs sinken die Einstiegshürden. Dementsprechend beschäftigen sich auch mehr Leute mit dem Thema Geldanlage.
Für etablierte Finanzinstitutionen kann Digital Investing deshalb zu einem wichtigen Bestandteil des Angebots werden.
Digital Investing beschreibt die Nutzung von digitalen Plattformen und Technologien, um Investitionen in unterschiedliche Assets und andere Finanzinstrumente zu tätigen. Dabei erfolgt der gesamte Prozess online – vom Onboarding bis hin zur Auswahl und Verwaltung der Anlagen. So können auch Privatanleger ihr Geld eigenständig und bequem über das Internet investieren, ohne traditionelle Finanzberater oder Bankfilialen. Das alles idealerweise in einem einfach zu nutzenden und ansprechendem Online-Auftritt.
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Es gibt mehrere Gründe, warum beispielsweise Retail-Banken Digital Investing anbieten sollten bzw. ihr Angebot in diesem Bereich erweitern sollten. So legen erstens immer mehr Menschen Geld an. Zweitens wird der Prozess der Geldanlage selbst immer digitaler und der gesamte Investitionsprozess erfolgt online. Aus diesen Gründen ergibt sich drittens ein enormes Marktpotenzial. Viertens sind die Mitbewerber schon aktiv und erobern starke Marktanteile mit ihren Angeboten. So bieten bereits 44 Prozent der Neo-Banken in Europa Anlageprodukte an. Banken sollten dabei nicht tatenlos zusehen, sondern sich einen Teil der Umsätze sichern.
Internet fördert und ermöglicht digitales Anlegen
Privatanleger haben heutzutage über das Internet Zugang zu Expertenwissen, wie es früher nur vermögenden Investoren im Zuge der Kapitalanlageberatung zur Verfügung stand. Zudem ermöglichen Online-Vergleichsportale die unkomplizierte, übersichtliche und schnelle Gegenüberstellung von Angeboten. Gut informierte Anleger agieren also nun auf einem transparenten Markt, auf dem es seit einigen Jahren nicht mehr nur Banken und Finanzdienstleister sind, die die Anlagewelt erklären und gleich auf die passenden Angebote verweisen. Sondern es ist eine ganze Finanzindustrie entstanden. Online-Banking und Online-Brokerage sind längst weit verbreitet, und auch Social Trading, Crowdinvesting und Robo-Advisor etablieren sich immer mehr.
Immer mehr Privatanleger, denen immer mehr einfach zu nutzende Angebote und immer mehr Asset-Klassen zur Verfügung stehen, schaffen ein enormes Marktpotenzial. Laut Statista Market Insights beträgt das weltweite Gesamttransaktionsvolumen im Markt Digital Investment 2023 bereits 3,03 Billionen Euro und wird bis 2027 auf 5,05 Billionen Euro anwachsen.
Wie Retail-Banken von Digital Investing profitieren können
Indem Banken digitales Investieren anbieten, erfüllen sie die Bedürfnisse ihrer Kunden. Zudem richten sie sich für die Zukunft aus, denn Millennials und die jüngeren Generationen haben ein starkes Interesse an digitalen Lösungen und Technologie. Durch digitale Angebote können Banken diese Zielgruppe ansprechen und ihre Kundengewinnung und Kundenbindung verbessern.
Auch das neue, niedrige Preisniveau sollte Banken nicht abschrecken, denn beim Digital Investing profitieren auch sie von der besseren Kosteneffizienz: Automatisierte Prozesse und Algorithmen reduzieren die Notwendigkeit menschlicher Intervention und senken damit die Kosten im Vergleich zu traditionellen Anlageberatungsdienstleistungen. Mit der Automatisierung einher geht eine gute Skalierbarkeit. Banken können mit ihren Dienstleistungen rund um Digital Investing eine größere Anzahl von Kunden bedienen, ohne eine entsprechende Zunahme des Personals.
Und schließlich sind etablierte Banken in einer idealen Ausgangslage: Sie haben bereits die Präsenz, Markenbekanntheit und die Kundenkontakte, um ihre Angebote auf dem Markt erfolgreich zu platzieren.
Schnelle Einführung von Digital Investing dank End-to-End Lösungen von Partnern
Es gibt viele Gründe, sein Digital-Investing-Angebot mit Hilfe eines Partners aufzubauen oder weiterzuentwickeln. Das stärkste Argument dafür ist die Zeitersparnis. Durch die Zusammenarbeit mit einem Partner erhalten Banken fertige Produkte, Hilfe bei der Integration in ihre IT-Landschaft und eine fertige Benutzeroberfläche für die Kunden, die nur noch an das Customer Interface der Bank angepasst werden muss. Dieser Ansatz führt dazu, dass das Digital-Investing-Angebot schneller ausgerollt werden kann.
Auch sind die Kosten viel besser kalkulierbar als bei einer Eigenentwicklung, und das Risiko ist überschaubarer. Banken bekommen zudem über einen Partner Zugang zu Expertise und Technologie. Banken können so von bewährten Best Practices und modernen Tools profitieren, ohne eigene Ressourcen für deren Entwicklung und Implementierung aufwenden zu müssen. Die regulatorische Compliance spricht ebenfalls für Partner. Denn schließlich haben die Partner die Regularien schon bei ihrer Produktentwicklung miteinbezogen – ansonsten hätten sie keine Chance, ihre Lösungen bei Banken zu platzieren.
Vorteile eines Partners am Beispiel eines Robo-Advisors
Die Gründe, warum eine Bank ihr Digital-Investing-Angebot mit Hilfe eines Partners gestalten sollte, lassen sich gut illustrieren, wenn es speziell um Robo-Advisor geht: Die Entwicklung eines eigenen Robo-Advisors ist ein zeitaufwändiger Prozess, der leicht mehrere Jahre dauern kann. In dieser Zeit sind viele Ressourcen gebunden und stehen nicht für andere Projekte zur Verfügung. Zum Vergleich: Mit einem Partner lässt sich ein sofort einsatzbereiter Robo-Advisor innerhalb von drei Monaten launchen.
Die Entwicklung eines eigenen Robo-Advisors ist außerdem sehr kostspielig. Banken müssen die kompletten Kosten für die Softwareentwicklung und -weiterentwicklung allein tragen. Wenn Banken dagegen einen Robo-Advisor von einem Partner beziehen, zahlen sie nur für den Service. Das bedeutet erstens Opex statt Capex und ist zweitens günstiger als eine Eigenentwicklung.
Hinzu kommt, dass die Entwicklung und Weiterentwicklung eines eigenen Robo-Advisors ein hohes Maß an Fachwissen in den Bereichen Softwareentwicklung, Finanzen und Risikomanagement erfordert. Viele Banken verfügen nicht über (genug) Experten, um (schnell) einen eigenen Robo-Advisor zu entwickeln und dauerhaft weiterentwickeln zu können. Durch einen Partner lösen Banken diese Herausforderung, indem sie sich Zugang zur Expertise des Partners sichern. Der Partner investiert zudem kontinuierlich in Innovationen und Verbesserungen seines Robo-Advisors. Durch die Partnerschaft stehen Banken also immer die neuesten Funktionen und Technologien zur Verfügung, die ihren Kunden ein erstklassiges digitales Anlageerlebnis bieten.
Eine zentrale Rolle im Leben der Kunden
Banken stehen vor der Herausforderung, schnell, kosteneffizient und möglichst risikoarm Digital-Investing-Angebote aufzubauen bzw. weiterzuentwickeln, sie mit einer ansprechenden UX zu den Verbrauchern zu transportieren und so den Angeboten der Wettbewerber etwas entgegenzusetzen. Banken könnten das natürlich selbst entwickeln – doch wenn sie sich dafür mit spezialisierten Anbietern zusammenschließen, hat das etliche Vorteile, wie z.B. eine geringere Time to Market, kalkulierbare Kosten und ein geringeres Risiko.
Wenn Banken ihren Kunden Digital Investing über eine exzellente digitale Nutzererfahrung ermöglichen, profitieren sie einerseits von den Gebühren, andererseits auch von einer besseren Kundenbindung: Wer sein Girokonto, sein Tagesgeldkonto und seine Anlage-Produkte bei seiner Bank hat, bleibt ihr eher treu. Die Bank nimmt so eine zentrale Rolle im Leben ihrer Kunden ein.


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						Caroline von Mutius, Account Executive bei Backbase&#13;
					
					
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								Caroline von Mutius ist Account Executive bei Backbase, dem Anbieter der Engagement-Banking-Plattform. In dieser Funktion berät sie große und mittelgroße Bankengruppen in Deutschland und der Schweiz, wie sie ihre digitalen Ambitionen in die Tat umsetzen können. Caroline ist seit 2021 bei Backbase tätig. Sie verfügt über fundierte Erfahrungen im kundenorientierten Relationship Management, in der Optimierung von Prozessen sowie im Projekt- und Transformationsmanagement und im Bankensektor. Bevor sie zu Backbase kam, arbeitete sie für die Privatbank ODDO BHF und für ein Fintech der Helaba.							&#13;
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					More by Caroline von Mutius, Account Executive bei Backbase
				
			
		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/warum-schweizer-retail-banken-digital-investing-einfuhren-sollten</link><guid>3436</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Wie-Retail-Banken-Digital-Investing.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Warum Schweizer Retail-Banken Digital Investing einführen sollten</dc:text></item><item><title>BBVA Switzerland Extends Digital Asset Partnership With Metaco</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					BBVA in Switzerland has successfully migrated its digital assets operations to Metaco’s institutional-grade digital asset custody and orchestration platform, Harmonize which is fully integrated on Avaloq’s Crypto Assets platform and Core Banking system. This infrastructure will allow BBVA to further develop its digital asset and private key custody capabilities.
This new development will have a positive impact on security policies, especially for the institutional client, who will have much greater flexibility in their operations with digital assets. BBVA in Switzerland has become a key player in the institutional network in the blockchain ecosystem. In 2021, the Bank became the first TIER 1 Bank in the Eurozone to provide custody and trading services for cryptocurrencies, under a combined portfolio across traditional and digital assets. Since that time, the Bank has not only been working on improving its blockchain services, but also on its commitment to provide financial education in this area to its clients.
Avaloq and Metaco work in close collaboration to deploy and develop the bank’s innovative digital assets offering in a software as a service (SaaS) model. This latest upgrade will also support future business use cases for BBVA in the realm of digital assets.






Alfonso Gómez
Alfonso Gómez, CEO of BBVA in Switzerland, highlights that
“our partnership with Metaco, which will fully integrate our existing infrastructure within Avaloq, allows us to stay ahead of the market, offering the most secure and compliant infrastructure”.
This collaboration will provide more speed, efficiency and the highest standard of governance as the Bank accelerates digital assets offerings for its institutional clients.

Adrien Treccani
“Metaco and BBVA Switzerland have had a longstanding history of partnership, and we are proud to bring our partnership to new heights,”
says Adrien Treccani, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Metaco.
With this deployment, the Bank expands its partnership with its technological partners Metaco and Avaloq, as both of them deepen their collaboration on digital asset custody capabilities.


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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bbva-switzerland-extends-digital-asset-partnership-with-metaco</link><guid>3435</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>BBVA Switzerland Extends Digital Asset Partnership With Metaco</dc:text></item><item><title>Radicant’s neuer CEO kommt von Twint</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Der Verwaltungsrat der radicant bank ernennt Anton Stadelmann per 1. Januar 2024 zum neuen CEO. Die bisherigen Co-CEOs ad interim Roland Kläy und Rouven Leuener übernehmen wieder ihre angestammten Funktionen innerhalb der Bank.
Der 40-jährige Anton Stadelmann war zuletzt CEO der Bluecode Gruppe. Davor hat er als Deputy CEO von TWINT den mobilen Bezahldienst zur Marktführerschaft geführt. Zuvor war er unter anderem als Mitgründer und Chairman der European Mobile Payment Systems Association sowie in verschiedenen Positionen bei der UBS auch ausserhalb der Schweiz tätig.
Marco Primavesi
«Mit Anton Stadelmann gewinnen wir eine erfahrene Persönlichkeit, die unserer nachhaltigen und digitalen Bank auf dem Weg zur festen Grösse im Schweizer Markt zu weiterem Wachstum verhelfen wird»,
sagt Marco Primavesi, Verwaltungsrats-präsident der radicant, und fügt an:






«Ich danke Roland Kläy und Rouven Leuener, dass sie in den letzten Monaten als Co-CEOs die radicant bank ag mit hohem Engagement, taktischem Geschick und Leadership interimistisch durch eine wichtige Phase geführt haben. In dieser Zeit gestalteten sie gemeinsam mit dem Team erfolgreich den breiten Markteintritt der radicant bank ag und übertrafen bereits wenige Monate später die internen Ziele für die Gewinnung von Neukundinnen und -kunden im Jahr 2023. Ich freue mich auf die weitere Zusammenarbeit.»
Anton Stadelmann
Anton Stadelmann, der designierte radicant-CEO sagt dazu&gt;
«Ich freue mich sehr darauf, gemeinsam mit dem radicant-Team an die bisherigen Erfolge anzuknüpfen und noch mehr Kundinnen und Kunden für radicant zu begeistern.»
Mit dem Erhalt der Banklizenz 2022 und der vollständigen Marktöffnung im August 2023 ermöglicht radicant ihren Kundinnen und Kunden ein nachhaltiges Bankangebot.


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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/radicants-neuer-ceo-kommt-von-twint</link><guid>3434</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Startup-Competition-venture.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>Radicant’s neuer CEO kommt von Twint</dc:text></item><item><title>Kanton Zürich platziert erste digitale Anleihe</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Der Kanton Zürich hat heute seine erste Anleihe emittiert, die mit digitalem Zentralbankgeld auf der regulierten Plattform der SIX Digital Exchange (SDX) abgewickelt werden kann.
Die Emission fand im Rahmen des Pilotbetriebs der Schweizerischen Nationalbank mit digitalem Zentralbankgeld für Finanzinstitute statt.
Bei der digitalen Anleihe über 100 Mio. Franken mit einer Laufzeit von 11 Jahren und einem Coupon von 1,45 Prozent handelt es sich um eine teilweise Refinanzierung einer auslaufenden Anleihe. Das Joint Lead Management wurde durch die Zürcher Kantonalbank, UBS und Raiffeisen Schweiz wahrgenommen.


   




Der Kanton Zürich unterstützt mit der Platzierung die Entwicklung innovativer Finanzmarktinfrastrukturen in der Schweiz.
Ernst Stocker
«Wir bieten Hand für die Erprobung digitaler Produkte und wollen auch selbst Erfahrungen sammeln»,
sagt Finanzdirektor Ernst Stocker. Die Digitalisierung bildet einen strategischen Schwerpunkt des Regierungsrats des Kantons Zürich.
Einen Tag zuvor hatte auch der Kanton Basel Stadt im selben Rahmen eine digital Anleihe via BKB emittiert.


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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/kanton-zurich-platziert-erste-digitale-anleihe</link><guid>3432</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SmartSourcing_300x250-1.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Kanton Zürich platziert erste digitale Anleihe</dc:text></item><item><title>BitMEX Engages Zühlke to Transition Security Operations</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Crypto Derivates Platform BitMEX recently collaborated with Zühlke to enhance their application security program. This partnership focused on refining BitMEX’s security operations and prioritizing new application functionalities, with a particular emphasis on integrating DevSecOps processes across their development pipeline.
The initiative was driven by the need to adapt to the changing security landscape and the fast pace of software development. BitMEX, known for its stringent security measures and having never lost cryptocurrency assets, recognized the necessity of updating their security testing methods.
Zühlke’s role was significant in helping BitMEX transition from ad-hoc security testing to a systematic DevSecOps model within 12 months. They assisted in implementing integrated security testing processes, training developers in secure coding practices, and establishing a secure, functional CI/CD pipeline.


   




The collaboration’s objectives also included introducing comprehensive application security testing and a “shift-left” approach in security testing. This approach aimed to incorporate security considerations early in the software development life cycle.
Another aspect of the partnership involved deploying asset security controls and adopting configuration-as-code, which enabled BitMEX to prioritize threats and consistently monitor for suspicious activities.
Florian-Alexandre Bielak
The project aimed to balance maintaining high security with supporting rapid software development. Florian-Alexandre Bielak, Chief Information Security Officer at BitMEX, noted the importance of the right team and processes in strengthening their security ecosystem.
“With the right people, a refined set of processes and a selection of consolidated security tools as the linchpin, BitMEX was able to construct a stronghold that amplifies the effectiveness of our overall security ecosystem,”
said Florian-Alexandre.
This cultural shift empowered BitMEX to move away from a “click-ops” model, where governing change controls becomes more manageable as complexity grows.
Kaushal Silva Ranpatabendige, the Lead Engagement Manager at Zühlke, also pointed out the shared culture of empowerment and collective success between the two companies.
Kaushal Silva Ranpatabendige
“The culture at BitMEX is one very similar to Zühlke. We are a team that is empowered to speak up with courage, challenge and be challenged, and always put the success of the entire organisation first,”
went on Kaushal.
Overall, the partnership between BitMEX and Zühlke marked a notable shift for BitMEX in enhancing its security measures and development processes in just over 12 months, aligning with the evolving demands of the cryptocurrency market and security standards.


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bitmex-engages-zuhlke-to-transition-security-operations</link><guid>3433</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SmartSourcing_300x250-1.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>BitMEX Engages Zühlke to Transition Security Operations</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 10 Fintech and Payments Trends in 2024</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						November 21, 2023
																				





					
					
							
					Juniper Research unveiled the 10 trends that are set to radically impact the fintech and payments landscape in 2024, included within its latest whitepaper.
The study found that the fintech market is undergoing a rapid shift, with the rise of new technologies, such as Open Finance, generative AI and A2A (Account-to-Account) payments having a major impact on business models. This is combined with unprecedented competition to be ‘top of wallet’ for customers, making the market more competitive and uncertain than ever.
Top 10 Fintech and  Payments Trends 2024
The trends are as follows:


   




1. A2A Payments to Challenge Cards in eCommerce and for Funding Wallets


2. CBDC Use Cases to Emerge in Practice

3. Generative AI in Banking to Transform Spending Insights

4. Digital Identity Adoption to Be Catalysed by Digital Wallet Integration

5. AML Tools to Better Leverage AI as Alternative Payments Complicate Compliance

6. Sustainable Fintech Solutions to Emerge, as ESG Compliance Tops Agenda

7. FedNow to Fail to Match Instant Payments Success, but VAS to Flourish

8. Mobile Financial Services to Accelerate Transition to Banking Tech Services

9. Biometric In-store Payments to Surge, as Checkout Innovation Rises
image via freepik
10.. B2B BNPL to Provide Critical Financing for SMEs


Featured image credit: edited from freepik


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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-10-fintech-and-payments-trends-in-2024</link><guid>3431</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Juniper-Research-Releases-its-Top-10-Fintech-Payments-Trends-for-2024-Amidst-Unprecedented-Technological-Shifts-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 10 Fintech and Payments Trends in 2024</dc:text></item><item><title>Eine digitale Schweizer Franken Anleihe für den Kanton Basel Stadt</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					
Die BKB arbeitet im Pilotprojekt «Helvetia III» der Schweizerischen Nationalbank (SNB) mit der SIX Digital Exchange (SDX) und fünf weiteren Geschäftsbanken zusammen. Die auf der Distributed-Ledger-Technologie (DLT) basierende Infrastruktur der SDX ermöglicht die Emission und den Handel von tokenisierten Wertschriften.
Im Rahmen dieses Pilotprojekts gibt die SNB erstmals digitales Zentralbankgeld für Finanzinstitute (sog. wholesale Central Bank Digital Currency, wCBDC) auf dieser Infrastruktur aus. Dabei handelt es sich um eines der weltweit ersten Pilotprojekte zur Abwicklung realer Transaktionen in digitalem Zentralbankgeld.


   




Die digitale Schweizer-Franken-Anleihe des Kantons Basel-Stadt, die über die BKB emittiert wurde, kann mit digitalem Schweizer Franken erworben werden. Damit beteiligt sich die BKB an einem strategischen Innovationsvorhaben des Schweizer Finanzplatzes und erweitert ihr Angebot an Finanzierungsinstrumenten. Die Anleihe nutzt die Fortschritte der Digitalisierung bzw. der DLT, verbleibt aber im regulierten Finanzsystem. Diese Kombination ermöglicht es sowohl Investoren als auch Emittenten, das Potential der Digitalisierung zu nutzen, ohne Abstriche bei Sicherheit und Vertrauen zu machen.
Basil Heeb
Basil Heeb, CEO der BKB, sagt dazu:
«Wir sind stolz darauf, als Lead Manager diese wegweisende Transaktion zu begleiten. Die Bank verfügt über langjährige Erfahrung und einen herausragenden Leistungsausweis im Emissionsgeschäft, was sie zur idealen Partnerin für die erstmalige Emission einer digitalen Anleihe des Kantons Basel-Stadt macht. Die erfolgreiche Emission einer digitalen Schweizer-Franken-Anleihe ist ein weiterer Beleg dafür, dass die Basler Kantonalbank ihren Kunden innovative und zukunftsweisende Finanzlösungen anbietet.»


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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/eine-digitale-schweizer-franken-anleihe-fur-den-kanton-basel-stadt</link><guid>3430</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SmartSourcing_300x250-1.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Eine digitale Schweizer Franken Anleihe für den Kanton Basel Stadt</dc:text></item><item><title>UBS’ Roboadvisor Wealthfront Announces $50 Billion AUM Milestone</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Wealthfront, a leading robo-advisor industry, announced that the company now oversees more than $50 billion in assets for over 700,000 clients, largely young professionals across the United States.
This year Wealthfront’s team introduced new product lines, leading to an increase in new clients, a higher share of wallet among existing clients, and additional revenue diversity for the business. Wealthfront’s business is profitable and generates significant cash flow from operations, with EBITDA margins above 40%. The company is on track to grow revenue by over 140% in 2023.
David Fortunato
“This milestone is a testament to our team’s relentless focus on creating value for our clients and our commitment to building a profitable company that puts clients’ interests above our bottom line,”
said David Fortunato, CEO of Wealthfront.


   




“Our focus on automation allows us to deliver more value to the client, and we look forward to continuing this work.”
Wealthfront’s mission to build a financial system that favors people, not institutions, drives the team to create immense value for its clients. The company estimates that the service has saved clients over $1 billion in advisory fees compared to a traditional advisor, who, on average, charges a 1% management fee. Furthermore, this year alone, Wealthfront Cash Account clients have earned nearly $700 million in interest. Wealthfront is able to offer clients a 5.00% APY and up to $8 million in FDIC insurance through its partnerships with over 35 banks.
Wealthfront pioneered the robo-advisory industry with the launch of its automated investment service in 2011. Today, nearly every major investment adviser or brokerage firm has attempted to copy the first version of Wealthfront’s automated investment service. In the meantime, the company has continued to innovate, democratizing access to investing along the way and building a trusted financial services company. Through Wealthfront, young professionals in the U.S. can open an investment account with just $500 and access services like those previously only available to institutional investors or those who could afford account minimums that often exceeded $5 million.
Wealthfront has expanded into new areas like cash management, lending, and, most recently, lower-risk investments with its Automated Bond Portfolio. The company is well-positioned to capture the $35 trillion held by young professionals and will continue to address their diverse financial needs. Hitting this milestone only deepens Wealthfront’s dedication to empowering young professionals to achieve their financial goals and shaping the future of personal finance.
UBS Acquired  US based robo-advisor Wealthfront for 1.4 Billion USD in January 2022.
Featured image credit:  David Fortunato, CEO of Wealthfront


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ubs-roboadvisor-wealthfront-announces-50-billion-aum-milestone</link><guid>3429</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SmartSourcing_300x250-1.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>UBS’ Roboadvisor Wealthfront Announces $50 Billion AUM Milestone</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Digital Asset Company Taurus Expands to Dubai</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Taurus, a Swiss fintech company regulated by FINMA in Switzerland, has recently announced its expansion into the Middle East with a new office located in Dubai.
The company, known for providing institutional-grade digital asset infrastructure, has chosen Dubai for its new United Arab Emirates (UAE) office, situated in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
The Dubai office will be led by Managing Director Bashir Kazour, a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience in retail, capital markets, and technology. Kazour’s extensive background includes roles at the Royal Bank of Canada, Standard Chartered, and FIS, a prominent banking and payment technology provider.


   




His previous work has involved close collaboration with a diverse range of clients, from sovereign wealth funds and central banks to brokers and family offices.
Bashir Kazour
“I am excited to lead Taurus‘ efforts and build a winning franchise in the Middle East, a region known for its rapid adoption of blockchain technology and digital assets,”
acknowledged Bashir.
“Taurus is well-known for its unique custody and tokenization capabilities serving banking clients and large enterprises, which aligns perfectly with the needs of the region. We’ve already started interacting closely with  regulators, central banks, and clients. and I’m looking forward to delivering cutting-edge and compliant solutions to the market.”
Taurus decision to expand into Dubai aligns with the UAE’s recent efforts to create a more defined regulatory environment for digital assets. Key developments in the region include the establishment of the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) in Dubai and other significant initiatives focusing on digital assets and innovation, such as ADGM and RAK DAO.
Taurus SA’s recent expansion into Dubai comes after establishing a presence in Europe. In Switzerland, it has gained a significant market share in the digital asset infrastructure sector, catering primarily to banks and corporates.
The company has also formed partnerships, notably with Deutsche Bank and CACEIS, a global custodian. Furthermore, Taurus completed a Series B funding round in February, securing US$65 million with contributions from several investors, including Arab Bank Switzerland, Credit Suisse, and Pictet.

This article first appeared on fintechnews.ae
Featured image credit: Edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-digital-asset-company-taurus-expands-to-dubai</link><guid>3428</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SmartSourcing_300x250-1.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Digital Asset Company Taurus Expands to Dubai</dc:text></item><item><title>Central Bank Money Fintech Raises £77.7M in Series B from Banks and Clearing Houses</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Fnality – a UK based fintech bringing together the safety and institutional quality of central bank money with the innovative functionality and resilience of blockchain technology – announced a £77.7m Series B funding round.
This was led by Goldman Sachs and BNP Paribas, with participation from DTCC, Euroclear, Nomura and WisdomTree. There were also additional investments from Series A investors Banco Santander, BNY Mellon, Barclays, CIBC, Commerzbank, ING, Lloyds Banking Group, Nasdaq Ventures, State Street, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, and UBS.
The culmination of this latest round brings Fnality‘s total capital raised to £132.7m as it readies for the commencement of initial Sterling Fnality Payment System (£FnPS) operations in 2023, subject to regulatory approval.


   




Fnality’s latest funding will be utilised to continue progress towards the establishment of a world-first global liquidity management ecosystem that empowers new digital payment models in both wholesale financial markets and emerging tokenised asset markets.
This encompasses key milestones such as FnPS launches in key currencies including USD, strong ecosystem and network growth, and a compelling suite of use cases that will transform payments, settlement, and collateral management in global markets.
Several landmark proofs of concept have already demonstrated many of these capabilities, including for real-time settlement of tokenised securities, real-time cross-border FX swaps, and real-time repo transactions, each of which evidences the potential inherent in leveraging distributed ledger technology (DLT) to facilitate traditional financial activity and achieve faster, safer and more efficient exchange of value in global wholesale markets.
The successful execution of such activity will result in the mutually beneficial use of innovative technology to streamline processes, reduce costs, and ensure regulatory compliance while offering new products and access to new markets. As a growing industry-backed consortium with both substantial digital assets pedigree and longstanding engagement with key central banks and regulators, Fnality is well placed to sit at the intersection of these converging markets, empowering both sides in the process.
Rhomaios Ram
Rhomaios Ram, CEO of Fnality International, comments:
“Our Series B funding round represents the financial sector’s desire for a central bank money backed blockchain-based settlement solution that bridges the gap between traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralised finance (DeFi) in wholesale markets. Each Fnality Payment System utilises DLT to provide a 24/7 payment rail with the ability to reduce settlement cycles to real-time, while significantly improving intraday liquidity management and marking significant innovation in the speed, functionality, and resilience of wholesale payments.”
Broadhaven acted as financial advisor to the round, and Sullivan &amp; Cromwell acted as legal counsel.

Featured image credit: Rhomaios Ram, CEO of Fnality International


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/central-bank-money-fintech-raises-777m-in-series-b-from-banks-and-clearing-houses</link><guid>3427</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SmartSourcing_300x250-1.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Central Bank Money Fintech Raises £77.7M in Series B from Banks and Clearing Houses</dc:text></item><item><title>Commerzbank Granted Crypto Custody Licence</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Commerzbank is the first German full-service bank to be granted the Crypto Custody Licence pursuant to Article 1 Section 1a Sentence 1 No 6 German Banking Act (KWG). The licence will enable the Bank to build up a broad range of digital asset services, with particular emphasis on crypto assets.
The first step by the Bank is to establish a secure and reliable platform with full regulatory compliance to support its institutional clients by providing custody for crypto assets based on blockchain technology.
Jörg Oliveri del Castillo-Schulz
“Now that we have been granted the licence, we have achieved an important milestone. This highlights our ongoing commitment to applying the latest technologies and innovations, and it forms the foundation for supporting our customers in the areas of digital assets,”
commented Dr Jörg Oliveri del Castillo-Schulz, Chief Operating Officer of Commerzbank.


   






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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/commerzbank-granted-crypto-custody-licence</link><guid>3426</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SmartSourcing_300x250-1.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Commerzbank Granted Crypto Custody Licence</dc:text></item><item><title>Reports Look at FTX’s 2021 Pitch Deck, Highlighting its Successful Fundraising Strategy</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Earlier this month, Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of defunct cryptocurrency exchange FTX, was found guilty for his role in the collapse of the company. The disgraced founder, who once ran one of the world’s biggest crypto exchanges, is now facing a maximum sentence of 115 years in prison.
A New York jury found Bankman-Fried guilty on all seven charges against him, convicting Bankman-Fried of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud against FTX customers and against lenders of its sister hedge fund Alameda Research.
The verdict, delivered on November 02, concludes a stunning fall from grace for the former billionaire, once known as the “crypto king”.


   




Bankman-Fried was arrested in December 2022 after his crypto exchange FTX went belly up. The spectacular collapse was caused by a spike in customer withdrawals that exposed a US$8 billion hole in the crypto exchange’s accounts.
Prior to its collapse, FTX was among the world’s biggest crypto exchanges by volume and had over one million users. The company, which was at one point valued at a breathtaking US$32 billion, was also incredibly successful in fundraising, having managed to secure about US$1.8 billion from blue-chip investors including Sequoia, Tiger Global, Softbank and Lightspeed Venture Partners.
Several analyses of FTX’s infamous 2021 pitch deck have been formulated and released. These analyses take a close look at the document that was presumably used to raise FTX’s staggering US$1 billion Series B of that same year, highlighting that despite the startup’s subsequent challenges, the company achieved what only a few had.
The reports all argue that the pitch deck’s unique elements, including its clear vision, numerical traction and distinctive approach to competition, contributed to FTX’s ability to attract funding from prestigious investors. The document offers up-and-coming entrepreneurs with valuable insights into successful fundraising strategies.
FTX’s 2021 pitch deck analysis
Looking at each key slide, the analyses note that the presentation starts with an “overview” slide which highlights FTX’s vision and notable accomplishments, including being the “fourth-largest crypto exchange” and the “fastest-growing crypto exchange in the world by volume”. It also provides a minimalist timeline showcasing the company’s impressive growth story.
Overview slide, Source: FTX Series B pitch deck
The “overview” slide is followed by a slide presenting FTX’s growth potential and which emphasizes how crypto exchanges can become bigger than their counterparts in traditional finance.
Potential slide, Source: FTX Series B pitch deck
The following slides showcase key numerical milestones and metrics that demonstrate FTX’s success to-date. They include multiple slides emphasizing the growth in trading volume, claiming a 72.5x increase between the start of 2020 and May 2021, as well as 2019’s numbers to offer further reference for the startup’s growth trajectory.
Traction slide, Source: FTX Series B pitch deck
Traction slide 2, Source: FTX Series B pitch deck
The slides also include a comparison with rivals, which, unlike traditional growth and competition slides, emphasize quantitative growth rather than qualitative comparisons. These slides focus solely on how FTX outpaces the growth of its competitors, demonstrating how it grew faster than virtually any other exchange, including Binance, Coinbase and Kraken. These slides maintain a clean and minimalist design to highlight the numerical data, the reports highlight.
FTX growth compared to competitors, Source: FTX Series B pitch deck
The growth and competition slides are followed by a presentation of FTX’s product offering, which, at the time, included futures, spot, leveraged tokens, over the counter (OTC) trading, spot margin trading and peer-to-peer lending, and tokenized stocks.
FTX’s product offering, Source: FTX Series B pitch deck
The following slides then present FTX’s growth strategy, sharing the new products in the pipeline. They also highlight how the startup is able to work with regulators to ensure compliance and present the members of the top management team.
FTX new products and growth strategy, Source: FTX Series B pitch deck
FTX team members, Source: FTX Series B pitch deck
Finally, the closing slide concludes the growth story by showing FTX’s end goal. This slide is unique as it takes an emotional angle, stating that FTX’s goal is to “leave the world a better place than we inherited it,” and noting that “1% of all net revenues are donated to the world’s effective charities.”
Closing slide, Source: FTX Series B pitch deck
The crypto industry has had a tough two-year period, with market capitalization plummeting from an all-time high of US$3 trillion in November 2021 to as low as US$800 billion in December 2022.
2022 was a particularly challenging year that was marked by a series of industry meltdowns that sent bitcoin crashing to its lowest price since 2020. Besides FTX, crypto companies that failed last year include Terraform Labs, Celsius Network, Voyager Digital and Three Arrows Capital.
But over the past couple of weeks, the market has started to bounce back, with bitcoin rising by about 37% over the past month, growing from US$27K in mid-October to now US$37K. The ongoing rally is being spurred by the prospect of new spot crypto exchange-traded funds.


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/reports-look-at-ftxs-2021-pitch-deck-highlighting-its-successful-fundraising-strategy</link><guid>3425</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SmartSourcing_300x250-1.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Reports Look at FTX’s 2021 Pitch Deck, Highlighting its Successful Fundraising Strategy</dc:text></item><item><title>New Country Manager in Germany for Truelayer Joins from Payoneer</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					TrueLayer, the European open banking payments network, has appointed Sebastian Vetter as Country Manager to lead the company’s push in Germany as the market matures for open banking payments.
Before joining, Sebastian was at Payoneer where he led the go-to-market activities for SMEs in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, with a focus on import/export businesses in manufacturing and ecommerce, marketplace sellers and professional service providers.
Prior to this, Sebastian was at Mangopay for over 6 years. He first established the DACH region in 2016, where he and his team grew transaction volumes from €10 million to over €500 million in just 3 years. He then went on to help launch local offices in the Netherlands, Nordics and Poland, overseeing the further growth, localisation and alignment of these markets under a new North-Eastern EU region.


   




This news comes off the back of growth for TrueLayer in Germany, with total payments volumes doubling year on year since 2021. TrueLayer has also recently stated that their Payouts product has reached a 99.3% success rate in the country, along with a coverage of over 93% for instant payments.
Sebastian joins at a very exciting time for EU payments, with regulatory changes afoot in PSD3. At the same time, a commercial space is emerging via the SEPA Payment Account Access scheme, which will bring open banking-based A2A payments to European ecommerce.
Sebastian Vetter
Sebastian Vetter, Country Manager Germany, at TrueLayer, said:
“It’s truly a perfect time to join TrueLayer given their strong momentum in transaction volume and conversion growth and an increasing appetite for open banking/finance services within Germany and Europe as a whole. We have experienced a significant shift in the banking sector’s perception and adoption of open banking over the last few years, and consumers are becoming more and more aware of the benefits they will be able to reap from it.
I am thrilled to start working alongside an incredibly talented international team to deliver innovative value for both consumers and merchants on a path to a more secure, standardised and open future of payments.”
Max Emilson
Commenting, Max Emilson, Chief Commercial Officer, at TrueLayer, said:
“I’m extremely excited to welcome Sebastian to the TrueLayer team. His track record of seriously scaling commercials in the region, while at the same time localising payment product offerings is unmatched. With the way things are shaping up for open banking payments in Germany, this is going to be invaluable for us as we continue to grow adoption in the region!”


Featured image credit: Sebastian Vetter, Country Manager Germany, at TrueLayer


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-country-manager-in-germany-for-truelayer-joins-from-payoneer</link><guid>3423</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SmartSourcing_300x250-1.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>New Country Manager in Germany for Truelayer Joins from Payoneer</dc:text></item><item><title>Sebastian Vetter Exits Payoneer, Joins Truelayer as Germany Country Manager</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					TrueLayer, a prominent player in Europe’s open banking payments sector, has recently appointed Sebastian Vetter as its new Country Manager for Germany. This strategic move aims to strengthen TrueLayer’s presence in the German market, which is increasingly adopting open banking payments.
Sebastian Vetter brings a strong background to his new role at TrueLayer. He previously worked at Payoneer, where he led the go-to-market strategies for SMEs in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, focusing on a range of sectors including import/export, ecommerce, and professional services. His experience at Mangopay is also notable, where he significantly increased transaction volumes in the DACH region and contributed to the company’s expansion in the Netherlands, Nordics, and Poland.
This appointment coincides with a period of growth for TrueLayer in Germany, highlighted by a consistent year-on-year doubling of total payments volumes since 2021. The company’s Payouts product has also achieved a high success rate and extensive coverage for instant payments in the country.


   




Sebastian’s arrival at TrueLayer is timely, considering the evolving EU payments landscape with upcoming regulatory changes in PSD3 and the introduction of the SEPA Payment Account Access scheme. This scheme is expected to influence the future of open banking-based A2A payments in European ecommerce.
Sebastian Vetter
Sebastian agreed that he was joining TrueLayer as the Country Manager at the right time, as the company increases its push in Germany.
“It’s truly a perfect time to join TrueLayer given their strong momentum in transaction volume and conversion growth and an increasing appetite for open banking/finance services within Germany and Europe as a whole. We have experienced a significant shift in the banking sector’s perception and adoption of open banking over the last few years, and consumers are becoming more and more aware of the benefits they will be able to reap from it.
I am thrilled to start working alongside an incredibly talented international team to deliver innovative value for both consumers and merchants on a path to a more secure, standardised and open future of payments,”
he said.
Max Emilson
Max Emilson, Chief Commercial Officer at TrueLayer, welcomed Sebastian to the team, saying,
“I’m extremely excited to welcome Sebastian to the TrueLayer team. His track record of seriously scaling commercials in the region, while at the same time localising payment product offerings is unmatched. With the way things are shaping up for open banking payments in Germany, this is going to be invaluable for us as we continue to grow adoption in the region!”


Featured image credit: Sebastian Vetter, Country Manager Germany, at TrueLayer


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sebastian-vetter-exits-payoneer-joins-truelayer-as-germany-country-manager</link><guid>3424</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SmartSourcing_300x250-1.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Sebastian Vetter Exits Payoneer, Joins Truelayer as Germany Country Manager</dc:text></item><item><title>Digital Euro Project Moves to Preparation Phase</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Europe’s digital euro project is moving to its next stage of development and entering the preparation phase.
This new phase will seek to establish the foundations for the potential issuance of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) with works to include finalizing the rulebook, and selecting providers to develop the platform and infrastructure, the Governing Council of the European Central Bank (ECB), announced on October 18, 2023.
The preparation phase, which started on November 01, 2023, will initially last two years and will lay the groundwork for the potential creation of a digital version of the euro. The stage will include drafting regulations, standards and procedures for the digital euro, as well as choosing the providers in charge of developing the technology. It will also include the testing and experimentation of the CBCD.


   




Improved efficiency and increased innovation
The Eurosystem, the monetary authority of the eurozone comprising the ECB and the central banks of the member states part of the euro area, has been working on the digital euro project since 2021.
Although the initiative has so far remained rather investigative and experimental, the authority believes the introduction of a digital form of the sovereign currency could enhance the efficiency of payment systems, help address issues related to financial inclusion, and, above all, ensure that central banks remain relevant in the digital era.
If a digital euro were to be issued, the CBDC would essentially be a digital version of cash – a currency and payment method that would be widely accessible, free for basic use, and backed by the ECB the same way physical banknotes and coins are, the Eurosystem says.
The digital euro would be usable for all digital payments throughout the euro area, whether online or offline, acting as a pan-European payment solution for the eurozone under European governance. It would allow users to settle payments instantly in CBDC, and would be usable in a peer-to-peer fashion, at the point of sale, in e-commerce and for government transactions.
The technology would also provide a platform on which supervised entities could build pan-European services, fostering thus innovation and and reducing costs.
The digital euro would rely on its own infrastructure and would be developed with data protection in mind, the Eurosystem says. For offline payments, the CBDC would deliver a cash-like level of privacy. For online payments, the authority says it would not be able to see users’ personal data or link payment information.
Distribution of the digital euro
Looking at distribution models, the Eurosystem envisions for the digital euro to be accessible via the proprietary apps and online interfaces of payment service providers.
Authorized payment service providers in the bloc would be required to offer basic digital euro services, including onboarding and offboarding, account linkage, funding and transaction initiation.
The digital euro would also be accessible via a dedicated app provided by the Eurosystem.
People without a bank account or a digital device would be able to issue the digital euro, by using, for instance, a card provided by a public body such as a post office. Users would also be able to exchange digital euro for cash or vice verse at cash machines.
To encourage usage and distribution, the Eurosystem said it would put forward a compensation model to create incentives for banks and payment service providers to distribute the digital euro and to ensure that payments using the CBDC are free of charge and widely accepted across the euro area.
Findings of the investigation phase
The move of the digital euro project towards the development phase follows the completion of the first phase called the investigation phase.
Launched in October 2021, this phase focused on determining the most appropriate design features of the digital euro to meet the Eurosystem’s objectives and ensure smooth integration into the financial ecosystem and payments landscape.
Findings from this phase, which are detailed in a report titled “A stocktake on the digital euro: Summary report on the investigation phase and outlook on the next phase”, reveal that the motivations for the issuance of a digital euro are still as relevant as ever, and that a CBDC could potentially support competition, digitalization and innovation, strengthen European strategic autonomy and enhance the resilience of the bloc’s payments system.
The investigation phase has also demonstrated from a product design and distribution perspective that it would be possible to develop a digital euro that meets users’ needs and the Eurosystem’s requirements.
Moving forward
Although the Eurosystem is moving forward with its digital euro efforts, the authority stresses that no definitive decision has so far been made as to whether or not the bloc will be issuing a CBDC.
That decision will only be considered by the ECB’s Governing Council once the legislative framework for the digital euro has been adopted by the European Parliament and Council, it says.
In June 2023, the European Commission put forward a legislative proposal on the possible digital euro. The draft digital euro regulation proposes, among others, to grant legal tender status to the digital form of the currency. It also includes the provision that people would be able to get the CBDC through their bank on request, and that basic digital euro services would be free of charge of end-users.

Featured image credit: edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digital-euro-project-moves-to-preparation-phase</link><guid>3422</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SmartSourcing_300x250-1.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Digital Euro Project Moves to Preparation Phase</dc:text></item><item><title>AI to Save Banks $900 Million in Identity Operational Cost</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						November 15, 2023
																				





					
					
							
					A new study from Juniper Research has found that the implementation of AI (Artificial Intelligence) in identity verification will reduce the average time spent per digital onboarding check from over 11 minutes in 2023, to under 8 minutes in 2028; dropping by 30%.
As AI becomes increasingly accurate, it reduces the number of identity checks referred to a human agent for review, and the need for ID photos to be retaken. This decreases the time taken for each verification, as well as the associated costs. The use of AI will also play a key role in protecting against emerging threats, such as synthetic identity fraud.



   




Total Volume of Digital Identity Verification Checks per annum (m) 2024, Split by Segment
Onboarding Spend to Grow Despite Decreasing Costs
The research anticipates that widespread adoption of digital verification within banking, particularly mobile banking, will continue to drive digital onboarding revenue growth.
Despite the aforementioned increase in efficiency reducing the cost of each individual digital identity verification check, the growing volume of checks, particularly in developing regions, will offset this. As such, Juniper Research forecasts that total spend for banks will increase from $7.4 billion in 2023, to $9.9 billion in 2028; representing a 34% increase.
Report author Michael Greenwood explained:
“Growth will be particularly strong in developing markets, where rising smartphone penetration is making mobile banking more readily available; driving growth in digital onboarding. To capitalise on this, verification vendors must develop onboarding processes that emphasise checks other than credit scores, such as mobile operator history, in order to maximise viability in emerging regions.”
About the Research Suite
The new market research suite offers the most comprehensive assessment of the digital identity verification market to date; providing analysis and forecasts of over 82,000 datapoints across 60 markets over five years. It includes a ‘Competitor Leaderboard’ and examination of current and future market opportunities.


Featured image credit: edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ai-to-save-banks-900-million-in-identity-operational-cost</link><guid>3420</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/AI-to-Save-Banks-900-Million-in-Operational-Costs-by-2028-Saving-29-Million-Digital-Onboarding-Hours-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>AI to Save Banks $900 Million in Identity Operational Cost</dc:text></item><item><title>Billte Receives Financing Led by Spicehouse and SICTIC</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						November 15, 2023
																				





					
					
							
					Billte , a Swiss company specialising in invoicing and payment solutions, announced the closing of its financing round led by Spicehaus Partners, with SICTIC as a co-investor. The funds will flow into expanding its reach and facilitate collaboration with banks.
Billte is dedicated to simplifying invoicing and payment processes for businesses, offering efficient and user-friendly solutions with a specific focus on core systems such as eBill and EBICS. With the introduction of eBill Direct Debit, set to replace the current LSV system in the coming years, the Zurich-based startup is well-prepared for the future, guaranteeing that businesses remain at the forefront of modern financial technology.
By collaborating with several Swiss cantonal banks, Billte has extended its services to banks’ business clientele, comprising small, medium, and large enterprises. Leveraging this foundation, the startup aspires to be the go-to service provider for Cantonal banks. The freshly obtained funds from its latest financing round will fuel this ambition. Led by Spicehaus Partners, Billte’s round featured the participation of SICTIC business angels.


   




The investment from the latest round bolsters the startup’s position, enabling it to accelerate its growth and expansion in Switzerland and internationally. This is facilitated by pre-existing partnerships with several Swiss Cantonal Banks. While the amount in the recent fundraising remains undisclosed, Billte has secured around CHF 2 million since its inception.
Raphael Bianchi
Raphael Bianchi, Managing Director of Synpulse Switzerland, investor and Billte’s board member, said:
“As we approach 2024, we see significant transformations on the horizon. Substantial shifts are underway in the global financial sector, with particular relevance to the Swiss financial landscape. Through our long-term partnership with Billte, we anticipate being well-equipped to address various dimensions of these evolutions, offering a diverse range of cutting-edge products to assist financial institutions in effectively meeting the needs of their small, medium, and large clientele. We are delighted that investors like Spicehaus and several SICTIC members also share this vision.”


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/billte-receives-financing-led-by-spicehouse-and-sictic</link><guid>3421</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Billte-Set-to-Facilitate-the-Ebill-Transition-in-the-Finance-Sector-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Billte Receives Financing Led by Spicehouse and SICTIC</dc:text></item><item><title>Neobanking Revenues Climb 43%; Total Number of Customers Surpasses 1 Billion Threshold Worldwide</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					The neobanking sector is undergoing significant changes where priorities are being shifted from rapid expansion to profitability. New data from Simon-Kucher indicate that the strategy has so far paid off, with an increasing number of neobanks reaching profitability and industry revenues growing by about 43% over the past 18 months, a new report by the global consultancy shows.
The data were shared in a newly released report titled “The Future of Neobanking – Profits at the End of the Tunnel”. The document delves into the evolving neobanking landscape, emphasizing that amid a trying funding environment, neobanks are changing their strategies and focusing on financial performances, a shift that has had a positive impact on the sector.
Data from the report reveal that over the past year and a half, the neobanking sector has recorded strong growth. Among the largest industry players, 20 neobanks are now hosting 10 million or more clients, while 39 boast over 5 million customers. Several of these neobanks are now among the top 5 or 10 of the largest banks in their respective country, increasingly stepping on the toes of incumbent banks.


   




Globally, neobanks continue to gain traction with the total number of clients crossing the one billion market during the studied period. As of October 2023, the neobanking sector served roughly 1.1 billion clients globally, a figure which represents an impressive increase of more than 30% in the past 18 months.
Digital banks in Asia-Pacific (APAC) and Africa are catching up quickly, the report notes, owing to these markets’ large populations and significant number of underbanked clients. In South Africa, for example, TymeBank has racked up more than 8 million customers since its launch in February 2019 and is now adding an average of 200,000 customers a month; in Indonesia, Bank Jago grew from 3.5 million to 7.5 million clients in one year; and in the Philippines, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation’s new mobile banking app DiskarTech reached 1 million clients in just 38 days after launch.
Neobanking revenues are also soaring. Over the past 18 months, average revenues per client increased from US$69 to US$75, representing a nearly 50% increase.
Global neobanking industry growth metrics, Source: The Future of Neobanking: Profits at the End of the Tunnel, Simon-Kucher, Oct 2023
Global neobanking leaders
Delving deeper into profitability in the neobanking sector, the Simon-Kucher report shares findings of a new analysis of players’ key growth metrics and financial performances.
The Simon-Kucher Neobanking Profitability Matrix, which distinguishes the neobanks that achieved customer growth with a clear lens on profitability, reveals that only 6 neobanks of the 33 global leading neobanks selected for the analysis are positioned in the “Better Growth” quadrant. The category features digital banks that have posted positive earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) while growing above peer average.
These 6 neobanks are the only ones of the group that are turning a profit, and comprise Nubank from Brazil, Bank Jago from the Philippines, Kakao Bank from South Korea, and Starling Bank, Wise and Revolut, all headquartered in the UK.
Simon-Kucher’s Neobanking Profitability Matrix 2023, Source: The Future of Neobanking: Profits at the End of the Tunnel, Simon-Kucher, Oct 2023
These industry leaders are outperforming competitors, and have relied on a strategy involving six core principles and areas of focus, the report notes. First, they have all managed to diversify revenue streams and expanded beyond account fees or transactional revenues. Starling Bank, for example, made almost 80% of its 2022 revenue pool from interest-linked business, it notes. On the contrary, about 50% of the remaining neobanks are yet to seriously offer credit to their clients.
In addition, these six neobanks are relying on a hyper-localized approach, embracing a sharp regional focus that has allowed them to develop a deep understanding of customer needs, regulatory advantages and an edge over global competitors. Relevant examples include Nubank, which spent its first six years of existence focused on excelling in its home country of Brazil where it now serves 80 million customers, and Kakao Bank, which grew rapidly in its domestic market for several years before recently announcing international expansion plans.
Another point highlighted in the report is these neobanks’ ingenuity and their use of cutting-edge technologies.
Starling Bank, meanwhile, launched its banking-as-a-service (BaaS) offering Engine in 2022, providing banks and financial institutions around the world the ability to create new propositions or brands using its core technology; and MoneyLion integrated earlier this year Even Financial, an award-winning embedded finance platform for enterprise businesses.
These leading neobanks are also launching products on a loop and gradually increasing the value-add for their customers. Revolut, for example, now offers more than 20 products, including pioneer features like “Stays” or “Experiences”, which allow customers to book accommodations and travel tours; and Mashreq Neo, a smartphone banking app by incumbent bank Mashreq Bank, has partnered with the Indian Federal Bank to offer digital non-resident account opening in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Finally, the last differentiator outlined in the Simon-Kucher report that’s perhaps the most important one is the existence of a sound monetization model. This involves seeking a “product-market-pricing” fit; identifying customer segments that are currently lacking access to specific financial services; leveraging the power of bundling to add more value to customers; and developing an appropriate pricing strategy that resonates with the individualities of each customer.
Key areas of focus for fintech companies looking to develop sound monetization models, Source: The Future of Neobanking: Profits at the End of the Tunnel, Simon-Kucher, Oct 2023
After years of rapid growth and funding frenzy, the neobanking sector has now entered a new era that’s marked by a deceleration in the number of newly established neobanks and early signs of consolidation.
Data from Simon-Kucher show that the number of live neobanks has remained nearly constant at around 400 over the past year or so. The consultancy identified only 36 new players entering the market during the last 18 months.
Other players meanwhile are exploring the benefits of joining forces through mergers. Examples include the acquisition of Penta by Qonto in the European small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) space, as well as the reported discussions between UK digital bank Monzo and Nordic lender Lunar.

Featured image credit: edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/neobanking-revenues-climb-43-total-number-of-customers-surpasses-1-billion-threshold-worldwide</link><guid>3417</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SmartSourcing_300x250-1.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Neobanking Revenues Climb 43%; Total Number of Customers Surpasses 1 Billion Threshold Worldwide</dc:text></item><item><title>European Fintech Startup Accelerator Consolidation: Tenity Acquires Hackquarters</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						November 14, 2023
																				





					
					
							
					Tenity announced the agreement to fully acquire Hackquarters, a London- and Istanbul-based startup accelerator and corporate innovation partner with a strong footprint in the fintech space.
This strategic acquisition is an important step in the company’s growth strategy, creating powerful synergies in innovation program delivery and geographic reach. The integration of Tenity and Hackquarters will further solidify the combined company’s ecosystem of hubs, scaling delivery across 6 hubs in Europe and Asia.
Andreas Iten
“The landscape of corporate accelerators and incubators in Europe is highly fragmented, presenting unique challenges for corporates looking for the right partner,”
said Andreas Iten, CEO and Co-Founder of Tenity.


   




“With the acquisition of Hackquarters, we see a remarkable opportunitiy to create additional value for our ecosystem and partners. Together, we can create synergies across geographies, foster knowledge transfer, and generate a powerful network effect. We’re confident that Hackquarters is the perfect partner to achieve these goals.”
Kaan Akin, Founder and CEO of Hackquarters, will transition into a vital leadership within Tenity as Managing Partner. Akin brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team that will play a crucial role in realizing the company’s vision for a thriving, interconnected network of hubs.
Kaan Akin
“I am thrilled to join Tenity and continue to drive forward our shared vision,”
said Akin.
“Our combined strength presents a fantastic opportunity to accelerate the delivery of innovative solutions to our corporate partners and startups.”



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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/european-fintech-startup-accelerator-consolidation-tenity-acquires-hackquarters</link><guid>3418</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Tenity-Announces-Strategic-Acquisition-of-Hackquarters-Scaling-Innovation-Impact-Across-Europe-MENA-and-APAC-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>European Fintech Startup Accelerator Consolidation: Tenity Acquires Hackquarters</dc:text></item><item><title>Viseca Payment Services ernennt ex UBS Digital Banking MD zum neuen CPO</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Der Verwaltungsrat der Viseca Payment Services SA ernennt Stefan Brunner zum Chief Product Officer.
In der neu geschaffenen Position verantwortet er das Business Development, das Product Management, das Digital Business und das Marketing der Viseca und nimmt Einsitz in die Geschäftsleitung. Zu seinen Kernaufgaben gehören unter anderem das Vorantreiben der Digitalisierung des Unternehmens sowie die Weiterentwicklung der mehrfach ausgezeichneten one App.
Stefan Brunner
Stefan Brunner bringt langjährige Erfahrung in den Bereichen Digital und Mobile Banking mit und kennt sich bestens mit agilen Entwicklungsmethoden aus. Während mehr als 20 Jahren war er in entsprechenden Funktionen für die UBS tätig, zuletzt im Rang eines Managing Directors als Crew Product Lead für die UBS Digital Banking Plattform und Digital Security. Er ist diplomierter Betriebsökonom FH mit Bachelor-Abschluss in Betriebsökonomie und Vertiefung in Wirtschaftsinformatik.


   




Max Schönholzer
Max Schönholzer, CEO der Viseca:
«Wir freuen uns sehr, dass wir mit Stefan Brunner einen ausgewiesenen Digital-Experten mit langjähriger Erfahrung für die Position des Chief Product Officers gewinnen konnten. Das Payment-Geschäft entwickelt sich rasant weiter und Digitalisierung ist für die Viseca eine Kernkompetenz. Nicht zuletzt dank der mehrfach ausgezeichneten one App haben wir eine starke Position im Markt. Diese wollen wir auch künftig weiter ausbauen. Stefan Brunner wird diese Bereiche zusammen mit seinen Teams weiter vorantreiben.»
Stefan Brunner wird direkt an CEO Max Schönholzer rapportieren. Er tritt seine Position bei Viseca per 1. März 2024 an.


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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/viseca-payment-services-ernennt-ex-ubs-digital-banking-md-zum-neuen-cpo</link><guid>3415</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SmartSourcing_300x250-1.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Viseca Payment Services ernennt ex UBS Digital Banking MD zum neuen CPO</dc:text></item><item><title>ETF Studie aus Deutschland zeigt Potential für Robo-Advisors</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Der Hype um börsengehandelte Indexfonds (ETFs) nimmt kein Ende, wie aus einer neuen ETF Studie von Business2Community hervorgeht.
Allen voran in Deutschland scheinen sich ETFs grosser Beliebtheit zu erfreuen. So haben die Privatanleger in der Bundesrepublik 135 Milliarden Euro in jene Fonds investiert. Im restlichen Kontinentaleuropa sind es 65 Milliarden Euro.
Wie die Erhebung aufzeigt, bestehen Depots von wenig erfahrenen Anlegern im Durchschnitt zu 31 Prozent aus ETFs, wohingegen der Anteil bei erfahrenen Anlegern bei knapp 22 Prozent liegt. Andersherum verhält es sich mit Einzelaktien.


   





In den vergangenen Jahren kam es zu einem sprunghaften Anstieg von ETF-Sparplänen. 2017 gab es derer in Deutschland 0,5 Millionen – aktuellen Daten zufolge sind es gegen Ende 2023 rund 7,6 Millionen Stück.
48% wollen in ETF künftig investieren
Viele haben in den vergangenen Jahren in ETFs investiert – und noch mehr wollen es künftig tun. Von denen, die noch keine ETFs im Portfolio haben, gaben 2023 etwa 48 Prozent an, in den nächsten 2 Jahren in ETFs investieren zu wollen. Ein Jahr zuvor waren es indes 41 Prozent. Die am häufigsten genannten Gründe für ein Investment sind Aspekte der Diversifizierung sowie die geringen Gebühren.
ESG ETFs im Trend
Auch steigt die Bedeutung von ESG-ETFs zunehmend an. 54 Prozent der Deutschen wollen ihr Engagement in diesem Bereich in den nächsten 3 Jahren erhöhen. 



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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/etf-studie-aus-deutschland-zeigt-potential-fur-robo-advisors</link><guid>3416</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SmartSourcing_300x250-1.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>ETF Studie aus Deutschland zeigt Potential für Robo-Advisors</dc:text></item><item><title>HSBC Executes First Tokenised Physical Gold Trades</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					HSBC announced the first trades tokenising the ownership of physical gold held in HSBC’s London vault, using distributed ledger technology (DLT).
HSBC has developed this capability by creating a ‘digital twin’ of an existing physical asset – specifically loco London gold that is custodied in HSBC’s vault. Tokenised physical gold can be traded between HSBC and institutional investors through the HSBC Evolve single dealer platform, or through an application programming interface (API).
Richard Bibbey, HSBC’s Global Head of FX, EM rates and Commodities, said:


   




“As one of the earliest adopters of DLT, we are pleased to reinforce our leadership position in the gold market by tokenising physical gold. We continue to pave the way for improving the post-trade market infrastructure of capital markets.”
HSBC’s approach to gold tokenisation generates a permissioned digital representation of clients’ physical gold holdings, which is integrated into HSBC’s operational infrastructure, including HSBC Evolve. This provides a digital overlay for clients to see their tokenised gold trades and positions that correspond with their physical holdings.
This in turn allows for an automated and, therefore, more efficient and cost-effective way for investors to keep track of their allocated as well as unallocated gold. This approach enables an automatic allocation of gold bars, which meet investors’ criteria, and then tokenises them.
While loco London gold bars are 400 troy ounces, one token on HSBC’s gold tokenisation platform is equivalent to 0.001 troy ounce. In due course, this could enable fractionalisation of loco London gold bars and direct investment by retail investors, depending on the jurisdiction and regulatory framework of where the retail investor is based.
HSBC’s gold tokenisation approach complements HSBC Orion, the bank’s existing platform for issuing and storing native digital assets such as digital bonds.
John O’Neill
John O’Neill, Global Head of Digital Assets Strategy, Markets and Securities Services, HSBC, said:
“Tokenising physical gold represents a further advance in HSBC’s overall digital assets strategy. In addition to demand for native digital assets, we are seeing appetite for tokenisation solutions that can maintain a link to specific real-world use cases, such as gold. Our approach to gold tokenisation complements HSBC Orion, and is part of our commitment to creating a world-leading set of digital asset capabilities to best serve the needs of our clients.”
HSBC is one of the world’s largest precious metals custodians and is one of four clearers of the loco London gold market, where, according to the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA), over 20 million ounces of gold are cleared daily on a net basis.


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/hsbc-executes-first-tokenised-physical-gold-trades</link><guid>3413</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SmartSourcing_300x250-1.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>HSBC Executes First Tokenised Physical Gold Trades</dc:text></item><item><title>Buchempfehlung: Offene und digitale Ökosysteme: Banking, Daten und Innovationen</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					In seinem neuesten Werk, das im November 2023 beim Springer Verlag erschienen ist, widmet sich Dr. Daniel Fasnacht, Fellow und Program Director an der Universität Zürich und Experte für Trends, digitale Transformation, disruptive Technologien und Geschäftsmodell-Innovationen, der Thematik der offenen und digitalen Ökosysteme.
Daniel Fasnacht
Er erläutert anschaulich anhand von Beispielen von Accenture, Alibaba, Alipay, Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, ETH Zürich, Google, IBM, Migros, NatWest Group, NIO, Tencent, UBS und WeChat, wie diese Ökosysteme dazu beitragen, Produkte und Dienstleistungen über Unternehmensgrenzen hinweg zu entwickeln und anzubieten.
Dabei werden verschiedene Technologien kombiniert, um eine neue, sektorübergreifende Wertschöpfung zu fördern.


   




Fasnacht geht in seinem Buch der Frage nach, warum diese Ökosysteme den grenzenlosen Konsum fördern und weshalb Plattform-Geschäftsmodelle die führende Managementstrategie des kommenden Jahrzehnts werden.
Er beleuchtet die Verbindung zwischen Transformation und kreativer Zerstörung und diskutiert, ob dies eine Dystopie oder eine Chance darstellt. Ausserdem wirft er einen Blick auf die Zukunft der Arbeit im Kontext dieser Ökosysteme und beleuchtet, welche Aspekte Führungskräfte dabei beachten müssen.
Offene und digitale Ökosysteme: Mehrwert durch Branchen- und Technologiekonvergenz, Springer, 2023


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/buchempfehlung-offene-und-digitale-okosysteme-banking-daten-und-innovationen</link><guid>3414</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SmartSourcing_300x250-1.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Buchempfehlung: Offene und digitale Ökosysteme: Banking, Daten und Innovationen</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Metaco Supports in HSBC’s New Digital Assets Custody Service</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					HSBC is set to introduce a new custody service for managing digital assets like tokenised securities, aimed at its institutional clients.
This service is expected to start in 2024 and will work alongside HSBC‘s existing digital platforms, including Orion for issuing digital assets and a recent programme for digital gold.
The bank is collaborating with Metaco, a Swiss-based provider of digital asset custody and tokenisation technology, to use its Harmonize platform, which will enhance the security and management of these digital asset services.


   




Zhu Kuang Lee
Zhu Kuang Lee, Chief Digital, Data and Innovation Officer, Securities Services, HSBC said,
“We’re seeing increasing demand for custody and fund administration of digital assets from asset managers and asset owners, as this market continues to evolve.

Through key partnerships, HSBC is delivering the next-generation custody infrastructure that will be scalable and secure. For asset servicers, there has never been a more important time to innovate, to collaborate and to create change.”
Adrien Treccani
Adrien Treccani, CEO and Founder of Metaco said,
“Metaco is excited to be working with HSBC as it continues to explore the applications of DLT in asset creation and custody.

Custody infrastructure such as Metaco’s Harmonize, which integrates with financial institutions’ existing systems, will be critical to how issuers and investors interact, as capital markets and assets in general continue to be represented on distributed ledgers.”

This article first appeared on fintechnews.sg


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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-metaco-supports-in-hsbcs-new-digital-assets-custody-service</link><guid>3412</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SmartSourcing_300x250-1.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Metaco Supports in HSBC’s New Digital Assets Custody Service</dc:text></item><item><title>Ranking: Die digitalsten Privatbanken der Schweiz im 2023</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Die neueste Colombus Consulting’s Studie zeigt auch in diesem Jahr eine positive Entwicklung im digitalen Bereich, mit zahlreichen Neuerungen.
Das Wachstum ist jedoch nicht mehr in allen Bereichen zu beobachten, ein Rückgang ist bei den sozialen Netzwerken zu verzeichnen. Die generative KI könnte ein Wachstumstreiber sein und die Kundenbeziehungen dynamisieren.
Eine Rangliste, die 2023 insbesondere durch den Eintritt von Alpian auf den Kopf gestellt wird
Das Trio aus Julius Bär, Vontobel und Lombard Odier, das die Rangliste in den letzten Jahren dominierte, wird in diesem Jahr kräftig durchgeschüttelt. So findet man in den Top 5: Vontobel, Julius Bär, Pictet, Lombard Odier und nun auch Alpian, das einen bemerkenswerten Eintritt verzeichnet.


   




Abgesehen von den Entwicklungen in der Rangliste ist das Wachstum nicht mehr systematisch. Einige Zahlen verdeutlichen diese Unterschiede: Das Publikum des Panels ist um 7 % gestiegen, die Netzwerke sind in Bezug auf das Engagement stabil, aber die Zahl der Abonnenten sinkt.
Die Medieninvestitionen sind hingegen stark angestiegen (um mehr als 60 %), insbesondere für die Suchmaschinenoptimierung. Abgesehen vom Ranking geht die Entwicklung der Dienstleistungen weiter, mit Trading, einer Zunahme der Krypto-Angebote, die mit der Sicherheit einer Privatbank einhergehen (Julius Bär in Partnerschaft mit SEBA Banque und Syz über sein Angebot „Syz Crypto“, das von Taurus gesichert wird), aber auch einem verstärkten Engagement im digitalen Bereich und in sozialen Netzwerken (Edmond de Rothschild, Julius Bär, Syz usw.).
Mobile Apps entwickeln sich nach einigem Zögern
Die Bemühungen der Privatbanken konzentrieren sich auf mobile Apps. Während Mirabaud in diesem Bereich nur seinen Rückstand aufholt, investieren die anderen Firmen weiter, wie beispielsweise Vontobel (Volt), Lombard Odier (MyLO), UBP mobile und Alpian.
Die Optimierung der Bildschirme, die konsolidierte Anlageberatung, Anlagevorschläge, Push-Nachrichten bei Veröffentlichungen von Finanzanalysten, die elektronische Unterzeichnung von Dokumenten und die biometrische Authentifizierung sind nur einige der Neuerungen, die in den letzten Monaten eingeführt wurden. Alpian hebt sich durch einen Echtzeit-Chat und die Möglichkeit, einen In-App-Videoanruf mit einem Berater zu planen, ab.
Soziale Netzwerke: Eine noch junge Investition, der bereits die Luft ausgeht?
Während die Privatbanken ihre Investitionen in soziale Netzwerke während der Pandemie erhöht hatten, ist die Entwicklung nunmehr durchwachsen, wobei jedoch ein anhaltender Trend zu beobachten ist, ihre Zielgruppen mit CSR- und ESG-Themen zu erreichen. Während die Budgets für soziale Netzwerke weiterhin steigen (+17 %), nimmt das Engagement nicht mehr zu, und die Reichweite durch die Anzahl der Abonnenten ist rückläufig (-9 %). Dies ist ein allgemeiner Trend, der über den Privatbankensektor hinausgeht.
Alpian schlägt einen neuen Weg ein
Indem man daran arbeitet, das Verhalten, die Bedürfnisse und Wünsche der Kunden anhand von Daten zu verstehen, wird die digitale Technik zu einem Verbündeten, um die Erwartungen der Kunden anhand ihre Interaktionen besser zu erkennen. In einigen Privatbanken wird das digitale Marketing so zu einem neuen Werkzeug im Arsenal der Berater, um Bedürfnisse und Erwartungen zu erkennen und den Kunden neue Dienstleistungen anzubieten.
Innovation stark auf Bankprodukte ausgerichtet, während WealthTech-Investitionen rückläufig sind
Privatbanken kommunizieren immer stark über ihre neuen Finanzprodukte (Krypto-Wallet, Robo-Advisory, Portfolio-Konsolidierung usw.). Diese Innovationen haben oft von der Entwicklung von WealthTech profitiert und ermöglichen es, mehr digitale Dienstleistungen anzubieten, die auch die Potenziale der künstlichen Intelligenz nutzen.
„Nach einem Rekordjahr 2021 waren die letzten Monate von einem deutlichen Rückgang der Investitionen in FinTech und WealthTech geprägt. Diese besondere Zeit zwischen dem Bedürfnis der Privatbanken, sich digital zu differenzieren, und der Konsolidierung des WealthTech-Sektors stellt für die Banken eine zweifellos einmalige Gelegenheit dar, Akteure aus diesem Sektor in ihr Ökosystem zu integrieren“, fügt Jean Meneveau, geschäftsführender Gesellschafter von Colombus Consulting Schweiz, hinzu.
Generative KI als Verbündeter zur Beschleunigung und Belebung des Kundendialogs?
Historisch gesehen setzen Privatbanken kaum künstliche Intelligenz im Kundenbeziehungsmanagement ein, da die hyperpersönliche Beratung die Stärke der Berater ist. Der Einsatz generativer KI könnte jedoch die Verarbeitung heterogener und komplexer Kundeninformationen und -anfragen erleichtern und die Vorbereitung präziserer, schnellerer Antworten ermöglichen.
Das Beispiel des Riesen Morgan Stanley verdeutlicht diesen Trend: Nach einem ersten erfolgreichen Test eines von OpenAI gespeisten Chatbots wird diese Lösung nun bei den 16.000 Beratern eingesetzt, um sie bei ihren täglichen Aufgaben zu unterstützen. „Das Privatbankwesen ist nach wie vor ein konservativer Sektor, wenn es um die Verwaltung von Kundenbeziehungen geht, aber die Benutzerfreundlichkeit der generativen KI könnte die Banken davon überzeugen, auf den Zug aufzuspringen, um die Front-Office-Aktivitäten zu erleichtern“, schliesst Jean Meneveau.
Digital Index: Die globale digitale Performance der Branche
Colombus Consulting präsentiert das globale Ranking des digitalen Index, welcher die digitale 360°-Performance von Privatbanken anhand von 50 Indikatoren, in vier Bereichen Web, Mobile, Marketing und Social, misst. Dieses Ranking hebt die gute Performance der drei führenden Banken hervor, die einen grossen Vorsprung zu ihren Wettbewerbern haben.

Methodik
Colombus Consulting hat diese Studie auf der Grundlage von Messungen vom Januar bis März 2023 und einem Panel von 28 wichtigen Privatbanken in der Schweiz durchgeführt.
Bonhôte, Banque Cramer, Bergos, Baumann &amp; Cie, BNP Paribas, Bordier, CBH, Edmond de Rothschild, EFG, Gonet, Hinduja, Hyposwiss, J. Safra Sarasin, Julius Bär, Lombard Odier, Maerki Baumann &amp; Co, Mirabaud, Oddo BHF, Piguet Galland, Pictet, Reyl, Rahn+Bodmer, Société Générale Private Banking, Syz, Banque Thaler, UBP, Vontobel
Colombus Consulting bietet einen digitalen Index an, der die digitale 360°-Präsenz und -Performance von Akteuren anhand von 50 Indikatoren misst, darunter:

Webseite: Publikum, Performance (Bounce, Besuchs- und Ladezeit), Kundenerlebnis (Design, Inhalte und Funktionen)
Mobile Apps: Updates, Kommentare und Bewertungen, NPS (Net Promoter Score), SEO in den Filialen
Soziale Netzwerke: Linkedin, Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, Instagram
Digitales Marketing: Suchmaschinenoptimierung, Display, E-Mail, soziale Netzwerke, Partner

Verwendete Lösungen:
Colombus Consulting verwendet verschiedene Erfassungsinstrumente des Marktes und hat alle Daten in Form eines Indexes aufgearbeitet, der einen einfachen und visuellen Benchmark des Sektors ermöglicht. Die gewählten Tools sind: Decodeapps, Alexa, Similar Web, Semrush, Builtwith


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ranking-die-digitalsten-privatbanken-der-schweiz-im-2023</link><guid>3411</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SmartSourcing_300x250-1.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Ranking: Die digitalsten Privatbanken der Schweiz im 2023</dc:text></item><item><title>Visa startet KI-Beratungsangebot</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Visa berät Banken und weitere Partner künftig beim Einsatz von künstlicher Intelligenz.
Die neu gegründete AI Advisory Practice der hauseigenen Beratung Visa Consulting &amp; Analytics (VCA) unterstützt die Visa Kunden dabei, Potenziale im Bereich KI und generativer KI zu nutzen.
Visa hat als erstes Zahlungsnetzwerk künstliche Intelligenz genutzt, um Betrug zu erkennen. Seit 30 Jahren setzt das Unternehmen KI ein, um Dienstleistungen weiterzuentwickeln und weltweit sichere, reibungslose Transaktionen zu ermöglichen.


   




Allein in den vergangenen zehn Jahren hat Visa mehr als drei Milliarden US-Dollar in KI und Dateninfrastruktur investiert. Bereits im letzten Jahr hat VCA weltweit zahlreiche KI-bezogene Beratungsaufträge realisiert. In diesem Zuge wurden über 150 Modelle entwickelt, die die Grundlage für das spezielle KI-Beratungsangebot bilden und damit Visas Angebot an B2B-Mehrwertdiensten strategisch ergänzen.
Santosh Ritter
«KI verändert nicht nur ganze Branchen weltweit – sie revolutioniert sie. Die Zahlungsindustrie steht bei dieser Transformation an vorderster Front»,
sagt Santosh Ritter, Country Manager Schweiz und Liechtenstein bei Visa.
«Visa nutzt künstliche Intelligenz nicht nur, um das Bezahlen sicherer zu machen – unser Beratungsgeschäft setzt sie nun auch ein, um unseren Kunden dabei zu helfen zu wachsen und neu zu definieren, wie sie ihre eigenen Kunden bedienen.»
Visas neuer KI-Beratungsservice nutzt VCAs globales Netzwerk von über 1000 Berater:innen, Data Scientists und Produktspezialisten an 75 Standorten auf sechs Kontinenten, um Kunden dabei zu helfen, die KI-Landschaft und die Potenziale generativer KI besser zu verstehen und nutzen zu können.
VCA bietet entlang der gesamten Wertschöpfungskette Dienstleistungen an – von der Planung und Strategie bis zur Implementierung. Dieser kollaborative Ansatz soll Kunden dabei helfen, ihre eigene Strategie für den verantwortungsvollen Umgang mit KI zu bestimmen und KI effektiver zur Erreichung ihrer Geschäftsziele einzusetzen – wie u.a. Markterweiterung, Produktdesign, Kundengewinnung und Verbesserung des Kundenengagements, Autorisierung und Betrugsprävention.
Weitere Informationen zum Thema generative KI im Zahlungsverkehr in diesem Visa Whitepaper.


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/visa-startet-ki-beratungsangebot</link><guid>3410</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SmartSourcing_300x250-1.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Visa startet KI-Beratungsangebot</dc:text></item><item><title>Syz Capital Take Majority Stake in Digital Marketing Company Capture Media</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						November 14, 2023
																				





					
					
							
					Syz Capital, the boutique private markets investment specialist, announced that it has made a strategic controlling investment in Capture Media, a Swiss leader in digital media and analytics solutions.
Backed by the Syz family, and in close partnership with Saturnus Capital, Syz Capital will deploy a strategy to expand Capture Media’s pioneering and highly differentiated offering in the DACH region.
The transaction involves Syz Capital acquiring a majority controlling stake with operating partners Saturnus, while the founders of the business, Sandro Albin, Michel Lazecki and Franz d’Huc, are reinvesting and retaining a significant minority share. The investment reflects Syz Capital’s confidence in Capture Media’s exceptional growth potential and unique offering.


   




Capture Media has shown exponential growth in the dynamic digital advertising industry. The firm has been expanding at over three times the industry’s average growth rate in the last five years. T
he strategic rationale behind the investment is rooted in the robust growth of the digital advertising industry, which continues to flourish at over 9% annually in the DACH region. Moreover, European markets still lag behind the United States in online marketing penetration, offering immense growth opportunities.
Strategic alignment
Syz Capital and Saturnus Capital are ideally positioned to support the organic and inorganic growth plans of Capture Media given its proximity to key markets and growing reputation in the region. With a strong team in place, Capture Media plans to expand substantially, especially in western Switzerland, and via strategic acquisitions in Germany and Austria. The company also intends to enhance product capabilities leveraging industry experts, including a former Google executive, who is joining as advisor.
The founders of Capture Media, Sandro Albin and Michel Lazecki, will continue to operate as company directors. They will be joined by a new CFO and COO. Syz Capital’s deeply experienced operating partners, Joscha Boehm and Philipp Schweizer, will join the board of directors, alongside Marc Syz, and lead the M&amp;A acquisition expansion strategy.
Marc Syz
Marc Syz, Syz Capital’s managing partner, commented on the transaction:
“Capture Media is the fastest-growing Engagement Advertising Provider in Switzerland offering innovative solutions for digital marketing. This is an entrepreneurial company with healthy cashflow that is well-positioned to benefit from the expanding online marketing landscape. It is also a unique player in digital marketing, positioned between performance and engagement marketing. Currently, the DACH region is fragmented, offering several M&amp;A add-on opportunities. We believe Capture Media Group is ideally suited to execute a buy- and-build strategy in Europe.”

Michel Lazecki, Sandro Albin and Franz d’Huc, the Founding Parters of Capture Medi
Michel Lazecki, Sandro Albin and Franz d’Huc, the Founding Parters of Capture Media commented:
“We are excited to have found ideal partners in Syz Capital and Saturnus Capital to help us achieve our growth targets in the years to come. In the last couple of years, we have established engagement advertising in Switzerland and we believe in the big potential to make this product offering also available to other markets. We are looking forward to launch new data-driven online advertising products, further strengthen our tracking and analytics product, fusedeck®, and generate value for our clients, in our home market and abroad.”

Featured image credit: edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/syz-capital-take-majority-stake-in-digital-marketing-company-capture-media</link><guid>3419</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Syz-Capital-Take-Majority-Stake-in-Digital-Marketing-Company-Capture-Media-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Syz Capital Take Majority Stake in Digital Marketing Company Capture Media</dc:text></item><item><title>Singapore Insurtech Bolttech Partners With Salt in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						November 10, 2023
																				





					
					
							
					Singapore based insurtech Bolttech announced a preferred partnership with French entrepreneur Xavier Niel’s NJJ telecom Group (NJJ) to provide device insurance for European mobile operators under its portfolio.
Both Salt and Monaco Telecom are dedicated to providing their customers with sustainable and safe device insurance solutions along with their offers. Salt currently serves more than 1.5 million postpaid mobile customers across Switzerland.
The partnership sees bolttech selected as the Group’s preferred device protection partner to embed relevant coverage within the existing customer journey of the mobile operators. This further deepens previous standalone collaborations with local mobile operators such as Salt – a longstanding partner of bolttech in Switzerland, offering customers fast and efficient device protection services such as next-day device replacement and one-hour walk-in device repair.


   




Jens Schädler
Dr. Jens Schädler, Chief Executive Officer for bolttech Europe, said,
“We are honoured to build on our long-standing relationships with existing partners under NJJ, such as Salt and Monaco Telecom, to strengthen and expand our international collaboration. Together, we will deliver a wide range of next-generation device protection to more customers across Europe. This partnership marks a significant milestone for bolttech as we expand our partnership with NJJ and strengthen our leadership in the device protection space.”


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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/singapore-insurtech-bolttech-partners-with-salt-in-switzerland</link><guid>3409</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Singapore-Insurtech-Bolttech-Partners-With-Salt-in-Switzerland-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Singapore Insurtech Bolttech Partners With Salt in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Versicherungen und Technologie im Jahr 2028</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Die Zukunft des Versicherungsvertriebs wird von einem zentralen Faktor geprägt sein: Technologie.
Im Jahr 2028 werden selbstbestimmte Kunden, anspruchsvollere Vertriebspartner, neue Akteure und eine Fülle von Technologien die vertriebliche Realität prägen. Dies wird in den kommenden Jahren zu einer deutlich heterogeneren Vertriebslandschaft führen.
Die strategische Positionierung entlang der Vertriebswege wird für Versicherer entscheidend sein, insbesondere in Bezug auf den Einsatz von Künstlicher Intelligenz (KI), die Ausrichtung auf die unterschiedlichen Anforderungen der Vertriebswege und die Besetzung der Kundenschnittstelle.


   




Der bisherige “One-Size-Fits-All”-Ansatz, der auf eine Gleichbehandlung aller Vertriebswege abzielt, hat ausgedient. Das sind zentrale Ergebnisse aus dem White Paper “NEXT Distribution 2028: Die Zukunft des Versicherungsvertriebs”. Erstellt wurde es in Kooperation zwischen dem InsurTech Hub Munich (ITHM), einer Innovationsplattform der Versicherungswirtschaft, und dem globalen Beratungsunternehmen Roland Berger.
Übersicht InsurTechs in Teilbereichen zur Disaggregation der Wertschöpfung
Die Vertriebskapazität in der Versicherungsbranche wird sich laut White Paper aufgrund des demografischen Wandels in den nächsten fünf Jahren um 25 bis 30 Prozent reduzieren. Gleichzeitig ist davon auszugehen, dass Größe und Verhandlungsmacht der Vertriebseinheiten aufgrund anhaltender Konsolidierung weiter steigen. Im Maklerkanal verringert sich die Anzahl möglicher Partner im Mittelstandsmakler-Segment kontinuierlich, während in der Ausschließlichkeit der Trend zu größeren und autonomeren Agenturen anhält.
Claudia Fell
„Diese Entwicklungen stärken die Verhandlungsmacht der Vertriebspartner und schränken die Spielräume der Versicherer ein“,
wie Claudia Fell, Senior Partner bei Roland Berger, betont.
Zugleich führen Veränderungen in verschiedenen Geschäftsfeldern, wie etwa abnehmendes Neugeschäft im Leben-Bereich, tendenziell zu rückläufigen adressierbaren Provisionstöpfen für traditionelle Vertriebe. Verschiebungen des Neugeschäfts in andere Felder und Vertriebswege gewinnen an Bedeutung, etwa eine weitere Zunahme digitaler Abschlüsse oder der Trend vom Individual- zum Kollektivgeschäft, was oft wenig Potenzial für die breite Masse der Vermittler bietet. Diese Entwicklungen werden, so das White Paper, Vermittlern Geschäftsvolumina und damit Provisionen entziehen. Den Vertrieb kann das für Nachwuchskräfte, die ohnehin rar sind, unattraktiver machen.
Technologie wird zum entscheidenden Wettbewerbsfaktor
Grundlegend für einen erfolgreichen Versicherungsvertrieb 2028 wird laut White Paper gerade deshalb der Einsatz von Technologie sowohl in Richtung Kunde als auch in Richtung der Vertriebswege. Versicherer sollten ihre Vertriebspartner gezielt dabei unterstützen, die Kundenbetreuung noch effektiver zu machen.

So seien in der Ausschließlichkeitsorganisation Ansätze denkbar, die von der LeadGenerierung und  Konvertierung über die Vorbereitung von Kundengesprächen mit „BestProduct-Empfehlungen“ bis hin zur digitalen Ausakquirierung von Vermittlerbeständen reichen.
Die Servicierung der Vertriebspartner sollte verstärkt auf die individuellen Anforderungen ausgerichtet werden, um sie zu unterstützen und ihnen zu helfen, ihre Provisionseinnahmen zu maximieren. Vermittler werden sich künftig verstärkt, so die Studie, vor allem für die Versicherer entscheiden, die ihnen technologische Mehrwerte zu bieten haben – die also ihre vertriebliche Arbeit effektiv unterstützen und ihnen damit helfen, ihre Provisionseinnahmen zu maximieren. Auch Makler und Pools werden diejenigen Versicherer favorisieren, die technologisch die beste Anbindung und die effizientesten Prozesse bieten und zudem in der Lage sind, auch Schnittstellen zu Avataren mit unterschiedlicher Funktion abzubilden.
Kooperation mit Insurtechs und Technologieanbietern
Ein Investitionsstau in neue Technologien und das Festhalten an traditionellen Produkten könnten den demografiebedingten Vermittlerschwund beschleunigen.
„Inwieweit eine technologische Aufrüstung der vertrieblichen Wertschöpfungskette gelingt, wird in den kommenden Jahren ein zusätzliches Differenzierungskriterium der Versicherer gegenüber ihren Vertriebspartnern“,
meint Claudia Fell. Um sich attraktiv zu positionieren, empfiehlt das White Paper Versicherern eine verstärkte Zusammenarbeit mit Spezialanbietern und Insurtechs. Der Trend, vor allem Komponenten mit hohem Technologie-Know-how von Dritten zu beziehen, um Vertriebspartner- und Kundenerwartungen gerecht zu werden, wird sich laut White Paper fortsetzen.
„Bei der Entscheidung, ob etwas intern entwickelt oder von externen Partnern bezogen wird, ist Geschwindigkeit ein besonders relevantes Kriterium. Insbesondere in Bezug auf aufstrebende Technologien wie generativer KI, können Insurtechs und Technologieanbieter Versicherern helfen, diese rasch und gewinnbringend einzusetzen“,
sagt Esther Prax.
“One-Size-Fits-All”-Ansatz hat ausgedient
Erfolgreich dürfte diese Anwendung von Technologie aber vor allem dann sein, wenn sich die Versicherer auf die jeweils unterschiedlichen Anforderungen der verschiedenen Vertriebswege und deren jeweiligen Profitabilitätstreiber ausrichten. „Der ‚One-size-fits-all‘-Ansatz verspricht künftig keinen Erfolg mehr“, kommentiert Claudia Fell.
Im Gegenteil muss sich die künftige Positionierung noch stärker an den Bedürfnissen der Vertriebswege und Kunden orientieren. Schon heute – so Analysen von Roland Berger – wachsen Versicherer, die gezielt auf Anforderungen der jeweiligen Vertriebswege eingehen, deutlich schneller als Multikanalversicherer. Das jährliche durchschnittliche Prämienwachstum betrug in den Jahren von 2017 bis 2022 bei Multikanalversicherer demnach 2,2 Prozent, während Maklerversicherer ihre Prämien jährlich um 4,6 Prozent, AO-Versicherer sogar um 4,8 Prozent steigern konnten.
Differenzierte Ausrichtung auf Anforderungen der Vertriebswege
Um auch im Jahr 2028 erfolgreich zu sein, sollten Versicherer ihre strategische Positionierung entlang der Vertriebswege schon jetzt überdenken und sich klar ausrichten – gegenüber des eigenen Agenturnetzwerks, mit externen Versicherungspartnern wie Maklern mit oder ohne Einbindung von Aggregatoren, Banken oder Finanzvertrieben oder mit DrittPlattformen in Gestalt von Affinity- oder Embedded-Insurance-Lösungen.
Methodik: 
Das White Paper ist in Zusammenarbeit von Roland Berger mit den Mitglieds- und Partnerunternehmen des ITHM und unter der Mitwirkung von Experten aus Versicherungsund Technologieunternehmen sowie der Insurtech-Branche entstanden. Auf Basis von Analysen und Markt-Studien hat Roland Berger Thesen zur Marktentwicklung formuliert und diese gemeinsam mit 20 Partnerunternehmen des ITHM in strukturierten Board- und Executive-Interviews validiert und geschärft.


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/versicherungen-und-technologie-im-jahr-2028</link><guid>3408</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SmartSourcing_300x250-1.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Versicherungen und Technologie im Jahr 2028</dc:text></item><item><title>Traditional Financial Institutions Accelerate Digital Assets Efforts</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Traditional banking and financial institutions from around the world continue to expand their digital assets offerings, embracing not only tokenization but also cryptocurrencies at a fast-pace in a bid to tap new growth opportunities, improve efficiencies and enhance transparency.
In Europe, HSBC, Euroclear, Deutsche Bank and the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) are among those that recently announced digital assets services and tokenization efforts.
HSBC announces new digital assets service
British bank HSBC unveiled this week plans to launch a new digital assets custody service for institutional clients who invest in tokenized securities. The bank will be using technology from Swiss enterprise tech firm Metaco, which was recently acquired by blockchain startup Ripple, to store bonds and other securities.


   




The new digital assets custody service, which is set to go live in 2024, will complement HSBC Orion, the bank’s platform for issuing digital assets, as well as HSBC’s recently launched offering for tokenized physical gold, as the bank works towards creating a complete digital asset offering for institutional clients.
HSBC already lets its Hong Kong clients trade in bitcoin and ether exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
Euroclear launches issuance service
The HSBC announcement followed the news that Euroclear, a major European clearinghouse, had launched a solution for the issuance of digital securities.
The Digital Securities Issuance (D-SI) service, which went live on October 24, enables the issuance, distribution and settlement of fully digital international securities – referred to as Digitally Native Notes (DNN) – on distributed ledger technology (DLT).
The World Bank was the first organization to issue digital securities on the new platform.
Deutsche Bank teams up with crypto firm Taurus
In Germany, Deutsche Bank signed in September a partnership agreement with Swiss crypto infrastructure firm Taurus to provide digital asset custody and tokenization services to the bank’s institutional clients. The partnership means Deutsche Bank will, for the first time, be able to hold a limited number of cryptocurrencies for its clients, as well as tokenized versions of traditional financial assets.
The bank participated in Taurus’ US$65 million Series B funding round back in February 2023, and further demonstrated in June its intention to push into the crypto sector when it applied for regulatory approval to operate a custody service for digital assets, including cryptocurrencies.
Stock exchange operator launches digital asset trading platform
In the UK, bourse operator the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) is also jumping on bandwagon, unveiling in September that it was working on the launch of a blockchain-powered trading venue that would allow investors to trade tokenized assets, Murray Roos, head of capital markets at the LSE Group, told the Financial Times in September.
The move would see the LSEG becoming one of the world’s first large global stock exchanges to offer extensive trading of traditional financial assets on DLT, following the lead of other bourse operators including Switzerland’s SIX, which launched its DLT-based exchange for digital assets back in 2021.
Asia sees new developments
Banks are also ramping up their tokenization and crypto efforts in Asia. In Singapore, UBS Asset Management launched in October a live pilot of an Ethereum-based tokenized money market fund. The pilot is being conducted through UBS Tokenize, the firm’s dedicated platform for digital assets, as part of Project Guardian, a collaborative industry initiative led by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).
Meanwhile, Zodia Custody and Zodia Markets, two crypto companies owned by British bank Standard Chartered, are aggressively expanding their services across Asia-Pacific (APAC), launching services in Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan and Australia in recent months.
The tokenization opportunity
These developments highlight the increasing convergence of traditional financial services and digital assets as incumbents increasingly turn to DLT and tokenization to increase efficiency, lower operational costs, and improve accessibility and transparency.
Global management consultancy Roland Berger forecasts that the market for asset tokenization could mushroom to at least US$10 trillion by 2030, representing a 40-fold increase in the value of tokenized assets from 2022 to 2030.
The value of tokenized assets by 2030, Source: Roland Berger, Oct 2023


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/traditional-financial-institutions-accelerate-digital-assets-efforts</link><guid>3407</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SmartSourcing_300x250-1.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Traditional Financial Institutions Accelerate Digital Assets Efforts</dc:text></item><item><title>Instant Payments Availability: European Parliament Reach Agreement</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					The Council and the European Parliament have reached a political agreement on the instant payments proposal, which will improve the availability of instant payment options in euro to consumers and businesses in the EU and in EEA countries.
The new rules will improve the strategic autonomy of the European economic and financial sector as they will help reduce any excessive reliance on third-country financial institutions and infrastructures. Improving the possibilities to mobilize cash-flows will bring benefits for citizens and companies and allow for innovative added value services.
Instant payments allow people to transfer money within ten seconds at any time of the day, including outside business hours, not only within the same country but also to another EU member state. The provisional agreement takes into consideration particularities of non-euro area entities.


   




Under the provisionally agreed rules, payment service providers such as banks, which provide standard credit transfers in euro, will also be required to offer the service of sending and receiving instant payments in euro. The charges that apply (if any) must not be higher than the charges that apply for standard credit transfers.
The Council and Parliament agreed that the new rules will come into force after a transition period that will be faster in the euro area and longer in the non-euro area, who need more time to adjust.
The colegislators agreed to grant access for payment and e-money institutions (PIEMIs) to payment systems, by changing the settlement finality Directive (SFD). As a result, these entities will be covered by the obligation to offer the service of sending and receiving instant credit transfers, after a transitional period. The colegislators added appropriate safeguards to ensure that the access of PIEMIs to payment systems doesn’t carry additional risk to the system.
Under the new rules, instant payment providers will need to verify that the beneficiary’s IBAN and name match in order to alert the payer to possible mistakes or fraud before a transaction is made. This requirement will apply to regular transfers too.
The Council and Parliament included a review clause with a requirement for the Commission to present a report containing an evaluation of the development of credit charges.
Background
This initiative comes in the context of the completion of the Capital Markets Union. In March 2021 and April 2022 the Council adopted conclusions in which it highlighted the widespread use of instant payments and recalled the objective of developing competitive EU-wide market-based payment solutions.
On 26 October 2022 the Commission put forward a proposal for a regulation on instant credit transfers in euro. It amends and modernises the single euro payments area (SEPA) regulation of 2012 on standard credit transfers in euro by adding to it specific provisions for instant credit transfers in euro.
The aim of the draft regulation is to increase the uptake of euro instant credit transfers and to facilitate the access to such services for consumers and businesses in the Union. There will be the following requirements regarding euro instant payments:

making instant euro payments universally available, with an obligation on EU payment service providers that already offer credit transfers in euro to offer also their instant version
making instant euro payments affordable, with an obligation on payment service providers to ensure that the price charged for instant payments in euro does not exceed the price charged for traditional, non-instant credit transfers in euro
increasing trust in credit transfers, with an obligation on providers to verify the match between the bank account number (IBAN) and the name of the beneficiary provided by the payer in order to alert the payer of a possible mistake or fraud before the payment is made
removing friction in the processing of instant euro payments while preserving the effectiveness of screening of persons that are subject to EU sanctions, through a procedure whereby payment service providers will verify at least daily their clients against EU sanctions lists, instead of screening all transactions one by one


Featured image credit: edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/instant-payments-availability-european-parliament-reach-agreement</link><guid>3406</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SmartSourcing_300x250-1.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Instant Payments Availability: European Parliament Reach Agreement</dc:text></item><item><title>McKinsey Fintech Study: A New Paradigm of Growth</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						November 8, 2023
																				





					
					
							
					After decades of exponential growth, the fintech sector is now facing a notable slowdown that can be attributed to several factors, including market correction, challenging macroeconomic conditions and changing investor sentiment. Looking ahead, McKinsey predicts that although the fintech industry will continue facing challenges, several massive opportunities still exist and are up for grabs.
In a new report titled “Fintechs: A new paradigm of growth”, the global consultancy firm provides an in-depth analysis of the fintech industry, delving into the sector’s evolution and exploring its trajectory towards a more sustainable and profitable future.
According to the report, in the latter half of the 2010s, the global fintech industry recorded substantial growth with venture capital (VC) funding increasing 17% year-over-year (YoY) from US$19.4 billion in 2015 to US$33.3 billion in 2020. This growth accelerated in 2021 driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, with fintech funding reaching US$92.3 billion that year, representing a 177% YoY increase.


   




However, in 2022, a market correction and a challenging business environment triggered a slowdown in the sector’s explosive growth momentum, prompting a decline in funding and deal activity, a decrease in new unicorn creation, and a slowdown in initial public offerings (IPOs) and special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) listings. In 2022, fintech funding dropped by 40% YoY in 2022 to US$55 billion, the data show.
Growth opportunities in the fintech sector
Despite these challenges, fintech companies have opportunities for growth, with revenues in the fintech industry expected to grow almost three times faster than those in the traditional banking sector between 2022 and 2028, McKinsey claims.
In 2022, fintech companies accounted for 5% (or US$150 billion to US$205 billion) of the global banking sector’s net revenue, according to the firm’s estimates. By 2028, this share could increase to more than US$400 billion, representing a 15% annual growth rate of fintech revenue between 2022 and 2028, or three times the overall banking industry’s growth rate of roughly 6%.
McKinsey expects emerging markets to fuel much of this revenue growth. In Africa, Asia-Pacific (excluding China), Latin America, and the Middle East, fintech revenues represented 15% of fintech’s global revenue last year. This share is set to increase to 29% in aggregate by 2028. On the other hand, North America, which accounted for 48% of worldwide fintech revenues in 2022, is expected to decrease its share to 41% by 2028.
Fintech net revenues by region, US$ billion, Source: Fintechs: A new paradigm of growth, McKinsey, October 2023
This growth will be driven by the profound digital transformation that the banking sector is currently undergoing. McKinsey highlights that digital adoption is no longer a question but a reality with around 73% of the world’s interactions with banks now taking place through digital channels.
Globally, retail consumers are recording the same level of satisfaction and trust in fintech companies as they have with incumbent banks, the report says. In fact, 41% of retail consumers surveyed by McKinsey in 2021 said that they planned to increase their fintech product exposure.
Business-to-business (B2B) firms’ demand for fintech solutions is also growing. In 2022, 35% of the small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) in the US considered using fintech companies for lending, better pricing, and integration with their existing platforms. And in Asia, 20% of SMEs leveraged fintech companies for payments and lending.
Two verticals in the B2B fintech sector are expected to continue seeing strong traction: banking-as-a-service (BaaS) and embedded finance, as well as small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) and corporate value-added services.
In the BaaS and embedded finance area, demand will be led by customer-facing businesses looking to control their users’ end-to-end experience and create new revenue streams, the report says. Meanwhile, demand for fintech solutions targeting SMEs will continue to grow as smaller-sized businesses remain a vastly underserved segment by the traditional financial sector.
A new market reality
McKinsey notes that amid a more challenging funding environment, fintech companies must adapt to the new market reality by emphasizing revenue generation and profitability.
This should be done by following a set of rules and changing their areas of focus, the report says. These include ensuring that there is a strong and stable core business with a targeted and proven market fit before expanding, rather than trying to grow while strengthening the core; implementing strict cost management efforts; and ensuring that the profitability view is embedded across the business.
Fintech companies must also maintain the agility, innovation and culture that have been the bedrock of disruption so far, by, for example, embracing technologies such as generative artificial intelligence (AI), as well as adjusting their operating models to become for agile and flexible.
Finally, some businesses will continue to pursue acquisition opportunities, capitalizing on the VC slowdown and the global markets turmoil to snap up smaller companies at a discount. These companies are viewing mergers and acquisitions (M&amp;A) as a means to consolidate their market position, acquire new technologies or expand into new customer segments.
A recent study by international law firm White and Case revealed that more than 55 consolidation deals have been recorded in the previous 15 months in Europe’s fintech sector, showcasing a dynamic M&amp;A landscape. In addition, over 20 significant partnerships have been announced in the past 12 months to tap new niches and access tech capabilities.

Featured image credit: edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mckinsey-fintech-study-a-new-paradigm-of-growth</link><guid>3405</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Growth-Prospects-in-Fintech-Remain-Solid-Despite-Challenging-Macro-Environment-Market-Correction-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>McKinsey Fintech Study: A New Paradigm of Growth</dc:text></item><item><title>Top Q3 2023 Fintech Funding Trends</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						November 7, 2023
																				





					
					
							
					In Q3 2023, digital lending saw the largest funding jump among all major fintech categories, with companies in the sector securing a total of US$1.7 billion through 60 deals, data from market intelligence platform CB Insights show.
These metrics represent a 70% quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) increase in funding volume from Q2’s US$1 billion but a 56% QoQ decrease in deal count from 136 during the prior quarter.
Global digital lending funding by quarter, Source: State of Fintech Q3 2023, CB Insights, Oct 2023
Digital lending’s funding boost was driven in part by later-stage mega-rounds, which brought in more than half of the sector’s quarterly funding. India-based data analytics solution Perfios raised the largest digital lending round (US$229 million Series D), followed by Indonesia’s Amartha (US$206 million), the UK’s Fleximize (US$168 million) and the US’s PayJoy (US$150 million Series C).


   




With a total of US$900 million secured, Asia led the world in digital lending funding, ahead of the US (US$500 million) and Europe (US$300 million).
Digital lending: Top equity deals in Q3 2023, Source: State of Fintech Q3 2023, CB Insights, Oct 2023
After digital lending, insurtech was the second largest fintech segment by VC funding, securing a total of US$1.1 billion in Q3 2023. The segment led in deal count, with 119 funding rounds recorded during the quarter. The figures represent a 22% QoQ increase in funding volume and a 20% increase in deal count.
The US make up the lion’s share of insurtech funding in Q3 2023 (55%), followed by Europe (21%) and Asia (15%).
Global insurtech funding in Q3 2023, Source: State of Fintech Q3 2023, CB Insights, Oct 2023
Insurtech companies Openly (US$100 million) and Resilience (US$100 million), both from the US, Tractable from the UK (US$65 million) and Leads Connect from India (US$63 million) raised the largest rounds of the quarter.
Top insurtech equity deals in Q3 2023, Source: State of Fintech Q3 2023, CB Insights, Oct 2023
Following digital lending and insurtech, payments was the third largest fintech segment by funding volume (US$1.1 billion). The sector is followed by banking and capital markets tech, both at US$300 million, and wealthtech at US$200 million.
Global fintech funding in Q3 2023 by category, Source: State of Fintech Q3 2023, CB Insights, Oct 2023
Global fintech funding stagnates; Asia sees uptick
Fintech funding continued its downtrend in Q3 2023, totaling US$7.4 billion through 754 deals in Q3 2023, the data show. The figures represent a 3% QoQ decline in funding volume and 18% QoQ decline in deal count.
Global fintech funding by quarter, Source: State of Fintech Q3 2023, CB Insights, Oct 2023
The fintech funding stabilization was supported by the return of US$100 million mega-rounds, which rose 50% QoQ to hit US$2.4 billion in Q3 2023. Mega-rounds accounted for 33% of all fintech funding in Q3 2023, a much larger share than the 22% recorded in Q2 2023.
Share of fintech mega-rounds by quarter, Source: State of Fintech Q3 2023, CB Insights, Oct 2023
Asia led in mega-round funding by securing US$1.1 billion across five deals, against US$1 billion for the US, US$200 million for Europe and US$100 million for Latin America.
Asia was also the only region to record an increase in fintech funding in Q3 2023, securing a total of US$2 billion in fintech funding, up 82% QoQ.
The uptick was driven by large rounds of funding closed by fintech startups located in the region. These deals included Micro Connect’s US$458 million Series C (Hong Kong), Perfios’ US$229 million Series D (India), Amartha’s US$206 million round (Indonesia) and Veritas Finance’s US$146 million Series F (India).
Quarterly fintech funding in Asia, Source: State of Fintech Q3 2023, CB Insights, Oct 2023
Although US fintech companies drove almost half (47%) of all quarterly fintech funding in Q3 2023 by securing US$3.5 billion, US fintech funding dropped by 5% QoQ.
European fintech companies, meanwhile, raised a total of US$1.3 billion through 181 deals in Q3 2023, down from the US$1.9 billion raised through 247 rounds in Q2 2023.
Fintech funding in Q3 2023 by region, Source: State of Fintech Q3 2023, CB Insights, Oct 2023
Fintech enters new era
After decades of hypergrowth and record funding levels, the fintech industry has entered a new era of value creation where the focus is now on sustainable and profitable growth.
In the latter half of the 2010s, the sector witnessed substantial growth with VC funding increasing 17% year-over-year (YoY) from US$19.4 billion in 2015 to US$33.3 billion in 2020, data from global consultancy McKinsey show. This growth accelerated in 2021 due to the pandemic’s effects, with fintech funding reaching US$92.3 billion that year, representing a 177% YoY increase.
However, in 2022, a market correction and a challenging business environment triggered a slowdown in the sector’s explosive growth momentum, prompting a decline in funding and deal activity, a decrease in new unicorn creation, and a slowdown in initial public offerings (IPOs) and special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) listings. In 2022, fintech funding dropped by 40% YoY in 2022 to US$55 billion, the data show.
Looking ahead, McKinsey predicts that although the fintech industry will continue facing challenges, several massive opportunities still exist and are up for grabs.
In particular, the firm notes that the traditional banking sector is undergoing a profound digital transformation, leading to growing demand for fintech solutions catering to traditional lenders and banks.
It also notes that businesses and corporate are increasing turning to fintech solutions, fueling growth in the business-to-business (B2B) fintech category. It claims that two B2B verticals in particular are seeing strong traction: banking-as-a-service (BaaS) and embedded finance, as well as small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) and corporate value-added services.

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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-q3-2023-fintech-funding-trends</link><guid>3404</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Top-Q3-2023-Fintech-Funding-Trends-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Top Q3 2023 Fintech Funding Trends</dc:text></item><item><title>Worldline spannt mit Samsung Schweiz, Digitec Galaxus und Mastercard zusammen</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Worldline ist eine wegweisende Zusammenarbeit mit Samsung Electronics Switzerland GmbH, Mastercard und Digitec Galaxus, eingegangen, um Kleinhändlern die Abwicklung von Zahlungen zu vereinfachen.
Mit im Boot als Smartphone-Lieferant ist Samsung: das Samsung A14 wird mit Hilfe der Zahlungs-App “Tap on Mobile” von Worldline zur mobilen Kasse für Unternehmen.
Mit „Tap on Mobile” erübrigt sich die herkömmliche Hardware. Die App von Worldline auf dem vorkonfigurierten Android Smartphone bietet vielseitige Anwendungsmöglichkeiten, insbesondere für kleine und mittelständische Geschäfte und Betriebe, sowie Dienstleister, die mobile Services nutzen und unterwegs Zahlungen entgegennehmen möchten.


   




Die App mit Verknüpfung zum Google Playstore verwandelt das Samsung A14 LTE Smartphone in ein mobiles Zahlterminal, mit dem problemlos kontaktlose Zahlungen akzeptiert werden können, während gleichzeitig herkömmliche Telefongespräche möglich sind. Für „Tap on Mobile“ registrieren kann man sich über die Worldline Landingpage, die auf dem Samsung A14 als Shortcut hinterlegt ist.
Es fallen keine monatlichen Fixkosten an, stattdessen wird eine Gebühr von 1,7 % pro Transaktion erhoben.
Des Weiteren bietet Digitec Galaxus jetzt Galaxus Mobile, ein günstiges Handy-Abo mit 5G-Geschwindigkeit im Sunrise Netz an. Die von Digitec Galaxus angebotenen Samsung-Handys mit “Tap on Mobile” App sind ab dem 30. Oktober 2023 erhältlich.
Das Samsung Galaxy A14 LTE Worldline Tap on Mobile Edition wird zu einem Aktionspreis verkauft plus einem zusätzlichen Worldline &amp; Mastercard Cashback im Wert von 50.- Franken.
Marc Schluep
Dazu sagt Marc Schluep, Managing Director von Worldline Schweiz:
„Unsere Partnerschaft mit Samsung, Mastercard und Digitec Galaxus ist ein weiterer Schritt in unserer Mission, die Zahlungsabwicklung für Händler, unabhängig von ihrer Grösse, so unkompliziert wie möglich zu gestalten. Bei Worldline glauben wir fest daran, dass innovative Technologien und starke Partnerschaften die Brücke in eine Zukunft schlagen können, in der mobile Zahlungen nahtlos und effizient abgewickelt werden. Unsere ‘Tap on Mobile’ App auf dem Samsung A14 ist ein bedeutender Schritt in diese Richtung, und wir freuen uns darauf, die Art und Weise, wie Händler Geschäfte abwickeln, zu revolutionieren.”


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/worldline-spannt-mit-samsung-schweiz-digitec-galaxus-und-mastercard-zusammen</link><guid>3403</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SmartSourcing_300x250-1.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Worldline spannt mit Samsung Schweiz, Digitec Galaxus und Mastercard zusammen</dc:text></item><item><title>PwC Switzerland Invests CHF 50 Million Into AI</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						November 6, 2023
																				





					
					
							
					PwC is significantly stepping up its efforts in the field of artificial intelligence (AI).
Over the next three years, PwC Switzerland will invest CHF 50 million in its own AI solutions, in staff training and in its AI Centre of Excellence. This investment continues PwC’s long-standing commitment to AI and strengthens the firm’s ability to develop new solutions that are tailored to clients’ needs and technologically advanced.
PwC USA invests a total of USD 1 billion
The efforts are complemented by PwC USA’s decision to invest a total of USD 1 billion in AI. Moreover, the PwC network has been committed to AI for years: according to IDC and Forrester, PwC is the world’s leading provider of AI services, as evidenced by outstanding, innovative projects with its clients and within its own organisation.


   




Andreas Staubli
“Our investment includes the development and application of AI-based solutions within PwC. We also place great emphasis on ensuring that our people receive comprehensive upskilling in the application of AI. At the same time, we are establishing our AI Centre of Excellence, which will bring together our leading experts from different areas to develop new solutions and advise our clients on the application of AI. Through this expansion, we are creating an additional competitive advantage for our clients and support them in finding a responsible approach to AI,”
says Andreas Staubli, CEO PwC Switzerland.
Most recently, PwC launched its generative AI conversation assistant – ChatPwC – for all its business units. With private domain access to Microsoft Azure OpenAI, ChatPwC is a secure conversation assistant tailored specifically to PwC’s needs. In addition, PwC Switzerland has developed the Intelligent Search Assistant. This solution is designed to provide answers for internal business services.

Featured image credit: edited from freepik


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			&#13;
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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/pwc-switzerland-invests-chf-50-million-into-ai</link><guid>3402</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/PwC-Switzerland-Invests-CHF-50-Million-to-Expand-Its-AI-Capabilities-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>PwC Switzerland Invests CHF 50 Million Into AI</dc:text></item><item><title>Swisscom Launches E-Signature “E-Sign”</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						November 6, 2023
																				





					
					
							
					With the launch of “Swisscom Sign,” Swisscom is making the electronic signature easily accessible for everyone. To qualify users for legally valid electronic signatures, Swisscom relies on ti&amp;m‘s identification software.
The new feature “Swisscom Sign” within the existing Swisscom app allows any user to use qualified electronic signatures online for transactions or contract agreements. By integrating this new service, Swisscom is responding to the trend to use digital signature processes for both business and personal contract agreements. The digitalization of the signature process simplifies contract agreements for all parties involved and reduces administrative efforts.
Raffael Knecht
“We are pleased to provide Switzerland with a simple and secure electronic signature through our Swisscom Sign. With ti&amp;m, we have an experienced Swiss partner for online identification software by our side.”
– Raffael Knecht, Deputy Head FinTech &amp; Digital Trust, Swisscom.


   




In Swisscom’s new signature process, ti&amp;m is responsible for the straightforward, rapid, and legally valid identification of customers. ti&amp;m’s online identification software is seamlessly integrated into the Swisscom app, ensuring a user-friendly journey as customers remain within the Swisscom app throughout the entire process. The identification from ti&amp;m enables the issuance of a qualified electronic signature that can be used repeatedly for various contract agreements and transactions in Switzerland and the EU.
Thomas Wüst
“We are proud that Swisscom, one of Switzerland’s leading digitalization companies, relies on ti&amp;m’s online identification. I am convinced that this partnership will make electronic signature processes more widely accepted.”
– Thomas Wüst, CEO of ti&amp;m.



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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swisscom-launches-e-signature-e-sign</link><guid>3399</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Swisscom-Sign-The-Electronic-Signature-for-Everyone-From-Swisscom-Uses-tims-Online-Identification-Software-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swisscom Launches E-Signature “E-Sign”</dc:text></item><item><title>Netcetara Takes Over Majority Stake in Financial Consultancy Braingroup</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Netcetera AG increases its existing stake in Braingroup AG and obtains the majority.
With its product business for hybrid financial consulting, Braingroup focuses on the Swiss banking and insurance environment. The acquisition of the shares is a significant step for both companies and consolidates the close cooperation of more than 15 years of the partners. Together, they cover the future requirements of the market with a future-proof end-to-end offering from mobile and web banking to consulting – driving digital transformation.
Netcetera has signed an agreement to acquire 45 percent of Braingroup by the end of August 2023 (the transaction is subject to approval by regulatory commissions). With the 33 percent, which Netcetera has already held since 2008, the software company takes over the majority. The remaining shares are held by Braingroup’s leadership team.


   




Braingroup is a market leader for modern hybrid financial advisory software in the Swiss banking and insurance environment. Its solutions cover both online and face-to-face advisory formats – from preparing the discussion to closing the deal. With around 3100 users at over 105 financial service providers, Braingroup is firmly established in the Swiss market.
Alliance with clout: mobile banking and advisory services
The acquisition is in line with Netcetera’s long-term growth strategy and ongoing investments in its Digital Banking offering. Braingroup’s hybrid advisory solution, integrated into Netcetera’s “mobile first” banking solution, optimally covers the needs of financial service providers. This enables banks and insurance companies to perfect their customer interfaces and create differentiating market advantages.
Carsten Wengel
Carsten Wengel, CEO of Netcetera, emphasizes:
“This investment further strengthens our position in the Swiss market and opens a holistic Digital Banking offering to the financial industry. I am extremely pleased that Braingroup’s 51 experts will now act even more closely coordinated with Netcetera. Our cumulative expertise and experience with digital value creation in the financial services sector give us tremendous clout. This will enable us to further drive development and digitalization in the market – to the benefit of our clients and their users.”
Braingroup will continue to operate independently as a strong Swiss brand, complementing Netcetera’s Digital Banking portfolio. Netcetera will take over two seats on the Board of Directors.
Daniel Bareiss
Daniel Bareiss, member of the Leadership Team and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Braingroup:
“We are very pleased about Netcetera’s renewed confidence in Braingroup. Following our successful cooperation since 2008, this majority shareholding illustrates the strong commitment of both partners to optimize the digital offering for our clients.”


Featured image credit: Edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/netcetara-takes-over-majority-stake-in-financial-consultancy-braingroup</link><guid>3400</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SmartSourcing_300x250-1.jpg?x75906</dc:content ><dc:text>Netcetara Takes Over Majority Stake in Financial Consultancy Braingroup</dc:text></item><item><title>Netcetera Takes Over Majority Stake in Financial Consultancy Braingroup</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Netcetera AG increases its existing stake in Braingroup AG and obtains the majority.
With its product business for hybrid financial consulting, Braingroup focuses on the Swiss banking and insurance environment. The acquisition of the shares is a significant step for both companies and consolidates the close cooperation of more than 15 years of the partners. Together, they cover the future requirements of the market with a future-proof end-to-end offering from mobile and web banking to consulting – driving digital transformation.
Netcetera has signed an agreement to acquire 45 percent of Braingroup by the end of August 2023 (the transaction is subject to approval by regulatory commissions). With the 33 percent, which Netcetera has already held since 2008, the software company takes over the majority. The remaining shares are held by Braingroup’s leadership team.


   




Braingroup is a market leader for modern hybrid financial advisory software in the Swiss banking and insurance environment. Its solutions cover both online and face-to-face advisory formats – from preparing the discussion to closing the deal. With around 3100 users at over 105 financial service providers, Braingroup is firmly established in the Swiss market.
Alliance with clout: mobile banking and advisory services
The acquisition is in line with Netcetera’s long-term growth strategy and ongoing investments in its Digital Banking offering. Braingroup’s hybrid advisory solution, integrated into Netcetera’s “mobile first” banking solution, optimally covers the needs of financial service providers. This enables banks and insurance companies to perfect their customer interfaces and create differentiating market advantages.
Carsten Wengel
Carsten Wengel, CEO of Netcetera, emphasizes:
“This investment further strengthens our position in the Swiss market and opens a holistic Digital Banking offering to the financial industry. I am extremely pleased that Braingroup’s 51 experts will now act even more closely coordinated with Netcetera. Our cumulative expertise and experience with digital value creation in the financial services sector give us tremendous clout. This will enable us to further drive development and digitalization in the market – to the benefit of our clients and their users.”
Braingroup will continue to operate independently as a strong Swiss brand, complementing Netcetera’s Digital Banking portfolio. Netcetera will take over two seats on the Board of Directors.
Daniel Bareiss
Daniel Bareiss, member of the Leadership Team and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Braingroup:
“We are very pleased about Netcetera’s renewed confidence in Braingroup. Following our successful cooperation since 2008, this majority shareholding illustrates the strong commitment of both partners to optimize the digital offering for our clients.”


Featured image credit: Edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/netcetera-takes-over-majority-stake-in-financial-consultancy-braingroup</link><guid>3401</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SmartSourcing_300x250-1.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Netcetera Takes Over Majority Stake in Financial Consultancy Braingroup</dc:text></item><item><title>DZ BANK startet eigene Crypto Verwahrung</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Deutschland’s DZ BANK hat eine neue Plattform für die Abwicklung und Verwahrung digitaler Finanzinstrumente in Betrieb genommen.
Damit gehört das genossenschaftliche Institut zu den ersten Kreditinstituten, die auf Basis der Blockchain-Technologie ein solches Angebot für institutionelle Kunden auf den Weg gebracht haben. Die DZ BANK ist mit einem Volumen von über 300 Mrd. EUR nach BNP Paribas und State Street die drittgrößte Verwahrstelle in Deutschland, unter den deutschen Verwahrstellen ist sie die größte.
Holger Meffert
„Wir gehen davon aus, dass innerhalb der nächsten zehn Jahre wesentliche Anteile des Kapitalmarktgeschäfts über Distributed Ledger Technologie (DLT) basierte Infrastrukturen abgewickelt werden. Auf mittelfristige Sicht sehen wir die DLT als komplementäre Technologie zu den etablierten Infrastrukturen in den bestehenden Kapitalmarktprozessen“,
sagt Dr. Holger Meffert, Leiter Wertpapierservices &amp; Digitalverwahrung bei DZ BANK. Zum Betrieb der neuen Verwahrlösung hat die Bank mehr als ein Dutzend Mitarbeiter in IT, Operations und Compliance neu eingestellt.


   




Bereits seit Jahren beschäftigt sich die Bank mit der Blockchain-Technologie, 2022 hat sie mit dem Aufbau der Digitalverwahrplattform für institutionelle Kunden begonnen. Hier wird sie zunächst Kryptowertpapiere in die Verwahrung nehmen.
Dazu gehört eine Krypto-Anleihe von Siemens, die Union Investment und DZ BANK bereits vor einem halben Jahr gezeichnet haben und die nun in die Eigenverwahrung übertragen werden konnte. Zuvor war die DZ BANK bereits als Abwickler und Verwahrer an der ersten externen Transaktion von Kryptofondsanteilen des Bankhauses Metzler beteiligt. Da beide Fälle in den Anwendungsbereich des elektronischen Wertpapiergesetzes (eWpG) fallen, ist eine Verwahrung mit den vorhandenen Lizenzen bereits möglich.
Um institutionellen Kunden künftig auch die Investition in Kryptowährungen wie Bitcoin zu ermöglichen, hat die DZ BANK im Juni bereits eine Kryptoverwahrlizenz bei der Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht (BaFin) beantragt. Parallel zu der Lösung für institutionelle Kunden, arbeitet die Bank an einem Angebot, mit dem Privatkunden direkt in Kryptowährungen investieren können.
Mit der bestehenden Infrastruktur ist die Bank zudem in der Lage, aktiv an der Explorationsphase der Europäischen Zentralbank (EZB) teilzunehmen, in der das Settlement großvolumiger Kapitalmarkttransaktionen in Zentralbankgeld verprobt wird.


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/dz-bank-startet-eigene-crypto-verwahrung</link><guid>3398</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SmartSourcing_300x250-1.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>DZ BANK startet eigene Crypto Verwahrung</dc:text></item><item><title>Nuvei and American Express Collaborate</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Pay with Bank transfer, powered by American Express (“PwBt”), announces it has selected Nuvei, the Canadian fintech company, as its first acquirer authorised to promote and sell PwBt’s Open Banking-enabled payment method.
The innovative payment method enables consumers to complete transactions seamlessly from their bank accounts, without having to enter card details or complete additional authentication checks. For merchants, PwBt delivers a frictionless payment where funds are reconciled instantly, with attractive processing fees. Nuvei will be promoting PwBt to both existing and prospective UK merchants, supporting them with the integration of the Open Banking payment method into their ecommerce platforms.
In the UK, more than seven million consumers are making payments directly from their bank accounts that are powered by Open Banking. Companies in the travel and utility sectors have been early adopters, with the security benefits of PwBt making it an attractive option for high value, one off payments, such as holidays, and seamless and instant bill payments.


   




Nuvei customers will be able to integrate PwBt directly into their online checkout through their existing connection to Nuvei technology. Nuvei’s agile and customizable full stack payments solution enables online businesses to optimize their checkouts and back-end payments flow through one connection, streamlining relationships and giving a single view of all payments data from all customer transactions.
Philip Fayer
Philip Fayer, Nuvei Chair and CEO, commented:
“We’re proud to be offering Pay with Bank transfer to our merchant partners to help them meet growing customer demand for efficient, secure payment options.
“Our mission is to enable our customers to get closer to their customers through payments, wherever they are and however they want to pay. Powered by American Express, but available to anyone with a UK bank account, we know Pay with Bank transfer goes above and beyond to ensure a secure, yet frictionless, service that is available to everyone, and we’re delighted to be working together to bring these benefits to a new customer base.”
All Nuvei partners that sell to consumers in the UK can now instantly integrate PwBt. The technology is powered by American Express but open to everyone with a UK bank account, meaning that customers can benefit from the frictionless payment method and enjoy American Express’ bank-level security.
Diving deeper into exploring what needs to happen to fully realise the potential of Open Banking payments from entering the mainstream, Nuvei and American Express are publishing a co-authored whitepaper: Reaching the tipping point: What needs to happen to realise the potential of Open Banking payments. The whitepaper examines consumer attitudes, awareness and understanding of Open Banking payments, and explores the factors which could be influencing or inhibiting merchant adoption.
Reaching the tipping point: What needs to happen to realise the potential of Open Banking payments is available to download now.

This article first appeared on fintechnews.am



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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/nuvei-and-american-express-collaborate</link><guid>3397</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SmartSourcing_300x250-1.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Nuvei and American Express Collaborate</dc:text></item><item><title>TP24 Hires New CFO</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						November 3, 2023
																				





					
					
							
					TP24 (former Tradeplus24) introduced its new Chief Financial Officer, David Miller.
David brings over 12 years of expertise to our team, acquired through a dynamic career journey spanning various finance, risk, compliance, and M&amp;A functions within regulated Swiss financial service organizations.
Before he joined TP24 he was for working for GE Capital and Cembra Money Bank.


   






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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/tp24-hires-new-cfo</link><guid>3394</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/TP24-New-Chief-Financial-Officer-1440x564_c.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>TP24 Hires New CFO</dc:text></item><item><title>St.Galler Kantonalbank Launched Digital Asset Services in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					SEBA Bank has launched its partnership with St.Galler Kantonalbank (SGKB), Switzerland’s fifth largest cantonal bank, earlier this year to enable digital asset custody and brokerage services for SGKB’s clients.
After a short implementation time, the SGKB’s service is now live.
Having obtained its FINMA banking license in 2019, SEBA Bank is among the first financial institutions to bring digital assets to the Swiss landscape and provides B2B solutions tailored to a diverse range of institutions, including both private and retail banks such as LGT Bank Liechtenstein, Bank Julius Baer, and now SGKB. Zug-based SEBA offers fully regulated, institutional-grade crypto custody solutions, providing advanced banking services that match their clients’ investment needs in digital assets.


   




Christian Bieri
Christian Bieri, Head B2B &amp; Custody Solutions at SEBA Bank said,
“As a licensed and FINMA-regulated Swiss bank with a core competence in cryptocurrencies and digital assets, we enable banks and their clients to handle traditional and digital assets securely. The full suite of banking services combined with the highest security standards expected of a Swiss financial institution, make SEBA Bank’s service offering unique. We are very pleased to be able to support St.Galler Kantonalbank with our expertise in expanding their services around digital assets.”
St. Galler Kantonalbank’s first step into the digital asset space is a milestone for the financial institution and wider industry. In line with SGKB’s commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction, this partnership will empower the bank’s clients to seamlessly integrate cryptocurrencies into their existing investment portfolios. SGKB is launching custody and trading services for Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) to a select group of clients, with plans to expand its offerings to additional cryptocurrencies based on client demand.
Falk Kohlmann
Falk Kohlmann, Head of Market Services at St.Galler Kantonalbank stated,
“We are pleased to offer a select client base access to digital assets and the digital economy. Thanks to our cooperation with SEBA Bank, we’ve implemented a straightforward initial setup, which allows us to learn and grow well aligned to our clients’ needs. We are confident that our clients’ digital assets are protected by the custody of a professional and certified provider with extensive experience in this field.”



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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/stgaller-kantonalbank-launched-digital-asset-services-in-switzerland</link><guid>3395</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SmartSourcing_300x250-1.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>St.Galler Kantonalbank Launched Digital Asset Services in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss National Bank Launches Pilot Project With CBDC for Financial Institutions</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					On 1 December 2023, the Swiss National Bank – together with six commercial banks – will start a pilot project with central bank digital currency for financial institutions (wholesale CBDC) on the regulated platform of SIX Digital Exchange (SDX).
With this pilot, called Helvetia Phase III, the SNB will for the first time issue real wholesale CBDC in Swiss francs on a financial market infrastructure based on distributed ledger technology (DLT). The SNB is thus moving its work from test environments into production and is making wholesale CBDC available for the settlement of real bond transactions. The banks involved will carry out the transactions on the DLT platform as intermediaries for issuers and investors. The tokenised bonds will be settled against wholesale CBDC on a delivery-versus-payment basis.
6 Swiss Banks on Board
The pilot with real Swiss franc wholesale CBDC is scheduled to run from December 2023 to June 2024. The participating banks are Banque Cantonale Vaudoise, Basler Kantonalbank, Commerzbank, Hypothekarbank Lenzburg, UBS and Zürcher Kantonalbank. In addition to the SDX platform, the pilot project will use the SIC infrastructure for the tokenisation of central bank money and that of SIX SIS for integration with the traditional bond settlement infrastructure. Furthermore, SIX Repo and SDX test systems will be used to explore the trading and settlement of repo transactions with wholesale CBDC.


   




DLT and tokenised assets are already being used in some areas of the regulated financial system, where they promise to deliver efficiency gains and greater transparency. If DLT establishes itself in the financial system, the question for central banks is how token transactions between financial institutions can be settled in central bank money. Central bank money, which poses no counterparty risk, could thus continue to play its key role in maintaining the stability and efficiency of the financial system.
In March 2023, the SNB announced that it would examine three models for settling the cash leg of tokenised asset transactions. One model involves the issuance of wholesale CBDC for settling tokenised assets; another involves the linking of settlement systems for tokenised assets with the existing SIC payment system; and a third involves the use of private, bankruptcy-protected token money that is backed by central bank money. The upcoming pilot project adopts the first model, for which the SNB will be able to build on the findings of earlier Project Helvetia phases.
The upcoming pilot does not constitute a commitment on the part of the SNB to introduce wholesale CBDC on a permanent basis. Rather, the SNB aims to test the various models for settling tokenised assets.
Thomas J. Jordan
“For several years now, the SNB has been testing a variety of potential applications for wholesale CBDC. Together with our partners, we have already been able to make important contributions to research in the CBDC field. With this pilot project, we are now, for the first time, making it possible to securely and efficiently settle transactions with tokenised assets on a regulated and productive DLT platform using real wholesale CBDC. We are proud of our internationally pioneering role in this area as we carry out this innovative project together with SIX and the participating banks,”
says Thomas J. Jordan, Chairman of the Swiss National Bank’s Governing Board.


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-national-bank-launches-pilot-project-with-cbdc-for-financial-institutions</link><guid>3396</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SmartSourcing_300x250-1.jpg?x75906</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss National Bank Launches Pilot Project With CBDC for Financial Institutions</dc:text></item><item><title>10 Swiss Fintechs at Swiss Pavilion at Singapore Fintech Festival</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						November 2, 2023
																				





					
					
							
					A Swiss delegation representing the best of its financial technologies in the areas of AI, big data &amp; analytics, and cybersecurity will be present at the Singapore Fintech Festival 2023 from 15 to 17 November 2023.
At the Swiss Pavilion, hosted by Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE) and the Swiss Business Hub ASEAN, the Switzerland participants will showcase proven fintech expertise and cutting-edge solutions. This year’s festival theme is “Applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Financial Services”.



   




Renee Koh
Renee Koh, Head of Swiss Business Hub ASEAN, said:
“Swiss fintechs have grown more mature as they have emerged from an environment with strong regulatory frameworks that enable a lot of experimentation and testing. In doing so, they have developed a global competitive advantage and participants will bring this to bear at the Swiss Pavilion in Singapore.”
According to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Global Innovation Index 2023 report, Switzerland is a leader in technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain.
Switzerland is one of the most advanced financial centres in the fintech and blockchain sector with over 1,000 companies operating in innovation-friendly framework conditions. It also became one of the first countries in the world to enact legal regulations for blockchain technology. This creates legal certainty and enables innovation and growth.
Around 50% of financial institutions supervised by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) currently use AI or have detailed plans to do so, according to its survey conducted in 2022. AI-based applications are essentially deployed in their front offices and for process optimisation purposes. Other areas of application include for example compliance and conduct, financial risk management, system monitoring and language translation.
One of the advocates for greater integration of AI in fintech, Modulos AG, aims to showcase its ‘Responsible AI Platform,’ which operationalises AI governance and ensures seamless alignment with international AI regulations.

Swiss Pavilion Exhibitors:
Adnovum

Adnovum is a Swiss IT company with core competencies that include the development of customized software, security and IAM solutions, as well as security consulting. Our client focus is on companies that want to differentiate themselves through future-oriented solutions, among them banks, insurers, transport and logistics companies and the public sector. For more than 30 years, Adnovum has been engineering and maintaining software and security solutions for established clients. As a full-service technology partner, we support our clients in the implementation of new business models from the initial idea to the rollout in production. In doing so, we combine tried and tested products with tailor-made components and state-of-the-art technologies.
Adviscent

Adviscent is Swiss software company which empowers Wealth Managers to seamlessly leverage their research and investment content for the benefit of Relationship Managers and Clients. To achieve this, Adviscent has pioneered a cutting-edge software system designed to write, format, and effortlessly distribute research and investment articles across a multitude of channels, including E- Banking platforms, mobile applications, and Relationship Manager Workplaces. Adviscent has its client base in Switzerland, Singapore, Luxembourgand the Middle East.
ERI

ERI is the provider of the OLYMPIC Banking System, a fully integrated, front-to-back, parameter-driven digital platform supporting banks and financial institutions in streamlining their core business activities across their clients’ entire lifecycle. Over 400 banks and financial institutions across 60 countries have chosen OLYMPIC Banking System to streamline, automate and digitise their daily processes. Our solutions assist banks and financial institutions in achieving cost and operational efficiency while keeping the focus on anticipating their clients’ needs.
The platform provides a complete set of decision-making, transaction processing and control tools to support domestic and international core services. It comprises a functionally rich client centric Core System and a wide range of integrated front, middle and back-office functions: CRM, Client On-boarding, Regulatory Reporting, Portfolio and Order Management, Advisory and Digital Banking.
Modulos

Modulos AG, founded in 2018 and headquartered in Switzerland, stands at the forefront of AI technology. The company specializes in supporting organizations to develop and operate AI products and services within regulated environments. The Modulos Responsible AI platform empowers businesses to enact responsible AI governance policies, while simultaneously streamlining compliance through industry best practices. In navigating the complex landscape of AI, Modulos AG uniquely combines technological innovation with ethical responsibility to deliver impactful solutions.
RepRisk

Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Switzerland, RepRisk is a pioneer in ESG data science that leverages the combination of AI and machine learning with human intelligence to systematically analyze public information and identify material ESG risks. RepRisk’s flagship product, the RepRisk ESG Risk Platform, is the world’s largest and most comprehensive due diligence database on ESG and business conduct risks, with expertise in 23 languages and coverage of 225,000+ public and private companies and 60,000+ infrastructure projects. For 16+ years, the world’s leading financial institutions and corporations have trusted RepRisk for due diligence and risk management across their operations, business relationships, and investments.
Securosys

Securosys: Your trusted partner for protecting your digital identities, keys, and secrets. Securosys SA, based in Zurich, is a global leader in cyber security and encryption, prioritizing data sovereignty. Our Swiss-built Hardware Security Modules (HSM) secure financial markets, serving Tier 1 banks worldwide. Certified to the highest standards, our on-premise and cloud HSM solutions offer secure key generation, encryption, and digital signing for finance, healthcare, and other sectors.
SIX

SIX operates and develops infrastructure services for the Swiss and Spanish Stick Exchanges, for Post Trade Services, Banking Services and Financial Information with the aim of raising efficiency, quality and innovative capacity across the entire value chain of the Swiss and Spanish financial centers.
For more than 90 years, SIX has provided financial data and services the industry needs: high-quality data, from all over the world, delivered at the right time, in the right way. From our core reference data on securities, prices, corporate events, tax and regulatory data, to our flagship indices and bespoke benchmarks, SIX offers added-value services that smoothly integrate with your workflows. We free your time and attention to spend on growing your business.
SwissCham Singapore

SwissCham is a non-profit organization representing Swiss business in Singapore and bridging bilateral commercial interests as well as encouraging knowledge creation and networking. SwissCham currently represents over 250 members ranging from startups to large multinationals, creating over 20,000 jobs in Singapore. SwissCham members get access to a community with a broad range of events and the possibility to easily network with other members. SwissCham supports members with their queries on setting up business, or any other SG matters. In addition, members have exclusive access to other chambers’ events. SwissCham’s 8 Sub-committees bring together subject matter experts to discuss cutting-edge topics. The main objectives of SwissCham Singapore are fostering the Swiss Community by providing a strong network; using knowledge for effective lobbying; remaining relevant through increasing membership portfolio and links to public and private institutions.
UBS

UBS is the largest truly global wealth manager and the leading universal bank in Switzerland. It also provides large-scale and diversified asset management solutions and focused investment banking capabilities. UBS helps clients achieve their financial goals through personalized advice, solutions and products. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, the firm has operations and offices around the globe. UBS shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
WebAccountPlus

Introducing WebAccountPlus – the future of corporate advisory. Harness the power of advanced AI-driven insights and step into a world where data analytics meets unparalleled efficiency. Our fully digitalized multi-location and multi-tenancy platform offers cutting-edge multi-location accounting solutions, ensuring you’re always in control no matter where your business takes you. All these features are seamlessly integrated on the cloud, providing instant access, real-time updates, and top-tier security. WebAccountPlus is not just a tool, it’s your digital partner, geared to propel your business to new heights. Embrace the future, empower your decisions, and elevate your operations with WebAccountPlus.

This article first appeared on fintechnews.sg


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/10-swiss-fintechs-at-swiss-pavilion-at-singapore-fintech-festival</link><guid>3393</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Swiss-Fintechs-to-Showcase-Transformative-Knowhow-at-Singapore-Fintech-Festival-2023-1440x564_c.jpg?x75906</dc:content ><dc:text>10 Swiss Fintechs at Swiss Pavilion at Singapore Fintech Festival</dc:text></item><item><title>Generali Starts with € 250 Million Venture Capital Fund</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Generali Ventures is underway: the venture capital initiative launched by Generali to accelerate innovation, enter new markets and generate additional operating efficiencies for the Group.
With a dedicated commitment of € 250 million, Generali Ventures will identify the most promising investment opportunities, with a particular focus on the insurtech and fintech sectors.
Launched in 2022, after an in-depth analysis of over 100 venture capital funds, Generali Ventures has invested in three strategic initiatives: Mundi Ventures, specialized in insurtech technologies; Speedinvest, focused on start-ups in the early pre-seed and seed stages; and Dawn, focused on investing in B2B software solutions.


   




The search for external innovation spans a broad spectrum of technologies that are revolutionising the insurance industry, including areas such as mobility, artificial intelligence, cyber security and healthcare. Investment targets include innovative start-ups, both pre-seed and late stage, with a geographic focus extending to VC funds in Europe and the United States.
Bruno Scaroni
Bruno Scaroni, Group Chief Transformation Officer of Generali, said:
“As set out in our ‘Lifetime Partner 24: Driving Growth’ strategic plan, Generali is an innovative customer-oriented Group, focused on the best possible use of data and emerging technology. Thanks to this new venture capital initiative, we will make long-term investments in the global innovation ecosystem. Generali Ventures will also have a positive impact on the insurance sector, boosting the development of innovative projects, opening up new opportunities for collaboration and integrating initiatives that contribute to the overall transformation of the Group.”
Generali Ventures is part of the “Lifetime Partner 24: Driving Growth” strategic plan, which includes € 1.1 billion of cumulative investments in the digital and technological transformation of the Group. Leading innovation and digital transformation represents one of the three pillars on which the strategy is built, as the Group is committed to developing sustainable business models for the future, increasing customer value through the “Lifetime Partner” advisory model, accelerating innovation as a data-driven company and to achieving additional operating efficiency by scaling automation and technology.


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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/generali-starts-with-250-million-venture-capital-fund</link><guid>3392</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SmartSourcing_300x250-1.jpg?x75906</dc:content ><dc:text>Generali Starts with € 250 Million Venture Capital Fund</dc:text></item><item><title>Modernization Meets AI as Instant Payments Define the Future</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Sylvie Boucheron-Saunier, Global Chief Revenue Officer, Payments at Finastra								
																						November 1, 2023
																				





					
					
							
					The financial services landscape is radically transforming, driven by evolving customer demands and constant technological advancements, with the payments sector at the forefront.
In an age of digital commerce, the demand for real-time, frictionless payments is higher than ever. Consumers and businesses want to be able to make and take payments instantly, how, when, and wherever they choose, even if it is a weekend or a public holiday.
This has prompted a ripple effect, resulting in the introduction of regulations and initiatives around the world, such as FedNow, SEPA Instant Credit Transfer (SCT Inst), The Clearing House Real-Time Payments (TCH-RTP), and the United Kingdom’s New Payments Architecture (UK NPA).
Another mandated instant payment service is SIC5 from the Swiss National Bank (SNB). The new system will replace the existing SIC4 – which settles payments in batches several times a day – to facilitate instant interbank payments in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The largest Swiss banks must comply and be able to facilitate instant payments by August 2024, while the remaining banks have until 2026.
The complexities of payment modernisation
A recent survey conducted by Aite-Novarica Group (now Datos Insights), supported by Finastra, sheds light on the pivotal role of instant payments in modernising payment systems.
It reveals that 72 percent of respondents have either successfully implemented a new payment rail, have one in progress, or have plans to implement one. However, this seismic shift towards real-time payments is not without its challenges. 
Approximately 57 percent of respondents identified adapting legacy infrastructure as a significant obstacle, making modernisation efforts arduous and complex.
The survey further highlights that while offering instant payments provides tremendous opportunities for financial institutions to enhance the customer experience and stay competitive, it can also require substantial investments in technology and operational restructuring. However, if banks do not invest in more robust technology to cater to this demand, they will risk falling behind.
The importance of technological investment
Accelerating investments in technology and modernisation enables banks to address challenges and seize the opportunities presented by instant payments. The benefits of payment processing in the cloud, microservices, and Payments as a Service (PaaS) solutions are becoming widely recognized by banks to fast-track this journey.
Cloud-based solutions increase operational agility, allowing banks to respond quickly to evolving customer, industry, and regulatory demands. With PaaS, banks can also significantly reduce Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), time-to-market, and value when delivering new solutions and enhancing their scalability. As instant payment volumes grow, for example, institutions can scale their payment processing capabilities according to demand, ensuring optimal performance even during peak transaction periods.
Additionally, by leveraging solutions based on microservices or composable architecture, banks can implement, update, and deploy particular applications and services much more easily and quickly. This is particularly important for institutions to make product updates to support instant payments and future developments.
Emergence of AI and Machine Learning
Introducing any new payment rail brings new potential risks, especially when that rail operates in real-time. Instant payments risk instant fraud, and banks need to utilize technology to implement preventive measures. 
Solutions that use Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) can effectively be used to analyse a customer’s payment history to detect suspected fraudulent activities in real time. This payments data can also be used for other purposes, such as to understand customer behaviour, enabling institutions to offer personalised services that cater to individual preferences and needs.
AI and ML can also be used to automate fraud prevention processes such as AML (Anti-Money Laundering) and transaction monitoring to further increase security while reducing false positives for seamless payment experiences. 
More recently, the advent of generative AI is transforming the entire financial services industry, with strong use cases for payments emerging. Generative AI encompasses various AI techniques ranging from machine learning and natural language processing to computer vision and deep learning. 
Among its myriad applications, generative AI can be used to analyse historical and real-time data to create synthetic scenarios and data which can be used, for example, to generate potential risk scenarios or types of fraud we have not seen before. This is particularly useful to support continued real-time fraud prevention, even as fraudsters find new and innovative methods.
Generative AI can also enhance the way institutions offer personalised information, advice, and recommendations in customer service. Through natural language processing, banks can implement much more helpful chatbots and voice assistants that intuitively engage with and support users.
Choosing the right partner
The demand for instant payments is becoming increasingly evident in the evolving financial services landscape. The journey to meeting these demands is complex, especially when institutions are still faced with challenges associated with legacy infrastructure and the ever-evolving regulatory landscape. 
For institutions to successfully embrace payment modernisation and the shift towards real-time payments, collaboration is key. Banks need to accelerate investment in technology, explore the capabilities of AI and ML, and select a suitable partner that enables success.
Payment processing solutions that utilise the right technology enable banks to successfully keep pace with new demands, and finding the right partner with the necessary industry and implementation expertise is critical.
Additionally, such solutions should be Application Programming Interface (API) enabled to facilitate further partnerships and integrations, such as with fintechs offering specialist value-added services.
 Open banking and APIs facilitate connectivity that benefits the entire ecosystem. Fintechs can access banking data to develop solutions that utilise the latest technology to meet customer demands. Via fintech ecosystems, banks can then integrate these services with their existing solutions to ultimately benefit the end customer. 
Empowering banks for the future
Finastra’s Payments To Go solution helps institutions to adapt quickly to this environment. The end-to-end SaaS payment processing solution enables banks to deliver instant and flexible digital payments faster and more efficiently. Integrated with Finastra’s Financial Messaging Gateway, Payments To Go provides frictionless, more affordable, and direct access to the TIPS, SIC5, and FedNow networks, among others.
More recently, Finastra launched its Compliance as a Service solution on Microsoft Azure. The service includes Fincom’s real-time AML (Anti-Money Laundering) transaction screening and ThetaRay’s AI-powered transaction monitoring as a pre-integrated packaged solution with Finastra Payments To Go. 
The end-to-end solution, based on technology proven at many of the world’s leading financial institutions, enables US and European banks to streamline and automate compliance processes to effectively deliver instant payments. Combined with specialist compliance services from Fincom and ThetaRay, Finastra Compliance as a Service harnesses the power of AI and ML to provide on-the-spot compliance checks for optimal operational efficiency for instant payments.
Another offering from Finastra, FusionFabric.cloud, is a platform for open innovation that enables banks to easily integrate fintech services within its solutions. Through Finastra’s ecosystem, banks can integrate applications that support their journey to instant payments, such as solutions that utilize technology to further enhance fraud prevention.
In this evolving landscape, Finastra’s offerings serve as a resource, assisting banks in moving towards a future where payments are instant, seamless, secure, and ultimately focused on delivering the best customer outcomes.



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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/modernization-meets-ai-as-instant-payments-define-the-future</link><guid>3391</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Navigating-Instant-Payments-in-the-Modern-Banking-Landscape-1440x564_c.png?x75906</dc:content ><dc:text>Modernization Meets AI as Instant Payments Define the Future</dc:text></item><item><title>Schweizer Retail-Banken: Wie die progressive Modernisierung der Bank-IT gelingt</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Wie Banken mit der progressiven, Journey-fokussierten Modernisierung risikoarm und schnell ihre IT modernisieren und die Ausgaben von der Pflege der Legacy IT hin zu Investitionen für Wachstum verlagern.
Alle etablierten Banken haben erkannt, dass die Modernisierung ihrer IT erforderlich ist. Doch der Modernisierungsprozess erscheint eher wie ein endloser Kampf. Ihr Gegner ist der Legacy Technology Stack aus veralteten, kostspieligen und unzusammenhängenden Systemen.
An das Kernbankensystem werden ständig Änderungswünsche herangetragen, was dazu geführt hat, dass es übermäßig komplex geworden und mit Funktionen aufgebläht ist, die nie dort hätten angesiedelt werden dürfen. Hinzu kommt: Die Lösungen der Banken für die einzelnen Kundenkanäle wurden ursprünglich isoliert entwickelt und haben sich im Laufe der Zeit zu teuren Silos entwickelt, was überdies zu einem Mangel an Synergien führt. Die Aufzählung der Probleme der Legacy IT ließe sich noch lange fortsetzen.
Im Ergebnis sind die Banken nicht mehr in der Lage, die sich ändernden Kunden- und Geschäftsanforderungen zu erfüllen. Sie stecken im Wartungsmodus und der Brandbekämpfung fest, was sie daran hindert, Innovation und tatsächlichen Wert zu schaffen.
In diesem Umfeld steigt der Druck auf die IT-Verantwortlichen, einen geschäftlichen Mehrwert zu schaffen. Und im heutigen geopolitischen Klima sollen sie zudem mit weniger Ressourcen mehr leisten. Sie müssen eine “Invest-to-Win”-Strategie definieren und umsetzen, die den Fokus von Kostensenkung und Leistungsoptimierung auf Investitionen für Wachstum verlagert. Sie müssen die IT im großen Stil modernisieren.
Die menschlichen Aspekte der Modernisierung
Doch viele IT-Verantwortliche bei Banken blicken sorgenvoll auf derartige Projekte zur digitalen Transformation. Denn bei größeren Projekten besteht das Risiko, dass es zu gravierenden Verzögerungen und Kostenexplosionen kommt oder dass sogar das komplette Projekt scheitert. Beides kann negative Konsequenzen für die Verantwortlichen nach sich ziehen.
Zudem ist ein „Inside-out“-Denken weit verbreitet: Interne Faktoren und Prozesse bilden den Ausgangspunkt für die Entscheidungen und Handlungen der Bank. “Inside-out”-Denken hat seine Berechtigung, doch da viele etablierte Banken parallel kein “Outside-in”-Denken betrieben haben, verloren sie die Kundenzentrierung aus den Augen.
Viele erfolgreiche Unternehmen, die etablierte Banken derzeit herausfordern – wie Big Techs, Fintechs oder Challenger-Banken – setzen dagegen stark auf das “Outside-in”-Denken, da es ihnen hilft, Kundenbedürfnisse zu verstehen und Produkte und Dienstleistungen anzubieten, die diese Bedürfnisse erfüllen. Bedingt durch den Fokus auf “Inside-out“ fehlt Banken jetzt die Helikopterperspektive bzw. ein Nordstern: Ein klares Ziel und ein starker Eindruck, wie der Weg zum Ziel aussieht.
Die Risikoaversion und das Fehlen eines klaren Ziels sorgen dafür, dass etablierte Banken oft nur punktuelle Verbesserungen an ihrer IT vornehmen. Anstatt ihre IT-Architektur um den Kunden herum neu aufzubauen, überarbeiten viele Banken nur einzelne Punktlösungen. Das führt aber nicht zu Investitionen ins Wachstum und zur Customer Experience, die die Kunden erwarten.
Klares Ziel für die Modernisierung: Engagement Banking
Die IT muss umfassend modernisiert werden, das steht außer Frage. Nur das befähigt Banken, ihre operative Exzellenz zu optimieren, die Agilität und Skalierbarkeit zu steigern, neue technische Möglichkeiten zu nutzen und Kunden eine bessere Experience zu bieten. Doch um diese Milestones zu erreichen, ist zuallererst ein klares Ziel nötig, was diese Milestones zu einem Weg verbindet. Dieses Ziel ist der Big Shift vom traditionellen Banking zum Engagement Banking.
Beim Engagement Banking steht der Kunde im Zentrum. Eine dementsprechend hohe Bedeutung haben nahtlose Customer Journeys und eine exzellente Customer Experience. Das leistet die Bank, indem im Front Office, Back Office und Business Support so viele administrative, manuelle und repetitive Tasks wie möglich digitalisiert und automatisiert werden.
Die Mitarbeitenden dieser Abteilungen werden dadurch von den wenig wertschöpfenden Aktivitäten entlastet und haben mehr Zeit für Aktivitäten, die den Umsatz und die Kundenzufriedenheit steigern. Gleichzeitig werden sie mit modernen Software-Oberflächen bei der Kundenbetreuung unterstützt, was ihre Produktivität steigert.
Zusätzlich werden auch die Mitarbeitenden in der IT durch die Modernisierung von den wenig wertschöpfenden administrativen, manuellen und repetitiven Tasks entlastet. Das ist bitter nötig, denn zu viele IT-Mitarbeitende sind komplett damit ausgelastet, den Betrieb am Laufen zu halten, und haben keine Zeit, Innovationen zu entwickeln und auszurollen. Das führt dazu, dass die Bank sich nicht vom Wettbewerb differenzieren kann. Wenn die Bank also hier ansetzt und diesen Zustand beendet, indem sie ihren Tech Stack in Richtung Engagement Banking modernisiert, lösen sich viele Probleme der IT (zu hohe Kosten, keine Ressourcen frei, Kampf um knappe IT-Fachkräfte) mit der Zeit von selbst.
Progressive Modernisierung: ein schneller, risikoarmer und kosteneffizienter Ansatz
Der Big Shift zum Engagement Banking definiert das Ziel, doch auch der Weg dorthin muss gemeistert werden. IT-Verantwortliche stehen daher vor der Frage, wo und wie sie die Modernisierung beginnen. Dazu gibt es keine Patentlösung. Banken müssen ganz pragmatisch an einer Stelle anfangen und sich dann in die richtige Richtung – zum Engagement Banking – bewegen.
Generell stehen ihnen zur Modernisierung drei Ansätze zur Verfügung. Der Greenfield-Ansatz, der Big-Bang-Ansatz und die progressive, Journey-fokussierte Modernisierung. Der Big-Bang-Ansatz birgt enormes Risiko, zu scheitern, dauert lange und kann extrem kostenintensiv ausfallen. Der Greenfield-Ansatz ist leider auch nicht praktikabel, da bei einem komplett neuen System auch alle Bestandskunden komplett neu ge-onboarded werden müssen.
Daher ist die progressive, Journey-fokussierte Modernisierung der beste Ansatz für die meisten etablierten Banken. Dabei werden Legacy-Systeme allmählich und schrittweise modernisiert. Zunächst werden bestimmte Bereiche (Customer Journeys) der Legacy-Systeme ermittelt, die die meisten Probleme verursachen. Diese Komponenten werden dann nach und nach ersetzt oder aktualisiert, während der Rest des Systems (zunächst) beibehalten wird (siehe Grafik unten).

Durch diesen schrittweisen, iterativen Ansatz verringern Banken das Risiko, kontrollieren die Kosten und verbessern Agilität sowie Wettbewerbsfähigkeit. Insgesamt ist die schrittweise Modernisierung ein pragmatischer und realisierbarer Ansatz für die Modernisierung von Legacy-Systemen in Banken.
Eine Engagement-Banking-Plattform unterstützt die progressive Modernisierung
Modernisierungsansatz und Ziel stehen fest: Mit der progressiven, Journey-fokussierten Modernisierung erfolgt der Shift zum Engagement Banking. Die Methode und die Richtung sind klar. Es fehlt nur noch ein einheitliches und durchdachtes Fundament, auf dem die neuen Journeys laufen und dass die Tasks, die keine große Wertschöpfung haben, digitalisiert und automatisiert.
Dieses Fundament kann durch eine Engagement-Banking-Plattform (EBP) gebildet werden. Eine gute EBP ist eine umfassende, einheitliche Plattform, die so konzipiert ist, dass sie nicht nur den sich ständig ändernden Bedürfnissen der Bankkunden gerecht wird, sondern Banken auch in die Lage versetzt, schnell zu innovieren und mit den raschen Fortschritten in der digitalen Landschaft Schritt zu halten.
In anderen Worten: Eine gute EBP ist vergleichbar mit einem Baukasten für die Bankenmodernisierung, das für jede Bank maßgeschneidert werden kann und gleichzeitig vieles out of the Box mitbringt. Eine API-gestützte offene Architektur macht die Plattform modular und ermöglicht es, schnell Customer Experiences zu erschaffen, mit denen sich eine Bank im Wettbewerb positiv abheben kann. Eine EBP ermöglicht „Buy and Build“ für Geschwindigkeit und Differenzierung gleichermaßen.
Teil der Plattform (und damit eingekauft) sind leistungsstarke, direkt einsetzbare Out-of-the-Box-Funktionen und Customer Journeys, die rasch zu bestehenden technische Ökosystemen hinzugefügt werden können und sofortigen Mehrwert schaffen. Auf der EBP lassen sich aber auch unkompliziert individuelle Funktionen und Customer Journeys entwickeln, um differenzierte Angebote zu schaffen. Diese Kombination aus „Buy and Build“ ermöglicht es Banken, Alleinstellungsmerkmale zu entwickeln, die komplette Customer Experience zu verbessern und sich positiv von den Marktbegleitern abzuheben. Und durch die Wiederverwendung von Bausteinen über die verschiedenen Ebenen des Maschinenraums hinweg können Banken Journeys ersetzen, entwickeln und an ihre individuellen Bedürfnisse anpassen (siehe Grafik unten).

Nach Einkauf und Integration der Engagement-Banking-Plattform können Banken also Schritt für Schritt neue, effizientere Funktionen und Customer Journeys einführen, die auf der Plattform laufen und die Aufgaben der Altsysteme übernehmen. Dann können die Altsysteme heruntergefahren werden.
Beispielsweise stellt eine gute EBP zahlreiche Customer Journeys sowie eine Banking App zur Verfügung und stellt deren Anbindung an das Kernbankensystem etc. sicher. Pflege und Weiterentwicklung der„alten“ Customer Journeys und der „alten“ Banking App in der Legacy IT fallen somit weg – und damit sinken die Kosten für die Legacy IT. So werden Budgets und Ressourcen wirklich für kontinuierliche Modernisierung und Innovation eingesetzt. (siehe Grafik unten).

Dabei bestimmt die Bank im Rahmen der progressiven Modernisierung, wie schnell sie welche Funktionen und Customer Journeys von den Altsystemen auf die EBP umzieht. Je mehr sie auf die EBP verlagert, desto mehr schöpft die Bank das Potenzial der Plattform aus.
Auf das Fundament folgen alle weiteren Stockwerke
Stellen wir uns die IT der Bank wie ein Haus vor: Das alte Haus passt nicht mehr zu den aktuellen Anforderungen. Es ist zu klein, es geht zu viel Wärme verloren und ständig muss etwas repariert werden. Und weil alles hochindividuell und nicht standardisiert ist, müssen für jede Reparatur oder Erweiterung teure Experten anrücken.
Ein neues Haus muss her. Eigentlich will man in einem Rutsch in dieses neue Haus umziehen, aber das geht nicht. Daher erfolgt der Umzug schrittweise. Und mit jedem Umzugsschritt wird das neue Haus größer und besser. Gleichzeitig sinken die Kosten für das alte Haus. Und weil im neuen Haus alles modern und standardisiert ist, sind hier Reparaturen und Erweiterungen viel günstiger und schneller möglich.
Von enormer Bedeutung für eine erfolgreiche Modernisierung der Bank-IT ist also der Plattformansatz: Anstatt nur unzusammenhängend und punktuell bestimmte Insellösungen zu überarbeiten, wird bei der progressiven Modernisierung zunächst eine Engagement-Banking-Plattform integriert.
Die Engagement-Banking-Plattform ist das Fundament des neuen Hauses. Sie ermöglicht es Banken, ihre wichtigsten Customer Journeys schrittweise zu modernisieren und sich dabei strategisch in die richtige Richtung zu entwickeln.


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schweizer-retail-banken-wie-die-progressive-modernisierung-der-bank-it-gelingt</link><guid>3390</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Grafik-1_Source-Backbase-scaled.jpg?x75906</dc:content ><dc:text>Schweizer Retail-Banken: Wie die progressive Modernisierung der Bank-IT gelingt</dc:text></item><item><title>Postfinance E-Commerce setzt auf Worldline’s Crypto Payment Lösung</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Worldline hat in der Schweiz mit Postfinance einen wichtigen Schweizer Kunden gewonnen. Die Zahllösung Worldline Crypto Payments wird ab sofort in der E-Commerce Lösung von Postfinance angeboten.
In der E-Commerce-Lösung von PostFinance „Checkout Flex“ kann zukünftig auch mit Bitcoin und Ethereum, über das Bitcoin-Lightning-Netzwerk sowie mit den Stablecoins USDC und USDT bezahlt werden.
Bereits seit zwei Jahren bietet Worldline die Zahllösung Worldline Crypto Payments schweizweit an. Die Lösung für lokale Händler und Onlineshops wird von Worldline in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Finanzdienstleister Bitcoin Suisse offeriert.


   




Der Händler muss sich dabei nicht um die Verwaltung der akzeptierten Kryptowährungen kümmern. Diese werden umgehend in Schweizer Franken gewechselt, um dem Händler das Risiko einer Währungsschwankung abzunehmen und gebündelt mit anderen Zahlungsmitteln auszuzahlen.
Ebenfalls wird der Payment Service Provider wallee noch in diesem Jahr Worldline Crypto Payments innerhalb seine E-Commerce-Lösung anbieten. Ziel der Integration von Worldline Crypto Payments in die bestehende E-Commerce-Lösung bei PostFinance ist es, die Akzeptanz von Kryptozahlungen weiter zu erhöhen und einer breiteren Öffentlichkeit zugänglich zu machen.
Aktuell bieten allein im E-Commerce rund 700 Händler Worldline Crypto Payments an. Mit jeder Woche kommt eine zweistellige Zahl von Merchants hinzu. Die Zahlungslösung wird für alle Branchen angeboten, wobei das Luxus-segment, die Hotellerie und die Unterhaltungselektronik die höchsten Transaktionsvolumen aufweisen.



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			&#13;
				About Author&#13;
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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/postfinance-e-commerce-setzt-auf-worldlines-crypto-payment-losung</link><guid>3389</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SmartSourcing_300x250-1.jpg?x75906</dc:content ><dc:text>Postfinance E-Commerce setzt auf Worldline’s Crypto Payment Lösung</dc:text></item><item><title>Bottomline Opens B2B Payment Network</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Bottomline makes its B2B payment network available to approved financial institutions, fintechs and others looking to increase payment acceptance.
This is the first time Bottomline’s business payment network has opened access to its proprietary Premium ACH supplier network.
Partners can connect to Bottomline’s growing 550,000+ authenticated and validated suppliers and provide payers with high-end, rebate-friendly ACH payments, complementing their existing virtual card program and providing a new revenue stream.


   




Offered as a network-as-a-service solution, the solution enables financial institutions, fintechs and others to expand their payment networks, driving multiple benefits that further deliver accounts payable (AP) automation and effortless network expansion for their customers, the payers.
By receiving more payments digitally, suppliers on the network will experience less portal fatigue, lower payment acceptance costs and less risk.
Andrew Bartolin
“Bottomline’s Paymode-X is one of the largest and most established business payment networks, enabling billions of secure, compliant payments and delivering high value to its trading partner members for many years,”
said Andrew Bartolini, Founder and Chief Research Officer, Ardent Partners, a leading ePayables research and advisory firm.
Craig Saks
“Opening the Bottomline business payment network recognizes the role we play in expanding a connected ecosystem,”
said Craig Saks, President and CEO, Bottomline.
“Transforming business payments means connecting banks and fintech partners across the system to expand the reach of their corporate payments and to offer their business customers more access to more suppliers without the additional investments required to achieve scale.”


Featured image credit: Edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bottomline-opens-b2b-payment-network</link><guid>3388</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SmartSourcing_300x250-1.jpg?x75906</dc:content ><dc:text>Bottomline Opens B2B Payment Network</dc:text></item><item><title>InterSystems bietet neue SaaS Cloud Software für Asset-Manager an</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					InterSystems, ein Anbieter kreativer Datentechnologien, der Kunden bei der Lösung ihrer wichtigsten Probleme in den Bereichen Skalierbarkeit, Interoperabilität und Geschwindigkeit unterstützt, hat InterSystems TotalView For Asset Management vorgestellt, eine Fully Managed Cloud-native Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) Lösung, die Vermögensverwaltern nachhaltige Vorteile bietet.
Die Self-Service Lösung beschleunigt die Entscheidungsfindung durch eine einheitliche Sicht auf alle Daten und unterstützt Asset Manager darin, Risiken besser zu managen und Compliance-Vorgaben einzuhalten.
Der InterSystems TotalView For Asset Management zugrunde liegende Smart Data Fabric Architekturansatz adressiert eine zentrale Herausforderung von Vermögensverwaltern: Die Bereitstellung einer einheitlichen und verlässlichen Sicht auf Daten in Echtzeit. Diese „Single Source of Truth“ integriert und harmonisiert unternehmenseigene sowie externe Daten für diverse Datennutzer. Dadurch wird für sie ein Gesamtüberblick über jene Informationen geschaffen, die in Datensilos in Front, Middle und Back Office, aber auch bei Drittanbietern verteilt vorliegen.


   




Harris Associates, ein amerikanischer Asset Manager mit 95 Milliarden Dollar an verwaltetem Vermögen, hat sich für InterSystems TotalView For Asset Management entschieden, um seine Herausforderungen im Datenmanagement zu überwinden, seine Portfolio-Performance sowie Profitabilität zu steigern und das Kundenerlebnis zu optimieren.
Jey Amalraj
„Dank InterSystems TotalView For Asset Management sind wir endlich in der Lage, die drängendste Herausforderung im Asset Management zu lösen: die kontinuierlich zunehmende Menge an Daten zusammenzuführen und eine Single Source of Truth zu schaffen, die allen Datennutzern im Unternehmen dient“,
erläutert Jey Amalraj, CTO bei Harris Associates.
“Wir haben es mit vielen Daten zu tun, sowohl was das Volumen als auch die Komplexität betrifft. Ich arbeite schon seit 25 Jahren mit Daten. Wir haben schon einige Lösungen ausprobiert und endlich etwas gefunden, das funktioniert.“
Scott Gnau
Scott Gnau, Head of Data Platforms bei InterSystems erläutert:
„Im Gegensatz zu herkömmlichen Ansätzen für die Datenverwaltung nutzt unsere Lösung einen modernen, auf einer Smart Data Fabric Architektur basierenden Ansatz. Vermögensverwalter profitieren durch die Zusammenführung von Informationen aus diversen Quellen und der Bereitstellung einer einzigen, vertrauenswürdigen und aktuellen Datenbasis. Die Vorteile spiegeln sich insbesondere in einer Verbesserung der Investment Performance, des Risikomanagements, der Erfüllung regulatorischer Anforderungen sowie des Kundenerlebnisses wider“




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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/intersystems-bietet-neue-saas-cloud-software-fur-asset-manager-an</link><guid>3387</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SmartSourcing_300x250-1.jpg?x75906</dc:content ><dc:text>InterSystems bietet neue SaaS Cloud Software für Asset-Manager an</dc:text></item><item><title>Thought Machine Partners With Form3 to Bring Real-Time Payment Technology to Europe</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						October 30, 2023
																				





					
					
							
					Thought Machine, the cloud-native banking technology company, announced it has partnered with Form3, a cloud-native account-to-account platform, to add FedNow, TCH RTP and SEPA Instant Credit Transfer connectivity to Thought Machine’s payment platform, Vault Payments.
This partnership brings together two payment solutions, offering banks and financial institutions an end-to-end solution for seamless real-time payment processing.
‍Thought Machine’s Vault Payments is a cloud-native and API-enabled platform designed to simplify payment processing for banks. Its Universal Payment Engine processes all payment types and seamlessly integrates with any method, scheme or region globally, granting total payment orchestration control with unparalleled customisation of payment flows.


   




‍Both Thought Machine and Form3 have built their platforms using cloud-native technologies, guaranteeing reliability, scalability, performance and disaster recovery as core capabilities.
‍In 2022, global real-time transaction volumes soared by more than 60% yearly, reaching a record high. However, legacy systems can prevent banks and fintechs from fully leveraging new real-time schemes. Legacy systems can be difficult to integrate with real-time technologies and can lack compliance with ISO 20022 standards.
‍Thought Machine is entering the US payment market to meet the strong demand from financial institutions seeking modern, real-time payment systems. This demand has grown since the launch of FedNow in July 2023, which is set to revolutionise the US money transfer market.‍
Paul Taylor
Paul Taylor, founder and CEO of Thought Machine, commented:
“We are delighted to partner with Form3, marking a significant step towards realising our vision of a truly Universal Payment Engine. As real-time payments become the new standard, our combined expertise ensures financial institutions are equipped with cutting-edge, cloud-native technologies. Together, we are shaping the future of payments.”

Mike Walters
‍Mike Walters, Form3 CEO, said:
“We are very pleased to be working with Thought Machine, to provide leading banks and financial institutions with a fully-rounded, multi-cloud solution for their real-time payments needs. This partnership brings together two best-in-class cloud technology providers, working in a changing payments landscape, highlighted by the introduction of the FedNow Service and the new ISO 20022 messaging standards.”


Featured image credit: Paul Taylor, founder and CEO of Thought Machine and Mike Walters, Form3 CEO


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/thought-machine-partners-with-form3-to-bring-real-time-payment-technology-to-europe</link><guid>3385</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Thought-Machine-Partners-With-Form3-to-Bring-Real-Time-Payment-Technology-to-the-US-and-European-Markets-1440x564_c.jpg?x75906</dc:content ><dc:text>Thought Machine Partners With Form3 to Bring Real-Time Payment Technology to Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>BBVA Spark Backs Twinco Capital With New €50 Million Debt</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					There is a staggering $2.5 trillion global trade finance gap that mainly affects SMEs in emerging countries, limiting their ability to access new business opportunities.
Helping businesses to bridge this finance gap is Twinco Capital missions, thats why the supply chain fintech Capital is announced it has secured an additional €50 million facility with BBVA Spark to accelerate growth.
Twinco, one of the few European high-growth fintechs led by women, offers the first sustainable supply chain finance solution in the market that covers purchase order funding and has provided over $250mln in funding to suppliers in emerging markets.


   




Roberto Albaladejo
“We are very pleased to support Sandra and Carmen, two entrepreneurs who, with Twinco, have reinvented the way supply chains are financed on a global scale and who have also incorporated innovative environmental and social criteria into their supplier financing model”
explains Roberto Albaladejo, head of BBVA Spark, an initiative that has more than 800 clients and facilitated €250 million in financing in just one year of operation.
Twinco is a venture-backed business, with investors such as Quona Capital, Working Capital Fund, Mundi Ventures, Finch Capital. On the debt side, BBVA Spark will become one of Twinco’s key financial partners and joins EBN Banco de Negocios who has been supporting the Company from its inception, and Zubi Capital.
Sandra Nolasco
Sandra Nolasco, CEO of Twinco Capital commented:
We are thrilled to partner with BBVA Spark to help customers build truly sustainable and competitive global supply chains.
It is only by partnering with this caliber of like-minded, financial institutions, that we will be able to address large-scale challenges like the one Twinco has set out to solve: closing the trade finance gap. This facility will support the company’s portfolio growth, expanding both the number of customers and geographies.”
Twinco Capital engages with large corporations—mostly in the retail and apparel sectors—and offers funding to their suppliers worldwide, advancing up to 60% of the purchase order value upfront and paying the remainder upon delivery. The process is designed to be a fully transparent, no-hassle experience that provides the suppliers with funding for its purchase orders within 48 hours. The key to its success is its unique risk model, which complements the traditional view of financial risk with business performance and ESG data. In other words, it uses machine learning to assess the quality and strength of the commercial relationships between these large buyers and their suppliers.
The company is growing rapidly and has already incorporated more than 150 suppliers, located in 13 different countries. Since launching in December 2019, Twinco Capital has grown by multiples of 3, supporting global trade during the pandemic and funding millions of purchase orders.

Featured image credit: BBVA


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bbva-spark-backs-twinco-capital-with-new-50-million-debt</link><guid>3386</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SmartSourcing_300x250-1.jpg?x75906</dc:content ><dc:text>BBVA Spark Backs Twinco Capital With New €50 Million Debt</dc:text></item><item><title>Hypi Lenzburg startet mit neuem Angebot für Digitale Assets und Krypto-Banking</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Bei der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg können ab sofort digitale Assets auf einer öffentlichen Blockchain sicher verwahrt werden. Einen ersten Anwendungsfall realisiert die Bank mit der RealUnit Schweiz AG.
Die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg hat ihre Organisationsstruktur und das Kernbankensystem Finstar so erweitert, dass sie nun Dienstleistungen für digitale Assets anbieten kann. Den Anfang macht sie mit dem Verwahrungsangebot für digitale Registerwertrechte ausgewählter Partnerfirmen, die auf der Ethereum-Blockchain emittiert wurden. Solche Token können ab sofort bei der Bank sicher aufbewahrt werden. Mit dem neuen Angebot erweitert die Bank ihr Tätigkeitsfeld und etabliert den neuen Geschäftsbereich Krypto-Banking.
Reto Huenerwadel
«Wir haben in den vergangenen Monaten intensiv daran gearbeitet und freuen uns, dass wir nun mit einem ersten Angebot für digitale Assets starten können»,
sagt Reto Huenerwadel, Leiter Marktleistungen bei der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg.


   




Die Schweizer Investmentgesellschaft RealUnit Schweiz AG nutzt den neuen Service der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg für die Verwahrung der digitalen Aktientoken, die von ihr über die Schweizer Plattform aktionariat.com herausgegeben werden. Anlegerinnen und Anleger von RealUnit, die sich für die Verwahrungsoption bei der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg entscheiden, eröffnen bei der Bank ein Wertschriftendepot mit einer Wallet im Hintergrund. In diese können die RealUnit-Aktientoken eingebucht werden.
Die sichere Aufbewahrung der Private Keys wird somit von der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg in einem regulierten Rahmen übernommen. Die RealUnit-Aktientoken können zudem über die Smart-Contract-Marktlösung der RealUnit gekauft und verkauft werden. Die technische Umsetzung dafür stammt von der Schweizer Blockchain-Firma Aktionariat AG.
Token-Verwaltung über E-Banking
Die Aktientoken der RealUnit Schweiz AG repräsentieren digitale Beteiligungsrechte an der Anlagelösung der RealUnit Schweiz , die hauptsächlich in Sachwerte investiert. Die Investierenden müssen sich insbesondere nicht mehr um das Risiko eines Verlusts des Private Key kümmern. Die Aktientoken können wie herkömmliche Aktien oder andere Wertschriften über das E-Banking der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg verwalten werden.
«Wir stellen sicher, dass die technischen Anforderungen für die Verwahrung der digitalen Registerwertrechte unter Berücksichtigung aller rechtlicher Aspekte erfüllt sind. Die Dienstleistung steht auch anderen Emittenten von Aktientoken zur Verfügung»,
sagt Huenerwadel.
Vorteile für Investierende
Dani Stüssi
«Der neue Verwahrungsservice der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg bietet für Investierende klare Vorteile im Vergleich zur selbständigen Verwahrung von Token über eine Self-Custody-Wallet. Wir freuen uns sehr, unseren Anlegerinnen und Anlegern diese innovative Lösung anbieten zu können»,
ergänz Dani Stüssi, CEO von der RealUnit Schweiz AG.

[embedded content] 
Featured image credit: edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/hypi-lenzburg-startet-mit-neuem-angebot-fur-digitale-assets-und-krypto-banking</link><guid>3384</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SmartSourcing_300x250-1.jpg?x75906</dc:content ><dc:text>Hypi Lenzburg startet mit neuem Angebot für Digitale Assets und Krypto-Banking</dc:text></item><item><title>Rulematch Closes Pre-Series A Funding Round</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						October 26, 2023
																				





					
					
							
					Rulematch, a Swiss digital asset trading solution provider, announced the conclusion of its pre-Series A funding round with investments from FiveT Fintech (formerly known as Avaloq Ventures) along with seed investor, Consensys Mesh.
Leading global liquidity provider and market maker Flow Traders is also making a strategic commitment to Rulematch.
In advance of its upcoming Series A funding round with the support of FiveT Fintech, Flow Traders and Consensys Mesh, Rulematch continues to onboard additional financial institutions to its participant network.


   




David Riegelnig
Rulematch CEO David Riegelnig commented:
“One of the greatest value-adds of our investors comes from their long-term perspective on the development of the crypto and digital assets industry and where it is going from here.”
Alexander Christen
Alexander Christen, Co-Founder of FiveT Fintech commented:
“We remain committed to supporting visionary entrepreneurs who are at the forefront of driving the widespread adoption of distributed ledger technology (DLT). Rulematch, with its groundbreaking trading venue, will set a new industry standard in meeting the requirements of institutional cryptocurrency trading, encompassing regulatory compliance, capital efficiency, low latency trading and commission optimization. Our involvement in Rulematch serves as the inaugural step for our upcoming initiative, ‘FiveT Fintech II DLT,’ slated for launch later this year.”



Featured image credit: RULEMATCH CEO David Riegelnig


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			&#13;
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		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/rulematch-closes-pre-series-a-funding-round</link><guid>3382</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/RULEMATCH-Concludes-Pre-Series-A-Funding-Round-1440x564_c.jpg?x75906</dc:content ><dc:text>Rulematch Closes Pre-Series A Funding Round</dc:text></item><item><title>Digital Channels and AI: A Must for Traditional Banks, McKinsey Banking Report</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					The banking sector is undergoing a profound shift driven by changes and challenges in the economic, technological, regulatory and competitive landscapes. These dynamics are forcing traditional financial institutions to reevaluate banking roles, change strategies, and embrace technology including artificial intelligence (AI) to maintain market relevance and competitiveness, a new report by McKinsey and Company says.
In a new report, the global consultancy firm looks at the state of the global banking sector, delving into the sector’s evolution over the past year and the trends observed.
In particular, the report highlights the transformative phase within the industry and notes that banking institutions are losing some ground to non-traditional institutions.


   




This trend is evidenced by the migration of balance sheets and transactions outside of traditional banking systems and into non-traditional institutions.
These institutions, which operate with less capital and often under different regulatory standards, include capital market infrastructure providers. These players are maintaining a sustained growth rate, it notes, and have witnessed robust a 7 to 8% annual growth rate in the past few years despite global crises.
In payments, the shift is manifested by the increase in consumer digital payment processing conducted by payment specialists, which grew by more than 50% between 2015 and 2022.
In capital markets, investment banks and broker-dealers are gaining market share in various products, including equity capital (from 44% in 2015 to 59% in 2022), and foreign exchange (FX) transactions (from less than 1% in 2015 to 22% in 2022).
In wealth and asset management, independent asset managers not owned by a bank or insurer are witnessing improved market penetration as well, recording a rise in their market share from 77% of AUM in 2017 to 81% in 2022.
Transactions in payments, capital markets and asset management, Source: Global Banking Annual Review 2023: The Great Banking Transition, McKinsey and Company, Oct 2023
Changing distribution models
Besides the migration of balance sheets and transactions towards specialized players, McKinsey notes that distribution models are also evolving and moving towards hybrid models.
This shift is prominent in consumer finance, mortgages as well as deposits and loans to small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) where online comparison platforms are witnessing booming traction. In Sweden and Germany, for example, online comparison platforms are holding more than 40% of the consumer finance and mortgage markets, respectively, the report says.
Concurrently, it notes that embedded finance, a concept referring to the integration of financial products and services into non-banking products and business models, continues to take off.
In 2021, embedded finance reached US$20 billion in revenues in the US, according to McKinsey estimates. The market is expected to double in size within the next three to five years.
In the European Economic Area and the UK, revenue of embedded finance is set to rise to EUR 100 billion by 2030.
Embracing changes and technology
The shift in market share and banking distribution is calling for banks to adjust and adapt.
McKinsey advises traditional banking institutions to improve distribution and focus on selling to customer both directly and indirectly. Embracing a third-party distribution strategy through either partnerships to create embedded finance offerings or platform-based models can create new opportunities to serve customers’ needs with products outside of an institution’s existing business models, it says.
McKinsey also recommends banks to embrace AI and advanced analytics to improve processes, boost productivity and enhance the delivery of products and services. These innovations should be leveraged to deploy process automation, platforms, and ecosystems; cultivate a cloud-based, platform-oriented architecture; and improve capabilities to address technology risks.
McKinsey warns that moving forwards, distinctive technology development and deployment will increasingly become a critical differentiator for banks.
Generative AI, a subfield of AI focused on developing algorithms and models that are capable of generating new text, images, or other media in response to prompts, has been one of the hottest tech trends of the past year.
In the first six months of 2023, equity funding to the space topped US$14.1 billion across 86 deals, data from CB Insights show. The figure represents a fivefold increase compared to full-year 2022 during which generative AI startups secured a mere US$2.5 billion.
Generative AI disclosed equity funding and deals, Source: CB Insights, Aug 2023
Booming interest in generative AI is being driven by promises of significant efficiency gains and cost savings. McKinsey estimates that generative AI could lift productivity by 3% to 5% across the banking sector, delivering value equal to an additional US$200 billion to US$340 billion in annual revenues.
Goldman Sachs, meanwhile, believes that generative AI could drive a 7% increase in global gross domestic product (GDP), translating to almost US$7 trillion. The bank estimates that roughly two-thirds of US occupations are exposed to some degree of automation by AI.

Featured image credit: freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digital-channels-and-ai-a-must-for-traditional-banks-mckinsey-banking-report</link><guid>3383</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SmartSourcing_300x250-1.jpg?x75906</dc:content ><dc:text>Digital Channels and AI: A Must for Traditional Banks, McKinsey Banking Report</dc:text></item><item><title>Coop Neobank am Start in der Schweiz</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Mit Coop Finance+ lanciert Coop zusammen mit mehreren Partnern aus der Finanz- und Dienstleistungsbranche eine neue und vollständig digitale Lösung für Finanz- und Vorsorgeprodukte für die SChweiz.
Über das Angebot können Kund:innen unkompliziert ein Spar- und Privatkonto eröffnen, Zahlungen tätigen und für die private Vorsorge in der Säule 3a sparen. Sie profitieren von qualitativ hochwertigen Finanzprodukten zu fairen Konditionen, einer überdurchschnittlichen Verzinsung auf dem 3a-Vorsorgekonto und gratis Bargeldbezügen an den Kassen aller rund 1 000 Coop-Supermärkte und Coop-City-Warenhäuser. Durch das dichteste Netz an Verkaufsstellen wird Coop somit zur grössten Anbieterin von kostenlosen Bargeld-Bezugsmöglichkeiten in der Schweiz.
Additiv und Hypi Lenzburg dabei
Über die neue App Coop Finance+ bietet Coop in Zusammenarbeit mit additiv als Technologiepartner und der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg als Bankpartner unter anderem ein Spar- und Privatkonto an. Sie können einfach und schnell über die App eröffnet werden. Im Vergleich besticht Coop Finance+ durch sein kostenloses und faires Angebot für Kontoführung und Debitkarte. Die Kontoinhaber:innen können in allen rund 1 000 Coop-Supermärkten und Coop-City-Warenhäuser an den Kassen mit ihren Debitkarten gebührenfrei Bargeld beziehen.


   




Somit verfügt Coop über die meisten Ausgabestellen von Bargeld in der Schweiz und unterstreicht auch in dieser Hinsicht die Nähe zu ihren Kund:innen. Coop möchte die Zufriedenheit der Kund:innen auch in Zukunft hochhalten, indem sie mit den Konti einen anwenderfreundlichen und kombinierten Service für den Bezahlvorgang sowie die Verwaltung des Haushaltsbudgets anbietet.
Vorsorgemöglichkeiten und Partnerschaften mit GLKB, Vanguard und OLZ
Neben dem Angebot der Kontolösungen kann über Coop Finance+ ebenso in Vorsorgelösungen in der Säule 3a investiert werden. Diese werden mit der Liberty 3a Vorsorgestiftung, der Glarner Kantonalbank als Depotbank und Vermögensverwalterin sowie Vanguard und OLZ als Fondspartner lanciert. Die Produkte sind qualitativ hochwertig und werden zu fairen Konditionen und geringen Gebühren angeboten. Coop nimmt dadurch ihr genossenschaftliches Engagement zugunsten ihrer Kund:innen wahr.
Abhängig von der Einkommens- und Lebenssituation der Nutzer:innen kann aus den zugeschnittenen Lösungen eine passende und innovative Anlagestrategie ausgewählt werden. Wahlweise wird die Aufteilung des Vorsorgevermögens auf Aktien und Obligationen schrittweise an das Lebensalter und die verbleibende Zeit bis zur Pensionierung angepasst. Dies mit dem Ziel, das Risiko von Kursschwankungen zu reduzieren, je näher die Pensionierung rückt. Ein weiterer Vorzug bietet die Vorsorgelösung von Coop Finance+ mit einem überdurchschnittlichen Zins von derzeit 1,4 % pro Jahr auf die Konto-Einlagen der Säule 3a.
Thomas Schwetje
Für Thomas Schwetje, Leiter Direktion Digital &amp; Customer bei Coop, ist die Einführung der neuen Produkte und Dienstleistungen ein logischer Schritt:
«In Zusammenarbeit mit unseren Partnern haben wir unter Coop Finance+ die erste vollumfassende digitale Lösung für unkomplizierte und einfach zugängliche Finanzdienstleistungen entwickelt. Die eingeschlagene Strategie, unseren Kund:innen auf ihre Bedürfnisse zugeschnittene, digitale Angebote anzubieten, setzen wir damit konsequent fort. Weitere digitale Finanzprodukte sollen in den kommenden Monaten folgen.»
Coop Finance+ steht ab sofort im App Store und auf Google Play zum Download bereit.


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/coop-neobank-am-start-in-der-schweiz</link><guid>3381</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SmartSourcing_300x250-1.jpg?x75906</dc:content ><dc:text>Coop Neobank am Start in der Schweiz</dc:text></item><item><title>Fxview Continues to Provide Its Support to the Cyprus National Karate Team</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Fxview is proud to announce the strengthening of its partnership with the Cyprus National Karate Team for the World Karate Championships for Seniors in Budapest, Hungary, scheduled from October 24-29, 2023. This partnership deepens relations between the two sides following Fxview’s support to the Cypriot delegation earlier this year at the European Karate Championships held in Guadalajara, Spain in March.
This initiative marks a notable shift from Fxview’s traditional financial role, underlining its unwavering dedication to community development beyond finance. In addition to financial support to the team, this partnership demonstrates Fxview’s commitment to the ideals of sports, embodying values that can make the world a better place.
The Importance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Committed to fostering positive change within the young community of Cyprus, this endeavour forms part of Fxview’s dedication to long-term corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the year-long sponsorship of the Cyprus National Karate Team offers invaluable support.




   



    
   


   








Janis Anastassiou
“It’s important as a global brokerage to lead by example, showing respect and appreciation for our local communities. Through these initiatives, we believe that we actively promote the multidimensional role of sports and the values it upholds. We take pride in contributing to social well-being and nurturing the youth in our communities, and pledge to support more events of this kind in the future.”
said Janis Anastassiou, Managing Director, Finvasia Capital.
“By sponsoring the National Karate Team, we aim to inspire confidence, self-awareness, and discipline. These are values deeply rooted in Karate as a martial art, and they can empower young people to achieve greatness and shape positive social norms. We are proud to support the Cyprus National Karate Team and wish them every success.”, she added.

The highly anticipated 2023 Senior World Championship is set to take place in Budapest, Hungary, from October 24-29. This global event will bring together the world’s top karate athletes in the Hungarian capital, where they will compete fiercely for major medals, honouring the sport’s history. With participation confirmed from nearly 700 athletes representing 79 countries, this championship promises to be highly competitive, featuring athletes of the highest calibre.
As a tangible symbol of its support, Fxview’ss logo will be prominently displayed on the team’s t-shirts during the championships, symbolising the partnership’s strength and solidarity. Furthermore, Fxview will provide complimentary gift bags to the athletes, enhancing their overall experience and ensuring they have the resources they need to perform at their best.


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			&#13;
				About Author&#13;
				More info about author&#13;
			
			
		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fxview-continues-to-provide-its-support-to-the-cyprus-national-karate-team</link><guid>3380</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Fintech-Zurich-2023-Smart-Sourcing-Event-.jpg?x75906</dc:content ><dc:text>Fxview Continues to Provide Its Support to the Cyprus National Karate Team</dc:text></item><item><title>Where and How to Find the Best Technology Partners for Fintech Companies</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					In today’s fast-paced world of FinTech, technology innovation is not merely a choice; it’s a necessity. From FinTech to InsurTech, RegTech, and any other “Tech” sector, technology is the foundation for powerful platforms, an enabler of innovation, and the driving force behind new services and solutions. However, technology alone isn’t enough. To thrive in the FinTech landscape, you require many complementary capabilities, including product management, agile engineering practices, design, UX/UI, testing &amp; QA, automation, infrastructure, security, integrations, architecture, and cloud services. Developing cutting-edge technology solutions necessitates significant investments, often consuming the lion’s share of your budget.
Exploring your options
1. In-house development
One approach is to build in-house all the essential capabilities, which means recruiting and hiring the necessary experts and talents locally. While this approach offers maximum control, it comes with substantial costs. This option can be costly in regions with high labor costs, such as Switzerland. Additionally, the scarcity of tech talent can make headhunting and hiring lengthy and challenging.
2. Nearshoring
Nearshoring has been a viable option for the past 10-15 years. It’s not a novel or exotic concept anymore. Many countries, such as Romania, Poland, Bulgaria, Portugal, and Ukraine, have experienced significant growth in the IT services outsourcing industry. They’re home to numerous IT service providers ready to support their clients. Nearshoring offers a cost-effective solution with geographical proximity and time zone advantages.
3. Remote-First Workers
The COVID-19 pandemic has ushered in a new trend. Over the last 2-3 years, “remote-first workers” have emerged. With many developers working from home, this model opens the door to flexible collaborations with tech experts worldwide. But is it a viable new option for your FinTech company?
Navigating the Challenges
New challenges arise with numerous options, many providers, different engagement models, and various locations. The key questions include:

Where to find the right provider?
How do we assess and evaluate the most suitable partner?
Which engagement model to choose?
Should you work with a specialized company or with individuals and freelancers?

Everything too often appears promising “on the surface,” and most providers make bold claims about their outstanding capabilities. But will they honestly deliver?
Evaluating and selecting the right partner
Effectively assessing potential partners is a significant undertaking. It requires the guidance of an experienced senior manager, if not an executive leader. Here’s a structured approach:

Start with clear objectives: Define your specific needs and expectations. Understand the level of strategic importance of the envisioned partnership.
Selection criteria: Develop a list of criteria based on your specific requirements. These may include expertise, portfolio, client references, and cultural fit.
Structured assessment: Evaluate in phases, such as preliminary assessments, in-depth interviews, and even small-scale pilot projects to gauge compatibility.
Due diligence: Thoroughly research potential partners, including background checks and, if possible, site visits to ensure they meet your standards.

Leveraging advisory and guidance
Thankfully, there are experienced nearshore software development experts with over a decade or two in the industry. Working with these experts is invaluable, who can provide guidance and impartial advice to help you find the best-matching provider. These experts have deep insights into the global ecosystem and maintain personal relationships with numerous providers in various countries.
The author of this article is a nearshoring expert and offers services under the Value Leap brand, specializing in helping clients in the DACH region.
The “speed dating” seminar format
Innovative seminar formats can make it easy, efficient, and even enjoyable to learn more about nearshoring and connect with pre-screened providers. One such event, “Meet Nearshoring Leaders in FinTech,” is scheduled for November 28, 2023, in Zurich. At this event, nine leading nearshoring providers will present FinTech-themed case studies and solutions they’ve implemented successfully for their clients.
Conclusion &amp; benefits
Working with experienced and impartial industry advisors and attending seminars where multiple providers share case studies and best practices are invaluable and worthwhile. This approach offers several significant benefits:

Time savings: Companies can save many months needed for a proper provider evaluation process, reduce the direct costs, and mitigate the – often overlooked – opportunity costs.
Accelerated time to market: With the right provider, FinTech companies can release value to their customers more quickly by leveraging the expertise and resources of the partner.
Cost savings: An optimal nearshoring partnership can lead to significant and sustainable cost savings and other strategic advantages.
Innovations: Working with experienced providers and experts can also spark innovations. Fresh ideas and out-of-the-box thinking can lead to better results and competitive advantages.

In the quest for the ideal technology partner, careful consideration, expert guidance, and structured evaluation processes can unlock the full potential of your FinTech venture. Whether you opt for in-house development, a nearshoring strategy, or explore the world of remote-first workers, making informed decisions is crucial to your success in the competitive world of FinTech.
Fintech News Switzerland’s readers will enjoy an exclusive discount of 40% off the ticket prices. Click here to register for the event and apply the promo code “FNNCH” during checkout.



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			&#13;
				About Author&#13;
				More info about author&#13;
			
			
				
				
					&#13;
						Franco Dal Molin, CEO at Value Leap&#13;
					
					
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								The founder and CEO of Value Leap, Franco Dal Molin, brings 30+ years of experience in IT and 20+ years in nearshoring/outsourcing. Franco has worked as CTO for buying organizations, in sales positions for IT services providers, and as an independent consultant for technology companies. Throughout his professional career, he worked for or cooperated with outsourcing firms, nearshore software development providers, and remote teams. These combined experiences are part of Value Leap's DNA and are passed on to all clients. Value Leap is also the creator, organizer, and host of the Smart Sourcing seminar series.							&#13;
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					More by Franco Dal Molin, CEO at Value Leap
				
			
		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/where-and-how-to-find-the-best-technology-partners-for-fintech-companies</link><guid>3379</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Fintech-Zurich-2023-Smart-Sourcing-Event-with-Code-1.jpeg?x75906</dc:content ><dc:text>Where and How to Find the Best Technology Partners for Fintech Companies</dc:text></item><item><title>Adoption of Mobile Payment Apps Among Swiss Online Retailers Soars</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					In Switzerland and Austria, online retailers are embracing mobile wallets at a fast pace, with local player Twint but also Apple Pay and Google Pay witnessing strong traction, a new report by the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) and the Management Center Innsbruck (MCI) shows.
The report, titled Onlinehandlerbefragung 2023, draws on a survey conducted in September 2023 that polled nearly 600 online shops from Switzerland and Austria in various sectors and operating under different models to understand the state of online commerce and the different trends emerging in the space.
Findings of the survey show that mobile payments are growing in Switzerland, with Twint in particular rising to prominence. In 2023, the mobile payment app was the second most integrated payment method among Swiss online merchants behind credit cards (90%), with four out of five (79%) Swiss online shops polled indicating supporting Twint.




   



    
   


   








Payment methods Swiss and Austria online shops are supporting, Source: Onlinehandlerbefragung 2023, Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) and Management Center Innsbruck (MCI), Oct 2023
Twint sees spectacular growth
Founded in 2016, Twint is a mobile payment method in Switzerland that allows users to connect their bank account or card through an app to make payments online and at brick-and-mortar stores. Twint claims more than 5 million users and says it carried out a total of 386 million transactions in 2022, a figure that surpasses all of the previous years since the app was launched combined and which showcases the accelerated growth it has witnessed over the past few years.
Looking more closely at historical data, the report reveals that Twint is the payment method that has risen the strongest in Switzerland. In 2018, only 24% of Swiss online shops supported the payment method but that rate quickly grew, reaching 52% in 2021 and 74% in 2022.
The rise of Twint in Switzerland demonstrates a broader trend in the country’s e-commerce sector where mobile payment apps are witnessing faster adoption than any other method method. The trend is noticeable with foreign platforms Apple Pay and Google Pay, which too have risen in popularity not just among Swiss online retailers but also Austrian merchants, growing from less than 4% in terms of acceptance rates in 2018 to now about 20%.
At the other end of the spectrum, more conventional methods including credit cards, payment by invoice, PayPal and PostFinance, the financial services unit of the Swiss Post, have recorded more moderate growth partly of widespread acceptance.
Adoption rates of payment methods among online retailers from 2018 to 2023, Source: Onlinehandlerbefragung 2023, Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) and Management Center Innsbruck (MCI), Oct 2023
Looking at broader trends, the study found that credit cards are the most adopted payment method among online retailers in both Switzerland and Austria with a penetration rate of 90%. PayPal ranks second in Austria (83%) where the online payment method is much more popular than in Switzerland (55%).
Klarna, a major buy now, pay later (BNPL) solution provider, is another payment method that’s seeing booming traction among Austrian retailers and which is being adopted by 47% of them compared to a mere 6% for Swiss merchants.
The ten most common payment methods offered by online retailers by market, online shop size and business type, Source: Onlinehandlerbefragung 2023, Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) and Management Center Innsbruck (MCI), Oct 2023
Payrexx emerges as top payment service provider among Swiss online retailers
The study, which also sought to uncover which payment service providers Swiss and Austrian online retailers work with to handle transactions, found that Payrexx, with 27% of the mentions, was the most popular provider among small online shops in Switzerland.
Founded in 2015 and based in Thun, Switzerland, Payrexx is an online payment platform for small businesses that allows merchants to support all major Swiss payment methods from a single source. The company claims 50,000 customers.
After Payrexx and with 23% of the mentions is PayPal, followed by Saferpay by Worldline (22%), and PostFinance E-Payment (19%).
In Austria, PayPal was found to be the most prominent payment service provider (57%), ahead of Stripe (24%) and Mollie (17%).
Payment service providers Swiss and Austrian online retailers are working with, Source: Onlinehandlerbefragung 2023, Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) and Management Center Innsbruck (MCI), Oct 2023
Online retailers were also asked if they supported BNPL arrangements, to which 11% of respondents said they did. The figure is below that of 2022, during which 17% of online retailers offered BNPL payment options.
The online stores that provided BNPL arrangements said they worked with Klarna (BillPay) the most (29%), followed by the MF Group (24%). CembraPay, a fairly new player in the scene, took the third place with 18% of mentions.
CembraPay, a brand that came out of the merger between Byjuno and Swissbilling, was launched in April 2023 and offers a wide range of payment solutions including BNPL and embedded payment services.
Other BNPL solutions used by Swiss and Austrian online retailers include HeidiPay, Bob Pay, PayPal Plus, Ideal Payment, Twint Pay Later and Unzer (Payolution).
Adoption of buy now pay later (BNPL) arrangements among Swiss and Austrian online retailers, Source: Onlinehandlerbefragung 2023, Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) and Management Center Innsbruck (MCI), Oct 2023
Soaring adoption of mobile payment capabilities among Swiss merchants comes at a time when payment apps are seeing increased usage among consumers. A 2022 study conducted by the Swiss National Bank found that mobile payment apps are being used increasingly often by the Swiss population, increasing its volume share to 11% of transactions in 2022, up 6% points from 2020’s 5%.
Twint currently stands as the most used mobile payment app in Switzerland, adopted by 57% of the 380+ Swiss residents surveyed by Statista earlier this year. Twint is followed by Apple Pay (39%), Google Pay (32%) and PostFinance (12%).
Most used mobile payments by brand in Switzerland as of June 2023, Source: Statista Consumer Insights, Aug 2023

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/adoption-of-mobile-payment-apps-among-swiss-online-retailers-soars</link><guid>3378</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Fintech-Zurich-2023-Smart-Sourcing-Event-.jpg?x75906</dc:content ><dc:text>Adoption of Mobile Payment Apps Among Swiss Online Retailers Soars</dc:text></item><item><title>BNP Paribas Launches Fintech Marketplace Panto</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					The autonomous fintech was created thanks to the partnership between BNP Paribas and the 321founded Corporate Startup Studio to develop an innovative, secure solution.
Co-founded by the entrepreneurial team at 321founded and BNP Paribas, Panto offers a marketplaces with a dedicated payment management solution. The fintech is aiming for rapid penetration of the European payments market, and intends to position itself as a made-in-Europe alternative. Guillaume Massis (ex Intuit, co-founder of Airtag) takes over the management of the startup.
Neil Pein
” With Panto, we want to contribute to the creation of a leading player in marketplaces and, more generally, in the platformization of commerce. For its launch, Panto can count on the strength of BNP Paribas, present across the entire payment value chain and Europe’sNo. 1 corporate bank. I’m convinced that the team, led by Guillaume Massis, will succeed in positioning Panto as one of the leading payment players for marketplaces, thanks to its market-leading offering ,”
says Neil Pein, Head of Payments Transformation and New Digital Businesses, BNP Paribas Group.‍




   



    
   


   








Guillaume Massis
“Right from the start, we’ve set ourselves the highest industry standards in terms of integration, functionality and technology, at a competitive price,”
explains Guillaume Massis, CEO of Panto.
‍Initially, Panto is targeting European BtoC e-commerce players, in particular the leading marketplaces that are BNP Paribas customers. At a later stage, the fintech could extend to the European BtoB and CtoC markets, with international sellers.
“Our aim is to become one of Europe’s leading marketplace payment solutions. Although there is a lot of competition in this market, it remains vast and continues to grow,”
continues Guillaume Massis.
Panto is scheduled for launch in the first half of 2024. Until payment institution approval is obtained, the fintech will operate as an agent of BNP Paribas.


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bnp-paribas-launches-fintech-marketplace-panto</link><guid>3377</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Fintech-Zurich-2023-Smart-Sourcing-Event-.jpg?x75906</dc:content ><dc:text>BNP Paribas Launches Fintech Marketplace Panto</dc:text></item><item><title>Relio startet mit Digitalem-Geschäftskonto für die Schweiz</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Das Zürcher Fintech Relio gibt den Startschuss für sein Online-Geschäftskonto. Ab sofort können Unternehmen ein Konto mit Schweizer IBAN eröffnen und von der 100% digitalen Lösung profitieren.
Hinter Relio steht ein erfahrenes Team um den CEO Lav Odorovic, welcher zuvor in Deutschland die KMU-Neobank Penta gegründet hat. Unterstützt wird das Startup von den Investoren TX Ventures, SIX Fintech Ventures und dem High-Tech Gründerfonds.
Go-Live für digitales Schweizer Geschäftskonto
Das Warten hat ein Ende. Nach Monaten intensiver Entwicklungsarbeit und ausgiebigen Tests können Firmenkunden ab sofort ein Online-Geschäftskonto bei Relio eröffnen.




   



    
   


   








Lav Odorovic
“Nach der CHF 3 Millionen Finanzierungsrunde im Januar und der Erlangung der FINMA-Fintech-Lizenz im März, markiert das Go-Live den dritten Meilenstein, den wir in diesem Jahr erreichen wollten”,
so Lav Odorovic, CEO und Mitgründer von Relio.
Zum Marktstart bietet Relio ein CHF-Konto mit Schweizer IBAN. Damit können Firmenkunden eingehende Überweisungen in Schweizer Franken aus der ganzen Welt empfangen und ausgehende Zahlungen schweizweit tätigen. Transaktionen an ausländische Empfänger, weitere Währungen, Multi-Währungskonten und Debit-Karten sind demnächst verfügbar.
Die Lösung für anspruchsvolle Unternehmen
Neben Freelancern, KMU und Startups ist das Angebot von Relio auch für Firmenkunden mit komplexen Geschäftsmodellen und internationalen Transaktionen interessant. In diesem Marktsegment erfordern die Compliance- und Geldwäschevorschriften sowohl auf Seiten der Banken als auch der Kunden erheblichen Aufwand.
Aufgrund zeitaufwendiger Due Diligence-Verfahren mussten diese Firmenkunden oft wochenlang auf die Eröffnung eines Kontos warten. Relio begegnet diesem Problem, indem es zahlreiche Compliance-Aufgaben automatisiert. Das Fintech-Unternehmen hat dazu einen Algorithmus entwickelt, der diese Compliance-Checks schnell, präzise und weitgehend automatisiert durchführt. Mit diesem Ansatz erhalten künftig auch komplexere Firmen schnell und unbürokratisch ein Konto mit Schweizer IBAN.
Anmerkung der Redaktion: Das Mutterhaus von Fintechnews.ch hat gestern ein Konto bei Relio beantragt. Der Fragekatalog ist ca 50 Fragen lang, Fintechnews.ch wird berichten wie lange es bis zur Eröffnung dauert.


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/relio-startet-mit-digitalem-geschaftskonto-fur-die-schweiz</link><guid>3374</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Fintech-Zurich-2023-Smart-Sourcing-Event-.jpg?x75906</dc:content ><dc:text>Relio startet mit Digitalem-Geschäftskonto für die Schweiz</dc:text></item><item><title>Eurex Expands Its Crypto Derivatives Suite With Options on FTSE Bitcoin Index Futures</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Eurex was the first exchange in Europe to offer Bitcoin index futures in April 2023. After this successful implementation, Eurex now expands the trusted path to crypto with the launch of Options on FTSE Bitcoin Index Futures. This is another major milestone in Eurex’s ambition to offer secure access to cryptocurrencies in a regulated market environment.
Regulated access to cryptocurrencies
The cryptocurrency market has undergone a volatile period in the past year. This has highlighted the need of a credible, safe, and regulated marketplace supporting the trading and risk management of digital assets. Institutional investors have shown broad interest for this new offering, based on a robust underlying index from our established index partner FTSE Russell, which is supported by Eurex Clearing, an AA-rated clearing house in Europe.
Randolf Roth
Randolf Roth, Member of the Executive Board of Eurex Frankfurt AG:




   



    
   


   








“Investors need robust trading and clearing safeguards when engaging in the crypto market. Eurex is a renowned regulated exchange, with a trusted platform and appropriate safeguards offering multi-asset class trading. With our extended crypto derivatives suite, we offer a trusted path to crypto.”
Shawn Creighton
Shawn Creighton, Director of Index Derivatives Solutions at FTSE Russell, an LSEG business:
“The right derivatives strategy starts with the right index, and our digital asset indices apply the same rigorous policy and governance framework used across our equity and fixed income products. FTSE Russell is excited to support this expansion of the digital assets’ ecosystem and it reinforces the importance of the vetting methodology we have created in collaboration with Digital Asset Research (DAR), that has set a standard for digital asset and exchange index inclusion.”
New contracts are listed as Options on Futures in EUR and USD, with the respective Bitcoin index future as underlying, equivalent to 1 Bitcoin. Both Options and Futures expire at the same time (17:00 CET) on the last Friday of the month. Alongside monthly and quarterly maturities, weekly expiring contracts will also be available to trade. FTSE Bitcoin Index (USD &amp; EUR) is the reference rate for the final settlement for the underlying futures contracts. It is determined as the volume time weighted average of the FTSE DAR Digital Asset Price over the 15-minute period before the fixing time. Liquidity will be supported by orderbook and over-the-counter liquidity providers.
Bitcoin index futures with high volume since launch
With the support of Liquidity Providers and Clearing Members, Bitcoin index futures were successfully launched in April 2023. Since its introduction more than 50,000 contracts and USD 1.3 bn notional were traded. Bitcoin index Options will enable investors to hedge their Bitcoin exposure and deploy new trading strategies. Additionally, options provide investors access to the Bitcoin volatility risk premium in a regulated environment with institutional grade trading and clearing safeguards.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/eurex-expands-its-crypto-derivatives-suite-with-options-on-ftse-bitcoin-index-futures</link><guid>3375</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Fintech-Zurich-2023-Smart-Sourcing-Event-.jpg?x75906</dc:content ><dc:text>Eurex Expands Its Crypto Derivatives Suite With Options on FTSE Bitcoin Index Futures</dc:text></item><item><title>Switzerland and Liechtenstein Remain Dynamic Centers for Crypto Asset Investments</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Switzerland and Liechtenstein are maintaining their positions as vibrant hubs for crypto asset investments, a leadership that’s manifested by rising adoption of cryptocurrencies and digital assets, increased integration of crypto assets into traditional banking systems and the continuous introduction of new products and services in the sector, a new report by the Institute for Financial Services Zug (IFZ) of the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts shows.
The 2023 edition of the Crypto Assets Study, released provides an overview of the crypto asset industry, focusing particularly on developments in the crypto asset investment ecosystem in Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
According to the study, the crypto asset industry has shifted from being a segment reserved to young and innovative startups to now being a category of products and services that is being provided by and to established financial providers as well.




   



    
   


   








Banks and institutions integrate crypto asset offerings
With increased adoption of crypto assets by private and institutional investors, banks in Switzerland and Liechtenstein are ramping up crypto asset efforts and integration.
In April, Switzerland’s fifth largest financial services firm, PostFinance, announced that it would start offering its 2.5 million customers access to cryptocurrencies, including trading and storage capabilities, through a partnership with digital asset bank Sygnum.
Most recently, Sygnum teamed up with Swiss cantonal bank, Zuger Kantonalbank, to launch a mobile-friendly crypto offering, allowing the institution’s customers to buy, hold and trade popular cryptocurrencies including bitcoin and ether.
A survey of 92 stakeholders conducted as part of the IFZ report found that the local ecosystem is catering to this trend, unveiling that most crypto asset providers in Switzerland and Liechtenstein are pursuing a business-to-business (B2B) strategy with 76% of the companies polled targeting non-finance corporates, 71% targeting banks, 68% targeting family offices and 75% targeting other institutional clients.
In comparison, 66% of the companies polled serve private clients and 52% focus on retail clients. Only six companies (7%) exclusively pursue a business-to-consumer (B2C) strategy without additionally serving business customers.
Customer segments of surveyed companies, Source: Crypto Assets Study 2023, Institute for Financial Services Zug IFZ, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Aug 2023
Tech infrastructure, wealth management among most prevalent offerings
Looking at the product offerings available in the market, the study found that over half of the companies surveyed (54%) provide technological infrastructure facilitating crypto investments for third parties, making it the most prevalent product. Specifically, 32% of the companies in the sample offer infrastructure services exclusively, whereas 9% facilitate infrastructure and direct investments.
After infrastructure, direct investment in crypto assets is the second most prevalent product in Switzerland and Liechtenstein with 45% of the surveyed companies offering access to cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin and ether.
Indirect financial products, on the other hands, such as exchange-traded products (ETPs) and open-end funds with crypto asset relevance, are offered less frequently in comparison. More precisely, 35% of the companies surveyed offer structured products, 27% offer funds, and 20% offer derivatives.
Product offerings of surveyed companies, Source: Crypto Assets Study 2023, Institute for Financial Services Zug IFZ, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Aug 2023
Besides product offerings, the study also looks at the services available in the market, revealing that asset and/or wealth management (45%) is the most prevalent service, followed by custody solutions (38%) and exchange services (37%).
Asset tokenization and issuance is offered by 33% of the companies surveyed, and brokerage services by 32%. The lending of crypto assets, by contrast, is less common, with only 15% of all companies offering corresponding services.
Service offerings of surveyed companies, Source: Crypto Assets Study 2023, Institute for Financial Services Zug IFZ, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Aug 2023
Crypto adoption on the rise despite slumping markets
The report notes that the growth of the crypto asset investment landscape in Switzerland and Liechtenstein has been driven by increased adoption of the emerging asset class.
A survey conducted by Statista polled 2,000+ Swiss residents and found that 21% of respondents owned or used crypto assets in 2023. The rate is double what was observed in 2019 during which just 10% of respondents indicated owning or using cryptocurrencies.
This showcases that adoption is rising quickly in Switzerland and at a faster pace than other locations, including Spain, the Netherlands and China, the data show. It also reveals that Switzerland is the 11th biggest adopter of cryptocurrencies in the world.
Share of respondents who indicated either owning or using crypto, Source: Statista Consumer Insights, Aug 2023
Despite rising adoption of cryptocurrencies, the IFZ report shows that crypto trading has declined substantially in Switzerland and Liechtenstein since its all-time highs of 2021.
In H1 2023, indirect investments in cryptocurrencies through ETPs and open-end funds amounted to CHF 2.9 billion, which represents a decline of 54% compared to CHF 6.1 billion in November 2021.
Total assets of ETPs and open-end funds, Source: Crypto Assets Study 2023, Institute for Financial Services Zug IFZ, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Aug 2023
As for direct investments through exchanges, the study found that an estimated total volume of CHF 2.1 billion was traded by Swiss investors on platforms such as Binance, Kraken and Bitrue in June 2023, representing a decline of nearly 90% compared to the monthly peak of CHF 19 billion recorded in May 2021.
Monthly spot trading volume on centralised crypto exchanges from Switzerland, Source: Crypto Assets Study 2023, Institute for Financial Services Zug IFZ, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Aug 2023
Switzerland has emerged into one of the largest and most advanced crypto hubs in the world. According to the Greater Zurich Area, the official investment promotion agency of the economic region of Zurich, the country hosts some 1,135 blockchain companies, among them unicorn startups and some of the world’s biggest cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum, Cardano and Tezos.
At the end of 2022, the top 50 blockchain entities in Switzerland and Liechtenstein collectively held a value of US$185 billion, accounting for 23% of the entire crypto market which was estimated at the time at US$798 billion.

Featured image credit: edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/switzerland-and-liechtenstein-remain-dynamic-centers-for-crypto-asset-investments</link><guid>3376</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Fintech-Zurich-2023-Smart-Sourcing-Event-.jpg?x22212</dc:content ><dc:text>Switzerland and Liechtenstein Remain Dynamic Centers for Crypto Asset Investments</dc:text></item><item><title>Invesco bietet neu kostenlosen ETF-Handel  via Neon an</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Invesco Asset Management und Schweizer Callenger-Bank neon, kündigen eine langfristige Partnerschaft an.
Die Kooperation ist langfristig ausgelegt. In einem ersten Schritt sind ab sofort zwei ETFs von Invesco (Invesco FTSE All World ETF und Invesco MSCI Paris Aligned ESG ETF) kostenlos auf der neon-Plattform handelbar.
Die Handelskosten für ETFs bei Schweizer Finanzdienstleistern liegen bei einer Investition von 1‘000 CHF in der Regel zwischen zehn bis 40 CHF zuzüglich zehn bis 20 CHF für einen möglichen Währungswechsel.




   



    
   


   








Mit dem nun kostenlosen Handel der beiden ETFs, die bereits in Schweizer Franken aufgelegt sind, bieten neon und Invesco nun eine Geldanlage, die nur noch die Managementkosten der ETFs, jedoch weder Depotgebühren noch Währungshandels- oder Transaktionskosten umfasst. Schon bisher erhebt neon keine Depotgebühren und die Managementkosten der beiden ETFs von Invesco gehören zu den günstigsten weltweit.
Mit dieser Aktion schaffen die Kooperationspartner ein Einstiegsprodukt, das mit einer Investitionshöhe ab fünf CHF das digitale Anlagesparen für Jedermann und -frau möglich macht.
Nima Pouyan
Nima Pouyan, Leiter Institutional Business &amp; ETF Invesco Schweiz und Liechtenstein kommentiert:
„Als internationaler Asset Manager sind Innovation und Technologie feste Bestandteile unserer DNA. Zugleich sind wir stark in der Schweiz verankert und fördern mit dieser Kooperation den Wissenstransfer zwischen Etablierten und Challengern. Damit stärkt Invesco auch die digitalen Geldanlagemöglichkeiten für Schweizer und Schweizerinnen.“
Julius Kirscheneder
Julius Kirscheneder, Mitgründer von neon fügt hinzu:
“Diese Allianz unterstreicht unser Engagement, unseren Kunden und Kundinnen ein unvergleichliches, digitales Produkt zu bieten. Die Kostenstruktur von Bankdienstleistungen und Anlageprodukten in der Schweiz ist im Ländervergleich noch immer zu hoch. Mit der Kooperation setzen sich Invesco und neon gemeinsam an die an die Speerspitze für das Anlagesparen der Schweizer und Schweizerinnen und ihre Basisvorsorge mit ETFs.“
Seit der Einführung im Sommer 2023 haben bereits 25‘000 der 180‘000 neon Kunden und Kundinnen ein Depot eröffnet. Der Anteil der ETFs am gehandelten Gesamtvolumen beträgt bereits in den ersten Monaten 38%, was die Nachfrage vor allem nach günstigen internationalen ETF-Anlagemöglichkeiten unterstreicht.



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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/invesco-bietet-neu-kostenlosen-etf-handel-via-neon-an</link><guid>3373</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Fintech-Zurich-2023-Smart-Sourcing-Event-.jpg?x22212</dc:content ><dc:text>Invesco bietet neu kostenlosen ETF-Handel  via Neon an</dc:text></item><item><title>Nuvei and Esenda Collaborate to Offer E-Payments for Education Fees</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Nuvei Corporation has partnered with Esenda, a UK-based independent school fee management field, to collaboratively unveil an online platform for tuition fee collection and income management.
The collaboration works by fusing Nuvei‘s payment technology with Esenda’s detailed fee management system, presenting educational institutions with a solution that elevates payment efficiency while maintaining security.
Through this partnership, educational institutions can facilitate online payments for various expenses including tuition, corporate debentures, extracurricular activities, and other student-associated charges. Beyond traditional card payments, schools will perform a single integration with Nuvei and Esenda that will enable them to access every applicable global alternative payment mode, catering to students and their families irrespective of their location.




   



    
   


   








Nuvei’s technology suite incorporates supplementary features that can adapt to fine-tune payment processes, encompassing advanced risk management, streamlined reconciliation, tools ensuring customer authentication compliance, and a unified payment orchestration system that comes with comprehensive reporting and data transparency. Nuvei says these adaptable features will provide heightened operational efficacy and improved oversight.
On the other hand, Esenda’s platform streamlines fee acquisition by aligning with academic institutions’ financial infrastructures. It boasts functionalities such as instantaneous invoice monitoring, automated matching of payments, timely alerts for overdue payments, and swift report creation, making a big difference in refining the fee management process.
Philip Fayer
Nuvei Chair and CEO Philip Fayer commented on how the partnership can complement educational institutions,
“Enabling education providers to upgrade their student experience by making tuition and day-to-day payments simple and convenient is a great example of the role payments can play in building customer relationships in any sector.”
The companies said the collaborative platform has already been rolled out at a leading educational entity in Dubai, granting the establishment the capability to process global payments digitally, inclusive of card transactions from major regional issuers, for the first time.

Featured image credit: Nuvei Chair and CEO Philip Fayer


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/nuvei-and-esenda-collaborate-to-offer-e-payments-for-education-fees</link><guid>3372</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Fintech-Zurich-2023-Smart-Sourcing-Event-.jpg?x22212</dc:content ><dc:text>Nuvei and Esenda Collaborate to Offer E-Payments for Education Fees</dc:text></item><item><title>Goodbye Password: G+D Presents 3 User Friendly Use Cases of How Passwordless Authentication Can Help</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						October 18, 2023
																				





					
					
							
					Passwords and OTPs belong to the past. Financial institutions and forward-looking enterprises alike are looking for more seamless, yet secure ways to authenticate their employees and customers.
Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) presents three examples that can benefit from passwordless multi-factor authentication (MFA) while combatting frauds and providing an enhanced user experience.
The IDC European Security Survey 2022 revealed that poor password hygiene is the greatest challenge in the area of identity and access controls in almost every second company (44%). Particularly worrying is the high level of password recycling, with no distinction between private passwords and those used to access an organization’s systems.




   



    
   


   








Passwords are the root cause of over 80% of data breaches. Meaning a breach in private use could lead to a hack of the organization’s systems. In addition to security concerns related to password-related frauds, there are often pragmatic or operational challenges, such as typing passwords in difficult environments or for workers in manufacturing or at industry sites. According to IDC more than a third of organizations are struggling to balance robust security and positive user experience.
The banking journey looks no different. Entering an ID and password to log in to any website or app is also no longer fit for purpose. According to the FIDO Alliance, 89% of web application breaches were caused by stolen or compromised passwords in 2021. Not only are passwords often the target of phishing attempts, it is also a pain point for consumers to remember multiple passwords for their online accounts.
As a result, consumers often reuse the same password, leaving all their accounts vulnerable in the event of a data breach. Multi-factor authentication methods, such as one-time passwords (OTP) and SMS, have been introduced to reduce the risks associated with passwords. However, there are several limitations for both customers and banks, like clunky user experience, susceptibility to phishing, lack of control, and hidden costs, such as dealing with fraudulent activity, which costs banks a lot of time, money, and resources.
Andrew Shikiar
“A lot of the regulations around authentication are fixated on solving a problem that’s fundamentally tied to the primary factor of authentication that we’ve had for 60 years, which is the password,”
says Andrew Shikiar of the FIDO Alliance. “Passwords are the problem.”
Founded in 2013, the FIDO (Fast IDentity Online) Alliance is an association of leading technology, financial and industrial companies, including Apple, Google, Microsoft and Mastercard. Recognizing the growing importance of data protection, the alliance aims to reduce the reliance on passwords and to implement password-free login methods in the future.
It is critical that authentication solutions manage the complexity of back-end security while providing only a single, unified process for the end user. Optimizing MFA by combining biometrics (face, iris, fingerprint) and possession factors creates a passwordless mechanism. This enables financial institutions and forward-thinking enterprises alike to balance a seamless experience with robust security for employees and customers.
Using three practical examples, G+D shows how companies and financial institutions can benefit from implementing passwordless authentication solutions in their daily practice.

Physical access. The identification of authorized employees should no longer depend solely on numeric entries or the use of easily stolen access cards at building entrances. Biometric methods, such as iris or fingerprint scanning, are the way forward. Typing in passwords is sometimes not the preferred option, especially in challenging environments such as manufacturing plants or heavy industries where staff wears protective clothing.
Workplace authentication and secure communication. As hybrid working continues to rise, employees must authenticate across multiple devices, systems, applications, and physical locations to securely communicate and exchange data. Unified and passwordless authentication solutions that maximize user convenience while maintaining the right level of security are critical.
Securing access to accounts and payments. Financial institutions have to comply with regulatory mandates that ensure that the payment ecosystem is protected down to the account holder level. The financial industry worldwide is experiencing a massive surge in fraud and scams. Passwordless MFA addresses both of these factors and balances them with customer-friendly processes. For instance, customers can easily confirm their identity by scanning their face or fingerprint during transactions, making authentication as easy as unlocking their phone.



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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/goodbye-password-gd-presents-3-user-friendly-use-cases-of-how-passwordless-authentication-can-help</link><guid>3370</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Goodbye-Password-GD-Presents-Three-Use-Cases-of-How-Passwordless-Authentication-Can-Help-to-Defend-Against-Fraud-and-Enhance-User-Experience-1440x564_c.jpg?x22212</dc:content ><dc:text>Goodbye Password: G+D Presents 3 User Friendly Use Cases of How Passwordless Authentication Can Help</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech M&amp;A Activities Remains High in Europe</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						October 18, 2023
																				





					
					
							
					In Europe, mergers and acquisitions (M&amp;A) activity in the fintech sector remains vigorous as traditional financial institutions and established fintech companies are capitalizing on the venture funding slowdown and the global markets turmoil to snap up young startups to fuel their digital transformation strategies and drive growth, a new report by international law firm White and Case shows.
The report, released on September 18, looks at the fintech M&amp;A landscape in the UK and Europe, exploring the market consolidation wave that’s taken hold of the region’s fintech sector and delving into the key trends observed over the past year or so.
According to the report, more than 55 consolidation deals have been recorded in the previous 15 months, and over 20 significant partnerships have been announced in the past 12 months, revealing continued consolidation in the fintech sector.




   



    
   


   








Banks’ fintech M&amp;A and funding activity
Many of these acquisition deals involved banks purchasing “plug and play” fintech startups to address a variety of challenges, including cost containment, error reduction, cybersecurity and competition from innovative financial players, the report notes.
These deal included JP Morgan’s acquisition of Renovite, a cloud-native payments technology company from the US, as well as Komercni banka’s acquisition of Upvest, a Czech real-estate investment platform.
JP Morgan announced plans in September 2022 to purchase Renovite to help it build its next-generation merchant acquiring platform, bolster its payments modernization strategy and support its journey to the cloud. Meanwhile, Komercni banka, a member of the Societe Generale international financial group, acquired a majority stake in Upvest in August 2022 in a bid to expand into the crowdfunding space.
Other institutions, meanwhile, adopted a more cautious approach by investing in startups and by partnering with innovative ventures. These tie-ups focused on establishing strategic partnerships to tap new niches and tech capabilities, and included the joint venture between Santander, Allianz Trade and Two, the tie-up between Deutsche Bank and Credi2, as well as JP Morgan Private Bank’s strategic equity investments in both Edge Laboratories and Evooq.

The partnership between Santander, Allianz Trade and Two, unveiled in January 2023, focuses on developing a business-to-business (B2B) buy now, pay later (BNPL) payment solution for large and multinational corporations;
The collaboration between Deutsche Bank and Credi2, an embedded finance specialist, was announced in July 2022 and aims to develop a payment solution for invoice and installment purchase; and
JP Morgan, meanwhile, invested in Swiss wealth management software services companies Edgelab and Evooq in December 2022 in a bid to strengthen its digital investments capabilities for ultra-high-net-worth clients across Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and Asia.

Top fintech verticals for consolidation
Across all major fintech segments, insurtech, consumer finance and open banking were the verticals that witnessed the most consolidation activity in the previous 12 months both in the form of acquisitions of smaller competitors and through strategic tie-ups, the report says.
In the insurtech segment, Total Specific Solutions, Clark Group and +Simple all inked acquisitions during the period, snapping up companies such as Prima Solutions, a French insurtech group; Anorak, an automated life insurance advice platform; and GMBC, a German insurance company that helps companies set up and run managing general agents (MGAs).
In consumer finance, Scalapay and ValU, two BNPL players, and PNL Fintech, a company that provides financial and business management software for entrepreneurs and businesses, made several purchases over the past year, acquiring Cabel IP, Paynas and Finadvant, respectively.
Cabel IP is an Italian payment institution, Paynas is a digital platform tailored for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and Finadvant is an online business banking software designed to facilitate international trade.
All three acquisitions were meant to strengthen the acquirers’ offerings and access new capabilities.
Finally, in open banking, consolidation deals included Fintech Galaxy’s acquisition of Egyptian rival Underlie, GoCardless’s acquisition of Nordigen and Weavr’s acquisition of Comma Payments.
The Underlie deal allowed Fintech Galaxy to boost its expansion across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region; the Nordigen deal allowed GoCardless, a digital bank payment specialist, to incorporate next-generation open banking connectivity into its account-to-account network; and the Comma Payments deal allowed Weavr to become the first embedded finance provider to combine banking-as-a-service (BaaS) and open banking into an embedded payment solution for B2B applications.
M&amp;A activity rebounds in DACH
After a dip in 2022, M&amp;A activity rebounded considerably this year across Europe, especially in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, also referred to as the DACH region, a new report by investment bank Clipperton reveals.
In the first half of 2023, the DACH region witnessed a 54% increase in the number of M&amp;A transactions compared to the same period in 2022, which totaled 235 transactions. Transaction volume surged by 59% during the period, showcasing reviewed interest in strategic acquisitions.
Notable deals in H1 2023 included the sale of Airplus, Lufthansa Group’s payment specialist, to Swedish bank SEB Kort for EUR 450 million, as well as the sale of online pharmacy Zur Rose’s Swiss business unit to rival Medbase for CHF 361 million.
Growth and venture capital (VC) funding volume and number of rounds, Source: Clipperton, Sifted, Oct 2023
The surge in M&amp;A activity in DACH comes at a time when growth funding in the region is declining considerably. In H1 2023, DACH startups secured a mere EUR 2.7 billion in funding, down by a significant 66% year-over-year.
M&amp;A volume and number of deals in DACH, Source: Clipperton, Sifted, Oct 2023
This decline was accompanied by a decrease in megarounds of EUR 100 million and up, which saw their share shrink from making up 59% of all capital raised in 2021 to just 18% in H1 2023.
Percentage of investment per round size in DACH, Source: Clipperton, Sifted, Oct 2023


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-ma-activities-remains-high-in-europe</link><guid>3371</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Fintech-MA-Activity-Remains-High-in-Europe-as-Banks-Pursue-Digital-Ambitions-and-Established-Players-Pivot-to-Acquisitions-to-Fuel-Growth-1440x564_c.jpg?x22212</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech M&amp;A Activities Remains High in Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>UBS Launches Digital Platform for Structured Products in Asia</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					UBS Global Wealth Management has gone live with a digital platform for structured products in Singapore and Hong Kong, providing customers in the two locations with access to a wide selection of products, the ability to customize these products, and the ability to trade them on the go through UBS’s online banking platforms.
The product, called UBS Structured Products Digital, allows clients to personalize and transact popular structured products via UBS E-Banking and UBS Mobile Banking. Through the platform, users can access investment products linked to 1,500 underliers across major equity markets, exchanges and sectors, create baskets of equities, customize these products and determine their parameters, set the tenors they deem the most appropriate, and confirm trades within minutes.
UBS Structured Products Digital platform, Source: UBS
Structured products are financial instruments that combine various traditional financial assets like stocks, bonds, options, and derivatives into a single investment product. These products are typically designed to meet specific investment objectives and risk tolerance of investors. They are also highly customizable and can be tailored to provide investors with exposure to a diversified portfolio of assets through just one investment.




   



    
   


   








Nicola Pantone, UBS’s co-head of unified global markets for Asia-Pacific (APAC) told Citywire Asia that the UBS Structured Products Digital platform aims to address the rise in demand for these investment products. The bank said that at launch, the platform will focus on providing access to equity-linked notes (ELNs) and reverse convertible notes (RCNs), but it will eventually expand its list of structured products available later on.
UBS Structured Products Digital is part of the bank’s digital wealth and trading offering, which already provides clients with UBS My Way, a hybrid digital wealth management platform; We.UBS, a digital-led platform offering wealth management services to affluent clients in China; and UBS Neo, a multi-asset trading platform that’s used by more than 1.8 million UBS customers.
An expanding wealthtech sector
The expansion of UBS’s digital wealth proposition comes at a time when tech startups are developing advanced wealth management platforms and intuitive advisory solutions to tap Asia’s middle-class population. Some of these startups have gained considerable traction and are now expanding beyond their borders.
Endowus, an independent digital wealth startup from Singapore, claims it witnessed a revenue growth of 80% in 2022 and says it now serves over a hundred thousand clients with content, advice and access, managing more than US$5 billion worth of assets.
The startup, which was founded in 2017, operates in Singapore and Hong Kong, providing a wealth platform that spans both private wealth and public pension savings.
Syfe, another Singaporean wealthtech startup, claims more than 100,000 customers in its home country. Launched in 2019, the company offers a holistic range of solutions across both managed portfolios and brokerage services to retail clients, and recently expanded to Hong Kong.
Asia’s wealthtech startups are rising on the back of increased adoption of digital financial solutions. A 2022 study commissioned by insurer Prudential Singapore polled 800 Singapore residents aged 25 to 65 and found that more than four in five (85%) respondents are skilled at using mobile banking apps, while 70% are skilled in financial management apps.
Separately, a 2022 Endowus study, which surveyed 680 Singapore respondents, revealed that digital investment platforms are rising in popularity, with 90% of respondents indicating using digital wealth platforms and robo-advisors.
Asia’s booming asset and wealth management industry
APAC has been witnessing strong economic growth, owing to the region’s regulatory landscape, well-developed infrastructure and open business environment. This has led to a rise in the population of high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), which now totals about 15 million people, data from KPMG show. The figure makes APAC the home of the second-largest concentration of HNWIs in the world after North America.
PwC expects APAC’s assets under management (AUM) to grow faster than any other regional globally, rising from US$15.1 trillion in 2017 to US$29.6 trillion in 2025.
Total client assets across APAC in US$ trillion, Source: Asset and Wealth Management 2025: The Asian Awakening, PwC 2019
McKinsey projects that the affluent and mass-affluent segments in Asia, particularly those in developing economies, will drive most of this growth. The wealth pool of this group, which comprises households with investable assets of US$100,000 to US$1 million, is projected to hit US$4.7 trillion by 2026, up from US$2.7 trillion in 2021 as Asians’ incomes rise.
For banks and wealth managers, McKinsey estimates the potential incremental revenue from serving these clients to be standing between US$20 billion to US$25 billion, contributing more than half of the industry’s revenue growth in Asia over the next three years.
Wealth pools in Asian market segments, based on household financial wealth, Source: McKinsey and Company, Feb 2023
This article first appeared on fintechnews.sg


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ubs-launches-digital-platform-for-structured-products-in-asia</link><guid>3369</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/UBS-Structured-Products-Digital-platform-Source-UBS.png?x22212</dc:content ><dc:text>UBS Launches Digital Platform for Structured Products in Asia</dc:text></item><item><title>GenTwo and Swissquote Enter Into Partnership</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					B2B Fintech GenTwo was able to win Swissquote for its partner network. With this, GenTwo continues to strengthen its unique financial engineering network. Swissquote, known as the first online bank in Switzerland, has joined a growing list of partners on GenTwo’s platform, further enhancing the company’s offering in the market.
The partnership brings significant benefits to both companies and their clients. Swissquote clients now have access to GenTwo’s services, allowing them to create Actively Managed Certificates (AMC) in collaboration with Swissquote across a wide range of assets, including traditional equity, foreign exchange, derivatives, structured products, commodities, and digital assets. This partnership further positions GenTwo as the provider of the most advanced AMC solution available in the current financial market, and so further enhances its value proposition.
GenTwo’s business model centers around empowering investment professionals to create and issue their own customized financial products through its platform. By adding Swissquote to its partner network, GenTwo takes another significant step towards achieving its mission of expanding the investment universe and ensuring all assets are accessible to all investors worldwide.




   



    
   


   








Philippe A. Naegeli
Philippe A. Naegeli, CEO and Co-Founder of GenTwo:
The alignment between GenTwo and Swissquote goes beyond their shared goals of expanding access to financial markets. Both companies are driven by the vision of democratizing banking. The collaboration offers professional investment and wealth managers a unique opportunity to create Actively Managed Certificates within the Swissquote universe.
Jan De Schepper
Jan De Schepper, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer of Swissquote:
Our history has been characterized by constant development for more than 20 years. The market, our customers and their requirements, needs, and expectations are constantly evolving. GenTwo’s platform supports us in expanding our offering for our external asset managers and other institutional clients efficiently and scalably so we can continue to serve those best and further grow together.


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			&#13;
				About Author&#13;
				More info about author&#13;
			
			
		]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/gentwo-and-swissquote-enter-into-partnership</link><guid>3367</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Fintech-Zurich-2023-Smart-Sourcing-Event-.jpg?x22212</dc:content ><dc:text>GenTwo and Swissquote Enter Into Partnership</dc:text></item><item><title>Digital Banking Adoption Rises X3 in France</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					Digital banking is booming in France, reaching a total of 25 million users in 2022, data from C-Innovation show. The figure represents an increase of more than threefold over a four year period and marks an impressive rise from the eight million customers the digital banking sector reported in 2018.
In a new report released on September 29, the French fintech-focused research firm looks at the state of digital banking in France, delving into the profound shift the banking industry is witnessing and the brands leading the market.
According to the report, France is undergoing a remarkable transformation in its financial landscape, marked by the blending of traditional banking and fintech innovation. This shift is being driven by changing consumer preferences, demand for convenient digital experiences and a move away from traditional brick-and-mortar banking experience.




   



    
   


   








The transformation is evidenced by the traction digital banking has seen over the past years, the report shows. Between 2018 and 2022, France added more than 3 million new digital current accounts each year. The rise started accelerating in 2019, adding 5 million new customers annually.
Evolution of digital-only users in France (millions), Source: Digital Drives the Evolution and Expansion of France’s Banking Industry, C-Innovation, Sep 2023
France’s digital banking landscape
France is currently home to 47 digital-only brands, with 12 brands providing personal banking services and 10 servicing small and medium-sized enterprises, and professionals.
Digital banking landscape in France, Source: Digital Drives the Evolution and Expansion of France’s Banking Industry, C-Innovation, Sep 2023
Homegrown digital banks are currently leading the domestic market. Lydia is the country’s biggest digital bank in France, holding a 21% market share. Lydia started back in 2013 as a simple money transfer app. The service has since evolved into a full-fledged digital bank, offering payment cards, savings, investments, trading and more. Lydia has raised about US$250 million in funding so far and is one of France’s eight fintech unicorns, data from Dealroom and CB Insights show.
Following Lydia is BoursoBank with a 19% market share. BoursoBank was founded in 1995 as an online broker and has expanded its portfolio of products throughout the years to provide a comprehensive range of financial products encompassing daily banking services, lending, savings, insurance coverage, stock trading, and more. BoursoBank became a subsidiary of Societe Generale in 2014 after the French multinational financial services firm acquired the company.
At the third and fourth positions are Hello Bank and Nickel with a 12% and 11% market share, respectively. Both Hello Bank and Nickel are digital banking services owned by traditional lender BNP Paribas. Hello Bank started operations in 2013 and is available in several European countries including Belgium, Germany and Italy. Nickel, which became a subsidiary of BNP Paribas in 2017 after its acquisition, operates in countries including Spain, Belgium and Portugal.
German N26 and UK-based Revolut follow suit, with a share of 9% each. They are the top two foreign digital banks in the French market.
N26 is licensed digital bank headquartered in Berlin that provides a free basic current account and a debit card, with overdraft and investment products, as well as premium accounts available for a monthly fee.
France is N26’s largest market (27%), ahead of its home country of Germany (20%), the report says. As of 2022, 2.5 million consumers in France had opened an account with N26. 2,000 new clients join the digital bank each day in the country, it claims.
N26, a prominent foreign neobank in France, Source: Digital Drives the Evolution and Expansion of France’s Banking Industry, C-Innovation, Sep 2023
Revolut, meanwhile, is one of the world’s top digital banks, clocking 35 million retail customers globally. The startup offers accounts featuring currency exchange, debit cards, virtual cards, Apple Pay, interest-bearing “vaults”, stock trading, cryptocurrencies, commodities, and other services, and operates in more than 30 countries.
Digital-only banks market share in France, Source: Digital Drives the Evolution and Expansion of France’s Banking Industry, C-Innovation, Sep 2023
Traditional banks lead the market
One particular trait of the French digital banking landscape is the leadership position the traditional banking sector holds in the space.
In France, established financial institutions have not only recognized the need to adapt; they’ve also embraced change and injected fintech innovations into their array of services, the report notes. The outcome has been the emergence of hybrid banking services that combine the traditional banking’s bedrock qualities of trust and stability, with the agility and convenience ushered in by fintech innovation.
This trend is revealed by the prominence of bank-backed neobanking brands among France’s top digital banking players and underscores the adaptability and strategic foresight of France’s established financial institutions, the report says.
Banks have adopted various strategies in this regard, with some like Societe Generale pursuing acquisitions of digital banking businesses, while others such as BNP Paribas developed digital banking solutions in-house, it notes.
Number of customers by European digital banks associated with a traditional brand, Source: Digital Drives the Evolution and Expansion of France’s Banking Industry, C-Innovation, Sep 2023
Despite having witnessed a strong uptake in digital banking solutions these past years, France has one of the world’s lowest adoption of fintech solutions. A 2019 consumer survey conducted by EY found that fintech adoption in France stood at just a mere 35% then, far behind European leaders including the Netherlands (73%), Ireland (71%) and the UK (71%), and below the global average of 64%.
Consumer fintech adoption across 27 markets, Source: Global Fintech Adoption Index, EY, 2019

Featured image credit: edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digital-banking-adoption-rises-x3-in-france</link><guid>3368</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Fintech-Zurich-2023-Smart-Sourcing-Event-.jpg?x22212</dc:content ><dc:text>Digital Banking Adoption Rises X3 in France</dc:text></item><item><title>Regulatory Clarity and Digital Innovation Enable Digital Bond Growth in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					The Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) Act of Switzerland has placed the country among the global leaders in digital asset regulations and enabled the development of a rich and diverse ecosystem centered around DLT-based applications and systems.
The regulatory clarity provided by the legislation, coupled with the growth of the digital asset ecosystem, has supported the development of digital bonds, a new report by credit rating firm Moody’s says.
The document takes a look at Switzerland’s legal framework for digital assets, highlighting how the pioneering DLT Act is today one of the world’s most comprehensive laws on DLT and how the legislation has fostered the rise of the digital asset ecosystem and facilitated the issuance of digital bonds.




   



    
   


   








The DLT Act, which came into force in 2021, has formed an advanced legal framework that provides market participants with guidelines on token categories and stablecoins, securities definitions, and licensing procedures, the report says. The law has three main effects:

It introduces a new, ledger-based type of security that’s maintained on a blockchain-enabled registry;
It offers insolvency protection by clarifying the segregation of crypto-based assets and access to data and personal information in the event of bankruptcy; and
It establishes a license category for DLT trading systems, expanding the potential participant base in digital asset trading platforms to non-financial institutions and retail customers and allowing them to trade, custody, clear and settle digital assets on licensed platforms.

SIX Digital Exchange (SDX), an affiliate of Swiss stock exchange operator SIX Group, was the first entity to receive regulatory approval to offer issuance, listing, trading, settlement, servicing, and custody of digital securities in Switzerland.
Since receiving its licenses in September 2021, SDX has grown into one of the country’s leading platforms for regulated digital bonds, having facilitated the issuance of natively digital bonds for SIX Group, UBS and the City of Lugano.
These bonds used the SDX infrastructure, as well as the SIX Swiss Exchange’s traditional infrastructure, a dual listing that has allowed for maximum market outreach by enabling investors to invest and trade bonds through both SDX’s or SIX’s member banks, the Moody’s report says.
Digital bonds issued through SIX Digital Exchange, Source: Swiss digital bonds benefit from favorable existing and adapted federal laws, Moody’s, Aug 2023
Besides digital bonds, SDX is also involved in a wholesale CBDC (wCBDC) project with the Swiss National Bank, along with the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) Innovation Hub Swiss Centre, and multiple commercial banks, it notes.
According to Moody’s, wCBDC projects could promote the preservation of central bank money as the priority asset to pay and settle securities on blockchain infrastructures, innovate payment systems, and make interbank transfers more seamless, benefiting the digital bond market.
Blockchain-based digital bonds gain traction
Digital bonds are an emerging application of blockchain technology that have attracted the attention of countries and corporations.
These instruments, which are essentially debt securities, are issued and managed using DLT. By leveraging blockchain’s immutable, transparent, and decentralized nature, digital bonds offer increased efficiency, reduced costs and enhanced security.
Moreover, blockchain allows for fractionalization, making it possible for bonds to be split into smaller denominations. This makes these financial instruments more accessible to retail investors and increases thus accessibility.
In the region, the European Investment Bank (EIB) has been among the pioneering institutions in the field. In 2021, the bank announced that it had launched a digital bond issuance on the Ethereum blockchain, collaborating with major banks including Goldman Sachs, Banco Santander and Societe Generale.
This year, EIB launched several other instruments, introducing its first ever digital bond in pound sterling in January and premiering a digital green bond on so|bond, a blockchain-based digital bond platform launched by SEB and Credit Agricole, in June.
Most recently, ABN AMRO became the first Dutch bank to register a digital green bond on a public blockchain. The initiative saw Vesteda, a Dutch real estate investor, raise EUR 5 million from German financial firm DekaBank to finance green assets.
The landmark Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation in the European Union (EU) was adopted in May this year. The legislation, which will take effect on December 30, 2024, will regulate the issuance and trading of crypto-assets including utility tokens, asset referenced tokens and so-called stablecoins, as well as the management of the underlying assets.
Industry experts and stakeholders estimate that DLT could unlock transformative cost-saving and operational efficiency benefits of approximately US$20 billion annually in global clearing and settlement costs. The technology could also fuel innovation-led growth, increase market access and enable new liquidity pools when operating at scale, allowing the market of tokenized illiquid assets to expand from just US$300 million today to US$16+ trillion by 2030.

Featured image credit: edited from Freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/regulatory-clarity-and-digital-innovation-enable-digital-bond-growth-in-switzerland</link><guid>3366</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Fintech-Zurich-2023-Smart-Sourcing-Event-.jpg?x22212</dc:content ><dc:text>Regulatory Clarity and Digital Innovation Enable Digital Bond Growth in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Backbase Unveils Grand Central as a Game-Changer in Banking Integration</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						October 12, 2023
																				





					
					
							
					Engagement banking platform provider Backbase has launched Grand Central, its Integration Platform-as-a-Service (iPaaS) offering. This first-of-its-kind solution is intended to bolster banks in accelerating their digital transformation and modernization efforts.
According to Backbase, banks have been allocating vast resources and budgets to establish, maintain, and retire point-to-point integrations among a myriad of technologies, products, and solutions within their technical architecture. Traditional integration with core banking, CRM systems, and external fintechs often demanded hefty custom system integration investments. Such costs brought added intricacies and hampered the pace of digital transformation projects, shifting focus from delivering value to banking clients.
With its unique Integration Platform-as-a-Service, Grand Central furnishes unified APIs, designed to power bank channel applications and third-party developer endeavors. Harnessing the power of a BIAN-based domain model coupled with unified banking APIs, Grand Central will bridges channel applications to a plethora of downstream systems. This includes everything from core banking solutions and CRM systems to payment mechanisms, fintech systems, and beyond.




   



    
   


   








Utilizing industrial-grade plug-and-play connectors, Grand Central will enable banks to acclerate their market presence and considerably cut down budgetary strains associated with integration. Embracing Grand Central means banks can now synchronize data throughout their various tech stacks, promising uninterrupted digital customer journeys across web and mobile apps under the Backbase Engagement Banking Platform umbrella.
Jouk Pleiter
Jouk Pleiter, CEO at Backbase, stressed the critical importance of this solution, stating,

“Banks today are burdened with aging infrastructure and a very fragmented legacy IT landscape, that makes it difficult to keep pace with changing customer expectations. Our Integration Services team operates as an extension of a bank’s IT organization, simplifying and resolving integration challenges that have hindered many banks in executing their digital transformation strategy. With Grand Central our clients can leverage a BIAN-based, unified API infrastructure, giving instant access to leading financial services technology providers. By combining these powerful capabilities in a unified developer experience, banks can focus on rapid innovation while future-proofing their enterprise integration architecture.”

According to Backbase, Grand Central will bring a universal integration approach, acting as the pivotal link connecting disparate productized ISV solutions and technologies, thus ensuring fluid communication. It will also streamline technological stacks banks rely on, leading to cost savings and improved operational proficiency.
The banking platform provider also claims that as a first-of-its-kind platform that comes with pre-configured connectors and ready-made integration features, Grand Central will make the roll-out of new banking services much more streamlined, positioning banks a step ahead of competitors.
Backbase is also looking to reshape the banking sector further exemplified by their recent rollout of a significant $10 million investment fund. This fund is intended to speed up the connectivity of region-centric products, thus enabling banks globally to refine their operations, optimize expenses, and deliver unparalleled customer experiences.
With a reputation of rolling out complex projects for top-tier financial entities globally, Backbase’s new suite of services encompasses API design, solution structuring, DevOps and CI/CD advice, data transition services, and sustained interface oversight.

Featured image credit: edited from freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/backbase-unveils-grand-central-as-a-game-changer-in-banking-integration</link><guid>3365</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Backbase-Launches-Grand-Central-Its-New-Gen-Integration-Solution-and-Dedicates-10-Million-Fund-to-Fuel-Innovation-1440x564_c.jpg?x22212</dc:content ><dc:text>Backbase Unveils Grand Central as a Game-Changer in Banking Integration</dc:text></item><item><title>The Swiss National Fintech Team 2023: 10 Swiss Fintech Startups to Watch in 2024</title><description><![CDATA[
									
						
																				
																			
												
															
									by Fintechnews Switzerland								
																						October 12, 2023
																				





					
					
							
					Venturelab introduce ten ambitious Swiss fintech startups ready to accelerate their growth on the international stage.
The ten members of the Swiss National Fintech Team will kick off their Venture Leaders experience in December with an investor and business development roadshow to London. They will also represent Swiss innovation at the Fintech Connect in London.
Venturelab has been organizing international roadshows for the Swiss National Startup Team for 18 years. These roadshows provide a platform for determined entrepreneurs and their promising startups, offering them the opportunity to connect with top experts, investors, and potential customers in key technology hubs across the globe, such as Silicon Valley, Boston, China, Barcelona, Munich, and London.




   



    
   


   








After reviewing over 60 applications, a jury of investors and technology experts selected ten fintech startups to join the Venture Leaders Fintech 2023 roadshow in London. The roadshow will take the Swiss National Fintech Team to London for investor pitch sessions, and customer meetings and the entrepreneurs will also participate at the Fintech Connect conference to meet banking leaders and expand their network. The roadshow is organized in partnership with Swissnex, and supported by EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne), ETH Zürich, Postfinance, and Walder Wyss.
This year’s Venture Leaders Fintech entrepreneurs join an impressive group of Fintech alumni including high-flying startups such as Crypto Finance (acquired by Deutsche Börse), eCollect (acquired by Intrum), Imburse (acquired by Duck Creek Technologies), Qumram (acquired by Dynatrace), Lend, Sonect, TP24, Wyden, and many more.
This year’s Venture Leaders Fintech will introduce themselves and their startups at a virtual kickoff session on November 2, 2023. This event will be open to the public and will provide a showcase for the ten game-changing innovations that the 2023 Swiss National Startup Team will be presenting in London.


Aisot Technologies | Stefan Klauser  | Zurich

Aisot Technologies AG, a spin-off from ETH Zurich, enables personalized investing at scale. Leveraging advanced AI technology and bespoke financial products, aisot’s AI Insights Platform automatically adjusts customized investment strategies to rapidly changing markets.
Delega | Riccardo Balsamo | Zug

Delega is a cloud-based/SaaS fintech whose mission is to fully digitize bank signatories for mid &amp; large-sized corporations. Using Delega, companies are able to create efficiencies, reduce their risk and free up from the hassle of dealing with multiple banks.
Divizend Suisse | Thomas Rappold | Thurgau

Investors worldwide miss out on maximizing their dividend returns by not filing withholding tax reclaims. Divizend Suisse offers the leading platform that helps private and institutional investors to reclaim their foreign withholding tax in the most digital, automated, and price-competitive way.
GenTwo | Philippe Naegeli | Zurich

Founded in 2018, GenTwo is a Swiss-based B2B fintech company that operates globally with the mission to expand the investment universe by making all assets investable. Its proprietary platform solution GenTwo PRO empowers investment professionals to create unlimited, white-labeled investment solutions.
GOWAGO | Rutger Verhoef | Zurich

Gowago is an automotive fintech that provides an intuitive platform that simplifies vehicle selection, financing, and management. But it’s more than about cars; it’s about creating a future where mobility is both sustainable and efficient.
Instimatch Global | Adrian Edelmann | Zurich

Instimatch Global AG offers a web-based cash management trading platform for institutions across industries and geographies, enabling them to directly engage with each other, digitally execute all their liquidity needs, and leverage their trading network.
Properti | Levent Künzi | Zurich

Properti represents a paradigm shift in the realm of real estate transactions with a blend of expert knowledge and advanced technology. Our proprietary platform empowers clients, agents and service partners with unparalleled performance potential.
THORWallet | Marcel Harmann | Schwyz

THORWallet is a rapidly growing iOS, Android, and web-based DeFi app that offers built-in financial services such as trading, savings accounts, lending, and borrowing based on true cross-chain decentralized finance. At the same time, THORWallet also integrates Swiss crypto banking and VISA card services, making it a complete crypto neo-banking experience.
TRESIO | Tobias Angehrn | Zurich

Tresio is revolutionizing the way small and medium-sized enterprises manage their finances by serving as the world’s first smart CoPilot for CFOs. Its cloud-based platform offers a 360-degree financial view, enabling businesses to make agile, informed decisions like never before.
Yourasset | Stephan Kolz | Zurich

Yourasset AG is a Swiss technology company that provides digital platforms and monthly (financing) payment solutions designed for the luxury watch industry. Our mission is to enhance how people manage, engage with, and purchase their luxury goods.
Follow the entrepreneurs and the Venture Leaders Fintech roadshow on social media using the hashtag #VLeadersFintech or on www.venture-leaders.ch/fintech.




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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-swiss-national-fintech-team-2023-10-swiss-fintech-startups-to-watch-in-2024</link><guid>3364</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Venturelab-Announces-Swiss-National-Fintech-Team-2023-Ten-Startups-Set-for-London-Roadshow-1440x564_c.jpg?x22212</dc:content ><dc:text>The Swiss National Fintech Team 2023: 10 Swiss Fintech Startups to Watch in 2024</dc:text></item><item><title>Why Swiss Fintechs Should Attend 2023’s Hong Kong Fintech Week and Singapore Fintech Festival</title><description><![CDATA[As we head towards the end of the year, fintech innovators, experts and decision-makers are gearing up for the world’s largest fintech conferences. These large-scale events, which include the annual Hong Kong Fintech Week and the Singapore Fintech Festival (SFF), are treasure troves of knowledge and allow industry stakeholders to not only keep up with the latest innovations but also build meaningful business connections and engage with a massive audience of potential customers.
Each year, these two multi-day events bring together tens of thousands of participants to discuss the sector’s most pressing challenges and biggest opportunities, showcase the latest technologies, and explore what’s next in fintech.
Skill development is another facet that these events cater to. Through workshops, panel discussions, and breakout sessions, professionals are able to delve deep into specific fintech areas, refining their skills and gaining expertise in niche domains.




   



    
   


   








By attracting influential figures from the fintech ecosystem, including policymakers and industry pioneers, fintech leaders and professionals also get to gain unique insights and perspectives, providing them with an edge in their strategic planning.
But beyond the learning aspect, these events are also designed to facilitate the building of business relationships. Acting as hubs for networking, they often lead to potential partnerships, collaborations, and even client acquisitions.
With the 2023 Hong Kong Fintech Week and SFF just around the corner, we look today at the key highlights of this year’s events, focusing on their main themes, what participants can expect, and why these events are critical to attend for fintech companies aiming to thrive in the industry.
2023 Hong Kong Fintech Week: What to expect


The annual Hong Kong Fintech Week, taking place this year from October 30, 2023 to November 05, 2023, is a cross-boundary fintech event held in Hong Kong, one of the Asia’s biggest financial hubs, and Shenzhen. It’s one of the largest fintech conferences on the calendar, bringing together key industry stakeholders, experts as well as the sector’s most innovative entrepreneurs.
Like previous editions, this year’s Hong Kong Fintech Week is set to be a focal point for the global fintech community to convene and is poised to be a melting pot of pioneering ideas, stratagems, and breakthroughs.
The 2023 edition, which will be held in a hybrid format, will offer businesses a golden opportunity to spotlight their products and solutions to an audience of over 30,000 attendees from more than 95 economies, including global and regional media. This makes the 2023 Hong Kong Fintech Week a strategic avenue for organizations to amplify brand recognition and foster connections with potential clientele and investors.
In addition to its massive reach, those attending the week-long event will get a comprehensive experience encompassing panel discussions and keynotes tackling current trends, hurdles, as well as the envisioned trajectory of finance and technology; workshops focusing on niche areas within fintech to equip participants with updated insights and methodologies; networking sessions to foster collaborations and partnerships; and business matchmaking sessions.
The 2023 Hong Kong Fintech Week will also feature exhibitions, showcasing more than 700 budding startups and tech leaders to deliver a comprehensive view of what’s next in fintech. Over 500 of the world’s top speakers including fintech founders, investors, regulators, and academics, will be taking the stage, and more than 350 regional and international media are expected to join this year’s edition.
Get 15% off with promo code: FTNN-DISCOUNT
SFF 2023: Focus on AI

SFF 2023, taking place from November 15 to 17, 2023, promises to be an epicenter of discussion, innovation, and future-forward thinking in the world of financial technology.
This year’s event will put an emphasis on the rising adoption and growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and explore the myriad of ways in which AI can revolutionize financial services. More than just a theoretical examination, SFF 2023 intends to provide pragmatic insights into how contemporary technologies can be harnessed to tackle some of the most pressing challenges.
In particular, the event will focus on three main themes:

The potential of technology to fast-track the transition to a low-carbon future;
Rethinking the architecture of the financial systems to ensure they cater to the underserved; and
The use of technology to secure the digital economy against modern climate, technology and cyber risks.

Since its initiation in 2016, SFF has rapidly grown to become one of the world’s biggest platforms for global conversations on the confluence of technology, financial services, and public policy.
Over its tenure, the event has been graced by luminaries from diverse sectors, including philanthropy, finance, technology, and governance, featuring names such as Bill Gates, Satya Nadella, Sundar Pichai, Christine Lagarde, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In addition to its high-profile speakers, SFF’s allure lies in its wide-ranging opportunities for engagement. Participants attending the event get to:

Forge connections during the Industry Networking Party at Club Street and the Daily Networking Happy Hour;
Dive into focused discussions with the 1:1 Meetings, Business Matching sessions, or the dedicated office hours with regulators, mentors, and investors;
Explore investment avenues with over 470 promising startups;
Understand the latest in fintech from more than 500 exhibitors representing 134 countries; and
Gain deep insights from 850+ speakers spread across multiple stages tailored for diverse interests including policy, tech, regulation and environment, social, and governance (ESG) topics.

Demonstrating the event’s expansive reach and reflective of its success, the 2022 edition of SFF saw a congregation of over 62,000 participants from more than 115 countries. More than 10,000 organizations participated, content spanned more than 250 hours, and media mentions exceeded 10,000, showcasing the global attention the event garnered.
SFF not only provides businesses a platform to learn and keep up with the most cutting-edge technologies in the fintech space, it also offers professionals an opportunity to engage, network and be at the forefront of the future of finance and technology.
Fintech News readers will enjoy a 20% discount off the ticket prices. Click here to purchase the tickets.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/why-swiss-fintechs-should-attend-2023s-hong-kong-fintech-week-and-singapore-fintech-festival</link><guid>3363</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Fintech-Zurich-2023-Smart-Sourcing-Event-.jpg?x22212</dc:content ><dc:text>Why Swiss Fintechs Should Attend 2023’s Hong Kong Fintech Week and Singapore Fintech Festival</dc:text></item><item><title>German Wealthtech Upvest Partners with BlackRock and Closes €30M Fundraising</title><description><![CDATA[Upvest, a Berlin-based fintech company providing the trading, settlement and custody infrastructure necessary for digital wealth management in one application programming interface (API), is partnering with BlackRock to make investing more accessible.
‍Partnership to complement strengths
BlackRock’s broad asset management expertise and leadership in ETFs combined with Upvest’s efficient investment API can power investment offerings for millions of investors. Wealth managers, banks and fintechs can build modern investment experiences in months instead of years, relying on Upvest’s efficient, low-friction API based infrastructure offering. Upvest’s offering will remain an open architecture.
As part of the partnership, BlackRock participated in Upvest’s €30m 2023 funding round alongside Upvest’s existing investors Bessemer Venture Partners, HV Capital, Earlybird, Notion Capital, ABN Amro Ventures, and 10x Capital.




   



    
   


   








‍Retail investment revolution in Europe
Millions of Europeans have embraced investing over the past years with many more expected to participate in financial markets in the years ahead. New propositions have emerged allowing low-cost, low-friction access for a new generation of first-time investors. ETFs are often at the heart of these new investors’ portfolios, offering transparency and cost efficiency. ETF savings plans (automated monthly investment plans) have fuelled a big part of this growth and are expected to grow in number from 4.9 million in 2021 to roughly 20 million by 2026 across Europe.
‍The importance of efficient infrastructure
These new investment propositions, with many powered by Upvest, can benefit from efficient, low-friction infrastructure to reduce transaction costs and allow access from small investment amounts, enabled by innovations such as fractional dealing of ETFs and stocks. Both fintechs, such as neo brokers and neo banks, and established banks and brokers can benefit from these capabilities to power their offerings.
‍Upvest is a leader in this space, having won some of Europe’s largest fintechs as clients. Upvest’s API-based investment infrastructure enables real, physical fractional investing across ETFs, stocks and mutual funds, lowering the entry barriers for investments to as little as €1 in any asset class. The growth of ETF portfolio adoption in retail can also be supported by Upvest’s capabilities with the help of its in-house portfolio engine and re-balancing. The new wave of investors may evolve from single product investments to broader portfolio adoption as education and investor objectives evolve. Upvest collaborates with distributors looking to evolve their digital investment infrastructure to reduce cost and complexity or expand geographically.
‍Timo Toenges
‍Timo Toenges, Head of iShares EMEA Digital Wealth business at BlackRock, comments:
“Millions of Europeans are embracing investing for the first time to build a better financial future for themselves. BlackRock’s partnership with Upvest will drive innovation in how Europeans access markets and make it cheaper and simpler to start investing. Across Europe ETFs are at the core of these new propositions and often the default choice for investors, as a transparent, low cost and easily understood starting point for a new generation of investors.”
‍Martin Kassing
‍Martin Kassing, Co-founder and CEO at Upvest, adds:
“One of the world’s leading providers of investments meets leading European investment infrastructure. We are incredibly proud of this partnership as a way to increase investment adoption for millions of people. With only a fraction of the European population investing in stocks and ETFs, we feel the urge to provide a better investment infrastructure to companies facilitating easy and affordable investment experiences. Together with BlackRock’s investment expertise, we can now serve any financial institution to upgrade their investment offering.”
‍
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/german-wealthtech-upvest-partners-with-blackrock-and-closes-30m-fundraising</link><guid>3362</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Fintech-Zurich-2023-Smart-Sourcing-Event-.jpg?x81825</dc:content ><dc:text>German Wealthtech Upvest Partners with BlackRock and Closes €30M Fundraising</dc:text></item><item><title>Sergey Kondratenko: Cybersecurity in the Fintech Industry – Modern Threats and Protective Measures</title><description><![CDATA[The fintech industry continues to innovate and break the stereotypes of traditional financial services. Therefore, the issue of the need for cybersecurity has never been as acute as it is now, Sergey Kondratenko notes. In addition, fintech firms manage sensitive customer data and financial activities, making them attractive targets for scammers. What are the current trends and problems of cybersecurity in the fintech industry, how to protect customer data in modern conditions and maintain their trust in the digital financial ecosystem?
Sergey Kondratenko is a recognized specialist in a wide range of e-commerce services with experience for many years. Now, Sergey is the owner and leader of a group of companies engaged not only in different segments of e-commerce, but also successfully operating in different jurisdictions, represented on all continents of the world. The main goal is to drive new traffic, create and deliver an online experience that will endear users to the brand, and turn visitors into customers while maximizing overall profitability of the online business.
Overview of the current situation with cybersecurity in the fintech sector – Sergey Kondratenko
The current 2023 is already presenting its own cybersecurity challenges for fintech companies. Cybercrime is growing exponentially and digital transformation is a major security concern for businesses around the world.
Sergey Kondratenko talks about the reason why ransomware has stood the test of time: they exploit the biggest flaw in every human being – the ability to make mistakes. It only takes one accidental click on the wrong link or connection to unsecured Wi-Fi, and the entire system can be attacked in a matter of seconds. EU Cybersecurity Agency Annual Report Enisa Threat Landscape Report showed that ransomware and accessibility attacks ranked first during the reporting period, with phishing (Internet fraud) being the most common initial access vector.
In a different report it says that 55% of financial institutions have been hit by ransomware in the past year, up 62% from the previous year. Financial organizations have received some of the lowest payouts from insurance companies after violations, so now it is really very important to create a good system to counter cyber attacks.
Sergey Kondratenko on modern cyber threats in the fintech sector and ways to overcome them
The development of fintech has changed the way we interact with financial services, providing convenience and accessibility. However, the digital revolution is giving rise to new threats to cybersecurity. Customer personal information, financial records and transaction details are stored by fintech organizations in huge volumes. Therefore, due to their high value, these assets are attractive targets for cybercriminals. Given these trends, according to Sergey Kondratenko it is essential to be aware of cybersecurity risks in order to understand how to make it less vulnerable to planned cyberattacks.
Modern cyber threats and ways to solve problems:

Problems of cloud computing. Most online financial services, including payment gateways, internet banking, digital wallets, and form filling, are provided through a cloud computing system. It provides advantages such as scalability, speed and availability, the volume of incoming data makes them vulnerable to cyber attacks. Therefore, it is very important to choose a reliable and secure cloud service provider who can customize the cloud according to the needs of the client.
Malicious attacks. The most common type of cyber attacks are malware. They can infiltrate through various channels, including email, third-party software, suspicious websites, and pop-ups. This is especially dangerous because of the high transmission and propagation speeds that can bring down entire networks.

I draw attention to the fact that in order to protect against cyber attacks on software, it is very important to choose cybersecurity infrastructure providers with regularly updated software that can quickly detect malware, – emphasizes Sergey Kondratenko.

Third party access. Financial institutions often use third-party services and software for various applications. Since these programs are connected to the main systems of organizations, they serve as entry points for hackers posing as authorized employees or customers of a third party. In this case, being careful when choosing a reliable third-party solution will help overcome cybersecurity issues.
System complexity and compatibility. Large financial institutions sometimes have several branches and headquarters around the world, each equipped with infrastructure from different vendors and developers. These systems are connected to each other, but they may not be compatible or create complex relationships that will leave gaps in the network. These weaknesses serve as the starting point for cyberattacks.
Identity theft and authentication. Financial institutions often use methods such as one-time payments, biometrics, passwords and other types of authentication to ensure security and verify identity. These methods have the disadvantage that they can often be copied, which opens up the possibility for hackers to steal significant amounts of money. Financial institutions must apply various verification gateways to prevent intrusion.
Digital online platform. Most fintech organizations are now using internet platforms. This indicates that the PCs and mobile devices through which users access their accounts are vulnerable to hacking.

Customers have to make many transactions using phones, tablets, computers and other devices. When using them for financial transactions, it is recommended to install anti-virus software with real-time detection and secure browsing,
Sergey Kondratenko explains.
The introduction of artificial intelligence in the cybersecurity of fintech companies
Many companies looking to digitally transform their operations will need to be well protected when it comes to cybersecurity. This means that now more than ever it’s important to build an IT team that knows a reliable way to do it.
One such security measure could be the zero trust model, which has become a popular alternative to password protection. In the latest Verizon Data Breach Report it says that 80% of data breaches are due to bad or reused passwords. In the zero trust model, users are considered as potential subjects of threats and must confirm their right to access data every time,
informs Sergey Kondratenko.
According to study published by Teramind in 2021, organizations with an advanced zero trust system saved 43% on data breach costs. It’s also the easiest and most effective way to keep remote workers safe. Zero trust can take many forms, including multi-factor authentication, continuous verification, smart monitoring, least privilege, and micro-segmentation.
In addition to intelligent monitoring, there are many other ways to implement AI for data security.
Sergey Kondratenko notes that AI is trained to perform cognitive functions, such as tracking suspicious activity in the systems of financial institutions. For example, when an employee tries to view files they don’t normally view, or a credit card used outside of the customer’s daily routine. Anything out of the norm will be flagged so that intervention can be made.
That’s all a human can do, but the scale needed to deliver this service 24/7 around the world would be next to impossible without AI. It can be left running indefinitely to constantly monitor for suspicious behavior.According to Teramind research, organizations using AI and security automation were able to detect and contain data breaches 27% faster than others.
Overcoming FinTech Cyber ​​Threats Through Control and Regulation – Sergey Kondratenko
One important solution to cyber threats in fintech is partnering with reputable cybersecurity firms that specialize in fintech.
These firms have the experience and expertise to help fintech companies navigate a complex regulatory environment and implement effective cybersecurity measures,
explains Sergey Kondratenko.
Another solution, according to the expert, is a proactive approach to cybersecurity. That is, fintech firms can implement measures such as regular employee training, strong passwords, and encryption to reduce the risk of cyberattacks. By taking these steps, companies can improve their cybersecurity posture and reduce exposure to risk.
Thus, in order to keep pace with the high pace of technological innovation in the financial industry, the fintech cybersecurity regulatory framework is expanding rapidly. Although the legislation governing this direction is very different around the world. Authorities are increasingly focusing on ensuring that financial institutions put in place adequate safeguards against cyberattacks.
Sergey Kondratenko is convinced that financial institutions should keep abreast of developments in Fintech cybersecurity trends and issues and implement appropriate controls to mitigate risks already now for those who have not already done so. Indeed, failure to comply with this requirement can lead to significant financial losses.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sergey-kondratenko-cybersecurity-in-the-fintech-industry-modern-threats-and-protective-measures</link><guid>3361</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Sergey Kondratenko: Cybersecurity in the Fintech Industry – Modern Threats and Protective Measures</dc:text></item><item><title>Kapitalerhöhung bei RealUnit: 2,26 Mio CHF frisches Kapital</title><description><![CDATA[Während der Kapitalerhöhungsrunde im September 2023 wurden 1’712’955 Inhaberaktien und 462’700 tokenisierte Namenaktien im Nennwert von je CHF 1.00 bei einem Ausgabebetrag von je CHF 1.04 im Gesamtwert von insgesamt CHF 2’262’681.20 gezeichnet und voll liberiert.
Das Aktienkapital der RealUnit Schweiz AG konnte von bisher CHF 30’918’321 auf neu CHF 33’093’976 erhöht werden. Dies entspricht einer Steigerung um 7%. Die neuen Inhaberaktien werden als Bucheffekten ausgestaltet und voraussichtlich am 10. Oktober 2023 an der BX Swiss AG kotiert. Die neuen Namenaktien werden als Registerwertrechte ausgestaltet und voraussichtlich gleichentags an die Wallets der Zeichner transferiert.
Ergebnisse Bezugsrechte und Erweiterung Aktionariat
Drei bisherige Namen- oder Inhaberaktien berechtigten zum Bezug einer neuen Inhaber- oder Namenaktie. Bisherige Aktionäre haben innert der vorgesehenen Bezugsfrist insgesamt 282’640 neue Aktien gezeichnet. Die nicht ausgeübten Bezugsrechte wurden bestehenden Aktionären und Dritten zur freien Zeichnung angeboten. Insgesamt wurden 1’893’015 Aktien frei gezeichnet. Es waren somit keine Kürzungen bei der Zuteilung erforderlich. Das Aktionariat hat sich weiter verbreitert. Der Anteil des Ankeraktionärs und Mitgründers der Gesellschaft hat sich auf 22% reduziert.




   



    
   


   








Dani Stüssi
«Wir haben bereits die zweite Kapitalerhöhung in diesem Jahr durchgeführt und sind mit dem Ergebnis in einem anspruchsvollen Marktumfeld zufrieden. Besonders die grosse Nachfrage nach unserem Aktientoken hat mich sehr gefreut.»
sagt Dani Stüssi, CEO der RealUnit Schweiz AG.

Steigende Nachfrage nach Aktientoken
21.3% der Investoren:Innen, welche an der ordentlichen Kapitalerhöhung teilgenommen haben, entschieden sich für die tokenisierten Namenaktien auf der Blockchain. Bereits im Mai 2023 wurden im Rahmen einer genehmigten Kapitalerhöhung insgesamt 1’683’551 neue Namenaktien gezeichnet. Der Anteil der Aktientoken ist erstmals auf über 10% des gesamten Aktienkapitals gestiegen.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/kapitalerhohung-bei-realunit-226-mio-chf-frisches-kapital</link><guid>3360</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Fintech-Zurich-2023-Smart-Sourcing-Event-.jpg?x81825</dc:content ><dc:text>Kapitalerhöhung bei RealUnit: 2,26 Mio CHF frisches Kapital</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 28 Upcoming Fintech Events Taking Place in Europe in Q4 2023</title><description><![CDATA[Europe has rapidly evolved into a powerhouse of fintech innovation and growth, driven by regulatory support, consumer demand, and technological advancements.
In recent years, key European cities including London, Berlin and Stockholm have emerged as global fintech hubs, drawing billions in investments. At the same time, regulatory changes including the introduction of the Revised Payment Services Directive (PSD2) have further catalyzed the sector’s growth and paved the way for the emergence of open banking.
As Europe continues to maintain its position as one of the most prominent fintech ecosystems in the world, organizers are setting up a plethora of events across the region to help industry stakeholders keep up with the latest developments, network and connect with their peers.




   



    
   


   








Today, we look at the top upcoming fintech events taking place across the region in the coming months. For this list, we’ve focused on large-scale gatherings scheduled for Q4 2023.
Backbase Engage
October 11, 2023
De Hallen Studios, Amsterdam, The Netherland

At Backbase ENGAGE, the annual conference aims to inspire banks to make the Big Shift from Traditional to Engagement Banking. Through omnichannel engagement orchestration and progressive modernization, you’ll discover how to re-architect your systems around your customers, putting them at the heart of everything you do.
Register here
Chatbot Summit
October 11 – 12, 2023
Excel, London, UK


The Chatbot Summit, scheduled for October 11 and 12, 2023, at Excel in London, is projected to welcome around 1,500 decision-makers and frontrunners in generative and conversational artificial intelligence (AI).
A broad array of experts from prominent companies like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Meta, HuggingFace, Rasa, British Telecom, Deutsche Telekom, Khan Academy, Miele, HomeDepot, and others, will share their insights on recent innovations in the field.
The conference will delve deep into various themes, including the open innovation frameworks for large language models, the transformation of contact centers through generative AI, scaling top-tier bots in sectors such as telecom, retail, and banking, and harnessing generative AI to enrich data insights for an enhanced customer experience, among others.
Participants will get to engage in world-renowned generative and conversational AI masterclasses and workshops, participate in roundtables, attend enlightening keynotes and panels, and connect with their peers in networking sessions.
The 2nd Financial Innovation Forum
October 12, 2023
Renaissance Hotel St Pancras, London, UK


On October 12, 2023, the Renaissance Hotel St Pancras in London will play host to the 2nd Financial Innovation Forum. This event, organized by QUBE Events, aims to offer a platform for international industry experts to come together and deliberate on the latest developments, trends, and best practices in the rapidly evolving world of financial technology and innovation.
Attendees will dive deep into the most recent trends and practices that are revolutionizing the finance world, get a chance to gain insights into what the future might hold for the realm of finance, and engage in debates covering a broad spectrum of topics like blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and regulatory matters.
Over 40 industry leaders are expected to lend their expertise during the forum, discussing both prevailing and emergent trends in finance. Some of the topics that attendees can look forward to include strategies in the financial sector, acceleration techniques, data-driven innovation, regulation, cybersecurity, market growth, customer loyalty, future prospects, and much more. More than 400 industry leaders, which includes more than 40 keynote speakers representing over 100 companies, are set to participate.
Announced distinguished speakers include:

Fabrizio Ballarini, Head of Organic Growth at Wise
Sasja Beslik, Senior Advisor, Data Analytics at Rimm Sustainability
Marcello Calabro, Group Chief Marketing Officer at UniCredit
Maria Costa, Head of Sustainability – Wealth Management and Insurance at Santander UK
Parvinder Dahri-Cooper, Chief Operating Officer at Uber

Topics covered will include:

Generative AI’s role in reshaping finance
Core principles of employing generative AI in banking
AI/ML and customer experience
AI’s role in countering financial crime in the future
Marketing trends for financial services for 2023-24
Financial inclusion’s objectives and obstacles
The nexus between finance and sustainability in recommerce
Evolution of mobile commerce in the payment industry
The future trajectory of payment data

FML Presents: Building Community for High Growth Fintechs
October 12, 2023
Fora Southwark, London, UK


FML Presents: Building Community for High Growth Fintechs, scheduled on October 12, 2023, aims to shine a light on how technology and evolving consumer behavior have allowed marketers to cultivate potent relationships within these communities.
The event will dive deep into the nuances of community-building strategies that are game-changers in the fintech domain and help participants understand the value and impact of fostering a dynamic and engaged community.
Attendees will also get to participate in engaging discussions and network with peers and professionals who share their passion for fintech and community-building.
Speakers line-up:

Jo Burford, Head of Community at TikTok UK
Henry Barton, Head of Community and Brand at Uncapped
Oscar Mackenzie, Head of Marketing at Share
Gemma Livermore, Head of Intl FS Marketing at Seismic and Founder of Women In Fintech
Max Rothery, VP Community at Finimize
Julia Lucas, Head Of Influencer Marketing and Creative Strategy at Growth Gorilla

Bitcoin Amsterdam 2023
October 12 – 13, 2023
Westergas, Amsterdam, The Netherlands


Scheduled for October 12 and 13, Bitcoin Amsterdam 2023 will shine a spotlight on the revolutionary world of Bitcoin.
The event promises a blend of enlightening talks, interactive panels, and state-of-the-art exhibitions. Attendees will have the golden opportunity to engage in stimulating dialogues, network with luminaries from the sector, and get unparalleled insights into the ceaselessly evolving crypto milieu.
Bitcoin Amsterdam 2023 will feature multiple stages with content including workshops and keynote addresses, focused on education and celebration of the sound money revolution.
Crypto Assets Conference
October 17 – 18, 2023
Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, Frankfurt, Germany


The Crypto Assets Conference (CAC23B), taking place on October 17 and 18, 2023, is a two-day conference that will explore rapidly evolving landscape of digital currencies, blockchain, and decentralized finance.
The conference will kick off with a focus on digital securities, tokenization of assets, digital funds, infrastructure, digital finance, and more. On the second day, discussions will pivot towards Bitcoin, decentralized finance (DeFi), Web3, carbon tokenization, environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards, and other critical topics.
CAC23B is expected to be attended by more than 500 people and is poised to be a melting pot of knowledge, insights, and visionary ideas. Participants will get to engage and collaborate with a diverse audience comprising sector specialists, corporate stalwarts, and innovative entrepreneurs, glean insights from industry thought leaders through their talks, debates, and presentations, and stay updated on the latest trends, innovations, and disruptions in the digital currency, blockchain, and DeFi space.
The Frankfurt School Blockchain Center will be curating and hosting all presentations, keynotes, and panel discussions on its dedicated YouTube channel, making the content accessible to a global audience.
Seamless Europe 2023
October 18 – 19, 2023
Messe Berlin, Germany


Taking place at the Messe Berlin on October 18 and. 19, 2023, Seamless Europe 2023 promises an illuminating journey through the dynamic landscapes of payments, fintech, retail, and e-commerce, and aims to bring together key industry stakeholders to pave the way for the next revolutionary concept.
Seamless Europe 2023 is set to bring together 5,500+ attendees, 400+ renowned speakers, and 350+ prominent brands to discuss the industry’s progress and trajectory.
As industry leaders and experts take the stage, attendees will get a treasure trove of insights that delve into Europe’s evolving payments and fintech sphere. Attendees will also get to engage with incisive interviews and capture the perspectives of industry leaders on the future of Europe’s fintech and payments sector.
Confirmed speakers for this year’s event include:

Ulrich Bindseil, Director General, European Central Bank
Tamaz Georgadze, Founder and CEO, Raisin Bank
Klara Lise Aasen, CEO, Bank Norwegian
Sanela Pasic, CEO, Addiko Bank
Jeremy Balkin, Global Head of Innovation and Corporate Development, JP Morgan
Karyna Hutarovich, Vice President, Deutsche Bank
Andrés Quiles Ruiz, Digital Offer &amp; Business Innovation Director, ABANCA
Deyana Cherneva, COO, Corporate And Investment Banking, HSBC
Lukas Enzersdorfer-Konrad, Deputy CEO, Bitpanda
Craig Morrow, Head of Data and Analytics, Atom Bank
Marika Lõhmus, Head of Payments and Fraud, Clea
Maximilian Maischein, Senior Expert in Digital Currencies, DZ BANK AG
Vasily Starostenko, Head of Product, Revolut
Malin Lignell, VP of Digitalization, Handelsbanken
Aleksi Grym, Head of Fintech and Principal Adviser, Bank of Finland
Andreea Niculea, Chief Digital Business Officer, Banca March

Open Banking Expo 2023
October 18 – 19, 2023
Business Design Centre, London, UK


Open Banking Expo 2023, scheduled for October 18 and 19, is poised to become the defining congregation for all enthusiasts, professionals, and stakeholders immersed in the world of open banking, open finance, open data, and open banking payments.
Over two days, the expo will break traditional silos, ushering in a holistic approach to the financial realm. It will bridge the financial ecosystem with various other sectors like retail, utilities, telecoms, gaming, transport, and leisure, underscoring the interdisciplinary and expansive reach of open banking concepts.
Participants will get to gain insights from over 150 distinguished speakers, attend more than 60 in-depth sessions, and interaction with 40+ industry partners.
The event promises to be a veritable feast for the intellect, featuring an array of speakers representing giants such as American Express, Google, Barclays, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, and more.
Topics covered will include the future of payments, the implications of open data, insights into retail banking and addressing customer vulnerabilities.
Tech in Finance
October 19, 2023
Casa Diocesana de Malaga, Malaga, Spain


Originating in 2019, the Tech in Finance conference stemmed from a vision to curate an exclusive arena where developers from the finance realm could come together, share insights, and enrich their understanding.
This year, the conference will escalate its offerings, moving beyond mere discussions to a more tactile experience. Emphasizing technical demonstrations, the event strives to offer attendees a hands-on exploration of the latest breakthroughs and practical tech applications in finance.
The 2023 edition, which will take place on October 19, is set to delve into three pivotal domains that stand at the cusp of revolutionizing the finance sector: the intricacies of AI, the expansive potential of financial services at scale, and the burgeoning world of cryptocurrencies and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). Enriching these themes will be panel discussions, giving a more granular perspective on the technological and engineering marvels propelling these topics.
Confirmed speakers for the event include:

Jim Anning, Chief Data Officer of Comply Advantage
Juan Carlos Botran, Global Head of GKC and API Acceleration at Swift
David Moreno, Business Development Director at Swift
Victor Tuson, CTPO at BitPanda
Rubén Fernández, CTO at Criptan
Jorge Soriano, CEO and Co-Founder at Criptan
Viktoria Ivan, Senior Data Scientist at Ebury

MoneyLIVE Nordic Banking
October 23 – 24, 2023
Copenhagen, Denmark


MoneyLIVE Nordic Banking, scheduled for October 23 and 24, 2023, is poised to stand as the nexus of groundbreaking insights and pioneering visions, with a singular aim: catapulting innovation to realms previously uncharted.
The two-day event promises to be the crucible where the luminaries of the Nordic and Baltic regions converge. These thought leaders will be both the torchbearers of change and its most passionate advocates, ensuring that the seeds of transformation planted here burgeon into the gold standards of tomorrow’s financial realm.
The 2023 edition of MoneyLIVE Nordic Banking will delve into themes including:

Navigating an increasingly uncertain geo-political and economic landscape;
Glimpses into the ever-evolving global economic forecast;
Envisaging the partnerships of the future with fintech as the lynchpin;
Adapting to a paradigm where interest rates are reborn;
Architecting the next generation of payment infrastructures and innovations;
Embracing the vision of customer-centricity, from holistic user experiences to innovations like gamification and generative AI; and
Delving into groundbreaking domains like the creator economy, quantum computing, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and embedded finance.

European Blockchain Convention
October 25 – 26, 2023
Fira Barcelona Montjuic, Barcelona, Spain


The European Blockchain Convention (EBC) will take place on October 25 and 26, 2023, promising to be a spectacle of unparalleled magnitude in the blockchain cosmos. This year’s event is expected to be attended by 5,000 people and feature 300 distinguished speakers and a tapestry of events and showcases.
EBC 2023 will comprise three stages, a sprawling 3,000 sqm exhibition area, and a plethora of side events ranging from thematic sessions, networking lounges, an exclusive investor meetup and an NFT art gallery. The event will also feature Startup Battle, where 50 of Europe’s most promising blockchain startups will be presenting their groundbreaking ideas to a rapt audience, as well as a 48-hour Hackathon.
Leaders from giants like Nansen, Fidelity, Banco Santander, BBVA, Coinbase, Binance, and Galaxy Digital, among many others, will grace the stages. Their discussions will span a spectrum of themes— from regulatory landscapes, Central Bank Digital Currencies, the metamorphosis of crypto, the surge of AI, to the nuances of sustainability and tokenization.
The 16th NextGen Payments and Regtech Forum
November 02 – 03, 2023
Four Seasons Hotel, Limassol, Cyprus

The 16th NextGen Payments and Regtech Forum, taking place on November 02 and 03, 2023, will bring together international experts in the payments and regulatory fields. The forum aims to discuss advancements in technology, evolving regulatory frameworks, and the challenges and opportunities in a disruptive economy.
Key discussions will revolve around the evolving landscape of payments technology, with special emphasis on topics like the future of money, payments in the metaverse, embedded finance, buy now pay later (BNPL), DeFi, crypto payments, AI’s role in finance, blockchain’s potential, and biometric payments.
Additionally, dedicated segments will shed light on the pressing issues of consumer data protection, the overarching potential of AI, and the pivotal role of cybersecurity in risk and fraud management.
The forum will also address the advancements in regtech and compliance, offering insights into the automation of compliance management, the new wave of financial crime compliance technologies, and strategies to bolster transparency and cost-efficiency.
The event will comprise interactive panels, sessions led by disruptive challengers in the industry, and presentations by over 40 keynote speakers. Attendees will benefit from 1.000 minutes of content explicitly crafted for senior executives and have the opportunity to network with over 400 industry leaders representing more than 100 companies.
Fintech LIVE London 2023
November 08 – 09, 2023
Queen Elizabeth II Centre, London, UK


Fintech LIVE London 2023, taking place on November 08 and 09, will bring the fintech industry together to discuss the world of fintech, insurtech and crypto.
Attendees will have the option to participate either in person at the QEII Centre or virtually. With over 5,000 participants expected, including more than 60 premier speakers, the event is set to be one of the biggest fintech gatherings yet. Among the anticipated speakers are Saira Khan of HSBC, Jason Maude of Starling Bank, and Christian Rau from MasterCard.
Fintech LIVE London 2023 will revolve around nine central themes: payment technology, sustainability and net zero, digital banking, financial services, cryptocurrencies, fraud and identity verification, green and ethical finance, data and regtech, and women in fintech. Each segment promises in-depth exploration and insights from industry pioneers.
Web3: Impact the Economy
November 09, 2023
Lithuanian Exhibition and Congress Centre LITEXPO, Vilnius, Lithuania

Web3: Impact the Economy, taking place on November 09, 2023 in Vilnius, is a seminal event which will delve into the intricacies of the Web3 economy.
Participants will embark on an in-depth exploration of diverse subjects within the Web3 realm, ranging from DeFi, decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), and the metaverse, to crypto economies, decentralized social networks, and digital assets. In a holistic approach, the conference will also spotlight education, regulatory challenges, practical case studies, and the examination of actual decentralized business models.
The event promises a rich tapestry of participants, with a lineup that includes policymakers, founders of tech enterprises, CEOs of burgeoning startups, experts, tech aficionados, legal advisors, IT professionals, and representatives from NGOs.
These thought leaders and industry shapers will gather from all corners of the world, bringing their expertise to address the pressing challenges and opportunities inherent in the Web3 economy.
Fintech Talents Festival
November 13 – 14, 2023
The Brewery, London, UK


Fintech Talents Festival is making a comeback for its fifth iteration on November 13 and 14, 2023 at The Brewery in London. The event promises an unparalleled lineup with over 2,000 attendees, 400+ dynamic speakers, and activities across six distinct stages.
Senior leaders from diverse corners of the financial services world will present their visions for the industry’s future. The event will also showcase a blend of innovative fintech entities, technological change drivers, and a rapidly expanding group of pioneering leaders from non-financial corporations.
Confirmed speakers represent a wide array of organizations including Barclays, Natwest, HSBC, ING, Nespresso, Monzo, ASOS, Nationwide, Coventry Building Society, Yorkshire Building Society, NO. 1 Copper Pot Credit Union, E.ON, Volkswagen, Marks &amp; Spencer, Bolt, and many others.
Attendees will get to gain insights from a selection of stages such as Fintech Talents, FTT Open Finance, FTT Embedded Finance &amp; Customer Alpha, the newly introduced FTT AI Transformation for 2023, and the co-located Future Identity Festival and FTT Mutuals.
The festival will cover a vast spectrum, including banking-as-a-service (BaaS), software-as-a-service (SaaS) and retail banks, and address pressing subjects like generative AI and generational shifts.
Web Summit 2023
November 13 – 16, 2023
Altice Arena, Lisbon, Portugal


Scheduled from November 13 to 16, 2023, at the Altice Arena in Lisbon, Portugal, the Web Summit marks its return as one of the world’s largest congregations of tech leaders. Anticipated to bring together over 70,000 attendees, the Web Summit seeks to spotlight companies that are reshaping the contours of the tech industry.
In light of the uncertainty surrounding numerous industries and the global milieu, this year’s summit is more pertinent than ever and will aim to rally policymakers, state heads, and pivotal figures from tech giants and burgeoning startups to explore what lies ahead for the tech sector.
Moreover, with the current emphasis on continuous learning, Web Summit 2023 will also provide an opportunity for professional growth. Its array of educational content, masterclasses, and roundtables will ensure attendees can glean skills and insights to elevate their professional journey.
Finance Magnates London Summit
November 20 – 22, 2023
Old Billingsgate, London, UK

The Finance Magnates London Summit, also known as FMLS:23, will be held from November 20 to 22, 2023, at Old Billingsgate in London. It stands as the most significant event where finance intersects innovation, gathering expertise in online trading, fintech, payments, crypto, and blockchain. The summit anticipates a community of over 3,500 attendees, more than 150 speakers, and about 120 exhibitors.
Celebrating its 11th year, FMLS:23 strives to unite industry experts, professionals, and visionaries from diverse sectors such as banking, fintech, cryptocurrencies, forex, and beyond. The event will boast a stellar lineup of speakers and delegates and will emphasize sharing insights on the current trends, challenges, and opportunities in the global financial sector.
One of the summit’s major attractions will be its insightful panel discussions and keynote sessions where industry giants will share their perspectives on market trends, regulatory changes, blockchain, digital assets, and the financial future. The event will also feature interactive workshops for attendees seeking a deeper understanding, and will offer unparalleled networking opportunities, enabling attendees to liaise with influential figures from the financial services realm.
MoneyLive Payments Europe
November 21 – 22, 2023
SugarFactory, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

MoneyLive Payments Europe, scheduled to take place from November 21 to 22, 2023, at the SugarFactory in Amsterdam, aims to bring together leading figures from the payments realm to deliberate on pivotal topics that drive transformation and innovation in payments.
This year’s event will delve into a diverse set of key themes, including:

Retail payments innovation: This will cover a range of topics from point-of-sale (POS) innovation and BNPL trends to the evolution of e-commerce checkout experiences.
Payments infrastructure: Discussions will revolve around instant payments, cross-border payment dynamics, the ISO 20022 standard, and the global connection of faster payment systems.
Digital identity and fraud: This theme will address the European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDIW), advancements in biometrics for contactless payments, and the challenges of Authorized Push Payment (APP) fraud and liability.
The digital Euro: This segment will tackle the pilot projects concerning digital Euro in peer-to-peer (P2P) online and offline transactions, and payee-initiated payments.
Wallets and super-apps: The spotlight will be on the emergence of super-apps in Europe, the evolution of pan-European digital wallets, and the ongoing cardless revolution.
Open banking payments: Topics under this theme will include the progression towards the Payment Services Directive 3 (PSD3), the Single Payments Area Agreement (SPAA), insights into variable recurring payments and account-to-account (A2A) payments, and the prospective landscape of open banking payments.
Payments on the blockchain: This section will delve into the Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) regulation, the potential of tokenization, the role of cryptocurrencies in retail payments, and the vision of payments in a Web3 environment.
The value of data: The focus here will be on harnessing personalization for loyalty programs, adding value for merchants, and the significance of Intelligent POS systems coupled with enriched payments data.

Fintech World Forum 2023
November 22 – 23, 2023
Kensington Conference and Events Centre, London, UK

Fintech World Forum 2023 is based in London as one of leading fintech events 2023 for global financial services, finance and banking technology industry.
The event focuses on mobile payments, lending, insurance, blockchain, Bitcoin, investment, money, crypto, digital wallets, payments, tech, financial services, banking, insurtech, regtech and wealthtech.
Paris Blockchain Summit IV
November 25, 2023
Paris Etoile Business Center, Paris, France

The Paris Blockchain Summit IV, scheduled to take place on November 25, 2023, at the Paris Etoile Business Center, will provide industry stakeholders with a platform to cement their positions in this burgeoning domain.
Participants can look forward to a variety of programmatic elements including insightful keynotes, engaging conferences, business networking sessions, showcases of the latest technological innovations, and hands-on workshops centered around the concept of Web3.
The summit will promise insights from international speakers and leading experts from diverse sectors, ensuring attendees garner a comprehensive understanding of the blockchain landscape. Attendees will have the chance to connect with pioneering professionals who are shaping the future across various industries such as luxury, gaming, circular economy, sports, finance, the metaverse, NFTs, and many others.
The event is expected to bring together 1,200 people, representation of from 300 companies and institutions and 150 investors. The summit will feature 30 panels, workshops, and presentations.
Swiss FinTechs &amp; Nearshoring
November 28, 2023
Renaissance Tower Hotel, Zurich

Attend and learn from leading nearshoring IT service providers how they support Swiss FinTech companies (and many others) with their software engineering needs and deliver innovative solutions quickly, reliably &amp; cost-effectively.
Register here
Future of Insurance Europe 2023
November 28 – 29, 2023
Novotel, Amsterdam, The Netherland

Join Reuters the Future of Insurance Europe Even on 28-29 November in Amsterdam to discuss strategy, technology, customer, claims, and the industry’s trajectory. Designed specifically for you and attended by the most innovative industry players from 35+ countries across Europe and all business lines.
Register here
FIMA Europe 2023
November 28 – 29, 2023
The QEII Centre, London, UK

FIMA Europe 2023, slated to be held on November 28 and 29, 2023, at The QEII Centre in London, will convene some of the most influential investment banks, asset management companies, and insurance groups from around the world to delve deep into the strategies and best practices that will enable them to stay ahead in this challenging environment.
A notable addition to the 2023 edition of FIMA Europe is the Data Tech Innovation Day, an exclusive gathering designed to bring together a select group of professionals, including data architects, technologists, analytics specialists, and science leaders.
Key takeaways for attendees of the 2023 edition of FIMA Europe will include:

Generative AI: Understand how to responsibly harness the power of generative AI to revolutionize your data management processes.
Cloud Implementation: Discover the benefits and strategies of using the cloud to rapidly access multi-source data, ensuring efficient and effective decision-making.
Data Mesh: Explore the advantages of the data mesh approach, which facilitates federated access to an increasing array of data products, bolstering organizational data capacities.
ESG and Sustainable Investments: Equip businesses with the requisite data tools and insights to formulate and execute impactful ESG strategies, and champion sustainable investment initiatives.

Transform Payments Europe 2023
November 28, 2023
London, UK

Transform Payments Europe 2023, taking place on November 28, 2023, in London, will delve deeply into critical issues, offering attendees transformative insights, tactics, and connections to thrive in the payments industry. This conference promises an unmatched professional learning and networking experience, hallmarked by unparalleled levels of networking, insightful panel discussions, and a distinguished roster of attendees.
The event will emphasize the paramount importance of staying ahead of major regulatory changes and infrastructure shifts to tap into the vast potential of the worldwide payments market. It will offer insights into the future of the industry, networking opportunities with global leaders, and actionable strategies for immediate implementation.
Key themes to be covered include:

Regulatory Landscape: Understand the implications of forthcoming regulations and engage in discussions with senior leaders from institutions like the FCA, Bank of England, and UK Parliament.
Real-Time Payments: Adapt to payment innovations and evaluate investments in comprehensive payments infrastructure, software, and operating models to support 24/7 transactions.
AI and Fraud Prevention: Implement AI and fraud detection tools to counter scams, elevate payment acceptance, preserve reputation, and minimize false positives to guarantee a smooth customer experience.
Open Banking Innovations: Strategize with major entities like the FCA, BNP Paribas, and NatWest Bank of APIs and Open Banking Ltd to co-create cutting-edge payment experiences.
Embedded Finance: Integrate embedded banking solutions seamlessly within marketplaces, enabling embedded instant transactions and lending.
Future-Proofing Banking Tech: Hear from industry frontrunners like Nationwide, HSBC, Lunar, and JP Morgan about creating modular infrastructure, greenfield banking, and cloud-native platforms.

Fintech and Insurtech Digital Congress
December 04, 2023
The Westin Warsaw Hotel, Warszawa, Poland

The 2023 edition of the Fintech and Insurtech Digital Congress will take place on December 04 at the Westin Warsaw Hotel in Warszawa, Poland.
Attendees can expect to dive deep into the infinite potential of the financial and insurance sectors and see how today’s visionary ideas are being transformed into tomorrow’s realities. Moreover, the congress is renowned for facilitating elite networking opportunities, allowing attendees to share ideas, form strategic partnerships, and glean insights from international experiences.
This year, participants can look forward to a range of discussions covering topics such as comprehensive risk management strategies in finance and insurance, the evolution of the economic market through technological and legal changes, early trend detection in finance, the pivotal role of customer experience in modern finance, innovations in ESG technologies, the transformative potential of AI in the financial industry, the rise of intelligent automation, the ongoing revolution in payment methods, strategic financial balancing, and the intricacies of building a robust technology ecosystem.
Next Block Expo
December 04 – 05, 2023
CineStar Cubix  Alexanderplatz, Berlin, Germany

The 2023 edition of Next Block Expo, one of the most prominent blockchain festivals in Europe, will reconvene in Berlin on December 04 and 05 and is expected to bring together over 2,500 attendees, more than 140 speakers, 60 exhibitors, and 8 awards categories.
The two-day program promises a comprehensive exploration of the latest innovations and developments in the field of blockchain, covering topics and trends including DeFi, metaverse, NFTs, gaming, privacy, scaling, exchanges, venture capital (VC), fundraising, legal/tax perspectives, payments, and security.
The event will also feature distinct segments, such as the Trading Zone and Women in Web3, providing dedicated content and networking sessions. There will also be a Pitch Contest targeting Web3 startups and numerous other interactive opportunities.
Attendees will also have access a proprietary smart-networking app tailor-made for the event, where they can engage in one-on-one chats, schedule meetings, personalize their agenda, and gain insights on promotions, side events, and offerings by participating companies.
Impact Investing World Forum 2023
December 05 – 06, 2023
Kensington Conference and Event Centre, London, UK

The Impact Investing World Forum (IIWF) 2023 will convene at the Kensington Conference and Event Centre in London on December 05 and 06, 2023.
This year’s event will emphasize the social repercussions of various investment avenues. This includes an exploration of social impact bonds, stocks, private equity, investment banking, fintech, banking technology, and other related sectors. Moreover, the forum will delve into the broader realms of finance, encompassing blockchain, sustainability, responsible investing, VC, wealth management, and family office discussions.
Esteemed institutions and organizations, such as Big Society Capital, Oxford University, the European Union, the European Investment Bank, and Big Issue, are among the confirmed keynote speakers and contributors for the event.
IIWF 2023 will offer a unique platform to discuss and strategize the way forward for investments that not only yield financial returns but also make a significant positive difference in society at large.
Fintech Connect 2023
December 06 – 07, 2023
Excel, London, UK

Scheduled for December 06 and 07, 2023, at Excel in London, Fintech Connect 2023 aims to connect the global thought-leaders across the fintech ecosystem in an exhibition and conference like no other.
This year’s event is set to bring together 3,000+ global attendees – from forward-thinking start-ups to the C-suite of major financial institutions. The event will focus on four main themes:

Digital Transformation in Financial Services: This segment will delve into the intricacies of embedding generative AI, the pathways to successful fintech partnerships, ensuring profitability through embedded finance, and leveraging technology for a tailored customer experience.
Innovations in B2B and B2C Payments: The spotlight will be on understanding the ripple effects of embedded finance and payments orchestration, strategies for securing payments against fraudulent activities, and the repercussions of new standardizations in payments.
Web3 Technologies and the Blockchain Transformation: This theme will include discussions on central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) from leading central banks, insights into the evolving landscape of institutional cryptocurrency, and the role of metaverses in potential digital metamorphoses.
Leadership in Financial Service Security: This domain will center on enhancing customer protection through digital identity, strategies against escalating financial malpractices and cyber threats, and harnessing AI in regtech for a harmonious blend of efficiency and compliance.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-28-upcoming-fintech-events-taking-place-in-europe-in-q4-2023</link><guid>3359</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Fintech-Zurich-2023-Smart-Sourcing-Event-.jpg?x81825</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 28 Upcoming Fintech Events Taking Place in Europe in Q4 2023</dc:text></item><item><title>Instant Payments Is Booming: McKinsey Global Payment Report 2023</title><description><![CDATA[Usage of cash globally is decreasing at a consistent pace as electronic transactions, including those involving instant payments and digital wallets, are taking off, a new report by McKinsey shows.
The 2023 Global Payments Report, released on September 18, shares key findings from McKinsey’s proprietary payment market intelligence platform and data, which span more than 25 payments products in 47 countries.
An analysis of the evolution of the global payments sector over the past year shows that cash usage dropped by nearly 4% in 2022, led by cash-reliant economies including India and Brazil where the share of cash transactions fell by 7 to 10 points in favor of instant payments. Digital wallets, which are used to conduct most of instant payments, are seeing similar growth.




   



    
   


   








Usage of Brazil’s Pix system continues upward trend
In Brazil, the report notes that the decline of cash transactions came in tandem with the rise of the country’s Pix system.
Pix is a mobile-based real-time payments service launched in 2020 with the aim of reducing cash transactions and offering an alternative to existing payment instruments that’s faster and more affordable.
The service allows instant payments between individuals and between individuals, companies, and government, and operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year. Pix has been used by about 140 million individuals, or 80% of the adult population, and 13 million firms, statistics from Banco Central do Brasil show.
According to a 2023 report by ACI Worldwide and GlobalData, the use of instant payments in Brazil surged by a staggering 228.9% between 2021 and 2022. By 2027, real-time payments are expected to represent a 40.8% share of total payments volume, up by 24.7 points from a 16.1% share in 2022. McKinsey estimates that by then, almost half of the transactional revenue growth through 2027 is expected to come from instant payments.
Shares of volumes by payments instrument in Brazil, Source: Prime Time for Real-Time Global Payments Report, ACI Worldwide, March 2023
UPI transactions dominate Indian payments landscape
Similarly, the volume of India’s digital payments has grown tenfold over the past five years and McKinsey projects it to grow at roughly 35% per year over the next five. New digital transactions in India have so far been the result of cash displacement, a trend which will carry on moving forward.
In H1 2023, 51.91 billion transactions were conducted through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) network, increasing by 62% year-on-year (YoY), data from the government show.
According to Dilip Asbe, the managing director of the National Payments Corporation of India, which oversees UPI, the platform has grown rapidly and is now used by close to 300 million individuals and 50 million merchants.
UPI is an instant payments system that facilitates inter-bank peer-to-peer and person-to-merchant transactions. The infrastructure was introduced in 2016 and aims to provide a new payment system that’s simple, secure and interoperable. According to a CNBC report, UPI now accounts for over 75% of all retail digital transactions in India, up from just 23% in 2018.
Instant payments pick up in Nigeria
McKinsey notes that a similar trend is being observed in Nigeria where the share of cash transactions fell to 80% in 2022 from 95% in 2019. Over the same period, instant payments’ share quadrupled to 8%.
Nigeria introduced its Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) in July 2011. The system is supported by all commercial banks, micro-finance banks and mobile money operators, and can be used via different modalities including Internet and mobile banking, bank branches, kiosks, mobile USSD, point-of-sale (POS) terminals and ATMs.
NIBSS instant payments rose from 729.2 million transactions in 2018 to 5.2 billion in 2022, data from the government show. The ACI Worldwide and Global Data report projects that the volume of real-time transactions in the country will rise to 8.9 billion by 2027.
Shares of volumes by payments instrument in Nigeria, Source: Prime Time for Real-Time Global Payments Report, ACI Worldwide, March 2023
Rise of instant payments and digital wallets to push payments revenues
Global payments revenues grew by 11% in 2022, reaching an all-time high of over US$2.2 trillion, data from McKinsey show. This growth was largely driven by North America, Latin America, and Europe, the Middle East and Africa which recorded double-digit growth rates.
Global payments revenues, 2017-2027 (US$ trillion), Source: 2023 McKinsey Global Payments Report, Sep 2023
Between 2022 and 2027, global payments revenues are expected to grow by a compound annual growth rate of 7% to reach US$3.2 trillion. According to McKinsey, this future growth will be stimulated by instant payments innovations and the rise in digital wallets.
Cash-heavy developing economies, in particular, are set to drive much of this shift toward real-time payments. By 2027, the consulting firm projects that these countries’ share of instant payments will represent roughly half of their payments transactions – nearly two-and-a-half to three times greater than their share in 2022.
Emerging markets including India and Brazil are already standing as world leaders in instant payments. In 2022, these countries were the two largest real-time payments markets in the world, accounting for 46% and 15% of all real-time transactions globally, respectively, the ACI Worldwide and Global Data report show.
In 2022, global real-time payments transactions reached a volume of 195 billion, representing a YoY growth of 63.2%. By 2027, these transactions are expected to account for 27.8% of all electronic payments globally.

Featured image credit: freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/instant-payments-is-booming-mckinsey-global-payment-report-2023</link><guid>3358</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Fintech-Zurich-2023-Smart-Sourcing-Event-.jpg?x81825</dc:content ><dc:text>Instant Payments Is Booming: McKinsey Global Payment Report 2023</dc:text></item><item><title>Schweizer Online-Lending-Markt knackt erstmals die 20-Milliarden-Franken-Grenze</title><description><![CDATA[Die Geschäftsmodelle von Marketplace Lending Plattformen unterscheiden sich fundamental von demjenigen von Banken. Sie treten lediglich als Online-Vermittler auf und nehmen keine Einlagen von Kundinnen und Kunden in die eigene Bilanz. Sie vergeben selber auch keine Kredite.
Institutionelle und private Investoren können so direkt in Fremdkapital investieren. 2022 wurde auf Online-Plattformen Fremdkapital mit einem Volumen von 21.4 Milliarden Franken vermittelt. Im Vorjahr waren es 15.4 Milliarden Franken. Das entspricht einem Anstieg von 16 Prozent. In den letzten fünf Jahren hat sich das Volumen sogar vervierfacht.
Dies zeigt die neueste Ausgabe des Marketplace Lending Reports der Hochschule Luzern (HSLU), der Swiss Marketplace Lending Association (SMLA) und der APEX Group. Es ist die einzige umfassende Analyse zur Fremdkapital-Finanzierung von Schweizer Unternehmen, öffentlich-rechtlichen Körperschaften und Privatpersonen über Plattformen im Internet.




   



    
   


   








Entwicklung Marketplace Lending in der Schweiz 2017 bis 2022 (nach Segment): Im vergangenen Jahr stieg die Fremdfinanzierung über Online-Plattformen um 16 Prozent auf über 21.4 Milliarden Franken. Das Volumen ist somit rund vier Mal höher als im Jahr 2017. Besonders stark gestiegen sind Online-Kredite und Anleihen für Grossunternehmen, KMU und öffentlich-rechtliche Körperschaften mit schätzungsweise 14.7 Milliarden Franken. Sie machen mit 65 Prozent den Grossteil des Online-Fremdkapitals aus. Für öffentlich-rechtliche Körperschaften sind Online-Kredite zu einem wichtigen Finanzierungsstandbein geworden (Zum Vergrössern klicken).

Online-Plattformen beliebt bei öffentlich-rechtlichen Körperschaften
Die Volumina und Wachstumszahlen der verschiedenen Segmente von Marketplace Lending unterscheiden sich aber deutlich. Kredite und Anleihen für mittelgrosse Unternehmen, Grossunternehmen und öffentlich-rechtliche Körperschaften machen mit 13.7 Milliarden Franken fast 65 Prozent aller über Online-Plattformen gesprochenen Fremdkapital-Finanzierungen aus.
Prof. Dr. Andreas Dietrich
«Für öffentlich-rechtliche Körperschaften wie Gemeinden, Städte oder beispielsweise Spitäler und Verkehrsbetriebe ist Marketplace Lending zu einem wichtigen Finanzierungsstandbein geworden»,
sagt Co-Autor der Studie Prof. Dr. Andreas Dietrich. Rund 15 Prozent ihrer Fremdfinanzierungen würden sie gemäss Schätzung der Studienautoren mittlerweile über Online-Plattformen erhalten.
«Viele von ihnen haben mittlerweile erkannt, dass diese Finanzierungsmöglichkeit gerade auch aus Preis-Sicht attraktiv sein können”, so Dietrich.
Weniger Wachstum bei Online-Hypothekarkrediten
Vermittler von Hypothekarkrediten erzielten im Jahr 2022 ein Volumen von 6.2 Milliarden Franken. Dadurch erreichten sie gemäss Schätzung der Studienautoren einen Marktanteil von etwa 3.5 Prozent. Die Wachstumsdynamik der Online-Vermittlungsplattformen hat sich in den letzten drei Jahren aber stetig verlangsamt. Die Gründe dafür sind gemäss den Studienautoren vielfältig. Dazu gehören die höheren Zinssätze, der Wegfall der Credit Suisse und das sich nur langsam verändernde Kundenverhalten. Einzelne Hypothekenvermittler haben deshalb auch ihr Geschäftsmodell angepasst und fokussieren sich weniger auf das Plattformgeschäft mit direktem Kontakt zu den Endkunden (B2C-Bereich). Die Studienautoren erwarten deshalb, dass der Online-Hypothekenmarkt im B2C-Bereich in den nächsten zwei Jahren nicht mehr weiter wachsen wird.
Institutionelle Investoren und FinTechs wichtig für Schweizer Finanzmarkt
Mit der Ausnahme von Crowdlending steht Marketplace Lending lediglich institutionellen Investoren offen. Doch auch dort stammt rund die Hälfte des investierten Kapitals von institutionellen Investoren. Besonders Pensionskassen und externe Vermögensverwalter investieren aktiv über Crowdlending-Plattformen oder indirekt über entsprechende Fonds-Lösungen.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schweizer-online-lending-markt-knackt-erstmals-die-20-milliarden-franken-grenze</link><guid>3357</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Fintech-Zurich-2023-Smart-Sourcing-Event-.jpg?x81825</dc:content ><dc:text>Schweizer Online-Lending-Markt knackt erstmals die 20-Milliarden-Franken-Grenze</dc:text></item><item><title>TX Ventures Invests in UK Core Banking Platform Saascada</title><description><![CDATA[TX Ventures has invested in UK-based core banking platform SaaScada. This investment allows SaaScada to further expand its footprint across Europe.
With the expansion of SaaScada’s sales and marketing functions following investment in 2022, SaaScada’s data-driven core banking brand has been growing strong in the European market with fintechs and banks seeking to swiftly launch and scale using a proven, affordable SaaS banking solution. The growing brand has also seen keen interest from further afield and is making inroads into the MENA and APAC regions.
Co-founded by industry disruptors Nelson Wootton and Steve Round, SaaScada has taken a completely new approach to core banking by adopting the very latest cloud-native architecture and data streaming to deliver a truly data-driven core banking solution for banks and fintechs of all sizes. The flexibility of the architecture makes it possible for new entrants to build from the ground up while also enabling financial institutions with legacy systems to build new offerings to run alongside their existing core in a co-existence model. Overtime, this approach also enables controlled migration of legacy business. Through open APIs, SaaScada’s core banking platform sits at the heart of best-of-breed ecosystems to drive innovation and exceptional customer experiences.




   



    
   


   








Nelson Wootton
“We are super excited to have TX Ventures join us on this journey. Their investment further validates the platform, the product and the team as we continue to disrupt the core banking market by bringing innovative new solutions to long established challenges.”
says Nelson Wootton, Co-Founder and CEO at SaaScada.
“Until now price has been a barrier for those looking to innovate. We’ve reduced the cost of getting to market by removing the traditional product module architecture, simplifying the charging structure and making it easier to integrate with a wide range of ecosystem partners. Our success has resulted in us being approached by a number of investors but the shared focus on democratisingaccess to financial products made TX Ventures the natural fit for us.”
Krzysztof Bialkowski
Krzysztof Bialkowski, Managing Partner at TX Ventures comments:
“We are thrilled to become part of the SaaScada success story. The team’s profound expertise, coupled with their data-centric approach, has not just impressed us, but truly inspired us. We both share the same values and the conviction that financial services should be made accessible to all. SaaScada is a perfect addition to our Fintech portfolio, and we look forward to a fruitful collaboration that will redefine the financial industry landscape.”



Featured image credit: Steve Round, Co-Founder of SaaScada and Nelson Wootton, Co-Founder and CEO at SaaScada
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/tx-ventures-invests-in-uk-core-banking-platform-saascada</link><guid>3356</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Fintech-Zurich-2023-Smart-Sourcing-Event-.jpg?x81825</dc:content ><dc:text>TX Ventures Invests in UK Core Banking Platform Saascada</dc:text></item><item><title>12 Winning Initiatives of Zurich Insurance Innovation Championship 2023</title><description><![CDATA[From submission to winner and now local execution – with the chance to be scaled globally. That’s the action-packed journey that this year’s Zurich Innovation Championship winners have undertaken over the past nine months.
Zurich Insurance Group held recently its first Innovation Demo Day to celebrate the 12 winning initiatives that have successfully made it through a four-month long accelerator and will now be executed locally – and, in one case, even be launched as a global service.
During the event at Zurich’s headquarters, the 12 startups presented their initiatives, supported by executive judges for each of the five program categories.




   



    
   


   








Zurich kicked off the fourth edition of its global startup program, the Zurich Innovation Championship, in January 2023. In May 2023, it announced this year’s winners from more than 3,500 submissions. The winners then entered a four-month accelerator during which they worked on testing the practical viability of their initiatives and preparing a business plan together with the Zurich business units that selected them. All the initiatives are now preparing for local roll-out, with the potential to be scaled globally. In the case of Paris-based startup Citalid, it is already ramping up to integrate its cyber risk quantification platform as part of a new global service of Zurich Resilience Solutions.
Joel Agard
Joel Agard, Head of Innovation at Zurich Insurance Group and Zurich Innovation Championship co-lead, said:
“True innovation requires relentless determination to turn challenges into growth opportunities. The Zurich Innovation Championship embodies this, and I’m thrilled to see the 12 winning initiatives. They’re stepping stones towards the future of insurance.”
Antony Elliott, Head of Digital R&amp;D at Zurich Insurance Group and Zurich Innovation Championship co-lead, added:
“The Zurich Innovation Championship is a transformative learning experience for both the startups and Zurich alike. By combining the expertise of our business unit teams with innovative, tech-savvy startups, I believe we have built 12 initiatives that really have the potential to shake things up in the industry.”
Altogether, more than 45 collaborations are ongoing globally with previous winners and participants from the four editions of the Zurich Innovation Championship, including some that have started to be rolled out globally.
The next edition of the Zurich Innovation Championship is due to launch in late January 2024.
The winning initiatives 2023 are:


Agave Biosensors (LiveWell by Zurich, Group Claims)


Citalid (Zurich France, Zurich Resilience Solutions)


EpiQMAx (Zurich Germany)


Fisify (Zurich Chile, Zurich Mexico, Zurich Spain)


Hence Technologies (Zurich Canada, Group Claims)


KorrAI (Zurich North America)


Minalea (Zurich Italy, Zurich Portugal)


Miss MoneyPenny (Zurich Germany, Zurich Global Ventures)


Omni:us (Zurich Switzerland)


Spotr (Zurich Ireland)


Truera (Group Digital Business Intelligence)


Wysa (Zurich North America)

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/12-winning-initiatives-of-zurich-insurance-innovation-championship-2023</link><guid>3355</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Fintech-Zurich-2023-Smart-Sourcing-Event-.jpg?x81825</dc:content ><dc:text>12 Winning Initiatives of Zurich Insurance Innovation Championship 2023</dc:text></item><item><title>Zuger Kantonalbank Launches Crypto Asset Trading and Storage</title><description><![CDATA[The first cantonal bank to offer clients straightforward trading and secure storage of the most common cryptocurrencies. The offering complements its existing investment services and is delivered within a fully regulated banking environment.
As of today, Zuger Kantonalbank clients are able to invest in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Litecoin, Polygon and Uniswap. The digital assets can be bought, traded and stored simply and conveniently via the bank’s e-banking or mobile banking services, and are traded in US dollars. Trading takes place from Monday to Friday, between 1.30 a.m. and 10.00 p.m. Naturally, the offering is available to new clients as well.
Hanspeter Rhyner
“For some time now, we’ve seen that the growing demand for cryptocurrencies is no longer coming from professional market participants alone. So, we’re delighted that with immediate effect we can provide our clients with straightforward, convenient as well as safe access to these markets without them having to leave their familiar banking environment. Working with our partners, we’ve created an advanced infrastructure that enables us to offer investors an additional opportunity to diversify,”
says Hanspeter Rhyner, CEO of Zuger Kantonalbank. Transparent, easy access to digital assets




   



    
   


   








Zuger Kantonalbank set itself the target of making investing in digital assets as easy as possible. Thanks to direct integration into the bank’s mobile and e-banking solutions, clients are able to manage their traditional assets and cryptocurrencies on a one-stop basis. An active custody account with Zuger Kantonalbank is essential for settlement purposes. The trading and storage of cryptocurrencies are based on the same procedures and processes that apply to traditional assets. The documents required for the completion of tax returns will also be available electronically, as usual. And, when selling their cryptocurrencies, clients will have immediate access to the proceeds. In addition, due to direct integration into the e-banking and mobile banking portal, there is no need for the separate storing of digital keys.
Partnerships with Sygnum and Swisscom
For the new offering, Zuger Kantonalbank is using the B2B banking platform provided by Sygnum: Via a single access point, this opens up a broad range of FINMA-regulated banking services for digital assets. The platform’s modular structure enables the regulated trading and storing of cryptocurrencies to be seamlessly integrated into Zuger Kantonalbank’s existing infrastructure.
In terms of the development of the technological platform and infrastructure, Zuger Kantonalbank was supported bySwisscom
The storing of digital assets is covered by the same strict legal standards that apply to traditional financial transactions. As a regulated bank subject to Swiss law, Sygnum Bank complies with all relevant legal and regulatory obligations on the basis of its robust ALM processes as well as institutional security standards.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/zuger-kantonalbank-launches-crypto-asset-trading-and-storage</link><guid>3354</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Fintech-Zurich-2023-Smart-Sourcing-Event-.jpg?x81825</dc:content ><dc:text>Zuger Kantonalbank Launches Crypto Asset Trading and Storage</dc:text></item><item><title>UBS Asset Management Launches First Blockchain-Native Tokenized VCC Fund Pilot in Singapore</title><description><![CDATA[UBS Asset Management has launched its first live pilot of a tokenized Variable Capital Company (VCC) fund. The fund is part of a wider VCC umbrella designed to bring various “real world assets” on-chain as part of Project Guardian, a collaborative industry initiative led by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).
Thomas Kaegi
Thomas Kaegi, Head UBS Asset Management, Singapore &amp; Southeast Asia, said:
“This is a key milestone in understanding the tokenization of funds, building on UBS’s expertise in tokenizing bonds and structured products. Through this exploratory initiative, we will work with traditional financial institutions and fintech providers to help understand how to improve market liquidity and market access for clients.”
Utilizing the firm’s in-house tokenization service, UBS Tokenize, UBS Asset Management launched this controlled pilot of a tokenized money market fund. Represented as a smart contract on the Ethereum public blockchain, the pilot enables UBS Asset Management to carry out various activities including fund subscriptions and redemptions.




   



    
   


   








This pilot is part of UBS Asset Management’s global distributed ledger technology strategy, focused on leveraging public and private blockchains networks for enhanced fund issuance and distribution. It also forms part of the broader expansion of UBS’s tokenization services through UBS Tokenize. In November 2022, UBS launched the world’s first digital bond that is publicly traded. In December 2022, UBS issued a USD 50 million tokenized fixed rate note, and in June 2023 originated CNH 200 million of fully digital structured notes for a 3rd party issuer.
Following the successful launch of the first pilot transactions, UBS Asset Management will be looking to execute further live pilot use cases under Project Guardian – working with a wider set of partners and explore various investment strategies.

This article first appeared on Fintechnews.sg
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ubs-asset-management-launches-first-blockchain-native-tokenized-vcc-fund-pilot-in-singapore</link><guid>3353</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Fintech-Zurich-2023-Smart-Sourcing-Event-.jpg?x81825</dc:content ><dc:text>UBS Asset Management Launches First Blockchain-Native Tokenized VCC Fund Pilot in Singapore</dc:text></item><item><title>New Study Sheds Light on Crypto’s Super-Rich</title><description><![CDATA[Over the past decade, the rise of cryptocurrency has created a new class of millionaires and billionaires. The early adopters, investors, business founders, and more broadly, those who bought in early and held onto their investments, became extremely rich, accumulating massive wealth as prices soared.
A new report by wealth and investment migration specialists Henley and Partners, released on September 05, 2023, shares insights into the state of crypto wealth, providing exclusive statistics on crypto and bitcoin millionaires, centi-millionaires, and billionaires.
According to the report, the total market value of crypto stood at around US$1.2 trillion in July 2023. The market had about 425 million users with around 0.02% of these crypto users, or 88,200 crypto investors, being crypto millionaires. The market also boasted 182 centi-millionaires, or high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) with crypto holdings of US$100 million or more, and 22 billionaires.




   



    
   


   








Showcasing the prominence of bitcoin, the report reveals that just under half of crypto millionaires (40,500) were holding their fortunes in bitcoin solely. The same trend is observed in the global super-rich league where around the same proportion of centi-millionaires were bitcoiners. As of crypto billionaires, six of the world’s 22 crypto billionaires were found to have amassed their wealth from bitcoin only.
Global crypto wealth statistics, Source: Crypto Wealth Report, Henley and Partners, Sep 2023
Switzerland ranked among world’s best crypto hubs
As part of the report, Henley and Partners produced an index designed to assess and rate the best investment migration options for crypto investors according to these locations’ level of adoption and integration of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology.
A list of 26 countries was selected based on an assessment of the regulatory, technological, economic, and social factors necessary for the development of the blockchain and crypto ecosystem.
According to the ranking, Singapore currently leads the pack as the top crypto hub. The city-state is being recognized for its innovative ecosystem and supportive community, and ranked at the top of the list in terms of public adoption.
The report also highlights the nation’s beneficial crypto taxes rules for individuals and investors, with no capital gains taxes, and notes that the government has been cooperating closely with all actors, including banks, businesses, and the public, for the optimal development of the national crypto sector.
Sitting at the second place is Switzerland, which is being praised for its well-established crypto infrastructure, robust legal framework, and reputation for privacy and security. However, the country scored relatively poorly in public adoption of crypto, falling behind countries like the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the US and the UK.
At the third position is the UAE. The Middle Eastern country stands out as a leading jurisdiction for crypto investors, boasting a strong public adoption score and vibrant interest in the crypto ecosystem. The regional powerhouse also offers favorable tax policies and a high level of economic stability.
At the fourth, fifth and sixth positions are Hong Kong, Australia and the UK, three jurisdictions that are being recognized for their high levels of crypto adoption and their supportive regulatory landscapes.
Most tax-friendly locations
In terms of taxation, the study found Singapore and the UAE to be the jurisdictions with the best tax regimes for crypto-related activities. Hong Kong, Mauritius and Monaco followed suit.
Looking at investment migration in particular, the report notes that Canada, Malta and Malaysia currently have the most appealing investment migration program options for crypto investors.
Investment migration refers to special programs that allow individuals to gain citizenship or residence rights in return for investments in their host countries.
The report notes that the government of Malta has been working on developing its blockchain ecosystem, focusing in particular on fostering innovation, attracting blockchain businesses, and providing regulatory clarity. Malaysia, meanwhile, is developing into a promising center for blockchain innovation in Asia with a burgeoning crypto community and the emergence of numerous startups.
Crypto Adoption Index, Source: Crypto Wealth Report, Henley and Partners, Sep 2023
Crypto adoption declines
Worldwide adoption of crypto has declined over the past year amid underlying volatility, broad declines in valuations and the series of business collapses that occurred throughout 2022.
The number of traditional hedge funds investing in the asset class fell to 29% in 2023, down from 37% last year, a survey conducted in Q1 2023 by PwC and CoinShares shows. Similarly, a 2023 study run by Goldman Sachs found that interest in crypto from family offices is decreasing. Of the 166 family offices polled, 62% of those that are not investing in the asset class said they have no plans in participating in the future, up from 39% two years ago.
Global consumer adoption is also down, falling well off its all-time highs observed in 2021, new data released by Chainalysis show.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-study-sheds-light-on-cryptos-super-rich</link><guid>3352</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Backbase-ENGAGE-.png?x81825</dc:content ><dc:text>New Study Sheds Light on Crypto’s Super-Rich</dc:text></item><item><title>US VC Investments Show Signs of Stabilization</title><description><![CDATA[After 18 months of decline, the US venture capital (VC) investment landscape is showing signs of stabilization and returning to 2019-2020 levels, new data released by Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) show.
In H2 2022 and H1 2023, VC investments in US companies totaled US$182 billion, the H2 2023 State of the Markets report says, reaching sums witnessed in 2019 and 2020.
Although SVB notes that there have been predictions of drops in fundraising based on key indicators such as inverted yield curve, falling corporate profits, increased down rounds and declining revenue growth among startups, the bank is confident in the resilience of the innovation economy and projects brighter days ahead.




   



    
   


   








VC investment in US companies, Source: H2 2023 State of the Markets, Silicon Valley Bank, 2023
According to the report, past cycles have taken between 12 and 18 months to find a bottom. June marked the 18th month of this cycle, and while US VC investment levels may still fall, SVB says it sees signs of stabilizing.
VC investment in US company: Indexed to 100 at market peak, Source: H2 2023 State of the Markets, Silicon Valley Bank, 2023
These data and projections were shared in the bank’s latest State of the Markets report. The document, which was released last month, leverages SVB’s proprietary data and vast network of relationships with investors and startups to gauge the health and productivity of the innovation economy. The report also relies on findings of a survey of 80 notable VCs to understand the new normal for banking and gain insights into how these investors are thinking about banking when it comes to their portfolio companies.
Finding the bottom
The report notes that investment levels significantly declined in H1 2023, especially in the late-stage sector. The trend mirrors public markets where 89% of VC-backed tech companies that went public in 2021 are now trading below their initial public offering (IPO) market capitalizations, it says.
The number of freshly minted tech unicorns decreased substantially, dropping from a record of 293 in 2021, to 168 in 2022, and a mere 13 in H1 2023. SBV estimates that only 13% of these billion-dollar startups are currently profitable, with the vast majority of them relying on large, late-stage deals to stay afloat.
US tech unicorn formation and value, Source: H2 2023 State of the Markets, Silicon Valley Bank, 2023
Valuations and deal sizes are also down across all stages, though Series D and higher-stage startups have been the hardest hit. In H1 2023, these companies saw their median pre-money valuations and median deal sizes decreased by more than 50% compared with the same period in 2022. These metrics declined more modestly for Series A startups, with valuations and deal sizes dipping by 13% and deal sizes decreasing 21% year-over-year (YoY) in H1 2023, respectively.
US VC-backed tech companies: Deal benchmarking by deal date and stage, Source: H2 2023 State of the Markets, Silicon Valley Bank, 2023
Besides deal metrics, operating metrics for companies raising capital have changed as well, the report notes. Startups are putting a greater focus on profitability and reducing burn rates, which, SVB claims, have decreased 24% since the start of 2023. This shift has ultimately impacted their revenue growth.
Stronger, leaner companies
The US VC fundraising landscape experienced record-breaking growth for five consecutive years starting in 2017, driven by low interest rates, investors seeking returns in private markets, and rapid tech adoption during the pandemic.
However, since H1 2023, the market has witnessed a 66% drop in VC fundraising, with only US$35 billion raised in H1 2023.
According to SVB, part of the reason for that is that many firms are not looking to raise capital as they had already done so during the boom. Instead, they are biding their time and deploying capital far more slowly.
Evidenced of that is that only 46% of US VC-backed tech companies said that they must raise capital in the next 12 months, a proportion that’s lower than historical pre-pandemic levels.
The report also notes that while the focus on profitability has led to lower revenue growth, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) margins have increased, suggesting improved operational profitability and efficiency.
SVB estimates that since this time last year, operating margins of US VC-backed tech companies have improved 37% points. If the current trend of improving profitability continues, the bank expects operating margins to surpass their 2020 peak by the end of 2023.
Ultimately, this focus on profitability and financial performance will be beneficial for the US tech industry, SVB says, and will help create stronger, leaner tech companies that capable of sustainable growth and stronger long-term performance.
Trends shared in the SVB report are consistent with what’s been observed globally. Data from research firm Pitchbook shared with Reuters show that VC funding globally almost halved in the first six months of 2023, declining 48% to US$173.9 billion.
The trend highlights less demand from companies amid sharply higher interest rates and a lack of enthusiasm on the part of investors, a report says, and comes despite high interest in artificial intelligence (AI) startups. According to Pitchbook, investors committed more than US$40 billion into AI startups in the first half of the year, participating in massive rounds such as OpenAI’s US$10 billion investment and Inflection AI’s US$1.3 billion round.

This article first appeared on fintechnews.am

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/us-vc-investments-show-signs-of-stabilization</link><guid>3351</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Backbase-ENGAGE-.png?x81825</dc:content ><dc:text>US VC Investments Show Signs of Stabilization</dc:text></item><item><title>Banking is Becoming Byte-Sized with Rise of Embedded Finance</title><description><![CDATA[Banks must harness disruptive technologies and create their own or actively participate in digital ecosystems to remain at the heart of the banking universe, according to a global Economist Impact study, commissioned by Temenos, which surveyed 300 banks across the globe.
The report, “Byte-sized banking: Can banks create a true ecosystem with embedded finance?” finds that payment companies, technology and e-commerce disruptors are competing against banks with embedded finance solutions. Coupled with consumers’ growing expectations for better, more personalized products and services, this is forcing banks to assess the role they play and how they must adapt.





   



    
   


   








Almost four-in-five (79%) of survey respondents agree that banking will become “embedded” in consumers’ lives and businesses’ value chains. One-in-five banks in the survey expect their business model to evolve in the coming years to offer banking-as-a-service (BaaS) to brands and fintechs and enabling embedded finance within their own products and services. Nearly twice as many want to retain the consumer-facing experience and act as a true digital ecosystem themselves.
Jonathan Birdwell
Jonathan Birdwell, Global Head of Policy &amp; Insights, Economist Impact, said:
“New technology and customer demands are the top two trends expected to impact banking in the next five years. To maintain their direct connection with the consumer, banks are recognizing that they must become true digital ecosystems. Customer centricity will also drive banks to offer more embedded ESG and sustainable banking propositions to their customers in the future.”
Kanika Hope
Kanika Hope, Chief Strategy Officer, Temenos, commented:
“Banks need to tap expertise in new technologies like cloud and AI as well as collaborate with fintechs and technology companies to offer embedded finance as well as to build digital ecosystems. The case for the public cloud is becoming more apparent, 51% of respondents agreeing that banks will no longer own any data centers due to the move to public cloud in next five years. Environmental concerns have also joined the list of reasons— business agility, efficiency and security—why banks are accelerating the shift to the cloud.”
New technologies are expected to have the biggest impact on banks in the next five years, more than customer demands and changing regulation, according to 63% of respondents. “If you do not have modern technology, younger generations will not bank with you, it doesn’t matter how long you’ve been around,” according to a bank CEO quoted in the report. 71% of respondents say unlocking value from AI will be the key differentiator between winners and losers with generative AI in particular expected to drive banking by 75% of respondents.

Fintech Collaboration is Key
Collaboration with fintechs or other technology providers is key to accessing expertise in emerging technologies. Against this backdrop, banking executives surveyed foresee relationships within the industry evolving over the next one to three years. As many as 44% of survey respondents believe that banks will acquire majority stakes in fintechs and 32% believe that there will be market consolidation among challenger banks in the next one to three years.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/banking-is-becoming-byte-sized-with-rise-of-embedded-finance</link><guid>3350</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Which-trends-do-you-believe-will-have-the-biggest-impact-on-banks-in-the-next-five-years-1024x761.png?x81825</dc:content ><dc:text>Banking is Becoming Byte-Sized with Rise of Embedded Finance</dc:text></item><item><title>Hypi Lenzburg Joins SIX Digital Exchange</title><description><![CDATA[SDX, operator of a Swiss stock exchange and CSD using distributed ledger technology, welcomes Hypothekarbank Lenzburg as a new member on its Central Securities Depository (CSD).
Joining SDX’s CSD marks a milestone for Hypothekarbank Lenzburg on its path to becoming a major player in the Swiss market for tokenized digital assets and bringing native digital securities onto the platform. With SDX’s comprehensive infrastructure for various digital securities types, including Digital Bonds and Digital Equities.
Marianne Wildi
“The SDX membership marks a significant step in advancing our bank’s presence in digital assets. Beyond token issuance and custody, our offering should include the possibility of listing digital value rights on a trusted trading venue. SDX’s ecosystem aligns seamlessly with our goals, and we eagerly anticipate this cooperation,”
says Marianne Wildi, CEO of Hypothekarbank Lenzburg.




   



    
   


   








David Newns
“We firmly believe that a strategic alliance with Hypothekarbank Lenzburg facilitates our mission to provide institutional clients with innovative, trusted, and efficient financial markets infrastructure and services for digital assets,”
adds David Newns, Head of SIX Digital Exchange.
Hypothekarbank Lenzburg is the 6th bank to join SDX and is in the illustrious round with Berner Kantonalbank , Credit Suisse, Kaiser Partner Privatbank, UBS and Zürcher Kantonalbank.

Featured image credit: edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/hypi-lenzburg-joins-six-digital-exchange</link><guid>3348</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Backbase-ENGAGE-.png?x81825</dc:content ><dc:text>Hypi Lenzburg Joins SIX Digital Exchange</dc:text></item><item><title>Jumio Recognized as Representative Vendor for Identity Verification by Gartner</title><description><![CDATA[Jumio, a provider of identity verification solutions, has been recognized as a Representative Vendor in the latest Gartner Market Guide for Identity Verification. This is the fifth consecutive year that Jumio has received this recognition.
Vendors are selected for the Market Guide based on a number of criteria, including their capabilities and their representation of particular market segments or geographic regions among others.
The Market Guide notes,




   



    
   


   








“The purpose of identity verification is to establish confidence in the identity of a user during a digital interaction. As a result, across all geographies and industries, the use cases in which identity verification is required in the market today have become broad in scope.

This is accelerating as the pace and reach of digital transformation continue to expand the scope of digital interactions for both customers and workforce.”
Jumio was also recently recognized as a Representative Vendor in the 2023 Gartner Market Guide for User Authentication.
Stuart Wells
“We think that the Market Guide reinforces what we believe to be true: that the rise of deepfakes warrants a stronger form of identity verification, and that organizations must adopt multimodal biometric authentication, multi-modal liveness checks, deepfake detection models, as well as technologies to prevent presentation and injection attacks,”
said Stuart Wells, Chief Technology Officer at Jumio.


This article first appeared on Fintech News America. 
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/jumio-recognized-as-representative-vendor-for-identity-verification-by-gartner</link><guid>3349</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Backbase-ENGAGE-.png?x81825</dc:content ><dc:text>Jumio Recognized as Representative Vendor for Identity Verification by Gartner</dc:text></item><item><title>Payment Incumbents Ramp up B2B Payment Innovation Efforts</title><description><![CDATA[Innovation in consumer payments has progressed tremendously over the past years, pushed by demand for more efficient and secure methods of paying for goods and services both online and cashlessly.
But while digitalization has flourished in the consumer payment area, innovation in business-to-business (B2B) payments has somewhat lagged behind, felling to witness the same momentum.
Aiming to tap into opportunity and get a bigger share of the US$125 trillion global B2B payment market, some of the world’s largest payment firms are ramping up efforts to deliver new and innovative products for faster, more efficient and more secure business transactions.




   



    
   


   








Visa pushes for B2B payment network expansion
Visa has announced a series of partnerships over the past year focusing on enhancing its B2B payment offering and expanding the reach of its B2B payment network. Just this month, the company unveiled a partnership with Swift to improve connectivity between their respective networks and provide financial institutions on both networks with more routing options for their business customers as well as real-time status and updates.
As part of the collaboration, payments going through Visa B2B Connect, the company’s payment network for bank-to-bank cross-border business transactions, will be able to have upfront checks using Swift Payment Pre-Validation. Additionally, the two networks will work together to increase end-to-end transaction visibility by using high-speed Swift GPI capabilities and tracking data.
Swift GPI, which stands for global payment innovation, is a service offered by Swift to make international payments faster and to be able to track their status in real time, from the moment the funds are sent to when they arrive. The service also allows users to get a breakdown of the fees that are collected by the intermediary banks.
Swift GPI was launched in 2017 and has since been adopted by more than 4,200 banks and 60 market infrastructures.
Besides its partnership and integration with Swift GPI, Visa is actively working on expanding its Visa B2B Connect network, adding the likes of CB International Bank, a US-based commercial bank, Freedom Finance Bank Kazakhstan, Krungthai Bank from Thailand, Bank Muamalat from Malaysia, and German software company SAP into its list of partners.
Launched in 2019, Visa B2B Connect is a platform developed by Visa to facilitate cross-border B2B payments. It leverages innovative technologies, including elements of blockchain, to simplify the traditionally complex and time-consuming process of international B2B transactions, and aims to provide businesses with a fast, secure, and transparent way to process corporate cross-border payments.
Visa CEO Ryan McInerney said on the company’s Q2 2023 earnings call that roughly 30 banks across 20 countries have so far signed to Visa B2B Connect, with payments routed to 90 countries globally.
Mastercard expands its B2B payment offering
Mastercard, meanwhile, has been focusing on enhancing its business payment offering. Last year, it launched Instant Pay, a virtual card solution for instant B2B payments integrated with its B2B payment product, the Mastercard Track Business Payment Service. In 2023, the firm introduced Mastercard Receivables Manager, a new solution that streamlines the way businesses accept and process virtual card payments, and which helps them with invoice reconciliation.
Mastercard has also onboarded a number of customers to its commercial network over the past year, including Canadian financial services provider BMO, American paytech company Priority Technology and payment specialist Transcard.
Mastercard’s key B2B payment proposition is the Mastercard Track Business Payment Service, a global open-loop commercial network that’s designed to simplify and automate the exchange of payment information between suppliers and buyers. The service is a specific component of the broader Mastercard Track global trade platform which the firm launched in 2018 to simplify the complex and fragmented global trade ecosystem by providing a centralized framework for business interactions.
AmEx pursues business payment network ambition
American Express (AmEx) is the latest major card payment network to be developing its own B2B payment network. The company is building up a suite of B2B capabilities for both buyers and suppliers through new product development, mergers and acquisitions (M&amp;A) deals, and partnerships.
Most recently, it announced plans to acquire Israeli B2B payment automation company Nipendo. Nipendo’s platform allows businesses to easily connect, communicate, and automate procure-to-pay processes, including accounts payable and receivable, and works alongside a company’s existing systems. AmEx intends to integrate Nipendo’s team, technology, and capabilities to expand its differentiated offerings for businesses.
The deal followed the launch of Amex Business Link in December 2022, a B2B solution for American Express’ network participants; partnerships with accounts receivable players BillTrust and Versapay; as well as the acquisition of Acompay, a digital payment automation solution for accounts payable departments, in 2019.
The rise of digital payments
The B2B payments landscape has been undergoing significant changes, driven by technological advancements, evolving business needs, and regulatory shifts. Payment methods are evolving and while traditional methods such as cash, checks and wire transfers, still hold a significant share in many regions, digital methods are gaining traction.
Mastercard reported observing a shift to digital B2B payments since COVID-19 and said that small businesses are increasingly adopting digital tools to modernize business payments, including payment collection and electronic invoicing.
Real-time payments, which run on dedicated networks that enable electronic payments to be processed in real time, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, are projected to divert as much as US$37.0 trillion in B2B payments away from checks and regular automated clearing house (ACH) payments in the US by 2028, consulting firm Deloitte estimates.
Expected shift in B2B payments from ACH and checks to real-time payment rails, 2024-2028, Source: Deloitte, Jul 2023

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/payment-incumbents-ramp-up-b2b-payment-innovation-efforts</link><guid>3347</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Backbase-ENGAGE-.png?x81825</dc:content ><dc:text>Payment Incumbents Ramp up B2B Payment Innovation Efforts</dc:text></item><item><title>SAP Fioneer Launches ESG Software to Help Financial Institutions Mitigate Growing Regulatory Risks</title><description><![CDATA[SAP Fioneer has launched its first software solution for ESG data orchestration and calculation for portfolio and single exposure KPI. The solution not only plugs the data gap banks and insurers need to remain ESG compliant, but also enables them to leverage the pertinent business potential.
The Fioneer ESG KPI Engine software solution to provide full visibility into ESG-related portfolio data, enabling financial institutions to make sustainable, cross-departmental decisions based on reliable insights. By revealing real-time financed and insurance related CO2e emissions, financial institutions can seize transition opportunities and avoid greenwashing, bolstering transparency and accountability.
Maria Patschke
Maria Patschke, CEO of SAP Fioneer ESG Solutions:




   



    
   


   








“Banks and insurance companies are the biggest source of capital, so it’s of little surprise that their ESG regulatory obligations are increasingly under the spotlight. With over USD 90 trillion in Financed Emissions assets that are disclosed under PCAF, financial institutions naturally want to avoid the reputational risk of greenwashing – but the lack of (useable) data to analyze their portfolios is a huge concern for many, until now.”
The Fioneer ESG KPI Engine covers all asset classes and markets, no matter if the data can be sourced or not. The new software saves financial institutions cost and time by offering clear calculations and simplified data presentation, as well as ending the need for employees to spend hour after hour uploading data manually on spreadsheets. The Fioneer ESG KPI Engine brings standardization, auditability and is updated in real-time to react to new regulations automatically, freeing up employees to spend more time analyzing the data and finding new business opportunities and creating a more sustainable portfolio.
“We believe our solution represents a pivotal step towards a greener, more sustainable financial industry. By equipping financial institutions with the tools they need to navigate the complexities of ESG regulations on portfolios, loans and investments, we envision a future in which transparency and sustainability drive business decisions,”
adds Maria Patschke.
Compliant with TCFD, CSRD, EU Taxonomy, and real-time updates, the solution ensures full adherence to evolving regulations. Securing 2023 reporting, the solution provides data historization, auditability and compliance.
Due to its architecture-agnostic approach, the Fioneer ESG KPI Engine can be implemented in any existing financial institution infrastructure. Closing data gaps with the PCAF framework, the solution calculates values consistently, independent of data availability.
The Fioneer ESG Engine is available on-premise, in a private cloud instance or can be hosted in a public cloud.

Featured image credit: edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sap-fioneer-launches-esg-software-to-help-financial-institutions-mitigate-growing-regulatory-risks</link><guid>3346</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Backbase-ENGAGE-.png?x81825</dc:content ><dc:text>SAP Fioneer Launches ESG Software to Help Financial Institutions Mitigate Growing Regulatory Risks</dc:text></item><item><title>Microsoft Deepens Partnership with Finastra to Help Banks Modernize Trade</title><description><![CDATA[Financial services software and cloud solutions provider Finastra have entered into a multi-year global agreement with Microsoft for trade platform modernization.
Powered by a full microservices architecture using Microsoft Azure, the Finastra Trade Innovation platform in cloud will enhance banks’ agility, flexibility, and scalability.
Expanding the open APIs offered through Trade Innovation and Finastra’s open innovation platform, FusionFabric.cloud, will enable customers to tap into a vibrant digital trade ecosystem, promoting the digitalisation of the entire transaction process.




   



    
   


   








As the expectations of corporate customers evolve, financial institutions need to deliver a seamless and engaging transactional experience across their trade finance and supply chain finance operations in support of open finance.
Isabel Fernandez
Isabel Fernandez, Executive Vice President for Lending at Finastra said,
“Customers are eager to transform their trade finance and supply chain offerings, and to access the latest innovations, working with partners across the ecosystem.

Via this agreement, existing and new customers will benefit from increased flexibility to connect, collaborate and adapt to evolving customer needs and new regulations.”
Bill Borden
Bill Borden, Corporate Vice President, Worldwide Financial Services, Microsoft added,
“We’re excited to deepen our relationship with Finastra to support banks on their trade modernization journey.

Using the rich functionality of Finastra’s Trade Innovation platform and FusionFabric.cloud, combined with the power of Microsoft Azure and data and AI advancements, we look forward to helping financial institutions further accelerate innovation, increase efficiencies, enhance customer engagement and transform their operations at scale.”

Featured image credit: Bill Borden, Corporate Vice President, Worldwide Financial Services, Microsoft and Isabel Fernandez, Executive Vice President for Lending at Finastra
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/microsoft-deepens-partnership-with-finastra-to-help-banks-modernize-trade</link><guid>3345</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Backbase-ENGAGE-.png?x81825</dc:content ><dc:text>Microsoft Deepens Partnership with Finastra to Help Banks Modernize Trade</dc:text></item><item><title>Mitigating the Risks of Digital Currencies</title><description><![CDATA[Digital currencies including cryptocurrencies, stablecoins and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), have grown tremendously over the past years, attracting investors and financial services customers for their ability to hold and transfer value without needing a central authority to validate and process transactions.
As innovation in the financial services sector accelerates and as adoption of digital assets continues to rise, financial institutions need to adapt and offer asset-specific offerings, capabilities, and safeguards for digital currencies, similar to other asset classes, a new report by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) says.
But in order to fully take advantage of this opportunity, financial institutions must understand the risks associated with digital currencies and implement the right tools to mitigate those risks.




   



    
   


   








In a new report, titled Managing Risk for the Next Wave of Digital Currencies and released in July 2023, the consulting firm outlines the risks that come with supporting and offering digital currencies, as well as the appropriate tools and methods to mitigate them.
Risks associated with digital currencies
BCG outlines seven main risks relating to digital currencies. The first risk involves price volatility and the risks of speculative bubbles and market-driven price crashes. Even stablecoins, which are tied to fiat-currency values and backed by collateral, can be volatile, especially when the collateral is inadequate, insufficient or algorithmic, the report says. Unlike the traditional financial market, the digital currency market lacks the controls that traditionally protect participants from extreme volatility and from borderline-illegal market swings, such as pump-and-dump schemes.
The second risk relating to digital currencies are counterparty risks. Digital currencies are similar to non-transparent illiquid assets. Moreover, while they are decentralized in design, liquidity is channeled via a limited group, especially digital currency exchanges, which can be subjected to significant challenges, including poor internal controls and trading failures, sometimes leading to bankruptcy. If exchanges or digital currency holders default, a digital currency’s value can plummet quickly, the report warns. Such losses can cause widespread volatility, impacting other assets.
The third risk outlined is the risk of illicit-finance, fraud, price manipulation and deceptive activity. Practices like “rug pulls”, where a developer launches and hypes a cryptocurrency project to attract investment and then suddenly abandons the project and disappears with the funds, are similar to conventional pump-and-dump schemes and have become rampant. Because of the cross-jurisdictional nature of digital currencies, the market does not have the same level of protections and controls than those in the financial services industry, exposing clients to higher risks of fraud.
The fourth risk relates to security. Digital currencies, when not adequately secured, are prone to theft, loss, and cyberattacks. In 2022, a staggering US$3.8 billion was stolen from digital currency businesses, especially from decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols, according to blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis. Criminals may steal or deplete digital-currency holdings, and they may also capture private keys. If private keys, passwords, or wallets are stolen or lost, their value may be unrecoverable, the report warns. Unlike with other asset classes, banks have limited recourse to support customers. Most of them only provide custody to safeguard the key to the holdings.
The fifth risk outlined in the report is regulatory risk. Governments globally are actively developing new regulations for digital currencies. This constantly evolving regulatory landscape means that the cost of servicing digital currencies will continue to rise and that compliance experts must pay close attention to shifts in direction.
The sixth risk relating to digital currencies is operational risk. Digital currencies are inherently more complex than traditional value storage and transfer methods. With the exception of popular decentralized cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, digital currencies are typically supported by founding companies with complex and somewhat opaque governance structures, such as decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs). They may also involve novel technologies and behavioral patterns, which can make understanding value evolution and trade consequences challenging to some investors. Another operational risk is errors in smart contracts, which are automated agreements on the blockchain. A mistake in the drafting and coding of that contract could lead to unintended transactions and result in significant losses without recourse.
Finally, the seventh risk outlined in the report is reputation risk. Unlike fiat currencies, the stability of a digital currency isn’t tied to a country’s performance. Hence, various events, including a vendor’s sudden collapse, scams, Ponzi schemes and malware attacks, may cause reputational harm to the market, the report warns.
Seven categories of digital currency risks, Source: Managing Risk for the Next Wave of Digital Currencies, Boston Consulting Group, July 2023
Mitigating digital currency risks
To mitigate these risks, banks should put in place a comprehensive set of risk-mitigation strategies and measures, BCG says.
At the investment-level, banks should adopt blockchain intelligence capabilities to detect and mitigate illicit-finance and counterparty risks.
Some third-party vendors offer increasingly sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI)-based tools and analytic practices for monitoring digital currencies’ blockchain transactions, the firm says. These systems are capable of detecting patterns in transaction histories that are consistent with money laundering or illicit finance, and are often connected with law enforcement, regulators and compliance officers.
Banks should also conduct proper asset research, closely examining the business fundamentals of the digital currency and its sources, the financial health of the firm, its software and agreement architecture, its balance-sheet structure, provenance, and business model.
They should also thoroughly assess their vendor and partner relationships to make sure that these companies are reliable and trustworthy.
But above all, banks must continuously improve their functional capabilities, and align them with their digital currency strategy and risk appetite. As new aspects of digital currency technology appear, and as risk-mitigation techniques evolve, such as protocols, blockchain innovations, or software bridges, banks will need to experiment with them.
Financial institutions can also raise their capabilities by instituting company-wide guidelines that specify approved practices for digital-currency offerings, by developing appropriate communications and compliance policies, and by considering insurance lines.
Strategies for Mitigating Investment Risks, Source: Managing Risk for the Next Wave of Digital Currencies, Boston Consulting Group, July 2023

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mitigating-the-risks-of-digital-currencies</link><guid>3343</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Backbase-ENGAGE-.png?x81825</dc:content ><dc:text>Mitigating the Risks of Digital Currencies</dc:text></item><item><title>Onfido Appoints New CTO</title><description><![CDATA[Onfido, the global leader in automated identity verification, announced the appointment of Daniel Keller as Chief Technology Officer.
Daniel brings over two decades of leadership experience to the company’s executive team alongside a track record of transforming and expanding tech-driven products and platforms on a global scale.
Daniel joins Onfido from Visable Group where, under his direction, the company transformed from a B2B directory provider to Europe’s leading B2B marketplace. As CTO, Keller led the innovation roadmap across product development, engineering, IT and business intelligence. He now brings this experience to Onfido to keep the company at the forefront of digital identity innovation and maintain the company’s growth trajectory.




   



    
   


   








His appointment comes as Onfido continues to secure industry recognition for its innovation in identity verification.
Daniel Keller
Commenting on his appointment, Daniel Keller said:
“The digital identity space has been building momentum over the last decade and is now set to take the world by storm. How we verify ourselves online is fundamental to digital experiences and Onfido is leading the markets, constantly innovating, delivering new AI and biometrics-based solutions to keep fraudsters at bay while enabling businesses to build long-term relationships with their customers. I look forward to supporting Onfido’s mission to simplify identity for everyone and help reshape verification in the online world.”
Over the last twenty years, Daniel has held executive positions at Scout24, Ciao!, Zanox (AWIN), Axel Springer, Hitfox (IONIQ Group) and was an engineering manager at Microsoft. He also has experience working with various startups, including Berlin-based Solarisbank, where he assisted with laying the groundwork for building its successful banking-as-a-platform product portfolio.
Mike Tuchen
Mike Tuchen, Chief Executive Officer of Onfido added:
“Daniel is a real asset to the executive team. His strength as a technical but strategic leader, who understands how to manage investments across a multi-product portfolio will be invaluable to Onfido as we continue to grow. His management ethos, where he puts his team first, fits perfectly into our culture, and there’s no doubt that he will flourish in his role.”

Featured image credit: Daniel Keller, Chief Technology Officer, Onfido
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/onfido-appoints-new-cto</link><guid>3344</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Backbase-ENGAGE-.png?x81825</dc:content ><dc:text>Onfido Appoints New CTO</dc:text></item><item><title>First Swiss Provider Offers ETF Saving and Trading for Kids and Teens</title><description><![CDATA[True Wealth is the first independent wealth manager to launch an ETF-based investment solution for children and young people.
The product extension is aimed at parents and relatives who want to make the benefits of long-term securities investment available to their children.
Launching the children’s portfolio
Felix Niederer
“After an extensive development and testing period, we are pleased to announce the birth of our newest baby: Portfolios for all children and young people up to the age of 17,”
says a delighted CEO Felix Niederer.




   



    
   


   








Parents can open a separate children’s portfolio for their offspring with an individual strategy and ETF as the building blocks of securities investment. The assets are held in a separate children’s account – in the child’s name.
The Truewealth company founders (Niederer and Herren) both family men, agree that there is a lot of catching up to do in terms of financial education in Switzerland and that a child portfolio can make an important contribution to closing this gap.
Long investment horizon
Anyone setting aside money for children should take their long investment horizon into account. With an investment horizon of up to 18 years, the advantages of a securities-based investment solution become particularly apparent: the longer the investment horizon, the more the relationship between risk and return shifts in favor of return when investing in the capital market.
It should also be borne in mind that although bank accounts offer an interest rate, this is almost always below the rate of inflation. For the long-term preservation of purchasing power, everyone should therefore consider making the advantages of ETF-based portfolio solutions available to their children as well.
Easy to get started
Existing True Wealth clients can open a separate portfolio for their child in their login area. However, True Wealth’s child portfolio can also be created without being a customer. The account must be opened by the legal representative, i.e. the mother or father.


Featured image credit: Edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/first-swiss-provider-offers-etf-saving-and-trading-for-kids-and-teens</link><guid>3342</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Backbase-ENGAGE-.png?x81825</dc:content ><dc:text>First Swiss Provider Offers ETF Saving and Trading for Kids and Teens</dc:text></item><item><title>New McKinsey Study Reveals Rising Adoption of Generative AI Among Businesses</title><description><![CDATA[Despite the nascent public availability of generative artificial intelligence (AI), experimentation with the technology is already common and organizations are deploying tools leveraging generative AI at a fast pace, a new study conducted by McKinsey found.
McKinsey’s Global Survey on AI, which polled in April 2023 more than 1,600 participants at organizations from various industries, found that one-third of the businesses surveyed are already using generative AI regularly in at least one business function.
Results also show that AI is rising from being a niche topic relegated to tech employees to becoming a focal point for company leaders. Nearly one-quarter of surveyed C-suite executives indicated using generative AI tools for work, and more than one-quarter of companies already have generative AI discussions at the board level.




   



    
   


   








Moreover, because of advances in generative AI, companies are looking to commit more money into experimenting and deploying AI tools. 40% of respondents polled by McKinsey revealed that their organizations are planning to increase their AI investments.
Adoption of AI has more doubled over the past six years, data from McKinsey show, soaring from 20% in 2017 to 55% in 2023.
Use of generative AI across geographies and business functions
While the reported use of generative AI was found to be quite similar across seniority levels, it is highest among respondents working for North American organizations.
22% of respondents working at companies located in the region said they use generative AI regularly for both work and outside of work, a share that stands at 18% in Asia-Pacific, 14% in Europe and 10% in Greater China.
Reported exposure to generative AI tools across regions, % of respondents, Source: McKinsey Global Survey on AI, McKinsey and Company, Aug 2023
Across industries, usage of generative AI is the highest in the tech, media and telecom sector, with 19% of respondents working in the sector reporting using generative AI regularly for work and outside of work. Tech, media and telecom is followed by financial services as well as business, legal and professional services, both recording a 16% usage rate.
Reported exposure to generative AI tools across industries, % of respondents, Source: McKinsey Global Survey on AI, McKinsey and Company, Aug 2023
Looking at use cases, the study found that the most commonly reported business functions using generative AI is marketing and sales (14%), followed by product and service development (13%) and back-office support (10%).
Share of respondents reporting that their organization is regularly using generative AI in given function, %, Source: McKinsey Global Survey on AI, McKinsey and Company, Aug 2023
These results suggest that organizations are deploying the tech where they believe generative AI has the most potential. A previous McKinsey research revealed that these business functions, along with software engineering, could have the biggest impact, possibly delivering about 75% of the total annual value from generative AI use cases.
Impact of generative AI across business functions, Source: The economic potential of generative AI: The next productivity frontier, McKinsey and Company, July 2023
The rise of generative AI
Generative AI, a category of AI algorithms that are capable of generating new and realistic content based on the data they have been trained on, has been a hot topic within the business community ever since OpenAI’s ChatGPT went viral on November 30, 2022.
The AI chatbot, which has been praised for its versatility, intelligence, and ability to engage in human-like conversations, surpassed one million users in just five days, and in January 2023, it surged past the 100 million monthly active users mark, becoming the fastest-growing consumer app in history, according to analysts at Swiss bank UBS.
The rise of ChatGPT has sparked a frenzy in the tech community and prompted organizations from around the world to ramp up generative AI development as they race to capture its value.
McKinsey estimates that generative AI features stand to add up to US$4.4 trillion to the global economy annually. While the technology is expected to have an impact across all industry sectors, banking is projected to be among the sectors the most impacted.
Estimates by the consultancy show that the technology could potentially generate value from increased productivity of 2.8-4.7% of the industry’s annual revenues, translating to an additional US$200-340 billion in revenues annually.
Generative AI productivity impact by business functions, Source: McKinsey and Company, June 2023
Funding to generative AI startups has increased substantially over the past years and reached a new all-time high in 2023.
In the first six months of the year, funding to the space shot up more than fivefold compared to full-year 2022, totaling US$14.1 billion, data from market intelligence platform CB Insights show.
18 generative AI companies have already reached unicorn status, including Anthropic, Cohere and Adept, which all achieved the coveted status earlier this year.
Disclosed generative AI equity funding and deals, Source: CB Insights, July 2023

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-mckinsey-study-reveals-rising-adoption-of-generative-ai-among-businesses</link><guid>3341</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Backbase-ENGAGE-.png?x81825</dc:content ><dc:text>New McKinsey Study Reveals Rising Adoption of Generative AI Among Businesses</dc:text></item><item><title>Sanitas Becomes First Swiss Health Insurer in the Metaverse</title><description><![CDATA[Health insurer Sanitas is launching an interactive Experience Space in the metaverse that enables visitors to experience the healthcare partner and learn about its products and services in a virtual realm.
With its presence in the metaverse, Sanitas has become the first health insurer in Switzerland to open its doors to interested users and allow them to experience the company and its products and services interactively. Topics that affect us all – health insurance, healthcare and well-being – will be brought into focus, with the emphasis on ensuring a playful, easy-to-understand approach.
The aim is to provide a tangible experience. Visitors will learn more about the different areas of activity, innovative services and products of Sanitas. Alva, the digital assistant who’s accompanied Sanitas users for many years, will welcome interested visitors into the metaverse and guide them around. On the ground floor, for example, an animated tree illustrates how much paper is saved annually through digital communication in the Sanitas Portal. Brainpower is called for in the area of nutrition, where the right foods have to be assigned to an oversized Swiss food pyramid. On the upper floor, meanwhile, avatars demonstrate easy-to-follow fitness exercises. In the outdoor meditation area, users can leave everyday stresses behind and experience pure relaxation.




   



    
   


   









The Experience Space was conceived together with Kuble, one of Switzerland’s leading digital, metaverse and web3 agencies, and given an innovative and futuristic design using spatial.io. Importance was placed on creating a consistent brand experience and expressing harmony with nature.
The Sanitas metaverse is open to all and available to enter now using VR glasses, desktop computer or mobile app. Currently, the Experience Space serves as a virtual home base for users to familiarise themselves with virtual reality and its underlying technology. In future, however, it will be possible to hold events or consultations in the Sanitas metaverse.
Andreas Schönenberger
“We’re very happy about our successful presence in the metaverse and, of course, we hope visitors are as happy with it as we are. The Experience Space proves once again that we, as an innovative healthcare partner, are boldly pioneering new solutions for our customers,”
says Sanitas CEO Dr Andreas Schönenberger.


Featured image credit: edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sanitas-becomes-first-swiss-health-insurer-in-the-metaverse</link><guid>3339</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Backbase-ENGAGE-.png?x81825</dc:content ><dc:text>Sanitas Becomes First Swiss Health Insurer in the Metaverse</dc:text></item><item><title>Instimatch Secures CHF 11.5 Million Pre-Series A Financing</title><description><![CDATA[Instimatch Global AG announced the successful raise of the Pre-Series A round in the amount of CHF 11.5 million. The financing round was led by existing shareholders, current management team members, business partners and new institutional and private investors.
Instimatch plans to utilize the newly raised capital to further expand market reach, accelerate product development, and launch new products to strengthen its position as a leader in the digital trading plaOorm space.
Adrian Edelmann
“This strong show of support from both existing and new investors underscores the confidence in our vision and future success and secures us enough 4me to prepare our Series A in 2024.”
said Adrian Edelmann, CEO of the company.




   



    
   


   








Instimatch Global AG has experienced tremendous growth in the current year, achieving significant milestones such as reaching 63 % customer growth, successful market entrance in four new countries, and the go-live of a repo trading platform, its latest self-developed product.
Peter Guntlin
“The funding round will bring the international reach of Ins4match Global to the next level – built on its scalable platform that can be tailored to local needs and run by a highly dedicated team of professionals.”,
said Peter Guntlin, a board member of the company.



Featured image credit: Adrian Edelmann, CEO of Instimatch AG and Hugh Macmillen, Chairman and Founder of Instimatch AG
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/instimatch-secures-chf-115-million-pre-series-a-financing</link><guid>3340</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Backbase-ENGAGE-.png?x81825</dc:content ><dc:text>Instimatch Secures CHF 11.5 Million Pre-Series A Financing</dc:text></item><item><title>Funding Overview Blockchain Germany 2023</title><description><![CDATA[The CV VC German Blockchain Report 2023 highlights Germany’s remarkable achievements in the blockchain sector, unveiling a 3% increase in blockchain funding and an all-time high share of global funding.
Covering data from Q3 2022 to Q2 2023, the report reveals that the German blockchain sector experienced an impressive 3% year-over-year increase in funding, totaling $355 million across 34 deals. In contrast, all continents saw YoY funding declines, with a 62% decline in funding and a 44% decrease in venture deals compared to the preceding four-quarter period.
The long-term trend of blockchain venture funding exhibited an upward trajectory: The German Blockchain Report 2023 presents its findings against the backdrop of a thorough and astute assessment of both sector-agnostic and blockchain funding from a global and European vantage point.




   



    
   


   








While centered on Germany, this report efficiently compiles comprehensive global data insights. Such as highlighting that the long-term trend of blockchain venture funding as a percentage of global sector-agnostic venture funding has exhibited an upward trajectory. This percentage of funding and deals has ascended from 2.1% and 3%, respectively, in 2018 to attain a peak of 6.7% and 7.2% in Q2 2022. However, there was subsequently a decrease, settling at 3.9% for funding and 5.2% for deals during the period from Q3 2022 to Q2 2023.

While the global landscape faced challenges over the past quarters, Europe reached a historic high in its share of global blockchain venture funding, surging to 26% from the 18% observed in the previous four-quarter period. Within Europe, Germany has taken center stage as a blockchain hero, highlighted by the following key findings from the CV VC German Blockchain Report 2023:

All-Time-High Share: Germany achieved a record-high share of global blockchain funding, underscoring its growing significance in the blockchain sector. It attracted 2.4% of global blockchain funding and 2.5% of global deals, marking a substantial increase from the previous year’s figures of 0.9% and 1.9%, respectively.
European Leadership: Germany secured 9.4% of European blockchain funding and 10.3% of all European blockchain deals. This reflects its leadership within the European blockchain ecosystem.
Focus on Blockchain: German blockchain venture funding accounted for 4% of German sector-agnostic funding and 5.5% of deals, signaling a growing focus on blockchain technology. Among Europe’s seven mega blockchain deals, one was in Germany, with Matter Labs, the creators of zkSync, securing an impressive $200 million in funding.
Majority early-stage investments: The report unveils that a substantial 72% of German blockchain investment is directed toward early-stage and seed rounds, indicating a thriving startup environment.


Impact on Established Industries: While leading German corporations like BMW, Siemens, and Zalando are already harnessing blockchain for products, services, and enhanced customer experiences, the report shows how blockchain’s influence extends to other traditional German business sectors such as energy &amp; sustainability, entertainment, and health. This shift signals a move towards digital and decentralized paradigms. Companies like Tradar (football player tokenization), Krowdz (creator economies), Greentrade (climate change mitigation), Vita DAO (health and age research), and Xylene (raw material supply monitoring) are pioneering these changes in incumbent industries.
Regional Hubs: Berlin continues to spearhead the blockchain industry in Germany, responsible for 61.8% of the total number of deals and a staggering 93% of the nation’s blockchain funding. Nevertheless, other regions such as Hamburg are emerging as blockchain innovation hubs.

Sector Highlights: Investors have pivoted toward DeFi and infrastructure projects, particularly those focusing on the use of blockchain in financial market modernization, as well as projects working on interoperability and data.
DeFi: (Decentralized Finance) took center stage, accounting for 32% of investments. Notable DeFi players who received funding were M^ZERO Labs, Li.Fi, and Unstoppable Finance.
Infrastructure and developer tools received 15% of investments, a substantial increase from the previous year’s 6%, indicating a solid commitment to fortify the blockchain ecosystem. Many of the newly funded projects here relate to infrastructure that bridges traditional to new, such as Februar and Spyce.5.
Identity &amp; Data: The CV VC German Blockchain Report highlights companies at the forefront of Germany’s blockchain expertise in identity and data verification. Players such as Certif-ID, Violet, Blockbrain, and Chain Patrol received funding in the past quarters. German actions in this area are not just for Web3 but for existing institutions and services.

The Report features insightful articles addressing key challenges, with contributions from esteemed figures such as Dr. Nina-Luisa Siedler of Möhrle Happ Luther, as well as teams from The Hashtag Association, BerChain, Berlin Partner, and other prominent voices in the field.
It exposes Germany’s unique edge, pointing to Europe’s evolving regulatory landscape under MiCAR, which prioritizes privacy and personal safety. This German framework is proving to be a magnet for blockchain and Web3 tech professionals and businesses. However, with the concurrent AI landscape evolving rapidly and Germany’s economy teetering on a recession, incumbent players recognize the need for investments to help its champions and, indeed, the German economy stay ahead of the competition.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/funding-overview-blockchain-germany-2023</link><guid>3338</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Backbase-ENGAGE-.png?x81825</dc:content ><dc:text>Funding Overview Blockchain Germany 2023</dc:text></item><item><title>Deutsche Bank and Swiss Taurus Sign Global Digital Asset Partnership</title><description><![CDATA[Taurus , a Switzerland based digital asset technology provider, has signed a global partnership agreement with Deutsche Bank. 
As part of the collaboration, Deutsche Bank will integrate Taurus’ market-leading technology to establish digital asset custody and tokenization services.
Lamine Brahimi
“This partnership is the result of a thorough and detailed selection and due diligence process where Taurus was able to demonstrate the quality and breadth of its products and technology,”
said Taurus co-founder Lamine Brahimi.




   



    
   


   








“We are pleased to implement this global partnership with Deutsche Bank and look forward to supporting the bank in launching digital assets and DLT-based products and services across several booking centers.”
Founded in 2018, Taurus provides enterprise-grade digital asset infrastructure to issue, custody, and trade digital assets, such as cryptocurrencies, tokenized assets, NFTs, and digital currencies. As such, this partnership is a natural extension of recent Deutsche Bank’s digital asset focused initiatives.

Paul Maley
“As the digital asset space is expected to encompass trillions of dollars of assets, it’s bound to be seen as one of the priorities for investors and corporations alike. As such, custodians must start adapting to support their clients,”
said Paul Maley, Global Head of Securities Services.
“This is why we are excited to partner with Taurus, a leading digital asset infrastructure provider  with a proven track record and extensive expertise in the crypto and tokenization space.”
Earlier this year, Deutsche Bank also participated in Taurus’ $65 million Series B funding round alongside Credit Suisse, Pictet Group, and Arab Bank Switzerland.

Featured image credit: Taurus co-founder Lamine Brahimi and Paul Maley, Global Head of Securities Services
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/deutsche-bank-and-swiss-taurus-sign-global-digital-asset-partnership</link><guid>3337</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Backbase-ENGAGE-.png?x81825</dc:content ><dc:text>Deutsche Bank and Swiss Taurus Sign Global Digital Asset Partnership</dc:text></item><item><title>4 New Swiss Fintech Startups to Follow in 2023</title><description><![CDATA[After a declining year 2021, the Swiss fintech sector bounced back up in 2022 with an increase of 14% in the number of active companies in the country, data from the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts’ Institute of Financial Services Zug (IFZ) show.
Results of a research study conducted by the IFZ show that the Swiss fintech sector grew considerably in 2022, rising from 384 active companies at the end of 2021 to 437 fintech companies a year later. The number represents a new all-time high.
Fintech funding activity in Switzerland also remained strong in 2022, registering a new record of CHF 605 million in funding raised by startups in the sector. The amount represents a year-over-year (YoY) increase of 36% and came in stark contrast to the downward trend observed in the global fintech funding landscape.




   



    
   


   








As the Swiss fintech sector continues to grow and mature, we look today at some of the hottest newcomers in the scene. These young startups were all founded in either 2022 or 2023 but have already gained notable traction and attracted investors’ interest.
Pier Wallet

Founded in 2022 and based in Zug, Pier Wallet is a non-custodial wallet and “the world’s first smart contract wallet-as-a-service (WaaS)”. The company, which was formerly known as Nobank, aims to address the issues and challenges relating to centralized crypto exchanges, providing a seamless gateway to Web3 while championing the principles of self-custody and security.
At its core, Pier Wallet embodies the ethos of decentralization. Users get a direct account on the blockchain, allowing transactions to be conducted without the need for intermediaries. The platform leverages smart contract technology to deliver an intuitive user experience, a feat that earned it an accolade from Best of Swiss App for outstanding usability and user experience.
Pier Wallet offers its services in two different models: first, through software development kits which allow businesses to integrate the wallet into their application; and through its fully managed white label offering.
Pier Wallet raised CHF 1 million in June 2022, and has so far received more than CHF 120k in grants and prize money since its inception, Startupticker reported last year.
Fume


Founded in 2023 and based in Lugano, Fume provides a fund management platform that aims to address the inefficiencies plaguing traditional fund management. The platform uses smart contracts to automate fund administration, increase transparency and remove intermediaries such as banks and brokers, paving the way for a smoother process and improved efficiency.
On Fume, fund managers can set up their digital fund in a fast and seamless manner. After defining the fund’s terms, including the fees, lock-up periods and eligible assets, the fund undergoes legal registration, culminating in an International Securities Identification Number (ISIN). Once the fund receives clearance, smart contracts are deployed and a customized web platform is set up, effectively marking the launch of the fund. The manager can then onboard investors and define portfolio allocations.
Fume operates under a software-as-a-service (SaaS) model, charging 5% of the fund’s fees which encompass performance, entry, exit, and management fees. The startup was selected in March 2023 for the 10th edition of the Tenity fintech incubation program.
Veax

Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Zug, Veax is a decentralized exchange (DEX) built on the Near Protocol. The platform aims to provide an extensive suite of traditional finance functionalities with an innovative DEX architecture, delivering features such as single-sided liquidity, concentrated liquidity, and multiple fee levels.
Veax, which launched its DEX platform on mainnet in April 2023, claims it has witnessed strong traction, registering 64k users access its platform so far, creating a total of 27k transactions and recording combined US$5 million worth of trading volume, the company claims.
In November 2022, Veax raised US$1.2 million in Pre-seed funding from a series of prominent investors including Circle Ventures, Proximity Labs, and Outlier Ventures, together with Tacans Labs, Qredo, Skynet Trading, Seier Capital, and Widjaja Family.
The company said at the time that it would use the proceeds to launch its platform, expand operations and expand its business reach.
Truzt

Founded in 2023 and based in St Gallen, Truzt is the developer of a digital insurance platform intended to provide cryptocurrency insurance services. The company’s platform insures and protects cryptocurrency and blockchain assets held at multiple centralized digital custody platforms, crypto exchanges, wallets, and banks, enabling investors to invest with peace of mind.
With Truzt, customers can insure up to US$50,000 worth of assets per exchange in cases of exchange failure, including hacks and bad administration. The service is fully regulated in Switzerland and is available in more than 50 countries, supporting over ten centralized crypto platforms, including Binance, Kraken and Coinbase.
Truzt is part of the 11th edition of the Tenity fintech incubation program.

Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/4-new-swiss-fintech-startups-to-follow-in-2023</link><guid>3336</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Backbase-ENGAGE-.png?x81825</dc:content ><dc:text>4 New Swiss Fintech Startups to Follow in 2023</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Funding in Europe Stumbles 70% YoY</title><description><![CDATA[European fintech companies secured only EUR 4.6 billion in funding in H1 2023, down by a staggering 70% from the EUR 15.8 billion raised during the same period last year, a new report by European growth investor Finch Capital shows. The massive drop was mainly driven by a decreased number of mega rounds, a retreat in activity from American investors, and a return to investment fundamentals, the firm says.
The 8th Annual State of European Fintech Report 2023, released on September 12, 2023, delves into fintech funding activity in the region during the first half of the year, highlighting shrinking deal count and funding volume, as well as a pullback from corporate investors as the macroeconomic environment remained uncertain.
According to the report, deal count in H1 2023 totaled a mere 463, representing a 48% drop. During the period, the top 20 funding rounds in Europe made up a larger share of total deal volume at 60%, against 50% in 2021 and 2022. This implies that investors put a greater focus on backing more established fintech companies with solid operations and strong growth prospects.




   



    
   


   








Top 20 fintech funding rounds in Europe, Source: 8th Annual State of European Fintech Report 2023, Finch Capital, Sep 2023
Deal size of the top 20 deals in H1 2023 also decreased substantially, falling below the EUR 130 million range and pulling back to pre-2020 levels. This compares starkly to average deal sizes observed in 2021 and 2022, which surpassed EUR 250 million.
Average deal sizes for the top 20 fintech funding rounds, Source: 8th Annual State of European Fintech Report 2023, Finch Capital, Sep 2023
A closer look at key European markets reveals that the UK market stood out from the crowd and showed more resilience than some others countries by accounting for over 50% of fintech funding in Europe. That’s a larger share than in H1 2022 during which the country made up 45% of fintech funding in the region.
Another key finding of the Finch Capital analysis is the massive pullback from US-based investors in 2023. American investors have historically been rather active in the European fintech scene. In 2021, for example, three US-based firms were among the top five fintech investors in the UK. In H1 2023, however, no American firm made it into the list, the report notes.
Overall, the biggest and most active US investors in the European fintech industry committed far lesser capital to the region this year, investing less than a billion euros in the sector in H1 2023. In comparison, these venture capitalists (VCs), which include names such as Sequoia, Lightspeed, Coatue and Andreessen Horowitz, committed about EUR 9 billion in 2022 and a little less than EUR 7.5 billion in 2021.
Top US VC investors’ investments in European fintech companies, Source: 8th Annual State of European Fintech Report 2023, Finch Capital, Sep 2023
Sector wide, payments and neobanking took a big hit in the first half of the year and lost its position as the favored fintech segment.
While the sector has historically been a resilient category, registering record amounts of capital deployed in 2022, investments in the space pulled back significantly in H1 2023 as investors took caution to valuation inflation, the report notes.
Payments and neobanking was overtaken by crypto/blockchain and lending, which were the top fintech subsectors in deal count and deal volume, respectively.
Share of deal volume of each fintech segment, Source: 8th Annual State of European Fintech Report 2023, Finch Capital, Sep 2023
Funding across all tech sectors in Europe has declined over the past year, but fintech has by far been the hardest hit sector, data from Dealroom reveal.
In Q1 2023, fintech secured a mere US$2 billion (EUR 1.9 billion) in funding and lost its position as the most-funded tech sector in Europe. The sector was overtaken deeptech and climate tech, which secured US$2.9 billion (EUR 2.7 billion) and US$2.6 billion (EUR 2.4 billion), respectively, the data show.
Healthtech, meanwhile, which has been among the lesser well-funded tech sectors in Europe, was almost on a part with fintech, raising a total of US$1.9 billion (EUR 1.8 billion) in Q1 2023.
Top tech sectors in Europe by deal volume, Source: Sifted and Dealroom, Apr 2023
What lies ahead
Finch Capital warns that the European fintech market is now entering a period of contraction and that a laser focus will continue to be put on building profitable businesses at sustainable valuations.
This fight for profitability emerged in the past year as the industry suffered from 3,100 announced layoffs, the report notes. While fast-growing players, including Monzo, Adyen and Funding Circle, continued to hire new employees over the past year, bringing in more than 1,050 new staff, Finch Capital expects these firms to start laying off in the second half of 2023.
Employee growth at the top ten fastest-growing fintech companies in Europe, Source: 8th Annual State of European Fintech Report 2023, Finch Capital, Sep 2023
The firm also predicts that the shift from consumer fintech to business-to-business (B2B) fintech, which started in the last couple of years, will carry on in 2023 and onwards, with segments such as regtech and artificial intelligence (AI) projected to pick up steam.
Interest in regtech will increase as governments continue to launch new initiatives and as changes in legal frameworks complexify compliance for fintech companies, it says.
Generative AI, a subfield of AI focused on developing algorithms and models that are capable of generating new text, images, or other media in response to prompts, will continue to gain traction and witness increased adoption as fintech segments including retail banking and insurance embrace the technology, the firm says.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-funding-in-europe-stumbles-70-yoy</link><guid>3335</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Backbase-ENGAGE-.png?x81825</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech Funding in Europe Stumbles 70% YoY</dc:text></item><item><title>Booming Cross-Border E-Commerce Activity in Asia Presents Opportunities for European Merchants</title><description><![CDATA[International e-commerce spending by JCB cardholders based in Asia increased by 52% between 2021 and 2022, presenting a significant opportunity for merchants in Europe as shoppers across the region show increasing willingness to purchase goods online from foreign businesses, a new paper by the Japanese credit card company shows.
The report, titled “Click into Place: Unpacking Card Abandonment”, provides insights on online spending from Asia, sharing the latest research and data on e-commerce trends to help businesses boost e-commerce sales and stand out from the crowd.
According to the report, cross-border e-commerce activity increased substantially last year, with India leading the region with a staggering five-fold growth, followed by Indonesia and Vietnam, where cross-border e-commerce more than doubled between 2021 and 2023. In Hong Kong and the Philippines, global e-commerce spending grew by around 80%, while China, Taiwan and Thailand saw growth of about 50%.




   



    
   


   








Further growth is expected in the future as the cart abandonment rate in Asia’s e-commerce industry is currently the highest in the world, standing at over 84% as of March 2023 compared with about 70% for customers globally.
High cart abandonment in Asia suggests that there is potential for more expansion in the region if merchants are able to solve customers’ friction points and improve experience, the report says.
image via freepik
Addressing cart abandonment
Cart abandonment is the act of a shopper adding an item to an online shopping cart but leaving the website without completing the purchase. It represents a significant amount of lost revenue for merchants in the online space.
According to JCB, there are several cause of cart abandonment, with the first common one being the payment journey. In Asia, complicated checkouts and unexpected payment processes are cited as a reason for abandoning carts, with 55% of online shoppers in the region identifying long login and sign-up forms as a key source of frustrated.
To address this paint point and boost sales, merchants must enhance customer experience by streamlining their checkout process with a well-designed website. They should also leverage advanced technology and design practices to balance security with user experience, using for example pre-fill information and tokenization to speed up the checkout process, as well as technology like 3DS authentication to increase consumer trust. Such improvements not only increase immediate sales and conversion rates but also foster long-term brand loyalty, the report says.
The second cause of cart abandonment outlined in the JCB report is unmet customer expectations around how they can pay, and how easy it is to do so.
Understanding customer psychology is vital to reduce cart abandonment in e-commerce, the report says. To cater to local preferences, merchants should offer multiple languages and payment currencies, provide a personalized customer journey, and ensure that payment processes are seamless across both mobile and desktop platforms.
This is critical become mobile purchases are on the rise, representing 43% of e-commerce sales globally in 2023. In Asia-Pacific (APAC), that share is even higher, with mobile commerce constituting 75.8% of sales in 2022.
Finally, the third and final cause of cart abandonment outlined in the report is the failure to react to external factors, such as market trends and changes in consumer behaviour.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, e-commerce surged, especially in Asia, due to increased internet and mobile device access, the report says. However, the global economic downturn has somewhat hindered e-commerce growth and altered customer behaviors.
This has led many consumers to start using online carts as a modern form of window shopping, adding items for future consideration or price comparisons. This behavior, which may lead to cart abandonment, is likely to rise with economic concerns and decreased impulse buying, it warns.
To counter this, merchants should offer competitive pricing and employ strategies like remarketing and non-intrusive exit-intent pop-ups. They should also bolster customer confidence with reviews and security guarantees.
image via Unsplash
Cross-border e-commerce on the rise
Over the past couple of years, cross-border e-commerce has witnessed significant growth, driven by the proliferation of the Internet and mobile devices, improved logistics, payment innovations and the rise of global e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, Alibaba and eBay.
With disposable income rising in developing markets, e-commerce merchants and marketplaces will continue pivoting towards them, pushing cross-border online shopping to new heights.
According to Juniper Research, cross-border e-commerce transaction values will reach US$1.6 trillion this year. Through 2028, that number is projected to grow by more than twofold to US$3.4 trillion.
In comparison, domestic e-commerce transaction values are set to grow by 48% over the same period, implying that much of the growth in the e-commerce payments market will in the cross-border area.
In 2022, around 168 million Chinese customers had engaged in cross-border import e-commerce, growing from 155 million the previous year, data from market research and analytics platform Statista show. The trade value of cross-border import business reached approximately 34 trillion yuan (US$4.6 billion) that year.
In Southeast Asia, about a quarter (23%) of consumers said they are shopping more at merchants based in other countries in the region since the start of the pandemic, while a similar number (22%) are shopping more in stores outside of Southeast Asia, a 2021 study by ACI Worldwide and YouGov reveals.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/booming-cross-border-e-commerce-activity-in-asia-presents-opportunities-for-european-merchants</link><guid>3334</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Backbase-ENGAGE-.png?x81825</dc:content ><dc:text>Booming Cross-Border E-Commerce Activity in Asia Presents Opportunities for European Merchants</dc:text></item><item><title>PayPal Partners with Meta to Enable Donations on Facebook and Instagram</title><description><![CDATA[Paypal announced that PayPal Giving Fund is expanding its partnership with Meta to exclusively enable charitable giving on Facebook and Instagram in the US, UK, Australia and Canada.
As an IRS-registered charity, PayPal Giving Fund’s mission is to support charities by enabling them to benefit from new forms of giving. Charities will be able to raise money through fundraisers and donation buttons on Facebook and Instagram, and donations will be received by PayPal Giving Fund and granted to benefiting charities in accordance with its policies.
PayPal Giving Fund’s partnership with Meta makes it easier for donors to support their favorite causes online. Online charitable giving continues to rise in popularity, especially among younger consumers. Giving USA’s recent Giving By Generation report found that 81% of Millennials and 76% of Gen Z donors surveyed make donations online or through mobile services, which makes this partnership a natural fit.




   



    
   


   








PayPal Giving Fund previously received donations and granted donated funds to benefiting charities on Facebook in Australia, Canada and the UK. Today’s announcement builds on its existing partnership with Meta by expanding to enable donations on Instagram with PayPal Giving Fund for these markets and enabling all charitable giving on Facebook and Instagram in the US market.
The fund helps people support their favorite charities online with over one million available charities. PayPal Giving Fund receives donations from donors on PayPal and on the platforms of trusted partners, such as Meta, and makes grants to donors’ recommended charities.
Charities enrolled in PayPal Giving Fund will be able to receive donations made on Facebook and Instagram more quickly and get additional exposure to millions of donors through the PayPal website and app as well as through other PayPal Giving Fund partners. PayPal Giving Fund will also provide donation activity reports to enrolled charities and issue donation receipts to all donors.
Starting Oct. 31, PayPal Giving Fund will exclusively enable charitable giving on Facebook and Instagram in the US, UK, Australia and Canada.

[embedded content] 
This article first appeared on fintechnews.am

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/paypal-partners-with-meta-to-enable-donations-on-facebook-and-instagram</link><guid>3333</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Backbase-ENGAGE-.png?x81825</dc:content ><dc:text>PayPal Partners with Meta to Enable Donations on Facebook and Instagram</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Among Thoma Bravo’s Top Acquisition and Investment Focus</title><description><![CDATA[The bear market of 2022 saw stock prices and valuations nosedive, offering plenty of opportunities for investors with a long-term focus to acquire assets or other companies at a discount.
Thoma Bravo, a private equity investor specializing in software technology, took advantage of these market conditions, scooping up strong companies at a reduced price. According to an analysis by American private financial and investing advice company, the Motley Fool, two notable themes in Thoma Bravo’s investments last year were fintech and cybersecurity.
Thoma Bravo has been relying on a “buy and build” strategy, the report notes, focusing primarily on companies that are solid but which are not yet category leaders, as well as businesses that are deficient in some area of their financial performance.




   



    
   


   








With interest rates on the rise and the prolonged bear market, tech businesses lacking in profitability or exhibiting slow growth struggled to secure funding on favorable terms, putting heighten financial burden on them.
Capitalizing on these circumstances, the firm made a series of fintech acquisitions in 2022, purchasing the likes of Anaplan, an American business planning software company; Bottomline, a provider of collaborative payment, invoice, and document automation solutions to corporations, financial institutions, and banks worldwide; Coupa, a business spend management specialist; and Mercell, a Norwegian provider of e-tendering and procurement systems. Recently Thomas Bravo also completed the acquisition of digital identity giant Forgerock
Thoma Bravo also invested in numerous fintech startups including FalconX, a cryptocurrency-as-a-service platform for banks and financial institutions; Personetics, a customer engagement platform for banks and financial institutions powered by artificial intelligence (AI); SMA Technologies, a task automation platform for financial institutions; and TRM Labs, a blockchain intelligence company that helps governments and crypto-related businesses investigate fraud.
Digitalization in the financial sector
Thoma Bravo’s strong focus on the fintech industry, and most particularly companies developing software and tools meant for banks and financial institutions, comes at a time when the traditional financial industry is experiencing a transformative digitalization wave.
In Europe, nearly all significant institutions have a digital transformation strategy in place, with most of their projects focusing on attracting and retaining market share, as well as achieving efficiency gains, a 2022 study by the European Central Bank’s Banking Supervision found.
The study, which polled banks across the bloc, found that 43% of these financial institutions’ top-five projects are aimed at revenue/customer experience enhancement.
Objectives of key digital projects, Source: Take-aways from the horizontal assessment of the survey on digital transformation and the use of fintech, European Central Bank Banking Supervision, Feb 2023
Application programming interfaces (APIs) and cloud computing were found to be the most commonly used technologies across banks. Cloud computing is perceived as the foundation for digital transformation.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is also used by most banks in the region with increasing business relevance. 60% of respondents indicated using AI with more use cases in development.
Distributed ledger technology, on the other hand, is only used by a very limited number of banks (less than 20%), with cryptocurrency-related activities and related exposures being very insignificant so far.
Adoption rates of innovative technologies, Source: Take-aways from the horizontal assessment of the survey on digital transformation and the use of fintech, European Central Bank Banking Supervision, Feb 2023
The survey also found that although most banks did not yet have a dedicated digital transformation budget, on average, one fifth of the IT budget was spent on digitalisation.
Digital transformation budget as percentage of operating income, Source: Take-aways from the horizontal assessment of the survey on digital transformation and the use of fintech, European Central Bank Banking Supervision, Feb 2023
Thoma Bravo is a leading private equity investment firm and one of the largest software investors in the world. Through its private equity, growth equity and credit strategies, the firm invests in growth-oriented, innovative companies operating in the software and technology sectors.
Over the past 20 years, Thoma Bravo has acquired or invested in more than 440 companies representing over US$250 billion in enterprise value. As of March 31, 2023, the firm had more than US$127 billion in assets under management, boasting a software portfolio of over 75 companies that generate more than US$26 billion of annual revenue.
According to its website, Thoma Bravo currently has 12 fintech companies in its portfolio. These companies include Adenza, a company that provides customers with end-to-end, trading, treasury, risk management and regulatory compliance platforms; Figment, a blockchain infrastructure and software provider; Greenphire, a clinical trial financial process automation specialist; and Solifi, an open finance startup.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-among-thoma-bravos-top-acquisition-and-investment-focus</link><guid>3332</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Backbase-ENGAGE-.png?x93691</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech Among Thoma Bravo’s Top Acquisition and Investment Focus</dc:text></item><item><title>Innovation Park Ost erhält CHF 1.55 Mio Kapitalerhöhung, Appenzeller KB beteiligt sich</title><description><![CDATA[Zu den bisherigen 21 Gründungsaktionären der Switzerland Innovation Park Ost AG stossen nun weitere 9 Aktionäre der Region Ostschweiz und bringen in Summe zusätzliches Kapital in Höhe von 1.55 Mio CHF ein. Damit erreicht der Innovationspark einen weiteren Meilenstein seines Aufbauprogrammes und gewinnt zusätzliche Mittel für wichtige Investitionen.
Unter dem Motto «Connecting Great Minds» will der SIP Ost die Zusammenarbeit zwischen Ostschweizer Unternehmen und den hier ansässigen Forschungsinstitutionen Empa, Universität St. Gallen, Fachhochschule OST, Kantonsspital St. Gallen und RhySearch stärken. Im Zentrum stehen dabei die Themenschwerpunkte Gesundheit, Digitalisierung und Sensorik.
Durch Informationsveranstaltungen und Workshops soll der Know-how-Transfer und die wirtschaftliche Umsetzung von Forschungswissen beschleunigt werden. Dies stärkt die Innovationskraft der beteiligten Unternehmen und damit den Wirtschaftsstandort Ostschweiz und Fürstentum Liechtenstein.




   



    
   


   








Neue Aktionäre, Appenzeller KB mit dabei
Die neuen Aktionäre des SIP Ost sind die Appenzeller Kantonalbank, die Cavera AG, die Hälg &amp; Co. AG, die Metrohm Stiftung, die Fachhochschule OST, die St.Gallisch-Appenzellische Kraftwerke AG, die Thurgauer Kantonalbank sowie die Privatpersonen Martin Fengler (Gründer Meteomatics) und Roger Dudler (Gründer Frontify).
Einige der neuen Aktionäre planen in Zukunft mit dem Innovationspark eng zusammenzuarbeiten und stärken so nicht nur die Kapitalbasis, sondern auch das wachsende Ökosystem von Forschungspartnern und innovativen Unternehmen.
Roland Ledergerber
Roland Ledergerber, Verwaltungsratspräsident des SIP Ost freut sich über die erfolgreiche Kapitalerhöhung:
«Ich möchte unsere neuen Aktionäre ganz herzlich begrüssen und ihnen für das Vertrauen in unser noch junges Aufbauprojekt danken! Hinter jedem einzelnen Beitrag steht eine eigene Verbindung zum Thema Innovation. Als besondere Wertschätzung empfinden wir auch das Engagement der beiden Jungunternehmer Martin Fengler und Roger Dudler, die von Startfeld unterstützt wurden und seit langem mit unserem Team zusammenarbeiten.»
Kapital für Investitionen
Der SIP Ost arbeitet am Aufbau von Leuchtturmprojekten, die eine Anziehungswirkung ausstrahlen und Innovation fördern sollen. Dazu gehören der Health Innovation Hub, Sensor Innovation Hub und der Business Innovation Hub. Diese Innovation Hubs werden ein Veranstaltungs- und Workshop-Programm sowie ein Erlebnislabor mit neuen innovativen Produkten enthalten. Ein weiteres im Aufbau befindliches Leuchtturmprojekt ist die «SIP Ost Knowledge Database».
Mit Hilfe generativer künstlicher Intelligenz werden öffentlich zugängliche Informationen kontinuierlich gesichtet und semantisch analysiert. Ein besonderer Vorteil dieses Ansatzes ist die Möglichkeit, ähnlich wie bei ChatGPT, spezifische Kompetenzen von Unternehmen und Institutionen zu identifizieren, auch wenn diese in der Kommunikation nicht explizit genannt werden.
Solche Leuchtturmprojekte erfordern Investitionen in Geräte und Infrastruktur sowie erheblichen Zeitaufwand für die Initiierung von Kooperationsprojekten. Zur Finanzierung solcher Vorhaben war bereits bei der Gründung der Gesellschaft in 2021 die jetzige Kapitalerhöhung auf CHF 5.0 Mio. beschlossen worden. Das Zeichnungsziel von CHF 1.55 Mio. wurde deutlich übertroffen.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/innovation-park-ost-erhalt-chf-155-mio-kapitalerhohung-appenzeller-kb-beteiligt-sich</link><guid>3331</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Backbase-ENGAGE-.png?x93691</dc:content ><dc:text>Innovation Park Ost erhält CHF 1.55 Mio Kapitalerhöhung, Appenzeller KB beteiligt sich</dc:text></item><item><title>The Top 10 Fintech Startups in Switzerland in 2023</title><description><![CDATA[Like last year 10 fintechs made the 13th edition of the TOP 100 Swiss Startup Awards organized by Venturelab.
The 2023 ranking features 100 Startups, Yokoy who made first overall place last year made it this year on 2nd place.
Of the 10 fintechs, 4 were repeats from the 2022 startup ranking and 6 were newcomers. – Ledgy (No 3 last year)– graduated to this year’s scale-up ranking.




   



    
   


   








Meet the 10 Swiss fintechs that made the TOP 100 Swiss Startups 2023 list:

yokoy (2.Place) -1

The Swiss FinTech company Yokoy (formerly: Expense Robot) uses artificial intelligence to automate the entire corporate spend and corporate credit card process. Founded in 2019 by five founders to simplify expense management, Yokoy already has over 500 customers, including companies such as Stadler Rail, On Running, Bobst, Zühlke and BDO. In June 2021, Yokoy expanded its software offering, making the step from an expense tool to a comprehensive automation of the entire spend management and expanded further with an office in Munich.

relai (#24) +6

Relai is independently audited and with over 130 million CHF of bitcoin invested through its platform.

Unique AG (#31) new

Unique FinanceGPT is a tailored solution for the financial industry that aims to increase productivity by automating manual workload through AI and ChatGPT solutions. The platform records conversations and leverages state-of-the-art AI language models to provide client advisors with augmented assistance, coaching and useful analytics.

Grape Insurance AG (#35) new

grape is the first fully digital insurance company for companies and employees in Switzerland.
grape is a startup from ETH that has obtained its insurance license as an MGA and now offers employee insurance products for companies (KTG, UVG(Z), and BVG) in Switzerland. These insurances are bundled with a B2B SaaS product that saves the insured companies time managing their coverages and claims. Moreover, grape is the first insurer to directly reinvest into prevention services supporting the health of their customer’s employees through their benefits and paid therapy sessions.

Aktionariat AG (#40) new

Aktionariat creates a market for SME shares.

Sygnum Bank AG (#43) -23

Sygnum is a digital asset specialist with global reach. With Sygnum Bank AG’s Swiss banking licence, as well as Sygnum Pte Ltd’s capital markets services (CMS) licence in Singapore, Sygnum empowers institutional and private qualified investors, corporates, banks and other financial institutions to invest in the digital asset economy with complete trust.

Stableton (#50) new

Stableton is specializing in private markets. Institutional and qualified investors benefit from the sourcing of outstanding growth companies and the creation of unique top-tier investment opportunities with improved liquidity.

Relio (#54) new

Relio aims to offer digital business accounts for SMEs in Switzerland.

Mark Investment Holding AG (#66) new

Mark Investment helps to diversify the portfolio, like an expert.

Alpian SA (#71) -21

Alpian unifies everyday banking with accessible investment and private banking services.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-top-10-fintech-startups-in-switzerland-in-2023</link><guid>3329</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Backbase-ENGAGE-.png?x93691</dc:content ><dc:text>The Top 10 Fintech Startups in Switzerland in 2023</dc:text></item><item><title>The Top 5 Swiss Fintech Scale-up Startups in 2023</title><description><![CDATA[5  Fintech scale-ups made this year’s TOP 25 Swiss Scale-ups Awards organized by Venturelab.
The scale-ups ranking was created to recognize Swiss companies aged five to 10 years who are no longer eligible to compete in the TOP 100 Swiss Startup Award which is limited to startups under five years of incorporation.




   



    
   


   








Meet the fintechs on the TOP 25 Swiss Scale-ups 2023 list:
wefox Holding AG

wefox is a start-up based in Berlin, Zurich, and Barcelona. Founded in November 2014 in Switzerland, wefox combine many years’ experience in the insurance industry with the world of digital technology. With their app, they enable their clients to manage their finance products cleverly and efficiently. This is achieved by combining consulting expertise from the traditional insurance business with advanced technology.
Ledgy

Ledgy is an equity management platform that helps high-growth companies manage their cap table, employee participation plans, funding rounds, and investor relations.
Ledgy is used by leading companies such as Raisin, wefox, Frontify, Codility, Utopia, and many more to democratize startup equity by turning more than 6,000 employees into owners.
Wyden

Wyden is the global leader in institutional digital asset trading technology. By covering the entire trade lifecycle and supporting seamless custody, core banking and portfolio management system integration as well as full trade lifecycle automation, the Wyden platform streamlines digital assets trading. Engineered by a team of trading system veterans and crypto asset experts, Wyden offers best-in-class integrated infrastructure solutions that meet the highest institutional needs. Wyden has offices in Zurich, New York and Singapore.
Bitcoin Suisse

Founded in 2013, Bitcoin Suisse is a regulated Swiss financial intermediary, offering prime brokerage, trading, custody, lending, staking and other crypto-financial services for private and institutional clients.
The company has offices in Zug, Copenhagen, and Liechtenstein, and is undergoing licensing as a Swiss and Liechtenstein bank.
Pricehubble

PriceHubble is a Swiss B2B proptech company that builds innovative digital solutions for the real estate industry based on property valuations and market insights. Leveraging big data, cutting-edge analytics and great visualisation, PriceHubble’s products suite brings a new level of transparency in the market, enabling their customers to make real estate and investment decisions based on the most accurate data-driven insights and enhance the dialogue with end consumers.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-top-5-swiss-fintech-scale-up-startups-in-2023</link><guid>3330</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Backbase-ENGAGE-.png?x93691</dc:content ><dc:text>The Top 5 Swiss Fintech Scale-up Startups in 2023</dc:text></item><item><title>Die Besten Schweizer Digitalen Vermögensverwalter Apps 2023</title><description><![CDATA[Das Vergleichportal moneyland.ch hat die digitalen Vermögensverwalter in der Schweiz unter die Lupe genommen.
Im Vergleich zu traditionellen Vermögensverwaltern sind die meisten günstig. Zwischen den Anlage-Apps gibt es aber grosse Unterschiede.
In der Schweiz ticken die Uhren oft etwas langsamer. Das gilt auch für die Digitalisierung in der Vermögensverwaltung. Mittlerweile haben aber die digitalen Vermögensverwalter – manchmal Robo-Advisor genannt – auch in der Schweiz Fahrt aufgenommen.




   



    
   


   








Die von moneyland.ch befragten digitalen Vermögensverwalter gaben ein verwaltetes Vermögen von kumuliert rund 3.3 Milliarden Franken an, wobei einige keine Angaben machten. Insgesamt dürften in der Schweiz bereits deutlich über sechs Milliarden Franken an Vermögen von digitalen Anbietern verwaltet werden.
So hoch sind die Kosten
Im Durchschnitt bezahlen Kundinnen und Kunden bei einem Anlagebetrag von 25‘000 Franken Gesamtkosten von 252 Franken pro Jahr. Dies entspricht rund 1 Prozent des Anlagebetrags.
Bei digitalen Apps ohne Beratung fallen pro Jahr im Mittel Gesamtkosten von 0.92 Prozent an. Digitale Vermögensverwalter, die auch eine Anlageberatung anbieten, sind mit durchschnittlich 1.15 Prozent etwas teurer.
Die Gesamtkosten setzen sich im Wesentlichen aus Pauschalgebühren für die Vermögensverwaltung und Produktkosten (zum Beispiel von passiv gemanagten Fonds) zusammen. Die Pauschalgebühren betragen im Durchschnitt 0.69 Prozent, die Produktkosten 0.32 Prozent.
Damit sind digitale Vermögensverwalter deutlich günstiger als die traditionelle Vermögensverwaltung der Schweizer Banken.
Benjamin Manz
«Im Durchschnitt sind digitale Vermögensverwalter mehr als doppelt so günstig wie traditionelle Mandate»,
sagt Benjamin Manz, Geschäftsführer von moneyland.ch.
«Der deutliche Kostenvorteil spricht langfristig für die digitale Vermögensverwaltung.»
Das sind die günstigsten Anbieter ohne Anlageberatung
Am günstigsten schneiden in der Analyse Findependent mit jährlichen Gesamtkosten von 146 Franken und – praktisch gleich günstig – True Wealth mit 150 Franken pro Jahr ab. Knapp dahinter folgen Kaspar&amp; mit 178 Franken, Swissquote Invest Easy mit 203 Franken, Clevercircles mit 210 Franken und Cleverinvest mit 213 Franken (weitere Informationen in Tabelle 1).

Gesamtkosten bei einem Anlagebetrag von 25’000 Franken. Rundungsdifferenzen möglich. *Radicant: Bei Abschluss bis 31.1.2024 50% Rabatt auf die Pauschalgebühr. Kaspar&amp;: Konditionen ab 1.10.2023.
Das sind die günstigsten Anbieter mit Anlageberatung
Bei den Anlage-Apps mit Anlageberatung schneiden Selma Finance und Descartes Finances mit je 225 Franken pro Jahr am günstigsten ab. Knapp dahinter folgen Digifolio mit 258 Franken und Alpian mit 278 Franken.
Tabelle 2: Anlage-Apps mit Anlageberatung

Gesamtkosten bei einem Anlagebetrag von 25’000 Franken. Rundungsdifferenzen möglich.
Sinkende Pauschalgebühren bei Schweizer Robo Advisors
Bei vielen Anbietern sinken die Pauschalgebühren mit steigendem Anlagebetrag. Dazu gehören Alpian, Clevercircles, Findependent, Inyova, Kaspar&amp;, Postfinance, Radicant, Selma, True Wealth und Volt. Je nach Anlagebetrag sieht deshalb die Rangliste der günstigsten Anbieter etwas anders aus.
Beispiel: Bei einem Anlagebetrag in der Höhe von 500’000 Franken sind dies die günstigsten Anbieter: Findependent mit Gesamtkosten in der Höhe von 2643 Franken pro Jahr an, True Wealth mit 2950 Franken, Inyova mit 3000 Franken, Clevercircles mit 3200 Franken und Kaspar&amp; mit 3300 Franken. Bei Beträgen ab 810’000 Franken ist True Wealth am günstigsten.
Was sonst noch zählt
Neben den Gebühren gibt es natürlich noch weitere wichtige Entscheidungskriterien für die Wahl des richtigen digitalen Vermögensverwalters. Dazu gehören die Funktionen und Benutzerfreundlichkeit der App. Es lohnt sich daher, die Anbieter vor der Investition grösserer Summen auszuprobieren. Bei rund der Hälfte der Anbieter kann ein kostenloses Demokonto eröffnet werden.
Einige Apps bieten nachhaltiges Investieren an, das in Zukunft an Bedeutung gewinnen wird. Letztlich ist natürlich auch die Performance wichtig, die sich aber nicht im Voraus prognostizieren lässt. Eine Möglichkeit ist es, bei verschiedenen Apps mit kleineren Anlagesummen ein Konto zu eröffnen und sich nach einiger Zeit und mit der gesammelten Erfahrung für eine Favoritin zu entscheiden
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/die-besten-schweizer-digitalen-vermogensverwalter-apps-2023</link><guid>3328</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Backbase-ENGAGE-.png?x93691</dc:content ><dc:text>Die Besten Schweizer Digitalen Vermögensverwalter Apps 2023</dc:text></item><item><title>Neues Proptech Startup Zinsli will Mietdepotmarkt transformieren</title><description><![CDATA[Zinsli ist ein neuer, unabhängiger Schweizer Marktplatz für Depotlösungen. Das Schweizer Proptech vernetzt Vermieter mit Depotanbietern und macht alle Prozesse rund um die Eröffnung und Schliessung von Mietdepots digital. 
Vermieter erhalten Zugang zu verschiedenen Depotösungen – von herkömmlichen Sperrkonten über Kautionsversicherungen bis hin zu renditestarken Anlagen – alles in einer einzigen App. 
Dank Zinsli wird Embedded Finance zur Realität für die Immobilienwelt in der Schweiz: Verwaltungen können die Finanzprodukte ganz ohne Medienbrüche vollständig in ihre Prozesse und im eigenen Branding integrieren. Dadurch profitieren alle Beteiligten von einem hochwertigen digitalen Nutzererlebnis und schnelleren Prozessen. Das neue Angebot steht Verwaltern seit Kurzem unter Zinsli.com zur Verfügung.




   



    
   


   








Zinsli schafft Ordnung im chaotischen Depotmarkt
Zinsli beantwortet die heutigen Herausforderungen des fragmentierten Immobilien- und Depotmarktes: Langsame branchenübergreifende und teil-analoge Prozesse haben ihren Zenit überschritten. Mit über 2,4 Mio privaten Mietverhältnissen, die in der Schweiz durchschnittlich alle sieben Jahre erneuert werden, verdient die Branche eine bessere und zukunftssichere Lösung fürs Mieterdepot. Darum gibt es Zinsli.
Die Plattform macht das Eröffnen und Auflösen von Mietzinsdepots zum einfachen Unterfangen:[embedded content]

Aber auch für die Mieter wird der Depot-Prozess besser. Mit nur wenigen Klicks können sie über einen Email-Link ihr Depot eröffnen:
So funktioniert’s
Zinsli verbindet alle Marktteilnehmer: Mieter, Anbieter von Sicherheits- und Depotlösungen, Finanzinstitute und Bewertschafter. Das geschieht mit einer flexiblen API-Architektur, die sich schnell und einfach komplett in bestehende Systeme integrieren lässt. Zinsli ist aber auch als moderne Webapplikation im Browser bedienbar.
Zudem ermöglicht Zinsli eine vollständig digitale Nutzerreise – von der Anmeldung zum Onboarding inklusive KYC (Know Your Customer) bis hin zur Kontoauflösung. Vermieter eröffnen und schliessen Depots mit nur einem Klick, während Zinsli sich um den Rest kümmert. Alle Beteiligten profitieren von erheblichen Prozessverbesserungen.
Marc van Nuffel
CEO Marc van Nuffel:
«Zinsli zeigt, wie ein fragmentiertes und unrentables Retailgeschäft durch Digitalisierung wieder profitabel wird.»
Was kommt nach traditionellen Sperrkonten?
Zinsli ist nicht nur ein Marktplatz, sondern auch ein Tor zu einer zukunftsorientierten, ökosystemfähigen Welt. Neben klassischen Sperrkonten ermöglicht Zinsli nämlich auch den Zugriff auf innovative und nachhaltige Anlageprodukte.
Diese haben im Gegensatz zu traditionellen Sperrkonten das Potential, die Geldentwertung durch Inflation zu verhindern, und ermöglichen eine Vermehrung des Kapitals. Das Angebot von Zinsli wird stetig erweitert – neue Depotlösungen kommen laufend hinzu. Doch die Kontrolle bleibt bei der Verwaltung, die bestimmt, welche Produkte dem Mieter zur Verfügung gestellt werden.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/neues-proptech-startup-zinsli-will-mietdepotmarkt-transformieren</link><guid>3327</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Backbase-ENGAGE-.png?x93691</dc:content ><dc:text>Neues Proptech Startup Zinsli will Mietdepotmarkt transformieren</dc:text></item><item><title>GenTwo Raises Series USD 15 Million Series A</title><description><![CDATA[GenTwo, a Swiss-based B2B Fintech platform specialized in securitization of bankable and non-bankable assets, announced today that it has raised a USD 15 million Series A led by USbased Point72 Ventures.
In conjunction with the investment, Pete Casella, Senior Partner and Co-Head of Fintech investments at Point72 Ventures, joins GenTwo’s board of directors.
Founded in 2018 in Zurich, GenTwo has built an financial engineering network centered around its proprietary GenTwo PRO platform. This allows investment professionals to quickly and easily securitize and bring to market any asset or investment strategy in the form of a bankable security.




   



    
   


   








With GenTwo, previously alternative and non-bankable assets such as real estate, fine art or digital assets – a global market estimated to be worth over USD 78 trillion – can be made easily accessible to all investors. The company‘s products address asset managers’ and their clients’ growing need for innovative financial products that offer new opportunities for diversification and active portfolio management.
To date, the company has served more than 250 clients in 26 countries to launch well over 1,200 investment products and has more than USD 3 billion under service.
Pete Casella
“At Point72 Ventures we like to back founders with bold ideas. GenTwo is a good example of what we are looking for, and we believe that the founders Patrick Loepfe and Philippe A. Naegeli are the right team to execute on their ideas,”
said Pete Casella, Senior Partner and Co-Head of Fintech investments at Point72 Ventures.
“We are excited to support the company on their mission towards expanding the investment universe for their clients.”
Patrick Loepfe
“We have always been a strongly technology-focused company and have worked hard to create what we believe is a unique securitization platform that offers clients unmatched simplicity, efficiency and costeffectiveness,”
said Patrick Loepfe, Co-Founder and Chairman of GenTwo.
“With its experience in not only fintech but also AI, Point72 Ventures is the perfect partner to help us do even more.”
GenTwo plans on using the funding to expand internationally and further develop the company’s financial engineering platform.

Featured image credit: Philippe A. Naegeli, CEO and Co-Founder of GenTwo.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/gentwo-raises-series-usd-15-million-series-a</link><guid>3325</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Backbase-ENGAGE-.png?x85777</dc:content ><dc:text>GenTwo Raises Series USD 15 Million Series A</dc:text></item><item><title>GenTwo Raises USD 15 Million Series A</title><description><![CDATA[GenTwo, a Swiss-based B2B Fintech platform specialized in securitization of bankable and non-bankable assets, announced today that it has raised a USD 15 million Series A led by USbased Point72 Ventures.
In conjunction with the investment, Pete Casella, Senior Partner and Co-Head of Fintech investments at Point72 Ventures, joins GenTwo’s board of directors.
Founded in 2018 in Zurich, GenTwo has built an financial engineering network centered around its proprietary GenTwo PRO platform. This allows investment professionals to quickly and easily securitize and bring to market any asset or investment strategy in the form of a bankable security.




   



    
   


   








With GenTwo, previously alternative and non-bankable assets such as real estate, fine art or digital assets – a global market estimated to be worth over USD 78 trillion – can be made easily accessible to all investors. The company‘s products address asset managers’ and their clients’ growing need for innovative financial products that offer new opportunities for diversification and active portfolio management.
To date, the company has served more than 250 clients in 26 countries to launch well over 1,200 investment products and has more than USD 3 billion under service.
Pete Casella
“At Point72 Ventures we like to back founders with bold ideas. GenTwo is a good example of what we are looking for, and we believe that the founders Patrick Loepfe and Philippe A. Naegeli are the right team to execute on their ideas,”
said Pete Casella, Senior Partner and Co-Head of Fintech investments at Point72 Ventures.
“We are excited to support the company on their mission towards expanding the investment universe for their clients.”
Patrick Loepfe
“We have always been a strongly technology-focused company and have worked hard to create what we believe is a unique securitization platform that offers clients unmatched simplicity, efficiency and costeffectiveness,”
said Patrick Loepfe, Co-Founder and Chairman of GenTwo.
“With its experience in not only fintech but also AI, Point72 Ventures is the perfect partner to help us do even more.”
GenTwo plans on using the funding to expand internationally and further develop the company’s financial engineering platform.

Featured image credit: Philippe A. Naegeli, CEO and Co-Founder of GenTwo.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/gentwo-raises-usd-15-million-series-a</link><guid>3326</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>GenTwo Raises USD 15 Million Series A</dc:text></item><item><title>Mastercard Study: Share of Financially Excluded Consumers in LatAm Cut in Half Since COVID-19</title><description><![CDATA[The number of cash-only consumers, or those without a financial account, has decreased substantially in Latin America (LatAm) over the past couple of years, plummeting from 45% in 2020 to only 21% in 2023, a new study by Mastercard and research firm Americas Market Intelligence (AMI) found.
The research, which is based on in-depth interviews with 25 financial service providers operating in LatAm and online surveys of 2,815 individuals within seven major markets in the region, found that most LatAm consumers gained access to basic financial products between 2020 and 2023.
Evolution of financial inclusion in Latin America, Source: The state of financial inclusion post COVID-19 in Latin America and the Caribbean: New opportunities for the payments ecosystem, Mastercard and Americas Market Intelligence, May 2023
Delving deeper into the types of products used, results show that at least 20% of LatAm respondents opened their first savings product during the pandemic, while more than four out of ten accessed products such as credit (45%) and investments (46%) for the first time because of COVID-19, a share that soars to 69% for cryptocurrencies.




   



    
   


   








These findings suggest that the digitalization rush triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic has boosted the adoption of financial services and subsequently accelerated financial inclusion.
First access to specific financial products (before, during, and after COVID-19), Source: The state of financial inclusion post COVID-19 in Latin America and the Caribbean: New opportunities for the payments ecosystem, Mastercard and Americas Market Intelligence, May 2023
Results also show that COVID-19-related social benefits programs helped bank more than 40 million people in Brazil, Colombia, and Argentina alone.
In 2023, 15% of respondents accessed their first savings/deposit account product and 9% accessed their first digital wallet thanks to government assistance during COVID-19. Brazil and El Salvador are the leaders in this respect, with 15% and 22% of respondents in these respective countries stating that they accessed virtual wallets for the first time as a result of a government subsidy or financial assistance during the pandemic.
Government-provided first access to financial services, Source: The state of financial inclusion post COVID-19 in Latin America and the Caribbean: New opportunities for the payments ecosystem, Mastercard and Americas Market Intelligence, May 2023
Despite clear improvement in financial access, results show that there is still a gap among Latin American individuals to achieve more advanced forms of financial inclusion. Only three out of ten LatAm consumers have access to loans, insurance or investment products, and 21% still do not have access to a financial account.
Disparities between various segments of the population are also a reality with only 59% of low-income respondents in the sample studied and 40% of those living outside of major cities owning a financial account, compared to the regional average of 79%.
Usage of cash on the decline
The survey’s results also reveal that usage of cash across LatAm is declining at a steady pace in favor of digital payments methods. Before COVID-19, 56% of respondents reported using cash for half or more of their expenses, a proportion that now stands at 43%.
Argentina, Brazil and Mexico, specifically, reported the most significant reduction in cash usage, which declined by 20%, 17% and 17%, respectively.
Cash usage before and after COVID-19, Source: The state of financial inclusion post COVID-19 in Latin America and the Caribbean: New opportunities for the payments ecosystem, Mastercard and Americas Market Intelligence, May 2023
With smartphone penetration reaching 80% across the region, mobile phones have become the new standard for conducting financial transactions, with 88% of respondents indicating using a cellphone to pay or make transactions.
Results from the survey show that peer-to-peer (P2P) payments are the main use of mobile phones in financial terms (81% to send and 70% to receive), followed by online shopping (69%) and payment for services (68%).
Mobile financial usage
Despite an uptake in mobile P2P transfers, some payment modalities still have room for growth. QR code payments, in particular, were found to be the least-used payment method at a regional level, with half of the population stating that they do not use them. Markets including Argentina and Brazil recorded the highest penetration rates, at 71% and 65%, respectively, owing to these two countries having enabled QR code interoperability, the report notes.
Results from the Mastercard/AMI study are consistent with other research studies and reports which argue that the proliferation technology and new fintech companies in LatAm have helped improve financial inclusion.
A 2023 paper by the International Monetary Fund states that fintech innovation is revolutionizing the traditional financial sector by simplifying access to financial services, noting that about three-quarters of LatAm digital banks’ customers are unbanked and underbanked consumers and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and that two-thirds of neobanks’ loans go to these demographics.
Among the report’s highlights, it notes that LatAm’s fintech industry is currently led by digital payments providers and neobanks, which serve 300 million and 30 million users, respectively.
In 2021, a quarter of fintech startups in the region focused on digital payments and remittances, making it the largest fintech segment in the region. Digital banks, which made up for just 5% of all LatAm fintech startups in 2021, witnessed nevertheless the fastest growth among fintech startups between 2017 and 2021 at 57%.
About 1,000 fintech companies were active in LatAm in April 2023, with 65% of these being based in either Brazil or Mexico, according to Flagship Advisory Partners, a fintech and payments consultancy firm.
Fintech startups in Latin America, Source: The Rise and Impact of Fintech in Latin America, International Monetary Fund, March 2023

This article first appeared on fintechnews.am

Featured image credit: edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mastercard-study-share-of-financially-excluded-consumers-in-latam-cut-in-half-since-covid-19</link><guid>3324</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.am/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Evolution-of-financial-inclusion-in-Latin-America.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Mastercard Study: Share of Financially Excluded Consumers in LatAm Cut in Half Since COVID-19</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Startup Investor Map 2023</title><description><![CDATA[Arcton, a Zurich-based fintech startup, released the “Swiss Startup Investor Map 2023,” a visual guide featuring 116 organizations that provide investment access to Swiss startups. Arcton compiled the map after thoroughly analyzing over 200 Swiss-based entities.
The map showcases 116 organizations, each offering access to startup investments. The map includes a growing list of crowd-investing platforms, which enable investors to participate in startup funding with minimal capital.
According to a recent study by the Institute of Financial Services Zug (IFZ) at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, crowd investments in startups soared to over 32 million Swiss Francs in 2022, marking a six-fold increase from 2021.i Despite this robust growth, the number of Swiss platforms remains limited.




   



    
   


   








Hence, the map also incorporates leading international platforms. Merens Derungs, CEO and co-founder of Arcton, explains the motivation behind the Swiss Startup Investor Map:

Hence, the map also incorporates leading international platforms. Merens Derungs, CEO and co-founder of Arcton, explains the motivation behind the Swiss Startup Investor Map:
Merens Derungs
“Switzerland has produced some extremely successful startups in recent years, including well-known names such as On Running or Wefox. However, Swiss investors still predominantly allocate their capital to startups abroad, often overlooking our thriving local ecosystem. With the ‘Swiss Startup Investor Map’, we want to show investors concisely how they can invest in local startups.”
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-startup-investor-map-2023</link><guid>3323</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Backbase-ENGAGE-.png?x85777</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Startup Investor Map 2023</dc:text></item><item><title>Schweizer Banken und Versicherungen setzen vermehrt auf Künstliche Intelligenz</title><description><![CDATA[Schweizer Finanzunternehmen setzen vermehrt auf Künstliche Intelligenz (KI) in verschiedenen Bereichen – insbesondere im Kundenkontakt. Auch generative KI ist trotz Datenschutzbedenken auf dem Vormarsch. Dies zeigt eine Studie der Hochschule Luzern in Zusammenarbeit mit Adnovum und Spitch.
Spätestens seit Anfang dieses Jahres konnten sich Begriffe wie KI oder ChatGPT auch im Sprachgebrauch der breiten Öffentlichkeit verankern. Für Schweizer Finanzunternehmen sind diese Begriffe aber nicht neu. Sie verfolgen die Entwicklungen dieser Technologien schon länger und diskutieren über deren Einsatz. Bei einer Umsetzung hingegen zögern viele noch. Die Hochschule Luzern (HSLU) hat in einer Studie untersucht, wie Schweizer Finanzunternehmen Chatbots, Voicebots und sogenannte «generative KI», welche selbst Inhalte kreiert, nutzen. Die Studie zeigt darüber hinaus, wo die grössten Hindernisse und Herausforderungen liegen.
Unternehmen setzen auf Chatbots und Voicebots für optimale Kundeninteraktion
Der Einsatz von Conversational AI, einem auf künstlicher Intelligenz basierenden Dialogsystem, hat sich in der Unternehmenswelt in Form von Chat- und Voicebots verbreitet. Die Hälfte der befragten Finanzunternehmen setzt diese Technologie bereits ein, 46 Prozent davon im Kundenservice, gefolgt vom Marketing (14 Prozent) und dem internen IT-Helpdesk (11 Prozent). Chatbots sind nach wie vor fest etabliert und werden von über 60 Prozent der Unternehmen erfolgreich eingesetzt. Voicebots gewinnen auch an Popularität und sind bei 14 Prozent der Unternehmen im Einsatz. Besonders bemerkenswert ist jedoch, dass fast ein Viertel der befragten Unternehmen (24 Prozent), sowohl Chatbots als auch Voicebots in ihre Kundeninteraktion integriert haben.




   



    
   


   








Sophie Hundertmark
“Finanzunternehmen verfolgen mit solchen Technologien grundsätzlich drei Ziele: bessere Kundenzufriedenheit, Kostensenkung und Effizienzsteigerung”,
sagt Studienautorin Sophie Hundertmark.
Allerdings zeigt die Studie auch, dass die meisten eingesetzten Bots derzeit regelbasiert arbeiten, d.h. nur Antworten auf vordefinierte Fragen geben. Diese Bots sind nicht in der Lage, die Unterhaltung automatisch an einen menschlichen Mitarbeitenden weiterzuleiten, wenn eine Frage nicht beantwortet werden kann. Die Kundschaft ist dann gezwungen, den Kontakt eigenständig über einen anderen Kanal zu suchen. Im Gegensatz dazu sind intelligente KI-basierte Bots flexibler und können Gespräche nahtlos an menschliche Mitarbeitende weiterleiten, was den Kundenservice erheblich verbessert.
Beantwortet KI künftig meine E-Mail-Anfrage?
Mehr mediale Aufmerksamkeit erhält seit diesem Jahr generative KI wie ChatGPT. Auch in vielen Büros findet die Technologie auf individueller Basis schon oft Anwendung. Kommerzielle Lösungen, die über das manuelle Prompten und Generieren von Inhalten hinausgehen, gibt es aber bisher nur wenige. «Die Technologie ist noch jung», so Hundertmark. Trotzdem haben Finanzunternehmen klare Vorstellungen für die Zukunft: Fast alle Unternehmen sehen die automatische Beantwortung von E-Mail-Anfragen von Kundinnen und Kunden (81 Prozent) oder den Einsatz in Chatbots (71 Prozent) als möglichen Anwendungsbereich von generativer KI (Abbildung 1). Auch Blogbeiträge oder Social-Media-Posts könnten zukünftig von generativer KI verfasst werden. Die Finanzunternehmen erhoffen sich wie auch bei den Chat- und Voicebots dadurch primär Produktivitätssteigerungen und Kosteneinsparungen. Gemäss Hundertmark dürften diese Ziele durch den Einsatz generativer KI deutlich einfacher zu erreichen sein.
Abbildung 1: Einsatzmöglichkeiten von generativer KI in Schweizer Finanzunternehmen (zum Vergrössern klicken)Die befragten Unternehmen sehen verschiedene Einsatzmöglichkeiten für generative KI in ihren Unternehmen. Die Beantwortung von E-Mails (81 Prozent) und den Einsatz als Chatbot (72 Prozent) sind die am häufigsten genannten Fälle. Beide betreffen den Einsatz im Kundendienst. Weiteres Potential sehen die Unternehmen im Bereich Marketing, sei es bei der Content-Generierung oder Marketingautomation.
Sorgen macht der Datenschutz
Ethische Bedenken spielen für die Finanzunternehmen eine untergeordnete Rolle. Vielmehr sind es Datenschutzbedenken, die eine bremsende Wirkung haben. Für 72 Prozent der befragten Unternehmen ist dies der grösste Hinderungsgrund, generative KI einzusetzen. Bei Banken sei dies im Vergleich zu Versicherungen noch stärker ausgeprägt. Es überrascht deshalb auch nicht, dass Banken beim Einsatz von generativer KI zurückhaltender sind als Versicherungen. Ein Grund dafür sind gemäss Co-Studienautor Florian Schreiber die unterschiedlichen Anliegen der Kundschaft: «Während man bei einer Versicherung eher einen Schaden meldet, erkundigt man sich bei der Bank auch nach dem Kontostand. Letzteres ist datenschutztechnisch heikler.» Erst im April hat mit Helvetia das erste Mal ein grosser Versicherer in der Schweiz den Einsatz von ChatGPT im Kundendienst verkündet. Das Projekt wird von der HSLU wissenschaftlich begleitet.
Co-Studienautor Prof. Dr. Nils Hafner ist sich sicher, dass Helvetia nicht das einzige Schweizer Finanzunternehmen bleiben wird, welches auf generative KI setzt.
«Um langfristig wettbewerbsfähig zu bleiben, werden Banken und Versicherungen zukünftig im Kundenservice, im Marketing oder Verkauf auf generative KI zurückgreifen, um Kosten zu sparen und Mitarbeitende zu entlasten»,
so Hafner.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schweizer-banken-und-versicherungen-setzen-vermehrt-auf-kunstliche-intelligenz</link><guid>3322</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Backbase-ENGAGE-.png?x85777</dc:content ><dc:text>Schweizer Banken und Versicherungen setzen vermehrt auf Künstliche Intelligenz</dc:text></item><item><title>Twint Starts with Pay Now Pay Later</title><description><![CDATA[In collaboration with Swissbilling (part of CembraPay), TWINT is gradually rolling out the new “Pay later” feature, which is set to make payments even more flexible. Users shopping with specific merchants can choose whether they want to pay immediately or in 30 days.
More than five million TWINT users already appreciate the various ways in which they can use the app in different everyday situations. Now, their shopping experience with TWINT will become even more flexible. Users shopping with specific merchants can choose whether they wish to pay immediately or in 30 days’ time. As already announced back in September 2022, TWINT is working together with Swissbilling (part of CembraPay), a subsidiary of Cembra that specialises in pay by invoice and billing solutions, to implement this feature.
The integration of the “Pay later” feature in the TWINT app is as seamless and intuitive as paying instantly. Users make their purchases in the online shop of their choice as usual and then select TWINT as the payment method. If a merchant offers the option of paying later with TWINT, users can easily select whether they want to pay now or within 30 days via a button at the checkout. This way, users can check the items they are purchasing before issuing the payment. The feature therefore has similar benefits to the traditional method of paying by invoice, but is integrated digitally in the shopping experience. Merchants thus offer a convenient payment method that meets the customer need for flexibility.




   



    
   


   








Paying later with TWINT offers transparency and clarity. Users can maintain a constant overview of past and outstanding payments via a portal that can be accessed via the TWINT app. They can also set up automated payments. Using this option, payments can be executed automatically with TWINT on their due date.
Markus Kilb
Markus Kilb, CEO of TWINT:
“With the launch of the new feature, we are meeting our overarching goal of making users’ lives a little easier each and every day. More than 75% of online and offline businesses in Switzerland already offer their customers a convenient shopping experience with TWINT. Working together with our partner Swissbilling, the shopping experience will now become even more flexible.”
Holger Laubenthal
Holger Laubenthal, CEO of Cembra:
“Our ambition is to harness new technology to provide consumers with user-friendly solutions. This is exactly what the ‘Pay later’ feature from TWINT and Swissbilling offers. In this way, we have reimagined the traditional invoice payment method, seamlessly embedded in our customers’ digital purchasing processes. We are delighted to enter the market together with our partner TWINT.”
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/twint-starts-with-pay-now-pay-later</link><guid>3321</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Backbase-ENGAGE-.png?x85777</dc:content ><dc:text>Twint Starts with Pay Now Pay Later</dc:text></item><item><title>Yuh’s Säule 3a ist nun Live</title><description><![CDATA[Wie bereits ende Juni angekündigt Startet die hippe digitale Banken App Yuh (Postfinance, Swissquote) mt einer Säule 3a Lösung. Diese ist nun live.
Yuh neue Säule 3a Lösung bietet fünf Anlagestrategien. Der Aktienanteil liegt dann, je nach gewählter Strategie, bei 20, 40, 60, 80 oder 98 Prozent. Der Rest geht in Anleihen, Immobilien, Rohstoffe und Liquiditäten. Die Pauschalgebühr liegt bei 0.5% und damit leicht höher wie bei den Konkurrenten Viac oder Frankly (ZKB).





   



    
   


   










Hinter Yuh’s 3a Lösung stehen Partner. Die Zürcher Kantonalbank steuert ihre Swisscanto Indexfonds bei. Die Investitionen werden sicher von der neu gegründeten Vorsorgestiftung Simply3a und der Lienhardt &amp; Partner Privatbank als Depotbank verwaltet. Das Zürcher Wealth-Tech Descartes kümmert sich ums Technische.


]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/yuhs-saule-3a-ist-nun-live</link><guid>3318</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Backbase-ENGAGE-.png?x85777</dc:content ><dc:text>Yuh’s Säule 3a ist nun Live</dc:text></item><item><title>Hypothekarbank Lenzburg gliedert Open Banking Platform Finstar aus und sucht neuen CEO</title><description><![CDATA[Die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg gliedert ihr Kernbankensoftware-Geschäft der Open-Banking-Plattform Finstar in eine eigenständige Firma aus.
Open-Banking-Pionierin Marianne Wildi wird Verwaltungsratspräsidentin der neuen Gesellschaft und wird als CEO der Muttergesellschaft per März 2024 zurückzutreten.
Marianne Wildi, Künftige VR Präsidentin der Hypi
Zudem plant der Verwaltungsrat, in einer Sitzung im vierten Quartal dieses Jahres zu beschliessen, Marianne Wildi der Generalversammlung im März 2024 zur Wahl als neues Mitglied in den Verwaltungsrat der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg vorzuschlagen. Es ist weiter geplant, Marianne Wildi nach Ablauf einer aufsichtsrechtlich bedingten Übergangsfrist der Generalversammlung als Präsidentin des Verwaltungsrates der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg vorzuschlagen. Damit soll gewährleistet werden, dass der unter der Führung von Marianne Wildi eingeleitete Transformationsprozess der Bank auch längerfristig konsequent weiterverfolgt werden kann. Die Suche nach einem Nachfolger oder einer Nachfolgerin für die CEO-Position bei der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg ist gemäss Mitteilung eingeleitet.




   



    
   


   








In diesem Zusammenhang hat der Verwaltungsrat der Bank beschlossen, den Informatikbereich Finstar in eine eigenständige Aktiengesellschaft zu überführen. Geschäftsführer der Finstar AG wird Daniel Monras, der jetzige Leiter des Informatikbereichs der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg. Marianne Wildi, CEO der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg, wird der Finstar AG als Verwaltungsratspräsidentin vorstehen.
Gerhard Hanhart
«Die Finstar AG wird sich zu 100 Prozent im Besitz der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg befinden und die Aufgaben und das Personal des bisherigen Informatikbereichs der Bank vollständig übernehmen. Die Transformationsphase wird bis Ende der laufenden Strategieperiode im Jahr 2026 abgeschlossen sein. Erste Priorität geniesst die Kontinuität und Stabilität im Betrieb und in der Betreuung der bestehenden Kunden von Finstar. Sie werden als erste von der Ausgliederung von Finstar in eine eigenständige Unternehmung profitieren»,
erläutert Gerhard Hanhart, Verwaltungsratspräsident der Bank, das Vorgehen.
«Nach dem starken Wachstum in den vergangenen Jahren ist eine Ausgliederung des Geschäfts in eine selbständige Gesellschaft wichtig. Wir schaffen so die Basis für stärkeres Wachstum und eine stärkere strategische Fokussierung bei Entwicklung, Betrieb und Vertrieb des Kernbankensystems inklusive der damit zusammenhängenden Open-Banking-Dienstleistungen»,
sagt Hanhart.
Sämtliche der aktuell 16 Partnerinstitute werden weiterhin von den 70 Mitarbeitenden von Finstar betreut. Daniel Monras, der die Leitung von Finstar seit dem 1. Juli innehat, wird neu auch Einsitz in die Geschäftsleitung der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg nehmen.
«Die beiden Unternehmen werden eng zusammenarbeiten, was durch diese Personalunion sichergestellt wird»,
so Hanhart weiter.
Die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg wird Finstar wie bisher als Kernbankensystem für das eigene Geschäft nutzen. Zudem gibt es Schnittmengen im Banking-as-a-Service-Geschäft, bei dem die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg als Bankpartnerin für Fintech-Unternehmen operiert. Um die Vertriebsaktivitäten in diesem Bereich zu stärken, lanciert die Bank die neue Marke HBL Solutions. Mit ihr soll Banking-as-a-Service stärker in Richtung Embedded Finance ausgebaut werden. Die Weiterentwicklung dieser stark wachsenden Geschäftsfelder wird von André Renfer, dem ehemaligen Leiter des Bereichs Services, vorangetrieben.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/hypothekarbank-lenzburg-gliedert-open-banking-platform-finstar-aus-und-sucht-neuen-ceo</link><guid>3319</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Backbase-ENGAGE-.png?x85777</dc:content ><dc:text>Hypothekarbank Lenzburg gliedert Open Banking Platform Finstar aus und sucht neuen CEO</dc:text></item><item><title>Thoma Bravo Completes Acquisition of ForgeRock; Combines ForgeRock into Ping Identity</title><description><![CDATA[Thoma Bravo and ForgeRock announced the completion of Thoma Bravo’s acquisition of ForgeRock in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $2.3 billion. The acquisition agreement was previously announced on October 11, 2022, and approved by ForgeRock stockholders at ForgeRock’s Special Meeting of Stockholders held on January 12, 2023.
Upon completion of the acquisition, ForgeRock stockholders are entitled to receive $23.25 in cash for each share of ForgeRock class A common stock and class B common stock they owned. ForgeRock’s class A common stock will no longer trade and will be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange.
Thoma Bravo also announced that it has combined ForgeRock into its portfolio company Ping Identity. The combined company is positioned to better serve customers across the dynamic and fast-growing Identity and Access Management market by providing enhanced products and services, broader geographic support, and increased innovation. The combined company will seek to accelerate the delivery of identity security experiences for the customers, employees, and partners of companies worldwide.




   



    
   


   








J.P. Morgan acted as exclusive financial advisor to ForgeRock, and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich &amp; Rosati, P.C., acted as legal counsel to ForgeRock. Kirkland &amp; Ellis LLP and Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver &amp; Jacobson LLP acted as legal counsel to Thoma Bravo.

This article first appeared on Fintech News America


Featured image credit: Edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/thoma-bravo-completes-acquisition-of-forgerock-combines-forgerock-into-ping-identity</link><guid>3320</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Backbase-ENGAGE-.png?x85777</dc:content ><dc:text>Thoma Bravo Completes Acquisition of ForgeRock; Combines ForgeRock into Ping Identity</dc:text></item><item><title>HSLU-Studie: Schweizer Banken tun sich schwer mit Open Banking</title><description><![CDATA[Open Banking könnte längerfristig zu Strukturanpassungen der Schweizer Bankenlandschaft führen. Denn für kleinere Banken ist die Öffnung der Bankdaten eine grosse Herausforderung. Dies zeigt die neueste Sourcing Studie der Hochschule Luzern.
Das Sourcing der Retailbanken hat gegenüber dem Vorjahr nur geringfügige Anpassungen erfahren. Heisst: Der Outsourcinggrad ist vor allem in der IT sehr hoch. Und er wird weiter zunehmen. Die Hochschule Luzern (HSLU) hat in der Sourcing Studie 2023 bereits zum fünften Mal den Fremdbezug von Dienstleistungen durch Retailbanken untersucht.
Open Banking: Wettbewerbsnachteil für kleinere Banken
Im vergangenen Jahr hat der Bundesrat seine Absicht geäussert, Open Banking vorauszutreiben – notfalls auch auf dem Gesetzesweg.




   



    
   


   








Felix Buschor
«In der Finanzindustrie ist seither eine gewisse Hektik ausgebrochen»,
sagt Co-Studienautor und Finanzexperte Dr. Felix Buschor. Anbieter würden unter Hochdruck neue Angebote entwickeln. Seitens der Banken hat sich eine ansehnliche Zahl unter Leitung der Bankiervereinigung bereit erklärt, ihre Systeme zu öffnen, um Multibanking für Privatkunden zu ermöglichen. Ob diese Aktivitäten ausreichen, um eine gesetzliche Regelung abzuwenden, ist gemäss Buschor aber schwierig abzuschätzen.
Denn proaktiv sind vorwiegend die grösseren Banken, während kleinere Banken noch zögern (Abbildung 1). Überraschend sei das gemäss den Studienautoren nicht, denn die finanziellen und technischen Ressourcen dafür seien für kleinere Banken eine grosse Herausforderung.
Abbildung 1: Öffnung der Banken mittels offener Schnittstellen gegenüber Drittanbietern
«Langfristig könnte Open Banking die Existenzgrundlage kleinerer Banken sogar gefährden»,
sagt Buschor. Denn aufgrund ihrer beschränkten finanziellen Mittel hätten sie gegenüber der grösseren Konkurrenz einen Wettbewerbsnachteil, sofern nicht entsprechend günstige Angebote auf den Markt kommen.
Hype um Ökosysteme flacht ab
In der letztjährigen Sourcing Studie wurde festgestellt, dass verschiedene Anbieter von Ökosystemen im Bereich Wohnen intensiv an neuen Funktionalitäten arbeiten. Solche Ökosysteme bündeln Leistungen entlang der gesamten Customer Journey für Interessentinnen und Interessenten an Wohneigentum, von Hypotheken bis zur Versicherung. In der Zwischenzeit hat sich das Interesse der Banken an solchen Ökosystemen jedoch merklich abgekühlt (Abbildung 2): Während im Vorjahr noch 87 Prozent aller Banken am Aufbau oder dem Betrieb eines Ökosystems interessiert waren, sind es dieses Jahr nur noch 62 Prozent. Oder in anderen Worten: Die Zahl der Banken, die aktuell keine Ökosysteme aufbauen oder betreiben wollen, hat sich verdreifacht.
Abbildung 2: Stand der Banken im Aufbau von oder in Bezug auf Mitarbeit in Ökosystemen
«Die überzogenen Erwartungen an die Ökosysteme sind offenbar realistischeren Einschätzungen gewichen»,
vermutet Co-Studienautor Dr. Urs Blattmann. Das Ökosystem rund um Wohnen hätte aber dennoch Potential als attraktiver Vertriebskanal, meint der Finanzexperte: Anstatt die Lösung für Kundenkontakte im digitalen Raum zu sein, wird es als eine von vielen Möglichkeiten gesehen.
Compliance-Dienstleistungen – das unterschätzte Potential
Potential sehen die Studienautoren zudem im Oursourcing von Compliance-Dienstleistungen. Seit der Finanzkrise im Jahr 2008 haben die Banken einen kontinuierlichen Strom an regulatorischen Anforderungen zu verarbeiten. Dies erfordert ausreichend Fachleute: um einerseits neue Regularien umzusetzen, und andererseits die Einhaltung bestehender Vorschriften zu garantieren. Mindestens innerhalb der gleichen Finma-Kategorie haben die Banken auch die gleichen Vorschriften umzusetzen und einzuhalten, was grundsätzlich eine gute Voraussetzung für ein Outsourcing ist.


Sourcing Studie 2023
Die Sourcing Studie des Instituts für Finanzdienstleistungen Zug IFZ zeigt die aktuellen und zukünftigen Entwicklungen im Outsourcing der Retailbanken auf. Auch der diesjährigen Sourcing-Studie ist wieder ein breites Verständnis von Sourcing als jegliche Form der unternehmensübergreifenden Zusammenarbeit zugrunde gelegt. Die Studie deckt deshalb nicht nur Themen wie die Auslagerung von Backoffice Tätigkeiten oder den Fremdbezug von IT-Leistungen ab. Darüber hinaus wird mit Open Banking und Ökosystemen auch der aktuelle Stand von Formen der unternehmensübergreifenden Zusammenarbeit, die erst durch die Digitalisierung möglich wurden, behandelt. Die komplette Studie gibt es hier zum Download.


]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/hslu-studie-schweizer-banken-tun-sich-schwer-mit-open-banking</link><guid>3316</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Backbase-ENGAGE-.png?x85777</dc:content ><dc:text>HSLU-Studie: Schweizer Banken tun sich schwer mit Open Banking</dc:text></item><item><title>Tenity Invests in 11 Early-Stage Fintechs, 3 From Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[The upcoming edition of the Tenity Incubation Program in Switzerland welcomes a cohort of 11 highly innovative early-stage startups selected from a pool of more than 220 applications. The selected entrepreneurs are building solutions in the areas of Web3, Crypto, Wealth Management, Payments and Investing, and more.
The startups will go through four months of rigorous program, including workshops and events on topics such as product-market fit, marketing, and fundraising. Additionally, they’ll receive 1:1 support from Tenity experts and mentors.
The program provides access to guidance and support from Tenity’s wide ecosystem, including 280+ alumni, 200+ mentors, and an extensive network of 170+ investors. The program will culminate in a Demo Day event on November 23rd, 2023.




   



    
   


   








Maximilian Derpa
Maximilian Derpa, CIO of Tenity added:
“Our upcoming batch shows huge promise, with the selected founders not only building on the latest technological advances, including AI, but also leveraging the strength of Switzerland as a a leading crypto nation. We look forward to seeing successful teams that collaborate with our corporate partners and raise substantial rounds.”


Meet the 11 startups selected for the Tenity Incubation Batch 11
Blockaware | Romania

Blockaware is a single dashboard for any SMB that wants to hold crypto assets, offering on-ramping and off-ramping, easily managing an institutionally-grade secure wallet and compliance management.
Defiria | Germany

Defiria provides quantitative risk management services to investors in DeFi and crypto. Their customers receive the tools to augment their strategy to maximize their portfolio growth rate.
Elysium | Switzerland

Elysium is a Web3 self-custody Wallet for Digital Assets &amp; Identity. Cutting-edge Onboarding Tech, improving security, simplicity, and use cases. Bridging the gap between financial institutions, blockchain, and everyday users.
fija | Germany

fija is the new way to earn interest on crypto. Their earn product makes earning with crypto compliant, easy and Transparent. Compliant: Regulated security token. Easy: Integrated in crypto &amp; finance apps. Transparent: All transactions visible on-chain.
Fynce | Spain

Fynce is building a digital financial advisor for the mass affluent to manage their total wealth cheaply and intuitively.
IPBEX | Switzerland

IPBEX is a LegalTech company that helps inventors conduct precise prior-art searches through conversation and automatically draft robust patents, at a fraction of the time and cost.
MC2 Finance | Austria

MC2 Finance is a non-custodial cross-chain infrastructure for digital asset portfolio management, that allows users to build find and share strategies and uses blockchain technology to comply with traditional finance industry standards.
Napcat | Belgium

Napcat allows to auto-invest in trending cryptos with AI social media insights.
Swiset | Colombia

Swiset empowers trading communities and brokers with AI-driven analytics to boost retention and improve performance.
Sylbaa | Germany

Sylbaa’s software bridges between gold buyers and private sellers. By transferring the offline gold expertise to the web space, they increase revenue.
Truzt | Switzerland

Truzt is developing quality insurance for crypto assets held on centralized digital custody platforms.
Applications are now open for Incubation Batch 12 in Switzerland, Batch 3 in the Nordics and Batch 7 in Singapore. Interested startups can apply today!
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/tenity-invests-in-11-early-stage-fintechs-3-from-switzerland</link><guid>3317</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Backbase-ENGAGE-.png?x85777</dc:content ><dc:text>Tenity Invests in 11 Early-Stage Fintechs, 3 From Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Schweizer Nachhaltigkeits Challenger Bank Radicant öffnet sich (endlich) dem breiten Publikum</title><description><![CDATA[radicant bank ag (radicant) gibt nun endlich ihre vollständige Marktöffnung bekannt. Ab sofort steht die radicant-App in den App-Stores von Apple und Google zum Download bereit.
Das umfassende Angebot steht damit erstmals einem breiten Publikum in der Schweiz zur Verfügung.

Roland Kläy
«Mit dem zielorientierten Einsatz von Kapital und Vermögen kann ein aktiver und damit positiver Einfluss auf die Nachhaltigkeit und die Rendite erzielt werden. Wir stellen mit radicant ein Angebot zur Verfügung, dass nachhaltiges Investieren einfach und alltäglich macht,»
so radicant Co-CEO Roland Kläy.
Das nachhaltige Bankangebot von radicant umfasst grundlegende Bank- und Zahlungsfunktionen (virtuelle und physische Debitkarte, Apple Pay, Google Pay, TWINT). Bei jeder Zahlung wird der CO₂-Fussabdruck der Transaktion gemessen und kann von den Kundinnen und Kunden in der App eingesehen werden. Ein Teil der Bareinlagen wird zur Unterstützung von weltweiten Nachhaltigkeitsprojekten angelegt (bspw. in Green Bonds).




   



    
   


   








radicant bietet ein auf die Nachhaltigkeitsziele der Vereinten Nationen ausgerichtetes Investmentmandat an. Damit ermöglicht sie es ihren Kundinnen und Kunden, in Unternehmen zu investieren, welche einen positiven Beitrag zur Erreichung dieser Ziele beitragen. radicant hat hierfür einen eigenständigen Investmentansatz wie auch eine Bewertungsmethode entwickelt, welche verständlich und transparent die Erreichung der Nachhaltigkeitsziele ausweist.
radicant ist als Bank vollständig nachhaltig ausgerichtet. Das beginnt bei der Definition von Unternehmenszielen, geht über den nachhaltigen Bankbetrieb hin zu Richtlinien und Prozessen, sowie einer transparenten Berichterstattung und regelmässigen internen Schulungen. Ergänzt wird der Ansatz mit einem Kompetenzzentrum für Nachhaltigkeit, welches der Aufklärung und Wissensvermittlung dient. Dieses steht interessierten Kundinnen und Kunden, sowie nicht-Kundinnen und Kunden zur Verfügung.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schweizer-nachhaltigkeits-challenger-bank-radicant-offnet-sich-endlich-dem-breiten-publikum</link><guid>3315</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Backbase-ENGAGE-.png?x85777</dc:content ><dc:text>Schweizer Nachhaltigkeits Challenger Bank Radicant öffnet sich (endlich) dem breiten Publikum</dc:text></item><item><title>Nachhaltigkeits Challenger Bank Radicant öffnet sich dem breiten Publikum</title><description><![CDATA[radicant bank ag (radicant) gibt nun endlich ihre vollständige Marktöffnung bekannt. Ab sofort steht die radicant-App in den App-Stores von Apple und Google zum Download bereit.
Das umfassende Angebot steht damit erstmals einem breiten Publikum in der Schweiz zur Verfügung.

Roland Kläy
«Mit dem zielorientierten Einsatz von Kapital und Vermögen kann ein aktiver und damit positiver Einfluss auf die Nachhaltigkeit und die Rendite erzielt werden. Wir stellen mit radicant ein Angebot zur Verfügung, dass nachhaltiges Investieren einfach und alltäglich macht,»
so radicant Co-CEO Roland Kläy.
Das nachhaltige Bankangebot von radicant umfasst grundlegende Bank- und Zahlungsfunktionen (virtuelle und physische Debitkarte, Apple Pay, Google Pay, TWINT). Bei jeder Zahlung wird der CO₂-Fussabdruck der Transaktion gemessen und kann von den Kundinnen und Kunden in der App eingesehen werden. Ein Teil der Bareinlagen wird zur Unterstützung von weltweiten Nachhaltigkeitsprojekten angelegt (bspw. in Green Bonds).




   



    
   


   








radicant bietet ein auf die Nachhaltigkeitsziele der Vereinten Nationen ausgerichtetes Investmentmandat an. Damit ermöglicht sie es ihren Kundinnen und Kunden, in Unternehmen zu investieren, welche einen positiven Beitrag zur Erreichung dieser Ziele beitragen. radicant hat hierfür einen eigenständigen Investmentansatz wie auch eine Bewertungsmethode entwickelt, welche verständlich und transparent die Erreichung der Nachhaltigkeitsziele ausweist.
radicant ist als Bank vollständig nachhaltig ausgerichtet. Das beginnt bei der Definition von Unternehmenszielen, geht über den nachhaltigen Bankbetrieb hin zu Richtlinien und Prozessen, sowie einer transparenten Berichterstattung und regelmässigen internen Schulungen. Ergänzt wird der Ansatz mit einem Kompetenzzentrum für Nachhaltigkeit, welches der Aufklärung und Wissensvermittlung dient. Dieses steht interessierten Kundinnen und Kunden, sowie nicht-Kundinnen und Kunden zur Verfügung.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/nachhaltigkeits-challenger-bank-radicant-offnet-sich-dem-breiten-publikum</link><guid>3314</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Refintiv-KYC-AML-Soultions-for-Fintech-.png?x85777</dc:content ><dc:text>Nachhaltigkeits Challenger Bank Radicant öffnet sich dem breiten Publikum</dc:text></item><item><title>Robo Advisory Switzerland Case: True Wealth From 0.5Bio to 1Bio AUM in 28 Month</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss online wealth manager True Wealth has finally reached its long awaited milestone: They reached 1 billion Swiss Franc in client assets under management (AUM) in its direct business.
Exactly 28 months ago on 19.April 2021 they announced they had reached 0.5 Bio CHF AUM. However, it is likely that the integration of BLKB clients was accelerated in this timeframe. (BLKB owns 40% of True Wealth).
Initially True Wealth wanted to reach the 1 Bio CHF AUM goal already end of 2017, Felix Niederer told Finanzprodukt.ch in an interview back in February 2016.




   



    
   


   








Felix Niederer
True Wealth started 10 years ago as the first Swiss Robo Advisor to revolutionize digital wealth management in Switzerland. From the beginning, True Wealth’s pioneers relied on fully automated processes.
This strategy is paying off: True Wealth is experiencing strong and consistent growth, reaching another milestone just 10 years after its founding: the online wealth manager reaches 1 billion in client assets under management in its direct business.
Swiss ETF Saving boom continues
Exchange-traded index funds, or ETFs, have been the central pillar of True Wealth’s digital wealth management offering since the company was founded around ten years ago. «ETFs were then, and still are, the best tool to invest in a diversified and efficient way», adds co-founder Oliver Herren.
ETFs have made wealth management more accessible, liquid and cost-effective, Felix Niederer, True Wealth’s CEO says.
«We pass this advantage directly on to our clients. However, with over 10’000 exchange-traded index funds now available, making the right choice is becoming increasingly important – this is where professionals should step in. We understand this business and select the most efficient investment instruments in the interest of our clients»,
Niederer said.
True Wealth also announced that it intends to continue growing in the direct business. To this end, it is constantly investing in product innovations.
True Wealth manages over 1 billion Swiss francs for more than 17’000 clients in the area of discretionary wealth management and tied pension plans. The expansion into securities-based Pillar 3a, launched last October, has got off to a successful start and is already being used by over 4’000 clients.

Featured image credit: Felix Niederer, CEO of True Wealth
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/robo-advisory-switzerland-case-true-wealth-from-05bio-to-1bio-aum-in-28-month</link><guid>3313</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Backbase-ENGAGE-.png?x85777</dc:content ><dc:text>Robo Advisory Switzerland Case: True Wealth From 0.5Bio to 1Bio AUM in 28 Month</dc:text></item><item><title>UK Launches 1Bio GBP Growth Stage Fintech Fund</title><description><![CDATA[UK FinTech Growth Partners announced that it will launch the FinTech Growth Fund, the first investment fund of its kind focussed on supporting growth stage FinTechs as they scale.
With backing for the initiative already secured from industry leaders Barclays, NatWest, Mastercard, London Stock Exchange Group and Peel Hunt, the FinTech Growth Fund will invest in UK FinTechs, predominantly between Series B and pre-IPO, to enable them to scale into world-class global organisations. The first deployment of capital into businesses is scheduled for Q4 2023 with a strong pipeline of opportunities already identified. The fund will look to undertake, on average, four to eight investments per year, with investments between £10 million and £100 million. The fund will make minority investments and all investments will be for equity and equity-linked securities.
Alongside the investment capital, the FinTech Growth Fund will provide strategic support to its portfolio companies to help them achieve their corporate ambitions, giving them access to an ecosystem of deep, relevant experience across FinTech, venture capital, and the wider financial services ecosystem.




   



    
   


   








The UK FinTech Growth Partners executive team combines decades of experience in venture capital, FinTech and government. The partners of the fund include:

Angel Issa – former Global Head of Corporate Development &amp; Strategic Investments at Nomura, having previously held similar roles at BNP Paribas and Morgan Stanley;
Joe Parkin – former Managing Director – Head of Banks, Digital Channels and UK Inorganic at BlackRock;
Kaushalya Somasundaram – Former Executive Director and UK Head of Payments, Partnerships &amp; Industry Relations at Square; Former Managing Director and Global Head of FinTech Partnerships &amp; Strategic Innovation Investments Director at HSBC, and;
Phil Vidler – CEO of FinTech Alliance, formerly Group Strategy Director at Pollinate and Head of Global Markets for HM Treasury

The fund is currently recruiting for a number of roles, including regional positions as part of its commitment to supporting businesses throughout the UK.
To support the growth of the fund, UK FinTech Growth Partners has assembled a world leading non-executive advisory board which brings with it a wealth of sector expertise. The advisory board will be chaired by former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Philip Hammond, and will also feature notable UK financial services and FinTech figures, including:

Clare Bousfield – MD Retail and Savings for M&amp;G plc;
Sir Charles Bowman – Former Senior Partner of PwC and former Lord Mayor of London;
Dame Jayne-Anne Gadhia – Chair of Moneyfarm, Founder of Snoop and Ex CEO of Virgin Money.
Lord Gerry Grimstone – former Minister for Investment jointly at the Department for International Trade and the Department for Business, Energy &amp; Industrial Strategy, former Chair of Barclays Bank and former Chair of Standard Life;
Alastair Lukies CBE – Founder of Pollinate International and Founding Partner of Motive Partners;
Dame Helena Morrissey – Chair of the Board of Directors Fidelis and Chair of Altum Group, former Chair at FTSE250 firm AJ Bell and former CEO of Newton Investment Management;
Romi Savova – Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PensionBee, and;
Philip Smith – Founder and former CEO of Embark Group.

Phil Vidler
Phil Vidler, Managing Partner, commented:
“The UK has always been at the forefront of innovation in FinTech but there is a very clear and well evidenced growth funding gap. The FinTech Growth Fund will address the lack of available growth capital by providing a first of its kind domestic, growth-stage, FinTech focused venture capital fund backed by strategic investors. Our aim is to not only provide the capital needed for founders to scale their businesses, but to also engage with stakeholders across the nation to support the wider ecosystem. In doing so, we believe we can ensure the UK remains a global leader in FinTech.”
The idea for the fund grew out of the landmark Kalifa Review which outlined a five-point plan to help the UK retain its status as a global leader in financial services through securing the success of UK FinTech. It identified an annual funding gap for growth stage FinTech estimated at £2bn and recommended a £1bn growth fund which would sufficiently fill this gap in order to sustain our world leading ecosystem. Currently these FinTechs struggle to find domestic capital to help them scale, resulting in a loss of IP and a growing divergence between the UK and the US at post seed funding levels.
Sir Ron Kalifa
The fund is welcomed by Sir Ron Kalifa, author of the Kalifa Review:
“I am delighted to welcome the launch of the UK FinTech Growth Fund as a private sector initiative, backed by institutional capital, responding to one of the key recommendations of the Review. The Fund represents another key building block in the support ecosystem for growth stage UK FinTech businesses. This is an important step forward towards ensuring the UK retains its leadership role in FinTech.”
Outside its core remit, UK FinTech Growth Partners will commit to providing wider holistic support for the UK FinTech ecosystem. This extensive commitment will be realised through the “Beyond Investing” programme which will consist of initiatives focused on national connectivity, support for early-stage founders, and talent, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
UK FinTech Growth Partners LLP is an appointed representative of Laven Advisors LLP which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Featured image credit: edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/uk-launches-1bio-gbp-growth-stage-fintech-fund</link><guid>3312</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Refintiv-KYC-AML-Soultions-for-Fintech-.png?x85777</dc:content ><dc:text>UK Launches 1Bio GBP Growth Stage Fintech Fund</dc:text></item><item><title>CFA Institute: Finance Professionals Show Divide on Central Bank Digital Money</title><description><![CDATA[Globally, finance professionals have limited understanding of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and are showing division on whether central banks should launch such instruments, a new study conducted by industry association CFA Institute revealed.
The survey, which polled more than 90,000 CFA Institute members from countries like the US, Switzerland and China, revealed that, at the global level, the question of whether to launch a CBDC failed to gain majority support. 42% of respondents said they were in favor of central banks launching CBDCs, while 34% were opposed. A sizeable portion, 24%, voiced no opinion.
Findings also revealed that finance professionals’ self-reported understanding of CBDCs was quite limited, with only 12% of the respondents stating they had a strong understanding of CBDCs.




   



    
   


   








These results suggest that central banks and governments will need to engage in a significant educational and outreach effort to explain why they would launch CBDCs, for what purpose, and under what circumstances.
Level of understanding of CBDCs (global results), Source: CFA Institute Global Survey on Central Bank Digital Currencies, CFA Institute, July 2023
Taking a deeper look at the regional level, the study found that respondents in developed markets were much less enthusiastic for CBDCs (37% of respondents in favor) than did those in emerging markets (61% in favor).
North America, in particular, was found to be the region with the least favorable view (33%) of launching CBDCs, while Asia Pacific (APAC) showcased the most favorable view (59%) with notably high levels of support in China (70%) and India (66%).
This divergence can be partly explained by the different levels of economic development and capital market sophistication in developed markets versus developing markets. Most developed markets already provide a large spectrum of banking and asset choices, but these may be lacking in developing markets, the report notes. Moreover, the availability of cryptocurrency and digital asset products in these markets may already be offering potential users valuable innovation in investment options, making CBDCs somewhat redundant.
Level of support for launching a CBDC (geographical breakdown), Source: CFA Institute Global Survey on Central Bank Digital Currencies, CFA Institute, July 2023
Respondents were also asked about the reasons why they opposed the launch of a CBDC, to which they highlighted two reasons in particular: data privacy concerns (50%) and the lack of use cases for a CBDC (40%).
At a regional level, data privacy concerns were the highest in developed markets, especially in the US and Switzerland, and lowest in India and Latin America, the study found. Developed markets also showed a higher level of doubt as to the purposefulness of CBDCs (42%) when compared to emerging markets (32%).
Reasons for opposing the launch of a CBDC (global), Source: CFA Institute Global Survey on Central Bank Digital Currencies, CFA Institute, July 2023
Improved payment efficiency and financial inclusion
Despite the risks and challenges, financial professionals also believe CBDCs could bring many benefits to the financial services industry. In particular, respondents cited the primary reason for supporting a CBDC as being the potential of enhanced payments and money transfers as well as reduced counterparty and settlement risk in the system (58%).
Another reason cited for launching a CBDC cited by respondents was the belief that central authorities should play a central role in the development of cryptocurrencies. That reason elicited a staggering 100% response rate in China, while scoring 30% globally.
In emerging markets, meanwhile, two of the top motivations to explore CBDCs are to provide a cash-like means of payment and to promote financial inclusion. 55% of respondents in emerging markets said they believed that CBDCs could enhance financial inclusion. with China (66%) and India (64%) recording the highest rates.
Reasons for supporting the launch of a CBDC (global), Source: CFA Institute Global Survey on Central Bank Digital Currencies, CFA Institute, July 2023
These findings align with results of studies conducted by other organizations. A 2022 survey of 86 central banks run by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) revealed that the motives for considering the issuance of retail CBDCs revolved mainly around improving financial inclusion and payment efficiency.
Motivations for issuing a retail and wholesale CBDC, advanced economies versus emerging economies, Source: BIS central bank surveys on CBDCs and crypto, 2018–2022, Bank for International Settlements, July 2023
CBDCs, tokenization and distributed ledger technology (DLT) more broadly have been praised for their potential to streamline the settlement process in financial markets.
A 2023 report by the Global Financial Markets Association (GFMA) together with Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Clifford Chance and Cravath, Swaine and Moore, estimates that DLT could help save an estimated ~US$15-20 billion in annual global infrastructure operational expenditures by streamlining and automating various processes in the chain as well as reducing the need for intermediaries and human intervention.
Additionally, since CBDCs would be accessible through smartphones or other digital devices, the technology could potentially bringing financial services to those who are unbanked or underbanked. This can be especially beneficial in regions where traditional banking infrastructure is lacking but mobile phone penetration is high.
Central banks accelerate CBDC efforts
Central banks around the world have ramped up their CBDC efforts over the past years, encouraged by the emergence of stablecoins and cryptocurrencies. Over the course of 2022, the share of central banks engaged in some form of CBDC work rose further, climbing from 86% in 2020 to 93% in late-2022, studies conducted by the BIS show.
Central bank involvement in CBDC work, Source: BIS central bank surveys on CBDCs and crypto, 2017–2022, Bank for International Settlements, July 2023
In Switzerland, the central bank shared earlier this year how it intended to “future-proof” the domestic payment ecosystem, outlining its ambition to leverage technologies and processes including tokenization and DLT.
Swiss National Bank governing board member Andréa Maechler said during an event in March that the authority was conducting a study on how central bank money could be made available in a regulated token environment.
The project focuses on examining different models for token settlement, and is being undertaken in collaboration with regulated financial market infrastructures and other market participants.

Featured image credit: edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/cfa-institute-finance-professionals-show-divide-on-central-bank-digital-money</link><guid>3311</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Refintiv-KYC-AML-Soultions-for-Fintech-.png?x85777</dc:content ><dc:text>CFA Institute: Finance Professionals Show Divide on Central Bank Digital Money</dc:text></item><item><title>The Future of Insurance Europe 2023 Returns to Amsterdam This November</title><description><![CDATA[Reuters Events: The Future of Insurance Europe 2023 will be returning to Amsterdam from 28-29 November, Amsterdam to discuss strategies, technologies, customer, claims, and the trajectory of the insurance industry in Europe.
Spanned over 2 days, the event aims to:

Tackle customer friction by optimising the claims process and end-to-end journey through omni-channel engagement and automation powered by a motivated workforce
Utilise the full potential of AI and emerging technology through a robust digital strategy to streamline your internal processes and tackle loss ratios
Power growth through new offerings and preventative services driven by telematics and new distribution models to provide what your competitors do not and win crucial market share

Designed specifically for insurance leaders and attended by innovative industry players from 35+ countries across Europe and all business lines, #FOIEurope is inspired to deliver what insurance companies need to implement practical change today, for a successful tomorrow.
Highlights of the Event
The world has been turned on its head. Most industries are reducing their pace of innovation and aiming for survival instead of growth. But insurance is not most industries. Instead of slowing down, this is the time for insurance players to come together and capitalise on the unprecedented level of change surrounding the industry.
Reuters Events: The Future of Insurance Europe 2023 features topics revolving around three key themes:


Strategy &amp; Resilience: In such a disrupted world, business-wide strategy that transcends socioeconomic fluctuations and future-proofs your organisation in the face of global change has never been more crucial. Discuss the big picture challenges facing insurers today and leave with the insights needed for successful innovation
Technology &amp; Innovation: A wealth of technology is transforming the industry – but the pace of change exceeds the speed at which technology can be implemented. Those that navigate this influx of technology – from AI to IoT to the Metaverse – will successfully reap the rewards of previously untapped potential
Claims &amp; Customer: Claims is at a critical crossroads – with the rise of AI and increasingly unsettled customer behaviours, understanding what clients need from their insurer will be crucial. Insights must then be translated into action to truly optimise your claims and CX experience and become the organisation your customer needs


Speakers from major industry leaders such as Zurich, AXA, Lloyd’s Europe, Generali and more will be sharing on topics related to digital transformation and how technologies are set to transform the entire insurance industry.
During the sessions, speakers will be presenting case studies, panel discussions, interactive workshops and more on optimising tech, fine-tuning CX and enhancing profitability, which could help attendees gain a competitive edge.
Future of Insurance Europe – Speakers Line-up (Source: Reuters Events)
Here are some of the the speakers who’ve confirmed their attendance:

Amelie Breitburd, CEO, Lloyd’s Europe
Henrik Ryden, CEO Nordics, Marsh McLennan
Tibor Boettcher, CEO, Volkswagen Insurance Company
Steve Hardy, CEO, Policy Expert
Pamela Thomson-Hall, CEO, International and Executive Officer, WTW
Ian Thompson, Group Chief Claims Officer, Zurich
Steven Zuanella, Group Chief Digital Officer, Generali
Cyril Steffen, Chief Claims Officer, Europe, AXA
Dominick Hoare, Chief Underwriting Officer, Munich Re Specialty Group
Imre Sztano, Chief Digital Officer, NN International Insurance
Olivera Boehm-Ryback, Chief Corporate Business Officer, UNIQA
Puneet Satyawadi, Chief Operating Officer, Marsh International
Raphaël Gusdorf, Chief Digital Officer, AG2R La Mondiale
Philippe Knepfler, Chief Innovation Officer, Covéa Affinity

Attendees can also expect to network with more than 350 representatives from leading insurance companies in the region. Networking app will be provided to attendees, to aid them in forging critical new connections face-to-face in a digital world.
Companies that have attended Future of Insurance Europe. Source: Reuters Events
Why Should You Attend?

Peer-to-Peer Networking: Meet informally over coffee, build connections over a seated lunch, or finalise next steps in private meeting rooms – choose how you prefer to network and get back to the quality interactions that matter.
Unparalleled Use-Cases: The speakers are the driving force of excellence and innovation. Hear only from those at the top of their game, representing the industry’s most progressive and innovative insurers.
An Agenda that Asks – and Answers – the Right Questions: Driven by extensive research, speaking to the latest challenges surrounding strategy, technology, partnerships and customer experience.
Europe’s Most Select &amp; Senior Gathering of Executives: No other event matches the audience of 350+ senior decision-makers, powering their organisations towards success.
Expertise Across All Business Lines: Reuters Events recognize not only the overarching challenges facing the community, but also the particularities impacting each business line, giving you the chance to deep-dive into the specific challenges facing your organisation to get the answers you need.

Tickets are available for purchase. Click here to download the event brochure and gain more insights.

If you have any questions, or would like more information on speaking, sponsoring, or attending, contact: nuriya.powell@thomsonreuters.com
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-future-of-insurance-europe-2023-returns-to-amsterdam-this-november</link><guid>3310</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Screenshot-2023-08-16-at-11.55.26-AM-1024x552.png?x85777</dc:content ><dc:text>The Future of Insurance Europe 2023 Returns to Amsterdam This November</dc:text></item><item><title>Online Mortgage Switzerland: Valuu and Credex to Grow Together</title><description><![CDATA[PostFinance is acquiring a stake in Credit Exchange Ltd (CredEx) and taking a seat on its Board of Directors. The two parties have signed a contract to that effect.
To achieve the best possible synergies, PostFinance is bringing its comparison and sign-up platform Valuu to CredEx. CredEx will pool the brokerage business under the Valuu brand and continue operating the intermediary business.
With a new total of 17 financing partners, PostFinance’s mortgage lending continues to gain in importance. PostFinance already works with Valuu’s “Valuu Pro” mortgage advice tool to provide its customers with financing offers. Now PostFinance’s advisors not only offer products from current partners Valiant and Münchener Hypothekenbank under the name of “PostFinance mortgage”, they also offer products from a current total of 17 refinancing partners thanks to this additional partnership with CredEx.




   



    
   


   








Postfinance, Avera, Mobiliar, Swisscom, Vaudoise and GLKB Acquire Stake in Credex
By means of a capital increase, PostFinance is acquiring a stake in Credit Exchange Ltd. This means that PostFinance will become a shareholder of the company, alongside Avera, Mobiliar, Swisscom, Vaudoise and Glarner Kantonalbank, and take a seat on the Board of Directors. As part of this move, PostFinance is transferring its comparison and sign-up platform Valuu to the joint venture CredEx – this is to reinforce Valuu’s B2B business, based on the firm belief that combining the two platforms will ensure their long-term success. Nothing will change for current Valuu brokers and lenders. There will be new opportunities for them to place additional volume through CredEx’s additional sales partners.
Thomas Jakob
Thomas Jakob, Chief Business Unit Officer for Platform Business and CEO of Valuu, PostFinance’s mortgage comparison and sign-up platform, sees major opportunities in a joint future:
Serkan Mirza
“Both platforms are market leaders in their respective customer segments. By working closely together, broker partners can benefit from a one-stop solution – in other words, they can find the best mortgage offer on the Swiss market and take it out there and then with ease.”
Serkan Mirza, CEO of CredEx, is confident about this strategic partnership:
“We will create synergies for everyone involved in our newly expanded ecosystem – whether borrowers, sales partners or lenders – and strengthen CredEx’s positioning as a leading B2B mortgage marketplace in Switzerland for the long term.”
Valuu started 2019
With Valuu, PostFinance launched the first fully digital mortgage brokerage platform in 2019. It is the first platform to enable the entire financing process end-to-end, including the option of taking out mortgages online. Once the platform was developed into a mortgage comparison service for private customers, it also went on to gain more and more traction in the business customer segment under the name Valuu Pro. Around 120 broker partners already advise their customers on mortgage-related questions with Valuu Pro. Currently, the platform has over 34 lenders, which provides customers with a wide range of products.

Featured image credit: Thomas Jakob, Chief Business Unit Officer for Platform Business and CEO of Valuu and Serkan Mirza, CEO of CredEx
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/online-mortgage-switzerland-valuu-and-credex-to-grow-together</link><guid>3309</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Refintiv-KYC-AML-Soultions-for-Fintech-.png?x85777</dc:content ><dc:text>Online Mortgage Switzerland: Valuu and Credex to Grow Together</dc:text></item><item><title>10 Must Know Fintech Accelerators and Incubators in USA and Canada</title><description><![CDATA[With robust financial markets, advanced infrastructure and technological prowess, North America has emerged as a hotspot for fintech innovation.
The continent boasts a myriad of programs designed to propel startups to the top, providing the most promising tech-enabled businesses with critical resources to grow and connecting them with industry veterans, experts and potential investors.
Today, we look at ten of the largest and most prolific fintech acceleration and incubation programs in the continent. These programs have established track-records of building up and supporting some of the world’s biggest and most successful ventures.




   



    
   


   








Y Combinator


Although not exclusively fintech-focused, Y Combinator (YC) is one of the most prolific and prestigious startup accelerators in the world.
The American company runs programs and provides resources that support founders throughout the life of their company. These include Startup School, which teaches the basics of starting a company; the three-month YC batch program, which takes place twice a year in-person in San Francisco and helps founders as they build their product, talk to their customers, and raise funding; Work at a Startup, which makes it easy for founders to find their first engineers; and YC Series A, which helps founders launch their A round.
YC claims it has invested in nearly 3,000 startups including Airbnb, DoorDash, Instacart and Dropbox. Many successful fintech startups, including payment processing platform Stripe and cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase, also started their journeys at YC. The combined valuation of YC companies stands at over US$300 billion, the company says.
500 Global


500 Global is a multi-stage venture capital (VC) firm headquartered in San Francisco. With US$2.5 billion in assets under management, the firm invests in founders building fast-growing technology companies, focusing on markets where technology, innovation, and capital can unlock long-term value and drive economic growth.
500 Global’s Flagship Accelerator program runs for four months in Silicon Valley. The program focuses on helping founders of early-stage startups take their companies to the next level and provide them up to US$150,000 in seed funding.
500 Global also runs the Alberta Accelerator program, which focuses on growing and scaling promising Canadian startups in sectors such as clean energy, digital health innovation and artificial intelligence (AI).
500 Global claims it has backed over 5,000 founders representing more than 2,600 companies operating in 80 countries. The firm’s portfolio includes 51 companies valued at over US$1 billion and 140 companies valued at over US$100 million. Fintech companies 500 Global has backed include personal finance company Credit Karma, cross-border payment unicorn Chipper Cash and digital financing platform Funding Societies.
Techstars


Techstars is a global investment business that provides access to capital, one-on-one mentorship, a worldwide network and customized programming for early-stage entrepreneurs. Founded in 2006 in Boulder, Colorado, the company hosts a range of accelerator programs around the world, with its fintech-focused accelerators being among the most recognized.
Techstars often collaborate with corporate partners for specific programs, like the Barclays Accelerator powered by Techstars and the ABN AMRO + Techstars Future of Finance Accelerator.
Located in New York City and London, the Barclays Accelerator is an intensive 13-week program designed to accelerate promising startups with capability in machine learning (ML), lending, digital banking solutions, trading, and more. It’s a mentor-driven program with industry experts working closely with selected startups to help them accelerate over the course of the program, and beyond.
ABN AMRO + Techstars Future of Finance Accelerator, meanwhile, is a program hosted in Amsterdam that targets entrepreneurs across all areas of fintech with a specific focus on digital assets and sustainability.
Fintech Innovation Lab


The Fintech Innovation Lab is a premier global program that helps early- to growth-stage companies who are redefining the fintech industry grow their business with support from the world’s top financial service firms.
Co-founded by Accenture and the Partnership Fund for New York City, the program aims to bring together leading financial services institutions, angel investors and VC firms to provide promising fintech startups with the opportunity to work with future customers, perfect propositions, gain insights into the banking industry and build strong relationships.
An annual program run in New York, London, and Hong Kong, the Fintech Innovation Lab claims its New York program has assisted entrepreneurs from 99 technology companies since its founding in 2010, including crypto exchange software provider AlphaPoint, market data and intelligence platform CB Insights and distributed ledger technology (DLT) provider Digital Asset Holdings. These program graduates have created more than 2,000 jobs, raised more than US$2.2 billion in venture financing, and 24 of them have been acquired, the firm says.
Plug and Play Fintech


Plug and Play Fintech is a startup program dedicated to accelerating the innovation roadmap of major global financial entities, connecting startups, corporations, VC firms, universities and government agencies to help its corporate partners in every stage of their journey.
Headquartered in Silicon Valley, with locations in France, Japan, Germany and more, the accelerator focuses on seven fintech verticals: wealth and asset management, payments, sustainability, retail banking, regtech, open banking, and crypto and digital assets.
Plug and Play Fintech claims it has so far fast-tracked 70+ corporate partners, orchestrated 1,750+ POCs and pilots, accelerated 2,000+ startups, made 150+ strategic investments, and backed nine fintech unicorns.
Plug and Play Fintech’s corporate partners include Visa, BNP Paribas, Moody’s, Raiffeisen Bank International and Facebook. Fintech startups it has backed include paytech unicorn Flutterwave, German digital bank N26 and online payment giant PayPal.
AWS Fintech Accelerator


Amazon Web Services (AWS) launched in June its first global fintech accelerator in partnership with Vestbee, a startup ecosystem platform in Central and Eastern Europe.
The equity-free online program is set to handpick 150 seed-stage, AI/ML-centric fintech startups from regions including North America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, to provide them with product, business and investment support.
Participants will undergo six weeks of virtual mentorship from October 02 to November 06, 2023, and will gain insights into funding, scaling, market strategies, AWS technicalities, and more.
Startups stand to gain up to US$25,000 in AWS Activate credits and additional perks from partners across the fintech, VC, and financial sectors. The program’s pinnacle will see the top 15 startups presenting at a Demo Day to VCs and financial institutions, with an opportunity to secure an extra US$75,000 in AWS credits.
Key collaborations enhancing this accelerator include AI giant Nvidia and investor mentorship from Bain Capital Ventures.
MaRS Fintech

Located in Toronto, MaRS claims to be the world’s largest urban innovation hub, supporting startups in the health, cleantech, fintech, and enterprise sectors.
MaRS’ fintech cluster provides innovators and companies that are modernizing the traditional businesses of banking, insurance, and wealth management with access to subject matter expertise, connections to capital, talent, and essential resources. It also links them up with traditional institutions with the goal of improving their services, better understanding their customers’ changing needs, and keeping people’s hard-earned money safe.
MaRS offers different programs and services tailored to various stage of growth. The Capital Program, for example, is a multi-sector, exclusive program that provides advisory support to help ventures prepare for and execute seed and Series A raises. The Growth Acceleration Program, on the other hand, supports scaling and high-growth companies on track to reaching CA$20 million in revenue.
MaRS says it has supported more than 1,400 Canadian science and tech companies, including fintech ventures Koho, Mogo, Trulioo and Wealthsimple.
Holt Accelerator


Holt Xchange is a global seed-stage VC fund based in Montreal that invests in fintech business application companies across the globe.
Holt Xchange also operates a three-month startup program designed to accelerate the growth of promising fintech companies by providing them with access to a 500+ advisory network comprising external angel and Series A investors, financial institutions and experts, supporting their team expansion plans, assisting them in reviewing and providing templates for startup documents that include product roadmaps, sales funnels, GTM strategy, financial models, unit economics, datarooms, term sheets, and more.
Over the last four years, Holt Xchange claims it has invested in 39 companies across 11 countries. Its portfolio has a combined valuation of CA$725 million and has raised over CA$ 125 million from more than 40 institutional investors. Its portfolio companies include Sentro, City Falcon and Consilium Crypto.
Highline Beta


Highline Beta is a hybrid corporate venture studio and VC firm based in Toronto. The company works with executives to build new ventures both inside and outside of their organizations to unlock new areas of growth.
Highline Beta also provides tailored Corporate Pilot Accelerators, working with partners to frame business challenges, design the pilot program accelerator, build the pilot cohort, run the pilots and evaluate outcomes. From start to finish the Pilot Accelerators typically last less than a year, validating new startups with optionality to scale the relationships, invest or acquire.
Highline Beta, which only invests in startups it works with through its venture studio and pilot accelerator programs, counts the likes of accounting firm Stamped, blockchain startup BanQu and embedded insurance specialist Walnut Insurance in its portfolio.
DMZ


The DMZ, launched in 2010 under the name Digital Media Zone, is the Toronto Metropolitan University’s business incubator for early-stage tech startups. The incubator helps startups build great businesses by connecting them with customers, capital, experts and a community of entrepreneurs and influencers.
The DMZ runs different programs for different stage of development. These programs include the Launchpad, which is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs who want to build a business and need support getting started; the Pre-Incubator, which targets tech founders who are validating a business idea, establishing a minimum viable product, and securing their first customers; and the Incubator, which is built for venture-backable pre-seed and seed-stage startups with a full-time founder, early traction, and proven product-market fit.
Since 2010, the DMZ claims it has helped fuel, grow and graduate 801 startups. These startups have raised CA$2.51 billion in seed funding and have fostered the creation of more than 4,975 jobs.
Successful fintech startups that started out at the DMZ include Fundscraper, a tech-enabled real estate investing platform, and Pungle, a digital platform acquired by Berkeley Payments that enables businesses to make secure and real-time payments to consumers, suppliers and employees.

This article first appeared on fintechnews.am

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/10-must-know-fintech-accelerators-and-incubators-in-usa-and-canada</link><guid>3308</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Refintiv-KYC-AML-Soultions-for-Fintech-.png?x85777</dc:content ><dc:text>10 Must Know Fintech Accelerators and Incubators in USA and Canada</dc:text></item><item><title>33% Coupon on Helveteq’s First Multi Barrier Reverse Convertible on Crypto</title><description><![CDATA[Helveteq launched in Switzerland the their first Multi Barrier Reverse Convertible with three crypto currencies as underlying.
The product is admitted for broad distribution in Switzerland and offers investors to benefit from elevated volatility in the crypto currencies Bitcoin, Ripple and Solana.
Multi Barrier Reverse Convertibles are popular on baskets of equities. The products pay a fixed coupon while the redemption of the nominal value is dependent upon the performance of the underlyings relative to a barrier level. Helveteq’s product team, which has been securitizing traditional securities as well as digital assets for clients, thereby allows investors to benefit from higher return expectations (and higher risks) in the crypto markets. The first Helveteq product has an indicative coupon of 33% p.a. with a 65% barrier and a maturity of three months.




   



    
   


   








Helveteq’s partner and custodian is Bank Frick.
Christian Katz
Christian Katz, CEO von Helveteq, says:
“This attractive new product broadens the product offering of Helveteq by adding a yield enhancement solution for investors with a shorter investment horizon. We are glad to succeed in offering a Multi Barrier Reverse Convertible on crypto currencies to clients. Investors benefit from a higher coupon. In addition, all our products are collateralized (for counterparty risk) and thereby offer investors an additional layer of security.”



Featured image credit: Edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/33-coupon-on-helveteqs-first-multi-barrier-reverse-convertible-on-crypto</link><guid>3307</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Refintiv-KYC-AML-Soultions-for-Fintech-.png?x85777</dc:content ><dc:text>33% Coupon on Helveteq’s First Multi Barrier Reverse Convertible on Crypto</dc:text></item><item><title>Sumup Secures New US$100 Million Credit Facility</title><description><![CDATA[Global fintech company SumUp announced today that it has entered into a US$100 million credit facility with Victory Park Capital (“VPC”), a global alternative investment firm specialising in private credit. The credit facility will enable SumUp to provide advance payments to merchants based in the UK in the immediate term and in other European markets in the near future.
SumUp Cash Advance helps merchants finance their operations and seize growth opportunities for their businesses. The advances (of up to £20,000) are based on merchants’ payment history, and merchants pay back advances through payment acceptance with SumUp card readers, in a flexible and incremental manner. Furthermore, merchants pay a transparent, fixed fee for access to cash advances, and do not have to worry about encountering any hidden fees or monthly interest.




   



    
   


   








Marc-Alexander Christ
Marc-Alexander Christ, Co-Founder at SumUp, said,
“Since SumUp launched in 2012, we have witnessed a transformative evolution in merchant needs. In response, we have continually invested in new, sector-leading innovations, from pioneering hardware to cutting-edge software solutions. We are thrilled to partner with Victory Park Capital, further enabling our mission of simplifying business operations for our merchants. Our cash advance product can support business growth in a transparent and fair manner, enabling merchants to continue doing what they do best, without having to worry about accessing funds. Feedback has been positive to date; merchants appreciate the simplicity of the product, the speed of payout, and its convenient way of paying back the cash advance via card reader sales.”
Jason Brown
Jason Brown, Partner at VPC, said,
“We are dedicated to supporting forward-thinking, innovative companies that enable wider access to financing solutions for small businesses. SumUp is a global fintech leader with a data-driven approach and product suite that matches the needs of modern businesses. We are delighted to partner with SumUp as they expand their offering and provide merchants with fair and clear, short-term financing amidst a challenging market climate.”
SumUp’s cash advance product is versatile, with a wide array of applications and potential use cases: it can be used to upgrade machinery and equipment, procure vital inventory in anticipation of busy periods, support transformative renovations to revamp facilities, or capitalise on strategic growth prospects. At a time when businesses are contending with a cost-of-living crisis, the cash advance product can also be used to deal with emergencies, such as unforeseen equipment break-downs, helping to alleviate short-term pressures.


Featured image credit: Sumup
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sumup-secures-new-us100-million-credit-facility</link><guid>3306</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Refintiv-KYC-AML-Soultions-for-Fintech-.png?x85777</dc:content ><dc:text>Sumup Secures New US$100 Million Credit Facility</dc:text></item><item><title>PayPal Rolls Out Stablecoin Backed by U.S. Dollar</title><description><![CDATA[Global payment giant PayPal announced the launch of a U.S. dollar-denominated stablecoin which will be available to consumers, merchants and developers to seamlessly connect fiat and digital currencies.
PayPal USD (PYUSD) is backed by U.S. dollar deposits, short-term U.S Treasuries and similar cash equivalents.
Eligible U.S. PayPal customers who purchase PayPal USD (PYUSD) will be able to transfer the stablecoin between PayPal and compatible external wallets.




   



    
   


   








They will also be able to send person-to-person payments using PYUSD, fund purchases with it at checkout, and convert any of PayPal’s supported cryptocurrencies to and from PYUSD.
PayPal USD is issued by Paxos Trust Company, a fully licensed limited purpose trust company subject to regulatory oversight by the New York State Department of Financial Services. In June 2022, PayPal was issued a BitLicense by NYDFS after previously obtaining a conditional BitLicense.
Beginning in September 2023, Paxos will publish a public monthly Reserve Report for PayPal USD that outlines the instruments composing the reserves.
Paxos will also publish a public third-party attestation of the value of PayPal USD reserve assets.
Dan Schulman
“The shift toward digital currencies requires a stable instrument that is both digitally native and easily connected to fiat currency like the U.S. dollar.

Our commitment to responsible innovation and compliance, and our track record delivering new experiences to our customers, provides the foundation necessary to contribute to the growth of digital payments through PayPal USD,”
said Dan Schulman, President and CEO, PayPal.

This article first appeared on Fintech News America.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/paypal-rolls-out-stablecoin-backed-by-us-dollar</link><guid>3305</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Refintiv-KYC-AML-Soultions-for-Fintech-.png?x85777</dc:content ><dc:text>PayPal Rolls Out Stablecoin Backed by U.S. Dollar</dc:text></item><item><title>Klarpay Appoints New Deputy CEO</title><description><![CDATA[Klarpay announced the appointment of Markus Emödi as the Chief Legal &amp; Compliance Officer and Deputy CEO. With a track record of over 20 years in the financial industry, Markus brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Klarpay.
Markus Emödi is a legal professional who has dedicated his career to compliance and risk management within the financial sector. His knowledge in regulatory areas such as anti-money laundering (AML), securities law, asset management, and payment transactions make him an invaluable asset to the Klarpay team.
In his new role as the Chief Legal &amp; Compliance Officer, Markus will play a key role in driving Klarpay’s operations forward and facilitating its continued growth trajectory. He will be responsible for overseeing and enhancing Klarpay’s legal and compliance functions.




   



    
   


   








Martynas Bieliauskas
“We are delighted to welcome Markus to the Klarpay team,”
said Martynas Bieliauskas, CEO of Klarpay AG.
“His extensive experience in legal and compliance will be instrumental in strengthening our company’s position and supporting our strategic goals. Markus’s expertise will contribute to our ongoing commitment to providing secure and scalable payment solutions to our clients.”
Markus Emödi
Commenting on his appointment, Markus Emödi stated,
“I am honoured to be part of Klarpay’s team and to contribute to its continued success. I look forward to working closely with the team and leveraging my experience further to enhance the company’s legal and compliance functions.”



Featured image credit: Markus Emödi, Chief Legal &amp; Compliance Office of Klarpay AG

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/klarpay-appoints-new-deputy-ceo</link><guid>3303</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Refintiv-KYC-AML-Soultions-for-Fintech-.png?x85777</dc:content ><dc:text>Klarpay Appoints New Deputy CEO</dc:text></item><item><title>2023’s Biggest Fintech Acquisition Deals</title><description><![CDATA[The global fintech sector is witnessing a slowdown in deal activity, with companies adopting a cautious “wait-and-see” approach. In the first half of 2023, only 128 mergers and acquisitions (M&amp;A) were recorded, compared to 248 and 188 in the first and second halves of 2022, respectively, data from S&amp;P Global Market Intelligence, a provider of multi-asset class data, research and analytics, show.
Despite the contraction, firms remain interested in exploring options, preparing for potential deals when market conditions improve. According to the S&amp;P Global Market Intelligence, several fintech segments are attracting merger and acquisition (M&amp;A) interest, including payments, treasury management software and corporate carve-outs.
To get a sense of this year’s fintech M&amp;A landscape, we compiled a list of eight of the largest merger and acquisition (M&amp;A) deals in the sector announced in the first half of 2023. For this list, we used data from S&amp;P Global Market Intelligence, Fintech Global and Statista.




   



    
   


   








Adenza – US$10.5 billion

Nasdaq, a technology company serving the global financial system, announced in June that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Adenza from Thoma Bravo for US$10.5 billion in cash and shares of common stock.
Adenza is a rapidly expanding software firm that provides risk management and regulatory software to the financial services industry. It was born from the merger of two recognized brands, namely Calypso and AxiomSL. Calypso provides capital market participants with comprehensive treasury, risk, and collateral management workflows, while AxiomSL offers regulatory and compliance software solutions to financial institutions.
The acquisition of Adenza is set to complement the Nasdaq’s existing marketplace technology and anti-financial crime solutions, expanding the breadth of the company’s offerings in regtech, compliance, and risk management.
With the addition of Adenza, Nasdaq is poised to provide unparalleled support to financial institutions and allow the company to establish a multi-asset class, full trade lifecycle platform with unparalleled regulatory technology solutions.
SimCorp – US$4.31 billion

Stock exchange operator Deutsche Boerse announced in April a EUR 3.9 billion (US$4.31 billion) takeover offer for Danish investment management software company SimCorp as it looks to diversify its business.
Deutsche Boerse stated that SimCorp’s services will complement its data analytics business and allow the creation of a full scope front-to-back investment management solutions segment.
The German company said that the combination will strengthen the ability of SimCorp to transform its business model and further invest in innovation to become a leading software-as-a-service (SaaS) and business-process-as-a-service (BPaaS) player for global asset owners, asset managers, and asset servicers, operating as an open platform that delivers both flexibility and operational efficiency under the strong brand name of SimCorp.
SimCorp is a renowned provider of investment management software and associated technology-enabled services. The company, which has more than 2,200 employees, posted operating profit of EUR 126 million on revenue of EUR 561 million in 2022, Reuters reported.
Network International – US$2.65 million

Brookfield Business Partners, the private equity arm of Canada’s Brookfield Asset Management, signed in June an agreement to acquire Network International for US$2.76 billion, as part of its Middle East expansion, Reuter reported.
Network International is a payment processing company based in the United Arab Emirates. The company provides a full suite of technology-enabled payments solutions to merchants and financial institutions of all types and sizes, including acquiring and processing services and a comprehensive range of value-added services.
Network International, which listed in London in April 2019, recorded nearly US$46 billion in processed volumes for more than 150,000 merchants in 2022.
Brookfield Business Partners said it considers Network International to be a strong strategic fit with its investment focus and is uniquely positioned to create significant value for the company and its stakeholders. The firm believes that the combination could create a key platform in the attractive Middle East and Africa region’s payment ecosystem.
Brookfield Business Partners said the deal would be financed by a combination of equity investment as part of which Brookfield Business Partners expects to invest up to about US$150 million.
Duck Creek Technologies – US$2.6 billion

In January, insurtech provider Duck Creek Technologies announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by global investment firm Vista Equity Partners in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately US$2.6 billion.
The purchase price of US$19 per share for Duck Creek Technologies represented a 46% premium to its closing stock price on January 06, 2023 – the last full trading day prior to the transaction announcement
Duck Creek Technologies is a pioneering solutions provider transforming the property and casualty (P&amp;C) and general insurance industry. The company provides a platform that modern insurance systems can be built upon, empowering the industry to leverage the cloud’s power for agile, intelligent, and evergreen operations.
Duck Creek Technologies’ customers include Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance and American International Group. The acquisition by Vista Equity Partners will aim to strengthen the company’s market position.
Sumo Logic – US$1.7 billion

In May, global investment firm Francisco Partners completed its acquisition of Sumo Logic, a SaaS analytics platform. The acquisition deal, announced in February, involved Francisco Partners purchasing all outstanding shares of Sumo Logic common stock for US$12.05 per share in cash, valuing the company at an aggregate equity valuation of approximately US$1.7 billion.
Sumo Logic, through its platform, enables customers to deliver cloud-native applications. The Sumo Logic Continuous Intelligence Platform helps practitioners and developers ensure application reliability, secure and protect against modern security threats, and gain insights into their cloud infrastructures.
Through the transaction, Sumo Logic became a private company with enhanced ability to expand its market opportunity, innovate on its critical solutions, accelerate growth, and further its vision, the company said in a statement.
MosaicML – US$1.3 billion

Databricks, a company specializing in data and artificial intelligence (AI), announced in June that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire MosaicML, a top-tier generative AI platform. The transaction, valued at approximately US$1.3 billion, includes retention packages.
MosaicML is known for its state-of-the-art MPT large language models (LLMs). With over 3.3 million downloads of MPT-7B and the recent release of MPT-30B, MosaicML has demonstrated how organizations can efficiently and economically build and train state-of-the-art models using their own data. Clients such as the Allen Institute for AI (AI2), Generally Intelligent, Hippocratic AI, Replit, and Scatter Labs use MosaicML for various generative AI applications.
Together, Databricks and MosaicML will strive to democratize generative AI and allow every organization to build, possess, and secure generative AI models using their own data. The combination of Databricks’ Lakehouse Platform with MosaicML’s technology will offer customers a straightforward, fast method to maintain control, security, and ownership over their valuable data without incurring high costs, the companies said in a statement.
Combined, these capabilities will deliver a platform robust enough to serve the world’s largest organizations and flexible enough to address a broad range of AI use cases, they added.
Paya – US$1.3 billion

In January, Canadian fintech company Nuvei Corporation announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire US payment firm Paya in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately US$1.3 billion.
The acquisition, completed in February, aims to enhance Nuvei Corporation’s ability to execute on high-growth integrated payment opportunities, diversify its business across high-growth, underpenetrated and non-cyclical end markets, and expand its capabilities into large and growing business-to-business (B2B) segment, the companies said in a statement.
Paya is a top provider of payment processing in the US, serving more than 100,000 customers through over 2,000 key distribution partners. The company, which processes about US$50 billion in annual payment volume across credit/debit card, direct payments, and checks, focuses on targeted, high-growth verticals such as healthcare, education, non-profit, government, utilities, and other B2B end markets.
The deal will seek to create a powerful synergy between Nuvei and Paya, as they are complementary in terms of geographies, capabilities, and the end-markets and verticals they serve, the companies said.
Nuvei and Paya are highly complementary with respect to geographies, capabilities to offer to customers and partners, and the end-markets and verticals that each currently serve.
Pismo – US$1 billion

In June, global payment processor Visa announced that it had signed a definitive agreement to acquire Pismo, a Brazilian cloud-native issuer processing and core banking platform, for US$1 billion in cash.
This deal is significant as it marks the largest fintech exit in Latin America since Nubank’s public offering in 2021, and the largest disclosed startup exit of the year, according to Reuters.
The acquisition will position Visa to provide comprehensive banking and issuer processing capabilities across debit, prepaid, credit, and commercial cards through Pismo’s cloud native APIs, Visa said in a release. Additionally, Pismo’s platform will also enable Visa to provide support and connectivity for emerging payment rails and real-time payment systems, like Pix in Brazil, for financial institution clients.
Pismo, a technology company, brings a wealth of experience in developing and implementing banking and card solutions for digital banks and large financial institutions. Its investors include notable names such as Redpoint eventures, Softbank, Amazon, and Accel. The company’s cloud platform, which handles more than 70 million accounts and transacts over US$200 billion annually, allows clients to issue Visa and Mastercard cards.

This article first appeared on fintechnews.am

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/2023s-biggest-fintech-acquisition-deals</link><guid>3304</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Refintiv-KYC-AML-Soultions-for-Fintech-.png?x85777</dc:content ><dc:text>2023’s Biggest Fintech Acquisition Deals</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 8 Most Well-Funded Fintech Companies in the USA</title><description><![CDATA[The US holds a prominent position in the global fintech scene and is considered one of the leading countries in fintech innovation, investment and market size.
The country possesses the most mature innovation ecosystem in terms of venture capital (VC) firms, entrepreneurs, talent pools, universities, and access to funding, and is home to the largest financial services industry in the world.
The US is expected to remain a critical fintech market and innovation hub this year onwards, with Boston Consulting Group projecting that the country will account for 32% of global fintech revenue growth through 2030.




   



    
   


   








In light of the US’s sustained dominance in the global fintech scene, we look today at the country’s biggest and most successful fintech companies, delving into the US’s most well-funded fintech companies in terms of VC funding. These companies are pioneers in their respective sectors, driving innovation, challenging traditional financial institutions and capturing the attention of investors.
Stripe – US$9 billion

Founded in 2010 and headquartered in San Francisco, Stripe is a technology company that provides online payment processing services and software tools for businesses. Stripe offers a platform that allows businesses to accept and manage online payments, providing a suite of application programming interfaces (APIs) and developer tools that enable businesses to integrate payment processing functionality into their websites and applications.
The infrastructure allows merchants to accept various payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, and digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, and supports transactions in multiple currencies. It also come with advanced security features to help businesses protect against fraud and data breaches.
Stripe is currently the most valuable fintech companies in the world, worth US$50 billion. The company secured its last round in March 2023, raising a staggering US$6.5 billion and bringing its total funding to about US$9 billion, according to data from CB Insights and Dealroom.
Chime – US$2.6 billion

Founded in 2012 and headquartered in San Francisco, Chime operates a mobile banking platform, providing customers with access to various financial services through its mobile app and website. These services are provided by The Bancorp Bank or Stride Bank.
One of the primary features of Chime is its fee-free checking account. The account comes with a Visa debit card and does not have monthly maintenance fees, overdraft fees, nor minimum balance requirements.
Chime also offers a savings account with an automatic savings feature that allows customers to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar and have the difference automatically transferred to their savings account.
The app comes with financial management tools, such as transaction alerts, balance notifications, and a daily spending summary, in addition to a feature called SpotMe, which allows customers to go overdrawn without penalty.
Chime is the third most valuable fintech company in the world and is worth US$25 billion, according to CB Insights. The company has secured a total of US$2.6 billion in funding. Its latest round was a US$750 million financing round closed in August 2021.
Brex – US$1.2 billion

Founded in 2017 and headquartered in San Francisco, Brex provides an unified global spend platform, bringing together corporate cards, expense management, reimbursements, bill pay, and travel, all into one place.
The company’s corporate credit cards are designed specifically for the needs of startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and come with various features and benefits, including expense management tools, integration with accounting software, and streamlined workflows for tracking and categorizing expenses. The cards also offer higher credit limits than what traditional banks typically provide to early-stage companies.
Additionally, Brex offers a range of financial services beyond credit cards such as cash management accounts, expense tracking and reporting tools, rewards programs, access to business financing solutions, as well as an integrated travel solution with comprehensive booking and spend management capabilities.
Brex has raised US$1.2 billion in venture capital (VC), according to TechCrunch, including US$300 million in early 2022 at a US$12.3 billion valuation.
GoodLeap – US$1 billion

Founded in 2003 and based in Roseville, California, GoodLeap is a sustainable home solutions marketplace. The company provides simple, fast, and frictionless point-of-sale (POS) technology for mission-driven professionals serving millions of people who want to upgrade their homes and save money.
GoodLeap’s platform offers flexible ways for consumers to pay for a wide range of sustainable products, including solar panels, battery storage, smart home devices, modern HVAC systems, energy efficient windows, upgraded roofing, water-saving turf, and more.
The platform is actively used by more than 18,000 home improvement professionals, creating an efficient channel for financial institutions to deploy capital in high-performing environmental, social and governance (ESG) assets. The company claims its platform has mobilized over US$19 billion financing for sustainable upgrades since 2018.
GoodLeap has raised more than US$1 billion in funding and is valued at US$12 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported in late-2021. Its latest round was a US$800 million investment secured in October 2021.
Fireblocks – US$1 billion

Founded in 2018 and headquartered in New York, Fireblocks is an enterprise-grade platform delivering an infrastructure for moving, storing, and issuing digital assets. Fireblocks enables exchanges, custodians, banks, trading desks, and hedge funds to build innovative businesses on the blockchain and securely scale digital asset operations through patent-pending SGX and MPC technology.
Fireblocks is trusted by some of the most recognized banks and financial institutions in the world to bring their digital asset strategies to production, including BNY Mellon, BNP Paribas, ANZ Bank, NAB, ABN AMRO, BTG Pactual, Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, and SIX Digital Exchange.
These institutions have leveraged Fireblocks to build new digital asset custody, trading, clearing and settlement services, tokenization of financial products such as tokenized fiat, central bank digital currencies (CBDC), carbon credits, and more. The company claims it has secured the transfer of over US$4 trillion in digital assets.
Fireblocks has raised US$1 billion in funding, data from Dealroom and CB Insights show, including US$550 million in January 2022 at a US$8 billion valuation.
Bolt – US$963 billion

Founded in 2014 and headquartered in San Francisco, Bolt provides an e-commerce platform and checkout solution for online businesses. Bolt aims to simplify the online shopping experience by offering a seamless and optimized checkout process. Their platform integrates with e-commerce websites, providing a range of features and functionalities to enhance the checkout flow and improve conversion rates.
Key features of the Bolt platform include one-click checkout, advanced fraud detection technology, a customizable checkout design, and analytics and insights. The company also offers is own payment processing solutions, allowing businesses to accept various payment methods, including credit cards and digital wallets.
Bolt has raised nearly US$1 billion in funding, including a US$355 million Series E secured in January 2022 at a US$11 billion.
Plaid – US$734.8 million

Headquartered in San Francisco and founded in 2013, Plaid offers a platform and API suite that enables developers to connect their applications with users’ financial accounts.
Plaid’s primary focus is to facilitate secure and reliable access to financial data and services. The company’s platform acts as an intermediary between applications and financial institutions, allowing developers to build applications that interact with users’ bank accounts, credit cards, and other financial accounts. Key services and features provided by Plaid include account connectivity, transaction data and analytics, payment initiation, identity verification, as well as developer tools and integrations.
Plaid’s network covers 12,000 financial institutions across the US, Canada, UK and Europe. The company says it works with thousands of companies including Venmo, SoFi, and Betterment, several of the Fortune 500, as well as many of the largest banks.
Plaid has raised about US$734 million in funding, data from CB Insights and Dealroom show. The company is valued at US$13.5 billion. Its last round was a US$425 million Series D secured in April 2021.
Gusto – US$700 million

Launched in 2012 as ZenPayroll, Gusto provides a cloud-based payroll, benefits, and human resource (HR) management software for business based in the US. Gusto handles payments to employees, and contractors, and also handles electronically the paperwork necessary to help client companies comply with tax, labor, and immigration laws.
Some key features and offerings of the Gusto platform include payroll processing, employee benefits administration, compliance and tax filings, HR tools, as well as integration with other popular business tools and platforms.
Gusto has gained popularity among small businesses for its user-friendly interface, automated processes, and comprehensive payroll and HR solutions. By simplifying complex payroll and HR tasks, Gusto helps businesses save time, reduce errors, and focus on their core operations. The company claims it serves more than 300,000 businesses nationwide.
Gusto has raised more than US$700 million in funding so far, data from CB Insights and Dealroom show. Its latest round was a US$55 million Series E extension closed in May 2022.

This article first appeared on fintechnews.am

Featured image credit: edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-8-most-well-funded-fintech-companies-in-the-usa</link><guid>3301</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Refintiv-KYC-AML-Soultions-for-Fintech-.png?x85777</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 8 Most Well-Funded Fintech Companies in the USA</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 17 Fintech Events Taking Place in North America in Q3 2023</title><description><![CDATA[The fintech sector in North America has experienced robust growth and rapid evolution over the past years, driven by technological advancements, regulatory changes, and shifts in consumer behavior.
In the US, fintech companies have been instrumental in shaping the future of finance, with companies like Stripe, Square, and Robinhood transforming the landscape of payments, investing, and business finance.
In Canada, though the fintech industry is much smaller compared to the US, the scene is growing and evolving rapidly. Toronto, in particular, has become a notable fintech hub, with a robust ecosystem of startups, financial institutions, and supportive government policies.




   



    
   


   








As technology continues to transform the way we conduct transactions, manage money, and navigate the financial landscape, a plethora of events are being organized across the continent to help industry professionals connect, share insights, and stay ahead of the curve.
In this article, we present a list of the top upcoming fintech events across North America in Q3 2023. These events cover a broad spectrum and offer a golden opportunity for attendees, from seasoned industry professionals to nascent startups and curious stakeholders, to engage with the latest trends, technologies, and strategies driving the fintech sector.
Canada Crypto Week
August 13 – 19, 2023
Toronto, ON, Canada

The annual Canada Crypto Week, taking place this year from August 13 to 19, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, is a week-long celebration designed to showcase Canada’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and responsible growth in the blockchain and Web 3.0 sectors.
This year’s event is set to feature over 45 diverse events that will exhibit Canada’s burgeoning Web 3.0 ecosystem and is expected to attract more than 10,000 attendees.
Throughout the week, attendees will have the opportunity to network, share knowledge, and collaborate while exploring the potential and impact of blockchain technology.
The highlight of Canada Crypto Week is the Blockchain Futurist Conference, taking place on August 15 and 16, 2023. This conference, in its fifth year, has become Canada’s largest event dedicated to Web 3.0, cryptocurrency, and blockchain technology, hosted at the Rebel Entertainment Complex and Cabana Pool Bar. Over 100 global speakers will convene and discuss trends, partnerships, research, and future predictions, making the conference a melting pot of insights and innovation.
Other notable events of the 2023 Canada Crypto Week will include the Crypto Ecosystem Night, an immersive non-fungible token (NFT) gallery experience, Women’s Breakfast, and the Developer Decentralization Event. Activities for kids, VIP events, meetups, and hackathons will further diversify the event portfolio.
Vencent Fintech Summit
August 14 – 15, 2023
Little Rock, AR, USA


The Vencent Fintech Summit, taking place on August 14 and 15, 2023, in Little Rock, Arkansas, is set to amass global banking industry leaders, innovators, and influencers to explore the latest technological developments shaping the financial sector.
The focus of this year’s summit is the intersection of technology and the future of the financial industry. Participants will gain insights into banking innovation strategies and best practices for dealing with rapidly evolving technologies, as well as experience intensive live demonstrations and networking opportunities.
Knowledge sharing will cover hot topics like cryptocurrency, banking-as-a-service (BaaS), and cybersecurity. Delegates will have the chance to delve into what’s coming next in fintech and digital transformation, exploring strategies to keep up with the pace of change.
A highlight of Vencent is the announcement of “The Finny” winner, a trophy which recognizes the financial institution that exemplifies innovation and strategic excellence in the field.
Register now: https://www.vencentsummit.com/
Fintech_Devcon 2023
August 23 – 25, 2023
Austin, USA

Fintech_Devcon is the annual developer conference of fintech company Moov. The annual stands apart from other industry events with its distinct focus on developers, and encourages participation not just from seasoned speakers but also those with unique fintech stories waiting to be heard. The platform fosters a favorable setting for debutants to share their insights and experiences, enhancing their credibility while boosting confidence.
This year’s conference, taking place from August 23 to 25, 2023, is set to feature over fifty hours of hands-on developer workshops and talks from leaders at developer-first fintech companies, offering opportunities for developers, investors, executives, and anyone passionate about fintech to connect, share, learn, and shape the future of financial services.
2023 Fintech Growth Summit
August 24 – 25, 2023
Miami, FL, USA


The 2023 Fintech Growth Summit, taking place on August 24 and 25, 2023, promises to offer an intimate two-day event where fintech and growth meet. Participants will get to learn from industry experts as they explore the opportunities and challenges facing payment processing, fraud and risk management, lending, Web 3.0, NFTs and more.
DeFi Retreat US 2023
August 29 – 30, 2023
The William Vale, 111 N 12th St, Brooklyn, NY, USA

DeFi Retreat US 2023, the 3rd annual Chatham House gathering for traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi) leaders and professionals in the US, will take place on August 29 and 30, at the William Vale in Brooklyn, New York. This exclusive, limited seating event – only 175 passes available – promises an intimate setting for insightful discussions around finance and technology.
DeFi Retreat is a prestigious annual series in the US, bringing together an eclectic group of thought leaders: executives, investors, regulators, entrepreneurs, and professionals from the finance and technology sectors. It provides an invaluable opportunity to engage in intimate networking sessions and participate in candid, off-the-record conversations.
The retreat is designed to facilitate dialogues about the latest innovations, opportunities, and challenges surrounding the confluence of crypto, Web 3.0, DeFi, and TradFi. It offers a unique chance to understand the current landscape, foresee trends, and connect with leading minds in the industry.
Get your pass here: https://www.tetevents.com/ticket?slug=defi-retreat-23
Sustainable Finance Summit 2023
September 06, 2023, 8:00 – 16:30
EY Tower, 40th Floor, 100 Adelaide St W, Toronto, ON, Canada

The Canadian Lenders Association is presenting the Sustainable Finance Summit 2023. The event anticipates over 700 participants, including lenders, fintech companies, banks, credit unions, investors, and industry experts, all united by the goal of advancing sustainable finance in Canada. With sessions focusing on burgeoning sectors like buy now, pay later (BNPL), auto, cards, mortgages, and more, the event promises an in-depth exploration of key industry trends.
Dubbed as Canada’s main sustainable finance gathering, the summit will assemble hundreds of fintech firms, banks, and financial services executives. They will delve into the impact of emissions measurement mandates on lending practices and explore ways to promote sustainable finance in Canada.
Annual Conference and Tech Forum 2023
September 10 – 13, 2023
Hyatt Regency Atlanta, 265 Peachtree St, Atlanta, GA, USA


The Annual Conference and Tech Forum 2023, hosted by MAG, will occur from September 10 to 13, 2023, at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta. This event is a premier opportunity to delve into the latest trends in the payments industry, presented by leading industry voices.
One of the integral parts of the conference is the Tech Forum. Designed specifically for payment IT professionals, the Tech Forum 2023 will explore the technology that underpins the rapidly evolving payments landscape. Its aim is to foster connections between merchant IT professionals, business partners, and technology sponsors. Participants can expect a plethora of technology-focused educational sessions and engaging networking events.
Permissionless II
September 11 – 13, 2023
Austin, TX, USA


Permissionless II, taking place in Austin, Texas from September 11 to 13, 2023, will bring together DeFi builders, decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) participants, protocol developers, crypto companies, funds and institutions, and more.
After the turbulence of 2022, Permissionless II will provide industry participants with the chance to seize the opportunity and shift the tide. With an audience of over 7,000 crypto enthusiasts and builders, the event promises to foster an environment that embodies the ethos, electricity, and excitement of crypto and Web 3.0.
The three-day experience will be packed with keynotes from Web 3.0 leaders, meticulously curated panels and networking events. It will feature the biggest names in Web 3.0, a gargantuan exposition hall filled with the top brands in the space, an awe-inspiring NFT gallery, inclusive, community-focused parties and events, metaverse experiences, and so much more.
FinovateFall
September 11 – 13, 2023
The Marriott Marquis Times Square, New York, USA


FinovateFall, the ultimate nexus for global fintech and paytech companies, startups, banks, financial institutions, and all players in the fintech ecosystem, will take place this year from September 11 to 13, 2023, at The Marriott Marquis Times Square, New York.
Renowned for spotlighting the latest fintech advancements, FinovateFall stands apart with its commitment to showcasing authentic, ground-breaking tech in short, punchy, and informative sessions.
This year’s event promises to feature 70+ trailblazing technologies from startups to industry veterans, setting the record for the most live fintech demos under one roof. Shunning traditional formats, the pre-selected companies will demonstrate their innovations without the crutch of pre-planned PowerPoint presentations or pre-recorded videos.
Fintech South 2023
September 12 – 13, 2023
Georgia World Congress Center, Hall C, 285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA, USA


Fintech South, a premier fintech summit, will take place this year on September 12 and 13, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. Located in Atlanta, a global fintech hub that boasts over 200 fintech companies, the event promises an unrivaled, immersive experience designed to help industry participants navigate the rapidly evolving fintech landscape.
This year, Fintech South 2023’s theme is “Reliability | Innovation | Transparency,” showcasing the core values shaping the future of fintech. The summit will host 100+ speakers, all sharing insightful perspectives on the most impactful trends and providing practical guidance on thriving in a fast-paced sector.
Participants will get to engage in vibrant discussions and enriching content across the Fintech South Mainstage and Deep Dive Track Sessions. These sessions will cover a wide array of topics, including artificial intelligence (AI), payments innovation, blockchain and Web 3.0, financial health and inclusion, money management, identity and fraud, banking innovation, business-to-business (B2B) fintech, and the future of commerce.
Sibos 2023
September 18 – 21, 2023
Metro Toronto Conventions Centre (MTCC), 255 Front Street West, Toronto, ON, Canada


Sibos, the flagship financial services event hosted by Swift, will take place this year from September 18 and 21 at the Metro Toronto Conventions Centre, Toronto, Canada.
This year, the annual conference and exhibition will explore the theme of “Collaborative finance in a fragmented world.” This theme will drive insightful conversations, bringing together thousands of participants to discuss issues such as creating a sustainable and inclusive financial industry, managing risk in uncertain economic and geopolitical times, and striking the balance between technology and trust.
Attendees will get to hear from hundreds of expert speakers who will provide in-depth analysis on these crucial issues. In addition to the compelling conference agenda, more than 180 exhibitors will be featured, and numerous networking events will take place, providing opportunities to connect with industry peers from around the globe.
Silicon Valley Funding Summit
September 18, 2023, 10:00 – 19:00 PDT
2266 California Street, San Francisco, CA, USA


Silicon Valley Funding Summit, an annual event for startup founders and angel investors, will be hosted on September 18, 2023 in San Francisco, providing tech entrepreneurs and investors with the opportunity to meet and connect.
The summit aims to offer a platform that connects multi-million dollar investors with global startups for funding and deal-making, bridging the gap between tech and non-tech enterprises.
The event is open to seed, early-stage, and Series A and B startups, offering them a chance to pitch to more than 150 venture capital (VC) firms and angels across diverse sectors, including fintech, Web 3.0, healthcare, and real estate.
Startups or vendors can exhibit in the Demo Showcase area to maximize exposure, meet investors, partners, and customers for deal-making. The Demo Showcase is open for a 30-minute period after the pitch session and one hour for the networking reception, facilitating one-on-one meetings.
TechCrunch Disrupt 2023
September 19 – 21, 2023
The Moscone West, 800 Howard St, San Francisco, CA, USA


TechCrunch Disrupt 2023, a three-day conference focused on the latest breakthroughs and developments in technology, will take place from September 19 to 21, 2023, at The Moscone West in San Francisco, California.
Each year, TechCrunch Disrupt gathers thought leaders who are making significant waves in the tech industry, providing an extensive platform for networking, discovery, and engagement within the tech ecosystem. The event is known for its Startup Battlefield 200, where 200 hand-picked, early-stage startups exhibit their latest developments and innovations.
In Startup Battlefield, a select group of startups from the 200 exhibitors will compete for the coveted Disrupt Cup, a US$100,000 prize, and the attention of media and investors. It is noteworthy that Startup Battlefield alumni have collectively raised over US$9 billion and experienced over 100 exits since their presentations on the TechCrunch Disrupt stage.
Conference attendees can look forward to various industry tracks and stages, including the Fintech Stage, which will delve into the evolution of monetary exchanges and the technology driving new ways of capturing and distributing value and wealth; the Sustainability Stage, where participants will get to learn about emerging technologies transforming engagement with the environment and societal impact; and the AI Stage, which will explore the rapidly expanding capabilities and potential of AI, including its science, the products it powers, and the ethical, social, and legal challenges the technology presents.
Canada Fintech Forum 2023
September 25 – 27, 2023
Fairmont, The Queen Elizabeth, Montreal, QC, Canada


The Canada Fintech Forum is a landmark international gathering that aims to showcase emerging global trends in fintech, new technology solutions for the financial industry and emerging fintech startups.
The forum also aims to facilitate networking and collaboration between financial institutions, technology providers, startups and other key players in the financial services sector, as well as contribute to the visibility of Canada’s fintech talent.
Global Insurtech Summit USA 2023
September 26, 2023
360 Madison, New York, NY, USA


The Global Insurtech Summit USA is a premier gathering for insurance executives and technology innovators looking to shape the future of the insurance industry. Organized by Fintech Global since 2019, the event has become a hotspot for the industry’s most active insurtech buyers, sellers, investors, and innovators.
This year’s summit will be held on September 26, 2023, at 360 Madison, New York, NY, USA. Participants will get the chance to engage with insurance company leaders driving digital transformations within their organizations, build high-impact business connections that will help them achieve their business objectives, stay abreast of the latest innovations in digital insurance at the dedicated Demo Stage and understand the potential impact of insurtech on their organization, and understand the strategic, operational, and distribution challenges faced by insurers and see how market leaders are collaborating with insurtech innovators to implement changes for future success.
The Trading Show Chicago
September 27 – 28, 2023
Navy Pier, 600 East Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL, USA


The Trading Show is an exhibition for automated trading and exchange technologies, which takes place once a year in Chicago.
At this fair, exhibitors present the latest technologies and innovations from the automated and exchange trade starting with trading networks, trading software and online platforms up to market analysis systems, quality assurance systems, devices for electronic trading and real-time financial systems.
The exhibition is accompanied by a conference which is divided into four subject areas: quant world, big data, exchange technologies and automated trading.
This year’s Trading Show will take place on two days on September 27 and 28, 2023, in Chicago.
Book your free pass here: https://secure.terrapinn.com/
Global Regtech Summit USA 2023
September 28, 2023
Convene, 117 West 46th Street, New York, NY USA


The Global Regtech Summit USA is a top-tier event bringing together financial industry leaders, regtech innovators, and key decision-makers in the field of compliance and risk management. Organized by Fintech Global, the event aims to address the major challenges and opportunities in the ever-evolving regulatory technology landscape.
At this year’s summit, attendees will get the opportunity to engage with senior-level professionals working in compliance, risk management, technology, fraud prevention, and information security; connect with the most active regtech buyers, sellers, investors, and innovators in the industry to foster high-impact business relationships; stay updated with the latest industry innovations by visiting the dedicated Demo Stage; and understand the strategic and compliance issues faced by financial institutions and learn how market leaders are partnering with regtech innovators to gain a competitive edge.

This article first appeared on fintechnews.am

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-17-fintech-events-taking-place-in-north-america-in-q3-2023</link><guid>3302</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Refintiv-KYC-AML-Soultions-for-Fintech-.png?x85777</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 17 Fintech Events Taking Place in North America in Q3 2023</dc:text></item><item><title>LUKB’s New Crypto Offering to Be Powered by Sygnum, Fireblocks, and Wyden</title><description><![CDATA[Switzerland’s Luzerner Kantonalbank (LUKB) has joined forces with Sygnum, Fireblocks, and Wyden for a fully integrated solution for trading, custody, and transaction monitoring of crypto assets to its 300,000 clients.
Sygnum is the world’s first digital asset bank, Fireblocks, is an enterprise-grade digital asset operations and direct custody technology provider, and Wyden, is an institutional digital asset trading technology provider.
The setup will be seamlessly integrated into LUKB’s core banking system and offers complete automation of the entire crypto asset lifecycle.




   



    
   


   








LUKB, a fully licensed universal bank, plans to offer crypto assets to its clients by the end of 2023 at the earliest.
Marcel Hurschler
Marcel Hurschler, CFO at LUKB said,
“Luzerner Kantonalbank AG continues to support its customers as a reliable partner and with innovative solutions. That’s why we have worked intensively on digital assets and built up inhouse expertise.

We are currently developing a customer solution for the secure custody, transfer and trading of crypto and digital assets, and plan to launch our offering at the end of 2023 at the earliest. Sygnum, Wyden and Fireblocks are providing us with crucial technology for our development, and we are looking forward to working with them.”
Mathias Imbach
Mathias Imbach, Co-founder and Group CEO of Sygnum said,
“The market entry of LUKB is further proof of the rapid institutional adoption of digital assets and will provide secure and compliant access to digital assets to a broader part of the Swiss population.

Luzerner Kantonalbank’s strategic partnership with industry leaders Sygnum Bank, Fireblocks and Wyden clearly demonstrates the strength of institutional-grade technology providers joining forces in Switzerland and beyond.”



Featured image credit: (from L-R) Mathias Imbach, Sygnum Co-Founder and Group CEO, Fireblocks CEO, Michael Shaulov, Wyden CEO Andy Flury and Marcel Hurschler, CFO at LUKB

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/lukbs-new-crypto-offering-to-be-powered-by-sygnum-fireblocks-and-wyden</link><guid>3299</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Refintiv-KYC-AML-Soultions-for-Fintech-.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>LUKB’s New Crypto Offering to Be Powered by Sygnum, Fireblocks, and Wyden</dc:text></item><item><title>Ryta Zasiekina Sells FYST, Relinquishes Her CEO Position</title><description><![CDATA[The deal for an undisclosed fee, sealed in the beginning August marks a new chapter in Zasiekina’s career as she leaves the CEO position at FYST. Following a continuous investor interest in a swiftly growing payment consultancy firm, operating in a market projected to reach an impressive $250trillion by 2027, the sale also doesn’t come as a surprise.
A qualified engineer, Ryta Zasiekina spent around a decade in payments and banking industry consulting. As an independent entrepreneur and business advisor Ryta specialises in general e-commerce and FinTech business consulting, payment processing, alternative payment methods, risk management and anti-fraud.
Originally from Ukraine, she has gained a market reputation as a dynamic decision-maker and a skilled negotiator, widely regarded in the industry thanks to the multitude of international connections.




   



    
   


   








In 2021 Ryta obtained her MBA degree themed around AI and cybersecurity in fraud fighting. Soon after she had to leave her homeland due to the war and settled in Riga, Latvia, where she started FYST. The project launch appeared to be timed perfectly since the major pandemic shift in consumer habits led to a double digit growth in ecommerce across the globe.
According to Kantar, the share of consumers that do 50% or more of their total number of purchases online has increased dramatically in all three of Europe’s biggest e-commerce markets. Six out of ten consumers say that they will continue to buy as much online as they do today after the pandemic has passed. This subsequently led to increase of the competition among the market players.
Born from a desire to help merchants across all sectors of ecommerce make quantifiable impacts in the online space FYST has quickly emerged as one of the key industry players. A one-stop cross-border payments and banking consultancy assisted merchants by offering a one-of-a-kind combination of flexible digital payments solutions, banking connections and technology guidance, regulatory compliance and AML advisory services from its young and skilled team.
With its revenue-centric ethos, FYST is focused on taking the complexity out of cross-border payments. They assist e-commerce businesses in liaising with smart acquiring and processing services, managing relationships with international payment schemes, and navigating an abundance of global banking relationships to ensure fast, flexible, and cost-effective cross-border payments.
FYST brings together leading payment and fintech innovators under one brand to help businesses in all sectors navigate the fast-growing cross-border e-commerce market, combining unparalleled technical ingenuity, in-depth tailored advice to help fledgling businesses scale up successfully, and easy access to more than 70 global payment methods.
Ryta Zasiekina
Commenting on her decision Ryta Zasiekina concluded:
“The past 12 months at FYST will certainly remain along the proudest moments of my career. FYST was very successful in helping businesses unlock new opportunities in the fast-evolving e-commerce space. And we have assembled a diverse team of industry innovators and great individuals who understand the importance of payments and who are at the heart of business growth. I’m very grateful to each and everyone of them for helping me along the way.“


Featured image credit: Ryta Zasiekina, CEO FYST
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ryta-zasiekina-sells-fyst-relinquishes-her-ceo-position</link><guid>3300</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Refintiv-KYC-AML-Soultions-for-Fintech-.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Ryta Zasiekina Sells FYST, Relinquishes Her CEO Position</dc:text></item><item><title>Cybersecurity Mastercard-Studie Schweiz: Nicht alle Finanzunternehmen schützen sich ausreichend</title><description><![CDATA[Im Schweizer Finanzsektor variiert der Grad der Cybersicherheit zwischen Unternehmen erheblich. Das ergab die heute veröffentlichte Analyse von Mastercard, die von einer Outside-in Perspektive automatisiert den Sicherheitsgrad von Domains von Schweizer Finanzdienstleistern mithilfe der Mastercard-Lösung RiskRecon analysierte.
Nie war Cybersicherheit wichtiger und wurde breiter diskutiert als heute. Die Digitalisierung aller Branchen – Privatwirtschaft wie staatliche Verwaltungen – schreitet immer schneller voran und macht sie in diesem Bereich angreifbarer und schutzbedürftiger. Die Finanzbranche ist dabei ein besonders attraktives Ziel. So liegt es in ihrem Interesse, auf bestehende und kommende Cyberbedrohungen vorbereitet zu sein. Gleiches gilt für die Schweiz insgesamt als einen der weltweit wichtigsten Finanzplätze.
Ausprägung von Sicherheitsmerkmalen nach Bereich und Finanzsektor
Innerhalb des heute veröffentlichten Whitepapers zur Cybersicherheitslage in der Schweiz zeigt sich jedoch, dass 54 Prozent der untersuchten Unternehmen die höchste Sicherheitsbewertung A (8,5 bis maximal mögliche 10 Punkte) erhielten, 7 Prozent dagegen nur die Bewertung C (5,5 bis 6,9 Punkte) wegen wesentlicher Sicherheitsprobleme. Die Haupterkenntnisse:




   



    
   


   









20 Prozent der analysierten Unternehmen führten auf mindestens einem System ungepatchte Versionen von Anwendungsservern aus, die als grosse oder sogar kritische Schwachstellen eingestuft wurden. Damit bieten sie Bedrohungsakteur:innen einen leicht zugänglichen Einstiegspunkt.
30 Prozent zeigten grosse oder kritische Probleme, die sich auf Schnittstellen des Content-Management-Systems (CMS) zurückführen liessen. Meist waren sie von jedem Gerät aus zugänglich und erforderten nur einen Benutzernamen und ein Passwort zur Authentifizierung ohne weitere Schutzmassnahmen.
46 Prozent der analysierten Finanzdienstleister wiesen zumindest punktuell grosse oder kritische Schwachstellen im Netzwerkfilterbereich auf. Cyberkriminelle können hier durch Methoden wie das Erraten von Anmeldeinformationen, das Abfangen von Kommunikation und das Ausnutzen von Schwachstellen kompromittieren.

Hauptakteure bei Cyberattaken: Finanzhacker:innen, politisch motivierte Cyberkriminelle und Aktivist:innen
Arten von Bedrohungsakteur-innen
Mastercard wertete zusätzlich mit ihrer Cyberquant-Platform 5935 Meldungen zu Cybervorfällen zwischen dem ersten Quartal 2021 und dem zweiten Quartal 2022 aus. Sie zeigten, dass die Cyberangriffe in der Schweiz vor allem auf drei Gruppen zurückgeführt werden können: Finanzhacker:innen (49 Prozent), politisch (staatlich) motivierte Cyberkriminelle (32 Prozent) und Aktivist:innen (12 Prozent). Sie setzen dabei, entsprechend ihrer Motive und Ziele, unterschiedlichste Methoden ein, die in der Studie ausgeführt werden. Am häufigsten waren Ransom- und Malware-Angriffe.
Daniela Massaro
«Die Entwicklung noch stärker hin zum Digitalen hat enorme Vorteile, schafft aber auch eine noch attraktivere Umgebung für Cyberkriminelle»,
sagt Dr. Daniela Massaro, Country Manager Switzerland bei Mastercard.
«Wir bei Mastercard stellen unser Netzwerk entsprechend zukunftssicher auf. Dazu gehört, Cybersicherheit ganzheitlich anzugehen, KI und all unsere Erfahrung dafür zu nutzen. Damit gewährleisten wir den Schutz unserer Kund:innen und das Vertrauen aller Beteiligten im Geschäfts- und Zahlungsprozess.»
Cybersicherheit organisatorisch auf höchster Ebene ansiedeln
Aus der Studie leitet Mastercard mehrere Empfehlungen ab: Unternehmen und Behörden sollten den Bereich Cybersicherheit wegen seiner besonderen Bedeutung organisatorisch auf höchster Ebene ansiedeln und separat budgetieren (bisher durchschnittlich weniger als zehn Prozent des IT-Budgets). Die häufigsten Risiken und Angriffsmethoden sollten gezielt und aktuell in internen Trainings vermittelt und damit verbundene Geschäftsrisiken und Erfolgschancen durchgehend berücksichtigt werden.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/cybersecurity-mastercard-studie-schweiz-nicht-alle-finanzunternehmen-schutzen-sich-ausreichend</link><guid>3297</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Auspragung-von-Sicherheitsmerkmalen-nach-Bereich-und-Finanzsektor-1024x405.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Cybersecurity Mastercard-Studie Schweiz: Nicht alle Finanzunternehmen schützen sich ausreichend</dc:text></item><item><title>Switzerland Sees Blossoming Digital Asset Custody Ecosystem: Study</title><description><![CDATA[Switzerland has established itself as a global leader in the custody of digital assets, a position the country has gained thanks to a conducive regulatory framework that’s encouraging innovation and diversity, a new report by industry trade group Home of Blockchain.swiss says.
The Swiss Digital Asset Custody Report 2023, released in June, provides an overview of the digital asset custody landscape in Switzerland, focusing on the services offered by various providers, their licensing status, and the types of storage they use.
In particular, the report highlights the innovation and diversity of the Swiss digital asset custody ecosystem, which includes various business models and providers ranging from technology companies to universal banks.




   



    
   


   








According to the report, Switzerland is currently home to 57 companies that provide such services. An industry survey which polled 34 of these companies found that 44.1% of the respondents were banks or institutions with an equivalent license. These institutions range from retail and online banks such as Swissquote to private banks such as Maerki Baumann, to universal banks such as Credit Suisse, crypto banks such as Sygnum and regional banks such as Hypothekarbank Lenzburg.
The rest of the providers are typically established cryptocurrency companies, such as Bitcoin Suisse and Crypto Finance. According to the study, crypto-specialized providers often have a larger offering than traditional financial institutions and can support dozens of tokens. In contrast, banking incumbents have a narrower offering, sometimes supporting only bitcoin and ether, the study found. However, several regional banks indicated that they are working on a future digital asset solution.
Another indication of the diversity of the Swiss digital asset custody ecosystem is the client base and business models. 20.6% of the respondents indicated exclusively servicing business-to-consumer (B2C) clients such as wallet providers or private banks, whereas 26.5% service only business-to-business (B2B) clients and 50.0% service both.
The report also notes that Switzerland has become an attractive jurisdiction for foreign companies with many international providers now offering digital asset services in the country. These providers include Spain’s BBVA bank and Fidelity from the US. Dedicated international service providers such as UK’s Copper and Israel’s Fireblocks also have representatives in Switzerland, servicing the growing Swiss market.
A favorable regulatory landscape
The diversity of the Swiss digital custody landscape is the result of the country’s progressive and pioneering regulatory landscape, the report says. In 2018, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) issued its ICO guidelines, clarifying the regulatory framework for initial coin offerings (ICOs) in Switzerland. The guidelines aimed to address the growing interest in ICOs and the associated risks related to investor protection and anti-money laundering.
The FINMA ICO guidelines were followed by the pioneering DLT Act. The legislation, which came into effect on February 01, 2021, provides a clear legal framework for the use and application of blockchain technology and distributed ledger technology (DLT) in various industries. The primary objectives of the DLT Act are to enhance legal certainty, promote innovation, and strengthen investor protection in the blockchain sector.
About eight in ten digital asset custody services providers in Switzerland are licensed in some form, findings of the study show, whether that’s through an asset management license, security firm license, banking license, or through an self-regulatory organization.
Despite the seemingly breadth and depth of the Swiss digital asset custody ecosystem, the report states that some products and services are still lacking. In particular, it notes that most providers currently in operation offer custody services solely for cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin and ether, with only few started offering custody for non-fungible tokens (NFTs). In fact, only 20.6% of the providers polled said they offer custody services for security or asset tokens such as NFTs, a result that’s reflective of the nascent state of these types of digital assets.
The rise of asset tokenization
Asset tokenization, a process that involves converting rights to a real-world asset into a digital token and recording that said asset on a blockchain, is becoming a critical part of the financial market infrastructure.
Financial institutions and central banks from around the world are ramping up asset tokenization efforts to keep up pace with technological advancements and tap into the benefits the technology brings to the table, including improved speed, efficiency and liquidity, as well as enabling asset fractionalization.
In January, Switzerland’s Cite Gestion became the first private bank to issue shares as ledger-based securities under Swiss law. The bank partnered with digital assets firm Taurus to issue its tokenized shares, manage the smart contract that creates the shares, and perform asset servicing of its securities, it said in a press release.
Earlier this year, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) shared how it intended to “future-proof” the domestic payment ecosystem, outlining its ambition to leverage technologies and processes including tokenization and DLT.
SNB governing board member Andréa Maechler said during an event in March that the central bank was conducting a study on how central bank money can be made available in a regulated token environment. The project focuses on examining different models for token settlement, and is being undertaken in collaboration with regulated financial market infrastructures and other market participants.
Boston Consulting Group estimates that asset tokenization and blockchain technology could generate savings of US$20 billion annually in global clearing and settlement and unlock a US$16 trillion market for tokenized illiquid assets by 2030.
Tokenization of global illiquid assets estimated to be a US$16 Trillion business opportunity by 2030, Source: Boston Consulting Group, 2022

Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/switzerland-sees-blossoming-digital-asset-custody-ecosystem-study</link><guid>3298</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Refintiv-KYC-AML-Soultions-for-Fintech-.png?x85777</dc:content ><dc:text>Switzerland Sees Blossoming Digital Asset Custody Ecosystem: Study</dc:text></item><item><title>Philippine Unicorn Gcash Banners Overseas Expansion at London Tech Week</title><description><![CDATA[Philippines’ financial super app, GCash, banners its global expansion at London Tech Week 2023, highlighting its mission of providing Filipinos access to financial services everywhere.
At London Tech Week, PM Sunak hosted industry leaders which included GCash CEO Martha Sazon, GCash CTOO Pebbles Sy, and Makati City Mayor Abby Binay
During the event, GCash CTOO Pebbles Sy, shared with tech leaders the fintech firm’s push for financial inclusion.




   



    
   


   








Pebbles Sy
“GCash’s story is about how we support the Philippines’ journey to become a digital, cashless, and financially inclusive economy,”
Sy said. Sy talked about how the e-wallet is solving the everyday problems of Filipinos, while it seeks to reach the over 10 million Filipinos abroad.
“GCash Overseas, allows Filipinos to use their international SIMs to use GCash. We launched it in six countries, the UK included, where there are 200,000 Filipinos,”
she noted.
“We also introduced Global Pay, our cross-border payment experience, so that OFWs and overseas travelers in 9 countries including Japan, France, and the UK can pay seamlessly via QR with real-time forex charging.”
GCash Overseas allows Filipinos abroad to send money to their loved ones, pay bills, and buy load credits wherever they are.
GCash president and CEO Martha Sazon and key executives were also in the UK for the event. The GCash delegation attended receptions led by the The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP at 10 Downing St., as well as events hosted by Rt. Hon. Kemi Badenoch MP, the Secretary of State for the Department for Business and Trade, and His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific, Natalie Black. Cybersecurity was also a top agenda with talks on latest technologies to combat financial crimes led by UK Cybersecurity Ambassador Juliette Wilcox CMG.
As the leading financial super app in PH, GCash allows Filipinos gain access to financial services – increasing the country’s banked population to 56%.
It has disbursed P74B loans to 2.8 million Filipinos as of Q1 2023. Two out of every three borrowers are women, located outside Metro Manila and are part of lower socio-economic classes. Likewise, one in four banked Filipinos own a bank account through GCash’s savings feature, GSave while three out of four unit investment trust funds (UITF) are conducted through GCash.
GCash is the Philippines’ only double unicorn – a valuation of over USD$2 billion.

Featured image credit: GCash CTOO Pebbles Sy, edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/philippine-unicorn-gcash-banners-overseas-expansion-at-london-tech-week</link><guid>3296</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Refintiv-KYC-AML-Soultions-for-Fintech-.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Philippine Unicorn Gcash Banners Overseas Expansion at London Tech Week</dc:text></item><item><title>Banks, Central Banks Ramp up Asset Tokenization Efforts</title><description><![CDATA[[unable to retrieve full-text content]]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/banks-central-banks-ramp-up-asset-tokenization-efforts</link><guid>3294</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Banks, Central Banks Ramp up Asset Tokenization Efforts</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Accelerator Innosuisse Calls For Projects Submissions</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss SMEs and start-ups that are established on the market and demonstrate above-average innovation potential can apply for direct financial support for innovation projects within the Swiss Accelerator programme. The novel products and services should be able to be implemented quickly and effectively and be scalable.
After the launch of the Swiss Accelerator in 2022, Innosuisse issues the second call for projects in 2023.
Dates and deadline:




   



    
   


   








28 August 2023 – Opening of the Innolink platform for the submission of the short application. Submissions by e-mail will not be considered
09 October 2023| 12:00 CEST (at noon) – Deadline for submission of the short application
The Swiss Accelerator remains a transitional measure for Horizon Europe in 2023, as decided by the Federal Council on 24 May 2023. Because Switzerland is considered a non-associated third country under the European Union’s framework programme, the Swiss government has commissioned Innosuisse to implement this transitional measure. It is financed by the Confederation.
The funding from Innosuisse is a maximum of 70 percent of project costs. The company bears 30 percent of the costs itself. Per application, Innosuisse funding amounts to a maximum of 2.5 million Swiss francs. SMEs and start-ups undergo a three-stage application process.
Requirements and evaluation criteria in detail
IMPORTANT: Start-ups that have not yet entered the market are not allowed to submit applications for Swiss Accelerator projects.
Is your start-up not yet present on the market with products or services?
Then the start-up innovation projects might be of interest to you. It is not possible to submit simultaneous applications to the Swiss Accelerator and for start-up innovation projects due to the defined criteria.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-accelerator-innosuisse-calls-for-projects-submissions</link><guid>3293</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Refintiv-KYC-AML-Soultions-for-Fintech-.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Accelerator Innosuisse Calls For Projects Submissions</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss SME Accelerator: Innosuisse Calls For Projects Submissions</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss SMEs and start-ups that are established on the market and demonstrate above-average innovation potential can apply for direct financial support for innovation projects within the Swiss Accelerator programme. The novel products and services should be able to be implemented quickly and effectively and be scalable.
After the launch of the Swiss Accelerator in 2022, Innosuisse issues the second call for projects in 2023.
Dates and deadline:




   



    
   


   








28 August 2023 – Opening of the Innolink platform for the submission of the short application. Submissions by e-mail will not be considered
09 October 2023| 12:00 CEST (at noon) – Deadline for submission of the short application
The Swiss Accelerator remains a transitional measure for Horizon Europe in 2023, as decided by the Federal Council on 24 May 2023. Because Switzerland is considered a non-associated third country under the European Union’s framework programme, the Swiss government has commissioned Innosuisse to implement this transitional measure. It is financed by the Confederation.
The funding from Innosuisse is a maximum of 70 percent of project costs. The company bears 30 percent of the costs itself. Per application, Innosuisse funding amounts to a maximum of 2.5 million Swiss francs. SMEs and start-ups undergo a three-stage application process.
Requirements and evaluation criteria in detail
IMPORTANT: Start-ups that have not yet entered the market are not allowed to submit applications for Swiss Accelerator projects.
Is your start-up not yet present on the market with products or services?
Then the start-up innovation projects might be of interest to you. It is not possible to submit simultaneous applications to the Swiss Accelerator and for start-up innovation projects due to the defined criteria.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-sme-accelerator-innosuisse-calls-for-projects-submissions</link><guid>3295</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Refintiv-KYC-AML-Soultions-for-Fintech-.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss SME Accelerator: Innosuisse Calls For Projects Submissions</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Funding Pulls Back 45% YoY</title><description><![CDATA[Venture capital (VC) financing going into Swiss fintech startups pulled back significantly in H1 2023, plummeting by more than 45% year-on-year (YoY) as the global economic downturn continued to weigh on startup valuations and the VC funding landscape as a whole, new data released by online news portal Startupticker.ch and the investor association SECA, in cooperation with startup.ch, show.
The Swiss Venture Capital Report 2023 Update, published on July 13, 2023, shares key VC funding metrics for H1 2023, showcasing a grim fundraising landscape for Swiss startups during the first half of the year.
According to the report, Swiss fintech companies raised a mere CHF 191 million in H1 2023, nearly half of the sum secured in H1 2022 (CHF 349 million). Other startup categories also witnessed a significant drop in VC funding, with information and communications technology (ICT) and healthcare IT dropping by a staggering 80%+ YoY each.




   



    
   


   








Funding and round number by sector, Source: Swiss Venture Capital Report 2023 Update, Startupticker.ch, SECA and Startup.ch, July 2023
A survey of about 100 Swiss investors conducted by SECA as part of the report shows that the environment will likely remain challenging for Swiss startups for the rest of the year. A third of respondents said they will make fewer new investments in the next year, and instead focus more on follow-up financing.
When asked about the factors they now think are more important than 12 months ago, 70% of investors said they now pay more attention to valuation when making a new investment and 72% said they weigh capital efficiency more heavily today.
This suggests that startups wanting to receive investment now have to prove that they can efficiently achieve business milestones with the capital invested, and that they will likely have to accept compromises in their valuation.
Importance of investor factors, Source: Swiss Venture Capital Report 2023 Update, Startupticker.ch, SECA and Startup.ch, July 2023
Swiss investors expect valuations to continue to decline over the next 12 months. In the H1 2022 report, 44% of respondents said they expected valuations to decline over the following 12-month period, compared with 61% in this year’s questionnaire.
Respondents project the sharpest decline in financing volume and valuations in later stage and growth rounds, or Series B and later, but expect some improvement for seed investments.
When asked about the challenges in the year to come, Swiss investors highlighted two main points: realizing exits at attractive valuations and refinancing the startups that completed rounds with very high valuations in 2021 and 2022.
Despite the challenging environment, Swiss investors remain optimistic on the growth prospect of the ecosystem, with survey results revealing that Swiss VCs are still busy fundraising. About a fifth of all respondents – the same number as in 2022 – indicated being involved in fundraising, with those that are planning fundraising and those actively investing reaching 36% this year versus 39% in the previous year.
In H1 2023, Swiss VC financing totaled CHF 1.2 billion, representing a 54% decrease compared with the same period last year. The number of completed financing rounds also fell, reaching 154 in H1 2023 compared with 163 in H1 2022.
Financing rounds were smaller in size with the median sum falling from CHF 3 million in H1 2022 to CHF 2.48 million in H1 2023.
Investments in Swiss startups in H1 2023, Source: Swiss Venture Capital Report 2023 Update, Startupticker.ch, SECA and Startup.ch, July 2023
Plummeting fintech funding activity in Switzerland is consistent with what has been observed globally. According to an analysis by S&amp;P Global Market Intelligence, VC funding of fintech startups globally plunged by 49% YoY in the first half of 2023, reaching US$23 billion. Deal count totaled 1,178, representing a 64% drop from H1 2022.
Global fintech funding by quarter, Source: S&amp;P Global Market Intelligence 2023, July 2023
2022 and 2023 have been challenging years for startup fundraising. VC investors pumped the brakes on aggressive funding, spooked by an uncertain economic picture, plunging tech industry stock prices and growing recession fears. At the same time, a series of high-profile collapses shook the landscape, dampening investor risk appetite.
Silicon Valley Bank, once the most prominent bank for startups and VC firms, failed after a bank run in March 2023, marking the second-largest collapse of a financial institution in US history. The failure is said to have had some impact on startup funding by putting a momentary pause on large funding announcements, Crunchbase reported in the days that followed the event.
In late-2022, FTX, a cryptocurrency exchange once worth US$32 billion, filed for bankruptcy protection in the US. An investigation uncovered instances of commingling and misuse of customer deposits, with approximately US$8.7 billion being owed to its customers.

Featured image credit: edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-funding-pulls-back-45-yoy</link><guid>3292</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Refintiv-KYC-AML-Soultions-for-Fintech-.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Funding Pulls Back 45% YoY</dc:text></item><item><title>Bunq Secures €100M in Growth Capital Despite Market Downturn</title><description><![CDATA[Bunq, the second largest neobank in the EU, secures an additional €44.5M in growth capital, bringing the total capital injected into bunq this year to nearly €100M. This fresh capital allows the mobile bank to further accelerate its international expansion and continue its rapid growth. Current investors Ali Niknam, Pollen Street Capital and Raymond Kasiman joined the round and committed to an investment valuation of €1.65 billion, despite this year’s market downturn.
The funding round follows a record year for bunq. The challenger recently hit 9 million users across Europe and doubled its user deposits in just four months, with deposits surpassing €4.5 billion. In 2021 bunq raised €193M, the largest series-A ever raised by a European fintech, valuing bunq at €1.65 billion.
Ali Niknam
“It’s been a truly magical year for bunq: we’re rapidly expanding and have seen massive deposit growth. With more and more people entrusting their money to us, we’re convinced that we should double down on our momentum and cement the way forward for future growth.”
Ali Niknam, founder and CEO of bunq




   



    
   


   








bunq booked its first net profit in the last quarter of 2022 and expects to have its first full year of profit in 2023.

Featured image credit: Ali Niknam, founder and CEO of bunq
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bunq-secures-100m-in-growth-capital-despite-market-downturn</link><guid>3291</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Refintiv-KYC-AML-Soultions-for-Fintech-.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Bunq Secures €100M in Growth Capital Despite Market Downturn</dc:text></item><item><title>Vontobel Deepens Microsoft Partnership to Deploy AI for Productivity</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss private banking and investment management group Vontobel announced that it is deepening its partnership with Microsoft to support its employees in their daily work through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
Through this partnership, Vontobel will be deploying the Azure Open AI Service at enterprise level in accordance with the applicable regulations.
Expected to be deployed at Vontobel from fall 2023, the solution is expected to boost productivity in various business areas, such as programming, and to support the manual evaluation of free text or the analysis of data.




   



    
   


   








Vontobel said that it will carry out evaluations to determine other areas where Azure Open AI Service could be used to support the work of employees.
François Rüf
“We see the enormous potential of this ground-breaking technology and are excited and convinced of the opportunities it offers. Our focus is on increasing productivity, and we also plan to develop examples of how it can be applied to further enhance the hybrid client experience.

The collaboration with Microsoft will allow us to further expand our leading position in the field of AI and will position Vontobel as an employer of choice for top talent,”
said François Rüf, Head Digital Investing, Vontobel.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/vontobel-deepens-microsoft-partnership-to-deploy-ai-for-productivity</link><guid>3290</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Refintiv-KYC-AML-Soultions-for-Fintech-.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Vontobel Deepens Microsoft Partnership to Deploy AI for Productivity</dc:text></item><item><title>How to Do Crowdfunding in Switzerland?</title><description><![CDATA[Raising capital for projects and companies via crowdfunding platforms is popular, especially for startups. In 2022, over CHF 650 million was raised via crowdfunding platforms in Switzerland.
Unlike the European Union (see Regulation (EU) 2020/1503 of 7 October 2020), Switzerland has no specific regulation for crowdfunding service providers. Rather, the general Swiss regulatory framework applies. This article is intended to help in navigating the applicable regulatory framework in Switzerland.
image via freepik
What is crowdfunding?
Crowdfunding is an overarching term for various alternative financing methods. These methods have in common that a large number of contributors finance a specific project advertised on a platform. Crowdfunding is inter alia a way to provide capital to SMEs for which i) the capital market is too expensive, and ii) cannot rely on bank loans (e.g. because they do not have access to sufficient collateral).




   



    
   


   








What types of crowdfunding operations exist in Switzerland?
The terminology for the individual types of crowdfunding is inconsistent. Generally, four types of crowdfunding may be differentiated:

Crowddonating: In donation-based crowdfunding, there is no reward for the contributors as the funds are used as a donation.
Crowdsupporting: In reward-based crowdfunding, contributors give money and receive a (generally minor) non-financial reward in return (e.g. the financed product).
Crowdlending: In crowdlending models, investors provide debt capital. Accordingly, investors grant a loan and receive interest payments on it.

Crowdinvesting: In equity-based crowdfunding, investors provide equity capital. As such, investors finance companies and receive shares in the company or participate in the company’s profits in some other way.
What does the Swiss crowdfunding market look like?
Generally, the Swiss crowdfunding market shows relatively stable overall growth over the past years. In 2022, CHF 662.2 million was raised by crowdfunding (which marks the first decrease in 10 years, when compared to the CHF 791.8 million raised in 2021).
Based on a study by the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU), which relies on information of the crowdfunding operators, there were 35 crowdfunding platforms operating in Switzerland in 2022. In general, a lot of fluctuation in terms of market entries and exits exists.
In terms of financing volume, crowdlending far exceeds the other types of crowdfunding and, therefore, seems to be the most popular type of crowdfunding in Switzerland.
Is a license required to operate a crowdfunding platform in Switzerland?
Whether a crowdfunding platform needs to be licenced by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) or not, largely depends on its business model. As crowdfunding business models vary, it needs to be assessed on a case-by-case basis, if a license needs to be obtained. Generally speaking, a crowdfunding operator in Switzerland may need i) a banking licence, ii) a FinTech license, or iii) no license at all.
A banking license pursuant to the Swiss Banking Act (BankA) is required if the crowdfunding operator accepts deposits from the public (Publikumseinlagen) and pools such funds by way of its own accounts (i.e. the collected funds are kept in accounts of the crowdfunding operator from where they are distributed to the project developers). In other words, if the platform passes on the funds to the project developers or transfers them back to the investors in the event the financing fails, it needs a licence. In terms of compliance, this is the most burdensome outcome, as the crowdfunding operator would have to comply with certain (extensive) organisational, risk management and compliance standards and would be subject to supervision by FINMA.
The FinTech-license (also known as banking license “light”) allows crowdfunding operators to hold public deposits on the platform’s account for more than 60 days – even without a “full” banking licence – provided that this money (or crypto-based assets) does not exceed CHF 100 million. The advantage over the “full” banking license mainly lies in i) the application of less strict accounting and auditing standards, ii) the non-application of the provisions on deposit insurance, and iii) lower capital requirements.
Crowdfunding operators that do not accept deposits from the public and do not pool the funds through their accounts (i.e. do not use own accounts to keep the collected funds until they are transferred to the project developers) are generally not subject to a license requirement. Simply put, if the platform only brokers investors and project developers without being involved in the payment process, no FINMA-license is required. Such business models generally operate by channelling funds through a third party (e.g. an escrow agent), who is independent from the project developers, platform operators or investors. In practice, crowdfunding operators often use third-party payment providers to transfer the funds to a bank, which will hold the funds in an escrow account.
To ensure that no unauthorized banking activity is carried out, it is common practice that a crowdfunding operator requests a “negative ruling” (Bestätigung der Nichtunterstellung) from FINMA. In such ruling, FINMA confirms that – based on the business model and activities described in the request – no license requirements are triggered. The assessment of the activities of the crowdfunding platform by FINMA generally incurs a fee but provides legal certainty.
Other Swiss law considerations for a crowdfunding operator
Irrespective of a FINMA-license requirement, a crowdfunding operator must comply with the general Swiss financial market regulation (if applicable in the particular case).
If the crowdfunding platform’s activities qualify as “financial services”, the Financial Services Act (FinSA) applies. Such qualification needs to be assessed on a case-by-case basis. A platform provides a financial service, inter alia, when it accepts or transmits orders relating to financial instruments or when it makes personal recommendations relating to transactions in financial instruments. For example, if a crowdinvesting platform accepts and transmits orders of investors for shares or other securities of project developers, it provides a financial service. Equally, if a crowdfunding operator makes personal recommendations to investors regarding crowdfunding projects, based on which an investor may acquire shares or other securities, it provides a financial service.
The applicability of the FinSA triggers a number of regulatory obligations. The crowdfunding operator needs to segment its clients (this classification determines the level of applicable client protection). It further needs to comply with a number of rules of conduct (e.g. information and due diligence requirements as well as documentation and reporting duties) and organisational measures (including measures to avoid conflicts of interest). Further, the crowdfunding operator may have to register its client advisers with a client adviser registry and affiliate with an ombudsman.
In addition, the crowdfunding operator must publish a prospectus in accordance with FinSA, if it offers securities (such as shares or bonds) to the public. This is particularly relevant for crowdinvesting or crowdlending activities, where i) investors may acquire shares or bonds in return for their contribution, and ii) the offer is not directed at limited number of persons. Crowdfunding operators that offer securities to the public may need to consider the prospectus exemptions for their business model. For example, if the offer is made to professional customers exclusively, is addressed at fewer than 500 investors or does not exceed a total value of CHF 8 million over a 12-month period (de-minimis rule), no prospectus has to be published.
Must a crowdfunding operator register with a client adviser registry?
Crowdfunding platforms that provide a financial service pursuant to FinSA need to consider the duty to register their client advisers with a client adviser registry. Client advisers are natural persons acting on behalf of a financial service provider (see above). Client advisers of foreign crowdfunding platforms as well as non-supervised Swiss crowdfunding platforms may carry out their activities in Switzerland only if they are registered in a register of advisers. An exception from the registration requirement may apply if the foreign crowdfunding operator is subject to prudential supervision and limits its financial services to professional or institutional clients
Crowdfunding operators generally provide their financial services through the platform itself, rather than via direct involvement of natural persons. As a result, there is some uncertainty as to how crowdfunding operators are meant to comply with the registration obligation. The general approach of the client advisor registries follows the same logic as in the case of financial services being provided by software-based applications such as robo-advisors or neo-brokers. Instead of the natural person, a substitute is to be registered for the platform. Generally, such substitutes are i) the person(s) primarily and technically responsible for the provision of the financial service, or if i) does not exist, ii) the member of the executive board responsible for the financial service to be provided.
Must a crowdfunding operator affiliate with an ombudsman?
If the FinSA applies to a crowdfunding operator, also the obligation to affiliate with an ombudsman must be considered. The crowdfunding operator must affiliate with an ombudsman if it provides financial services not exclusively to institutional or professional clients. Crowdfunding operators may limit their services accordingly.
Do the Swiss anti-money laundering laws apply on crowdfunding?
Under the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA), financial intermediaries need to comply with certain due diligence obligations (e.g. reporting and KYC obligations). Financial intermediaries that are not supervised under special legislation (e.g. Swiss Banking Act, Swiss Insurance Act, Swiss Financial Institutions Act) must affiliate with a self-regulatory organisation (SRO) recognised by FINMA. Such financial intermediaries are persons who, on a professional basis, accept or hold assets belonging to others or assist in the investment or transfer of such assets. In particular, the considerations are as follows:

If a crowdfunding operator requires a banking license (light), it qualifies as a financial intermediary and therefore falls under the AMLA. However, it would not be obliged to affiliate with an SRO as it is supervised by FINMA.
If a crowdfunding operator uses its own bank accounts to collect and transfer the money but does not require any banking license (because it does not meet the conditions), it is also subject to the AMLA: Persons who provide services for payment transactions qualify as financial intermediaries for the purposes of AMLA and need to affiliate with an SRO.
If a crowdfunding operator does not channel funds through its accounts and does not require a banking license (light), the application of the AMLA needs to be assessed based on the structuring of the specific business model.

Do the Swiss consumer laws apply to crowdfunding?
The Swiss Consumer Credit Act (CCA) covers crowdfunding operators as “crowd loan intermediaries” (Schwarmkredit-Vermittlerin). A crowd loan intermediary is a person that organises coordinated consumer credits for individual consumers on a commercial basis, in which several non-professional lenders (the crowd) can participate. Loan agreements or similar financing arrangements for natural persons used for non-business purposes are considered consumer credit agreements.
The applicability of the CCA depends on the type of crowdfunding and the business model of the operator. Generally, the CCA does not apply to crowddonating or crowdsupporting (no loans or other similar financing arrangements are granted). Similarly, the CCA will often not apply to crowdinvesting or crowdlending activities, as the project developers will often i) not be natural persons, and ii) not use the funds for non-business purposes. Such project developers do therefore not qualify as consumers under the CCA. However, if funds are provided to consumers via the platform and the crowdfunding-operator (or the investors) act professionally, the CCA will generally apply. It needs to be noted that the CCA contains a number of exceptions (e.g. credit agreements of less than CHF 500.– or more than CHF 80,000.– are not covered).
The applicability of the CCA triggers a number of obligations for the crowdfunding operator. For example, an authorisation by the competent cantonal authority needs to be obtained, the consumer credit agreements (via the platform) need to be concluded i) in written form, and ii) contain the prescribed content pursuant to the CCA, and certain limitations on the interest rates apply. It also needs to be noted that the consumer (i.e. the project developer) has a statutory right of withdrawal of 14 days upon receipt of its original counterpart of the contract.
Conclusion
Overall, it can be said that crowdfunding operators accepting funds are well advised to evaluate which license they require (if any), before starting their business activity in Switzerland. While the license requirement largely depends on the crowdfunding operator’s business, a number of requirements under the FinSA, AMLA and – in some cases – the CCA may need to be complied with, even if no license is required. Non-compliance with these requirements can lead to administrative fines or civil liability.

Authored by Loyens&amp;Loeff: Judith Raijmakers (Partner), Florian Willi and Flurin Oehen (Associates)

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/how-to-do-crowdfunding-in-switzerland</link><guid>3288</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/crowdfunding-Switzerland-1024x683.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>How to Do Crowdfunding in Switzerland?</dc:text></item><item><title>Klarpay’s CEO Emphasizes On Developing a Digital-First Approach to Banking</title><description><![CDATA[We sat down with Martynas Bieliauskas, CEO of Swiss-licensed fintech Klarpay AG, to discuss the company’s approach to servicing global digital businesses with scalable cross-border payment solutions.
A digital-first approach is of utmost importance in today’s banking landscape. With the increasing demand for digital services and the need to stay competitive, financial institutions must prioritise digital transformation and interconnectivity. It enables financial institutions to offer online onboarding, real-time services, reduce costs, and attract tech-savvy customers, all while meeting the expectations of a digitally connected world.
Martynas Bieliauskas, CEO of Swiss-licensed fintech Klarpay AG
In your opinion, why is it important for banks to develop a digital-first approach in today’s industry?
Having a background in digital entrepreneurship, I must emphasise that one of the major hurdles confronted by digital businesses such as marketplaces, fintechs, PSPs and online merchants revolves around obtaining streamlined transactional banking services. The issue lies in the fact that many financial institutions don’t apply a digital-first approach and lack the modern technical infrastructure and interfaces demanded by modern tech-savvy clients.
At Klarpay, we understand the importance of a digital-first approach, and it begins with facilitating cross-border payments for digital businesses efficiently. We help digital businesses scale globally with Swiss corporate accounts, multi-currency IBANs in 16+ currencies, settlements in 80+ currencies, API automation, mass payouts and corporate Visa cards. Our user-friendly online platform allows for effortless management and control, enabling our clients to streamline their financial operations from the comfort of their own workspace.
What are some of the benefits that a digital-first approach brings to banking?
A digital-first approach offers online onboarding that reduces the need for a physical presence and manual processes, making it more convenient for clients to open accounts and access transactional banking services. It is also cost-effective for both clients and financial institutions as well as streamlines operations, automates tasks, and improves overall efficiency.
While focusing on enhancing user experience, how can banks strike the right balance between security and customer experience?
Security and privacy are essential for building trust; therefore, while technology is at the forefront, there are always real people behind ready to serve. Financial institutions must also educate customers about security risks and how to protect themselves. At the same time, leveraging technologies such as biometric authentication and fraud detection tools can help provide a secure environment while maintaining a good user experience.
Looking towards the future, how can AI transform transaction monitoring and prevent financial fraud?
Without a doubt, AI and automation will play significant roles in the future of banking and finance.
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) is increasingly being adopted by financial institutions to enhance their ability to monitor and prevent fraud, as they have the potential to streamline processes, improve operational efficiency, and ultimately enhance customer experiences.
Traditionally, banks relied on rule-based systems to flag potentially suspicious transactions. However, these static rules had limitations and often resulted in false positives, causing inconvenience for customers. Advanced AI systems now analyse multiple variables simultaneously and detect patterns of suspicious behaviour based on a series of indicators. This approach allows for a more novel and efficient way to identify fraud.
Despite the advantages of AI in AML, there are challenges to its adoption, including concerns about regulators’ responses and the need to explain the decision-making process of AI systems. However, companies can start with basic AI implementations and gradually introduce more rules. Regulators are also becoming more familiar with AI systems, which is expected to drive further adoption.
In an ever-evolving payments landscape, how significant is it to embrace agility and flexibility in your technology infrastructure?
Technology is driving what we do in business. Technology is digital, data, its user experience, how we onboard clients, and how we serve our clients. Our mission is to make B2B transactional banking and payment solutions accessible to global digital businesses of all kinds by embracing a digital-first approach to banking and providing scalable solutions. By offering online onboarding, cost-effective solutions, streamlined operations, and an expanded customer reach, we are attending to our client’s payment needs. As fintech, neobanks, and financial institutions continue to shape the banking landscape, a collaboration between traditional banks and emerging players will be crucial to meet evolving customer expectations.
Klarpay has a prime opportunity to make a significant impact in improving banking, payment, and disbursement solutions for digital businesses.

Featured image credit: Martynas Bieliauskas, CEO of Swiss-licensed fintech Klarpay AG
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/klarpays-ceo-emphasizes-on-developing-a-digital-first-approach-to-banking</link><guid>3289</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Martynas-Bieliauskas-CEO-of-Swiss-licensed-fintech-Klarpay-AG-1024x567.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Klarpay’s CEO Emphasizes On Developing a Digital-First Approach to Banking</dc:text></item><item><title>TP24 Raises CHF 380M Debt Funding From Barclays and M&amp;G Investments</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss Fintech TP24, (former Tradeplus24) has raised £345m (CHF 380m CHF) in debt funding from UK parties Barclays Bank and M&amp;G Investments. The amount of £240m will be used for lending to SMEs in the UK and the Netherlands. Barclays is providing up to £200m in warehouse financing, while M&amp;G is providing up to £40m in mezzanine funding.
TP24 provides SMEs with flexible revolving business credit based on their outstanding invoices, without taking over the debtor base. In addition to the amount of £200m for the UK and the Netherlands, an amount of up to £105 million has also been made available by Barclays for lending by TP24 in Australia.
Gordon Beck
Gordon Beck, European Head of Corporate &amp; Sustainable Securitisation at Barclays, said:




   



    
   


   








“Barclays is pleased to support TP24 on its mission to provide innovative lending solutions to SMEs across the UK, the Netherlands and Australia. Progressive SME lending is critical to the health and success of many businesses, and TP24’s solutions are tailored, affordable, and convenient. Barclays is proud to be partnering with TP24 as it leads this innovation on a global stage.”
TP24 was launched in Switzerland in 2018 and in recent years opened branches in Australia (2019), the UK (2021) and the Netherlands (2022).
Unique proposition
UK SMEs looking for financing for further growth can turn to TP24 for flexible revolving loans from £250,000 to £5,000,000. The prerequisite is that they are based in the UK, have been operational for at least three years, and have a debtor base of more than £350,000. Unlike factoring, TP24 does not take over outstanding invoices.


Featured image credit: TP24 Team
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/tp24-raises-chf-380m-debt-funding-from-barclays-and-mg-investments</link><guid>3287</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Refintiv-KYC-AML-Soultions-for-Fintech-.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>TP24 Raises CHF 380M Debt Funding From Barclays and M&amp;G Investments</dc:text></item><item><title>Neon Invests Starts</title><description><![CDATA[The admission of Hypothekarbank Lenzburg as a new trading participant on the Swiss stock exchange BX Swiss enables the launch of “neon invest”, the new investment solution of the Virtual Banking app neon. The offering makes a significant contribution to enabling investors to invest in a simple and self-determined way.
HBL has been working with the Zurich-based FinTech company neon for many years and offers its more than 160.000 neon clients a simple, user-friendly and secure account solution via app. With the integration of HBL as a trading participant of BX Swiss neon is able to expand their products and to offer trading to neon app users. With “neon invest”, neon clients will have access to a wide range of Swiss and international equities and ETFs, which they can trade easily and cost-effectively via BX Swiss.

Lucas Bruggeman
“We are pleased to welcome HBL as a new trading partner and, through our partnership with HBL and neon, to make a significant contribution to promoting self-directed investing for private investors. As a full regulated and established Swiss stock exchange, one of our main objective is to provide private investors with trusted and secure access to a broadly diversified portfolio of financial products and to support them in building their knowledge”
Says Lucas Bruggeman, CEO of BX Swiss AG.




   



    
   


   









“With neon invest, we are expanding an established partnership with a new, strong partner. Together, we are creating a new, cost-effective Swiss offering for the benefit of our clients in a currently highly concentrated market. We will take advantage of this strong cooperation and will quickly expand the current offering with additional titles and features in the coming months.”
Says Timo Hegnauer, Head of Investment at neon.
The Investment Universe starts with 224 Swiss and International Stocks and 65 ETFs.  Trading-Fees are 0.5% on Swiss stocks and ETFs, and 1% on international stocks. Cost effective and diversified World ETFs are part of this offer, for example ETFs on FTSE all or MSCI World from Vanguard, Deutsche Bank or IShares with TERs between 0.19 and 0.22% only.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik.


]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/neon-invests-starts</link><guid>3284</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Refintiv-KYC-AML-Soultions-for-Fintech-.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Neon Invests Starts</dc:text></item><item><title>Neon Starts With Investment App</title><description><![CDATA[The admission of Hypothekarbank Lenzburg as a new trading participant on the Swiss stock exchange BX Swiss enables the launch of “neon invest”, the new investment solution of the Virtual Banking app neon. The offering makes a significant contribution to enabling investors to invest in a simple and self-determined way.
HBL has been working with the Zurich-based FinTech company neon for many years and offers its more than 160.000 neon clients a simple, user-friendly and secure account solution via app. With the integration of HBL as a trading participant of BX Swiss neon is able to expand their products and to offer trading to neon app users. With “neon invest”, neon clients will have access to a wide range of Swiss and international equities and ETFs, which they can trade easily and cost-effectively via BX Swiss.

Lucas Bruggeman
“We are pleased to welcome HBL as a new trading partner and, through our partnership with HBL and neon, to make a significant contribution to promoting self-directed investing for private investors. As a full regulated and established Swiss stock exchange, one of our main objective is to provide private investors with trusted and secure access to a broadly diversified portfolio of financial products and to support them in building their knowledge”
Says Lucas Bruggeman, CEO of BX Swiss AG.




   



    
   


   










Timo Hegnauer
“With neon invest, we are expanding an established partnership with a new, strong partner. Together, we are creating a new, cost-effective Swiss offering for the benefit of our clients in a currently highly concentrated market. We will take advantage of this strong cooperation and will quickly expand the current offering with additional titles and features in the coming months.”
Says Timo Hegnauer, Head of Investment at neon.
The Investment Universe starts with 224 Swiss and International Stocks and 65 ETFs.  Trading-Fees are 0.5% on Swiss stocks and ETFs, and 1% on international stocks. Cost effective and diversified World ETFs are part of this offer, for example ETFs on FTSE all or MSCI World from Vanguard, Deutsche Bank or IShares with TERs between 0.19 and 0.22% only.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik.


]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/neon-starts-with-investment-app</link><guid>3285</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Refintiv-KYC-AML-Soultions-for-Fintech-.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Neon Starts With Investment App</dc:text></item><item><title>AI Neobanks McKinsey Study: Long-Term Success of Virtual Banks Hinges on Ability to Leverage AI, Data Analytics</title><description><![CDATA[Neobanks are proliferating around the world on the back of strong trends including technological advancements, regulatory changes and evolving customer expectations. And yet, despite the favorable market conditions, many are still struggling to turn a profit. For neobanks to be successful in the long run, these companies will need to embrace an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered banking model, a report by global consulting firm McKinsey and Company says.
Titled “Building a Winning AI Neobank”, the report discusses the rise of neobanks and explores how launching a successful neobank in today’s uncertain environment requires firms to target specific characteristics and capabilities in their strategy and execution plans, suggesting that incorporating AI technology can increase the odds of success.
Around 400 licensed neobanks have been launched over the last decade, encompassing digital-only banks, virtual banks, and challenger banks, the report says. These companies are resetting the paradigm for the traditional banking industry in terms of customer experience, product innovation, and pricing.




   



    
   


   








But when it comes to financial performance, however, only a handful of these players have actually found success and reached profitability. A 2022 report by consulting firm Simon-Kucher suggests that only a mere 5% of the world’s 400 digital banks are profitable. The firm estimates that most digital banks in the world earn less than US$30 in revenue per customer per year and that cash burn rates remain stellar high for many of them, with annual losses exceeding US$100 million in some cases.
AI-powered digital banking
Against this backdrop, McKinsey argues that AI capabilities and data analytics can help neobanks deepen customer relationships This is made possible by enabling intelligent value propositions that solve unmet needs, hyper-personalized services and enhanced cross-selling. AI can also help neobanks improve financial performance and increase efficiencies by maximizing customer lifetime value, lowering the cost to serve through automation, and adopting superior data-driven risk management practices, the report says.
The report outlines a framework of winning characteristics and capabilities that new entrants should incorporate in their strategy and execution to become a future-ready neobank. These characteristics are:

Launching products at high velocity: Winning neobanks are rapidly launching and adapting new products to meet evolving customer needs. Neobanks with an AI-first mindset accomplish this in months or even weeks, rather than years. They invest significantly in gathering and analyzing customer data, employ full-stack teams, and maintain flexible tech platforms that enable the easy creation of new products. Revolut, for example, started with two products in 2015 but expanded to 20 products and services by 2020, launching a new product every quarter, according to fintech research firm WhiteSight.
A focus on customer engagement: Successful neobanks prioritize customer engagement as a precursor to monetarization. They offer more than just transactional experiences or bundled core products, extending their services to include complementary offerings that provide utility, information, and entertainment. Swedish buy now, pay later (BNPL) leader Klarna, for example, uses a machine learning (ML)-based recommendation system to determine consumer purchase patterns, and offer appropriate shopping recommendations and financing offers.
Hyper-personalizing experiences and propositions: Successful neobanks excel in hyper-personalizing customer experiences and propositions through the use of ML and by leveraging customer context, historical behavior and movement patterns. Some also automate mundane tasks based on customer preferences. In the UK, digital bank Monzo offers automatic savings features that round up transactions and transfer the excess money to a separate account.
Adopt conversational design: AI-focused neobanks leverage conversational design, such as chatbots, voice assistants, and live video consultations, to enhance customer communication, replacing traditional forms and questionnaires with interactive conversations. In China, WeBank says it addresses 98% of customer queries through AI chatbots, allowing it to efficiently scale while serving millions of customers. This characteristic drives cost-efficiency. Juniper Research estimates that chatbots could help the global banking sector save up to US$7.3 billion in operational costs by 2023, equivalent to roughly 862 million hours of time saved.
Integration of open banking features: Successful neobanks gain a competitive edge by integrating open banking features. These companies prioritize an open-first approach from the start, investing in API-first architecture and experiences to tap into the wider open banking ecosystem and provide superior products and services. In the US, Chime utilizes open banking features through its partner Plaid, enabling customers to link all their bank accounts within the Chime app and get a comprehensive view of their finances. This helps Chime increase user engagement and app usage.
Leveraging partner ecosystems to scale: Winning neobanks embed their services within social media platforms, digital commerce, healthcare and lifestyle brands, providing customers with easy access to banking services whenever they engage with these partners. By doing so, neobanks increase their discoverability, accelerate growth, and are able to leverage partner data to offer contextually relevant offers to customers in real time. In South Korea, KakaoBank utilizes the scale and popularity of Kakao’s various ecosystems and digital platforms to successfully serve its 18 million customers.
Using customer-lifetime-value (LTV) to guide actions: Successful neobanks analyze customer-centric metrics like LTV, customer acquisition costs (CAC), and return on investment to guide their actions and create value. They go beyond traditional balance sheet metrics, analyzing granular data to tailor their strategies and operations. Block Finance’s mobile payment service Cash App, for example, tracks and reports customer LTV curves with the returns from its customer cohorts, plotted against the time since the customers started using Cash App. The company claims this strategy has allowed the Cash App to reach CAC breakeven within six months of acquiring a customer and earns six times CAC within 18 months.

The rise of neobanking
Digital banks and neobanking startups have gained ground these past years, owing to deregulation efforts from governments, changing customer habits and technological advancements.
A 2023 report by banking and payment technology company BPC and strategy consultancy Fincog estimates that more than 500 digital banks are currently in operation around the world, providing services to approximately 1 billion customers.
Data from statistics portal and market research provider Statista show that emerging markets are leading the way. Of the world’s 14 biggest digital banks by customer count, 10 originated from an emerging market, including China, India and Brazil.
Number of customer accounts at selected digital challenger banks worldwide in 2021 (in millions), Source: Statista, Nov 2022
In Europe, 162 digital banks operated in the continent in 2022. As of Q1 2023, the region’s top ten biggest neobanks, which include Revolut, Wise and N26, served a combined 64 million customers. Some research studies estimate that user penetration stood at about 7–10% but expect the figure to hit about 14% by 2027.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ai-neobanks-mckinsey-study-long-term-success-of-virtual-banks-hinges-on-ability-to-leverage-ai-data-analytics</link><guid>3283</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Refintiv-KYC-AML-Soultions-for-Fintech-.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>AI Neobanks McKinsey Study: Long-Term Success of Virtual Banks Hinges on Ability to Leverage AI, Data Analytics</dc:text></item><item><title>Shaping the Future of Fintech and Insurtech: Insights From Switzerland’s Top Startup Competition Winners</title><description><![CDATA[Switzerland’s premier startup competition, &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt;, recently concluded its highly anticipated Award Ceremony on June 26th at EPFL, where it crowned the most promising early-stage startups in the country. The Finance &amp; Insurance vertical winners, namely Frigg, grape, and Ascentys, were among the celebrated victors. We had the privilege chatting with these exceptional startups to explore their endeavors and gain insights into their visions for the future of sustainability and impact in the fintech/insurtech domain.
The &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; competition not only recognizes outstanding startups but also provides them with invaluable support. Winners of the competition are granted exclusive access to mentorship and coaching from industry experts. Moreover, they receive funding to kickstart their entrepreneurial journeys, with the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners receiving CHF 50,000, CHF 20,000, and CHF 10,000, respectively, in non-dilutive cash prizes.
Frigg, the 1st place winner of the Finance &amp; Insurance vertical within the &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; startup competition, has developed a legally compliant software that streamlines the creation of tokenized Green Bonds backed by sustainable infrastructure projects (i.e. renewables). They embed real-time environmental performance data with end-to-end transparency from the source.
We spoke to Philip Berntsen, CEO of Frigg, to understand more about his point of view of where the opportunities lie for a fintech focused on sustainability.
Philipp Bernstein at the Venture 2023 Award Ceremony, Monday, June 26, 2023 at the SwissTech Convention Center in EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne). (Valentin Flauraud for Venture)
Philipp, you claim advantageous regulatory treatment of sustainable digital assets. In what does the regulator treat sustainable assets more favorably? Will future tightening of the regulatory landscape for digital assets take any of these advantages (if there are any) away?
Currently, there is a massive regulatory push for sustainability reports, and there is only going to be more and more demand. Not only do regulators want sustainability reports, but they are also becoming increasingly strict on what lies behind those numbers.
DLT is nascent, and it’s almost like building a financial infrastructure in a way that they learn from the mistakes that have been made in the past and impose only what works into the new framework.
This presents a new opportunity for us, not to be more stringent, but rather more beneficial. We must sit close to the legislators to make sure regulation is purposeful but also allows innovation to flow.
Why do you issue in Switzerland? Is the Swiss legal / regulatory landscape favorable or limiting for international originators?
I would say it’s favorable because there are regulatory thresholds to consider. Switzerland is an innovative progressive hub, but the challenge is to find value for money. For this, you need to go to emerging markets.But Switzerland is enabling for Frigg because it supports the DLT law. This new bill allows us to provide transparency into what the assets are doing to help society in an immutable way. This means we’re facilitating connectivity to impactful projects with inherent transparency and there’s a big opportunity here.
What new opportunities does focusing on the SDGs provide for budding entrepreneurs in the fintech space?
The SDGs provide a good framework to channel innovation to the right places. There’s a lot of interest and willingness to fund these initiatives.
More importantly, however, one of the biggest opportunities we’ve seen is the increase in transparency and trust.
The second-place winner, grape, is Switzerland’s the first fully digital employee insurance that invests in employees’ physical and mental health by using new data points and machine-learning techniques. Here’s what co-founder and CEO, Gregory Inauen, had to say about innovation in insurtech.
CEO, Gregory Inauen with the Chairman of the &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; foundation, Ulrich Jakob Looser (Valentin Flauraud for Venture)
Gregory, how does your startup innovation address existing challenges or inefficiencies in the financial or insurance industry?
Grape offers various employee insurance products (KTG, UVG/Z) bundled with an end-to-end B2B software solution that allows our clients to automate the processing of their claims, provide them insights with analytics and introduce health initiatives in their companies.
Grape is tackling both the lack of automation and digitalisation, as well as the scarcity in employee’s health promotion by offering a digital insurance that incentivises health amongst our customer’s employees.
What makes us different is that at grape we bundle our employee insurances with our B2B software and through its automation and integrations into more than 50 payroll and time-tracking software, we reduce administrative work, therefore saving HR teams time for claiming, reporting, and payroll adjustments. Additionally, we are the first insurer actively investing in mental health initiatives and supporting companies to roll out prevention campaigns in their company through our health benefits.
One could say that traditional insurers are not yet ready for your solution. What about the reinsurers? How do they react to your offering and does grape get any favorable terms from the reinsurers based on your focus on prevention?
Our competitors, the traditional insurers, are lagging behind in innovation and building software solutions to tackle the high frequencies of claims in the group health and group accident field. Manual processes around underwriting and claiming lead to high administrative costs with traditional insurers which squeeze the margins for insures and therefore lead to higher prices and lower profitability. Communication and administration can cost up to 30% of the premium. Grape’s fully digital approach and automation with E2E integrations into the systems of our customers allow us to be much more efficient in processing claims and managing the portfolio.
Today’s underwriting is limited to a few factors and little prevention is deployed compared to other insurance lines, resulting in high loss ratios. No incumbent insurers analyze or prevent sick leaves and accidents, even though trends in employees’ health show concerning results, experiencing a rise in claims linked to mental health issues in recent years.
Our approach with collecting structured data from day 1 and while processing every claim helps us to improve prevention and intervention and improving our pricing during underwriting which is very interesting business case for our reinsurance partner providing us capital and additional capital.
How we leverage data:
Early detection: Insurers today are being informed about a leave cases (claim) when it is already too late. We monitor sick leave from day 1.Pattern recognition: We identify unusual sick leave patterns and offer early interventions to lower the number of long-term leaves.
Targeted interventions: We apply interventions early, such as case management, coaching, part-time work, mental health therapy or remote work to reduce the risk of long absence and burnouts.
Strengthening the underwriting: Over time our models learn and better understand data patterns and the health risks of a company.
Can you highlight any specific features or technologies that differentiate your solution and contribute to sustainability?
Companies that are insured with us receive much more than just their insurance coverage, companies insured with us also receive access to our software platform supporting them in the claims process, analytics and benchmarking about their absences and leaves of employees, giving access to our health partners to deploy health prevention and coaching initiatives in the company.
We aim to reinvent employee insurance and health prevention at the workplace and by doing so increase productivity and improve employees’ physical and mental well-being.
Through our health platform employees’ insured by grape receive access to numerous health benefits that intend to foster healthy habits within and outside the workplace. We provide these health benefits by collaborating with companies that offer health-promoting or -enhancing products and services. These include therapy and coaching sessions, company retreats and workshops, modern sports equipment, CHM-programmes, meditation apps, gym subscriptions, healthy food and company fridges, as well as high quality self-care products.
What new opportunities does focusing on the SDGs provide for budding entrepreneurs in the insurtech space?
This part of our product goes hand-in-hand with goal number 3 – Good health and well-being – of the UN Sustainable Development Goal, which reads “Ensure healthy lives and well-being for all at all ages”. We support our customers in fostering health within their company, removing any stigma about mental health and preventing burnouts, depression and anxiety. Action is needed in order to support workers in carrying a balanced and healthy life. particularly in this day and age, where issues related to mental health are rising increasingly as shown by several statistics. For instance a survey carried out by Gesundheitsförderung Schweiz shows that in 2022 the percentage of Swiss employees who felt emotionally exhausted reached 30.3%
Besides contributing to changing the way health at work is perceived and managed and therefore improving current working conditions embossed by high levels of stress and anxiety, grape is changing the way employees’ insurances are handled, by digitising the claiming process and using machine learning for underwriting. This reinvention of the management of employees’ insurance contributes to modernising a market that is currently not keeping pace with the times. Grape helps achieve higher levels of economic productivity through technological upgrading and therefore resonates with Goal number 8 – Decent work and economic growth- which reads “promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all”.
Last, but certainly not least, we chatted with Jerome Raguin, CEO of Ascentys, the third-place winner of the &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; competition. Ascentys has developed a platform that helps companies measure, manage, report and improve their ESG performance in a way that is simple, accurate, defensible and cost-effective.
Jerome Raguin, CEO of Ascentys (Valentin Flauraud for Venture)
Jerome, let’s talk privacy. Does Ascentys with your SaaS-Solution get access to confidential GDPR-covered employee data? How do you handle that?
We contract directly with our customers and have their consent to use their data. Our customers can upload their data onto our secure platform which is hosted in Switzerland with SafeSwissCloud- military grade hosting.
Their data is fully anonymized- we remove any PID (Personal Identifiable Data) in addition to any corporate identifiers (name, logo, tag lines, product pictures etc).
How do they validate their ESG indicators?
We have validated our indicators with relevant experts (Academics, NGOs or organisations) for each domain.For example: The “Tax Transparency Network” NGO validated our approach to measuring Tax Transparency, our Carbon Footprint methodology is aligned with the GHG Protocol, and our Diversity KPIs were developed in collaboration with some DE&amp;I advocates in the UK and Germany.
Can you share any insights or lessons learned for other early-stage fintech startups interested in pursuing impact and sustainability goals?
There is a certain amount of “healthy skepticism” on the impact that FinTech startups can really deliver. Every company uses the word “impact” but in some cases it is not clear what their impact truly is (and that can be seen as posturing or Greenwashing).
In the end, I say be very practical, clear, transparent about how your start-up truly moves the needle and has a positive impact on the community you are serving (for example by referring to the SDGs).
What new opportunities does focusing on the SDGs provide for budding entrepreneurs in the fintech space?
The SDGs offer a simple framework for companies of all sizes (even start-ups) to say “great, we have an impact on Access to Finance” (SDG9.3 – Increase access to Financial Services &amp; Markets).
Besides acting as a “Sustainability North star” in terms of mission, it helps message your value in a language that investors and customers are familiar with.
Venture Competition 2024, Application Opens 1.October
To learn more about the winners of the &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; competition or to learn how you can participate in the 2024 edition, visit https://bit.ly/3PP5zlu. The application period for the 2024 edition of &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; will open on October 1, 2023.

Featured image credit: Philip Berntsen, CEO of Frigg, Gregory Inauen, CEO of grape and Jerome Raguin, CEO of Ascentys. All images are credited to Valentin Flauraud.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/shaping-the-future-of-fintech-and-insurtech-insights-from-switzerlands-top-startup-competition-winners</link><guid>3286</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/frigg-venture-winner.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Shaping the Future of Fintech and Insurtech: Insights From Switzerland’s Top Startup Competition Winners</dc:text></item><item><title>Checkout.com Launches Video-Based AI Identify Solution</title><description><![CDATA[Checkout.com, the global payments solution provider, launches Identity Verification, its first product focused on improving the customer onboarding and identity verification process and expanding Checkout.com’s impact on customers’ digital experience.
Identity Verification utilises proprietary artificial intelligence and is trained on billions of identity and facial recognition documents. Built for businesses like Fintechs, Rental and Hiring companies, Gaming, and Government organisations, Identity Verification helps businesses scale by having a friction-free, compliant, and quick customer verification process. Developed on an expansive list of ID documents across 195 countries, Checkout.com Identity Verification can verify nearly every citizen in the world. In beta alone, it has verified over 10 million identities and identified over 1 million fraudulent identities.
AI-supported video-streaming to improve customer journey
Identity fraud is evolving, with deep fakes and deceptive documents growing in sophistication. Single-frame photos often fail due to poor image quality or are managed by a system that cannot keep up with new types of fraud. Checkout.com Identity Verification solves this problem by using 25 fps, 1000 images/flow video streaming. Using video mode on a mobile phone, customers now show an identity document and their face while the sophisticated AI guides users throughout the process, providing live feedback on how to show document authenticity and move their face so the AI can recognise them to combat fraud. It will also tell users if the document they are scanning is invalid, i.e. the wrong passport or driving licence.




   



    
   


   








Meron Colbeci
“The digital economy enables instantaneous access to products, services and outcomes, and it should be no different for identity verification. We deeply believe in the intersection between digital payments and online identity verification. Legacy systems requiring an appointment with a human being or limited to certain days a week are not conducive to the long-term growth of the digital economy. Utilising AI and algorithms trained on billions of data points, alongside a video stream that simply requires an internet connection, means we can now safely verify identity documents and facilitate customer onboarding from anywhere in the world”
Said Meron Colbeci, Chief Product Officer at Checkout.com.
Checkout.com Identity Verification removes the complexity of requiring a specific app or software compatibility and now allows users to verify their identity anytime and anywhere, requiring only an internet connection. Businesses can direct users to an interface with their logo and branding to facilitate a seamless experience in less than 120 seconds. Businesses can now onboard users 24/7, 7 days a week, without human interaction, all while building trust in the brand.
Overcoming ID fraud through AI and machine learning
Identity Verification’s AI can quickly verify authentic identities across over 3000+ identity documents. By moving the identity document on the video, the AI can monitor hologram and colour changes common in most documents, as well as transparency and opacity. With the user doing a series of short and easy face movements, the AI can quickly identify possible deep fakes or fraudulent identity documents.
The platform’s time to verify from start to completion is 120 seconds for 90% of users. 70% of identities are verified in less than 20 seconds, and any identities that can not be verified in that time are passed to a dedicated team for a systematic human review. These experts have been trained by customs police officers on ID document security features and the methodology to assess a face match. To date, Identity Verification has identified over 1 million fraudulent identities in beta alone.



Featured image credit &amp; Edited from Checkout.com
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/checkoutcom-launches-video-based-ai-identify-solution</link><guid>3280</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Refintiv-KYC-AML-Soultions-for-Fintech-.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Checkout.com Launches Video-Based AI Identify Solution</dc:text></item><item><title>The Cheapest and Best Swiss Neobanks for Summer Travel</title><description><![CDATA[Online comparison service moneyland.ch compared offers from neobanks ahead of the summer travel season. Neon and Revolut got the best marks for using cards outside of Switzerland. Yuh takes first place in the comparison of accounts and interest rates.
The summer holiday – and the travel season that accompanies it – has begun. Cards from neobanks are substantially cheaper for making payments abroad than most credit cards from conventional banks, as multiple moneyland.ch studies have shown. But which of the neobanks has the lowest costs?
moneyland.ch compared the costs of making payments and cash withdrawals in Switzerland and outside of Switzerland (in euros, US dollars, and Thai Baht). The comparison included the neobanks CSX (Credit Suisse), Neon, Revolut, Wise, Yapeal, Yuh (Swissquote and Postfinance), and Zak (Bank Cler). In a second analysis, moneyland.ch also accounted for account-based services and interest rates.




   



    
   


   








Card transactions: Neon and Revolut are the cheapest
For the first comparison, moneyland.ch used the following user profile for calculations: Every year, the profile user uses a card from a neobank (in most cases a debit card) to make 10,000 francs of payments in Switzerland, and the equivalent of 2’000 francs of transactions each in euros, US dollars, and Thai baht while traveling. The person also makes one cash withdrawal in Switzerland, and a total of six cash withdrawals at foreign ATMs.
The moneyland.ch comparison accounted for all applicable costs during one year. Calculations of foreign currency transaction costs also account for markups on interbank currency exchange rates. These markups were determined by moneyland.ch based on samplings of currency exchange rates across 12 different days in June, 2023.
The results: “Neobanks have now become established in Switzerland. But even between the affordable neobanks, there are still price differences.”
Says moneyland.ch CEO Benjamin Manz
The cheapest solutions are the Neon Free account from Swiss neobank Neon, and the Standard account from foreign neobank Revolut. Both of these have total costs of 57 francs for users matching the profile.
Next in line are foreign service provider Wise and the Loyalty account from Swiss neobank Yapeal, both with total costs of 69 francs. The most expensive neobank accounts for this user profile are Zak Plus (318 francs) and CSX Black Debit Mastercard (264 francs).

Card transactions and bank accounts: Yuh is the cheapest
For the combined comparison of card transaction and bank account costs, moneyland.ch used this user profile: The profile user makes the same card transactions as in the first comparison, but they also receive their salary and pay their bills with their neobank account. The profile user receives 20 incoming bank transfers and makes 50 outgoing bank transfers per year. They also have a monthly standing order for their rent. The average balance of their private account is 5000 francs. Calculations account for interest earned on their account balance.
Only Swiss neobanks offer bank accounts with Swiss bank account numbers. Foreign financial service providers Revolut and Wise do not offer Swiss bank accounts. The Loyalty account from Yapeal has a Swiss bank account number, but cannot be used to pay bills or to transfer money to other bank accounts. For these reasons, those offers were not included in this comparison.
The results: Yuh is the cheapest, with total costs of 51 francs per year after deducting interest earned. It is followed by Neon, with 57 francs of total costs. Yapeal, with total costs of 111 francs, takes third place. The most expensive accounts are Zak Plus (281 francs) and CSX Black Debit Mastercard from Credit Suisse (264 francs).

Differences in features and transparency
Most of the neobanks included in the comparison have offers that do not have basic account fees. These accounts rank the highest in the cost comparisons. But in addition to these accounts with no basic account fees, some neobanks also offer premium accounts that have annual fees. These are also included in the comparisons. Advantages of premium accounts include lower cash withdrawal fees and additional features.
For example, Neon offers a sustainable account with a 60-franc basic annual account fee. Holders of this account indirectly finance the planting of trees. Accounts with payment cards made out of metal are offered by Neon (180-franc basic annual account fee) and Revolut (191.90-franc basic annual account fee).
There are also differences in transparency. Revolut is particularly lacking in this regard, as pricing and other conditions for Swiss customers are not communicated clearly, and in some cases can only be obtained through the mobile app.
More on this topic:Neobanks in Switzerland: A comprehensive guide
Methodology
Calculations are based on the following assumptions:

Annual card use:

Payments in Switzerland: 10,000 francs.
One cash withdrawal of 250 francs at a Swiss ATM (in the case of neobanks which charge different cash withdrawal fees depending on the ATM used, calculations are based on the higher fee).
Payments outside of Switzerland in EUR, USD, and THB: The equivalent of 2000 francs of transactions per currency.
Cash withdrawals outside of Switzerland: Two withdrawals each in EUR, USD, and THB, with each withdrawal worth the equivalent of 250 francs.


Annual bank account use:

20 incoming bank transfers.
50 outgoing bank transfers.
1 standing order for monthly transfers.
Average account balance: 5000 francs.



Samplings of currency exchange rates published by neobanks were taken in 2023 on June 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, and 22. The averages of the sampled rates were then compared with interbank rates as published by Oanda.
The individual cost factors are rounded to the nearest 5 centimes. Total costs are rounded to the nearest 1 franc.
Twint is not included in the comparison, as it cannot currently be used to make payments outside of Switzerland.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-cheapest-and-best-swiss-neobanks-for-summer-travel</link><guid>3281</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Refintiv-KYC-AML-Soultions-for-Fintech-.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>The Cheapest and Best Swiss Neobanks for Summer Travel</dc:text></item><item><title>Use of Digital Investment and Retirement Planning Solutions Picks up in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[In Switzerland, an increasing number of consumers are turning to digital solutions to independently build wealth and prepare for their future retirement life. A new study conducted by the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts in collaboration with Raiffeisen Switzerland and Vontobel found that not only is awareness of these new solutions high, but usage is also growing steadily.
A survey that ran in November 2022 and which polled more than 1,000 individuals residing in Switzerland found that more than two-thirds (72%) of these respondents were aware of digital retirement planning and investment solutions, up 11 percentage points from 2020’s 61%.
Percentage of Swiss residents aware of digital investments and retirement planning solutions, Source: Digitales Anlegen und Vorsorgen in der Schweiz: Trends, Bedürfnisse und gewünschte Produkteigenschaften, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Raiffeisen Switzerland and Vontobel
Usage of these digital solutions is also booming with penetration soaring from a mere 8% in 2020 to 20% in 2022, the study found.




   



    
   


   








Younger men from the German-speaking part of Switzerland with experience with securities were found to be the biggest adopters of digital investment and retirement planning solutions. However, interest among female investors is growing with 36% of surveyed women considering investing through a digital solution.
Usage of digital investment and retirement planning solutions among male and female investors, Source: Digitales Anlegen und Vorsorgen in der Schweiz: Trends, Bedürfnisse und gewünschte Produkteigenschaften, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Raiffeisen Switzerland and Vontobel
Demand for digital investment and retirement solutions is expected to continue growing rapidly as interest surges. In 2022, 41% of the respondents polled said they would consider using digital offerings, up by a notable 25 percentage point compared to 2020’s 16%.
Swiss investors’ preferences
The study, which also looked at consumers’ preferences and desired features when using digital investing and financial planning solutions, found that Swiss consumers are demanding sustainable solutions as well as personalized offerings.
48% of respondents indicated that the ability to invest in sustainable assets is important, followed by the availability of a wide range of investment opportunities and assets (40%). In addition to stocks and bonds, investors also showed high interest in alternative asset classes such as real estate, gold, and other precious metals.
Swiss investors’ preferences and what they consider being important in a digital investment and financial planning solution, Source: Digitales Anlegen und Vorsorgen in der Schweiz: Trends, Bedürfnisse und gewünschte Produkteigenschaften, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Raiffeisen Switzerland and Vontobel
Results also reveal that most individuals don’t want to be attributed a standard portfolio but instead want to put their own personal touch on it. However, only few solutions allowing personalized investments currently exist in the market. Theme investments are also particularly sought after, the study found.
When choosing a provider of digital investment or financial planning solutions, respondents named transparency over costs (73%), access via e-banking (58%), transparency about the investments in the portfolios (57%), prices (47%), and the reputation or brand of the provider (40%) as the five most important criteria.
Criteria Swiss residents consider important when choosing a provider of digital investment or retirement planning solutions, Source: Digitales Anlegen und Vorsorgen in der Schweiz: Trends, Bedürfnisse und gewünschte Produkteigenschaften, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Raiffeisen Switzerland and Vontobel
Switzerland’s digital investment and financial planning landscape
Awareness and adoption of digital investment and financial planning in Switzerland is rising on the back of a rapidly expanding industry.
According to the report, the number of solutions in the digital investment sector increased steadily in recent years. In 2023, the market was home to over 50 solutions, more than double the number observed in 2020. The most prevalent business models currently are robo-advisory and hybrid models, the research found, and traditional banks are playing a central role in the digital wealth management landscape.
Overview of digital investment and pension solutions in Switzerland, Source: Digitales Anlegen und Vorsorgen in der Schweiz: Trends, Bedürfnisse und gewünschte Produkteigenschaften, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Raiffeisen Switzerland and Vontobel
According to statistic portal and data platform Statista, the global robo-advisory market managed approximately CHF 1.8 trillion in assets in 2022.
The US lead the market with CHF 1.11 trillion worth of assets under management, or 61% of the global market, followed by China, Japan, the UK and Italy. These top five countries collectively account for approximately 783% of the global robo-advisory market.
The Swiss robo-advisory industry lags behind global leaders with managed assets of CHF 4.41 billion in 2022.

Featured image credit: edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/use-of-digital-investment-and-retirement-planning-solutions-picks-up-in-switzerland</link><guid>3282</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Percentage-of-Swiss-residents-aware-of-digital-investments-and-retirement-planning-solutions.jpeg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Use of Digital Investment and Retirement Planning Solutions Picks up in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Vergleich von zwei Schweizer “Mini ERP”: Bexio und Swiss21</title><description><![CDATA[ 


Ein ERP ist ein integriertes Managementsystem, mit dem verschiedene administrative Aspekte eines Unternehmens verwaltet werden können. Finanz-, Personal-, Produktions- oder Zeitmanagement – alles kann online verwaltet werden. Ein ERP zielt darauf ab, Geschäftsprozesse zu automatisieren und zu zentralisieren, um die Effizienz und Transparenz der Abläufe zu verbessern.
Vergleichen Sie die Preise und Leistungen von Bexio mit einem anderen ERP Hersteller aus der Schweiz.
Eine grosse Zeit- und Geldersparnis, aber ist dieser Luxus nur grossen Unternehmen vorbehalten?
Nein, denn Selbstständige und kleine Unternehmen können ebenfalls ein ERP-System verwenden. Es gibt sogar unzählige davon. In diesem Artikel lernen Sie zwei “Mini-ERP” kennen, die in der Schweiz unumgänglich sind: Bexio und Swiss21. Ein Vergleich, der Ihnen mehr über die Vor- und Nachteile dieser beiden Cloud-Programme verrät, die zusammen in der Schweizmehr als 100.000 Nutzer haben.
Bexio und Swiss21 vereinfachen Ihre Administration
Bexio und Swiss21 sind beide auf ERP-Lösungen für kleine Unternehmen spezialisiert. Unter Kleinunternehmen versteht man den selbstständigen Unternehmer bis hin zum Unternehmen mit rund 50 Mitarbeitern.
Beide Unternehmungen bieten Cloud-Software an, die online zugänglich ist. Diese Programme sind sehr benutzerfreundlich, spielerisch und ihre Funktionen sind umfassend und erfüllen die Anforderungen von Kleinunternehmen perfekt.
Beide Hersteller sind flexibel und passen sich an verschiedene Branchen sowie unterschiedliche Unternehmensgrössen an. Das Führen der Buchhaltung, die Verwaltung des Personals, des Handels oder auch des Verkaufs sind so viele Vorteile, die in einer einzigen Verwaltungssoftware zentralisiert werden.
Sparen Sie Zeit und Geld – Bexio oder Swiss21?
Beide Unternehmen bieten verschiedene Arten von Abonnements an, die auf die Bedürfnisse und Merkmale der Kunden zugeschnitten sind, und es kann schwierig sein zu entscheiden, welches am besten zu den Bedürfnissen des eigenen Unternehmens passt. Im weiteren Verlauf dieses Artikels werden wir die drei Abonnementstufen vergleichen, die Bexio und Swiss21 anbieten, damit Sie sich ein Bild davon machen können, welche Software am besten zu Ihren Bedürfnissen passt.
Erstes Abonnement – die Basis
Swiss21.org bietet eine erste kostenlose Version der Software an, um Personen zu ermutigen, die die Digitalisierung ihres Unternehmens in Angriff nehmen möchten. Die kostenlose Version ist für maximal eine Person gültig, jeder weitere Nutzer kostet 5.- pro Monat.
Bei Bexio kostet das erste Angebot 45 CHF pro Monat bei monatlicher Zahlung oder 35 CHF pro Monat im Jahresmodell. Dieses erste Angebot umfasst einen Benutzer. Wenn Sie weitere hinzufügen möchten, müssen Sie ein umfangreicheres Abonnement wählen.




	BexioSwiss21




	Kostenlose Version❌✅


	Preis45.- mit einem Benutzer (monatlich)35.- mit einem Benutzer (Jährlich)0.- mit einem Benutzer (Möglichkeit, weitere Benutzer für 5.- hinzuzufügen)


	Buchhaltung✅✅


	Rechnungen &amp; Offerten✅✅Limitiert auf 1000 Dokumente im Jahr


	Zeiterfassung❌1 Benutzer inbegriffen danach 5.- pro Benutzer


	Spesenmanagement❌1 Benutzer inbegriffen danach 5.- pro Benutzer


	Lohnabrechnungen7.- für 1 Mitarbeiter | 25.- für 5 Mitarbeiter3 inbegriffen danach 2,50.- pro Mitarbeiter


	Lagerverwaltung✅Demnächst verfügbar


	Online-ShopAb 89.- pro Monat✅




Buchhaltung mit Bexio und Swiss21
Im ersten Abonnement, das Bexio für 45 CHF pro Monat anbietet, ist das Buchhaltungsmodul sehr umfassend. Bei Swiss21 ist die Buchhaltung kostenlos, aber relativ einfach. Sie bietet beispielsweise weder eine Nettomehrwertsteuer- noch eine SSS-Methode an.
Buchhaltung Vergleich
Swiss21 bietet in seinem Gratis-Paket eine Zeiterfassung für eine Person über die App AbaClik an oder direkt im Cloud-Portal. Beim anderen Unternehmen gibt es in diesem ersten Paket (Starter) keine Zeiterfassung.
Lohnbuchhaltung Vergleich
In seinem kostenlosen Angebot bietet Swiss21 drei Lohnabrechnungen an und es ist möglich, für 2.50 CHF pro Mitarbeiter, weitere Lohnabrechnungen hinzuzufügen.
Die Bexio-Lohnbuchhaltung ist im ersten Abonnementmodell nicht enthalten. Stattdessen können Unternehmen eine Option “Lohnabrechnung” für 7 CHF pro Monat für einen Mitarbeiter oder ein Paket mit 5 Lohnabrechnungen für 25 CHF erwerben.
Rechnungen, Offerten &amp; Lieferantenbelege
Beide Unternehmungen bieten einen kompletten und einfachen Prozess von der Offerte, Auftrag, über die Rechnungen bis zur Verbuchung in der Buchhaltung alle relevanten Stufen abbildet. Auch das Mahnsystem kann auf Wunsch automatisiertwerden. Bei Bexio gibt es eine Mahnungsstufe und bei Swiss21 gibt es 3. Bei der kostenlosen Version von Swiss21 ist der Nutzer auf 1000 Dokumente im Jahr beschränkt, der andere Softwarehersteller kennt hier keine Einschränkung auf demDokumentenvolumen.
Lagerverwaltung
Das erste Unternehmen bietet in seinem ersten Abonnementmodell eine Lagerverwaltung an, während das zweite diese noch nicht anbietet; sie ist für Ende 2023 geplant.
Online-Shop Vergleich
Bei Swiss21 gehört der Online-Shop zum Grundangebot. Es ist also kostenlos möglich, einen Online-Shop mit einem eigenen Domainnamen einzurichten. Dasselbe gilt für die Online-Kasse. Anschliessend ist es möglich, diese beiden Produkte durch den Erwerb der verfügbaren Add-ons zu professionalisieren. Das Add-on E-Commerce Plus kostet 29 CHF pro Monat und das Add-on POS-Plus 19 CHF pro Monat.
Bexio schliesst seinen Online-Shop nicht in sein erstes Angebot ein, aber die Nutzer haben die Möglichkeit, ihn für 89 CHF pro Monat als Option zu erwerben.
Zweites Abonnement – die Erweiterung
Für das zweite verfügbare Abonnement bieten beide Anbieter ein Abonnement mit 3 Benutzern an, die Zugriff auf die Zeiterfassung sowie die Verwaltung von Spesenabrechnungen haben.
Bei Swiss21 kostet dieses zweite Angebot 21 CHF und es ist möglich, für 5 CHF pro Person und Monat mehr Benutzer hinzuzufügen, die Zugriff auf alle Funktionen haben. Swiss21 bietet im zweiten Abonnement den vollen Funktionsumfang der Buchhaltung und des Rechnungsprogramm an. Es gibt die Möglichkeit Saldo- &amp;amp; Nettomehrwersteuermethode, dieAnbindung des SumUp Terminals sowie die Möglichkeit von Schnittstellen (API) zu Drittanwendungen.
Das zweite Abonnement von Bexio wird für 65 CHF pro Monat im Jahresmodell und für 75 CHF im Monatsmodell angeboten.




	BexioSwiss21




	Preis75.- mit 3 Benutzer (monatlich)65.- mit 3 Benutzer(Jährlich)21.- mit 3 Benutzer(Möglichkeit, weitere Benutzer für 5.- hinzuzufügen)


	Buchhaltung✅✅


	Rechnungen &amp; Offerten✅✅Limitiert auf 2100 Dokumente im Jahr


	Zeiterfassung3 Benutzer maximum3 Benutzer inbegriffen danach 5.- pro Benutzer


	Spesenmanagement3 Benutzer maximum3 Benutzer inbegriffen danach 5.- pro Benutzer


	LohnabrechnungenOptional25.- für 5 Mitarbeiter7 inbegriffen danach 2,50.- pro Mitarbeiter


	Lagerverwaltung✅Demnächst verfügbar


	Online-ShopAb 89.- pro Monat✅




Drittes Abonnement – die Profi-Liga
Im PRO + -Abonnement berechnet der erste Hersteller 115 CHF pro Monat im Jahresmodell und 125 CHF im Monatsmodell für 25 Benutzer, die Zugriff auf alle Funktionen haben. Der Online-Shop hingegen bleibt immer nur als Option für 89 CHF pro Monat verfügbar.
Das PRO-Abonnement vom zweiten Hersteller kostet 42 Franken und beinhaltet 5 Benutzer, die ebenfalls Zugang zu allen Funktionen haben. Dieses Angebot umfasst 21 Lohnabrechnungen und die Benutzer können für 2.50 CHF pro Mitarbeiter weitere hinzufügen.




	BexioSwiss21




	Preis125.- mit 25 Benutzer (monatlich) | 115.- mit 25 Benutzer (Jährlich)42.- mit 5 Benutzer (Möglichkeit, weitere Benutzer für 5.- hinzuzufügen)


	Buchhaltung✅✅


	Rechnungen &amp; Offerten✅✅ Limitiert auf 5000 Dokumente im Jahr


	Zeiterfassung25 Benutzer maximum5 Benutzer inbegriffen danach 5.- pro Benutzer


	Spesen Management25 Benutzer maximum5 Benutzer inbegriffen danach 5.- pro Benutzer


	Lohnabrechnungen25 inbegriffen21 inbegriffen danach 2,50.- pro Mitarbeiter


	Lagerverwaltung✅Demnächst verfügbar


	Online-ShopAb 89.- pro Monat✅




Vergleichen wir abschliessend die beiden Softwareprodukte aus rein preislicher Sicht. Wenn ein Unternehmen 25 Benutzer auf Bexio haben möchte, würde dies 125 CHF kosten. Bei Swiss21 müsste es 42 CHF bezahlen, plus 5 CHF für 20 zusätzliche Benutzer, also 100 CHF zusätzlich zu den 42 CHF. Nach dieser Logik wäre Swiss21 also bis zu 21 Angestellten billiger (42+(15×5)=117). Danach wird sich der erste Hersteller mehr lohnen, vorausgesetzt, man braucht keinen Online-Shop.
Bexio-Login und Swiss21-Konto für einen kostenlosen Test!
Der erste Hersteller ermöglicht es, seine Software 30 Tage lang kostenlos und unverbindlich zu testen, und zwar ohne Eingabe einer Kreditkarte. Das zweite Unternehmen bietet, wie bereits erwähnt, ein kostenloses erstes Abonnement ohne zeitliche Begrenzung an.





Starke Partner hinter den zwei Hersteller
Wie Sie sicher schon bemerkt haben, braucht es viele Ressourcen, um eine Software zuerstellen, mit Inhalten zu versorgen und zu pflegen! Man muss sich ständig über Trends informieren, investieren und innovieren, selbst bei einem Mini-ERP.
Beide ERP-Anbieter können auf einen Mentor zählen. Hinter Bexio steht die Versicherungsgesellschaft Die Mobiliar. Hinter Swiss21 steht das Unternehmen Abacus Research AG, ein Anbieter von Business-Software.
Zwei Software 100% Swiss Made
Alle Mitarbeiter beiden Software sind in der Schweiz ansässig, das Gleiche gilt für die Entwicklung der Anwendungen. Die Daten der Swiss21-Anwendungen (ausser 21.CRM, das ein deutsches Programm ist) sowie die Daten von Bexio werden ebenfalls in der Schweiz gespeichert.
Kostenloser Support 24 Stunden am Tag, 7 Tage die Woche
Der Support bei Swiss21 ist völlig kostenlos und jeder Kunde kann sich per E-Mail oder über die Hilfe-Lasche an den Support wenden. Dasselbe gilt für Bexio, die zusätzlich eine Hotline anbieten, was durch die höheren Abonnementspreise gerechtfertigt sein kann.
Fazit: Bexio oder Swiss21?
Swiss21.org ist die einzige der beiden Mini-ERP, die ein kostenloses Abonnement anbietet, um das unternehmerische Abenteuer digital zu beginnen. Bexio hingegen bietet in seinem ersten Angebot mehr Möglichkeiten auf der Ebene der Buchhaltung.
Die Swiss21-Abonnements bieten Zugang zur Lohnverwaltung, zum Online-Shop, zur Spesenverwaltung und zur Zeiterfassung, alles auf einer einzigen Plattform.
Swiss21 verfügt über einen Online-Shop, während Bexio diesen als kostenpflichtige Option anbietet, aber seinerseits von einer Lagerverwaltung profitiert.Swiss21 ist flexibel und bietet an, einen Kostenvoranschlag anzupassen, indem man einen oder mehrere Benutzer hinzufügt. Beim anderen Anbieter ist es notwendig, die nächste Stufe des Abonnements zu erreichen.
Schliesslich kann Swiss21 langfristig mit der Abacus-Business-Software verbunden werden. Ein Vorteil für den Fall, dass das Unternehmen wachsen und das ERP-System wechseln sollte, denn dann würde viel Arbeit für die Datenübernahme entfallen. Oder man kann auch auf Anfrage ein Enterprise Abo lösen für mehr Kapazität.
Bexio und Swiss21 FAQ

			
				
1. Was sind die Alternativen von Bexio?

				
					
In der Schweiz gibt es mehrere Alternativen, die ähnlichen Funktionen für die Administration von Unternehmungen anbieten. Wie es bereits in diesem Artikel genannt wurde, bietet Swiss21 eine interessante Alternative. Ausserdem gibt es noch Klara das von der Schweizer Post finanziert wird und Banana. Es gibt noch weitere Buchhaltungssoftware-Optionen in der Schweiz aber diese Liste enthält die beliebtesten Alternativen.

			
			

			
				
2. Bexio Apps und Marketplace

				
					
Das Unternehmen bietet in seinem Marketplace verschiedene Apps an, um sein Angebot zu erweitern. Zum Beispiel die ein digitales Archiv, die Verbindung mit einem Newsletter Tool (MailXpert) oder die Kundenzufriedenheit zu messen mit Deeptrue. Leider sind diese Anwendungen nicht alle miteinander verbunden und verursachen zusätzliche Kosten. DieseApps ermöglichen jedoch, das Angebot zu erweitern, was bei dem anderen Hersteller nicht möglich ist. Bei Swiss21 sind jedoch alle verfügbaren Apps miteinander vernetzt und ermöglichen eine Automatisierung der Aufgaben.

			
			

			
				
3. Was ist der Preisunterschied von den zwei Hersteller?

				
					
Wie in diesem Artikel erläutert, variiert der Preis von Bexio je nachdem, ob Sie jährlich oder monatlich zahlen. Wenn man jährlich zahlen möchte, kann man bis zu 20% der Kosten einsparen, ist aber gezwungen, direkt ein ganzes Jahr zu zahlen, um die Kosten zu decken. Bei monatlicher Zahlung werden die Preise im Vergleich zur Konkurrenz recht hoch. Bei Swiss21 hatman nur die Möglichkeit, monatlich zu zahlen. Das hat den Vorteil, dass man das Programm jederzeit wechseln kann.

			
			

			
				
4. Was sind die Erfahrungen von den Mini-ERPs?

				
					
Zum Zeitpunkt der Erstellung dieses Artikels waren die Meinungen zu Bexio auf den verschiedenen Bewertungsplattformen unterschiedlich. Auf Google haben sie mit 4,1 von 5 Punkten eine positive Bewertung. Auf Captera haben sie eine durchschnittliche Bewertung mit 2,9 von 5 und auf Trustpilot hat das Unternehmen eine sehr niedrige Bewertung von 1,7 von 5,die von mehr als 67 Personen vergeben wurde. Swiss21 hat weniger Bewertungen, aber bessere Bewertungen auf den in diesem Artikel erwähnten Bewertungsplattformen. Auf Google hat Swiss21 eine Bewertung von 4,7 von 5, auf Captera eine einzige Bewertung mit 5 Sternen und auf Trustpilot eine Bewertung von 4 von 5.

			
			

			
				
5. Bexio Treuhänder und Swiss21 Treuhänder

				
					
Beide Hersteller haben eine Webseite mit den verschiedenen Treuhandpartnern. Diese wurden von jeder der Anwendungen geschult und können bei fachspezifischen Fragen oder bei der Einrichtung des Kontos kontaktiert werden. Dies ist ein kostenpflichtiger Zusatzservice, der kleinen KMUs beispielsweise beim Abschluss ihrer Buchhaltung am Jahresende helfen kann.

			
			
Gesponserte Banner Integration:




]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/vergleich-von-zwei-schweizer-mini-erp-bexio-und-swiss21</link><guid>3279</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Bexio-und-Swiss21-1024x576.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Vergleich von zwei Schweizer “Mini ERP”: Bexio und Swiss21</dc:text></item><item><title>SumUp Selects Form3 for UK Payments to Boost Growth</title><description><![CDATA[SumUp, the financial partner for over 4 million businesses worldwide, has selected Form3, the cloud-native account-to-account payments platform, to provide direct access into the UK Faster Payments Scheme (FPS) and Bacs Scheme to further enhance its business account offering for UK customers.
SumUp will connect to the Form3 platform via a single API where Form3 will manage the payment processing. In a unique model pioneered by Form3, Barclays will provide scheme settlement with the Bank of England on SumUp’s behalf. This will enable SumUp to build and create unique products for its UK small and medium business customers.
Michael Mueller, Form3 CEO, said:




   



    
   


   








Michael Mueller
“SumUp is a major name in mobile point of sale and our core values very much align; a tech-first approach to payments with a primary goal of delighting customers. We are very pleased to support their expansion and aid their mission to support small and medium businesses which is the lifeblood of the UK economy. SumUp is yet another Faster Payments direct participant choosing to use Form3 technology, further strengthening our position as the leading cloud-native account-to-account payment platform for the world’s leading banks and fintech organisations.”
Direct scheme participation will lead to many benefits for SumUp including more resilient and reliable payments, the ability to seamlessly scale and to reduce their total processing costs as they continue their rapid expansion. Form3’s fully managed service also future proofs SumUp against the potentially disruptive impact of mandatory scheme and regulatory changes such as the New Payments Architecture (NPA).
David Tatarishvilli, Head of Business Operations Banking Tribe at SumUp, comments:
David Tatarishvilli
“Having thoroughly assessed the UK market, Form3 was the standout candidate. We are delighted to partner with Form3 as our payments provider for UK Faster Payments. Form3’s established reputation in the market, proven operational resiliency and ability to scale with our growth plans made them our chosen partner. As a platform, Form3 can also help us break into new markets and create new payments offerings, so we are very excited about what the future holds.”

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sumup-selects-form3-for-uk-payments-to-boost-growth</link><guid>3277</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Refintiv-KYC-AML-Soultions-for-Fintech-.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>SumUp Selects Form3 for UK Payments to Boost Growth</dc:text></item><item><title>N26 Launches Local IBAN Accounts in France</title><description><![CDATA[N26 announced the launch of its French IBAN bank accounts.
Aimed at combating IBAN discrimination, the French IBAN gives French consumers another reason to leverage N26 as their primary bank account. Starting today, all new N26 customers in France will receive a local French IBAN. Existing customers of the German-regulated digital bank will be migrated from their German (DE) IBAN to a new local French (FR) IBAN over the coming weeks, with the migration of all customers expected to be concluded before the end of 2023.
Underlines Jérémie Rosselli, GM N26 France &amp; Benelux.




   



    
   


   








Jérémie Rosselli
“While the European single market exists for the benefit of customers, with EU legislation mandating seamless acceptance across borders for all European IBANs, IBAN discrimination continues to exist today. This sometimes creates unnecessary friction for banking customers who may struggle to deposit their salaries or pay for utilities if they do not have a local IBAN. At N26, we want to change the world’s relationship with money for the better, and strive to offer locally relevant products that meet our customer’s needs in every market. Having launched local IBANs to millions of other customers in our European markets, we’re excited that all our customers in France will be able to have a fully French N26 account with a French IBAN by the end of the year.”
Launched in 2017 in France, N26 has welcomed more than 2.5 million customers in the market to date, and is continuing to double down on its commitment to offer a locally relevant product for customers in France as it establishes itself as the leading digital bank in the country.
The launch of the French IBAN not only responds to strong customer demand, but also supports N26 being used increasingly as a primary account – an important step as the company moves towards profitability. Previous local IBAN launches in Spain and Italy reliably led to a doubling of customer deposits in the 18-24 months that followed the introduction of local IBANs. N26 additionally saw a significant increase in the number of premium subscribers in these markets following its introduction of local IBANs. More than half of the customers that chose N26 in France over the last two years have already opted for a paid account subscription.

Featured image credit: Jérémie Rosselli, GM N26 France &amp; Benelux. Background image edited from N26.


]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/n26-launches-local-iban-accounts-in-france</link><guid>3278</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Refintiv-KYC-AML-Soultions-for-Fintech-.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>N26 Launches Local IBAN Accounts in France</dc:text></item><item><title>Numarics sichert sich 10 Millionen CHF Seed Funding, UBS als Investorin dabei</title><description><![CDATA[Das Schweizer Fintech-Startup Numarics hat sich eine Seed-Runde in Höhe von 10 Millionen CHF für seine KI-gestützte Finanz- und Administrationslösung für KMU gesichert. Die Investition wurde von UBS über UBS Next, den Geschäftsbereich für Venture und Innovation des Unternehmens, zusammen mit FiveT Fintech und den früheren Investoren Wingman Ventures und Seed X geleitet.
Die Seed-Investition wird das Wachstum von Numarics durch Akquisitionen, die weitere Expansion in der Schweiz und die weitere Produktentwicklung unterstützen, um eine breitere Palette von Dienstleistungen anzubieten.
Numarics wurde 2020 von Dominique Rey, einem Senior-Experten für Finanz- und aufsichtsrechtliche Prüfungen mit langjähriger Erfahrung bei PwC und Grant Thornton, und Kristian Kabashi, einem Experten für Geschäftstransformation und digitale Innovation, gegründet. Numarics wurde von Experten in den Bereichen Finanzen, Wirtschaftsprüfung, KI und Automatisierung mit der Vision entwickelt, die Geschäftsverwaltung durch einen Mobile-First-Ansatz nahtlos in den Lebensstil der Unternehmer von heute zu integrieren.




   



    
   


   








Numarics macht die Verwendung unterschiedlicher Software für Buchhaltung, Rechnungsstellung, Dokumentenmanagement und Liquiditätsplanung überflüssig. KMU können dadurch Geld sparen, da sie keine entsprechenden Berater einstellen müssen. Numarics bietet eine digitale CFO-Lösung, auf die sich Unternehmen verlassen können. Die Kombination aus KI und menschlichem Fachwissen ermöglicht ein einzigartiges Benutzererlebnis, das schnell, intelligent und sicher ist. Es automatisiert viele Aspekte des Backoffice und bietet Nutzern und Experten Vorteile, indem es ihnen lästige Verwaltungsaufgaben abnimmt und Einblicke in das gesamte Unternehmen gewährt.
Dominique Rey
Dominique Rey, Mitbegründer und CEO von Numarics, kommentierte:
«Unser Ziel ist klar: Wir wollen die Geschäftsverwaltung für KMU, die durch zeitraubende Verwaltungsaufgaben belastet sind, verändern. Wir integrieren komplexe Prozesse wie Buchhaltung, Gehaltsabrechnung und Steuern in benutzerfreundliche Apps, so dass unser KI-gestütztes App-Ökosystem die Prozesse rationalisieren kann. KMU haben die Möglichkeit, auf unsere internen Experten zuzugreifen, die unsere Digital-CFO-Lösung bilden.»
Numarics hat bis heute 19,3 Millionen CHF eingeworben. In kurzer Zeit hat das Unternehmen grosse Erfolge erzielt und das Vertrauen vieler Unternehmen gewonnen. Derzeit ist Numarics von neun Standorten in der Schweiz aus tätig. Mit einem Team von über 100 Experten hat das Unternehmen einen beachtlichen Kundenstamm von über 3.000 Kunden aufgebaut. Numarics hat in diesem Jahr vier Akquisitionen getätigt, darunter die Übernahme von a&amp;o kreston, einem der führenden Treuhandunternehmen in der Schweiz.
Mike Dargan, Group Chief Operations and Technology Officer von UBS, erklärte:
Mike Dargan
«Mit UBS Next investieren wir in Unternehmen, die dazu beitragen, die Zukunft des Bankgeschäfts zu gestalten und die sich wandelnden Bedürfnisse unserer Kunden zu erfüllen. Mit dieser Investition unterstützen wir das Wachstumsengagement von Numarics sowie den Ausbau neuer und bestehender Produkte für KMU, einer wichtigen Kundenbasis für unser Unternehmen in der Region.»
Numarics lancierte sein Produkt erstmals im September 2021 und wurde mit Gold in der Kategorie Enterprise von Best Of Swiss Apps 2021 ausgezeichnet. In diesem Jahr wurde Numarics zudem von den renommierten Swiss FinTech Awards als eines der Top 10 Fintech-Unternehmen in der Schweiz und als eines der Top 5 Startups in der Wachstumsphase ausgezeichnet.

Featured image credit: Dominique Rey, co-founder and CEO of Numarics .Edited from freepik.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/numarics-sichert-sich-10-millionen-chf-seed-funding-ubs-als-investorin-dabei</link><guid>3276</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Refintiv-KYC-AML-Soultions-for-Fintech-.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Numarics sichert sich 10 Millionen CHF Seed Funding, UBS als Investorin dabei</dc:text></item><item><title>Smartes Heim: Ideen für die Integration von Elektronik im Haushalt</title><description><![CDATA[Unsere Häuser werden schlauer. Intelligente Sprachsteuerung, automatisierte Routinen und Roboter in allen Räumen – der Fantasie sind fast keine Grenzen mehr gesetzt. In diesem Ratgeber sind ein paar Ideen gesammelt, um verschiedene smarte Elektronik als Alltagshilfen oder als kleinen Luxus ins Haus zu integrieren:

Ein Heimkino für gemütliche Abende zu Hause
Multi-Talente: Sprachgesteuerte Alltagshilfe
Smarte Lichtschalter und Glühbirnen
Haussicherung durch Smart Home
Roboter: Staubsaugen und Rasenmähen

Im Folgenden werden die einzelnen Punkte weiter erläutert und es wird aufgezeigt, in welchen Bereichen Elektronik unseren Alltag einfacher machen und wo es ein wenig Luxus hinzufügen kann.

Heimkino für Filmabende oder Serien Binge-Watching
Als grosser Film und/oder Serien-Fan ist ein eigenes Heimkino ein Luxus, den man sich gönnen muss. Eine riesige Leinwand von vidaXL, einen Beamer, der den Film auf die Leinwand projiziert und ein kuscheliges Sofa sind die Grundbausteine eines Kinos für zu Hause. Es sich auf der Couch zwischen weichen Kissen und kuscheligen Decken mit einer Schale Popcorn gemütlich zu machen, ist für viele die ideale Art und Weise zum Entspannen. Mit professionellen Lautsprechern wird das Kinoerlebnis komplett.
Beim Einrichten des Heimkinos ist es wichtig, daran zu denken, dass der Raum möglichst dunkel ist, hierzu können Rollladen oder Gardinen zur Abdunklung praktisch sein. Dann gibt es nämlich die optimale Bildqualität, auch wenn draussen die Sonne scheint.
Sprachgesteuerte Alltagshilfe sind Multi-Talente
Heutzutage gibt es viele verschiedene sprachgesteuerte Lautsprecher und Smart Home Hubs. Die Smart Speaker sind praktische Alltagshilfen, denn mit einem kurzen Kommando kann zum Beispiel das Licht ein- und ausgeschaltet werden oder beim Kochen ein Timer gestellt werden.
So ein Lautsprecher kann natürlich auch Musik spielen. Musik hilft in verschiedenen Situationen die Stimmung zu beeinflussen und zum Beispiel beim langweiligen Aufräumen mit guter Musik dazu beizutragen, die Pflichten etwas angenehmer zu gestalten. Die Smart Speaker sind mit dem Internet verbunden und können Musik entweder über das Radio oder Musikstreamingdienste abspielen.
Wenn im Haus die Temperaturregelung digitalisiert ist, kann diese über Sprachsteuerung geregelt werden. Ein kurzes Kommando, und die Temperatur wird nach oben oder nach unten reguliert.
Als besonderer Gimmick kann eine sprachgesteuerte Anlage Witze erzählen, Auskünfte über das Wetter geben oder jeden Tag um 15 Uhr zum Rausgehen auffordern.
Wer sich mit der Sprachsteuerung nicht ganz wohl fühlt, findet alternative Lösungen mit Fernbedienungen, einem Tablet oder dem eigenen Smartphone. So können auf jeden Fall Dinge wie Licht, Temperatur und Musik leicht kontrolliert werden.
Tipp: Die sprachgesteuerten Lautsprecher werden zu wahren Alltagshilfen, wenn Routinen programmiert werden. Zum Beispiel so, dass ein einfacher Satz wie „Guten Morgen!” das Licht einschaltet, die Lieblingsmusik anfängt und die Kaffeemaschine angeht. Dann kann der Tag richtig beginnen.
Smarte Lichtschalter und Glühbirnen
Licht spielt in unseren Heimen eine ganz besondere Rolle. Das Licht eines Raumes hat einen grossen Einfluss auf die Stimmung und die Atmosphäre. Beim Arbeiten im Homeoffice benötigt es volles Licht, um die Augen zu schonen und Energie zu geben. Beim romantischen Abendessen zu zweit ist es jedoch angenehmer mit etwas weniger Licht.
Smarte Lichtschalter und Glühbirnen helfen, das Licht im Alltag zu steuern. So kann man morgens zum langsam heller werdenden Licht wie beim natürlichen Sonnenaufgang wach werden oder mit nur einem Satz über die Sprachsteuerung alle Lichter beim aus dem Haus gehen ausmachen.
Die smarten Lichtschalter sind mit dem Smartphone oder dem sprachgesteuerten Lautsprecher verbunden. Ein Gang zum Lichtschalter ist also nicht mal unbedingt notwendig, alles wird gemütlich vom Bett, Sofa oder sogar von unterwegs gesteuert.
Haussicherung durch Smart Home
Neben einem Alarmsystem gibt uns die Elektronik eines Smart Homes auch noch andere Möglichkeiten, um unser Heim zu sichern. Stressfreies Reisen wird dadurch ermöglicht, dass das Licht mit einem Timer automatisch jeden Abend eingeschaltet wird. So scheint es, als ob immer jemand zu Hause ist.
Ausserdem ist es möglich, Kameras im Aussen- und Innenbereich zu installieren. So hat man auch aus dem Urlaub immer einen Blick auf sein Zuhause. Wenn Hund und Katze tagsüber alleine zu Hause sind, kann eine Kamera beruhigend sein, um zwischendurch einzuchecken.
Roboter: Staubsaugen und Rasenmäher
Jeden Tag zu einem sauberen Boden nach Hause zu kommen klingt wie ein Traum. Ein Saugroboter macht diesen Traum zur Realität. Das Saugen geschieht beispielsweise automatisch jeden Tag um 10 Uhr. Einige moderne Saugroboter wischen zudem gleichzeitig den Boden. Eine lästige Alltagsaufgabe einfach delegiert.
Auch das Rasenmähen kann leicht digitalisiert und automatisiert werden. Die grosse Auswahl an Robotern bietet für jeden eine passende Lösung. Ein einfaches Kabel am Rande des Gartens hilft dem Roboter seinen Weg zu finden.
Es gibt also viele Möglichkeiten, ein Heim „smarter” zu machen. Nicht alles muss gleichzeitig installiert werden, sondern es ist wichtig auszuwählen, was für den einzelnen Haushalt Sinn macht. Es geht um eine Vereinfachung des Alltags, aber auch um kleine Spielereien, die täglich gute Laune machen.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/smartes-heim-ideen-fur-die-integration-von-elektronik-im-haushalt</link><guid>3275</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/smart-home.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Smartes Heim: Ideen für die Integration von Elektronik im Haushalt</dc:text></item><item><title>Banks Team up with Fintech Companies to Enhance Payment Offerings</title><description><![CDATA[Banks from around the world are teaming up with fintech companies to expand their payment offerings in a bid to enhance customer experience and respond to rising competition, a new analysis by FXC Intelligence, a financial data company specializing in international payments, payment cards, cryptocurrency and e-commerce industries, shows.
A new report released on June 16, 2023 looks at bank-fintech partnerships announced in Q2 2023, highlighting trends that emerged in the last quarter.
According to the report, banks are actively pursuing partnership opportunities with digital players as they seek to stay relevant.




   



    
   


   








In Q2 2023, several partnerships were announced, focusing on helping banks to either launch new payment products, improve their cross-border payment offerings or prepare for a future where real-time payments are the norm, the analysis shows.
Iceland’s Kvika Bank, for example, announced in June a collaboration with Finnish card issuing and processing company Enfuce to offer a range of modern card and mobile payment solutions, including new subscription-based services, a Visa consumer credit card and Apple Pay and Google Pay integration.
Through the partnership, Kvika Bank will also be looking to revamp Aur, a mobile payment app that the bank acquired in 2021, and add “compelling features and benefits that customers want to enjoy,” the bank said in a statement.
In Germany, digital bank N26 turned to Stripe to offer more options and a more seamless experience to its customers. The partnership, announced in June, focused on enabling credit card, debit card, and digital wallet top-up options in the N26 app.
Other banks, such as GMO Aozora Net Bank, from Japan, and Barclays, from the UK, unveiled new collaborations in Q2 2023 to enhance their cross-border payment offerings. GMO Aozora Net Bank teamed up with money transfer specialist Wise in May to leverage the company’s business-to-business (B2B) offering, Wise Platform, and provide more efficient and lower-cost international transfer services to 80,000 corporate customers.
Barclays, meanwhile, announced that same month a collaboration with B2B paytech company TransferMate to bring its international receivables solution to the bank’s corporate customers.
Meanwhile, banking incumbents such as SouthState are tying up with payment fintech firms to lay the foundations for instant payments and the forthcoming launch of FedNow. Regional bank SouthState announced a partnership with cloud payments and financial messaging startup Volante Technologies in April to ramp up its payment capabilities, gain in efficiency and attract new customer segments, the bank said. FedNow, a new interbank instant payment infrastructure developed by the US Federal Reserve, is scheduled to go live later this month.
Bank-fintech partnerships in Q2 2023, Source: FXC Intelligence, June 2023
These new partnerships are being inked at a time when competition is ramping up the banking space, fueled by the rise of the fintech sector and digitalization.
In Asia, banking incumbents are transforming their payment strategies in response to evolving customer demands and technological advancements. A 2023 interview conducted by McKinsey and Company questioned executives from three leading banks in Asia, namely ICICI Bank, DBS Bank and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), on their payment strategies.
Findings from the interviews show that, across the region, banks are leveraging the rise of digital payments by expanding their digital payment offerings and collaborating with fintech companies to provide innovative solutions.
Another trend outlined by the banking executives is the advent of open banking initiatives, a phenomenon that’s encouraging incumbents to team up with digital players to offer customers a broader range of payment options and personalized services.
Finally, as real-time payments are becoming the norm, Asian banks are investing heavily in infrastructure and tech to facilitate faster and more efficient payments.
Demonstrating the growth of bank-fintech partnerships, Wise said in January 2023 that its Wise Platform B2B offering recorded strong growth in 2022, launching 15 new partnerships last year for a total of 60 partners globally. The company said that nearly 10 million new customers gained access to Wise’s cross-border payment infrastructure via the platform in 2022 alone.

Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/banks-team-up-with-fintech-companies-to-enhance-payment-offerings</link><guid>3274</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Simpego_600x500.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Banks Team up with Fintech Companies to Enhance Payment Offerings</dc:text></item><item><title>Digitaler Briefkasten und automatisierte Buchhaltung: PEAX und accounto vertiefen die Zusammenarbeit</title><description><![CDATA[Zwischen Unternehmen und Treuhänder:innen gibt es in der Regel einen für beide Seiten kritischen Punkt: Die rasche und vollständige Zustellung der Belege.
Was bisher von Medienbrüchen, mehrfachem gegenseitigem Nachfragen und dadurch von Verzögerungen in der laufenden Buchführung geprägt war, wird neu durchgängig digitalisiert und zu weiten Teilen automatisiert. Dank der Verbindung zweier bestehender Pionierlösungen: PEAX und accounto.
Während PEAX den digitalen Briefkasten bereitstellt, in den über einen Multi ChannelEingang sowohl die physische wie auch digitale Post eingeht und professionell aufbereitet wird, bietet accounto die anschliessende automatisierte Verbuchung, die auf intelligenten, individuell konfigurierbaren Regelwerken basiert. Durch Daten, die aus den Belegen ausgelesen werden, werden die Buchungsworkflows automatisch angestossen – so dass rund 95% der Buchungen automatisiert und ohne manuelles Eingreifen erfolgen. Lediglich die wenigen verbleibenden Buchungen müssen aktiv kontrolliert und gegebenenfalls angepasst werden.
Pascal Ingold
Damit schaffen PEAX und accounto die Basis für eine vollständig digitale Buchhaltung. Pascal Ingold, Geschäftsführer des Treuhandunternehmens Fistra AG sowie PEAX- und accounto-Kunde:
„Sowohl PEAX als auch accounto sind an sich schon nützliche Tools, allerdings vervielfacht sich ihr Nutzen, wenn man die beiden Tools kombiniert. Denn die beste automatisierte Buchhaltung nützt mir nichts, wenn ich warten muss, bis die Unterlagen da sind. Die Unterlagen stets pünktlich zu erhalten, erspart uns aber die zeitraubende, manuelle Buchführung noch nicht. Dank PEAX sind heute alle Belege tagesaktuell verfügbar, und in accounto werden sie zum grössten Teil vollständig automatisiert verbucht. Das ist ein echter Game-Changer in Sachen Digitalisierung und Automatisierung.“
Nicht zuletzt legt der PEAX-accounto-Workflow den Grundstein für neue Geschäftsmodelle, die sowohl für die Kunden als auch die Treuhänder:innen attraktiv sind. Kurz gesagt: eine Win-Win-Situation für alle.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digitaler-briefkasten-und-automatisierte-buchhaltung-peax-und-accounto-vertiefen-die-zusammenarbeit</link><guid>3273</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Digitaler Briefkasten und automatisierte Buchhaltung: PEAX und accounto vertiefen die Zusammenarbeit</dc:text></item><item><title>Selma Raised 1.3 Million CHF From Community Crowdinvesting Campaign</title><description><![CDATA[Selma set a goal of 1 Million CHF/EUR at the beginning of the campaign. The plan was to keep the campaign running for 2 weeks and focus on their community.
“After one week it became clear that we would reach 1 Million even earlier and had additional requests by “not yet Selma clients”. The decision to free up more shares was made quickly – we opened the campaign to the public and managed to raise 30% more than originally planned.
Patrik Oliver Schär
Since the start we have built our company together with our customers – for our customers. Now, we want to make sure we stay close to our community while we aim to scale Selma into the No. 1 wealth management service in Switzerland.”
– Patrik Schär, CEO &amp; Co-Founder




   



    
   


   








Selma’s he biggest learning of the crowdinvesting campaign:“Our community is our biggest growth driver. In market environments like these, we didn’t know if the time for welcoming clients into the “inner circle” was right, but we wanted to try.Watching the % move up minute by minute on the day of our launch reminded us of our wonderful client base – and that there is trust and excitement to get involved in our community, independent of timing.”
Selma overfunded – what will happen with the extra cash?
Highly voted, big features on their roadmap are first on the list. Selma wants to use the cash from their community to build what their community is waiting for.
This means

Improving the advice Selma gives each and every one of you based on your situation, your cash, the markets, and more
Improving how you see transactions, performance details and details about your portfolio in the app
Looking into the right solutions for joint accounts, families and different reasons to invest your money

Selma aims to become the No.1 wealth management app in Switzerland – and that’s what they will focus on in the next months and years.

Source: The perks and benefits for crowdinvestors



]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/selma-raised-13-million-chf-from-community-crowdinvesting-campaign</link><guid>3272</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Simpego_600x500.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Selma Raised 1.3 Million CHF From Community Crowdinvesting Campaign</dc:text></item><item><title>Generative AI Frenzy Pushes Nvidia Market Capitalization Past US$1T Mark</title><description><![CDATA[Nvidia reached a market capitalization of more than US$1 trillion early this month, becoming the ninth company in history and the world’s first chipmaker to cross that threshold, according to Bloomberg and the Guardian. The company joined fellow tech companies and household names like Apple, Microsoft, Google parent Alphabet and Amazon in the US$1 trillion club.
Shares of the American chipmaker started soaring on May 24 after the company reported its first-quarter earnings for its fiscal 2024 with a stronger-than-expected forecast. Nvidia said it expects sales of about US$11 billion, plus or minus 2%, in the second-quarter, more than 50% higher than investors’ estimates of US$7.15 billion, CNBC reported in May 2023.
Nvidia’s share rose over 25%, and market value climbed to US$940 billion by the end of the following day. Shares price increased by another 4.2% on May 30, bringing the company’s total capitalization to over US$1 trillion.




   



    
   


   








Overall, Nvidia has risen by more than 160% over the past year, fueled by the artificial intelligence (AI) frenzy.
Founded in 1993 and headquartered in California, Nvidia is a software and fabless company which designs graphics processing units (GPUs), application programming interface (APIs) for data science and high-performance computing, as well as system on a chip units (SoCs) for the mobile computing and automotive market.
The company has led the revolution in computer graphics and videogame chips for about a quarter century, but its latest earnings shows momentum in its AI chips business as its technology is now at the center of the AI frenzy.
Nvidia’s data center group, which the company now calls “AI factories”, reported a record of US$4.28 billion in sales for the first quarter ended April 30, 2023, up 14% from a year ago and up 18% from the previous quarter.
The company said the increase was driven by demand for its GPU chips from cloud vendors and large Internet companies to train and deploy generative AI applications, a subfield of AI focused on developing algorithms and models that are capable of generating new text, images, or other media in response to prompts.
Nvidia’s chips provide the processing power needed to develop these new powerful AI applications. AI research laboratory and company OpenAI released ChatGPT in November 2022 with a brain composed of more than 20,000 Nvidia graphics processors, according to Bloomberg.
The company’s AI chips are also critical component of the cloud infrastructure that Alphabet, Amazon and Microsoft use. These services rent out their AI computing power to smaller companies and groups that cannot afford to build their own AI systems from scratch.
Last year, data-center operators collectively spending US$15 billion on bulk orders with Nvidia.
“You’re going to see tons and tons of ChatGPT-like things,” Huang said in an May 2023 interview. “This is basically a rebirth, a reinvention of computing as we know it.”
Huang had previously said that AI adoption was “at an inflection” with OpenAI’s ChatGPT “[capturing] interest worldwide.” He called the transformation an “iPhone moment” at a University of California, Berkeley, fireside chat on January 31, 2023.
Interest in AI has skyrocketed since the release of ChatGPT, an AI-powered chatbot that went viral for its ability to mimic human language and speaking styles, all the while providing coherent and topical information.
This has sparked a frenzy in the tech community and captured the attention of venture capital (VC) investors globally, ultimately benefiting Nvidia which produces 80% of the world’s GPUs, according to Reuters.
Although AI and ML funding declined last year, generative AI startup VC investment remained resilient in 2022, reaching a total of US$4.5 billion, according to Pitchbook data. This year, VCs increased their positions in the technology, with roughly US$1.7 billion being generated across 46 deals in Q1 2023 alone.
VC deals for generative AI, Source: Pitchbook, April 2023
Nvidia has pivoted to the AI market in the past few years after decades of leading the videogame chips market.
“We had the good wisdom to go put the whole company behind it,” Nvidia founder and CEO Jensen Huang told CNBC in an interview in February 2023.
“We saw early on, about a decade or so ago, that this way of doing software could change everything. And we changed the company from the bottom all the way to the top and sideways. Every chip that we made was focused on AI.”
Despite Nvidia’s lofty valuation, analysts believe the company’s AI chips business still has room for growth as generative AI technology remains at a nascent stage with wide adoption expected in the years to come.
McKinsey and Company estimates that adoption of generative AI could translate to the addition of up to US$4.4 trillion per year in value to the global economy. Generative AI also has the potential to substantially increase labor productivity across the economy, generating an estimate total economic benefit in labor productivity of up to US$7.9 trillion annually, the consultancy predicts.
This article first appeared on fintechnews.ch

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/generative-ai-frenzy-pushes-nvidia-market-capitalization-past-us1t-mark</link><guid>3270</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Simpego_600x500.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Generative AI Frenzy Pushes Nvidia Market Capitalization Past US$1T Mark</dc:text></item><item><title>Europe’s ‘Neo-Banks’ Open New Opportunities for the Distribution of Creditor Insurance</title><description><![CDATA[A multitude of ‘neo-banks’ have been formed in recent years, offering a range of banking services through digital channels and especially mobile banking apps. Despite the rapid proliferation and growth of these organisations, however, Finaccord’s research into European bancassurance has found that they remain a largely untapped channel for insurance distribution – and one that deserves insurers’ close attention.

Finaccord’s recent study of 379 banks and lending institutions in Europe included 31 neo-banks, applying two key criteria:




   



    
   


   









they must be primarily digital, and are in most cases mobile-led;
they must be new, or at least have come to prominence recently. For example, Orange Bank was excluded from this list because of its age – while it was one of the original mobile banks, it cannot be described as new anymore.

On the other hand, they don’t have to be full-service banks, and a number of them offer a more limited range of services chiefly focused on payments.
Finaccord researched 50 country-specific operations of these institutions across 15 European countries. While most are active in only one country, a few are active in many places, notably N26 and Revolut. These two also have the most customers, with estimated 7.5 million and 10 million customers for the operations that were researched, respectively.

Other leading neo-banks in this study are MyInvestor and Starling Bank (3 million customers in Spain and the UK respectively), Atom, Lunar and Lydia (each with about 2 million customers in the UK, Scandinavia and France respectively), plus FinecoBank and Hype (with about 1.5 million customers each, both in Italy). There are an estimated 38 million customers in total for the 50 banking operations included in this study.
Key findings include:

Neo-banks currently have many fewer bancassurance partnerships than more established banks, in part because they are so new that such partnerships have not been a priority while they have been building up their core technology, banking products and customer base.
For example, only 8% of these neo-banks offered home insurance compared to 39% of Finaccord’s total survey, though the difference was less for travel insurance (14% compared to 25%), in keeping with the appeal that neo-banks have to consumers who are often internationally mobile.
In keeping with this channel’s under-developed nature, only two of the partnerships held by neo-banks are run by a captive underwriter, compared to nearly a quarter of all bancassurance partnerships in place with banks and other lenders, making neo-banks potentially more open to working with external insurers.
The opportunity that stands out is for creditor insurance. If a customer takes out a credit card, consumer finance or mortgage from a neo-bank, then their relationship for creditor insurance is just as strong as it is for conventional banks – this is about a direct up-sell, not just using a bank’s customer base and brand to get unrelated sales. Yet only 21% of neo-banks that sell consumer finance offered creditor insurance with it, compared to 67% across all of the banks and lenders that were studied.
The difference was even greater for credit cards and mortgages: just 6% of neo-banks that sell credit cards and none of those selling mortgages offered creditor insurance with these products, compared to 25% and 67% for all banks and lenders, respectively.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik.


]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/europes-neo-banks-open-new-opportunities-for-the-distribution-of-creditor-insurance</link><guid>3269</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Finaccords-research-shows-life-premiums-in-country-A-declined-significantly-in-2020.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Europe’s ‘Neo-Banks’ Open New Opportunities for the Distribution of Creditor Insurance</dc:text></item><item><title>Europe’s Neo-Banks Remain an Untapped Channel for Insurance Distribution</title><description><![CDATA[A multitude of ‘neo-banks’ have been formed in recent years, offering a range of banking services through digital channels and especially mobile banking apps. Despite the rapid proliferation and growth of these organisations, however, Finaccord’s research into European bancassurance has found that they remain a largely untapped channel for insurance distribution – and one that deserves insurers’ close attention.

Finaccord’s recent study of 379 banks and lending institutions in Europe included 31 neo-banks, applying two key criteria:




   



    
   


   









they must be primarily digital, and are in most cases mobile-led;
they must be new, or at least have come to prominence recently. For example, Orange Bank was excluded from this list because of its age – while it was one of the original mobile banks, it cannot be described as new anymore.

On the other hand, they don’t have to be full-service banks, and a number of them offer a more limited range of services chiefly focused on payments.
Finaccord researched 50 country-specific operations of these institutions across 15 European countries. While most are active in only one country, a few are active in many places, notably N26 and Revolut. These two also have the most customers, with estimated 7.5 million and 10 million customers for the operations that were researched, respectively.

Other leading neo-banks in this study are MyInvestor and Starling Bank (3 million customers in Spain and the UK respectively), Atom, Lunar and Lydia (each with about 2 million customers in the UK, Scandinavia and France respectively), plus FinecoBank and Hype (with about 1.5 million customers each, both in Italy). There are an estimated 38 million customers in total for the 50 banking operations included in this study.
Key findings include:

Neo-banks currently have many fewer bancassurance partnerships than more established banks, in part because they are so new that such partnerships have not been a priority while they have been building up their core technology, banking products and customer base.
For example, only 8% of these neo-banks offered home insurance compared to 39% of Finaccord’s total survey, though the difference was less for travel insurance (14% compared to 25%), in keeping with the appeal that neo-banks have to consumers who are often internationally mobile.
In keeping with this channel’s under-developed nature, only two of the partnerships held by neo-banks are run by a captive underwriter, compared to nearly a quarter of all bancassurance partnerships in place with banks and other lenders, making neo-banks potentially more open to working with external insurers.
The opportunity that stands out is for creditor insurance. If a customer takes out a credit card, consumer finance or mortgage from a neo-bank, then their relationship for creditor insurance is just as strong as it is for conventional banks – this is about a direct up-sell, not just using a bank’s customer base and brand to get unrelated sales. Yet only 21% of neo-banks that sell consumer finance offered creditor insurance with it, compared to 67% across all of the banks and lenders that were studied.
The difference was even greater for credit cards and mortgages: just 6% of neo-banks that sell credit cards and none of those selling mortgages offered creditor insurance with these products, compared to 25% and 67% for all banks and lenders, respectively.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik.


]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/europes-neo-banks-remain-an-untapped-channel-for-insurance-distribution</link><guid>3271</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Finaccords-research-shows-life-premiums-in-country-A-declined-significantly-in-2020.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Europe’s Neo-Banks Remain an Untapped Channel for Insurance Distribution</dc:text></item><item><title>Finanz-App Yuh startet mit Säule 3a Konkurrenz</title><description><![CDATA[Yuh, die junge Schweizer Finanz-App erweitert ihr Angebot um eine digitale Säule 3a und geht damit mit den Platformen von Frankly, Viac und Co in direkte Konkurrenz.
In den nächsten Monaten erweitert Yuh das Angebot erneut, diesmal um eine eigene Säule 3a. Descartes, das FINMA-bewilligte Wealth-Tech aus Zürich, stellt dafür zusammen mit Lienhardt &amp; Partner Privatbank Zürich die technologische Plattform bereit. 
Für Descartes ist die strategische Partnerschaft mit Yuh ein bedeutsamer Erfolg in der Unternehmensgeschichte: Die Finanz-App bietet eigene innovative Anlageangebote speziell für junge, technologieaffine Nutzer:innen. Über die modulare, servicebasierte Technologie von Descartes erhält Yuh einfach und effizient Zugang zu den Vorsorgeplattformen der Lienhardt &amp; Partner Privatbank Zürich und der Vorsorgestiftung simply3a. Zusätzlich setzt Descartes als unabhängiges und FINMA-bewilligtes Institut die Asset Allocation der Musterportfolios mit Swisscanto Indexfonds der Zürcher Kantonalbank um.




   



    
   


   








Die Angebote von Yuh zur Säule 3a werden innerhalb der kommenden Monate in der App verfügbar sein.
Neben Yuh nutzen heute schon mehrere Schweizer Regionalbanken und Vermögensverwalter das Software-as-a-Service-Angebot von Descartes. Dadurch können sich diese Finanzinstitute auf ihre Kernkompetenzen konzentrieren, anstatt eigene Plattformen zu entwickeln.
Markus Schwab, CEO von Yuh, sagt:
Markus Schwab
«Descartes hat uns mit ihrer technologischen und fachlichen Kompetenz überzeugt. Die unternehmerische Unabhängigkeit und eine ausgewiesen sichere, zuverlässige und komfortable Technologie passen zu den Bedürfnissen und Werten von Yuh. Wir freuen uns auf die gemeinsame Zusammenarbeit.»
Adriano Lucatelli, Mitgründer und CEO von Descartes, sagt:
Adriano Lucatelli
«Dieses erfolgreiche Embedded-Finance-Projekt zeigt, dass unsere proprietäre Technologie die Marktprüfung bestanden hat. Mit Yuh als strategischem Partner gehören wir nun zu den führenden SaaS-Anbietern im Vorsorgebereich.»


Featured image credit &amp; edited from yuh.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finanz-app-yuh-startet-mit-saule-3a-konkurrenz</link><guid>3268</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Simpego_600x500.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Finanz-App Yuh startet mit Säule 3a Konkurrenz</dc:text></item><item><title>Thomson Reuters Acquires AI Legaltech Casetext for $650 Million in Cash</title><description><![CDATA[Thomson Reuters announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Casetext, a California-based provider of technology for legal professionals, for $650 million cash.
The proposed transaction will complement Thomson Reuters existing AI roadmap and builds on its recent initiatives, including a commitment to invest more than $100 million annually on AI capabilities, the development of new generative AI experiences across its product suite, as well as a new plugin with Microsoft and Microsoft 365 Copilot for legal professionals.
Founded in 2013, Casetext uses advanced AI and machine learning to build technology for legal professionals, creating solutions that help them work more efficiently and provide higher-quality representation to more clients. Casetext employs 104 employees, and its customers include more than 10,000 law firms and corporate legal departments.




   



    
   


   








Casetext was granted early access to OpenAI’s GPT-4 large language model, allowing it to develop solutions with the new technology and refine use cases for legal professionals. Its key products include CoCounsel, an AI legal assistant launched in 2023 and powered by GPT-4 that delivers document review, legal research memos, deposition preparation, and contract analysis in minutes.
Steve Hasker
“The acquisition of Casetext is another step in our ‘build, partner and buy’ strategy to bring generative AI solutions to our customers. We believe that Casetext will accelerate and expand our market potential for these offerings – revolutionizing the way professionals work, and the work they do.”
said Steve Hasker, president and CEO of Thomson Reuters.

Jake Heller
“For the last ten years, we have harnessed the power of AI to build products that elevate the practice of law and enable attorneys to serve more people’s legal needs, with the ultimate goal of increasing access to justice. Joining Thomson Reuters is an incredible opportunity to advance our mission and the field of generative AI solutions exponentially, not only for lawyers but across professions, ensuring this revolutionary technology can benefit as many people as possible.”
said Jake Heller, CEO of Casetext.
Closing of the transaction is subject to specified regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions and is anticipated to occur in the second half of 2023.
Featured image credit: Edited from freepik.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/thomson-reuters-acquires-ai-legaltech-casetext-for-650-million-in-cash</link><guid>3265</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Simpego_600x500.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Thomson Reuters Acquires AI Legaltech Casetext for $650 Million in Cash</dc:text></item><item><title>The 3 Finance and Insurance Vertical Winner of the &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; Switzerland Competition 2023</title><description><![CDATA[Venture, Switzerland’s leading early-stage startup competition, held its highly anticipated Award Ceremony on June 26, 2023, at the Swiss Tech Convention Center located at EPFL.
The event marked a significant milestone for &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; as it expanded its impact by introducing the Non-Profit Organization (NPO) track. The ceremony unveiled the winners of various awards, including the Grand Prize, the inaugural NPO Track winner, and the recipients of the Audience Award presented by RTS.
The startup Biosimo emerged as the winner of the Grand Prize, solidifying its position as Switzerland’s most promising early-stage startup. Their exceptional achievements in advancing the transition to a fossil-free chemical industry through low-cost bio-based chemicals propelled them to win this prestigious title. As the Grand Prize winner, Biosimo was honored with CHF 150,000 in non-dilutive funds and a McKinsey &amp; Company business consulting package.
For the first time in its 25-year history, &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; proudly announced the champion of its inaugural NPO Track. Openversum, with their innovative approach to provide safe drinking water to underserved communities, emerged as the winner among the nonprofit organizations. Their dedication to training local entrepreneurs in Colombia and Ecuador to provide safe drinking water through the manufacturing and distribution of household-level filters resonated with the jurors, earning them the coveted 1st place rank. In recognition of their outstanding work, Openversum received CHF 50,000 in non-dilutive funding to help jumpstart their nonprofit journeys.
Ulrich Jakob Looser
Ulrich Jakob Looser, Chairman of the &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; foundation, expressed his satisfaction with the competition’s evolution, stating,
“&gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt;’s expansion with the NPO track reflects our commitment to fostering innovative solutions. By providing a platform for profit-driven and social impact-driven ventures, we help create an environment conducive to driving economic growth and positive change.”
Additionally, the &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; Audience Award presented by RTS, recognized the startups that captured the hearts and votes of the Swiss audience. Among the 5 competing Business Track startups, Zizania won first place. The spinoff from Zollinger Bio upcycles plant materials to make natural and organic cosmetic products that are good for you and the planet. Within the NPO Track, GirlsCodeToo was selected as the winner by the audience. Both startups showcased their strong appeal and alignment with the values of the community. They were rewarded with CHF 10,000, and CHF 2,000, respectively.
This year, &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; received an overwhelming response with 336 applications, reflecting the vibrant and dynamic startup ecosystem in Switzerland. The competition returned to Western Switzerland after five years, emphasizing the region’s significance as an innovation hub. Out of the 18 winners announced, 8 startups hail from Western Switzerland, specifically cantons Vaud, Geneva, and Jura.
The Award Ceremony celebrated the top three winners from the NPO Track as well as each industry vertical within the Business track, including Health &amp; Nutrition, ICT, Industrial Engineering &amp; Hardware, Retail &amp; Customer Services, and Finance &amp; Insurance. The respective winners were bestowed with nondilutive cash prizes of CHF 50,000, CHF 20,000, and CHF 10,000 for achieving the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd positions, respectively. In addition to cash prizes, all first-place teams in their industry vertical were awarded a business consulting package from McKinsey &amp; Company.
The following is the ranking of the Finance &amp; Insurance winners:
FINANCE &amp; INSURANCE
1st place: Frigg (Zug, ZG)


Streamlining sustainable finance processes for small to mid-sized renewable energy developers, reducing manual efforts and costs.
2nd place: Grape Health (Zurich, ZH)

Providing fully digital employee insurance that prioritizes physical and mental well-being, investing in preventive services for healthier teams.
3rd place: Ascentys (Courroux, JU)

Automation of ESG assessment and reporting for companies, simplifying the process and enabling actionable reports.

The success of these remarkable winners, both in the Business and NPO Tracks, exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to innovation that drives the &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; competition. The evening’s celebrations provided a glimpse into the future of the Swiss startup ecosystem, where groundbreaking ideas and visionary leadership converge to shape a brighter tomorrow.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-3-finance-and-insurance-vertical-winner-of-the-venture-switzerland-competition-2023</link><guid>3266</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>The 3 Finance and Insurance Vertical Winner of the &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; Switzerland Competition 2023</dc:text></item><item><title>The 3 Finance and Insurance Vertical Winners of the &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; Switzerland Competition 2023</title><description><![CDATA[Venture, Switzerland’s leading early-stage startup competition, held its highly anticipated Award Ceremony on June 26, 2023, at the Swiss Tech Convention Center located at EPFL.
The event marked a significant milestone for &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; as it expanded its impact by introducing the Non-Profit Organization (NPO) track. The ceremony unveiled the winners of various awards, including the Grand Prize, the inaugural NPO Track winner, and the recipients of the Audience Award presented by RTS.
The startup Biosimo emerged as the winner of the Grand Prize, solidifying its position as Switzerland’s most promising early-stage startup. Their exceptional achievements in advancing the transition to a fossil-free chemical industry through low-cost bio-based chemicals propelled them to win this prestigious title. As the Grand Prize winner, Biosimo was honored with CHF 150,000 in non-dilutive funds and a McKinsey &amp; Company business consulting package.
For the first time in its 25-year history, &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; proudly announced the champion of its inaugural NPO Track. Openversum, with their innovative approach to provide safe drinking water to underserved communities, emerged as the winner among the nonprofit organizations. Their dedication to training local entrepreneurs in Colombia and Ecuador to provide safe drinking water through the manufacturing and distribution of household-level filters resonated with the jurors, earning them the coveted 1st place rank. In recognition of their outstanding work, Openversum received CHF 50,000 in non-dilutive funding to help jumpstart their nonprofit journeys.
Ulrich Jakob Looser
Ulrich Jakob Looser, Chairman of the &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; foundation, expressed his satisfaction with the competition’s evolution, stating,
“&gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt;’s expansion with the NPO track reflects our commitment to fostering innovative solutions. By providing a platform for profit-driven and social impact-driven ventures, we help create an environment conducive to driving economic growth and positive change.”
Additionally, the &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; Audience Award presented by RTS, recognized the startups that captured the hearts and votes of the Swiss audience. Among the 5 competing Business Track startups, Zizania won first place. The spinoff from Zollinger Bio upcycles plant materials to make natural and organic cosmetic products that are good for you and the planet. Within the NPO Track, GirlsCodeToo was selected as the winner by the audience. Both startups showcased their strong appeal and alignment with the values of the community. They were rewarded with CHF 10,000, and CHF 2,000, respectively.
This year, &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; received an overwhelming response with 336 applications, reflecting the vibrant and dynamic startup ecosystem in Switzerland. The competition returned to Western Switzerland after five years, emphasizing the region’s significance as an innovation hub. Out of the 18 winners announced, 8 startups hail from Western Switzerland, specifically cantons Vaud, Geneva, and Jura.
The Award Ceremony celebrated the top three winners from the NPO Track as well as each industry vertical within the Business track, including Health &amp; Nutrition, ICT, Industrial Engineering &amp; Hardware, Retail &amp; Customer Services, and Finance &amp; Insurance. The respective winners were bestowed with nondilutive cash prizes of CHF 50,000, CHF 20,000, and CHF 10,000 for achieving the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd positions, respectively. In addition to cash prizes, all first-place teams in their industry vertical were awarded a business consulting package from McKinsey &amp; Company.
The following is the ranking of the Finance &amp; Insurance winners:
FINANCE &amp; INSURANCE
1st place: Frigg (Zug, ZG)


Streamlining sustainable finance processes for small to mid-sized renewable energy developers, reducing manual efforts and costs.
2nd place: Grape Health (Zurich, ZH)

Providing fully digital employee insurance that prioritizes physical and mental well-being, investing in preventive services for healthier teams.
3rd place: Ascentys (Courroux, JU)

Automation of ESG assessment and reporting for companies, simplifying the process and enabling actionable reports.

The success of these remarkable winners, both in the Business and NPO Tracks, exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to innovation that drives the &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; competition. The evening’s celebrations provided a glimpse into the future of the Swiss startup ecosystem, where groundbreaking ideas and visionary leadership converge to shape a brighter tomorrow.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-3-finance-and-insurance-vertical-winners-of-the-venture-switzerland-competition-2023</link><guid>3267</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>The 3 Finance and Insurance Vertical Winners of the &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; Switzerland Competition 2023</dc:text></item><item><title>SAP Fioneer Rolls Out Customisable SME Banking Solution</title><description><![CDATA[SAP Fioneer, a global provider of financial services software solutions and platforms, has announced the launch of its tailored small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) banking offering.
As a unique end-to-end solution, the Fioneer SME Banking Edition covers front-to-back capabilities and seamlessly integrates with any core banking system. It enables banks to offer services that go beyond traditional banking products such as loans and deposits.
Banks will be able to broaden their offering with embedded services and stronger financial advice directly for SMEs. The solution can also be easily integrated and connect to ecosystems via pre-configured APIs.




   



    
   


   








The solution connects banks to external data sources such as Open Banking, central company registry, e-commerce and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) data, to form actionable insights that significantly help SMEs to stay ahead.
This will give SMEs clear transparency about cashflow and provide insight to the banks and enable e.g. smart funding options, offering more variety and increasing the number of businesses banks can serve.
Charlie Platt
Charlie Platt, Managing Director of Banking at SAP Fioneer said,
“SMEs represent the lifeblood of the economy, and it is critical that they are able to access the financial services they deserve.

Through our SME Banking Edition, banks will be able to create commercially viable, unique and better banking experiences for SMEs that will help them to stay ahead in a challenging economic environment.”
Dirk Kruse
Dirk Kruse, CEO of SAP Fioneer said,
“The introduction of our Fioneer SME Banking Edition significantly strengthens how banks interact with SMEs. Utilizing our proven technology, we’re facilitating banks to better serve SMEs in a dynamic economic landscape.

Drawing inspiration from the B2C market, we’re empowering banks to elevate their service offerings for SMEs.”

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sap-fioneer-rolls-out-customisable-sme-banking-solution</link><guid>3264</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Simpego_600x500.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>SAP Fioneer Rolls Out Customisable SME Banking Solution</dc:text></item><item><title>Bitcoin Crosses US$30K Mark Following Slew of Spot ETF Announcements</title><description><![CDATA[The price of bitcoin crossed the US$30,000 mark last week, driven by investors’ excitement about the prospects of high-profile investment firms jumping deeper into digital assets by launching spot crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
Bitcoin, the world’s largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, rose 15% following news that big name issuers were looking to launch spot bitcoin ETFs. Bitcoin surpassed the US$31,000/BTC mark on June 23, 2023, its highest level over the past 18 months. The crypto has surged by more than 80% since the beginning of the year.
image via Unsplash
The frenzy was fueled by the news that BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager with roughly US$9 trillion, filed on June 15 for a spot bitcoin ETF. The iShared Bitcoin Trust would track the cryptocurrency’s underlying market price, allowing investors to get exposure to the crypto. The ETF would use Coinbase Custody as its custodian, the filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) shows. BlackRock currently has an existing strategic partnership with Coinbase.




   



    
   


   








The BlackRock filing has led to a flurry of similar applications from rival investment firms. On June 20, fund companies Invesco and WisdomTree refiled applications with the SEC to launch the Invesco Galaxy Bitcoin ETF and the WisdomTree Bitcoin Trust, respectively. Days earlier, Bitwise submitted plans for a similar vehicle.
US investors currently have access to bitcoin futures ETFs solely. These instruments invest in bitcoin futures contracts, or agreements to purchase or sell bitcoin at a certain price on a specified date. A spot bitcoin ETF would allow investors to invest in the token directly, and provide easier access to the asset through traditional brokerage accounts.
Industry experts and observers believe that the BlackRock filing could be a sign that the US SEC might finally approve physically-backed bitcoin ETFs. These investment products have repeatedly been rejected by the regulator over concerns relating to fraud and manipulation in the spot market for bitcoin.
“When the world’s largest asset manager makes a move like this, other issuers are going to take notice because the stakes are so high in the Bitcoin ETF race,” Nate Geraci, president of advisory firm The ETF Store, told Bloomberg on June 21.
“There has been absolutely no indication that the SEC is ready to entertain a spot Bitcoin ETF. The likely assumption is that BlackRock may know something.”
According to Bloomberg Intelligence, about 30 attempts have been made so far to introduce a spot bitcoin ETF. WisdomTree has made two previous attempts to secure approval for such a product but both applications were rejected by the SEC in December 2021 and October 2022, respectively.
Invesco initially partnered up with Mike Novogratz’s Galaxy Digital to file for the Invesco Galaxy Bitcoin ETF in September 2021. The firm is now looking to reintroduce the instrument.
The US SEC has also rejected proposals for spot bitcoin ETFs from firms including Fidelity, Cboe Global Markets and NYDIG, Reuters reported earlier this month. The watchdog is currently being sued by Grayscale Investment over its refusal to allow the conversion of its flagship spot Grayscale Bitcoin Trust into an ETF. The US SEC argued that the proposal did not meet anti-fraud and investor protection standards, according to a March 2023 report by Reuters.
A challenging year for the crypto industry
The crypto sector has been undergoing a period of hardship. The market is still reeling from the scandal of FTX’s collapse, the sector is facing increased regulatory pressure, and prominent exchanges are being slammed by high-profile lawsuits.
Earlier this month, the US SEC sued both Coinbase and the world’s largest crypto exchange, Binance. The watchdog is alleging that Binance violated a variety of securities laws by operating exchanges, broker-dealers, and clearing agencies without the proper licenses. It also claims that Binance allowed for commingling of customer funds, that its founder, Changpeng Zhao, was running the business through a “web of deception,” “secretly” controlling Binance.US, and that a Zhao-owned and operated entity was inflating Binance.US’s trading volume.
The lawsuit against Coinbase, meanwhile, alleges that the crypto exchange has, since at least 2019, made billions of dollars by operating as a middleman on crypto transactions, while evading disclosure requirements meant to protect investors. It also claims that Coinbase traded at least 13 crypto assets that are securities that should have been registered, including Solana, Cardano and Polygon.
The US SEC also filed lawsuits against crypto lender Genesis as well as exchange platforms Gemini and Kraken earlier this year for breaking securities laws. Kraken eventually settled with the regulator, agreeing to pay a US$30 million fine and shutter its US crypto staking operation.
Increased regulatory scrutiny in the crypto space follows a series of massive company collapses and scandals.
In May, the fall of the Terra stablecoin project and its associated Luna reserve asset cryptocurrency triggered a domino effect on the whole crypto market, ultimately contributing to insolvency troubles at both crypto lender Celsius and hedge fund Three Arrows Capital.
In November, FTX, once one of the world’s largest crypto exchanges, filed for bankruptcy protection after a dramatic series of events led to a run on deposits and a selloff of FTT, its in-house crypto token. Gross negligence has since been exposed.
After reaching all-time high levels in 2021, the crypto market has undergone a prolonged “crypto winter.” Total market capitalization was cut in half in 2022, starting the year off at US$2.2 trillion to hit an annual low of US$1 trillion in November, according to The Block.

Featured image credit: edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bitcoin-crosses-us30k-mark-following-slew-of-spot-etf-announcements</link><guid>3263</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.am/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/bitcon-article-1024x768.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Bitcoin Crosses US$30K Mark Following Slew of Spot ETF Announcements</dc:text></item><item><title>Mastercard Accelerates Go-To-Market Opportunities for Blockchain Innovation</title><description><![CDATA[Expanded Mastercard Engage partner network will help scale digital assets and blockchain technology, and meet continued ecosystem demand
As Mastercard’s continues to embrace new and emerging payments technology such as crypto, Mastercard is introducing a new track as part of its global Engage partner network to allow businesses to quickly launch and scale products that power the Web3 economy.
Mastercard Engage makes it simple for partners to collaborate with Mastercard and accelerate time to market for product innovation through access to the company’s global network, expertise, technology, and resources. Last year alone, more than 150 Engage partners helped their customers deploy innovative solutions on more than 500 million accounts using Mastercard products and services.




   



    
   


   








The expanded Engage partner network focused on digital assets will help identify partners that can help bring new crypto card programs to market, in addition to allowing for crypto to fiat conversion capabilities. This, in turn, will broaden access to and for the many different players across the crypto value chain. Mastercard Engage benefits can be broken down into two key areas:

Become a partner: For issuers or BIN sponsors looking to launch new crypto card programs, and payment ecosystem enablers looking to scale crypto payments solutions with BIN sponsors, Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), processors and more
Find a partner: For companies or digital asset innovators looking for the right partners to launch and scale their offerings

Raj Dhamodharan
“Mastercard is committed to co-innovating across the industry to enable access to crypto and blockchain technology. This not only unlocks potential, but also provides greater choice in payments and commerce. The expanded Mastercard Engage network will help empower players across the digital asset ecosystem and beyond to fulfill their ambitions at scale, paired with the safety and security that comes with the Mastercard brand.”
said Raj Dhamodharan, executive vice president, Blockchain and Digital Assets at Mastercard.
The following enablement partners are joining Mastercard Engage to propel blockchain innovation:

Baanx (EU)
 Offers a range of services to store and spend cryptocurrencies seamlessly across more than 100 million acceptance locations globally

Credencial Payments (LAC)

Integrates payment methods with digital onboarding functionalities, focused on providing solutions for merchants and consumers

Episode Six (AP, EU, NAM)
Provides enterprise-grade payment processing and digital ledger infrastructure globally

Immersve (AP)

Supports both centralized and decentralized payment experiences through an issuing-as-a-service platform

Monavate (EU)

Improves the way the world makes payments through its smarter, faster, simpler card management platform

Moorwand (EU)
Offers BIN sponsorship, digital banking and compliance services for banks, fintechs and payment companies across the UK and EEA

PayCaddy (LAC)

Enables tech and non-tech companies in Latin America to launch digital banking and card products quickly and efficiently

Paymentology (AP, LAC, MEA)

Enables banks, digital banks and fintechs to rapidly issue and process cards, anywhere in the world, at scale

Pomelo (LAC)

Enables companies to launch and scale their fintech business within weeks in Latin America

Swap (LAC)
Offers a comprehensive financial solution – from regulatory support and banking services to card issuing and embossing – for fintechs, financial institutions and digital banks

Unlimit (EU)



Offers a large portfolio of financial services, including payment processing, banking as a service (BaaS), and an on-ramp fiat solution for crypto, DeFi and GameFi 



*Latin America and Caribbean (LAC)*Europe (EU)*Asia Pacific (AP)*Middle East and Africa(MEA)*North America (NAM)


Featured image credit: Edited from freepik.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mastercard-accelerates-go-to-market-opportunities-for-blockchain-innovation</link><guid>3261</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Simpego_600x500.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Mastercard Accelerates Go-To-Market Opportunities for Blockchain Innovation</dc:text></item><item><title>Backbase Taps Entrust to Enable Customers to Integrate With Google Pay, Apple Pay</title><description><![CDATA[Digital banking software provider Backbase has tied up with Entrust, an American digital security and credential issuance solutions provider, to enable its end customers to securely add their payment cards to third-party wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay.
The “add card to wallet” capability simplifies provisioning and activating cards for digital wallets with a push of a button.
Authentication takes place within the banking app, where the customer is already verified, eliminating the need for additional authentication steps required by third-party wallets and merchants.




   



    
   


   








Backbase’s end customers will be able to self-manage their cards, reducing the dependence on the branch and helpdesk, and thereby customer service costs.
Later this year, the partnership will launch additional new card features, e.g. the secure display of sensitive card information like the card number, expiry date, or cryptogram in the bank app and the ability to view and change the PIN in the banking app.
Roland-Booijen
“Backbase is laser-focused on reducing our customers’ time-to-market and time-to-value. Entrust’s deep sector expertise in digital card solutions and global presence means we can offer our customers and prospects the innovative banking experiences their customers have come to expect.”
said Roland Booijen, Backbase’s General Manager for Ecosystems.
Anthony Ball
“With our digital card expertise, connections to multiple processors, and the pre-integration of the Entrust Digital Card Solution within the Backbase platform, issuers can benefit from an even more simplified integration, delivering accelerated time to market. This brings more control and payment options to cardholders, while helping to drive increased card usage for banks.”
said Tony Ball, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Instant Issuance at Entrust.


Featured image credit: Edited from freepik.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/backbase-taps-entrust-to-enable-customers-to-integrate-with-google-pay-apple-pay</link><guid>3262</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Simpego_600x500.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Backbase Taps Entrust to Enable Customers to Integrate With Google Pay, Apple Pay</dc:text></item><item><title>Crypto.com Gets Regulatory Nod to Offer Services in Spain</title><description><![CDATA[Digital asset exchange platform Crypto.com announced that it has secured the virtual asset service provider (VASP) registration from the Bank of Spain. With this registration, Crypto.com may offer a suite of its products and services to users in Spain.
Crypto.com secured this registration following a comprehensive review of its compliance with Anti-Money Laundering Directive (AMLD) and other financial crimes laws, as well as measures to safeguard users.
The exchange has obtained regulatory approval in Singapore, France, the United Kingdom, Dubai, South Korea, Australia, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Cayman Islands, and Canada among others.




   



    
   


   








Kris Marszalek
“Receiving the VASP registration from the Bank of Spain is the latest testament to our commitment to compliance and eagerness to work with regulators and public officials in responsibly advancing crypto and blockchain technology.

We look forward to continuing to work with the Bank of Spain as we launch our products and services in-market and providing users with the comprehensive, safe and secure crypto experience that they desire,”
said Kris Marszalek, CEO of Crypto.com.

Featured image credit: Edited from unsplash.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/cryptocom-gets-regulatory-nod-to-offer-services-in-spain</link><guid>3260</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Simpego_600x500.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Crypto.com Gets Regulatory Nod to Offer Services in Spain</dc:text></item><item><title>UK Real Time Payment Fintech Volt Closed $60M Series B Round, CommerzVenture Participates</title><description><![CDATA[Volt, a UK based infrastucutre-real-time payment company, announces that it has raised a $60 million Series B to fund expansion into new international markets such as APAC and the Americas – and support product development in existing markets across Europe, the UK and Brazil. Following London Tech Week, this investment from IVP, one of Silicon Valley’s leading investors, signals a vote of confidence in the UK’s fintech sector.
The investment round was led by IVP, a Silicon Valley-based firm that has a 40+ year track record backing companies like Coinbase, Slack and Supercell (note that complete investment by IVP is subject to regulatory approval in the countries in which Volt is regulated). New investor, CommerzVentures, is also participating in this Series B round along with existing funds, including EQT Ventures, Augmentum Fintech PLC and Fuel Ventures.
Volt, which is currently available across the UK, Europe and Brazil, plans to bring its pioneering real-time payments technology to APAC with an Australian market entry planned for later in 2023, and also has its sights set on the US market. In an effort to continue innovating for customers, the company plans to use this Series B investment to build out its network of acceptance and global reach, and to enhance its product suite to include cash management, while also significantly bolstering its product and engineering teams.




   



    
   


   








Tom Greenwood, CEO of Volt, comments:
Tom Greenwood
“Testament to our progress and our vision for real-time payments everywhere, we’re thrilled to be working with our new partners at IVP, joining their portfolio of leading global brands. We’re staying focused, and humble, as we embark on this next chapter.”
Founded in 2019, Volt has established itself as a leading global real-time payments provider, and is forging the path by bringing together new generation account-to-account (A2A) payments infrastructure to a single point of access. This investment builds on Volt’s momentum, with recent wins including a global partnership for real-time payments with the world’s largest merchant acquirer, Worldpay from FIS, and teaming up with Shopify to become the commerce platform’s first open banking provider.
Stefan Tirtey, Managing Partner at CommerzVentures, adds:
Stefan Tirtey
“We’re excited by Volt’s progress to date in its mission to deliver the first global real-time payment network. With its strong leadership team, technical expertise and commercial prowess, we believe it’s well positioned to deliver on the potential of A2A payments. We look forward to seeing what the future holds.”


Featured image credit: Tom Greenwood, CEO of Volt and Eric Liaw, General Partner at IVP.  Background image edited from Freepik.


]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/uk-real-time-payment-fintech-volt-closed-60m-series-b-round-commerzventure-participates</link><guid>3259</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Simpego_600x500.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>UK Real Time Payment Fintech Volt Closed $60M Series B Round, CommerzVenture Participates</dc:text></item><item><title>FinFinder.ch sichert sich 200’000 CHF Angel Round Funding</title><description><![CDATA[FinFinder.ch ist einie unabhängige Matchmaking-Plattform für persönliche Finanzcoaches in der Schweiz. Das Unternehmen ist seit zwei Jahren aktiv und generiert täglich Kundenanfragen aus allen Altersgruppen und zu verschiedenen Finanzthemen wie Altersvorsorge, Geldanlage, Wohneigentum, Risikoabsicherung, Steuern und Nachlassplanung. Auf der schnell wachsenden Plattform sind bereits mehr als 200 Finanzcoaches registriert.
Im Rahmen der Weiterentwicklung hat sich FinFinder.ch eine Finanzierung in Höhe von CHF 200.000 gesichert. Die Finanzierungsrunde wurde von prominenten Angel-Investoren aus der Finanzbranche angeführt, die das enorme Potenzial der innovativen Matchmaking-Plattform von FinFinder.ch erkannten. Diese bedeutende Investition wird es dem Unternehmen ermöglichen, neue Teammitglieder einzustellen, seine Technologie weiterzuentwickeln, sein Benutzererlebnis zu verbessern und seine Marktreichweite zu erweitern.
Erste unabhängige Matchmaking-Plattform für Finanzcoaches
Andreas Schöni
Gegründet wurde das Fintech-Unternehmen von Andreas Schöni, der auf eine Karriere bei der UBS, der Zürcher Kantonalbank und der Schweizer Börse SIX zurückblickt und selbst als Finanzplaner arbeitet, und Ati Tosun, der zuletzt eine leitende Position bei der Zürcher Kantonalbank innehatte und seit acht Jahren als selbstständiger Unternehmer in der Entwicklung und Vermarktung von Online-Marktplätzen tätig ist.




   



    
   


   








Beraterbewertungen helfen bei der Suche
Auf der Website finfinder.ch können Experten in verschiedenen Finanzbereichen kostenlos und analog zu den aus der Reisebranche bekannten Suchplattformen gefunden werden. Als Nutzer bleibt man vorerst anonym und FinFinder.ch schlägt dem Nutzer unverbindlich neun Beraterprofile basierend auf den eigenen Suchkriterien vor, teilweise mit Videoporträts und Bewertungen.
Die registrierten Finanzcoaches sind entweder selbstständig oder bei einem Finanzunternehmen wie einer Bank, einer Versicherung oder einem Vermögensverwalter angestellt. Auf dem Portal sind neben den selbständigen Finanzcoaches auch Spezialisten namhafter Unternehmen wie Raiffeisen, Zürcher Kantonalbank und diverser weiterer Kantonalbanken, Swiss Life, Helvetia, Maerki Baumann &amp; Co., Generali und Globalance registriert. Während die private Nutzung kostenlos ist, zahlen die geprüften Finanzcoaches für die Registrierung auf der Plattform eine fixe Abonnementgebühr. Die Finanzcoaches erhalten Kundendaten nur dann, wenn der Nutzer diese ausdrücklich auswählt und per Klick entscheidet, dass er mit dem Finanzcoach in Kontakt treten möchte.
Kürzlich konnte das Portal auch den ehemaligen ZKB CEO Martin Scholl für den Beirat gewinnen.


Featured image credit: FinFinder.ch. Edited from FinFinder.ch.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finfinderch-sichert-sich-200000-chf-angel-round-funding</link><guid>3258</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Simpego_600x500.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>FinFinder.ch sichert sich 200’000 CHF Angel Round Funding</dc:text></item><item><title>Europe Lags Behind Asia and Latin America in Real-Time Payments Adoption</title><description><![CDATA[ACI Worldwide, a Realtime Payment Specialist, recently launched its ACI Instant Pay solution in Europe and the U.K., enabling merchants to accept online, mobile and in-store payments instantly via a simple API integration with ACI Payments Orchestration Platform.
Merchants are set to gain significantly from the adoption of instant payments through the elimination of interchange fees, instant settlement — which means instant liquidity — and the elimination of chargebacks.
Banks across Europe must comply with the proposed EC law, mandating banks and financial institutions across Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) countries to offer instant payments under the SEPA Instant Credit Transfer scheme, at the same cost or lower than standard credit transfers. The new regulation is aimed at unlocking the benefits of instant payments for European economies. Increased participation, simplified access, commercially attractive pricing and new value-added services for consumers and businesses are some of the significant changes expected as a result of the Mandate.




   



    
   


   








The European commission sees instant payments as a path to unlock economic growth and drive financial inclusion across its member states. European banks must act now to comply with the EC Mandate. Instant payments will help to secure the competitiveness of banks, financial services providers and merchants. They remove payments friction, contribute to greater liquidity and ultimately improve the customer experience.
Prime-Time for Real-Time 2023 — Europe Lags Asia and Latin America in Real-Time Payments Adoption
ACI’s 2023 Prime Time for Real-Time report indicates that Europe’s economies are largely playing catch-up as widespread adoption drives global instant payments growth. According to the report, 195.0B instant payment transactions were recorded globally in 2022, a year-over-year growth of 63.2%.
Although considerable growth is expected across Europe — instant payment transactions in Europe are set to increase from 13.2B in 2022 to 34.2B by 2027, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21% — most European countries lag the emerging economies in Asia and Latin America in instant payments adoption.
While India remains the undisputed instant payments leader — responsible for 46% of all transactions worldwide — followed by Brazil, China, Thailand and South Korea, not a single EU country is among the top 10 global instant payment markets. Of all regions surveyed, Europe has the third-lowest level of instant payments as a proportion of electronic payments (7%), but this is predicted to grow, with an expected CAGR of 21% by 2027.
However, the report also shows that Europeans are ready for change. Mobile wallets are increasingly popular, with 41% of consumers in Europe holding or using a mobile wallet in 2022, compared to 31% in 2021 and 12% in 2018. Four smaller European countries — Netherlands, Sweden, Finland and Denmark — feature in the global top 10 for consumer adoption of instant payments by 2027.
Craig Ramsey
“These figures should serve as a wake-up call for all stakeholders in the European payments ecosystem. It is clear that if the EU continues at its current pace, it will fall further behind other world economies. We hope the EC Mandate provides the impetus needed for instant payments modernization in the region, providing consumers, corporations, businesses and merchants access to faster, cheaper and all-around better payments.”
said Craig Ramsey, global head of real-time payments at ACI Worldwide.
Spotlight France — One of the Top Growth Markets in Europe

France recorded 202M instant payment transactions in 2022, expected to grow to 1.4B by 2027, a CAGR of 47.8%.
France adopted SCT Inst in 2018, implementing instant payments into its domestic network. SCT Inst was developed by the EPC with the aim to create an instant payments network within the eurozone — though so far, the development towards a truly pan-regional, instant payments network within the EU has been slow.
Instant payments only represented a 0.5% share of total payments volume in 2022.
The EC Instant Payments Mandate and the EU’s invoicing regulations are expected to galvanize the domestic market.

Spotlight Italy — Cash Is Still King, but Major Change Is on the Horizon

Italy recorded 364M instant payment transactions in 2022, expected to grow to 787M by 2027, a CAGR of 16.7%.
Italy is among the few nations that adopted the pan-European SCT Inst scheme at an early stage in November 2017. Despite the head start and wide participation from banks and payment service providers (287 participants as of November 2022), the growth in adoption and usage of instant payments has been slow due to high preference for cash and the higher fees initially requested by financial institutions.
In 2022, instant payments accounted for just a 1.4% share of total payments transaction volume, while paper-based transactions had a 71.5% share. Instant payments’ share is projected to rise to 8.2% by 2027, and further acceleration in adoption is expected once the EC Mandate takes effect.

Spotlight Germany — Instant Payments Are Starting To Gain Traction

Germany recorded 1.1B instant payment transactions in 2022, expected to grow to 2.7B by 2027, a CAGR of 18.9%.
Germany adopted the pan-European SCT Inst payments scheme in 2017, gaining access to the European instant payments scheme. Today, SCT Inst provides instant payment transfers not only among participating financial institutions in Germany, but also with any participating financial institution in any other country in the eurozone. As in all SCT Inst markets, the EC Mandate could kick-start a major change.
Despite this regional link, instant payments represent only a small part of total payments volume and spending in Germany. In 2022, instant payments were 2.5% of total payments volume, while other forms of electronic payments represented 66.4%, and paper-based payments represented 31.1%. However, the use of cash is expected to decline by 10% in terms of total market share by 2027.

Spotlight Spain — Record Growth Expected by 2027

Spain recorded 364M instant payment transactions in 2022, expected to grow to 2.4B by 2027, a CAGR of 30.4%.
Spain launched its domestic instant payments system Bizum in October 2016 and later adopted SCT Inst in November 2017. The adoption of instant payments has been on a gradual rise, supported by increasing participation from banks and financial institutions. While Bizum had 32 participants, SCT Inst was adopted by more than 90 banks in Spain as of November 2022.
The share of instant payments of the total volume of electronic payments will increase from 2.6% in 2022 to 8.2% by 2027.



Featured image credit: Edited from freepik.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/europe-lags-behind-asia-and-latin-america-in-real-time-payments-adoption</link><guid>3257</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Simpego_600x500.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Europe Lags Behind Asia and Latin America in Real-Time Payments Adoption</dc:text></item><item><title>KKR to Buy EUR40 billion of PayPal’s Buy Now Pay Later Loans in Europe</title><description><![CDATA[PayPal Holdings and KKR, a leading global investment firm, announced the signing of an exclusive multi-year agreement for a €3 billion replenishing loan commitment under which private credit funds and accounts managed by KKR will purchase up to €40 billion of buy now, pay later (BNPL) loan receivables originated by PayPal in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
Under the terms of the agreement, KKR’s private credit funds and accounts will acquire substantially all the European BNPL loan portfolio held on PayPal’s balance sheet at the close of the transaction and will also acquire future originations of eligible BNPL loans. PayPal will remain responsible for all customer-facing activities, including underwriting and servicing, associated with its European BNPL products.
While the concept of split installment payments for consumer purchases has been around for decades and online consumer financing has been a strategic offering of PayPal since 2008, BNPL has dramatically increased in popularity over the past several years. Since launching its first BNPL offering in 2020, PayPal has become an industry leader with its PayPal Pay Later products, issuing more than 200 million loans to over 30 million customers in eight markets around the world. In 2022, PayPal processed more than $20 billion of BNPL payment volume globally, up approximately 160% from 2021.




   



    
   


   








Gabrielle Rabinovitch
“Buy now, pay later has become a major asset to PayPal’s checkout experience, driving engagement, payment volume growth, and repeat use while delivering high-value customers to our merchants. Our collaboration with KKR will allow us to accelerate our PayPal Pay Later originations alongside market demand in Europe while preserving free cash flow for other strategic initiatives. This transaction is yet another example of our disciplined approach to capital allocation.”
said Gabrielle Rabinovitch, senior vice president, acting chief financial officer of PayPal.
KKR is funding the transaction through its private credit funds and accounts.
Vaibhav Piplapure
“We are thrilled to deepen our footprint in consumer finance through this transaction and to work with one of the leading players in this space. We believe that PayPal Pay Later offers a differentiated experience that positions PayPal to capture additional share in this growing market.”
said Vaibhav Piplapure, a managing director at KKR.
Subject to certain conditions, this transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2023.


Featured image credit: Edited from freepik.


]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/kkr-to-buy-eur40-billion-of-paypals-buy-now-pay-later-loans-in-europe</link><guid>3256</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Simpego_600x500.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>KKR to Buy EUR40 billion of PayPal’s Buy Now Pay Later Loans in Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>Postfinance Plans Swiss Digital Franc</title><description><![CDATA[PostFinance wants to drive the development of a Digital Swiss Franc and is entering into partnership with Swiss Stablecoin Ltd for this purpose. As part of a joint proof of concept, a digital image of the Swiss franc will be released for specific use cases and tested for practicability in PostFinance’s test environment.
In conjunction with Swiss Stablecoin Ltd (SSC), PostFinance plans to launch a stablecoin for Switzerland – in other words, a digital franc. The goal is to create a broadly supported payment method that will make the payment system in Switzerland simpler and more efficient.
The digital franc will be based on open-access blockchain technology. As the first step in their new partnership, PostFinance and SSC are working with the association cardossier to conduct the proof of concept (PoC).




   



    
   


   








A catalyst for the digital economy
Stablecoins are digital currencies that are known for their value stability. They are backed 1:1 by a collateral value and reflect the exchange rates of national currencies − in this case, the Swiss franc. PostFinance is convinced that digitized business models will become increasingly important in the future and that Switzerland needs a digital franc.
Benjamin Staeheli, Chief Business Unit Officer for Payment Solutions at PostFinance, says:
Benjamin Staeheli
“The particular benefit for customers is the programmability of the digital franc. By adding logic to payments, processes can be made more efficient and automated. This represents a high level of potential for innovation and could become a catalyst for the digital economy.”
SSC was founded in 2022 by former member of the National Council and Council of States Pascale Bruderer. SSC shares PostFinance’s ambition to create a currency with a digital franc that enables new functions and also enjoys confidence and broad acceptance among the population.

Pascale Bruderer
“We are delighted that we have found the ideal partner for the project launch in PostFinance, a strong, innovative financial institution. Together, we want to do the pioneering work and ensure right from the outset that a digital franc will also bring real economic benefits,”
says Pascale Bruderer, founder and Chair of the Board of Directors of SSC.
Cardossier as the first use case
PostFinance and SSC are testing the project as a joint PoC in a closed ecosystem. The first concrete use case will be the association cardossier, of which PostFinance is a founding member. cardossier is a platform via which all relevant information on the entire life cycle of a vehicle can be stored and transferred in a traceable and secure manner. Payments for services within cross-company processes during a vehicle’s life cycle represent the perfect test environment for the digital franc. Very small amounts are charged during the cardossier vehicle change process, which is why it makes sense to integrate a micropayment solution.
The goal of the PoC is to issue and redeem the digital franc via a Swiss bank’s network. SSC Ltd will provide the necessary infrastructure. This will form the basis for duplicating the process across other financial service providers in future, allowing a digital franc to be made available to the economy and the public at large on a step-by-step basis.
In addition to its goal of driving the development of the digital franc, PostFinance is also involved in other cryptocurrency-related projects. For example, PostFinance is engaged in the initiative launched by the Swiss Bankers Association, which is laying important groundwork by developing a Deposit Token for the Swiss financial center.

Featured image credit: Benjamin Staeheli, Chief Business Unit Officer for Payment Solutions &amp; Pascale Bruderer, founder and Chair of the Board of Directors of SSC.  Background image edited from Freepik.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/postfinance-plans-swiss-digital-franc</link><guid>3255</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Simpego_600x500.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Postfinance Plans Swiss Digital Franc</dc:text></item><item><title>Generative AI to Produce up to US$340B Yearly in Additional Revenues for the Banking Sector</title><description><![CDATA[Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to have a significant impact across all industry sectors but banking will be among those the most impacted, a new report by McKinsey and Company says.
Estimates by the consultancy show that the technology could potentially generate value from increased productivity of 2.8-4.7% of the industry’s annual revenues, translating to an additional US$200-340 billion in revenues annually, the study found.
Generative AI productivity impact by business functions, Source: McKinsey and Company, June 2023
In the banking industry, generative AI has the potential to improve on efficiencies already delivered by AI by taking on lower-value tasks in risk management, the report says, including required reporting, monitoring regulatory developments, and collecting data. On top of that, the use of generative AI tools can also enhance customer satisfaction, improve decision making, boost employee experience, and decrease risks.




   



    
   


   








A generative AI bot trained on proprietary knowledge such as policies, research, and customer interaction, for example, can provide always-on, deep technical support. Morgan Stanley, for instance, is building an AI assistant using OpenAI’s technology to deliver relevant content and insights to financial advisors, driving efficiency and scale. The solution will leverage the technology to access, process and synthesize content and provide advisors and their teams with answers in an easily digestible format.
In the banking sector, generative AI can also be useful for software development, the report says. It can be used to draft code, helping developers code more quickly, reducing friction but also enabling automatic translations and no- and low-code tools. These tools can also automatically prioritize, run, and review different code tests, accelerating testing and increasing coverage and effectiveness. They are also capable of reviewing code to identify defects and inefficiencies in computing. Finally, generative AI’s natural-language translation capabilities can be used to optimize the integration and migration of legacy frameworks.
In addition to virtual assistants and software development, generative AI tools can be used to provide tailored content at scale, the report says, whether that’s personalized marketing and sales content tailored to specific client profiles and histories, or documentation.
Up to US$4.4 trillion per year in value added to the global economy
McKinsey and Company estimates that generative AI could translate to the addition of up to US$4.4 trillion per year in value to the global economy, with about 75% of this value falling across four areas: customer operations, marketing and sales, software engineering and research and development (R&amp;D).
Impact of generative AI across potential corporate use cases, Source: McKinsey and Company, June 2023
Generative AI can also substantially increase labor productivity across the economy, the consultancy claims, generating a total economic benefits in labor productivity of up to US$7.9 trillion annually as labor productivity grow between 0.1-0.6% annually through 2040.
AI’s potential impact on the global economy, US$ trillion, Source: McKinsey and Company, June 2023
Projections by McKinsey and Company are consistent with those that have been made by other industry experts and observers. A new report by Creative Dock Group (CDG), an independent corporate venture builder in Europe and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and Rohrbeck Heger, the strategic and foresight arm of Creative Dock, expects generative AI to transform the landscape of finance by 2026 by delivering personalized experiences and optimized management systems.
In particular, AI-powered platforms can provide personalized financial advice and recommendations, catering to each customer’s unique needs and goals, the report says. AI can also be used in financial risk management to improve decision-making, reduce default rates, and automate compliance processes.
Generative AI is a subfield of AI focused on developing algorithms and models that are capable of generating new text, images, or other media in response to prompts. The technology came under the spotlight in November 2022 after the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, an AI-powered chatbot that went viral for its ability to mimic human language and speaking styles, all the while providing coherent and topical information.
ChatGPT surpassed one million users in just five days, and in January, the chatbot surged past the 100 million monthly active users mark, becoming the fastest-growing consumer app in history.
The rise of ChatGPT has sparked a frenzy in the tech community and captured the attention of venture capital (VC) investors globally.
Although AI and ML funding declined last year, generative AI startup VC investment remained resilient in 2022, reaching a total of US$4.5 billion, according to Pitchbook data. This year, VCs increased their positions in the technology, with roughly US$1.7 billion being generated across 46 deals in Q1 2023. An additional US$10.68 billion worth of deals were announced in the quarter but have not completed, PitchBook’s data show.
VC deals for generative AI, Source: Pitchbook, April 2023

Featured image credit: edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/generative-ai-to-produce-up-to-us340b-yearly-in-additional-revenues-for-the-banking-sector</link><guid>3254</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Generative-AI-productivity-impact-by-business-functions-Source-McKinsey-and-Company-June-2023.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Generative AI to Produce up to US$340B Yearly in Additional Revenues for the Banking Sector</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Was Sequoia Capital’s Top Investment Category in 2022</title><description><![CDATA[2022 was a challenging year for the fintech sector. Funding dried up, stocks plunged and many companies were forced to shut down or sell themselves. But despite a trying environment that was marked by an uncertain economic picture and growing recession fears, Sequoia Capital, one of the most  prominent private equity and venture capital (VC) firms in the world, remained optimistic about the prospect of fintech, making the sector its top investment category in 2022, a new analysis by CB Insights, a business analytics platform and global database, found.
Fintech represented nearly a quarter of the firm’s deals in 2022, the report says, with most deals going towards fintech startups in the capital markets, payments and payroll and benefits segments. These categories made up for 16% of Sequoia’s total fintech investment deals, each, and were the firm’s top three fintech targets.
Sequoia Capital’s fintech investments in 2022, Source: CB Insights
In capital markets, Sequoia Capital invested in four companies, participating in Citadel Securities’ US$1.2 billion VC round, Capitolis’s US$110 million Series D, Watershed’s US$70 million Series B and Ledgy’s US$23 million Series B.




   



    
   


   








Citadel Securities is one of the world’s largest market markers and is active in more than 50 countries; Capitolis provides a capital marketplace for financial institutions and institutional investors, and portfolio optimization solutions; Watershed is a climate tech company that provides both a carbon accounting platform for businesses to measure and track their carbon footprint, and a carbon offset marketplace; and Ledgy is an equity management platform for high-growth startups and scaleups.
Three of these deals were follow-on investments, demonstrating Sequoia Capital’s faith in the future of capital markets tech, the report says.
In payments, the firm’s investments spanned consumer and business use cases. The companies that received funding from Sequoia Capital last year operate in four distinct markets, namely buy now, pay later (BNPL), expense management, peer-to-peer (P2P) payments and online payments acceptance.
Klarna, which secured a US$800 million private equity round in July 2022, is the world’s BNPL leader, providing retailers with payment options including installments, delayed payments, monthly financing and an interest-free card. Yokoy, a Swiss startup that secured a US$80 million Series B in March 2022, provides an all-in-one solution that automates spend management for midsize and enterprise companies through artificial intelligence (AI). Telda, an Egypt-based startup that raised US$20 million in a Seed round in October 2022, runs a consumer money app that offers a Mastercard debit card and spend tracking tools. And Cococart, a Singaporean startup that raised US$4.2 million in March, provides an e-commerce platform with tools for creating online stores easily with no code, no design and no app downloads.
In the payroll and benefits vertical, Sequoia Capital doubled down on its commitment to the sector by making four investments last year. All four were follow-ons to existing portfolio companies and involved Remote, a remote workforce management platform that secured a US$300 million Series C in April 2022; Rippling, an all-in-one employee management software that links human resources, IT and finance, which raised US$250 million in a Series D in May 2022; CaptivateIQ, a sales compensation management platform that secured a US$100 million Series C in January 2022; and Truework, a startup that leverages payroll data to help lenders verify borrowers’ income and employment which raised US$50 million in a Series C in August 2022.
Besides these three verticals, Sequoia Capital also made investments across a variety of fintech sectors last year, including personal finance, real estate, accounting and taxes, cryptocurrency, business banking and regtech.
Notable rounds the firm participated in in 2022 include Personetics’s US$85 million growth funding round, Zefir’s US$22.7 million Series A, and Found’s US$60 million Series B.
Personetics is a fintech software company specializing in personalizing banking experiences; Zefir is a French online real estate marketplace; and Found is a banking and tax app for small-business owners, freelancers, and the self-employed.
Sequoia Capital isn’t the only prominent VC firm that invested significant amounts into fintech last year. A separate report by CB Insights shows that Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) remained very active in the fintech space across various deal stages, valuations, geographies, and sub-industries in 2022.
According to the analysis, almost a quarter of a16z’s 206 startup deals last year went to fintech companies, making it the firm’s top investment category. In 2022, a16z’s fintech investments were centered around payments and blockchain startups, which made up for 28% and 22% of its fintech deals.
Andreessen Horowitz’s fintech investments in 2022, Source: CB Insights
In 2022, investors scaled back their investment pace drastically amid slumping public markets. This pushed startup investment down and led fintech funding to decline by a sizeable 46% last year. Mega-rounds of US$100 million and up accounted for just US$36.5 billion, marking a 60% drop from 2021’s record activity, data from CB Insights show.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-was-sequoia-capitals-top-investment-category-in-2022</link><guid>3253</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Sequoia-Capitals-fintech-investments-in-2022-Source-CB-Insights.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech Was Sequoia Capital’s Top Investment Category in 2022</dc:text></item><item><title>Backbase Acquires UK Digital Wealth Platform Nucoro</title><description><![CDATA[Backbase announced its acquisition of Nucoro, the UK-based digital wealth platform for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition will allow Backbase to incorporate Nucoro’s headless platform capabilities directly into the Backbase Engagement Banking platform, enabling its customers to launch digital end-to-end investment offerings, such as robo-advisory, trading, or hybrid advisory services.
The wealth management platform market eclipsed $3 billion in 2022 with analysts predicting a 10% CAGR in the next decade. Investment products are an important value creator globally for retail banks, private banks, and wealth managers, and this acquisition demonstrates Backbase’s commitment to helping financial institutions deliver world-class investing experiences to their customers.
Jouk Pleiter
“We see a trend where retail banks want to quickly launch differentiating investment propositions to complement their daily banking services. Think of capabilities like enhanced savings, pension products, stock trading, and portfolio management. With these services, they can generate extra revenue and expand their share of wallet with their most valuable customers .For private banks and wealth management firms, we see a growing demand to modernize their legacy point solutions and hollow out their bespoke core systems. I’m super excited about the potential of this powerful combined platform to provide instant end-to-end value for both retail and private banks.”
Jouk Pleiter, Founder and CEO of Backbase said.




   



    
   


   








For the last three years, Nucoro was part of the Backbase fintech partner ecosystem and both companies have been closely collaborating on joint engagements. At a technical level, both platforms are based on open industry standards and share a microservice-based architecture, enabling Backbase to accelerate its ONE platform, ONE architecture vision.
Lennart Asshoff
“Backbase is an ideal partner to bring the next generation of wealth infrastructure to financial institutions around the world. As a trusted innovation partner to financial institutions, Backbase offers us the reach and technical expertise to take our vision further.”
Lennart Asshoff, Nucoro Co-Founder and CEO said.
The Backbase Engagement Banking Platform was recognized as a leader earlier this year by industry research analysts at Celent and Omdia. Having grown organically to over €200 million in revenue, Backbase raised €120 million in growth equity funding from Motive Partners in 2022.

Featured image credit: Lennart Asshoff, Nucoro Co-Founder and CEO and Jouk Pleiter, Founder and CEO of Backbase . Background image edited from Freepik

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/backbase-acquires-uk-digital-wealth-platform-nucoro</link><guid>3250</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Simpego_600x500.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Backbase Acquires UK Digital Wealth Platform Nucoro</dc:text></item><item><title>Bank of China and UBS Issue First Fully Digital Tokenized Structured Notes in Hong Kong</title><description><![CDATA[BOCI (Bank of China) has successfully issued CNH 200 million fully digital structured notes, making it the first Chinese financial institution to issue a tokenized security in Hong Kong. The product was originated by UBS and placed to its clients in Asia Pacific, marking a long-term collaboration between BOCI and UBS in the space of digital structured notes.
UBS had issued a USD 50 million tokenized fixed rate note in December 2022 under English and Swiss law, digitized on a permissioned blockchain.
By issuing these digital securities, both BOCI and UBS have taken new steps in terms of applicable law and blockchain types. This transaction marks the first product of its kind in Asia Pacific constituted under Hong Kong and Swiss law and tokenized on the main Ethereum blockchain, successfully introducing regulated securities onto a public blockchain.




   



    
   


   








As an overseas investment banking institution of the BOC Group, BOCI has a long history in serving various types of clients through continuous product innovation. BOCI was the first Chinese financial institution to issue structured notes overseas. At present, BOCI is a leading Chinese issuer with a full range of products, large volume of issuance and complete services to its clients.
“BOCI is very pleased to be at the forefront of innovation in technology finance and digital finance. Working together with UBS, we are driving the simplification of digital asset markets and products, for customers in Asia Pacific through the development of blockchain-based digital structured products, designed specifically for customers in Asia Pacific. We are encouraged by the evolution of Hong Kong’s digital economy and are committed to promoting the digital transformation and innovative development of Hong Kong’s financial industry.”
said Ms Ying Wang, Deputy CEO at BOCI.
UBS continues to expand its tokenization services, through UBS Tokenize, across structured products, fixed income, and repo financing.
Aurelian Troendle
“We are pleased to work with BOCI on this transaction to bring structured products onto a public blockchain network, supporting our APAC clients’ increasing interest in fully regulated digital asset products. High-frequency issuance activity can benefit from vast efficiency gains through the use of blockchain technology, which will ultimately bring advantages to investors. UBS is excited to work with issuers like BOCI to broaden our client offering through our tokenization capabilities.”
said Aurelian Troendle, Global Head of MTN Trading at UBS AG.


Featured image credit: Edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bank-of-china-and-ubs-issue-first-fully-digital-tokenized-structured-notes-in-hong-kong</link><guid>3251</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Simpego_600x500.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Bank of China and UBS Issue First Fully Digital Tokenized Structured Notes in Hong Kong</dc:text></item><item><title>EPAM Announces Strategic AI Partnership With Google Cloud</title><description><![CDATA[EPAM Systems, a  digital transformation services and product engineering company, announced a strategic, global partnership with Google Cloud to develop and deploy Artificial Intelligence (AI)-first Google Cloud solutions to help enterprises overcome operational challenges and drive transformational growth.
Through this partnership EPAM will expand its global, cloud-native engineering and integration services and introduce targeted vertical solutions and managed services around Google Cloud AI solutions, including Vertex AI, Generative AI App Builder, Model Garden and more.
Learn more about EPAM and Google Cloud’s Partnership
Elaina Shekhter‎
“We are excited to expand our partnership with Google Cloud to bring the power of AI to our clients.Today’s technology transformations are built on the foundation of digital and cloud-native developments, many of which we’ve been working with Google on since the mid-2000s. Larger scale success with AI will also be critically enabled by a new wave of EPAM’s industry leading data engineering and ML capabilities. By furthering our long-standing partnership, we will help our clients stay ahead of the competition in a fast-changing digital landscape.”
said Elaina Shekhter‎, Chief Marketing &amp; Strategy Officer, EPAM




   



    
   


   








As the global AI market soars and adoption expands, demand is increasing exponentially for AI, machine learning (ML) and advanced engineering across all industry verticals. This partnership will leverage Google Cloud’s advanced AI and ML capabilities, and EPAM’s platform and data engineering DNA and nearly 30 years of experience engineering, consulting, and software development experience to deliver innovative cloud-enabled AI, data modernization, migration, data and analytics solutions to the Forbes Global 2000.
“Generative AI has the potential to streamline business processes and even transform entire industries. By combining Google Cloud’s generative AI capabilities with EPAM’s engineering expertise, we will help customers leverage cloud-first technology and generative AI as a catalyst for digital transformation, rapidly realizing business value, addressing real-world use cases and driving business growth across industries.”
said Michael Clark, Vice President, Google Cloud North America Regions.
EPAM and Google Cloud have a 15-year, global 360-degree partnership that combines EPAM’s engineering DNA, strategic consulting, and growing industry focused technology solutions with Google Cloud’s infrastructure, AI/ML, generative AI and analytics technology. While continuing to focus on the long-standing tenants of this partnership, EPAM and Google Cloud will expand their collaboration to build and deliver AI-driven solutions helping enterprises in key verticals including financial services, consumer, telecom, media, entertainment, healthcare, life sciences, energy and high-tech to modernize and transform their businesses.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/epam-announces-strategic-ai-partnership-with-google-cloud</link><guid>3252</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Simpego_600x500.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>EPAM Announces Strategic AI Partnership With Google Cloud</dc:text></item><item><title>Neon Customers Tap Cross-Border Payments Thanks to Wise Platform Integration</title><description><![CDATA[The partnership between Swiss neobank Neon and cross-border payment specialist Wise is providing the neobank’s customers with faster, lower cost and more transparent international payments, allowing them to send move in more than 40 currencies around the world right from within the Neon app.
Since launching in 2020, the capability has been used by over 20,000 Neon customers, or about 15% of the neobank’s clientele, and usage is growing exponentially, Wise said in a case study.
Neon co-founder Julius Kirscheneder said the company chose Wise because of the company’s low-cost and high efficiency solution which allows for fast settlement times and a simply integration process.




   



    
   


   








Currently, more than 60% of cross-border transactions going through the Wise Platform on the Neon app are near instant and get settled into the recipient’s account in less than 10 minutes, Wise said. That’s a considerable improvement given that remittances typically take several days to reach the intended recipients because funds need to pass through multiple banks and financial institutions, causing delays at each stage.
Remittances are not just slow, they can also be incredibly expensive, going as high as 15-20% of the principal, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Kristalina Georgieva, IMF managing director, estimates that the average cost of a remittance transfer currently stands at 6.3%, implying that some US$45 billion per year are diverted into the hands of intermediaries and away from ultimate beneficiaries, including millions of lower-income households.
Wise, formerly known as TransferWise, has developed a system that streamlines international transactions and minimizes the cost and complexity of sending money abroad.
Instead of converting a sender’s money at the time of transfer, Wise’s technology matches the transfer with someone else who wants to send money in the opposite direction, avoiding thus intermediary banks and markups, allowing customers to save up to six times compared to traditional banks, the company claims.
Wise, which was launched in 2011, started out catering to the consumer market before developing its business-to-business (B2B) offering. With its Wise Platform product, the company is licensing its technology to other businesses, allowing them to offer Wise-supported transfers and exchanges.
The company says the Wise Platform has witnessed notable traction, launching 15 new partnerships in 2022 and entering 2023 with a total of 60 partners globally. Nearly 10 million new customers gained access to Wise’s cross-border payment infrastructure via the platform in 2022 alone.
Companies that currently rely on the Wise Platform include digital banks and neobanking startups Yapeal, N26, Bunq, Monzo, ZA Bank and Sable, expense management platform Emburse, as well as trading platform Tiger Brokers.
Like these young fintech companies, Swiss neobank Neon is tapping into Wise’s cross-border payment capabilities and relying on a partnership strategy to provide customers with a richer digital banking experience and more value. Kirscheneder said in an interview that partnerships also allow the Neon to differentiate from its competitors and offer a unique proposition that’s not provided by anyone else in the Swiss market.
Julius Kirscheneder
“Our partnership with Wise is a unique feature in the Swiss market, and brings additional value to customers that other providers can’t offer, and we already see several attractive opportunities to expand our partnership,”
he said.
“Many of our customers are requesting to see some more of the features and products that are available on the Wise app directly through Neon, and delivering them is on our roadmap in 2023.”
Launched in 2017, Neon strives to develop a secure, user-friendly and comprehensive mobile banking proposition. The company’s platform allows customers to onboard digitally in less than ten minutes, manage their finances, make payments and more, all through a mobile app. Neon doesn’t have a banking license of its own but instead is partnered with Hypothekarbank Lenzburg.
Currently, more than 140’000 customers use a Neon account, which, according to the company, makes it the fastest growing Swiss solution for a mobile banking account.
Neon generated CHF 3.5 million in revenue in the first eight months of 2022, surpassing 2021’s turnover. The startup has been voted one of Top 100 Swiss Startups since 2020.
Neon closed in November 2022 a CHF 11 million financing round from existing investors and some 5,000 investors through its crowdfunding campaign. The company said it would use the proceeds on product improvement and development and new products launches, as well as towards building a path to profitability.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/neon-customers-tap-cross-border-payments-thanks-to-wise-platform-integration</link><guid>3249</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Simpego_600x500.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Neon Customers Tap Cross-Border Payments Thanks to Wise Platform Integration</dc:text></item><item><title>Martin Scholl wird Beirat der Finanzberater Matching Platform FinFinder.ch</title><description><![CDATA[Analog einer Börse kann man anhand individueller Suchkriterien auf der Finanzplattform www.finfinder.ch geprüfte Finanzcoaches auswählen.
Bereits heute sind auf der Plattform über 200 Finanzberaterinnen und -berater registriert. Im Zuge der Weiterentwicklung hat FinFinder.ch nun ein Advisory Board eingesetzt, welches das Startup bei strategischen Fragen unterstützt.
Diesem gehören neben Martin Scholl, ex-CEO der Zürcher Kantonalbank, Lina Bee, Gründerin von Fempreneurs und Markus Bucheli, Head of Marketing &amp; Communications der Helvetia, an.




   



    
   


   








Martin Scholl
«Ich finde die Idee von FinFinder.ch spannend, da das Finanzportal einem grossen Bedürfnis von Privatpersonen entspricht, selbst professionelle Finanzberater zur Lösung persönlicher Finanzanliegen zu finden. Da ich bei dieser neuartigen Plattform viel Potential sehe, unterstütze ich das Startup mit meiner Erfahrung. Technologiegetriebene Innovationen wie FinFinder.ch revolutionieren die Finanzbranche, indem sie Menschen dabei unterstützen, ihre finanziellen Ziele zu erreichen.»
sagt Martin Scholl.
Erste Unabhängige Matchmaking-Plattform für Finanzcoaches
FinFinder.ch ist die erste unabhängige Matchmaking-Plattform für persönliche Finanzcoaches in der Schweiz. Das Unternehmen ist seit zwei Jahren aktiv und generiert täglich Kundenanfragen aus allen Altersgruppen und zu unterschiedlichen Finanzthemen wie Altersvorsorge, Geldanlage, Wohneigentum, Risikoabsicherung, Steuern oder Nachlassplanung. Gegründet wurde das Fintechunternehmen von Andreas Schöni, der auf eine Karriere bei der UBS, Zürcher Kantonalbank und der Schweizer Börse SIX zurückblickt und selbst als Finanzplaner tätig ist und Ati Tosun, der zuletzt in leitender Stellung bei der Zürcher Kantonalbank tätig war und sich vor sieben Jahren als Unternehmer im Aufbau und der Vermarktung von Online-Marktplätzen selbständig gemacht hat.
Andreas Schöni
«Wir freuen uns, Martin Scholl in unserem Beirat begrüssen zu dürfen»
sagte FinFinder.ch-Mitgründer Andreas Schöni.

Kundenbewertungen helfen bei der Suche
Auf der Homepage www.finfinder.ch kann man kostenlos Experten für verschiedene Finanzfachgebiete finden und erhält analog zu Suchplattformen wie man sie von Reise-und Hotelsuchplattformen kennt, auf der Basis von Suchkriterien individuelle Vorschläge für Berater mit entsprechendem Profil und in vielen Fällen auch mit einer Kundenbewertung. Als Nutzer bleibt man vorerst anonym und bekommt von FinFinder.ch ohne Verpflichtungen anhand der eigenen Suchkriterien neun konkrete Beraterprofile vorgeschlagen, teilweise auch mit Videoporträts. Registriert sind auf der stark wachsenden Plattform derzeit über 200 Finanzberaterinnen und -berater, welche entweder selbständig tätig sind oder aber bei einem Finanzunternehmen wie einer Bank, Versicherung oder einem Vermögensverwalter angestellt sind.
Über die selbständigerwerbenden Finanzcoaches hinaus sind auf dem Portal Spezialistinnen und Spezialisten von bekannten Unternehmen wie Raiffeisen, Zürcher Kantonalbank und diversen weiteren Kantonalbanken, Swiss Life, Helvetia, Mobiliar, Axa, Allianz, Maerki Baumann &amp; Co., Generali oder Globalance registriert. Während die Nutzung für Private kostenlos ist, zahlen die geprüften Finanzcoaches für die Registrierung auf der Plattform eine monatliche Abogebühr. Kundendaten erhalten die Finanzcoaches erst, wenn man sie als User ausdrücklich auswählt und sich mit einem Klick dafür entscheidet, mit der Persönlichkeit in Kontakt treten zu wollen.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/martin-scholl-wird-beirat-der-finanzberater-matching-platform-finfinderch</link><guid>3246</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Simpego_600x500.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Martin Scholl wird Beirat der Finanzberater Matching Platform FinFinder.ch</dc:text></item><item><title>BlackRock and Avaloq Form Strategic Investment Solution Partnership</title><description><![CDATA[Avaloq and BlackRock, through its Aladdin Wealth business, have formed a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing their investment technology solutions for wealth managers and private banks. As part of the strategic partnership, BlackRock is making a minority investment in Avaloq.
This collaboration will enable wealth managers and private banks to enhance their operations throughout the entire client journey, encompassing onboarding, portfolio construction, client reporting and risk management. By combining Avaloq’s leading core banking, client relationship management and mobile banking services with the Aladdin Wealth platform’s robust risk analytics and portfolio management capabilities, the two firms aim to deliver one of the most advanced technology offerings available to the wealth industry.
Martin Greweldinger
“Avaloq is excited to enter into this strategic partnership with BlackRock. Through our relationship with BlackRock and the integration of their Aladdin Wealth capabilities, Avaloq is further solidifying our commitment to providing innovative investment technology solutions for the wealth management industry. This partnership will help us empower our clients to streamline processes, enhance risk analytics, and make more informed portfolio decisions, ultimately delivering greater value to their clients.”
said Martin Greweldinger, Co-CEO of Avaloq.




   



    
   


   








Venu Krishnamurthy,
“BlackRock and Avaloq joining forces will help clients reduce the complexity and friction inherent in many of today’s digital transformations. Our combined offering will make it extremely convenient for clients to implement and adopt Aladdin Wealth’s industry-leading capabilities as it will be deeply integrated with Avaloq’s core banking solutions,”
said Venu Krishnamurthy, Global Head of Aladdin Wealth Tech.
Wealth management clients in Europe and Asia will benefit from access to an integrated wealth tech platform that unlocks the entire value chain including:

Digital portals that enhance the client experience
Comprehensive client reporting, powerful onboarding, and risk profiling tools
Scaled portfolio construction capability and advanced portfolio analytics technology
Unified data model providing consistency throughout client journeys


Featured image credit: Edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/blackrock-and-avaloq-form-strategic-investment-solution-partnership</link><guid>3247</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Simpego_600x500.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>BlackRock and Avaloq Form Strategic Investment Solution Partnership</dc:text></item><item><title>frankly – bietet neu auch digitale Freizügigkeits Lösung an</title><description><![CDATA[Die digitale Vorsorgelösung frankly gibt es neben der dritten neu auch für die zweite Säule.
Genauer: für die Freizügigkeitsguthaben. Kundinnen und Kunden haben die Wahl zwischen einer Kontolösung oder mehreren Anlagelösungen.
Für die indexierten und aktiv verwalteten Anlageprodukte gilt wie bei der Säule 3a die All-in-Fee von aktuell 0,45%. Investiert wird ebenso in die mehrfach ausgezeichneten Swisscanto-Anlageprodukte mit unterschiedlichen Risikoabstufungen und damit verbundenen Renditechancen. Das Angebot richtet sich an Personen zwischen 18 und 70 Jahren mit Wohnsitz in der Schweiz und einem Freizügigkeitsvermögen ab einem Franken.




   



    
   


   








Christian Ohlsen
«Mit der im Februar 2023 eingeführten frankly Version für Computer und Tablet haben wir den Weg für die neuste Lancierung geebnet. Ab sofort ist frankly Freizügigkeit über die Webversion verfügbar. Wer sich etwa selbstständig macht und auf den Bezug des Freizügigkeitsguthabens verzichtet oder sich eine berufliche Auszeit nimmt, erhält mit frankly Freizügigkeit eine digitale und einfache Lösung, um Pensionskassengelder renditeorientiert anzulegen.»
sagt Christian Ohlsen, Business Owner von frankly.
Zurück zum Anfang: Im März 2020 wurde frankly als digitale Lösung für das Wertschriftensparen in der Säule 3a lanciert – entwickelt von der Zürcher Kantonalbank. Investiert wird in Swisscanto-Anlageprodukte. Heute beträgt das verwaltete Säule-3a-Kundenvermögen rund CHF 1,9 Mrd. bei über 80’000 Kundinnen und Kunden. Kurz: frankly hat sich erfolgreich auf dem Markt und als wichtiger digitaler Kanal im Vorsorgegeschäft der Zürcher Kantonalbank etabliert – die Einführung von frankly Freizügigkeit wird diese Entwicklung noch verstärken.
Nachgefragt bei René Buchs, Leiter Produktmanagement Vorsorgestiftungen
René Buchs ist fachlich verantwortlich für frankly. (Bild: Simon Baumann)
Wie kam es zur Lancierung von frankly Freizügigkeit?
Es war naheliegend. Denn mit frankly haben wir bereits ein existierendes Säule-3a-Geschäft. Dieses ist eng verwandt mit dem Freizügigkeitsgeschäft – sowohl aus regulatorischer Sicht wie auch bei den Anlageprodukten. Hinzu kommt das gemeinsame Ziel: das Erhöhen der Vermögen pro Kundin oder Kunde. Einziger Unterschied: Die Freizügigkeitsgelder sind durchschnittlich viel höher als Säule-3a-Bestände.
Warum haben Sie sich dafür entschieden, die Freizügigkeit nur über die Webversion verfügbar zu machen – und nicht in der App?
Freizügigkeitsgelder anlegen ist vor allem für die Kundengruppe Ü50 von Interesse. Hier haben Umfragen ergeben, dass diese Zielgruppe Weblösungen bevorzugt, wenn es um Finanzgeschäfte geht. Weiterhin ist das Anlegen der Freizügigkeitsgelder nur für zirka zehn Prozent aller heutigen frankly-Kundinnen und -Kunden überhaupt relevant.
Wie geht es weiter mit frankly?
Die Idee ist die Ausweitung von frankly auf private Vermögen ausserhalb der Vorsorge. Unter dem Arbeitstitel «frankly Private Portfolio» gibt es Vorarbeiten und Abklärungen zum Vorhaben. Kundinnen und Kunden können sich also bereits jetzt auf mögliche weitere Neuerungen freuen.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/frankly-bietet-neu-auch-digitale-freizugigkeits-losung-an</link><guid>3245</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Simpego_600x500.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>frankly – bietet neu auch digitale Freizügigkeits Lösung an</dc:text></item><item><title>Blockchain Zug Initiative sichert sich vom Kanton 40 Milionen CHF</title><description><![CDATA[Der Zuger Regierungsrat will sich während fünf Jahren mit total 39,35 Millionen an den Aufbaukosten der «Blockchain Zug – Joint Research Initiative», einem gemeinsamen innovativen Projekt der Universität Luzern und der Hochschule Luzern, beteiligen. Dadurch wird das Crypto-Valley international zum Zentrum für die Blockchain-Forschung.
Der Regierungsrat beantragt dem Kantonsrat die Gründung eines Zuger Instituts an der Universität Luzern mit neun Lehrstühlen und eine Verstärkung der bisherigen Forschungsaktivitäten an der Hochschule Luzern. Zudem wird eine Kooperations- und Kommunikationsplattform, ein sogenannter Hub, geschaffen.
Zug als führendes Zentrum für Blockchain-Technologie
Taennler-Heinz
Mit der vom Kanton unterstützten Initiative soll Zug zu einem weltweit führenden Zentrum für Blockchain-Forschung gemacht werden.




   



    
   


   








«Wir glauben, dass die Blockchain-Technologie das Potenzial hat, viele Bereiche unseres Lebens zu verändern, und wir wollen sicherstellen, dass wir an der Spitze dieser Veränderung stehen Damit stärken wir den Wirtschaftsstandort Zug weiter, auch weil wir mit diesem Bildungsvorhaben in jene Bereiche investieren, die im Kanton Zug bereits etabliert sind»
lässt Finanzdirektor Heinz Tännler verlauten. Mit Blockchain Zug wird ein innovatives Leuchtturmprojekt mit starker Strahlkraft ins Leben gerufen.
Weltweit einzigartig
Die Forschung wird sich nicht nur auf technologische Aspekte konzentrieren, sondern auch die Auswirkungen der Blockchain-Technologie auf Gesellschaft, Wirtschaft und Politik umfassend untersu-chen. Die «Blockchain Zug – Joint Research Initiative» wird hierbei eine zentrale Rolle spielen. Sie soll dazu beitragen, dass die Forschung aus einer breiteren Perspektive betrachtet wird und auch human-wissenschaftliche Aspekte berücksichtigt werden.
Die Initiative verfolgt das Ziel, Entwicklungen der Blockchain-Technologie und deren Auswirkungen auf Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft zu antizipieren. Damit soll sichergestellt werden, dass der Kanton Zug weiterhin eine Vorreiterrolle in der Entwicklung von Blockchain-Technologien einnimmt und auch international anerkannt wird. Die «Blockchain Zug – Joint Research Initiative» ist ein entscheidender Schritt, um die Forschung aus einer breiteren Perspektive zu betrachten und sicherzustellen, dass die sozialen, wirtschaftlichen und politischen Auswirkungen dieser Technologie vollständig verstanden werden. Es geht nicht nur darum, technologische Fortschritte zu machen, sondern auch darum, zu verstehen, wie diese Fortschritte unsere Gesellschaft beeinflussen. Damit kann das wissenschaftliche Forschungspotenzial auf dem Gebiet der Blockchain-Forschung weltweit einzigartig entwickelt werden.
Hochschule Luzern verstärkt Forschungsaktivitäten
Die Blockchain-Technologie hat das Potenzial, tiefgreifende Auswirkungen auf viele Sektoren zu haben. Durch die Verstärkung der bestehenden Forschungsaktivitäten an der Hochschule Luzern und die gemeinsame Arbeit im Hub mit der Universität Luzern trägt die Hochschule Luzern dazu bei, dieses Potenzial zu entfalten und sicherzustellen, dass die technologischen Fortschritte im Einklang mit den gesellschaftlichen Bedürfnissen stehen.
Finanzierung über Einnahmen aus OECD-Mindeststeuer
Die einmaligen Kantonsbeiträge an den Aufbaukosten der «Blockchain Zug – Joint Research Initiative» in Höhe von insgesamt 39,35 Millionen Franken – verteilt auf fünf Jahre – sollen vollumfänglich aus den Einnahmen aus der Ergänzungssteuer finanziert werden. Es handelt sich bei dieser Initiative um eine Massnahme zur Kompensation der durch die OECD-Mindeststeuer entstehenden Standortnachteile. Ziel der Initiative ist von Anfang an, nach Ablauf der kantonalen Anschubfinanzierung selbsttragend zu werden.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/blockchain-zug-initiative-sichert-sich-vom-kanton-40-milionen-chf</link><guid>3243</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Blockchain Zug Initiative sichert sich vom Kanton 40 Milionen CHF</dc:text></item><item><title>Blockchain Zug Initiative sichert sich vom Kanton 40 Millionen CHF</title><description><![CDATA[Der Zuger Regierungsrat will sich während fünf Jahren mit total 39,35 Millionen an den Aufbaukosten der «Blockchain Zug – Joint Research Initiative», einem gemeinsamen innovativen Projekt der Universität Luzern und der Hochschule Luzern, beteiligen. Dadurch wird das Crypto-Valley international zum Zentrum für die Blockchain-Forschung.
Der Regierungsrat beantragt dem Kantonsrat die Gründung eines Zuger Instituts an der Universität Luzern mit neun Lehrstühlen und eine Verstärkung der bisherigen Forschungsaktivitäten an der Hochschule Luzern. Zudem wird eine Kooperations- und Kommunikationsplattform, ein sogenannter Hub, geschaffen.
Zug als führendes Zentrum für Blockchain-Technologie
Taennler-Heinz
Mit der vom Kanton unterstützten Initiative soll Zug zu einem weltweit führenden Zentrum für Blockchain-Forschung gemacht werden.




   



    
   


   








«Wir glauben, dass die Blockchain-Technologie das Potenzial hat, viele Bereiche unseres Lebens zu verändern, und wir wollen sicherstellen, dass wir an der Spitze dieser Veränderung stehen Damit stärken wir den Wirtschaftsstandort Zug weiter, auch weil wir mit diesem Bildungsvorhaben in jene Bereiche investieren, die im Kanton Zug bereits etabliert sind»
lässt Finanzdirektor Heinz Tännler verlauten. Mit Blockchain Zug wird ein innovatives Leuchtturmprojekt mit starker Strahlkraft ins Leben gerufen.
Weltweit einzigartig
Die Forschung wird sich nicht nur auf technologische Aspekte konzentrieren, sondern auch die Auswirkungen der Blockchain-Technologie auf Gesellschaft, Wirtschaft und Politik umfassend untersu-chen. Die «Blockchain Zug – Joint Research Initiative» wird hierbei eine zentrale Rolle spielen. Sie soll dazu beitragen, dass die Forschung aus einer breiteren Perspektive betrachtet wird und auch human-wissenschaftliche Aspekte berücksichtigt werden.
Die Initiative verfolgt das Ziel, Entwicklungen der Blockchain-Technologie und deren Auswirkungen auf Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft zu antizipieren. Damit soll sichergestellt werden, dass der Kanton Zug weiterhin eine Vorreiterrolle in der Entwicklung von Blockchain-Technologien einnimmt und auch international anerkannt wird. Die «Blockchain Zug – Joint Research Initiative» ist ein entscheidender Schritt, um die Forschung aus einer breiteren Perspektive zu betrachten und sicherzustellen, dass die sozialen, wirtschaftlichen und politischen Auswirkungen dieser Technologie vollständig verstanden werden. Es geht nicht nur darum, technologische Fortschritte zu machen, sondern auch darum, zu verstehen, wie diese Fortschritte unsere Gesellschaft beeinflussen. Damit kann das wissenschaftliche Forschungspotenzial auf dem Gebiet der Blockchain-Forschung weltweit einzigartig entwickelt werden.
Hochschule Luzern verstärkt Forschungsaktivitäten
Die Blockchain-Technologie hat das Potenzial, tiefgreifende Auswirkungen auf viele Sektoren zu haben. Durch die Verstärkung der bestehenden Forschungsaktivitäten an der Hochschule Luzern und die gemeinsame Arbeit im Hub mit der Universität Luzern trägt die Hochschule Luzern dazu bei, dieses Potenzial zu entfalten und sicherzustellen, dass die technologischen Fortschritte im Einklang mit den gesellschaftlichen Bedürfnissen stehen.
Finanzierung über Einnahmen aus OECD-Mindeststeuer
Die einmaligen Kantonsbeiträge an den Aufbaukosten der «Blockchain Zug – Joint Research Initiative» in Höhe von insgesamt 39,35 Millionen Franken – verteilt auf fünf Jahre – sollen vollumfänglich aus den Einnahmen aus der Ergänzungssteuer finanziert werden. Es handelt sich bei dieser Initiative um eine Massnahme zur Kompensation der durch die OECD-Mindeststeuer entstehenden Standortnachteile. Ziel der Initiative ist von Anfang an, nach Ablauf der kantonalen Anschubfinanzierung selbsttragend zu werden.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/blockchain-zug-initiative-sichert-sich-vom-kanton-40-millionen-chf</link><guid>3248</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Simpego_600x500.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Blockchain Zug Initiative sichert sich vom Kanton 40 Millionen CHF</dc:text></item><item><title>The Winners of the Swiss Fintech Awards 2023 Are…</title><description><![CDATA[For the eighth time, the Swiss FinTech Awards are given to outstanding Swiss start-ups and influential organizations on the evening of June 13 at the Swiss FinTech Awards Night in Zurich.
Winner Early stage startup category

In the category “Early Stage Start-up of the Year”, Pelt8 is the winner. The young company offers an innovative solution for the increasingly important sustainability reporting. Pelt8 receives a prize money of CHF 42,000. Also making it to the finals of this category was the start-up Sustainaccount, which makes climate risks easier to analyse. The two finalists show that the sustainability topic has arrived and is thriving in the fintech sector.




   



    
   


   








Winner growth stage startup category

The category “Growth Stage Startup of the Year” goes to the start-up NetGuardians. Banks and other financial service providers use the AI-based solution from NetGuardians in the fight against fraudulent activities and thereby protect customer funds. Also in the final was the company Taurus, which provides financial institutions the technology stack required for offering digital assets.
Fintech Influencer Award

The business angel network SICTIC is honoured for its long-time contribution to the innovative and dynamic Swiss fintech location.The Swiss FinTech Awards recognize, among other things, the important role of the investor collective for the funding of early stage fintech start-ups in Switzerland. However, SICTIC not only makes investments in startups, but also organizes the Fintech Investor Days, which are an important networking platform for start-ups throughout Switzerland. The Swiss start-up ecosystem has benefitted from SICTIC’s commitment over the years.
While the start-ups go through a multi-stage application process to convince the jury, the “FinTech Influencer of the Year” is directly nominated and chosen by the jury. The jury of the Swiss FinTech Awards consists of around 20 renowned fintech experts and industry thought leaders.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-winners-of-the-swiss-fintech-awards-2023-are</link><guid>3244</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>The Winners of the Swiss Fintech Awards 2023 Are…</dc:text></item><item><title>Nasdaq to Acquire Software Firm Adenza from Thoma Bravo for 10.5 Billion USD</title><description><![CDATA[NASDAQ will acquire Adenza from US Private Equity company Thoma Bravo in a US$10.5 billion cash and common stock deal.
Holden Spaht, a Managing Partner at Thoma Bravo, Adenza’s parent firm, is anticipated to join an expanded NASDAQ board post-acquisition.
Adenza was established through the merging of two major global brands – Calypso and AxiomSL. With its end-to-end treasury, risk, and collateral management workflows, Calypso assists capital markets participants, while AxiomSL provides regulatory and compliance software for financial institutions.




   



    
   


   








Adenza is a fast-growing software company created through the combination of two well-known global brands – Calypso and AxiomSL. Calypso serves capital markets participants with end-to-end treasury, risk, and collateral management workflows, while AxiomSL supports financial institutions with leading regulatory and compliance software.
The integration of Adenza into NASDAQ’s portfolio will augment its Marketplace Technology and Anti-Financial Crime solutions, and significantly broaden its services in regulatory technology, compliance, and risk management. Through Adenza, NASDAQ will be able to offer better support to financial institutions, creating a multi-asset class, full trade lifecycle platform paired with regulatory technology solutions.
Adenza is projected to boost NASDAQ’s financial profile by growing the Solutions Businesses revenue from 71% to 77% by 2023, and enhancing the adjusted EBITDA margin to 57%. Moreover, it is expected to add around US$300 million to NASDAQ’s annual unlevered pre-tax cash flow.
Adena Friedman
“The acquisition of Adenza brings together two world-class franchises steeped in market infrastructure, regulatory, and risk management expertise at a time when financial institutions are navigating some of the most complex market dynamics in history,”
said Adena Friedman, Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Nasdaq.
Didier Bouillard
“This transaction is an endorsement of the entire Adenza team and what we have built with Thoma Bravo, from our market-leading products to the immense value we have delivered for our customers,”
said Didier Bouillard, Chief Executive Officer at Adenza.
The transaction will extend NASDAQ’s reach in the European banking system and increase its standing in the North American and Asia Pacific regions, positioning the company to better meet global demand for risk management and regulatory solutions.
The acquisition meets NASDAQ’s mergers and acquisitions criteria, enhancing performance and valuation potential, while meeting clear financial requirements. Post-acquisition, NASDAQ’s enterprise-wide return on invested capital is expected to exceed 10% by the fifth year.
To finance the acquisition, NASDAQ will pay US$5.75 billion in cash and issue 85.6 million shares of its common stock to Adenza’s owners, a company controlled by Thoma Bravo, representing approximately 14.9% of the outstanding NASDAQ shares. NASDAQ plans to issue approximately US$5.9 billion of debt between signing and closing the deal.
After the transaction, NASDAQ will continue with its existing capital deployment plan, which includes steadily increasing its dividend per share and achieving a dividend payout ratio of 35-38% within three to four years. The company also plans to repurchase shares over time to offset dilution from the transaction.

Featured image credit: Adena Friedman, Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Nasdaq. Background image edited from Freepik.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/nasdaq-to-acquire-software-firm-adenza-from-thoma-bravo-for-105-billion-usd</link><guid>3242</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Simpego_600x500.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Nasdaq to Acquire Software Firm Adenza from Thoma Bravo for 10.5 Billion USD</dc:text></item><item><title>New Challenger Bank Alpian Recognized as a Trailblazer in Digitalization Efforts, Customer Experience</title><description><![CDATA[Alpian, a digital private bank launched last year, has been named as one of Switzerland’s trailblazers in digital customer experiences and digitalization efforts, joining the ranks of digital innovators and pioneers in the Swiss retail banking industry such as Vontobel, Julius Bar and Pictet, a new study by Colombus Consulting, a French boutique consulting firm, shows.
The Digital Index and Performance study, an annual analysis that looks at digitalization in Swiss retail banking, has revealed its 2023 ranking of the country’s best performing banks and neobanks in digitalization and customer experience enhancement efforts.
The ranking, which takes into consideration 50 metrics across web, mobile, marketing, and social media categories to gauge Swiss banks’ digital presence and performance, put Alpian at the 4th place in this year’s ranking, a remarkable debut that’s supported by the digital bank’s large media budgets, its well-positioned mobile app, as well as its well-tailored customer experiences on its website and through its content sharing platform i-vest.ch.




   



    
   


   








Looking deeper into Alpian’s key metrics, the report shows that the digital bank performed well in the web category, ranking 7th nationally. The digital bank was recognized for the outstanding user experience (UX) it provides, as well as its fast and seamless digital onboarding process that takes just ten minutes.
Alpian was further praised for the clarity and transparency of its offers, with advertised fees and services included. The bank was also commended for i-vest.ch, an educational and content sharing platform it operates and on which it shares content produced by its advisors and other community members.
In the mobile app category, Alpian came in the 2nd place this year, recognized for its apps’ good ratings, regular updates and wide range of functionalities.
The Alpian mobile app allows users to conduct typical banking transactions such as payments and foreign exchange but users can also use it to chat in real-time with a bank staff member and schedule in-app video calls with a Swiss-based wealth advisor.
Finally, in the digital marketing and social media categories, Alpian performed relatively well, recognized for its increased investments in social media presence and engagement, especially in LinkedIn, as well as in paid search, the report says.
Alpian’s Digital and Performance Index, Source: Digital Index and Performance of Swiss Private Banks, Colombus Consulting, June 2023
Alpian opened for business at the end of 2022, targeting the Swiss affluent with assets between CHF 100,000 to CHF 1 million. The bank offers private banking services and investment expertise through a hybrid model that combines machine and human intelligence. It strives to deliver the quality of service and expertise that’s normally reserved for those at traditional private bank.
Alpian mobile app, Source: Alpian.com
Vontobel tops ranking; digital marketing investments increase
The 2023 Digital Index and Performance ranked Vontobel, Julius Bar and Pictet at the top of list. These private banking and investment management firms surpassed their rivals and the Swiss average in terms of monthly web visits, average time spent by visitors, and average page load time of their websites, an indicators of their websites’ usability and performances as well as of client experience. They also ranked relatively high in digital marketing, leading the group in their search engine optimization (SEO), email and social media efforts, and social engagement on popular platforms, including LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Vontobel, in particular, stood out in the web, digital marketing and in mobile app categories. Julius Bar was the year’s leader in the social media index and performed well in the other three categories where it still remained in the top five. And Pictet outperformed its competitors in the web and mobile app categories, and showed relatively good results in the social media index. The bank, however, lagged behind in the digital marketing arena.
2023 Digital Index top 10 Swiss retail banks, Source: Digital Index and Performance of Swiss Private Banks, Colombus Consulting, June 2023
Findings of this year’s study revealed some noteworthy trends. Swiss private banks across the board are increasing their investments in digital marketing. The estimated total annual digital marketing budget increased by 61% this year compared with 2022, with a preponderance for paid search, in particular, and for some banks, social media.
All private bank websites attracted 7% more visits this year compared with 2022, though the audience is evolving significantly. The number of visits coming from social networks witnessed a drop in 2023 in favor of paid referencing, which increased notably to make up for 65% of traffic.
Distribution of the digital marketing budget and audience by channel, Source: Digital Index and Performance of Swiss Private Banks, Colombus Consulting, June 2023
This year, Swiss private banks continued to expand their product offerings, focusing on trading and cryptocurrency products in particular. Julius Bar is teaming up with SEBA Bank to launch crypto management and allow for the storage, trading and borrowing of digital assets. Similarly, Syz Group is partnering with Taurus to offer crypto custody and trading services.
Another trend outlined in the report is Swiss private banks’ increased focus on enhancing their mobile apps.Some of the new features that have been developed in recent months include app screen improvement, consolidated investment consultation, investment suggestions, push buttons for financial analysts’ publications, electronic signatures on documents and biometric authentication.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-challenger-bank-alpian-recognized-as-a-trailblazer-in-digitalization-efforts-customer-experience</link><guid>3241</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>New Challenger Bank Alpian Recognized as a Trailblazer in Digitalization Efforts, Customer Experience</dc:text></item><item><title>Virtual Financial Advisory On the Rise</title><description><![CDATA[Ongoing economic uncertainty and geopolitical volatility are making wealth management more daunting for investors, fueling changes in preferences and expectations through greater demand for advice and virtual advisory experiences, as well as openness to working with multiple providers, a new study by EY found.
The research, which polled more than 2,600 wealth management clients based in 27 key markets around the world, sought to examine shifting investor views and explore the implications of the increasing volatile market environment on clients in different regions, of different ages and of differing levels of wealth.
Findings of the research, which were shared in a full report, show that volatility and complexity are having a profound impact on investors’ needs and behaviors, driving demand for additional advice, personalization, as well as virtual experiences.




   



    
   


   








Competition ramps up
Clients of all types are seeking out additional advice (33%) in response to market volatility, and many are open to working with new providers (44%). Of the investors surveyed, 14% are planning to add a new provider, 21% are looking to move money to another provider and 9% plan to switch altogether over the next three years.
Clients’ appetite to work with or switch providers, Source: 2023 Global Wealth Research Report, EY
A research into the use of wealth management providers in the past, present and future revealed that every category of wealth firm will have opportunities to capture new clients moving forward.
Across all categories, customers shared intent to increase usage in the coming years, though fintech companies and digital assets trading platforms are expected to witness the strongest growth.
In 2023, 9% and 11% of respondents indicated using a fintech provider and a digital assets/crypto trading platform, respectively. Over the next three years, the number of clients working with fintech companies is expected to double to 18%, while penetration of digital assets trading platforms is projected to increase by four percentage points to 15%.
Use of wealth management providers in the past, present and future, Source: 2023 Global Wealth Research Report, EY
Adoption of digital assets among retail investors has increased in virtually every markets since 2019, with consumers often mentioning growth prospects as well as the desire to support blockchain development as their top motivations for owning crypto. In Switzerland, the penetration of crypto more than doubled between 2019 and 2023, rising from 10% to 21%, data from the Statista’s Consumer Insights show.
Emerging markets, however, recorded the strongest growth. In India, the penetration of crypto increased by more than threefold, rising from 8% in 2019 to 27% in 2023. Uptake was also strong in Indonesia where 29% of respondents indicated owning or using crypto in 2023, up from just 11% in 2019.
Share of respondents who indicated they either owned or used cryptocurrencies from 2019 to 2023, Source: Statista, June 2023
Demand for virtual interactions on the rise
Findings of the EY study also reveal that engagement preferences are changing too, with customers showing greater appetite than before for virtual interactions and personalized products and services. In the 2021 EY survey, just 12% of respondents identified virtual consultations as their preferred channel for advice, a figure that now stands at 46%.
Channel preferences differ depending on the type of interaction. For most investment advice activities, respondents cited virtual advisor interactions enabled by phone or video as their channel of choice (46%). Advisory (52%) and discretionary (57%) clients showed the strongest preferences for advisor-led virtual interactions.
Preferred engagement channel for investment management and advice, Source: 2023 Global Wealth Research Report, EY
At the same time, results of the study also show that physical contact as well as advisor accessibility and responsiveness are essential to clients. The majority of respondents (71%) said they wanted regular or periodic contact from their advisor, and 84% said they valued swift responses to their inquiries.
Face-to-face interaction is particularly important during onboarding. 48% of respondents identified in-person interaction as their preferred engagement channel during account opening. Customers cited being introduced to the wealth management team (68%) and personalized welcome experiences (60%) as important or very activities during onboarding.
At the same time, customers also value a clear and easy onboarding process, including the ability to track their account status digitally (69%), clear onboarding steps (72%) and the ability to share account setup documents digitally (69%).
These findings suggest that a digitally-led onboarding experience is important for clients but that human support remains critical.
Account opening activities most important to clients, Source: 2023 Global Wealth Research Report, EY

Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/virtual-financial-advisory-on-the-rise</link><guid>3240</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Virtual Financial Advisory On the Rise</dc:text></item><item><title>Illicit Crypto Volume Reaches All-Time High Despite Markets Slump</title><description><![CDATA[In spite of a market downturn and a prolonged “crypto winter”, the volume of illicit cryptocurrency transactions continued to rise in 2022, reaching an all-time high of US$20.6 billion, new data released by blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis show.
Total cryptocurrency value received by illicit addresses, 2017-2022, Source: The 2023 Crypto Crime Report, Chainalysis
The sum represents a 13.8% increase from the previous all-time high of US$18.1 billion recorded in 2021, and comes despite a market slump that saw total capitalization plummeting by more than 60%. Total market capitalization started off the year 2022 at US$2.2 trillion to hit an annual low of US$810 million in December.
The price of bitcoin fell by more than 75% in 2021, dropping from an all-time high of US$64,000 in mid-November to below the US$16,000 mark in late-December. The cryptocurrency is now trading at around US$26,400, up 60% this year.




   



    
   


   








The price of bitcoin, Source: Coinmarketcap.com, June 08, 2023
Crypto sanctions on the rise
Growing illicit crypto volumes in 2022 were driven by soaring activity associated with sanctioned entities, which accounted for 43% of the year’s volume.
This comes on the back of rising crypto-related sanctions from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the US Department of the Treasury, which grew from just two individuals in 2018 to nine crypto-related entities and about 100 addresses in 2021.
Sanctioned crypto-related entities and number of sanctions-related addresses by year added, 2018-2022, Source: The 2023 Crypto Crime Report, Chainalysis
2022 saw some of OFAC’s biggest cryptocurrency service designations to date. Three in particular are notable: Garantex, a Russia-based crypto exchange; Tornado Cash, a decentralized crypto mixer; and Hydra, a darknet market.
OFAC sanctioned Garantex in April 2022 for willfully disregarding anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) obligations and allowing its systems to be abused by illicit actors. The exchange facilitated over US$100 million in transactions associated with illicit actors and darknet markets between 2019 and early 2022, according to OFAC.
The agency sanctioned crypto mixer Tornado Cash in August last year, claiming the service had been used to launder more than US$7 billion worth of crypto since its inception in 2019, including over US$455 million stolen by the Lazarus Group, a Democratic People’s Republic of Korea state-sponsored hacking group.
And Hydra, Russia’s most prominent darknet market, was sanctioned by OFAC in April following the shutdown of the market by Germany’s federal police. Hydra ran a marketplace that sold ransomware-as-a-service, hacking services and software, stolen personal information, counterfeit currency, stolen crypto and illicit drugs. OFAC’s investigation identified approximately US$8 million in ransomware proceeds that transited to Hydra’s crypto accounts. According to blockchain researchers, approximately 86% of the illicit bitcoin received directly by Russian crypto exchanges in 2019 came from Hydra.
Timeline of OFAC crypto-related sanctions designations, 2018-2022, Source: The 2023 Crypto Crime Report, Chainalysis
An analysis of on-chain data by Chainalysis found that each of the three sanctioned services were affected differently by their designations by OFAC and revealed that sanctions can be extremely effective when there is international cooperation.
While inflows into Hydra dropped to zero as soon as the marketplace was sanctioned and seized, Garantex, on the other end, saw its crypto transaction volume steadily increase post-designation, reaching an average of approximately US$1.3 billion in monthly inflows through October 2022. Tornado Cash, meanwhile, saw a drop in inflows from virtually every category, with the exception of funds from scammers and mixing services.
Decentralized finance remains top target for hackers
In 2022, illicit transaction volumes fell across all major categories of crypto-related crime, with the exception of stolen funds, which rose 7% year-over-year (YoY). This marked 2022 as the biggest year ever for crypto hacking, with US$3.8 billion stolen from cryptocurrency businesses.
YoY percent change in value received by crime type, 2019-2022, Source: The 2023 Crypto Crime Report, Chainalysis
Decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols were the primary target of crypto hackers last year, continuing a trend that started in 2020 and accelerated in 2021. In 2022, DeFi protocols accounted for 82.1% of all cryptocurrency stolen by hackers, or US$3.1 billion, up from 73.3% in 2021.
Cryptocurrency stolen in hacks by victim platform type, 2016–2022, Source: The 2023 Crypto Crime Report, Chainalysis
Of the US$3.1 billion stolen from DeFi protocols, 64% came from cross-chain bridge protocols specifically.
Cross-chain bridges are protocols that let user port digital assets and data from one blockchain to another. Their design and specificities vary but most protocols on the market right now work by “wrapping” tokens in a smart contract and issuing native assets to be used on the other blockchain.
Since cross-chain bridges essentially work as liquidity providers, collecting funds and locking them into a central point of storage, they have become an attractive target for criminals.
In 2022, the share of crypto transactions associated with illicit activities rose for the first time since 2019, growing from 0.12% in 2021 to 0.24% last year. Despite the slight rise, illicit activity in cryptocurrency remained a small share of total volume and continued to trend downwards.
Illicit share of all cryptocurrency transaction volume, 2017-2022, Source: The 2023 Crypto Crime Report, Chainalysis

Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/illicit-crypto-volume-reaches-all-time-high-despite-markets-slump</link><guid>3239</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Total-cryptocurrency-value-received-by-illicit-addresses-2017-2022-Source-The-2023-Crypto-Crime-Report-Chainalysis.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Illicit Crypto Volume Reaches All-Time High Despite Markets Slump</dc:text></item><item><title>Amnis Treasury Takes Over SME Business of Fx-Consulting AG</title><description><![CDATA[AMNIS Treasury, a FinTech company founded in 2014 with the objective of simplifying international banking for SMEs, has recently acquired the SME portfolio of FX-Consulting AG. With this strategic move, the two Zurich-based companies aim to enhance their support for Swiss SMEs in international transactions. The acquisition further solidifies amnis’ position as the leading FinTech company in Switzerland’s international SME banking sector.
Amnis offers small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) an international banking solution to send money abroad, exchange currencies and receive payments via business accounts in more than 20 currencies. Virtual and physical multi-currency debit cards further simplify expense reporting for companies and their employees. Last year, the company entered 6 new countries, tripled its team and processed CHF 1.5 billion in payment volume. In the first trimester of 2023, amnis continued to grow year-on-year with 94% volume growth and 97% revenue growth. The portfolio acquisition now enables amnis to further expand its position in the domestic market.
Cross-border payment transactions incur high costs for companies. Large corporations, equipped with their own payment factories, gain a competitive edge due to their greater negotiating power. The shared objective of both companies is to provide SMEs with access to transparent and automated foreign exchange and payment processes. However, FinTechs face challenges due to factors such as war, inflation, and rising interest rates, which exert pressure on them. Through the takeover, FX-Consulting AG’s SME customers can be guaranteed the best possible offer despite the current market environment.




   



    
   


   








Adrian Spörri
FX-Consulting AG was founded in 1995 in Zurich and specialises in foreign exchange trading for companies. Adrian Spörri, owner of FX-Consulting AG, says about the takeover:
“The merger with amnis represents the optimal solution for my long-standing, loyal clients. With this collaboration, we can ensure the provision of the best possible offerings and maintain competitiveness without depending on the goodwill of the house bank.”
As a member of the Advisory Board at amnis, Adrian Spörri will continue to be available to his clients.
Michael Wüst
“We look forward to working with Adrian and the new SME customers. Our solution will enable the additional users to further simplify their international banking. The partnership with FX-Consulting AG may well be a model for amnis to grow even faster in Switzerland and Europe,” says Michael Wüst, Co-founder and CEO of amnis.
Amnis was founded in 2014 by Michael Wüst (CEO), Robert Bloch (COO) and Philippe Christen (CFO) to simplify international banking for SMEs. To meet its ambitious goals, amnis has continuously improved its core product, automated the digital account opening process and expanded its product portfolio to include local IBAN and multi-currency accounts.
In July 2023, the Fintech company will be launching virtual and physical multi-currency debit cards that come with convenient features for budget controls and simplified accounting. With the successful acquisition, all customers of FX-Consulting AG can now enjoy the advantages of the all-in-one amnis business account.

Featured image credit: Edited from amnis.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/amnis-treasury-takes-over-sme-business-of-fx-consulting-ag</link><guid>3238</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Amnis Treasury Takes Over SME Business of Fx-Consulting AG</dc:text></item><item><title>Hyperpersonalisierung bei Schweizer Retail-Banken</title><description><![CDATA[Effizient und risikoarm Hyperpersonalisierung im Sinne der Kunden einführen, eine Win-Win-Situation schaffen und sich zukunftssicher für den Wettbewerb mit digitalen Herausforderern aufstellen
Ein Bankkunde loggt sich bei seiner Bank ein. Da seine Bank auf Hyperpersonalisierung setzt, wird die Benutzeroberfläche automatisch entsprechend den bisherigen Interaktionen des Kunden angepasst. Der Kunde sieht also eine personalisierte Startseite, mit Informationen zu seinen letzten und antizipierten Banking-Belangen. Da der Kunde vorhin einen Interkontinentalflug über seine Kreditkarte gebucht hat, weist seine Bank darauf hin, dass an seinem Reiseziel mit seiner aktuellen Kreditkarte Gebühren bei Bargeldabhebungen und Kartenzahlungen anfallen. Neben dieser Information wird eine passende Alternative – wie eine Reisekreditkarte – angeboten, die hilft, die Gebühren zu reduzieren bzw. sogar ganz zu vermeiden.
Dieses Beispiel ist keine ferne Zukunftsmusik. Tatsächlich ist eine derartige Hyperpersonalisierung bei digital führenden Playern schon längst Standard. Dabei nutzen IT-Systeme (Echtzeit-) Daten, um Produkte, Dienstleistungen oder Inhalte zu erstellen, die kundenspezifisch und hochgradig detailliert sind. Oft ist der Prozess komplett automatisiert. Sowohl Fintechs als auch Big-Techs haben den Wert von Daten für ihre Geschäfte bereits früh erkannt und setzen aggressiv auf Hyperpersonalisierung.
Das bedroht die etablierten Banken. Bislang waren Fintechs zu klein, um eine ernsthafte Gefahr für Banken darzustellen und Big-Techs in anderen Geschäftsfeldern aktiv. Doch nun, da Fintechs erwachsen werden und Big-Techs immer öfter auch Finanzdienstleistungen anbieten (siehe Apple Card Savings Account), geraten Banken zunehmend unter Druck.
Banken besitzen bereits die wichtigste Grundlage für Hyperpersonalisierung
Doch die gute Nachricht ist: Hyperpersonalisierung ist auch für etablierte Retail-Banken möglich, und lässt sich zudem schneller und einfacher erreichen als gedacht. Denn die wichtigste Grundlage dafür ist bereits da: Etablierte Retail-Banken sitzen auf wahren Datenschätzen. Sie besitzen umfassende Informationen zu ihren Kunden. Sie verfügen über so viele Kundeninformationen wie kaum eine andere Branche. Die Daten umfassen alles, von Ausgabentrends bis hin zu Anlageportfolios. Und die Banken haben den direkten Draht zu ihren Kunden: Ob persönlich, per Email, per SMS oder in der App – sie haben viele Touchpoints.
Hyperpersonalisierung schafft eine Win-Win-Situation für Banken und ihre Kunden
Die Datenlage und die Kontaktmöglichkeiten sind also exzellent, um personalisierte Angebote zu erstellen und auszuspielen. Und es gibt viele wichtige Gründe, warum Banken auf Hyperpersonalisierung setzen sollten: Wenn die richtigen Angebote die richtigen Personen zur richtigen Zeit erreichen, schafft das eine Win-Win-Situation für Banken und ihre Kunden. Banken steigern Umsatz sowie Gewinn und positionieren sich darüber hinaus als ein starker Partner, der auf die individuellen finanziellen Belange jedes einzelnen Kunden eingeht.
Das steigert die Kundenbindung – ein Aspekt, der kaum zu überschätzen ist. Denn Banking ist heutzutage ein „Commodity Service“ und Bankkunden vergleichen keine Marken mehr, sondern Experiences. Und wenn die Banking Experience bei einem Fintech oder Big-Tech besser ist, wechselt der Kunde. Für Kunden wiederum ist Hyperpersonalisierung attraktiv, weil sie erstens beim Banking die Experience bekommen, die sie von Spotify, Netflix und anderen Digital Champions gewohnt sind. Und zweitens bekommen sie die Finanzprodukte, die zu ihrer Lebenssituation passen. Diese Win-Win-Situation stärkt etablierte Kreditinstitute im harten Wettbewerb mit Fintechs und Big-Techs.
Die Frage nach der Umsetzung
Die Vorteile sind enorm, der Wettbewerbsdruck ist hoch: Viele Entscheider haben bereits erkannt, dass Hyperpersonalisierung ihrer Bank riesige Chancen bietet, ihre Bank ohne sie jedoch sehr wahrscheinlich ernsthafte Schwierigkeiten bekommen wird. Da ist die Frage berechtigt, wieso Hyperpersonalisierung nicht schon längst von viel mehr Schweizer Retail-Banken angeboten wird.
Eine mögliche Antwort darauf ist, dass sich viele Entscheider noch fragen, wie genau sie die Hyperpersonalisierung schnell, effizient und risikoarm in ihrer Bank einführen. Die dafür nötige Modernisierung der IT scheint arbeitsintensiv, langwierig, teuer und mit ungewissem Ausgang riskant. Wird es funktionieren, einen möglichst großen Teil als Eigenentwicklung bereitzustellen? Was wird die Eigenentwicklung kosten, wie lange wird sie dauern? Oder wäre es besser, mittels Best of Breed die Lösungen verschiedener Anbieter miteinander zu kombinieren? Oder gibt es eine Plattform, die alle Herausforderungen adressiert?
Silos,  Analyse,  Kommunikation.
Um diese Fragen zu beantworten, schauen wir uns kurz aus der Vogelperspektive die größten Milestones an, die auf dem Weg zur Hyperpersonalisierung zu nehmen sind. Die Daten sind – wie gesagt – schon vorhanden. Doch oft liegen sie in Silos. Diese Silos müssen also zunächst erschlossen werden. Dann müssen die Daten mittels Machine Learning bzw. Künstlicher Intelligenz analysiert werden, um Erkenntnisse zu gewinnen. Mit den Erkenntnissen verstehen Banken, was ihre Kunden wollen und was sie als nächstes wollen werden. Und schließlich müssen die Banken die richtigen Angebote zur richtigen Zeit über den passenden Kanal an ihre Kunden ausspielen. Denn die beste Reisekreditkarte nützt nichts, wenn das Angebot dafür per E-Mail an einen Kunden gesendet wird, der zwar zugestimmt hat, per E-Mail kontaktiert zu werden, aber noch nie eine E-Mail seiner Bank geöffnet hat. Oder wenn das Angebot für die Reisekreditkarte per Brief versendet wird und den Kunden einen Tag vor seiner Abreise erreicht.
Eine Plattform für alle Herausforderungen
Mit einem Plattform-Ansatz – genauer gesagt mit einer Engagement-Banking-Plattform – adressieren Banken alle oben genannten Milestones, ohne ihre Legacy IT verändern zu müssen. Eine Engagement-Banking-Plattform hilft dabei, einen lose mit den Datensystemen gekoppelten Engagement Layer zu erstellen, der die in den Silos gefangenen Daten erschließt. Des Weiteren bringt eine Engagement-Banking-Plattform Fähigkeiten zur Datenanalyse mit und erlaubt es, diese Fähigkeiten unkompliziert durch die Integration von Fintech-Lösungen zu erweitern. Schließlich ermöglicht es die Engagement-Banking-Plattform den Marketern der Bank, mit einem benutzerfreundlichen Interface hyperpersonalisierte Marketingkampagnen durchzuführen.
In diesem Interface können Marketer beispielsweise eine Kampagne für alle Kunden umsetzen, die vor kurzem einen Flug gebucht haben und noch keine Reisekreditkarte haben. Dabei legen sie mit wenigen Klicks fest, welcher Content auf welchen Kanälen an dieses Kundensegment ausgespielt wird. Anschließend lässt sich auf derselben Plattform auch die Performance auswerten: Welche Kunden mit welchen Merkmalen – aus welchem Segment – haben auf welchem Kanal am häufigsten auf das Angebot reagiert? Diese Daten fließen dann in alle zukünftigen Kampagnen ein.
Risiken eliminieren und Time to Market senken
Es steht Banken frei, selbst Lösungen zu entwickeln, um die oben genannten Milestones zu erreichen. Aber ist das sinnvoll, und lassen sich zuverlässig die folgenden Fragen beantworten wie beispielsweise: Wie lange wird die Eigenentwicklung dauern und wie viel wird sie kosten? Sind genug Experten verfügbar, die das Knowhow dafür haben? Wie groß ist dann der laufende Aufwand, um die Lösung zu betreiben, also die Weiterentwicklung, der Support für die Mitarbeiter, Troubleshooting, Security Fixes, Audits etc.?
Auch der Best-of-Breed-Ansatz birgt seine Tücken: Welche Anbieter haben gute Lösungen für die drei Bereiche Silos erschließen, Daten analysieren und Angebote erstellen plus ausspielen? Wie gut integrieren die Lösungen in der Praxis miteinander? Es treibt die Kosten und verlangsamt den Prozess enorm, wenn zum Beispiel die Analyse hervorragend funktioniert, aber die gewonnenen Erkenntnisse nicht effizient genutzt werden können, weil die Lösung zum Ausspielen der Angebote nicht nahtlos mit der Analyselösung integriert.
Diese Aufwände und Risiken gilt es genau abzuwägen. Alternativ zu Eigenentwicklung und Best of Breed lohnt sich daher ein Blick auf existierende Engagement-Banking-Plattformen, die am Markt verfügbar sind und mit vergleichsweise geringem Aufwand und Risiko eine Bank maßgeblich bei der Hyperpersonalisierung unterstützen.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/hyperpersonalisierung-bei-schweizer-retail-banken</link><guid>3237</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Hyperpersonalisierung bei Schweizer Retail-Banken</dc:text></item><item><title>Rise of Digital Nomads Introduces Identify Verification Challenges to Banks and Fintech Companies</title><description><![CDATA[The rise of remote work is forcing adjustments within businesses and introducing new challenges. For finance and technology businesses, the number of foreign document verification cases has increased considerably throughout the years, a development which organizations are struggling to deal with.
A new research initiated by Regula, a provider of identity verification solutions and forensic devices, found that businesses in the banking and fintech sectors are ill-equipped to address these market changes with many still relying to manual checks when performing identity verification.
The findings, shared in a report titled The State of Identity Verification in 2023, draws on primary research and a survey of 1,069 decision-makers in the banking, fintech, technology, telecoms, and aviation sectors, to understand how businesses around the world are working with identity authentication.




   



    
   


   








Results show that the banking and fintech sectors have been particularly impacted by the rise of digital nomads, with 85% and 80% of respondents, respectively, witnessing an increase in the number of document verification cases involving foreign nationals during 2022.
For 62% of respondents in the banking sector and 61% in fintech, the number of foreign document verification cases grew by more than 25%.
Alarmingly, the majority of banking and fintech companies (62%) reported handling foreign document verification cases manually, raising concerns over efficiency and accuracy. Business representatives also noted the problem of incomplete databases of document templates (47% in banking and fintech, respectively), further putting their organizations at risk of fraud.
Business sectors facing a massive increase in the number of foreign document verification cases in 2022, Source: The State of Identity Verification 2023, Regula
Identify fraud has become a major problem for financial institutions worldwide. Findings from the Regula survey show that 26% of the banks polled reported over 100 identity fraud incidents in the past year.
Number of identity fraud incidents during 2022, Source: The State of Identity Verification 2023, Regula
For 31% of these respondents, the incidents cost them on average US$479,000 or more, stemming from business disruptions (44%), penalties and fines (36%), and legal expenses (36%).
Economic impact of identity fraud incidents, Source: The State of Identity Verification 2023, Regula
Last year, the most prevalent form of fraudulent activity experienced by organizations in all surveyed sectors was the use of fake or modified physical documents. Nearly half of fintech companies (46%) and 54% of banks reported being affected.
But newer and more sophisticated techniques are also gaining prominence. 37% of all businesses reported having experienced deepfake voice fraud, a type of fraud that involves the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to create realistic imitations of a person’s voice that can be used to conduct fraud or dupe a person into giving up crucial information.
Organizations targeted by new and sophisticated methods of identity fraud, Source: The State of Identity Verification 2023, Regula
The higher volume and greater sophistication of fraud is prompting businesses in all sectors to ramp up investment in technology and digital solutions. Of the 1,000+ organizations polled in December 2022 and January 2023 for the Regula report, 91% said they intended to increase their spendings on identity verification solutions in the next one to three years. 41% of these companies said they planned to increase their spendings by at least 30%.
Planned increase in identity verification solution spending for organizations over the next one to three years, Source: The State of Identity Verification 2023, Regula
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in digital nomads worldwide and blurred the traditional borders between work, leisure, home and travel.
The 2022 State of Independence research study by MBO Partners, a provider of technology solutions and personal services to independent professionals and microbusiness owners, found that 16.9 million American workers described themselves as digital nomads last year, up 9% from 2021 and by a staggering 131% from the pre-pandemic year 2019.
Number of American digital nomads (in millions), Source: 2022 State of Independence, MBO Partners
With the digital nomad lifestyle becoming increasingly popular, countries around the world are racing to set up special visa programs for remote workers and digital entrepreneurs, seeking to lure these professionals into their foreign income domestically.
Since Estonia introduced the world’s first digital nomad visa program back in 2020, it’s estimated that over 50 locations have followed suit, including Dubai, Hungary and Costa Rica.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/rise-of-digital-nomads-introduces-identify-verification-challenges-to-banks-and-fintech-companies</link><guid>3236</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Rise of Digital Nomads Introduces Identify Verification Challenges to Banks and Fintech Companies</dc:text></item><item><title>TWINT-Gründer neu im Verwaltungsrat der Swiss Stablecoin AG</title><description><![CDATA[Der Gründer und ehemalige CEO von TWINT, Thierry Kneissler, verstärkt neu den Verwaltungsrat der Swiss Stablecoin AG. Weiter gibt das Unternehmen den erfolgreichen Abschluss der ersten Finanzierungsrunde bekannt.
Die Swiss Stablecoin AG (SSC) plant die Herausgabe eines digitalen Abbilds des Schweizer Frankens (CHFD) im regulierten Umfeld sowie im engen Dialog mit Behörden. In der Umsetzung wird auf die Zusammenarbeit mit etablierten Banken sowie Partnern aus der Realwirtschaft gesetzt. Diese Ergänzung der Zahlungsinfrastruktur wird Abwicklungen im digitalen Raum vereinfachen und neue innovative Anwendung ermöglichen.
Thierry Kneissler
2022 von der ehemaligen Politikerin Pascale Bruderer gegründet, schlossen sich der SSC inzwischen kompetente Mitgründerinnen und Mitgründer aus dem Finanz- und Technologiebereich an. Eine zusätzliche Verstärkung erfährt das Unternehmen nun durch die Zuwahl von Thierry Kneissler in den Verwaltungsrat.




   



    
   


   








Thierry Kneissler wechselte nach erfolgreichem Executive MBA an der Universität St. Gallen HSG 2003 zur PostFinance, wo er u.a. als Mitglied der Geschäftsleitung die strategische Entwicklung des Finanzinstituts mitverantwortete. 2014 entwickelte er, zusammen mit einem kleinen Team, die Idee von TWINT und legte mit dem Aufbau, der nationalen Etablierung und der beginnenden Marktskalierung die Grundlage für den grossen Erfolg der beliebten Bezahl-App. Im Herbst 2018 gab Thierry Kneissler die Leitung von TWINT ab. Er ist heute selbständig tätig in den Bereichen Strategieberatung und -ausbildung sowie Mitglied mehrerer Verwaltungsräte, insbesondere im Startup-Umfeld.
Pascale Bruderer
SSC-Verwaltungsratspräsidentin Pascale Bruderer würdigt seine Wahl als weiteren Meilenstein in der jungen Geschichte des Unternehmens: «Wir freuen uns sehr auf die Zusammenarbeit mit Thierry Kneissler. Seine Wahl in den Verwaltungsrat ist für die SSC ein doppelter Gewinn: sowohl eine Bereicherung der unternehmensinternen Kompetenz und Werte als auch ein starkes Signal nach aussen.»
Auf Basis einer erfolgreich abgeschlossenen ersten Finanzierungsrunde mit Schweizer Investoren läuft aktuell die Proof of Concept (PoC)-Entwicklung, welche bis zum Spätsommer dieses Jahres abgeschlossen werden soll.


Featured image credit: The founder and former CEO of TWINT, Thierry Kneissler. Edited from freepik.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/twint-grunder-neu-im-verwaltungsrat-der-swiss-stablecoin-ag</link><guid>3233</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>TWINT-Gründer neu im Verwaltungsrat der Swiss Stablecoin AG</dc:text></item><item><title>Verve Ventures Raises Series C, Martin Scholl Joins Board of Directors</title><description><![CDATA[To further invest in its digital platform, serve more investors and drive new partnerships, Verve has raised a Series C financing round from several investors. At the same time, Martin Scholl, former CEO of Zürcher Kantonalbankk (Switzerland’s third-largest bank) will join Verve Ventures’ board of directors.
Martin Scholl
“I am fascinated by venture capital as an investor and want to help other people discover it for themselves. By joining Verve’s board of directors, I want to signal to everyone out there that Verve is a company I believe in personally and that Verve is a company you can trust and should know if you want to invest in startups”,
says Martin Scholl.
Verve Ventures has established itself as one of the best ways for private investors to build a diversified portfolio of startup investments across Europe. Verve Ventures’ assets under management now exceed EUR 300 million. The number of top executives and entrepreneurs who have already invested via Verve has reached more than 1500 and continues to grow every week.




   



    
   


   








Lukas Weber
“The many years spent building a high-quality network of investors and a cutting-edge digital platform to serve them have paid off. We’re proud to welcome Martin Scholl as a new board member, who will help us establish new partnerships with banks that want to offer their clients a more entrepreneurial way to invest”,
says Lukas Weber, co-founder of Verve Ventures.
Recently, Swiss private bank Bergos has partnered with Verve Ventures, while business angel clubs in 7 different European countries have already established ties with Verve.

Featured image credit: Martin Scholl, Board of Directors of Verve Ventures, edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/verve-ventures-raises-series-c-martin-scholl-joins-board-of-directors</link><guid>3234</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Verve Ventures Raises Series C, Martin Scholl Joins Board of Directors</dc:text></item><item><title>Mastercard Launches New Financial Inclusion Open Banking Initiative in Europe</title><description><![CDATA[Mastercard is announcing its latest open banking innovations in Europe – Account Owner Verification, a new solution that enables a frictionless experience aimed to instantly verify people are who they say they are.
To further fuel the ambitions of Mastercard’s vision in delivering intelligent open banking data services, it is entering a new partnership with France-based open banking credit decisioning specialist, Algoan, which builds upon Mastercard’s strength in enabling smarter lending decisions through open banking in the U.S. and accelerates inclusion through advancements in credit decisioning.
These new innovations support Mastercard’s commitment to embrace new networks and expand its open banking capabilities, which allow people to safely share their financial data to access innovative payment experiences – expanding choice, delivering secure and frictionless lending, and bringing the promise of the digital economy to more people.




   



    
   


   








Secure digital onboarding
In an increasingly digital world, bank account verification is more important than ever before. The launch of Mastercard’s account owner verification service automates, strengthens, and simplifies how businesses across markets and industries can verify customer bank account ownership.
Jess Turner
“With account owner verification, we initiate an important step in Europe towards helping our customers across the ecosystem save time and money through a fast, secure and reliable account verification process. This open banking product innovation gives consumers the power to use their data in new and secure ways to transact through a seamless experience,”
says Jess Turner, EVP, Global Open Banking and API.
Mastercard envisions this solution to have wide impact across industries helping to solve pain points in account opening when adding payment credentials and direct debit origination for players such as digital wallets providers, PSPs, wealth management apps, property technology platforms, insurance companies, e-commerce players and more. The solution enables instant verification of bank account ownership based on Mastercard’s European open banking connectivity. The verification process also provides businesses with a match score that denotes the strength of a match between the name submitted for verification and the name held on file by the end user’s financial institution.
Partnering with European leader in credit scoring
In addition to this new product innovation, Mastercard has initiated a new partnership with France-based open banking credit decisioning specialist, Algoan, to help accelerate financial inclusion across new European markets, starting in the Western European region.
Algoan offers a full suite of credit decisioning tools using open banking to support leading lenders. As part of the partnership, they will use Mastercard Open Banking connectivity to empower their Credit Insights, Credit Score and Payment Score products, alongside categorization feature.
Michael Diguet
“Partnering with Mastercard is a great testimony to the journey we’ve been on for the past five years. We’re excited that our ambition of making credit more accessible and more responsible is shared by Mastercard and this truly marks the beginning of a great collaboration which will further accelerate our growth across Europe and beyond,”
says Michael Diguet, CEO and Co-Founder of Algoan.



Featured image credit: Edited from freepik.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mastercard-launches-new-financial-inclusion-open-banking-initiative-in-europe</link><guid>3235</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Mastercard Launches New Financial Inclusion Open Banking Initiative in Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>Wealth and Asset Managers Turn to Third-Party Tech Solutions to Cut Costs, Fast-Track Time to Market</title><description><![CDATA[Margin pressure, an ever-evolving regulatory landscape and growing investor demand for personalization are pushing wealth and asset managers to pursue digital transformation initiatives in a bid to cut costs and provide more value to their customers.
Since 2018, the share of third-party tech spend across initiatives at wealth and asset management firms has risen by more than 10%, showcasing that wealth and asset managers are filling the tech and IT gap by collaborating with third-party tech specialists, a new report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and global end-to-end wealth platform provider FNZ says.




   



    
   


   








The report, titled Scalable Tech and Operations in Wealth and Asset Management, looks at the state of wealth and asset management, arguing that firms in the sector are increasingly using end-to-end third-party platforms to run their operations.
Approaches to third-party tech implementation in wealth and asset management, Source: BCG Expand, Boston Consulting Group and FNZ, June 2023
These end-to-end platforms deliver complete or near complete functional solutions covering a process from beginning to end. They allow wealth and asset managers to reduce the need to develop a proprietary technology architecture and, in some cases, lower the need for in-house staff.
These platforms deliver a multitude of benefits, the report says, including lower maintenance costs, automated regulatory and stability upgrades provided by the vendor, lower interface complexity, higher ease of integration, greater flexibility to execute operating-model changes, lower requirements for upfront capital expenditures, and a higher share of variable costs.
The report highlights several trends that are pushing wealth and asset managers to turn to third-party platforms, naming rising costs, shrinking margins, and intensifying customer demands for digital solutions as key drivers.
It notes that since 2018, wealth and asset managers have been witnessing a gradual increase of their cost-to-income ratios, which indicates that their operating expenses are too high. Smaller players are the most impacted by this, the research found, and suffer much steeper increases compared with their larger counterparts.
Cost-income-ratio of wealth and asset managers based on their size, Source: BCG Expand, Boston Consulting Group and FNZ, June 2023
At the same time, firms are recording a decrease in their profitability, with return on assets falling by 3% per year from 2018 through 2021. Declining profitability can be explained by a number of elements, including shrinking global assets under management (AUM), rising competition from digital players, the consolidation of large incumbents with significant scale advantages, and sluggish economic growth that’s expected to persist through 2025.
Wealth and asset managers income:total AUM 2018-2022, Source: BCG Expand, Boston Consulting Group and FNZ, June 2023
Additionally, product fees have been hit hard by fierce competition and increased cost transparency. The report notes declines of 11% for active funds and 35% for passive funds between 2017 and 2022, while margins on model portfolio services and asset-serving for clients with more than US$2 million decreased by 12% and 16%, respectively.
Margins in wealth and asset management per offering 2017-2022, Source: BCG Expand, Boston Consulting Group and FNZ, June 2023
Simultaneously, clients are demanding superior digital experiences and improved transparency, in addition to advanced capabilities and novel propositions such as hybrid advisory, direct indexing and managed portfolio services.
To make its case, the report shares three case studies that showcase the key benefits of end-to-end platforms.
In the first case study, a mid-sized wealth manager was able to achieve an overall reduction of 25% in operating expenses through platform outsourcing. This was made possible by moving a significant portion of its middle-office and operational applications from the legacy tech stack to an end-to-end wealth platform, the report says.
Costs and savings before and after platform outsourcing, Source: FNZ, Boston Consulting Group and FNZ, June 2023
In the second case study, a large-scale European wealth manager achieved a more streamlined operating model and captured a higher share of discretionary management fees by migrating to an open wealth platform and leveraging model portfolio services. The platform allowed the firm to witness a significant uplift in pretax profit driven by an increase of over 50% in net asset inflows per advisor in the first two years following the program launch, the report says.
Finally, in the last case study, a global asset manager was able to launch a direct-to-consumer offering in a new market in under two years by leveraging an end-to-end platform. The app-based digital investing proposition included both an option for self-directed fund trading as well as a managed portfolio account based on simple profiling and strategy selection.
Wealth and asset management firms have increased their investment in technology considerably over the past years and will continue to invest heavily in digital capabilities and infrastructure enhancement efforts.
A survey of 500 wealth and asset management firms conducted in 2021 by think tank and economic research firm ThoughtLab found that while total IT spending made up for 6.9% of total revenue in 2021, that proposition is expected to increase by 1.5 percentage points to 8.4% by 2023.
Companies will continue to invest in all core technologies, the study found, with the biggest increase expected for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), open platforms and API architecture, and no-code/low-code platforms.
IT spend in wealth and asset management, Source: ThoughtLab study, 2021

Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/wealth-and-asset-managers-turn-to-third-party-tech-solutions-to-cut-costs-fast-track-time-to-market</link><guid>3232</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Wealth and Asset Managers Turn to Third-Party Tech Solutions to Cut Costs, Fast-Track Time to Market</dc:text></item><item><title>EAM.Technology Strengthens Its Board of Directors With Industry Expert Fabio Casati</title><description><![CDATA[EAM.Technology AG, a leading technology advisor and provider of “Operations as a Service” for independent wealth managers and family offices, is pleased to announce the appointment of Fabio Casati, an expert in Private Banking, M&amp;A and Risk Management, to its Board of Directors. With his expertise, Fabio Casati will drive the strategic expansion of the company’s operations and sourcing platform.
In its first year of operation, EAM.Technology AG has already acquired significant clients and supported them in their projects and operations, with a focus on their core systems and operational excellence.
As part of its strategic development towards an operations and sourcing platform and the transformation into a limited company, the company has strengthened its Board of Directors. The addition of Fabio Casati, a renowned specialist in Private Banking, M&amp;A and Risk Management, further strengthens the team.
Industry expert with a focus on Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Innovation
Fabio Casati
Fabio Casati brings over 25 years of experience in Private Banking, Corporate Finance from UBS, Banca del Gottardo, BSI, and Patrimony (EFG). In various roles in Corporate Finance, Strategic Planning, Private Equity, and Venture Capital, he served as a member of the Risk and Credit Committee.
Additionally, Fabio Casati is a lecturer at the USI Università della Svizzera Italiana and SUPSI (University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland and responsible for programs such as Master of Corporate Banking and Master of Science in Business Administration (Major in Innovation Management).
He is an expert at Innosuisse, the Swiss Innovation Agency, and a board member of various financial advisory firms. Fabio Casati holds a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Freiburg (CH) and a Ph.D. in Economics from the same university. Furthermore, he holds a Master’s degree in Strategic Innovation Management from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA Institute).
During his time at BSI, Fabio Casati played a crucial role in business development and the acquisition of Banca del Gottardo by BSI, the Post-Merger-Integration of BSI by BTG-EFG and the business development and sale of B-Source to Avaloq, one of the most significant BPO transactions in Switzerland.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/eamtechnology-strengthens-its-board-of-directors-with-industry-expert-fabio-casati</link><guid>3231</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>EAM.Technology Strengthens Its Board of Directors With Industry Expert Fabio Casati</dc:text></item><item><title>Formula 1 Sponsorship Deals with Blockchain Companies Shrink Amid Crypto Scandals and Bear Market</title><description><![CDATA[After a buoyant year 2022, sponsorship deals with blockchain and cryptocurrency companies for the Formula One (F1) race are shrinking this year on the back of high-profile collapses and turbulent markets.
A Bloomberg analysis found that while all teams had at least one crypto-native sponsors in 2022, that proportion declined to 70% this year, as of June. The trend suggests that F1 may be re-evaluating its ties with the crypto industry amid the FTX scandal and a prolonged “crypto winter”.
Mercedes-AMG signed in 2021 a sponsorship agreement with now bankrupt FTX but the deal was suspended last year when the exchange shut down. Mercedes team principal Torger Christian Wolff said in a statement that the collapse of FTX has left Mercedes in “utter disbelief” and that the sector needs to be regulated.




   



    
   


   








“We considered FTX because they were one of the most credible and solid, financially sound partners that were out there,” Wolff said.
“Out of nowhere we can see that a crypto company can basically be on its knees and gone [in] one week. That shows how vulnerable the sector still is. It’s unregulated and I believe it needs to find its way into regulations because there’s so many customers, investors and partners like us that have been left in utter disbelief at what has happened.”
According to filings, Mercedes may now have a claim in FTX’s bankruptcy process. Going into 2023, the team has no crypto-native sponsor for this year’s race.
FTX, a crypto exchange once worth US$32 billion, went under in November 2022 after a dramatic series of events led to a run on deposits and a selloff of FTT, its in-house crypto token. It has been estimated that US$8 billion of customer’s funds was missing.
An analysis by Decrypt shows that before its collapse, FTX spent big bucks on sports sponsorships, inking deals with the likes of Miami Heat, Major League Baseball, the Golden State Warriors, the Washington Wizards and Capitals, and giant esports team TSM. Star athletes like Tom Brady, Steph Curry, and Naomi Osaka also signed on to endorse the exchange in return for equity in the startup.
Besides Mercedes, Ferrari is another team that’s bearing the brunt of the volatile market. In January, the team’s long-term arrangement with Velas came to an abrupt end, with sources telling London Insider that the blockchain company forced its way out of the deal amid the crypto bear market.
AlphaTauri also lost its crypto sponsor, removing smart contract platform Fantom from its list of partners earlier this year; Alfa Romeo dropped its sponsor, Vauld, following troubles at the crypto lender in 2022; Red Bull Racing terminated earlier than expected the multi-year agreement it signed in 2021 with blockchain network Tezos; and Animoca Brands, which had been operating a licensed non-fungible token (NFT) game called F1 Delta Time since 2019, shut down the game last year.
Cryptocurrencies witnessed a tumultuous year 2022, marked by a series of high-profile business failures and slumping markets. Total market capitalization was cut in half last year, starting off 2022 at US$2.2 trillion to hit an annual low of US$1 trillion in November, according to a report by The Block.
Bitcoin fell below its 2017-high in June 2022 and extended its drawdown to -64.1% year-to-date (YTD). All the top ten cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, excluding stablecoins, generated negative returns last year with Polkadot taking the biggest hit (-80.9%), followed by Cardano (-76.9%) and Ethereum (-65.6%).
Year-to-date return of top ten cryptocurrencies in 2022, Source: 2023 Digital Asset Outlook, The Block, Dec 2022
While some crypto startups are scaling back on their marketing spend, others are still aggressively investing in sports marketing.
In March, crypto exchange Kraken announced a new sponsorship and Web3 deal with Williams Racing, making it the team’s first-ever official crypto and Web3 partner. Stake, an online casino and sports betting platform dealing exclusively with cryptocurrencies, entered a multi-year partnership with Alfa Romeo in January. Meanwhile, deals including the US$150 million partnership between Red Bull Racing and crypto exchange Bybit, and Tezos’s arrangement with McLaren, are still alive.

Featured image credit: edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/formula-1-sponsorship-deals-with-blockchain-companies-shrink-amid-crypto-scandals-and-bear-market</link><guid>3230</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Formula 1 Sponsorship Deals with Blockchain Companies Shrink Amid Crypto Scandals and Bear Market</dc:text></item><item><title>30 Must-Attend Sessions at Money20/20 Europe 2023</title><description><![CDATA[Money20/20, one of the world’s largest fintech event series, is coming back on June 06-08 at the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre in Amsterdam for its annual European edition.
This year’s event is expected to host over 300 industry-leading speakers, including visionary executives from global banks like HSBC, Barclays, and J.P. Morgan; trailblazing fintech companies like GoCardless, Stripe, and Plum; as well as representatives from national and supranational European governments.
This diverse roster of speakers will be dissecting the myriad of challenges faced by players in the industry, tackling topics such as the impact of the cryptocurrency crackdown, the new frontiers of generative artificial intelligence (AI), forthcoming European regulations, and ways to navigate the economic downturn.




   



    
   


   








Dozens of sessions are scheduled to take place throughout the three-day event, promising to deliver attendees essential knowledge, trends, expert insights and networking opportunities.
The following are 30 must-attend sessions featuring top industry experts and stakeholders. These sessions will discuss some of the biggest opportunities and most pressing issues experienced by the sector, ranging from sustainability and financial inclusion, to fraud, Web 3.0 and regulation.
Money2020
Expanding Horizons: Unleashing the Potential of Open Finance Across the Globe
When: Tuesday June 06, 11:05 – 11:30 (25min)
Where: Elements, RAI
During the “Expanding Horizons: Unleashing the Potential of Open Finance Across the Globe” panel discussion, top executives from General Catalyst, Stitch, Belvo, and Plaid will explore how open finance is transforming financial services in Africa, Latin America, and Asia.
Attendees will get to discover how millions of users are being banked for the first time, traditional banking models are being disrupted, and financial innovation is flourishing. This unique conversation will offer lessons the UK and Europe can learn from players in global markets who are unlocking the full potential of open finance.
Speakers:

Zeynep Yavuz, Partner, General Catalyst
Kiaan Pillay, Co-founder &amp; CEO, Stitch
Pablo Viguera, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Belvo
Ripsy Bandourian, Head of Europe, Plaid

Sustainable Finance: Bringing Transition Finance To Life With Data
When: Tuesday June 06, 11:30 – 11:45 (15min)
Where: The Horizon Stage, powered by Mastercard, RAI
In the face of an endangered future, combating climate change necessitates substantial financial commitment. According to the McKinsey Global Institute, the transition to a net-zero economy will require a staggering US$275 trillion in spending on energy and land-use systems between 2021 and 2050, averaging US$9.2 trillion annually.
Banks and financial institutions play a pivotal role in this transition, driven not only by regulatory pressures but also by the pursuit of new business opportunities.
The “Sustainable Finance: Bringing Transition Finance To Life With Data” session will explore how banks are aligning themselves with climate goals through innovative data-driven approaches. Attendees will get to gain invaluable insights and discover the transformative power of ESG data in guiding sustainable financing practices.
Speakers:

Matthias Lange, Partner, McKinsey &amp; Company
Maria Patschke. CEO, SAP Fioneer ESG Solutions GmbH

From Transactional To Transformational: The Power Of Open Banking In Corporate Finance
When: Tuesday June 06, 11:30 – 12:00 (30min)
Where: Elements, RAI
Corporate banking, a sector marked by numerous simultaneous, complex, and deeply transactional financial relationships, is overdue digitization. Reminiscent of the challenges once faced by retail banking, it grapples with increasing competition, declining customer satisfaction, and rising customer churn, all of which are amplifying the pressure on already shrinking margins.
Fortunately, open banking emerges as a transformative solution for the challenges confronting corporate finance, offering the potential to expedite innovation and digitization.
The “From Transactional To Transformational: The Power Of Open Banking In Corporate Finance” session aims to explore how to harness the true transformative power of open finance and corporate banking, shifting from the realm of transactional to transformational.
Speakers:

Prajit Nanu, Founder and CEO, Nium
James Lloyd, Head of EMEA &amp; APAC, Spring by Citi, Citi
Kanika Hope, Chief Strategy Officer, Temenos
Claire Calmejane, Group Chief Innovation Officer, Societe Generale

Open Banking: The Quest for Harmony
When: Tuesday 6, 12:02 – 12:27 (25min)
Where: Elements, RAI
As the future of banking unfolds, the need for a secure regulatory framework to manage vast amounts of open financial data while safeguarding the privacy and security of customer information becomes increasingly evident.
For regulators, the challenge lies in striking the delicate balance between openness and protection. How can they foster an open financial system that fuels growth and innovation without compromising stability and resilience?
In the “Open Banking: The Quest for Harmony” panel discussion, attendees will get to hear from those who are actively involved in shaping the rules, learn how these industry experts are navigating the intricacies of striking the right balance in an open financial ecosystem, and gain insights into the approaches and strategies employed to foster a harmonious environment that promotes growth and innovation while upholding stability and resilience.
Speakers:

Nilixa Devlukia, Chair, Open Finance Association
Emily Martin, Assistant Secretary, Policy, and Engagement Branch, Consumer Data and Digital Division, The Treasury
Patrick De Neef, Chief Innovation Officer, De Nederlandsche Bank / Dutch Central Bank
Sheldon Mills, Executive Director, Consumers and Competition, Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)

Marketplaces Powering Commerce
When: Tuesday June 06, 13:45 – 14:25 (40min)
Where: Fusion Stage, RAI
With embedded fintech central to the success of digital-first business models, operators are in the unique position to combine their areas of strength with the right partners to win big and scale fast.
The “Marketplaces Powering Commerce” session will explore the evolution of payment technologies and rails, calling in the need for an agile, innovative mindset for approaching payments in the business-to-business (B2B) ecosystem.
Speakers:

Megan Bramlette, Director, North America &amp; EU Payment Acceptance, Amazon
Helena Forest, Head of Product for EMEA Marketplace Solutions &amp; Commerce Solutions, J.P. Morgan
Laurene Lecomte, Head of Risk, Payment and Fraud Management, Back Market

Beyond Survival: Payment Acquiring In A Time Of High Inflation
When: Tuesday 6, 14:28 – 14:55 (27min)
Where: Money-Bot, RAI
In the midst of decades-high inflation, the payment acquiring landscape is experiencing significant challenges. To thrive in this environment, payment acquirers must exhibit agility and resilience, adapting quickly and effectively to protect their position.
The “Beyond Survival: Payment Acquiring In A Time Of High Inflation” session will dive into the strategic implications of an inflationary environment for payment acquiring. A panel of experts, including top executives from Capgemini, Deutsche Bank, and Worldpay from FIS, will explore how acquirers can optimize payment acceptance rates amidst economic instability.
Attendees will discover the benefits of fluidly switching between global and local payment gateways, understand the opportunities presented by this turbulent macroeconomic landscape, and gain valuable insights into the strategies acquirers can employ to deliver unique value to merchants.
Speakers:

Elias Ghanem, Vice President and Global Head of Capgemini Research Institute for Financial Services, Capgemini
Kilian Thalhammer, Head of Merchant Solutions, Deutsche Bank AG

Moderator:

Maria Prados, SVP Global Enterprise Go To Market, Worldpay from FIS

B2B as Easy as B2C? Bringing SME Payments and Financing Up to Speed
When: Tuesday June 06, 15:00 – 15:35 (35min)
Where: Elements, RAI
While business-to-consumer (B2C) fintech has made significant strides, the digitization of the business-to-business (B2B) segment has lagged behind. To address this gap, innovative players like Moss, Tilta, and Mondu are revolutionizing the B2B payment experience for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
In the “B2B as Easy as B2C? Bringing SME Payments and Financing Up to Speed” panel discussion, experts and industry participants will explore different approaches to enhance user experience, reduce manual friction, and meet the cash flow needs of SMEs. The session will also delve into the importance of investing in SME fraud prevention and underwriting strategies to ensure seamless payment experiences, and debate the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and automated decision-making in underwriting, as well as the data sources that truly matter.
Speakers:

Ingmar Stupp, Founder, Tilta
Stephan Haslebacher. Co-Founder &amp; COO, Moss
Joan Swanson, Head of Fraud Prevention, Mondu

Moderator:

Dr. Niklas Guske, COO, Taktile

What’s Next for Open Banking and Open Finance in Europe?
When: Tuesday June 06, 15:50 – 16:25 (35min)
Where: Fusion Stage, RAI
During the “What’s Next for Open Banking and Open Finance in Europe?” panel discussion, attendees will get to learn how regulators are creating competition between payments methods in Europe, how open finance will unlock opportunities outside of core banking, discover whether Europe’s ambition to be the global trailblazer for open finance will be realized, and what could give this ambition teeth.
Attendees will get to hear updates from the European Commission on related policy programs, and hear firsthand how its stance on the future of open banking and finance with the bloc aligns (or diverges) from that of industry associations and market players.
Speakers:

Charles Damen, Chief Product Officer, Token.io
Eric Ducoulombier, Head of Retail and Payments, European Commission’s Department of Financial Stability and Capital Markets (DG FISMA)
Gijs Boudewijn, General Manager, Dutch Payments Association

Moderator:

Nilixa Devlukia, Chair, Open Finance Association

3 Signs You’re Greenwashing (and Everybody Knows It)
When: Tuesday June 06, 15:55 – 16:15 (20min)
Where: Outer Limits, RAI
In the wake of the ESG revolution, it’s essential for businesses to act responsibly and avoid greenwashing. Fintech companies, eager to embrace sustainability, have sometimes blurred the lines between genuine intentions and marketing tactics.
The “3 Signs You’re Greenwashing (and Everybody Knows It)” panel discussion will feature experts from Mambu, Bloom Money, and EQT Group, who will shed light on spotting greenwashing, the significance of small wins in ESG, and whether the industry can truly deliver on ethical practices and sustainable investments.
Speakers:

Fernando Zandona, Interim CEO, Mambu
Nina Mohanty, CEO &amp; Co-Founder, Bloom Money
Carolina Brochado, Partner and Deputy Head of EQT Growth Advisory Team, EQT Group

From Winter to Spring: Restoring Customer Confidence in Crypto
When: Wednesday June 07, 10:05 – 10:25 (20min)
Where: Elements, RAI
Crypto may have faced its challenges, but it’s far from dead. This engaging debate will delve into the path forward for crypto and explore the crucial steps needed to restore public confidence.
During the “From Winter to Spring: Restoring Customer Confidence in Crypto” session, industry experts will present competing visions for the future of crypto while addressing the major obstacles hindering widespread adoption. Drawing from the lessons learned during the crypto winter, attendees will get to examine how these experiences can inspire a brighter future for crypto users and investors.
Speakers:

Jean-Baptiste Graftieaux, Global CEO, Bitstamp
Sergej Kunz, Co-Founder, 1inch Network
Gina Ordonez Pari, Head of LatAm, Zimpler

Moderator:

Anna Irrera, Senior Editor, Crypto, Bloomberg

Harnessing the Hype: ABN AMRO and Citi on How Generative AI is Revolutionizing Financial Services
When: Wednesday June 07, 11:05 – 11:25 (20min)
Where: Encore, RAI
Generative AI has the power to revolutionize the financial services industry, providing unprecedented insights, streamlining processes, and enhancing decision-making capabilities. In this session, experts from Citi, ABN AMRO Bank N.V. and Bain &amp; Company will come together to explore the opportunities and challenges presented by generative AI in financial services.
The “Harnessing the Hype: ABN AMRO and Citi on How Generative AI is Revolutionizing Financial Services” panel will delve into various aspects, including the different types of generative models being utilized, the advantages and limitations of generative AI, ethical considerations, and practical applications in risk management, fraud detection, and customer service.
By attending this session, participants will gain valuable knowledge about how generative AI is shaping the future of finance and the key considerations for successful implementation in their organizations.
Speakers:

Emily Turner, Citi Institutional Clients Group, Citi
Annerie Vreugdenhil, Chief Commercial Officer Personal &amp; Business Banking, Member of the Executive Board, ABN AMRO Bank N.V.

Moderator:

Jeff Tijssen, Global Head of Fintech, Bain &amp; Company

Beyond Commodity in Open Finance: The Ecosystem Approach
When: Wednesday June 07, 11:40 – 12:05 (25min)
Where: Fusion Stage, RAI
With open finance innovation on the rise, financial institutions are evaluating how to embrace this opportunity to augment their business models and acquire new customers. A recent survey from Celent revealed that 23% of executives think taking an ecosystem approach to growth is their most urgent priority in 2023.
In the “Beyond Commodity in Open Finance: The Ecosystem Approach” session, the panel will highlight the evolution we’ve seen to date in open finance and will share their experiences in leveraging partnerships within and outside the industry to enable more compelling and contextualized financial services to a larger share of consumers.
Speakers:

Tasha Chouhan, UK &amp; IE Banking Director, Tink
Kelvin Tan, Global Head of SC nexus, Standard Chartered; CEO audax, Standard Chartered Bank; audax financial technology
Chloé Mayenobe, COO, Solaris

Moderator:

Charith Mendis, Head of Banking, Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Business and Finance in Lockstep
When: Wednesday June 07, 12:40 – 13:20 (40min)
Where: Fusion Stage, RAI
During the “Business and Finance in Lockstep” panel discussion, top executives from Payoneer, J.P. Morgan, Paysafe and SJK Insights will share their secrets to a successful collaboration and show how they blend finance and technology to make strategic decisions.
Audience members will leave with practical steps to closely align their business and finance teams, whether that’s two people or twenty-two, as well as best-in-class examples from a firm reaping the benefits.
Speakers:

Jody Perla, Managing Director, Global Banking &amp; Payment Infrastructure, Payoneer
Priyanka Rath, Head of Global Liquidity and Account Solutions specialists, J.P. Morgan
Steven Delpy, Chief Banking Officer, Paysafe

Moderator:

Sarah Kocianski, Fintech Consultant and Advisor, SJK Insights

Banks Can’t Have It All: Embedded Finance vs Embedded Fintech
When: Wednesday June 07, 13:35 – 14:05 (30min)
Where: Fusion Stage, RAI
Embedded finance, the integration of financial services into the customer journeys of non-financial businesses, has gathered pace. Such is this pace that non-traditional financial services providers are becoming a threat to banks when it comes to market share.
Banks have a choice: they can either fight fire with fire and capitalize on the new distribution channels that embedded finance offers, or they can replicate the approach by embedding fintech products into their own digital banking platforms. However, banks can’t choose both.
The “Banks Can’t Have It All: Embedded Finance vs Embedded Fintech” session, featuring business leaders from FintechOS, OpenPayd and Societe Generale, will discuss these emerging trends and dive into ways traditional banking institutions can address this changing landscape.
Speakers:

Teo Blidarus, CEO &amp; Co-Founder, FintechOS
Iana Dimitrova, CEO, OpenPayd
Claire Calmejane, Group Chief Innovation Officer, Societe Generale

Moderator:

Elizabeth Lumley, Deputy Editor, The Banker

Pay by Bank: A World Without Cards
When: Wednesday June 07, 14:05 – 14:30 (25min)
Where: Fusion Stage, RAI
In the “Pay by Bank: A World Without Cards” session, a panel of industry innovators will discuss their push for better payments, touching on topics including the new model payments networks, banks premium APIs and commercial variable recurring payments (VRPs).
Attendees will get to learn how account-to-account (A2A) payments are set to benefit the entire value chain, how open banking rails are the key to creating smarter, safer and faster payment experiences, and how, in a future far nearer than we might first think, we’ll all be paying (and getting paid) by bank globally.
Speakers:

Francesco Simoneschi, CEO &amp; Co-Founder, TrueLayer
Megan Bramlette, Director, North America &amp; EU Payment Acceptance, Amazon
Mark Brant, Chief Payments Officer, NatWest Group

Moderator:

Henk Van Hulle, CEO, Open Banking Implementation Entity

Trade Networks 2.0: Where Transparency and Data Privacy Work Together
When: Wednesday June 07, 14:35 – 15:00 (25min)
Where: Elements, RAI
The vulnerabilities of global trade were laid bare in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, making it clearer than ever that it’s past time to digitize the logistics networks.
The “Trade Networks 2.0: Where Transparency and Data Privacy Work Together” session will be a deep dive into the Global Shipping Business Network (GSBN) and what’s driving its success as a second generation trade network.
In the session, top experts from GSBN and the Hyperledger Foundation will cover the evolution of distributed ledger and related technologies (DLTs), as well as new models for governing trade networks that deliver on the promise of decentralization, delivering scale, efficiency, reliability, cost savings and more.
Speakers:

Daniela Barbosa, Executive Director, Hyperledger Foundation, and General Manager Blockchain and Identity at the Linux Foundation, Hyperledger Foundation, part of the Linux Foundation
Edmund To, Chief Technology Officer, Global Shipping Business Network (GSBN)

Moderator:

Ryan Rugg, Head of Digital Assets, TTS, Citi

Fully Regulated Tokenization of Real World Assets: Germany
When: Wednesday June 07, 15:20 – 15:50 (30min)
Where: Fusion Stage, RAI
Whether BCG, BlackRock or J.P. Morgan, the big banks are intensively exploring DLT as a new infrastructure to issue and settle securities in a fully digital and efficient way. While many financial institutions and central banks are piloting tokenized securities, most are shying away from investing heavily in the infrastructure due to the absence of regulation.
With the new Electronic Securities Act 2021 (eWpG), German regulators are driving the adoption of blockchain in the financial ecosystem.
In the “Fully Regulated Tokenization of Real World Assets: Germany” session, attendees will get to hear on live case studies, benefits and use cases of a DLT-based capital market infrastructure for financial institutions, understand why banks are adopting this new approach and what is waiting around the corner.
Speakers:

Michael Duttlinger, CEO, Cashlink
Dr. Florian Toncar, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Finance, Federal Ministry of Finance
Patrick Marquardt, Managing Director, LAIQON Token GmbH (formerly Lloyd Token GmbH)

Moderator:

Dr. Anika Patz, Associated Partner, YPOG

Fintech In Africa: Scaling for Impact and Driving Economic Growth
When: Wednesday June 07, 15:23 – 15:48 (25min)
Where: Money-Bot, RAI
Africa’s fintech ecosystem has emerged as a bright spot of growth in recent years. The continent is home to thousands of fintech startups transforming financial services across the entire value chain.
In the “Fintech In Africa: Scaling for Impact and Driving Economic Growth” session, experts from Flutterwave, one of the innovators at the forefront of Africa’s fintech transformation, and McKinsey &amp; Company will discuss what the future holds for the fledgling ecosystem and explore how emerging technologies are being leveraged by innovative entrepreneurs to tackle the continent’s most pressing challenges.
Speakers:

Mayowa Kuyoro, Partner, Leader of Africa Fintech, McKinsey &amp; Company
Olugbenga Agboola, CEO, Flutterwave

Generative AI within Fintech &amp; Financial Services
When: Wednesday June 07, 15:37 – 15:57 (20min)
Where: The Summits, RAI
ChatGPT is the “iPhone moment of AI,” but what does it mean for banking and fintech? Some are racing to integrate generative AI across every function of a bank from asset management to fraud detection and customer service.
During the “Generative AI within Fintech &amp; Financial Services” panel discussion, leaders at BBVA, Swift, ING and NVIDIA will explore how banks and fintech companies evaluate generative AI, which applications they embed with AI first, and why waiting to invest is not an option.
Speakers:

Chalapathy Neti, Head AI CoE, Swift
Mariana Gomez de la Villa, Innovation Lead, ING
Jon Ander Beracoechea Alava, Advanced Analytics Discipline Head, BBVA

Moderator:

Malcolm DeMayo, Global VP, Financial Services, NVIDIA

Power to the People: The Next Era for Wealthtech
When: Wednesday June 07, 16:05 – 16:30 (25min)
Where: Elements, RAI
As the world deepens into recession, financial futures of the common person are more precarious and feel more out of control. Wealthtech and embedded finance can truly make a positive impact, if only the opportunity is realized.
In the “Power to the People: The Next Era for Wealthtech” panel, leading minds in wealthtech will discuss ways to improve access to relevant saving and investment tools and close the gender gaps. Experts will also look at consumer trust in new brands, and what this means for the banks and institutions that have dominated wealth and personal finance.
Speakers:

Victor Trokoudes, CEO &amp; Co-Founder, Plum
Ruth Handcock, CEO, Octopus Investments
Mary Agbesanwa, Fintech Growth Lead, Seccl

Moderator:

Tamara Kostova, CEO, Velexa

What’s Sharia Got to Do With It? New Banking Solutions for an Evolving Muslim World
When: Wednesday June 07, 16:20 – 16:45 (25min)
Where: Money-Bot, RAI
Islam is one of fastest growing major religions in Europe with the continent home to more than 40 million Muslims. Yet, Muslims remain an underserved community on the continent.
From halal investment products to sharia-compliant banking solutions, the “What’s Sharia Got to Do With It? New Banking Solutions for an Evolving Muslim World” session will explore why it’s critical for banks and fintech companies to understand the unique needs of Muslims.
From fintech startups to established financial institutions, this session is a must-attend for anyone interested in understanding how to engage in the growing Islamic finance market and build a more inclusive financial system.
Speakers:

Omar Saleh, Founder &amp; CEO, Khazna
Dima Djani, Founder &amp; CEO, Hijra Bank

Moderator:

Monica Brand Engel, Co-founder and Managing Partner, Quona Capital

The Evolution of Identity
When: Thursday June 08, 10:00 – 10:25 (25min)
Where: Money-Bot, RAI
For the global economy to thrive and achieve full market potential, businesses including banks, financial institutions and online commerce organizations need access to critical infrastructure including effective credit bureaus, alternate data and standardized personal identification data.
In “The Evolution of Identity” session, experts in risk, digital transformation, alternate data and cybersecurity at Monnai, Crypto.com, Money20/20 and Vesey Ventures will discuss how financial services can be truly global and grow while managing increasing risk and fraud, new regulations and compliance, lack of data and evolving innovation and customer expectations.
Speakers:

Pierre Demarche, Co-Founder/CEO, Monnai
Abhi Bisarya, Global Head of Product, Crypto.com
Sanjib Kalita, Wizard, Money20/20
Dana Eli-Lorch, Co-Founder &amp; General Partner, Vesey Ventures

Preventing the Existential Risk in Fintech: Fraud
When: Thursday June 08, 10:27 – 10:55 (28min)
Where: Money-Bot, RAI
Financial fraud is rapidly increasing, particularly in Europe. For fintech companies, fraud poses not only the risk of losing customer trust but also the potential to erode trust from industry partners.
In the “Preventing the Existential Risk in Fintech: Fraud” session, a panel of industry experts representing Alloy, ComplyAdvantage and Onfido will delve into how they are enabling fintech companies to find a delicate balance between fostering growth, maintaining industry partnerships, and ensuring compliance, even in the face of rising global fraud.
Speakers:

Laura Spiekerman, President and Co-founder, Alloy
Vatsa Narasimha, Chief Executive Officer, ComplyAdvantage

Moderator:

Yuelin Li, Chief Strategy Officer, Onfido

Opportunity for All: Making the Most of VC Funding
When: Thursday June 08, 10:40 – 11:10 (30min)
Where: Elements, RAI
Being funded is something any business should celebrate and is a testament to belief in an enterprise and a ticket for future growth. But the path of investment is littered with founders who have spent too quickly, or unwisely, along with those who simply were unable to secure funding at all.
In the “Opportunity for All: Making the Most of VC Funding” session, four well-known venture capitalists (VCs) representing Northzone, Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Generation Investment Management and AlbionVC will come together to offer their advice, expertise, and share tips to help startups make the most of any potential funding, alongside what not to do.
Speakers:

Sanjot Malhi, Partner, Northzone
Seema Amble, Partner, a16z
Lucia Rigo, Partner, Growth Equity, Generation Investment Management

Moderator:

Ed Lascelles, Partner, AlbionVC

Meet the Three Pillars of Disruption: AI, Open Banking and Instant Payments
When: Thursday June 08, 10:45 – 11:10 (25min)
Where: Fusion Stage, RAI
For an update on key trends disrupting current operational models and processes, the “Meet the Three Pillars of Disruption: AI, Open Banking and Instant Payments” panel will examine how ecosystem participants, including banks, fintech companies, market infrastructures, clients, and regulators, are evolving to deliver them.
Speakers:

Fabian Khoshbakht, Global Head of Client Insight &amp; Innovation, BNY Mellon
Nico Strauss, Tribe Lead B2B Services, Rabobank
Khun Budsakorn Teerapunyachai, Senior Director, Payment Systems and Financial Technology Policy Department, Bank of Thailand

Moderator:

Livia Benisty, Chief Business Officer, Banking Circle

All About the BaaS: Shaping a New Governance Model
When: Thursday June 08, 11:15 – 11:40 (25min)
Where: Fusion Stage, RAI
While banking-as-a-service (BaaS) is a boon for many providers who can outsource the technology and licenses to a third party, there are question marks around governance, compliance and controls. Regulators around the world are desperately keen to avoid another Wirecard-like catastrophe where the adoption of fintech didn’t keep up with governance.
So what needs to change to ensure the industry doesn’t sleepwalk into Wirecard 2.0? The answer is a new model for BaaS that integrates governance across the value chain to ensure there is full transparency at a data level from the bank to the end customer.
The “All About the BaaS: Shaping a New Governance Model” session will outline a new model for BaaS, one that provides full data transparency, and discuss the role each of the parties must play in getting BaaS governance right.
Speakers:

Emma Hagan, Chief Risk and Compliance Officer, ClearBank
Lynda Strutton, Chief Operating Officer, Tribe Payments
Dr. Verena Thaler, Chief of Staff / Vice President Strategy, Raisin

Moderator:

Sarah Kocianski, Fintech Consultant and Advisor, SJK Insights

Does the Regulation Equation Equal Innovation?
When: Thursday June 08, 12:45 – 13:25 (40min)
Where: Fusion Stage, RAI
The opportunities of ever-evolving business models come hand in hand with ever-evolving regulation. With a slow economic outlook dominating the news cycle, businesses are developing strategies to adapt and overcome and looking to their partners to help carve a compliant path to success.
Fintech companies and their partners will need to utilize all the information at their disposal as they navigate stormy waters. In the “Does the Regulation Equation Equal Innovation?” session, experts from the Euro Banking Association, J.P. Morgan, Revolut, and 1inch Network will evaluate the changing regulatory landscape, how the industry can come together to influence upcoming changes, and the anticipated impacts on businesses as we look to 2024.
Speakers:

Daniel Szmukler, Director / Head of Innovation, Euro Banking Association
Ludovic Houri, Co-head of EMEA Payments &amp; Commerce Solutions, J.P. Morgan
Adam Gagen, Global Head of Government Affairs, Revolut
Valeriya Minaeva, Partnerships &amp; Comms, 1inch Network

The Disney of Money: Raising the Next Generation of Financially Savvy Kids
When: Thursday June 08, 13:00 – 13:20 (20min)
Where: Money-Bot, RAI
In the “The Disney of Money: Raising the Next Generation of Financially Savvy Kids” session, attendees will get to hear from three tech company founders that straddle the divide between fintech and edtech, and learn how being mission-driven enables three different brands to seamlessly operate under one company umbrella.
The discussion will dive into the responsibility of financial services companies to educate at the moment of decision-making, starting at birth.
Speakers:

Louise Hill, Co-founder and COO, GoHenry
Benoit Grassin, Co-founder &amp; CEO, Pixpay
David Hijirida, President, Acorns

DORA: The Biggest Change in Payments No-One is Talking About
When: Thursday June 08, 14:30 – 14:55 (25min)
Where: Elements, RAI
The European Union (EU)’s Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) aims to mitigate systemic digital operational risk in an increasingly digitally connected EU financial services market. This new regulation is important because almost every type of financial institution across the EU will be required to ensure their suppliers and their suppliers’ security controls meet resilience standards.
The “DORA: The Biggest Change in Payments No-One is Talking About” session will cover how the regulation will accelerate cloud and third-party services adoption, and how concentration risk management is now both a system level and firm-level effort. The session will also look at how enhancements in service offerings result in fewer opportunities to restore operations in the event of a cyberattack. Also, the panel will consider the systemic risk of firms underinvesting in their own resilience, and how failures at a single bank could cause an avalanche of problems for others.
Speakers:
Abdellah Ben Hammou, Product Director, Klarna
Jessica Ramos, Head of Regulatory &amp; Financial Affairs, EBA CLEARING
Moderator:

Jolanda Schekermans, Head of Product, API Experience, Form3

Have You Heard of the Metaverse?
When: Thursday June 08, 14:35 – 15:00 (25min)
Where: Fusion Stage, RAI
In this session, attendees will get to hear more on current actionable strategies for creating and governing the metaverse, alongside a dollop of realism to hopefully answer the tongue-in-cheek question: have you heard of the metaverse?
Speakers:

Cathy Mulligan, Sustainable Digital Economy Researcher, World Economic Forum
Sulabh Agarwal, Managing Director, Global Head of Payments, Accenture

Moderator:

Dr. Ruth Wandhöfer, Chief Curiosity Officer, Author, Speaker, Adviser &amp; Educator

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/30-must-attend-sessions-at-money2020-europe-2023</link><guid>3228</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>30 Must-Attend Sessions at Money20/20 Europe 2023</dc:text></item><item><title>Account-to-Account Transactions Soar Globally Amid Merchant Adoption and Real-Time Payment Push</title><description><![CDATA[Account-to-account (A2A) payments are taking off around the world, driven by booming adoption of the payment method by businesses and payment infrastructure modernization efforts from governments, a report by fintech solution provider FIS says.
The 2023 Worldpay from FIS Global Payments Report, released in March, shares the latest trends observed in consumer payment behaviors and preferences for in-store and online purchases, highlighting this year the rise of A2A payments amid new innovations and advancements in real-time payments.
According to the report, there were 64 live real-time payment schemes globally in 2022, up from 60 the prior year. These schemes are providing high-speed payment rails and are enabling new use cases which are driving A2A payment growth.




   



    
   


   








In Brazil, the popularity of real-time payment scheme Pix doubled A2A’s share of e-commerce transaction value in just one year between 2021 and 2022. In India, the dramatic success of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) derives largely from the platform’s seamless interoperability with commercial wallets including Paytm, PhonePe and Google Pay. And in Thailand, real-time proxy payment service PromptPay is enabling a steady stream of innovation, including payment by corporate identification proxy, QR retail payments and request-to-pay functionality.
A2A payments, which refers to payments made directly from one account to another, has long been a popular payment method for business-to-business (B2B) and person-to-person (P2P) use cases, but they are now entering the P2B realm, the report says.
Merchants are increasingly adopting the payment method, drawn by its safety, speed and lower costs. A2A payments reduce the cost of payment acceptance versus cards since transactions are not intermediated by major card network. They also offer instant settlement of funds, enabling thus improved cash flow for merchants.
In 2022, A2A transactions accounted for US$525 billion in global e-commerce transaction value, a sum that represents a 13% increase from US$463 billion in 2021. Through 2026, A2A e-commerce payments are projected to grow at a 13% compound annual growth rate (CAGR).
Emerging markets will continue the lead the movement, with A2A payments expected to make up for 45%, 35% and 28% of e-commerce transaction value in Thailand, Brazil and Peru, respectively, by 2026.
Share of A2A payments in e-commerce transaction value, 2021-2026, Source: 2023 Worldpay from FIS Global Payments Report, March 2023
BNPL enters next phase of evolution
After a dramatic growth phase from 2018 to 2021, the buy now pay later (BNPL) market is now entering its new phase of evolution, a so-called “BNPL 2.0” era which will be characterized by a number of trends, the report says.
First, a new class of BNPL providers comprising merchants, bigtechs, banks, card networks and super apps will emerge. Next, new regulations will be introduced, bringing BNPL more in line with legacy consumer lending products. More repayment terms will also be introduced, going beyond the “pay in 4” or “pay in 6” to include longer terms as well as revolving accounts. Finally, BNPL will be offered in a broader range of verticals and for goods and services at a wider variety of price points.
With more than 200 global providers now offering BNPL arrangements, the crowded sector is also projected to see some market consolidation, a trend that has already started emerging.
A 2022 analysis by Flagship Advisory Partners, a strategy consultancy and mergers and acquisitions (M&amp;A) advisory firm focused on payments and fintech, shows that BNPL M&amp;A started accelerating in 2019.
So far, M&amp;A activity has largely focused on consolidation by well-funded players including Klarna, Zip, Affirm and Afterpay, the report says. As of February 2023, Klarna had made 14 acquisitions, purchasing Israeli risk and fraud management firm Analyzd in 2011, online banking service Sofort in 2013, and German payment company BillPay in 2017, among others. Affirm, meanwhile, had made four acquisitions, namely LendLayer, a startup that provides lending for accelerated learning programs; Returnly, a provider of digital return experiences for direct-to-consumer brands; Sweep, a budgeting app; and Paybright, a Canadian BNPL provider.
BNPL consolidation via M&amp;A and BNPL funding amounts, Source: Flagship Advisory Partners, February 2022
The BNPL sector has faced increased regulatory scrutiny, interest rate pressure and intense competition this past year. But despite the headwinds, the sector stayed resilient in 2022 and remained a popular payment method among customers.
In 2022, BNPL accounted for 5% of global e-commerce spend, with Germany amongst the biggest adopters (23%), followed by Australia (14%) and the Netherlands (13%). Moving forward, the report expects BNPL’s global e-commerce value to grow at a 16% CAGR from 2022 to 2026 to reach a share of 6%.
Share of BNPL in e-commerce transaction value 2018-2026, Source: 2023 Worldpay from FIS Global Payments Report, March 2023
Global e-commerce growth remained robust last year, rising 10% from 2021. All regions, except Europe, recorded double-digit growth with a high of 21% of the Middle East and Africa.
Asia-Pacific led the world, accounting for half (US$3 trillion) of the world’s e-commerce transaction value (US$6 trillion) in 2022.
Global e-commerce transaction value is projected to grow 9% CAGR through 2026 to reach US$8.5 trillion.
Global e-commerce transaction value 2018-2026, US$ billions, Source: 2023 Worldpay from FIS Global Payments Report, March 2023

Featured image credit: edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/account-to-account-transactions-soar-globally-amid-merchant-adoption-and-real-time-payment-push</link><guid>3229</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Account-to-Account Transactions Soar Globally Amid Merchant Adoption and Real-Time Payment Push</dc:text></item><item><title>Paytech Giant Diebold Nixdorf Plans Chapter 11 with Debt Restructuring Agreement</title><description><![CDATA[In a significant move towards financial consolidation, payments technology leader Diebold Nixdorf  has declared that it has signed a restructuring agreement with key financial stakeholders. The objective of this strategic decision is to facilitate a comprehensive debt restructuring process, aiming for a speedy and efficient resolution.
In accordance with the agreement, creditors will back restructuring transactions leading to the discharge of a substantial portion of the funded debt held by Diebold Nixdorf and some of its subsidiaries. The company’s existing common shares will be annulled as a part of these transactions.
The restructuring is designed to drastically diminish debt and leverage levels, providing significant additional liquidity to “support seamless ongoing operations and establish a long-term, sustainable capital structure for the payments technology giant”. Throughout this process, Diebold Nixdorf has pledged to continue regular payments to vendors and suppliers.




   



    
   


   








The aforementioned agreement includes creditors who possess a considerable majority of Diebold Nixdorf’s outstanding secured term loan debt and secured notes. These creditors hold approximately 80.4% of the company’s superiority credit facility, around 79% of its first lien term loan, approximately 78% of the first lien notes, and nearly 58.3% of the second lien notes.
Octavio Marquez
Octavio Marquez, Diebold Nixdorf chairman, president and chief executive officer, said:
“Our company is focused on continuing our solid operational performance and delivering best-in-class products and services to banks and retailers around the world. With the support of our creditors, we have reached an agreement to restructure and strengthen our balance sheet, enhance liquidity and position Diebold Nixdorf for long-term success.
Our strengthened financial position also enables us to better serve our customers, employees, suppliers and partners. I am excited about the future of Diebold Nixdorf and all we will accomplish.”
The plan involves leveraging a pre-packaged chapter 11 reorganisation plan, to be filed by Diebold Nixdorf and some of its subsidiaries under the US Bankruptcy Code. Diebold Nixdorf’s Dutch subsidiary, Diebold Nixdorf Dutch Holding B.V., is expected to file a scheme of arrangement under the Dutch Act on Confirmation of Extrajudicial Plans. Any such voluntary scheme will be recognised under chapter 15 of the US Bankruptcy Code, should a case be pursued.
As a part of the agreement, the debtors are set to seek approval for a US$1.25 billion debtor-in-possession (DIP) term loan credit facility during the chapter 11 cases. The DIP facility proceeds are allocated for repaying existing obligations, settling costs associated with the restructuring proceedings, and funding working capital needs during the process. First lien term loan or first lien note holders who become lenders under the DIP facility and sign the agreement before the set deadline, will be eligible for a participation premium.
Although the restructuring transactions are contingent upon certain conditions and the finalisation of further definitive agreements, Diebold Nixdorf hopes to complete the process by the third quarter of 2023. Upon completion, the common shares of the restructured company are expected to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Featured image credit: Octavio Marquez, Diebold Nixdorf chairman, president and chief executive officer . Background image edited from Freepik.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/paytech-giant-diebold-nixdorf-plans-chapter-11-with-debt-restructuring-agreement</link><guid>3227</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Paytech Giant Diebold Nixdorf Plans Chapter 11 with Debt Restructuring Agreement</dc:text></item><item><title>BPC Partners With Ellipse to Boost Payment Transaction Security</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss payment solution provider BPC announced that it has expanded its partnership with U.S.-based fintech company Ellipse World.
The partnership will focus on bolstering security measures and privacy for customers by integrating EVC® (Ellipse Verification Code), Ellipse’s dynamic card security code/CVV/CVC technology into BPC’s SmartVista platform to provide EVC processing services.
Traditionally, payment cards heavily relied on a fixed security code (static CVV/CVC) for transaction verification or authentication.




   



    
   


   








However, through the integration of Ellipse’s EVC technology into SmartVista, BPC’s global clientele may now experience an upgrade to their card portfolio.
Vasily Grigoriev
Vasily Grigoriev, Managing Director of Global SaaS at BPC said,
“We are excited to partner with Ellipse to enable our clients to deploy cutting edge payments technology. BPC is committed to supporting innovative fraud prevention solutions, ensuring that our consumers are able to leverage the right security solutions.

Having Ellipse’ dynamic CVV technology together with our established Fraud Prevention service we are about to achieve an unprecedented level of cards security on behalf of our customers.”
Cyril Lalo
Cyril Lalo, Founder and CEO of Ellipse said,
“Through leveraging and integrating existing EMV rails, we have developed a unique method to reducing financial fraud associated with e-commerce and card-not-present transactions.

Through our partnership with BPC, we are empowering a greater number of financial institutions, businesses, and consumers to enhance their e-commerce journey with peace of mind and serenity.”


Featured image credit: Background image edited from ellipse.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bpc-partners-with-ellipse-to-boost-payment-transaction-security</link><guid>3226</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>BPC Partners With Ellipse to Boost Payment Transaction Security</dc:text></item><item><title>Application of DLT in Capital Markets Could Help Save Billions of Dollars in Operational Costs</title><description><![CDATA[Distributed ledger technology (DLT) has the potential to deliver transformative benefits for capital markets, helping deliver billions of dollars in cost savings through improved operational efficiency, broader market access and opportunities for value creation, a new report by the Global Financial Markets Association (GFMA) together with Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Clifford Chance and Cravath, Swaine and Moore, says.
The paper, titled The Impact of Distributed Ledger Technology in Global Capital Markets, looks at the opportunities and risks of DLT and DLT-based securities, sharing estimates on the potential cost savings and value creation opportunities brought about the technology in the sector.
Findings from the research show that DLT has the potential to significantly reduce costs, helping save an estimated ~US$15-20 billion in annual global infrastructure operational expenditures. This cost reduction comes from the technology’s ability to streamline and automate various processes and reduce the need for intermediaries and human intervention.




   



    
   


   








Smart contracts, or programs stored in a blockchain, can automatically execute predefined actions when specific conditions are met, eliminating the need for manual verification and reducing settlement time.
Enhance Market Liquidity
DLT can also enhance overall market liquidity and market access for people and organizations that have traditionally faced barriers to entry. By leveraging DLT, the tokenization of assets becomes possible, allowing fractional ownership and enabling investors to participate in previously illiquid markets, such as real estate, unlisted equities and commodities.
According to the research, the market growth prospects for DLT-based securities are considerable. The stock of DLT-based securities stood at about US$310 billion as of 2022, comprising a combination of listed and unlisted equity, bonds and other financial assets. This value is projected to soar to US$16 trillion by 2030, representing a 63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR).
Growth will be mainly driven by rising demand for DLT-based securities and growing interest in digital assets. A survey of global institutional investors conducted in 2022 by BNY Mellon and Celent found that 53% of respondents had already invested in tokenized securities or were exploring this emerging form of assets. 41% said they owned cryptocurrencies.
An overwhelming majority (91%) of respondents expressed interest in tokenized products, confident that tokenization will “revolutionize asset management” (97%). Respondents cited the removal of friction from transfer of value (84%) and increased access for mass affluent and retail investors (86%) among the top benefits of tokenization.
Respondents also shared plans to increase their investment in the space, indicating that they would increase portfolio allocations to all major types of digital assets within the next two to five years.
Interest from institutional investors in digital assets and allocation, Source: 2022 Survey of Global Institutional Clients, BNY Mellon and Celent, 2022
Market participants have been exploring DLT for several years. As of December 2022, about 85% of members the GFMA trade group had a DLT use case either at pilot stage or in production, the report says, while others had already deployed their DLT-based solutions and platforms to the market.
HQLAx, for example, is a fintech company based in Luxembourg that specializes in liquidity management and collateral management solutions for institutional clients.
Leverage DLT
The company’s platform leverages R3’s DLT to facilitate large scale and cost efficient collateral transfers across the global financial ecosystem by providing improved collateral fluidity with an operating model that allows for transferring of title and which does not require securities to be moved across central securities depositories (CSDs).
JP Morgan provides an application called Digital Financing that makes use of the bank’s Onyx Digital Assets DLT platform and tokenization to enable true delivery-vs-payment (DvP) settlement for repurchase agreements. The platform enables the real-time simultaneous transfer of tokenized cash and collateral, reducing settlement risk and timeline.
Despite clear interest in DLT for use cases in capital markets, the report notes that adoption has been relatively slow in the industry with DLT-based issuances remaining so far largely experimental.
This slow uptake is due to several challenges relating notably to regulatory ambiguity, technological challenges and competing tech priorities, findings from a survey of GFMA members found. Respondents also raised concerns about limited investment and a lack of overall demand.
Barriers to adoption cited by survey respondents, Source: The Impact of Distributed Ledger Technology in Global Capital Markets, Global Financial Markets Association (GFMA), 2023
The report expects the market to end its experimentation phase within the next three years and move into commercialization. In this next phase, demand from issuers and investors will scale, regulatory ambiguity will be solved and DLT-based platforms will become increasingly interoperable, the report says.
The last phase of development, which is expected to take place from 2028 onwards, will be marked by the predominance of DLT-based primary and secondary markets for specific asset classes and transaction types, harmonized legal and regulatory frameworks across jurisdictions, and interoperability across platforms, the report says.
Possible future developments of a DLT ecosystem, Source: The Impact of Distributed Ledger Technology in Global Capital Markets, BCG, Global Financial Markets Association (GFMA), 2023


Featured image credit: Edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/application-of-dlt-in-capital-markets-could-help-save-billions-of-dollars-in-operational-costs</link><guid>3225</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Application of DLT in Capital Markets Could Help Save Billions of Dollars in Operational Costs</dc:text></item><item><title>Mastercard Invests into Italian Embedded Finance Fintech Fabrick</title><description><![CDATA[Mastercard and Open Finance sector pioneer Fabrick announced an expanded new partnership to develop Embedded Finance solutions that will improve the digitalization of businesses, financial institutions and fintechs across Europe.
As part of the agreement, Mastercard has made a minority investment in Fabrick – it has acquired a minority stake in Fabrick in a €40 million raise in which Mastercard and others joined the shareholding structure.
Part of the resources were raised through a capital increase, with which Mastercard and others joined the shareholding structure with minority stakes. The resources will be used to support the consolidation process in Italy, investments in products and services, infrastructure scale-up and expansion into other European markets. As an example of expansion Fabrick just acquired UK leading payments platform Judopay.




   



    
   


   








Today’s announcement builds on the ongoing relationship between the two companies who have been working together since 2019 to promote innovation on the development of digital financial services for the commercial ecosystem.
Embedded Finance enables companies from any sector to integrate financial services directly into their products via API implementation, giving every business the opportunity to provide payment, banking and insurance services without the need to build a proprietary financial infrastructure themselves.
To date, over 400 counterparties are connected to the Fabrick platform, generating over 330 mln API calls per month.
Paolo Zaccardi, CEO and Co-founder of Fabrick:
Paolo Zaccardi
“Being able to count on the collaboration of a partner of the caliber of Mastercard with a new level of commitment will allow us to strengthen our international presence and open a new phase of growth and evolution. We have already made payments a core asset of our platform, but today with even greater intensity we will be able to define a new and even more complete offer deriving from the coming together of our respective strengths, to grow faster thanks to new resources and know-how, with the aim of establishing ourselves in other European countries as a benchmark in Open and Embedded Finance, which is already registering an extraordinary response from corporates, but which we are certain is only the tip of the iceberg of the infinite possibilities it enables”.
Michele Centemero, Country Manager Italy Mastercard:
Michele Centemero
“We are glad to reinforce our collaboration with Fabrick, and value their great vision and model to face, govern and design the evolution of embedded finance, we think will be a big driver for development of digitization in the next years. Our work with Fabrick and the digital financial services we will develop together, will support our collective goal to offer digital payment solutions to businesses and to deliver a seamless experience for their customers in a time of need.”



Featured image credit: Paolo Zaccardi, CEO and Co-founder of Fabrick &amp; Michele Centemero, Country Manager Italy Mastercard. Background image edited from Freepik.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mastercard-invests-into-italian-embedded-finance-fintech-fabrick</link><guid>3224</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Mastercard Invests into Italian Embedded Finance Fintech Fabrick</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Banks Unlikely to Migrate to Blockchain, DLT Systems, Says SNB Advisor</title><description><![CDATA[While some banks have started experimenting with blockchain and distributed ledger technology (DLT), widespread migration to these systems are unlikely to occur due to a number of roadblocks, including regulatory and compliance challenges, the high costs of the endeavor, as well as uncertainties about the long-term benefits and potential disruption of the technology on existing business models, Benjamin Müller, an advisor on banking operations for the Swiss National Bank (SNB), said during an industry event last month.
At the Digital Monetary Institute symposium, held on May 10 and 11 in London, Müller took part in a panel discussion that brought together top executives representing Banque de France, Goldman Sachs, Clifford Change and SNB. The panel discussed asset tokenization, the opportunities brought about blockchain in capital markets, and central bank digital currency (CBDC) initiatives being undertaken by monetary authorities.
Digital Monetary Institute symposium
During the panel, Müller said that while asset tokenization offered many benefits, including speed and transparency, widespread adoption will be challenging. “We will not see a big bang migration into blockchain and DLT,” he said.




   



    
   


   








“I think this is not realistic and not good practice for regulated financial institutions.”
Instead, Müller predicts an “evolution” where two parallel systems could be running at the same time. That, however, will be a costly endeavor, he said, and it will take some time before the industry is able to harness the efficiency gains brought about the new technology.
Though it is unknown whether or not financial systems will be running on DLT in the future, Müller said that financial institutions and banks will most likely be playing a much bigger role in the digital asset sphere by facilitating access to tokenized assets.
Benjamin Müller
“The model that we have today is very well compliant with the model we could see when DLT and blockchain is used,” he said.
“We could very well imagine a world where we would have the two-tier financial system with intermediaries, banks and other financial institutions allow end-users to access such tokenized assets and to settle payments. It’s not necessarily in conflict.”
Asset tokenization, a process which involves representing the ownership rights of real-world assets as digital tokens on a distributed ledger, has been a popular trend among financial institutions.
Earlier this year, Swiss private bank Cité Gestion announced that it had become the first private bank to tokenize its shares under Swiss law. For the project, the bank teamed up with Taurus, a Geneva-based digital asset infrastructure provider. Taurus was in charge of tokenizing the shares, managing the smart contract and performing asset servicing of the securities, the companies said in a press release.
Taurus, which received a securities license last year from the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority, said it had been involved in tokenizing 15 deals with Swiss-based and EU-based issuers, including banks and asset managers as well as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups since its inception in 2018.
The company counts among its clients the likes of Arab Bank Switzerland, CACEIS, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, Pictet, Swissquote and Vontobel, and secured a US$65 million Series B funding round in February to support its growth.
SNB laid out its intend to “future-proof” the domestic payment ecosystem in March, outlining its ambition to leverage technologies and processes including tokenization and DLT to establish an “efficient, reliable and secure ecosystem” that’s geared towards “the future of cashless payments in Switzerland,” SNB governing board member, Andréa Maechler, said during an event.
As part of the plan, the central bank is investigating how central bank money can be made available in a regulated token environment. The project focuses on examining different models for token settlement, and is being undertaken in collaboration with the regulated financial market infrastructures and other market participants.
Separately, the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA) is exploring the concept of a privately issued, publicly accessible and programmable form of money. If carefully designed, this stablecoin could allow for a wide range of new applications, reduce risks, increase efficiency, and open up whole new areas of business, the industry trade group says.

Featured image credit: edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-banks-unlikely-to-migrate-to-blockchain-dlt-systems-says-snb-advisor</link><guid>3223</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Digital-Monetary-Institute-symposium-1024x683.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Banks Unlikely to Migrate to Blockchain, DLT Systems, Says SNB Advisor</dc:text></item><item><title>European Merchants Tap Latin America E-Commerce Opportunity</title><description><![CDATA[Latin America (LatAm), one of the fastest-growing e-commerce markets globally, has become a preferred destination for European companies looking to expand globally, an appeal that’s owed to the region’s booming smartphone penetration, rapidly digitizing population and improving payment infrastructure, a new report by Canadian payment processor Nuvei says.
The paper, titled Insights and Opportunities for Regional Expansion Success: Interconnecting Europe and Latin America, provides insights into the connections between European and LatAm markets and explores e-commerce payment trends, growth drivers and opportunities.
According to the paper, LatAm has emerged into a compelling market for European brands and is oftentimes the first overseas region European merchants contemplate expanding into. These brands are attracted to LatAm’s increasing Internet penetration, growing smartphone adoption and rapid e-commerce growth, and are seeking to tap into the two regions’ deeply rooted commercial relationships, cultural synergies, and the general affinity Latin Americans have for European brands.




   



    
   


   








Another reason European merchants are finding success in LatAm relates their experience in catering to local payment preferences, the report notes. Just like they adapt to the diverse payment landscape in Europe, European brands understand the need to enable multiple payment methods in LatAm.
This approach is required due to the heterogeneity of the region where customer preferences and banking penetration can vary greatly from one country to another. Digital account penetration, for example, is quite uneven across LatAm, ranging from 65% in Peru to 72% in Mexico, 75% in Colombia, 81% in Brazil, and 90% in Chile, the report notes.
This heterogeneity requires merchants to enable a wide range of alternative payment methods, it says, including local bank transfers, digital wallets, buy now, pay later (BNPL) arrangements, and local card schemes.
LatAm is one of the fastest-growing e-commerce markets in the world with Brazil and Mexico both growing more than 20% per year, and even faster moving opportunities in Colombia, Chile, and Peru, the report says.
Forecast for e-commerce growth from 2019 to 2025, Source: Insights and Opportunities for Regional Expansion Success: Interconnecting Europe and Latin America, Nuvei, 2023
With consumer e-commerce demand outpacing local supply, cross-border e-commerce is growing by 29% annually as Latin Americans eagerly look to international brands.
Payments and Commerce Market Intelligence (PCMI) estimates that the current cross-border share of European merchants stands at 2% of all of LatAm’s cross-border e-commerce in 2023, but this is currently growing more than 20% per year. Latin Americans are expected to spend US$1 billion at European e-commerce merchants this year. Of this amount, 72% will be Brazilian, and 20%, Mexican, cross-border spending with European merchants.
Across LatAm, the total cross-border e-commerce opportunity represents around US$53 billion, growing 42% in 2022, compared to 35% for the domestic market, PCMI says.
According to Nuvei, the rise of cross-border e-commerce in LatAm will accelerate in the medium term, driven by payment modernization efforts from governments across the region.
Recognizing the importance of efficient and secure payment systems for economic growth and financial inclusion, several countries in the region have implemented reforms and introduced innovative solutions to enhance their payment ecosystems.
Brazil launched in 2020 an instant payment system called PIX. PIX allows individuals and businesses to make real-time payments and transfers, 24/7, including weekends and holidays. The system has gained immense popularity due to its convenience, speed, and low cost, reaching in March 2023 monthly transaction volume and value of three billion and US$250 billion, respectively.
PIX transaction volume, USD, Source- Insights and Opportunities for Regional Expansion Success- Interconnecting Europe and Latin America, Nuvei, 2023

Another notable example is Mexico where the government launched in 2019 CoDi, a real-time electronic payment method designed to reduce the use of cash, promote competition and improve financial inclusion.
These ongoing modernization efforts will make financial services even more accessible in LatAm and create new commerce opportunities for merchants locally and abroad, the report says.

This article first appeared on Fintech News America.
Featured image credit: Edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/european-merchants-tap-latin-america-e-commerce-opportunity</link><guid>3222</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>European Merchants Tap Latin America E-Commerce Opportunity</dc:text></item><item><title>Crowdfunding Studie 2022: KMU Kreditfinanzierung wächst</title><description><![CDATA[Finanzierungen über das Internet verzeichneten im Jahr 2022 einen Volumenrückgang von 16 Prozent auf insgesamt 662 Millionen Franken. Gewachsen ist hingegen der Teilbereich der Kreditfinanzierung von KMU. Das zeigt der Crowdfunding-Monitor 2023 der Hochschule Luzern.
Mit einem Volumen von 662.4 Millionen Franken blieb der Markt hinter dem letztjährigen Rekordwert von 791.8 Millionen Franken zurück. Seit der Gründung der ersten Crowdfunding-Plattform vor 15 Jahren wurden auf dem digitalen Weg in der Schweiz rund 3.7 Milliarden Franken vermittelt.
Verschnaufpause oder Zeitenwende?
Erstmals in der Geschichte des Crowdfundings in der Schweiz verzeichnete das Marktvolumen im Jahr 2022 keinen Anstieg mehr. Im Vergleich zum Rekordwert von 2021 sank das Volumen um 16 Prozent. Dennoch liegt das Volumen immer noch deutlich über dem Wert von 2020. Laut den Studienautoren hat dabei auch das gestiegene Zinsniveau das Marktwachstum etwas beeinflusst.




   



    
   


   








Höhere Zinsen wirken sich eher hemmend auf die Kapitalnachfrage, z. B. im Bereich des Crowdlendings, aus. Bei der Kapitalanlage vergleichen Investorinnen und Investoren vermehrt die Risiken und Renditen dieser Anlageklasse mit den Risikoprofilen alternativer Anlagemöglichkeiten. Die Studienautoren erwarten für das Jahr 2023 ein aufgrund makroökonomischer Unsicherheiten (wirtschaftliche Entwicklung, Zinsniveau) ein ähnliches Volumen wie im Jahr 2022.
Abbildung 1: Entwicklung Crowdfunding in der Schweiz nach Volumen von 2008 bis 2022
Online-Kreditmarkt für KMU wächst
Mit Ausnahme der Fremdkapitalfinanzierung von Unternehmen sind die Volumina aller Crowdfunding Segmente zurückgegangen. KMU-Crowdlending wuchs im Jahr 2022 um 28 Prozent auf 141.9 Millionen Franken.
Prof. Dr. Andreas Dietrich

Andreas Dietrich, Co-Autor des Crowdfunding-Monitors, sagt dazu: «Kredite via Plattformen an KMU wachsen bereits seit Jahren kontinuierlich. Die Marktentwicklung dieses Segments wurde aber durch die Covid-Krise und die entsprechenden Covid-Kredite im Jahr 2020 unterbrochen. Insofern befindet sich die KMU-Finanzierung nun wieder zurück auf dem früheren Wachstumspfad».

Stellschrauben für künftiges Wachstum
Die Studienautoren der HSLU identifizieren zwei Bereiche, welche wichtige Voraussetzungen für ein künftiges Marktwachstum darstellen. Als erstes wird der Einbezug von institutionellen Investoren für die Sicherstellung eines bedeutenderen Kapitalangebots von zentraler Bedeutung sein. Bisher ist es noch nicht gelungen, institutionelle Investoren in einem signifikanten Mass zu gewinnen.
Andreas Dietrich meint dazu: «Es braucht nach wie vor viel Aufklärung, damit traditionelle Finanzinstitute,Risikokapitalgesellschaften und Business Angels sowie auch klassische institutionelle Investoren das Potenzial von Crowdfunding als Investitionsmöglichkeit erkennen.»
Ein weiterer entscheidender Faktor für das Wachstum der Kapitalnachfrage ist der Bekanntheitsgrad von Crowdfunding als Finanzierungsquelle. Insbesondere im Bereich der Fremdkapitalfinanzierung (Unternehmenskredite, Konsumkredite) könnte eine höhere Bekanntheit und Kenntnis bei potenziellen Kreditnehmern das Wachstum vorantreiben. Viele Unternehmen verzichten trotz Finanzierungsbedarf auf einen Kreditantrag bei einer Bank, da sie beispielsweise Bedenken haben, dass die Zinskosten zu hoch sind oder dass sie keinen Kredit erhalten würden. Die Nutzung von Crowdlending als alternative
Kreditquelle könnte dazu beitragen, diese Bedenken zu zerstreuen. Im Bereich der Konsumkredite haben viele Privatpersonen möglicherweise noch nicht erkannt, dass Crowdlending im Vergleich zu anderen Optionen attraktive Zinskonditionen bietet.


Vier Formen von Crowdfunding
Crowdsupporting: Meist kreative und kulturelle Projekte und Kampagnen aus dem Sportbereich. Der Investor oder die Investorin erhält für seinen Beitrag ein Produkt, ein künstlerisches Werk oder eine Dienstleistung. Wer z. B. ein Buch finanziert, erhält ein Exemplar kostenlos.
Crowddonating: Mehrheitlich Spenden für soziale, karitative und kulturelle Projekte, die an keine Gegenleistung geknüpft sind.
Crowdinvesting: Investitionen von Eigen- oder Fremdkapital in Unternehmen (Start-ups) oder Immobilien. Als Gegenleistung erhalten die Investorinnen und Investoren eine Gewinnbeteiligung.
Crowdlending: Vermittlung von Krediten an Unternehmen oder Private. Als Gegenleistungen erhalten die Geberinnen und Geber Zinszahlungen, deren Höhe vom Risiko des Kapitalnehmers abhängt.
Crowdfunding-Monitor 2023
Der «Crowdfunding Monitor Schweiz» wird jedes Jahr vom Institut für Finanzdienstleistungen IFZ der Hochschule Luzern – Wirtschaft mit Unterstützung der Schweizer Crowdfunding-Plattformen durchgeführt. Folgende Plattformen haben die Studie in Form von Daten unterstützt: Acredius, Bee’n’Bee Beedoo, Cashare, CG24 Group, Conda.ch, Creditworld, Crowd4cash, Crowdhouse, Crowdify, Dagobertinvest, Foxstone, Funders, Fundoo, I believe in you, Imvesters, Lend, Lokalhelden, Neocredit, Progettiamo, Raizers, SigImpact, Swisslending, Swisspeers, There for you, Wemakeit, Yeldo, und Yes We Farm.


Featured image credit: Edited from freepik


]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crowdfunding-studie-2022-kmu-kreditfinanzierung-wachst</link><guid>3221</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Crowdfunding Studie 2022: KMU Kreditfinanzierung wächst</dc:text></item><item><title>InvestHK Officially Launches the Global Fast Track 2023 Fintech Accelerator</title><description><![CDATA[Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) had announced today the official launch of its year-round fintech accelerator Global Fast Track 2023 (GFT).
The accelerator is established through three pillars – the Global Scaleup Competition, the Business Matching Platform, and the always-on GFT Alumni Programme.
InvestHK and partnering regulators of the 2023 GFT, including the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the Insurance Authority, the Securities and Futures Commission, together with the Customs and Excise Department, set the goal and vision to facilitating the world’s most innovative fintech firms to launch and succeed in Hong Kong, across Asia, and beyond.
This year, InvestHK appointed WHub as co-organiser of the GFT 2023. With its passion for boosting startups and fostering the Hong Kong startup ecosystem, WHub accelerates startup business through meaningful connections with accelerators, incubators, the Government and investors.
Here’s what you need to know about the Global Fast Track 2023

1. Global Scaleup Competition
Unlike previous years, the GFT 2023 has introduced the Global Scaleup Competition, with physical semi-finals across 12 cities and one virtually, from June to September.
The 12 cities are; Bangalore, Bangkok, Berlin, Dubai, Hong Kong, London, New York, Paris, Shenzhen, Singapore, Tel Aviv, and Toronto.
Thirteen finalists from fintech, artifical intelligence, and Web3 scaleups will be selected to pitch in person in the grand finale at Hong Kong Fintech Week 2023.

This opportunity not only provides unmatched exposure to over 30,000 visitors, it also unleashes business opportunities through one-on-one meetings with Corporate, Investor and Service Champions, consultation sessions with regulators, and a winning potential investment of up to US$3 million from venture sponsors AngelHub and Club Deal.
Applications are open now till July. Further details and the semi-finals’ schedule can be found here.
2. Business Matching Platform
Going live online in the third quarter of 2023, the FintechHK Community Platform will serve the GFT community by enabling one-on-one business matchings.
Through the platform, GFT Champions are able to explore and connect with suitable fintech firms. Other off-line activities such as mentor sessions by industry partners, business networking and more will also be featured on the platform.
3. GFT Alumni Programme
The FintechHK Community Platform will also support the GFT Alumni Programme which provides year-round business networking and advice to empower fintech firms to build sustainable businesses in the region.
Last year, GFT received over 400 fintech applications from across 45 economies, and support from over 100 Champions across three categories – Corporates, Investors and Service Providers.
The programme facilitated over 175 one-on-one business meetings.
King Leung
King Leung, Head of Fintech at InvestHK said,
“Since the start of the year, we have been thrilled to reconnect with the world in person. We have engaged in many events and networking opportunities, and the message that ‘Hong Kong is back’ is loud and clear.
With new partnerships and ideas, we will continue to push forward as Hong Kong cements its status as a leading fintech hub and the gateway for next-generation fintech companies worldwide. I look forward to an even more exciting year with participation from companies all around the world.”
InvestHK is the department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government responsible for attracting foreign direct investment.
It has a dedicated fintech team to attract the world’s top innovative fintech enterprises, startup entrepreneurs, investors, and other stakeholders to set up and scale their business via Hong Kong into Mainland China, Asia and beyond.
For more details on the Global Fast Track 2023, click here.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/investhk-officially-launches-the-global-fast-track-2023-fintech-accelerator</link><guid>3220</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/626fc371884880c419fdcc5a_bg_img_1-p-2000.jpeg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>InvestHK Officially Launches the Global Fast Track 2023 Fintech Accelerator</dc:text></item><item><title>A Snapshot into Hungary’s New Digital Nomad Visa</title><description><![CDATA[Hungary launched a digital nomad visa in 2022, allowing foreign nationals to live in the country for up to a year while working for a company located abroad.
The residence permit, called White Card, is designed for digital nomads, investors, and entrepreneurs, providing remote workers with a clear and streamlined process toward temporary residency in the country without the need of local sponsorship.
The scheme is reportedly the most accessible digital nomad visa in Europe, requiring applicants to earn a minimum of EUR 2,000 per month. This makes the program much more accessible than other European alternatives in countries like Portugal (a minimum of EUR 3,040/month), Malta (EUR 2,700/month) and Croatia (EUR 2,400/month).




   



    
   


   








Hungary is overall a compelling destination for digital nomads, providing affordable living costs, a safe environment with relatively low criminality, good Internet connection and strong infrastructure and a continental climate with hot summers and snowy cold winters.
But above all, the residence permit gives holders a favorable taxation regime with an exemption for the first six months and the ability to travel freely in the Schengen zone.
image via Unsplash
Requirements for Hungary’s the White Card
Hungary’s White Card is available to workers who are not citizens of an European Union (EU) or a European Economic Area (EEA) country.
Applicants must have “a verified employment relationship in a country other than Hungary” in addition to foreign investors who “[own] a share in a company with a verified profit in a country other than Hungary.” In both cases, applicants must work or manage their company from Hungary using “an advanced digital technology solution.” Applicants must also meet the minimum income requirement of EUR 2,000 per month.
To apply for a White Card, applicants must hold a passport that’s valid for at least six months after their visa expires and must produce proof of income for at least six months prior to entry, proof of accommodation in Hungary proof of having access to comprehensive health insurance services. The administrative fee relating to applying for a White Card is EUR 110 when applying in an Hungarian embassy or consulate.
Government processing times are approximately 30 calendar days. Upon arrival, permit holders must register their accommodation with regional authorities and complete the application in country.
The White Card allows permit holders to stay for up to a year but is renewable for an additional year. The permit, however, does not allow holders to sponsor their spouse or dependents. Permit holders must stay in the country for at least 90 days in a 180-day period.
The rise of digital nomad visas
Digital nomad visas and immigration programs targeting remote workers have proliferated around the world as governments seek to tap into the opportunities brought about the remote work revolution, attract foreign talent and stimulate tourism.
Digital nomads are individuals who leverage technology to work remotely and have the flexibility to travel and live in different locations while earning an income. They often work in the fields of software development, writing, design, marketing and consulting.
Several reasons are driving governments to introduce digital nomad visa schemes. For one, digital nomads contribute to the local economy by spending money on accommodation, transportation, food and other goods and services. This can help stimulate economic growth and create new business opportunities in the country.
Digital nomads also bring valuable expertise and innovation to the local job market, contributing to industries such as information and communications technology (ICT).
According to Citizen Remote, a community of digital nomads and resource platform, there are over 50 countries that offer digital nomad visas or special permits for remote workers. A majority of these visas are available in European countries, including Croatia, Estonia, Greece, Czech Republic, Spain, and, most recently, Romania.
Romanian president Klaus Iohannis signed into law earlier this year a bill that clarifies the tax regime for digital nomads, allowing foreign remote workers coming to Romania for a longer period to benefit from tax breaks.
To benefit from the scheme, foreign workers cannot exceed a stay of 183 days in the country over a period of 12 consecutive months. The minimum income requirement is EUR 3,950/month.
Italy and Croatia have among the most popular digital nomad visa schemes in Europe. Croatia’s digital nomad program has recorded notable traction these past years, rising from under 50 digital nomads registered under the scheme between January and June 2021, to more than 590 living in the country in January 2023. In January, there were 142 new applications for the visa scheme, according to an Euractiv report.
Italy, meanwhile, was home to more than 2,200 digital nomads in March 2022, data from the Italian Association of Digital Nomads show.

Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/a-snapshot-into-hungarys-new-digital-nomad-visa</link><guid>3219</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>A Snapshot into Hungary’s New Digital Nomad Visa</dc:text></item><item><title>Banking-as-a-Service Momentum to Carry on this Year in Europe</title><description><![CDATA[Banking-as-a-service (BaaS) has been on the rise in Europe in recent years, driven by favorable new regulations, the region’s thriving fintech ecosystem, increased collaboration between banks and fintech companies, and changing customer expectations.
Moving forward, BaaS will carry on its momentum in the region, triggering a “revolutionary shift” in the financial service industry, a new report by WhiteSight, a fintech-focused research firm, and Toqio, a fintech-as-a-service platform provider, says.
The State of Banking-as-a-Service in the UK and Europe report, released in April 2023, provides an overview of the Europe’s BaaS landscape, examining business models, the competitive landscape, regulatory oversight, and demand drivers.




   



    
   


   








According to the report, changes in the financial services industry brought about BaaS have already begun and are now picking up speed.
Incumbents in the UK and Europe are increasingly better big on BaaS as a key driver of growth of innovation. Use cases for BaaS are expanding well beyond account and payment services to now encompass identity verification, loan origination, business-to-business (B2B) buy now pay later (BNPL) and earned-wage access (EWA). And financial service providers are recognizing the need for wider ecosystem collaboration. This includes working with fintech startups, digital platforms, traditional banks and technology firms.
As Europe’s BaaS industry continues to grow and mature, the sector is expected to see consolidation. Providers will seek to scale their operations and expand their customer base and pursue acquisition opportunities, the report says. This trend will further be accelerated by factors including increased competition, regulatory pressures, and the need to provide a broader range of services to customers, it predicts.
The report also forecasts heightened regulatory scrutiny of BaaS providers in Europe as adoption grows. Regulators in the UK, Germany and Lithuania, in particular, are introducing more stringent rules to mitigate potential risks, including money laundering, fraud, and financial instability.
The Consumer Duty, a new set of regulations proposed by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), is expected to have a significant impact on BaaS providers in the UK by setting higher and clearer standards of consumer protection across financial services.
In the European Union (EU), new guidelines on the outsourcing of payment services by licensed electronic money institutions were recently issued, emphasizing the need for more effective risk management and anti-money laundering (AML) controls.
The European BaaS landscape
In Europe, the UK and Germany are at the forefront of the BaaS revolution, making up for around 60% of the market share in the region. But over the past few years, the BaaS movement has been picking up pace in several other European countries, including Lithuania, Sweden, Finland, Spain, and France.
Banking-as-a-service players in Europe, Source: The State of Banking-as-a-Service in the UK and Europe, WhiteSight/Toqio, April 2023
BaaS is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15-16% globally by 2030, a rate that’s projected to be witnessed in Europe as well. According to McKinsey, the target addressable market (TAM) for BaaS in the European Economic Area (EEA) and the UK is set to reach EUR 90-105 billion by 2030.
The growth of Europe’s BaaS market will be driven by developments in embedded finance or the integration of financial services and tools into the customer journeys of non-financial companies, as well as the rise of fintech companies and specialized players.
Increased adoption of embedded finance will result in a TAM of between EUR 75-85 billion by 2030, while the continued growth of nonbanking-licensed fintech and specialized companies will to create a revenue pool of EUR 15-20 billion by then, the consultancy firm predicts.
Banking-as-a-service target addressable market by 2030, Source: McKinsey, September 2022
The rise of the European BaaS market comes on the back of soaring adoption of these solutions by the business community.
A recent study by BaaS provider Vodeno and Belgian digital bank Aion Bank polled 1,000+ business decision-makers in the UK, Belgium and the Netherlands on their views and predictions for BaaS. The survey found that 39% of respondents have already implemented BaaS products, with an additional 38% considering using it in 2023.
BNPL (48%), foreign exchange (FX) (48%), small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) lending (47%), and loyalty (46%) were cited as the most popular products businesses are considering implementing.
The study also found that business leaders are confident in the prospect of BaaS. 64% of decision-makers believe that BaaS will achieve mainstream adoption in the next five years, with the cost-of-living crisis acting as a catalyst, according to an additional 56%.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/banking-as-a-service-momentum-to-carry-on-this-year-in-europe</link><guid>3218</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Banking-as-a-Service Momentum to Carry on this Year in Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>Global Finance, Tech M&amp;A Activity Continues to Decline</title><description><![CDATA[Mergers and acquisitions (M&amp;A) activity in the financial services and technology industries continued their decline in Q1 2023, carrying on a trend that began last year.
Deal activity in these sectors is now reaching levels not seen since the start of the pandemic, new data from research firm PitchBook show.
The sector saw an estimated 856 deals, a decrease of 11.4% quarter-on-quarter (QoQ), while deal value sank 31.7% QoQ and 47.0% year-on-year (YoY), the report says.




   



    
   


   








Financial services M&amp;A activity by quarter, Source: Q1 2023 Global M&amp;A Report, PitchBook, April 2023
During Q1 2023, the market experienced distressed sales following the collapse of several small- to mid-size banks in the US, it notes.
Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) was acquired from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) by First Citizens Bank after an extensive sale process. SVB imploded in March after being forced to sell securities at a loss amid higher interest rates.
Spooked investors and depositors rapidly began pulling their money out, leading a staggering US$42 billion of deposits being withdrawn the day before the bank shut down.
Another acquisition occurred in Q1 2023 when Flagstar Bank, a subsidiary of New York Community Bancorp, acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Signature Bank from the FDIC.
Signature Bank closed down two days after the collapse of SVB after nervous customers withdrew more than US$10 billion in deposits. That run on deposits quickly led to the third-largest bank failure in US history.
Finally, the third deal highlighted by PitchBook was the purchase of Credit Suisse by fellow Swiss giant UBS after the bank’s shares and bonds slumped.
Like the financial services industry, the technology sector too experienced a slow start of the year, recording an estimated 2,043 deals closed or announced for a combined value of US$146.8 billion in Q1 2023. The figures imply a 1.3% decline QoQ in deal count while deal value went down 18.1%.
The quarter did, however, witness some notable mega-deals, including nine transactions above US$1 billion, according to PitchBook. One of these deals was the acquisition of Qualtrics, a provider of experience management software, by Silver Lake and the Canada Pension Plan in March. The deal valued Qualtrics at approximately US$12.5 billion.
IT M&amp;A activity by quarter, Source: Q1 2023 Global M&amp;A Report, PitchBook, April 2023
Fintech M&amp;A activity set for rebound
Fintech M&amp;A activity also cooled off, recording 130 acquisitions and buyouts in Q1 2023 totaling US$4 billion in value, data from intelligence platform Dealroom show. The numbers suggest a 55.6% YoY and 69% QoQ decline in deal value, while deal count pulled back 42% YoY and 12% QoQ.
M&amp;A deals observed in Q1 2023 included acquisitions of fintech startups by incumbents as well as fast-growing startups consolidating their lead by acquiring rivals. The quarter also saw several PE firms take advantage of tumbling public valuations to acquire high-growth tech companies at more attractive prices.
UK embedded finance and banking-as-a-service (BaaS) provider and former fintech unicorn Railsr was sold earlier this year in a prepackaged bankruptcy to a consortium of investors; US-based savings and investing unicorn Acorns acquired London-based GoHenry, a startup providing financial education services and money management to kids and teens, to expand internationally and offer financial wellness; UK retail and commercial bank NatWest brought an 85% stake in workplace savings account provider Cushon to grow its product offering to businesses; and Vista Equity Partners, an enterprise software-focused PE firm, acquired Duck Creek Technologies in March. The software provider for property and casualty insurance went public in 2020 for a market cap of around US$5 billion, which fell below US$2 billion in 2022.
Number of fintech exits quarterly, Source: Q1 2023 Global M&amp;A Report, Dealroom, April 2023
American law firm White &amp; Case expects the fintech M&amp;A downtrend to reverse. The sector is set to see a surge in M&amp;A deal activity centered on the consolidation of existing market participants, together with investors taking advantage of lower valuations to acquire strategic stakes in scalable technologies, the firm’s M&amp;A lawyers predict.
In addition, smaller fintech companies struggling to build scale will likely seek out strategic partnerships with larger corporations to achieve deep market penetration.
Fintech segments likely to see the most M&amp;A activity include open banking, neobanking, regtech, green fintech, paytech and digital currency infrastructure providers, the experts predict.
Fintech funding activity continued to decline in Q1 2023 and is on track to fall short of both 2021 and 2022, data from Dealroom show. Global fintech funding reached US$14 billion in the first quarter of the year, down 46% and 60% compared with Q1 2021 and Q1 2022, respectively.
Fintech was the most invested industry in Q1 2023 behind only enterprise software where funding activity was driven by OpenAI and the rest of generative artificial intelligence (AI).
Global fintech funding, by quarter US$, Source: Q1 2023 Global M&amp;A Report, Dealroom, April 2023

Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/global-finance-tech-ma-activity-continues-to-decline</link><guid>3216</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Global Finance, Tech M&amp;A Activity Continues to Decline</dc:text></item><item><title>Offline Payments Using CBDCs Promise Many Benefits But Design Should Be Considered Thoroughly</title><description><![CDATA[The ability to make offline payments with central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) has attracted increased interest among central banks for their potential to support public policy objectives including financial inclusion, universal access, payment system resilience and privacy.
A survey conducted by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) Innovation Hub Nordic Centre found that central banks view offline payments with retail CBDC as an important feature, with 49% considering it to be vital and 49% considering it to be advantageous.
But despite these perceived potential benefits, monetary authorities considering the implementation of CBDCs with offline functionality must take into account a complex matrix of issues relating to security, privacy, likely risks, the types of solution, their maturity and applicability, a new paper by BIS says.




   



    
   


   








The paper, titled A handbook for offline payments with CBDC and compiled in partnership with UK consultancy Consult Hyperion, addresses these issues and explores key aspects of how CBDCs could work for offline payments.
Ultimately, there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution, the paper says, and each country has different reasons for providing offline payments with CBDC. This means that the types and forms of offline payments will vary from one country to another depending on their objectives and local requirements.
The paper outlines three different modes of offline payments: the fully offline mode, which allows payments to be completed and settled without the need to connect to a ledger; the intermittently offline mode, which, like the fully offline mode, enables the payee to spend the value received at the end of the transfer, but which imposes transaction limits and requires synchronization with the central system intermittently; and the staged offline mode, where value exchange takes place offline but requires a connection to settle on the payee side and for the value transferred to be spendable.
These modes have different implications for risk management, the level and type of privacy provided, and the resilience conditions that are supported, the paper warns.
Modes of offline payment, Source: A handbook for offline payments with CBDC, Bank for International Settlements/Consult Hyperion, May 2023
The paper also delves into the key components required to support offline payments functionality in CBDC systems, highlighting the need of a user device, a user onboarding process, provisioning and lifecycle management of the wallet, online and offline ledgers, offline risk management, and the software implementing the offline payment functionality which must support value transfer and storage.
It notes that offline payments can be provided through hardware, software or a combination of both, but that this design decision will ultimately impact the solution’s suitability. In some countries, for example, software-based solutions are more appropriate than hardware-based ones, or vice versa, the report notes.
Hardware-based solutions use tamper-resistant chips like those commonly present in popular payment cards. Software-based solutions, meanwhile, are typically smartphone-based and use a range of software techniques to protect cryptographic keys and data both at rest and while they are being processed.
A logical architecture for offline CBDC payment solutions, Source: A handbook for offline payments with CBDC, Bank for International Settlements/Consult Hyperion, May 2023
The paper gives several recommendations, advising central banks to adopt a risk-based approach at the earliest stages of designing the technology and business operations, taking into account specifically security, operational and incident risk management.
Authorities should also clearly define the roles and responsibilities of each of the participants in the ecosystem, and should provide guidance to solution vendors on their expectations for what solutions they should be able to offer.
As part of the report, BIS conducted a survey of central banks to understand their views on offline payments with CBDC. Respondents cited financial inclusion (40%), cash resemblance (40%) and resilience (33%) as their main goals for offline payments with CBDC.
The relevance of offline payments is particularly important in developing countries where individuals use feature phones rather than smartphones, and in areas without Internet access and/or electricity, the research found.
The BIS Innovation Hub Nordic Centre is currently exploring the potential of offline payments using CBDCs through Project Polaris. Over several workstreams, the initiative will see the center provide central banks with essential information on architecture, design, implementation planning and investment considerations to make an informed decision.

Featured image credit: edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/offline-payments-using-cbdcs-promise-many-benefits-but-design-should-be-considered-thoroughly</link><guid>3217</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Offline Payments Using CBDCs Promise Many Benefits But Design Should Be Considered Thoroughly</dc:text></item><item><title>SumUp Enables JCB Card Acceptance for Its European Merchants</title><description><![CDATA[SumUp, a London-based global payments service provider, has tied up with Japan-based card scheme JCB International to enable the acceptance of JCB Cards across its European merchant network.
The enablement of JCB Card will allow SumUp’s merchants in Europe, which are part of its over 4 million merchant network in the world, to become members of JCB’s growing merchant community.
SumUp’s merchant network comprises businesses of all sizes, from nano entrepreneurs to SMEs, such as grocery stores, taxi companies and small-sized shops.




   



    
   


   








With the availability of JCB Contactless, JCB card members may simply tap their card on SumUp’s readers for payment convenience.
Ray Shinzawa
Ray Shinzawa, Managing Director, JCB International (Europe) said,
“We’re excited to introduce SumUp as our new partner and work closely with its merchant network starting with European countries and regions to further increase JCB Contactless acceptance.

SumUp’s global presence and innovative technology make it the ideal choice for our cardmembers, who value secure and fast transactions when shopping abroad.”
Michael Schrezenmaier
Michael Schrezenmaier, CEO Europe, SumUp said,
“We are committed to empowering small businesses and helping them tap into the expanding number of Asian travellers. Our new partnership with JCB will enable them to offer a preferred payment option to these travellers.

This is an exciting time, especially for small and medium-sized businesses looking for new avenues of growth, and with the deployment of JCB Card acceptance, we can better provide them with the tools they need to differentiate themselves from their competition and thrive in today’s global marketplace.”
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sumup-enables-jcb-card-acceptance-for-its-european-merchants</link><guid>3215</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>SumUp Enables JCB Card Acceptance for Its European Merchants</dc:text></item><item><title>QED Investors Raises Nearly US$1 Billion to Invest in Fintech Firms Globally</title><description><![CDATA[QED Investors, a global venture capital firm investing exclusively in fintech companies, announced the close of two new funds totaling US$925 million.
With the close of these two new funds, QED will have more than US$4.0 billion under management.
The Fund VIII is an oversubscribed US$650 million early stage fund while the Growth II is a US$275 million early growth-stage fund.




   



    
   


   








These funds will allow QED to continue to invest in disruptive fintech companies in the U.S., the U.K. and Europe, Latin America, India and Southeast Asia and Africa.
Founded in 2007 by Nigel Morris and Frank Rotman, QED has invested in more than 200 companies – including 28 unicorns.
Among the companies in QED’s portfolio are Credit Karma, Remitly, Nubank, AvidXchange, Klarna, and Greensky.
Nigel Morris
“We are excited, fortunate and privileged to be a steward of our investors’ capital. We don’t take that responsibility lightly, especially in this difficult market.

Unit economics, product-market fit and clear paths to profitability are the keys to survival, and QED is uniquely positioned to support our companies with the best advice in fintech.”
said QED Investors Managing Partner and Co-Founder Nigel Morris.


This article first appeared on Fintech News America.

Featured image credit: QED Investors Managing Partner and Co-Founder Nigel Morris. Background image edited from Freepik

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/qed-investors-raises-nearly-us1-billion-to-invest-in-fintech-firms-globally</link><guid>3214</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>QED Investors Raises Nearly US$1 Billion to Invest in Fintech Firms Globally</dc:text></item><item><title>Here Are the 13 Winners of the 2023 Global Zurich Innovation Championship</title><description><![CDATA[Zurich Insurance Group has announced 13 winners for the latest edition of its global Zurich Innovation Championship 2023.
The categories from which the winners were chosen are; commercial insurance, customer experience, digital enablement, distribution partnerships and sustainability.
This year’s winners present solutions to a range of challenges where insurance can take a proactive role, from using biosensors to improve health outcomes to interactive content marketing for drivers, and digital tools to improve commercial performance and customer care.




   



    
   


   








The winners will enter a four-month accelerator during which they will test the practical viability of their initiatives and prepare a business plan together with the Zurich business units that selected them.
The 13 startups will benefit from both financial and non-financial support, including coaching by Zurich executives as well as internal and external topic experts.
Those who can successfully validate their initiatives will then work locally and globally with Zurich towards joint adoption.
In addition to this year’s winners, Zurich has ongoing collaborations with 30 of the previous Zurich Innovation Championship winners and participants, with some of the initiatives already scaled across multiple countries.
Paolo Mantero
“In recent years, the insurtech market has bloomed and we see many opportunities to leverage those new ideas and technologies and embed them in the way we work.

These initiatives tackle important areas where we believe embracing transformation is crucial for the future of insurance.”
said Paolo Mantero, Group Chief Strategy Officer.
Ericson Chan
“Through collaborating with startups, we continue to source the bold and forward-thinking ideas that are needed to create a real impact for our customers.

With this year’s winning initiatives, we continue to push the boundaries of today’s insurance.”
said Ericson Chan, Group Chief Information &amp; Digital Officer at Zurich Insurance.
ZIC winners 2023




Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/here-are-the-13-winners-of-the-2023-global-zurich-innovation-championship</link><guid>3213</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Here Are the 13 Winners of the 2023 Global Zurich Innovation Championship</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Startup Competition &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; Gears Towards Final Award Ceremony This June</title><description><![CDATA[Switzerland’s startup competition &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; has announced the unranked winners’ line-up for this year which included three startups from the finance and insurance vertical.
The next step for these unranked winners is to make their pitch to &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt;’s advisory board during the Venture Award Ceremony 2023 on June 26 at the SwissTech Convention Center.
During this ceremony, these startups will then be ranked and the Grand Prize Winner will be announced. This year, &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; will also be ranking its first ever not-for-profit track winners.




   



    
   


   








Having launched in 1997, &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; has a long history of accelerating startups’ growth but had only expanded its focus to include the growing finance and insurance industry in 2019.
According to &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt;, the competition’s alumni has gone on to successfully found over 1,500 companies and create more than 15,000 jobs here in Switzerland.
Here are the unranked winners for the Finance &amp; Insurance vertical:
Ascentys ESG

Ascentys streamlines sustainability management, making it possible for companies of all sizes to measure, manage and improve their performance in a way that is easy, cost-effective and accurate. At the core of Ascentys’ platform is a sophisticated AI model that is able to identify and extract heterogeneous ESG-relevant data and facts from a company’s own “day to day” documents and data.
Frigg

Frigg’s solution is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform that empowers sustainable infrastructure developers to issue digital securities in the form of bonds.
grape health

grape provides its customers with fully digital employee insurances bundled with healthcare services. The firm is an employee insurer built around a full-stack technology platform that is fully digital and integrates with dozens of HR, accounting and payroll platforms.
Join the Venture Award Ceremony 2023 on June 26 to celebrate the winning entrepreneurs of Switzerland’s leading startup competition.


Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-startup-competition-venture-gears-towards-final-award-ceremony-this-june</link><guid>3212</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Startup Competition &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; Gears Towards Final Award Ceremony This June</dc:text></item><item><title>EU Adopts New Crypto Asset Regulation</title><description><![CDATA[The European Union (EU) has taken a significant step in regulating the crypto-assets sector with the Council’s adoption of the Regulation on Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA). 
This milestone marks the establishment of an EU-level legal framework for the crypto-assets industry, ensuring investor protection, preventing money laundering, and fostering innovation.
Elisabeth Svantesson, Minister for Finance of Sweden
Elisabeth Svantesson, Minister for Finance of Sweden, expressed her satisfaction with the new regulation, stating, “Today, we are delivering on our promise to start regulating the crypto-assets sector. Recent events have confirmed the urgent need for imposing rules to protect better Europeans who have invested in these assets and prevent the misuse of the crypto industry for money laundering and financing terrorism.”




   



    
   


   








Comprehensive Coverage and Regulatory Harmonization
MiCA encompasses a broad range of entities and activities within the crypto-assets industry. It introduces a comprehensive framework that includes issuers of utility tokens, asset-referenced tokens, and stablecoins. 
The regulation also covers crypto-asset service providers such as trading venues and wallets, ensuring these entities comply with anti-money laundering rules. 
By establishing a harmonized regulatory framework across the EU, MiCA represents a substantial improvement over the existing patchwork of national legislation.
Supporting Innovation and Strengthening Consumer Protection
The European Commission introduced the MiCA proposal as part of the digital finance package, which aims to foster technological development, ensure financial stability, and enhance consumer protection.
 In addition to MiCA, the package includes the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) and a proposal on distributed ledger technology (DLT) pilot regime for wholesale uses. 
This comprehensive package bridges the regulatory gap, enabling new digital financial instruments to be used while ensuring they fall within the scope of financial regulation and operational risk management arrangements.
Assets Covered and Excluded under MiCA
MiCA will apply to a wide range of crypto assets, encompassing “a digital representation of value or a right that uses cryptography for security and is in the form of a coin, token, or any other digital medium transferred and stored electronically, using distributed ledger technology or similar technology.” 
This definition includes both traditional cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, as well as newer variants like stablecoins.
However, MiCA will not regulate digital assets that qualify as transferable securities or function similarly to shares, nor will it cover crypto assets already regulated as financial instruments. Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are also excluded from the regulation. 
Additionally, central bank digital currencies issued by the European Central Bank and digital assets issued by national central banks acting as monetary authorities are not within the scope of MiCA.
Regulation of Crypto-Asset Service Providers
Under MiCA, the regulation introduces comprehensive rules for Crypto-Asset Service Providers (CASPs) to ensure stability and security and protect user funds. 
CASPs must be incorporated as a legal entity within the EU and can obtain authorization from any member country, enabling them to operate across all 27 countries. 
Regulatory bodies such as the European Banking Authority will oversee the supervision of CASPs, ensuring compliance with the established standards. 
CASPs are required to demonstrate stability, soundness, and the ability to safeguard user funds effectively. Additionally, CASPs must have measures to defend against market abuse and manipulation, enhancing the integrity of the crypto-asset sector.
White Paper Requirements for Stablecoin Service Providers
MiCA imposes white paper requirements on Stablecoin Service Providers to promote transparency and enable informed decision-making. 
Stablecoin service providers are obligated to provide a detailed white paper that includes vital information about the crypto product, the main participants in the company, and the terms of the public offer. 
This also consists of the type of blockchain verification mechanism utilized, the rights associated with the crypto assets, critical risks for investors, and a summary facilitating potential purchasers’ understanding. 
By offering comprehensive information, this measure empowers investors to make informed choices regarding their investments in stablecoins.
Reserve Requirements for Stablecoin Issuers
MiCA addresses the potential risks of stablecoins by establishing reserve requirements for stablecoin issuers. Issuers will be mandated to maintain sufficient reserves corresponding to the value of their stablecoins, ensuring the avoidance of liquidity crises.
 Insufficient reserves can have severe implications for stablecoin users, leading to significant losses. By imposing reserve requirements, MiCA aims to safeguard the interests of stablecoin holders and maintain the stability of the crypto-asset market.
Transaction Limits for Stablecoin Firms (Non-Euro Currencies)
Stablecoin firms pegged to non-euro currencies will be subject to transaction limits within specified regions. MiCA sets a daily volume cap of €200 million (US$220 million) for such transactions. This measure aims to manage the potential risks associated with stablecoins and their impact on financial stability. 
By implementing transaction limits, MiCA seeks to strike a balance between fostering innovation in the crypto-asset sector and ensuring the appropriate management of associated risks.
Anti-money Laundering Measures for Crypto Companies
Recognizing the importance of preventing money laundering and terror financing activities, MiCA includes stringent anti-money laundering measures for crypto companies. 
Crypto companies will be required to provide information about senders and recipients of crypto assets to their local anti-money laundering authority. Compliance with these measures is crucial, as failure to do so can result in significant legal and reputational consequences for crypto companies. 
By enforcing anti-money laundering regulations, MiCA aims to protect the financial system’s integrity and mitigate the risks associated with illicit activities in the crypto-asset industry.
About MiCA and Future Implications
MiCA represents a pivotal milestone for the EU in regulating the crypto-assets sector. By establishing a comprehensive framework, the EU aims to protect investors, enhance transparency, preserve financial stability, foster innovation, and promote the attractiveness of the crypto-asset sector. 
With a harmonized regulatory approach across all member countries, MiCA paves the way for a more consistent and efficient functioning of the crypto-asset market within the EU. 

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/eu-adopts-new-crypto-asset-regulation</link><guid>3211</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>EU Adopts New Crypto Asset Regulation</dc:text></item><item><title>Chris Skinner Joins Shareholders and Advisory Board of WebAccountPlus</title><description><![CDATA[WebAccountPlus, a Pfäffikon based digital corporate advisor announced the addition of Chris Skinner to its advisory board and as a shareholder of the company.
Recognized as one of the most influential figures in fintech, banking and technology, Skinner brings a wealth of expertise and insight to WebAccountPlus. Skinner, a visionary leader in the fintech sector, is known for his pioneering work in the formation of one of the world’s first mobile banks and his role as an independent commentator.
He has advised CEOs and leaders from every continent of the world including the United Nations, the White House, the World Bank and the World Economic Forum. His latest book, Digital for Good, exemplifies his belief in the power of technology and finance to address today’s environmental and social issues. As a visiting lecturer at Cambridge University and a TEDx speaker, Skinner has disseminated his insights to a global audience, cementing his reputation as a leading authority in the field.




   



    
   


   








Roland Staehli
“We are excited to have Chris Skinner join our advisory board and become a shareholder,”
said Roland Staehli, CEO of WebAccountPlus.
“His unparalleled expertise and progressive style in digital transformation and the financial technology sector will bring an invaluable perspective to our platform. With his involvement, we are confident in our ability to revolutionize the banking advisory and fiduciary business.”
Chris Skinner
Skinner also shared his enthusiasm about joining WebAccountPlus’s advisory board:
“I’m delighted to contribute to the transformative work of WebAccountPlus. Their commitment to leveraging artificial intelligence in the banking and fiduciary industry aligns perfectly with my vision for the future of financial services. I’m eager to work with the team to drive meaningful change.”


Featured image credit: Chris Skinner Advisor, Author, and Speaker. Background image edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/chris-skinner-joins-shareholders-and-advisory-board-of-webaccountplus</link><guid>3209</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Chris Skinner Joins Shareholders and Advisory Board of WebAccountPlus</dc:text></item><item><title>Kanton Zug Increases Maximum Tax Payment Amount With Cryptos to CHF 1.5 Million</title><description><![CDATA[The Canton of Zug is increasing the transaction limit for tax payments with the cryptocurrencies Bitcoin and Ether from CHF 100,000 to CHF 1.5 million with immediate effect. This measure will facilitate access to digital means of payment and meet the increasing needs of Zug’s population and companies.
Heinz Tännler
“We are proud that the Canton of Zug has been a pioneer in the use of cryptocurrencies for years. With the increase in the transaction limit, we are setting another example of the acceptance and spread of this innovative payment method,”
says Finance Director Heinz Tännler.
Since the introduction of crypto payment options, tax payments with a total volume of around CHF 2 million have been settled in Bitcoin and Ether in around 150 transactions in the canton of Zug. Due to the positive experiences so far, the Finance Directorate of the Canton of Zug is inviting private individuals and companies who are subject to tax in the Canton of Zug to try out the new payment channel and pay their taxes with cryptocurrencies.
“Increasing the limit is an important step into the digital future. As a further innovation, in the second half of 2023 it will also be possible to pay taxes directly with cryptocurrencies using the QR code contained on the tax administration payment slips. This simplified procedure makes payment with cryptocurrencies even more attractive,”
says Finance Director Heinz Tännler.




   



    
   


   









Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/kanton-zug-increases-maximum-tax-payment-amount-with-cryptos-to-chf-15-million</link><guid>3210</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Kanton Zug Increases Maximum Tax Payment Amount With Cryptos to CHF 1.5 Million</dc:text></item><item><title>The Top 50 Crypto VC’s in 2023</title><description><![CDATA[
									
					
							
					The USA is dominant in the cryptocurrency venture capital (VC) game, representing more than 71% of the total amount of capital under management from the top 50 crypto-focused VC funds, a new report by Coinstack Partners, a boutique investment bank for crypto and Web 3.0 companies, shows.
Global crypto VC by city – Top 50 firms, Source: The Crypto VC List 2023, Coinstack, March 2023
The report, which looks at VC funding activity in the crypto space, reveals that US crypto funds are now managing more than US$42.4 billion worth of assets of the total US$59.6 billion under management from the top 50 crypto-focused VC funds. The figure makes the US the biggest VC investor in the crypto space, well ahead of other prominent locations such Hong Kong, the UK and Singapore.
Looking at the world’s top crypto VC cities, the research found that San Francisco is the number one city for crypto VC firm capital with US$26 billion worth of assets under management. The city is followed by Hong Kong (US$9.9 billion), New York City (NYC) (US$8.6 billion), Singapore (US$3.1 billion) and Austin (US$2.8 billion).




   



    
   


   








Crypto VC by city – Top 50 firms, Source: The Crypto VC List 2023, Coinstack, March 2023
A deep dive into crypto VC firms worldwide shows that A16Z Crypto, a venture fund from Andreessen Horowitz, is currently the world’s biggest crypto fund with US$7,565 million under management. The San Francisco fund is followed by Binance Labs from Hong Kong (US$7.5 billion), Multicoin from Austin (US$2.8 billion), Pantera from San Francisco (US$2,523 million), and Paradigm (US$2.5 billion) from San Francisco.
Top 25 crypto VC firms as of March 2023, Source: The Crypto VC List 2023, Coinstack, March 2023
The report also looks at the top crypto VCs by the number of all-time investments they’ve made into the sector. The ranking paints a different picture of the top 25, revealing that Coinbase Ventures is currently the most active crypto VC investor with 355 investments, followed by Digital Currency Group (332), NGC Ventures (265) and AU21 Capital (258). For Venture Capital Firms some specific details like the possibility to buy bitcoin fractions (source: Bitcoin Anteile kaufen) is also important in considering the worth in their funding activities.
Coinbase Ventures is the corporate venture capital (CVC) arm of publicly listed crypto exchange Coinbase. Launched in 2018, the fund provides financing to early-stage cryptocurrency and blockchain startups with a focus on building out the crypto ecosystem.
Companies in its portfolio include Animoca Brands, a leader in non-fungible token (NFT) and blockchain gaming valued at a reported US$5.9 billion, Amber Group, a diversified crypto trading platform focused on the Asian market valued at US$3 billion, and Airtm, a global peer-to-peer (P2P) payment network based in Latin America.
Digital Currency Group (DCG) is a crypto VC company and a conglomerate in the digital asset space. DCG has five subsidiaries: CoinDesk, a news website specializing in crypto and blockchain; Foundry, a crypto-mining firm; Grayscale Investments, a digital asset management company; Luno, a digital asset exchange; and Genesis, a digital asset focused financial services firm for institutional clients that recently went bankrupt.
Companies in DCG’s portfolio include BCB Group, an European bank serving crypto-native businesses; BitGo, a company that offers institutional staking, custody and trading services; and BitOasis, a leading crypto exchange in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Top 25 crypto VC firms by investment count, Source: The Crypto VC List 2023, Coinstack, March 2023
Crypto bull run incoming
Despite the prolonged so-called “crypto winter”, 2022 was a record-breaking year for crypto VC investment, reaching all-time highs for capital invested, at US$26.2 billion, and number of deals set, at 2,541, data from Pitchbook show.
Crypto VC deal activity, Source: Pitchbook, February 2023
The momentum is carrying on this year, with US$1.4 billion invested in January and February 2023 alone, the Coinstack report says. This sum represents a 3.1x increase from January and February 2019 during the last bear market (US$471 million), it says, showcasing the maturing of the sector and hinting at increased institutional participation.
Bitcoin is currently trading at around US$26,800, down more than 60% from its all-time high of almost US$69,000 in November 2021. Crypto markets crashed last year as central banks hiked rates to set price increases down and digital asset companies collapsed.
According to Coinstack, the crypto VC capital market is poised for a big comeback in 2024 and 2025, amid the upcoming Bitcoin halving. A Bitcoin halving is an event where the reward for mining new blocks is cut in half, reducing the rate at which new coins are created. Halvings are part of the process of capping the Bitcoin supply at 21 million tokens.
The next Bitcoin halving event, scheduled to take place around April 2024, will likely result in a crypto bull market in 2025, the report says. Looking at historical data and trend models, the crypto industry has tended to return to a bull market every four years for about 18 months, it says.
Coinstack predicts that bitcoin can scale pass US$69,000 and ether US$4,800 by December 2024 or January 2025, a projection that’s shared by Bloomberg Intelligence and Matrixport analysts whom expect the price of bitcoin to reach US$50,000-US$65,000 by April 2024.

This article first appeared on fintechnews.am

Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik


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	]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-top-50-crypto-vcs-in-2023</link><guid>3208</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Fintech-Zurich-2023-Smart-Sourcing-Event-.jpg?x22212</dc:content ><dc:text>The Top 50 Crypto VC’s in 2023</dc:text></item><item><title>wefox Secures $110M Funding, $55M Credit Facility From J.P. Morgan and Barclays</title><description><![CDATA[wefox, the Switzerland and Berlin-based insurtech, has secured US$55m credit facility from J.P. Morgan and Barclays alongside a $55m second close in its Series D at US$4.5bn valuation from existing investors and new investors including Squarepoint.
The new funding is earmarked to further strengthen wefox’s insurance and distribution business, which includes the recent launch of a global affinity business, and developing the technology platform.
Julian Teicke
Julian Teicke, CEO and co-founder of wefox, said:




   



    
   


   








“We are delighted to have two of the world’s most prestigious financial institutions – J.P. Morgan and Barclays – supporting our business, which strengthens our plans to enhance our insurance and distribution capabilities whilst building our platform.”
“The second close of our Series D round ensures we continue focussing on building an international business with a strong path to profitability. We have already taken important measures to fortify our business for the future and early Q1 financial performance shows that we are in good shape to navigate the challenges ahead and continue our international growth in a sustainable way,”
added Mr. Teicke.

Featured image credit: Julian Teicke, CEO and co-founder of wefox. Edited from Freepik

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/wefox-secures-110m-funding-55m-credit-facility-from-jp-morgan-and-barclays</link><guid>3207</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>wefox Secures $110M Funding, $55M Credit Facility From J.P. Morgan and Barclays</dc:text></item><item><title>Österreichisches Tech News Portal Brutkasten wird von VGN Medien übernommen</title><description><![CDATA[Die Brutkasten Gruppe, Österreichs Medienhaus für Startups, Innovation und die digitale Wirtschaft, gibt bekannt, dass der österreichische Magazinverlag, die VGN Medien Holding (u.A. Trend, Woman, tv-media), als strategischer Investor eingestiegen ist und neuer Mehrheitsgesellschafter wird.
Als Teil der Transaktion wird die VGN das weitere Wachstum von Brutkasten unterstützen und das Unternehmen bei der Expansion in neue Märkte und Segmente begleiten.
Dejan Jovicevic
Dejan Jovicevic bleibt als geschäftsführender Gesellschafter an Bord und wird weiterhin eine Schlüsselrolle in der Entwicklung des Unternehmens spielen. Er bedankt sich im Namen des gesamten Unternehmens bei den Altinvestoren für ihre langjährige Unterstützung und Zusammenarbeit.




   



    
   


   








“Wir sind sehr erfreut über den Einstieg der VGN Gruppe als strategischer Investor. Die Partnerschaft wird uns helfen, wechselseitige Synergien zu nutzen und unser Geschäft weiter auszubauen”,
sagt Jovicevic.
Horst Pirker
Horst Pirker, geschäftführender Gesellschafter der VGN Medien Holding, ergänzt:
“Brutkasten hat sich in den letzten Jahren als medialer Dreh- und Angelpunkt des heimischen Startup- und Innovationsökosystems etabliert. Wir freuen uns sehr, das Unternehmen dabei zu unterstützen, weiter eigenständig zu wachsen und sich zu entwickeln.”

Featured image credit: Dejan Jovicevic Co-Founder &amp; CEO of “Der Brutkasten” and Horst Pirker Managing Partner of VGN Medien Holding. Edited from brutkasten.com
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/osterreichisches-tech-news-portal-brutkasten-wird-von-vgn-medien-ubernommen</link><guid>3205</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Österreichisches Tech News Portal Brutkasten wird von VGN Medien übernommen</dc:text></item><item><title>St.Galler KB nominiert Cornelia Stengel als Mitglied des Verwaltungsrats</title><description><![CDATA[Der Verwaltungsrat der St.Galler Kantonalbank schlägt der Generalversammlung vom 1. Mai 2024 die Rechtsanwältin und Fintech Expertin Cornelia Stengel als Mitglied des Verwaltungsrats vor.
Prof. Dr. iur. Cornelia Stengel ist seit 2013 als Rechtsanwältin für Finanzmarkt- und Datenschutzrecht für die Kanzlei Kellerhals Carrard in Zürich tätig, seit 2017 als Partnerin.
Roland Ledergerber, Präsident des Verwaltungsrats der St.Galler Kantonalbank:




   



    
   


   








“Cornelia Stengel überzeugt durch ihre Fachkompetenz, ihre Berufserfahrung, insbesondere auch in Finanzmarktthemen, und durch ihre gewinnende Persönlichkeit. Sie wird den Verwaltungsrat ideal ergänzen.”
Fintech Anwältin mit breitem Netzwerk
Cornelia Stengel
Cornelia Stengel ist Schweizerin, hat Jahrgang 1980, ist in Wil (SG) aufgewachsen und wohnt in Wiesendangen (ZH). 2004 schloss sie das Studium als lic. iur. an der Universität Zürich ab, wo sie 2014 auch zur Dr. iur. promovierte.
Aufgrund ihrer weiteren Tätigkeiten, u.a. als Gastprofessorin und Leiterin #FinTank an der Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz (FHNW), Geschäftsleitungsmitglied und Mitglied der Arbeitsgruppe Regulations von Swiss Fintech Innovations (SFTI), Geschäftsführerin des Schweizerischen Leasingverbands (SLV) und ihrer Mitarbeit in der Fachkommission Digitalisierung der Schweizerischen Bankiervereinigung (SBVg), bringt Cornelia Stengel auch ein breites Netzwerk und zukunftsgerichtetes Knowhow in der Finanzdienstleistungsbranche mit.
Veränderungen im Verwaltungsrat- Manuel Ammann
Cornelia Stengel wird der nächsten ordentlichen Generalversammlung vom 1. Mai 2024 zur Wahl in den Verwaltungsrat vorgeschlagen. Gleichzeitig werden zwei aktuelle Mitglieder aus dem Verwaltungsrat ausscheiden: Kurt Rüegg erreicht nach 15 Jahren die maximale statutarische Amtsdauer und Manuel Ammann tritt im Zuge seiner Wahl zum Rektor der Universität St.Gallen zurück.
Ein Jahr später wird auch Adrian Rüesch aufgrund der statutarischen Altersbegrenzung aus dem Verwaltungsrat ausscheiden. Der Verwaltungsrat hat den Suchprozess zur Ergänzung der im Zuge dieser Veränderungen entstehenden Lücken frühzeitig eingeleitet. Mit der Wahl von Cornelia Stengel werden drei Frauen im Verwaltungsrat der St.Galler Kantonalbank sein.
Featured image credit: Cornelia Stengel, Attorney at Law, Partner, Prof. Dr. iur. Edited image from kellerhals-carrard.ch/
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/stgaller-kb-nominiert-cornelia-stengel-als-mitglied-des-verwaltungsrats</link><guid>3206</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>St.Galler KB nominiert Cornelia Stengel als Mitglied des Verwaltungsrats</dc:text></item><item><title>UBS Banking App Sees Significant Growth a Year After Its Launch</title><description><![CDATA[UBS has reported that its digital banking offering ‘UBS key4’ has witnessed rapid growth, active usage and continued development of its product line in the past year since its launch.
The UBS key4 provides private clients with a comprehensive digital offering for day-to-day banking transactions, but also for more complex needs – from payments and savings to investing, retirement planning and financing.
Users of UBS key4 have access to all of these features online where the registration and onboarding reportedly takes a few minutes in order to activate the account and card.




   



    
   


   








Within the first year of launch, the bank has rolled out UBS key4 cards, UBS key4 smart investing, UBS key4 pension 3a, UBS key4 fx, and UBS key4 mortgages.
Meanwhile, the bank had also launched the UBS key4 business for its corporate clients where they can register for a free capital payment account that will be made available immediately.
Since its launch, the number of accounts being opened online among private clients has tripled as more than 175,000 clients actively use UBS key4. Additionally, 77 percent of all UBS personal banking clients and 81 percent of corporate and institutional clients are already digital.
Moving forward, the bank said that UBS’s key4 offerings will be expanded with improved client experience.
This includes the introduction of fund saving with UBS key4 smart investing so that fund accounts can also be opened and managed digitally and act as a gift for third parties.
Additionally, the digital offering for corporate clients will be expanded with the Instant Credit offering as well as new, paperless and convenient self-service functions.
Sabine Keller-Busse
“I am very proud of what we have achieved. As promised, we continued expanding our offering after the launch of UBS key4 at a rapid pace and across various client groups. And I look forward to expanding the product range even further,”
says Sabine Keller-Busse, President UBS Switzerland.



Featured image credit: Sabine Keller-Busse, President UBS Switzerland. Background image edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ubs-banking-app-sees-significant-growth-a-year-after-its-launch</link><guid>3202</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>UBS Banking App Sees Significant Growth a Year After Its Launch</dc:text></item><item><title>Temenos Rolls Out AI-Powered Digital Mortgage Solution</title><description><![CDATA[Banking software company Temenos has rolled out an AI-powered mortgage solution to will help lenders deliver a personalised digital mortgage experience while reducing their costs and time to close.
The composable and highly scalable solution is said to be suitable for banks of all sizes, building societies, credit unions that want to enhance their service offering and fintech or challenger banks looking to enter the mortgage market.
The Temenos Digital Mortgages enhances productivity and reduces delinquencies for the lenders through automation and intuitive workflows to make quick and prudent decisions, using AI to provide affordability assessments that are transparent and explainable.




   



    
   


   








It reduces the time to close for customers, helping them meet real estate contracts or rate lock periods to secure a property or afford a mortgage.
The solution is cloud-native and available for lenders to deploy in their own data centers and on any public cloud or as a SaaS on Temenos Banking Cloud, enabling them to launch and scale up services rapidly.
Prema Varadhan
Prema Varadhan, President Product and Chief Operating Officer, Temenos said,
“With this new solution, lenders can easily upgrade their mortgage capability, elevating the digital experience and leverage explainable AI for fast, responsible lending decisions.
Despite the economic headwinds, the mortgage market continues to grow and by modernising their systems in this way, we’re helping lenders increase volumes sustainably while ensuring affordability and transparency.”


This article first appeared on fintechnews.sg
Featured image credit: Prema Varadhan, President Product and Chief Operating Officer at Temenos. Edited image from Temenos.com
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/temenos-rolls-out-ai-powered-digital-mortgage-solution</link><guid>3203</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Temenos Rolls Out AI-Powered Digital Mortgage Solution</dc:text></item><item><title>Ripple Snaps up Swiss Custody Provider Metaco in US$250 Million Deal</title><description><![CDATA[Ripple, a blockchain and crypto solutions provider, has acquired Metaco, a Swiss-based provider of digital asset custody and tokenisation technology, for US$250 million.
Through this acquisition, Ripple will be able to expand its enterprise offerings by diversifying into custody solutions to provide customers with the technology to custody, issue, and settle any type of tokenised asset.
Ripple will become the sole shareholder of Metaco, which will continue to operate as an independent brand and business unit led by Founder and CEO Adrien Treccani.




   



    
   


   








Metaco’s primary offering Harmonize is the institutional standard for digital asset custody and tokenisation infrastructure.
The company’s solutions are currently offered in Switzerland, Germany, Turkey, France, the United Kingdom, the United States, Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong and the Philippines, among others.
Ripple started out with cross-border payments utilising blockchain and cryptocurrency and then expanded its product offerings to address new use cases like liquidity management and tokenisation, including Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs).
Today, Ripple serves hundreds of customers in over 55 countries and 6 continents with payout capabilities in 70+ markets.
Metaco will be able to accelerate its growth trajectory through access to Ripple’s established base of customers and capital to address new demand.
Brad Garlinghouse
Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple said,
“Metaco is a proven leader in institutional digital asset custody with an exceptional executive bench and a truly unmatched customer track record.
Through the strength of our balance sheet and financial position, Ripple will continue pressing our advantage in the areas critical to crypto infrastructure. Bringing on Metaco is monumental for our growing product suite and expanding global footprint.”
Adrien Treccani
Adrien Treccani, Founder and CEO at Metaco, said,
“This deal will enable Metaco to leverage Ripple’s scale and market strength to reach our goals and deliver value to our clients at a faster pace. We look forward to continuing to serve unprecedented levels of institutional demand with the utmost excellence in delivery, as our clients have come to expect.”
This article first appeared on fintechnews.sg
Featured image credit: Brad Garlinghouse CEO of Ripple and Adrien Treccani Founder and CEO at Metaco. Background image edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ripple-snaps-up-swiss-custody-provider-metaco-in-us250-million-deal</link><guid>3204</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Ripple Snaps up Swiss Custody Provider Metaco in US$250 Million Deal</dc:text></item><item><title>Fabrick Acquires Mobile Payments Firm Judopay, Expands Footprint in the UK</title><description><![CDATA[Fabrick, an Italian open banking solutions provider, announces that it has acquired UK-based mobile payments company Judopay. Details of the transaction was not disclosed.
This acquisition marks an important step in Fabrick’s expansion into the UK market. Judopay will continue operating under its own brand once the deal has been finalised.
This deal will allow Fabrick’s Payment Orchestra™ to benefit from Judopay’s innovation expertise in digital commerce.




   



    
   


   








Fabrick said that with this acquisition, it will be able to define new models and standards to provide smoother payment solutions, frictionless processes, and seamless check-out experiences for both merchants and customers alike.
The acquisition of Judopay will expand Fabrick’s proprietary technology enabling the company to offer a better service to merchants who will be able to manage more efficiently all the financial and data flows involved in the payments process from a single point, even when taking payments from multiple gateways.
Judopay currently handles over 60 million transactions a year worth over €2 billion and has partnered with major companies such as KFC, PaybyPhone group, and Autocab.
The company has also been a launch partner for Apple in launching Apple Pay in-app payments in the UK, and Mastercard to enhance Click2Pay and Pay by Bank App.
Paolo Zaccardi
Paolo Zaccardi, CEO, and Co-Founder of Fabrick commented,
“At Fabrick, we have always seen the governance and development of new payment methods and processes as a cornerstone of the new era of embedded finance enabled by evolving models.

In this regard, the platform developed by Judopay seamlessly integrates and enhances our Payment Orchestra™ solution and is in line with our strategic vision of Open Payments.

Jeremy Nicholds
Jeremy Nicholds, CEO of Judopay, commented,

“Joining a company like Fabrick provides a great opportunity for us to enhance our solutions and platform and work with more companies in more markets in Europe.

Thanks to the integration of our solution with those of Fabrick we will be able to find new tools and ideas to support and manage their customers and all merchants”.


Featured image credit: Paolo Zaccardi CEO, and Co-Founder of Fabrick, Jeremy Nicholds CEO of Judopay. Background image edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fabrick-acquires-mobile-payments-firm-judopay-expands-footprint-in-the-uk</link><guid>3201</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Fabrick Acquires Mobile Payments Firm Judopay, Expands Footprint in the UK</dc:text></item><item><title>Digital Pocket Money App Now in Use at Nidwaldner Kantonalbank</title><description><![CDATA[Pocket money is usually still given „cash on the nail“. In a world where cashless payments are on the rise and a life without a smartphone is no longer conceivable, this seems outdated and obsolete. Why shouldn’t children have their pocket money transferred to an account like their parents’ salary and be able to manage it on their smartphone?
For this reason, Inventx set to work with GFT as an implementation partner to develop a mobile app that enables the management of the pocket money. The result is a white-label solution «DB4Kids».
Recently, three Swiss banks have started offering their clients their own banking packages based on the «DB4Kids» application, including an account, card, and app. Following the Graubündner Kantonalbank’s Gioia Kids and the St. Galler Kantonalbank’s MiniBank, which have been addressing younger target groups earlier, the Nidwaldner Kantonalbank has now also added its Noldi app for its youngest customers in its portfolio. This is already the third Swiss cantonal bank to rely on the white-label solution, which helps financial institutions to familiarise young target groups with the topic of money and digital banking in a playful way.




   



    
   


   








”We see it as our responsibility to help children handle money. With our Noldi app, we link this important and at the same time complex topic in a playful way,”
explains Nicole Lüthy, Head of Private Clients and Member of the Executive Board of NKB.
Nils Reimelt
“The successful collaboration with GFT and Inventx has enabled us to launch a new digital banking product for our young clients aged between 6 and 14. We are thus creating the basis for a lifelong relationship with this customer group,”
emphasises Nils Reimelt, Head of Digital Banking, St. Galler Kantonalbank.
Heinz Ehrsam
Heinz Ehrsam, Managing Director of the implementation partner GFT Switzerland AG, outlines the potential:
” The focus in the banking sector is on customer centricity. With Digital Banking 4 Kids (DB4K), children learn how to handle finances on their smartphones in a playful way. Parents can support their children via their own online banking. Due to the integration, parents have the detailed financial overview at any time.”
Pascal Wild, Head of Banking Inventx AG adds:
„With this new app, we have developed a cross-generational product that all age groups can truly enjoy. The corporate design can be adapted to the specific parameters of each bank. With the use of APIs, a direct connection to all core banking systems is also possible. “
The functions of the mobile app include:

management of the pocket money in a pocket money account
set goals to save money and allocate the available balance to these virtual savings-goal-accounts
easy to use and suitable for the specific age groups
clear representation of income and expenditure for children and parents

Digital Banking 4 Kids – The Swiss Solution to manage pocket Money digitally.
The Digital Banking 4 Kids app builds a strong relationship with customers by giving parents and children an incentive to interact with their bank on a regular basis. By being able to view income and expenses, as well as define and track goals to save money together, parents can encourage their children’s financial education and responsibility in handling money.
A strong partnership between Inventx, the Kantonalbank and GFT
GFT developed the underlying white-label solution with a mobile app for children and a web cockpit in just nine months. The GFT team worked hand in hand with the Inventx product owner and representatives of the pilot banks. This constellation enabled a co-creation approach to implement the optimal user experience of the mobile and web application.
Read the complete success story here.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digital-pocket-money-app-now-in-use-at-nidwaldner-kantonalbank</link><guid>3200</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Digital Pocket Money App Now in Use at Nidwaldner Kantonalbank</dc:text></item><item><title>Investing.com Acquires Streetinsider.com for $10M USD</title><description><![CDATA[Investing.com, a platform for financial data, tools &amp; news accessed by more than 60 million retail investors monthly, announced it recently completed the acquisition and integration of Streetinsider.com, a premium source for market moving breaking news on equities.
According to Axios, Investing.com pays 10 million USD for Streetinsider.
Since 1999, StreetInsider has given Wall Street’s elite investors a real-time, inside-look at the markets, providing access to information that’s only available to a select group of market players. The outlet separates itself from other news services in its commitment to producing the quickest commentary of market-moving events around the world.




   



    
   


   








Investing.com will embed a variety of StreetInsider’s core news services – including the famous Hot list, Rumors, Trader talk, Momentum Movers and Trading Halts feeds – into the company’s mobile apps and website serving over 690 million users globally.
These brand-new enhanced Breaking feeds will feature a combination of free and pay-wall-gated content, available to InvestingPro subscribers, the premium subscription service for better investor decision making from Investing.com. StreetInsider will continue to operate as a stand-alone service, keeping selected feeds exclusively available through StreetInsider only.
Lon Juricic
“StreetInsider is thrilled to join the Investing.com team in the quest to level the playing field for all investors,”
said Lon Juricic, founder of StreetInsider.
“Crucially, Investing.com’s acquisition of StreetInsider acknowledges that in this ongoing ‘Information Age,’ content is king. We are eager to witness the forthcoming powerful impact of combining our next-generation on-the-spot stock market news and analysis with Investing.com’s real-time premium data, creating an unprecedented potent toolbox for any retail investor out there.”

After purchasing its domain name in December 2012, Investing.com’s traffic has skyrocketed from 50 million pageviews per month in 2013, to 400 million in 2016, to more than 4 billion today. With 33 language editions and users in 136 countries, the financial markets platform is now ranked the top financial website worldwide, according to SimilarWeb, in addition to ranking in the top two sites globally for crypto reach.
Investing.com offers real-time data, quotes, charts, financial tools, breaking news, and analysis across 250 exchanges around the world. In addition to the global stock markets, Investing.com covers commodities, cryptocurrencies, world indices, bonds, funds, ETFs, and world currencies, offering quick access to premium financial tools, covering over 200,000 financial instruments.

This article first appeared on fintechnews.sm


Featured image credit: Lon Juricic, founder of StreetInsider and Shlomi Biger, Chief Product Officer at Investing.com  Edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/investingcom-acquires-streetinsidercom-for-10m-usd</link><guid>3199</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Investing.com Acquires Streetinsider.com for $10M USD</dc:text></item><item><title>UK Retirement Saving Fintech Raises $95m Series E Funding</title><description><![CDATA[Smart, a London-headquartered fintech in the global retirement savings market, announces it has closed its $95m Series E funding in a round led by Aquiline Capital Partners LLC , a private investment firm based in New York and London.
Existing investors participating in the round include: Chrysalis Investments, Fidelity International Strategic Ventures, DWS, Barclays and Natixis Investment Managers.
Funds from this investment round will bolster Smart’s global expansion plans, building on the company’s strong performance in Europe, the US, Middle East and Asia. Proceeds from the funding round will also help finance near-term acquisitions and accelerate Smart’s investment in and distribution of its proprietary retirement savings technology platform, Keystone. The market-leading growth and profitability of its UK-based Smart Pension business is underpinned by the scalability of the Keystone platform.




   



    
   


   








Smart has experienced a period of exceptional growth, with group revenue of £67m in 2022, a 65% increase on the previous year. In February 2023, Smart was ranked among Europe’s fastest-growing companies by the Financial Times.
Smart today already has over £5.5 billion in Assets Under Management (AUM) on its platform and is expected to exceed £10bn by the end of June 2023 following this Series E funding. Growth has been driven by the accelerating global demand for modern, digital retirement savings technology, the success of Smart Pension in the UK and strategic M&amp;A.
Established in 2014 by Andrew Evans and Will Wynne in the wake of the UK’s roll out of mandatory workplace pension auto-enrolment, Smart owns and operates one of “the big four” UK auto-enrolment master trusts, Smart Pension, serving more than one million savers and 70,000 employers.
The group’s ongoing and future success is underpinned by Keystone, the world’s first global, cloud-native, workplace retirement savings platform. Keystone provides all the infrastructure needed to deliver modern, digital retirement savings for governments and financial services partners around the world, supporting the wave of change currently transforming the $62 trillion AUM global pensions sector.
A successful technology export story for the UK, the platform already powers numerous retirement savings solutions around the world. These include a partnership with one of Ireland’s most well-known financial services institutions, pooled retirement solutions rolled out nationally across the US and a partnership with Zurich Workplace Solutions (Middle East), part of the Zurich Insurance Group, on the Dubai government workplace saving scheme.
As populations age and governments struggle with high national debt and large fiscal deficits, the responsibility to save for retirement is increasingly being pushed, by regulation, onto individuals and employees via the workplace. To help them close the retirement savings gap, governments and large-scale financial institutions are leaning on Smart’s Keystone technology to ensure that people are saving more and are empowered to manage their money effectively. In pursuit of these crucial objectives, Keystone provides, at scale, a leap forward in digital experience, bringing the retirement savings sector in line with advanced technology sectors such as ecommerce and online banking.
Jeff Greenberg Aquiline
Jeff Greenberg, Chairman and CEO of Aquiline, said:
“Smart’s distinct retirement technology leadership coupled with Aquiline’s deep experience in the retirement technology industry makes this a compelling investment, as does the growing global need for better retirement saving technology. Smart has consistently delivered impressive commercial growth, and is backed by an array of top-tier investors whom we are delighted to join. Under the leadership of Andrew and Will, we have every confidence that Smart is a multi-billion pound company in the making.
“The UK remains at the forefront in the digitalisation and democratisation of retirement savings and we are excited to support a UK leader in the sector as it helps to solve pressing issues facing savers, financial institutions and governments across the world.”
The co-founders of Smart, Andrew Evans and Will Wynne, said:
Smart Co-Founders Andrew Evans and Will Wynne
“This investment is strong recognition of Smart’s success and journey to date, and highlights the immense opportunity that lies ahead. It is also a resounding vote of confidence in the UK’s fintech sector, and its leadership in financial services provision.
“We are on a mission to transform retirement, savings and financial wellbeing. We are the global leader in retirement technology and our industry-leading platform, Keystone, is being deployed by the biggest, most successful financial institutions around the world. This is a $62 trillion global sector in the early stages of being disrupted, and we are uniquely positioned to take advantage of that. We have already reached scale and profitability in the UK, with Smart Pension now serving in excess of one million savers, and this backing allows us to achieve that scale and profitability in our global markets across the group. We welcome Aquiline to our board and we’re incredibly excited for the years ahead.”
Smart continues to strengthen its board of directors, with Charles Janeway of Aquiline joining as non-executive director.
Lazard acted as financial adviser to Smart in relation to the Series E funding round. Perella Weinberg acted as financial adviser to Aquiline.

Featured image credit: Smart Co-Founders Andrew Evans and Will Wynne
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/uk-retirement-saving-fintech-raises-95m-series-e-funding</link><guid>3198</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>UK Retirement Saving Fintech Raises $95m Series E Funding</dc:text></item><item><title>U.S. Fintech 8fig Raises US$140M Series B Led by Koch Disruptive Technologies</title><description><![CDATA[Fintech firm 8fig announced that it has secured a US$140 million Series B funding round in April 2023 led by Koch Disruptive Technologies (KDT). This brings 8fig’s total funds raised to US$196.5 million.
The funding round was also joined by existing investors Battery Ventures, Localglobe, Hetz Ventures, the Jesselson family, and Silicon Valley Bank, a division of First Citizens Bank.
Founded in 2020, 8fig provides flexible funding and supply chain planning tools to e-commerce businesses and has a presence in the U.S. and Israel.




   



    
   


   








8fig had recently introduced a mobile app that allows customers to manage their funding plan on the go, as well as a freight management and payment feature.
In the future, 8fig plans to add enhanced financial management capabilities, banking solutions, and cash flow prediction models.
8fig’s platform will incorporate alerts and insights based on business performance and collaborate with e-commerce marketing agencies to build a tool that evaluates customers’ cash flow health and needs, lowering risk through actionable insights and alerts.
The company has provided online sellers with over US$500 million and increased its client base by 900% and annual revenue by 800% in 2022 alone. The firm also grew its global workforce from 30 to 90 employees in one year.
Yaron Shapira
“The global macroeconomic challenges we are experiencing make it difficult for e-commerce business owners to access the resources they need to succeed. 8fig is providing these online sellers with the financial support and tools necessary to thrive in any economic climate.

The latest funding round has proven that the market has great confidence in 8fig and the important role 8fig continues to play in the ongoing growth of e-commerce.”
said Yaron Shapira, Co-founder and CEO of 8fig.


This article first appeared on Fintech News America. 


Featured image credit: 8Fig Team
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/us-fintech-8fig-raises-us140m-series-b-led-by-koch-disruptive-technologies</link><guid>3197</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>U.S. Fintech 8fig Raises US$140M Series B Led by Koch Disruptive Technologies</dc:text></item><item><title>Mastercard Launched Open Banking for Account Opening Solution</title><description><![CDATA[Innovations in finance and payments are unlocking new experiences for consumers and fintechs alike.
As of 2022, 78 percent of adults in the U.S. prefer to bank via a mobile app or website. As more people open accounts and manage their finances online, digital transaction volumes are projected to reach nearly $15 trillion by 2027. With that growth comes more sophisticated fraud, such as account takeover and synthetic identity fraud, impacting consumers and businesses.
To further its vision of providing safe, simple, and smart choices in payments and financial services, Mastercard is launching an enhanced Open Banking for Account Opening solution. This innovation integrates account owner verification with identity insights into a single API to help businesses meet their customers’ needs for security and transparency.




   



    
   


   








Chris Reid
“At Mastercard, trust is our business. Our digital identity and open banking networks instill confidence on both sides of an interaction. By securing our online ecosystem, we are delivering on our promise to bring more people and businesses into the digital economy,”
said Chris Reid, EVP, Identity Solutions, Mastercard.
Mastercard Open Banking for Account Opening verifies a consumer’s account ownership and their identity in real-time. It also prefills account and routing data, minimizing errors. The result is a simpler, faster, and safer way to open a new account for the 93 percent of consumers likely to use digital payments this year. For financial institutions and fintechs, such as MoneyLion, a Mastercard partner, it means a single, simple solution to verify an individual opening a new account while minimizing friction and risk of fraud.
Dee Choubey
“At MoneyLion, we see people turn to digital financial services every day for a simple and frictionless user experience. It is crucial that we deliver service excellence from the beginning of our customer relationship by providing an experience that streamlines the account opening process,”
said Dee Choubey, Co-Founder and CEO of MoneyLion.
“We are proud to work with innovative and industry-leading partners like Mastercard to offer cutting-edge digital account opening solutions for our suite of financial products that let us prioritize convenience, security, and accessibility for our customers.”
Open Banking for Account Opening draws on the safe exchange of consumer-permissioned data from open banking and identity data network leveraging industry standards, machine learning, and fraud prevention programs. This helps fintechs and banks confidently know who their customers are and that they own their linked accounts, promoting secure digital account opening for the following:

Digital wallets
New bank and/or investment accounts
Distributions
Account-based payments


This article first appeared on fintechnews.am

Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mastercard-launched-open-banking-for-account-opening-solution</link><guid>3195</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Mastercard Launched Open Banking for Account Opening Solution</dc:text></item><item><title>Digital Onboarding von Migros Bank/Viseca gewinnt Best of Swiss Web Awards</title><description><![CDATA[Dank dem Digital Onboarding von der Migros Bank und Viseca ist es heute möglich, innert weniger Minuten zu einer neuen Kreditkarte zu kommen. Herzstück ist der eigens dafür entwickelte digitale Antragsprozess inklusive Instant Issuing.
Dieser ermöglicht es, traditionell langwierige Prozesse wie Kundenidentifikation, Kreditwürdigkeitsprüfung und die Eröffnung eines Kreditkartenkontos zu automatisieren und so massiv zu verkürzen. Das ist ein Novum in der Schweiz.




   



    
   


   








Dafür gab’s nun 2x Silber an den «Best of Swiss Web»-Awards. Es ist dies bereits die zweite Auszeichnung für den Antragsprozess: Im November 2022 wurde das Digital Onboarding im Rahmen der «Best of Swiss Apps» in der Kategorie «User Experience / Usability» bereits einmal mit Bronze ausgezeichnet.

Manuel Kunzelmann
Manuel Kunzelmann, CEO der Migros Bank, freut sich sehr über die gewonnene Auszeichnung:
«Das einfache und schnelle Digital Onboarding ist nebst dem hervorragenden Preis-Leistungs-Verhältnis ein wichtiger Erfolgsfaktor der Cumulus Kreditkarte und hat massgeblich zur gelungenen Kundenresonanz beigetragen. Wir haben viel in die Digitalisierung unserer Dienstleistungen und Produkte investiert und zählen inzwischen zu den digitalsten Retailbanken der Schweiz. Unser Ziel ist es, den Menschen in der Schweiz unsere Finanzdienstleistungen mit wenigen Klicks zugänglich zu machen.»
Tobias Wirth
Tobias Wirth, Head Digital Business &amp; Innovation von Viseca:
«Wir freuen uns riesig über die neuerliche Auszeichnung für das Digital Onboarding. Als führendes Schweizer Fintech im Payment-Geschäft wollen wir die Entwicklung im Schweizer Zahlmarkt aktiv mitgestalten. Die Auszeichnung ist vor diesem Hintergrund eine klare Bestätigung dafür, dass wir bei Digitalisierung und Innovation die richtigen Prioritäten setzen und Lösungen entwickeln, die unsere Kundinnen und Kunden begeistern und im Markt erfolgreich sind.»
So einfach funktioniert das Digital Onboarding
Der digitale Antragsprozess ist denkbar einfach: Mit dem Smartphone QR-Code scannen und – falls noch nicht vorhanden – die one App herunterladen. Alternativ kann man den Prozess auch über den entsprechenden Webantrag auf dem Smartphone oder Desktop initiieren. Es folgt eine automatisierte Identifikationsprüfung mittels ID und Selfie. Danach kann man direkt in der App die persönlichen Angaben vornehmen und – sofern gewünscht – ein Kartenbild festlegen. Im Hintergrund laufen derweil innert weniger Sekunden die Kreditwürdigkeitsprüfung sowie weitere Kontrollen. Ist alles in Ordnung, steht die neue Kreditkarte kurz darauf digital in der one App zur Verfügung und kann im Internet eingesetzt werden. Wer über Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay oder eine andere Mobile Payment-Lösung verfügt, kann die Karte zudem umgehend auch am POS verwenden.
Das Digitale Onboarding inklusive Instant Issuing entstand im Auftrag der Migros Bank, die ihren Kundinnen und Kunden ein durchgehend digitales Erlebnis bieten möchte. Umgesetzt wurde das Vorhaben von Viseca in Zusammenarbeit mit «Die Ergonomen Usability» und BlueGlass Interactive AG. Die Cumulus Kreditkarte der Migros Bank ist denn auch die erste Kreditkarte der Schweiz, die dank dem neuen Antragsprozess nach erfolgreicher Prüfung umgehend eingesetzt kann. Weitere Kreditkarten von Viseca folgen.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digital-onboarding-von-migros-bankviseca-gewinnt-best-of-swiss-web-awards</link><guid>3196</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Digital Onboarding von Migros Bank/Viseca gewinnt Best of Swiss Web Awards</dc:text></item><item><title>Revolut Rolls Out ETF Trading for European Users</title><description><![CDATA[Revolut, a global neobank with more than 29 million customers worldwide, announced that it has introduced ETF trading for its European customers.
The neobank’s customers across the European Economic Area (EEA) will have access to more than 100 ETFs with the minimum investment being 1 EUR.
The new offering will cover the majority of global indexes, including S&amp;P 500, NASDAQ, DAX and FTSE. Users will be able to diversify their portfolios by investing in ETFs covering not only equities, but also bonds and commodities.




   



    
   


   








Users will be able to check the performance of their ETFs in real-time with live watchlists, trading charts, and market news from within the app itself.
This latest offering has been developed with Upvest, a Berlin-based infrastructure fintech specialising in highly scalable investment APIs.
Revolut said that it has plans to add European listed stocks and other trading products to its list of offerings in the upcoming months.
Rolandas Juteika
Rolandas Juteika, Head of Wealth and Trading for EEA at Revolut said,
“Our aim is further expanding our offering in the wealth &amp; trading space. The launch of ETFs follows the successful launch of Revolut Securities Europe UAB trading entity and expansion of US listed stocks across EEA last March.

In addition to that, we will soon be launching a comprehensive range of other investment products – including stocks listed in EEA markets, mutual funds, bonds, robo-advisory services and a more sophisticated trading platform for experienced traders.”
Martin Kassing
Martin Kassing, CEO and Co-founder of Upvest said,
“With our Investment-API, it has never been easier to offer investment products across Europe and to give our clients the maximum freedom to program the API tailored to their needs.

Revolut is one the world’s largest neobanks and selects only the best vendors. We are excited to work with them. The cooperation marks a new chapter for our company.”
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/revolut-rolls-out-etf-trading-for-european-users</link><guid>3194</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Revolut Rolls Out ETF Trading for European Users</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 10 Finance &amp; Insurance Finalists of The Swiss &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; Startup Competition</title><description><![CDATA[The &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; startup competition is a leading startup competition in Switzerland that aims to promote and support early-stage startups while fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. The competition comprises several industry verticals, and the Finance &amp; Insurance industry vertical is one of the most recent ones, being added in 2019.
The finalists for the 2023 Finance &amp; Insurance industry vertical of the &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; startup competition have been announced. The following is a list of the most promising and innovative Swiss startups in finance and insurance (listed in alphabetical order):

Ascentys

Ascentys automates the ESG assessment and reporting of companies, turning what is typically a complex, frustrating exercise into an effortless experience. Ascentys’ SaaS based, automated ESG assessment and reporting allows for the smooth delivery of a clear, practical, actionable ESG assessment report outlining what customers do well and what they should improve. Simple, fast, accurate and cost-efficient.

Alquant

Alquant offers a software-as-a-service (Saas) solution for asset managers to create their own customized digital investment product showroom, transforming the way investment products are marketed.

Everon

Everon democratizes access to Swiss Private Banking by building an ecosystem to provide affluent individuals worldwide with professional financial services at scale. How? Through a mobile app with a fully digital onboarding, an awarded portfolio management engine and an API infrastructure for business partners.

Frigg

Frigg builds software to upgrade sustainable finance and streamline the financing workflow from origination, securitization, and financing to post-financing follow-up. Their target market consists of small to mid-sized renewable energy developers who struggle with manual, costly, and time-consuming financing processes. Frigg builds on awarded government-grants and strategic partnerships with renewable energy stakeholders to achieve its goals.

Grape health

Grape is the first Swiss fully digital employee insurance that invests in employees’ physical and mental health. Grape provides a faster service and more accurate pricing for customers based on new data points and machine-learning techniques. This allows Grape to invest into what matters most – the health of employees. Grape pays for prevention services for its clients and makes their teams healthier.

iAccess Partners

iAccess Partners gives qualified investors access to top-tier Private Equity funds on a fully digital basis starting with low minimal investment amounts. The investment opportunities, which are accessible through iAccess Partners and a specific CH-ISIN (bankable product), are multi-billion, top-tier, flagship Private Equity funds.

Mavuno

Mavuno is an Agri &amp; FinTech startup empowering African smallholder farmers with satellite imagery and machine learning. Mavuno allows for sustainable farming practice, access to organic farm inputs and financing to drastically increase harvest yields. In 5 years, Mavuno aims to become an established pan-African platform with at least 1 million registered smallholder farmers as beneficiaries.

Sway Finance

Sway is a banking platform focusing on banking aggregation and invoice management. It enables clients to operate and monitor their liquidities, payments and invoices efficiently, thanks to artificial intelligence, giving real-time, money-saving and money-making recommendations.

The INGAGE Institute

The INGAGE INSTITUTE offers digital innovative solutions for insurance companies to effectively train their learners, employees and clients. Here, they focus on tools to increase customer value and to reduce customer acquisition costs. Their goal is to become the leading training company specialized in insurance within 5-7 years.

Yainvest

Yainvest helps banks and fintechs generate more investment returns for their clients with applied behavioural finance individual investor profiles. Here, the investment strategy selection is based on software as a service (SaaS).

The finalists will pitch their ideas to a panel of experts who will select the winner of the Finance &amp; Insurance industry vertical. The winner will receive a prize of CHF 30,000 and the opportunity to compete in the final round of the &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; startup competition.
The top 3 of each of the industry verticals are considered winners and will then compete in the final round of the competition, where they will be ranked and have the opportunity to win up to CHF 150,000 and pitch to the &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; Advisory Board.
Overall, the &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; startup competition is an excellent platform for early-stage startups to showcase their innovative ideas, gain exposure, and receive recognition and support from the Swiss startup ecosystem. The Finance &amp; Insurance industry vertical finalists have some exciting solutions that could potentially revolutionize the industry, and we look forward to seeing who will emerge as the winner.
The winners will be revealed at the Award Ceremony on June 26, 2023 at the SwissTech Convention Center in Lausanne, Switzerland. The award show is free and open to all to attend. For more information, visit www.venture.ch.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-10-finance-insurance-finalists-of-the-swiss-venture-startup-competition</link><guid>3193</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Top 10 Finance &amp; Insurance Finalists of The Swiss &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; Startup Competition</dc:text></item><item><title>Apple’s New Savings Account is a Hit</title><description><![CDATA[Apple’s new high-yield savings account is making a splash, drawing in nearly US$400 million worth of deposits on launch day. By the end of the first week, roughly 240,000 accounts had been opened, bringing in as much as US$990 million in deposits, sources familiar with the matter told Forbes earlier this month.
Launched on April 17, Apple’s Savings account is attracting customers for its high annual return of 4.15%.
An analysis by AppleInsider shows that the Apple Savings account is highly competitive and a strong contender among savings account products available in the US.




   



    
   


   








It offers a higher return than most savings account products provided by most traditional banking and financial institutions, including Barclays (3.8% APY), American Express (3.75%), Bank of America (0.01%), and Goldman Sachs’ own high yield savings account housed under its Marcus consumer brand (3.9%).
Apple’s Savings account is offered through a partnership with Goldman Sachs Bank USA, the unit of the banking group that runs Marcus. The bank also powers Apple’s credit card, Apple Card.
Apple Savings versus other savings account products in the USA, Source: AppleInsider, April 2023
Apple’s new Savings account
Apple’s new Savings account is available to Apple Card credit cardholders. Users must be over 18 years old and must reside in the US. Apple doesn’t charge any fees for its Saving account, which also has no minimum deposits nor minimum balance requirements.
Users set up and manage their Savings account directly from Apple Card in the Apple Wallet mobile app. The app also allows them to withdraw funds by transferring them to a linked bank account or to their Apple Cash card without having to pay any fees, make direct deposits to Apple Savings using an account number and routing number, and track their account balance and interest accrued over time.
Apple’s Savings account dashboard, Source: Apple, April 2023
Once set up, Apple Card spend rewards, called Daily Cash, are automatically deposited into the Savings account, allowing customers to earn interest on the rewards they get back from their credit card purchases.
Prior to the Savings account, Daily Cash rewards were automatically deposited into Apple Cash, a prepaid digital card held in the Apple Wallet app and issued by Green Dot Bank.
Advisory firm Crone Consulting estimates that US$3.8 billion is deposited into Apple Cash from the Apple Card each year, implying that these funds will now be moving into the Apple Savings account.
The 2023 US banking crisis
The rollout of Apple’s new Savings product comes at a time when US banks are struggling to maintain their deposit bases after a wave of bank failures shook the sector.
Silvergate Bank and Signature Bank, both with significant exposure to cryptocurrency, failed in March 2023 in the midst of turbulence in that market. Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) collapsed that same month after a bank run was triggered following the sale of its Treasury bond portfolio at a large loss, causing depositor concerns about the bank’s liquidity.
The banking sector further trembled this month after the FDIC took over failed lender First Republic Bank and sold the bank to JPMorgan. JPMorgan gained about US$92 billion in deposits from the deal.
Apple is one of the numerous tech companies that are taking advantage of the disruption currently faced by the tradition finance industry. Just last week, stock trading app Robinhood announced that it would be raising interest rates for its Robinhood Gold product to 4.65%, starting May 04.
Robinhood Gold is the paid premium membership offering of Robinhood, costly a monthly US$5. The program allows its members to earn interest on the cash they’re holding in their brokerage accounts, get larger instant deposits, tap lower margin investing rates and gain access to advanced market data as well as in-depth research from Morningstar.
Interests earned by Robinhood Gold members are paid out monthly and customers can track how much they’ve collected directly within the app. Customers can also instantly transfer funds from their brokerage account into their spending account to make purchases using their Robinhood Cash Card.
Apple is leveraging its massive user base of 2 billion active devices worldwide and strong brand to offer financial products and services intended to enhance the user experience, generate new revenue streams, and strengthen the company’s position as a leading technology and eventually a top financial services provider.
Some of the firm’s key financial services offerings include Apple Pay, a mobile payment and digital wallet service widely accepted at millions of merchants around the world; Apple Cash, a digital card and peer-to-peer payment service that lets users send and receive money in Messages and Apple Wallet; and Apple Pay Later, a buy now, pay later (BNPL) product launched earlier this year that allows users to split purchases into four payments spread over six weeks with no interests nor fees.

Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/apples-new-savings-account-is-a-hit</link><guid>3192</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Apple’s New Savings Account is a Hit</dc:text></item><item><title>What the Launch of SIC5 Instant Payments Will Mean for Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[Globally, 63% of banks &amp; financial institutions picked instant payments as their top priority over the next 12 months. Meanwhile, some of the biggest developments in Switzerland will concern the Swiss Instant Clearing (SIC) network. 
During the latest webinar hosted by Fintech News Switzerland, payment professionals gathered to discuss the developing banking trends taking root in Switzerland and internationally this year, and why they will make a difference for the digital payments strategy in both the short- and long-term. 
Fintech and banking expert Urs Bolt, who acted as the moderator of the session, pointed out that the largest Swiss banks will be able to receive instant payments on the SIC network in 2024. 




   



    
   


   








He discussed instant payments alongside other general trends in Switzerland, but also in neighbouring countries with panelists Daniel Capraro, the Co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Swiss digital challenger bank Yapeal, and Bruno Kuderman, Senior Product Manager for Products &amp; Solutions, Banking Services at SIX, the Swiss financial market infrastructure operator. 
For the second half of the webinar, they were joined by Frederic Viard, the Director of Global Marketing and Financial Messaging, Bottomline Technologies. 
Instant payments doesn’t mean instant – near time is not real-time
Daniel said that at challenger bank Yapeal, they still see end-to-end timing of 10 seconds for “instant” payments, which fulfils most requirements. But in the broader payment context, such as for real-time checkout payments, it is still too slow and said the situation is the same in the UK. 
“We just learned from Daniel that ‘instant’ obviously doesn’t mean instant in its real sense,” 
said Urs.
Urs Bolt, moderator
“So it’s more like, maybe, near time and not real-time. I think the trend is clear speed. ‘Instant’ does not mean 100% instant as we see it. And that’s the reason why we have the intention to bring instant end-to-end, risk-free, in central bank money in Switzerland live by the year-end, in production by next year for all the major banks.”
said Bruno.
SIC5 to power real-time payments in Switzerland
Urs said this is what the SIC5 mandate by the Swiss National Bank (SNB) intends, which is to set a 10-second time-limit on end-to-end payments processing. Bruno says the more accurate comparison is with the European Payments Council’s SEPA Instant Credit Transfer scheme, more commonly known as SCT Inst, which has become the benchmark for participating banks in Europe.
Responding to a Q&amp;A question about Holland adopting SCT Inst as a “new normal” for payments in the country, Bruno commented that Holland has even customised its rules for customer payments with higher allowed amounts.
 “So ‘new normal’ is a term which must be interpreted from community to community. That’s what we have learned during the SIC5  project.”
Bruno Kuderman, Senior Product Manager, Products &amp; Solutions, Banking Services, SIX
Daniel added that the SIC5 instant payments will be available 24/7, which is not the case today. 
“And from that point of view, it’s really a great starting point. I think we need to figure out how fast traditional banks can adopt these payment methods as well.”
B2B payments use cases in Switzerland
From the B2B perspective, Daniel said being able to perform a direct settlement on every transaction would bring a lot of benefits for all participants. 
“So it’s directly settled, if I’m a merchant, I can directly use the money [immediately].”
He added that the goal was for the sender bank and the receiver bank at the last mile to have well digitised operations, “they are then able to process those payments requests and payment receipts instantaneously, then you have this great customer experience.”
Diving deeper into use cases for real-time payments in Switzerland, Daniel gave the example of online casinos which usually only pay out to a Swiss IBAN where the funds could take up to days to arrive in the account. 
Daniel Capraro, Co-founder and Chief Product Officer, Yapeal
“And that’s exactly a case where we enabled the casinos to have a counter to appeal, do an instant payment, and the recipient gets it instantaneously,” 
Daniel went on.
Bruno agreed with him and elaborated,
“And from that moment on, he can spend the money with the card, with any other payment rails, but he has the money received in his account. The SIC system is the Swiss interbank system and settles mass payments and high value payments within one system that is a specific feature within Switzerland, which does not exist in other countries.
So it is risk-free money transferred interoperably, so that any participants, and we talk about a potential of 300 participants, which covers all banks in Switzerland will be able to do such services – intrabank and interbank – so that’s the key, it’s not only a closed loop.”
Bottomline’s role to power real-time payments
With companies like SIX supplying the payments infrastructure, there are still issues for banks in Switzerland and elsewhere to overcome legacy systems as they transition towards Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) models.
Frederic said the first thing Bottomline will provide to the marketplace is connectivity to these new banking environments, “to be able to manage the lifecycle, the messages that must be exchanged to ensure that this instant payment processing is made accordingly.”
The end-to-end message processing then has to be managed, along with ensuring that the service is available on a 24/seven basis. Frederic highlighted that for banks to find these round-the-clock payments processing as reliable, many of what he terms “last mile components” would have to be tested to meet the new capacity requirements.
Frederic Viard, Director of Global Marketing and Financial Messaging, Bottomline Technologies
Frederic responded that the maturity of the market also played a part as there are no fragmentations in the Swiss payments market. Nonetheless, Switzerland could do with a “upgrade” to cope with instantaneous 24/seven availability, as future needs move towards an immediacy in customer experience expectations.
“So again, it’s not about really changing something which is required right now. But it’s predicting the future, enabling Switzerland as being the endpoint for instant payments cross-border, and building a new generation of services that will be required or that are already required by the new generation.”
The full webinar can be accessed via this link, if you enjoyed this content please consider subscribing to our YouTube channel Fintech Fireside Asia.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/what-the-launch-of-sic5-instant-payments-will-mean-for-switzerland</link><guid>3191</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>What the Launch of SIC5 Instant Payments Will Mean for Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Frankfurt University Forms Master in Blockchain &amp; Digital Assets</title><description><![CDATA[Frankfurt School of Finance Center and its Blockchain center designed a new four semester long post-experience master program (MSc) last year. The Frankfurt School’s goal is to provide the expert knowledge necessary to students looking to shape and lead blockchain innovation around the globe and in all industries.
Technical and economical understanding on the topics of blockchain, digital assets (including Bitcoin and Ethereum), DeFi, Web3, tokenization, smart contracts, NFTs, financial technology, metaverse, digital euro, CBDCs, legal frameworks and entrepreneurship are part of the curriculum that is taught in seven block weeks and further deepened during the students’ master thesis. Application deadline is autumn 2023, and lectures will commence in October 2023.
During the study program, they will also make an excursion to the crypto valley in Switzerland, students will also setup up a Bitcoin node, do analytics of on-chain data and do a “coding camp” to understand smart contracts.




   



    
   


   












                                                          Website: Master in Blockchain and Digital Assets (frankfurt-school.de)
Tailored to students who have completed their first academic degree (min. Bachelors or equivalent) and have taken their first practical steps in the world of business with a minimum of one year of relevant work experience, the Master in Blockchain &amp; Digital Assets course offers a way to take your career to the next level by adding innovative and revolutionary components, competences and methodology as well as objectives for their businesses.
The graduates are qualified to lead in areas such as digital strategy, digital asset management, growth management, business development, decentralized application development, blockchain development, policymaking and many more. Blockchain is considered by many to be one of the most important developments in recent history. This course is meant to prepare you to take on a leading role in the development and expansion of this technology.
The programme is specifically tailored to the needs of managers or professionals who wish to stay fully employed throughout their studies while gaining expertise to develop their businesses further.
What is the Masters’ program about?
In this seven week block program students will be taught how blockchain builds the infrastructure for future financial markets and how companies can leverage the new technology to provide more security, transparency, efficiency and digitalization. Blockchain technology will be the basic infrastructure for finance and capital markets in the future.
This includes crypto assets and enterprise DLT solutions. With this, a transformation of operating cycles, design and development of products and organisational structures can be expected in any business sector. Existing assets will be tokenised, resulting in digital securities, money will be running on blockchain ledgers, crypto assets are now an asset class on their own.




In order to get up to speed, step one is to cover the technical background such as DLT technology, blockchain, DeFi, tokenization, digital money, smart contracts and the coding thereof. In the second step, they look at applications for advancing blockchain solutions and the design of suitable strategies, as well as their regulation through law and ethics. In the third step, you will have the choice between the Blockchain in Business or the digital strategy elective.
In the seventh module called “Blockchain in Business, students will identify emerging topics in DeFi and FinTech while understanding their impact on entrepreneurship, sustainability and innovative business models. In the digital strategy module, they will focus on law and data protection, ethics and building digital strategy for businesses.
What are the highlights of this master?
The curriculum, taught completely in English, not only keeps pace with emerging topics and trends but also offers an excursion to Zurich, Switzerland, one of the most renowned crypto and blockchain hubs worldwide. This will give students the opportunity to discuss and network with industry experts. To gain hands-on experience with Bitcoin, students will be building a Bitcoin Lightning Node to go beyond theoretical understanding of the subject.
The smart contract boot camp as one of the week long modules further deepens the learnings and prepares students to drive blockchain adoption in their industries regarding products, business operations and new business models. The next intake will start in October 2023.
Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/frankfurt-university-forms-master-in-blockchain-digital-assets</link><guid>3190</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Frankfurt University Forms Master in Blockchain &amp; Digital Assets</dc:text></item><item><title>LSEG Forms Long-Term Strategic Partnership With Barclays</title><description><![CDATA[London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) and Barclays have signed a new multi-year strategic partnership. Building on their longstanding relationship, the agreement includes a wide range of capabilities to support Barclays across the full ecosystem of businesses to enhance delivery for customers and clients and prepare for the next generation in financial services.
The new collaboration will see LSEG provide Barclays access to its market-leading data, insights and capabilities, workflow solutions and feeds, as well as supporting Barclays in its digitalisation journey, cloud adoption and customer platform enhancements. Barclays is also in discussions with LSEG and Microsoft to become a member of their Design Partner Programme, which is in the process of being established following the strategic partnership that was announced between the two organisations in December 2022. The Design Partner Programme will seek to gather and analyse data and insights from customers while validating product concepts to ensure delivery of real and meaningful customer solutions to the market. LSEG and Barclays are committed to working together to enhance and develop LSEG products and services.
Ron Lefferts
Ron Lefferts, Group Head of Sales &amp; Account Management, LSEG said:




   



    
   


   








“We are delighted to have signed a new multi-year agreement with Barclays. They have been a long-standing, highly valued customer for a number of years and the strategic partnership will see us work together across a broad range of global, multi-asset class products and services.”
Paul Compton
Paul Compton, Global Head of the Corporate and Investment Bank (CIB), and President of Barclays Bank PLC commented:
“LSEG is a long-term client and partner to Barclays and this engagement will see us working together to enhance existing offerings and develop new and innovative products and services. Continuing this relationship will maximize how we deliver results for clients globally, accelerate our digital transformation and advance our goals of consolidating relationships with a smaller number of global strategic market data vendors.”

Featured image credit: Ron Lefferts, Group Head of Sales &amp; Account Management, LSEG and Paul Compton, Global Head of the Corporate and Investment Bank (CIB), and President of Barclays Bank PLC 
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/lseg-forms-long-term-strategic-partnership-with-barclays</link><guid>3188</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>LSEG Forms Long-Term Strategic Partnership With Barclays</dc:text></item><item><title>Multibanking for Private Customers? Swiss Banks Sign Memorandum of Understanding</title><description><![CDATA[A group of banks in Switzerland headed by the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA) has signed a memorandum of understanding – with the goal of enabling initial multibanking offerings for individuals by mid-2025.
SBA and its member institutions view the opening of interfaces, as well as cooperation among banks and with third-party providers, as a great opportunity for the Swiss financial centre. The market-based open finance approach is the right way to take the existing offering forward and continue to offer simple, innovative and secure financial services in future.
To support the implementation of concrete use cases in Switzerland, the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA) , along with interested member institutions, has drawn up a memorandum of understanding (MoU) designed to enable the development and rollout of initial multibanking offerings for individuals.




   



    
   


   








The MoU published this week expresses the signatories’ intention to work actively towards their shared goal, enable the development of initial multibanking offerings for individuals, and contribute to resolving issues across institutions. In particular, it aims to improve interoperability and data exchange between banks, fintechs and other financial institutions, thus giving customers the most comprehensive possible overview of their finances.
The sector’s commitment is an active step towards achieving the open finance objectives for the Swiss financial centre formulated by the Federal Council at the end of 2022. The MoU is seen as an important move on the part of the Swiss banking sector, since it will encourage collaboration between the various players involved in this use case, including banks, tech firms, infrastructure providers and fintechs, as well as supporting further innovation and the digital transformation of the sector in Switzerland.
Featured image credit: edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/multibanking-for-private-customers-swiss-banks-sign-memorandum-of-understanding</link><guid>3189</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Multibanking for Private Customers? Swiss Banks Sign Memorandum of Understanding</dc:text></item><item><title>EU Parliament Economic and Monetary Policies Unit Cautions ECB on Digital Currency Launch</title><description><![CDATA[The European Central Bank (ECB) is considering launching a retail central bank digital currency (CBDC), seeking improved payment efficiency, innovation and monetary sovereignty. However, there are several concerns about whether a so-called digital euro would be a good idea.
Against this backdrop, the central bank should refrain from issuing a CBDC hastily, and should wait until new favorable elements in favor of the initiative emerge, a new paper by the Economic Governance and EMU Scrutiny Unit, a department within the European Parliament responsible for monitoring and analyzing economic and monetary policies, says.
The document, prepared at the request of the European Parliament’s Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON), argues that the risks and imponderables of a CBDC appear to be stronger than the arguments in favor of a digital euro.




   



    
   


   








One concern outlined in the paper is that a CBDC may change the relationship between the central bank and commercial banks, and that outcomes are impossible to predict.
The ECB has said that in the event of a retail CBDC being launched, front-end functions of the payment and deposit ecosystem would be outsourced to private institutions, including banks and payment services providers. These intermediaries would be in direct contact with end-users, while the ECB would manage centralized accounts and cooperate with commercial banks in the settlement function.
This setup implies that commercial banks would offer services to the central bank, while also competing for the collection of deposit funds. This new relationship would alter the incentive structure in a way that’s impossible to assess at the time being, the report says.
Another concern outlined in the paper relates to the risk of financial instability created by safe accounts that are fully government-backed.
Compared with commercial banks deposits which are prone to the risk of loss, ECB deposits are risk-free because the central bank can always print money to reimburse its debts.
In a banking crisis, depositors become aware of this risk and tend to move away from risky deposits. Since a digital euro would offer a risk-free alternative to bank deposits, a CBDC may accelerate the mobility of deposits and hence, the risk of disruptive bank runs. This may cause damaging outflow of liquidity, the report says.
The paper notes that the digital euro project is part of a global trend towards the introduction of CBDCs, with many central banks exploring the concept at different stage. Against this backdrop, liaison and coordination among central banks are recommended to avoid distortions and adverse effects on any parties.
The digital euro
The ECB is currently working with the national central banks of the euro area to investigate whether to introduce a digital euro. The idea would be to develop an electronic equivalent to cash that would complement banknotes and coins which would provide consumers with an additional choice about how to pay.
The authority published the third progress report on the project in April, presenting a set of design and distribution options for the retail CBDC.
In particular, the ECB proposes for the digital euro to be only accessible to euro area residents, merchants and governments in its initial releases. In further releases, consumers from selected third countries may also gain access to the CBDC. The report also anticipates the potential provision of cross-currency functionalities with other CBDCs outside the euro area by establishing interoperability between the digital euro and other equivalent systems.
The digital currency would be distributed by payment services providers and made available via existing banking apps or via an app provided by the Eurosystem, the monetary authority of the eurozone, the report says. Supervised intermediaries distributing the digital euro would be required to provide a set of mandatory core services to end-users and could offer additional services.
The ECB commissioned last year a study to understand people’s views on specific features of a potential digital wallet. The study, which polled consumers and industry stakeholders in all euro area countries from December 2022 to January 2023, found that person-to-person money transfers and offline payments were considered among the most useful features for Europeans. Participants also shared interest in budget management tools and conditional payments, including payment on delivery and pay-per-use.
The European Commission is set to propose a regulation establishing a digital euro in the second quarter of 2023. By the second half of the year, the Eurosystem is expected to present a high-level comprehensive design for the digital euro, comprising all the design choices and elements described by the three previous progress reports produced by the ECB.
Digital euro project tentative timeline, Source: European Central Bank, April 2023

Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/eu-parliament-economic-and-monetary-policies-unit-cautions-ecb-on-digital-currency-launch</link><guid>3187</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>EU Parliament Economic and Monetary Policies Unit Cautions ECB on Digital Currency Launch</dc:text></item><item><title>Swissquote Chooses NetGuardian AI Tool to Fight Financial Crime</title><description><![CDATA[Swissquote has chosen NetGuardians to enhance fraud mitigation and comply with the AML requirements. The NetGuardians AI-based financial crime solutions will monitor all transactions at the bank and on the digital finance app ‘Yuh’, a joint venture between Swissquote and PostFinance, another of Switzerland’s leading banks.
Software designed by NetGuardians will help Swissquote to reinforce bank’s protection to catch scams such as Authorized Push Payment (APP) and other types of payment fraud. It will also help Swissquote to maintain regulatory anti-money laundering (AML) requirements through suspicious activity reporting, early-stage prevention of money laundering attempts, and detecting the creation of money mule accounts.
With APP scams set to double globally by 2026 and become a $5.25bn industry, banks increasingly need AI-based anti-fraud infrastructure to keep pace with fraudsters.




   



    
   


   








NetGuardians’ financial crime solutions ensure accurate detection and minimal false positives, improving customer and user experience while lowering operational costs for banks. In addition, its machine-learning algorithms help financial institutions to discover and stay on top of emerging threats from fraud schemes and scammers.
Gland-based Swissquote is a market leader in online banking with international presence. Swissquote currently employs over 1,000 people who service its 500,000 clients worldwide. ‘Yuh’ is a Swiss finance app launched in the spring of 2021 that emerged from a joint venture between PostFinance and Swissquote.
Joel Winteregg
Joël Winteregg, CEO &amp; Co-Founder of NetGuardians, said:
“We are thrilled Swissquote will be deploying NetGuardians’ AI-based AML transaction monitoring &amp; fraud prevention solutions. Financial crime is an ongoing battle; we want to ensure consumers have a safe and seamless experience. This can be achieved by reducing false positives and alleviating the threat of payment fraud. We look forward to working closely with Swissquote in its fight against financial crime.”
Lino Finini
Lino Finini, COO of Swissquote, said:
“At Swissquote, we want our customers to know we are doing everything we can to prevent fraud. NetGuardians offers one of the best financial crime solutions on the market, helping us to quickly identify and stop scammers and money launderers. This means our customers can bank with confidence at Swissquote.”



Featured image credit: Joël Winteregg, CEO &amp; Co-Founder of NetGuardians and Lino Finini, COO of Swissquote
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swissquote-chooses-netguardian-ai-tool-to-fight-financial-crime</link><guid>3186</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Swissquote Chooses NetGuardian AI Tool to Fight Financial Crime</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Market Rebounds as Public Markets Recover, Private Investments Increase</title><description><![CDATA[Global fintech investment declined significantly throughout 2022, with funding dropping by 46% from 2021’s record levels, deals falling 8% year-over-year (YoY) and unicorn births sinking to a low of five new unicorns in Q4 2022, representing an 87% drop compared with Q4 2021, data from CB Insights’ State of Fintech 2022 show.
Supply chain disruptions, rising geopolitical tensions and a looming recession are among the main reasons behind the decline, prompting investors to slow their investment pace and halting the startup funding frenzy.
Following the steady decline of investment activity in 2022, global fintech funding and deal activity rebounded significantly in Q1 2023, driven by late-stage rounds and a public market recovery.




   



    
   


   








A new report by London-based corporate finance advisory Royal Park Partners looks at the state of the fintech market in Q1 2023, delving into public markets performances, private investment activity, and fintech exit trends observed during the past quarter.
Public markets recover
After a turbulent Q4 2022, public markets recouped some of their losses in Q1 2023, helping fintech segments regain strength, data from the report show.
The cryptocurrency and blockchain vertical recorded the strongest increase as it continued to recover from the decline caused by the FTX bankruptcy and other scandals. A cohort comprising 10 publicly listed companies in the sector, including Bakkt, Coinbase and Galaxy, witnessed an increase of 55% in share prices quarter-on-quarter (QoQ), the biggest growth observed across all the fintech verticals studied.
Besides crypto and blockchain, the capital markets and wealth management, payments and insurance cohorts each witnessed an increase of approximately 10% QoQ. The banking and lending cohort fell behind the rest of the group, retrieving 2% QoQ.
Breakdown of fintech verticals by share price evolution, Source: Q1 2023 Quarterly Fintech Market Update, Royal Park Partners
Looking at key stock valuation measurement metrics, data show that payments recorded the lowest enterprise value-to-revenue (EV/R) and enterprise value to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EV/EBITDA) multiples, standing at 2.7x and 9.8x, respectively. This makes payments the fairest priced and healthiest cohort of the verticals studied for Q1 2023.
EV/R and EV/EBITDA are two popular valuation tools that help determine if a stock is adequately priced. EV/R only considers the top line, focusing on a company’s revenue-generating ability. EV/EBITDA, on the other hand, takes into account operating expenses and taxes, helping thus determine a company’s ability to generate operating cash flows.
Fintech public markets performances Q1 2023, Source: Q1 2023 Quarterly Fintech Market Update, Royal Park Partners
Private fundraising rebounds
Private funding activity increased remarkably in Q1 2023, growing more than twofold QoQ to US$14 billion, data from the report show. The number of deals also increased, rising from 176 in Q4 2022 to 215 in Q1 2023.
QoQ growth was driven by a rise in fundraising activity in the verticals of capital market and wealth management, insurance and the “other fintech” cohort, which comprises companies in categories such as payroll, governance, risk and compliance, price comparison and credit data.
Payments, meanwhile, saw a decline in the number funding rounds but deal value soared drastically, growing more than sevenfold QoQ to US$8 billion, thanks to Stripe’s US$6.5 billion Series I.
Looking at geographical distribution, data show that North America attracted the lion’s share, securing over 66% of all fintech funding in Q1 2023. Asia-Pacific (APAC) and Europe came second, neck and neck with a 16% market share each. Most investment rounds in Q1 2023 (60% of all fintech deals) were made at the late-stage level as investors focused on supporting more mature and established fintech companies instead of placing new bets.
Notable private funding rounds recorded in Q1 2023 include mobile payments application PhonePe’s US$643 million late stage round, consumer lending platform Abound’s US$602 million debt and equity finance, and workforce management platform Rippling’s US$500 million Series E.
Q1 2023 fintech deal number and deal value, Source: Q1 2023 Quarterly Fintech Market Update, Royal Park Partners
M&amp;A activity remains strong
In Q1 2023, mergers and acquisitions (M&amp;A) activity remained dynamic, totaling US$13.3 billion through 198 deals. North America secured the largest share in total deal value (83%) but Europe closed the most rounds (43%).
Notable deals included the US$8 billion buy-out of spend management company Coupa by Thoma Bravo – a deal that accounted for 63% of the total M&amp;A value of the quarter –; the acquisition of Duck Creek Technologies by Vista Equity Partners for US$2.6 billion; and MAX’s acquisition by CLAL Insurance &amp; Finance for US$687 million.
Q1 2023 fintech mergers and acquisitions deal number and deal value, Source: Q1 2023 Quarterly Fintech Market Update, Royal Park Partners
Looking at other startup exit types, the report notes that six fintech companies went public by merging with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). These companies included REAL Messenger, a proptech social networking platform from the US, Roadzen, an insurtech company from India, Cheche Technology, a Chinese auto insurtech, and DigiAsia Bios, an Indonesian business-to-business (B2B) fintech-as-a-service (FaaS) company.
Three other companies chose the route of an initial public offering (IPO): New POS Technology, a Chinese payment company; Worldpay, a UK-based payment processing company; and Adenasoft, a South Korean software developer service financial services companies.

Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-market-rebounds-as-public-markets-recover-private-investments-increase</link><guid>3185</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech Market Rebounds as Public Markets Recover, Private Investments Increase</dc:text></item><item><title>Riskwolf Project Selected by Innosuisse Swiss Accelerator Program</title><description><![CDATA[Riskwolf, a Swiss Insurtech startup, has been awarded an Innovation project grant with the Swiss Accelerator program supported by Innosuisse. The program is aimed at helping promising startups scale their businesses and make them attractive for advanced stage investors.
Riskwolf plans to use the funds to enhance its cloud coverage product, cloudINSURE, which will offer parametric protection for enterprises in case of cloud downtime. The platform will be fully automated, allowing for an immediate claim payout once the claim trigger is hit.
The need for cloud downtime insurance is becoming increasingly important as nearly every business will run their IT in the cloud by 2030. Failures at third-party cloud, co-location, and hosting providers are now the second most commonly cited reason for IT service failure. For instance, the cost of downtime is estimated to be up to $5 million per hour for high-risk businesses in industries such as banking and finance, healthcare, and manufacturing.




   



    
   


   








Existing solutions in most of Cyber insurance offerings only tackle part of the issues – on-premise issues and outages caused by cyber attacks. All other cloud outage related losses are excluded or not fully protected.
Riskwolf wants to facilitate the protection of cloud assets by extending the current Cyber insurance offering with an additional critical element – Cloud downtime insurance.
The Swiss Accelerator Program supported by Innosuisse will help Riskwolf enhance its offering with a distinct B2B enterprise parametric service to insurers. This service is based on three core capabilities: real-time processes and dynamic risk modeling fit for next-generation insurance solutions, proprietary mixture of public data, own measurements and experts knowledge, and unique combination of knowledge for digital risks and actuarial science.
The timing for Riskwolf’s innovation is right as businesses move to the cloud, and new digital players (fintech, online commerce) only support digital channels requiring 24-hour connectivity. In mature economies, downtime protection will eventually be mandated due to competition, regulation, and consumer rights.
There is also an unmet demand for cyber protection, and insurance rates are rising, leaving businesses and individuals with a protection gap when their cloud provider is out.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/riskwolf-project-selected-by-innosuisse-swiss-accelerator-program</link><guid>3184</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Riskwolf Project Selected by Innosuisse Swiss Accelerator Program</dc:text></item><item><title>ADB, Switzerland Sign US$5 Million Co-Financing Deal to Support Vietnamese Fintechs</title><description><![CDATA[The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Switzerland signed a co-financing agreement of up to US$5 million for Vietnamese fintechs focused on addressing financial inclusion in the country, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
This funding, along with a US$2 million contribution from the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific, financed by the Government of Japan, will support a technical assistance that aims to expand inclusive and climate finance in the country.
This will help the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) to strengthen the regulatory framework for digital finance, build the capacity of government and other industry stakeholders, and assist financial institutions to develop digital banking.




   



    
   


   








Additionally, this will also will help advance women’s financing access, including through the provision of training opportunities on fintech and green banking best practices to SBV staff.
They are targeting 25% female participation, as well as consulting services to women-led SMEs on preparing green loan applications.
Winfried Wicklein
“Financial institutions rely heavily on collateral-based credit decisions. This disadvantages SMEs, which typically have little or no collateral. Banks also often centralize their credit processes, making it relatively more expensive to process smaller loans. This technical assistance can help find solutions such as alternative credit scoring and introducing digital lending.”
said Winfried Wicklein, Director General for Southeast Asia at ADB.
Dominique Paravicini
By enhancing the regulatory environment for innovative fintech solutions and building capacities of market players in digital finance, Switzerland supports Vietnam in fostering the digital transformation of its financial sector. Ultimately, this will help SMEs in Vietnam to better access finance and expand their businesses.”
said Dominique Paravicini, Head of Economic Cooperation and Development at the Swiss State Secretariat of Economic Affairs (SECO) and Switzerland’s Governor to ADB.

This article first appeared on fintechnews.sg
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/adb-switzerland-sign-us5-million-co-financing-deal-to-support-vietnamese-fintechs</link><guid>3181</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>ADB, Switzerland Sign US$5 Million Co-Financing Deal to Support Vietnamese Fintechs</dc:text></item><item><title>Die digitale Firmengründung erreicht endlich auch die Schweiz</title><description><![CDATA[In der Schweiz werden jährlich zwischen 40’000 und 50’000 Firmen gegründet. Die dafür notwendigen Unterzeichnungen, welche in der Regel noch analog erfolgen, machen eine Gründung aufwändig und langwierig.
Der Gründungsplattform Hoop ist es in Zusammenarbeit mit DeepCloud und Yapeal gelungen, den Gründungsprozess vollständig digital auszugestalten und damit Unternehmen rasch und unkompliziert zu gründen. Davon profitieren Firmengründerinnen und Firmengründer in der ganzen Schweiz.
Am 6. April 2023 um 9.30 Uhr startete Pascal Huber, Geschäftsführer der Ostschweizer Treuhandfirma Breitenmoser-Edelmann Treuhand AG, die digitale Sitzung zur Gründung des Startups SpeedGo AG. Auf der digitalen Gründungsplattform Hoop bereitete er die entsprechenden Dokumente vor.




   



    
   


   








Sämtliche Gründungsunterlagen wurden von den Gründern von SpeedGo digital an ihren unterschiedlichen Arbeitsplätzen unterzeichnet. Um 10.00 Uhr war das Geld auf dem Kapitalgründungskonto des Fintech Yapeal einbezahlt. Bereits um 10.15 Uhr waren sämtliche Dokumente digital von allen Parteien unterzeichnet und dem Notar zur Gründung digital übermittelt worden. Drei Stunden später startete der Notar die Überprüfung der Dokumente und unterschrieb diese anschliessend selbst digital. Um 14.00 Uhr wurden alle zur Gründung von SpeedGo erforderlichen Dokumente wiederum digital dem Handelsregisteramt übermittelt.
Der gesamte Gründungsprozess, der in der Schweiz üblicherweise mehrere Wochen bis Monate in Anspruch nimmt, konnte in einer Rekordzeit von rund sechs Stunden erledigt werden.
Sechs Arbeitstage nach der ersten Sitzung war die Firma SpeedGo beim Handelsregister Zürich aufgeschaltet. Nach der Eröffnung eines Geschäftskontos bei Yapeal ist das Unternehmen nun voll handlungsfähig und kann Rechnungen empfangen und versenden.
“Ich war selber überrascht, wie bequem, einfach und schnell das Ganze über die Bühne gegangen ist”,
kommentiert Pascal Huber sichtlich erfreut die Premiere.
Silvio Enzler
Silvio Enzler, COO von Hoop fügt hinzu:
“Wir haben eine neue Ära bei Firmengründungen eingeleitet, welche durch Digitalisierung, Geschwindigkeit und Einfachheit geprägt ist”.

Auch Yapeal ist stolz darauf, Teil der ersten durchgehend digitalen Firmengründung der Schweiz zu sein.
Thomas Hilgendorff
“Unsere Realtime-Services ermöglichten die sofortige Eröffnung des Kapitaleinzahlungskontos”,
so Thomas Hilgendorff, CEO von Yapeal.
Das Handelsregisteramt des Kantons Zürich spricht von der in Zusammenarbeit mit Schmidhäusler Rechtsanwälte AG realisierten Gründung und Eintragung der SpeedGo AG, welche von A-Z digital erfolgte von
«einem Meilenstein auf dem Weg zur vollständig digitalisierten Dokumenten-einreichung bei einer Firmengründung».
Die Hoop Plattform steht aktuell als Beta-Version 20 Treuhändern zur Verfügung. Im Juni dieses Jahres soll sie allen interessierten Unternehmerinnen und Unternehmern zur Verfügung stehen.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/die-digitale-firmengrundung-erreicht-endlich-auch-die-schweiz</link><guid>3182</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Die digitale Firmengründung erreicht endlich auch die Schweiz</dc:text></item><item><title>New Research Claims ChatGPT is Able to Predict Stock Price Movements</title><description><![CDATA[ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot developed by OpenAI, is capable of accurately predicting stock price movements, showcasing that large language models (LLMs) can be powerful tools for forecasting stock prices, researchers at the University of Florida said in a new paper.
These conclusions were drawn from a study that sought to determine whether or not ChatGPT could be used to predict market movements. For the study, the researchers looked at over 50,000 headlines from a data vendor about public stocks on the New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq and a small-cap exchange. They then fed the headlines into ChatGPT for analysis and classification. A sentiment score was then generated and compared with the corresponding stock market returns.
An analysis of these results showed a strong correlation between the ChatGPT evaluation and the subsequent daily returns of the stocks in the sample, revealing that the AI chatbot was able to correctly predict stock market movements based on sentiment analytics.




   



    
   


   








The researchers, whom also compared the performance of ChatGPT with traditional sentiment analysis methods provided by a data vendor, found that the ChatGPT model actually outperformed existing methods.
This superiority, the researchers said, can be attributed to the chatbot’s advanced language understanding capabilities, which allow it to capture the nuances and subtleties within news headlines. This enables the model to generate more reliable sentiment scores, leading to better predictions of daily stock market returns, they said.
According to the researchers, these findings suggest that ChatGPT and LLMs in general could enhance investment decision-making by yielding more accurate predictions, improving the performance of quantitative trading strategies, and providing a better understanding of market dynamics.
Since its released in November 2022, ChatGPT has sent social media, schools and the business world abuzz for its ability to engage in human-like conversations, its versatility and its intelligence.
Just this week, an experiment conducted by financial comparison site Finder.com revealed that ChatGPT is able to pick stocks better than leading UK funds.

A basket of 38 stocks selected by the AI chatbot outperformed the top ten most popular funds in the country, gaining 4.9% between March 06 and April 28 against an average loss of 0.8% for the funds.
Major funds and banks have leveraged AI to support their investment decisions for years, but ChatGPT has now put the technology in the hands of the general public.
Finder.com conducted a survey of 2,000 UK adults in April 2023 and found that only a mere percentage of the respondents (8%) had used ChatGPT for financial advice. That number, however, is expected to grow in the future, since 19% of the consumer polled said they would consider using the AI chatbot for financial advice.
AI is currently being applied in various aspects of stock trading. One way the technology is being used is through the analysis of large amounts of data, including news articles, financial reports, social media posts, and market trends, to identify patterns and correlations.
Another application of AI in stock trading is through the use of predictive models that forecast future market trends based on historical data, helping traders anticipate changes in stock prices and adjust their trading strategies accordingly.
Asset management firm BlackRock, for example, uses AI algorithms to analyze market trends and make better investment decisions; hedge fund Bridgewater Associates is known for its extensive use of AI algorithms in its trading strategies; and JPMorgan Chase has developed an AI-powered trading platform called LOXM that uses machine learning (ML) algorithms to execute trades more efficiently.
According to Goldman Sachs, generative AI systems that are capable of producing content like ChatGPT could drive a 7% (or almost US$7 trillion) increase in global gross domestic product and lift productivity growth by 1.5 percentage points over a 10-year period.
At the same time, advances in AI are expected to have a significant impact on the labor market, exposing the equivalent of 300 million full-time workers across big economies to automation.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-research-claims-chatgpt-is-able-to-predict-stock-price-movements</link><guid>3183</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>New Research Claims ChatGPT is Able to Predict Stock Price Movements</dc:text></item><item><title>Microsoft and Stripe Partner to Launch Microsoft Team Payments</title><description><![CDATA[Stripe announced a new partnership with Microsoft that enables North American businesses to accept payments directly in Microsoft Teams.
The Microsoft Teams collaboration platform offers video conferencing, voice, messaging, and other embedded tools to more than 300 million global businesses. Stripe will power Teams Payments, allowing meeting hosts to accept real-time card payments during virtual appointments, classes, events, and more. Businesses can now set advance payment through Stripe as a requirement to join a Teams session.
Brenna Robinson
“We’re thrilled to partner with Stripe to help unlock new revenue streams for companies on Teams Payments,”
said Brenna Robinson, general manager, SMB, at Microsoft.




   



    
   


   








“Our collaboration with Stripe allows us to better serve our customers, deepen the impact of Teams, and boost revenue growth.”
In this Teams session, participants are prompted to make a live payment in the chat.
Enabling faster online payments on Microsoft Teams
93 percent of businesses have to deal with late payments from customers, which impede cash flow and damage balance sheets. Businesses on Teams Payments and Stripe can accept payments from customers before, during, or after a virtual session, then access the funds in seconds.
Microsoft is using Stripe Connect to streamline payment acceptance and identity verification for transactions in Teams. When merchants sign up for Teams Payments, Stripe handles the onboarding requirements to help them get paid. An online yoga instructor, for example, can now request payments from students within a Teams chat. Microsoft will use Connect to programmatically route funds from customers to merchants after a payment has been made.
Mike Clayville
“Our partnership brings Stripe into one of the world’s most popular collaboration platforms and will help millions of companies accelerate their online revenue growth,”
said Mike Clayville, chief revenue officer at Stripe.
“With Stripe, more businesses can now accept payments as easily as launching a video conference, chat, or virtual presentation within Microsoft Teams.”
Teams Payments is available in preview in the Teams App store and to customers with a Microsoft 365 or Teams subscription in the US and Canada.

This article first appeared on fintechnews.am

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/microsoft-and-stripe-partner-to-launch-microsoft-team-payments</link><guid>3179</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Microsoft and Stripe Partner to Launch Microsoft Team Payments</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech on the Rise in Kazakhstan Driven by Digital Payments and Super-Apps Adoption</title><description><![CDATA[In Kazakhstan, the fintech industry is growing at a fast pace, driven by rapid adoption of digital payments, ecosystem services and super-apps, among other digital financial services, a new report by Fintech Consult, MOST Ventures and RISE says. Moving forward, supportive initiatives from the government and infrastructure enhancement efforts are expected to further drive innovation and adoption in the sector.
These are among the key insights drawn from the Fintech in Kazakhstan report, an industry report released on April 14, 2023 that looks at the state of the domestic fintech ecosystem and which points out to booming usage of fintech services and a swift toward digital payments.
According to the report, digital transactions are growing rapidly. Since 2017, the volume of cashless transactions have doubled each year, soaring from a mere US$5 billion in 2017 to US$158 billion in 2022, data from the National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK) show.




   



    
   


   








Volume of cashless transactions, 2017-2022, US$ billions, Source: Fintech in Kazakhstan, Fintech Consult, MOST Ventures and RISE, April 2023
At the same time, merchants are deploying point-of-sale (POS) terminals at a steady pace to adjust to changing consumer behavior. In 2017, only 108k POS devices were in operation in Kazakhstan, a number that rose to 831k in 2023. The figures suggest a 70%+ annual growth rate in the number of POS terminals deployed in the country.
Number of point-of-sale (POS) devices in Kazakhstan, Source: Fintech in Kazakhstan, Fintech Consult, MOST Ventures and RISE, April 2023
Several trends are driving this growth, the report says, including booming e-commerce activity and new infrastructure solutions launched by the central bank.
In June 2022, the NBK launched its Instant Payment System into operation, allowing consumers to make instant interbank transfers 24/7 using only a mobile phone number and a QR code. The effort is part of a broader ambition to revamp the entire payment system and develop a strong technological infrastructure for digital financial services.
The rise of super-apps
Another trend outlined in the report is the rise of fintech ecosystems and super-apps. These platforms, which combine various financial and non-banking services including online payments, mobile banking, e-commerce and lifestyle, are gaining momentum in Kazakhstan and are witnessing booming adoption from consumers.
Kaspi.kz, a pioneer in the field since 2014, has seen its customer base grow to 12.6 million monthly active users, a number that represents about 65% of Kazakhstan’s total population.
The company provides an integrated consumer-focused ecosystem offering loans, deposits and money transfers services, as well as e-commerce, location services, a reward program and a messaging feature.
Kaspi.kz’s digital ecosystem, Source: Fintech in Kazakhstan, Fintech Consult, MOST Ventures and RISE, April 2023
Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Almaty, Kaspi.kz is reportedly preparing for a US listing that may come this year, the company told Axios earlier this month.
To keep up with the trend, banking incumbents are actively developing and deploying their own fintech ecosystems and super-apps.
For example, Halyk Bank, the largest financial group in Kazakhstan, has built a digital ecosystem accessible through a mobile app that offers standard banking products such as payment services, transfers and cards, as well as lifestyle services including cinema, weather, commerce and travel.
8 million retail customers are reportedly using Halyk Bank’s Homebank online banking system and 273,000 corporate and small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) customers are using its Onlinebank portal, the bank said in its 2021 annual financial report.
Halyk Bank’s digital ecosystem, Source: Fintech in Kazakhstan, Fintech Consult, MOST Ventures and RISE, April 2023
Besides digital payments and super-apps, the report notes that wealthtech and digital trading platforms have recorded sustained growth these past years, on the back of legislative changes and technological advancements.
Mobile investment apps are now playing a critical role in democratizing stock trading by improving accessibility through lower fees, lower capital requirements as well as intuitive and seamless digital user experiences, the report says. This is evidenced by the growth of the number of retail investor accounts in Kazakhstan, which grew nearly fivefold from just 119k in 2019 to 581k in 2022.
Buy now, pay later (BNPL) is another fintech trend that’s been picking up in Kazakhstan, the report says. The trend was spearheaded by Kaspi.kz before other players started entering the market and began offering similar services.
Conducive government initiatives
Governmental efforts to encourage innovation and digital reforms have played a critical role in the growth of fintech in Kazakhstan, the report says. New infrastructural projects are currently in the works and should further propel the domestic fintech sector.
In February, the NBK outlined in a paper its vision for the future of financial services, laying out its ambition to develop “a sustainable digital financial ecosystem.”
To achieve these goals, the central bank said it is implementing a number of infrastructure solutions intended to enhance financial stability, offer a level playing field for all industry participants and develop healthy competition.
These infrastructure solutions include the so-called National Payment System, digital biometric identification, a platform for the secure exchange of data based on open programming interfaces (open APIs) and a solution for know-your-customer (KYC) procedures.
The NBK is also working on a retail central bank digital currency (CBDC), the Digital Tenge, which will be piloted with consumers and merchants this year, the report says.
The CBDC will use an open source distributed ledger and will be issued in token form. The system will support payment options including NFC, QR code payments, biometrics, and offline payments, it says.
According to the report, Kazakhstan is currently home to more than 150 fintech companies, with payments, transfers and mobile wallets being the largest vertical. The segment accounts for 20% of all fintech companies in the country, and is followed by financial software/back- and middle-office solutions, with a 18% market share, e-commerce and e-marketplace, at 15%, and savings and investments, at 11%.
Between 2018-2022, fintech accounted for 12% of all venture capital deals in Kazakhstan, making it the second largest sector in the country by deal account after the marketplace and e-commerce sector.
Fintech companies in Kazakhstan (none exhaustive list), Source: Fintech in Kazakhstan, Fintech Consult, MOST Ventures and RISE, April 2023

Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-on-the-rise-in-kazakhstan-driven-by-digital-payments-and-super-apps-adoption</link><guid>3180</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech on the Rise in Kazakhstan Driven by Digital Payments and Super-Apps Adoption</dc:text></item><item><title>European Fintech Sector Poised for Fivefold Growth by 2030</title><description><![CDATA[Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and QED Investors have released a report projecting a sixfold increase in financial technology revenues from US$245 billion to US$1.5 trillion by 2030.
The fintech sector, which currently holds a two percent share of the US$12.5 trillion global financial services revenue, is estimated to grow to seven percent.
Despite a tough 2022, with fintechs losing more than half of their market value on average, the report suggests that this was merely a short-term correction in an otherwise positive long-term trajectory.




   



    
   


   








The Asia-Pacific region is expected to become the world’s top fintech market by 2030, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27 percent. This growth will be driven primarily by emerging economies such as China, India, and Indonesia, which have the largest fintechs, underbanked populations, many small and medium-sized enterprises, and a rising tech-savvy youth and middle class.

The United Kingdom and European Union together constitute the world’s third-largest financial intermediary market, with significant fintech expansion predicted by 2030. This growth is estimated to be over five times that of 2021, primarily driven by the payments sector.
Traditional banks currently dominate this market, which features a relatively low fintech penetration rate of 1 percent within financial services revenues. However, regulators in the region are progressive, as evidenced by their support for open banking, open finance, and passporting.

The regional fintech sector is anticipated to achieve a 21 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) leading up to 2030, fueled by the ongoing expansion of payment-plus (value-added services ecosystems built on traditional payment infrastructures), embedded finance, and B2B players. Moreover, the adoption of open banking is likely to encourage the development of innovative products and services, further boosting the sector’s growth.
Meanwhile, North America will remain a critical fintech market and innovation hub, projected to grow fourfold to US$520 billion in 2030, with the US accounting for a projected 32 percent of global fintech revenue growth.
The US is projected to account for 32 percent of global fintech revenue growth (CAGR of 17 percent) by 2030. With the country’s larger interchange pool, fintechs can cater to the underbanked low-end market.
However, the report predicts that it will be the B2B2X and B2B markets that will lead the next era of fintech, with the B2B2X market expected to grow at a 25 percent CAGR to reach US$440 billion in annual revenues by 2030, supported by growth in embedded finance and financial infrastructure.

The B2B fintech market is expected to grow at 32 percent CAGR to reach US$285 billion in annual revenue by providing solutions to credit-starved and poorly served small businesses.
The report highlights the importance of proactive regulatory actions, including measures such as facilitating faster pathways for obtaining banking and payment institution licenses, supporting digital public infrastructure, and creating an open banking ecosystem, to create a level playing field. The report also stresses the significance of incumbents partnering with fintechs to speed up digital transformation.
For those interested in reading the full report, please click here for the link.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/european-fintech-sector-poised-for-fivefold-growth-by-2030</link><guid>3178</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>European Fintech Sector Poised for Fivefold Growth by 2030</dc:text></item><item><title>Deutsche Börse With 3.9 Billion Euro All-Cash Takeover Offer for SimCorp</title><description><![CDATA[Deutsche Börse has announced a binding agreement with SimCorp  in which it will make an all-cash voluntary public takeover offer to acquire all shares of Denmark’s SimCorp A/S, valuing the firm at €3.9 billion.
The offer price represents a premium of 38.9% and 45.3% to the closing share price and 3-month volume-weighted average price as of 26 April 2023, respectively. The transaction is expected to be completed in Q3 2023, subject to regulatory approvals and customary conditions.
The acquisition of SimCorp A/S, a provider of investment management software and related technology services, will complement Deutsche Börse AG’s existing data and analytics businesses, paving the way for a comprehensive front-to-back Investment Management Solutions segment.




   



    
   


   








The combined entity will expand Deutsche Börse total addressable market with expertise across data, index, and analytics, and build upon the previous collaboration initiated in 2021 with Qontigo, a Deutsche Börse AG subsidiary.
Additionally, SimCorp A/S will continue to operate as an independent front-to-back investment management solutions provider, operating as an open platform under its established brand name. Deutsche Börse AG will also maintain SimCorp’s global operational presence, along with the the SimCorp Group headquarters and registered office in Denmark.
SimCorp’s Board of Directors has confirmed its unanimous recommendation for shareholders to accept the offer. Members of SimCorp A/S’s Executive Management Board and Board of Directors have also committed to accept the offer, subject to customary conditions.
At the same time, Deutsche Börse plans to accelerate the development of its Data &amp; Analytics segment, intending to combine Qontigo and ISS with General Atlantic as the sole minority shareholder of the combined Qontigo entity. This will create a combined ESG, data, index, and analytics provider, exploring value-creating capital market options, including a potential IPO in the medium term.
The synergies from the cooperation and partnerships within the group are expected to generate around €90 million in annual EBITDA synergies within three years of completing the offer, with a one-off cost of €100 million. These synergies include €55 million in cost synergies and €35 million in revenue synergies.
Theodor Weimer
“Through our existing partnership we have come to know and appreciate the management of SimCorp A/S and the strategic transformation they have initiated, backed by a highly competent team of skilled employees,”
said Theodor Weimer, CEO of Deutsche Börse AG.
“In addition to the SimCorp A/S transaction, we have decided to merge ISS and Qontigo. Both transactions will bring long-term growth, sizeable and tangible synergies, and a significant increase of our recurring revenues. We would be delighted to welcome SimCorp A/S, which has been a trusted business partner for many years, to Deutsche Börse Group and to embark on this exciting journey together.”
Peter Schütze
“The Board of Directors finds that the offer from Deutsche Börse AG represents attractive value for the shareholders of SimCorp A/S as the company accelerates its transformation to a full-scale SaaS and BPaaS provider to deliver sustained long-term profitable growth,”
stated Peter Schütze, Chair of the Board of Directors of SimCorp A/S.
“Deutsche Börse AG is well-positioned to contribute to the realisation of the long-term potential of SimCorp A/S, and the offer is a clear testament to the strong position and prospects of SimCorp A/S in a global investment industry undergoing fundamental changes and seeing rising demand for integrated technology platforms.”






Deutsche Börse will finance the acquisition with cash and debt, having entered into a fully underwritten bridge facility with Morgan Stanley.







Featured image credit: Theodor Weimer, CEO of Deutsche Börse AG and Peter Schütze, Chair of the Board of Directors of SimCorp A/S
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/deutsche-borse-with-39-billion-euro-all-cash-takeover-offer-for-simcorp</link><guid>3177</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Deutsche Börse With 3.9 Billion Euro All-Cash Takeover Offer for SimCorp</dc:text></item><item><title>24 Fintech Events to Attend in the USA and Canada in Q2 2023</title><description><![CDATA[North America, and the USA in particular, has historically been the dominant force in fintech innovation, adoption and investment globally. The region is home to some of the world’s biggest and most successful fintech companies, and has continuously attracted the most funding for companies in the sector.
As fintech continues to witness increased innovation and growth in North America, we’ve decided to curate a list of the top fintech events and conferences taking place in the USA and Canada in the second quarter of the year.
These large-scale events are set to bring together large crowds of experts and industry stakeholders to meet, build business connections and discuss some of the sector’s biggest challenges and opportunities, the latest developments and emerging trends.




   



    
   


   








American Banker: Payments Forum
May 01-03, 2023
Manchester Grand Hyatt, San Diego, California, USA


American Banker’s Payments Forum, taking place from May 01 to 03, 2023, aims to provide a platform for experts and leaders to convene and connect to share ideas about innovation, digital transformation, the evolution of consumer behavior, and more.
This year’s event will feature six tracks that address the most critical topics facing the industry, namely customer experience, cards, buy now pay later (BNPL), fraud and security, cryptocurrency, and the future of rewards, striving to offer the most comprehensive and forward-thinking conference catering to the entire payments ecosystem.
At the Payments Forum, participants will get to connect with card and payments professionals from top US banks, attend dedicated networking sessions, meet industry experts, and more. Topics covered will include regulation and compliance, cannabis payments, real-time payments, macroeconomic outlook, and card payments.
2023 Payments Canada Summit
May 03-05, 2023
Beanfield Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada


The Payments Canada Summit is returning to in-person for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic from May 03 to 05, 2023.
The best thinkers, visionaries and disruptors from the payment ecosystem will gather at the Beanfield Centre in Toronto to discuss, debate and define the future of payments in Canada and abroad.
This year’s conference is expected to attract 1,800 industry leaders, innovators and challengers from companies spanning the globe. Participants can expect:

Access to all breakout sessions, panels, workshops, and exhibit hall;
Future-focused content in formats that will allow you to tap into the collective expertise of the payment ecosystem;
Opportunities to establish meaningful connections, face-to-face;
An interactive zone to foster new relationships and reconnect with old friends; and
Dedicated social events to connect top payment innovators over refreshments.

Register now.
Fintech Americas’ Miami 2023!
May 4-5, 2023
Fontainebleau Hotel, Miami, Florida, USA


The Age of Digital Transformation is ending, to be followed by the Age of Infinite Adaptation, a period that will be the coming together of prescient technologies and more human competencies to produce higher performance and greater purpose in the LATAM financial sector.
Miami 2023! is a must attend event for any executive that seeks to realize the power of the Age to come. The two-day is set to bring together about 1,000 banking and financial services leaders from across Latin America to discuss some of the industry’s most pressing issues and biggest opportunities.
2023 NJBDA Symposium
May 09, 2023
Seton Hall University, New Jersey, USA


On May 09, 2023, Seton Hall University will host the 10th annual New Jersey Big Data Alliance (NJBDA) Symposium, the state’s premier conference for big data and advanced computing.
The event theme this year, “Big Data in Fintech,” will focus on the opportunities in new development in the financial industry created by big data and fintech.
It will feature high-profile keynote speakers, including George Calhoun, professor, founding director of the Quantitative Finance Program and executive director of the Hanlon Financial Systems Center at Stevens Institute of Technology; Kjersten Moody, chief data officer at Prudential Financial; and Stephen Ward, Cybersecurity expert and managing director at Insight Partners.
Additional sessions will cover a variety of interesting topics ranging from artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) applications, and workforce skills, to regulatory issues and cybersecurity.
Attendees will be able to explore education and training of a big data workforce with a focus on big data in fintech, gain insights on cutting-edge research at New Jersey’s premier academic institutions, participate in relevant and valuable workshops, and network with industry, government, academic leaders, and New Jersey Big Data Alliance (NJBDA) members.
The NJBDA is an alliance of 18 higher education institutions, as well as industry and government members, that catalyzes collaboration in advanced computing and data analytics research, education and technology.
Experience FinXTech
May 09-10, 2023
JW Marriott Tampa Water Street, Florida, USA


The ideal bank-fintech relationship is highly complementary, incredibly powerful and results in lucrative benefits for both sides. To help develop these strategic connections, Bank Director hosts each year the Experience FinXTech event.
This year’s edition will take place on May 09 and 10, and will provide banks and fintech companies with the opportunity to connect with like-minded industry leaders, explore cutting-edge fintech solutions, and learn how to navigate the nuances of the partnership process.
The two-day event will examine the implications of technology on the business of banking, and explore how banks and fintech companies can thrive through the cultivation of new business relationships, collaboration and strategic investments.
Conference highlights in 2023 will include:

Interactive technology sessions;
Growth and strategy-focused presentations;
Group discussions; and
Networking opportunities.

Fintech Nexus USA
May 10-11, 2023
Javits Center, New York City, New York, USA


Fintech Nexus USA, one of the largest fintech events taking place in New York City, will be returning this year on May 10 and 11, at the Javits Center.
This year’s event will explore the complexities of the rapidly changing world through insightful sessions focused on the most important trends in banking, fintech, and cryptocurrency and decentralized finance (DeFi). The event is expected to bring together 5,000+ banks, fintech companies and investors to imagine the future of financial services.
Topics covered will include digital banking, credit and underwriting best practices for uncertain times, financial health and inclusion and the golden age of payments innovation.
Register here.
The US Fintech Symposium
May 16-18, 2023
The Rosen Centre Hotel, Orlando, Florida, USA


The US Fintech Symposium is an annual fintech conference that brings decision-makers together to discover the latest fintech trends while fostering productive networking events.
The 2023 edition will take place as a two and a half day, in-person conference, focusing on the latest fintech developments, strategies and best practices.
Attendees will be able to participate in eight formal networking sessions, schedule meetings with product and service providers, network digitally through our event app and more. They will get to hear presentations and panel discussions from fintech industry experts pertaining to the latest fintech developments including embedded finance, neobanking, blockchain, robotic process automation (RPA), AI, ML, open banking, blockchain, and more. ​
2023 Bankers Summit
May 17, 2023
MaRS Discovery District, Toronto, Ontario, Canada


As banks continue to grow their digital footprint, fintech partnerships and innovations have spring up to better service small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and consumers.
The 2018 amendments to the Bank Act removed barriers that restricted certain types of partnership between banks and fintechs. It removed the lengthy approval processes and restrictions on the type of investments banks can make in the sector.
The Bankers Summit, taking place on May 17, 2023, will focus on the business of partnership and explore how the sector can further break down incumbent barriers to better service Canadians. More than 500 bankers and fintech companies are expected to attend the event.
Blockchain Expo North America 2023
May 17-18, 2023
Santa Clara Convention Centre, California, USA


Blockchain Expo is a global series of blockchain conferences and exhibitions that aims to bring together people across key industries to experience world-class content from leading brands embracing and developing cutting edge blockchain technologies.
Presented in a series of top-level keynotes, interactive panel discussions and solution-based case studies with a focus on learning and building partnerships in the emerging blockchain space, Blockchain Expo explores the industries that are set to be disrupted the most by this new technology, including financial services, healthcare, insurance, energy, music, government, real estate and more.
This year’s North American edition will take place in California on May 17 and 18, and will seek to explore the latest innovations, implementations and strategies within blockchain technology. Participants will get to discover what leading blockchain companies are offering, learn more about the industry’s current state, and explore this innovative technology and its impact on a range of industries.
Register your interest now.
FinovateSpring 2023
May 23-25, 2023
Marriott Marquis San Francisco, California, USA


FinovateSpring will be returning to San Francisco from May 23 to 25, 2023 to provide fintech professionals with the opportunity to reconnect face-to-face with their industry peers and plot a course for the future.
Finovate’s signature mix of innovative demos, engaging panelists, insightful speakers, and high-impact networking will give industry participants the perspective and connections they need to thrive in a changing landscape.
Participants will get to meet more than 1,200 senior attendees from across the fintech industry, connect directly to innovators behind the most exciting tech in finance, and meet fintech companies, platform players, financial institutions, regulators and investors redefining the future of financial services around the world.
Liminal Executive Summit
May 23-25, 2023
Napa, California, USA


The Liminal Summit is an invitation-only, executive leadership event committed to digital identity innovation and exploration.
Taking place from May 23 to 25, 2023, the summit will convene an exclusive group of founders, executives, investors, and product innovators for unscripted, closed-door dialogue, unparalleled connections, and unprecedented insights that will scale the next wave of identity solutions.
Attendees can expect to take a critical look at evolving business strategies and use cases, kick the tires on what’s working (and what’s not), and pull back the curtain on emerging technologies defining the industry.
Topics covered will include the state of identity, the wallet war, the economics of verifiable credentials, going passwordless, and the rise of integrated identity platforms.
Find out more here.
Insurance Tech and Innovation Conference
May 25-26, 2023
Embassy Suites by Hilton, Boston, Massachusetts, USA


New situations and scenarios have allowed insurance companies to break conventional barriers and start thinking differently to transform their businesses. The surge of insurtech has opened up new business models, strategies, and cutting-edge technologies to leap onto the next step in your digital transformation journey.
Creating and delivering value in insurance has drastically changed, and the global pandemic only accelerated that change. All of the leading insurance companies have started to reimagine their businesses, both internally and externally, to meet the changing needs of their customers. These days, the only way to lead the market is by accelerating technology &amp; digital transformations that can meet the needs of a world in crisis.
To keep pace with the competition, insurance companies need to transform at a rapid speed. At the Insurance Tech and Innovation Conference, on May 25 – 26, 2023, more 30 insurtech experts will share their latest strategies, insights, solutions, and innovations to drive insurance transformation journeys. Participants will get to meet decision-makers from across the entire insurance value chain, including 200+ leaders from technology, innovation, data, analytics, and more.
Join now.
Digin 2023
June 05-07, 2023
San Francisco Marriott Marquis, California, USA


At Digin 2023, on June 05-07, 2023, the most knowledgeable experts will dive deep into customer experience, insurtech partnerships, competitive pressures, regulatory changes and more. The event, featuring high-level think tanks, engaging workshops, deep-dive roundtables and more, will provide actionable insights and powerful networking opportunities.
Participants will leave with fresh strategies for differentiating their products and services from competitors to gain market share and grow revenue. They’ll also explore the latest cutting-edge solutions and technology that will help their organization improve customer experiences, drive loyalty and increase operational efficiency.
The event is expected to gather hundreds of senior leaders to discuss the most innovative solutions and the most important insights shaping the future.
Data Science Salon NYC: AI and Machine Learning in Finance and Technology
June 07, 2023
S&amp;P Global Ratings, New York City, New York, USA


Data Science Salon NYC is an annual one-day 150 person conference focused on AI and ML applications in finance and technology. The intimate event takes place at S&amp;P Global Ratings in New York City, NY, and brings local industry leaders and specialists face-to-face to educate each other on innovative solutions in AI, ML, predictive analytics and acceptance around best practices.
Participants will see a mix of use-cases, technical talks and panel conversations, and will walk away with actionable insights from those working on the frontlines of ML in finance and technology.
Participants will get to:

Meet and connect with the most diverse community in the space;
Improve their data skills in 30+ engaging sessions, including use-cases, technical deep dives, and panel conversations;
Learn from practitioners, technical experts and executives what AI and ML mean to finance and technology;
Ask expert speakers questions in live Q&amp;A sessions;
Walk away with actionable insights from those working on the frontlines of ML in finance and technology; and
Access all sessions on-demand until two weeks after the event.

All sessions will be livestreamed, where another 1K+ attendees are expected to tune in virtually.
Invest 2023
June 12-13, 2023
Hilton Midtown, New York City, New York, USA


Financial Planning’s Invest, taking place on June 12 and 13, 2023, will help decision-makers at wealth management firms understand how new technology can improve advisor efficiency and effectiveness. Advisors will also learn how to better utilize technology to improve client interactions, investment strategies and other practice and client management skills. All Invest attendees will leave with a clearer sense of how they can help their businesses grow.
Featuring engaging demos, interactive panels and insightful keynotes, Invest is thoughtfully curated for critical conversations and powerful connections, and will aim to bridge the gap between wealthtech and investment services.
American Banker: Digital Banking
June 12-14, 2023
The Boca Raton, Florida, USA


American Banker’s Digital Banking, taking place from June 12 to 14, 2023, will bring together the most knowledgeable experts to dive deep into regulation, customer experience, fintech partnerships, the digital workforce, and more. The event will seek to empower participants with the insights to navigate the complex, competitive road ahead.
Featuring engaging demos, interactive panels and insightful keynotes, Digital Banking is thoughtfully curated for strategic conversations and powerful connections. The event will allow the banking community to connect and collaborate to address the industry’s most pressing issues. Participants will get to engage in focused discussions with the industry’s top minds and walk away with the tools to thrive in a new era of financial services.
Topics covered will include:

Banking crisis/failures;
New rules and regulations;
Bank fintech partnerships;
Online lending; and
Financial inclusion.

Transform Payments USA 2023 (Fintechnws.am Recommendation)
June 13-14, 2023
Austin Marriott South, Austin, Texas, USA


Reuters Events: Transform Payments USA 2023, taking place on June 13 and 14, 2023, in Austin, Texas, will unite 150+ senior executives from across the banking, payments, and regulatory ecosystems to discuss the future direction of the industry.
From the implications of instant payments maturity, and finding harmony between regulation and innovation; to elevating the treasury experience through next-generation technologies and preparing for a new age of cyber security and fraud, the event will bring together a forum of global financial institutions and their network of partners to reimagine how the world pays.
Key agenda themes will include:

Instant payments connectivity;
US payments regulation;
Strategic partnerships and investment; and
Transforming the customer journey.

Register here.
Fintech and Insurtech Generations
June 14-15, 2023
Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA


Fintech and Insurtech Generations is one of the premier financial and insurance technology events in the US. Each year, the conference gathers the industries’ top thought leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs from around the world to discuss pressing topics and facilitate strategic networking among 1,000+ attendees.
Based out of Charlotte, Generations 2023 will be returning as an in-person event on June 14 and 15, focused on reuniting the fintech industry. At this year’s conference, attendees will participate in real conversations around real issues, hear from the industry’s leading experts on the issues that matter most, and enjoy engaging formats.
This year’s event will be themed around the topic of “Community” and will focus on building meaningful business connections.
Open Banking Expo Canada 2023
June 15, 2023
Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada


Open banking in Canada is underway, with a Made in Canada framework starting to take shape. Following the delivery of the Final Report of the Advisory Committee, practitioners are beginning to build the initial tranche of products and services, and the working groups continue to provide insight and guidance around critical questions of privacy, security, accreditation, and liability.
However, open questions remain: how far can we progress after a slow start to implementation? Do we expect to be further hamstrung by roadblocks in regulations? Will the banks embrace a truly open environment? Is there any real money to be made this year? Which model of governance will work for Canadian financial services? And have we all even agreed on what true open banking will look like going forwards?
At the Open Banking Expo Canada 2023 event, industry experts will unpick these crucial questions and discuss some of the sector’s biggest challenges.
Participants can expect:

500+ attendees, 60+ speakers, 20+ exhibitors and 20+ hours of critical content;
An expo floor with many partners showcasing their open banking innovation;
Hear from Finance Canada, RBC, CIBC, BMO, EQ Bank, ATB Financial, Large Credit Union Coalition, and more;
Choose from high-octane sessions across two stages delivered by 60+ innovators, disruptors and visionaries from banks, credit unions, and fintech companies; and
Networking sessions with industry peers across the open banking ecosystem.

FTT Embedded Finance &amp; Super-Apps North America East Coast
June 20, 2023
New York, USA


The FTT Embedded Finance &amp; Super-Apps North America East Coast, on June 20, 2023, will be convening an exciting and disruptive community of retailers, manufacturers, insurers, telcos, financial institutions, fintech companies and tech innovators to explore the rise of embedded finance and super-apps.
Future Identity Finance
June 20, 2023
New York, USA


Future Identity Finance, in co-location with FTT Embedded Finance &amp; Super-Apps, will explore how digital identity can reduce fraud, enhance compliance and build customer trust in an evolving financial services landscape, and how consumer-facing businesses in retail, gaming, mobility, entertainment, travel, healthcare and other key sectors, are approaching digital identity.
The event is expected to bring together more than 600 attendees from leading financial institutions, credit unions, technology enablers and regulators across North America.
Register now.
Payment Leaders’ Summit USA
June 20-21, 2023
Capital Hilton, Washington, DC, USA


Following the success of payexpo’s UK Payments Leaders’ Summits and the launch of the European Summit, payexpo has announced the further expansion of the series.
The Payments Leaders’ Summit will gather selected senior payment leaders, decision-makers and budget holders from across North America for this exclusive and invite-only event, featuring one-to-one meetings, networking and interactive discussions, and seminars.
The event will give participants the opportunity to network with senior peers in a relaxed, private environment, as well as hear and learn from the most influential members of the payments community.
This year’s USA edition, taking place on June 20 and 21, will cover themes including:

Legislative and regulation updates;
Instant/faster payments;
Customer payment journey;
Future of payment trends; and
Digital currencies, central banking digital currencies (CBDCs) and blockchain.

Register your interest now.
Fintech Connect North America
June 27, 2023
Convene Quorum, New York, USA


After launching online two years ago, Fintech Connect North America is back live and in-person, in New York.
Fintech Connect 2023, on June 27, 2023, at the Convene Quorum, New York, will connect participants to all parts of the fintech ecosystem by bringing everyone under one roof to discuss digital transformation, payments, regtech and blockchain technology.
The event, which is expected to bring together more than 400 fintech leaders, will be addressing some of the industry’s biggest challenges and opportunities, including:

The metaverse, Web 3.0 and DeFi: how are they changing the face of the financial ecosystem and how are they tangibly being implemented?
ChatGPT: Is this the start of a new era?
The challenges and successes of leveraging AI;
Building a robust and resilient cybersecurity strategy; and
The next frontier for payments: what does the landscape look like for 2023 and beyond?

Register now.
The Future of Insurance USA 2023
June 27-28, 2023
Marriott Marquis Chicago, Illinois, USA


Insurance is at a critical inflection point. Inflation is causing a profitability crunch, customers are demanding digital perfection, and a scarcity of talent leaves the industry in crisis mode. Headwinds of change are ripping through an inherently risk-averse industry – but inaction is a strategic risk in itself. Never has it been more critical to invest in the future.
The most successful players will:

Challenge the outdated perception of insurance by creating innovative products that meet the needs of underserved markets;
Thrive in the changing industry ecosystem with effective partnerships, a flexible business strategy and a culture of innovation; and
Combine the power of next generation technologies with diverse talent to create frictionless customer experiences.

At the Future of Insurance USA 2023 event, participants will get to hear from those changing the game of insurance, including the CEOs, Presidents of North America’s largest insurance companies, insurtech founders and senior thought-leaders pioneering change in the industry and representing the driving force of insurance revolution, and explore some of the industry’s challenges and opportunities.
Register now.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/24-fintech-events-to-attend-in-the-usa-and-canada-in-q2-2023</link><guid>3176</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>24 Fintech Events to Attend in the USA and Canada in Q2 2023</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Awards 2023: Top 10 Fintech Startups Revealed</title><description><![CDATA[A jury of 20 experts from the Swiss fintech space reviewed 80 Swiss fintech startup applications and picked the five most promising companies in the categories “Early Stage Fintech Startup of the Year” and “Growth Stage Fintech Startup of the Year”.
The ten nominated companies can be clustered along hot topics such as AI, green fintech or crypto assets and also general financial services for businesses like accounting and sme banking.





   



    
   


   








The Top 5 Swiss Early Stage Fintechs are:


Aisot Technologies turn data into actionable insights for asset and wealth managers through AI.


Numarics offer a complete solution for accounting also powered by AI technology.


Pelt8 is addressing sustainability reporting and is making this process easy and auditable.


Relio is a neo bank specialized on business accounts.


Sustainaccount aim at improving climate risk resilience by combining and crunching millions of data points.

The Top 5 Swiss Fintech Growth Stage Startups are:


Altoo is a wealth platform for family offices and others who are managing complex wealth.


Divizend automates the process of reclaiming foreign withholding taxes for investors and other dividend receivers.


NetGuardians offers a ready-to-use solution to countering fraud and financial crime.


Taurus is a unified platform providing the technology to offer and manage digital assets.


The Swiss FinTech Awards are made possible through the collaboration and support of the fintech and finance ecosystem including banks, investors, accelerators, media, academia, associations and more.
The winners of the awards 2023 will be announced at the Swiss FinTech Awards Night taking place on June 13 with invited guests after the fintech conference by Finanz und Wirtschaft Forum “FinTech 2023” which is open to the public.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-awards-2023-top-10-fintech-startups-revealed</link><guid>3174</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Awards 2023: Top 10 Fintech Startups Revealed</dc:text></item><item><title>Highlights of the European ETF Industry in 2022: White Label Platform Competiton Heats up</title><description><![CDATA[2022 was a remarkable year for investors around the globe. Some may call it a year for the history books. Major economic and geopolitical headwinds resulted in falling equity and fixed-income markets around the globe.
In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, investors were concerned about the still-disrupted delivery chains and increasing inflation rates when the year started. All these concerns became overshadowed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine because this meant that investors had to rewrite their playbook for the year.
The war in Ukraine led to increasing prices for energy and food, which fueled already-increasing inflation rates. As a result, central banks around the globe had to act even more harshly to fight inflation. They sharply increased interest rates in some cases, which led to losses in nearly all bond segments and also fueled the downturn in equity markets.
Within this environment, it was somewhat surprising that the European ETF industry enjoyed inflows over the course of 2022. That said, these inflows repeated a trend which we have witnessed over the course of other rough market periods. The European ETF industry enjoyed estimated inflows over the course of the financial crisis (2008), the euro crisis (2011), and the rough market environment in 2018. From my point of view, this means that European investors prefer ETFs in times of market turmoil, as they seem to value the transparency and tradability (liquidity) of these products.
From an industry perspective, it was surprising that AXA Investment Managers re-entered the European ETF landscape in September 2022 after a 13-year absence. That said, AXA might be preparing for a general change in the European fund distribution landscape, since the firm launched active ETFs. For example, AXA may expect that European regulators may allow semi- or non-transparent ETFs sooner rather than later and want to be prepared to launch ETFs based on its current product offerings of active funds.
White Label Platform Competiton Heats up
The competition in the space of white label platforms heated up over the summer of 2022, as Goldman Sachs and Waystone launched offerings in Europe. From my point of view, this shows that the European ETF industry has further matured and that there is demand from boutique and/or small asset managers to launch ETFs because the usage of the infrastructure of a white label platform makes a lot of sense—especially for these two types of asset managers.
In November 2022, we saw UniCredit close it last two ETFs and leave the European ETF industry. Even as some market observers might have seen this as a consolidation, the number of asset managers offering ETFs either directly or via a white label platform to European investors has increased over the course of the year.
One of the main events for the European ETF industry was the introduction of the regulatory technical standards (RTS) for the sustainable finance disclosure regulation (SFDR) in the EU. As the published standards were much higher than expected by the overall fund industry and market observers, a high number of mutual funds and ETFs got “downgraded” with regard to their respective classification by article under the SFDR. There were so many reclassifications from article 9 to article 8 in the European ETF market that some market observers raised the question of whether there would be any article 9 ETFs left on January 1, 2023.
The European ETF industry has written a true success story since its inception in the year 2000, but the future looks even brighter. I expect that the European ETF industry will continue to grow on an above average rate compared to the overall fund industry in Europe. The future growth will be driven by numerous factors from a wider adoption of ETFs by all kind of investors to product innovations and everything in between. With all these factors in mind, I forecast that assets under management will double to more than €2.5 tr before the end of 2030.
Assets Under Management in the European ETF Industry, January 1, 2000 – December 31, 2022, Souce: Refinitiv Lipper
ETF Yearbook
Other topics covered within the ETF Yearbook are:

An analysis of the assets under management and fund flows on various levels of the European ETF industry.
What happened in the segment of ESG-related ETFs over the course of 2022?
Who are the leading custodians for the European ETF industry?
Have ETFs using synthetic replication methodologies gained market share?
Are factor investing ETFs back in the favor of investors?
A review of ETF launches and closures.
Which trends were visible related to total expense ratios (TERs)?
Are ESG-related ETFs too expensive?

This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute any investment advice.
The views expressed are the views of the author, not necessarily those of Refinitiv Lipper or LSEG.


]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/highlights-of-the-european-etf-industry-in-2022-white-label-platform-competiton-heats-up</link><guid>3175</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Refinitiv_ETF-AUM-in-Europe-1-1024x717.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Highlights of the European ETF Industry in 2022: White Label Platform Competiton Heats up</dc:text></item><item><title>Digital Banking Ranking: Swiss Banks Have Dropped Out of the Top 20</title><description><![CDATA[Where do you look for international digital banking champions?
You are unlikely to find them in Switzerland. With regard to digital banking services, the Swiss banking sector fell further behind banks in the rest of the world in 2022 and now risks being unable to close the gap to its international competitors.
These are the findings of the recent Deloitte study ‘Digital Banking Maturity 2022’, which assessed over 300 banks in 41 countries. In the international rankings, the ten Swiss representatives only achieved 21st place. This is even lower than two years ago, when they came 18th. Compared with other banks internationally, Swiss banks are too slow, lack innovation, and focus too little on what their customers want.




   



    
   


   








According to the study ‘Digital Banking Maturity 2022’ by the audit and consulting company Deloitte, the digitalisation of the banking sector is advancing rapidly across the globe. However, Swiss banks are not keeping up with the pace: in 2020 they were still ranked 18th, but two years later they have slipped a further three places. It therefore comes as no surprise that only a single Swiss bank is a digital champion, meaning it is among the top 30 out of 304 banks assessed worldwide.

For the study, mystery shoppers opened real accounts at all of the banks assessed, testing more than 1,200 functionalities offered through their digital channels – via websites, e-banking and smart phone apps.
Cyrill Kiefer
‘This new decline is a concerning development for the Swiss banking sector,’
says Cyrill Kiefer, Banking Consulting Leader at Deloitte.
‘In other countries that were assessed, it is standard practice for a comprehensive range of digital services to be offered online – especially via mobile phones and other devices.’
These range from quick and easy account opening, instantly visible bank transfers and credit card management, all the way through to securities trading and investment services.
‘Banks that don’t meet the digital expectations of their customers risk losing them in the medium term. They should make far more use of these key channels to retain existing customers and attract new, tech-savvy ones.’
Banks are too slow
The study shows that, for various reasons, the Swiss banks assessed have been far slower than their international competitors at keeping up with the rapid pace of digitalisation. Although banks in Switzerland have improved their digital maturity on average, they are moving far more slowly than digital champions. In addition, digital champions provide a greater range of services, such as car finance and mortgages, across all of their digital channels, and they also launch them more quickly.
Moreover, very few Swiss banks offer a way to open a bank account quickly and easily and start using it immediately while, of course, complying with all of the applicable legal requirements. Most do not have fully digital end-to-end processes. Customers, however, expect to have real-time access to their account balance to see transactions and other account information. Compared with digital champions, Swiss banks also lack functionalities in their online channels.

Weaknesses in digital sales
Digital channels are a good way of marketing products such as debit and credit cards to existing customers. Yet only 41 per cent of Swiss banks offer their customers the facility to order a credit card digitally – for digital champions, this figure is almost twice as high. And only 18 per cent of Swiss banks allow their customers to fully complete a loan application via digital means, whereas 68 per cent of digital champions offer this option.
The functionalities offered by digital champions go far beyond traditional banking. They offer online facilities like booking hotels, flights and access to airport lounges, as well as possibilities to buy cinema, theatre, concert and car parking tickets. Some even enable customers to register a company digitally. By contrast, Swiss banks have almost completely neglected these developments – unlike other providers such as insurers, which already provide numerous services beyond their core business.
Swiss banks are falling behind





Featured image credit: edited from freepik here and here
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digital-banking-ranking-swiss-banks-have-dropped-out-of-the-top-20</link><guid>3173</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Digital Banking Ranking: Swiss Banks Have Dropped Out of the Top 20</dc:text></item><item><title>GCash FutureCast Introduces 10 New Innovations That Bring The Future Of Fintech To All Filipinos</title><description><![CDATA[GCash is the Philippines’ #1 Finance Super App with over 79 million users who enjoy fast, safe, and convenient transactions online. Based on Data.ai, a reputable 3rd party platform, GCash is the #1 Finance Super App in the country with the most downloads, the highest Monthly Active Users, and even the highest Daily Active Users, as GCash is now part of their daily routines.
First launched as an SMS platform in 2005 and later as a super app in 2012, GCash was the first to introduce the QR payment system in the country. It supported the digital migration of Filipinos during the pandemic, and now that the world has reopened, it expands its services to suit the changing needs of Filipinos in a global digital financial landscape.
At this year’s #GCashFutureCast event, GCash ushered in the future of Fintech through 10 ground-breaking innovations for every Filipino.
Sharing in the celebration for GCash’s 10 new groundbreaking innovations: GCash Head of Growth Marketing Fe Olivia Mir, GCash Chief Marketing Officer Neil Trinidad, GCash Chief Technology &amp; Operations Officer Pebbles Sy, GCash Endorser – Joshua Garcia, GCash Chief Executive Officer Martha Sazon and GCash Head of New Business Winsley Bangit
Tools for financial freedom
GCash has made wealth management products like savings, insurance, and investments easy and accessible. Now it introduces products to help people grow their wealth and to help them protect it.
GStocks PH is AB Capital Securities, Inc.’s (ABCSI) online retail securities trading services made accessible through the GCash app. Its user-friendly and simplified trading interface was designed through a collaboration with the Philippine Stock Exchange. Through GStocks PH, users can now trade stocks of over 280 local companies. GStocks PH will be available to more users soon.GCrypto allows users to discover and explore the world of Crypto and NFTs. Users get access to curated NFT collections, like The House of OhLala by Filipino contemporary artist, Reen Barrera, on the GCrypto NFT Hub. Buying and selling Crypto is also made easier with an exchange powered by PDAX, the Philippines’ leading homegrown cryptocurrency exchange.
GInsure Online Shopping Protect insurance offers users 60 days of coverage up to P20,000 for all their online purchases for just P34. The insurance covers scenarios when orders are not delivered, are accidentally damaged, are not as described, or are stolen. The insurance product, powered by Chubb, is embedded in the user’s online GCash payment journey across 1,500 online shops and platforms.
GCash goes global
Traveling Filipinos can now go cashless globally using GCash’s newest services. For overseas Filipinos, they can now use GCash to send money and support to their family back home.
GCash Global Pay allows Filipino travelers to do cross-border QR payments at Alipay+ merchants in Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, Qatar, Germany, Italy, France and the United Kingdom. This eliminates the hassle of paying with cash, or withdrawing money at ATMs where you can incur high service fees. It offers real-time Forex charging, with no service fees.
GCash Card gives travelers the advantage of real time Forex charging at low exchange rates and no service fees. With this, users can access their funds in a single tap at over 100 million shops across 200 countries and territories around the world through VISA’s expansive network. This enables travelers to enjoy hassle-free shopping and dining experiences wherever they may be. The new GCash card will be available later this year.
GCash Overseas allows overseas Filipinos in Japan, Australia, Italy and the USA to download GCash using international SIM cards. Now they can send money, buy load, and pay bills for their loved ones back home. They can enjoy the convenience of sending money for free with GCash to GCash transactions, saving them the cost of remittance fees. GCash also announced that it is now available in the UK and Canada. GCash Overseas is currently on Beta and is limited to a number of users, but will expand to more users soon.
Borrowing made easier
GGives supports Filipinos with the ability to buy now, pay later with zero credit cards, zero additional documents, zero down payment, and now with zero interest at select merchants. GCash users are now free from the barriers normally associated with installment plans, for both in-store or online purchases.
Borrow Load will allow eligible users to borrow their favorite load promos today at zero cash out, giving them access to their preferred entertainment – even if they’re short on budget. They can now afford to access data-heavy apps with load promos valid for up to 7 days. Borrow Load will be rolling out to more users soon.
Improved security and user experience
GCash has taken steps to make transactions safer and more seamless through two new features:
GChat is a new, user-friendly messenger feature that makes it easier to chat and transact with contacts, share receipts instantly, and trace transaction histories. The feature makes it easier to search for conversations with friends, merchants or customers, while the Gigi and Advisories features allow users to get help anytime in real-time. GChat will be rolling out to users in the next few months.
DoubleSafe is the latest GCash security feature that prevents fraudsters from taking over accounts. It provides an additional layer of security on top of the 2-Factor Authentication and mobile pin (MPIN). DoubleSafe will be activated for every first login to a new mobile phone, and will use facial recognition to secure an account should the user inadvertently share their MPIN and OTP to fraudsters
Martha Sazon
At the FutureCast event, GCash CEO Martha Sazon said,
“GCash has empowered and enabled every Filipino to remain hopeful and pursue progress. As the Philippines’ #1 Finance Super App and the first finance app to be a household name in the country, GCash is positioned to be everyone’s enabler to be future-ready. With the 10 new innovations at GCash, our hopes for a better tomorrow begins today.”
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/gcash-futurecast-introduces-10-new-innovations-that-bring-the-future-of-fintech-to-all-filipinos</link><guid>3172</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Gcash-groundbreaking.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>GCash FutureCast Introduces 10 New Innovations That Bring The Future Of Fintech To All Filipinos</dc:text></item><item><title>Galaxy and DWS Enter Alliance to Develop Exchange Traded Products on Digital Assets</title><description><![CDATA[Galaxy Digital Holdings, an USA based financial services and investment manager in the digital assets, and DWS, one of the world’s leading asset managers, have entered into a strategic alliance with the aim of initially developing a comprehensive suite exchange-traded products (ETPs) on certain digital assets in Europe. The strategic allies plan to also subsequently explore other digital asset solutions.
As the digital asset market continues to mature, Galaxy’s asset management unit and DWS will work together to provide European investors access to the USD ~1 trillion digital assets market through cost-effective investment solutions that are easy to access via traditional brokerage accounts. This alliance is expected to significantly enhance Galaxy’s international distribution capabilities by deepening access to European investors who are keen to participate in the digital assets market. For DWS, this alliance fulfills a key priority to develop comprehensive digital solutions, unlocking investor access to the ever-growing blockchain and digital assets universe. DWS will be Galaxy’s exclusive ally for cryptocurrencies ETPs in the European market.
Steve Kurz
“Galaxy’s mission is to empower investors across the globe with simple and secure access to the digital asset ecosystem, through best-in-class education and institutional-grade products,”
said Steve Kurz, Global Head of Asset Management at Galaxy.




   



    
   


   








“By allying with DWS, one of the most successful and innovative asset management firms in the world, we are excited to enhance our ability to deliver comprehensive solutions to European investors, empowering them to tap into the vast potential and promise of blockchain technology and digital assets in a safe and convenient manner.”
Fiona Bassett
“This alliance brings together two firms with unparalleled collective experience in building and pioneering innovative investment solutions across both traditional and digital asset markets,”
said Fiona Bassett, Global Head of Systematic Investment Solutions at DWS.
“As we see increasing client interest in digital assets and the need for secure access, our shared education-first approach and commitment to providing clients with access via well-known and trusted investment vehicles will enable us to build thoughtfully constructed and thoroughly researched products. We look forward to working with Galaxy to further accelerate international adoption of the digital asset economy.”
The alliance is expected to combine DWS’s strong portfolio management, product structuring, and distribution expertise across liquid and illiquid asset classes with Galaxy’s technical infrastructure and its asset management and research capabilities for digital assets. The alliance aims to be a catalyst for both firms to jointly profit from emerging digital asset opportunities.
Bringing together the benefits of a diversified platform and deep asset-class expertise across traditional and digital asset markets, Galaxy’s asset management unit develops and manages a broad range of passive, active, and venture strategies consisting of over USD 2 billion in assets under management. Galaxy’s asset management arm works with investors around the world, including through trusted, established regional partners such as DWS in Europe and others in Canada and Latin America.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/galaxy-and-dws-enter-alliance-to-develop-exchange-traded-products-on-digital-assets</link><guid>3171</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Galaxy and DWS Enter Alliance to Develop Exchange Traded Products on Digital Assets</dc:text></item><item><title>In Latin America, Fintech is Driving Banking Innovation and Improving Financial Inclusion</title><description><![CDATA[The rise of fintech in Latin America (LatAm) over the past decade has shaken up the region’s financial landscape, driving innovation in the banking sector, boosting competition and helping increase inclusion, a new paper by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) says.
In a Fintech Note released on March 29, IMF analysts look the state of fintech in LatAm, exploring how the development of the industry has impacted the region’s financial landscape and sharing the trends that are arising in the sector.
According to the paper, LatAm’s fintech industry has experienced strong growth over the past years, owing to favorable demographic factors, including the region’s large population of unbanked and underbanked, as well as digitalization efforts from governments to modernize payment infrastructures. This has led to considerable improvements, efficiency gains and increased accessibility for consumers and businesses alike.




   



    
   


   








Financial transactions that took days now can be completed instantaneously on Mexico’s Cobro Digital (CoDi), Costa Rica’s SINPE Móvil or Brazil’s Pix payment systems, the report notes, while bank services such as account opening and loan applications that were previously available only at a bank’s brick-and-mortar branches can now be done online at digital banks.
By simplifying access to financial services, fintech companies are helping increase inclusion. Today, about three-quarters of LatAm digital banks’ customers are unbanked and underbanked consumers and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and two-thirds of their loans go to these demographics, the report says.

Fintech companies are also boosting competition in the banking sector both directly and indirectly. A direct impact comes from competition between incumbents and fintech companies themselves, especially those operating in the lending sector. This has led several smaller banks to respond by decreasing their prices and interest margins, a trend that’s visible since the 2000s, the report says. Indirectly, fintech startups are providing incentives and opportunities for incumbents to invest in new fintech innovations and tap efficiency gains and offer improved customer experiences.
Digital payments and neobanking lead LatAm fintech industry
According to the paper, LatAm’s fintech industry is currently led by digital payments providers and neobanks. These two segments are the largest ones in the region, serving 300 million and 30 million users, respectively, across LatAm and the Caribbean (LAC).
Number of fintech users in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) by segment, 2021 (in millions), Source: The Rise and Impact of Fintech in Latin America, International Monetary Fund, March 2023
Digital payments, which grew from US$89 billion in 2017 to US$215 billion in 2021, are mostly used for e-commerce and mobile point-of-sale (mPOS), with more than 10% of e-commerce spending being now made using digital wallets, the report says.
Cross-border digital remittances is another vertical that’s picking up fast, growing almost threefold in the Caribbean and Central America and twofold in South America, it says.
Digital payment transaction value by segment (in US$ billion) in Latin America and the Caribbean, Source: The Rise and Impact of Fintech in Latin America, International Monetary Fund, March 2023
Digital banking is another prominent fintech segment in LatAm. The sector has grown from just ten neobanks in 2017 to now 60 players, with Mexico and Brazil leading the space by being home to 55 digital banks and serving most of the region’s neobanking customers.
In 2021, transaction volume of fully online digital banks in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru (LA6) reached US$123 billion, the report says, growing more than sixfold from US$17 billion in 2017.
Digital bank transaction value in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru (LA6) (in US$ billions), Source: The Rise and Impact of Fintech in Latin America, International Monetary Fund, March 2023
Alternative finance and insurtech on the rise
Though still relatively small compared with digital payments and neobanking, alternative finance and insurtech are two fintech verticals that are blossoming and which are creating important innovations, the report says.
Alternative finance platforms are providing new solutions to limited access to finance, allowing customers to bypass intermediaries and directly borrow from and lend to a company or a person.
Between 2017 and 2020, the volume of alternative finance in LAC expanded ninefold from US$700 million to about US$6 billion. During the period, the number of providers more than quadrupled to reach 502 in 2020, with lending platforms accounting for most of this growth. Brazil is the clear leader in alternative finance, accounting for two-thirds of volume, followed by Chile and Mexico.
Value and Transactions in Alternative Finance in Latin America and the Caribbean, Source: The Rise and Impact of Fintech in Latin America, International Monetary Fund, March 2023
LatAm’s insurtech sector, meanwhile, remains small and nascent, with just 127 companies in 2021. About half of these companies’ clients are SMEs and low-income consumers. Insurtech companies also provide technological solutions to 23% of all traditional insurance companies.
LatAm insurtech business models and markets served, 2021 (%), Source: The Rise and Impact of Fintech in Latin America, International Monetary Fund, March 2023
According to the report, LatAm’s insurtech industry has a strong potential for expansion, owing to low insurance penetration in the region. Rates vary from 1% of gross domestic product (GDP) in Venezuela to about 4% in Chile, the report says, compared with 9.4% in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries.
As of April 2023, about 1,000 fintech companies were active in LatAm, according to a new report by Flagship Advisory Partners. 65% of these companies are based in either Brazil or Mexico.
Brazil is home to the six most well-funded fintech companies in the region, namely Nubank, C6 Bank, Inter and Neon, four neobanks, as well as XP Investments, an investment management company, and Creditas, a consumer lending startup.
Nubank went public in December 2021 and became LatAm’s most valuable listed bank at US$41.5 billion.
LatAm fintech landscape, 2023, Source: Flagship Advisory Partners, April 2023

This article first appeared on fintechnews.am

Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/in-latin-america-fintech-is-driving-banking-innovation-and-improving-financial-inclusion</link><guid>3170</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>In Latin America, Fintech is Driving Banking Innovation and Improving Financial Inclusion</dc:text></item><item><title>User Authentication Enters New Era, Enabled by Biometrics, Blockchain, AI</title><description><![CDATA[Technological advancements, including biometrics, blockchain, encryption and artificial intelligence (AI), are fueling the advent of more efficient and secure authentication mechanisms.
New methods and trends including passworldless authentication are already seeing significant traction from customers, which perceive them as not only more convenient than traditional authentication methods but also more reliable, a study by Entrust, an authentication specialist, found.
The Future of Identity Report, released in March, shares findings of a global survey of 1,450 consumers across 12 countries, aiming to shed light on the identity market and identify emerging trends.




   



    
   


   








While passwords have traditionally been the most popular means of primary authentication, results from the study show that they have outrun their course.
With more digital services available than ever, consumers are having a hard time recalling an ever-growing inventory of password credentials, with 51% of respondents stating that they reset a password at least once a month because they can’t remember it, and 15% responded doing so at least once a week.
Against this backdrop, passwordless authentication solutions, especially those utilizing user biometrics, are gaining traction, with more than half of respondents stating that they view biometric solutions as more secure. 53% of consumers named fingerprint scans are the most secure authentication method, followed by facial recognition technology (47%). Only 6% said passwords are the most secure method.
Authentication methods consumers believe are more secure than passwords, Source: The Future of Identity Report, Entrust, 2023
Passwordless authentication is a security process which typically relies on security tokens, personal identification numbers and an individual’s unique biological characteristics such as fingerprint recognition, iris recognition, face recognition or voice analysis to verify a user’s identity.
In 2021, the passwordless authentication market was valued at US$12.8 billion. The market is projected to reach US$40.2 billion by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.2% from 2022 to 2031.
Driving this growth will be the growing advancement in technologies such as the Internet-of-Things (IoT) and AI, the rising awareness of the application of passwordless authentication in the banking sector and the increase in penetration of consumer electronic devices, a research study has said.
Results of the survey also reveal a preference for these new authentication methods. When given the choice between biometrics or a password, 74% of respondents will choose biometrics half the time or more. A third will always choose biometrics when available.
Another key finding of the study is the exploding popularity of digital identity, which consumers perceive as more convenient and secure than physical-only identity documents. Seven out of 10 of the survey respondents said they would likely use an electronic form of government-issued identification (eID) if one were available, with proponents citing improved convenience (50%) and security (49%) as the most important reasons why they would use eID.
Top 4 reasons respondents would use an eID, Source: The Future of Identity Report, Entrust, 2023
The digital identity solution market, which encompasses next-generation identity governance and administration solutions that use cutting-edge technologies such as machine learning (ML), biometrics, blockchain and AI to determine more accurately and seamlessly whether a person is who they claim to be, is a booming industry that’s been propelled by increased investment in digital transformation, the development of biometrics integration in smartphones, and new government regulations.
Globally, the digital identity solution market is projected to grow from nearly US$28 billion in 2022 to almost US$71 billion in 2027, a research has found.
Findings from the study also reveal that the majority of consumers understand that their control over personal information is diminishing. 74% of respondents agreed that sharing personal information in exchange for access to goods, services, and applications has become unavoidable and that they have no choice but to allow access. In fact, 55% of consumers believe they do not own their information at all.
Survey results also show that consumers are divided when it comes to how comfortable they are with organizations owning and storing a digital identity for them, even if that means accessing improved user experience. 54% said yes and that they would be comfortable, but 46% of consumers said no and that they should be the only one who owns their online digital identity.
Against this backdrop, the report argues that decentralized identity solutions have the potential to solve this issue. These solutions leverage technologies such as blockchain and other distributed ledger technologies (DLTs) to allow entities to create and control their own digital identity, all the white enabling superior user experiences. Examples of decentralized identity solutions include Microsoft Entra Verified ID, PingOne by Ping Identity, and IBM Digital Credentials.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/user-authentication-enters-new-era-enabled-by-biometrics-blockchain-ai</link><guid>3169</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>User Authentication Enters New Era, Enabled by Biometrics, Blockchain, AI</dc:text></item><item><title>Keyrock and Tenity Launches Accelerator for Web3.0, Fintech Startups in Belgium</title><description><![CDATA[Belgian crypto startup Keyrock announced that it has partnered with global fintech incubator Tenity to launch an acceleration programme for Web3.0 and fintech startups.
The 4-month programme is set to begin in early September 2023 in Belgium and will conclude with a Demo Day event in December 2023 where startups will compete for up to €100,000 investments from Keyrock.
Keyrock and Tenity will identify and admit Web3.0 and fintech startups with a focus on core technology areas such as financial infrastructure, decentralised finance, asset tokenisation and data tooling.




   



    
   


   








During the programme, startups will benefit from masterclasses facilitated by industry experts with personal coaching and mentorship in tech prototyping, scaling, finance, sales, and marketing.
Additionally, Keyrock and Tentity will also open up their network of global partners to help startups build relevant connections beyond their respective industries.
Applications for the Keyrock Accelerator Programme are now open here. Keyrock will cover travel and accommodation expenses for those participating.
Kevin de Patoul
“For the last 5 years, we have worked closely with partners at all stages of their development to increase the utility brought by digital assets to end users. The next logical step is to support them at the very beginning, to ensure the best players have all the support they need to maximize their chances of success.

We are very excited to partner with Tenity and keen to put Brussels at the center of digital assets innovation, at a time when the EU is positioning itself as a leader with the MiCA framework,”
said Kevin de Patoul, CEO and Co-founder of Keyrock.
Marc Hauser
“I am incredibly excited about this partnership between Keyrock and Tenity, particularly as Keyrock was a part of the Tenity program in 2020.

This collaboration is a testament to our shared commitment to nurturing the next generation of innovators, and I am confident that together, we will make a lasting impact on the web3 and fintech landscape.”
said Marc Hauser, Head of Tenity Switzerland.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/keyrock-and-tenity-launches-accelerator-for-web30-fintech-startups-in-belgium</link><guid>3168</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Keyrock and Tenity Launches Accelerator for Web3.0, Fintech Startups in Belgium</dc:text></item><item><title>Crypto-Assets: Green Light to New Rules for Tracing Transfers in the EU</title><description><![CDATA[On Thursday, MEPs approved with 529 votes in favour to 29 against and 14 abstentions, the first piece of EU legislation for tracing transfers of crypto-assets like bitcoins and electronic money tokens. The text –provisionally agreed by Parliament and Council negotiators in June 2022- aims to ensure that crypto transfers, as is the case with any other financial operation, can always be traced and suspicious transactions blocked. The so-called “travel rule”, already used in traditional finance, will in future cover transfers of crypto assets. Information on the source of the asset and its beneficiary will have to “travel” with the transaction and be stored on both sides of the transfer.
The law would also cover transactions above €1000 from so-called self-hosted wallets (a crypto-asset wallet address of a private user) when they interact with hosted wallets managed by crypto-assets service providers. The rules do not apply to person-to-person transfers conducted without a provider or among providers acting on their own behalf.
Uniform EU market rules for crypto-assets
Plenary also gave its final green light with 517 votes in favour to 38 against and 18 abstentions, to new common rules on the supervision, consumer protection and environmental safeguards of crypto-assets, including crypto-currencies (MiCA). The draft law agreed informally with the Council in June 2022 includes safeguards against market manipulation and financial crime.




   



    
   


   








MiCA will cover crypto-assets that are not regulated by existing financial services legislation. Key provisions for those issuing and trading crypto-assets (including asset-reference tokens and e-money tokens) cover transparency, disclosure, authorisation and supervision of transactions. Consumers would be better informed about the risks, costs and charges linked to their operations. In addition, the new legal framework will support market integrity and financial stability by regulating public offers of crypto-assets.
Finally, the agreed text includes measures against market manipulation and to prevent money laundering, terrorist financing and other criminal activities. To counter money-laundering risks the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) should set up a public register for non-compliant crypto assets service providers that operate in the European Union without authorisation.
To reduce the high carbon footprint of crypto-currencies, significant service providers will have to disclose their energy consumption.
Quotes by rapporteurs
Stefan BERGER
Stefan Berger (EPP, DE), lead MEP for the MiCA regulation, said:

“This puts the EU at the forefront of the token economy with 10 000 different crypto assets. Consumers will be protected against deception and fraud, and the sector that was damaged by the FTX collapse can regain trust. Consumers will have all the information they need and all underlying risks around crypto-assets will have to be monitored. We secured that the environmental impact disclosure will be taken into account by investors in crypto assets. This regulation brings a competitive advantage for the EU. The European crypto-asset industry has regulatory clarity that does not exist in countries like the US.”

Ernest URTASUN
Ernest Urtasun (Greens/EFA, ES), co-rapporteur for the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee on crypto-asset transfers said:

“Currently illicit flows in crypto-assets are moved swiftly across the world, with a high chance of never being detected. The Recast of the TFR will oblige crypto-asset service providers to detect and stop criminal crypto flows and also ensure that all categories of crypto companies are subject to the full set of anti-money laundering obligations. This will close a major loophole in our AML framework and implement in the EU the most ambitious travel rule legislation in the world so far, in full compliance with international standards.”

Co-rapporteur for the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee Assita Kanko (ECR, BE) said: “Parliament and Council have found a fair compromise that will make it safer for people of good will to hold and trade crypto assets. However, it will make it more difficult for criminals, terrorists and sanctions evaders to misuse crypto assets. Any administrative burden on crypto companies and innovators will be more than offset by the fact that we are unifying the currently fragmented European market that has 27 regulatory regimes.”
Next steps
The texts will now have to be formally endorsed by Council, before publication in the EU Official Journal. They will enter into force 20 days later.
In adopting this legislation, Parliament is responding to citizens’ expectations to set safeguards and standards for the use of blockchain technology as expressed in Proposal 35(8) of the conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe.
 
Featured image credit: Edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crypto-assets-green-light-to-new-rules-for-tracing-transfers-in-the-eu</link><guid>3167</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Crypto-Assets: Green Light to New Rules for Tracing Transfers in the EU</dc:text></item><item><title>Ondato Rolls Out Its Know Your Business Solution in Poland</title><description><![CDATA[London-based regtech firm Ondato has launched an expanded Know Your Business (KYB) solution to give local and international organisations operating in Poland automated tools for fully compliant business customer onboarding.
The extended coverage provides complete data about Polish entities, including the latest sanctions lists.
This enables online banks, Electronic Money Institutions (EMIs), credit institutions, cryptocurrency marketplaces, gambling services companies, legal and audit advisors, and more to verify the legal status and compliance of customers in Poland




   



    
   


   








Unlike KYC, which addresses consumer onboarding, KYB processes analyse business customers’ data and information to prevent sanctions breaking, fraud, money laundering, and terrorist financing.
They make it harder for sanctions-listed entities and criminals to disguise illegitimately obtained funds as income by showing companies’ relationships with any other businesses or institutions.
KYB procedures include ultimate beneficial ownership (UBO) as a transparency mechanism, revealing who is directly benefiting from the business’ profits.
It is essential for KYB to comply with the European Union’s 5th AML Directive (5AMLD) that was introduced in 2020.
In addition, Poland’s parliament passed its first sanctions regime in 2022, including many entities related to the ongoing war in Ukraine and covering payment operators, notaries, auction houses, and antique dealers, among others.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration in Poland added that the list will be expanded in the future. The penalty for non-compliance is a fine of over €4 million.
Liudas Kanapienis
Liudas Kanapienis, CEO and Co-founder of Ondato said,
“Ondato has moved to ensure local and international companies have the latest data about compliance-risk entities in Poland. We have enabled the safe automation of customer onboarding processes, removing the burden of manual KYB verification.

Ondato’s automated KYB verification puts our customers in the fast-lane, where they can overtake long and difficult onboarding processes, ensure accurate and reliable verification, and focus on their core business activities.”

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ondato-rolls-out-its-know-your-business-solution-in-poland</link><guid>3165</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Ondato Rolls Out Its Know Your Business Solution in Poland</dc:text></item><item><title>Rental Deposit Meets ETF Investing: Evorest Closes Pre-seed Round</title><description><![CDATA[Newly founded Wealth/Prop-tech Startup Evorest raises seven-digit pre-seed financing from private investors to revolutionize the Swiss rental deposit market.
For the first time, tenants will be able to digitally invest their rental deposits in low-cost funds, instead of keeping their money locked up on low interest accounts.
Evorest is set-out to digitize the end-to-end rental deposit process for tenants and property managers, while reviving locked-up capital.




   



    
   


   








Tenants will be able to sign their rental deposit contract digitally and invest their locked-up capital in ETFs to earn a return that they get to keep. Those who don’t want to invest, can also open a conventional deposit account fully digitally. Evorest is working with a partner bank which manages the capital and thus guarantees the security of the deposits at all times.
Property managers will be able to open, modify and close rental deposit accounts with just a few clicks. By digitizing the entire customer journey, Evorest will make daily tasks more efficient and enable deposit openings in just 24 hours. In addition, property managers will receive an increased level of damage coverage if markets go up – while the paid-in deposit is always guaranteed.
With its launch planned for Q4 2023, the pre-seed funding will enable Evorest to implement its solution based on design prototypes and build the API interface with its Swiss-based partner bank.
Marc Schuster, Co-founder &amp; CEO | Gianluca Cottiati, Co-founder, COO &amp; CPO | Felix Graule Co-founder &amp; CTO
The team is comprised of Marc Schuster, Gianluca Cottiati and Felix Graule, who have diverse backgrounds in private equity, banking and data science. They all met during their career start at the Boston Consulting Group.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/rental-deposit-meets-etf-investing-evorest-closes-pre-seed-round</link><guid>3166</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Rental Deposit Meets ETF Investing: Evorest Closes Pre-seed Round</dc:text></item><item><title>Stanford: Fintech Maintains Position as Third Biggest AI Investment Focus Area</title><description><![CDATA[In 2022, global private investment in artificial intelligence (AI) companies reached US$91.9 billion, a 18-fold increase compared with 2013. Of that sum, fintech companies secured the third largest amount, raising a total of US$5.5 billion, a new report released by the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI) says.
The Artificial Intelligence Index Report 2023, released on April 03, sheds light on the impact and progress of AI over the past year, looking at trends in research and development (R&amp;D), technical performance, ethics, economics, policy, public opinion, and education.
According to this year’s report, fintech maintained its position as the third largest focus area for AI investment, securing 6% of global AI funding in 2022. Fintech followed medical and healthcare, the year’s top AI focus area with US$6.1 billion raised, and data management, processing and cloud with total private investment reaching US$5.9 billion.




   



    
   


   








Nearly all AI focus areas recorded a decline in private investment last year, reflective of the global venture capital (VC) downturn. Investment in both AI fintech and AI for the medical and healthcare sector declined by 46% in 2022 each. Investment in AI data management, processing and cloud, meanwhile, fell 51.6%.
Private investment in AI by focus area, 2021 versus 2022, Source: The Artificial Intelligence Index Report 2023, Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence
Globally, AI private investment declined by 26.7% in 2022 while the broader corporate investment landscape, which also includes AI mergers and acquisitions (M&amp;A), minority stakes and public offerings, pulled back by 31.3%.
Global corporate investment in AI by investment activity, 2013-2022, Source: The Artificial Intelligence Index Report 2023, Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence
Despite the downturn, AI fintech recorded some notable deals in 2022. These included the US$8 billion purchase of Avast by NortonLifeLock in the year’s third largest AI M&amp;A transaction; the US$1.48 billion minority stake event for Grupo de Inversiones Suramericana, the second biggest AI deal of this kind in 2022; and the US$820 million private investment secured by Faire Wholesale, the second largest AI private investment deal in the US last year.
AI moves to era deployment
The past year has seen AI reach a new level of maturity and shift towards deployment. New large-scale AI models are being released on a regular basis and are posting state-of-the-art results, the report says.
These models, which include chatbot ChatGPT, text-to-image models like DALL-E 2 and Stable Diffusion, and text-to-video systems like Make-A-Video, are capable of accomplishing an increasingly broad range of tasks and are demonstrating remarkable capabilities in question answering, and the generation of text, image, and code.
Generative AI, in particular, have been a hot topic in the tech sector over the past year, a trend that was fueled by the release of ChatGPT.
ChatGPT is a highly advanced AI language model developed by OpenAI that can generate human-life text responses to questions and prompts. The tool, which went viral last year, is capable of articulating answers across many domains of knowledge and can handle complex queries, debug computer programs, compose music, write poetry, and much more.
ChatGPT reached 100 million monthly active users months after its launch, making it the fastest-growing consumer application in history.
AI adoption on the rise
According to the Standard HAI report, AI usage has rapidly grown in the past half-decade. In 2022, half of the organizations surveyed by McKinsey reported having adopted AI in at least one business unit or function, up significantly from 20% in 2017.
In the financial services industry, product and/or service development was found to be the function AI capabilities were the most commonly implemented (31%), followed by service operations (24%) and strategy and corporate finance (23%).
AI adoption by industry and function, 2022, Source: The Artificial Intelligence Index Report 2023, Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence
Looking at AI capabilities, robotic process automation had the highest rate of embedding within financial services (47%). Natural-language (NL) text understanding came in second at 42%, followed by virtual agents with an adoption rate of 33%.
AI capabilities embedded in at least one function or business unit, 2022, Source: The Artificial Intelligence Index Report 2023, Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence
Organizations reported AI adoption has led to both cost decreases and revenue increases. On the cost side, the adoption of AI has most impacted supply chain management (52%), service operations (45%), risk (43%) and strategy and corporate finance (43%), the study found.
On the revenue side, the functions that most respondents saw increases in revenue as a result of AI adoption were marketing and sales (70%), product and/or service development (70%), and strategy and corporate finance (65%).
Cost decrease and revenue increase from AI adoption by function, 2021, Source: The Artificial Intelligence Index Report 2023, Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/stanford-fintech-maintains-position-as-third-biggest-ai-investment-focus-area</link><guid>3164</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/abacus-Featured-Fintech-Product-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Stanford: Fintech Maintains Position as Third Biggest AI Investment Focus Area</dc:text></item><item><title>CAT Financial Products Taps Broadridge to Transform Its Front-To-Back Office</title><description><![CDATA[CAT Financial Products (CATFP), an independent Swiss provider of securities and investment services for structured products, announced that it has partnered with Broadridge Financial Solutions.
The partnership has helped CATFP to increase its front to back office processing efficiency by implementing Broadridge’s international multi-asset post-trade processing solution.
This has enabled CATFP to come up with an innovative operational model that combines principal trading for securities, derivatives, FX and crypto markets, together with its issuance and agency brokerage service for Actively Managed Certificates (AMCs).
Stephan Giselbrecht
“We are strategically positioned to gain new momentum through the development of structured products, AMCs and exchange-traded products, all delivered through an enhanced and differentiated client service offering.

Broadridge, through its advanced technology and outstanding service provision, stood out as our natural go-to partner to enable a frictionless, unified post-trade infrastructure and best-in-class service across all asset types.”
said Stephan Giselbrecht, COO, CATFP.
Danny Green
“We are proud to be supporting CATFP, giving them the strongest technology foundation at the heart of their business and supporting their stated mission to be ‘always ahead’ through the provision of differentiated client services.

They can depend on our unwavering commitment to drive efficiency through the highest levels of straight-through processing and API-enabled services that reduce risk and provide the flexibility and capacity for future growth, while optimising cost/income ratios.”
said Danny Green, Head of International Post-Trade Solutions, Broadridge.

Featured image credit: edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/cat-financial-products-taps-broadridge-to-transform-its-front-to-back-office</link><guid>3163</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>CAT Financial Products Taps Broadridge to Transform Its Front-To-Back Office</dc:text></item><item><title>Europe’s Top 10 Neobanks Serve a Combined 64M Customers</title><description><![CDATA[Changing customer behavior, technological advancements and an evolving regulatory landscape are fueling the rise of digital banking. So-called neobanks or challenger bank are rapidly capturing the market and are now serving a combined customer base of 1 billion people.
The figure showcases the traction neobanks have received and is reflective of the demand for digital, customer-oriented banking and financial services solutions coming from consumers, a new report by banking and payment technology company BPC and strategy consultancy Fincog says.
Within this ecosystem, Europe is among the most advanced digital banking markets in the world, the report says, a development that has been facilitated by supportive regulatory reforms such as the first and second Payment Services Directives (PSD1 and PSD2), as well as licensing regimes such as for electronic money institutions (EMIs).
This conducive regulatory environment has sparked a boom in digital banking services across Europe, which soared from just 57 players in 2014 to 162 in 2022. These numbers imply that the number of digital banks in Europe rose by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14% between 2014 and 2022.
Number of Digital Banks in Europe from 2014 to 2022, Source: Digital Banking in Europe, BPC and Fincog, 2023
The growth in popularity of neobanks in Europe is also evidenced by the number of customers these companies have amassed. Data from Fincog show that, as of Q1 2023, the region’s top ten biggest neobanks served a combined 64 million customers. Some research studies estimate that user penetration currently stands at about 7–10% and is expected to hit about 14% by 2027.
Across Europe’s 160+ neobanks, Revolut has emerged into the region’s largest player by customer base, standing far ahead of the pack with a reported 25.5 million customers.
Ranking second is Wise, a foreign exchange fintech company that has expanded its product offering to include personal and business accounts, an investment product, and a savings account. Wise counts 16 million customers.
Next is N26, a German digital bank with eight million customers; Monzo, a UK-based online bank serving seven million customers; and Lydia, a French fintech startup that started out as a payment platform before expanding to accounts, cards, lending, savings and investment, and which BPC/Fincog report says counts 5.5 million customers. Lydia, however, claims seven million users on its website.
Top 10 neobanks in Europe based on number of customers in millions, Source: Digital Banking in Europe, BPC and Fincog, 2023
Trying times bring about new opportunities
In addition to providing an overview of the current state of digital banking in Europe, the BPC and Fincog report also shares key trends shaping the market and opportunities present in the region for digital banks and businesses alike.
According to the report, the current economic landscape, marked by growing cost of living, ongoing influx of migrants, and disruptions in global supply chains, is introducing several challenges that require effective solutions and innovation from entrepreneurs and businesses.
In times like these, digital banks have an opportunity to support their customers’ financial and mental well-being by providing superior user experiences and product features that improve the way they manage their finances and access financial services.
For migrants, this could be providing flexible and affordable financial solutions like a wallet scheme associated with a bank account, the report says. The solution could enable migrants to receive government subsidies and support, access financial services, and facilitate the integration process.
This wallet solution could be designed with a payment proposition, which could enable migrants to pay for goods and services, both in their host country and in their country of origin. It could also offer money transfer services, a critical offering for overseas workers who often send money back home.
Another recommendation outlined in the report is the opportunity brought about banking-as-a-service (BaaS). By tapping into BaaS, digital banks can develop and expand their portfolio of products and services in a more cost and time-effective manner, the report says. Such offerings provide them with ways to tap into new revenue streams, acquire and retain new customers and ultimately drive-up customer lifetime value at a lower cost.
Finally, the report argues that digital banks should explore new customer segments. Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), in particular, are a segment that’s been particularly hit by the economic downturn and which represents a significant business opportunity to the banking sector, the report says.
Despite being the backbone of the European economy, 20% of SMEs in the region struggle to gain access to financing, the report says, and with venture capital funding drying up this past year, the situation for many businesses has worsened.
One suggestion is to develop a hybrid channel approach that combines a complete and robust digital proposition for SME clients, including onboarding and servicing via digital channels, with human-led engagements for more complex needs and services, the report says.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/europes-top-10-neobanks-serve-a-combined-64m-customers</link><guid>3162</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Number-of-Digital-Banks-in-Europe-from-2014-to-2022-Source-Digital-Banking-in-Europe-BPC-and-Fincog-2023.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Europe’s Top 10 Neobanks Serve a Combined 64M Customers</dc:text></item><item><title>SweePay and SMART VALOR Brings Crypto to Masses at National Railways, Retailers</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss crypto exchange SMART VALOR and the financial intermediary SweePay has partnered to ensure that the purchase of cryptocurrencies at Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) ticket machines is simple, smooth and secure.
Since 2016, it has been possible to buy crypto at the 1,500 (expected number of ticket machines as of 2023) ticket machines of the SBB.
At the SBB ticket machines, users will receive their Bitcoin in a secure paper wallet when they buy the crypto. They will need to enter the desired amount (between CHF 20 and CHF 500), input their mobile phone number and confirm the TAN sent to the machine. The machine then prints out the paper wallet with the crypto amount purchased.
Additionally, SMART VALOR and SweePay have also enabled the purchase of crypto at Valora Holding’s sales outlets throughout Switzerland at the k kiosk, avec, and Press &amp; Books.
However, the process is quite different at the Valora points of sale as the customer has to buy a Start2Coin card from SweePay. This is a rechargeable card with an NFC memory chip that acts as a crypto wallet. This card costs CHF 29.90 once and can be used as long as desired. The customer presents the card, selects the amount and pays. The card is immediately topped up. If the customer wants to transfer his crypto to another address, he needs an NFC-enabled smartphone and an app from the card manufacturer Tangem.
The initiator of the project was SweePay, while the crypto exchange-technology behind the project comes from SMART VALOR, Switzerland’s only NASDAQ-listed full-service crypto exchange.
Zug’s “Crypto Valley” has developed into a real crypto hotspot in recent years, attracting more and more companies from the crypto sector.
Olga Feldmeier
Olga Feldmeier, Co-founder and Chairwoman of SMART VALOR said,
“We are very excited to be working with SweePay. This partnership fits perfectly with our B2B strategy of leveraging the enormous potential of our exchange through a wide range of distribution partners.

Every day, up to 1.25 million people travel on SBB trains and buy coffee or newspapers at Valora outlets.”
Rodolphe Texier
Rodolphe Texier, Co-founder and CEO of SweePay said,
“SMART VALOR is a competent, efficient and fast partner. They will be able to support our Swiss and European strategy.

The cooperation has worked very well from the first minute and we are convinced that we have found the right partner for our roadmap”.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sweepay-and-smart-valor-brings-crypto-to-masses-at-national-railways-retailers</link><guid>3161</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>SweePay and SMART VALOR Brings Crypto to Masses at National Railways, Retailers</dc:text></item><item><title>Apple Card’s Savings Account With High Interest Is Now Available Only for U.S. Users</title><description><![CDATA[Apple has announced that its card users in the U.S. can now set up a savings account from Goldman Sachs which offers a high-yield APY of 4.15 percent. This is more than 10 times the national average according to the FDIC.
In a press statement, Apple said that there are no fees, minimum deposits or minimum balance requirements for the savings account. Users will be able to manage their savings account directly from the Apple Card in the wallet.
Once a savings account is set up, all future Daily Cash earned by the user will be automatically deposited into the account. The Daily Cash destination can also be changed at any time, and there’s no limit on how much Daily Cash users can earn.




   



    
   


   








Users can deposit additional funds into their savings account through a linked bank account, or from their Apple Cash balance to build on their savings even further.
According to Apple, users can also withdraw funds at any time through the savings dashboard by transferring them to a linked bank account or to their Apple Cash card, with no fees.
However, Apple did mention in its fine print that the APY may change at any time as the market fluctuates and a maximum balance limit of US$250,000 will apply.
It is worth noting that the annual percentage rate (APR) for the Apple Card range from a whopping 15.74 percent to 26.74 percent as of April 1, 2023 based on the user’s creditworthiness.
Jennifer Bailey 
“Savings helps our users get even more value out of their favorite Apple Card benefit — Daily Cash — while providing them with an easy way to save money every day.

Our goal is to build tools that help users lead healthier financial lives, and building Savings into Apple Card in Wallet enables them to spend, send, and save Daily Cash directly and seamlessly — all from one place.”
said Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s Vice President of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet.

This article first appeared on Fintech News America. 


]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/apple-cards-savings-account-with-high-interest-is-now-available-only-for-us-users</link><guid>3160</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Top-Banking-Trends-in-Switzerland-2023-SIC-Instant-Payments-Beyond-banner.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Apple Card’s Savings Account With High Interest Is Now Available Only for U.S. Users</dc:text></item><item><title>Europe’s 16 Most Influential Female Fintech Marketers in 2023</title><description><![CDATA[In the fintech sector, marketers have a critical role to play, helping fintech companies build their brand, gain consumers’ trust and drive business growth.
Earlier this month, the Fintech Marketing Hub, an online community platform dedicated to the world of fintech marketing, released its third edition of the Top 30 Most Influential Fintech Marketers, recognizing the industry’s C-level marketing executives behind the sector’s success.
These professionals were selected by a jury of marketing experts representing companies like Finastra and Square based on the degree of their influence and achievements over the past year, including their total reach across different channels, engagement levels, insights relevance, community involvement, media appearance, and notable achievements like brand campaigns, projects and awards.




   



    
   


   








Of the 30 marketers that made it into this year’s list, 16 are female professionals. These women are innovative, creative female leaders who are helping shape the fintech industry.
Amélie Arras, Marketing Director, Zumo

Amélie Arras is the marketing director of Zumo, a UK cryptocurrency wallet and payment platform. She joined the company in 2020 to help drive awareness of, and accessibility to, crypto.
At Zumo, Arras is responsible for identifying and harnessing the latest industry trends and ensuring that the company’s proposition fits with customers’ needs. She leads the marketing team that delivers on the marketing strategy and plan.
Arras has a rather unique background in the fintech and financial services sectors. Many know her as the first woman to travel the world using only bitcoin, demonstrating first-hand the real-life challenges of using an emerging payment method as well as the power of communities.
Betsy Samuel, CMO, Global Processing Services

Betsy Samuel is the chief marketing officer (CMO) of Global Processing Services (GPS), a global payments processor.
Samuel is a senior executive with over 30 years cross-functional experience in global financial services and fintech organizations. An expert in consumer payments behavior and the electronic banking ecosystem, she’s been a leader in the evolution, strategy and marketing of payments networks.
Prior to GPS, Samuel held key positions at Fiserv, First Data and the STAR debit network. Before relocating to London from the US, she was chief of staff within Fiserv’s digital banking and international groups.
Christina Walls, CMO, Intelliflo

Christina Walls is the CMO of Intelliflo, a provider of financial planning solutions.
At Intelliflo, Walls leads the marketing, communication and consumer experience strategies, and oversees the branding; digital, modern and partnership marketing; event planning; media relations; and internal communications.
Walls has over 18 years of business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) experience across a variety of industries and cultures on a global scale. She’s worked in the fintech, asset management, hospitability, professional services and charity sectors, across Europe, Asia and the UK.
Courteney Way, Senior Product Marketing Manager, Tide

Courteney Way is a senior product marketing manager at Tide, a provider of small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) business accounts in the UK.
Way is an experienced marketing leader having worked at early stage startups and scaleups across both B2B and B2C for more than ten years. She is highly adept at designing and executing global marketing and communications strategies to launch new products and services to market, drive new business and customer acquisition, and establish brand leadership across multiple territories.
Way’s key focus areas include integrated marketing strategies and execution; product marketing; growth and demand generation; go-to-market strategies and execution; brand and content strategies; corporate communications and public relations (PR); and team and stakeholder management.
Gemma Young, Chief Growth Officer, TechPassport

Gemma Young is the chief growth officer of TechPassport, a fintech firm that connects suppliers to global financial institutions and offers opportunities to sell products.
At TechPassport, Young is responsible for managing the company’s growth, in terms of revenue and audience growth; ensuring that marketing and sales blend together to achieve the business’ strategic objectives; and acts as a bridge between sales and marketing to collaborate, measure, and provide support for growth initiatives.
With a passion for diversity and inclusion, Young also is the creator and founder of the award-winning community, Women of Fintech, a fintech community of over 10,000 people to promote gender equality in the fintech industry.
Katarina Nordin, Head of Global Marketing, Adyen

Katarina Nordin is the head of global marketing of Adyen, a fintech platform that provides end-to-end payments capabilities, data-driven insights, and financial products.
At Adyen, Nordin heads up the global marketing function, reporting to the CCO. Her team focuses on driving revenue in close collaboration with commercial teams.
Nordin is an international executive with professional experience from the UK, the Nordics and Baltics, Germany and the Netherlands. Prior to joining Adyen, she worked as a global brand strategist at Ogilvy, where she learnt how to build bold brands, such as Dove, Tesco, Philips, American Express and Bacardi, and ensure marketing drives revenue.
Laure Boutron, Global Head of Marketing and Communication, Treezor

Laure Boutron is the global head of marketing and communication of Treezor, a French banking-as-a-service (BaaS) company.
At Treezor, Boutron is responsible for building and managing an international marketing and communications team, defining and executing the global go-to-market and communication strategy, as well as planning budget and projects in France, Benelux, Germany, Italy and Spain, including digital marketing campaigns, PR, field marketing, content strategy, social media, alliances and internal communication.
Boutron has more than 17 years of international experience in financial services and fintech, and has expertise in marketing, business development and communication. She is passionate about leading clever initiatives for business expansion, building alliances, marketing new offerings, communicating with key influencers and defining a relevant content strategy together with an efficient paid approach.
Lucy Heavens, VP Marketing, Hokodo

Lucy Heavens is the vice president of marketing of Hokodo, a UK business-to-business (B2B) buy now pay later (BNPL) solutions provider.
Heavens is a highly focused, goal-driven and creative professional with solid experience across the full marketing mix, including global market strategies and campaign management, digital marketing, product marketing, social media, influencer marketing, business development, lead/demand generation, analyst relations, PR, event management, and partner and affiliate marketing.
Heavens is an active commentator and thought leader on social media with expertise spanning fintech, regtech, big data and digital transformation, specifically within retail banking, private wealth and institutional asset management. She is regularly featured in the Planet Compliance Top 50 Regtech Influencers list, the Kurtosys 100 Women in Finance Power List, and was included in the 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 Innovate Finance Women in Fintech Power Lists.
Mia Iwama Hastings, Director of Marketing, Minna Technologies

Mia Iwama Hastings is the director of marketing of Minna Technologies, a Swedish company that specializes in subscription management embedded in banking and fintech apps. At Minna Technologies, Hastings leads the company’s global marketing strategy and team and is part of its management team.
Hastings is a senior executive specialized in fintech and finance marketing, product marketing and go-to-market strategy specialist and writer driving revenue growth, brand awareness and positive impact.
She has expertise in global B2B fintech, finance and tech, software-as-a-service (SaaS) and enterprise software marketing, product marketing and brand strategy, planning and execution, UK market entry and growth, business development, go-to-market strategies, ecosystems and partnerships, driving innovation, strategic communications and integrated digital strategy.
Miranda McLean, Chief Communications and Sustainability Officer, Banking Circle Group

Miranda McLean is the chief communications and sustainability officer of Banking Circle Group, a provider of B2B banking services from Luxembourg.
At Banking Circle Group, McLean oversees the marketing, communications and sustainability strategy for the group, with overall responsibility for communications and sustainability. Joining Banking Circle pre-launch, she created the brand identity and marketing strategy that took the startup to an award-winning multi-million-dollar business in under three years.
McLean has more than decades of professional experience during which she has built a considerable reputation for developing and executing successful strategic and operational marketing strategies for financial services businesses.
Niki Sotiropoulou, Group CMO, Viva Wallet

Niki Sotiropoulou is the group CMO of Viva Wallet, a Greek cloud-based neobank providing digital payments solutions and embedded banking services tailored to the needs of businesses.
At Viva Wallet, Sotiropoulou leads the global and local teams, focusing on driving merchant growth by leveraging all marketing channels.
Sotiropoulou is a senior executive with more than 17 years of experience in marketing and communications. Prior to joining Viva Wallet, she held roles at leading agencies such as Publicis, McCann and JWT.
Nim Haas, Global VP of Marketing, Pannovate

Nim Haas is the global vice president of marketing of Pannovate, a BaaS platform and orchestration layer that empowers financial and non-financial organizations to deliver seamless digital experiences and embedded finance.
Haas co-founded the first e-loan aggregator platform Credit-On-Line.com in France in 1998, which is today one of the largest e-loan platforms in that country. She recently created and launched The Payments Clinic series events in London which aims to address the pain points in designing the next generation fintech companies and digital banks.
Haas has been working in marketing and communication in the tech sector for over 20 years. She provides consultancy for numerous companies in fintech, paytech and regtech, and has advised and supported over 20 companies in their marketing and communication efforts in the last two years.
Nora Duggan, CMO, Taxback International

Nora Duggan is the CMO of Taxback International, an Irish firm specializing in value added tax (VAT) compliance, reclaim, consultancy, and tax technology.
A results-driven marketing leader, Duggan designs and implements strategic plans that drive revenue across multi-channels, delivering on brand growth. She specializes in strategic marketing planning, revenue generation, partnership formation and product development and innovative execution.
Duggan has a proven track record in developing strategic partnerships that add value to all stakeholders, and has a passion for innovation and delivering competitive advantage with clear return on investment (ROI). Throughout her career, she has directed and led numerous projects focusing on transforming organizational capabilities to meet growth ambitions.
Polly Gilbert, CMO at Tembo

Polly Gilbert is the marketing director of Tembo, a UK-headquartered fintech startup specialized in smart family lending. At Tembo, Gilbert leads the brand, growth, PR and customer success functions.
Prior to joining Tembo, Gilbert was the marketing director of Goodbox, a tech-for-good company. She also co-founded TAP London, an organization which connects generous Londoners with local homelessness services through contactless technology. Now run by the Mayor of London, TAP has raised half a million pounds for charity and has provided hundreds of hours of employment for homeless Londoners.
Sam Shrager, Executive Director, Marketing and Communications, BCB Group

Sam Shrager is the executive director of marketing and communications of BCB Group, a crypto-dedicated payment services provider from the UK.
At BCB Group, Shrager heads up PR and marketing, leads the strategy and execution for all communications, and works alongside senior stakeholders to position BCB Group as an industry leader.
Shrager is a marketing and PR and communications professional with over 30 years of experience working in the financial services industry and crypto sector. She’s also a renowned fintech and crypto social media influencer and passionate B2B thought leader.
Prior to joining BCB Group, she served in a number of senior marketing positions at business such as Arbion, Bluepod Media Worldwide, NKB Group, GEODYNAMICS WorldWide, and more.
Sangeetha Narasimhan, ex-Global Acquisition Marketing, Mambu

Sangeetha Narasimhan is an internationally experienced growth-focused leader with a track record of scaling brands, bringing together diverse stakeholders to build unified growth teams and driving revenue for SaaS-based businesses.
Narasimhan has successfully built momentum and scale for several different SaaS-based businesses ranging from enterprise-level organizations to startups including Sage Pay, Ingenico ePayments/Worldline and Mambu. Her expertise spans across marketing, partnerships, sales and customer experience.
At Mambu, Narasimhan led the marketing operations and demand generation functions. She was responsible for marketing revenue contribution, the strategy, structure and management of global acquisition marketing functions, as well as for performance optimization around acquisition, engagement, adoption and monetization across the buyer journey.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/europes-16-most-influential-female-fintech-marketers-in-2023</link><guid>3159</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Top-Banking-Trends-in-Switzerland-2023-SIC-Instant-Payments-Beyond-banner.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Europe’s 16 Most Influential Female Fintech Marketers in 2023</dc:text></item><item><title>Money20/20 Europe Unveils Speaker Lineup</title><description><![CDATA[Money20/20 unveils its agenda for the upcoming Europe show in Amsterdam, June 6-8th.
Over 300 speakers are expected to join Money20/20 Europe this year. They include top executives from global banks including HSBC, Barclays, Deutsche Bank, NatWest, and Citi; cutting edge payments providers including GoCardless and Stripe along with expanding fintechs such as Plum, Bunq, and Zilch to name a few.
Money20/20 Europe is also welcoming the CEO of the London Stock Exchange, the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, the Regtech Association, the European Banking Authority, and the Israel and German Ministries of Finance to their stages.
Tracey Davies
“We are proud to present an agenda designed to help the industry build bridges from the challenges of right now to the incredible opportunities of what is next. Money20/20 Europe is the place where money does business. We can’t wait to open the doors to the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre on June 6th, fueling the industry with inspiration, knowledge sharing, genuine in-person connections and so much more,” said Tracey Davies, President of Money20/20.
Hiroki Takeuchi
Hiroki Takeuchi, Co-founder and CEO of GoCardless, a global leader in direct bank payments, is one of Money20/20 Europe high profile speakers.
“I’m excited to speak at Money2020. I hope my session on the future of payments will encourage everyone to seize the once-in-a-generation opportunities in front of us and push innovations like open banking to their full potential, helping business and consumers everywhere,” said Hiroki Takeuchi.
While the show covers the breadth of topics in fintech, this year ESG is holding a larger space with over 10 sessions dedicated to the subject with speakers from Visa, Frontier, the Ellen McArthur Foundation, and platforms such as Patch and Parley.
Gerrit Sindermann
Gerrit Sindermann, Deputy Executive Director at Green Digital Finance Alliance, a Swiss-based not-for-profit catalyst of next generation green digital finance will be moderating the panel Sustainability: Tick Box or Choice.
“At GDFA, our mission is to drive financial innovation for climate, nature, and biodiversity challenges across the global ecosystem. We see Money20/20 Europe as an impactful platform for helping us shape the green digital finance landscape globally.”
The Money20/20 Europe agenda of confirmed speakers can be found here. Fintech News Network readers are entitled to an extra €200 off the pass price with the exclusive promo code – ‘FNN200‘. Click here to purchase your tickets.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/money2020-europe-unveils-speaker-lineup</link><guid>3157</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Money2020-Europe-Save-E200-with-code-FNN200.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Money20/20 Europe Unveils Speaker Lineup</dc:text></item><item><title>Twitter Ties up With eToro to Enable Users to View Real-Time Stocks, Crypto Prices</title><description><![CDATA[Multi-asset investment company eToro has partnered with Twitter to enable the social media platform’s users to instantly see real-time prices for a wider range of stocks, crypto and other assets when using the new $Cashtags feature.
Twitter added pricing data for $Cashtags in December 2022 and the feature has seen widespread adoption with more than 420 million searches for $Cashtags since the start of the year.
Currently, Twitter users searching using a $Cashtag symbol will see live price charts for a select few financial assets. Following the launch of the eToro partnership, the list of $Cashtags that produce live price charts will be hugely expanded,




   



    
   


   








Users will now also be able to click through to the eToro platform to see more information on the asset and have the option to invest.
The partnership will cover $Cashtags representing a wide range of instruments on the eToro platform, from stocks and ETFs to crypto and commodities.
Yoni Assia
Yoni Assia, CEO and Co-Founder of eToro said,
“Twitter has become a crucial part of the retail investing community – it’s where millions of ordinary investors go every day to access financial news, share knowledge and converse.

As the social investing network, eToro was built on these very principles – community, knowledge-sharing and better access to financial markets.”
Chris Riedy
Chris Riedy, Vice President, Global Sales &amp; Marketing at Twitter said,
“Twitter is what’s happening and what people are talking about right now. We believe real change starts with conversation and finance and investing is a growing part of that conversation.

We are pleased to partner with eToro to provide Twitter users with additional market insights and greater access to investment capabilities. Twitter will continue to invest in growing the #FinTwitter community.”

This article first appeared on Fintech News America. 

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/twitter-ties-up-with-etoro-to-enable-users-to-view-real-time-stocks-crypto-prices</link><guid>3158</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Top-Banking-Trends-in-Switzerland-2023-SIC-Instant-Payments-Beyond-banner.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Twitter Ties up With eToro to Enable Users to View Real-Time Stocks, Crypto Prices</dc:text></item><item><title>Kaspar&amp; lanciert Säule 3a Sparlösung</title><description><![CDATA[Das seit März 2022 aktive St.Galler Startup Kaspar&amp; erweitert sein Produktangebot um eine voll-integrierte Säule 3a Lösung.
Während das Jungunternehmen bisher vor allem durch die Möglichkeit des Aufrundungssparens aufgefallen ist (hierbei wird bei jeder Zahlung mit der eigenen Prepaid Mastercard auf den nächsten Franken aufgerundet und das Wechselgeld automatisch in angelegte Sparpläne investiert), stösst es nun auch in den wichtigen Vorsorgebereich vor. Damit bietet Kaspar&amp; neben einer kostenlosen Konto- und Kartenlösung, Microinvestments und der Vermögensverwaltung neu auch Vorsorge in nur einer App an.
Die Kaspar&amp; 3a Lösung kann mit wenigen Klicks direkt in der App eröffnet werden und umfasst nebst einer kostenlosen Kontolösung die Möglichkeit, in unterschiedliche Anlagelösungen zu investieren, welche von Kaspar&amp; verwaltet werden. Insgesamt können Kunden bis zu 5 unterschiedliche 3a Konti eröffnen und jederzeit zwischen den unterschiedlichen Anlagestrategien sowie der Kontolösung wechseln. Als Besonderheit besteht zudem die Möglichkeit, dass der kartenbasierte Aufrundungsmechanismus auch für die eigene 3a Vorsorge genutzt werden kann.




   



    
   


   








Jan-Philip Schade
“Durch den konsequenten Fokus auf die nahtlose Verschmelzung der 3a Lösung in unsere Gesamtapp, wird persönliche Vorsorge so einfach wie noch nie”
berichtet Jan-Philip Schade, einer der vier Gründer von Kaspar&amp;.Das Entwicklungsziel lag voll und ganz auf der Einfachheit der Lösung:
“Unsere Kund:innen können bei jeder Zahlung aufrunden und somit für ihre Vorsorge sparen, direkt von ihrem Kaspar&amp; Konto beliebige Beträge einzahlen, ihre Strategie anpassen oder sogar Überträge von bestehenden Sparplänen in ein 3a Ziel vornehmen. Alles mit nur wenigen Klicks.”
Die neue 3a Lösung soll das Unternehmen vor allem weiter auf seinem Wachstumskurs unterstützen und dabei helfen, die Hürden für Kunden im Anlagebereich noch weiter abzubauen.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/kaspar-lanciert-saule-3a-sparlosung</link><guid>3156</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Top-Banking-Trends-in-Switzerland-2023-SIC-Instant-Payments-Beyond-banner.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Kaspar&amp; lanciert Säule 3a Sparlösung</dc:text></item><item><title>A New Digital Banking Platform Launched for Corporate Clients in Austria</title><description><![CDATA[The well-known digital banking by Erste Bank and Sparkasse is available for corporate clients for the first time. The completely new and stand-alone business banking platform is being launched under the name George Business.
Hans Unterdorfer
“George Business is the business banking of a new era. Like George, George Business is very easy and intuitive to use and has a high level of stability. At the same time, the platform also supports companies that need comprehensive financial management. This ranges from large industrial companies to property management companies and real estate project developers to handicraft businesses,”
says Hans Unterdorfer, Chief Corporates Officer of Erste Bank Oesterreich.
The new George Business offers a customisable user management, signing authorisations, multi-account management, card management and many other additional features for the business world, which will continuously expand in the future. A novelty among business banking solutions in Austria is the possibility of a completely digital registration for new customers with access to an active bank account and George Business within minutes. Also new is the George Business app for iOS and Android, which allows entrepreneurs to keep track of all accounts, cards and financing as well as approve and create orders while on the move.




   



    
   


   








Planned For All Erste Group Markets
George Business is being launched in Austria first. At the same time, it is planned to roll out George Business as a group-wide platform in all Erste Group markets in the future. With a consistent customer experience and brand, consistent service levels and quality standards are to be ensured. In the long term, George Business is to replace all previous local business banking offerings in Erste Group.
New Large-scale Campaign Introduces George Business
For several months, George Business has been available for selected customers. Now the new digital Business Banking is being widely rolled out and will be introduced with a large-scale advertising campaign. The slogan is: Welcome to a new era. George Business is here.
A commercial illustrates how George Business is a technological quantum leap, transforming old 8bit work environments into the present. The 360-degree campaign is now running on TV, radio, online and out-of-home.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/a-new-digital-banking-platform-launched-for-corporate-clients-in-austria</link><guid>3155</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Top-Banking-Trends-in-Switzerland-2023-SIC-Instant-Payments-Beyond-banner.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>A New Digital Banking Platform Launched for Corporate Clients in Austria</dc:text></item><item><title>New Paper Explores Pros and Cons of Central Bank Digital Currencies</title><description><![CDATA[Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), a digital form of a government-issued currency that’s pegged to a physical commodity, have gained notable traction over the past couple of years, prompted by technological advances and a decline in the use of cash.
Central banks from all around the world are now exploring their potential benefits, investigating the merits of a government-issued digital currency to improve process efficiencies, increase convenience, reduce risks, and enhance financial inclusion.




   



    
   


   








According to the International Monetary Fund, nearly 100 CBDCs were in research or development stages in July 2022, with two being fully launched.
The number of central bank digital currencies under research and development around the world, Source: International Monetary Fund, Sep 2022
In a new paper, Patrick Schueffel, adjunct professor at the Institute of Finance of Fribourg’s School of Management, gives a comprehensive overview of the advantages and disadvantages of CBDCs compared to currently existing monetary system, arguing that while CBDCs promise a great deal of benefits, these technologies also introduce a number of risks and come with several drawbacks.
Benefits of CBDCs
According to the paper, the main benefits brought by CBDCs revolve around their ability to address issues related to efficiency, costs and access.
Because CBDCs are legal tenders that are electronically issued, CBDCs can be directly credited to digital wallets. This make CBDCs accessible via mobile phones and other digital devices, facilitating thus access to financial services for individuals and businesses, especially those in remote or underserved area, the paper says.
CBDCs could also held reduce crime, in particular financial fraud, by supporting know-your-customer (KYC) protocols. CBDC enables customers to use unique digital fingerprints to identify themselves to financial institutions, and allows for easy verification of identity. This would ultimately lead to reduced financial fraud since all transactions are traceable and thus adhere to higher anti-money laundering (AML) and KYC standards then current cash.
Another advantage of CBDCs outlined in the report is that they do not entail any credit risk for payment system participants. Since CBDCs are issued by the central bank, transactions are settled directly with the central bank. This eliminates the risk of default or counterparty risk that exists in traditional banking systems, which would subsequently increase the security and stability of a financial system.
Another key attribute of CBDCs is their programmability. This characteristic allows for more opportunities to implement efficient monetary policies, allowing central banks to bypass intermediaries and directly target sectors or groups.
Finally, the last advantage outlined in the paper is the potential of CBDCs to improve data privacy. Digital payments today are provided by private enterprises that use the troves of data they garnered from their customers for commercial purposes. Public digital money has a comparative advantage at providing privacy because, unlike private sector alternatives, it is not bound by profit-maximization incentives.
Disadvantages of CBDCs
Despite the many benefits and opportunities brought about digital currencies, the paper warns of major drawbacks and pitfalls of CBDCs, especially regarding their potential impact on privacy and freedom.
With CBDCs, governments would gain access to a vast database containing any transaction that any individual or legal entity has ever made. This could lead to increased surveillance of financial transactions.
The programmability of CBDCs would also give the administration the possibility to impose spending caps and restrictions on certain individuals or groups of citizens, limiting their financial freedom and ability to transact. Limits could also be imposed on what citizens can buy or consume, whether by targeting specific industries or goods and services.
With CBDCs, spending blocks and transfer blocks can be easily implemented. The government could use CBDCs to freeze or block the accounts of individuals or organizations that are deemed to be engaging in suspicious or illegal activities, thereby restricting their financial resources and ability to transact.
CBDCs can also be used to restrict capital outflows and currency exports. For the individual consumer, this could mean tangible foreign exchange limits by restricting the amounts of currency that can be converted into foreign currency and the amount of money that could be brought abroad.
Besides privacy concerns and monetary controls, the paper notes that CBDCs could potentially negatively impact financial stability. Since CBDCs are issued directly by central banks, this could lead to a decrease in the volume of traditional bank deposits, prompting a decline in the profitability and stability of commercial banks, the paper says.
Finally, just like any other digital payment systems, CBDCs are vulnerable to cybersecurity attacks, account and data breaches, and theft. A successful hack could result in electronic counterfeiting of money, the theft of funds, or even to a disruption of the financial system and ultimately loss of confidence in the currency, the paper says. Additionally, CBDCs are dependent on electricity, meaning that outages and disruptions in these services could lead to a loss of access to funds, potentially disrupting the entire financial system.
Pros and cons of central bank digital currencies on societal and individual levels, Source: CBDCs: Pros and Con, Patrick Schueffel, Institute of Finance of Fribourg’s School of Management, March 2023
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-paper-explores-pros-and-cons-of-central-bank-digital-currencies</link><guid>3154</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Top-Banking-Trends-in-Switzerland-2023-SIC-Instant-Payments-Beyond-banner.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>New Paper Explores Pros and Cons of Central Bank Digital Currencies</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Central Bank Payment Vision Outlining Focus on DLT, Tokenization and Instant Payments</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss National Bank (SNB) has shared how it intends to “future-proof” the domestic payment ecosystem, outlining its ambition to leverage technologies and processes including tokenization and distributed ledger technology (DLT) to establish an “efficient, reliable and secure ecosystem” that’s geared towards “the future of cashless payments in Switzerland,” SNB governing board member, Andréa Maechler, said during an event on March 30, 2023.
The payment system is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by ongoing digitalization and the increasing use of new technologies, Maechler told the audience in her speech at the semi-annual Money Market event. These are enabling new forms of money and are fundamentally changing the way people make payments.
Thomas Moser and Andréa Maechler at the 2023 March Money Market event, Swiss National Bank
To prepare Switzerland for this new era, Maechler said the central bank is exploring different technologies that would support the agency’s aspiration of more efficient and faster cashless transactions.




   



    
   


   








Though it is unknown whether or not DLT and tokenization will play a role in the financial system of the future, she said the SNB is “open to DLT” and the token ecosystem, recognizing these technologies’ potential for efficiency gains and risk reduction.
Integrating central bank money into a regulated token environment
DLT, “one of the biggest innovations in the fintech area”, has witnessed notable traction from the private sector, Maechler said, owing to the technology’s ability to simplify the booking of transactions and eliminate the need for costly and error-prone reconciliation processes between different databases on different systems.
DLT also allows assets such as securities, real assets like real estate and commodities, as well as money to be securitized in the form of digital tokens, which are then represented and managed in a decentralized and fraud-proof network.
In this context, the SNB said it is conducting a study on how central bank money can be made available in a regulated token environment. This project focuses on examining three models for token settlement, and is being undertaken in collaboration with the regulated financial market infrastructures and other market participants.
SNB is examining three models for secure and efficient token settlement, Source: Andréa M. Maechler/Thomas Moser, Swiss National Bank, March 30, 2023
The first model involves synchronized settlement and is centered around expanding the existing functionalities of Switzerland’s real-time gross settlement system (RTGS) to support token settlement, the SNB said. It focuses on creating a link between Switzerland’s central payment system, the Swiss Interbank Clearing (SIC), to the new DLT system.
The so-called RTGS link was tested in partnership with SIX, the operator of Switzerland’s financial infrastructure, and the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), in Phase I of Project Helvetia, and though such synchronization was shown to be technically feasible, the model revealed some drawbacks compared with integrated settlement including limited DLT functionalities, the SNB said.
RTGS link (model 1), Source: Andréa M. Maechler/Thomas Moser, Swiss National Bank, March 30, 2023
The second model focuses on integrated settlement using a Swiss franc wholesale central bank digital currency (wCBDC). This model was also explored in Phases I and II of Project Helvetia during which a Swiss franc wCBDC was issue on the test environment of SIX Digital Exchange (SDX).
Building on insights gained from this experiment, the SNB said it will further explore the operational basis that would enable it to issue wCBDC for settlement purposes, should the need arise in the future. As part of the project, real wCBDC will be issued on SDX for a limited time and selected transactions will be tested with market participants, the central bank said.
Wholesale CBDC (model 2), Source: Andréa M. Maechler/Thomas Moser, Swiss National Bank, March 30, 2023
Finally, the third model involves integrated settlement using private Swiss franc token money that is protected under bankruptcy law. As part of the project, the SNB said it aims to examine ways in which private token money that is backed one-to-one by sight deposits at the central bank, can be legally structured in such a way that, in the event of the bankruptcy of the token issuer, it would have a risk profile comparable to that of central bank money.
Backed private token money (model 3), Source: Andréa M. Maechler/Thomas Moser, Swiss National Bank, March 30, 2023
Instant payments as another critical capability
Besides token money and DLT, instant payments are another pillar of the Swiss central bank’s payment strategy. This trend builds on demand from consumers for increased speed, the ongoing digitalization and a changing regulatory landscape that’s driving innovation and new business models, the SNB said.
Instant payments allow retail payments to be completely processed in real-time, around the world and from customer to customer. By settling all payment steps in real-time, instant payments bring important benefits, including shorter settlement chains, lowered risks and reduced costs, it said.
Instant payments can also add value to cross-border payments by linking national schemes to one another. This could potentially improve remittance services and cross-border transactions by lowering costs, increasing innovation and improving processing speed. Initiatives like the BIS-led Project Nexus are exploring this opportunity.
Real-time payments are scheduled for rollout in Switzerland next year. Starting August 2024, all banks operating in Switzerland and processing over 500,000 payments per year will be required to implement the new standard and be able to receive instant payments, the SNB has mandated. In an initial phase, these real-time transfers will be capped at CHF 20,000.
The second phase will require all participants in the SIC network to be able to receive and execute real-time transfers by the end of 2026.
In addition to priority introduction at banks, instant payments will also be implemented as an account-to-account (A2A) payment method in retail, as well as e-commerce.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-central-bank-payment-vision-outlining-focus-on-dlt-tokenization-and-instant-payments</link><guid>3153</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Thomas-Moser-and-Andrea-Maechler-at-the-2023-March-Money-Market-event-Swiss-National-Bank.jpeg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Central Bank Payment Vision Outlining Focus on DLT, Tokenization and Instant Payments</dc:text></item><item><title>Schweizer HSG Startup Studie zeigt regulatorischen Handlungsbedarf</title><description><![CDATA[Im Auftrag der Swiss Entrepreneurs &amp; Startup Association SWESA hat die Universität St. Gallen die Rahmenbedingungen für Startups in der Schweiz aus juristischer und wirtschaftlicher Sicht umfassend untersucht.
Während die Hochschullandschaft und die Finanzierungsbedingungen für Jungunternehmen als befriedigend angesehen werden, zeigen sich deutliche Defizite hinsichtlich der administrativen Anforderungen. Insbesondere der Gründungsprozess in der Schweiz ist im internationalen Vergleich zu komplex, langwierig und kostspielig.
Die Schweiz bietet gute Voraussetzungen für Startups und hat z.B. mit On, Mindmaze oder Wefox einige sogenannte «Unicorns» hervorgebracht, also schnell gewachsene Unternehmen, die mit über einer Milliarde US-Dollar bewertet sind. Als Land, das regelmässig Rankings wie den «Global Innovation Index» anführt und über eine exzellente Hochschullandschaft und einen starken Finanzplatz verfügt, sind die Rahmenbedingungen hier sehr gut. Trotzdem muss man sich die Frage stellen, wäre ggf. noch mehr möglich?




   



    
   


   









Forschende der Universität St. Gallen (HSG) sind dieser Frage nachgegangen und haben neben den positiven Aspekten auch einige Hemmnisse ausfindig gemacht: So empfinden die befragten Expert:innen im Schweizer Startup-Ökosystem den bürokratischen Prozess der Unternehmensgründung als sehr Komplex. Von der Vorbereitung der nötigen Dokumente über die öffentliche Beurkundung sowie die Anmeldung beim Handelsregister sind zeitraubende physische Vorgänge nötig, statt online in einem One-Stop-Shop und mittels digitalen Notariats gründen zu können. Hier hinkt die Schweiz in puncto digitale Lösungen gegenüber anderen Ländern hinterher.
Basis für politische Vorstösse
Die Studie wurde von der HSG im Auftrag der Swiss Entrepreneurs &amp; Startup Association SWESA erstellt. Der Verband setzt sich für die Verbesserung der wirtschaftspolitischen Rahmenbedingungen für Startups und innovative KMU in der Schweiz ein und führt das Sekretariat der parlamentarische Gruppe Startups und Unternehmertum. Die Schweizerische Mobiliar Genossenschaft hat die Studie als Gönnerin unterstützt.
Die Studie «Unicorn Nation Switzerland» steht unter diesem Link zur Verfügung.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schweizer-hsg-startup-studie-zeigt-regulatorischen-handlungsbedarf</link><guid>3152</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Top-Banking-Trends-in-Switzerland-2023-SIC-Instant-Payments-Beyond-banner.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Schweizer HSG Startup Studie zeigt regulatorischen Handlungsbedarf</dc:text></item><item><title>Finanzguru Bags €13 Million in Fundraise Led by SCOR Ventures, PayPal</title><description><![CDATA[Finanzguru, a German financial advisor enabled by open-banking, announced that it has raised €13 million in a funding round led by new investors SCOR Ventures and PayPal Ventures. This brings its total funds raised to €27 million since its launch in 2018.
The round was also joined by existing investors including Deutsche Bank, coparion, VR Ventures, Hannover Digital Investments, Venture Stars and former Postbank CEO Frank Strauss.
Finanzguru said that it will use the funding to accelerate its growth in Germany while further expanding its product platform. The company will also significantly strengthen its current team of 70 employees.




   



    
   


   








The company reported tripling its revenue in 2022 and that it is now generating annualised revenues of over €10 million with more than 1.5 million registered users.
Alexander Michel
Alexander Michel, Co-founder and co-CEO of Finanzguru said,
“We have broken new ground with our financial advice products, which are based on a digital analysis of each customer’s payment transactions and unique financial situation.

Our already strong growth shows that our products are resonating with customers, and we are now focused on expanding our insurance and pension business.”
Benjamin Michel
Benjamin Michel, Co-founder and co-CEO of Finanzguru said,
“By adding personal financial advice as an offering in the Finanzguru app, we are meeting a real need in the German consumer market.

This has allowed us to greatly expand our business over the past 18 months. We are pleased to be able to continue to drive growth with the support of two new high-profile investors”.


Featured image credit: Alexander Michel and Benjamin Michel, co-founder and co-CEO of Finanzguru
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finanzguru-bags-13-million-in-fundraise-led-by-scor-ventures-paypal</link><guid>3150</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Top-Banking-Trends-in-Switzerland-2023-SIC-Instant-Payments-Beyond-banner.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Finanzguru Bags €13 Million in Fundraise Led by SCOR Ventures, PayPal</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Post to Issue Newest AI Swiss Crypto Stamp</title><description><![CDATA[Following the successful launches of the Swiss Crypto Stamp in the last two years, Swiss Post will be issuing the third generation, Swiss Crypto Stamp 3.0, on 2 May 2023.
Once again, Swiss Post is uniting the analogue world of the stamp collector with the digital world of the crypto-collector, as the Swiss Crypto Stamp 3.0 also consists of two parts. While it is a physical stamp worth 9 francs, each crypto stamp also has its own digital image, known as a non-fungible token (NFT). The NFT is stored in a blockchain and can be collected, exchanged and traded online.
Swiss Post
First time for a crypto stamp without an associated digital theme
The Swiss Crypto Stamp 3.0 consists of 14 different versions in a limited print run of 225,000 copies. Depending on the version, the print run consists of 50 to 65,000 copies. So, once again, there are rarer and more common themes. 13 versions have a specific NFT. For the first time, Swiss Post is also issuing a crypto stamp version without an NFT. The crypto stamp without an NFT is intended especially for people who want to purchase the crypto stamp only as a physical collector’s item. Also new with the third Swiss crypto stamp is that prices vary depending on theme and print run, for example depending on the rarity of the NFT.




   



    
   


   








Swiss Crypto Stamp 3.0 greatly influenced by artificial intelligence
The images for the Swiss Crypto Stamp 3.0 were created as part of the Swiss Digital Days event in autumn 2022. Visitors to the digitalswitzerland road show used artificial intelligence to create unique works of art that were incorporated into the Swiss Crypto Stamp 3.0 design. Specifically, they chose a term from each of three categories: Switzerland, digitization and artistic style. With the help of artificial intelligence, a piece of software created around 2,500 unique works of art. Swiss Post used a selection of these for the Swiss Crypto Stamp 3.0.
The Swiss Crypto Stamp 3.0 will be available at postshop.ch from 2 May 2023, and can be ordered in all self-operated Swiss Post branches. The version without an NFT will also be physically available at the counters of selected larger branches.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-post-to-issue-newest-ai-swiss-crypto-stamp</link><guid>3151</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Swiss-crypto-stamp-1024x576.jpeg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Post to Issue Newest AI Swiss Crypto Stamp</dc:text></item><item><title>Forrester Guide: How to Choose a Digital Banking Engagement Platform</title><description><![CDATA[Faced with changing customer expectations and mounting competition from new market entrants, banks are increasingly turning to digital banking engagement platforms (DBEPs) for new digital banking capabilities, rich and flexible digital front ends, and seamless employee experiences across touchpoints.
DBEPs are cross-channel banking solutions designed to enable integrated, comprehensive and superior experiences for both banking customers and staff members. These platforms allow banks to quickly engage with their customers across a broad set of channels, help them build a modern, agile, digital architecture, and support rapidly changing business requirements and models.
Banks can use DBEPs in a variety of scenarios, including as a pure, digital front-end platform, as a supplementary engagement layer, or as an enabler of digital banking transformation.




   



    
   


   








In a new report, research and advisory company Forrester looks at the rapidly evolving DBEP market, providing an overview of 38 different platforms and delving into their type of offering, geography and use case differentiation. The paper aims to help professionals understand the value they can expect from each vendor, how they differ from one another, and help financial institutions select the most relevant provider based on their size and market focus.

Lack of corporate banking use cases
According to the report, DBEPs now represent an established market with a growing number of vendors. Most of the players selected for the study cater well to retail banking, supporting use cases such as new retail banking customer onboarding, consumer products origination, consumer account management and improved digital customer service.
However, slightly more than half of the DBEPs in the report claim to support complex corporate onboarding journeys, and fewer than a third deliver experiences around use cases for cash and liquidity management, digital corporate credit facility, and trade finance.
CoCoNet is among those with the most comprehensive corporate and business banking offering, findings of the research show, supporting complex customer onboarding and providing cash and liquidity management capabilities in addition to digital corporate credit facility.
Trade finance, meanwhile, is one of the most scarce use cases, provided by only six of the companies studied, namely CR2, EdgeVerve, Finshape, NETinfo, Tagit and Temenos. Trade finance is followed by cash and liquidity management, with just seven companies providing the feature (Capital Banking Solutions, CoConet, EdgeVerve, FIS, ICS Financial Systems, Infocorp and Tagit), and digital corporate credit facility, which is offered by eight DBEP providers (Capital Banking Solutions, CoCoNet, Etronika, Finshape, Layer, Silverlake Axis, Tata Consultancy Services and Veripark).
Besides corporate and business banking, the research also looks at two other compelling use cases, namely embedded finance and ecosystem participation, as well as support for retail trading.
Only three providers (Comviva, Tata Consultancy Services and Ti&amp;m) were found to offer retail trading capabilities, the report says, while, at the other end of the spectrum, embedded finance and ecosystem integration were found to be widely adopted by the sector, supported by 16 DBEPs.
Geographic focus
The study also looks at the geographic focus of each companies, revealing that most of the larger players with over US$175 million in product revenue are focusing on the North American region. These include Alkami Technology, FIS and Q2 Software.
Dutch banking technology company Backbase and Swiss enterprise software provider Temenos are the only two large DBEP firms with a considerable presence across multiple regions, including Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific (APAC).
Medium-sized DBEPs with product revenue between US$20 million and US$175 million show more diversity, with some, including EdgeVerve, Intellect Design Arena, Oracle and Tata Consultancy Services covering APAC, while others including Veripark, Ti&amp;m and and Sopra Banking Software are focusing on the European market among other regions.
Smaller players with product revenue between US$11 million and US$20 million are an even more disparate group. Platforms like Cobis Topaz, CoCoNet and CR2 focus on only one geography, while others, like Capital Banking Solutions, ebankIT and SAP Fioneer show significant revenue in three or more geographies.

Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/forrester-guide-how-to-choose-a-digital-banking-engagement-platform</link><guid>3149</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Top-Banking-Trends-in-Switzerland-2023-SIC-Instant-Payments-Beyond-banner.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Forrester Guide: How to Choose a Digital Banking Engagement Platform</dc:text></item><item><title>EU Rules on Crypto Assets Transfers Set to Tighten</title><description><![CDATA[Last week, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voted in favour of stricter rules to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, and evading sanctions in the European Union (EU). Among the three significant pieces of anti-money laundering (AML) legislation adopted is draft legislation that strengthens EU rules on conducting due diligence on anonymised financial instruments, including transfers of crypto assets. 
The parliament will vote on it during its plenary session in April. The new rules would require entities, including banks, assets, and crypto assets managers, to verify their customers’ identity, what they own, and who controls the company. 
They would also have to establish detailed Anti-Money Laundering/Counter Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) supervision based on risk in their sector of activity and transmit the relevant information to a centralised beneficial owners’ register.




   



    
   


   








Verification of Crypto Asset Transfers
Under the new rules, crypto asset transfers will have to include information on their source and the beneficiary, much like traditional money transfers. Before making a crypto asset available to beneficiaries, providers such as crypto exchanges would have to verify that the source of the asset is not subject to restrictive measures and that there are no risks of money laundering or terrorism financing. 
The rules would not apply to person-to-person transfers or among exchanges and providers acting on their behalf, as per the previous crypto-asset regulation for AML that had already been voted on, the Markets in Crypto-Asset Regulations (MiCAR). MEPs want technological solutions to ensure that these asset transfers can be individually identified.
Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing
The adopted texts require banks, assets and crypto assets managers, real and virtual estate agents, and high-level professional football clubs to verify their customers’ identity, ownership, and company control. They will also have to establish detailed types of risk of money laundering and terrorist financing in their sector of activity and transmit the relevant information to a central register. 
MEPs want to cap payments that can be accepted by persons providing goods or services to restrict transactions in cash and crypto assets. They set limits of up to €7000 for cash payments and €1000 for crypto-asset transfers where the customer cannot be identified.
Access to Information
Following the latest European Court of Justice ruling, it was decided that persons with a legitimate interest, such as journalists, reporters, other media, civil society organisations, and higher education institutions, should be able to access the register, including the interconnected central registers of various EU members. 
Their access rights will be valid for at least two and a half years. Member states will automatically renew access but revoke or suspend it if abused. The legitimate interest should apply without discrimination based on nationality, country of residence, or establishment.
Removal of Minimum Thresholds and Exemptions
The MEPs also decided to remove minimum thresholds and exemptions for low-value transfers. The European Parliament wants the European Banking Authority (EBA) to set up a public register of crypto firms with a high risk of money laundering, terrorist financing, and other criminal activities, which the EBA says it is considering. This measure aims to prevent criminals from exploiting confidentiality rules that allow for secrecy and anonymity.
Restriction of Transactions in Cash and Crypto Assets
To restrict transactions in cash and crypto assets, MEPs want to cap payments that can be accepted by persons providing goods or services. They set limits to €7000 for cash payments and €1000 for crypto-asset transfers where the customer cannot be identified. 
Given the manifest risk of misuse by criminals, MEPs want to ban any EU citizenship by investment schemes (dubbed “golden passports“) and impose strong AML controls on the residence by investment schemes (“golden visas”).
AMLA to Ensure Consistent Enforcement
Under the adopted guidelines, the new European Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) would monitor risks and threats within and outside the EU and directly supervise specific credit and financial institutions, classifying them according to risk level. 
Initially, it would supervise 40 entities with the highest residual risk profile and present in at least two member states. To fulfill its duties, AMLA could mandate companies and people to hand over documents and other information, conduct on-site visits with judicial authorization, and impose sanctions of €500,000 to €2 million, or 0.5-1 percent of annual turnover, for material breaches.
For severe violations, AMLA could impose sanctions of up to 10 percent of the total annual turnover of the obliged entity in the preceding business year. In their position on the draft law, MEPs wish to extend the agency’s competence to drawing up lists of high-risk non-EU countries. 
Adopting stricter rules on money laundering and terrorist financing by the European Parliament is a significant step in closing existing gaps in combating these crimes in the EU. 
The new rules on crypto asset transfers will ensure that these transfers can be individually identified, closing the loophole that allowed for secrecy and anonymity.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/eu-rules-on-crypto-assets-transfers-set-to-tighten</link><guid>3148</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Top-Banking-Trends-in-Switzerland-2023-SIC-Instant-Payments-Beyond-banner.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>EU Rules on Crypto Assets Transfers Set to Tighten</dc:text></item><item><title>The Top 3 European Wealthtech Trends</title><description><![CDATA[By 2030, affluent clients with assets of EUR 100,000 and up will have access to a highly diversified range of alternative assets comprising private debt, venture capital (VC), real assets, and more. They will benefit from highly personalized financial plans and advice, enabled by automation technology and data analytics. Additionally, advanced digital platforms and features like portfolio aggregation will provide them with a more frictionless experience.
These are the three main trends outlined in Wealthtech Radar 2023, a paper produced by German wealthtech software provider Fincite. The paper, which draws on insights from more than 20 experts organizations such as InVenture Capital, the University of Munich, the Frankfurt School Blockchain Center, Sprengnetter Gruppe and Morningstar, shares more than 20 trends that are expected to emerge in the wealthtech industry over the next decade. These trends are grouped into three main categories: alternative assets, mass personalization and frictionless experiences.
Alternative assets
WealthTech Radar 2023, Fincite
Demand for alternative assets, investment diversification and higher yields are fueling efforts to provide the affluent and private banking segments with access to a broader set of asset classes and investment opportunities.




   



    
   


   








Digital platforms, as well as trends like asset tokenization and fractionalization, in particular, are helping expedite this by bringing VC, private debt and real assets to the masses.
Companies like Timeless Investments and Arttrade, for example, are making real assets like art, property, raw materials and gold, accessible to those with smaller asset portfolios. This is done by fractionalizing these assets into smaller pieces, thus allowing investors to purchase just a small percentage of these assets.
This concept is also being applied to project financing and private debt. Exporo, for example, allows property projects to be financed with a lower minimum investment, allowing private investors to invest in real estate debt starting at EUR 500. Peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platform Mintos, meanwhile, allows private investors to hold a stake in consumer goods loans, sometimes from as little as EUR 10.
Finally, cryptocurrencies and digital assets such as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are another popular option for investors looking to diversify their portfolio. Interest in these assets has risen sharply over the past couple of years, and many investors now view crypto as a relevant asset component, the report notes.
Mass personalization
WealthTech Radar 2023, Fincite
Tailored consulting and asset management have long been considered “top-tier” investment services, available only to clients with assets worth several millions of euros or more. This is changing today as automation is making personalized investment strategies accessible to a wider target group, the report says.
Robo-advisors are a prominent example of this concept. Powered by artificial intelligence (AI), robo-advisors provide automated, algorithm-driven financial planning and investment services with little to no human supervision. Because robo-advisors rely on automation, these platforms are often inexpensive, require low opening balances and are able to provide personalized financial advice.
Ultimately, the next generation of financial advice will be much more reliant on technology, leveraging advanced digital platforms for their internal operations as well as to engage with their customers, the report says.
Hybrid advice, which combines human-assisted personal guidance on investment with a consumer-led automated service on a platform, is already a growing trend, facilitated by platforms such as Addepar or Fincite.CIOS, which are supporting advisors through digital processes and holistic reporting.
Another trend highlighted in the report and which is rapidly gaining pace is direct indexing. Direct indexing involves purchasing the underlying shares of an index, rather than owning an index mutual fund or index exchange-traded fund. By breaking down index funds into their smallest component components, the individual stocks, advisors can build a portfolio with single securities, enabling the cost of fund purchases to be lowered while at the same time offering a high level of personalization.
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards are another trend to watch out for, the report says, with many software providers and in-house developers of European providers now working on integrating ESG criteria into the valuation of shares and other investments.
Frictionless experience
WealthTech Radar 2023, Fincite
Finally, the last big trend outlined in the report is the move towards frictionless experiences. This trend will grow in prominence as clients and advisors become less and less tolerant of inefficient processes, poor functionality and unnecessary tasks, the report says.
Several features and capabilities will help wealth managers reach this goal, it says, including portfolio aggregation as well as integrated asset statements. These features will allow investors to get a centralized overview of all of their portfolios, including those held by third-party banks, it says.
Advisors will also rely more heavily on advanced software. These platforms will facilitate the entire value creation process involved in client interaction such as onboarding and profiling, in addition to proposal generation, reporting and ordering, it says.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-top-3-european-wealthtech-trends</link><guid>3146</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Alternative-Assets-1024x1004.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>The Top 3 European Wealthtech Trends</dc:text></item><item><title>Radar: Top 3 European Wealthtech Trends</title><description><![CDATA[By 2030, affluent clients with assets of EUR 100,000 and up will have access to a highly diversified range of alternative assets comprising private debt, venture capital (VC), real assets, and more. They will benefit from highly personalized financial plans and advice, enabled by automation technology and data analytics. Additionally, advanced digital platforms and features like portfolio aggregation will provide them with a more frictionless experience.
These are the three main trends outlined in Wealthtech Radar 2023, a paper produced by German wealthtech software provider Fincite. The paper, which draws on insights from more than 20 experts organizations such as InVenture Capital, the University of Munich, the Frankfurt School Blockchain Center, Sprengnetter Gruppe and Morningstar, shares more than 20 trends that are expected to emerge in the wealthtech industry over the next decade. These trends are grouped into three main categories: alternative assets, mass personalization and frictionless experiences.
Alternative assets
WealthTech Radar 2023, Fincite
Demand for alternative assets, investment diversification and higher yields are fueling efforts to provide the affluent and private banking segments with access to a broader set of asset classes and investment opportunities.




   



    
   


   








Digital platforms, as well as trends like asset tokenization and fractionalization, in particular, are helping expedite this by bringing VC, private debt and real assets to the masses.
Companies like Timeless Investments and Arttrade, for example, are making real assets like art, property, raw materials and gold, accessible to those with smaller asset portfolios. This is done by fractionalizing these assets into smaller pieces, thus allowing investors to purchase just a small percentage of these assets.
This concept is also being applied to project financing and private debt. Exporo, for example, allows property projects to be financed with a lower minimum investment, allowing private investors to invest in real estate debt starting at EUR 500. Peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platform Mintos, meanwhile, allows private investors to hold a stake in consumer goods loans, sometimes from as little as EUR 10.
Finally, cryptocurrencies and digital assets such as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are another popular option for investors looking to diversify their portfolio. Interest in these assets has risen sharply over the past couple of years, and many investors now view crypto as a relevant asset component, the report notes.
Mass personalization
WealthTech Radar 2023, Fincite
Tailored consulting and asset management have long been considered “top-tier” investment services, available only to clients with assets worth several millions of euros or more. This is changing today as automation is making personalized investment strategies accessible to a wider target group, the report says.
Robo-advisors are a prominent example of this concept. Powered by artificial intelligence (AI), robo-advisors provide automated, algorithm-driven financial planning and investment services with little to no human supervision. Because robo-advisors rely on automation, these platforms are often inexpensive, require low opening balances and are able to provide personalized financial advice.
Ultimately, the next generation of financial advice will be much more reliant on technology, leveraging advanced digital platforms for their internal operations as well as to engage with their customers, the report says.
Hybrid advice, which combines human-assisted personal guidance on investment with a consumer-led automated service on a platform, is already a growing trend, facilitated by platforms such as Addepar or Fincite.CIOS, which are supporting advisors through digital processes and holistic reporting.
Another trend highlighted in the report and which is rapidly gaining pace is direct indexing. Direct indexing involves purchasing the underlying shares of an index, rather than owning an index mutual fund or index exchange-traded fund. By breaking down index funds into their smallest component components, the individual stocks, advisors can build a portfolio with single securities, enabling the cost of fund purchases to be lowered while at the same time offering a high level of personalization.
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards are another trend to watch out for, the report says, with many software providers and in-house developers of European providers now working on integrating ESG criteria into the valuation of shares and other investments.
Frictionless experience
WealthTech Radar 2023, Fincite
Finally, the last big trend outlined in the report is the move towards frictionless experiences. This trend will grow in prominence as clients and advisors become less and less tolerant of inefficient processes, poor functionality and unnecessary tasks, the report says.
Several features and capabilities will help wealth managers reach this goal, it says, including portfolio aggregation as well as integrated asset statements. These features will allow investors to get a centralized overview of all of their portfolios, including those held by third-party banks, it says.
Advisors will also rely more heavily on advanced software. These platforms will facilitate the entire value creation process involved in client interaction such as onboarding and profiling, in addition to proposal generation, reporting and ordering, it says.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/radar-top-3-european-wealthtech-trends</link><guid>3147</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Alternative-Assets-1024x1004.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Radar: Top 3 European Wealthtech Trends</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss-UK Private Bank Digital Finance Startup Kashet Raises CHF 6.2M Series A</title><description><![CDATA[Kashet, the Swiss-UK premium digital finance services firm, has successfully raised CHF 6.2m funding to support its expansion and readiness for further growth. Kashet is focused on delivering a membership-based financial solution app for customers and private bank clients.
The Round A funding is in progress with the launch to follow later this year

Kashet has been operating in stealth mode, quietly building a Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) licensed business, joining MasterCard, and receiving strategic investment including that from Trifork Labs, the Copenhagen technology accelerator
Kashet has already obtained FCA licenses in the UK, including E-Money, AISP, and PISP licenses. The company intends to submit applications for UK FCA 5MLD registration and a Swiss Fintech License with Switzerland’s Regulatory Authority FINMA





   



    
   


   








Kashet is creating a service-oriented solution for clients in the UK, Switzerland, and across Europe. It is led by banking, technology, and service industry experts, including heavyweights Alex Wilmot-Sitwell from Bank of America and UBS, and Andrew Brookes of Bank of England, as well as international executives, Gary Steel and Jacob Waehrens.
Kashet will service the financial complexity of customers’ international life, and provide a complete set of cards, foreign exchange, domestic and international payments, and access to digital currencies under Swiss law. Kashets’ focus is on creating efficient services that people trust and love to use, as well as partnering with private banks across Europe that need access to digital technology solutions.
Trifork Labs, the Copenhagen technology accelerator, which has participated in the funding, holds a successful track record with innovative companies, including Chainanalysis, which was valued at $8.9b in 2022.
Chris Jones
Kashet’s co-founder and Joint CEO, Chris Jones, highlighted the company’s driving ethos,
“We are thinking beyond banking and focused on creating exceptional financial services that people trust and love to use. We intend to provide personalized experiences for clients. The company plans to partner with private banks across Europe that need access to ground breaking technology solutions.”
With its strong governance model and deep international perspective, Kashet is well-positioned to make a significant impact in the UK and European Fintech markets and is a company to watch in the coming months.

Featured image credit: Chris Jones, Kashet’s co-founder and Joint CEO
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-uk-private-bank-digital-finance-startup-kashet-raises-chf-62m-series-a</link><guid>3145</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Top-Banking-Trends-in-Switzerland-2023-SIC-Instant-Payments-Beyond-banner.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss-UK Private Bank Digital Finance Startup Kashet Raises CHF 6.2M Series A</dc:text></item><item><title>Incore Bank Signs Maerki Baumann as First Client For SDX Ethereum Staking</title><description><![CDATA[InCore Bank can now offer Ethereum staking capabilities that are fully compliant with Know-Your-Client (KYC) and Anti-Money-Laundering (AML) regulations to their clients.
In this collaboration, InCore Bank provides crypto brokerage, banking operations and custody services, while SDX Web3 provides crypto custody and non-custodial-staking services.
The Zurich-based private bank Maerki Baumann launched its crypto strategy in 2019. Apart from corporate accounts for companies focusing on blockchain technology and crypto applications, it offers services in crypto trading and custody in collaboration with InCore Bank. Maerki Baumann will continue to expand its crypto offering by making the new Ethereum staking services available to its private and corporate tech banking clients.




   



    
   


   








Mark Dambacher
Mark Dambacher, CEO InCore Bank, stated,
«We perceive an increasing interest in staking and ways to participate in the decentralized economy. InCore Bank’s fully integrated and future-oriented staking services via segregated wallets, enable us to offer staking to our clients within a convenient, secure, regulated and tax compliant setting. We are proud to be part of this strategic alliance with SDX».
David Newns
David Newns, Head of SDX, adds,
«This collaboration between established digital asset institutions is the first of its kind in Switzerland. We are strengthening the Swiss digital asset ecosystem by enabling key market players to provide value adding capabilities like Ethereum custody and staking that their clients are asking for».
What is staking?
Blockchain networks are based on the principle of decentralisation, there is no central entity that decides on the correct transaction history. Nevertheless, a consensus mechanism is needed to ensure in a decentralized pattern that transactions are validated in correct order and in a secure manner. Blockchains typically reach consensus in two ways, either by so-called Proof-of-Work (PoW) or Proof-of-Stake (PoS) mechanisms.
In PoS blockchains like Ethereum, to guarantee consensus, no power-intensive computing power is used. Rather, capital needs to be expended in the form of the blockchain’s own coin. These coins must be «staked», i.e. made available to the network and bound by it for the staking period. For individuals who hold digital assets of proof-of-stake networks, staking is mandatory in order to avoid dilution of their own position. Due to this fact, it can be assumed that in the near future, there will be an increasing merger of custody and staking.
Staking is an umbrella term used to denote the act of pledging crypto-assets to a cryptocurrency protocol to earn rewards in exchange. Staking allows users to participate in securing the network by locking up tokens. The «stakers» become validators who add new transactions to the respective blockchain. At the same time, the validators follow the so-called consensus rules. These set the rules of the game according to which the various network participants have to comply. If, as a validator, you violate the network’s consensus rules during this process, you put your own capital at risk in the form of the coins you have staked. This ensures validators have an incentive to abide by the rules.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/incore-bank-signs-maerki-baumann-as-first-client-for-sdx-ethereum-staking</link><guid>3144</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Top-Banking-Trends-in-Switzerland-2023-SIC-Instant-Payments-Beyond-banner.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Incore Bank Signs Maerki Baumann as First Client For SDX Ethereum Staking</dc:text></item><item><title>Postfinance Partners With Sygnum Bank to Offer Cryptocurrencies</title><description><![CDATA[PostFinance partners with Sygnum, the world’s first digital asset bank, to offer its customers a range of regulated digital asset banking services via Sygnum’s B2B banking platform.

PostFinance’s partnership with Sygnum Bank enables the launch and ongoing expansion of regulated, bank-grade digital asset products and services for its customers
PostFinance’s customers will be able to buy, store and sell leading cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum
Sygnum’s B2B offering empowers partner banks with a fast, cost-efficient market entry with innovative, regulated and compliant products

PostFinance has analyzed its customers’ investment needs and uncovered a strong demand for digital investment services. By leveraging Sygnum’s B2B banking platform, PostFinance will seamlessly integrate this new offering into its existing infrastructure from the outset.




   



    
   


   








Sygnum’s fully regulated B2B banking platform enables PostFinance to provide flexible and efficient access to a range of cryptocurrencies, as well as introducing new revenue-generating services on an ongoing basis, such as staking. Being a fully regulated digital asset specialist with a Swiss banking license, Sygnum is one of the few banks in the world that can provide a secure bridge between traditional finance and digital assets.
Philipp Merkt
Philipp Merkt, Chief Investment Officer of PostFinance, says
“Digital assets have become an integral part of the financial world, and our customers want access to this market at PostFinance, their trusted principal bank. A reputable and established partner like Sygnum Bank with an excellent service offering is more important than ever.”
Fritz Jost
Fritz Jost, Chief B2B Officer, Sygnum Bank, adds
“Our all-in-one B2B banking platform enables our fifteen-plus B2B partner banks to expand their range of regulated digital asset services at scale and speed. We are pleased to empower PostFinance to deliver institutional-grade digital asset services to their customers. We are committed to continuously drive further innovation and positive change for the industry and our partner banks’ customers.”


Featured image credit: Philipp Merkt, Chief Investment Officer of PostFinance and Fritz Jost, Chief B2B Officer, Sygnum Bank
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/postfinance-partners-with-sygnum-bank-to-offer-cryptocurrencies</link><guid>3143</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Top-Banking-Trends-in-Switzerland-2023-SIC-Instant-Payments-Beyond-banner.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Postfinance Partners With Sygnum Bank to Offer Cryptocurrencies</dc:text></item><item><title>Bitpanda and Mambu Partner to Offer Simplified Investment Options</title><description><![CDATA[Austria-based Bitpanda Technology Solutions has partnered with SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) cloud banking platform Mambu to provide financial institutions with a secure way to offer investment options to customers. With Bitpanda’s domain expertise and Mambu’s core banking technology, banks can integrate investment solutions into their existing offerings, unlocking powerful new revenue streams and saving the time and resources required to build investment infrastructure from scratch.
More and more of European investors have already added digital assets to their investment portfolio, a trend that highlights the revenue potential for banks and fintechs that enable an in-app trading offer. Allowing customers to manage their investments from within their trusted banking platform will increase investor confidence, and allow more Europeans to take control of their finances. With this partnership, hundreds of banks and financial institutions across Europe will now be able to enhance their banking experiences.
Through the partnership, Mambu’s core infrastructure will act as the ledger across Bitpanda’s full range of asset classes, including stocks and ETFs, crypto, precious metals and commodities, all available in a fractionated manner. Joint customers also enjoy additional investment functionalities, including custody of assets, savings plans, staking and asset-to-asset swaps.




   



    
   


   








Lukas Enzersdorfer-Konrad
Lukas Enzerdorfer-Konrad, CEO of Bitpanda Technology Solutions said:
“Financial institutions today have to ask themselves how they aim to cater to the increasing demand for modern investing solutions. Building these individually means a high startup cost and products that are often outdated before they are even launched. Simply put, institutions can’t do this themselves if they want both a fast time to market and high compliance standards. By partnering with us, they can open up new revenue streams while retaining their customers. Fully customisable, fully safe, fully secure, and fully regulated. Your design, our technology.”
Scott Wilson
Scott Wilson, Regional VP EMEA at Mambu said:
“Mambu offers a full suite of APIs that connect our cloud banking platform with third-party solutions. By partnering with Bitpanda Technology Solutions, joint customers can weave investment capabilities into the banking experience they provide. We share a common vision of enabling modern financial experiences through a composable banking framework, all underpinned by cloud technology. The agility and flexibility this proposition with Bitpanda provides is unmatched and a true game changer to legacy solutions on the market.”
Shared customers include N26, the European mobile bank, which leverages Bitpanda’s API-driven infrastructure as well as Mambu’s cloud banking platform.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bitpanda-and-mambu-partner-to-offer-simplified-investment-options</link><guid>3141</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Top-Banking-Trends-in-Switzerland-2023-SIC-Instant-Payments-Beyond-banner.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Bitpanda and Mambu Partner to Offer Simplified Investment Options</dc:text></item><item><title>Securing Wealth in Changing Times</title><description><![CDATA[Fifteen years after the financial crisis, banks are again experiencing a crisis of confidence that has caused stock prices to fluctuate wildly and destroyed Credit Suisse. But that is not the only problem – sovereign debt continues to rise and inflation remains stubbornly high. New solutions for long-term wealth preservation are needed now. Are real estate, equities, or gold the right solutions to protect against crises and maintain purchasing power?
Your money continues to lose value because inflation is higher than the interest on your savings account. But how can you protect your assets from crises and maintain purchasing power at the same time?
Not an easy question – the current financial situation is a challenge for many. Especially risk-averse investors often make expensive mistakes because they often leave large amounts in their savings accounts.
Don’t be fooled by banks
In Switzerland, inflation was hardly noticeable for many years. Especially because of energy prices and increased transport costs, we now see values around 3% here as well. That’s why you should be concerned with it now. The banks are paying modest interest again, but you are still losing money if you just leave it in your account. Your savings lose purchasing power in real terms because inflation is much higher than the bank interest rate. Our inflation calculator shows what this can add up to over the years. You will be surprised by the results.
Crisis resistance and inflation protection
In the past, real estate was very popular as a protection against inflation, but prices have risen excessively in recent years. Institutional and large investors have therefore already started to sell high-yielding properties. Because mortgage rates are rising again and thus demand for private residential property is declining, more and more experts are warning of a significant correction in real estate prices. We therefore recommend a more diversified and actively managed strategy with a variety of real assets.
RealUnit is a modern solution for investments with real assets. Our primary objectives are: maintaining purchasing power and protecting assets in crisis situations. Particular emphasis is placed on investments in physical gold, silver, and industrial metals. Furthermore, shares in mainly Swiss companies with a solid balance sheet, sustainable earnings and a crisis-resistant business model ensure a high degree of stability in the portfolio. The asset allocation is actively managed according to the market situation. This increases crisis resistance and the ability to protect assets in the best possible way.
Securing wealth in changing timesThe most important goals of the RealUnit are simple: to protect the invested capital as best as possible against inflation and to preserve its value in the long term, especially in times of crisis. The classic bearer share is purchased on the BX Swiss or can be traded as a tokenised registered share on the website. RealUnit brings more stability to your portfolio. For more information, visit www.realunit.ch.
Reasonable returns
Stability is more important than speculation! The RealUnit therefore strives for wealth preservation and a return that is in line with the real economy. The average performance of 2.6% p.a. is slightly above Switzerland’s gross domestic product and thus confirms that the strategy in the past has delivered what it promises.
A decent result in 2022
Asset protection last year meant minimising losses. 2022 was one of the worst years in stock market history. Many asset classes or mixed funds suffered losses of over -15%. With -4.2%, RealUnit Schweiz AG achieved a relatively decent result despite the most adverse circumstances. The strategy of defensive investments and a very large allocation to real assets proved its value. The overweight in precious metals, the selection of very solid stocks and the tactical hedging with options helped to limit the losses. In addition, the company form gives us more flexibility compared to investment funds, which we used to hold larger liquidity positions at times.
Attractive alternative to bank investments
A peculiarity of investing in RealUnit Schweiz AG is that you automatically become a shareholder of the investment company and have a right of co-determination by participating in the general meeting. You participate indirectly in the real assets, which play a major role at RealUnit, because at least half of the investments (mostly physical gold and silver) are stored in secure bunkers in Switzerland and thus outside the banking system.

As an additional special feature, investors can choose between a classic bearer share and a digital share token on the blockchain with equal rights. You do not need a bank to store and trade the token. Therefore, you always have direct access and complete financial sovereignty.
Real assets: a worthwhile investment
When times change, you should also rethink your financial habits. On realunit.ch you will find important reasons why an actively managed strategy focusing on real values can provide the best possible protection for your assets against inflation and loss of value in the long term. And please sign up for the newsletter.

Disclaimer: This is an article written by RealUnit, Fintechnews does not endorse and is not responsible for or liable for any content, accuracy, quality, advertising, products or other materials on this page. Readers should do their own research before taking any actions related to the company. Fintechnews is not responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in the press release. Please note this is no investment advice.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/securing-wealth-in-changing-times</link><guid>3142</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/RealUnit-Token-1.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Securing Wealth in Changing Times</dc:text></item><item><title>VP Bank Partners with Metaco on Digital Asset Custody</title><description><![CDATA[Metaco, a Switzerland-based provider of digital asset technology infrastructure to regulated financial institutions, has partnered with VP Bank in Liechtenstein.
The collaboration leverages Metaco’s flagship platform, Harmonize, to allow VP Bank the optionality to expand its digital asset custody and tokenization services beyond art and physical collector items, such as being able to support tokenized financial assets or minting, burning and storage of tokens.
VP Bank has selected Metaco as its preferred digital asset custody and orchestration technology partner, uniquely meeting the bank’s stringent requirements for institutional-grade key management and smart contract governance capabilities, as it seeks to expand its tokenization of digital and real-world assets in a highly scalable and secure manner, while remaining fully compliant with the regulations of the Token and Trusted Technology Service Provider Act (TVTG).




   



    
   


   








After a successful five-month modernization project, VP Bank now consumes Metaco Harmonize as a managed service, fully integrated into the bank’s core banking system.
Marcel Fleisch
Marcel Fleisch, Chief Product Officer at VP Bank commented:
“At VP Bank, we are committed to rethink wealth management by combining traditional banking with digital ecosystems to create whole new services and opportunities for our clients. By partnering with Metaco to offer a secure and scalable platform to tokenize and custody all types of financial, digital and real-world assets, we take a new major step towards building VP Bank’s foundation of the future.”
Seamus Donoghue, Chief Growth Officer at Metaco added:
“We are proud that VP Bank, one of the largest banks in Liechtenstein and a future oriented bank for private clients and intermediaries, is now relying on Metaco Harmonize to scale its digital asset custody and tokenization services. The bank-grade orchestration capabilities of the Harmonize platform enables the secure management of a range of digital asset use cases, allowing banks and financial institutions to satisfy demand for new asset classes and expand their business model in any direction.”
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/vp-bank-partners-with-metaco-on-digital-asset-custody</link><guid>3140</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Top-Banking-Trends-in-Switzerland-2023-SIC-Instant-Payments-Beyond-banner.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>VP Bank Partners with Metaco on Digital Asset Custody</dc:text></item><item><title>UBS Completes Cross-Border Intraday Trade On Broadridge’s Blockchain-Powered Platform</title><description><![CDATA[Global financial technology company Broadridge Financial Solutions announced that UBS and a global Asian bank have successfully executed a cross-border intraday repo transaction on its blockchain-enabled platform.
This intraday trade marks the launch of the next phase in the rollout of Broadridge’s Distributed Ledger Repo (DLR) platform.
This platform provides a utility where market participants can agree, execute, and settle repo transactions, providing flexible settlement cycles based on counterparts’ needs.




   



    
   


   








The DLT Repo platform significantly increases settlement velocity and collateral mobility, thus making intraday possible. The platform also reduces the operating cost and risk of all repo activity, including well as overnight and term repos.
Beatriz Martin
“Intraday repo is a valuable tool to manage our liquidity usage and provides flexibility in our funding capabilities with reduced operational risk.

This accomplishment builds on the foundation we have established as an early adopter of the Distributed Ledger platform.”
said Beatriz Martin, UBS Group Treasurer.
Horacio Barakat
“This is the next step in executing on our vision of transforming global repo market infrastructure.

We are empowering leading financial institutions like UBS with the ability to dramatically lower risk and operating costs and see enhanced liquidity.”
said Horacio Barakat, Head of Digital Innovation at Broadridge.


Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ubs-completes-cross-border-intraday-trade-on-broadridges-blockchain-powered-platform</link><guid>3139</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Top-Banking-Trends-in-Switzerland-2023-SIC-Instant-Payments-Beyond-banner.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>UBS Completes Cross-Border Intraday Trade On Broadridge’s Blockchain-Powered Platform</dc:text></item><item><title>Bloomberg Unveils Finance-Focused Generative AI Model</title><description><![CDATA[Media conglomerate, finance information company and business software developer Bloomberg is building a generative artificial intelligence (AI) model for the finance industry, following on the heels of technology companies including Microsoft, Google and Salesforce that have recently kickstarted their own generative AI projects.
Generative AI is a category of AI algorithms that are capable of generating new and realistic content including text, images and audio, based on the data they have been trained on. These models, which are able to carry on sophisticated conversations with users, accurately answer questions and complete a wide range of tasks, including creating software and formulating business ideas, have risen to popularity over the past months after OpenAI’s AI chatbot ChatGPT went viral.
Freshly unveiled BloombergGPT is 50-billion-parameter generative AI model that’s been trained on a wide range of financial data to support tasks within the financial industry.




   



    
   


   








Bloomberg said it plans for its new model to assist it in improving existing natural language processing (NPL) tasks, including sentiment analysis, named entity recognition, news classification, and question answering, among others.
It also envisions BloombergGPT as a new capability and value-added feature in its product offering. The model would bring about new opportunities in making use of the vast quantities of data available on the Bloomberg Terminal to “better help the firm’s customers”, Bloomberg said in a statement, hinting at potential integration into Bloomberg systems.
Outperforming existing models
A research paper released on March 30, 2023 and which details the development of BloombergGPT, shares results of early testing of the model, noting that BloombergGPT, which has been trained on both finance-specific and general data sources, was able to outperform similarly-sized open models on financial NPL tasks “by a large margin” while performing strongly on general NPL benchmarks.
Performance of BloombergGPT in finance-specific and general-purpose NLP tasks compared with other models, Source: Bloomberg, March 2023
BloombergGPT is the first model to be trained on both domain-specific and general data sources, the paper says. Bloomberg supports a very large and diverse set of tasks, which are served by a general model, it says. At the same time, the vast majority of its applications are within the financial domain, better served by a specific model.
For that reason, the company opted for a mixed approach, which it said is better suited for its product offering and which, down the line, will allow Bloomberg to tackle many new types of applications as well as deliver much higher performance out-of-the-box than custom models, and in a faster time-to-market fashion.
The AI chatbot frenzy
Generative AI has been a hot topic in the tech sector ever since OpenAI’s ChatGPT went viral on November 30, 2022.
The AI chatbot, which has been praised for its versatility, intelligence, and ability to engage in human-like conversations, surpassed one million users in just five days, and in January, it surged past the 100 million monthly active users mark, becoming the fastest-growing consumer app in history, according to analysts at Swiss bank UBS.
The rise of ChatGPT has sparked a frenzy in the tech community and prompted most industry leaders to ramp up AI development.
In January, Microsoft invested a staggering US$10 billion in ChatGPT creator OpenAI, a deal that marked the third phase of the partnership between the two companies and which followed previous investments from the tech giant in 2019 and 2021.
The capital infusion was followed shortly after by the announcement that Microsoft’s Bing search engine and Edge web browser will be enhanced with AI chatbots.
Most recently, news broke that Google had invested almost US$400 million in Anthropic, an AI company that’s testing a rival to ChatGPT called Claude.
Google has been working on Bard, a conversational AI service that’s powered by the firm’s Language Model for Dialogue Applications (LaMDA) and which uses information found on the web to formulate responses.
Google recently opened up access to Bard, allowing users to join a waitlist to test out the feature. The company said it will start rolling out the tool in the US and the UK, and plans to expand it to more countries and languages in the future. It is also looking to bring AI to its productivity tools, including Gmail, Sheets and Docs.
AI funding surges
Rapid advancement in AI and booming adoption of related technologies have captured the attention of venture capital (VC) investors globally.
In 2022, AI and machine learning (ML) startups raised US$78 billion in VC funding, data from VC research firm Pitchbook show. The sum represents a 35% decline compared with 2021 but still exceeds 2020’s total, showcasing that AI and ML proved resilient despite the global funding downturn.
AI and ML VC deal activity, Source: Q4 2022 Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Report, Pitchbook, March 2023
Although AI and ML funding declined last year, generative AI startup VC investment continued their upward trend, reaching a new record of US$1.37 billion in 2022, according to Pitchbook data. The amount represents a 20% increase compared with 2021’s US$1.14 billion, and a nearly 500% increase compared with 2020’s US$230 million.
Generative AI funding rounds, Source: Pitchbook, Dec 2022
Last month, Salesforce announced a US$250 million fund for investing in generative AI startups, unveiling at the same time new investments into Cohere, a Canadian startup that specializes in large language models; Hearth.AI, an AI platform intended to provide semantic network search; You.com, a search engine that summarizes web results using website categories; and Anthropic.

Featured image credit: edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bloomberg-unveils-finance-focused-generative-ai-model</link><guid>3138</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Top-Banking-Trends-in-Switzerland-2023-SIC-Instant-Payments-Beyond-banner.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Bloomberg Unveils Finance-Focused Generative AI Model</dc:text></item><item><title>Crypto Exchange Kraken Becomes Official Sponsor of Williams Racing F1 Team</title><description><![CDATA[Williams Racing, a British Formula One team and constructor, announced that global crypto exchange Kraken has inked a deal to become its first official crypto and Web3.0 partner.
The Kraken branding will adorn the FW45 halo and rear wing for the remainder of the 2023 FIA Formula One World Championship season, as well as the drivers’ race suits and team caps.
The rear wing will showcase KrakenNFT customer-owned digital collectibles artwork from third party NFT projects at select Grands Prix. Williams and Kraken will also collaborate on the design of limited-edition caps for select Grands Prix.




   



    
   


   








Kraken will also participate at selected Williams Racing fanzone initiatives throughout the season, with pop-up experiences in cities throughout the calendar.
Additionally, Kraken will also produce content and experiences to educate and engage fans about crypto and Web3.
Founded in 2011, Kraken is a digital asset platform with over 10 million clients worldwide trading more than 200 crypto assets and six fiat currencies available through its mobile app and trading platform.
James Bower
James Bower, Commercial Director, Williams Racing said,
“We are proud that Kraken is entering Formula 1 with Williams Racing, bringing together two of the most trusted and longest standing brands in our respective industries.

We’re excited to get the partnership underway to offer our fans cutting-edge crypto and Web3 experiences, while also enabling Kraken to reach new institutional clients and businesses through our network and events.”
Mayur Gupta
Mayur Gupta, Kraken’s Chief Marketing Officer added,
“Kraken’s partnership with Williams Racing shows what is possible when you combine a great mission with excellence, innovation and breakthrough performance.

These are both iconic brands that have stood the test of time. We’re excited to engage with both Kraken’s and Williams Racing’s global communities, showcasing the power and life-changing impact of crypto and Web3.”

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crypto-exchange-kraken-becomes-official-sponsor-of-williams-racing-f1-team</link><guid>3137</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Top-Banking-Trends-in-Switzerland-2023-SIC-Instant-Payments-Beyond-banner.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Crypto Exchange Kraken Becomes Official Sponsor of Williams Racing F1 Team</dc:text></item><item><title>Finfluencers Come Under Regulatory Scrutiny</title><description><![CDATA[Financial influencers, also referred to as finfluencers, are a booming phenomenon on social media platforms and a growing concern for financial regulators. Around the world, governments are mulling on ways to create a regulatory framework for online personalities promoting risky, and sometimes fraudulent, investments to often inexperienced consumers.
In the UK, fraudulent and misleading financial promotions are becoming rampant. In 2022, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) asked firms to amend or remove more than 8,500 promotions, or 14 times more than the year prior, the markets watchdog said in February 2023.
The FCA said it has already acted against several finfluencers and that these personalities will be facing more pressure in 2023. The regulator added that it was consulting on introducing tougher checks for firms that want to approve financial promotions to help crackdown on ads from unauthorized firms and individuals.




   



    
   


   








Sarah Pritchard
“The FCA has worked closely with several big tech companies to change their advertising policies to only allow financial promotions that have been approved by FCA-authorized firms, but more needs to be done by tech companies to protect consumers,”
Sarah Pritchard, the FCA’s executive director of markets, said in a statement.
“This year, we will continue to put the pressure on people using social media to illegally promote investments, which put people’s hard-earned money at risk.”
In Australia, the government is cracking down on content creators who offer financial advice without a federally-issued license. In an information sheet released in March 2022, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission warned that influencers who provide unlicensed financial services can be penalized with hefty fines and face up to five years in prison.
And in the European Union (EU), the financial markets regulator and supervisor, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), launched in January 2023 a common supervisory action to look at marketing practices of firms and how they target audiences through online distribution channels, including apps, social media and collaborations with affiliates such as influencers.
The rise of finfluencers
image via freepik
Finfluencers are social media personalities providing financial advice and advertising financial products on popular platforms such as TikTok, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
The content of their posts and videos can offer advice, education and discussion about financial topics, covering a broad range of themes from personal finance, financial freedom and investment strategies, to crypto-asset investing and product reviews of new fintech products. Some finfluencers also share their own experiences, such as gains and losses in the stock market, in addition to personal tricks to save and earn money.
Finfluencers often work with regulated and unregulated fintech companies in paid collaborations. These partnerships can generate some substantial income. Austin Hankwitz, a 27-year-old TikToker from America, makes more than US$500,000 on the platform annually. On TikTok, the most popular finfluencers can make up to US$7,000 per sponsored post, according to a 2022 study conducted by derivative trading provider CMC Markets.
With a significant following on social media and a high level of influence, finfluencers are increasingly coming under the scrutiny of regulators. This is due mainly to the potential risks associated with providing inappropriate financial information to a wide audience on social media platforms, and the impact of that content on the financial well-being of their followers.
In the traditional financial services space, areas of concerns including the fitness of the person providing advice, the factuality of the information provided, as well as the level and understanding of financial literacy, risk appetite, and risk tolerance of the viewers, are addressed through laws and regulations. Legislations including consumer protection laws and corporate laws mandate that financial advisory activities must be conducted by licensed parties and under the supervision of financial regulators.
However, many finfluencers are not licensed financial advisors, and some might not even know that these laws and requirements apply to them.
Regulatory requirements for finfluencers in the EU and Switzerland
In a new report released earlier this month, consultancy EY outlines the regulatory framework for finfluencers and financial institutions promoting products on social media under Swiss and EU laws.
In the EU, ESMA issued in 2021 a public statement on investment recommendations on social media, reminding that these must follow the EU Market Abuse Regulation, the report notes.
Advice should be made in a specific and transparent manner so that investors understand and are able to assess the credibility of the recommendation and its objectivity, as well as any interest of those making the recommendations, it explains. It adds that the regulation is also applicable to crypto-assets if such assets are classified as financial instrument in accordance with the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive.
In Switzerland, content on financial products and services, as well as financial tips may trigger specific regulatory requirements, EY says. For example, if a finfluencer promotes a financial product that qualifies as financial instrument as defined by the Swiss Financial Services Act, this may be considered “advertising” or “offering”, triggering licensing obligations. The same goes for a financial tip that falls under the legal definition of an “investment advice”, it says.
Advertising for a financial instrument must be clearly recognized as such, and the ad must refer to the Key Information Document (KID), which must be drawn up by the producer of the financial instrument, in addition to the prospectus for the financial instrument.
As for investment advice, advisors are subject to certain rules, including information and disclosure duties, professional knowledge, entry in the register of advisors, and affiliation with the ombudsman’s office, the firm says.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finfluencers-come-under-regulatory-scrutiny</link><guid>3136</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Top-Banking-Trends-in-Switzerland-2023-SIC-Instant-Payments-Beyond-banner.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Finfluencers Come Under Regulatory Scrutiny</dc:text></item><item><title>With SIC5 Around the Corner, Experts Weigh in on Possible Impact of Instant Payments in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[Instant payments are scheduled for rollout in Switzerland in the summer 2024, opening up new opportunities in payment transactions, digital commerce and customer experiences. But the new standard will also put pressure on banks’ lucrative card businesses and will cost financial institutions a stiff amount in implementation, industry experts warn.
Starting August 2024, all banks operating in Switzerland and processing over 500,000 payments per year will be required to implement the new standard and be able to receive instant payments, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) has mandated. In an initial phase, these real-time transfers will be capped at CHF 20,000.
The second phase will require all participants in the Swiss Interbank Clearing (SIC) network to be able to receive and execute real-time transfers by the end of 2026.




   



    
   


   








In addition to priority introduction at banks, instant payments will also be implemented as an account-to-account (A2A) payment method in retail, as well as e-commerce.
For customers, the new system means immediate processing and settlement of payments around the clock, every day of the week. SIC, the Swiss infrastructure provider of payment services, has set a time-limit of 10 seconds on end-to-end payments processing.
This will represent a significant improvement from Switzerland’s current interbank payment system where money transferred can take several days before arriving in the recipient’s account.
Impact of real-time payments in Switzerland
Already, industry experts and observers are speculating on the possible impact of the introduction of real-time payments in Switzerland.
According to Alain Schmid, head of business banking at Credit Suisse, most fintech solutions today rely heavily on card technology, which comes with fees for merchants. The introduction of instant payments could put pressure on these fees.
Echoing Schmid, David Frei, Deloitte Switzerland’s payments lead and a director in the business operations consulting in Zurich, told Finews.com in a statement that he expects transaction costs for retail merchants to drop by factors thanks to real-time payments.
Over the medium term, Frei believes that the card business, which has been highly profitable for some banks, will reach an inflection point. If instant payments and A2A transactions prove popular among consumers, the fee income resulting from card transactions for banks will ultimately decrease, he said.
But it’s not all doom and gloom for banking incumbents. Sergio Cruz, the lead partner of Deloitte’s business operations practice in Zurich, wrote in a 2022 blog post that savings are expected from reduced operating costs due to the enhanced automation of payment processes.
He added that instant payments will also provide opportunities for banks to tap into customer data gathered from these to understand their customers’ behavior through data analytics of anonymized aggregated data.
In the broader market, Cruz is confident that the introduction of the new system will impact the types of fintech solutions offered in the market, encouraging fintech companies to build A2A payment offerings and possibly enabling the creation of new, innovative digital banking solutions.
Ultimately, instant payments will help improve customer experience, he claims, enhancing the usability of online banking solutions, enabling new offerings and optimizing costs.
But still, the adaptation of the infrastructure and processes to comply with the new instant payment requirements will require numerous changes that will affect banks. First, the implementation will lead to up-front costs.
To provide an idea of what that cost might be, Frei said that the changeover to the previous payment standard, SIC4, as well as the new payment slip with QR code, which was completed in 2022, costed banks an estimated CHF 600 million. He projects high costs for the change to the new system, SIC5, as well as, in addition to the associated introduction of real-time payments. “Considerable expense for the banking is to be expected,” he told Finews.com.
Switzerland lags behind international counterparts
Real-time payments are just one of the many new or improved functionalities part of the next and fifth generation of the Swiss central bank payment system. The new system, also referred to as SIC5, will introduce capabilities, such as a new settlement algorithm and higher processing performance.
The SNB, which helped launched the SIC5 project back in 2020, has said that the initiative was a testament of the central bank’s commitment to ensuring that “the cashless payment system in Switzerland remains efficient, secure and ‘future-proof’.”
The planned rollout of real-time payments in Switzerland starting next year makes the country a laggard compared to some of its international peers.
Singapore, for example, launched its FAST infrastructure back in 2014, enabling participating banks as well as non-financial institutions to link into a transfer network that enables real-time payments 24/7 365 days a year across the country.
India introduced its Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system in 2016, allowing consumers to make interbank peer-to-peer (P2P) and person-to-merchant (P2M) transactions seamlessly.
The Philippines launched its InstaPay electronic fund transfer service in 2018, while Vietnam has had its real-time payments infrastructure since 2020.
According to Fidelity National Information Services (FIS Global), an American multinational corporation which offers financial products and services, only 17 countries were live with real-time payments in 2014. As of 2022, up to 72% of the world had a live real-time payment infrastructure or was planning to launch one soon.
Global real-time payment adoption, Source: Thunes, 2022
To take a deep dive into this topic about SIC5, Fintech News Switzerland will be organizing a webinar featuring speakers from SIX, Yapeal Bank and Bottomline as they highlight the new banking trends and initiatives for 2023, the best strategy for digital payments transformation in Switzerland and how banks can develop new offerings for cross-border &amp; domestic payments. Register here to gain more insights.

Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/with-sic5-around-the-corner-experts-weigh-in-on-possible-impact-of-instant-payments-in-switzerland</link><guid>3135</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Top-Banking-Trends-in-Switzerland-2023-SIC-Instant-Payments-Beyond-banner.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>With SIC5 Around the Corner, Experts Weigh in on Possible Impact of Instant Payments in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Apple Rolls Out Its Pay Later Offering for Selected Users</title><description><![CDATA[Apple has rolled out its Buy Now, Pay Later offering in the U.S., allowing users to split purchases into four payments, spread over six weeks with no interest and no fees.
Users can apply for Apple Pay Later loans of US$50 to US$1,000, which can be used for online and in-app purchases made on iPhone and iPad with merchants that accept Apple Pay.
A soft credit pull will be done during the application process to help ensure that the user is in a good financial position before taking on the loan.




   



    
   


   








Users will be able to easily track, manage, and repay their Apple Pay Later loans in the Apple Wallet.
Apple will invite select users to access a pre-released version of Apple Pay Later, with plans to offer it to all eligible users in the coming months.
Jennifer Bailey
“There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to how people manage their finances. Many people are looking for flexible payment options, which is why we’re excited to provide our users with Apple Pay Later,”
said Jennifer Bailey, Vice President of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet.
“Apple Pay Later was designed with our users’ financial health in mind, so it has no fees and no interest, and can be used and managed within Wallet, making it easier for consumers to make informed and responsible borrowing decisions.”

This article first appeared on Fintech News America. 

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/apple-rolls-out-its-pay-later-offering-for-selected-users</link><guid>3133</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Top-Banking-Trends-in-Switzerland-2023-SIC-Instant-Payments-Beyond-banner.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Apple Rolls Out Its Pay Later Offering for Selected Users</dc:text></item><item><title>Tenity Ropes in SIX, UBS, Julius Baer, Generali for First Close of Its Fintech Fund</title><description><![CDATA[Tenity, a Swiss fintech accelerator formerly known as F10, announced the first closing of its Tenity Incubation Fund I with investments from SIX Group, UBS’ strategic venture and innovation unit UBS Next, Julius Baer, and Generali’s House of Insurtech Switzerland. Details of the fund was not disclosed.
Led by CIO Maximilian Spelmeyer, Tenity’s investment team looks to build a portfolio of around 400 companies across Switzerland, Western Europe and Asia Pacific.
The Tenity Incubation Fund I will invest in fintech and insurtech companies at angel, pre-seed and seed stage, emerging from the Tenity Flagship Incubation programmes across its hubs in Europe and Asia.




   



    
   


   








The fund targets to be the first institutional investor in a startup, supplying the team with funding, hands-on support and network throughout the four-month Tenity incubation programme.
Tenity is particularly interested in founders who are at the idea or product development stage but is pre-market and have not raised yet or only a small family round.
The Tenity startup programmes have supported more than 250 startups to date including Swiss spend management automation company Yokoy, Brussels-based digital asset market maker Keyrock, alternative investment platform Stableton, Hong Kong’s insurtech CoverGo, and Belgian-Swiss digitised mortgage SaaS firm Oper Credits.
Tenity said that it is looking at a second closing in Q4 2023.
Maximilian Spelmeyer
Maximilian Spelmeyer, Chief Investment Officer at Tenity said,
“We support founders over several months throughout the incubation program and use our experience to give them the tools and connections to succeed.

With continued commitment from our partners, this year we enhance the Tenity offering through investment, on top of providing access to network and business expertise, introductions to corporate partners, a selection of mentors and our investor network.”
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/tenity-ropes-in-six-ubs-julius-baer-generali-for-first-close-of-its-fintech-fund</link><guid>3134</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Top-Banking-Trends-in-Switzerland-2023-SIC-Instant-Payments-Beyond-banner.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Tenity Ropes in SIX, UBS, Julius Baer, Generali for First Close of Its Fintech Fund</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Founders, Execs Dominate Forbes 2023 Under 30 Europe Finance List</title><description><![CDATA[Forbes has released its annual Under 30 Europe list, recognizing the continent’s top 300 brightest founders, entrepreneurs and executives who are building bold companies that are out to combat climate change, fight fraud and reinvent the banking industry.
In the finance category, fintech founders and business leaders are dominating this year’s list. Of the 30 duos and personalities listed, 23 are from the sector, applying technologies like blockchain and data analytics as well as digital platforms to address climate change, the business funding gap as well as startup investment.
Robert Pasco, 29, Co-Founder and CEO, Plend





   



    
   


   








Robert Pasco is the co-founder and CEO of Plend, a consumer lending startup based in the UK he co-founded in 2020 after an eight-year career in tax and accounting.
Plend offers a consumer lending platform designed to help people access affordable credit. The platform is powered by open banking and uses live, forward-looking data, enabling customers to lend at affordable rates that were otherwise locked out from affordable credit due to inaccurate or completely invisible credit records.
Plend secured GBP 40 million in seed funding in November 2022.
Przemek Kowalczyk, 29, Szymon Sypniewicz, 28, Co-Founders, Ramp

Szymon Sypniewicz and Przemek Kowalczyk are the founders of Ramp, a UK-based startup offering payment infrastructure to connect crypto and traditional finance.
Through its core on- and off-ramp products, Ramp provides businesses and individuals across 150+ countries and territories with a streamlined and smooth experience in converting between cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies. Ramp is integrated with the world’s major payment methods, including debit and credit cards, bank transfers, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and more.
The company has secured over US$120 million in funding.
Ibrahim Alkurd, 26, Founding Partner, Lavaliere Capital Management

Ibrahim Alkurd is a founding partner of Lavaliere Capital Management, a digital asset investment firm managing over US$30 million. The firm offers professionally managed digital asset investment products and counts among its investors high net worth individuals (HNWIs), family offices and fund of funds located within the US and internationally.
Aside his role at Lavaliere Capital Management, Alkurd is also a tech and finance entrepreneur that has founded three other companies, a charity and invested in dozens of businesses. His five most recent investments are Guider, Kalaam, Shawarma Shack, Causal, Skillza.
Nils Feigenwinter, 22, Leon Stephan, 26, Co-Founders, Bling

Nils Feigenwinder and Leon Stephan are the founders of Bling, a German fintech startup that helps families with young children bank better. The company develops educational payment cards and applications to help children deal with finances, and learn to use digital money and allows them to understand their income and expenses and become money-wise.
Bling says thousands of families are leveraging its services and more than 10,000 children using a Bling card as their first personal payment experience.
Thomas Bohner, 28, Chaim Finizola, 29, Maxim Piessen, 28, Co-Founders, Credix Finance

Thomas Bohner, Chaim Finizola, and Maxim Piessen are the founders of Credix Finance, a decentralized credit platform that connects investors with fintech credit opportunities in Latin America. The company offers financing to businesses in Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico and has provided US$30 million so far.
Credix Finance recently raised US$11.25 million in a Series A which it said it would use to accelerate the development of its platform, team growth, and integration with Web3 projects.
Ayelen Denovitzer, 29, Co-Founder, Solvo Finance

Ayelen Denovitzer is the co-founder of Solvo Finance, a finance company working to make crypto simple, easy and understandable by curating the best, high-quality investments.
The Solve Finance app’s initial release include two key features: Savings, a yield-generating product, and Bundles, which provides diversified exposure to a set of high-quality investments in different areas of crypto. In September 2022, the company announced the close of a US$3.5 million fundraising round.
Prior to Solvo Finance, Ayelen worked at digital bank Revolut, where she oversaw the roll out of the company’s crypto product for its 25 million users worldwide. Born and raised in Argentina, Ayelen started her career as a consultant at Bain and Company where she worked with consumer products companies and financial services firms.
Albert Geisler Fox, 25, Co-Founder and CEO, Performativ

Albert Geisler Fox is the co-founder and CEO of Performativ, a company that develops modern solutions for the asset and wealth management industry. At Performativ, he oversees operations and is closely connected to the engineering department.
Originally trained in the institutional asset management space, Geisler Fox spent most of his career with Danish asset management consultancy Kirstein. At Kirstein. he was officially head of data, managing a small team of data scientists. Prior to his employment with Kirstein, he worked as a DevOps engineer at Meebox, and as a financial researcher at Danish television station TV 2.
Leanne Holder, 29, CEO, Giving To Services

Leanne Holder is the CEO of Giving To Services, a crypto startup that aims to recognize and reward public service workers with financial support.
Holder is a multi-award-winning entrepreneur, a delegate to the UN Women UK CSW67 and a winner of the 2023 Women in IT awards.
Her business successes have led to her being named Best Newcomer in the Wirex Rising Women In Crypto Power List, one of the Top 7 Crypto CEO’s in the world, as well as one of the UK’s most Inspirational female entrepreneurs in 2021.
Ankush Jain, 29, Co-Founder and Chief Investment Officer, Aaro Capital

Ankush Jain is the co-founder and chief investment officer of Aaro Capital, a UK-based digital asset investor. As chief investment officer, Jain directs the firm’s investment strategy, leading fund selection and portfolio construction.
Before co-founding Aaro Capital, Jain was part of the multifund investment team at US$24 billion Nedgroup Investments, where he was actively involved in the asset allocation process as part of the International Investment and Strategy Committees. He also advised on manager screening and manager selection across multiple asset classes.
Jain has broad experience in financial markets, working closely with both institutional investors and HNWIs, and has been actively trading cryptocurrencies on his personal account since 2017. He is also a CFA charterholder and a member of the CFA Institute.
Cristian Dan, 29, Co-Founder and CTO, Yayzy

Cristian Dan is the co-founder and CTO of Yayzy, a fintech platform that uses payment data via open banking standards to automatically calculate the carbon footprint of each purchase a user makes. The platform also provides users with tips to help them reduce their impact.
Dan is a self-driven software engineer with strong technical and communication skills who’s passionate about developing products focused on customers’ needs. He holds a master’s degree in Distributed Computing and Systems in Internet from Universitatea Babes-Bolayi.
Georgia Stewart, 27, Co-Founder and CEO, Tumelo

Georgia Stewart is the CEO and co-founder of Tumelo, an impact-focused fintech firm based in the UK.
The company’s solution gives retail investors and pension members visibility over their underlying fund holdings and a shareholder voice on issues they care about at companies they own, such as gender equality and climate change. Its white-label software plugs into existing investment platforms and pension portals, driving positive engagement between investment providers and their clients and, ultimately, influencing better stewardship across the asset management industry.
Prior to co-founding Tumelo, Stewart worked for Jupiter and Alliance Trust on sustainable asset management, as well as Fauna and Flora International on natural capital. She studied Climate Change and Conservation under a Natural Sciences degree at Cambridge.
Sébastien Lubineau, 27, Gabriel Thierry, 25, Baptiste Wiel, 25, Co-Founders, Karmen

Gabriel Thierry, Baptiste Wiel, and Sébastien Lubineau are the co-founders of Karmen, a company that provides instant, non-dilutive financing offers for digital small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Through its plug and play digital platform, the fintech startup allows companies to securely share data from their billing, accounting and banking suite of tools in a matter of minutes to assess credit risk and determine in less than 48 hours whether or not the player is eligible for financing.
Karmen closed a EUR 22 million equity and debt financing round in February to expand its platform, launch in new markets, and recruit new talents.
Philip Kelvin, 29, Co-Founder and CEO, Tranch

Philip Kelvin is the co-founder and CEO of Tranch, a business-to-business (B2B) buy now, pay later (BNPL) platform based in New York City and London.
Tranch enables software-as-a-service (SaaS) and services providers to be paid upfront and offer their customers flexible payment options up to 12 months. By offering the Pay with Tranch payment method at checkout, these businesses are able to offer an alternative way for their end-customers to pay for contracts worth up to US$500,000.
Tranch is backed by investors including Global Founders Capital, Y Combinator, Soma Capital, FoundersX. It secured US$100 million in seed equity and debt funding in January.
Bastian Larsen, 29, Founder and CEO, BlackWood Ventures

Bastian Larsen is the founder and CEO of BlackWood Ventures, a pan-European early-stage venture capital (VC) firm focused on supporting visionary entrepreneurs within fintech, Web3, and cleantech.
Prior to founding BlackWood Ventures, Larsen worked for BlackRock in London, Geneva, and New York, where he co-led the global product strategy for the firm’s US$10 billion merger and acquisition (M&amp;A) hedge fund. He holds an MBA from the University of Oxford and a bachelor’s degree from Copenhagen Business School.
Jacob Lindberg, 29, Co-Founder and CEO, Vinter

Jacob Lindberg is the co-founder and CEO of Vinter, a regulated index provider specialized in crypto assets. The company collects digital asset data from hundreds of sources, transforming proprietary strategies into investable products.
Vinter works with leading issuers in Europe to create exchange-traded products, and is behind the first crypto indexes in the Nordics approved by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA).
Vinter raised US$3.4 million in seed funding in January 2022 to hire senior data analysts and scientists, build out its team of backend developers and technical data engineers, and expand its business reach.
James Long, 29, Investment Director, UBS Next

James Long is a founding member of UBS’s US$200 million corporate venture capital unit, UBS Next Investments. Long focuses on early-stage opportunities and handles everything from deal sourcing to portfolio management.
Prior to joining UBS, Long worked in the strategy and consulting service line of Publicis Sapient for five years, advising financial services companies. He initially joined the strategy team at UBS in 2019, which subsequently evolved into UBS Next.
Nina Mohanty, 29, Co-Founder, Bloom Money

Nina Mohanty is the co-founder of Bloom Money, a company that helps immigrants borrow and save money in a transparent and straightforward manner and which uses a community-led approach to financial services. The startup has secured a US$1.2 million pre-seed round, according to Forbes.
Mohanty’s professional background is in fintech, having worked at companies such as including Mastercard, Starling Bank, Bud, and Klarna.
Daniela Raffel Torrebiarte, 29, Vice President, Dawn Capital

Daniela Raffel Torrebiarte is the vice president of Dawn Capital, a London-based venture firm that backs European founders building next-generation software. She joined Dawn Capital as an associate in May 2020 and was promoted to vice president in the shortest time at the fund to date.
At Dawn Capital, Raffel Torrebiarte looks for exceptional businesses in the fintech and future of work space in the UK, Germany, Austria and Switzerland (DACH), and the Iberian markets.
She joined the firm from Capital on Tap, a London-based SME-lending fintech where she focused on automating customer onboarding, product and partnership development, and operational improvements. Before that, she was at McKinsey, advising retail banking clients on how to implement new technologies and ways of working.
Charles Read, 29, Founding Partner, Rarestone Capital

Charles Read is a founding partner at Rarestone Capital, a VC firm headquartered in London which invests in projects related to distributed technology, blockchain and the metaverse.
Rarestone Capital focuses on offering founders long-term financial and intellectual capital, supporting founders and technologists globally. The firm reached US$100 million in assets under management (AUM) in 2021.
At Rarestone, Read focuses on all things gaming, virtual and augmented reality and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Since 2017, he has invested in over 100 startups across the Web3 stack, many of which became unicorns and helped move the industry forward.
Sylvan Martin, 28, Norman Wooding, 28, Co-Founders, Scrypt Digital

Sylvan Martin and Norman Wooding are the co-founders of Scrypt Digital, a company that offers traditional brokerage services for the crypto world, like market making and prime brokerage.
Wooding is a serial entrepreneur who has been involved in the blockchain and digital asset space since 2014. At Scrypt Digital, he’s in charge of evolving the strategic vision, promoting an agile and entrepreneurial working environment while building innovative products and investment solutions.
Martin is an alumni board-member of HWZ Zurich and prominent figure in the Swiss business landscape. At Scrypt Digital, he is responsible for frictionless operations, team management, as well as business relations.
Claudia Stankler, 28, Chief Operating Officer, Connectd

Claudia Stankler is the chief operating officer of Connectd, a community-driven technology platform connecting investors and advisors with leading and relevant startups. The company’s platform offers a three-sided early-stage funding marketplace supported by SaaS resolution to provide data for startup investment.
Connectd counts more than 1,650 members worldwide and says it has supported 1,250 funding round and helped place more than 1,100 advisors.
Stankler has a varied work experience. Prior to joining Connectd, she served as the head of operations for Nutrifix, a wellness company, and Tlero, a mental health company.
Cecilia Wang, 27, Investor, Accel

Cecilia Wang is an investor at Accel, a renowned American VC firm that has funded the likes of Facebook, Slack, Dropbox, Flipkart, and Vox Media. She joined Accel in 2021 and focuses on fintech, software and consumer businesses.
Prior to joining Accel, Wang was Revolut, working on product strategy and helping the company reach profitability. Previously, she worked at Citi’s banking, capital markets and advisory group in New York and London.
Wang was born in Sweden and grew up in Hong Kong. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley.
Ruth Williams, 24, Principal, BNY Mellon

Ruth Williams is a principal in the digital assets business at the Bank of New York Mellon (BNY Mellon). At the bank, she leads product experience as BNY Mellon develops its digital cash offering and is building their first blockchain engineering team in Europe.
Based in Dublin, Williams joined BNY Mellon in 2022 from Meta, previously known as Facebook, where she dealt with fintech, payments experience and commerce products
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-founders-execs-dominate-forbes-2023-under-30-europe-finance-list</link><guid>3132</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Top-Banking-Trends-in-Switzerland-2023-SIC-Instant-Payments-Beyond-banner.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech Founders, Execs Dominate Forbes 2023 Under 30 Europe Finance List</dc:text></item><item><title>CV Labs Selects 9 Startups for the Fifth Batch of Its Blockchain Accelerator</title><description><![CDATA[CV Labs, the international ecosystem builder of blockchain venture capital firm CV VC, announced the fifth batch of its global blockchain business accelerator.
Nine startups were selected from over sixty countries for the Batch_05 based on the impact and utility that their solution will bring.
The CV Labs Accelerator provides each participant up to US$135,000 capital, access to other capital avenues, one-on-one mentorship, and customised growth hacks for blockchain entrepreneurs.




   



    
   


   








Participants will also benefit from the infrastructure of the broader Crypto Valley ecosystem which is counted as the most mature blockchain hub globally with over 1000 entities operating within the most favorably regulated system. Many of them are located in CV Labs’ hi-spec office space.
The accelerator will operate for ten weeks from 27 March 2023 and will be held at the CV Labs accelerator space in Zug, Switzerland.
Tracy Trachsler
“The impact of blockchain is enormous, so it is inspirational to work with entrepreneurs who are focused on building solutions that provide a social as well as economic benefit.

Blockchain is wide open for innovators to have a major impact, and our proven accelerator provides founders a valuable opportunity and optimal conditions for growth.”
said Tracy Trachsler, MD Switzerland CV Labs,
Janis Aquilar
“Here in Crypto Valley, the home of Ethereum, we have over 6000 people working in blockchain not only creating new financial models but better ways of interacting and transacting across multiple industries, generating greater efficiencies for society.

We are very excited about all participants and are honored that we will be joined by teams from Africa where the deeply transformative capacity of blockchain is palpable, daily”
said Janis Aquilar, Ecosystem Manager at CV Labs.
The following startups were selected for Batch_05:
 Ivory Pay (Nigeria)

Problem – cross-border payment in Africa is still one of the most expensive in the world. Costing an average of 8 to 10% of the value of each transaction
Solution – a payment gateway for African businesses that enables payment in stable crypto across borders at cheaper fees and without FX restrictions
Nyayomat (Kenya)

Problem – micro merchants need credit access to purchase products
Solution – working capital support technology through smart contracts executing transactions, enabling merchants to access product capital and repay partners as they make their sales
Web3 Sanctuary (South Africa)


Problem – scarcity of skilled Web3 developers
Solution – online training platform to teach software developers how to code for Web3 applications and assist them in getting placed in Web3 developer roles
Fungies (Poland &amp; USA)

Problem – game studios are focused on making games and don’t always have the resources to make their own storefront or marketplace
Solution – Shopify for the gaming industry that’s both Web2 and Web3 compatible
Zero-Code (Estonia)

Problem – Web3 has tremendous potential to build effective loyalty &amp; rewards programs, but they are complex and expensive
Solution – a no-code platform with plug &amp; play utilities to build Web3-enabled sites
Coala Pay (USA &amp; Australia)

Problem – international aid money is lost before it gets to communities and there is no direct access to the most effective aid actors
Solution – make moving aid money simple, borderless, and programmable, and track the impact. Donors are connected directly to grassroots aid actors
Pyrpose (Switzerland)

Problem – lack of engaging climate solutions that ordinary citizens can access
Solution – a marketplace where SMEs and citizen investors can interact, transact and ensure large-scale solutions are funded. Use of regenerative finance where the citizen investor is able to reprogram their digital assets to go directly back into the marketplace and regenerate not only compound returns but also compound impact.
GalaxyX (USA)

Problem – developers and Web3 businesses struggle to measure activity on apps, websites, NFT platforms, and games using IPFS for their data storage
Solution – an easy-to-integrate platform/toolset for developers to produce anonymous metrics on IPFS/Filecoin data.
Colecti (Netherlands – sponsored by Lisk)

Problem – NFTs are not accessible to their intended users and only address a small number of traders today
Solution – an easy-to-use platform that offers users and creators easy access to NFT innovation and trading, so those inside and outside the crypto sphere can buy and trade digital assets and forge the next generation of NFTs
Startup founders at CV Labs Zug who have commenced a 10 week acceleration programme
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/cv-labs-selects-9-startups-for-the-fifth-batch-of-its-blockchain-accelerator</link><guid>3131</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Top-Banking-Trends-in-Switzerland-2023-SIC-Instant-Payments-Beyond-banner.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>CV Labs Selects 9 Startups for the Fifth Batch of Its Blockchain Accelerator</dc:text></item><item><title>Revolutionising Swiss Banking: Why Instant Payments are the Future</title><description><![CDATA[The demand for instant payment (IP) services around the world has soared in recent years, primarily driven by shifting customer expectations for fast, convenient, and seamless fund transfers.
In response to this demand, the Swiss Interbank Clearing (SIC) payment system announced it will process IP, operated by SIX on behalf of the Swiss National Bank. By August 2024, banks processing more than 500,000 SIC messages annually will be required to facilitate IP, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. All other banks in the region will need to comply by 2026.
Other regions are fast-tracking their strategies too. The EU’s SEPA Instant Credit Transfer scheme was launched in 2017, and the European Commission recently announced its move to mandate IP. In the UK, the upcoming New Payments Architecture (NPA) is in the process of being delivered by Pay.UK.
Switzerland has proven to be a leader in payments innovation, such as with its readiness to move to the ISO 20022 standard. To remain competitive on the global stage, a seamless roll-out and execution of IP in the region will be crucial, and Swiss banks need to be prepared.
These deadlines will come around quickly, so banks have to prioritise investing in the necessary infrastructure and technology, supported by the right partners, now.
The need for instant payments
While IPs provide great benefits for banks, businesses and consumers, they can also increase risks. One major risk is that instant payments could spur instant fraud.
Facilitating a payment in real-time provides a very narrow window for banks to detect fraud, and the potential financial and reputational consequences of this could be huge.
In addition to protecting their customers from fraudulent activity, banks need to ensure they can remain fully compliant with increasingly stringent anti-fraud regulations.
For example, ongoing changes in Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance guidelines expose banks to high false positives, manual interventions, and inadequate sanctions screening, potentially leading to an increase in money laundering.
Technologies such as machine learning, AI and behavioural analytics are becoming critical for banks to automate this process and detect and prevent fraudulent transactions in real-time. Mitigating fraud at its source increases the security of their offering and the trust of their customers, whilst ensuring they remain compliant with regulations.
Ultimately, streamlining screening and fraud prevention practices will reduce costs in the long-term. This should therefore be a priority that coincides with a bank’s IP strategy.
Legacy infrastructure can slow adoption 
Finastra’s recent ‘Payments Modernisation and Technology: Priorities, Challenges, and Partnerships’ global survey finds that real-time payments are one of the largest drivers of payments modernisation.
Many financial institutions are somewhere in the process of deploying new payment rails, with about 72% of respondents having completed a project, having one in progress, or with plans to implement. This suggests that most banks are welcoming modernisation as a key differentiator and opportunity to innovate.
Despite this shift to real-time payments, many banks experience implementation challenges, with 57% of respondents reporting that adapting legacy infrastructure makes modernisation efforts extremely or very challenging.
To overcome these challenges, banks need to accelerate their cloud strategies. With cloud-based systems, banks benefit from enhanced scalability, flexibility, and security that allows them to implement IP effectively and seamlessly, whilst driving operational costs down.
Tapping into a cloud and open-API based ecosystem provides additional benefits. Having access to specialist third-party services through a wider ecosystem means that banks can implement necessary services that may otherwise take too long or cost too much to implement themselves.
For example, fintech solutions exist that specialise in real-time fraud detection and compliance with AML and KYC. Via an ecosystem model, these services can be easily and seamlessly implemented within a bank’s existing offering.
Finding the right partner
To implement and offer IP quickly and seamlessly, banks need to find the right technology partner. They need a provider with strong expertise in payments, who understands the impact of upcoming regulations and can offer robust solutions to support their needs.
Finastra has extensive experience in the payments industry – specializing in areas such as Open Finance, digital transformation and instant payments – and works in close collaboration with regulators and industry bodies. Its award-winning solutions are trusted by banks in Switzerland and worldwide, including 90 of the world’s top 100 banks.
Finastra’s Payments To Go is a scalable SaaS solution that provides end-to-end payment processing, enabling banks to accelerate their IP services roll-out and deliver flexible digital payment offerings faster and more efficiently.
The cloud-based offering provides the flexibility required by banks to adapt quickly to new customer and regulatory demands, whether in relation to Instant Payments, new clearings and alternative payments methods, or combatting fraud.
It is also integrated with Finastra’s open platform for innovation, FusionFabric.cloud.
Orchestrated by Finastra, FusionFabric.cloud helps to drive collaboration and innovation across the financial services industry by giving banks access to a marketplace of specialised applications provided by fintechs.
Through open APIs, banks can easily integrate these solutions with Payments To Go and their existing offerings, helping them to future-proof their business, innovate at speed and scale, and free up resources to focus on serving their customers.
The future of payments 
To remain competitive in the rapidly evolving payments industry, banks must adapt to the changing needs of their customers and the broader market. This requires investing in and upgrading their infrastructure, embracing new technologies, and implementing robust security measures.
Failure to adapt could result in banks losing customers to more agile and forward-thinking competitors, including fintechs and non-bank providers, who may disrupt the market and capture market share.
In the case of IP, failure to adequately adapt could also result in financial and reputational damage.
But the move towards IP in Switzerland is about more than just compliance. It is changing how consumers and businesses transact and providing impetus to the financial services industry to continue its journey towards Open Finance.
This is a huge move for the payments industry and a big undertaking for financial institutions. For those who have not yet embraced IPs, time and costs for compliance could be substantial. This is why collaboration is key.
Finastra believes that finance is open. Through open technology, open finance and open culture, we are partnering with our customers to help them embrace IP and ongoing innovation, so they can provide their customers with the superior and seamless experiences they expect.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/revolutionising-swiss-banking-why-instant-payments-are-the-future</link><guid>3130</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Revolutionising Swiss Banking: Why Instant Payments are the Future</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Bankers Association Makes Case for Digital Swiss Franc</title><description><![CDATA[In Switzerland, the introduction of a digital Swiss franc could further boost the local digital asset industry, foster innovation in the domestic market and support the Swiss franc as a means of payment, the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA), the country’s primary industry group representing the Swiss banking sector, says in a new whitepaper.
The paper, released on March 13, 2023, makes a case for the introduction of a digital representation of the national currency, arguing that a digital Swiss franc would be an important contribution to Switzerland’s competitiveness and innovative power, and would help the nation bolster its sovereignty.
A stablecoin supported by the Swiss banking industry
A number of factors are contributing to this belief. First, central banks from around the world are actively exploring the merits of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs); second, consumers are embracing digital payments; and third, regulators are accelerating efforts to introduce rules that cater to the thriving cryptocurrency industry, the trade group says.




   



    
   


   








Against this backdrop and considering developments such as the tokenization of assets and the emergence of decentralized finance (DeFi) applications, the SBA says it is working on the concept of a digital currency in the form of tokenized deposits.
This system, referred to as a “deposit token”, would be based on public blockchain technology and would come with smart contract features. If carefully designed, it could allow for a wide range of new applications, reduce risks, increase efficiency, and open up whole new areas of business, the group says.
Possible applications highlighted in the report include its use as a substitute to private stablecoins such as USD Coin for the buying and selling tokenized assets, more efficient and cost-effective peer-to-peer payments, as well as its use in transactions executed by machines within the Internet-of-Things, on Web3 and in the metaverse.
A deposit token would also lay the foundations for a distributed ledger technology (DLT)-based financial ecosystem, the report says, enhancing the maturity of this ecosystem, bringing about new applications and making it more attractive for Swiss users by reducing entry barriers and supporting financial transactions in their reference currency.

A currency for the new digital economy
CBDCs have been a hot topic among governments over the past couple of years. In Switzerland, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) has been involved in a number of CBDC projects with the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), including Project Helvetia, which focuses on tokenized asset settlement in wholesale CBDC (wCBDC); Project Helvetia, which focuses on the integration of a CBDC into a financial market infrastructure for the custody and transfer of tokenized securities based on DLT; and Project Jura, which explored settling foreign exchange FX transactions in euro and Swiss franc wCBDCs.
Though the Swiss Federal Council and the SNB have both shared that there is no urgent need to introduce a digital Swiss franc at the time being, they have however acknowledged the potential of a CBDC for innovation in digital payments.
At the same time, regulators are increasing their focus on digital assets after a series of high-profile collapses, that included FTX, Terra and Three Arrows Capital, sent shockwaves through the industry.
Just last month, the British finance ministry laid out its first set of rules to regulate digital assets, proposing to bring stablecoins as well as centralized cryptocurrency exchanges into the regulatory perimeter.
In the European Union (EU), the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), which is expected to go into effect in 2024, will introduce a common licensing regime for crypto wallets and exchanges to operate across the EU and will apply stricter rules than those currently in place in some European countries.
Booming interest in digital currencies comes at a time when usage of digital payments is rising rapidly amid changing consumer behavior and preferences. According to French information technology and consulting firm Capgemini, non-cash transaction volume nearly doubled between 2016 and 2020, soaring from just 480 billion transactions in 2016 to more than 845 billion in 2020.
Adoption of digital payments among consumers and businesses is set to continue its upward trend, with volumes projected to record a 16.5% annual growth rate between 2021 and 2026. This growth will be driven by infrastructure improvements, market maturity and rising demand from customers for convenient, tech-enabled solutions, the firm says.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-bankers-association-makes-case-for-digital-swiss-franc</link><guid>3129</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Top-Banking-Trends-in-Switzerland-2023-SIC-Instant-Payments-Beyond-banner.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Bankers Association Makes Case for Digital Swiss Franc</dc:text></item><item><title>Checkout.com Enables Businesses to Issue Virtual and Physical Cards</title><description><![CDATA[Global payments solution provider Checkout.com has rolled out a new offering which will enable businesses to issue fully customisable virtual and physical cards.
The company said that the new Checkout.com Issuing offering takes the complexity out of adding financial services products and helps businesses go live with card programmes quickly.
Businesses can now own and differentiate their card from the rest, whether it’s with a sustainable card using eco-friendly or recycled materials to avoid plastic waste or unique colour combinations.




   



    
   


   








Inflexible legacy technology has meant that multiple integrations and operational inefficiencies have prevented businesses from sharing interchange fees.
Checkout.com Issuing’s modern platform removes patchwork integrations, enabling businesses to unlock new revenue streams through receiving a percentage of card interchange fees.
Meron Colbeci
Meron Colbeci, CPO at Checkout.com said,

“Card issuance and embedded finance has exploded over the past few years as sectors like online travel, marketplaces and digital banking use payments to stay at the heart of their customers’ financial lives.

Checkout.com Issuing is built on open, flexible APIs that mean businesses can create purpose-built card programmes, enhance cash flow and unlock new revenue opportunities.”

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/checkoutcom-enables-businesses-to-issue-virtual-and-physical-cards</link><guid>3128</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Top-Banking-Trends-in-Switzerland-2023-SIC-Instant-Payments-Beyond-banner.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Checkout.com Enables Businesses to Issue Virtual and Physical Cards</dc:text></item><item><title>The Impact of Silicon Valley Bank’s Collapse on Fintech</title><description><![CDATA[With over 2,600 fintech clients, Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) is more than just bank and venture debt lender. Beyond banking and financing, SVB is also a technology partner to many fintech companies, serving as a gateway for commercial payments and online payments acceptance, a new analysis by tech market intelligence platform CB Insights shows.
Overall, SVB has been a key stakeholder in the local fintech startup ecosystem, serving more than 2,690 fintech clients, the report says. These companies account for 71% of all fintech initial public offerings (IPOs) since 2020.
According to the report, the bank’s sudden collapse on March 10, 2023 has affected 45 fintech partners and customers that span over a dozen areas within the sector.




   



    
   


   








Data show that payments, accounting, expense management and lending are the four areas where partnerships have been the most common, with partners and clients that include Affirm, a buy now, pay later (BNPL) service provider; Settle, an all-in-one payment solution serving e-commerce brands; and Soldo, a payment and spend automation platform for businesses.
E-commerce, banking, blockchain and cryptocurrency, wealthtech, insurance as well as fraud and identity are other fintech segments SVB has been involved in, having built ties with the likes of Payoneer, a payment platform for cross-border digital businesses; Shopify, an e-commerce company; Thought Machine, a fintech company that build cloud-native core banking and payment technology; Circle, the company that operates the popular stablecoin USD Coin (USDC); Hometree, a home services company offering cover plans to UK homeowners and landlords; Stash, a personal finance app that combines banking, investing and advice; and Onfido, a digital identity and authentication specialist.
The collapse of SVB
On March 10, 2023, SBV collapsed after a bank run, marking the second-largest failure of a financial institution in US history.
Founded in 1983, SVB specialized in banking for tech startups, providing financing for almost half of US venture-backed tech and healthcare companies, as well as banking and loans to venture capital (VC) firms. It was also an investor itself into a number of blue chip venture funds, as well as tech startups. SVB was, just before its failure, America’s 16th largest commercial bank, with US$209 billion in total assets at the end of 2022.
SVB imploded after being forced to sell securities at a loss amid higher interest rates. Spooked investors and depositors rapidly began pulling their money, leading a staggering US$42 billion of deposits being withdrawn the day before the bank shut down.
The California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation seized SVB on March 10, and placed it under the receivership of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
First Citizens BancShares eventually agreed to buy SBV earlier this week, taking on all deposits and loans in a deal that includes the purchase of about US$72 billion SVB assets at a discount of US$16.5 billion, according to a Bloomberg report. In the UK, HSBC has stepped up to purchase the local arm of the bank for GBP 1 in a rescue deal.
Impact on fintech
The collapse of SVB has had significant consequences for startup companies in the US and abroad. In the UK, it’s estimated that some 3,000 UK tech firms were at risk of going under without a rescue, according to Fortunes.
“[Silicon Valley Bank] was really the heart and lungs of the tech startup community in Silicon Valley – and worldwide,” Dan Ives, an analyst at Los Angeles-based investment firm Wedbush Securities told the Guardian on March 15. “The ripple effect will be felt for years to come.”
In the fintech sector, the failure of SVB will have a profound impact on the industry, says to Flagship Advisory Partners, a fintech consultancy and merger and acquisition (M&amp;A) advisory firm. It will prompt many companies to take deeper looks at the risks inherent in their operating models, and begin mitigation.
“SVB’s collapse serves as a strong reminder that fintechs typically have highly concentrated operating models clustered around a few key partners,” the firm wrote in a recent report. “This presents both systemic and idiosyncratic risks that need to be identified and at least partially mitigated.”
According to Flagship Advisory Partners, many fintech companies disclosed their deposit exposure to SVB in the days that followed the bank’s collapse, revealing that several of them had concentrated their cash there.
Circle, for example, revealed that it had US$3.3 billion of its US$40 billion USDC reserves were held at the bank; Xero, an Australia accounting software provider, said it had a total of exposure of US$5 million; and Payoneer said that less than US$20 million of its US$6.4 billion total cash balances were held at SVB.
Key fintech customers’ exposure to Silicon Valley Bank, Source: Flagship Advisory Partners, March 2023


]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-impact-of-silicon-valley-banks-collapse-on-fintech</link><guid>3127</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Top-Banking-Trends-in-Switzerland-2023-SIC-Instant-Payments-Beyond-banner.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>The Impact of Silicon Valley Bank’s Collapse on Fintech</dc:text></item><item><title>Curve Partners DIGISEQ to Offer Wearable Payments in 31 European Countries</title><description><![CDATA[Financial super app Curve has partnered with UK-based DIGISEQ to enable wearable payments option across 31 European countries where it is now live.
DIGISEQ’s wearable tech enables virtually any passive item without a battery – such as a ring, bracelet, even an item of clothing – to be inserted with a chip and be transformed into a contactless payment device.
Users can now link their card to their wearable item using DIGISEQ’s white-labelled Manage-Mii™ app, activating it in seconds, allowing them to make Curve-powered wearable payments immediately.




   



    
   


   








This will allow consumers to securely provision their Curve payment account onto their wearable using their Android or iOS smartphone.
Founded in 2015, Curve’s mobile platform allows users to manage their spending on all linked debit and credit cards, and access a growing number of payment functionalities features including contactless and mobile payments.
Curve’s mobile platform also provides users with access to innovative features including its ”Go Back in Time” transaction switching solution, cashback, competitive FX rates and free ATM withdrawals.
Terrie Smith
Terrie Smith, Co-founder and Global Ambassador of DIGISEQ said,
“We’re thrilled to share the benefits of our contactless payment solution with Curve, enabling payments to be made through a spectacular range of unique and stylish wearables readily available on the market.”
Shachar Bialick
Shachar Bialick Curve’s Founder and CEO said,
“We are very excited to partner with DIGISEQ to deliver new, exciting and innovative ways for people in over 30 countries to use their Curve card. Our work with DIGISEQ will help us bring Curve payments to wearable technology that people already use every day, furthering our mission to become the most consumer-centric financial tool in anyone’s wallet – or ring, bracelet, and anywhere else they choose to use DIGISEQ’s technology.”

Featured image credit: edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/curve-partners-digiseq-to-offer-wearable-payments-in-31-european-countries</link><guid>3125</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Top-Banking-Trends-in-Switzerland-2023-SIC-Instant-Payments-Beyond-banner.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Curve Partners DIGISEQ to Offer Wearable Payments in 31 European Countries</dc:text></item><item><title>J.P. Morgan to Acquire Aumni for Its VC Investment Analytics Software</title><description><![CDATA[J.P. Morgan has inked a deal to acquire Aumni, a U.S.-based investment analytics software provider for the venture capital industry. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed and closing is expected in the first half of 2023.
Aumni will continue to be headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah once the acquisition has been completed.
Founded in 2018, Aumni’s proprietary data analytics engine structures, tracks and analyses essential legal and economic terms underpinning growth-stage private market transactions, placing critical portfolio investment terms within users’ easy reach.




   



    
   


   








With a diverse client base of over 300 institutions ranging from venture managers to multinational asset managers, Aumni has evaluated more than US$600 billion in invested capital across more than 17,000 private companies.
J.P. Morgan said that the acquisition of Aumni solidifies its commitment to building the leading private markets platform for companies, their employees and investors, as well as its confidence in the resilience of the venture-backed ecosystem.
Aumni also complements the recent launch of Capital Connect by J.P. Morgan and the acquisition of Global Shares.
Michael Elanjian
“We’re thrilled to see this collaboration come to fruition as J.P. Morgan first invested in Aumni in 2021 and quickly realized shared synergies of providing more transparency to the private markets,”
said Michael Elanjian, Head of Digital Investment Banking, Head of Digital Private Markets, J.P. Morgan.
Tony Lewis
“We are excited to partner with J.P. Morgan, expediting the realization of our vision to bring more structure, transparency and liquidity to the historically opaque private markets. Together, we can create a best-in-class suite of services for private market participants, enhancing the experience for all current and future clients,”
said Tony Lewis, CEO, Aumni.

This article first appeared on Fintech News America. 
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/jp-morgan-to-acquire-aumni-for-its-vc-investment-analytics-software</link><guid>3126</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Top-Banking-Trends-in-Switzerland-2023-SIC-Instant-Payments-Beyond-banner.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>J.P. Morgan to Acquire Aumni for Its VC Investment Analytics Software</dc:text></item><item><title>German Fintech Raisin Secures €60 Million Series E</title><description><![CDATA[Raisin, a Berlin-based fintech providing savings and investment products, announced that it has raised €60 million in a Series E funding round from a number of new and existing investors including M&amp;G’s Catalyst and Goldman Sachs.
With the new investment, Raisin is looking to revamp its investment product as well as accelerate growth in expanding markets such as the United States where the fintech already has a presence since 2020.
Raisin reported that it had recently exceeded 1 million customers and currently manages a total of €38 billion Assets under Management (AuM) for customers globally.




   



    
   


   








The fintech claims to have already been profitable for half a year and had managed to grow its AUM by more than 30% in the past six months.
Dr Frank Freund
Dr Frank Freund, Chief Financial Officer and Co-founder of Raisin said,
“The investment marks another important step in our objective to provide savers throughout the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States with straightforward and fair products. With the new commitment, we will be better positioned to bring value to even more consumers and partners.”


]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/german-fintech-raisin-secures-60-million-series-e</link><guid>3124</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>German Fintech Raisin Secures €60 Million Series E</dc:text></item><item><title>German Fintech Sector Continued to Grow and Mature in 2022</title><description><![CDATA[﻿With nearly 1,000 fintech startups, among which 13 unicorns, a burgeoning startup ecosystem and a supportive regulatory and political landscape, Germany has become one of the world’s top fintech markets and the European Union (EU)’s fintech leader.
In 2022, the sector continued to grow and mature, on a back of solid funding activity, a dynamic merger and acquisition (M&amp;A) landscape, and growing usage of digital financial services, including cashless payments and online brokerages, a new report says.
The study, produced by Fintech Consult, a fintech advisory company, and Contextual Solutions, a Berlin-based consultancy, coaching and publication agency specialized in fintech, legaltech and tech marketplaces, looks at the German fintech industry, providing an overview of the ecosystem and sharing key market trends.




   



    
   


   








In the first eight months of 2022, German fintech companies secured a total of EUR 3.2 billion, already surpassing pre-COVID levels, the study found. The figure suggests that total fintech funding in Germany for 2022 will likely not reach 2021 levels (EUR 6 billion) but remained nevertheless strong despite the global downturn.
Funding rounds of German fintech companies per year, Source: German Fintech Report 2023, Contextual Solutions/Fintech Consult, 2023
A testament of the sector’s maturing is the rise of fintech deal sizes over the past couple of years, data from the report show. In 2022, the average fintech funding size reached a record of EUR 45.8 million, more than double the average deal size in 2019 (EUR 21.4 million).
Another evidence is the sustained M&amp;A deal activity the sector witnessed in 2022 through deals like the acquisition of Simplesurance by Allianz X in September, the acquisition of Penta by French fintech rival Qonto in July, and the acquisition of Kontist by Ageras Group in July as well.
Average fintech funding size in Germany by year, Source: German Fintech Report 2023, Contextual Solutions/Fintech Consult, 2023
Rising usage of digital financial services
The growth of the German fintech sector comes on the back rising usage of digital financial services. Most notably, the report highlights the boom in online retail brokerage, where securities trading increased by a staggering 80% in 2020 over all German exchanges.
German exchange Tradegate reported that the number of trades on its platforms increased threefold between 2019 and 2020, soaring from just 18 million to 61.5 million. These figures imply an average annual growth rate of 86%.
Number of trades on the Tradegate exchange annually, Source: German Fintech Report 2023, Contextual Solutions/Fintech Consult, 2023
Digital payments are another fintech category that has witnessed steady growth over the past few years, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a survey conducted by the Deutsche Bundesbank, the German central bank, 43% of the consumers polled said they had changed their payment behavior in recent months.
Rising usage of digital payments comes at the detriment of cash. Since 2017, the share of cash payments measured by the number of transactions has declined by 16%, the Fintech Consult/ Contextual Solutions report notes. In contrast, the share of debit and credit card transactions grew by 4% and 5%, respectively.
Strategy consultancy payment experts expect the use of cash to continue to fall substantially in the years to come, a report by Germany Trade and Invest, the country’s economic development agency, claims. They project that the share of cash transactions will fall by 20 percentage points from 52% in 2017 to 32% by 2025.
Germany’s fintech journey
Germany is one of the largest and most vibrant startup ecosystems in the world, hosting more than 70,000 ventures and producing around 3,000 new startups each year, the Fintech Consult/ Contextual Solutions report says.
In this ecosystem, fintech has become one of the country’s most prominent startup segments, accounting for 3.1% of all of the country’s with nearly 1,000 companies in the space.
The German fintech industry is highly diversified, it notes, but insurance (104 companies), payments and remittances (95), and blockchain and digital assets (72) are the three largest fintech verticals.
Prominent names in these categories include Wefox, a digital insurer that’s at valued US$4.5 billion; Tradias, a division of securities specialist Bankhaus Scheich, which provides a decentralized finance (DeFi) service platform; and Fundament, a provider of asset tokenization services.
Fintech verticals in Germany and their respective number of startups, Source: German Fintech Report 2023, Contextual Solutions/Fintech Consult, 2023
Germany’s fintech journey started back in early 2010s with neobanks, digital and peer-to-peer (P2P) lenders, digital wallets and payment solutions starting to emerge in the first wave. Many of these fintech companies are now in the scale-up phase and becoming profitable.
Between 2014 and 2017, the ecosystem focused mostly on establishing solid foundations for the growth of the fintech sector, prioritizing talent acquisition, accelerator and incubator programs, attracting investors as well as the regulatory landscape. The period also saw an acceleration of the growth of the local fintech startup scene, which recorded an average growth rate of 25% per year between 2013 and 2018 in terms of the number of fintech companies.
After this wave, in 2018, the focus started shifting towards new trends including artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain and green/sustainable fintech. The number of fintech companies joining the sector also started slowing down, witnessing an annual growth rate of 9% between 2018 and 2021. Additionally, more fintech companies have been closing their businesses since 2018, the report notes, further indicating a maturing ecosystem.
Existing fintech companies in Germany, Source: German Fintech Report 2023, Contextual Solutions/Fintech Consult, 2023

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/german-fintech-sector-continued-to-grow-and-mature-in-2022</link><guid>3123</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>German Fintech Sector Continued to Grow and Mature in 2022</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Payment App TWINT Adds Three New Members to Its Executive Board</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss mobile payment app TWINT announced that Jens Plath, Adrian Plattner and Thomas Graf will be joining its Executive Board, effective 1 April 2023 onwards.
TWINT said that Plath, Plattner and Graf have played a significant role in the positive development and growth of the company in recent years.
In order to provide even greater support to the continued strategic development of TWINT, they will continue performing their functions as part of the Executive Board.




   



    
   


   








Jens Plath oversees the consumer sector as Chief Marketing Officer and is also responsible for strategic projects in the domain “Beyond Payment”. Meanwhile, Adrian Plattner leads the acceptance of TWINT in retail and the further expansion of the TWINT ecosystem as Chief Sales Officer.
Thomas Graf as Chief Product Officer, is responsible for strengthening and further developing the core payment functions of the TWINT app.
Other members of the Executive Board include Chief Executive Officer Markus Kilb, Chief Information Officer Simon Wehrli, and Chief Financial Officer Thomas Wicki.
TWINT reports that it now has five million active users and 386 million transactions were made using the app in 2022 alone.
Søren Mose
“Jens Plath, Adrian Plattner and Thomas Graf have contributed tremendously to the success of TWINT and the implementation of the company’s strategic goals in recent years. Their wide range of skills and experience are therefore the perfect addition to the Executive Board.”
said Søren Mose, Chairman of the TWINT Board of Directors.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-payment-app-twint-adds-three-new-members-to-its-executive-board</link><guid>3121</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Payment App TWINT Adds Three New Members to Its Executive Board</dc:text></item><item><title>Digitales Geschäftskonto für KMU’s: Relio erhält Fintech-Lizenz</title><description><![CDATA[Relio erhält von der Eidgenössischen Finanzmarktaufsicht (FINMA) die Fintech-Lizenz. Mit der Bewilligung plant das Startup die Lancierung eines digitalen Geschäftskontos für KMU. Mit einer eigens entwickelten Compliance-Technologie richtet sich das Angebot vor allem an anspruchsvolle Firmenkunden.
Unabhängig dank eigener FINMA-Lizenz
Nach einem umfassenden Genehmigungsverfahren erlangt Relio eine Fintech-Lizenz der FINMA. Mit der Bewilligung will das Startup demnächst ein digitales Konto für Unternehmen lancieren. Das Angebot ist vor allem für Firmenkunden mit komplexen Business Modellen und internationalen Geldflüssen interessant. In diesem Marktsegment verursachen Anforderungen an die Compliance und Geldwäschereibekämpfung sowohl auf Banken- als auch Kundenseite hohe Aufwände. Dieses Problem löst Relio mit der Automatisierung vieler Compliance-Aufgaben.




   



    
   


   








Lav Odorovic
“Dank unserer Lizenz arbeiten wir unabhängig von Partnerbanken und deren überholten Strukturen, Prozessen und Technologien. Nur so können wir die Digitalisierung der Compliance konsequent vorantreiben und unseren Kunden sehr viel Bürokratie ersparen”,
so Lav Odorovic, CEO von Relio, über die Vorteile einer eigenen Fintech-Lizenz.
Fintech-Bewilligung als Innovations-Booster
Während Fintech-Startups weltweite Verbreitung fanden, gab es auf dem Schweizer Finanzplatz lange Zeit kaum neue Impulse. Zu hoch waren die regulatorischen und finanziellen Einstiegshürden, um als neuer Akteur in der Schweiz Fuss zu fassen. Zur Förderung von innovativen Finanzunternehmen hat der Gesetzgeber deshalb 2019 die Fintech-Bewilligung geschaffen.
Im Vergleich zu einer vollen Banklizenz sind die Bewilligungsverfahren erleichtert und die Kapitalanforderungen tiefer. Die Publikumseinlagen sind für jedes Fintech auf bis zu hundert Millionen Schweizer Franken limitiert. Die Gelder dürfen zudem weder angelegt noch verzinst werden. Stattdessen werden Sie bei der Schweizerischen Nationalbank deponiert, damit sie den Kunden wieder ausbezahlt werden können, wenn ein Fintech in finanzielle Schieflage gerät. Damit eröffnet die neue Fintech-Bewilligung viel Potenzial für Neues, ohne die Kunden einem hohen Risiko auszusetzen.

Bildnachweis: Gründerteam von Relio – Milos Stokic, Marketingleiter, Lav Odorovic, CEO und Zarko Vukadinovic, COO
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digitales-geschaftskonto-fur-kmus-relio-erhalt-fintech-lizenz</link><guid>3122</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Digitales Geschäftskonto für KMU’s: Relio erhält Fintech-Lizenz</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Study 2022: Fintech Sector Rebounds After 2021 Decline</title><description><![CDATA[After a market slump in 2021, the Swiss fintech industry rebounded in 2022, with the number of companies operating in the sector rising, investment increasing, and banking incumbents stepping up their digitalization game, a new report by the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts’ Institute of Financial Services Zug (IFZ) says.
The annual IFZ Fintech Study, released earlier this month, presents the current state and advancements in the Swiss fintech sector, examining trends and sharing predictions for the year ahead.
Results from the research show that the Swiss fintech sector grew considerably in 2022, rising from 384 active companies at the end of 2021 to 437 fintech companies a year later. The number – a new all-time high – represents a growth of 14% in the number of fintech companies active in the country year-over-year (YoY).




   



    
   


   








A breakdown by product area shows that the growth in 2022 was led by an increase in fintech companies operating in the segments of investment management, which added 21 companies (+14% YoY), as well as banking infrastructure, which added 20 companies (+16.4% YoY). These two categories have historically been Switzerland’s most developed fintech segments.
A breakdown by technology area shows that distributed ledger technology (DLT) saw the biggest growth in 2022, adding 22 companies (+19.5%).
Number of fintech companies by year, and by product area and technology category, Source: IFZ Fintech Study 2023, Institute of Financial Services Zug (IFZ), March 2023
Fintech investment remains strong
Despite the global downward trend, fintech funding activity in Switzerland remained strong in 2022. Against all odds, Swiss fintech companies secured a new record of CHF 605 million last year, up 36 YoY.
The growth of fintech funding in 2022 was driven by early-stage startups and seed rounds, which totaled CHF 120 million through 45 deals. 2022 was also marked by a mega-round of CHF 100 million and up. The deal, which was secured in January, was conducted by SEBA Bank and involved a CHF 110 million Series C.
VC activity in the Swiss fintech sector, Source: IFZ Fintech Study 2023, Institute of Financial Services Zug (IFZ), March 2023
Despite rising fintech funding, access to financing remains a hurdle
Although data show that Switzerland largely escaped the global funding downward trend, access to financial resources for fintech companies was perceived to be more difficult last year than the previous, results of a survey conducted as part of the study show.
The survey, which polled more than 160 fintech companies, found that the biggest YoY changes were recorded in access to financing, which increased the most in urgency (+17%), followed by the challenge related to finding customers (+8).
At the other end of the spectrum, the impact of COVID-19 recorded the largest decrease in urgency (-28%).
Year-over-year change in average values of selected challenges in the Swiss fintech sector, Source: IFZ Fintech Study 2023, Institute of Financial Services Zug (IFZ), March 2023
Swiss banks ramps up digital efforts
Another survey conducted as part of the study, which polled 61 Swiss banks, found that financial institutions increased their information technology (IT)-related resources in 2022.
These resources are now being increasingly invested in transforming the banking business, including the digitalization of business processes, and less in the pure maintenance of day-to-day business, results show.
In particular, 52% of Swiss banks said they invest a majority of their IT costs in “change-the-bank” activities, while 48% invest the majority in “run-the-bank”. These findings indicate increasing innovation in the banking sector, the report says.
Percentage of IT costs associated to run-the-bank and change-the-bank, Source: IFZ Fintech Study 2023, Institute of Financial Services Zug (IFZ), March 2023
Sustainable fintech gains traction
Another trend highlighted in the report is the rise of sustainable fintech. These companies aim to contribute to sustainable development by providing innovative products, services, and processes in the financial industry.
The study identified 32 Swiss-based sustainable fintech companies as of the end of 2022, implying that 7.3% of the country’s fintech companies are falling into the category. The figure represents a larger market share than the previous year during which sustainable fintech companies accounted for just 4.4% of the total industry.
As sustainable fintech continues to grow and evolve, new business models and opportunities are expected to emerge in the near future, the report says.
Cumulative number of sustainable fintech company incorporations by year, Source: IFZ Fintech Study 2023, Institute of Financial Services Zug (IFZ), March 2023
Crypto trading volumes dip
2022 was a turbulent year for the cryptocurrency market, which saw total market capitalization loose two third of its value.
This so-called prolonged “crypto winter” has impacted trading activity, especially indirect products on crypto. In 2022, the total monthly trading volumes of indirect investment products in Switzerland, including exchange-traded products (ETPs) and open end funds, decreased significantly.
As of December 2022, the total market turnover was CHF 52 million. Compared with the highest figure of over CHF 1.2 billion in February 2021, this represents a decline of 96%. Total annual trading volume reached CHF 2.1 billion, down 76% from 2021 with CHF 8.6 million.
Market turnover on the SIX Swiss Exchange by month, Source: IFZ Fintech Study 2023, Institute of Financial Services Zug (IFZ), March 2023
Direct investments in crypto, notably through centralized exchanges, also declined considerably in 2022.
In December, centralized exchanges cleared CHF 1.6 billion in spot trading, a figure that is about ten times smaller than the record month of May 2021, when they cleared about CHF 17.1 billion.
Monthly spot trading volume on centralized crypto exchanges from Switzerland, Source: IFZ Fintech Study 2023, Institute of Financial Services Zug (IFZ), March 2023

Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-study-2022-fintech-sector-rebounds-after-2021-decline</link><guid>3118</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Study 2022: Fintech Sector Rebounds After 2021 Decline</dc:text></item><item><title>8 Hot DeFi Startups in Europe to Watch in 2023</title><description><![CDATA[Despite slumping markets, the decentralized finance (DeFi) industry continued to grow last year, driven by sustained funding activity and increased user adoption.
In 2022, DeFi users growth averaged 44% quarter-over-quarter (QoQ), according to a report by crypto fund HashKey Capital. In Q3 2022, the industry reached a milestone, surpassing the five million DeFi wallet threshold.
This growth came amid sustained support from investors in the cryptocurrency sector. In 2022, DeFi companies raised a total of US$2.71 billion in funding, almost triple the US$930 million raised in 2021 and over 41 times the US$65 million raised in 2020, data from crypto data aggregator CoinGecko show.




   



    
   


   








As interest in and usage of DeFi continue to grow, a number of young ventures are rising to fame on the back of strong customer growth and rising investors interest.
Today, we look at eight up-and-coming DeFi startups in Europe that are poised for growth in 2023.
Aave (Switzerland)

Aave is a decentralized, non-custodial crypto lending platform that allows users to borrow, lend and earn interest on crypto assets without the need of middleman. Running on the Ethereum platform, Aave uses a system of smart contracts that enables assets to be managed by a distributed network of computers.
Founded in 2017, Aave is based in Switzerland. The company, formerly known as ETHLend, raised US$16.2 million in an initial coin offering (ICO) in 2017 and secured a US$25 million venture capital investment round in 2020.
Aave currently has more than US$4 billion in total value locked (TVL), making the fourth largest DeFi app, data from DeFi Lama show. Last year, it was named one of the world’s top 50 blockchain companies by Blockdata.
SingularityNET (Netherlands)

Based in the Netherlands, SingularityNET is a blockchain-based artificial intelligence (AI) project built on the Cardano network. The company is developing a decentralized marketplace for AI algorithms, allowing companies, organizations, and developers to buy, sell and cooperate on AI projects at scale.
SingularityNET was launched in 2017 and secured US$36 million in funding through an ICO held in the same year. Last year, it secured a US$25 million commitment from global investment group LDA Capital Limited to accelerate their product roadmap, the adoption of AI tools for DeFi, and scaling the SingularityNET ecosystem.
Curve Finance (Switzerland)

Founded in 2020 and based in Switzerland, Curve Finance provides an exchange liquidity pool on Ethereum. The company’s automated market maker (AMM) platform focuses on accommodating liquidity pools made up of similarly behaving assets like stablecoins, or wrapped crypto tokens such as wBTC and tBTC.
Curve Finance uses smart contracts to offer an efficient way to exchange stablecoins while maintaining low fees and low slippage, the company says.
Curve Finance experienced the highest daily trading volume this year, exceeding US$7 billion last week.
Zenith Chain (Lithuania)

Founded in 2021 and based in Lithuania, Zenith Chain is developing an environment built to usher in Web 3.0 integrations at scale. The Zenith blockchain network is an infrastructure where developers can launch applications with ease of deployment, delivery and maintenance. The technology natively enables low-cost transactions along with a digital identity and a robust testnet to enable a variety of use cases.
Zenith Chain also operates FuzionX, a comprehensive crypto and non-fungible token (NFT) trading platform.
Zenith Chain secured its cryptocurrency license to operate in Lithuania in July 2022. The licensing came on the back of a US$35 million Seed funding from GEM Capital.
3Commas (Estonia)

Founded in 2017 in Estonia, 3Commas is a product ecosystem offering trading tools and automated strategies managed by machine learning-driven trading bots that use historical data. The company’s platform, which connects to more than 17 platforms, allows users to deploy automated trading bots and manage their portfolios from one spot. It claims over 220,000 registered users.
3Commas recently launched the DeCommas subsidiary to provide users with easier access to trade automation in DeFi.
3Commas has secured US$40 million in funding, its latest round being a US$37 million Series B closed in September 2022. The company said it would use the proceeds to advance bot technology, expand the trading ecosystem, and enhance developer tools.
Argent (UK)

Founded in 2017, Argent provides a decentralized, non-custodial wallet for Ethereum-based digital currencies and blockchain applications, allowing users to buy, hold, sell and store crypto tokens. The company also offers Argent Vault, a crypto storage solution for wallets with US$50K plus, and Argent X, a browser wallet for StarkNet.
Argent secured a US$40 million Series B round in April 2022 to accelerate its mission to build a Web 3.0 and DeFi super app. The company said it would use the proceeds for product development, recruitment and to expand into South America.
Argent is backed by some of Silicon Valley and Europe’s top investors, including Paradigm, Index Ventures, Creandum and firstminute capital.
Tesseract Investment (Finland)

Founded in 2017, Tesseract Investment is a regulated institutional digital asset lending company based in Finland, providing yield-generating solutions to institutional clients, such as cryptocurrency trading platforms and custodians across Europe and other emerging markets.
The company provides a white-label product, Earn API by Tesseract, which allows partners to provide their customers with interest-bearing products with a risk and return profile of their choosing.
Tesseract Investment has over 60 partners and clients worldwide, and claims more than US$1.4 billion in loan originations.
Tesseract Investment raised a US$25 million Series A in July 2021 to develop its offerings, hire new talent, develop new partnerships and boost innovation.
Credix (Belgium)

Founded in 2021 and based in Belgium, Credix provides a decentralized credit ecosystem that gives borrowers in emerging countries access to previously untapped capital.
The company enables fintech companies and other non-bank lenders to convert their receivables and real assets into investment capital. All financing happens on-chain using USDC and smart contracts, creating instant efficiencies, settlement and more transparency.
Credix claims it has grown 20-fold since its launch and originated more than US$23 million in active loans in a six month period.
The company secured a US$11.25 million Series A in November 2022, which it said it would use to accelerate the development of its platform, team growth, and integration with Web 3.0 projects. The round followed a US$2.5 million early-stage seed round raised in 2021.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/8-hot-defi-startups-in-europe-to-watch-in-2023</link><guid>3119</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>8 Hot DeFi Startups in Europe to Watch in 2023</dc:text></item><item><title>Maerki Baumann Partners With Redalpine to Launch New Venture Capital Fund</title><description><![CDATA[Zurich-based private bank Maerki Baumann &amp; Co. announced that it has partnered with Redalpine Venture Partners, a Swiss venture capital firm, to launch a new venture capital fund for its private clients.
The investment opportunity is based on the “Redalpine Summit Fund”. Redalpine’s underlying investment instrument includes a broadly diversified portfolio with selected holdings in companies at different development phases.
The investment focus is placed on growth-oriented companies that are at an early stage of their life cycle and possess scalable business models in the areas of software, technology, health tech and life sciences.




   



    
   


   








The regional focus of the investment activities is primarily in Europe, with particular attention on the DACH region (Germany, Austria and Switzerland).
Both entities have also jointly established a “Tech Advisory Board” that offers selected entrepreneurs a platform for the exchange of information and practical experiences relating to the topics of venture capital and technological innovations.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/maerki-baumann-partners-with-redalpine-to-launch-new-venture-capital-fund</link><guid>3117</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Maerki Baumann Partners With Redalpine to Launch New Venture Capital Fund</dc:text></item><item><title>Maerki Baumann’s Clients Can Now Invest in Redalpine’s Venture Capital Fund</title><description><![CDATA[Zurich-based private bank Maerki Baumann &amp; Co. announced that it has partnered with Redalpine Venture Partners, a Swiss venture capital firm, to enable its clients to invest in the latter’s venture capital fund.
The partnership allows Maerki Baumann’s clients to invest in the existing “Redalpine Summit Fund”. The fund targets information technology, healthcare, financial service, energy, consumer products and services, business products and service sectors.
The investment focus is placed on growth-oriented companies that are at an early stage of their life cycle and possess scalable business models in the abovementioned sectors.




   



    
   


   








The regional focus of the investment activities is primarily in Europe, with particular attention on the DACH region (Germany, Austria and Switzerland).
Both entities have also jointly established a “Tech Advisory Board” that offers selected entrepreneurs a platform for the exchange of information and practical experiences relating to the topics of venture capital and technological innovations.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/maerki-baumanns-clients-can-now-invest-in-redalpines-venture-capital-fund</link><guid>3120</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Maerki Baumann’s Clients Can Now Invest in Redalpine’s Venture Capital Fund</dc:text></item><item><title>SICTIC Facilitated Close to 70% Of IT, Fintech Funding Rounds in 2022</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss ICT Investor Club (SICTIC), a non-profit organisation that connects investors to local early stage tech startups, reported that it had facilitated 106 out of the 153 funding rounds for Swiss early-stage startups in the ICT and fintech sectors last year.
These findings were detailed in the annual SICTIC Investment Report which outlined that SICTIC had covered 69% of all early-stage financing in Swiss ICT and fintech startups.
The aggregated portfolio of the SICTIC investor community had grown to feature 254 startups, some of which have already achieved or are about to achieve unicorn status, i.e. a company valuation of more than one billion Swiss francs. Furthermore, SICTIC had also reported 9 exits last year.




   



    
   


   








Moving forward, SICTIC will be expanding its focus to support startups from other technology sectors in the future.
Chart: SICTIC Investment Highlights 2022
Thomas Dübendorfer
“Despite many uncertainties in the market and an increase in inflation, 2022 was an extremely strong growth year for venture capital in Switzerland.

This not only underlines the quality and robustness of Swiss startups, but also demonstrates SICTIC’s leading role as the most active matchmaking platform for Swiss early-stage financing”
said Dr. Thomas Dübendorfer, President of SICTIC.
Thomas Ackermann
“We want to extend our successful and efficient matchmaking process to other sectors.

This offers opportunities for our investors to further diversify their portfolio, but it allows us to further increase our contribution to the Swiss startup ecosystem, as more startups can benefit from our matchmaking process,”
explains Thomas Ackermann, Managing Director of SICTIC.
﻿
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sictic-facilitated-close-to-70-of-it-fintech-funding-rounds-in-2022</link><guid>3115</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>SICTIC Facilitated Close to 70% Of IT, Fintech Funding Rounds in 2022</dc:text></item><item><title>SICTIC Facilitated Close to 70% Of Swiss Early Stage ICT, Fintech Funding Rounds in 2022</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss ICT Investor Club (SICTIC), a non-profit organisation that connects investors to local early stage tech startups, reported that it had facilitated 106 out of the 153 funding rounds for Swiss early-stage startups in the ICT and fintech sectors last year.
These findings were detailed in the annual SICTIC Investment Report which outlined that SICTIC had covered 69% of all early-stage financing in Swiss ICT and fintech startups.
The aggregated portfolio of the SICTIC investor community had grown to feature 254 startups, some of which have already achieved or are about to achieve unicorn status, i.e. a company valuation of more than one billion Swiss francs. Furthermore, SICTIC had also reported 9 exits last year.




   



    
   


   








Moving forward, SICTIC will be expanding its focus to support startups from other technology sectors in the future.
Chart: SICTIC Investment Highlights 2022
Thomas Dübendorfer
“Despite many uncertainties in the market and an increase in inflation, 2022 was an extremely strong growth year for venture capital in Switzerland.

This not only underlines the quality and robustness of Swiss startups, but also demonstrates SICTIC’s leading role as the most active matchmaking platform for Swiss early-stage financing”
said Dr. Thomas Dübendorfer, President of SICTIC.
Thomas Ackermann
“We want to extend our successful and efficient matchmaking process to other sectors.

This offers opportunities for our investors to further diversify their portfolio, but it allows us to further increase our contribution to the Swiss startup ecosystem, as more startups can benefit from our matchmaking process,”
explains Thomas Ackermann, Managing Director of SICTIC.
﻿
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sictic-facilitated-close-to-70-of-swiss-early-stage-ict-fintech-funding-rounds-in-2022</link><guid>3116</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>SICTIC Facilitated Close to 70% Of Swiss Early Stage ICT, Fintech Funding Rounds in 2022</dc:text></item><item><title>German Fintech Cashlink Closes Series A Led by TX Ventures</title><description><![CDATA[Germany-based Cashlink Technologies announced the closing of its mid seven-digit Series A fundraising round led by fintech investor TX Ventures. Details of the fundraise was not disclosed.
The round was also joined by Futury Capital, BMH Hessen, business angels as well as existing investors C3, seed&amp;speed, DEWB and Panta Rhei.
Founded in 2016 by Michael Duttlinger and Lars Olsson, Cashlink offers an infrastructure for tokenised assets.




   



    
   


   








It covers the entire value chain including distribution, register management, custody, asset servicing for tokenised assets combined with a strong regulatory framework.
Cashlink has been granted the provisional crypto registry license by Germany’s financial regulator BaFin which enables the issuance of fully compliant tokenised securities.
Michael Duttlinger
Michael Duttlinger, Co-founder and CEO of Cashlink said,
“The introduction of crypto securities in Germany has been a great growth engine for Cashlink. Especially the planned extension of regulation from digital securities to stocks will enable further adoption.

We are really pleased that we ensured a solid financial base for further expansion in this sector with this investment.”
Krzysztof Bialkowski, Managing Partner at TX Ventures said,
Krzysztof Bialkowski
“We strongly believe that asset tokenisation will revolutionize the securities market by offering benefits such as increased liquidity, faster settlement, lower costs and by addressing a broader public.

Cashlink, and its highly professional team with impressive regulatory know-how, is very well positioned to address this market and to become a leader in the tokenisation space in Europe. We are very much looking forward to working together and supporting the team on their growth journey.”


Featured image credit: Cashlink management team from left to right: Lars Olsson, Dorette Daume, Michael Duttlinger
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/german-fintech-cashlink-closes-series-a-led-by-tx-ventures</link><guid>3114</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>German Fintech Cashlink Closes Series A Led by TX Ventures</dc:text></item><item><title>Globe Pivots From Telco to ‘Techco’ to Find the Big Problems and Solve Them at Scale</title><description><![CDATA[Digital solutions platform Globe is accelerating its pivot from a traditional telecommunications company to a full-fledged tech enterprise, always on the lookout for the next big problem to solve towards digital enablement and transformation.
Ernest Cu
In an interview with WINWIN on the sidelines of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Globe Group President and CEO Ernest Cu talked about the company’s purpose-driven approach to empowering people through digitalisation.
Globe’s shift from telco to ‘techco’ began when it became the number one mobile operator in the country in 2016. This success prompted the organisation to expand its vision and place greater emphasis on digital solutions.
“What we decided to do was shift our focus to become a purpose-led company. And being purpose-led means going beyond just winning the telco game. It is helping our countrymen live their daily lives and helping the country improve its stature in the world,”
Cu said.
To start the journey, Globe decided to face the problem of financial inclusion head-on by partnering with Ant Financial in 2017 to relaunch GCash, which has now grown into the country’s leading e-wallet platform with over 76 million users.
GCash helped address the issue of access to financial services, given that most Filipinos were unbanked at the time and only about 3.5 million had credit cards. The situation had made the process of digital payments and giving credit scores very difficult. But GCash turned this around.
“In the end, 8 of 10 Filipinos now have access to financial services. They can transfer electronically, they can pay digitally, they can borrow money using a credit score that we’ve been refining all these years,” Cu said.
Cu said the Globe Group is constantly looking for the next major problem to solve through innovative services that can scale or has a big addressable market. It also wants to be the first mover in the digital solutions space.
“We don’t want to be entering the space and competing with the giants out there. We want to be the giant when we do succeed. So we’re focusing on healthcare, education, providing livelihood, and even sustainability,”
he said.
Globe still faces challenges as it transitions into a full-fledged digital solutions platform, including getting customers and regulators up to speed.
“Filipinos tend to look at new applications, new ways of doing things, with a little bit of mistrust, so we got to build their trust,” he said. “The second is the regulators. We are now pushing the envelope in terms of the things that we want to do. And so sometimes they are still mired in the old way of doing things, and it takes us quite a bit of time to convince them to see this is really good for our country.”
Globe continues to dominate the mobile segment with over 86.7 million customers nationwide. Its telco business has served as its unfair advantage in its expansion, enabling it to leverage these assets to build new businesses. In this space, Globe is “far first ahead” from competitors, said Cu.
The company has ventured into digital marketing solutions, venture capital funding startups, virtual healthcare, e-commerce, business outsourcing, adtech, edutech, media, and entertainment, among others.
“This (transformation) is not happening overnight. It’s not about deciding to do this one year and the next year we’re done. It has been a 14-year journey which I started when I joined Globe. We will continue to do this, and hopefully, with the support of our government and our partners, we will bring about a better life for our country,”
Cu concluded.
Learn more about Globe here. 

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/globe-pivots-from-telco-to-techco-to-find-the-big-problems-and-solve-them-at-scale</link><guid>3113</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Post-MWC-PR-Article-Image-insert-01.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Globe Pivots From Telco to ‘Techco’ to Find the Big Problems and Solve Them at Scale</dc:text></item><item><title>Competition Heats up Among Digital Nomad Visa Nations</title><description><![CDATA[As the digital nomad lifestyle becomes increasingly popular, countries around the world are setting up special visa programs for remote workers and digital entrepreneurs, allowing them to legally live and work in the country.
So-called digital nomad visas have popped up all around the globe over the past couple of years to tap into the digital nomad opportunity, seeking to lure cross-border remote workers into spending their foreign income domestically.
Since Estonia introduced the world’s first digital nomad visa program back in 2020, it’s estimated that over 50 locations have followed suit, including Dubai, Hungary and Costa Rica.




   



    
   


   








This year, competition is heating up among countries looking to attract international remote workers, with new programs being launched and new countries unveiling plans to join the movement.
Spain digital nomad visa
image via Unsplash
Spain’s long awaited digital nomad visa finally rolled out in February 2023, allowing citizens from outside of the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA) to live and work in the country for a year.
The Spanish digital nomad visa is open to those who work remotely and whom make most of their income from non-Spanish firms. Applicants must not be living illegally in Spain at the time of their application and cannot have lived in the country within the five years prior to applying.
To apply, they must prove that they have worked with their clients or company for more than three months before applying, and must be able to demonstrate that they have a contract of employment or, if freelancing, have been regularly employed by a company outside of Spain.
They also need to prove that they are qualified or experienced in their field, and have at least three years of work experience. Health insurance is also required, in addition to a two-year clear criminal record and a sworn statement that they haven’t had a criminal record within the last five years.
The income threshold is set at 200% of the country’s monthly minimum wage, which currently amounts to about EUR 2,334 per month or EUR 28,000 per year.
Successful applicants will be eligible to apply for a Spanish residency permit, which will enable them to travel around the EU. The visa is renewable for up to five years.
Colombia digital nomad visa
image via Unsplash
After a 20-month legislative struggle, Colombia finally introduced its digital nomad visa program in January 2023, allowing freelance workers and remote workers to stay for up to 24 months.
To qualify, applicants need to have a minimum income of three minimum monthly legal salaries in Colombia, which is set at 1,000,000 COP (US$206) or about US$604 per month.
The visa allows visa holders to set up bank accounts in the country and also provides a pathway to immigration and citizenship. The visa costs a little less than US$300, according to CitizenRemote.
Colombia’s tourism bureau expects the visa to draw at least 45,000 digital nomads to the country in the next 18 months.
Italy’s forthcoming digital nomad visa
image via Unsplash
In March 2022, the Italian government approved plans for the Italy Digital Nomad Visa, a scheme, which is set to be rolled out in early 2023 and which will be aimed at non-EU “highly skilled workers.”
Though details of requirements are not clear nor fully finalized yet, it is understood that the program would allow visa holders to stay in Italy for up to a year. Parliament members have also reported that applicants will need a proof of accommodation in Italy, health insurance and a clean criminal record. Applicants will also need to meet minimum income requirements.
South Korea plans “workcation” visa
image via Unsplash
South Korea is among the latest countries to join the movement, unveiling plans earlier this year to launch a so-called “workcation visa.”
The program, which is set to be introduced during the second half of 2023, will allow travelers to stay in the country for up to two years while also performing their usual tasks as an employee of a company from their home country.
The details of the new visa’s implementation have not been released yet, but the scheme will be part of a larger ambition to revitalize the local tourism industry, which has been hit hard by the lingering pandemic.
Ahead of the launch of the new digital nomad visa, the South Korea government has also been working on the creation of various workcation hubs. The workcation center at the Asti Hotel in Dong District, next to the Busan KTX train station, opened in early February 2023. Meanwhile, the port city Busan, which attracts many tourists due to its vibrant seaside, is expected to be hosting several workcation hubs designed specifically for digital nomads.
Croatia digital nomad visa draws thousands of foreigners
image via Unsplash
Croatia, which launched its digital nomad visa program in 2021, has become a popular destination for remote workers, drawing thousands of digital nomads.
Jan de Jong, founder of the Digital Nomads Croatia association, estimates that about 5,000 digital nomads reach Croatia each month.
He told Croatia Week in a recent interview that if every digital nomad was to stay in the country for a period of two months, one can estimate that there are about 10,000 digital nomads in Croatia every month.
Croatia is fast becoming a favored location for remote workers and digital nomads, De Jong said, noting the country’s advanced infrastructure, established community of digital nomads, pleasant lifestyle, and affordability.

Fetaured image credit: Edited from freepik here and here
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/competition-heats-up-among-digital-nomad-visa-nations</link><guid>3112</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Competition Heats up Among Digital Nomad Visa Nations</dc:text></item><item><title>ECB Survey: Nearly All EU Banks Have Digital Transformation Strategy in Place</title><description><![CDATA[Advancements in technology, rising demand for digital solutions and increased competition have prompted European banking incumbents to undertake digital transformation journeys.
To understand the status of banks’ digitalization efforts, the European Central Bank (ECB) launched in 2022 two major initiatives aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of the digital transformation of the European banking sector. First, it engaged with stakeholders to gain insights into major market trends. Second, it conducted a survey of more than 100 large banks to assess the status of their digital transformation.
Results from the study were released last month and revealed that almost all of the banks surveyed in Europe now have a digital transformation strategy in place. These banks are aiming for improved profitability by embracing a strategy focused on either becoming more customer-centric in how products and services are offered as a lever to increase revenues, or by improving operational efficiency by automating processes and modernizing information technology (IT) infrastructures.




   



    
   


   








The study found that 43% of banks’ top-5 projects are aimed at revenue or customer experience enhancement, and that 83% of banks perceive process automation and IT legacy transformation as a way to reduce costs.
Objectives of key digital projects, Source: European Central Bank study 2022
Results also revealed increased usage of digital channels by banking customers. On average, the surveyed banks indicated concluding nearly half (46%) of their loans via digital channels, with 36% of their customers using mobile banking and 21% using online banking.
Digitally concluded loans (% of total loan), Source: European Central Bank study 2022
Internet vs mobile customers (% of total customers), Source: European Central Bank study 2022
Despite the realization that digitalization has become essential, banks were found to dedicate a limited budget to their digital transformation. On average, banks indicated allocating 5.2% of their staff to digital transformation projects, and dedicating only 2.8% of their operating income to their digitalization efforts.
Digital transformation FTEs as % of total staff, Source: European Central Bank study 2022
Digital transformation budget as % of operating income, Source: European Central Bank study 2022
When it comes to the technologies banks use, findings show that a vast majority of European banks already utilize cloud computing (~85%) and application programming interfaces (APIs) (~90%). 60% of respondents said they use artificial intelligence (AI), but added that more use cases were in development.
Adoption of distributed ledger technologies (DLT), meanwhile, was found to be rather low among European banking incumbents, with less than 20% of the respondents indicating using DLT. When delving into crypto activities specifically, the study found that these applications remained insignificant for the surveyed banks.
Adoption rates of innovative technologies, Source: European Central Bank study 2022
Banks’ digital transformation among ECB supervisory priorities
Increased adoption of digital tools and technology among financial institutions is putting heightened risks of third-party dependency, money laundering, fraud and cybersecurity on the banking sector. These risks require further monitoring and are among the supervisory priorities of the ECB’s Banking Supervision over the next three years, the bloc’s central bank says.
During the 2023-2025 period, the ECB says it will undertake targeted reviews and on-site inspections to ensure that banks are developing and executing sound digital transformation plans through adequate arrangements. Reviews and inspections of outsourcing arrangements, cybersecurity measures and IT risk controls, will also take place to make sure that banks have robust outsourcing risk management, IT security and cyber resilience frameworks in place.
The ECB plans to publish its findings, with a particular focus on best practices, in addition to any deficiencies it may discover. These findings will be down the line integrated into the ECB’s supervisory methodology and will become part of its supervisory guidance and expectations for banks in the coming years.
In the European Union (EU), 2023 is set to be a key year in terms of digital regulation. The bloc’s landmark cryptocurrency legislation, the Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) regulation, is nearing completion and is slated for vote in April.
The new regulation, which is expected to go into effect in 2024, will introduce a common licensing regime for crypto wallets and exchanges to operate across the EU and will apply stricter rules than those currently in place in some European countries.
Under the legislation, crypto companies will be required to keep the public informed about their pricing process and trading volumes in real time, settle all trades the same day those trades happen, and keep separate their own funds, including crypto, and funds belonging to their clients.
2023 is also set to see the release of a legislative proposal on an open finance framework, an initiative focusing on enabling data sharing and third party access for a wider range of financial sectors and products.
In parallel, the digital euro project is still in the works and currently undergoing an investigation phase. A document published by the European Commission (EC) in January 2023 revealed that a bill underpinning the digital euro is scheduled to be released in May 2023.

Featured image credit: edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ecb-survey-nearly-all-eu-banks-have-digital-transformation-strategy-in-place</link><guid>3111</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>ECB Survey: Nearly All EU Banks Have Digital Transformation Strategy in Place</dc:text></item><item><title>7 Startups Selected for Tenity’s Latest Swiss Incubation Programme</title><description><![CDATA[Tenity, Swiss fintech accelerator formerly known as F10, has selected 7 early-stage startups from 5 countries for the 10th edition of its incubation programme running out of Zurich which kicked-off this week. The selected startups will receive an initial CHF 50,000 investment from the Tenity Incubation Fund I. Over the course of the next four months, these entrepreneurs will receive support to refine and validate their business idea and go-to-market strategies. As part of the programme, they will have access to guidance and support from Tenity’s alumni, seasoned mentors, and extensive investor network. The programme will culminate in a highly anticipated Demo Day event in June 22th, 2023. Applications are now open for the Incubation Batch XI in Switzerland and Batch VI in Singapore. Marc Hauser Marc Hauser, Head of Europe and Managing Partner at Tenity commented,
”We couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome the 10th Incubation Batch in Zurich. The selection process was highly competitive, and we extend our congratulations to all the teams who made it.   With such a diverse range of use cases, we are confident that this batch will bring valuable perspectives and enrich the Tenity ecosystem. Our team is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to collaborate with these talented founders and be a part of their journey.”
Maximilian Spelmeyer Maximilian Spelmeyer, CIO of Tenity added,
“From our broad European deal-flow, we had the chance to select outstanding founders and unique ideas. We are more than thrilled and grateful to back our founders the first time with capital from our Tenity Incubation Fund I.   We are looking forward to support the founders with insights, network and additional funding in subsequent rounds.”
Here are the 7 startups of the Switzerland Incubation Batch X:




   



    
   


   








1. DemaTrading.ai (Netherlands)
 Dematrading.ai enables crypto exchanges and asset managers to offer managed index funds to their customers with a plug and play infrastructure solution, increasing safety, profitability and ease of use.
2. Drivata (France)
 Drivata is a platform that uses data generated by drivers to promote eco-driving, responsible consumption, support organizations corporate social responsibility policy, and help develop sustainable cities.
3. Frienton (Germany)
 Frienton provides a digital SaaS solution and new tech-stack for “all-in-one finance” for entrepreneurs and founders.
4. Fume (Switzerland)
 Fume is an on-chain fund management tool to automate the administration through smart contracts, providing selective transparency (ZKP), Proof-of-Reserves, and removing intermediaries while not limiting on-chain funds to only digital assets.
5. Jrny (United Kingdom)
 Jrny is addressing the growing housing crisis in the U.K., which is preventing many young adults from getting on the property ladder, with its Accelerated Ownership plan (rent-to-own with shared upside), aligning incentives between customer and capital.
6. Luumeos (United Kingdom)
 Luumeos provides rapid human-in-the-loop quantamental AI insights from across an organisation’s own talent network to better forecast market performance.
7. SmartPurse (Switzerland)
 SmartPurse iaims to equip its users with the power to take control of their financial future as they seek to democratise financial education and planning.  
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/7-startups-selected-for-tenitys-latest-swiss-incubation-programme</link><guid>3110</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>7 Startups Selected for Tenity’s Latest Swiss Incubation Programme</dc:text></item><item><title>Taking Stock of CBDCs and the Cross-Border Payments Landscape in Europe</title><description><![CDATA[Recent technological innovations and increasing demand for convenience and security have expedited the shift to digital systems, including financial systems. This has become the catalyst for people and businesses to find new ways of interacting and conducting transactions digitally.
As a result, central banks have shown increasing interest in the central bank digital currency (CBDC) concept to accommodate this demand. Central banks see CBDCs as not only meeting evolving needs of their constituents, but also as a way to drive financial inclusion, thereby levelling the financial playing field.
Additionally, the emergence of cryptocurrencies and stablecoins has highlighted digital currencies’ potential benefits – as well as their drawbacks and central banks are keen to consider the role that CBDCs could play in the broader financial system. Central banks want to be relevant in the digital world with their “brands” such as Dollar, Euro, Sterling, as it provides a digital answer to Crypto payments. The European Central Bank (ECB) is no exception and has been exploring the use of blockchain technology and CBDCs to improve the speed and efficiency of its payment systems.
Innovation in Payments
In recent years, the European payments industry has undergone significant changes, driven by advances in digital technology, the emergence of new payment providers and increasing consumer demand for faster, more convenient and more secure payment options.
In response, European authorities and financial institutions have been working to create an environment that fosters innovation in the payments sector while also striving to ensure the safety and stability of the financial system.
The European Commission has been supporting innovation in the payments industry through initiatives such as the Payment Services Directive (PSD2), which aims to create a more open and competitive market for payment services in the European Union. 
Whilst the European Union has yet to issue a digital euro, it is exploring the possibility of doing so as a way of  ensuring the euro remains a stable and trusted currency in the digital age. The ECB, in leading this exploration, is doing so in a way that a CBDC would complement, not replace, cash. 
According to the ECB, which expects to introduce a digital euro across its 27 member states by mid-2023, “Central bank money is a risk-free form of money that is guaranteed by the state”. That said, the EU still needs to address the change of status of legal tender so as to lay the ground for mass acceptance. 
CBDC spurring financial innovation for local startups and the regional economy
Implementing a CBDC could help spur financial innovation and financial inclusion in several ways.
Improved access to finance as a CBDC could make it easier for local startups and small businesses to access the funds they need to grow and innovate. This is particularly beneficial in situations where access to traditional forms of finance, such as bank loans, can be limited by a lack of historical financial data. 
As long as allowances are built to safeguard users’ privacy and digital identities, an individual’s CBDC account and profile data could be distributed even to providers of traditional financial instruments. For instance, the individual’s CBDC credit information could be shared with lending platforms to supplement traditional credit information like income history, debt, and repayment records – the sort of information unbanked people might otherwise not have access to.
Another benefit is lower transaction costs. CBDCs could reduce the costs of making and receiving payments, particularly for small businesses and underserved consumers, who currently pay disproportionately high fees for using traditional payment systems for domestic and cross border transactions.
The implementation of CBDCs could also promote financial inclusion for marginalised individuals and communities by making it easier for underserved or unbanked populations to access financial services by creating digital financial identities. A digital wallet could allow unbanked or lesser-banked individuals to have access to money movement and credit, establishing a track record of lending in the process if required.
CBDCs could further enable new business models and financial products that are not currently possible with existing payment systems. For example, a classic role of central banks has been to eliminate or reduce credit and get legal tender flowing within their economy. CBDCs encourage this role by making it easier to create liquidity, where physical assets like property can represent by a digital marker on the blockchain and can be moved around or used as collateral to secure a loan.
Monetary policy could also be potentially improved as CBDCs could provide central banks with additional tools to manage the economy and support financial stability. This could assist in economic growth and support the development of local startups and the regional economy.
Finastra’s expertise in financial technology and payments is well-suited to support this technology’s future growth. The company will continue to monitor and adapt to developments in CBDCs and may explore opportunities to offer solutions and services that support the implementation and use of CBDCs in Europe and other regions. 
The CBDC Race and upcoming trends
The global race to issue a CBDC is heating up. With four central banks, the Central Bank of The Bahamas, the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and the Bank of Jamaica leading the pack, other countries are close behind, with several central banks actively working on CBDC pilots. 
Across Europe, many governments are exploring the feasibility and potential benefits of a CBDC. These include France, Norway, the United Kingdom, and Sweden.
It is difficult to predict the exact trends that will shape the development of CBDCs in Europe in the coming years. However, some potential emerging trends include continued exploration and experimentation by central banks to assess the feasibility and potential benefits of issuing a CBDC. 
This also includes the development of industry standards and guidelines to support the smooth operation of CBDCs and ensure interoperability with existing payment systems.
Meanwhile, other trends include the adoption of CBDCs by governments and other authorities to improve the efficiency and accessibility of public services, such as welfare payments and tax collection, and to use CBDCs by businesses and other organisations to facilitate transactions and reduce the need for cash.
Cooperation between fintechs and central banks
Europe has always been a driver of fintech investment. Today, it makes up 17 percent of the global cumulative valuation of fintech companies which totals around USD 2.26 trillion. 
Not only that, fintech adoption across Europe, particularly in nations like the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland, is significantly above the global average of 64 percent.
Fintech companies can play a valuable role in facilitating the adoption and integration of CBDCs by providing expertise, technology, and support to central banks and other stakeholders. 
One way that fintechs can cooperate with central banks to facilitate the adoption and integration of CBDCs is by working together to develop and implement technical standards and protocols for using CBDCs. T
This can help ensure that the different systems and platforms used by fintechs and central banks can interoperate smoothly and efficiently. Additionally, fintechs can educate the public about the benefits of CBDCs and how to use them, which can help to increase their adoption and integration into the broader economy.
Fintechs can also provide expertise and advice to central banks on developing and implementing CBDCs. This could include guidance on the technical aspects of designing and implementing a CBDC and advice on engaging with stakeholders and promoting the currency’s adoption.
In addition, fintech companies can help to ensure that CBDCs are integrated seamlessly with existing payment systems and infrastructure. This could include developing APIs and other technical solutions to enable the smooth flow of information and transactions between CBDCs and other payment systems.
Finastra’s vision and pioneer in innovation 
The Bank of England’s announcement of introducing the ‘Digital Sterling’ by 2025 has created a buzz in the financial industry, with many entities working towards making it a reality. 
One such consortium is Project New Era, in which Finastra, a leading financial services software, and cloud solutions provider, is leveraging its expertise in payments to support the consortium’s efforts.
Finastra believes that CBDCs have the potential to bring many benefits, including greater financial inclusion, faster and cheaper cross-border payments, and enhanced security and resilience. 
The design of CBDCs is still in its infancy, with several experiments ongoing and various approaches being studied. Several technical, economic, legal, and governance challenges must be addressed before any CBDC is fully launched.
Finastra is committed to working with all stakeholders to understand the opportunity CBDCs present and how we can collectively shape the future of money. 
Due to its deep understanding of the financial services sector, Finastra can anticipate bank needs and develop solutions that help them stay ahead of the curve. 
Further, central banks are continuing to explore options for distribution of CBDCs, such as the idea of non-bank financial institutions as custodians/distributors of CBDCs, unlike cash which is reserved only for licensed banks. These options would have implications for interoperability between CBDCs and cash. 
As such, Finastra is also exploring options to enhance its payments platforms to enable the seamless interoperability as they serve their bank and non-bank clients. 
Finastra considers it a privilege to work with some of the most forward-thinking organisations in the industry. It is committed to helping these organisations drive change and shape the future of financial services. 
The landscape of CBDCs will change dramatically in the next two to three years. Although currently, only a handful of countries have actively launched CBDCs among the 100 exploring the technology, this is set to change in the near future as more and more central banks begin to recognise the potential benefits of having a digital version of their country’s currency.
Featured image credit: Edited from freepik here and here
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/taking-stock-of-cbdcs-and-the-cross-border-payments-landscape-in-europe</link><guid>3109</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Taking Stock of CBDCs and the Cross-Border Payments Landscape in Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>Aisot Technologies Raises CHF 1.8 Million Seed Funding</title><description><![CDATA[Aisot Technologies, a spin-off from ETH Zurich developing AI-powered portfolio insights for equity and crypto markets, announced that it received CHF 1.8 million in a seed funding round.
The round was led by Swiss investment firm Haute Capital Partners and joined by angel investors, a few of them from the Swiss ICT Investor Club (SICTIC).
Aisot said that the new capital will help to fund key additions to its team, support critical customer demands, product development as well as growth initiatives.




   



    
   


   








This new round of funding brings aisot’s total funding to CHF 2.3 million. Zurich-based accelerator Tenity (formerly F10) and friends and family provided a CHF 0.5 million pre-seed round in 2021.
Stefan Klauser
Stefan Klauser, CEO and Co-Founder of Aisot Technologies said,
“We are excited to partner with HAUTE because they recognise the huge role AI will play in the future of asset management. HAUTE is an ideal partner for aisot as we deepen our AI products and scale our company.

Overall, it has been amazing to see the positive feedback we’ve received from our customers as we work to develop products allowing wealth &amp; asset managers to leverage data, quant tools and AI.”
Thibault Leroy Bürki
Thibault Leroy Bürki, Chairman &amp; CEO at HAUTE said,
“We chose aisot for their innovative approach to wealth management, advanced AI engine, and ability to generate alpha in real-time, making them a leading provider of AI solutions for asset and wealth management.

aisot’s AI engine provides clients with the amazing ability to adjust customised portfolios to market trends in real-time while generating alpha.”


Featured image credit: Aisot Technologies Management Team, from left to right: Roger Peyer, CTO | Stefan Klauser, CEO &amp; Co-Founder | Dr. Nino Antulov-Fantulin, Head of Research &amp; Co-Founder
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/aisot-technologies-raises-chf-18-million-seed-funding</link><guid>3107</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Aisot Technologies Raises CHF 1.8 Million Seed Funding</dc:text></item><item><title>Lloyds Invests £10Million in Digital ID Firm Yoti</title><description><![CDATA[Lloyds Banking Group has invested £10 million in digital identity company Yoti to develop its new digital identity solution that will be launched later this year.
Yoti offers a range of digital identity solutions that make it simple for people and businesses to protect themselves online.
This includes a free Digital ID app, which gives individuals a safe and instant way to prove their identity from their phone, with no need to show ID documents or share an excessive amount of personal data.




   



    
   


   








Digital IDs are a UK government-approved form of identification for right to work, right to rent and criminal records checks.
Yoti’s Digital ID is also accepted as proof of age at UK cinemas,and for the sale of lottery tickets, energy drinks and tobacco.
Kirsty Rutter
Kirsty Rutter, Fintech Investment Director at Lloyds Banking Group said,
“We are thrilled to be supporting Yoti and their experienced, passionate team with their work to further protect people online, through developing and growing digital identity solutions.

We know how important fintechs and technology partners are for delivering better outcomes for our customers and this investment represents another step forward in our plans to strengthen the UK’s financial ecosystem and is a crucial part of how we help Britain prosper.”
Robin Tombs
Robin Tombs, CEO at Yoti said,
“I’m delighted to announce Lloyds Banking Group’s significant investment in Yoti. The combination of their expertise in financial services and our digital identity solutions will bring security to even more businesses, people and communities.

We will make it easier and safer for individuals to prove who they are and enable businesses to have more trust and confidence in the identity of their customers.”

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/lloyds-invests-10million-in-digital-id-firm-yoti</link><guid>3105</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Lloyds Invests £10Million in Digital ID Firm Yoti</dc:text></item><item><title>German Fintech tidely Secures EUR 3.5 Million in Fundraise Led by TX Ventures</title><description><![CDATA[tidely, a German-based liquidity management solution provider for SMEs, announced that it has raised EUR 3.5 million in a funding round led by fintech investor TX Ventures. The round was also joined by Bayernkapital.
tidely was founded in 2018 by Niclas Storz and Dr. Jörg Haller. The company offers a range of financial solutions to SMEs, including liquidity planning, cash flow analysis, cost management and more.





   



    
   


   








Niclas Storz
Niclas Storz, Founder and CEO of tidely said,
“We are very proud to have gained the trust of TX Ventures and Bayernkapital in these exceptionally difficult times.

This funding will enable us to make our vision of a modern, comprehensive and user-friendly liquidity management platform accessible to even more customers in the SME environment.”
Jens Schleuniger, Managing Partner at TX Ventures said,
Jens Schleuniger
“In addition to the highly experienced and complementary management team, we were particularly convinced by tidely’s strong customer focus as well as its traction – we are therefore very pleased to be part of the funding round.

Interviews with customers and partners have shown us that tidely provides significant value to its customers. We are therefore highly confident that the team will continue to strongly expand its customer base and to remain on its dynamic growth trajectory”.


]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/german-fintech-tidely-secures-eur-35-million-in-fundraise-led-by-tx-ventures</link><guid>3106</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>German Fintech tidely Secures EUR 3.5 Million in Fundraise Led by TX Ventures</dc:text></item><item><title>Mercedes Drivers Pay Now with Fingerprint</title><description><![CDATA[Since March, Mercedes-Benz customers in Germany are able to authenticate payments via an in-car fingerprint sensor. With the new digital payment service Mercedes pay+, Mercedes-Benz introduces native in-car payments.
With native in-car payments, the vehicle itself now enables biometric two-factor authentication in conjunction with the fingerprint sensor. It is no longer necessary to type in a PIN on the MBUX infotainment system or to use an additional mobile device such as a smartphone to verify a payment in the car. Instead, the car itself turns into a payment device.
The first Mercedes-Benz models available with fingerprint sensors are the EQS and EQE series, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and C-Class, and the new GLC. Mercedes-Benz is the first car manufacturer worldwide to integrate Visa’s Delegated Authentication and Cloud Token Framework technology to enable native in-car payments. Visa Cloud Tokens provide an additional layer of security as they help to protect and encrypt sensitive payment information by converting data and storing it securely.




   



    
   


   








Upgrade of digital services and on-demand functions with one touch
Customers can use native in-car payment to pay for digital services that allow a more convenient and entertaining driving experience. They can activate and subscribe to these digital services from the car’s MBUX infotainment system and authorise the payment transaction with their fingerprint. Examples of these digital services are connectivity apps that control comfort functions of the car, such as pre-air conditioning of the vehicle via a mobile device. Upgrades to the vehicle software can easily be activated and paid for via fingerprint, like, for example, advanced navigation services that provide information on the weather or available parking spaces at customer’s destination.
In addition, the Mercedes me Store offers the ability to unlock pre-installed hardware components easily on-demand by fingerprint in the car. For example, a vehicle owner can subscribe to the Remote Parking Assist, a service to park the vehicle remotely with a smartphone, or activate and pay for the Adaptive Highbeam Assist or the Rear Axle Steering with larger steering angle with only one touch.
The portfolio of digital services and on-demand features in the Mercedes me Store is constantly expanding, offering customers the opportunity to personalise their vehicles further even after the purchase. This is of interest, for example, to the second or third owners of a vehicle as it gives them the opportunity to adapt pre-owned vehicles to personal needs and desires.
Cardholders with an eligible Visa credit or debit card can use native in-car payment by linking their card with their Mercedes me user account and activating Mercedes pay+ in the vehicle via MBUX. Subsequently, more card systems will be added and enabled for Mercedes pay+. Mercedes-Benz plans to launch Mercedes pay+ in other European markets in 2023.
Paying for car-related services will become even easier and more convenient
The option of native in-car payments will be expanded to other car-related services, such as fuelling. Mercedes-Benz drivers in Germany and other markets can already pay for fuelling directly from the car via the Mercedes me app and a smartphone or via the MBUX infotainment system using a PIN. The introduction of native in-car payments and the easy payment authorisation by fingerprint in the car will make this process more seamless and convenient later this year.
Mercedes-Benz already offers payment for charging of electric vehicles for years via the Mercedes me connect service Mercedes me Charge. At the charging station, authentication takes place via the display in the MBUX multimedia system, the Mercedes me App, the Mercedes me Charge card or directly via Plug &amp; Charge.
Franz Reiner
“Mercedes-Benz becomes a software-driven company that provides a digital, seamless experience to customers. Therefore, our digital services have to be intuitive, convenient and secure. This is why we have established Mercedes pay+ as a modern and secure payment solution. As such, we are creating a completely new, enhanced customer experience. By introducing native e-commerce into the car, we are once again pioneers and at the beginning of a promising development.”
Franz Reiner, CEO at Mercedes-Benz Mobility
In future Mercedes-Benz Leasing Deutschland will enable money transfers in the Mercedes-Benz ecosystem for the German market as a licensed entity, including payments made in the car.
Global transaction volume for in-vehicle payments expected to exceed 4.7 billion by 2026
A study by Juniper Research revealed that the global transaction volume of in-vehicle payments will be expected to reach more than 4.7 billion by 2026. Paying for fuel will be the most common use for in-vehicle payments over the next five years; accounting for around 48 percent of total in-vehicle payment transactions by volume. This growth is regarded as the next step in a natural progress of payment methods regarding fuel purchases, which evolved from cash to card, then to smartphone payments, and now to in-car payments.
Customers consider increased convenience and ease in their daily life as the greatest advantage of in-car payments, as the current international market study “Global Trends in Automotive &amp; Financial Services 2022“ shows. More than half of the potential users in Germany see in-car payment as a brand’s significant competitive advantage compared to other market participants.
Albrecht Kiel
“Innovating with partners, Visa can unlock the possibilities that connected devices might bring to commerce. Making your car a secure and fully authenticated payment device brings new ways to enhance journeys and looking ahead, we can imagine many moments where in-car payments could smoothen the driver experience. Visa brings its technology and expertise in Germany and worldwide to make payments reliable, secure and convenient as this and many other new ways to pay become a reality.”
Albrecht Kiel, Regional Managing Director, Central Europe, at Visa
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mercedes-drivers-pay-now-with-fingerprint</link><guid>3104</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Mercedes Drivers Pay Now with Fingerprint</dc:text></item><item><title>Mercedes Drivers Can Now Authenticate Payments With Fingerprint Sensor</title><description><![CDATA[Since March, Mercedes-Benz customers in Germany are able to authenticate payments via an in-car fingerprint sensor. With the new digital payment service Mercedes pay+, Mercedes-Benz introduces native in-car payments.
With native in-car payments, the vehicle itself now enables biometric two-factor authentication in conjunction with the fingerprint sensor. It is no longer necessary to type in a PIN on the MBUX infotainment system or to use an additional mobile device such as a smartphone to verify a payment in the car. Instead, the car itself turns into a payment device.
The first Mercedes-Benz models available with fingerprint sensors are the EQS and EQE series, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and C-Class, and the new GLC. Mercedes-Benz is the first car manufacturer worldwide to integrate Visa’s Delegated Authentication and Cloud Token Framework technology to enable native in-car payments. Visa Cloud Tokens provide an additional layer of security as they help to protect and encrypt sensitive payment information by converting data and storing it securely.




   



    
   


   








Upgrade of digital services and on-demand functions with one touch
Customers can use native in-car payment to pay for digital services that allow a more convenient and entertaining driving experience. They can activate and subscribe to these digital services from the car’s MBUX infotainment system and authorise the payment transaction with their fingerprint. Examples of these digital services are connectivity apps that control comfort functions of the car, such as pre-air conditioning of the vehicle via a mobile device. Upgrades to the vehicle software can easily be activated and paid for via fingerprint, like, for example, advanced navigation services that provide information on the weather or available parking spaces at customer’s destination.
In addition, the Mercedes me Store offers the ability to unlock pre-installed hardware components easily on-demand by fingerprint in the car. For example, a vehicle owner can subscribe to the Remote Parking Assist, a service to park the vehicle remotely with a smartphone, or activate and pay for the Adaptive Highbeam Assist or the Rear Axle Steering with larger steering angle with only one touch.
The portfolio of digital services and on-demand features in the Mercedes me Store is constantly expanding, offering customers the opportunity to personalise their vehicles further even after the purchase. This is of interest, for example, to the second or third owners of a vehicle as it gives them the opportunity to adapt pre-owned vehicles to personal needs and desires.
Cardholders with an eligible Visa credit or debit card can use native in-car payment by linking their card with their Mercedes me user account and activating Mercedes pay+ in the vehicle via MBUX. Subsequently, more card systems will be added and enabled for Mercedes pay+. Mercedes-Benz plans to launch Mercedes pay+ in other European markets in 2023.
Paying for car-related services will become even easier and more convenient
The option of native in-car payments will be expanded to other car-related services, such as fuelling. Mercedes-Benz drivers in Germany and other markets can already pay for fuelling directly from the car via the Mercedes me app and a smartphone or via the MBUX infotainment system using a PIN. The introduction of native in-car payments and the easy payment authorisation by fingerprint in the car will make this process more seamless and convenient later this year.
Mercedes-Benz already offers payment for charging of electric vehicles for years via the Mercedes me connect service Mercedes me Charge. At the charging station, authentication takes place via the display in the MBUX multimedia system, the Mercedes me App, the Mercedes me Charge card or directly via Plug &amp; Charge.
Franz Reiner
“Mercedes-Benz becomes a software-driven company that provides a digital, seamless experience to customers. Therefore, our digital services have to be intuitive, convenient and secure. This is why we have established Mercedes pay+ as a modern and secure payment solution. As such, we are creating a completely new, enhanced customer experience. By introducing native e-commerce into the car, we are once again pioneers and at the beginning of a promising development.”
Franz Reiner, CEO at Mercedes-Benz Mobility
In future Mercedes-Benz Leasing Deutschland will enable money transfers in the Mercedes-Benz ecosystem for the German market as a licensed entity, including payments made in the car.
Global transaction volume for in-vehicle payments expected to exceed 4.7 billion by 2026
A study by Juniper Research revealed that the global transaction volume of in-vehicle payments will be expected to reach more than 4.7 billion by 2026. Paying for fuel will be the most common use for in-vehicle payments over the next five years; accounting for around 48 percent of total in-vehicle payment transactions by volume. This growth is regarded as the next step in a natural progress of payment methods regarding fuel purchases, which evolved from cash to card, then to smartphone payments, and now to in-car payments.
Customers consider increased convenience and ease in their daily life as the greatest advantage of in-car payments, as the current international market study “Global Trends in Automotive &amp; Financial Services 2022“ shows. More than half of the potential users in Germany see in-car payment as a brand’s significant competitive advantage compared to other market participants.
Albrecht Kiel
“Innovating with partners, Visa can unlock the possibilities that connected devices might bring to commerce. Making your car a secure and fully authenticated payment device brings new ways to enhance journeys and looking ahead, we can imagine many moments where in-car payments could smoothen the driver experience. Visa brings its technology and expertise in Germany and worldwide to make payments reliable, secure and convenient as this and many other new ways to pay become a reality.”
Albrecht Kiel, Regional Managing Director, Central Europe, at Visa
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mercedes-drivers-can-now-authenticate-payments-with-fingerprint-sensor</link><guid>3108</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Mercedes Drivers Can Now Authenticate Payments With Fingerprint Sensor</dc:text></item><item><title>Gründung der Swiss Metaverse Association</title><description><![CDATA[Das Ziel dieses jüngst in Bern gegründeten Vereins ist es, ein breit abgestütztes Metaverse-Ökosystem zu schaffen und sich für attraktive Rahmenbedingungen in der Schweiz einzusetzen, so dass neue Geschäftsmodelle, Firmen und Arbeitsplätze entstehen können. Präsidiert wird die Swiss Metaverse Association von Tina Balzli, Partner und Leiterin der Fintech &amp; Blockchain Abteilung bei CMS, und Alexandra Hofer, Senior Consultant bei furrerhugi.

Rebecca Balzli
«Mit diesem Verein schaffen wir wichtige Grundlagen, um die Schweiz als innovativen und zukunftsgerichteten Standort zu positionieren, der Metaverse-Projekte ermöglicht. Als Verein vernetzen wir die relevanten Akteure, initiieren Projekte und fördern den Dialog und die Aufklärung»,
sagt die frisch gewählte Co-Präsidentin, Tina Balzli.
Grosses Bedürfnis, sich über das Metaverse auszutauschen
Die Vereinsgründung wurde gemeinsam von Lorenz Furrer, Managing Partner bei furrerhugi, und Daniel Diemers, Partner bei SNGLR Group, initiiert. Daniel Diemers sitzt ebenfalls im Vorstand der Swiss Metaverse Association. Zu den 45 Gründungsmitgliedern zählen Organisationen, Banken, internationale Unternehmen, Startups, Universitäten, Verbände und Einzelpersonen. In den vergangenen Treffen mit den Gründungsmitgliedern hat sich gezeigt, dass das Metaversum viele Möglichkeiten und Chancen eröffnet, aber auch Fragen und Herausforderungen mit sich bringt entsprechend ist das Bedürfnis der Mitglieder, sich auszutauschen und interessanten Fragestellungen nachzugehenn, sehr gross.




   



    
   


   








Fragestellungen rund um das Metaverse proaktiv angehen
Im Rahmen der Swiss Metaverse Association sind diverse Veranstaltungen geplant, ausserdem werden zurzeit Arbeitsgruppen formiert, die spezifische Fragestellungen und Themen bearbeiten werden. Zu den Prioritäten gehören aktuell folgende Themen: Steuern, das Industrielle Metaverse, Regulierung, Kunst und Kultur, Forschung und Bildung, Versicherung und Banking, Technologie und Infrastruktur, Health sowie Tourismus und Sport Darüber hinaus wird ein White Paper verfasst sowie eine Swiss Metaverse Ecosystem Map erstellt.
Dr. Daniel Diemers
Vorstandsmitglied Daniel Diemers, Head Expert Tribe, erklärt:
“Wir wollen zusammen lernen, Ideen entwickeln, Synergien finden, die Herausforderungen und Chancen des Metaversums ausarbeiten und so dafür sorgen, dass die Schweiz zu einem der attraktivsten und besten Metaverse-Standorte der Welt wird.»



]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/grundung-der-swiss-metaverse-association</link><guid>3103</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Gründung der Swiss Metaverse Association</dc:text></item><item><title>Worldline Launches Solution to Help Companies Enter the Metaverse</title><description><![CDATA[French payments company Worldline is launching a white-label solution for companies to enter into the Metaverse without any prior experience.
This white-label solution is suitable for any company developing a Metaverse strategy and looking for a cost-effective way to get started.
Worldline had launched a new shopping mall in Decentraland, a blockchain-enabled metaverse game, in March with the first 9 stores, including the German direct bank Consorsbank, The Chedi Andermatt, a Swiss luxury hotel, and Naked Life, a non-alcoholic spirits brand from Australia.




   



    
   


   








In the Worldline Shopping Mall, retailers, service providers and banks can build up a presence in Web 3.0 in a simple and modular way to test how their own community reacts to it and how the potential of the Metaverse can be tapped into.
The starter package offers store tenants the proven Worldline payment function – with or without cryptocurrencies – as well as advertising services.
Optional add-on packages – including Target Advertising, Phygital Products and Augmented Reality – help stores and products achieve greater visibility and create an innovative customer experience.
Sascha Münger
Sascha Münger, Metaverse Expert at Worldline said,
“We believe that the Metaverse, alongside stationary point of sale and e-commerce, is the sales channel of the future. The decision to open the Worldline Shopping Mall reflects this vision.

For well-known brands in particular, our virtual shopping mall offers an ideal precondition for venturing into the Metaverse with a clear conscience at low cost.”
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/worldline-launches-solution-to-help-companies-enter-the-metaverse</link><guid>3102</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Worldline Launches Solution to Help Companies Enter the Metaverse</dc:text></item><item><title>Tenity Partners With UBS to Invest in 400 Early Stage Fintechs</title><description><![CDATA[Tenity, Swiss innovation ecosystem formerly known as F10, announced that UBS is now one of its preferred global strategic banking partner.
Through this partnership, UBS will have access to Tenity’s global ecosystem of innovative early stage fintechs – beyond its own existing fintech network.
With Tenity’s global and local programmes, as well as the cross-industry platforms and events of all Tenity hubs, UBS will benefit from a comprehensive transfer of knowledge around innovation and the latest digital trends.




   



    
   


   








The bank is already working together with tech giants, fintechs, networks and universities on various topics.
Additionally, UBS Next, the bank’s global venture and innovation unit, is also investing in the Tenity Incubation Fund to invest in up to 400 new companies to promote innovation in the fintech sector.
Tenity is a startup incubator and accelerator with an integrated investment arm focused on early-stage fintechs and insurtechs. More than 250 companies have participated in Tenity programmes so far.
Sabine Keller-Busse
“Digitalisation is the key to future-oriented banking. The partnership with Tenity gives us the opportunity to expand our fintech network and align innovative ideas and solutions at an early stage, specifically tailored to the needs of our clients in Switzerland. We look forward to working with Tenity,”
said Sabine Keller-Busse, President of UBS Switzerland.

Andreas Iten
“The success of our ecosystem depends to a large extent on the innovative capacity of the participants. That we were able to win over UBS as a global strategic partner for banking makes us very proud and will help our current and future portfolio companies bring even more innovation to this important industry,”
said Andreas Iten, CEO and Co-Founder of Tenity.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/tenity-partners-with-ubs-to-invest-in-400-early-stage-fintechs</link><guid>3101</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Tenity Partners With UBS to Invest in 400 Early Stage Fintechs</dc:text></item><item><title>Shift Crypto und Pocket Bitcoin verkünden langfristige Partnerschaft</title><description><![CDATA[Shift Crypto, der Schweizer Hardware-Wallet-Hersteller, geht eine Partnerschaft mit Pocket Bitcoin ein.
Pocket Bitcoin ist ein Schweizer Bitcoin-Broker, der die einfachste Möglichkeit bietet, Bitcoin direkt auf die eigene Wallet zu stacken. Beide Unternehmen haben ihren Sitz in der Schweiz und verfolgen das gemeinsame Ziel, den Zugang zu und die Verwahrung von Bitcoin einfacher und sicherer zu machen.
Die Unternehmen arbeiten zusammen, um eine günstigere, noch einfachere und sicherere Möglichkeit zu bieten, regelmäßig Bitcoin zu kaufen. Pocket Bitcoin bietet bereits einen einfachen DCA-Service an. Die Hardware-Wallet BitBox02 ermöglicht es Nutzern, Bitcoin sicher aufzubewahren und einfach zu transferieren. Ihr Code ist vollständig quelloffen, einschließlich der dazugehörigen BitBoxApp, die ab heute das Widget von Pocket Bitcoin integriert, damit Investoren Bitcoin direkt auf ihre Hardware-Wallet kaufen können.




   



    
   


   








David Knezić
“Unser Ziel bei Pocket Bitcoin ist es, den Kauf von Bitcoin so einfach wie möglich zu machen. Wir haben eine Möglichkeit für Kunden geschaffen, Bitcoin zu kaufen, ohne ein Konto eröffnen oder sich identifizieren zu müssen. Unsere Kunden erhalten ihre Bitcoin direkt auf ihre Wallet. Dafür gibt es keinen besseren Partner als Shift Crypto und wir freuen uns, mit ihnen zusammenzuarbeiten, um den Kauf und die Aufbewahrung von Bitcoin noch einfacher zu machen”,
sagt David Knezić, CEO und Mitgründer von Pocket Bitcoin.
Das neue Widget, das von Pocket Bitcoin entwickelt und in die BitBoxApp integriert wurde, bietet einen günstigen Service für europäische Kunden mit der Möglichkeit, per Banküberweisung mit einer Gebühr von 1,5 % Bitcoin zu kaufen. Pocket Bitcoin bietet BitBox-Nutzern zusätzliche Vorteile, wie z. B. schnelles automatisches Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA). Über das neue Widget können Nutzer jetzt ganz einfach einen Dauerauftrag einrichten und von DCA profitieren, ohne umfangreiche KYC-Prozesse durchlaufen zu müssen. Für Aufträge bis zu 950 € pro Tag ist keine Verifizierung erforderlich.
Außerdem können Nutzer neben einer einzigen Bitcoin-Adresse auch ihren XPub, d. h. alle Bitcoin-Adressen ihres Kontos, teilen. Auf diese Weise werden ihre Bitcoin immer an neue, unbenutzte Bitcoin-Adressen ausgezahlt. Diese äußerst wünschenswerte Funktion ist besonders für Nutzer attraktiv, die regelmäßig Bitcoin stacken und mehr Privatsphäre gegenüber dem Bitcoin-Netzwerk bewahren wollen.
Durch die Verwendung von kryptografisch signierten Adressen und die Überprüfung der Adresse auf einem zweiten Gerät können BitBox-Nutzer sicherstellen, dass die Bitcoin-Adresse, an die Pocket Bitcoin auszahlt, auch wirklich ihre ist. Das Verfahren selbst ist dabei so einfach, dass die Nutzer keine Adressen kopieren und einfügen müssen.
Douglas Bakkum
“Wir bei Shift Crypto glauben, dass jeder Mensch finanzielle Souveränität verdient. In unserer Vision beginnt das mit der optimalen Sicherheit, die eine Hardware-Wallet bietet. Durch die Zusammenarbeit mit Pocket Bitcoin wird dies fortgesetzt, indem wir es Einzelpersonen ermöglichen, Bitcoin direkt in der BitBoxApp zu erwerben und dabei jederzeit die volle Kontrolle zu behalten. Wir freuen uns, mit Pocket Bitcoin zusammenzuarbeiten, einem Unternehmen, das unsere Werte von Selbstverwahrung und finanzieller Souveränität teilt.”
Douglas Bakkum, CEO und Mitbegründer von Shift Crypto.
Um ihre Partnerschaft zu feiern, bieten die beiden Unternehmen bis zum 15. März 2023 einen Bonus von 10 000 Satoshi auf alle erstmaligen Transaktionen über die neue BitBoxApp-Integration an.

Disclaimer/Haftungs-Ausschluss: Hier handelt es sich um einen Sponsored Post von Shift Crypto und Pocket Bitcoin nicht um einen Artikel von Fintechnews.ch. Es handelt sich hier weder um eine Anlageberatung noch um eine konkrete Handlungsempfehlung.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/shift-crypto-und-pocket-bitcoin-verkunden-langfristige-partnerschaft</link><guid>3100</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Shift Crypto und Pocket Bitcoin verkünden langfristige Partnerschaft</dc:text></item><item><title>Finance Companies Ramp Up AI Deployment</title><description><![CDATA[In the financial services industry, banks, insurers, asset managers and fintech companies are increasing the speed at which they deploy artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled applications, confident that AI will help them assess risk more accurately, enable operational efficiencies, and reduce costs, results from a new study by American tech firm Nvidia show.
The 2023 State of AI in Financial Services report, released on February 02, 2023, draws on a survey of nearly 500 global financial services professionals that sought to understand AI trends in the sector, as well as the opportunities perceived and challenges faced by the industry.
Results from the study show that the adoption of AI in the finance sector is accelerating at a fast pace, with over half of the respondents indicating having deployed three or more of the 21 different AI-enabled use cases analyzed by the survey. A fifth of respondents said they had six or more use cases in market.




   



    
   


   








Number of use cases per respondent (excluding China), Source: State of AI in Financial Services, Nvidia, Feb 2023
Accelerated adoption of AI in the sector comes on the back of increased awareness of the imperative among executive leadership teams. This year, 64% of respondents agreed that their executive leadership “values and believes in AI”, a figure which represents an increase of 78% year-over-year (YoY). More respondents also indicated that their leadership view AI as an important factor to their company’s future success, a proportion which stands at 58% this year, compared with 39% in 2022.
How much do you disagree or agree with the following?, Source: State of AI in Financial Services, Nvidia, Feb 2023
Top AI use cases
Findings also show that finance professionals are now applying AI in a wide range of use cases, with ten of the 21 use cases studied being utilized by over 20% of the respondents’ companies.
These applications are natural language processing (NLP) and large language models (LLMs) (26%), recommender systems and next-best action (23%), portfolio optimization (23%), fraud detection in transactions and payments (22%), fraud detection for anti-money laundering and know-your-customer (AML/KYC) (22%), algorithmic trading (21%), conversational AI (20%), marketing optimization (20%) and creating synthetic data for model creation/optimization (20%).
Interestingly, 12% of respondents said their company have deployed AI-enabled applications for use cases relating to the metaverse and virtual worlds with aspirations to explore opportunities relating to employee training, new employee onboarding, retail branch simulation and insurance risk evaluations.
Top AI use cases in financial services (excluding China), Source: State of AI in Financial Services, Nvidia, Feb 2023
Companies that have deployed AI applications into production said the technology has brought them real benefits, including improved productivity and cost savings. In fact, 35% of respondents said these applications have created operational efficiencies, and 20% said they have reduced the total cost of ownership. When asked about how much their companies saved, 36% indicated AI-enabled applications have helped decrease annual costs by more than 10%.
Investing in AI have also brought benefits that extend beyond financial impact, the survey found, including improved customer experiences, new business opportunities, and more accurate models.
How has AI improved your business operations?, Source: State of AI in Financial Services, Nvidia, Feb 2023
AI is already widespread in Switzerland
Results of the Nvidia survey are consistent with those found by other similar studies. A new report by consultancy Deloitte, which focused on the Swiss market, shares findings from a survey of companies in various industries, including consumer, financial services and life sciences, and found that AI is now widespread in the country. Almost 90% of the Swiss executives surveyed stated that they are aware of AI initiatives in their company with almost half of these being in the finance function.
Are you aware of ongoing or completed AI initiatives/projects in your company?, Source: Finance Innovation Survey 2023, Deloitte, 2023
The deployment of AI solutions is also well underway, with 75% of respondents indicating that AI solutions are being implemented.
Has any AI solution already been implemented in your company?, Source: Finance Innovation Survey 2023, Deloitte, 2023
The study, which also looked at the adoption of other technologies, found that cloud computing (42.3%), interactive data visualization (41.4%) and data science (37%) are currently the most used digital technologies in the finance sector. These technologies are set to still be leaders in the next two years, though particularly large gains are also expected in AI, advanced analytics and robotic process automation (RPA).
In general, which of the following technologies have you used in your finance organisation 2 years ago, or use today or expect to use in 2 years’ time?, Source: Finance Innovation Survey 2023, Deloitte, 2023
The rise of generative AI
AI has been a hot topic of discussion in the business community since the release of AI-powered chatbot ChatGPT in November 2021. The tool, which became the fastest-growing consumer app in history when it surged past the 100 million monthly active users mark in January 2023, is praised by industry experts for its ability to accurately answer questions, mimic human language and complete a wide range of tasks.
ChatGPT sparked a frenzy in the tech community and prompted most industry leaders to ramp up AI development. In fintech, a number of industry stakeholders are already speculating on the potential of generative AI – the form of AI which ChatGPT relies on that’s capable of creating new content, including text, audio and images – in the sector.
Sarah Hinkfuss, a partner at Bain Capital Ventures, authored a recent article that provides a deep dive into the subject, arguing that the most impactful usage of generative AI will be as tools built into desired products or software workflows.
Prominent examples include auto-generated personal loan offers with custom messaging based on contextual information about a particular customer; auto-generated insurance application forms based on data and information provided in previous applications submitted; AI-powered chatbots for 24/7 customer service and support; as well as forecasting and risk identification.
Venture capital (VC) investment in generative AI increased nearly 500% between 2020 and 2022 to US$1.37 billion, data from Pitchbook show. The VC funding frenzy is expected to carry on this year, with already a number of notable deals being announced in Q1 2023. Anthropic, an AI company that’s testing a rival to ChatGPT called Claude, received a US$400 million investment from Google in February; Cohere, another competing generative AI startup, is reportedly in talks to raise hundreds of millions of dollars in funding; and OpenAI, the research lab behind ChatGPT, inked a US$10 billion deal with Microsoft in January.
Generative AI funding rounds, Source: Pitchbook, Dec 2022
Though the generative AI space remains nascent, business analytics platform and global database CB Insights has identified more than 250 companies in the sector.
OpenAI is currently the biggest player with a US$29 billion valuation, followed by Hugging Face (US$2 billion), Lightricks (US$1.8 billion), Jasper (US$1.5 billion), Glean (US$1 billion), and Stability AI (US$1 billion).

Featured image credit: edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finance-companies-ramp-up-ai-deployment</link><guid>3098</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Finance Companies Ramp Up AI Deployment</dc:text></item><item><title>UBS Next and Goldman Sachs Invest into Regtech Company Droit</title><description><![CDATA[Droit, a New York based technology firm at the forefront of computational law and regulation, announced it has closed a $23 million Series B investment in its latest funding round.
The round was led by Pivot Investment Partners and UBS through its venture and innovation unit UBS Next. Goldman Sachs, an existing investor, is also participating in the financing round.
Since its founding in late 2012, Droit has established itself as a technology provider advancing global regulatory compliance in the capital markets space, with its patented Adept platform now used by the world’s largest financial institutions for pre- and post-trade decision-making and auditability.




   



    
   


   








The investment will support Droit’s expansion into wealth management through the development of new products specifically for the sector, including Cross Border and Product Suitability. This natural extension of the Adept platform for use in wealth management will allow financial institutions to benefit from the same transparent decision-making infrastructure deployed for capital markets. The investment will also support Droit’s expansion of new and existing products, including Position Reporting, Transaction Reporting, advancements in Droit’s Pre-Trade product suite, and the build-out of new cloud-based services.
Brock Arnason
“This year marked Droit’s 10-year anniversary and we greatly appreciate the support from our investors and their confidence in our future success. This funding will enable us to accelerate the innovation of our new product lines,”
said Brock Arnason, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Droit.
“We are also excited to join UBS Next’s portfolio of fintech companies and look forward to partnering with them on building out our wealth management capabilities.”
Mike Dargan
“We believe Droit’s capabilities will help companies unlock potential revenue streams by simplifying and driving real-time regulatory compliance,”
said Mike Dargan, Chief Digital &amp; Information Officer, UBS.
“Through this investment, we will work with Droit to build out their product offering to support the industry and look forward to extending our relationship with them across our wealth management business.”
This funding round comes at a period of strong growth for Droit. Over the past two years, Droit commercialized four new product lines and increased its headcount by nearly 70 percent, adding key leadership roles in business development and technology. Droit also expanded its global footprint establishing a presence in Singapore to support existing clients and build new relationships in the region.

Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ubs-next-and-goldman-sachs-invest-into-regtech-company-droit</link><guid>3097</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>UBS Next and Goldman Sachs Invest into Regtech Company Droit</dc:text></item><item><title>UBS and Goldman Sachs Invest into Regtech Company Droit</title><description><![CDATA[Droit, a New York based technology firm at the forefront of computational law and regulation, announced it has closed a $23 million Series B investment in its latest funding round.
The round was led by Pivot Investment Partners and UBS through its venture and innovation unit UBS Next. Goldman Sachs, an existing investor, is also participating in the financing round.
Since its founding in late 2012, Droit has established itself as a technology provider advancing global regulatory compliance in the capital markets space, with its patented Adept platform now used by the world’s largest financial institutions for pre- and post-trade decision-making and auditability.




   



    
   


   








The investment will support Droit’s expansion into wealth management through the development of new products specifically for the sector, including Cross Border and Product Suitability. This natural extension of the Adept platform for use in wealth management will allow financial institutions to benefit from the same transparent decision-making infrastructure deployed for capital markets. The investment will also support Droit’s expansion of new and existing products, including Position Reporting, Transaction Reporting, advancements in Droit’s Pre-Trade product suite, and the build-out of new cloud-based services.
Brock Arnason
“This year marked Droit’s 10-year anniversary and we greatly appreciate the support from our investors and their confidence in our future success. This funding will enable us to accelerate the innovation of our new product lines,”
said Brock Arnason, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Droit.
“We are also excited to join UBS Next’s portfolio of fintech companies and look forward to partnering with them on building out our wealth management capabilities.”
Mike Dargan
“We believe Droit’s capabilities will help companies unlock potential revenue streams by simplifying and driving real-time regulatory compliance,”
said Mike Dargan, Chief Digital &amp; Information Officer, UBS.
“Through this investment, we will work with Droit to build out their product offering to support the industry and look forward to extending our relationship with them across our wealth management business.”
This funding round comes at a period of strong growth for Droit. Over the past two years, Droit commercialized four new product lines and increased its headcount by nearly 70 percent, adding key leadership roles in business development and technology. Droit also expanded its global footprint establishing a presence in Singapore to support existing clients and build new relationships in the region.

Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ubs-and-goldman-sachs-invest-into-regtech-company-droit</link><guid>3099</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>UBS and Goldman Sachs Invest into Regtech Company Droit</dc:text></item><item><title>St. Galler Kantonalbank mit neuem digitalen Kunden-Onboarding</title><description><![CDATA[Wer will, kann neu in maximal in einer Viertelstunde Kundin oder Kunde der St.Galler Kantonalbank (SGKB) werden, teil die Bank mit. Der neue digitale Eröffnungsprozess ist einfach, verständlich und zu jeder Zeit möglich.
Nils Reimelt
«Das Angebot ist von A bis Z digital. Neben der Identifikation können auch die Verträge online gelesen und digital mit einem SMS-Code signiert werden»,
sagt Nils Reimelt, Leiter Digital Banking der SGKB.
Egal ob Geschäftskonto, Privatkonto oder Gemeinschaftskonto: Mit dem neuen digitalen Eröffnungsprozess können Interessierte in wenigen Minuten Kunde oder Kundin der St.Galler Kantonalbank werden. Bei der Eröffnung werden zielgruppengerecht Produktesets angeboten. Basis dieser Sets sind jeweils ein Konto, eine Bankkarte, das E-Banking oder das Mobile Banking.




   



    
   


   








«So haben unsere Kundinnen und Kunden von Anfang an die für ihren Alltag notwendigenBankprodukte»,
sagt Reimelt. Ausserdem stehen weitere Produkte und Dienstleitung wie SGKB Twint oder die digitale Spar-App HäshCash zur Auswahl.
«Wer will, kann auch eine Kreditkarte oder eine Prepaidkarte bestellen»,
so Reimelt.
Einfach, verständlich und jederzeit möglich
Die Identifikation kann auf zwei Arten erfolgen. Personen mit einem Schweizer Reisepass können sich dank der neuen Online-Identifikation selbständig identifizieren – das rund um die Uhr. Alle anderen Personen mit einem Wohnsitz in der Schweiz können sich wie bisher im Rahmen eines geführten Video-Calls identifizieren lassen. Dieses Angebot steht jeweils von Montag bis Samstag zwischen 7 und 24 Uhr zur Verfügung. Neben der Identifikation, können auch die Verträge online gelesen und digital mit einem SMS-Code signiert werden. Ist der Eröffnungsprozess abgeschlossen, erhalten die neuen Kundinnen und Kunden ihre IBAN-Nummer – alle weiteren Produkte und Dienstleistungen werden automatisch im Nachgang eröffnet.
Gemeinsam mit der Community entwickelt
Die Digitalisierung im Bankensektor geht schnell voran, die Erwartungen der Kundschaft in diesem Bereich sind entsprechend hoch.
Deshalb hat die Bank bei der Entwicklung des Angebots die Bedürfnisse der Kundschaft konsequent ins Zentrum gestellt und von Anfang die eigene Community eingebunden. Dank den Rückmeldungen und den Benutzer-Tests habe sie einen digitalen Eröffnungsprozess kreieren können, der Interessierte schnell und einfach zur Kundin oder zum Kunden macht.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/st-galler-kantonalbank-mit-neuem-digitalen-kunden-onboarding</link><guid>3095</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>St. Galler Kantonalbank mit neuem digitalen Kunden-Onboarding</dc:text></item><item><title>DACH: Fintech Trends to Look out for in 2023</title><description><![CDATA[Germany, Austria and Switzerland, also referred to as the DACH region, have been proponents of fintech in Europe from the beginning, an early support that has enabled the region to establish one of the world’s most vibrant and dynamic fintech ecosystems.
In 2021, fintech research and analytics firm Findexable named Switzerland the fifth biggest fintech hub in the world, and Germany, the 9th largest. The 2021 Global Fintech Ranking, which considered a location’s density of fintech companies and accelerators, payments ecosystems and the ease of doing business, also placed Berlin, Zurich and Hamburg among the world’s top 30 most prominent fintech cities in the world, ahead of locations including Seoul, Paris, Dubai and Shenzhen.
DACH’s fintech cities, Source: Findexable/Mambu, Aug 2022
According to a separate August 2022 by Finexable in partnership with German software-as-a-service (SaaS) cloud banking platform Mambu, the growth of DACH’s fintech industry has been enabled by the region’s advanced technical infrastructure, strong human capital and longstanding banking and asset management industries, which have provide both sources of capital and huge client bases and problems to solve.




   



    
   


   








DACH countries account for just 13% of Europe’s population, but a fifth of its software developers, the report says. Germany, meanwhile, accounts for twice as many patent applications a year than any other European country.
Number of professional developers by country, 2018, Source: Findexable/Mambu, Aug 2022
In 2022, DACH’s fintech ecosystem continued to grow and mature, on the back of increased consumer adoption, solid fintech funding activity and growing interest from strategic investors. This year, industry stakeholders and observers are expecting more innovations in burgeoning domains like climate/green fintech, an uptick in merger and acquisition (M&amp;A) transactions, as well as increased demand for embedded finance solutions.
Fintech funding activity remains strong
Despite a pullback in VC dealmaking, fintech funding in the DACH region remained strong in 2022, registering is second-best year to date, data from Pitchbook show.
As of November 2022, a total of 191 deals worth EUR 3.2 billion had been completed in the sector across Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Liechtenstein.
The figures fell short of 2021, which saw 230 rounds totaling EUR 4.5 billion, but nevertheless made fintech one of the region’s most active verticals for VC dealmaking by accounting for 9.2% of overall deal value and 7.5% of the region’s total number of rounds.
VC deal activity in DACH fintech, Source: Pitchbook, Nov 2022
Soaring fintech funding activity in DACH over the past years has pushed valuations to new heights. Currently, the region is home to eight fintech unicorns and all of them reached a US$1 billion and plus valuation within the past three years, data from CB Insights show.
Taxfix, Berlin’s digital tax accounting, is the latest company to join the club after securing a US$220 million Series D in April 2022 at a US$1 billion valuation.
DACH’s other fintech unicorns are German digital bank N26 (US$9.23 billion valuation), insurtech firm WeFox (US$4.5 billion), digital wealth manager Scalable Capital (US$1.4 billion), Berlin-based BaaS platform Solarisbank (US$1.65 billion), German neobroker Trade Republic (US$5.4 billion valuation), Swiss bitcoin vault Numbrs (US$1 billion), and Austria crypto exchange BitPanda (US$4.11 billion), data from CB Insights show.
Growing appetite for fintech investments
In 2022, strategic investors in the DACH region started accelerating their involvement in fintech and bolder in their investments and acquisitions, a trend that’s set to carry on in 2023, according to a September 2022 report by PwC.
A survey conducted as part of the report, found that, of the 30 bank executives interviewed, 45% of respondents in Switzerland and Liechtenstein had already invested in fintech. Moving forward, 38% of respondents indicated that they intended to invest in fintech over the next two years, showcasing the banking sector’s increasing appetite for fintech investments.
Appetite for fintech investments in the Swiss and Liechtenstein banking landscape, Source: PwC, 2022
For most banks, the main reasons they invested in a fintech company was to gain access to new technology (35%) or enter new market and business model (30%). Digital distribution (26%), blockchain and cryptocurrencies (22%) and data analytics (18%) were cited as the top capabilities they sought to develop through fintech investments.
Wealthtech and blockchain/crypto – two sectors that are capital-light and which promise high margins – were identified as the most attractive fintech verticals to invest in. Insurtech, lending and payments/billing were named as the least interesting vertical options.
Why do banks invest in fintech, Source: PwC, 2022
More market consolidation in 2023
Looking at fintech funding trends observed in DACH last year, PwC expects an ongoing or even improved deal flow in the course of 2023. The consultancy also predicts an uptick in M&amp;A transactions, a sentiment that’s shared by Yusuf Ozdalga, partner at QED Investors.
“I think all fintech sectors will see M&amp;A activity increase: payments, wealth management, lending, and neobanks, just to name a few,” Ozdalga told Sifted in a statement.
“The dynamics driving M&amp;A apply broadly — and while there are nuances across subsectors, the overarching theme of M&amp;A will be a constant.”
Nick Sando, principal at Octopus Ventures, noted that the BaaS vertical, in particular, was primed for consolidation in 2023.
“2021 saw a great deal of funding into the BaaS category,” Sando told the media outlet.
“Many of the BaaS providers have customer bases heavily skewed towards very early-stage fintech companies, some of which will likely continue to find it difficult to operate and raise in 2023. This will likely lead to increased customer churn and revenue per customer falling for some of the BaaS providers.”
The rise of green fintech
In 2022, funding to climate fintech companies reached a new high, totaling US$2.9 billion in VC raised by companies in the sector, data from CommerzVentures, the corporate venture capital (CVC) arm of Commerzbank in Germany, show. The sum represents more than double what was secured in 2021 (US$1.2 billion) and showcases accelerating investor appetite for the nascent sector.
In 2023, the momentum is set to carry on as new use cases and subsectors like biodiversity and natural capital emerge and gain traction, Paul Morgenthaler, managing partner at CommerzVentures, told Sifted in a recent interview.
“In addition to the climate crisis, we have a biodiversity crisis,” Morgenthaler said.
“We are seeing a lot of interesting new approaches for investing in natural capital and preserving biodiversity, and we expect some very successful companies to emerge in that space over time.”
These companies are tackling the “biodiversity crisis” and are introducing “new approaches for investing in natural capital and preserving biodiversity,” similarly to what startups in the carbon offsetting space have been doing with carbon credits, he said.
All in all, Morgenthaler expects the whole climate fintech sector to perform well in 2023, a sentiment that was echoed by Manuel Silva Martinez, general partner at Mouro Capital, who  told the media outlet that 2023 could very well be “the breakthrough year” for climate fintech.
“Up until now, we have been somewhat underwhelmed by this space … Perhaps 2023 is the year we’ll start seeing real businesses being built at the crossover of financial services and sustainability,” he said.
“So, less about analytics and environmental, social and governance (ESG) data reporting, and more about how sustainability is embedding into people’s lifestyles, from consumption to real estate or mobility.”
Crypto sector under regulatory scrutiny
The crypto industry faced a tough year 2022 amid a market meltdown and company collapses. For Magda Posluszny, senior associate at Lakestar, 2023 could mark the end of an era of unregulated crypto markets.
“What comes next is increased regulatory scrutiny, acceleration of regulatory frameworks across the world and growing demand for compliance solutions across the traditional finance and crypto sectors,” she told Sifted in a statement.
DACH is home to some of the world’s most dynamic crypto and blockchain ecosystems. In Switzerland, the canton of Zug has earned the nickname Crypto Valley for the high number of blockchain-based fintech companies based in the area. Separately, the Swiss city of Lugano unveiled last year plans to develop new infrastructure to adopt cryptocurrencies and allow residents to use crypto for everyday spending.
Germany, meanwhile, is considered one of the world’s pioneers in blockchain technology adoption. This early support has enabled the nation to become the largest blockchain hub in the whole European Union (EU). The EU Blockchain Observatory and Forum, a European Commission initiative to accelerate blockchain innovation and adoption, estimates that Germany is currently home to more than 340 blockchain solution providers and startups, surpassing Estonia with 200+ but behind the UK with 1,000+. The country also has one of the largest pools of blockchain talent in the EU with 4,600 professionals.
In Austria, though the blockchain scene is much smaller than the ones in Germany and Switzerland, the industry has grown considerably over the past years and has minted its first unicorn startup.
Local crypto exchange Bitpanda reached a US$1.2 billion valuation in 2021 after raising a US$170 million round. Th round came on the back of an impressive growth spurt, with the company reporting the same revenue in the first two months of 2021 as in the whole of 2020. Bitpanda, which claims four million users, is the country’s first and only fintech unicorn startup.
In Austria, blockchain and digital currencies have also sparked the interest of the government, which unveiled earlier this year a research project to learn more about tokenization and central bank digital currencies (CBDC).
Digital payments on the rise
Though cash has long been the preferred method of payment in the DACH region, digital transactions are catching up fast, a trend that was accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In June 2019, overall contactless adoption in DACH was at just 40%. This figure rose quickly to 71% by June 2020 and by June 2021 more than three quarters of cashless transactions in Germany, Austria and Switzerland were contactless, according to data published by Nets Group, a leading paytech firm from Denmark.
As of September 2021, the average contactless rate was 77% in Germany, 82% in Austria and 80% in Switzerland.
“The pandemic has significantly accelerated a steadily growing trend in the DACH region,” said Robert Hoffmann, CEO of Nets Merchant Services.
“It was inevitable that Germany, Austria and Switzerland would ultimately achieve high levels of contactless payment adoption, but without this catalyst, it would have taken years to reach where it is today. An increasing number of merchants here are now offering and actively encouraging tap-and-go, which is becoming the norm for consumers.”
The 2022 Finexable and Mambu report noted that the rise of e-commerce in DACH has fueled usage of digital payments, and most particularly, digital wallets, open invoicing, and buy now, pay later (BNPL) arrangements.
Interest in embedded finance on the rise
In 2023, embedded finance will continue to gain further momentum, Jennifer Heathfield-Lee, head of partnerships of ClearBank, said  in a statement to Mambu. This growth will be driven by rising demand from non-financial companies looking to tap new revenue streams and increase customer engagement, as well as fintech companies looking for alternatives to BaaS.
“Fintech companies are increasingly reliant on their BaaS providers to speed up time to market, boost revenues, and meet compliance demands,” Heathfield-Lee said. “However, as fintech companies scale and look to offer more complex services, many BaaS providers are struggling to keep up with this demand. This is resulting in lost revenues, significant resource requirements, rising costs, and at worst intervention from the regulator.
“Because of these issues, we’re seeing an appetite from across Europe for embedded banking as it’s more than just licensing, it’s the ability to create fit-for-purpose, targeted services supported by an API-enabled technology infrastructure in full compliance with regulatory requirements.”

Fintech DACH Trend Webinar- Replay



]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/dach-fintech-trends-to-look-out-for-in-2023</link><guid>3092</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/DACHs-fintech-cities-Source-FindexableMambu-Aug-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>DACH: Fintech Trends to Look out for in 2023</dc:text></item><item><title>Transfermate Announce New Embedded Payments Solution for Banks and FIs</title><description><![CDATA[TransferMate has announced the launch of ‘TransferMate Connect’, an integrated payments solution for banks and financial institutions to deliver faster and more cost-effective payments products and services for their customers.
TransferMate has built one of the largest non-bank payments infrastructure in the world, covering more than 140 currencies and over 200 countries. Through TransferMate Connect, banks, and financial institutions can integrate with this network and instantly expand their global reach, giving them the ability to pass on its benefits to their own clients.
Banks and FIs will be able to build new cost-effective, fast, and secure payment propositions, allow their clients to set up trading capabilities in new territories quickly and at low-cost, and create or expand revenue streams generated by the funds moving through the network.




   



    
   


   








Sinead Fitzmaurice
“TransferMate Connect is a single technology providing a global payments gateway for banks and Financial institutions to streamline their exiting multiple correspondent banking systems into one interface”
said Sinead Fitzmaurice, CEO of TransferMate.
“With our extensive global network and the world-class compliance and security underpinning it all, we believe TransferMate is leading the evolution of how money moves around the world.”
A unique part of the proposition is the ability of banks and financial institutions to also integrate with another TransferMate product, Global Accounts, and again give their clients the capacity to leverage it for their own benefit.
Global Accounts allows users to open local bank accounts in over 30 currencies, creating their own international banking network where they can hold, pay, and store currencies in a way that suits them. It significantly reduces transaction fees and FX costs for users, allows for better control over international cash flows, and exponentially speeds up the ability of a user to set-up a banking presence in a new territory.
Terry Clune
“This complete package of solutions is truly innovative, and unmatched in the marketplace”
said Terry Clune, Group CEO of the Clune Tech Group and founder of TransferMate.
“We’re allowing banks and FIs to immediately create new products and services, or improve existing ones, and put them into market without causing any friction for their clients. I believe it’s going to give them a real competitive advantage in the marketplace.”
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/transfermate-announce-new-embedded-payments-solution-for-banks-and-fis</link><guid>3093</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Transfermate Announce New Embedded Payments Solution for Banks and FIs</dc:text></item><item><title>Transfermate Rolls Out New Embedded Payments Solution for Banks and FIs</title><description><![CDATA[TransferMate recently announced the launch of ‘TransferMate Connect’, an integrated payments solution for banks and financial institutions to deliver faster and more cost-effective payments products and services for their customers.
TransferMate has built one of the largest non-bank payments infrastructure in the world, covering more than 140 currencies and over 200 countries. Through TransferMate Connect, banks, and financial institutions can integrate with this network and instantly expand their global reach, giving them the ability to pass on its benefits to their own clients.
Banks and FIs will be able to build new cost-effective, fast, and secure payment propositions, allow their clients to set up trading capabilities in new territories quickly and at low-cost, and create or expand revenue streams generated by the funds moving through the network.




   



    
   


   








Sinead Fitzmaurice
“TransferMate Connect is a single technology providing a global payments gateway for banks and Financial institutions to streamline their exiting multiple correspondent banking systems into one interface”
said Sinead Fitzmaurice, CEO of TransferMate.
“With our extensive global network and the world-class compliance and security underpinning it all, we believe TransferMate is leading the evolution of how money moves around the world.”
A unique part of the proposition is the ability of banks and financial institutions to also integrate with another TransferMate product, Global Accounts, and again give their clients the capacity to leverage it for their own benefit.
Global Accounts allows users to open local bank accounts in over 30 currencies, creating their own international banking network where they can hold, pay, and store currencies in a way that suits them. It significantly reduces transaction fees and FX costs for users, allows for better control over international cash flows, and exponentially speeds up the ability of a user to set-up a banking presence in a new territory.
Terry Clune
“This complete package of solutions is truly innovative, and unmatched in the marketplace”
said Terry Clune, Group CEO of the Clune Tech Group and founder of TransferMate.
“We’re allowing banks and FIs to immediately create new products and services, or improve existing ones, and put them into market without causing any friction for their clients. I believe it’s going to give them a real competitive advantage in the marketplace.”
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/transfermate-rolls-out-new-embedded-payments-solution-for-banks-and-fis</link><guid>3096</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Transfermate Rolls Out New Embedded Payments Solution for Banks and FIs</dc:text></item><item><title>Schweizer Bitcoin Startup Relai schliesst $4.5M Finanzierungsrunde ab</title><description><![CDATA[Relai, die Schweizer Bitcoin-App, gibt eine Investitionsrunde in Höhe von 4,5 Millionen US-Dollar bekannt, die von ego death capital angeführt wird. Weitere Investoren sind Timechain, Cabrit Capital und Lightning Ventures. An der Investitionsrunde beteiligten sich auch der Hauptinvestor von Relai, Redalpine, und der Seed-Stage-Investor Fulgur Ventures, die beide erneut investierten.
In Juni 2021 hatte Relai deren Series A (2.5Mio CHF) abgeschlossen und letzten Mai auch via Crowdfunding von der Community weitere 2.1Mio CHF beschafft.
Julian Liniger
“Der aktuelle Bärenmarkt ist der perfekte Zeitpunkt, um sich auf das Wesentliche zu konzentrieren: ein erstklassiges Produkt zu entwickeln, ein nahtloses Benutzererlebnis zu bieten und Menschen über Bitcoin als die beste Spar-Technologie, die je erfunden wurde, aufzuklären. Unser Team ist hungrig auf das, was vor uns liegt, und wir haben einen glasklaren Plan, den wir in den kommenden Monaten umsetzen werden. Mit dem Kapital von ego death und dem grossartigen Netzwerk rund um Jeff Booth, Andi Pitt und Nico Lechuga, sind wir bereit, Bitcoin zu 400M Menschen und 25M KMUs in Europa zu bringen!”,
kommentiert Julian Liniger, CEO und Mitgründer von Relai.




   



    
   


   








Die Erlöse aus dieser Runde werden in die Stärkung der Position von Relai als Bitcoin-Only-Startup in Europa fliesen. Das Startup plant, bald geführenfreien Bitcoin-Handel anzubieten, Bitcoin Lightning-Funktionalitäten zu integrieren und ein White-Label-Angebot zu lancieren, mit dem andere Fintechs den Handel von Fiat zu Bitcoin anbieten können. Darüber hinaus hat das Unternehmen vor kurzem seinen Service erweitert, um kleine und mittelständische Unternehmen (KMUs) anzusprechen, die mit der Einführung von Relai Business Bitcoin in ihre Bilanzen aufnehmen können.
Als Folge der Investitionsrunde wird Andi Pitt, Gründungspartnerin von Ego Death Capital, auch dem Vorstand von Relai beitreten. Sie war zuvor als Vice President Trading bei Goldman Sachs New York tätig. Die anderen Partner von Ego Death sind die Tech-Unternehmer Jeff Booth und Nico Lechuga. Zu ihrem Beirat gehören weitere grosse Namen der globalen Bitcoin-Branche wie Lyn Alden, Preston Pysh, und Pablo Fernandez.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schweizer-bitcoin-startup-relai-schliesst-45m-finanzierungsrunde-ab</link><guid>3094</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Schweizer Bitcoin Startup Relai schliesst $4.5M Finanzierungsrunde ab</dc:text></item><item><title>Netcetera Acquires Slovenian Software Company Kamino</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss software company Netcetera acquires Kamino, a company from Slovenia specializing in mobile app and digital identity development. The newly acquired expert know-how and technological expertise strengthen Netcetera’s core competency for business-critical digital solutions. The two companies have cooperated successfully in the past years and have decided on this merger as a strategic next step for the partnership.
Netcetera acquired 100% of the Slovenian software company Kamino at the beginning of 2023. Kamino brings experience and know-how in mobile app, banking and payment, and digital identity product development. They have a strong user experience (UX) team, which integrates perfectly with Netcetera’s portfolio of solutions focusing on the optimal balance of security and convenience for a seamless experience. The two software companies are an excellent strategic fit, so the acquisition was a logical next step to strengthen the cooperation further.
Carsten Wengel
With Kamino, Netcetera gains valuable additional talent. Carsten Wengel, CEO at Netcetera, says




   



    
   


   








“With this strategic expansion, we are investing in our core strengths with additional business expertise and engineering power and a new location in Ljubljana. I’m happy to welcome the 50 new experts to the Netcetera family. With this reinforcement, we can further accelerate digital transformation in all industries.”
Strategic fit to advance payment and digital identity
Kamino’s employees have great mobile app design, development, and maintenance skills. This is paired with an experienced UX team and their proven expertise in digital identity, self-sovereign identities (SSI), and eID. Kamino has built and maintains the Slovenian national eID app that adheres to the eIDAS regulations. eIDAS oversees electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the European Union. Kamino’s know-how and experience are a great addition to the Netcetera team and an asset for the continuous development of Netcetera’s own identity solutions. Together the two companies can drive the evolution, acceptance, and trust in digital IDs to improve and secure people’s lives in a digital world.
Andrej Slapnik
Additionally, Kamino complements Netcetera’s strong end-to-end offer in the payment and banking industry. Kamino has a proven track record in the financial industry with a digital wallet developed for an investment company. Besides technological aspects, a people-focused approach toward employees and customers is a value both companies share. Andrej Slapnik, CEO and co-founder of Kamino, says:
“Our expertise, approach and background are a great fit, and we have a similar people-first mindset with employees, customers, and users in focus. We look forward to driving innovation in payment and digital identity with user-friendly digital solutions and are excited to begin this journey as part of Netcetera.”

Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/netcetera-acquires-slovenian-software-company-kamino</link><guid>3090</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Netcetera Acquires Slovenian Software Company Kamino</dc:text></item><item><title>eToro Partners With Sentifi to Launch Social Sentiment Portfolio</title><description><![CDATA[eToro, the social investing network, announced the launch of SocialSentiment, a portfolio offering exposure to US companies with solid ESG performance and high levels of positive social chatter developed in partnership with Sentifi, an award-winning alternative data provider.
Dani Brinker, Head of Investment Portfolios at eToro said:
“eToro pioneered social investing and showed how the power of social can empower people around the world to build their wealth and take control of their finances. With this portfolio, we aim to offer retail investors exposure to stocks that are being discussed in a positive light on social and digital channels, adding an extra layer of insights. We are looking forward to partnering with the Sentifi team, and working together to harness the power of social networks.”
Ranked in the AIFinTech100 list for its pioneering Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, Sentifi analyses over 50,000 stocks, currencies, commodities, indices, passive and active funds. To shape the portfolio, Sentifi pairs these metrics with social sentiment (sentScore) and ESG scores.  Sentifi determines the sentiment towards an asset by allocating a sentScore, established by analysing over 500 millions tweets, 2 million news articles, forums and blogs.The result is a selection of US stocks with high ESG credentials and positive social chatter.




   



    
   


   








Marina Goche
Marina Goche, CEO at Sentifi said:
“When it comes to investing, information is power and the more knowledge retail investors have, the more informed decisions they can make. The events over the past several years relating to the meme-stock rallies are evidence of how the herd can change direction, and where these changes happen, which is largely in social networks and forums. Social networks, news, blogs and forums are also a valuable source of changing risk for asset classes and offer dynamic views on ESG performance appreciation and degradation for companies globally – essential for constructing portfolios that outperform a benchmark. Sentifi is delighted to partner with eToro to offer eToro’s Social Sentiment portfolio.”
Rebalanced monthly, the allocation consists of the top 10 S&amp;P 500 stocks that meet the ESG and social sentiment criteria, ranked by their lowest risk over attention weighted sentiment score (AWSS). The list of stocks selected at inception can be found here.
eToro’s range of Smart Portfolios offer investors exposure to various market themes. Bundling together several assets under a defined methodology, and employing a passive investment approach, eToro’s Smart Portfolios are long-term investment solutions that offer diversified exposure with no management fees.
Initial investment starts from USD$500 and investors can access tools and charts to track the portfolio’s performance, while eToro’s social feed will keep them up-to-date on developments in the sector. For now, this portfolio is not available to US users.

Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/etoro-partners-with-sentifi-to-launch-social-sentiment-portfolio</link><guid>3086</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>eToro Partners With Sentifi to Launch Social Sentiment Portfolio</dc:text></item><item><title>DZ Bank Selects Metaco Harmonize to Underpin Its Institutional Digital Asset Custody Offering</title><description><![CDATA[Metaco announces its cooperation with DZ BANK .
As a central institution, DZ BANK provides a multitude of services, particularly asset management services, being one of the largest German custodians, with €297 billion assets under custody at the end of 2022.
Metaco’s custody and orchestration platform, Harmonize, was selected by DZ BANK through an extensive proof-of-concept and diligence process. Harmonize has proven to be a powerful solution, helping DZ BANK to build an attractive and secure offering to institutional clients in the space of crypto securities (German eWpG) and digital currencies – fully integrated into its current asset management services.




   



    
   


   








Metaco’s agnostic model enables different deployment methods, as well as a hardware-enforced key management infrastructure, securing multiple types of digital assets – including tokenized securities like bonds and equities. Harmonize™ offers a versatile governance framework with customizable risk and compliance controls, with full segregation of multiple business units and clients, guaranteeing isolation of policies, users, accounts, and assets.
Nils Christopeit
Nils Christopeit, Lead Solution Design Digital Custody at DZ BANK, commented:
“In terms of our security, scalability, and future requirements of our digital asset custody initiative for institutional clients, starting with crypto securities as per the German eWpG, Metaco Harmonize has proven to be a powerful solution that is fit for purpose and can support our intended operating model. With the offering we can build by using this technology, we trust to create a durable and fast-growing business cooperation as well as an attractive solution for our clients that can also meet the requirements of digital currencies and decentralized financial instruments.”
Craig Perrin
Craig Perrin, Chief Sales Officer at Metaco, commented:
“Metaco’s digital asset technology infrastructure is purposely designed to support financial institutions to capitalize on the digital asset economy. We are excited to announce this cooperation as it further establishes Metaco as a market leader in Germany, trusted by some of the country’s largest banks and exchanges.”



Featured image credit: From left to right: Olaf Liebeskind – IT, Project Lead Digital Custody at DZ BANK; Kolja Gerlach –Operations, Project Lead Digital Custody at DZ BANK; Nils Christopeit – Operations, Lead Solution Design Digital Custody at DZ BANK; Craig Perrin – Chief Sales Officer at Metaco; Thomas Pecha – Sales Director DACH &amp; CEE at Metaco; Johannes Kaske – Global Head of Solutions at Metaco.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/dz-bank-selects-metaco-harmonize-to-underpin-its-institutional-digital-asset-custody-offering</link><guid>3087</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>DZ Bank Selects Metaco Harmonize to Underpin Its Institutional Digital Asset Custody Offering</dc:text></item><item><title>DZ Bank Selects Metaco Solution for Institutional Digital Asset Custody Offering</title><description><![CDATA[Metaco announces its cooperation with DZ Bank.
As a central institution, DZ Bank (DZ provides a multitude of services, particularly asset management services, being one of the largest German custodians, with €297 billion assets under custody at the end of 2022.
Metaco’s custody and orchestration platform, Harmonize, was selected by DZ through an extensive proof-of-concept and diligence process. Harmonize has proven to be a powerful solution, helping DZ to build an attractive and secure offering to institutional clients in the space of crypto securities (German eWpG) and digital currencies – fully integrated into its current asset management services.




   



    
   


   








Metaco’s agnostic model enables different deployment methods, as well as a hardware-enforced key management infrastructure, securing multiple types of digital assets – including tokenized securities like bonds and equities. Harmonize offers a versatile governance framework with customizable risk and compliance controls, with full segregation of multiple business units and clients, guaranteeing isolation of policies, users, accounts, and assets.
Nils Christopeit
Nils Christopeit, Lead Solution Design Digital Custody at DZ Bank, commented:
“In terms of our security, scalability, and future requirements of our digital asset custody initiative for institutional clients, starting with crypto securities as per the German eWpG, Metaco Harmonize has proven to be a powerful solution that is fit for purpose and can support our intended operating model. With the offering we can build by using this technology, we trust to create a durable and fast-growing business cooperation as well as an attractive solution for our clients that can also meet the requirements of digital currencies and decentralized financial instruments.”
Craig Perrin
Craig Perrin, Chief Sales Officer at Metaco, commented:
“Metaco’s digital asset technology infrastructure is purposely designed to support financial institutions to capitalize on the digital asset economy. We are excited to announce this cooperation as it further establishes Metaco as a market leader in Germany, trusted by some of the country’s largest banks and exchanges.”



Featured image credit: From left to right: Olaf Liebeskind – IT, Project Lead Digital Custody at DZ BANK; Kolja Gerlach –Operations, Project Lead Digital Custody at DZ BANK; Nils Christopeit – Operations, Lead Solution Design Digital Custody at DZ BANK; Craig Perrin – Chief Sales Officer at Metaco; Thomas Pecha – Sales Director DACH &amp; CEE at Metaco; Johannes Kaske – Global Head of Solutions at Metaco.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/dz-bank-selects-metaco-solution-for-institutional-digital-asset-custody-offering</link><guid>3091</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>DZ Bank Selects Metaco Solution for Institutional Digital Asset Custody Offering</dc:text></item><item><title>Abacus investiert in den virtuellen Schalter eAdmin</title><description><![CDATA[Online-Lösungen für Bürgerinnen und Bürger, sogenannte virtuelle Schalter, erfreuen sich bei Schweizer Gemeinden und Verwaltungen zunehmend wachsender Beliebtheit.
Neu investiert auch das Software-Unternehmen Abacus Research AG in den virtuellen Schalter eAdmin, eine in der Westschweiz ansässige Plattform. Die Abacus Research AG versteht sich dabei als Partner, welcher nebst finanziellem Investment auch langjähriges technologisches Know-how einbringt, so dass eine Erweiterung des Deutschschweizer Marktes vorgenommen werden kann.
Die von der Firma Quicksite SA entwickelte Lösung eAdmin ist in vollem Aufschwung. Neu investiert das Software-Unternehmen Abacus Research AG in diese digitale Lösung, die eAdmin. Das Engagement seitens Abacus soll dazu führen, dass die Entwicklung des virtuellen Schalters beschleunigt wird und neue Funktionen wie die digitale Unterschrift integriert werden können.




   



    
   


   








Um die Bekanntheit zu steigern, wird Quicksite SA neu zu eAdmin Solutions SA
Im Bestreben, eAdmin im gesamten Schweizer Markt zu positionieren, hat das Management von Quicksite beschlossen, die Firma umzubenennen – in eAdmin Solutions SA. Roger Schaad, Direktor des Unternehmens, erklärt:
Roger Schaad
«Die neue Firmierung wurde gegründet, um dem wachsenden Bedarf von eAdmin hinsichtlich Bekanntheitsgrad gerecht zu werden. Der neue Name wird eine klarere Kommunikation ermöglichen, die der angestrebten gesamtschweizerischen Entwicklung förderlich sein wird. Für unsere Bestandeskunden, die uns teilweise seit über 20 Jahren begleiten, wird sich aktuell nichts ändern.»
Abacus fungiert als unterstützender Partner
Als führender Schweizer Softwarehersteller mit über 750 Mitarbeitern arbeitet Abacus Research AG mit einem indirekten Verkaufsmodell. Mehrere dieser Vertriebspartner sind auf den Markt der öffentlichen Verwaltungen spezialisiert und werden von der Beteiligung an eAdmin Solutions SA profitieren. Laurent Gfeller, Verantwortlicher für den Westschweizer Markt bei Abacus Reserach AG, spricht von einer Mehrwert-stiftenden Zusammenarbeit:
Laurent Gfeller
«Wir werden uns nicht damit begnügen, finanziell in eAdmin zu investieren, sondern möchten sowohl einen Mehrwert in technologischer als auch in kommunikativer Hinsicht schaffen.»
Eine Win-Win-Situation, von dem die sechs Kantonsverwaltungen und rund 570 Städte und Gemeinden, die momentan mit Abacus Software arbeiten, profitieren werden. Insofern können mehr als 3,7 Millionen Einwohnerinnen und Einwohner die Vorteile des virtuellen Schalters eAdmin nutzen.
Für Roger Schaad ist das Engagement von Abacus Reserach AG die perfekte Verbindung:
«Die Digitalisierung des öffentlichen Sektors ist ein begehrter und hart umkämpfter Markt. Mit Abacus haben wir einen zuverlässigen Partner gefunden, der in diesem Markt nicht nur fest etabliert ist, sondern auch die gleichen Grundwerte vertritt.»
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/abacus-investiert-in-den-virtuellen-schalter-eadmin</link><guid>3088</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Abacus investiert in den virtuellen Schalter eAdmin</dc:text></item><item><title>Metaverse Initiatives Proliferate in France Amid Govt Push</title><description><![CDATA[In France, initiatives to develop immersive, shared virtual environments are proliferating on the back of increased interest from both the government and the business community in the prospect of the metaverse to reinvent customer engagement, enrich experiences and showcase the French culture.
In the Cote d’Azur metropolitan area and its capital city Nice, mayor and president Christian Estrosi, made a pioneering move this year when he unveiled that a virtual replica of Villa Massena, a historical building in Nice, had been released on metaverse platform Spatial.
The move made Nice Cote d’Azur the first metropolis in France to establish a presence on the metaverse, the city said in a statement, and showcased its “keen attention on developments relating to Web 3.0” including virtual, shared spaces as well as non-fungible tokens (NFTs).




   



    
   


   








The initiative was showcased live during an official ceremony on February 14, during which an avatar of Estrosi presented the city’s goals behind the new virtual space, boasting about the metropolis’ rich cultural heritage and desire to remain up-to-date with the latest technological developments.
Christian Estrosi

#Nice06, première métropole de France à investir le Metaverse ! Dans le cadre de la candidature de la @VilledeNice à @Nice2028eu, le @musee_massena a ouvert ses portes virtuelles sur @Spatial_io, en faisant une nouvelle porte d’entrée sur le rayonnement culturel de notre Cité. pic.twitter.com/Lsn3bulcNf
— Christian Estrosi (@cestrosi) February 14, 2023
The Nice Cote d’Azur metropolis is one of the many players in France that have recently hopped on the metaverse bandwagon. Just this month, multinational insurance firm AXA said that its French subsidiary had launched a new game on The Sandbox metaverse platform.
The AXADIA initiative, which is available until March 01, aims for visitors to learn about AXA, its values and its achievements through a virtual game.
It allows players gain access to exclusive experiences and spaces, including one recruitment space with games focusing on courage and resilience, an innovation space focusing on collaborative work, and a museum covering the history of AXA.
The game culminates with a “Secret” level that provides players with the opportunity to win the AXA Shield NFT, a “legendary shield” that’s in reference to the goal of insurers: providing customers with financial protection against losses.
Additionally, AXA said its new metaverse initiative differentiates from other games for its unique “play-to-give” experience, which entices players to participate with the promise of donating 20,000 SAND (US$14,000) to Emmaus Connect, an organization fighting against digital and social exclusion, when the total number of players finishing the game reaches 10,000.
AXA, which got first involved in the metaverse in early 2022 through the acquisition of a plot of land in The Sandbox, is part of a growing list of French companies that are eyeing opportunities in the shared virtual space. These companies include:

Carrefour, a multinational retail and wholesaling corporation which acquired land in The Sandbox in 2022 and which has been exploring virtual recruitment opportunities in the metaverse;
Casino, a mass-market retail group which started buying plots on The Sandbox in 2021 and launched last year a new game on the metaverse platform;
Ubisoft, a leading video game publisher which brought the Rabbids multimedia franchise to The Sandbox in 2022; and
The Havas Group, a communications group which opened a “virtual village” in The Sandbox in April 2022.

French luxury brands as well are actively pursuing metaverse and NFT opportunities. A 2022 analysis by Bain and Company for the Comite Colbert, a local luxury industry group, revealed that about half of the country’s luxury sector houses and companies were either experimenting with the metaverse or NFTs, or planned to soon.
Adopted by only 5% of pioneers to date, NFTs could be deployed massively in the years to come: 51% of the companies surveyed said NFTs were either already in the testing phase or planning to launch before 2025. This is the highest level of projection among all the technologies studied and combined.
Respondents named customer engagement as the primary focus of technology adoption, eyeing opportunities relating to NFTs and the metaverse to personalize and enrich distance selling experiences, omni-channel and immersion.
Ceasing the opportunity
These initiatives are emerging on the back of rising interest in these concepts from the government. A report commissioned by French authorities and released in October 2022 highlights the imperative to cease the opportunities brought about the metaverse, stressing the need to formulate a clear national strategy.
Among the recommendations brought forward, the report says the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris presents a great opportunity to bring together industry stakeholders to work on and launch concrete metaverse projects. These initiatives should focus on showcasing France’s territories, culture and heritage, it says.
Lawmakers should also start working on adjusting the regulatory framework to accommodate the development of the metaverse, as well as support should be given to metaverse projects that are addressing societal needs, it says.
“The authors of the report are formal: the metaverse announces itself as a bearer of major opportunities, from industry to health, through training and the economy,” a media statement from the Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty of France, reads.
“For France and for Europe, the development of the metaverse must allow the emergence of new world leaders in the digital realm and strengthen French cultural influence. According to the report, encouraging this innovation on the territory would thus promote the export of Francophone culture, in the Francophonie and beyond.”
Across the border, in Switzerland, Helvetia Insurance launched just last week a new offering in the metaverse, allowing customers with virtual reality (VR) headsets to attend consultations in a virtual meeting room through their avatar.
Information events and consultations in the metaverse are the first metaverse pilot applications for the company, Jan Kundert, head customer and market management, and member of the executive board of Helvetia Switzerland, said in a release. New products are envisaged at a later stage in the event of increased demand for new insurance solutions in the virtual world, he said.
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Featured image credit: edited from Freepik here and here
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/metaverse-initiatives-proliferate-in-france-amid-govt-push</link><guid>3089</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Metaverse Initiatives Proliferate in France Amid Govt Push</dc:text></item><item><title>Finanzwissen.de Gründer wollen für mehr Transparenz im Finanzmarkt sorgen</title><description><![CDATA[Fintechnews sprach mit den Gründern des Deutschen Vergleichsportal Finanzwissen.de. Sebastian Rau und Christian Musanke sprechen über deren Ziele, Gebührentransparenz, Anlagetrends und das Finanzwissen der Generation Z.
Herr Rau, Könnten Sie uns etwas über die Gründung von finanzwissen.de erzählen, wer sind die Gründer und was hat Sie dazu bewegt, ein Finanz-Vergleichsportal zu gründen?
Sebastian Rau
Sebastian Rau: finanzwissen.de wurde im Jahr 2021 gegründet. Wir sind fünf Gründer, die sich alle im Bereich Finanzen und Technologie engagieren und jahrelange Erfahrung in der Branche haben. Wir haben erkannt, dass es eine grosse Lücke bei der Vermittlung von Finanzwissen an junge Menschen gibt und beschlossen, dieses Problem anzugehen, indem wir ein Finanz-Vergleichsportal gründen, das jungen Leuten bei der Verbesserung ihrer Finanzkenntnisse hilft.
Was ist Ihr Ziel mit finanzwissen.de? Wie möchten Sie junge Menschen erreichen?
Sebastian Rau: Unser Ziel ist es, Finanzwissen auf eine zugängliche und verständliche Weise zu vermitteln. Wir möchten jungen Menschen dabei helfen, ihre finanzielle Zukunft zu gestalten und besser auf die Herausforderungen des täglichen Lebens vorbereitet zu sein. Wir haben auch erkannt, dass soziale Medien ein wichtiger Kanal sind, um junge Leute zu erreichen. Deshalb versuchen wir ebenfalls, unsere Inhalte auf verschiedenen Social-Media-Plattformen zu teilen.
Bildquelle – https://finanzwissen.de/
Herr Musanke, haben Sie Pläne, in Zukunft Verbraucherschutz-Themen wie Anwendungstests und weitere Finanzvergleiche auf finanzwissen.de anzubieten?
Christian Musanke
Christian Musanke: Ja, und wir sind sogar bereits dabei, uns auf diesen Bereich vorzubereiten. Wir haben ein Team von Experten zusammengestellt, das sich auf verschiedene Finanzprodukte und -dienstleistungen spezialisiert hat und eng mit uns zusammenarbeitet. Mit unserer Redaktion entwickeln wir Vergleichs- und Testverfahren, um eine objektive Bewertungsgrundlage zu schaffen. Eines unserer ersten Projekte in diesem Bereich ist die Erstellung einer Liste der besten Depots zum Investieren. Im Zuge des Tests haben wir eine umfangreiche Recherche durchgeführt und die verschiedenen Anbieter ausführlich auf ihre Konditionen geprüft. Unser Anspruch ist, dass wir jedes Depot auch selbst testen, um unseren Nutzern die besten Anbieter auf dem Markt vorschlagen zu können.
Sebastian Rau: Wir glauben, dass insbesondere ETF für die meisten Anleger eine grossartige Möglichkeit sind, um in den Aktienmarkt zu investieren. Sparpläne vereinfachen es den Anlegern zudem, auch kleinere Summen regelmässig in ETFs zu investieren. Für einen anderen Vergleich haben wir also auch die Depots für ETF-Sparpläne auf verschiedene Faktoren getestet, wie z.B. Gebühren, Diversifikation, Rendite und Liquidität. Ausserdem haben wir die Eignung der Depots für verschiedene Anlegertypen bewertet. Anfänger, die gerade erst anfangen, in den Aktienmarkt zu investieren, haben nämliche andere Anforderungen, als Profis, die ihr Portfolio diversifizieren möchten.
Wie stellen Sie sicher, dass Ihre Inhalte von höchster Qualität sind?
Christian Musanke: Wir haben ein 6-Augen Prinzip, das uns dabei hilft, die höchstmögliche Qualität in unseren Artikeln zu erreichen. Jeder Artikel wird von mindestens drei Personen überprüft, bevor er veröffentlicht wird. Das beinhaltet die Arbeit von zwei Redakteuren, die sicherstellen, dass alle relevanten Themeninhalte abgedeckt und gut strukturiert werden. Dann wird der Artikel von einem Finanzexperten auf dem jeweiligen Gebiet geprüft, um sicherzustellen, dass der Inhalt fachlich korrekt und verständlich aufbereitet ist.
Bildquelle – https://finanzwissen.de/
Wie sieht Ihre Marketing- und Vertriebsstrategie aus?
Christian Musanke: Wir nutzen verschiedene Kanäle, um finanzwissen.de zu bewerben. Dazu gehören Social-Media-Kampagnen, Online-Marketing und Influencer-Marketing. Wir haben auch begonnen, eng mit anderen Unternehmen und Organisationen zusammenzuarbeiten, um unser Netzwerk zu erweitern und unsere Reichweite zu erhöhen. Unser Ziel ist es, finanzwissen.de als führende Plattform für Finanzwissen und Finanzvergleiche für junge Menschen zu etablieren. Wir sind sehr zuversichtlich, dass wir mit unserem Anspruch an qualitative Inhalte und unserem 6-Augen Prinzip ein hohes Mass an Vertrauen und Glaubwürdigkeit bei unseren Nutzern aufbauen werden.
Wie unterscheidet sich finanzwissen.de von anderen Finanzvergleichsportalen?
Sebastian Rau: Wir setzen uns von anderen Finanz-Vergleichsportalen ab, indem wir nicht nur Vergleichstabellen und -rechner anbieten, sondern auch eine umfassende Finanzwissen-Datenbank. Wir wollen unseren Nutzern helfen, die für sie richtigen Finanzprodukte zu finden, indem wir nicht nur Zahlen und Tabellen präsentieren, sondern auch den Kontext und die Hintergründe erklären. Dafür haben wir die – soweit uns bekannt – grösste Datenbank für Anbieter-Informationen für Finanzdienstleistungen in Deutschland aufgebaut. Unsere Inhalte sind einfach und verständlich geschrieben, ohne dass Fachwissen vorausgesetzt wird. Ausserdem legen wir großen Wert auf die Qualität unserer Inhalte und haben dafür unser 6-Augen Prinzip etabliert.
Haben Sie externes Kapital aufgenommen, um das Portal zu finanzieren?
Christian Musanke: Nein, auch wenn in den vergangenen Jahren Venture-finanzierte Start-ups im Trend waren, haben wir uns für den bootstrapped Ansatz entschieden. Dadurch, dass wir kein externes Kapital aufgenommen haben, haben wir eine gewisse Unabhängigkeit und Flexibilität, um das Portal nach unseren eigenen Vorstellungen zu gestalten. Wir möchten allerdings nicht ausschliessen, dass wir in Zukunft eine Finanzierungsrunde abschliessen, um uns neue Wachstumswege zu ermöglichen.
Was sind Ihre Ziele für die Zukunft?
Christian Musanke: Unser langfristiges Ziel ist es, finanzwissen.de zu einer der führenden Plattformen für Finanzwissen und Finanzvergleiche für junge Menschen zu machen. Wir möchten unsere Inhalte kontinuierlich verbessern und erweitern und auch unseren Finanzwissen-Youtube Channel weiter ausbauen. Inhaltlich möchten wir uns auch gerne mit weiteren Verbraucherschutz-Themen beschäftigen. Doch dafür fehlt uns aktuell leider (noch) die Zeit.
Können Sie uns abschliessend sagen, warum junge Menschen finanzwissen.de nutzen sollten?
Sebastian Rau: Wir glauben, dass junge Menschen sich selbst eine finanzielle Intelligenz aneignen sollten. Mit Finanzwissen.de bieten wir eine breite Palette an Artikeln, Vergleichstabellen und -rechnern sowie Testberichten an, die ihnen dabei helfen können, fundierte Entscheidungen zu treffen. Wir möchten unseren Leserinnen dabei helfen, ihre finanzielle Zukunft zu gestalten, indem wir ihnen das notwendige Wissen und die Werkzeuge zur Verfügung stellen. Und all dies tun wir mit einem Fokus auf Qualität und Glaubwürdigkeit, was uns von vielen anderen Finanzportalen unterscheidet.
Abschliessend können wir noch anteasern, dass wir bald mit einer neuen Website starten werden, die uns technisch auf ein neues Level der Professionalität heben wird. Ebenso haben wir durch die Nutzung von Social Media und anderen Kanälen begonnen eine starke Präsenz aufzubauen, die in Zukunft noch weiter wachsen soll. Wir freuen uns auf die nächsten Jahre und hoffen, auch langfristig die finanzielle Bildung in Deutschland stärken und mitgestalten zu können.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finanzwissende-grunder-wollen-fur-mehr-transparenz-im-finanzmarkt-sorgen</link><guid>3085</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/finanzwissen-website.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Finanzwissen.de Gründer wollen für mehr Transparenz im Finanzmarkt sorgen</dc:text></item><item><title>Helvetia Goes Metaverse in Insurance Client Service</title><description><![CDATA[Helvetia Insurance is going one step further in terms of convenience and digitalization: Questions regarding insurance topics can now be answered by trained specialists in the metaverse. The all-lines insurer intends to gain experience in the virtual world, while simultaneously evaluating customer needs and potential new products and business models.
Whether going to a concert, competing in computer games, meeting up with a colleague from America – the metaverse already offers many possibilities. From now on, you can also receive advice from an insurance expert from Helvetia. Anyone with a VR headset can attend a consultation in a virtual meeting room through their avatar. In addition to Helvetia Switzerland, the Group’s online insurer Smile also has a presence in the metaverse.
Exploring a new world together
In the initial phase, Helvetia’s main aim is to gain experience in the metaverse with regard to new customer requirements and technological developments as well as opportunities for new products and business models. Information events and consultations in the metaverse are the first pilot applications for the company.




   



    
   


   









Jan Kundert
According to Jan Kundert, Head Customer and Market Management and Member of the Executive Board of Helvetia Switzerland:
“We are there at the start of a technological development that is opening up a whole new world for us. We are stepping into this environment together with our customers. This will enable us to find out about their needs in a virtual space.”
New products are also envisaged at a later stage, he continues, for example in the event of increased demand for new insurance solutions in the virtual world.

Investing in the customer experience
Immersion and interaction are intended to create added value in the new advisory offering. Helvetia is confident that its move into the metaverse will result in new and exciting interactions with customers. These in turn should produce findings that help to further optimize the customer experience in the virtual space.
helvetiaverse
Booking an appointment online
Anyone requiring a consultation in the metaverse can book an appointment online – the same as for a telephone consultation or a meeting at the agency. Helvetia will then send the access data by e-mail. The interested customers then meet as avatars with Helvetia’s specialist in a virtual meeting room. After the consultation, they will receive a text message or e-mail with a link to their personal offer or to conclude a digital contract. At first, just a small number of Helvetia employees will have virtual reality headsets and be trained in their use. The virtual room has therefore been set up to allow more people to join in as a conventional video conference.
Swiss Insurance Metaverse Trend
Helvetia is according to Fintechnews research already the second insurer in Switzerland using the metaverse. Beginning of January also Smile Insurance announced their metaverse launch.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/helvetia-goes-metaverse-in-insurance-client-service</link><guid>3084</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Helvetia Goes Metaverse in Insurance Client Service</dc:text></item><item><title>Biometric Attacks Proliferate; Become More Sophisticated</title><description><![CDATA[Biometric attacks are surging globally as threat actors are developing ever more sophisticated ways to circumvent security systems to commit fraud, a new report by iProov, a biometric authentication and identity verification provider, says.
The iProov Biometric Threat Intelligence Report 2023, released in February  2023, draws on data collected by iProov’s global security operations center, iSOC, to identify key attack trends and patterns witnessed throughout 2022.
According to the report, 2022 saw the growth of face swap attacks, which soared by 295% in the second half of the year compared with the first half of the year. These attacks are also growing more sophisticated with threat actors now relying on real-time, 3D face swap methods that can evade both active and passive liveness verification.




   



    
   


   








Face swap attack rate, Source: iProov Biometric Threat Intelligence Report 2023, iProov, Feb 2023
Face swap attacks are an emerging threat to face recognition systems where a criminals combines traits from one face, such as motion, with the appearance of another face to create a new synthetic 3D video output. This output has the characteristics of the genuine individual’s facial traits and can be used during a liveness verification attempt to match with a government-issued identification photograph.
The rise and increased sophistication of face swap attacks suggest that prepacked tools are being made widely available to criminals, allowing even low-skilled threat actors to tap advanced tools to create and launch state-of-the-art synthetic attacks, the report says.
This finding is echoed by a 2022 report by the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) which states that the surge of so-called “deepfake as a service” has seen underground organizations make deepfake capabilities more accessible for the masses through dedicated apps and websites.
Another key trend observed by iProov last year is the rise of digital injection attacks targeting mobile devices, which increased by 149% in H2 2022 compared with H1 2022.
These attacks typically use emulators to mimic a user device, such as a mobile phone, as well as metadata spoofing to conceal their attack origins. These attacks aim to bypass standard fraud detection methods, making tracking and blocking these attacks more difficult.
Mobile injection attack rate, Source: iProov Biometric Threat Intelligence Report 2023, iProov, Feb 2023
Mobile platforms are often used for biometric verification because they are perceived as more secure than web due to the superior functionality and security available through native apps.
However, like face swaps and deepfakes, the increasing availability of attack tools and emulators is allowing threat actors to launch advanced injection attacks across different platforms, driving the rise of attacks on mobile web and native platforms, the report says.
Finally, the third and last trend observed by iProov in 2022 is the emergence of automated, large-scale attacks on different systems simultaneously.
The majority of these attacks involved motion-based digitally injected attacks. These attacks sought to circumvent authentication systems that ask people to perform motions such as blinking and smiling with the goal of overwhelming these platforms by simultaneously launching hundreds of verification attempts.
These large-scale, automated attacks occurred every few days, at a rate of 100 to 200 verification attempts in the span of 24 hours and targeted different geographical clusters, the report says.
The rise of biometric attacks comes on the back of increased adoption of these new authentication methods. These methods use biological traits such as fingerprints, voices, retinas, and facial features, to verify a user’s identity and are perceived by organizations as more secure and efficient than traditional verification methods such as one-time passcodes.
In 2021, the mobile biometrics industry was valued US$44.2 billion, according to a new report by Transparency Market Research. Between 2022 and 2031, the market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 20.1% to reach US$267.7 billion.
This rise will be driven by increased acceptance of these verification methods among end users, organizations and corporations; increased demand for more reliable authentication techniques; and demand for different forms of user authentication mechanisms for both online and offline applications, the report says.
Global mobile biometric market, Source: Transparency Market Research, Jan 2023
Featured image credit from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/biometric-attacks-proliferate-become-more-sophisticated</link><guid>3083</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Biometric Attacks Proliferate; Become More Sophisticated</dc:text></item><item><title>Philippine Fintech Leader GCash Joins Plenary At Mobile World Congress</title><description><![CDATA[The Philippines #1 Fintech App GCash, operated by the Globe Group’s Mynt, will join key speakers at the plenary of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona this month as its President and CEO Martha Sazon delivers a keynote speech on the evolving customer at the main stage of the world’s largest and most influential exhibition for the mobile industry.
Martha Sazon
Sazon is one of the keynote speakers at the MWC on “New Behavior for a New Reality,” which touches on a topic close to GCash’s story.
GCash emerged as a crucial digital platform during the pandemic, allowing individual Filipinos to complete financial transactions and giving merchants access to the online market amid movement restrictions. Now, in the transition to the new normal, GCash has become a verb and is now the Filipinos’ go-to everyday fintech companion.
Sazon will also be a session speaker at the “Fintech Summit: The Rise of Fintech Disruption,” where she will delve into how fintech is enabling the creation of powerful and disruptive solutions that are redefining the market.
GCash, the dominant mobile wallet in the Philippines, is now a double unicorn valued at $2 billion and with a user base of ~76 million. It continues to expand financial services, from payments and cash transfers to credit, savings, wealth, insurance and investment products. It also features retail, food, wellness, travel, recreation and even real estate services.
Most recently, GCash started its beta launch of GCash Overseas, which allows Filipinos based in Japan, Australia and Italy to use GCash using an international SIM– another game-changer in the Philippine fintech industry.
Now on limited launch, GCash Overseas will give the first 1,000 users from the three countries access to GCash using an international SIM. Once fully verified, they can start using their GCash to send money home for free (GCash to GCash), paying bills, and buying load credits. The full launch of this feature is expected later this year.
Meanwhile, Globe Group President and CEO Ernest Cu will banner the company’s pivot from telco to techco in a panel with Transcelestial, one of the companies supported by the Globe Group’s Kickstart Ventures.
Ernest Cu
Cu will join CEOs of top Southeast Asian telcos in a discussion on new network-related technologies and connectivity challenges in the Philippines, among others.
“Our fintech company’s debut at the Mobile World Congress Barcelona is a crucial milestone for the Globe Group as we establish ourselves as a leading digital disruptor and enabler in the Philippines, and banner our evolution into a technology company. We are proud to showcase our achievements as we uplift the lives of Filipinos through digital solutions, and to be part of the global conversation on the future of technology and connectivity,”
said Cu.
MWC Barcelona is the world’s largest mobile industry gathering, attracting thousands of exhibitors and visitors worldwide. Hosted by GSMA, a global organization unifying the mobile ecosystem, this year’s MWC will be held from February 27 to March 2, 2023.
The Globe Group’s presence at the much-anticipated international event is an opportunity for the expanding company to showcase its commitment to being at the forefront of innovation and progress.
With almost a hundred portfolio companies under its wing, the Globe Group has successfully expanded into the country’s leading digital solutions platform, with services in fintech, health tech, adtech, edutech, outsourcing and managed services, enterprise data, and investments. It aims to create a Philippines that is digitally inclusive by leveraging technology and continuously innovating to meet the changing industry conditions.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/philippine-fintech-leader-gcash-joins-plenary-at-mobile-world-congress</link><guid>3082</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Philippine Fintech Leader GCash Joins Plenary At Mobile World Congress</dc:text></item><item><title>eToro secures New York Virtual Currency and Money Transmitter License</title><description><![CDATA[eToro, the social investing platform, announced that the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) has approved its subsidiary, eToro NY LLC’s, application for its money transmitter and virtual currency licenses, the latter also known as the BitLicense.
Once eToro NY LLC is operational, users in New York State will have access to eToro’s virtual portfolio, integrated social investing tools and be able to trade stocks, crypto and options.
Yoni Assia
Yoni Assia, Co-founder and CEO of eToro, commented:




   



    
   


   








“Securing our BitLicense and Money Transmitter License in New York is a key milestone in the continued expansion of our US business and a testament to the commitment of our team in partnering with regulators and state entities. eToro combines the community led approach of social media with intuitive investing tools and prides itself on the simplicity of its user experience. On eToro users can learn, practice, invest and share ideas.”
Recent E-toro research shows that 45% of American retail investors say they currently invest or plan to invest in crypto. The research also reveals the resilience of investors despite the bear market. Investors are looking for opportunities, while also hedging in case prices fall further. They are thinking long term and focusing on their goals.
eToro remains a long-term supporter of crypto and diversified investing at large. Earning the badge of an ‘innovator’ means working closely with regulators, both in the US and globally, to shape the future of the crypto industry.

This article first appeared on fintechnews.am

Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/etoro-secures-new-york-virtual-currency-and-money-transmitter-license</link><guid>3081</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-300x250.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>eToro secures New York Virtual Currency and Money Transmitter License</dc:text></item><item><title>TWINT Reaches 5 Million Users Milestone</title><description><![CDATA[TWINT starts the new year by achieving the milestone of 5 million active users. Transaction figures are also setting records, with users of the TWINT app having twinted around 386 million times in 2022. This is higher than the number of transactions for all previous years since the founding of TWINT combined.
TWINT continued its strong growth in 2022. More and more people in Switzerland count on the app in all sorts of everyday situations and in January the app passed the mark of 5 million active users. This is a milestone, as more than half of the people in Switzerland use the versatile features of the app. However, this was not the only record that TWINT was able to achieve in the past year. TWINT users carried out a total of 386 million transactions in 2022. This is more than in all of the previous years since the app was launched combined.





   



    
   


   








Markus Kilb
“We are delighted that more than half of the people in Switzerland now count on TWINT in their day-to-day lives”,
explains Markus Kilb, CEO of TWINT.
“TWINT has become a symbol for the digital simplification of everyday life. What’s more, it has made Switzerland one of the leading countries in Europe in terms of mobile payments”.
Whether paying at the cash register, online, at farm shops or when visiting the cinema with friends, the possible applications of TWINT are growing just as steadily as its use. While the app is most frequently used at the supermarket checkout, it is also very popular for purchasing tickets for public transport, paying parking fees and for shopping in neighbourhood stores and specialist retailers.


Featured image credit: TWINT
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/twint-reaches-5-million-users-milestone</link><guid>3080</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Annual-TWINT-transactions.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>TWINT Reaches 5 Million Users Milestone</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 25 Upcoming Fintech Events for Swiss Fintech Entrepreneurs in 2023</title><description><![CDATA[It has been a challenging couple of years for the global fintech industry, which has suffered from the stubborn COVID-19 virus, geopolitical turmoil and the stock market slump. The landscape is now changing at a rapid pace, introducing both new challenges and opportunities for companies in the sector.
To keep up with this fast evolving space, a plethora of fintech conferences are being organized across the world, aiming to bring together industry stakeholders to discuss the industry’s most urging issues and hottest trends.
For Swiss fintech entrepreneurs and business leaders looking to meet with their peers, build meaningful connections and learn about the sector’s latest developments, we shortlisted the top 25 of fintech events to attend.




   



    
   


   








These large scale events are expected to bring together global fintech innovators, leaders and policymakers to discuss emerging trends in the space and tackle pressing issues, including sustainability, data sharing and cybersecurity.
The Future of Fintech – Embedding Finance
February 23, 2023
F10 Office, Zurich, Switzerland


Future of Fintech: Embedding Finance is networking event that will take place on February 23, 2023 in Zurich, Switzerland. The event will focus on the importance of embedding finance to the financial industry and will feature a panel of experts who will share their views and predictions for the sector in 2023 and beyond.
The first and third part of the event will be dedicated to a networking session where participants will get to connect with founders, their senior team members, venture capitalists (VCs), and others who work within the fintech industry.
Speakers:

Paul du Plessis, Sr. Fintech Business Development Manager, AWS
Ben James, Founder and CEO, TP24
Marc Hauser, Head of Europe &amp; Managing Partner, F10
Peter Hofmann, Board member, entrepreneur &amp; investor
Berhan Kogel, Co-Founder, ARF

Join now: https://resources.doit.com/
Insurtech Insights Europe 2023
March 01-02, 2023
InterContinental London – The O2, London, England


Europe’s largest insurtech conference is coming back to London on March 01 and 02, 2023 for an event that’s set to gather over 6,000 attendees.
Insurtech Insights Europe 2023, which will take place at the InterContinental London, will feature some of the most well-renowned speakers in all of Europe, who will share their insights and learnings from being in the top of the industry.
Key topics to be covered include engaging with insurtech startups, environmental, social and governance (ESG) frameworks, artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics, new digital business models, and more.
IFZ Fintech Conference 2023
March 08, 2023
Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Institute for Financial Services Zug IFZ, Campus Zug-Rotkreuz, Switzerland


The fintech market in Switzerland is growing. In order to do justice to this development, the Institute for Financial Services Zug (IFZ) of the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts holds the IFZ Fintech Conference every year.
This year’s event will focus on current challenges faced by the industry and tackle questions such as:

What were the influences of financial technology on the entire economy?
What are the opportunities for Switzerland that result from this? and
What are the results that are relevant for fintech companies?

The IFZ Fintech Conference will also feature the presentation of the IFZ Fintech Study 2023 with statistical figures, and experts will provide insights into various examples of practice and implementation. The presentations will be in English or in German. There will be no simultaneous translation.
FinovateEurope 2023
March 14-15, 2023
Intercontinental O2, London, England


FinovateEurope is coming back to London on March 14 and 15, 2023, allowing participants to reconnect face-to-face with the fintech community.
This year’s event will feature 35+ live demos of innovative fintech solutions, expert advice from 100+ key influencers, and unparalleled networking opportunities with 1,000+ senior attendees.
Key topics covered in 2023 will include customer experience, hyper-personalization, customer verification, financial crime and cyber threats, embedded finance and banking-as-a-service (BaaS).
Paris Blockchain Week
March 20-24, 2023
Paris, France


Paris Blockchain Week is one of the most influential global events in the blockchain industry where some of the greatest minds meet in person. It’s where business leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, developers gather to ideate and drive progress, and where renowned speakers from the best blockchain and Web3 companies in the world share their stories and insights on the market and its prospects.
The fourth edition is set to welcome 10,000+ attendees, 400+ speakers, 300+ sponsors, 60% C-level+ executives, 400+ media partners and journalists. It will be held from March 20 to 24, 2023 at the carrousel du Louvre in Paris.
BIS Innovation Summit 2023
March 21-22, 2023
BIS Tower, Switzerland


The BIS Innovation Summit, taking place on March 21 and 22, 2023, will bring together global policymakers, senior executives from the financial and technology industries, and academics to discuss how technological innovation could help central banks and financial markets to navigate uncertain times and, at the same time, disrupt the landscape in which central banks and financial intermediaries operate.
Key topics to be covered include technological innovation in payments, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), the on-going crypto winter, cross-border payments, AI and machine learning (ML), the effect of technological innovation by bigtechs and fintechs, and more.
Find out more here: https://www.bis.org/events/
Blockchain In Financial Services 2023
March 22, 2023
Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute, Ruschlikon, Switzerland


The crypto world has taken a hit due to geopolitical uncertainty. Nevertheless, blockchain technology remains a central cornerstone in the innovative power of the financial industry.
This year’s edition of the Blockchain in Financial Services 2023 conference will be dedicated to the latest trends in the industry. The gradual path to Web 3.0 holds many opportunities for the financial landscape. But what exactly will this Web 3.0 look like? What role will financial institutions play and what other opportunities does the new type of Internet hold?
The event will bring forward thinkers from the crypto scene together with decision-makers from the financial center to assess strategic opportunities and risks and to help shape the future of a decentralized financial economy.
The conference will also provide insights beyond national borders and shows how Estonia has blossomed into a digital island and has become a global leader in e-governance, exploring how the system has built a bridge to the financial sector and what implications it has for the sector.
Register now: https://www.fuw-forum.ch/blockchain-in-financial-services-2023
Investors’ Forum 2023
March 22-23, 2023
Geneva, Switzerland


The Investors’ Forum is the annual flagship event of Invest Europe. The forum brings together leading limited partners (LPs) and general partners (GPs) for an exceptional conference that is recognized throughout the private equity industry for the quality of its content and the caliber of its delegates.
The event is designed to provide participants with the latest industry insights and data, high-level peer-to-peer debate and networking opportunities in a non-commercial environment.
Attendance is open to pre-qualified institutional investors and Invest Europe member GPs and LP fund-of-funds only.
Register now: https://myevents.investeurope.eu/MyEvents/Contacts
Finance 2.0 – Crypto Assets ‘23
March 29, 2023
Kaufleuten Restaurant, Zurich, Switzerland


Crypto assets have experienced rapid growth until the bad news of the billion dollar bankruptcy of FTX, one of the largest crypto exchanges in the world. Everyone has now become aware of the complexity of this asset class. The market has taken a big hit, but the industry will come out of this crisis stronger.
Where is the crypto journey heading? What do professional investors need to keep in mind? What are the opportunities versus the risks? All these questions will tackled at the Finance 2.0 – Crypto Assets ’23 conference on March 29, 2023 in Zurich, Switzerland.
UK Fintech Week 2023
April 17-21, 2023
UK


The annual UK Fintech Week is returning on April 17 to 21, 2023, bringing together fintech founders, entrepreneurs, investors, bank ex-cos, regulators, policy-makers, academics and media from around the world to learn, discuss, debate and network.
The UK Fintech Week’s flagship event, the Innovate Finance Global Summit (IFGS) will kick off the five days of world-class content and convene industry leaders to one place for two-days of thought-provoking discussion.
The summit’s agenda will shine a spotlight on the global fintech ecosystem, with an increased focus on the key areas that are enhancing, empowering and ensuring that fintech and financial services pave the way for economic growth, sustainability, and a financial system that caters for all.
Key themes to be covered include:

ESG meets fintech: the true impact of financial innovation
The fintech talent pipeline and jobs of the future
Fintech investment: a global outlook
Emerging trends shaping the future of finance
Financial inclusion and wellness: fintech at the heart of it all
Global collaboration and competitiveness
Positioning culture at the core
Data, tech and regulation
NetZero: fintech in the driving seat
Keeping up with the regulators

The UK is a leader in financial innovation. Its place at the center of global financial services, with supportive regulation, access to world-class talent, and a rich investment landscape has made it a hotbed of startups and established fintech companies.
Swiss Bitcoin Conference
April 27-30, 2023
Kreuzlingen, Switzerland


The Swiss Bitcoin Conference will take place from April 27 to 30, 2023 in Kreuzlingen,
the largest Swiss city on Lake Constance. The event will bring together the German-speaking Bitcoin community and feature exciting lectures, talks, discussions, workshops and above all plenty of networking opportunities.
The event offers space for 800 participants who are expected from the Lake Constance region and the four-country triangle of Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Liechtenstein.
Register here: https://swiss-bitcoin-conference.com/
Finanz’23
May 03-04, 2023
Halle 550, Zurich, Switzerland


On May 3 and 4 2023, the 24th edition of Switzerland’s largest financial fair will take place in Halle 550 in Zurich Oerlikon. Finanz’23 is designed solely for professional investors such as asset managers, private bankers, family offices, insurers, pension funds, etc.
The event will bring together traditional asset management companies and young companies from the crypto, blockchain, and fintech world, and will offer visitors almost 100 lectures.
These include roundtables, specialist panels, training seminars, keynote speeches, and exhibitor presentations featuring top speakers.
As usual, leading names from the worlds of business, finance, research, academia and politics will be present. Topics relating to the worlds of crypto, blockchain, and fintech will be discussed in the Open Forum.
13th NextGen Payments and Regtech Forum
May 11-12, 2023
Marriott Hotel, Zurich, Switzerland


The 13th NextGen Payments and Regtech Forum, taking place on May 11 and 12, 2023, will bring together global key influencers, innovators, strategists, and thought leaders in payments and regtech.
Attendees will get to participate in exciting discussions around the latest market trends, digitalization, regulations, innovation, and technology and take advantage of impactful networking opportunities.
Key topics to be covered include the fintech sector in Lithuania, customer experiences, mitigating regulatory risks and personal liability, the digitalization of investment advisory services, financial crime, payments in the metaverse, and more.
Register now: https://www.qubevents.com/13th-npf-zurich
Paris Fintech Forum – Leaders Summit
May 30-31, 2023
Paris, France


The Paris Fintech Forum – Leaders Summit is a two-day event featuring insightful panels, interviews and masterclasses. It focuses on providing the platform for the global fintech industry to learn and exchange about the future of fintech.
This year’s event will feature three stages and some 100 speakers, hand-picked among the most fascinating voices of finance and technology, in all verticals: banking, insurance, fintech, regulators, crypto and digital assets, payments, regtech and more. All stages will be limited in capacity and organized to enable in-depth Q&amp;A sessions.
On day 2, the PFF Fintech Awards will be held with more than 40 fintech CEO pitches.
2023 Crypto Valley Conference
June 01-02, 2023
Rotkreuz, Switzerland


The 5th edition of the Crypto Valley Conference, taking place on June 01 and 02, 2023, will provide a two-day event featuring in-depth discussions on the current state and future of blockchain technology.
The event is set to bring together more than 1,500 attendees, over 60 speakers, 25+ exhibitors and more than 200 companies. Topics to be covered include the development of decentralized exchanges (DEXs), blockchain VC, staking, regulation, cybersecurity, sustainability, gamefi, tokenization, and infrastructure.
Event highlights include:

Master classes held by the top industry leaders offering deep insights, best practices and technical solutions;
40+ presentations from global industry leaders;
Covering topics on technology, economy and finance and legal and regulation;
Attendees from startups, corporate, academia and governments;
Companies showcasing their latest products and services;
Panel discussions challenging opinions live on stage; and
Legendary boat cruise party on lake Zug to close the conference.

Money20/20 Europe 2023
June 06-08, 2023
Rai Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands


Money20/20 is the largest global fintech event enabling payments and financial services innovation. This year’s Europe edition will be held from June 06 to 08, 2023 at Rai Amsterdam in the Netherlands and will bring together global leaders to discuss the industry’s hottest trends and most pressing challenge.
In 2022, Money20/20 Europe brought together fintech’s biggest and brightest stars for three days that shook the industry. Full of boundary-pushing insights and legendary keynotes, Money20/20 had over 7,500+ attendees.
Register now: http://bit.ly/3X6onhl
Reuters Events: Transform Payments USA 2023
June 13-14, 2023
Austin, USA


As the pace of fintech disruption moves at a relentless speed, the business of payments stands at the precipice of significant returns. BaaS operating models, next-gen cryptocurrencies, BNPL innovations and ubiquitous real-time payments are enabling money to move in new ways, sending shockwaves through traditional payment systems. This makes 2023 a critical year for partnerships and collaboration, in an industry set to be worth US$3 trillion by 2026. Yet with disruption, comes opportunity.
Reuters Events: Transform Payments USA 2023 will unite 150+ senior executives from across the banking, payments and regulatory ecosystems to discuss the future direction of the industry.
From the implications of instant payments maturity, to finding harmony between regulation and innovation; from elevating the treasury experience through next-generation technologies to preparing for a new age of cyber security and fraud, Reuters Events will bring together a forum of global financial institutions and their network of partners to reimagine how the world pays.
Viva Technology 2023
June 14-17, 2023
Expo Porte de Versailles, Paris, France


Viva Technology, one of the Europe’s biggest startup and tech events, is coming back for its 7th edition on June 14 to 17, 2023 in Paris at the Expo Porte de Versailles. Over four days, the event will bring together in Paris the most disruptive topics in technology, the entrepreneurs who are changing the rules, and the world’s biggest technological breakthroughs, creating an ecosystem conducive to business.
This year’s event will articulated around ten themes:

Energy and climate tech
Scaling up
Cybersecurity
Artificial intelligence
Foodtech
Future of sport
Deeptech
Building future societies
Creator’s economy the metaverse and gaming, and
Web 3.0

TNW Conference
June 15-16, 2023
Taets Art and Event Park, Amsterdam, the Netherlands


The annual TNW Conference is where industry leaders and tech enthusiasts alike come together, to explore how tech will shape the world of tomorrow. Participants get insights from industry pioneers, and meet international tech executives, policymakers, startups, and scale-ups.
This year’s TNW Conference will take place at Taets Art and Event Park in Amsterdam on June 15 and 16, 2023, and will cover 11 themes, among which “the Future of Finance.” This theme will explore how the development of new technologies, such as the blockchain, the metaverse, and CBDCs are transforming the financial sector, including both legacy banks and fintech company, and the opportunities and challenges that come with them.
Cryptomonnaie Suisse 2023
June 22-24, 2023
Zurich HB, Zurich Switzerland


Cryptomonnaie Suisse 2023 is a public blockchain fair that will take place from June 22 to 24, 2023 in Zurich, Switzerland. The event is set to bring industry leaders and companies from Switzerland and abroad to discuss and explore the industry’s latest developments and trends relating to cryptocurrencies, blockchain technology, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and the metaverse.
Point Zero Forum
June 26-28, 2023
The Circle at Zurich Airport, Zurich, Switzerland


The Point Zero Forum is an annual invitation-only fintech conference jointly organized by Switzerland and Singapore.
This year’s event will take place in Zurich from June 26 to 28, 2023, and will convene central bank governors and industry leaders. It’s set to bring together 1,000 policymakers, financial services leaders and investors to drive adoption and growth of transformative technology, as well as assess and promote the appropriate governance and risk frameworks.
Key themes this year will include digital assets, tokenization and distributed ledger technology (DLT), technology for ESG and generative AI.
Global Sustainable Digital Finance Forum
July 06, 2023
Zurich


Taking place on July 06, 2023, the Global Sustainable Digital Finance Forum is an international and interdisciplinary conference focusing on novel approaches in sustainability driven by fintech and insurtech.
The forum will focus on research and innovations that address challenges in the field of banking and finance, insurance, IT, business management, law, regulation, society and many others. The examples range from using AI to analyze sustainability data along value chains for improving risk management to CBDCs to enable financial inclusion.
Together, speakers and participants will explore how organizations and people can leverage fintech and insurtech to develop a more sustainable world. By considering myriad disciplines and research fields, the conference participants from academia, business, non-profit, and government will share concepts on how sustainability can lead to innovative solutions that address today’s challenges.
The Global Sustainable Digital Finance Forum will take place on July 6 in Zurich and is supported by Innosuisse as a networking event series on Sustainable Digital Finance. The forum also has formed an exclusive partnership with the Impact Finance Forum, a practitioners’ conference which takes place on July 5, 2023 and the World Bank Group which both support the Global Sustainable Digital Finance Forum.
Swiss Fintech Fair 2023
September 08, 2023
SIX ConventionPoint, Zurich, Switzerland


The Swiss Fintech Fair is where Switzerland’s most powerful fintech conversations and connections happen in real life.
This year’s event will take place on September 08, 2023, and is set to bring together more than 800 attendees from Swiss and international banks, insurance carriers, financial and governmental institutions as well as fintech companies and technology providers.
The 2023 edition will also feature the new Swiss Fintech Fair Startup Challenge and Green Fintech Focus Stage. The startup challenge will allow promising young companies to pitch their products in front of an expert jury. The winners will be awarded and publicly announced.
The Green Fintech Focus Stage will be hosted in partnership with the Green Fintech Network and will provide thematic in-depth dive into sustainability developments.
Digital Integration In Wealth Management Switzerland 2023
October 04-05, 2023
Zurich, Switzerland


The Digital Integration in Wealth Management Switzerland Conference, taking place on October 04 and 05, 2023, will bring together digital leaders from private banks and wealth management firms to provide a strategic roadmap for integrating digital tools.
Participants will get to learn how digital integration can enhance their wealth offering and client experience; discover the latest innovations in AI, automation, robo advice, digital client journeys, and next-generation client values; listen to concrete digital case studies from wealth managers in the Swiss market; and meet with peers from across the region to discuss digital innovation in wealth management.
With high-level talks and discussions delivered by senior guest speakers, attendees can expect to discover the strategies, tools, and processes powered by innovation and client-centric values to meet cross generational needs and thrive in a digital age.

Web Summit 2023
November 13-16, 2023
Altice Arena and Fil, Lisbon, Portugal


Web Summit is an annual technology conference held in Lisbon, Portugal. The conference’s topics center on Internet technology, emerging technologies, and VC. Web Summit’s partners range from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups, with attendees representing all levels and sectors of the global high technology industry.
This year’s edition will take place from November 13 to 16, 2023, and is set to bring together 70,000+ people, and the companies redefining the tech industry.
At a time of great uncertainty for many industries and, indeed, the world itself, the summit will gather policymakers, heads of state, and the founders and CEOs of technology companies and fast-growing startups, to ask a simple question: Where to next?
Register now: https://websummit.com/
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-25-upcoming-fintech-events-for-swiss-fintech-entrepreneurs-in-2023</link><guid>3079</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 25 Upcoming Fintech Events for Swiss Fintech Entrepreneurs in 2023</dc:text></item><item><title>Apple Readies BNPL Launch</title><description><![CDATA[Apple is running an internal test of its buy now, pay later (BNPL) product, gearing up for the public release of the new service in the US. The feature, which was announced at the Worldwide Developers Conference 2022, is currently being trialed by Apple employees and will be “launching soon,” Apple CEO Tim Cook told CNBC in an interview.
Announced in June 2022, Apple Pay Later is a new BNPL product that aims to let users split up the cost of a purchase made with Apple Pay into four equal installments over six weeks without charging any fee or interest. The service is meant to be integrated with the mobile payment service as well as Apple Wallet, allowing users to track what they owe and when they owe it.
A new report by Bloomberg’s Apple and consumer tech reporter Mark Gurman revealed that the company could launch Apple Pay Later in the coming week after releasing the test to thousands of retail employees earlier this month.




   



    
   


   








Details of the scheme’s mechanism and criteria were shared to the reporter, revealing that the service evaluated borrowers based on their spending history, which Apple devices they own, and whether or not they had applied for an Apple Card credit card or other cards linked to their Apple Pay accounts. The evaluation determined whether or not the company was willing to lend money to the applicant and how big that amount would be. Many testers said they saw loan approvals for US$1,000 and under.
An Apple Pay Later loan offer would expire after 30 days, the report says, and applications would sometimes require a copy of a government identification card, full social security number and two-step verification on an Apple account.
Apple Pay Later mockup, Source: Apple.com
Apple Pay Later was initially slated to be released in the autumn 2022 as part of the company’s new operating system, iOS 16. The service, however, did not debut in September 2022 with the release.
“This leads me to believe that the company isn’t completely certain when Apple Pay Later will be ready for launch. It’s possible the feature won’t arrive until iOS 16.4 in the spring,” Bloomberg’s Gurman wrote in his Power On newsletter. “I’m hearing there have been fairly significant technical and engineering challenges in rolling out the service, leading to the delays.”
Apple’s forthcoming BNPL scheme is part of a broader push into financial services which the tech giant perceives as a big growth opportunity. The firm is betting on new services to help sustain growth and expand beyond consumer electronics and software.
Apple’s products sales for the end of the year quarter were down more than 7% compared to the same period in 2021, according to the company’s Q1 2023 financial results. Net services sales, however, grew by more than 6%, reaching an all-time revenue record of US$20.8 billion.
BNPL has been one of the fastest-growing fintech segments over the past years. According to Worldpay, BNPL accounted for 3.8% of North American e-commerce transaction value in 2021, more than double its share the year prior (1.6%). By 2025, BNPL is projected to more than double again to 8.5% of regional e-commerce transaction value in the region.
Apple’s fintech moves
Apple Pay Later will mark the first time the company uses an in-house payment platform and conducts lending itself. Last year, it established a wholly-owned subsidiary called Apple Financial that’s meant to handle applications, lending and credit approvals from Apple Pay Later.
A Bloomberg report also revealed in June 2022 the secret “Breakout” initiative kickstarted by the company. The plan is allegedly seeking to bring more financial services capabilities, including payment processing, risk and fraud analysis, credit checks, subscription programs for hardware purchases, and BNPL, in-house, further hinting at a desire from Apple to reduce its dependency on third parties and banking partners.
Apple entered the financial services space in 2014 with the launch of its Apple Pay mobile payment service. This was followed in 2017 by the introduction of Apple Cash, a solution that allows users in the US to send and receive money, hold an Apple Cash balance and transfer money back to a bank account easily.
In 2019, it launched the Apple Card, a credit card created by Apple and issued by Goldman Sachs. The card is designed primarily to be used with Apple Pay on Apple devices such as an iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or Mac. It’s currently available only in the US and clocked 6.7 million American cardholders in early 2022.
Besides the forthcoming Apple Pay Later, other consumer fintech products are reportedly in the works, including the Apple Savings account, a “high-yield” interest-bearing savings account that will be administered by Goldman Sachs.
Apple, which has been operating in the finance market for less than a decade, has nevertheless managed to gain a notable foothold in a relatively short period of time.
According to a 2023 report by Dutch consultancy and mergers and acquisitions advisory firm Flagship Advisory Partners, Apple controlled an estimated US$800 billion worth of payments in 2022.
About 3% of all Visa and Mastercard consumer card value and 10-12% of Visa and Mastercard card transactions in North America and Europe went through Apple Pay last year, the report claims, making the American tech firm a significant fintech player globally.

Featured image credit: edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/apple-readies-bnpl-launch</link><guid>3078</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Apple Readies BNPL Launch</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Accelerator F10 Rebrands as Tenity to Reflect Global Status</title><description><![CDATA[Fintech innovation ecosystem and early-stage investor F10 announced that it will be rebranding as Tenity after eight years to reflect its global positioning.
Over the past weeks, Tenity has already started changing its visual identity and revamped its website.
Tenity said that the change of name and logo is the last step in completing its rebranding exercise.




   



    
   


   








F10 was first launched in Zurich by the SIX Swiss Exchange in 2015. Just a year later, it was spun off into an association with more corporate members and was well-established in Switzerland.
From 2020 onwards, Tenity went on a massive expansion drive with its first stop being Singapore and then setting up operations in Spain.
In April 2022, Tenity announced that it has secured a funding round as well as management buy-in by its executive leadership to become an independent entity.
Just last year, Tenity had incubated and accelerated 100 startups and its alumni raised more than US$ 200 million.
Tenity has expanded its operations from three hubs in three countries, to actively running programmes out of four hubs in seven countries.
It has also launched the a dedicated climate fintech incubator in Nordics and the Baltics.
The company said in a statement,
“Tenity stands both for our legacy, and our ambition – coming from ten, and growing to infinity. It also represents our independent state of mind. Tenity is a place where value and impact are created. A place where startups, corporates, and investors come together to create the future.

A place, where we make innovation work. While we are sad to say goodbye to F10, we are excited for what’s to come. The past eight years as F10 have been an incredible journey. Here’s to the future.”

[embedded content]
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-accelerator-f10-rebrands-as-tenity-to-reflect-global-status</link><guid>3077</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech Accelerator F10 Rebrands as Tenity to Reflect Global Status</dc:text></item><item><title>Nuvei Now an Official Sponsor of Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team</title><description><![CDATA[Canadian payments company Nuvei has entered into a multi-year sponsorship agreement with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team ahead of the 2023 F1 season.
From the 2023 Formula One™ season onwards, the Nuvei logo will appear on the helmet and overalls of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team drivers as well as pit crew overalls and team clothing.
Nuvei will also be able to utilise team members, including drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, and Team Principal and CEO Toto Wolff for its wider marketing activities for customers, clients, and beyond.




   



    
   


   








The Nuvei branding will be unveiled at the Team’s 2023 F1 car launch later this week.
Listed on both the Nasdaq and Toronto Stock Exchanges, Nuvei offers payments processing services in more than 200 markets, including local acquiring in over 45 countries.
Toto Wolff
Toto Wolff, Team Principal and CEO of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team said,
“We’re thrilled to welcome Nuvei as a long-term partner in time for the start of the 2023 Formula One™ season. Nuvei has a reputation as a leader in its field with a global footprint.

It’s dedication to performance excellence through innovation aligns with our values, so we’re looking forward to a successful period working closely together as we share the Nuvei brand with our global audience and find more similarities between our approaches to success.”
Philip Fayer
Philip Fayer, Chair and CEO at Nuvei said,
“Being a people-first, technology-led business ourselves we identify strongly with the ethos of the team, which is just one of the reasons that we are incredibly excited to be joining the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team family.

As a leading global payments company with a heritage of delivering the most agile and transformative payments technology in the market we know what it takes to sustain being at the cutting edge of innovation.”

This article first appeared on Fintech News America. 

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/nuvei-now-an-official-sponsor-of-mercedes-amg-petronas-f1-team</link><guid>3076</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Nuvei Now an Official Sponsor of Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team</dc:text></item><item><title>Siemens Issues First Digital Bond on Blockchain</title><description><![CDATA[Siemens is one of the first companies in Germany to issue a digital bond, in accordance with Germany’s Electronic Securities Act.
Worth 60 million, it has a maturity of one year and is underpinned by a public blockchain. Issuing the bond on a blockchain offers a number of benefits compared to previous processes. For instance, it makes paper-based global certificates and central clearing unnecessary. What’s more, the bond can be sold directly to investors without needing a bank to function as an intermediary.
Ralf P. Thomas
“With our innovative products and technologies, Siemens supports the digital transformation of its customers with great success. It is therefore only logical that we test and utilize the latest digital solutions in finance, too. We are proud to be one of the first German companies to have successfully issued a blockchain-based bond. This makes Siemens a pioneer in the ongoing development of digital solutions for the capital and securities markets,”
said Ralf P. Thomas, Chief Financial Officer of Siemens AG.




   



    
   


   








It has been possible to issue blockchain-based digital bonds in Germany since the Electronic Securities Act came into effect in June 2021.
Siemens has used the new possibilities of the Electronic Securities Act and sold the securities directly to investors without engaging established central securities depositories. Payments were made using classic methods as the digital euro was not yet available at the time of the transaction. The transaction was able to be completed within two days.
Hauck Aufhäuser Lampe Privatbank AG acted as the bond registrar for the transaction. DekaBank, DZ Bank, and Union Investment invested in the bond.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/siemens-issues-first-digital-bond-on-blockchain</link><guid>3075</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Siemens Issues First Digital Bond on Blockchain</dc:text></item><item><title>Digital Asset Infrastructure Provider Taurus Raises USD 65m Series B From Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank</title><description><![CDATA[Geneva based Digital asset infrastructure provider Taurus annunced a USD 65 million Series B capital raise from strategic investors.
Taurus’ Series B round is led by Credit Suisse and includes participation from new institutional investors such as Deutsche Bank, Pictet Group, Cedar Mundi Ventures, as well as from Series A investors, Arab Bank Switzerland and Investis, a stock-listed real-estate group. Taurus co-founders, Lamine Brahimi, Sébastien Dessimoz, Oren-Olivier Puder and Dr. Jean-Philippe Aumasson, remain the largest shareholders of Taurus and at the helm of the Company. The transaction was approved by the Swiss regulator, FINMA.
The funds will be used to support Taurus’ growth strategy across three main priorities:(1) hire top engineering talent to further develop what is considered as the most complete platform in the industry;(2) get closer to clients and expand the sales and customer success organization of its infrastructure solutions with new offices Europe, UAE and soon after in the Americas and South-East Asia, and(3) maintain the most stringent security, risk and compliance requirements across product lines, processes and organizations.




   



    
   


   








The preferred platform for Tier 1 banks. Expanding client footprint with large consumer brands
Taurus already works with more than 25 financial institutions and corporate clients in eight countries and three continents, including systemically important financial institutions, retail and online banks, private banks, crypto-banks, investment banks, and broker-dealers. Amongst its clients are banks such as Arab Bank Switzerland, CACEIS, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, Pictet, Swissquote, Vontobel. These achievements allowed Taurus to establish itself as the #1 digital asset infrastructure provider for Tier 1 banks in Europe.
Lamine Brahimi
Lamine Brahimi, co-founder and Managing Partner of Taurus, said:
“Raising USD 65mn in the current market environment tells a lot about the quality of Taurus’ people and products. We are proud to welcome such high-profile investors and benefit from their expertise to further develop one of the richest platforms in the industry, covering any type of digital assets, way beyond cryptocurrencies.”
André Helfenstein
André Helfenstein, CEO, Credit Suisse (Switzerland) Ltd., commented:
“The strategic partnership with Taurus is a cornerstone of the Swiss Bank division’s digital assets strategy with the ambition to become the leading Swiss bank in that space. We continue to embrace new and innovative technologies and expect to soon launch several digital asset services for clients both on the issuing and the investment side.”
Sabih Behzad
Sabih Behzad, Head of Digital Assets and Currencies Transformation, Deutsche Bank, concluded:
“We will integrate Taurus‘ technology in our own IT environment. This will form a key part of our digital asset custody platform and will make it easier for us to develop and roll out our digital asset custody offering. Through this investment, Deutsche Bank is delighted to partner on the development of the market for digital assets.”
In April 2021, Taurus obtained a FINMA license as a securities firm and operator of an organized trading facility. In June 2021, Taurus launched a regulated marketplace for tokenized assets.

Featured image credit: Taurus co-founders (left to right): Lamine Brahimi, Dr Jean-Philippe Aumasson, Oren-Olivier Puder, Sebastien Dessimoz
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digital-asset-infrastructure-provider-taurus-raises-usd-65m-series-b-from-credit-suisse-and-deutsche-bank</link><guid>3074</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Digital Asset Infrastructure Provider Taurus Raises USD 65m Series B From Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank</dc:text></item><item><title>OneSpan Inks Deal to Acquire Aussie Blockchain Tech Provider ProvenDB</title><description><![CDATA[Cybersecurity technology company OneSpan has inked a deal to acquire Australia-based blockchain technology provider ProvenDB for an undisclosed sum.
The transaction is anticipated to close during the first quarter of 2023 and is subject to customary closing conditions.
Through this acquisition, OneSpan said that it plans to combine ProvenDB’s technology with its Transaction Cloud Platform.




   



    
   


   








This will provide an integrated end-to-end assurance model which includes a secure repository for documents and artifacts.
This complementary acquisition aims to expand OneSpan’s addressable market, solves customers’ secure vaulting needs, and secure digital agreements throughout the customer transaction lifecycle.
Matthew Moynahan
“We have an ambitious plan to disrupt the digital agreement market and ProvenDB will accelerate that plan.

OneSpan’s mission, the focus of our entire go-to-market strategy, is to restore trust and confidence in today’s most critical customer experiences, such as revenue-generating transactions or customer and vendor onboarding, and ensure that their integrity is never in question.”
said Matthew Moynahan, President and CEO at OneSpan.
Guy Harrison
“OneSpan’s expertise in digital identity and agreements married with ProvenDB’s blockchain-backed storage solutions will enable a paradigm shift in trust and integrity for digital agreements.

We are excited to join OneSpan to bring our technology to the digital agreement market.”
said Guy Harrison, CTO at ProvenDB.
This article first appeared on Fintech News America. 

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/onespan-inks-deal-to-acquire-aussie-blockchain-tech-provider-provendb</link><guid>3073</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>OneSpan Inks Deal to Acquire Aussie Blockchain Tech Provider ProvenDB</dc:text></item><item><title>Tech Giants Ramp up AI Development Amid ChatGPT Frenzy</title><description><![CDATA[Since its release in November 2022, artificial intelligence (AI)-powered chatbot ChatGPT has sent the tech world abuzz. The viral application, which allows users to ask questions and then answer these questions with human-like responses, has triggered a heated race among bigtech companies.
Companies like Google, Microsoft and Baidu are all accelerating the development of their own AI chatbots, doubling down on the much-hyped generative AI, a term that refers to algorithms that are capable of creating new content, including text, audio and images.
Just this month, news broke that Google had invested almost US$400 million in AI startup Anthropic, a company that’s testing a rival to ChatGPT called Claude, a person familiar with the deal told Bloomberg.




   



    
   


   








Anthropic is an AI startup and public-benefit corporation co-founded by former employees of OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT. The startup specializes in developing general AI systems and language models, with a company ethos of responsible AI usage.
image via Unsplash
Both Google and Anthropic declined a comment request from Bloomberg, but separately announced a partnership between one another, which will see the startup use Google’s cloud computing services. Anthropic said in a statement that the tie-up “is designed so that the companies can co-develop AI computing systems.”
The news of the Google-Anthropic deal preceded by just a few days the unveiling of Google’s new AI chatbot tool. Called Bard, the conversational AI service is powered by the firm’s Language Model for Dialogue Applications (LaMDA) and uses information found on the web to formulate responses. Bard is currently opened to “trusted testers” but the company plans to make it available to the public in the coming weeks.
Google’s recent AI initiatives are another testament of the firm’s commitment to the technology and showcases how the company intends to use AI to enhance its search business. Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai said in the firm’s fourth quarter earnings report that Google planned to release chatbots “in the coming weeks and months” and intended for consumers to use these products “as a companion to Search.”
OpenAI’s ChatGPT quickly went viral after its release on November 30, 2022, impressing both users and technologists with its ability to mimic human language and speaking styles, all the while providing coherent and topical information.
The AI chatbot surpassed one million users in just five days, and in January, it surged past the 100 million monthly active users mark, becoming the fastest-growing consumer app in history, according to analysts at Swiss bank UBS.
The rise of ChatGPT has sparked a frenzy in the tech community and prompted most industry leaders to ramp up AI development.
In January, Microsoft invested a staggering US$10 billion in OpenAI, a deal that marked the third phase of the partnership between the two companies and which followed previous investments from the tech giant in 2019 and 2021.
The capital infusion was followed shortly after by the announcement that Microsoft’s Bing search engine and Edge web browser will be enhanced with AI chatbots.
The new AI-powered Bing application, which was made available in preview on February 07, runs on a more advanced and powerful OpenAI large language model than the one that underpins ChatGPT, the company said in a statement. The model was customized for search and aims to “unlock a completely new way to interact with the web” by “reimagining how [users] interact with search, browser and chat by pulling them into a unified experience,” it said.
Chinese tech giants follow suit
The past couple of weeks have also seen a growing number of Chinese tech firms announcing their own AI chatbot projects, showcasing how far the buzz around OpenAI’s ChatGPT has spread.
This month, Chinese search giant Baidu said that it will soon launch a bilingual AI text generator called Ernie Bot. Ernie, which stands for Enhanced Representation through Knowledge Integration, will be able to perform tasks including language understanding, language generation and text-to-image generation, the company said.
Ernie Bot is based on a language model of the same name that Baidu introduced in 2019. According to the firm, the model has 260 billion parameters, making it larger than ChatGPT’s current GPT-3 training model, which has 175 billion parameters.
A person familiar with the matter told Reuters in January that the initial plan is for Ernie Bot to exist as a standalone app, before being gradually integrated into Baidu’s search engine.
Internal testing of the chatbot will likely be completed in March, following which the app will be made available to the public.
Similarly, e-commerce giant Alibaba announced last week a ChatGPT-style tool. Designed for its cloud computing customers, the app is currently in internal testing. No timetable for service launch has so far been provided.
JD.com, one of the China’s top three online retailer platform operators, is also looking to launch a product similar to ChatGPT. The product, called ChatJD, will be aimed at serving other businesses.
And Tencent, a multinational tech conglomerate and the owner of China’s leading super-app WeChat, said last week that it was conducting research on generative AI. A company representative told the South China Morning Post that a strategy in related technologies had already been laid out.

Featured image credit: edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/tech-giants-ramp-up-ai-development-amid-chatgpt-frenzy</link><guid>3071</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Tech Giants Ramp up AI Development Amid ChatGPT Frenzy</dc:text></item><item><title>Worldpay: FIS Announces Plans to Spin off Merchant Business</title><description><![CDATA[FIS announced plans to pursue a tax-free spin-off of its Merchant Solutions business to strengthen its strategic and operational focus, capitalize on growth opportunities and unlock shareholder value. The two companies expect to maintain a strong commercial relationship, preserving a key value proposition for clients of both businesses. FIS expects the spin-off to be completed within the next 12 months.
FIS’ Board and management determined as part of their previously announced and ongoing strategic review that a spin-off of Merchant Solutions, to be named Worldpay, offers the best path to enhance shareholder value, including by:

Increasing strategic and operational focus to capitalize on growth and margin potential
Aligning capital allocation and capital structures with long-term growth targets and underlying market needs, including potentially participating in M&amp;A
Enhancing the ability to align talent with shareholder returns, including through competitive and focused equity compensation programs





   



    
   


   








Jeffrey A. Goldstein
“In evaluating a broad range of alternatives as part of our previously announced comprehensive assessment of FIS’ strategy, businesses, operations, and structure, FIS management and the Board concluded that the spin-off of Worldpay will unlock shareholder value by improving both companies’ performance, enhancing client services, and simplifying operational management,”
said Jeffrey A. Goldstein, Chairman of the Board.
“We are confident that this is the right time for the separation of Worldpay. The pace of disruption in payments is rapidly accelerating, requiring increased investment in growth and a different capital allocation strategy for our Merchant Solutions business. This spin-off will create two industry-leading, publicly traded companies with sharper focus and increased agility, each well positioned to capitalize on the significant value creation opportunities ahead in their respective markets.”
Worldpay
Upon completion of the proposed spin-off, the Merchant Solutions business will operate as Worldpay, reestablishing and strengthening a brand that remains highly trusted among clients and partners.
Worldpay, the largest global merchant acquirer1 by transactions with $2 trillion in payments volume in 2022, will remain a leading provider of integrated payment technology solutions for eCommerce, enterprise, and small and medium sized businesses (SMB). Worldpay is a leader in cross-border eCommerce, with $4.8 billion of revenue and $2.3 billion of Adjusted EBITDA in 2022. The business’ revenue was comprised of 43% enterprise, 27% SMB, and 30% eCommerce in 2022.
As an independent, publicly traded company, Worldpay is well positioned to benefit from exposure to secular high-growth markets globally, extensive domain expertise and portfolio breadth, strong long-term and marquee client relationships, and global distribution and scale. In addition, with a different capital allocation strategy, Worldpay will be able to pursue more aggressive investment opportunities, including M&amp;A, in order to:

Expand in eCommerce – expanding geographic coverage and payment optimization
Strengthen its Enterprise Offerings – leveraging its powerful value proposition to drive next-generation omni-channel experiences and enterprise commerce
Transform SMB – shifting towards software-led payments while providing integrated software vendors (ISVs) with embedded finance capabilities

FIS announced Charles Drucker has been appointed as a strategic advisor to aid with the spin-off process, effective immediately. The Company also announced today that, if the spin-off is completed as expected, he will serve as CEO of Worldpay. Drucker, a proven value creating CEO who previously served as CEO of Worldpay, brings decades of experience within the financial technology industry and a strong track record of shareholder value-creation.
The remainder of the Worldpay Board of Directors, management team, and headquarters will be announced at a later date. Worldpay and FIS will continue to maintain a commercial relationship to deliver critical capabilities like embedded finance and loyalty through premium payback, with customary commercial agreements in place to ensure continuity for clients.
FIS
Following the proposed spin-off, FIS will remain a leading provider of financial technology solutions for financial institutions, capital markets firms, clients and corporates globally. FIS’ Banking and Capital Markets businesses generated $9.5 billion of revenue and $4.2 billion of Adjusted EBITDA in 2022, excluding Corporate and Other. The Company will continue to benefit from its strong brand in the financial services sector, extensive domain expertise and portfolio breadth, strong long-term and marquee client relationships, and its global distribution and scale.
As a simpler, more focused organization, FIS will be better-positioned to deliver compounding returns by leveraging its best-in-class suite of banking and capital markets technology solutions to meet individualized client needs. FIS will drive improved performance and outcomes through a multi-part strategy that includes:

Enhancing focus on the distinct needs of global and local financial institutions, with a management team and investment agenda tailored to evolving client needs
Driving disruption through a modernized technology stack, building out its digital and modernization platforms such as Digital One, Payment One, Unity and Modern Banking platform
Optimizing investment and capital return through a transparent capital allocation strategy with a balance of organic investment, complementary M&amp;A, dividends and share repurchases

Following the separation, Stephanie Ferris will continue to serve as chief executive officer of FIS with FIS headquarters remaining in Jacksonville, FL.
Transaction Details
Through this transaction, FIS shareholders will receive a pro rata distribution of shares of Worldpay stock in a transaction that is expected to be tax-free to FIS and its shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The actual number of shares to be distributed to FIS shareholders will be determined prior to closing, as will the specific transaction structure.
FIS is committed to optimizing strong capital allocation strategies for each business that align with each business’s long-term goals. Further details related to transaction costs and the companies’ respective capital structures, governance and other elements of the transaction will be announced at a later date.
Pathway to Completion
FIS is planning for the separation to be completed within the next 12 months. The proposed separation is subject to customary conditions, including final approval by the FIS Board of Directors, receipt of a tax opinion and a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, the filing and effectiveness of a Form 10 registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and obtaining of all required regulatory approvals. No assurance can be given that a spin-off will in fact occur on FIS’ desired timetable or at all.


This article first appeared on fintechnews.am

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/worldpay-fis-announces-plans-to-spin-off-merchant-business</link><guid>3072</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Worldpay: FIS Announces Plans to Spin off Merchant Business</dc:text></item><item><title>Deutsche Börse and Google Cloud Announce Strategic Partnership</title><description><![CDATA[Deutsche Börse and Google Cloud have announced a new strategic partnership to enhance, economize and concentrate Deutsche Börse’s cloud adoption.
Specifically, Deutsche Börse will leverage Google Cloud’s secure infrastructure and leading data and analytics capabilities to accelerate the development of its digital securities platform D7, innovate its digital asset market operations, and enhance its data distribution and data use cases in the cloud.
With its hybrid, multi-cloud strategy, Deutsche Börse Group has already successfully set new standards for cloud innovation within the financial services industry. Google Cloud will become Deutsche Börse Group’s preferred partner for cloud consumption for the next ten years and help to further enhance the group’s cloud adoption and efficiency.




   



    
   


   








Theodor Weimer
“Innovation and technological advancements are at the core of Deutsche Börse Group’s DNA,”
said Theodor Weimer, CEO at Deutsche Börse.
“To trailblaze changing market environments and not only meet but anticipate customer demand, it is key to couple our financial services expertise with the technological prowess of a true market heavyweight. Our deep market infrastructure understanding, combined with Google Cloud’s technology expertise and scale, will drive tangible success for our business and broader financial markets.”
Thomas Kurian
“Exchanges sit at the epicenter of the financial ecosystem and have an increasingly important role to play to drive the future of market innovation and efficiencies,”
said Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud.
“Our partnership with Deutsche Börse Group underscores the wide range of opportunities and benefits that secure and reliable cloud technology, data analytics, and AI can have for all market participants.”
With the partnership, Deutsche Börse Group and Google Cloud will accelerate the development of Deutsche Börse Group’s digital securities services platform, D7. The platform represents a new paradigm for handling the end-to-end processing of digital securities linked to existing legacy environments while also providing for interoperability with new environments based on distributed-ledger technology. The D7 platform will be underpinned by Google Cloud’s scalable and secure infrastructure and will have an intelligent data analytics layer powered by Google Cloud’s BigQuery and Analytics Hub, and Google’s leading data capabilities. The enhanced D7 platform will enable Deutsche Börse Group to deliver new applications, products and digital securities services to its customers and the wider financial industry. Deutsche Börse Group and Google Cloud will also jointly invest in strong regulatory controls and built-in security features to meet regulatory requirements, as applicable.
To innovate Digital Asset Business
The partnership also seeks to innovate Deutsche Börse Group’s digital asset business with an institutional-grade offering, including a Digital Assets Business Platform with a cloud-native market infrastructure, combining centralized and decentralized financial infrastructure to deliver crypto spot and derivatives products. Deutsche Börse Group aims to expand these capabilities to further asset classes over time.
Additionally, the two companies plan to jointly deploy a data mesh for several of Deutsche Börse Group’s data distribution and data use cases in the cloud. Google Cloud’s scalable and secure infrastructure will underpin the new platforms, paired with Google Cloud’s leading data and connectivity products.
While moving digitization in capital markets to the next level, the partnership will also put a strong focus on cyber security and adhering to existing regulation.

Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/deutsche-borse-and-google-cloud-announce-strategic-partnership</link><guid>3070</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Deutsche Börse and Google Cloud Announce Strategic Partnership</dc:text></item><item><title>Crypto Money Laundering Reaches New Heights; Totaled US$23.8B in 2022</title><description><![CDATA[In 2022, cryptocurrency money laundering reached a new record, with illicit addresses sending US$23.8 billion worth of crypto, a figure which represents a 68% year-on-year (YoY) increase, new data from Chainalysis, an American blockchain analysis firm, show.
Total cryptocurrency laundered by year, 2015-2022 Source: Chainalysis, Jan 2023
Just under half of the funds sent from these addresses traveled directly to centralized exchanges, making these services the biggest recipients of illicit crypto, the report says.
Mainstream centralized crypto exchanges are critical services for money laundering, helping criminals turn their crypto into cash. This is despite being among the most heavily regulated crypto services, and being required to have compliance measures in place to report illegal activities and take action against the users in question.




   



    
   


   








Destination of funds leaving illicit wallets, 2017-2022, Source: Chainalysis, Jan 2023
An analysis of illicit fund transfers revealed that money laundering activity remained highly concentrated in 2022. A total of 915 unique crypto exchange services received illicit crypto last year, the lowest number Chainalysis has seen since 2012, the research found, yet, only five crypto exchanges managed to handle as much as 67.9% of all the illicit funds received by exchanges. The proportion represents an increased concentration compared to 2021, when the top five services received 56.7% of illicit funds.
The report highlights the different ways criminals use centralized exchanges to launder funds. First, some will just send the funds to an exchange where they have a personal account at and cash-out.
Others will work with specialized money laundering service providers who control the accounts and help them convert their crypto into cash once it hits the exchange. These businesses are nested services which are built on top of larger exchanges, using those platforms’ deposit addresses to access liquidity and trading pairs.
According to Chainalysis, a handful of nested services are responsible for the majority of crypto money laundering, with research revealing that four deposit addresses cracked US$100 million in illicit cryptocurrency received in 2022, and, combined, received over US$1 billion.
All illicit cryptocurrency received by fiat off-ramp service deposit addresses, 2022, Source: Chainalysis, Jan 2023
The report also highlights the rising usage of mixing services for illicit activity. A crypto mixer is a service that blends the cryptocurrencies of many users together to obscure the trail back to the fund’s original source.
Last year, mixers processed a total of US$7.8 billion, 24% of which came from illicit addresses. In comparison, in 2021, these services processed slightly more (US$11.5 billion) but only 10% of these funds came from illicit addresses.
According to Chainalysis, the vast majority of illicit value processed by mixers last year was made up of funds stolen by North Korea-linked hackers.
Yearly cryptocurrency received by mixers by source, 2016-2022, Source: Chainalysis, Jan 2023
Though mixers can be used for legitimate reasons, including financial privacy, these services have become popular among criminals to money launder cryptocurrencies, prompting agencies like the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the US Department of the Treasury to implement sanctions.
2022 saw OFAC issue its first-ever sanctions on crypto mixers, designating Blender.io and Tornado Cash for allegedly assisting North Korean hacking syndicate Lazarus Group in laundering stolen cryptocurrencies.
OFAC estimates that Blender.io has helped Lazarus launder over US$20.5 million in “illicit proceeds.” The agency also believes the platform has facilitated money laundering for Russian-linked malign ransomware groups including Trickbot, Conti, Ryuk, Sodinokibi and Ganbcrab.
Tornado Cash, a decentralized mixing service on the Ethereum blockchain, is alleged to have been used to launch more than US$7 billion worth of cryptocurrencies since the platform’s creation in 2019. This includes over US$455 million stolen by Lazarus. Tornado Cash is currently the only decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol to have been sanctioned by OFAC.
2022 was a record-breaking year for hacking, new data from Chainalysis show. A total of US$3.8 billion was stolen from crypto businesses, primarily from DeFi protocols (82.1%) where criminals exploited vulnerabilities found in cross-chain bridge protocols.
Total value stolen in crypto hacks and number of hacks, 2016-2022, Source: Chainalysis, Fev 2023
Cross-chain bridges are protocols that let user port digital assets and data from one blockchain to another. Their design and specificities vary but most protocols on the market work by “wrapping” tokens in a smart contract and issuing native assets to be used on the other blockchain.
Bridges are an attractive target for criminals because they essentially work as liquidity providers, collecting massive amount of funds and locking them into a central point of storage.
According to Chainalysis, North Korea-linked hackers have been the most prolific crypto hackers of the last few years. In 2022, they stole a record of US$1.7 billion worth of crypto across several hacks which some experts believe has been used to fund the country’s nuclear weapons programs.
Yearly total cryptocurrency stolen by North Korea-linked hackers, 2016-2022, Source: Chainalysis, Fev 2023

Featured image credit: edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crypto-money-laundering-reaches-new-heights-totaled-us238b-in-2022</link><guid>3069</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Total-cryptocurrency-laundered-by-year-2015-2022-Source-Chainalysis-Jan-2023.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Crypto Money Laundering Reaches New Heights; Totaled US$23.8B in 2022</dc:text></item><item><title>IBM’s 2023 Banking and Financial Market Report is Bullish on Cloud and AI</title><description><![CDATA[Stress to the world economy in 2022, arising from factors including geopolitical conflicts, supply chain disruptions and rising inflation, will impact the financial services landscape in 2023, forcing industry players to embrace digital business models and architectures, a new report by IBM says.
The 2023 Global Outlook for Banking and Financial Markets report, released by the technology corporation last month, lays out the headwinds financial institutions should expect in 2023 and discusses how these organizations can improve financial performance amidst these challenging economic conditions.
According to the report, increased macroeconomic tensions, spiking inflation and rising geopolitical risks are introducing economic headwinds which financial institutions will need to face in 2023.




   



    
   


   








Common Equity Tier 1 capital (CET1) has increased globally, spurred by regulatory requirements
The ongoing war in Ukraine is prompting governments to ramp up deglobalization efforts to protect their economies from geopolitical risks, subsequently driving up costs and fueling inflation, it warns.
At the same time, the sustainability imperative is introducing new risks and complex compliance requirements which banks must contend with.
These factors are emerging on the back of an increasingly competitive landscape that has seen over the past couple of years the rise of new market entrants. These new digital-savvy, non-traditional players are appealing to customers because of the superior customer experiences they provide as well as their lower costs.
Increased competition is putting pressure on financial institutions’ margins, it says, and yet, banking incumbents are struggling to respond to the threat in a swift manner, hampered by legacy architectures and operating models that are not proving agile enough.
Against these uncertainties, banks must embrace technology and establish a strong digital foundation, a journey which should start with adopting a hybrid cloud strategy, the report says.
A hybrid cloud strategy as a prerequisite for cutting-edge technology adoption
A hybrid cloud approach, where two computing environments are combined and share information with one another, allows businesses to overcome the inherent issues with primitive public cloud platforms, which mainly revolve around security, compliance and customizability. Instead, with a hybrid cloud strategy, organizations can get the best of both worlds, tapping benefits such as lower cost, better regional compliance and security, greater flexibility, scalability, easy management and innovation and growth potential.
According to IBM, a typical institution would deploy an average of four to 12 major platforms a year. A hybrid approach allows an organization to significantly quicken that pace, enabling multiple controlled software releases per day.
Establishing a strong foundation that relies on a hybrid cloud strategy also opens up new opportunities relating to the use of data, the report says. On this hybrid architecture, trusted artificial intelligence (AI) can be deployed at scale for evidence-based decision making, while operations can be simplified via workload automation.
Combining a hybrid cloud strategy with the use of data analytics and AI not only allows banks to tap new tools that simplify and accelerate development, it also provides them with access to new ways of working, allowing them to weather market uncertainties and disruptions with speed and flexibility.
Statements made by the IBM report are consistent with trends observed over the past few years, where enterprises have been found to be rapidly embracing the hybrid cloud approach, as well as data analytics and AI.
A 2022 global survey conducted by 451 Research, part of S&amp;P Global Market Intelligence, on behalf of Cisco, polled 2,500 information technology (IT) decision makers in 13 countries and found that models combining on-premises and cloud-based resources are becoming the norm in the business community.
Of the respondents surveyed, 82% said they currently use cloud-based infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) to host their workloads. This hybrid approach enables their organization to achieve a more agile and scalable development environment (42%) and accelerate business agility and innovation (40%), the respondents indicated.
Hybrid cloud models are also driving the adoption of emerging technologies, the research found. 41% and 49% of survey respondents said that some form of edge computing and infrastructure automation capability, respectively, are already deployed in their organizations.
Data analytics and AI are other technologies that are increasingly being adopted by businesses. A 2022 market research commissioned by IBM revealed that global AI adoption grew steadily over the previous year, rising 4 percentage points to 35% in 2022 compared with 2021.
The study, which also polled companies about their plans to use AI in their sustainability initiatives, found that AI is poised to play a significant role in these organizations’ environmental, social and governance (ESG). 66% of IT professionals surveyed stated that their company is either currently applying AI, or plans to apply AI, to accelerate ESG initiatives.

Featured image credit: Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ibms-2023-banking-and-financial-market-report-is-bullish-on-cloud-and-ai</link><guid>3068</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Fintech-DACH-Trends-New-Banking-im-2023-banner.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>IBM’s 2023 Banking and Financial Market Report is Bullish on Cloud and AI</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Startup Competition &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; Is Now Accepting Submissions</title><description><![CDATA[Switzerland’s startup competition &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; is inviting early-stage fintech and insurtech startups to showcase their innovative solutions and compete for recognition, mentoring, and cash prizes.
The competition has a long history of helping startups, but recently expanded its competition to the growing finance and insurance industry in 2019.
&gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; was established in 1997 and is co-organised by ETH, McKinsey &amp; Company, Knecht Holding, Innosuisse and EPFL.
It has nearly CHF 600,000 in non-dilutive cash funding every year to help entrepreneurs kickstart their businesses. The competition also offers access to a vast network of industry experts to help mentor startups as they start their journeys to success.
To participate in the &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; competition, startups must meet the requirements outlined in the Playbook, which include an innovative business idea, legal status to operate in Switzerland and an early-stage status.
The application process involves submitting a startup plan, which will be evaluated by a panel of finance and insurance experts who will provide also provide written feedback on each application.
Every participant will receive a CHF 300 voucher valid at the Swiss Institute for Intellectual Property (IPI) for a landscape analysis or assisted patent search.
Additionally, finalists will receive coaching from &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt;’s mentor network, and pitch training from investors and communications experts from McKinsey &amp; Company. Winners can earn up to CHF 150,000 in non-dilutive cash prizes.

Some startups who benefited from the competition include some of the past winners of the Finance &amp; Insurance vertical such as Veritic, which develops user-friendly, multi-chain NFT platforms in collaboration with leading institutions, and is based on a highly secure minting and custody infrastructure.

Correntics, which makes supply chains future proof by reducing financial risks from climate extremes and emerging risks in global value chains.

Another winner, Kaspar&amp; offers an all-in-one app including a Swiss bank account, and an automatic transaction-based round-up mechanism that invests the resulting micro-payments in professionally managed investment strategies.
These companies leveraged their participation in the &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; competition to gain visibility, secure funding, and establish themselves as promising innovators in the finance and insurance technology space.
The deadline for applications for the upcoming &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; competition is 2 March 2023. To apply, or for more information visit www.venture.ch.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-startup-competition-venture-is-now-accepting-submissions</link><guid>3067</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Venture_Subpic-2-1.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Startup Competition &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; Is Now Accepting Submissions</dc:text></item><item><title>EU “Tokenise Europe 2025” Initiative Aims to Boosts Asset Tokenization</title><description><![CDATA[A new initiative called Tokenise Europe 2025 is being spearheaded by the European Commission (EC) and the German Banking Association to tap into the potential of asset tokenization and distributed ledger technology (DLT) to strengthen the bloc’s competitiveness and build long-term economic resilience.
The initiative, which is being supported by more than 20 member organizations from different countries and industries including banking trade groups and paytech firms, aims to establish a solid foundation for the development of tokenization in Europe with hopes that the technology will drive change and efficiency in industries including finance, supply chains, trade finance, logistics and public services.
Tokenization refers to the process by which an issuer creates digital tokens on a DLT or blockchain, which represent any type of assets. Tokenization can be applied to regulated financial instruments such as equities and bonds, tangible assets such as real estate, precious metals, as well as works of authorship and art. The technology’s benefits are multiple and include increased liquidity, faster settlement, lower costs and bolstered risk management.




   



    
   


   








The best-known type of tokens are cryptocurrencies. These have risen in popularity over the past years and prompted central banks from all around the world to create a new form of money called a central bank digital currency (CBDC).
A 2021 survey carried out by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) found that nine out of ten central banks were exploring CBDCs. More than half were developing them or running concrete experiments.
The Tokenise Europe 2025 initiative was unveiled in a new report produced by global consultancy Roland Berger, which consolidates individual views of European industry representatives taking part in the effort.
The report outlines the potential of a tokenized economy for Europe in global competition, stressing that tokenization is “crucial to safeguard the region’s future position in the global technological arena and to remain competitive”. Since there is still no clear global front-runner in tokenization, the region has a chance to secure the leading position in the race, the paper says.
A non-representative survey conducted as part of the report polled decision makers, senior managers of Europe’s leading industry and financial services players, and senior public officials, and found that nearly two-thirds of respondents do see tokenization as relevant to their organization and to the management agenda. About half of the participants believe Europe will become a leader in the future token economy.
Consolidated results of the survey at bootcamp sessions (in %), Source: Tokenise Europe 2025, Roland Berger
Overcoming challenges
Though widespread adoption of tokenization has the potential to create new services, introduce new business models and improve efficiency across many industries, several issues are currently holding back a stronger focus on further development, the report warns.
For one, there is a perceived lack of relevance of tokenization in daily business. Hence, tokenization is not often put on the top management agenda of leading companies, perceived instead as a topic to be developed continuously in the long term.
Another factor limiting development can be found in the European culture itself. Compared with other regions, European institutions, companies and citizens are generally more conservative and risk-averse, the report says. While there is no lack of new ideas and use cases for tokenization, these advances are often viewed skeptically by the public, media and business decisionmakers alike, it notes.
The third factor is the general lack of awareness and understanding of DLT and blockchain, which ultimately nurtures a certain level of skepticism.
Against this backdrop, European regulators have a critical role to play in establishing a uniform legal and regulatory framework that legitimizes tokenization, the report says. This framework should support technological development and incentivize companies to actively innovate. It should also set out a fair competitive environment that enables and actively promotes collaboration across borders.
Central banks also have a role to play and should promote the benefits of tokenization within the financial system, including exploring the potential introduction of a CBDC.
All in all, developing Europe’s token ecosystem will require all stakeholders to make a concerted effort, the report says.
In the private sector, large corporates and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) should analyze their current business models to identify opportunities for tokenization. They should also consider future opportunities that the token economy might create for their business and be actively involved by developing commercially viable and scalable use cases.
Finally, because private citizens will ultimately be the main users of tokenization, they need to educate and familiarize themselves with the technology.
Stakeholder-specific needs and calls to action, Source: Tokenise Europe 2025, Roland Berger
The EU has set out plans for the bloc to become “a leader in blockchain technology”, formally launching the so-called Blockchain Strategy to support the widespread adoption of DLT on the policy, legal and regulatory and funding fronts.
Several initiatives have already been introduced as part of the plan, including the development of a pan-European public services blockchain intended to support use cases including notarization, educational credentials, digital identity and trusted data sharing.
The EC is also developing a “pro-innovation” legal framework in the areas of digital assets and tokenization, and smart contracts, which will seek to protects consumers and provides legal certainty for businesses.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/eu-tokenise-europe-2025-initiative-aims-to-boosts-asset-tokenization</link><guid>3066</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Bottomline-Banking-and-Payments-Report-300x250.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>EU “Tokenise Europe 2025” Initiative Aims to Boosts Asset Tokenization</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Takes Second Place in Swiss Startup Funding; Secures CHF 910M in 2022</title><description><![CDATA[In 2022, Swiss fintech companies secured a total of CHF 910 million, a figure that puts the sector at the second position in terms of startup funding raised last year, data from a new report by news portal startupticker.ch and investor association SECA show.
Fintech was overshadowed by information and community technology (ICT), a sector that saw startups secure a total of CHF 1.2 billion. The figure pushed ICT at the top of the ranking, taking the crown from fintech, the top startup sector in 2021.
Invested capital by sector 2013-2022, Source: Swiss Venture Capital Report 2023, Startupticker.ch/SECA, Jan 2023
These figures were shared in the newly published Swiss Venture Capital Report 2023, an annual research that looks at startup funding trends and studies investor sentiment on the Swiss startup ecosystem.




   



    
   


   








Despite the ICT overtake in 2022, historical data shows that fintech funding increased in Switzerland last year, rising 6% from CHF 857.9 million in 2021. This is in contrast to what was observed globally in 2022, during which fintech startup funding slumped drastically by 46% year-on-year (YoY) as investors scaled back their investment pace amid declining public markets.
The Swiss fintech sector saw some sizeable deals in 2022, reflective of investors’ continued bullishness in the industry. Of the top 20 largest financing rounds secured in Switzerland last year, five involved fintech companies, data from the Swiss Venture Capital Report 2023 show.
Two of these rounds were mega-rounds of CHF 100 million and over: Wefox, a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform for insurance providers and intermediaries, closed a CHF 392 million Series D in July, the largest fintech investment in the country last year; and SEBA Bank, a licensed digital asset banking platform, closed a CHF 110 million Series C in January.
Wefox, which is present in countries including Germany, Switzerland and Poland, plans to expand in the Netherlands. The round brought the startup’s total funding to more than US$1.3 billion and pushed its valuation to US$4.5 billion.
Similarly, SEBA Bank, which provides fiat and digital asset payments, transfers, and card services, said it would use the proceeds to expand into new markets and solidify its presence in key markets including Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Middle East. SEBA Bank has secured about US$240 million in funding, data from CB Insights and Dealroom show.
Other fintech deals in the top 20 list include Sygnum, another regulated digital asset bank which closed a CHF 82.4 million Series B in January at a US$800 million valuation; Yokoy Group, a spend management platform for businesses which raised CHF 74.90 million in March, bringing its total funding to over US$107 million; and Portofino Technologies, a company that builds high-frequency trading grade technology for digital assets which secured CHF 48.2 million in September.
Fighting the odds: Swiss startup funding reaches new record
Against the odds, Swiss startup funding reached a new high in 2022, totaling nearly CHF 4 billion in funding secured in 383 deals. The figures represent a YoY increase of 29.7% in funding and 7.9% in deal count.
ICT was among the winners in 2022, with startups in the space attracting over 70% more capital than in 2021 and total funding exceeding the CHF 1 billion mark for the first time. Valuations of startup companies also reached new dimensions for Switzerland, with SonarSource reaching CHF 4.6 billion.
Cleantech is another sector that witnessed strong traction in 2022, raising a total of CHF 826.9 million, thanks to a massive mega-round of CHF 600 million secured by Climeworks. The sum represents a near fourfold increase compared with the previous year. 45 cleantech deals were closed in 2022, representing a 32.3% increase from 2021.
At the other end of the spectrum, biotech funding dipped significantly in 2022, with the amount invested in the sector falling by 47.4% to CHF 400 million in 2022, and the number of rounds decreasing by 48.7%.
Invested capital by sector 2022, Source: Swiss Venture Capital Report 2023, Startupticker.ch/SECA, Jan 2023
Looking at investment stages, data show that seed rounds continued their strong growth trend in 2022, increasing by 27% in number to 166 transactions. For the first time, seed rounds made up for most of financing rounds, accounting for 43% of all startup deals in 2022.
Later stage rounds also grew in number, rising 12% YoY from 78 in 2021 to 87 in 2022. That increase was most noticeable in cleantech and consumer products startups, data show.
2022 also witnessed an increase in the number of growth financing rounds of between CHF 10 million and CHF 20 million. The number of these deals increased from 19 in 2021 to 28 in 2022, representing a 47% growth. This trend showcases the maturing of the Swiss startup ecosystem where more established players are now securing capital to fuel their growth, scale and expand overseas.

Featured image credit: edited from Freepik here and here
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-takes-second-place-in-swiss-startup-funding-secures-chf-910m-in-2022</link><guid>3065</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Invested-capital-by-sector-2013-2022-Source-Swiss-Venture-Capital-Report-2023-Startupticker.chSECA-Jan-2023.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech Takes Second Place in Swiss Startup Funding; Secures CHF 910M in 2022</dc:text></item><item><title>Jumio Makes New Sales Leadership Appointments to Drive Growth</title><description><![CDATA[Jumio, a US-based provider of automated, end-to-end identity proofing, risk assessment and eKYC solutions, has appointed Jon Jones as the company’s new Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales.
With more than 25 years of experience in the fraud and identity space, Jones will drive the company’s global sales strategy in his new role.
He joins Jumio from consumer credit reporting company Experian, where he most recently served as Senior Vice President of Sales Operations and focused on the company’s fraud and identity, software, analytics and consulting product lines.




   



    
   


   








Prior to that, he was the president of Canadian online verification company Trulioo.
Jon Jones
Jones said,
“The whole concept of reducing and removing identity theft and fraud has been with me throughout my career which is why aligning with Jumio’s mission is so important.

Jumio is a leader in the identity space and I look forward to being a part of the company’s next level of growth.”
Simon Winchester
In addition to Jones’ appointment, Jumio had also announced the promotion of Simon Winchester to Vice President of Global Account Management.
Winchester is an industry expert who has worked for the company since 2014 in various enterprise sales leadership roles.
He most recently served as Jumio’s Vice President of Worldwide Advanced Technologies and, before that, Vice President of EMEA Sales.

In his new role, Winchester’s focus is on fostering and growing Jumio’s relationship with its global customer base.
The appointments comes on the heels of Jumio’s announcement just last month that it had cleared over US$200 million in bookings last year.

This article first appeared on Fintech News America. 

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/jumio-makes-new-sales-leadership-appointments-to-drive-growth</link><guid>3064</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Bottomline-Banking-and-Payments-Report-300x250.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Jumio Makes New Sales Leadership Appointments to Drive Growth</dc:text></item><item><title>Global Climate Fintech Funding More Than Doubled to US$2.9B in 2022</title><description><![CDATA[In 2022, funding to climate fintech companies reached a new high, totaling US$2.9 billion in venture capital (VC) raised by companies in the sector, new data from CommerzVentures, the corporate venture capital (CVC) arm of Commerzbank in Germany, show. The sum represents more than double what was secured in 2021 (US$1.2 billion) and showcases accelerating investor appetite for the nascent sector.

Often referred to as green fintech, climate fintech is a relatively new ecosystem of fintech startups that aims to facilitate climate action and drive decarbonization. These companies operate in several segments from carbon accounting software, carbon management platforms and environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards reporting, to impact investing and climate risk management and insurance.




   



    
   


   








Looking at regional trends, data show that Europe maintained its leadership position in 2022 with startups in the space bringing in 1.4 times more funding than their US counterparts.
Across the continent, France took the lead by securing a total of US$770 million. Much of that sum came from EcoVadis’ US$500 million fundraise closed in June 2022.
Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Paris, EcoVadis is a provider of business sustainability ratings, intelligence and collaborative performance improvement tools for global supply chains. The company’s sustainability scorecards and carbon action solutions give businesses detailed insights into environmental, social and ethical risks across 200+ purchasing categories and 175+ countries, allowing organizations to monitor and improve the sustainability performance of their business and trading partners.
EcoVadis claims more than 100,000  business collaborators, among which Amazon, Johnson &amp; Johnson, L’Oréal, Unilever, LVMH, Salesforce, Bridgestone, BASF and JPMorgan.
After France, the UK ranked second, securing a total of US$562 million. The UK is followed by Iceland with US$117 million, Germany with US$109 million and Switzerland with US$84 million.
Looking at funding trends, data from CommerzVentures show that carbon accounting is the most funded climate fintech subsector, having raised a total of US$970 million in 2022.
Carbon accounting refers to tools and solutions that measure and track how much greenhouse gas an organization emits.
Europe’s most well-funded carbon accounting startup is Sweep, a French company founded in 2020 which helps businesses track and act on their carbon emissions. Sweep has secured a total of US$100 million in funding, its latest round being a US$73 million Series B closed in April 2022.
After carbon accounting, carbon offsetting ranked as the second largest climate fintech subsector, raising a total of US$505 million in 2022. The sum represents three times what companies in the subsector secured the year prior, making carbon offsetting the fastest growing climate fintech category.
Carbon offsetting solutions allow organizations to invest in environmental projects around the world in order to balance out their own carbon footprints. These solutions are particularly relevant for industries struggling to lower emissions directly, such as automotive, oil and gas, and aviation.
In Europe, the most well-funded carbon offsetting startup is BeZero Carbon, a London-based carbon ratings agency which has raised US$50 million in funding so far.
A positive outlook for 2023
Paul Morgenthaler, managing partner at CommerzVentures, told Sifted in a recent interview that although carbon accounting and carbon offsetting remained the climate fintech sector’s favored categories last year, new subsectors like biodiversity and natural capital are emerging and gaining traction.
These companies are tackling the “biodiversity crisis” and are introducing “new approaches for investing in natural capital and preserving biodiversity,” similarly to what startups in the carbon offsetting space have been doing with carbon credits. Companies in this space include Natural Metrics, a developer of molecular methods for biodiversity monitoring, and Cecil, a company that provides a platform for natural asset management.
Nevertheless, Morgenthaler expects the whole climate fintech sector to perform well in 2023, a sentiment that was echoed by Nick Sando, principal at UK-based Octopus Ventures, who told Sifted in a separate statement that the upcoming Fit for 55 package in the European Union (EU) will most likely pave the way for “exciting opportunities in the fintech investment space.”
Fit for 55 is a package by the EU designed to reduce the bloc’s greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030. In December 2022, the Council reached agreement on the proposal.
CommerzVentures, a German VC firm founded in 2014, is a specialist fintech investor with EUR 550 million under management. The firm backs early and growth-stage companies in the fintech and insurtech sectors, as well as the emerging climate fintech space in which it claims to be Europe’s largest investor.
CommerzVentures has led investments with ventures like ClimateView, a Swedish climate tech company that helps cities transition to zero carbon, and Doconomy, a provider of applied impact solutions serving banks, brands and consumers from Sweden as well.
The firm closed its third fund in March 2022, amassing a total of EUR 300 million.

Featured image credit: edited from Freepik here and here
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/global-climate-fintech-funding-more-than-doubled-to-us29b-in-2022</link><guid>3063</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Investor-appetite-for-climate-fintech-surges.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Global Climate Fintech Funding More Than Doubled to US$2.9B in 2022</dc:text></item><item><title>Klarpay Expands Global Payment Offering With 13 New Currency Accounts</title><description><![CDATA[Business payments platform Klarpay announced the expansion of its international payment offering with the launch of 13 new currency IBAN accounts.
The currencies include United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED), Australian Dollar (AUD), Canadian Dollar (CAD), Danish Krone (DKK), Hong Kong Dollar (HKD), Hungarian Forint (HUF), Japanese Yen (JPY), Mexican Peso (MXN), Norwegian Krone (NOK), Polish Zloty (PLN), Swedish Krona (SEK), Turkish lira (TRY), and South African Rand (ZAR).
With the introduction of these new currency accounts, Klarpay’s customers will now be able to conduct business more efficiently in multiple countries and currencies.




   



    
   


   








This move follows the launch of USD and GBP accounts in 2022.
Martynas Bieliauskas
“We are excited to offer our customers even more options for conducting cross-border transactions.

Our goal is to empower businesses of all sizes to reach new markets and customers, and these new currency accounts are an important step in achieving that goal.”
said Martynas Bieliauskas, CEO of Klarpay.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/klarpay-expands-global-payment-offering-with-13-new-currency-accounts</link><guid>3062</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Bottomline-Banking-and-Payments-Report-300x250.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Klarpay Expands Global Payment Offering With 13 New Currency Accounts</dc:text></item><item><title>Klarpay’s CTO, on How Payment APIs Have Transformed Transactional Banking</title><description><![CDATA[Rapid digital transformation across the retail, banking and fintech industries brought about a tremendous shift in how online businesses conduct their transactions.
Changing consumer demands, together with the pressure to reduce costs and increase efficiency, lead online businesses to increasingly demand up-to-date technical payment integrations and protocols, with most legacy banks, unfortunately, lacking the necessary modern technical infrastructure to be able to deliver such solutions.
Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) have opened new doors for transactional banking. Namely, two platforms which would have otherwise been incompatible – due to different programming languages, functions, or other features – can now be bridged with an API integration.
APIs practically function as bridges, enabling communication between different platforms, along with the performance of tasks. When it comes to online businesses, in a globalised economy, merchants need to manage diverse pools of liquidity when processing cross-border payments and APIs are used to enable businesses to easily aggregate the data they need to finalise these cross-border transactions instantly and in one place. Thanks to APIs, online businesses today can connect and fulfil these complex tasks seamlessly and in real-time.
To get a better knowledge of the topic, we interviewed Christos Alatzidis, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer at Klarpay AG, who gave us an insight into how APIs are used to transform traditional banking.
Christos Alatzidis, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer at Klarpay AG
Why Use APIs in Global Banking?
Today, digital businesses are in need of immediate cross-border payment processing, quick access to their transactions, and frictionless transfer of funds. To be able to provide these elements, APIs have entered the stage of global banking.
The current systems in traditional banking cannot compete with the rapid growth and needs of consumers and merchants, as well as provide all of these mentioned features in a secure way. That is why fintech companies utilise APIs as a more modern, low-cost solution that would enable the shift from the traditional system to digital banking. By enabling easier access to customer data, APIs also allow consumers to have a better overall experience when it comes to transactions.
What are the Advantages of Using APIs?
Coming from a technological, entrepreneurial background, the main benefit of APIs is the elimination of complex and redundant processes. Fintechs and in general tech-oriented companies tend to strive for automation, as it is a crucial part of growing and sustaining a business model.
APIs act as the bridge between apps; they allow direct communication, leaving all needless cycles aside. Third parties that provide financial services can also ease and speed up their work by not having to depend on heavy verification procedures and relying on the KYC method provided by the bank. What’s more, APIs can allow for a different and effortless method of app creation, facilitating the end-user experience. In fact, as they are easily adaptable to new computing changes, they’re perfect for the fast-changing transactional banking world, allowing flawless data communication.
Finally, despite being seen as susceptible to breaches, APIs allow for better security. Their open architecture can ease the process of monitoring tasks, thus allowing quicker and simpler management as necessary.
How Has the Payment API Benefited Klarpay?
Klarpay’s payment API allows businesses to automate and manage their transactions as well as save time without human intervention, all centered around creating a seamless user experience. It essentially enables entities like fintech companies, marketplaces, media companies, merchants etc., to instruct single or bulk payments, as well as access reports and updates on their expenses and accounts.
Klarpay’s API allows for faster and more secure transactions, which inadvertently results in lower costs for the services. As a two-way benefit, Klarpay’s API gives merchants a chance to conduct transactions regardless of any possible issues that may arise, such as traffic spikes. At the same time, it enables our team to focus on additional tasks and projects that can help improve the efficiency of our products and the overall service.
In short, Klarpay’s payments API is designed to seamlessly integrate into any e-commerce system, making it easy to pay employees, suppliers, and customers.
How Does Klarpay Plan to Keep up With the Pace of Innovation?
With the financial world constantly moving forward, consumers need new ways to pay online while businesses look for innovative solutions to expand their business. Klarpay aims to bridge the gap between online companies and traditional brick-and-mortar financial institutions.
To do that, the first step is expanding the partner network, payment methods and corridors, including DLT payments. Crypto has been a rising trend in every segment of the digital world, as it’s often lower-cost, frictionless, and faster. For merchants, this is a very attractive proposition, and Klarpay holds a significant advantage, as Switzerland is one of the few countries where the conversion of crypto asset transactions enjoys a clear and legal framework. This also implies creating a resilient and dynamic environment in which Klarpay can easily adapt to new paytech changes.
Understanding the client’s needs is the backbone of any successful business, and Klarpay will continue to grow and provide new integrations, using data to create more personalised services that would benefit all merchant clients.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/klarpays-cto-on-how-payment-apis-have-transformed-transactional-banking</link><guid>3061</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Christos-Alatzidis-co-founder-and-Chief-Technology-Officer-at-Klarpay-AG-1024x567.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Klarpay’s CTO, on How Payment APIs Have Transformed Transactional Banking</dc:text></item><item><title>GPT-3 Use Cases in Banking, Finance and Fintech</title><description><![CDATA[Since its release in November 2022, artificial intelligence (AI)-powered chatbot ChatGPT has garnered much excitement in the technology industry, praised by industry observers and experts for its ability to accurately answer questions, mimic human language and complete a wide range of tasks, from creating software to formulating business ideas.
Developed by American AI research laboratory OpenAI, ChatGPT is a chatbot that’s able to articular answers across many domains of knowledge, handle complex queries, debug computer programs, compose music, write poetry, and much more.
ChatGPT leverages Generative Pre-trained Transformer 3 (GPT-3), a language model trained on large Internet datasets. GPT-3 is aimed at natural language answering of questions, but it can also translate between languages and coherently generate improvised text.




   



    
   


   








With 175 billion parameters, GPT-3’s language model is said to be one of the largest language processing AI models to date, making it better than any prior model for producing human-like text.
In the banking and fintech sector, applications for GPT-3 are wide-ranging, encompassing chatbots for customer inquiries, document processing and report generation, personalized financial advice, financial forecasting and fraud detection, to name a few.
Customer support and inquiries
GPT-3 can be integrated into virtual assistants to provide 24/7 customer support and respond to a customer’ financial inquiry in a prompt manner, whether that’s an account balance inquiry, or getting an update on a loan status.
The technology can also be used to facilitate the work of support staff, by, for instance, classifying tickets based on their content and then, getting them appropriately assigned, or by summarizing inquiries, helping thus agents quickly understand the issue and provide an appropriate response in a swift manner.
Document processing
Because GPT-3 is able to automatically extract information from documents and text, the technology can be used to generate financial reports and summaries, ultimately reducing time and effort in manual data analysis and processing.
The technology is able to analyze large amounts of financial data, identify patterns and extract critical insights, making it a powerful tool for use cases such as financial forecasting and investment analysis.
Personalized financial advice
Advisors can use GPT-3 to provide their customers with personalized financial advice. The technology can be used to generate custom-made financial plans and investment strategies based on a user’s goals, risk tolerance and financial situation. It can also identify spending patterns and offer suggestions for budget optimization.
Using GPT-3 for personalized financial advice would imply integrating the technology with a financial management platform, providing it thus with the necessary customer financial data to formulate relevant recommendations.
Loan processing
In loan processing, GPT-3 can make the underwriting process more efficient by automatically analyzing and assessing a borrower’s financial situation, credit history and income.
The technology can also help improve credit decisioning by reducing the risk of human error, identifying risk factors that would be otherwise overlooked, and automatically flagging potential risks.
Fraud detection
Banks can also use GPT-3 for fraud detection. Organizations can use historical fraud and transaction data to train GPT-3 to recognize anomalies in transaction patterns, detect fraudulent activity and flag anomalies.
The technology can assist in the detection and prevention of fraud by generating alerts and reports, and by notifying relevant personnel of potential fraud.
GPT-3 creator OpenAI is ranked by AI researchers as one of the top three AI labs worldwide. The company received earlier this month a multiyear, multibillion-dollar investment from Microsoft, a deal which marked the third phase of the partnership between the two companies and which followed previous investments from the tech giant in 2019 and 2021.
OpenAI’s AI chatbot ChatGPT went viral shortly after its release on November 30, 2022, surpassing one million users in just five days.
Venture capital investment in generative AI, or algorithms that can be used to create original content, increased nearly 500% between 2020 and 2022 to US$1.37 billion, data from Pitchbook show.
Generative AI funding rounds, Source: Pitchbook, Dec 2022

Featured image credit: freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/gpt-3-use-cases-in-banking-finance-and-fintech</link><guid>3060</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Bottomline-Banking-and-Payments-Report-300x250.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>GPT-3 Use Cases in Banking, Finance and Fintech</dc:text></item><item><title>Zurich Insurance Selects AWS to Deliver New Customer Experiences</title><description><![CDATA[Amazon Web Services (AWS) today announced that Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich) is moving its enterprise information technology (IT) infrastructure to AWS.
Zurich will use AWS’s global infrastructure, analytics, and machine learning technologies to deliver new digital customer experiences and drive automation at scale, in support of its worldwide digital strategy. As part of the multiyear strategic collaboration, Zurich will move 1,000 applications to AWS by 2025, including core insurance and SAP workloads.
Zurich will move its critical applications to AWS, simplifying, modernizing, and automating the company’s infrastructure. This approach will provide flexible and scalable application environments, enabling agile product development. Using Amazon Relational Database Service (Amazon RDS), Amazon Aurora (AWS’s fully managed MySQL and PostgreSQL-compatible relational database built for the cloud), and AWS App Runner (AWS’s service to quickly deploy containerized web applications and APIs), Zurich will develop and bring new products to market quicker, saving approximately $30 million a year. As a result, Zurich can focus on innovation and new customer experiences, reinvesting valuable resources into new business opportunities, recruitment, and acquisition strategies. By embracing cloud technologies, Zurich will also be able to streamline and optimize its core business processes and better prepare for new reporting requirements in 2023, including alignment with international financial reporting standards—IFRS 9 and IFRS 17.




   



    
   


   








Zurich will use RISE with SAP on AWS, a fully managed offering that combines SAP’s solution and implementation experience with AWS’ experience in helping customers transform their SAP landscapes on the cloud. By migrating its SAP environment to AWS, Zurich will create a modern, cloud-based system connecting data across its entire business. The SAP workloads migration will consist of 20 landscapes, a collection of servers for a specific workload, including more than 100 individual systems such as human resources (HR) and finance. AWS’s extensive SAP experience will allow Zurich to increase the performance of its SAP applications and integrate its data with advanced analytics and machine learning services to gain predictive capabilities and enterprise-wide reporting.
Zurich works with AWS Skills Guild, a comprehensive skills enablement program that helps organizations accelerate cloud outcomes by creating excitement, increasing employee engagement, and nurturing a culture of learning. The insurance provider has already trained more than 400 employees, with plans to further grow the program. Zurich offers skills development opportunities to help attract and train new employee talent, and accelerate cloud adoption across the company.
Ericson Chan
“We want to help our retail customers lead safer and healthier lives, and bring our business customers peace of mind, by using the power of digital technologies to meet their evolving needs,”
said Zurich’s Ericson Chan, Group Chief Information and Digital Officer.
“Working with AWS will transform the way we bring solutions to market and enable us to make the most accurate and up-to-date insights available to our customers. We look forward to using the new AWS Region in Switzerland to support our regulatory reporting requirements.”
Matt Garman
“Zurich’s focus on customers and innovation over the last 150 years is why it remains a leading insurer for more than 55 million people and businesses around the world. Moving their most critical business applications to AWS allows Zurich to put data at the heart of its business to automate processes, increase efficiency, and improve customer responsiveness,”
said Matt Garman, senior vice president of Sales, Marketing, and Global Services at Amazon Web Services.
“Combining Zurich’s financial expertise with AWS’s broad functionality will help the insurer continue to evolve its business to anticipate customer needs, and provide more personalized insurance products.”
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/zurich-insurance-selects-aws-to-deliver-new-customer-experiences</link><guid>3058</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Bottomline-Banking-and-Payments-Report-300x250.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Zurich Insurance Selects AWS to Deliver New Customer Experiences</dc:text></item><item><title>DailyPay Announces $260 Million in New Funding</title><description><![CDATA[DailyPay announced it has secured $260 million of capital to fuel growth domestically, expand internationally and further invest in product innovation. The funding is divided between revolving credit facility capacity provided by Barclays and Angelo Gordon, and new term loan funding from SVB Capital and a fund managed by Neuberger Berman.
DailyPay first announced a $300 million revolving credit facility from Barclays in March 2022. The additional revolving credit facility capacity ($100 million provided by Barclays and $60 million from Angelo Gordon) provides DailyPay with more capital to service its ever-growing roster of clients. The $100 million in term loan funding will be invested to fuel DailyPay’s continued product innovation and to accelerate growth.
The fundraise announcement comes five months after Kevin Coop joined DailyPay as Chief Executive Officer. In his first five months as CEO, DailyPay has significantly grown its roster of clients and has seen meaningful revenue growth.




   



    
   


   









Kevin Coop
“On-demand pay has proven to be a transformational financial wellness benefit for employers and their employees, and DailyPay is the proven market-leader. Now, our opportunity lies in capturing more of the market, which is overwhelmingly vast green space,”
said Kevin Coop, Chief Executive Officer of DailyPay.
“Our track record of trust and investment from the world’s leading financial institutions validates our business model and path forward. This latest funding further propels us to a position of strength.”

Latham &amp; Watkins LLP advised DailyPay on the financing transactions.
DailyPay partners with leading employers across various industries, including Fortune 500 companies such as Hilton, Target, Kroger and Dollar Tree. The company’s modern, insight-driven pay strategies help companies activate their workforce and build stronger relationships with their employees, who feel more engaged, work harder, and stay longer.

This article first appeared on fintechnews.am


Featured image credit: Kevin Coop, Chief Executive Officer of DailyPay
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/dailypay-announces-260-million-in-new-funding</link><guid>3059</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Bottomline-Banking-and-Payments-Report-300x250.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>DailyPay Announces $260 Million in New Funding</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Funding Drops 46%; Banking Startups Among Worst Hit</title><description><![CDATA[In 2022, fintech companies secured a total of US$75.2 billion in funding, a sum that represents a 46% decline from 2021. Deal counts also decreased, falling 8% year-on-year (YoY) from 5,474 deals in 2021 to 5,048 deals last year, data from CB Insights’ State of Fintech 2022 show.
Fintech funding steady declined throughout the year, dropping from US$30.4 billion in Q1 to US$21.2 billion in Q2, US$13 billion in Q3 and US$10.7 billion in Q4 – the latter being the lowest level since 2018.
Global fintech funding quarterly, Source: State of Fintech 2022, CB Insights, Jan 2023
Investors scaled back their investment pace in 2022 amid slumping public markets, a trend that’s evidenced by the decrease in mega-rounds of US$100 million.




   



    
   


   








In 2022, mega-rounds accounted for just US$36.5 billion, marking a 60% drop from 2021’s record activity. The number of mega-round also fell by 52% YoY to 179.
The year’s top five equity deals were Checkout.com’s US$1 billion Series D, Flexport’s US$935 million Series E, Klarna’s US$800 million round, Viva Wallet’s US$869 million round, and Coda Payments’ US$690 million Series C.
Checkout.com is a company based in the UK that offers a cloud based end-to-end payment platform; Flexport is a technology company from the US that focuses on supply chain management and logistics, including order management, trade financing, insurance, freight forwarding and customs brokerage; Klarna is a leading buy now, pay later (BNPL) startup from Sweden; Viva Wallet is a Greek neobanking startup aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); and Coda Payments is a Singaporean provider of cross-border monetization solutions for digital products and services.
Fintech mega-round funding and deals in 2022, Source: State of Fintech 2022, CB Insights, Jan 2023
Looking at Q4 2022 metrics, data show that the US continued to led the world in fintech funding and deals, securing a total of US$3.9 billion across 342 deals. Europe came second, with US$2.8 billion raised through 248 deals, followed by Asia with US$2.7 billion and 228 deals.
The figures give the US a market share of 35% in Q4 global fintech funding, while Europe and Asia recorded market shares of 26% and 23%, respectively, a ranking that’s consistent with previous quarters.
Across all the regions studied, Latin America and the Caribbeans recorded the sharpest drop, slumping 71% YoY from US$13.9 billion in 2021 to just US$4 billion in 2022.
Fintech funding by region in Q4 2022, Source: State of Fintech 2022, CB Insights, Jan 2023
While the US, Europe, Asia and Latin America all witnessed a drop in both fintech funding and deal counts, Africa was the only region to see a YoY increase in fintech deals, recording 227 rounds in 2022. The number represents a 25% YoY increase.
Notable deals secured in 2022 include MoneyFellows’ US$31 million Series B, Moove’s US$30 million funding round, as well as Tanda and Telda, which secured US$20 million each in respective seed rounds. The four rounds were the region’s largest fintech deals in 2022.
MoneyFellows is a collaborative group lending and savings platform from Egypt; Moove is a mobility fintech that provides revenue-based vehicle financing and financial services to mobility entrepreneurs across ride-hailing, logistics, mass transit, and instant delivery platforms; Tanda is a Kenyan paytech startup; and Telda is an Egyptian consumer money app.
Banking startup funding takes a hit
Though all the major fintech categories witnessed a drop in funding last year, data show that banking startups took the biggest hit, with funding plummeting 63% and deals falling 33% YoY. Globally, banking startups secured a mere US$9.4 billion through 299 deals – the lowest level since 2018.
Notable deals closed in Q4 2022 include Tryllian’s US$358 million round, Lulo Bank’s US$200 million round and Avant’s US$150 million round.
Tryllian is a digital bank from the US that aims to provide customers with banking and payment accounts, investments and insurance services all in one app; Lulo Bank is a Colombian mobile banking app that provides money transfers, payment services and lending products; and Avant is an American fintech company that provides digital banking products, including personal loans, credit cards and auto refinance.
Global banking funding, Source: State of Fintech 2022, CB Insights, Jan 2023
At the other end of the spectrum, capital markets tech companies recorded the lowest percentage drop in funding, with total funding declining 39% YoY from US$3.8 billion in 2021 to US$2.3 billion in 2022. Deal count, meanwhile, fell to a five-year low of just 119 in 2022.
Top equity deals in the space secured in Q4 2022 include Vesttoo’s US$80 million Series C, Viridios Capital’s US$36 million Series B, and BMLL Technologies’ US$26 million Series B.
Insurtech, meanwhile, was the only fintech sector to see a YoY increase in merger and acquisition (M&amp;A) transactions, recording a total of 81 deals in 2022, up 40% from 2021’s 58. The figure represents a new high for the sector.
2022 was an eventful year for the fintech industry, which was marked with much hype around trends including non-fungible tokens (NFTs), open banking, embedded finance and buy now, pay later (BNPL).
While much of these propositions and business models are still trying to find their feet and define a path to profitability, categories including challenger insurtech, challenger banks and point-of-sale (POS) payment processing are starting to be better understood and are finding market applicability and relevance, according to a Dealroom and ABN-AMRO Ventures report.
The 2022 fintech VC hype cycle, Source: Fintech Report 2022, Dealroom/ABN-AMRO Ventures, Jan 2023

Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-funding-drops-46-banking-startups-among-worst-hit</link><guid>3057</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Global-fintech-funding-quarterly-Source-State-of-Fintech-2022-CB-Insights-Jan-2023.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech Funding Drops 46%; Banking Startups Among Worst Hit</dc:text></item><item><title>Zurich Insurance Leads Series B Fundraise for Global Cyber Insurtech Boxx</title><description><![CDATA[BOXX Insurance, a Toronto headquartered insurtech that combines cyber insurance and security announced a US$14.4 million Series B funding round, bringing the total amount raised from investors to US$24.5 million in the last 16 months.
The latest investment was led by Zurich Insurance.
BOXX also announced that its business met its combined goal to grow 10x in the last 24 months whilst continuing to outperform its underwriting targets. Over 250,000 individuals and 10,000 businesses are protected by BOXX.




   



    
   


   








Vishal Kundi
“Our goal was always to help our customers stay ahead of cyber threats in addition to being there to help them respond and recover from an incident,”
said BOXX co-founder and CEO Vishal Kundi.
“We’ve been making a lot of headway with this and additional category expansion.”
In October, BOXX acquired Cyber security platform, Templarbit and has begun the integration of its threat intelligence software into its product suite and underwriting framework.
Over the course of 2022, the company launched its Hackbusters Incident Response, virtual CISO service for businesses, a new mobile app solution for consumers, in addition to testing a number of new security-based initiatives.
“We’re not only seeing more of our existing cyber insurance customers adding our security products, but also seeing new customers coming in attracted by our latest security products and services,”
Kundi said.
BOXX’s mission to make the world a digitally safer place has led to its presence expanding across North America and other selected markets poised for growth. BOXX increased its staff from 5 to 36 in the last year.
In addition to expanding its go-to-market team and adding new products, BOXX has also implemented upgrades to its underwriting platform and tools including third party integrations.
Jack Howell
“We’ve seen how difficult it is to build cyber insurance solutions for the small business and consumer segments – it is costly and requires deep technical expertise to stay ahead. BOXX addresses these challenges unambiguously, affordably, and with a genuine understanding of what customers and their risk advisors need,”
said Jack Howell, CEO of Zurich Global Ventures.
“Helping customers with innovative digital solutions and embedding them into the customer journey, is critical. It’s impressive to see the simplicity in how BOXX is tackling such a complex global challenge.”

This article first appeared on fintechnews.am

Featured image credit: Edited from zurich.com
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/zurich-insurance-leads-series-b-fundraise-for-global-cyber-insurtech-boxx</link><guid>3056</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Bottomline-Banking-and-Payments-Report-300x250.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Zurich Insurance Leads Series B Fundraise for Global Cyber Insurtech Boxx</dc:text></item><item><title>US Fraud Detection Startup Inscribe Raised 25M USD Series B</title><description><![CDATA[Inscribe, a fraud detection and document automation platform, announced that it has raised $25M in Series B funding.
The round was led by Threshold Ventures and joined by existing investors Crosslink Capital, Foundry, and Uncork Capital, as well as angel investors including Box co-founder Dylan Smith and Intercom co-founder Des Traynor, bringing the company’s amount raised to $38M.
Many organizations have responded to this uncertainty by introducing additional steps or requirements in their KYC/KYB and underwriting processes — in which hundreds of hours each week are spent manually reviewing documents determine whether a potential customer can be trusted. This creates delays for consumers, who can easily leave for a competitive offering. And the stakes are very high: Without a clear understanding of how to identify trustworthy and creditworthy customers, financial institutions are at risk of being defrauded by cybercriminals or rejecting worthy applicants (resulting in millions of unbanked, “thin file,” and credit invisible consumers).




   



    
   


   








Ronan Burke

“We set out to help solve the uncertainty faced by risk teams everywhere by building artificial intelligence based on the heuristics used by manual review teams. So for the first time ever, they can build digital trust by quickly analyzing billions of data points with a high degree of accuracy and uncovering insights that were previously invisible to the human eye. Technologies that make what’s invisible, visible (like the telescope, the microscope, the x-ray) have always moved society forward in very powerful and important ways,”

said Inscribe co-founder and CEO Ronan Burke.
“Our mission at Inscribe is to create a fair and efficient financial services ecosystem. We’ve started by building best-in-class document fraud detection so companies can uncover the Risk Intelligence they need to build digital trust with customers. And this is only the beginning.”
According to Deloitte, 79% of financial institutions said that enhancing the quality, availability, and timeliness of risk data was a top priority even prior to the pandemic. Risk Intelligence is a powerful new way for risk teams to identify fraudulent/legitimate and risky/creditworthy customers. Instead of relying on tedious, subjective, and error-prone manual reviews, companies that use Risk Intelligence software are equipped with AI-powered fraud and credit insights that eliminate uncertainty and make risk decisions easier.
The new funding will support Inscribe’s impressive growth, hiring goals, and state-of-the-art innovations in fraud detection. In addition to seeing a 3x increase in ARR and a 4x increase in monthly usage during 2022, Inscribe saw its customer base expand into new areas of financial services. Companies like TripActions, Ramp and General Services Corporation (GSC) are now using the company’s software to uncover Risk Intelligence that saves them hundreds of hours each week and millions of dollars in fraud losses each year.

This article first appeared on fintechnews.am


Featured image credit: Inscribe co-founder and CEO Ronan Burke
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/us-fraud-detection-startup-inscribe-raised-25m-usd-series-b</link><guid>3054</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Bottomline-Banking-and-Payments-Report-300x250.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>US Fraud Detection Startup Inscribe Raised 25M USD Series B</dc:text></item><item><title>PayEm Announces $220M in Equity and Credit Financing</title><description><![CDATA[PayEm, a San Francisco based platform for spend and procurement management announced $220 million in equity and credit financing from Viola Credit, Mitsubishi Financial Group, Collaborative Fund and others to fuel its growth.
Itamar Jobani
“This is a significant milestone in the company’s growth. Our new warehouse credit facility allows us to scale our credit cards operation and support larger customers with our fast-growing payments platform. In addition, the new equity funding will enable us to continue building our platform,”
said Itamar Jobani, CEO, PayEm.
“With the current macroeconomic conditions, it’s never been more important for companies to have an efficient and clear lens into their financial health. We’re pleased to be that single source of truth for them as they may navigate turbulent times and supply chain issues, and simply need to do more with less.”
The PayEm platform enables finance and procurement teams to drive compliance, help create a culture of accountability, and to drive efficiencies and savings. PayEm today supports customers around the world from its offices in San Francisco and Tel Aviv. Over the last year, PayEm grew its customer base by 300 percent and its revenues by 550 percent.




   



    
   


   








Leadership and advisory team additions
The company has also announced three major additions to its leadership team.
Steve Sovik has joined as Chief Revenue Officer. Prior to PayEm, Steve served as Chief Revenue Officer at Tipalti, where he grew sales 3,250% in 3.5 years. Formerly, he was SVP of Global Sales at Coupa.
Dorit Bruner, joins as PayEm’s CFO overseeing PayEm’s finance, legal and accounting with the practice as being a part of senior management finance teams for over 20 years leading large teams through periods of exponential growth, including her tenure at Datorama, where she led the company through their recent acquisition by Salesforce for $850 million.
Gilad Bonjack joins as the company’s VP Product with experience from multiple leading global SaaS companies, such as Hi-bob and Lightsticks.
Also, the Company is announcing today a new addition to its advisory board. Greg Tennyson, former VP and Chief Procurement Officer at Oracle, Salesforce, and most recently at VSP Global, brings procure-to-pay technology experience, best practices, and digital transformation knowledge spanning three decades. Greg has been on the advisory boards of Oracle, Coupa, Aravo Solutions, ScoutRFP (now Workday), and Zip. At PayEm, Greg will work closely with the leadership team to shape the product vision and roadmap and bring much-needed innovation to the procurement space.

This article first appeared on fintechnews.am

Featured image credit: Itamar Jobani, CEO, PayEm
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/payem-announces-220m-in-equity-and-credit-financing</link><guid>3055</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Bottomline-Banking-and-Payments-Report-300x250.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>PayEm Announces $220M in Equity and Credit Financing</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Lending Platform TP24 Secures Mezzanine Funding From Channel Capital</title><description><![CDATA[Zurich-based lending platform TP24 announced that it has secured mezzanine financing for an undisclosed sum from Channel Capital Advisors.
The mezzanine funding will enable TP24 to free up equity capital to fuel its business growth and drive its global expansion plans.
TP24 is a data-driven business lender providing working capital facilities to SMEs seeking a reliable financing solution.




   



    
   


   








Paul Wilson
Paul Wilson, Channel’s Chief Investment Officer said,
“We’re delighted to support TP24’s ambitious growth plans through the delivery of strategic financing. The mezzanine facility will enable TP24 to free up the capital required to fund their business expansion and expand internationally.

This transaction is an excellent example of how Channel’s funds can add value to our partners’ growth plans, while also delivering exceptional returns for our investors.”
Matthias Kribbel
Matthias Kribbel, Co-founder and Managing Director at TP24 said,
“The mezzanine tranche is an important step for our European business, enabling us to further grow our book of SME credit facilities.

Our receivables-backed financing solution not only provides mid-sized businesses with much needed liquidity, it also enables them to become more independent from banks.”


Featured image credit: edited from freepik,
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-lending-platform-tp24-secures-mezzanine-funding-from-channel-capital</link><guid>3053</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Bottomline-Banking-and-Payments-Report-300x250.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Lending Platform TP24 Secures Mezzanine Funding From Channel Capital</dc:text></item><item><title>Boerse Stuttgart Deepens Digital Asset Partnership with Axel Springer and SBI</title><description><![CDATA[Boerse Stuttgart Group strengthens its digital business and further expands its strategic partnership with Axel Springer and SBI Group via SBI Digital Asset Holdings.
Both partners deepen their investment and are now invested in the entire digital business of Boerse Stuttgart Group, which will be bundled under the brand “Boerse Stuttgart Digital” in future. Boerse Stuttgart Digital offers trading and brokerage solutions and crypto custody for institutional clients, as well as the award-winning retail platform BISON.
Matthias Voelkel
“With Boerse Stuttgart Digital, we create a one-stop shop for institutional and retail clients along the entire value chain of cryptocurrencies and tokens. We are highly regulated, stable and transparent. We are the trusted crypto infrastructure partner for European financial institutions intending to provide their clients with secure access to cryptocurrencies and tokens. Axel Springer and SBI Group are globally leading digital companies who share our growth ambition. We are delighted to further scale Boerse Stuttgart Digital with them,”
said Dr. Matthias Voelkel, CEO of Boerse Stuttgart Group.




   



    
   


   








As the largest digital publishing house in Europe, Axel Springer will contribute its expertise with regard to retail offerings:
“Boerse Stuttgart Digital provides retail customers and institutional partners with a regulated offering along the entire value chain. This is unique in Europe. I am looking forward to the further cooperation and to supporting the offering in the future”,
said Dr Valentin Schöndienst, Senior Vice President New Business at Axel Springer.
The Japan based financial conglomerate SBI Group, via its subsidiary SBI Digital Asset Holdings, has built a global network of digital asset and cryptocurrency businesses. The network consists of a combination of strategic partnerships and minority investments and is complemented by the development of core digital asset products and services from within the group.


Featured image credit: Dr. Matthias Voelkel, CEO of Boerse Stuttgart Group
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/boerse-stuttgart-deepens-digital-asset-partnership-with-axel-springer-and-sbi</link><guid>3048</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Bottomline-Banking-and-Payments-Report-300x250.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Boerse Stuttgart Deepens Digital Asset Partnership with Axel Springer and SBI</dc:text></item><item><title>With an Estimated US$800B in Payments Processed Annually, Apple Has Become a Key Actor in the Global Fintech Scene</title><description><![CDATA[In 2022, Apple controlled an estimated US$800 billion worth of payments, making the American technology company a significant fintech player globally, a new report by Flagship Advisory Partners, a boutique consultancy and mergers and acquisitions advisory firm from the Netherlands, says.
By 2030, that amount is projected to soar to US$3.2 trillion, rising at an annual growth rate of 19% from 2022 as the tech firm continue to expand its product portfolio.
The new paper, released on January 11, 2023, looks at Apple’s fintech ecosystem, delving into the firm’s existing products and services, ongoing projects and growth metrics.




   



    
   


   








According to the report, Apple’s mobile payment service, Apple Pay, currently stands as the company’s largest source of fintech flows, accounting for more than US$500 billion worth of transactions in 2022 and an estimated 30 billion transactions.
These metrics imply that about 3% of all Visa and Mastercard (V/MC) consumer card value and 10-12% of V/MC card transactions in North America and Europe went through Apple Pay in 2022, the report claims.
A comparison with market leader PayPal reveals that Apple Pay has achieved rather impressive growth in a relatively short amount of time. Apple Pay is just under half of the size of PayPal by volume of flows, and yet the mobile wallet has been operational for just eight years, against 24 years for PayPal, it notes.
Introduced in 2014, Apple Pay is a mobile payment service that allows users to make payments in person, in iOS apps, and on the web. The service has risen in popularity at both the physical point-of-sale (POS) and online. In early 2022, the firm claimed that Apple Pay had achieved a 90% penetration rate among US retailers.
Building on this momentum, Apple introduced Tap to Pay on iPhone in February 2022, making the adoption of the mobile wallet even easier for merchants.
Tap to Pay, which allows businesses to accept Apple Pay, contactless credit and debit cards, and other digital wallets with only an iPhone and no additional hardware, has already gained the support of payment platforms Adyen, Square, and Stripe, with more expected to come.
Flagship Advisory Partners has bullish expectations on the growth of Tap to Pay, projecting more than US$60 billion worth of payments via the software POS by 2030.
Apple Tap to Pay illustration, Source: Apple
After Apple Pay, the second largest source of fintech flows are the payments that Apple itself receives as a merchant through its own sales channels. These include the Apple stores, Apple.com, Apple’s music, TV and video channels, as well as the App Store, the report notes.
An estimated US$242 billion worth of transactions was reported in 2022, with the App Store making up for most of the sum at US$100 billion and generating US$25 billion in revenue for the company.
Apple’s Estimated Fintech Ecosystem Volume Flows by Product &amp; Service (2023), Source: Flagship Advisory Partners, Jan 2023
Expanding the consumer fintech business
These past couple of years have seen Apple jumping deeper into financial services, a development that’s evidenced by the firm’s new product announcements, the report notes.
In 2017, the company launched Apple Cash, a solution that allows users in the US to send and receive money, hold an Apple Cash balance and transfer money back to a bank account easily.
This was followed in 2019 by the introduction of the Apple Card, a credit card created by Apple and issued by Goldman Sachs. The card is designed primarily to be used with Apple Pay on Apple devices such as an iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or Mac. Currently, it is available only in the US, with 6.7 million American cardholders in early 2022.
Apple Card dashboard, Source: Apple, Jan 2023
Other consumer fintech products are in the works, including the Apple Pay Later, a buy now, pay later (BNPL) solution that will allow users in the US to spread the cost of a purchase into four payments over six weeks, without paying interest or fees; and the Apple Savings account, a “high-yield” interest-bearing savings account that will be administered by Goldman Sachs.
Apple’s Fintech Development Timeline (2023, Select Key Events), Source: Flagship Advisory Partners, Jan 2023
These developments indicate that the tech firm is working on expanding its portfolio of consumer fintech products, the Flagship Advisory Partners report says. It notes that while volumes arising from Apple Card and Apple Cash remain modest with an estimated US$30 billion worth of transactions in 2022, this sum could grow to US$350 billion by 2030 as Apple continues to launch new consumer fintech products.
Looking at Apple’s fintech operating model, the report notes that, so far, the firm has relied on a slew of partners including Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase as well as Visa and Mastercard, to process payments and offer Apple-branded consumer fintech products.
Though evidence suggests that Apple may be looking to reduce its dependency on third parties and banking partners, it is unlikely that the firm will subsume all or most of the value chain roles delivered by partners today, Flagship Advisory Partners says. This is because the collateral damage for becoming a fully licensed bank would be just too great, compared with collaborating with strong partners that are offering increasingly well-designed banking-as-a-service (BaaS) propositions, it says.
In addition to its consumer fintech line, Apple has also been working on expanding its digital identity offering. The Apple Wallet, an app that stores users’ credit and debit cards, loyalty and rewards cards, as well as credentials, saw several developments in 2022, including the launch of driver’s licenses and state identity documentation (ID) on the app. Currently, three US states offer driver’s licenses and state IDs in Apple Wallet: Arizona, Colorado, and Maryland.

Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/with-an-estimated-us800b-in-payments-processed-annually-apple-has-become-a-key-actor-in-the-global-fintech-scene</link><guid>3049</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Bottomline-Banking-and-Payments-Report-300x250.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>With an Estimated US$800B in Payments Processed Annually, Apple Has Become a Key Actor in the Global Fintech Scene</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Company Numarics Joins Forces With Top Ten Accounting Firm A&amp;O Kreston</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss fintech company Numarics AG is merging with the multiple award-winning fiduciary company a&amp;o kreston ag. The startup Numarics, founded in 2020, thus completes another important growth step in the still short history of the company. a&amp;o kreston is number four in the category 50 to 249 employees and thus one of the leading fiduciary companies in Switzerland.
Numarics was founded by fiduciaries, auditors and experts in technological process automation as a fintech company focused on increasing efficiency in the accounting sector through the optimized interaction of fiduciary experts and digital ecosystem. Just a few weeks ago, Numarics announced a partnership with UBS, a major Swiss bank. Numarics provides an integrated, intuitive and seamless end-to-end solution for digitized fiduciary services. Last year, Numarics won the prestigious Best of Swiss App award.
With the merger, a highly qualified team of 70 fiduciaries, tax advisors and auditors at five locations in German-speaking Switzerland joins Numarics. The number of clients at Numarics thus rises to over 3,000. The team of experts now works under the slogan and philosophy: ‘We speak numbers’.




   



    
   


   








Dominique Rey
Dominique Rey, co-founder and CEO at Numarics, about the merger:
“The acquisition of a&amp;o kreston is an important milestone in the development of our Fintech. With the merger, we are not only merging with a first-class fiduciary company, but are also gaining unique expert know-how. This expert knowledge of a&amp;o kreston means a quantum leap for Numarics.”
Rey, a certified public accountant, will continue to serve as CEO of Numarics.
Emre Özdemir, certified public accountant and CEO of a&amp;o kreston, explains:
“The vision of combining the expert knowledge of our company with the technology-based approach of Numarics convinced the partners of a&amp;o kreston from the very beginning. We are thus consistently pursuing the path to digitalization of the activities of fiduciary experts. We look forward to implementing this vision together with our colleagues at Numarics.”
Emre Özdemir will take over the core business of Fiduciary Operations at Numarics and, along with it, the Customer Success division in German-speaking Switzerland.
Benjamin Merkli, who is a partner and head of taxes as a certified tax and fiduciary expert at a&amp;o kreston ag, will be responsible for the specialized service areas at Numarics, including taxes and payroll and personnel administration, and will also serve as CFO.
Kristian Kabashi, business process technologization expert, M&amp;A and internal operations specialist and co-founder at Numarics, has been instrumental in guiding the development of the Numarics solution and will continue to lead the international product and engineering team.
Angela Beltrame, who as a partner leads the Payroll division at a&amp;o kreston ag, will take over this function at the merged group. Bora Erbil, partner at a&amp;o kreston, will now head the Marketing and Digital Communication department.
Manuel Vogel, PhD economist and certified tax expert, previously Chairman of the Board and Partner at A&amp;O Kreston, will continue to contribute his first-class and excellent know-how in the field of (international) VAT. Volker Doberanzke, Professor of Finance, Founding Partner and Chairman of the Board of Numarics will accompany the role of Chief Strategy Officer. Manuel Vogel and Volker Doberanzke will alternately chair the Board of Directors of Numarics.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-company-numarics-joins-forces-with-top-ten-accounting-firm-ao-kreston</link><guid>3050</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Bottomline-Banking-and-Payments-Report-300x250.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Company Numarics Joins Forces With Top Ten Accounting Firm A&amp;O Kreston</dc:text></item><item><title>Inventx erwirbt Mehrheitsbeteiligung an Wiler Spezialistin für Datentransformation</title><description><![CDATA[Die Inventx übernimmt rückwirkend per 1. Januar 2023 die Aktienmehrheit der DTI-Gruppe.
Die DTI ist eine unabhängige Dienstleisterin für digitales Informationsmanagement mit Sitz in Wil SG, einer über 25-jährigen Firmengeschichte und Expertise in der digitalen Transformation und im Informationsmanagement. Sie wird ihren Wachstumsweg als operativ eigenständiges Unternehmen unter der bewährten Führung fortsetzen und ihre Vision des Intelligent Document Lifecycles gemeinsam mit der Inventx verwirklichen. Mit den DTI-Lösungen, integriert in die Inventx Open-Finance-Plattform (ix.OFP), profitieren Schweizer Banken und Versicherungen künftig von innovativen und intelligenten Services rund um Document Processing, Archivierung und Suche.
Die DTI Gruppe wird die Inventx mit ihren Lösungen und Kompetenzen rund um Digitalisierung, Transformation und Management von Inhalten und Daten unterstützen. Dabei bringt sie langjährige Erfahrungen aus der Banken- und Versicherungsbranche mit.




   



    
   


   








Kaspar Tappolet
Kaspar Tappolet, bisheriger und künftiger CEO und Mitinhaber der DTI, freut sich über die Partnerschaft und erklärt:
«Wir pflegen bereits seit längerer Zeit eine intensive Zusammenarbeit. Aus den vielen positiven Erfahrungen heraus haben beide Seiten das grosse Potential und den Mehrwert erkannt, die eine Vertiefung der Geschäftsbeziehung für uns als auch für unsere Kunden mit sich bringt. Durch die Bündelung der Expertise von DTI rund um den gesamten Document Lifecycle mit der Open-Finance/Insurance-Kompetenz von Inventx profitieren die Banken und Versicherungen bei ihrer Prozessdigitalisierung von vollständig gemanagten SaaS-Lösungen aus einer Hand.»
Gregor Stücheli
Gregor Stücheli, Verwaltungsratspräsident der Inventx, bestätigt:
«Nicht nur die komplementären Dienstleistungen, sondern auch die kundenorientierte Unternehmenskultur sowie eine hervorragende Reputation und exzellente Referenzen im Banken- und Versicherungsumfeld verbinden uns. Wir erhalten durch DTI zudem auch Zugriff auf ein ergänzendes Ökosystem, das uns zu noch mehr Relevanz und damit Wettbewerbskraft im Finanzmarkt verhilft.»
Die DTI Gruppe wird im neuen Setup weiterhin eigenständig und produktunabhängig operieren. Das bisherige Management, das neben Kaspar Tappolet den CTO Peter Angehrn und den COO Stefan Schmid sowie Kai David und Daniel Szlapka, die beiden Managing Directors der DTI GmbH in Deutschland, umfasst, bleibt unverändert an Bord.

Gruppenfoto v.l.n.r.: Kaspar Tappolet, CEO DTI, Gregor Stücheli, VRP Inventx, Peter Angehrn, CTO DTI, Stefan Schmid, COO DTI
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/inventx-erwirbt-mehrheitsbeteiligung-an-wiler-spezialistin-fur-datentransformation</link><guid>3051</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Bottomline-Banking-and-Payments-Report-300x250.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Inventx erwirbt Mehrheitsbeteiligung an Wiler Spezialistin für Datentransformation</dc:text></item><item><title>Inventx erwirbt Mehrheitsbeteiligung an Wiler Spezialistin für Daten-Transformation</title><description><![CDATA[Die Inventx übernimmt rückwirkend per 1. Januar 2023 die Aktienmehrheit der DTI-Gruppe.
Die DTI ist eine unabhängige Dienstleisterin für digitales Informationsmanagement mit Sitz in Wil SG, einer über 25-jährigen Firmengeschichte und Expertise in der digitalen Transformation und im Informationsmanagement. Sie wird ihren Wachstumsweg als operativ eigenständiges Unternehmen unter der bewährten Führung fortsetzen und ihre Vision des Intelligent Document Lifecycles gemeinsam mit der Inventx verwirklichen. Mit den DTI-Lösungen, integriert in die Inventx Open-Finance-Plattform (ix.OFP), profitieren Schweizer Banken und Versicherungen künftig von innovativen und intelligenten Services rund um Document Processing, Archivierung und Suche.
Die DTI Gruppe wird die Inventx mit ihren Lösungen und Kompetenzen rund um Digitalisierung, Transformation und Management von Inhalten und Daten unterstützen. Dabei bringt sie langjährige Erfahrungen aus der Banken- und Versicherungsbranche mit.




   



    
   


   








Kaspar Tappolet
Kaspar Tappolet, bisheriger und künftiger CEO und Mitinhaber der DTI, freut sich über die Partnerschaft und erklärt:
«Wir pflegen bereits seit längerer Zeit eine intensive Zusammenarbeit. Aus den vielen positiven Erfahrungen heraus haben beide Seiten das grosse Potential und den Mehrwert erkannt, die eine Vertiefung der Geschäftsbeziehung für uns als auch für unsere Kunden mit sich bringt. Durch die Bündelung der Expertise von DTI rund um den gesamten Document Lifecycle mit der Open-Finance/Insurance-Kompetenz von Inventx profitieren die Banken und Versicherungen bei ihrer Prozessdigitalisierung von vollständig gemanagten SaaS-Lösungen aus einer Hand.»
Gregor Stücheli
Gregor Stücheli, Verwaltungsratspräsident der Inventx, bestätigt:
«Nicht nur die komplementären Dienstleistungen, sondern auch die kundenorientierte Unternehmenskultur sowie eine hervorragende Reputation und exzellente Referenzen im Banken- und Versicherungsumfeld verbinden uns. Wir erhalten durch DTI zudem auch Zugriff auf ein ergänzendes Ökosystem, das uns zu noch mehr Relevanz und damit Wettbewerbskraft im Finanzmarkt verhilft.»
Die DTI Gruppe wird im neuen Setup weiterhin eigenständig und produktunabhängig operieren. Das bisherige Management, das neben Kaspar Tappolet den CTO Peter Angehrn und den COO Stefan Schmid sowie Kai David und Daniel Szlapka, die beiden Managing Directors der DTI GmbH in Deutschland, umfasst, bleibt unverändert an Bord.

Gruppenfoto v.l.n.r.: Kaspar Tappolet, CEO DTI, Gregor Stücheli, VRP Inventx, Peter Angehrn, CTO DTI, Stefan Schmid, COO DTI
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/inventx-erwirbt-mehrheitsbeteiligung-an-wiler-spezialistin-fur-daten-transformation</link><guid>3052</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Bottomline-Banking-and-Payments-Report-300x250.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Inventx erwirbt Mehrheitsbeteiligung an Wiler Spezialistin für Daten-Transformation</dc:text></item><item><title>Hawk AI Accelerates Global Expansion With $17 Million Series B</title><description><![CDATA[Hawk AI, a Munich-based provider of anti-money laundering (AML) and fraud prevention technology for banks and payment companies, announced $17M in Series B financing to accelerate product development and global expansion.
The funding round was led by Sands Capital from Washington D.C., with participation from new and existing investors, including DN Capital, Coalition, BlackFin Capital Partners, and Picus Capital.
Hawk AI helps financial institutions fight financial crime. Powered by Explainable AI and based on flexible cloud infrastructure, the company’s surveillance platform helps financial institutions detect and prevent the financial crime that other systems miss while it supports efficient investigation of suspicious account behavior in a user-friendly case management environment.




   



    
   


   








Tobias Schweiger
“My co-founder Wolfgang Berner and I started this business based on the strong belief that only leading-edge, real-time surveillance technology can deliver the change needed to fight financial crime. This contrasts the obvious, drastic deficiencies in legacy technology. Hawk AI’s growth will continue to be fueled by industry-wide demand for AI, Cloud outsourcing, and a convergence of Fraud and AML technology. This funding will allow us to reach our ambition to become the leading global surveillance platform faster,”
said Tobias Schweiger, CEO and Co-Founder of Hawk AI.
Money laundering and fraud are significant economic and societal problems. More than $2 trillion is laundered annually, fraud losses in the US were over $41 billion in 2022, all while fraud has increased by more than 37% in high-growth markets over the last 12 months. Financial institutions are under constant pressure to improve their transaction monitoring, screening, and customer due diligence initiatives to protect their business. Augmenting traditional rule-based systems with Explainable AI allows such institutions to find more cases of financial crime while drastically reducing the burden of false positives that overwhelm internal teams.
Hawk AI is led by industry experts that have successfully built payment firms and digital banks. The company experienced 298% year-over-year revenue growth in 2022, recently won the coveted Fintech Germany award, and added Singapore to its global presence spanning Munich, London, New York, San Francisco and Paris. Hawk AI operates in more than 60 countries across Europe, North America, Asia, and Latin America, processing billions of transactions for customers including large financial institutions and listed entities. The company partners with leading firms including VISA and Diebold Nixdorf, and more than 40% of Hawk AI’s revenue originates from the USA.

Featured image credit: edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/hawk-ai-accelerates-global-expansion-with-17-million-series-b</link><guid>3038</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Bottomline-Banking-and-Payments-Report-300x250.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Hawk AI Accelerates Global Expansion With $17 Million Series B</dc:text></item><item><title>Payment, Fintech Companies Embrace Sports Sponsorships</title><description><![CDATA[Sports sponsorship deals from financial services and fintech companies alike have increased significantly over the past three years on the back of rising competition in the industry and amid hopes for increased brand awareness and exposure.
According to a new analysis by FXC Intelligence, a financial data company specializing in the international payments, payment cards, cryptocurrency and e-commerce industries, deals from the payment and remittance industries have particularly risen over the past years, with some of the world’s biggest names including Visa, FIS, Mastercard and Amazon Pay, backing major sporting brands and teams.
In the report, released in December 2022, FXC Intelligence delves into the sports sponsorship deals from payment companies that have been announced over the past 18 months and outlines emerging trends.




   



    
   


   








According to the analysis, at least 48 deals have been inked during the period, among which 20 primary sponsorships and 28 payment partnership sponsorships.
Mastercard and Visa emerge as most active payment companies in sports sponsorship
US-based payment firms Mastercard and Visa emerged as the most active payment companies in the field. These firms typically alternate across the biggest events and sports, which range from soccer and American football, to golf and tennis, the report says. These large events allow them to gain massive exposure.
Mastercard has so far been the biggest spender in the payment’s sponsorship market with an estimated spend of more than US$100 million, according to a 2022 GlobalData report. Visa, meanwhile, stands highest in the number of deals and occupies second position after Mastercard as the biggest spender with a reportedly US$119.7 million with 28 deals in 2022.
Other companies use sports sponsorships as a way to increase brand recognition, build positive thematic associations, and be visible to a major international audience, the FXC Intelligence report says.
This is the case for cross-border peer-to-peer (P2P) payment company MoneyGram, which unveiled in October 2022 its title sponsorship of the Haas F1 team, the only American team competing in the FIA Formula 1 (F1) World Championship.
Through the deal, MoneyGram will receive constant global visibility, as the F1 World Championship runs nearly year-round and results in extensive television coverage almost every week.
The F1 World Championship is the world’s most prestigious and popular motorsports competition with a global audience of more than 500 million. The F1 2023 season will take place across 24 races held in 21 countries on five continents around the world. These countries account for nearly 80% of MoneyGram’s transaction value, making these markets of high relevance for the cross-border payment company.
Besides primary sponsorships, other deals have been inked over the past 18 months to tap business-to-business (B2B) opportunities, the FXC Intelligence report says. Most Premier League football clubs have a money transfer partner which often handles the foreign exchange (FX) for the club too, it notes. Such partners include Skrill, TransferMate, Remitly and Sokin.
Cross-border payment sponsorships in sports, Source: FXC Intelligence, Dec 2022
Payment sector sports sponsorship landscape
In 2022, the payment sector accounted for 21% of venue title sponsorship spend across the sports industry, amassing a total of US$2.24 billion, according to the GlobalData report. The sum made the payment sector the most active industry in sports sponsorship spend.
Soccer was the most active sports market for payment’s sponsorship in 2022, the report says, attracting US$819.6 million. The National Basketball Association stood as the most valued property.
As of April 2022, 614 payment brands were engaged in sport sponsorship agreements.
Sports sponsorship has emerged as an appealing proposition for fintech companies, allowing them to connect with wider communities and improve upon the brand perception and value.
Sponsoring high-profile events such as the UEFA Champions League, the FIFA World Cup and the Premier League, in particular, enables fintech companies to cater to target audiences, enhance brand exposure and nurture reliability and trust among a wider community.
Besides payments, startups in the cryptocurrency and insurtech sectors have also gotten in the game. Wefox, a leading insurtech company headquartered in Berlin, became in February 2022 the first-ever back-of-shirt sponsor of the football club AC Milan. The deal, which also made Wefox the club’s official insurance partner, was unveiled in tandem with the launch of the startup’s offering in Italy.
In Switzerland, Wefox also has the Wefox Arena, home to Swiss soccer team FC Schaffhausen. And in Germany, the insurtech startup is the main shirt sponsor of soccer club, the FC Union Berlin, for season 2022/2023.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/payment-fintech-companies-embrace-sports-sponsorships</link><guid>3039</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Bottomline-Banking-and-Payments-Report-300x250.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Payment, Fintech Companies Embrace Sports Sponsorships</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss FIs Expect New Pressures as Well as Opportunities for Instant Payments</title><description><![CDATA[Scan the headlines in these early days of 2023, and you would be forgiven for thinking we’re embarking on the year of digital currency. Not so fast, however.
CBDCs and digital currencies certainly merit a close and sustained look from Swiss financial institutions. But Bottomline’s analysis of proprietary research shows that the smart money is on the faster horses. Specifically, instant payments and the regulations surrounding them will be the most important competitive factor within Swiss borders, as well as the confines of the European Union. And that’s not the only highlight in the study. Just as the Swiss government has decided to promote open banking, it too has shown up as a high priority for its member banks.
But back to instant payments. The switch to that priority has taken place at a dramatic clip. Last year’s Competitive Banking Report put digital transformation via Saas-based technology at number one in terms of “the most relevant topics” for global FIs. The results were consistent when broken down by geography (EU) and individual country. In 2021 45% of all respondents put digital transformation at the top, followed by instant payments.
Fast forward one year, and you will see that 63% picked instant payments as the most relevant topic, followed by fraud detection (54%), cross-border payments (52%) and digital transformation (45%). We would like to think that digital transformation has slipped in relevance because FIs have made so much progress in migrating toward SaaS platforms. By the same token, we surmise that instant payments have risen to the top because banks are driven by the need to innovate and address the preferences of their commercial and retail customers.
The finding becomes even more significant in the context of the instant payments regulatory proposals coming from the EU finance commission and the March 20 ISO 20022 deadline coming from the SIC group. By mandating ISO 20022, the SIC group has all but guaranteed a focus on instant payments within Swiss borders. The EU proposals – which will be taken up more formally later this year – come at a time when banks are under heavier and tighter scrutiny and regulatory oversight than ever before. In the Bottomline report, 45% said compliance and regulation were a key focus. And they should be.
However, these regulations in our view will help speed up bringing instant payments to market. It’s tempting to see regulations as undue pressure on product roadmaps and resources. Part of the answer again focuses on SaaS, where a joint industry solution across multiple banks and FIs benefits from speed-to-market and automatic adherence to new mandates.
Open doors for open banking
The competitive banking report was also notable for its relatively high priority placed on open banking, which checked in at 41% on the relevance scale. That’s an 8% increase in the early stages of open banking delivery compared to last year. This boost should come as no surprise in the face of an increasing number of highly published discussions around open finance and new use cases. But what might be surprising is the Swiss government’s endorsement of open banking, which resulted from the Federal Council’s meeting on December 16. The Bottomline report did part ways somewhat with the stated use cases from the Swiss government. Bottomline found that 43% of global finance leaders said PIS (open banking single payments) would be the lead in their offerings, 40% said open banking enabled refunds, and 39% said Confirmation of Payee. There was also a key preference for variable recurring payments at 35%.
Contrast that to the Federal Council statement that
“promising projects have been launched in areas such as retirement provision, portfolio management, payment transactions, and multi-banking. However, more concrete progress and greater commitment are needed with regard to the opening up of data interfaces.”
On a global scale, the report shows an urgency to deliver innovation, gain a competitive advantage, or stay in the game and avoid disintermediation. Everything is real-time now, and everybody expects everything to work with ‘one press of a button’. The truth is, of course, more complex, and the reality about competing in Switzerland hinges on its sovereignty as well as its membership in the broader EU. However, for executives looking for answers, there’s only one issue: competition. Swiss FIs will need to compete for customers. They will need to compete against fintechs. And they will need to continue on a journey toward digital technology and iron out new wrinkles like open banking to strengthen their competitive set.
Make sure your financial institution is on track to maximise the changes impacting the payments ecosystem and accelerate your digital payments transformation strategy today – that is where true competitive advantage can be leveraged.
Interested to read more about that topic, check out the study “The Future of Competitive Advantage in Payments &amp; Banking “- Read the Report &amp; Take the ‘Live’ Benchmarking Report Now


Featured image credit: edited from Freepik here and here
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fis-expect-new-pressures-as-well-as-opportunities-for-instant-payments</link><guid>3040</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/bottomline-payment.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss FIs Expect New Pressures as Well as Opportunities for Instant Payments</dc:text></item><item><title>Robinhood Launches New Media Outlet Sherwood Media</title><description><![CDATA[Digital investment platform Robinhood is launching a new media arm called Sherwood Media, which will cover the markets, economics, business, technology and the culture of money, the company said last week. The fintech firm joins the growing list of companies that are entering the media business in a bid to gain exposure, sell more products and become more profitable.
Sherwood Media, which will operate as a subsidiary of Robinhood, will be led by media entrepreneur and technology editor Joshua Topolsky and will build on the company’s successful daily newsletter, Robinhood Snacks.
Robinhood Snacks is a three-minute newsletter that aims to give subscribers “a daily dose of financial news.” It’s meant to be “the most fun business news you can get” and easily digestible to the everyday person. Previously known as MasterSnacks until the company was acquired by Robinhood in 2019, Robinhood Snacks has amassed a significant readership, totaling 36 million email subscribers in June 2021.




   



    
   


   








Robinhood Snacks homepage, Source: snacks.robinhood.com
Topolsky, the founder and former editor-in-chief of tech news network The Verge; co-creator of its parent company Vox Media; and a former chief digital content officer at Bloomberg, will serve as the editor-in-chief and president of the newly formed entity.
He will be in charge of overseeing the entire operation, including product development and the hiring of editorial and sales talent, Topolsky told American news website Axios in an interview. Dozens of employees are expected to be hired this year, including reporters, editors and social media content creators, he said.
Sherwood Media will house Snacks, the company said, and a suite of new editorial offerings are expected to be launched throughout 2023 focusing on news updates and analysis, original reporting, social-first content, as well as live events. New newsletter products centered around specific verticals related to business and finance could also be introduced in the future, Topolsky said.
While Robinhood had in the past made no effort to monetize Snacks, Sherwood Media will provide advertising opportunities to select partners, Robinhood said.
Moreover, because Sherwood Media is being established as an independent company, the media outlet will be able to cover Robinhood “where and when it makes sense, with disclosures obviously,” Topolsky said, something Robinhood Snacks wasn’t able to do “to avoid any real or perceived conflict of interest.”
Topolsky compared the move to that of Bloomberg, which started out as a financial software provider before expanding to consumer media and becoming one of the world’s leading news agencies.
Robinhood is one of the increasing number of companies that are either creating or acquiring news and media companies to build their brand, acquire new customers and increase customers retention.
HubSpot, a publicly traded marketing software company, acquired in 2021 The Hustle, a media outlet focused on business news that clocks close to two million newsletter subscribers. The deal reportedly valued The Hustle at around US$27 million.
JP Morgan, the world’s largest financial services institution, acquired The Infatuation, a publisher that offers reviews and recommendations on restaurants across the US and internationally.
Last year, Pipe, a US trading platform for recurring revenues, acquired Purely Capital, a media and entertainment financing company. Pipe said in a statement that the deal was meant to help Pipe expand into other sectors, furthering its mission to becoming the trading platform for any company with recurring revenues, regardless of industry.
Other organizations, meanwhile, have opted instead to build their own media platforms. This is the case for Coinbase, which rolled out in 2021 a new blog called Fact Check to hit back at negative press coverage and “misinformation”.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/robinhood-launches-new-media-outlet-sherwood-media</link><guid>3041</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Bottomline-Banking-and-Payments-Report-300x250.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Robinhood Launches New Media Outlet Sherwood Media</dc:text></item><item><title>Will 2023 Be The Year of B2B Fintechs?</title><description><![CDATA[2022 was a trying year for the fintech industry which faced uncertainties related to geopolitical conflicts, supply chain challenges, as well as rising inflation and interest rates. Macroeconomic headwinds weighed on consumer-facing businesses, forcing many to undergo mass-layoffs and scale back on their expansion plans.
These market conditions have prompted investors to turn their focus on business-to-business (B2B) fintech companies, which many argue are more shielded from market volatility and are poised for strong growth amid digitalization efforts.
Rising interest in B2B fintech is evidenced by the relative dynamism the sector is witnessing as well as strong venture capital (VC) funding activity.




   



    
   


   








Citing data from Dealroom, Panagiotis Kriaris, a fintech executive currently serving as the head of business development at German paytech company Unzer, noted in a recent blog post that the global VC funding pullback has had a limited impact on B2B fintech, compared to B2C fintech.
In 2022, B2C fintech VC funding declined 47%, plummeting from US$57 billion to just US$30 billion. In comparison, B2B fintech VC funding fell down by only 32%, declining from US$93 billion in 2021 to US$63 billion in 2022.
What’s also noteworthy is the considerably larger amount of funding the B2B fintech sector is managing to secure globally compared to B2C fintech, a sum that’s more than double what B2C fintech companies raised last year.
Untapped opportunities
Compared to B2B, B2C business models are much more vulnerable to rising inflation, interest rates and macroeconomic turbulence, investors told Sifted in recent interviews. Additionally, B2C fintech is a rather saturated space, compared to B2B fintech, implying fiercer competition to score customers and the constraint of focusing on growth at all costs to gain the critical mass needed for their business model to function.
“A lot of the B2B fintechs actually need fewer clients. Each one is much larger and brings them much more revenue,” Khalil Hefaf, an investment manager at Target Global, told Sifted.
“While on the B2C side you have to waste loads of money on marketing, on the B2B side, there’s often a network effect where each client you onboard has a network of partner companies you can tap into.”
Another reason why investors are flocking to B2B fintech is the sheer size of the addressable market. The B2B buy now, pay later (BNPL) market, for example, is expected to grow to US$200 billion in Europe and the US over the next couple of years, Berlin-based B2B BNPL startup Mondu told Sifted in May 2022.
London-based B2B BNPL startup Hokodo has an even brighter outlook for the market as it pegs the current Western European B2B BNPL market at US$12 trillion.
Rising adoption of digital technologies
For Magda Posluszny, a fintech investor at Lakestar, another major growth driver of the B2B fintech sector is the accelerated adoption of digital technologies as well as opportunities relating to helping incumbents upgrade their slow and clunky legacy technology.
“There’s always a lag while the infrastructure gets built, but when so many new fintech applications and business models emerged, what became really apparent was that interacting with banks is really difficult: they’re not designed for these higher volumes,” Posluszny told Sifted. “Payments will always be sexy: there’s still a massive problem to solve everywhere in Europe around B2B payments, so we’ll always looking for the next solution there.”
Echoing Posluszny’s statements, Unzer’s Kriaris said that “adding tangible value to all kinds of organizations across an ever-wider spectrum of segments remains a long untapped opportunity.”
He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing enforced digitization have drastically changed the way businesses perceive their B2B needs, and the way they buy technologies and services, prompting increased demand for B2B digital solutions.
B2C fintech companies enter the B2B space
The rise of B2B fintech is further evidenced by the flurry of B2C fintech companies building out a B2B software side to their business and launching relevant products.
In the UK, neobank Starling Bank said last year that it would sell its software to other banks to fulfil its global ambitions rather than expand via its core consumer digital banking offering. The digital bank has 3 million clients, about 500,000 of which are businesses.
BNPL leader Klarna is another fintech firm exploring B2B opportunities, launching in May 2022, its Klarna Kosma open banking sub-brand and business unit. The open banking platform focuses on connecting financial services businesses to tens of thousands of banks across Europe and the US.
Finally, payments heavyweight American Express introduced in August 2022 American Express Global Pay, a new digital solution that enables US businesses to make domestic and international B2B payments.
American Express has been strengthening its B2B propositions over the past few years, partnering in September 2021 with Extend, a New York City-based fintech specializing in virtual cards, and collaborating in Billtrust, a B2B accounts receivable automation and integrated payments leader, in April 2022.
The B2B Fintech Opportunity infographic, Source: Panagiotis Kriaris, LinkedIn, Jan 2023

Featured image credit: freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/will-2023-be-the-year-of-b2b-fintechs</link><guid>3042</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Bottomline-Banking-and-Payments-Report-300x250.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Will 2023 Be The Year of B2B Fintechs?</dc:text></item><item><title>SIX Ventures and Circle Invest in Swiss Blockchain Startup Obligate (FQX)</title><description><![CDATA[Obligate, formerly known as FQX, announced it has successfully closed a seed extension funding round, allowing them to scale their blockchain-based platform for bonds and commercial paper.
Blockchange Ventures and Circle Ventures join initial seed co-investors Earlybird and SIX Fintech Ventures – bringing the total seed raise to more than $8.5 million.
With the Obligate platform, companies can issue on-chain bonds and commercial paper to obtain funding from a diverse range of investors. This comes at a fraction of the cost and time of traditional offerings but with the same regulatory certainty, as the instruments are globally enforceable, regulated debt securities. At the same time, investors get access to a wide range of regulated digital debt assets which can be secured with on-chain collateral. Utilizing smart contracts and tokenization in place of intermediaries such as paying and issuer agents, Obligate is able to reduce the costs associated with a bond issuance by 80% and reduce the time needed for an issuance from weeks to hours.




   



    
   


   








Building on their existing blockchain-based debt infrastructure, Obligate will launch its blockchain-based platform in Q1 2023 and enable end-to-end corporate debt funding in a decentralized and regulated environment.
Wyatt Lonergan
Wyatt Lonergan of Circle Ventures shares:
“Obligate is bringing new innovation to help bridge the worlds of traditional finance and DeFi. Through their platform, Obligate is adding utility and a compliant regulatory framework to the emerging real world asset (RWA) DeFi market. We are excited to back the Obligate team as they prepare for their upcoming platform launch.”
Benedikt Schuppli
Benedikt Schuppli, Obligate’s Co-Founder &amp; CEO comments:
“This backing from leading TradFi and Web3 institutions proves the value of applying blockchain technology to traditional financial instruments. This investment enables us to build a more accessible and efficient financial system where borrowers and investors are directly connected. ”
The Obligate platform will launch in February 2023 on the public blockchain Polygon. FQX was the early stage Fintech Startup winner at the Swiss Fintech Fintech Awards 2021.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/six-ventures-and-circle-invest-in-swiss-blockchain-startup-obligate-fqx</link><guid>3043</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Bottomline-Banking-and-Payments-Report-300x250.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>SIX Ventures and Circle Invest in Swiss Blockchain Startup Obligate (FQX)</dc:text></item><item><title>Jumio Surpassed US$200 Million in Bookings Last Year</title><description><![CDATA[Online mobile payments and identity verification company Jumio announced that it had cleared over US$200 million in bookings last year.
Jumio also reported that it had closed both the largest new deal and the largest total deal in the company’s history in Q4 2022.
The firm said in a statement that it will continue to further accelerate its investment in its core technology and innovation to combat fraud.




   



    
   


   








Jumio also made several key executive hires – Susan Walker joined Jumio as Chief Financial Officer in May, bringing more than 25 years of corporate, Wall Street and business strategy experience.
Additional, CTO Stuart Wells joined Jumio in April after nearly a decade at FICO, where he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Product &amp; Technology Officer.
Robert Prigge
“Jumio’s performance in 2022 and clearing US$200 million in bookings speaks to the growth of the identity industry and also of our clear role as the leader in the space.

Despite the extremely daunting global environment, we continue to manage our business closely and focus on execution so we can evolve with the climate, and it continues to pay off. This allows us to further accelerate our investment in Jumio’s core technology and innovation in our ongoing mission to eradicate online fraud worldwide.”
said Robert Prigge, CEO of Jumio.



]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/jumio-surpassed-us200-million-in-bookings-last-year</link><guid>3044</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Bottomline-Banking-and-Payments-Report-300x250.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Jumio Surpassed US$200 Million in Bookings Last Year</dc:text></item><item><title>Wealthtech Startup Everon Closes CHF 2.5 Million Seed Round from TX Ventures</title><description><![CDATA[Zurich-based fintech company Everon, which specializes in digital wealth management, has closed its seed funding round of approximately CHF 2.5 million.
The main investor in the round was TX Ventures, the VC investment arm of the Swiss media company TX Group. There were significant investments from the venture capital firm QBIT Capital and the family office Swiss 5 Group. Another private investor in this round was Dr. Wolfgang Wienand, CEO of Siegfried Holding AG.
The funding round enables Everon to continue working on its vision of opening personal and sophisticated wealth management services, which were previously reserved exclusively for high-net-worth clients . Specifically, Everon will use the funds to expand its existing activities in Switzerland, such as in Private Markets, broaden its technological offering and expand its range of services and strategies.




   



    
   


   








Florian Rümmelein
Florian Rümmelein, Co-Founder and CEO of Everon:
“We are very delighted that experienced investors and business angels such as TX Ventures, Swiss 5 Group, QBIT Capital and Wolfgang Wienand entrust us with their capital during a challenging market environment. The financing round helps us to grow our Swiss business and extend the product offering and functionalities. We see two increasing trends, which affirm our mission to democratize private banking: the need for personal advice and individual investment solutions as well as the strong need for the scalable, disruptive technologies required.”
Krzysztof Bialkowski
Krzysztof Bialkowski, Managing Partner at TX Ventures:
“The wealth industry is undergoing a paradigm shift as customers are demanding a wider array of investment options with access to alternative asset classes and a seamless and personalized service experience. Mass affluent clients, who are not well served by traditional banks, are not offered access to private banking. We believe that Everon is very well positioned to fill the gap and serve wealth management needs of mass affluent clientele with its digital private banking solutions.”

Featured image credit: Everon management team from left to right: Jonas Bächinger, Lilais Funk, Brice Zanetti und Florian Rümmelein
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/wealthtech-startup-everon-closes-chf-25-million-seed-round-from-tx-ventures</link><guid>3045</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Bottomline-Banking-and-Payments-Report-300x250.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Wealthtech Startup Everon Closes CHF 2.5 Million Seed Round from TX Ventures</dc:text></item><item><title>N26 and Bitpanda Expand Crypto Trading Product to Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[German neobank N26 has partnered with Austrian crypto platform Bitpanda to expand its in-app crypto trading product to its customers in Germany, Portugal, Belgium, Ireland and Switzerland from €1 onwards.
The N26 Crypto was already rolled out in Austria late last year to enable N26’s customers to invest in a wide range of over 200 crypto assets.
Customers who have successfully completed N26’s identity verification and eligibility checks can access N26 Crypto from the “Trading” section within their N26 app’s new “Finances” tab.




   



    
   


   








To open a position, they simply need to select the coin and the amount they would like to trade, and the cash equivalent of the trade will be deducted from their bank balance, while coins will appear in their N26 Crypto portfolio instantly.
The same immediacy also applies when customers choose to close an open position in their N26 Crypto, with funds made available immediately in their main bank account the moment a position is closed.
Customers will be able to track their purchase history and portfolio development in real time. The transaction orders are also transparent with the fees to be reviewed and confirmed by the customers before each transaction is made.
The product will be made available progressively to eligible customers over the coming weeks effective 17 January.
Gilles BianRosa
Gilles BianRosa, Chief Product Officer at N26 said,
“The N26 banking experience has always been built around the customers’ needs, with features that make money management easy.

With N26 Crypto we have created a simple, intuitive product that integrates seamlessly into N26’s fully-regulated banking experience where one’s bank balance, savings, and investment portfolio sit side by side – with cryptocurrencies being the first asset class we intend to offer.”
Valentin Stalf
Valentin Stalf, Co-founder and Co-CEO of N26 said,
“Market fluctuations aside, cryptocurrencies continue to remain a requested and interesting asset class for investors and a growing part of the financial system.

Cryptocurrency trading is often the entrypoint to investing for a new generation of investors who are looking to explore ways to grow their wealth. With N26 Crypto, we are offering a simple way to trade and invest, with a great user experience and low and transparent fees.”


]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/n26-and-bitpanda-expand-crypto-trading-product-to-switzerland</link><guid>3046</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Bottomline-Banking-and-Payments-Report-300x250.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>N26 and Bitpanda Expand Crypto Trading Product to Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Top Payments Trends to Look Out for in 2023</title><description><![CDATA[The outlook for the global payments market in the years to come is expected to be rather favorable, with a projected average annual revenue growth of 9% between 2021 and 2026 and total revenue set to reach US$3.3 trillion by then, according to McKinsey’s 2022 Global Payments Report.
These gains will be created by several trends and forces reshaping the landscape, including embedded finance and technological modernization efforts from banks and other industry players, the report says.
The 2022 McKinsey Global Payments Report, released in October 2022, provides a detailed analysis of the 2021 results and the insights they reveal, delving into top trends arising in the sector such as embedded finance, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and sustainability.




   



    
   


   








According to the report, 2021 was a fruitful year for the global payments industry, which manifested resilience despite market turbulence. In 2021, payments revenues rebounded strongly, growing 11% to reach a new high of US$2.1 trillion and exceeding expectations.
Global payments revenues, 2012-26F, Source: 2022 McKinsey Global Payments Report, Oct 2022
Within the next four years, global payments revenues are expected to continue growing steadily, facilitated by modernization efforts in the industry and new opportunities brought about fundamental changes in commerce, merchant and consumer behavior, as well as technology.
Embedded finance, a trend that has risen sharply over the past few years, will play a key role in the growth of global payments, the report says, owing to rising adoption of these solutions by both consumers and businesses.
Already, a number of non-banks and technology players are using embedded finance, leveraging these solutions to enhance their role in the commerce experience, increase their engagement with end users, and gather additional customer data. They view embedded finance as a tool to gain a competitive edge and as a way to provide their customers with the integrated experiences they request, the report notes.
At the other end of the spectrum, traditional financial services are being provided with new opportunities to address this demand by delivering the infrastructure needed to enable embedded finance, it says.
Embedded finance reached US$20 billion in revenues in the US in 2021, according to McKinsey. The consulting firm estimates that the market could double in size within the next three to five years.
Another trend outlined in the report is the push for payments modernization among banks and payments firms.
Payments infrastructures are currently undergoing full redesigns, and banks are making fundamental adjustments to their core payment systems largely in response to the continued rise of real-time payments, open banking requirements and cloud technology, the report says.
Global instant payments have grown tremendously over the past years. In India, Spain and Thailand, real-time payments usage nearly double each year, while in Australia and Singapore, it’s increasing by roughly 50% annually, the report says. In China and the UK, where real-time payments have already achieved broad adoption, growth continues at double-digit rates.
McKinsey expects global growth of instant payments to continue at double-digit rates and rise faster than the 10% growth rates for cards observed over the past two years.
Open banking, meanwhile, continues to see increased adoption, especially in Europe. In the UK, the combined adoption of account information services and payment initiation services stood at 15% of online adult in 2022, according to market research company Forrester. That proportion is projected to soar to 44% by 2027, growing at an annual rate of 23%.
Open banking payments are also expected to increase rapidly over the next five years, rising from 71 million transactions in the UK in 2022 to 1.6 billion by 2027.
The report also highlights the rise of digital payments, especially in emerging markets where innovations are proliferating.
Globally, the number of non-cash retail payment transactions increased at an annual growth rate of 13% between 2018 and 2021, according to McKinsey. That figure is the highest in emerging markets where annual growth stood at 25% during the period.
In markets with less developed payments infrastructure and where telecom companies and other providers face fewer regulatory barriers, non-bank wallets are outperforming traditional banks in digital payments usage.
In the Philippines and Vietnam, wallets are the leading e-commerce payment method, accounting for 31% and 25% of transaction value, respectively. In Thailand, wallets are the second most used e-commerce payment method after bank transfers.
Dominant digital payments players by market characteristics, Source: 2022 McKinsey Global Payments Report, Oct 2022
Other trends highlighted in the McKinsey report include sustainability and the rise to relevancy of environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles, the macroeconomic environment that’s marked by higher interest rates and inflation, geopolitical disruptions that are prompting moves to greater payments regionalization and localization, as well as the big capital market reset that has seen the valuation of “attacker” payments companies plummet and which is creating opportunities for incumbents to consider acquisitions.

Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-payments-trends-to-look-out-for-in-2023</link><guid>3047</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Bottomline-Banking-and-Payments-Report-300x250.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Top Payments Trends to Look Out for in 2023</dc:text></item><item><title>Starbucks Taps Embedded Finance to Improve Customer Experience and Increase Retention</title><description><![CDATA[Starbucks, an American multinational chain of coffeehouses and roastery reserves, has been dipping its toes into fintech for a while now, leveraging embedded finance to craft superior customer experiences and build loyalty, a new analysis by fintech-focused research firm WhiteSight shows.
The report, which delves into the firm’s fintech moves, reveals that Starbucks has embraced a variety of embedding financial and lifestyle products to extend customer engagement. These products range from mobile payments, stored value cards, gift cards and reward programs, to wearable payments, bitcoin payments and digital collectables.
According to the report, Starbucks’ fintech moves have been centered around strengthening its rewards system and loyalty program. By leveraging embedding finance products, Starbucks has maximize personalization, drive brand growth and outpace its competitors and banks in deepening customer relationships, it says.




   



    
   


   








Starbucks’ fintech journey
Starbucks formally started its fintech journey back in 2001 with the introduction of the Starbucks Card, a program that allows users to preload money into an account for later purchases. This was followed a few years later by the launch of its Starbucks Card rewards program.
In 2009, Starbucks consolidated the two concepts to form My Starbucks Rewards and launched, in tandem, the Starbucks Card Mobile App. The Starbucks Card Mobile App is a mobile payment platform that allows users to load up money to their accounts, pay for purchases using their smartphone, check their balance and view transactions. This new app was aimed at improving convenience and user experience, the report notes. It provided the company with the necessary data to understand customer preferences and behaviors, and provide them with personalized rewards, driving thus retention.
From then and up until 2015, Starbucks focused on expanding its digital payment capabilities and achieving a more frictionless payment experience. This materialized with partnerships with banks, payment networks and fintech companies to enable contactless, mobile and online payments, and build customer loyalty.
 Starbucks’ crypto moves
2016 was the year Starbucks started dipping its toes into cryptocurrencies and blockchain, announcing in December that users of its mobile app could now use IPayYou to make bitcoin payments.
In 2019, the company formally showcased its commitment to embracing blockchain, unveiling a collaboration with Microsoft to develop a blockchain-based supply chain tracking system and mobile app for customers to track the supply chain journey of the beans they buy and the coffee they drink. This was followed a few months later by a partnership with Bakkt, a crypto trading platform, to accept crypto payments.
2022 marked the start of Starbucks’ journey into the metaverse. Starbucks Odyssey, which was unveiled in September, aims to offer a new experience powered by Web3 technology, allowing Starbucks Rewards members and employees to earn and purchase digital collectible assets and use them to unlock access to new benefits and experiences.
Starbucks Odyssey was launched in beta in December, providing a small group of waitlist members in the US to participate in a series of interactive activities and earn non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
Starbucks’ fintech moves, Source: Whitesight, Dec 2022
Reward and loyalty programs to boost retention
Starbucks Odyssey is an extension of Starbucks Rewards and seeks to help the company connect with its customers in new ways, the firm said in a statement, opening access to immersive experiences both physically and digitally.
According to Starbucks’ Q4 fiscal 2022 results, the Starbucks Rewards program had 28.7 million members in the US in November 2022, up 16% year-over-year (YoY). Starbucks Rewards members drove 55% of the company’s US operating revenue for its last quarter that ended in October, officials said.
Researches have shown that loyalty and reward programs are successfully helping organizations retain their most valuable customers and drive retention.
A Nielsen study found that 84% of customers were more willing to choose a retailer that runs a loyalty program. A separate study by Wise Marketer and the Maritz Motivation revealed that 82% of consumers who participated in points-based programs were more likely to purchase more often from these companies. 52% agreed that the chance to earn points influenced them to ignore offers from competitor brands.
Featured image credit from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/starbucks-taps-embedded-finance-to-improve-customer-experience-and-increase-retention</link><guid>3037</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Crypto-Summit-2023-1.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Starbucks Taps Embedded Finance to Improve Customer Experience and Increase Retention</dc:text></item><item><title>Neobanking Offering:  Revolut Metal Named 2022’s Top Mobile Banking Service</title><description><![CDATA[The Mobile Banking Benchmark, an annual study by consulting company Sia Partners focusing on identifying the world’s top ten mobile banking apps, has named Revolut Metal as the best mobile banking offering of 2022.
Each year, Sia Partners performs a benchmark on mobile banking offerings, searching for the best banking apps in the world. In 2022, the benchmark assessed the performance of 150+ banking apps in 22 countries across regions, evaluating each service based on three scoring streams: functionalities, user experience, and app store ratings.
Last year, it put Revolut Metal at the ranking’s first position, recognizing the offering for its superior functionalities and convenience, as well as for recording higher customer satisfaction than competitors.




   



    
   


   








Revolut Metal is a premium debit card and account launched in 2018 by UK-headquartered neobank Revolut. It’s the company’s most premium subscription plan, costing a monthly US$16.99 but coming with several exclusive perks and features. These include metal cards made from reinforced steel, additional accounts for younger family members, a higher interest rate on “Savings Vaults”, lower fees when trading stocks and cryptocurrencies through the app, the highest free ATM withdrawal limit, cashbacks, discounted airport lounge access, travel insurance, and more.
Founded in 2015, Revolut is a digital banking startup that offers banking services, including accounts, currency exchange, debit cards, virtual cards, Apple Pay, interest-bearing “Savings Vaults”, stock trading, crypto and commodities. The company operates in 28 European Union markets, in addition to the US, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, India, Singapore and Australia. It’s planning to launch in New Zealand in the coming months, which will be followed by more markets across Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East.
Revolut claims more than 25 million retail customers and over 330 million transactions each month. It says more than 2,000 new active businesses join Revolut Business each week.
Revolut Metal’s first position in the 2022 ranking represents an improvement for the company, which moved up two places from its previous position in 2021.
Top 20 Mobile Banking Apps, Source: 2021 Mobile Banking Benchmark, Sia Partners
After Revolut Metal, Italy’s Intesa Sanpaolo took the second position, moving up four places from 2021. The banking group was followed by KBC, a Belgian multi-channel bank-insurer, BBVA, a Spanish multinational financial services company, as well as the Starling and Monzo, two British digital challenger banks.
Newcomers in the 2022 top ten ranking include incumbents BBVA, ING and Chase. N26, a digital bank from Germany, Rabobank, a Dutch multinational banking and financial services company, and Boursorama, a French only financial group, meanwhile, fell off the list.
Chase was the only non-European company to make the 2022 ranking.
Global Top Ten Banks of 2022, Source: 2022 Mobile Banking Benchmark, Sia Partners, Nov 2022
In 2022, only three digital challenger banks made it into the ranking, compared to four in 2021. The decline implies that banking incumbents are ramping up their digital capabilities in response to customers’ changing needs and amid rising competition from new market entrants.
Findings of the Sia Partners study are consistent with those of a 2022 Colombus Consulting analysis which found that, in Switzerland, traditional banking institutions are performing better than digital challengers on their digital presence, engagement, social media and app usage.
The 2022 Digital Index and Performance of Swiss Players report, released in October, ranked UBS, PostFinance, Raiffeinsen and Credit Suisse at the top of the list.
These banks surpassed their competitors in terms of monthly web visits, average time spent by visitors, and average page load time of their websites, an indicators of their websites’ usability and performances as well as of client experience. They also ranked high in digital marketing, leading the pack in estimated annual digital market budget, the number of visits they get from banners, and the number of visits from search.
Top 5 Digital Index and Performance of Swiss Players 2022, Source: Colombus Consulting, 2022
Celent, a research and advisory firm focused on technology for financial institutions globally, estimates that global information technology (IT) spending in retail banking reached US$250 billion in 2022. It expects IT spending by retail banks in 2023 to grow 5.2% and reach US$263 billion.
By 2027, IT spending by retail banks is projected to climb to US$308 billion, representing 4.6% annual average growth from 2022 to 2027.
Increased IT spending by banks comes amid rising competition from new digital challengers. In Switzerland, independent homegrown neobanks and digital banks began emerging over the past few years, promising superior customer experiences and more affordable banking and financial services.
These players include Yapeal and Alpian, which both hold their own banking license (Yapeal’s being a fintech banking license), as well as Neon, a neobanking platform that’s partnered with Hypothekarbank Lenzburg.
Featured image credit from here
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/neobanking-offering-revolut-metal-named-2022s-top-mobile-banking-service</link><guid>3035</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Crypto-Summit-2023-1.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Neobanking Offering:  Revolut Metal Named 2022’s Top Mobile Banking Service</dc:text></item><item><title>Impact of the Metaverse: Will it Be a 3 Trillion USD Industry?</title><description><![CDATA[The metaverse, a concept which refers to a more 3D and immersive form of the Internet, has the potential to unlock new opportunities for almost all businesses, with early estimates forecasting an economic contribution of over US$3 trillion by 2031.
But across all sectors, it is gaming, entertainment, work collaboration, social media, virtual worlds, education and fitness that are set to be the most impacted by the metaverse in the near future, a 2022 report by Credit Suisse predicts.
In a paper titled Metaverse: A Guide to the Next-Gen Internet, the Swiss bank explains what the metaverse is all about, exploring its main components as well as delving into current use cases and future trends.




   



    
   


   








According to the paper, video games will play a central role in the metaverse, given that these platforms are already built on immersive experiences with 3D graphics, virtual reality (VR)-enabled titles, platforms for user creativity.
This sentiment is shared by consulting firm EY, which found through a survey of gaming executives that most industry players (97%) believe the gaming industry to be the center of the metaverse today. All of the respondents expect companies across industries to establish a metaverse presence in the near future.
Gaming companies have been first movers in the space, having already built early prototypes of the metaverse by incorporating elements such as virtual worlds with in-game social features, payment systems and digital assets. Examples include Minecraft, Fortnite and Roblox, three highly popular games. Roblox has over 200 million monthly active users, Minecraft 170 million, and Fortnite 80 million.
In the near future, gaming platforms will be further enhanced with the metaverse, by potentially allowing a gamer to turn into a hologram and show up visually with someone in another location, the Credit Suisse report says.
In entertainment, the metaverse is opening up new opportunities in the forms of virtual concerts, virtual theme parks, immersive movie experiences, and more. Virtual events and environments have numerous advantages in the entertainment industry, the report notes, including the ability to reach a larger audience as well as opportunities for fan interaction and special effects.
In 2019, American music producer and DJ Marshmello made headlines by holding a live concert in Fortnite. 10.7 million people attended the event. Since then, other artists including Travis Scott, Ariana Grande, Blackpink and Justin Bieber have had concerts and metaverse performances, attracting millions of participants.
In social media, a number of firms are already entering the metaverse as a way to expand connectivity with the use of augmented reality and virtual reality (AR/VR), the Credit Suisse report notes.
Facebook rebranded to Meta and pivoted to the metaverse in October 2021. So far, the firm has invested a staggering US$100 billion on metaverse research and development, US$15 billion in the past year alone.
In the workspace, the metaverse is introducing new opportunities to rethink the office and work environment, potentially bringing new levels of social connectedness, mobility, and collaboration.
In India, NextMeet provides an avatar-based immersive VR platform for workers, attendees and students to meet, work and collaborate. And in the UK, PixelMax helps businesses create immersive virtual workplaces, providing them with advanced features including wellness areas, third-party integrations and personalized and interactive avatars.
Other prominent use cases of the metaverse outlined in the Credit Suisse paper include commerce, where virtual environments are offering new ways for merchants, businesses and creators to display and sell their products and services; fitness, with VR-supported workout and sports playing; and education, through virtual campus and universities, as well as hands-on practices in critical areas like medical training.
Though the metaverse industry is still nascent and remains largely conceptual at this point in time, investors have poured billions of dollars into the space, bullish on the prospect of virtual environments to unleash the next wave of digital disruption.
Consulting firm McKinsey estimates that more than US$120 billion were invested in building out metaverse technology and infrastructure in the first five months of 2022. The sum is more than double the US$57 billion invested in all of 2021.
Featured image credit from here and here.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/impact-of-the-metaverse-will-it-be-a-3-trillion-usd-industry</link><guid>3036</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Crypto-Summit-2023-1.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Impact of the Metaverse: Will it Be a 3 Trillion USD Industry?</dc:text></item><item><title>The City of Lugano Issues Its First Native Digital Bond on SDX With ZKB</title><description><![CDATA[The city of Lugano, Switzerland, launched a 6-year CHF senior unsecured bond with a total issue volume of CHF 100 million and a maturity in 2029. By issuing the first native digital bond, the city of Lugano is pioneering this space for all other major hubs in Europe.
The bond was issued on the Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) based SIX Digital Exchange (SDX) and can be held in both Central Securities Depositories of SDX and of SIX (SIX SIS). In addition, as a dual listed bond, this instrument will be listed and tradeable at both SIX Digital Exchange and SIX Swiss Exchange.
The usage of DLT does not introduce materially higher risks compared to a traditional issuance, according to a statement from Moody’s, who rated the bond Aa3. This further shows the strength of the proposition from SIX Digital Exchange as a fully regulated Exchange and CSD building the financial markets infrastructure of tomorrow. SIX Digital Exchange uses R3’s private, permissioned DLT platform Corda.




   



    
   


   








Michele Foletti
Michele Foletti, Mayor of Lugano, stated,
“The City of Lugano is a pioneer in the Blockchain space and aims to become an international center of excellence for Blockchain and
David Newns
Crypto adoption. Issuing our latest bond on SDX has been the natural next step and is the perfect opportunity to reach these goals.”
David Newns, Head of SIX Digital Exchange, adds,
“the City of Lugano’s digital bond issuance on SDX represents the first municipal digital bond ever to be issued on regulated FMI “
Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-city-of-lugano-issues-its-first-native-digital-bond-on-sdx-with-zkb</link><guid>3034</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Crypto-Summit-2023-1.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>The City of Lugano Issues Its First Native Digital Bond on SDX With ZKB</dc:text></item><item><title>ABN AMRO Issues Digital Bond on Stellar Blockchain</title><description><![CDATA[ABN Amro became the first bank in the Netherlands to register a digital bond on the public blockchain, using Fireblocks. The digital bond was issued to a select group of investors to raise funds on behalf of APOC, an ABN Amro commercial client in the aerospace industry.
ABN Amro’s bond issuance sets an innovative precedent in bringing more real world use cases of blockchain technology to traditional financial markets. This initiative showcases the potential of new financing streams for commercial companies across all industries.
Edwin van Bommel
“This updated digital solution for providing our medium-sized and larger commercial clients with leveraged financing fills a gap between traditional bonds and crowdfunding. Thanks to the blockchain, it’s highly efficient and very client-friendly.”
Edwin van Bommel, Chief Strategy &amp; Innovation Officer




   



    
   


   








It’s not just banks who have stepped up their adoption of blockchain technology – in October 2022, the Israel Ministry of Finance and Tel Aviv Stock Exchange issued a first-of-its-kind digital bond with Fireblocks.
How ABN Amro launched the first digital bond in Netherlands with Fireblocks and BitBond
ABN Amro collaborated with Fireblocks and BitBond on the issuance of APOC’s tokenized bond offering.

The smart contract was developed by BitBond on the Stellar blockchain.
ABN Amro then utilized Fireblocks’ end-to-end tokenization platform to securely mint/burn, and custody the token, as well as to simplify digital asset treasury management processes.
Ownership of the bonds was recorded on the blockchain in the form of tokens that investors acquired after they had paid for the bond.

Michael Shaulov
“With the issuance and distribution of its first digital bond, ABN AMRO is setting a new bar for how traditional banks can better serve commercial clients using blockchain technology. Fireblocks is proud to support ABN AMRO with secure, highly-scalable foundational technology for the issuance of digital bonds.”
Michael Shaulov, CEO and co-Founder.


Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/abn-amro-issues-digital-bond-on-stellar-blockchain</link><guid>3033</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Crypto-Summit-2023-1.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>ABN AMRO Issues Digital Bond on Stellar Blockchain</dc:text></item><item><title>Canadian Fintech Nuvei Acquires Paya in US$1.3 Billion Deal</title><description><![CDATA[Canadian fintech Nuvei announced that it has inked a deal to acquire U.S. payments firm Paya in an all-cash transaction for US$1.3 billion.
Paya is a pure-play integrated payments platform serving customers in markets such as B2B, government, utilities, non-profit and healthcare end markets.
In total, Paya processes over US$45 billion of annual payment volume and serves over 100,000 end-customers through over 2,000 software vendors and other key distribution partners.




   



    
   


   








Private equity firm GTCR had originally acquired Paya and was its largest shareholder in 2017. Paya then became a NASDAQ-listed public company in October 2020.
Aaron Cohen
“Nuvei’s acquisition of Paya marks a significant milestone in the transformation of this business.

Since the initial corporate carveout from Sage, the company has worked side-by-side with our team to implement a growth strategy centered on investing in technology and an enhanced product suite to reach new customers in attractive markets.”
said Aaron Cohen, Managing Director and Head of Financial Services &amp; Technology at GTCR.
Jeff Hack
“Today is the culmination of a five-year journey for the Paya business alongside GTCR, and we see a very bright future for Paya with Nuvei. GTCR has been an exceptional partner.

Together, we were able to leverage GTCR’s deep domain expertise in payments and Paya’s leading-edge solutions to execute an organic growth and M&amp;A investment plan that has established the company as one of the leading providers of integrated payments solutions.”
said Jeff Hack, Paya CEO.


featured image credit: edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/canadian-fintech-nuvei-acquires-paya-in-us13-billion-deal</link><guid>3032</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Crypto-Summit-2023-1.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Canadian Fintech Nuvei Acquires Paya in US$1.3 Billion Deal</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Insurtech Toni Digital Closes $12.5M Series B</title><description><![CDATA[Zurich-headquartered startup TONI Digital has secured $12.5 million in a Series B funding round.
The company is a digital insurance-as-a-service provider, offering personal and commercial insurance lines such as motor insurance, payment protection insurance, and life solutions on top of its market-leading insurance technology platform. The company primarily pursues a B2B2C approach, working with leading retail and insurance brands as well as brokers on the distribution side.
The round was led by a consortium of distinguished investors and included the participation of existing investors, who continue to believe in the success and growth of the company.




   



    
   


   








Based on previous press releases,  Postfinance, as well as Credit Suisse, were some of the early investors. In May 2021 TONI announced a partnership with Migros.
Philippe Regazzoni
“The funding is a clear manifest of the filled pipeline of new distribution partners, the continued growth, as well as the attractiveness of TONI’s business model. The demand for digital, embedded and specialised high-value insurance programmes and solutions will further grow to serve customer’s expectations and demands.”
says Philippe Regazzoni, Director of the board.



Featured image: Bernard El Hage, Chief Executive Officer of TONI Digital, background image edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-insurtech-toni-digital-closes-125m-series-b</link><guid>3031</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Crypto-Summit-2023-1.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Insurtech Toni Digital Closes $12.5M Series B</dc:text></item><item><title>14 Swiss Venture Capitalists Fintech Startups Should Watch in 2023</title><description><![CDATA[Despite a challenging global funding landscape, Swiss startups continued to see notable traction in 2022, securing a record of CHF 3.8 billion in funding between January and November, data from Startup.ch show. The sum represents a 27% increase compared to the same period the previous year.
Swiss startup investment in 2021 and 2022, Source: Swiss Venture Insights Q3 2022, Startup.ch
2022 also saw numerous venture capital (VC) funds securing capital and many of them are now standing ready to invest in promising startups.
Data from Venturelab, a Swiss organization focusing on supporting young ventures, reveal that 34 Swiss VC firms have closed a new fund over the past year or so, and are looking for investment opportunities.




   



    
   


   








Of these 34 VCs, 14 are either focused on fintech, insurtech or regtech, or have a track record supporting startups in the sectors.
BackBone Ventures

Founded in 2018, Backbone Ventures is an early-stage VC firm based in Zurich and Frankfurt am Main that focuses on early-stage companies operating in the information and communications technology, food tech, and disruptive technologies sectors. The firm’s mission is to achieve a positive impact for the next generation by supporting outstanding entrepreneurs to reach new levels of success.
Backbone Ventures has a track record of 28 investments with already two successful exits so far. It counts fintech companies Neon, Findependent and Levo among its portfolio companies.
In November 2022, Backbone Ventures closed its 5502 Fund, a fund which focuses on Germany and Switzerland and which intends to provide the first financing for extraordinary founders of technology-driven, high-growth businesses. Over the next four years, the fund aims to invest between EUR 300,000 and EUR 500,000 in 25-30 teams of underprivileged outperformers in Germany and Switzerland.
Btov Partners

Btov Partners is a European VC firm, managing roughly EUR 510 million in institutional funds, partner funds and direct investments of private investors. With teams in St. Gallen, Zurich, Berlin, Munich and Luxemburg, the firm works with seasoned entrepreneurs and business angels to back the most promising startups across Europe.
Btov Partners portfolio companies include fintech startups SumUp, Raisin, Forget Finance, Ledgy, Procuros, Finway and Neon.
Btov Partners closed a digital technologies early-stage fund in September 2021 with a volume of US$135 million. The fund concentrates on topics such as artificial intelligence, digital health, fintech, logistics, business-to-business (B2B) software-as-a-service (SaaS) and marketplaces, all across Europe and focuses on seed and Series A stages.
EquityPitcher Ventures

Founded in 2016, EquityPitcher Ventures is an early-growth VC firm that supports promising startups from the German, Austrian and Swiss (DACH) region. The firm seeks to invest in information technology, healthcare, energy, materials and resources, and financial services sectors.
Through close cooperation with renowned industry experts, investors and exit partners, EquityPitcher Ventures is paving the way for entrepreneurs to attain the three decisive success factors: capital, know-how and network.
EquityPitcher Ventures closed its second fund in November 2022. The fund focuses on startups from the DACH region and already counts 20 portfolio companies from 12 different industries. Fintech, insurtech and regtech startups the firm has backed include Calingo, Sinpex, Vestr and YukkaLab.
F10

Founded in 2016, F10 is an incubator, accelerator, and early-stage investor focused on fintech, insurtech, regtech and deeptech. Its incubation and acceleration programs help startups in connecting with entrepreneurs, experts, mentors, and investors for early stage venture and late stage venture investing. The company was founded in Zurich and currently has operating hubs in Switzerland, Singapore, Nordics and the Baltics, and Spain.
F10 has supported more than 250 tech startups so far, among which Splint Invest, Relio, Stableton Financial, Apiax and CoverGo.
In April 2022, F10 secured capital in the “mid-single-digit million range” from external investors and the leadership team through a management buy-in. The organization said it plans to use the proceeds to expand its geographical reach and launch a seed fund to fuel startup growth.
FiveT Fintech

Formerly known as Avaloq Ventures, FiveT Fintech privately and directly invests in and supports exceptional entrepreneurs redesigning financial services through digitization and the use of cutting-edge technologies.
FiveT Fintech helps and advises banks and financial service providers to venture into new areas and provides early-stage fintech companies a platform to prosper and scale. The firm works closely together with Avaloq’s ecosystem consisting of over 150 financial institutions, spread across more than 30 countries with over US$4.5 billion in client assets, as well as 120+ fintech startups.
FiveT Fintech span off from the group in September 2021. Portfolio companies include Metaco, Blockpit, Coinfirm and Blocksize Capital.
L1 Digital

Founded in 2018, L1 Digital is a Zurich-based independent investment manager founded by experienced partners with a proven track record. The firm focuses on digital assets and blockchain technology, striving to provide investors with access to this new asset class by sourcing the best crypto and blockchain investments globally through funds, co-investments and directs; diversifying across strategies, geographies and managers; and providing institutional quality structuring, due diligence and monitoring.
L1 Digital is a fairly new venture, having received its license as a manager of collective assets from the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) in January 2022. Collective investment vehicles involves investors pooling their money to invest in funds, rather than buying securities directly.
L1 Digital says it manages around US$500 million in assets from institutional clients such as pension funds, family offices and wealth managers.
Redalpine Venture Partners

Founded in 2006, Redalpine Venture Partners is a leading European VC investor based in Switzerland with offices in Zurich and Berlin. Redalpine Venture Partners is a seed and early-stage venture investor focusing on disruptive technologies and highly scalable information and communications technology (ICT) and healthtech models.
The firm supports its 80+ portfolio companies, across its 6 funds, not only with financial investments but also with its in-house operational and subject matter expertise and an extensive international network.
Redalpine Venture Partners has a long-standing history of investing in the most promising entrepreneurs with breakthrough ideas, having backed companies such as N26 and Taxfix. It
claims it has more than CHF 1 billion in assets under management (AUM) and says its portfolio companies have created more than 10,000 jobs and raised almost CHF 3 billion in funding thus far.
Redalpine Venture Partners launched a new private equity fund called the Summit Fund in March 2022 with a target volume of CHF 1 billion to be invested in 100 deals. In the last 15 years, the Zurich-based private equity house has already launched six funds.
TX Ventures

TX Ventures is a corporate venture arm of TX Group based in Zurich, which seeks to invest in fintech companies across Europe. The company invests in fintech, insurtech, proptech and crypto startups, focusing on seed funding and Series A with initial tickets ranging from CHF 500,000 to CHF 5 million.
TX Ventures has built a strong investment track record with investments such as Neon, Stableton, Pricehubble, and exits such as Moneypark. It currently counts 11 startups in its portfolio.
The firm launched in December 2022 a European CHF 100 million fintech investment fund with a particular focus on startups from the DACH region.
Lightbird Ventures

Launched in 2021, Lightbird Ventures is a VC firm based in Bern. The firm focuses on early-state B2B SaaS, proptech, fintech, insurtech, cybersecurity and data and analytics companies.
Lightbird Ventures invests in ambitious founding teams that use technology to solve real problems for real people and real businesses. The firm invests globally but mainly focuses on the Swiss and European markets.
The VC firm is managed through the independent investment management company Marcau Partners and fueled by its sole investor la Mobilière, Switzerland’s oldest private insurance company.
Portfolio companies include fintech and insurtech startups Mistho and Omocom.
Serpentine Ventures

Founded in 2019, Serpentine Ventures is the investment arm of the Swiss Ventures Group. The company currently hosts four funds and has invested into 25 startups in the fields of ICT, high tech as well as healthtech companies on a selective basis.
The dedicated unit offers exclusive access to venture capital investments, unlocking new opportunities in the early-stage venture asset class. It claims to be one of the most active early-stage investors.
Serpentine Ventures was founded by experienced entrepreneurs and financial services professionals and works with exceptional entrepreneurial talent to build and invest in technology driven businesses.
Serpentine Ventures’ portfolio companies include fintech and insurtech startups Cybera and Riskwolf.
Session.vc

Founded in late 2019 by startup investors Martin Altorfer and Philippe Bubb, Session.vc is a Swiss-based early-stage investor that backs bold entrepreneurs in the B2B software and consumer space in the DACH region.
Session.vc also provides acceleration services through Session Lab, providing business support and funding ranging from US$150,000 and US$300,000 per project to prepare the companies for a seed round.
Session.vc is backed by their own capital and by that of entrepreneurs and business owners both from tech- and non-tech industries. The firm has backed 19 companies including fintech startup Bexio.
Spicehaus Partners

Founded in 2012, Spicehaus Partners is an independent Swiss VC investor, fully owned by its partners. The firm focuses on seed and early-stage companies in the technology sector in Switzerland.
Spicehaus Partners’ team combines investment experience and entrepreneurship. The firm seeks to create long-term partnerships between entrepreneurs and investors and actively works with its portfolio companies on their journey to success.
Since 2012, Spicehaus Partners has invested in 34 startups and has been part of some of Switzerland’s most successful exits including MOVU (acquired by Baloise) and Bexio (acquired by Mobiliar). Fintech, insurtech and regtech companies in its portfolio currently include Amnis, Fidentity, Vlot and Descartes Finance.
Verve Capital Partners

Founded in 2010, Verve Ventures is a network and technology-driven VC firm headquartered in Switzerland. The company invests from EUR 500,000 to several million from seed to Series B and beyond across Europe.
The firm’s dedicated team helps startups with their most pressing needs such as hiring, client introductions and access to an expert network of high-profile individuals. It says it is one of the most active venture investors in Europe with over 140 technology and science-driven startups in its portfolio.
Verve Ventures’ portfolio companies include fintech and insurtech startups Wefox, EstateGuru, Oper.
Verve Ventures raised its first VC fund and closed the first capital call with over CHF 45 million committed capital from private investors, family offices, and institutional investors in June 2022. The Verve Venture Fund I invests in the best-performing startups among the company’s portfolio. It aims to accelerate the development of 15-20 companies across Europe in the fields of science and technology with a solid track record at attractive valuations.
Wingman Ventures

Founded in 2018, Wingman Ventures is a VC firm based in Zurich. The firm invests in pre-seed, and seed-stage technology startups, backing founder teams building tech companies with the potential to become global market leaders.
Wingman Ventures commits anywhere between CHF 100,000 and CHF 1 million as an initial investment. It also provides the companies it supports with guidance on finance, legal, team and expansion, sales and marketing, as well as their next fundraise.
Fintech and insurtech startups in its portfolio include Grape and Numarics.
Wingman Ventures is reportedly planning to raise a new US$120 million fund to continue to support Switzerland-based technology companies at pre-seed stage.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/14-swiss-venture-capitalists-fintech-startups-should-watch-in-2023</link><guid>3030</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Swiss-startup-investment-in-2021-and-2022-Source-Swiss-Venture-Insights-Q3-2022-Startup.ch_.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>14 Swiss Venture Capitalists Fintech Startups Should Watch in 2023</dc:text></item><item><title>Erster Schweizer Anbieter mit Versicherungsabschluss im Metaverse</title><description><![CDATA[Als erste Versicherung macht die Digitalversicherung Smile ihre Dienstleistungen und Services im Web 3.0 erlebbar.
Darunter fallen täglich buchbare, virtuelle Kundenberatungen sowie greifbare Autoschäden in der neuen smile.meta Garage. Die technische Unterstützung für das Projekt wurde vom Zuger IT- Beratungsunternehmen Inacta AG übernommen.
Smile goes Metaverse!
Die grösste Digitalversicherung der Schweiz erweitert ihre Smile Multiexperience mit der neuen smile.meta Welt. InteressentInnen können ab sofrt in die neue Smile Experience Lounge eintauchen und die Angebote und Services von Smile virtuell in 3D erleben.




   



    
   


   








Darunter fällt das smile.meta Wohnzimmer für die Haushaltversicherung und die smile.meta Garage für das Autoversicherungsangebot von Smile. Ein Novum initiiert Smile auch mit der ersten virtuellen Versicherungsberatung im Metaverse. Das InsurTech bringt ihre Customer Care Beratungseinheit ins Web 3.0 und stösst dadurch in neue Sphären vor. Hier können Smile InteressentInnen täglich Beratungstermine vereinbaren und bei Bedarf direkt eine Versicherung abschliessen.

Digitale Treffen werden individueller und persönlicher
Der Schritt ins Metaverse erfolgt keineswegs aus dem Nichts, sondern fügt sich reibungslos in die strategische Ausrichtung von Smile als digitaler Lifestyle Brand ein. Das Metaverse bietet Smile nun neue Möglichkeiten in der Kundeninteraktion, bei welcher sich die KundInnen im selben virtuellen Raum wie die Smile Customer Care MitarbeiterInnen befinden. Den Zutritt in die smile.meta Experience gelingt ganz einfach über einen Link.
Eine VR-Brille braucht es nicht zwingend, wird aber für das volle immersive Erlebnis empfohlen. Auch die virtuellen Beratungstermine können ganz einfach über die Smile Webseite gebucht werden. Durch die Verschmelzung der physischen und virtuellen Welt – ein zentrales Merkmal des Metaverse – kann physische Distanz auf unkomplizierte Weise überbrückt werden und eine verstärkte digitale Nähe zu den KundInnen entstehen.
Beispielsweise können nun vertragsrelevante Themen anschaulich erläutert werden, indem etwa verschiedene Arten von Glas- oder Parkschäden an einem Auto virtuell aufgezeigt werden. Witzig dabei: Smile verlegt seine Büros in den obersten Stock des Prime Towers in Zürich und gewährt den KundInnen während des Beratungsgesprächs im Metaverse nicht nur einen Blick auf Parkschäden, sondern auch einen wunderbaren 360° Ausblick über Zürich.
Den Puls der neuen Generationen treffen
Mit ihrem Schritt ins Metaverse bestärkt Smile ihre Vorreiterrolle in der Schweizer Versicherungsbranche. Dabei hat das InsurTech stehts das Ziel, sich frühzeitig mit neuen Technologien auseinanderzusetzen. So macht sich Smile für die Herausforderungen der Zukunft bereit und trifft als digitaler Lifestyle Brand den Puls der neuen Generationen.
Roberto Monosi
«Aktuell steht die Gesellschaft beim Thema Metaverse noch ganz am Anfang. Durch den immersiven Charakter sehen wir aber grosses Potential, ein völlig neues Kundenerlebnis zu schaffen und KundInnen von heute und morgen zu begeistern. Dafür machen wir uns mit der smile.meta Experience bereit»,
so Roberto Monosi, Head Customer Care bei Smile.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/erster-schweizer-anbieter-mit-versicherungsabschluss-im-metaverse</link><guid>3029</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Crypto-Summit-2023-1.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Erster Schweizer Anbieter mit Versicherungsabschluss im Metaverse</dc:text></item><item><title>Projekt Digitales Firmenkonto: CHF 3 Millionen für Relio, TX Ventures und SIX Investieren</title><description><![CDATA[Relio erhält eine Finanzierung von CHF 3 Millionen für die Lancierung eines digitalen Geschäftskontos. Mit seiner neu entwickelten Compliance-Technologie spezialisiert sich das Startup vor allem auf komplexe Firmenkunden.
Zu den Hauptinvestoren zählen TX Ventures (TX Group), SIX Fintech Ventures (SIX Group) und der High-Tech Gründerfonds. Hinter Relio steht ein erfahrenes Team um Lav Odorovic, der bereits in Deutschland die erfolgreiche KMU-Neobank Penta gegründet hat.
Digitales Geschäftskonto für anspruchsvolle Firmenkunden
Neobanken wie Revolut oder Wise haben in Europa die Digitalisierung im Banking angeführt. Wegen der Compliance stossen Digitalbanken jedoch bei vielen Unternehmenskunden an ihre Grenzen. Komplexe Eigentumsverhältnisse, internationale Geldflüsse und komplizierte Businessmodelle bergen höhere Risiken hinsichtlich Betrug und Geldwäscherei. Aufgrund der aufwändigen Due Diligence warten solche Kunden oft mehrere Wochen auf die Kontoeröffnung.




   



    
   


   








Immer wieder werden Transaktionen und Konten präventiv eingefroren, bis sie von Experten manuell überprüft wurden. Für Geschäftskunden, die rechtzeitig Löhne und Rechnungen zahlen müssen, ist das sehr frustrierend. Relio hat einen Algorithmus entwickelt, der diese Compliance-Checks schnell, präzise und automatisiert durchführt. Damit positioniert sich das Fintech als Lösung für anspruchsvolle Firmenkunden, die viel Wert auf einen zuverlässigen Service ohne Bürokratie und Wartezeiten legen.
Finanzierungsrunde für bevorstehenden Marktstart
Lav Odorovic
Relio wurde vom CEO Lav Odorovic initiiert, der mit Penta bereits eine erfolgreiche KMU-Neobank in Deutschland aufgebaut hat. Mit der aktuellen Finanzierungsrunde werden die Entwicklung der technischen Infrastruktur und die Erlangung der FINMA Fintech Lizenz vorangetrieben.
Unterstützt wird Relio von SIX Fintech Ventures, High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), sowie TX Ventures als neue Lead-Investorin. Zum Investorenkreis gehören zudem F10, Elsa Invest, daFUND, QBIT Capital sowie mehrere Business Angels.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/projekt-digitales-firmenkonto-chf-3-millionen-fur-relio-tx-ventures-und-six-investieren</link><guid>3027</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Crypto-Summit-2023-1.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Projekt Digitales Firmenkonto: CHF 3 Millionen für Relio, TX Ventures und SIX Investieren</dc:text></item><item><title>Duck Creek to Acquire Swiss Imburse Payments</title><description><![CDATA[
Nasdaq listed Duck Creek Technologie announced a definitive agreement to acquire Imburse Payments, a Swiss-based modern payments platform.

Duck Creek is according the PR an “intelligent solutions provider defining the future of property and casualty (P&amp;C) insurance.”,  they are based in Boston.

Imburse’s cloud-native software-as-a-service (SaaS) payment solution is built for the insurance industry. The modern payments platform brings greater ease and efficiency into end-to-end insurance transactions. Imburse enables insurance carriers to quickly connect to the entire payments ecosystem at a lower cost, seamlessly integrate with existing finance infrastructure and processes, and manage multiple partners for collections and disbursements, all in one place. The platform is consumer friendly and provides policyholders with both an easy-to-use, flexible payments experience and the ability to quickly and securely direct payments.




   



    
   


   








As part of Duck Creek, Imburse will continue to serve its existing client base and markets, while accelerating expansion plans for new clients across Europe and into North America and Asia-Pacific. The Imburse platform will continue to be available on a stand-alone basis and will also be fully integrated with Duck Creek’s suite of technology solutions, further enabling carriers’ digital transformation goals with modern tools.
Mike Jackowski
“Imburse has developed a great product for the global insurance industry that is not only easy to integrate and implement, but also gives carriers incredible flexibility and payment choices,”
said Mike Jackowski, CEO of Duck Creek Technologies.
“Imburse has a strong team that embodies Duck Creek’s core values. They have deep expertise across the payments ecosystem and will help to broaden Duck Creek’s insurance industry leadership.”
Oliver Werneyer
“Being part of Duck Creek will further accelerate our mission to simplify how businesses around the world access the global payments ecosystem,”
said Oliver Werneyer, CEO of Imburse.
“We are excited to be part of Duck Creek and to work jointly to deliver modern technology innovations that transform the insurance industry for the future.”
The acquisition remains subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close during the second fiscal quarter of 2023.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/duck-creek-to-acquire-swiss-imburse-payments</link><guid>3028</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Crypto-Summit-2023-1.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Duck Creek to Acquire Swiss Imburse Payments</dc:text></item><item><title>The Implications of ChatGPT and AI Models on Fintech and Banking</title><description><![CDATA[A new text-based artificial intelligence (AI) tool called ChatGPT is making waves in the technology industry for its ability to accurately answer questions and complete a wide range of tasks, from creating software to formulating business ideas.
Launched on November 30, 2022 by OpenAI, the AI program has already impressed users and technologists with its ability to mimic human language and speaking styles, all the while providing coherent and topical information. In the span of just a couple of days, the service managed to cross the one million user threshold.
Now, industry observers and commenters are theorizing on the technology’s potential implications in the finance and banking sector.




   



    
   


   








According to Ethan Mollick, an associate professor of management at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, ChatGPT is a tipping point for AI and proof that the technology can be useful to a broader population of people.
In the business world, the ability to generate written content in a fast and accurate manner means that productivity can be increased in a variety of industries, Mollick wrote in a recent blog post on Harvard Business Review. This will help organizations save time and resources, and allow employees to focus on other important tasks.
“This is particularly beneficial for industries such as marketing and advertising, consulting, and finance, where high-quality written materials are essential for communicating with clients and stakeholders,” he wrote. “Overall, the use of AI in writing will greatly benefit businesses by allowing them to produce more written materials in less time.”
For Alex Lazarow, a global venture capitalist (VC) and author, AI models like ChatGPT will not only affect fintech thought leadership, but could also potentially deliver financial services.
For one, these tools can significantly improve customer support and power a new class of services and chatbots, Lazarow wrote in a Forbes post. They can also be used for investment research, allowing analysts to scale their work beyond a narrow number of stocks.
Finally, AI models can help tackle transaction complexity, he said. If these tools are able to formulate sophisticated answers to complex questions, they should also be able to do the same for legal drafting. This would help accelerate the fluidity of review for startup deals, but also all illiquid assets, Lazarow wrote.
Demand for AI among businesses has increased steadily over the past year. Data from the Global AI Adoption Index 2022, conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of IBM, reveal that 35% of the 7,500+ businesses surveyed last year used AI. The figure represents a four-point increase from 2021. Additionally, 42% of companies reported exploring AI.
IBM research also found that between the first and second quarter of 2022, there was an increase of 259% of job postings in the AI domain, Ana Paula Assis, IBM’s general manager for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), told Euronews in December 2022.
In the UK, the central bank is currently looking at AI regulation amid accelerating use of machine learning (ML) by financial firms. A discussion paper was released in October 2022 to explore whether AI could be managed through clarifications of the existing regulatory framework, or if a new approach was needed.
The paper was accompanied by the Bank of England’s second annual survey on the use of machine learning (ML), which found rising AI adoption. Of the financial institutions polled in the UK, 72% reported either using or developing ML applications. The figure represents a five point increase from 2019’s 67% adoption rate.
ML adoption among UK financial institutions, Source: Bank of England, Dec 2022
The study also found that ML applications are becoming increasingly widespread across more business areas in the UK’s financial sector. From the survey responses, 79% of ML applications were found to be in the latter stages of development. In particular, 65% of applications were already deployed across a considerable share of business areas, with a further 14% of ML applications reported to be critical to the business area.
ML applications stage of development, Source: Bank of England, Dec 2022
Funding to AI companies has increased considerably over the past decade. In 2013, companies using AI secured US$3 billion through fewer than 1,000 deals, according to Crunchbase. In 2021, that sum peaked at US$69 billion across over 4,000 rounds. In 2022, global AI funding totaled US$38 billion, as of late November.
Annual venture investment in companies tied to AI, Source: Crunchbase, Nov 2022

Featured image credit: edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-implications-of-chatgpt-and-ai-models-on-fintech-and-banking</link><guid>3026</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Crypto-Summit-2023-1.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>The Implications of ChatGPT and AI Models on Fintech and Banking</dc:text></item><item><title>Switzerland’s Premier Crypto Conference Returns With a Two-Day Format in Zurich &amp; Davos</title><description><![CDATA[﻿Wrapped around the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), the CryptoSummit.ch will kick off on Monday, 16th January 2023 at the Hyatt Circle Conference Centre at Zurich airport. The second day of the event is set to take place on Friday, 20th January 2023 in Davos.

The theme of CryptoSummit.ch 2023
The theme of the CryptoSummit.ch 2023 is regaining trust in crypto and advancing technology.
It is set to open with the keynote from Charles Hoskinson, the Founder of Cardano Foundation, followed by a broad series of topics throughout the day, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum evolution, layer 2 scaling solutions, Defi, Web 3 and applications in the banking industry. Investors may be interested in topics like the crypto market outlook in 2023, the best investment strategies in a bear market, as well as the institutional move into crypto.
Other speakers also include Yoni Assia, Founder and CEO of eToro, Peter Hofmann, Switzerland’s Regional Manager of Coinbase, Christian Rau, Senior Vice President of Mastercard, and many more.
Masterclasses will also be running in parallel to the conference, which are designed to will provide educational content in a compressed crash-course style for beginning crypto investors.
The event will continue at the end of the week, 20th January in Davos, with speeches and panels to provide more insights. The end of the conference will be dedicated to the most outstanding contributions of individuals during this year for crypto, closing with the 2023 award ceremony in three categories: technology, business and regulation &amp; society.
Day one will take place at the new luxury Hyatt Circle conference centre at Zurich Airport
A total of 1,500 tickets are now available for the CryptoSummit.ch. Conference delegates can choose between one-day ticket for Zurich or Davos only or a two-day ticket, starting from 230 CHF.
Olga Feldmeier, founder of CryptoSummit.ch and decade-long crypto industry pioneer said, “The new phenomenon which started to take shape during the last years is the gathering of crypto leaders in Davos during the WEF week. The accumulation became a colourful addition and integral part of the Davos WEF week in January. Together we bring to the table the conversation about our future in a decentralized, permissionless and thrustless society, build according to principles of WEB3. These topics are more important than ever and will go on to shape the global society that we live in, which is why, we think it is important to give a proper stage of its own to this audience during the WEF week.”
Since its inaugural event in 2017, CryptoSummit.ch has become the longest standing and largest crypto conference ever staged in Switzerland, attracting the brightest minds of the crypto industry from all around the world. Taking place at the most prestigious conference venues in Zurich such as Samsung Hall, StageOne and Aura, 3,250 people came to CryptoSummit.ch, while around 50.000 visitors tuned in digitally. They listened to 250 industry leading speakers, such as Charles Hoskinson, Joseph Lubin, Tim Draper, Daniel Gutenberg as well as high level innovators from the banking sector.
For more information on how to get tickets or sponsor the event, visit cryptosummit.ch.
View the trailer for previous editions of the summit: Crypto Summit 2018 | Trailer
﻿
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/switzerlands-premier-crypto-conference-returns-with-a-two-day-format-in-zurich-davos</link><guid>3025</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Olga-Feldmeier-founder-of-CryptoSummit.ch_-1024x685.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Switzerland’s Premier Crypto Conference Returns With a Two-Day Format in Zurich &amp; Davos</dc:text></item><item><title>Top Destinations for Online Fintech Workers and Digital Nomads in 2023</title><description><![CDATA[Technological advances and the COVID-19 pandemic have spurred a rapid shift in working practices, prompting a growing number of people with jobs not tied to a specific location to travel the world all the while working remotely.
These changes in the world and the rise of so-called “digital nomads” have had important ramifications for immigration systems worldwide, pushing governments to factor remote work into their immigration systems and introduce digital nomad visas.
Since Estonia introduced the world’s first remote work program in 2019, at least 25 other countries and territories have launched their own digital nomad visa programs, according to a 2022 research by the Migration Policy Institute. These schemes typically provide visa holders with a time-limited opportunity to stay in the country and include tax benefits.




   



    
   


   








Given the flurry of options available out there, travel news website Travel Off Path recently released its selection of what it believe to be the world’s top destinations for digital nomads in 2023. These locations, namely Costa Rica, Croatia, Montenegro and Colombia, were recognized for providing the best immigration policies, living conditions, high affordability and superior quality infrastructure.
Today we’ll look at the reasons why these locations are so compelling to digital nomads, delving into what long-term travelers can expect when moving to these countries, as well as the requirements and eligibility criteria to secure a digital nomad visa in each of these locations. For this list, we’ve also added Dubai, building on the recent launch of its virtual working program and its long-standing position as a world leading hub for expats.
Dubai
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The emirate of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is known for its extensive expat community which made up 85% of the city’s population in 2013. These people have chosen the location for its many benefits, including attractive climate, many job opportunities, low taxes, low crime rate and superior qualify infrastructure.
Today, the city is ranked among the world’s best locations for expats and digital nomads, a position the government is looking to cultivate with the launch of its virtual working program.
Announced in 2020, Dubai’s virtual working program is similar to a digital nomad visa. The scheme allows foreigners, entrepreneurs, and startup companies to live in the emirate for one year and continue to work for the organization they already work for, remotely. The visa can be renewed for a further 12 months after that.
Eligibility criteria include being a foreigner employed outside the UAE and earning a minimum salary of US$5,000 per month.
To apply for the visa, the applicant must have a passport with a validity of minimum six months, have a valid health insurance covering their residency in the UAE, and pay the US$287 fee. They also need to provide proof of employment with a contract valid for one year as well as the salary slip for the last month and bank statements for the preceding three months.
If the applicant is a company owner, they will need to provide proof of ownership of company for one year or more, have an average monthly income of US$5,000 per month, and provide bank statements of the company’s account for the preceding three months.
Benefits of the virtual working program include access to all local services including telecommunications, utilities, medical and schooling; access to Dubai’s robust and seamless digital infrastructure; global networking opportunities; and zero income tax for individuals.
Costa Rica
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a leading backpacker destination in Central America, recognized for its biodiversity, incredible national parks, as well as for being the global capital of adventure tourism.
In recent months, however, the country has taken center stage in the digital nomad scene by being among the limited few countries on the American continent to offer a digital nomad visa.
Launched just this year, Costa Rica’s digital nomad visa allows visa holders to work remotely from the country. The program extends a 90-day tourist visa to a full year, exempts digital nomads from income tax, and provides them with benefits such as the ability to open a national bank account and the validation of their home country’s driver’s license. Digital nomads may also waive customs taxes on telecommunications and electronic devices necessary to fulfill remote work requirements.
Eligibility criteria include earning a minimum of US$3,000 per month originating from outside of Costa Rica. That income requirement is increased to a minimum of US$4,000 per month if the applicant wishes to apply for their dependents to legally stay in the country. Applicants will need to provide proof of employment or of entrepreneurship, proof of income, and proof of health insurance running during their whole stay in Costa Rica.
The cost of the visa is US$1,000.
Croatia
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Croatia, a country at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, has become over the years one of the most popular European tourist destinations, owning to its beautiful protected natural areas, breathtaking landscapes, pleasant climate and rich cultural heritage.
Last year, the country became among the first members of the European Union (EU) to launch a digital nomad visa, allowing remote workers to reside in the country for up to a year and bring in their close family members.
The program is open to non-EU/EEA citizens working remotely, and to those with a stable monthly income of a minimum of EUR 2,300. Visa holders are exempted from income tax.
Applicants will need to show a proof of health insurance for the duration of their stay, provide proof of income, submit a clean criminal certification, and provide a booking confirmation or rental agreement. Their travel document will need to be valid for at least three months after the digital nomad visa’s expiration date.
Montenegro
Kotor, Montenegro
Though still unknown by many, the tiny country of Montenegro in the Balkans is quickly becoming an up-and-coming expat destination, owing to its mild climate, beautiful scenery, low cost of living, and relaxed lifestyle.
The location is particularly popular among adventure seekers, thanks to its rugged geography which provides optimum conditions for snow sports during winter and stunning hiking trails in the summer.
This year, the government adopted changes to the Law on Foreigners, paving the foundations for new immigration policies for digital nomads. The details are still being finalized but some information have already been released.
According to the National Tourism Organisation of Montenegro, entrepreneurs and remote workers will be able to choose between schemes. The D Visa will be available to those looking to spend just a couple of months in the country, allowing visa holders to reside in Montenegro for up to 180 days in total during a one-year period, with multiple entries, if needed.
Those looking to stay longer can opt for a resident permit and will be required to provide proof of employment at a foreign company. The residence permit for digital nomads will be granted for two years, with the ability to extend for another two years at maximum.
Visa holders will be able to apply for residence permits for their spouse and children on the grounds of family unification.
Colombia
Cartagena, Cartagena Province, Bolivar, Colombia
Colombia is a culturally rich country, boasting pristine beaches, natural parks and beautiful colonial villages. Though its past reputation has dissuaded many foreigners to set foot on its shores, that trend is changing. Colombia is now beginning to attract a growing number of digital nomads and expats looking to enjoy its rich culture, diverse topography and low cost of living.
This year, the country introduced its digital nomad visa, allowing foreign nationals the opportunity to work from Colombia for up to two years. The scheme is available to those who wish to provide services as remote workers from Colombia, provided that these individuals do not work for a company with a presence in the country. The visa is also open to people who wish to start a business in the field of digital or information technology.
Another requirement is that the person applying for this visa must have a health insurance policy with coverage for any unforeseen event that may arise while in Colombia.
The program has been deemed one of the most affordable digital nomad visas in the world, requiring applicants to earn at least US$684 per month, a threshold that’s much lower that locations like Costa Rica which requires a minimum of US$3,000 per month.
Other requirements include having a valid passport that’s not set to expire during the temporary residence, show proof of earnings, take out health insurance, undergo a background back, and pay the application fee of US$22.8.

Featured image credit: edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-destinations-for-online-fintech-workers-and-digital-nomads-in-2023</link><guid>3024</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Crypto-Summit-2023-1.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Top Destinations for Online Fintech Workers and Digital Nomads in 2023</dc:text></item><item><title>The FTX EMEA Empire That Never Was</title><description><![CDATA[If you could peer into the mind of Sam Bankman-Fried, what would you see? Maybe it doesn’t bear thinking about. In the summer, empire building in Europe, the Middle East and Africa was very much on the mind of the FTX crypto mogul.
I’ve already uncovered plans of the FTX crypto group to buy the Swiss NPB Neue Privat Bank, which were frustrated by the financial regulator’s demands. But that was just the tip of the iceberg.
According to documents I’ve seen, the Swiss-based FTX Europe was to be housed under a Cypriot holding company (FTX EMEA) that would be armed with a $300 million war chest for acquisitions, including NPB.

By the late summer, FTX had drawn up a shopping list of targets that encompassed banking, digital payments, brokerage services and blockchain-based derivatives trading.
Had all gone to plan, FTX would have controlled entities based in Switzerland, Cyprus, Britain, Ireland, Germany, Luxembourg, the United Arab Emirates and various parts of Africa.
But nothing went to plan. Even before FTX crashed into bankruptcy in November and faced subsequent fraud charges, the group had apparently dropped plans to acquire some target companies, according to sources.
Among the items crossed off the shopping list between July and November were Swiss fintech payments firm Klarpay and the Luxembourg-based BTC Africa, which operates the blockchain payments service BitPesa in Africa.

Clients trapped on FTX Europe
We know that the expansion of the Swiss-based FTX Europe into a vast EMEA operation run from Cyprus didn’t happen. But what happens now with the FTX Europe that does exist?
FTX Europe was created when FTX bought the Swiss company Digital Assets for more than $300 million in November 2021. It was officially unveiled as an FTX entity in February of this year and later gained licenses to trade in Cyprus and Dubai (now suspended).
The business model is creating digital versions of financial assets, with a focus on derivatives, that trade on blockchains. When FTX group went into bankruptcy FTX Europe had well over 40,000 active accounts spread all over Europe.
These now frozen accounts contained derivative positions with a nominal value of over CHF45 million plus around CHF5.5 million in cash when FTX filed for bankruptcy on November 11.
FTX’s liquidator appears willing to sell FTX Europe along with other regional divisions that were unconnected with the alleged fraud taking place at group HQ in the Bahamas.
We’ll have to wait to see how that pans out – which is when I look forward to reconnecting with more tales of crypto’s biggest bust.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-ftx-emea-empire-that-never-was</link><guid>3023</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/FTX-1024x809.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>The FTX EMEA Empire That Never Was</dc:text></item><item><title>Year End Message to Our Readers – Offline From 23rd December to 2nd January</title><description><![CDATA[Fintech News Switzerland would like to take this opportunity to wish all our readers a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.
We will be taking a break from the 23rd December 2022 to the 2nd January 2023.
Until then, you can access some of our year-end articles that may be of interest to you. We look forward to seeing you all again on the 3rd January 2023!





Crypto Winter Wipes Out 72,000 Bitcoin Millionaires in 2022

BIS: New Global Bank Standards for Cryptoassets

IFZ Insurtech Study: European Insurtech Industry Increased 20% This Year

The Swiss Fintech Worldcup Football Team 2022

Swiss Universal Banks Top Digital Performance Ranking Ahead of Neobanks and Challengers

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/year-end-message-to-our-readers-offline-from-23rd-december-to-2nd-january</link><guid>3022</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Year End Message to Our Readers – Offline From 23rd December to 2nd January</dc:text></item><item><title>Visa Plans on Auto Crypto Payments</title><description><![CDATA[The rise of blockchain and cryptocurrencies has changed the way we think about digital money movement — creating opportunities for a new generation of financial applications. Visa reported that they are in the early stages of blockchain development and it remains unclear which use cases will become widely adopted, which will get left behind, and which have yet to be explored.
A team of researchers and engineers across Visa is working together to study the foundations of various blockchains — including the security, scalability, interoperability and privacy of different protocols — and propose possible use cases.
Catherine Gu

”To help our clients and partners innovate, we need to immerse ourselves in technologies that can bring real value to the payments ecosystem,”
said Catherine Gu, Head of CBDC and Protocols at Visa.
“We’re focused on growing our core competencies in Web3 infrastructure layers and blockchain protocols driving crypto development.”



Bringing auto payments to blockchain
Many of us rely on automatic payments to pay monthly bills. In a few simple steps, Visa can set up recurring payments with a local utility or subscription provider. With blockchain technology potentially representing a new way to process payments in a distributed and programmable fashion, could this everyday payment experience be replicated, or even improved, on the blockchain? Visa is exploring exactly that.
In a new technical piece, Visa outlines how to write a smart contract application for a self-custodial wallet, meaning a wallet that is controlled exclusively by the user and the associated private key. This application could allow a user to setup a programmable payment instruction that can push funds automatically from one self-custodial wallet account to another at recurring intervals, without requiring the user’s active participation each time.
This solution taps into a concept known as “Account Abstraction” (AA), a developer proposal currently being explored within the Ethereum ecosystem. The idea behind Account Abstraction is to make user accounts on Ethereum function more like smart contracts by allowing a user to have programmable features embedded into their wallets.
In the paper, the Visa team demonstrates a potential application of AA: a new type of account contract that can delegate the ability to initiate a payment by a user account to a pre-approved autopayment smart contract, mimicking the process you use today to set up a recurring card payment. If, or when, concepts like AA are enabled on Ethereum, Visa’s proposal could help bring familiar payments experiences, like auto payments, to the blockchain ecosystem.
Understanding the impact of blockchain
While blockchain technology and digital assets are still in their infancy, we’re digging into these emerging innovations to determine how they can impact money movement today, and into the future. Security and seamless user experience will be essential for the widespread implementation and adoption of blockchain. Visa will continue to explore these evolving technologies and concepts — including common consensus mechanisms, privacy and scaling solutions, and other possible blockchain use cases — to create a bridge between crypto ecosystem and our global network of clients and merchant locations.
Learn more about Visa’s research on blockchain foundations at visa.com/crypto/thoughtleadership 

This PR first appeared on fintechnews.am

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/visa-plans-on-auto-crypto-payments</link><guid>3021</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/AM.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Visa Plans on Auto Crypto Payments</dc:text></item><item><title>Banking and Fintech Players Embrace Cloud-Based Core Banking Platforms</title><description><![CDATA[2022 has seen a large number of banks and fintech companies embrace cloud-native architectures, inking strategic partnerships with modern core banking providers and technology specialists to modernize their core infrastructure and evolve for the digital age, a new analysis by fintech research company Whitesight shows.
This year, incumbents and fintech companies from across the globe have accelerated the move of their core functions to the cloud, waking up to the urgency to embrace cloud-native architecture to create higher customer expectations, gain agility and cut costs.
The Whitesight analysis notes that tech providers like Temenos and Finastra have seen increased interest from banks, showcasing that financial incumbents are increasing turning to cloud-native architectures as they seek to improve customer experience, enable business continuity, and achieve operational efficiencies and resilience.

Temenos, a Swiss banking software company that offers cloud-native, cloud-agnostic, and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven front office, core banking, payments and fund administration software, claims that over 3,000 banks, including 41 of the top 50 banks, use its products.
And Finastra, a London-based provider of financial software applications and marketplaces, says it serves about 8,600 institutions, providing them with software solutions and services across lending, payments, treasury and capital markets and universal banking.
Besides banking incumbents and traditional financial institutions, fintech companies and digital challengers as well are leveraging cloud-native core banking systems from providers like Mambu and Thought Machine. These are seeking increased flexibility, cost-effective scalability as well as the ability to offer superior specialist propositions for niche market segments.
This year, software-as-a-service (SaaS) cloud banking platform Mambu has onboarded a number of new customers, including names such as Bob Finance, a Swiss digital consumer finance offering, Ashman, a new entrant bank serving small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and Okeo, a digital payment service provider for European entrepreneurs and businesses.
Designed to fast-track the development of nearly any type of financial offering for banks, lenders, fintech companies, retailers, telcos and more, Mambu’s banking platform is said to be used by 230 customers, including N26, Raiffeisen Bank, ABN AMRO, Bank Islam and Orange Bank.
Similarly, Thought Machine, a cloud-native banking technology company, has enrolled several notable names in the industry this year, onboarding the likes of C6 Bank, one of Brazil’s fastest growing digital banks, Trust Bank, a new digital bank in Singapore, and Payset, an online payment platform and provider of multi-currency accounts from the UK.
Thought Machine’s cloud-native banking platform, called Vault Core, is also being used by large-scale multinational banks, including JPMorgan Chase, Standard Chartered and Intesa Sanpaolo.
Partnerships between tech providers themselves are also being signed, the Whitesight report notes. Typically, these tie-ups aim to provide banks and financial service providers with solutions that address emerging trends like open banking.
For example, open banking startups like Salt Edge and Trade Ledger have curated strategic partnerships with core banking providers such as Thought Machine and Neo by Five Degrees to enable banks to comply with open banking regulations and access API capabilities.
Others are collaborating to increase their capabilities, provide their customers with specialist niche products and differentiate from competitors. Such partnerships include the collaborations between core banking platform providers Skaleet, Neo by Five Degrees and Tuum with the likes of Thunes, a business-to-business (B2B) cross-border payments network, Fourthline, a provider of digital know-your-customer (KYC) and anti-money laundering (AML) compliance solutions, and Bricknode, a brokerage-as-a-service provider.
Core banking camaraderie in 2022, Source: Whitesight, Dec 2022
According to an Accenture study, 82% of executives at banks polled by the consulting firm said they planned to have at least half of their mainframe workloads in the cloud 10 years from now, and 31% of them had already reached that stage.
SaaS cloud banking platform Mambu and research and advisory firm Celent estimate that financial institutions globally could save up to US$246.1 billion running a cloud-native core over five years, a 76% reduction in core spend and a 15% savings in total IT costs over the same period.

Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/banking-and-fintech-players-embrace-cloud-based-core-banking-platforms</link><guid>3020</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Banking and Fintech Players Embrace Cloud-Based Core Banking Platforms</dc:text></item><item><title>BIS: New Global Bank Standards for Cryptoassets</title><description><![CDATA[The Group of Central Bank Governors and Heads of Supervision (GHOS), the oversight body of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, met on 16 December to endorse a finalised prudential standard on banks’ cryptoasset exposures and the Committee’s work programme and strategic priorities for 2023–24.
Tiff Macklem
” Today’s endorsement by the GHOS marks an important milestone in developing a global regulatory baseline for mitigating risks to banks from cryptoassets. It is important to continue to monitor bank-related developments in cryptoasset markets. We remain ready to act further if necessary. “
Tiff Macklem, Chair of the GHOS and Governor of the Bank of Canada
Pablo Hernández de Cos
” The Committee’s standard on cryptoasset is a further example of our commitment, willingness and ability to act in a globally coordinated way to mitigate emerging financial stability risks. The Committee’s work programme for 2023–24 endorsed by GHOS today seeks to further strengthen the regulation, supervision and practices of banks worldwide. In particular, it focuses on emerging risks, digitalisation, climate-related financial risks and monitoring and implementing Basel III. “
Pablo Hernández de Cos, Chair of the Basel Committee and Governor of the Bank of Spain

Cryptoassets
The GHOS endorsed the Committee’s finalised prudential treatment for banks’ exposures to cryptoassets. Unbacked cryptoassets and stablecoins with ineffective stabilisation mechanisms will be subject to a conservative prudential treatment. The standard will provide a robust and prudent global regulatory framework for internationally active banks’ exposures to cryptoassets that promotes responsible innovation while preserving financial stability. GHOS members agreed to implement the standard by 1 January 2025, and tasked the Committee with monitoring the implementation and effects of the standard.
While the global banking system’s direct exposures to cryptoassets remain relatively low, recent developments have further highlighted the importance of having a strong global minimum prudential framework for internationally active banks to mitigate risks from cryptoassets. To that end, the GHOS tasked the Committee with continuing to assess bank-related developments in cryptoasset markets, including the role of banks as stablecoin issuers, custodians of cryptoassets and broader potential channels of interconnections. More generally, the Committee will continue to collaborate with other standard-setting bodies and the Financial Stability Board to ensure a consistent global regulatory treatment of stablecoins.
Basel Committee work programme for 2023–24
The GHOS also endorsed the strategic priorities and work programme of the Committee for 2023–24. In addition to pursuing a forward-looking approach to identifying and assessing emerging risks and vulnerabilities to the global banking system, the work programme places high priority on work related to the ongoing digitalisation of finance, climate-related financial risks and monitoring, implementing and evaluating the Basel III framework.

Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash and Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bis-new-global-bank-standards-for-cryptoassets</link><guid>3019</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>BIS: New Global Bank Standards for Cryptoassets</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Government Plans to Promote Open Finance in 2024</title><description><![CDATA[During its meeting on 16 December 2022, the Federal Council discussed open finance developments in Switzerland.
It has instructed the Federal Department of Finance (FDF) to submit measures to it by June 2024 in the event that the financial sector does not sufficiently commit to opening up its interfaces.
Open finance enables financial data to be exchanged via standardised and secure data interfaces at the request of clients. For example, someone who has accounts at several banks could use the app of one of those banks or a fintech to manage all accounts. Furthermore, financial data could be automatically combined with other data to calculate a carbon footprint, for example.

Unlike in other countries, such as the United Kingdom (PSD2) or EU member states, there is currently no legal obligation in Switzerland for financial institutions to make financial data available to third-party providers at their clients’ request.
The February 2022 Federal Council report on digital finance stipulates that the need for action to promote and expand open finance should be reviewed on a regular basis. During its meeting on 16 December, the Federal Council took note of open finance developments in Switzerland and the outlook for the future. The commitment of industry associations and various financial institutions is to be welcomed. Promising projects have been launched in areas such as retirement provision, portfolio management, payment transactions and multibanking. However, more concrete progress and greater commitment are needed with regard to the opening up of data interfaces.
The Federal Council welcomes the targets that the FDF has drawn up. They serve as a guideline for the work to be done and are intended to strengthen the digital self-determination of clients and to promote innovation and competition in the Swiss financial centre. The Federal Council remains confident that a market-based approach can work. It has instructed the FDF to submit measures to it by June 2024 in the event that the financial sector does not sufficiently commit to opening up its interfaces. In addition, the Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) is to examine how digital access to retirement provision data can be appropriately promoted.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-government-plans-to-promote-open-finance-in-2024</link><guid>3018</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Government Plans to Promote Open Finance in 2024</dc:text></item><item><title>Neue Strategie für die Digitale Schweiz</title><description><![CDATA[Der Bundesrat hat am 16. Dezember 2022 die neue Strategie Digitale Schweiz genehmigt. Die Strategie wurde vereinfacht und sieht neu jährlich wechselnde Fokusthemen vor, die vom Bundesrat bestimmt werden.
Die Fokusthemen adressieren Themen, in denen der Bundesrat eine besondere Priorität für die digitale Schweiz sieht. Für das nächste Jahr 2023 sind die Fokusthemen: digitalisierungsfreundliches Recht, Digitalisierung im Gesundheitsbereich und digitale Souveränität.
Die Strategie Digitale Schweiz definiert seit 2018 Leitlinien für das Handeln des Staates im Bereich der digitalen Transformation. Die Strategie ist für die Bundesverwaltung verbindlich. Für die übrigen Akteure der Kantone, Gemeinden, Wirtschaft, Wissenschaft und Zivilgesellschaft dient sie als Orientierung mit dem Ziel, den digitalen Wandel bestmöglich zu nutzen.

Die aktualisierte Strategie hat zwei wesentliche Funktionen: Zum einen soll anhand von fünf Wirkungsbereichen (Bildung und Kompetenzen, Sicherheit und Vertrauen, Rahmenbedingungen, Infrastruktur, digitale Behördenleistungen) eine strukturierte Übersicht geschaffen werden über den Stand der staatlichen Tätigkeiten. Zum anderen sollen gezielt Schwerpunkte gesetzt werden. Die Strategie Digitale Schweiz beinhaltet darum neu zwei bis drei Fokusthemen. Diese werden jährlich vom Bundesrat festgelegt.
Fokusthemen als Kernelement
Für das kommende Jahr hat der Bundesrat erstmals Fokusthemen definiert. Mit diesem neuen Instrument bekommen Themen von hoher Wichtigkeit und Dringlichkeit – und manchmal von hohem Nachholbedarf – zusätzliche Aufmerksamkeit. Auf die Fokusthemen konzentriert die Bundesverwaltung ihre Arbeiten im jeweiligen Jahr und lanciert konkrete Massnahmen. Die Fokusthemen für 2023 sind:

Digitalisierungsfreundliches Recht
Digitalisierung im Gesundheitsbereich
Digitale Souveränität

Zu jedem Fokusthema organisiert der Bereich Digitale Transformation und IKT-Lenkung (DTI) der Bundeskanzlei ein Beiratstreffen Digitale Schweiz, jeweils unter Vorsitz des Bundesrats oder der Bundesrätin des federführenden Departementes.
Gemeinsame Weiterentwicklung der Strategie
Der Bereich DTI der Bundeskanzlei koordiniert die Erarbeitung und die Umsetzung der Strategie in Zusammenarbeit mit Kantonen, Organisationen und Unternehmen. Die Grundlagen der neuen Strategie wurden gemeinsam mit Vertreterinnen und Vertretern aus Wissenschaft, Wirtschaft, Verwaltung, Politik und Zivilgesellschaft erarbeitet. Dies geschah in Workshops und in Gremien wie dem Beirat Digitale Schweiz. Die Organisation Digitale Verwaltung Schweiz begleitete die Arbeiten ebenfalls eng, um das Zusammenspiel zwischen Bund, Kantonen und Gemeinden sicherzustellen.
Aktionsplan wird laufend aktualisiert
Der Aktionsplan der bisherigen Strategie Digitale Schweiz soll weitergeführt werden. Er beinhaltet alle laufenden Aktivitäten zur Umsetzung der Strategie und wird laufend aktualisiert. Die Federführung für die Umsetzung der Massnahmen liegt weiterhin bei der jeweiligen Verwaltungseinheit, die auch für die Finanzierung zuständig ist. Neu erfolgt eine jährliche Berichterstattung über den Stand der Strategieumsetzung zuhanden des Bundesrats in Form eines Monitoringberichts.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/neue-strategie-fur-die-digitale-schweiz</link><guid>3017</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Neue Strategie für die Digitale Schweiz</dc:text></item><item><title>bob Finance Migrates Its Lending Portfolio to Mambu</title><description><![CDATA[Zurich-based digital financial services provider bob Finance announced that it has successfully migrated its full lending portfolio to Mambu’s cloud-native banking platform.
This migration included a move to a locally-based Google Cloud as bob Finance is looking to establish itself in the Swiss lending market.
With its offerings on Mambu’s platform, bob Finance said that it will continue building products and developing new opportunities in the region.

bob Finance, a subsidiary of Valora Schweiz which is a Swiss retail and food service holding company, provides digital financing solutions for both individual and business customers.
The firm originally leveraged Mambu to launch its ‘buy now, pay later’ offering for retailers called ‘bob Zero’ in 2020.
Hilmar Scheel
Hilmar Scheel, CEO at bob Finance said,
“We teamed up with Mambu two years ago because we were looking for a flexible, cloud-native platform with core product capabilities that would support our mission to become a reliable and versatile partner for financial services.

Since then, we’ve reduced maintenance effort and information security risks through an up-to-date platform and technology stack compared to one that is individually hosted.”
Scott Wilson
Scott Wilson, Regional VP EMEA at Mambu said,
“bob Finance is developing innovative, customer-first lending experiences for the Swiss market. Building on the success of our original partnership, they saw the opportunity to both migrate its offerings onto Mambu and a locally-based cloud.

The versatility and power of the Mambu platform combined with our multi-cloud approach meant bob Finance could change cloud providers easily and with zero down time, all in a matter of six months.”

Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bob-finance-migrates-its-lending-portfolio-to-mambu</link><guid>3015</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>bob Finance Migrates Its Lending Portfolio to Mambu</dc:text></item><item><title>UBS Issues USD 50 Million Tokenized Debt Securities for Asia Pacific</title><description><![CDATA[UBS has closed the first tokenized debt transaction for Asia Pacific investors, underlining its commitment to expand regional investment opportunities.
UBS AG London branch issued USD 50 million in digital fixed rate security tokens (‘digital securities’) using blockchain technology to a series of high net worth and global family and institutional wealth investors across Hong Kong and Singapore. The US dollar-denominated instruments carry a tenor of 6 months and are tokenized on a permissioned blockchain.
The private placement marks the first time that uncertificated securities on a blockchain have been constituted under English and Swiss law, and tokenized on a permissioned Ethereum-based blockchain. They are among the first ever global blockchain-based transactions involving multiple jurisdictions. UBS designed the transaction to satisfy a rising demand among Asian investors for fixed income investments that can be transacted using blockchain, a new disruptive technology that can make issuing securities more efficient, while enabling new product innovations.

August Hatecke
“This transaction is the first step in an exciting journey in offering blockchain-based products to regional investors, and it underlines UBS’s ability to expand digital investment opportunities for our clients”
said August Hatecke, Co-Head UBS Global Wealth Management APAC.
Amy Lo
“We registered strong interest for this inaugural issue from regional high net worth individuals and family offices, which underscores their interest in digital securities”
added Amy Lo, Co-Head UBS Global Wealth Management APAC.
UBS Group intends to explore further transactions including for third-party issuers. This will maintain a growing pipeline of digital security deal flow from the financial institution. In November 2022, UBS Group priced its inaugural senior unsecured digital bond, which comprised CHF 375 million in three-year digital bonds.

Featured image credit: edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ubs-issues-usd-50-million-tokenized-debt-securities-for-asia-pacific</link><guid>3014</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>UBS Issues USD 50 Million Tokenized Debt Securities for Asia Pacific</dc:text></item><item><title>Governments, International Bodies Ramp up Crypto Tax Regulations</title><description><![CDATA[Over the past year, governments and regulatory bodies from around the world have increased their focus on the taxation of the cryptocurrency industry, a trend that comes on the back of increasing investment, adoption and innovation in the space despite collapsing prices and high profile business failures, a new report by consulting firm PwC says.
PwC’s 2022 Global Crypto Tax Report, released earlier this month, looks at the state of crypto taxation globally, exploring emerging trends and key developments that have occurred over the past year.
According to the report, 2022 has been marked by increasing tax regulation targeting the crypto sector, a trend that was prompted by major steps being taken by governments and international bodies like the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the European Union (EU) and the US.

In October, the OECD, an intergovernmental organization comprising 38 member countries that focuses on stimulating economic progress and world trade, released its tax reporting framework. Dubbed the Crypto-Asset Report Framework (CARF), the guidance sets forth a global tax transparency framework for the automatic reporting and exchange of taxpayer information between countries relating to financial accounts and crypto-assets.
In the EU, a new law was proposed earlier this month that requires crypto providers to report details of their EU clients’ transactions to national tax authorities within the bloc. The proposed new tax rules, known as the eighth Directive on Administrative Cooperation (DAC8), seeks to halt billions of euros in evasion by taxpayers storing their crypto abroad.
Like the OECD’s CARF, the DAC8 proposal also contains provisions on reporting and exchange of information on crypto-assets for direct tax purposes.
In the US, the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) was signed into law on November 15, 2021, setting aside over US$1.2 trillion to upgrade the country’s infrastructure over the next decade. Included in the package are new authorities for the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Treasury Department, giving them the power to establish tax reporting rules for cryptocurrency transactions starting in 2023.
Focus on NFTs and DeFi
In addition to increasing tax regulation on crypto trading gains, tax administrators have also started looking at non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and decentralized finance (DeFi) applications
Earlier this year, the US IRS adjusted its annual tax instructions to account for NFTs, replacing the term “virtual currency” with “digital assets,” which encompass NFTs.
In India, the government introduced in the Union Budget 2022 regulations to tax incomes from virtual digital assets, including crypto and NFTs. The amended law includes the definition of crypto assets, NFTs and other similar tokens. It also notifies that any income from the sale or transfer of crypto assets or NFTs shall be taxed at 30%.
Meanwhile, in the DeFi industry, early guidance around taxation remains limited, though some jurisdictions have started looking into the topic.
The UK government, for example, announced in April a package of measures focused on crypto-assets. The measures include an intention to consider and address concerns about the tax treatment of DeFi loans and staking.
In Switzerland, the Swiss Federal Tax Administration and the Association of Swiss Tax Administrations published in December 2021 their updated workpapers and guidelines on the taxation of crypto and blockchain projects, providing greater clarity on how investment tokens, staking/airdrops, and employee participations are to be taxed.
According to Swiss law firm Bär &amp; Karrer, though no specific guidelines relating to NFTs have been published, some of the key Swiss tax principles are applicable to NFTs.
In Switzerland, capital gains on the sale of private assets are in principle tax-free, while capital gains on the sale of business assets, including those that serve a self-employed activity, are subject to income tax.
For private crypto investors, capital gains are exempted from taxation if the assets are held for at least six months and if it doesn’t involve debt instruments, explained experts from Deloitte Switzerland. Trading turnover must not exceed five times the holding at the beginning of the tax period and capital gains should be smaller than 50% of the total income in the respective tax period. Additionally, derivatives must solely be used for hedging.
According to a 2022 research by crypto exchange company Crypto.com, the global crypto population increased by 178% in 2021 with users totaling nearly 300 million. Booming adoption of crypto came on the back of heavyweight institutions, including Mastercard and Visa, taking steps to embrace crypto during 2021.

Global crypto adoption, Source: Crypto.com Research 2022

Featured image credit: Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/governments-international-bodies-ramp-up-crypto-tax-regulations</link><guid>3013</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Global-crypto-adoption-Source-Crypto.com-Research-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Governments, International Bodies Ramp up Crypto Tax Regulations</dc:text></item><item><title>New Swiss Fintech Startup Design for 2023</title><description><![CDATA[Together with their partners Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Swisscom and Clarafinds, eForesight has revised the Swiss Fintech Map and expanded the database as well as deleted some old and inactive players.
The main categories contain now 130 Swiss Investment Management Fintechs, 106 Banking Infrastructure Fintechs, 48 Deposit&amp;Lending Fintechs and 55 Payment Fintechs. On top of that somehow at the end 84 Big Data, 135 Process Digitization and 102 DLD Blockchain Fintechs are mentioned.
This means for 2023 the new count starts now with 339 Swiss Fintechs on the main map.


Check out the new Swiss Fintech map below or the digital version on fintechmap.ch.


]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-swiss-fintech-startup-design-for-2023</link><guid>3012</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/aff2023.jpg?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>New Swiss Fintech Startup Design for 2023</dc:text></item><item><title>New Swiss Fintech Startup Map Design for 2023</title><description><![CDATA[Together with their partners Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Swisscom and Clarafinds, eForesight has revised the Swiss Fintech Map and expanded the database as well as deleted some old and inactive players.
The main business area categories contain now 130 Swiss Investment Management Fintechs, 106 Banking Infrastructure Fintechs, 48 Deposit&amp;Lending Fintechs and 55 Payment Fintechs. On top of that, the fintechs in the main categories on the map were sorted into technology clusters such as Big Data (84), Process Digitization (135) and DLD Blockchain (102).
The map was also cleaned up, which means inactive Swiss Fintechs were deleted from the map. This means for 2023 the new count starts now with 339 Swiss Fintechs, about 32 Fintechs less than the previous months.



Check out the new Swiss Fintech map below or the digital version on fintechmap.ch.

New Designed Swiss Fintech Map December 2022

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-swiss-fintech-startup-map-design-for-2023</link><guid>3016</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/swiss-fintech-map-new-design-1024x643.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>New Swiss Fintech Startup Map Design for 2023</dc:text></item><item><title>Mobil, Online, Krypto: Wie digital die Schweiz 2022 bezahlt</title><description><![CDATA[Die Schweizer:innen vertrauen immer stärker auf den Einsatz digitaler Bezahlmöglichkeiten. Das zeigen die Ergebnisse der zweiten Auflage des Visa Payment Monitor in der Schweiz.
Laut der repräsentativen Umfrage unter 1’000 Menschen in der Schweiz ist eine gegenüber 2021 wachsende Mehrheit der Schweizer:innen (77 %) zweieinhalb Jahre nach Beginn der Pandemie davon überzeugt, dass die veränderten Bezahlgewohnheiten keine vorübergehende Erscheinung sind, sondern sich auch in Zukunft durchsetzen werden. Jeder zweite Schweizer  geht inzwischen davon aus, dass es in fünf Jahren alltäglich sein wird, gar nicht mehr mit Bargeld zu bezahlen (50 %), drei von zehn meiden gar bereits heute Geschäfte, wenn dort nicht bargeldlos bezahlt werden kann (30 %).
Was zählt sind Schnelligkeit und Sicherheit
Konsument:innen sind beim Bezahlen unverändert Schnelligkeit, ein guter Überblick über die Ausgaben und die Unabhängigkeit vom Bargeldautomaten wichtig. Für zwei von drei Schweizer:innen ist es entscheidend, dass die Bezahlung schnell geht (64 %) – mit steigender Tendenz und von der Deutschschweiz bis in die Romandie. Gleichzeitig steigt durch die intensive Nutzung in den vergangenen Jahren das Vertrauen in das digitale Bezahlen: Beim Kauf im Internet sorgen sich 13 Prozent sehr vor einem Datenabgriff, ein Rückgang um sechs Prozentpunkte in nur einem Jahr. Im stationären Handel machen sich in diesem Jahr nur noch neun Prozent grosse Sorgen über Datenabgriffe. Besonders grossen Wert legen Konsument:innen beim bargeldlosen Bezahlen auf Sicherheit. An Kartenzahlungen schätzen 91 Prozent der Schweizer:innen am meisten, dass sie bei nicht autorisierten Zahlungen ihr Geld zurückerhalten.

Santosh Ritter
«Die Innovationen, die der Schweizer Bezahlmarkt fortlaufend hervorbringt, werden von den Menschen genutzt und geschätzt»,
sagt Santosh Ritter, Country Manager bei Visa für die Schweiz und Liechtenstein, mit Blick auf den Visa Payment Monitor 2022.
«Mehr als zweieinhalb Jahre nach Beginn der Pandemie zeigt sich, dass der Trend zum beschleunigten digitalen Bezahlen keine Eintagsfliege war. Konsumentinnen und Konsumenten legen weiter besonderen Wert auf schnelle, sichere und zuverlässige Bezahlmöglichkeiten jenseits des Bargelds und auch über die klassische Plastikkarte hinaus.»
Mobiles Bezahlen legt zu

Das kontaktlose Bezahlen hat sich in der Schweiz fest etabliert. Inzwischen bezahlen 90 Prozent der Schweizer:innen auf diese Weise. Das Wachstum gegenüber 2021 fällt nur noch gering aus und ist in der französischsprachigen Schweiz am stärksten ausgeprägt. Beim mobilen Bezahlen im stationären Handel ist der Zuwachs deutlicher: Gesamtschweizerisch stieg der Anteil der Personen, die in Geschäften durch Auflegen des Smartphones oder Wearables bezahlten, auf 28 Prozent (+3 Prozentpunkte). Am normalsten ist es für die Generation Y und Z: 44 Prozent der unter 35-Jährigen nutzen bereit das Mobilgerät zum Bezahlen an der Ladenkasse. Dabei stieg bei Personen, die mobil bezahlen, auch die Nutzungshäufigkeit im Vergleich zum Vorjahr. Bereits jede:r Zweite verwendet mehrmals pro Woche das Mobilgerät an der Kasse (+ 9 Prozentpunkte) und auch die Weiterempfehlungsrate nimmt weiter zu: Fast 9 von 10 Mobilzahler:innen würden Mobile Payment ihren Freunden empfehlen (87 %).
In der Deutschschweiz überholt das Smartphone das Portemonnaie
Das Smartphone gewinnt gegenüber dem Portemonnaie insgesamt weiter an Relevanz: Müssten sie zwischen den beiden auswählen, entscheiden sich in der Deutschschweiz inzwischen mehr Menschen für das Handy (51 %, entspricht +7 Prozentpunkten) als für das Portemonnaie (47 %). In der Romandie ist es umgekehrt: Hier schlägt das Portemonnaie (52 %) noch das Mobilgerät (41 %).

Vertrauen in Online-Zahlungen steigt
Noch stärker als im physischen Handel ist die Nutzungsintensität von Mobilgeräten im Online-Handel. Mittlerweile haben zwei Drittel der Konsument:innen (65 %) schon einmal Waren oder Dienstleistungen mobil mit Smartphone und Co. im Internet gekauft. Das entspricht gesamtschweizerisch einem Wachstum von sieben Prozent. Die Deutschschweiz hat diesbezüglich wie im Vorjahr die Nase vorn: 66 Prozent shoppen mobil im Internet (+ 6 Prozentpunkte).
Durch die intensive Nutzung von Onlinekanälen im Zuge der Pandemie hat sich der Ruf des Kaufs im Internet verbessert: 22 Prozent geben an, dass sie Onlinezahlungen heute positiver sehen als vor Beginn der Covid-19-Pandemie und 32 Prozent kaufen häufiger online ein. Mittlerweile kauft generell fast jede:r (97 %) zumindest ab und zu online ein – mehr als sechs von zehn regelmässig.
Krypto: Schweizer:innen im DACH-Vergleich die klare Nummer eins

Gemäss des Visa Payment Monitors 2022 besitzen fast ein Viertel der Schweizer:innen (23 %) Kryptowährungen. Bei den unter 35-Jährigen ist es sogar schon fast jede:r Zweite (44 %). Für viele der Kryptobesitzer:innen sind die digitalen Währungen nicht nur eine Geldanlage: Mehr als ein Drittel (38 %) hat sie schon einmal zum Bezahlen eingesetzt und jede:r Vierte geht gar davon aus, dass es in fünf Jahren ganz normal sein wird, mit digitalen Währungen im Alltag zu bezahlen.
Auffällig ist, dass Krypto besonders bei Männern beliebt ist – statistisch besitzen Männer fast dreimal so häufig digitale Währungen wie Frauen (32 % vs. 13 %). Gegenüber den Konsument:innen in Deutschland und Österreich liegen jedoch sowohl Frauen und Männer deutlich vorn. In Deutschland besitzen gerade einmal sieben Prozent der Menschen Krypto-Assets und von ihnen haben auch erst 14 Prozent damit bezahlt. In Österreich besitzen 14 Prozent der Menschen Kryptowährungen und von ihnen haben schon 37 Prozent damit bezahlt.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mobil-online-krypto-wie-digital-die-schweiz-2022-bezahlt</link><guid>3011</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Infografik_digital-938x1024.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Mobil, Online, Krypto: Wie digital die Schweiz 2022 bezahlt</dc:text></item><item><title>8 Fast-Growing Supply Chain Fintech Companies from Europe</title><description><![CDATA[Cutting edge technologies including artificial intelligence (AI), analytics and distributed ledger technology (DLT) are changing the way companies and their suppliers do business. These technologies are revolutionizing the supply chain industry by introducing digital solutions that improve processes, enhance efficiencies and increase transparency.
In Europe, a plethora of tech startups have emerged over the past couple of years to resolve the financing difficulties of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), help achieve digitalization of the industry, and support the growth of the real economy.
To get a sense of the region’s fast evolving supply chain fintech industry, we’ve made a selection of Europe’s most innovative and fastest-growing startups disrupting the space. These eight companies are leveraging technology to bring transparency to global trade, provide short-term financing solutions and facilitate business-to-business (B2B) commerce. They’ve made notable strides over the past year and are poised for further growth moving forward.

Marco Polo

Founded in 2017 and based in London, Marco Polo is a trade finance initiative led by TradeIX and R3.
The platform, which makes use of distributed ledger technology (DLT), aims to improve the trade ecosystem and its participants through providing secure, distributed data storage and bookkeeping, automated contract enforcement, identity management, asset verification and tracking. It is designed to be a truly open network that allows interoperability for applications and legacy systems at banks and corporates involved in international trade transactions.
Companies part of the Marco Polo network include Bank of America, BNY Mellon, BNP Paribas, Accenture, Google, IBM and Microsoft. According to Dealroom data, Marco Polo has secured US$16 million in funding so far.
Komgo

Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Geneva, Komgo is a blockchain software development and technology services company solving problems for the trade finance industry. The company builds digital solutions designed to transform internal workflows and the relationships between importers, exporters, banks, and all industry stakeholders.
Komgo is owned by the industry’s leading banks and corporates, including ABN-AMRO, Credit Agricole, Citi, Gunvor, ING and Societe Generale. It has offices in Seoul, Singapore, Geneva, London, New York, and Houston.
Earlier this month, Komgo acquired GlobalTrade Corporation (GTC), a Canadian multi-bank trade finance solutions provider. Jointly Komgo and GTC provide trade finance digitalization solutions to over 120 multinational clients and their 11,000+ subsidiaries.
According to Dealroom data, Komgo has secured US$29 million in funding so far.
FQX

Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Zurich, FQX is a blockchain startup. FQX’s primary offering is the eNote, an unconditional promise to pay a specific sum to another party at a specific future date.
The eNote is based on blockchain technology, can be modularly structured to fit any financing purpose, and can be easily transferred to any third party. Businesses can sell their eNotes in a practice similar to invoice factoring to get cash before the settlement dates as means to improve cash flow. eNotes can also be used by companies to obtain short-term financing from banks or other corporations.
eNotes are issued and traded in real-time on a blockchain-based infrastructure, enabling improved liquidity and risk protection for both trading partners.
FQX inked a deal with Switzerland’s SIX Digital Exchange (SDX) in February 2022 to use the startup’s blockchain-based short-term debt instruments on SDX. FQX secured US$4.7 million in a seed funding led by SIX Fintech Ventures, the non-strategic corporate venture arm of SIX, and unicorn startup founder Carsten Thoma.
Previse

Founded in 2016 and headquartered in London, Previse is a global financial services and technology company specializing in business-to-business (B2B) commerce. The company has built the infrastructure to connect the millions of suppliers on existing B2B networks with billions of dollars of finance in ways that are otherwise not possible. The company’s core capability is to process corporate and small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) trading data globally and use artificial intelligence (AI) to predict future revenues and price the risk accurately.
Previse claims it carries out over US$24 trillion of trade each year between 20 million SMEs and 5,000 corporate buyers globally.
In May, Previse closed the first phase of its Series B financing, securing US$18 million to expand the availability of its data-driven working capital finance solutions designed for SMEs.
EcoVadis

Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Paris, EcoVadis is a provider of business sustainability ratings, intelligence and collaborative performance improvement tools for global supply chains.
EcoVadis’ easy-to-use and actionable sustainability scorecards and carbon action tools provide detailed insights into environmental, social and ethical risks across 200+ purchasing categories and 175+ countries, enabling businesses of all sizes to monitor and improve the sustainability performance of their business and trading partners.
Industry leaders such as Amazon, Johnson &amp; Johnson, L’Oréal, Unilever, LVMH, Salesforce, Bridgestone, BASF and JPMorgan are among the 100,000 businesses that collaborate with EcoVadis.
EcoVadis is one of the most well-funded climate fintech startups in Europe, having secured a total of US$725 million in funding. In June, it closed a US$500 million Series C, which was extended in November with an undisclosed secondary transaction. The startup said it would use the proceeds to continue its investments in internal and acquired innovation, expand its global scale-up, and deepen the user engagement and impact of its solutions. EcoVadis is part of the unicorn club.
Traxpay

Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Frankfurt, Traxpay is a fast-growing supply chain finance platform that operates globally from Europe with a multi-bank approach. Traxpay aims to become the “360° supply chain finance platform of choice” for buyers, suppliers and banks, enabling companies to manage their working capital in a simple, secure and sustainable way.
Traxpay offers all stakeholders a set of tools for generating and securing liquidity along the entire value chain. Established financial institutions including Deutsche Bank, DZ Bank, Nord/LB, LBBW and KfW IPEXBank utilize Traxpay’s financing solution and maintain strategic partnerships with the company.
Traxpay has secured a total of US$18 million in funding so far, according to Dealroom data. Backers include Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, and Earlybird Venture Capital.
Finverity

Founded in 2017 and headquartered in London, Finverity operates an award-winning supply chain finance technology platform that caters to the entire ecosystem of trade finance participants.
Finverity’s platform is made available via three routes: a digital marketplace that directly matches bank and non-bank funders with pre-qualified mid-market companies seeking supply chain and receivables finance; a highly customizable, white-label software for banks and non-bank funders looking to increase their supply chain and receivables finance operations; and a servicing offering enabling funders to onboard, distribute and manage their own transactions and co-fund new transactions using Finverity’s open platform.
Finverity secured in February 2022 a US$2 milloin Pre-Series A equity funding round, which the company said it would use to expand its sales, operations and technology teams to support its rapid growth. The company is also planning to open three new offices across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Europe.
Centrifuge

Headquartered in Zug and founded in 2017, Centrifuge is an open, decentralized operating system that aims to connect the global financial supply chain. The system allows participants to transact on a global network while maintaining ownership of their data, including their validated company details, their reputation, business relationships, and subsequent transactions.
The decentralized finance (DeFi) lending protocol seeks to make credit more accessible to small businesses by allowing them to borrow money against real-world assets (RWAs), while also providing a stable yield for investors by opening pooled liquidity to the world of traditional finance. Centrifuge’s associated decentralized application (DApp), Tinlake, is a marketplace for tokenized RWAs.
Centrifuge has already financed over US$134 million in RWAs such as financing over US$4.5 million trade receivables of Harbor Trade. In November, the startup closed a US$4 million funding round, bringing its total raised to US$15.8 million, according to Dealroom data.

Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/8-fast-growing-supply-chain-fintech-companies-from-europe</link><guid>3010</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Marco-Polo-300x131.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>8 Fast-Growing Supply Chain Fintech Companies from Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>Accounto’s Board of Directors Are Expanding</title><description><![CDATA[The team at Accounto, the Switzerland based fiduciary software specialist, is gaining an experienced industry expert.
Thomas Koller, former long-standing Chairman of the Board of Directors of OBT AG and General Manager of the Fiduciary &amp; Business Consulting Division at ExpertSuisse, is the latest addition to the Board of Directors.
In order to further strengthen the strategic, industry-oriented development of Accounto, the Board of Directors has recommended the election of Thomas Koller to the Board of Directors at the Annual General Meeting. “With Thomas Koller, we are gaining a proven expert in the fiduciary industry for our mission. He complements our Board of Directors and the collaboration has already commenced,” says Alain Veuve, founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Accounto.

Thomas Koller
“I am very pleased to be elected to the Board of Directors and am convinced that Accounto will soon be established in the market as an ideal addition to the long-established fiduciary products,”
says Thomas Koller.
In addition to his many years as Chairman of the Board of Directors and overall Head of the Fiduciary &amp; Management Consulting Division at OBT AG, Thomas Koller is President of the Fiduciary &amp; Management Consulting Division at ExpertSuisse. He is also a member of various committees that deal with the digitalisation of the fiduciary industry. In mid-2022, he also founded his own consultancy, KollerNext AG.
The Board of Directors of Accounto AG is now composed as follows:
Alain Veuve (Chairman and Founder), Dominique Kaspar (Vice Chairman), Michael Manz, Alessandro Micera and Thomas Koller.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/accountos-board-of-directors-are-expanding</link><guid>3009</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Accounto’s Board of Directors Are Expanding</dc:text></item><item><title>G+D Doubles Its Stake in Netcetera to 60%</title><description><![CDATA[Munich-based security technology group Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) is further expanding its stake in Swiss digital payments company Netcetera from 30 to 60 percent.
Netcetera will still remain as an independent company following the share transfer that is planned for February 2023.
Together with the Netcetera’s Board of Directors, CEO and Co-founder Andrej Vckovski has decided to step down from the company’s operational management at the end of January 2023.


Vckovski will continue to play a key role in future developments as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors.
He will be succeeded by Carsten Wengel as the new CEO of Netcetera from 1 February 2023 onwards. Wengel heads up global sales and distribution for the digital and card-based payments business at G+D.
Both Wengel and the newly appointed CFO Nanette Haubensak complement the existing management team as they pursue Netcetera’s expansion strategy.
Ralf Wintergerst
“With its focus on software solutions that are essential to the success of customers and their business processes, Netcetera complements and strengthens Giesecke+Devrient’s digital portfolio.

Expanding our partnership is the next logical step and confirms our mutual trust. Together, we are laying the foundation for further joint growth.”
said Ralf Wintergerst, CEO of G+D and Chairman of the Board of Netcetera.
Andrej Vckovski
“As the market leader, Netcetera is excellently positioned, and I am pleased that our company is continuing to pursue its expansion strategy together with G+D.

In the past two years, we have strengthened our innovative power and developed further international growth potential,”
said Andrej Vckovski, CEO and Co-founder of Netcetera.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/gd-doubles-its-stake-in-netcetera-to-60</link><guid>3008</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/aff2023.jpg?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>G+D Doubles Its Stake in Netcetera to 60%</dc:text></item><item><title>Dataiku Now Valued at US$3.7 Billion With US$200 Million Fundraise</title><description><![CDATA[Dataiku, an AI and analytics platform, announced that it has raised US$200 million in Series F funding round led by new investor Wellington Management.
This brings Dataiku’s total funds raised since its inception to approximately US$600 million with a valuation of US$3.7 billion.
Dataiku said that it plans to use the funds to prepare for its next phase of growth.


In 2022, Dataiku reported that it grew its customer base above 500 and surpassed US$150 million in annual recurring revenue.
Matt Witheiler
“Dataiku’s proven track record, management team, growth trajectory, and customer roster, positions the company to scale AI to new heights. We are pleased to partner and contribute to their impressive journey.

Dataiku has taken a leadership position helping enterprises put massive datasets to work at unprecedented speed and creating a culture of AI focused on delivering compounding business results.”
said Matt Witheiler, Consumer/Technology Sector Lead, Wellington Management.
“Our ability to attract new, market leading investors, like Wellington, in this challenging environment underscores the strength of our solutions, our world-class team, and the tremendous opportunities ahead.

We are on the cusp of a massive market transformation with AI at the heart of it—and we are ready to meet the moment.”
said Florian Douetteau, Co-founder and CEO of Dataiku.

This article first appeared on Fintech News America. 

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/dataiku-now-valued-at-us37-billion-with-us200-million-fundraise</link><guid>3007</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/aff2023.jpg?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Dataiku Now Valued at US$3.7 Billion With US$200 Million Fundraise</dc:text></item><item><title>IFZ Insurtech Study: European Insurtech Industry Increased 20% This Year</title><description><![CDATA[Over the past year, Europe’s insurtech industry has seen the addition of more than 100 companies, bringing the total number of insurtech firms in the continent to 598, a new report by the Swiss Institute of Financial Services Zug IFZ shows. The figure represents a 20% increase from last year’s reported 497 insurtech companies and showcases the industry’s dynamism despite a trying funding environment.
The IFZ Insurtech Report 2022, released on December 02, 2022, gives an overview of the European insurtech industry, delving into emerging trends observed over the past year both in the continent and in Switzerland specifically.
This year again, the UK, Germany and France maintained their leading positions in Europe’s insurtech scene, hosting the region’s largest insurtech ecosystems and a combined 57% of all companies in Europe (343 companies).


With 168 companies, the UK makes up for 28% of all European insurtech companies, followed by Germany with 103 (17%) and France with 72 (12%). Switzerland remained at the fourth position in 2022 with a reported 58 firms, up eight companies from last year’s 50.
Number of European insurtechs by country of headquarters and value chain (left graph), Source: IFZ Insurtech Report 2022
The growth of Europe’s insurtech industry comes despite a global startup funding contraction that’s taken a toll on several players and forced many to cut jobs. US-headquartered Next Insurance, an unicorn startup worth US$4 billion, laid off 150 employees in July, citing a “worsening macroeconomic environment.” That same month, Zego, a commercial motor insurance provider from the UK valued at US$1.1 billion, made 17% of its staff redundant after facing increased costs.
According to CB Insights’ State of Insurtech Q3 2022 report, European insurtech companies secured a total of US$1.77 billion in the first three quarters of 2022, a 33.87% decline compared to the same period last year during which US$2.76 billion were raised.
Europe insurtech quarterly funding, Source: State of Insurtech Q3 2022, CB Insights
Looking at European trends, the report notes that the region’s insurtech industry is heavily concentrated around the value chain categories of Infrastructure (260 companies) and Marketing and Distribution (158 companies), which account for a combined 70% of all European insurtech companies.
Concentration is also high in terms of the technologies employed, with Digitalization/Automatization/Robotics (373 companies) and Analytics/Artificial Intelligence (AI) (188 companies) accounting for 94% of all European insurtech companies.
Number of European insurtechs by country of headquarters and technology area, Source: IFZ Insurtech Report 2022
Similar to regional trends, Switzerland’s insurtech is also heavily centered around Marketing and Distribution with 21 companies (36% of all Swiss insurtech companies), followed by Infrastructure solutions with 18 companies (31%). 33 Swiss insurtech companies indicated primarily using Process Digitalization/Automation/Robotics, making it the most prevalent technology (57%), followed by Analytics/AI with 18 companies (31%).
Number of Swiss insurtech companies by canton and value chain (left graph) and by canton and technology area (right graph), Source: IFZ Insurtech Report 2022
Like last year, findings from the 2022 IFZ research show that most Swiss insurtech companies are pursuing an international strategy, with 69% of the 58 Swiss insurtech companies indicating targeting customers in different countries, a proportion that’s 11 point higher than the regional average of 58%.
Findings from IFZ are consistent with those observed by other industry stakeholders. Data from by the Insurtech Map show that Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, also referred to as the DACH region, have seen their insurtech sector increase by 45% over the past year, rising from 141 players in March 2021 to now 202.
A recent report by consulting firm PwC notes that Switzerland’s incumbent insurers have played an active role in fostering innovation in the sector.
Baloise, for example, is engaged with insurtech centers on four areas, namely home, mobility, financial wellness and business services. The firm has also made direct investments into companies like Omni:us, a Berlin-based startup specializing in services that use AI to extract relevant data points from heterogeneous document streams; Trov, a Californian insurtech company that offers on-demand single-item insurance; and Stable, a London-based startup that has created an index insurance product for food and farming businesses around the world that automatically reimburses lost income caused by volatile prices.
Swiss Life has set up an incubator and corporate venture capital fund, the report says. It also uses equity interests and collaborates with startups to access insurtech capabilities to complement its internal digitalization efforts. An example is Swiss Life’s 2021 partnership with Appian to create an end-to-end AI solution for underwriting.
And Vaudoise has embraced a digital strategy focused on establishing partnerships with startups and integrating its digital solutions into ecosystems of third parties, it notes. Initiatives include investing in a fund giving access to fintech, insurtech and regtech startups, and participating in joint ventures, equity investments and non-equity collaborations.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik here and here
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ifz-insurtech-study-european-insurtech-industry-increased-20-this-year</link><guid>3006</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/aff2023.jpg?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>IFZ Insurtech Study: European Insurtech Industry Increased 20% This Year</dc:text></item><item><title>Thoma Bravo Inks Deal to Acquire Coupa for US$8 Billion</title><description><![CDATA[Software investment firm Thoma Bravo announced that it will be acquiring Coupa Software, a specialist in in business spend management, for US$8.0 billion in an all-cash transaction.
The transaction, which was approved unanimously by the Coupa Board of Directors, is expected to close in the first half of 2023, and is subject to customary closing conditions.
Upon completion of the transaction, Coupa will become a privately held company and will continue to operate under its original name and brand.


The transaction also includes a significant minority investment from a wholly owned subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA).
Rob Bernshteyn
“For more than a decade, we’ve been building an incredible business spend management community and have proudly cemented our position as the market-leading platform in our category. We’re looking forward to partnering with Thoma Bravo and accelerating our vision to digitally transform the Office of the CFO.

While our ownership may change, our values do not. Every one of us at Coupa will continue to put our customers at the center of everything we do and help them maximize the value of every dollar they spend.”
said Rob Bernshteyn, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Coupa.
Holden Spaht
“Coupa has created and led the large and growing Business Spend Management category. We’ve followed the company’s success for many years and have been impressed by its consistent track record of delivering high levels of value for its global customer base.

We look forward to partnering with Rob and the rest of the management team to keep investing in the company’s product strategy while driving growth both organically and through M&amp;A.”
said Holden Spaht, a Managing Partner at Thoma Bravo.
This article first appeared on Fintech News America.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/thoma-bravo-inks-deal-to-acquire-coupa-for-us8-billion</link><guid>3004</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/aff2023.jpg?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Thoma Bravo Inks Deal to Acquire Coupa for US$8 Billion</dc:text></item><item><title>Europe’s Healthtech Industry Enters New Phase of Growth</title><description><![CDATA[Europe is home to a young and dynamic healthtech industry, which, despite the global venture capital (VC) investment contraction, has managed to continue to grow, innovate and secure funding. In the year to come, the sector is expected to see accelerated developments as adoption rises and a new generation of healthtech providers emerge, a new report by Finch Capital, a growth investor focusing on finance, health and real estate technology, says.
The inaugural State of European Healthtech 2022 report, released on December 02, looks at the state of the nascent industry, delving into funding trends, merger and acquisition (M&amp;A) deals, business creation and hiring trends.
According to the report, Europe’s healthtech sector has grown significantly over the past two years amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with total capital invested having risen from US$1.7 billion in 2017 to close to US$10 billion in 2021. Although much of the funding activities have so far been centered around telemedicine, a new generation of healthtech entrepreneurs are starting to enter the sector and giving rise to technology businesses outside of the segment, the report says.


Many of Europe’s most valuable healthtech businesses were started by entrepreneurs with minimal background in health, the report notes. But many younger startups are now catching up, and these are being led by founders with sector experience at healthtech unicorns. One example shared in the report is Alan, a French healthcare app and insurance provider, and Vitaance, a Spanish company specializing in life and disability insurance for businesses.
Alan was founded in 2016 by Jean-Charles Samuelian-Werve, an entrepreneur with a background in engineering, and Charles Gorintin, a data scientist who has worked for names like Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
The company, which claims 300,000 customers, is an insurtech unicorn valued at US$2.85 billion that provides a digital insurance service, offering simple and seamless insurance coverage with reimbursements, easy claim handling and gives users access to medical professionals, both through in-person appointments and by video calls.
Vitaance, which was founded just last year, is headed by co-founder and CEO Ana Zamora, and co-founder and CPO Bernard Granados. Prior to launching Vitaance, Zamora was the ops and insurance lead of Alan. She also served as an executive at asset management company Mercer, leading the firm’s Elect offering, a suite of benefits and insurance products for employees of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Bernard Granados, on the other hand, is an entrepreneur and business executive with experience in insurtech, marketing technology, edtech and e-commerce.
Other companies founded by Alan alumni include Fraction, Revyze and Logbook, the report notes. In total, these startups have secured a total US$5 million in funding.
Healthtech funding and hiring trends in Europe
European healthtech startups are projected to secure a total of US$5 billion this year, down 50% from 2021’s record but still up by a significant 38% from 2020 levels. Healthtech deal count, meanwhile, is expected to drop by just 18% in 2022, against 26% for fintech and 32% for transport tech, indicating that funding activity in the sector is performing better than other tech verticals.
Overall deal activity in European healthtech startups, Source: State of European Healthtech 2022, Finch Capital, Dec 2022
In 2022, telemedicine continued to be the largest healthtech segment, securing about EUR 1.5 billion in funding, as of October 30. Biotechnology/drug development took the second position, followed by hospital/clinical management and testing and diagnostics.
Despite retaining the top spot in healthtech funding, investment in telemedicine startups is starting to contract, the report notes, a retreat that’s further evidenced by a significant slowdown in hiring in the sector.
While companies in software and biotechnology/drug development have continued to actively hire this year, recording a 10% and 13% growth rate in full-time equivalent (FTE) roles over the past six months, telemedicine startups, on the other hand, have seen a 7% decrease, an indication that the segment is being affected by layoffs this year.
Full-time equivalent employee growth rates across healthtech segments in Europe, Source: State of European Healthtech 2022, Finch Capital, Dec 2022
This retreat from telemedicine has started to give rise to software, as evidenced by the momentum the segment is seeing and continued hiring trends observed among business-to-business (B2B) companies within segments including hospital/clinic management and insurtech.
Moving forward, growth in the software segment will be further driven by rising demand from insurers and other healthcare IT providers for technology solutions, Finch Capital predicts, a growth that’s expected to help the overall European healthtech funding market to bounce back next year.

Featured image credit: Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/europes-healthtech-industry-enters-new-phase-of-growth</link><guid>3005</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/aff2023.jpg?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Europe’s Healthtech Industry Enters New Phase of Growth</dc:text></item><item><title>Bx Swiss: Test Trades in Swiss Francs via a Decentralized Public-Blockchain.</title><description><![CDATA[Together with major Swiss banks, the Swiss stock exchange BX Swiss is taking the financial market infrastructure for tokenized securities to the next level. In a test, trades on BX Swiss were settled for the first time directly in Swiss francs via a decentralized public-blockchain.
The test was conducted as part of a proof of concept under the auspices of the Capital Markets Technology Association (CMTA). In the process, structured products were issued by the Swiss banks Credit Suisse, Pictet and Vontobel in tokenized form as ledger-based securities on the Ethereum test blockchain and subsequently traded via the BX Swiss trading platform.
In a further step, the trades were settled directly on the blockchain via a globally unique mechanism. For this, the CMTA created an additional open-source smart contract for bilateral and secure settlement without counterparty risk. Cash-side settlement in Swiss francs was carried out for the first time via a direct technical bridge that connected the Ethereum blockchain with the Swiss Interbank Clearing (SIC), the payment system of the Swiss National Bank.
With the proof of concept, BX Swiss was already able to successfully test the technical basis for the settlement of trades in tokenized securities against Swiss francs with various banks. The tested settlement system on a decentralized and public blockchain infrastructure offers cost advantages along the entire value chain of securities (issuance, trade settlement and custody) and enables the exploitation of the potential in the already rapidly growing global market of blockchain-based securities.
In order to be able to productively trade tokenized securities in the near future, BX Swiss still requires a separate and additional financial market license from the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA.
Lucas Bruggeman, CEO of BX Swiss AG
“Our longer-term goal is to revolutionize securities trading so that more and more retail investors can participate in the capital markets and SMEs have easier access to regulated trading,”
emphasizes Lucas Bruggeman, CEO of BX Swiss.
“The proof of concept with CMTA is a milestone in the cost-efficient settlement of trades in tokenized securities.”
Matthias Müller
“The Swiss legislator has created the necessary regulatory framework for the use of blockchain technology in the capital market. The settlement system tested with the banks can deliver on the promise of this new technology, allowing trades to be settled in a decentralized and much more cost-efficient manner in the future,”
commented Matthias Müller, Head of Markets &amp; Services at BX Swiss.
“We don’t need a new central bank digital currency (CBDC) or a stablecoin for this. This is a decisive and landmark step for the adoption of blockchain technology in the existing financial system.”
Börse Stuttgart Group, to which BX Swiss belongs, is the regulated infrastructure partner for secure access to cryptocurrencies and tokens.



Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bx-swiss-test-trades-in-swiss-francs-via-a-decentralized-public-blockchain</link><guid>3003</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Bx Swiss: Test Trades in Swiss Francs via a Decentralized Public-Blockchain.</dc:text></item><item><title>OnlyFans Puts Focus on Payments Business</title><description><![CDATA[OnlyFans, the booming subscription social platform, has built up a considerable payments business and is now looking to add new features and capabilities to create added value for content creators, a new report by publishing platform Workweek says. OnlyFans’ ambition is to improve the payout process and introduce new ways for creators to earn money and monetize their content.
2022 has seen top executives representing OnlyFans appearing at notable fintech events, first in Amsterdam during Money20/20 Europe back in June and then in Las Vegas in October for the annual US edition of the event series, during which they shared the company’s impressive growth metrics and aspiration for their payments business moving forward.
Keily Blair
Keily Blair, chief strategy and operations officer of OnlyFans, said during an interview at Money20/20 Europe 2022 that the company has processed over US$8 billion in terms of payments to creators, showcasing the scale and volume of transactions the firm is now processing.
Lee Taylor
OnlyFans CFO Lee Taylor shared the vision of establishing “a truly international social media platform payment network” that’s able to make payments “as smooth to go USD to USD as it is to go USD to [GBP].” The system also needs to be designed with user experience in mind, he added, allowing, for example, creators to instantly see their earnings and immediately withdraw after the seven-day window set up.
OnlyFans has also significantly ramped up its conversations with banking and payment providers this year, the report says. This cumulated to the opening of its first direct clearing account in the UK this year, which the company never had before.
Founded in 2016, OnlyFans is an Internet content subscription service based in London that allows content creators to earn money from users who subscribe to their content. Creators can also receive funding directly from their followers on a monthly basis, as well as through one-time tips and the pay-per-view (PPV) feature. PPV content refers to messages, posts and streams that fans pay for à la carte to view.
Most recently, OnlyFans started dipping a toe into non-fungible tokens (NFTs), launching in December 2021 a new feature for users to display verified NFTs as profile picture, Reuters reported in February. The feature, CEO Gan said, “is the first step in exploring the role that NFTs can play on our platform.”
OnlyFans operates under a rather simple business model: the creator takes 80% and the platform, 20%. The platform doesn’t have ads or algorithms and Gan said it’s not selling anyone’s data.
Taylor said that the company pays its creators in a variety of ways, including in local currencies and by utilizing platforms like Pix, Brazil’s real-time payment system. But cryptocurrencies are currently off the table, he said, citing compliance and traceability obligations.
“Through the obviously more private crypto world, we need to be sure exactly where those funds are going, and that’s not possible,” Taylor said.
According to the CFO, the site has around 200 million users and two million creators with “very vast, very spread out, diverse content.”
The Financial Times (FT) ranks OnlyFans as the fourth-fastest growing business in Europe. In 2020, the company recorded US$2.4 billion worth of transactions on its platform and posted revenues of about US$338 million, according to the FT.
Blair said OnlyFans differentiates itself from competitors in that users only pay for what they want to view, unlike other subscription services where customers have to pay for content they may not want to consume.
OnlyFans’ new focus on the payment side of its business comes as little surprise considering that last year, the company nearly banned porn on its platform over pressure coming from credit card companies and banks including Mastercard, BNY Mellon and JPMorgan Chase.
Although OnlyFans is general-purpose, the platform has proven particularly popular among those who use it to sell (sex) pictures and videos and hold personal chats with clients.
The move suggests a desire to reduce its dependence on third-party financial services providers who have shown their power to influence online content by limiting who may or may not get paid.

Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash and Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/onlyfans-puts-focus-on-payments-business</link><guid>3002</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>OnlyFans Puts Focus on Payments Business</dc:text></item><item><title>Bundesrat verabschiedet Bericht zur Akzeptanz von Bargeld in der Schweiz</title><description><![CDATA[Der Bundesrat hat anlässlich seiner Sitzung vom 9. Dezember den Bericht «Die Akzeptanz von Bargeld in der Schweiz» verabschiedet, der in Erfüllung des Postulates 18.4399 von Nationalrätin Prisca Birrer-Heimo verfasst wurde.
Bargeld erfüllt wichtige Funktionen für Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft. Der Bundesrat erachtet deshalb eine aufmerksame Beobachtung der Entwicklungen im Bargeldbereich als notwendig. Die im Postulat vorgeschlagene zwingende Bargeldannahmepflicht lehnt der Bundesrat aber ab. Diese wäre ein starker Eingriff in die Vertragsfreiheit und in das Grundrecht der Wirtschaftsfreiheit.
Der Nationalrat hatte am 17. Dezember 2020 das Postulat Birrer-Heimo mit dem Titel «Die breite Akzeptanz von Bargeld auch in Zukunft sicherstellen» angenommen. Damit beauftragte er den Bundesrat, in einem Bericht aufzuzeigen, wie die breite Akzeptanz von Bargeld in Zukunft sichergestellt werden kann.
Höhere Attraktivität der digitalen Zahlungsmittel schwächt die Rolle von Bargeld
In der Schweiz hat Bargeld im internationalen Vergleich einen hohen Stellenwert, verliert aber gegenüber bargeldlosen Zahlungsmitteln tendenziell auch an Bedeutung, wie aus verschiedenen Umfragen und Untersuchungen hervorgeht. In erster Linie ist dies auf die gestiegene Attraktivität von bargeldlosen Zahlungsmitteln hinsichtlich Nutzerfreundlichkeit und Geschwindigkeit zurückzuführen (z.B. Zahlkarten mit Kontaktlosfunktion). Die Corona-Pandemie hat die Veränderungen in der Zahlungsmittelnutzung beschleunigt.
Bargeld erfüllt wichtige Funktionen
Bargeld erbringt nicht nur individuellen Nutzen, sondern erfüllt auch wichtige Funktionen für Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft, die bargeldlose Zahlungsmittel bislang nicht vollständig ersetzen können. Bargeld ermöglicht der Allgemeinheit den Zugang zu Zentralbankgeld, stärkt die Krisenresilienz gegenüber Ausfällen der elektronischen Zahlungssysteme, wahrt die Privatsphäre und ermöglicht es auch Personen ohne Bankkonto respektive ohne Zugang zu bargeldlosen Zahlungsmitteln, am Wirtschaftsleben teilzunehmen (finanzielle Inklusion). Ein weitgehendes Verschwinden von Bargeld sollte deshalb vermieden werden, insbesondere solange keine gleichwertige bargeldlose Alternative zur Verfügung steht.
Zwingende Annahmepflicht weder angemessen noch notwendig
Der Bundesrat ist der Ansicht, dass die Wahl der Zahlungsmittel weiterhin grundsätzlich den privaten Haushalten und Unternehmen überlassen sein soll. Eine Zahlungsmethode sollte daher nicht gegenüber einer anderen bevorzugt werden. Der Bund und die Schweizerische Nationalbank (SNB) haben stets eine neutrale Position in Bezug auf die Wahl der Zahlungsmittel vertreten. Vor diesem Hintergrund erachtet der Bundesrat die im Postulat vorgeschlagene Massnahme, die geltende Bargeldannahmepflicht von dispositivem Recht (d.h. Möglichkeit zum vertraglichen Ausschluss von Barzahlungen) in zwingendes Recht umzuwandeln, derzeit als weder angemessen noch notwendig.
Eine zwingende Annahmepflicht wäre ein starker Eingriff in die Vertragsfreiheit und in das Grundrecht der Wirtschaftsfreiheit, würde unter Umständen hohe Kosten für einzelne Wirtschaftsakteure verursachen und könnte zu Wettbewerbsverzerrungen führen. Zudem besteht zurzeit keine Notwendigkeit für einen solchen Eingriff, weil die Bargeldverwendung in der Schweiz nach wie vor hoch, die Bevölkerung mit dem Bargeldzugang grundsätzlich zufrieden und die Bargeldakzeptanz nur punktuell eingeschränkt ist. Ausserdem müsste der Online-Handel eine Ausnahme bilden, da hier eine zwingend ausgestaltete Annahmepflicht kaum praktikabel wäre.
Aufmerksame Beobachtung der Entwicklungen im Bargeldbereich wichtig
Gleichwohl erachtet der Bundesrat aufgrund der wichtigen wirtschaftlichen und gesellschaftlichen Funktionen des Bargelds eine aufmerksame Beobachtung der weiteren Entwicklungen im Bargeldbereich als notwendig, um rechtzeitig einen allfälligen Handlungsbedarf zu erkennen und geeignete, im Vergleich zur zwingenden Annahmepflicht weniger einschneidende Massnahmen ergreifen zu können.
Aus diesem Grund hat der Bundesrat das EFD beauftragt, ihn regelmässig über die Entwicklung des Bargeldzugangs, der Bargeldakzeptanz und der Bargeldverwendung sowie über Innovationen im Bereich von alternativen Zahlungsmitteln zu informieren und bei Bedarf Handlungsoptionen aufzuzeigen. Des Weiteren erteilte er dem EFD den Auftrag, einen Runden Tisch zwischen den am Bargeldverkehr beteiligten Akteuren (SNB, Bund, Banken, Detailhandel, Dienstleistungsanbieter, Verbraucherverbände etc.) zu etablieren.
Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bundesrat-verabschiedet-bericht-zur-akzeptanz-von-bargeld-in-der-schweiz</link><guid>3001</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Bundesrat verabschiedet Bericht zur Akzeptanz von Bargeld in der Schweiz</dc:text></item><item><title>London Challenger Bank Allica Bank Raises £100M Series C Funding</title><description><![CDATA[Allica Bank, a fintech SME challenger bank in London, has announced a £100 million Series C funding round led by global growth technology investor, TCV, with participation from existing investors Warwick Capital Partners and Atalaya Capital Management.
With this investment, Allica joins TCV’s impressive roster of portfolio companies, including household names like Airbnb, Netflix, and Spotify, as well as category-defining fintechs such as Brex, Mambu, Mollie, Nubank, Qonto, Razorpay, Revolut, Toast, Trade Republic and Zepz.
This new investment allows Allica to scale rapidly and accelerate its disruptive impact in the UK SME market, following the bank’s impressive growth, as well as its profitability milestone, achieved in June this year.
Allica is the UK’s only digitally-native challenger bank committed to providing a full-service banking relationship to established SMEs and entrepreneurs, offering them lending, savings and payments.
These established SME businesses typically have 10 to 250 employees and represent around a third of the UK economy – yet are neglected by both mainstream high street banks and other fintechs who instead focus on consumers and micro-businesses.
Richard Davies
Richard Davies, Chief Executive of Allica Bank and former executive at HSBC and Revolut, said:
“From the moment we sat down with TCV it was clear we shared the same vision to transform SME banking in the UK, by taking on the mainstream ‘high street’ banking market”
“It’s a massive vote of confidence in the team we’ve built at Allica to attract backing from such a world-class technology investor under the toughest of market conditions, and this £100 million funding round will enable us to support far more of Britain’s established and growth companies, who have been underserved for too long.”
Michael Kalfayan
Michael Kalfayan, Partner at TCV said:
“Richard and team have built a truly impressive platform that is looking to solve a great need for UK established SMEs, a highly complex segment to serve. TCV is laser-focused on partnering with market-leading companies seeking to leverage technology to transform industries. Allica is a prime example of this and we’re incredibly excited to collaborate with this strong team as they work to be the country’s leading digitally-native SME bank.”

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/london-challenger-bank-allica-bank-raises-100m-series-c-funding</link><guid>2999</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>London Challenger Bank Allica Bank Raises £100M Series C Funding</dc:text></item><item><title>Cloud Infrastructure Deal: LSEG and Microsoft Launch 10-Year Strategic Partnership</title><description><![CDATA[London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) and Microsoft have entered into a new long-term strategic partnership to architect LSEG’s data infrastructure using the Microsoft Cloud, and to jointly develop new products and services for data and analytics. The partnership will build on the good progress made by LSEG on the integration of Refinitiv and enhance its position as a world-leading financial markets infrastructure and data provider.
With the Microsoft Cloud and its AI capabilities, the deal significantly advances LSEG’s strategy of building an efficient and scalable platform for its Data &amp; Analytics business to deliver next-generation services for a range of customers across the financial markets value chain through improved workflow and greater flexibility.
Microsoft to make equity investment in LSEG through acquisition of shares 
Under the arrangements, LSEG’s data platform and other key technology infrastructure will migrate into Microsoft’s Azure cloud environment. Workspace, LSEG’s next-generation data and analytics workflow solution, will become interoperable with certain Microsoft applications and the companies plan to introduce innovative new cloud-based analytics services. LSEG and Microsoft have also agreed to explore the development of digital market infrastructure based on cloud technology, with a goal to transform how market participants interact with capital markets across a broad range of asset classes. Migration of regulated applications will be subject to applicable regulated entity board and regulator approval, prior to the relevant migration.
David Schwimmer
David Schwimmer, CEO of LSEG, said:
“This strategic partnership is a significant milestone on LSEG’s journey towards becoming the leading global financial markets infrastructure and data business, and will transform the experience for our customers.”
“Bringing together our leading data sets, analytics, and global customer base with Microsoft’s comprehensive and trusted cloud services and global reach creates attractive revenue growth opportunities for both companies.
“We are delighted to welcome Microsoft as a shareholder. We believe our partnership with Microsoft will transform the way our customers discover, analyse, and trade securities around the world, and create substantial value over time. We look forward to delivering on that potential.”
Satya Nadella
Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO, Microsoft, said:
“Advances in the cloud and AI will fundamentally transform how financial institutions research, interact, and transact across asset classes, and adapt to changing market conditions.”

Strategic partnership highlights

New collaboration to architect LSEG’s data infrastructure and build intuitive next-generation productivity, data and analytics and modelling solutions with Microsoft Azure, AI, and Microsoft Teams
Step-change in services for customers across the financial markets value chain, including an enhanced version of LSEG Workspace with seamless Teams communication and Microsoft 365 interoperability with built-in compliance for the first time
LSEG’s data platform and other key technology infrastructure to migrate to Microsoft Azure, enhancing its existing cloud migration strategy
Microsoft to purchase approximately 4% equity stake in LSEG through the acquisition of shares from the Blackstone/Thomson Reuters Consortium
It is intended that Scott Guthrie, Microsoft’s Executive Vice President, Cloud and AI Group, will be appointed as a non-executive director of LSEG in due course subject to receipt of appropriate approvals

Financial effects for LSEG

Expected to increase LSEG’s revenue growth meaningfully over time as new products come on-stream
Total incremental cash costs over 2023-2025 expected to be in the range of £250-300 million, including around £100 million in capex and a 50-100 basis points impact on EBITDA margin over the same period
Contractual commitment by LSEG for minimum cloud-related spend with Microsoft of $2.8 billion (£2.3 billion) over the term of the partnership, reflecting minimum cloud consumption expectations and consistent with existing long-term opex and capex plans
Additional spend with Microsoft will be driven by the success of the strategic partnership, based on demand for LSEG’s data platform and other professional services


]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/cloud-infrastructure-deal-lseg-and-microsoft-launch-10-year-strategic-partnership</link><guid>3000</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Cloud Infrastructure Deal: LSEG and Microsoft Launch 10-Year Strategic Partnership</dc:text></item><item><title>UK Fintech 9fin Raises $23 Million Series A+ to Accelerate Growth Plans in North America</title><description><![CDATA[9fin, an analytics platform for debt capital markets, today announced a $23 million Series A+ led by new investor Spark Capital with participation from existing investors Redalpine, AI Seed, Seedcamp, 500 Startups, and Ilavska Vuillermoz Capital. Spark Capital General Partner, Alex Finkelstein, will join 9fin’s Board. The new capital will be used to scale the 9fin team, grow its presence in the US market and expand its product into new asset classes.
9fin’s mission is to organize the world’s leveraged finance information and make it accessible and useful through its data, news and predictive analytics platform. Leveraging proprietary machine learning and computer vision, 9fin is the faster, smarter way to find leveraged finance intelligence, centralizing everything that’s needed to analyze a credit or win a mandate in one place.
To date, 9fin has raised nearly $37 million in total funding including early investments from Fly Ventures, and a number of high net worth individuals including co-founder of Indeed Paul Forster and co-founder of MMC Ventures Alan Morgan. Since 2021, the company has more than doubled its client base, tripled its team and quadrupled its ARR. 9fin’s recent success, customer demand and fresh capital spurred the opening of a new office in New York City, which will be led by CEO and co-founder, Steven Hunter. Hussam El-Sheikh, CTO and co-founder will continue to lead the London office and all aspects of engineering
Steven Hunter
“We didn’t set out to fundraise, but when we spoke with Alex and the team at Spark, they were incredibly enthusiastic about the business and their culture and operating experience is a great fit for us. So we decided to raise opportunistically and accelerate our US GTM timing,” said Hunter.
“We’ve seen incredible success with our platform in Europe and are thrilled to expand in the US. With this round, we will grow our US team to more than 70 people with new hires planned across credit, legal and sales.”
Despite debt markets being the largest asset class in the world, market participants rely on antiquated technology for analysis. In 2021, annual spend on financial data increased to $36 billion (Burton Taylor) and annual fees for advising on debt transactions reached $75 billion (Refinitiv), twice the size of fees earned on M&amp;A transactions and IPOs.
9fin’s platform makes incredibly complex information easy to search, filter and analyze. Helping subscribers win business, outperform their peers and save time. The company currently supports over 60 customers including nine of the top 10 investment banks, four of the top five distressed debt advisors, 80% of European HY Sales &amp; Trading desks and four of the top six law firms in debt capital markets.
Aleksandra Laska
Aleksandra Laska, Partner at Redalpine Switzerland, added,
“We’ve seen 9fin go from strength to strength since we invested last year. They’ve delivered impressive revenue growth, significant product developments and added some outstanding talent to their team. They’re well placed to execute on their next stage of their vision, and we’re delighted to continue to support them.”
9fin is headquartered in London, with its new US office located in New York City’s Greenwich Village. The company was co-founded by Hunter and El-Sheikh, long-time friends from University.

This article first appeared on Fintechnews.America

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/uk-fintech-9fin-raises-23-million-series-a-to-accelerate-growth-plans-in-north-america</link><guid>2997</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/AM.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>UK Fintech 9fin Raises $23 Million Series A+ to Accelerate Growth Plans in North America</dc:text></item><item><title>TripActions Secures $400M in Credit Facilities From Goldman Sachs and Silicon Valley Bank</title><description><![CDATA[TripActions, the all-in-one travel, corporate card, and expense management solution, today announced that it secured $400M in credit facilities, consisting of a warehouse debt facility from Goldman Sachs Bank USA, as the senior lender and administrative agent, with a $200M commitment ($300M total Program Limit) and an asset-backed lending facility of $100M led by Silicon Valley Bank. The credit facilities will be used to accelerate the expansion of TripActions’ customer base.
The announcement comes on the heels of TripActions’ recent Series G up-round, which valued the company at $9.2B, and the company’s fourth Europe-based acquisition in 18 months. The warehouse facility will enable the continued growth of TripActions’ innovative, award-winning corporate card and expense management solution, TripActions Liquid, as companies look to increase real-time visibility, control, and savings.
Michael Sindicich
“TripActions Liquid is the expense solution for companies that need to balance savings with proactive control in a complex macroeconomic environment,” says EVP Michael Sindicich, Head of TripActions Liquid.
“With this new warehouse facility from Goldman Sachs, TripActions Liquid is well positioned to support its customers while continuing to innovate at a rapid pace.”
In Q3 FY23, TripActions Liquid recorded more than 5x year-over-year spend volume from leading customers across multiple verticals and segments, including Zoom, Canva, Carta, Toast, Lyft, Notion, Databricks, and VaynerMedia.

This article first appeared on Fintechnews.America

Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/tripactions-secures-400m-in-credit-facilities-from-goldman-sachs-and-silicon-valley-bank</link><guid>2998</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/AM.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>TripActions Secures $400M in Credit Facilities From Goldman Sachs and Silicon Valley Bank</dc:text></item><item><title>Syz Crypto: Bank Syz Selected Taurus for Its New Digital Asset Offering</title><description><![CDATA[Bank Syz has collaborated with Taurus to launch its new digital asset offer Syz Crypto. It will cover the safekeeping and trading of digital assets to the Bank’s private, professional and institutional clients.
Concretely, the Bank has integrated Taurus-PROTECT, a technology that allows the custody of digital assets such as cryptocurrencies, tokenized securities as well as NFTs and Taurus-EXPLORER for the connectivity to &gt;15 blockchain protocols, including Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) ; which were selected by the bank to launch their services.
Charles-Henry Monchau
Charles-Henry Monchau, Bank Syz CIO said,
“Thanks to our partnership with Taurus, we now offer our clients the convenience of accessing the digital asset world through a regulated custodian with strong investor protection and supervision. Syz Crypto also enables our clients to get a holistic view of their traditional and digital assets in their bank reporting.”
Sebastien Dessimoz
Sebastien Dessimoz, co-founder and managing partner, Taurus said,
“We are delighted to support Bank Syz, a leading innovative private bank with strong convictions in the digital assets space. We are seeing strong traction in Switzerland and Geneva in particular which is becoming a hub in the industry.”

Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/syz-crypto-bank-syz-selected-taurus-for-its-new-digital-asset-offering</link><guid>2995</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Syz Crypto: Bank Syz Selected Taurus for Its New Digital Asset Offering</dc:text></item><item><title>Aude Pugin and Sergio Ermotti Elected as New Innosuisse Board of Directors</title><description><![CDATA[On 9 December, the Federal Council elected Aude Pugin, CEO of APCO Technologies, and Sergio Ermotti, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Swiss Re Group, to the Board of Directors of Innosuisse.
The new members will take up their duties on 1 January 2023. They will replace Nicola Thibaudeau and Thierry Calame, who will step down at the end of 2022.
The Innosuisse Board of Directors welcomes Aude Pugin and Sergio Ermotti, both top names in the business world who can contribute their long-standing experience. As CEO of APCO Technologies, Aude Pugin brings in-depth personal experience in innovation in the SME and space sector. Sergio Pietro Ermotti spent over 40 years in the financial industry, both at national and international levels, including almost ten years as CEO of UBS Group AG. Today he is Chairman of the Board of Directors of Swiss Re Group. Both new members are well connected nationally and internationally.
The new composition of the Innosuisse Board safeguards the Board’s diversity and the continued close link between science and business. The proportion of women is 43%. Three members are native French speakers, two native German speakers, and two native Italian speakers. Innosuisse promotes science-based innovation in the interests of the economy and society. In accordance with the Innosuisse Act, the Board of Directors of Innosuisse consists of five to seven members from the worlds of science and business. It steers the Federal Innovation Promotion Agency strategically and in line with the objectives of the Federal Council.
Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/aude-pugin-and-sergio-ermotti-elected-as-new-innosuisse-board-of-directors</link><guid>2996</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Aude Pugin and Sergio Ermotti Elected as New Innosuisse Board of Directors</dc:text></item><item><title>Curve Secures $1 Billion Deal From Credit Suisse</title><description><![CDATA[Curve, the London based financial super app, announced that the company has closed a deal to fund its first $1 billion in loans with a facility provided by Credit Suisse, enabling Curve to scale its lending business, Curve Flex, across the UK, the EU and the United States.
The Curve Flex product allows customers to split any transaction they’ve made with Curve – at any merchant, using any card, anywhere in the world – into monthly instalments. This uniquely flexible feature allows Curve’s customers to be more responsible with their cash flow while reducing their borrowing costs. Flexing a Curve transaction smooths a larger payment over time, can put cash back in a bank account if needed, and provides a convenient way to pay off their credit card balance.

Paul Harrald
“We have ambitious plans for lending. We have launched and very successfully tested our unique Curve Flex product, and are delighted to be able to scale our lending capabilities with this new financing,”
said Paul Harrald, CIO of Curve Group and the Global Head of Curve Credit, Curve’s consumer lending business.
“Securing financing of this size during this period of economic uncertainty is a testament to the broad support of our bold expansion plans underpinned with now demonstrated expertise with data. We certainly are very pleased with the results of our lending to date, with our highly responsible approach encouraging responsible borrowing providing for excellent credit quality in a difficult market.”
Curve, which launched to the public in 2018 and has amassed more than 4 million customers globally, is a one-of-a-kind digital wallet that combines all your money into one app with one card. In addition to the Flex product, Curve touts many unique features, including the ability to “Go Back in Time” to move past purchases between accounts and/or cards and allows customers to use their credit cards abroad. Curve’s rewards offering also allows customers to “double dip” rewards – offering an additional ten percent cash back on purchases made with Curve on top of existing credit card rewards programs.
In the UK, Curve Flex launched with a product called Swipe Now to Pay Later (‘SNPL’) – enabling customers to split any transaction they make on the Curve card into three, six, nine or 12 monthly instalments. With funding secured, Curve now plans to expand its offering across markets into the EU and the US as well as with innovative new product offerings, such as the ability to access a direct line of credit before making a transaction and the ability to refinance existing credit lines. In 2023, the company also plans to launch a buy now pay later (BNPL)-style lending product for customers both in-app and in-browser.
To date, Curve has raised more than $180 million in equity investment and has reached over millions of customers around the world with its unique product and innovative partnerships with the likes of Samsung.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/curve-secures-1-billion-deal-from-credit-suisse</link><guid>2994</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Curve Secures $1 Billion Deal From Credit Suisse</dc:text></item><item><title>IMTF Completes Acquisition of Siron Compliance Solutions From FICO</title><description><![CDATA[Analytics software firm FICO has sold off it Siron® compliance business to IMTF, a provider of AML compliance and process automation for financial institutions.
The transaction includes FICO transitioning all Siron-related customer relationships and commitments to IMTF.
Through this agreement, IMTF will assume responsibility for the entire Siron Anti Financial Crime business worldwide.
This enables IMTF to further develop and extend the Siron Suite and to support the application and the related SaaS offering globally.
Having been a strategic partner in the Siron business for more than 20 years, IMTF has in-depth knowledge of both its product solutions and the regulatory space.
Siron’s anti-financial crime suite of solutions include Siron AML (Anti Money Laundering), Siron KYC (Know Your Customer), Siron EMBARGO (sanctions) and SironTCR (Tax Compliance) with associated case management and reporting.
Additionally, Sebastian Hetzler, currently Vice President of Compliance Product Management at FICO, will move to IMTF as Co-CEO.
Will Lansing
Will Lansing, CEO of FICO said,
“We are proud of the work and innovation that the FICO team put into Siron to make it an industry-leading solution and the fact that this same team will be joining IMTF means that customers can rely on a seamless transition.

We are confident that IMTF’s investment in the development and growth of Siron will best serve the needs of the customers and partners of the Siron business,”
Gion-Andri Büsser
Gion-Andri Büsser, CEO of IMTF added,
“The addition and combination of the Siron products with our existing – complementary – technology offers a unique opportunity to better serve our clients and move towards integrated solutions in the compliance and regtech space.

Through the transaction, we will not only be able to offer existing customers confidence, support and a long-term roadmap for their products but also increase the customer value through complementary tools, leveraging latest developments in AI and Data Science”


Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/imtf-completes-acquisition-of-siron-compliance-solutions-from-fico</link><guid>2993</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>IMTF Completes Acquisition of Siron Compliance Solutions From FICO</dc:text></item><item><title>TX Ventures Launches CHF 100 Million Fintech Fund to Invest in Early Stage Startups</title><description><![CDATA[TX Ventures, the VC arm of Swiss media company TX Group, announced that it has launched a European CHF 100 million fintech investment fund with a particular focus on startups from the DACH region.
The fund is structured as a single limited partnership, and its sole investor is TX Group.
The VC arm said in a statement that its current mandate will be to invest in early stage fintech, insurtech, and crypto startups ranging from seed funding to Series A with initial tickets ranging from CHF 500,000 to CHF 5 million.
TX Ventures has laid the groundwork to prepare for the new fintech fund through the implementation of a professional investment committee.
The TX Ventures investment committee is chaired by Romy Schnelle, Partner at Hightech Gründerfonds (HTGF) and complemented by fintech founder Miriam Wohlfarth, Sandro Macchiacchini (COO of TX Group), Daniel Mönch (CSO of TX Group) and Olivier Rihs (Board Member SMG and JobCloud).
The team comprising Krzysztof Bialkowski, Jens Schleuniger, David Schnider and Markus Rommel has already built a strong portfolio of Swiss-based fintechs.
Some of the past investments made by TX Ventures include Swiss challenger bank neon, the alternative investment platform Stableton, the real estate price intelligence software Pricehubble, and exits such as the mortgage platform Moneypark.
The VC said in a statement,
“TX Ventures believes that – despite the current economic headwinds – the current market environment offers great investment opportunities.

The team has a clear long term ambition to become one of the leading early stage fintech investors in Europe, a growing and sizable market for fintech.”

Featured image: The TX Ventures team from left to right: Krzysztof Bialkowski, Markus Rommel, David Schnider, Jens Schleuniger

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/tx-ventures-launches-chf-100-million-fintech-fund-to-invest-in-early-stage-startups</link><guid>2992</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>TX Ventures Launches CHF 100 Million Fintech Fund to Invest in Early Stage Startups</dc:text></item><item><title>17 Rising Fintech DACH Stars that Went Live in 2022</title><description><![CDATA[Fintech Innovators has released its annual report featuring the most exciting and fastest-growing fintech and insurtech companies across Germany, Austria and Switzerland (DACH).
Produced in collaboration with robo-advisory platform Inno Invest, startup acceleration program German Accelerator, consulting firm KPMG and tech provider Amazon Web Services, the report aims to give a comprehensive view of DACH’s burgeoning fintech and insurtech industries, highlighting this year more than 110 ventures that are reshaping the finance and insurance sectors.
The report categorizes these companies in three groups: the New Stars, which encompasses DACH fintech and insurtech startups that launched in 2022; the Young Stars, or companies that entered the market in the years 2019-2021 and which are developing exciting brands and products; and the Established, which comprises companies that entered the market in 2017 or 2018.
40 companies make up the New Stars category, 61 companies comprise the Young Stars category, and 11 are considered as being Established fintech and insurtech brands.
To get a sense of DACH’s emerging fintech and insurtech startups, we look today at the 40 New Stars, delving into those that have made significant strides this past year and examining the 17 startups that have fully launched their products.
InsiderPie

Founded in 2022 in Germany, InsiderPie is a digital platform that tracks and analyzes transactions of professional players on the capital market and provides users with data for long-term investments. The findings are based on three pillars: trades made by star investors like Warren Buffett, directors’ dealings, and the analyst ratings of well-known banks.
InsiderPie currently operates in the DACH region but plans to expand to the US and Great Britain within the next two to three years. The startup is also looking to secure funding and ink a collaborate with a strategic partner.
Wattify

Founded in 2021 in Germany, Wattify is a blockchain-based fully banking compliant crowd-investment platform which offers retail investors access to renewable energy projects via so-called electronic crypto securities.
Wattify is active in DACH but plans to expand across the broader European region. Within the next 18 months, the startup plans to launch more projects, build up a stable business-to-consumer (B2C) customer base and develop a business-to-business-to-consumer (B2B2C) business model.
Foma

Founded in 2021 in Germany, Foma is a digital receivables management platform. By using advanced technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and data science, Foma is able to offer a customer journey tailored exclusively to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), from registration, onboarding claims, E2E collection and added value services and reporting etc., all done digitally and using the platform as one medium.
Within the next 18 months, Foma plans to onboard at least 1,000 new customers, build one or two new products, start developing interfaces to its distribution partners. Foma secured undisclosed seed funding in August.
Spiritory

Founded in 2022 in Germany, Spiritory is a trading platform for blue-chip spirits, wine and sparkling wine. The platform focuses on the investment, purchase, and sale of spirits, wines, and sparkling wines, enabling users to have access to blue-chip assets at the true market price.
Spiritory is active in Germany but plans to expand to the broader European Union (EU), the UK and Asia within the next three years. Within the next 18 months, the startup hopes to close its first investment round and will focus on building up its user base.
Iknaio Cryptoasset Analytics

Founded in 2021 and based in Austria, Iknaio Cryptoasset Analytics provides operational services helping organization mitigate illicit activities involving crypto-assets. Iknaio offers services around the open-source analytics platform GraphSense, and serves investigators from national authorities, law enforcement agencies, security companies, and the payment industry.
Iknaio operates across Europe and plans to expand to Asia and the US. The company, which has managed to win the first governmental customers in Austria and Germany, hopes to establish a network of more than five valuable partner in different areas within the next 12 months.
Cure Finance

Founded in 2020 and based in Germany, Cure Finance is an intelligence banking platform for healthcare professionals. Leveraging open banking, the platform integrates seamlessly into the processes of medical practice and supports healthcare professionals in making business processes more transparent and making better financial decisions.
Cure Finance closed EUR 1.4 million in funding in October 2021. The company is planning to launch in Austria and Switzerland within the next three years.
Fynn

Founded in 2022 and based in Germany, Fynn is a billing software for accounts payable and accounts receivable management that aims to streamline financial processes with automation.
Fynn hopes to expand across the whole DACH region within the next three years. In the next 18 months, it says it will focus on securing funding and tying up with strategic partners that would help it bring its product to the next level. It will also continue expanding its product portfolio and launch more financial modules.
Finance, Baby!

Finance, Baby! is a financial education platform for women that provides content addressing taxes, retirement provision, stock trading, exchange traded funds (ETFs), cryptocurrency, real estate financing, and more.
The online courses consist of videos that users can watch at any time, followed by interactive instructions, checklists and more. Customers can also book a consultation with a financial expert and can enroll for any of the services provided by Finance, Baby! partners directly from the app.
Finance, Baby! claims more than 5,000 active app users and says it has already secured its first round of funding. Within the next 18 months, it hopes to raise its next financing round and launch an updated version of its app with more features.
Taxefy

Founded in 2021 and based in Austria, Taxefy is a tax app that helps users do their tax returns quickly and seamlessly online. After signing up to the service, users simply need to answer an average of 40 tailored questions for the platform to calculate the estimated amount of their tax refund. Users can then choose to have Taxefy send the tax return to the tax office.
Taxefy currently operates in Austria but wishes to expand to other European markets within the next three years. The company claims it has successfully submitted over 10,000 tax cases with a total tax volume of over EUR 7 million to the tax office. It’s now looking to secure at least EUR 2 million in funding in exchange for 15% of the company.
Kaspar&amp;

Founded in 2020 and based in Switzerland, Kaspar&amp; is a wealth manager regulated by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) that combines wealth management with payments.
The company provides customers with a Swiss bank account, an investment account, and a prepaid Mastercard. Every time a user pays with the Kaspar&amp; card, it’s rounded up to the next CHF and the difference is automatically invested in the form of micro-investments. Other products it offers include individual saving- and investment plans in which customers can pay-in or pay-out at any time as much as they want.
Within the next three years, Kaspar&amp; plans to expand to Germany and Austria. It hopes to close a seed round within the next year.
Fiat24

Founded in 2018 and based in Switzerland, Fiat24 specializes in banking services for the metaverse. The company provides a core banking system built entirely on blockchain and powered by smart contracts, offering clients multi-currency cash accounts that can be topped-up by peers, through a bank transfer, and a crypto-to-fiat top-up.
Fiat24, which claims more than 10,000 users, operates in Switzerland and the European Union but hopes to expand beyond the region and into Asia within the next three years. In the next 18 months, it hopes to amass a total of 100,000 users.
Inno Finanz

Founded in 2021 and based in Germany, Inno Finanz is a brokerage bank focusing on personalized advice on hedging, insurance, capital investments and construction and housing. The company seeks to act as a “professional financial coach” to its customers, striving to select the ideal banking and insurance products for them.
Inno Finanz currently operates in three regions of Germany but hopes to expand across the whole country within the next three years. In the next 18 months, it says it will focus on increasing sales volume and open five new locations to expand its reach.
Splint Invest

Founded in 2021 and based in Switzerland, Splint Invest is an alternative asset investment platform that allows users to start investing with as little as EUR 50. The platform aims to make alternative asset classes easily accessible for everyone, focusing initially on fractional investing in luxury items, like whisky, watches, wine, cars, and art.
Splint Invest claims it has onboarded over 5,000 retail investors already, but hopes to reach 15,000 within the next 18 months. The startup recently secured CHF 500,000 just a few months after winning CHF 150,000 from Venture Kick.
Money Masters

Founded in 2020 and based in Switzerland, Money Masters is a gamified financial education platform that makes it easy and fun to lean about money. The company has built an interactive financial journey that takes users from the basics of personal finance to more complex topics like investing and economics. In addition, the platform offers financial games to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
Money Masters is available in most countries of the world but will be putting a bigger focus on Latin America over the next three years. The company claims 30,000 users and hopes to secure funding and onboard strategic partners within the next year.
Denario

Founded in 2021 and based in Germany, Denario is an integrated B2B payment platform providing secure bill payments, payouts and invoicing services. Denario allows SMEs and startups to automate their accounts payable and receivable functions, and leverages open banking to let them connect their financial accounts such as bank accounts, PayPal and Stripe.
Denario operates in the EU and the UK and plans to expand to the US within the next three years. In the next 18 months, the startup said it will release several new payment methods and modalities. Denario secured EUR 1.3 million in January
Clanq

Founded in 2021 and based in Switzerland, Clanq is a mobile finance app that aims to support parents in making sustainable provisions for the future of their children. The solution allows families to create and grow savings for their kids seamlessly by leveraging the not-utilized saving potential.
The company claims families using its platform can save up to 30% more through a combination of cashback, automated savings with family and friends, and sustainable investments.
Clanq is currently available in Germany but plans to expands across the European region within the next three years. For the next 18 months, the startup said it will focus on launching an teenage banking offering and expand to other European countries.
Foreus

Founded in 2021 and based in Austria, Foreus is a cyber and crypto security firm that combines open source intelligence with software-based information gathering from the darknet to tackle crypto crimes. Foreus serves lawyers, banks and finance companies, helping them detect digital fraud, gather evidence of crimes, and comply with regulations.
Foreus currently operates in DACH, Turkey and Dubai, but plans to launch in Italy and the UK within the next three years.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/17-rising-fintech-dach-stars-that-went-live-in-2022</link><guid>2990</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Wattify-300x86.jpeg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>17 Rising Fintech DACH Stars that Went Live in 2022</dc:text></item><item><title>UBS Next Participates in $20 Million Series B of Israel Compliance Tech Startup</title><description><![CDATA[Shield, a compliance tech platform based in Tel Aviv, announced its $20 million Series B financing round, which was led by Macquarie Capital and joined by UBS through its venture and innovation unit UBS Next, Mindset Ventures and OurCrowd.
This funding follows its $15 million Series A round in early 2022. With more than 100 employees, Shield will use funds from its Series B financing to further grow in existing markets and expand into new ones, including the US. The firm is also opening its second R&amp;D facility in Lisbon, Portugal, and will also use the capital to propel its leadership in innovation, as it continues the development of its leading financial compliance platform.
To increase efficiency and help meet regulatory compliance standards, leading global financial institutions have deployed Shield to monitor and manage their electronic communication data.
Shiran Weitzman
“We’re thrilled to be able to begin work with UBS on multiple levels – as a client and now as an investor in our latest funding round,”
said Shiran Weitzman, CEO and Co-founder of Shield.
“This is further proof that there is an immediate market need for a modern, proactive solution that supercharges surveillance across communication channels and that Shield is well-positioned to meet that need.”
Macquarie Capital, Shield’s largest investor and the lead investor for the Series B financing round, Mindset Ventures and OurCrowd are all joining the latest round after initial investment in Shield’s Series A. Shield has now raised a total of $35 million in 2022.
This article first appeared on fintechnews.ae
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ubs-next-participates-in-20-million-series-b-of-israel-compliance-tech-startup</link><guid>2991</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>UBS Next Participates in $20 Million Series B of Israel Compliance Tech Startup</dc:text></item><item><title>EIB and Goldman Sachs Issue First Euro-Denominated Digital Bond on a Private Blockchain</title><description><![CDATA[The European Investment Bank (EIB) — in collaboration with Goldman Sachs Bank Europe, Santander and Société Générale — launched Project Venus, their second euro-denominated digitally native bond issue and first using private blockchain technology.
The €100 million, two-year bond was issued, recorded and settled using private blockchain-based technology, and represents the inaugural issuance on Goldman Sachs’ tokenisation platform – GS DAPTM.
Banque de France and the Banque centrale du Luxembourg took part in the project to provide a digital representation of euro central bank money in the form of tokens. Société Générale Security Securities Services (SGSS Luxembourg) and Goldman Sachs Bank Europe SE acted respectively as on-chain custodian and account keeper.
Project Venus consists of the issuance by the EIB of a series of bonds on a blockchain, where investors purchased and paid for the security tokens using traditional currency. The joint lead managers — Goldman Sachs Bank Europe SE, Santander and Société Générale — then settled the underwriting against the issuer using a representation of central bank money, the central bank digital currency.

The transaction paves the way for future on chain derivative solutions, by using the first interest rate swap hedge represented through the industry developed common domain model (CDM).
The new digital bond is the first syndicated deal settled T+0 and the first cross-chain Delivery vs Payment (DVP) settlement using an experimental CBDC token.
The issuance is also the very first digital bond executed under the Luxembourg law.
Blockchain is a digital and distributed ledger of transactions using advanced cryptographic techniques and the contribution of a network of participants. The participants jointly validate the transactions in blocks in an ordered and fixed sequence (hence the name blockchain). This combination of features primarily aims to provide enhanced security and operational efficiency without resorting to a single registry to keep track of bondholders.

A pioneer in green and sustainable bonds, the EIB has been exploring the benefits of the digitalisation of capital markets to bring the benefits to market participants. In April 2021, the EIB issued its first digital bond. With its second fully digital bond, the EIB is continuing to lead the way for other market players to adopt blockchain technology. Unlike some cryptocurrencies using blockchain technology, the EIB’s blockchain bond issues do not lead to extensive energy use.
Ricardo Mourinho Félix
EIB Vice-President Ricardo Mourinho Félix said:
“Blockchain has the potential to disrupt a wide range of sectors. It plays a central role in the success of Europe’s green and digital transitions, and strengthens our technological sovereignty. Innovation is part of the EIB’s identity and issuing this fully digital bond is another important step in helping to develop a fully digital ecosystem.”
Mathew McDermott
Mathew McDermott, Global Head of Digital Assets at Goldman Sachs added:
“With this new digital bond, EIB is again showing its leadership in capital markets, pushing innovation further by pricing the first syndicated digital bond on a private permissioned chain and settling T+0 across two blockchain networks. The transaction also marks the launch of Goldman Sachs’ proprietary Tokenisation Platform – GS DAPTM ,and we are excited to take part in this initiative alongside EIB, Banque de France and the Banque centrale du Luxembourg.”


Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/eib-and-goldman-sachs-issue-first-euro-denominated-digital-bond-on-a-private-blockchain</link><guid>2988</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>EIB and Goldman Sachs Issue First Euro-Denominated Digital Bond on a Private Blockchain</dc:text></item><item><title>SIX Fintech Ventures Joins Keyrock’s $72 Million Series B Fundraising</title><description><![CDATA[Keyrock, a Brussel based digital asset market maker, raised $72 million in its Series B funding round from investors including Ripple, SIX Fintech Ventures and Middlegame Ventures. Keyrock plans to use its funding to invest further into infrastructure development, scalability tools, as well as regulatory licensing across Europe, the US and Singapore.
Co-founded by Kevin de Patoul, CEO, Jeremy de Groodt, CTO and Juan David Mendieta, CSO, Keyrock was started to create accessible and more efficient capital markets by deploying proprietary and highly scalable market making technologies.
Kevin de Patoul
“In the last five years we have focused strongly on doing things with a long-term perspective and haven’t taken any shortcuts. Due to this focus, we now have a highly robust foundation. The new round of funding allows us to expand on that and dramatically accelerate executing our vision to provide liquidity solutions for all digital assets. By doubling down on our focus on clients and scalability, we will be looking to expand into new markets with targeted services.”
said Kevin de Patoul, CEO of Keyrock.
Since the launch of 2017, Keyrock has become a preferred global liquidity partner of over 85 trading venues both centralised and decentralised. In the past year, Keyrock has expanded into 200 unique new markets and has seen threefold growth in terms of trading volume while the overall market shrunk by 50%.
Andreas Iten
“We are proud to see how the Keyrock team advanced their business and successfully manoeuvred through very difficult market conditions. They showed incredible resilience and with the current founding round we believe Keyrock will establish itself as one of the top-tier liquidity solution providers for digital assets not only in Europe but globally.”
said Andreas Iten, Head SIX Fintech Ventures and CEO of F10.
Earlier this year, Keyrock doubled the size of the workforce globally to over 100 employees. They are looking to double this number again in the upcoming year despite a bear market and hiring freezes across the crypto space. Started in Brussels, Keyrock now has an office in the UK and is looking to expand to Switzerland and Singapore in early 2023.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/six-fintech-ventures-joins-keyrocks-72-million-series-b-fundraising</link><guid>2989</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>SIX Fintech Ventures Joins Keyrock’s $72 Million Series B Fundraising</dc:text></item><item><title>Mastercard &amp; Vesta Join Forces to Offer Enhanced Fraud Management Solutions</title><description><![CDATA[Mastercard and Vesta, an end-to-end fraud prevention platform for digital purchases, announced a new strategic partnership to provide a state-of-the-art fraud management platform for merchants across Latin America and the Caribbean. As the need and interest from consumers to shop online increases, merchants are challenged to verify identities and manage evolving fraud threats in real time.
Through this partnership, the organizations join forces to not only meet merchants’ security needs, but also address a broader effort to enhance the consumer ‘s digital experience and strengthen their trust in ecommerce.
The fraud management solutions resulting from this collaboration will unite resources from each organization. This includes Vesta’s real-time anomaly detection and response, extensive global consortium data and best-in-class machine learning decisioning tools with the added strategic capabilities of Mastercard Cyber and Intelligence solutions. Together, they will provide full protection, before, during, and after a transaction for Mastercard merchants and consumers worldwide.
Using the combination of the solutions and market expertise, the partnership will provide merchants 100% fraud chargeback protection and will also incorporate numerous transactional insights like payment risk scores and pre-emptive chargeback alerts.
Ron Hynes
“We are excited about this new partnership with Mastercard. Our combined ability to help digital merchants across the network positively impact revenues with zero risk decisioning in real time, is a game-changer,”
said Vesta CEO, Ron Hynes, adding,
“Too often merchants lose legitimate customers and revenue simply due to a lack of available information, insufficient analysis and overly strict fraud prevention, causing ecommerce retailers to decline good customer transactions, because of the fear of fraud.”
Jorge Arbesu
“Our partnership with Vesta is the next step in our journey to make the digital economy safer, more seamless and secure,”
said Jorge Arbesu, Senior Vice President, Partnerships, Cyber and Intelligence, Mastercard.
“Adding to our existing capabilities, this partnership simplifies risk management for merchants while offering a better consumer experience.”
The enhanced solution will be available to all markets across Latin America &amp; Caribbean starting Q1 2023.

This article first appeared on Fintechnews.America


Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mastercard-vesta-join-forces-to-offer-enhanced-fraud-management-solutions</link><guid>2987</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/AM.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Mastercard &amp; Vesta Join Forces to Offer Enhanced Fraud Management Solutions</dc:text></item><item><title>The State of the German Blockchain Ecosystem</title><description><![CDATA[Despite a global venture capital (VC) pullback, shrinking valuations and public market turmoil, Germany’s blockchain VC funding market remained stable this year, with companies in the space securing a total of US$218 million across 20 deals year-to-date (YTD), just US$37 million short of 2021’s US$255 million, a new report by CV VC, a Swiss VC and private equity firm specialized in cryptocurrency and blockchain solutions, shows.
The German Blockchain Report, released last week, looks at the state of the German blockchain ecosystem, delving into the country’s burgeoning blockchain sector and exploring VC funding trends.
According to the report, Germany accounted for 6.2% of European blockchain funding and 1% of global blockchain funding. Decreasing blockchain funding in Germany is reflective of global trends observed this year where blockchain companies secured a total of US$21.7 billion, against US$26.2 billion in 2021.
Blockchain venture funding comparison YTD vs 2021, Source: German Blockchain Report, CV VC, Nov 2022
Despite a slight slowdown in blockchain venture funding activity, Germany maintained its leading position in Europe’s blockchain scene, the report says, and is home today to the largest number of blockchain companies across the whole European Union (EU).
Germany: an early blockchain supporter
Germany’s success as a blockchain hub has deep roots, dated back as early as 2015 when Berlin was the place to be for Ethereum developers.
In 2019, Germany formally showed its commitment to supporting the use of the technology, becoming the first country to adopt a national blockchain strategy. The strategy provides, among other things, guidelines for funding blockchain-related projects and considers various application areas, including financial services and digital identity.
Grasping the technology’s potential from the outset, German authorities have consistently worked towards legitimizing the digital asset landscape and integrating into the financial market.
In this regard, the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) has played a critical role, introducing in 2020, an amendment to the German Banking Act that brought crypto assets in line with traditional securities, and establishing a new licensing requirements for custody services.
In June 2021, the Electronic Securities Act paved the way for the issuance of digital securities, and by December of the same year, the first e-securities were being issued as bearer bonds from DekaBank.
And in July 2021, Germany passed the Spezialfonds law, a groundbreaking legislation that allows German banks, insurers, and larger corporates to allocate up to 20% of their capital to crypto assets.
At the moment, several state-backed projects are in the works, including a national energy database to track power usage, a system for verifying educational qualifications, and a smart contract registry with the Deutsche Energie-Agentur, according to a report by the EU Blockchain Observatory and Forum released in August 2022.
The EU Blockchain Observatory and Forum, a European Commission initiative to accelerate blockchain innovation and adoption, estimates that Germany is currently home to more than 340 blockchain solution providers and startups, surpassing Estonia with 200+ but behind the UK with 1,000+. The country also has one of the largest pools of blockchain talent in the EU with 4,600 professionals.
German blockchain funding trends
A deeper look into blockchain funding activity in the first three quarters of 2022 reveals that infrastructure and development was the highest-funded segment, making up 55% of all blockchain funding of the period, followed by decentralized finance (DeFi) with a 27% share.
In terms of funding volume, infrastructure and development, and DeFi companies amassed a total of US$120 million and US$57.7 million, respectively.
German blockchain funding by industry in 2022, Source: German Blockchain Report, CV VC, Nov 2022
During the period studied, Worldcoin secured the largest round, closing a US$100 million funding round. Founded in 2019, Worldcoin is building a privacy-focused protocol called Privacy-Preserving Proof-of-Personhood Protocol (PPPoPP) focusing on global money transfers. Worldcoin is currently the first and only German crypto unicorn, worth an estimated US$3 billion, the report says.
After Worldcoin, Composable Finance raised the second largest round of the year, closing a US$32 million Series A in March. Composable Finance is a company that develops blockchain infrastructure and developer tools to address the issue of blockchain interoperability and to ease frictions in deploying decentralized applications (DApps).
At the third position is Soba, a web3 online multiplayer open world and gaming platform that secured US$13.5 million in June, followed by Unstoppable Finance, the owner of the Ultimate self-custody DeFi wallet which raised a US$12.8 million Series A in August, and Chainflip, a decentralized, trustless protocol that enables cross-chain swaps between different blockchains, which closed US$10 million in May.
The release of the German Blockchain Report came in tandem with the opening of the new location of CV Labs Berlin in November 2022, marking the accelerator fourth location after Zug, Vaduz and Cape Town. CV Labs is CV VC’s startup acceleration program.

Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik and Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-state-of-the-german-blockchain-ecosystem</link><guid>2986</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Blockchain-venture-funding-comparison-YTD-vs-2021-Source-German-Blockchain-Report-CV-VC-Nov-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>The State of the German Blockchain Ecosystem</dc:text></item><item><title>16 Banking, Insurance and Fintech Professionals Named Among 2022 Top B2B Marketing Influencers</title><description><![CDATA[CMO Huddles, a community of business-to-business (B2B) marketing leaders, have released its selection of this year’s top B2B marketing influencers.
The 101 Top B2B Marketing Influencers of 2022 list recognizes the best marketing leaders from around the world who didn’t just survive this year’s challenges and uncertainties, but also managed to thrive.
These CMOs operate across a wide range of industries, from enterprise software, cybersecurity and healthtech, to legal, human resources (HR), and finance.
In the fintech, banking and insurance sectors, 16 marketing leaders made it into the list. These executives, which represent companies like Emburse, Marqeta and Tap Payments, have proven track records in increasing revenues and building brand awareness, and are being recognized for their drive, leadership and expertise.
Marca Armstrong, CMO, Passport
Marca Armstrong, CMO, Passport, Photo via LinkedIn
Marca Armstrong is the CMO of Passport, a mobility software and payments fintech company. Passport’s mobility management platform helps cities manage parking and mobility infrastructure, creating more livable, equitable communities.
Armstrong creates strategies for both B2B and business-to-consumer (B2C) businesses that build brand awareness and transform the customer experience while driving incremental revenue and profits. She leverages a rare blend of expertise in core marketing functions and keen understanding of how marketing drives other parts of an organization to quickly map, define and determine what will move buyers through their journey from consideration to advocacy.
Lauren Boyman, CMO, KPMG US
Lauren Boyman, CMO, KPMG US, Photo via LinkedIn
Lauren Boyman is the CMO of KPMG US where she leads B2B marketing function transformation across the firm’s brand and demand generation programs, leveraging newly selected and implemented marketing technologies. She joined KPMG US in 2020 after spending more than a decade at Morgan Stanley.
Boyman is a results-oriented, data-driven marketing and business strategy leader, with a background in management consulting and CPG brand management. She has led successful change-oriented launches that turn vision into strategy and execution across brand, marketing, and digital to achieve high impact outcomes.
Carlos Carvajal, CMO, Q2
Carlos Carvajal, CMO, Q2, Photo via LinkedIn
Carlos Carvajal is the CMO of Q2, a financial experience company dedicated to providing digital banking and lending solutions to banks, credit unions, alternative finance, and fintech companies in the US and internationally.
At Q2, Carvajal leads the company’s marketing vision, strategy, and initiatives to promote its brand and drive demand for Q2’s industry-leading digital banking and lending solutions. He’s also responsible for spreading the word about Q2’s people-first culture, unparalleled industry expertise, and the differentiated value and success Q2 delivers to customers.
Prior to joining Q2 in 2020, Carvajal spent over 20 years in transformational digital technology, working for companies like K2, a low-code automation solution leader, and Kony, now Temenos, a cloud-based provider of mobility, omnichannel, and Internet-of-Things (IoT) systems and services.
Joe Cohen, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, AXIS Capital
Joe Cohen, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, AXIS Capital, Image via LinkedIn
Joe Cohen is the chief marketing and communications officer of AXIS Capital, a provider of specialty lines insurance and reinsurance globally. At AXIS Capital, Cohen oversees enterprise-wide marketing and communications. He’s responsible for guiding corporate and brand reputation, marketing and advertising, digital marketing, financial communications, public relations (PR), and internal/change management communications.
Cohen is an internationally recognized marketing leader with a proven record of helping brands and organizations build relevance and drive business growth through B2C and B2B strategies on a global scale.
Jakki Geiger, CMO, Pyramid Analytics
Jakki Geiger, CMO, Pyramid Analytics, Photo via LinkedIn
Jakki Geiger is the CMO of Pyramid Analytics, a business intelligence software and data analytics company.
Geiger is a high-energy, growth-minded, customer-focused, and results-driven enterprise software-as-a-service (SaaS) global marketing executive. She has 20 years of experience building go-to-market strategies that drive rapid revenue growth, launched four venture-funded startups, built six new market categories and contributed to double digit growth for innovative enterprise software products at a mid-sized company.
Geiger is experienced in a variety of industries, including banking, financial services, insurance, healthcare, life science and e-commerce.
Danielle Gotkis, SVP Global Marketing, Pecan AI
Danielle Gotkis, SVP Global Marketing, Pecan AI, Photo via LinkedIn
Danielle Gotkis is the senior vice president of global marketing of Pecan AI, a predictive analytics platform helping business intelligence, operations, and revenue teams predict mission-critical outcomes.
She is a dynamic global marketing executive and commercially astute leader with 15 years of experience in laying the foundations of and scaling SaaS, artificial intelligence (AI) and fintech companies like Recurly, dLocal, Feedzai, PayNearMe, and others.
Gotkis enjoys developing holistic brand and demand generation strategies, applying creativity and analytical acumen, building and coaching teams, solving scale-up challenges, expanding into new markets, orchestrating impactful thought leadership programs, leading successful product launches, and forming lasting partnerships with Fortune 500 giants, global banks, national retails, telcos, and government agencies.
Charles Groome, VP of Marketing, Biz2Credit
Charles Groome, VP of Marketing, Biz2Credit, Photo via LinkedIn
Charles Groome is the vice president of marketing of Biz2Credit, a fast-growing fintech company specializing in small business loans. At Biz2Credit, Groome leads digital and traditional marketing programs for both of the company’s business units: small business funding (Biz2Credit) and enterprise banking software (Biz2X). He’s responsible for cross-functional initiatives that span branding, web design and user experience (UX), digital advertising, sales enablement, traditional advertising and internal communications.
Groome is an entrepreneurial-minded leader in marketing and advertising. He has a strong track record of generating web leads and sales opportunities in the SaaS, martech and fintech industries.
Deidre Hudson, CMO, Payability
Deidre Hudson, CMO, Payability, Photo via LinkedIn
Deidre Hudson is the CMO of Payability, a financing company that provides Amazon sellers and ecommerce sellers with daily cash flow, capital advances and the Payability Seller Card. At Payability, she is responsible for driving new customer acquisition and expanding the Payability brand.
Hudson has over 20 years of experience in the B2B, SaaS, and fintech industries, and has worked with some of the best-known global brands including Gartner, Tata Consultancy, Wolters Kluwer, Broadridge, 1010data, RCN and GrubHub. She’s skilled in demand generation, ABM, storytelling, and pipeline acceleration.
Grant Johnson, CMO, Emburse
Grant Johnson, CMO, Emburse, Photo via LinkedIn
Grant Johnson is the CMO of Emburse, a global leader in expense management, accounts payable and payments solutions. At Emburse, Johnson leads global marketing, overseeing marketing strategies, programs and tactics designed to increase market leadership, generate demand and enhance customer advocacy.
Grant has a storied history working in senior marketing roles for some of the best-known brands in technology, including FileNet/IBM, Symantec and Toshiba. Before joining Emburse, Grant was CMO of cybersecurity company Cylance (acquired by BlackBerry). Prior to that, he was the CMO of Kofax and CMO of Pegasystems.
Shirley Macbeth, CMO, Forrester
Shirley Macbeth, CMO, Forrester, Photo via LinkedIn
Shirley Macbeth is the CMO of Forrester, a leading global market research company, where she is responsible for elevating the company’s thought leadership profile and generating demand for its portfolio of research, consulting, and events.
A senior B2B marketing executive, Macbeth has 25+ years of experience with a proven track record in increasing revenues and building brand awareness for global B2B companies. Prior to Forrester, Shirley served as senior vice president, corporate marketing for ACI Worldwide, a global payments software leader; vice president of marketing for Yankee Group Research; and senior director of marketing for enterprise software giant Sybase (now part of SAP).
Alexandria McCarthy, CMO, Skience
Alexandria McCarthy, CMO, Skience, Image via LinkedIn
Alexandria McCarthy is the CMO of Skience, a wealth management platform. At Skience, McCarthy leads the development of the strategic marketing and communication plan for the company. She is responsible for the daily demands of driving brand reputation and business growth along with defining a long-term vision for modernizing marketing and communications.
McCarthy is a results-oriented marketing and communications executive with more than two decades of distinguished performance in the financial services industry.
Prior to Skience, she was head of practice management for Orion after the acquisition of Brinker Capital where she was CMO at Brinker Capital Investments. In prior years, she served as an officer at The Guardian Life Insurance Company and RS Investments.
Peter Neiman, CMO, Amalgamated Bank
Peter Neiman, CMO, Amalgamated Bank, Image via Amalgamated Bank
Peter Neiman is the CMO of Amalgamated Bank, which he joined in 2016. Neiman has a track record of driving transformational marketing and corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy, having helped reposition Amalgamated Bank as America’s socially responsible bank and as the leader in six segments including unions, progressive political organizations, non-profits, foundations, sustainable businesses and human needs organizations.
Prior to that, Neiman spent nine years leading the repositioning of Unum’s insurance brands in both the US and the UK. Before that, he was a senior vice president at a number of large New York City advertising agencies including, Grey, JWT, Ogilvy and Bozell.
Over his career, he has created integrated marketing campaigns for thirty-five companies including financial industry giants Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, NASDAQ and Commerce Bank.
Martin O’Leary, Group Head Of Marketing, Tap Payments
Martin O’Leary, Group Head Of Marketing, Tap Payments, Image via LinkedIn
Martin O’Leary is the group head of marketing of Tap Payments, one of the fastest-growing payment technology and fintech providers in the Middle East and North African (MENA) region.
O’Leary is an experienced international marketer working across Europe and the Middle East and has over 15 years of experience in digital banking, fintech, and online payments. He combines digital strategy, marketing technology and data analytics to create differentiated customer experiences that drive commercial growth and retention.
Jeff Otto, VP, Marketing, Marqeta
Jeff Otto, VP, Marketing, Marqeta, Image via LinkedIn
Jeff Otto is the vice president of marketing of Marqeta, a company providing an open API platform for other businesses to create, issue, and deploy virtual and physical payment cards.
His teams at Marqeta cover the spectrum of marketing functions across earned, paid, and owned media. They inspire and guide today’s innovators toward new, delightful payment experiences with the world’s leading modern card Issuing platform.
Ellyn Raftery, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, FIS
Ellyn Raftery, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, FIS, Image via LinkedIn
Ellyn Raftery is the chief marketing and communications officer of FIS, a Fortune 500 company and leading provider of fintech solutions for merchants, banks and capital markets firms globally. In this role, she is in charge with leading the strategic planning and execution of FIS’ global marketing and corporate communications programs as well as enterprise commercialization.
Raftery has more than 20 years of senior executive experience, focusing on developing integrated marketing strategies for Fortune 500 companies across a range of channels, industries and geographies and combining strategic business development and creative expertise to build global brands and increase sales.
Prior to FIS, she worked for CA Technologies, Unisys Corporation, and Ernst and Young.
Gary Sevounts, CMO, Malwarebytes
Gary Sevounts, CMO, Malwarebytes, Image via LinkedIn
Gary Sevounts is the CMO of Malwarebytes, an anti-malware software. Sevounts is a full-stack growth CMO with a proven track record in building and scaling high-impact marketing teams and engines in venture capital-funded, private equity-owned, and public companies. His recent awards include the 2021 CMO of The Year in the KYC and Compliance Space and the 2018 Top 35 Marketing Executives by Wall Street.
Prior to joining Malwarebytes, Sevounts worked for Socure, a leading provider of digital identity verification and fraud solutions; Kount, a fraud prevention and Equifax company; Aryaka Networks, a company that provides wide-area software-defined network connectivity and application delivery; and Zetta, a company specializing in cloud-based backup and disaster recovery for small and mid-sized businesses, enterprises, and managed service providers (MSPs).
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/16-banking-insurance-and-fintech-professionals-named-among-2022-top-b2b-marketing-influencers</link><guid>2985</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>16 Banking, Insurance and Fintech Professionals Named Among 2022 Top B2B Marketing Influencers</dc:text></item><item><title>Interest in Media for Equity on the Rise</title><description><![CDATA[Media for equity, a financing option that provides advertising in return for equity in a company, is proliferating at an increasing rate, recognized by startups as a powerful engine for sustainable growth.
Also known as media for growth or airtime for equity, media for equity is an alternative investment model where companies are trading equities to media conglomerates in exchange for advertising such as television, print, radio, and online. The model promises to deliver a number of benefits for startups, including increased brand awareness, access to customer data, customer growth, and guidance from large media groups.
Media for equity has been in the market since the ‘90s but has only gained popularity in the 2000s, especially in the British, Nordic and German space. The model has been adopted by a number of successful startups including Zalando, an online retailer that went public in 2014 at a US$6.8 billion valuation, and About You, another fashion online retailer which reached unicorn status in 2018 after securing US$300 million in funding.
A new report by Mediaforgrowth, a startup that operates in network connecting industry stakeholders, gives a comprehensive overview of the media for equity ecosystem, sharing funding trends observed over the past years.
According to the report, interest in media for equity has picked up significantly over the past decade with over 1,000 startups having embraced the model so far. While ten years ago, there were just a few media for equity funds, there are now more than 30, showcasing increased interest in the investment model.
The evolution of media for growth funds, Source: The State of Global Media for Growth Funding, Mediaforgrowth, 2022
A deep analysis of companies that have engaged in media for equity reveals that fintech, e-commerce, digital health, food and beverage are the top five industries that are leveraging the alternative models. 31% of these companies operate on either a business-to-business (B2B) or a business-to-business-to-consumer (B2B2C) model.
Delving at funding and exit trends, the research found that startups backed by media, on average, raised more funding than their counterparts, and exited in a shorter time-span.
On average, startups that are supported by media secure three times more funding than other startups, the report says. Also, those that are backed by both media and venture capital (VC) investors reach the exit round via an initial public offering (IPO) 32 months faster. Citing Pitchbook data, the report notes that the industry average for a traditional investment to exit is about 8.2 years, against 5 years and six months for media for equity-backed startups.
Looking at regional trends, the research found that Swedish and Indian companies have been the biggest adopters of the investment model, having each recorded more than 160 deals.
Media for growth investments around the world, Source: The State of Global Media for Growth Funding, Mediaforgrowth, 2022
In India, the Times Group, the country’s largest media group, has completed a record of 900+ investments. The group started looking outside of India three years ago, and through its VC arm, Brand Capital International, has invested more than US$4 billion worth of media across a wide range of sectors including fintech, edtech, healthtech, retail and consumer durables, the report says.
The fund, which targets international brands looking to grow revenue and brand equity in India, counts in its portfolio the likes of Fintech.TV, a media platform specializing in fintech, blockchain and technology, OneValley, a premium global innovation hub for startups, corporations and individuals, and Deskera, a cloud-based business software provider of integrated business-applications-as-a-service
In Europe, SevenVentures, the corporate venture arm of German media and digital entertainment provider ProSiebenSat.1, has been a prolific media for equity investor. The firm, which provides the startups it backs with cash and media investments as well as operational support, invests in business-to-consumer (B2C) organizations across various industries.
Fintech companies currently in SevenVentures’ portfolio include Bonify, a Berlin startup providing a personal financial management platform, Ottonova, a digital health insurance provider, and Friday, a licensed digital insurer operating in the German and French markets.
Past fintech investments include Auxmoney, digital lending platform for consumer credit, Ayondo, a provider of trading services, and Creditweb, one of the largest providers of retail mortgage financing in Germany.

Featured image credit: Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/interest-in-media-for-equity-on-the-rise</link><guid>2984</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/The-evolution-of-media-for-growth-funds-Source-The-State-of-Global-Media-for-Growth-Funding-Mediaforgrowth-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Interest in Media for Equity on the Rise</dc:text></item><item><title>A.P. Moller – Maersk and IBM to Discontinue Blockchain Trade Platform Tradelens</title><description><![CDATA[A.P. Moller – Maersk  and IBM announced the decision to withdraw the TradeLens offerings and discontinue the platform.
Starting immediately, the TradeLens team is taking action to withdraw the offerings and discontinue the platform, and the intent is that the platform will go offline by end of quarter one, 2023. During this process all parties involved will ensure that customers are attended to without disruptions to their businesses.
Maersk will continue its efforts to digitise the supply chain and increase industry innovation through other solutions to reduce trade friction and promote more global trade.
Rotem Hershko
“We are deeply grateful for the relentless efforts of our committed industry members and many tech talents, who together have worked diligently to advance the digitalisation of the industry through the TradeLens platform. We will leverage the work of TradeLens as a steppingstone to further push our digitisation agenda and look forward to harnessing the energy and ability of our technology talent in new ways,”
said Rotem Hershko.
The TradeLens platform was announced in 2018 and jointly developed by IBM and GTD Solution, a division of Maersk, as a blockchain-enabled shipping solution designed to promote more efficient and secure global trade.

This article first appeared on fintechnordics.com

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ap-moller-maersk-and-ibm-to-discontinue-blockchain-trade-platform-tradelens</link><guid>2982</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Check-out-Fintech-News-Nordics.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>A.P. Moller – Maersk and IBM to Discontinue Blockchain Trade Platform Tradelens</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Digital Bank Alpian Ramps up Athlete Endorsement Push to Appeal to the Mass Affluent</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss digital bank Alpian has announced the appointment of Sébastien Buemi as honorary “chief inspiration officer,” adding the Swiss professional racing driver to its list of existing brand ambassadors, among which tennis world champion Belinda Bencic and freestyle snowboarder and base jumper Géraldine Fasnacht, Alpian said on November 25, 2022.
Buemi will be in charge of promoting and actively shaping Alpian’s corporate culture. He will participate in the bank’s collaborative projects involving Bencic and Fasnacht, the previously appointed honorary chief inspiration officers of Alpian, and will also contribute to the bank’s educational platform, i-vest.ch, with content on risk-taking, career management, entrepreneurship and financial empowerment, the bank said.
Alpian will be launching the so-called Performance Improvement Program next year, for which Buemi will be tasked to with discovering, promoting and mentoring young talents through Switzerland, it added.
Sébastien Buemi (left) and Schuyler Weiss, CEO of Alpian (right), Source: Buemi.ch
Athlete endorsement is a marketing promotional strategy that is frequently used by companies to reach a wider target audience, create brand awareness and increase public image.
There are many benefits of having an athlete as an endorser rather than another celebrity such as a singer or an actor. For one, professional athletes tend to appeal to wider audiences because sports are able to unite even the most different of people.
Athletes also represent achievement and typically have a large following of fans who watch what they do, listen to, and buy. Having an athlete that has social media channels of millions of people means that brands can leverage an already established target audience and can have their products seen as of higher quality.
Buemi is a Swiss professional racing driver, three-time WEC and one-time Formula E World Champion. He is also a four-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner. Buemi currently competes in the FIA WEC and Formula E championships, while also being a test driver for the Red Bull F1 team. He was recently inducted into the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours Hall of Fame.
In terms of social media following, Buemi has nearly 100k followers on Instagram, more than 126k on Twitter, and over 123k on Facebook.
The appointment of Buemi as Alpian’s new brand ambassador comes on the heels of the rollout of Alpian’s digital private banking offering. The company, which received its banking license from the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) in April, launched to the general public of Switzerland on October 11, becoming, what it claims to be, “Switzerland’s first FINMA-licensed digital private bank.”
Alpian targets the mass affluent client segment, the bank says, and strives to deliver a fully comprehensive digital private banking offering. It currently provides customers with everyday banking services including payment capabilities, foreign exchange (FX), cash withdrawals and a metal debit card. More services will be rolled out in the coming months.
Alpian says its key differentiators include its highly personalized services, a competitive management fee of 0.75%, and most particularly, its singular hybrid model that combines a secure, state-of-the-art banking platform with the support of experienced wealth advisors whom clients are able to conveniently schedule in-app video calls with right from the app.
Founded in 2019, Alpian is a Swiss financial services firm that aims to build an all-in-one banking app combining everyday banking services, personal wealth management, and tailored investment products. The company, which is based in Geneva, has secured CHF 48.1 million in funding, its latest round being a CHF 19 million Series B+ closed in April.
Switzerland’s banking sector has evolved significantly over the past few years as new players entered the market with innovative digital products. FlowBank, for example, is a new Swiss digital finance service launched publicly in late 2020 that’s both a bank and a full-fledged broker. Neon is a neobanking platform that’s partnered with Hypothekarbank Lenzburg. Seba and Sygnum are two new banks focused on cryptocurrencies and other blockchain-based digital assets. And Yapeal, SR Saphirstein’s Fiat24, Klarpay and Swiss4.0 are the four entities to have been granted a fintech license, a regime introduced in 2020 that enables fintech companies to carry out certain activities within an appropriate regulatory framework without the need for a costly and complex banking or other applicable licenses.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-digital-bank-alpian-ramps-up-athlete-endorsement-push-to-appeal-to-the-mass-affluent</link><guid>2981</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Sebastien-Buemi-left-and-Schuyler-Weiss-CEO-of-Alpian-right-Source-Buemi.ch_.jpeg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Digital Bank Alpian Ramps up Athlete Endorsement Push to Appeal to the Mass Affluent</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Digital Bank Alpian Ramps up Athlete Endorsements to Appeal to the Mass Affluent</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss digital bank Alpian has announced the appointment of Sébastien Buemi as honorary “chief inspiration officer,” adding the Swiss professional racing driver to its list of existing brand ambassadors, among which tennis world champion Belinda Bencic and freestyle snowboarder and base jumper Géraldine Fasnacht, Alpian said on November 25, 2022.
Buemi will be in charge of promoting and actively shaping Alpian’s corporate culture. He will participate in the bank’s collaborative projects involving Bencic and Fasnacht, the previously appointed honorary chief inspiration officers of Alpian, and will also contribute to the bank’s educational platform, i-vest.ch, with content on risk-taking, career management, entrepreneurship and financial empowerment, the bank said.
Alpian will be launching the so-called Performance Improvement Program next year, for which Buemi will be tasked to with discovering, promoting and mentoring young talents through Switzerland, it added.
Sébastien Buemi (left) and Schuyler Weiss, CEO of Alpian (right), Source: Buemi.ch
Athlete endorsement is a marketing promotional strategy that is frequently used by companies to reach a wider target audience, create brand awareness and increase public image.
There are many benefits of having an athlete as an endorser rather than another celebrity such as a singer or an actor. For one, professional athletes tend to appeal to wider audiences because sports are able to unite even the most different of people.
Athletes also represent achievement and typically have a large following of fans who watch what they do, listen to, and buy. Having an athlete that has social media channels of millions of people means that brands can leverage an already established target audience and can have their products seen as of higher quality.
Buemi is a Swiss professional racing driver, three-time WEC and one-time Formula E World Champion. He is also a four-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner. Buemi currently competes in the FIA WEC and Formula E championships, while also being a test driver for the Red Bull F1 team. He was recently inducted into the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours Hall of Fame.
In terms of social media following, Buemi has nearly 100k followers on Instagram, more than 126k on Twitter, and over 123k on Facebook.
The appointment of Buemi as Alpian’s new brand ambassador comes on the heels of the rollout of Alpian’s digital private banking offering. The company, which received its banking license from the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) in April, launched to the general public of Switzerland on October 11, becoming, what it claims to be, “Switzerland’s first FINMA-licensed digital private bank.”
Alpian targets the mass affluent client segment, the bank says, and strives to deliver a fully comprehensive digital private banking offering. It currently provides customers with everyday banking services including payment capabilities, foreign exchange (FX), cash withdrawals and a metal debit card. More services will be rolled out in the coming months.
Alpian says its key differentiators include its highly personalized services, a competitive management fee of 0.75%, and most particularly, its singular hybrid model that combines a secure, state-of-the-art banking platform with the support of experienced wealth advisors whom clients are able to conveniently schedule in-app video calls with right from the app.
Founded in 2019, Alpian is a Swiss financial services firm that aims to build an all-in-one banking app combining everyday banking services, personal wealth management, and tailored investment products. The company, which is based in Geneva, has secured CHF 48.1 million in funding, its latest round being a CHF 19 million Series B+ closed in April.
Switzerland’s banking sector has evolved significantly over the past few years as new players entered the market with innovative digital products. FlowBank, for example, is a new Swiss digital finance service launched publicly in late 2020 that’s both a bank and a full-fledged broker. Neon is a neobanking platform that’s partnered with Hypothekarbank Lenzburg. Seba and Sygnum are two new banks focused on cryptocurrencies and other blockchain-based digital assets. And Yapeal, SR Saphirstein’s Fiat24, Klarpay and Swiss4.0 are the four entities to have been granted a fintech license, a regime introduced in 2020 that enables fintech companies to carry out certain activities within an appropriate regulatory framework without the need for a costly and complex banking or other applicable licenses.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-digital-bank-alpian-ramps-up-athlete-endorsements-to-appeal-to-the-mass-affluent</link><guid>2983</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Sebastien-Buemi-left-and-Schuyler-Weiss-CEO-of-Alpian-right-Source-Buemi.ch_.jpeg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Digital Bank Alpian Ramps up Athlete Endorsements to Appeal to the Mass Affluent</dc:text></item><item><title>Alpian ernennt Sébastien Buemi zum dritten ehrenamtlichen Chief Inspiration Officer</title><description><![CDATA[Nachdem Alpian im Oktober 2022 offiziell als erste digitale Privatbank der Schweiz an den Start ging, gibt das Unternehmen heute die Ernennung von Rennfahrer-Champion Sébastien Buemi zum neuen ehrenamtlichen Chief Inspiration Officer bekannt. Er wird neben der Tennisweltmeisterin Belinda Bencic und der Freestyle-Snowboarderin und Base-Jumperin Géraldine Fasnacht zu den Markenbotschafter von Alpian gehören, die die Unternehmenskultur von Alpian fördern und aktiv mitgestalten.
Schuyler Weiss
Schuyler Weiss, CEO von Alpian, sagt:
“Wir sind sehr stolz darauf, Sébastien Buemi in unser Markenbotschafter-Programm aufzunehmen. Diese Partnerschaft ist für mich von besonderer Bedeutung. Er ist nicht nur eine echte Inspiration aufgrund seiner Karriere und seiner Führungsqualitäten, sondern lassen sich meiner Meinung nach auch viele Parallelen zwischen dem Autorennsport und Alpian erkennen. So wie die Formel E die Innovation und den Wandel im Motorsport vorantreibt, hat Alpian den Ehrgeiz, Innovation zu schaffen und schliesslich die Bankenbranche zu verändern.”
Sébastien Buemi ist nicht nur Markenbotschafter, sondern wird auch an den Kooperationsprojekten der Bank teilnehmen, an denen die beiden zuvor ernannten ehrenamtlichen Chief Inspiration Officers, Belinda Bencic und Géraldine Fasnacht, beteiligt sind. Der Schweizer Rennfahrer-Champion wird aktiv zu Alpians Bildungsplattform i-vest.ch – die zur Entmystifizierung von Investitionen, Vermögen und finanziellem Wohlbefinden geschaffen wurde – beitragen und dabei verschiedene Themen wie Risikobereitschaft, Karrieremanagement, Unternehmertum und finanzielle Selbstbestimmung aufgreifen.
Der neu ernannte Botschafter, der Alpians Philosophie “Wealth beyond money” mitträgt und als Inspirationsfigur fungiert, soll junge Talente in der ganzen Schweiz im Rahmen des Leistungssteigerungsprogramms der Bank, das 2023 starten soll, entdecken, fördern und betreuen.
Roman Balzan, Chief Marketing Officer von Alpian, fügt hinzu:
“Mit Sébastien Buemi ergänzen wir unsere Auswahl an Botschaftern um eine weitere Führungspersönlichkeit von Weltrang, die uns auf unserem Weg begleitet. Unser Botschafterprogramm zielt darauf ab, erfolgreiche und inspirierende Karrieren zu fördern, um Menschen in ihrer finanziellen Selbstbestimmung zu unterstützen. Ich bin sicher, dass sein Beitrag zu i-vest aufschlussreich und einzigartig sein wird.”
Sébastien Buemi
Sébastien Buemi, ehrenamtlicher Chief Inspiration Officer von Alpian, sagt:
“Ich fühle mich ausserordentlich geehrt, Teil der Alpian-Familie und eines so innovativen Projekts zu sein. Der technologische Fortschritt durchdringt alle Bereiche unseres Lebens – sei es der Rennsport, die Art und Weise, wie wir bezahlen oder unsere Beziehung zum Bankpartner unseres Vertrauens. Als die Formel E ins Leben gerufen wurde, war ich von Anfang an dabei. Umso mehr freue ich mich, erneut Teil eines ambitionierten Projekts wie Alpian zu sein, das sich noch in einer frühen Phase befindet und von dem ich überzeugt bin, dass es ein echtes Bedürfnis adressiert.”
Sébastien Buemi ist ein Schweizer Profirennfahrer, dreimaliger WEC- und einmaliger Formel-E-Weltmeister. Er ist ausserdem 4-facher Gewinner des 24-Stunden-Rennens von Le Mans. Derzeit nimmt er an der FIA WEC- und der Formel-E-Meisterschaft teil und ist gleichzeitig Testfahrer für das F1-Team von Red Bull. Vor kurzem wurde er in die prestigeträchtige Hall of Fame des 24-Stunden- Rennens von Le Mans aufgenommen.
Er wurde am 29. November 2022 im Rahmen eines exklusiven Afterwork-Events im Startup Space Schlieren in Zürich offiziell als dritter Chief Inspiration Officer von Alpian vorgestellt.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/alpian-ernennt-sebastien-buemi-zum-dritten-ehrenamtlichen-chief-inspiration-officer</link><guid>2978</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Alpian ernennt Sébastien Buemi zum dritten ehrenamtlichen Chief Inspiration Officer</dc:text></item><item><title>France, Luxembourg and EIB Conduct Joint Wholesale CBDC Experiment</title><description><![CDATA[The Banque de France, Banque centrale du Luxembourg and European Investment Bank (EIB) successfully conducted a wholesale central bank digital currency (CBDC) experiment.
The experiment, known as the Venus initiative, involved a 100 million euro digital native bond issuance by the EIB under Luxembourg law, and settled using a tokenised representation of the euro.
The experimental CBDC tokens were issued on a distinct permissioned distributed ledger technology (DLT) jointly operated by the Banque de France and the Banque centrale du Luxembourg.
The initiative also involved a message exchange mechanism between DLTs to allow for the simultaneous experimental CBDC tokens transfer and digital native bond delivery the very same day of the issuance.
Goldman Sachs Bank Europe, Santander and Société Générale were appointed by the EIB as banking syndication to issue and distribute the digital native bonds.
Nathalie Aufauvre
“The Venus initiative confirms that a well-designed CBDC can play a critical role in the development of a safe tokenised financial asset space in Europe,”
said Nathalie Aufauvre, General Director of Financial Stability and Operations, Banque de France.
Nicolas Weber
“The Banque de France and the Banque centrale du Luxembourg are proposing one possible cross-border answer to the growing interest from the market to perform digital native securities settlement with a central bank money token,”
said Nicolas Weber, Executive Director of Payment Systems, Banque centrale du Luxembourg.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/france-luxembourg-and-eib-conduct-joint-wholesale-cbdc-experiment</link><guid>2979</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>France, Luxembourg and EIB Conduct Joint Wholesale CBDC Experiment</dc:text></item><item><title>Conferma Pay, Sabre and Mastercard Issue B2B Virtual Travel Payment Cards</title><description><![CDATA[UK virtual corporate card provider Conferma Pay and US travel tech company Sabre have partnered with Mastercard to issue virtual cards for B2B travel payments.
The solution involves generating single use card numbers to enable travel buyers and suppliers to track and reconcile payments, as well as benefit from other card payment benefits.
As part of the agreement, Mastercard will make a minority investment in Conferma Pay, which will continue to operate independently. The company was acquired by Sabre in August 2022.
Founded in 2005, Conferma Pay is fully integrated with all the major card schemes and serves more than 50 banking partners, who issue Conferma Pay generated virtual cards in nearly 100 currencies.
Roshan Mendis
“The new partnership with Mastercard will help Conferma Pay build new and enhanced digital capabilities in virtual cards, transforming the payment experience for issuers,”
said Roshan Mendis, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Sabre Travel Solutions.
Chris Fendley
“Virtual cards deliver visibility, boost liquidity and increase control over B2B payment flows, which enhance payment strategies and empower organisations across the travel value chain to run, grow and protect their business,”
said Chris Fendley, Executive Vice President, Enterprise Partnerships at Mastercard.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/conferma-pay-sabre-and-mastercard-issue-b2b-virtual-travel-payment-cards</link><guid>2980</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Conferma Pay, Sabre and Mastercard Issue B2B Virtual Travel Payment Cards</dc:text></item><item><title>Belgium’s OpenWay Launches Card-as-a-Service Platform</title><description><![CDATA[Belgian payment processing company OpenWay has added card issuing software to its Way4 digital payments platform covering credit, debit, corporate, fleet, instalment, prepaid, loyalty, and gift cards.
The new “card-as-a-service” software includes features such as carbon footprint trackers for each cardholder, virtual cards via mobile apps, paperless ATM receipts, and more.
OpenWay’s Way4 platform also supports buy now pay later (BNPL) scenarios alongside standard product configurations, business requirements, and implementation manuals.
Headquartered in Mont-Saint-Guibert, Belgium, OpenWay serves clients in 83 countries through Way4, its flagship digital banking and payment software platform.
Pavel Gubin
“OpenWay helps digital banks, EMIs, retailers, fleet companies, fintechs and other non-traditional issuers comply with social, environmental, and governmental frameworks by providing multiple innovative services via more than 1,000 APIs,”
said Pavel Gubin, CEO of OpenWay.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/belgiums-openway-launches-card-as-a-service-platform</link><guid>2974</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Belgium’s OpenWay Launches Card-as-a-Service Platform</dc:text></item><item><title>UBS Chooses Regula’s Identity Verification Solutions to Automate Onboarding</title><description><![CDATA[UBS has partnered with Latvian identity verification company Regula to create a fully automated and 24/7 account opening process for new customers.
Instead of real-time video interviews, which were previously required by UBS to verify new customers, the enrollment process now takes just a few minutes on the UBS Mobile Banking app.
Using Regula’s identity verification solutions, UBS can recognise and authenticate documents and compare document portraits with users’ selfies to verify their identities.
UBS, which also partnered with iProov, is said to be the first bank in Switzerland to enable automatic identity verification and electronic signature creation for opening bank accounts.
Regula is an established developer of forensic devices and identity verification solutions headquartered in Daugavpils, Latvia. The company also has offices in the US, UK, Germany, Poland and Brazil.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ubs-chooses-regulas-identity-verification-solutions-to-automate-onboarding</link><guid>2975</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>UBS Chooses Regula’s Identity Verification Solutions to Automate Onboarding</dc:text></item><item><title>BVNK Acquires System Pay Services to Provide Licensed E-Money Services</title><description><![CDATA[UK crypto payments platform BVNK has acquired payments company System Pay Services for its Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license after receiving Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) approval.
The EMI license enables BVNK to broaden its product offering to include e-money services, e-wallets, and multi-currency accounts for merchants to make, receive, and process payments.
BVNK’s platform currently allows customers to send and receive payments on all major schemes and blockchain networks, incorporate stablecoins for payments, and settle funds from over 30 markets.
Founded in 2021, BVNK closed a US$40 million Series A funding round led by Tiger Global in May 2022. The company also received a Virtual Asset Services Provider license in Spain in October 2022.
Jesse Hemson-Struthers
“As a UK EMI licensed operator, BVNK will be able to serve leading global businesses who require partners to be regulated and enterprise compliant,”
said Jesse Hemson-Struthers, CEO of BVNK.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bvnk-acquires-system-pay-services-to-provide-licensed-e-money-services</link><guid>2976</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>BVNK Acquires System Pay Services to Provide Licensed E-Money Services</dc:text></item><item><title>wefox Appoints Zalando’s Laura Eschricht as Chief Marketing Officer</title><description><![CDATA[German insurtech platform wefox has appointed Laura Eschricht as its new Chief Marketing Officer, effective immediately. She joins wefox from German ecommerce retailer Zalando.
Eschricht is a seasoned marketing professional with over 15 years of global experience. Prior to Zalando, she headed marketing at US hair care brands amika and Moroccanoil.
Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Berlin, wefox last closed a US$400 million Series D funding round in July 2022 and a US$650 million Series C funding round in June 2021.
The company says that it has doubled its revenues every year since launching to reach US$300 million in 2021, serving 1.5 million customers across Austria, Germany, Italy, Poland and Switzerland.
Eschricht joins wefox’s 1,600 employees including Chief Insurance Officer Peter Huber and Chief Operating Officer David Stachon.
Julian Teicke
“It’s a real pleasure to welcome Laura to the wefox team as CMO. She joins us at an exciting time as we continue to deploy our strategy to grow our business and keep more people safe,”
said Julian Teicke, CEO and Founder, wefox.
Laura Eschricht
“I want wefox to become a household name in the global insurance industry. I want wefox to stand for competence, trust and simplicity in the minds of the people we keep safe and, I want to be the most trusted partner for our brokers,”
said Laura Eschricht, Chief Marketing Officer, wefox.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/wefox-appoints-zalandos-laura-eschricht-as-chief-marketing-officer</link><guid>2977</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>wefox Appoints Zalando’s Laura Eschricht as Chief Marketing Officer</dc:text></item><item><title>BlockFi Files for Bankruptcy Due to Exposure to FTX</title><description><![CDATA[Crypto lender BlockFi has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection citing a liquidity crisis due to substantial exposure to recently bankrupt crypto exchange FTX.
BlockFi says that it is exposed to FTX via loans to Alameda, a crypto trading firm affiliated with FTX, as well as cryptocurrencies held on FTX’s platform.
The firm listed its assets and liabilities as being between US$1 billion and US$10 billion. The company has US$256.9 million in cash on hand to support certain operations during the restructuring process.
Founded in 2017, BlockFi is described as a blockchain-based wealth management platform for crypto investors. Activity on the platform is currently paused.
The company has raised US$1.4 billion in funding to date according to Crunchbase, including US$400 million in debt financing from FTX in mid-2022 and US$850 million in two funding rounds in 2021.
Mark Renzi
“With the collapse of FTX, the BlockFi management team and board of directors immediately took action to protect clients and the company.

BlockFi looks forward to a transparent process that achieves the best outcome for all clients and other stakeholders,”
said Mark Renzi of Berkeley Research Group, BlockFi’s financial advisor.
This article first appeared on Fintech News America.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/blockfi-files-for-bankruptcy-due-to-exposure-to-ftx</link><guid>2973</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/AM-1.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>BlockFi Files for Bankruptcy Due to Exposure to FTX</dc:text></item><item><title>Quid Launches Multi-Currency Wallet for SMEs With Visa’s Currencycloud</title><description><![CDATA[UK business banking platform Quid Global and cross-border payments platform Currencycloud have partnered to launch Quid’s multi-currency global wallet for businesses.
The integration with Currencycloud will provide Quid’s SME clients with a multi-currency wallet that can convert between EUR, GBP, USD, CHF, AUD and NZD currencies anytime.
Founded in 2020 and headquartered in London, Quid’s platform also provides company formation services. The company also has offices in Switzerland, Italy, Ireland, New Zealand and the US.
Since 2012, Currencycloud has processed more than US$100 billion for financial institutions to over 180 countries. The company was acquired by Visa in 2021.
Nick Cheetham
“Small businesses are increasingly operating globally and there is a huge need to process international payments seamlessly and cost-effectively.

The partnership between Quid and Currencycloud offers even the smallest of businesses the opportunity to do just that,”
said Nick Cheetham, Chief Revenue Officer at Currencycloud.
“The multi-currency Global Wallet we have developed with Currencycloud is a key product in our ecosystem to support the success of any new business and facilitate easy payments for our customers in many regions globally,”
said Simon Byrne, Managing Director at Quid.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/quid-launches-multi-currency-wallet-for-smes-with-visas-currencycloud</link><guid>2970</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Quid Launches Multi-Currency Wallet for SMEs With Visa’s Currencycloud</dc:text></item><item><title>Spain’s Cobee Raises €40M Series B for Employee Benefits Platform</title><description><![CDATA[Madrid employee benefits platform Cobee has closed a €40 million Series B funding round with investments from London-based Octopus Ventures and Notion Capital.
The company says that it tripled its business since it last raised a €14 million Series A in 2021, and that the latest funding will help it expand to Mexico and grow its headcount to over 200 in the next 18 months.
Cobee also plans to expand its focus beyond benefits such as meal vouchers and travel tickets that come with tax advantages to benefits related to physical and emotional wellbeing.
Founded in 2019, Cobee currently operates in Spain and Portugal. The company also made LinkedIn’s list of top fintech startups in Europe in 2022.
Nick Sando
“Employee benefits have gone from being a ‘pleasant’ to a ‘necessary’ tool for attracting and retaining talent. Cobee can play a crucial role in the employee benefit markets,”
said Nick Sando, Principal at Octopus Ventures.
Itxaso del Palacio
“What is unique about Cobee, in comparison with other competitors in the sector, is their infrastructure. Cobee has built a flexible and scalable platform, which can be expanded to countries with tax benefits and highly regulated benefit schemes,”
said Itxaso del Palacio, Partner at Notion Capital.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/spains-cobee-raises-40m-series-b-for-employee-benefits-platform</link><guid>2971</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Spain’s Cobee Raises €40M Series B for Employee Benefits Platform</dc:text></item><item><title>Estonia’s Kriptomat Partners Volt for Real-Time Payments for Crypto Trading</title><description><![CDATA[Estonian crypto platform Kriptomat has partnered with UK payment gateway provider Volt to enable customers to make real-time account-to-account payments to buy, sell and exchange cryptocurrencies.
Prior to integrating with Volt, Kriptomat customers used bank transfers, credit cards and e-wallets for transactions which meant that funds could take three to five business days to reach accounts.
With Volt, Kriptomat users will be directed to their banking app where they can authorise payments to transfer and access funds in real-time.
Founded in 2018 in Tallinn, Kriptomat has a customer base of over 500,000 users, mostly in Central and Eastern Europe. The platform offers trading services for over 300 cryptocurrencies.
Srdjan Mahmutovic
“Today’s new crypto users are more like car owners, who expect to turn the key and have it work immediately. Volt’s technology has helped us provide that level of usability to our customer base,”
said Srdjan Mahmutovic, CEO at Kriptomat.
Matt Komorowski
“We’re excited to partner with Kriptomat and support their mission of making crypto trading accessible to everyone in a way that is both compliant and innovative,”
said Matt Komorowski, Chief Revenue Officer at Volt.

This article first appeared on Fintech News Baltic.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/estonias-kriptomat-partners-volt-for-real-time-payments-for-crypto-trading</link><guid>2972</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Estonia’s Kriptomat Partners Volt for Real-Time Payments for Crypto Trading</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Startup Failures Pile Up</title><description><![CDATA[After experiencing record investment volumes in 2021, venture funding is dropping significantly this year amid hiking inflation rates, political instability and tanking stock prices. Investors are scaling back their investment pace significantly, and though many startups are still holding strong and enduring the chaos, dozens have shut down.
Since the beginning of the year, at least 11 fintech companies have closed down, according to CB Insights. A majority of these startups folded due to their inability to raise fresh capital, as was the case for proptech startup Reali and neobank Bank North, while others, like Neufund and LendUp, crumbled in the face of regulatory pressure and legal issues.
Of the 11 fintech startup failures reported, four of them – CommonBond, Reali, Volt Bank and LendUp – were rather large and costly ones, involving startups that had raised US$100 million and up, the data show.
Student loan lending startup CommonBond, which had secured a total of US$1.3 billion in disclosed funding, said in September that it will be “winding down” its operations after its core businesses took a major big during COVID-19.
Reali, a real estate and fintech platform that had raised US$292 million in funding, announced in August that it will begin a shutdown and will be laying off most of the workforce on September 9, citing “challenging real estate and financial market conditions.”
In Australia, Volt Bank, the first exclusively online bank to secure a banking license in the country, said in June that it would shut down, returning deposits and selling its mortgage book after failing to raise sufficient funds to support the business. The digital bank had raised US$102 million.
Finally, LendUp, a payday lending company, was forced by the US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to cease making new loans and collecting some outstanding loans in December 2021 for “repeatedly lying and illegally cheating its customers,” the regulator said. LendUp had secured US$366 million.
Other significant fintech failures this year include Bank North, a challenger bank that raised US$96 million before running out of cash and collapsing in October; Propzy, a Vietnamese real estate technology platform that had raised US$33 million but ceased operation suddenly in September, citing the impact of the pandemic and unstable global financial situation due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict; B3i Services, an insurance blockchain consortium that had secured US$26 million but which filed for insolvency in July following unsuccessful funding rounds; and Neufund, a security token platform that closed down in January after raising a total of US$19 million.
The other three fintech startups that went belly up this year and which are highlighted in the CB Insights report are Wingocard, a teen financial literacy app that shut down in May; AskRobin, a credit marketplace for unbanked populations went out of business in January after reaching nearly two million customers; and Binance Asia Services, the Singapore arm of cryptocurrency exchange Binance that withdrew from the city-state and closed in February.
2022 has been a trying year for the global fintech scene amid plunging funding activity and a turbulent economy that have forced players to make serious job cuts.
Klarna, a buy now, pay later (BNPL) leader, reduced its headcounts by about 10% in May, citing pressure from investors to slim down its operations. Klarna lost more than US$580 million in the first six months of 2022.
Brex, a corporate spend management once valued US$12.3 billion, laid off 11% of its staff this year as part of a restructuring.
German digital bank N26 reported in October a wider loss for 2021 and a slowing in customer growth. N26’s 2021 loss increased to EUR 172 million from EUR 151 million in 2020. The bank added one million new customers last year, down from the two million customers that were added in 2020.
Global fintech funding this year reached US$63.5 billion in Q3 2022, a sum that represents just 45% of 2021’s total of US$141.2 billion, data from CB Insights show.
Global fintech funding, Source: State of Fintech Q3 2022, CB Insights, Oct 2022

Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-startup-failures-pile-up</link><guid>2965</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Global-fintech-funding-Source-State-of-Fintech-Q3-2022-CB-Insights-Oct-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech Startup Failures Pile Up</dc:text></item><item><title>PayPal Ramps Up Integrations and Partnerships</title><description><![CDATA[PayPal has reached a new agreement with Apple that will see that two technology giants accept each other’s products in their respective payment ecosystems. The partnership is the latest in a series of collaborations announced by PayPal over the past few years that have sought to deepen the firm’s market penetration in the digital payments and commerce spaces.
The move was unveiled in PayPal’s Q3 2022 earnings report in which the paytech firm announced that both PayPal and its mobile payment subsidiary Venmo will be supporting Apple’s Tap to Pay on iPhones “soon” and provide both merchants and consumers with the ability to use Apple Pay to accept payments and make purchases.
In particular, the deal will allow PayPal merchants to use their iPhone and the PayPal or Venmo iOS app to accept contactless debit or credit cards and mobile wallets, including Apple Pay. PayPal will also add Apple Pay as a payment option in its checkout offerings and merchants platforms, including the PayPal Commerce Platform, the company said.
For consumers, users will also be able to add their PayPal and Venmo credit and debit cards to their Apple Pay wallet and use them anywhere Apple Pay is accepted.
Tap to Pay is a new feature introduced by Apple back in February that allows merchants to turn their iPhones into contactless payment terminals, avoiding thus the need to purchase any additional hardware. Apple had Stripe as a launch partner, with Square following suit in September.
Up until now, PayPal and Venmo’s cards weren’t available in Apple’s mobile wallet.
The two firms offer the most widely used digital wallets in the US. Apple Pay claims it is accepted at more than 90% of US retailers, and is said to be serving 507 million users, as of September 2020. PayPal, on the other hand, clocks 426 million active accounts, while its mobile payment subsidiary Venmo claimed nearly 90 million accounts in the US in Q2 2022.
The addition of PayPal and Venmo cards into Apple Pay is similar to what PayPal already has with Google Pay. Four years ago, the two companies expanded an existing collaboration to allow Google Pay customers to link their PayPal account and make purchases straight from that wallet.
PayPal integration into Google Pay, Source: Google, 2019
Most recently, Venmo went live as a new payment option for select Amazon customers, a year after announcing the partnership. The firm is now “ramping to full availability for US Amazon customers this holiday season.”
Super app ambitions
These new agreements come in line with PayPal’s broader ambition to increase its market share, expand more aggressively in in-store payments, and eventually become the ubiquitous payment method.
Last year, the firm unveiled plans to morph into the next global super app, akin China’s WeChat and Singapore’s Grab. It subsequently launched the first version of the platform, introducing in September 2021 an app that combines all sorts of financial tools and services, including direct deposit, bill payment, a digital wallet, peer-to-peer payments, shopping tools and crypto capabilities. PayPal also inked a partnership with Synchrony Bank to launch PayPal Savings, a high yield savings account.
PayPal announces its new app, Source: PayPal, 2021
The firm said at a time that more features and enhancements would come in the next quarters, including investment capabilities and more payment methods.
In June 2022, it launched PayPal Monthly, a new buy now, pay later (BNPL) offering that allows US users to spread payments out over longer periods of time, and in October, it introduced PayPal Rewards, a unified rewards program for US consumers to earn points through merchant offers, deals, and other discounts, and redeem them when checking out with PayPal.

Featured image credit: edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/paypal-ramps-up-integrations-and-partnerships</link><guid>2966</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/PayPal-integration-into-Google-Pay-Source-Google-2019.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>PayPal Ramps Up Integrations and Partnerships</dc:text></item><item><title>UK’s Starling Bank Blocks All Transactions to and From Crypto Platforms</title><description><![CDATA[London-based Starling Bank recently announced in a text to its users that it has decided to block all incoming and outgoing transactions to crypto exchanges and other crypto platforms.
Starling Bank says that while the technology and thinking behind cryptocurrencies holds great potential advantages, the asset class is high risk and heavily used for criminal purposes in its current form.
The move to restrict Starling customers from using their accounts to withdraw or deposit cash into or out of crypto exchanges comes amid increasing scrutiny around crypto following FTX’s bankruptcy.
Founded in 2014, Starling Bank is a digital bank offering personal, joint, and business accounts. The company last raised a £130.5 million in April 2022, £50 million in April 2021, and £272 million in March 2021.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/uks-starling-bank-blocks-all-transactions-to-and-from-crypto-platforms</link><guid>2967</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>UK’s Starling Bank Blocks All Transactions to and From Crypto Platforms</dc:text></item><item><title>Crypto Winter Wipes Out 72,000 Bitcoin Millionaires in 2022</title><description><![CDATA[Crypto comparison website Bitstacker conducted a study which found that there was a 70% drop in Bitcoin millionaires in November 2022 when compared to January 2022 due to the ongoing ‘crypto winter’.
72,000 Bitcoin holders were no longer millionaires due to the drop in BTC prices from US$46,208 at the start of 2022 to US$15,759 at the time of the study in November.
Bitcoin addresses holding more than US$1,000,000 worth of BTC in 2022 (January vs. November). Source: BitStacker
Bitstacker also found that there was some 3,577 accounts holding over US$10 million in Bitcoin, while there were over 34 million addresses that had at least US$1 in Bitcoin assets.
Furthermore, there are currently 10 Bitcoin billionaires in the world, with the richest ‘Bitcoin billionaire’ holding 252,597 BTC worth around US$4.05 billion — representing 1.31% of all BTC in existence.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crypto-winter-wipes-out-72000-bitcoin-millionaires-in-2022</link><guid>2968</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Bitcoin-addresses-holding-more-than-1000000-worth-of-BTC-in-2022-January-vs.-November-1024x528.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Crypto Winter Wipes Out 72,000 Bitcoin Millionaires in 2022</dc:text></item><item><title>Railsr Launches Data Dashboard for Brands to Track Customer Trends</title><description><![CDATA[London-based embedded finance platform Railsr has launched Insights, a dashboard for brands to access data-driven insights on their customer base to optimise the end consumer product.
Railsr’s Insights allows brands to track customer data such as account approval rates, card activation rates, average time to first conduct a transaction, and the average transaction amount.
The dashboard also allows brands to select specific display filters, track their progress against KPIs, understand trends and identify areas for improvement.
Railsr recently closed a US$46 million Series C led by Anthos Capital. The company says that it will be rolling out Insights across its banking products in the next quarter.
Stuart Gregory
“More insight puts businesses in the driving seat, and allows them to manage and improve their own financial service offerings,”
said Stuart Gregory, Chief Operating Officer of Railsr.
Yanki Onen
“We needed a dashboard for a 360 view of end-user activity. Insights not only powered us with the overview, but also the breakdown of the data to multiple tiers,”
said Yanki Onen, Founder of Wamo.io.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/railsr-launches-data-dashboard-for-brands-to-track-customer-trends</link><guid>2969</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Railsr Launches Data Dashboard for Brands to Track Customer Trends</dc:text></item><item><title>45 Millionen für Startup Fund von EquityPitcher</title><description><![CDATA[Die Venture Capital Firma EquityPitcher AG schliesst erfolgreich ihren zweiten Fonds. Dieser investiert gezielt in Startups aus der DACH-Region und zählt bereits 20 Portfolio-Unternehmen aus 12 verschiedenen Industrien. EquityPitcher setzt bei all ihren Investments auf eine persönliche Begleitung der Startups und ermöglicht ihnen Zugang zu einem breit abgestützten Industrie-, Unternehmer- und Investorennetzwerk.
In den letzten Jahrzehnten hat sich die Landschaft der Startups in Europa enorm weiterentwickelt und wurde so auch zu einem agilen Treiber der hiesigen Innovationskraft. Um diese Innovationen weiterhin auf hohem Niveau halten zu können, braucht es die entscheidenden Erfolgsfaktoren Kapital, Knowhow und Netzwerk. An dieser Schnittstelle setzt EquityPitcher an und bietet vielversprechenden Startups aus der DACH-Region nebst Kapital ein Netzwerk aus renommierten Branchenexperten, Investoren und Exit-Partnern.
Netzwerkgetriebener Venture Capital schliesst den zweiten Fonds
EquityPitcher legte im Jahr 2018 den ersten Fonds auf und lancierte im 2020 den zweiten Fonds, welcher im September dieses Jahres geschlossen wurde. Ein dritter Fonds befindet sich bereits in Planung. Mit an Bord sind namhafte professionelle und institutionelle Investoren, die dem jungen aber zugleich ersten VC-Fonds aus dem Liechtenstein vertrauen. EquityPitcher, die als VC-Firma selbst den Weg eines Startups bestritten hat, will an diesem Erfolg anknüpfen und setzt dabei auf einen netzwerkgetriebenen Investitionsprozess. Dies gehört bei EquityPitcher bereits seit ihrer Gründung im Jahr 2016 zu Ihrer Identität.
Hermann Koch
«Wir freuen uns sehr, dass wir trotz der aktuellen marktwirtschaftlichen Ereignisse erfolgreich unseren zweiten Fonds schliessen konnten und das Vertrauen der Investoren erhalten haben. Wir erwarten, dass der Trend dieser alternativen Anlageklasse weiterhin wachsen wird und sind überzeugt, dass unsere Startups die Entwicklung der Wirtschaft entscheidend mitgestalten werden»,
unterstreicht Hermann Koch, Gründungspartner von EquityPitcher.
Monetäre Anreize reichen Startups längst nicht mehr
EquityPitcher ist überzeugt, dass das in Startup investierte Kapital einer von vielen Erfolgsfaktoren ist. Ebenso wichtig sind für die Startups Werttreiber, die sie über eine lange Zeit hinweg nachhaltig beim operativen Wachstum unterstützen. Nebst Kapital vernetzt EquityPitcher daher Startups mit dem breit gefächerten Netzwerk von Gründern, Industrieexperten und Co-Investoren sowie auch potenziellen Kunden. Dies schafft gegenseitiges Vertrauen und ist die Grundlage für die persönliche sowie professionelle Beziehung, welche EquityPitcher mit den Startups pflegt.
Sascha Horrig
«Startups von heute suchen nach Investoren, die neben dem Kapital einen zusätzlichen Mehrwert bringen. Durch unser Netzwerk zu diversen Führungspersönlichkeiten in der DACH-Region können wir unsere Portfolio-Unternehmen bei deren Skalierungsphase und der damit verbunden Kundenakquise proaktiv unterstützen. Dieses Vorgehen hat dazu beigetragen, dass wir bei Gründern sowie bei Co-Investoren einen positiven Ruf als Investor geniessen dürfen, der gerne im Aktionariat gesehen ist»,
ergänzt Sascha Horrig, Gründungspartner Partner bei EquityPitcher.
Der netzwerkgetriebene Ansatz hat sich bei den Gründern herumgesprochen. So ist auch Sandra Tobler, CEO von Futurae, von diesem überzeugt: «EquityPitcher ist ein toller Partner für uns. Sie haben uns zu diversen potenziellen Kunden und deren Entscheidungsträgern die Türen geöffnet, was ein wirklicher Mehrwert für uns ist und Futurae erlaubt hat, weiter zu wachsen.»
Schweizer VC innovieren dank Wandel im Ökosystem
EquityPitcher hat gezeigt, dass ihr Modell funktioniert. Künftig wird das Netzwerk weiter ausgeweitet und die Vernetzungsprozesse mit dem Ziel optimiert, dass die Portfolio-Startups davon profitieren können. Daneben arbeitet der VC auch an weiteren unkonventionellen Methoden, um den Startups noch mehr Mehrwert zu bieten. Im Laufe des Jahres wurde unter anderem eine Jobplattform lanciert, welche die Vakanzen der Portfolio-Startups an einem Ort konsolidiert und es somit einfacher macht, geeignete Fachkräfte zu finden.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/45-millionen-fur-startup-fund-von-equitypitcher</link><guid>2962</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>45 Millionen für Startup Fund von EquityPitcher</dc:text></item><item><title>Market Participants See Potential in DLT and Tokenization to Shorten Settlement Cycle</title><description><![CDATA[The clearing and settlement landscape is on the brick of a major transformation, driven by the accelerated pace of technology development and adoption. In the coming years, market participants expect the settlement timeframe to substantially shorten as technology continue to advance and as more jurisdictions move to a T+1 settlement cycle where the settlement of a transaction occurs less than 24 hours from the day of transaction, a new study by Citi found.
The second edition of Citi’s Securities Services Evolution whitepaper, released on November 02, 2022, shares the results of a survey of nearly 300 industry participants including custodians, banks, broker dealers, asset managers and institutional investors. The survey sought to understand their views and predictions for the future of the global securities market ecosystem.
Findings from the study show that market participants from around the world increasingly believe that shorter settlement cycles are the forthcoming reality.
Of the ~300 market participants polled, 51% think T+1 will be the prevailing settlement timeframe for equities to be T+1 by 2026, up seven points from last year.
The survey also found a notable increase in those regarding immediate atomic settlement as the likely 2026 settlement timeframe, from 18% last year to 20% now.
Overall, 85% of respondents expect settlement to be at T+1, T+0 or atomic over the same timeframe, versus 78% in 2021.
The prevailing settlement timeframe for equities by 2026, Source: Securities Services Evolution 2022, Citi
This rise, the report says, can be explained by a drive from regulators to accelerate settlement cycles.
In the securities industry, the settlement period refers to the time between the trade date – the day on which the order was executed – and the settlement date – the date when a trade is final and that the buyer must make payment to the seller while the seller delivers the assets to the buyer.
The abbreviations T+1, T+2, and T+3 refer to the settlement dates of security transactions that occur on a transaction date (“T”) plus one day, plus two days, and plus three days, respectively. T+0 refers to same day settlement, while atomic settlement refers to real-time, immediate settlement.
Currently, most securities transactions settle within a couple of days of the actual trade date, but a combination of better technology, the sheer volume of securities trading and regulatory momentum have allowed this window to be reduced over time.
Europe, in pioneer in the domain, moved to a T+2 basis back in 2014. This was followed in 2017 by the US, Canada, Mexico, Peru and Argentina. Leading Asia-Pacific (APAC) markets including Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan, have also migrated to T+2.
Now, several jurisdictions have announced their intention to shorten settlement cycles even further and move to a T+1 basis. India is taking a phased approach to this migration, which commenced in February 2022, while the US and Canada are planning to adopt T+1 in 2024.
DLT and tokenization
Changes in securities settlement processes are also being driven by the rise of digital assets. Renewed interest in the sector over the past two years has prompted industry participants to start exploring the potential of distributed ledger technology (DLT) and tokenization in securities markets, the report notes.
Last year, Deutsche Börse, Deutsche Bundesbank and Germany’s Finance Agency completed the testing of a blockchain-based settlement interface for electronic securities. The pilot made use of tokenization and DLT to digitize securities and make the settlement process much faster and more efficient.
In the broader European Union (EU), the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the bloc’s securities markets regulator, is currently developing the trading and settlement of tokenized securities, or digital representations of traditional securities, utilizing DLT.
In Switzerland, the Swiss National Bank, the BIS Innovation Hub and the financial infrastructure operator SIX have been collaborating on Project Helvetia since 2020, an initiative which focuses on exploring the settlement of tokenized assets in central bank money.
Interest in digital assets was reflected by the market participants surveyed by Citi with 88% of those polled by the bank indicating that their organization was either actively participating in, or exploring use cases for digital assets, blockchain or DLT.
Engagement of digital assets, blockchain or DLT, Source: Securities Services Evolution 2022, Citi
Market participants have clear expectations of tokenization, with more than 90% of respondents believing that tokenization will be either extremely or moderately valuable in terms of increasing market liquidity.
The benefits of tokenization, Source: Securities Services Evolution 2022, Citi
They are also optimistic on the possible cost savings opportunities brought about DLT market infrastructure. A quarter of respondents anticipate that DLT-based market infrastructure could cut post trade processing costs by 31-50% and 54% expecting it will produce savings of 10-30%.
DLT and cost reduction, Source: Securities Services Evolution 2022, Citi

Featured image credit: edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/market-participants-see-potential-in-dlt-and-tokenization-to-shorten-settlement-cycle</link><guid>2963</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/The-prevailing-settlement-timeframe-for-equities-by-2026-Source-Securities-Services-Evolution-2022-Citi.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Market Participants See Potential in DLT and Tokenization to Shorten Settlement Cycle</dc:text></item><item><title>PostFinance Anlage-Report: In der Schweiz legt nur die Hälfte der Erwachsenen ihr Geld an</title><description><![CDATA[In Zusammenarbeit mit der Hochschule Luzern – Wirtschaft (HSLU) hat PostFinance eine umfassende Erhebung zum Anlageverhalten in der Schweiz durchgeführt. Die Resultate zeigen, dass ein geringes Interesse für die Finanzmärkte, ein vermeintlich fehlendes Vermögen, wenig Finanzwissen und Angst vor Verlusten zu den wichtigsten Gründen zählen, warum Personen ihr Geld nicht in Wertschriften investieren. Überraschend: der hohe Anteil an jungen Anleger:innen der Generation Z.
Sie sind zum Teil erst seit Kurzem volljährig, stehen am Anfang ihrer Berufskarriere, aber sind schon investiert – die Generation Z, also mündige Personen mit den Jahrgängen 1997 bis 2004. Diese Generation investiert bereits gleich häufig wie die Vorgängergeneration Y der Jahrgänge 1981 bis 1996. Zu diesem Resultat gelangt der «PostFinance Anlegen-Report», in dessen Rahmen über 3000 Personen aus der gesamten Schweiz befragt wurden.

Prof. Dr. Andreas Dietrich
«Der Anteil der Anleger:innen in der Generation Z ist unerwartet hoch»,
sagt Studienautor Prof. Dr. Andreas Dietrich von der HSLU.
«Dies könnte damit zusammenhängen, dass viele Personen dieser Generation in einer Periode erwachsen wurden, die von starken Kursanstiegen an den Aktienmärkten geprägt war. Die Kurseinbrüche der letzten Finanzkrise liegen für viele Personen dieser Generation weit zurück.»
Generell scheint die Generation Z mehr Vertrauen in die Finanzmärkte zu haben als die Generation Y der Jahrgänge 1981 bis 1996.
«Der Anlagekosmos kann imposant und einschüchternd wirken»
Wie der Report zeigt, ist eine typisch anlegende Person tendenziell männlich, älter als 58 Jahre, kommt aus der Deutschschweiz, verfügt über einen Tertiärabschluss und über ein überdurchschnittlich hohes Vermögen und Einkommen. Mit 55 Prozent der Befragten legt in der Deutschschweiz ein deutlich grösserer Teil sein Geld an als in der Westschweiz (39 Prozent) oder im Tessin (38 Prozent). Die wichtigsten Gründe, warum die befragten Personen nicht investieren, sind ein geringes Interesse für die Finanzmärkte, ein fehlendes Vermögen (wobei es sich hier teilweise um eine subjektive Wahrnehmung handelt), wenig Finanzwissen und Angst vor Fehlern und Verlusten. Obwohl viele Banken heute einfache Anlageprodukte bieten, investiert aktuell nur die Hälfte der Haushalte in der Schweiz ihr Geld in Wertschriften.
Philipp Merkt
«Der Anlagekosmos mit Schlagwörtern wie Aktien, Obligationen, strukturierten Produkten oder Fonds wirkt auf viele imposant und einschüchternd»,
sagt Philipp Merkt, Chief Investment Officer bei PostFinance.
«Zudem ist die Sorge, aus Unwissenheit einen Fehler zu machen, verständlicherweise gross. Auch hält sich der Glaube hartnäckig, dass es zum Anlegen ein grosses Vermögen und viel Finanzwissen braucht.»
Dabei könne man heutzutage dank digitalen Angeboten bereits ab kleinen Beträgen in Wertschriften investieren und sich auch mit wenig Zeit genügend Wissen über die richtige Anlagestrategie für die persönlichen Bedürfnisse aneignen. «Es liegt an uns Banken, den Menschen das Anlegen so einfach wie möglich zu machen und ihnen die Angst vor dem Anlegen zu nehmen», ergänzt Merkt.
Der Hälfte der Befragten ist Nachhaltigkeit wichtig
Der Report bestätigt: Männer legen ihr Geld eher an als Frauen, ältere Personen eher als jüngere. Je mehr Finanzwissen und -interesse eine Person hat, desto eher legt sie ihr Geld an. Das Thema Nachhaltigkeit beim Anlegen ist über alle Generationen hinweg über der Hälfte der Befragten wichtig. Hier gibt es allerdings Unterschiede zwischen bereits investierten und nicht-investierten Personen. Für knapp 60 Prozent der befragten Anleger:innen sind nachhaltige Produkte wichtig. Die älteren Personen stimmten häufiger zu, dass ihnen nachhaltiges Anlegen wichtig ist als jüngere Generationen. Jüngere Nicht-Anleger:innen hingegen stimmten häufiger als die älteren Generationen zu, dass sie eher investieren würden, wenn es ein breites Angebot an nachhaltigen Anlageprodukten gäbe.
Zum PostFinance Anlegen-Report
Die Gründe, weshalb Privatpersonen nicht anlegen, sind in der Schweiz bislang wenig erforscht. Eine grossangelegte Untersuchung zu diesem Thema fehlte bisher. Im Kontext der instabilen Wirtschaftslage durch Inflation und Krieg ist das Thema hochaktuell. In Zusammenarbeit mit der HSLU hat PostFinance bei 3000 Personen aus der gesamten Schweiz eine repräsentative Bevölkerungsbefragung durchgeführt. Die Ergebnisse der Erhebung liegen nun im «PostFinance Anlegen-Report 2022», der online unter postfinance.ch/anlegen-report abrufbar ist, vor.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/postfinance-anlage-report-in-der-schweiz-legt-nur-die-halfte-der-erwachsenen-ihr-geld-an</link><guid>2964</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/postfinance-report.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>PostFinance Anlage-Report: In der Schweiz legt nur die Hälfte der Erwachsenen ihr Geld an</dc:text></item><item><title>Sygnum Granted In-Principle Approval to Operate in the Abu Dhabi Global Market</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss digital asset bank Sygnum has received in-principle approval from the Abu Dhabi Global Market’s (ADGM) Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) to expand to the city.
The approval allows the company to access Abu Dhabi’s established wealth management market and government support, and the opportunity to offers its crypto services.
Giulia Finkbeiner-Bertoni, formerly Head of External Asset Management at Swiss financial group Mirabaud’s Middle East office, has been appointed to head Sygnum’s new Abu Dhabi office.
Sygnum aims to serve the Middle East market with its digital asset banking, asset management, tokenisation and B2B banking services regulated by FINMA in Switzerland.
Target clients will include blockchain firms moving to the UAE for its well-regulated crypto environment, existing local crypto foundations, and traditional institutional investors.
Founded in 2017, Sygnum is a digital asset specialist with a Switzerland banking license and a Singapore capital markets services license. The group was last valued at US$800 million in early 2022.
Giulia Finkbeiner-Bertoni
“I am excited to join the global Sygnum team and introduce our vision for Future Finance to the Abu Dhabi financial community,”
said Giulia Finkbeiner-Bertoni, Sygnum’s designated UAE Senior Executive Officer.
Arvind Ramamurthy
“ADGM is pleased that Sygnum has been awarded an in-principle approval by the FSRA. We look forward to supporting them in expanding their presence in Abu Dhabi and the wider region,”
said Arvind Ramamurthy, Chief of Markets at ADGM.
This article first appeared on Fintech News Middle East.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sygnum-granted-in-principle-approval-to-operate-in-the-abu-dhabi-global-market</link><guid>2956</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Sygnum Granted In-Principle Approval to Operate in the Abu Dhabi Global Market</dc:text></item><item><title>Finastra Partners Fragmos Chain to Digitalise OTC Derivatives Post-Trade</title><description><![CDATA[Finastra is collaborating with French blockchain platform Fragmos Chain to provide out-of-the-box integration with Finastra Summit, its over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives market solution.
The API-first integration via FusionFabric.cloud enables banks globally to digitalise their OTC derivatives products to reduce the costs and risks associated with manual processes.
With Fragmos Chain, Finastra’s bank customers can match their trades, events and cash flows for settlement in a collaborative way, as well as store their data securely and exchange it in real-time.
Founded in 2019 and based in Paris, Fragmos Chain’s blockchain solution allows lifecycle and regulatory events in the post-trade management of financial instruments to be automatically determined.
Finastra is a London-based financial software provider. The company recently partnered with Visa to enable cross border payours, and Microsoft to offer financing options to North American SMEs.
Daniel Ivanier
“By digitalising the confirmation process of all derivatives and automating all post-trade processes, we are helping banks streamline their operations and reduce their risks, capital and costs,”
said Daniel Ivanier, CEO at Fragmos Chain.
Benoit Riquet
“Integrating Fragmos Chain with Finastra’s Summit, via our open platform for innovation FusionFabric.cloud, will help to reduce the challenges associated with traditional post-trade processes,”
said Benoit Riquet, Chief Product Officer, Treasury &amp; Capital Markets at Finastra.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finastra-partners-fragmos-chain-to-digitalise-otc-derivatives-post-trade</link><guid>2957</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Finastra Partners Fragmos Chain to Digitalise OTC Derivatives Post-Trade</dc:text></item><item><title>Italian Neobank HYPE Automates Customer Identity Verification With Onfido</title><description><![CDATA[Italian neobank HYPE has partnered with London-based identity verification and authentication provider Onfido to automate its customer onboarding process.
Launched in 2015, HYPE provides 1.7 million customers with services such as P2P and bill payments, transfers, savings management, and other banking services provided in collaborations with partners.
Onfido enables users to sign up for HYPE’s services remotely by allowing them to verify themselves by taking a photo of their government-issued identity document and a short selfie video.
Its software checks that the ID is genuine and not fraudulent, and its biometric technology matches the photo on the ID to the facial biometrics captured in the same flow.
Luca Grampioggia
“Our integration with Onfido means we can offer users an unparalleled banking experience starting at onboarding,”
said Luca Grampioggia, CEO at HYPE.
Oliver Krebs
“With Onfido’s support of over 2,500 identity documents, HYPE is able to scale its business while creating a fast and frictionless end-to-end digital process for their users,”
said Oliver Krebs, SVP of EMEA at Onfido.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/italian-neobank-hype-automates-customer-identity-verification-with-onfido</link><guid>2958</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Italian Neobank HYPE Automates Customer Identity Verification With Onfido</dc:text></item><item><title>Bitpanda Receives Full Crypto Custody and Trading License in Germany</title><description><![CDATA[Austrian crypto platform Bitpanda has received a full operating license from the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority or BaFin for the custody and proprietary trading of crypto assets.
Bitpanda claims to be the first European retail investment platform to obtain the license which was introduced by BaFin in 2020, allowing it to actively market and offer services in the German market.
Founded in 2014, Bitpanda now has nearly four million investors on its platform. The company also recently partnered with German neobank N26 to enable its cryptocurrency feature in Austria.
Bitpanda last raised a US$263 million Series C and US$170 million Series B led by Peter Thiel’s Valar Ventures in 2021, as well as a €10 million Series B extension round the same year.
Eric Demuth
“Receiving the license in Germany strengthens our position as a pioneer in terms of regulation in Europe and highlights yet again how well positioned we are in this area,”
said Eric Demuth, CEO and Co-Founder of Bitpanda.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bitpanda-receives-full-crypto-custody-and-trading-license-in-germany</link><guid>2959</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Bitpanda Receives Full Crypto Custody and Trading License in Germany</dc:text></item><item><title>France’s Karmen Raises €50M Credit Line From Fasanara to Finance Digital SMEs</title><description><![CDATA[Paris-based business financing platform Karmen has raised an additional €50 million in debt financing from London-based alternative asset management company Fasanara Capital.
Karmen first raised €22 million comprising €3 million in equity and €19 million in debt financing in a seed round led by Fasanara in January 2022, allowing the company to increase its headcount to 20.
Founded in 2021, Karmen started by offering non-dilutive, revenue-based financing to recurring revenue companies and has now extended its scope to include digital SMEs in France.
The platform allows companies to share data from their billing, accounting and banking services to assess their credit risk and eligibility for financing in less than 48 hours.
Karmen, which provides financing between €10,000 to €5 million, says that it has funded some 60 companies in the past year and that the new credit line gives it an annual deployment capacity of €150 million.
Daniele Guerini
“We are proud to support Karmen, our first investment in France, in their mission to democratise access to instant capital for French SMEs,”
said Daniele Guerini, Partner at Fasanara Capital.
Gabriel Thierry
“The need for digital SMBs to access instant, fair, and digital credit solution has never been so strong. I’m beyond proud of what the Karmen team has achieved in only 10 short months,”
said Gabriel Thierry, CEO and Co-Founder of Karmen.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/frances-karmen-raises-50m-credit-line-from-fasanara-to-finance-digital-smes</link><guid>2960</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>France’s Karmen Raises €50M Credit Line From Fasanara to Finance Digital SMEs</dc:text></item><item><title>Taktile Raises US$20M Series A From Index Ventures and Tiger Global</title><description><![CDATA[German automated decisions platform Taktile has closed a US$20 million Series A funding round with investments from Index Ventures and Tiger Global.
Taktile allows companies to build automated flows for decisions — like which customer to lend to or what price to offer a new customer — using its low code platform.
The company says that it has quadrupled its client base since lockdown restrictions were lifted, grown revenues by 300% in the past year, and that it currently processes 250,000 decisions every day.
The funding will be used to further develop its platform, including for broader applications that go beyond the financial industry, and accelerate ongoing expansion in the United States.
Founded in 2020 with offices in New York and Berlin, the Y Combinator-backed company’s advisory board includes Mulesoft founder Ross Mason, Ui Path founder Daniel Dines, and Datadog founder Olivier Pomel.
Maik Taro Wehmeyer
“By allowing businesses to adjust their decision flows in a quick, easy and data-driven way, we help them optimise decision accuracy, reduce risk, and significantly improve their margins,”
said Maik Taro Wehmeyer, Co-Founder and CEO of Taktile.
Carlos Gonzalez-Cadenas
“Taktile’s platform fills a gaping hole in the fintech stack by unblocking risk teams, enabling them to quickly build, test and evolve their risk models and rules without a heavy dependence on engineering,”
said Carlos Gonzalez-Cadenas, Partner at Index Ventures.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/taktile-raises-us20m-series-a-from-index-ventures-and-tiger-global</link><guid>2961</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Taktile Raises US$20M Series A From Index Ventures and Tiger Global</dc:text></item><item><title>Challenger Bank SWISS4.0 Granted FINMA Fintech License</title><description><![CDATA[Financial services app SWISS4.0 has been granted a fintech license by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) to operate as a financial institution, effective 18 November 2022.
SWISS4.0 said that it is the first Geneva-based fintech to receive the FINMA fintech license and the fourth in Switzerland to do so since the license was introduced in 2018.
The other three Swiss companies that have received the FINMA fintech license are Zurich-based Yapeal and SR Saphirstein’s Fiat24, and Zug-based Klarpay.
SWISS4.0’s website describes it as an “exclusive community which is tapping into exceptional experiences through a state-of-the-art banking services application.”
“There is a great flourishing fintech era happening in Switzerland, and I am thrilled and proud that SWISS4 is part of this, contributing to diversifying the fintech industry in Switzerland,”
said Zhina Asmaei, Co-Founder &amp; CEO of Swiss4.0.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/challenger-bank-swiss40-granted-finma-fintech-license</link><guid>2954</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Challenger Bank SWISS4.0 Granted FINMA Fintech License</dc:text></item><item><title>UBS Leverages iProov’s Face Verification Technology for Bank Account Opening</title><description><![CDATA[UBS has partnered with London-based identity verification company iProov to offer automated identity verification during the account opening process.
UBS launched the UBS key4 banking app earlier in the year to enable clients to carry out their banking transactions entirely digitally at any time of day by using video calls to verify client’s identity virtually.
Using iProov face verification technology, UBS key4 customers can now onboard remotely 24/7 by scanning their face against a government-issued document, such as a passport with a NFC chip.


UBS is the first bank in Switzerland to offer this process for account opening in combination with qualified electronic signatures.
Founded in 2011, iProov provides biometric identity authentication of online users. The company last raised a US$70 million equity round in early 2022 from Sumeru Equity Partners.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ubs-leverages-iproovs-face-verification-technology-for-bank-account-opening</link><guid>2955</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bottomline-banner.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>UBS Leverages iProov’s Face Verification Technology for Bank Account Opening</dc:text></item><item><title>Temenos Infinity Enables 850 Digital Banks Globally</title><description><![CDATA[Temenos announced that its digital banking platform Temenos Infinity has passed 850 customers and that it sees tremendous growth as banks turn to packaged banking services for fast time to market.
Banks in the Europe, Middle East and Africa that have gone live with Temenos Infinity include Credem, Wise, Suez Canal Bank, Arab Tunisian Bank, and Virgin Money.
Temenos Infinity is an omnichannel platform providing banks with a 360-degree customer view to help them acquire, service, retain and cross-sell to customers on multiple channels and devices.


The platform offers composable banking services built on microservices and accessible via APIs, a low code development platform, as well as embedded Explainable AI (XAI) technology.
An example of XAI technology is Temenos Smart Banking Advisor, a platform that analyses data and provides recommendations to help SMEs optimise business and financial decisions.
Marc DeCastro
“Temenos Infinity offers banks a rich set of APIs, microservices, and micro apps to provide a true omnichannel experience across multiple lines of business,”
said Marc DeCastro, Research Director, Consumer Banking, IDC.
Max Chuard
“Temenos Infinity is the world’s best-selling digital banking platform used by over 850 financial institutions, from global tier one banks to digital challengers,”
said Max Chuard, Chief Executive Officer, Temenos.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/temenos-infinity-enables-850-digital-banks-globally</link><guid>2947</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bottomline-banner.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Temenos Infinity Enables 850 Digital Banks Globally</dc:text></item><item><title>Revolut Surpassed 25 Million Customers, Eyes Further Global Expansion</title><description><![CDATA[Global remittance app Revolut announced that it has surpassed 25 million retail customers worldwide, up from 20 million in July, and is now processing over 330 million transactions a month.
The company also plans to expand in Brazil, India, Mexico and New Zealand in the coming months following its expansion in the US this year, where it has over half a million retail users.
Several new appointments were made in these markets in the past year, including Paroma Chatterjee as CEO in India, Juan Miguel Guerra as CEO in Mexico, and Glauber Mota as CEO in Brazil.


Revolut is also set to launch in New Zealand in the next few months, as well as launch Revolut Lite, a streamlined version of its app in several Latin America, Southeast Asia and Middle East countries.
Additionally, 2,000 businesses are now joining Revolut Business every week. Revolut Business has processed more than £110bn in transactions for its business customers since launching in 2017.
Founded in London in 2015, Revolut last raised US$800 million in mid-2021 with a US$33 billion valuation. The company recently received regulatory approval to offer crypto products and services in the UK.
Nikolay Storonsky
“Revolut’s growth continues at pace. Topping 25 million customers in just over seven years is a fantastic achievement for the company,”
said Nikolay Storonsky, Chief Executive Officer, Revolut.
André Silva
“We are planning our next exciting launch, New Zealand, a country we have been hoping to bring Revolut to for some time, and we look forward to announcing more in the near future,”
said André Silva, Head of International Expansion, Revolut.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/revolut-surpassed-25-million-customers-eyes-further-global-expansion</link><guid>2948</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bottomline-banner.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Revolut Surpassed 25 Million Customers, Eyes Further Global Expansion</dc:text></item><item><title>German Regtech Firm Regnology Acquires Belgian Counterpart b.fine</title><description><![CDATA[German regtech startup Regnology has acquired b.fine, a Belgian regtech firm which helps financial institutions enhance their reporting supply chain.
b.fine’s platform helps financial institutions digitise, automate and manage their regulatory reporting processes, providing them better oversight of their different regulatory reporting streams.
Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Brussels, b.fine has a team of nearly 50 that serves over 30 institutional clients across banks, insurance companies and investment firms.


b.fine’s cloud-enabled technology is expected to enhance Regnology’s last-mile reporting capabilities and accelerate its ability to serve an extended pan-European market.
Regnology was formed in 2021 when BearingPoint RegTech, a former business unit of Dutch technology consulting group BearingPoint, joined forces with Irish regtech Vizor Software.
Rob Mackay
“b.fine has a fantastic track record of growth, and in delivering quality solutions to clients. Right from the start we were impressed by what the company has achieved in such a short space of time,”
said Rob Mackay, CEO of Regnology.
Klaas Van Imschoot
“We are looking forward to becoming part of the incredibly successful team at Regnology, with a shared vision to help clients adapt to the demands of an increasingly complex regulatory system,”
said Klaas Van Imschoot, CEO of b.fine.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/german-regtech-firm-regnology-acquires-belgian-counterpart-bfine</link><guid>2949</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bottomline-banner.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>German Regtech Firm Regnology Acquires Belgian Counterpart b.fine</dc:text></item><item><title>Prediction Capital Launches Early Stage Fund for DACH Fintech Startups</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss family office Infinitas Capital has launched Prediction Capital, a new venture capital firm focusing on early stage consumer tech and fintech investments in the DACH region.
Infinitas Capital’s Robin Lauber is one of three of Prediction Capital’s founding partners, with the other two being fintech expert Christopher Chuffart and consumer tech expert Kilian Graulich.
The new firm, said to be supported by an experienced advisory board, will also focus on investing in businesses which have a positive effect on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).


Prediction Capital has invested in three startups so far, including Foodetective, a Swiss startup which enables F&amp;B businesses to manage their technology stack from a single platform.
Robin Lauber
“It is our core objective to not just support founders with capital, but partner with them on different levels by actively helping to make progress with our expertise and network,”
said Robin Lauber, Founding Partner, Prediction Capital.
Christopher Chuffart
“I am looking forward to actively partnering with exceptional entrepreneurs whilst supporting our LPs in creating and developing their very own VC footprint, thereby unlocking more resources to be invested in the thriving DACH ecosystem,”
said Christopher Chuffart, Founding Partner, Prediction Capital.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/prediction-capital-launches-early-stage-fund-for-dach-fintech-startups</link><guid>2950</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bottomline-banner.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Prediction Capital Launches Early Stage Fund for DACH Fintech Startups</dc:text></item><item><title>Alpadis Group Secures DIFC License, Opens Second Office in Dubai</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss corporate services provider Alpadis Group has obtained a license to operate in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and has opened its second office in Dubai.
The group’s new office, based in the DIFC Gate Village, aims to serve financial services clients including investment funds, investment managers, family offices, and private investors.
Alpadis’ services include helping firms set up in DIFC, wealth management, foundations, succession planning and other services that may or may not require regulatory and compliance needs.


The group was founded in Switzerland in 2005 and has offices in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand and Japan. The company’s first office in Dubai was opened in January 2022.
Alain Esseiva
“It has been less than a year since we first opened our office in Dubai and I am delighted to be able to launch our second in the prestigious Dubai International Financial Centre.

Our DIFC office will allow us to protect and grow our customers’ wealth, work closely with Dubai’s wealth management ecosystem and guide new residents, entrepreneurs and businesses and they establish themselves and expand in Dubai,”
said Alain Esseiva, CEO of Alpadis Group.
This article first appeared on Fintech News Middle East.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/alpadis-group-secures-difc-license-opens-second-office-in-dubai</link><guid>2951</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bottomline-banner.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Alpadis Group Secures DIFC License, Opens Second Office in Dubai</dc:text></item><item><title>Exclusive Interview: Marc Evans, Klarpay COO on Virtual Banking</title><description><![CDATA[Even before the threat of the global pandemic, the seed of virtual banking started to sprout due to the technological race in recent decades. From the evolution of broadband internet infrastructure to 5G and satellite internet access, the internet has transformed how people work and merchants operate, giving rise to virtual banking.
However, besides these technological advancements, many other factors have propelled the emergence of virtual banking and how this is different from traditional banks.
Fintech News sat down with Marc Evans, Chief Operating Officer of Swiss-licensed fintech Klarpay AG, to discuss the company’s emergence in virtual banking.
Marc Evans, COO, Klarpay
What is the story behind the company’s inception, and what’s your target market?
Experience has shown that traditional banks have been unable to fully grasp and catch up with the evolving needs of e-commerce. Despite their efforts to accommodate more use cases, increasing compliance requirements from regulatory authorities have made it rather unattractive for traditional banks to adapt their operations to fully serve e-commerce platforms.
Consequently, these banks’ approach would be to embed arduous control processes without fully understanding their clients’ businesses or simply refusing to onboard such businesses altogether, leaving them with no option but to seek alternatives. In their quest for survival, these entities end up with non-banks in less regulated jurisdictions moving down the ladder. As such, they spend more time maneuvering their banking solutions to adapt to regulatory and compliance requirements when they should be focusing on upscaling their business.
At Klarpay, our mission is to solve the mismatch between the needs of modern companies and antiquated systems and processes offered by traditional financial institutions by having a deeper understanding of our clients’ business models as well as addressing and managing risks directly. Our solutions target various enterprises, and our product offerings are built to position online businesses for continued growth.
Virtual banking is often mistaken for internet or e-banking, which are two different concepts. Could you share your thoughts on this?
The terms, at first glance, appear synonymous. However, the distinction can have a significant impact on the services offered. E-banking is an internet-based option offered by regular banks as part of their efforts to digitise their customer experience.
Customers can view their account balance, transaction history, and send and receive money over the internet. However, the issue is that these online portals are built upon the bank’s legacy infrastructure, and it’s a huge undertaking for these banks to modernise their underlying systems. I know of cases where banks embarked on changing or updating their core systems only to abandon these projects mid-flight. The result being that the client is left with the same inefficient and limited experience.
A virtual bank has no physical branches and handles all transactions via the internet, email, ATMs, and mobile check deposits. Meanwhile, in virtual banking, all transactions are handled online. In Klarpay’s case, our transactional banking services are provided using our proprietary systems that enable rapid adaptation.
What are the challenges the emerging e-commerce and fintech market is facing with regard to payments, and how does Klarpay’s offerings compare to traditional institutions?
Traditional banking institutions have yet to match up to the fast-paced nature of e-commerce today. As a result, their clients face challenges in payments reconciliation and inefficient cross-border payment options leading to issues and delays in processing transactions.
At Klarpay, we’ve tailored our products to solve these challenges. We understand that businesses without standardised payment solutions have incurred severe losses, lower customer retention, and even sometimes faced legal liabilities.
With Klarpay’s virtual IBANs, businesses can assign IBANs to individual customers or suppliers to help simplify payment reconciliations, eliminate delays or mix-ups, and improve customer experience.
Likewise, Klarpay’s payments API is designed to seamlessly integrate into any e-commerce system, making it easy to pay employees, suppliers, and customers. Businesses can also bring our solution into their own ecosystem, eliminating the need for back-office personnel to copy payment details, check payment statuses, and match transactions between systems.
Our cross-border international payment options are optimised, enabling fast and secure global transfers in over 90 countries and 70+ currencies. Online businesses will also benefit from our virtual debit cards for online or in-store payments via Google Pay or Apple Pay.
Any expected launches by Klarpay?
Klarpay has recently expanded its international payment capabilities by launching dedicated USD and GBP Accounts. This addition enables digital companies to collect and disburse USD and GBP payments globally via their corporate Klarpay account. Our product roadmap extends into the future, with other significant releases planned. We’re also refining our existing tools to improve our client’s experience and efficiency.
What is your opinion on the future of paytech, and how is Klarpay preparing for it?
Paytech is evolving at a rapid rate. We’ve seen a monumental shift in consumer behaviour and preferences, with transactions going from offline to online and financial institutions and companies evolving from brick-and-mortar to virtual. From the advances we’re seeing today, it’s clear that the future will be characterised by an omnichannel experience where customers can seamlessly switch between payment methods.
At Klarpay, we’re familiar with the multitude of innovations in the payments space and their potential for our product offerings. Whilst Klarpay is a new player in the industry, we’re growing and evolving quickly. Our strength lies in our agility and the ability to develop solutions that ensure continuous business growth, sustainability, and success for all stakeholders.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/exclusive-interview-marc-evans-klarpay-coo-on-virtual-banking</link><guid>2952</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Marc-Evans-COO-KlarPay.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Exclusive Interview: Marc Evans, Klarpay COO on Virtual Banking</dc:text></item><item><title>Total Funding to Portuguese Fintech Companies Surpasses EUR 1B Mark</title><description><![CDATA[In 2022, the Portuguese fintech ecosystem entered a new stage of development, marked by greater maturity of the sector, continued innovation through partnerships and a dynamic venture capital (VC) market, a new report by industry trade group Portugal Fintech, in collaboration with KPMG, Visa and law firm Morais Leitao, claims.
The Portugal Fintech Report 2022, released in October, shows a resilient fintech industry that has continued to grow, innovate and attract investors’ interest in 2022, despite falling tech stocks and concerns about an economic downturn.
This year, total funding to Portuguese fintech companies to date surpassed the EUR 1 billion mark, with blockchain and cryptocurrency, lending and credit, and regtech and cybersecurity attracting the most funding. These segments secured 76%, 12% and 6% of all capital raised by Portuguese fintech companies so far, respectively, according to the study.


Significant deals from fintech companies based in Portugal or with Portuguese founders were recorded in 2022. These include Uphold’s EUR 30.6 million round, Elucidate’s EUR 6.2 million seed funding and Habit’s EUR 5.2 million fundraising, the report notes. Uphold is a digital trading platform; Elucidate is a financial crime risk management platform; and Habit is an end-to-end insurance solution provider.
Industry partnerships are also increasing in number, the report says, with banks and insurance players moving beyond pitching competitions to now truly collaborating and testing new capabilities with fintech companies.
The report cites names like LOQR, hAPI, Visor.ai and Think Future as being among the fintech companies and tech providers that have recently inked collaborations with banks and incumbents.
LOQR is a digital onboarding platform for financial institutions that is partnered with Credibom and Banco Portugues de Gestao; hAPI is a provider of APIs that automatically collect data for onboarding use cases that works with the likes Banco Primus and Credom; Visor.ai is a conversational artificial intelligence (AI) platform that’s partnered with insurance firm Fidelidate; and Think Future is an insurtech company that counts among its partners MDS Group, a multinational insurance and reinsurance brokerage, risk consulting and benefits management company.
Fintech trends in 2022 and 2023
With the Portuguese fintech sector continuing to grow and evolve, industry participants and stakeholders were interviewed as part of the report to share the emerging trends they’ve observed in 2022 and those to look out for next year.
Eva Ruiz, head of fintech at Visa in Southern Europe, highlighted the rise of open finance, noting that the movement “will unleash the development of numerous new businesses and services” and bring about a plethora of innovative products and services that are more in-tune with customers’ preferences and needs.
She warned, however, that open finance will increase the complexity of the current open banking ecosystem, making it increasingly necessary to address the challenges to ensure data security and data privacy.
Joaquim Marques, commercial director at Weavr, stressed customers’ growing appetite for integrated experiences, noting that this has led to the rise of embedded finance. Moving into 2023, Marques expects embedded finance products to become ever more simple and intuitive, pushing with it greater adoption of such products. The range of products and services provided through embedded finance will also expand and extend to all financial services.
Dyma Budorin, co-founder and CEO of Hacken, and Andrii Matiukhin, CTO of Hacken, said that increased retail and institutional participation in the digital assets sector has turned the space into a lucrative target for hackers and criminals. At the same time, a lot of innovation is happening in decentralized finance (DeFi) and Web 3.0, two segments that are believed to hold huge potential to increase financial inclusiveness and offer superior customer experiences.
Against this backdrop, securing blockchain protocols will be critical for blockchain startups and projects and will define the winners and the losers, they said.
Carlos Eduardo Martins, a sustainable finance expert, said that environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations and integration into business models and decisions have increased significantly over the past three years.
Moving forward, the release of the European Union taxonomy regulation will dramatically change the approach to sustainability by most organizations, he warned. The regulation is set to have a significant impact on businesses, change the investment landscape as we know it, and will likely give rise to a burgeoning green fintech ecosystem, he said.
Portuguese fintech industry
A look at the Portuguese fintech ecosystem shows that lending and credit is currently the largest fintech segment in the Portuguese fintech industry, counting 14 companies. Lending is followed by payments/money transfers with 11 companies, insurtech and blockchain/cryptocurrency, both with 10 companies each, and regtech and cybersecurity with eight companies.
Wealth management and environmental, social and governance (ESG), as well as real estate stand at the bottom of the list, counting seven and three companies, respectively.
In total, 69 fintech companies were recorded in the Portugal.
Portuguese fintech ecosystem, Source: Portugal Fintech Report 2022, Portugal Fintech
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/total-funding-to-portuguese-fintech-companies-surpasses-eur-1b-mark</link><guid>2953</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bottomline-banner.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Total Funding to Portuguese Fintech Companies Surpasses EUR 1B Mark</dc:text></item><item><title>UK’s Banked Gets US$15M Series A Extension to Fuel US Expansion</title><description><![CDATA[London-based payments company Banked has raised over US$15 million in a Series A extension round, led by global software investor Insight Partners, following a Series A earlier this year led by Bank of America.
Citi, National Australia Bank Ventures, and global payments firm Rapyd also participated in the round. The round brings the company’s total funding raised to date to over US$50 million.
Banked has been focusing on expanding to the US, with CEO Brad Goodall relocating from London to the company’s new office in Palo Alto, California. The company has around 100 employees.


Founded in 2018, Banked provides an account-to-account payment software platform that lets consumers, businesses, and banks process payments in real-time.
Insight Partners previously invested in Swedish open banking platform Tink which was acquired by Visa for US$2.2 billion in mid-2021.
Brad Goodall
“Banked has been heads down building products and partnerships for four years and it is exciting to be launching markets globally at pace now,”
said Brad Goodall, CEO at Banked.
Byron Lichtenstein
“Banked’s unique strategy in partnering with commercial banks and payment service providers, as well as their product capabilities, stood out to us,”
said Byron Lichtenstein, Managing Director at Insight Partners.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/uks-banked-gets-us15m-series-a-extension-to-fuel-us-expansion</link><guid>2946</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bottomline-banner.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>UK’s Banked Gets US$15M Series A Extension to Fuel US Expansion</dc:text></item><item><title>Klarna Launches Price Comparison Tool in the UK, Sweden and Denmark</title><description><![CDATA[Buy now, pay later (BNPL) solution provider Klarna has launched a new in-app price comparison tool to provide an alternative to Google or Amazon as a starting point for consumers’ online shopping journeys.
Consumers will be able to view product results in price order, see if the price of an item has fluctuated, and also filter their search by product features, customer ratings, and shipping options.
Whenever browsing a product page, a panel will show consumers everything they need to know to make a confident decision, including whether other retailers are offering a better price.


At check-out, a pop-up panel will automatically look for and apply available coupons to further discount the price of their chosen products.
Following its launch in the US last month, the search and compare tool is now available to Klarna App users in the UK, Sweden, and Denmark — just ahead of Black Friday and the holiday season.
Klarna last raised US$1 billion in early 2021 at a post-money valuation of US$31 billion. The company launched its in-app shopping feature in Switzerland and the UK in mid-2021.
Sebastian Siemiatkowski
“Klarna’s new search and compare tool does the hard work for consumers and compares thousands of websites in real time to ensure they have all the information they need to make informed and confident purchase decisions,”
said Sebastian Siemiatkowski, Co-Founder and CEO, Klarna.
This article first appeared on Fintech News Nordics.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/klarna-launches-price-comparison-tool-in-the-uk-sweden-and-denmark</link><guid>2944</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bottomline-banner.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Klarna Launches Price Comparison Tool in the UK, Sweden and Denmark</dc:text></item><item><title>RealUnit – Anlagestrategie mit Krisenschutz als Aktie und Token</title><description><![CDATA[Der RealUnit ist eine echte Innovation im Finanzwesen. Tiefere Gebühren, mehr Flexibilität und keine Notwendigkeit eines Wertschriftendepots bei einer Bank. Dank Entwicklungen von innovativen Fintech-Unternehmen gibt es neue Möglichkeiten für Anlagestrategien. Machen Sie sich von Banken unabhängiger mit einem Aktientoken einer Investmentgesellschaft. Willkommen im 21. Jahrhundert!
Drei interessante Aspekte sprechen für den RealUnit:
1. die Anlagestrategie zur Sicherung der Kaufkraft und zum Schutz in Krisensituationen besticht in der aktuellen Finanzlage mit überzeugenden Argumenten


2. die Form als Aktienbeteiligung einer Investmentgesellschaft ist eine echte Alternative zu Konto, Anlagefonds oder strukturierten Produkten von Banken
3. die Namenaktie ist auch als digitaler Token auf der Ethereum Blockchain erhältlich
1. Überzeugende Anlagestrategie: Stabilität statt Spekulation
Die expansive Geldpolitik und die enorm hohe Staatsverschuldung haben das Finanzsystems stark geschwächt und anfällig für grosse Korrekturen gemacht. Schulden mit noch mehr Schulden zu tilgen und die Probleme auf die nächste Generation zu schieben, wurde weltweit als Hilfsmittel eingesetzt. Dadurch wurde das Finanzsystem zunehmend instabil und vom tatsächlichen Wirtschaftssystem entkoppelt.
Das Konzept des RealUnit beruht daher auf dem Gedanken, dass eine beständige Währung mit realen Sachwerten gedeckt sein sollte, welche sich optimalerweise im Gleichschritt mit der Wirtschaft bewegen. Dadurch sollen zwei wichtige Ziele erreicht werden: die Kaufkraft zu erhalten und in Krisensituationen den bestmöglichen Schutz vor Wertverlust zu gewähren.
Die Umsetzung dieser innovativen Anlagestrategie erfolgt durch reale Sachwerte und beinhaltet mehrheitlich physisches Gold, Silber und Industriemetalle, ja sogar Bargeldbestände, alles aufbewahrt in sicheren Lagerstätten ausserhalb des Bankensystems. Dazu kommen Beteiligungen an soliden, hauptsächlich Schweizer Unternehmen mit nachhaltigen Erträgen und einem krisenresistenten Geschäftsmodell.
2. Anleger*innen sind auch Miteigentümer*innen
Die Idee des RealUnit ist bereits über 20 Jahre alt. Die Anlagestrategie wurde stetig weiterentwickelt und ausgewählten Investor*innen als Vermögensverwaltungsmandat oder als Schweizer Anlagefonds angeboten. 2017 wurde der Fonds in die Investmentgesellschaft RealUnit Schweiz AG umgewandelt. Wer die Anlagestrategie kauft, ist somit auch Miteigentümer*in der Investmentgesellschaft und erhält Aktionärsrechte.
Mit dieser Form ist die rechtliche Struktur in Einklang mit der konzeptionellen Denkweise hinter der Idee, was den RealUnit auch einem breiteren Publikum zugänglich macht: Kleinanleger, die eine Alternative zum Sparkonto möchten, private und institutionelle Investoren auf der Suche nach einer krisenresistenten Anlagemöglichkeit oder Unternehmer, welche die Kaufkraft ihrer liquiden Mittel sicherstellen wollen – alle können gleichermassen von der wertstabilen und breit diversifizierten Anlagestrategie profitieren.
Ein weiterer Vorteil dieser Gesellschaftsform ist die Möglichkeit für Investitionen ausserhalb des Bankensystems und damit des erhöhten Schutzes im Falle einer zukünftigen Finanzkrise. Die realen Sachwerte (z.B. Gold, Silber, Bargeld) werden physisch und in sicheren Tresoren aufbewahrt. Zudem können wir schneller und flexibler auf Marktverwerfungen reagieren, da sie nicht an die vordefinierten Bandbreiten eines Anlagefonds gebunden sind.
3. Namenaktie als digitaler Token erhältlich
Die RealUnit Schweiz AG ist eine innovative Firma mit Weitblick und offen für die Entwicklungen aus der Fintech-Branche. Sie ist die erste börsenkotierte Gesellschaft in der Schweiz, die neben dem klassischen Kauf einer Aktie auch einen Token mit den gleichen Eigentumsrechten anbietet.
Wer sich also von der Bankabhängigkeit befreien will, kauft die Anlagestrategie in Form eines digitalen Aktien-Tokens auf der Ethereum Blockchain. Somit ist nicht nur der grösste Teil des Anlagevermögens ausserhalb des Bankensystems aufbewahrt, sondern auch Ihre persönlichen Anteile verwahren sie kostenlos und digital von Banken unabhängig. Sie stellen dadurch einen 24/7-Zugriff auf Ihre Vermögenswerte und eine jederzeitige Handelbarkeit sicher.
Der Wert des Tokens ist (im Gegensatz zu einer Kryptowährung) durch echte Sachwerte gedeckt und orientiert sich am Nettoinventarwert der investierten Vermögenswerte der RealUnit Schweiz AG.

Eine konservative Anlagestrategie in innovativer Form
Der starke Fokus auf Sachwerte verleiht dem RealUnit eine hohe Krisenresistenz und Wertbeständigkeit. Das spielt insbesondere bei steigenden Inflationsraten eine wichtige Rolle und sichert Ihnen die Kaufkraft Ihres Geldes. RealUnit sind als Inhaberaktie für das klassische Depot bei einer Bank konzipiert und auch als Namenaktie in Form eines digitalen Tokens auf der Blockchain erhältlich. Innovation im Finanzwesen – made in Switzerland!
Disclaimer/Haftungs-Ausschluss: Hier handelt es sich um einen Sponsored Post von Real Unit und nicht um einen Artikel von Fintechnews.ch Es handelt sich hier weder um eine Anlageberatung noch um eine konkrete Handlungsempfehlung.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/realunit-anlagestrategie-mit-krisenschutz-als-aktie-und-token</link><guid>2945</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bottomline-banner.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>RealUnit – Anlagestrategie mit Krisenschutz als Aktie und Token</dc:text></item><item><title>Sainsbury’s Appoints Checkout.com to Digitalise Its Payments Infrastructure</title><description><![CDATA[British grocery chain Sainsbury’s has appointed cloud payments company Checkout.com to modernise its payment infrastructure and and improve its customer offering.
The partnership sees Sainsbury’s utilising Checkout.com’s new till-free technology to allow customers to pay for their shopping via Sainsbury’s SmartShop app without having to visit a till.
The new payment option is currently live across Sainsbury’s ‘scan-and-go’ SmartShop stores and will be rolled out to Argos and Habitat stores in the coming months.


Sainsbury’s has also integrated with Checkout.com for in-app payments in its SmartShop app, including payments through digital wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, as well as for payment processing.
Additionally, Sainsbury’s has awarded Checkout.com the Sainsbury’s Tech ‘Ones to Watch’ prize at this year’s Sainsbury’s TECH Supplier Awards. The companies will also co-host a hackathon in Q1 2023.
Helen Hunter
“We’re excited to roll out this new capability, made possible by Checkout.com’s technology, as we redefine an omnichannel checkout experience for customers with SmartShop,”
said Helen Hunter, Chief Technology Officer, Customer and Data, Sainsbury’s.
Leela Srinivasan
“Winning the business of an iconic British retailer such as Sainsbury’s is a testament to the role we play in enabling businesses to thrive in the digital economy,”
said Leela Srinivasan, Chief Marketing Officer at Checkout.com.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sainsburys-appoints-checkoutcom-to-digitalise-its-payments-infrastructure</link><guid>2942</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bottomline-banner.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Sainsbury’s Appoints Checkout.com to Digitalise Its Payments Infrastructure</dc:text></item><item><title>BlackRock’s Fintech Bets Span Lending, Wealthtech, Crypto and More</title><description><![CDATA[BlackRock, one of the world’s largest asset managers, has been actively investing in the fintech industry over the past decade, participating in large rounds of financing across a broad range of segments, from payments and lending, to wealthtech and cryptocurrency, a new analysis by fintech-focused research firm WhiteSight shows.
The report, which delves into the investment firm’s fintech moves, shows that BlackRock has been a prolific fintech investors, dipping its toes into a variety of sectors.
BlackRock’s big bets on fintech, Source: WhiteSight, 2022
Data from Dealroom corroborate this, indicating that fintech is the second biggest industry BlackRock has invested in, with 46 investments. These investments primarily consist of growth and later stage rounds, and target mainly companies in the US, the UK and India.


According to the WhiteSight analysis, BlackRock’s fintech foray started back in 2011-2015 with debt facilities and participations in lending startups LendingClub and Funding Circle.
This evolved later on into a focus on wealthtech, with investments into robo-advisors, micro-investment and alternative investment platforms, including names like Acorns, iCapital and eFront.
2019, in particular, was a “breakout year” for the fund manager, WhiteSight says, which saw BlackRock taking part in massive funding rounds towards cross-border payment firm Wise (US$292 million) and buy now, pay later (BNPL) firm Klarna (US$460 million) to support their growth.
Following this, in 2020 and 2021, the firm shifted its focus to fintech infrastructure, technology providers and enablers as demand for digital tools and experiences soared on the back of the COVID-19 pandemic. This translated to investments into open banking infrastructure provider Trustly, electronic trading platform Trumid, core banking tech provider 10x Banking, and no-code enterprise application platform Unqork.
Integrating fintech
2021 also saw BlackRock starting more actively teaming up with industry partners, forging a variety of relationships with names like JP Morgan and Saphyre, a fintech and regtech communication platform, to modernize and digitize parts of its processes and functions.
In July 2021, the asset manager unveiled a partnership with Cassini Systems, a provider of pre- and post-trade margin and collateral analytics for derivatives markets, to enhance Aladdin. The deal brought advanced margin analytics capabilities to BlackRock’s end-to-end investment management and operations platform.
The year further saw BlackRock extend its collaboration with iCapital to launch severage private market products covering private equity, private debt, and real assets, across geographies, including a broadening array of environmental, social and governance (ESG)-integrated strategies.
The partnership sought to leverage iCapital’s feeder fund structures and innovative technology platform to digitalize every aspect of the subscription and investor servicing process including capital calls, distributions, transfers and performance reporting for wealth advisors and their clients.
Finally, in mid-2021, BlackRock teamed up with Wise to support its foray into wealth management. This culminated in the launch of Wise Assets, an offering that allows Wise customers to invest in an index tracking fund managed by the investment firm.
Digital assets and crypto bets
This year, WhiteSight notes that BlackRock has diversified its fintech bets even more, investing, for example, in Bolt, an e-commerce payment technology firm, providing a US$30 million term loan facility to Root Insurance, an insurtech company specializing in car insurance, and participating in Wagestream’s US$175 million Series C. Wagestream is a financial wellbeing app and earned wage access platform.
BlackRock also took much bolder steps towards digital assets and crypto. Its most audacious move so far has been its partnership with Coinbase, a collaboration that has allowed Aladdin users access to crypto trading and custody.
At launch, the offering only covered bitcoin but the companies said more functionalities and greater integration are to be expected from the collaboration.
The move came on the back of the launch of several crypto and blockchain-focused investment products throughout the year. These include two blockchain-focused exchange traded funds (ETFs) and a spot bitcoin private trust.
BlackRock is now reportedly working on a new metaverse ETF called the iShares Future Metaverse Tech and Communications ETF, Bloomberg reported in September.
In the crypto space still, BlackRock has taken part in USDC stablecoin issuer Circle’s US$400 million round, crypto platform Anchorage Digital’s US$350 million Series D, and now bankrupted FTX’s US$420 million Series B-1.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/blackrocks-fintech-bets-span-lending-wealthtech-crypto-and-more</link><guid>2943</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bottomline-banner.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>BlackRock’s Fintech Bets Span Lending, Wealthtech, Crypto and More</dc:text></item><item><title>The Swiss Fintech Worldcup Football Team 2022</title><description><![CDATA[Am Sonntag ist es soweit und die (meist zu recht) stark kritisierte Fussball WM in Qatar startet mit den Eröffnungsspiel Qatar gegen Ecuador in Doha.
Wie bereits 2021 an der Fussball EM oder vor 4 Jahren an der Fussball WM in Russland haben wir nun auch wieder für die Fussball WM 2022  unser “Swiss Fintech Football Dream-Team” zusammengestellt. (Wie immer: just for fun und weil wir Fussball und Fintech begeistert sind)
Vor 6 Jahren hatte Finews unser allererstes EM Fintech Fussball Team gefeatured und dazumal von Zügen eines Fintech Hype gesprochen. Wir freuen uns jetzt schon auf den Kommentar von diesem Jahr ;).


Das Fintechnews.ch Redaktion ist jedenfalls fast schon wieder voll und ganz im Fussball-Hype (ähh im Fieber) und wird für die Qualifikations-Spiele sogar persönlich vor Ort sein.
Schweizer Spiele:
24.11 Schweiz-Kamerun, 11.00h
28.11  Schweiz-Brasilien, 17.00h
2.12  Schweiz-Serbien, 20.00h
und dann evlt. im Achtelfinale gegen Portugal?
Hopp Schwiiz!
Warum ist Twint immer noch Euer Jan Sommer?
Hier ein par Fragen die ihr zu unserer Aufstellung evtl habt: (meist ironische Antworten mit Humor geniessen bitte)
Warum ist Twint seit 2016 der Torhüter?:Wir finden Twint verteidigt den Mobile Payment Markt Schweiz ganz gut und so lange Apple Pay keinen Schweizer Pass bekommt, stehen wir zu unseren Torhüter. Murat Yakin hat ja die Qual der Wahl im richtigen Fussball, wir haben auf dieser Position aber eher ein Problem.
Warum sind folgende Fintechs nicht dabei? (Bspw. Yapeal, Bitcoin Suisse oder wer auch immer):Verletzt, angeschlagen, ausgemustert oder ausser Form.
Warum so viele Wealthtechs und fast keine Crypto Players?Wir finden die Stärken der Schweiz liegen im Wealthtech und bei Digital Assets (bspw. im Custody). Crypto sollte ein Teil von Wealthtech sein (und auch von der Standortförderung so rübergebracht werden) und darum hat der Trainer bewusst entschieden keinen puren Crypto Player für die Startelf zu nominieren. (Die Nomination erfolgte übrigens noch vor dem FTX Drama bereits Ende Oktober).
Vergangene TeamsUnsere vergangenen Fussball Fintech Teams findet ihr übrigens hier:202120182016
Das Schweizer Fussball Fintech National Team 2022


]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-swiss-fintech-worldcup-football-team-2022</link><guid>2940</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bottomline-banner.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>The Swiss Fintech Worldcup Football Team 2022</dc:text></item><item><title>Klarpay Enables Swiss Businesses to Transact in USD and GBP Globally</title><description><![CDATA[Business payments platform Klarpay has expanded its international payment capabilities with the launch of dedicated USD and GBP accounts.
The addition, which enables companies to collect and disburse USD and GBP payments globally via their corporate Klarpay account, comes after the company received a FINMA license to offer multi-currency accounts in 2021.
Founded in 2019, Klarpay’s Swiss IBAN corporate accounts allows businesses to transact through SEPA and SWIFT in more than 90 countries and 70 currencies via its dashboard and APIs.


The Zug-based company previously raised a US$3 million seed round in mid-2022 from Cyprus payments company Payabl and a US$1 million pre-seed round in late 2020.
Martynas Bieliauskas
“Our clients can now store funds, accept payments, and send payouts in USD and GBP in addition to using Klarpay’s extensive cross-currency payments and FX network,”
said Martynas Bieliauskas, Klarpay CEO.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/klarpay-enables-swiss-businesses-to-transact-in-usd-and-gbp-globally</link><guid>2938</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bottomline-banner.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Klarpay Enables Swiss Businesses to Transact in USD and GBP Globally</dc:text></item><item><title>Klarpay Enables Digital Businesses to Transact in USD and GBP Globally</title><description><![CDATA[Business payments platform Klarpay has expanded its international payment capabilities with the launch of dedicated USD and GBP accounts.
The addition, which enables companies to collect and disburse USD and GBP payments globally via their corporate Klarpay account, comes after the company received a FINMA license to offer multi-currency accounts in 2021.
Founded in 2019, Klarpay’s Swiss IBAN corporate accounts allows businesses to transact through SEPA and SWIFT in more than 90 countries and 70 currencies via its dashboard and APIs.


The Zug-based company previously raised a US$3 million seed round in mid-2022 from Cyprus payments company Payabl and a US$1 million pre-seed round in late 2020.
Martynas Bieliauskas
“Our clients can now store funds, accept payments, and send payouts in USD and GBP in addition to using Klarpay’s extensive cross-currency payments and FX network,”
said Martynas Bieliauskas, Klarpay CEO.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/klarpay-enables-digital-businesses-to-transact-in-usd-and-gbp-globally</link><guid>2941</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bottomline-banner.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Klarpay Enables Digital Businesses to Transact in USD and GBP Globally</dc:text></item><item><title>Charlotte Crosswell Appointed as Chair of UK’s New Fintech Hub CFIT</title><description><![CDATA[The UK’s newly established Centre for Finance, Innovation and Technology (CFIT) has named Charlotte Crosswell OBE as its first Chair, starting on 4 January 2023.
Crosswell is the current Chair and Trustee of the Open Banking Implementation Entity (OBIE). Previously, she was the CEO of Innovate Finance, and the CEO of Nasdaq NLX.
She was also a board director at LCH, UK Finance and TheCityUK, and head of international business development at the London Stock Exchange Group.


Crosswell’s appointment follows a robust recruitment process, led by a diverse panel and run independently of HM Treasury and the City of London Corporation.
The CFIT’s establishment is a result of the 2021 Kalifa Review of UK Fintech, a government review of the state of fintech in the country led by Sir Ron Kalifa with key stakeholders from the fintech ecosystem.
Crosswell and the CFIT executive, to be appointed in the coming months, will consider the proposals put forth by the review committee and set out plans for CFIT’s first programmes of work.
Chris Hayward
“Charlotte brings deep and unique experience from across the fintech and financial services ecosystem. She will drive forward CFIT’s vision and ensure vital engagement with the fintech ecosystem,”
said Chris Hayward, Policy Chairman of the City of London Corporation.
Charlotte Crosswell
“I am honoured to take on the position of the first Chair of the CFIT and increase the global scale and impact of the UK fintech sector,”
said Charlotte Crosswell.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/charlotte-crosswell-appointed-as-chair-of-uks-new-fintech-hub-cfit</link><guid>2939</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bottomline-banner.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Charlotte Crosswell Appointed as Chair of UK’s New Fintech Hub CFIT</dc:text></item><item><title>BIS To Develop Scalable, Resilient and Privacy-Focused Prototype CBDC</title><description><![CDATA[The BIS Innovation Hub’s Swiss Centre has launched Tourbillon, a new project that explores improving cyber resiliency, scalability and privacy in a prototype central bank digital currency (CBDC).
Central banks have identified cyber resiliency, scalability and privacy as core features of CBDCs. However, designing them involves complex trade-offs between these three elements.
Project Tourbillon explores cyber resiliency, scalability and privacy in a prototype CBDC. Source: BIS Innovation Hub Swiss Centre
Project Tourbillon aims to reconcile these trade-offs by combining proven technologies such as blind signatures and mix networks with the latest research on cryptography and CBDC design.


The project will be designed based on the eCash 2.0 paper by researchers David Chaum and Thomas Moser, with the prototype to be finished by mid-2023.
Morten Bech
“Delivering a CBDC involves difficult trade-offs between cyber resilience, scalability and user privacy. Project Tourbillon will build and test a prototype that reconciles these trade-offs and pushes central banks’ technological frontier,”
said Morten Bech, Head of the BIS Innovation Hub Swiss Centre.
Thomas Moser
“Many central banks are researching CBDCs in the context of the digital asset transformation. I am proud to be a co-author with David Chaum on the eCash 2.0 paper, which is serving as the basis for this project,”
said Thomas Moser, Alternate Member of the Governing Board at the Swiss National Bank.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bis-to-develop-scalable-resilient-and-privacy-focused-prototype-cbdc</link><guid>2935</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Project-Tourbillion-BIS-Innovation-Hub.jpeg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>BIS To Develop Scalable, Resilient and Privacy-Focused Prototype CBDC</dc:text></item><item><title>J.P. Morgan and Mastercard Launch Pay-by-Bank Service</title><description><![CDATA[J.P. Morgan Payments and Mastercard have launched Pay-by-Bank to enable consumers to permission their financial data to be shared so they can pay bills directly from their bank account.
The service means that consumers will not need to type in their routing and account information when they make recurrding payments, such as for rent, utilities, tuition, and insurance.
Pay-by-Bank also uses Mastercard’s Smart Payment Decisioning Tools to analyse the best time to initiate the payment based on the bill payer’s historical transaction behavior and risk patterns.


It is being piloted with a small number of US-based billers and merchants this year with plans to expand in 2023.
Max Neukirchen
“Pay-by-Bank reduces the likelihood of unauthorised transactions and frees our clients from the need to retain — and the responsibility to securely maintain — consumer banking information.

We’re delighted to work with Mastercard to offer an attractive, simple and secure Pay-by-Bank solution that gives choice to our clients and their customers who use ACH as their payment mechanism,”
said Max Neukirchen, Head of Payments &amp; Commerce Solutions, J.P. Morgan Payments.
Chiro Aikat
“Billers and consumers both get greater payment choice, but the partnership also propels payments innovation on two fronts — in the ease of the user experience and in the security of data sharing,”
said Chiro Aikat, Executive Vice President, Merchants &amp; Acceptance, Mastercard North America.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/jp-morgan-and-mastercard-launch-pay-by-bank-service</link><guid>2936</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bottomline-banner.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>J.P. Morgan and Mastercard Launch Pay-by-Bank Service</dc:text></item><item><title>Baloise and UBS Increase Their Stake in Proptech Houzy</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss insurtech Baloise and UBS have increased their stake in Houzy, a proptech startup which supports owners of houses and apartments with their property-related needs.
Both Baloise and UBS invested in Houzy at an early stage and this announcement emphasises their joint ambitions in the home and living ecosystem.
Houzy helps homeowners and prospective homeowners plan and manage their property by providing recommendations for property valuations, financing, renovation planning, and other services.


Founded in 2017, Houzy has more than 110,000 registered users and is headquartered in Zurich. Baloise and UBS first invested in the company in 2020.
Sabine Magri
“The acquisition of a joint majority stake in Houzy represents another milestone in the expansion of the ecosystem partnership between UBS and Baloise. Together with Houzy, we will now work on developing new and innovative solutions for our clients,”
said Sabine Magri, COO at UBS Switzerland.
Yannick Hasler
“Following the recently announced partnership of Baloise and UBS with property transaction platform Brixel, we will draw on the respective core competencies and services of each partner in order to boost digitalisation across the entire ecosystem,”
said Yannick Hasler, Head of Private Clients at Baloise.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/baloise-and-ubs-increase-their-stake-in-proptech-houzy</link><guid>2937</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bottomline-banner.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Baloise and UBS Increase Their Stake in Proptech Houzy</dc:text></item><item><title>Adoption of Digital Assets Among Institutional Investors Increases</title><description><![CDATA[Despite turbulent conditions in the crypto markets, adoption of digital assets among institutional investors is increasing worldwide, driven by improved perception of the emerging asset class and investors’ attraction to the prospect of high returns, according to the Fidelity Digital Assets 2022 Institutional Investor Digital Assets Study.
This year’s survey, which polled more than 1,000 institutional investors in Europe, the US and Asia during the first half of 2022, found that adoption of digital assets is increasing globally this year with nearly six-in-10 (58%) institutional investors surveyed indicating investing in digital assets during H1 2022. The figure represents a six-point increase from 2021’s 52%.
Perception is also rising worldwide with positive perception on digital assets increasing six points from 2021 to 2022, and positive views of Bitcoin growing two points.


Perception of Digital Assets and Bitcoin, Source: Fidelity Digital Assets 2022 Institutional Investor Digital Assets Study, Oct 2022
Globally, a vast majority of respondents (88%) indicated finding characteristics of digital assets appealing, a figure that rose five points in the US, and two points in Europe in 2022. Like in 2021, respondents cited the high potential upside (43%), innovative tech play (41%), and the enablement of decentralization (29%) as the most appealing features of digital assets.
But perhaps most notably this year, investors showed greater interest in decentralized finance (DeFi) and yield opportunities, two features related to digital assets that are gaining appeal among institutional investors. 23% of respondents cited participation in the DeFi ecosystem as a compelling feature, up 10 points from 2021, while 17% named yield opportunities, an eight-point increase from last year.
Appeal of digital assets, Source: Fidelity Digital Assets 2022 Institutional Investor Digital Assets Study, Oct 2022
Increased interest in digital assets is also evidenced by rising intent to participate in the sector. In total, 74% of surveyed institutional investors said they planned to buy or invest in digital assets in the future, up three points from 71% in 2021.
Asia is Leading in Digital Asset Ownership
Looking at geographic trends, findings reveal that Asia maintained the leading position in digital asset ownership (69%) in 2022 and had the most affinity for digital assets (60%). Asian investors have historically had a more positive view of digital assets and have been early adopters of new digital payment methods.
The region, however, saw a slight decline in adoption and perception, down two and three points from last year, respectively.
Europe and the US, on the other hand, reported increased familiarly, improved perception, and more digital asset investments. Between the two regions, it is Europe that saw the biggest rise, recording a 11-point increase in ownership, against nine points for the US. Overall, the 2022 results put Europe on par with Asia in terms of overall adoption and positive perception.
Positive perception of digital assets, Source: Fidelity Digital Assets 2022 Institutional Investor Digital Assets Study, Oct 2022
Globally, adoption and consideration of digital assets among institutional investors are the highest among high-net-worth investors (82%), alongside crypto hedge funds and venture capital (VC) funds (87%) and financial advisors (73%).
Adoption is lower among family offices (37%), pensions/defined benefit (DB) plans (5%), traditional hedge funds (7%), and endowments and foundations (E&amp;Fs) (6%).
Global adoption and consideration of digital assets by segment, Source: Fidelity Digital Assets 2022 Institutional Investor Digital Assets Study, Oct 2022
Despite an overall increase in adoption of digital assets among institutional investors, market players also identified several challenges which they believe are hampering adoption.
Consistent with 2021’s results, price volatility (50%) was identified as the biggest barrier to investing in digital assets. The lack of fundamentals to gauge appropriate value (37%), security concerns (35%) and concerns around market manipulation (35%) are other major obstacles.
Cryptocurrencies have a long history of extreme volatility but this year’s price swings have been particularly wild. Just this week, the price of bitcoin fell to a two-year low as the market further dipped following the fall of FTX, a crypto exchange once hailed as the industry’s next success story.
Earlier this week, users and investors of FTX lost confidence in the exchange after Changpeng Zhao, CEO of Binance, liquidated about US$500 million worth of FTX’s in-house crypto token FTT and expressed skepticism about the company’s financial stability. The Twitter posts sparked a three-day bank run of an estimated US$6 billion which sent FTX into crisis.
Binance agreed to bail out FTX but the deal was eventually called off after discoveries made during “corporate due diligence” made the deal too risky.
Bitcoin and ether are down more than 20% over the last week.

Featured image credit: Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/adoption-of-digital-assets-among-institutional-investors-increases</link><guid>2934</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bottomline-banner.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Adoption of Digital Assets Among Institutional Investors Increases</dc:text></item><item><title>Komplett digitale und schnelle Kreditvergabe führt zu Win-Win</title><description><![CDATA[Die Digitalisierung schreitet in allen Branchen schnell voran – auch im Finanzsektor.
Online-Banking und Banking Apps gehören nun zum festen Bestandteil der meisten Schweizer Kreditinstitute. Und nicht nur die jüngeren Generationen nutzen die digitalen Angebote, sondern immer häufiger auch ältere Menschen. Daher ist es verwunderlich, dass Banken viele ihrer Angebote noch nicht digitalisiert haben.
Kunden nutzen Digital Banking hauptsächlich für alltägliche Aufgaben wie etwa Überweisungen oder das Überprüfen des Kontostands. Nicht alltägliche Bankgeschäfte dagegen werden oft in der Filiale oder am Telefon abgewickelt, da die digitalen Lösungen dafür fehlen oder sehr unpraktisch sind.


Doch gerade diese nicht alltäglichen Bankgeschäfte bieten Banken die Chance, neue Produkte zu verkaufen, ihre Kunden stärker zu binden und ihren Share of Wallet zu erhöhen. Ein gutes Beispiel hierfür sind Kredite. Laut The Business Research Company beträgt die Grösse des globalen Kreditmarktes 7,1 Mrd. $ und wächst stetig weiter.
Sei es für ein Auto, eine Immobilie oder den Traumurlaub – manchmal sind die Wünsche im Leben grösser als das Einkommen oder die Ersparnisse. Kredite – abgesehen von Dispo und Kreditkarte – sind ein finanzieller Meilenstein für jede Privatperson.
Daher wollen die Kunden an die Hand genommen, beraten und auch unterstützt werden. Gleichzeitig soll der Prozess für sie digital, leicht verständlich, einfach und vor allem reibungslos ablaufen. Für Banken sind Kreditzinsen eine wichtige Einnahmequelle. Deshalb sollte es in ihrem Interesse liegen, den Prozess der Kreditbeantragung an den Kundenwünschen auszurichten und schnellstmöglich zu digitalisieren beziehungsweise ihre vorhandenen Lösungen zu optimieren.

Status Quo zeigt grosses Optimierungspotenzial
Der Status Quo ist ernüchternd: So werden 5 von 10 Online-Kreditanträgen vorzeitig abgebrochen. Eine erschreckend hohe Zahl für die Anbieter, die zeigt, dass jede zweite Person nur Kosten verursacht und kein neues Produkt erwirbt. Wenn man bedenkt, dass europäische Banken hinsichtlich der Profitabilität ihren Pendants in Amerika oder Asien stark hinterherhinken – was auch an ihren höheren Kosten liegt – ist das alarmierend.
Aktuell dauert es laut einer Untersuchung von McKinsey für Kreditbeantragende im Schnitt eine Stunde, das Antragsformular zu bearbeiten. Die Bank benötigt ihrerseits im Anschluss vier Wochen für die Überprüfung und die weiteren Prozesse. Die Auszahlung des Kredits erfolgt dann frühestens drei Monate nach dem ursprünglichen Antrag. Das liegt daran, dass die Finanzinstitute ihre alten Prozesse suboptimal digitalisieren, anstatt das Potenzial der Digitalisierung wirklich auszuschöpfen.
Kreditanträge sind für Beantragende somit grösstenteils langwierig, kompliziert und was online begonnen wurde, kann oftmals nur per Brief oder persönlichem Termin finalisiert werden. Das bindet Mitarbeiter und steigert die Kosten. So kostet der aktuelle Prozess die Banken laut McKinsey 40 Prozent mehr, als es eine moderne digitale Lösung für Kreditanträge würde. Zugleich ist der Prozess für die Kunden aufwändig und intransparent.
Diese fehlende Kundenzentrierung sorgt für unzufriedene Bankkunden, die offen für Alternativen sind. Dies kann im schlimmsten Fall zum kompletten Verlust eines Kunden führen. Im besten Fall wechselt der Kunde nur für seinen Kredit zu einem Mitbewerber und bleibt der Bank wenigstens teilweise erhalten. Doch dann verschenkt die Bank immer noch Upselling-Potenzial. Dies ist natürlich nicht erstrebenswert und führt zu einem geringeren Umsatz bei gleichbleibenden oder sogar steigenden Kosten.
Kunden durch die digitale Antragsstrecke führen
Die Bankkunden wünschen sich heutzutage überall nahtlose digitale und transparente Prozesse – auch für ihr Banking und somit auch bei der Beantragung eines Kredits. Diese soll am PC begonnen und beispielsweise am Handy abgeschlossen werden können. Einfach, nahtlos und schnell.
Bei einer modernen digitalen Lösung für Kreditanträge, wie sie beispielsweise Backbase anbietet, wird der Bankkunde daher durch die digitale Antragsstrecke geführt, über fehlende Dokumente informiert und kann diese ganz einfach digital nachreichen. Auch digitale Unterschriften sind möglich. Bei Fragen kann er jederzeit in der Banking-App mit seinem Bankberater via Chat oder Videotelefonie kommunizieren. Während des gesamten Ablaufs wird dem Bankkunden der aktuelle Status angezeigt, so dass er jederzeit weiss, wo er im Prozess steht. Alles zusammen verbessert die Customer Experience und stärkt die Bindung zwischen dem Kunden und seiner Bank.
Eine Win-Win-Situation dank digitaler Antragsstrecken und automatisierter Entscheidungsfindung
Aber auch die Mitarbeitenden einer Bank profitieren: Sie bekommen mit einer modernen digitalen Lösung für Kreditanträge einen holistischen Überblick über Kreditbeantragende. Die Arbeitsabläufe wie Einkommensüberprüfung oder Financial Spreading laufen automatisiert ab und entlasten die Mitarbeitenden. Zugleich werden Risiken und Fehler auf ein Minimum reduziert.
Weitere Dokumente können sie ganz einfach direkt im Chat bei den Antragstellenden anfragen. Diese kontinuierliche Kommunikation ist genauso wichtig wie die Transparenz. Antragstellende fühlen sich während des Prozesses gut betreut und wissen jederzeit, welcher Schritt nun als nächstes folgt. Das senkt das Risiko, dass der Antrag vorzeitig abgebrochen wird und sich potenzielle Kunden nach einer Alternative umsehen.
Sind alle Finanzdaten digital erfasst, analysiert und ausgewertet, alle Dokumente eingereicht und digital signiert, erhält der Kunde eine Benachrichtigung. So dauert es von Antragsstellung bis hin zur Genehmigung im Idealfall gerade mal 30 Minuten. Eine Revolution, wenn man bedenkt, wie lange ein Papierdokument von der Erstellung bis hin zur Unterschrift und zurück unterwegs ist.
Reibungslose digitale Antragsstrecken für die Antragsstellenden und Automatisierungen bei der Prüfung sind bereits heute Realität bei vielen innovativen Finanzinstituten. Die Prozesse dort basieren auf einer modernen Lösung und sorgen für zufriedene Kunden; mehr Abschlüsse und geringere Kosten stärken die Bank.
Eine Win-Win-Situation.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/komplett-digitale-und-schnelle-kreditvergabe-fuhrt-zu-win-win</link><guid>2932</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bottomline-banner.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Komplett digitale und schnelle Kreditvergabe führt zu Win-Win</dc:text></item><item><title>DACH Insurtech Industry Has Grown 45% Over the Past Year</title><description><![CDATA[In Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, also referred to as the DACH region, the insurtech space is growing at a promising pace. Over the past year, the sector has increased by 45%, rising from 141 players in March 2021 to now 202, data from the Insurtech Map show.
All major segments including marketing and distribution, infrastructure and claims and customer service, grew in size. Marketing and distribution, the region’s most crowded insurtech category, increased 54.9% to 79 companies, up from 51 in 2021; infrastructure, the second largest, grew to 64 companies, up 36% from 47 in 2021; and claims and customer service, the third biggest, rose 44% to 39 companies, up from 27 in 2021.
Claims and customer service, infrastructure and marketing and distribution, Source: Insurtechmap.eu, Nov 11, 2022
Though more modestly, product development and pricing and underwriting expanded as well, rising 18.8% to 19 companies.


Product development and pricing and underwriting, Source: Insurtechmap.eu, Nov 11, 2022
Interestingly, the past year saw the emergence of a new category: asset management. The segment currently comprises three companies: SynoFin, a risk management provider based in Luxembourg; Ryskex, a German company providing a blockchain-based ecosystem for alternative risk transfers and insurance solutions; and Balance Re, a provider of reinsurance solutions to life insurance companies based in Germany.
Asset management, Source: Insurtechmap.eu, Nov 11, 2022
Germany leads DACH region in insurtech innovation
With 132 insurtech companies, Germany has the largest insurtech startup ecosystem of the group. Players include Yas.life, a company developing digital health services for traditional insurers and corporate health management companies; Mailo, which provides individual, tailor-made insurance for occupational groups; and Yoursurance, an online comparison platform for insurance companies.
After Germany, Switzerland is home to second biggest insurtech startup community with 55 ventures. Names and brands include Versicherix, a company providing tools and services for anyone to create custom insurance policies; Deon Digital, a company leveraging cutting-edge technology to turn paper contracts into automatically managed digital contracts; and Stonestep, a “microinsurance-as-a-service” provider serving global partners.
With 13 insurtech companies, Austria has the third largest pool of Dach insurtech startups, among which Sophia, a personal insurance broker; Medicus, an AI-based data analytics platform that interprets and converts medical and health data into interactive, personalized experiences; and Bsurance, a white-label business-to-business-to-consumer (B2B2C) insurtech helping partners provide their customers with fair and relevant protection at the point of need.
Finally, Liechtenstein has the smallest sector of the bunch with just four startups. Alongside SynoFin, these are Prosperity Brokershome, a digital services platform for insurance brokers; Cashyou, a factoring solution that finances remuneration agreements between brokers and end customers; and Digital Finance Life, a company specializing in product development for life insurance products.
Automation and process digitalization as the most prevalent technology
An analysis of the technologies these startups leverage shows that process digitalization/automation/robotics is the most prevalent technology used by DACH insurtech startups, with 145 companies relying on it. Process digitalization/automation/robotics is followed by analytics and AI with 44 companies, distributed ledger technology (DLT) with eight, and the Internet-of-Things (IoT) with seven.
Launched in March 2021, the Insurtech Map is an initiative of industry trade group House of Insurtech Switzerland, Swiss startup incubator and accelerator F10, and startup program and innovation platform Kickstart Innovation.
The interactive map aims to provide a comprehensive view of DACH’s insurtech ecosystem, highlighting the startups that are leveraging cutting-edge technology to bring greater efficiency and enhanced experiences across the insurance value chain.
Players that have recently been added to the database include Enzo, a German company providing homeowners with modern and holistic protection; Ledgertech, a Swiss company providing a low code/no code insurtech platform; Tigerlab, an embedded insurance specialist from Switzerland; Valu-X, a German insurtech company providing a white-label platform for tailored marketing; and Balance Re from German.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik here and here
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/dach-insurtech-industry-has-grown-45-over-the-past-year</link><guid>2933</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Claims-and-customer-service-infrastructure-and-marketing-and-distribution-Source-Insurtechmap.eu-Nov-11-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>DACH Insurtech Industry Has Grown 45% Over the Past Year</dc:text></item><item><title>Splint Invest sichert sich 500’000 Franken in der «Die Höhle der Löwen»</title><description><![CDATA[Das Zuger Wealhtech-Startup Splint Invest konnte sich bei der Schweizer Ausgabe von «Die Höhle der Löwen» ein Investment von 500’000 Franken sichern.
Mit der gleichnamigen App ermöglicht das Team rund um die Solothurner Gründer Mario von Bergen, Robin Muster und Aurelio Perucca bereits ab Kleinstbeiträgen eine Diversifizierung des eigenen Portfolios mit alternativen Anlagen wie Uhren, Wein, Whiskey oder anderen Luxusgütern. Das neu gewonnene Kapital wird unter anderem für die Expansion in den DACH-Raum, den Ausbau des Teams und die Erschliessung neuer Anlageklassen eingesetzt. Das Unternehmen plant aktuell zudem die Lancierung eines Sekundärmarktes.
In der heute ausgestrahlten Folge der Schweizer Ausgabe von «Die Höhle der Löwen» konnte das Unternehmen der drei Solothurner Gründer Mario von Bergen, Robin Muster und Aurelio Perucca gleich drei Löwen überzeugen: Zusammen investieren Jürg Schwarzenbach, Lukas Speiser und Patrick Mollet 500’000 Schweizer Franken in Splint Invest. Gedreht wurde die Episode im März 2022.


Erweiterung der Investitionsmöglichkeiten und Expansion in den gesamten DACH-Raum
Einen Teil des gewonnenen Kapitals konnte das Startup in den vergangenen Monaten bereits für die Erweiterung der Investitionsmöglichkeiten sowie für den Ausbau und die Diversifizierung des Teams einsetzen. Mit Erfolg: Die Investmentplattform für alternative Anlagen hat seit dem Dreh der Sendung bereits 5’000 zusätzliche User gewonnen.
Das restliche Kapital soll nun für die Erschliessung neuer Anlageklassen sowie die Expansion in den DACH-Raum eingesetzt werden. Das Unternehmen plant zudem die Lancierung eines Sekundärmarktes, wo gehaltene Anteile von ihren Usern vorzeitig angeboten und verkauft werden können.
Aurelio Perucca
«Die 500’000 Franken haben es uns ermöglicht, stark zu wachsen und den Auftritt von Splint Invest deutlich zu professionalisieren. Zudem dürfen wir vom grossen Erfahrungsschatz und dem Netzwerk unserer Investoren profitieren, was uns immens freut,»
erklärt Aurelio Perucca, CEO von Splint Invest.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/splint-invest-sichert-sich-500000-franken-in-der-die-hohle-der-lowen</link><guid>2931</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bottomline-banner.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Splint Invest sichert sich 500’000 Franken in der «Die Höhle der Löwen»</dc:text></item><item><title>El Salvador and Switzerland Share Common Love of Burgers and Bitcoin</title><description><![CDATA[El Salvador has partnered with the Swiss city of Lugano to promote bitcoin adoption. It’s an unlikely partnership and an obscure reason to join forces, but for both parties this is an earnest and worthwhile endeavour.
The glue that binds the Central American country with Lugano is Tether, a company that mints stablecoins – digital currencies backed by traditional financial assets, designed to dampen wild fluctuations in value.
Tether and El Salvador formed an alliance in 2021 to re-engineer the country’s payments system. In March of this year, Tether and Lugano co-founded the ‘Plan B’ project to encourage shops and consumers to use cryptocurrencies.


McDonald’s is one of 60 merchants in Lugano to accept bitcoin and the city wants to raise that number to 1,000 in the next six months.
Crypto Nation magnet
It’s difficult to tell right now if the partnership with El Salvador is largely symbolic or if an exchange of support and ideas can generate anything of consequence.
But it seems clear that Switzerland’s growing reputation as ‘Crypto Nation’, rolling out the red carpet for crypto and blockchain technology, had some bearing on El Salvador’s interest.
Milena Mayorga
“We share a love for innovation and bold ideas,”
said El Salvador’s Ambassador to the United States, Milena Mayorga.
Switzerland would love others to express the same admiration and to choose the Alpine state as headquarters for their blockchain projects.
But there is growing competition to attract the cream of blockchain technology.
The competition
Dubai is moving at lightning speed to become the world’s number one blockchain hub. Singapore has adopted a similar strategy to Switzerland. Germany and France are working hard in Europe and Britain also has aspirations in this area.
The US, particularly Silicon Valley, New York and Miami, is determined to make the most of its position as the world’s leading economic power.
Who will win the race or at least establish themselves as a serious player alongside other blockchain hubs?
This is the subject of a recorded a ‘Let’s Talk’ studio debate hosted by SWI swissinfo.ch with contributions from Switzerland, Dubai and the US.
I was also part of a panel that delved into the potential opportunities and pitfalls of attracting this revolutionary business.
The debate explores the conditions that are necessary to become a global blockchain hub and asks what the future will bring. Do give it a watch.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/el-salvador-and-switzerland-share-common-love-of-burgers-and-bitcoin</link><guid>2930</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bottomline-banner.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>El Salvador and Switzerland Share Common Love of Burgers and Bitcoin</dc:text></item><item><title>The Rise of IDtech: Next-Gen Digital Identity Verification</title><description><![CDATA[A revolution is taking place in the field of digital identity, driven by advances in technology, rapid adoption of digital tools and online channels, and soaring identity fraud activity.
So-called IDtech providers are arising on the back of COVID-19 and leveraging technologies and principles including biometrics and decentralization to bring digital identity to the next level, says Riley Hughes, co-founder and CEO and Trinsic, an infrastructure for building decentralized identity products using digital wallets and verifiable credentials.
In a guest post on Forbes, Hughes introduces the emerging IDtech industry, arguing that the convergence of factors including technological developments and accelerated digital adoption brought about the pandemic has led to a surge of new-age digital identity and verification companies.


Firms like Clear Secure, Merit and Airside are empowering users to take control of their identity, share their data safely and more securely access the things they need, Hughes says, helping streamline millions of consumers’ lives, whilst maintaining the elevated levels of security that people and organizations expect.
Clear Secure is an American technology company that operates biometric a travel document verification system at major US airports and stadiums. The system uses both fingerprint and iris identification technology to confirm a traveler’s identity.
Incode Technology is another American identity solution provider that makes use of biometrics. The company applies artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), computer vision and facial recognition to create a secure and privacy-enabled identity verification process that eliminated the need for documentation. Using biometrics as the primary means of verification implies that authentication is streamlined.
And because it also uses advanced risk measurement techniques such as identification (ID) document liveness detection, biometric facial profiling and data mismatches, Incode Technology is able to reduce fraud attempts by up to 99%.
Merit, formerly known as Sigma, is a verified identity ecosystem for trusted organizations and individuals. It offers a universal clearinghouse for verified identity and provides licensing and certification verifications for everyone. Agencies and industries benefit by having a common standard to check credentials and compare qualifications. Individuals, meanwhile, benefit by having all their licenses and credentials in one place. They also get notified when it’s time to renew.
And, Airside builds digital identity technology that focuses on protecting users’ personal information and meeting privacy regulations around the world. Users remain in control of their personal information at all times with transparent consent protocols, and businesses can protect against fraud, reduce the burden of complying with privacy regulations and ensure that sensitive information are managed appropriately.
Airside’s first product, the Airside Mobile Passport App, has enabled 10 million US and Canadian passport holders to streamline their international journey through most major US airports and cruise ports.
airside mobile passport
Data breaches and identity fraud running rampant
These new digital identity solutions have risen in popularity over the past few years, fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing shift to online channels, Hughes says. And with IDtech products getting easier to build, and as the world continues to digitize, new startups and solutions will continue to emerge, he says, introducing new techniques and ways to prove one’s identity swiftly and accurately.
These developments come on the back of an evolving cybercrime landscape with data breaches and privacy incidents running rampant.
In the US, the 2017 Equifax data breach saw the private records of 147.9 million Americans, along with 15.2 million British citizens and about 19,000 Canadian citizens, being compromised. Information accessed in the breach included first and last names, US Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses and, in some instances, driver’s license numbers.
Most recently, a cyberattack targeting Australia’s second largest telco company, Optus, exposed the personal details of almost ten million customers, including their names, dates of birth, phone numbers, email addresses, addresses, as well as ID document numbers such as driver’s license and passport numbers.
In 2018, a group of technology, finance and healthcare companies came together to form the Better Identity Coalition, an American organization focusing on developing a set of consensus, cross-sector policy recommendations that promote the adoption of digital identification systems.
These organizations, which include JPMorgan Chase, Mastercard, Experian, Microsoft, and LexisNexis, believe that, if widely adopted, the technology could cut down on massive regulatory costs involved in identity verification and legal costs following breaches.
In 2021, traditional identity fraud losses, caused by criminals illegally using victims’ information to steal money, exploded in the US to US$24 billion. The amount represents an alarming 79% increase over 2020, according to the 2022 Identity Fraud Study by Javelin Strategy &amp; Research. Further, the number of adults in the US impacted by this type of fraud grew more than 50%, reaching over than 15 million victims.
Losses from identity fraud scams, in which a fraud operator influences a victim to divulge or expose their personal information, added another US$28 billion in impact and victimized an additional 27 million US adults.
Taken together, identity fraud total US$52 billion and affected 42 million US adults.
Digital identity is a booming sector that’s projected to see total revenue double within the next five years. A 2022 study from Juniper Research expects revenue for digital identity vendors to exceed US$53 billion globally in 2026, soaring from just US$26 billion in 2021.
Increased demand for digital onboarding frameworks and improved fraud mitigation will drive much that growth, the firm says.

Featured image credit: Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-rise-of-idtech-next-gen-digital-identity-verification</link><guid>2929</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bottomline-banner.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>The Rise of IDtech: Next-Gen Digital Identity Verification</dc:text></item><item><title>Zurich Insurance Launches Global API Marketplace With 50 Open APIs</title><description><![CDATA[Zurich Insurance Group has launched Zurich eXchange, a global API marketplace that brings together services from across the Zurich Group.
The shared API management platform has been adopted by 15 Zurich business units and currently covers 1,433 managed APIs, with more than 63 million API-enabled transactions per month.
The platform also offers 50 open APIs for customers, distributors and partners to connect digitally with Zurich and integrate new Zurich insurance products into their own digital channels.


Through these APIs, for example, Zurich is enabling its commercial claims customers to seamlessly access their latest claims data and policy documents digitally at any time.
Ericson Chan
“The launch of Zurich eXchange marks an important milestone: it enables partners and business to seamlessly integrate with our products and services, and promotes innovation to deliver real value for our customers,”
said Ericson Chan, Group Chief Information and Digital officer, Zurich.
Frank Verkerk
“While APIs aren’t new, Zurich eXchange demonstrates Zurich is serious about doing digital business. By collecting our APIs in one place, they can be shared more effectively both across Zurich and with our customers and partners,”
said Frank Verkerk, Group Chief Platform Officer, Zurich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/zurich-insurance-launches-global-api-marketplace-with-50-open-apis</link><guid>2928</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bottomline-banner.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Zurich Insurance Launches Global API Marketplace With 50 Open APIs</dc:text></item><item><title>UBS Launches the World’s First Dual-Blockchain Listed Digital Bond</title><description><![CDATA[UBS has launched the world’s first digital bond — a CHF 375 million three-year bond with 2.33% coupon — that is publicly traded and settled on both blockchain-based and traditional exchanges.
The digital bond will be dual listed at SDX Trading and SIX Swiss Exchange and will be eligible for the Swiss Bond Index (SBI) alongside all other UBS senior unsecured notes which are listed on SIX.
The bond settles via SIX Digital Exchange (SDX) distributed ledger-based central securities depository (CSD) network through atomic settlement technology.


Settlement via SDX CSD is instant and automatic and does not require a central clearing counterparty. Investors will be able to automatically settle and clear the digital bond on SDX CSD directly or on SIX SIS.
Beatriz Martin
“We are proud to leverage distributed ledger technology to launch the inaugural UBS digital bond. UBS is committed to using technology not just as an enabler, but to making it a true differentiator for UBS,”
said Beatriz Martin, UBS Group Treasurer.
David Newns
“The dual-listed, natively digital bond, developed in close cooperation with SIX Swiss Exchange and SIX SIS simplifies the digital bond issuance process on SDX whilst simultaneously maximising market reach through the connectivity between SDX’s blockchain based platform and SIX’s traditional infrastructure,”
siad David Newns, Head of SIX Digital Exchange.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ubs-launches-the-worlds-first-dual-blockchain-listed-digital-bond</link><guid>2927</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bottomline-banner.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>UBS Launches the World’s First Dual-Blockchain Listed Digital Bond</dc:text></item><item><title>neon Raises CHF 11 Million From Institutional and Crowdfunding Investors</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss neobank neon has closed last week a  CHF 11 million financing round from existing investors and some 5,000 investors through its crowdfunding campaign.
Investors in the crowdfunding campaign which ran from October 24 to 31 invested at an average of CHF 1,750 in return for neon shares in the form of tokenised participation certificates.
The crowdfunding campaign, which offered two to 250 non-voting shares priced at CHF 200.00 per share, raised CHF 5 million from 2,000 investors on its first day.


neon also raised a CHF 2.5 million funding round from institutional investors in September. The company says that it aims to be profitable and no longer dependent on external capital after this round.
Founded in 2017, neon recent milestones include reaching 130,000 customers, generating CHF 3.5 million in revenue year to date, and making this year’s TOP 100 Swiss Startup Awards rankings.
Jörg Sandrock
“On the one hand, the capital increase is intended to make neon even better as a product and to continue the successful development of the company.

On the other hand, the capital increase has the clear goal of making neon independent of external capital through new products and the achievement of profitability,”
said Jörg Sandrock, CEO and Co-Founder of neon.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/neon-raises-chf-11-million-from-institutional-and-crowdfunding-investors</link><guid>2926</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bottomline-banner.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>neon Raises CHF 11 Million From Institutional and Crowdfunding Investors</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Roboadvisor True Wealth Finally Offers also a Pillar 3a Solution</title><description><![CDATA[Saving in Pillar 3a becomes an integrated part of wealth management within True Wealth.
Since being founded in late 2014, True Wealth has grown to become an established wealth manager in Switzerland in just eight years. The fintech company currently manages assets for around 12’500 clients, while the volume of invested assets is around CHF 800 million. In 2021, the assets under management doubled and the number of clients increased by around 80 percent.
The company’s founders, Oliver Herren and Felix Niederer, set new standards in online wealth management from the very beginning. On the one hand, with the now award-winning technology, which makes wealth management simple, direct, understandable and self-determined. On the other hand, through the underlying idea of True Wealth, that clients benefit to the maximum: Thanks to digitalisation and a high degree of automation, costs and fees are able to be kept very low.


Private retirement savings newly integrated
True Wealth is now consistently pursuing this path. With immediate effect, private retirement savings, which are possible in Switzerland on a tax-optimised basis with the so-called Pillar 3a, will be fully integrated into asset management. At True Wealth this is free of charge: There are no management fees for clients. Moreover, the interest rate of 1.0 percent on the cash portion of the Pillar 3a is unrivalled.
Felix Niederer
Felix Niederer, founder and CEO of True Wealth:
«Payments into the Pillar 3a can be deducted from taxable income. The state thus forgoes tax revenue in order to provide an incentive for free pension provision. It is important that this money can go directly to the savers and not into the pockets of the finance and insurance industry.»
Back to savings interest
At True Wealth, there is no custody fee, no postage and no service fee. Portfolio rebalancing, which is important for diversification, is also free of fees. Due to the technology and investment approach, there are no conflicts of interest in investment decisions at True Wealth. As always, asset management is transparent and independent in Pillar 3a.
Oliver Herren
Oliver Herren, founder of True Wealth:
«Our goal is to enable our clients to build up their assets over the long term; thanks to our technology, this is possible in an extremely cost-effective manner. With Pillar 3a, we go one step further: We offer private retirement planning free of charge. And saving is worthwhile again because our customers benefit from an interest rate that none of our competitors can match.»
The implementation is done with cost-efficient ETFs and index funds.

New simple approach within True Wealth
Until now, saving in Pillar 3a was associated with unnecessary effort. It required a separate 3a retirement savings account, a special risk profiling for Pillar 3a, a separate investment strategy, a separate software application – and savers would have to take care of the annual deposits and deal with the issue of tax. All of this is no longer necessary with True Wealth’s 3a solution, which is integrated into its holistic asset management. Clients will always automatically benefit from the annual 3a tax advantage.
Private retirement planning becomes simple and maximises time savings. True Wealth clients configure the 3a portion within their asset management individually. When the Pillar 3a offer is activated, they automatically receive a set of five retirement savings accounts. With ongoing payments, the accounts are invested in stages over the years to ensure maximum flexibility when withdrawing capital at a later stage. Even when capital is transferred free of charge from other providers, investments are made in a separate retirement account to maintain flexibility for staggered withdrawals.
True Wealth’s algorithm ensures that the securities are distributed as evenly as possible across the various accounts. This results in significant tax optimisation at the time of retirement: Accounts can be closed in a staggered manner and spreading the retirement assets often allows the burden of progressive capital payment tax to be significantly reduced.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-roboadvisor-true-wealth-finally-offers-also-a-pillar-3a-solution</link><guid>2925</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bottomline-banner.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Roboadvisor True Wealth Finally Offers also a Pillar 3a Solution</dc:text></item><item><title>Corporate Spending Management Emerges as One of the Hottest Fintech Segments</title><description><![CDATA[Spending management software and corporate credit cards have emerged as one of the hottest segments in the fintech industry. The sector is capturing large rounds of funding from global investors and competition for market share is heating up, especially in the US and Europe.
Popular fintech newsletter Fintech Wave highlighted the trend in its 49th edition on September 27, 2022, stressing that the space was getting crowded by the day with new products being launched on a regular basis.
American human resources (HR) platform Rippling, for example, launched last month its spending management platform and corporate credit card.


Rippling expense management platform, Source: Rippling
In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Pemo introduced in May an all-in-one spend management platform featuring digitized invoices, automated approval flows, one-click invoice payments and real-time cash flow monitoring. Three months after, it added physical and virtual Visa payment cards to its spend management solution.
Corporate spending is a massive market which Fintech Wave estimates is worth some US$100 trillion. The space is poised for disruption, given that expense management processes remain mostly manual, making them clunky, resource-intensive and prone to errors.
Funding activity picks up
The past years have seen huge amounts of funding being poured into the field, especially to digital-first corporate card startups such as Ramp, Pleo and Jeeves. All three reached unicorn status over the past year after securing mega-rounds of US$100 million and over.
In 2021, more than US$2.8 billion were invested in the segment, data from Dealroom show, and 2022 started even stronger with US$1.6 billion secured in just the first four months of the year.
Corporate expense management funding, Source: Dealroom, May 2022
Large deals kept coming in throughout the year. Just a few weeks ago, TripActions, a US-Israeli travel, corporate card and expense management company, secured a massive US$304 million Series G at a post-money valuation of US$9.2 billion. The startup said it would use the proceeds to fuel its expansion, which it had been working towards with recent acquisitions of travel management companies Reed &amp; Mackay, Comtravo, and Resia.
Days later, US-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform WeTravel closed a US$27 million Series B for its business travel management and payment services. WeTravel helps travel businesses digitize their travel booking processes, offering integrated payment solutions and a peer-to-peer (P2P) payment network allowing businesses to control money movement, refunds, disputes and traveler transactions, charging 1% in transaction fees.
A crowded space
The US has a very competitive spend management and corporate credit card sector, which Fintech Wave claims more than 20 companies are currently competing in.
Market leaders include Brex, a fintech unicorn worth US$12.3 billion that claims more than 50,000 corporate customers, Divvy, a company owned by Bill.com that serves over 115,000 clients, and Expensify, a publicly traded company that claims 711,000 paying corporate clients.
Top corporate spending solutions in the USA, Source: Fintech Wave, 2022
Europe also has a rather crowded corporate spending and credit card space with several highly capitalized players.
Payhawk, a UK-headquartered startup, has secured a total of US$236.5 million in funding and is valued at US$1 billion, data from CB Insights show.
The company, which claims to operate one of the fast-growing spend management platforms, expanded to the US in September after witnessing a record year of growth with revenue soaring by over 520% and employee headcount by more than 250%.
Payhawk dashboard, Source: Payhawk
In France, Paris-headquartered Spendesk has closed more than US$300 million in funding and is worth US$1.5 billion.
The company, which provides small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with a full-fledged corporate spending solution, including corporate cards, invoice payments, expense reimbursements, reporting and compliance, says that more than EUR 3 billion of spend was managed on the Spendesk platform in 2021. It claims to double its revenue each year.
Spendesk dashboard, Source: Spendesk
Swiss startup Yokoy has developed a solution to automate all AP processes from invoice capture to payment. This saves time and money and improves financial control and visibility.
The company has recently raised US$80 million in a financing round led by Sequoia Capital.
Software provider Abacus has seen efficiencies in offering expense management solutions, harnessing artificial intelligence to streamline expense processing workflows.
Abacus’ expense processing solutions are designed to save businesses time and money by automating the entire expense management workflow – from data entry and approval to reimbursement.
Total revenue generated by travel and expense management software is projected to reach US$16 billion globally by 2027, up from US$8.7 billion in 2022, Juniper Research forecasts. Growth will be driven by demand for advanced tech-enabled management solutions amid rising risks of employee expense fraud.
Featured image credit: Edited from psd.graphics
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/corporate-spending-management-emerges-as-one-of-the-hottest-fintech-segments</link><guid>2924</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bottomline-banner.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Corporate Spending Management Emerges as One of the Hottest Fintech Segments</dc:text></item><item><title>Climate Fintech Funding Soars, Totaling US$1.8B in H1 2022</title><description><![CDATA[CommerzVentures, the corporate venture capital (CVC) arm of Commerzbank in Germany, has released its latest report on climate fintech, sharing findings of an analysis of 528 climate fintech startups across Europe and the US with scalable business models to provide an overview of the sector’s growth across geographies, sub-sectors and funding stages.
The Climate Fintech H1 2022 Update, released in October, points out to a fast-evolving climate fintech ecosystem that’s marked with increasing maturity, soaring VC funding activity, and the rise of new, exciting sub-sectors like natural capital accounting and decentralized finance/climate (DeFi x climate).
H1 2022 was a record-breaking period for climate fintech funding, data from the report show, with total funding raised amounting to US$1.8 billion. The sum represents already 1.5 times what was secured by climate fintech companies during the whole year 2021, the report notes, and underscores the “extraordinary momentum of the space”, especially considering this year’s downturn in fintech funding.


Climate fintech funding volume in US$m, Source: Climate Fintech H1 2022 Update, CommerzVentures, Oct 2022
Europe leads in climate fintech funding
In H1 2022, Europe surpassed the US significantly in climate fintech funding and deal count, with companies in the region securing 3.5 times more VC funding and 3 times more funding rounds than those in the US.
European climate fintech companies raised a total of US$1.4 billion in 48 rounds during the period, against US$401 million through 15 deals for the US.
Climate fintech funding volumes and deals in the EU vs the US in US$m, Source: Climate Fintech H1 2022 Update, CommerzVentures, Oct 2022
Within Europe, France took the lion’s share, attracting the most funding in H1 2022 with US$733 million. This was mainly driven by the US$500 million growth financing closed by EcoVadis, a French carbon accounting platform.
France was followed by the UK with US$426 million, Finland with US$136 million, and Denmark with US$35 million.
Climate fintech funding by country (top 10) in US$m, Source: Climate Fintech H1 2022 Update, CommerzVentures, Oct 2022
A maturing sector
Looking at startup funding stages, the analysis found that the climate fintech industry is maturing, with an increasing number of later stage rounds being closed. In H1 2022, 30% of financing recorded were Series B rounds or later, a proportion that represents a threefold increase compared to 2021.
Funded climate fintech companies by stage, Source: Climate Fintech H1 2022 Update, CommerzVentures, Oct 2022
Such rounds included EcoVadis’ US$500 million Series C, Deepki’s US$166 million Series C, Descartes Underwriting’s US$120 million Series B and Sweep’s US$73 million Series B.
Deepki is an environmental, social and governance (ESG) data intelligence platform for the real estate sector; Descartes Underwriting is a parametric insurance provider against climate risks; and Sweep helps businesses track their carbon emission.
Carbon accounting continues to be the preferred sub-sector
In H1 2022, carbon counting continued to be the most attractive space for VCs in climate fintech, with companies in space securing a total of US$673 million in raised funds.
Climate risk management came in second with S$385 million, and carbon offsetting, third with US$245 million.
Climate fintech funding volume in US$m by space, Source: Climate Fintech H1 2022 Update, CommerzVentures, Oct 2022
The period also saw new segments starting to attract the interest of investors. DeFi x climate and natural capital accounting are two emerging sub-sectors that secured their first rounds of funding in H1 2022, closing a total of US$73 million and US$17 million, respectively.
DeFi x climate is a nascent category that comprises startups building the infrastructure and the tools for the tokenization of carbon. Startups in this space include Toucan, a company that allows anybody to tokenize their carbon credits, and Single.Earth, a platform where users can trade natural resources as tokenized virtual goods, as well as carbon credits and biodiversity offsets.
Natural capital accounting is another new category that includes companies enabling the analysis and monitoring of biodiversity. Such companies include Natural metrics, a developer of molecular methods for biodiversity monitoring, and Cecil, a company that provides a platform for natural asset management.
Building on the vibrant VC market of H1 2022, CommerzVentures expects the climate fintech industry to continue witnessing explosive growth in 2023 and maturing. Later stage rounds should increase in volume and number, especially in more developed segments like climate risk management, carbon offsetting and carbon accounting, the report says. Additionally, more developments will occur in new categories including DeFi x climate as more companies enter the space and leverage Web3 infrastructure to build innovative solutions, it concludes.
Climate fintech, a cross-cutting sector covering the intersection of climate, finance and digital technology, has quickly picked up momentum over the past few years. Total funding in 2021 surpassed the billion mark to reach US$1.2 billion, a figure that’s three times higher than all previous years combined, according to CommerzVentures.
In the domain, Europe has risen to leadership, now hosting more climate fintech companies than any other region and securing much of the capital that’s being injected into the sector.
Part of the reason for Europe’s burgeoning climate fintech ecosystem is the region’s progressive top-down climate finance policy-making, according to an earlier report by Swiss fintech and insurtech startup incubator and accelerator F10.
Such initiatives include the European Green Deal, a set of policy initiatives approved in 2020 with the overarching aim of making the European Union (EU) climate neutral in 2050, as well as the implementation of the Sustainable Finance Disclosures Regulation (SFDR), which mandates climate disclosures by companies.

Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/climate-fintech-funding-soars-totaling-us18b-in-h1-2022</link><guid>2923</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bottomline-banner.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Climate Fintech Funding Soars, Totaling US$1.8B in H1 2022</dc:text></item><item><title>Finnova Hires Soccer Expert Samuel Scheidegger as Chief Product Officer</title><description><![CDATA[Banking software provider Finnova has appointed digital firm ti&amp;m’s Samuel Scheidegger as its new Chief Product Officer, effective 1 February 2023.
Scheidegger succeeds Simon Kauth, who moves on from his role as Finnova’s Chief Product Officer to take on a new role at Luzerner Kantonalbank.
He previously spent seven years at ti&amp;m in various roles, most recently as head of products for banking innovations and new markets, and as an executive board member.


In this role, he was responsible for setting product strategy, product management, and product marketing in banking innovations and digital banking platforms.
After studying engineering, Scheidegger worked at banking institutions such as Julius Baer and Baloise Bank SoBa. He is also vice president of the Swiss Football Association.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finnova-hires-soccer-expert-samuel-scheidegger-as-chief-product-officer</link><guid>2921</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HK-Fintech-Week-2022.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Finnova Hires Soccer Expert Samuel Scheidegger as Chief Product Officer</dc:text></item><item><title>Finnova Hires ti&amp;m’s Samuel Scheidegger as Chief Product Officer</title><description><![CDATA[Banking software provider Finnova has appointed digital firm ti&amp;m’s Samuel Scheidegger as its new Chief Product Officer, effective 1 February 2023.
Scheidegger succeeds Simon Kauth, who moves on from his role as Finnova’s Chief Product Officer to take on a new role at Luzerner Kantonalbank.
He previously spent seven years at ti&amp;m in various roles, most recently as head of products for banking innovations and new markets, and as an executive board member.


In this role, he was responsible for setting product strategy, product management, and product marketing in banking innovations and digital banking platforms.
After studying engineering, Scheidegger worked at banking institutions such as Julius Baer and Baloise Bank SoBa. He is also vice president of the Swiss Football Association.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finnova-hires-tims-samuel-scheidegger-as-chief-product-officer</link><guid>2922</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bottomline-banner.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Finnova Hires ti&amp;m’s Samuel Scheidegger as Chief Product Officer</dc:text></item><item><title>UK, Sweden Emerge as Best Fintech Ecosystems in Europe</title><description><![CDATA[In Europe, fintech activity is growing in virtually all countries, but performance and maturity levels are found to be the greatest in the UK and Sweden, the two countries that are now leading the region for the size of their respective fintech industry, fintech funding, the number of unicorns they house and their fintech workforce, a new analysis by McKinsey found.
Looking at five key performance indicators, namely the number of fintech companies and unicorns each country has, fintech funding activity and deal counts, as well as the size of the fintech workforce, as of 2021, the study found that the UK and Sweden are significantly outperforming their European peers across all these critical performance areas.
They rank at the top of the list, ahead of Malta, Luxembourg and Switzerland, which score high in some areas but fall short in others (workforce for Malta, fintech funding for Luxembourg and unicorn count for Switzerland).


Fintech performance across European countries, Source: Europe’s fintech opportunity, McKinsey, Oct 2022
The UK, Sweden, Malta, Luxembourg and Switzerland are followed by Estonia, Ireland, the Netherlands and Denmark. Together, they make up the top third of the list of countries studied.
Estonia and Ireland perform remarkably well in terms of fintech deal count and the size of their fintech community. They, however, lack fintech unicorns.
The Netherlands, on the other hand, score highly in the number of billion dollar fintech companies it has, as well as in the size of its fintech workforce. But it performs relatively poorly in fintech company founding, as well as in fintech deal count.
Finally, Denmark ranks relatively high in fintech funding and deal activity, but underperforms in the size of its fintech workforce. It also has a relatively low count of fintech unicorns.
These nine countries surpass Germany, Cyprus, Lithuania, Finland, Austria, France, Latvia, Spain, Belgium and Portugal, which make up the second-third of the ranking.
Germany has a relatively large fintech workforce but has a low count of unicorns when taking into account the size of its population.
Cyprus has a vibrant fintech startup scene and a considerable fintech workforce, but underperforms in fintech funding activity.
Lithuania performs well in fintech deal count, but performs moderately in the size of its workforce and fintech funding sum.
Finland and France, meanwhile, score in the average range across all major areas.
The bottom third of the ranking is made up of Italy, Hungary, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Croatia, Poland, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania and Slovakia. Most of these countries have relatively small fintech industries, limited funding activity, and do not have any fintech unicorn.
Ranking by relative strength for ve KPIs along the three ntech growth path stages, Source: Europe’s fintech opportunity, McKinsey, Oct 2022
Evidently, findings of the study show a wide divergence of maturity and performance among fintech ecosystems by European country, with substantial gaps between the top one-third and the rest.
If fintech ecosystems in all European countries were able to reach the same level of performance as the best-in-class nations in the region, the upside could be substantial, the report says.
The number of fintech jobs would grow by a factor of 2.7 to more than 364,000; the volume of funding would more than double to almost EUR 150 billion from EUR 63 billion; and valuations would surge by a factor of 2.3 to almost EUR 1 trillion, it says.
But catching up with the leaders will require lower and middle-performing countries to have “a clearly defined programmatic agenda and ongoing commitment,” McKinsey says.
For this, six strategic areas should be focused on. In particular, governments and policymakers should concentrate on simplifying and harmonizing Europe’s fragmented national country regulation, it says. They should also establish a regulatory framework that fosters innovation and provides companies with the necessary conditions to compete domestically and internationally.
Efforts should be made to encourage more diverse and homegrown capital, attract global talent, and support their homegrown fintech companies in expanding overseas.
In Europe, fintech companies have been a force for growth, modernization and customer satisfaction, offering more competitive pricing, easier access, and speedier services.
In each of the seven largest European economies by GDP, namely France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK, McKinsey claims there is now at least one fintech company among the top five banking services institutions, as measured by market value.
Fintech is also an important source of growth for the overall economy, having created an estimated 134,000 jobs in Europe.
As of June 2022, fintech companies in the region represented a valuation of almost EUR 430 billion, a figure that surpasses the combined market capitalization of the region’s seven largest listed banks.
Europe is also home to some of the world’s most valuable fintech startups. Of the top ten most valuable private fintech companies in the world, three are headquartered in the region, data from CB Insights show: Checkout.com, a UK payment company that’s worth US$40 billion; Revolut, a digital bank based in the UK that’s valued US$33 billion; and Blockchain.com, a software platform for digital assets and cryptocurrency wallet provider based in the UK that’s worth US$14 billion.

Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik here and here
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/uk-sweden-emerge-as-best-fintech-ecosystems-in-europe</link><guid>2920</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bottomline-banner.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>UK, Sweden Emerge as Best Fintech Ecosystems in Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>Digital Accounting Startup Numarics to Raise Seed Funding in Q4 2022</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss digital accounting startup Numarics is raising a seed round in the fourth quarter of 2022 following its previous CHF 2.1 million pre-seed financing round led by Wingman Ventures in April 2022.
Numarics processes accounting and business administration automation through their business operating system operated by the company’s Swiss certified auditors and business consultants.
The platform offers end-to-end solutions including bookkeeping, smart document archiving, invoices generation and a mail concierge with a dashboard displaying monthly reports.


Numarics also offers free incorporation services which include company registration, notary appointment for certification, and preparation of the necessary incorporation documents by a trustee.
The company entered a partnership with UBS in October 2022 that sees UBS referring Numarics’ digital scanning and archiving tool DocuBox to UBS clients and prospects.
Dominique Rey
“Bookkeeping today is still a paper-based activity which we seemingly integrate into the lifestyle of today’s entrepreneurs, in a paperless future.

To build trust behind the technology advantages, however, local presence, customer proximity and our good relations with the authorities are the keystones,”
said Dominique Rey, Co-Founder and CEO at Numarics.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digital-accounting-startup-numarics-to-raise-seed-funding-in-q4-2022</link><guid>2918</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bottomline-banner.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Digital Accounting Startup Numarics to Raise Seed Funding in Q4 2022</dc:text></item><item><title>Bilt Rewards Hits US$1.5B Valuation With US$150M Round Led by Left Lane Capital</title><description><![CDATA[Bilt Rewards, a rewards programme for renters, has raised US$150 million at a US$1.5 billion valuation. The round was led by Left Lane Capital, with Smash Capital, Wells Fargo, Greystar, Greystar, Camber Creek, Fifth Wall, and Prosus Ventures participating.
Launched in 2021, Bilt Rewards operates a loyalty programme and a co-brand credit card, the Bilt Mastercard issued by Wells Fargo, that enables consumers to earn points on their rent payments with no transaction fees.
The company says that it has processed over US$3 billion in annualised rent payments and over US$1.6 billion in annualised card spend since launching.


Bilt also announced the introduction of Bilt Homes, a new home buying service that takes a member’s monthly rent payment and shows them homes they can own for an equal monthly mortgage payment.
Ankur Jain
“This new round of funding will help us to build additional tools, strengthen relationships with existing loyalty and real estate partners, and work to expand the Bilt Rewards platform across the country,”
said Ankur Jain, Founder and CEO, Bilt Rewards.
Harley Miller
“Housing represents the largest monthly expense for over 100 million renters in the U.S., and yet consumers have never received any incremental value in return.

Bilt is quickly weaving itself into the fabric of the everyday consumer, and has the potential to become a household brand that covers the entire homeownership journey,”
said Harley Miller, CEO and Managing Partner, Left Lane Capital.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bilt-rewards-hits-us15b-valuation-with-us150m-round-led-by-left-lane-capital</link><guid>2919</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bottomline-banner.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Bilt Rewards Hits US$1.5B Valuation With US$150M Round Led by Left Lane Capital</dc:text></item><item><title>Global Fintech Funding Continues to Decline; Drops 38% QoQ</title><description><![CDATA[Fintech funding continued to slide in Q3 2022, dropping 38% quarter-over-quarter (QoQ) to US$12.9 billion. The sum makes Q3 2022 the sector’s weakest quarter since Q4 2020 and brings the total raised by fintech companies so far this year to US$63.5 billion, down 64% year-over-year (YoY), data from CB Insights’ latest State of Fintech report show.
The downward trend observed over the past year comes amid global uncertainty and growing inflation concerns which have prompted venture capital (VC) firms to invest more cautiously and favor sustainable businesses.
Global fintech funding by quarter, Source: State of Fintech Q3 2022, CB Insights
According to the report, Q3 2022 was marked by fewer mega-rounds, smaller deal sizes, plummeting new unicorn births and declining mergers and acquisitions (M&amp;A) activity.


Only 19 mega-rounds worth US$100 million and over were recorded in Q3 2022, the fewest since Q2 2018. These rounds accounted for just 34% of total funding (US$4.4 billion), down 32 percentage points from the 2021 average of 66%.
Quarterly fintech mega-round funding and deals, Source: State of Fintech Q3 2022, CB Insights
Average deal size dropped as well, declining 38% from 2021 to US$20 million. And fintech unicorn births fell below double digits for the first time since 2020, with just six new unicorns in Q3 2022: 21.co, a cryptocurrency startup from the US; OneCard, a mobile-first credit card offering in India; Stori, another credit card provider but from Mexico; Dana, an Indonesian digital wallet, Paystand, a business-to-business (B2B) payments platform from the US, and Zebec, a crypto startup from the US.
M&amp;A, meanwhile, continued to be the preferred exit type, recording 155 deals in Q3 2022. The number, however, represents a 14% QoQ decline and an eight-quarter low. Only four mergers to special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) were recorded for the quarter, surpassing the number of initial public offerings (IPOs) of two.
Fintech exit trends, Source: State of Fintech Q3 2022, CB Insights
Regional and sectoral trends
Looking at regional trends, data show that the downturn took a toll on the US market, with fintech funding plunging 43% QoQ to US$5.1 billion, reaching its lowest point since Q1 2020.
Though the US still led the world in regional deal share (39%) and total funding sum (US$5.1 billion), it fell behind Asia and Europe in mega-round funding, recording only four deals totaling US$900 million, compared to US$1.8 billion and nine deals for Asia and US$1.7 billion and six deals for Europe. This the first time Asia takes the first position in mega-round funding.
Asia and Europe also surpassed the US in late-stage deal share, with Europe drawing 32% of deals in Q3 2022 and Asia 33%, while the US brought in 24%.
Mega-round funding in Q3 2022 by region, Source: State of Fintech Q3 2022, CB Insights
Across geographies, Australia was the only region to see a QoQ increase in fintech funding and deal count, growing at a notable 40% rate in funding total (US$144 million) and at a 42% increase in deal count (17 rounds).
Looking at fintech segments, all categories recorded a drop in funding, with payments sliding 27%, banking, 37%, and lending, 16%. Wealthtech took the biggest hit, with global funding plummeting 69% to US$1.1 billion, followed by capital markets, which saw funding drop 50% to US$400 million.
Insurtech recorded the smallest QoQ decline across all fintech segments, ticking down 4% from US$2.4 billion to US$2.3 billion. Though insurtech funding activity this year is significantly down compared to 2021, unlike other sectors, insurtech has remained relatively flat throughout 2022.
Quarterly insurtech funding, Source: State of Fintech Q3 2022, CB Insights
In Q3 2022, payments dominated the global fintech funding landscape, collecting a total of US$3.9 billion through 178 deals. Asia secured nearly half of that sum, raising a total of US$1.6 billion across 49 deals. Notable rounds included Dana’s US$555 million Series A, Toss US$371 million Series G, and OneCard’s US$100 million Series D.
Insurtech was the second largest fintech segment in Q3 2022, with the US leading the world in total funding and deal count. The largest equity deals in Q3 2022 included Wefox’s US$400 million Series D, Pie Insurance’s US$315 million Series D, and Coalition’s US$250 million Series F.
After insurtech, digital lending took the third spot, securing a total of US$2.1 billion through 131 deals. Europe took the lion’s share, collecting a total US$900 million through 23 deals. Klarna’s US$800 million private equity round made up for most of the sum.
Global fintech funding by segment, Source: State of Fintech Q3 2022, CB Insights
Startup funding has pulled back significantly this year amid public markets slump and economic concerns. VC investment for Q3 2022 totaled US$74.5 billion, hitting a nine-quarter low. This represents a 34% QoQ drop and is the largest quarterly decline in the last decade, data from CB Insights show.

Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/global-fintech-funding-continues-to-decline-drops-38-qoq</link><guid>2917</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Global-fintech-funding-by-quarter-Source-State-of-Fintech-Q3-2022-CB-Insights.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Global Fintech Funding Continues to Decline; Drops 38% QoQ</dc:text></item><item><title>Wise Closes £300M Syndicated Debt Facility Led by Silicon Valley Bank UK</title><description><![CDATA[London-based global remittance firm Wise has closed a £300 million capital facility in a financing round led by Silicon Valley Bank UK, with six other banks participating.
The syndicated facility, which was arranged by the bank’s corporate finance team, has a hold level of £100 million.
Wise was founded in 2011 as a money transfer service for individuals and businesses. The company has since added multi-currency accounts, debit cards and business accounts to its range of offerings.


Wise also became the first technology company to be directly listed on the London Stock Exchange in mid-2021 at a valuation of £8.7 billion.
Matt Briers
“The new facility led by Silicon Valley Bank UK will offer us flexible and efficient access to working capital.

This means we can continue bringing our service to as many as possible and we can keep investing in making our payments faster, cheaper and more efficient for our millions of customers around the world,”
said Matt Briers, Chief Financial Officer at Wise.
Thomas Easterby
“We are delighted to build on our relationship with Wise by leading and arranging this significant facility to enable the company’s next phase of growth.

This financing continues our long-term relationship with Wise following the pre-IPO syndicated facility last year,”
said Thomas Easterby, Managing Director of Corporate Finance at Silicon Valley Bank UK.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/wise-closes-300m-syndicated-debt-facility-led-by-silicon-valley-bank-uk</link><guid>2916</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bottomline-banner.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Wise Closes £300M Syndicated Debt Facility Led by Silicon Valley Bank UK</dc:text></item><item><title>Digitalization and Technology to Help Fill the US$1.7 Trillion Global Trade Finance Gap</title><description><![CDATA[Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) have historically faced severe financing difficulties, especially when trying to expand internationally. However, technological advances and innovative fintech solutions have emerged over the past years to help reduce this financing gap and provide MSMEs with greater access to trade finance.
Trade finance refers to financial solutions used to facilitate domestic and international trade and payments between exporters and importers. Trade finance does so by introducing a third party to the transaction, like a bank or a financial institution, to remove the payment risk and the supply risk.
During a trade, an exporter would ideally prefer the importer to pay upfront for an export shipment to avoid the risk that the importer takes the shipment but refuses to pay for the goods. However, if the importer pays the exporter upfront, the exporter may accept the payment but refuse to ship the goods.


Trade finance aims to address this issue by providing solutions like letters of credit (LOC), guarantees, insurance, and supply chain finance. A LOC, a well-known and widely used trade finance instrument, is essentially a promise made by the importer’s bank to the exporter’s bank that payment will be made once the exporter presents documents that prove the shipment occurred, like a bill of lading.
Supply chain finance, on the other hand, refers to a form of financial transaction where a third party facilitates a trade by financing the supplier on the customer’s behalf. Practically speaking, this means that the supplier accesses immediate payment for their goods, while the buyer receives an extension of the payment period and get more time to pay off their balances to their bank.
These instruments are used by many large corporations to address trade-related challenges, including counterparty- and liquidity-related issues, mitigate the risks associated with the trade counterpart’s default or unwillingness to pay, as well as to manage liquidity and working capital.
MSMEs, in contrast, are struggling to access trade finance despite their strong presence and important economic contribution in many countries. According to a 2021 Asian Development Bank (ADB) survey, MSMEs accounted for only 37% of global trade finance demand in terms of number of contracts and recorded a rejection rate of 45% (compared to just 17% for multinationals).

MSMEs’ difficulties to access trade finance can be explained by a combination of factors including their opacity. A 2019 survey on trade finance by the Bank of New York (BNY) Mellon revealed that the lack of creditworthiness and lack of ability to provide financial statements were among the most important reasons to reject requests from business seeking trade finance. In addition, most MSMEs are often unable to provide collateral, which raises rejection rates.
At the same time, rapid digitalization in the finance and banking sector has introduced new modalities and opportunities to finance MSMEs, offering the potential to alter existing trade finance patterns and help fill the trade finance gap which the World Economic Forum estimates to be currently standing at US$1.7 trillion.
Digitalization and technology to fill the trade finance gap
Distributed ledger technology (DLT) and blockchain, for example, are technologies that are being explored to digitize traditional documentary credit, enable greater transparency and increase efficiencies. Applied to trade finance, DLT has been said to enable trust in digital documents by certifying their provenience and correctness, trust in digital trade and trade finance transactions, and digital identification of trade stakeholders, among other key benefits.
Several DLT solutions and platforms focusing on trade finance are currently in the market. The Komgo platform, for example, brings together commodity trading partners, including banks, trading companies and oil and gas corporates. It uses the Ethereum blockchain to enable encrypted exchange of documents on a need-to-know basis.
Similarly, Wave BL offers a document exchange network to facilitate international trade. The platform connects banks, carriers, traders and other trade-related entities, and allows importers and exporters to exchange bills of lading easily, securely and transparently.
Beyond operational benefits, digitalization is also proving to help reduce asymmetric information issues. German company Compeon, for example, is a financing portal for SMEs that connects data and financing request from SMEs with large companies, banks, equity investors, guarantors, innovation support agencies, and public and private databases. Compeon works with more than 220 banks, leasing companies and special providers.
In Hong Kong, the DLT-based eTradeConnect platform was launched in 2018 to improve trade efficiency, build better trust among trade participants, reduce risks and facilitate trade counterparties to obtain financing. The platform allows buyers and sellers to create, exchange and confirm purchase orders and invoices in real-time, share information and submit applications for financing on one single interface. Participants of eTradeConnect benefit from enhanced transparency and potential access to multiple banks for trade loans.
Finally, new fintech companies and tech firms are entering the field with innovative solutions to trade and supply chain finance. For example, Amazon Lending is providing eligible sellers with financing solutions to purchase additional inventory. In the UK, Ebay is cooperating with Santander-backed fintech startup Asto to disburse loans to SMEs. And in Kenya, business-to-business (B2B) supply platform Twiga Foods is working with IBM to provide microfinancing for food kiosk owners. The lending platform, which is powered by blockchain technology, calculates the creditworthiness of a borrower using machine learning (ML) and by processing mobile data as well as looking at historic transaction payment behavior.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik here and here
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digitalization-and-technology-to-help-fill-the-us17-trillion-global-trade-finance-gap</link><guid>2915</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bottomline-banner.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Digitalization and Technology to Help Fill the US$1.7 Trillion Global Trade Finance Gap</dc:text></item><item><title>Switzerland Sets the Stage for Instant Payments</title><description><![CDATA[Stability. Secrecy. Safety. The Swiss financial system has been the very definition of these attributes for almost 200 years. But like the world’s financial systems, institutions and networks, one very active new factor is knocking at the border: change. And the Swiss are up to it. Let’s take a look at the main factors that are bringing change to business payments in Switzerland detailed in a recent report commissioned by Bottomline from analyst firm Aite-Novarica.
The report covers payment infrastructure changes across a large geography of Europe and, also the UK. Specific to Switzerland, it validates the following major areas that I believe will be the most important to the country as it straddles the line between its independent status and its ability to take inspiration from other global initiatives.
1. The importance of interoperability to ensure the Swiss marketplace can have ubiquity with the global economy, especially their close neighbours in Europe. 
2. The drive to modernise domestic payments (Instant Payments, RTGS) by ensuring a state-of-the-art and innovative marketplace.
3. Although Switzerland is in front of the curve when it comes to ISO 20022 (since 2015), further steps are needed to move towards ISO Native to comply with SWIFT’s CBPR+ standard for cross-border payments to ensure the aforementioned interoperability
4. Keeping abreast of the security within transactions such as fraud protection, sanctions screening, IBAN pre-validation etc.
SCT INST PARTICIPATION RATES, 2022
Instant Payments are ‘table-stakes’
Instant payments, in my opinion, are the most positive development for the Swiss financial sector in years due to their proven role as a catalyst for change within that system. Instant payments are mainly used for domestic purposes, rather than cross-border and hold the promise of providing Switzerland with a competitive and innovative marketplace where citizens and SMEs can leverage the speed for improved liquidity and enriched data for transparency. Led by the Swiss National Bank (SNB) and SIX, Switzerland will introduce instant payments starting in 2024. It is proof positive that the country is committed to digital payments transformation, even as its citizens show the classic tendency to use cash. “Instant payments,” says the Aite-Novarica report, “are becoming the norm.” 
Deadlines and more deadlines
SIC has mandated two key deadlines: being reachable via SIC Instant Payment will be mandatory by August 2024 for banks processing more than 500,000 SIC messages annually and will be mandatory for the rest of the marketplace by August 2026. Now, all this will not happen automatically. As stated before, infrastructure upgrades are needed. However, the emphasis should be on reducing the complexity by outsourcing these changes to very specialised third-party providers. This strategy will also help with speed-to-market and ensure ongoing compliance with new industry mandates and regulations. 
This is even more important right now in the face of the legislative proposal by the European Union to make instant payments in euros available to all citizens and businesses holding a bank account in the EU and EEA countries. This according to Reuters is in response to only 11% of euro credit transfers being in the form of instant payments at the end of 2021.  PSPs would have six months to be ready to receive instant payments in euros in the euro area and 12 months for sending instant payments in euros. 
How does this impact Switzerland?  It’s complicated. Switzerland is not part of the EU and seems to be playing both sides of the SEPA issue – as it should. 
I quote Dieter Goerdten, head of products and services at SIX, which is the banking consortium that operates the SIC platform.
“Switzerland is a small economy compared to its European neighbours,”
he told the European Payments Council.
“It is dependent on trade and easy access to the European markets. Seamless payment flows are an essential part of this easy access. It is therefore always of keen interest to all parts of the Swiss economy to ensure a close alignment with European payment standards. Consequently, Switzerland is a member of SEPA and continues to implement digital payments based on SEPA rules wherever possible.”
Instant payments are also about competitive advantage, and now that the EU Commission has on the 26th of October issued their mandatory regulation for Instant Payments in Euros – which will still need to legally enter into force before being compulsory, you don’t want to be in a situation in the rest of the world where you’re playing catch-up. That alone should move instant payments up the priority ladder. Secondly, instant payments represent a revenue opportunity that will only grow as banks find new ways to leverage it. Thirdly, instant payments are a springboard for digital payments transformation and are quite simply ‘table-stakes’ – If you don’t offer it to end customers and corporates then they are more than likely going to rethink their relationships with your financial institution and switch. 
Managing interoperability
Feedback from the banks gathered at Sibos was that because they have very busy roadmaps there is a real need for banks &amp; financial institutions to be supported by centralised platforms to help with speed, simplification, cost and hitting deadlines. After all, interoperability doesn’t work if some banks are moving at different speeds.
Banks that attended Sibos, and I hope every financial institution in Switzerland, are aware that although the situation is currently in flux, it won’t be for long. They recognised that you cannot just wait and that some legacy systems are not fit for the revolution that is coming. ISO 20022 is the sharp tip of the spear in achieving this interoperability. It’s one standard that works across countries and networks despite there being some variations case by case. We have now also seen ambitious deadlines for ISO 20022 and instant payment capabilities being pushed back (Target 2, SWIFT CBPR+, Canada’s Lynx to March 2023 and the Bank of England is likely to follow suit in the UK too), in response to banks being worried about juggling deadlines within an already busy roadmap. But to be clear the message from SWIFT at Sibos was that even if changing key dates brings a bit of confusion, the emphasis should be on getting the implementation right straight off the bat, rather than rushing the process which could result in potential problems further down the line.  
However, the view at Sibos, and also held by Bottomline, is that the sooner you can fully leverage the advantages of ISO 20022 the better. This should take the form of implementing ISO in several steps. Firstly, ensuring compliance and using translation services where necessary. Secondly, ensure that you are fully leveraging and managing the rich data that will be available through ISO by being able to manage truncations. And lastly, make the full transition to ISO Native where ISO 20022 is integrated across your whole payments ecosystem and you can reap the rewards of optimum operational efficiency.  After all, ISO 20022 is designed to ensure that elusive full end-to-end automation by being the only 100% machine-readable format, allowing banks &amp; FIs to reduce costs and any risks related to manual interventions. 
We aren’t fully aware of all the use cases for ISO 20022 and we won’t find them all out until we have integrated ISO fully, started brainstorming and had a play around. The sooner you start exploring these new use cases the sooner you can gain a competitive advantage over other banks. However, the wider benefits that we do know include – high-levels of transparency, better customer service, and of course, improved operational efficiency.
After all, ISO 20022 provides the standardisation needed for interoperability between traditional domestic &amp; cross-border rails. It is also vital for the adoption of new innovative payment rails for cross-border and instant payments because all of these have transitioned to ISO 20022 too. In addition, the abundant availability of rich data and related (artificial) intelligence will allow banks &amp; FIs to route payments intelligently and to choose the right channel for each transaction, whether it is to drive new coverage in markets or currencies or to optimise the execution in existing markets. In my opinion, the impact that the richer data will have on fraud monitoring &amp; compliance, cash-flow management and of course data and analytics, justifies enough for the fastest transition to being ISO Native and having ISO front and centre of any bank’s roadmap. 
I’ll end with a telling quote from the Aite-Novarica report:
“Despite the strong regulatory mandate of the ECB (European Central Bank) and the EU’s appetite for SEPA harmonisation, maintaining a competitive position remains a central plank of policy making. As such, multiple systems will likely continue to exist simultaneously highlighting the need for of course connectivity, but interoperability too.”
To read the Europe &amp; UK wide Bottomline sponsored Aite Noverica report European Payments Infrastructure Under Renovation – Impact in Financial Institutions in full click here. Additionally, you can also find the report that is specific to Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash here and here
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/switzerland-sets-the-stage-for-instant-payments</link><guid>2914</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/SCT-INST-PARTICIPATION-RATES-2022-1024x577.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Switzerland Sets the Stage for Instant Payments</dc:text></item><item><title>Embedded Finance to Account for More than 10% of All US Transactions by 2026</title><description><![CDATA[In 2021, US consumers and businesses poured US$2.6 trillion in transactions through embedded financial services, a sum that represents nearly 5% of all US financial transactions, according to a new report by Bain Capital and Bain &amp; Company.
By 2026, that amount is projected to exceed US$7 trillion, or over 10% of total US transaction value, reflecting the appeal of integrated financial services among customers.
Embedded finance, a concept that refers to the integration of financial services into non-financial services, is a booming sector that’s been fueled by changing consumer behaviors, advances in technology, and an evolving regulatory landscape.


In 2021, Bain Capital and Bain &amp; Company estimate that the US market for embedded finance platforms and enablers reached US$22 billion in total revenue across payments, lending, banking, and cards.
US platform and enabler revenues in 2021, Source: Embedded Finance: What It Takes to Prosper in the New Value Chain, Bain Capital/Bain and Company, 2022
Embedded consumer payments, or solutions that able merchants to accept payments from their customers, accounted for more than 60% (US$12 billion) of all revenues from embedded finance transactions and totaled US$1.7 trillion worth of transactions.
By 2026, revenues from embedded consumer payments are projected to rise by 75% to US$21 billion. Transaction value, meanwhile, is forecasted to more than double and reach US$3.5 trillion.
This surge will be driven by adoption of embedded consumer payments by new verticals, the report says, given that, currently, these solutions are still mainly used by businesses in the e-commerce and retail sectors.
Platform and enabler revenues from US consumer payments, Source: Embedded Finance: What It Takes to Prosper in the New Value Chain, Bain Capital/Bain and Company, 2022
After embedded consumer payments, embedded business-to-business (B2B) payments was the second largest segment by transaction value and revenues, totaling US$700 billion in value and generating US$1.9 billion in revenues.
Transaction value and revenues are projected to grow more than threefold by 2026 with total value expected to reach US$2.6 trillion and revenues, US$6.7 billion.
Platform and enabler revenues from US business-to-business payments, Source: Embedded Finance: What It Takes to Prosper in the New Value Chain, Bain Capital/Bain and Company, 2022
Though embedded payments are set to maintain the lion’s share of the embedded finance market, lending is one segment that’s projected to witness rapid growth, fueled by rising adoption of embedded business lending, buy now, pay later (BNPL), and point-of-sale (PoS) lending.
In particular, embedded business-to-business (B2B) lending will see the fastest growth within the next four years owing to the sector’s current low penetration.
In 2021, around US$12 billion in B2B loans transacted via embedded finance, generating US$200 million in revenues for platforms and enablers, according to the report. By 2026, embedded B2B lending should increase fivefold, totaling between US$50 billion and US$75 billion in loan volume and generating a whooping US$1.3 billion in revenues for platforms and enablers.
Embedded lending comprises solutions that allow buyers to access payment facilities or short term financing at the point of purchase without the need to visit a bank or engage with a traditional lender. Examples include Mindbody Capital, which offers cash advances to its business customers through the core solution powered by Parafin, and Toast, a restaurant management and PoS solution which offers loans from US$5,000 to US$300,000 to restaurants part of its network.
Platform and enabler revenues from US business lending, Source: Embedded Finance: What It Takes to Prosper in the New Value Chain, Bain Capital/Bain and Company, 2022
BNPL arrangements, which allow customers to pay for goods and services in instalments at the point of purchase, have proliferated across e-commerce platforms over the past few years and will continue to see increased adoption among customers.
In 2021, it’s estimated that some US$1.4 trillion poured through online retailers and marketplaces in the US. Of that sum, around US$50 billion went through BNPL platforms, giving BNPL a penetration of 3% to 4%. These transactions resulted in an estimated US$900 million in revenues for embedded finance enablers.
By 2026, these totals will grow substantially to reach US$2.4 trillion in transaction value and US$4 billion in revenues. With a forecasted 10%-12% penetration, the report estimates that the BNPL market size could soar to US$265 billion.
Enabler revenues from US buy now, pay later transactions, Source: Embedded Finance: What It Takes to Prosper in the New Value Chain, Bain Capital/Bain and Company, 2022
Finally, PoS lending, a credit option for consumers often used for more expensive goods such as furniture and large appliances, collected a total of US$43 billion in transaction value and generated US$4.2 billion in revenues last year. By 2026, transaction value is expected to grow to between US$80 billion and US$90 billion. Revenues are projected to jump to US$7.5 billion.
Enabler revenues from US point-of-sale lending, Source: Embedded Finance: What It Takes to Prosper in the New Value Chain, Bain Capital/Bain and Company, 2022

This article first appeared on fintechnews.am

Featured image credit: Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/embedded-finance-to-account-for-more-than-10-of-all-us-transactions-by-2026</link><guid>2913</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bottomline-banner.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Embedded Finance to Account for More than 10% of All US Transactions by 2026</dc:text></item><item><title>radicant Launches Investment Products That Support Sustainable Development</title><description><![CDATA[Digital bank radicant has launched SDG Impact Solutions, a series of 11 financial products comprising three funds and eight actively managed certificates.
These products enable clients to invest in broadly diversified funds representing the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as in sustainable investment themes identified by radicant.
Securities for the 11 products are selected from companies whose purpose, products, services and operating processes have a positive impact on the SDGs based on radicant’s assessment.


The company says that these assessments will be made available to prospective investors in the radicant app which will be launched in 2023.
radicant is a collaboration between Swiss cantonal bank Basellandschaftliche Kantonalbank (BLKB) and Dr. Anders Bally, founder of venture firm Bally Capital Partners.
Anders Bally
“radicant identifies and fosters solutions that contribute to achieving the UN’s 17 SDGs through innovative financial services, investment products and transparency.

This allows investors to invest in the sustainable topics that are closest to their heart and that they want to support, in order to contribute to the achievement of the 17 UN goals themselves, while continuing to building their own wealth,”
said Anders Bally, CEO and Co-Founder of radicant.

Jan Poser
“The radicant SDG Impact Solutions not only offer a contribution to sustainable development, but also attractive return opportunities,”
said Jan Poser, Chief Sustainable Investment Officer and Co-Founder of radicant.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/radicant-launches-investment-products-that-support-sustainable-development</link><guid>2912</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HK-Fintech-Week-2022.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>radicant Launches Investment Products That Support Sustainable Development</dc:text></item><item><title>Swissquote Clients Can Now Invest in Dubai Financial Market’s Securities</title><description><![CDATA[Online trading platform Swissquote is now connected to the Dubai Financial Market (DFM), allowing clients to invest in and trade DFM-listed securities.
The platform is connected to the DFM through GTN Middle East and BHM Capital Financial Services’ direct market access route, and is expected to boost DFM-listed securities’ accessibility to investors outside the UAE.
Swissquote is a provider of online financial services granting its clients access to trade a range of asset classes including stocks, ETFs, funds, bonds, derivatives and more.


The company launched a cryptocurrency exchange called SQX earlier this month and previously partnered with Postfinance to launch digital banking app Yuh in mid-2021.
Jacques Barakat
“Given our local and international client base, providing direct access to the growing investment opportunities that the Dubai Financial Market offers is of strategic importance for our group and demonstrates our ambition to expand further our presence in the UAE,”
said Jacques Barakat, CEO of Swissquote Middle East.
Hamed Ali
“We are actively implementing a wide-ranging plan to take market accessibility to new pinnacles by increasing the number of technology-driven members capable to provide investors with multiple value-added services and to attract new investors to join our growing investor base,”
said Hamed Ali, CEO of DFM and Nasdaq Dubai.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swissquote-clients-can-now-invest-in-dubai-financial-markets-securities</link><guid>2910</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HK-Fintech-Week-2022.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Swissquote Clients Can Now Invest in Dubai Financial Market’s Securities</dc:text></item><item><title>Krisenresistenz und Inflationsschutz mit Sachwerten</title><description><![CDATA[Die Börse ist keine Einwegstrasse – 2022 hat wieder einmal gezeigt, dass es in unregelmässigen Abständen zu massiven Korrekturen kommt. Aber war es das schon oder kommt da noch mehr? Und wie schützt man sich davor? Sachwerte sind wichtige Bestandteile der Lösung.
Die in der Geschichte noch nie so hohe Staatsverschuldung sowie die expansive Geldmengenausweitung der letzten Jahre haben die Stabilität des Finanzsystems stark geschwächt. Die Politiker scheinen immer weniger handlungsfähig zu sein und sehen im Schuldenmachen zu Lasten der nächsten Generationen noch das einzige Hilfsmittel. Das kann auf die Dauer nicht gut gehen, was Anlegerinnen und Anleger im laufenden Jahr erneut zu spüren bekamen.
Die meisten Anlageklassen mussten deutliche Werteinbussen hinnehmen. Auch die üblicherweise als sicher eingeschätzten Obligationen erlebten eines der schlimmsten Jahre überhaupt. Und wer sein Geld in der Schweiz auf dem Konto liess, war nur vermeintlich geschützt, denn die Inflationsrate von aktuell über 3% verringert die Kaufkraft ebenfalls. Rechnen Sie selbst, was das über die Jahre bedeuten kann.
Die Stimmen von zahlreichen Experten werden daher lauter, dass es wohl nur noch eine Frage der Zeit ist, bis eine weitere Finanzkrise ausgelöst wird. Der Mix der vielen Gefahrenherde ist äusserst gefährlich. Notmassnahmen, wie die Rettungsaktion des englischen Vorsorgesystems oder milliardenschwere Staatsgarantien, um die Energieversorgung sicherzustellen, helfen auch nicht, das Vertrauen zu stärken.
Nur, wie sollen die Zentralbanken reagieren? Im Gegensatz zur Finanzkrise 2008 scheint der Spielraum für Rettungsmassnahmen beschränkt. Aufgrund der aktuellen Inflationsbekämpfung wird eine starke Zinsreduktion kaum möglich sein, denn diese würde eine noch schnellere Zunahme der Inflation bewirken. In Europa sind wir jetzt schon bei rund 10%. Das aufgeblasene Schuldengeld-System droht zu kollabieren. Höchste Zeit also, die Krisenresistenz Ihres Geldes zu erhöhen.
Sachwerte: Stabilität statt Spekulation

Gesucht ist also eine Geldanlage, die mehr Stabilität ins Portfolio bringt und bestmöglich vor Wertverlust zu schützen vermag. Der RealUnit ist eine Lösung für dieses Anliegen und hat als wichtigste Ziele den Erhalt der Kaufkraft des Vermögens und den Schutz in Krisensituationen.
Die Anlagestrategie setzt auf Sachwerte und beinhaltet mehrheitlich physisches Gold, Silber und Industriemetalle, ja sogar Bargeldbestände, alles aufbewahrt in sicheren Tresoren ausserhalb des Bankensystems. Dazu kommen Beteiligungen an mehrheitlich Schweizer Unternehmen mit solider Bilanz, nachhaltigen Erträgen und einem krisenresistenten Geschäftsmodell.
Inhaberaktie für das Depot oder Namenaktie als digitaler Token
Neben den Vorteilen der wertbeständigen Anlagestrategie mit starkem Fokus auf Sachwerte hat der RealUnit eine weitere Besonderheit, die jederzeit Zugriff auf die Vermögenswerte sicherstellt. Als erste börsenkotierte Schweizer Gesellschaft sind die Anteile nicht nur als Inhaberaktie für das klassische Depot bei einer Bank konzipiert, sondern auch als Namenaktie in Form eines digitalen Tokens auf der Blockchain erhältlich. Somit werden Sie selbst zur Bank und verwahren die RealUnit-Token gebührenfrei im eigenen Wallet.

Der RealUnit-Token ist jedoch keine Kryptowährung, er nutzt einzig dieselbe Blockchain-Technologie und unterscheidet sich dabei in zwei wichtigen Punkten:
1. Im Gegensatz zu Bitcoin und anderen Kryptowährungen ist der RealUnit mit Realwerten gedeckt. Die Wertentwicklung ist somit viel stabiler und von der echten Bewertung der hinterlegten Vermögenswerte abhängig.
2. Als weiteren Vorteil gibt es eine Notfalloption. Sollte der «private Schlüssel» bei inkorrektem Verhalten verloren gehen, könnten die Token sogar mit einem speziellen Recovery-Prozess wiederhergestellt werden.
Wer einen Aktientoken besitzt, profitiert somit von einer stabilen Anlagelösung und stärkt dank dem Direktzugriff auch die finanzielle Souveränität. Sachwerte steigern die Krisenresistenz und den Vermögenserhalt über Generationen. Gleichzeitig schützen Sie Privatvermögen und Firmenliquidität bestmöglich vor Inflation und den Folgen von heftigen Korrekturen an der Börse. Und mit dem digitalen RealUnit-Token erhöhen Sie sogar Ihre Unabhängigkeit vom Bankensystem.
Unter www.realunit.ch finden Sie zusätzliche Argumente.

Titel-Bild Nachweis: Bearbeitet von Unsplash

Disclaimer/Haftungs-Ausschluss: Hier handelt es sich weder um eine Anlageberatung noch um eine konkrete Handlungsempfehlung.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/krisenresistenz-und-inflationsschutz-mit-sachwerten</link><guid>2911</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/RealUnit-Berg--1024x638.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Krisenresistenz und Inflationsschutz mit Sachwerten</dc:text></item><item><title>Central Bank Digital Currencies Introduce New Cybersecurity Challenges, Privacy Issues</title><description><![CDATA[Interest in central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) has grown over the past few years in response to changes in payments and technology, as well as the disruption caused by COVID-19.
A 2021 survey conducted by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) found that 86% of central banks polled were actively researching the potential of CBDCs, 60% were experimenting with the technology and 14% were deploying pilot projects.
Atlantic Council GeoEconomics Center research shows that about 100 countries and currency unions are currently exploring the possibility of launching a CBDC, either retail and issued to the general public, or wholesale and intended to be used primarily for interbank transactions.


Central Bank Digital Currency Tracker, Source: Atlantic Council, 2022
CBDCs are essentially digital versions of a country’s physical currency. Instead of printing money, central banks issue widely accessible digital coins which users can utilize to make digital transactions and transfers.
Efforts towards CBDCs have accelerated these past few years, driven by a number of factors. First, COVID-19 has brought about a shift in payment habits towards digital payments and e-commerce, accelerating the decline of cash use and prompting central banks to consider issuing a new form of money that would best suit new consumer preferences.
Second, cryptocurrencies developed by private companies or communities like bitcoin have seen significant developments and value gain. In 2021, the market capitalization of cryptocurrencies grew by nearly three times to US$3 trillion. This rapid rise, combined with the vulnerabilities of crypto markets, has raised financial stability concerns among central banks and regulators, pushing authorities to pursue CBDC ambitions.
For central banks involved in CBDC projects, there are many opportunities relating to digital coins. Most are confident CBDCs could help them reach their public good objectives, including safeguarding trust in money, maintaining price stability and ensuring safe and resilient payment systems and infrastructure. Some also believe CBDCs could significantly help economies go digital, make cross-border payments faster and cheaper, and increase financial inclusion.
The risks of issuing a CBDC
But despite the positive prospects, experts and industry observers have also warned of possible risks relating to CBDCs, including security considerations, as well as surveillance and privacy.
A recent US Federal Reserve report listed “security” as an “important consideration for a CBDC,” citing risks relating to counterfeiting, fraud, and double spending, but also cyber risks. In fact, a UK House of Lords paper specifically described cybersecurity and privacy risks as potential reasons not to develop a CBDC.
Results of a 2021 survey conducted by BIS revealed similar concerns among the broader central banks’ community. The study, which polled 21 central banks from around the world, found that most respondents believe that the introduction of a CBDC could add to the complexity of the IT environment and necessitate greater resources devoted to cybersecurity.
More than 60% of central banks in emerging markets believe a CBDC could generate an increase of between 10% to 20% in cyber budgets. Advanced economies showed greater concerns, with more than 30% of respondents estimating an increase between 20% to 50% in cyber budgets because of a CBDC. An equal proportion estimated an increase in the 10%-20% bracket.
Estimated increase in cyber budgets due to CBDC (As a percentage of respondents), Source: Bank for International Settlements, 2022
Concerns over security aren’t groundless and implications could be disastrous. Vulnerabilities in CBDC systems could be exploited to compromise a country’s entire financial system, a new report authored by representatives from the Atlantic Council GeoEconomics Center points out.
In addition, CBDCs would be able to accumulate sensitive payment and user data at an unprecedented scale. In the wrong hands, these data could be used to spy on citizens’ private transactions, obtain security-sensitive details about individuals and organizations, and even steal money, the experts say.
A recent whitepaper by the Bitcoin Policy Institute makes a case of why the US shouldn’t issue a CBDC, citing risks and issues relating to surveillance, censorship and excessive government control.
“While the United States remains a liberal democracy for now, all indicators show that we are on path to the kind of authoritarianism characteristic of strong states like China,” the paper reads.
“CBDCs provide governments with direct access to every transaction in that currency conducted by any individual anywhere in the world. As governments worldwide routinely share data with one another, individual transaction data will quickly become known to any government in a data sharing arrangement … CBDCs also enable governments to prohibit, require, disincentivize, incentivize, or reverse transactions, making them tools of financial censorship and control.”
Recognizing the need to better understand the risks and challenges arising from CBDCs, the BIS opened the Eurosystem Centre earlier this year. With locations in Frankfurt and Paris, the center will see the BIS working together with all 19 euro area central banks and the European Central Bank to explore cyber security issues surrounding CBDCs and conduct experiments.

Featured image credit: edited from Freepik here and here
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/central-bank-digital-currencies-introduce-new-cybersecurity-challenges-privacy-issues</link><guid>2908</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HK-Fintech-Week-2022.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Central Bank Digital Currencies Introduce New Cybersecurity Challenges, Privacy Issues</dc:text></item><item><title>European Fintech Growth Cools Down</title><description><![CDATA[After a decade of growth, the European fintech ecosystem is entering a period of cooling and consolidation reflected by a dropping number of new fintech companies being founded, decreasing funding activity and a decline in exit deals, a new report by Dutch venture capital (VC) firm Finch Capital shows.
New business formation in the fintech sector peaked in 2018 with more than 700 new fintech companies founded in H1. Since then, however, the number of new fintech companies started  declining and plunged in 2020, dropping 80% from more than 400 new fintech companies founded in H2 2020 to less than 100 in H1 2022.
Number of fintechs founded per year, Source: State of European Fintech 2022, Finch Capital
Over 100,000 startups have been founded in Europe over the last decade, according to the State of European Fintech 2022 report. The UK has been the most prolific country in the region, with 23,000 fintech companies, followed by France with 14,000, and Germany with 12,000.


Over a 100,000 startups founded in Europe over the last decade, Source: State of European Fintech 2022, Finch Capital
Consolidation ahead
2021 was a record-breaking year for fintech funding, with 603 deals in Europe and a total of EUR 25 billion secured by fintech companies in the region. In 2022, that sum stood at a little over EUR 10 billion, as of October, showcasing the contraction.
Fintech funding in Europe, Source: State of European Fintech 2022, Finch Capital
Forecasts for the years onwards are rather gloomy. Finch Capital predicts a 60% decline in fintech deals between 2021 and 2024, plunging from more than 1,100 rounds to less than 400. The decrease will be partly due to less mega-rounds and the end of the payments, lending and crypto funding boom.
The number of fintech deals in Europe, Source: State of European Fintech 2022, Finch Capital
Total deal volume is expected to halve in the next 12 to 18 months, driven by declining valuations and smaller round sizes. And in the lending, payment and crypto segments, the momentum appears to be wearing off with stagnating funding activity, the report notes.
Capital invested in European fintech companies, Source: State of European Fintech 2022, Finch Capital
The past year has also seen a decline in initial public offerings (IPOs) and large venture mergers and acquisitions (M&amp;A) deals. Public exits have dropped by 74%, the report says, and M&amp;A deals have also been on a downturn, except for deals below EUR 200 million.
These trends are hinting at a forthcoming period of consolidation in the fintech space, it says, especially considering that many verticals like payments, know-your-customer (KYC) solutions, and expense management software, still remain highly fragmented.
Global fintech exits by value, Source: State of European Fintech 2022, Finch Capital
Global fintech downturn
This downward trend for European fintech venture funding this year is in line with global funding trends. In 2021, fintech companies secured a total of US$129.4 billion globally, according to Dealroom data. This year, total funding reached just US$75.3 billion in late October 2022.
Global fintech funding, Source: Dealroom, Oct 2022
Unicorns are also becoming rarer this year, with just eight fintech companies reaching a billion dollar valuation in Q3 2022, against 53 the same period last year.
So far, over 60 fintech companies reached the status this year, according to CB Insights data. In Europe, these include Qonto, a business digital banking startup from France, Backbase, a banking technology financial technology company from the Netherlands, GoCardless, an online direct debit specialist from the UK, and PayFit, an integrated payroll and HR management platform from the UK.

Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash and Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/european-fintech-growth-cools-down</link><guid>2909</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Number-of-fintechs-founded-per-year-Source-State-of-European-Fintech-2022-Finch-Capital.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>European Fintech Growth Cools Down</dc:text></item><item><title>neon’s Crowdfunding Campaign Reaches CHF 5 Million on Its First Day</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss neobank neon’s crowdfunding campaign reached CHF 5 million of its CHF 10 million target with more than 2,000 investors participating on the first day of the campaign.
The campaign, which runs from October 25 to 31, is offering two to 250 non-voting shares priced at CHF 200.00 per share. The company aims to sell a total of 50,000 shares.
According to the campaign page, neon’s recent milestones include hitting 130,000 users, generating CHF 3.5 million in revenue year to date, and launching new card and community features.


The company says that it expects to reach CHF 6 million in sales by the end of the year, and that it plans to move into stock and cryptocurrency trading next.
neon shared that it also raised CHF 2.5 million in funding from institutional investors in September.
The latest raise follows the company’s previous CHF 7 million Series A led by TX Group’s TX Ventures and CHF 5 million crowdfunding campaign in mid-2021.
Founded in 2017, neon provides an account, app and card for receiving, transferring, and saving money. The company also made this year’s TOP 100 Swiss Startup Awards rankings.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/neons-crowdfunding-campaign-reaches-chf-5-million-on-its-first-day</link><guid>2904</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HK-Fintech-Week-2022.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>neon’s Crowdfunding Campaign Reaches CHF 5 Million on Its First Day</dc:text></item><item><title>N26 Launches New Cryptocurrency Trading Feature With Bitpanda</title><description><![CDATA[German neobank N26 has launched its cryptocurrency product in Austria to enable customers to buy and sell 194 cryptocurrencies in their app.
The N26 Crypto feature will be made available progressively to eligible customers in Austria over the coming weeks, as well as in other key markets over the next six months.
The launch addresses strong local demand, where internal research showed that 40% of N26 users are either actively trading, or have expressed interest in investing in cryptocurrencies.


N26 Crypto is offered in partnership with Austrian cryptocurrency platform Bitpanda, which manages the execution of trades and custody of coins.
N26 Metal customers will be able to make transactions with a 1% transaction fee applied for trading Bitcoin and 2% for all other available cryptocurrencies.
All other N26 customers will be able to trade Bitcoin with a 1.5% transaction fee, and a 2.5% fee for other cryptocurrencies — the same rates offered on Bitpanda’s platform.
Valentin Stalf
“While cryptocurrencies have seen a decline in value over the last year, they remain a requested and interesting asset class for investors and a growing part of the financial system. With N26 Crypto, we are offering a simple way to trade and invest, with a great user experience and low and transparent fees,”
said Valentin Stalf, Co-Founder and Co-CEO at N26.
Gilles BianRosa
“With N26 Crypto we have created a simple, intuitive product that integrates seamlessly into N26’s fully-regulated banking experience where one’s bank balance, savings, and investment portfolio sit side by side — with cryptocurrencies being the first asset class we intend to offer,”
said Gilles BianRosa, Chief Product Officer at N26.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/n26-launches-new-cryptocurrency-trading-feature-with-bitpanda</link><guid>2905</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HK-Fintech-Week-2022.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>N26 Launches New Cryptocurrency Trading Feature With Bitpanda</dc:text></item><item><title>Moneyhub Kicks Off Fundraise With £40M From Legal &amp; General, Lloyds Bank</title><description><![CDATA[Open finance platform Moneyhub has secured an initial £35 million in its latest funding round led by asset manager Legal &amp; General and Lloyds Banking Group, with an additional £5 million debt facility provided by Shawbrook Bank.
The investment will help to accelerate the ongoing development of Moneyhub’s solutions, including those around pensions and wealth, payments, distribution, affordability, and data-as-a-service.
This is the company’s largest funding round to date following a fundraise in early 2021 from Sir Peter Wood’s SPWOne and NBS Ventures, and a round prior to that in 2018 from Nationwide Building Society.


Moneyhub’s high-profile enterprise clients currently include Aon, KPMG, Mercer, Samsung, and Vodafone — reaching 150 million end-users across the United Kingdom and worldwide.
Legal &amp; General and Lloyds Banking Group will each take minority stakes in the company, with Legal &amp; General’s investment partially subject to regulatory approval.
Wian Pieterse
“At Legal &amp; General we believe data is key to helping customers make informed decisions and ultimately get better financial outcomes.

Moneyhub is a leading provider in open data and so was an obvious choice for us to invest in to accelerate our commercial goals and support the growth of our workplace savings business,”
said Wian Pieterse, Fintech MD at Legal &amp; General.
Kirsty Rutter
“This is Lloyds Banking Group’s first fintech investment following the announcement of our new strategy earlier this year.

We are excited to work with Moneyhub to use open data and API technologies to help consumers improve their financial wellbeing, make our products more relevant to customers, and our channels simpler and more personalised to use,”
said Kirsty Rutter, Fintech Investment Director at Lloyds Banking Group.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/moneyhub-kicks-off-fundraise-with-40m-from-legal-general-lloyds-bank</link><guid>2906</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HK-Fintech-Week-2022.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Moneyhub Kicks Off Fundraise With £40M From Legal &amp; General, Lloyds Bank</dc:text></item><item><title>Temenos and Microsoft Launch a Carbon Emissions Calculator for Cloud Banking</title><description><![CDATA[Cloud banking platform Temenos has launched a carbon emissions calculator to give customers insight into carbon emissions data associated with their consumption of its services.
The calculator, which is is embedded into the Temenos Banking Cloud client portal, leverages data provided by Microsoft Cloud and its methodology was independently verified by Grant Thornton.
Temenos Banking Cloud is powered by Microsoft Azure and uses services like Azure Kubernetes Service, Azure Functions, Azure SQL and more.


The company claims that banks utlising its cloud services can enjoy over 90% in carbon emission savings compared to on premise IT infrastructures.
Max Chuard
“Our mission is to help our clients with their digital transformation while providing them with the open cloud platform to transition to a low-carbon global economy.

With this unique carbon emissions calculator, we are empowering our cloud customers to reduce the impact of their own operations and achieve their sustainability goals,”
said Max Chuard, Chief Executive Officer, Temenos.
Bill Borden
“We are pleased to be putting our combined strengths to work helping banks and financial institutions worldwide innovate faster using cloud capabilities to grow their business while meeting sustainability commitments,”
said Bill Borden, Corporate Vice President of Worldwide Financial Services, Microsoft.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/temenos-and-microsoft-launch-a-carbon-emissions-calculator-for-cloud-banking</link><guid>2907</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HK-Fintech-Week-2022.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Temenos and Microsoft Launch a Carbon Emissions Calculator for Cloud Banking</dc:text></item><item><title>The 16 Hottest Fintech and Insurtech Startups in Europe</title><description><![CDATA[Europe is home to some of the world’s biggest and most valuable fintech companies, and one of the largest and most developed fintech ecosystems globally.
Throughout the years, founders across the region have consistently managed to attract investors’ interest, successfully securing a staggering US$26.3 billon in 2021, a figure that represents more than double what was raised in 2020 at US$10.3 billion, according to data from CB Insights.
While many of Europe’s biggest fintech companies are household names, the continent also hosts some very promising younger ventures.


Technology-oriented publication Wired has released its selection of 2022’s 100 hottest startups in Europe across ten major cities.
Ten startups were selected in London, Paris, Berlin, Barcelona, Lisbon, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Tel Aviv, Helsinki and Dublin, and were recognized for their ingenuity, growth prospects and the excitement they’ve generated among local entrepreneurs and investors.
Unsurprisingly, London had the most fintech companies within its top ten startups list with four fintech companies. London is followed by Berlin and Barcelona with three fintech startups each.
In total, 16 fintech and insurtech companies made it into this year’s list. These companies operate in different areas ranging from small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) financing and teen banking, to payments and earned wage access.
Today, we look at the fintech and insurtech startups part of Wired’s 2022 Hottest Startups in Europe list, categorizing them by the city they are based in.
London (4)
Sylvera

Founded in 2020, Sylvera develops tools designed to track the performance of carbon offsets. The company leverages proprietary data and machine learning (ML) technology to produce the most comprehensive and accessible insights and market intelligence on carbon projects, which are delivered through an online platform.
Hokodo

Founded in 2018, Hokodo is a fintech startup offering a buy now, pay later (BNPL) solution for businesses. The platform allows B2B merchants to offer credit terms to their business customers instantly, even on their first purchase. In turn, customers benefit from additional payment terms through a frictionless checkout experience.
Qumata

Founded in 2017, Qumata, formerly known as HealthyHealth, aims to transform insurance underwriting, providing a faster way to access individual health forecasts without losing accuracy of traditional questionnaires or medical exams. The solution unlocks insights into an individual’s current and future health and mortality risks, and allows life and health insurers to create a faster, more customer-centric underwriting journey.
Gaia

Founded in 2019, Gaia is the world’s first IVF insurance provider. The company helps customers plan, pay for and protect their IVF journey, focusing on making IVF more accessible for more people. Using data from over 1 million previous treatments, Gaia predicts one’s chances of success across up to six IVF rounds, and then provides them with build personalized insurance plans.
Berlin (3)
Moss

Launched in mid-2020, Moss provides corporate credit cards for startups and digital companies in Germany. The cards works alongside a technology-driven platform for holistic spend management. Companies can choose to use Moss as an all-in-one integrated solution for their expense management or to build a customized modular solution based on their specific needs.
Mondu

Founded in 2021, Mondu is a B2B payments startup that aims to simplify the financial lives of SMEs. Mondu’s BNPL solution for B2B helps merchants and marketplaces improve conversion rates and protect themselves against default risk, while alleviating the operational burden of collection and dunning.
Pile

Founded in 2022, Pile is a “crypto-as-a-service” provider that allows businesses to easily integrate crypto and decentralized finance (DeFi) products to their existing infrastructure. The company offers a flexible, fast and compliant way for businesses to bring new products to market, open up new revenue streams, attract new customers and increase customer retention. At the moment, Pile offers three products: non-custodial wallets, access to DeFi, and fiat to crypto exchange.
Barcelona (3)
Hubuc

Founded in 2019, Hubuc is an embedded finance startup that allows businesses to integrate financial services capabilities into their products. From a single API and with just one contract, Hubuc covers compliance and provides access to fintech and banking services including payments acceptance, payments processing, physical and virtual credit cards issuance, and white label solutions.
Vitaance

Founded in 2021, Vitaance is an insurtech company focused on life insurance. Vitaance’s product combines a life and disability insurance for businesses with a 360° wellbeing platform for their employees. This way, companies can offer a life insurance to their employees that not only protects them, but also empowers them to live better every day and engage with their peers at work. This is done through a gamified system of challenges and rewards.
Payflow

Founded in 2020, Payflow is the developer of financial software designed to instantly collect the portion of workers’ salary corresponding to their work. The company’s software provides employees access to salaries and other benefits instantly without the need for their organizations to have cash flow in the middle of the month.
Paris (2)
Kard

Founded in 2018, Kard offers a digital banking offering for adolescents. Kids have one mobile app which allows them to receive and spend pocket money. Parents have another app that allows them to set spending limits and understand their offspring’s shopping habits. Kard claims more than 200,000 families on its platform.
Greenly

Founded in 2019, Greenly is the developer of a carbon tracking technology aimed to allow everyone to track their carbon footprint. The company’s technology automates the analysis of data collection by integrating with accounting or billing data of various software solutions, enabling it to calculate the emission scopes in real-time and generate carbon reports.
Lisbon (2)
Anchorage Digital

Founded in 2017, Anchorage Digital is a global regulated crypto platform that provides institutions with integrated digital asset financial services and infrastructure solutions including custody, staking, trading and financing. Anchorage Digital works with a global roster of institutional clients including crypto protocols, investment funds, banks, fintech companies and family offices, and is valued at over US$3 billion.
Coverflex

Founded in 2019, Coverflex is a compensation management solution that helps companies manage every part of compensation beyond salary, including benefits, insurance, meal allowance and exclusive discounts. For companies, it’s a way to easily give people more options and value. For employees, it’s the opportunity to create a custom compensation package that anyone can spend as they choose.
Stockholm (2)
Treyd

Founded in 2019, Treyd is a BNPL service for international supply chains. The service pays customers’ supplier invoices and lets them pay up to 120 days later in return, helping thus clients free up working capital. Treyd handles the credit assessment through a carefully developed model primarily based on the customer’s financial position and external rating data.
Doconomy

Founded in 2018, Doconomy is a leading provider of applied impact solutions serving banks, brands, and consumers. Doconomy’s impact calculation methodology calculates the carbon impact of every single financial transaction, product, lifestyle and corporation, allowing consumers to visualize their impact, receive insights to reduce consumption and be rewarded financially with refunds and other incentives.

Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-16-hottest-fintech-and-insurtech-startups-in-europe</link><guid>2903</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HK-Fintech-Week-2022.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>The 16 Hottest Fintech and Insurtech Startups in Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>Mambu Extends Cloud Approach With AWS, Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure</title><description><![CDATA[Cloud banking platform Mambu has announced general availability across three leading cloud providers — Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure.
The company says that this will allow customers to choose a provider based on their specific business, technical, regulatory, and geographical requirements, without impacting availability or service levels.
The announcement follows Mambu’s €235 million Series E investment from EQT and Acton Capital in December 2021, said to be the largest private funding round for a cloud banking platform.


The company’s recent senior hires include Werner Knoblich as Chief Revenue Officer, Tripp Faix as Chief Financial Officer, Fernando Zandona as Chief Product and Technology Officer, and Sabrina Dar as Chief of Staff to the CEO.
Fernando Zandona
“Having the opportunity to work with three of the leading cloud providers supporting over 230 banks and non-bank financial institutions is a game changer.

The general availability of these cloud providers on Mambu will help us continue to create better financial experiences for existing and new customers across the globe,”
said Fernando Zandona, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Mambu.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mambu-extends-cloud-approach-with-aws-google-cloud-and-microsoft-azure</link><guid>2901</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HK-Fintech-Week-2022.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Mambu Extends Cloud Approach With AWS, Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure</dc:text></item><item><title>MoneyGram Is Now Haas F1 Team’s Title Sponsor in 2023 and Beyond</title><description><![CDATA[Digital payments company MoneyGram is now Haas F1 Team’s title sponsor for the 2023 season and beyond, with the new “MoneyGram Haas F1 Team” brand to take effect next year.
The Haas F1 Team is a a fan favorite and the only American team competing in the FIA Formula 1 (F1) World Championship, the world’s foremost motorsports competition with an audience of 500 million.
MoneyGram, who announced the sponsorship at the 10th anniversary of the United States Grand Prix, described it as “the fastest way to send money globally teaming up with the fastest sport in the world.”


The F1 2023 season will take place across 24 races held in 21 countries on five continents. The countries on next year’s circuit account for nearly 80% of MoneyGram’s transaction value.
Ireland-based B2B payments company TransferMate also began sponsoring the Haas F1 Team in 2022.
Gene Haas
“Since our entrance into the F1 World Championship in 2016, Haas F1 Team has earned a reputation of strength, agility and resilience. MoneyGram brings a similar drive to the world of financial services, and we’re ready to work together to maximize results on and off the track,”
said Gene Haas, Founder and Chairman of Haas F1 Team.
Alex Holmes
“MoneyGram is a different company than it was even five years ago. We will continue to disrupt ourselves to meet the ever-changing financial needs of consumers, and we’re determined to make sure the world knows it.

That’s why we’re hitting the accelerator by making our debut into the world of F1 and teaming up with Gene and Haas F1 Team,”
said Alex Holmes, MoneyGram Chairman and CEO.


]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/moneygram-is-now-haas-f1-teams-title-sponsor-in-2023-and-beyond</link><guid>2902</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HK-Fintech-Week-2022.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>MoneyGram Is Now Haas F1 Team’s Title Sponsor in 2023 and Beyond</dc:text></item><item><title>QR Code and Instant Payments are Fueling the Growth of Non-Cash Transactions</title><description><![CDATA[The pandemic prompted businesses and customers to embrace digital technologies and non-cash payment methods, fueling the adoption of innovative payment methods like QR code payments, digital wallets, and account-to-account (A2A) payments.
Adoption of digital payments among consumers and businesses will continue to rise in the years to come, driven by growing infrastructure improvements, market maturity and demand from customers for convenient, tech-enabled solutions, a new report by French information technology and consulting firm Capgemini says.
Between 2021 and 2026, non-cash transactions are projected to record a 16.5% compound annual growth (CAGR), rising from 989.4 billion transactions in 2021 to more than 2.1 trillion in 2026.


Increasingly mature digital payments infrastructure fuels non-cash transaction growth (volume in billions), Source: World Payments Report 2022, Capgemini
During that period, new payment methods, like instant payments, e-money, mobile and digital wallets, A2A and QR code, will rise in prominence, with their share growing from 17% of overall non-cash transaction volume in 2021, to 28% in 2026.
Estimates from Capgemini corroborate with projections made by other firms which forecast strong growth in usage of innovative payment methods in the years to come.
Independent research firm Juniper Research forecasts that global QR code payment users could reach 2.2 billion by 2025, up from 1.5 billion in 2020. This implies that almost 29% of all mobile phone users worldwide would be using QR code payments by then.
Similarly, instant payments are on track to a CAGR of around 29% between 2021 and 2025, reaching 428 billion in volume.
Meanwhile, A2A payments are expanding rapidly, especially in emerging markets, according to a new report by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In Brazil, PIX reached 122 million registered accounts in less than two years in operation. The number represents over half the country’s population. And in India, Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which was launched in 2016, was handling transaction volumes roughly 11 times those of credit and debit cards combined by 2021.
Moving forward, the growth of A2A real-time payments will only accelerate, thanks to continued investments in infrastructure modernization, BCG says, citing ongoing initiatives such as the RTP system in the US, which is scheduled for launch in 2023 and P27, a pan-regional payments system involving the Nordic countries.
Finally, e-money transactions are expected to witness a similar growth rate of about 27% between 2021 and 2026, to reach about 161 billion in volume. This growth will be driven by increased adoption of digital wallets, which Juniper Research forecasts will see 4.4 billion unique users by 2025.
New payment players gain attraction among SMEs
Changing consumer preferences and demand for streamlined customer journeys have pushed merchants to turn to digital solutions, the Capgemini report says. But a survey of 150 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as part of the study found that traditional banks and payment service providers are missing the mark when it comes to meeting SMEs’ needs.
Financial executives admit that SMBs face several unresolved issues, Source: World Payments Report 2022, Capgemini
Of the SME leaders surveyed, only 11% of respondents said they were happy with their banking relationships, 44% said they were dissatisfied, and 45% were indifferent. The result is that 89% of SMEs indicated being reconsidering relationships with their primary banks across various product categories.
But digitalization has opened the door to new-age players that are actively introducing innovative value propositions across the business-to-business (B2B) payments value chain.
Banking Circle and Currency Cloud, for example, provide global virtual payments and account networks. TransferMate is a paytech company that aims for end-user cross-border payments propositions. And Wise, formerly known as TransferWise, offers global multi-currency wallets to SMEs that reduce transfer costs while offering a higher level automation.
At the same time, several mature fintech companies are stepping up their B2B engagement. Players like Stripe, PayPal, Starling, Revolut, Block (formerly Square), and Wise are developing full-fledged digital ecosystems that bundle core payment services with other financial products like insurance policies, near-banking products like capital management and advisory, and non-financial products such as legal services and human resources, to offer a convenient one-stop value proposition for SMEs.
Ecosystems and marketplaces are an attractive strategy for new-age paytech companies, the report says. Ecosystems increase client intimacy and stickiness. They also expands client engagement touchpoints, providing players with richer and more diverse customer data which can then be used to further personalize services and boost long-term loyalty and retention. Finally, ecosystems can also help to harness untapped revenue streams.
Like retail digital payments, B2B digital payments have experienced steady growth over the past years. Adoption will continue rising in the coming years, with worldwide B2B non-cash transaction volume forecasted to grow 10.7% per year between 2021 and 2026 to reach 222 billion, according to Capgemini.
Worldwide B2B non-cash transaction volume is on the rise (billions, 2021-2026F), Source: World Payments Report 2022, Capgemini
Over the past years, paytech has been one of investors’ favorite fintech segments. Between 2016 and 2021, paytech companies accounted for roughly 20% of cumulative fintech equity funding raised during the period, according to BCG.
In H1 2022, investors funneled US$11 billion into payment-related fintech companies, lower than 2021 funding levels, but still well above the amounts generated in 2019 and 2020.
Payment fintech funding between 2016 and 2021, Source: Global Payments Report 2022, Boston Consulting Group

Featured image credit: edited from Freepik here and here
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/qr-code-and-instant-payments-are-fueling-the-growth-of-non-cash-transactions</link><guid>2900</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HK-Fintech-Week-2022.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>QR Code and Instant Payments are Fueling the Growth of Non-Cash Transactions</dc:text></item><item><title>Diana Biggs Joins Crypto Fund 1k(x) as Partner From Digital Asset Company Valour</title><description><![CDATA[Crypto ecosystem growth fund 1k(x) has appointed Diana Biggs as Partner to drive partnerships that bolster its portfolio’s integration into real world applications.
Biggs was previously Chief Strategy Officer at Valour where she served as CEO of its digital asset ETP business. She led the company to over US$300 million in AUM and through its acquisition by DeFi Technologies.
Prior to Valour, Biggs built out innovation teams for HSBC, first for their retail banking business across the United Kingdom and Europe, and later as Global Head of Innovation for HSBC Private Banking.


1k(x) invests US$250,000 to US$20 million in early stage projects, from series seed to growth rounds. Its portfolio comprises more than 80 companies that span the crypto and web3 ecosystems.
Diana Biggs
“1k(x) has pioneered both cryptonative and community-first investing — it is deeply embedded in this space and passionate about providing hands-on support to founders to help these projects and technologies reach their full potential.

I am excited to join this dedicated and visionary team which is operating at the forefront of the emerging collaborative economy,”
said Diana Biggs, Partner, 1k(x).
Lasse Clausen
“As an early proponent of crypto and a former entrepreneur, Biggs’s leadership expertise from multinationals to emerging technologies spanning the entire financial services ecosystem will bring tremendous value to our portfolio companies and bolster our mission to create utility for bleeding edge applications,”
said Lasse Clausen, Founding Partner of 1k(x).
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/diana-biggs-joins-crypto-fund-1kx-as-partner-from-digital-asset-company-valour</link><guid>2899</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HK-Fintech-Week-2022.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Diana Biggs Joins Crypto Fund 1k(x) as Partner From Digital Asset Company Valour</dc:text></item><item><title>UBS and Microsoft Expand Partnership Beyond Cloud Services</title><description><![CDATA[UBS and Microsoft announced an expansion of their partnership that will see more than 50% of UBS’ applications, including critical workloads, running on the Microsoft Azure cloud.
The expanded partnership will also help advance UBS’ sustainability initiatives and see the companies co-developing products for the bank and financial services industry.
UBS first announced in 2018 its “cloud-first” strategy which included plans to move one-third of its applications to the cloud within four years in partnership with Microsoft — a goal that was achieved ahead of schedule in February 2021.


UBS continues to move workloads from its own cloud servers to Azure, resulting in the energy consumption of some workloads to be reduced by up to 30%.
UBS and Microsoft also co-developed Carbon Aware API, an open-source solution that helps companies schedule workloads during times when sustainable sources of electricity are most available.
Additionally, the companies are exploring ways in which artificial intelligence (AI) and data can be used to enhance services for clients and employees.
For example, UBS is currently operating two applications in Switzerland that utilises conversational AI capabilities to respond to client e-mail inquiries.
UBS will also leverage Microsoft Power Platform to provide employees with the ability to quickly build professional-grade applications, create automated workflows and connect disparate data sources.
Mike Dargan
“Our cloud strategy has fundamentally changed the way we operate, allowing us to reinvigorate our technology estate and reimagine how we build applications for our clients.

Closely partnering and collaborating with Microsoft has and will continue to create tremendous value for our clients, our employees, the firm and our shareholders,”
said Mike Dargan, Chief Digital and Information Officer, UBS Group.
Scott Guthrie
“UBS is a forward-thinking leader in the financial services industry, and Microsoft has been fortunate to co-develop innovative applications that meet complex, regulatory requirements with their engineering teams over the past several years,”
said Scott Guthrie, Executive Vice President, Cloud + AI, Microsoft.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ubs-and-microsoft-expand-partnership-beyond-cloud-services</link><guid>2895</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HK-Fintech-Week-2022.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>UBS and Microsoft Expand Partnership Beyond Cloud Services</dc:text></item><item><title>Onfido Promotes Yuelin Li to Chief Product Officer to Lead Product Strategy</title><description><![CDATA[Identity verification platform Onfido has promoted Yuelin Li to Chief Product Officer to oversee product strategy and direction, and further establish Onfido’s category leadership in identity verification and fraud mitigation.
Li has been instrumental in driving Onfido’s strategy, product vision and corporate development over the past five years, most recently as the company’s Chief Strategy Officer.
Li helped scale Onfido from a 100-person company to the global organisation it is today with more than 680 employees, 900 clients, and over US$100 million in revenue.


Onfido says that it currently serves 10 of the largest global banks, six of the largest global remittance companies, three of the largest BNPL providers, two of the largest crypto exchanges, and three of the largest online gaming operators.
The company last raised a US$100 million Series D and hired Mike Tuchen as CEO in 2020.
Mike Tuchen
“Yuelin’s promotion to Chief Product Officer is the result of her dedication to simplifying digital identity for our customers over the last five years and her expertise in developing a world-class product strategy and vision for Onfido,”
said Mike Tuchen, Chief Executive Officer at Onfido.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/onfido-promotes-yuelin-li-to-chief-product-officer-to-lead-product-strategy</link><guid>2896</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HK-Fintech-Week-2022.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Onfido Promotes Yuelin Li to Chief Product Officer to Lead Product Strategy</dc:text></item><item><title>SDX, BEKB and Daura Team Up to Enable SMEs to Issue Tokenised Shares</title><description><![CDATA[Berner Kantonalbank (BEKB), SIX Digital Exchange (SDX) and digital share platform daura are partnering to enable SMEs to issue their shares digitally in a regulated, intermediated form.
BEKB will provide their secondary liquidity SMEx platform, daura will provide its digital share registry and digital annual general meeting solutions, while SDX will provide its digital asset issuance infrastructure.
The digital shares will be issued in the form of uncertificated securities or distributed ledger technology (DLT) securities in accordance with Swiss regulations and made available for regulated bank custody.


daura will be the first user of this model when it issues private participation certificates through BEKB’s platform. These shares will then be registered on the SDX CSD.
While this is a new collaboration between BEKB and SDX, daura has been providing SDX with DLT-based share registry services and tokenisation since April 2022. SDX’s parent company SIX acquired a stake in daura in late 2019.
David Newns
“As the world’s first fully regulated and fully integrated digital securities platform offering issuance, listing, trading, settlement, servicing, and custody of digital securities, SDX is very excited to welcome Berner Kantonalbank as a new member on our CSD,”
said David Newns, Head of SDX.
Armin Brun
“For BEKB, this partnership is the next stage in the expansion of its SME|X secondary market, which will consequently become accessible to other players outside the current ecosystem in the near future,”
said Armin Brun, CEO of BEKB.
Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sdx-bekb-and-daura-team-up-to-enable-smes-to-issue-tokenised-shares</link><guid>2897</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HK-Fintech-Week-2022.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>SDX, BEKB and Daura Team Up to Enable SMEs to Issue Tokenised Shares</dc:text></item><item><title>Wealth Managers Reluctant to Invest in Crypto</title><description><![CDATA[Wealth managers around the world are still reluctant to invest in cryptocurrency on behalf of their clients amid concerns over the lack of regulation, the lack of education as well as high volatility, a new study by American asset management company Mercer found.
The survey, which polled 125 wealth managers worldwide, found that just 8% of participants indicated having invested in crypto for their customers.
Wealth managers in Europe were found to be the most open to the new asset class, with 12% of respondents in the region stating that they did invest in crypto in client portfolios, while their American counterparts ranked as the least open to crypto with just 3%.


Do you invest in cryptocurrency on behalf of your clients?, Source: Mercer’s 2022 Global Wealth Management Investment Survey
Unsurprisingly, wealth managers cited the lack of regulation (63%), the lack of transparency and education (51%), and high volatility (47%) as their biggest concerns regarding crypto.
With regard to investing in cryptocurrency on behalf of your clients, which of the following characteristics of cryptocurrency investing are you most concerned about?, Source: Mercer’s 2022 Global Wealth Management Investment Survey
The survey also sought to understand what wealth mangers believed were their biggest opportunities. Reflective of their concerns about low investment returns, respondents identified diversifying away from traditional asset classes (59%) as the biggest investment opportunity over the next two years. Opportunities related to climate change (41%) also ranked highly, followed by technology (31%) and demographic shifts (28%).
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) (3%), investing in China (9%) and digital assets (18%) ended up as the lowest-ranked opportunities for wealth managers.
What, in your view, are your organization’s top two investment opportunities over the next two years?, Source: Mercer’s 2022 Global Wealth Management Investment Survey
Wealth managers’ reluctance to engage in crypto came despite a rather considerable proportion of them holding the belief that within the next few years, crypto will become an institutional-grade investment. 44% of respondents agreed that this statement was likely or highly likely to happen. An equal number of respondents said it was unlikely or highly unlikely to be the case, while 13% saying they did not know.
How likely do you think it is that cryptocurrency will become an institutional-grade investment in the next five years?, Source: Mercer’s 2022 Global Wealth Management Investment Survey
Results of the Mercer survey echo those of similar studies on the topic which largely revealed investment professionals’ hesitation to participate in crypto markets.
A Natixis Investment Managers survey published in February 2022 found that roughly two out of three “fund selectors” – the professionals in charge of analyzing and choosing the investments their firms offer customers – don’t believe individual investors should own cryptocurrency in their portfolios.
Like the findings of the Mercer survey, these investment professionals’ reluctance was found to be largely due to challenges relating to crypto’s transparency issues and the industry’s lack of regulation. About 87% agreed crypto assets needed to be more transparent, while 84% indicated thinking that the asset class needed some type of regulatory oversight.
Cryptocurrencies are considered a risky investment in part due to their highly volatility and unpredictable price fluctuations. Since November 2021, nearly US$2 trillion has been wiped off the crypto market in what experts have warned as being a “crypto winter,” or a prolonged bear market.
Customer demand remains high
Despite high volatility and unclear regulations, private investors have continued to show interest in crypto.
A 2022 study conducted by Strategy&amp; and PwC, which polled 2,000 private crypto investors in Germany, Switzerland and Turkey, found that 10% of all Germans and 17% of all Swiss owned cryptocurrencies.
50% of those surveyed indicated having invested between EUR 1,000 and EUR 10,000 in the asset class, and over 80% of crypto-investors said they wanted to expand their crypto holdings.
These figures show that crypto is no longer a niche product and has, for several investors, become a key component in their asset portfolio, the report says.
Total global wealth grew by 9.8%, totaling US$463.6 trillion as of the end of 2021, according to the 13th edition of the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report. Setting aside exchange rate movements, this translates to a growth rate of 12.7% in aggregate global wealth, the fastest annual rate ever recorded, the report says.
Wealth per adult rose 8.4% during the course of the year to reach US$87,489, close to three times the level recorded at the turn of the century.
All regions contributed to the rise in global wealth, but North America and China dominated. North American accounted for a little over half the global total and China, for about a quarter, the report says. In contrast, Africa, Europe, India and Latin America together accounted for just 11.1% of global wealth growth.
With over 140,000 ultra-high-net-worth individuals (with wealth above US$50 million) in 2021, the US continued to rank the highest in the wealth pyramid, followed by China with 32,710 individuals. Worldwide, Credit Suisse estimates that there were 62.5 million millionaires at the end of 2021, 5.2 million more than the year before.

Featured image credit: Pexels
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/wealth-managers-reluctant-to-invest-in-crypto</link><guid>2894</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HK-Fintech-Week-2022.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Wealth Managers Reluctant to Invest in Crypto</dc:text></item><item><title>Zuger Lending Startup i2 Group bekommt 3.8 Mio. Franken Finanzierung</title><description><![CDATA[Das Zuger Fintech i2 invest hat im Rahmen einer überzeichneten Finanzierungsrunde die Finanzierung um insgesamt 3.8 Mio. Fr. erhöht. Zu den Investoren gehören Schweizer Business Angel und ein englischer Hedge Fund-Manager. Zudem beteiligten sich zwei Family Offices an der Runde. Der Finanzexperte Philipp Schnyder, ehemaliger Managing Director bei Partners Group, verstärkt den Verwaltungsrat.
Der Bereich Private Debt (Kredite, die nicht von Banken vergeben werden) ist am boomen. 2021 hat das Volumen 1187 Mrd. USD erreicht, eine Vervierfachung in zehn Jahren. Grund dafür ist das steigende Interesse von institutionellen und privaten Investoren an attraktiven Alternativen zu den gängigen festverzinslichen Anlagen.
Das Management einer Vielzahl von solchen Krediten ist aber eine Aufgabe, die mit Excel nur schwer zu bewältigen und fehleranfällig ist. Das stellt Vermögensverwalter, die bereits Anlageprodukte lanciert haben oder das gerne tun würden, vor eine herausfordernde Aufgabe. Diese löst i2 Group mit ihrer Software, die bereits bei vier Asset Managern zum Einsatz kommt. Seit Lancierung hat i2 Group bereits in über 500’000 verschiedene Kredite investiert. Das Fintech übernimmt, wenn gewünscht, die Strukturierung verschiedener Anlagegefässe (Notes, Bonds oder Alternative Investment Funds) mit einer eigenen Struktur oder mit Partnern.


Gregor Stadelmann
“Wir freuen uns, dass Philipp Schnyder seine breite Erfahrung unserer jungen Firma zur Verfügung stellt und unser Angebot zunehmend auf Anklang stösst bei Vermögensverwaltern, die diese boomende Anlageklassen für ihre Kunden erschliessen wollen”,
sagt Gregor Stadelmann, CEO und Mitgründer von i2 invest.

Auf dem Foto von Rechts nach Links: Dominik Hertig (Head of legal and operations), Gregor Stadelmann (CEO), Marco Müller (Head of strategy and business development), Markus Benz (Head of technology).
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/zuger-lending-startup-i2-group-bekommt-38-mio-franken-finanzierung</link><guid>2892</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HK-Fintech-Week-2022.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Zuger Lending Startup i2 Group bekommt 3.8 Mio. Franken Finanzierung</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Universal Banks Top Digital Performance Ranking Ahead of Neobanks and Challengers</title><description><![CDATA[Traditional banking institutions are performing better than digital challengers on their digital presence, engagement, social media and app usage, according to Colombus Consulting’s latest edition of the Digital Index and Performance of Swiss Players report.
The study, which looks at digitalization of the customer experience in Swiss retail banking, gives a ranking of the country’s best performing banks and neobanks each year, taking into consideration 50 metrics in four categories: web, mobile, marketing, and social. The report also provides insights into how retail banks are digitalizing customer relationship and experience, and measures the evolution over time.
This year’s study ranked UBS, PostFinance, Raiffeinsen and Credit Suisse at the top of the list. These banks are surpassing their competitors in terms of monthly web visits, average time spent by visitors, and average page load time of their websites, an indicators of their websites’ usability and performances as well as of client experience. They also ranked high in digital marketing, leading the group in estimated annual digital market budget, the number of visits they get from banners, and the number of visits from search.


UBS topped the 2022 ranking this year again, recording a very good performance on social networks and good results on the web (especially in terms of performance) and on digital marketing. Social networking involves looking at components like the number of a bank’ subscribers and the volume of monthly engagement on popular social media platforms to gauge their reach and know whether or not they are actively interacting with users online.
After UBS, PostFinance, the financial services unit of Swiss Post, ranked second with a strong performance mainly in marketing, and partly in web and mobile applications. Mobile application criteria are centered around performances and reviews, and aim to get a sense of customer satisfaction of the banks’ mobile tools. PostFinance, however, underperformed on the social networking component.
Raiffeisen ranked third, outperforming competitors on web, but underperforming on social networks and marketing. The bank did rank respectably on mobile apps.
Credit Suisse maintained its fourth position this year, recording a more balanced profile than the rest of the players.
Revolut closed the top 5 ranking, standing out for its excellence in mobile apps but lagging far behind in areas including digital marketing and social networks.
Top 5 Digital Index and Performance of Swiss Players 2022, Source: Colombus Consulting, 2022
Besides Revolut, Swissquote and Yuh were the only other digital banks that made it into this year’s top ten ranking. Swissquote is a Swiss banking group founded in 1996 that specializes in the provision of online financial and trading services, and Yuh is a fairly new player launched just in May 2021.
A joint product from Swissquote and PostFinance, Yuh is an app-based online account and debit card that offers no fees for everyday spending and low fees for specialized services such as international transfers and investing.
Overall, this year’s study revealed that the digitalization of customer relations is accelerating in Switzerland, and that the gap is narrowing between traditional retail banks and digital banks, the report says. However, differences still exist, with digital challengers retaining the upper hand in innovation and digital customer relationship.
Revolut, for example, was the first bank to offer an education program that rewarded customers who completed training modules. It also provides innovative features on its mobile app like the ability to generate one-time virtual cards for online purchases that are automatically destroyed once payment is made.
Looking at trends observed over the past year, the report firm notes that digital account opening has become the new standard in the industry with the majority of banks in the country now offering fully remote onboarding.
It also notes that hybrid banking offers have become a popular strategy across traditional banking institutions, with Credit Suisse, for example, operating a dedicated digital banking brand called CSX which provides banking services online at more competitive prices.
CIC is one of the latest institutions to have entered the niche, having launching in September 2022 its CIC ON offering. CIC ON provides a comprehensive range of services, ranging from “everyday banking” to topic-specific investments and personal advice.
Others, like UBS, have embraced a multi-app strategy. The bank currently offers 15 different mobile apps focusing on different needs and users.
The UBS Mobile Banking app, for example, allows customers to manage their accounts; UBS Twint is a free mobile payment app; UBS Access is a security app that allows users to confirm new payment recipients and online purchases; UBS Safe lets users securely store their passwords as well as emergency documents like identity papers; UBS Welcome allows customers to verify their identity and/or electronically sign documents; and UBS Financial Services lets users manage their cash and accounts, set budgets and track spending.

Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-universal-banks-top-digital-performance-ranking-ahead-of-neobanks-and-challengers</link><guid>2893</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HK-Fintech-Week-2022.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Universal Banks Top Digital Performance Ranking Ahead of Neobanks and Challengers</dc:text></item><item><title>Yokoy Brings Its Spend Management Automation Platform to Spain</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss spend management automation company Yokoy has opened an office in Madrid to better serve mid-to-large sized enterprises in Spain with a local team.
Yokoy helps companies centralise spending activities in a single platform, automate processes by automatically reading out invoices and expense receipts, and manage card transactions with its corporate card solutions.
The platform also integrates with existing ERP systems, works in multiple currencies, adapts to local regulations, and automatically reads the tax rates which prepares the accounting journal for correct posting and VAT reclaim.


Yokoy previously opened its European hub in Amsterdam in February 2022, and has offices in Munich and Vienna. The company also came in first on the TOP 100 Swiss Startups 2022 rankings.
Siro Márquez
“I was always irritated by how cumbersome it was to manually submit, check, approve and process expenses and invoices. Yokoy solves that frustration by consolidating and fully automating all aspects of spend management,”
said Siro Márquez, a Senior Account Executive in Yokoy’s Madrid office.



Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/yokoy-brings-its-spend-management-automation-platform-to-spain</link><guid>2898</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HK-Fintech-Week-2022.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Yokoy Brings Its Spend Management Automation Platform to Spain</dc:text></item><item><title>Meet the 10 Fintech Startups Selected for the Venture Leaders 2022 Cohort</title><description><![CDATA[Venturelab has selected 10 Swiss fintech startups for the fifth edition of the Venture Leaders Fintech programme, organised in partnership with Swissnex and supported by EPFL (École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne), ETH Zürich, and Walder Wyss.
The 10 startups, dubbed the Swiss National Fintech Team, will kick off their roadshow in November at the Fintech Connect event in London where they will also participate in the Fintech Expo.
The Venture Leaders programme aims to provide promising Swiss startups a platform to build their network, attend advanced trainings, and showcase their startup to raise funds.


Venturelab has been orgnising the programme for the past 18 years with previous editions involving roadshows to Silicon Valley, Boston, New York, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Barcelona.
Venture Leaders Fintech alumni include startups such as Qumram (acquired by Dynatrace), AAAccell (acquired by LPA Group), and Sonect who was made the TOP 100 Scale-Ups 2022 rankings.
Sandipan Chakraborty
“Venture Leaders is a program that helps founders expand their vision beyond Swiss borders and amplifies their aspirations to become a global leader. If you need to do a litmus test of a market by engaging with potential customers or connect with local investors to access their network, Venture Leaders is the right program to give you tangible results in just one week,”
said Sandipan Chakraborty, Founder and CEO of Sonect and Venture Leader Fintech 2017.
Jordi Montserrat
“This Venture Leaders Fintech 2022 team offers an impressive range of products serving SMEs, investors, financial institutions, and NGOs to help them bring their business forward. From implementation simplicity to cost-efficiency, these new solutions are here to make a difference. We look forward to the London Roadshow,”
said Jordi Montserrat, CEO of Venturelab.

The Venture Leaders Fintech Team 2022

AIDONIC (Zug)

AIDONIC is an end-to-end payments infrastructure and data management platform for humanitarian organizations to accelerate financial inclusion with real-time impact tracking. AIDONIC empowers philanthropic actors to deliver aid faster, cheaper, and fully transparently, powered by blockchain technology.

amnis (Zurich)

amnis aims to reshape international banking for SMEs across Europe. In addition to currency exchange and cross-border payments, the global business account includes real-time P2P transfers and individual IBAN accounts to receive funds in 20+ currencies, beginning with a free starter plan.

Aktionariat (Zurich)

Aktionariat offers a technical solution that allows shares to be tokenized and easily traded by using the Ethereum Blockchain. Aktionariat not only enables tokenization for business customers but also creates their own decentralized and automated marketplace.

grape (Zurich)

grape is a digital B2B insurer. As a next-gen insurance company, grape provides its enterprise customers insurance contracts bundled with a B2B SaaS product that saves them time managing their claims, enhances absences management, and improves their employees’ health.

Fidentity (Berne)

fidentity creates trust between two parties by providing digital identification and signing at the highest level of legal compliance in an integrated solution. fidentity is extremely simple to use and provides the highest security coupled with flexible modes of integration.

LEVA (Zurich)

LEVA is an award-winning online platform enabling the establishment and management of investment syndicates. In less than two years, business angels, wealth managers, family offices, and fund managers from all over Europe have launched over 250 syndicates on the LEVA platform.

Money Masters (Geneva)

Money Masters works to make financial education accessible, fun, and simple. They have created a gamified and interactive education platform that makes it easy to learn about money – in essence, “The Duolingo of Finance.”

nobank (Zug)

nobank believes that non-custodial wallets are essential for the future of Web3. Existing wallets are still too complicated to onboard the next billion users, which is why nobank makes Web3 accessible and genuinely useful to everyone by offering the simplest way to directly interact with assets on the blockchain.

Splint Invest (Zug)

Splint Invest empowers individual investors by providing a sustainable platform that makes alternative assets accessible for everyone through fractional investing.

ZEMP (Lucerne)

ZEMP reinvents tired stationary retail to a mobile global sales platform for every mobile device user in the world. Converging POS and PAY into one seamless intuitive retail solution for B2C or B2B, it is available as a standalone app or integrated in any payment, banking or service product.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/meet-the-10-fintech-startups-selected-for-the-venture-leaders-2022-cohort</link><guid>2890</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HK-Fintech-Week-2022.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Meet the 10 Fintech Startups Selected for the Venture Leaders 2022 Cohort</dc:text></item><item><title>Revolut, Wise and Neon Are the Cheapest Neobanks in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[Online comparison service moneyland.ch conducted a study to compare the cost of using banking, card and foreign exchange services provided by seven leading neobanks in Switzerland — CSX, Neon, Revolut, Wise, Yapeal, Yuh, and Zak.
The study found British neobanks Revolut and Wise to be the cheapest options overall, followed by Swiss neobanks Neon and Yuh.
Digital payments and neobank awareness are on the rise in Switzerland, according to research from the Swiss Payment Monitor, with eight out of 10 card payments processed contactlessly in 2020.


Nevertheless, a separate study also found that Swiss residents remain reluctant to join neobanks and non-traditional banking providers, with around 80% of those surveyed having little to no interest in banking with such companies.
More than 310 neobanks have launched around the world in the past decade, attracting an estimated 39 million users globally, with most of them located in Europe.
Cost of neobank’s credit cards and transactions
The study found that Revolut and Wise provided the cheapest card transactions, followed by Swiss neobank Neon. Meanwhile, Credit Suisse’s neobank CSX was the most costly option.
Wise and Revolut were again the cheapest neobanks when it came to international transactions, followed by Neon, Yapeal and Yuh. Zak and CSX were found to be five times more expensive than the cheapest options.
Online comparison service moneyland.ch compared seven neobanks available to Swiss consumers. Revolut, Wise, and Neon are the cheapest. Source: moneyland.ch
Conventional Swiss credit cards are still the most favourable option for purchases in Switzerland since cards from neobanks — while free to use for customers — do not reward cash back.
Most neobanks have foreign transaction costs of under one percent for CHF to EUR exchanges. The only neobanks of the seven studied with currency exchange costs above one percent are Zak and CSX.
The foreign transaction costs of most conventional Swiss credit cards, on the other hand, equal between three and five percent of the transacted amount.
Different types of neobank accounts
All the neobanks included in the study have offers with no basic account fees and all offered cash withdrawals at ATMs and card payments at physical and online shops.
Neobanks also offer a wide selection of paid accounts. In some cases, paid premium accounts work out cheaper than offers with no basic account fees when total costs were considered.
For example, while Revolut will begin charging a fee on 25 October 2022 when users add money to their standard account using a debit or credit card issued in Switzerland, top-ups to their paid accounts remain free.
CSX, Yapeal, and Zak also have paid accounts which include complimentary ATM cash withdrawals, while Yapeal only offers fee-free bank transfers in its paid accounts.
Neon offers accounts with metal payment cards and has a sustainable account which helps finance the planting of trees in users’ names.
Neobanks with Swiss bank accounts
However, not all of the neobanks included in the study offer bank accounts in Switzerland.
Revolut and Wise do not include a Swiss bank account, while the Yapeal Loyalty account provides a bank account number for receiving transfers but does not allow users to transfer money to other bank accounts.
Neobanks generally do not charge bank transfer services charge fees for transfers to and from other Swiss bank accounts.
Currently, the only neobanks which pay interest on private account balances are Yuh and Zak.
Swiss neobank Yuh came in first place in the comparison limited to neobanks who do offer Swiss bank accounts, followed closely by Neon. Yappeal came in a distant third, while CSX was significantly more costly in all aspects.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/revolut-wise-and-neon-are-the-cheapest-neobanks-in-switzerland</link><guid>2891</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HK-Fintech-Week-2022.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Revolut, Wise and Neon Are the Cheapest Neobanks in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Relai Partners Checkout.com to Enable Instant Bitcoin Purchases</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss Bitcoin investment app Relai has partnered with global payments provider Checkout.com to enable its users to buy the cryptocurrency via Visa, Mastercard and Apple Pay in real time through its self-custodial wallet.
The partnership with Checkout.com is expected to allow users to have constant access to instant liquidity while also ensuring that they have full say over what happens to their assets.
Founded in 2020, Relai currently serves over 40 countries in Europe, has over 100,000 app downloads, 30,000 active users, and CHF 6 million in monthly volume.


The startup last raised a CHF 2.5 million Series A round in mid-2021 and recently made the TOP 100 Swiss Startup Awards 2022.
Checkout.com is a London-based payments solutions provider with a US$40 billion valuation. The company recently acquired French identity verification startup Ubble and partnered with Fireblocks to offer its 24/7 stablecoin settlement solution.
Julian Liniger
“At a time when it’s increasingly important for people to have control over their money, we are thrilled to announce our partnership with Checkout.com,”
said Julian Liniger, CEO and Co-Founder at Relai.
Esteban Sadurni
“We’re excited to partner with Relai supporting their mission to make bitcoin easier, simpler, safer, and more accessible for everyone using our payments technology,”
said Esteban Sadurni, Director, Crypto &amp; Digital Assets at Checkout.com.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/relai-partners-checkoutcom-to-enable-instant-bitcoin-purchases</link><guid>2886</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HK-Fintech-Week-2022.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Relai Partners Checkout.com to Enable Instant Bitcoin Purchases</dc:text></item><item><title>vestr Raises CHF 10M in a Round Led by Raiffeisen Bank’s Elevator Ventures</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss investment management technology company vestr has raised CHF 10 million in a funding round led by Elevator Ventures, the venture capital arm of Vienna-based Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI).
The round was said to include high profile family offices as well as all of vestr’s existing institutional investors including EquityPitcher Ventures, Zürcher Kantonalbank, and SIX Fintech Ventures.
Founded in 2017, vestr provides white label investment management solutions to institutional clients. Its platform includes features such as portfolio rebalancing, investor reporting, and audit trails.


The funding will enable the company to develop a more comprehensive platform with more third-party integrations, as well as expand its presence in Asia.
Rico Blaser
“This new financing provides vestr with the firepower to continue our triple-digit annual growth, while also ensuring manageable equity dilution for existing shareholders,”
said Dr. Rico Blaser, Co-Founder and CEO of vestr.
Maximilian Schausberger
“We value not only vestr’s extensive knowledge of the market needs, but also their forecast of future requirements of active investments,”
said Maximilian Schausberger, Managing Director of Elevator Ventures.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/vestr-raises-chf-10m-in-a-round-led-by-raiffeisen-banks-elevator-ventures</link><guid>2887</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HK-Fintech-Week-2022.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>vestr Raises CHF 10M in a Round Led by Raiffeisen Bank’s Elevator Ventures</dc:text></item><item><title>Microsoft Switzerland Appoints Christian Thier as New Financial Services Industry Lead</title><description><![CDATA[Microsoft Switzerland has appointed Christian Thier as its new Financial Services Industry (FSI) Lead, reporting directly to the country general manager and serving as part of Microsoft’s Swiss leadership team.
Christian Thier has been leading Microsoft’s FSI team in Switzerland as part of its enterprise commercial business for over four years. He first joined the company in September 2016.
Prior to that, he was Global Business Director for UBS and spent over 15 years in the financial services industry in various leadership roles.


Financial services is now a separate business unit within Microsoft and the creation of the FSI lead role is said to reflect the vertical’s importance within the company.
With Thier’s addition, Microsoft Switzerland’s leadership team now has 15 members, headed by Country General Manager Catrin Hinkle and Chief Financial Officer Alexander Gaertner.
Catrin Hinkel
“Today, our customers require individual solutions for their individual needs. For that reason, Microsoft Switzerland has decided to elevate the Financial Services Industry as its own business unit to reflect the importance of this industry and to serve our customers even better.

I am delighted to announce Christian Thier as our Swiss FSI Lead and newest addition of the Swiss Leadership Team, reporting directly to me,”
said Catrin Hinkel, Country General Manager, Microsoft Switzerland.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/microsoft-switzerland-appoints-christian-thier-as-new-financial-services-industry-lead</link><guid>2888</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HK-Fintech-Week-2022.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Microsoft Switzerland Appoints Christian Thier as New Financial Services Industry Lead</dc:text></item><item><title>Ist das der beste Hypotheken-Vergleich, den es je gab?</title><description><![CDATA[Die neuen Features von Valuu machen das Vergleichen und Optimieren Ihrer Hypothek noch transparenter und schneller. Sie sehen mehr Details, vergleichen Angebote einfacher und wählen bequemer Ihre beste Hypothek. Damit setzt unsere Vergleichs- und Abschlussplattform einmal mehr Standards im Schweizer Hypotheken-Markt.

Details in Kürze oder voller Länge sehen
Valuu vereint den einfachen Online-Abschluss mit umfänglicher Angebotstransparenz für Finanzierungen. Darum sehen Sie Ihre individuellen Hypotheken-Angebote immer schnell auf einen Blick. Neu können Sie für jedes Angebot detaillierte Informationen ein- und ausblenden. So kennen Sie alle Vorteile, Konditionen, Gebühren und Wissenswertes zu Ihrem Kreditgeber, bevor Sie Ihre Finanzierung abschliessen.


Transparenz auf den Punkt gebracht
Verbessert haben wir auch den Vergleich von Angeboten. Sie können jetzt Ihre Favoriten in einer Merkliste speichern. Praktisch ist auch der Direktvergleich von 2 zwei und mehr bis zu drei Angeboten. Wählen Sie die gewünschten Hypotheken aus und vergleichen Sie vom Zins bis zu den nötigen Dokumenten alle Aspekte transparent. Darunter auch Infos zum Thema Nachhaltigkeit. Ein neu geschaffenes Segment zeigt nachhaltige Angebote Ihrer gewählten Kreidtgeber. Und das beste: mit nur einem Klick sehen Sie alle Unterschiede der Angebote gewählten Hypotheken auf einen Blick.
Optimieren leicht gemacht
Valuu bietet tagesaktuelle Angebote und passt diese immer Ihren Angaben an. Darum können Sie Ihre Hypothek mit Valuu ganz nach Ihren Bedürfnissen optimieren. Das passende Modell und die Laufzeit auszuwählen, geht dank neuer Dropdown-Funktion jetzt noch einfacher. Klicken Sie sich durch Ihre Optionen und sehen Sie sofort, wie sich die Kosten für Ihre Finanzierung ändern. Warten Sie nicht, sondern finden Sie jetzt Ihre beste Hypothek mit Valuu.


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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ist-das-der-beste-hypotheken-vergleich-den-es-je-gab</link><guid>2889</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/valuu-Hypotheken-Vergleich-1024x683.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Ist das der beste Hypotheken-Vergleich, den es je gab?</dc:text></item><item><title>TripActions Raises US$150M at US$9.2B Valuation as Business Travel Recovers</title><description><![CDATA[Travel expense management platform TripActions has raised a US$300 million Series G at a US$9.2 billion post-money valuation. The raise is a combination of US$154 million in equity and a US$150 million structured capital transaction led by Coatue.
The announcement comes as the platform recorded a surge of more than 7.5-times in spend volume, and gross bookings increased by more than five times year-on-year in its latest fiscal quarter.
The funding will be used to accelerate the company’s expansion, which in the past year included the launch of its card-led automated expense management platform TripActions Liquid in Europe.


Founded in 2015, this is TripActions’ third financing round in three years. Its last round was in October 2021 when it raised US$275 million at a US$7 billion pre-money valuation.
TripActions’ platform includes features such as dynamic travel policy, real-time reporting with benchmark data, traveler incentive programmes, and built-in spend controls.
The latest funding round also sees the addition of Premji Invest Managing Partner Sandesh Patnam to TripActions’ Board of Directors and Coatue Ventures Chairman Dan Rose as Board Observer.
Ben Horowitz
“From the start, TripActions revolutionised business travel by automating, personalising, and professionalising the experience. Despite a pandemic that brought business travel to a standstill, the company doubled down on innovation and now those bets are paying off in a big way,”
said Ben Horowitz, Co-Founder and General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz.
Dan Rose
“At a time when companies are more focused than ever on controlling expenses, TripActions saves enterprise companies money by aligning employees’ incentives with the business,”
said Dan Rose, Chairman at Coatue Ventures.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/tripactions-raises-us150m-at-us92b-valuation-as-business-travel-recovers</link><guid>2885</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HK-Fintech-Week-2022.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>TripActions Raises US$150M at US$9.2B Valuation as Business Travel Recovers</dc:text></item><item><title>Mastercard, Paxos Launch Crypto Trading Solutions for Financial Institutions</title><description><![CDATA[Mastercard has launched Crypto Source, a new programme to provide the payment giant’s financial institution partners access to a suite of buy, hold and sell services for select crypto assets.
Additionally, Mastercard is also expanding its partnership with blockchain infrastructure platform Paxos. Paxos will provide crypto asset trading and custody services, while Mastercard will integrate those services into banks’ interfaces.
The new programme will be complemented by Mastercard Crypto Secure, its new CipherTrace-enabled offering to help banks and other card issuers assess the risk profile of crypto services providers.


Mastercard’s suite of crypto-related offerings also includes crypto spend and cash out capabilities, as well as end-to-end support for banks, fintechs and issuers to offer crypto programmes at scale.
Mastercard Crypto Source is currently being prepared for pilot programmes. Additional details on broader availability will be made available at a later date.
Ajay Bhalla
“What we are announcing today is a connected approach to services that will help bring users safely and securely into the crypto ecosystem.

Our recent investments in this space, such as the acquisition of CipherTrace and Ekata, are providing us with a unique set of capabilities to help provide our customers and consumers with the most technically advanced solutions available in the market,”
said Ajay Bhalla, President, Cyber &amp; Intelligence at Mastercard.
Walter Hessert
“Mastercard has a powerful network of financial institutions around the world. This exciting offering developed by Paxos and Mastercard will give them the fastest and most trusted way to offer safe, reliable crypto access for their consumers globally,”
said Walter Hessert, Head of Strategy at Paxos.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mastercard-paxos-launch-crypto-trading-solutions-for-financial-institutions</link><guid>2883</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HK-Fintech-Week-2022.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Mastercard, Paxos Launch Crypto Trading Solutions for Financial Institutions</dc:text></item><item><title>SEBA Bank Is Now an ETP Issuer on the BX Swiss</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss stock exchange BX Swiss announced that crypto bank SEBA Bank is now issuing exchange-traded products (ETPs) on its platform with a tracker certificate on the SEBA Metaverse Index for trading.
SEBA Bank’s ETP, which trades under the ticker SMETA, focuses on crypto assets from the gaming, entertainment and social interaction sectors in the virtual world.
The product is fully collateralised and 100% physically backed, and is geared towards investors who wish to participate in the development of the metaverse.


With this addition, BX Swiss now offers 52 ETPs from 13 issuers tradable daily from 9.00 am to 5.30 pm.
Founded in 2018, SEBA Bank is a digital assets firm with a Swiss banking license from FINMA. The company last raised a CHF 110 million Series C funding round in January 2022.
Matthias Müller
“With SEBA Bank, we were able to gain the third new ETP issuer this year. With the SEBA Metaverse Index, the investment universe on BX Swiss now extends to over two dozen different cryptocurrencies,”
said Matthias Müller, Head of Markets &amp; Services, BX Swiss.
Gregory Mall
“The SEBA Metaverse Index provides exposure to digital assets designed to capture the accelerating trends of gaming, entertainment and social interactions into virtual environments. SMETA’s constituents include tokens with exposure to the metaverse, selected based on their market capitalisation and liquidity,”
said Gregory Mall, Head Investment Solutions, SEBA Bank.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/seba-bank-is-now-an-etp-issuer-on-the-bx-swiss</link><guid>2884</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HK-Fintech-Week-2022.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>SEBA Bank Is Now an ETP Issuer on the BX Swiss</dc:text></item><item><title>BNPL Startup HeidiPay Gets Funding From Mediobanca’s Credit Arm Compass</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss BNPL startup HeidiPay has closed a new funding round led by Italian banking group Mediobanca’s consumer credit arm Compass. The amount, which comprised equity and debt financing, was not disclosed.
The funding builds on the companies’ existing partnership in Italy in which HeidiPay provides Compass’ ecommerce platform with buy now pay later (BNPL) features under the brand PagoLight.
Under the partnership, Compass retains full control of the feature’s risk decisioning, funding and post-sale operations, while HeidiPay provides its technology stack.


HeidiPay’s BNPL solution enables merchants in Italy and Switzerland to offer monthy instalment terms of up to 12 months and 24 months respectively, with more countries in the works.
Founded in 2021, HeidiPay claims to have onboarded 300 merchant partners to date. The funding will help scale its existing operations and access credit lines to support the requirements of large merchants.
Matteo Bozzo
“In less than four months, we were able to launch with Compass a market leading BNPL offering in Italy, and we continue to work together to bring new innovations to the market in record time,”
said Matteo Bozzo, Co-Founder and CEO of HeidiPay.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bnpl-startup-heidipay-gets-funding-from-mediobancas-credit-arm-compass</link><guid>2882</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HK-Fintech-Week-2022.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>BNPL Startup HeidiPay Gets Funding From Mediobanca’s Credit Arm Compass</dc:text></item><item><title>Apple Card Partners With Goldman Sachs to Offer Savings Account Feature</title><description><![CDATA[Apple has partnered with Goldman Sachs to provide Apple Card users with a savings account where they will be able to automatically deposit their Daily Cash cashback rewards.
Apple Card users will be able to set up, manage and monitor their savings account through the Wallet app in the coming months. The account will have no fees, no minimum deposits, and no minimum balance requirements.
Users will be able to deposit funds into and withdraw from their savings account through a linked bank account or their Apple Cash balance.


Apple Card users also get cashback on purchases from select merchants such as Uber and Uber Eats, Walgreens, Nike, T-Mobile, and ExxonMobil.
Jennifer Bailey
“Savings enables Apple Card users to grow their Daily Cash rewards over time, while also saving for the future. Savings delivers even more value to users’ favorite Apple Card benefit — Daily Cash — while offering another easy-to-use tool designed to help users lead healthier financial lives,”
said Jennifer Bailey, Vice President of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet at Apple.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/apple-card-partners-with-goldman-sachs-to-offer-savings-account-feature</link><guid>2881</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HK-Fintech-Week-2022.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Apple Card Partners With Goldman Sachs to Offer Savings Account Feature</dc:text></item><item><title>BNP Paribas to Acquire Currency Risk Management Company Kantox</title><description><![CDATA[French banking group BNP Paribas announced plans to acquire UK currency risk management company Kantox, building on the companies’ existing partnership which started in 2019.
Kantox’s software solution helps companies automate their entire foreign exchange workflow, including risk analysis and monitoring, trade execution and post-trade performance analysis.
The acquisition, which is subject to regulatory approval, is expected to help accelerate Kantox’s growth as BNP Paribas extends Kantox’s offering to corporate clients across the globe.


Founded in 2011, Kantox has offices in London and Barcelona, and is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Bank of Spain.
Philippe Gelis
“We have been serving clients together since 2019 when our technology partnership started. It is the best of both worlds, the leading software company in the currency management automation category and the leading bank in Europe,”
Philippe Gelis, CEO and Co-Founder at Kantox.
Olivier Osty
“Corporate treasurers are currently navigating turbulent markets and advanced technology can help mitigate some of the challenges, easing the burden of manual tasks and allowing them to focus on their core business,”
Olivier Osty, Head of Global Markets, BNP Paribas CIB.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bnp-paribas-to-acquire-currency-risk-management-company-kantox</link><guid>2880</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HK-Fintech-Week-2022.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>BNP Paribas to Acquire Currency Risk Management Company Kantox</dc:text></item><item><title>Marketplace Lending Volume in Switzerland Rose 20% in 2021</title><description><![CDATA[After timid growth in 2020, marketplace lending in Switzerland witnessed a strong upturn last year, with total volume rising 20% between 2020 and 2021.
That uptick was driven mostly by improved crowdlending loan volumes, notably in real estate and small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) lending, and growth in the market for loans to public entities and mid-sized and large corporations, a new report by the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts and the Swiss Marketplace Lending Association shows.
The total volume of new debt capital issued on online platforms in 2021 reached CHF 18.1 billion, up from CHF 15.4 billion in 2020. In the sector, the crowdlending segment witnessed the strongest growth with total volume increasing by a solid 35.5% between 2020 and 2021 (from CHF 448 million to CHF 607 million) compared to the mere 7% growth observed between 2019 and 2020.


These figures show that crowdlending regained some of its strength in 2021 after the market experienced a slowdown in 2020. This downtrend is being attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic which saw the Swiss government launch a loan program that drew SMEs towards traditional banking institutions, subsequently putting a halt to market growth in SME marketplace lending, the report says.
Evidence of this is the 40% drop in SME loan volumes recorded in 2020, which decreased from CHF 159.7 million in 2019 to just CHF 95.9 million in 2020. In 2021, the market regained colors, with volumes rising 15% to CHF 110.4 million. Despite encouraging numbers, the figures still pale in comparison to pre-COVID-19 levels (CHF 159.7 million in 2019 and CHF 134.4 million in 2018).
Besides the rebound observed in SME lending, perhaps most notably is the surge seen in the real estate lending space. Between 2020 and 2021, total real estate loan volumes grew 41% to reach CHF 418 million. The figure represents a 18-fold increase from 2017’s CHF 23.1 million. Data show that real estate crowdlending started picking up steam in 2019 and has since maintained its momentum.
In addition to crowdlending, the segment of loans and bonds for mid-sized and large corporations as well as public entities also recorded notable growth, with volumes rising 28% between 2020 and 2021 (from CHF 9.4 billion to CHF 12 billion).
Mortgage loans through online brokerages saw a more timid growth, registering a shy 6.7% increase in total loan volume.
Total Volume Swiss Marketplace Lending, 2017-2021 (in CHF million; * Estimate), Source: Marketplace Lending Report Switzerland 2022, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts/Swiss Marketplace Lending Association
Moving forward, online mortgage brokers are expected to become increasingly important in Switzerland owing to their current relatively small market share.
Compared to other European countries, platforms make up just a small share of the Swiss mortgage lending market (about 5% of yearly sales), according to consultancy firm Deloitte. This suggests enormous growth potential. In comparison, the use of platforms makes up about 45% of yearly sales in Germany, a proportion that stands at around 65% in France and the Netherlands, and at a whopping 75% in the UK.
The study identifies 12 different marketplace lending platforms for mortgages in Switzerland. MoneyPark, which was launched in 2012 and offers both online mortgages and face-to-face advice in branches, is currently Switzerland’s most established mortgage brokerage firm, the report says. Other notable ones include the Atrium platform by UBS, Valuu by PostFinance, as well as independent players like HypoPlus and Hypotheke.
Another emerging trend to look out for is the rise of sustainability, the report says, an increasingly important consideration in the debt market.
In Switzerland, the first initiatives have already been launched. In the mortgage sector, UBS introduced its so-called “green mortgage” offering on Atrium last year, providing borrowers with an interest rate discount if they meet specified environmental criteria. In SME lending, some platforms have integrated sustainability into their risk models, the report notes.
Moving forward, new, innovative sustainable lending products are expected to continue emerging, it predicts, and platforms will continue to integrate sustainability risk into the risk assessment.
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing is a fast growing market in Switzerland as investors increasingly look for long term value and alignment with their values. In 2021, the volume of sustainable investments in Switzerland increased by almost a third, reaching an all-time high of CHF 1.98 trillion, according to a study by industry trade group Swiss Sustainable Finance (SSF).
Development of sustainable investments in Switzerland (in CHF billion), Source: Swiss Sustainable Finance, 2022

Featured image credit: Freepik and Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/marketplace-lending-volume-in-switzerland-rose-20-in-2021</link><guid>2879</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HK-Fintech-Week-2022.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Marketplace Lending Volume in Switzerland Rose 20% in 2021</dc:text></item><item><title>LPB Bank: The Fintech Industry in Latvia Has Great Potential but Requires Decisive Action</title><description><![CDATA[The Fintech industry in Latvia has enormous opportunities lying ahead – this was one of the insights at a recent forum held by the Financial and Capital Markets Commission (FCMC) and the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA), with LPB Bank as one of the participants.  Staņislavs Siņakovičs, Head of Sales and Regional Development Department at LPB Bank, offers his comments.
Staņislavs Siņakovičs
“We are happy that our regulator teamed up with the LIAA to hold an event like this – it is a positive signal for the market and potential investors still considering entry and licensing in Latvia, and is especially useful for businesses that lack information about the progress our country has been making. Fintech development will remain a priority in the coming years; participants of the forum have mentioned their plans for next year to implement cryptocurrency licensing – a major topic of discussion throughout the world,”
Siņakovičs noted.
Many companies shared their experiences at the forum, and discussions revolved around several burning questions in the field: what Latvia has accomplished in FinTech so far and where it should focus its efforts next; the role of the state, regulation and financing origination in the development of FinTech; innovative technology in the financial industry, and a variety of other essential topics. Many acknowledged the significant potential and advantages that Latvia has for FinTech development.


A gathering of recognised European players and startups
The first FinTech forum brought together multiple industry leaders and up-and-comers. A number of them were companies with ties to Latvia and headquartered throughout Europe (including the United Kingdom, Estonia and Lithuania) that have accumulated considerable experience in the field.
“We hope that this trend, coupled with the active involvement of the FCMC’s Financial Innovation Department, will encourage entrepreneurs to consider our country more closely,”
Siņakovičs added.
“The entrepreneurs gathered at the FinTech event expressed a lot of interest in regulating Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA). Participants admitted that supervision and licensing of players in the crypto market are necessary, and a number of states already have these in place. As of yet, Latvia does not, but bringing greater organisation to the market is necessary for developing the FinTech industry – including cryptocurrency exchange points, exchanges, and market participants. Now is a good time for Latvian FinTech regulators to consider the experiences of other countries so far. As we do this, we should not miss the opportunity to foster a competitive market instead of instituting excessive restrictions. Everyone needs to understand what participation in this market entails clearly. Then, every player can feel secure, and the attitude of business to the industry will be different. Currently, the level of risk remains high, and precise knowledge is necessary for risk management and effective cooperation with crypto assets companies. We hope and expect that Latvia will introduce crypto assets regulations in the nearest future,”
commented Siņakovičs on the developments ahead.
Investments in FinTech exceed USD 132 billion
“With FinTech on the rise globally, the amount of investment in the industry was over 132 billion U.S. dollars in 2021, according to “CBS Insights”,”
Siņakovičs stressed that the analytics company has published data on the 250 most promising companies in the field.
“The top 250 FinTech startups and well-funded unicorns [breakthrough successes] have attracted around 74 billion dollars worldwide since 2016, across nearly 1200 financing deals.”
“Latvian specialists have also been gaining experience, and LPB Bank has asserted for a long time that this is a high-priority field in financial markets, investing considerable resources and technologies in the development of new services, as well as in the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge,”
Siņakovičs observed.
“With each event like this that takes place, both the country and the private sector stand to benefit – through information exchange as well as capital origination. We are open to participation and happy to present our experiences at forums held by the LIAA and the FKTK, as well as other industry events. Internationally, Latvian FinTech capabilities are not widely known, although we feel the support from the state through holding such events. Likewise, the competition within Latvia is also increasing. LPB Bank currently has a leadership position.
Informing the industry is one of our main objectives. We recently participated in Money20/20 in Amsterdam – the most prominent finance industry event in Europe – and drew the interest of government bodies in joint participation in the future,”
Siņakovičs said.
Representatives of LPB Bank at this pan-European forum saw that the regulatory institutions take similar approaches in Estonia and Lithuania with their respective industry players.
“This would be both engaging and very useful – supervisory bodies and the LIAA could inform European companies about the types of licenses and pathways to securing them, accomplishments in Latvia so far and plans for the foreseeable future,”
Siņakovičs added.
Many FinTech services in development and testing
“Talking about trends, I would like to point out that some of the services I am talking about are at the development, testing and planning stages. Some of them are already available as part of our pilot projects,” Siņakovičs explained.
LPB Bank focuses on crowdfunding, Open Banking, and virtual IBAN – a way for a financial institution to generate virtual IBANs for its clients as unique payment details for their incoming and outgoing transfers.
“A virtual IBAN is a sub-account within a current bank account. The difference is that a virtual IBAN points to a different physical account. A vIBAN may be linked to a single account, which is useful for subdividing cash flows. Virtual IBANs will be helpful for companies that receive payments for various services and require additional details (e.g., agreement number, month etc.). It is used with trading platforms, crowdfunding platforms, and cryptocurrency traders with large customer bases, enabling them to quickly and easily group dissimilar transfers, compared to holding a single account with one account number for all incoming payments. We are currently testing this service and its attractiveness to various fields,”
Siņakovičs said about new developments at the bank.
LPB Bank is researching industry needs and challenges
“With the fast pace of development in FinTech services, the bank needs to understand what is required in this sector by its participants; the bank needs to know their objectives and challenges. Clients are looking for a so-called “support bank” that they can trust to safeguard their and customers’ funds on secure, segregated accounts. The Open Banking payments initiation functionality with access to SEPA instant payments is very similar to acquiring service for payment cards. Many merchants already support it as a payment method. Online shops in Latvia and abroad accept card and bank transfer payments and offer ready-made payment orders for clients’ banks, allowing confirmation via Smart-ID or another means of client authentication. We are considering this service at the moment,”
Siņakovičs says about current plans.
Despite a wide variety of offerings in the financial services sector, a few financial institutions provide one-stop support in a Banking as a Service (BaaS) format. With LPB Bank, a FinTech company can connect to European payment systems for regular SEPA, SEPA Instant and TARGET transfers. Integration costs are significantly reduced for clients who choose LPB Bank, and infrastructure maintenance requires fewer human resources and capital expenditures.
On the other hand, companies that choose multiple service providers incur more significant financial and labour overhead for reviewing commercial solutions, coordination, testing, implementation and support. In most cases, technical integration takes more IT resources and time – for both the vendor and the client.
Find out more about FinTech solutions: https://lpb.lv/en/banking-as-a-service-fintech/
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/lpb-bank-the-fintech-industry-in-latvia-has-great-potential-but-requires-decisive-action</link><guid>2878</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HK-Fintech-Week-2022.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>LPB Bank: The Fintech Industry in Latvia Has Great Potential but Requires Decisive Action</dc:text></item><item><title>SDX Web3 Goes Live With Its Institutional Custody Service for Crypto Assets</title><description><![CDATA[SDX Web3, the newly launched business unit from SIX Digital Exchange, is now live with its institutional custody service for crypto assets.
The SDX Web3 Custody service includes key storage, transfer execution and monitoring with banking-grade compliance standards, automated reporting and blockchain management.
The service will initially comprise only BTC and ETH, with other protocols and crypto tokens such as stablecoins, asset and DEFI tokens to be added based on client demand.


SDX Web3, which is part of financial infrastructure company SIX group, previously launched a non-custodial Ethereum staking service for institutional clients in September.
Stephan Kunz
“We are excited to offer institutions a second market infrastructure grade service after launching non-custodial staking earlier this year. Having laid the foundation, we can now further build out our service offering in the coming months,”
said Stephan Kunz, Head of SDX Web3.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sdx-web3-goes-live-with-its-institutional-custody-service-for-crypto-assets</link><guid>2877</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HK-Fintech-Week-2022.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>SDX Web3 Goes Live With Its Institutional Custody Service for Crypto Assets</dc:text></item><item><title>Crypto.com to Invest €150 Million to Establish Paris as Its European Headquarters</title><description><![CDATA[Crypto.com announced plans to invest €150 million in France to support the establishment of its market operations and regional headquarters in Paris.
The announcement comes shortly after the cryptocurrency platform was cleared to operate in France as a Digital Asset Service Provider (DASP) in September 2022.
Crypto.com says that the new investment will help anchor its long-term commitment to France through the hiring of local talent, especially in compliance, business development, and product.


Additional support will also be put towards initiatives to advance the cryptocurrency platform’s in-market brand presence through consumer activations, engagement, and education.
Crypto.com’s global headquarters is currently located in Singapore and the platform is said to have more than 50 million users worldwide.
Eric Anziani
“We are incredibly excited to cement our commitment to France and Europe through the establishment of our regional headquarters in Paris,”
said Eric Anziani, COO of Crypto.com.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/cryptocom-to-invest-150-million-to-establish-paris-as-its-european-headquarters</link><guid>2876</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HK-Fintech-Week-2022.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Crypto.com to Invest €150 Million to Establish Paris as Its European Headquarters</dc:text></item><item><title>The Future of Insurance Europe 2022 Takes Off Next Week in Amsterdam, Physically</title><description><![CDATA[Reuters Events will be hosting their event The Future of Insurance Europe 2022 in Amsterdam from 18th-19th October 2022. The fully-in person event will connect more than 40 Insurance professionals and 350+ industry representatives to investigate how the sector can continue to deliver value through uncertainty.
Featured speakers at the event include Alison Martin, Zurich’s CEO (EMEA), Amélie Breitburd, Lloyd’s Europe’s CEO, and Fabian Rupprecht, NN Group’s CEO (International Insurance). Other speakers also include senior leadership members from Helvetia, Aegon, Aon, Hannover Re among many other industry leaders.
Featured speakers at the Future of Insurance Europe 2022

Also known as ‘the one go-to insurance event in Europe’, the event spans across two days, comprising topics which are designed to help future-proof the insurance industry after what can best be described as a tumultuous few years. It will address the rapidly changing economic environment, as well as an urgent need for digital transformation and an unprecedented HR crisis.
The event agenda will focus on four key themes:
Technology &amp; DataNavigate the technology battlefield, unleash the robust power of data, and overcome barriers to change adoption to become a technology and data fueled organization.
Customer &amp; ProductMeet customers where they want to be met, gain customer trust, and make the next steps in journey and product transformation to revolutionise your relationship with those you are aiming to protect.
Strategy &amp; InnovationStay one step ahead of the future by fostering a culture of innovation and investing in long term strategy that prioritises digital agility.
Culture &amp; FutureWith talent thin on the ground and post-pandemic employee expectations higher than ever, optimise your value proposition by becoming a modern, digital-first insurer.

Nuriya Powell
“We’re committed to providing a platform to collectively overcome challenges created by global economic uncertainty, growing environmental and social responsibilities, and a customer base that keeps demanding more,”
said Nuriya Powell, organizer of this year’s event.


It is still not too late to participate in the discussions revolving developments of the insurance industry. To learn more about The Future of Insurance Europe 2022 and to register as a participant, visit their website.



]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-future-of-insurance-europe-2022-takes-off-next-week-in-amsterdam-physically</link><guid>2875</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screenshot-2022-10-13-at-12.58.15-PM-1024x786.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>The Future of Insurance Europe 2022 Takes Off Next Week in Amsterdam, Physically</dc:text></item><item><title>EU Passes Uniform Legal Framework for Crypto-Assets Across the Bloc</title><description><![CDATA[The European Union’s (EU) Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee voted 28 to 1 in favour of the Markets in Crypto Assets regulation (MiCA), a uniform legal framework for crypto-assets in the EU.
Under the MiCA, entities issuing and trading crypto-assets will be subject to transparency, disclosure, authorisation and transaction rules to ensure consumer protection.
The framework will also regulate public offers of crypto-assets and crypto-assets not covered by existing financial services legislation, though NFTs offered to the public at a fixed price will be exempted.


Crypto-assets service providers (CASPs) will be required to disclose their energy consumption, and a public register for non-compliant CASPs providing services in the EU without authorisation will be set up.
According to CoinDesk, the MiCA will enable CASPs such as crypto wallet providers to market themselves across the EU if they meet the necessary requirements.
The text of the MiCA was first finalised in mid-2022 and is expected to enter into force in 2024.
Stefan Berger
“MiCA is a European success. We are the first continent to have a crypto-asset regulation. In the Wild West of the crypto-world, MiCA will be a global standard setter,”
said Stefan Berger, Member of the European Parliament.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/eu-passes-uniform-legal-framework-for-crypto-assets-across-the-bloc</link><guid>2872</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>EU Passes Uniform Legal Framework for Crypto-Assets Across the Bloc</dc:text></item><item><title>Alpian Launches Its Private Banking App for the Mass Affluent</title><description><![CDATA[Digital private bank Alpian has launched its mobile-first digital service which combines everyday and private banking services for the mass affluent client segment.
The service aims to differentiate itself by providing clients access to personalised wealth services that are conventionally only available to clients of traditional private banks — at a 0.75% management fee.
Alpian also provides clients with everyday banking services such as the ability to execute payments, conduct foreign exchange, withdraw cash, and make purchases with its metal Visa debit card.


Founded in 2019, Alpian closed a CHF19 million Series B from Italian bank Fideuram-Intesa Sanpaolo Private Banking and was granted a banking license by FINMA in April 2022.
Schuyler Weiss
“The launch of Alpian, Switzerland’s first digital private bank, marks a step forward for the industry. This is our first important milestone on a journey of many more,”
said Schuyler Weiss, CEO of Alpian.
Pasha Bakhtiar
“Since the beginning, the team has worked relentlessly to build a robust Swiss bank and develop a digital private banking experience with no parallels in the market. We are extremely grateful for the support of all our shareholders.”
said Pasha Bakhtiar, Chairman of Alpian.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/alpian-launches-its-private-banking-app-for-the-mass-affluent</link><guid>2873</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Alpian Launches Its Private Banking App for the Mass Affluent</dc:text></item><item><title>Netcetera’s Digital Wallet and Checkout Experience Solutions Wins Juniper Awards</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss digital payments company Netcetera’s ToPay Mobile Wallet and Click to Pay solutions won the platinum and gold awards respectively at the Juniper Research’s Future Digital Awards 2022.
The ToPay Mobile Wallet is a solution for issuing, using and managing debit, credit, and prepaid cards, while the Click to Pay solution enables one-click checkout payments.
This is the second award Netcetera’s ToPay Mobile Wallet solution has won this year, with the first being Aite-Novarica Group’s Digital Wallet Impact award under the value-added services category.


Based in Zurich, Netcetera offers white-label and modular solutions created according to customer needs and is card network independent.
The company also announced the switch to a cloud platform earlier this year and received an investment from German security technology company Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) in 2020.
Nick Maynard
“This year’s Future Digital Awards had a record number of applications and choosing the winners was more difficult than ever. Juniper recognises Netcetera as a key driver of innovation and growth, winning two awards for its future-oriented and customer-centric solutions,“
said Nick Maynard, Head of Research, Juniper Research.
Tobias Ott
“The two awards are the confirmation of Netcetera’s payment experience and knowledge and our dedication to the development of the most forward-thinking, convenient, and proven payment products,”
said Tobias Ott, Secure Digital Payments Management, Netcetera.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/netceteras-digital-wallet-and-checkout-experience-solutions-wins-juniper-awards</link><guid>2874</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Netcetera’s Digital Wallet and Checkout Experience Solutions Wins Juniper Awards</dc:text></item><item><title>Deutsche Börse’s D7 Platform Performs Its First Digital Securities Issuances</title><description><![CDATA[Deutsche Börse’s digital post-trade platform D7, facilitated by service provider Clearstream’s infrastructure, has executed the first digital securities issuance in Germany.
The first automated issuances on the D7 platform were performed by universal bank LBBW and asset management group Vontobel.
Historically, German securities had to be issued as paper-based global notes up until last year when regulators passed the electronic securities act to allow dematerialised issuance.


This paved the way for automation in the securities lifecycle and the creation of digital instruments to allow for straight-through processing and asset servicing.
Since December 2021, Deutsche Börse has been processing dematerialised securities via a central register, the first live D7 component.
The platform aims to provide a fully digital alternative to conventional issuance for around 80% of German securities, including warrants and certificates, with further asset classes and jurisdictions planned in the future.
Jan Krüger
“With the first pilot issue of an LBBW bonus certificate via the D7 platform, accompanied by Clearstream, we are taking the next technologically important step towards end-to-end digitalisation,”
said Jan Krüger, Head of Equity Markets at LBBW.
Markus Schenk
“The launch of the Digital Instrument represents a milestone on the way to a fully digital market infrastructure in Germany. We at Vontobel are proud to accompany the project from the very beginning and to provide valuable input,”
said Markus Schenk, Head Issuance Europe, Vontobel.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/deutsche-borses-d7-platform-performs-its-first-digital-securities-issuances</link><guid>2871</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Deutsche Börse’s D7 Platform Performs Its First Digital Securities Issuances</dc:text></item><item><title>Worldline Selected as Global Payments Provider to the Lufthansa Group</title><description><![CDATA[French payments company Worldline has been selected as a payments provider to the Lufthansa Group, the aviation group which operates Germany’s flag carrier.
The partnership will give the Lufthansa Group the possibility to onboard a selection of Worldline solutions, from payment methods to consolidated reporting capabilities and integration with their core platforms.
Worldline will process globally for Lufthansa and its sister operations, SWISS, Austrian Airlines and Edelweiss, ensuring that the group can take advantage of travel and airline-specific services such as Billing and Settlement Plans (BSP) and Accounts Receivable Conversion (ARC).


The Lufthansa Group will also make use of Worldline’s unique TravelHub solution, a single scalable connection providing access to over 150 payment methods and currencies, multi-acquiring, tokenisation and a range of fraud services all through a single reporting and settlement channel.
Damien Cramer
“When seeking a new payment service provider, the Lufthansa Group had several critical requirements and objectives. We are delighted that they have put their trust in Worldline to help them deliver the success they are targeting,”
said Damien Cramer, Global Head of Travel &amp; Airlines, Digital Commerce at Worldline.
Kai Schilb
“We were looking for a global partner that could offer a strong payments layer to drive innovation, growth and most importantly increase our conversion rates; Worldline’s TravelHub makes this possible for our entire group,”
said Kai Schilb, Head of Payments, the Lufthansa Group.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/worldline-selected-as-global-payments-provider-to-the-lufthansa-group</link><guid>2869</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Worldline Selected as Global Payments Provider to the Lufthansa Group</dc:text></item><item><title>French Social Trading App Shares Backed by Serena and Venus Williams</title><description><![CDATA[Paris-based social trading app Shares has brought on tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams as investors and its first ambassadors.
The news follows the company’s US$40 million Series B round in July led by Peter Thiel’s Valar Ventures.
Shares combines the features of an investment platform with those of a social media app to create a product that is said to resonate strongly with Gen Z users — 66% of the app’s users are under the age of 25. Also higher than the industry average, over a third of its users are women.


The app has garnered over 150,000 users since launching in the UK in May, coming in second in the ‘finance’ category on the App Store and becoming the sixth most downloaded app in the UK.
Serena Williams has been actively investing in early stage startups through her venture capital firm Serena Ventures which recently led Ugandan digital lending startup Numida’s funding round.
Serena Williams
“Gen Z have a curious way of looking at the world and through the amplification of social media, have been much more open about educating themselves and sharing that information. I believe everyone, and especially women, should have the tools and access to information to take control of their finances,”
said Serena Williams.
Benjamin Chemla
“Our primary goal is to bring people together to make finance accessible while always offering the best product to our users. We’re confident that Venus and Serena will add a dynamic energy to Shares that will drive and inspire us to imagine and build the best offering within the industry,”
said Benjamin Chemla, Co-Founder and CEO of Shares.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/french-social-trading-app-shares-backed-by-serena-and-venus-williams</link><guid>2870</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>French Social Trading App Shares Backed by Serena and Venus Williams</dc:text></item><item><title>Railsr Raises US$46M Series C to Grow Its Embedded Finance Platform</title><description><![CDATA[London-based embedded finance platform Railsr, formerly known as Railsbank, has closed a US$46 million Series C led by Anthos Capital.
The round comprised US$26 million equity, as well as US$20 million debt from Mars Capital. Existing investors Ventura, Outrun Ventures, CreditEase and Moneta participated in the equity round.
Railsr claims to have over 300 customers including HelloCash, Sodexo and Payine. It recently appointed Rick Haythornthwaite as its inaugural chairman of the board and Will Carling OBE as an advisor.


The company’s milestones for the year so far include the launch of its rewards solutions and SEPA Instant implementation, with plans to launch a new insights solution later in the year.
Nigel Verdon
“I am absolutely delighted that less than four months after Railsbank evolved to become Railsr, we have achieved another milestone and closed our Series C, a significant step on our route to profitability,”
said Nigel Verdon, CEO and Co-Founder, Railsr.
Mike Galvin
“The Railsr partnership has allowed Toqio to deliver cost effective financial services solutions to the market and has been one of the key enablers of our growth,”
said Mike Galvin, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Railsr partner Toqio.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/railsr-raises-us46m-series-c-to-grow-its-embedded-finance-platform</link><guid>2868</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Railsr Raises US$46M Series C to Grow Its Embedded Finance Platform</dc:text></item><item><title>The Top 33 Fintech Startups in Europe on LinkedIn in 2022</title><description><![CDATA[33 fintech companies made LinkedIn’s second annual top startups list, a ranking of companies from 13 European countries that it says is gaining attention.
The ranking was produced using LinkedIn data in four areas: employee growth, jobseeker interest, employee engagement, and their ability to attract talent from other top companies.
France topped the rankings with six fintech companies represented, followed by Switzerland and Italy with four fintech companies each. There were no fintech companies on Sweden’s list this year.


Denmark’s Pleo, France’s Swile, Ireland’s Wayflyer, Portugal’s Coverflex, Switzerland’s Sygnum Bank, and the UK’s Monzo ranked first in their respective countries.
Meet the top 33 fintech startups in Europe on LinkedIn:

Credi2 (Austria)

Credi2 specialises in embedded finance solutions for ‘buy now, pay later’ and subscriptions. Founded in 2015, its clients include Volkswagen Bank, Raiffeisen Bank International and Apple.

Ready2order (Austria)

Ready2order provides modular POS and payment solutions for small and medium-sized businesses in Germany and Austria that works on any end device including smartphones and tablets.

Fiskaly (Austria)

fiskaly offers cloud-based solutions for all aspects of the receipt. Its infrastructure focuses on localisation and compliance with country-specific laws, and is designed to work without any additional hardware.

Qover (Belgium)

Qover builds embedded insurance products using open APIs. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Brussels, the company’s digital insurance offering is active in 32 countries in Europe.

Pleo (Denmark)

Pleo is a business expense platform that provides physical and virtual company cards, as well as invoice and expense management solutions. The company raised US$350 million last year at a US$4.7 billion valuation.

Swile (France)

Swile develops business expense and employee benefits solutions that include an employee card and an employee engagement app. The company last raised US$200 million from Softbank in October 2021.

Qonto (France)

Qonto is a business finance solution for SMEs and freelancers with banking, bookkeeping and payment features. The company raised €486 million in Series D funding in January 2022 at a €4.4 billion valuation.

Payfit (France)

PayFit is a payroll management and HR software for companies with up to 500 employees. The company last raised €254 million in Series E funding in January 2022 at a €1.82 billion valuation.

Silvr (France)

Silvr is an alternative financing platform for digital entrepreneurs. The company claims to be able to process applications in less than 24 hours and borrowers can make repayments based on their revenue.

Masteos (France)

Masteos is a property investment management startup that helps users find, buy, renovate, furnish and rent properties on its app. Founded in 2019, the company last raised €40 million in June 2022.

Beanstock (France)

Beanstock is a marketplace to invest in and manage buy-to-let properties. Founded in 2020, the company raised a €12 million Series A in April 2022.

Moss (Germany)

Moss is an expense and financial management solution with corporate credit cards, invoice management, and automated accounting features. The company last raised US$149 million in January 2022.

Hive (Germany)

Hive offers e-commerce companies cloud-based software to manage their inventory, orders and returns. The platform also integrates with shop platforms, marketplaces, and ERPs to automate order fulfillment.

Wayflyer (Ireland)

Wayflyer helps e-commerce companies access working capital, improve cash flow and drive sales using financing and analytic solutions. Founded in 2019, the startup became Ireland’s sixth unicorn in February 2022.

Tegus (Ireland)

Tegus provides a platform for institutional investors and companies to gain industry insights and competitive intelligence. Founded in 2017, the company last raised a €92 million funding round at the end of 2021.

Banca AideXa (Italy)

AideXa is a SME financing platform offering loans and investment-related services to small businesses and Italian VAT numbers. The company was founded in 2020 and has raised €45 million in seed funding.

Starting Finance (Italy)

Starting Finance is a financial literacy company for millennials with a stock market simulator app. Founded in 2018, the company is said to have over 500,000 users.

Scalapay (Italy)

Scalapay is a buy now pay later (BNPL) which allows users to pay in three monthly installments. Founded in 2019, the company has raised US$727 million to date, including a US$155 million Series A in 2021.

Casavo (Italy)

Casavo is a real estate marketplace that connects home buyers, sellers, and real estate operators such as brokers, banks and renovation companies. The company raised US$410 million in funding in July 2022.

Bitvavo (Netherlands)

Bitvavo is cryptocurrency trading platform. Founded in 2018, the platform allows users to buy, sell and store over 175 digital assets and claims to process €10 billion worth of transactions every month.

Fourthline (Netherlands)

Fourthline offers an end-to-end know your customer (KYC) and anti-money laundering (AML) compliance solution to regulated institutions like banks, fintechs, and brokers.

Coverflex (Portugal)

Coverflex is a compensation management platform for employees that integrates all components of compensation including benefits, meal allowance, insurance, and discounts.

CASAFARI (Portugal)

CASAFARI is a real estate data platform which claims to index, aggregate, and analyse 250 million listings from 30,000 sources. Founded in 2018, the company last raised a US$15 million Series A in 2021.

Sensei (Portugal)

Sensei provides retail cashierless checkout solutions to enable shoppers to be automatically charged upon leaving the store. Founded in 2017, the company raised US$6.5 million in seed funding in 2021.

Cobee (Spain)

Cobee develops flexible remuneration platform that automates and simplifies employee benefits management. Founded in 2019, the company last raised a €14 million Series A in 2021.

Sygnum Bank (Switzerland)

Sygnum is a digital asset specialist with a Swiss banking licence and a Singapore capital markets services license. Founded in 2017, the group last raised US$90 million at a US$800 million valuation in early 2022.

Monzo (UK)

Monzo is a digital bank for individuals and businesses. The company recently launched a buy now pay later (BNPL) service and raised a US$500 million Series H at a US$4.5 billion valuation in 2021.

Primer (UK)

Primer is a no-code automation platform for payments and commerce that enables merchants to streamline their payment flows. Founded in 2020, the company raised a US$50 million round in 2021.

See the top fintech startups in the Middle East on LinkedIn here.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-top-33-fintech-startups-in-europe-on-linkedin-in-2022</link><guid>2867</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>The Top 33 Fintech Startups in Europe on LinkedIn in 2022</dc:text></item><item><title>SWIFT and Capgemini Successfully Interlink CBDCs for Cross-Border Payments</title><description><![CDATA[SWIFT and Capgemini have achieved CBDC-to-CBDC transactions between different distributed ledger technology networks based on Quorum and Corda technologies, as well as fiat-to-CBDC flows between these networks and a real-time gross settlement system.
The experiment showed that the blockchain networks could be interlinked for cross-border payments through a single gateway, and that SWIFT’s new transaction management capabilities could orchestrate all inter-network communication.
Results of SWIFT experiments interlinking CBDC networks and existing payments systems to achieve global interoperability. Source: SWIFT and Capgemini’s “Connecting digital islands: CBDCs” report (October 2022)
14 central and commercial banks, including Banque de France, Deutsche Bundesbank, HSBC, Intesa Sanpaolo, NatWest, SMBC, Standard Chartered, UBS and Wells Fargo, are now collaborating in a testing environment to accelerate the path to full scale deployment.


In a separate experiment with a different group of participants, SWIFT similarly demonstrated that its infrastructure can serve as an interconnector between multiple tokenisation platforms and different types of cash payment.
Use case: DvP transactions via two tokenisation platforms. Source: SWIFT’s “Connecting digital islands: Tokenised assets” report (October 2022)
Working in collaboration with Citi, Clearstream, Northern Trust, and technology partner SETL, SWIFT explored 70 scenarios simulating market issuance and secondary market transfers of tokenised bonds, equities and cash.
It successfully served as a single access point to various tokenised networks and showed its infrastructure could be used to create, transfer and redeem tokens and update balances between multiple client wallets, as well as provide interoperability between different tokenisation platforms and existing account-based infrastructure.
Tom Zschach
“We see inclusivity and interoperability as central pillars of the financial ecosystem, and our innovation is a major step towards unlocking the potential of the digital future.

For central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), our solution will enable central banks to connect their own networks simply and directly to all the other payments systems in the world through a single gateway, ensuring the instant and smooth flow of cross-border payments,”
said Tom Zschach, Chief Innovation Officer at SWIFT.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swift-and-capgemini-successfully-interlink-cbdcs-for-cross-border-payments</link><guid>2866</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Results-of-SWIFT-experiments-interlinking-CBDC-networks-and-existing-payments-systems-to-achieve-global-interoperability-1024x465.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>SWIFT and Capgemini Successfully Interlink CBDCs for Cross-Border Payments</dc:text></item><item><title>Sygnum Partners With T&amp;B Media to Raise US$300M to Fund Its Metaverse Platform</title><description><![CDATA[Sygnum, a digital asset technology group with a Swiss banking licence and a Singapore capital markets services licence, is partnering Thai media group T&amp;B Media Global to raise over US$300 million to fund its new interconnected metaverse platform.
The raise uses a unique structure hybridising equity and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) like metaverse land NFTs into a financial instrument.
T&amp;B Media Global’s new platform, Translucia, enables partners to build interconnected metaverses with real estate developer Magnolia Quality Development Corporation (MQDC) joining as first corporate partner.


MQDC will develop a metaverse within Translucia consisting of a virtual city that connects digital buildings with its real-world property projects and experiences.
Meanwhile, Sygnum will provide T&amp;B Media Global an end-to-end corporate finance solution called Strategic Digital Assets Solutions.
It includes advising and setting up of the hybrid equity-NFT structure, developing metaverse token economic models and providing institutional-grade custody for traditional securities and tokens.
Sygnum will also lead the fundraise by managing Translucia’s roadshow as well as provide professional investors and strategic partners access to the platform and investment opportunities.
Gerald Goh
“We are excited to partner T&amp;B Media Global to accelerate the growth of their metaverse universe, and to bring to market a new way for raising capital in a fully-regulatory compliant manner.”
said Gerald Goh, Sygnum Co-Founder and CEO Singapore.
Dr Jwanwat Ahriyavraromp
“A good company extends beyond just good products and financials – it includes the driven, nurturing hearts of its people working together to build something amazing. From the moment I met the Sygnum team, I knew they were a perfect fit and would be excellent stewards of our equity-NFT fund raise.”
said Dr Jwanwat Ahriyavraromp, Founder and CEO of T&amp;B Media Global and Translucia.
This article first appeared on Fintech News Singapore.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sygnum-partners-with-tb-media-to-raise-us300m-to-fund-its-metaverse-platform</link><guid>2864</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Sygnum Partners With T&amp;B Media to Raise US$300M to Fund Its Metaverse Platform</dc:text></item><item><title>Luxury Goods Retailer Bucherer Acquires Digital Authentication Startup Adresta</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss digital authentication startup Adresta has been acquired by Bucherer Group, one of the world’s largest luxury watch and jewellery retailers, effective 30 September 2022.
A spin-off from Helvetia Insurance, Adresta develops blockchain-based digital certificates for luxury goods. Users can then access said certificates at any time on the Adresta website and app.
This enables, among other things, forgery-proof proof of ownership and authenticity especially for buyers of pre-owned watches.


Adresta will be fully integrated into the Bucherer Group immediately, with its technology expected to complement Bucherer’s existing “certified pre-owned” service which was launched in 2019 as well as bolster the retailer’s online shopping experience.
Guido Zumbühl
“We are taking a few big steps forward in implementing our digital strategy with the integration of Adresta to offer our customers a comprehensive shopping experience. We look forward to integrating this innovative company into the Bucherer Group,”
said Guido Zumbühl, CEO, Bucherer Group.
Mathew Chittazhathu
“Our platform solution not only offers easy access to blockchain-based certificates but is the basis for a continuously expandable ecosystem. We have found the ideal partner in Bucherer for us to develop our solution further and establish it optimally on the market for the benefit of customers,”
said Mathew Chittazhathu, Co-Founder and CEO, Adresta.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/luxury-goods-retailer-bucherer-acquires-digital-authentication-startup-adresta</link><guid>2865</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Luxury Goods Retailer Bucherer Acquires Digital Authentication Startup Adresta</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Professionals Show Reticence to Share Data Despite Seeing Opportunities in Open Banking</title><description><![CDATA[In Switzerland, the finance and banking industry believes open banking offers considerable opportunities across all major use cases. But despite the realization that the sector is moving towards greater openness and connectivity, there is a clear discrepancy regarding the practical implementation of open banking and resistance to share data with third parties.
These are some of the findings of a new survey conducted by the OpenBankingProject.ch, a cross-organizational network and industry trade group focusing on driving the development of open banking in Switzerland.
The study, which polled more than 170 respondents from various industries, found that around 60% of respondents are confident that open banking will become part of everyday processes, from consumption, health and mobility, to living and entertainments, in the next five to six years.


An overwhelming majority of respondents believe opportunities exist in all major use cases: 89% of respondents said data sharing will have a high or very high impact on payments, a figure that stands at 79% for investment, 66% for provisions, and 64% for financing. Overall, 83% said they believed open banking will bring opportunities across their entire business.
Which open banking use cases have the most potential? Source: Openbankingproject.ch, Sep 2022
All target groups showed a high to very high assessment of the potential of open banking, though board and management members of technology providers ranked the highest.
In the banking sector, survey participants said they expected open banking to expand their organization’s range of services and increase customer satisfaction.
Networking with other companies and the establishment of a clear open banking strategy were identified as prerequisites and success factors for the implementation of open banking. Respondents also said concrete use cases and experiments in the form of proofs of concept were needed to better understand the concept and implement it in a meaningful way.
Most companies indicated being ready to open up their data without major restrictions, striving to take on the roles of “early followers” and “first movers.” The banking sector, however, showed more cautiousness, with most indicating pursuing a strategy of selective and opportunities opening. In this industry, only 6% of respondents viewed their organization as “first movers” and most providers showed reluctance to pass on their customer data to third parties.
The need for a regulatory framework
When asked what they believed were the conditions for a successful implementation of open banking in Switzerland, respondents named API standardization as a critical success factor that would allow for efficient implementation, investment protection as well as ensuring the scalability of open banking use cases.
Against this backdrop, most survey participants indicated the need for regulation, believing that policymakers should analyze what other jurisdictions have done on the regulatory front and base their rules on the results observed in these markets. Survey participants also believe that industry participants should play an active role in designing the regulatory framework for open banking and be consulted.
Unlike jurisdictions like the European Union (EU) and the UK, Switzerland has approached open banking in an industry-driven manner, expecting that the market would eventually regulate itself through its competitive and collaborative forces.
The lack of regulatory mandates has ultimately made the standardization of processes and connectivity protocols more challenging, but has also encouraged Swiss market actors to join forces to develop industry standards.
Prominent standardization initiatives in Switzerland include Common API, a working group of Swiss Fintech Innovations that aims to provide API standards for use cases covering the banking and insurance industries; Swiss NextGen API, a set of APIs based on the EU’s PSD2 standards developed by OpenBankingProject.ch; and OpenWealth API, an initiative led by the OpenWealth Association focusing on wealth management-related services.
Findings from the OpenBankingProject.ch survey are consistent with results of other studies conducted on the subject. A 2021 study carried out by Mastercard showed that open banking can no longer be viewed as an “optional luxury that financial institutions can consider” but has instead become “an inevitability.”
The survey, which polled more than 1,000 Swiss consumers, found that although awareness of open banking was still low, consumers shared high interest in the concept. In fact, 49% of respondents said they were willingness to change their primary bank or add a new banking relationship to benefit from at least one open banking-enabled service.

Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-professionals-show-reticence-to-share-data-despite-seeing-opportunities-in-open-banking</link><guid>2863</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Professionals Show Reticence to Share Data Despite Seeing Opportunities in Open Banking</dc:text></item><item><title>SIX Digital Exchange Links to SIX SIS to Boost Digital CHF Bond Accessibility</title><description><![CDATA[SIX Digital Exchange (SDX) announced the addition of SIX SIS to its Central Securities Depository (CSD), making it the first regulated CSD to have direct access to SDX.
The addition is expected to increase the accessibility of natively digital CHF-denominated bonds to the wider market and enable investors to purchase a digital bond and hold it in SIX SIS.
SDX offers issuance, listing, trading, settlement, servicing, and custody of digital securities. The platform is part of the SIX group which develops and operates infrastructure for financial institutions.


The company previously announced the launch of its new Ethereum stakings service for institutional clients in September.
David Hatton
“This new operational link between SDX CSD and SIX SIS enables digital CHF bonds natively issued on SDX CSD to be held and settled at SIX SIS.

This in turn opens future digital bond issuance to the broader CHF investor base, whilst laying the platform for a fully integrated CHF denominated digital bond market,”
said David Hatton, Head Digital Securities at SDX.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/six-digital-exchange-links-to-six-sis-to-boost-digital-chf-bond-accessibility</link><guid>2861</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>SIX Digital Exchange Links to SIX SIS to Boost Digital CHF Bond Accessibility</dc:text></item><item><title>Swissquote Dives Into Cryptocurrency Trading With the Launch of SQX</title><description><![CDATA[Online trading platform Swissquote has launched a cryptocurrency exchange called SQX that aims to provide a more competitive and secure trading environment.
Unlike other crypto exchanges, SQX says that it prides itself on being a centralised trading platform as it believes that currency markets function on the back of long-standing bilateral relationships.
As such, Swissquote added that SQX’s new central order book, which sources and aggregates liquidity from different liquidity hubs, will allow it to source the best liquidity conditions from decentralised crypto markets — resulting in more competitive bid and ask prices.


The Bancor Network Token (BNT) will be available on SQX in the initial phase and other cryptocurrencies available at Swissquote will be added gradually. Clients will not see any changes to the front end of the Swissquote trading platform.
Marc Bürki
“The launch of our own crypto exchange is an important step forward in offering our customers deeper liquidity and faster execution. In terms of services for institutional clients, SQX also represents an increase in competitiveness when it comes to offering trading and custody services to other banks and brokers.”
said Marc Bürki, CEO of Swissquote.

Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swissquote-dives-into-cryptocurrency-trading-with-the-launch-of-sqx</link><guid>2862</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Swissquote Dives Into Cryptocurrency Trading With the Launch of SQX</dc:text></item><item><title>Finax Launches the First Pan-European Pension Product for Digital Nomads</title><description><![CDATA[Bratislava-based wealthtech Finax has become the first company to receive a license to offer a pan-European Personal Pension Product (PEPP) to clients in Slovakia.
The PEPP is a portable, voluntary personal pension scheme regulated by the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) that is open to all European Union (EU) residents.
PEPPs are not tied to employment or place of work and clients can transfer their pension to other EU countries. The maximum fee is 1% of the assets under management per annum.


Finax, a Slovak investment management platform, became the first licensed by the EIOPA to provide this product in September 2022 after the country adopted the necessary legislation earlier in the year.
Founded in 2018, Finax also operates in the Polish, Croatian, Czech and Hungarian markets and claims to manage €350 million in assets for 40,000 clients.
Milan Krajniak
“Starting today, Slovaks are the first in Europe who can increase their pension savings through the new European pension product. We have something to be proud of – a promising Slovak company that succeeded in bringing PEPP into practice and appreciating citizens’ money in a safe way,”
said Milan Krajniak, Minister of Labour, Social Affairs and Family of the Slovak Republic.
Juraj Hrbatý
“We seek to offer PEPP primarily to multinational companies and young people with job mobility across the EU. Thanks to the associated tax and levy incentives, PEPP will become our key product in several countries, also helping us to settle in new markets”,
said Juraj Hrbatý, CEO of Finax.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finax-launches-the-first-pan-european-pension-product-for-digital-nomads</link><guid>2859</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Finax Launches the First Pan-European Pension Product for Digital Nomads</dc:text></item><item><title>University of Zurich and ETH Zurich Among World’s Best Universities for Blockchain Education</title><description><![CDATA[The University of Zurich and ETH Zurich ranked third and 27th respectively on CoinDesk’s latest annual best universities for blockchain rankings.
The rankings were made from a shortlist of 240 institutions around the world, calculated based on their scholarly, industrial and pedagogical impact on blockchain.
The top 50 universities for blockchain education and research in the world. Source: CoinDesk Best Universities for Blockchain 2022
Metrics that were taken into account included the institutions’ blockchain research publications, courses, degrees, conferences, clubs and industry partnerships or grants.


The rankings also took into account the institutions’ reputations, where their graduates get jobs, and other measurements from publicly available sources.
The University of Zurich moved up the rankings this year from fourth to third place, while ETH Zurich dropped from 10th place to 27th place.
The École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), which ranked 21st on last year’s rankings, did not make this year’s top 50 list.
#3 — University of Zurich
The University of Zurich is home to the UZH Blockchain Center — Switzerland’s largest and one of the world’s most active blockchain research hubs.
Founded in 2017, the UZH Blockchain Center has 22 faculty members from a cross section of the university’s business, STEM and law departments.
The center also hosts over 40 researchers from UZH and other institutions, has published 108 blockchain-related research papers, and earned more than 550 citations.
While UZH currently offers no blockchain degree programmes, it does offer 25 blockchain and related courses, plus four certification programmes.
In April 2022, the UZH Blockchain Center and Cardano Foundation announced a partnership to advance the UZH’s educational programming and launch new research projects.
#27 — ETH Zurich
ETH Zurich or the Federal Polytechnic School is known for its blockchain-related collaborations with think tanks, peer institutions and industry.
The institution has two key initiatives: the ICE Center for computer science and engineering R&amp;D and the ETH Blockchain Initiative which engages in blockchain research.
Researchers have published 100 influential blockchain papers between 2019 and 2022, with 1,838 total citations.
ETH Zurich has also hosted blockchain conferences and partnered with the Web3 Foundation and the Concordium Foundation to promote blockchain innovation and development.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/university-of-zurich-and-eth-zurich-among-worlds-best-universities-for-blockchain-education</link><guid>2860</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/CoinDesk-Best-Universities-for-Blockchain-2022-Full-List-Ranking-Chart-612x1024.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>University of Zurich and ETH Zurich Among World’s Best Universities for Blockchain Education</dc:text></item><item><title>Oracle NetSuite Launches Accounts Payable Automation With HSBC</title><description><![CDATA[Oracle NetSuite has launched a solution which embeds HSBC’s banking services in NetSuite’s cloud enterprise resource planning system to allow vendor payments to be made from within the platform.
The new NetSuite AP Automation solution is said to shorten accounts payable (AP) processes as it enables organisations to better control outgoing cash flow and take advantage of early payment discounts.
Eligible transactions completed with a HSBC virtual credit card also earns credit which could help further reduce operating costs and turns accounts payable from a cost centre into a revenue generator.


Evan Goldberg
“Accounts payable plays an important role in helping organisations manage cash flow, control costs, and maintain strong relationships with vendors, but all too often the process is slow, tedious, and error-prone.

By simplifying and automating the entire bill payment process – from data capture to payment and reconciliation – NetSuite AP Automation eliminates these challenges,”
said Evan Goldberg, Founder and EVP, Oracle NetSuite.
Barry O’Byrne
“Business customers increasingly want integrated, accessible solutions at their fingertips. Our embedded banking solution with NetSuite allows customers to manage payments and automate reconciliations at the point of need, without switching screens or multiple logins,”
said Barry O’Byrne, Chief Executive Officer, Global Commercial Banking at HSBC.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/oracle-netsuite-launches-accounts-payable-automation-with-hsbc</link><guid>2858</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Oracle NetSuite Launches Accounts Payable Automation With HSBC</dc:text></item><item><title>Toqio Raises €20M Series A to Expand to Spain and Other European Markets</title><description><![CDATA[Fintech solutions development platform Toqio has closed €20 million in Series A funding led by AlbionVC, with participation from Aldea Ventures, Seaya, Speedinvest, SIX Fintech Ventures, and several angel investors.
The €20 million round includes a €1.3 million grant from the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI), a Spanish government agency, for the company’s expansion in Spain.
Toqio’s platform enables businesses to launch embedded finance solutions by removing the need to build and manage complex software from scratch.


Furthermore, Toqio’s marketplace allows businesses to incorporate services provided by financial service providers such as ClearBank, Currencycloud, Modulr, and Railsr into their solution.
The company has offices in London, Madrid and Nairobi, and its clients include Crealsa, Paysme, Blackstar Capital and MovePay.
The latest round also sees the addition of AlbionVC’s Jay Wilson to Toqio’s Board of Directors.
Eduardo Martinez
“After rapidly growing our team and entering the Spanish market, we’ll now be broadening our focus within Europe, including expansion into France and Germany,”
said Eduardo Martinez Garcia, CEO &amp; Co-Founder of Toqio.
Jay Wilson
“We have been incredibly impressed by Toqio’s growth to date and the exceptional quality of the SaaS business it is building,”
said Jay Wilson, Investment Director at AlbionVC.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/toqio-raises-20m-series-a-to-expand-to-spain-and-other-european-markets</link><guid>2857</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Toqio Raises €20M Series A to Expand to Spain and Other European Markets</dc:text></item><item><title>HelloSafe erhält 3 Mio. CHF für die Entwicklung eine Schweizer Vergleichslösungen für Finanzprodukte</title><description><![CDATA[Das junge Unternehmen HelloSafe, das Vergleichslösungen von Versicherungs-, Anlage-, Spar- und Kreditprodukten für Privatpersonen und Unternehmen entwickelt, hat die erst Seed-Finanzierung von 3,07 Mio. CHF gesichert.
Die Funding Runde wurde von OneRagtime und Kima Ventures durchgeführt . Mit dieser Kapitalbeschaffung möchte HelloSafe seine Teams verstärken, die auf seinen Plattformen angebotene Nutzererfahrung weiter verbessern und sie auf neue Produkte in deutschsprachigen Kantonen erweitern.
HelloSafe, das im Jahr 2021 gegründet wurde, hat seinen Aufschwung sehr schnell erlebt. Das Unternehmen positioniert sich nämlich als führender Anbieter für den Vergleich von Finanzprodukten in der Schweiz. Das Unternehmen wile eine neue Transparenz in seinen Markt bringen, indem es den Zugang zum Vergleich von zahlreicheren Finanzprodukten wie Versicherungen, Kryptowährungsplattformen, Geldüberweisungsdienste, Kredit- und Sparlösungen und Bankangebote vereinfacht. Daher verfügt HelloSafe bereits über insgesamt 40 Vergleiche (Versicherungen, Kredite, Geldanlagen, Kryptowährungsplattformen,  Geldüberweisungsdienste, Kreditkarten…).


Die eigene Technologie von HelloSafe, die während Monaten von einem 100% engagierten Team entwickelt wurde, gewährt Besuchern einen einfachen Zugang zu Tausenden von Seiten mit Experteninhalten, Finanzsimulatoren und momentanen, kostenlosen und anonymen Vergleichen. Für jedes Produkt wählt HelloSafe die besten Akteure aus, die die niedrigsten Preise für die bestmöglichen Garantien und Kundenerfahrungen anbieten.
Pauline Laurore
«Trotz grosser Unterschiede nach den Finanzprodukten, beobachten wir mehrere Gemeinsamkeiten zwischen Nutzern von unserer Plattform in der Schweiz über Beratungs- und Vergleichsbedarf. Deshalb werden die Skalierbarkeit unserer Technologie und der Zusammenhang unserer Vision bestätigt»
erklärt die Marketingleiterin und Mitbegründerin von HelloSafe Pauline Laurore.
Eine Kapitalbeschaffung, um sich in der deutschsprachigen Schweiz zu entwickeln
Mit seinen Vergleichslösungen und einem Netzwerk von über 50 Partnern, die es Verbrauchern ermöglichen, das Beste aus ihrem Portemonnaie zu machen, hat HelloSafe  in der Schweiz bereits sein Publikum gefunden. Das Unternehmen, das 50 Mitarbeiter zählt, will seine Belegschaft durch vierzig Neueinstellungen in allen Berufen (Technik, Marketing und Vertrieb) bis Ende 2023 erweitern, um die deutschsprachige Version seiner Website zu entwickeln.
Stephanie Hospital
«HelloSafe hat ein innovatives und transparentes Wertangebot. Mit seiner eigenen Technologie hat HelloSafe den Kraftakt geschafft, die Herstellung von Vergleichstools mit einem hohen Mehrwert zu maximieren und gleichzeitig ihre Entwicklungskosten zu begrenzen. Dank der Erfahrung seiner Gründer und ihrer langfristigen Vision ist HelloSafe auch ein starkes Projekt…»
ergänz die Investorin und Gründerin von OneRagtime Stéphanie Hospital.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/hellosafe-erhalt-3-mio-chf-fur-die-entwicklung-eine-schweizer-vergleichslosungen-fur-finanzprodukte</link><guid>2855</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>HelloSafe erhält 3 Mio. CHF für die Entwicklung eine Schweizer Vergleichslösungen für Finanzprodukte</dc:text></item><item><title>HelloSafe erhält 3 Mio. CHF für die Entwicklung eine Schweizer Vergleichslösung für Finanzprodukte</title><description><![CDATA[Das junge Unternehmen HelloSafe, das Vergleichslösungen von Versicherungs-, Anlage-, Spar- und Kreditprodukten für Privatpersonen und Unternehmen entwickelt, hat die erst Seed-Finanzierung von 3,07 Mio. CHF gesichert.
Die Funding Runde wurde von OneRagtime und Kima Ventures durchgeführt . Mit dieser Kapitalbeschaffung möchte HelloSafe seine Teams verstärken, die auf seinen Plattformen angebotene Nutzererfahrung weiter verbessern und sie auf neue Produkte in deutschsprachigen Kantonen erweitern.
HelloSafe, das im Jahr 2021 gegründet wurde, hat seinen Aufschwung sehr schnell erlebt. Das Unternehmen positioniert sich nämlich als führender Anbieter für den Vergleich von Finanzprodukten in der Schweiz. Das Unternehmen wile eine neue Transparenz in seinen Markt bringen, indem es den Zugang zum Vergleich von zahlreicheren Finanzprodukten wie Versicherungen, Kryptowährungsplattformen, Geldüberweisungsdienste, Kredit- und Sparlösungen und Bankangebote vereinfacht. Daher verfügt HelloSafe bereits über insgesamt 40 Vergleiche (Versicherungen, Kredite, Geldanlagen, Kryptowährungsplattformen,  Geldüberweisungsdienste, Kreditkarten…).


Die eigene Technologie von HelloSafe, die während Monaten von einem 100% engagierten Team entwickelt wurde, gewährt Besuchern einen einfachen Zugang zu Tausenden von Seiten mit Experteninhalten, Finanzsimulatoren und momentanen, kostenlosen und anonymen Vergleichen. Für jedes Produkt wählt HelloSafe die besten Akteure aus, die die niedrigsten Preise für die bestmöglichen Garantien und Kundenerfahrungen anbieten.
Pauline Laurore
«Trotz grosser Unterschiede nach den Finanzprodukten, beobachten wir mehrere Gemeinsamkeiten zwischen Nutzern von unserer Plattform in der Schweiz über Beratungs- und Vergleichsbedarf. Deshalb werden die Skalierbarkeit unserer Technologie und der Zusammenhang unserer Vision bestätigt»
erklärt die Marketingleiterin und Mitbegründerin von HelloSafe Pauline Laurore.
Eine Kapitalbeschaffung, um sich in der deutschsprachigen Schweiz zu entwickeln
Mit seinen Vergleichslösungen und einem Netzwerk von über 50 Partnern, die es Verbrauchern ermöglichen, das Beste aus ihrem Portemonnaie zu machen, hat HelloSafe  in der Schweiz bereits sein Publikum gefunden. Das Unternehmen, das 50 Mitarbeiter zählt, will seine Belegschaft durch vierzig Neueinstellungen in allen Berufen (Technik, Marketing und Vertrieb) bis Ende 2023 erweitern, um die deutschsprachige Version seiner Website zu entwickeln.
Stephanie Hospital
«HelloSafe hat ein innovatives und transparentes Wertangebot. Mit seiner eigenen Technologie hat HelloSafe den Kraftakt geschafft, die Herstellung von Vergleichstools mit einem hohen Mehrwert zu maximieren und gleichzeitig ihre Entwicklungskosten zu begrenzen. Dank der Erfahrung seiner Gründer und ihrer langfristigen Vision ist HelloSafe auch ein starkes Projekt…»
ergänz die Investorin und Gründerin von OneRagtime Stéphanie Hospital.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/hellosafe-erhalt-3-mio-chf-fur-die-entwicklung-eine-schweizer-vergleichslosung-fur-finanzprodukte</link><guid>2856</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>HelloSafe erhält 3 Mio. CHF für die Entwicklung eine Schweizer Vergleichslösung für Finanzprodukte</dc:text></item><item><title>Payments Unicorn Satispay Raises €320M Series D Led by Lee Fixel’s Addition</title><description><![CDATA[Italian mobile money platform Satispay has raised €320 million in Series D funding led by New York-based venture capital firm Addition, taking it to “unicorn” status with a valuation of over €1 billion.
Existing investors Greyhound Capital, Coatue, Lightrock, Block Inc., Tencent and Mediolanum Gestione Fondi SGR also participated in the round.
Satispay provides an alternative to credit and debit cards by allowing users to conduct transactions using only a phone number and an IBAN, thus eliminating the need for traditional intermediaries.


The platform allows users to pay in physical and online stores and exchange money between friends, as well as enables businesses to accept payments through a card-independent payment system.
Satispay claims to have three million consumers and 200,000 merchants in its network, including brands such as Carrefour, Eataly, and McDonald’s.
The company is headquartered in Milan, with offices in Luxembourg and Berlin. It employs 300 people and has raised over €450 million in funding since its inception in 2013.
Alberto Dalmasso
“In the last two years, we have experienced exceptional growth, more than doubling our customer base and launching in three new markets.

We have also been able to bring in a lot of additional talent to our teams, helping us transform Satispay into a bigger, more structured competitive reality. It is truly a new beginning and we feel more determined than ever.”
said Alberto Dalmasso, Co-Founder and CEO of Satispay.
Lee Fixel
“We look forward to supporting Satispay as it continues to grow its team, expand its customer and merchant bases and accelerate its business to become Europe’s leading payment network,”
said Lee Fixel of Addition.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/payments-unicorn-satispay-raises-320m-series-d-led-by-lee-fixels-addition</link><guid>2852</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Payments Unicorn Satispay Raises €320M Series D Led by Lee Fixel’s Addition</dc:text></item><item><title>Crypto.com Can Now Operate in France</title><description><![CDATA[Crypto.com has been cleared to operate in France as a Digital Asset Service Provider (DASP) by the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) and the Autorité de Contrôle Prudentiel et de Résolution (ACPR).
The company stressed that it was subjected to a rigorous review process in its bid to receive regulatory approval, particularly around anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism.
Crypto.com also received regulatory approval from the Organismo Agenti e Mediatori to operate in Italy in July, as well as the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority in June.


Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Singapore, the platform currently serves some 50 million customers.
Kris Marszalek
“The European market is central to the long-term growth and success of Crypto.com and we are tremendously proud to now receive registration in France from the AMF,”
said Kris Marszalek, CEO of Crypto.com.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/cryptocom-can-now-operate-in-france</link><guid>2853</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Crypto.com Can Now Operate in France</dc:text></item><item><title>Mollie Offers Up to €250,000 in Financing for Businesses in the Netherlands and Belgium</title><description><![CDATA[Dutch B2B payments company Mollie has introduced Mollie Capital, a credit service for the platform’s existing customers to obtain cash advances of up to €250,000.
Customers will be able to apply for funding through the platform’s dashboard and funds can be made available as early as on the same day.
Those approved for funding need only pay a fixed one-time fee, and Mollie will automatically take repayments as a portion of the company’s daily sales.


Mollie Capital is currently available to select businesses in the Netherlands and Belgium, with plans to launch in other parts of Europe later this year.
The company previously raised a US$800 million Series C led by Blackstone Growth in June 2021.
Shane Happach
“Mollie Capital is a milestone product launch for us. It marks our first step towards becoming a financial services provider whilst aligning with our goal to help small- and medium-sized merchants compete with the industry’s biggest players,”
said Shane Happach, CEO of Mollie.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mollie-offers-up-to-250000-in-financing-for-businesses-in-the-netherlands-and-belgium</link><guid>2854</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Mollie Offers Up to €250,000 in Financing for Businesses in the Netherlands and Belgium</dc:text></item><item><title>IMTF and Parashift Partner to Accelerate Document Processing for Compliance</title><description><![CDATA[Document processing platform Parashift has partnered with regtech company IMTF to integrate its autonomous data extraction solutions with IMTF applications.
The integration will enable companies to easily map out processes such as mortgage applications, KYC, or general inbox processing with minimal manual interactions.
Founded in 2018, Parashift’s technology allows for data extraction without configuration and training, with its machine learning models trained at the field level and across use cases.


Aside from IMTF, Parashift also serves clients such as Swiss cantonal bank BLKB.
Mattia Rüfenacht
“The partnership between IMTF and Parashift reflects the need of banks and financial institutions for business processes to be fast, smooth, and automated.

As the demand for document and compliance process automation increases, partnerships like the one with IMTF help serve this demand and guide business leaders worldwide in their digital transformation,”
said Mattia Rüfenacht, Head of Business Development at Parashift.
Gion-Andri Büsser
“With this integration, IMTF and Parashift are working together to simplify data management across organisations and drive operational improvements. This enables our customers to automate internal processes significantly and ultimately serve clients better”
said Gion-Andri Büsser, CEO of IMTF.


Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/imtf-and-parashift-partner-to-accelerate-document-processing-for-compliance</link><guid>2851</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>IMTF and Parashift Partner to Accelerate Document Processing for Compliance</dc:text></item><item><title>eToro Partners OpenPayd to Enable Instant Deposits and Withdrawals Across Europe</title><description><![CDATA[Social investment platform eToro has partnered with banking infrastructure provider OpenPayd to provide eToro’s European customers with instant withdrawals and deposits.
OpenPayd will allow eToro to issue virtual International Bank Account Numbers or IBANs unique to each customer, and give eToro access to SEPA Instant rails for the first time.
OpenPayd’s API-based solution means that eToro can slash time spent on reconciliations, remove the possibility of human error and speed up payment processing times.


The solution is currently live for eToro Money accounts in 12 countries and is being rolled out across Europe. eToro Money connects with an existing eToro investment account so that users can manage their funds in one place.
Kreeson Thathiah
“With every customer receiving their own virtual IBAN and access to the real-time European payment rails, SEPA Instant, we can ensure that funds are moving when, how and to whom they’re supposed to,”
says Kreeson Thathiah, Director of Payments at eToro.
Iana Dimitrova
“Our infrastructure was built for use cases just like eToro Money. We strongly believe that embedding financial services in this way powers business growth, enabling any company to build new products, streamline operations and manage payments globally,”
says Iana Dimitrova, CEO of OpenPayd.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/etoro-partners-openpayd-to-enable-instant-deposits-and-withdrawals-across-europe</link><guid>2848</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>eToro Partners OpenPayd to Enable Instant Deposits and Withdrawals Across Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>Revolut is Now a Fully Registered Crypto Service Provider in the UK</title><description><![CDATA[Digital money app Revolut has been approved by the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to offer cryptocurrency products and services in the country.
The company was previously providing crypto buying, selling and trading services under the the FCA’s temporary registration regime which allows service providers to continue operating while their applications were being reviewed.
CoinDesk received confirmation from an FCA spokesperson that Revolut has indeed been added to its financial services registry of cryptoasset firms as it has met the requirements of money-laundering regulations.


38 cryptoasset firms are currently registered with the FCA, including Gemini, Fidelity and eToro.
Founded in 2015, Revolut had 20 million retail customers, 250 million transactions each month, and 5,000 employes globally as of July 2022.
The company previously announced that it will utilise Stripe’s payments infrastructure to expand in the UK and Europe.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/revolut-is-now-a-fully-registered-crypto-service-provider-in-the-uk</link><guid>2849</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Revolut is Now a Fully Registered Crypto Service Provider in the UK</dc:text></item><item><title>Credit Suisse Clients Can Now Obtain Property Valuations on the CSX App</title><description><![CDATA[Credit Suisse, in cooperation with PriceHubble and MoneyPark, has incorporated information on real estate valuations and the option to sell properties into its Property Cockpit.
The new features enables Credit Suisse clients in Switzerland to get a real-time indication of the market demand for their property, gain insights about their neighborhood, and keep track of their mortgage.
The partnership with PriceHubble also allows clients to carry out simulated property valuations. For example, clients can gauge the impact of a renovation on their property’s value by providing a few details.


While the partnership with MoneyPark allows clients to identify qualified potential buyers, initiate a sale digitally, and engage end-to-end brokerage services.
Clients will also be able to track the status of these engagements on the Credit Suisse banking portal and the CSX mobile app throughout the entire process.
The companies first announced that they had entered a strategic partnership in November 2021.
Roger Suter
“The consolidated overview in the Property Cockpit provides clients with full transparency, control, and insights so that they can assess their real estate situation. It also allows our client advisors to provide comprehensive wealth advice tailored to the needs of our clients.”
said Roger Suter, Head of Private Banking Switzerland at Credit Suisse.
Anke Bridge Haux
“These innovative features developed in cooperation with MoneyPark and PriceHubble are a crucial step toward a comprehensive ecosystem that consistently takes into account our clients’ need for a transparent and seamless service in regard to the valuation, sale, and financing of real estate,”
adds Anke Bridge Haux, Head of Personal &amp; Business Banking at Credit Suisse.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/credit-suisse-clients-can-now-obtain-property-valuations-on-the-csx-app</link><guid>2850</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Credit Suisse Clients Can Now Obtain Property Valuations on the CSX App</dc:text></item><item><title>Revolut, Wise and N26 Were the Most Googled Virtual Banks in Europe</title><description><![CDATA[A study found that Revolut was the most searched online banking service in Europe, receiving the most searches in 25 countries. Wise came in second as the most searched in nine countries and N26 comes in third as the most searched in four countries.
The study was conducted by UK-based broker CMC Markets based on Ahrefs data on the average number of monthly searches each bank received in each European country.
The study, conducted by spread betting broker CMC Markets, analysed a comprehensive list of online banking services available in Europe through Ahrefs.
#1 Revolut
Revolut was the most Googled overall, being first in 15 countries, including Switzerland with 25,000 average monthly searches, and Germany and Spain with 71,000 average monthly searches each.


The bank is also the second most searched in six more countries like France and Iceland, and third in six countries including Belgium, Italy and Belarus.
Overall, Revolut registered 923,080 average monthly searches throughout the whole of Europe.
#2 Wise
Wise came in second, as it appeared the most throughout the list just below Revolut, ranking in the top three most searched banks in 42 of the 48 countries that were studied.
The bank is also the most searched in nine countries, among them Estonia with 6,300 average monthly searches, as well as Norway, Turkey and Ukraine.
Wise was the second most searched in 18 countries including Hungary, Greece and Portugal, while it is third in five countries. Overall Wise counts 338,080 average monthly searches in Europe.
#3 N26
N26 came in third as it was the top result in four European countries: Andorra, Austria, San Marino and Slovenia.
The bank was also the second-most searched in four countries including Belgium and Luxembourg, and the third most searched in 10 countries.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/revolut-wise-and-n26-were-the-most-googled-virtual-banks-in-europe</link><guid>2846</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Screenshot-2022-09-27-at-10.21.49-AM-1024x589.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Revolut, Wise and N26 Were the Most Googled Virtual Banks in Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>Coinbase Gets Greenlight to Operate Its Crypto Exchange in the Netherlands</title><description><![CDATA[Coinbase has secured regulatory approval from the Dutch central bank as a crypto service provider, allowing it to offer its full suite of retail, institutional, and ecosystem products to customers in the country.
This makes Coinbase one of the first major global crypto exchanges to be approved by the De Nederlandsche Bank to operate in the country, alongside eToro and other platforms such as BitPay and Okcoin.
Coinbase currently serves customers across almost 40 European countries through dedicated hubs in Ireland, the UK, and Germany.


The company also announced in August that it has partnered with BlackRock to give BlackRock’s institutional clients direct access to cryptocurrency trading capabilities.
Nana Murugesan
“Coinbase prides itself on being a compliance-led business. The Netherlands is a critical international market for crypto, and I am really excited for Coinbase to bring the potential of the crypto economy to the market here,”
said Nana Murugesan, Vice President, International and Business Development at Coinbase.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/coinbase-gets-greenlight-to-operate-its-crypto-exchange-in-the-netherlands</link><guid>2847</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Coinbase Gets Greenlight to Operate Its Crypto Exchange in the Netherlands</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss and Liechtenstein Crypto Assets Ecosystem Continues to Grow Despite Market Turmoil</title><description><![CDATA[In Switzerland and Liechtenstein, the crypto assets investment ecosystem continues to grow and mature, despite market volatility and declining trading volumes, a new report by the Institute of Financial Services Zug (IFZ) of the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU) shows.
The second edition of the Crypto Assets Study, released earlier this month, gives an overview of the current state in the Swiss and Liechtenstein crypto assets investment ecosystem, delving into the key trends that have emerged over the past year and the developments that have been observed.
According to the report, the Swiss and Liechtenstein ecosystem for crypto assets has remained rather resilient in 2022 with new developments being recorded. In 2022, new financial products hit the market and more financial products were being made available to investors, especially in the form of indirect investment vehicles like exchange traded products (ETPs) and open end funds.


Since crypto-focused ETPs and open end funds first appeared back in 2018, they have continuously grown in number. The report notes the existence of a total of 114 ETPs and open funds domiciled, traded or available for sale in Switzerland and/or Liechtenstein, as of April 2022, underlining the popularity of these indirect investment vehicles among investors.
Number of individual ISINs of ETPs and open-end funds, Source: Crypto Assets Study 2022, IFZ HSLU, Sep 2022
A study of 32 companies in the crypto assets sector as part of the report revealed that Swiss and Liechtenstein companies offer diverse investment products and services for crypto assets, though the majority of players do focus on one or two product offerings.
Issuance and tokenization solutions, asset and wealth management, and brokerage were found to be the most common offerings, while lending services, on the other hand, stood on the other side of the spectrum and were provided by just a few companies.
Key activities of companies from factsheets received, Source: Crypto Assets Study 2022, IFZ HSLU, Sep 2022
Crypto trading volumes decline
These developments are occurring despite a volatile crypto market and declining trading volumes.
In April 2022, total assets under management (AUM) of ETPs and open end funds stood at around CHF 4 billion after peaking in November 2021 to a little over CHF 6 billion, a drop that’s consistent with the general price developments and market pullback observed in 2022, the report says.
Total assets of ETPs and open-end funds, Source: Crypto Assets Study 2022, IFZ HSLU, Sep 2022
Looking at trading volumes on SIX Swiss Exchange and BX Swiss, the two exchanges where investors can purchase crypto-related indirect investment products in Switzerland, the report notes that a total trading volume of CHF 6.5 billion between May 2021 and April 2022.
The sum represents a slight decline compared with the previous year where a total of CHF 7 billion in indirect financial products on crypto assets were traded between October 2020 and September 2021.
Market trades by month, Source: Crypto Assets Study 2022, IFZ HSLU, Sep 2022
Trading volumes on centralized crypto exchanges have also decreased. Between May 2021 and April 2022, the total trading volume for direct investments in crypto assets on the top 15 largest centralized exchanges stood at an estimated at CHF 81.2 billion for Switzerland. In comparison, that sum amounted to CHF 92.6 billion between October 2020 and September 2021.
Between May 2021 and April 2022, Binance was found to be the largest crypto exchange platform in Switzerland, accounting for roughly 34% of the total trading volume of the 15 largest centralized crypto exchanges and 46% of the estimated Swiss trading volume.
An analysis of web traffic also showed that crypto exchanges FTX, CoinFLEX, and Kucoin had the highest traffic rates and therefore had been accessed the most from Switzerland during the period. This shows that they are among Swiss investors’ preferred trading platforms.
Annual trading volumes of the 15 largest centralised crypto exchanges, May 1, 2021 to April 30, 2022, Source: Crypto Assets Study 2022, IFZ HSLU, Sep 2022
A troubling year
The crypto market has had a rough couple of months, with market capitalization plunging nearly 70% from its all-time high of US$3 trillion in November 2021 to now about US$970 billion, data from CoinMarketCap show. Bitcoin has lost more than 50% of its value since the beginning of the year, while ether has fallen 62%.
The nosedive comes amid a series of issues occurring in the industry over the past year. In May, Terra collapsed after its terraUSD (UST) and luna tokens lost nearly US$45 billion in value. Several crypto firms, including the now-bankrupt hedge fund Three Arrows Capital (3AC), had a large exposure to UST, leading to contagion across the broader crypto industry.
Celsius Network is another crypto company that filed for bankruptcy this year, owing customers around US$4.7 billion, according to its filing.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-and-liechtenstein-crypto-assets-ecosystem-continues-to-grow-despite-market-turmoil</link><guid>2845</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss and Liechtenstein Crypto Assets Ecosystem Continues to Grow Despite Market Turmoil</dc:text></item><item><title>Crypto App hi and Mastercard Launch Debit Card With NFT Customisation</title><description><![CDATA[Crypto app hi and Mastercard have launched the world’s first debit card with NFT avatar customisation, allowing cardholders to personalise their card with an NFT avatar that they verifiably own.
The card will initially be available to hi members in over 25 countries in the European Economic Area (EEA) as well as the UK. Membership is obtained by staking hi’s token.
hi’s upper tier members will be eligible for NFT avatar customisation from a limited range of NFT collections including CryptoPunks, Moonbirds, Goblins, Bored Apes and Azukis.


The hi debit card will be issued by London-based payments company Moorwand.
Sean Rach
“Not only do the NFT cards look amazing, this is a great way for people to show which online community they belong to, but in the real world.

The flexibility to spend fiat, stablecoins or other crypto, combined with attractive financial and lifestyle rewards, makes us confident that our card is a game-changer in the market,”
says Sean Rach, Co-Founder of hi.

Christian Rau
“As consumer interest in crypto and NFTs continues to grow, we are committed to making them an accessible payments choice for the communities who wish to use them,”
says Christian Rau, Senior Vice President, Crypto and Fintech Enablement at Mastercard.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crypto-app-hi-and-mastercard-launch-debit-card-with-nft-customisation</link><guid>2844</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Crypto App hi and Mastercard Launch Debit Card With NFT Customisation</dc:text></item><item><title>Web3 Investco Acquires Luxembourg Crypto Platform Blocktrade</title><description><![CDATA[Zug-based private equity firm Web3 Investco has signed a definitive agreement to buy 100 percent of the voting shares of Luxembourg-based digital asset exchange Blocktrade from the Elite Club Foundation.
Blocktrade was founded in 2018 before being acquired by Swiss fintech venture builder Cryptix in August 2019. The company has seen three CEOs since its founding, with the latest being Christian Niedermüller in February 2022.
The company, which also holds Virtual Asset Service Provider registrations in Estonia and in Italy, aims to build the go-to crypto investment platform for all things around gamification, social gaming and networking.


Christian Niedermüller
“Blocktrade will highly benefit from the vast industry knowledge and extensive network of its new shareholder and the people behind it.

Once acquired the necessary licenses, we plan to list many new assets and asset classes followed by their communities and will pivot into the area of gaming, skill/social gaming and everything around network effects in the next half year,”
said Christian Niedermüller, CEO of Blocktrade and board member of its new shareholder Web3 Investco AG.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/web3-investco-acquires-luxembourg-crypto-platform-blocktrade</link><guid>2843</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Web3 Investco Acquires Luxembourg Crypto Platform Blocktrade</dc:text></item><item><title>Finastra Integrates With Visa Direct for Cross Border Payouts</title><description><![CDATA[Financial services software and cloud solutions provider Finastra and Visa will co-develop new functionality to enable banks and financial institutions to offer their SME and individual clients cross-border payout solutions in multiple currencies and countries.
The collaboration integrates Finastra’s Payments Hub solutions with Visa Direct to enable banks to access the Visa network through Finastra’s FusionFabric.cloud open development platform.
The new processing capability allows banks to bypass expensive and time consuming complexities and offer quick, low cost payments for their customers.


Barry Rodrigues
“This Banking as a Service (BaaS) partnership will allow banks to offer their customers greater choice in how to route cross-border payments, with banks essentially embedding Visa products,”
said Barry Rodrigues, EVP Payments Business Unit at Finastra.
Ruben Salazar Genovez
“We are excited to partner with Finastra to support the enablement of their bank customers worldwide with simple access to Visa Direct,”
said Ruben Salazar Genovez, SVP, Global Head of Visa Direct.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finastra-integrates-with-visa-direct-for-cross-border-payouts</link><guid>2841</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Finastra Integrates With Visa Direct for Cross Border Payouts</dc:text></item><item><title>Japan’s Nomura Holdings Picks Switzerland for its New Digital Assets Business</title><description><![CDATA[Japanese financial services group Nomura Holdings has established a new digital assets business in Switzerland called Laser Digital, with Steven Ashley as Chairman and Jez Mohideen as CEO.
According to the company, Switzerland was selected as the location for the new entity given its robust digital assets and blockchain regulatory regime and attractive talent pool.
Laser Digital will announce new services and product lines in the coming months focusing on three core areas: secondary trading, venture capital and investor products.


The first product to launch will be Laser Venture Capital, which will invest in companies working in decentralised finance (DeFi), centralised finance (CeFi), web3 and blockchain infrastructure.
Kentaro Okuda
Kentaro Okuda, President and Group CEO of Nomura Holdings, said:
“Staying at the forefront of digital innovation is a key priority for Nomura. This is why, alongside our efforts to diversify our business, we announced earlier this year that Nomura would be setting up a new subsidiary focused on digital assets.

We look forward to sustainable growth in this new business under the leadership of Steven and Jez.“
Steven Ashley
Steven Ashley, Chairman of Laser Digital, said:
“The new company will enable us to build an edge in providing institutional clients with access to a wide range of new products and services and contribute meaningfully towards responsible innovation in the digital asset ecosystem.”
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/japans-nomura-holdings-picks-switzerland-for-its-new-digital-assets-business</link><guid>2842</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Japan’s Nomura Holdings Picks Switzerland for its New Digital Assets Business</dc:text></item><item><title>Payment Innovations Remain Apple’s Top Fintech Priority</title><description><![CDATA[With a market capitalization of more than US$2 trillion and over US$100 billion in annual profit, American technology giant Apple is one of the most valuable companies in the world. Widely known for its consumer electronics, including the Macintosh personal computers, the iPhone smartphones line, and the iPad tablet computers, the company has been consistently innovating over the years and is now exploring areas such as augmented reality and virtual reality (AR/VR), semiconductors, but also payments and financial services.
An analysis by business analytics and market intelligence platform CB Insights that looks at Apple’s acquisitions, partnerships and investments activity, notes that the firm has acquired no less than 25 companies since 2018.
Data are pointing at four main strategic priorities centered on AR/VR, digital health, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), and semiconductors and advanced materials, but recent developments are also suggesting a greater commitment to developing its finance business.


This is evidenced by the establishment of Apple Financial, a wholly-owned subsidiary, which will be powering the firm’s forthcoming Apple Pay Later service scheduled for public release in the fall of 2022, as well as the acquisition of British open banking credit reference agency Credit Kudos for a reported US$150 million.
An earlier Bloomberg report has also revealed Apple’s secret “Breakout” initiative that’s allegedly seeking to bring more financial services capabilities, including payment processing, risk and fraud analysis, credit checks, subscription programs for hardware purchases, and buy now, pay later (BNPL), in-house.
These moves hint at a desire from the firm to reduce its reliance on third parties and banking partners, and perhaps also to a broader aspiration to build a full-blown financial services offering and create new revenue streams, Alex Johnson, director of fintech research at investment advisory firm Cornerstone Advisors, wrote in an in-depth opinion piece in July.
A focus on payments
Although Apple has been exploring products such as credit cards, BNPL and checking accounts, it appears that payments still remain the firm’s top priority at this point in time.
A separate analysis by CB Insights points out several payment innovations Apple is actively pursuing. It first cites digital identity (ID) wallets, a new generation of mobile wallets that intends to act as an all-in-one solution to friction in not only payments but also ID verification and access management.
Just like physical wallets are being used to carry identification documents like drivers’ licenses, office badges, and student cards, digital ID wallets aims to provide users with a way to store payment information digitally as well as essential documents, including IDs, passports, citizenship information and even biometrics information.
In the field, Apple has been among the first movers, announcing in September 2021, that eight states in the US had started supporting Apple Wallet IDs, allowing their residents to add their driver’s license or state ID to their Apple Wallet and present these documents at select airport security checkpoints. Apple said it will be expanding to retailers and venues next.
Apple Wallet IDs, Source: Apple
The other trend Apple is pursuing is wearable payments. The company, which already pairs its mobile wallet offering with its smartwatches, announced in February 2022 a new feature that’s poised to boost the adoption of NFC-enabled payments and encourage the use of wearables to conduct transactions.
Called Tap to Pay, the feature allows businesses to use iPhones to accept contactless payments without the need to purchase or manage additional hardware. At checkout, the merchant simply needs to prompt the customer to hold their iPhone or Apple Watch to pay with Apple Pay, their contactless credit or debit card, or other digital wallet near the merchant’s iPhone, and the payment will be completed using NFC technology.
Apple Tap and Pay transaction, Source: Apple
Apple first released its digital wallet and mobile payment system back in 2014. Back then, only 3% of US retailers access contactless payments. While adoption of Apple Pay was slow at first, the service started picking up steam in the years that followed, and is now rapidly gaining momentum.
According to research from American venture capital (VC) firm Loup Ventures, the percentage of iPhones with Apple Pay activated was 10% in 2016 and 20% in 2017. In 2020, it hit 50%, and it’s now around 75%. About 90% of retailers in the US now accept Apple Pay, the company claims.
Mobile wallets are one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. According to CB Insights Industry Analyst Consensus, it’s currently worth around US$1 trillion and is projected to grow to over US$7 trillion by 2027.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/payment-innovations-remain-apples-top-fintech-priority</link><guid>2840</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Payment Innovations Remain Apple’s Top Fintech Priority</dc:text></item><item><title>Ledgy Raises US$22M Series B to Help European Startups Manage Equity</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss equity management platform Ledgy has raised a US$22 million Series B funding round led by New Enterprise Associates (NEA). Speedinvest as well as existing investors Sequoia Capital, 20VC, btov and VI Partners also participated in the round.
Ledgy supports employers in all equity-related matters including captable management, stakeholder reporting, implementing and automating vesting rules, and ensuring compliance.
The platform helps employees understand the value of their stake in the company with dashboards that include vesting periods and scenario planning.


Investors can also view portfolio metrics such as IRR or MOIC, but also company-specific key metrics such as revenue, P&amp;L and runway.
According to NEA, Ledgy is currently managing equity in 42 countries and for more than 2,500 companies including startups such as Pleo, Trade Republic and Wefox.
The latest fundraise also sees the addition of NEA Partner Jonathan Golden to Ledgy’s board.

“The companies we have spoken to praised Ledgy for its ease of use— from initial setup to onboarding new employees and investors across different geographies.

The unanimous feedback was that Ledgy allowed companies to grow, both in terms of headcount and across geographies, while drastically reducing the complexity of finance and legal functions,”
said Jonathan Golden, Partner at NEA.
Yoko Spirig
“The team has grown from around 20 people to more than 60 in the last year, and we’ve managed to have a lot of fun as we’ve scaled!

We are all excited to keep pushing to build a category defining product and take the pain out of equity management for even more companies in the months and years ahead,”
said Yoko Spirig, CEO and Co-Founder at Ledgy.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ledgy-raises-us22m-series-b-to-help-european-startups-manage-equity</link><guid>2839</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Ledgy Raises US$22M Series B to Help European Startups Manage Equity</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech M&amp;A Deal Activity Accelerates in DACH Region</title><description><![CDATA[In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, also referred to as the DACH region, fintech funding and acquisition activities have accelerated over the past few of years on the back of a maturing fintech market and increasing appetite from strategic players and industry stakeholders, according to a new report by PwC.
Over the last ten and a half years, DACH’s fintech industry has seen US$23.1 billion worth of transactions taking place, including capital increases and merger and acquisition (M&amp;A) deals. More than half of that sum involved rounds and deals concluded over the past 30 months, showcasing that dealmaking activity has grown drastic over just the past two years, the new study shows.
Fintech funding in DACH report 2011-H1 2022, Source: PwC, 2022
Soaring fintech funding activity has been driven by several trends, the firm says, first, by the maturing of DACH’s fintech sector, a trend that’s evidenced by the general increase in later-stages venture capital (VC) rounds and the fivefold increase of the median deal value.


Transaction median deal size (USD million), Source: PwC, 2022
Median deal value increased five times between 2016 and 2021, soaring from just US$1.3 million to US$6.5 million. This rise can be attributed to the emergence of the blockchain and cryptocurrency vertical, and the birth of the region’s first fintech unicorns and their large funding rounds, the report says.
Notable blockchain and crypto deals closed in 2017 and 2018 included Polkadot’s US$250 million fundraise led by Fabric Venture and Dfinity’s US$102 million fundraise led by Andreessen Horowitz.
DACH is currently home to eight fintech unicorns and all of them have reached a US$1 billion and plus valuation in the past 30 months after closing mega-rounds of US$100 million and up, data from CB Insights show.
German digital bank N26 got a US$2.7 billion valuation after closing a US$300 million fundraise in January 2019, WeFox’s US$235 million fundraise that same year brought its valuation to US$1.6 billion, and Austria’s Bitpanda raised US$170 million in March 2021, bringing its valuation to US$1.7 billion and becoming the country’s first fintech unicorn.
The second driver outlined by PwC is strategic investors’ rising participation in the fintech sector, a trend that’s visible when comparing their participation in H1 2022 versus 2011. While in 2011, strategic investors only accounted for 8% of the investors in fintech, that proportion grew 2.7 times to 22% in H1 2022.
Results of a survey conducted by PwC as part of the report further showcased that trend. Of the 30 bank executives interviewed, 45% of respondents in Switzerland and Liechtenstein said they had already invested in fintech, showcasing the banking sector’s increasing appetite for fintech investments.
Large and medium-sized banks with assets under CHF 10 billion were found to be the most active, with the majority of respondents having already invested in fintech and concluded 2.6 deals on average. Moving forward, 38% of respondents indicated that they intended to invest in fintech over the next two years.
Appetite for fintech investments in the Swiss and Liechtenstein banking landscape, Source: PwC, 2022
When asked about their broader strategy when it comes to fintech, 55% of respondents indicated having a formal and documented fintech strategy, showcasing that the majority of incumbents have a clearly defined approach to fintech.
For most banks, the main reasons they invest in a fintech company is to gain access to new technology (35%) or enter new market and business model (30%). Digital distribution (26%), blockchain and cryptocurrencies (22%) and data analytics (18%) were cited as the top capabilities they sought to develop through fintech investments.
Why do banks invest in fintech, Source: PwC, 2022
The research also found that banks were most interested in revenue-generating fintech companies with functioning business models. They also favor fintech opportunities in Europe (64%), though some private banks indicated considering opportunities in South America or Asia. None of the banks interviewed is considering investing in fintech companies located in the US.
Preference for revenue-generating fintech companies based in Europe, Source: PwC, 2022

Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-ma-deal-activity-accelerates-in-dach-region</link><guid>2838</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Fintech-funding-in-DACH-report-2011-H1-2022-Source-PwC-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech M&amp;A Deal Activity Accelerates in DACH Region</dc:text></item><item><title>UK Fintech Monese Secures US$35M Investment From HSBC Ventures</title><description><![CDATA[UK-based money app Monese has received a US$35 million investment from HSBC Ventures, bringing the total amount it has raised so far to US$208 million.
The investment is said to be part of a broader strategic partnership that focuses on growing Monese’s platform and exploring the “full extent of digital banking possibilities”.
Monese first launched its mobile money service in 2015, followed by business accounts in 2018 and joint accounts in 2019. It had two million sign ups as of 2020.


In 2021, the company launched its Platform-as-a-Service business, raised its Series C led by banking solutions provider Investec, and acquired financial services provider Trezeo.
Catherine Zhou
Catherine Zhou, Global Head of Ventures, Digital Partnerships and Innovation at HSBC Ventures, said:
“HSBC is excited to invest in Monese as one of the leading fintech players in the market. Our investment will provide stronger strategic alignment and enable us to build on our strengths as partners.”
Norris Koppel
Norris Koppel, Founder and CEO of Monese, said:
“Securing the support of a tier one global bank demonstrates the strength of our platform and the continued appetite from investors in the platform.

I am delighted to have such a distinguished partner and investor in HSBC, who brings a great deal of experience in delivering exceptional banking services.”
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/uk-fintech-monese-secures-us35m-investment-from-hsbc-ventures</link><guid>2835</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>UK Fintech Monese Secures US$35M Investment From HSBC Ventures</dc:text></item><item><title>CYBERA Raises Additional US$5M to Disrupt Financial Cybercrime</title><description><![CDATA[CYBERA Global Inc. has secured an additional US$5 million in what it says was an oversubscribed equity round led by Converge VC and New North Ventures.
Founder Collective, Swiss venture capital firms Serpentine Ventures and CV VC, as well as other institutional and angel investors also participated in the round.
Previous well-known investors include former financial supervisor in the Vatican René Brülhart, as well as former head of UBS and current President of the Swiss Bankers Association Marcel Rohner.


The additional funds will help scale CYBERA’s solutions that focuses on logging and sharing cybercrime victim reports and creating a global watchlist for problematic accounts.
According to the FBI’s IC3 division, financial cybercrimes cost businesses a combined US$6.9 billion in 2021 — up 164 percent from 2020.
The international scope and complexity of these scams often involve many local, regional and international parties, making enforcement a challenge.
The company says that it has already identified over 2,000 problem accounts and helped freeze hundreds of thousands of dollars linked to cybercrime.
Nicola Staub
“As a former prosecutor, I have seen the impact of this issue first hand, as well as the complexities of tracking international gangs operating at high speed. This is a fully scalable, secure solution and addresses key regulatory concerns,”
said Nicola Staub, CEO and Co-Founder of CYBERA.
This article first appeared on Fintech News America.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/cybera-raises-additional-us5m-to-disrupt-financial-cybercrime</link><guid>2836</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>CYBERA Raises Additional US$5M to Disrupt Financial Cybercrime</dc:text></item><item><title>Payments Group PayU Finalises Acquisition of Colombia’s Ding to Expand to LATAM</title><description><![CDATA[Netherlands’ PayU has received the endorsement of Colombian regulatory authorities to acquire local electronic payment and deposit specialist Tecnipagos, better known as Ding.
Based in Bogota, Ding allows merchants to make electronic deposits like they would with a savings account, and accept payments from credit and debit cards, QR codes, and other methods.
The company also issues its own Visa debit and business cards, available in both physical and virtual form.


PayU is an e-commerce payment solutions and consumer credit provider that also invests in fintech startups. The company operates in over 50 markets, has offices in 18 locations and over 3000 employees.
Francisco León
Francisco León, CEO of PayU Latin America comments:
“PayU has accompanied the evolution of online payments in Colombia and the company now seeks to expand its scope of services to boost the financial inclusion of small and medium-sized companies in the country.

We are extremely excited about the acquisition of Ding, as it will help our growth strategy further respond to the permanent challenges arising from the market.”
Juan Camilo Vargas
Juan Camilo Vargas, Country Manager at PayU Colombia adds:
“Our strategic vision focuses especially on leveraging SMBs in the country and this acquisition will be a cornerstone in this important purpose.”

This post first appeared on Fintech News America.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/payments-group-payu-finalises-acquisition-of-colombias-ding-to-expand-to-latam</link><guid>2834</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Payments Group PayU Finalises Acquisition of Colombia’s Ding to Expand to LATAM</dc:text></item><item><title>UBS Venture Unit Leads New Wealthtech US$50M Series C Funding Round</title><description><![CDATA[New York-based asset management platform Ethic has closed a US$50 million Series C funding round led by the Jordan Park Group, with participation from UBS’ venture unit UBS Next.
The round also saw participation from existing investors including Oak HC/FT, Nyca Partners, Sound Ventures, Urban Innovation Fund and Kapor Capital.
Ethic provides financial intermediaries with custom equity portfolios that can be tailored to end clients’ individual sustainability, financial, charitable giving and tax management preferences.


The company has grown rapidly since its US$29 million Series B raise in 2021, surpassing US$2 billion in assets and expanding its team headcount by more than 70 percent.
Its focus on “impact” is endorsed by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex Harry and Meghan, and its impact reporting feature was awarded the 2022 Model Wealth Manager award from global advisory firm Celent.
Doug Scott
“Our personalised approach, which allows people to create portfolios that reflect their own unique definitions of sustainability, has helped facilitate our rapid growth with intermediaries and their clients,”
said Doug Scott, Co-Founder and CEO of Ethic.
Mike Dargan
“Through UBS Next, we encourage technology-driven innovation and support ideas that have the power to shape the future of banking to meet clients’ evolving needs,”
said Mike Dargan, UBS Group Chief Digital and Information Officer.
“Through our investment in Ethic, we also aim to increase access to customizable, sustainable investment offerings to a much broader set of investors.”

UBS Next previously announced that it had invested in US-based IT operations platform BigPanda.

This article first appeared on fintechnews.am



]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ubs-venture-unit-leads-new-wealthtech-us50m-series-c-funding-round</link><guid>2832</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>UBS Venture Unit Leads New Wealthtech US$50M Series C Funding Round</dc:text></item><item><title>Portofino Technologies Raises US$50M to Scale Its HFT Crypto Infrastructure</title><description><![CDATA[Digital asset trading technology provider Portofino Technologies has raised over US$50 million in equity funding from Valar Ventures, Global Founders Capital and Coatue to scale its technology across the full crypto infrastructure value chain.
The company, founded by former Citadel Securities executives Leonard Lancia and Alex Casimo, builds high-frequency trading (HFT) grade technology for institutions and Web3 projects that require digital asset liquidity.
Portofino says that it has traded billions of dollars across centralized and decentralized cryptocurrency venues and hired a team of 35 HFT specialists globally in the past year.


Leonard Lancia
Leonard Lancia, CEO and Founder at Portofino said:
“This is only the start for Portofino. In Web3, every action is a transaction and we’re building the underlying technology that is going to enable entirely new services and industries in the future.”
James Fitzgerald
James Fitzgerald, Founding Partner at Valar Ventures said:
“As the digital assets market continues to grow rapidly in size and complexity, Portofino’s proprietary technology, which enables the frictionless transfer of digital assets, will become more and more important for institutional and retail participants in the space.”
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/portofino-technologies-raises-us50m-to-scale-its-hft-crypto-infrastructure</link><guid>2833</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Portofino Technologies Raises US$50M to Scale Its HFT Crypto Infrastructure</dc:text></item><item><title>Banks Jump on the Metaverse Bandwagon</title><description><![CDATA[Banks from around the world are actively exploring the opportunities brought about the metaverse, purchasing virtual land and establishing presence on popular platforms. They believe these virtual environments will help them better engage with younger customers, collaborate with partners and train staff, a new analysis by fintech-focused research firm WhiteSight shows.
The analysis, released on August 25, 2022, delves into the major moves that have made by banking incumbents and financial institutions, outlining the different ways they’ve engaged in the metaverse, including land acquisition, trademark and patent filings, and more.
First, many banks are purchasing plots and virtual real estate on popular platforms like The Sandbox and Decentraland, the report notes, a move that’s generally intended to enabling them to establish a presence.


JPMorgan was an early mover, launching in February 2022 its Onyx Lounge in Decentraland. This was followed later on by HSBC, which acquired in March a plot of virtual real estate in The Sandbox to engage with sports, e-sports and gaming fans. Standard Chartered was next, buying virtual land in The Sandbox as well in April to engage with “clients, partners, staff, and the tech community, to explore co-creation opportunities.”
Industry stakeholders are also actively filling for intellectual property (IP) protection, the report says, citing the example of Mastercard, which filed 15 non-fungible token (NFT) and metaverse trademark applications in April 2022 to broaden its payment processing system into the new virtual economy.
Similarly, filings suggest that American Express is seeking to have its real-world payment services work in the metaverse. Trademarks filed indicate that the company is considering providing card payments, ATM services, banking services, and fraud detection to customers in virtual environments.
Bank training and skill development programs are also starting to take shape in the virtual world, the report notes. In South Korea, Hana Bank launched last year a virtual training center on Zepeto, an avatar app operated by the country’s largest Internet company Naver. Bank of America introduced in October 2021 a new virtual reality (VR) training program, allowing approximately 50,000 employees to practice a range of routine to complex tasks and simulate client interactions through a virtual environment.
Metaverse banking: partners and activities, Source: WhiteSight, 2022
Reaching younger demographics and enabling new business models
The metaverse, a concept referring to a shared virtual environment that people access via the Internet, has become one of the hottest business trends of the past two years.
In H1 2022, companies, venture capital, and private equity firms invested more than US$120 billion in the metaverse, according to McKinsey and Company. The sum is more than double the US$57 billion invested in all of 2021, showcasing investors’ continued bullishness in the prospect of the sector.
The consultancy estimates that the metaverse could grow up to US$5 trillion in value by 2030 in value, with e-commerce emerging as the largest economic force (US$2.6 trillion), ahead of sectors such as virtual learning (US$270 billion), advertising (US$206 billion), and gaming (US$125 billion).
For banks, the metaverse represents a huge opportunity to attract young or new customers, enhance customer journeys and create new products, says Chappuis Halder, a management consulting firm part of Capgemini Invent.
One exciting business model enabled by the metaverse is play-to-earn. With play-to-earn, players can recoup in-game earnings as real-world cash, or transfer them to other games, players, or platforms, through cryptocurrencies. This essentially means that players can use their in-game items to buy, sell, and trade digital assets globally, creating thus brand new financial ecosystems, the firm says.
In this scenario, banks could support marketplaces in the creation, ownership and exchange of digital assets, as well as connecting these marketplaces to the traditional economy and fiat currencies, it says.
Health-to-earn is another promising area. These games typically combine play-to-earn, NFTs and GPS technology to track users’ movements and health activities. Data are stored on a blockchain and converted into rewards, typically in the form of cryptocurrency. These rewards are earned by completing in-game tasks like finishing a workout, walking, cycling, running, and so on.
Financial institutions could make use of health-to-earn, allowing, for example, their employees to play fitness games in the metaverse, get rewarded with crypto tokens and accumulate crypto earnings for their medical reimbursement accounts (MRAs). For insurance companies, they could develop specific offers that reward healthy behavior, using gamification to promote better coverage, premiums and health, Chappuis Halder says.

Featured image credit: freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/banks-jump-on-the-metaverse-bandwagon</link><guid>2830</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Banks Jump on the Metaverse Bandwagon</dc:text></item><item><title>ECB Selects 5 Companies to Jointly Develop Prototype Digital Euro User Interfaces</title><description><![CDATA[The European Central Bank (ECB) will collaborate with five companies to develop potential user interfaces for the digital euro to test how well the technology behind a digital euro integrates with prototypes developed by companies.
Simulated transactions will be initiated using the front-end prototypes developed by the five companies and processed through the Eurosystem’s interface and back-end infrastructure.
The selected companies, chosen from a pool of 54 front end providers, will each focus on one specific use case of a digital euro in collaboration with the ECB team:



Peer-to-peer online payments with Spanish financial services company CaixaBank;
Peer-to-peer offline payments with French payments company Worldline;
Point of sale payments initiated by the payer with the European Payments Initiative (EPI), an initiative launched by 31 European financial institutions and two third-party acquirers;
Point of sale payments initiated by the payee with Italian digital payments specialist Nexi; and
E-commerce payments with technology company Amazon.

The firms were selected following the ECB’s April 2022 call for expressions of interest after fulfilling a number of “essential capabilities” and matching the “specific capabilities” required for the assigned use case.
The prototyping exercise is an important element in the ongoing two-year investigation phase of the digital euro project. It is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2023 when the ECB will also publish its findings.
The ECB says that there are no plans to re-use the prototypes in the subsequent phases of the digital euro project.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ecb-selects-5-companies-to-jointly-develop-prototype-digital-euro-user-interfaces</link><guid>2831</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>ECB Selects 5 Companies to Jointly Develop Prototype Digital Euro User Interfaces</dc:text></item><item><title>Wealthtech InvestSuite Secures €6 million Series A, Adds New Board Members</title><description><![CDATA[Wealthtech solutions provider InvestSuite has completed a €6 million Series A investment round, bringing the total raised to €15 million since inception.
Founded in 2018, the company develops white-label portfolio construction, digital investing and portfolio reporting solutions for financial institutions.
It has over 20 clients in 14 countries, primarily in Europe and the Middle East, with plans to expand to Asia and North America. The company has 70 employees and offices in Leuven, London, Warsaw, Amsterdam, and Sydney.


The funding round also saw the addition of two new strategic investors, the Cronos Group and OSOM Finance, next to existing investor PMV as well as other institutional and angel investors.
Anton Altement, CEO and Co-Founder of OSOM Finance will join the board, while banking executive Frank Stockx will represent the Cronos Group and serve as the new Chairman of the Board.
Laurent Sorber
“This round of financing is a recognition of our mission to bring the best services in InvestTech to the widest possible audience. It enables us to execute our growth ambitions, expand our team and bring our innovations to financial institutions around the globe,”
said Laurent Sorber, CTO and Co-Founder of InvestSuite.
Bart Vanhaeren
“I am very pleased that entrepreneurs like the Cronos Group and OSOM Finance will join our board. They will bring unparalleled entrepreneurial drive and extensive wealth management and investment expertise to the table,”
said Bart Vanhaeren, CEO and Co-Founder of InvestSuite.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/wealthtech-investsuite-secures-6-million-series-a-adds-new-board-members</link><guid>2829</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Wealthtech InvestSuite Secures €6 million Series A, Adds New Board Members</dc:text></item><item><title>New Swiss Fintech Startup Map September 2022 Welcomes Fiat24</title><description><![CDATA[Swisscom has released the updated Swiss Fintech Startup Map for September 2022, welcoming this time only one new Swiss Fintech Startup.
The map provides regular updates on the Swiss fintech landscape in the region now displays a grand total of 373 Swiss fintech startups.
For this month the map welcome Fiat24, who offers Swiss Banking in the Metaverse.





]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-swiss-fintech-startup-map-september-2022-welcomes-fiat24</link><guid>2827</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>New Swiss Fintech Startup Map September 2022 Welcomes Fiat24</dc:text></item><item><title>Stableton Hires Former GenTwo CMO</title><description><![CDATA[Alternative investment platform Stableton Financial has hired Sandra Chattopadhyay in its newly created role of Head of Content &amp; Communications, responsible for the firm’s global content, communication and media activities.
Sandra has 20 year experience in investment banking and wealth management, having previously held senior roles at 21finance, GenTwo, Bank Vontobel, UBS, Barclays Capital and Société Générale.
The appointment further strengthens Stableton’s communication capabilities in light of its expansion plans after a successful CHF 15 million Series A funding round and being named the Swiss Fintech Awards’ 2022 Growth Stage Startup of the Year.


The firm also reported three promotions to its executive management team earlier this month.
Andreas Bezner
Andreas Bezner, Co-Founder and CEO of Stableton, said:
“Sandra Chattopadhyay’s track record in positioning a fast-growing fintech company will be instrumental as we scale existing activities in Switzerland and expand internationally.

We look forward to drawing from her deep investment banking and wealth management experience.”
Sandra Chattopadhyay
“Working for one of Stableton’s partners, I saw the firm’s quick ascent to prominence as a major Swiss player in the market for late-stage venture capital investments.

I look forward to bringing my expertise to the table when it comes to engaging demanding audiences with distinct information needs,”
said Sandra Chattopadhyay, Head of Content &amp; Communications at Stableton.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/stableton-hires-former-gentwo-cmo</link><guid>2828</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Stableton Hires Former GenTwo CMO</dc:text></item><item><title>2022 Swiss Fintech Awards Winners Share Updates, Ambitions</title><description><![CDATA[Stableton Financial and DeepJudge, two of the winners of this year’s Swiss Fintech Awards, have been reaping the fruits of the publicity accompanying the renowned startup competition, using the new-found exposure as an opportunity to expand to new verticals, launch new features and work their way to securing future funding.
DeepJudge hopes to expand to the financial industry
For DeepJudge, a startup that provides artificial intelligence (AI)-powered document processing tools, winning the 2022 Early Stage Startup of the Year Award brought in new customers and interest from a number of venture capital (VC) investors.
The young company, which has so far targeted the legal sector, hopes the exposure will help it expand to the financial industry, a space that could use the improved efficiency and productivity brought about its AI platform, a spokesperson told Fintech News Switzerland.


Founded just last year, DeepJudge has already earned several accolades for its document processing platform. A spinoff of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zurich), the startup has developed a AI-powered solution that’s capable of understanding the context of a document and how it relates to other documents, extract key information, and proof check for inconsistencies.
Paulina Grnarova
DeepJudge’s “intelligent automatization” solution works a bit like an “out-of-the box assistant to legal professionals,” Paulina Grnarova, Co-Founder of the company said, and seeks to address the high amount of manual work done by legal professionals when going through thousands of documents to find, extract or redact relevant information. Instead, legal teams can put the DeepJudge’s platform to the task and focus on the truly strategic aspects of their work.
The solution is multilingual and can be integrated with any document management system. It’s also holistic, meaning that it isn’t specialized in one particular type of document, problem or task, and can be applied to various processes and business functions.
Although DeepJudge is still at an early stage and primarily focusing on signing new customers and further developing its offering at this point in time, the startup does hold the longer term ambitions of expanding overseas, “become a global legaltech company” and “revolutionize the workflow of legal professionals and anyone else that deals heavily with reading and processing documents.”
Stableton Financial increases its market footprint
For Stableton Financial, the operator of an alternative investment platform, winning the 2022 Growth Stage Startup of the Year title has created significant media attention and helped it increase its market footprint, Andreas Bezner, co-founder, managing partner and CEO of Stableton Financial, told Fintech News Switzerland.
Founded in 2018 and operating out of offices in Zug, Zurich, Berlin and Riga, Stableton Financial’s alternative investment fintech platform focuses on the sourcing of  privately-held growth companies and the creation of unique top-tier investment opportunities with improved liquidity. Investments are accessible on a deal-by-deal basis or via portfolios. Private investors can access them through bankable structures with relatively low investment minimums of US$10,000, no paperwork and a short-term investment horizon of up to about five years. In addition, professional investors have access to institutional-grade investment structures and processes that adapt to their way of investing.
Stableton Financial conducts research and due diligence when selecting deals. These deals are often sourced via secondary transactions at attractive discounts to past funding rounds, a stark contrast to other market participants that optimize on volume and list almost any deal on their platforms, Bezner said.
The fintech company currently works primarily with professional and institutional clients such as banks, wealth managers, family offices and pension funds, but is increasingly working directly with clients, as well. It also offers extensive partnership options to financial intermediaries.
Stableton claims more than 2,000 users in Switzerland and says more than 2% of all Swiss financial intermediaries are in its client base.
The winning of the 2022 Growth Stage Startup of the Year Award came on the back of a series of milestones the startup reached this year, including the granting of an asset management license from the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA), as well as the closing of its CHF 15 million Series A round. Announced in July, the company said at the time that the proceeds will be used to scale its existing activities in Switzerland, broaden its technological offering and available investment structures, as well as expand internationally.
Andreas Bezner
“Both the Swiss Fintech Award and the funding announcement helped us to get noticed and recognized even more,” Bezner said.
“We find ourselves among Switzerland’s most visible players in the alternative investment space as we work on partnerships with the biggest banks. […] [Also,] we are receiving tremendous positive feedback and inbound interest from product investors, as well as strategic and VC investors.”
Bezner said Stableton is now working on the rollout of new products and platform features. “Within five years, we aim to be one of the global fintech leaders in the alternative investment space, building a globally-leading market network for alternative investments,” he stated. Last week Stableton also announced the expansion of their management team.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/2022-swiss-fintech-awards-winners-share-updates-ambitions</link><guid>2825</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>2022 Swiss Fintech Awards Winners Share Updates, Ambitions</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 16 Upcoming Fintech Events Taking Place in Q4 2022 in the US</title><description><![CDATA[Home to more than 150 fintech unicorns, the US is a fintech powerhouse and one of the world’s biggest fintech ecosystems. Given the country’s leading position in the global fintech scene, a number of large-scale events and conferences are being held each year in the US.
As 2022 will be coming to an end in just a few months, we’ve compiled a list of the top fintech events and gatherings taking place in the US in September and Q4 2022.
Lend360
September 12-14, 2022
Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile, Chicago, IL


Lend360 is an annual summit for the leaders in online lending that explores fintech industry trends and new technologies impacting consumer lenders, small business lenders, service partners, investors, bank representatives, and more.
The summit will provide participants with the opportunity to connect with the influencers shaping the fintech industry at a series of networking events, women-led panels and discussions, or through private meetings. Topics covered this year will include cryptocurrencies, business lending, embedded lending, fraud protection, and more.
Register here: https://www.lend360.org/
FinovateFall
September 12-14, 2022
The Marriott Marquis Times Square, New York City, NY


Informa Connect’s FinovateFall 2022 will be held at The Marriott Marquis Times Square in New York City from September 12-14. The event is expected to bring together more than a thousand C-suite leaders, senior executives and financial innovators who will attend and hear from over 100 industry veterans and new-age innovators on disruption in the financial sector.
This year’s event promises to offer unparalleled networking opportunities to engage directly with leading innovators, fintechs, platform players, financial institutions, regulators and investors through high-impact networking sessions and scheduled one-on-one meetings.
It will feature a star-studded line-up of keynote speakers, industry representatives, and several highly interactive panel discussions that will discuss topics such as financial inclusion, financial wellness and compliance. The event will also spotlight new fintech innovations through 60-plus demos.
Finovate Awards
September 13, 2022
The Edison Ballroom, New York City, NY


The annual Finovate Awards recognize the companies driving fintech innovation forward and the individuals bringing new ideas to life. Each year, the event crowns 25 winners in fields like consumer lending, digital banking, small and medium-sized enterprise (SME), ID management and more.
The third annual Finovate Awards ceremony will take place on September 13, during which this year’s winners will be revealed. 129 finalists including leading banks, fintech firms, accelerators, and individuals had been selected by a panel of 20 judges.
Digital Asset Summit 2022
September 13-14, 2022
The Glasshouse, New York City, NY


Blockworks’ Digital Asset Summit (DAS) is returning for its fourth year to The Glasshouse in New York City on September 13-14, 2022.
This year’s event is expected to bring together financial institutions, family offices, financial advisers, investment banks, crypto protocols, exchanges, hedge funds, prime brokers, venture capitalists (VCs) and other industry professionals to discuss how digital assets can evolve and be recognized as a macro asset.
DAS is an institutionally focused crypto conference for asset managers and financial services professionals. The 2022 edition will feature more than 100 speakers including:

Fidelity’s Director of Global Macro;
JPMorgan’s head of Onyx Digital Assets &amp; Blockchain Launch;
FTX’s Head of Ventures;
Morgan Stanley’s Head of Emerging Markets Equity;
State Street Digital’s Vice President;
Circle’s Vice President of Finance, Treasury and Corporate Development; and
dYdX’s Founder.

Topics covered during the two-day conference will include:

Crypto’s institutional lending market;
Institutional access to decentralized finance (DeFi);
Security and risk management;
Regulatory Uncertainty; and
The state of crypto market structure.

The event will also include fireside chats, panels and networking opportunities, including an exclusive dinner for VIP guests and speakers and an after-party open to all attendees.
Bank Automation Summit Fall 2022
September 18-20, 2022
Hyatt Olive 8, Seattle, WA


Bank Automation Summit Fall 2022 will take place at the Hyatt Olive 8 in Seattle on September 19-20. The summit will bring together industry experts to discuss banking automation and technology topics from using cloud development to embedded finance.
Participants will get to hear from speakers from leading companies such as US Bank, Citigroup, BMO, TD Bank, Mastercard, and many more. These industry leaders will cover topics such as facilitating citizen developers in banking, automation to detect and stop fraudulent transactions, new frontiers in open banking, and much more.
Insuretech Connect Vegas
September 20-22, 2022
Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, NV


Insuretech Connect (ITC) Vegas claims to be the world’s largest insurtech event, offering unparalleled access to the most comprehensive and global gathering of tech entrepreneurs, investors, and insurance industry incumbents.
Over the course of three days, the industry will convene to showcase new innovations, learn how to increase productivity and reduce costs, and ultimately enrich the lives of policyholders. The superlative networking, with tens of thousands of meetings, will be one of the hallmarks of the ITC event.
This year’s event will feature world-class content, networking, meetings, a dynamic expo hall with the latest insurtech innovations, breakfast, lunch, a kick-off party, daily receptions, and a closing party with headline musical talent.
Boston Fintech Week
September 27-29, 2022
Boston, MA


This year’s Boston Fintech Week will debate ways to build a financial future that is relevant and adaptable, fair and inclusive. Speakers will explore the ways fintech is blurring the distinction between financial services and other industries, debate questions related to the risks and opportunities, delve into the next phases of fintech, and tackle the seismic shifts happening in our industry and their future implications.
Confirmed speakers this year include top executives representing organizations such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), FT Partners, the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, EY, Cornerstone Advisors, and Fidelity Investments.
Small Biz Banking
October 03-04, 2022
JW Marriott, Nashville, TN


Small Biz Banking returns in person in Nashville, Tennessee on October 3-4, 2022. This is the essential event for banking industry leaders who are focused on the biggest challenges and opportunities that come with serving small businesses, including credit risk, client engagement, the consolidation of business-to-business (B2B) spending tools, prioritizing digital offerings and so much more.
This year’s event will cover topics such as digital banking, financing solutions, SME accounting, and more. Confirmed speakers include executives representing the likes of Intuit, Personetics, Adyen, LexisNexis and Wells Fargo.
Fintech Gala 2022
October 06, 2022
San Francisco City Hall, San Francisco, CA


The inaugural Fintech Gala 2022 will take place on October 06, 2022 at the San Francisco City Hall, bringing together the fintech community to discuss topics such as fintech funding, cyber and financial rimes, cryptocurrencies, and more.
The evening will feature:

State of the industry addresses by leaders in the financial services industry;
High-value, professional networking;
Food and drinks; and
Limited participation with only 475 passes available.

State of the industry addresses:

State of Fintech Funding, by Sheel Mohnot, Co-founder and GP, Better Tomorrow Ventures
State of Cyber and Financial Crimes, by Bryan P. Smith, Section Chief, Criminal Cyber Operations Section, FBI
State of Crypto, by Denelle Dixon, CEO and Executive Director, Stellar Development Foundation
State of Payments, by Wade Arnold, CEO, Moov Financial

Chief Data and Analytics Officers Fall 2022
October 10-12, 2022
Westin Copley, Boston, MA


The Chief Data and Analytics Officers (CDAO) Fall, the premier conference for data and analytics leaders in North America, will take place on October 10-12, 2022 in Boston, MA.
Exclusively designed for the cutting-edge data and analytics leader, CDAO Fall focuses on aligning data strategy with digital transformation, leveraging data analytics to increase business value, and spearheading a data-driven culture that utilizes data as an engine for growth.
New this year is a personalized learning and networking track for data and analytics executives serving the financial services industry. Participants will get to hear from more than 80 speakers representing organizations such as Visa, CNN, EBay, Verizon and PayPal who will discuss the use of data and analytics in financial services, insurance, e-commerce and retail, and healthcare.
Digital Transformation in Banking Summit (Americas)
October 13, 2022
New York


The first annual Digital Transformation in Banking (Americas) Summit will take place in New York on October 13, 2022, and will bring together 25 thought-provoking speakers who will tackle some of the industry’s most pressing issues and hottest trends.
The event will feature dedicated keynotes and sessions, and discussions on some of the most topical themes, including digital transformation, the future of wealth management, ethical AI, cloud computing, payment transformation and more.
Confirmed speakers include to executives from Scotiabank, JP Morgan, BNY Mellon, Credit Suisse, and Wells Fargo.
Real-Time Payments and Cybersecurity Summit (USA)
October 14, 2022
New York


The 2022 Real-Time Payments and Cybersecurity Summit (USA) will take place live in New York on October 14, providing a platform for industry stakeholders to obtain updates on how real-time payments are transforming the US banking landscape, requests to pay, cybersecurity and fighting payments risks globally, common challenges, implementation strategies, use cases, lessons, and much more.
Participants will get to learn more about the current state of play in real-time payments in the US, gain in-depth guidance from expert speakers on fine-tuning their real time payments journey and the industry best practices, and obtain practical perspectives from many real-world use-cases shared by the market’s top players, including early adopters and leaders from across the region.
Money20/20 USA
October 23-26, 2022
The Venetian Resort and Hotel, Las Vegas, NV


Money20/20 USA’s 2022 edition will take place from October 23 to 26 at the Venetian Las Vegas. This year’s event will focus on stories told through four distinct lenses – vulnerability, defense and offense, chain reactions, and experiences – and will feature 300+ speakers and moderators from a broad cross-section of companies, ranging from established fintech, banking, payments, and tech titans to scrappy startups. Topics covered will include Web3.0, cannabis banking, embedded fintech, data-driven transformation, real-time fraud protection, and more.
Money 20/20 USA is one of the largest global events focusing on payments and financial services innovation. Last year’s event brought together more than 8,000 attendees from 2,800+ companies.
Get your tickets here: https://www.money2020.com/
The Financial Brand Forum 2022
November 13-16, 2022
Aria Hotel and Resort, Las Vegas, NV


The Financial Brand Forum is the one of the world’s most elite conference on marketing, customer experience (CX), data analytics and digital transformation in banking. The event is built exclusively for senior-level executives working in the financial industry, with a specific emphasis on those in marketing roles at retail banks and credit unions based in North America.
This year’s event is specifically engineered to help financial institutions tackle the biggest challenges in retail banking, with dozens of strategy sessions and how-to presentations. Participants will get to learn from the best and brightest in retail banking, as they reveal the latest trends, new innovations and advanced techniques that are transforming the financial industry today.
The event is set to bring together more than 2,500 people from 900+ of the most progressive and respected financial institutions from around the world.
Register here: https://financialbrandforum.com/
FTT Embedded Finance and Super-Apps North America
December 01, 2022
Grand Hyatt at SFO, San Francisco, CA


What does it mean when financial services are provided outside traditional financial institutions? Who benefits from embedding those products and services in new channels? Are super-apps the new must have?
With a growing ecosystem of distributors, it is crucial to understand the opportunity and prepare for change.
At the FTT Embedded Finance and Super-Apps North America event, on December 01, 2022, participants will get to learn from those at the forefront of developing embedded finance strategies, hear about the technologies enabling a direct connection between non-financial institutions and end users, and make sense of emerging trends like payment-as-a-service (PaaS), banking-as-a-service (BaaS), infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS), open finance and APIs.
Fintech Nexus LatAm 2022
December 13-14, 2022
JW Marriott Marquis Miami, FL


Fintech Nexus LatAm is a leading annual conference dedicated to Latin America’s fintech ecosystem. This year’s event is expected to bring together 1,000+ banks, fintech companies and investors that are transforming LatAm’s lending and banking industries.
The event will feature 65+ speakers who will cover themes such as:

The acceleration of digital banking and inclusion;
Web3, crypto and DeFi burst onto the scene;
Lending reaches the masses; and
Fintech in 2027.

See more details and register here: https://www.fintechnexus.com/latam/2022/

This article first appeared on fintechnews.am

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-16-upcoming-fintech-events-taking-place-in-q4-2022-in-the-us</link><guid>2824</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Lend360.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 16 Upcoming Fintech Events Taking Place in Q4 2022 in the US</dc:text></item><item><title>Press Communication in the Metaverse: Rent a PR Cooperates With Zreality</title><description><![CDATA[Access to the metaverse is complex and expensive, which is why it is so far used almost exclusively by large companies. The Zurich and Verbier-based PR agency Rent a PR, which has been providing on-demand public relations and communications consulting for five years and has been accepting Bitcoin payments since 2019, is setting another milestone with cooperation and press conferences in the metaverse.
The new service covers all the processes companies use to contact their various stakeholders. From press conferences and product presentations to general meetings, what was previously done in person is now also possible in the metaverse.
Brigitte Kaps
‘I am very pleased that we are partnering with Zreality and look forward to working with the professional, international team in the future,’
says Brigitte Kaps, CEO &amp; founder of Rent a PR.


The technology partner Zreality is a German company specialising in events, communication, and collaboration in virtual space.
Michael Neidhöfer
‘The metaverse is not just a trend: it has been used productively by companies in the form of virtual and augmented reality solutions in many fields of application such as sales and training for some time. Press conferences are now an additional exciting way for companies to engage with the market,’
says Michael Neidhöfer, CEO &amp; co-founder of Zreality.
‘We are very much looking forward to working with Rent a PR as a pioneer in this field.’
Press conferences: more efficient, larger target group, more sustainable – and timeless
Press conferences held in the metaverse have numerous benefits, both for companies and participants.
‘The fact that many companies find it hard to get journalists to attend their press conferences is partly due to a large amount of time it takes,’
says Kaps. There is no need to travel to and from press conferences in the metaverse. Interested parties can log in and participate in the event via avatar, regardless of where they are, even without using virtual reality glasses. It is also possible to record the event so that it can be attended at a later point in time. And, of course, there are no limits to the number of attendees in virtual space. The potential of the brand or a product can be experienced at first-hand.
Tailor-made PR Advisory on demand instead of expensive monthly retainers
As always with Rent a PR, businesses also only pay for what they need with the new service. The tailor-made offers, available either as packages or subscriptions, enable start-ups and SMEs to keep the costs and time investment required within manageable limits, says Kaps.
‘In cooperation with Zreality, our service enables companies to take their first steps in the metaverse and spark the interest of international journalists.’
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/press-communication-in-the-metaverse-rent-a-pr-cooperates-with-zreality</link><guid>2823</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Press Communication in the Metaverse: Rent a PR Cooperates With Zreality</dc:text></item><item><title>FNZ Group to Acquire German Wealthtech Specialist Diamos</title><description><![CDATA[London based Wealth management platform FNZ announced that it has agreed to acquire investment management solutions provider DIAMOS AG to bolster FNZ’s client proposition in the German market.
DIAMOS will also provide FNZ with its technology expertise in fund administration and alternative investments, along with domain expertise across the value chain, especially in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Luxembourg.
The acquisition of DIAMOS, subject to approvals, represents a further investment by FNZ into Europe. The company previously acquired Swiss wealthtech New Access in July.


FNZ will employ more than 1,000 people across the DACH region and over 5,000 globally upon completion.
Adrian Durham
Adrian Durham, Group CEO of FNZ, said:
“The acquisition of DIAMOS reflects our continued focus on enhancing our client proposition, while bringing our innovative approach and investment to DIAMOS’ strong client base.”
Wilhelm Velten
Wilhelm Velten, Owner &amp; CEO, DIAMOS, added:
“In partnership, we will now accelerate the growth trajectory that DIAMOS has achieved by leveraging the strength and global expertise of the FNZ team.”

Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fnz-group-to-acquire-german-wealthtech-specialist-diamos</link><guid>2822</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>FNZ Group to Acquire German Wealthtech Specialist Diamos</dc:text></item><item><title>Stableton Strengthens Executive Management Team</title><description><![CDATA[Alternative investment platform Stableton announced the promotion of Roman Loosli, Freddie Cunningham and Christian Schmid to the firm’s executive management team.
The move also sees the promotion of Roman Loosli from Head of Data &amp; Solution Architecture to Chief Technology Officer, and the promotion of Freddie Cunningham from Head of Sales to Chief Commercial Officer.
Christian Schmid continues to oversee Stableton’s investment activities as Head of Investments with a particular focus on privately-held growth companies.


The appointments further strengthen and broaden Stableton’s management and expansion capabilities after its successful CHF 15 million Series A funding round, announced in July and led by TX Group’s TX Ventures.
Pictured: Christian Schmid (top), Freddie Cunningham (left), Roman Loosli (right)
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/stableton-strengthens-executive-management-team</link><guid>2821</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Stableton Strengthens Executive Management Team</dc:text></item><item><title>Crypto Financial Product Provider 21.co Raises US$25M at Unicorn Valuation</title><description><![CDATA[Crypto solutions provider 21.co has raised a US$25 million round led by Marshall Wace at a US$2 billion valuation, making it Switzerland’s largest crypto unicorn.
The round, which included investors, such as Collab+Currency, Quiet Ventures, ETFS Capital and Valor Equity Partners was the company’s first raise in over two years.
21.co is a collection of companies, the largest of which is cryptocurrency exchange-traded products (ETPs) issuer 21Shares. The platform is powered by Onyx, a proprietary technology platform used to issue and operate cryptocurrency ETPs for 21Shares and third parties such as token provider Amun.


The company claims that it has recorded over US$650 million in net new assets year-to-date from September 2021 to September 2022, and that it hit its peak AUM at US$3 billion in November 2021.
Hany Rashwan
“My co-founder, Ophelia, and I set out with a simple mission to make crypto more accessible. Now, we’re (one) the highest valued and largest tech startup in Switzerland – and we’re still only in the early days,”
explained Hany Rashwan, CEO and Co-Founder at 21.co.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crypto-financial-product-provider-21co-raises-us25m-at-unicorn-valuation</link><guid>2820</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Crypto Financial Product Provider 21.co Raises US$25M at Unicorn Valuation</dc:text></item><item><title>8 Climate Fintech Startups from Europe to Watch</title><description><![CDATA[Driven by a supportive policy context and the multitude of initiatives introduced by governments across the region, Europe is rising to leadership in the field of climate fintech, being home to four times as many climate fintech companies compared to the US, data from Commerz Ventures show.
This emerging sector, which encompasses companies that provides tracking and analysis of emissions, impact investing, environment, social and governance (ESG) data and reporting, supply chain analytics, and more, has recorded strong growth over the past couple of years, fueled by rising investors’ interest and booming adoption from consumers.
In 2021, climate fintech startups raised a total of US$1.2 billion, a figure that’s three times higher than all previous years combined, according to Commerz Ventures, with European climate fintech startups secured more VC funding than any other region.


To get a sense of Europe’s booming climate fintech sector, we look today at eight fast-growing startups in the region. These have witnessed notable growth over the past year and has secured significant funding from prominent investors.
Deepki (France)

Founded in 2014, Deepki has developed a software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution that uses data intelligence to help commercial real estate investors, owners and managers improve the ESG performance of their real estate assets. The solution enables customers to collect ESG data, overview their ESG performance, establish investment plans to reach net zero, and assess results. It also allows users to report to key stakeholders.
Headquartered in France, Deepki operates in 38 countries, with team members across offices in Paris, London, Berlin, Milan and Madrid. The company serves clients such as Generali Real Estate, Allianz Real Estate, SwissLife Asset Managers and the French government.
Deepki closed a EUR 150 million Series C in March 2022 which it said it would use to hire new employees, establish and grow its business in the US, and carry out strategic acquisitions. In June, it acquired Fabriq, a UK-based competitor that boasts 40 clients across real estate owners and asset managers.
Descartes Underwriting (France)

Founded in 2018, Descartes Underwriting is a Paris-headquartered insurtech company offering technology-driven parametric insurance and innovative insurance policies to protect companies and governments against natural catastrophes, extreme weather and emerging risks.
Descartes Underwriting applies new technologies such as image recognition or machine learning (ML) combined with new generations of data sources, coming from satellites or the Internet-of-Things (IoT), to assess and manage natural catastrophes and emerging risks.
This makes its products fairer, since all pricing and underwriting is based on advanced data, faster and more accurate at paying claims.
The company is structured as an underwriting agent, underwriting risks on behalf of tier-one (re)insurers and insurance-linked securities funds.
Descartes Underwriting has raised US$141.5 million in funding, its latest round being a US$120 million Series B closed in January 2022. The company said it would use the proceeds to scale its approach to corporate and public entity risk exposures, growing its technology platform, expanding into new lines of business, targeting larger deals, and continuing its global expansion.
Sweep (France)

Founded in 2020 and headquartered in France, Sweep is the all-in-one carbon tool that helps large enterprises build a science-based and data-driven climate program. The platform enables businesses to track and act on their carbon, making it easy to measure emissions at scale, set smart reduction goals, and contribute to cutting-edge carbon projects.
Sweep applies a network approach to carbon accounting, which allows every carbon-emitting individual, including employees, subsidiaries, suppliers and business partners, to share their data and visualize how their activities are making a difference. Sweep also offers a carbon marketplace which allows companies to couple their reduction efforts with investments and participation in carbon positive projects. The company works with multinationals like Saint Gobain and JCDecaux.
Sweep closed a US$73 million Series B in April 2022, bringing the total of funding raised over the prior year to US$100 million. The company said at the time that it would use the proceeds to scale its platform’s capacity.
Cushon (London)

Founded in 2014 and headquartered in London, Cushon is a workplace savings business that uses technology to bring innovation to workplace savings and pensions and help people get comfortable with saving and investing.
Employers use Cushon’s workplace savings platform to enhance the financial wellbeing of their workforce by providing them with a simple and convenient way to save as little as GBP 10 per month direct from pay.
A company with a strong ESG focus, Cushon launched last year the world’s first net zero pension, enabling employers to help their people contribute to the deceleration of climate change quickly, easily and meaningfully.
In January 2022, it closed a GBP 35 million round which it said it would use to develop its app and beef up its operations. It recently acquired Creative, which manages the Creative Pension Trust, an auto-enrolment pension scheme. The acquisition marked Cushon’s third purchase in two years, and has enabled the company to “double the reach” of its app-first climate-friendly pension.
Cushon claims it is the fifth largest master trust pension provider in the UK with GBP 1.7 billion of assets under management (AUM) across 400,000 customers.
Twig (London)

Founded in 2020, Twig is a London-based new generation fintech, rooted in circular economy principles. Its central mission is to empower consumers to value, unlock, and enjoy wealth they never knew they had.
Twig allows users to offload unwanted items for instant cash, and offset their carbon to plan trees. In addition, users also have access to a set of traditional banking service, including domestic and international bank transfers, and a Visa debit card.
Twig claims it is the fastest-growing fintech app in the UK since its launch in July 2021, growing at a rate of over 100,000 monthly downloads. The startup closed a US$35 million Series A in January 2022 to develop a Web 3.0 green payment infrastructure, and boost the rollout of its current suite of financial products. It also has imminent expansion plans in the US and the European Union (EU).
Sylvera (London)

Founded in 2020 and headquartered in London, Sylvera is the developer of ML-based tools designed to track the performance of carbon offsets. The company leverages proprietary data and ML technology to produce the most comprehensive and accessible insights and market intelligence on carbon projects, which are delivered through an online platform.
Sylvera is also partnering with leading researchers at UCLA, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab, and University College London to expand its proprietary methods for evaluating carbon performance.
Sylvera serves corporate sustainability leaders, carbon traders and policymakers. The company closed US$36.4 million in a Series A funding round, bringing its total funding to US$39.5 million.
Doconomy (Sweden)

Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Sweden, Doconomy is a leading provider of applied impact solutions. The company provides digital tools and services intended to empower banks, brands, and consumers to measure, understand, and reduce the environmental impact linked to consumption.
Doconomy’s impact calculation methodology calculates the carbon impact of every single financial transaction, product, lifestyle and corporation, allowing consumers to visualize their impact, receive insights to reduce consumption and be rewarded financially with refunds and other incentives.
Doconomy’s consumer solution is called Do and is a mobile banking service that enable users to understand the impact of their daily choices. Its enterprise service, called Åland Index, is a cloud-based service for CO2 emission calculations for payments and financial transactions with over 1 000 000 users and growing.
Doconomy closed a US$19 million round in January 2022 to help accelerate expansion and the recruitment of new talent.
Tomorrow (Germany)

Founded in 2018, Tomorrow is a German-based sustainable mobile banking platform that helps users manage their finances while reducing their carbon footprint. Tomorrow also invests in community-development initiatives all over the world.
Tomorrow currently offers a current account, sub accounts, shared accounts, a free Visa debit card, cash withdrawals and deposits, as well as personal financial management tools, and more.
Unlike conventional banks, which use customers’ money to invest massively in coal power, weapons and other damaging industries, Tomorrow customers’ funds are used to support sustainable projects and invest in sustainable industries.
Tomorrow is not a bank per se but is partnered with Berlin-based technology company Solarisbank, which holds a full banking license. The startup claims more than 90,000 customers, and has raised more than US$28 million in funding, according to data from Dealroom.

Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/8-climate-fintech-startups-from-europe-to-watch</link><guid>2819</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>8 Climate Fintech Startups from Europe to Watch</dc:text></item><item><title>The Top 7 Swiss Fintech and Proptech Scale-up Startups in 2022</title><description><![CDATA[5 fintech and 2 proptech scale-ups made this year’s TOP 25 Swiss Scale-ups Awards organized by Venturelab with Credit Suisse and the Swiss Venture Club.
The scale-ups ranking was created to recognise Swiss companies aged five to 10 years who are no longer eligible to compete in the TOP 100 Swiss Startup Award which is limited to startups under five years of incorporation.
On top of that 13 fintech startups made it into their regular ranking, one of them even in the first place.


Meet the fintechs and proptechs on the TOP 25 Swiss Scale-ups 2022 list:

AlgoTrader (fintech)

AlgoTrader provides algorithmic trading and execution infrastructure for digital and traditional assets.
The company’s offering includes a digital asset trading platform for banks and brokers, a quantitative trading solution with automated trade signal generation and order execution, and an order and execution management system for buy-side institutions with managed connectivity to over 400 liquidity venues.

Bitcoin Suisse (fintech)

Founded in 2013, Bitcoin Suisse is a regulated Swiss financial intermediary, offering prime brokerage, trading, custody, lending, staking and other crypto-financial services for private and institutionalclients.
The company has offices in Zug, Copenhagen, and Liechtenstein, and is undergoing licensing as a Swiss and Liechtenstein bank.

Sonect (fintech)

Through Sonect, every cash register can become an ATM, and with the Sonect-App, cash can be withdrawn directly in over 2300 Sonect shops.
Sonect was founded in 2016 and employs 30 people in Zurich, Vilnius, and Mexico City. The company is in the midst of its European and Mexican expansion.

TP24 (fintech)

TP24 is a data-driven lender with offices in Switzerland, Australia, the UK and Netherlands.

wefox (fintech)

wefox is an insurtech start-up founded in 2014 that has has collected insurance premiums worth over CHF 11 million. The company employs over 70 people and is based in Berlin, Zurich and Barcelona.

PriceHubble (proptech)

PriceHubble is a real estate data company providing property valuations and market insights to banks, asset managers, developers, property managers and real estate agents.
The company is active in 9 countries (Switzerland, France, Germany, Austria, Japan, Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic and Slovakia) and employs more than 180 people.

Locatee (proptech)

Locatee is a workplace analytics solution that processes and visualises office occupancy data from multiple sources in one place.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-top-7-swiss-fintech-and-proptech-scale-up-startups-in-2022</link><guid>2817</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>The Top 7 Swiss Fintech and Proptech Scale-up Startups in 2022</dc:text></item><item><title>The Top 13 Fintech and Proptech Startups in Switzerland in 2022</title><description><![CDATA[Ten fintech and three proptech startups made the 12th edition of the TOP 100 Swiss Startup Awards organized by Venturelab with Credit Suisse and the Swiss Venture Club.
The 2022 ranking features 40 new nominees, as well as a fintech startup in first place for the first time since the ranking’s creation.
Of the 13 fintechs and proptechs, seven were repeats from the 2021 startup ranking while one company – Sonect – graduated to this year’s scale-up ranking.


Meet the fintechs and proptechs that made the TOP 100 Swiss Startups 2022 list:


#1 — Yokoy (fintech)

Yokoy (formerly: Expense Robot) uses artificial intelligence to automate the corporate spend and corporate credit card process.
Founded in 2019 by five founders, Yokoy now has over 500 customers including companies such as Stadler Rail, On Running, Bobst, Zühlke and BDO.
The company acquired competitor product FlowExpense in October 2020 and started its expansion into the DACH market with the opening of an office in Vienna in November the same year.
In June 2021, Yokoy expanded its software offering from an expense tool to a comprehensive automation of the entire spend management process. It also opened an office in Munich.
Yokoy was ranked 20th on the 2021 TOP 100 list.

#3 — Ledgy (fintech)

Ledgy is an equity management platform that helps companies manage their cap table, employee participation plans, funding rounds, and investor relations.
The platform is used by companies such as Raisin, wefox, Frontify, Codility, Utopia, and others to democratize startup equity by turning employees into owners.

#17 — Inyova (fintech)

Inyova is a digital platform for investing with a sustainability impact.

#20 — Sygnum Bank (fintech)

Sygnum is a digital asset bank that empowers institutional investors to invest in the digital asset economy. The company holds a Swiss banking licence and a capital markets services licence in Singapore, and operates globally.

#23 — Neon Switzerland (fintech)

neon provides an account, app and card for receiving, transferring, and putting money aside. The neon Mastercard has been named the cheapest credit card abroad by Kassensturz, among other awards.

#27 — Imburse (fintech)

Imburse is a cloud-based middleware connecting large enterprises to the payments ecosystem, regardless of their existing IT infrastructure. Through a single connection to Imburse, enterprises can collect or pay-out using a variety of payment technologies and providers around the globe.

#30 — Relai (fintech)

Relai is a bitcoin-only investment app which enables anyone in Europe to buy and sell bitcoin within minutes, without the need for registration, verification, or deposits.
The Relai app in numbers: 100’000+ App Downloads; 40+ different countries in Europe; 30’000+ active (paying) users; CHF 6M+ monthly volume.

#50 — Alpian (fintech)

Alpian unifies everyday banking with accessible investment and private banking services in a mobile app. The company received a Swiss banking license in September 2022 and will launch its products and services to the public in the third quarter of the year.

#61 — Leva (fintech)

Leva is a FundTech (fundraising technology) company, developing cloud-based solutions to help projects and investors raise funds. Users can manage all stakeholders through one dashboard and generate all the required legal documentation to compliantly pool investors to reduce governance complexities.

#75 — Urbio (proptech)

Urbio is a SaaS platform that accelerates the transition of utilities to clean energy. The company automates the design of new energy assets like solar or district heating with 90% time savings to better inform investment decisions.

#93 — Impaakt (fintech)

Impaakt uses collective intelligence to produce research and assessments of the social and environmental impact of companies.

#86 — LEDCity (proptech)

LEDCity’s smart plug and play lighting system reduces energy consumption by 90 percent by controlling the light autonomously and dynamically. Their LED lamps  can also reduce energy, installation and maintenance costs, and collect useful data.

#95 — Oxygen at Work (proptech)

Oxygen at Work uses a combination of natural plants, sensor technology and big data to improve indoor air quality and achieve energy consumption efficiency in office spaces.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-top-13-fintech-and-proptech-startups-in-switzerland-in-2022</link><guid>2818</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>The Top 13 Fintech and Proptech Startups in Switzerland in 2022</dc:text></item><item><title>Financial Crimes in the Metaverse</title><description><![CDATA[Business executives are bullish on the prospect of the metaverse, predicting sizeable commercial opportunities in taking part in immersive virtual environments. But despite the high level of interest, industry stakeholders are also growing increasingly concerned over the possible risks brought about the concept.
Blockchain analytics and crypto-asset compliance solutions provider Elliptic conducted an online survey of 100 of its customers and crypto and finance professionals in May 2022. It found that at least 66% of respondents were already in the process of, or had an intention to assess their risk of metaverse-related financial crime vectors, showcasing that business executives are recognizing that the trend might introduce new risks that must be mitigated.
To help stakeholders and decision-makers better understand these risks, Elliptic has released a new guide, delving into the seven main types of financial crimes using metaverse-related crypto-assets it has observed, and which it believes organizations must be wary of.


The Future of Financial Crime in the Metaverse, Elliptic
Money laundering
Unlike in the real world, purchasing land in the metaverse at the moment can be done with little more than a crypto-asset address and funds, and doesn’t require any know-your-customer (KYC) check. This makes metaverse-related crypto-assets an interesting option for money launderers, the report says.
An illicit actor looking to launder funds through metaverse land could purchase plots or developed estates and re-sell through a secondary market or directly to another actor.
Booming trading activity and sales volumes will continue to make the metaverse an attractive liquidity venue for criminals looking to launder large sums of illicit funds and assets. In 2021, total sales of all crypto-assets across Decentraland, Cryptovoxels, The Sandbox and Somnium Space surpassed US$500 million, a sum which is projected to double this year.
Wash trading
Wash trading, a form of market manipulation to create misleading and artificial activity, has been observed across crypto markets for a number of years, with many exchanges, including US-based Gemini and Canadian exchange Coinsquare, having been accused of inflating their volumes.
With the practice running rampant in crypto markets, Ellipic believes it could become a popular avenue for illicit actors in the metaverse that are either looking to bolster market sentiment of native metaverse assets or to try to secure a higher sale price for wearable and land sales.
A research by blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis found that 110 non-fungible tokens (NFT) wash traders collectively made about US$8.9 million profit in 2021.
Scams
Soaring crypto trading activity, coupled with limited education on the risks involved in dealing with crypto-assets, has led to a steady stream of scams. These scams range from rug pulls, where projects raise capital and then disappear, and investment scams, which promise unrealistic returns, to giveaway scams, where users are falsely promised a multiplied return if they send funds to an address.
According to Chainalysis, over US$14 billion worth of crypto-assets were stolen due to scams in 2021.
The Chainalysis 2022 Crypto Crime Report
Elliptic says it has already identified a number of metaverse-related transactions in SAND and MANA, the tokens that power The Sandbox and Decentraland, respectively, with connections to scammers and phishing attempts. Though figures remain small at this point in time, it could swell considerably as the metaverse grows across both the crypto and non-crypto communities, the company predicts.
Sanctions and terrorism funding
Concerns about cryptocurrencies being used to help nation states and bad actors evade sanctions or fund terrorism have been around since the very beginning, and these risks are now extending to metaverse-related crypto-assets as the concept picks up.
Sanctioned actors and those linked to terrorism could use metaverse-related assets to raise funding, or evade sanctions, Elliptic says. They may also look to purchase land in the metaverse in order to store or transfer illicit wealth.
Code exploits
Many of the metaverses in existence rely on a complex web of smart contracts that govern the interactions between these platforms’ native crypto-tokens and the services available in those virtual environments.
Like in any other crypto-related segment, hackers will look to exploit poorly-constructed contracts or weaknesses in metaverses in order to steal funds.
Several code exploits in metaverse-related projects have already occurred. Yearn Finance, for example, suffered an exploit last year that resulted in the loss of US$11 million worth of cryptocurrencies.
Illegal shops and services
Many organizations are establishing presences in the metaverse, launching virtual stores to showcase their products and allow consumers to shop. Automaker Hyundai partnered with Roblox to launch Mobility Adventure, a metaverse space where users can purchase Hyundai Motor’s products and future mobility solutions. Nike has a space in Roblox called Nikeland where users can try on virtual products and play sports.
However, where early adopters are primarily using the metaverse as a new commerce channel and marketing tool, bad actors in the space may look to take advantage of the lack of a real-world geographic location that the metaverse has to offer to sell illicit goods and services, Elliptic warns.
Sex-related crimes
Finally, the seventh and last types of financial crimes highlighted by Elliptic is sex-related crimes.
While there may be many instances of ethical sex practices within the metaverse and opportunities for sex-based businesses, concerns about how virtual environments could be used for more sinister content such as child sexual abuse materials (CSAM), revenge porn and sexual harassment do exist.
Cases of children being abused directly in the metaverse have already been reported. In South Korea, the national police disclosed last year that an adult allegedly induced a minor to send revealing photos in exchange for in-game items. The adult then used the photos to create sexually exploitative content, said the police.

Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/financial-crimes-in-the-metaverse</link><guid>2816</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Financial Crimes in the Metaverse</dc:text></item><item><title>Golden Visas: Portugal vs Dubai</title><description><![CDATA[More than 20 countries around the world have introduced investor visa programs, providing wealthy people with a residency permit or, in some cases, even citizenship in return for a substantial investment.
Also known as “golden visas,” these programs offer the opportunity for rich investors to essentially buy the right to residency in a country, avoiding them the need to fulfil the same conditions as regular applicants, such as residency requirements or knowledge of the language.
In the European Union (EU), these programs have risen in popularity as people look to move away from political decisions like Brexit, embrace remote working and seek better living conditions. Passporting firm Get Golden Visa predicts that 2022 will be “its busiest year yet,” noting that there’s been a “golden visa frenzy” amongst Americans this year.


image credit:Unsplash
Portugal’s golden visa
At least half of the EU’s Member States currently provide golden visas, or some form of it in their national legislation, but it is the Portuguese program has been amongst the most popular options.
Launched a decade ago, Portugal’s golden visa allows wealthy individuals to benefit from the country’s mild weather, laid-back and affordable lifestyle, and access to the whole European Union (EU) – all starting from EUR 250,000 in investment.
It’s a relatively affordable investment option with few requirements. Holders only need to spend a minimum of seven days in Portugal in the first year, and 14 days in the subsequent years. They can become a Portuguese citizen within five to six years, sponsor their family members, and travel across the EU area without the need of a visa.
There are also some tax benefits. Visa holders don’t have any tax responsibility unless they spend more than 183 days of the year in the country, which would ultimately make them tax residents.
For foreigners considering relocating to Portugal and becoming tax residents, the non-habitual residency (NHR) program offers certain exemptions from income tax for the first ten years of residence.
Applicants can opt for one of the following routes to get a golden visa from Portugal:

Transfer capital with a value equal to or above EUR 1.5 million;
Create at least ten job positions;
Purchase real estate property in specific locations with a value equal to or above EUR 500,000;
Purchase a real estate property in specific locations for refurbishing for a total value equal to or above EUR 350,000;
Transfer capital with a value equal to or above EUR 500,000 for investing in research activities;
Transfer capital with a value equal to or above EUR 250,000 for investing in approved artistic or cultural heritage initiatives, or to support the public sector;
Transfer capital of EUR 500,000 or above for the acquisition of units of investment funds or venture capital fund of funds; or
Transfer capital of EUR 500,000 or above toward a business headquartered in Portugal, combined with the creation of five permanent working jobs.

Eligible applicants must be at least 18 years old and hold a clean criminal record from your home country, as well as from Portugal. The funds must come from outside of the country. Portuguese, EU and EEE nationals are not eligible for the golden visa scheme.
Since 2012, about 10,000 investments visas have been issued by Portugal, showcasing the popularity of the program.
UAE’s Golden Visa and new favorable rules
A more recent program that has nevertheless gained notable traction is the United Arab Emirates (UAE)’s Golden Visa, a long-term residence visa which enables foreign talents to live, and work or study in the country.
The UAE first started granting five and ten-year-renewable visas to certain foreign investors, entrepreneurs, chief executives, scientists and outstanding students in 2019. But throughout the years, regulators have consistently extended these schemes to cover more categories and provide greater flexibility.
This year, a new set of executive regulations regarding entry permits and long-term residence will officially be enforced in September, further expanding the categories of applicants eligible to the scheme and providing more advantages.
Under the new rules, the UAE Golden Visa will grant ten-year residence to investors, entrepreneurs, exceptional talents, scientists, professionals, outstanding students and graduates, humanitarian pioneers, and frontline heroes, who meet certain eligibility parameters.
Visa holders will be able to able to sponsor their family members including spouse and children regardless of their age, as well as domestic helpers. Family members will be allowed to stay in the UAE until the end of the permit duration, even if the primary holder of the Golden Visa passes away. The new rules also remove the restriction related to the maximum duration of stay outside of the UAE.
Real estate investors will be able to obtain a Golden Visa if they either purchase a property worth no less than AED 2 million (US$545,000), purchase a property with a loan from specific local banks, or buy at least one off-plan property worth no less than AED 2 million (US$545,000) from an approved local real estate company.
For entrepreneurs and startup owners, they must either own or be a partner in a startup registered in the UAE that generates annual revenues of at least AED 1 million (US$272,000); obtain an approval for a startup idea from an official business incubator or a competent authority, or have founded an entrepreneurial project that was sold for a total amount of at least AED 7 million (US$1.9 million).
Professionals in all disciplines, including medicine, sciences and engineering, information technology, and education, will also be eligible, provided that they have a valid employment contract in the UAE, are classified in the first or second occupational level as per the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation classification, have at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, and have a monthly salary of at least AED 30,000 (US$8,200).
For scientists and researchers, they must have at least a PhD or a Master’s degree in one of the disciplines of engineering, technology, life sciences and natural sciences from “the best universities in the world” and have “substantial research achievements.”
Inventors, innovators, and “exceptional talents” in fields such as culture, art, sports and digital technology will be able to obtain a Golden Visa upon recommendation or approval from a federal or local government entity.
High performing students in UAE secondary schools and universities, as well as from the “best 100 universities worldwide” will also be eligible, alongside “humanitarian pioneers,” and “frontline heroes.”

Featured image credit: Edited from Pexels
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/golden-visas-portugal-vs-dubai</link><guid>2814</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Golden Visas: Portugal vs Dubai</dc:text></item><item><title>Alpian Partners With Visa to Issue a Metal Debit Card in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[Digital private bank Alpian announced that it is now a Principal Member of Visa, allowing the company to issue its exclusive metal debit card in Switzerland.
The pairing of the metal debit card with a multi-currency current account (CHF, EUR, GBP and USD) and real-time foreign exchange capabilities with no handling fees gives Alpian clients a cost-effective way to facilitate their everyday banking needs.
As a member of the Visa network, Alpian’s debit card is accepted in over 200 countries and regions and at more than 100 million merchant locations worldwide.


The official initiation of the partnership follows the granting of a full Swiss banking license from FINMA and the successful completion of a Series B+ financing round of CHF 19 million.
Both milestones have enabled Alpian to launch its services to select members of its waitlist, with a launch to the general public of Switzerland planned before the end of 2022.
Schuyler Weiss
Schuyler Weiss, CEO of Alpian commented,
“The capabilities, sophistication, and stability of the Visa enterprise enables Alpian to deliver just that in its card offering.

Visa has been one of Alpian’s most long-standing and trusted partners, and we are excited to take our next steps with them by our side.”
Santosh Ritter
Santosh Ritter, Country Manager Switzerland &amp; Liechtenstein, Visa stated,
“We are very much looking forward to see the first Alpian-issued Visa debit cards in the Swiss market and to continue helping them in providing innovative services for all regions of Switzerland.”
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/alpian-partners-with-visa-to-issue-a-metal-debit-card-in-switzerland</link><guid>2812</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Alpian Partners With Visa to Issue a Metal Debit Card in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Dominican Republic Sees the Rise of a Thriving Fintech Sector</title><description><![CDATA[In the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic is seeing the emergence of a burgeoning fintech industry, a thriving ecosystem that has risen on the back of supportive regulatory initiatives and ambitions to improve financial inclusion.
With 55 active fintech companies, the Dominican Republic was identified by a new report from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to be one of the most dynamic fintech markets in the Caribbean.
This ecosystem has blossomed these past couple of years from the mere two fintech companies it hosted back in 2017, figures which imply an impressive average year-on-year growth rate of 129%, the report says.


A 2022 map by the Dominican Association of Fintech Companies (Adofintech) shows a wide and diverse fintech ecosystem that comprises both local and foreign participants operating across varied subsectors including digital payments, alternative financing, neobanking, cryptocurrency and insurtech.
Image: Dominican Republic fintech map 2022, Source: Adofintech
According to recent data released by the trade group, 48% of fintech companies operating in the country are small companies, followed by micro companies with around 32%. Large companies have a share of 16% and medium-sized companies 8%.
There are currently around 12 foreign fintech companies with operations in the local market. 50% of these are from Latin America, 33% from Europe and 17% from the US.
Findings from a survey conducted as part of the IDB report found that the vast majority of fintech companies operating locally (65%) are offering products aimed at segments historically excluded from the traditional financial sector, a figure that’s among the highest across Latin America (LatAm) and the Caribbean. Nearly half of the Dominican Republic’s population do not have access to a bank account, according to data from IDB.
Image: Percentage of Fintech Startups Focused on Financial Inclusion and Percentage of the Population with Access to a Bank Account, by Country, Source: Fintech in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Consolidated Ecosystem for Recovery, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), 2022
Government support
In the Dominican Republic, fintech development has accelerated in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and with the support of recent policy initiatives, the IDB report says.
The Financial Innovation Hub, for example, was launched earlier this year by the central bank and the Superintendencies of Banks, Securities Market, Pensions and Insurance to facilitate the development of financial and technological innovations, and harmonize them with objectives relating to financial inclusion, market efficiency, consumer protection and financial stability.
The Financial Innovation Hub is also responsible for providing personalized assistance and information on the regulatory and supervisory framework of the banking, payment, insurance, pension and securities market systems.
Most recently, the Dominican Republic took its first step towards open banking when the Superintendency of Banks (SB) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank Group inked a partnership to collaborate on the design and implementation of the concept in the country.
Under the agreement, the World Bank and the IFC, with the collaboration of the Japanese government, will support the SB in its aspirations to create a regulatory framework for the use of application programming interfaces (APIs). The ambition is to increase the efficiency of financial institutions and improve user experience by leveraging data, while promoting greater financial inclusion.
In the Caribbean, governmental bodies and regulators are setting the foundations for fintech innovation by establishing innovation hubs and regulatory sandboxes, the IDB report notes.
In 2019, the Securities Commission of the Bahamas created SCB FitLink, a hub intended to serve as a central point of contact with the public on issues related to fintech including virtual assets, crowdfunding, distributed ledger technology (DLT) and artificial intelligence (AI).
In Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, special regimes have been introduced to allow entities to experiment with innovative solutions and live test their products and services.

This article first appeared on fintechnews.am

Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/dominican-republic-sees-the-rise-of-a-thriving-fintech-sector</link><guid>2811</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Dominican Republic Sees the Rise of a Thriving Fintech Sector</dc:text></item><item><title>Sygnum Bank Dives Into the Metaverse With New Hub</title><description><![CDATA[Digital asset bank Sygnum announced the opening of its metaverse hub, saying that is the virtual equivalent of New York’s Times Square in Decentraland.
Decentraland claims to be the first and largest metaverse which leverages a crypto asset called MANA to facilitate gaming and the purchase of virtual land, goods and services in the space.
The hub is Sygnum’s Web3 portal to the emerging US$ 5 trillion metaverse economy and it will include the SYGN lounge with a CryptoPunk receptionist, an interactive NFT gallery featuring curated exhibitions from Sygnum, its clients and leading creators, plus an exhibition hall for events and launches.


Martin Burgherr
“Metaverse investment is ramping up, powered by crypto-enabled retail transactions and a new generation of users completely at home with socialising, shopping and working in virtual spaces.

Our new metaverse hub is the natural place to showcase Sygnum’s Web3 innovations and provide a trusted entry point for investors into the fast-growing Future Finance economy,”
said Martin Burgherr, Chief Clients Officer, Sygnum.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sygnum-bank-dives-into-the-metaverse-with-new-hub</link><guid>2813</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Sygnum Bank Dives Into the Metaverse With New Hub</dc:text></item><item><title>Wix’s UK-Based Merchants Can Now Pay With Vyne</title><description><![CDATA[Account-to-account payments platform Vyne entered a new partnership with web development platform Wix that gives Wix’s UK-based merchants access to Vyne’s open banking payments infrastructure, enabling them to offer their customers the ability to pay directly from their mobile banking app.
This partnership will give Wix’s merchants in the UK access to Vyne’s full stack payment solutions, including receiving consumer funds, instant full and partial refunds, payouts, batched settlement with full reconciliation, and more.
The frictionless payment process will help to improve merchant checkout conversions by offering a seamless UX via different channels, including online checkout, payment by SMS, chat or email, and QR codes for static or dynamic payment content – all in as little as three clicks.


Wix merchants will also enjoy Vyne’s auto-onboarding process which allows them to sign up and complete the Know Your Business (KYB) process in a matter of minutes.
Once approved, merchants also have access to Vyne’s merchant portal, featuring advanced reporting capabilities, as well as enabling merchants to filter transactions, make refunds, check payment statuses, reconcile payments, and settle funds to their bank account.

Luke Flomo
Luke Flomo, Chief Revenue Officer, Vyne, says:
“Trading conditions, rising card scheme fees, and other macroeconomic challenges are hitting the smallest merchants the hardest.

That’s why we are launching an open banking proposition for SME retailers in conjunction with Wix, so merchants of all sizes can benefit from open banking’s lower fees and instant settlement.”
Amit Sagiv

Amit Sagiv and Volodymyr Tsukur, Co-Heads of Wix Payments, says:
“We’re happy to be partnering with Vyne to give our merchants in the UK even more flexibility in the payment methods they offer their customers to help them and remain competitive, increase conversions and ultimately grow their revenues.”

Featured image credit: edited from Pexels
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/wixs-uk-based-merchants-can-now-pay-with-vyne</link><guid>2810</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Wix’s UK-Based Merchants Can Now Pay With Vyne</dc:text></item><item><title>SIX Digital Exchange Goes Live With Ethereum Staking Service for Institutional Clients</title><description><![CDATA[SDX Web3 Services, the newly launched business unit from SIX Digital Exchange, is now live with its non-custodial Ethereum staking service.
This new offering is a straightforward and secure way to launch new validators, generate yield from staking, and manage Ethereum validator nodes through a fully managed, API based infrastructure.
The service is tailored to institutional clients who need to scale their Ethereum staking capabilities.


SDX Web3 Services said that it is already in the midst of signing its first client for this non-custodial staking service in the private wealth sector in Switzerland.
Stephan Kunz
“The strong demand for our staking offering shows the institutional market’s readiness and need for secure and trusted services such as our Web3 offering,”
said Stephan Kunz, Head of SDX Web3.
The Ethereum network is improving the security and stability of its blockchain by preparing an upgrade to a Proof of Stake consensus mechanism.
Proof of Stake networks are an attractive alternative to Proof of Work as they do not require energy intensive processing to validate transactions.
The network’s recent successful testnet Merge events, and the planned upgrade in September 2022, have led to an increase in institutional demand for Ethereum staking.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/six-digital-exchange-goes-live-with-ethereum-staking-service-for-institutional-clients</link><guid>2808</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>SIX Digital Exchange Goes Live With Ethereum Staking Service for Institutional Clients</dc:text></item><item><title>Infront Inks Deal to Acquire Assetmax to Boost Its Wealth Management Offering</title><description><![CDATA[Norwegian financial data company Infront has entered into an agreement for the acquisition of Swiss wealthtech platform Assetmax. Details of the deal was not disclosed.
The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of September at the latest, subject to customary conditions.
The acquisition represents an important milestone for Infront as the company further strengthens its product offering for wealth management customers across Europe.


Zlatko Vucetic
“We look forward to working closely with Assetmax to continue their impressive organic growth, while developing best-in-class solutions for buy-side customers,”
commented Zlatko Vucetic, CEO of Infront.
Massimo Ferrari
“As part of Infront’s pan-European team, we will be able to both enhance our solution for current customers and introduce the Assetmax solution to new customers.”
said Massimo Ferrari, CEO and Co-founder of Assetmax.

Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/infront-inks-deal-to-acquire-assetmax-to-boost-its-wealth-management-offering</link><guid>2809</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Infront Inks Deal to Acquire Assetmax to Boost Its Wealth Management Offering</dc:text></item><item><title>Digital Banking and Insurtech Among Fastest-Growing Fintech Segments in Latin America</title><description><![CDATA[The fintech ecosystem in Latin America (LatAm) has risen quickly over the past couple of years with sustained growth observed in all segments and in the number of active fintech companies, a new report from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and Finnovista shows. But across all major categories, it is digital banking, technology/IT and infrastructure, as well as insurtech that have witnessed the strongest growth.
As of the end of 2021, the LatAm and Caribbean (LAC) region was home to 2,482 fintech companies. The region’s largest economies, Brazil and Mexico, accounted for more than half of the total number of fintech companies, hosting 771 and 512 fintech ventures, respectively. These two countries, combined with the three other top fintech markets in the region, namely Colombia, Argentina and Chile, made up 81% of all LAC fintech startups.
Looking at the growth trajectory of the fintech industry over the past years, IDB notes that the number of fintech companies in the region more than doubled between 2017 and 2021, showing the dynamism and expansion that the industry has been experiencing these past few years. On average, the number of fintech companies in LAC’s top five biggest fintech markets has grown at 34% per year between 2017 and 2021.


Evolution of the fintech ecosystem in five major Latin American markets, Source: Fintech in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Consolidated Ecosystem for Recovery, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and Finnovista, 2022
A deep dive into key fintech subsectors shows that payments and remittances have remained the region’s biggest fintech segment, representing now 25% of all fintech companies in LAC or 604 ventures. The payments and remittances category is followed by lending (19%), business technology solutions for financial institutions (15%) and enterprise financial management (11%).
Distribution of fintech companies in Latin America, by segment, Source: Fintech in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Consolidated Ecosystem for Recovery, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and Finnovista, 2022
LatAm’s booming digital banking sector
Although digital banks only represent 5% of all fintech companies in LAC, the research found that it had been the fastest-growing fintech segment between 2017 and 2021, with the number of digital banking companies growing at an average annual rate of 57% between 2017 and 2021 to reach 60.
Average annual growth of fintech segments in Latin America (2017–2021), Source: Fintech in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Consolidated Ecosystem for Recovery, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and Finnovista, 2022
Digital banking has been one of the most talked about fintech trends in LatAm amid booming adoption in markets including Brazil and Mexico, and soaring funding activity.
Brazil’s Nubank has amassed more than 48 million customers across LatAm and is today the country’s biggest digital banking company. Last year, it became LatAm’s most valuable listed bank after raising US$2.6 billion in an initial public offering (IPO) that gave it a market value above US$40 billion.
Banco Inter, another Brazilian digital bank, closed 2021 with a year-on-year (YoY) customer growth of 93% to reach 16.3 million users. This helped boost revenue by 131% compared to the previous years as well as its net profit by 1,307%. The company, which provides both financial and non-financial services to its customers, has been working on an US expansion, acquiring Los Angeles-based startup Usend in January 2022 and officially launching its US operation in June 2022.
The rise of digital banking in LatAm has been enabled by strong venture capital (VC) activity supporting the sector. An analysis conducted as part of the IDB and Finnovista report found that digital banking companies in LatAm have raised more funds on average than the rest of the fintech ventures in different segments.
Of the digital banking startups surveyed for the report, 68% indicated having received financing. Of these, 36% said they’ve raised more than US$1 million, a proportion that’s much higher than the average reported for the entire fintech sector of 27%.
Infrastructure, tech providers, insurtech see rising traction
After digital banking, business technology solutions for financial institutions recorded the second strongest growth, rising at an average annual rate of 49% between 2017 and 2021. The report highlights a correlation between the rise of digital banking in LatAm and growing demand coming from financial institutions for digital platforms and tech solutions. It notes that within the business technology segment, digital banking platforms and services are the most represented category, implying that growth in the neobanking space has pushed incumbents to ramp up their digital transformation and turn to tech providers for their digital needs.
The insurtech segment also saw significant development, growing at an average annual rate of 46%. This segment already witnessed a natural growth trend before the pandemic, but COVID-19 has accelerated the rise of the sector, the report notes.
Most insurtech companies currently in LatAm operate under a business-to-consumer model (27%), addressing consumers who are banked. 23% of LAC insurtech companies operate under a business-to-business (B2B) model, serving financial institutions, and 20% are serving consumers at the base of the pyramids.
Insurtech is a promising space in LAC, the report says, given the low penetration of insurance products that stood at an average of 3.1% of premiums/GDP in 2020 compared to the global average penetration ratio of 7.2% in 2019.
Business models and market niches served by insurtech startups in Latin America, Source: Fintech in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Consolidated Ecosystem for Recovery, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and Finnovista, 2022

This article first appeared on fintechnews.am

Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digital-banking-and-insurtech-among-fastest-growing-fintech-segments-in-latin-america</link><guid>2807</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Digital Banking and Insurtech Among Fastest-Growing Fintech Segments in Latin America</dc:text></item><item><title>Netcetera’s ToPay Mobile Wallet Wins Aite-Novarica Group Innovation Award</title><description><![CDATA[Digital payment solutions provider Netcetera has been recognised in advisory firm Aite-Novarica Group’s annual Digital Wallet Impact awards, under the value-added services category.
Netcetera won the award for its ToPay Mobile Wallet, a mobile app including all necessary functions for issuing, using, and managing debit, credit, and prepaid cards.
Customers with the wallet and Click to Pay Push Provisioning can enroll to Click to Pay (CtP) securely and easily directly from the issuer app. There is no need to enter card data or addresses manually.


CtP Push Provisioning is an easy way to add every payment card to the CtP wallet. Netcetera’s solution is highly flexible and highly configurable with respect to specific requirements of issuers, merchants, and payment service providers, as well as of the card networks.
Stewart Watterson
“The term ‘digital wallet’ continues to evolve within the financial technology industry as the various types of value and ‘items’ one can hold in a secure digital state, including driver’s licenses, vaccination cards, and NFTs, become more diverse.

The firms we recognise are the leaders in this space, and they are helping to redefine the category,”
said Stewart Watterson, Strategic Advisor at Aite-Novarica Group.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/netceteras-topay-mobile-wallet-wins-aite-novarica-group-innovation-award</link><guid>2806</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Netcetera’s ToPay Mobile Wallet Wins Aite-Novarica Group Innovation Award</dc:text></item><item><title>Skribble Raises EUR10 million to Expand in Europe</title><description><![CDATA[Zurich-based electronic signature specialist Skribble has completed a EUR 10 million round of funding. The round was led by Munich-based Acton Capital Partners and Swiss venture capital firm VI Partners.
Contracts such as employment and supplier contracts, along with delivery notes or tenders, have long since needed to take the detour via printer, paper and post to be signed with legal validity. The digital method with Skribble is much faster, more secure and more sustainable.
The new funding will go towards Skribble’s geographical expansion and growing the office in Karlsruhe. In addition to strengthening its position in the DACH region, the company wants to advance into more European markets.


The capital will also be used to advance product development and expand its clear positioning as an easy-to-use signature service with a top-of-the-range user experience.
This round of funding is the third since the company was founded in 2018. Stakeholders from previous rounds, including btov Partners AG, Mobiliar AG, Helvetia Venture Fund and Züricher Kantonalbank (ZKB), also made further investments this time. Many employees also make capital contributions to the company
Dominik Alvermann
“Due to a lack of trust in legal certainty and ready-to-use e-signing solutions, more than 99% of contracts in Germany are currently printed out and signed by hand.
Skribble has launched an e-signature service that is completely watertight in terms of legal validity and data protection, eclipsing paper and pens when it comes to simplicity,”
said Dominik Alvermann, Partner at Acton Capital.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/skribble-raises-eur10-million-to-expand-in-europe</link><guid>2805</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Skribble Raises EUR10 million to Expand in Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>Hackers Tap Cross-Chain Bridges Vulnerabilities; Whopping US$2B Worth of Crypto Stolen So Far</title><description><![CDATA[Hackers and cybercriminals are exploiting vulnerabilities found in cross-chain bridge protocols to siphon billions of dollars worth of cryptocurrencies out of wallets and smart contracts, a new report by blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis claims.
A total of 13 separate cross-chain bridge hacks have been recorded so far, netting criminals about US$2 billion, according to the firm. Most of these attacks took place this year, showing that the trend is proliferating and becoming a top security risk in the crypto industry.
Attacks on bridges account for 69% of total funds stolen in 2022 so far, totaling around U$1.4 billion, estimates Chainalysis. The biggest single event was the US$615 million haul snatched from the Ronin bridge in March 2022. Ronin is an Ethereum sidechain developed for the popular non-fungible token (NFT) game Axie Infinity.


Another major heist this year was Wormhole’s US$320 million hack in February. Wormhole is one of the most popular bridges linking Ethereum and Solana, allowing users to move their tokens and NFTs from one blockchain to the other.
And just last month, attackers drained the Nomad cross-chain bridge token bridge of nearly US$200 million worth of crypto. Nomad, which marketed itself as more secure than competing bridges, closed a US$22.4 million seed funding round in July at a US$225 million valuation. Backers included Coinbase’s venture capital (VC) arm and NFT marketplace OpenSea.
Quaterly value stolen in hacked and shareof all hacked value stolen from bridge protocols, Source: Chainalysis, Aug 2022
Cross-chain bridges are protocols that let user port digital assets and data from one blockchain to another. Their design and specificities vary but most protocols on the market right now work by “wrapping” tokens in a smart contract and issuing native assets to be used on the other blockchain.
Wrapped BTC (wBTC), for example, is an ERC-20 token on the Ethereum blockchain that use bitcoin as collateral. Users first need to send BTC to a “merchant,” who then initiates the minting of new wBTC tokens. These tokens are then send to the user who can use them on the Ethereum network to interact with Ethereum-based decentralized apps (DApps) and other services.
To redeem BTC for wBTC, a “burn transaction” is initiated by the merchant where the wBTC tokens are permanently pulled out of circulation and the user gets the equivalent amount of BTC in return.
Since cross-chain bridges essentially work as liquidity providers, collecting funds and locking them into a central point of storage, they have become an attractive target for criminals.
Chainalysis estimates that North Korean-linked hackers have stolen approximately US$1 billion worth of cryptocurrency so far this year, entirely from bridges and other decentralized protocols.
Cross-chain bridges have risen in popularity this past year amid soaring crypto trading activity. During the market frenzy of late 2021/early 2022, total valued locked (TVL) in Ethereum bridges crossed the US$20 billion mark, rising more than 28x from the US$700 million TVL recorded in May 2021, data compiled by Dmitriy Berenzon, a research partner at blockchain angel fund 1kx, show.
According to Dezentralizedfinance.com, a platform that provides NFT and DeFi data and analytics, here are currently about 75 cross-chain bridges in operation.
Cross-chain bridges map, Source: Dezentralizedfinance.com, May 2022

Featured image credit: Edited  from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/hackers-tap-cross-chain-bridges-vulnerabilities-whopping-us2b-worth-of-crypto-stolen-so-far</link><guid>2801</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Hackers Tap Cross-Chain Bridges Vulnerabilities; Whopping US$2B Worth of Crypto Stolen So Far</dc:text></item><item><title>Hackers Tap Cross-Chain Bridges Vulnerabilities; Whopping US$2B Worth of Crypto Stolen</title><description><![CDATA[Hackers and cybercriminals are exploiting vulnerabilities found in cross-chain bridge protocols to siphon billions of dollars worth of cryptocurrencies out of wallets and smart contracts, a new report by blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis claims.
A total of 13 separate cross-chain bridge hacks have been recorded so far, netting criminals about US$2 billion, according to the firm. Most of these attacks took place this year, showing that the trend is proliferating and becoming a top security risk in the crypto industry.
Attacks on bridges account for 69% of total funds stolen in 2022 so far, totaling around U$1.4 billion, estimates Chainalysis. The biggest single event was the US$615 million haul snatched from the Ronin bridge in March 2022. Ronin is an Ethereum sidechain developed for the popular non-fungible token (NFT) game Axie Infinity.


Another major heist this year was Wormhole’s US$320 million hack in February. Wormhole is one of the most popular bridges linking Ethereum and Solana, allowing users to move their tokens and NFTs from one blockchain to the other.
And just last month, attackers drained the Nomad cross-chain bridge token bridge of nearly US$200 million worth of crypto. Nomad, which marketed itself as more secure than competing bridges, closed a US$22.4 million seed funding round in July at a US$225 million valuation. Backers included Coinbase’s venture capital (VC) arm and NFT marketplace OpenSea.
Quaterly value stolen in hacked and shareof all hacked value stolen from bridge protocols, Source: Chainalysis, Aug 2022
Cross-chain bridges are protocols that let user port digital assets and data from one blockchain to another. Their design and specificities vary but most protocols on the market right now work by “wrapping” tokens in a smart contract and issuing native assets to be used on the other blockchain.
Wrapped BTC (wBTC), for example, is an ERC-20 token on the Ethereum blockchain that use bitcoin as collateral. Users first need to send BTC to a “merchant,” who then initiates the minting of new wBTC tokens. These tokens are then send to the user who can use them on the Ethereum network to interact with Ethereum-based decentralized apps (DApps) and other services.
To redeem BTC for wBTC, a “burn transaction” is initiated by the merchant where the wBTC tokens are permanently pulled out of circulation and the user gets the equivalent amount of BTC in return.
Since cross-chain bridges essentially work as liquidity providers, collecting funds and locking them into a central point of storage, they have become an attractive target for criminals.
Chainalysis estimates that North Korean-linked hackers have stolen approximately US$1 billion worth of cryptocurrency so far this year, entirely from bridges and other decentralized protocols.
Cross-chain bridges have risen in popularity this past year amid soaring crypto trading activity. During the market frenzy of late 2021/early 2022, total valued locked (TVL) in Ethereum bridges crossed the US$20 billion mark, rising more than 28x from the US$700 million TVL recorded in May 2021, data compiled by Dmitriy Berenzon, a research partner at blockchain angel fund 1kx, show.
According to Dezentralizedfinance.com, a platform that provides NFT and DeFi data and analytics, here are currently about 75 cross-chain bridges in operation.
Cross-chain bridges map, Source: Dezentralizedfinance.com, May 2022

Featured image credit: Edited  from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/hackers-tap-cross-chain-bridges-vulnerabilities-whopping-us2b-worth-of-crypto-stolen</link><guid>2804</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Hackers Tap Cross-Chain Bridges Vulnerabilities; Whopping US$2B Worth of Crypto Stolen</dc:text></item><item><title>Selma Raises Additional CHF 7 Million in Series A Extension Led by TX Ventures</title><description><![CDATA[Digital financial advisor Selma Finance extends its Series A funding round with an additional CHF 7 million led by TX Ventures, VC arm of Swiss media company TX Group, bringing its Series A round to a total of CHF 10 million.
Sparrow Ventures, the VC arm of Migros Group, as well as other existing investors also participated in the round.
Selma said that it had used the initial CHF 3 million Series A funding to triple client numbers to over 10,000 clients across Switzerland and double its headcount.


The additional funding will allow the company to localise its services to the French-speaking region of Switzerland and to continue evolving its product offering. For example, Selma Finance plans to not only offer automated financial advice but also access to financial planning done by experts.
Selma aims to build trust through individual assistance with the “Selma bot” which creates tailored investment plans with algorithms, and via their support team which advises clients to invest according to their financial situation and suitable risk level.
Krzysztof Bialkowski
“Selma’s clear competitive advantage of making financial advice simple, friendly and accessible allows the company to thrive even in the current difficult economic environment.

Impressive growth and more than 10.000 of happy customers are a clear proof of it,”
said Krzysztof Bialkowski, Investment Director, TX Ventures.
Yan Waldmeyer

“​​Selma Finance has shown tremendous traction since Sparrow Ventures first invested 18 months ago.

It was therefore an easy decision to support the team with another investment to make digital investment services accessible to the people in Switzerland,”
said Yan Waldmeyer, Senior Investment Manager, Sparrow Ventures.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/selma-raises-additional-chf-7-million-in-series-a-extension-led-by-tx-ventures</link><guid>2802</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Selma Raises Additional CHF 7 Million in Series A Extension Led by TX Ventures</dc:text></item><item><title>Tresio Partners With Latvia’s Nordigen to Gather Its Customers’ Financial Data</title><description><![CDATA[Financial planning platform Tresio has partnered with freemium open banking provider Nordigen to further enhance its financial tool via accurate, real-time data.
Tresio’s partnership with Nordigen allows it to source customers’ financial data directly from their bank accounts within seconds through secure open banking APIs.
Based in Zurich, Tresio seamlessly integrates with accounting, invoicing and banking systems to give entrepreneurs and finance directors a holistic, 360-degree view of all their finances in one place to enable them to make faster and better business decisions.


Tresio utilises and analyses company data to provide users with detailed insights, financial analytics, liquidity forecasting and future planning.
Roman Levchenko
“Together with Nordigen, we have achieved our goal of providing banking data to our customers in real-time,”
said Roman Levchenko, CTO and Co-Founder of Tresio.

Rolands Mesters
“We are thrilled to be Tresio’s chosen open banking partner and we are excited to see their continued growth in the industry,”
said Rolands Mesters, co-founder and CEO of Nordigen.


]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/tresio-partners-with-latvias-nordigen-to-gather-its-customers-financial-data</link><guid>2800</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Tresio Partners With Latvia’s Nordigen to Gather Its Customers’ Financial Data</dc:text></item><item><title>OneSpan’s Mobile Security Solution Snags the 2022 SC Award</title><description><![CDATA[Digital agreements security company OneSpan announced its Mobile Security Suite (MSS) has earned the coveted title of “Best Mobile Security Solution” for the 2022 SC Awards.
Held by the CyberRisk Alliance and its flagship brand SC Media, the SC Awards are recognised throughout the security industry as the gold standard of excellence in cybersecurity.
Mobile fraud attacks continue to accelerate as mobile devices, and mobile applications become more popular for conducting transactions and completing agreements in today’s anywhere economy.


According to Verizon’s Mobile Security Index 2022 report, 61% of companies in 2021 suffered a compromise involving a mobile device, while 53% of the mobile devices had access to more sensitive data than a year ago.
Matthew Moynahan
“OneSpan’s Mobile Security Suite is uniquely poised to enhance customer experience, reduce complexity, and streamline costs by protecting the entire digital agreement process at every stage.

Continued industry recognition from programs, such as the SC Awards, reflects OneSpan’s ability to deliver the highest assurance and integrity to today’s digital businesses.”
said Matthew Moynahan, President and CEO at OneSpan.
Designed to improve mobile security and user convenience across an organisation’s mobile application ecosystem, OneSpan’s Mobile Security Suite uses application shielding, biometric authentication, transaction signing, and other technologies to protect apps from social engineering and malware attacks.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/onespans-mobile-security-solution-snags-the-2022-sc-award</link><guid>2803</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>OneSpan’s Mobile Security Solution Snags the 2022 SC Award</dc:text></item><item><title>Banking für die Generation Z</title><description><![CDATA[Unterschiedliche Generationen verhalten sich unterschiedlich. Das liegt auch an den unterschiedlichen Lebensumständen, in denen die Generationen aufwachsen. Beispielsweise belegt eine Befragung von Cassini, dass für die Generation Z (zwischen 1995 und 2009 geboren) das Smartphone der Mittelpunkt ihres Lebens ist.
Mit dem Smartphone kommunizieren und konsumieren die heute zwischen 13 und 27 Jahre alten Jugendlichen und jungen Erwachsenen, sie nutzen es aber auch zur Selbstdarstellung und als Informationsquelle.
Angehörige der Gen Z sind ausserdem Digital Natives und daher technologieaffiner als alle Generationen vor ihnen. Das wiederum führt dazu, dass sie beispielsweise durchaus bereit sind, Finanzdienstleistungen von einem Technologieunternehmen zu beziehen – oder von einer Smartphone- bzw. Neobank. Bankfilialen sehen sie hingegen kaum von innen. Ihre Kundenwünsche unterscheiden sich von den vorherigen Generationen. Doch die Generation Z ist eine lohnende Zielgruppe, die in den kommenden Jahren zu einer zentralen Kundenschicht wird. Daher ist es lohnenswert, sich genauer damit zu beschäftigen, wie sich Angehörige der Gen Z als Kunden gewinnen und halten lassen.


Wie ticken die Angehörigen der Gen Z?
Die Gen Z hat viele Finanzskandale mitbekommen und das teilweise, ohne vorher persönliche positive Erfahrungen mit Banken gemacht zu haben. Auf Vertrauensvorschuss und bedingungslose Loyalität der Gen Z sollten Banken nicht zählen. Ausserdem ist diese Generation doppelt so wechselbereit wie die Gesamtbevölkerung.
Die hohe Wechselbereitschaft gewinnt besondere Relevanz, wenn sie in den Kontext einer Befragung des Competence Center Digital Banking bei der ibi research gesetzt wird: Der Grossteil der 16- bis 25-Jährigen hat der Befragung nach vor allem deshalb ein Girokonto bei traditionellen Kreditinstituten wie Sparkassen und Genossenschaftsbanken, weil das Girokonto kostenlos ist (37 %). Wird nun eine (gegebenenfalls altersbedingte) Kontoführungsgebühr eingeführt, konkurrieren Banken mit FinTechs sowie Big Techs und verlieren ihre gute Ausgangsposition.
Was für ein Banking will die Gen Z?
Viele Studien zeigen, dass Neobanken immer beliebter bei der Gen Z werden. Laut der Bitkom Studie „Neobanken – Hype oder langfristiger Trend?“ sind Personen im Alter von 18 bis 29 Jahren besonders offen gegenüber Neobanken. 38 % interessieren sich für entsprechende Angebote. Und der „EY Global Consumer Banking“-Studie zufolge treffen Neobanken den Nerv der Zeit und etablieren sich immer mehr am Markt. Insgesamt unterhalten 33 % der befragten Deutschen eine Geschäftsbeziehung zu einer Neobank (weltweit: 27 %) und knapp 20 % gaben eine Neobank als ihre Hausbank an. Von den Befragten, die sich für eine Neobank als Hausbank entschieden haben, sind 46 % Prozent zwischen 18 und 34 Jahre alt und damit Angehörige der Generationen Z und Y.
How can banks transform for a new generation of customers? EY
Will die Gen Z also ein Banking, genauso wie es Neobanken anbieten? Ein rein digitales, filialloses Bankgeschäft? Nein, aber der Gen Z gefallen viele Elemente der Angebote der Neobanken. So ist das Smartphone wie erwähnt der Mittelpunkt des Lebens für die Gen Z. Die Verlagerung der eigenen Bank komplett und ausschließlich auf dieses Gerät ist für sie ein logischer Schritt. Insofern passen der Mobile-First-Ansatz der Neobanken und der dadurch bedingte Fokus auf die Banking App gut zur Gen Z.
Usability nicht mit Customer Experience verwechseln
Eine gute Banking App ist also ein Muss, um für die Gen Z attraktiv zu sein. Doch eine App mit einer guten Usability reicht nicht aus, um die anspruchsvolle Gen Z zu begeistern. Aufgewachsen mit und geprägt durch die kundenzentrierten Big Techs und Plattformen unserer Zeit, legt die Gen Z großen Wert auf eine gute Experience. Beispielsweise müssen für die Gen Z die Services digital laufen und dürfen keine Brüche aufweisen. Was am Smartphone begonnen wurde, soll sich dort auch abschliessen lassen. Dauert etwas zu lange oder ist es unverständlich, bricht die Gen Z den Kontakt ab. Auf diese und weitere Wünsche gehen die Neobanken mit ihren Angeboten ein.
Bei näherer Betrachtung wird klar: Digitale Services, die medienbruchfrei auf dem Smartphone laufen, geringe Kosten, die schnelle sowie kontinuierliche Verbesserung von Bankdienstleistungen und generell eine gute Customer Experience können die Neobanken hauptsächlich aufgrund ihrer modernen IT realisieren: Die Prozesse im Customer Engagement Layer und innerhalb der Bank sind komplett digitalisiert und lassen sich vollständig auf dem Smartphone erledigen. Umso mehr Prozesse vollständig digitalisiert sind, umso geringer sind die Kosten. Und umso moderner und flexibler die IT ist, umso besser können Bankdienstleistungen weiterentwickelt werden.
Mit Digital Banking und persönlicher Beratung überzeugen
Natürlich werden etablierte Banken kaum die Kostenstruktur einer Neobank erreichen. Selbst wenn sie so viele Prozesse digitalisieren wie Neobanken, haben sie immer noch Filialen und Berater. Das ist aber kein Nachteil, sondern birgt Potential. Denn was der Gen Z bei den Neobanken fehlt, ist individuelle Beratung. Bei wichtigen Fragen zählt auch für junge Menschen der persönliche Kontakt. In der Bitkom Studie vermissen daher auch 45 % der Befragten bei Neobanken die individuelle Beratung und 33 % gehen einfach lieber in eine Filiale.
Das belegen auch die Ergebnisse der Backbase Studie „State of Engagement Banking 2021“, die Backbase in Zusammenarbeit mit der GFK durchgeführt hat. Die dort befragten 18-29-Jährigen wollen vor allem einfache Bankgeschäfte via Self-Service erledigen, sobald aber die Komplexität des Vorgangs steigt, wünscht sich der Grossteil dieser Altersgruppe die Option, per Chat oder Videotelefonie unterstützt zu werden. Und bei sehr komplexen, nicht alltäglichen Bankgeschäften, deren Auswirkungen sich zudem auch weiter in die Zukunft erstrecken, wünschen sich viele Befragte persönliche Beratung in der Filiale.
Wenn es um Beratung und um Produktabschluss geht, bevorzugt also auch die Gen Z den persönlichen, zwischenmenschlichen Kontakt. Ob in der Filiale, am Telefon, per Videotelefonie oder Chat: Die Gen Z will auf einfachen und unkomplizierten Wegen persönlich Kontakt aufnehmen können. Aus dieser Warte betrachtet, stellen Filialen und geschulte Mitarbeiter für etablierte Banken einen starken Wettbewerbsvorteil dar. Um für die Gen Z attraktiv zu sein, sollten Banken also einerseits weiterhin auf persönliche Beratung setzen, andererseits aber auch ihre digitale Transformation vorantreiben und dabei neu zwischen Digital und Filiale justieren.
Mit einem Partner die Transformation bewältigen
Allerdings tun sich laut der Studie „2022 World Retail Banking Report“ von Capgemini und Efma viele traditionelle Finanzinstitute schwer mit der digitalen Transformation: 95 % der Führungskräfte im Bankensektor gaben an, dass sie Altsysteme und eine veraltete IT behindern. Die herkömmliche IT mit ihren Silos ist also Teil des Problems. Um die digitale Seite der Customer Experience wirklich zu verbessern und zu den Neobanken aufzuschließen, hilft es Banken nicht, bloß eine neue Benutzeroberfläche der App zu launchen oder weitere Point Solutions einzuführen. Erst wenn die Prozesse im Hintergrund nicht mehr durch die Silos bestimmt werden, sind nahtlose Customer Journeys möglich und der Digitalauftritt der Banken wird kundenzentriert.

Doch wie können Banken ihre IT grundlegend, zielführend und zukunftssicher modernisieren? Wie können Banken nicht nur ihre üblichen Services und Produkte in kundenzentrierte Experiences umwandeln, sondern sich gleichzeitig so aufstellen, dass sie ihre Dienstleistungen schnell und kontinuierlich verbessern, also Innovationen schneller entwickeln und ausrollen können? Und wie schnell müssen sie modernisieren, um am Markt relevant zu bleiben? Diese Fragen müssen zusammen gedacht werden und die Zeit drängt. Lösungen, die erst in drei Jahren eingeführt werden, schaffen heute und bis dahin unzufriedene Kunden.
Um Antworten auf diese Fragen zu finden, lohnt es sich zu analysieren, wie Marktbegleiter wie beispielsweise Raiffeisen Schweiz auf die Herausforderungen reagieren. Die drittgrösste Schweizer Bankengruppe entwickelt derzeit mit Unterstützung des Technologiepartners Backbase ihre Kundenschnittstelle weiter und will den Schritt zum Engagement Banking gehen. Im Zuge der Partnerschaft wird Raiffeisen ihre digitalen Angebote, die sich an Retail- und KMU-Kundinnen und -Kunden richten, auf die Backbase Engagement-Banking-Plattform aufbauen.
Banken stehen vor einer unlösbaren Aufgabe, wenn sie versuchen, die Wünsche der Gen Z nach einer exzellenten digitalen Customer Experience mit traditionellen Konzepten wie der kompletten Eigenentwicklung von Technologielösungen zu bewältigen. Um ihre IT grundlegend, schnell und zukunftssicher zu modernisieren, sollten Banken daher den Einkauf und die Integration einer Engagement-Banking-Plattform erwägen. Finanzinstitute können so schnell ihren gesamten Customer Engagement Layer modernisieren, auch schrittweise und im laufenden Betrieb. Mit einem starken Partner und dessen Engagement-Banking-Plattform ist jede Bank in der Lage, die digitale Transformation zu bewältigen und zu der Bank zu werden, die ihre Kunden lieben.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/banking-fur-die-generation-z</link><guid>2799</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Banking für die Generation Z</dc:text></item><item><title>6 Swiss Fintech Startups Join F10 Accelerator Program in Zurich</title><description><![CDATA[The ninth edition of the F10 Incubation Program showcases a diverse and innovative batch of early-stage startups, covering solutions in areas such as Web3, Sustainability, Proptech, Regtech, Wealth Management, InsurTech and Investing.
The 5-month program, which started on the 29th of August, focuses on helping the startups validate their idea and go-to-market strategies. It also provides pitch training sessions and supports in the investment and fundraising process. The startups receive dedicated coaching and access a vast network of mentors, experts, and investors. The Incubation program culminates in a Demo Day on the 15th of December.
The cohort includes 13 pre-seed and seed startups from 3 countries, 6 are from Switzerland.


Marc Hauser, Head of F10 Europe commented:
“We are very excited for the 9th Incubation Batch in Zurich. Competition to get into the program was intense and I congratulate all the teams being selected. The mix of different use cases will be an excellent addition to the F10 ecosystem and the team is looking forward to working with the founders.”
Meet the 13 startups of Incubation Batch 9:

Cober.io (Spain)

Cober.io is on a mission to protect eCommerce and help them monetize through Embedded Insurance.

Crowdgenix (Spain)

Crowdgenix is a decentralized multi-chain incubator, launchpad, and DEX platform offering multi-asset classes, including utility, security, hybrid, and non-fungible tokens.

Cryptoeasy (Switzerland)

Cryptoeasy is an investor profile- and portfolio-based DeFi interface enabling investors to discover, build, track, buy and stake into diversified portfolios of any asset class.

Cryptotechfin (Spain)

Cryptotechfin Is the next-gen algorithmic investment technology platform for the crypto market.

Delega (Switzerland)

Delega revolutionises signatory management. Co-developed by industry stakeholders, Delega is an innovative digital tool that empowers corporates and banks to get this complex process right first time.

Eco2wallet (Spain)

Eco2wallet is an award-winning Female-led, EU-finance backed, sustainable fintech, powered by a debit card that plants trees for each purchase, and a “pokemon” that evolves if you have sustainable purchases.

Emilian (Switzerland)

Emilian is an InsurTech-as-a-Service company that helps insurance providers increase distribution. With the first B2B recommendation platform we automate the matching of insurance offerings and risk appetite with the needs of clusters of policyholders.

FinFinder.ch (Switzerland)

FinFinder.ch is an AI-based Matching Platform for qualified financial advisors. Free, digital, independent.

Insaas.ai (Germany)

Insaas.ai offers automated market research for insurances to power a sustainable go-to-market for existing and new products.

myEGO (Germany)

myEGO delivers the next generation of infrastructure for digital identity: Decentralised &amp; SSI.

Reloop (Spain)

From cost center to revenue center, instant refunds by Reloop make online retailers more profitable by powering a solution that reduces returns, removes manual processes and drives customer loyalty.

TransferChain (Switzerland)

TransferChain is a blockchain based cross-platform software bringing together distributed cloud storage, file transfer, and instant messaging

Twire (Switzerland)

Twire helps web pioneers to build high-performing web3 companies. We help web3 builders to participate in the success of their work.


]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/6-swiss-fintech-startups-join-f10-accelerator-program-in-zurich</link><guid>2797</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>6 Swiss Fintech Startups Join F10 Accelerator Program in Zurich</dc:text></item><item><title>FIS Rolls Out New Central Infrastructure Payment Solution</title><description><![CDATA[American multinational company FIS has launched its new central infrastructure payment solution, RealNet Central, to help central banks transform their markets to digital-first, real-time payment economies.
With real-time payments increasing, many countries must either modernize outdated payments infrastructure or build entirely new real-time payments networks to move money faster.
Currently, 72 percent of the world’s population has, or will soon have, access to instant payments, according to the 2022 Worldpay from FIS Global Payments Report.


Many markets are also replacing or renovating their established real-time services, especially those that repurposed their corporate real-time gross settlement (RTGS) services to cater for instant payments, such as Brazil, United Kingdom, Japan, South Africa and Mexico.
Similarly, India and the U.S. are introducing additional competing services that will sit alongside the established schemes.
As this shift occurs, RealNet Central will accelerate real-time payments adoption by connecting a country’s businesses, consumers, financial institutions and government entities to real-time networks, both domestically and internationally.
FIS will also help central banks launch Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC). Through FIS’ CBDC Virtual Lab – created in collaboration with M10 Networks (M10) and its high-performance digital money platform – FIS will support countries’ efforts to integrate CBDCs into their economy.
The CBDC Virtual Lab allows central banks, commercial banks and other financial participants to experiment with – and pilot – core concepts of issuance, transfer, redemption, offline payments, programmable payments, retail, wholesale and cross-border payments.
FIS’ CBDC Virtual Lab is enterprise-grade technology that supports over one million transactions per second at less than a second latency.
Aman Cheema
“The global economy has rapidly shifted toward digital-first mindsets and methods. While the idea of making payments in real-time may sound simple, the reality of delivering on that promise is enormously sophisticated, especially when doing so across borders,”
said Aman Cheema, Head of Global Real-Time Payments and CBDCs at FIS.
“Our latest offering sets out to change that, bringing consumers, businesses, financial institutions and governments closer together in the payments ecosystem. The launch of this solution is the latest proof point of FIS’ commitment to invest in innovative technologies and solutions that advance how the world pays.”

This article first appeared on fintechnews.am

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fis-rolls-out-new-central-infrastructure-payment-solution</link><guid>2796</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>FIS Rolls Out New Central Infrastructure Payment Solution</dc:text></item><item><title>The Super App Model May Not Be Suitable for the US Market</title><description><![CDATA[Super apps may be widely popular in Asia and quickly gaining ground in Africa and Latin America (LatAm), they have little chance to succeed in the US because of lacking consumer interest, cultural barriers as well as data privacy and security concerns, a new report says.
In a new blog post, Ron Shevlin, chief research officer of advisory firm Cornerstone Advisors, looks at the rise of super apps in parts of the world, delving into the drivers that have contributed to their success and making a case that replicating that success in developed economies like the US is going to be challenging given the cultural, regulatory and consumer trust barriers.
Americans’ financial relationships SOURCE: CORNERSTONE ADVISORS
In Asia, super apps have risen to dominance out of necessity. Firstly, most Asian consumers own “under-powered smartphones” that aren’t suited to manage 40 to 50 separate apps,” Shevlin says. This is not the case in the US where most consumers have smartphones with “plenty of horsepower.” Also, most American consumers don’t mind having 25 to 40 different financial relationships, implying that there is no immediate need nor demand for an all-encompassing app, he says.


Secondly, some Asian markets have strict app marketplaces regulations in place, forcing industry players to find innovative ways to offer consumers the services they want despite the limitations.
In China, for example, the Google Play Store isn’t available, the Apple App Store has a limited offer, and Huawei’s AppGallery lacks many major apps. This has prompted Internet giant Tencent to introduce in 2017 its mini-programs scheme, allowing third-party developers to launch mini-programs within its WeChat ecosystem for end-consumers to use.
Moreover, concerns over data privacy and security could potentially jeopardize the uptake of super apps in the US. Plenty of research have found that Asian consumers tend to be more willing to share data with service providers than their western counterparts.
Super apps’ rise in emerging markets
Super apps are mobile or web applications that provide a variety of services ranging from banking and shopping, to travel planning and food delivery. They act as an all-encompassing self-contained commerce and communication online platform, focusing on ease of use and customer stickiness.
These platforms have risen in popularity in Asia with players like Tencent’s WeChat in China and Grab in Southeast Asia have gained millions of monthly transacting customers.
Headquartered in Singapore, Grab started out as a ride-hailing and transportation app before expanding to food delivery, digital payments and more. The company had 24 million average monthly transacting users in 2021, according to its full year results, and debuted on Nasdaq last year following a US$40 billion merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) – the largest blank-check merger at the time.
WeChat is a Chinese multi-purpose instant messaging, social media and mobile payment app, allowing users to pay bills, transfer money, book tickets, create company accounts, and more — all in the convenience of a single platform. WeChat became the world’s largest standalone mobile app in 2018, with over 1 billion monthly active users.
Since its birth in Asia, the super app phenomenon has spread around the world and is now gaining ground in Africa and LatAm. In Egypt, MNT-Halan (formerly Halan) began life as a ride-hailing app for two- and three-wheeler vehicles back in 2017 before expanding into an extensive fintech ecosystem that combines a digital wallet, bill payment services, e-commerce with buy now, pay later (BNPL) and micro and consumer loans. Today, the company claims 1 million monthly active users, and more than four million customers in Egypt.
In Kenya, telecommunication company Safaricom, launched in 2021 its M-Pesa super app, allowing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to create their own business apps within the M-Pesa mobile money ecosystem and access Safaricom’s 25 million mobile money customers in Kenya. M-Pesa super app claims over 2 million active customers on the mini apps.
In LatAm, there is Rappi, a Colombian tech company that started out as an on-demand delivery company before launching into more than a dozen verticals, including banking. There is also Inter, a Brazilian fintech company that operates across banking, credit, investment, insurance and shopping.
No super app has emerged out of the US yet, but several big tech companies including Block, formerly Square, and PayPal have started pushing the idea.
Block co-founder Jack Dorsey has shared aspirations to turn the combination of its Cash App and Afterpay BNPL service into a super app.
And last year, PayPal launched the first version of its super app, offering a combination of financial tools including direct deposit, bill pay, a digital wallet, peer-to-peer payments, shopping tools, cryptocurrency capabilities and more.

Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-super-app-model-may-not-be-suitable-for-the-us-market</link><guid>2795</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/americans-financial-relationship-1024x512.gif?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>The Super App Model May Not Be Suitable for the US Market</dc:text></item><item><title>InvestHK and HKMA Launches CBDC-Focused Vertical at the Global Fast Track 2022</title><description><![CDATA[Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) jointly announced the addition of the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) track to the Global Fast Track 2022, giving local and global firms valuable opportunities to partner with the central banking institution to boost the growth and adoption of fintech in Asia and beyond.
The Global Fast Track is organised by InvestHK and co-organised by Finnovasia.


It is a one-stop programme with a business matching portal, pitching competition, and mentoring sessions which connect global fintech companies with a diverse range of Asian Corporate, Investor and Service Champions to explore potential business partnerships and investments.

The CBDC track invites banks, fintechs and tech firms to submit innovative solutions in eight focus areas, including retail CBDC (rCBDC) adoption, wholesale CBDC (wCBDC) adoption, programmable money, interoperability, privacy, cybersecurity, foreign exchange and liquidity management, and offline payments.
Shortlisted applicants will then enter a pitching session exclusive for the track and compete for three awards, namely the Best Use Case Award, Best Technology Award and Best Ecosystem Award.
All qualified candidates may also have the opportunities to work with the HKMA on research projects and pilots to foster the future growth of the CBDC ecosystem.
In recent years, Hong Kong has been leading in international collaborations and research on CBDC, with its work on wCBDC well recognised by the market and ranked as one of the most mature of its kind in the world.
The HKMA has been actively guiding the exploration of both wCBDC and rCBDC.
The launch of the CBDC track shows that the HKMA is committed to facilitating the sector’s growth, promoting industry engagement, and leveraging new technologies to enhance the financial system.
Nelson Chow
“CBDC exploration has been high on the agenda of central banks around the world and has gained reasonable traction in recent years. As Hong Kong’s central banking institution, we endeavour to future-proof Hong Kong in terms of CBDC readiness on both wholesale and retail fronts as part of our ‘Fintech 2025’ strategy.
This year, we are thrilled to partner with InvestHK and introduce a new CBDC track to the Global Fast Track. We are confident that this new CBDC track will yield fruitful outcomes and bring valuable insights, adding to the wealth of knowledge on CBDC and contributing to an enhanced CBDC ecosystem,”
said Nelson Chow, Chief Fintech Officer of the HKMA.
Charles Ng
“We are truly honoured and excited to be working with the HKMA to launch the CBDC track. By connecting private sector leaders directly with the regulator, the track further enables Global Fast Track 2022 to provide comprehensive, one-stop support to innovators around the world, while strengthening Hong Kong’s status as a premier international fintech hub.
Following last year’s success, we believe the enriched programme will further facilitate fintech development in the city and beyond,”
said Charles Ng, Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion of InvestHK.
Meanwhile, InvestHK has unveiled the full list of Corporate, Investor, and Service Champions for this year’s Global Fast Track.
In addition, a wide range of exciting partnering programmes, including the Visa Fintech Fast Track and incubator programmes run by Cyberport and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, have also been announced.
Application for the CBDC track is now open until 16 September. To learn more about the CBDC track and the latest programme updates, visit the Global Fast Track 2022 website.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/investhk-and-hkma-launches-cbdc-focused-vertical-at-the-global-fast-track-2022</link><guid>2793</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Global-Fast-Track.png?x30842&amp;amp;x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>InvestHK and HKMA Launches CBDC-Focused Vertical at the Global Fast Track 2022</dc:text></item><item><title>BLKB plant Beteiligung an Parashift</title><description><![CDATA[Parashift ermöglicht es Unternehmen, Daten aus Dokumenten auszulesen und diese für ihre Anliegen zu nutzen. Die BLKB unterstützt das Deep-Tech Startup mit seinen innovativen Lösungen und strebt eine Minderheitsbeteiligung an.
Mit den Lösungen von Parashift können Dokumente wie Lieferscheine, Mietverträge oder Versicherungspolicen gelesen und deren Daten weiterverarbeitet werden. Die Benutzer von Parashift können dadurch wiederkehrende manuelle Tätigkeiten effizienter abwickeln und neue digitale Angebote schaffen. Das Start-up nutzt für die automatische Dokumentenextraktion hoch entwickelte Lösungen, welche auf künstlicher Intelligenz beruhen. Das Sissacher Unternehmen, welches rund 40 Personen beschäftigt, wird aufgrund seiner hochmodernen Technik als Deep-Tech Unternehmen bezeichnet.
Deep-Tech aus dem Baselland
Die BLKB nutzt die Lösungen von Parashift seit dem Frühjahr 2022 und konnte sich von den innovativen Lösungen überzeugen. Diese positiven Erfahrungen hat die BLKB zu einer Zusammenarbeit auf Finanzierungsebene bewogen. Die BLKB ist bestrebt, den nächsten Wachstumsschritt von Parashift über eine Minderheitsbeteiligung zu unterstützen.


John Häfelfinger, CEO der BLKB, sieht grosses Potenzial für die innovativen Lösungen von Parashift:
John Häfelfinger-Vionnet
«Im Rahmen der Initiative «100 fürs Baselbiet» fördert die BLKB zusammen mit Partnern junge Unternehmen in der Region Baselland. Mit ihrem Fokus auf Deep Tech übernimmt Parashift eine wichtige Pionierrolle zur Schaffung von IT-Arbeitsplätzen in der Region. Unsere finanzielle Unterstützung sehen wir als Grundlage für eine langfristige Partnerschaft.»
Alain Veuve
Die regionale Verankerung steht auch für Alain Veuve, Gründer und CEO von Parashift, im Vordergrund:
«Dass der Aufbau eines Deep-Tech-Unternehmens im Informatikbereich nicht nur in London, Tel-Aviv oder Berlin möglich ist, zeigt sich an unserem Beispiel. Umso mehr freut es uns, dass wir nun die BLKB als starken lokalen
institutionellen Partner im Kreise unserer Investoren begrüssen dürfen.»
Starkes Wachstum
In den letzten 12 Monaten konnte Parashift stark wachsen und Kunden wie BMW, Architrave, Raiffeisenbank, AMAG und Unilegion gewinnen. Zudem haben verschiedene Analysten das baselbieter Unternehmen als global relevanten Anbieter für intelligente Dokumentenverarbeitung identifiziert. Das Wirtschaftsmagazin Forbes nannte Parashift eines von 30 vielversprechenden Start-ups im Bereich künstlicher Intelligenz in Europa.
Im nächsten Entwicklungsschritt gilt es für Parashift die globale Expansion aus der Region Baselland heraus in Angriff zu nehmen. Zu diesem Zweck lanciert das Startup eine Finanzierungsrunde, welche nationalen wie internationalen Investoren offensteht.
BLKB Fintech Startup Beteiligungen
Zuvor hatte BLKB sich schon am KMU Crowdfunding Startup Swisspeers und am Wealthtech Startup Kaspar&amp; beteiligt
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/blkb-plant-beteiligung-an-parashift</link><guid>2792</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>BLKB plant Beteiligung an Parashift</dc:text></item><item><title>How to Enter a New Market Faster as a Fintech Company</title><description><![CDATA[By now, most of us are tired of reading about how many industries have been wiped out or troubled by the pandemic.
However, some sectors have since rebounded and are even displaying growth. In Fintech, 2021 was a record year for investments – 132 billion dollars across the board, according to marketing analytics firm CB Insights. With the rising tide of digital services, these investments make Fintech a formidable growth industry.
To learn about how FinTech is developing in Latvia and how a FinTech player can efficiently launch operations and carve out a market segment, we talked to Staņislavs Siņakovičs, Head of the Sales and Regional Development Department at LPB Bank.


Fintech in Latvia: what’s new?
Like in any other country, the FinTech sector in Latvia, has made a lot of news – some highly promising, some less so. In 2018, Latvia was on the verge of being greylisted by Moneyval. This could have resulted in a lowering of the entire country’s financial rating, but thanks to proactive efforts by the Latvian state authorities, Latvia dodged the greylist. However, it caused a decrease in the financial prestige it had once enjoyed.
Staņislavs Siņakovičs
“There has been good news, too. In a relatively short period of time, Latvia was able to turn its entire financial sector around and meet stringent AML requirements. If anyone still sees our country as an unreliable regional financial centre, the only explanation is an awareness gap. We, as a Bank, are actively involved in industry events, including Europe’s financial giant, the Money20/20 expo. We cooperate with the FCMC and with European partners to boost Latvia’s financial and technological reputation on the international stage,”
remarks Siņakovičs, a Fintech cooperation executive well-versed in the situation in the industry.
He adds that Latvia’s neighbors, Lithuania and Estonia, provide substantial state support for demonstrating and promoting their respective Fintech sectors globally. This support is both systematic and centralized. For many years, Lithuania has been a global leader in the number of financial services licenses issued – these are required for the operation of credit institutions, payment institutions (PIs), and electronic money institutions (EMIs).
Although Latvian Fintech cannot yet boast about being a top performer or enjoy significant support from the national government, Siņakovičs believes that the industry is rich in technical awareness, knowledge and experience and can deliver financial technology services at the highest level.
“In a certain sense, the devastating loss of financial reputation positively promoted regulatory improvements. Latvia now sets an example with its anti-corruption and compliance regulations and market best practices in internal controls. This makes Latvian financial service suppliers to be great partners to companies and investors worldwide. After noticing market interest, we have been developing a Banking as a Service (BaaS) concept, which is now our strategic growth priority alongside e-commerce solutions. Although a wide range of financial services is available in Latvia, LPB Bank is currently the only bank to provide a full-range BaaS offering,”
Staņislavs Siņakovičs emphasizes.
How is LPB Bank helping Fintech players launch operations on the market quickly?
The last thing any business wants is to waste its money, and time delays can often result in the companies losing an essential part of their initial investment or requiring more funding than planned. With LPB Bank, Fintech companies and start-ups can roll out branded products to their end-users in record time.
“An entrepreneur always has a choice – to build an in-house infrastructure from scratch or rely on the existing ready-to-launch solutions. Both options have their strengths and weaknesses, and the challenge is to satisfy a company’s business strategy, experience, and scale of operations. Business owners and executives may understand that having a dedicated infrastructure brings independence, freedom and flexibility – but it will take 1-2 years and at least as many million euros to implement. An entrepreneur relying on already available solutions can spend less and plan to enter the market sooner. So, we have developed a comprehensive infrastructure for non-banking financial companies. Those that choose our BaaS solution will not need to integrate dozens of fragmented products and services or evaluate the available vendors for each. We can guarantee quicker, less-expensive market entry to PIs and EMIs operating under their financial license. The time to market can be as short as a few months,”
Siņakovičs explains the advantages of LPB Bank offer.
What services has LPB Bank included in its BaaS solution?
With Banking as a Service, LPB Bank provides all the essentials for payment companies (of the PI, EMI or PSP variety) to start serving their customers as soon as possible. The Bank supports safeguarding accounts, Visa, Mastercard and Apple Pay acquiring services, addressable BIC connection for SEPA, SEPA Instant and TARGET2, virtual IBANs, and will soon support BIN sponsorship as well. To connect to LPB Bank payment infrastructure and use these services, a payment company accesses the Bank’s API for quick and secure integration.
Of course, this isn’t the final step in establishing cooperation. For onboarding, a Fintech entity must undergo an enhanced due diligence procedure.
“The technical side is the easy part. The longest and most labor-intensive part of the process is so-called onboarding. This is where a company presents its business model to us, talks about its clients, where they live and what they do, what the expected average value per payment is, where the company sees its risks, and so on. We also investigate the company’s AML and other procedures, followed by a live video demonstration. This is where the potential client presents its customer lifecycle “live”, from registration in their payment system to sending a payment. The purpose of such an in-depth analysis is to verify that a payment institution did not stop drafting appropriate documentation but does everything it says and can implement its business model effectively. At that point, we will be able to connect the client to our infrastructure,”
says Siņakovičs on establishing cooperation with a client.
LPB Bank verifies whether a potential client’s business model is viable with this onboarding process. With the expertise it has gathered so far, the Bank can offer solutions and recommendations for developing a business efficiently.
“An essential service with BaaS is the safeguarding account. Regulators in most countries require customer accounts to be booked separately from the company’s funds, and a payment institution cannot to receive a financial license without having safeguarding accounts. Another significant aspect of accounts is addressable BIC within the Single Euro Payment Area (SEPA). It connects a payment institution to international payment systems and lets it execute its customer’s payments via a unique BIC of its own as well as to assign unique IBANs to its customers.
In spring 2022, our clients received access to other essential service connections to SEPA Instant and TARGET2. Instant payments mean that financial institutions remit transfers within mere seconds. The customers of a payment entity can make instant payments between accounts held with banks that are members of European instant payment systems.Soon, we will launch virtual IBANs – a subtype of regular bank account numbers. The difference is that a virtual IBAN is a unique allocated reference to the central master account. A virtual IBAN will be applicable to companies that receive payments for various services and require additional details (agreement number, month etc.).
Payment institutions’ marketing teams can use BIN sponsorship for brand recognition. LPB Bank will soon finalise the formation and launch our processing center, expanding our capacity for payment card processing. We expect to roll out BIN sponsorship in the first quarter of next year. With access to this service, our clients will be able to issue both virtual and plastic cards under their brands, connected to a card processing solution. They will not need to contact Visa or Mastercard directly: we are already a member of these payment systems and can connect our clients as an intermediary. It saves clients both time and money.
Various service providers have narrower specializations regarding card issues, a range of available payment currencies, etc. If a payment institution becomes a client of several providers, it will pay thousands of euros to connect and monthly subscription fees to each. A broadcustomer base is necessary to recoup such expenses. It also takes resources to support the complicated infrastructure with multiple integrations. Large companies can afford to go this way, but we recommend BaaS to start-ups and small and medium enterprises. The one-time integration fee to a single service provider is much lower, and maintaining the payment infrastructure will require fewer human and financial resources,”
Staņislavs Siņakovičs explains.
For advice on how to use BaaS, please fill out the feedback form on LPB Bank website or write an e-mail to baas@lpb.lv.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/how-to-enter-a-new-market-faster-as-a-fintech-company</link><guid>2791</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>How to Enter a New Market Faster as a Fintech Company</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 12 Global Fintech Investors in Q2 2022</title><description><![CDATA[Despite falling tech stocks and concerns about an economic downturn, global fintech venture capital (VC) dealmaking remained strong in 2022.
In H1 2022, fintech startups collected a total of US$53.5 billion, a that sum falls behind 2021’s figure but which surpasses 2020’s totals, according to Pitchbook data, showcasing that fintech startups have continued to attract strong venture investment.
Using data from CB Insights and Pitchbook, we’ve compiled a list of the top 12 most active fintech investors of Q2 2022, looking at the number of deals they participated in during the quarter and their most notable fintech investments.


Global Founders Capital (24 deals)

Founded in 2013, Global Founders Capital is a globally oriented, stage agnostic VC firm based in Germany. The firm backs companies across all stages and throughout the lifecycle, and offers founders all the support they need to scale.
Global Founders Capital seeks to invest in business products and services, consumer products and services, financial services, information technology, mobile, Internet-of-things (IoT), software-as-a-service (SaaS), e-commerce, big data, and technology sectors.
Global Founders Capital’s notable fintech investments include Revolut, Next Insurance and Brex.
In Q2 2022, Global Founders Capital participated in 24 fintech funding rounds. It has made 199 VC fintech investments since 2017.
Tiger Global Management (22 deals)

Tiger Global Management is an investment firm focused on public and private companies in the global Internet, software, consumer, and fintech industries. The firm has two strategies: a public equity business, which uses equity strategies to invest in publicly traded companies, and a private equity strategy, which targets growth-oriented private companies from early to late stages, with an emphasis on businesses based in the US, China and India.
Tiger Global Management’s notable fintech investments include Nubank, Chime and Stripe.
In Q2 2022, Tiger Global Management participated in 22 fintech funding rounds. It has made 192 VC fintech investments since 2017.
Andreessen Horowitz (17 deals)

Founded in Silicon Valley in 2009, Andreessen Horowitz (known as a16z) is a VC firm that backs bold entrepreneurs building the future through technology. The firm is stage agnostic, and invests in seed to venture to late-stage technology companies across bio + healthcare, consumer, crypto, enterprise, fintech, games, and companies building toward American dynamism. a16z has US$35 billion in assets under management across multiple funds.
A16z’s Notable fintech investments include Robinhood, Affirm and Stripe.
In Q2 2022, the firm participated in 17 fintech funding rounds. It has made 168 VC fintech investments since 2017.
Gaingels (16 deals)

Founded in 2014 and based in the US, Gaingels is a leading venture investment syndicate in support of and representing the LGBTQIA+ community and allies in the VC space. The firm seeks to invest in seed to growth/pre-IPO companies operating in technology to business-to-business (B2B), healthcare, and consumer sectors.
Gaingels’ notable fintech investments include Brex, BlockFi, Binance US and Flutterwave.
In Q2 2022, Gaingels participated in 16 fintech funding rounds. The firm has 91 fintech companies in its portfolio, including Brex, BlockFi, Binance US and Flutterwave, according to Dealroom.
Coinbase Ventures (15 deals)

Founded in 2018, Coinbase Ventures is a corporate venture capital (CVC) of Coinbase based in San Francisco. The firm seeks to invest in early-stage companies operating in the cryptocurrency and blockchain technology sectors.
Coinbase Ventures’ notable fintech investments include Paxos, Pintu and Amber Group.
In Q2 2022, the firm participated in 15 fintech funding rounds. According to its website, it currently has more than 200 companies in its portfolio.
Soma Capital (13 deals)

Founded in 2015, Soma Capital is a VC firm headquartered in San Francisco. It’s a fund built by founders for founders, focused on software.
Since its inception, Soma Capital has invested seed money in hundreds of software companies valued at more than US$60 billion combined, including 17 unicorns. The firm invests early in software to “automate the world”, across any region and in any sector that can touch billions of people and “push humanity forward.”
In Q2 2022, Soma Capital participated in 13 fintech funding rounds. According to Dealroom, the firm has 80 fintech companies in its portfolio, including Razorpay, Flutterwave, Swipe and Paymongo.
Accel (10 deals)

Accel, formerly known as Accel Partners, is an American VC firm. It works with startups in seed, early and growth-stage investments, and concentrates on technology sectors such as consumer, infrastructure, SaaS and enterprise software.
Accel has funded technology companies including Facebook, Slack, Dropbox, and Flipkart, and has offices in California, with additional operating funds in London, India and China.
Accel’s notable fintech investments include Monzo, Trade Republic and Zepz.
In Q2 2022, Accel participated in 10 fintech funding rounds. Since 2017, it has made 149 VC fintech investments.
Index Ventures (10 deals)

Index Ventures is a VC firm based in San Francisco, London and Geneva, investing in technology-enabled companies with a focus on e-commerce, fintech, mobility, gaming, infrastructure/artificial intelligence (AI), and security. Index Ventures covers every investment stage, from earliest seed through to explosive growth.
Index Ventures’ notable fintech investments include Adyen, Alan and Robinhood.
In Q2 2022, the firm participated in 10 fintech funding rounds. According to its website, it currently has 46 fintech companies in its portfolio, including Auxmoney, Swile, formerly Lunchr, and Fonoa Technologies.
Jump Crypto (10 deals)

Jump Crypto is a division of Jump Trading Group, a research-driven quantitative trading firm and one of the largest traders, by volume, across traditional asset classes.
Jump Crypto focuses on building and standing up critical infrastructure needed to catalyze the growth of the crypto ecosystem. It brings together builders, partners, and traders, taking a long-term view of crypto’s prospects and operating to unlock the full potential of open, community-driven networks.
In Q2 2022, Jump Crypto participated in 10 fintech funding rounds. According to Dealroom, the firm has 23 fintech companies in its portfolio, including 0x, Coinhako, Kucoin, Solana and the Near Protocol.
Insight Partners (9 deals)

Insight Partners, previously Insight Venture Partners, is an American VC and private equity firm headquartered in New York City focusing on growth-stage technology, software and Internet businesses.
Insight Partners has invested in more than 600 companies worldwide and has seen over 55 portfolio companies achieve an IPO. The firm has over US$90 billion in assets under management (AUM) and participated in nine fintech funding rounds in Q2 2022.
According to its website, it currently has 60 fintech companies in its portfolio, including Checkout.com, Spenmo, Xendit and Flutterwave.
Pantera Capital (9 deals)

Founded in 2013, Pantera Capital is an institutional investment firm focused exclusively on bitcoin, other digital currencies, and companies in the blockchain technology ecosystem. Pantera Capital manages US$5.6 billion across three strategies – passive, hedge, and venture – and is said to be operating the largest crypto hedge fund in the world by AUM.
In Q2 2022, Pantera Capital participated in nine fintech funding rounds. Since 2013, the firm has backed more than 90 blockchain companies and 100 early-stage token deals.
Portfolio companies include Amber Group, Bakkt, BitGo, Bitstamp, Circle, Coinbase and FTX.
QED Investors (9 deals)

Founded in 2007, QED Investors is a VC firm based in the US. The firm seeks to invest in early-stage companies operating in the financial services, and fintech sectors across the US, the UK and Latin America.
QED Investors focuses on investing in early stage, disruptive financial services companies and is dedicated to building great businesses using a unique, hands-on approach that leverages its partners’ decades of entrepreneurial and operational experience.
QED Investors’ notable investments include Credit Karma, ClearScore, SoFi, Avant, Nubank, Remitly, GreenSky and LendUp.
In Q2 2022, the firm participated in nine fintech funding rounds. According to its website, it has more than 130 fintech companies in its portfolio including Creditas, Knip, Flywire, Nubank, FPL Technologies, Remitly and Zopa.

Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash and Pexels
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-12-global-fintech-investors-in-q2-2022</link><guid>2790</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 12 Global Fintech Investors in Q2 2022</dc:text></item><item><title>Global Blockchain Funding Dip; Mega-Rounds Shrink</title><description><![CDATA[After a record year 2021, the venture capital (VC) market for blockchain investment is slowing down significantly in 2022 amid uncertain macroeconomic conditions and financial markets turmoil.
In Q2 2022, VC investors scaled back cryptocurrency investments due to macroeconomic pressures, concerns about valuations and market volatility. Global funding fell and the number of mega-rounds of US$100 million and up shrank, putting pressure on startup valuations and slowing down new unicorn startup minting, according to CB Insights’ State of Blockchain Q2 2022 report.
Blockchain funding drops; unicorn minting slows down
In Q2 2022, global funding fell 29% to US$6.5 billion, the first quarter-over-quarter (QoQ) drop in two years. Mega-round funding dropped steeply, decreasing 54% from US$5.6 billion in Q1 2022 to US$2.6 billion in Q2 2022.


Global blockchain funding, Source: The State of Blockchain Q2 2022, CB Insights
Amid declining funding, startup valuation took a toll with new unicorn births dropping from a record high of 16 in Q1 2022 to just eight in Q2 2022.
The most valuable unicorn birth during the quarter was Seychelles-based crypto exchange KuCoin, which reached a US$10 billion valuation following a US$150 million funding round led by Jump Crypto. KuCoin is followed by Babel Finance from Hong Kong (US$2 billion) and Magic Eden from the US (US$1.6 billion).
Record funding in Europe
Looking at geographical trends, the analysis found that Europe was the only region that recorded quarterly growth in blockchain venture funding and deals. In Q2 2022, European blockchain startups raised a total of US$1.4 billion through 106 deals, up 40% from Q1 2022’s US$1 billion.
The figures put Europe well on track for a record breaking year 2022, the report says, given that European blockchain startups raised a total of US$3.5 billion through 273 rounds for the whole year 2021.
Blockchain funding by region, Source: The State of Blockchain Q2 2022, CB Insights
Web3 and institutional crypto and custody services were favored segments in Q2 2022 with six of the top ten biggest deals in Europe going into startups in the two segments. These included Near Protocol, a decentralized application (DApp) platform and Ethereum competitor, MSquared, a network that allows metaverses to be used together, Elwood Technologies, a startup providing market access to leading crypto trading and liquidity venues through a single, integrated platform, and Coinhouse, a crypto solutions provider serving institutional investors.
The analysis also found that although the US drove the global blockchain funding decline, falling 42% QoQ, the country maintained its leadership in blockchain funding, securing a total of US$3.4 billion in Q2 2022. The sum brought the total amount of funding raised by US blockchain startups in H1 2022 to US$9.3 billion.
M&amp;A exits on pace for a record year
In Q2 2022, 49 blockchain merger and acquisition (M&amp;A) deals were announced, the second-highest quarter ever. The amount brought the total number of M&amp;A deals in H1 2022 to 103, a figure which indicates that 2022 could well be a record year for blockchain M&amp;A exits.
Blockchain M&amp;A exits quarterly, Source: The State of Blockchain Q2 2022, CB Insights
During the quarter, several prominent crypto lenders filed for bankruptcy, prompting market leaders to seek to acquire companies hurt by the crypto crash at a discount, the report notes.
FTX, a crypto exchange and the world’s most valuable blockchain startup at an estimated US$32 billion valuation, acquired at least three startups this year, data from Crunchbase show, including Liquid Global, the developer of a crypto trading platform, Bitvo, a Canadian crypto exchange, and Good Luck Games, creator of the popular upcoming card auto battle game Storybook Brawl.
Other companies, such as Bolt, Robinhood, and eBay, also acquired a crypto or NFT company in Q2 2022. Bolt’s US$1.5 billion acquisition of Wyre Payments, a company that provides retail and business customers exchange services, was the quarter’s largest M&amp;A exit. Mobile-first brokerage Robinhood acquired crypto trading app Ziglu for a reported US$72.5 million, and global e-commerce company eBay bought UK-based NFT marketplace KnownOrigin.
Web3, NFT, gaming and metaverse startups gain traction
This year, investors’ interest and funding shifted away from centralized crypto exchanges and wallets toward Web3, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), gaming, decentralized finance (DeFi), and DApp infrastructure and development.
In Q2 2022, Web3 accounted for over half of blockchain funding, totaling US$3.7 billion. The sum brings the total funding raised by Web3 startups in H1 2022 to US$10 billion, already matching 2021’s total.
Web3 funding, Source: The State of Blockchain Q2 2022, CB Insights
Top Web3 deals in Q2 2022 included Circle’s US$400 million funding round, Near Protocol’s US$350 million Series C, Sky Mavis and Genies’ respective US$150 million Series C rounds, and MSquared’s US$150 million Series A.
Web3 startups Genies, a platform that allows users to create personalized avatars and chat through their avatar; Magic Eden, an NFT Marketplace on Solana; and 0x, an open protocol that enables the peer-to-peer (P2P) exchange of assets on the Ethereum blockchain, reached unicorn status during the quarter.
Besides Web3, NFT, gaming and metaverse was another segment that saw significant interest from investors this year, with startups in the sector raising a total of US$4.6 billion through 343 deals in H1 2022, figures that nearly surpass 2021’s totals.
NFTs, gaming and metaverse deals, Source: The State of Blockchain Q2 2022, CB Insights

Featured image credit: edited from Pexels
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/global-blockchain-funding-dip-mega-rounds-shrink</link><guid>2789</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Global Blockchain Funding Dip; Mega-Rounds Shrink</dc:text></item><item><title>E-Commerce Schweiz – Wachstum setzt sich auf hohem Niveau fort</title><description><![CDATA[Alles in allem ist der Schweizer E-Commerce auch 2021 gewachsen. Verschiedene Branchen konnten ihren Online-Umsatz nochmals deutlich erhöhen, andere haben auf hohem Niveau nur noch leicht zugelegt und wenige haben aufgrund der sich normalisierenden Gesamtverhältnisse Online-Umsatz verloren.
Marianne Bregenzer
„Die Schweizer Konsumentinnen und Konsumenten haben während der Pandemie die Vorteile von E-Commerce kennengelernt. Sie schätzen zeitlich und örtlich unabhängiges Einkaufen“,
sagt Marianne Bregenzer, Country Director der Nets Schweiz AG.
„Wir gehen davon aus, dass in den kommenden Jahren der Online-Handel weiter an Bedeutung gewinnen wird. Die pandemiebedingten Investitionen der Händler waren folglich nicht umsonst. Die Zukunft ist digital.“
Die E-Commerce-Gewinner



Die Reisebranche hat besonders von der sich normalisierenden Gesamtsituation profitiert und ihren Online-Umsatz um 61% auf CHF 8,9 Mrd. erhöht. CHF 3,3 Mrd. wurden für Hotelreservationen ausgegeben (+ 51%) und CHF 2,9 Mrd. für Flugtickets (+ 107%). Auch die Bereiche Haus und Garten konnte ihren Online-Umsatz um weitere 57% auf CHF 300 Mio. steigern. Der Umsatz für Weisswaren wie Kühlschränke und Waschmaschinen ist im Vorjahresvergleich um 38% auf CHF 600 Mio. gestiegen. Pharmazeutische Produkte wurden im Umfang von CHF 400 Mio. online bestellt (+ 38%).
Zunehmende Mobilität beeinflusst die Online-Umsätze
2021 konnten die Gastrobetriebe und der stationäre Handel ihre Kundinnen und Kunden nahezu durchgehend vor Ort begrüssen. Die Mobilität hat wieder zugenommen, was verschiedene Branchen auch bei ihren Online-Umsätzen gespürt haben. 2021 wurde deutlich weniger Lebensmittel und Alkohol online bestellt als ein Jahr zuvor und der Umsatz ist um 29% von CHF 3,2 Mrd. auf CHF 2,3 Mrd. gesunken. Auch die Media-Anbieter konnten nicht an die Umsatzgewinne im ersten Pandemiejahr anknüpfen, bei online gekauften Büchern, Filmen und Musikangeboten ging der Umsatz um 21% auf CHF 600 Mio. zurück. Der Online-Umsatz mit Waren hat über alle Branchen hinweg um 5% nachgegeben und lag 2021 bei CHF 16 Mrd.
Kleidung, Lebensmittel und Alkohol sowie Schuhe sind online am beliebtesten
Kleidung zählt nach wie vor zu den beliebtesten Online-Einkäufen – 46% der Schweizer Konsumentinnen und Konsumenten gaben an, dass sie sich in den letzten 28 Tagen online eingekleidet haben, insgesamt haben sie CHF 3,2 Mrd. dafür ausgegeben. 27% haben im gleichen Zeitraum Schuhe, 26% Lebensmittel und Alkohol und 21% Beauty-Produkte gekauft.
Percentage of consumers who have shopped online from each category in the past 28 days : Consumer spending by category
Bequem und einfach zählt – der Preis ist sekundär
Bei den wichtigsten Beweggründen für den Online-Einkauf ist der Preis auf Platz fünf zurückgefallen. Bequemlichkeit ist fast dreimal so wichtig wie ein günstiger Preis. 27% nennen einfach und bequem als wichtigsten Beweggrund, um online einzukaufen, 15% schätzen zeitlich flexibles Einkaufen, 12% das breite Sortiment und 12% die Zeitersparnis. Nur gerade 10% gaben an, dass ihnen beim Einkaufen der tiefste Preis wichtig ist. Dass trotzdem 56% der befragen Konsumentinnen und Konsumenten wegen des tiefen Preises einen Online-Einkaufskanal im Ausland wählen, ist kein Widerspruch. Es reflektiert das, was wir auch im stationären Handel erleben: Wer im Grenzgebiet wohnt, kauft häufiger in einem der Nachbarländer ein. Einfach und bequem muss es sein und dazu braucht es im digitalen Zeitalter keine Filiale im Ausland. Ein attraktiver, bequemer Online-Shop in Kombination mit vertrauensbildender regionaler Nähe und einem schnellen Service sind Schlüsselfaktoren, mit denen auch kleine Händler punkten können.
Wunsch nach einfacher Kaufabwicklung
Der Wunsch nach einem schnellen und einfachen Einkaufserlebnis erstreckt sich auch auf die ganze Kaufabwicklung. In der Schweiz ist die Kreditkarte das beliebteste Zahlungsmittel im E-Commerce, 62% bezahlen damit ihre Einkäufe, 30% sogar präferiert. 44% bestellen auf Rechnung, 23% von ihnen präferiert.
E-Wallets und Debitkarten am Durchstarten
Bereits 18% haben 2021 ihre Debitkarte für Online-Einkäufe eingesetzt. Der Anteil dürfte sich mit der zunehmenden Verbreitung der neuen Debitkarten von Mastercard und Visa schnell erhöhen. Bargeld und Debitkarten sind das beliebteste Zahlungsmittel in der Schweiz. Mit dem Rückenwind werden die neuen Debitkarten insbesondere auch bei jüngeren Konsumentinnen und Konsumenten, die noch keine Kreditkarte besitzen, im E-Commerce punkten. Genau wie E-Wallets wie beispielsweise PayPal oder Twint. Sie wurden von 29% der Konsumenten und Konsumentinnen genutzt und von 13% präferiert.

Payments: Common currency – the most used payment methods of 2021
Europäische E-Commerce Trends für den Schweizer Markt nutzen
Der E-Commerce Report wird bereits seit einigen Jahren vom zur Nexi Group gehörenden europäischen Zahlungsdienstleister Nets Group für die skandinavischen Länder erstellt. Mit der Ausdehnung auf weitere Länder wie die Schweiz, Österreich und Deutschland ist ein paneuropäischer E-Commerce Report entstanden, der die frühzeitige Erfassung von Trends sicherstellt und Händler bei der lokalen Umsetzung unterstützt. Erhoben wurden die Daten für den E-Commerce Report vom Markforschungsunternehmen Kantar Sifo, das dafür in der Schweiz von Januar bis Dezember 2021 rund 1.250 Konsumentinnen und Konsumenten befragte. Die ausgewiesenen Umsätze beziehen sich auf die Ausgaben im In- und Ausland und sind Schätzungen auf der Grundlage von Medianwerten.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/e-commerce-schweiz-wachstum-setzt-sich-auf-hohem-niveau-fort</link><guid>2786</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Swiss-eCom-1024x894.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>E-Commerce Schweiz – Wachstum setzt sich auf hohem Niveau fort</dc:text></item><item><title>E-Commerce Schweiz – Wachstum setzt sich auf hohem Niveau fort / E-Wallets starten durch</title><description><![CDATA[Alles in allem ist der Schweizer E-Commerce auch 2021 gewachsen. Verschiedene Branchen konnten ihren Online-Umsatz nochmals deutlich erhöhen, andere haben auf hohem Niveau nur noch leicht zugelegt und wenige haben aufgrund der sich normalisierenden Gesamtverhältnisse Online-Umsatz verloren.
Marianne Bregenzer
„Die Schweizer Konsumentinnen und Konsumenten haben während der Pandemie die Vorteile von E-Commerce kennengelernt. Sie schätzen zeitlich und örtlich unabhängiges Einkaufen“,
sagt Marianne Bregenzer, Country Director der Nets Schweiz AG.
„Wir gehen davon aus, dass in den kommenden Jahren der Online-Handel weiter an Bedeutung gewinnen wird. Die pandemiebedingten Investitionen der Händler waren folglich nicht umsonst. Die Zukunft ist digital.“
Die E-Commerce-Gewinner



Die Reisebranche hat besonders von der sich normalisierenden Gesamtsituation profitiert und ihren Online-Umsatz um 61% auf CHF 8,9 Mrd. erhöht. CHF 3,3 Mrd. wurden für Hotelreservationen ausgegeben (+ 51%) und CHF 2,9 Mrd. für Flugtickets (+ 107%). Auch die Bereiche Haus und Garten konnte ihren Online-Umsatz um weitere 57% auf CHF 300 Mio. steigern. Der Umsatz für Weisswaren wie Kühlschränke und Waschmaschinen ist im Vorjahresvergleich um 38% auf CHF 600 Mio. gestiegen. Pharmazeutische Produkte wurden im Umfang von CHF 400 Mio. online bestellt (+ 38%).
Zunehmende Mobilität beeinflusst die Online-Umsätze
2021 konnten die Gastrobetriebe und der stationäre Handel ihre Kundinnen und Kunden nahezu durchgehend vor Ort begrüssen. Die Mobilität hat wieder zugenommen, was verschiedene Branchen auch bei ihren Online-Umsätzen gespürt haben. 2021 wurde deutlich weniger Lebensmittel und Alkohol online bestellt als ein Jahr zuvor und der Umsatz ist um 29% von CHF 3,2 Mrd. auf CHF 2,3 Mrd. gesunken. Auch die Media-Anbieter konnten nicht an die Umsatzgewinne im ersten Pandemiejahr anknüpfen, bei online gekauften Büchern, Filmen und Musikangeboten ging der Umsatz um 21% auf CHF 600 Mio. zurück. Der Online-Umsatz mit Waren hat über alle Branchen hinweg um 5% nachgegeben und lag 2021 bei CHF 16 Mrd.
Kleidung, Lebensmittel und Alkohol sowie Schuhe sind online am beliebtesten
Kleidung zählt nach wie vor zu den beliebtesten Online-Einkäufen – 46% der Schweizer Konsumentinnen und Konsumenten gaben an, dass sie sich in den letzten 28 Tagen online eingekleidet haben, insgesamt haben sie CHF 3,2 Mrd. dafür ausgegeben. 27% haben im gleichen Zeitraum Schuhe, 26% Lebensmittel und Alkohol und 21% Beauty-Produkte gekauft.
Percentage of consumers who have shopped online from each category in the past 28 days : Consumer spending by category
Bequem und einfach zählt – der Preis ist sekundär
Bei den wichtigsten Beweggründen für den Online-Einkauf ist der Preis auf Platz fünf zurückgefallen. Bequemlichkeit ist fast dreimal so wichtig wie ein günstiger Preis. 27% nennen einfach und bequem als wichtigsten Beweggrund, um online einzukaufen, 15% schätzen zeitlich flexibles Einkaufen, 12% das breite Sortiment und 12% die Zeitersparnis. Nur gerade 10% gaben an, dass ihnen beim Einkaufen der tiefste Preis wichtig ist. Dass trotzdem 56% der befragen Konsumentinnen und Konsumenten wegen des tiefen Preises einen Online-Einkaufskanal im Ausland wählen, ist kein Widerspruch. Es reflektiert das, was wir auch im stationären Handel erleben: Wer im Grenzgebiet wohnt, kauft häufiger in einem der Nachbarländer ein. Einfach und bequem muss es sein und dazu braucht es im digitalen Zeitalter keine Filiale im Ausland. Ein attraktiver, bequemer Online-Shop in Kombination mit vertrauensbildender regionaler Nähe und einem schnellen Service sind Schlüsselfaktoren, mit denen auch kleine Händler punkten können.
Wunsch nach einfacher Kaufabwicklung
Der Wunsch nach einem schnellen und einfachen Einkaufserlebnis erstreckt sich auch auf die ganze Kaufabwicklung. In der Schweiz ist die Kreditkarte das beliebteste Zahlungsmittel im E-Commerce, 62% bezahlen damit ihre Einkäufe, 30% sogar präferiert. 44% bestellen auf Rechnung, 23% von ihnen präferiert.
E-Wallets und Debitkarten am Durchstarten
Bereits 18% haben 2021 ihre Debitkarte für Online-Einkäufe eingesetzt. Der Anteil dürfte sich mit der zunehmenden Verbreitung der neuen Debitkarten von Mastercard und Visa schnell erhöhen. Bargeld und Debitkarten sind das beliebteste Zahlungsmittel in der Schweiz. Mit dem Rückenwind werden die neuen Debitkarten insbesondere auch bei jüngeren Konsumentinnen und Konsumenten, die noch keine Kreditkarte besitzen, im E-Commerce punkten. Genau wie E-Wallets wie beispielsweise PayPal oder Twint. Sie wurden von 29% der Konsumenten und Konsumentinnen genutzt und von 13% präferiert.
Payments: Common currency – the most used payment methods of 2021
Europäische E-Commerce Trends für den Schweizer Markt nutzen
Der E-Commerce Report wird bereits seit einigen Jahren vom zur Nexi Group gehörenden europäischen Zahlungsdienstleister Nets Group für die skandinavischen Länder erstellt. Mit der Ausdehnung auf weitere Länder wie die Schweiz, Österreich und Deutschland ist ein paneuropäischer E-Commerce Report entstanden, der die frühzeitige Erfassung von Trends sicherstellt und Händler bei der lokalen Umsetzung unterstützt. Erhoben wurden die Daten für den E-Commerce Report vom Markforschungsunternehmen Kantar Sifo, das dafür in der Schweiz von Januar bis Dezember 2021 rund 1.250 Konsumentinnen und Konsumenten befragte. Die ausgewiesenen Umsätze beziehen sich auf die Ausgaben im In- und Ausland und sind Schätzungen auf der Grundlage von Medianwerten.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/e-commerce-schweiz-wachstum-setzt-sich-auf-hohem-niveau-fort-e-wallets-starten-durch</link><guid>2788</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Swiss-eCom-1024x894.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>E-Commerce Schweiz – Wachstum setzt sich auf hohem Niveau fort / E-Wallets starten durch</dc:text></item><item><title>UK’s First Digital Promissory Note Transaction</title><description><![CDATA[Lloyds Bank has completed the UK’s first transaction utilising a digital promissory note (DPN) purchase. This landmark transaction dramatically increases speed of payment and paves the way for a significant increase in the use of promissory notes for a broad range of transactions.
Promissory Notes
Promissory notes have been around for nearly 4000 years, used to complete transactions in lieu of cash. In a modern setting, their use is typically limited to large transactions such as the sale and purchase of land.
The use of promissory notes allows sellers to be paid, based on the creditworthiness of the purchaser. The purchaser can obtain goods and/or services with a note, rather than needing to have funds on hand. The process involved in issuing, authenticating, and paying out on promissory notes is little changed since their inception.


The use of promissory notes in the UK is governed by the Bills of Exchange Act, which has hindered innovation due to the requirement that notes are a physical entity. The transfer of a physical paper note between banks and notaries means it can take a week, or more, for businesses to be paid.
Same-Day-Payment
Under legal guidance, Lloyds Bank developed a digital promissory note – a solution that works within contract law and utilises the International Trade and Forfaiting Association’s (ITFA) dDOC specifications, under the Digital Negotiable Instrument Initiative (DNI).
On 17 August, Lloyds Bank successfully completed a ‘pilot’ transaction, which is the first under the DNI initiative, and a key milestone in the digitisation of trade finance. The transaction was initiated and completed within the day and involved the sale and purchase of land worth £48m between several UK businesses. The Bank’s promissory note was issued using Enigio´s solution, trace:original, for digital original documents.
The new digital solution delivers a same-day payment to the vendor by removing the need to physically transfer actual notes. This creates a more affordable, safer, more flexible, more sustainable, and transparent online solution that could be applied to other types and sizes of transactions. This innovation is expected to open a new form of payment discounting to businesses of all sizes for the first time, improving cashflow for SMEs on both sides of a trade transaction.
Gwynne Master
Gwynne Master, MD, Lending and Working Capital for Lloyds Bank said:
“Promissory notes are an important tool for businesses that undertake large transactions but are a relatively niche solution. Their use allows purchases to progress where shortage of cashflow may otherwise prevent them. Until now, this industry-side solution is typically slow, expensive, and administratively cumbersome.
“With this successful UK-first transaction, we have delivered an innovative digital solution that is quicker, less expensive, and more secure. The digitisation and simplification of this solution finally opens this form of payment discounting to potentially millions of small businesses, improving their ability to manage their working capital and the cashflow of their suppliers by fulfilling invoices more quickly.”
Andre Casterman
Andre Casterman, Managing Director of Casterman Advisory and an ITFA board member added:
“Digitisation of trade opens up many new opportunities for financial institutions to improve client satisfaction. As a member of ITFA’s DNI Initiative, Lloyds Bank has been very focused on applying advanced technologies to address clients’ pain points and is now becoming the leading institution to bring promissory notes into the 21st century. I am very impressed with the steady progress achieved by the team at Lloyds Bank, and their rapid implementation of Enigio’s trace:original technology which is presently the sole solution to comply with ITFA’s dDOC specifications.”
The DPN transaction has been completed as part of Lloyds Bank’s ongoing digital strategy, and paperless trade initiative that aims to offer clients the opportunity to transact and present documentation in a completely digital manner, leading the way in removing paper from trade transactions, where around 28.5 billion pieces of paper are used globally, each year. The Bank’s digital strategy also includes a partnership with Satago to deliver a single platform Invoice Financing and Invoice Factoring solution.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/uks-first-digital-promissory-note-transaction</link><guid>2787</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>UK’s First Digital Promissory Note Transaction</dc:text></item><item><title>Adyen Rolls Out Its Very Own Terminal Range Designed In-House</title><description><![CDATA[Dutch payments firm Adyen announced the launch of its first in-house designed terminals which was designed to facilitate diverse payment use cases. The terminal range marks the latest step forward in Adyen’s growing unified commerce offering.
The devices run on Adyen’s single platform, which enables end-to-end control, tailored payment flows, and high speed of innovation at the point-of-sale.
The first terminal in the suite is the NYC1, the most affordable and flexible device within the in-person payment range.


The device enables businesses to offer a fully customised payment flow in their own point of sale app. It’s ideal for businesses that have already invested in hardware like phones or tablets and want to add payments to their set-up.
A key use case is platforms who want to offer a simple and affordable payment device to their small business customers. There is also strong usability among enterprises who see mobility as a way to deliver more seamless in-person experiences – from mitigating long lines at checkout to freeing up sales associates to provide more personalised service.
The NYC1 terminal is available now in North America, with coverage extending to other regions soon.
The second is the AMS1, an all-in-one terminal with an Android operating system that businesses can use to accept payments as well as run their own business applications.
By consolidating applications, store employees can perform tasks such as accessing their cash register, managing inventory, and accepting payments all on a single device.
It simplifies day-to-day operations while also providing the same benefits as the NYC1.
The AMS1 is ideal for enterprise and platform businesses that want to be able to access all operational apps via one device.
The terminal will be globally available later this year, starting with Europe and North America.
Kamran Zaki
“Adyen’s commitment is to help businesses realize their ambitions faster, and creating our own terminals is the latest way we’re delivering on this promise. We always innovate based on customer feedback to deliver superior experiences with speed and flexibility.

With our in-person payments offering, businesses have a full suite of terminals to choose from, enabling them to pick the best one to meet their specific needs,”
said Kamran Zaki, COO at Adyen.
Derk Busser
“By taking ownership of the terminal design, Adyen is assuring we put customer needs at the heart of their functionality. Our goal is to continuously reduce friction within the consumer journey.

By designing highly mobile devices, we’re empowering businesses to collect payments not only when behind a checkout counter – but anywhere. The breadth of use cases this mobility provides signifies an exciting development in advanced, in-person purchase,”
said Derk Busser, VP of Product, In-Person Payments.

This article first appeared on Fintech News America. 

Featured image credit: Adyen
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/adyen-rolls-out-its-very-own-terminal-range-designed-in-house</link><guid>2785</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Adyen Rolls Out Its Very Own Terminal Range Designed In-House</dc:text></item><item><title>Bridging the Gap Between Online Business and Transactional Banking</title><description><![CDATA[As the global economy shifts towards an interconnected future, digitalisation continues to transform the world of transactional banking. Fintechs often outpace traditional banking institutions when it comes to serving the fast paced environment of online business.
Swiss fintech Klarpay AG aims to bridge that gap. Founded in 2019, Klarpays’ vision is to create a nimble and modern all-in-one solution to empower digital businesses through, scalable, and API enabled corporate accounts and cross-border payment capabilities. Klarpay combines a digital first IBAN account with multi-currency global payment acceptance, and disbursement.
The Legacy Fallacy
For digital entrepreneurs to achieve results and create value in a rapidly modernising world, they need to understand the needs of new generations of users and test innovative business models. The conflict is that traditional banking institutions and innovative companies are not a match. Legacy banks are often characterised by bureaucratic and rigorous risk assessment processes that are often not adapted to modern-day online businesses. They often lack the latest technical infrastructure to provide online businesses with the embedded, interconnected, and frictionless payment and banking solutions they need to grow at a scale.


On the flip side, online businesses demand their banking partners to provide all services digitally and instantly through up-to-date technical integrations and protocols. Unfortunately, most legacy banks don’t have the malleable technical infrastructure in place to provide such solutions.
Unrestricted by rigid legacy systems, Klarpay’s key competitive advantage is a tech-forward approach to integrated transactional banking solutions designed for the digital era. One of the main ways in which Klarpay seeks to disrupt the incumbent banking industry is through accessible, forward-thinking, and fully integrated digital transactional banking solutions.
Regulation Matters
Another key differentiator for Klarpay has been its approach when it comes to regulation. In 2019, Klarpay became one of the first companies to secure a fintech deposit-taking licence under the Swiss Federal Banking Act Article 1B. Acquiring a deposit-taking licence by FINMA has enabled Klarpay to provide businesses with a comprehensive corporate accounts and payments service that includes everything from IBAN and virtual debit card issuance to global payment acceptance.
Klarpay’s authorization also grants the company a unique competitive advantage when it comes to cryptocurrency transactions, with Switzerland being one of the few countries in the world to define a clear regulatory framework on cryptocurrency acceptance. As open banking and Account-to-Account (A2A) payments become more mainstream, Klarpay’s merchant clients will be able to benefit from significantly lower costs and instant settlement on cryptocurrency transactions.
End-to-end Digital Transformation
As the financial world continues to evolve and consumers increasingly embrace new ways to pay online, digital businesses will require even more innovative, interoperable and omnichannel payment solutions. Klarpay is well-positioned to play an integral role in unlocking this friction around banking, payment, and disbursement solutions for digital businesses now and in the future.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bridging-the-gap-between-online-business-and-transactional-banking</link><guid>2784</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Bridging the Gap Between Online Business and Transactional Banking</dc:text></item><item><title>How Connected Cars Will Help Drive the Payment Revolution</title><description><![CDATA[Cars are becoming increasingly more connected and are turning into a new mobile source of payment and data.
Juniper Research estimates that by 2026, global transaction volume of in-vehicle payments will exceed 4.7 billion by 2026, up from just 87 million in 2021, an extraordinary growth which will be driven by increasing industry collaboration and initiatives from stakeholders.
According to JP Morgan, connected cars could profoundly transform how people transact, create new business models, and introduce new opportunities for all stakeholders in the industry.


In a new blog post, the bank delves into its key predictions for the future of the connected car market, sharing how it believes car wallets will revolutionize the payment industry, reshape commerce and bring about new shopping experiences.
The future of automotive payments solutions, Source: JP Morgan
New shopping experiences
Today’s customers are looking for more convenient digital solutions to spending, a shift that has enticed tech startups, car dealers and banks to develop new shopping experiences and distribution models to cater to consumers’ changing needs.
Carvana, for example, is an online used car retailer that provides a comprehensive online ecosystem for customers to browse for vehicles, get an offer for their trade-in, secure financing and schedule the delivery of their vehicle. The company is fastest growing online used car dealer in the US and was one of the youngest companies to be added to the Fortune 500 List.
Another example cited in the post is WePay, a payments infrastructure provider and Chase company. In the automotive space, WePay facilitates payment transactions, allowing customers to go directly to an auto manufacturer’s website and make a contactless down-payment directly to the dealership. Customers can also request additional products and services like routine vehicle maintenance, parts and accessories right from the auto manufacturer’s website and send payment directly to the dealership.
A wallet on four wheels
In the payment area, connected cars hold promising opportunities both in the business-to-consumer (B2C) and the business-to-business (B2B) fields.
In B2C, a mobile wallet integrated into a connected car can allow drivers to make seamless transactions, whether that’s paying for coffee, parking space or making their car loan monthly payment. A car wallet can also be used by manufacturers and dealerships to allow electrical charging deposits and trade-in credits for use in an ecosystem, creating more value for customers, improving retention and enabling better ownership and mobility experiences.
In B2B, a car wallet can be used by a business to pay for its employees’ travel and expenses, removing the need to report expenses separately and helping mitigating fraud by controlling which types of merchants can receive payments, for example.
A marketplace connecting drivers with merchants and services providers
Like mobile phones became a channel for marketplaces and e-commerce activity, connected cars could potentially take on a similar role, connecting drivers to retailers, gas stations and service providers via their dashboard.
A media company, for example, could use the car as an outlet and offer consumers the opportunity to purchase the goods displayed on the screen via contextual commerce.
Opportunities to develop marketplaces also exist where a customer could potentially be provided with access to a broad range of products and services offered by third parties right from their car. Similar to an app store, the platform would connect third-party suppliers to each other, allow them to collaborate and sell their products and services on the car’s marketplace.
Data monetization
Equipped with sensors, connected cars also offer auto manufacturers with data monetization opportunities, allowing them to gain deeper insights into their customers to provide additional services tailored to their specific needs.
Using real-time data collected from a car, a manufacturer could provide greater insights and advisory services to dealerships and drivers, helping them to curate a personalized user experience that could ultimately lead to greater revenues.
Insurance companies, as well, could use this data to offer pay-as-a-go insurance coverage and personalized pricing options, improve the claims process, and overall deliver a better overall experience.
An enabler for mobility-as-a-service
Finally, JP Morgan believes connected cars have the potential to further fuel the growth of shared mobility, acting as an enabler for new usership and ownership models.
Shared mobility has been a fast-growing industry over the past couple of years, a rise that’s been driven by increased demand for short-term rentals, car sharing options and car subscriptions.
Major auto manufacturers including Toyota, Audi and Jaguar Land Rover all offer options for car subscriptions, while tech-enabled companies like HyreCar and Turo are providing private car owners with the means to rent out their vehicles.

Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/how-connected-cars-will-help-drive-the-payment-revolution</link><guid>2782</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>How Connected Cars Will Help Drive the Payment Revolution</dc:text></item><item><title>UBS Invests in Tech Unicorn Bigpanda</title><description><![CDATA[




UBS  announced it has invested in BigPanda, a leading artificial intelligence IT operations (AIOps) platform, through UBS Next, the firm’s strategic venture and innovation unit.








 

As clients increasingly seek more digital services and business becomes more data driven, UBS is actively engaging the financial technology community and investing in companies with game-changing technologies to shape the future of banking for clients.







Leveraging machine learning to predict, detect and respond to incidents within complex IT systems, BigPanda’s platform helps automate incident management processes to ensure systems stay up and running. As a result, the platform helps companies reduce costs, enhance service availability, increase transparency and improve the speed of IT operations.
Mike Dargan
“We’re excited to build on our relationship with BigPanda through this investment, helping drive digital disruption and innovation in AIOps,”
said Mike Dargan, UBS Group Chief Digital and Information Officer.
“By increasing transparency and leveraging technology to automate key processes, companies can reduce downtime and focus on developing new products and services for clients.”
Assaf Resnick
“As companies increase their dependance on technology as an enabler and differentiator, and ultimately change how they deliver their products and services to clients, it has become even more important for them to ensure their IT operations platforms run smoothly,”
said Assaf Resnick, CEO and co-founder of BigPanda.
“UBS is an early adopter of AIOps in the financial services industry and similarly sees the power emerging technology can have on their operations to deliver a best-in-class client experience.”
UBS Next invests in and partners with early-stage fintech and tech startups through its $200 million portfolio and runs an incubator for innovation projects to convert ideas into viable businesses. The unit is responsible for enabling innovation across UBS to find new and effective ways to engage clients and deliver premier services using the latest technologies.

Featured image credit: Elik Eizenberg Chief Technology Officer and Assaf Resnick is the CEO and co-founder of BigPanda
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ubs-invests-in-tech-unicorn-bigpanda</link><guid>2783</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>UBS Invests in Tech Unicorn Bigpanda</dc:text></item><item><title>M&amp;A-Aktivitäten von Schweizer KMU auf Rekordhoch</title><description><![CDATA[Die Zahl der Fusionen und Übernahmen kleiner und mittlerer Unternehmen (KMU) aus der Schweiz hat im ersten Halbjahr 2022 erneut einen Rekord erzielt. 133 KMU haben gemäss der neuen Deloitte MidCap-M&amp;A-Studie andere Firmen gekauft oder wurden selbst übernommen, verglichen mit 117 im ersten und 116 im zweiten Halbjahr 2021. Die weltweite wirtschaftliche und geopolitische Instabilität wirkt sich allerdings negativ auf das Transaktionsgeschäft aus und könnte den Appetit der Schweizer KMU auf Übernahmen in der zweiten Hälfte des Jahres 2022 etwas dämpfen.
Die Schweiz hat im ersten Halbjahr 2022 einen historischen Anstieg an M&amp;A-Aktivitäten von KMU erlebt. Es wurde insgesamt 133 Transaktionen durchgeführt – die klar höchste Halbjahreszahl seit Erstpublikation der Deloitte MidCap-M&amp;A-Studie 2013. Die in die Schweiz gerichteten M&amp;A-Aktivitäten legten um einen Viertel zu auf einen neuen Höchstwert von 59 Transaktionen. Und die Zahl aller grenzüberschreitenden Aktivitäten (99 Transaktionen) entspricht ebenfalls dem höchsten Wert seit Beginn der Studien.
Anthony P. West
Für die regen M&amp;A-Aktivitäten gibt es einige Gründe:


«Tiefere Börsenbewertungen für Akquisitionskandidaten, in der Schweiz nach wie vor günstige Finanzierungskosten und der starke Franken haben die Übernahme ausländischer Unternehmen attraktiv gemacht und das Transaktionsfieber bei den Schweizer KMU angeheizt»,
erklärt Anthony West, Partner und Leiter Corporate Finance Schweiz bei Deloitte. Rein inländische Transaktionen nahmen mit einem Minus von knapp 11 Prozent hingegen wieder leicht ab.
Grafik: Anzahl Transaktionen pro Halbjahr aufgeteilt nach Transaktionsarten
Käuferschaft von Schweizer KMU stammt vor allem aus Europa
In der Schweiz wurden im ersten Halbjahr insgesamt 93 KMU gekauft. Der Grossteil der ausländischen Käuferschaft waren europäische (61%) und nordamerikanische (29%) Firmen. Die USA und Deutschland sind schon seit längerer Zeit die wichtigsten in der Schweiz investierenden Länder; aus den Nachbarstaaten kommen zahlenmässig 34 Prozent der Investitionen. Deloitte M&amp;A-Experte Anthony West sieht die robuste Schweizer Wirtschaft sowie die starke Spezialisierung von Schweizer KMU als Hauptgründe für diese Entwicklung.
Gleichzeitig übernahmen Schweizer KMU am häufigsten Betriebe in Europa (85%). Die übrigen Transaktionen umfassen vorwiegend nordamerikanische Firmen. Rund 40 Prozent der Akquisitionen betreffen Unternehmen in den Nachbarländern, wobei allein Deutschland für 27 Prozent der Transaktionen steht. Viele Schweizer KMU bevorzugen ausländische Firmen im Industriesektor. Ebenfalls sehr beliebt sind weiterhin Unternehmen im Gesundheitswesen und in den TMT-Branchen, die beide von der COVID-19-Krise profitiert haben.
Vierteljährliche Veränderung der Multiplikatoren
M&amp;A-Aktivitäten halten trotz Gegenwind an
Die globalen M&amp;A-Aktivitäten haben sich aufgrund der grassierenden Inflation und der steigenden Zinsen, der höheren Finanzierungskosten, des Ukraine-Kriegs und der wachsenden Angst vor einer Rezession bereits im laufenden Jahr stark verlangsamt. Global gesehen sei der grosse Optimismus daher verflogen, wie Anthony West klarstellt.
Für die Schweiz schätzt er die allgemeinen Aussichten durchweg positiver ein, wenn auch weniger optimistisch als noch zu Jahresbeginn. Neu hinzugekommen seien seither viele Risiken rund um den Ukraine-Krieg und dessen vielfältige Auswirkungen auf die globale Wirtschaft.
«Unsicherheit ist Gift für Unternehmenstransaktionen: Aktienmarkteinbrüche, Lieferkettenengpässe und der Kostenanstieg für Rohstoffe, Primärgüter und Dienstleistungen belasten viele Unternehmen – weltweit noch stärker als in der Schweiz. Das sind alles Gründe für eine geringere globale M&amp;A-Aktivität und einen auch etwas schwächeren Appetit von Schweizer KMU auf Akquisitionen in der zweiten Jahreshälfte»,
erläutert Anthony West.
Tiefere Firmenbewertungen bieten günstige Kaufgelegenheiten
Nachdem viele Zentralbanken im Kampf gegen die Inflation die Zinsen angehoben haben, ist die Finanzierung von Akquisitionen grundsätzlich teurer und riskanter geworden. Durch die steigenden Kapitalkosten sind aber auch viele Firmenbewertungen gesunken: Das sind spannende Übernahmegelegenheiten sowohl für Investmentfonds mit grossem Bargeldreserven als auch für finanzstarke Unternehmen mit einem strategischen Fokus. Der Wertverfall vieler Währungen wie des Euro oder des britischen Pfunds gegenüber dem Schweizer Franken macht ausländische Firmen für Schweizer Unternehmen zusätzlich attraktiv.
Über die Studie
In der halbjährlichen Analyse von Deloitte zu M&amp;A-Aktivitäten von Schweizer KMU wurden die Fusions- und Übernahmetransaktionen von Schweizer Klein- und Mittelunternehmen in der Zeit vom 1. Januar bis 30. Juni 2022 untersucht. Deloitte definiert KMU wie folgt: ein Umsatz von mehr als CHF 10 Millionen, weniger als 250 Mitarbeitende und ein Unternehmenswert zwischen CHF 5 Millionen und CHF 500 Millionen.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ma-aktivitaten-von-schweizer-kmu-auf-rekordhoch</link><guid>2780</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>M&amp;A-Aktivitäten von Schweizer KMU auf Rekordhoch</dc:text></item><item><title>Apple Strengthens its Commitment to its Finance Business</title><description><![CDATA[Tech giant Apple is jumping deeper into financial services, moving away from its initial goal of providing finance solutions to retain customers and grow its core business of selling consumer electronics, to the broader aspiration of building a full-blown financial services offering and creating new revenue streams.
In an in-depth opinion piece, Alex Johnson, director of fintech research at investment advisory firm Cornerstone Advisors, looks at Apple’s current portfolio of financial products and services, and recent finance moves to understand the firm’s larger ambitions and predict what might come next for the tech company.
According to the report, while Apple had initially envisioned financial services as a means to improve customer retention and entice consumers to purchase Apple products, that ambition has evolved into a larger vision for its finance business with hopes that these products will eventually generate substantial revenue.


Strengthening its foothold within finance
This evolving stance is evidenced by Apple’s recent acquisitions, product announcements and news leaks that revealed not only the firm’s ambition to expand its portfolio of financial products and services, but also its desire to reduce its dependency on third parties and banking partners.
Apple has made some sizeable fintech acquisitions over the past couple of years that are a testament of the firm’s commitment to expanding its finance business, snatching up Canadian mobile payments company Mobeewave for US$100 million and British open banking credit reference agency Credit Kudos for a reported US$150 million, Johnson notes.
These acquisitions add on to the recently established Apple Financial, a wholly-owned subsidiary, which will be powering the firm’s forthcoming Apple Pay Later service scheduled for public release in the fall of 2022.
The move is a significant shift for the company since, up until now, Apple’s financial services have been backed by third-party providers and banking partners such as Goldman Sachs.
Instead, the new set-up will allow Apple to offer loans directly to consumers for its buy now, pay later (BNPL), taking middlemen out of the equation and allowing the tech firm to earn interchange fees from each transactions, retain control over its data, and help it accelerate the international expansion of its financial products.
These recent developments come on the back of an earlier report by Bloomberg which revealed Apple’s secret “Breakout” initiative that’s allegedly seeking to bring more financial services capabilities, including payment processing, risk and fraud analysis, credit checks, subscription programs for hardware purchases, and BNPL, in-house.
Apple’s existing portfolio of financial products and services

Apple has launched or announced seven key financial products and services, Johnson enumerates. These include:
Apple Wallet, an app that stores users’ credit and debit cards, loyalty and rewards cards, as well as credentials such as drivers’ licenses information and official identity documentations;
Apple Pay, a digital payments services that facilitates contactless payments and transactions using credentials stored in the Apple Wallet;
Apple Card, a credit card with cashback rewards designed primarily to be used with Apple Pay on Apple devices;
Apple Cash, a checking account and digital debit card that allows users to send and receive money in the Messages app and Apple Wallet.
Apple Tap-to-Pay on iPhone, a contactless payment acceptance capability that allows merchants to use their iPhone to support payments through Apple Pay, contactless credit and debit cards, and other digital wallets;
The upcoming Apple Pay Later, a pay-in-four BNPL service which no fees or interest available for Apple Pay users to make purchases online; and
The upcoming Apple Pay Monthly Installments, a point-of-sale (POS) lending service with interest rates determined by the merchant and the customer’s risk profile.

Looking at Apple’s financial services offerings, Johnson identifies a few key building blocks that comprise the firm’s financial infrastructure and ecosystem.
First, the Apple Wallet can be thought of as a container that stores money (Apple Cash), credit (Apple Card, Apple Pay Later and Apple Pay Monthly Installments) and identity, Johnson says. It wraps all these components with a transaction layer (Apple Pay and the physical Apple credit card), which interacts with other systems and components via near-field communication (NFC), QR codes and barcodes, and which facilitates transactions.
Taking this infrastructure into consideration and the fact that all the components in Apple’s financial services ‘stack’ are composable, Johnson believes there are at least 12 different financial products and services Apple could consider introducing in the near future.
First, the firm could develop a more robust checking account offering than what Apple Cash currently provides, with capabilities like direct deposits and early wage access. It could also introduce an improved debit card product with an actual physical card and embedded BNPL functionality, in addition to personal financial management features within the Apple Wallet app like spend categorization, budgeting and goal setting, and subscription management.
Other areas worth investigating, according to Johnson, include small-dollar paycheck advances and overdraft protection, high-yield savings accounts, investment capabilities, credit score monitoring, and health insurance with discounted rates for Apple Watch and Apple Fitness+ users.
Apple’s existing portfolio of financial products and services (white background) and what it could offer in the near future (red background), Source: Alex Johnson, Workweek.com, July 2022

Featured image credit: Apple
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/apple-strengthens-its-commitment-to-its-finance-business</link><guid>2779</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Apple Strengthens its Commitment to its Finance Business</dc:text></item><item><title>Top Funded DACH Fintechs and Top DACH Fintech Cities</title><description><![CDATA[The global fintech landscape has encountered accelerated change in recent years thanks to expansive funding and the notably pivotal role the industry played in adapting to the pandemic and post-pandemic eras. Financial accessibility and digital services rapidly expanded around the world, giving businesses and consumers never before seen access to banking and financial convenience.
The latest report from findexable, in partnership with Mambu, takes a look at a stand-out region that is elevating fintech’s upward trajectory – the DACH countries.
‘Fintech in Europe: The quiet revolution’ report by findexable
Geographically central and amassing some of the wealthiest consumers on the continent, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland are among the leading economic contributors in the region. And the ingredients for innovation have been ripe. DACH is home to an advanced infrastructure and some of Europe’s most highly skilled tech experts. Accounting for just 13% of Europe’s population, Germany, Austria and Switzerland are home to a fifth of its developers. Established finance and banking industries have also provided a leg up with greater capital, large client reach and unique problems to solve.


North America and Asia have historically been rich breeding grounds for fintech growth and VC investments. And within Europe, the UK unsurprisingly continued to attract the most investment as the region’s leading financial hub. Yet fintech’s rising tide has impacted every corner of the continent. Over the past half decade, DACH has attracted progressively more of the global funding pie, emerging as a genuine rival to the original fintech centres.
The coming years, however, may be a time of uncertainty amid inflation and market volatility. Despite recent success, economic, societal and geopolitical shifts are making it harder for fintechs to find their way forward. Particularly as the focus has shifted from pandemic-era enthusiasm for the digital economy to driving high growth and scalability for businesses.
DACH fintechs offer a way forward for the continent. By bringing diverse technical talent together with an established finance industry, businesses and consumers in the region are embracing financial innovation unlike ever before.
‘Fintech in Europe: The quiet revolution’ report by findexable
The full report dives into six key factors driving this success:
Set up for success: DACH nations boast exceptional technical infrastructure and human capital. From plentiful software developers to the highest level of patent applications in Europe, Germany, Switzerland and Austria have all the ingredients for a thriving fintech industry.
Cultural revolution: A region known for financial conservatism has transformed in recent years, to become a fintech pioneer in several areas. DACH populations have embraced digital payments and cryptocurrency trading apps, as old certainties about financial stability have been eroded by rising asset prices and low returns on deposits.
Deep and diverse: DACH’s fintech ecosystem is geographically more diverse than any other in Western Europe, with no city accounting for a majority of the region’s fintechs. This allows pockets of sector specific innovation to thrive from the Crypto Valley in the Swiss canton of Zug to Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) startups in Berlin and asset management products in Frankfurt.
Continental powerhouse: After the UK, Germany and Switzerland are the primary destinations for fintech investment in Europe, leaving France in their wake. 2021saw mega funding rounds for fintechs in sectors as diverse as insurtech, BaaS and investing, as major US venture capital funds entered DACH with a vengeance.
Emerging uncertainty: From inflation to rising interest rates and geopolitical uncertainty, fintechs globally are entering a new period of uncertainty. A playbook is emerging in DACH, which involves doubling down on core markets and monetising existing customers, rather than focusing only on growing the customer base.
Partnerships and technical agility will be key to navigating this world of change: the companies that succeed will be those that build alliances with other fintechs in order to distribute their products to clients and consumers, and increase sales by offering products in concert with other fintechs.
Read on for a look at the new normal for fintech in DACH and across the globe, where uncertainty is the new norm and businesses will work to tackle key challenges to deliver success. How can fintechs equip themselves for an environment of constant change?


]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-funded-dach-fintechs-and-top-dach-fintech-cities</link><guid>2778</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DACHS-FINTECH-CITIES.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Top Funded DACH Fintechs and Top DACH Fintech Cities</dc:text></item><item><title>Neobanks Face Setbacks Amid High Cash Burns and Little Revenue Streams</title><description><![CDATA[A challenging economic environment, diminished funding and valuations, and increased scrutiny of regulators have put tremendous stress on neobanks around the world. Over the past few years, the industry has seen its fair share of business failures often due to high cash burns with little or no revenue streams, a new analysis by WhiteSight, a research firm focused on the fintech space, shows.
The analysis, published earlier this month, looks at past failures and setbacks in the digital banking and neobanking sector, delving into business closures, country exits, license application withdrawals and business pivots to understand the areas in which digital challengers are struggling.
According to the report, at least 16 neobanks and digital banks have closed down around the world over the past couple of years, most often due to their inability to develop a sustainable revenue spurt and secure funding.


In particular, the research found that the US saw a majority of independent neobanks struggling to survive.
Denizen, a San Francisco-based challenger bank incubated out of BBVA’s New Digital Business Unit, shut down in 2019 after just one year of operation. According to WhiteSight, the neobank, which provided a global, borderless account for expat banking, faced difficulties in achieving the scale required to sustain operations.
For Beam Financials, an American mobile savings app, the business’ closure was forced by regulators. In 2021, the company ceased operations under a tentative settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) after a 2020 CNBC investigation revealed that dozens of customers were unable to get their money out.
The company was mandated to refund approximately US$2.6 million in customer deposits and interest, and banned from operating a mobile banking app or any other product or service that could be used to deposit, store, or withdraw funds. It also was prohibited from misrepresenting the interest rates, restrictions, and other aspects of any financial product or service.
Beyond the US, other regions including Asia-Pacific (APAC) and Europe, have also recorded notable business failures.
In India, Yelo Bank ceased operations in 2021 after failing to find product-market fit and raise follow-on funding. Prior to its closure, Yelo Bank, which focused on gig workers, had raised over US$80 million and had garnered more than 4 million downloads on its app.
In Australia, at least two licensed challenger banks had to shut down after unsuccessful fundraising efforts and failing to develop sustainable revenue streams.
Digital bank Xinja, which managed to amass more than 37,000 customers, collapsed when it started paying customers interest on their deposits before earning income from lending.
In late 2020, the company announced that it would discontinue its transaction and savings account products, and return its authorized deposit-banking institution license, citing “COVID-19 and an increasingly difficult capital-raising environment affecting who is willing to invest in a new bank” as the main reasons why it is pivoting away from being a bank.
Rival Volt Bank has suffered the same fate, announcing in June 2022 that it would shut down, returning deposits and selling its mortgage book after failing to raise sufficient funds to support the business.
Volt Bank was the first startup to gain a banking license back in 2019, and had raised a total of A$212 million before closing down.
In the UK, neobanking apps Loot and Dozens went out of business in 2019 and 2022, respectively, after running out of cash. Loot, which offered a digital-only current account aimed at students and millennials, had around 250,000 registered accounts, and Dozens, a banking app offering a slew of budgeting and analytics tools to help users to save and invest more efficiently, claimed some 60,000 customers.
Neobanks failures and setbacks by country, Source: WhiteSights, 2022
Besides business closures, the WhiteSight research also looks at notable challenges and stumbles faced by neobanks, noting that a number of players have put an halt on their expansion plan, focusing instead of trimming unnecessary spending and profitability.
German licensed digital bank N26 closed its UK operations in 2020 citing difficulties created by Brexit, and in 2022, it pulled out of the US after acknowledging that the investment and management time required in the country was leaving N26 too stretched.
N26 served about 200,000 customers in the UK and 500,000 in the US.
In the US, Solid, formerly known as Wise, pivoted in 2020 from small and medium-sized enterprise (SME)-focused neobanking to embedded business banking. Today, the company provides a digital banking stack built for platforms and banks, focusing on opportunities in the embedded finance and banking-as-a-service (BaaS) spaces.
Neobanks failures and setbacks by category, Source: WhiteSights, 2022
Despite being one of the most talked-about fintech segments of the past decade, neobanks have struggled with profitability. Consulting firm Simon-Kucher estimates that only a mere 5% of the world’s reported 400 digital banks are actually reaching breakeven, with most earning less than US$30 in revenue per customer per year. Moreover, cash burn rates are stellar for several banks, with annual losses exceeding US$100 million in some cases.

Featured image credit: Edited from freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/neobanks-face-setbacks-amid-high-cash-burns-and-little-revenue-streams</link><guid>2777</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Neobanks Face Setbacks Amid High Cash Burns and Little Revenue Streams</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Employee Insurance Startup Secures Pre-Seed Funding from Wingman and Tomahawk</title><description><![CDATA[grape, the neoinsurer for employee insurances, has raised CHF 1.7 million in a pre-seed funding round to expand its digital insurance product and grow the team. The round is led by Swiss venture capital firm Wingman Ventures, with participation from the FinTech funds Tomahawk.VC and DD Venture Capital.
The Insurtech startup grape provides their own digital employee insurances to enterprise customers. Their insurances are bundled with a B2B SaaS product that saves the insured companies time managing their coverages and claims. Moreover, grape is the first insurer to directly reinvest into prevention services supporting the health of their customer’s employees through their benefits and paid therapy sessions.
Founded in November 2021 by Gregory Inauen and Fabian Mächler, grape has obtained its insurance license as an MGA in record time. Now the ETHZ startup has raised a CHF 1.7 million oversubscribed pre-seed financing round to fuel its growth and expand the product. The round is led by Wingman Ventures with participation from the FinTech funds Tomahawk.VC and DD Venture Capital.


Gregory Inauen
“grape is the first employee insurer built around a full-stack technology platform and a relentless focus on being more than just an insurance”,
says Gregory Inauen, Co-founder of grape.
grape’s software product allows their customers to enable a variety of automations that reduce administrative work, such as for claiming, reporting, and payroll adjustments. So far grape has built over 20 integrations into different HR tools which can be synced within seconds with their platform. All the employees that are covered with grape can access a wide range of benefits, coachings and therapy sessions to improve their physical and mental health.
Lukas Weder
Lukas Weder, Founding Partner of Wingman Ventures states:
“The Insurtech world finds itself still in its early days. However, the insurance sector is one of the largest industries globally that now shows clear signs that new massive businesses can emerge. Grape’s approach to fully digitizing and automating the underwriting and claims handling process by integrating their technology into their customer’s processes is precisely what insurance customers expect from the next generation of insurance products.”
The group insurances for health, accident and life reached a market size of over $5tn in 2021. But it’s also an industry ripe for disruption — a few massive insurance giants dominate most companies’ employee benefit packages, and they’re grape’s main competitors. The big giants are considerably lagging behind. Much of the work in this sector is still done manually, through paperwork, phone calls which leads to delays, mistakes and intransparency. Traditional insurer do not only waste time and money managing their sick leave policies, accident claims and pensions plans, but through all these manual processes they also lack data to improve their underwriting and are mainly focused on fighting claims rather than preventing them in the first place.
The Zurich-based Insurtech uses technology not only to provide a simple and better solution to all of these problems and inefficiencies but also to prevent them in the first place. De facto, the startup is aiming, on one side, to make insurance processes as streamlined and efficient as possible and additionally, if not most importantly, to go beyond insurance and be a health partner that supports the team’s mental and physical well-being in a way that will prevent leaves, burnouts, and lost costs. With the technology at its core, grape embarks on the mission to reinvent employee insurances.

Featured image credit: Left to right: Noel Walter, Mirko Hess, Jack Wilkinson, Fabian Mächler, Nico Hänggi, Pascal Küng, Gregory Inauen, Ardennes Ornati (Image Credits: Nicolas Küng)
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-employee-insurance-startup-secures-pre-seed-funding-from-wingman-and-tomahawk</link><guid>2776</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Employee Insurance Startup Secures Pre-Seed Funding from Wingman and Tomahawk</dc:text></item><item><title>Der DACH Krypto-Ländervergleich</title><description><![CDATA[Die grosse Mehrheit kennt Kryptowährungen, doch nur wenige nutzen sie. Immerhin 28 Prozent der Schweizerinnen und Schweizer halten sie jedoch grundsätzlich für eine geeignete Anlageform, wie eine neue YouGov-Umfrage im Auftrag der Management- und Technologieberatung BearingPoint zeigt.
Kryptogeld kennt fast jeder, aber nur ganz wenige nutzen es
In der Schweiz und in Österreich ist der Anteil derjenigen, denen Kryptowährungen unbekannt sind, am geringsten (jeweils 7 Prozent). In Deutschland hat nur jeder Zehnte noch nie von Kryptowährungen gehört, in Frankreich sind es 14 Prozent. Gleichzeitig liegt die Zahl der Personen, die sich mit Kryptogeld gut auskennen und es nutzen, weiterhin im einstelligen Bereich. So sind es in der Schweiz und in Deutschland nur 8 Prozent und 9 Prozent in Österreich. Am geringsten ist die Zahl der Nutzerinnen und Nutzer in Frankreich. Dort verwenden gerade einmal 3 Prozent Kryptowährungen.


Mehrheit glaubt nicht an Ablösung staatlicher Währungen durch Kryptowährungen
Dass Kryptogeld in Zukunft die staatlichen Währungen ablöst, halten 72 Prozent der Schweizer für wenig wahrscheinlich. Damit ist die Skepsis hierzulande am kleinsten. In Deutschland (81 Prozent), Österreich (78 Prozent) und Frankreich (73 Prozent) fallen die Ergebnisse etwas höher aus. Im Länderdurchschnitt ist das Vertrauen in Kryptowährungen hinsichtlich der Preisstabilität aber gering (22 Prozent). Den Franken bzw. den Euro hält man für preisstabiler (68 Prozent). Am stärksten vertrauen die Menschen dem Gold bzw. dem Goldpreis (87 Prozent).
Marco Kundert
“Im Vergleich mit den Nachbarländern sind wir Schweizerinnen und Schweizer den Kryptowährungen gegenüber am aufgeschlossensten. Trotzdem ist der Anteil der Nutzer mit 8 Prozent noch sehr überschaubar. Gründe dafür sind die hohe Volatilität, fehlende Sicherheit bei der Verwahrung und Ungewissheit zukünftiger Regulierung. Gleichzeitig gibt die Mehrheit der Schweizer Bevölkerung an, einen digitalen Franken zukünftig für Zahlungen einsetzen zu wollen. Die Akteure des Schweizer Finanzplatzes sollten daher gemeinsam die Innovation weiter vorantrieben und die Aufgeschlossenheit der Schweizerinnen und Schweizer nutzen.”
meint Marco Kundert, Partner bei BearingPoint
Jede(r) Fünfte hält die Digitalisierung des Franken für eine gute Idee
Die Schaffung einer digitalen Zentralbankwährung, also des digitalen Frankens bzw. Euros, hält im Schnitt jeder fünfte Befragte für sinnvoll. Am stärksten haben hier die Befragten in der Schweiz und Österreich zugestimmt (jeweils 22 Prozent), etwas geringer in Deutschland (19 Prozent) und Frankreich (18 Prozent). Nur in der Schweiz würde mit 56 Prozent die Mehrheit eine digitale Zentralbankwährung im Alltag nutzen. Die Deutschen würden den digitalen Euro im Alltag am allerwenigsten nutzen, wenn es ihn gäbe: 36 Prozent der Deutschen halten das für wahrscheinlich, in Österreich und Frankreich jeweils 43 Prozent.
Privat hält man sich bei der Investition in Kryptowährungen zurück
Insgesamt sind die Menschen noch sehr zögerlich bei Investitionen in Kryptogeld. Die überwiegende Mehrheit der Befragten in der Schweiz – 79 Prozent – hat noch nie ihr Geld in Kryptowährungen angelegt. In Deutschland haben 81 Prozent noch nicht in Kryptowährungen investiert, in Österreich 80 Prozent. Frankreich bildet mit 86 Prozent das Schlusslicht. Wer es schon getan hat, ging dabei in allen Ländern den unmittelbaren Weg: 7 Prozent aller Befragten handeln direkt an der Krypto-Börse. Nur 3 Prozent gehen dafür über das Depot der eigenen Hausbank, jeweils 5 Prozent über das Depot bei einem Online-Broker oder bei einem spezialisierten Krypto-Broker.
Anlageform: Gold weiterhin Spitzenreiter
Gold ist für über 80 Prozent der Befragten in allen Ländern weiterhin die geeignetste Anlageform, gefolgt von Aktien (inklusive Fonds) und staatlichen Währungen wie Bargeld, Anleihen, Tagesgeldern oder Geldmarktfonds. In der Schweiz halten 87 Prozent der Bevölkerung Gold für eine grundsätzlich geeignete Anlageform. In Österreich stimmen mit 91 Prozent sogar noch mehr Menschen zu, wenn es darum geht, mit Gold das eigene Vermögen zu erhalten.
Aber auch in Deutschland (83 Prozent) und in Frankreich (80 Prozent) hält man das Edelmetall für eine gute Geldanlage. Kryptogeld steht hinter Gold, Aktien und staatlichen Währungen an letzter Stelle. Immerhin vertrauen ihm aber im Länderdurchschnitt noch 25 Prozent der Menschen. Die Schweiz führt mit 28 Prozent, wenn es um die Eignung von Kryptowährungen als Anlageform geht. Deutschland bildet mit 22 Prozent die Nachhut, Österreich (24 Prozent) und Frankreich (25 Prozent) stehen im Mittelfeld.
Attraktivität von Kryptogeld liesse sich durch Zugang per Hausbank erhöhen
Wie in Kryptowährungen anlegen? Jeder zehnte Befragte hält die Investition aus dem Depot bei der eigenen Hausbank für die attraktivste Wahl. Das ist von allen Investitionsmöglichkeiten die am stärksten begehrte und liegt vor der Direktinvestition bei einer Kryptobörse, dem Online-Broker oder dem spezialisierten Krypto-Broker. Hier unterscheiden sich die Erfahrenen in Sachen Kryptogeld von den Unerfahrenen.
So sind nur 3 Prozent der Schweizer, die schon in Kryptowährungen angelegt haben, den Weg über die Hausbank gegangen. Wer noch nicht investiert hat, würde das zuallererst bei der Hausbank tun. Hier ist der Wert mit 13 Prozent im Vergleich zu denen, die schon investiert haben mehr als viermal so hoch. Auch in Österreich, Frankreich und Deutschland sind die Zahlen ähnlich: Die Hausbank ist für die Anlage-Interessierten attraktiv. Zusätzlich wissen 12 Prozent der Schweizer nicht, wie sie in Kryptowährungen investieren können.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/der-dach-krypto-landervergleich</link><guid>2775</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Der DACH Krypto-Ländervergleich</dc:text></item><item><title>Berlin and London Named Amongst Europe’s Top 5 Fintech Hubs</title><description><![CDATA[Deep Ecosystems, a Germany-based accelerator for ecosystem projects, have released its 7th edition of the Startup Heatmap Report, ranking Europe’s top 50 most popular startup hubs in the continent.
The ranking is based on a survey that polled more than 24,000 pre-selected founders equally distributed over Europe to understand their sentiments on local startup landscapes. Results were compiled in a report, giving a detailed view of each European tech hubs in the region and featuring insights about investments, internationalization patterns and founder sentiments.
This year again, Berlin and London ranked at the top of the list, selected by European founders as the best cities in the continent to launch a startup. These two locations were recognized for their business-friendly regulations, easy access to funding, and dynamic startup ecosystems. They were also named among Europe’s top five fintech hubs.


Top 10 most popular startup hubs in Europe, Source: Startup Heatmap Report, Deep Ecosystems
Berlin: Europe’s top tech hub
Berlin received a solid 37% of founders’ vote, indicating that more than every third founder in Europe could imagine starting their company in the German capital. Respondents highlighted the city’s thriving startup community, strong support network of academic institutions, large corporates, and innovative communities, as well as growing availability of capital.
Not only is Berlin founders’ preferred location in Europe to launch a startup, it’s also a major fintech hub in the region that’s ranked by Deep Ecosystems as one of Europe’s top five fintech ecosystems. Similarly, the Global Fintech Index 2021 listed the German capital at first place in the European Union (EU) last year, ahead of Amsterdam, Stockholm and Frankfurt.
The Berlin startup map shows over 900 fintech companies in the city, among which unicorn startups N26, a digital bank worth US$9.25 billion, Trade Republic, a neobroker valued US$5.36 billion, and Wefox, an insurtech startup worth US$4.5 billion, data from CB Insights show. N26, Trade Republic and Wefox are also Berlin’s most valuable private companies, showcasing the city’s vibrant fintech scene.
This year, fintech funding in the city has so far remained strong, with large rounds being reported in H1 2022. These include Wefox’s US$400 million Series D, Trade Republic’s EUR 250 million Series C extension, Payhawk’s US$100 million Series B, and Vivid Money’s EUR 100 million Series C.
London: a fintech powerhouse
After Berlin, London took the second position in the ranking, selected by 33% of the founders polled by Deep Ecosystems as one of the top two places they could imagine starting a tech company in. Respondents pointed out London’s business-friendly regulations, industry networks and easy access to funding as the city’s biggest strengths.
Like Berlin, London was also recognized for being one of Europe’s top five fintech ecosystems, acknowledged by the community for its culture of creativity, supportive regulators, and a pipeline of diverse digital and financial talent.
Data from City of London Corporation, Findexable and Mambu, show that London hosts a massive number of fintech companies, with 1,230 firms headquartered in the city. The figure means that nearly half of the UK’s fintech companies (over 2,500) are based in the capital city.
Further demonstrating London’s fintech leadership, data from CB Insights show that of the 36 tech unicorn startups headquartered in the city, 24 are fintech companies, among which Checkout.com (worth US$40 billion), Revolut (US$33 billion), Blockchain.com (US$14 billion), Rapyd (US$8.75 billion) and SumUp (US$8.5 billion).
In 2022, investors continued to remain bullish on the local fintech industry, with rapidly growing startups closing massive rounds of funding. Checkout.com, an international payment platform, raised US$1 billion in a Series D funding round, GoCardless, an account-to-account payments specialist, closed a US$312 million Series G, and PayFit, a payroll and human resources (HR) software provider, raised EUR 254 million in a Series E. Both GoCardless and PayFit reached unicorn status after closing their fundraising rounds.

Featured image credit: edited from Pexels
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/berlin-and-london-named-amongst-europes-top-5-fintech-hubs</link><guid>2773</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Berlin and London Named Amongst Europe’s Top 5 Fintech Hubs</dc:text></item><item><title>Open Banking Adoption: 1578 Banking Platforms and 5564 APIs Worldwide</title><description><![CDATA[Around the world, open banking adoption is rising steadily, embraced by a growing number of banks and fintech companies to provide innovative financial products and tap into new market segments.
A new report by Platformable, a Barcelona-based startup building data products and digital tools, looks at the latest developments in the global open banking/open finance scene, delving into emerging trends and key enablers of the sector’s growth.
According to the research, 2022 has so far been a fructuous year for the open banking industry. Among the key trends observed this year, the report notes that in Q2 2022, the number of open banking platforms and APIs available continued to rise, indicating rising adoption across stakeholders. Banks, meanwhile, pursued new business models and opportunities, including banking-as-a-service (BaaS) offerings and partnership models, and fintech companies continued to leverage banking APIs to innovate and launch new products.


1,578 open banking platforms and 5,564 APIs worldwide
As of the end of Q2 2022, Platformable identified 1,578 banking platforms making APIs available, representing an annual growth of 8%. Collectively, these bank platforms made 5,564 open banking API products available to third parties, up from 4,831 in Q1 2022.
Europe remained at the forefront, accounting for 73.5% of the world’s open banking platforms (1,160), and 45.6% of available open APIs (2,537) as of the end of Q2 2022.
Though Europe led in terms of absolute numbers, platforms and products, Asia-Pacific (APAC) saw the strongest platform growth, with open banking platforms growing 44% in Q2 2022 year-on-year (YoY) to 203, a rise which was largely coming from Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia and the Philippines, the research found.
Global open banking API platforms and their API products, Source: Open Banking/Open Finance Trends Q3 2022, Platformable
Open banking regulations advance
As of Q2 2022, 80 countries had open banking regulations in place, while 75 were either near or in implementation stages of open banking rules.
Europe and the UK made progresses towards an open finance framework. In Latin America, countries including Brazil, Argentina and Chile, continued laying out their national framework, providing greater clarity and rules for interoperability, mandating account aggregation capabilities, and introducing fintech laws.
In the Middle East and Africa, Bahrain issued amendments to its Open Banking rulebook, and Nigeria published open banking draft guidelines. And in APAC, India unveiled plans to share personal income data and opening e-government tools for global interested parties.
Current progress of open banking regulations around the globe Q2 2022, Source: Open Banking/Open Finance Trends Q3 2022, Platformable
API product diversification
In Q2 2022, API products rose 15% YoY with the largest growth witnessed in Latin America (LatAm) (56%), North America (35%), the UK (27%) and Asia Pacific (24%).
Though most open banking APIs provided by financial institutions still remain mandated payments, accounts and bank products, other non-mandated APIs are growing fast, including know-your-customer (KYC) and identity, credit services, and trading, the research found, indicating that banks are keen on expanding their API offerings and embracing the trend.
Growth of API products, Source: Open Banking/Open Finance Trends Q3 2022, Platformable
Banks explore new business models
Banks are actively exploring new business models using APIs, including partnership programs, paid premium APIs, startup funding and mentorship programs, and BaaS offerings, the research found. Some, like the UK’s Starling Bank, Singapore’s DBS Bank and Brazil’s Banco do Brasil (BB), have gone a step further, embracing an open ecosystem approach and offering marketplaces that include third party apps and providers.
BB’s API program, for example, is split into two streams: BB’s open ecosystem and its Open Finance Brasil APIs offering which lists some third-party providers, and the bank’s own API portfolio of over 20 APIs under partnership and BaaS models.
Deutsche Bank is betting big on embedded finance, providing a wide range of APIs and embedded finance options. Deutsche Bank’s developer portal contains APIs for all banking sectors, as well as sandbox and productions environments.
Open banking boosts fintech innovation
Looking beyond banks’ platforms and APIs, the research found that open banking is helping foster fintech innovation more broadly, and helping develop domestic fintech ecosystems.
In the US, 82% of API-enabled fintech companies are homegrown, a proportion which stands at 70% in the UK (the lowest), implying that open banking is enabling greater homegrown fintech to emerge.
Platformable identified 2,854 API-enabled fintech products as of the end of Q2 2022, and though payment solutions remain the dominant category, representing about a third of all API-enabled fintech solutions, other categories and sub-categories are also emerging, including account keeping and budgeting apps, digital and open banking enablement solutions, private management solution, data, analytics and algorithms, as well as consumer loans and credit services.
Top 10 fintech using APIs by sub-category, Source: Open Banking/Open Finance Trends Q3 2022, Platformable
SMEs and individuals remain top target markets
The research found that fintech solutions that make use of bank APIs mainly target SMEs and individuals, accounting for 59% and 40% of all open banking fintech products globally, and are fairly generic in nature.
This implies that there is a huge opportunity gap to offer products that address specific customer segment needs, including immigrant workers, expatriates and freelancers, the report says.
Such products have nevertheless started to emerge, it notes, citing examples such as the US Viva First, a digital banking app for the Latino community in the US; Smile, a credit scoring platform for the Filipino workforce; and Yonder, a UK loyalty cards provider for expats.
Primary target market of fintech products, Source: Open Banking/Open Finance Trends Q3 2022, Platformable
An opportunity to improve financial inclusion
New technologies, including open banking and open finance, are driving down the costs of doing business and allowing a wider range of users to access financial services, introducing opportunities to help improve financial inclusion.
In Brazil, open banking is expected to bring 4.6 million more people into the formal credit market for the first time, expanding access to attractive borrowing rates, and inject BRL 760 billion (US$141 billion) into the economy, according to a recent study by Serasa Experian, a local credit research company.
Platformable estimates that 54% of existing fintech products built on open banking/open finance APIs could be used to address financial inclusion, highlighting the potential of open banking to drive social and economic development.

Featured image credit: Rawpixels
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/open-banking-adoption-1578-banking-platforms-and-5564-apis-worldwide</link><guid>2772</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Open Banking Adoption: 1578 Banking Platforms and 5564 APIs Worldwide</dc:text></item><item><title>CME Group to Launch Euro-Denominated Bitcoin and Ether Futures on August 29</title><description><![CDATA[CME Group, the world’s leading derivatives marketplace, announced it plans to further expand its cryptocurrency derivatives offering with the introduction of Bitcoin Euro and Ether Euro futures on August 29, pending regulatory review.
Designed to match their U.S. dollar-denominated counterparts, Bitcoin Euro and Ether Euro futures contracts will be sized at five bitcoin and 50 ether per contract. These new contracts will be cash-settled, based on the CME CF Bitcoin-Euro Reference Rate and CME CF Ether-Euro Reference Rate, which serve as once-a-day reference rates of the euro-denominated price of bitcoin and ether. These new futures contracts will be listed on and subject to the rules of CME.
Tim McCourt
“Ongoing uncertainty in cryptocurrency markets, along with the robust growth and deep liquidity of our existing Bitcoin and Ether futures, is creating increased demand for risk management solutions by institutional investors outside the U.S. Our Bitcoin Euro and Ether Euro futures contracts will provide clients with more precise tools to trade and hedge exposure to the two largest cryptocurrencies by market cap,”
said Tim McCourt, Global Head of Equity and FX Products, CME Group.


CME Group’s Cryptocurrency product suite continues to provide consistent liquidity, volume, and open interest for clients seeking to hedge their risk or gain exposure to the asset class. Q2 was a record quarter in terms of average daily open interest (106.2K contracts) and was the second highest quarter ever in terms of average daily volume (57.4K contracts) across all Cryptocurrency products. In addition, Ether futures achieved a record average daily volume of 6.6K contracts in Q2, up more than 27% versus Q1.
This article first appeared on fintechnews.am


Featured image credit: Edited from rawpixels
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/cme-group-to-launch-euro-denominated-bitcoin-and-ether-futures-on-august-29</link><guid>2768</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Sift-On-Demand-webinar.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>CME Group to Launch Euro-Denominated Bitcoin and Ether Futures on August 29</dc:text></item><item><title>CME Group to Launch Euro-Denominated Bitcoin and Ether Futures</title><description><![CDATA[CME Group, the world’s leading derivatives marketplace, announced it plans to further expand its cryptocurrency derivatives offering with the introduction of Bitcoin Euro and Ether Euro futures on August 29, pending regulatory review.
Designed to match their U.S. dollar-denominated counterparts, Bitcoin Euro and Ether Euro futures contracts will be sized at five bitcoin and 50 ether per contract. These new contracts will be cash-settled, based on the CME CF Bitcoin-Euro Reference Rate and CME CF Ether-Euro Reference Rate, which serve as once-a-day reference rates of the euro-denominated price of bitcoin and ether. These new futures contracts will be listed on and subject to the rules of CME.
Tim McCourt
“Ongoing uncertainty in cryptocurrency markets, along with the robust growth and deep liquidity of our existing Bitcoin and Ether futures, is creating increased demand for risk management solutions by institutional investors outside the U.S. Our Bitcoin Euro and Ether Euro futures contracts will provide clients with more precise tools to trade and hedge exposure to the two largest cryptocurrencies by market cap,”
said Tim McCourt, Global Head of Equity and FX Products, CME Group.


CME Group’s Cryptocurrency product suite continues to provide consistent liquidity, volume, and open interest for clients seeking to hedge their risk or gain exposure to the asset class. Q2 was a record quarter in terms of average daily open interest (106.2K contracts) and was the second highest quarter ever in terms of average daily volume (57.4K contracts) across all Cryptocurrency products. In addition, Ether futures achieved a record average daily volume of 6.6K contracts in Q2, up more than 27% versus Q1.
This article first appeared on fintechnews.am


Featured image credit: Edited from rawpixels
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/cme-group-to-launch-euro-denominated-bitcoin-and-ether-futures</link><guid>2771</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>CME Group to Launch Euro-Denominated Bitcoin and Ether Futures</dc:text></item><item><title>Meta: Digital Collectibles to Showcase NFTs on Instagram</title><description><![CDATA[Starting this week on Instagram, Meta is testing digital collectibles with select US creators and collectors to share NFTs that they have created or bought.
Meta/Instagram started with the international expansion to 100 countries in Africa, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and the Americas. Additionally, they now support wallet connections with the Coinbase Wallet and Dapper, as well as the ability to post digital collectibles minted on the Flow blockchain.



In order to post a digital collectible, all you need to do is connect your digital wallet to Instagram. As of today, they support connections with third-party wallets including Rainbow, MetaMask, Trust Wallet, Coinbase Wallet and Dapper Wallet coming soon. Supported blockchains at this time include Ethereum, Polygon and Flow. There are no fees associated with posting or sharing a digital collectible on Instagram.

This article first appeared on fintechnews.am

Featured image credit: Edited from rawpixels
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/meta-digital-collectibles-to-showcase-nfts-on-instagram</link><guid>2769</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Meta: Digital Collectibles to Showcase NFTs on Instagram</dc:text></item><item><title>Europe’s Forthcoming AI Act Will Have a Wide Reach and Broad Implications</title><description><![CDATA[Like the European Union (EU)’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) that entered into force in 2016, the upcoming Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act will have extraterritorial scope and global impact.
Considering the AI Act’s broad scope and the financial risks relating to non-compliance, businesses must prepare for these future regulatory changes now and proactively take the initiatives to comply with best practices early on, according to a new whitepaper by Swiss data services company Unit8.
The paper, titled Upcoming AI Regulation: What to expect and how to prepare, delves into the EU’s forthcoming AI Act, providing insights into the future development of AI regulation in Europe and the potential implications for organizations worldwide.


The European Commission (EC) unveiled a proposal for a legal framework on AI in April 2021, seeking to address risks of specifically created by AI applications, proposing a list of high risk applications, setting clear requirements for AI systems for high risk applications and defining specific obligations for AI users and providers of high risk applications.
The proposed rules also propose a conformity assessment method for AI systems, propose enforcement after an AI system is placed in the market, and propose a governance structure at European and national level.
The legislation, which is expected to be implemented within the next two years, will apply to AI systems used or placed in the EU market, irrespective of whether the providers are based within or outside the EU. Obligations and requirements will not only be addressed to providers of AI systems, but also to stakeholders that use those systems or that are part of the value chain, such as manufacturers, importers and distributors, showcasing the wide reach of the regulation.
The AI Act will be complex and demanding, requiring businesses to proactive start preparing for the new rules early on. In particular, firms should start building up the required competencies, and establish partnerships with domain experts to ensure legal compliance, Unit8 recommends.
One area worth exploring is to establish a strong AI governance framework that would ensure that one’s AI investments are compliant from the get-go and that teams have strong guiding principles to develop AI systems, Unit8 advises. This would reduce refactoring costs and foster more effective AI development, it says.
In addition to a robust AI framework, organizations should also implement an effective AI risk management framework and team up with the right partners to conduct independent assessments and reviews.
Remaining compliant with the AI Act will be crucial for businesses, especially when considering the hefty financial penalties organizations that fail to comply will be exposed to, Unit8 warns. Violations of data governance requirements or non-compliance with the bans related to AI systems posing an unacceptable risk will be fined up to EUR 30 million or 6% of global annual company revenue.
Non-compliance with other provisions will be fined up to EUR 20 million or 4% of global annual company revenue, while providing wrong or misleading information to authorities can lead to up to EUR 10 million in fines or 2% of global annual revenue.
AI regulation efforts accelerate
The EC’s AI Act is the first law on AI to be proposed by a major regulator. The legislation has already started making waves internationally. In September 2021, Brazil’s Congress approved the AI Bill, a legal framework for AI.
Should it be signed into law, the bill will establish principles, duties and guidelines for developing and applying AI in the country. The bill will also harmonize with other important Brazilian legislation, such as the Brazilian Data Protection Law and the Brazilian Consumer Protection Code.
Just two months ago, the Canadian government introduced Bill C-27, a continuation of the government’s initiative to reform federal private sector privacy law. One of the key new elements in Bill C-27 is the proposed AI and Data Act (AIDA), which aims to regulate the development and encourage the responsible use of AI in the country.
Meanwhile, progress in China has moved significantly faster. In March, a new regulation governing the way online recommendations are generated through algorithms went into effect. The policy mandates companies to inform users if an algorithm is being used to display certain information to them. Consumers must be able to opt out of being targeted if they want to.
Global adoption of AI has considerably increased over the past years. A 2022 study conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of IBM found that 35% of companies are now using AI, a four-point increase from the year before. 42% of companies indicated exploring AI.
Chinese and Indian companies were found to be the biggest adopters of AI, with nearly 60% of IT professionals in those countries saying their organization already actively uses AI, compared with lagging markets like South Korea (22%), Australia (24%) the US (25%), and the UK (26%).
AI adoption rates around the world, Source: IBM Global AI Adoption Index 2022

Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik and Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/europes-forthcoming-ai-act-will-have-a-wide-reach-and-broad-implications</link><guid>2770</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Europe’s Forthcoming AI Act Will Have a Wide Reach and Broad Implications</dc:text></item><item><title>Blackrock Ties up With Coinbase to Offer Its Clients Crypto Trading and Custody</title><description><![CDATA[Asset manager BlackRock has selected cryptocurrency exchange platform Coinbase to provide the institutional clients of Aladdin®, BlackRock’s end-to-end investment management platform, direct access to crypto starting with bitcoin.
Coinbase Prime will provide crypto trading, custody, prime brokerage, and reporting capabilities to Aladdin’s institutional client base who are also clients of Coinbase.
Built for institutions, Coinbase Prime integrates advanced agency trading, custody, prime financing, staking, and staking infrastructure, data, and reporting that supports the entire transaction lifecycle.


BlackRock and Coinbase will continue to progress the platform integration and will roll out functionality in phases to interested clients.
Access is available for institutions contracted with both Aladdin and Coinbase.
“Our institutional clients are increasingly interested in gaining exposure to digital asset markets and are focused on how to efficiently manage the operational lifecycle of these assets.

This connectivity with Aladdin will allow clients to manage their bitcoin exposures directly in their existing portfolio management and trading workflows for a whole portfolio view of risk across asset classes.”
said Joseph Chalom, Global Head of Strategic Ecosystem Partnerships at BlackRock.


Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/blackrock-ties-up-with-coinbase-to-offer-its-clients-crypto-trading-and-custody</link><guid>2767</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Reuters-Future-of-Insurance-Europe-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Blackrock Ties up With Coinbase to Offer Its Clients Crypto Trading and Custody</dc:text></item><item><title>Europe Leads in Climate Fintech Driven by Supportive Policies, Government Initiatives</title><description><![CDATA[Europe is rising to leadership in the field of climate fintech, a position evidenced by the region’s large community of startups leveraging technology to address both sustainability and finance needs.
This rise has been driven by a supportive policy context and the multitude of initiatives introduced by governments across the continent to foster innovation in green finance, a new report by Swiss fintech and insurtech startup incubator and accelerator F10 says.
The Climate Fintech Report 2022, released in June, sheds some light on the global climate fintech industry, identifying over 400 climate fintech startups globally. Of these, 229 are based in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), making the region the biggest climate fintech ecosystem in the world. EMEA leads North America, where 120 climate fintech companies are based, North America (120), Asia-Pacific (APAC) (43), and Latin America (six).


Regional numbers of climate fintechs, Source: Climate Fintech Report 2022, F10
Delving deeper into the geographical distribution of climate fintech startups, the research found that, although the US hosts the most climate fintech companies than any single country (108), Europe takes the cake from a regional volume perspective with the UK (57), Germany (30), Switzerland (29), France (23), Sweden (21), Spain (16), the Netherlands (13) and Denmark (eight) ranked among the world’s top ten largest climate fintech hubs.
Top countries by number of climate fintechs, Source: Climate Fintech Report 2022, F10
Europe’s burgeoning climate fintech ecosystem can in part be explained by the region’s more progressive top-down climate finance policy-making, the report says, with initiatives such as the European Green Deal, a set of policy initiatives approved in 2020 with the overarching aim of making the European Union (EU) climate neutral in 2050, as well as the implementation of implementation of the Sustainable Finance Disclosures Regulation (SFDR), which mandate climate disclosures by companies.
Switzerland’s climate fintech ecosystem
Ranked fourth globally in terms of total number of climate fintech companies, Switzerland is home to a thriving climate fintech space that’s been facilitated by supportive initiatives and promotion efforts by the government, the report says.
These initiatives include the establishment of the Green Fintech Network, set up in November 2020, and the subsequent release of the Green Fintech Action Plan in 2021. Most recently, the Federal Council launched a new system that measures the environmental impact of financial investments.
Currently, Switzerland’s climate fintech startup ecosystem comprises 29 companies, among which 12 that specialize in digital investment solutions. This makes digital investment solutions the most crowded segment in the Swiss climate fintech industry, followed by digital asset solutions (7), and environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) data and analytics (4). Digital payments and account solutions, digital deposit and lending, and digital risk analysis and insurtech rank last with two startups each.
Switzerland’s climate fintech startups, Source: Climate Fintech Report 2022, F10
Two Swiss climate fintech startups are highlighted in the report: Mympact, an app that uses open banking to help people track their CO2-footprint across accounts, and motivate them to reduce their environmental impact with tips, challenges and more; and Inyova, a platform that allows customers to invest their savings in a way that’s consistent with their values and lifestyle, focusing on themes like renewable energy, electromobility, medical technology, gender equality, human rights and more.
Climate fintech startups and funding trends
Globally, climate fintech remains a rather nascent industry, the report says, a state that’s evidenced by the prominence of seed and Series A funding rounds.
ESG data and analytics is the most advanced and represented segment, with 88 startups in the space out of the world’s 400+ climate fintech companies.
ESG data and analytics is followed by digital investment solutions (85), digital payment and account solutions (77), digital asset solutions (46), digital deposit and lending solutions (36), digital crowdfunding and syndication platforms (35), digital risk analysis and insurtech (30) and regulatory reporting (5).
Number of climate fintechs according to category, Source: Climate Fintech Report 2022, F10
Looking at funding trends, the report notes that investment into climate fintech reached a new record in 2021, amassing a total of EUR 1.4 billion. The amount represents more than half of all investment ever raised by the industry (EUR 2.7 billion).
So far, much of climate fintech funding has focused on startups in digital risk analytics and insurtech, which have raised a total of EUR 716 million so far. The category is followed by ESG data and analytics solutions (EUR 514 million), digital investment solutions (EUR 442 million) and digital payment and account solutions (EUR 427 million).
Total funding of climate fintechs per category, Source: Climate Fintech Report 2022, F10
Funding activity in 2022 so far suggests that the momentum will likely continue this year. In February, San Francisco-based Watershed closed one of the largest funding rounds in the space, according to Crunchbase, raising a US$70 million Series B funding round. Watershed operates a platform that helps companies like Stripe, Spotify, Klarna, and Airbnb, measure, reduce, and report their carbon emissions with real-time, audit-grade emissions data.
Just last month, Xpansiv, a global carbon and environmental exchange commodities platform, raised US$400 million from Blackstone. Xpansiv connects buyers and sellers of environmental commodities and provides market data for voluntary carbon offsets, renewable energy credits, and low-carbon fuels.

Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/europe-leads-in-climate-fintech-driven-by-supportive-policies-government-initiatives</link><guid>2766</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Sift-On-Demand-webinar.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Europe Leads in Climate Fintech Driven by Supportive Policies, Government Initiatives</dc:text></item><item><title>IDnow Secures New €60 Million Debt Facility by Blackrock</title><description><![CDATA[IDnow, a leading identity proofing and digital identity provider based in Munich, has successfully arranged a new debt facility from funds and accounts managed by BlackRock that provides up to €60 million in financing.
The debt facility will enable IDnow to leverage its existing market-leading identity platform. The company intends to use the capital to scale investments across a range of strategic initiatives including the introduction of new identity proofing solutions, continued geographic expansion, and potential acquisitions.
IDnow was founded in 2014 in Germany and offers a comprehensive suite of identity proofing solutions addressing a wide range of mission-critical use cases from low to high assurance levels. IDnow serves over 900 sector-leading enterprise customers across multiple verticals with coverage of 195 countries.


Andreas Bodczek
Andreas Bodczek, CEO of IDnow states:
“We are proud to have been able to raise financing to support IDnow’s business objectives to further grow the company. Securing this debt facility from BlackRock reflects their high confidence in the strength of our business. The funding comes at the perfect time for IDnow to continue driving our ambitious growth strategy and we look forward to working with BlackRock.”
Joe Lichtenberger
Joe Lichtenberger, CFO of IDnow added:
“This financing facility caps a string of commercial successes that continue to propel IDnow’s strong growth. The facility will allow us to continue investments in our growth areas. BlackRock is a great partner for IDnow going forward.”



Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/idnow-secures-new-60-million-debt-facility-by-blackrock</link><guid>2764</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Sift-On-Demand-webinar.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>IDnow Secures New €60 Million Debt Facility by Blackrock</dc:text></item><item><title>Spain’s Forthcoming Digital Nomad Visa Aims to Attract Remote Workers, Tech Entrepreneurs</title><description><![CDATA[Last year, the Spanish government approved a draft law aimed at encouraging the development of a thriving startup ecosystem. Better known as the Startups Law, the legislation seeks to make Spain one of the most attractive destinations for investment, talent, and innovative entrepreneurs.
Among the key propositions, the law aims to provide tax breaks, eliminate red tape and make procedures more flexible to encourage the creation of and investment in tech startups. It also includes critical initiatives to attract international experts and bring back Spanish talent, and encourage “digital nomads,” remote workers and entrepreneurs to settle in Spain.
Through a special visa scheme, foreigners working remotely and their close family members will be able to reside in Spain for five years, and be eligible for a special tax regime with lower rates, paying Non-Resident Income Tax. With the aim of drawing talent back to Spain, the general requirements for eligibility in this regime will be eased with the requirement for previous non-residence in Spain reduced from ten to five years.


image via Unsplash
Spain’s Startup Law hasn’t come into force yet, meaning that the so-called digital nomad visa scheme is still not up and running. But based on information garnered from the draft law by Telework Andalucia, a company that provides legal advice to remote workers and digital nomads in Andalusia, the following elements are amongst the key benefits and implications which can be expected from Spain’s forthcoming digital nomad visa:

Digital nomads who come to Spain to work for a local startup, work independently or are digital entrepreneurs will benefit from streamlined visa processing.
Specific visa schemes will be launched to cover different profiles. All will benefit from favorable taxation and a lower tax rate. The tax regime of the Non-Resident Income Tax will be applicable to managers and employees of startups, investors and digital nomads and will provide visa holders and their family members with the ability to access a special visa of up to five years.
Non-resident Spanish nationals and expatriates who have been abroad for more than five years will also be eligible for the digital nomad visa. The period of enjoyment for them will be extended from five to ten years, and their family members will be able to benefit from it.
Non-Resident Income Tax will be reduced from 25% to 15% during the first four years. It’s worth noting that anyone residing in Spain for more than 183 days are considered by the law as a resident, and are liable to pay tax on all the revenues they earn, regardless of where that money comes from. This means that there are risks of double taxation for nationals from countries which Spain hasn’t signed a double taxation agreement with.

Spain’s Startups Law is currently facing parliamentary processing, and is expected to come into force later this year.
Digital nomad visa schemes proliferate
Spain is following on the lead of other countries around the world that have recognized the need to change immigration laws to attract foreign talents and align with changing working standards.
Last year, Croatia introduced a digital nomad visa program that allows third-party nationals from countries outside of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, to stay in Croatia from six months up to a year. These remote workers are allowed to apply for a one-year residence permit after arrival, are not subject to income tax, but aren’t allowed to provide services to Croatian businesses during their stay in the country.
Malta, Cyprus and Greece are other EU countries that launched in 2021 special residency permits targeted at foreign remote workers. Malta’s Nomad Residence Permit enables holders to retain their current employment based in another country while legally residing in Malta for up to a year. Like in Croatia, they are exempted from income tax for a year. Cyprus’ Digital Nomad Visa Scheme Greece’s Digital Nomad Visa are similar programs that allow holders to reside legally in the country with their family members for up to a year, with a possibility of renewal for further two years.
Georgia, Iceland, Costa Rica and Dubai are other juridictions that provide arrangements for foreign remote workers.
Since Estonia introduced the first digital nomad visa back in 2020, at least 25 other countries and territories in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean have launched their own programs, according to a new report by the Migration Policy Institute, a trend that accelerated during COVID-19, amid travel restrictions, lost tourism revenues, and widespread adoption of remote work practices.

Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/spains-forthcoming-digital-nomad-visa-aims-to-attract-remote-workers-tech-entrepreneurs</link><guid>2762</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Sift-On-Demand-webinar.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Spain’s Forthcoming Digital Nomad Visa Aims to Attract Remote Workers, Tech Entrepreneurs</dc:text></item><item><title>Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa Aims to Attract Remote Workers, Tech Entrepreneurs</title><description><![CDATA[Last year, the Spanish government approved a draft law aimed at encouraging the development of a thriving startup ecosystem. Better known as the Startups Law, the legislation seeks to make Spain one of the most attractive destinations for investment, talent, and innovative entrepreneurs.
Among the key propositions, the law aims to provide tax breaks, eliminate red tape and make procedures more flexible to encourage the creation of and investment in tech startups. It also includes critical initiatives to attract international experts and bring back Spanish talent, and encourage “digital nomads,” remote workers and entrepreneurs to settle in Spain.
Through a special visa scheme, foreigners working remotely and their close family members will be able to reside in Spain for five years, and be eligible for a special tax regime with lower rates, paying Non-Resident Income Tax. With the aim of drawing talent back to Spain, the general requirements for eligibility in this regime will be eased with the requirement for previous non-residence in Spain reduced from ten to five years.


image via Unsplash
Spain’s Startup Law hasn’t come into force yet, meaning that the so-called digital nomad visa scheme is still not up and running. But based on information garnered from the draft law by Telework Andalucia, a company that provides legal advice to remote workers and digital nomads in Andalusia, the following elements are amongst the key benefits and implications which can be expected from Spain’s forthcoming digital nomad visa:

Digital nomads who come to Spain to work for a local startup, work independently or are digital entrepreneurs will benefit from streamlined visa processing.
Specific visa schemes will be launched to cover different profiles. All will benefit from favorable taxation and a lower tax rate. The tax regime of the Non-Resident Income Tax will be applicable to managers and employees of startups, investors and digital nomads and will provide visa holders and their family members with the ability to access a special visa of up to five years.
Non-resident Spanish nationals and expatriates who have been abroad for more than five years will also be eligible for the digital nomad visa. The period of enjoyment for them will be extended from five to ten years, and their family members will be able to benefit from it.
Non-Resident Income Tax will be reduced from 25% to 15% during the first four years. It’s worth noting that anyone residing in Spain for more than 183 days are considered by the law as a resident, and are liable to pay tax on all the revenues they earn, regardless of where that money comes from. This means that there are risks of double taxation for nationals from countries which Spain hasn’t signed a double taxation agreement with.

Spain’s Startups Law is currently facing parliamentary processing, and is expected to come into force later this year.
Digital nomad visa schemes proliferate
Spain is following on the lead of other countries around the world that have recognized the need to change immigration laws to attract foreign talents and align with changing working standards.
Last year, Croatia introduced a digital nomad visa program that allows third-party nationals from countries outside of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, to stay in Croatia from six months up to a year. These remote workers are allowed to apply for a one-year residence permit after arrival, are not subject to income tax, but aren’t allowed to provide services to Croatian businesses during their stay in the country.
Malta, Cyprus and Greece are other EU countries that launched in 2021 special residency permits targeted at foreign remote workers. Malta’s Nomad Residence Permit enables holders to retain their current employment based in another country while legally residing in Malta for up to a year. Like in Croatia, they are exempted from income tax for a year. Cyprus’ Digital Nomad Visa Scheme Greece’s Digital Nomad Visa are similar programs that allow holders to reside legally in the country with their family members for up to a year, with a possibility of renewal for further two years.
Georgia, Iceland, Costa Rica and Dubai are other juridictions that provide arrangements for foreign remote workers.
Since Estonia introduced the first digital nomad visa back in 2020, at least 25 other countries and territories in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean have launched their own programs, according to a new report by the Migration Policy Institute, a trend that accelerated during COVID-19, amid travel restrictions, lost tourism revenues, and widespread adoption of remote work practices.

Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/spains-digital-nomad-visa-aims-to-attract-remote-workers-tech-entrepreneurs</link><guid>2763</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Sift-On-Demand-webinar.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa Aims to Attract Remote Workers, Tech Entrepreneurs</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Blockchain-Insurtech Jarowa Raises CHF 12.4 Million Series A for Europe Expansion</title><description><![CDATA[JAROWA is a Swiss digital marketplace and transaction platform for insurance companies, property managers, and leasing companies to manage their trusted service providers and digital orders more efficiently. JAROWA has successfully closed its Series A funding round, led by Eos Venture Partners, a strategic venture capital fund focused on InsurTech. The proceeds will be used to further expand JAROWA’s offering throughout Europe.
Andreas Akeret
Andreas Akeret, JAROWA CEO, stated,
“After successfully implementing the standard of a digital vendor marketplace for B2B clients in our home market Switzerland, we have been able to enter Germany, the United Kingdom, and Italy, which underlines the demand for our services abroad. We are excited to further expand our business in Europe and are delighted to have Eos Venture Partners supporting us on this journey.”
Jarowa was founded in Zug, Switzerland in May 2017 and is a privately owned Swiss Tech company. The company offers insurance companies, property managers, and leasing companies access to a digital marketplace within the areas of mobility, property &amp; trades, healthcare, and legal advice. In case of damage, the claim is automatically assessed, and an appropriate and trusted service provider is selected and commissioned to handle the order. The settling of the claim is digitally processed end-to-end for all parties involved.


After reaching “market standard” status in its home market Switzerland, JAROWA successfully expanded into Germany, getting named by the German Handelsblatt as a potential future market leader in digitally connecting insurance companies with service providers. By the end of 2021, the healthcare marketplace was launched in the United Kingdom, followed by the entry into the Italian market in mid-2022. JAROWA is proud to count on an already large number of leading insurances, property managers and leasing companies as their valued clients.
To build on this success, JAROWA will expand further in Europe and the funding of CHF 12.4 million will be used to support this growth. In addition, more than CHF 3 million in secondary shares were placed with new investors in connection with the transaction. Eos Venture Partners, a leading venture capital fund within InsurTech, has led the round. The investors in the round also include moyreal holding AG together with Helvetic Trust AG and an entrepreneurial family office based in Zurich.
Carl Bauer-Schlichtegroll
“The claim process is at the heart of every insurance company; it is critical for the industry as well as for the end-user who is depending on a smooth and quick claim handling. We are delighted to work with this great team and help bring their business to the next level. It is ever more important, especially in today’s challenging times, to reduce costs, increase customer satisfaction, secure best claims servicing standards, and beat inflation,”
explains Carl Bauer-Schlichtegroll, General Partner at Eos Venture Partners.
Lilja Capital Advisory Partners acted as financial advisor to JAROWA in connection with the transaction.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-blockchain-insurtech-jarowa-raises-chf-124-million-series-a-for-europe-expansion</link><guid>2757</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Sift-On-Demand-webinar.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Blockchain-Insurtech Jarowa Raises CHF 12.4 Million Series A for Europe Expansion</dc:text></item><item><title>Nexi Partners With Microsoft to Drive the Digitalization of The European Payments Space</title><description><![CDATA[Nexi announced yesterday a strategic collaboration with Microsoft aimed at innovating digital payments solutions and helping digitalization of SMEs, Corporates, Public Administrations and Financial Institutions across multiple European markets through vertical value-added solutions to respond to specific needs as easy to adopt one-stop-to-digital packages for small businesses, secure scalable payment cloud-based infrastructures for public entities to serve citizens, for corporates to optimize payment and cash operations and for financial companies to leverage new digital nativescenarios for their customers.
As a result of the agreement, Nexi has been selected as one of the main payment providers for e-commerce acceptance in Italy, Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Nexi and Microsoft will collaborate to embed Nexi payments solutions with Microsoft Cloud services and solutions.
Nexi will leverage Microsoft Azure Cloud solutions to accelerate the transformation of its own platforms and to bring further innovation agility into the IT Infrastructure, leveraging the Data Center Modernization and Consolidation scenarios.


Both companies are willing to closely collaborate on driving wide market adoption of joint solutions and to co-create new products that leverage respective areas of expertise.
Paolo Bertoluzzo
“The strategic partnership with Microsoft demonstrates the power of combining deeply local payments expertise with European scale”
says Paolo Bertoluzzo, CEO of Nexi Group
“We are proud to help a global player such as Microsoft to increase local reach in strategic markets with our digital payment solutions. It is a concrete proof of our unique ability to bring together European scale, best-in-class solutions and deep local expertise. We expect our joint investment in this partnership will accelerate the digitization of payments in Europe and our own cloud transformation, but more importantly, together we will enable innovative solutions, increased agility and superior efficiency for SMEs, Corporates, Public Administration and Financial Institutions. Furthermore, it will allow Nexi to accelerate the integration of payment capabilities into software platforms to become the “preferred payment partner” for ISVs, also leveraging Azure capabilities”.
Ralph Haupter
“Digital payment innovation enables simpler, more frictionless experiences for customers -benefitting financial institutions, companies and consumers. Nexi will leverage the Microsoft secure cloud infrastructure and partner ecosystem to extend its digital payment solutions to European markets. In addition to the benefits this will bring to end users, I see the potential for this expansion to fuel innovation in the broader industry, creating new opportunities for ISVs and startups. Microsoft will also benefit from the Nexi capabilities and solutions for our own e-commerce in several European markets,”
says Ralph Haupter, President Microsoft EMEA
Key points of the collaboration

Microsoft has been selected by Nexi as preferred cloud provider with its Azure Cloud Services and solutions for Nexi platforms and data centers transformation journey. Microsoft unique capabilities will help Nexi in further improving both innovation agility and efficiency, while maintaining best-in-class service levels, cybersecurity and data protection standards. Nexi will leverage the Italy North datacenter region cloud services when available in the future.
Nexi has been selected by Microsoft as one of its main payment providers for the online business in core European markets. The PayTech’s digital PSP and collection solutions will be integrated with the digital properties of Microsoft, focusing at the start on four European countries (Italy, Denmark, Sweden and Norway) with future expansion options into other markets. This will allow Microsoft to fully take advantage of Nexi unique combination of European scale and extensive local expertise.
Nexi and Microsoft intend to collaborate on payments capabilities integration into Microsoft solutions and on joint go-to-market on Independent Software Vendors (ISV) to land vertical scenarios and relevant use cases for companies and entities in the markets of interests. Microsoft is willing to explore the integration of Nexi payment APIs on Microsoft products and services, directly or indirectly through Microsoft Cloud services and/or Marketplaces. The two companies intend to launch a joint proposition for ISVs, Software Companies and Startups, focusing in a first phase on Italian market, and over time extending the approach to other European markets. The partnership is aiming also to focus on a close collaboration in joint marketing and communication initiatives bringing value-added services and ISV solutions to the SME segment in onestop-to digital approach, including partner evangelization activities, developer trainings and dedicated support to facilitate development and adoption of digital transformation opportunities, accelerating sustainable growth.
Microsoft and Nexi are willing to collaborate to co-create new joint services and solutions, including propositions for both SMEs and Corporates, integrating Nexi solutions within Microsoft Cloud services and solutions.


Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/nexi-partners-with-microsoft-to-drive-the-digitalization-of-the-european-payments-space</link><guid>2758</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Sift-On-Demand-webinar.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Nexi Partners With Microsoft to Drive the Digitalization of The European Payments Space</dc:text></item><item><title>Nexi Partners Microsoft to Drive Digitalization of The European Payments Space</title><description><![CDATA[Nexi announced yesterday a strategic collaboration with Microsoft aimed at innovating digital payments solutions and helping digitalization of SMEs, Corporates, Public Administrations and Financial Institutions across multiple European markets through vertical value-added solutions to respond to specific needs as easy to adopt one-stop-to-digital packages for small businesses, secure scalable payment cloud-based infrastructures for public entities to serve citizens, for corporates to optimize payment and cash operations and for financial companies to leverage new digital nativescenarios for their customers.
As a result of the agreement, Nexi has been selected as one of the main payment providers for e-commerce acceptance in Italy, Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Nexi and Microsoft will collaborate to embed Nexi payments solutions with Microsoft Cloud services and solutions.
Nexi will leverage Microsoft Azure Cloud solutions to accelerate the transformation of its own platforms and to bring further innovation agility into the IT Infrastructure, leveraging the Data Center Modernization and Consolidation scenarios.


Both companies are willing to closely collaborate on driving wide market adoption of joint solutions and to co-create new products that leverage respective areas of expertise.
Paolo Bertoluzzo
“The strategic partnership with Microsoft demonstrates the power of combining deeply local payments expertise with European scale”
says Paolo Bertoluzzo, CEO of Nexi Group
“We are proud to help a global player such as Microsoft to increase local reach in strategic markets with our digital payment solutions. It is a concrete proof of our unique ability to bring together European scale, best-in-class solutions and deep local expertise. We expect our joint investment in this partnership will accelerate the digitization of payments in Europe and our own cloud transformation, but more importantly, together we will enable innovative solutions, increased agility and superior efficiency for SMEs, Corporates, Public Administration and Financial Institutions. Furthermore, it will allow Nexi to accelerate the integration of payment capabilities into software platforms to become the “preferred payment partner” for ISVs, also leveraging Azure capabilities”.
Ralph Haupter
“Digital payment innovation enables simpler, more frictionless experiences for customers -benefitting financial institutions, companies and consumers. Nexi will leverage the Microsoft secure cloud infrastructure and partner ecosystem to extend its digital payment solutions to European markets. In addition to the benefits this will bring to end users, I see the potential for this expansion to fuel innovation in the broader industry, creating new opportunities for ISVs and startups. Microsoft will also benefit from the Nexi capabilities and solutions for our own e-commerce in several European markets,”
says Ralph Haupter, President Microsoft EMEA
Key points of the collaboration

Microsoft has been selected by Nexi as preferred cloud provider with its Azure Cloud Services and solutions for Nexi platforms and data centers transformation journey. Microsoft unique capabilities will help Nexi in further improving both innovation agility and efficiency, while maintaining best-in-class service levels, cybersecurity and data protection standards. Nexi will leverage the Italy North datacenter region cloud services when available in the future.
Nexi has been selected by Microsoft as one of its main payment providers for the online business in core European markets. The PayTech’s digital PSP and collection solutions will be integrated with the digital properties of Microsoft, focusing at the start on four European countries (Italy, Denmark, Sweden and Norway) with future expansion options into other markets. This will allow Microsoft to fully take advantage of Nexi unique combination of European scale and extensive local expertise.
Nexi and Microsoft intend to collaborate on payments capabilities integration into Microsoft solutions and on joint go-to-market on Independent Software Vendors (ISV) to land vertical scenarios and relevant use cases for companies and entities in the markets of interests. Microsoft is willing to explore the integration of Nexi payment APIs on Microsoft products and services, directly or indirectly through Microsoft Cloud services and/or Marketplaces. The two companies intend to launch a joint proposition for ISVs, Software Companies and Startups, focusing in a first phase on Italian market, and over time extending the approach to other European markets. The partnership is aiming also to focus on a close collaboration in joint marketing and communication initiatives bringing value-added services and ISV solutions to the SME segment in onestop-to digital approach, including partner evangelization activities, developer trainings and dedicated support to facilitate development and adoption of digital transformation opportunities, accelerating sustainable growth.
Microsoft and Nexi are willing to collaborate to co-create new joint services and solutions, including propositions for both SMEs and Corporates, integrating Nexi solutions within Microsoft Cloud services and solutions.


Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/nexi-partners-microsoft-to-drive-digitalization-of-the-european-payments-space</link><guid>2760</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Sift-On-Demand-webinar.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Nexi Partners Microsoft to Drive Digitalization of The European Payments Space</dc:text></item><item><title>Kickstart Selects 12 Fintech and Insurtech Startups, 2 of them are Swiss</title><description><![CDATA[In its 7th year Kickstart is one of the largest European Innovation Platforms, bridging the gap between startups, corporations, cities, foundations and universities to accelerate partnerships and deep tech innovation. Since 2015, Kickstart has supported over 400 startups and facilitated over 200 deals in the form of pilots and commercial projects coming from over 80 countries, raising more than CHF 2 billion in investments so far including Planted, Huma, Labster and others.
Kickstart supports partners in identifying key topics and opportunities for open innovation. A select number of the best national and international startups and scaleups are chosen each year to participate in a 10-week program to facilitate collaborative innovation partnerships and commercial deals to co-create in the form of Proof-of-Concepts, pilots and commercial projects with Kickstart partners, leading organizations and companies such as AXA, Coop, Swisscom, La Mobilière, PostFinance, Sanitas, The City of Zurich, Canton de Vaud, Credit Suisse, Galenica, CSS Insurance and others.
Later-stage startups in the Finance and Insurance vertical that are paving the way to a more sustainable future for corporates and SMEs alike include Doconomy from Sweden, a world-leading provider of applied environmental impact solutions who empower individuals and corporations to take responsibility for their environmental footprint, as well as German scaleup The Climate Choice; a software platform for decarbonising supply chains. To tackle the underleveraged market potential of €7.8B due to women saving instead of investing, Finmarie from Germany is joining the program this year to improve the lives of millions of women across Europe and help them get on the path to financial independence.


It is cited that 50% of the world’s population lives in cities today, which is predicted to increase to 68% by 2050. This results in over usage of infrastructure, leading to sustainability issues and major challenges ahead. Out of 10 startups joining Kickstart’s Smart Cities cohort this year, 9 are working towards a more circular economy. These include LEDCity, a Swiss cleantech startup developing an intelligent plug-and-play lighting system which can reduce 90% of the energy consumption compared to conventional systems, as well as UK-based Naked Energy who are innovating in the field of solar collectors to produce a solar energy technology with one of the world’s highest energy densities installed.
With an estimated 1 billion people needing to be retrained by 2030 due to the increase in automated tasks and creation of upwards of 133 million new roles, we are looking forward to introducing startups such as US-based SkyHive and Austrian-born Leadbacker to our New Work and Learning vertical. SkyHive uses real-time data and skill-based analysis to help people see beyond a traditional job title, and Leadbacker is one of the leading AI-powered people development platforms.
All 6 startups joining the Food &amp; Retail vertical this year are working towards a more circular economy. A big trend this year is on sustainable packaging; both in terms of material and supply chain, which is promising due to the food industry being the largest manufacturing industry in the EU. PlasticFri, a GreenTech company from Sweden is using breakthrough technology to turn agricultural waste to eco-friendly products for replacing plastics, whereas Austrian-born Supaso produces sustainable insulation packaging made from recycled waste paper for the shipping of temperature-sensitive goods. Kickstart is also welcoming Swiss vegan creamery New Roots, who is developing, producing and selling ethical, sustainable and healthy alternatives to cheese and other dairy products based on 100% plant-based, organic ingredients.
The digitization of health is mandatory to provide access to personalized and connected care. Startups joining the Health &amp; Wellbeing vertical this year include medicalmotion, a German deep-tech startup that provides the world’s most personalized and cause-oriented AI-driven multimodal platform to finally combat body pain at its core, as well as TOM, the first fully anonymous therapy solution from Switzerland providing valuable features for tracking medication and empowering patients to improve their medication competence.
Katka Letzing
“We are pleased that more and more startups have sustainability clearly at the core of their developments,”
adds Katka Letzing, CEO and co-founder of Kickstart Innovation.
“We received applications from 58 countries this year with not only strong focus on potential proof of concepts and commercial deals, but also on strategic investment opportunities which increased significantly from last year, which is all supporting innovation strength in Switzerland and Austria.”
Participants go through a stringent shortlisting process that includes alignment workshops, a partner safari and pitch invitation with the corporates and ecosystem experts in the jury. This year, over 170 judges were involved in the final selection of this cohort, with circular Economy and sustainability at the forefront of the decision-making process.
The 12 Fintech and Insurtech Startups are:
Finance &amp; Insurance

Bsurance(Austria)


Boomerang Ideas (Switzerland)


CyberSmart (UK)


Doconomy (Sweden)


Finmarie (Germany)


Klimate (Denmark)


Monkee (Austria)


Surfly (Netherlands)


The Climate Choice (Germany)


Typewise (Switzerland)


Unique (Switzerland)


]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/kickstart-selects-12-fintech-and-insurtech-startups-2-of-them-are-swiss</link><guid>2759</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Sift-On-Demand-webinar.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Kickstart Selects 12 Fintech and Insurtech Startups, 2 of them are Swiss</dc:text></item><item><title>Kickstart Selects 12 Fintech and Insurtech Startups, 4 of them are Swiss</title><description><![CDATA[In its 7th year Kickstart is one of the largest European Innovation Platforms, bridging the gap between startups, corporations, cities, foundations and universities to accelerate partnerships and deep tech innovation. Since 2015, Kickstart has supported over 400 startups and facilitated over 200 deals in the form of pilots and commercial projects coming from over 80 countries, raising more than CHF 2 billion in investments so far including Planted, Huma, Labster and others.
Kickstart supports partners in identifying key topics and opportunities for open innovation. A select number of the best national and international startups and scaleups are chosen each year to participate in a 10-week program to facilitate collaborative innovation partnerships and commercial deals to co-create in the form of Proof-of-Concepts, pilots and commercial projects with Kickstart partners, leading organizations and companies such as AXA, Coop, Swisscom, La Mobilière, PostFinance, Sanitas, The City of Zurich, Canton de Vaud, Credit Suisse, Galenica, CSS Insurance and others.
Later-stage startups in the Finance and Insurance vertical that are paving the way to a more sustainable future for corporates and SMEs alike include Doconomy from Sweden, a world-leading provider of applied environmental impact solutions who empower individuals and corporations to take responsibility for their environmental footprint, as well as German scaleup The Climate Choice; a software platform for decarbonising supply chains. To tackle the underleveraged market potential of €7.8B due to women saving instead of investing, Finmarie from Germany is joining the program this year to improve the lives of millions of women across Europe and help them get on the path to financial independence.


It is cited that 50% of the world’s population lives in cities today, which is predicted to increase to 68% by 2050. This results in over usage of infrastructure, leading to sustainability issues and major challenges ahead. Out of 10 startups joining Kickstart’s Smart Cities cohort this year, 9 are working towards a more circular economy. These include LEDCity, a Swiss cleantech startup developing an intelligent plug-and-play lighting system which can reduce 90% of the energy consumption compared to conventional systems, as well as UK-based Naked Energy who are innovating in the field of solar collectors to produce a solar energy technology with one of the world’s highest energy densities installed.
With an estimated 1 billion people needing to be retrained by 2030 due to the increase in automated tasks and creation of upwards of 133 million new roles, we are looking forward to introducing startups such as US-based SkyHive and Austrian-born Leadbacker to our New Work and Learning vertical. SkyHive uses real-time data and skill-based analysis to help people see beyond a traditional job title, and Leadbacker is one of the leading AI-powered people development platforms.
All 6 startups joining the Food &amp; Retail vertical this year are working towards a more circular economy. A big trend this year is on sustainable packaging; both in terms of material and supply chain, which is promising due to the food industry being the largest manufacturing industry in the EU. PlasticFri, a GreenTech company from Sweden is using breakthrough technology to turn agricultural waste to eco-friendly products for replacing plastics, whereas Austrian-born Supaso produces sustainable insulation packaging made from recycled waste paper for the shipping of temperature-sensitive goods. Kickstart is also welcoming Swiss vegan creamery New Roots, who is developing, producing and selling ethical, sustainable and healthy alternatives to cheese and other dairy products based on 100% plant-based, organic ingredients.
The digitization of health is mandatory to provide access to personalized and connected care. Startups joining the Health &amp; Wellbeing vertical this year include medicalmotion, a German deep-tech startup that provides the world’s most personalized and cause-oriented AI-driven multimodal platform to finally combat body pain at its core, as well as TOM, the first fully anonymous therapy solution from Switzerland providing valuable features for tracking medication and empowering patients to improve their medication competence.
Katka Letzing
“We are pleased that more and more startups have sustainability clearly at the core of their developments,”
adds Katka Letzing, CEO and co-founder of Kickstart Innovation.
“We received applications from 58 countries this year with not only strong focus on potential proof of concepts and commercial deals, but also on strategic investment opportunities which increased significantly from last year, which is all supporting innovation strength in Switzerland and Austria.”
Participants go through a stringent shortlisting process that includes alignment workshops, a partner safari and pitch invitation with the corporates and ecosystem experts in the jury. This year, over 170 judges were involved in the final selection of this cohort, with circular Economy and sustainability at the forefront of the decision-making process.
The 12 Fintech and Insurtech Startups are:
Finance &amp; Insurance

Bsurance(Austria)


Boomerang Ideas (Switzerland)


CyberSmart (UK)


Doconomy (Sweden)


Finmarie (Germany)


Klimate (Denmark)


Monkee (Austria)


Surfly (Netherlands)


The Climate Choice (Germany)


Typewise (Switzerland)


Unique (Switzerland)


]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/kickstart-selects-12-fintech-and-insurtech-startups-4-of-them-are-swiss</link><guid>2761</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Sift-On-Demand-webinar.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Kickstart Selects 12 Fintech and Insurtech Startups, 4 of them are Swiss</dc:text></item><item><title>Rakuten Viber Selects Rapyd as Payments Partner to Roll Out Viber Pay</title><description><![CDATA[Rakuten Viber, a cross-platform voice over IP and instant messaging software application owned by Japanese multinational company Rakuten, has partnered with global fintech platform Rapyd to launch Viber Pay.
This will allow for in-app payment transactions to the Viber app for its millions of users.
As Rakuten Viber’s first official payments partner, Rapyd will integrate its licensed financial technology offerings directly into the Viber app.


Users will be able to store money in a mobile wallet with an IBAN, available in the Viber app which will allow them to send and receive money instantly and securely with no fees.
First opening the service with Euros, Viber will later expand to include multiple currencies and additional services.
Payments in Viber will initially begin in Greece and Germany and will roll out to more countries in the near future.
Arik Shtilman
“We’re proud to provide the infrastructure and licensing for global companies like Rakuten Viber, one of the world’s most trusted and recognized messaging and communications platforms, to develop their own financial services without them having to build the foundation from scratch.

Through this partnership, Rakuten Viber can confidently step into the world of payments and become a leader in embedded finance, supported by Rapyd’s licensed end-to-end fintech offerings.”
said Arik Shtilman, CEO of Rapyd.
Ofir Eyal
“There was no doubt our in-app payment offerings would have to feature the world-class security and privacy protection that the Viber app is already known for.

For this reason we’re thrilled to have Rapyd, a trusted leader building the future of global finance, to serve as the licensed cross-border payments solution enabling us to bring safe and simple instant payments features to Viber users across borders.”
said Ofir Eyal, CEO of Rakuten Viber.

Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/rakuten-viber-selects-rapyd-as-payments-partner-to-roll-out-viber-pay</link><guid>2756</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Sift-On-Demand-webinar.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Rakuten Viber Selects Rapyd as Payments Partner to Roll Out Viber Pay</dc:text></item><item><title>Ageras Buying German Neo-Bank for Freelancers Kontist</title><description><![CDATA[Denmark based Ageras Group announced that it has acquired Kontist, a Berlin-based neo-bank focused on the complex accounting and banking needs of Germany’s growing populations of microbusinesses and self-employed workers.
Rico Andersen
“This acquisition is a critical step in Ageras’ growth,”
said Ageras Co-founder and CEO Rico Andersen.
“Kontist has created the best product in Europe’s largest market. It’s a one-stop financial shop for approximately 50,000 German small business owners today, and it’s perfectly positioned to become the go-to financial platform for future generations of small business owners in need of modern banking and accounting tools.”
Founded in 2016 by fintech veteran Christopher Plantener as Germany’s first neo-bank focused on freelancers and the self-employed, 150-person Kontist has developed a reputation for its modern business banking and its highly sophisticated digital tax and accounting software.


Kontist offers self-employed and microbusiness owners bank accounts, payment cards and accounting features, as well as tax returns calculation and filing, all via its app. Also, Kontist’s bank accounts automatically calculate relevant sales and income taxes and set aside estimated taxes due, among other services designed to protect business owners amid Germany’s uniquely complex tax laws.
Benjamin Esser
“Under Ageras, we will be able to benefit from an international accounting &amp; financial ecosystem and continue to foster our position as the number one financial services and tax player for the self-employed,”
said Kontist Co-CEO Benjamin Esser.
“With annual growth rates of nearly 100% over the past few years, we have only scratched the surface of what is a tremendous opportunity.”
Post-acquisition, Ageras’ run-rate revenue will rise approx. 40% and climb closer to the company’s milestone of €30 million annually. Kontist’s employees will join Ageras’ 200, bringing its total headcount to 350 employees based in Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, the US, Finland and Poland. Kontist Founder and Co-CEO Christopher Plantener will continue working for Kontist under Ageras.
Kontist is the third acquisition made by Ageras in the last 12 months. Part of Ageras’ aggressive expansion strategy, the fintech startup with roots in Copenhagen has raised more than $100 million in a series of funding rounds since early 2021. After first launching as a marketplace for small business owners to find accountants in Denmark in 2012, Ageras has expanded far beyond into a suite of fintech tools for freelancers and microbusiness owners. Something like a financial “cockpit” for small businesses, Ageras’ products—Salary, Zervant, Billy—offer payroll, invoice and accounting software services in Europe and North America.
“Our acquisition is an investment in the future of work,”
said Ageras Group Co-founder and CEO Rico Andersen.
“Kontist’s founders understood when they created the company that old banks and accounting software no longer work in a Germany where there are millions of microbusinesses. And as more Germans choose to become self employed, no company is better positioned to become their bank of choice than Kontist. And we see major future growth opportunities and immediate benefits for Ageras’ current customers who will get expanded access to Kontist’s sophisticated German tax software.”
Andersen added:
“Buying Kontist not only gives us the strongest product in Germany but also fits into our long-term plan. Our strategic focus remains combining accounting and admin with financial services–which is what Kontist has perfected. We will leverage Kontist’s technology to help us accelerate our services to self-employed and microbusiness owners across a dozen other markets in Europe and North America.”

This article first appeared on Fintechnordics.com


Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ageras-buying-german-neo-bank-for-freelancers-kontist</link><guid>2753</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Sift-On-Demand-webinar.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Ageras Buying German Neo-Bank for Freelancers Kontist</dc:text></item><item><title>Institutional Crypto Lender CLST Raises Seed Funding From Spartan Group, TX Ventures</title><description><![CDATA[CLST, an institutional-only lending and borrowing venue for stablecoins and crypto assets, announced that it has successfully closed an oversubscribed seed round for an undisclosed sum.
The funding round was led by Spartan Group and also included the Tier 1 investors Coinbase Ventures, Kraken Ventures, GSR, Menai Financial Group, Luno Expeditions, and TX Ventures – the VC investment arm of TX Group.
With the new funding, CLST said that it will bolster its peer-to-peer infrastructure through increased operational and market expansion.


CLST offers institutions safe exposure to the growing, global digital asset marketplace via the borrow and lend proces.
As a one-stop-shop for peer-to-peer lending, CLST attracts digital asset lenders and borrowers such as hedge funds, trading firms, treasuries, market makers, and crypto banks seeking automated digital asset collateral management features.
With more than 30 institutions participating in the network after soft launching earlier this year, CLST is going live with a wide market version of the application later this year.
Michael Guzik
Michael Guzik, Founder and CEO of CLST said, f
“CLST sits at the nexus of the crypto asset short-term debt market and traditional financial market.

In tandem with our world class investors and partners, we are establishing a market for stablecoins, digital assets, fiat, and beyond – the ‘new money’.”
Krzysztof Bialkowski
Krzysztof Bialkowski, Investment Director at TX Ventures said,
“We are excited to add CLST, an innovative crypto lending company, to our fintech portfolio and to support the team in their growth journey going forward. The recent developments in the market have shown the urgent need for further professionalization and structuring in this highly attractive segment.

CLST has showcased strong initial traction and is well positioned to create value in the crypto market. We therefore strongly believe that the CLST team will succeed in becoming a game changer in the institutional crypto lending ecosystem.”
TX Ventures had also recently led Stableton Financial’s CHF 15 million Series A funding round earlier this month.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/institutional-crypto-lender-clst-raises-seed-funding-from-spartan-group-tx-ventures</link><guid>2754</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Sift-On-Demand-webinar.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Institutional Crypto Lender CLST Raises Seed Funding From Spartan Group, TX Ventures</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Proptechs Embrace Ecosystem Business Models</title><description><![CDATA[In Switzerland, proptech companies and their partners are embracing ecosystem business models, believing that open, multilateral cooperation arrangements will allow them to improve the impact of their products and allow them to generate more revenue, a new study by Credit Suisse found.
Credit Suisse’s annual Swiss Proptech Report, released on June 21, 2022, looks at the state of the domestic proptech industry, sharing findings of a survey of the sector’s players on their ambitions and market sentiment to get a sense of their current priorities and challenges.
The report puts a focus on the rise of ecosystems, arguing that Swiss proptech companies are actively pursuing this form of collaboration, following on trends observed in other countries and industries. Multilateral forms of cooperation in the real estate sector are gaining traction in Germany, the report points out, and the trend is projected to generate revenues approaching US$3.8 trillion globally by 2025, McKinsey estimates.


These developments are among the driving forces that have contributed to the Swiss proptech market’s adoption of ecosystem business models. In 2021, almost 70% of the proptech companies polled by Credit Suisse cited “establishing an ecosystem” as one of the key drivers of cooperation, showcasing that building up extensive ecosystems have become a critical strategic priority for Swiss proptech companies.
Drivers of collaboration with Swiss proptechs, Source: Credit Suisse
The concept of ecosystems has been around for decades, but it only started becoming popular in the real estate market over the last couple years, the report notes.
This evolution is evidenced by the surge in the usage of the term “ecosystem” in annual reports from the fields of real estate, banking and insurance. In 2017, “ecosystem” appeared in less than half of the annual reports studied, a figure that surged to 80% in 2021, an analysis by Credit Suisse found.
This shows that ecosystems are becoming a trend among both proptech startups and their partners, the bank says.
Frequency of the term “ecosystem” in annual reports, Source: Credit Suisse
In 2022, the Credit Suisse survey found that although not all proptech companies are part of an ecosystem, they all aspire to be in one in the long run. Of the proptech companies polled, 46% of respondents said that they already belong to an established ecosystem, while an additional 26% are part of an emerging ecosystem. Meanwhile, some 28% of proptechs plan to be part of an ecosystem in future.
Proptechs as part of an ecosystem, Source: Credit Suisse
Swiss proptech ecosystems
Credit Suisse has identified at least 14 proptech ecosystems in the country. These were established by both incumbent firms like insurers Swiss Life and Baloise, and banking groups UBS and Raffeisen, as well as younger tech-enabled ventures like Allthings Technologies and Flatfox.
Basel-headquartered Allthings Technologies operates a tenant management platform designed to simplify and enhance the communication between owners, property managers and residents. The platform also integrates with third-party services, enabling clients and users to connect through a digital ecosystem of nearly 50 service providers.
Flatfox, a company founded in 2012 and based in Zurich, provides a digital real estate marketplace for private and business customers. For corporate customers such as property management companies, Flatfox also offers software that digitalizes the whole process of renting an apartment, and further provides services such as scheduling flat viewings, filling out forms and keeping track of all potential tenants or available apartments. Flatfox’ clients and partners include Adimmo, Allianz, Helvetia, Steinauer Immobilien, and Viva Real.
Proptech startup Houzy is developing a comprehensive platform for homeowners in Switzerland. The company offers an open ecosystem that integrates user-friendly online tools such as the property valuation, the renewal fund calculator and the plant manager and brings homeowners and craftsmen together with one click. Its network counts over 700 partners of qualified craftsmen and realtors.
UBS and Baloise, meanwhile, have joined hands to develop the Home &amp; Living ecosystem, combining their capabilities and platforms, including UBS’ mortgage brokerage platforms Atrium and key4, and Baloise’s Home initiatives, to address property owners’ needs regarding financing, insurance and maintenance.
Similarly, Mobiliar and Raiffeisen are collaborating on Liiva, a platform that allows users to manage all matters and needs relating to home ownership from search to sale. Liiva aims to cover the entire life cycle of home ownership and support homeowners throughout their search for, purchase, maintenance and sale of a home.
Overview of Swiss real estate ecosystems, Source: Credit Suisse

Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash and Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-proptechs-embrace-ecosystem-business-models</link><guid>2755</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Sift-On-Demand-webinar.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Proptechs Embrace Ecosystem Business Models</dc:text></item><item><title>Krypto-Broker Coinpanion kooperiert mit Checkout.com</title><description><![CDATA[Das Österreichische Fintech-Unternehmen Coinpanion hat sich zur Abwicklung seiner Paymentprozesse für die Zusammenarbeit mit dem internationalen Zahlungsdienstleister Checkout.com entschieden.
Durch die Zusammenarbeit mit Checkout.com kann der Kryptobroker seinen Anleger:innen nun zahlreiche Optionen für Ein- und Auszahlungen anbieten, von Kartenzahlungen über Google und Apple Pay bis hin zu Wallet-Transaktionen. Das seit 2020 im österreichischen Markt erfolgreiche Fintech-Startup konnte im Herbst letzten Jahres weitere hochkarätige Investor:innen für seine Geschäftsidee gewinnen. Coinpanion ist als europäisches Unternehmen registriert und unterliegt allen dort geltenden Vorschriften.
Alexander Valtingojer
Vor der Zusammenarbeit mit Checkout.com war Coinpanion Gründer und CEO Alexander Valtingojer bereits länger auf der Suche nach einem geeigneten Payment-Partner:


„Ein schnellwachsendes, sehr innovatives Unternehmen wie unseres stößt bei herkömmlichen Zahlungsanbietern häufig auf Hindernisse. Diese sind nicht in der Lage, das zu liefern, was wir brauchen, um als Kryptounternehmen zu wachsen. Wir haben uns deshalb für Checkout.com entschieden, weil sie uns engagierte Expertenteams, eine schnelle Integration und eine fortschrittliche cloudbasierte Zahlungsplattform bieten.“
Esteban Sadurni
„Coinpanion ist das beste Beispiel für eine neue Generation von Fintech-Unternehmen, die mit innovativen Dienstleistungen einen einfachen Einstieg in den Kryptomarkt ermöglichen. Für die Abwicklung von Kryptozahlungen ist Checkout.com perfekt aufgestellt. Mit unserer Infrastruktur und Expertise kann Coinpanion seine Kryptotransaktionen sauber und verlässlich abwickeln. Dafür bauen wir die Funktionen unserer Zahlungslösung für Sicherheit und Betrugserkennung kontinuierlich aus“,
erklärt Esteban Sadurni, Director of Crypto bei Checkout.com.
Krypto-ETFs als neue digitale Asset-Klasse für langfristiges Anlegen
Trotz der volatilen Kursbewegungen im Kryptomarkt wächst die Offenheit gegenüber der Nutzung von Kryptowährungen auf Verbraucherseite weiter an. Laut der neuesten Kryptostudie von Checkout.com sind bereits 46 Prozent der Deutschen im Besitz von Kryptowährungen. Dieser Trend zeigt sich auch im anhaltenden Erfolg des österreichischen Krypto-Brokers Coinpanion. Das Expertenteam um Valtingojer hat mit seiner Geschäftsidee das Investieren in Kryptowährungen für Einzelpersonen radikal vereinfacht: Über ihre Kryptoplattform können private Anleger:innen in ein Portfolio von Kryptowährungen investieren, das ganz auf ihre persönliche Risikotoleranz zugeschnitten ist.
Dafür hat Valtingojer mit seinem Team das Prinzip des klassischen Exchange Traded Funds [ETF]-Sparmodell auf den Kryptomarkt übertragen. Einzelinvestor:innen profitieren dadurch von dieser neuen Anlagekategorie, ohne sich selbst um die Details kümmern zu müssen – die gesamte technische Seite der Transaktionen übernimmt Coinpanion für sie. Über die Plattform können sie den Wert ihrer Investitionen kontinuierlich überwachen und sich ihre Investition bei Bedarf jederzeit auszahlen lassen. Als in der europäischen Region ansässiges Unternehmen arbeitet Coinpanion auch mit regulierten Bafin-Banken zusammen.
Transparente Preisgestaltung und unkomplizierte Zusammenarbeit
Für Valtingojer ist die Zusammenarbeit mit einem anerkannten Payment-Anbieter wie Checkout.com ein wichtiger Baustein, um das Vertrauen von Anleger:innen in Coinpanion zu festigen: „Der unkomplizierte Kontaktprozess in Kombination mit der transparenten Preisgestaltung im E-Commerce hat uns sofort vom Wert dieser Partnerschaft überzeugt. Wir können den Kundensupport sogar per WhatsApp kontaktieren – ohne E-Mail oder lange Wartezeiten. Bequemer geht es nicht mehr. Checkout.com ist genauso lösungsorientiert wie wir. Das ist für uns ein großer Pluspunkt.“ Auch die Integration der Payment-Lösung in die Krypto-Plattform über die Checkout.com-API wurde innerhalb von nur drei Tagen problemlos abgeschlossen.
Nahtlose Integration von Google, Apple Pay und Co.
Die Zusammenarbeit mit Checkout.com hat sich für Coinpanion bewährt: Mittlerweile sind bereits rund 50 Prozent der Kundentransaktionen klassische Kartenzahlungen. Mit Checkout.com können Anleger:innen jetzt auch direkt per Kreditkarte in ihre Kryptosparpläne einzahlen.
„Die Kombination aus fairen Preisen, Kunden- und technischem Support rund um die Uhr und die einfache Implementierung über die API hat uns überzeugt. Wir verfügen jetzt über eine breite Palette von Zahlungsoptionen, die durch einen einzigen Zahlungsdienstleister abgedeckt ist. Wir können jetzt sogar Google und Apple Pay oder das Online-Bezahlsystem Sofortüberweisung in unserer mobilen App ohne zusätzlichen Implementierungsaufwand anbieten.“
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/krypto-broker-coinpanion-kooperiert-mit-checkoutcom</link><guid>2751</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Sift-On-Demand-webinar.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Krypto-Broker Coinpanion kooperiert mit Checkout.com</dc:text></item><item><title>Fundof Launches Visa Debit Card for Content Creators Powered by Intergiro and Onfido</title><description><![CDATA[Fundof, an Italian platform that provides smart payments for creators, announced that it has partnered with Onfido, a London-based identity verification and authentication provider, and Intergiro, to launch a free Visa™ debit card and payment account conceived for creators.
Fundof provides a bio link tool with an integrated tip jar, plus an account featuring a free Visa debit card, all in one service.
On their Fundof profiles, users can create a storefront including all their valuable links and accept donations on the same page.


With the Visa card, users can instantly spend the tips and payments they receive through Fundof, without having to wait for a bank transfer or extra fees.
Fundof is partnering with Onfido and Intergiro to onboard customers to its platform in 30 European countries, including France, Netherlands and Germany.
Content creators are able to sign up by simply taking a photo of their government-issued identity document (ID) and a selfie.
Onfido first checks that the ID is genuine and not fraudulent, and then matches it to the user’s selfie. This ensures the person presenting the identity is its legitimate owner and is physically present, mitigating attempts of creating fake accounts, money laundering or spreading false information.
After this 30-second process of identity verification and confirmation from Interigo’s automated onboarding system, content creators are then given a free Fundof payment account and Visa debit card powered by Intergiro’s embedded banking technology.
Joakim Hultin
“Fundof is all about seamless tipping and instant access to funds, and the only way to achieve this in a secure and trusted way was through this unique collaboration with Onfido and Intergiro.

We wanted to create the ultimate tool to help content creators get paid and for their loyal fans to be able to support with just one click on any platform.”
said Joakim Hultin, Co-founder of Fundof.
Alex Valle
“Being able to verify the identity of Fundof users helps build trust throughout its community of content creators. Users increasingly expect a user-friendly and fast digital experience, and we’re pleased to be supporting Fundof to scale and meet regulations while mitigating fraud.

Onfido provides an experience that is both fast and secure, enabling a transparent and safe environment for content creators to get rewarded from their followers.”
said Alex Valle, Chief Product Officer at Onfido.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fundof-launches-visa-debit-card-for-content-creators-powered-by-intergiro-and-onfido</link><guid>2750</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Sift-On-Demand-webinar.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Fundof Launches Visa Debit Card for Content Creators Powered by Intergiro and Onfido</dc:text></item><item><title>Into the Era of Innovative and Sustainable Cloud Payment Solutions</title><description><![CDATA[As part of its future-orientated approach, Netcetera announced the switch to a cloud platform using leading hosting service providers. The first step of going cloud is the finalized migration of its 3DS services to a new cloud hosting environment.
This switch promises to deliver modernized infrastructure that more easily meets rapidly changing customer behavior and expectations, and drives business growth. The change is part of the payment player’s dedication to achieving sustainability and responsibility towards society through ongoing efforts to improve its core industry.
Christian Waldvogel
“High-quality and high-availability solutions are an important part of our success, as are the long-term relationships we build with our customers and partners. We work with front-runners in the payment field to ensure that we set up the security and quality standards in the industry.”
stated Christian Waldvogel, from the Management Team of Netcetera.


Cloud means to provide sustainable solutions that solve the infrastructural and local market challenges, i.e., to be ready for global coverage, be able to get and provide services closer to the customers, and answer the local regions’ needs in which the payment player operates.
For Netcetera customers, it means that the company is undertaking all the actions to optimize costs, especially when resource shortages and prices are scaling up, and the markets around the world are strengthening their local regulations. Even more, cloud platform usage will improve the ability to instantly serve the most demanding and significant payment platforms during peak loads. Adopting the cloud leads to 62% more efficient IT infrastructure management vs. on-premises and reduced unplanned downtime. The cloud data centers that rely on renewable energy resources guarantee improved performance with automated scalability in a highly secured PCI 3DS/DSS certifiedinfrastructure.
Andrej Vckovski
When asked about Netcetera’s plans, in the long run, the CEO, Andrej Vckovski, stated:
“We care about where our energy comes from and how we are using it, and the time has come for all payment players to get involved in the process with global action. Digitalization is usually an energy saver on a global scale, but it still accounts for about 10% of global energy consumption. Clever design and reduction of energy waste can already make a difference. Along with us, our customers will contribute to this mission and join us in decreasing the carbon footprint.”
The migration process of the Netcetera 3DS Server to a new cloud platform started in January 2022. It was carried out in phases to ensure that the whole process was implemented smoothly.
Netcetera’s acquiring products enable processing transactions with 3-D Secure protocols and PSD2 SCA exemptions, certified with the biggest card networks, and fully compliant with all the standards in the payment industry. 3-D Secure is a globally trusted protocol for securing online transactions. It involves links between various components to ensure communication between merchants, issuers, and acquiring banks.
Netcetera will continue providing compelling business benefits such as improved conversions, optimized checkout processes, reduced fraud, and protection from fraudulent chargeback liability without compromising the smooth user experience for the online shopper. As a strong, flexible, and reliable partner, the leading software company strives for a positive global impact and beneficial changes in its customers’ business. This step aligns with the payment player’s modern, resource-efficient, and competitive way of working. Proudly confirming the statement of one of its customers:
“Local inclusion of international payment players such as Netcetera will only mean more innovation and knowledge in the local online payment methods and the payment ecosystem as a whole.”
Netcetera’s final goal is to delight its customers, answer their needs and jointly act responsibly towards the living environment.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/into-the-era-of-innovative-and-sustainable-cloud-payment-solutions</link><guid>2749</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Sift-On-Demand-webinar.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Into the Era of Innovative and Sustainable Cloud Payment Solutions</dc:text></item><item><title>SIX Digital Exchange Partners With Aktionariat to Ease Access to Capital</title><description><![CDATA[SIX Digital Exchange (SDX) have partnered with Aktionariat, a technology provider for digitised private shares in Switzerland, to further develop the digital ecosystem for issuers and institutional investors.
In a joint statement, both entities said that the partnership will “tackle one of the biggest challenges that growing companies face which is access to capital”.
One of the key success factors for raising capital is access to a broad investor base.


As a result of this partnership, companies issuing shares through Aktionariat’s technology will be able to register digital securities seamlessly in SDX’s regulated Central Securities Depository (CSD).
By being able to offer a wider range of custody options, companies can expand their addressable investor base.
Massimo Butti
“As part of the growing SIX Digital Exchange ecosystem for private companies, we welcome this partnership with Aktionariat to help entrepreneurs access a wider investor base, make their securities bankable and make their funding journey more efficient”
said Massimo Butti, Head of Equity at SIX Digital Exchange.

Nicola Plain
“The partnership with SIX Digital Exchange opens a path for making tokens issued with Aktionariat bankable. SDX is deeply rooted in the Swiss financial markets and brings strong expertise when it comes to organizing efficient and accessible securities exchanges. This complements Aktionariat’s know-how in decentralized finance and open blockchain technology very well”,
said Nicola Plain, CEO of Aktionariat.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/six-digital-exchange-partners-with-aktionariat-to-ease-access-to-capital</link><guid>2748</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Sift-On-Demand-webinar.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>SIX Digital Exchange Partners With Aktionariat to Ease Access to Capital</dc:text></item><item><title>Ireland Economic Development Agency Strengthens Commitment to Startup Ecosystem Development</title><description><![CDATA[Enterprise Ireland, the nation’s economic development agency, has committed to supporting the development a robust startup ecosystem, sharing ambitions to expand the pool of early-stage startups it works with and supports to 450 by 2024, a figure which represents a 20% increase from 2021 levels.
These ambitions were outlined in Enterprise Ireland’s Strategy 2022-2024, which sets out the agency’s areas of focus for the coming years. As part of the plan, Enterprise Ireland says it will focus on accelerating entrepreneurship, and continue to help entrepreneurs start, grow and scale Irish businesses.
Key Performance Indicators, Enterprise Ireland Strategy 2022-2024
This will be done through a number of initiatives, Enterprise Ireland says, including the new EUR 90 million Irish Innovation Seed Fund program launched by the government earlier this year, which will support young startups working in strategic targeted areas like fintech, life sciences and women-led enterprises.


For larger and more established companies, Enterprise Ireland will offer assistance and support to help them scale and internationalize, providing them with pathways to new sources of funding, connecting them with opportunities overseas, and helping them strengthen their management and financial capabilities. The aim is to increase the number of companies achieving sales of over EUR 10 million, EUR 20 million and EUR 50 million by 10% by 2024.
Efforts will also be put on skill development, the agency says. It has set a target of supporting 1,000 leaders and managers on significant management development programs, with at least 30% participation by women.
Fostering innovation
Established in 1998, Enterprise Ireland is the state agency responsible for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets, helping them start, grow, innovate, and increase export sales.
The agency also provides funding and supports for companies of all sizes and growth stages, ranging from entrepreneurs with business propositions for a high potential startup, to large companies expanding their activities, improving efficiency and growing international sales.
Enterprise Ireland’s role differs from that of the Industrial Development Agency (IDA Ireland), the country’s inward investment promotion and development agency which is responsible for the attraction and development of foreign investment in Ireland.
This arrangement stands out from other jurisdictions like Switzerland, Hong Kong and Lithuania where only one investment promotion agency exists. These agencies typically act as a resource center for foreign companies looking to launch locally, helping them setting up and providing them with consultancy and support services free of charge.
Enterprise Ireland, meanwhile, has taken an active role in fostering the Irish startup ecosystem by both helping homegrown startups expand overseas, and assisting foreign entrepreneurs in relocating to Ireland.
In 2021, the agency supported 82 new high potential startups through investments of more than EUR 18 million and other non-financial supports. 24 of these were led by female entrepreneurs and 11 emerged from academic research.
Also in 2021, 43 pre-seed companies went through the Competitive Start Fund (CSF), which provides select companies with up to EUR 50,000 in equity funding. These received a combined funding of EUR 2 million.
For the past three years, Pitchbook has ranked Enterprise Ireland amongst the top ten most active venture capital (VC) investors in the world alongside world-renowned VCs and incubators like Y Combinator, SOSV and Sequoia Capital.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ireland-economic-development-agency-strengthens-commitment-to-startup-ecosystem-development</link><guid>2747</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Key-Performance-Indicators-1024x650.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Ireland Economic Development Agency Strengthens Commitment to Startup Ecosystem Development</dc:text></item><item><title>Facebook Pay Rebrands to Meta Pay to Align with Broader Metaverse Ambitions</title><description><![CDATA[Facebook’s parent company Meta has rebranded its online payments service to Meta Pay, bringing the firm’s payments offering closer to its broader rebrand and aligning it with its grand ambition to building the ultimate metaverse.
On June 23, 2022, Facebook Pay officially became Meta Pay, a change that is first being rolled out in the US, before being extended globally, Stephane Kasriel, head of commerce and fintech at Meta Platforms, wrote in a blog post.
Meta Pay will be the same as Facebook Pay, he said, allowing users to add and manage their payment methods, make payments and purchases, and send money across all of Meta’s platforms and third parties supporting the digital wallet, view payment history, and update their settings in one place.


Meta Pay, Source: Facebook
Enabling payments in the metaverse
The name change is the first step in Meta’s ambition to build a “digital wallet for the metaverse,” co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg, wrote in a June 22, 2022 Facebook post.
Sharing his vision, Zuckerberg said the digital wallet should allow users to securely manage their identity, how they pay and what they own in the metaverse, whether that’s fiat currencies or digital items, like clothing, art and videos. It should also provide users with proof-of-ownership over the digital goods they possess.
Ideally, users would be able to transport there digital items across different virtual environments and use them easily on any platform. This level of interoperability would deliver much better experiences for people and larger opportunities for creators, Zuckerberg said.
Meta’s plans for its payments business was detailed earlier this year by Kasriel who shared in a blog post aspirations to create a “single payment experience.”
This vision is articulated around three key goals and capabilities: allowing users to prove who they are and carry that identity with them across different virtual environments; allowing them to store the digital goods they own and take them wherever they go; and allowing them to pay easily and with the payment method they want wherever they are virtually.
The company’s focus on the Meta Pay digital wallet was further evidenced earlier this month by the announcement of the termination of Novi, the social media company’s digital wallet payments pilot. The pilot will be shut down on September 01, 2022, effectively ending its three-year Diem experiment with cryptocurrencies and stablecoins.
The company told CoinDesk it had plans to repurpose its technology for future products and its metaverse initiative.
“We are already leveraging the years spent on building capabilities for Meta overall on blockchain and introducing new products, such as digital collectibles,” Meta told the media outlet. “You can expect to see more from us in the Web3 space because we are very optimistic about the value these technologies can bring to people and businesses in the metaverse.”
NFTs and digital collectibles
In parallel, Meta is experimenting with non-fungible tokens (NFTs), launching in May the testing of a feature that allows a select group of US creators and collectors to share and showcase the NFTs they have created or bought on Instagram.
The feature includes a connection with a digital wallet, the ability to share and post digital collectibles and their public information, as well as automatic tagging of both the creator and collector.
The test was extended to a select group of Facebook users in June.
Kasriel told the Financial Times in an interview earlier this month that despite the sharp downturn in the cryptocurrency market, Meta’s plans to bring digital collectibles to its users remain unchanged. The firm views NFTs as an opportunity to attract creators back to Facebook and Instagram by giving them a means to monetize their content.
“The opportunity [Meta] sees is for the hundreds of millions or billions of people that are using our apps today to be able to collect digital collectibles, and for the millions of creators out there that could potentially create virtual and digital goods to be able to sell them through our platforms,” Kasriel said.
Facebook’s parent company changed its name to Meta Platforms in October 2021, and pledged billions of dollars of investments to build what it believes is the successor of mobile Internet: an immersive virtual environment available through augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) headsets and other hardware.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/facebook-pay-rebrands-to-meta-pay-to-align-with-broader-metaverse-ambitions</link><guid>2746</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Sift-On-Demand-webinar.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Facebook Pay Rebrands to Meta Pay to Align with Broader Metaverse Ambitions</dc:text></item><item><title>FNZ Snaps up Swiss Private Banking Tech Company New Access</title><description><![CDATA[London-based wealth management platform FNZ announced that it has acquired New Access, a private banking technology firm primarily active in the markets of Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Luxembourg. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
FNZ said that the above-mentioned markets were key to its growth plans in the US$240 trillion global wealth market.
The strategic acquisition of New Access represents a further investment by FNZ into the growing private banking and cross-border wealth sector after a number of customer successes and the acquisition of the Swiss tech innovator Appway in February 2022.


FNZ is looking to become an end-to-end wealth platform to enable wealth managers to rapidly deliver personalised services and innovative wealth products.
With more than 200 engineers and product experts, New Access has developed innovative solutions for more than 60 private banks and wealth management firms.
With now more than 200 local FNZ employees, Switzerland will become a key private banking competence center driving the further expansion within this vertical.
Today, FNZ said that it administers more than US$1.5 trillion in client assets on its platform for over 20 million clients worldwide.
The company operates in 21 countries and partners with over 650 financial institutions and over 8,000 wealth management firms.
Adrian Durham
Adrian Durham, CEO, FNZ Group said,
“We are excited that FNZ and New Access are coming together to provide private banks and wealth managers with an unrivalled full service, end-to-end wealth management platform that will help them deliver significant operational efficiencies and improve the client experience.

Both our companies have a shared vision to open-up wealth, empowering all people to create wealth through personal investment, aligned with things they care about the most, on their own terms. We are delighted to welcome the talented New Access team into FNZ.”
Vincent Jeunet
Vincent Jeunet, CEO of New Access said,
“We are excited to be joining FNZ as we transform the industry and open up wealth together. Combining our solutions and expertise with the global strength, scale and commitment of FNZ to the global private banking market is a great opportunity for New Access and our clients.

New Access customers will benefit from FNZ’s significant investment and track record in the private banking sector that will help them to reduce operational complexity, generate significant efficiencies while freeing them up to focus on their client experience.”
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fnz-snaps-up-swiss-private-banking-tech-company-new-access</link><guid>2744</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Sift-On-Demand-webinar.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>FNZ Snaps up Swiss Private Banking Tech Company New Access</dc:text></item><item><title>Crypto.com Secures Regulatory Approval to Operate in Italy</title><description><![CDATA[Crypto.com announced that it has received registration and regulatory approval from the Organismo Agenti e Mediatori (OAM) in Italy as a provider of virtual currency and digital wallet services.
This approval will enable Crypto.com to offer a suite of products and services to Italian customers in compliance with local regulations.
Crypto.com has also recently received registration in Greece from the Hellenic Capital Market Commission, in-principle approval for a Major Payment Institution License from the Monetary Authority of Singapore, and provisional approval of its Virtual Asset License from the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority.


According to Crypto.com, it continues to actively grow and expand its ecosystem with more than 50 million users worldwide.
Kris Marszalek
“We are excited to receive this registration in Italy and view it as a major step forward for Crypto.com.

We are committed to building lasting growth in the region and will continue working with regulators to deliver a wide range of products and services to our valued customers.”
said Kris Marszalek, Co-founder and CEO of Crypto.com.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/cryptocom-secures-regulatory-approval-to-operate-in-italy</link><guid>2743</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Sift-On-Demand-webinar.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Crypto.com Secures Regulatory Approval to Operate in Italy</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Funding Slows Down in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[In the first half of 2022, fintech companies in Switzerland raised a total of CHF 349 million through 23 rounds, falling behind sectors including information and communications technology (ICT) and cleantech, data from Startupticker.ch’s Swiss Venture Capital Report 2022 Update show.
The figures showcase a slowdown in fintech funding in H1 2022, during which the sector only accounted for 13% of all startup funding and 14% of deals. In comparison, Swiss fintech companies raised CHF 857.9 million out of the CHF 3 billion closed by Swiss startups in 2021, giving the sector a 28% market share in all invested capital for the year.
Swiss venture capital funding by sector, Source: Swiss Venture Capital Report 2022 Update, Startupticker.ch
The downtrend in fintech funding is further apparent when considering that H1 2022 was a record period of Swiss startup financing. In the first half of the year, Swiss startups raised a total of CHF 2.6 billion through more than 160 rounds, a ~50% year-on-year (YoY) increase in volume and 31% YoY increase in deal count.


Investments in Swiss startups in first half of year, Source: Swiss Venture Capital Report 2022 Update, Startupticker.ch
Investors favor cleantech and healthcare
Startupticker.ch’s Swiss Venture Capital Report 2022 Update shows that investors shifted away from the fintech sector in H1 2022 to dabble into other industries including cleantech, healthcare, and micro and nanotechnology.
This is evidenced by large rounds closed by startups like Climeworks (CHF 600 million), a company that specializes in carbon dioxide air capture technology; MindMaze (CHF 96.7 million), a digital neurotherapeutic platform; DistalMotion (CHF 82.6 million), a medical device company; and Immunos Therapeutics (CHF 71.4 million), a biotechnology company.
Climeworks was amongst the three Swiss startups that reached unicorn status in H1 2022, alongside SonarSource, a developer of open source software for continuous code quality and security, and Scandit, a smart data capture and barcode scanning software solutions provider.
While fintech funding stalled in the first six months of the year, three fintech companies managed nevertheless to raise some of H1 2022’s largest rounds of financing: SEBA Bank, a licensed banking institution focused on digital assets, closed a CHF 110 million Series C and H1 2022’s fourth largest round; Sygnum, another digital asset bank, secured CHF 82.4 million in period’s seventh largest round; and Yokoy Group, a spend management firm, raised a US$80 million Series B and H1 2022’s eighth largest round.
Venture funding cools off
The slowdown in fintech funding observed in Switzerland comes amid an economic downturn and global market sell-off that saw shares in recently listed fintech companies being slashed by an average of more than 50% since the start of 2022, according to an analysis by the Financial Times.
A new report by Morningstar company Pitchbook shows that the insurtech segment took the biggest hit, with the seven publicly listed companies tracked by Pitchbook plunging by a staggering 80% over the past year. Similarly, in PitchBook’s neobanking, brokerage and crypto cohort, which comprises five companies, stocks have fallen 59% over the last 90 days.
This landscape has triggered a decline in fundraising for private companies and a drop in startup valuations.
Earlier this month, Swedish buy now, pay later (BNPL) giant Klarna, closed a US$800 million round at a US$6.7 billion valuation, down 85% from US$45.6 billion a year ago. The Wall Street Journal reported just last week that Stripe had lowered its internal valuation 28% to US$74 billion, compared US$95 billion last year.
Data from CB Insights show that Q2 2022 saw the lowest amount of quarterly funding and deals since Q4 2020, standing at just US$20.4 billion and 1,225 rounds.
Quarterly fintech funding and deals, Source: CB Insights, July 2022
The deteriorating climate has led fintech companies including British digital bank Zopa and mobile banking startup Chime to put plans for initial public offerings (IPOs) on hold. Others like Klarna, Robinhood and Coinbase, meanwhile, have been forced to embark on big layoffs.
According to an analysis by Roger Lee of Layoffs.fyi, fintech startups accounted for the third largest number of layoffs, by percentage, globally in H1 2022. As of July 1, some 3,709 employees — excluding crypto companies — had been laid off across 41 “layoff events” in the second quarter of 2022, Lee estimates.

Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash and Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-funding-slows-down-in-switzerland</link><guid>2741</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Swiss-venture-capital-funding-by-sector-Source-Swiss-Venture-Capital-Report-2022-Update-Startupticker.ch_.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech Funding Slows Down in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>SAP Green Tokens Tap Blockchain for Improved Transparency in Plastic Recycling</title><description><![CDATA[DIC Corporation, one of Japan’s leading fine chemical manufacturers, is launching a pilot project which seeks to utilize blockchain technology and crypto tokens to improve transparency in plastic recycling and help it meet its environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals.
The pilot will use SAP’s GreenToken and will allow DIC, which produces and sells polystyrene, but also specialty plastics, printing inks, compounds as well as biochemicals, to track raw materials along the supply chain.
The aim here is to gain greater visibility over the manufacturing and inspection processes, as well as access critical information on physical properties and quality of the recycled materials.


This will ultimately allow customers to know with certainty how much recycled material is contained in their products when they use recycled plastic materials, and will enable them to make better informed decisions.
The project, which is part of DIC’s ongoing recycling initiative for food packaging, will also help the company “substantiate environmental claims,” Yuji Morinaga, Executive Officer and General Manager of the Packaging Materials Product Division of DIC, said in a press statement, and help refute any doubt of greenwashing.
Chemical recycling is critical to accelerate the shift to a circular economy and yet plastic from chemically recycled plastic waste is indistinguishable from plastic from conventional sources, James Veale, GreenToken by SAP’s co-founder, said. This opacity leaves room for misleading information and deception.
Just last month, a new report released by the Changing Markets Foundations (CMF) claims that huge multinationals like Coca-Cola and Unilever are misleading consumers by stating that their plastic packaging is environmentally friendly.
“Our latest investigation exposes a litany of misleading claims from household names consumers should be able to trust,” George Harding-Rolls, campaign manager at CMF, said, as quoted by the Guardian. “The industry is happy to gloat its green credentials with little substance on the one hand, while continuing to perpetuate the plastic crisis on the other.”
For example, Perfetti Van Melle, the maker of Mentos mints, has made grand claims about new cardboard box packaging, but yet, the firm has failed to mention that the packaging is an unrecyclable composite material made out of card, aluminum and plastic, the report says.
Another example is Proctor and Gamble’s Head and Shoulders shampoo bottles, which are promoted as being made out of “beach plastic” but yet are dyed blue meaning that they cannot be recycled further, it says.
Improving supply chain transparency
GreenToken is able to tackle these problems by making use of blockchain technology and tokenization to enable visibility of any one or more unique attributes, such as origin, circularity status or carbon footprint, of raw materials across global supply chain networks. These attributes are then recorded in a blockchain-based digital ledger, ultimately providing a complete auditable and immutable chain of custody record for raw materials.
GreenToken by SAP dashboard, Source: GreenToken
Founded and developed in Asia Pacific and Japan as part of the SAP.io intrapreneurship startup program, GreenToken by SAP is one of the many blockchain projects that have emerged over the past couple of years to address transparency challenges in long and complex supply chains.
IBM, for example, has developed one of the largest blockchain-based agrifood platforms in the world, bringing together hundreds of growers, food manufacturers and retailers including Dole, Nestlé, Walmart and Carrefour, onto its IBM Food Trust platform for end-to-end food visibility across global supply chains.
In the pharmaceutical industry, healthcare services provider Zuellig Pharma has created a traceability solution called eZTracker. eZTracker tracks individual products and packs, and can be applied in use case such as real-time counterfeit detection and cold chain monitoring.
GreenToken’s partnership with DIC was unveiled just a few months after SAP inked a similar pilot project with Unilever to increase transparency in the global palm oil supply chain.
It followed a successful proof-of-concept in Indonesia where GreenToken was used to track, verify and report in near real time the origins and journey that palm oil took through its entire supply chain.

Featured image credit: DIC
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sap-green-tokens-tap-blockchain-for-improved-transparency-in-plastic-recycling</link><guid>2742</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Sift-On-Demand-webinar.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>SAP Green Tokens Tap Blockchain for Improved Transparency in Plastic Recycling</dc:text></item><item><title>BX Swiss and FlowBank to Waive Fees for Swiss Shares Trading</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss stock exchange BX Swiss and the Geneva-based online bank FlowBank announced that they will enable private investors to trade Swiss shares with zero commission until further notice.
BX Swiss has welcomed FlowBank as a new trading partner.
FlowBank holds a banking license issued by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) since summer 2020.


Through this partnership, FlowBank customers can manage securities digitally and trade cost-effectively via BX Swiss via the FlowBank app or the FlowBank Pro trading platform.
Lucas Bruggeman
“With FlowBank, we are pleased to welcome a new strong, innovative partner on our side.

This cooperation, enables us to cover the needs of active and interested private investors even better.”
says Lucas Bruggeman, CEO of BX Swiss.
Charles Henri Sabet
“With this decision, we are providing both new and experienced investors a better value on their trades.

It makes us particularly proud to be the first and only Swiss bank to offer zero commissions on Swiss stocks,”
said Charles Henri Sabet Founder and CEO of FlowBank.


Featured image credit: Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bx-swiss-and-flowbank-to-waive-fees-for-swiss-shares-trading</link><guid>2740</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/AWS-Financial-Services.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>BX Swiss and FlowBank to Waive Fees for Swiss Shares Trading</dc:text></item><item><title>BLKB unterstützt St.Galler FinTech Kaspar&amp;</title><description><![CDATA[Kaspar&amp; ist seit Ende Februar 2022 auf dem Schweizer Markt. Das Spin-off der HSG und ETH offeriert mit seinem App Zahlungsmöglichkeiten und regt seine User zum Sparen und Anlegen an.
Die BLKB unterstützt das FinTech Start-up und seine innovativen Lösungen für Open Finance und strebt eine Minderheitsbeteiligung an.
Die Kundinnen und Kunden von Kaspar&amp; profitieren von einem gebührenfreien Schweizer Bankkonto und einer Prepaid Mastercard. Beim Bezahlen mit Kaspar&amp; hat der Kunde bzw. die Kundin die Möglichkeit, Beiträge aufzurunden und diese minimalen Beträge in einem Portfolio aus Indexfonds und ETFs zu investieren.


Einfach und digital
John Häfelfinger, CEO of BLKB
Die BLKB unterstützt das weitere Wachstum von Kaspar&amp;. John Häfelfinger, CEO der BLKB, sieht viel Potential speziell für digital affine Kund:innen:
“Die Lösung von Kaspar&amp; besticht durch den digitalen Zugang, die Benutzerfreundlichkeit und die Automatisierung des Anlagegeschäftes. Als kundenorientierte Bank sind für uns einfach zu integrierende Open Finance Lösungen die Zukunft. Die finanzielle Unterstützung der BLKB bildet die Grundlage für eine langfristige Partnerschaft.”


HSG und ETH Spin-off mit FINMA Lizenz
Kaspar&amp; wurde 2020 von den vier Gründern Dr. Jan-Philip Schade, Dr. Lukas Plachel, Sebastian Büchler und Lauro Böni als HSG und ETH Spin-off in St.Gallen gegründet. Kaspar&amp; erhielt als erstes FinTech von der FINMA die Lizenz als Vermögensverwalterin. Kaspar&amp; wurde jüngst in das F10 Inkubator Programm der SIX aufgenommen, bei welchem vertieft Anwendungsfelder im Open Finance Bereich erarbeitet werden. Mittelfristig will Kaspar&amp; nebst der konkreten Open Finance Ausarbeitung das aktuelle Produktangebot erweitern. Dies beinhaltet zum Beispiel den Ausbau der kürzlich ausgerollten Versicherungsintegration sowie die Entwicklung neuer Dienstleistungen in den Bereichen Vorsorge und Spenden.
Featured image credit: Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/blkb-unterstutzt-stgaller-fintech-kaspar</link><guid>2738</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Digital-Agreements-Best-Practices.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>BLKB unterstützt St.Galler FinTech Kaspar&amp;</dc:text></item><item><title>BLKB unterstützt St.Galler Wealthtech Startup Kaspar&amp;</title><description><![CDATA[Kaspar&amp; ist seit Ende Februar 2022 auf dem Schweizer Markt. Das Spin-off der HSG und ETH offeriert mit seinem App Zahlungsmöglichkeiten und regt seine User zum Sparen und Anlegen an.
Die BLKB unterstützt das FinTech Start-up und seine innovativen Lösungen für Open Finance und strebt eine Minderheitsbeteiligung an.
Die Kundinnen und Kunden von Kaspar&amp; profitieren von einem gebührenfreien Schweizer Bankkonto und einer Prepaid Mastercard. Beim Bezahlen mit Kaspar&amp; hat der Kunde bzw. die Kundin die Möglichkeit, Beiträge aufzurunden und diese minimalen Beträge in einem Portfolio aus Indexfonds und ETFs zu investieren.


Einfach und digital
John Häfelfinger, CEO of BLKB
Die BLKB unterstützt das weitere Wachstum von Kaspar&amp;. John Häfelfinger, CEO der BLKB, sieht viel Potential speziell für digital affine Kund:innen:
“Die Lösung von Kaspar&amp; besticht durch den digitalen Zugang, die Benutzerfreundlichkeit und die Automatisierung des Anlagegeschäftes. Als kundenorientierte Bank sind für uns einfach zu integrierende Open Finance Lösungen die Zukunft. Die finanzielle Unterstützung der BLKB bildet die Grundlage für eine langfristige Partnerschaft.”


HSG und ETH Spin-off mit FINMA Lizenz
Kaspar&amp; wurde 2020 von den vier Gründern Dr. Jan-Philip Schade, Dr. Lukas Plachel, Sebastian Büchler und Lauro Böni als HSG und ETH Spin-off in St.Gallen gegründet. Kaspar&amp; erhielt als erstes FinTech von der FINMA die Lizenz als Vermögensverwalterin. Kaspar&amp; wurde jüngst in das F10 Inkubator Programm der SIX aufgenommen, bei welchem vertieft Anwendungsfelder im Open Finance Bereich erarbeitet werden. Mittelfristig will Kaspar&amp; nebst der konkreten Open Finance Ausarbeitung das aktuelle Produktangebot erweitern. Dies beinhaltet zum Beispiel den Ausbau der kürzlich ausgerollten Versicherungsintegration sowie die Entwicklung neuer Dienstleistungen in den Bereichen Vorsorge und Spenden.
Featured image credit: Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/blkb-unterstutzt-stgaller-wealthtech-startup-kaspar</link><guid>2739</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/AWS-Financial-Services.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>BLKB unterstützt St.Galler Wealthtech Startup Kaspar&amp;</dc:text></item><item><title>Economic Downturn and Market Sell-Off Take a Toll on Fintech Fundraising, Valuation</title><description><![CDATA[2021 was a record-breaking year for fintech funding and unicorn minting. Globally, fintech companies attracted an all-time high US$132 billion last year, more than double 2020’s figure. Soaring funding activity pushed valuations to new heights, allowing 157 fintech companies to reach unicorn status.
But this year’s inflation surge, rising interest rates and economic downturn have triggered a stock market meltdown. The New York Nasdaq, which contains many of the world’s most valuable listed technology companies, has fallen 32% from its all-time high set in November 2021, and Ark’s Innovation exchange traded fund (ETF) (ARKK), which invests in disruptive innovation companies, has dropped more than 50% since the start of 2022.
This landscape has prompted a fundraising downtrend for private companies and a drop in startup valuations as investors become more sensitive to risk assets and less patient with unprofitable firms, a new report by Morningstar company Pitchbook says.


With investors’ patience wearing thin, public fintech companies will likely be pressured to focus on profitability by seeking new revenue streams, cutting costs, exiting money-losing businesses, and even seeking an acquirer. Late-stage startups, meanwhile, could be enticed to remain private for a longer period of time as they focus on investing in growth over profitability, the report says.
Insurtech stocks plunge 80%; neobanks, brokers and crypto drop 59%
The document, titled Fintech Q2 Public Company Valuation Guide, looks at stock performance, revenue forecasts and market capitalizations of key publicly traded fintech companies to understand the potential impact of public companies on the private markets.
According to the analysis, publicly listed fintech companies in the insurtech, neobanking, online brokerage and cryptocurrency spaces, have taken a massive hit this year.
PitchBook’s insurtech cohort, which comprises six insurtech companies, plunged by a staggering 80% over the past year. All of these companies are expected to generate negative earnings per share (EPS) in through 2024.
Similarly, in PitchBook’s neobanking, brokerage and crypto cohort, which comprises five companies, stocks have fallen 59% over the last 90 days. Four out of five of these companies are expected to generate negative EPS through 2024.
Plummeting stock prices and poor profit expectations could cause investors to pressure insurtech companies, neobanks, brokers and crypto outlets, to restructure, notably by reducing headcount and outsourcing jobs to inexpensive locations, or to seek an acquirer, PitchBook predicts.
This will likely impact the valuation of late-stage startups in these categories such as homeowners insurance provider Kin Insurance, health insurance startup Bind, crypto derivatives exchange FTX, and online broker eToro, the report notes.
Although high-growth payments and infrastructure companies have declined by 40% in the last 30 days – similar to insurtech companies and neobanks, online brokers and crypto companies –, four of the six companies comprising this category are already generating positive EPS, presenting an encouraging outlook on stock prices for the near future.
“We believe public investors in payments and fintech companies are likely to be more patient as many legacy payments firms generate attractive margins and benefit from operating leverage,” the report says. “Contrast this with neobanks and insurtech, which are unproven in their ability to generate consistent profits.”
Funding dries up
The global market sell-off and economic downturn have changed the funding environment for startups dramatically.
In Q2 2022, global fintech funding saw US$20.4 billion raised, the lowest amount of quarterly funding and deals since Q4 2020, according to CB Insights.
As belts tighten, many fintech companies struggling to raise funding were forced to accept lower valuations to stay afloat. In June, London-based payments services provider SumUp raised funding at a valuation of EUR 8 billion, slashing its valuation by 60% from earlier this year.
Similarly, Swedish buy now, pay later (BNPL) giant Klarna, closed a US$800 million round just this week at a US$6.7 billion valuation, down 85% from US$45.6 billion a year ago. In May, Klarna CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski announced it will lay off 10% of its global workforce, citing market constraints. As many as 700 people will be affected.
Featured image credit: Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/economic-downturn-and-market-sell-off-take-a-toll-on-fintech-fundraising-valuation</link><guid>2737</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/AWS-Financial-Services.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Economic Downturn and Market Sell-Off Take a Toll on Fintech Fundraising, Valuation</dc:text></item><item><title>Wealthtech Tifin Acquires Professional Investor Community Platform SharingAlpha</title><description><![CDATA[TIFIN, a fintech platform using artificial intelligence (AI) and investment-driven personalization to shape the future of investor experiences, announced its initial launch into international markets through the acquisition on SharingAlpha, a community of over 15,000 professional fund investors and analysts located throughout the world, but with a high concentration in the UK and Western Europe.
SharingAlpha offers professionals the opportunity to build their own personal track record in terms of both their fund selection and asset allocation capabilities. Investors can gain the community’s intelligence on funds’ chances of generating alpha in the future from the collective knowledge gathered on the platform from members of the SharingAlpha community. Co-founded six year ago by two Israeli brothers, Oren and Yuval Kaplan, has become the world’s largest community of professional fund buyers.
Following the acquisition, SharingAlpha will be fully integrated into TIFIN’s Magnifi platform. The integration will offer both retail and professional investors from all over the globe unique digital tools to enhance their personal investment experience leveraging the AI-powered investment intelligence on Magnifi’s existing platform now augmented with SharingAlpha’s proprietary community intelligence insights. Oren Kaplan will also join Magnifi as a partner and work closely with TIFIN’s recently announced Head of International Jason O’Shaughnessy on the integration of the platforms.


Dr. Vinay Nair, CEO of TIFIN
“Being able to now offer Magnifi’s investment intelligence and capabilities to non-US investors is definitely an important step in our evolution.”
said Dr. Vinay Nair, Founder, and CEO of TIFIN.
“We are also excited about adding the unique community features developed by SharingAlpha which will enhance our offering to professional investors internationally”.

Oren Kaplan, Co-Founder and CEO of SharingAlpha
“I am looking forward to working with Magnifi’s team in expanding its reach internationally and in growing the community of professional investors even further.”
said Oren Kaplan, Co-Founder and CEO of SharingAlpha,
“We will continue to be committed to building innovative and useful digital tools to global investors”.

This article first appeared on fintechnews.am
Featured image credit: LinkedIn
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/wealthtech-tifin-acquires-professional-investor-community-platform-sharingalpha</link><guid>2736</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/AWS-Financial-Services.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Wealthtech Tifin Acquires Professional Investor Community Platform SharingAlpha</dc:text></item><item><title>Kaleido Private Bank to Leverage InCore Bank’s Digital Asset Services</title><description><![CDATA[Kaleido Private Bank has selected banking service provider InCore Bank and IT service provider SOBACO to revamp its business processes as well as transaction banking.
The boutique bank has also opted for the additional integration of InCore Bank’s Digital Asset Services.
The solution, which is seamlessly integrated into core banking and banking processes, gives banks and their clients the ability to trade a wide variety of cryptocurrencies and tokens 24/7 and benefit from a secure Swiss custody solution.


Outsourcing the services to InCore Bank allows the bank to concentrate on individual customer consulting and focus on strategic issues – the long-term development of the organisation, products and services increasingly includes dealing with digital assets.
As a transaction bank, InCore Bank has been intensively dealing with all facets of digitalisation.
The pure business-to-business bank received approval for the trading, custody, transfer and tokenisation of digital assets as early as May 2020.
Daniel Blatter
“Our offering meets a market and customers’ needs. With Kaleido Private Bank, the third renowned financial institution from our Private Banking Hub has opted for our Digital Asset Services in a very short time – in addition to various other financial institutions that benefit from this offer,”
said Daniel Blatter, Head Digital Services of InCore Bank.

Markus Abbassi
“Digital assets have found their place in the investment universe of many investors. Their importance in the market is growing, as is the demand from our clients. We are convinced that we are only at the beginning of a development with many exciting opportunities.

For us, it was obvious to take this step forward together with InCore Bank. With our decision for the Private Banking Hub and Digital Asset Services, we have laid a solid foundation.”
said Markus Abbassi, Head Digital Assets at Kaleido Private Bank.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/kaleido-private-bank-to-leverage-incore-banks-digital-asset-services</link><guid>2734</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/AWS-Financial-Services.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Kaleido Private Bank to Leverage InCore Bank’s Digital Asset Services</dc:text></item><item><title>New Research Finds Centralization Risks in Public Blockchains, Cryptocurrencies</title><description><![CDATA[Despite claims of immutability and decentralization, cryptocurrencies and public blockchains, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, are not quite delivering on their promises and are seeing a concentration of power in the hands of a few players.
A new report, commissioned by the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and produced by software security research company Trail of Bits, examines the fundamental properties of blockchains and the cybersecurity risks associated with them, highlighting “unintended centralities” in distributed ledgers like Bitcoin.
Findings from the Trail of Bits research shows that blockchain immutability can be broken and that various actors could theoretically garner excessive and centralized control over a network.


First, the research found that the Nakamoto coefficient, a metric which gauges the decentralized nature of a blockchain by identifying the number of entities sufficient to disrupt a public blockchain, is relatively low for most popular public blockchain networks, indicating that the level of centralization is rather high.
For Bitcoin, for example, the Nakamoto coefficient stands at four because taking control of the four largest mining pools would provide a hashrate sufficient to execute a so-called 51% attack.
A 51% attack refers to an attack in which a single malicious actor or organization manages to control more than half of the total hashing power of the network, providing them with the ability to override the consensus mechanism of the network and commit malicious acts such as double spending.
For Ethereum, the Nakamoto coefficient is three, and for most proof-of-stake (PoS) networks, like Solana, Cosmos and Polygon, the coefficient is less than a dozen, the report says.
The Nakamoto coefficients for popular PoS blockchains as of August 25, 2021, Source: Trail of Bits, 2022
Another troubling find is that 60% of all Bitcoin traffic goes through only three Internet service providers (ISPs), a state that is concerning because these ISPs and hosting providers could potentially “arbitrarily degrade or deny service to any node,” the report says.
“Let’s say somebody with great top-down control of the Internet in their country starts to interfere with that network: they can rewrite history, they can censor transactions, they can make it so that you can’t spend your Bitcoin,” Trail of Bits CEO Dan Guido told NPR in an interview. “It’s definitely something people would want to do if they want to ‘grief’ the network.”
Additionally, the research found that a staggering 21% of Bitcoin nodes are running an old version of the Bitcoin core client that is known for having vulnerabilities. These computers could be targeted by an attacker looking to take over the majority of a blockchain network.
Centralization of popular cryptocurrency networks like Bitcoin comes as a result of the expansion and growth of the ecosystem, but it has ultimately derailed cryptocurrencies from their original course and introduced risks.
Before China’s crypto mining ban in May 2021, the country accounted for most of Bitcoin mining, data from the Cambridge University’s Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF) show. At its peak, China accounted for over three quarters of all Bitcoin mining, implying that the country could have potentially mounted a 51% attack.
Evolution of network hashrate, Source: Cambridge University’s Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF), July 2022
Although Bitcoin has so far never suffered a 51% attack, other blockchain networks have. One of the biggest attacks targeted Bitcoin Gold and saw a reported US$18 million worth of crypto being stolen back in 2018.
Featured image credit: Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-research-finds-centralization-risks-in-public-blockchains-cryptocurrencies</link><guid>2733</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/AWS-Financial-Services.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>New Research Finds Centralization Risks in Public Blockchains, Cryptocurrencies</dc:text></item><item><title>Adyen Goes Live With Tap to Pay on iPhone</title><description><![CDATA[Adyen has officially launched Tap to Pay on iPhone, which allows businesses to use iPhones to accept contactless payments without the need to purchase or manage additional hardware.
By partnering with NewStore, businesses including Vince and Burton can accept payments with a simple tap of a customer’s iPhone. Adyen is also partnering with New Black to enable this capability for retailers including G-Star and Scotch &amp; Soda. In addition to offering the solution to partners, Tap to Pay on iPhone will also be made available directly to retailers and platforms including Nike, Lightspeed Commerce Inc, and Fresha.
Jack Schwefel
“We’re excited to expand upon our partnership with NewStore and Adyen to become one of the first retailers in their network to bring Tap to Pay on iPhone to our retail store locations,”
said Jack Schwefel, Chief Executive Officer, Vince.


“Our customers expect an elevated in-store experience and we are confident that the ease and convenience of this new payment option will resonate with both current and new Vince shoppers.”
Brian McAllister
“NewStore and Adyen are always on top of the emerging trends that allow us to provide the best shopping experience possible, and bringing Tap to Pay on iPhone to our stores this quickly and easily is a great example of that,”
added Brian McAllister, Director of Global Operations, Consumer Direct, Burton.
“The biggest advantage of this feature is it eliminates our dependence on traditional payment terminals, which means we can now offer an even more seamless and secure way to accept payments.”
Tap to Pay on iPhone will enable Adyen’s customers to stay at the forefront of innovation by:

Simplifying in-person payments by removing the dependence on payment hardware to accept transactions, providing a complementary way to accept payments for line-busting.
Getting up and running quickly with installation and onboarding, allowing businesses to scale up their payment operation.
Providing safe and fast checkout experiences that increases mobility on location.
Allowing for a convenient and secure way to pay for customers since transactions are encrypted and payment data is protected by the same technology that makes Apple Pay private and secure.


This article first appeared on fintechnews.am


Featured image credit: Adyen
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/adyen-goes-live-with-tap-to-pay-on-iphone</link><guid>2732</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/AWS-Financial-Services.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Adyen Goes Live With Tap to Pay on iPhone</dc:text></item><item><title>Oper Credits Raises €11 Million in Series A Funding Round</title><description><![CDATA[Oper Credits, a Belgian-Swiss digitised mortgage SaaS firm and a F10 alumni, announced that it has secured a €11 million Series A equity round led by Bessemer Venture Partners and ABN AMRO Ventures.
The fundraise was also joined by its existing shareholders from its seed round including Techstars, Pitchdrive and Verve Ventures.
With this new funding, Oper will focus developing the building blocks needed to gather data from a variety of sources, including payroll, income stats, spending habits etc. and then in turn process this information within the mortgage context to reduce the approval time and create a better experience for the borrower.


Oper has official offices are in Antwerp and Zurich currently employs a total of 45 people to serve its 13 clients – a figure the company is looking to double in the next year.
The company has closed around €1 billion of mortgage loans and in the last year has seen its monthly recurring revenue increase by eightfold.
Wouter Lachat
Wouter Lachat, Co-Founder and CPO of Oper Credits said,
“Further to increased investment in R&amp;D and recruitment, it is international growth that we’re focusing on.

For us, France and Germany are the priority markets, as well as Austrian, Czech and Slovakian opportunities too.”
Nick Van Berckelaer
Nick Van Berckelaer, Co-Founder and CTO of Oper Credits said,
“We’re growing and we’re growing fast, and we couldn’t have done it without the amazing team we’re building across Europe.

There’s no doubt we’ll be hiring even more in the future to help us grow our loan book, client-base and ultimately our revenue. We have huge ambitions and need the right people to help us achieve them!”

Featured image: Oper Credits Team
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/oper-credits-raises-11-million-in-series-a-funding-round</link><guid>2731</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/AWS-Financial-Services.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Oper Credits Raises €11 Million in Series A Funding Round</dc:text></item><item><title>F10 Set to Tokenise Its Shares on the SIX Digital Exchange</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss fintech accelerator F10 will issue its shares on the SIX Digital Exchange (SDX), a regulated digital asset exchange and Central Securities Depository (CSD), where shares are tokenised, while the share registry services will be provided by Aequitec, a digital share register and cap table company.
Tokenised private shares are transferrable in the form of dematerialised intermediated securities on the SDX DLT platform according to Swiss law.
With this new partnership approach, financial institutions can move beyond today’s business model of tailor-made, one-by-one private placement, to a sustainable, digitalised, process-driven business.


Expected benefits are increased efficiency and greater liquidity for private markets.
This represents a major step towards enhancing the share registry process for private companies by using blockchain technology.
Massimo Butti
Massimo Butti, Head of Equity at SDX,
“The issuance of F10 shares on SDX is the result of the cooperation with different market actors.

It provides a scalable blueprint for other issuers and participants to issue digitised shares and affirms that our private issuance market is open for business”.
Jonathan Seiler, CFO and Senior Investment Manager at F10 said,
“Beyond the clear advantages of managing our share registry and all related processes fully digitally at F10, we believe strongly in the power of collaboration to advance the financial industry.

That’s why we are incredibly excited to be the first issuer of shares for this new innovative offer by our partner SDX and F10 alumni Aequitec”.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/f10-set-to-tokenise-its-shares-on-the-six-digital-exchange</link><guid>2730</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/AWS-Financial-Services.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>F10 Set to Tokenise Its Shares on the SIX Digital Exchange</dc:text></item><item><title>Findependent schliesst 1.2 Mio CHF Seed-Finanzierungsrunde ab</title><description><![CDATA[Im Februar 2021 ging die Anlage-App von findependent live. Seither konnten fast 5000 Kund:innen gewonnen werden. Nun hat das Fintech Startup eine Seed-Finanzierung über 1’200’000 Franken erhalten. Die Gelder stammen von einer Gruppe institutioneller und privater Investoren, als Lead-Investor agiert Backbone Ventures. Die bisherigen Investoren ziehen mit.
Seit dem Auftritt in der TV-Gründershow “Die Höhle der Löwen” im November 2021 konnte findependent die Kundenbasis mehr als vervierfachen. Damals hatten der E-Commerce-Unternehmer Roland Brack und der Amorana-Gründer Lukas Speiser mit ihrer Finanzierung den Wachstumsmotor gestartet.
Überzeugt von den bisherigen Wachstumszahlen und dem umfangreichen Potenzial investiert nun eine Gruppe institutioneller und privater Investoren 1’200’000 Franken.


Matthias Bryner
“Es freut mich, dass wir trotz einer nicht ganz einfachen Marktlage die Finanzierungsrunde wie geplant durchführen konnten“
sagt Matthias Bryner, Gründer und CEO von findependent. Angeführt wird die Investorengruppe von Backbone Ventures.
“Wir sind beeindruckt vom Wachstum und dem kompetenten Team von findependent. Man spürt den Unternehmergeist bei jeder Interaktion”,
erklärt Miklos Stanek von Backbone Ventures die Investitionsentscheidung.
Frisches Kapital fliesst in App-Weiterentwicklung und Marketing
Das nun erhaltene Kapital soll in die Weiterentwicklung der App und in Marketingaktivitäten zur Fortführung des starken Wachstums fliessen. So stellt beispielsweise die Mehrsprachigkeit einen wichtigen Meilenstein dar. Im Laufe dieses Herbstes wird die Anlage-App auch auf Französisch und Englisch verfügbar sein und so zusätzliche Märkte und Zielgruppen erschliessen. “Gleichzeitig sind wir uns der gegenwärtigen Unsicherheiten an den Finanzmärkten bewusst und werden das erhaltene Geld umsichtig einsetzen”, sagt Matthias Bryner. Das Startup plant keinen signifikanten Ausbau des Teams und bleibt seiner schlanken Struktur treu.
Verwaltungsrat verstärkt
Bereits im April 2022 stiess Lukas Speiser zum Verwaltungsrat, welcher Im Rahmen der jetzigen Finanzierungsrunde durch die Einsitznahme von Miklos Stanek komplettiert wird.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/findependent-schliesst-12-mio-chf-seed-finanzierungsrunde-ab</link><guid>2729</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/AWS-Financial-Services.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Findependent schliesst 1.2 Mio CHF Seed-Finanzierungsrunde ab</dc:text></item><item><title>Stableton Raises CHF 15M in Series A Funding Round Led by TX Ventures</title><description><![CDATA[Stableton Financial AG, a Switzerland based platform for Alternative Investments, completed the closing of its CHF 15 million Series A funding round.
The funding round was led by TX Ventures, the VC arm of Swiss media company TX Group. In addition, it included significant investments from the German Fintech investor C3 EOS VC Venture Fund and existing investor DEWB, a German private equity firm focusing on digital finance investments, which also led Stableton’s Seed round. Other participants included family offices, key employees and partners of renowned private equity and venture capital firms, as well as successful entrepreneurs and individuals from the technology and asset management industries, among others.
The fresh funding further enables Stableton to put into effect its vision, which is to empower prosperity and positive impact from Alternative Investments. Specifically, Stableton will use the funds to scale the existing activities in Switzerland, broaden its technological offering and available investment structures, as well as expand internationally during the coming months.


Andreas Bezner
Andreas Bezner, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Stableton, said:

“We are thrilled that such knowledgeable and high calibre investors such as TX Ventures, C3 and DEWB entrust us with their capital. Despite the short-term market volatility, we see two major long-term macro trends align: the democratization of private markets and the ever-increasing value creation in that segment as disruptive technologies meet ample of funding.”

“We’re in the enviable position to have grown our assets under management 7.5 times since last year’s seed round. With more than 2’500 marketplace users and almost 500 product investors in Switzerland alone, Stableton has developed into a dominant market player, counting more than 2% of Swiss financial intermediaries as our clients. The funding will allow us to double-down on our strategic investments in operations, structures, and regulatory &amp; compliance while scaling and replicating our marketing and sales activities internationally.”
Krzysztof Bialkowski
“We are thrilled to partner up with Stableton and support them on their growth journey going forward. Stableton has shown impressive growth and is well positioned to continue its amazing development in a highly attractive market. We are proud to contribute to democratization of the private markets and we are convinced that the great team at Stableton will succeed – the future looks bright for Stableton.”,
added Krzysztof Bialkowski, Investment Director at TX Ventures.
“As Lead Seed Investor DEWB teamed up early on with Stableton and it was amazing to see how the team evolved from day one resulting in an impressive growth of the business which seems to be just the beginning of a huge success story. Stableton’s highly scalable, fully digital and data-driven infrastructure is on a sweet spot of an investment universe which is already splendid but opens up a multiple by application of its own technology platform to previously unaddressed markets. We are more than pleased to welcome strong co-investors who will contribute much more than an investment.”,

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/stableton-raises-chf-15m-in-series-a-funding-round-led-by-tx-ventures</link><guid>2728</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Digital-Agreements-Best-Practices.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Stableton Raises CHF 15M in Series A Funding Round Led by TX Ventures</dc:text></item><item><title>From Crypto Stamp to Crypto Vaults: Swiss Post Office Embraces Bitcoin</title><description><![CDATA[The price of bitcoin has been in freefall in recent weeks, but that doesn’t seem to bother the most conservative of financial institutions – the banking arm of the Swiss post office. PostFinance is stepping up its drive to grant customers access to cryptocurrencies within the next couple of years.
Postfinance already offers clients cryptocurrency exposure through its digital app Yuh. This service draws heavily on a collaboration with Swissquote, which became the first Swiss bank to offer crypto trading for retail clients in 2017. But PostFinance now appears poised to go into direct competition with its business partner with an “independent” trading and custody service by the start of 2024 “at the latest”.
Source: Swiss Post
PostFinance’s executive board have determined that the time is ripe for ramping up the bank’s cryptocurrency offering despite the apparent onset of another period of price stagnation – known as a ‘crypto winter’. “Our clients want direct access to this market through their house bank,” says PostFinance head of retail banking Sandra Lienhart. “Given the growing institutionalisation [of cryptocurrencies] in the last 18 months, this is the ideal time to enter the market.”


Cryptocurrencies, by their very nature, are accessible to anyone at any time. No-one needs a bank to get their hands on bitcoin or to trade ether. Service providers like the Relai app and the Bity brokerage give the person on the street the means to hold or trade cryptocurrencies independently of the traditional financial system.
But some people are prepared to sacrifice direct ownership of their cryptocurrencies for the security of bank vaults and simplified versions of transacting.
I’ve written extensively about Swiss private banks opening crypto services for their wealthy clients. Two entities, SEBA and signum that specialise in this asset class, were awarded banking licenses in 2019. But high street banks have so far been reluctant to enter the fray.
Swissquote has shown that the mass crypto business can be profitable. Revenues from cryptocurrency trading services reached CHF102 million last year and are making up an ever-larger slice of profits at the bank.
There are always some people who argue that crypto and banking should keep each other at arm’s length – either because crypto is too dangerous for banks or that banks are too antiquated for crypto.
But others believe that acceptance of cryptocurrencies by banks is the best way to achieve mass adoption of the new form of digital money.
PostFinance is betting on the latter argument prevailing and is actively seeking business partners to realise this ambition.
If the Swiss post office can issue a crypto postage stamp, then why can’t its bank offer crypto vaults?
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/from-crypto-stamp-to-crypto-vaults-swiss-post-office-embraces-bitcoin</link><guid>2726</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/swiss-post-crypto-stamp-1024x717.jpeg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>From Crypto Stamp to Crypto Vaults: Swiss Post Office Embraces Bitcoin</dc:text></item><item><title>Wefox: 400Mio USD Series-D Finanzierungs-Runde</title><description><![CDATA[Das digitale Versicherungsunternehmen wefox hat in ihrer Series-D Finanzierungsrunde 400 Mio. USD eingenommen. Die Post-Money-Bewertung von wefox steigt so von 3 Mrd. USD im Jahr 2021 auf 4,5 Mrd. USD. Angeführt wird die Finanzierungsrunde von Mubadala Investment Company. Mit dem neuen Investment plant wefox die Expansion in weitereLändermärkte sowie die Weiterentwicklung ihrer Plattform.
Mit einer Unternehmensbewertung von 4,5 Milliarden USD erreicht wefox gemäss eigenen Angaben die bisher höchste Bewertung für ein privates InsurTech-Unternehmen weltweit. Damit läuft wefox gegen den Trend der Abwertungen von Tech-Unternehmen und zeigt auf, dass der europäische Versicherungsmarkt weiterhin auf Innovation setzt und zeitgleich Wachstumspotenzial besitzt.
Julian Teicke
“Der Anstieg unserer Bewertung auf 4,5 Milliarden Dollar ist eine klare Bestätigung unseres Geschäftsmodells und macht uns zum vertrauenswürdigsten InsurTech auf dem Markt. Zusätzlich machen unsere Investitionen in Technologie wefox schon heute zu einem der fortschrittlichsten und effizientesten Versicherungsunternehmen weltweit.”
Julian Teicke, CEO und Co-Founder von wefox


Fokus auf Produktentwicklung und Expansion
In den vergangenen sechs Jahren konnte wefox seinen Umsatz kontinuierlich steigern und in weitere Länder expandieren. 2021 erreichte der Digitalversicherer 320 Mio. USD Umsatz. Für dieses Jahr plant wefox eine erneute Verdopplung mit einem Umsatzziel von 600 Mio. Euro. Die ersten vier Monate 2022 erzielte wefox bereits einen Umsatz von über 200 Mio. USD.
“Mit wachsender Grösse erhöhen sich auch die Möglichkeiten, schneller zu skalieren. Schon bald werden wir neue Märkte in Europa erschließen. Im Anschluss planen wir über Europa hinaus zu expandieren und haben die USA und Asien im Fokus. Bis dahin verdoppeln wir die Entwicklungsressourcen für unsere Produktentwicklung.”
fügt Julian Teicke hinzu.
wefox hat sein Unternehmen von 550 Mitarbeitern im Jahr 2020 auf heute mehr als 1300 Mitarbeiter ausgebaut. Für dieses Jahr sind weiterhin eine Vielzahl von Stellen an unterschiedlichen Standorten ausgeschrieben. Anfang Juni gab wefox die Berufung von s. D. Prinz Maximilian von und zu Liechtenstein und der ehemaligen Klarna-Geschäftsführerin Hanna Jacobsson in den Verwaltungsrat bekannt. Vergangenen Dezember berief wefox Young Sohn, den ehemaligen Präsidenten von Samsung Electronics zum Verwaltungsratspräsidenten.

Biherige Wefox Finanzierungs-Runden:

2022: Series D round $400M led by Mubadala.
2021: Series C round $650M led by Target Global.
2019: Series B round $235M led by Omers.
2017: Series A round of $30M led by Horizons Ventures.
2016: Seed round of $5.5M led by Salesforce Ventures.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/wefox-400mio-usd-series-d-finanzierungs-runde</link><guid>2727</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Digital-Agreements-Best-Practices.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Wefox: 400Mio USD Series-D Finanzierungs-Runde</dc:text></item><item><title>Binance Secures Virtual Asset Service Provider Registration in Spain</title><description><![CDATA[Binance’s subsidiary  Moon Tech Spain, S.L., has been granted registration as a Virtual Asset Services Provider(VASP) by the Bank of Spain. This registration will allow Binance to offer crypto asset exchange and custody services in Spain in compliance with the requirements of its central bank’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CTF) rules. Moon Tech Spain was granted registration by the Bank of Spain on July 7, 2022, having applied for registration on January 28, 2022.
The Bank of Spain oversees and ensures compliance with AML and CTF rules for VASPs offering exchange services for euros or other currencies for crypto assets, as well as custody services for electronic wallets. The Bank of Spain also verifies compliance of the local entity and its directors with the commercial and professional honorability requirements.
This milestone follows European registrations for Binance’s local entities in France and Italy and further attests to the robustness of Binance’s AML and CTF controls.


Changpeng Zhao
Changpeng Zhao (CZ), founder and CEO of Binance, commented:
“Effective regulation is essential for the widespread adoption of cryptocurrencies. We have invested significantly in compliance and introduced AMLD 5 and 6 compliant tools and policies to ensure that our platform remains the safest and most trustworthy in the industry. Moon Tech’s registration in Spain is an acknowledgement of the hard work and commitment of our teams to providing a platform that places user protection above all else.”
Quim Giralt
Quim Giralt, Director of Binance Spain, noted:
“Following this registration, we will significantly expand our team and operations in Spain to make our services more accessible to everyone. Over the coming years we will be hiring local talent to serve the Spanish-speaking market and helping to grow the local crypto ecosystem.”



Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/binance-secures-virtual-asset-service-provider-registration-in-spain</link><guid>2724</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Digital-Agreements-Best-Practices.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Binance Secures Virtual Asset Service Provider Registration in Spain</dc:text></item><item><title>Foreign Fintech Companies Flock to Peru</title><description><![CDATA[Peru’s fintech industry is expected to get a boost this year, driven by favorable regulatory developments and rising demand for more accessible and inclusive financial services.
Javier Salinas, director of Emprende UP, the center for entrepreneurship and innovation of the Universidad del Pacifico in Lima, Peru, expects the sector to grow from 171 fintech companies, as of September 2021, to more than 200 this year.
Peru’s fintech companies segment distribution, Source: EY, Oct 2021
A third of these companies will be coming from overseas, significantly exceeding the 10% share they held a year ago, Salinas shared with local newspaper Gestion earlier this year, an influx which will be fueled by attractive market conditions and positive developments, including recent crowdfunding rules, law amendments in the banking and finance sector, as well as early discussions on open banking and open finance.


Evidence of Salinas’ predictions can already be observed in Peru, with several foreign fintech companies establishing a presence in the country this year. Colombian stock trading app Trii recently launched in Peru, citing the country’s low stock trading penetration as an opportunity to establish a dominant position. Trii aims to amass at least 30,000 users in Peru by the end of this year.
Similarly, Uruguayan fintech company Prex began operations in Peru last year where it is targeting the country’s large population of unbanked. So far, growth in Peru has been strong, Gestion reported in June 2022, with more than 100,000 people joining the platform in the span of a year. Plex provides a bi-currency account, physical and virtual prepaid Mastercards, money transfer capabilities, foreign exchange, instant personal loan product, and cryptocurrency investment functionalities. The company aims to have at least 350,000 next year, and plans to expand to Chile and Paraguay next.
London-headquartered SumUp is another fintech company that recently entered the Peruvian market. The company, which offers payment solutions, business accounts, cards, invoicing, and more to merchants, launched in Peru in June. Shortly after, it closed a massive US$624 million funding round to fuel its expansion plans.
New fintech developments in Peru
Recent positive developments in Peru have created a bullish sentiment towards the market among fintech companies, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders.
In March 2022, the Peruvian Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) amended a number of laws to promote greater competition within the financial services industry.
These amendments, which include the reduction of the capital requirements for money transmitters, the simplification of the licensing and supervision process for companies that do not collect deposits from the public, and regulatory easing for full-digital entities, will enable the entry of new entities and allow for the expansion of alternative offers, says international legal and tax firm Garrigues.
These regulatory changes came on the back of the entry into force of Peru’s regulatory sandbox, the law firm notes, a framework designed to allow market participants to develop and run pilot tests of innovative financial products and services in a safe and controlled environment.
At the Superintendency of Banking, Insurance and Private Pension Fund Administrators (SBS), the governmental agency responsible for the supervision of the Peruvian financial and insurance systems, as well as the private pension fund system, talks about open banking and open finance have begun, an official has said.
In the traditional banking sector, things are moving at a fast pace as well. Government-owned lender Banco de la Nacion debuted Cuenta DNI last year, a commission-free, fully digital banking offering. So far, nearly two million people have opened an account, Iupana, a LatAm fintech information platform, reported in June. The bank hopes to open another 10 million accounts this year. Peru has an adult population of 24 million.
Grupo Credicorp, the largest financial services holding company in the country, is working to turn its e-wallet app Yape into a superapp, introducing in April a new credit product. Launched in 2016, Yape has grown into one of the most popular apps in the country, serving 8.7 million users as of March 2022.
Fintech adoption has increased significantly in Peru over the past few years. At the end of 2019, mobile banking accounted for 40.9% of all transactions in the financial system, up from 6.5% in 2017, Sergio Urday, the economic research chief of Peru’s banking association Asbanc, was reported as saying.
This article first appeared on fintechnews.am

Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/foreign-fintech-companies-flock-to-peru</link><guid>2725</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Radar-Fintech-Peru-Segment-distribution-Source-EY-Oct-2021.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Foreign Fintech Companies Flock to Peru</dc:text></item><item><title>Revolut Taps Stripe to Support Payments in the UK and Europe</title><description><![CDATA[Stripe, a financial infrastructure platform for businesses, announced that Revolut will use Stripe to support payments in the UK and Europe and accelerate its expansion into new markets.
After launching in the UK with money transfer and exchange services, Revolut now offers dozens of products—from accounts and insurance, to trading and invoicing—that improve money management for 18 million customers and 500,000 businesses in more than 200 countries and territories.
Revolut said that it will soon launch in Mexico and Brazil.


The company will leverage Stripe’s infrastructure and international footprint to enter these and other new markets more efficiently, and offer its customers a seamless payment experience that matches their local payment preferences.
Stripe and Revolut will also explore opportunities to deepen their collaboration and deliver innovative new payments products.
David Tirado
“Revolut builds seamless solutions for its customers. That means access to quick and easy payments and our collaboration with Stripe facilitates that.

We share a common vision and are excited to collaborate across multiple areas, from leveraging Stripe’s infrastructure to accelerate our global expansion, to exploring innovative new products for Revolut’s more than 18 million customers,”
said David Tirado, Vice President of Business Development at Revolut.
“Revolut and Stripe share an ambition to upgrade financial services globally.

We’re thrilled to be powering Revolut as it builds, scales, and helps people around the world get more from their money,”
said Eileen O’Mara, EMEA’s Revenue and Growth Lead at Stripe.


Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/revolut-taps-stripe-to-support-payments-in-the-uk-and-europe</link><guid>2723</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Digital-Agreements-Best-Practices.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Revolut Taps Stripe to Support Payments in the UK and Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>Europe’s Next 10 Fintech Unicorns</title><description><![CDATA[Sifted has released its ranking of this year’s top 100 fastest-growing business-to-business (B2B) soonicorns poised to join the ranks of Europe’s US$1 billion-plus startups.
Among this year’s ranking, 37 are B2B fintech companies, making the category the second most represented segment. These companies include providers offering short-term loans for businesses, open banking platforms, and corporate expense management solutions.
According to the ranking, the 10 European B2B fintech companies most likely to reach unicorn status in the near future are:


Primer (UK)

Primer is a no-code automation platform for payments and commerce, enabling companies to unify their entire payment and commerce stack and build seamless, sophisticated and end-to-end payment flows.
The company provides a drag-and-drop framework that lets merchants easily sell online, allowing for the integration of some 45 payment solutions including Stripe, Apple Pay, Adyen and Braintree.
Launched in 2020, Primer operates in over 30 countries, serving merchants across Asia-Pacific (APAC), Europe and the US. The startup has raised US$74 million in funding, and is valued at US$425 million.
Yapily (UK)

Yapily offers a single, unified open banking API that allows businesses to connect to thousands of banks across Europe, access financial data and initiate payments. The company provides open banking solutions for industry leaders including American Express, Intuit Quickbooks, Moneyfarm, Volt, Vivid and BUX.
Yapily is currently pursuing an aggressive expansion plan, expanding recently into the Baltics and Poland, with Portugal being next. Earlier this year, the startup unveiled plans to acquire German rival finAPI, strengthening its presence in one of Europe’s largest markets.
Yapily has raised US$69 million in funding and has an estimated valuation of US$255 million, according to Sifted.
Sylvera (UK)

Sylvera is a carbon intelligence platform that helps corporate sustainability leaders, carbon traders and governments evaluate and invest in high quality carbon credits.
The company leverages proprietary data and machine learning (ML) technology to produce the most comprehensive and accessible insights on carbon projects, and delivers independent, in-depth and up-to-date project reports and market intelligence through its online platform and API.
Sylvera also partners with leading researchers at UCLA, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab, and University College London, and has raised US$39.5 million in funding. The startup has an estimated valuation of US$163 million, according to Sifted.
Codat (UK)

London-headquartered Codat provides a universal API for small business data. The company provides real-time connectivity to enable software providers and financial institutions to build integrated products for their business customers. Use cases include automatic reconciliation, business dashboarding, and loan decisioning.
Codat claims over 200 clients, including many of the world’s largest banks as well as rapidly growing fintechs such as Brex, Jeeves, Pipe and Clover.
Founded in 2017, Codat has raised over US$160 million in funding and is valued at US$825 million, Codat co-founder and CEO Pete Lord said in an interview last month.
Billie (Germany)

Billie offers buy now, pay later (BNPL) payment methods for B2B companies, providing solutions from liquidity to automation to digital payments for companies large and small, whether online stores or small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Billie uses proprietary, machine-learning-supported risk models, fully digitized processes and a highly scalable tech platform to provide fast liquidity, automated workflows and access to modern payment solutions.
Founded in 2016 in Berlin, Billie has raised about US$150 million in funding and is valued at US$640 million, Matthias Knecht, co-founder and co-CEO of Billie, told Verdict in November 2021.
Moss (Germany)

Moss is a technology-enabled expense and financial management solution. With smart corporate credit cards, digital invoice management, and automated accounting, Moss allows companies to manage all of their spending easily and transparently.
The solution enables flexible issuing of virtual and physical credit cards, digital entry and approval of invoices, smooth processing and reimbursement of employee expenses, and reliable liquidity management.
Since its inception in 2019, Moss has issued more than 20,000 physical and virtual credit cards and processed over 250,000 transactions.
Moss has raised US$149 million in funding, and is valued at US$573 million.
Sunday (France)

Sunday is a restaurant payment solution that aims to simplify the payment process for restaurant customers by enabling them to pay the bill in under 10 seconds using QR codes. The solution also allows customers to browse a restaurant’s menu, check their bills, leave tips and split their bills. Customer can pay using Apple Pay, Google Pay, American Express, Visa and Mastercard.
Since its launch, Sunday claims it has amassed more than 2 million users and over 5,000 restaurants signed globally representing an annual transaction volume of US$7 billion.
Sunday has raised US$124 million in funding, and is valued at an estimated US$500 million, according to Sifted.
Kevin. (Lithuania)

Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Vilnius, Kevin. is a fintech company that provides an account-to-account payment infrastructure to replace costly card transactions. The startup claims it has the broadest PSD2 bank API coverage in the European Economic Area (EEA).
Recently, Kevin. stepped into point-of-sale (POS) terminal payments in physical stores by introducing a NFC account-to-account payments solutions with a seamless user experience that is comparable to a card payment experience. The company claims more than 6,000 merchants in 12 markets in Europe.
Kevin. has raised US$77 million in funding, and has an estimated valuation of US$325 million, according to Sifted.
Yokoy (Switzerland)

Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Zurich, Yokoy is a spend management platform that combines expense management, supplier invoice management, as well as smart corporate cards and automates respective processes with the help of artificial intelligence (AI).
The solution integrates with 50+ corporate tools and the company claims more than 500 enterprise customers, including Bitpanda, On, and ASK Chemicals.
Yokoy has raised US$107 million in funding, and is valued at about US$500 million, a person familiar with the matter told CNBC in March 2022. The startup closed a US$80 million Series B funding round earlier this year which it said it will use to pursue expansion in Europe.
Taxdoo (Germany)

Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Hamburg, Taxdoo builds API-based tools to help e-commerce companies with tax compliance and other accounting needs.
Among other features, Taxdoo handles the VAT processes in European Union (EU) countries and the UK automatically and securely. Through the automated collecting, monitoring and evaluation of the transaction data, the system recognizes the respective VAT liabilities in Europe and prepares them clearly.
Taxdoo has raised US$84 million in funding and is valued at about US$350 million, according to Techcrunch. The company closed a US$64 million Series B funding round in December 2021 which it said it will use to expand further across Europe and add new features and capabilities.

Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/europes-next-10-fintech-unicorns</link><guid>2722</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Digital-Agreements-Best-Practices.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Europe’s Next 10 Fintech Unicorns</dc:text></item><item><title>HSLU-Studie: Institutionelle Anleger investieren vermehrt in Hypotheken</title><description><![CDATA[Anlagen in Immobilien und Hypotheken haben im Tiefzinsumfeld der letzten Jahre bei institutionellen Anlegern stark an Attraktivität gewonnen. Investitionen in Hypotheken stellen allerdings für viele Investoren Neuland dar, wie eine Studie der Hochschule Luzern zeigt, die im Auftrag von UBS durchgeführt wurde. Trotzdem belegen die Resultate: Bei allen Anlegertypen sind Hypotheken ein Thema.
Bei Pensionskassen und Sammelstiftungen beträgt die Allokation in Hypothekenanlagen zwischen ein und drei Prozent.
John Davidson
«Interessant ist, dass grössere Pensionskassen mit einem verwalteten Vermögen von mindestens 500 Millionen Franken mit drei Prozent anteilsmässig deutlich häufiger Hypothekenanlagen tätigen als kleinere Anleger mit rund einem Prozent»,
sagt John Davidson, Co-Studienleiter und Dozent an der Hochschule Luzern. Noch deutlicher ist die unterschiedliche Vorgehenswiese bei der Art der Hypothekaranlagen: Grössere Pensionskassen vergeben den grössten Teil der Hypotheken direkt (84 Prozent), während kleinere Unternehmen 97 Prozent der Anlagen indirekt, d. h. via Vehikel wie AST oder Fonds tätigen.


Während die kleinen Pensionskassen ihre Hypotheken in den meisten Fällen (97 Prozent) indirekt über Fonds etc. vergeben, tun dies grössere institutionelle Anleger häufig direkt, nur 16 Prozent der Hypothekaranlagen werden von ihnen indirekt vergeben (Abbildung 1: Aufteilung der direkten und indirekten Hypothekaranlagen bei Pensionskassen; zum Vergrössern klicken).
«Diese Unterschiede dürften stark mit den verfügbaren Ressourcen und Kapazitäten der Pensionskassen zusammenhängen»,
so Davidson. Institutionelle Anleger wollen in Zukunft vor allem den Anteil der Investitionen in Infrastruktur und direkten Immobilien sowie Hypotheken erhöhen, während der Anteil an Obligationen gesenkt werden soll.
Anleger verzichten für Nachhaltigkeit auf Rendite
Wie wichtig Nachhaltigkeitsaspekte für institutionelle Anleger sind, wird in der Bereitschaft, auf Rendite zu verzichten, deutlich: 48 Prozent der institutionellen Anleger sind bereit, bei Immobilieninvestitionen kurzfristig zugunsten von Nachhaltigkeit zu verzichten – 28 Prozent sind sogar bereit, mittelfristig eine tiefere Rendite zu realisieren (Abbildung 2).
Bei Immobilien sind institutionelle Anleger am ehesten bereit, zugunsten der Nachhaltigkeit auf Rendite zu verzichten. Rund die Hälfte der befragten Anleger zeigt diese Bereitschaft bei einem kurzfristigen Zeithorizont. Bei mittelfristigen Immobilienanlagen sind noch 28 Prozent dazu bereit (Abbildung 2: Anteil der institutionellen Anleger, die bereit sind zugunsten von Nachhaltigkeit auf Rendite zu verzichten).
Insbesondere Anlagestiftungen und Fondsanbieter sind mit 64 Prozent bzw. 71 Prozent bereit, kurzfristig auf Rendite zu verzichten. Deutlich tiefer ist die Bereitschaft bei Pensionskassen mit 35 Prozent in der kurzen und 17 Prozent in der mittleren Frist. Insgesamt etwas weniger hoch ist die Bereitschaft zum Renditeverzicht bei Hypotheken, wo 29 Prozent der Anleger kurzfristig bereit sind, auf Rendite zu verzichten und 17 Prozent können sich vorstellen, mittelfristig Abstiche zu machen.
«Während insbesondere Fondsanbieter und Anlagestiftungen Vorreiter beim Thema Nachhaltigkeit sind, scheint das Thema bei den Pensionskassen noch weniger stark umgesetzt zu sein»,
sagt Daniel Steffen von der HSLU, der die Studie zusammen mit John Davidson und Stephan Kloess geleitet hat.
Fokus auf CO2-Emmissionen
Der Fokus bei der Nachhaltigkeit wird dabei von Anlegern vor allem auf ökologische Aspekte gelegt. Das wichtigste Thema sind klar CO2-Emissionen (für rund 90 Prozent der Anleger ein wichtiges Thema beim Reporting) gefolgt von Gebäudezertifikaten (64 Prozent, z. B. Minergie) und Energiesparmassnahmen (54 Prozent). Das bestätigt auch Sabine Magri, COO UBS Schweiz:
«Das Immobilien- und Hypothekengeschäft ist ein wichtiger Pfeiler für die Reduktion von CO2-Emissionen. Dies sowohl bei Eigenheimen als auch bei Renditeliegenschaften, wo mittel- und auch langfristig investiert werden muss, um mit innovativen Finanzierungslösungen und nachhaltigen Immobilien-Services den Wandel aktiv zu fördern.»
Weniger wichtig sind Governance-Themen wie Corporate Social Responsibility oder Use of Benchmark (jeweils rund 45 Prozent) sowie – deutlich abgeschlagen – Themen der sozialen Nachhaltigkeit wie soziale Durchmischung (30 Prozent) oder bezahlbare Mieten (28 Prozent). Das «E» des ESG ist damit der dominante Faktor.
«Bei den anderen Aspekten der Nachhaltigkeit gibt es durchaus Nachholbedarf»,
so Co-Studienautor Stephan Kloess. Die Teilnehmer sehen dabei zur Messung der Nachhaltigkeit gemeinsame und vergleichbare Standards als zentral an und bevorzugen es, wenn diese von neutralen Anbietern kommen (70 bis 80 Prozent Zustimmung) anstatt von privaten (24 bis 50 Prozent Zustimmung).

Featured image credit: Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/hslu-studie-institutionelle-anleger-investieren-vermehrt-in-hypotheken</link><guid>2721</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Digital-Agreements-Best-Practices.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>HSLU-Studie: Institutionelle Anleger investieren vermehrt in Hypotheken</dc:text></item><item><title>&gt;&gt;Venture&gt;&gt; Crowns Swiss Fintech Veritic as Its Most Innovative Early-Stage Startup</title><description><![CDATA[Switzerland’s startup competition &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt;announced that the Zug-based Veritic was crowned the most innovative early-stage startup in the Finance &amp; Insurance vertical.
&gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; celebrated 25 years of fostering Swiss innovation and entrepreneurship on Tuesday evening at ETH Zurich.
The anniversary celebration was highlighted by the 2022 Award Ceremony where &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; doled out over CHF 500,000 in non-dilutive cash to the country’s most promising early-stage startups.
The competition ranked and celebrated the 15 winning startups across 5 different industry verticals after having received a total of 358 business submissions.
The 15 winners were chosen by the C-suite executives that make up the &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; advisory board.
The annual competition will open again for submissions starting October 1, 2022, for their 2023 edition.
First Place Winner: Veritic 
Stephan Holzer and Nicolaj Forderer, Co-founders of Veritic
Veritic develops user-friendly, multi-chain NFT platforms in collaboration with leading institutions, and is based on a highly secure minting and custody infrastructure.
According to Veritic, they work closely with blockchains to enable high-security solutions and push the boundaries of NFT technology.
To achieve their vision of NFTs as part of everybody’s online experience, their work focuses on three key pillars; highly secure institutional-grade minting and custody of NFTs, secure end-to-end compliance process, and new user-friendly NFT platforms.
As the 1st place winner, Veritic was awarded CHF 50,000 and a McKinsey &amp; Company business consulting package to help jumpstart their entrepreneurial journey.
Second Place Winner: Correntics

Correntics was ranked second-place in the competition. The Zurich-based startup helps companies future-proof their supply chains through its specialised software that helps reduce the financial risks from climate extremes and emerging risks in global value chains.
Third Place Winner: Kaspar&amp;

The St. Gallen-based Kaspar&amp; ranked third with its customer facing all-in-one app that includes a Swiss bank account, and an automatic transaction-based round-up mechanism which invests the resulting micro-payments in professionally managed investment strategies.
Check out Veritic’s short video intro here:



]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/venture-crowns-swiss-fintech-veritic-as-its-most-innovative-early-stage-startup</link><guid>2720</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/imgpsh_fullsize_anim-3.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>&gt;&gt;Venture&gt;&gt; Crowns Swiss Fintech Veritic as Its Most Innovative Early-Stage Startup</dc:text></item><item><title>Argentina Paves the Way for Open Banking</title><description><![CDATA[In Argentina, the central bank is paving the way for open banking, introducing new regulation and initiatives to encourage digital payments and enable interoperability.
New measures for regulating virtual wallets were adopted in May 2022 by the board of Banco Central de la República Argentina, the country’s central bank.
The rule mandates banks, fintechs, payment services providers and digital wallet administrators to provide their customers with the ability to link other accounts. This ultimately means that customers will be able to carry out payments and transfers through one particular digital wallet but using funds deposited in another account.


Banks will also be required to provide account information to payment services providers to facilitate this function. Industry participants have until September 30, 2022 to comply and incorporate the necessary capabilities, the central bank says.
The new regulation is one step further in developing interoperability and open banking in Argentina, and follows on initiatives like Transferencias 3.0 (Transfers 3.0).
Launched in November 2021, the Transfers 3.0 is a real-time digital payment scheme that uses QR codes. The system allows users to make payments through transfers from any bank or payment account. It aims to enable interoperability between service providers by providing a standardized payment platform, and seeks to help boost digital payments.
So far, adoption of Transfers 3.0 has been strong, with more than 2 million transactions worth a total of ARS 3.5 billion (US$28 million) recorded in the first two months of operation, data from the central bank show.
Transfers 3.0 transactions as of January 2022, Source: Banco Central de la República Argentina
These developments come on the back of rising adoption of fintech solutions in Argentina and a booming digital finance landscape.
According to Ignacio Plaza, president of Cámara Argentina de Fintech (Argentine Chamber of Fintech), there are now over 30 million virtual accounts in the country, representing more than half of Argentina’s population. About half of the money transacted domestically involve virtual accounts, Plaza told local newspaper Ámbito Financiero in an interview on June 30, 2022.
Digital investment is another fast-growing fintech segment, he said, noting that there are now six million investment accounts, or 14 times more than three years ago.
Reflective of the sector’s growth, the industry has been actively recruiting new talents, employing an estimated 15,000 as of May 2021, data from Cámara Argentina de Fintech show. A report by local newspaper La Nación claims that the number rose to over 19,000 by the end of 2021, and according to Plaza, it’s now surpassed 22,000.
Compared to previous years, Plaza expects fintech companies to slow down hiring this year amid funding cuts and the ongoing economic downturn. There should also be signs of consolidation in the market, with a number of mergers and acquisitions (M&amp;A) deals to take place.
In March, American online personal finance company and online bank SoFi Technologies announced the completion of its acquisition of Argentine digital banking software vendor Technisys. Technisys, which provides a cloud-native, digital multi-product core banking platform, serves more than 60 established bank, fintech and non-financial brands in Latin America and the US.
Meanwhile, Argentine fintech unicorn Ualá has been on an acquisition spree since at least 2021, snatching up Mexican bank ABC Capital – a deal that has yet to be approved by regulators –, Argentine e-commerce platform Empretienda, and, most recently, digital banking rival Wilobank.
2021 was a fructuous year for fintech companies around the world. These enjoyed record levels of funding, raising a total of US$132 billion – or double what was raised in 2020, data from CB Insights show. In Latin America (LatAm), fintech funding reached an all-time high of US$13 billion, up 269% year-on-year (YoY).
Soaring funding activity pushed valuations further up, allowing Argentina to witness the minting of its first tech unicorn. Ualá, a personal finance management app, reached a US$2.45 billion valuation after raising a massive US$350 million Series D led by SoftBank Latin America Fund and affiliates of China-based Tencent.
Founded in 2017, Ualá is the developer of a digital banking app intended to democratize access to financial services. The app is linked to an international Mastercard, and users can carry out a wide variety of transactions including transfers, bill payments, mobile phone top-ups, and more. Ualá also allows users to keep track of their expenses and personal finances. The company started venturing into the investment space in late-2021, allowing customers to purchase US dollars through a parallel rate known locally as “Dolar MEP.”
Ualá operates in Argentina and Mexico, and launched earlier this year in Colombia. The company is said to be serving more than five million clients across LatAm.
This article first appeared on fintechnews.am

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/argentina-paves-the-way-for-open-banking</link><guid>2719</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Digital-Agreements-Best-Practices.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Argentina Paves the Way for Open Banking</dc:text></item><item><title>McKinsey Report: Metaverse to Generate up to US$5 Trillion in Impact by 2030</title><description><![CDATA[By 2030, the metaverse could generate up to US$5 trillion in impact, a sizeable opportunity that will be brought about rapid adoption of immersive virtual environments by consumers, rising openness to digital assets and new technologies, and heavy investments from the private sector.
This is according to an extensive report by McKinsey, which looks at the state of the sector, shares predictions for what’s to come, and unveils findings of a survey of 3,000 global consumers and 450 senior executives to understand both end-users and industry participants’ views on the topic.
According to the report, the metaverse holds implications for all sectors, but e-commerce will likely be the most impacted one. By 2030, McKinsey estimates that the metaverse could generate between US$2 trillion and US$2.6 trillion across e-commerce use cases, figures that drastic dwarf sectors such as academic virtual learning (an estimated US$180 billion-US$270 billion impact by 2030), advertising (US$144 billion-US$206 billion impact), and gaming (US$108 billion-US$125 billion impact).


Metaverse impact potential by 2030, $ trillion, Source: McKinsey analysis, 2022
For retailers, one of the biggest opportunities lies in the ability to remove the need to open up stores in every city, relying instead on a single store available in the metaverse for customer globally.
This opportunity is being explored by a number of companies: Samsung opened in January a store in blockchain-powered virtual world Decentraland; Nike introduced its virtual space in online gaming platform Roblox in November 2021, allowing customers to participate in various games and dress up their avatars with Nike products; and retailers including Ralph Lauren, Urban Outfitters, Walmart, Nike, Gap and Abercrombie &amp; Fitch have all filed trademarks related to virtual world stores, virtual goods and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
Retailers can also use the metaverse for advertising, brand activation, and recruiting purposes, McKinsey says. Mexican food brand Chipotle, for example, ran a Halloween campaign on Roblox last year, offering a voucher for a real-life burrito to any visitor of its virtual restaurant wearing a costume. In France, retail and wholesaling corporation Carrefour launched in May 2022 a metaverse-based recruitment effort to fill data-related job openings.
Finance in the metaverse
Like other industries, companies in the financial sector have too started to explore opportunities in the metaverse. So far, efforts have been focused on Web 2.0 initiatives that make use of centralized platforms built in-house, McKinsey says, but a lot of opportunities remain untapped in the open Web 3.0-enabled metaverse.
Bank of America, for example, introduced in October 2021 a virtual reality (VR) training program for employees; South Korea’s KB Kookmin Bank launched last year a virtual environment called the KB Metaverse VR Branch Testbed which it used to engage with customers and train employees; similarly, Nonghyup Bank and NH Investment &amp; Securities, have too been developing their own metaverse platforms.
Others have gone a step further, establishing a presence on open, decentralized metaverse environments and introducing products destined to be consumed in these virtual spaces. HSBC, Standard Chartered and JP Morgan have all purchased virtual land in Ethereum-based metaverse platform The Sandbox; and Zelf, an American neobanking company, launched last year a new functionality that allows gamers to trade in-game virtual assets on popular gaming messaging platform Discord.
Excitement among consumers and businesses
McKinsey’s bullish predictions and estimates for the metaverse were drawn from a global survey of more than 3,400 consumers and executives which found a high level enthusiasm among both end-users and businesses for the prospects of virtual environments.
Consumers showed eagerness in spending more time in the metaverse, with almost 60% of respondents indicating a preference for at least one activity in the virtual world compared to the physical alternative.
Shopping (79%), social gatherings and events (78%), fitness (76%), dating (73%) and education (72%) were named as the top five activities most preferred in an immersive virtual environment.
Preference for at least one activity in virtual world compared to physical alternative, % of respondents, Source: Intelli Metaverse Consumer Survey in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia (EMEA) and Asia–Pacific (APAC) (April 2022)
The executives survey also found a high level of excitement among the business community. 95% of business leaders expect the metaverse to have a positive impact on their industry within five to ten years, and 65% believe metaverse technology could drive more than 5% of their organization’s total revenue in five years.
Investment into the metaverse space has soared over the past years. In the first five months of 2022, corporations, venture capitalists, and private equity firms injected more than US$100 billion into the space, more than double the US$57 billion invested in all of 2021.
Value of metaverse-related investments, $ billions, Source: McKinsey analysis of Crunchbase data, 2022

Featured image credit: Pixabay
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mckinsey-report-metaverse-to-generate-up-to-us5-trillion-in-impact-by-2030</link><guid>2718</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Digital-Agreements-Best-Practices.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>McKinsey Report: Metaverse to Generate up to US$5 Trillion in Impact by 2030</dc:text></item><item><title>SIX Digital Exchange’s Web3 Unit Partners With Fireblocks</title><description><![CDATA[SIX Digital Exchange’s Web3 dedicated unit, SDX Web3 Services, announces a strategic collaboration with Fireblocks, the digital asset and crypto technology platform.
SDX Web3 Services is already working on integrating SDX non-custodial staking access into Fireblocks’ solution.
Initially, this partnership will focus on delivering an institutional custody solution for digital assets, paving the way for a seamless transition for financial institutions into the Web3 economy.


SDX Web3 Services will integrate Fireblocks’ MPC-based solution, designed to support institutions with a multi-layer security platform to safely store and transfer digital assets without jeopardising operational efficiency, into its system.
Starting with key cryptocurrencies and expanding into other classes of tokens, these services will include key storage, transaction execution and monitoring with banking-grade compliance standards, automated reporting and blockchain management.
Fireblocks’ network of 1,300 members, proven technology approach and battle-tested security systems will differentiate SDX Web3 Services’ client offerings apart from its competitors.
The platform integration will consist of the highest institutional-grade standards and remains in line with SIX Group’s standards in the market.
This offering is intended for Swiss and European institutional clients such as banks, corporates, and other financial institutions. The go-live is planned for H2 2022.
David Newns
“SDX is supporting institutional adoption through the launch of the SDX Exchange and CSD in October last year, and with the launch of SDX Web3 Services last month. SDX Web3 Services is committed to delivering a suite of future-proof solutions for institutional players as they embrace Web3.

We are excited to embark on this journey together with Fireblocks, the leading digital asset custody, transfer and settlement platform, to build an institutional-grade secure digital asset custody service for our clients,”
said David Newns, Head of SDX.

Michael Shaulov
“We are delighted to partner with the SIX Digital Exchange and SDX Web3 Services teams to provide their institutional investors and regulated intermediaries with the industry’s most advanced and secure institutional-grade platform.

With our technology, SDX’s customers are able to experience a seamless access into Web3, which further supports our goal of global Web3 adoption,”
said Michael Shaulov, Co-founder and CEO of Fireblocks.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/six-digital-exchanges-web3-unit-partners-with-fireblocks</link><guid>2716</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Digital-Agreements-Best-Practices.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>SIX Digital Exchange’s Web3 Unit Partners With Fireblocks</dc:text></item><item><title>What You Need to Know About EU’s Crypto Framework</title><description><![CDATA[The European Union (EU) brings crypto-assets, crypto-asset issuers and crypto-asset service providers under a regulatory framework for the first time.
The Council presidency and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on the markets in crypto-assets (MiCA) proposal which covers issuers of unbacked crypto-assets, and so-called “stablecoins”, as well as the trading venues and the wallets where crypto-assets are held.
This regulatory framework will protect investors and preserve financial stability, while allowing innovation and fostering the attractiveness of the crypto-asset sector.


This will bring more clarity in the European Union, as some member states already have national legislation for crypto-assets, but so far there had been no specific regulatory framework at EU level.
Bruno Le Maire
“Recent developments on this quickly evolving sector have confirmed the urgent need for an EU-wide regulation. MiCA will better protect Europeans who have invested in these assets, and prevent the misuse of crypto-assets, while being innovation-friendly to maintain the EU’s attractiveness.

This landmark regulation will put an end to the crypto wild west and confirms the EU’s role as a standard-setter for digital topics,”
said Bruno Le Maire, French Minister for the Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty.
Regulating the risks related to crypto-assets
MiCA will protect consumers against some of the risks associated with the investment in crypto-assets, and help them avoid fraudulent schemes.
Currently, consumers have very limited rights to protection or redress, especially if the transactions take place outside the EU.
With the new rules, crypto-asset service providers will have to respect strong requirements to protect consumers wallets and become liable in case they lose investors’ crypto-assets.
MiCA will also cover any type of market abuse related to any type of transaction or service, notably for market manipulation and insider dealing.
Actors in the crypto-assets market will be required to declare information on their environmental and climate footprint.
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) will develop draft regulatory technical standards on the content, methodologies and presentation of information related to principal adverse environmental and climate-related impact.
Within two years, the European Commission will have to provide a report on the environmental impact of crypto-assets and the introduction of mandatory minimum sustainability standards for consensus mechanisms, including the proof-of-work.
To avoid any overlaps with updated legislation on anti-money laundering (AML), which will now also cover crypto-assets, MiCA does not duplicate the anti-money laundering provisions as set out in the newly updated transfer of funds rules agreed on 29 June.
However, MiCA requires that the European Banking Authority (EBA) will be tasked with maintaining a public register of non-compliant crypto-asset service providers.
Crypto-asset service providers, whose parent company is located in countries listed on the EU list of third countries considered at high risk for anti-money laundering activities, as well as on the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes, will be required to implement enhanced checks in line with the EU AML framework.
Tougher requirements may also be applied to shareholders and to the management of the CASPs, notably with regard to their localisation.
A strong framework applicable to so-called “stablecoins” to protect consumers
Recent events on the so-called “stablecoins” markets showed once again the risks incurred by holders in the absence of regulation, as well as the impacts it has on other crypto-assets.
In fact, MiCA will protect consumers by requesting stablecoins issuers to build up a sufficiently liquid reserve, with a 1/1 ratio and partly in the form of deposits.
Every so-called “stablecoin” holder will be offered a claim at any time and free of charge by the issuer, and the rules governing the operation of the reserve will also provide for an adequate minimum liquidity.
Furthermore, all so-called “stablecoins” will be supervised by the European Banking Authority (EBA), with the presence of the issuer in the EU being a precondition for any issuance.
The development of asset-referenced tokens (ARTs) based on a non-European currency, as a widely used means of payment, will be constrained to preserve our monetary sovereignty.
Issuers of ARTs will need to have a registered office in the EU to ensure the proper supervision and monitoring of offers to the public of asset-referenced tokens.
This framework will provide the expected legal certainty and allow innovation to flourish in the European Union.
EU-wide rules for crypto-asset service providers and different crypto assets
Under the provisional agreement reached today, crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) will need an authorisation in order to operate within the EU.
National authorities will be required to issue authorisations within a timeframe of three months.
Regarding the largest CASPs, national authorities will transmit relevant information regularly to the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA).
Non-fungible tokens (NFTs), i. e. digital assets representing real objects like art, music and videos, will be excluded from the scope except if they fall under existing crypto-asset categories.
Within 18 months the European Commission will be tasked to prepare a comprehensive assessment and, if deemed necessary, a specific, proportionate and horizontal legislative proposal to create a regime for NFTs and address the emerging risks of such new market.
The provisional agreement is subject to approval by the Council and the European Parliament before going through the formal adoption procedure.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/what-you-need-to-know-about-eus-crypto-framework</link><guid>2715</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Digital-Agreements-Best-Practices.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>What You Need to Know About EU’s Crypto Framework</dc:text></item><item><title>Ueli Maurer Recognised as Fintech Influencer at the Swiss Fintech Awards 2022</title><description><![CDATA[The much-anticipated seventh edition of the Swiss Fintech Awards has announced the winners for the year 2022 on the evening of June 29 in Zurich.
This year’s awards had three categories; Fintech Influencer of the Year, Growth Stage Startup of the Year and Early Stage Startup of the Year.
The two startups that won the awards were each given a prize money of CHF 48,000.


The awards have been organised yearly since 2015 to promote regional development and to strengthen the Swiss fintech ecosystem.
It serves to recognise outstanding fintech, insurtech and blockchain startups as well as fintech influencers and are chosen by a renowned jury consisting of 20 fintech experts.
This year’s awards was attended by around 180 guests which included CEOs and leaders from traditional financial institutions, startups and numerous other key players in the Swiss fintech ecosystem.
The guest of honor this year was Urs Hölzle, a Swiss native who is currently the Senior Vice President of Technical Infrastructure at Google. He was Google’s eighth employee and has since been responsible for the tech company’s technical infrastructure.
Hölzle was on stage for a fireside chat where he offered plenty of inspiration for the young and established innovators in the room.
Partners who made the awards a success include Accenture, Credit Suisse, F10, Microsoft, Migros Bank, PostFinance, the Swiss Bankers Association, SICTIC, SIX, Sparkr, SWISS FINTECH, Swiss Fintech Innovations, UBS, VZ VermögensZentrum, VISA, as well as numerous other investors and independent experts.
Winners of the Swiss Fintech Awards 2022
Fintech Influencer of the Year Award

Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer received the “Fintech Influencer of the Year” award as he is a prominent figure who has been strongly committed to an innovative and well-positioned financial center in recent years.
The Swiss Fintech Awards recognise, among other things, the promotion of open dialogue among all relevant stakeholders and his efforts to strengthen the international positioning of the Swiss fintech and financial center, as well as the numerous initiatives such as the fintech sandbox and fintech licenses or the strategic forums for open finance.
All these efforts by Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer are central to a vibrant fintech scene in Switzerland.
Growth Stage Startup of the Year Award

Stableton Financial was the winner for the “Growth Stage Startup of the Year category.
The startup is a marketplace for alternative investments enabling private and professional investors to access alternative investments like for example companies that are not yet listed on the stock exchange.
Early Stage Startup of the Year Award

Meanwhile, DeepJudge received the award for the “Early Stage Startup of the Year” category.
DeepJudge’s technology has the potential to achieve considerable efficiency gains for financial institutions in the legal and compliance area by means of artificial intelligence.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ueli-maurer-recognised-as-fintech-influencer-at-the-swiss-fintech-awards-2022</link><guid>2713</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Digital-Agreements-Best-Practices.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Ueli Maurer Recognised as Fintech Influencer at the Swiss Fintech Awards 2022</dc:text></item><item><title>Here Are the Winners of the Swiss Fintech Awards 2022</title><description><![CDATA[The much-anticipated seventh edition of the Swiss Fintech Awards has announced the winners for the year 2022 on the evening of June 29 in Zurich.
This year’s awards had three categories; Fintech Influencer of the Year, Growth Stage Startup of the Year and Early Stage Startup of the Year.
The two startups that won the awards were each given a prize money of CHF 48,000.


The awards have been organised yearly since 2015 to promote regional development and to strengthen the Swiss fintech ecosystem.
It serves to recognise outstanding fintech, insurtech and blockchain startups as well as fintech influencers and are chosen by a renowned jury consisting of 20 fintech experts.
This year’s awards was attended by around 180 guests which included CEOs and leaders from traditional financial institutions, startups and numerous other key players in the Swiss fintech ecosystem.
The guest of honor this year was Urs Hölzle, a Swiss native who is currently the Senior Vice President of Technical Infrastructure at Google. He was Google’s eighth employee and has since been responsible for the tech company’s technical infrastructure.
Hölzle was on stage for a fireside chat where he offered plenty of inspiration for the young and established innovators in the room.
Partners who made the awards a success include Accenture, Credit Suisse, F10, Microsoft, Migros Bank, PostFinance, the Swiss Bankers Association, SICTIC, SIX, Sparkr, SWISS FINTECH, Swiss Fintech Innovations, UBS, VZ VermögensZentrum, VISA, as well as numerous other investors and independent experts.
Winners of the Swiss Fintech Awards 2022
Fintech Influencer of the Year Award

Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer received the “Fintech Influencer of the Year” award as he is a prominent figure who has been strongly committed to an innovative and well-positioned financial center in recent years.
The Swiss Fintech Awards recognise, among other things, the promotion of open dialogue among all relevant stakeholders and his efforts to strengthen the international positioning of the Swiss fintech and financial center, as well as the numerous initiatives such as the fintech sandbox and fintech licenses or the strategic forums for open finance.
All these efforts by Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer are central to a vibrant fintech scene in Switzerland.
Growth Stage Startup of the Year Award

Stableton Financial was the winner for the “Growth Stage Startup of the Year category.
The startup is a marketplace for alternative investments enabling private and professional investors to access alternative investments like for example companies that are not yet listed on the stock exchange.
Early Stage Startup of the Year Award

Meanwhile, DeepJudge received the award for the “Early Stage Startup of the Year” category.
DeepJudge’s technology has the potential to achieve considerable efficiency gains for financial institutions in the legal and compliance area by means of artificial intelligence.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/here-are-the-winners-of-the-swiss-fintech-awards-2022</link><guid>2714</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Digital-Agreements-Best-Practices.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Here Are the Winners of the Swiss Fintech Awards 2022</dc:text></item><item><title>Crypto Companies Put the Brakes on Sports Sponsorship Amid Market Crash</title><description><![CDATA[This year’s cryptocurrency crash, which saw the market lose more than half of its value in the span of six months, is threatening to bring sports sponsorship deals to a halt as crypto companies look to cut costs.
Sources with direct knowledge told The New York Post last week that cryptocurrency exchange FTX recently backed out of talks to provide a jersey patch to the MLB’s Los Angeles Angels. Another patch deal between the NBA’s Washington Wizards and an undisclosed crypto company also recently fell through, the sources said.
Some companies are even facing lawsuits over missing payments. The UK’s Times reported in January 2022 that Iqoniq, a crypto-based fan platform, went into liquidation, owing Spanish football team Real Sociedad a reported EUR 820,000 for their primary shirt sponsorship. English football club Crystal Palace, meanwhile, is said to have begun legal action against the company over missed payments.


Since the beginning of the year, the crypto market plummeted by about 55%, plunging from a total market capitalization of US$2 trillion in January 2022 to now approximately US$900 billion. The market has entered what’s commonly referred to as a “crypto winter”, or a prolonged period of lower crypto prices.
This month, an array of crypto exchanges announced significant layoffs. Coinbase said it was terminating 18% of its workforce; Gemini announced it would part ways with approximately 10% of its workforce; Crypto.com said it was laying off 5% of its workforce; BlockFi announced that it was reducing its 850-strong workforce by 20%; and just last week, BitPanda, Austria’s first and online fintech unicorn, said that it would reduce its headcount from nearly 1,000 employees to 730.
2021’s sports sponsorship frenzy
2022’s spending plunge comes after crypto firms shelled out staggering amounts of cash for sports sponsorship deals last year in hopes to getting their brands in front of wider audiences and wooing sports fans.
In November 2021, Crypto.com signed a record 20-year, US$700 million deal for the naming rights to the Staples Center. The multi-purpose area, which hosts hundreds of annual marquee events and serves as the official home of the US’ National Basketball Association (NBA)’s Los Angeles Lakers and LA Clippers, the National Hockey League (NHL)’s LA Kings and the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA)’s Los Angeles Sparks, has been known as Crypto.com Arena since December 25, 2021.
The HK-headquartered crypto exchange, which boasts more than 10 million users, also has a year-five, US$100 million sponsorship agreement with Formula 1, a deal with the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens, and a multi-year partnership with the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
Despite recent staff cuts, Crypto.com appears to be continuing its sports sponsorship spree this year, unveiling a deal with Fifa for the World Cup Qatar 2022 in March and a five-year partnership with the Adelaide Football Club (AFC) in January.
Besides Crypto.com, FTX is another prolific crypto startup in the sports sponsorship space, having inked deals with the Miami Heat, Major League Baseball, the Golden State Warriors, the Washington Wizards, as well as Team SoloMid (TSM), a professional esports organization.
Other high-profile sports sponsorships include Coinbase’s US$192 million multiyear partnership with the NBA, OKX’s collaboration with McLaren Racing, and Tezos’ sponsorship deal with Manchester United.
Nielsen, an American information, data and market measurement firm, estimates that sports sponsorship deals from the crypto space grew at a much faster rate than other sponsorship categories, increasing by a staggering 1,100% between 2019 and 2021.
New sports sponsorship deals by brand category, Source: Nielsen Sports Sponsorglobe, 2022
Nielsen expects crypto companies to spend US$5 billion on sports marketing by 2026.
Projected sports sponsorship investment growth by brand category, Source: Nielsen Sports Sponsorglobe, 2022

Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crypto-companies-put-the-brakes-on-sports-sponsorship-amid-market-crash</link><guid>2711</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Digital-Agreements-Best-Practices.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Crypto Companies Put the Brakes on Sports Sponsorship Amid Market Crash</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 29 Fintech Events To Attend in DACH in H2 2022</title><description><![CDATA[2021 was a blockbuster year for fintech funding globally. In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, also referred to as the DACH region, fintech funding increased four-fold to US$10.8 billion, data from research platform Fintech Global show.
To showcase the region’s burgeoning fintech sector, a plethora of large-scale conferences and events are scheduled to take place in the coming months, promising to bring together the global fintech community to discuss the latest developments, emerging trends, as well as opportunities and challenges brought about digitalization.
Below, you’ll find a curated list of the top 29 fintech gatherings to attend in H2 2022 across the DACH region.


&gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; Award Ceremony 2022
June 28, 2022, 18:00
ETH Zürich, Switzerland


On June 28, the 2022 Award Ceremony will celebrate the winning entrepreneurs of &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; on the 25th anniversary of Switzerland’s leading startup competition.
During the event, the top three winning entrepreneurs in each industry verticals, which are Finance and Insurance, Health and Nutrition, ICT, Industrials and Engineering and Retail and Consumer Services, will be announced. In addition, &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; will crown the 2022 competition’s grand prize winner who will be taking home the coveted prize of CHF 150,000.
In collaboration with our media partner RTS, we will announce the recipient of the &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; Audience Award, who will bring home CHF 10,000.
Doors will open at 18:00. The Award Ceremony will start at 18:30.
Get your FREE ticket here: &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; Award Ceremony 2022
Metaverse and NFT Get-Together – Hype or Future?
June 28, 2022, 18:00 – 23:30
Room D, Quarter 21 / Museum Quarter, Museumsplatz 1, Vienna, Austria


Entrepreneurs and creative people use metaverse and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) as a basis for sustainable business models.
During this event, experts from the Austrian Association for Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT Austria), loob.io, Fachhochschule Technikum Wien, deZentrale.at, Austrian Post and other organizations, will present the metaverse as well as discuss NFT-centric business models and best practices for their implementation.
Topics will include the opportunities brought about the metaverse, NFT security, startup funding, charity fundraising, and the industries/projects best suited for metaverse and NFT-centric business models.
Germany Summit 2022
June 28 – 29, 2022
Plug and Play Germany GmbH, Balanstrasse 73 Haus 10, 1. Stock (First Floor), Munich, Germany


The Germany Summit 2022 in Munich will allow participants to immerge themselves in what the health, retail and fintech industries will look like in 2030 and leave with unique perspectives and inspiration.
With Startup Creasphere – the first health-focused innovation in Munich – transforming healthcare, trendsetting businesses sharing insights into the shifting future of retail, and demos from exceptional startups that are shaping the new era of fintech, untapped opportunities are just around the corner.
Three expos on these topics will be taking place, in addition to keynote speakers, pilot project showcases, panel discussions, insights from corporate speakers, trends and insights from various industries, and much more.
Swiss Fintech Awards Night 2022
June 29, 2022
Hotel Belvoir, Zurich

The annual Swiss Fintech Awards, organized by Finanz und Wirtschaft, aims to promote Swiss fintech, insurtech and blockchain innovators and to contribute to the strong Swiss fintech ecosystem.
Each year, a jury consisting of 20 fintech experts selects the most outstanding fintech, insurtech and blockchain startups as well as fintech influencers.
The winners in three categories, namely Early Stage Startup of the Year, Growth Stage Startup of the Year, and Fintech Influencer of the Year, will be awarded at the exclusive, invitation-only Swiss Fintech Awards Night 2022 on June 29, 2022, in Zurich, bringing together leading minds from the fintech community as well as inspiring special guests to celebrate the innovators and entrepreneurs of the Swiss finance ecosystem.
Register here: Swiss Fintech Awards Night 2022
Fintech 2022: Mastering the Transformation
June 29, 2022
Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute, Switzerland

Banks and insurance companies are in a multi-layered upheaval. In order to master the digital transformation with all its facets, banks, insurance companies, start-ups and the like must be successful on many fronts at the same time. Organizational culture, technological know-how and creative business models and strategies must interact symbiotically in order to master the transformation. The organizational culture must allow for more agile and collaborative approaches. From the back to the front office, technology must pave the way for the future. And last but not least, the financial players must have the courage to break new strategic ground with open finance, new business models and value chains.
Those who neglect the interfaces between these success factors risk losing customers and talent and being among the losers in the next chapter of the transformation. That’s why the leading FinTech conference of “Finanz und Wirtschaft” brings together pioneers, visionary practitioners and decision-makers from various fields.
According to the current status and decision of the Federal Council of February 16, 2022, the event will be held physically, without a mask and certificate. Registered participants will be informed continuously.
Register here: https://www.fuw-forum.ch/fintech-2022 
Startup Summit Bremen
July 01, 2022, 16:00 – 23:59
Alte Werft, Stephaniekirchenweide 19, Bremen, Germany


The Startup Summit Bremen is where the region’s startup, tech and innovation community meets. During this year’s event, participants will get to meet the makers of over 50 startups, scaleups, grownups, agile corporates and startup supporters from Bremen and Umzu, to share knowledge and network.
Key topics covered will include corporate innovation and potential for cooperation with startups, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, startup funding, startup exits, and more. The event will feature the Award Ceremony of the Bremen Startup Award 2022, a pitch contest, as well as networking sessions.
Merchant Payments Ecosystem 2022
July 05 – 07, 2022
InterContinental Hotel, Berlin, Germany


The Merchant Payments Ecosystem (MPE), the largest merchant payments event in Europe, is returning from July 05 to 07, 2022, in Berlin, Germany. Participants will get to connect with leading merchants and brands, acquirers, payment services providers (PSPs), point-of-sale (POS) vendors, fintech startups, and more.
This year’s event is expected to bring together more than 1,200 attendees, including 300+ merchants, 300+ acquiring banks and PSPs from 40+ countries. Key themes covered will include open banking, regulation, digital currencies and cryptocurrencies, and the e-commerce boom.
The annual MPE event is widely regarded for its senior-level networking, best speaker line-up and agenda covering all aspects of payment acceptance, innovation and trends transforming merchant payments.
Register here: Merchant Payments Ecosystem
DigitalFuture Summit 2022
July 07 – 08, 2022
Hybrid, ESMT Berlin, Schloßplatz 1, Berlin, Germany


Organized by the European School of Management and Technology (ESMT Berlin), the DigitalFuture Summit (DFS) is an annual conference and networking event that offers highly qualified students and young professionals a chance to connect with business leaders to discuss the intersection of business and technology, and what it means for the future.
The summit aims to offer a learning experience by providing a space for exchanging ideas and information through panel discussions, keynotes and hands-on workshops.
Talents also have the chance to pitch their own ideas in front of an audience of successful investors, founders, and a group of almost 600 international students. Topics for startups participating in the DFS Pitch Competition are the DFS’s six pillars: mobility, technology, information, sustainability, health, and work. Winners receive a monetary prize and support from Vali Berlin, the entrepreneurship hub at ESMT Berlin.
This year’s event will take place in a hybrid format on July 7 and 8, 2022.
Finale German Startup Cup Fintech
July 11, 2022, 13:30 – 18:00
TechQuartier, Platz der Einheit 2, Frankfurt, Germany


On July 11, the Finale of the German Startup Cup Fintech will take place at TechQuartier in Frankfurt, presenting the four finalists – Comeco, CashOnLedger, Kudona and UnitedCrowd – and their innovations.
The startups will present the technologies of their companies in short pitches, after which they will be questioned by a jury of experts. After all the pitches, the jury and the spectators will vote on the best startups.
In addition to the finale, the event will feature two insightful panel discussions: one on banks’ imperative to innovate, focusing on topics such as IT, cloud computing and tech infrastructure, and the other, on emerging trends such as environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) standards, cryptocurrency and quant computing.
Participants can expect the latest innovations in the fintech space as well as the opportunity to network with a specialist audience.
2nd International Conference on Payments and Settlement
July 14 – 15, 2022
Deutsche Bundesbank, Eltville, Germany

Economic analysis of payment and settlement systems has risen in importance as a topic for researchers and analysts in central banks, academia and not least with market participants around the world.
The contribution of safe and efficient payment and settlement systems as a backbone for the financial system has been widely acknowledged especially against the background of financial crises and the current pandemic.
Moreover, innovations such as distributed ledger technology (DLT)-driven forms of settlement as well as the entrance of new participants with non-financial but technological backgrounds has led to potential far-reaching impacts which need to be analyzed and understood properly.
The significance of (big) data within payment systems and its linkage to the real economy to gain competitive benefits has intensified.
Market developments such as the upcoming consolidation of TARGET2 and TARGET2-Securities clearly involve new scopes to empirically and scientifically accompany adjusted payment and settlement systems by applying advanced analytics.
On July 14 and 15, 2022, the Deutsche Bundesbank, Germany’s central bank, will host its second International Conference on Payments and Settlement in Eltville, Germany, exploring these precise trends and developments, and delving into their potential implications.
2022 Regulating Financial Markets
August 22 – 23, 2022
Frankfurt School of Finance &amp; Management, Frankfurt, Germany

The 2022 Conference on Regulating Financial Markets will take place from August 22 and 23, 2022 in Frankfurt, Germany at the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management.
The event will discuss topics including the use of big data and machine learning (ML) in financial regulation, the economics of climate change, the relevance of digitalization for financial markets and their regulation, the impact of regulation on competition among banks and shadow banks, and more.
The academic keynote speakers will be Itay Goldstein (Wharton School) and Manju Puri (Duke University).
Open Banking Summit 2022
25 Aug 2022
Google Cloud, Europaallee 36, Zurich

OpenBankingProject.ch and its members invite to the third edition of the Open Banking Summit.
This year, they are following the national and international developments relating to Open Banking and are offering you a trend-setting overview. To do this, they dare to think outside the box and show you a summary of relevant international initiatives and inspiring use cases. These first-hand insights will help you to keep track of global activities and maybe you can take important impulses for your company with you.
“Ask the Expert” At the panel, you also have the opportunity to ask the experts your questions and immerse yourself in further discussions over an aperitif riche and exchange ideas with other guests.
Register here: https://www.openbankingproject.ch
CBDC Conference
August 29 – 31, 2022
Frankfurt Marriott Hotel, Frankfurt, Germany

Just a few years ago, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) were still attracting very little interest. Only a handful of central banks were even looking into it. If at all, discussions about CBDC were often held behind closed doors.
Then, however, a number of central banks began implementing pilot projects with the aim of better understanding the challenges associated with CBDC. Studies have also been published on this topic.
At the same time, technological innovations facilitated the advent of cryptocurrencies and, in the wake of Facebook’s announcement of plans to introduce Libra, CBDC was thrust into the spotlight almost overnight.
Organized by Lighthouse Communications, the CBDC Conference is the leading event in the field of CBDC, offering representatives of central banks, retail banks, technology providers, policy makers and academics a platform to learn about the latest developments in CBDC, exchange ideas with experts and peers, and advance the cause of CBDC.
The CBDC Conference is geared towards delegates who have a professional interest in CBDC, and will discuss topics such as the opportunities and challenges brought about CBDCs, central banks’ motivations in launching a CBDC, design and policy considerations when introducing a CBDC, and more. The event will also explore actual CBDC projects, including the Bahamas Digital Currency Sand Dollar and Project eNaira.
5th Annual GRASFI Conference
September 05 – 07, 2022
Zurich, Switzerland


The 5th Annual Conference is currently being planned by the Center for Sustainable Finance and Private Wealth (CSP) and the Center of Competence in Sustainable Finance (CCSF) at the University of Zurich.
Areas covered will include data and reporting and the use of technology including AI and big data; regulators, regulation and policy; stakeholders and market trends in the areas of banking, sustainable investments and investor preferences; and finance, society and the national environment.
Cryptomonnaie Messe Zurich HB
September 06 – 08, 2022
Zurich HB, Bahnhofplatz, Haupthalle 1600 M2, Zurich, Switzerland


From September 06 to 08, 2022, the Cryptomonnaie fair will take place in the heart of Zurich, bringing together participants from around the world, banks and fintechs to discuss some of the hottest trends in the cryptocurrency and broader fintech industry, including open banking, sustainable finance, NFTs and the metaverse.
The event will feature panel discussions, live podcasts, networking sessions, and more.
CryptX 22
September 08, 2022, 09:00 – 19:00
Alter Stahlbau, Fredenhagen, Sprendlinger Landstraße 193-195, Offenbach, Germany


The CryptX conference is coming back for its second edition on September 08, 2022, bringing together the blockchain and digital asset industry to talk and discuss emerging trends in the space.
The event will explore the implications and opportunities for the payment and banking industry and provide insights into current developments and concepts. The focus is not only on the experts and industry leaders shaping the industry, but above all the guests who will be given an opportunity to exchange ideas with their peers, experts and trendsetters from the industry.
Swiss Fintech Fair 2022
September 09, 2022
SIX ConventionPoint, Zurich, Switzerland

The annual Swiss Fintech Fair is one of the leading fintech trade shows in the country, bringing together C-level executives, investors, corporate innovation teams, and disruptors from across Europe to work together and build meaningful connections.
After two years of restrictions imposed by COVID-19, this year’s event will take place live in Zurich, and is expected to be attended by up to 1,000 people.
Register here: Swiss Fintech Fair
CV Summit 2022
September 14 – 15, 2022
Theater Casino Zug, 4 Artherstrasse, Zug, Switzerland


CV Summit is coming back on September 14 and 15, 2022 for two days of insightful panels, keynotes, networking, and more.
Designed to facilitate high-level discourse and showcase the Swiss blockchain ecosystem as one of the leading blockchain innovation and investment landscapes in the world, CV Summit will bring together investors, corporates, and high-profile individuals in one place in order to examine how the present and future applications of blockchain technology can help optimize and evolve businesses, revolutionize healthcare, modernize governmental institutions, support art and culture, and improve people’s daily lives as a whole.
Swiss Digital Finance Conference
September 21, 2022
Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Rotkreuz, Switzerland


The Swiss Digital Finance Conference connects players from the Swiss financial sector, informs them about relevant technology trends and how they are changing the industry. The theme of this year’s conference is: “Decentralized Finance (DeFi) in Metaverse – A new Fintech Revolution?”.
Why go?

At the Swiss Digital Finance Conference, the classic world of finance meets its challengers from the digital age.
The conference gives the audience an overview of the latest technology trends and how they are affecting the financial sector.
Participants get to know the digital possibilities and tools of the next generation better and meet at eye level

What is it about?

Digital transformation of financial services
Fintech, specifically DeFi and Metaverse
Finding new business models and transforming existing ones

The conference is aimed at business and IT managers and executives, professionals from banks, wealth managers, investors and insurance companies, as well as technology, telecommunications and consulting companies, strategy managers, business developers, fintech companies and everyone who is interested in digital financial services.
Register here: https://blog.hslu.ch/sdfc/
23. Key Note Event
September 23, 2022

The 23rd Key Note Event will take place on September 22nd, 2022 and invites various lectures on the subject of digitization.
Further information on the speakers and the detailed content will follow.
More information here: https://www.bosshardpartner.ch/en/current-events/details-events/23-key-note-event-upcoming-event
5th Annual World Digital Banking Summit
September 29 – 30, 2022
Titanic Gendarmenmarkt Berlin, Berlin, Germany


The fifth edition of the Annual World Digital Banking Summit will take place on September 29 and 30, 2022 as a hybrid event in Berlin, bringing together banking, financial services and fintech professionals to discuss how integrated solutions are shaping the future of digital banking. Leading professionals from global brands will be in attendance to share their experiences and discuss trending topics such as AI, ML, deep learning, cognitive computing, NLP, digital assets and much more.
This year’s event will focus on building future-oriented banking models by accelerating the pace of digital transformation and providing a customer-centered experience while following regulations and ensuring security.
Fintech World22: Innovation in Competition
November 2-3, 2022
Deutsche Telekom AG Capital Representative Office, Berlin

There are an estimated 1,000 fintechs in the DACH region. An exact number is difficult to define, as new companies are constantly being founded, fintechs are merging, being bought or filing for bankruptcy. As the second largest fintech location in Europe and the largest in the EU, Germany plays a special role here.
At FintechWorld22 on November 2nd and 3rd, 2022 in Deutsche Telekom’s capital city representative office on Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin, you have the opportunity to present yourself as a fintech. If you work in a bank, FintechWordl22 offer you a good overview of a relevant section of the fintech scene. The aim of the two-day conference is to promote exchange between banks and fintechs.
Book your tickets here: https://www.bankingclub.de/events/fintech-world-2022/
The Germany Startup Conference 2022
November 15, 2022, 18:00 – 20:00
Venue to be confirmed, Berlin, Germany


The Germany Startup Conference 2022 will bring together thousands of German startup founders and international investors to discuss the domestic startup ecosystem. The event will feature panel discussions and networking sessions.
DACHsec IT Security Summit
November 15 – 16, 2022
Hilton Munich Park, Am Tucherpark 7, Munich, Germany


DACHsec is a CPE-certified, German-language IT security summit uniting 120+ senior cybersecurity professionals from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland to discuss their cyber security challenges and outline strategies to safeguard from them. Delegates represent the region’s private and public sectors and core industries, including banking and finance, automotive, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and utilities.
Participants will get to hear exclusive keynotes from trail-blazing industry executives as well as having the chance to watch live panel debates, benchmarking their approach to cybersecurity against peers. They will also get to take part in interactive Q&amp;As, chat one-on-one with other attendees and access a library of educational content for 30-days after the event.
Participants will include leaders from the likes of BMW, BSI, Adidas, Coca-Cola, Siemens, Cyber-Security Council Germany and Deutsche Börse.
Tech Day 2022
November 17, 2022, 13:00 – 18:00
ThirtyFive Eventlocation, Wienerbergstraße 11, Vienna Twin Towers, Vienna, Austria


Tech Day is an annual event aimed at uniting the latest technological trends, forward-looking developments and innovative retail companies under one roof for one afternoon. The dynamic event combines short lectures and trade fair elements and intends to act as a bridging event between technology and trade.
On November 17, 2022, more than 170 leading representatives of the domestic trade as well as the tech and startup scene will discuss e-commerce shop systems, the latest payment trends, omnichannel solutions, blockchain, AI, and much more.
Like previous years, the 2022 event will also feature the Retail Innovation Awards, recognizing trading companies for the use of outstanding, innovative solutions across three categories: Best In-Store Solution, Best Online or Mobile Solution, and Best Omnichannel Innovation.
Topics covered will include AI, virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR), logistics, mobile shopping and payment, blockchain, cybersecurity, mixed reality, and much more.
Swiss Payment Forum 2022
November 21-22, 2022
Hybrid, Zurich Marriott Hotel, Switzerland

The Swiss Payment Forum brings together senior attendees from payment service providers, credit card companies, card and chip solution providers, payment processors, mobile network operators, trade and gastronomy as well as IT service providers and system providers with responsibilities in Payment systems, Payment transactions, Electronic and Mobile Banking and etc.
Look forward to these highlights:

The megatrends of the 2020s and their impact on payment and banking
Money in the digital age and the metaverse
Real-time payments: use case for banks
The future of payments and the role of central banks
Is DeFi revolutionizing the financial world?
Smartphone generation: expectations of banking
Thinking outside the box: mobile payment in Spain

Register here: https://www.swisspaymentforum.ch/de
Retail Banking Conference 2022
November 24, 2022, 13:20 – 18:00
Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Institute for Financial Services Zug IFZ, Campus Zug-Rotkreuz, Suurstoffi 1, Rotkreuz, Switzerland

The Retail Banking Conference 2022, taking place on November 24, 2022, will examine the current and future market environment, as well as the digital challenges faced by banks and financial service providers.
At this half-day event, participants will be provided with information on how the various competitors in retail banking in Switzerland are developing, which financial service offerings and developments from abroad are also of interest to the Swiss banking landscape and which digital solution approaches are the prominent ones in the prevailing market environment.
Respected personalities from the banking and finance sector will also give presentations on relevant developments in retail banking. In addition, the event will see the release of the annual IFZ Retail Banking Study.
Fintech Forum 2022
November 24, 2022
Airport Club, Frankfurt, Germany


Since 2013, Fintech Forum has offered award-winning insights and connections into the investors and founders behind “What’s next in European fintech”.
Participants will get to hear from top-notch investors and founders on the trends and opportunities across six key segments: payments, banking, asset management, insurance, capital markets, and blockchain/crypto/Web 3.0.
The Switzerland Startup Conference 2022
November 24, 2022, 18:00 – 20:00
Venue to be confirmed, Zurich, Switzerland


The Switzerland Startup Conference 2022 will bring together thousands of Swiss startup founders and international investors, featuring panel discussions, networking session, and presentation on the Swiss startup ecosystems.

Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-29-fintech-events-to-attend-in-dach-in-h2-2022</link><guid>2710</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Digital-Agreements-Best-Practices.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 29 Fintech Events To Attend in DACH in H2 2022</dc:text></item><item><title>Bank of America Makes Strategic Investment in iCapital to Deepen Partnership</title><description><![CDATA[iCapital, a fintech platform for alternative investments and investors, announced that the Bank of America has made a strategic investment in the company.
Bank of America invested in iCapital at the same valuation as iCapital’s last funding round in December 2021. No additional terms of the transaction were disclosed.
This move deepens the partnership between both entities that began in 2018.


iCapital said that it will use the investment to continue to build out the technical capabilities of its global alternative investing solution that supports more than US$130 billion in platform assets.
In March 2019, iCapital acquired Bank of America’s alternative investment feeder fund operations. This enabled the Bank of America to streamline and automate ongoing fund operations and administration services for Merrill and Private Bank advisors and their clients.
Since the initial agreement with Bank of America, iCapital has made a series of acquisitions and launches to expand its technical capabilities and broadened investment opportunities offered on its platform.
Lawrence Calcano
“We are honored to have the support of Bank of America to further iCapital’s mission to provide financial advisors with a complete alternative investing solution.

We look forward to continuing to work with the Bank of America team to enhance our platform to best meet the needs of its Merrill and Private Bank advisors seeking a range of alternative investments for their high-net-worth clients.”
said Lawrence Calcano, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of iCapital.
Nancy Fahmy
“iCapital and Bank of America share the belief that alternative investments are an important component of a well-diversified portfolio and it is critical to increase access, education and service to advisors and their clients.

Deepening our support of iCapital through a strategic investment is emblematic of the success of our collaborative relationship.”
said Nancy Fahmy, Head of Alternative Investments, Specialty Asset Management and Investment Solutions Specialists for Bank of America.




]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bank-of-america-makes-strategic-investment-in-icapital-to-deepen-partnership</link><guid>2709</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Digital-Agreements-Best-Practices.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Bank of America Makes Strategic Investment in iCapital to Deepen Partnership</dc:text></item><item><title>France Central Bank Officer Praises the Potential of Open Finance</title><description><![CDATA[The European Union (EU) was among the world’s pioneers in open banking regulation, adopting since the late 2000s a series of directives to allow new types of market players to provide payment services alongside credit institutions, ultimately increasing competition and fostering innovation.
These directives triggered the development of open banking services by giving a legal status to account information service providers (AISPs), payment services providers (payment institutions (PIs)), and electronic money services providers (electronic money institutions (EMIs)), and establishing the free access to payments data held by banks.
In France, data from the Autorité de contrôle prudentiel et de résolution (ACPR), the administrative authority that supervises the country’s banking and insurance sectors, show that these regulations have significantly increased competition in the industry.


As of the end of 2021, 62 domestic EMIs and PIs had been authorized by ACPR. Half of them received authorization after 2018, showcasing that the Revised Payment Services Directive (PSD2) has been met with enthusiasm by the industry and has accelerated the pace of change in the financial services sector.
ACPR number of EMIs, PIs and AISPs in France, Source: Autorité de contrôle prudentiel et de résolution, Banque de France, March 2022
Now French paytech companies appear to have started exporting their services aboard, with ACPR stating that in 2021, 43 French EMIs and PIs, and 4 AISPs reported at least one passport within the European Economic Area (EEA). Each of them addressed 19 countries on average, the authority estimates.
New regulations and market changes have also led to an increase in the number of foreign EMIs and PIs operating in France. At the end of 2021, 172 EMIs and 282 PIs declared providing services on the French territory, indicating that foreign competition has substantially increased.
Flow of new EPIs, EMIs and AISPs declaring to have operations in France under the cover of their passporting rights, Source: Autorité de contrôle prudentiel et de résolution, Banque de France, March 2022
Supporting open finance
As intended, PSD2 has resulted in the emergence of agile players, and innovative products for customers. The pressure to open up data is now extending to other areas of the financial sector, calling for adaptations in the regulatory framework to harness the opportunities brought about open finance, all the while, mitigating the risks arising from the trend, says Denis Beau, First Deputy Governor, Banque de France.
“Open finance promises new opportunities and more modern payments,” Beau wrote in a recent contribution for Eurofi, a European think tank dedicated to financial services.
“European authorities have to support this digital transformation of finance in the coming years, while regulating its risks. Embracing the ongoing data-driven revolution proactively is key to move Europe forward as a global digital player.”
Open finance, the next step of the open banking journey, involves enabling third-party providers to access customers’ data across a broader range of financial sectors and products ranging from mortgages and savings, to insurance and consumer credit.
The potential of open finance lies in the ability to gain a better understanding of a customer’s financial situation by having a more comprehensive view of their finances and behaviors, ultimately allowing providers to offer tailored products and better serve them.
For Banque de France’s Beau, open finance “holds great potential to improve customer experience and streamline back-office operations way beyond payments, in areas such as mortgages, securities, or pensions,” offering the prospects of more accessible, efficient and innovative financial services, he said.
But the trend also comes with risks that must be mitigated with proper regulation. For one, open finance will ultimately further lower entry barriers, potentially increasing market concentration. This challenge is particularly acute with bigtechs’ entry into finance. These companies already have significant market power in the areas of cloud computing, mobile payments and digital identification, Beau says, and could misuse their market power to increase user switching costs, exclude potential competitors, and consolidate their position by raising barriers to entry.
Another consideration relates to data privacy and data protection in the wake of increasing data volume in circulation and cross-referencing. Cross-border data flows also complicate the enforcement of regulations and make it more difficult for authorities to act, Beau notes.
The European Commission (EC) is currently working on an open finance framework with hopes for greater data-driven innovation in the financial sector. Building on the progress made with the landmark PSD2, the new legislation will seek to further enhance data sharing and openness across and within sectors. A legislative proposal for the framework is expected for later this year.

Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/france-central-bank-officer-praises-the-potential-of-open-finance</link><guid>2708</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Digital-Agreements-Best-Practices.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>France Central Bank Officer Praises the Potential of Open Finance</dc:text></item><item><title>CityFALCON Raises US$2 Million From Holt Xchange, eToro and TBH</title><description><![CDATA[CityFALCON, which transforms unstructured financial content into structured data, has closed its equity fundraising campaign on private investment platform Seedrs after having secured £1.65 million (US$2 million).
As a part of this fundraise, The Holt Xchange, a global early-stage VC firm and platform in Canada, and Terance Butler Holdings (TBH), a property investment company in the UK, have both taken stakes in the company.
Moreover, eToro, a social trading and multi-asset investment company with over 27 million registered users globally, also took a small position in the company.


eToro is one of its client and powers its news tab with CityFALCON’s content, providing users with a quality contextual newsfeed to inform investment decisions and increase engagement.
According to CityFALCON, serial entrepreneurs that were not named had also taken part in the round. One of its angel investors had reportedly sold his last company for £500 million.
Overall, 1200 investors participated in this fundraising round which witnessed new and existing investors.
CityFALCON added that the funds will be used to scale up its business and roll out new products.
Elisabeth Laett
Elisabeth Laett, Managing Partner at Holt Xchange said,
“The democratisation of financial information is the result of a global demand to access better education and deeper financial insights for a broader audience.

We have been impressed with the team’s mission at CityFALCON and pleased to further support them in this seed round”.
Ruzbeh Bacha
Ruzbeh Bacha, CEO at CityFALCON commented,
“We are grateful and very excited about this round, especially during these volatile and uncertain times.

Our users, clients, and investors on Seedrs have been amazingly supportive”.



Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/cityfalcon-raises-us2-million-from-holt-xchange-etoro-and-tbh</link><guid>2707</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Digital-Agreements-Best-Practices.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>CityFALCON Raises US$2 Million From Holt Xchange, eToro and TBH</dc:text></item><item><title>Cristiano Ronaldo and Binance Team Up for NFT Partnership</title><description><![CDATA[Binance announced an exclusive multi-year partnership with Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo.
The five-time Ballon D’or winner is joining forces with Binance to provide a one-of-a-kind experience for football fans worldwide, with a series of NFT collections that will launch exclusively on Binance’s official NFT platform. Registered Binance users in select countries will also be able to purchase the collections using Binance Pay.
The first collection, slated to launch later this year, will feature designs created in collaboration with Ronaldo.


Cristiano Ronaldo via Twitter
“Nothing is more important to me than the fans, so the idea of bringing unprecedented experiences and access through this platform is something that I wanted to be a part of,”
says Ronaldo.
“I know the fans are going to enjoy the collection as much as I do.”
Through this partnership, Binance is taking the sports fandom experience to unprecedented levels. Moreover, it will build on existing partnerships with the Argentine Football Association, the Brazilian Football Confederation, and professional sports clubs S.S. Lazio (IT) and FC Porto (PT).
Changpeng Zhao
“Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the world’s best footballers, and has transcended sport to become an icon in multiple industries. He has amassed one of the world’s most dedicated fan bases through his authenticity, talent, and charity work,”
said Binance Founder and CEO “CZ” (Changpeng Zhao).
“We are thrilled to provide his fans with exclusive engagement opportunities to connect with Ronaldo and own a piece of iconic sports history.”
To all the NFT, football, and Cristiano Ronaldo fans, this is only the beginning of what’s to come.


Proud to be partnering with @binance 
Together we’ll give you the opportunity to own an iconic piece of sports history.
I’m excited to take this journey with all of you. Let’s change the NFT game with #Binance. pic.twitter.com/SNSCMHggct
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) June 23, 2022

Featured image credit: Binance
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/cristiano-ronaldo-and-binance-team-up-for-nft-partnership</link><guid>2706</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Digital-Agreements-Best-Practices.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Cristiano Ronaldo and Binance Team Up for NFT Partnership</dc:text></item><item><title>European Banking Authority Asks for PSD2 Review</title><description><![CDATA[The European Banking Authority (EBA) published today an Opinion and Report in response to the European Commission’s Call for Advice (CfA) on the review of the Payment Services Directive (PSD2).
In its response, the EBA puts forward more than 200 proposals that would contribute to the development of the single EU retail payments market and ensure a harmonised and consistent application of the legal requirements across the EU. In particular, the EBA’s proposals aim at enhancing competition, facilitating innovation, protecting consumers’ funds and data, fostering the development of user-friendly services, and preventing exclusion from access to payment services, as well as ensuring a harmonised and consistent application of the legal requirements across the EU.
The EBA has observed that, while some objectives of the PSD2 have started to materialise, there are still many issues and challenges that need to be addressed. The proposed amendments include:



merging the PSD2 and the Electronic Money Directive;
clarifying the application of strong customer authentication (SCA) and the transactions in scope;
addressing new security risks for customers such as social engineering fraud where customers are tricked into initiating a payment transaction;
addressing concerns about authentication approaches (e.g. based on smartphones) that have led to exclusion of certain groups of society from using payment services online;
addressing underlying issues and obstacles to the provision of payment initiation services (PIS) and account information services (AIS), including the proposals for (i) AIS providers to apply their own SCA with their customers instead of relying on the authentication procedures by banks, (ii) empower customers to remain in control of their data; and (iii) support the development of high-quality interfaces across the EU;
moving from ‘Open banking’ to ‘Open finance’ (or otherwise the expansion from access to payment accounts data towards access to other types of financial data) and the opportunities and potential challenges associated with it, based on the PSD2 experience;
addressing the enforcement shortcomings in relation to the implementation and application of SCA for e-commerce card-based transactions and the removal of obstacles to the provision of AIS and PIS;
addressing unwarranted de-risking practices by banks affecting payment and e-money institutions; and
adjusting the prudential requirements, in particular in relation to initial capital, own funds, the use of professional indemnity insurance, the proposal for recovery and wind-down for significant payment institutions and possible consolidation group supervision.

Legal basis and background
The PSD2 regulates the provision of payment services across the EU and applies since 13 January 2018. As part of the review of the PSD2, on 20 October 2021, the EU Commission sent a Call for Advice to the EBA with the objective to gather evidence on the application and impact of the PSD2, including any benefits and challenges that may have arisen. The Call for Advice also seeks to identify areas where amendments to the PSD2 might be appropriate.


Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/european-banking-authority-asks-for-psd2-review</link><guid>2705</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Digital-Agreements-Best-Practices.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>European Banking Authority Asks for PSD2 Review</dc:text></item><item><title>SumUp Raises 590 Million Euro</title><description><![CDATA[SumUp has raised a €590 million funding round that gives the company an enterprise value of €8 billion following a decade of rapid growth and global expansion.
The round was led by Bain Capital Tech Opportunities, with participation from funds managed by BlackRock, btov Partners, Centerbridge, Crestline, Fin Capital, and Sentinel Dome Partners, among others. This latest round is a combination of debt and equity and brings SumUp’s total capital raised to €1.5 billion.
SumUp was founded in 2012 to help small merchants start, run and grow their business through a fair, easy, and reliable payment solution. Today, its financial services Super App provides merchants with a free business account and card, an online store, and an invoicing solution, as well as in-person and remote payments seamlessly integrated with SumUp’s proprietary card terminals and point-of-sale registers. More than 4 million businesses ‒ from taxi drivers and coffee shop owners to large sports stadiums ‒ trust SumUp to deliver when it matters.


SumUp’s team of over 3,000 people supports merchants in 35 countries worldwide, with Peru (launched in June 2022) being the company’s most recent new market. In recent years, SumUp has also expanded into point-of-sale solutions, and with the acquisitions of Goodtill, Tiller, and Fivestars, the company is rapidly expanding its footprint within the restaurant and retail sectors.
Marc-Alexander Christ
Marc-Alexander Christ, SumUp co-founder and CFO, said of the round:
“SumUp has received consistent support from the global investment community in our mission to help small merchants succeed. We stand by our merchants whatever the circumstance ‒ whether that be COVID or macroeconomic uncertainty. Our ability to organically grow 60+% through the challenges of recent years shows that we are there for merchants when they need support most. I am very proud of the team for completing a successful financing round in the current market with marquee investors – it’s indicative of our strength, execution, and potential. The funds we’ve raised will enable us to continue to build out our product ecosystem, expand into new markets, pursue value-adding acquisitions, and continue leveling the playing field for small merchants at a global scale.”
Darren Abrahamson
Darren Abrahamson, a Managing Director at Bain Capital Tech Opportunities, added:
“SumUp has continually evolved to empower a growing and diverse field of small businesses with payment solutions and tools to efficiently connect with their everyday consumers. SumUp’s leadership team have led the company to sustained and accelerated growth through expansion to more than 30 countries where they have had a direct and positive impact on the small business ecosystem. We’re proud to contribute our deep fintech and payments experience to aid SumUp’s remarkable ability to push the boundaries and lead an incredibly competitive industry.”
Bain Capital has deep global investment experience across the payments and e-commerce sectors, having invested in and added value to a wide-range of companies at all stages of their growth cycle.
Goldman Sachs International acted as exclusive placement agent for SumUp. Weil, Gotshal &amp; Manges acted as legal adviser to SumUp on the financing.

Featured image credit: SumUp
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sumup-raises-590-million-euro</link><guid>2703</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Digital-Agreements-Best-Practices.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>SumUp Raises 590 Million Euro</dc:text></item><item><title>Bundesrat trifft Richtungsentscheid für einen Schweizer Innovationsfonds</title><description><![CDATA[Der Bundesrat will den Standort Schweiz für Startups weiter stärken. Er hat am 22. Juni 2022 einen Richtungsentscheid zugunsten eines branchenneutralen Schweizer Innovationsfonds getroffen. Dieser soll die Finanzierung von Start-ups insbesondere während der Wachstumsphase und namentlich in den Bereichen Dekarbonisierung und Digitalisierung verbessern. Bis anfangs 2023 sollen die konkreten Eckwerte erarbeitet werden.
Die Schweiz soll auch mittel- und langfristig zu den produktivsten, wettbewerbsfähigsten und innovativsten Standorten der Welt gehören und langfristig Arbeitsplätze, Wertschöpfung und Steuersubstrat sichern können. Im Ausgang aus der Covid-19-Krise prüfte der Bundesrat neue Ansätze zur Erreichung dieser Ziele.
Im August 2021 hatte der Bundesrat deshalb das WBF beauftragt, die Vor- und Nachteile eines Schweizer Innovationsfonds zu untersuchen. Dabei sollte ausgelotet werden, inwiefern durch einen solchen Fonds der Risikokapitalmarkt in der Schweiz erweitert und damit die Wachstumschancen innovativer Unternehmen in der Schweiz verbessert werden könnten.


Die Analysen haben gezeigt, dass ein Innovationsfonds den Reifegrad des Schweizer Risikokapitalmarktes erhöhen, dessen Widerstandsfähigkeit stärken und damit die Standortattraktivität der Schweiz verbessern kann. Ein Innovationsfonds trägt weiter dazu bei, den Wegfall einzelner Instrumente der europäischen Rahmenprogramme zu kompensieren.
Als neuer Bestandteil der Schweizer Innovationspolitik soll der Innovationsfonds das Innova­­­tionsökosystem insgesamt langfristig stärken sowie die bestehenden Innovationsförderinstrumente, insbesondere jene der Innosuisse, ergänzen. Der Bundesrat will dabei den Fokus auf die Scale-up-Phase sowie auf die Bereiche Dekarbonisierung und Digitalisierung legen. Das WBF wird dem Bundesrat bis Ende Januar 2023 die Eckwerte eines Innovationsfonds und mögliche Finanzierungsvarianten unterbreiten.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bundesrat-trifft-richtungsentscheid-fur-einen-schweizer-innovationsfonds</link><guid>2704</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Digital-Agreements-Best-Practices.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Bundesrat trifft Richtungsentscheid für einen Schweizer Innovationsfonds</dc:text></item><item><title>4 Fintech Execs Make Top 100 B2B Marketers Leaderboard</title><description><![CDATA[HotTopics.ht, a thought leadership platform for business leaders, has announced 2022’s top 100 global marketing leaders in the technology sector. Of the 100 business-to-business (B2B) marketing executives selected, four represent financial and insurance technology companies.
Selected by the public and chosen by a jury, these 100 B2B marketers were recognized for trailblazing within the tech industry, contributing to significant business growth during their tenure, and for showing exceptional leadership capabilities.
The final 100 individuals include chief marketing officers and other C-level marketing executives of multinational tech corporations, telecommunication firms, financial software companies and tech startups. The four fintech B2B marketers that made it into this year’s list are:


Cherry Eromosele, Group Chief Marketing and Corporate Communications Officer, Interswitch Group
Cherry Eromosele, Group Chief Marketing and Corporate Communications Officer, Interswitch Group, Source: LinkedIn
Cherry Eromosele is the group chief marketing and corporate communications officer of Interswitch, a leading integrated digital payments and commerce player in Africa.
At Interswitch, Eromosele leads the firm’s marketing and communications function and is responsible for creating and implementing innovative marketing strategies towards building the entire Interswitch brand portfolio, spanning both the corporate (Interswitch) and consumer segments of the business, including the flagship Verve and Quickteller brands.
Eromosele is an experienced and data-driven C-level marketing leader with 25+ years track record building and leading integrated marketing and communications team at industry-leading firms across the beverages and consumer goods, telecoms and technology sectors.
She was recognized as Marketing Personality of the Year (2015) in Nigeria by Marketing Edge, one of the top 50 Marketing Professionals in West Africa at the annual Marketing World Awards in Accra, Ghana, one of the Top 50 Female Marketing Professional in Nigeria in May 2020, and as the Most Outstanding Marketing Professional of 2021 (Financial Technology Category) at the Women in Marketing and Communications Conference and Awards last year.
Helen Trim, Senior Vice President Marketing, EMEA and APAC, Coupa Software
Helen Trim, Senior Vice President Marketing, EMEA and APAC, Coupa Software, Source: LinkedIn
Helen Trim is the senior vice president of marketing for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and Asia-Pacific (APAC), at Coupa Software. At Coupa Software, Trim leads the go-to-market strategy and customer acquisition programs required to meet pipeline generation, acceleration and revenue targets for over 50 countries.
Over her 25-year career, Trim has developed strong entrepreneurial roots co-founding a number of digital and social media agencies. She has extensive experience leading both agency and client-side teams in European, APAC and US markets, specializing in go-to-market strategies, account-based marketing design and roll out, demand generation, campaign strategy and execution, public relations and communications, as well as thought leadership and content marketing strategy.
Coupa Software is a cloud-based technology platform for business spend management, providing companies with visibility into all spend and allowing them to gain control over their spending, optimize their supplier network and supply chains, and manage liquidity.
Martin Häring, Chief Marketing Officer and Member of the Executive Committee, Temenos
Martin Häring, CMO, Temenos, Source: LinkedIn
Martin Häring is the chief marketing officer (CMO) of Temenos, a Swiss firm specializing in enterprise software for banks and financial services. At Temenos, Häring is in charge of the company’s brand evolution, the go-to-market strategy, and forging new partnerships through co-marketing and co-innovation.
He has more than 25 years in B2B marketing and branding and has extensive experience leading global marketing organizations for large technology enterprises, including financial software and cloud services.
Häring joined Temenos in July 2021 from Red Hat, where he was vice president of marketing for EMEA. Before this, he was the CMO of Misys and subsequently Finastra where he was responsible for the company brand, product messaging, and go-to-market approach. He has held senior marketing executive roles in Akamai Technologies, Sun Microsystems and Oracle.
Häring has been named one of the most influential marketing leaders in Europe on many occasions, and is a well-respected thought leader on open banking, cloud banking, and banking-as-a-service (BaaS).
Sakina Najmi, Vice President Marketing, Tractable
Sakina Najmi, VP Marketing, Tractable, Source: Tractable
Sakina Najmi is the vice president of marketing of Tractable, a technology company that develops artificial intelligence (AI) to assess damage to property and vehicles. Tractable’s technology assists with the evaluation and settlement of insurance claims amounting to more than EUR 1.8 billion annually worldwide.
Najmi has more than 15 years of B2B marketing experience, and excels at driving revenue and business results through results-driven marketing strategy, product launches, messaging and positioning, competitive intelligence, sales enablement, demand generation and outbound marketing communications. She has built high-performing marketing teams and led them through digital transformation.
Najmi’s specialties include product marketing, digital marketing and digital strategist, social media marketing and search engaging optimization (SEO), customer retention and customer lifecycle management, as well as data-driven analytics and strategic insights. She was featured as one of the top 20 women in B2B tech marketing in 2019 by B2B Marketing.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/4-fintech-execs-make-top-100-b2b-marketers-leaderboard</link><guid>2702</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Digital-Agreements-Best-Practices.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>4 Fintech Execs Make Top 100 B2B Marketers Leaderboard</dc:text></item><item><title>Citi Partners With Metaco to Develop Institutional Digital Asset Custody Capabilities</title><description><![CDATA[Citi announced yesterday that it has selected Switzerland-based METACO to develop and pilot digital asset custody capabilities.
This collaboration brings together METACO’s technology and digital solutions with Citi’s expansive custody network to develop a platform to enable clients to store and settle digital assets seamlessly and securely. Citi intends to fully integrate METACO’s bank-grade digital asset custody and orchestration platform, Harmonize, into its existing infrastructure, to develop and pilot digital asset custody capabilities.
Okan Pekin
“We are witnessing the increasing digitization of traditional investment assets along with new native digital assets. We are innovating and developing new capabilities to support digital asset classes that are becoming increasingly relevant to our clients,”
said Okan Pekin, Global Head of Securities Services at Citi.


This strategic partnership enables Citi to extend its existing capabilities to digital assets while leveraging its current technological, operating and servicing model. Citi’s extensive global network, coupled with the power of the Harmonize platform, will allow Citi to expand securely and effectively into new markets, while utilizing its existing global operations, technology, and risk frameworks. The technology capabilities developed under this partnership will be an integral part of Citi’s Institutional Client Group digital asset strategy.
Adrien Treccani, CEO and Founder of METACO, commented,
“We are pleased to team up with Citi, one of the largest securities services firms, to support them in their vision to bridge digital and traditional assets. This initiative is a market-defining moment for institutional adoption of digital assets.”
The leading technology provider to financial institutions in the digital asset ecosystem, METACO has supported several key implementations, including FINMA, BaFin, FCA, Banco de España, and MAS regulated institutions.
With over US$27 trillion of assets under custody, administration and trust, and an industry-leading proprietary network spanning 63 markets, Citi Securities Services provides clients with in-depth local market expertise, advanced processing technologies, and a wide range of custody and fund services that can be tailored to meet clients’ needs.

Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/citi-partners-with-metaco-to-develop-institutional-digital-asset-custody-capabilities</link><guid>2701</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Digital-Agreements-Best-Practices.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Citi Partners With Metaco to Develop Institutional Digital Asset Custody Capabilities</dc:text></item><item><title>SEON Partners With Provenir to Improve Fraud Detection Solutions</title><description><![CDATA[Fraud prevention platform SEON announced a new partnership with credit risk specialist Provenir to help organisations build better fraud prevention solutions.
Through this partnership, Provenir provides an AI-powered decisioning platform that can assess risk in areas like identity, credit, and fraud.
The Provenir Marketplace provides organisations with a one-stop data hub that makes it easy to access information covering open banking, KYC/KYB, fraud, credit risk, verifications, social media, collections, affordability and more.


This comprehensive fintech data and business intelligence ecosystem brings together offerings from data vendors around the globe into one cloud solution for data consumption.
Meanwhil, SEON’s system can establish an individual’s digital footprint based on their email address, phone number, IP address, or location in real-time.
This GDPR-compliant approach to analysing a user’s digital footprint helps companies to accept more transactions while blocking fraudulent ones.
This service provides secure customer identification, while not interfering with the optimal customer journey.
The new partnership is now fully live, with SEON’s solution already helping to improve fraud detection performance in conjunction with Provenir’s platform.
Jimmy Fong
Jimmy Fong, CCO of SEON commented,
“SEON and Provenir perfectly complement each other, which makes our new partnership a match made in heaven for businesses across a number of sectors. From the first interactions, it was clear that our two businesses’ visions were fully aligned. Now, together, we will improve experiences for users across the company’s platform, while reducing the risk of fraud.
“Provenir is a great partner as they target identity, fraud and credit risk. Now, with access to our data sources, the company is able to provide customers with more data choices to include in their credit risk management solutions. In addition, our technology is helping to enrich know-your-customer (KYC) checks to further mitigate the risk of fraud and to enable better customer decisions. By working collaboratively, we’re able to ensure this process is as seamless and straightforward as possible.”
Carol Hamilton
Carol Hamilton, Senior Vice President, Global Solutions at Provenir added,
“We’re excited to have SEON join the Provenir Marketplace to help customers gain real-time insights from social and digital sources to verify identity and combat fraud.

SEON’s rich data and flexibility allows customers to customize their rules and risk models as needed to make instant, accurate decisions.”



Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/seon-partners-with-provenir-to-improve-fraud-detection-solutions</link><guid>2699</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Digital-Agreements-Best-Practices.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>SEON Partners With Provenir to Improve Fraud Detection Solutions</dc:text></item><item><title>Klarna App Is Enhanced With Digital Wallet for Easy Access to Loyalty Cards</title><description><![CDATA[Klarna, a leading global retail bank, payments, and shopping service today announced the launch of its new Loyalty Card feature in the Klarna App.
This allows app users to store and access their physical loyalty cards as digital versions. They can then collect all points and benefits at any merchant without the need to carry plastic equivalents while out shopping in-store. Powered by the acquisition of mobile wallet provider, Stocard, the primary consumer offering now integrates into the Klarna App as a means of further establishing an all-in-one experience that drives convenience and value to consumers’ shopping journey. The feature supports over 8,000 loyalty reward programs worldwide, spanning everything from clothing and beauty to technology and groceries to help ensure that consumers never miss out on collecting valuable points – wherever they shop.
Loyalty programs are very popular amongst consumers. According to studies, 69% of US consumers say loyalty programs influence their purchasing decisions. However, today many loyalty programs require consumers to carry a physical card with them, which consumers find inconvenient. In fact, 79% are more likely to join a loyalty program that doesn’t require them to carry a physical card. US consumers surveyed in a recent Klarna survey* reflect the same sentiment, with nearly a third (31%) having avoided signing up for a loyalty program in the past because they were unwilling to carry another card. In addition, over half (59%) of US consumers do not carry all of their loyalty cards with them while out shopping, meaning they regularly miss out on rewards when shopping in-store without their loyalty cards at hand.


The new Loyalty Card feature in the Klarna App solves this by enabling users to store their physical loyalty cards as digital versions in one place. Now, while out shopping, users can easily access any of their cards directly in the Klarna App and never miss out on loyalty points or perks again.
Björn Goss
Björn Goss, Product Director at Klarna and Founder of Stocard:
“Physical loyalty cards are an inconvenience in today’s digital world and are therefore often left at home, resulting in consumers missing out on deals and merchants losing a prime opportunity to reinforce brand loyalty.  We all know the situation: you are offered to join an attractive loyalty program but don’t want to carry yet another plastic card around. By equipping Klarna App users with a digital space to collect their loyalty cards we allow them to reap the rewards of their in-store purchases in a far more convenient way, helping ensure that every penny spent counts towards a return.”
David Fock
David Fock, Chief Product Officer at Klarna:
“At Klarna, we want to give consumers the world’s best shopping experience, no matter whether that’s online or on the high street. After the launch of our revolutionary new Virtual Shopping tool, Klarna is now delving deeper into physical retail, helping consumers save time and money everywhere they shop. By equipping users with a digital space to conveniently collect their loyalty cards we are raising the physical shopping experience to a new level of convenience and flexibility.”
How does the Klarna Loyalty Card feature work?

Step 1: From the homepage of the Klarna App, click on the Loyalty Card icon and select “Add card” button to see a full list of supported merchants and loyalty programs. Here users can browse through or search for a specific loyalty program. Alternatively, if the loyalty program is not supported yet, the user can choose to add “Other card” and input the merchant name manually.
Step 2: Add your card. After finding the loyalty program, users can scan the barcode on their physical card with the camera on their mobile device. The app will then create a digital copy and store it in the reward space in the Klarna App. For cards that don’t have a barcode, users are able to manually type their membership number in to add the card.
Step 3: Use your card to collect points in-store. While shopping in a physical store, users are able to display and scan their loyalty cards from the Klarna App. Simply open up the card from within the app, scan the card at the checkout and collect the points or claim your discount, just as you would with a physical card.

Klarna’s digital Loyalty Card space is live today in the Klarna App in 18 regions, including Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal,  Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,  the UK and the US. The offering will extend to additional markets throughout 2022.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/klarna-app-is-enhanced-with-digital-wallet-for-easy-access-to-loyalty-cards</link><guid>2698</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Digital-Agreements-Best-Practices.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Klarna App Is Enhanced With Digital Wallet for Easy Access to Loyalty Cards</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Private Bank Bergos AG Selects New Access SA to Support Its Digital Transformation</title><description><![CDATA[The core-to-digital solution suite provider, New Access SA, is very proud to announce the signing of a new license agreement with Swiss Private Bank BERGOS AG.
Bergos is an independent Swiss Private Bank specialized in wealth management, offering investment solutions in all liquid and non-liquid asset classes. The bank focuses on asset management and advisory, offering services beyond money such as Art Consult and Multi Family Office Services. Active in the Swiss financial center for more than 30 years, it operates internationally with more than 100 professionals dedicated to the company’s success. Bergos AG has been recently awarded with the highest distinction “summa cum laude” in the renowned “Elite of Asset Managers” competition in Munich.
After a comprehensive review of various vendors, Bergos decided to rely on New Access solutions to support its digital transformation and enhance its functional capabilities. The Swiss private bank decided to modernize its existing systems by choosing a fully integrated platform that is consistently focused on the digitalization of its processes. The new platform will include the full range of core-to-digital solutions offered by New Access.
Vincent Jeunet
“We are very proud to have been chosen by Bergos AG to support its digital transformation with our complete core-to-digital solution suite. The full New Access solution will help Bergos streamline their processes and optimize the application landscape with a completely integrated suite. It is a significant project that our teams are ready to start, and we are very grateful for the trust Bergos AG is placing in us.”
Vincent Jeunet, CEO of New Access.
This strategic transformation will strengthen Bergos AG’s Core capabilities, allowing the Swiss Private Bank to enhance its automation and standardization processes, operate from a single integrated and centralized platform, and ultimately improve digital interactions with relationship managers and end-user clients.
Peter Raskin
“The digital transformation is bringing formidable possibilities and disruptive changes to the banking sector. As a Private Bank dedicated to Human Private Banking, we are focused on delivering the best possible services, accompanied by seamless processes, for our clients. The collaboration with New Access will broaden our options in the digital realm and therewith enhance the digital experience of Bergos for both our clients and our team. We are looking forward to working together!”
Dr. Peter Raskin, CEO and Partner of Bergos.
In addition to the fully comprehensive solution suite, Bergos has subscribed to New Access’ Managed Services to operate, monitor, and manage the global platform.
The first milestone will be reached in 2022 and will form the basis of this collaboration.

About Bergos AG
Bergos AG is an independent Swiss private bank with a focus on private wealth. It emerged in 2021 with a new shareholder base from its former mother company, Joh. Berenberg, Gossler &amp; Co. KG (founded in 1590), and has been serving international private clients and entrepreneurs in the Swiss financial center for over thirty years. Its headquarters are in Zurich with an office in Geneva. The Swiss private bank is dedicated to “human private banking” and specializes in wealth management and advisory services. With more than 100 employees, the focus is on providing expert guidance in all known liquid and non-liquid asset classes, as well as alternative investments such as real estate, private equity and art. For entrepreneurial clients, Bergos offers access to M&amp;A and other corporate finance services. Bergos AG offers private clients, entrepreneurs and their families a holistic, intergenerational service that focuses on security, neutrality, internationality and openness to the world, in addition to investment recommendations.
About New Access SA
New Access is a leading provider of a scalable and modular Core-to-Digital solution suite designed to meet the specific requirements of the private banking and wealth management industry. New Access enables digital transformation and improves client’s satisfaction with its digital front-end solution, including an advisor cockpit, Client Lifecycle Management (CLM) and a client/EAM portal. Its offering also includes an advanced and comprehensive Core Banking System, a Portfolio Management System (PMS) and a powerful workflow engine (BPM). New Access has been operating for over 20 years exclusively in the private banking and wealth management sectors, supporting more than 60 customers, globally.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-private-bank-bergos-ag-selects-new-access-sa-to-support-its-digital-transformation</link><guid>2697</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Private Bank Bergos AG Selects New Access SA to Support Its Digital Transformation</dc:text></item><item><title>Digital ID Verification, Remote Document Signing to Become the Norm in Finance Sector</title><description><![CDATA[The pandemic has accelerated the growth of non-face-to-face interactions, forcing banks, merchants and others to swiftly deploy digital tools to accurately verify the identity of the person on the other end of a digital transaction.
A 2021 study by advisory firm Aite-Novarica looked at ten vendors in the document identification and verification (ID&amp;V) space, highlighting a notable growth in the demand for document ID&amp;V solutions. Within the next two years, 90% of financial institutions surveyed by the firm shared plans to implement mobile identity document capture and verification solutions.

These trends are reflective of the changing face of customer expectations and behaviors amid increased competition from tech giants and fintech startups, advances in technology, and an evolving fraud and regulatory landscape.
As the adoption of digital continues to grow, digital and mobile service are expected to become the norm for onboarding and account opening for financial services, says cybersecurity firm OneSpan.
Improving customer experience
In a new whitepaper focusing on digital agreements and identity verification, the firm shares insights and best practices for financial institutions looking to transform identity verification and document signing processes to improve customer experience and compliance, eliminate human error, and reduce the risk of fraud.
According to the paper, customer expectations have shifted profoundly these past couple of years, driven by new challengers coming to the market with frictionless, and superior digital-first experiences.
This has lowered customers’ tolerance level, putting incumbents at risks of losing sales and customer loyalty. Against this backdrop, financial institutions need to leverage technology platforms to digitize each stage of the account opening and financial agreements processes – from identity verification to smart digital forms, signing, and secure storage of all documents and audit trails, OneSpan says.
Not only does the ability to bring new customers onboard via a fully digital journey leads to a better customer experience, higher completion rates and faster cycles, it also allows financial institutions to cut costs by improving efficiency and eliminating manual work, the firm says.
Fighting fraud
As interactions through digital channels continue to rise in prominence, fraud is following suit. Account security and fraud prevention specialist Arkose Labs observed a surge of over 70% in new account fraud between 2020 and 2021.
New account fraud occurs when a fraudster or money mule is being successfully onboarded by a financial institutions using either their own identity, a stolen identity or a synthetic identity.
Research firm Javelin Strategy and Research estimates that in the US, traditional identity fraud losses caused by criminals illegally using victims’ information to steal money, exploded to US$24 billion (USD) in 2021, a figure that represents an alarming 79% increase over 2020.
To migrate the risk of new account fraud, many financial institutions are turning to technology to help them validate the identity of an applicant and prove the validated identity is genuinely the individual they are interacting with, OneSpan notes.
For example, digital verification checks allow financial institutions to prove who an applicant is without the need to meet them face-to-face. These solutions make use of technologies like biometrics, face recognition and digital ID verification to help organizations verify the identity of a person remotely in a faster, more efficient and more accurate manner.
Proving compliance
In addition to mitigating new fraud risks brought about digitalization, technology also allows financial institutions to more easily prove compliance.
For example, some technology platforms that digitize account opening and financial agreement processes can capture an audit trail of exactly what the applicant saw and did during a transaction, and store that audit trail in a secure and tamper-proof way.
This audit trail can then be used to prove that fair and compliant practices were followed, and that the applicant was fully aware of what they were signing up for at the time of opening an account or applying for a financial product.

Featured image credit: Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digital-id-verification-remote-document-signing-to-become-the-norm-in-finance-sector</link><guid>2696</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/20210721_Global-Document-Identification-and-Verification-Market-Overview-1024x598.jpeg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Digital ID Verification, Remote Document Signing to Become the Norm in Finance Sector</dc:text></item><item><title>Point Zero Forum to Kick off Tomorrow in Zurich</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss Secretariat for International Finance (SIF) and Elevandi (a company set up by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to advance FinTech in the digital economy) will kick off the inaugural Point ZERO Forum in Zurich, Switzerland, tomorrow.
Running from 21 to 23 June 2022, the invite-only, in-depth engagement forum which brings together founders, investors, and policymakers will focus on two significant new market opportunities built on Web 3.0 architecture: tokenisation and sustainable finance.
Tuesday, 21 June
The Forum begins with the Investor Summit by Elevandi Connects, a closed-door briefing for investors in the afternoon of 21 June (CEST), with opening remarks by Alvin Tan, Singapore’s Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, and Board member of MAS. It is followed by an Investor Roundtable on the future of the Token Economy and Sustainable Finance. Attendees can also attend various Innovation Tours scheduled throughout the day to uncover the latest developments in Web 3.0, embedded finance, and sustainable finance. These tours were curated by research centres, incubators, and accelerators around Zug and Zurich.


The next two days of the Forum will focus on extensive discussions around Web 3.0.
Wednesday, 22 June
Spotlight on The Future of Financial Services: Four special sessions in the Leadership Series will feature
1) Driving FinTech Through Three Double Helixes by Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies, Heng Swee Keat, who will open the day’s events;
2) Agustín Carstens, General Manager, Bank for International Settlements, Ravi Menon, Managing Director, Monetary Authority of Singapore, and Prof Thomas J. Jordan, Chairman of the Governing Board, Swiss National Bank will come together to discuss The Future of Financial Services: The Policy Makers’ Perspective;
3) Douglas Lehman Feagin, Senior Vice President for Global Strategic Partnerships and Investments, Ant Group, Ericson Chan, Group Chief Information and Digital Officer, Zurich Insurance Company, Olga Zoutendijk, Chairwoman, Fnality International, and Ralph A.J.G. Hamers, Group Chief Executive Officer, UBS Group AG, will share insights at a Board Room Talk: The Future of Financial Services; and
4) Where FinTech Meets Impact: Tokenisation and Sustainable Finance by Switzerland’s Federal Councillor, Ueli Maurer, who will close the day’s activities.

Six plenary sessions focusing on the Tokenisation Market Opportunity will cover key topics from Crypto: Current and Future Economy to the Building Blocks for the Token Economy and What’s Next for Stablecoins. Leading experts from the public and private sector will share their insights on crypto regulations, digital assets, Decentralised Finance, and Central Bank Digital Currency in a series of closed-door roundtables.
Thursday, 23 June
Seven plenary sessions focusing on the Sustainable Finance Opportunity will cover key topics such as The ESG Market Opportunity: Accessing Credible Data, Board Room Talk: The Climate Imperative to Innovative Finance for Conservation. At the closed-door Roundtables, participants from public and private sectors will come together for dialogues in Shared Responsibility: The Future of Green Financing and Unlocking ESG Data: The Role of Public-Private Digital Partnership.
Spotlight on FinTech Leaders:
1) Series of fireside chats with international founders and influencers such as:

Benjamin Cistecky, Director, Investments, Temasek
Henric Suuronen, Founding Partner, Play Ventures
Feng-Yuan Liu, Vice President of Business Development, Aicadium
Jeff Schumacher, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, NAX Group
Julian Teicke, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, wefox
Ladi Delano, Co-Chief Executive Officer &amp; Co-founder, Moove Africa
Marco Bizzozero, Head of International &amp; Member of the ExCo, iCapital
Matthias Knecht, Co-Chief Executive Officer &amp; Co-founder, Billie
Neil Davidson, Executive Chairman, Coda Payments
Sam Rhee, Chairman and Chief Investment Officer, Endowus
Sebastien Borget, Co-Founder &amp; Chief Operating Officer, The Sandbox

2) The day closes with a Digital Assets: Ask Me Anything with David Marcus, Co-founder &amp; Chief Executive Officer, Lightspark and Michael Shaulov, Chief Executive Officer &amp; Co-founder, Fireblocks.
The full agenda of the Forum can be found here.
Throughout the two days, participants will also receive exclusive access to sessions such as Roundtables, Think Tanks, 1:1 Curated Business Meetings, and the Industry Networking Party designed to provide opportunities for a meeting of minds between speakers and delegates.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/point-zero-forum-to-kick-off-tomorrow-in-zurich</link><guid>2695</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Digital-Agreements-Best-Practices.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Point Zero Forum to Kick off Tomorrow in Zurich</dc:text></item><item><title>Nascent Metaverse Finance Industry Provides Investors with Exciting Opportunities</title><description><![CDATA[In 2021, interest in the metaverse spiked following a surge in sales of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and announcements from bigtechs sharing their interest and investment in the space.
This year, the momentum is continuing, with corporations, venture capitalists (VCs) and private equity (PE) firms having invested more than US$120 billion in the metaverse in the first five months of 2022 alone, a figure that’s more than double the US$57 billion committed to the space in all of 2021, data from McKinsey show.
As the concept of an immersive virtual environment continues to gather steam, the so-called metaverse finance (MetaFi) landscape is starting to take shape, providing plenty of opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors alike to tap into.


This is one of the conclusions shared in a new report co-authored by Switzerland’s Institute of Financial Services Zug IFZ and Synpulse8, the fintech division of global management consulting company Synpule.
The document, titled Metaverse Report: An overview of the current status and developments for the financial industry, aims to provide the financial sector with an introduction to the metaverse and its developments, and discuss the drivers of the trend and its potentials.
At this stage of game, financial services are still scarce in the metaverse, the report says, and only three main product areas can be observed:

The payments category, which mainly includes payment tokens associated with distributed ledger technology (DLT)-based metaverses that are used for the purchase and trade of virtual land or other products and services (e.g. MANA by Decentraland and SAND by The Sandbox);
Investment management, which involves the provision of investment solutions such as metaverse-related thematic ETFs (e.g. Fidelity Metaverse ETF and Proshares Metaverse ETF); and
The banking infrastructure category, which includes all the companies and organizations involved in the development of virtual hubs or infrastructure for the provision of financial services (e.g. Fidelity Stack by Fidelity (Decentraland); HSBC (The Sandbox)).

In the area of deposit and lending, the report notes no concrete financial solutions offered yet, and advises traditional financial service providers to look into possible solutions in the medium to long term.
Financial services and the metaverse, Source: Metaverse Report: An overview of the current status and developments for the financial industry, Institute of Financial Services Zug IFZ and Synpulse8, June 2022
Investment opportunities
Although the metaverse and its boundaries as a concept is still very much a moving target, several estimates suggest that it could become a massive market.
Citi forecasts that by 2030, total metaverse users could be anywhere between one billion to five billion users. The bank estimates a target addressable market for the metaverse economy in the range of US$8 trillion to US$13 trillion.
Sizing the Metaverse Economy in 2030 ($ trillions), Source: IMF, Citi Global Insights, 2022
These prospects make the metaverse an interesting investment opportunity for investors, the Institute of Financial Services Zug IFZ/Synpulse8 report says.
It advises investors looking to capitalize on the trend to look for technology-oriented industries that are developing the metaverse. This includes those developing the physical layer, including chip producers like Qualcomm and Nvidia and cloud infrastructure providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure, as well as companies developing the network layer, including those involved in 5G and low latency networks like Swisscom and AT&amp;T.
Investors should also consider the organizations creating the technological protocols and interface toolkits that provide access, visualization and programmability. This includes DLT protocols like Ethereum and Cardano, virtual reality (VR) headsets providers, holographic solution providers and 3D specialists.
The third area, the platform layer, comprises the platforms that allow users to immerse themselves in virtual worlds. These platforms can be centralized worlds like Roblox and Minecraft, and decentralized worlds such as Decentraland and The Sandox.
Finally, the fourth and last layer, the content layer, encompasses the applications created by providers and accessed by users. This include payment solutions (e.g. Visa and PayPal), cryptocurrency exchanges (e.g. Binance and Kraken), crypto wallets (e.g. Metamask and Bitski) and NFT marketplaces (e.g. OpenSea and Dapper).
Since direct financial exposure to the metaverse is not possible, indirect investments in providers of the required technologies are an proper option for investors looking to participate in the development of the metaverse, the report says.
Build-up of a metaverse, Source: Metaverse Report: An overview of the current status and developments for the financial industry, Institute of Financial Services Zug IFZ and Synpulse8, June 2022

Featured image credit: Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/nascent-metaverse-finance-industry-provides-investors-with-exciting-opportunities</link><guid>2694</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Digital-Agreements-Best-Practices.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Nascent Metaverse Finance Industry Provides Investors with Exciting Opportunities</dc:text></item><item><title>Austria’s Qenta Taps Netcetera to Secure Cashless Payments in the Region</title><description><![CDATA[Netcetera, a Swiss software company that provides secure digital payments, announced that it will be collaborating with Austrian payments services provider Qenta Payment CEE.
Through this partnership, Netcetera will be a reliable expert provider and enabling its secure 3DS technology for the Austrian payment gateway.
Qenta offers its customers an interface for e-commerce payment systems which can be easily integrated into merchants’ payments process chain.


The Austrian payment provider has over 20 years of expertise as a provider of both offline and online payment solutions tailored to their customer’s needs.
Through the usage of Netcetera’s 3DS SaaS product, Qenta is to continue providing its customers compelling business benefits such as improved conversions, optimised checkout processes, reduced fraud, and protection from fraudulent chargeback liability.
Netcetera’s acquiring products enable users to process transactions with 3-D Secure protocols and PSD2 SCA exemptions, certified with the biggest card networks and fully compliant with the standards in the payment industry such as PCI – DSS and PCI-3DS.
Wolfgang Harder-Pachernegg
“We have been using Netcetera’s reliable 3DS technology for several years via our partner networks. We have now chosen to collaborate even more closely and are happy to have Netcetera as our direct technology partner. This partnership provides us with access to the latest payments industry innovations and information, as well as reliable, 24/7 support.

For us, the decisive factor to work so closely with Netcetera was their deep industry knowledge and the consistency that Netcetera provides to its customers. Their 3DS SaaS product has allowed us to continue our successful legacy of cashless payment protection in the CEE region. We are pleased to continue developing this partnership both today and in the future.”
said Wolfgang Harder-Pachernegg, VP of Payment Products at QENTA Payment CEE.

Petra Paul
“We are happy to work with Qenta and to jointly push towards progress in our dynamic industry. Our goal is to guarantee secure online payments for the Qenta customers spread around the whole CEE region.

Our 3DS server means excellent service availability and supporting the needs of the provider 24/7.”
said Petra Paul, Senior Sales Executive Digital Finance at Netcetera.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/austrias-qenta-taps-netcetera-to-secure-cashless-payments-in-the-region</link><guid>2693</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Digital-Agreements-Best-Practices.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Austria’s Qenta Taps Netcetera to Secure Cashless Payments in the Region</dc:text></item><item><title>Mihails Safro, Xpate CEO: Core Banking Solutions Simplify Customer Experience on Both B2B and B2C Levels</title><description><![CDATA[Mihails Safro, CEO of xpate, that has just delivered it’s own in-house build core banking solution tells about the history and the meaning of this technology.
What is the Core Banking System?
Mihails Safro, Xpate
Core banking stands for “Centralized Online Real-time Exchange”. It is the cornerstone of any financial institution, responsible for routine daily operations. In other words, it is a centralised network that serves as a tool for controlling all the back-end and front-end processes. Of course, the end beneficiaries of that system are customers – core banking allows them to make money transfers and monitor activity in the bank account app.
Core Banking is known for its retail use rather than corporate. The advantages it brings to retail customers are evident, such as quick access to the bank account through the web. However, in the past few years, the number of corporate clients has grown, leading to banks realising the potential of core banking in the corporate sector. Now, they are working on tailored solutions for the B2B sector.


With core banking, users can access their bank accounts, make deposits, use ATMs, and take advantage of the internet and mobile banking. Core banking utilises ICT (Information Communication Technology) as an umbrella platform bringing all the apps that make banking easy and straightforward under one roof.
History of Core Banking
Core banking is the first tech utilised by banks in the 1980s when digitalisation was just taking off. However, the process is far from being completed and has a lot to go through to reach its final point – despite the obvious advantages, banks are struggling to go full digital which has to do with regulations, operations, and sometimes hesitance to new changes.
The first attempt to go digital was in the 1970s in the US, when fintech created the first-ever apps for large financial chains. After the experiment, such digital solutions were implemented in other parts of the world, such as Europe, Australia, and Asia. However, these apps had their own issues and limitations due to their early development stage. They were tailored to servicing customers and unable to process large amounts of data. However, the tables had turned in the 1990s, when many firms theorised concepts of future banking. In 30 years, the overwhelming majority of financial institutions in the developed world moved on the core banking rails and created their own data centres.
Objectives of Core Banking System
Core banking aims to simplify customer experience for consumers and bank employees. Back then and even now, customers are forced to physically visit the branches, wait in lines, and even pay for management services. Bank employees had to spend hours recording transactions and all the customer’s activity manually. Core banking strives to eliminate these unnecessary interactions and replace them with technology, making banking available anytime. All executed transactions are automatically calculated and recorded. Customer data is gathered by the system and saved in a digital database, allowing banks to utilise a data-driven approach for decision-making.
The data-driven approach is one of the major advantages of core banking. Banks can gather information from collected data and make informed decisions. Furthermore, the financial sector must comply with a dozen regulations, which is another area where core banking helps – it allows banks to generate reports demanded by the regulator much quicker. Finally, core banking is customisable – you can always redesign it depending on the market situation or consumer demands.
Wrapping up
Core banking is a vital part of any financial institution that’s currently operating. It simplifies processes, takes charge of daily banking operations and automates the tasks that were previously done manually. Furthermore, core banking also introduced the concept of a unified framework tailored to a specific financial institution. In other words, all the branches finally got access to a single database storing past transactions, consumer activities and much more.
Yet, the customers received the most benefits. Core banking eliminates queues, lifts the burden of physical communication with bank managers and introduces banking on the go, also known as mobile banking. Given all the advantages, the core banking system has a bright future.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mihails-safro-xpate-ceo-core-banking-solutions-simplify-customer-experience-on-both-b2b-and-b2c-levels</link><guid>2691</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Digital-Agreements-Best-Practices.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Mihails Safro, Xpate CEO: Core Banking Solutions Simplify Customer Experience on Both B2B and B2C Levels</dc:text></item><item><title>Amnis Closed Series-A Funding Round of CHF 8.6 Million</title><description><![CDATA[AMNIS Treasury Services,  a Zurich-based fintech founded in 2014 with the goal of reshaping international banking for SMEs, announced the closing of a Series-A investment round of CHF 8.6 million. The funding round, led by Lansdowne Partners, will enable further market expansion and product development.
Amnis provides SMEs with an international banking solution to transfer money abroad, exchange currencies and collect payments on a single cost-effective platform. Committed to transparency and efficiency, the platform focuses on the needs of SMEs, giving them the opportunity to enter the global economy with a competitive edge. During the last 12 months, the company entered 5 new countries, opened 3 additional offices in Vaduz, Vienna and Prague and tripled the size of its team. Moreover, the platform’s payment volume has dramatically increased by more than 100% compared to last year.
The new investment funding allows amnis to strengthen the company’s main assets and to further expand into new markets across Europe. Lansdowne Partners, as lead investor, is an investment management firm that aims to foster European technology innovation through its investments. Spicehaus Partners, who led the previous funding round, acted as co-lead investor. Daniel Andres, Co-founder and Partner at Spicehaus Partners, commented:


Michael Wüst
“I believe that amnis is the best example of Swiss innovation and expertise, ready to expand internationally with an outstanding service portfolio tailor-made for SMEs.”
Michael Wüst, Co-founder and CEO of amnis, said:
“We are delighted that our existing investors as well as a globally renowned investment manager contributed to the success of this financing round. The investment enables us to boost international growth further and to bring our global transaction banking solution to even more SMEs across Europe. We have already rolled out business activities in 6 countries. This funding round gives us the confidence that we can replicate our business model in other markets as well.”
Amnis was founded in 2014 by Michael Wüst (CEO), Robert Bloch (COO) and Philippe Christen (CFO) to facilitate international business for SMEs, a sector with huge potential that they believe is underserved by traditional banks. To meet its high ambitions, amnis constantly improved its core product, fast-tracked the digital onboarding and added local and multi-currency IBAN accounts to its product portfolio.
Thanks to this successful financing round, amnis will start business in France, Slovakia, and the Benelux market by the end of 2022 and will provide more services to SMEs, including invoicing, debit cards and E-commerce solutions.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/amnis-closed-series-a-funding-round-of-chf-86-million</link><guid>2689</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Digital-Agreements-Best-Practices.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Amnis Closed Series-A Funding Round of CHF 8.6 Million</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Real Estatte Crowdfunding Platform Foxstone Raises CHF 10 Million</title><description><![CDATA[The online real estate investment platform Foxstone has completed a CHF 10 million Series A financing round, the company’s largest to date.
The participation of almost all the existing shareholders is to be noted, as well as the arrival of new entrants in the capital, including Rosablanche Ventures, the family investment vehicle of Thierry Baudon, who founded Mid Europa Partners, one of the largest private equity funds in Central and Eastern Europe.
Foxstone is a real estate crowdfunding platform, which gathers investors and allows them to acquire investment properties together. The company also issues participatory loans to finance real estate development projects. It offers a turnkey service from properties and projects selection to their monitoring and management. All processes are fully digitized and can be completed in just a few clicks. The platform, which gathers more than 15’000 investors, has achieved a transaction volume of over CHF 150 million since its launch in 2018.


Prime investors
Thierry Baudon and his wife Isabelle Schirmer have an extensive experience in private equity and venture capital and are the co-founders of Rosablanche Ventures, a company dedicated to financing Swiss start-ups that led this financing round. The Vaudoise Assurances Group, a long-standing shareholder of Foxstone and a prominent institutional investor in Switzerland, is increasing its equity stake for the third consecutive time. Naef Holding, a renowned Geneva-based real estate investment and services group, is also acquiring a stake. Naef already manages a portfolio of residential properties worth more than CHF 50 million on behalf of Foxstone.
Strengthened governance
Convinced of the importance of a strong governance with diversified profiles and relevant experience (real estate, banking, investments) in Switzerland and internationally, Foxstone now has a five-member Board of Directors. Thierry Baudon, Stefan Schürmann (Group Vaudoise Assurances) and Ivan Schouker join the board, the latter taking on the role of independent chairman. Foxstone’s financial management is also strengthened with the addition to the position of CFO of Isabelle Schirmer, who has 30 years of international experience in corporate strategy and development, M&amp;A and venture capital.
Thierry Baudon
“Foxstone democratizes and provides access to real estate investment to everyone. It is a leader in its industry and has a successful track record. We are very pleased to be working with Foxstone, a company that has earned the trust of its investors by delivering very concrete results. We will support and advise the management team, who has great ambitions in a sector where we see strong growth potential,”
explains Thierry Baudon.
Stefan Schürmann
“The Group Vaudoise Assurances has been a partner of Foxstone and its team since the beginning. We are very pleased with this financing round, which places the company in a whole different category. The implementation of an institutional governance will play an important role in its development,”
says Stefan Schürmann, Head of Corporate Development and M&amp;A at Group Vaudoise Assurances.
Future developments
Foxstone plans to consolidate its activities in the Swiss market and to implement the tokenization of real estate assets, which will allow for the full democratization and liquidity of this asset class. Eventually, Foxstone’s ambition is to create a fully digitalized marketplace dedicated to real estate, where anyone will be able to trade securitized real estate shares, as well as loan securities to real estate developers starting at CHF 1’000 in a few clicks from their smartphone. At the same time, the company will remain true to its core business by continuing to deploy technology solutions that will allow it to further automate processes and analyze an ever-increasing amount of data to identify the best investment opportunities.
Dan Amar
“We are very proud of the work done by our teams and pleased to welcome new investors who share Foxstone’s strategic vision and whose combined experience is a real asset. We look forward to developing new markets and increasingly innovative and accessible products,”
says Dan Amar, CEO of Foxstone.



Featured image credit: (L-R) David el Eini, Dan Amar, Thierry Baudon, Isabelle Schirmer, and Yossi Amar 
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-real-estatte-crowdfunding-platform-foxstone-raises-chf-10-million</link><guid>2688</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Onespan-Banner_600x500.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Real Estatte Crowdfunding Platform Foxstone Raises CHF 10 Million</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Real Estate Crowdfunding Platform Foxstone Raises CHF 10 Million</title><description><![CDATA[The online real estate investment platform Foxstone has completed a CHF 10 million Series A financing round, the company’s largest to date.
The participation of almost all the existing shareholders is to be noted, as well as the arrival of new entrants in the capital, including Rosablanche Ventures, the family investment vehicle of Thierry Baudon, who founded Mid Europa Partners, one of the largest private equity funds in Central and Eastern Europe.
Foxstone is a real estate crowdfunding platform, which gathers investors and allows them to acquire investment properties together. The company also issues participatory loans to finance real estate development projects. It offers a turnkey service from properties and projects selection to their monitoring and management. All processes are fully digitized and can be completed in just a few clicks. The platform, which gathers more than 15’000 investors, has achieved a transaction volume of over CHF 150 million since its launch in 2018.


Prime investors
Thierry Baudon and his wife Isabelle Schirmer have an extensive experience in private equity and venture capital and are the co-founders of Rosablanche Ventures, a company dedicated to financing Swiss start-ups that led this financing round. The Vaudoise Assurances Group, a long-standing shareholder of Foxstone and a prominent institutional investor in Switzerland, is increasing its equity stake for the third consecutive time. Naef Holding, a renowned Geneva-based real estate investment and services group, is also acquiring a stake. Naef already manages a portfolio of residential properties worth more than CHF 50 million on behalf of Foxstone.
Strengthened governance
Convinced of the importance of a strong governance with diversified profiles and relevant experience (real estate, banking, investments) in Switzerland and internationally, Foxstone now has a five-member Board of Directors. Thierry Baudon, Stefan Schürmann (Group Vaudoise Assurances) and Ivan Schouker join the board, the latter taking on the role of independent chairman. Foxstone’s financial management is also strengthened with the addition to the position of CFO of Isabelle Schirmer, who has 30 years of international experience in corporate strategy and development, M&amp;A and venture capital.
Thierry Baudon
“Foxstone democratizes and provides access to real estate investment to everyone. It is a leader in its industry and has a successful track record. We are very pleased to be working with Foxstone, a company that has earned the trust of its investors by delivering very concrete results. We will support and advise the management team, who has great ambitions in a sector where we see strong growth potential,”
explains Thierry Baudon.
Stefan Schürmann
“The Group Vaudoise Assurances has been a partner of Foxstone and its team since the beginning. We are very pleased with this financing round, which places the company in a whole different category. The implementation of an institutional governance will play an important role in its development,”
says Stefan Schürmann, Head of Corporate Development and M&amp;A at Group Vaudoise Assurances.
Future developments
Foxstone plans to consolidate its activities in the Swiss market and to implement the tokenization of real estate assets, which will allow for the full democratization and liquidity of this asset class. Eventually, Foxstone’s ambition is to create a fully digitalized marketplace dedicated to real estate, where anyone will be able to trade securitized real estate shares, as well as loan securities to real estate developers starting at CHF 1’000 in a few clicks from their smartphone. At the same time, the company will remain true to its core business by continuing to deploy technology solutions that will allow it to further automate processes and analyze an ever-increasing amount of data to identify the best investment opportunities.
Dan Amar
“We are very proud of the work done by our teams and pleased to welcome new investors who share Foxstone’s strategic vision and whose combined experience is a real asset. We look forward to developing new markets and increasingly innovative and accessible products,”
says Dan Amar, CEO of Foxstone.



Featured image credit: (L-R) David el Eini, Dan Amar, Thierry Baudon, Isabelle Schirmer, and Yossi Amar 
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-real-estate-crowdfunding-platform-foxstone-raises-chf-10-million</link><guid>2692</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Digital-Agreements-Best-Practices.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Real Estate Crowdfunding Platform Foxstone Raises CHF 10 Million</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Wealthtech 3rd-eyes Analytics Enters US Market with Partnership</title><description><![CDATA[Bonsai announced a partnership with 3rd-eyes analytics, an innovative Swiss Wealthtech company focused on realistic wealth planning.
The 3rd-eyes analytics’ engine will power MyBonsai to hyper-personalize wealth planning and enable financial advisors to significantly enhance value to clients with a scenario-based asset/liability management methodology. The solution will also allow advisors to leverage sustainable investing in all stages of the advisory process.
3rd-eyes’s partnership with Bonsai will be a disruptive force with respect to wealth planning in the United States.


Bonsai empowers RIAs and hybrid advisors with innovative solutions and technology needed to manage the entirety of a client’s balance sheet, a model only historically available to institutional and ultra-high net worth investors.
3rd-eyes analytics offers a cutting-edge asset liability methodology that provides holistic and customized optimization that consistently seeks to improve outcomes for clients.
Robert DeChellis
“Bonsai’s relentless pursuit to recast the future of financial advice led us to the perfect technology partner that shares the same asset-liability management philosophy”,
said Robert DeChellis, Bonsai Founder &amp; CEO.
“Our partnership with 3rd-eyes analytics allows us to offer financial professionals a unique approach to deliver determined outcomes for clients, which provides unprecedented value” he continues.
Through MyBonsai, financial professionals are now able to conduct an asset-liability conversation with their clients. “It is mathematically impossible to accurately construct a financial plan without complete purview of a client’s entire balance sheet”,
explained Robert DeChellis.
Stephanie Feigt
“We couldn’t be more pleased to introduce our innovative methodology to financial professionals in the United States through Bonsai,”
said Stephanie Feigt, Co-Founder and CEO of 3rd-eyes analytics.
“We are in complete alignment with Bonsai’s asset-liability approach to planning and believe our collective visions make this an ideal partnership”, she continues.
The relationship was conceptualized by leveraging the deep subject matter expertise of both Convergency Partners and Acclinate. The Convergency team members are co-founding partners of Bonsai with DeChellis and play an active role in advising on strategic direction.

Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-wealthtech-3rd-eyes-analytics-enters-us-market-with-partnership</link><guid>2687</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Digital-Agreements-Best-Practices.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Wealthtech 3rd-eyes Analytics Enters US Market with Partnership</dc:text></item><item><title>Don’t Overcomplicate Climate Change</title><description><![CDATA[Asset managers can contribute most to a sustainable economy by sticking to a policy of steadily reducing their portfolios’ carbon emissions.
The November 2021 climate change summit in Glasgow (COP26) brought home the urgency of addressing global warming.
COP26 participants said that limiting warming to 1.5°C by 2050 requires rapid, deep and sustained reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions.


These include a cut in CO2 emissions of 45 percent by 2030 relative to the 2010 level, and to net-zero by mid-century.
The COP26 alarm bells are sounding even louder six months on from the Glasgow conference.
Researchers at the UK’s Met Office said this month that there’s now around a fifty-fifty chance that the world will warm by more than 1.5C in the next five years.
And it’s almost certain that 2022-2026 will see a new record warmest year, they say.
Asset owners, asset managers and greenwashing concerns
Asset managers have a big say in our response to this alarming forecast.
Via the investment products they develop and distribute, they help direct long-term savings towards more sustainable businesses and activities.
Asset managers also sit downstream from the institutional owners of large savings pools, who are becoming increasingly vocal about their climate change objectives.
The Net Zero Asset Owners Alliance (NZAOA), which controls an aggregate $10.4trn in assets, has recently said it wants to work more closely with asset managers, saying it wants to make sure both groups’ stewardship activities and public messaging are aligned.
Does this statement hint at a previous lack of focus in the asset management community? Possibly.
Undoubtedly, some asset managers have in the past struggled to define and label their environmental, social and governance-focused (ESG) investment products.
This derives from the fact that, when it comes to sustainable investing, there are no industry-wide definitions, standards and transparency requirements.
Getting the design of ESG products wrong is not just a matter of a lack of impact. It carries severe reputational—and even financial—risks for the firms concerned.
Around half of UK financial advisers surveyed late last year said that asset managers should face fines for so-called “greenwashing”—providing misleading information about their green credentials to bolster their reputation and increase fund sales.
Don’t overcomplicate climate change
Asset managers can best address these concerns by sticking to their decarbonisation goals. It’s not necessary to overcomplicate climate change, as financial markets have perhaps tended to do in the past.
And the most effective way to measure investors’ impact on the climate and their progress towards a net zero goal is to track their portfolio emissions.
Regulations are already pushing asset managers in this direction. For example, climate benchmarks are playing an increasingly important role in policymaking.
In 2020, the European Commission set out minimum standards for the so-called Paris-Aligned and Climate Transition benchmarks.
Paris-Aligned benchmarks set a goal of a 50 percent reduction in carbon emissions, with a minimum year-on-year decarbonisation rate of 7 percent. Climate Transition benchmarks decarbonise at the same pace but with a lower eventual emissions reduction target.
FTSE Russell has developed a Paris-aligned version of its flagship FTSE All-World index, which excludes companies producing high emissions or involved in controversial activities, as well as boosting green revenues and incentivising better corporate management.
Source: TEG final report on climate benchmarks and benchmarks; ESG disclosures
Asset managers can also now access more sophisticated portfolio decarbonisation tools.
For example, the Carbon Footprint template, available in Refinitiv Eikon’s Portfolio Analytics app, helps asset managers calculate the carbon exposure of a portfolio and to report the associated data.
The template offers a weighted view of carbon emission exposures, allowing investors to quickly identify which companies in the portfolio have the greatest intensity of carbon emissions—both reported and estimated.
Source: Refinitiv Workspace as of May 1, 2022
We need step-by-step change
In addressing climate change, long-term goals are important. But just as we can individually make small contributions to sustainability by modifying our consumption patterns, reducing our use of plastics and recycling what we can, a step-by-step change that will have the most effect in the battle with global warming.
This is particularly true, given that there’s recently been disagreement about science-based climate change targets and the methodologies used to reach them. Unfortunately, using the language of commitments to show we’re making a difference can also be used as an excuse to delay action.
So let’s stick to evidence-based methods. And taking actions today, with an impact on the existing real economy, is what we should all be trying to do.
Discover how LSEG is enabling the global financial markets to achieve sustainable growth with our unique ecosystem of sustainable finance solutions and insights.

© 2022 London Stock Exchange Group plc (the “LSE Group”). All information is provided for information purposes only. Such information and data are provided “as is” without warranty of any kind. No member of the LSE Group makes any claim, prediction, warranty, or representation whatsoever, expressly or impliedly, either as to the accuracy, timeliness, completeness, merchantability of any information or of results to be obtained from the use of FTSE Russell products or the fitness or suitability of the FTSE Russell products for any particular purpose to which they might be put. Any representation of historical data accessible through FTSE Russell products is provided for information purposes only and is not a reliable indicator of future performance. No member of the LSE Group provides investment advice and nothing contained in this document or accessible through FTSE Russell products should be taken as constituting financial or investment advice or a financial promotion. Use and distribution of the LSE Group data require a license from an LSE Group company and/or their respective licensors.

Featured image credit: Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/dont-overcomplicate-climate-change</link><guid>2686</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Digital-Agreements-Best-Practices.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Don’t Overcomplicate Climate Change</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech and Finance Firms Snap Up Media Companies to Gain Audience</title><description><![CDATA[This past year has seen banks, financial services companies and fintech startups snapping up media companies, realizing the merits of owning their audience to gain exposure, sell more products and become more profitable.
An extensive research paper by business analytics and market intelligence company CB Insights looks at finance companies’ possible motives and ambitions in acquiring media companies, delving into the recent deals that occurred.
The report highlights that while there is a number of reasons for purchasing media and community, perhaps the biggest benefit is that it drives the cost of acquiring a new client to much lower levels. The reason for that is quite obvious: these platforms already have an audience and traffic, allowing brands to get access to a large pool of prospects pretty much overnight.


For these firms, the ambitions are clear: being able to run more contextually relevant and impactful marketing campaigns, increasing customer engagement and affinity, becoming the go-to brand for specific topics, and, ultimately, becoming more profitable.
Finance firms acquiring media companies
In the finance industry, the trend has certainly been observed this past year with a number of high-profile acquisitions recorded.
In Q3/Q4 2021, JPMorgan, the world’s largest financial services institution, purchased two content/media assets: The Infatuation, a popular restaurant discovery platform designed to provide honest recommendations for where to eat; and Frank, a fast growing college financial planning platform.
Food and dining is a key spend category for card companies, and with its 1.5 million to 2 million monthly visitors, The Infatuation’s audience will not only help JPMorgan cheaply attract new cardholders but also provide perks and benefits to existing cardholders, increasing thus engagement and affinity, the CB Insights report says.
Besides traditional banks, new-age finance companies and fintechs too are aggressively pursuing acquisitions of media platforms.
Most recently, Pipe, a US trading platform for recurring revenues, acquired Purely Capital, a media and entertainment financing company. Pipe said in a statement that the deal was meant to help Pipe expand into other sectors, furthering its mission to becoming the trading platform for any company with recurring revenues, regardless of industry.
Similarly, mobile banking platform MoneyLion announced in November 2021 that it had purchased Malka Media Group, a fast growing digital media and content platform across entertainment, sports, gaming, live streaming, and brand storytelling.
MoneyLion said the deal will not only allow it to accelerate its ability to engage with consumers across all digital and emerging channels, but also connect directly with communities natively inside and outside of its platform.
At around the same period, Scalable Capital, a German neobroker, unveiled the purchase of JustETF, a special interest portal for exchange-traded index funds (ETFs) and investing. Scalable Capital said the acquisition will complement its existing information resources and support its path towards becoming Europe’s leading digital investment platform.
With a presence in Germany, Italy, and other European markets, JustETF claims to be one of the largest information portals on ETFs on the continent, recording around eight million hits per month.
In the same category goes that end of  2019 Swiss unicorn Avaloq took over full control over Derivatives Partners including the Derivatives online and offline magazine payoff.ch.
In the US, Prove, a phone-based authentication services provider, bought fintech advisory and insights platform Medici Global (including their online news site GoMedici.com) in March 2021 to expand its sales and business development activities and bolster its marketing capabilities. Founded in 2013, Medici Global claims it has built the industry’s first insights and advisory platform dedicated to fintech.

Asian finance firms flock to media companies
In Asia, AMTD Digital, the digital solutions platform owned by Hong Kong’s AMTD Group, has been actively working on expanding its presence in the media space. In August 2021, the firm finalized its purchase of DigFin, a local online journalism brand and fintech content agency launched in 2017 by financial journalist and author James DiBiasio.
The deal came just months after the company’s strategic investment in Hong Kong-based digital media platform Forkast, and its partnership with publishing and data firm 36Kr.
Founded in 2017, Forkast is a media site that covers all things blockchain and emerging technology at the intersection of business, economy, and finance. In May 2021, it closed an oversubscribed US$1.7 million seed round 2021 that included the participation of Fenbushi Capital, Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund, Animoca Brands, Longling Capital, CMCC Global and Sora Ventures.
AMTD Digital is far from being the only fintech player in Asia to have set its sights on fast-growing media companies and communities.
Just three months ago, Binance, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency and blockchain infrastructure providers, committed a whopping US$200 million investment in business magazine and digital media platform Forbes.
The deal followed Vietceta’s US$2.7 million pre-Series A in August 2021 that saw the participation of investors such as Go-Ventures, Gojek’s corporate venture arm; Z Venture Capital, the corporate venture arm of Z Holdings, which is owned by SoftBank Group and Naver Corporation; East Ventures; Summit Media; Genesia Ventures; as well as Hustle Fund.
Created in 2016, Vietcetera targets Millennials and Gen Z audiences and claims an audience of 20 million users per month. The company has plans to to launch new vertical brands in 2022 focused on women’s content, real estate and personal finance.
In Hong Kong, HashKey Capital, the corporate venture capital (CVC) fund of HashKey Digital Asset Group, participated earlier this month in a US$10 million funding round going towards Decrypt, a media company focused on the cryptocurrency industry and the decentralized web, and its production arm Decrypt Studios, a Web3 studio specializing in metaverse activations.
Decrypt said it will use the proceeds to invest in further editorial growth and live video efforts at Decrypt Media, as well as continue building out Decrypt Studios, which has so far enjoyed success with branded non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and metaverse-related projects for clients in the fashion, entertainment and real estate industries.
A spin-off of blockchain accelerator and incubator ConsenSys Mesh, Decrypt claims it has grown to 5 million average monthly unique visitors since its inception back in 2018.
Besides HashKey Capital, other investors that participated in the round included Hack.VC, Canvas Ventures, Protocol Labs and SK Group.
Other noteworthy developments
To wrap up our review of the most notable media acquisition deals and funding rounds closed this past year, we’ve compiled a non-exhaustive list of other noteworthy news in the domain:

Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase rolled out a new Fact Check blog to hit back against negative press coverage and “misinformation”;
Quartz, a business news organization, is being acquired by media group G/O Media;
TechNode Global, a pan-Asian tech media and community platform startup, closed a US$1 million seed round led by Kairous Capital, with the participation of Nutty Capital and SPH Ventures, the corporate venture arm of Singapore Press Holdings;
Robinhood acquired MarketSnacks, a media company that aimed to make financial news digestible and has since been rebranded as Robinhood Snacks
Cain Communications, a media company, has acquired Green Market Report, a digital media brand that covers financial news of the rapidly growing cannabis industry;
German publisher Axel Springer completed its US$1 billion acquisition of Politico, one of the world’s most influential sources for political news; and
Blackstone, an American alternative investment company, bought media and data company International Data Group (IDG) for an enterprise value of US$1.3 billion
(July Update):Grvty Media (owner of Vulcanpost.com) acquired by Singapore’s Towerhill by Kiat Lim

2019 Tech Media Funding Overview


This article first appeared on fintechnews.sg

Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-and-finance-firms-snap-up-media-companies-to-gain-audience</link><guid>2685</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Sift-On-Demand-webinar.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech and Finance Firms Snap Up Media Companies to Gain Audience</dc:text></item><item><title>Banking Circle Supports Bluecode and TWINT’s Interoperability</title><description><![CDATA[The mobile payment systems German-Austrian Bluecode and the Swiss TWINT are now interoperable with one another.
Interoperability of said two systems is based on the specifications of EMPSA (European Mobile Payments System Association).
TWINT and Bluecode interoperability has already been running since January 2022 on a friends-and-family basis.


To allow for more users paying in each other’s network, Bluecode and TWINT mandated Banking Circle as a central hub for foreign exchange (FX) and settlements.
As a result, funds between the two mobile payment systems will be transferred via Banking Circle providing the central settlement account. Transactions in different currencies are automatically converted.
Banking Circle has capitalised on its unique position as an independent bank with access to direct clearing and settlement in the SEPA region to contribute to establishing mobile payment interoperability in Europe.
Bluecode users are able to pay at the point of sale using any Bluecode-capable app in Switzerland, whilst TWINT users are able to pay at the point of sale in Austria and Germany with their TWINT-App.
Bluecode and TWINT chose a centralised technical setup whereby funds are now easily converted and transferred via a Banking Circle access point.
Christian Pirkner
Christian Pirkner, Chairman of EMPSA, explained the importance of this first example of cross-system interoperability:
“It is absolutely great that TWINT and Bluecode have built interoperability based on EMPSA specifications.

Them choosing Banking Circle for foreign exchange and settlement services ensures a highly scalable setup for the Alpine Corridor of EMPSA.”
Anders la Cour
Anders la Cour, Chief Executive Officer of Banking Circle Group added,
““The collaboration between Bluecode and TWINT is tremendously exciting. We’re genuinely fixing a problem that was holding back growth in the European mobile payments market, with a solution that creates a better consumer experience as well as delivering a new revenue stream.

Building on our independent financial infrastructure we have already united two domestic P2M schemes and expect to connect more over the coming months. It could well turn into a game-changer for the mobile payments sector.”
Featured image credit: edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/banking-circle-supports-bluecode-and-twints-interoperability</link><guid>2684</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Digital-Agreements-Best-Practices.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Banking Circle Supports Bluecode and TWINT’s Interoperability</dc:text></item><item><title>Salesforce Expands Social Commerce Offerings, Connecting Merchants With TikTok</title><description><![CDATA[Salesforce is partnering with TikTok to make it easier for Commerce Cloud merchants to engage with the TikTok community, including advertising to users and making their products more discoverable. This partnership is the latest Commerce Cloud platform investment to help businesses reach social-media-savvy shoppers.
Driving the news: Nearly one in 10 purchases are now made on social media, and that number is only increasing. With social commerce becoming an increasingly important channel, this partnership presents an opportunity for businesses to understand today’s social shoppers and curate highly-personalized content for TikTok’s 1 billion monthly users, giving consumers multiple opportunities to engage with their favorite brands at any time.



The Salesforce perspective:
Scot Gillespie
“Forward-looking brands need to have a presence anywhere their customers might want to meet them, so the boundaries of commerce must extend beyond any single channel and, on the back end, data has to flow across those channels so companies can deliver connected experiences efficiently,”
said Scot Gillespie, GM of Commerce Cloud.
“We’ve already made great strides in helping brands leverage the power of Customer 360 to seamlessly connect with their customers on social through integrations with platforms like Facebook and Instagram, and our partnership with TikTok is the next crucial piece of the puzzle.”
What’s the impact: To start, the partnership will enable merchants to seamlessly and efficiently build their presence on TikTok by:

Supercharging merchandiser productivity with automated smart product feeds through a rich in-app experience. Merchants can get their products published quickly and easily on TikTok via a diverse array of catalog-focused advertising solutions with simple one-click set up, which will sync pre-existing Commerce Cloud catalogs on TikTok.
Delivering world-class personalization and ad conversion efficiency with TikTok Pixel, which makes it quick and easy for merchants to analyze ad performance and optimize campaigns for improved product discovery. Advanced Matching also lets merchants better match TikTok ads and build audiences for retargeting.
Elevating the customer journey with dynamic video and collection ads to inspire new audiences across channels. Merchants can now easily add and launch TikTok as a new sales channel within Salesforce Commerce Cloud.

The TikTok view:
Melissa Yang
“TikTok is home to a new kind of commerce experience, where community, entertainment and commerce blend, creating unique opportunities to engage with consumers and drive impactful results,”
said Melissa Yang, Head of Ecosystem Partnerships at TikTok.
“We’re thrilled to be working with Salesforce to make it easier than ever for merchants to be discovered and authentically connect with the TikTok community.”


Fast Facts:

According to Salesforce’s State of Connected Customer report, 57% of customers prefer to engage through digital channels, that number spikes to 65% for Gen Z and Millennial consumers.
61% of consumers plan to shop more on social media over the next three years.



Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/salesforce-expands-social-commerce-offerings-connecting-merchants-with-tiktok</link><guid>2683</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Digital-Agreements-Best-Practices.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Salesforce Expands Social Commerce Offerings, Connecting Merchants With TikTok</dc:text></item><item><title>Western Union Taps Mambu for Its New Digital Bank Platform in Europe</title><description><![CDATA[Cloud banking platform Mambu has teamed up with Western Union to integrate its solution into the latter’s next generation real time multi-currency digital wallet and digital banking platform in Europe.
Mambu will enable Western Union to extend the relationship with its customers, and create a new banking experience.
With its cloud-native platform, Mambu has 70 million daily users and over 230 banks and financial institutions as customers.


Built on Mambu, Western Union’s digital banking app WU+ will bring together a range of features that make it easy to move money, manage cards and view transactions.
Mambu gives Western Union full control to deploy new banking products and services that are easy to configure and integrate with external applications.
In a single, native mobile app, customers can create a new account in minutes by selecting a subscription model and start saving and spending instantly.
Thomas Mazzaferro
Thomas Mazzaferro, Chief Data &amp; Innovation Officer at Western Union said,
“Our ambition is to provide market-leading financial solutions to our customers. By partnering with Mambu we have built our digital banking products and services starting in Europe with Germany and Romania.

The Mambu and Western Union team have come together in a truly collaborative partnership accelerating our financial service ambitions, while building a product that can scale and is cloud agnostic.”
Eugene Danilkis
Eugene Danilkis, CEO and Co-founder of Mambu said,
“The industry has reached a tipping point for cloud adoption. Large financial institutions have started a global trend of moving to cloud-native, nimble tech stacks and are becoming part of the ecosystem.

Western Union adopted the cloud because they recognised that FIs of the future need to engage their customers with excellent new products. We are looking forward to seeing Western Union wow their customers with modern and secure banking services.”
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/western-union-taps-mambu-for-its-new-digital-bank-platform-in-europe</link><guid>2681</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Onespan-Banner_600x500.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Western Union Taps Mambu for Its New Digital Bank Platform in Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>Crowdfunding Volume Regains Strength in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[In 2021, crowdfunding volumes in Switzerland regained some strength after activity stalled in 2020 due to various effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The year saw a volume of CHF 791.8 million transacted via crowdfunding platforms, a significant market growth of 30.5% compared to 2020, according to the annual Crowdfunding Monitor Switzerland report by the Institute of Financial Services Zug IFZ of the Lucerne School of Business.
Successfully funded crowdfunding campaigns in Switzerland by funding volume 2008-2021, Source: Crowdfunding Monitor Switzerland 2022, Institute of Financial Services Zug IFZ of the Lucerne School of Business
Like previous years, crowdlending led most of the year’s crowdfunding activity, making up 76.7% of 2021’s total volume (CHF 607 million). The sum represents a 35.5% increase from 2020’s figure of CHF 448 million, the biggest annual jump across the four crowdfunding segments studied. The amount was raised through 3,055 crowdlending campaigns (versus 2,323 in 2020).
Of the CHF 607 million raised through crowdlending in 2021, CHF 418 million was accounted for by real estate, up 40.9% from 2020 (CHF 296.7 million). It’s followed by business crowdlending (CHF 110.4 million in 2021 versus CHF 95.9 million in 2020), and consumer lending (CHF 78.7 million in 2021 versus CHF 55.4 million in 2020).


Crowdlending volumes in Switzerland 2012-2021, Source: Crowdfunding Monitor Switzerland 2022, Institute of Financial Services Zug IFZ of the Lucerne School of Business
After crowdlending, the crowdinvesting segment recorded the second-highest volume of 2021 at CHF 147.2 million (29.1%), up 29% from 2020 at CHF 114 million. The bulk of the volume in crowdinvesting again came from the real estate category at CHF 142.2 million. That’s more than double 2020’s figure of CHF 69 million.
According to the report, the strong growth observed in the real estate crowdinvesting segment has been driven by strong demand for home ownership and stimulated by the low mortgage interest rates, the working from home trend and the negative interest rates.
Crowdinvesting volumes in Switzerland 2012-2021, Source: Crowdfunding Monitor Switzerland 2022, Institute of Financial Services Zug IFZ of the Lucerne School of Business
Finally, the third main crowdfunding segment studied, reward-based crowdfunding and crowddonating, generated a volume of CHF 37.6 million through 1,867 campaigns. It’s the only crowdfunding segment that recorded a decrease in 2021, dropping in volume of around 15.8% compared to 2020.
Reward-based crowdfunding : crowddonating volumes and number of campaigns 2012-2021, Source: Crowdfunding Monitor Switzerland 2022, Institute of Financial Services Zug IFZ of the Lucerne School of Business
2022 forecasts
Apart from looking at past years’ crowdfunding activities, the report also shares predictions on what’s to come this year onward.
In 2022, the Swiss crowdfunding market is expected to grow further, and could very well break the billion franc barrier for the first time, the report says. It anticipates a volume of between CHF 1-1.1 billion in 2022.
In the crowdinvesting segment, the momentum is set to continue in 2022, growing at a projected annual growth rate of between 30% and 40%. This would translate to an estimated total volume of CHF 780-850 million in 2022.
If this growth does in fact continue, the crowdlending market will likely reach a critical size within the next three to five years during which it will become of interest to a larger number of institutional investors, further fueling the sector.
In the crowdinvesting market, the report expects real estate crowdinvesting to grow at a growth rate of 40%-50% in 2022 to reach CHF 195-210 million. As for business crowdinvesting, more momentum is expected as well as new platforms enter the markets.
Switzerland’s crowdfunding platforms
As of the end of April 2022, 37 crowdfunding platforms were operating in Switzerland. Of these 37 platforms, 28 reported successful funding campaigns in 2021, in addition to three foreign platforms: Kickstarter, KissKissBankBank and Dagobertinvest.
Platforms with active campaigns in Switzerland in 2021 (as of April 2022), Source: Crowdfunding Monitor Switzerland 2022, Institute of Financial Services Zug IFZ of the Lucerne School of Business
In 2021, three crowdfunding platforms withdrew from Switzerland, the report says: c-crowd and mybrick exited the Swiss market, while new platform there-for-you.com acquired the activities of I care for you. Another newcomer to the Swiss market is Conda, an Austrian crowdinvesting platform.
Since 2008, 61 crowdfunding platforms have been launched in Switzerland.
Entries and exits of crowdfunding platforms in the Swiss market, Source: Crowdfunding Monitor Switzerland 2022, Institute of Financial Services Zug IFZ of the Lucerne School of Business

Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crowdfunding-volume-regains-strength-in-switzerland</link><guid>2682</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Successfully-funded-crowdfunding-campaigns-in-Switzerland-by-funding-volume-2008-2021.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Crowdfunding Volume Regains Strength in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Checkout.com Ties up With Fireblocks to Accept Stablecoin Settlements 24/7</title><description><![CDATA[London-based payments solutions provider Checkout.com unveils its stablecoin settlement solution by leveraging Fireblocks’ new crypto payment technology.
This offers merchants the flexibility of 24/7 settlement including weekends and holidays — increasing access to cashflow and significantly reducing operational complexity.
Checkout.com said that it is the first payments services provider to have access to Fireblocks’ crypto payouts technology.


With this access, Checkout.com added that it is also the first to successfully deploy automatic fiat to stablecoin conversion for their merchants as they receive and process funds from customers.
To date, Checkout.com has facilitated settlement of over US$300 million using USDC, a fully collateralised and redeemable USD-pegged stablecoin, via its private stablecoins settlement beta program.
During the beta, Checkout.com successfully tested, refined and optimised ways for customers’ online fiat transactions to be paid to merchants through USDC.
In addition, Checkout.com’s integration with Fireblocks marks the crypto technology provider’s expansion into the payments space following the acquisition of First Digital earlier this year.
Fireblocks’ new crypto payment technology is only available to select PSPs with additional payment capabilities and tools for business to be unveiled later this year.
Checkout.com is among the early PSP partners to deploy this new technology.
Ran Goldi

“ Checkout.com’s weekend settlement means that merchants are no longer restricted by arbitrary settlement times.
 
With our in-house team’s deep knowledge and expertise in digital asset payments, Fireblocks looks forward to our continued collaboration with Checkout.com to bring even more game-changing solutions to the payments space.”

said Ran Goldi, Vice President of Payments at Fireblocks.
Jess Houlgrave

“Stablecoins started as a fiat-denominated asset used by crypto traders to easily move in and out of more volatile crypto assets but we believe they will also play a fundamental role in improving the underlying payment landscape— the fact that we’re the first full stack payments provider to successfully pilot an end-to-end solution with weekend merchant-side settlement capability is testament to our commitment to crypto3.

We’re investing heavily to ensure we can fulfil our mission to enable businesses and their communities to thrive in the digital economy – which we believe includes Web3 and as we see the market reaction, we hope to see more merchants, both crypto native and non crypto native adopt this.”

said Jess Houlgrave, Head of Crypto Strategy at Checkout.com.

Featured image credit: Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/checkoutcom-ties-up-with-fireblocks-to-accept-stablecoin-settlements-247</link><guid>2679</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Onespan-Banner_600x500.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Checkout.com Ties up With Fireblocks to Accept Stablecoin Settlements 24/7</dc:text></item><item><title>Marco Pizzorusso Appointed as New CFO of Adnovum</title><description><![CDATA[As of August 1, Marco Pizzorusso will take over the financial management of the Swiss software company Adnovum as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and member of the Leadership Team. He succeeds Roger Bösch, who has decided to take on a new challenge after more than seven years as CFO of Adnovum.
Marco Pizzorusso, today CFO at Vertec Group and previously Group CFO at Zühlke, becomes CFO and member of the Leadership Team of the Swiss software company Adnovum. He succeeds Roger Bösch, who will leave the company by the end of June. As CFO and Head of Group Services, Marco Pizzorusso will be responsible for the financial management of the company, and also for Group IT Services and Solutions, Legal, Risk &amp; Compliance, Office Management, Partner Management, and the Sales &amp; Project Office.
Marco Pizzorusso
Marco Pizzorusso on his new role:


«Software development is an exciting market environment with a wide range of challenges that is in a state of flux. I am inspired by the diversity of the topics and also by the prospect of being able to help shape the development of a company in a decisive phase of growth.»
As a Swiss Certified Expert in Accounting and Controlling, Marco Pizzorusso holds an MAS IFZ in Corporate Finance and an MAS in Swiss and International Taxation. He brings far-reaching experience in the IT industry from his current position with the Vertec Group and his many years of work for Zühlke.
Thomas Zangerl
Adnovum CEO Thomas Zangerl:
«We are very pleased to have Marco Pizzorusso, a highly experienced financial expert and Group CFO, join Adnovum. He knows the challenges in IT and brings extensive experience in all areas essential for this position, from classic controlling to the development as well as the implementation of strategic initiatives. His vast know-how will also benefit us in potential inorganic growth steps.»
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/marco-pizzorusso-appointed-as-new-cfo-of-adnovum</link><guid>2677</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Onespan-Banner_600x500.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Marco Pizzorusso Appointed as New CFO of Adnovum</dc:text></item><item><title>Digital Bank radicant Partners With Google Cloud for Scalability and Agility</title><description><![CDATA[Basellandschaftliche Kantonalbank’s (BLKB) digital bank radicant announced that it will be collaborating with Google Cloud.
radicant had recently received a banking license from the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA).
The use of the Swiss based Google Cloud enables radicant to take new approaches to design their technology platform.


Through the specific implementation of new technologies, radicant ensures that customers can build a personalised, efficient, and digital banking relationship.
radicant will also benefit from Google’s international know-how and proven technology allowing it to implement the highest standards for latency, security and data privacy for customers in Switzerland.
Additionally, the use of Google Cloud enables radicant to easily scale processes and respond to new customer needs in an agile and new manner.
Google Cloud has been operating its local Swiss cloud region since March 2019 enabling local customers to comply with Swiss standards and regulations for data privacy and security.
Dr. Anders Bally
“We consider banks and asset managers as data systems, so it is only natural to collaborate with Google Cloud being one of the industry leaders in data analytics and machine learning to help us elevate banking to the next level,”
said Dr. Anders Bally, CEO and Co-founder of radicant.
Roi Tavor
“Today, financial institutions have a unique opportunity to create a truly personalized experience for their clients, by leveraging upon a wide range of new technologies and data-driven business models.

As a member of the UN’s “Race to Zero” alliance, we are thrilled to work with radicant in creating the first bank in Switzerland mainly built on Google Cloud and share their vision of a digital bank driven by clear sustainability goals and community principles.”
said Roi Tavor, Head of Financial Services in Switzerland at Google Cloud.

Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digital-bank-radicant-partners-with-google-cloud-for-scalability-and-agility</link><guid>2678</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Onespan-Banner_600x500.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Digital Bank radicant Partners With Google Cloud for Scalability and Agility</dc:text></item><item><title>Facebook Shares Ambitions for “Single Wallet Experience” Across the Metaverse</title><description><![CDATA[In a new blog post, Meta Platforms’ head of commerce and fintech, Stephane Kasriel gives a sneak peek of the company’s fintech ambitions in the metaverse, outlining its intent to bring forward a “single wallet experience” across its family of apps and platforms, as well as the need for interoperability between virtual environments.
Published on May 11, the blog post sheds light on Meta’s priorities in the fintech area, stressing that it will be putting a pause on expanding its payment business into new countries, focusing instead on improving its offerings in the countries it’s already in.
Reflective of its October 2021 rebrand, Kasriel says Meta’s payments service Facebook Pay will be rebranded to Meta Pay to align with the firm’s broader metaverse efforts and ambitions.


One area the company will be focusing on is enhancing and simplifying the payments experience across its platforms, an ambition that will take the form of establishing a “single payment experience,” Kasriel says.
While Meta is still in the very early stages of scoping out what a single wallet experience might look like, he says the company has nevertheless identified three key objectives: individuals and businesses should be able to use that one wallet to prove who they are and carry that identity into different experiences in the metaverse; they should be able to store the digital goods they own and take them wherever they go; and they should be able to pay easily and with the payment method they want wherever they are in the ecosystem.
The metaverse has the potential to be much more interoperable and portable than many online experiences available today, Kasriel says, allowing people to travel seamlessly between one part of the metaverse and another.
Practically speaking, this means that, if designed properly, people will be able to buy something inside one environment and use it in another. They will also be able to bring their avatar and identity across different worlds and environments.
For creators, interoperability and portability mean not be locked into islands of content, be able to have a relationship with fans irrespective of a specific platform, and being able to sell subscriptions or packages across all the different places where they want to show up.
Meta’s strive for interoperability is further evidenced by its involvement in Defining and Building the Metaverse, an initiative unveiled two weeks ago at the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting.
Led by WEF, the multi-stakeholder network aims to provide guidance on how to build an ethical and inclusive metaverse. It focuses on two key areas: the governance of the metaverse and how the technologies and environments of the metaverse can be developed in safe, secure, interoperable and inclusive ways; as well as value creation and identifying the incentives and risks that businesses, individuals and society will encounter as the metaverse comes to life.
Other areas of focus
In addition to its payments ambitions, Kasriel says Meta will also be investing in so-called “messaging commerce,” or conversational commerce, an area which has picked up significantly since the beginning of the pandemic.
In Thailand, for example, Kasriel says entire businesses are now being run on WhatsApp and Messenger, a trend which has enticed the company to build and introduce new ways for people to ask questions about specific products, make purchases, and receive order confirmations, tracking numbers and delivery status updates in real-time — all within Messenger.
Finally, for content creators, Kasriel says Meta will continue its investments to help them monetize through features that streamline payouts and new products.
One recent development on this topic is the launch last month of Meta’s first non-fungible token (NFT) offering, a test of digital collectibles on Instagram. The feature allows a select group of US creators and collectors to share and showcase the non-fungible tokens (NFTs) they have created or bought on Instagram.
It includes a connection with a digital wallet, the ability to share and post-digital collectibles and their public information, as well as automatic tagging of both the creator and collector.
The feature only supported NFTs built on the Ethereum and Polygon blockchains at the launch but will expand to Flow and Solana shortly.
Kasriel says Meta will also be bringing the test to Facebook soon.
Beyond NFTs, Kasriel says there is a multitude of other Web3 tokens which Meta feels are compelling. These include social tokens, community tokens, governance tokens, as well as tokenized real-world assets.
Digital collectibles sharing and posts, Source: Instagram/Meta Platforms

Featured image credit: edited from Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/facebook-shares-ambitions-for-single-wallet-experience-across-the-metaverse</link><guid>2676</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Onespan-Banner_600x500.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Facebook Shares Ambitions for “Single Wallet Experience” Across the Metaverse</dc:text></item><item><title>A Look at Switzerland’s Booming Digital Asset Ecosystem</title><description><![CDATA[In recent years, Switzerland’s blockchain and digital asset ecosystem has matured rapidly and grown into one of the world’s leading blockchain hubs, a position that’s asserted by its expanding workforce and a rising number of foreign companies setting up operations locally.
A report by Home of Blockchain.swiss, a new public-private promotion initiative for the Swiss blockchain industry, looks at the state of the Swiss digital asset market, sharing findings from a survey of 47 industry participants to extract critical insights.
The report highlights Switzerland’s strength in the digital asset market, noting that several high-profile international digital asset startups have recently set foot in the country.


Swiss Digital Asset Market Report
FTX, a cryptocurrency exchange and derivatives trading platform valued US$32 billion, established its European headquarters in Switzerland earlier this year after acquiring local startup Digital Assets.
BitMEX, another crypto exchange and derivatives trading platform, announced in October 2021 its expansion into Switzerland, unveiling the forthcoming launch of a digital asset brokerage service called BitMEX Link. The company cited Switzerland’s status as a “regional hotspot for great talent,” its growing blockchain ecosystem and its advanced institutional framework as the main reasons why it chose the country to host its new office.
And Fireblocks, an institutional digital asset custody, transfer and settlement platform from New York, opened an office in Switzerland in September 2021 to expand its presence in the German, Austrian and Swiss (DACH) market and address the increase in demand from financial institutions.
In addition to international digital asset companies setting foot in Switzerland, the report also notes the increasing number of employees in the digital asset ecosystem, indicative of the sector’s growth and dynamism.
The 47 entities surveyed reported a total of 1,283 full-time equivalents (FTE) working fully in a digital asset related area. Including all other staff, a total of 3,930 people worked with the entities polled, as of late 2021.
An another strong indicator of the growth of the sector is the expanding digital asset offering by Swiss entities, ranging from token issuance and staking, to lending and non-fungible token (NFT) services.
Bitcoin Suisse, a provider of crypto-financial services, launched a native decentralized finance (DeFi) offering in April 2022, allowing select clients to access blockchain-based credit.
Last year, Swissquote, Switzerland’s largest online bank, shared with Finews.com ambitions to become “the leading Swiss provider of digital assets,” announcing plans to launch its own crypto exchange in 2022. The company also said it was looking to add more cryptocurrencies to its trading offering, in addition to stablecoins and staking services.
And Mt Pelerin, a regulated fintech company providing crypto brokerage services to retail and business clients, wallet services and asset tokenization services, teamed up with DeFi project Jarvis Network in July 2021 to introduce three new stablecoins tracking the price of the euro, British pound, and Swiss franc, and boost trading.
Booming digital asset trading activity
The rise of the Swiss digital asset market comes on the back of surging digital asset trading activities. In 2021, total crypto trading volume ballooned to CHF 103 billion, a drastic rise compared to previous years, a research by the Institute of Financial Services Zug IFZ and Swisscom shows.
Direct investments through crypto exchange platforms, like Binance and Bitstamp, led in terms of volume, with total investments through the 15 largest centralized exchanges amounting to an estimated CHF 92.6 billion between October 2020 and September 2021.
During the same period, indirect investment products, including exchange-traded products (ETPs) and structured products like tracker certificates and mini-futures, totaled roughly CHF 7 billion on the SIX Swiss Exchange.
Finally, investments through the 15 largest decentralized crypto exchanges, including Uniswap and Sushiswap, totaled nearly CHF 4 billion.
A recent report by PwC, in partnership with Finery Markets and Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA), named Switzerland “the leading country in digital asset trading,” pointing out the stable and secure political environment, the country’s experience and reputation of a leading global financial center, and the robust legal framework, as the main enablers of Switzerland’s burgeoning digital asset ecosystem.
So far, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) has granted regulatory approval to at least four companies focusing on digital assets and cryptocurrencies: SEBA Bank and Sygnum Bank each hold a banking license; and Crypto Finance and Taurus both received their securities firm licenses in 2021.
In addition, FINMA has granted so-called Fintech Licenses to four entities since introducing the license category back in 2019: Klarpay, a banking offering targeted at digital entrepreneurs;  Mogli, a digital payment platform for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); SR Saphirstein, a startup building a payment network between Europe and Asia; and Yapeal, a digital banking offering.

Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/a-look-at-switzerlands-booming-digital-asset-ecosystem</link><guid>2675</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Onespan-Banner_600x500.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>A Look at Switzerland’s Booming Digital Asset Ecosystem</dc:text></item><item><title>Comparis und Valuu gehen Kooperation ein</title><description><![CDATA[Comparis, der Online-Vergleichsdienst mit einem der grössten Marktplätze für Immobilien in der Schweiz, hat eine Kooperation mit Valuu unterzeichnet. Valuu ist die unabhängige Hypotheken-Vermittlungsplattform von PostFinance.
Immobiliensuchende finden auf dem Immobilienmarktplatz von comparis.ch per sofort neben dem entsprechenden Kaufobjekt auch Informationen zur möglichen Finanzierung. So werden potenzielle Käuferinnen und Käufer vom ersten Klick bis zum Abschluss ihrer Hypothek über einen einzigen Verkaufskanal begleitet. Die Kooperation ist vorerst auf ein Jahr beschränkt.
«Ermächtigen Immobilienkäufer bei ihrer Entscheidungsfindung»
Steven Neubauer
«Wir freuen uns sehr über diese Kooperation»,
sagt Comparis-CEO Steven Neubauer.


«Mit der direkten Integration des Services von Valuu in unser Immobilienangebot schaffen wir noch mehr Transparenz und unterstützen Immobilienkäuferinnen und -käufer bei ihrer Entscheidungsfindung.»
Thomas Jakob
«Valuu und Comparis verfolgen das gleiche Ziel: Den Leuten in der Schweiz mit transparenten Informationen zu helfen, die richtige Entscheidung in Finanzangelegenheiten zu treffen, und dabei am Ende Zeit und Geld zu sparen»,
sagt Thomas Jakob, Leiter Valuu von PostFinance, über die neue Partnerschaft mit Comparis.



Featured image credit: Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/comparis-und-valuu-gehen-kooperation-ein</link><guid>2674</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Onespan-Banner_600x500.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Comparis und Valuu gehen Kooperation ein</dc:text></item><item><title>8 Financial Processes Poised for Digital Transformation</title><description><![CDATA[COVID-19 accelerated trends toward remote banking and digitalisation, forcing financial institutions to embrace new technologies and processes to keep their businesses functional despite social distancing restrictions.
Now, with more and more people relying on digital solutions for interactions and transactions, the industry is turning to the next set of challenges, actively seeking to reimagine customer journeys to not only differentiate themselves from competitors, but also capture new generations of tech-savvy customers.
In a new paper, cybersecurity technology firm OneSpan explores how e-signatures, digital identity verification and authentication technologies can unlock new opportunities for financial institutions, highlighting what it believes are the top eight financial processes poised for digital transformation.
1. Remote account opening and account maintenance
According to the paper, remote bank account opening has become a necessity for banks and financial institutions must offer remote onboarding that doesn’t require a customer to physically go into a branch to complete the process.
This trend is evidenced by the positive response financial institutions like Citi saw during the pandemic where new and existing corporate clients of the Citi Treasury and Trade Solutions (TTS) business opened more than 1,000 accounts online in March 2020 – a 300% increase over the previous year, the paper notes.
For OneSpan, the need to establish a digital onboarding solution is now paramount, and e-signatures and digital identity solutions will be critical for banks to implement such solutions.
Moreover, the report adds that financial institutions should look into any other related paper-based, in-person interactions that requires a signature and identity verification.
These processes can be adapted to online channels using e-forms, e-signatures, as well as digital identity tools, the report says.
2. Lending
In the lending space, e-signatures, e-forms, and digital processes can simplify and accelerate loan applications and finance contracts.
Not only that, the fact that all transactions are kept completely digital and that workflow rules are applied means that the risks associated with documents errors, such as missing signatures and data, are eliminated.
OneSpan advises firms to also put a focus on the mobile channels considering the momentum that mobile-first lending has gained over the past few years.
Against this backdrop, the firm recommends the use of two technologies: mobile e-signatures with digital audit trails, and mobile app shielding to protect it from cyberattacks.
image via Freepik
3. Residential mortgage
Although digitising the mortgage process has been a hot topic in the industry for the past decade, development has been slow.
But the pandemic has created renewed urgency to drive innovation, regulations, and adoption faster.
Moving forward, OneSpan expects to see greater adoption of the digital mortgage process, from applications to closings and remote online notarisation, building on the rise in usage of internet mortgages during COVID-19.
US Bancorp handled 80% of mortgage applications online from March to May 2020 in the US, reported American Banker in July 2020, showcasing how big the trend has become since the beginning of the pandemic.
4. Life insurance
In the life insurance space, COVID-19 has accelerated the need to digitise the paper-dependent industry.
This has fueled the adoption of e-signatures, which firms view as an immediate enabler for digital transactions that can be deployed instantly to agents as a standalone solution, or integrated with an agent portal, e-app, or core system.
According to the paper, these solutions are now being applied extensively in new business applications, but also in areas including e-disclosure delivery, agent licensing and appointment, e-policy delivery, and beneficiary changes.
5. Wealth management
In wealth management and private banking, rapid adoption of digital tools has allowed financial advisors to maintain relationships with their clients and deliver personalised service from home.
Moving forward, wealth management businesses must optimise their new remote processes and create a convenient, intuitive customer experience.
This should include using embracing e-signatures and digital identity verification to meet the services expectations of both new and existing clients and improve customer acquisition and retention, OneSpan says.
6. Corporate banking and treasury management
Commercial banking processes can be very complex, and oftentimes involve ad hoc, customised agreements and contracts that require signature authorisations and approvals for processes.
In the new normal, speed and convenience can make the difference for banks, allowing businesses to increase customer loyalty and retention.
Hence, financial institutions should not only focus on streamlining processes by leveraging technologies such as e-signatures, but also focus on modernising the corporate client experience by, for example, introducing mobile capabilities such as mobile apps, mobile authentication, and mobile app shielding, OneSpan says.
7. Auto finance and leasing
Increased competition, the shift to zero-emission vehicles, depressed margins, the pandemic and reduced sales have put pressure on the auto industry, subsequently affecting financial institutions and lenders involved in auto and equipment finance and leasing.
This environment has forced banks to look at ways to leverage technology to reduce costs and improve operating margins, turning their sights to technologies such as e-signatures and digital identity verification methods to help minimise contact during sales processes and reduce costly manual steps.
For OneSpan, three technologies in particular are worth being considered by auto and asset finance companies: automated document verification, where a photo of a document like a passport, a driver’s license or a national identity (ID) card is analysed by software to determine its authenticity; facial comparison with liveness detection, where a selfie of a customer is compared with the image on their passport or ID card, which can then be used for remote financing applications; and e-signatures, which can be utilised to capture the intent of the signer to be bound by the terms and conditions in a contract.
8. Employee processes
Finally, the eighth and last financial process that should be digitised, according to OneSpan, is employee processes.
With the risk of COVID-19 still lingering, the top priority for financial institutions remains to this day to maintain operations in a way that is safe for employees.
And one of the easiest way for them to protect both their employees returning to the office and those still working from home is by removing the need to manually handle paper, digitising paperwork and introducing e-signatures, the paper concludes.
The Beyond Business Continuity: The New Normal in Remote Banking and Insurance whitepaper by OneSpan can be accessed here.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/8-financial-processes-poised-for-digital-transformation</link><guid>2673</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/lending-onespan-1024x687.jpeg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>8 Financial Processes Poised for Digital Transformation</dc:text></item><item><title>Zürcher Kantonalbank Set to Move Its Apps and Data to the Cloud With Microsoft</title><description><![CDATA[Zürcher Kantonalbank has announced that it will begin moving its applications and data to the public cloud in 2022 and the bank has chosen Microsoft Switzerland as its first cloud provider.
The move will not be done automatically; rather, each application will be weighed to determine if it is the right time to make the switch.
Security remains the most important priority for the bank going forward.


In the coming years, Zürcher Kantonalbank will move some of its IT applications and data to the cloud.
Remo Schmidli
In an interview with the IT trade publication “Computerworld”, Remo Schmidli, Head of IT, Operations &amp; Real Estate at Zürcher Kantonalbank said,
“Cloud technology has evolved greatly in recent years – from a niche product to what is now a mature overall solution.

Anyone who is seriously interested in IT today can no longer ignore the cloud. Because the cloud has really matured.”
According to Remo Schmidli, the benefits and potential drawbacks of the cloud were discussed intensively internally.
“In the end, the benefits clearly outweighed the drawbacks. Innovative power, scalability and time-to-market clearly spoke in favor of the move to the cloud. At the same time, we were and are not willing to make any compromises when it comes to security.

This imperative has previously applied when we signed a contract with a service provider, and it also holds true now when we work with a hyperscaler.”
The evaluation of private cloud technologies has also shown that Swiss providers are not able to fully compete with the large cloud providers in terms of innovation and investments, according to Schmidli, who has been responsible for IT as a member of the Executive Board of Zürcher Kantonalbank since 2019.
“We evaluated both Swiss companies and global hyperscalers – in the end, we chose Microsoft as the first provider.”
An important factor in the decision was Microsoft Switzerland’s local data centers, which have been up and running since 2019 and ensure data is stored in Switzerland.
Microsoft has data centers in the Geneva and Zurich regions, as well as the additional Azure Availability Zones now in operation.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/zurcher-kantonalbank-set-to-move-its-apps-and-data-to-the-cloud-with-microsoft</link><guid>2672</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Onespan-Banner_600x500.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Zürcher Kantonalbank Set to Move Its Apps and Data to the Cloud With Microsoft</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Startup Numarics Secures Over CHF 2 Million</title><description><![CDATA[Following its successful product launch in September 2021, Swiss fintech startup Numarics has successfully closed a CHF 2.1 million pre-seed financing round led by Wingman Ventures.
Numarics combines artificial intelligence with expert knowledge from the fields of fiduciary services, audit and digitalization which gives SMEs access to state-of-the-art finance management. The success of Numarics’ mobile-first strategy was recently impressively confirmed: its app was awarded the GOLD award at the annual Best of Swiss App Awards. Now, two renowned venture capital funds have stepped in to finance the expansion of the team, product and sales efforts.
Wingman Ventures and co-investor SeedX know the Swiss ecosystem very well, where Numarics has launched as its first market.


Dominique Ray
“Both are ideal partners – while Wingman Ventures is known to be the first choice for Swiss founder teams at our stage, SeedX adds their impressive experience in the fintech sector to the round”
says Dominique Rey, Co-Founder and CEO of Numarics.
Kristian Kabashi
“Proximity to investors is important now,”
adds Kristian Kabashi, Co-founder of Numarics.
“Wingman and SeedX understand the enormous growth potential for a solution like ours in the European market”
says Kabashi. Numarics has already onboarded more than 200 paying customers since its launch in September 2021.
The investors were particularly convinced by the new category that Numarics is opening up in the area of fintech startups: From accounting to tax optimisation, numarics is the all-in-one solution SMEs can count on. Used by SMEs and accountants, Numarics eliminates the need to use different software for accounting, invoicing, document management and liquidity planning.
Volker Doberanzke
“We are working with highly specialized experts,”
explains Volker Doberanzke, Founding Partner and Chief Strategy Officer. This means we continue to invest in top trained trustees and auditors who make up the Numarics Operations team, which is available to Numarics users for individual advice and support.
“The human trust factor is very important,”
adds Rey. By the end of June, Numarics will have more than 50 employees.
The founding team of Numarics is composed of Dominique Rey, an experienced certified public accountant with years of experience at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Kristian Kabashi, a digital transformation expert with strong international ties, and founding partner Volker Doberanzke, a seasoned business leader with a finance background. Having grown the team to more than 50 employees, the three of them consider this financing round just another step towards their long-term vision of radically improving the financial management of small- and medium-sized businesses across Europe.

Featured image: from left to right – Kristian Kabashi, Dominique Rey, Volker Doberanzke
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-startup-numarics-secures-over-chf-2-million</link><guid>2665</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Onespan-Banner_600x500.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Startup Numarics Secures Over CHF 2 Million</dc:text></item><item><title>Worldline Enters the Metaverse</title><description><![CDATA[Worldline, a global leader in payment services is one of the first payments companies to enter the Metaverse with the launch of a dedicated virtual showroom.
The company aims to bridge the gap between the network of virtual worlds and the real world for e-Commerce enterprises and provide its merchants with the opportunities needed to benefit fully from the incredible potential the Metaverse has to offer.
The Worldline Metaverse showroom, which went live in March 2022, is a key component in Worldline’s strategy to build its presence in the Metaverse, which is seen as the next innovative social and commerce channel, and that will become more and more popular with the development of Web 3.0. The Worldline showroom is located in Decentraland in the Crypto Valley area. This very popular and central location will enable Worldline to involve and engage its network of merchants in Metaverse activities by providing a platform and creating genuine value and customer exposure for them.


The success of building the Metaverse depends on a robust and flexible payment ecosystem that allows users to seamlessly access payment means in the physical and virtual world. Following the launch of its showroom, Worldline will continue to invest and allocate significant resources to the development and distribution of additional Metaverse-related products specifically tailored to meet the needs of merchants wishing to enter and thrive within 3D virtual worlds. For example, Metaverse white label stores are being designed for merchants and will include direct payment connections to Worldline Acquiring and all payment options offered in Worldline’s payment means portfolio, allowing for the seamless and secure blending of the real and virtual payment environment.
The Worldline Metaverse showroom currently includes a number of key innovative features such as:

A merchant of the month area, placed at the core of Worldline’s virtual land introducing a merchant with a new product.
The product can then be purchased directly via the Worldline payment engine.
A coffee space powered by PAYONE, Worldline’s Joint Venture with the German Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe (DSV) and leading brand in merchant services in Germany and Austria. This area will facilitate more social interaction and informal meetings between users, Worldline representatives and merchants.
A virtual stage for events with a space to host virtual product presentations and share knowledge with Decentraland users.
Supporting charity projects, beginning with support for Ukraine via a well-known charity organizations. Social responsibility is a core focus for Worldline, hence the importance of assisting those in need.

The Metaverse clearly offers a completely new perspective for merchants and their customers. The solution developed by Worldline and its crypto processing partner Bitcoin Suisse aims to facilitate the merchants’ immersion in a new and exciting space. For example, goods and services can only be purchased in the Metaverse with the Metaverse provider’s own cryptocurrency. The Worldline Metaverse showroom enables end consumers to purchase goods and services, with or without owning cryptocurrencies themselves. With that, the solution provides an easier and more streamlined shopping experience, to the benefit of both Worldline’s merchant base and their customers.
Sascha Muenger
Sascha Muenger, Metaverse Expert at Worldline, says
“Technological innovation is an essential part of Worldline’s DNA. The Metaverse, and Web 3.0 overall, is without doubt the next step in the development of the Internet and it is vital for us to make sure we harness the opportunities this virtual world will bring. Our plans also involve facilitating access for our merchant base and customers and providing a secure and seamless payment process in the Metaverse.”

Strategic opportunities ahead – for Worldline and its merchant customers
The Internet, or web 2.0 as we know it today, is the main entry point for millions of people to access information and services, communicate and socialise, and sell goods. The Metaverse – associated with the development of web 3.0 – is expected to replicate the value proposition of the Internet itself, whilst crucially adding a three-dimensional, immersive layer.
The Metaverse will challenge and overcome various boundaries in e-Commerce scenarios. It will enable consumers to engage with virtual community shopping from any location worldwide whilst benefiting from embedded virtual checkout processes. This new virtual shopping experience has the potential to democratise access to goods and services based on an entirely new approach
As a key player in the payments sector, Worldline will leverage this new innovative commerce channel for its merchant base, helping to bridge the gap between the Metaverse and the real world, thereby showing the capabilities of the web 3.0 technology around 3D virtual worlds. Ultimately, Worldline aims to position itself as a provider of choice for Metaverse commerce and payment use cases.

Featured image credit: Freepik
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/worldline-enters-the-metaverse</link><guid>2666</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Onespan-Banner_600x500.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Worldline Enters the Metaverse</dc:text></item><item><title>Switzerland Attracts More Blockchain Firms Despite Crypto Meltdown</title><description><![CDATA[Global leaders were treated to a crypto charm offensive at the World Economic Forum in Davos last week. Finance Minister Ueli Maurer and Switzerland Global Enterprise, which is responsible for attracting business, took the opportunity to roll out the red carpet for foreign blockchain companies.
Competition for crypto business is intensifying among countries. The United Arab Emirates, for example, is busy handing out financial licenses while Dubai’s free zone has thrown open its doors to footloose crypto firms. The world’s largest crypto exchange, Binance, has been given regulatory approval to operate in France.
As I reported in March, Lugano has partnered with the stablecoin Tether to turn the southern Swiss city into the “European Capital of Crypto”. Switzerland is eager to further swell its ranks of more than 1,000 blockchain enterprises and 6,000 jobs.


According to the recently published Swiss Digital Asset Report, another two global heavyweights, Copper.co and Bitpanda are opening operations in Switzerland. This follows the recent arrival of BitMEX and the FTX crypto exchange.
The London-headquartered Copper.co has indeed confirmed its entrance to Crypto Nation Switzerland. It already has an office in Zug with ’a handful’ of staff who have been setting up the business.
But the company, which helps institutional investors venture into digital asset trading, has now been given the regulatory green light to launch full operations.
Copper.co announced today that it has joined the Self-Regulatory Organisation VQF. Swiss SROs act as a staging post between financial firms and the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (Finma). SROs set Anti-Money Laundering standards and monitor their members’ compliance. The SRO as an entity answers to Finma as opposed to its individual member companies reporting directly to the regulator.
Many digital assets financial companies in Switzerland are registered with one of Switzerland’s 11 SROs. Financial intermediaries are obliged to either submit to direct Finma regulation or join an SRO to carry out their business in Switzerland.
Joining the dots
Copper.co is one of a growing number of firms that are building the plumbing to connect asset managers and hedge funds with cryptocurrency exchanges and the world of decentralised finance (DeFi). It’s recognised as one of the world’s leading venues for institutional investors to deposit funds securely and settle trading positions.
Dmitry Tokarev
“Switzerland, as a pioneer location for digital assets, provides an ideal foothold from which to grow our mainland European presence,”
said Copper.co CEO Dmitry Tokarev. But it’s unclear at this stage exactly what expansion plans to company has in Switzerland.
It’s also unclear to me how the digital assets sector, and particularly DeFi, will recover from the recent carnage inflicted by collapse of the Terra stablecoin (UST).
Earlier this month, the so-called ‘reign of Terra’ sent the entire cryptocurrency market into a tailspin, wiping tens of billions from the value of bitcoin and every other cryptocurrency. UST was supposed to provide stability to the DeFi trading markets – it failed in spectacular fashion. Many investors lost a lot of money, and it might take a while before they summon up the courage to re-enter this volatile sector.
I’ll be exploring this theme in greater depth – and what it means for the Swiss crypto scene – during the Crypto Valley Association annual conference later this week.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/switzerland-attracts-more-blockchain-firms-despite-crypto-meltdown</link><guid>2667</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Onespan-Banner_600x500.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Switzerland Attracts More Blockchain Firms Despite Crypto Meltdown</dc:text></item><item><title>Here Are 13 Startups Selected for F10’s Latest Accelerator Cohort</title><description><![CDATA[F10 announced that 13 growth-stage fintech and insurtech startups have been selected for its spring 2022 cohort from 300 applications globally to join its open innovation accelerator at its Zurich and Singapore hubs.
The goal of this programme is to facilitate collaboration between selected startups with F10 corporate partners.
The scouting and eventual selection of the startups was done in close collaboration with F10 corporate partners at each hub that had launched open innovation challenges earlier this year.


The programme itself is aimed towards developing successful collaborations, implemented via a 360 degree startup analysis, an in-depth collaboration playbook facilitated by a dedicated F10 coach, and regular knowledge and experience exchange between participating startups and the corporate partners.
F10 Switzerland Acceleration Batch IV
Three of the F10 Switzerland’s corporate partners – SIX bLink, Julius Baer, Generali HITS – had published challenges to address their business needs.
1. WealthTech Challenge by SIX bLink
Startups who provide market-ready products or services that can be integrated into wealth and asset management applications via API.
Selected startups:

Lookthrough

Lookthrough produces ESG reports for real estate without the necessity of onsite visits, making ESG compliance scalable and affordable for landlords.

Kaspar&amp;

Kaspar&amp; enables banks to increase the value of their existing client base by offering an innovative approach to transform retail clients into wealth management customers with every payment they make.

aisot

aisot is turning data into performance for wealth and asset managers, maximizing performance while minimizing volatility. aisot’s proprietary and cloud- based artificial intelligence engine, aisot AI alpha PLT, accessible through API, creates insights for clearly defined use cases and time horizons, bridging the last mile in data-driven decision making.

Kidbrooke

Kidbrooke helps financial institutions such as banks, wealth managers and insurance companies provide engaging, seamless, and affordable financial advice allowing everyone to make educated financial decisions for their future.

2. Sustainable Finance Challenge by Julius Baer
Startups with solutions in sustainable investing to integrate climate and sustainability considerations.
Selected startups:

Datia

Datia is a data platform for sustainable finance, working with forward thinking financial institutions automating their ESG workflows. Datia customers use Datia for ESG data collection &amp; analysis, screen portfolios, model ESG preferences and automate ESG, SFDR &amp; EU Taxonomy reporting.

impak Finance

impak is a growing French-Canadian scale-up whose mission is to help investors and lenders make more sustainable decisions by providing them with assessments that go beyond ESG and include both the negative and positive impacts of their assets.

Matter

Matter offers investors an alternative to traditional ESG ratings. By utilising cutting-edge technologies, the company harnesses wisdom-of the crowd data from hundreds of different sources, organises them into different datasets, and make these available to clients via intuitive interfaces and APIs for portfolio analysis and reporting.

3. Financial Wellbeing and Insurance Distribution Challenges by Generali HITS
Startups that help to improve the financial well-being of insurance customers and enhance life customers’ experience. Additionally, startups that help insurance agents to become “super agents”, by providing digital tools and services that augment their work.
Selected startups:

Omma

Omma VQ is an interactive, dynamic video platform, which provides the opportunity to communicate with different target audiences with personalized content through a video in real time.

3rd-eyes analytics

3rd-eyes-analytics offers modular solutions that improve, automate, and visualise wealth planning. The solutions incorporate climate change scenarios while optimisations against investment or insurance products maximise goal achievement.

Tontine Trust

The OECD has passed Legal Instrument 0467 to mandatorily change existing DC pensions to offer lifetime incomes using ‘tontines’ or annuities. The OECD favours tontines over annuities because they enable higher levels of retirement income than annuities.

distriBind

distriBind is using Machine Learning and Automation to cure the insurance industry of its spreadsheet addiction.

bsurance

As an Embedded Insurance market leader we enable access to a huge market opportunity and bring fair and relevant coverage to consumers where and when it matters: At the point-of-need.

Startups selected for this accelerator will gain life-time access to the F10 Startup Services – flexible, on-demand content spanning the F10 Academy, online learning and peer to peer exchange based on startups’ needs, the F10 mentor programme offering access to a network of more than 250 mentors across all hubs, as well as the F10 Investor Introduction Service.
F10 Singapore Acceleration
F10 Singapore corporate partner, SIX Financial Information Singapore has also published the following challenge to address their business needs.
1. Regtech Challenge
Startups that understand regulatory implications (sanctions, shareholding disclosure, tax, esg etc.) for pre- or post-trade solutions.
Selected startup:
Investment Navigator

Investment Navigator is the product distribution experts for financial institutions ensuring that they can bring the right products to the right clients at the right time in the right way.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/here-are-13-startups-selected-for-f10s-latest-accelerator-cohort</link><guid>2668</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Onespan-Banner_600x500.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Here Are 13 Startups Selected for F10’s Latest Accelerator Cohort</dc:text></item><item><title>BNPL Player Zoodpay Expands to Pakistan With Acquisition of Tez Financial Services</title><description><![CDATA[ZoodPay, a Swiss-based buy now, pay later (BNPL) platform for e-commerce customers in the Middle East and Central Asia, has made its entry into Pakistan by fully acquiring the Karachi-headquartered Tez Financial Services.
Tez was granted a Non-Bank Financial Company (NBFC) license in 2018 and is backed by investors including Planet N, Flourish Ventures and Accion.
It has since provided micro-loans to the unbanked and underbanked masses across 160+ cities in Pakistan.


Michael Khoi
Michael Khoi, CEO of ZoodPay said,
“Pakistan is a market brimming with potential given the number of people seeking access to credit facilities.

We’re confident that by combining ZoodPay’s unique ecosystem and experience operating in frontier markets with Tez’s local know-how, strong team and ecosystem partnerships, we’ll be able to positively impact the life of Pakistani people and empower them by giving them access to easy, affordable and reliable digital financial services”
Nadeem Hussain, Chairman of Tez said,
“The Pakistani startup ecosystem has hit its inflection point. In addition to sizable fundraises, acquisitions of local players by international players are starting to take place.

This further validates the global value Pakistani startups are creating. Planet N was one of the first in the market to invest in startups. We are now seeing the first-mover advantage.”

Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bnpl-player-zoodpay-expands-to-pakistan-with-acquisition-of-tez-financial-services</link><guid>2669</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Onespan-Banner_600x500.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>BNPL Player Zoodpay Expands to Pakistan With Acquisition of Tez Financial Services</dc:text></item><item><title>New World Bank Report Looks at the Rise of Fintech</title><description><![CDATA[Technology-enabled innovation is reshaping financial products, market players, market structure and even money itself, removing key frictions in the provision of financial services, enabling new business models and allowing market participants to reach previously underserved segments at lower costs.
But while the ongoing digitalization of the financial system is creating unprecedented opportunities for the industry to offer more inclusive and efficient services, it also calls for new approaches to regulation and supervision, and requires heightened collaboration between public authorities across data protection, privacy, and competition.
These are the recommendations formulated in a new report by the World Bank Group. The paper, titled Fintech and Future of Finance paper, explores the rise of fintech and the digital transformation of financial services, delving into the various policy implications of these emerging trends.


According to the report, to harness the full potential of fintech, regulators should implement policies that enable and encourage safe financial innovation and adoption. Given the rapid spread of innovation, they should adopt an approach that’s proactive, pragmatic, clear, and collaborative with public and private stakeholders. This is particularly critical considering that new fintech innovations are emerging at an accelerated pace and because fintech issues oftentimes cut across financial prudential supervisors, market conduct and competition authorities, and consumer protection agencies.
But while, fintech innovation creates promising opportunities, including improved financial inclusion and efficiency gains, it also introduces an array of risks which must be mitigated.
This calls for proper safeguards to, among others, maintain fair competition, financial stability, ensure data and consumer protection, and prevent the abuse of market power, the report says.
Data collection principles and proactive monitoring of market conduct, frameworks for open banking and data ownership, initiatives to foster development of financial infrastructure and fair and transparent access to them, and revisiting any restriction on product tying and linkages between banking and commerce, are among the critical issues regulators should consider.
A well-balanced fintech regulatory landscape is ever so important today as trends like open finance and embedded finance are rapidly gaining ground and blurring the boundaries of the financial sector.
These trends are leading to a more complex constellation of traditional regulated institutions, technology and product providers, forcing regulators to broaden the monitoring horizons and re-assess regulatory perimeters.
Booming fintech industry
These past few years have seen fintech and digital transformation increase in importance, a trend that accelerated with COVID-19.
As part of the research, the World Bank Group conducted a global survey, polling 330 market participants from 109 countries to capture market perceptions of the impact of fintech and digital technology.
The study found that, of the 330 respondents surveyed, more than 80% felt that the COVID-19 pandemic increased the need for fintech and digital transformation and made digitization in customer channels, product adaptation, and internal processes a strategic priority.
Need for digital transformation due to COVID-19, Source: World Bank Group (based on responses to the Digital Technology and the Future of Finance Survey 2020)
Industry participants indicated expecting fintech and digital transformation to result in a range of benefits to customers, providers and the economy. Over the next five years, key benefits that respondents believed will be realized to a “great degree” include improved customer experience (74%), increased innovation (73%), improved product design to meet user needs (67%) and increased accessibility and outreach to new customers (62%).
The degree to which certain benefits of fintech and digital transformation are expected to be realized in the next 5 years, Source: World Bank Group (based on responses to the Digital Technology and the Future of Finance Survey 2020)
The survey also sought to understand market participants’ predictions for the years to come. While products, processes and channels will undeniably continue digitizing, respondents were in agreement that a combination of physical and digital will prevail.
Half of banks and remittance operators, and 60% of microfinance institutions, non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs), and payments operators, expect business to be conducted largely through physical locations. Banks, meanwhile, expect to continue serving customers through branches and proprietary digital channels.
Respondents were also asked about their biggest concerns relating to the rapid adoption of technology and digital tools. Unsurprisingly, respondents ranked operational and cybersecurity risk at the top of the list, followed by data protection and privacy, and third-party service providers.
Risk perception of respondents, Source: World Bank Group (based on responses to the Digital Technology and the Future of Finance Survey 2020)

Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-world-bank-report-looks-at-the-rise-of-fintech</link><guid>2670</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Onespan-Banner_600x500.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>New World Bank Report Looks at the Rise of Fintech</dc:text></item><item><title>CAT Financial Products Issues Financial Products with Fintech Influencer</title><description><![CDATA[Spiros Margaris is the world’s No.1 fintech influencer and has been a successful investor in the fintech industry for many years. In a partnership with CAT Financial Products AG (CATFP), he gives investors the chance to invest diversified and in a simple way in the global Fintech companies that not only have huge growth potential in the future, but also a stable and solid business model.
Fintech companies are changing the financial industry towards more digitalization with their simple and digital customer solutions. Internal workflows and processes are also being digitized, automated and made more efficient thanks to artificial intelligence and machine learning. In recent years, many young companies have come into this sector and gone public. Traditional banks and technology companies have also invested heavily in these areas. As the market has grown extremely fast during this time, it is becoming more and more difficult to select companies that will not only shape the future of this industry, but also demonstrate strong and robust business models. In addition, there is the need to identify relevant partnerships between established companies and start-ups at an early stage and to identify potential acquisitions in this sector.
Swiss-born Spiros Margaris is in various ranking listed as the number one global fintech influencer. He is actively shaping the global industry and has insights into the largest fintechs, banks and Silicon Valley companies that are being called the future of finance. He is the founder of Margaris Ventures and has been active in the fintech industry since its inception. Two of his mandates at startups now have a market valuation of more than $1 billion, making them so-called unicorns.


The new investment product on the “Margaris No.1 Fintech Value Basket” now offers investors access to his insights into this industry and his global industry network. Together with CATFP’s product specialists, Spiros Margaris selects a range of around 25 global companies with an impact on the fintech industry, which not only have massive growth potential in the future, but also a strong and robust business model to succeed even in a difficult macroeconomic environment. In this context, the investment style as well as the investment ratio can be adjusted to the general market and macroeconomic conditions.
On June 01, 2022, Spiros Margaris will give an outlook on the future of the Fintech industry as a keynote speaker at the CAT Investors Day and officially present the new investment solution:
Spiros Margaris
«I believe strongly that the great fintech opportunities are still ahead of us since the embedded finance trend will further open up competition and opportunities. We haven’t seen anything yet, just that the low-hanging fruits have been picked up. Now starts the real disruption of the financial service industry.»
Spiros Margaris continues:
“After my successful investments in a number of fintech start-ups, launching such an investment solution for the Swiss financial industry was the next logical step. With CATFP, I have one of the best partners at my side for this. I am excited about the expertise, professionalism and creativity. It fits my personality.”
Roman Przibylla
Roman Przibylla, Partner and Chief Distribution Officer of CATFP, is also looking forward to the cooperation:
“I am proud that with this investment solution we can give our clients access to one of the most successful fintech investors in Switzerland. Spiros Margaris is not only a proven expert in Fintech but also in Insurtech, Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence. He is a visionary who is at home all over the world and still has never forgotten his Swiss roots.”
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/cat-financial-products-issues-financial-products-with-fintech-influencer</link><guid>2664</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Onespan-Banner_600x500.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>CAT Financial Products Issues Financial Products with Fintech Influencer</dc:text></item><item><title>LevelField Selects METACO to Launch Digital Asset Management Capabilities on IBM Cloud</title><description><![CDATA[LevelField Financial, the premier U.S. financial services firm uniting digital assets and traditional banking services in one trusted platform has selected Switzerland-based METACO, a specialist of digital asset custody orchestration technology to complex, global financial institutions. LevelField is deploying its institutional digital asset management operations on IBM Cloud in order to leverage the confidential computing capabilities of IBM’s digital asset infrastructure.
Founded by banking executives with decades of global experience, LevelField is in the process of acquiring a federally chartered bank in the United States. To launch its digital asset offering, LevelField will use METACO’s digital asset custody and orchestration platform, Harmonize, helping enable clients to securely store, trade, and settle digital assets. Harmonize was built in partnership with Tier 1 banks and offers the highest standards of security and compliance for LevelField to operate in the digital assets sector. This foundational infrastructure provides LevelField with the option to further expand its digital asset offering in the future, in a highly-scalable and efficient manner.
LevelField will deploy Harmonize, which is supported by IBM Cloud Hyper Protect Services. This setup will allow LevelField to scale to millions of wallets, while maintaining control over private keys for risk management. IBM’s Digital Asset Infrastructure is designed to help custodians achieve greater results when using METACO’s Harmonize platform, including enhanced scalability, security, and compliance.


IBM Cloud Hyper Protect Crypto Services is designed to enable METACO Vaults to store encrypted keys externally in a database while affording the protections of IBM’s FIPS 140-2 Level 4 rated hardware security modules (HSM). With external storage of keys enabled by IBM’s master encryption key technology, custodians can scale to billions of wallets. The sensitive processing on METACO Harmonize is secured by IBM Cloud Hyper Protect Virtual Servers hardware-based, Common Criteria-certified isolation. IBM Cloud Hyper Protect Secure Build Server is designed to reduce risks of malicious code insertion during Harmonize deployments and address unauthorized rule manipulation by working to make policies on the platform tamper proof. Irrespective of how Harmonize is consumed, custodians retain physical control of the root of trust of the assets and the policies that govern management of the assets, through the IBM HSM Smartcards.
Seamus Donoghue
Seamus Donoghue, VP of Strategic Alliances at METACO commented,
“We’re pleased to support LevelField in realizing its vision of uniting digital assets with traditional finance to create the most trusted banking platform of the future. Harmonize provides bank-grade security and compliance for the custody and management of digital assets, as well as the agility for innovative firms like LevelField to go-to-market and scale quickly. With a flexible governance policy framework that can be applied to any type of digital asset transaction, a no-single-point-of-failure model, and the optionality to expand and offer any type of digital asset services, Harmonize provides a highly secure and flexible foundation for LevelField to manage its digital asset operations, both today and well into the future.”
Established in Houston in 2018, and currently pending a banking charter, LevelField aims to blend digital banking, securities, and digital assets to provide a comprehensive banking service for the digital economy. The firm is building a customer- focused financial services platform for digital and traditional assets that leverages the strengths of the U.S. banking system, is built on a solid foundation of regulatory compliance, and draws on its management team’s expertise across traditional banking.
Michael Clayton
Michael Clayton, CTO, LevelField, commented,
“LevelField is comprised of career bankers who deeply understand the importance of compliance and security. We searched for the platform that would enable us to meet our rigorous standards for security and compliance, while also giving us the flexibility to grow our digital asset business in any direction. METACO’s Harmonize orchestration platform, supported by IBM Cloud Hyper Protect Services, is the ideal solution and something which may become the gold-standard in the industry. This infrastructure enables us to demonstrate our compliance and the highest levels of security no matter what area of digital assets we expand into.”
METACO, the leading technology provider in the digital asset ecosystem, has significant implementations with Tier 1 banks, exchanges and other financial institutions. Its platform, Harmonize, delivers the most secure, compliant and flexible custody solution in the market, in combination with the end-to-end, secure orchestration of workflows and governance processes across the entire digital asset stack, with no single point of compromise.

Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/levelfield-selects-metaco-to-launch-digital-asset-management-capabilities-on-ibm-cloud</link><guid>2660</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/OneSpan-May-2022.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>LevelField Selects METACO to Launch Digital Asset Management Capabilities on IBM Cloud</dc:text></item><item><title>Huobi Global Steps up Latin America Presence With Bitex Acquisition</title><description><![CDATA[Huobi Global announced the acquisition of Bitex, one of the first regional cryptocurrency exchanges in Latin America, as it moves to expand its footprint in the fast-growing region. The terms of the deal are confidential and were not disclosed.
Founded in 2014, Bitex has an extensive network in Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Huobi Global plans to integrate Bitex’s exchange operations with Huobi Global’s platform, enabling users in Latin America to trade all digital assets available on Huobi Global. Post-integration, Bitex will retain its branding and continue to be independently run by its current management team.
With a population of nearly 665 million, Latin America ranks fifth in the world for cryptocurrency adoption and consistently captures between 8% and 10% of global cryptocurrency activity. The region saw the use of cryptocurrencies rise by 1,370% from 2019 to 2021, with Venezuela and Argentina ranking seventh and tenth, respectively, in the 2021 Global Crypto Adoption Index published by Chainalysis.
Jeffrey Ma
&#8220;Since Huobi Group first entered the Latin American market, we have seen remarkable growth there and are bullish on our prospects for the region. We are pleased to partner with an established player like Bitex, as we look to grow our footprint in Latin America. Our partnership will enable more users to trade with Huobi’s proven security, liquidity, and stability,”
said Jeffrey Ma, Global Head of M&amp;A at Huobi Group.
Currently, only about half of Latin American’s population own bank accounts. Through this acquisition, Huobi Global hopes to meet this growing appetite for alternative financial services through blockchain technology. We intend to add more local fiat currencies and work with local partners to expand our ecosystem into Latin America.
Francisco Buero
Bitex CEO Francisco Buero said:
“Bitex was founded to protect the value of our users’ money, in the wake of major financial crises in Latin America. Having grown rapidly after eight years of successful operations, we believe our partnership with Huobi Global will not only support our expansion, but also help us better serve our customers, enabling them to access a broader range of digital assets on Huobi Global’s platform. Additionally, Huobi Global’s strong track record in security will help safeguard our important mission as we continue to operate as a borderless exchange.”
Huobi Group marked its first foray into Latin America with the launch of Huobi Argentina in 2019, drawn by the increasing demand for crypto-related products and services in the market. In 2020, Huobi Argentina introduced fiat-to-crypto pairing between the Argentine Peso and both Bitcoin (BTC) and Tether (USDT). Last year, it also added five payment methods to improve users’ trading experience and increase the liquidity of its market.

The post Huobi Global Steps up Latin America Presence With Bitex Acquisition appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/huobi-global-steps-up-latin-america-presence-with-bitex-acquisition</link><guid>2661</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/AM-1.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Huobi Global Steps up Latin America Presence With Bitex Acquisition</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Banks Slow to Embrace Open Banking</title><description><![CDATA[In Switzerland, banks and financial institutions have been slow in embracing the open banking movement, a delay that can partly explained by institutions’ conservative corporate culture as well as an overarching fear of losing customers to third parties.
These are some of the findings drawn from a study conducted by the Institute of Financial Services Zug IFZ of the Lucerne School of Business, which sought to understand the banking sector’s views on open banking, determine the roadblocks to adoption, and identify the progress made so far.
The study, which is based on interviews with experts from banks, insurance companies and fintechs and desk research, identified a prevalent belief that opening up channels to fintech startups and other third parties will pose a risk to their business. Almost unanimously, the banks pointed out during the interviews that one of their central strategic goals was to “keep” the customer interface.
Another key roadblock to open banking adoption identified is the fear of change. This resistance often come from employees wanting to protect themselves from the unknown or imagined outcomes of change, as well as from the potential of losing their jobs. Hence, most prefer to stick to the “tried-and-tested” approach, the report says.
In addition to these challenges, the study found that many Swiss banks’ leadership still underestimate the importance of open banking, viewing the trend as a computer science issue rather than a critical strategic priority.
When asked about the driving forces behind their open banking efforts, 66% of 35 retail banks polled indicated their IT department. Management came second at 63%, sales units came fourth at 9%, and the board of directors/council came last at only 6%.
The driving forces behind Swiss bank’s open banking efforts, Source: IFZ Open Banking Studie 2022
Progresses being made
Despite these hurdles, the report notes that progress is being made. The survey of retail banks found that 17% already have open APIs in place. Of those that don’t, 63% shared plans to set up capabilities to connect with third parties.
Has your bank opened up to third-party provider using open interfaces (APIs) or is planning to? Source: IFZ Open Banking Studie 2022
The report notes that discrepancies exist between retail banks, with some, including Valiant, UBS or Hypothekarbank Lenzburg, emerging as early adopters. Others, meanwhile, just started looking into open banking recently.
Respondents were also asked in which areas they will be using open banking solutions within the next three years. The results show a broad range of new products and services Swiss retail banks are planning to introduce over the next few years by leveraging the capabilities brought about open banking.
The top five open banking use cases at Swiss retail banks are payments and embedded payments (77%), multibanking services for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) (51%), connection to online accounting software (46%), multibanking services for private customers (37%), connection to online mortgage brokers (31%) and connection to external asset managers (26%).
Areas where banks expect to use open banking in the next three years, Source: IFZ Open Banking Studie 2022
Unlike the European Union (EU) and the UK where open banking is mandated by regulations like PSD2 and the Open Banking Standard, open banking development in Switzerland has been market-driven.
Despite having no formal or compulsory open banking regime in place, the Swiss market has seen promising developments in the field. For example, trade association Swiss Fintech Innovations (SFTI) is working with the industry to develop the so-called Common API Specification for Finance, a set of API standards and specifications for the industry to obey by to enable uniformity and consistency.
Efforts to advance open banking adoption in Switzerland comes at a time when consumers are warming up to the concept.
A 2021 survey conducted by MasterCard found that, although just a few consumers knew what open banking was, consumers showed strong interest in the use cases and opportunities the trend brings.
The research, which polled more than 1,000 consumers from Switzerland in April 2021, found that of those who had not heard of open banking before, 14% showed interest after being provided a generic definition, a level that increased significantly (52%) when consumers were given explanations of real use cases of open banking.
Not only that, but 49% of respondents said that they would be willing to change their primary bank or add a new banking relationship to benefit from at least one open banking-enabled service.
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
The post Swiss Banks Slow to Embrace Open Banking appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-banks-slow-to-embrace-open-banking</link><guid>2662</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/The-driving-forces-behind-Swiss-banks-open-banking-efforts-Source-IFZ-Open-Banking-Studie-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Banks Slow to Embrace Open Banking</dc:text></item><item><title>Polytech Ventures, Fusion Partners Raise CHF 11 Million to Build Next-Gen Swiss Startups</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss investment company Polytech Ventures Holding and Fusion Partners, a corporate venturing organisation in French-speaking Switzerland, have raised CHF 11 million to develop its independent Swiss &#8220;startups studio&#8221; named Webuild Ventures.
The entities said in a statement that they aim to build the next generation of Swiss startups in the real estate, mobility, financial services and insurance sectors.
With a strong track record in venture building, Fusion Partners will be the operational arm of the initiative, providing startups with operational support, execution power, access to its network and dedicated infrastructure.
Alain Nicod and Sébastien Lamunière have joined the board of directors of WeBuild Ventures, alongside its Founder and CEO, Guillaume Dubray.
Guillaume Dubray
“This is both a recognition of our model&#8217;s performance and of the dynamism of innovation in Switzerland, which still has a lot to offer. More and more deals are carried out in Switzerland by the largest American venture capital funds.
 
WeBuild Ventures, our startup studio, offers Swiss entrepreneurs a unique support to help innovation champions emerge. Over the last 15 years I have seen many potential entrepreneurs miss out for the wrong reasons: the WeBuild model removes the last obstacles to entrepreneurial ambition. There is no longer any reason why you shouldn&#8217;t take the plunge and conquer Switzerland.”
said Guillaume Dubray.
The post Polytech Ventures, Fusion Partners Raise CHF 11 Million to Build Next-Gen Swiss Startups appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/polytech-ventures-fusion-partners-raise-chf-11-million-to-build-next-gen-swiss-startups</link><guid>2663</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Polytech Ventures, Fusion Partners Raise CHF 11 Million to Build Next-Gen Swiss Startups</dc:text></item><item><title>Irish B2B Payment Provider TransferMate is now a Fintech Unicorn</title><description><![CDATA[TransferMate, a leading provider of B2B payments infrastructure as-a-service, announced a $70M funding round bringing the company to a valuation of $1BN and $130M of total funding. Railpen, one of the largest UK pension funds, managing £37 billion, participated in the round.
TransferMate has grown its global licensing infrastructure and banking network to be one of the widest in the industry and has been chosen as the partner of choice to power B2B payments products for some of the largest software platforms, innovative banks and Fintechs in the world. This funding round which consists entirely of primary capital will be used to expand its teams globally and further invest in its technology innovation and product suite.
Terry Clune
&#8220;We are delighted to welcome Railpen as a shareholder at this exciting time,”
said Terry Clune, TransferMate’s Founder.
“By combining our technology and our global licence network, we empower software providers, banks and fintechs to deliver payments dramatically faster &amp; cheaper than the traditional SWIFT system. We will use this investment to continue to recruit senior financial talent who can help broaden our customer base.”
Sinead Fitzmaurice
&#8220;Since the very beginning we have been on a mission to set new standards in how businesses make and receive international payments. Our commitment to deliver real-time transparency and speed when businesses are conducting cross border payments has resulted in TransferMate becoming the global B2B payments infrastructure of choice for the world’s leading procure-to-pay and spend management platforms,”
said Sinead Fitzmaurice, CEO of TransferMate. &#8220;This investment will allow us to accelerate our mission to drive innovation as businesses seek to digitise their B2B payments within the core software that they use to conduct their day-to-day activities.”
This new round of investment together with the $1BN valuation further sets TransferMate apart as the world’s most comprehensive independent B2B payments network. It allows businesses and individuals to make cross-border payments in more than 201 countries and 141 currencies, as easily and cost-effectively as if making a domestic funds transfer, and with complete transparency of the transaction through to the point of final reconciliation.
The funding round was managed by Barclays Bank PLC, acting through its investment bank.
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
The post Irish B2B Payment Provider TransferMate is now a Fintech Unicorn appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/irish-b2b-payment-provider-transfermate-is-now-a-fintech-unicorn</link><guid>2658</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Irish B2B Payment Provider TransferMate is now a Fintech Unicorn</dc:text></item><item><title>Disruption im Wealth Management: 5 Gründe warum Vermögensverwalter Data Analytics einführen sollten</title><description><![CDATA[In den nächsten Dekaden werden grosse Vermögen von den Baby Boomern an ihre Nachfahren der Generationen X und Y (Generation Y wird auch Millennials genannt) vererbt. Zur Höhe der Vermögen, die vererbt werden, zirkulieren verschiedenste Zahlen. Und nicht alle Haushalte, in denen Geld vererbt wird, sind attraktive Kunden für Wealth Manager.
Aber auch wenn man sich nur zu vererbende Vermögen von 5 bis 30 Millionen US-Dollar anschaut, bleiben die Dimensionen des sogenannten Great Wealth Transfers riesig: Laut Wealth-X werden bis 2030 in Europa 3,2 Billionen, in den USA 8,8 Billionen und in Asien 1,9 Billionen US-Dollar vererbt.
Der Wealth Transfer hin zu den Millennials stellt Vermögensverwalter vor grosse Herausforderungen. Denn Studien zeigen, dass sich rund 80 Prozent der Millennials im Erbfall einen neuen Vermögensberater suchen wollen. Ausserdem drängen neue Unternehmen mit starken digitalen Angeboten in den Markt. Daher sollten sich Wealth Manager jetzt unbedingt fragen, wie sie sich aufstellen wollen, um die jetzt und in Zukunft Erbenden als Kunden zu behalten und sogar neue Kunden zu gewinnen.
image via Freepik
Ein neuer Investortyp will mehr digitale Interaktion
Wealth Manager sollten auch deshalb schnell handeln, denn nicht nur die Millennials, die geerbt haben oder erben werden, stellen neue Anforderungen an ihre Vermögensverwalter. Deloitte spricht vom Aufkommen des Re-Wired Investor. Dieser Investortyp hat neue Denkmuster und neue Kundenwünsche. Re-Wired Investors sind per Definition also nicht nur Jüngere. Die neuen Denkmuster sind auch bei Älteren angekommen und sorgen dort auch für neue Kundenwünsche: Re-Wired Investors möchten Dinge digital selbst erledigen können, erwarten ein personalisiertes Erlebnis auf allen Kanälen und wollen eine Vermögensverwaltung, die sich ihrem Lebensstil anpasst.
Ohne ein digitalisiertes Geschäftsmodell werden Vermögensverwalter kaum in der Lage sein, die Re-Wired Investors effektiv zu betreuen. Denn zwischen Vermögensverwaltern und ihren Kunden werden immer mehr hochwertige digitale Interaktionen stattfinden.
Digitalisierung beflügelt das gesamte Business
Wealth Manager stehen nun vor der Herausforderung, eine IT-Lösung zu entwickeln oder auf dem Markt zu finden, zu testen und einzuführen, die diese hochwertigen digitalen Interaktionen ermöglichen. Sind diese Lösungen eingeführt, profitieren Wealth Manager in vielen Bereichen: Erstens bekommen ihre Kunden die Digital Experience, die sie wünschen – inklusive einer Personalisierung in grossem Umfang, die die Kundenbindung steigert.
Zweitens legt eine neue IT den Grundstein für eine viele weitere Vorteile: Die Time to Value sinkt, man bekommt die Freiheit und die Flexibilität, schnell Innovationen einzuführen, kann die Margen verbessern und die Produktivität der Relationship Manager (RM) steigern.
Allein der letzte Punkt birgt viel Potenzial, denn McKinsey schätzt, dass RMs in der Regel 60 bis 70 Prozent ihrer Zeit mit Tätigkeiten verbringen, die keinen Umsatz bringen, und das bei ständig zunehmenden regulatorischen und Compliance-Verpflichtungen. Ein Grund dafür sei, dass die meisten mit veralteten IT-Systemen und Tabellenkalkulationen arbeiten.
Analytics ist Grundlage für die neuen Anwendungen und deren Benefits
Wealth Manager sind gut beraten, auf ein datenbasiertes oder zumindest auf ein datengestütztes Geschäftsmodell zu wechseln. Dafür müssen Daten systematisch erfasst und anschliessend analysiert werden. Die Analyseergebnisse liefern dann die Grundlagen, mit denen Wealth Manager im Zuge weiterer Prozesse beispielsweise personalisierte Erlebnisse schaffen und sich die weiteren, oben genannten Benefits erschliessen.
Um Daten systematisch zu erfassen, müssen viele Prozesse neu gedacht und neue IT-Lösungen eingeführt werden. RMs stehen beispielsweise routinemässig offline mit ihren Kunden in Kontakt. Diese Interaktionen liefern wichtige Informationen über die Präferenzen und Anforderungen der Kunden, die jedoch häufig nur auf Papier oder in den Köpfen der RMs gespeichert werden. Um dieses Wissen für die Analyse zu erschliessen, müssen es die RMs digitalisieren. Das muss effizient passieren, was wiederum passende Tools und deren Integration in die IT-Landschaft erfordert.
Das klingt aufwendig, ist es aber wert, denn es handelt sich um sehr hochwertige Daten, deren Auswertung viele Vorteile bietet. Wealth Manager können aber auch einfacher an Daten gelangen. Beispielsweise erzeugen die Nutzer beim digitalen Onboarding und der Nutzung der App bzw. des Webinterface kontinuierlich Daten. Diese Daten liegen gleich digital vor, sie müssen also nur noch erfasst und gespeichert werden und können dann analysiert werden. Doch auch für das Erfassen der Nutzerdaten ist eine IT-Lösung erforderlich, sofern sie nicht bereits Teil der App und des Webinterface ist. Sind die Daten dann erfasst, können sie analysiert werden. Auch dafür ist eine IT-Lösung erforderlich.
Ein strategischer Ansatz für Analytics muss her
Bei vielen Wealth Managern können die Kunden derzeit kaum Dinge digital selbst erledigen, und sie bekommen kein personalisiertes Erlebnis auf allen Kanälen. Den RMs wiederum stehen keine Tools für die effiziente Digitalisierung der offline gewonnenen Daten zur Verfügung, und die Erfassung der Daten durch Nutzung von App und Webinterface ist bestenfalls lückenhaft. Es fehlt ein strategischer Ansatz zur systematischen Erfassung und Analyse von Daten.
Und es fehlt die IT, um den Analytics-Ansatz umzusetzen. Bei der dringend erforderlichen Modernisierung der IT stossen Wealth Manager allerdings auf eine enorme Herausforderung: Neue IT-Lösungen können kaum an die Legacy-IT angebunden werden. Die Back-End-Systeme sind veraltet und im Front-End herrscht eine monolithische Infrastruktur. Diese Legacy-IT muss weiter betrieben werden, doch dadurch lässt sich die gesamte IT-Landschaft kaum modernisieren. Die Legacy-IT verunmöglicht Innovationen. Wealth Manager, die Analytics einführen wollen, benötigen also eine Lösung, die einerseits möglichst viele der oben genannten Use Cases abdeckt (wie Personalisierung, Daten erfassen und analysieren…) und andererseits mit der Legacy-IT integriert. Eine Engagement-Banking-Plattform adressiert genau diese beiden Herausforderungen.
Daraus folgt die Frage, wie eine solche Engagement-Banking-Plattform aussehen soll und wie Vermögensverwalter sie am besten einführen. Sie können die Engagement-Banking-Plattform selbst entwickeln. Aber ist das sinnvoll, angesichts von Fragen wie: Wie lange wird es dauern? Wie viel wird die Entwicklung kosten? Ist dafür Knowhow vorhanden? Wie gross ist dann der laufende Aufwand für das Hosting, die Weiterentwicklung, den Support für die Mitarbeiter, Troubleshooting, Security Fixes, Audits? Diese Aufwände gilt es genau abzuwägen. Alternativ zur kompletten Eigenentwicklung lohnt sich daher ein Blick auf existierende Engagement-Banking-Plattformen, die am Markt verfügbar sind, sich individualisieren lassen und zur eigenen Strategie passen.
Die Power guter Software
Eine gute Engagement-Banking-Plattform hilft Vermögensverwaltern dabei, schnell zu einem digitalen State-of-the-Art Auftritt zu gelangen (moderne App und Webinterface) und so die Bedürfnisse der Re-Wired Investors zu erfüllen. Sie ermöglicht es auch, Daten effizient zu erfassen und zu analysieren. Über einen integrierten Marketplace lassen sich zudem mit wenigen Klicks kuratierte Fintech-Lösungen beispielsweise für Onboarding, vertiefte Analytics, AML und KYC einführen. Mit einer Engagement-Banking-Plattform stellen sich Wealth Manager zukunftssicher auf: Sie modernisieren schnell ihre IT, um dann z.B. datenbasierte persönliche Empfehlungen automatisch auszuspielen. Und die RMs werden von unproduktiven Aufgaben entlastet, wodurch sie mehr Zeit für die Momente und Konversationen mit ihren Kunden gewinnen, die wirklich wichtig sind.
 
Featured image credit: Freepik
The post Disruption im Wealth Management: 5 Gründe warum Vermögensverwalter Data Analytics einführen sollten appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/disruption-im-wealth-management-5-grunde-warum-vermogensverwalter-data-analytics-einfuhren-sollten</link><guid>2657</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/wealth-management-1024x756.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Disruption im Wealth Management: 5 Gründe warum Vermögensverwalter Data Analytics einführen sollten</dc:text></item><item><title>Meet the 10 Fintech Finalists at the Swiss Startup Competition Venture and Winners for 2022</title><description><![CDATA[Switzerland’s startup competition &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; has announced its list of 52 finalists for its 2022 competition.
The competition has finalists from five different verticals namely Finance and Insurance, Health and Nutrition, ICT, Retail and Consumer Services as well as Industrials and Engineering.
Their scores and evaluations revealed the top 10 startups (or 11 since there was a tie) across the 5 industry verticals.


These finalists, listed below in alphabetical order, will now move on to the next phase of the competition.
For the Finance and Insurance vertical, &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; the 11 finalists and the 3 winners are:


Eleven Finalists for the Finance and Insurance Vertical:
Aktionariat

Today less than 1% of Swiss companies are listed on a stock exchange. For these companies access to capital is limited to PE&amp;VC investments. Aktionariat offers a toolset that allows unlisted companies to create a market for their shares directly on the company’s website, enabling the public to purchase shares of previously inaccessible, unlisted companies. The solution also provides a liquid secondary market, which minimises spreads and addresses investors’ idiosyncratic risks.
Clanq

A mobile finance app, empowering parents to save for their children’s future. For a better performance Clanq combines savings accounts with cashback on every purchase and sustainable investments. In addition, each family member can easily contribute to reach the savings goals. The app offers automated savings processes and financial education for parents to become a financial role model for their children.
Correntics (2nd Place)

With its data-driven approach and a deep understanding of risk, Correntics helps its clients to future-proof their supply chains and improve their financial resilience in the face of climate change and emerging risks.
iAccess Partners

By aggregating smaller investment amounts in bigger investment tickets, iAccess Partners AG gives access to top quartile Private Equity funds. Hence, customers can benefit from an outperforming asset class, have access to Private Equity with an investment amount starting from 25’000 Swiss Francs and benefit from a reliable and fully digital end-to-end investment process.
Kaspar&amp; (3rd Place)

700’000 Swiss mass affluent market customers have one and the same problem in today’s low-interest rate world: they know they should invest for tomorrow, but do not know how to start today. Kaspar&amp; offers an all-in-one app including a Swiss bank account, a personalised payment card, an automatic transaction-based round-up mechanism that invests the resulting micro-payments and the chance to invest any amount in professionally managed investment strategies.
Kontera

Kontera reads and analyses your invoices and credit card statements, learns how you book them and syncs them back into your accounting software.
perseedU

perseedU is a Swiss web3 platform that empowers talents to launch their own branded crypto tokens to fund their ambitions. Half of the purchase will be directly donated to the talent, the other half will be converted into a tradable token. Holding these tokens grants sponsors access to predefined perks (e.g. newsletter or virtual coffee chats) and pays interests. If the talent succeeds, sponsors profit from a higher resell value. Corporates can use it for PR and as an employer branding tool.
Splint Invest

Splint Invest is a B2B2C platform, where retail investors can buy tokens of alternative investments. Combining smart contracts, DLT and AI, Splint tokenises assets effortlessly and in a fully automated fashion, thus making it possible to offer access to unserved retail customers when it comes to portfolio diversification and alternative investments.

Swise



Private markets asset classes are scattered and restricted by gatekeepers, making them difficult to navigate and pushing up expenses. This causes the paradox of choice, where investors struggle to find their ideal products, while simultaneously being excluded from attractive investment opportunities. By combining technological advances in blockchain and the team’s investment experience, Swise aims to solve these problems for the next generations.
VERITIC (1st Place)

The current NFT user experience is not yet ripe for the mainstream. Custody will be a key driver of adoption, as was the case for cryptocurrencies. VERITIC aims to be no. 1 in the NFT custody space. Clients include both blockchains, for which no custody capability exist (e.g., Casper, our first paying client), as well as institutions aiming to provide a custodial purchasing experience to their fans / collectors.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/meet-the-10-fintech-finalists-at-the-swiss-startup-competition-venture-and-winners-for-2022</link><guid>2656</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Digital-Agreements-Best-Practices.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Meet the 10 Fintech Finalists at the Swiss Startup Competition Venture and Winners for 2022</dc:text></item><item><title>Baltic Super Bolt und Uber Konkurrent startet in der Schweiz</title><description><![CDATA[Bolt, die erste europäische Super-App und der grösste Anbieter von Mikromobilität in Europa, startet seinen Sharing-Service für E-Trottinettes in Winterthur. Dies markiert den Eintritt der Marke in die Schweiz.
Mit der Bolt-App, die auf iOS und Android verfügbar ist, können Winterthurerinnen und Winterthurer ab heute die E-Trottinette des Unternehmens mieten. Als besonderes Startangebot können die Geräte ohne Entsperrgebühr und einem Preis von nur 0,25 CHF pro Minute ausgeliehen werden, was den Service zum günstigsten in der Stadt macht.
Zum Start bietet Bolt die E-Trottinette ohne Entsperrgebühr zu einem zeitlich begrenzten Sonderpreis von 0.25CHF pro Minute an.

Bolt bietet in unzähligen anderen Ländern auch Drive und Food Delivery Services an und ist in den Baltic Staaten die Nummer 1 App Punkto Mobilität. Mittlerweile werden einige der Services auch in Städten wie Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) oder Bangkok (Thailand) angeboten.  Das Unternehmen hatte erst kürzlich eine 625Millionen EUR Finanzierung abgeschlossen und wird zu 7,4 Milliarden bewertet und ist in 485 Cities aktiv.
 
Balthasar Scheder
Balthasar Scheder, Country Manager &#8211; Rentals bei Bolt, sagt:
&#8220;Wir freuen uns sehr, unsere E-Trotti nach Winterthur und Bolt in die Schweiz zu bringen. Damit wir unser Ziel erreichen, die Abhängigkeit vom privaten Auto zu verringern, und damit Elektroroller für alle funktionieren, muss der Service regelmäßig genutzt werden. Wir glauben, dass wir dank der günstige Preise und den vielen Features des Bolt 5 in einer hervorragenden Position sind, dies zu erreichen. Dies ist erst der Anfang für Bolt in der Schweiz.&#8221;
The post Baltic Super Bolt und Uber Konkurrent startet in der Schweiz appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/baltic-super-bolt-und-uber-konkurrent-startet-in-der-schweiz</link><guid>2654</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Bolt-Secures-E628m-Funding-in-the-Largest-Investment-Round-to-Date-1024x568.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Baltic Super Bolt und Uber Konkurrent startet in der Schweiz</dc:text></item><item><title>Finnova Takes Over Contovista from Viseca</title><description><![CDATA[The Lenzburg-based banking software manufacturer Finnova AG is acquiring the fintech company Contovista with retroactive effect from 1 January 2022. The two companies have been successfully working together for years. Finnova is acquiring 100% of the shares in Contovista, which has its head office in Schlieren/ZH, from its current owner, Viseca. The purchase price has not been disclosed.
Contovista was founded in 2013 and has evolved from a first mover into a Swiss leader in data-based banking. Its white-label software and its data and analytics solutions can be seamlessly integrated into existing banking systems. More than five million bank clients now use the Contovista solution via their partner banks.
Data-driven banking is a key strategic area for Finnova and its customers, alongside banking automation, and digitalisation and ecosystem. With the Finnova Analytical Framework, Finnova already offers a rapidly growing range of data solutions, delivered by an experienced team of data experts. Through the merger with Contovista, Finnova is acquiring a team of around 50 data experts, who bring with them wide-ranging knowledge of the many facets of data-driven banking. Building on the existing solution portfolio and the comprehensive expertise in data analytics and banking, Finnova offers banks unique support in the implementation of data-driven business models. This frees them up to pursue their chosen growth strategies more quickly. Finnova&#8217;s data-driven offer also includes solutions such as the Finnova Data Warehouse and the bank management solution Finnova Control.
Schlieren will become the fifth Finnova office, alongside Lenzburg, Seewen, Chur and Nyon. Finnova has already implemented a new remote working policy and enables its employees to work flexibly from any location. Contovista&#8217;s employees are joining the Finnova Analytical Framework team in a new department, whose management will report directly to CEO Hendrik Lang.
Hendrik Lang
Hendrik Lang says,
&#8216;We are extremely pleased to be gaining Contovista&#8217;s employees. Their knowledge will enable us to further expand our data-driven banking operations. The merger brings us 50 employees dedicated to developing innovative data analytics solutions for our customers. The Finnova core banking system is not a prerequisite for operation of the Finnova Analytical Framework or the Contovista solutions, so the merger will not have any negative effects for Contovista&#8217;s existing customers.&#8217;
&#8216;The sale of Contovista Ltd. is part of our systematic drive to focus on payment card issuance,&#8217;
clarifies Max Scholzer, CEO of Viseca.
 
 
Featured image credit: Unsplash
The post Finnova Takes Over Contovista from Viseca appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finnova-takes-over-contovista-from-viseca</link><guid>2653</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Finnova Takes Over Contovista from Viseca</dc:text></item><item><title>New Access Part of the “World’s Most Innovative Wealthtech Companies” 2022</title><description><![CDATA[New Access SA has been recognized among the 100 tech companies transforming the global investment and banking industries in the fourth annual 2022 WealthTech100 list.
Launched by specialist research firm FinTech Global, the WealthTech100 is an annual list of 100 of the world’s most innovative WealthTech companies selected by a panel of industry experts and analysts from over more than 1’200 businesses. The prestigious ranking recognizes the world’s most innovative technology solution providers that address the digital transformation challenges and opportunities faced by investment firms, private banks and financial advisors.
For this 2022 edition, the finalists were recognized for their innovative use of technology to solve a significant industry problem, or to generate efficiency improvements across the investment value chain.
Vincent Jeunet
“These last years, New Access has heavily invested in digital transformation, focusing on developing our innovative Digital Client Lifecycle Management Platform, Banker’s Front, and our Client/EAM e-Banking portal to address the challenges faced by the private banking and wealth management industry. We are very proud today, to be rewarded for this hard work and be recognized as an innovative technology solution provider ranked among the 100 best companies in the world.”,
comments Vincent Jeunet, CEO of New Access.
As these last years have reshaped the WealthTech market, new needs and digital challenges have emerged. Fintech Global states:
“The WealthTech sector has experienced rapid growth over the last two years as the huge increase in digital financial products and remote client communications due to COVID-19 restrictions has accelerated the need for innovation. On the current trajectory, the global WealthTech market is projected to reach $11.9bn by 2030.”
This rise of digitization has forced market players to adapt their offers and technologies. By digitizing its systems and instill intelligence and flexibility to those, New Access has adapted successfully to face these new market challenges with its integrated and modular core-to-digital solution suite enabling private banks and wealth managers to transform digitally.
Showcasing insights into the WealthTech market, the 2022 WealthTech100 list evaluates which digital wealth management and financial advisory models have market potential and are most likely to succeed and have a lasting impact on the industry.
Richard Sachar
FinTech Global director Richard Sachar said,
“The rise of digital distribution channels and online financial products has opened new client segments for investment firms and financial advisors. As a result, businesses that fail to keep up with the latest technologies and innovation will be less competitive and lose market share over time. The WealthTech100 list helps senior decision-makers in the industry filter through all the vendors in the market by highlighting the leading companies in areas such as client acquisition, financial planning, portfolio management and digital brokerage.”
The full list of the WealthTech100 companies is available on www.WealthTech100.com.
 
About New Access SA
New Access is a leading provider of a scalable and modular Core-to-Digital solution suite designed to meet the specific requirements of the private banking and wealth management industry. New Access enables digital transformation and improves client’s satisfaction with its digital front-end solution, including an advisory cockpit, Client Lifecycle Management platform (CLM) and a client/EAM e-Banking portal. Its product also includes an advanced and comprehensive Wealth Management Core Banking System, a Portfolio Management System (PMS) and a powerful workflow engine (BPM). New Access has been operating for over 20 years exclusively in the private banking and wealth management sectors, supporting more than 60 customers, globally. www.newaccess.ch
The post New Access Part of the “World’s Most Innovative Wealthtech Companies” 2022 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-access-part-of-the-worlds-most-innovative-wealthtech-companies-2022</link><guid>2652</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>New Access Part of the “World’s Most Innovative Wealthtech Companies” 2022</dc:text></item><item><title>Thought Machine Raises US$160 Million Series D, Now Valued at US$2.7 Billion</title><description><![CDATA[Thought Machine, the UK-headquartered core banking technology company, today announced that it has closed its US$160 million series D funding round.
The company is now valued at US$2.7 billion which is a 100% increase from its valuation at the close of its US$200 million series C round which earned it a unicorn badge.
The fundraise was led by Temasek with participation from Intesa Sanpaolo and Morgan Stanley.
Existing investors following-on in this round include Eurazeo, ING, JPMorgan Chase, Lloyds Banking Group, and SEB.
Funds from this investment round will continue the company’s expansion plans in Asia Pacific, growing in markets such as Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and Philippines.
Thought Machine had also recently opened a new office in Sydney to expand its operations in Australia.
Additionally, Thought Machine will also use proceeds from the funding to continue investing in its technology by expanding the capabilities of its core banking platform and innovating in new product lines.
Lloyds Banking Group, an early investor in Thought Machine and a participant in this round, has extended its license agreement with the business until 2029.
This extension is part of Lloyds Banking Group’s continuing technology modernisation programme.
Thought Machine continues to strengthen its executive team with the appointments of former Bank of America and Finastra executive Arnaud Attamian as Chief Financial Officer, and former SAP and Box sales leader Dana Barisano as Chief Revenue Officer.
Carlo Messina
Carlo Messina, Managing Director and CEO of Intesa Sanpaolo said,
“We are investing £40 million into Thought Machine, a fintech innovator and partner we consider strategic to the industrial upgrade of Intesa Sanpaolo.
 
Their cloud-based technology is fundamental to our transformation from incumbent to digital challenger, improving our core banking technology and providing the foundation for our new digital bank, Isybank.”
Paul Taylor
Paul Taylor, Founder and CEO of Thought Machine said,
“This new round of funding bringing Temasek, Morgan Stanley, and Intesa Sanpaolo into the business is our statement of intent: we intend to become the leader in core banking technology, and are being deployed by the biggest, most successful banks around the world.
 
We will use this new capital to accelerate our expansion plans, serve more clients around the world, and continuously refine the capabilities of our core banking platform and other products.”
The post Thought Machine Raises US$160 Million Series D, Now Valued at US$2.7 Billion appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/thought-machine-raises-us160-million-series-d-now-valued-at-us27-billion</link><guid>2651</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Thought Machine Raises US$160 Million Series D, Now Valued at US$2.7 Billion</dc:text></item><item><title>Alibaba Cloud Launches Data Centre in Frankfurt</title><description><![CDATA[Alibaba Cloud has announced that it has launched its third datacentre in Germany to support the growing digital transformation demands from customers across Europe.
Located in Frankfurt, the datacentre provides a wide range of cloud computing products ranging from storage, network to database. With the data residing in Germany, the datacentre adheres to the highest security standards and the strict compliance regulations set out in the Cloud Computing Compliance Controls Catalog (C5) in Germany. Together the three datacentres offer European customers high availability, exceptional resilience and robust disaster recovery capabilities.
With the introduction of the new datacentre, Alibaba Cloud now boasts a network of 84 availability zones in 27 regions across the globe, offering a highly secure, scalable, robust and sustainable cloud infrastructure to support global customers embracing digital innovation.
Raymond Ma
“The third datacentre launch underscores our continuous commitment to serving the local German and European markets,”
said Raymond Ma, General Manager of Europe, Alibaba Cloud Intelligence.
“With our proven innovations and competitive solutions that meet strict security and compliance requirements, we are determined in our mission to support our customers with their digital transformation demands.”
The new datacenter also features free cooling operation via dry coolers &#8211; using naturally cool ambient air instead of mechanical refrigeration. The full free cooling hours is expected to reach over 7,000 hours a year. In addition, the datacenter is committed to using 100% green electricity to power its operation, along with an intelligent cloud-based platform to monitor and optimize its daily carbon footprint for a more sustainable operation approach.
Alibaba Cloud has been collaborating with customers in the automotive, manufacturing, retail and gaming sectors in Europe since it unveiled its first datacentre in Frankfurt in 2016. Since then, Alibaba Cloud has also introduced multiple AI services to the market, such as Intelligent Speech Interaction, a Machine Learning Platform for AI (PAI) and GPU clusters to support clients’ demands for ongoing cloud-based innovation.
As a member of the Trusted Cloud Initiative of the BMWK, Alibaba Cloud was also the first cloud service provider to receive the C5 test certificate with extended requirements from the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI). It also successfully passed the audit of German AI Cloud Services Compliance Criteria Catalogue (AIC4), the first applicable testing standard established by Germany&#8217;s Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) for certifying the security of AI applications deployed in Germany. It has also partnered with companies including Siemens and SAP to drive digital transformation in China.
Alibaba is the world’s third leading and Asia Pacific’s leading IaaS provider by revenue in 2021, according to Gartner&#8217;s report, Market Share: IT Services, 2021.
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
The post Alibaba Cloud Launches Data Centre in Frankfurt appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/alibaba-cloud-launches-data-centre-in-frankfurt</link><guid>2650</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Alibaba Cloud Launches Data Centre in Frankfurt</dc:text></item><item><title>Checkout.com to Acquire French Identity Verification Startup Ubble</title><description><![CDATA[As part of its drive to expand its financial services offering, global cloud-based payments provider Checkout.com announced its intent to acquire digital identity verification (IDV) startup, ubble.
The deal—slated to close later this year pending regulatory approval—comes amid the continued growth of online transaction volumes around the world, and the concurrent increased risk of fraud and money laundering. It also supports Checkout.com&#8217;s mission to enable businesses and their communities to thrive in the digital economy.
The acquisition of ubble will enable Checkout.com to expand its current suite of financial products that allows fintechs and e-commerce merchants to accept and send payments to and from their customers, while managing the financial risk involved.
The addition of IDV capabilities will support another important aspect of the payment journey: ensuring merchants and fintechs are compliant with local regulations, can verify that their customers are who they say they are, and can stay ahead of potential changes to the complex EU and global regulatory landscape in the future.
Co-founded in 2018 by CEO François Wyss, CRO Juliette Delanoe and CTO Nicolas Debernardi, ubble pioneered the technical foundations of real-time video-based identity verification, and today has almost 100 people employed in its French offices. The company&#8217;s flagship solution enables the automated verification of a user&#8217;s identity for over 2000 types of documents from 214 countries and territories, using best-in-class machine learning models.
Meron Colbeci
&#8220;ubble was founded with a mission to provide people with the convenience and security of using their personal identity in the digital world—and that is clearly becoming a growing need for e-commerce and crypto merchants, digital wallets, and other fintechs we serve,&#8221;
explained Meron Colbeci, chief product officer at Checkout.com.
&#8220;We were impressed with the ubble team, their ability to rapidly drive machine-learning innovation in a complex and challenging space, and their market-leading engineering talent. By partnering more closely, we can significantly accelerate their already ambitious roadmap and bring the benefit of their cutting-edge technology to our thriving ecosystem of merchants.&#8221;
François Wyss
&#8220;For the past four years our team has worked to build a technology foundation that establishes trust between online services and their users, and respects and protects the privacy of identity data across the board,&#8221;
added ubble CEO Wyss.
&#8220;With today&#8217;s exciting news, we can increase the velocity of our IDV innovation journey, help to evolve the Checkout.com payments technology stack even further, and amplify and extend our collective reach and benefit to merchants around the world.&#8221;
To date, ubble—which was funded by Partech, Breega, Kima Ventures and other angel investors—has gained traction with many of the french fintechs, ride-hailing and delivery apps, as well as major banking networks and traditional financial institutions. Its success has been driven by an uncompromising approach to security and compliance and the development of its proprietary technology.
From here, the potential use cases remain far-ranging—especially considering the role that IDV can play in marketplaces, issuing or crypto trading, for example.
&#8220;We always put the needs of our merchants first,&#8221;
added Colbeci.
&#8220;By expanding our security and fraud detection capabilities, we can reduce the time, cost and friction those merchants experience with existing IDV solutions. And they can offer their end consumers a simple and compelling experience, which lends itself to increased conversion rates and faster growth.&#8221;
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
The post Checkout.com to Acquire French Identity Verification Startup Ubble appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/checkoutcom-to-acquire-french-identity-verification-startup-ubble</link><guid>2648</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Checkout.com to Acquire French Identity Verification Startup Ubble</dc:text></item><item><title>Wolters Kluwer Rolls Out Its OmniVault for Real Estate Finance Solution</title><description><![CDATA[Wolters Kluwer Compliance Solutions announced that it has launched its OmniVault for Real Estate Finance solution.
OmniVault for Real Estate Finance uses the company’s eVault technology to support digital home equity lending, both HELOCs and home equity loans, in addition to already supported conventional, U.S. government and jumbo first mortgages.
Wolters Kluwer’s technology enables institutions to originate digital HELOCs as a Digital Original®, rather than just a PDF or a paper document.
When a HELOC is created within the OmniVault for Real Estate Finance offering, it establishes the Digital Original® of the HELOC, ensuring verifiable ownership and control, and enabling the sale, transferability, pledging, syndication and securitization of these digital assets.
The offering includes a digitally sealed audit trail providing an irrefutable chain of custody and evidence for the digital assets.
Wolters Kluwer’s proprietary technology has been around for over 20 years and supports both Mortgage Electronic Registrations Systems (MERS®) and non-MERS® eRegistry transactions.
Like Wolters Kluwer mortgage eNotes, digital HELOCs can be stored, managed and easily transferred in and out of an eVault on a single platform.
The OmniVault Real Estate Finance solution provides clients with the same user experience and visibility across all asset classes.
With Wolters Kluwer’s Rapid Deployment Solution (RDS), lenders can be using its platform for HELOCs within two weeks.
Steven Meirink
Steven Meirink, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Wolters Kluwer Compliance Solutions said,
“Being able to offer digital HELOCs will help lenders differentiate their customer experience, while our OmniVault will give institutions simple, consistent ways to originate and manage digital real estate assets across their organizations.
 
Many of the largest financial institutions are already Wolters Kluwer eOriginal clients, so leveraging OmniVault by adding digital HELOCs can easily be done under their current MSAs.”
Simon Moir
Simon Moir, Vice President and Segment Leader, GRC Banking Compliance, Wolters Kluwer Compliance Solutions, added:
&#8220;Today, most HELOCs are held on balance sheets, but there are early signs that a secondary market is developing for these products. If this comes to fruition, the ability to quickly move digital assets to investors or into securities will take on greater importance.
 
Wolters Kluwer’s technology has already been used in more than 456 Asset Backed Securities (ABS) securitizations valued at over $164 billion and is firmly embedded in the ABS and Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities (RMBS) ecosystems.”
 
 

 
Featured image credit: edited from Freepik
The post Wolters Kluwer Rolls Out Its OmniVault for Real Estate Finance Solution appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/wolters-kluwer-rolls-out-its-omnivault-for-real-estate-finance-solution</link><guid>2649</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/AM.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Wolters Kluwer Rolls Out Its OmniVault for Real Estate Finance Solution</dc:text></item><item><title>Localisation Is Imperative When Expanding Your Business to New Markets</title><description><![CDATA[xpate CEO Mihails Safro shares his view on how sellers entering new markets can surpass consumer&#8217;s expectations.
Mihails Safro
Today, consumers no longer fear online purchases and are ready to shop with a seller 10,000 miles away just as much as with a local business. Two years ago, cross-border payments held a 24% share of the entire e-commerce activity in Europe, a 14.4% annual surge from 2018. In 2020, the pandemic accelerated the growth of online payments, including international purchases.
Everything above means that customers continue to demand more, thus pushing the development of cross-border e-commerce further. That&#8217;s good news for sellers – with a rising demand comes an opportunity, and that opportunity can&#8217;t be left behind. However, sellers can&#8217;t get away with just selling &#8211; they must understand how to present themselves in the new market, get more conversions and deliver unforgettable user experiences.
Well, the nut seems too hard to crack&#8230;or is it? In this article, you will find tips and tricks on how to walk the right path and seamlessly sell your goods in the new region.
Localise Everything!
Number one rule – dive into regional specifics, and learn about payment methods people use. 59% of the Dutch use the iDEAL app for money transfers, while Italians adopted Paypal and Postepay. These small details make a massive difference. Let people pay in their currency, and find a local payment processor that you can consult on local payment methods.
Comply with local laws
Sellers operating abroad must be aware of PSD2 and its Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) conditions. SCA is an EU regulation forcing any transfer over €30 to be verified through a two-factor method. If your enterprise operates within EEA, then SCA is the first thing you must understand in and out.
SCA&#8217;s goal is to reduce online fraud. However, that&#8217;s fly without drawbacks. Consumers who just want to pay without multiple steps, such as one time passwords through call or message, are unable to receive the simplicity they desire. Hence, the rate of shopping cart abandonment is on the rise.
To make things easy, implement a 3D Secure solution. The system allows sellers to send information much faster to the issuing bank that needs it to verify the payment. The more data a seller shares, the higher chance of transaction approval.
Optimise Your Mobile App
Barriliance&#8217;s analysis uncovered an ugly truth &#8211; 86.65% of customers leave shopping carts with no final payment. Now, as e-commerce is about to hit $3.56 trillion in 2021, it becomes evident that sellers are losing out on fat profits on an unoptimised mobile shopping experience.
The mobile payment process is the first thing that must be in line with the user&#8217;s expectations. That can mean a bunch of things &#8211; better checkout pages, a variety of payment options, etc. While that might seem scary, it&#8217;s not – in some cases, it&#8217;s enough to redesign a payment form and make all the fields clear and usable, like the field for submitting CVC (we all faced its complete absence at some point). It might also mean something else, like letting users save the card details for future payments.
Let&#8217;s get back to basics – a fantastic payment processor will have the skillset to make the mobile payment process smooth and easy, leaving you with skyrocketing conversions.
E-commerce Changed Consumer Behaviour Forever
International trade is a goldmine for the bravest. Yet, it&#8217;s a rocky road – consumer expectations of mobile shopping have never been higher.
Let&#8217;s wrap it up. In order to sell, a seller must study their prospective customers and submit to their demands. That means mobile optimisation, localisation and throughout knowledge of local laws.
However, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Merchants, especially smaller merchants, will need help to navigate the complexities of cross-border commerce. At xpate, we pride ourselves on bringing the personal touch to our relationships with clients. We have a huge amount of expertise and we’ll give you the love you need to help your business find success and growth in whichever new market you go into.
The post Localisation Is Imperative When Expanding Your Business to New Markets appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/localisation-is-imperative-when-expanding-your-business-to-new-markets</link><guid>2647</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Localisation Is Imperative When Expanding Your Business to New Markets</dc:text></item><item><title>Colombian Proptech Habi Attains Unicorn Status With US$200 Million Series C</title><description><![CDATA[Habi, a Colombian data-driven residential real estate platform, announced that it has raised US$200 million in equity in its Series C funding round,
The company said that it is the first proptech unicorn with a female founder and CEO in Latin America.
The funding round was led by Homebrew and SoftBank Latin America Funds, with participation from Banco Mercantil del Norte, S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple, Grupo Financiero Banorte, Tiger Global, Inspired Capital, Clocktower Ventures, Endeavor Catalyst and Henry Kravis, among others.
Habi said that it will use the capital raised in its Series C round to continue to expand its geographic presence on a path to cover all major cities across Spanish-speaking Latin America and deepen its suite of offerings, with a focus on embedded financial services.
This announcement comes on the heels of its US$100 million Series B funding round in June 2021 led by the SoftBank Latin America Fund alongside previous investors Inspired Capital, Tiger Global, Homebrew, and 8VC. The funds allowed Habi to expand its footprint into Mexico.
Habi now operates in more than 15 cities in Mexico and Colombia, representing an estimated population of over 60 million.
Brynne McNulty Rojas
Brynne McNulty Rojas, Co-Founder and CEO of Habi said,
“We’re thrilled with the progress we’ve made in the short time since our last funding round.
 
With strong partnerships and an expanded market presence, we are at the very early stages of building out the infrastructure to provide much-needed information, trust and liquidity to a housing market that desperately needs it—one we estimate at $2 trillion across cities in Spanish-speaking Latin America.”
Sebastian Noguera
Sebastian Noguera, Co-Founder and President of Habi added,
“We are extremely proud that we have built a world-class team that continues to demonstrate a deep commitment to our customers and who are building out innovative, proprietary tools with the underlying goal of democratizing the homebuying process for millions of consumers.”

 
 
 

 
Featured image: (L-R) Brynne McNulty Rojas, Co-Founder and CEO of Habi and Sebastian Noguera, Co-Founder and President of Habi
The post Colombian Proptech Habi Attains Unicorn Status With US$200 Million Series C appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/colombian-proptech-habi-attains-unicorn-status-with-us200-million-series-c</link><guid>2646</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/AM-1.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Colombian Proptech Habi Attains Unicorn Status With US$200 Million Series C</dc:text></item><item><title>BLKB’s Digital Bank radicant Secures a Banking License From FINMA</title><description><![CDATA[Zurich-based digital financial services provider radicant has received a banking license from the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA).
Basellandschaftliche Kantonalbank (BLKB) in partnership with with Dr. Anders Bally, the founder of venture firm Bally Capital Partners, had launched radicant in April last year.
radicant said in a statement that it plans to officially launch by the end of 2022 where it will be focusing on personalised and sustainable financial solutions.
In order to incorporate the UN&#8217;s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the company&#8217;s culture and provide the community with access to knowledge, radicant is building a SDG Competence Center with senior experts in different areas.
radicant added that its focus will be on customers with an affinity for sustainability and with liquid assets of at least CHF 100,000.
Dr. Anders Bally
Dr. Anders Bally, CEO and Co-Founder of radicant said,
&#8220;The license to launch a bank will enable us to offer a broad range of sustainable financial services from a single source.
 
This crucial milestone takes us a big step further in achieving our vision as a true financial life companion that can not only take care of all personal finances in the longer term but also support a sustainable lifestyle based on payment and investment behavior.&#8221;
Roland Kläy
Roland Kläy, radicant’s CFO and Co-Founder, who is overseeing the FINMA process, said,
&#8220;With the license of FINMA to operate a bank, we have achieved a significant milestone in the development of radicant.
 
We achieved this milestone in the shortest possible time, which makes me particularly proud!&#8221;
The post BLKB’s Digital Bank radicant Secures a Banking License From FINMA appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/blkbs-digital-bank-radicant-secures-a-banking-license-from-finma</link><guid>2645</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>BLKB’s Digital Bank radicant Secures a Banking License From FINMA</dc:text></item><item><title>Switzerland Has Minted 9 Fintech Unicorns So Far</title><description><![CDATA[In 2021, Swiss fintech funding activity regained some of its strengthen with companies in the space raising a total of US$530 million, data from Dealroom show.
The sum represents a 129% increase from 2020, and follows a three-year period of stagnation during which annual fintech funding hovered in the US$200 million – US$300 million range, after peaking in 2017 at US$532 million.
Despite the dip, fintech funding activity has remained somewhat consistent throughout the years and has helped push startups’ valuations further up. A new analysis by the Swiss ICT Investor Club (SICTIC) found that since 2013, a total of 45 unicorns with Swiss origins have been minted, with half of them reaching the coveted status in the past three years.
45 Swiss-native unicorns have been minted since 2013, Source: The Swiss ICT Investor Club (SICTIC), April 2022
Of these 45 companies, nine are fintech startups and fintech-focused blockchain projects (excluding Ethereum and Near) that cover a broad range of subsegments including digital assets, investment, insurtech and lending.
These nine Swiss-native fintech unicorns are:
Curve (reached unicorn startup in 2021)

Founded in 2019, Curve is an exchange liquidity pool on Ethereum designed for extremely efficient stablecoin trading, and low risk, supplemental fee income for liquidity providers, without an opportunity cost.
Curve allows users (and smart contracts like 1inch, Paraswap, Totle and Dex.ag) to trade between DAI and USDC with a bespoke low slippage, low fee algorithm designed specifically for stablecoins and earn fees.
Waves (2021)

Launched in 2016, Waves is a global open source platform designed to enable users to create and launch custom crypto tokens.
Waves allows for the creation and trade of tokens without the need for extensive smart contract programming. Rather, tokens can be created and managed via scripts that run in user accounts on the Waves blockchain.
The enterprise-ready platform emphasizes on security, easy digital asset operations (including creation, transfer, exchange) and straightforward user experience.
Nexo (2020)

Launched in 2019, Nexo claims to be one of the world’s leading regulated institution for digital assets. Nexo’s mission is to maximize the value and utility of cryptocurrencies by offering tax-efficient instant crypto credit lines, a high-yield earn crypto interest product, send and pay capabilities, and sophisticated trading and over the counter (OTC) services, all the while providing the top-tier custodial insurance and military-grade security of the Nexo Wallet.
Nexo claims it manages assets for over 4 million users across 200+ jurisdictions and has processed over US$80 billion in transactions since its launch.
Tezos (2020)

Tezos is an open source blockchain protocol for assets and applications backed by a global community of validators, researchers, and builders. Tezos was built to facilitate formal verification, a technique that boosts the security of the most sensitive or financially weighted smart contracts by mathematically proving the correctness of the code governing transactions.
The non-profit Tezos Foundation, based in Zug, Switzerland, was created in 2017 to support the project and raised US$232 million in bitcoin and ether in one of the biggest initial coin offerings (ICOs) at the time.
Aave (2020)

Aave is a decentralized, open-source, and non-custodial liquidity protocol on the Ethereum blockchain. Depositors earn interest by providing liquidity to liquidity pools, while borrowers can obtain liquidity by tapping into these pools with variable and stable interest rate options.
The Aave protocol is unique in that it tokenizes deposits as aTokens, which accrue interest in real time. It also features access to flash loans and credit delegation as uncollateralized borrowing options.
Numbrs (2019)

Numbrs started off in 2013 as an account aggregation app but pivoted earlier this year to become a bitcoin storage vault and wallet, and moved its headquarters from Zurich to Crypto Valley Zug.
The company now provides the Numbrs Bitcoin Account, an institutional grade self-custody solution to store Bitcoin in a high security military bunker. The solution comes with transfer and payment capabilities, 24/7 service, as well as cutting edge research and data-driven analysis.
Wefox (2019)

Founded in November 2014 in Switzerland as FinanceFox, Wefox is a full-stack digital insurance company that aims to disrupt the insurance business through the deployment of technology.
With Wefox, brokers can conclude paperless insurance policies for their clients within a few minutes. Claims are filed digitally and settled on the same day in over 60 percent of cases. Policies are available in Germany, Italy, Poland, and Switzerland.
Avaloq (2017)

Founded in 1985, Avaloq is a provider of core banking software and a global leader in digital banking solutions, serves more than 150 customers in 30 countries worldwide. Avaloq’s key business activities include the provision of software as a service (SaaS) and business process as a service (BPaaS) for wealth management and other applications.
Headquartered in Switzerland, Avaloq has more than 2,000 employees and has a presence in the world’s most demanding financial and innovation centers, including Berlin, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Paris, Singapore, Sydney and Pune. In 2020, the company was acquired by Japan-based NEC Corporation for CHF 2.05 billion.
Leonteq (2015)

Founded in 2007, Leonteq is a Swiss fintech company with a leading marketplace for structured investment solutions. Based on proprietary modern technology, the company offers derivative investment products and services and predominantly covers the capital protection, yield enhancement and participation product classes.
Leonteq acts as both a direct issuer of its own products and as a partner to other financial institutions. The company further enables life insurance companies and banks to produce capital-efficient, unit-linked pension products with guarantees.
Leonteq has offices and subsidiaries in 13 countries, through which it serves over 50 markets. Leonteq is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange.
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
The post Switzerland Has Minted 9 Fintech Unicorns So Far appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/switzerland-has-minted-9-fintech-unicorns-so-far</link><guid>2643</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/45-Unicorns-Switzerland.jpeg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Switzerland Has Minted 9 Fintech Unicorns So Far</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Awards Reveals Its Top 10 Fintech Startups List for 2022</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss Fintech Awards 2022 has revealed the top 10 startups of the year for its early stage and growth stage categories.
The purpose of the Swiss Fintech Awards is to bolster the country&#8217;s fintech innovators and ecosystem. The awards specifically recognise outstanding fintech startups and influencers.
The winners were chosen by a renowned jury consisting of 20 fintech experts. The grand finale and awards ceremony will take place during the Swiss Fintech Awards Night 2022 after the annual flagship fintech conference by Finanz und Wirtschaft Forum “Fintech 2022” on June 29 in Zurich.
A number of CEOs will be attending the conference again this year.
The esteemed speakers include Anders Bally (CEO of the new Radicant Bank), Piarangelo Campopiano (CEO Smile Insurance), Manuel Kunzelmann (CEO Migros Bank), Jürg Ritz (Head of Baloise Bank and board member Basler Versicherung) and Stephanie Wickihalder (President of Swiss Fintech Innovations).
Other exciting personalities who will also be making an appearance include Will Page, formerly the Chief Economist at Spotify, as well as Prof. Markus Gross, Director of Disney Research|Studios.
The category “Early Stage Startup of the Year” is for fintechs that do not have a product-market-fit yet. These could be startups which are currently working on a first demo, prototype or which are about to go-to-market with the first product or service.
On the other hand, the “Growth Stage Startup of the Year” awards those who already have a product-market-fit and are on a growth trajectory.
Early Stage Startup of the Year

Alquant

Alquant is a fintech that provides customised hedging solutions.

DeepJudge
DeepJudge offers the next-generation AI-powered document processing tools.

Impaakt

Social and environmental impact ratings.

Pelt8

Pelt8 helps companies implement sustainability programs and save 100s hours.

Relio

First neobank in CH for B2B clients with focus on automating compliance.

Growth Stage Startup of the Year

aXedras

aXedras is connecting and digitising the global precious metal industry.

Securosys
Securing the cloud and digital identities, signatures, and assets.

Stableton Financial

Next-gen curated marketplace for top-tier alternative investments.

Tradeplus24
Tradeplus24 offers structured lending solutions to SMEs.

WealthArc

Data-driven wealth management platform.

The post Swiss Fintech Awards Reveals Its Top 10 Fintech Startups List for 2022 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-awards-reveals-its-top-10-fintech-startups-list-for-2022</link><guid>2642</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Awards Reveals Its Top 10 Fintech Startups List for 2022</dc:text></item><item><title>LexisNexis Risk Solutions Acquires Behavioral Biometric Tech Provider BehavioSec</title><description><![CDATA[LexisNexis Risk Solutions, which is a part of RELX, has announced the acquisition of BehavioSec, an advanced behavioral biometrics technology provider.
Founded in Sweden in 2008 with a presence in the U.S., Canada and EMEA, BehavioSec provides a highly predictive behavioral biometrics solution that uses behavior analysis for continuous authentication to establish identity trust and help prevent fraud.
Solutions from BehavioSec will become a part of the Business Services group within LexisNexis Risk Solutions and enhance its device and digital identity-focused offerings, such as LexisNexis ThreatMetrix.
BehavioSec brings the ability to convert complex mobile signals from touchscreen and sensors into rules and advanced mobile behavioral biometric-based authentication capabilities, complementing the browser-based solutions within ThreatMetrix.
By integrating offerings from BehavioSec into ThreatMetrix, customers will also benefit from continuous authentication, advanced machine learning capabilities and additional behavioral data for enhanced authentication processes.
The new fraud prevention tool will allow access to behavioral biometric solutions by larger organizations when combined with ThreatMetrix, while serving small to mid-sized organizations seeking a stand-alone behavioral biometrics offering.
Rick Trainor
Rick Trainor, Business Services CEO at LexisNexis Risk Solutions said,
“Founded 14 years ago by a team of highly accomplished visionaries, BehavioSec is a forerunner in the behavioral biometrics segment and continues to evolve and innovate ahead of any other behavioral biometric solution available today.
 
Our combined customer base will benefit significantly from a blended behavioral biometrics solution within ThreatMetrix that offers more defense for customers without adding friction across the consumer journey.”
Dr. Neil Costigan
Dr. Neil Costigan, CEO of BehavioSec, added,
“I am looking forward to discovering the next phase in the evolution for behavioral biometrics alongside a successful, innovative company looking to further evolve our advanced capabilities.”
The post LexisNexis Risk Solutions Acquires Behavioral Biometric Tech Provider BehavioSec appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/lexisnexis-risk-solutions-acquires-behavioral-biometric-tech-provider-behaviosec</link><guid>2641</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>LexisNexis Risk Solutions Acquires Behavioral Biometric Tech Provider BehavioSec</dc:text></item><item><title>HCL Technologies Signs Deal to Acquire Wealth Management Specialist Confinale</title><description><![CDATA[HCL Technologies UK Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of global technology company HCL Technologies (HCL), has signed a definitive agreement for the acquisition of Confinale, a Switzerland-based digital banking and wealth management consulting specialist and Avaloq Premium Implementation Partner.
Through this strategic acquisition, HCL will increase its footprint in the global wealth management market with emphasis on Avaloq&#8217;s consulting, implementation and management capabilities.
Founded in 2012, Confinale focuses on IT consulting in key specialist areas in the banking and wealth management sector.
Confinale has one of the largest independent pools of Avaloq-certified specialists in Europe and its in-house developed products and solutions accelerate the implementation of the Avaloq platform.
It is one of only four companies to be awarded the title of Avaloq Premium Implementation Partner.
With offices in Switzerland including Zurich, Zug and Geneva; as well as Düsseldorf and London, Confinale works with a host of banks and wealth advisors.
The intellectual properties that are a part of this acquisition support HCL’s strategy to create specialised vertical domain capabilities.
This builds upon HCL’s recently expanded global partnership with Avaloq and its acquisition of German IT consulting company gbs in association with apoBank in December 2021.
The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, which is expected to be completed in due course.
Roland Staub
“Becoming part of HCL is an exciting new chapter for Confinale. We strongly believe in the need for banking expertise combined with software competence and HCL is the perfect fit for this.
 
It is a truly global player with strong heritage in the financial services sector. HCL’s reach will enable us to further our growth and at the same time expose our team to new learning and innovation opportunities.”
said Roland Staub, CEO, Confinale.
Rahul Singh
“This acquisition significantly strengthens HCL’s digital wealth and asset management capabilities and expands our presence in the heart of the global investment banking sector.
 
We welcome the team from Confinale and look forward to continuing to drive digital banking innovation alongside Avaloq.”
said Rahul Singh, President of Financial Services and Digital Process Operations, HCL Technologies.
 
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/hcl-technologies-signs-deal-to-acquire-wealth-management-specialist-confinale</link><guid>2640</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>HCL Technologies Signs Deal to Acquire Wealth Management Specialist Confinale</dc:text></item><item><title>Decrypt Media Spins Out From Consensys Mesh Following US$10 Million Raise</title><description><![CDATA[Decrypt Media has just announced its successful spinout from ConsenSys Mesh, the blockchain accelerator and incubator, after raising US$10 million in funding on a US$50 million post-money valuation.
The fundraise was joined by Hack.VC, Hashkey Capital, Canvas Ventures, Protocol Labs, SK Group, as well as four DAOs (Global Coin Research DAO, Own.fund, Honey DAO, and Orange DAO) and a number of strategic individuals.
Decrypt was co-founded by magazine veteran Josh Quittner (Time Inc.), Ilan Hazan, and Ryan Bubinski during the “crypto winter” of 2018.
It was launched inside the ConsenSys Mesh incubator program with the aim of helping the world understand crypto and Web3 and has since grown to 5 million average monthly unique visitors and 25 full-time employees.
In 2021, the publication brought on Dan Roberts (Yahoo Finance, Fortune) as Editor-in-Chief, Jeff John Roberts (Fortune) as Executive Editor, and journalists from ABC News and The Street.
Veteran media and technology executive Alanna Roazzi-Laforet (Condé Nast, IAB), who joined as Publisher and Chief Revenue Officer, launched the company’s production arm Decrypt Studios, a new breed of Web3 studio that partners with brands and creators to curate NFT and metaverse activations.
Decrypt plans to invest in further editorial growth and live video efforts at Decrypt Media, and will continue to build out Decrypt Studios, which has seen success with branded NFTs and metaverse activations in fashion, entertainment, and real estate for clients.
It will also invest heavily in PubDAO, the decentralized newswire Decrypt co-launched in October with other partners and advisors that is being used as a way to source stories, press releases, and other crypto work in a truly Web3-native way.
Josh Quittner
“The first three years of Decrypt were foundational, and ConsenSys Mesh gave us all the support we needed to grow without the pressures that often come from being investor-backed. With the addition of Dan, Jeff, and Alanna, along with a global roster of powerhouse reporters, Decrypt took a huge leap in credibility and mindshare.
 
These early successes vaulted us into the top three crypto publications in traffic and reputation. Today, we’re pleased to announce we’re ready to take the next step into our independence. Our deepest thanks and gratitude to Joe Lubin, Michael Kriak, and the team at Mesh who helped to ensure the success of this venture into a publication on the vanguard of crypto press.”
says Quittner.
 
 
The post Decrypt Media Spins Out From Consensys Mesh Following US$10 Million Raise appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/decrypt-media-spins-out-from-consensys-mesh-following-us10-million-raise</link><guid>2639</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Decrypt Media Spins Out From Consensys Mesh Following US$10 Million Raise</dc:text></item><item><title>Binance Is Now a Fully Regulated Digital Asset Service Provider in France</title><description><![CDATA[Binance announce that Binance France has been granted a Digital Asset Service Provider (DASP) registration by the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) with the approval of the Autorité de Contrôle Prudentiel et de Résolution (ACPR). 
This milestone achievement represents Binance’s first DASP in Europe.
The AMF regulates and safeguards the French financial markets and ensures financial literacy among investors. The ACPR is an independent authority monitoring banks and insurance companies in France. With the approval and under the supervision of AMF and ACPR, this DASP registration will allow Binance France to operate in France.
Compliance and regulation are critical factors for the success of the crypto and blockchain industry. Over the years, Binance has taken measures to ensure compliance, including growing our international compliance team and advisory board, as well as actively helping to fight fraud and ransomware. We are pleased that our efforts have paid off, and meet stringent French compliance standards to successfully obtain the DASP registration.
Changpeng Zhao
Changpeng Zhao (CZ), founder and CEO of Binance, said: 

“Effective regulation is essential for the mainstream adoption of cryptocurrency. The French DASP and AML/CFT regulations put in place stringent anti-money laundering and fit and proper requirements to meet the high standards necessary to be regulated in France.


We are grateful to the AMF and ACPR, who demonstrated a commitment to innovation that made it possible for Binance to navigate the entire application process. Since day one, Binance has always put its users first, and now the crypto community can have even further confidence in Binance France as a trusted DASP registered in France.”

As the first major global crypto exchange to register in France, we will be able to bring cryptocurrency services and education to millions.
What’s Next?
According to Binance Blog post, they plan to significantly scale operations in France. In line with their mission to be the infrastructure services provider for the blockchain ecosystem, they have plans to expand the team to pursue further infrastructure development.
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/binance-is-now-a-fully-regulated-digital-asset-service-provider-in-france</link><guid>2638</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Binance Is Now a Fully Regulated Digital Asset Service Provider in France</dc:text></item><item><title>Synpulse Invests in F10 to Boost the Fintech Ecosystem’s Growth</title><description><![CDATA[Synpulse, a management consultancy to global financial service providers, has announced that it will invest the equivalent of 1% of its annual revenue into the fintech startup accelerator F10.
This is a part of F10&#8217;s funding round that was announced in late April which was led by Five T Fintech.
The funds are intended to allow F10 to grow both into new geographies, as well as in its current hubs in Europe and Asia.
This partnership provides the two companies the opportunity to identify the most promising startups and support their rapid growth.
Additionally, it provides Synpulse the chance to pinpoint the new services that could become relevant to its customers.
Raphael Bianchi, CEO of Synpulse Switzerland has joined the F10 Board to directly contribute to the strategic direction and innovation of the growing fintech ecosystem.
Raphael Bianchi
Raphael Bianchi, Senior Partner and CEO of Synpulse, Switzerland said,
“F10 provides vital support in discovering and growing the new innovative services and talented teams that our industry needs. Fintechs have brought a revolution to what has always been a very traditional industry.
 
By working together, we hope to make global connections between the most innovative solutions that are being created and the more established players whose adoption will make them part of the mainstream.”
Andreas Iten
Andreas Iten, CEO and Co-Founder of F10 said,
&#8220;We are incredibly excited about Synpulse&#8217;s investment into F10 and about the synergies that this creates.
 
F10 startups will also benefit greatly from Synpulse&#8217;s global network. We are looking forward to jointly pushing innovation in the financial industry further.&#8221;
The post Synpulse Invests in F10 to Boost the Fintech Ecosystem’s Growth appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/synpulse-invests-in-f10-to-boost-the-fintech-ecosystems-growth</link><guid>2636</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Synpulse Invests in F10 to Boost the Fintech Ecosystem’s Growth</dc:text></item><item><title>Using E-Signatures to Ensure Business Continuity in an Increasingly Digital World</title><description><![CDATA[The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the trend towards digitisation. Suddenly, government agencies, organisations, and businesses of every industry have been thrust into a world of remote processes, and the need for technology that enables business continuity has never been higher.
Businesses are transforming customer-facing transactions and the customer experience as a whole by shifting away from paper and towards the adoption of electronic signatures across the enterprise.
Along the way, they’re leveraging new technologies like digital identity verification to optimise higher risk digital processes and videoconferencing with co-browsing to reintroduce the human element to remote customer transactions.
Electronic signatures play a crucial role in digitising processes across organisations, but there are still a lot of questions around e-signatures.
This article answers important questions and addresses key considerations about e-signatures.
What Is an Electronic Signature?
 

An e-signature is first and foremost a legal concept. Generally, it is about having a lasting record of an individual’s intent.
Digital signature refers to the encryption technology used in a number of e-business and e-commerce applications, including e-signatures.
There are generally three forms of electronic signatures recognised around the world namely Basic, Advanced and Qualified.
Organisations often wonder whether e-signatures are legal. The answer is: yes. Over 90 countries around the world have passed legislations affirming the legality of e-signatures.
There is no longer any question about whether electronic signatures are legal.
The trend toward wider acceptance globally is clear.
However, specifics vary from country to country, so it is important for organisations to understand the laws and regulations in the jurisdictions where they operate.
Are E-signatures Secure?
 

Again, the answer is yes.
Security is understandably a top concern with digital transactions, so it is important an electronic signature provider meets the highest security standards while ensuring a trusted experience between an organisation, its employees, and its customers.
That means more than simply passing a security audit or obtaining a certification.
Security best practices include:
ID Verification: This is a signer authentication method to validate a signer’s identity before they gain access to critical contracts and high-value agreements.
ID verification with facial comparison enables a signer to validate their identity using their government-issued photo ID and a ‘selfie’, which is then compared with their photo ID to provide an additional layer of identity assurance.
ID verification provides a high level of signer authentication and supports fraud prevention.
User Authentication: A broad range of options to verify the identity of signers prior to giving them access to documents such as e-mail or SMS.
Document Security: Unlike most e-signature solutions, OneSpan Sign uses digital signature technology to tamper-seal documents after each signer and invalidates documents if any changes are made.
This built-in security ensures the integrity of the e-signed document.
Robust Audit Trail: This makes it easy to access details about the transaction to prove compliance.
An electronic audit trail is permanently embedded within the e-signed document for easy, one-click verification.
OneSpan Sign is the only solution in the market to capture a single audit trail of the entire agreement process—from identity verification and authentication to e-signature.
This includes the ID and authentication check method used and the detailed results of the verification.
As a result, you get a complete picture of the transaction with strong identity assurance to demonstrate compliance.
Virtual Room Recreates the Power of a Face-to-face Meeting Virtually
 

In today’s anywhere economy, the human element is more important than ever.
OneSpan’s Virtual Room helps you deliver a secure and interactive experience to guide customers through the agreement process and effectively close the deal.
It accomplishes this by bringing together electronic signature, web-enabled videoconferencing, and rich collaboration capabilities in one comprehensive solution.
Consumers get the financial help they need from the convenience of their home or office, and an organisation gets access to a new, high-touch channel to engage with customers as humanly as possible.
OneSpan’s Virtual Room&#8217;s highlights include:
Fast and Convenient: Built-in videoconferencing eliminates the need for in-person meetings to review and sign documents.
Real-time Assistance: Give customers the personalised attention, answers, and help they need in real time.
Fully Branded Experience: Organisations can add their logo and colors to keep the spotlight on their brand.
Secure Agreements: Protect data and documents with bank-grade security, digital signature encryption, and strong identity proofing capabilities
Strong Electronic Evidence: Strengthen security and compliance with vendor-independent audit trails with the option to record the virtual signing session.
All-in-one Solution: Built-in e-signature, videoconferencing, and rich collaboration features remove the need to patch multiple solutions together.
There are many ways to fine tune electronic signatures for your specific user groups.
Check out OneSpan&#8217;s Beginner&#8217;s Guide to E-Signatures to learn everything you need to know to get an e-signing project off the ground.

The post Using E-Signatures to Ensure Business Continuity in an Increasingly Digital World appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/using-e-signatures-to-ensure-business-continuity-in-an-increasingly-digital-world</link><guid>2635</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/OS-IMG-Authentication-Images-1.jpeg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Using E-Signatures to Ensure Business Continuity in an Increasingly Digital World</dc:text></item><item><title>McLaren F1 Racing Partners with Cryptoexchange</title><description><![CDATA[OKX,  formerly known as OKEx, announced a major multi-year partnership with McLaren Racing, becoming the Official Primary Partner of the McLaren Formula 1 Team and McLaren Shadow esports Team from 2022.
The partnership unites two global brands who value innovation and accessibility. As Official Primary Partner, OKX will be the largest partner to McLaren Racing, the home to one of the most successful Formula One teams and greatest drivers of all time.
As the world’s second largest exchange by trading volume, OKX is on a mission to supercharge the experience for McLaren’s global audience, elevating the team and its fans by bringing crypto onto the track.
On the 2022 Miami Grand Prix on Sunday, May 8th, OKX branding will be carried on the rear wing, front wing, mirrors, cockpit side, nose, and inner halo of the McLaren MCL36 F1 cars, on the race suits and helmets of McLaren F1 drivers Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo, and on the McLaren F1 Team kit and McLaren Shadow Team kit.
Haider Rafique
Haider Rafique, Chief Marketing Officer at OKX, said:
“The McLaren brand stands for everything that is great about F1. Speed, reliability, and performance are at the core of any top-class crypto trading platform. We innovate on our platform every day, ensuring the highest trade execution speed to our users, requiring ‘pit-like’ team collaboration and instincts.”
Zak Brown
Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing, said:
“We are thrilled to announce this primary partnership with OKX ahead of the Miami GP. In a rapidly-evolving field, OKX is a long-established crypto brand that brings innovation, analytics and accuracy to accomplish great things.
“The first-ever Miami Grand Prix is the perfect occasion for us to launch this significant partnership, through which we will collaborate with OKX to take our fan experience to all new levels.”
OKX is a place where people can trade, invest, and hold thousands of cryptos, digital assets and collectibles.

The post McLaren F1 Racing Partners with Cryptoexchange appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mclaren-f1-racing-partners-with-cryptoexchange</link><guid>2632</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/AM-1.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>McLaren F1 Racing Partners with Cryptoexchange</dc:text></item><item><title>McLaren F1 Racing Partners with Crypto Exchange</title><description><![CDATA[OKX,  formerly known as OKEx, announced a major multi-year partnership with McLaren Racing, becoming the Official Primary Partner of the McLaren Formula 1 Team and McLaren Shadow esports Team from 2022.
The partnership unites two global brands who value innovation and accessibility. As Official Primary Partner, OKX will be the largest partner to McLaren Racing, the home to one of the most successful Formula One teams and greatest drivers of all time.
As the world’s second largest exchange by trading volume, OKX is on a mission to supercharge the experience for McLaren’s global audience, elevating the team and its fans by bringing crypto onto the track.
On the 2022 Miami Grand Prix on Sunday, May 8th, OKX branding will be carried on the rear wing, front wing, mirrors, cockpit side, nose, and inner halo of the McLaren MCL36 F1 cars, on the race suits and helmets of McLaren F1 drivers Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo, and on the McLaren F1 Team kit and McLaren Shadow Team kit.
Haider Rafique
Haider Rafique, Chief Marketing Officer at OKX, said:
“The McLaren brand stands for everything that is great about F1. Speed, reliability, and performance are at the core of any top-class crypto trading platform. We innovate on our platform every day, ensuring the highest trade execution speed to our users, requiring ‘pit-like’ team collaboration and instincts.”
Zak Brown
Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing, said:
“We are thrilled to announce this primary partnership with OKX ahead of the Miami GP. In a rapidly-evolving field, OKX is a long-established crypto brand that brings innovation, analytics and accuracy to accomplish great things.
“The first-ever Miami Grand Prix is the perfect occasion for us to launch this significant partnership, through which we will collaborate with OKX to take our fan experience to all new levels.”
OKX is a place where people can trade, invest, and hold thousands of cryptos, digital assets and collectibles.

The post McLaren F1 Racing Partners with Crypto Exchange appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mclaren-f1-racing-partners-with-crypto-exchange</link><guid>2637</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/AM-1.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>McLaren F1 Racing Partners with Crypto Exchange</dc:text></item><item><title>Worldline kooperiert mit dem Fintech- Kredit-Prüf-Unternehmen Algoan</title><description><![CDATA[Worldline kooperiert ab sofort mit dem Französischen Fintech-Unternehmen Algoan, einem führenden Anbieter von Kreditwürdigkeitsprüfungen.
Ziel ist es, gemeinsam eine innovative Lösung zur Bonitätsprüfung zu entwickeln, die Kreditgebern und Dienstleistern hilft, schnelle und gleichzeitig sichere Kreditentscheidungen zu treffen. Der Dienst wird APIs und Machine Learning nutzen und sich auf Transaktionsdaten aus dem Open Banking stützen.
Kreditinstitute, Kreditnehmer und Händler haben durch die Zahlungsdienstrichtlinie PSD2 den sicheren und nutzergesteuerten Rahmen, um die Möglichkeiten für einen schnelleren, gerechteren und datengesteuerten Ansatz zur Kreditwürdigkeitsprüfung zu nutzen. Langfristig sollen im Sinne des sogenannten Open Banking diese klaren Vorteile für alle Parteien nutzbar gemacht werden.
Der Vorgang der Kreditwürdigkeitsprüfung in den verschiedenen europäischen Ländern bringt ein unterschiedliches Mass an manuellen Verfahren und Bewertungen mit sich. Diese können mit menschlichen Fehlern behaftet und für die Bearbeitung eines Kreditantrags sowohl für Kreditgeber als auch für den Kreditnehmer sehr zeitintensiv sein.
Die traditionellen Bewertungsmethoden entsprechen nicht mehr den Erwartungen der Verbraucher. Sie stehen im Widerspruch zur digitalen Transformation und den damit verbundenen regulatorischen Änderungen. Hier bleibt aktuell viel Innovationspotenzial ungenutzt. Denn der Prozess der Kredit- und Risikoprüfung könnte von den Möglichkeiten der PSD2-Richtlinie stark profitieren: Open Banking und Open Finance unterstützen bessere und schnellere Services für Verbraucher und Institutionen.
Potenziale von Open Banking nutzen
Mit der Partnerschaft verbindet Worldline seine europaweite Abdeckung im Open Banking und seine Expertise im digitalen Bankwesen mit der Innovationskraft von Algoan im Bereich der Kreditwürdigkeitsprüfung, die auf erstklassigen Machine-Learning-Algorithmen beruht.
Michael Steinbach
Michael Steinbach, Managing Director Financial Services bei Worldline:
„Bei Worldline suchen wir nach innovativen Partnern, die unsere Vision teilen und es uns ermöglichen, unsere Open Banking Services zu erweitern und zu optimieren. Als führender Zahlungsdienstleister und einer der grössten Open-Banking-Anbieter in Europa sind wir bestrebt, das volle Potenzial von Open Banking für alle Marktteilnehmer zu erschliessen. Mit Algoan werden wir unseren Kunden eine durchgängig schnelle und kosteneffiziente White-Label-Lösung zur Bewertung der Kreditwürdigkeit anbieten.“
Mit dem auf Open Banking basierenden Tool zur Kreditwürdigkeitsprüfung können Banken, Kreditinstitute, Kreditgeber und Dienstleister die Kreditwürdigkeitsprüfung auf ein nächstes Level heben und somit eine genauere Prüfung, einen besseren Datenzugang und eine effizientere Bearbeitung erzielen. Diese Innovation kann in vielen Anwendungsfällen wertvoll sein. Zum Beispiel für Privatfinanzierungen und Verbraucherkredite, Autofinanzierungen und Leasing, Finanzierungen durch Händler und BNPL (Buy Now Pay Later), Versicherungen und Versorgungsunternehmen. Das Herzstück dieses neuen Bonitätsprüfungs-Tools ist die Open Banking API von Worldline, die Zugang zu mehr als 3&#8217;500 Banken in 19 Ländern in ganz Europa bietet. Worldline ist einer der grössten Open Banking-Anbieter in Europa.
Michael Diguet
Michael Diguet, CEO bei Algoan:
„Die Kreditwürdigkeitsprüfung im Open Banking erfährt eine Dynamik, die sich grosse Unternehmen zu eigen machen sollten. Wir freuen uns über die Zusammenarbeit mit Worldline und sind stolz darauf, dieses weltweit führende Unternehmen mit unserer marktführenden Kreditscoring-API unterstützen zu können. Diese neue Zusammenarbeit ist ein weiterer Meilenstein für das internationale Wachstum von Algoan. Wir freuen uns darauf, gemeinsam die Kreditwirtschaft durch die Nutzung der Open-Banking-Fähigkeiten von Worldline zu revolutionieren.“
Vorteile für Darlehensgeber und Darlehensnehmer
Eine Kreditwürdigkeitsprüfung auf der Grundlage von Open Banking bringt sowohl Kreditgebern als auch Kreditnehmern erhebliche Vorteile. Da der Kreditgeber die Daten von der Bank erhält, ist die Gültigkeit der Daten gewährleistet und somit das Betrugsrisiko verringert. Auf der Grundlage einer genaueren Bewertung können Antragsteller akzeptiert werden, die sonst möglicherweise abgelehnt worden wären. Durch den Zugang zu den Kontodaten der Kunden auf Grundlage deren Zustimmung können sich die Kreditgeber schneller einen besseren Überblick über die tatsächliche finanzielle Situation der Kunden verschaffen und so den Bedürfnissen des Kreditnehmers entsprechen, ohne eine Überschuldung zu riskieren. Darüber hinaus kann der Kreditgeber eine schnelle, unkomplizierte Kundenbetreuung anbieten, während der Kreditnehmer eine faire Bonitätsprüfung und eine kürzere Zeit bis zur Kreditvergabe erhält.
 
Ausgewählter Bildnachweis: bearbeitet von Freepik
The post Worldline kooperiert mit dem Fintech- Kredit-Prüf-Unternehmen Algoan appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/worldline-kooperiert-mit-dem-fintech-kredit-pruf-unternehmen-algoan</link><guid>2633</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Worldline kooperiert mit dem Fintech- Kredit-Prüf-Unternehmen Algoan</dc:text></item><item><title>FIFA Announces Partnership With Blockchain Company Algorand</title><description><![CDATA[FIFA has teamed up with Zug based blockchain technology company Algorand to agree a sponsorship and technical partnership deal.
The agreement means Algorand will become the official blockchain platform of FIFA and provide the official blockchain-supported wallet solution. As per the sponsorship agreement, Algorand will be a FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Regional Supporter in North America and Europe, and a FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 Official Sponsor.
Blockchains allow non-editable data to be permanently recorded and distributed on digital networks, while also facilitating innovations and ensuring safe, untampered exchange of value and assets such as non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and through blockchain-enabled wallets holding digital assets.
As part of the agreement, Algorand will also assist FIFA in further developing its digital assets strategy, while FIFA will provide sponsorship assets including advertising, media exposure and promotional opportunities.
Gianni Infantino
On the occasion of the announcement, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said:
“We are delighted to announce this partnership with Algorand. The collaboration is a clear indication of FIFA’s commitment to continually seeking innovative channels for sustainable revenue growth for further reinvestment back into football ensuring transparency to our stakeholders and world-wide football fans – a key element of our Vision to make football truly global. I look forward to a long and fruitful partnership with Algorand.”
Founded by cryptographer Silvio Micali, the Algorand blockchain is the technology of choice for over 2000 global organisations, governments and digital-native defi applications. In particular, Algorand helps organisations in finance, gaming, music, art and the sports world that seek to adopt Web3 digital capabilities as a path to accelerate growth, inclusiveness, transparency and innovation in an environmentally responsible way.
Silvio Micali
From the beginning, Algorand has focused on building technology that promotes inclusivity, opportunity and transparency for all,” said Silvio Micali, founder of Algorand.
“This partnership with FIFA, the most globally recognised and distinguished organisation in sports, will showcase the potential that the Algorand blockchain has to transform the way we all experience the world’s game.”
The post FIFA Announces Partnership With Blockchain Company Algorand appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fifa-announces-partnership-with-blockchain-company-algorand</link><guid>2631</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>FIFA Announces Partnership With Blockchain Company Algorand</dc:text></item><item><title>poinz: Lancierung von Schweizer Cashback-Währung «Swiss Loyalty»</title><description><![CDATA[Der Schweizer Loyalty Netwerk«poinz» lanciert umfangreiche Innovationen für das Portemonnaie und macht den Schritt zum Fintech Unternehmen.
Das grosse Update der poinz App bietet Kundinnen und Kunden ab sofort ein einzigartiges Cashback-Ökosystem, mit welchem sie beim Bezahlen Geld direkt in der App sammeln können. Dazu lanciert poinz ein eigenes Bezahlmittel und ist zudem als erstes Kundentreue-Programm in allen Bezahlterminals von Worldline integriert.
Mit viel Herzblut wurde intensiv bei poinz inhouse an der neuen poinz App gearbeitet. Nun ist der Launch des bisher grössten Updates der Schweizer Erfolgsgeschichte erfolgt. Mit «Swiss Loyalty» lanciert poinz eine so innovative wie einzigartige Cashback-Lösung, mit welcher direkt in der poinz App Geld gesammelt werden kann. Dabei kann poinz auf die Unterstützung mehrerer führender Unternehmen aus diversen Branchen zählen. Unter anderem arbeitet poinz eng mit Swisscard AECS GmbH zusammen. Sie gibt die «Swiss Loyalty Cards» (Gratiskreditkarten) heraus, mit welchen man weltweit Cashback sammeln kann. Das Cashback-Guthaben ist tagesaktuell in der poinz App ersichtlich.
Guido Müller
«Der Erfolg von poinz mit über 1&#8217;000 Markenpartnern und einer der grössten Mobile-Communities zeigt, dass Kundinnen und Kunden die Vorteile offener Punkteprogramme sehr schätzen»,
sagt Guido Müller, CEO von Swisscard.
«Wir sind stolz, Partner von poinz zu sein und ihre Kundinnen und Kunden mit den Swiss Loyalty Cards exklusiv mit bis zu 1% zusätzlichem Cashback zu belohnen.»
Mit der poinz Swiss Loyalty Visa Card können Kundinnen und Kunden bei über 100 Millionen Händlern in mehr als 200 Ländern und Regionen einfach, bequem und sicher bezahlen. Dabei bietet das innovative Cashback-Programm von poinz Karteninhabern einen echten Mehrwert beim alltäglichen Einkauf.
Mit Worldline hat poinz ein weiteres Schwergewicht an seiner Seite erklärt Robert Blum, Gründer und CEO von poinz:
Robert Blum
«Durch die Partnerschaft mit Worldline sind wir bildlich gesprochen in den meisten Bezahlterminals der Schweiz direkt integriert.» Somit können Swiss Loyalty Nutzerinnen und Nutzer zusätzlich und automatisch mit allen Kredit- und Debitkarten, Maestro oder Twint Cashback bei lokalen Swiss Loyalty Partnern wie Orell Füssli oder Subway sammeln. Weiter hat poinz mehr als 80 Onlineshops in der poinz App aufgeschaltet. Besucht man so beispielsweise den Onlineshop von Mediamarkt oder die Buchungsplattform der SWISS über die poinz App, sammelt man weiteren Cashback in der poinz App. Nochmals Blum: «Ein engagierter Swiss Loyalty Nutzer kommt schnell auf ein jährliches Sparpotential von mehr als CHF 300.»
Das gesammelte Cashback-Guthaben können die Nutzerinnen und Nutzer direkt auf ihr Bankkonto überweisen oder im ebenfalls neu lancierten poinz App Geschenkkarten-Shop einlösen. Schon zum Launch findet man beliebte Brands im Shop wie Apple, Zalando oder Sony. Selbst beim Einlösen von Guthaben sammelt man bereits wieder Cashback.
Weichen weiterhin auf Wachstum
poinz hat gemäss eigenen Angaben die Marke von 1’000’000 App-Downloads geknackt und sich selber mit einem vollumfänglichen Rebranding beschenkt. Noch in diesem Jahr sollen weitere Möglichkeiten zum Sammeln von Cashback aufgeschaltet werden. Blum verrät: «Egal ob mit oder ohne direkten Geldfluss –, mit Swiss Loyalty wird man im Alltag noch deutlich mehr profitieren können.»
The post poinz: Lancierung von Schweizer Cashback-Währung «Swiss Loyalty» appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/poinz-lancierung-von-schweizer-cashback-wahrung-swiss-loyalty</link><guid>2629</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>poinz: Lancierung von Schweizer Cashback-Währung «Swiss Loyalty»</dc:text></item><item><title>Signicat Acquires UK-Based Anti-Fraud and Identity Technology Company Sphonic</title><description><![CDATA[Norway&#8217;s Signicat, a leading European providers of digital identity and electronic signature solutions, is acquiring all shares in the UK-headquartered anti-fraud company Sphonic for an undisclosed sum. Existing management shareholders will reinvest a substantial part of the consideration into Signicat.
Signicat has been growing rapidly in the last years, both organically and through acquisitions. The digital identity pioneer aims to be a single provider for the entire digital identity and anti-financial crime lifecycle across Europe. This includes identity solutions to support customer onboarding, authentication, e-signing, fraud management and risk management. Since 2019 Signicat has acquired five companies, including in the last year mobile authentication company Encap, electronic signing provider Dokobit, and identity proofing innovator Electronic IDentification.
Sphonic was founded in London in 2012 and is a pioneer in automating compliance decision processes. The company has a unique track record of helping financial services, fintechs, gaming operators and the payments ecosystem manage their client onboardings and risk assessments including activities such as credit checks, affordability checks, and other compliance checks. With this acquisition, Signicat will be able to extend its leading existing identity platform with Sphonic’s know your customer (KYC), know your business (KYB) and anti-money laundering (AML) solutions.
Asger Hattel
“With digital fraud continuing to rise globally, it has become critical to know that your customers are who they claim to be. With Sphonic’s leading team of professionals and their data orchestration and decisioning platform, we will be able to offer a more extensive range of onboarding services with highly flexible risk and compliance solutions &#8211; all of which can keep international customers safe from fraud,”
says Asger Hattel, CEO of Signicat.
Sphonic’s primary product, Workflow Manager, enables clients to customise, automate and manage compliance workflows seamlessly. Sphonic leverages around 100 of the world&#8217;s leading data and technology providers allowing banks and other institutions to access the best-in-breed technologies via a single API. The solution improves the quality of data and increases end-user insights that the customers can use to make an onboarding decision. It also reduces a client’s customer onboarding time from days to seconds and prevents customer drop-off rates. It prevents fraud and provides an experience fit for the digital age.
Sphonic has recently expanded its solution offering with a highly scalable real-time fraud &amp; AML transaction monitoring solution in addition to a case management system that also offers tools for visualising identity, fraud and AML data.
Andy Lee
“We are excited to become part of the Signicat family”
says Andy Lee, the founder and general manager of Sphonic.
“For the past 10 years we have built industry-leading solutions that solve some of the most complex onboarding and compliance challenges in heavily regulated industries for global digital payments, crypto, gaming and lending brands requiring rapid onboarding for their high-volume client base. With Signicat there was a great complementary fit. Now we are ready to accelerate our ambitions in new markets and verticals and creating a compelling joint global solution.”
Sphonic will continue as a separate business entity, named “Sphonic, a Signicat company”, for the short term, and then be fully integrated into Signicat. The Sphonic management team will form part of Signicat’s wider senior management team and Andy Lee will also take on the role as as Signicat’s UK Country Manager.
 
This article first appeared on fintechnordics.com

The post Signicat Acquires UK-Based Anti-Fraud and Identity Technology Company Sphonic appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/signicat-acquires-uk-based-anti-fraud-and-identity-technology-company-sphonic</link><guid>2630</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Check-out-Fintech-News-Nordics.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Signicat Acquires UK-Based Anti-Fraud and Identity Technology Company Sphonic</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss and Singapore Regulators Unveil Inaugural Point Zero Forum</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss Secretariat for International Finance (SIF) and Elevandi announced the programme and speaker line-up for the inaugural Point Zero Forum, taking place on 21-23 June in Zurich, Switzerland.
Elevandi is a Company Limited by Guarantee (GLC) created by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to manage the Singapore Fintech Festival (SFF).
The forum is organised in cooperation with the BIS Innovation Hub, MAS, and Swiss National Bank (SNB), and supported by Knowledge Partners including Bussmann Advisory, Ecosystm, Finance.Swiss, Milken Institute, Open Wealth Association, and Switzerland Global Enterprise.
Point Zero Forum will serve as the starting point for engaging investors and policymakers with innovators to advance the future of financial services (FOFS).
The forum is an exclusive invite-only, in-person gathering of select global leaders, founders, and investors to develop new ideas to advance the FOFS &#8211; decentralised finance and Web 3.0, embedded finance, and sustainable finance.
It also aims to drive investment activity by bringing together leading founders with VCs, private banking clients, family offices, and PE houses.
Attendees can look forward to dissecting regulatory considerations related to each FOFS development by bringing together public and private sector leaders
The forum will be two days of in-depth plenary sessions, deep-dive private roundtables and workshops, and exclusive sessions between founders and investors focusing on two significant new market opportunities built on Web 3.0 architecture.
The Forum will be graced by Heng Swee Keat (Singapore&#8217;s Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies) and Ueli Maurer (Switzerland&#8217;s Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Finance).
The sessions will delve into the opportunities present within the crypto market and sustainable finance space.
Speakers at the forum


Deep-dive private roundtables at the forum
Fringe activities include brand-new investor day and innovation open houses
On the first day of the Forum (21 June), investors are invited to a closed-door session hosted by SIF and MAS.
The session will serve as a precedent for the Forum, where investors will be able to gain a perspective on the global market trends and business opportunities that are shaping the fintech scene, and how these topics will be addressed on the agenda during the main stage.
Also happening on 21 June are open houses hosted by BIS Innovation Hub, Crypto Valley Labs, ETH Zurich, F10, University of Zurich, and ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences.
Registrations for these events are now open on the website.
﻿
The post Swiss and Singapore Regulators Unveil Inaugural Point Zero Forum appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-and-singapore-regulators-unveil-inaugural-point-zero-forum</link><guid>2628</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Point-Zero-Forum.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss and Singapore Regulators Unveil Inaugural Point Zero Forum</dc:text></item><item><title>10 Swiss and 4 Singaporean Companies Named Among World’s Top 100 Wealthtechs</title><description><![CDATA[Specialist research company Fintech Global has released its annual selection of the world’s top wealthtech firms, recognizing 2022’s 100 most innovative technology solution providers shaping the future of the investment industry.
Selected by a panel of analysts and industry experts from a list of more than 1,200 businesses, these 100 wealthtech leaders are recognized for their innovative use of technology to solve significant industry problems and generate efficiency improvements across the investment value chain.
Of the 100 companies that made it into the 2022 WealthTech100 list, 10 are from Switzerland and four are from Singapore, showcasing how these two jurisdictions are maintaining their leadership positions in both the wealth and tech industries. Today, we take a close look at these 14 companies, delving into their offerings and what they have been up to.
Switzerland
AlgoTrader

 
Founded in 2014, AlgoTrader is a world leader in institutional trading technology for digital assets. Covering the entire trade lifecycle AlgoTrader provides everything a trading company needs to run a fully automated operation, including market data, trading, back testing, reporting and trade reconciliation. Headquartered in Zurich, AlgoTrader has additional offices in New York and Singapore, and operates globally. The company has raised a total of US$12 million in funding.
Avaloq

 
Founded in 1985, Avaloq is a leader in core banking software, digital banking and digital wealth management. Designed for the new era of financial services simplicity, Avaloq’s solutions help financial institutions harness the power of automation and data science, boost operational efficiency and make their dealings with clients more personalized and profitable. Headquartered in Zurich, Avaloq serves over 150 clients based in more than 30 countries. The company was acquired by Japanese multinational information technology and electronics corporation, NEC Corporation, in 2020 for CHF 2.05 billion.
Etops

 
Founded in 2010, Etops offers a broad range of solutions and services for the financial industry covering the entire value chain of private banks, asset and wealth managers, family offices and pension funds: from lead generation, customer relationship management (CRM) and on-boarding to portfolio management, compliance, and reporting. The company is headquartered in Cham and subsidiaries are held in Bratislava, Slovakia, and Leviv, Ukraine. Etops has been on an acquisition spree, snapping up Swiss wealthtech startup Evolute in 2020 and German software provider Coryx earlier this year. It claims more than 140 clients that manage a combined CHF 150 billion in assets.
Globalance

 
Founded in 2011, Globalance is an owner-managed Swiss private bank which invests in future movers. The company has successfully built up SAM Sustainable Asset Management, and what it claims to be the world’s first asset manager for sustainable investments. In collaboration with Dow Jones, Globalance also set a milestone by developing the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. It says it is the first bank in the world to offer portfolios and investment strategies in line with the United Nation’s two-degree climate target.
New Access

 
Founded in 2000, New Access is a provider of a scalable and modular core-to-digital solution suite designed to meet the specific requirements of the private banking and wealth management industry. Its product includes an advanced and comprehensive wealth management core banking system, a portfolio management system (PMS) and a digital client lifecycle management (CLM) platform. The company claims it supports more than 60 customers globally. It’s headquartered in Geneva with offices in Zurich, France, Singapore and Tunisia.
Sentifi

 
Established in 2012, Sentifi is an award-winning alternative data provider offering a mature artificial intelligence (AI) platform and investment analytics suitable for all types of retail and institutional investors. Sentifi analyses large volumes of unstructured data from social media, news, and blogs, capturing and making sense of investment signals. The company’s solutions are used by leading financial services organizations to gain unique insights on over 50’000 companies, currencies, commodities, and the events that impact their valuation. Its headquartered in Zurich and has a tech hub in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
SwissQuant

 
Founded in 2005, SwissQuant Group develops and delivers intelligent technology products and provides complementary or stand-alone services and consultancy surrounding quant-based technologies. The company’s focus on the core and long-term needs of its clients makes it the partner of choice for local and international financial and industrial clients, including UBS, Deutsche Bank Wealth Management and SIX. It’s a spin-off of ETH Zurich and is based in Zurich and London.
Tindeco

 
Founded in 2010, Tindeco is the provider of VISION, an award-winning fully integrated investment management platform used by banks, family offices and fund managers. VISION is comprised of the VISION CORE, an intelligent platform that provides portfolio, risk, order and client relationship management modules; and VISION Investments, a suite of modules designed to offer customized investment solutions in an efficient manner. Tindeco operates in Zug and via its subsidiary Tindeco UK in Edinburgh, Scotland.
WealthArc

 
Founded in 2015, WealthArc is a data-driven wealth management platform. WealthArc drastically reduces the time needed to complete data unification, consolidation, management, reporting, compliance, and other administrative tasks. It also provides connection to a growing network of the world’s leading 80+ custodian banks and highly secured data storage. WealthArc is headquartered in Zurich and closed last year a US$4 million round.
Wize by Teamwork

 
Founded in 1999, Teamwork is a Swiss company specialized in IT services and solutions. It’s the provider of Wize, an all-in-one wealth and asset management solution. It is a unique web solution dedicated to wealth management players that allows them to manage all aspects of their day-to-day business in a simple and effective way: portfolio management, orders, CRM, regulatory aspects (compliance), invoicing, back office and e-banking access. The company is headquartered in Geneva with offices in Zurich, Montreal, Singapore and Luxembourg.
Singapore
Bambu

 
Founded in 2016, Bambu is a robo-advisory technology and wealthtech provider for financial institutions and disruptors. Bambu enables companies to make saving and investing simple and intelligent for their clients. The cloud-based platform is powered by Bambu’s proprietary algorithms and ML tools. Bambu serves over 20 financial institutions globally. It’s headquartered in Singapore with a subsidiary in the UK and the US, and Europe, the Middle East and Africa representatives.
BetaSmartz

 
Founded in 2016, BetaSmartz is a provider of business-to-business (B2B) hybrid digital investment tools. It offers a complete suite of fully customizable business-to-business-to-consumer (B2B2C) white-labelled apps, as well as digital and automation solutions across the front, middle and back office. BetaSmartz offers a modular approach centered around client acquisition, objectives and modeling, investment management, client management and engagement, and data consolidation and management. The company is headquartered in Singapore with offices in Hong Kong and Australia.
AIFMetrics

 
Founded in 2019, AIFMetrics is a wealthtech platform empowering alternative asset managers to digitally transform and expand into new territories and client segments. AIFMetrics distributes, markets and reports alternative funds inaccessible in the public domain by connecting managers to intermediaries and investors through an enhanced digital experience. The company is headquartered in Singapore and has an office in India.
New Wealth

 
Founded in 2018, New Wealth is a B2B fintech provider that offers modular white-label solutions focusing on boosting the distribution of mutual funds and wealth management services. Applying behavioral design, data-driven personalization and automated financial advice, New Wealth’s cloud-first solutions foster digital engagement with end-clients, and empower relationship managers with easy-to-use hybrid advisory. New Wealth is headquartered in Singapore with an office in Dubai and an IT developer center in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The company recently partnered with Swiss regtech firm Apiax to embed actionable compliance knowledge into its software.
The post 10 Swiss and 4 Singaporean Companies Named Among World’s Top 100 Wealthtechs appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/10-swiss-and-4-singaporean-companies-named-among-worlds-top-100-wealthtechs</link><guid>2626</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>10 Swiss and 4 Singaporean Companies Named Among World’s Top 100 Wealthtechs</dc:text></item><item><title>Banking Circle Acquires SEPAexpress</title><description><![CDATA[SEPAexpress, which provides white-labelled account-to-account (A2A) payments for Payments Service Providers (PSPs), merchants and corporates in Europe has been acquired by Banking Circle Group.
Less than five years after bringing its first solution to market, SEPAexpress now processes millions of transactions on a monthly basis. By becoming part of the Banking Circle Group ecosystem SEPAexpress gains immediate access to technology infrastructure and financial resources to accelerate its growth.
As companies digitise their customer and supply-chain interactions, there is a growing need for modern aged financial solutions. With offices worldwide and payment flows of more than EUR 200bn, the Banking Circle Group ecosystem meets that need, serving payment businesses, banks, global markets and online merchants. The addition of SEPAexpress to the Banking Circle Group ecosystem complements its rich set of e-commerce solutions including embedded finance, business payments &amp; card issuing and B2B Buy Now Pay Later.
Franz Guttenberger
“By joining the Banking Circle Group ecosystem we will be able to capitalise on the established infrastructure and financial resources to realise our vision of extending our services across Europe”,
said Franz Guttenberger, CEO of SEPAexpress.
“Businesses across the region need to be able to focus on their customer propositions and, by utilising our services, they don’t need to worry about the payment process.”
Anders la Cour
“The quality and simplicity of the solutions from SEPAexpress are without compare in the industry”,
added Anders la Cour, Chief Executive Officer of Banking Circle Group.
“Its suite of offerings is a natural fit with the Banking Circle ecosystem and we’re excited to have the company on board to serve the ever-growing payment needs of businesses worldwide. We look forward to working closely with SEPAexpress and welcome the entire team to the Group.”
Pushing account-to-account payments to the next level
Launched to the market in 2017, SEPAexpress has rapidly established a reputation for innovation, enabling businesses to process Direct Debits faster, cheaper and with less risk. It now has ambitions to extend further in the account-to-account space with Open Banking, upcoming Request to Pay and embedded risk management services and will be able to leverage the global network of more than 200 Payment businesses, Banks and Marketplaces already connected to the Banking Circle Group ecosystem.
A2A payments are payments that move money directly from the payer’s bank account to the merchant’s or service provider’s bank account through all instant payment networks involved. This type of credit transfer is inexpensive, push-only, and only takes a few seconds to complete. It is predicted that more than 20 percent of e-commerce transactions in Europe will be made by A2A payment options by 2023, accounting for a higher share of payments than debit and credit cards.
Capitalising on being part of the Banking Circle ecosystem, SEPAexpress aims to be at the forefront of this growth, making payments as simple and user-friendly as possible. SEPAexpress will continue to operate autonomously and is aiming for triple digit growth in 2022.
 
The post Banking Circle Acquires SEPAexpress appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/banking-circle-acquires-sepaexpress</link><guid>2625</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Banking Circle Acquires SEPAexpress</dc:text></item><item><title>Mirabaud Taps Temenos and Wealth Dynamix to Digitise Its Wealth Capabilities</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss international banking group Mirabaud has selected cloud banking platform Temenos and Wealth Dynamix, a provider of Client Lifecycle Management (CLM) technology, to support its move to a digital end-to-end wealth management platform over the next few years.
The switch to Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) on Temenos Banking Cloud gives Mirabaud the agility to quickly adapt to changing investment opportunities and client expectations.
Mirabaud will also use the complete suite of Temenos wealth banking capabilities; self-service channels, portfolio management, back-office processing, payments, financial crime mitigation and data lake.
Temenos&#8217; wealth capabilities will enable Mirabaud to deliver a digital customer experience with personalised services and highly automated processes.
Wealth Dynamix product CLMi is a secure SaaS, scalable and digital-first CLM solution.
It fully supports Mirabaud by delivering a digital end-to-end experience for client engagement, client on-boarding and CRM that will enhance the productivity of relationship managers as well as operations and compliance specialists.
In addition, CLMi will enable digital engagement with end clients to ensure client satisfaction.
Camille Vial
Camille Vial, CEO of Mirabaud said,
“This key investment for the Mirabaud Group is a clear demonstration of our dedication to our clients: positioning ourselves as a leading partner for them today, and the generations to come.
 
We are working to carry on adapting quickly to their needs and to market trends whilst never losing sight of our core vision and values: combine our entrepreneurial and passionate human approach with cutting edge technology”.
Max Chuard
Max Chuard, Chief Executive Officer of Temenos said,
“With Temenos’ state-of-the-art cloud platform, wealth management firms can gain quicker time to market, massive scalability, and higher security.
 
With Temenos, Mirabaud can continue evolving and innovating in the market to deliver exceptional client experience and attract a new generation of investors.”
The post Mirabaud Taps Temenos and Wealth Dynamix to Digitise Its Wealth Capabilities appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mirabaud-taps-temenos-and-wealth-dynamix-to-digitise-its-wealth-capabilities</link><guid>2624</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Mirabaud Taps Temenos and Wealth Dynamix to Digitise Its Wealth Capabilities</dc:text></item><item><title>The 20 Most Influential Fintech Marketers in Europe</title><description><![CDATA[The Fintech Marketing Hub, a global fintech marketing community, has released its selection of the world’s top 30 most influential fintech marketers for 2022, recognizing the professionals behind the sector’s success.
These 30 fintech marketers were selected by a judging committee based on the degree of their influence and achievements over the past year, taking into account their total reach across different channels, engagement levels, insights relevance, community involvement, media appearance, and the notable achievements they’ve accomplished.
Of this year’s top 30 fintech marketers, 20 are based in Europe, and represent industry leaders including Tink, Starling Bank, Monzo and Lemonway. Today, we take a look at these 20 fintech marketing professionals, delving into their careers, and accomplishments.
Alberto Gerin, Head of Marketing and Communications, Modefinance

Alberto Gerin is the head of marketing and communications at Modefinance, an Italian fintech scaleup specialized in credit rating. At Modefinance, Gerin oversees the brand’s development, communication plan and growth functions, and has recently been guiding the company’s international expansion.
Gerin has more than 10 years of experience as a marketing professional and a non-conventional educational path which led to driving digital strategies in competitive industries, international markets, and fast-growing startups.
Amélie Arras, Marketing Director, Zumo

Amélie Arras is the marketing director of Zumo, a UK cryptocurrency wallet and payment platform. She joined the company in 2020 to help drive awareness of, and accessibility to, crypto.
She has a rather unique background in the fintech and financial services sectors. Many know her as the first woman to travel the world using only Bitcoin, demonstrating first-hand the real-life challenges of using an emerging payment method as well as the power of communities.
Arras’ personal mission is to bring fun and accessibility to the fintech and crypto space. She is passionate about supporting sustainable initiatives and collaboration in the finance and payments world.
Casper Emil Sciuto Rouchmann, Head of Marketing, United Fintech

Casper Emil Sciuto Rouchmann is the head of marketing of United Fintech, a UK-based company which provides banks and financial institutions with access to new technology and accelerate the implementation of these proven solutions. Prior to joining United Fintech, Rouchmann worked in multiple software-as-a-service (SaaS) unicorns, including Trustpilot and Templafy. He brings a unique growth hacking mindset to the table, and combines strategic knowledge with hands-on abilities in order to create something truly unique.
Rouchmann also advises startups and is also a renowned public speaker, having talked at more than 30+ events and numerous podcasts, and advised more than 40+ startups.
Christophe Langlois, Global Head of Fintech Marketing, Finastra

Christophe Langlois is the global head of marketing, fintech and developer ecosystem of Finastra, a UK-based financial software provider. Langlois is a marketer, growth hacker and relationship builder with a unique experience working client-side, agency-side and as an independent advisor for a number of global data, software and SaaS solution providers.
Prior to joining Finastra, Langlois held positions at the Fintech Power 50, IBM, WPP, Bazaarvoice, SWIFT, Lloyds TSB, Accuity and Societe Generale, where he helped design and implement successful marketing and business development programs leveraging best-of-class strategies fully leveraging digital marketing, content marketing, influencer marketing, social media, events, SEO and research.
Ingrid Anusic, Marketing Director, Moneyhub

Ingrid Anusic is the marketing director of Moneyhub, a UK-headquartered data and payments company. She is responsible for running Moneyhub’s marketing and PR in order to build brand awareness and support the scaling of the business.
Anusic’s expertise lies in helping technology companies grow by focusing on positioning, lead generation, employee engagement, and branding. With previous experience at US payment gateway NMI, where she led the marketing and PR strategy for Creditcall’s acquisition by NMI, she also implemented NMI’s employee engagement and CSR strategies. Anusic helped the company move from 20 to 200+ employees, and supporting the creation of the largest independent payment gateway in the world.
Irina Nicoleta Scarlat, Chief Growth Officer, Bitpanda

Irina Nicoleta Scarlat is the chief growth officer of Bitpanda, an Austrian cryptocurrency startup. Scarlat has more than 12 years of business experience, 10 of them in tech.
Prior to joining BitPanda, Scarlat spent three years with Revolut where she joined as country manager for Romania in early 2018 and grew the local market from 20,000 to almost 1.5 million users. She then built Revolut’s growth machine, led the growth teams in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and, later on, their global growth department, shaping Revolut’s growth journey from 1 million to 15 million users globally.
Before joining forces with Revolut, she led the marketing efforts of Uber in Romania, shaping the local strategy and working on strategic regional projects and initiatives. During her time at Uber, she launched three cities, scaled the market to 1 million users and built the marketing team from scratch.
Jonathan Nyst, CMO, Monizze

Jonathan Nyst is the CMO of Monizze, a developer and provider of an electronic extra-legal benefit improving companies’​ performances as well as the wellbeing of their employees.
Nyst is a full stack marketer with over 10 years of experience across Europe and Southeast Asia. In his previous role at BigPay, he led the marketing function for the first challenger bank in Southeast Asia and was part of the executive team that secured US$100 million in one of the large Series A funding rounds in the region.
In his free time, Nyst also provides consultancy services for early stage Web3 projects around the globe.
Karine Coutinho, VP of Marketing and Brand Communications, Lemonway

Karine Coutinho is the vice president of marketing and brand communications of Lemonway, a French payment institution. She has more than 10 years of experience in business-to-business (B2B) marketing and communications in the financial services industry and fintech.
Prior to joining Lemonway in 2018, Coutinho spent nearly eight years at Efma, an association gathering more than 3,000 financial institutions at a global level, with the goal to foster innovation and digital transformation among these companies. There, she was the deputy managing director, supporting the CEO and the board in the definition of the strategic roadmap, whilst leading key fintech-related projects in collaboration with established tech providers like Microsoft and SAP, and consulting firms like McKinsey, Accenture, Deloitte and Capgemini.
Leeya Hendricks, CMO, Delta Capita

Leeya Hendricks is the CMO of Delta Capita, a managed services, technology solutions and consulting provider. At Delta Capita, Hendricks leads and manages two strategies as she also performs the CMO role for Delta Capita’s parent company, Prytek, a multinational technology group that runs a number of verticals.
Prior to Delta Capita, Hendricks worked for leading tech giants like Oracle, IBM, Accenture, Gartner and Kurtosys in the US, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and Asia-Pacific (APAC). She is a regular speaker at conferences, summits and universities on all things tech and marketing. She’s a chartered marketer, fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and a member of the Forbes Communications Council.
Mai Fenton, CMO, Superscript

Mai Fenton is the CMO of Superscript, a London-based Series A tech scale-up that provides flexible, customizable business insurance for small businesses by monthly subscription. At Superscript, Fenton is responsible for all aspects of the brand marketing activity, both digital and offline, and work closely with the data and product teams to develop effective high-growth strategies. She also led the company’s successful rebrand in 2020, and oversees the accelerated growth of the active customers base and revenue per user.
Fenton has over 20 years of experience in digital marketing for startups and established brands across consumer packaged goods (CPG), e-commerce, tech and lifestyle, focusing on scaling brands and driving profitable growth.
Mariette Ferreira, Marketing Director, 11:FS

Mariette Ferreira is the marketing director of 11:FS, a challenger fintech consultancy, where she oversees all things content, brand, product, performance and community. She is a skilled marketing professional with extensive experience across the full marketing mix and implementation of agile marketing.
For the past seven years, Ferraira has worked in full mix marketing roles across education, manufacturing, and fintech, and co-hosted 11:FS’s Fintech Marketing Podcast.
Melanie Gabriel, Co-Founder and CMO, Yokoy

Melanie Gabriel is the co-founder and CMO at Yokoy, a Swiss fintech company that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to automate corporate expense, invoice and credit card processes of midsize and large enterprises.
Gabriel holds a master’s degree in business management from the University of St. Gallen (HSG) and is an advocate for more diversity in the tech and innovation industry as a board member at We Shape Tech. She recently received the Female Innovator of the Year Award and was recognized as one of 100 Digital Shapers.
Polly Gilbert, Marketing Director, Tembo

Polly Gilbert is the marketing director of Tembo, a UK-headquartered fintech startup specialized in smart family lending. At Tembo, Gilbert leads the brand, growth, PR and customer success functions.
Prior to joining Tembo, Gilbert co-founded TAP London, a tech-for-good organization which connected generous Londoners with local homelessness services through contactless technology. Now run by the Mayor of London, TAP has raised half a million pounds for charity and provided hundreds of hours of employment for homeless Londoners.
Rachel Kerrone, Director of Brand and Marketing, Starling Bank

Rachel Kerrone is the director of brand and marketing of Starling Bank, an award-winning digital challenger bank in the UK. She joined Starling Bank nearly five years ago to be part of the brand’s ambition to change banking for good, having worked in marketing roles at some of the world’s largest financial services organizations.
Kerrone is a marketing and brand specialist that has worked in global teams for some of the world’s biggest financial services organizations, including the Royal Bank of Scotland, JP Morgan, and ABN AMRO.
Kerrone’s specialist areas include brand, strategic planning, integrated marketing campaigns, partnerships, sponsorships and events.
Richard Cook, Social Media Manager, Monzo

Richard Cook is the social media manager of Monzo, a UK-based online bank, where he’s been since 2018. At Monzo, Cook is helping shape the brand’s strategy and works with teams across the whole company to make sure that the Monzo brand has a strong presence on all social media channels.
Prior to Monzo, Cook spent over six years at the Swedish music tech giant, Spotify.
Shameer Sachdev, Founder and Managing Director, Growth Gorilla

Shameer Sachdev is the founder and managing director of Growth Gorilla, a UK-based growth marketing agency focused on helping fintech companies.
Originally launching his career in financial services as an equity broker, Sachdev has worked for big brands like Alexander David and Barclays Wealth. He then moved on to focus more on client acquisition and eventually became marketing director at well-known online trading platform provider Spread.
Now, Sachdev is on a mission to share expertise from all corners of the fintech industry with his clients through innovative strategies and experimental techniques. As part of this mission, he has created The FML Podcast to help provide the fintech community with unique and valuable insights that can help deliver real growth results.
Signe Julie Valeur Bodholdt, CMO, Lunar

Signe Julie Valeur Bodholdt is the CMO of Lunar, a Danish digital bank. She started her career in the telco industry, first as department director for TDC Online, then as the sales and marketing manager in Oister, and in 2014, she became CEO of CBB and Bibob.
Before joining Lunar, she worked in Dubai as chief commercial officer for Virgin Mobile with the responsibility to launch Virgin Mobile in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). She joined Lunar in 2017 and has helped the company go from 15,000 to 350,000 users across the Nordics.
Smita Gupta, VP Global Marketing, Tradeshift

Smita Gupta is a the vice president of global marketing of Tradeshift, a US-headquartered, cloud-based business network and platform for supply chain payments, marketplaces, and apps. At Tradeshift, Gupta is helping shape the growth and vision of the company as it scales.
Prior to joining Tradeshift, Gupta worked at some of the world’s leading tech companies like Finastra, Tata Communications and Cisco, and led global teams to deliver business growth through new models of platform and marketplaces development.
She is an award-winning global industry thought leader with deep experience across SaaS, cloud computing, and fintech, a regular event speaker and influencer, and an advisor to startups.
Sylwia Linden, VP Marketing, Tink

Sylwia Linden is the vice president of marketing of Tink, Europe’s leading open banking platform expanding rapidly across Europe as part of Visa.
Linden has 20 years of international leadership experience across tech and financial services. She is a recognized marketing professional, and has spent her career challenging conventional approaches to sales, marketing and design.
Prior to joining Tink, Linden held positions at Accenture, Brilliant Future, and Netsurvey.
Travers Clarke-Walker, CMO, Thought Machine

Travers Clarke-Walker is the CMO of Thought Machine, a UK-based company that builds cloud-native technology for banks. He heads up Thought Machine’s sales and marketing teams, and is responsible for leading business development, customer acquisition, and brand building activities to drive global growth.
Clarke-Walker has 20 years’ board level experience scaling regional sales and marketing across software, banking, energy and retail industries. Before joining Thought Machine, he was the CMO of Fiserv and the managing director of Barclays where he led the market launch of peer-to-peer (P2P) payment app PingIt. Prior to this, Clarke-Walker was responsible for launching EDF Energy into the UK, as well as building their pioneering Nectar scheme.
The post The 20 Most Influential Fintech Marketers in Europe appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-20-most-influential-fintech-marketers-in-europe</link><guid>2623</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>The 20 Most Influential Fintech Marketers in Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>Mastercard Launches Online Shop Identity Technology With Microsoft</title><description><![CDATA[Mastercard on Monday announced the launch of an enhanced identity solution designed to improve the online shopping experience and tackle digital fraud in a new collaboration with Microsoft.
Now more than ever, delivering a frictionless shopping experience is critical as retailers look to shift window shopping and price comparison visits to confirmed sales. And, while consumers enjoy the convenience of shopping online, fraudsters also seek to develop new methods to use these same channels for ill-gotten gains. One of the growing types of digital fraud is first-party fraud, where a legitimate purchase is made online but later disputed. First-party fraud is estimated to be a $50 billion global issue.
Mastercard has directly addressed these needs by enhancing its Digital Transaction Insights solution with next-generation authentication and real-time decisioning intelligence capabilities. The solution pairs Mastercard’s network insights with the merchant’s own data to confirm the consumer is who they claim to be, providing financial institutions with the additional intelligence needed to optimize their authorization decisions and approve more genuine transactions. Digital Transaction Insights is used across a wide range of online checkout instances, from click-to-pay functionality and wearables to digital wallets and in-app purchases.
Ajay Bhalla
Ajay Bhalla, president, Cyber and Intelligence at Mastercard, said,

“Shopping online should be simple, quick and secure. But that isn’t always the case. We’re committed to developing advanced identity and fraud technology to help enhance the real-time intelligence we provide to financial institutions around the globe. This builds on our longstanding commitment of working across the industry to provide advanced technologies that enable trust, and help build a safe and thriving digital ecosystem for all.”

Microsoft will be the first partner to share its insights and integrate with the new Digital Transaction Insights solution across several lines of business. Building on a long history of cross-collaboration, Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 Fraud Protection’s proprietary risk assessment, which leverages adaptive AI to assist in real-time fraud detection by identifying risky behaviors across purchase, account and in-store activities, has been integrated with Mastercard’s Digital Transaction Insights to better enable real-time intelligence sharing in an easily consumable and actionable format. This will enable issuers to enhance their decision-making processes for authorizations, chargebacks and refunds. Moreover, organizations can improve transaction acceptance rates with insights that help them balance profitability and revenue opportunities against fraud loss and checkout friction.
Charles Lamanna
Charles Lamanna, corporate vice president of Business Applications and Platforms at Microsoft, said,

“We are excited to partner with Mastercard to leverage our cloud-native, cutting-edge fraud assessment tools to empower issuers and merchants to prevent more fraud and approve more genuine users. This partnership lays the foundation for the future of global fraud prevention where data silos are no longer a barrier to security.”

Digital Transaction Insights is enabled by EMV 3-D Secure and Mastercard Identity Check, a global authentication solution built on the enhanced industry standard. Both elements support GDPR requirements and other related regulations. In 2021 alone, Mastercard Identity Check delivered a 14% uplift in transaction approval rates across billions of transactions.
 
This article first appeared on fintechnews.am

The post Mastercard Launches Online Shop Identity Technology With Microsoft appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mastercard-launches-online-shop-identity-technology-with-microsoft</link><guid>2622</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/AM-1.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Mastercard Launches Online Shop Identity Technology With Microsoft</dc:text></item><item><title>Amazon Unveils Buy With Prime Feature</title><description><![CDATA[Amazon announced Buy with Prime—a new benefit for Prime members that will extend the convenience of Prime shopping to online stores beyond Amazon.com.
Buy with Prime will initially be available by invitation only for merchants using Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) and will roll out through 2022 as merchants are invited to participate, including those not selling on Amazon or using FBA.
Expanded Shopping Benefits for Prime Members
Buy with Prime will allow millions of U.S.-based Prime members to shop directly from merchants’ online stores with the trusted experience they expect from Amazon—including fast, free delivery, a seamless checkout experience, and free returns on eligible orders. Prime members will see the Prime logo and delivery promise on eligible products in merchants’ online stores, which signals the item is available for free delivery, as fast as next day, with free returns. When shopping with Buy with Prime, checkout is simple and convenient. Prime members will use the payment and shipping information stored in their Amazon account and receive timely shipping and delivery notifications after an order is placed.
Jamil Ghani
“We always aim to exceed Prime members’ expectations by offering more selection, exclusive deals, quality content, and convenient features,”
said Jamil Ghani, vice president of Amazon Prime.
“With the introduction of Buy with Prime, we’re expanding where members can enjoy trusted and convenient Prime shopping benefits beyond Amazon, adding even more value to their membership. Members will have the flexibility to shop from merchants directly, all while enjoying the fast, free delivery, seamless checkout, and easy returns they’ve come to know and love from Amazon.”
A New Way for Merchants to Grow their Online Stores
For merchants already using FBA, Buy with Prime can be added to their online store within minutes because their inventory is already stored in Amazon fulfillment centers. To get started, merchants sign up for Buy with Prime, link an Amazon Seller Central account, use Multi-Channel Fulfillment to offer one pool of inventory for multiple channels, and link an Amazon Pay account to offer a seamless checkout experience for Prime members. Then, by installing a JavaScript widget in their online store, merchants can easily add Buy with Prime to one or more products. With Buy with Prime, merchants will receive shopper order information, including email addresses for customer orders, which they can use to provide customer service and build direct relationships with shoppers.
Using Buy with Prime, merchants simply pay for what they use. Pricing is based on a service fee, a payment processing fee, and fulfillment and storage fees that are calculated per unit. With no fixed subscription fee or long-term contract required, merchants can expand selection or cancel at any time.
Buy with Prime is designed to work with most online stores, including ecommerce service providers such as BigCommerce.
 
This article first appeared on fintechnews.am

The post Amazon Unveils Buy With Prime Feature appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/amazon-unveils-buy-with-prime-feature</link><guid>2621</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/AM-1.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Amazon Unveils Buy With Prime Feature</dc:text></item><item><title>Haas F1 Team Partners TransferMate for Cross Border Payments</title><description><![CDATA[The Haas F1 Team has announced a worldwide partnership with TransferMate Global Payments – an Ireland-based B2B payments infrastructure as-a-service provider.
TransferMate will provide cross-border payments services through its global payments infrastructure.
The company&#8217;s logo will also be featured on the Haas F1 Team’s VF-22 car and the apparel of drivers Kevin Magnussen and Mick Schumacher throughout the 2022 FIA Formula 1 World Championship.
Over the past decade TransferMate has built a payments network that allows businesses and individuals to make cross-border payments easily.
Operating with multiple currencies, TransferMate said that it works faster and more securely than traditional banking methods and with complete transparency of the transaction through to the point of final reconciliation.
This delivers new levels of confidence, eliminates unnecessary financial risk, and drives significant cost-efficiency benefits.
Guenther Steiner
Guenther Steiner, Team Principal of Haas F1 Team said,
“We’re delighted to welcome TransferMate and we look forward to a productive working partnership in 2022 and beyond. It’s clear that as a brand TransferMate prides itself on the delivery of the very best product.
 
We share that ethos and ultimately, we’re both in sectors where innovation is rewarded and actions need to be executed with confidence and precision. Efficiency is key to everything we do in Formula 1 and working with TransferMate adds another deliverable to our operations.”
Sinead Fitzmaurice
Sinead Fitzmaurice, CEO of TransferMate Global Payments – a subsidiary of the CluneTech Group, commented;
“We’re delighted to become an official team partner of Haas F1 Team. The partnership brings together two like-minded organizations, each with a strong commitment to challenging norms through innovation.
 
We’re looking forward to seeing our partnership group throughout the 2022 Formula 1 season. It promises to be a very exciting year for both ourselves and the Haas team. It’s only fitting that we’re joining forces on the road ahead and setting new standards of excellence for the future.”
 

The post Haas F1 Team Partners TransferMate for Cross Border Payments appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/haas-f1-team-partners-transfermate-for-cross-border-payments</link><guid>2618</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/AM.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Haas F1 Team Partners TransferMate for Cross Border Payments</dc:text></item><item><title>F10 Reports Management Buy-in and Secures Funds From Five T Fintech</title><description><![CDATA[F10, an innovation ecosystem for fintech and insurtech with hubs in Switzerland, Singapore, and Spain, announced that it has secured a funding round as well as management buy-in by its executive leadership, to support expansion into new markets and strategic capabilities. Details of the fundraise was not specified.
This funding round is led by Five T Fintech, with participation from Synpulse, Christian Frahm, Founder and CEO United Fintech, ON-POINT, and further investors.
In addition to external investors joining, the F10 executive leadership team have also taken stakes in the company in form of a management buy-in, making F10 an independent and self-funded company.
SIX, a founding partner of F10, will hold a minority stake.
F10 said that the funds are intended to allow it to grow both into new geographies, as well as in its current hubs in Europe and Asia.
The fintech accelerator&#8217;s corporate partners will benefit directly through early access to startups selected across all global programmes.
They will also benefit from the growing global network of partners, startups, and investors, as well as increased deal flow and collaboration support.
F10 added that it will take over the team of SIX Fintech Ventures, who will continue to provide investment advice for SIX’s CHF 50 million corporate venture capital fund that invests in global startups.
On top of that, F10 will provide early-stage capital to promising firms, with the first F10 Incubation fund now in the process of being raised, and build a Global Investor Network, which is a structured Investor Relationship Management programme for venture investors of all stages to directly invest in the incubator&#8217;s startups.
Andreas Iten
Andreas Iten, CEO and Co-founder of F10 said,
“Securing this round of funding is the next step in our growth journey to drive innovation in the financial industry globally.
 
We could not be more excited about the current and new investors supporting F10 in achieving this, including expanding our reach geographically, and creating a seed-fund to invest into startups in our ecosystem to drive their growth.”
Daniel Schmucki
Daniel Schmucki, CFO of SIX and initiator of SIX Fintech Ventures added,
“SIX has supported the F10 mission right from the start.
 
We are committed to F10 in growing their international community of startups, incumbents, and investors and driving technology and digital transformation forward.”
 
The post F10 Reports Management Buy-in and Secures Funds From Five T Fintech appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/f10-reports-management-buy-in-and-secures-funds-from-five-t-fintech</link><guid>2619</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>F10 Reports Management Buy-in and Secures Funds From Five T Fintech</dc:text></item><item><title>Luzerner KB lanciert digitale Vorsorge 3a Produkt</title><description><![CDATA[Die Luzerner Kantonalbank AG (LUKB) erweitert ihre E-Banking-App und lanciert unter der Bezeichnung «fluks 3a» ihr digitales Vorsorge-3a-Angebot. Kundinnen und Kunden können neu ihre Vorsorgegelder der Säule 3a via Smartphone einfach in Wertschriften anlegen.

«fluks 3a» ist Teil der vollständig überarbeiteten E-Banking-App der LUKB und richtet sich in einer ersten Phase an die bestehende Kundschaft der LUKB. Kundinnen und Kunden können damit ganz einfach Säule-3a-Konten und eine individuelle Wertschriftensparlösung eröffnen. Alle Schritte, das heisst die Erstellung eines Anlegerprofils, die Investitionen in den gewählten Vorsorgefonds oder die Überwachung der Vermögensentwicklung, erfolgen direkt über das Smartphone. Auch Fondswechsel kann der Kunde jederzeit selbstständig vornehmen.
fluks3a
Preisliche Vorteile dank Digitalisierung
«fluks 3a» ist eine voll digitalisierte und auf Self-Service ausgerichtet Vorsorgelösung. Deshalb kann die LUKB ihren Kundinnen und Kunden diese Lösung mit einer All-in-Gebühr von 0.60%  anbieten. Aktuell stehen alle vier LUKB Expert-Vorsorgefonds (mit Aktienanteilen von 25, 45, 75 und 100%) im Angebot von «fluks 3a». Die LUKB plant, diese Vorsorgefonds noch im Jahr 2022 vollständig auf Nachhaltigkeitskriterien auszurichten.
Gemeinsame Produkteentwicklung mit der St. Galler Kantonalbank
Die LUKB hat das neue Mobile-Angebot in Kooperation mit der St. Galler Kantonalbank AG (SGKB) entwickelt. Konzipiert und technisch umgesetzt wurde die Lösung durch die beiden Schweizer Unternehmen Ergon Informatik AG und Soranus AG. Die SGKB hat ihr digitales Vorsorge 3a-Angebot bereits am 25. Oktober 2021 mit eigenen Vorsorgefonds auf den Markt gebracht.

The post Luzerner KB lanciert digitale Vorsorge 3a Produkt appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/luzerner-kb-lanciert-digitale-vorsorge-3a-produkt</link><guid>2616</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/fluks3a-1024x577.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Luzerner KB lanciert digitale Vorsorge 3a Produkt</dc:text></item><item><title>Luzerner KB lanciert digitale Vorsorge 3a App</title><description><![CDATA[Die Luzerner Kantonalbank AG (LUKB) erweitert ihre E-Banking-App und lanciert unter der Bezeichnung «fluks 3a» ihr digitales Vorsorge-3a-Angebot. Kundinnen und Kunden können neu ihre Vorsorgegelder der Säule 3a via Smartphone einfach in Wertschriften anlegen.

«fluks 3a» ist Teil der vollständig überarbeiteten E-Banking-App der LUKB und richtet sich in einer ersten Phase an die bestehende Kundschaft der LUKB. Kundinnen und Kunden können damit ganz einfach Säule-3a-Konten und eine individuelle Wertschriftensparlösung eröffnen. Alle Schritte, das heisst die Erstellung eines Anlegerprofils, die Investitionen in den gewählten Vorsorgefonds oder die Überwachung der Vermögensentwicklung, erfolgen direkt über das Smartphone. Auch Fondswechsel kann der Kunde jederzeit selbstständig vornehmen.
fluks3a
Preisliche Vorteile dank Digitalisierung
«fluks 3a» ist eine voll digitalisierte und auf Self-Service ausgerichtet Vorsorgelösung. Deshalb kann die LUKB ihren Kundinnen und Kunden diese Lösung mit einer All-in-Gebühr von 0.60%  anbieten. Aktuell stehen alle vier LUKB Expert-Vorsorgefonds (mit Aktienanteilen von 25, 45, 75 und 100%) im Angebot von «fluks 3a». Die LUKB plant, diese Vorsorgefonds noch im Jahr 2022 vollständig auf Nachhaltigkeitskriterien auszurichten.
Gemeinsame Produkteentwicklung mit der St. Galler Kantonalbank
Die LUKB hat das neue Mobile-Angebot in Kooperation mit der St. Galler Kantonalbank AG (SGKB) entwickelt. Konzipiert und technisch umgesetzt wurde die Lösung durch die beiden Schweizer Unternehmen Ergon Informatik AG und Soranus AG. Die SGKB hat ihr digitales Vorsorge 3a-Angebot bereits am 25. Oktober 2021 mit eigenen Vorsorgefonds auf den Markt gebracht.

The post Luzerner KB lanciert digitale Vorsorge 3a App appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/luzerner-kb-lanciert-digitale-vorsorge-3a-app</link><guid>2620</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/fluks3a-1024x577.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Luzerner KB lanciert digitale Vorsorge 3a App</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 10 Master’s Degrees in Fintech in Europe</title><description><![CDATA[Higher education institutions around the world are catching up to the technology disruption unfolding in the financial industry, actively introducing programs especially designed to cater to rising demand for new skills and knowledge in the field of fintech.
In Europe, many of the region’s most notable Master’s degrees in fintech are offered by prestigious UK-based universities. This is unsurprising considering that the country has one of the most advanced and largest fintech ecosystems in the world. That being said, other universities across the region have also started offering comprehensive programs that tackle critical topics and trends ranging from blockchain technology and artificial intelligence (AI), to data science, cybersecurity and regulation.
Today, we look at 10 of the most noteworthy master’s degrees in fintech in Europe, delving into how these programs and institutions are differentiating themselves from their counterparts and the opportunities each offers. For this list, we focus on programs taught exclusively in English and which are open to international applications.
MSc in Financial Technology – Imperial College London, England
Imperial College London, England, Source: Wikipedia
The MSc Financial Technology program of the Imperial College Business School in England, is a one-year full-time program providing graduates with the necessary skills and knowledge to embark on a career in fintech or in the financial services sector.
The program brings together highly relevant modules and electives to provide students with key quantitative and analytical skills, knowledge of the financial sector and provides practical experience through immersive learning.
Students will get to understand, execute and possibly develop disruptive financial innovations using appropriate tools and techniques. They will be able to demonstrate analytical skills to create, manage and interrogate large data sets applicable to the finance sector and build up a critical awareness of current issues in the fintech landscape. A range of programming tools will facilitate live implementations of financial models and allow them to analyze and evaluate investment decisions and data.
MSc in Finance, Technology and Policy – University of Edinburgh, Scotland
University of Edinburgh, Scotland, Source: University of Edinburg
The MSc in Finance, Technology and Policy program of the University of Edinburg in Scotland, runs for one academic year, starting in mid-September and ending in August. The program offers a unique degree sitting at the intersection of the three most important drivers of a modern economy:

Financial services/markets;
Technology; and
Policy.

Courses are designed to provide students with a detailed analysis of modern financial markets and the transformation of the financial services industry against the backdrop of technological and policy innovations.
The program applies principles of financial economics, sociology/philosophy, and practical programming/machine learning and big data analysis to help student focus on solving real problems and developing the skillsets that are relevant for employers now and in the future.
Students will also have the opportunity to tailor their degree to include other relevant aspects of operating within the financial technology space, and will get to work with industry partners to develop cutting-edge solutions to live challenges as part of student consultancy projects sponsored by financial institutions.
MSc in Financial Technology – University College London, England
University College London, England, Source: University College London
The MSc Financial Technology program of the University College London (UCL) in England focuses on developing technology literate financial services professionals. The program emphasizes the systematic understanding of new digital business models in financial services, how innovation through technology is changing business practices, quantitative finance skills and the application of emerging technologies to financial services.
Created by the UCL Centre for Blockchain Technologies, the program is designed to help students gain a critical awareness of current issues and the development of financial systems and markets. Students will get to develop strong quantitative finance, financial technology and business and strategy skills related to the financial services industry.
At the end of this program, students will be able to perform analytical tasks basic to the financial services industry (focused on quantitative finance), including the analysis and interpretation of data and big data. They will also be able to use strategic thinking on how emerging technologies are changing the financial services landscape, and deploy machine learning tools and design blockchain technology solutions.
MSc in Financial Technology – University of Birmingham, England
University of Birmingham, Source: University of Birmingham
The MSc in Financial Technology program of the University of Birmingham in England has been created for talented graduates and professionals with experience in financial services, treasury management, science and technology. The course is especially relevant to:

Top-performing graduates in finance, economics, science and engineering;
Those currently employed in finance and FinTech who wish to develop their expertise; and
Those with a related academic background who wish to develop their skills in this sector.

Students will be working in small teaching groups, allowing them to work closely with industry experts, staff and fellow students. They will also work on real time industry projects which combine theory with intensive practice and industrial engagement. Example projects include: setting up of crowd funding platforms, application of blockchain services in reducing currency frauds, developing algorithmic-trading applications and development of financial services applications.
MSc in Financial Technology with Data Science – University of Bristol, England
Wills Memorial Library, University of Bristol, Source: University of Bristol
From crowdfunding to cryptocurrencies, and from automated trading to Alipay, recent innovations in financial technologies have revolutionized the way we spend, save, borrow, and invest.
The new MSc in Financial Technology with Data Science program by the University of Bristol in England offers an opportunity to join the financial technology revolution. Students will learn the key design features of a number of financial technology applications and will develop skills to implement, assess and engineer these technologies. Students will also develop an understanding of the computational, statistical and machine learning principles necessary for insightful large-scale data analysis used in data-driven finance.
Hosted by a world-leading engineering faculty, this is a technology-focused MSc and not a finance or accounting program that is traditionally provided by a business school.
MSc in Fintech and Financial Markets – University of Nottingham, England
University of Nottingham, Source: Wikipedia
The MSc in Fintech and Financial Markets program by the University of Nottingham in England is designed to provide students with an understanding of contemporary issues and conceptual frameworks used to adopt financial technology in organizations. Students will build a solid foundation of global financial markets, principles of fintech and blockchain as well as coding and data analytics for finance and fintech.
This course will enable students to become a finance professional who understands what is driving the fintech evolution, with the ability to shape financial markets and transform ideas to create new fintech products. The course will equip them with coding and data analytics skills to understand fintech products and their place in financial markets.
They will be applying knowledge, tools and techniques to resolve issues in new and diverse situations within the finance disciplines, evaluate the rigor and validity of published research, and assess its relevance to the practice of finance.
In their third semester, students will complete a hands-on consultancy project, giving them an opportunity to use the theories and knowledge they’ve gained to produce a meaningful piece of work.
MSc Fintech – Dublin Business School, Ireland
Dublin Business School, Source: Dublin Business School
The MSc Fintech program by the Dublin Business School in Ireland is a new interdisciplinary program that focuses on finance, data analytics and computing. It is designed to appeal to graduates seeking to gain exposure to fintech.
The program focuses on practical skills in core areas such as financial analytics, advanced databases, disruptive technologies, web technologies and security while also offering applied skills in contemporary topics such as data analytics, and financial applications.
The specific program aims are:

To enable learners to develop in-depth knowledge and analytical skills in current and developing financial technologies;
To provide learners with a deep and systematic knowledge of the management of Financial Technology in organizational and regulatory contexts;
To facilitate the development by the learner of applied skills that are directly complementary and relevant to the workplace;
To identify and develop autonomous learning skills for the learner;
To develop in the learner a deep and systematic understanding of current issues of research and analysis;
To enable the learner to identify, develop and apply detailed analytical, creative, problem solving and research skills; and
Provide the learner with a comprehensive platform for career development, innovation and further study.

Master in Finance and Fintech – Bologna Business School, Italy
Bologna Business School, Source: Bologna Business School
The Master in Finance and Fintech by the Bologna Business School in Italy aims to enable young professionals to deal with the digital transformation that is disruptively changing the financial market, by combining traditional financial skills with deep understanding of new digital technologies.
The program is designed for graduate students with excellent knowledge of English, interested in fintech as they will learn along with the traditional finance skills, new competencies in new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics, blockchain, with the prospect of professional growth in managerial functions connecting technical specialists and finance departments.
Courses include banking and regulation, behavioral finance, data mining, digital economics, entrepreneurial finance, financial markets and instruments, fundamentals of cybersecurity, risk management and derivatives, trends in the fintech industry, insurance management, customer and marketing analytics, and digital transformation.
The program, which is entirely in English, includes two classroom-based terms and concludes with a final internship of 500 hours. Students can also follow this master program online.
International Master In Fintech, Finance and Digital Innovation – MIP Politecnico di Milano School of Management, Italy
MIP Politecnico di Milano School of Management, Source: MIP Politecnico di Milano School of Management
The International Master in Fintech, Finance and Digital Innovation by the MIP Politecnico di Milano School of Management in Italy is designed to provide students with all the skills and competencies to face the fintech revolution.
The program builds on close collaborations with the financial world to combine theoretical competencies on methods and technologies with the expertise of the financial world and fintech applications and opportunities.
It targets young graduates or candidates with maximum three years of work experience, who want to specialize in the fintech area by deepening their knowledge of digital technologies and their application in the financial world, e.g. banks, insurance companies, asset management.
The aim is to train professionals who are able to understand and manage the digital transformation building on different skills and capabilities: knowledge of the financial system and of financial intermediation, information technology skills as well as quantitative methods applied to finance.
The master is entirely taught in English. Partners of the program include Accenture, Deloitte and IBM.
Master of Science in Financial Technology and Computing – USI Università della Svizzera italiana, Switzerland
USI Università della Svizzera italiana, Source: Wikipedia
The Master of Science in Financial Technology and Computing is offered jointly by the Faculty of Informatics and by the Faculty of Economics of the Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) situated in Lugano, Switzerland.
This unique cross-discipline program combines USI’s world-leading expertise in finance and informatics and offers career prospects that range from fintech startups to banks and insurers to hedge funds.
The program has been designed to provide graduates with an informatics background with the necessary tools and skills for understanding fundamental problems in finance while, at the same time, learning about advanced tools and techniques in informatics to be applied in finance. Courses include blockchain and digital currencies, data analytics for finance, alternative investments, financial modelling, and launching fintech ventures.
This is full-time study program that spreads over four semesters (usual duration two years) and which is entirely offered in English. After the successful completion of the program, students are awarded a Master of Science in Informatics and Economics, Major in Financial Technology and Computing.
The post Top 10 Master’s Degrees in Fintech in Europe appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-10-masters-degrees-in-fintech-in-europe</link><guid>2617</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/MSc-in-Financial-Technology-–-Imperial-College-London-England.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 10 Master’s Degrees in Fintech in Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>Damit verdienen Schweizer Treuhandunternehmen in Zukunft ihr Geld</title><description><![CDATA[Der Umsatz von Schweizer Treuhandunternehmen hängt aktuell noch immer stark von Routinetätigkeiten ab, was aus einer aktuellen Studie von Accounto und Treuhand Suisse hervorgeht. Durch die fortschreitende Automatisierung stösst aber das gegenwärtige Geschäftsmodell an seine Grenzen. Ein Fakt, den die Branche akzeptiert und neue Wege sucht.
Der Verband TREUHAND|SUISSE und der Treuhand-Softwarehersteller Accounto haben eine gemeinsame Studie zum Thema «Treuhand 2030» durchgeführt. Auf den ersten Blick fallen die Ergebnisse besorgniserregend aus. «57% der Treuhandunternehmen verdienen heute ihr Geld noch mit Routinearbeiten, die sich in den nächsten Jahren vollständig automatisieren lassen», wie es in der Studie steht.
Einnahmequellen 2021 im Vergleich zu 2030
Laut der Umfrage sind sich die Treuhandunternehmen der Problematik bewusst. In Zukunft beabsichtigen die Betriebe, ihre Einnahmen vermehrt mit hochwertigen Beratungsleistungen zu generieren. Bis ins Jahr 2030 sollen die Umsätze aus der Beratungstätigkeit um 30 % steigen. Im gleichen Umfang nehmen die Einnahmen aus der Buchführung ab. Unter den Beratungsleistungen wittern die Treuhandunternehmen das grösste Verkaufspotenzial bei den CFO-Leistungen.
Treuhänder:innen wollen auch zukünftig die erste Ansprechperson bleiben, wenn es um finanzielle betriebswirtschaftliche Anliegen von Kleinunternehmen (bis 10 Mitarbeitende) geht. Die Zusammenarbeit dürfte aber wesentlich digitaler und dennoch näher ausfallen. 85% der Treuhandunternehmen rechnen damit, dass die Kleinbetriebe im Jahr 2030 eine digitale Zusammenarbeit und zusätzliche Unterstützung im Alltag wünschen.
Ohne automatisierte Prozesse geht nichts mehr
Um in der angestrebten Beratungsfunktion zu reüssieren und sich von der Buchführung als Haupteinnahmequelle zu lösen, ist die Automatisierung von Prozessen unabdingbar. Dem stimmen viele Treuhandunternehmen zu. Doch erst 44% der Umfrageteilnehmenden haben effektiv begonnen, die internen Prozesse zu automatisieren. Über 13% hat sich dazu noch gar keine Gedanken gemacht.
Nebst der Automatisierung stufen die Treuhandunternehmen generell eine moderne IT-Infrastruktur als wesentlichen Erfolgsfaktor für die Zukunft ein. Der Trend hat auch Auswirkungen auf das gesuchte Mitarbeiterprofil. Gefragt sind vor allem Mitarbeitende mit profunden Kenntnissen im IT-Bereich.
Schlüsselressourcen der Zukunft
Kundenbindung und Pricing bleiben unverändert
Keine zusätzlichen Ressourcen möchten die Treuhandunternehmen in die Kundenbindung investieren.
«Loyalitätsprogramme oder andere Investitionen ins Kundenerlebnis erachten nur rund 40% als notwendig, um zukünftig den Kundenstamm zu bewirtschaften»,
wie in der Studie festgehalten.
Auch am Pricing planen Treuhandunternehmen keine Veränderungen vorzunehmen. Über 79% rechnet auch im Jahr 2030 nach Stunden ab. Von Abo-Preisen, Dynamic Pricing und weiteren Ansätzen hält man nicht viel.
Wohin die Reise der Treuhandunternehmen bis ins Jahr 2030 scheint, klar zu sein. Beratung heisst die Destination. Wie die Betriebe in den nächsten Jahren an dieses Ziel gelangen, bleibt eine spannende und sogleich unbeantwortete Frage. Zweifellos dürfte die Kombination aus Automatisierung, moderner IT-Infrastruktur und qualifizierten Mitarbeitenden eine zentrale Rolle spielen.
Hintergrund: Ziel der Studie war es, die Einschätzungen der Treuhandunternehmungen rund um die Zukunft der Branche zu untersuchen. Insgesamt haben sich 136 Treuhandunter-nehmen aus der Deutschschweiz und der Romandie an der Umfrage beteiligt.
 
The post Damit verdienen Schweizer Treuhandunternehmen in Zukunft ihr Geld appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/damit-verdienen-schweizer-treuhandunternehmen-in-zukunft-ihr-geld</link><guid>2613</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/4.-Abb_Einnahmequellen-2021-im-Vergleich-zu-2030-1024x687.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Damit verdienen Schweizer Treuhandunternehmen in Zukunft ihr Geld</dc:text></item><item><title>A Comparison of Swiss Robo-Advisory Services</title><description><![CDATA[Digital wealth managers, also referred to as robo-advisors, are an emerging trend in Switzerland, with now more than a dozen of homegrown options for customers to choose from. Despite slight differences between one another, these providers all promise the same benefits: easy access through digital platforms, and lower costs than traditional wealth managers.
Moneyland.ch, a Swiss online comparison platform, has recently released a comprehensive overview of Swiss robo-advisory services, delving into the different options available and how they compare to one another.

According to the analysis, Switzerland is now home to 13 Swiss native robo-advisors provided by both traditional financial institutions (e.g. Clevercircles by Bank CIC, Digifolio by Basellandschaftliche Kantonalbank (BLKB), and Raiffeisen Rio by the Swiss banking group) and digital-first challengers (e.g. Descartes Finance, Findependent, and Inyova Impact Investing).
These solutions provide somewhat the same services, focusing primarily on passive investment products like exchange traded funds (ETFs). Portfolios are constructed based on a customer’s risk tolerance and investment horizon which are assessed after the investor completes a questionnaire. Portfolios are typically rebalanced whenever the financial market or a customer’s life or goals change.
One of the advantages of robo-advisors relates to the passive role of the investor, who may not want or cannot afford ongoing personal monitoring of their portfolio development. These automated investment services also allow for attractive returns with low starting capital, low fees and without specific investment know-how, which is in contrast to classic investments offered by traditional banks.
Depending on the amount invested and the client’s profile, Moneyland.ch estimates that the cost of using a Swiss robo-advisor can be up to ten times lower than that of the most expensive private banking service.
Looking more deeply into the fees charged by Swiss robo-advisors, the analysis found that all charge a flat fee that’s equal to a percentage of managed assets. This fee generally covers brokerage fees, transaction fees and custodial fees, and varies from one provider to another.
With a flat fee of 0.44% per year, Findependent was found to be the cheapest option. Findependent is followed by Descartes Finance, SimpleWealth and True Wealth which charge a flat fee starting at 0.5%. This fee decreases as the investment amount increases.
Flat fees charged by Inyova Impact Investing, Clevercircles, Raiffeisen Rio, and Selma Finance run in the 0.6%-0.68% range, while Digifolio, PostFinance E-Wealth Management, SaxoSelect and Swissquote each charges 0.75% per year.
Volt by Vontobel was found to be the most expensive Swiss robo-advisor, charging a flat rate of 0.96% per year for an investment of up to CHF 100,000. The rate decreases to 0.8% per year for investment starting from CHF 500,000.
On top of the yearly wealth management fee, product issuer fees also apply. These typically range between 0.14% and 0.3% per annum, but can go as high as 0.6% for some products. Robo-advisors may also charge stamp duties, foreign currency charges, stock exchange levies, product fees, tax directory fees and value-added tax (VAT).
Selma Finance and Inyova, a robo-advisor that focuses uniquely on impact investing, were found to have one of the lowest investment minimum investments at CHF 2,000, though the lowest min. investment on the market currently has Findependent with as little as CHF 500.
The Swiss robo-advisory market in 2022
With more than CHF 600 million in assets under management (AUM), True Wealth is the largest robo-advisor in Switzerland, followed by the Swissquote Robo-Advisor, with CHF 511 million, according to the analysis.
Swiss financial firm VZ Vermögenszentrum operates a digital wealth management offering that currently manages more than CHF 2 billion in AUM. The solution was not included in the analysis because it is not considered as a robo-advisor per se.
AUM in the robo-advisory segment in Switzerland are projected to reach US$5.85 billion this year, according to Statista, which, when compared to the CHF 2.79 trillion domestically managed by the Swiss asset management industry in 2020, is rather negligible.
Further showcasing Switzerland’s relatively small robo-advisory sector, is the low penetration rate of these services. A 2021 survey conducted by Swiss banking technology provider Avaloq, which polled 1,430 investors across 10 countries in Europe and Asia, found that, compared to other markets, including Germany, France and the UK, Switzerland was a slow adopter of robo-advisors, with just 8% of Swiss respondents indicating investing via robo-advisory platforms, against 17% in Germany, 10% in France, and 14% in the UK.
Despite the slow uptake, Statista estimates that AUM in the Swiss robo-advisory sector will show an annual growth rate of 31.13% between 2022 and 2026, and reach US$17.32 billion.
The post A Comparison of Swiss Robo-Advisory Services appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/a-comparison-of-swiss-robo-advisory-services</link><guid>2612</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Robo-Advisors-Schweiz.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>A Comparison of Swiss Robo-Advisory Services</dc:text></item><item><title>Financial Innovations From the Polish Perspective – The Business Landscape of Polish Fintechs</title><description><![CDATA[Until about a dozen years ago, the financial world was centered around banks. Today, fintechs play an important role in the financial market, not only providing services to customers but also developing technologies that are used by financial institutions.
What exactly is fintech? Which Polish companies have established themselves in this industry?
What does the Polish fintech industry look like?
Poland is a country that is a local leader in fintech solutions. The most fintechs in Central and Eastern Europe operate by the Vistula River, and among them there are entities that have achieved international success. What does the fintech sector look like in Poland? First of all, it is worth being aware that it is currently formed by more than 300 entities, as confirmed by the Map of Polish Fintech report.
Most of them were built in the last 3-5 years, which is evidence that the industry is growing rapidly. What characterizes it? First of all, diversity, which results from the fact that Polish fintechs are both start-ups and companies that have grown to a large size and have an established position in the market. The solutions offered by fintech companies are also diverse, as these are not only services for individuals or companies, but also technologies provided to banks or financial institutions.
Polish Fintech Map 2021
Overview of the Polish fintech industry
Certainly not everyone is aware of the fact that some of the solutions offered by Polish fintechs are so popular that we use them without being aware of it. Examples include online payments offered by PayU, or Blue Media. In both cases, they are giants of the Polish payment market, who also offer their solutions abroad. Another example would be BLIK, or mobile payments using a smartphone. In this case, popularization was certainly influenced by the pandemic, which forced social distance. What other popular services do Polish fintechs offer? First of all, payment for freeways and parking meters (SkyCash), online currency exchange (Walutomat, Amronet, Cinkciarz) or online loans (Bancovo).
Fintechs are also popular online comparison sites led by Rankomat or Comperia. In this case, these are solutions that allow customers to compare insurance, financial products, or GSM operators&#8217; offers and choose the best offer. The companies act as an intermediary between the customer and the institution that pays them a commission for the sale. Interesting fintech solutions also include crowdfunding, which takes place on platforms such as zarzuela.pl or wspieram.to, which allow you to collect money for a specific purpose.
Crowdfunding can also take another form, namely allowing you to sell shares in your company, which is possible through the Beesfund platform. It is the largest crowdfunding platform in Poland and one of the largest in Central and Eastern Europe, which may be proof that Polish fintech counts in the region. Among fintech solutions for entrepreneurs, it is also worth mentioning online factoring, which is provided by SMEO, Finiata, or InviPay. In this case, we can also talk about the growing popularity of such services, which positively affects the liquidity of enterprises.
X Open Hub &#8211; a specialized fintech providing technology
As already mentioned, Polish fintech is not limited to services that can be used by individuals or companies but is also a technology provider. One example is X Open Hub, a company that specializes in providing world-class trading technology to banks, brokers, and start-ups. X Open Hub provides multi-asset liquidity and provides state-of-the-art trading technology while maintaining a fully open environment. The brand is a trading name of XTB Limited, an entity authorized and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 522157). X Open Hub is a fintech that has achieved international success, as evidenced by the fact that it now works with more than 100 companies in 30 countries around the world. It is headquartered in London and has a tech hub in Warsaw where innovations are created.
In conclusion, we can certainly say that Polish fintech will play an increasingly important role both on the Polish and international financial market. It is good to see that Poland is the leader in financial innovation in Central and Eastern Europe.
The post Financial Innovations From the Polish Perspective &#8211; The Business Landscape of Polish Fintechs appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/financial-innovations-from-the-polish-perspective-the-business-landscape-of-polish-fintechs</link><guid>2614</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/MAP-OF-POLISH-FINTECHS.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Financial Innovations From the Polish Perspective – The Business Landscape of Polish Fintechs</dc:text></item><item><title>Here Are Swiss Startup Competition Venture’s Fintech Finalists for 2022</title><description><![CDATA[Switzerland’s startup competition &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; has announced its list of 52 finalists for its 2022 competition.
The competition has finalists from five different verticals namely Finance and Insurance, Health and Nutrition, ICT, Retail and Consumer Services as well as Industrials and Engineering.
Their scores and evaluations revealed the top 10 startups (or 11 since there was a tie) across the 5 industry verticals.
These finalists, listed below in alphabetical order, will now move on to the next phase of the competition.
Here are the fintech finalists at &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt;:
Aktionariat

Today less than 1% of Swiss companies are listed on a stock exchange. For these companies access to capital is limited to PE&amp;VC investments. Aktionariat offers a toolset that allows unlisted companies to create a market for their shares directly on the company&#8217;s website, enabling the public to purchase shares of previously inaccessible, unlisted companies. The solution also provides a liquid secondary market, which minimises spreads and addresses investors&#8217; idiosyncratic risks.
Clanq

A mobile finance app, empowering parents to save for their children&#8217;s future. For a better performance Clanq combines savings accounts with cashback on every purchase and sustainable investments. In addition, each family member can easily contribute to reach the savings goals. The app offers automated savings processes and financial education for parents to become a financial role model for their children.
Correntics

With its data-driven approach and a deep understanding of risk, Correntics helps its clients to future-proof their supply chains and improve their financial resilience in the face of climate change and emerging risks.
iAccess Partners

By aggregating smaller investment amounts in bigger investment tickets, iAccess Partners AG gives access to top quartile Private Equity funds. Hence, customers can benefit from an outperforming asset class, have access to Private Equity with an investment amount starting from 25’000 Swiss Francs and benefit from a reliable and fully digital end-to-end investment process.
Kaspar&amp;

700’000 Swiss mass affluent market customers have one and the same problem in today’s low-interest rate world: they know they should invest for tomorrow, but do not know how to start today. Kaspar&amp; offers an all-in-one app including a Swiss bank account, a personalised payment card, an automatic transaction-based round-up mechanism that invests the resulting micro-payments and the chance to invest any amount in professionally managed investment strategies.
Kontera

Kontera reads and analyses your invoices and credit card statements, learns how you book them and syncs them back into your accounting software.
perseedU

perseedU is a Swiss web3 platform that empowers talents to launch their own branded crypto tokens to fund their ambitions. Half of the purchase will be directly donated to the talent, the other half will be converted into a tradable token. Holding these tokens grants sponsors access to predefined perks (e.g. newsletter or virtual coffee chats) and pays interests. If the talent succeeds, sponsors profit from a higher resell value. Corporates can use it for PR and as an employer branding tool.
Splint Invest

Splint Invest is a B2B2C platform, where retail investors can buy tokens of alternative investments. Combining smart contracts, DLT and AI, Splint tokenises assets effortlessly and in a fully automated fashion, thus making it possible to offer access to unserved retail customers when it comes to portfolio diversification and alternative investments.

Swise



Private markets asset classes are scattered and restricted by gatekeepers, making them difficult to navigate and pushing up expenses. This causes the paradox of choice, where investors struggle to find their ideal products, while simultaneously being excluded from attractive investment opportunities. By combining technological advances in blockchain and the team&#8217;s investment experience, Swise aims to solve these problems for the next generations.
VERITIC

The current NFT user experience is not yet ripe for the mainstream. Custody will be a key driver of adoption, as was the case for cryptocurrencies. VERITIC aims to be no. 1 in the NFT custody space. Clients include both blockchains, for which no custody capability exist (e.g., Casper, our first paying client), as well as institutions aiming to provide a custodial purchasing experience to their fans / collectors.

The post Here Are Swiss Startup Competition Venture’s Fintech Finalists for 2022 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/here-are-swiss-startup-competition-ventures-fintech-finalists-for-2022</link><guid>2610</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Here Are Swiss Startup Competition Venture’s Fintech Finalists for 2022</dc:text></item><item><title>Meet the 10 Fintech Finalists at the Swiss Startup Competition Venture</title><description><![CDATA[Switzerland’s startup competition &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; has announced its list of 52 finalists for its 2022 competition.
The competition has finalists from five different verticals namely Finance and Insurance, Health and Nutrition, ICT, Retail and Consumer Services as well as Industrials and Engineering.
Their scores and evaluations revealed the top 10 startups (or 11 since there was a tie) across the 5 industry verticals.
These finalists, listed below in alphabetical order, will now move on to the next phase of the competition.
Here are the fintech finalists at &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt;:
Aktionariat

Today less than 1% of Swiss companies are listed on a stock exchange. For these companies access to capital is limited to PE&amp;VC investments. Aktionariat offers a toolset that allows unlisted companies to create a market for their shares directly on the company&#8217;s website, enabling the public to purchase shares of previously inaccessible, unlisted companies. The solution also provides a liquid secondary market, which minimises spreads and addresses investors&#8217; idiosyncratic risks.
Clanq

A mobile finance app, empowering parents to save for their children&#8217;s future. For a better performance Clanq combines savings accounts with cashback on every purchase and sustainable investments. In addition, each family member can easily contribute to reach the savings goals. The app offers automated savings processes and financial education for parents to become a financial role model for their children.
Correntics

With its data-driven approach and a deep understanding of risk, Correntics helps its clients to future-proof their supply chains and improve their financial resilience in the face of climate change and emerging risks.
iAccess Partners

By aggregating smaller investment amounts in bigger investment tickets, iAccess Partners AG gives access to top quartile Private Equity funds. Hence, customers can benefit from an outperforming asset class, have access to Private Equity with an investment amount starting from 25’000 Swiss Francs and benefit from a reliable and fully digital end-to-end investment process.
Kaspar&amp;

700’000 Swiss mass affluent market customers have one and the same problem in today’s low-interest rate world: they know they should invest for tomorrow, but do not know how to start today. Kaspar&amp; offers an all-in-one app including a Swiss bank account, a personalised payment card, an automatic transaction-based round-up mechanism that invests the resulting micro-payments and the chance to invest any amount in professionally managed investment strategies.
Kontera

Kontera reads and analyses your invoices and credit card statements, learns how you book them and syncs them back into your accounting software.
perseedU

perseedU is a Swiss web3 platform that empowers talents to launch their own branded crypto tokens to fund their ambitions. Half of the purchase will be directly donated to the talent, the other half will be converted into a tradable token. Holding these tokens grants sponsors access to predefined perks (e.g. newsletter or virtual coffee chats) and pays interests. If the talent succeeds, sponsors profit from a higher resell value. Corporates can use it for PR and as an employer branding tool.
Splint Invest

Splint Invest is a B2B2C platform, where retail investors can buy tokens of alternative investments. Combining smart contracts, DLT and AI, Splint tokenises assets effortlessly and in a fully automated fashion, thus making it possible to offer access to unserved retail customers when it comes to portfolio diversification and alternative investments.

Swise



Private markets asset classes are scattered and restricted by gatekeepers, making them difficult to navigate and pushing up expenses. This causes the paradox of choice, where investors struggle to find their ideal products, while simultaneously being excluded from attractive investment opportunities. By combining technological advances in blockchain and the team&#8217;s investment experience, Swise aims to solve these problems for the next generations.
VERITIC

The current NFT user experience is not yet ripe for the mainstream. Custody will be a key driver of adoption, as was the case for cryptocurrencies. VERITIC aims to be no. 1 in the NFT custody space. Clients include both blockchains, for which no custody capability exist (e.g., Casper, our first paying client), as well as institutions aiming to provide a custodial purchasing experience to their fans / collectors.

The post Meet the 10 Fintech Finalists at the Swiss Startup Competition Venture appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/meet-the-10-fintech-finalists-at-the-swiss-startup-competition-venture</link><guid>2611</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Meet the 10 Fintech Finalists at the Swiss Startup Competition Venture</dc:text></item><item><title>The Winners of the MONEY Award Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[Last month the &#8220;MONEY &#8211; The Swiss Finance Summit&#8221; was held for the first time.
As a &#8220;new player in town&#8221;, the organisers managed to get off to a flying start in this competitive field: Over the two days of the conference, the top-class visitors met the most important players in the financial sector.
The content platform at the heart of the summit focused entirely on the theme of the summit, &#8220;Innovations in the financial industry&#8221;, with exciting panels on fintech, market trends with Jens Korte, sustainability, ESG and cryptocurrencies.
The new innovative concept has worked. The path from a trade fair to knowledge exchange with a content platform, theme lounges and an open forum for all participants.

Premiere at MONEY &#8211; The Swiss Finance Summit 2022
As the highlight of the Summit, MONEY 2022 presented the MONEY AWARDS 2022 at an evening event hosted by Swiss presenter Christa Rigozzi. For the first time in the history of the Swiss finance industry, individuals rather than companies were honoured. The awards in four categories were presented to individuals recognised for above-average services to the financial industry:
MONEY Award for outstanding performance in the field of ESG sustainability. The award for ESG sustainability went to Sabine Döbeli. She has been working for over 20 in various functions in the field of sustainable finance for over 20 years. As CEO of Swiss Sustainable Finance, Döbeli works towards strengthening Switzerland as a leading centre for sustainable finance. She was previously head of sustainability at Vontobel, built up a sustainability research team at the Zürcher Kantonalbank and was involved in the launch of various sustainable investment products.
MONEY Award for politicians who are most committed to the financial industry
The award for politicians who have done the most for the financial centre went to Hans-Peter Portmann, a member of the Zurich National Council. He is a director at LGT Bank in Zurich in the private banking division &#8220;Market Switzerland&#8221;. Portmann sits for the FDP in the National Council and is a member of the Foreign Policy Committee and the federal parliamentary delegation on the EU/EFTA. He is also a member of the FDP&#8217;s &#8220;Swiss Financial Centre&#8221; strategy group. The politician is also committed to the banking centre as Vice President of the Zurich Banking Association.

MONEY Award for Outstanding Achievement in Financial Education
In this important category for outstanding achievement in financial education, there were two winners, Dr. Anina Cristina Hille and Prof. Dr. Manfred Stüttgen. They were chosen because of their joint education and research on sustainable investments.
Hille and Stüttgen teach and conduct research at the Institute of Financial Services Zug IFZ at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts. Dr. Anina Christina Hille works on sustainability &#8211; especially social sustainability as well as diversity &#8211; and explores the question of how financial service providers can inspire customer groups with high growth potential, including Generation Z or women, for finance. Hille has already been named Top 100 by the magazine &#8220;Women in Business&#8221;, is Functional Governance Partner for Diversity &amp; Inclusion of the International Board Foundation and a member of the academic research committee of the Gender Lens Initiative Switzerland. Prof. Dr. Manfred Stüttgen is Professor at the HSLU and Board Member of YNVESTOR.
MONEY Award for outstanding achievements in the digitalisation of the financial industry The award for outstanding achievements in digitalisation went to Marc Bürki. In 1996, he founded the financial platform Swissquote, Switzerland&#8217;s first fintech. For the first time, private investors could access the real-time prices of all securities traded on the Swiss stock exchange free of charge. In 2000, Swissquote Group Holding was founded and listed on the Swiss stock exchange. Since then, Marc Bürki has been its CEO and has been driving digitalisation forward, using innovation and technology to challenge and rethink conventional conventions.
The &#8220;MONEY &#8211; The Swiss Finance Summit&#8221; can therefore look back on a successful and very well-attended first staging and is already looking forward to next year&#8217;s continuation on 8/9 February 2023.
 
The post The Winners of the MONEY Award Switzerland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-winners-of-the-money-award-switzerland</link><guid>2609</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/MONEY-2022--1024x684.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>The Winners of the MONEY Award Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Switzerlands’s Compensation Platform Beqom Announces Record Funding of $300 Million</title><description><![CDATA[beqoom, a Nyon, Switzerland based cloud-compensation management software, announced a $300 million strategic investment from Sumeru Equity Partners.
beqom’s platform is used to streamline compensation management processes for Global 5000 customers, supporting mission-critical rewards processes that impact every employee in an organization. Managing over $300 billion in compensation, beqom’s total compensation solution provides companies of any size and industry, including Mercedes Benz, PepsiCo, Pictet, and DHL, with the flexibility needed to execute their reward strategies to make the most of their human capital.
Building upon beqom’s significant momentum of 100% year-over-year bookings growth in 2021, Sumeru’s investment will fuel additional growth in product innovation to better support Compensation and HCM leaders worldwide.
Given the competitive labor market, changing compensation structures, and strategic corporate initiatives including DEI and pay equity, every company must reconsider its rewards strategy. beqom&#8217;s compensation solution integrates with core HCM systems to enable competitive, fair, inclusive, and effective compensation strategies. Unlike other compensation management software providers, the beqom solution manages both broad-based HCM compensation and transactional sales incentives such as commissions on a single next-generation SaaS platform, giving customers a complete picture of total compensation.
Fabio Ronga
“Compensation and rewards are at the heart of an organization’s employee experience—since 2009, we have developed software that helps our customers build exceptional workforces that are engaged and inclusive,”
says Fabio Ronga, beqom CEO and co-founder.
“We are thrilled to partner together with Sumeru to build a global standard for total compensation management. We feel strongly that Sumeru is the right fit as an investor, bringing not only capital but proven expertise and a perfect match in company cultures.”
Sumeru’s majority investment was led by John Brennan, Mark Haller, and Jialin Zhang.
Mark Haller
“As workforces continue to become more global and the war for talent intensifies, best-in-class organizations are building innovative, equitable, and transparent compensation models, driving strong tailwinds for beqom,”
said Mark Haller, Managing Director at Sumeru.
“We couldn’t be more excited to collaborate with the entire beqom team on the opportunities ahead to accelerate innovation and scale its customer base globally as the category-defining company in total compensation management software.”
beqom was advised by Houlihan Lokey and Sumeru was advised by Shea &amp; Company. The closing of the investment is expected in Q2 subject to customary closing conditions.
 
The post Switzerlands&#8217;s Compensation Platform Beqom Announces Record Funding of $300 Million appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/switzerlandss-compensation-platform-beqom-announces-record-funding-of-300-million</link><guid>2608</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Switzerlands’s Compensation Platform Beqom Announces Record Funding of $300 Million</dc:text></item><item><title>Social Media Financial Scams Balloon</title><description><![CDATA[Around the world, fraudsters are turning to social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to reach billions of potential victims. As losses continue to pile up, regulators are voicing their concerns, with one going as far as suing a social media giant for not taking sufficient steps to tackle the rampant issue.
Just last month, Australia’s Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) instituted Federal Court proceedings against Facebook owner Meta Platforms for allegedly misleading users by publishing scam advertisements featuring local celebrities.
The ads promoted cryptocurrency investments and linked to fake media articles in which public figures endorsed the schemes. The watchdog said Meta Platforms “engaged in false, misleading or deceptive conduct.” The firm was allegedly aware of the fraudulent ads being placed on Facebook but did not take sufficient steps to have them removed.
In some instances, the ads remained online even after the public figures reported that their name and image were being featured in celebrity endorsement cryptocurrency scam ads.
Meta Platforms’ technology enables ads to be targeted at users most likely to engage with the ads, the ACCC said, adding that data suggest that social media is far more profitable to scammers than any other method. One individual lost more than A$650,000 (US$480,000), according to the media release.
In the UK, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) warned Meta Platforms and Twitter just last week that more needs to be done to take on fraudsters as investment scams continue to rise.
Currently, investments companies are allowed to post ads on Facebook and Twitter regardless of whether or not they are regulated by the FCA. This has led to a surge in the number of scams and fraud attempts seeking to lure users into putting their money into fake investment schemes.
“Following our public intervention, Google changed policy to only permit FCA-registered firms to advertise financial promotions with them,” Nikhil Rathi, head of the FCA, wrote in The Telegraph. “We now expect commitments from Meta, Twitter and others to be turned into clear timetables for action.”
Social media companies are coming under fire as scammers and fraudsters flock into these platforms to gain access to a large pool of potential victims. This surge is attributed in part to the COVID-19 pandemic which has led to more criminal activity online.
In 2021, more than 95,000 people in the US reported about US$770 million in losses to fraud initiated on social media platforms, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Those losses accounted for about 25% of all reported losses to fraud in 2021 and represented a stunning 18-fold increase over 2017 reported losses.
Reports about fraud originating on social media, Source: Federal Trade Commission, January 2022
In a January 2022 statement, the agency highlighted the surge in crypto investment scams taking place over social media platforms. According to the FTC, 54% of people who reported losses to investment scams in 2021 said the scam started on social media with the top platforms identified being Instagram (36%), Facebook (28%), WhatsApp (9%), and Telegram (7%).
In the UK, an estimated 86% of fraud is committed online, according to the Home Office. Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting center for fraud and cybercrime, said it received 9,458 reports referring to crypto in 2021, an increase of 64% from 5,758 in 2020. Total losses reached GBP 204.5 million (US$266 million) in 2021.
According to blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis, crypto-based crime hit a new all-time high in 2021, netting scammers a record of US$14 billion. This represents a 79% year-on-year (YoY) increase. Of the US$14 billion pocketed by criminals in 2021, US$7.8 billion came from scams. The sum represents a 82% YoY increase.
Total cryptocurrency value received by illicit addresses, 2017 – 2021, Source: 2022 Crypto Crime Report, Chainalysis
Meta Platforms and digital banking company Chime filed in January 2022 a joint lawsuit against two Nigeria-based individuals who engaged in phishing attacks to deceive people online and gain access to their online financial accounts.
The lawsuit alleges that the defendants used Chime-impersonating social media accounts to direct users to fake branded phishing websites with the aim of obtaining their Chime account login information to withdraw funds.
The post Social Media Financial Scams Balloon appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/social-media-financial-scams-balloon</link><guid>2606</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Reports-about-fraud-originating-on-social-media-Source-Federal-Trade-Commission-January-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Social Media Financial Scams Balloon</dc:text></item><item><title>Die Schweiz ist führend im Handel mit digitalen Vermögenswerten</title><description><![CDATA[Im Jahr 2021 erlebte der Kryptomarkt einen Boom. Die Marktkapitalisierung wuchs weltweit von 760 Milliarden US-Dollar auf 2.1 Billionen US-Dollar mit schätzungsweise bis zu 295 Millionen Nutzern.
Diese Entwicklungen führen zu einer neuen Dynamik bei den Ausführungsplätzen für den Handel. Der neue «Crypto Trading Report 2022» von Finery Markets und PwC Schweiz bietet einen Überblick über die gegenwärtige Handelsumgebung und analysiert die wesentlichen Faktoren mit Einfluss auf die Auswahl von Handelsplätzen.
Die Schweiz wird als führendes Land im Handel mit digitalen Vermögenswerten angesehen
Die Ergebnisse der Umfrage zeigen, dass der richtige Finanzplatz von entscheidender Bedeutung ist. Länder, die ein positives Umfeld für digitale Vermögenswerte fördern und von restriktiven Vorschriften absehen, dürften mit hoher Wahrscheinlichkeit zu Drehscheiben für den Handel mit digitalen Vermögenswerten werden. Unterdessen zählt die Schweiz zu den weltweit führenden Ländern, wenn es um institutionelle Anleger:innen geht, die in digitale Vermögenswerte investieren und Lizenzen in ihrem Sitzland halten.
Jean-Claude Spillmann
«Die Schweiz hat sich bezogen auf Handelsplätze für digitale Vermögenswerte zu einem der weltweit vorteilhaftesten Länder entwickelt. Ausschlaggebend hierfür sind die dort robusten rechtlichen Rahmenbedingungen, die gezielt eingeführt wurden, um ein hohes Mass an Rechtssicherheit für DLT-basierte Geschäftsmodelle zu gewährleisten. Dank dieser günstigen Bedingungen kann man sich hier die jeweiligen Besonderheiten, eine technologieneutrale und zugängliche, aber dennoch strenge Finanzaufsicht, ein stabiles und sicheres politisches Umfeld sowie die Erfahrung und den Ruf eines seit vielen Jahrzehnten führenden globalen Finanzplatzes und nicht zuletzt einen umfassenden Pool an gut ausgebildeten internationalen und lokalen Talenten zunutze machen.»
Dr. Jean-Claude Spillmann, Director bei PwC Legal Schweiz.
Der Kryptomarkt muss sich weiterentwickeln
Einiges spricht für eine vermehrte Einführung von Kryptowährungen. So zeigen etwa traditionelle Akteure am Finanzmarkt ein immer stärkeres Interesse an Krypto-Vermögenswerten. Von den Umfrageteilnehmer:innen handeln bereits 70 % mit digitalen Assets. Allerdings gaben 60 % an, dass sie gerne ihr derzeitiges Trading Setup verbessern würden, was darauf hindeutet, dass der Markt noch nicht ausgereift ist. Erkennbar wird dies auch an der Anzahl der Handelspartner:innen.
Unter den institutionellen Teilnehmer:innen nutzen 9 % nur einen einzigen Handelsplatz für die Ausführung, wohl um das Risiko eines Einzelausfalls gleichmässig zu verteilen. Mehr als 25 % der Umfrageteilnehmer:innen haben mehr als zehn Handelspartner, was einen stark fragmentierten Markt sowie Konsolidierungsbedarf vermuten lässt. Bei der Wahl einer Börse sind für mehr als zwei Drittel die Qualität der Ausführung und Liquidität als Kriterium ausschlaggebend. Was die Instrumente für den Kryptohandel betrifft, so handeln 96 % der Befragten auf den Kassamärkten. Die Mehrheit kombiniert dieses Instrument jedoch mit anderen, beispielsweise mit Futures oder Optionen.
CEX bleibt dominierender Handelsplatz
Derzeit stehen Nutzern mehr als 18&#8217;000 Währungen über mehr als 400 Börsen zur Verfügung. Das monatliche Handelsvolumen variiert dabei erheblich. Die meisten Investitionen wurden im Bereich von weniger als 10 Millionen US-Dollar getätigt. Allerdings zeigt die Studie eine Tendenz hin zu steigenden Beträgen, wobei Anleger:innen mehr als 10 Millionen US-Dollar in Krypto-Vermögenswerten handeln. Bei der Auswahl des Handelsplatzes für digitale Vermögenswerte dürften alle Anleger:innen transaktionsspezifische Faktoren in Erwägung ziehen. 90 % der Umfrageteilnehmer:innen handeln auf zentralisierten Börsen (CEXs) und rund die Hälfte im Freiverkehr (OTC). Bei grösseren Volumina gilt die OTC-Variante als am effektivsten. Trotz der regulatorischen Unsicherheit handeln ganze 30 % der Umfrageteilnehmer:innen auch auf dezentralen Börsen (DEXs).
Konstantin Shulga
Konstantin Shulga, CEO von Finery Markets, meint hierzu:
«Der Aufbau eines Trading Setups ist für die langfristige betriebliche Effizienz von ausschlaggebender Bedeutung. Bei Finery Markets freuen wir uns, Teil der Research-Bemühungen zu sein, mit denen Institutionen geholfen werden soll, sich im fragmentierten Handelsumfeld für digitale Vermögenswerte zurechtzufinden».
The post Die Schweiz ist führend im Handel mit digitalen Vermögenswerten appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/die-schweiz-ist-fuhrend-im-handel-mit-digitalen-vermogenswerten</link><guid>2607</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Die Schweiz ist führend im Handel mit digitalen Vermögenswerten</dc:text></item><item><title>Binance Sets up at Paris’ STATION F to Develop the Web.3 Ecosystem in Europe</title><description><![CDATA[Binance, a global blockchain ecosystem and cryptocurrency infrastructure provider, announced the opening of its space in at the startup campus STATION F in Paris.
This opening is part of the Objective Moon programme announced last November by Changpeng Zhao “CZ”, Founder and CEO of Binance.
This programme poured in a €100 million investment in France to make the country the heart of the European crypto community.
CZ said that Binance is committed to build and support a strong ecosystem around blockchain, Web.3 and metaverse. The company will be using France as its launchpad for Europe.
By setting up its early-stage startup support program at STATION F, Binance will put its experts and know-how at the service of the most promising upcoming projects.
The selected startups will benefit from free accommodation during the incubation period (variable) at STATION F and access to the various resources made available by STATION F, including VCs, leading tech companies and public administrations.
They will also receive customised support from the BNB Chain, NFT Labs and Binance Labs teams to design, develop and improve their ideas and projects.
The company added that possible collaborations with its partners, mentoring programmes and follow-up sessions as well as meetings organised by Binance France with major players in the ecosystem were also available.
Roxanne Varza
“We are so proud and excited to welcome the leading international player of the web.3 economy to STATION F.
 
For all the people willing to better understand blockchain and crypto, we hope this place will help them to enter the Web.3 world”,
added Roxanne Varza, Director of STATION F.
David Prinçay
“Our space in STATION F will allow us to support creators and entrepreneurs.
 
We will boost startups and creative projects providing the best connections with our branches and partners”,
said David Prinçay, CEO Binance France.
 
The post Binance Sets up at Paris&#8217; STATION F to Develop the Web.3 Ecosystem in Europe appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/binance-sets-up-at-paris-station-f-to-develop-the-web3-ecosystem-in-europe</link><guid>2604</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Binance Sets up at Paris’ STATION F to Develop the Web.3 Ecosystem in Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>ABN AMRO Extends Partnership With Temenos to Accelerate Its Innovation Pace</title><description><![CDATA[ABN AMRO Bank has signed a multi-year subscription extension with cloud banking platform Temenos to support its customer growth.
In order to support the bank&#8217;s business expansion on the Temenos Banking Cloud, the extended agreement includes access to the Temenos Continuous Deployment as-a-service for the bank’s 22 DevOps teams.
Since adopting Temenos Continuous Deployment in 2019, ABN AMRO Bank said that it has reduced time to configure, test, and deploy software change from weeks to days, enabling the bank to move towards a ‘code in the morning, deploy in the afternoon’ approach.
The Dutch bank added that the capability to introduce new features and functions for an increasingly demanding customer base gives it a competitive advantage.
ABN AMRO Bank estimates that the Temenos Continuous Deployment increases the efficiency of its early-stage testing by 30%, daily test pipelines from 1 to 15, and will accelerate test cycles by a factor of 10 &#8211; leading to more frequent and effective innovation.
By giving teams their own environments, the bank aims to empower its DevOps teams in their delivery.
Friso Westra
Friso Westra, Head of IT Development Core Banking and Wealth International of ABN AMRO Bank said,
“With Continuous Deployment on the Temenos Banking Cloud, we empower our DevOps teams to develop new services and get them to the market much faster.
 
We see a future of banking fully in the cloud, and this further collaboration with Temenos takes us one step closer to that vision.”
Max Chuard
Max Chuard, Chief Executive Officer, Temenos said,
“We are delighted ABN AMRO Bank, one of the largest and most innovative banks in Europe, has extended its collaboration with Temenos to leverage the power of Temenos Banking Cloud.
 
A cohesive DevOps strategy is critical to gaining and retaining a competitive edge, and ABN AMRO Bank leads the way with its world-class agile development teams.”
The post ABN AMRO Extends Partnership With Temenos to Accelerate Its Innovation Pace appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/abn-amro-extends-partnership-with-temenos-to-accelerate-its-innovation-pace</link><guid>2602</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>ABN AMRO Extends Partnership With Temenos to Accelerate Its Innovation Pace</dc:text></item><item><title>Finastra Partners With Microsoft to Offer Financing Options for North American SMEs</title><description><![CDATA[Financial services software and cloud solutions provider Finastra announced a Banking as a Service (BaaS) collaboration with Microsoft to bring new lending options to thousands of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
Finastra&#8217;s SME embedded finance solution on Microsoft Dynamics 365 will be integrated with open APIs through Finastra&#8217;s FusionFabric.cloud platform.
The solution is expected to go live in summer this year, with initial focus on North American customers.
SMEs using Microsoft Dynamics 365 will be able to access and unlock vital financing offers without leaving their business management platform.
With consent from the SME, the solution will use information an SME already stores within Microsoft Dynamics 365, making it easier for them to apply for lending.
The ability to provide banks with additional information, including accounts receivable and payable records, will improve lending decisions and time to cash for SMEs.
This move will enable SME owners to access relevant and valuable business financing in a seamless and frictionless manner.
Finastra’s network of over 5,000 financial institutions in the US will allow SMEs to access the most relevant and valuable financing options for their specific business needs.
Angus Ross
“We are extremely excited to bring this additional finance capability to SMEs to ease the process of accessing capital, and power competitive financing offers in less time. This lending proposition for Microsoft Dynamics 365 reinforces Finastra’s leadership in open and embedded finance.
 
It demonstrates the huge benefit that embedded and contextual finance will bring to the industry and the communities within it. We look forward to continuing our long-standing collaboration with Microsoft and working closely on this and future impactful projects.”
said Angus Ross, Chief Revenue Officer, Banking as a Service, at Finastra.
Bill Borden
“We are proud to further expand our relationship with Finastra to drive new value for small and medium enterprises, the backbone of job creation in the world’s economy.
 
By embedding secure access to key financial services in the context of Microsoft Dynamics 365, our SME customers will have a faster path to the financing options and critical capital they need to thrive.”
said Bill Borden, Corporate Vice President of Worldwide Financial Services at Microsoft.
 

 
 
The post Finastra Partners With Microsoft to Offer Financing Options for North American SMEs appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finastra-partners-with-microsoft-to-offer-financing-options-for-north-american-smes</link><guid>2603</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/AM.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Finastra Partners With Microsoft to Offer Financing Options for North American SMEs</dc:text></item><item><title>Bank South Pacific Picks Netcetera to Secure Its Digital Payments</title><description><![CDATA[Netcetera, a Swiss software company that provides secure digital payments, announced that it has formed a partnership with Platform Pacific (Platformpac), a homegrown fintech subsidiary of Bank South Pacific Financial Group Limited (BSPFGL).
The 3-D Secure solution by Netcetera provides an extra level of security to BSPFLG&#8217;s core infrastructure, enabling it to extend the same level of protection to its customers and merchants.
BSPFLG has access to and provides end customers compelling business benefits such as improved conversions, optimised checkout processes, reduced fraud, and protection from fraudulent chargeback liability through the usage of Netcetera&#8217;s 3DS server.
3-D Secure is a globally trusted protocol for securing online transactions. It involves links between various components to ensures communication between merchants, issuers and acquiring banks during a CNP transaction.
Netcetera&#8217;s 3DS Server supports all new protocol versions and card network requirements, including some of the biggest scheme names, like VISA Secure, Mastercard ID Check, AMEX Safekey, Diners ProtectBuy, UnionPay UPOP/3-D secure and JCB J/Secure.
Belinda Manning
Belinda Manning, Head of Digital &#8211; Design, Development &amp; Operations at BSPFGL said,
&#8220;Given Netcetera&#8217;s global reach and reputation, it was easy to decide that they are the perfect partner to help us secure the digital payments throughout our operations.
 
This exciting collaboration opens up new advances in payment around the Pacific.&#8221;
Ivan Ong
Ivan Ong, Senior Business Development Executive at Netcetera said,
&#8220;In the case of Bank South Pacific, our goal is to guarantee secure online payments for over 650,000 business banking customers.
 
Our 3DS server means service availability of 99.95%, measured and reported monthly, and supporting the needs of the bank 24/7.&#8221;
 
The post Bank South Pacific Picks Netcetera to Secure Its Digital Payments appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bank-south-pacific-picks-netcetera-to-secure-its-digital-payments</link><guid>2601</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Bank South Pacific Picks Netcetera to Secure Its Digital Payments</dc:text></item><item><title>Coinpanion erhöht Seed Runde auf über 5 Mio</title><description><![CDATA[Coinpanion, ein Österreichisches Krypto-Startup, kann sein Seed Investment vom Herbst letzten Jahres ( 1,8 Millionen Euro) auf insgesamt 5,5 Millionen Euro aufstocken.
Das in Wien gegründete FinTech ermöglicht mit seiner Plattform jedem, auch ohne fundiertes Wissen, vom Kryptowährungsmarkt zu profitieren. Denn bei Coinpanion müssen sich die Kunden um nichts kümmern. Das Unternehmen begleitet die gesamte Abwicklung: vom einfachen Markteinstieg, der laufenden Optimierung der Krypto-Investitionen bis hin zum automatisierten Steuerbericht.
Namhafte internationale Investoren an Bord
Gleich drei weitere international renommierte Investoren steigen im Rahmen der Follow-up Finanzierungsrunde zusätzlich mit in Coinpanion ein und wollen das Wiener FinTech bei der weiteren Expansion unterstützen. Mit dabei sind der US-amerikanische Investor Wicklow Capital &#8211; early-stage Investor in die Krypto-Unicorns Ledger, Blockchain.com, NYDIG und Crusoe Energy Systems &#8211; der ehemalige CMO des Krypto Exchanges Bitpanda.com, Michael Pötscher und die Gründer der Kreditvergleichs-Plattform Finanzcheck.de Andreas Kupke und Moritz Thiele sowie.
Moritz Thiele
„Wir glauben, dass Kryptowährungen durch Coinpanion den Weg in das Portfolio eines jeden Privatanlegers finden werden. Unser Investment in Coinpanion verdeutlicht unsere Überzeugung vom starken Gründerteam und dem Potential digitaler Vermögenswerte&#8221;,
sagt Moritz Thiele, Gründer von Finanzcheck.de, über das Investment.
Coinpanion konnte sich bei der Erhöhung der Seed Runde ebenfalls die Unterstützung von erfolgreichen Investoren aus der österreichischen Startup Szene sichern. Unter anderen mit dabei sind der Busuu Gründer Bernhard Niesner, Gerald Resch (Generalsekretär österreichischer Bankenverband), Johannes Braith (Storebox Gründer), die Tractive Gründer Michael Hurnaus und Wolfgang Reisinger sowie Lucanus Polagnoli, Gründer des VC Fund Calm/Storm Ventures. Im Rahmen der Zusatzfinanzierung zogen ebenfalls die bisherigen Bestandsinvestoren High-Tech Gründerfonds sowie Florian Gschwandtner (Runtastic) und Hansi Hansmann (u.A. Playbrush, Shpock, MySugr) mit. Letztere sind bekannte Gesichter aus der Fernsehshow 2 Minuten 2 Millionen, des österreichischen Pendants von Die Höhle der Löwen.
Alexander Valtingojer
Alexander Valtingojer, Gründer und CEO von Coinpanion, kommt das Investment sehr gelegen, denn die Pläne für die Zukunft sind groß:
„Die Nachfrage nach Investments jenseits der Börse nimmt in Europa rasant zu. Wir schaffen mit unserem Angebot den einfachen Zugang zu innovativen Vermögenswerten wie Kryptowährungen, NFTs oder dem Metaverse für alle und wollen schnell in weitere Länder expandieren sowie hierzulande das Angebot weiter ausbauen. Neben der Erweiterung der App-Funktionen wollen wir vor allem auch weitere Investitionsmöglichkeiten mit in das bestehende Angebot aufnehmen“,
so Alexander Valtingojer.
Der einfache Einstieg in den Kryptomarkt
Coinpanion ermöglicht jedem den einfachen und sicheren Einstieg in die komplexe Welt der Kryptowährungen. Die Nutzer*innen können bei Coinpanion aus unterschiedlichen smarten Portfolios wählen, die sich um innovative Technologien wie NFTs, das Metaverse und Kryptowährungen drehen. Das Unternehmen setzt dabei auf ein Rundum-Sorglos-Paket, das zu den bereitgestellten Portfolios auch automatisierte Sparpläne sowie kostenlose Steuerberichte zur Verfügung stellt. Der Einstieg soll laut der Firma keine fünf Minuten in Anspruch nehmen.
The post Coinpanion erhöht Seed Runde auf über 5 Mio appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/coinpanion-erhoht-seed-runde-auf-uber-5-mio</link><guid>2600</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Coinpanion erhöht Seed Runde auf über 5 Mio</dc:text></item><item><title>Global Blockchain Sector Surged in 2021</title><description><![CDATA[2021 was a blockbuster year for the global blockchain sector, which saw funding activity surge, trading volumes balloon and further growth in key segments including custodians, exchanges, decentralized finance (DeFi), as well as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and the metaverse, a new report by Swiss blockchain-focused investment company CV VC, in collaboration with PwC Switzerland, says.
The second installment of the Global Report series, released last week, provides an overview of the global blockchain ecosystem, outlining the main developments and trends observed in 2021.
Rising funding
The report highlights a surge in venture capital (VC) financing, which reached a new record of US$33 billion in 2021. The year also recorded the largest by blockchain VC deal count at over 2,000, almost double the previous year.
2021 was marked by large rounds of funding closed by growth stage startups, indicating that the industry is maturing. Funding activity mainly focused on crypto exchanges, fintech, and institutional servicing platforms with companies such as FTX, Celsius, Gemini, and Fireblocks closing large rounds. Startups tackling NFTs, Web3, decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) and the metaverse came second to the capital allocation, the report says.
Rising funding activity pushed valuations to new highs. In 2021, 40 blockchain startups reached unicorn status.
Crypto/blockchain VC deals, Source: Galaxy Digital Research, 2022
Crypto adoption grows
Booming funding activity came on the back of growing adoption of crypto assets by both institutional and retail customers.
According to Chainalysis, last year saw a staggering 881% rise in global crypto adoption, a growth that was driven largely by emerging markets including Vietnam, India and Pakistan where many customers turned to cryptocurrencies to preserve their savings in the face of currency devaluation, send and receive remittances, and carry out business transactions.
Adoption in North America, Western Europe, and Eastern Asia, meanwhile, was powered largely by institutional investment, the report says.
The 2021 Global Crypto Adoption Index Top 20, Source: Chainalysis, October 2021
In response, several leading financial service institutions took steps into the space in 2021, including Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and BlackRock, which began offering wealth management clients exposure to and custody of digital assets.
Booming cryptocurrency trading volumes
Crypto trading volume increased strongly in 2021, reaching US$14 trillion. This represents a 689% increase compared to 2020.
Surging crypto trading volumes pushed crypto exchanges’ revenue, which grew by a staggering by over 600% to US$24.3 billion in 2021. The sum is 60% higher than the roughly US$15.2 billion brought in by traditional securities exchanges, like the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq by 60%.
Data from financial services consultancy Opimas show that Binance remained the undisputed market leader in 2021 with a share of spot-market crypto trading volumes standing at 69%. The company reportedly raked in an estimated US$14.6 billion in trading fees last year.
Crypto spot exchanges: Share of annual transaction volumes, Source: Nomics, Opimas analysis, 2022
A burgeoning crypto custodian market
The custody industry, which includes services focusing on safeguarding crypto assets for private individuals, institutions, and enterprises, is another blockchain sub-sector that grew rapidly in 2021.
Custodians’ global AUM surpassed US$223 billion, and funding for companies in the space skyrocketed to US$4.5 billion. Signs of consolidation were also observed, with six providers being acquired in 2021 alone, reflecting the growth and maturing of the space.
Key players in the space include Ledger, one of the biggest and best-known service providers for digital asset self-custody, targeting primarily retail customers, Coinbase Custody, another major player with more than US$90 billion assets under custody or around 40% of the global crypto AUM, and BitGo, which is trailing closely behind Coinbase Custody with regards to AUM with an estimated US$64 billion from its clients under custody.
Fireblocks is another brand worth keeping in mind. With a US$8 billion valuation, Fireblocks is one of the industry’s giants, serving over 800 customers around the world and amassing US$45 billion worth of assets under custody.
Adoption of DeFi grows
In 2021, the DeFi sector, which encompasses financial instruments and products that use smart contracts on a blockchain to cut out intermediaries such as brokerages, exchanges, or banks, reached new highs as adoption continued to rise.
By the end of 2021, the top 100 DeFi coins by market capitalization reached a total valuation of US$149 billion, up about 500% from a year earlier at about US$ 25 billion, according to blockchain software technology company ConsenSys.
DeFi market cap 2021, Source: ConsenSys, 2022
In tandem, the number of DeFi wallets surged and reached a record with 4.3 million unique addresses in January 2022, more than tripling the number of unique addresses a year earlier (about 1.2 million addresses).
DeF addresses/wallets in 2021, Source: ConsenSys, 2022
Further indicative of the growth of DeFi is the rising trading volumes on decentralized exchanges (DEXs). In 2021, DEXs reported more than US$1 trillion in trading volumes, representing a 858% increase compared to 2020 DEX trading volumes, data from The Block Research show.
DEX volume, Source: The Block Research
NFTs and the metaverse
NFTs, which enable digital asset ownership to be unique and identifiable, have experienced an incredible rise. Total NFT sales volume hit US$23 billion in 2021, compared to less than US$100 million in 2020, according to data from DappRadar.
Growth and development in areas including cryptocurrencies, NFTs and DAOs, but also virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing, will serve as the building blocks for future growth in a virtual world, the report says.
In the future, NFTs will serve as the gateway to a metaverse, empowering the identity, community and socialization the metaverse economy will be built upon.
The metaverse has emerged into one of the hottest trends in the tech sector. In 2021, more than US$10 billion in VC funding went towards the concept, against just US$5.9 billion in 2020, data from Crunchbase show.
Bloomberg Intelligence senior industry analysts project that the global metaverse revenue opportunity could approach US$800 billion in 2024 versus about US$500 billion in 2020.
The post Global Blockchain Sector Surged in 2021 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/global-blockchain-sector-surged-in-2021</link><guid>2599</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Cryptoblockchain-VC-deals-Source-Galaxy-Digital-Research-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Global Blockchain Sector Surged in 2021</dc:text></item><item><title>A Simple Guide to Banking-As-A-Service (Baas)</title><description><![CDATA[BaaS is an innovative model for application development in which banking institutions enable third parties fintech, developers, and non-financial businesses to execute financial services capabilities. The value chain of BaaS technology consists of many players. Financial service providers or digital savvy banks usually cover all aspects of regulations and background banking technology.
Fintech companies, that want to leverage their API and distribute banking and payments services are often called enablers. Enablers are technological companies helping to embed BaaS services into third-party platforms or applications. The role of enablers such as Crassula is to deliver value by adding innovative features and enhancements to a banking product.
Financial institutions grant third parties access to core systems, functionality, and licensing to help them integrate digital banking and payment services into their solutions.
This movement promotes the integration of financial products with other digital ecosystems and economic sectors. Now, non-bank players can offer bank or payment accounts, cards, financing products, etc. Enablers are driving this adoption through shortening sales cycles for Financial service providers and giving flexible back-office and application suits for end customers or distributors.
Facilitated by Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), third parties can build banking offerings on top of the providers’ regulated infrastructure with ease and efficiency, saving them time and money while creating new revenue streams for traditional players.
image &#8211; Pay online photo created by jannoon028 &#8211; www.freepik.com
What is driving the development of BaaS?
APIs
API is like a stepping stone to the sustainable transformation of financial services. Facilitated by Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), third parties build banking offerings on top of the providers’ regulated infrastructure with ease and efficiency that, on the one hand, saves time and money and, on the other, creates new revenue streams for traditional players.
Artificial intelligence
Innovative boost in technology fuels an expansion of digital financial services. Traditional banking models are being replaced by digital-only banking because they can’t serve customers with the always-on digital experience. Thanks to the growing scale of AI in the money industry, non-bank organizations can embrace collaboration with third parties and focus on other essential tasks while their partners help them develop a bank solution.
New entrants
Also, the advent of new players born of digital transformation drives BaaS. This factor is the result, first of all, of a change in regulations, then of the galloping digitization of the economy, aided by artificial intelligence. It was extremely daunting and hard to enter the financial services industry some years ago. But, thanks to the BaaS system, third-party providers found a way to circumvent regulation and budget obstacles by gaining access to the technology so that now newcomers can quickly enter this field and access the services and systems they need.
The advantages of BaaS offers
Reduces operational costs
The development of financial products requires a lot of costs associated with maintenance, infrastructure, and servicing. Banking-as-a-Service allows non-banks to cut expenses and eliminate organizational complexity. And despite the lower price, you have the capability to leverage the core banking systems and enhance efficiency.
Keeps you ahead of the competition
You can stand out from the crowd. Indeed, the competition in the finance sector is fierce, but it doesn’t mean the domination in the market is unattainable. With the BaaS model, you can differentiate a range of services in your payments app, thus leaving your competitors out of your brand’s league. The BaaS platforms can build revolutionary new experiences for their customers and boost loyalty by leaps and bounds.
Generates valuable data
Thanks to APIs, a cornerstone of open banking, third parties securely access digital payments, account data, etc. This allows brands to deliver a personalized experience to each individual client through embedded white label banking and payments services and answer their needs with a more detailed view of their financial situation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the fundamental concepts of banking-as-a-service imply a drastic transformation for both banks and those looking for possibilities to offer financial services to their customers. The BaaS model proposes relevant, and value-creating offers that each side benefits from. And it has the potential to reignite the interest of investors as it is now seen as the heart of successful banks.
The post A Simple Guide to Banking-As-A-Service (Baas) appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/a-simple-guide-to-banking-as-a-service-baas</link><guid>2598</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/BaaS-Online-Banking-1024x683.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>A Simple Guide to Banking-As-A-Service (Baas)</dc:text></item><item><title>Schweizer Softwarespezialist für nachhaltige Vermögensplanung erhält Förderung vom Bundesamt für Umwelt</title><description><![CDATA[Das Schweizer WealthTech 3rd-eyes analytics wird vom Technologiefonds des Schweizer Bundesamtes für Umwelt gefördert.
Dies ermöglicht es 3rd-eyes analytics, ihre technologischen Innovationen zum Management von Klimarisiken und Erreichung von Nachhaltigkeitszielen im Bereich der Vermögensplanung und Anlageberatung weiterzuentwickeln und in weitere europäische Märkte vorzustossen.
Stephanie Feigt
„Wir freuen uns sehr, die Unterstützung des Technologiefonds erhalten zu haben. Dies bestätigt die Innovationskraft unseres Unternehmens im Bereich der nachhaltigen Kapitalanlage.“,
sagt Stephanie Feigt, CEO von 3rd-eyes analytics.
„Nachhaltigkeit ist die Zukunft der Finanzbranche. Dank der Unterstützung des Technologiefonds können wir unsere nachhaltigen Lösungen weiterentwickeln und so die Transformation der Finanzbranche hin zu einem nachhaltigeren Wirtschaften beschleunigen.“
 
Über den Technologiefonds 
Der Technologiefonds vergibt Darlehensbürgschaften an Schweizer Startups und Unternehmen, die innovative Produkte entwickeln, um eine Reduktion von Treibhausgasen zu erreichen. Der Fonds ist ein klimapolitisches Instrument des Bundes, welches im CO2-Gesetz verankert ist. 
Über 3rd-eyes analytics AG
3rd-eyes analytics ist ein Schweizer Wealthtech-Unternehmen, das Finanzdienstleistern zielbasierte und nachhaltige Vermögensplanungs- und Anlageberatungslösungen anbietet. Die neueste Innovation von 3rd-eyes analytics zeigt die Auswirkungen des Klimawandels auf die persönliche Vermögensentwicklung, mitigiert die Klimawandelrisiken in der Anlagestrategie und ermöglicht eine nachhaltige Reduktion von CO2-Emissionen.
The post Schweizer Softwarespezialist für nachhaltige Vermögensplanung erhält Förderung vom Bundesamt für Umwelt appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schweizer-softwarespezialist-fur-nachhaltige-vermogensplanung-erhalt-forderung-vom-bundesamt-fur-umwelt</link><guid>2597</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Schweizer Softwarespezialist für nachhaltige Vermögensplanung erhält Förderung vom Bundesamt für Umwelt</dc:text></item><item><title>Sweden’s E-Krona Pilot Project Progress</title><description><![CDATA[In February 2021, the second phase of the e-krona pilot project began. The aim of the work was to continue investigating and testing the technical solution developed in the project and also to investigate a potential legal framework around the e-krona.
In December 2019 the e-krona project was announced by the Swedish Central Bank (Riksbank).
During Phase 2, the technical tests have included investigating whether and how an e-krona might function off-line, whether the performance of the tested solution is adequate, and how banks and other payment service providers could be integrated into an e-krona network. The latter has been tested in collaboration with Handelsbanken and Tietoevry.
This is how the participants have been integrated into the e-krona network, E-krona report: E-krona Pilot Phase 2
The tests have shown, for instance, that it is possible to integrate a potential e-krona into the internal systems the banks have today, and this would make it possible for their customers to exchange money in their bank account for e-kronor, and vice versa. The tests of the technical solution have also shown that it would be possible to make transactions using e-krona, even off-line. However, off-line payments would entail some risks that need to be managed if a similar solution is to become a reality.
The project has also investigated the legal questions surrounding a potential e-krona. For instance, it has examined what type of asset an e-krona would be. The conclusion is that it could be regarded as an electronic form of cash.
The e-krona pilot project aims to increase the Riksbank&#8217;s knowledge of how an e-krona could be designed and how it would function. No decision has yet been taken on whether to issue an e-krona or on what technical solution or legal framework it might be based. The work is now entering into Phase 3, which will investigate the requirements made of a future e-krona, among other issues.
This article first appeared on fintechnordics.com

The post Sweden&#8217;s E-Krona Pilot Project Progress appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swedens-e-krona-pilot-project-progress</link><guid>2596</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/This-is-how-the-participants-have-been-integrated-into-the-e-krona-network-984x1024.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Sweden’s E-Krona Pilot Project Progress</dc:text></item><item><title>Alpian Obtains FINMA Banking License and Secures CHF19 Million Series B+ Financing</title><description><![CDATA[Alpian nnounced the granting by FINMA of a banking license and a successful CHF19 million Series B+ closing, enabling Alpian to shortly launch to the public in Q3 2022, becoming Switzerland&#8217;s first digital private bank.
Alpian, majority-owned by Fideuram-Intesa Sanpaolo Private Banking, secured a third round of financing, fully subscribed by Fideuram &#8211; Intesa Sanpaolo Private Banking. The financing will support the deployment of Alpian&#8217;s range of services in Switzerland, comprising both private and online banking.
This hybrid model combines a secure, state-of-the-art banking experience with the support of Alpian&#8217;s qualified wealth advisors, giving affluent clients access to services normally reserved for traditional private banking. To complement this, Alpian has seamlessly woven everyday banking features into its digital offering.
Schuyler Weiss
Schuyler Weiss, CEO of Alpian, commented:
&#8220;Since 2019, we have built what will become Switzerland&#8217;s first digital private bank. With the funds raised during the Series B+ and with its new standing as a licensed Swiss bank, Alpian is well equipped to launch its offering.&#8221;
Pasha Bakhtiar
Pasha Bakhtiar, REYL Intesa Sanpaolo Partner and Chairman of the board at Alpian, added:
&#8220;We are proud to have passed these two milestones on our way to delivering a truly unique and bespoke digital private banking offering. The successful journey so far is a testament to the resilience and dynamism of the Alpian team, as well as the vision of REYL Intesa Sanpaolo.&#8221;
Luca Bortolan, Head of Direct Bank Fideuram Intesa Sanpaolo Private Banking, added:
&#8220;From the beginning, we have seen Alpian as a great opportunity to invest in the development of digital private banking. Alpian will bring both strategic and synergy driven value, demonstrating our proactive commitment of addressing the needs of its current and future clients.&#8221;
The post Alpian Obtains FINMA Banking License and Secures CHF19 Million Series B+ Financing appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/alpian-obtains-finma-banking-license-and-secures-chf19-million-series-b-financing</link><guid>2594</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Alpian Obtains FINMA Banking License and Secures CHF19 Million Series B+ Financing</dc:text></item><item><title>Feedzai’s Financial Crime Report: 233% Increase in Online Fraud Attack Rates</title><description><![CDATA[Feedzai has released its quarterly Financial Crime Report, The RiskOps Age, based on an analysis of over 18 billion global banking transactions throughout 2021. The report identifies trends in consumer spending and fraud attacks and compares transactional intelligence from 2021 with the previous three years to provide insights from the pre-pandemic era vs. the first and second years of the pandemic. One of the main conclusions is that while online transactions grew 65%, online fraud attack rates grew by 233%.
Jaime Ferreira
“The shift from in-person transactions to online transactions, along with the plethora of devices and accounts each person has, creates vast amounts of data points. From a fraudster’s point of view, this is the best case scenario. It’s easier for them to hide in all that noise,”
said Jaime Ferreira, VP of Global Data Science at Feedzai.
“But it also creates opportunities for banks to create more effective and personal products and services. It’s for both of the reasons that we’ve called this report The RiskOps Age. Now is the time to connect teams and data to prevent fraud and provide elevated customer experiences.”
The data shows that consumers shifted to digital entertainment platforms during the pandemic, and so did fraudsters. Criminals often like to hide in plain sight, and the sheer number of transactions for digital entertainment combined with the low dollar amount per transaction provides fraudsters with an ideal environment to test stolen cards along with other scams. Feedzai&#8217;s Financial Crime Report saw a 794% increase in fraud attacks on digital entertainment transactions in 2021 vs. 2019.
“Living the digital lifestyle adds a world of convenience, but also provides a low-risk, high-reward environment for fraudsters,” adds Ferreira. “It’s the perfect place for fraudsters to hide – in a massive number of low-dollar amount transactions. The more transactions, the more opportunities for them to test stolen cards or other scams. Consumers and banks need to watch out for those small fraud transactions before they add up to big bills.”
Top Fraud Scams
With fraud on the rise, the report also identified the top five fraud scams, with account takeover (ATO) and social engineering attacks ranking as fraudsters’ current favorite schemes. The top scam on the list has risen from fourth to first place since last year. ATO is a form of identity theft where fraudsters change account information, including passwords, and &#8220;take over&#8221; the account.
Top 5 fraud attacks:

Account Takeover
Social Engineering Scams
Purchase Scams
Impersonation Scams
Smishing Scams
Fraud in other parts of the world

The United Kingdom of Fraud:
In the U.K., banking fraud attacks are 50% more common when British consumers banked via desktops and laptops, telephone, or in-person combined vs. through a mobile banking application.
For mobile devices, fraudsters attempted 30% higher pound (£) amounts of fraud on Android devices, but fraud rates were 67% higher on iOS devices.
Financial Crime Report, The RiskOps Age
The United States of Fraud:
In our previous Financial Crime Report, we focused on the trend away from cash. Now we see that cash didn’t bounce back even when many pandemic-related restrictions were lifted. In fact, we saw a steeper decline in U.S. cash withdrawals comparing 2021 to 2020 vs. 2019 to 2020. Overall, U.S. cash withdrawals decreased 75% from pre-pandemic levels to today.
And for those who are thinking about a vacation in the United States, the report further ranked the top six U.S. tourist cities by fraud rate with Miami, Los Angeles, and San Francisco taking first, second, and third spots respectively. After a gradual climb from the number three ranking in 2019 and number two in 2020, Miami overtakes San Francisco as the tourist city with the highest fraud rate, up 511 percent. San Francisco drops to number three with a 42 percent decrease in fraud rate.
In fourth place is New York City with a 160% increase over last year, followed by Orlando (+15%) and Las Vegas (+334%).
How Consumers Can Prevent Social Engineering Attacks

Remember, the click is a trick: Don’t open or click on suspicious links via email or text. Fraudsters can’t trick you if you don’t click on their links.
Update devices: Install and regularly update anti-malware software. When your computer or phone prompts you to install updates, do it.
Protect your privacy: Don’t provide personal information about yourself or your employer unless you are 100 percent sure the person you’re interacting with should have access to that information.
Use multi-factor authentication: Do not reveal personal or financial information in an email, and do not respond to email solicitations for this information. This includes clicking on links sent via email.
Don’t believe the hype: If an offer, prize, or opportunity is too good to be true, it isn’t true. Don’t fall for tempting out-of-this-world offers.

Access Feedzai’s Quarterly Financial Crime Report to learn more about the latest fraud and consumer trends. Further details on the report can be found on the Feedzai blog: Q2 2022 FinCrime Report: The RiskOps Age | Feedzai.
 
This article first appeared on fintechnews.am

The post Feedzai’s Financial Crime Report: 233% Increase in Online Fraud Attack Rates appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/feedzais-financial-crime-report-233-increase-in-online-fraud-attack-rates</link><guid>2593</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Feedzai-ReportQ2_UK-1024x622.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Feedzai’s Financial Crime Report: 233% Increase in Online Fraud Attack Rates</dc:text></item><item><title>Papaya Global Acquires Money Transfer Company Azimo</title><description><![CDATA[Papaya Global announced that they have acquired the digital money transfer service, Azimo, a payment platform that will enable Papaya Global to make immediate payments across the globe.
Together with Azimo, Papaya Global will be able offer a payments solution that delivers payments in hours instead of days. We will build an innovative new payments and finance offering for clients in cash advance and credit-related products, and in cryptocurrency.
The acquisition includes Azimo’s advanced technology, extensive expertise in cross-border money transfers, a global digital payment network reaching more than 150 countries, and – perhaps most significantly – payment licenses in the UK, the Netherlands, Canada, Australia and Hong Kong.
Eynat Guez
“I’m really passionate about this company, their business, their approach, the amazing global network they built from the ground up, the people who made it happen – they do things the right way and I feel fortunate to bring them into the Papaya family.
“Azimo’s global digital payment network, multiple payment licenses and deep fintech expertise strengthens our ability to help companies manage and pay their remote teams,”
Eynat added.
The addition puts Papaya Global at the leading-edge of emerging trends in global payment technology. All of Azimo’s employees will join the Papaya team.
Richard Ambrose
“We can’t wait to join forces with Papaya to make it even easier for workers to get paid anywhere in the world,”
said Richard Ambrose, Azimo’s CEO.
“Papaya’s customers will benefit hugely from our long experience in building payment technology and operating as a regulated payments business.
The post Papaya Global Acquires Money Transfer Company Azimo appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/papaya-global-acquires-money-transfer-company-azimo</link><guid>2592</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Papaya Global Acquires Money Transfer Company Azimo</dc:text></item><item><title>ti&amp;m spannt für Onboarding-Lösung mit Skribble zusammen</title><description><![CDATA[Die ti&amp;m onboarding suite bietet ein modernes, vollautomatisches und rechtskonformes Onboarding, das Banken erlaubt, Neukunden schnell und vollständig digital zu registrieren.
Abgeschlossen wird der Onboardingprozess durch die qualifizierte elektronische Signatur (QES). Im Gegensatz zu anderen QES-Lösungen kann die plattformbasierte Lösung von Skribble für die Signatur mehrerer Dokumente verwendet werden. Weitere Dienstleistungen und Services von Banken, die einen Vertragsabschluss benötigen – bspw. Produkteröffnungen – werden somit vereinfacht zugänglich: Der erneute Identifizierungssprozess entfällt, was zu einer höheren Convenience bei Bankkunden und signifikant tieferen Prozesskosten führt. Mit der Lösung von Skribble kann jede Art von Vertrag rechtsgültig digital unterschrieben werden – in der EU, der Schweiz und weltweit. Das digitale Onboarding von ti&amp;m kann also auch von Banken im Ausland genutzt werden.
Zukunftsfähige Lösung: Erfüllung des ETSI-Standards und der steigenden Anforderungen der Bankkunden
Im Rahmen des Schweizerischen Bundesgesetzes über die elektronische Signatur (ZertES) wird der neue Standard des Europäischen Instituts für Telekommunikationsnormen (ETSI) seit Kurzem auch in der Schweiz angewendet. Der ETSI-Standard erlaubt es, dass Identitäten, die bei einem rechtskonformen Onboarding festgestellt werden und die Anforderungen des neuen Standards erfüllen, für die Ausstellung von geregelten Signaturzertifikaten wie von Skribble genutzt werden können. Die Anwendung des neuen Standards in der Schweiz schafft damit die gesetzliche Grundlage für die Wiederverwendbarkeit von elektronischen Signaturen.
Die Eröffnung neuer Bankgeschäfte ist immer noch sehr prozess- und dokumentenlastig mit langen Wartezeiten und Medienbrüchen für Bankkunden. Die Nachfrage nach nahtlos integrierten Prozessen steigt. Bankkunden erwarten, dass sie die Identifikation, die sie für ein Onboarding durchlaufen, auch für weitere, nachgelagerte Dienstleistungen und Produkte der Bank nutzen können. Dank der Partnerschaft mit Skribble bietet die ti&amp;m onboarding suite neu eine vollständig digitale und vernetzte Onboarding-Lösung mit einem herausragenden Kundenerlebnis und benutzerfreundlichen Authentifizierungsmethoden an. Die Standardsoftwaremodule der Onboarding Suite werden stand-alone als auch integriert in der ti&amp;m banking suite angeboten und implementiert. Die Partnerschaft zwischen ti&amp;m und Skribble ist ein weiterer Schritt, E-Signing im Schweizer Markt zu etablieren. Herkömmliche Lösungen sind häufig entweder auf der sicheren oder auf der einfachen Seite angesiedelt. Anders bei der Skribble AG, welche Sicherheit und Einfachheit kombiniert.
 
﻿
The post ti&#038;m spannt für Onboarding-Lösung mit Skribble zusammen appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/tim-spannt-fur-onboarding-losung-mit-skribble-zusammen</link><guid>2591</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>ti&amp;m spannt für Onboarding-Lösung mit Skribble zusammen</dc:text></item><item><title>Amazon’s Foray into Fintech Aims to Increase Participation in E-Commerce Ecosystem</title><description><![CDATA[Amazon has been dabbling in fintech for a couple of years now, but while the anticipation for a forthcoming “Amazon bank” continues to build-up each year, evidence suggests that instead the e-commerce giant remains mainly focused on offering products that support its core strategic goal: increase participation in the Amazon ecosystem.
This is the conclusion made by market intelligence company CB Insights in a freshly updated research that looks at the different moves the firm has made throughout the years to understand its future ambitions.
The report dismisses rumors that Amazon is building the next-generation bank, claiming that instead, the e-commerce firm is carrying on developing and proposing new services that increase both buyers and sellers participation on its platform, and reduce friction.
“These product development and investment decisions reveal that Amazon isn’t building a traditional bank that serves everyone,” the report says. “Instead, Amazon has taken the core components of a modern banking experience and tweaked them to suit Amazon customers (both merchants and consumers).
“In a sense, Amazon is building a bank for itself — and that may be an even more compelling development than the company launching a deposit-holding bank.”
Payments, cash deposits and lending as key financial pillars
In the financial services space, Amazon’s focus has been centered around three key pillars: payments, cash deposits and lending.
In the payment space, the firm has aggressively invested in payments infrastructure and services over the last few years, focusing on making payments more cash-efficient and frictionless.
Everything you need to know about what Amazon is doing in financial services, Cbinsights
Amazon’s foray into payments started back in 2007, and since then, Amazon Pay has evolved to include a digital wallet for customers and a payments network for both online and brick-and-mortar merchants. Today, Amazon Pay is one of the largest online payment provider in the US, with a reported 24% user share.
Recent developments show that the firm is now expanding from e-commerce payments to omnichannel, focusing notably on biometric payments and Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices.
Amazon’s biometric payment technology, Just Walk Out, uses computer vision, sensor fusion and advanced machine learning (ML) to enable a frictionless payments experience by suppressing the checkout process altogether. Customers just need to grab products and go without needing to stop and check out to pay. Amazon Go convenience stores have been the testbed for the cashierless technology.
Alongside its cashierless technology, Amazon has also had its eyes on eliminating the need for physical credit and debit cards. Amazon One was launched back in 2020, offering a set of software and hardware technologies that lets users pay using their palms. The service was initially introduced at Amazon Go stores in Seattle.
Work is also being done to develop payments through voice commands. In 2020, Amazon launched a new feature that allows customers to pay for gas at over 11,500 gas stations across the US with a voice command to their Alexa-enabled vehicles or other mobility devices.
Alongside payments, cash deposits have been a key area of focus. The Amazon Cash program, which was launched in 2017, aims to bridge the gap between online and offline commerce by allowing customers to deposit cash, without a fee, to a digital account at a partner brick-and-mortar retailer. The vision here is to include underbanked and unbanked populations in the Amazon ecosystem.
Along the same line, Amazon introduced PayCode in 2019, allowing customers to purchase goods on Amazon and pay for them in cash via QR codes. PayCode was first piloted in emerging markets, including Colombia, Hong Kong, Kenya, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Thailand.
Finally, in the lending space, Amazon is active in both business lending and consumer lending. In business lending, the company launched back in 2011 Amazon Lending, which helps merchants finance and sell more products on the e-commerce platform. Maximum loan amount varies from one market to another. In the US, Amazon’s partnership with Goldman Sachs’ Marcus provides credit lines of up to US$1 million, while in Germany, its partnership with ING gives loans between EUR 10,000 and EUR 750,000.
To further build its Amazon Business suite and attract new businesses to the ecosystem, Amazon has introduced corporate cards, offering perks such as analytics tools for spend and inventory management, discounts on Amazon Web Services (AWS) and control over employee spend.
A business-to-business (B2B) buy now, pay later (BNPL) offering called Pay by Invoice was also launched, providing merchants with the ability to buy now and pay within 30 days, or 60 days for Prime customers. As of February 2022, Amazon Business had more than five million customers worldwide, and growth has been steadily since its launch in 2015, the report says.
Everything you need to know about what Amazon is doing in financial services, CBInsights
In consumer lending, Amazon has tried out several partner cards for both Prime and non-Prime customers, focusing primarily on growing the Prime customer base and increasing marketplace sales. These cards offer different perks including cashbacks and 0% financing on certain purchases.
Last year, Amazon entered the consumer BNPL space, teaming up with Affirm and Barclays.
Next financial pillars
Besides strengthening its payments, cash deposits and lending business lines, Amazon is also exploring other areas within the financial services ecosystem, in particular insurance, the report says.
Amazon started dabbling in the insurance space back in 2016, and since then, has developed a number of fully fledged products.
Amazon Protect, for example, is a white-label service in the UK that provides accidental and theft insurance on certain consumer goods. Amazon has also teamed up with insurtech startup Next Insurance to provide eligible Business Prime members with access to small business insurance policies.
Since 2019, the company has been providing Amazon Care, a telehealth program that offers immediate access to a wide range of urgent and primary care services, including flu testing and vaccinations.
A pilot was first rolled out for employees in Seattle, before expanding to the general public and other employers. As of early 2022, the virtual Amazon Care service was available across the US. Amazon is planning to launch in-person services in another 20 cities later this year.
The CB Insights report also looks at Amazon’s rumored checking account plans. Though 2004 patents hinted at a forthcoming bank account, recent developments suggest that the firm has abandoned plans to create its own checking account, possibly worrying about strict banking regulations.
The post Amazon’s Foray into Fintech Aims to Increase Participation in E-Commerce Ecosystem appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/amazons-foray-into-fintech-aims-to-increase-participation-in-e-commerce-ecosystem</link><guid>2590</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Amazon-In-Fin-Services.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Amazon’s Foray into Fintech Aims to Increase Participation in E-Commerce Ecosystem</dc:text></item><item><title>KPMG and Volante Technologies Launch Strategic Alliance for Real-Time Payments</title><description><![CDATA[Volante Technologies, a global leader in cloud payments and financial messaging, and KPMG are joining forces to offer financial institutions comprehensive ISO 20022 and real-time payments (RTP) readiness diagnostics.
The strategic alliance will offer banks a winning combination of cloud-native payment solutions and related advisory, enabling banks to modernize their payments processes and operations faster than ever.
As a result, banks and payment service providers can start their real-time payments journey immediately with The Clearing House RTP®, and prepare for new instant payment schemes such as the FedNowSM Service as they become available. More so, financial institutions will be able to modernize their legacy wire and ACH payment systems, and strategically position themselves for emerging payments trends such as connected or embedded banking. In addition, they will become ISO 20022 compliant.
Courtney Trimble
“ISO 20022 and RTP represent watershed moments in payments and serve as catalysts for change with the opportunity for banks to provide a better payment experience and value-added solutions for corporates. While the ISO 20022 compliance deadline may seem far away, 2022 is the critical year for banks to ensure they have a clear strategy and plan for ISO 20022 readiness given the complex legacy IT environments of many banks,”
said Courtney Trimble, Principal, KPMG, and Global Head of Payments.
“With FedNow coming and increasing interest in instant payments in the U.S., there is a perfect storm brewing for banks to have a comprehensive payments modernization plan for the next two to three years,” Trimble continued.
“We are excited about the opportunity to work with Volante to drive new modernization and innovation to our bank clients, resulting in richer payments experiences and offerings to their customers.”
Jim Chow
“We’ve been very impressed working with the KPMG team for the past year. Formalizing our strategic alliance will see us take our relationship to the next level,”
said Jim Chow, VP of Partnerships, Volante Technologies.
“KPMG brings deep banking and payments industry experience with strong insights into ISO 20022, real-time payments, and payments modernization &#8211; both from a consulting and regulatory perspective,” continued Chow.
“Together, KPMG and Volante will give financial institutions the freedom to adapt to the fast-evolving payments landscape by turning the challenges of ISO 20022 migration and real-time payments enablement into a strategic business advantage.”
Deepak Gupta, Global Head, Payments as a Service, Partnerships and Strategic Alliances, Volante Technologies, added,
“Volante continues to lead in the marketplace with its latest cloud-native technology. An alliance with KPMG is another important cornerstone of our overall partner ecosystem. Our customers now have access to the best of both worlds: Volante’s modern technology with the lowest time to value with the deep domain expertise of KPMG.”

The post KPMG and Volante Technologies Launch Strategic Alliance for Real-Time Payments appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/kpmg-and-volante-technologies-launch-strategic-alliance-for-real-time-payments</link><guid>2588</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/AM-1.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>KPMG and Volante Technologies Launch Strategic Alliance for Real-Time Payments</dc:text></item><item><title>France’s Top 10 Most Well-Funded Fintech Startups</title><description><![CDATA[2021 was a blockbuster year for France’s fintech startups, which raised a record of EUR 2.2 billion on the back of booming demand for digital financial services.
Data from industry trade group France Fintech and French investment bank Bpifrance show that France now has a burgeoning fintech sector that employs some 30,000 people.
In 2021, more than 150 new fintech startups were founded, showcasing the sector’s dynamism, with insurtech, financing, micro-savings and impact finance emerging as the hottest segments.
Booming funding activity in 2021 brought valuations to new heights and turned five French fintech startups into unicorns, data from CB Insights show. The momentum is continuing this year with a number of large funding rounds announced in Q1 2022 and already two startup joining the unicorn club.
To get a sense of France’s up-and-coming fintech leaders, we take a look today at the top ten most well-funded private fintech companies.
Qonto – US$703 million

Founded in 2017, Qonto is a business finance solution provider serving freelancers, startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The company allows them to open a digital bank account in just a few minutes, get accompanying payment cards and make transfers seamlessly and conveniently. The solution also comes with an array of financial tools and capabilities that include accounting, bookkeeping and spend management.
Qonto serves more than 220,000 clients in France, Germany, Italy and Spain, and has been listed by the French government in the Next40 club, a group comprising the 40 most promising scale-ups in France with the potential to become global tech leaders.
Qonto has raised a total of EUR 622 million (US$703 million), its latest round being a EUR 486 million (US$552 million) Series D in January 2022, and is valued US$5 billion, according to CB Insights.
PayFit – US$496 million

Founded in 2015, PayFit provides cloud-based payroll management and human resources (HR) management solutions for businesses. PayFit’s features and capabilities include wage management, expense reporting, employee management, leave management, workflow management, onboarding and organizational management.
PayFit strives to support the digital transformation of HR through a reliable software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution that enables a superior user experience. The company claims to serve over 6,000 customers in France, Germany, Spain and the UK, and has raised EUR 433 million in funding (US$496 million). Its latest round was a EUR 254 million Series E (US$289 million) in January. PayFit is valued EUR 1.8 billion (US$2.1 billion).
Like Qonto, PayFit is part of France’s Next40 list.
Ledger – US$466 million

Founded in 2014, Ledger is the all-in-one cryptocurrency management solution serving retail and institutional clients in 200 countries. Ledger’s products include the world’s most popular hardware wallets, the Ledger Nano series, a user friendly and secure cryptocurrency management and exchange platform, called Ledger Live, and a digital assets security solution for financial institutions, called Ledger Enterprise Solutions.
A market leader in cryptocurrency hardware wallets with more than three million devices sold, Ledger claims its products now secure an estimated 15% of all cryptocurrency assets globally, and counts over 1.5 million monthly users on Ledger Live.
Ledger has raised a total of US$466 million in funding, its latest round being a US$380 million Series C fundraising in June 2021. The company was last valued at US$1.5 billion. Ledger is another Next40 scale-up.
Younited – US$400 million

Founded in 2009, Younited, formerly known as Pret d’Union, is a regulated credit institution in the European Union (EU) specializing in consumer loan. The company focuses on integrating instant credit into the customer journey.
Younited allows professional qualified investors to finance transparent and competitive consumer loans. Borrowers, on the other hand, can ask for an instant loan of up to EUR 50,000 for a duration of up to 84 months. In 2019, the company expanded to business-to-business (B2B), offering banks, insurance companies, telcos, e-commerce retails and tech companies with banking-as-a-service (BaaS) solutions to provide their own customers with instant digital credit and payment options like buy now, pay later (BNPL).
The company claims it serves one million customers in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Portugal, and expects to reach its EUR 5 billion gross merchandise value (GMV) milestone this year.
Younited has raised over EUR 323 million (US$400 million) in funding. The company is also amongst of France’s Next40.
Alan – US$360 million

Founded in 2016, Alan is a healthcare super-app offering personalized information, proactive care, care delivery and post-care services, as well as health insurance coverages.
Alan distributes its own health insurance plans to companies of all sizes as well as independent professionals. Its long-term goal is to become the go-to healthcare services and insurance platform in Europe and beyond, by prioritizing improved customer experiences and transparent pricing and policies.
The company claims to cover 270,000 members for more than 14,000 businesses, including WeWork, Deliveroo, JustEat, Vitaliance and Big Mamma, representing over EUR 140 million in annualized revenue.
It has raised about US$360 million in funding so far, according to CB Insights, its latest round being a EUR 185 million (US$220 million) Series D at a US$1.68 billion valuation. It’s also part of the Next40 list.
Swile – US$333 million

Founded in 2016, Swile, formerly known as Lunchr, is the developer of an employee benefits platform. Employees get a Swile Card and an accompanying mobile app designed to offer meal vouchers, gift vouchers and mobility benefits, as well as a group order functionality and capabilities such as reimbursements between colleagues, bill sharing, instant messaging and event organization.
Swile claims 750,000 employees use its services daily. The company serves SMEs and large firms including supermarket chain Carrefour, healthtech startup Doctolib, telco Free, and advertising multinational JCDecaux. It claims a 13% share in the corporate benefits market.
Swile has raised US$333 million in funding, its latest round being a US$200 million fundraising in October 2021. The company is valued US$1 billion, according to CB Insights, and is part of the Next40 list.
Shift Technology – US$320 million
 

Founded in 2014, Shift Technology delivers artificial intelligence (AI)-native decision automation and optimization solutions built specifically for the global insurance industry.
Addressing several critical processes across the insurance policy lifecycle, the Shift Insurance Suite helps insurers achieve faster, more accurate claims and policy resolutions. It features underwriting fraud detection, investigation tools, and cloud-based end-to-end claim processing and filing solutions.
Shift Technology claims it has analyzed nearly two billion insurance claims to date, and is serving more than 100 customers in 25 different countries.
Shift Technology has raised US$320 million in funding, its latest round being a US$220 million Series D in May 2021. The company is valued at US$1 billion, and is part of the Next40 list.
Spendesk – US$300 million

Founded in 2016, Spendesk aims to change the way companies manage their payments by offering a full-fledged corporate spending solution.
The solution is designed to save time and money across the entire spending process with 100% visibility and built-in automation. The central dashboard allows businesses to track budgets, receipts, and expense approvals for European companies. The solution
Spendesk claims to serve “thousands of companies across Europe and the US” including startups and established brands, such as Algolia, Soundcloud, Curve, Doctolib, Gousto, Raisin, Sezane, Wefox.
Spendesk has raised US$300 million in funding, its latest round being a US$100 million Series C fundraising. The company is valued US$1.5 billion, according to CB Insights, and it’s part of the Next40 club.
Lydia – US$260 million

Launched in 2013, Lydia is the developer of a full mobile banking app. The app provides customers with services to manage their financial life, giving them access to current and shared accounts, remunerated savings accounts, loans, instant bank transfers, mobile payments and investment.
Lydia claims its mobile app is used by more than 5 million users, and a third of France’s 18-35 year old adults. Lydia strives to become Europe’s first super-app and become the primary account for 10 million users within the next three years.
The company has raised US$260 million in funding, its latest round being a US$100 million Series C in December 2021. The startup is valued at US$1 billion, according to CB Insights, and is a member of the Next40 club.
Alma Finance – US$233 million

Founded in 2017, Alma is BNPL provider. The company offers a platform for retailers to provide their customers with instalment payments, allowing them to increase conversion rates and basket sizes. Users can manage sales via the dashboard, including payments, accounting exports, data analysis, and more.
Alma claims it serves more than 6,000 brands including upmarket department store chains Galeries Lafayette and Printemps, as well as Mauboussin, Samsonite and Lancel, and processes over EUR 1 billion worth of transactions annually.
Alma is now looking to expand to the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Portugal, Ireland, and Austria. The company raised EUR 115 million (US$131 million) in equity funding in February, bringing its total funding to EUR 210 million, according to a Reuters report. Like the rest of the list, Alma is part of the Next40 list.
The post France’s Top 10 Most Well-Funded Fintech Startups appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/frances-top-10-most-well-funded-fintech-startups</link><guid>2589</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Qonto-2-300x158.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>France’s Top 10 Most Well-Funded Fintech Startups</dc:text></item><item><title>Business Powered by Numarics – A New Evolution of Entrepreneurship</title><description><![CDATA[Numarics introduces its world&#8217;s first business operating system (OS) that completely covers business management for small and medium-sized businesses. Used by entrepreneurs and fiduciaries alike, Numarics eliminates all need for orchestrated use of disparate accounting and finance software. Startups get the services of a CFO and COO through one engine and the strong operations team behind it. The team of fiduciary and financial experts feeds the artificial intelligence of this engine with process flows &#8211; transforming the use of accounting and finance services. Currently available for in Switzerland registered businesses.
Numarics OS Completely Replaces Software
Numarics was developed by Swiss experts in finance, auditing, artificial intelligence and automation with a vision to seamlessly integrate business management into the lifestyle of today&#8217;s entrepreneurs.
Kristian Kabashi
&#8220;The artificial intelligence knowledge comes from the top expertise of our operations team,&#8221;
says Kristian Kabashi, co-founder at Numarics and an expert in process optimization and automation, adding,
&#8220;A software is built by software developers. Our engine learns from the specialists and virtually creates itself in the process.&#8221;
To build a powerful, scalable and easy-to-use true digital solution, Numarics&#8217; founding team developed an app that allows users to further feed the state-of-the-art engine with use cases &#8211; simply by using it.
&#8220;The more users Numarics serves, the more business cases it covers,&#8221;
Kabashi adds. In the process, human errors due to lack of time or carelessness in repetitive activities are eliminated. Kabashi:
&#8220;We use the machine to sift through a high volume of data in milliseconds. Anywhere a human can make the mistakes, the machine does not. Anything that has to do with human experience and niche knowledge, our operations team of finance experts and affiliated accountants cover as consultants.&#8221;
With Numarics, accounting is no longer an extra item. It is integrated and seamless. Automated processing also includes reporting to the appropriate local authorities. The Numarics dashboard provides real-time metrics and financial forecasts that allow users to report to their stakeholders and plan investments and cash flow.
AI-driven Numarics is a quality guarantor for reporting even as with the annual financial statement.
Dominique Rey
&#8220;The annual financial statements are no longer forgotten or postponed,&#8221;
says Dominique Rey, co-founder and CEO of Numarics, referring to the process integration. More and more Swiss fiduciaries are joining Numarics and empowering Numarics as a RegTech solution (solution for regulation) &#8211; that is, using Numarics as a financial tool takes care of filings and compliance with tax authorities.
&#8220;The accountant connected to Numarics thus has time for the consulting services of the users assigned to him /her and can refer to very individual optimizations, such as the creation of expense regulations with the district of Zurich if the company is located there,&#8221;
adds Rey, who is a Swiss business expert and certified public accountant.
Accountants are usually highly trained specialists and are empowered with Numarics to focus on quality control and high quality consulting services. Compared to purchasing manual accounting services paired with software subscriptions, users benefit from lower costs.
Numarics OS offers comprehensive features such as invoice generation and automated dunning, legally compliant digital management of all receipts and documents, and payroll automation. Numarics employs finance experts in the operations team and makes the Numarics OS available to external accountants, replacing paper, bookings and software.
These are the features that will be fully integrated in Numarics OS 2022:

Booking from receipt, accounting
Payroll
Document management
Business intelligence, financial forecasts
Invoice and quote generation, dunning process
Mail concierge
Bank integration
Inventory management
CRM
Project based time tracking
Expense management
Personnel planning
3rd party APIs

Numarics OS for Sole Proprietors
Entrepreneurship is booming. In 2021, more than 50,537 new companies were founded in Switzerland. More than ever before. Most of the start-ups are sole proprietorships.
There are many good reasons for starting a sole proprietorship: it is the most popular entry into self-employment, with the promise of independence and unlimited opportunities to turn one&#8217;s talents into money. Unfortunately, it is sole proprietorships that most often go out of business. High workload, stress or dissatisfaction with the income generated are common factors.
Thus, sole proprietors do not usually start their business only to abandon it again. But even in the case of &#8220;cautious founding&#8221;, where the business is initially set up as a side gig, the pressure from the constant provision of receipts, figures, documents and meeting deadlines for tax payments is enormous. These are just some of the hurdles Numarics aims to remove.
The Numarics OS combined with business advice that is available like a concierge service on your mobile device via Numarics App, make starting and running a sole proprietorship easier than ever. The key benefit of being created is time and focus for the core business.
Numarics OS for Startups
Startups stand for innovation, dynamism and rapid growth. Yet the biggest challenges are rarely a lack of ideas, but insufficient cash flow management and resources for financial planning and reporting. Accounting and financial planning software are outdated, time-consuming and costly, and so is the perception of outsourcing to an accounting service provider.
It&#8217;s important to find a way to stay organized in managing the various accounting and operational aspects of your startup. Between invoice management, in-house team payroll, cash flow and budget planning, any startup that doesn&#8217;t find an efficient solution to these tasks can end up wasting a tremendous amount of time.
Currently available for companies registered in Switzerland, startups can connect and close their accounting in real time. Invoices, quotes as well as payrolls are automated. All key figures for expenditure and investment planning are provided, which are valuable for your business decisions. Business management reports are connected to the tax authorities to handle all filing requirements such as annual statements and payroll reports in the background.
Finance experts on Numarics&#8217; operations team are available via click at any time for individual advice. The Numarics OS offers startups resources that otherwise only well-funded companies can access: All the services of a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) paired with business consulting.
Numarics OS for Medium-Sized Businesses
Numarics offers an award-winning enterprise solution that catapults the business operations of Swiss SMEs into the next era. The use of algorithms, artificial intelligence and automation results in a real-time realization that captures all financial aspects with pinpoint accuracy. From this, valuable financial forecasts are determined, which can be viewed and used at any time &#8211; without effort and therefore without loss of time.
The Numarics OS dashboard constantly provides central key figures of a company. This means that the decisive planning variables are always in view and can be actively controlled. As a Swiss army knife for financial management, bookkeeping including payroll is automated, as is accounts receivable management and the preparation of tax returns, which are then sent to the Swiss tax authorities with Numarics&#8217; seamless connection. Expenses are recorded as they happen. Scanned or uploaded by all employees via the mobile or web app, the Numarics algorithm captures the type of expense and posts it. Through a connection to the company&#8217;s bank account, the app responds with automatic payment reminders sent when customer invoices have not been paid within the specified time period.
More at Why Numarics is developing an OS instead of software and why it&#8217;s the future of entrepreneurship.
The post Business Powered by Numarics &#8211; A New Evolution of Entrepreneurship appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/business-powered-by-numarics-a-new-evolution-of-entrepreneurship</link><guid>2587</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Business Powered by Numarics – A New Evolution of Entrepreneurship</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 22 In-Person Fintech Events Taking Place in the USA in H1 2022</title><description><![CDATA[The USA has one of the world’s biggest fintech markets. Throughout the years, US fintech companies have continuously led the world in fintech innovation, startup funding, valuation and exit activity.
Out of the current 235 fintech unicorns that operate around the world, more than half (121) are headquartered in the US, showcasing the scale of the US fintech industry and its leadership position on the global scale.
Given the US’ burgeoning fintech industry, plenty of fintech events and conferences are being organized each year in all parts of the country to allow professionals and stakeholders to network, build meaningful connections and keep up with the latest developments.
Today, we look at the top 22 upcoming fintech events taking place in the US in the coming months. These live, in-person events are scheduled for H1 2022 and are expected to bring together some of the industry’s brightest minds and leaders.
Transact 2022
April 12 – 14, 2022
Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas

Powered by Electronic Transactions Association (ETA), the world’s largest payments industry trade group, Transact is an annual event where financial institutions, networks, payments companies, fintech and technology innovators convene to make the deals that shape the payments industry.
This year’s event is expected to attract more than 2,500 attendees, 1,000 C-level executives, 150 exhibitors, and 500 companies. Topics covered will include innovation in the payments industry, consumer insights and data, future trends, risk and compliance, small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) finance, and next generation commerce.
New York Fintech Week 2022
April 18 – 22, 2022
New York

The annual New York Fintech Week event was designed to be an inclusive collaboration of the entire startup ecosystem. Each year, the week-long festival features a series of events highlighting different fintech initiatives. These range from conferences and invitation-only roundtables to events free to the community.
Featured events taking place during this year’s New York Fintech Week include the Money20/20 World Tour – NYC: Crypto &amp; Cannabis at Rise, New York, on April 18, the Empire Fintech Conference on April 19, and the Fintech Trends: ESG &amp; Responsible Investing and Banking Innovation Roundtable, both taking place on April 21.
AI in Finance Summit
April 21 – 22, 2022
etc. venues 360 Madison, New York City

Taking place on April 21 and 22, the AI in Finance Summit will bring together experts and leaders in the artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) fields to explore the latest technology advancements as well as practical examples to apply AI to solve challenges in business and society.
The event will feature 90 speakers, more than 8 hours of networking sessions, interactive workshops, and group brainstorming sessions. Participants will get to connect with AI pioneers at the forefront of research, explore real-world case studies of AI, discover advances in AI and machine learning (ML) tools and techniques from the world&#8217;s leading innovators, and build new meaningful business connections.
Smarter Faster Payments Conference 2022
May 01 – 04, 2022
Gaylord Opryland Resort &amp; Convention Center, Nashville

The Smarter Faster Payments Conference is Nacha’s annual conference, providing payments education, a dynamic exhibit hall, and valuable networking opportunities. This industry event is designed for a diversity of organizations that are interested in driving innovation, delivering value through new solutions and services, and employing these offerings to meet their business needs and/or those of their customers.
This year’s event will take place from May 01 to 04, 2022, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort &amp; Convention Center in Nashville. The event will bring together new and seasoned professionals in the payments industry to learn and engage in conversations about the latest payments trends, and shape the future of the industry.
The multi-day event will include focused educational session tracks, a dynamic exhibit hall featuring trending solution providers, and a variety of ways to connect with fellow attendees.
DeFi Retreat 2022
May 03, 2022
San Diego Harbor

DeFi Retreat 2022 is an intimate gathering on the waters of the San Diego Harbor. It aims to provide high-value, relationship-building and learning opportunities through informal discussions and intimate networking between professionals and stakeholders in the decentralized finance (DeFi) space.
DeFi Retreat 2022 will be e cruising Downtown San Diego, Seaport Village, Shelter Island, ship-building and dry-docking facilities, Coronado Island, Point Loma, and Cabrillo National Monument, among many others. The three decks of the boat will comprise an entertainment deck, a discussion deck and a culinary deck.
The event is limited to 175 participants, and will feature seven off-the-record panel discussions, and intimate networking sessions over breakfast, lunch and evening reception.
2022 US Fintech Symposium
May 03 – 04, 2022
The Rosen Centre Hotel, Orlando

The US Fintech Symposium is a semiannual fintech conference that brings decision-makers together to discover the latest fintech trends while fostering productive  networking events. The two-day fintech conference will discuss the practical uses of advanced enterprise technologies within the finance and financial services industries.
Conference attendees will be able to participate in six formal networking sessions, schedule meetings with product and service providers, network digitally through an event app and more. They will hear presentations and panel discussions from fintech industry experts pertaining to the latest fintech developments including blockchain, robotic process automation, AI, ML, big data, banking APIs, and more.
Fintech Americas Miami 2022
May 10 – 11, 2022
Fontainebleau Hotel, Miami

Fintech Americas Miami is the leading fintech conference focusing on Latin America’s fintech industry. This year’s event is set to bring together 750 banking leaders, and feature over 75 speakers representing companies and organizations including Harvard Innovation Labs, BBVA, Stripe, Binance and Santander.
Fintech Americas Miami will include 55 sessions distributed in different scenarios and panel discussions, networking sessions, as well as the reveal of this year’s winners of the Financial Innovators of the Americas Awards.
Payments Forum 2022
May 16 – 18, 2022
Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass, Phoenix

Payments Forum, formally known as Card Forum, is returning from May 16 to 18 with a comprehensive program that addresses all aspects of the payments community. From fintechs and payment technologies to contactless trends and mobility as a service, the event is set to bring together more than 450 payments professionals from the banking, fintech and retail industries, among which 74% of senior executives.
This year’s event will explore into some of the hottest trends right now, including changing customer expectations, cryptocurrencies, financial inclusion, and more.
Privacy-Enhancing Tech Summit North America 2022
May 18 – 19, 2022
Boston

Privacy, security, and regulatory constraints create difficulties for data-driven projects. This includes initiatives involving sensitive data being processed, accessed, monetized, bought, sold, shared, aggregated, or analyzed.
To unleash the power of sensitive data for these functions, privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs) are being deployed by many different sectors. Industries benefiting range from financial services to healthcare to pharmaceuticals to telecoms to government bodies and include many others.
The Privacy-Enhancing Tech Summit North America 2022 aims to address how to make previously unfeasible projects that involve sensitive data possible. The summit will also focus on how to mitigate risks, as well as how to reduce the chance of data breaches and data misuse. Key topics will include data protection, security, compliance and regulation.
FinovateSpring 2022
May 18 – 20, 2022
Hilton San Francisco Union Square, San Francisco

After two consecutive digital events, FinovateSpring will return to in-person events in 2022. FinovateSpring 2022 is expected to be attended by more than 1,100 senior executives, and will feature 50+ demoers and 100+ speakers. The conference will hold workshops, presentations and interactive panels.
Participants will get to learn more about how technology can help them spot opportunities for growth in their organizations. They will also get to meet innovative companies and industry leaders face-to-face.
Investment USA 2022
May 23 – 24, 2022
New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge, New York

From geopolitical instability compounding the economic impact of the pandemic and the still-looming specter of inflation, to shifting investor demands driving the rise and rise of sustainable investing and alternative assets – the disruption impacting the entire investment management ecosystem is relentless.
Amidst this unprecedented uncertainty and extreme market volatility, industry participants must continue to adapt, innovate and uncover new opportunities to generate returns.
At the Investment USA 2022 event, hosted by Reuters, participants will get to discover how industry-leading asset allocators and managers are navigating these new complexities, implementing resilient operating models and pivoting portfolios to protect investments and businesses.
The event is set to bring together leading chief investment officers and top-level decision makers from North America’s most influential asset managers, investors and industry innovators, to share their insights on the mega trends shaping the markets throughout 2022 and beyond.
Insurtech Insights Americas 2022
May 24 – 25, 2022
Javits Center, New York City

The Insurtech Insights Americas 2022 conference will take place on May 24 and 25, and is set to be attended by 3,000+ leaders and 800+ companies.
The conference will feature 200+ speakers representing the likes of Swiss Re, WeFox, Prudential International, Manulife International, Getsafe, and Cover Genius. Key covered will include the gig economy, automated underwriting, business agility, SME coverage, fraud detection, and more.
Lendit Fintech USA
May 25 – 26, 2022
Javits Center, New York City

Lendit Fintech USA, one of the New York City’s largest fintech events, is returning to the Javits Center in Spring 2022. The event will bring together banks, fintechs and investors seeking to learn and conduct business.
Over 10,000 one-on-one meetings take place at LendIt Fintech USA every year, and many of these meetings are catalysts for deals and partnerships that emerge in the months following the event.
LendIt Fintech is amongst the largest media and events companies dedicated to innovation in lending and digital banking. Today, the company operates five major conferences annually, in New York City, London and Miami, along with its digital community and daily news organization.
WealthStack
May 31 – June 03, 2022
The Diplomat Beach Resort, Hollywood

WealthStack will bring together the leading advisors, broker dealers and asset owners who have successfully leveraged tech to optimize their operations, provide a higher quality client experience and ultimately grow their firm to share their stories and insight on how you can do the same. They&#8217;ll be joined by the leading tech enablers, providers and consultants to shed some light on the innovative tools available on the market.
Participants will get to hear from the likes of Joe Duran, Shannon Spotswood, Bob Oros, Ron Bullis, Dani Fava, Teddy Fusaro, Adrian Johnstone and many more. They will get to meet and connect with future-minded financial advisors, broker dealers, asset managers, investment banks, asset servicing and tech vendors.
The event is set to be attended by more than 2,000 leading financial advisors, decision-makers and wealthtech innovators and influencers. Key topics covered will include the role of tech in unlocking new growth opportunities, leveraging digital to improve productivity, workflows and operations, and reinventing the client experience through technology.
All WealthStack 2022 attendees will be able to access the content on-demand for 12 months after the event. Sessions will be available to all attendees to access online a week after the event runs.
Digin 2022
June 08 – 10, 2022
New Orleans

Featuring high-level think tanks, engaging workshops, deep-dive roundtables and so much more, Digin is thoughtfully curated to provide actionable insights and powerful networking. With an unrivaled level of interactivity, this is where the insurance community will connect and collaborate to address the industry’s digital evolution.
More than 1,600 leaders are set to attend, among which senior leader positions representing insurance carriers, insurtech startups and government professionals. Topics covered will include digital policy management, digital transformation and AI. The event will also feature product demos, networking sessions, case studies, and more.
Bank Transformation Forum 2022
June 09, 2022
Convene, New York City

The Bank Transformation Forum is a brand new event series built for top banking executives to learn from each other and tackle shared challenges together.
The forum will provide a platform for New York City’s top banking executives to collaboratively solve shared challenges through a mix of interactive discussions and presentations. Uniquely, this one-day summit is application-only to attend, ensuring that each attendee is a true transformation leader within banking.
This year’s Bank Transformation Forum will feature more than 20 speakers representing organizations such as PNC, Berkshire Bank, JP Morgan Chase, Credit Union National Association, HSBC, Fintegra, and more. It will focus on innovation and technology, and transformation projects within large banks.
Consensus 2022
June 09 – 12, 2022
Austin

Consensus, the most influential crypto and blockchain experience of the year since 2015, will return to an in-person format and be held in Austin, Texas, for the first time ever.
This is the only festival showcasing and celebrating all sides of the blockchain, crypto, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and Web 3 ecosystems, and their wide-reaching effect on commerce, culture, and communities.
Curated and produced by CoinDesk, Consensus will bring together tens of thousands of attendees to hear from the most sought-after thought leaders and experience a wide range of discussions, meetings, parties, music performances, dinners, experiences, and much more.
The festival-style event will be held from June 9 to 12, 2022, with the Austin Convention Center as its hub, while other locations throughout the city will host a variety of additional programming from CoinDesk, the World Economic Forum, Coin Center and many other partner organizations.
Digital Banking 2022
June 13 – 15, 2022
Hilton Austin, Austin

Digital Banking 2022, by American Banker, is thoughtfully curated for powerful networking and meaningful discussions. The event will feature engaging demos, interactive panels and insightful keynotes, and is set to be attended by more than 1,000 banking professionals from the banking and fintech industries, in addition to merchants and regulators.
The event will also see American Banker announcing its 2022 Digital Banker of the Year.
Generations – Fintech + Insurtech Conference 2022
June 14 – 15, 2022
Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte

Generations – Fintech + Insurtech Conference 2022 is one of the premier fintech and insurtech events in the US. Each year, the conference gathers the industries’ top thought leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs from around the world to discuss pressing topics and facilitate strategic networking among 1,000+ attendees.
Based out of Charlotte, Generations 2022 will be returning as a hybrid event, themed around the topic of “recharge”. Top experts will feature real conversations that challenge the status quo and expand on emerging innovations. Key themes will include cybersecurity, Web 3.0, SME finance, cryptocurrencies, B2B commerce, digital identity and more.
Fintech South 2022
June 14 – 15, 2022
Hybrid, Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta

Fintech South 2022 is a world-class summit with its nexus in Atlanta live and in-person, a global fintech hub that is home to more than 200 fintech companies.
On June 14 and 15, 2022, the summit will bring together fintech leaders from around the world for a two-day event of content and experiences designed to allow professionals to drive business success and thrive in the next normal.
The event will feature 300+ speakers and 40+ hours of content on the hottest fintech trends, including blockchain, the future of currency, digital banking, identity, privacy, fraud, post-pandemic retail and commerce, payments trends and regulation.
Invest 2022
June 16 – 17, 2022
Hilton Midtown, New York City

 
Invest 2022, by FinancialPlanning, is set to bring together more than 850 senior wealth management leaders for powerful networking and meaningful discussions.
The event will feature engaging demos, interactive panels and insightful keynotes, and will focus on enabling the wealthtech community to connect and collaborate to address the latest tech and the industry’s most pressing issues.
Key themes will include the environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) approach, cryptocurrencies, robo-advisors and data mining.
Open Finance, APIs and Partnerships
June 23 – 24, 2022
New York City

The Open Finance, APIs and Partnerships event will focus on the potential of open finance and partnerships to support customers and align with the evolving tech ecosystem.
This premier Marcus Evans event will bring together the foremost leaders in open banking, digital innovation, and partnerships from leading financial institutions to deliver case studies that address the challenges and strategies for optimizing and accelerating digital innovation and open finance. There will be discussions into the importance of digital identity mechanisms and the focus on data security and privacy to facilitate secure data sharing and to protect consumer data.
This conference will also provide the opportunity to present the benefits of leveraging open API initiatives through strategic partnerships and alliances, to not only provide diverse consumer product offerings, but also to create mutually lucrative opportunities and maximize collaboration potential.
 
This article first appeared on fintechnews.am

The post Top 22 In-Person Fintech Events Taking Place in the USA in H1 2022 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-22-in-person-fintech-events-taking-place-in-the-usa-in-h1-2022</link><guid>2586</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Transact-2022-1.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 22 In-Person Fintech Events Taking Place in the USA in H1 2022</dc:text></item><item><title>Tech Platform Talenthouse Listed Its Shares on the SIX Swiss Exchange</title><description><![CDATA[Talenthouse AG, a leading technology platform connecting creatives and brands globally, has today listed 418,337,210 registered shares on SIX Swiss Exchange (ticker THAG) in response to an exceptional demand for digital content creation.
Talenthouse, with its operational headquarters in London, captures the “zeitgeist” of a new era of diverse, decentralised, international, creative content. As leaders in the global Creator Economy, it empowers and connects its community of over 14 million members with world-renowned brands including Warner Bros., Snapchat and the UN to develop authentic culturally-relevant digital content.
The Creator Economy generates US$2,250 billion annually, employing 30 million people worldwide, according to UNESCO. It is an ecosystem that comprises a wide range of occupations distinguished by the generation of wealth and jobs through individual creativity. It is seeing huge demand as audiences are increasingly requesting quality, unique, engaging creative work that resonates with them. Smartphone usage, streaming and social media have revolutionised digital photography and videography consumption, while digital games and the metaverse have led to a demand for augmented reality (AR) and 3D graphic content. With its skilled international community, Talenthouse is well positioned to provide its clients with this dynamic fresh content.
The company’s business model, which is built on the two current pillars of content creation and content monetisation, has been strongly underpinned by both acquisitive and organic growth through product development. A third pillar, community empowerment, is expected to be built up in 2022. With pioneering, robust and diversifiable patented technology, Talenthouse has a strong history of innovation. As the business expands, its goals are to democratise and nurture the creative community and to upskill individuals enabling them to better source additional, flexible income through the platform. The company is focussed on empowering creatives and providing them with the tools to grow, learn and promote themselves.
Meanwhile, the company’s core blue-chip clients are seeking to develop bespoke, authentic, culturally-nuanced content for each region in their worldwide operations. Having a truly global community of creatives in 195 countries, Talenthouse’s community is well-placed to develop this content. This was recently highlighted by the company’s ground-breaking work with the UN. In this campaign Talenthouse received over 16,700 submissions from 142 countries, verifying over 4,000 for all to share to help fight the Covid-19 pandemic.
Roman Scharf
Roman Scharf, Co-Founder of Talenthouse says,
“We set up Talenthouse with the goal of democratising economic opportunity for creatives whilst improving and authenticating brand messaging. Around the world there are abundantly talented people looking for better ways to earn a living and through our diverse offerings they can work for some of the world’s most influential brands. The public listing enables us to further grow our community; to nurture and develop our creative members, so that we can provide our brand partners with an even more complete, international and bespoke content service. With our highly-skilled management team, supported by an experienced Board, I am confident that we will continue our strong growth and allow many more creatives to participate in the networks which define the outcome of their lives.”
Clare McKeeve
Clare McKeeve, CEO of Talenthouse says,
“ Our community is at the heart of everything we do. At Talenthouse our goal is more than just offering creatives access to incredible household brands, we want to empower our community and set each and every creative up for success. We’ve acquired and developed brilliant companies within our portfolio so that our creatives have the tools to be part of an active community whilst successfully monetising their skills. Ultimately they are the lifeblood of Talenthouse &#8211; the brilliant minds that constantly inspire our clients and build relevant, authentic content.”
The company also announces that yesterday its board of directors has adopted a stock option plan and approved to grant an aggregate of 69,035,000 options to certain employees, members of the board of directors and consultants to purchase the same number of shares in Talenthouse AG at an exercise price of CHF 0.10 per share. The options include new options and legacy options of former option-holders in group companies of Talenthouse AG. The new options are subject to a tranched vesting over four years and, as concerns Talenthouse AG&#8217;s board and executive team members, the shares received upon the exercise of new options are subject to a holding period (lock-up) of 5 (five) years upon granting of the options. The shares received upon the exercise of legacy options are, as a rule, subject to a holding period (lock-up) of 3 (three) years upon granting of the options. The stock option plan provides incentives for high levels of performance and encourages long term stock ownership in Talenthouse AG.
Furthermore, Talenthouse AG was informed by its chairman that he intends to further commit to Talenthouse AG and purchase additional shares on the market in the coming days.
The post Tech Platform Talenthouse Listed Its Shares on the SIX Swiss Exchange appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/tech-platform-talenthouse-listed-its-shares-on-the-six-swiss-exchange</link><guid>2585</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Tech Platform Talenthouse Listed Its Shares on the SIX Swiss Exchange</dc:text></item><item><title>G+D Participates in Brazilian Central Bank’s Digital Currency Initiative</title><description><![CDATA[The planning for Brazil’s central bank digital currency, the Real Digital, is entering a new phase. The Banco Central do Brasil (BCB) has selected Giesecke+Devrient’s CBDC solution Filia for its dual offline payment capability in a challenge that evaluates use cases of a digital currency in the South American country.
The central bank’s digital currency (CBDC), the Real Digital, is to be launched in Brazil as early as 2024. This would position Brazil among the first major countries to have a CBDC as a complementary alternative to cash. In preparation for this major step, the Brazilian Central Bank in partnership with the national Federation of Associations of Banco Central Servers (Fenasbac) initiated the program „LIFT Challenge Real Digital“ to evaluate use cases and the best technologies for the ambitious project.
The LIFT challenge aims to identify the fundamental characteristics of an infrastructure for the Digital Real. This infrastructure should be able to support the presented use cases, that will mature during the period of the challenge, to bring new functionalities to the Brazilian payment system and add value to the Brazilian society.
The implementation phase is now starting for nine of the 47 submitted projects and will conclude at the end of July 2022. G+D’s proposal was selected for Filia’s capability of dual offline payments – payments when both the payer and payee are without access to the internet or power supply.
Secure digital payment with Filia – also offline
A CBDC is a digital alternative and complement to cash. It will promote financial inclusion by being accessible to everyone, regardless of their social status, location and ability to access bank accounts, payment service providers or the internet. So, unlike existing digital payment solutions, it must have an offline function that enables all users to make payments anytime and anywhere.
G+D developed its token-based solution with the vision to enable secure consecutive offline payments. This functionality is enabled by the Filia protocol coupled with secure hardware elements, such as the chip found in payment cards. The Filia protocol handles the processing of payment transactions between offline wallets and ensures that only mutually authorised wallets are allowed to do so. It also prevents money from being lost, or transferred twice, if the connection is interrupted during a transaction. Transfers can also be made via hardware devices such as smart cards, wearables or key fobs and do not require either the payer nor the recipient to have a bank account. This ensures the users of a CBDC are independent of expensive devices and network availability, making it a secure and inclusive digital means of payment for all.
Open platform for third-party solutions
G+D’s CBDC solution aims to be a platform where private sector players can innovate upon. Software development kits are part of the offering and help to integrate CBDC into 3rd party applications such as mobile banking apps of commercial banks. On this basis, companies can enrich central bank digital currencies with innovative and secure products and services.
Raoul Herborg
„A CBDC must work for everyone, anywhere, at any time. Only in this way can it be a truly inclusive public digital currency. We are happy that the Banco Central do Brasil recognized the importance of dual offline payments saying that this topic faces even greater technological challenges than those present in the online applications of a CBDC“,
comments Raoul Herborg, Managing Director for the Central Bank Digital Currency unit at Giesecke+Devrient.
 

 
This article first appeared on fintechnews.am

The post G+D Participates in Brazilian Central Bank’s Digital Currency Initiative appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/gd-participates-in-brazilian-central-banks-digital-currency-initiative</link><guid>2584</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/AM-1.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>G+D Participates in Brazilian Central Bank’s Digital Currency Initiative</dc:text></item><item><title>Temenos Partners With Mastercard to Boost the Adoption of Request to Pay</title><description><![CDATA[Cloud banking platform Temenos announced a collaboration with Mastercard that will help banks to accelerate their introduction of Request to Pay services in the UK.
This new initiative combines pre-composed solutions on the Temenos Banking Cloud with Mastercard&#8217;s services, making it easier, faster and cheaper for financial institutions to introduce Request to Pay services.
Request to Pay enables billers to dynamically request and manage the payment for a bill rather than simply sending an invoice.
The payer receives a curated digital request on their internet or mobile device through a banking or third-party fintech application.
The payer can either partially or fully approve, defer, or even reject the request, enabling them to manage their bill payments better.
However, if approved, a payment order will be submitted for execution within the bank via a preferred route, including through the Faster Payments system, allowing the biller to receive funds in real-time.
While Request to Pay has enormous potential to transform the payments landscape, it is still at an early phase of its rollout and reach.
With this collaboration, Temenos and Mastercard aim to accelerate market adoption, enabling complete end-to-end, real-time processing and secure and successful communication between buyers and payers.
Mick Fennell
Mick Fennell, Business Line Director, Temenos Payments said,
“The race is now on to take advantage of Request to Pay driven market opportunities, where both billers and payers demand easy to use solutions embedded into the service offerings from their banks.
 
Working with Mastercard, the Temenos Request to Pay solution will enable banks to quickly seize and develop these opportunities, building a competitive edge in fulfilling market demand for efficient, reliable, and cost-effective execution of the service.”
Frode Asheim
Frode Asheim, EVP, Bill Pay, Mastercard, added:
“When paying bills, people value choice, control and flexibility with the added convenience of having all their bills in one place for a smooth day-to-day money management experience.
 
Our innovative Request to Pay solution addresses these needs from consumers while at the same time providing additional benefits for billers and financial institutions. The participation of banks and other FI’s is essential to the success of Request to Pay, and by working with partners like Temenos, we can accelerate adoption in the market.”
The post Temenos Partners With Mastercard to Boost the Adoption of Request to Pay appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/temenos-partners-with-mastercard-to-boost-the-adoption-of-request-to-pay</link><guid>2582</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Temenos Partners With Mastercard to Boost the Adoption of Request to Pay</dc:text></item><item><title>Spesen Fintech Startup Yokoy mit 80 Millionen USD Series B Finanzierungs-Runde</title><description><![CDATA[Die Yokoy Group AG hat 80 Millionen US-Dollar in einer Series-B-Finanzierungsrunde unter der Leitung von Sequoia Capital eingesammelt.
Neben Sequoia Capital beteiligen sich Speedinvest, Visionaries Club und Zinal Growth, sowie die bestehenden Investoren Balderton Capital, Six FinTech Ventures, Left Lane, Swisscom Ventures und bekannte Angel-Investoren an der Runde.
Insgesamt hat Yokoy inzwischen mehr als 107 Millionen US-Dollar eingesammelt. Mit den 80 Millionen der Series-B-Runde will das Unternehmen personell wachsen, sowie das Geschäft in Europa und darüber hinaus weiter ausbauen. Auch in die technologische Weiterentwicklung wird Geld fließen: So werden die KI-, Automatisierungs- und Sicherheitssysteme der Yokoy-Plattform weiter verbessert und das Yokoy-Pay-Angebot ausgebaut.
Philippe Sahli
Philippe Sahli, CEO von Yokoy, sagt:
„Uns motiviert es sehr, unsere Wachstumsgeschichte zusammen mit Sequoia und all den anderen großartigen Investoren weiterzuschreiben, um die Art und Weise zu revolutionieren, wie sich Unternehmen mit ihren Ausgaben beschäftigen. Yokoy beweist, dass das Ausgabenmanagement für globale Unternehmen weder mühsam noch kostspielig sein muss. Mit unserer intuitiven Plattform decken wir die vielfältigen Facetten des Ausgabenmanagements vollständig ab und automatisieren mittels KI alle Prozesse, die damit einhergehen. So scha en wir einen signifikanten Mehrwert für Unternehmen. Der Erfolg gibt uns recht: Wir verzeichnen ein jährliches Wachstum von 400 Prozent und konnten bereits über 500 Kunden für uns gewinnen.”
Yokoy wurde 2019 in der Schweiz gegründet und hat es sich zur Aufgabe gemacht, die Ausgabenverwaltung von mittleren und großen Unternehmen zu modernisieren. So kostet allein die Bearbeitung einer einzelnen Spesenabrechnung schätzungsweise 60 US-Dollar. Hier leistet Yokoy Abhilfe, denn die Plattform automatisiert das Ausgabenmanagement mit Hilfe von künstlicher Intelligenz. Sie vereint Spesenabrechnungen, die Verwaltung von Lieferantenrechnungen und die Bezahlung mit intelligenten Firmenkarten in einem intuitiven Tool, das auf modernster Sicherheitstechnik beruht. Mit diesem Ansatz kann Yokoy die Kosten für das Ausgabenmanagement um bis zu 90 Prozent senken. Darüber hinaus sind Unternehmen in der Lage, ihre Ausgabenaktivitäten genau zu analysieren und zu kontrollieren.
Matt Miller
Matt Miller, Partner bei Sequoia Capital, erklärt:
„Geht es um die Verwaltung von Ausgaben, wollen Unternehmen in ganz Europa ihre E zienz steigern und den Automatisierungsgrad erhöhen. Es gibt bereits viele Lösungen, die auf Firmenkarten ausgelegt sind, damit aber nur einen Teil dieses Puzzles lösen. Uns begeistert Yokoy, weil es das einzige Software-Unternehmen ist, das seinen Kunden und Kundinnen eine Komplettlösung für das Ausgabenmanagement bietet, die Prozesse automatisiert und Firmenkarten einschließt. Dieser einzigartige Ansatz schlägt sich in einem sehr guten Kundenfeedback und einem beeindruckenden Wachstum nieder. Wir freuen uns, mit Yokoy zusammenzuarbeiten, und das Unternehmen beim Aufstieg zum Innovations- und Marktführer im Bereich des Ausgabenmanagements zu begleiten.”
Der Markt für Ausgabenmanagement-Tools beläuft sich weltweit auf mehr als 200 Milliarden US-Dollar und wächst jährlich um 11 Prozent. Yokoy hat bereits mehr als 500 mittelgroße und große Unternehmen als Kunden für sich gewonnen. Unter anderem ASK Chemicals, Bobst, On, Stadler und Bitpanda verlassen sich auf Yokoy, um detaillierte Einblicke in ihre Unternehmensausgaben zu erhalten. Während sich andere Anbieter lediglich auf Firmenkarten oder bestimmte Ausgabenfelder wie Reisen oder die Bearbeitung von Lieferantenrechnungen konzentrieren, hat sich Yokoy von Anfang an der Automatisierung aller Bereiche des Ausgabenmanagements verschrieben. Das Unternehmen bietet damit eine Full-Service-Plattform, die alle Unternehmensanforderungen erfüllt.
 
Hinweise für die Redaktionen:
Das Gründerteam: Das Gründerteam verfügt über vielfältiges Fachwissen in den Bereichen Ausgabenmanagement, künstliche Intelligenz sowie Finanz- und Unternehmensdienstleistungen im Allgemeinen. CEO Philippe Sahli und CTO Dr. Devis Lussi kennen sich aus ihrer Zeit bei der Unternehmensberatung EY. CCO Lars Mangelsdorf hat in der Vergangenheit Vertriebsteams bei verschiedenen Scale-ups mit einem Fokus auf das B2B-SaaS-Geschäft aufgebaut. CMO Melanie Gabriel bringt ihre Marketingexpertise ein, die sie in früheren Start-ups erworben hat. Sie wurde kürzlich zu einer der 100 Digital Shapers 2021 der Schweiz und zur Female Innovator of the Year 2021 ernannt. Außerdem ist sie Vorstandsmitglied von WE SHAPE TECH – einer Organisation, die sich für mehr Diversität in der Technologie- und Innovationsbranche einsetzt. CFO Thomas Inhelder ist ein Schweizer CPA mit einem großen Erfahrungsschatz durch seine Tätigkeit in der Buchhaltung bei KPMG. Er hat Philippe Sahli bei einem früheren Scaleup-Venture im B2B-SaaS-Sektor kennengelernt.
The post Spesen Fintech Startup Yokoy mit 80 Millionen USD Series B Finanzierungs-Runde appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/spesen-fintech-startup-yokoy-mit-80-millionen-usd-series-b-finanzierungs-runde</link><guid>2583</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Spesen Fintech Startup Yokoy mit 80 Millionen USD Series B Finanzierungs-Runde</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 20+ Upcoming Fintech Events to Attend in Europe</title><description><![CDATA[Technological advances and evolving customer expectations are changing the financial landscape, stimulating fintech development and innovation.
To keep up with the burgeoning fintech industry, top-quality fintech events are being organized on a regular basis to educate attendees on the latest trends and enable professionals to build meaningful connections.
Today, we look at the top 24 upcoming fintech events taking place in the coming months in Europe. For this list, we’ve excluded most fintech events taking place in London in H1 2022. These have been recently featured in a previous event list.
RFS Blockchain Forum
March 29, 2022
Zurich, Switzerland

On March 29, 2022, the RFS Blockchain Forum will explore the thriving digital assets and decentralized finance (DeFi) economy, and bring together the leading minds of the Crypto Valley and the decision makers of the Swiss financial industry.
The aim of the conference is to provide an learning opportunity and build a bridge for the exchange of the two worlds.
Confirmed speakers for the event include experts representing the likes of BitMEX, Metaco, BBVA Switzerland, EY, Algotrader, MLL, Julius Baer and Sygnum.
Blockchain in Financial Services 2022
March 31, 2022
Gottlieb Duttweiler Institut, Zurich, Switzerland

The Blockchain in Financial Services 2022 conference, by Finanz und Wirtschaft, will bring together the forward thinkers from the crypto scene together with the decision-makers from the financial center to assess strategic opportunities and risks.
The conference will seek to help shape the future of the DeFi ecosystem and help traditional financial institutions prepare for these new developments. Topics covered will include non-fungible tokens (NFTs), tokenization, institutional adoption, security tokens and digital assets.
Confirmed speakers include  Prof. Dr. Fabian Schär of the University of Basel, Frederik Gregaard of the Cardano Foundation, Guido Bühler of SEBA Bank, Mathias Ruch of CV VC and the Swiss Blockchain Federation, and Prof. Dr. Cornelia Stengel of Kellerhals Carrard and Swiss Fintech Innovations.
Fintech Forward 2022
March 31, 2022
Hybrid, ROCKIT Vilnius, Lithuania

On March 31, 2022, Invest Lithuania and ROCKIT will be hosting the Fintech Forward 2022 conference, bringing together the Lithuanian fintech community to look at what’s next for the vibrant sector.
Topics covered will include the Lithuanian fintech landscape in 2021, and fintech regulation. The event will also see the results of the Lithuanian Fintech Awards 2022, powered by ROCKIT.
Confirmed speakers include Gintarė Bačiulienė, Head of Technology Team at Invest Lithuania, Vaida Česnulevičiūtė Markevičienė, Vice-Minister of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania, Alex Gibb, Adviser at Sumup, Partner at Katalista Ventures, and Lina Žemaitytė-Kirkman, Head of ROCKIT.
Fintech Forward 2022 will be live-streamed on Invest Lithuania’s YouTube channel for registered participants.
Register here: https://bit.ly/3hpEkM3
Crypto Assets Conference 2022
April 04 – 06, 2022
Hybrid, The Frankfurt School, Germany

The Crypto Assets Conference, one of the leading European cryptocurrency conferences hosted by the Frankfurt School Blockchain Center, will take place from April 4 to 6, 2022.
Covering top-level content about current trends in distributed ledger technology (DLT), blockchain and crypto assets through speeches, discussions and pitches, a diverse range of industry experts and thought-leaders will unite at the conference.
The event is expected to bring together about 300 guests on each of the three days, or 5,000+ online participants to collaborate and interact with peers and experts and to get up to date on the following topics:

Day 1 (April 04, 2022): Bitcoin, Crypto Assets, DeFi and NFTs
Day 2 (April 05, 2022): Digital Securities and Infrastructure
Day 3 (April 06, 2022): Digital Euro and Digital Identity, Sustainability

Confirmed speakers include experts and policymakers from BitMEX, Coinbase, the Frankfurt School Blockchain Center, PwC, Fireblocks, Boerse Stuttgart, the European Commission, IBM, Bitcoin Suisse, and the Deutsche Bundesbank, Germany’s central bank.
The Crypto Assets Conference 2022 will be a hybrid event and include on-site attendance in line with social distancing regulations as well as an event livestream.
Paris Blockchain Week 2022
April 11 – 15, 2022
Paris, France

Paris Blockchain Week is one of the biggest blockchain and digital assets events in Europe. During the week-long festival, numerous events will be held by prominent blockchain organizations.
During the week-long event, meetups, keynotes, workshops, hackathons, dinners and parties will be hosted in numerous venues all around the city. Experts will discuss the hottest topics in the blockchain and crypto space, including NFTs, virtual reality and DeFi.
Paris Blockchain Week 2022 will culminate with the Paris Blockchain Week Summit on April 13 and 14, 2022, taking place at Brongniart, the former French stock exchange. The summit is the flagship event of Paris Blockchain Week, gathering more than 3,000 attendees, 70 sponsors, 250 speakers and 100 media partners. It will include sessions about traceability, leveraging blockchain on the innovation journey, digital governance, what&#8217;s been built in 2021/2022, the state of digital asset liquidity, international regulatory cooperation and much more.
#TBSCONF22AMS
April 12, 2022
Eye Filmmuseum, Amsterdam, Netherlands

On April 12, 2022, The Banking Scene will take place for the first time live in Amsterdam.
The conference will investigate how banks should pivot their role in society to remain a trusted partner for their stakeholders in a continuously changing world, exploring this transformation from both a technology lens and a more value-based and ethical point of view. With ESG as a driving force for change, banks are uniquely placed to assist the shift of a fairer and greener future, accelerated by COVID-19.
Key industry voices of ABN AMRO, In The Pocket, Van Lanschot Kempen, BNP Paribas Fortis, just to name a few, will share their expertise on stage and in the networking sessions.
Sthlm Fintech Week 2022
April 19 – 22, 2022
Stockholm, Sweden

Sthlm Fintech Week is coming back from April 19 to 22, 2022 for a full week of in-person conference. This first ever Spring Edition of Sthlm Fintech Week will feature ten fintech events covering everything from regulations, DeFi, regtech and paytech, to buy now, pay later (BNPL), embedded finance, cybersecurity, ecosystem banking, and sustainability.
Confirmed speakers include top executives from organizations such as the Swedish Fintech Association, Signicat, Mambu, American Express, Sweden’s central bank, as well as Swedish government officials.
Sthlm Fintech Week is an annual, community-driven initiative focusing on knowledge sharing and building a stronger community for the Swedish fintech ecosystem. The event is divided into different sessions and diving deeper into various fintech verticals.
Organized by the fintech community itself, the objective is to generate continuous momentum within the community and gain support from key influencers in the industry. By uniting all of the players in the ecosystem, from startups, scaleups, investors, government officials to financial institutions and regulators, the event aims to build cross-roads of different perspectives, visions and engagement ‘straight from the source’.
Finanz ‘22
April 27 – 28, 2022
Halle 550 Zurich Oerlikon, Zurich, Switzerland

On April 27 and 28, 2022, the 23rd edition of Switzerland’s largest financial fair will take place in Halle 550 in Zurich Oerlikon.
Finanz’22 will bring together traditional asset management companies and young companies from the crypto, blockchain, and fintech world, featuring just under 100 talks, including roundtables, specialist panels, training seminars, keynote speeches, and exhibitor presentations.
Topics covered will encompass a whole spectrum of themes, from government debt to environmental, social and governance (ESG) imperatives. Topics relating to the worlds of crypto, blockchain, and fintech will be discussed in the new Open Forum.
Join/Become an exhibitor
#TBSCONF22BXL
May 17, 2022
Maison de la Poste, Brussels

On May 17, 2022, Belgium’s largest banking conference, The Banking Scene Conference, will be coming back with more than 400 professionals. This year’s event will feature two parallel streams with a unique mix of national and international speakers who will provide the audience with new insights that lead to growth.
Participants will get to keep pace with the latest evolutions in banking, network with executives, peers and luminaries from across the industry, and discover new innovative companies tackling key industry problems.
Confirmed speakers include fintech influencer Chris Skinner, as well as top executives representing organizations such as Bunq, Luxembourg Bankers’ Association, VDK Bank, Sopra Banking Software, Nickel, the European Commission, Feedzai, SWIFT, ING and the Technical University of Munich.
Latitude59
May 19 – 20, 2022
Hybrid, Kultuurikatel, Tallinn, Estonia

Latitude59 2022, an annual startup conference, will take place on May 19 and 20, 2022 in Tallinn, Estonia at the Kultuurikatel, a century-old power plant transformed into a one-of-the-kind creative hub.
The event will feature various networking opportunities, in-depth discussions with top international players, several pitching rounds for both startups as well as investors, and an overall chance for the industry to get together and reflect on the past year and forge new plans for the future.
Participants can expect showcases that reach way beyond the venue, pitching competitions attracting interest both on- and offline, and plenty of founder stories for inspiration and guidance on how to remain resilient during those challenging times.
As an added bonus, startup ticket holders can apply to a dedicated mentor program, designed to help overcome the most critical roadblocks and find answers to all the burning questions that have accumulated during the crisis and beyond.
Investors will have access to the most promising and fastest-growing startups from the region with a special spotlight also on those startups that were born out of the crisis.
In the true spirit of being the flagship event of e-Estonia, Latitude59 2022 will also be available online, all around the world.
Register here: https://latitude59.ee/
Open Banking World Congress 2022
May 24 – 25, 2022
Hybrid, Don Carlos Resort, Marbella, Spain

The Open Banking World Congress 2022 conference will take place on May 24 and 25, 2022 as a hybrid event taking place live at the Don Carlos Resort in Marbella, Spain. This year’s event is expected to bring together 500 leaders, and will feature stimulating keynotes, engaging outdoor workshop stages, plentiful 1-2-1s, networking and memorable parties.
Open banking leaders and experts from Plaid, 10x Banking, PayU, Truelayer, Mastercard, BBVA, HSBC, Generali, Citi and Railsbank, among others, will discuss some of the industry’s hottest trends in the space, including super apps, cryptocurrencies, open banking Web 3.0, open banking payments, digital identity, cross-border services, and banking and financial sector transformation.
Fintech Meets The Regulators: Connecting The Financial Ecosystem With Smart Supervision
June 01, 2022
B. Amsterdam, Netherlands

On June 01, 2022, industry trade group Holland Fintech will be hosting its annual event Fintech Meets the Regulators during which representatives from the spectrum of financial services will come together with financial regulators and policymakers to offer insights and discuss some of the hottest trends. This session will be focusing on open finance and artificial intelligence (AI).
Tickets will become available in April. In the meantime, Holland Fintech members will receive a calendar invite to Save-The-Date.
Crypto Valley Conference 2022
June 02 – 03, 2022
Rotkreuz, Switzerland

Crypto Valley Conference 2022, the 4th edition of the Crypto Valley Conference, will take place on June 02 and 03, 2022 and provide a two-day event featuring in-depth discussions on the current state and future of blockchain technology.
This year’s event will comprise more than 40 presentations from global industry leaders who will be covering topics on technology, economy and finance, as well as legal and regulation. Participants can also expect showcases of new, innovative solutions, live panel discussions, and masterclasses.
The Crypto Valley Conference is organized in conjunction between the Lucerne University and the Crypto Valley Association, an independent, government-supported association building the local blockchain and cryptographic technology ecosystem.
Money 20/20 Europe 2022
June 07 – 09, 2022
Hybrid, Amsterdam AI, Netherlands

This year’s Money 20/20 Europe edition will take place from June 07 to 09, 2022 as a hybrid event in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Topics covered will include data strategy, digital money, open banking, open finance, mergers and acquisitions (M&amp;As), NFTs, financial inclusion, and more.
Last year’s Money 20/20 Europe edition attracted over 4,000 people from 1,900+ companies.
TNW Conference 2022
June 16 – 17, 2022
Amsterdam, the Netherlands

TNW Conference 2022 will take place live in Amsterdam on June 16 and 17, 2022. This year’s event will cover eight main themes, including Tech and Money, where participants will get to hear about all things finance and explore what latest tech is disrupting and transforming payments, currency, transactions, and fiscal equity.
Participants will also hear about the trends that are emerging in digital banking, fintech, and more, and will get to meet international tech executives, policymakers, startups, scale-ups, and general tech enthusiasts.
Point Zero Forum
June 21 – 23, 2022
Zurich, Switzerland

The Swiss Secretariat for International Finance (SIF) and Elevandi are launching the inaugural Point Zero Forum, to be held from June 21 to 23, 2022, in Zurich, Switzerland.
This in-person event will provide a platform for global leaders across the public and private sectors to drive the meaningful exchange of ideas and knowledge to advance fintech and Web 3.0 in the digital economy.
Key topics of discussion will include advances in DeFi, embedded and open finance, sustainable finance, implications for policymakers, and opportunities for fintechs.
Confirmed speakers so far include:

Heng Swee Keat, Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies
Ueli Maurer, Switzerland&#8217;s Federal Councilor and Head of the Federal Department of Finance
Thomas Jordan, Chairman of the Governing Board, Swiss National Bank
Urban Angehrn, CEO, Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA)
Ravi Menon, Managing Director, Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)
Mary Ellen Iskenderian, President &amp; CEO, Women’s World Banking
Ralph Hamers, CEO, UBS
Philipp Rickenbacher, CEO, Julius Baer
Joanne Hannaford, Chief Technology &amp; Operations Officer and Executive Board Member, Credit Suisse
Sam Bankman-Fried, CEO, FTX
Dr. Gabriela Maria Payer, Vice-Chairwoman, Sygnum
Ben Zhou, Founder &amp; CEO, Bybit
Jos Dijsselhof, CEO, SIX
Stefan Klestil, General Partner, SpeedInvest
Jo Ann Barefoot, CEO &amp; Co-Founder, Barefoot Innovation
Jason Thompson, CEO, Partior
Dr. Darian McBain, Chief Sustainability Officer, MAS
Eric Lim, Chief Sustainability Officer, UOB
Ericson Chan, Group Chief Information and Digital Officer, Zurich Insurance
Teana Baker-Taylor, Chief Policy Officer, Chamber of Digital Commerce
Oliver Bussmann, CEO &amp; Founder of Bussmann Advisory, Former CIO &amp; Group MD of UBS
Dr. Iwa Salami, Reader (Associate Professor), Centre of FinTech, Department of Law &amp; Criminology, Royal Docks School of Business and Law
Pinar Özcan, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Oxford University

The three-day forum is organized in cooperation with the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) Innovation Hub, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), and the Swiss National Bank (SNB). It is supported by Finance.Swiss, Milken Institute and Switzerland Global Enterprise.
More information here: https://www.pointzeroforum.com/
Swiss Fintech Awards Night 2022
June 29, 2022
Hotel Belvoir, Zurich

The annual Swiss Fintech Awards, organized by Finanz und Wirtschaft, aims to promote Swiss fintech, insurtech and blockchain innovators and to contribute to the strong Swiss fintech ecosystem.
Each year, a jury consisting of 20 fintech experts selects the most outstanding fintech, insurtech and blockchain startups as well as fintech influencers.
The winners in three categories, namely Early Stage Startup of the Year, Growth Stage Startup of the Year, and Fintech Influencer of the Year, will be awarded at the exclusive, invitation-only Swiss Fintech Awards Night 2022 on June 29, 2022, in Zurich, bringing together leading minds from the fintech community as well as inspiring special guests to celebrate the innovators and entrepreneurs of the Swiss finance ecosystem.
Merchant Payments Ecosystem 2022
July 05 – 07, 2022
InterContinental Hotel, Berlin, Germany

The Merchant Payments Ecosystem (MPE), the largest merchant payments event in Europe, is returning from July 05 to 07, 2022, in Berlin, Germany. Participants will get to connect with leading merchants and brands, acquirers, payment services providers (PSPs), point-of-sale (POS) vendors, fintech startups, and more.
This year’s event is expected to bring together more than 1,200 attendees, including 300+ merchants, 300+ acquiring banks and PSPs from 40+ countries. Key themes covered will include open banking, regulation, digital currencies and cryptocurrencies, and the e-commerce boom.
The annual MPE event is widely regarded for its senior-level networking, best speaker line-up and agenda covering all aspects of payment acceptance, innovation and trends transforming merchant payments.
Fintech Week London 2022
July 11 – 15, 2022
Hybrid, London, England

Taking place from July 12 to 16, 2022, Fintech Week London 2022 is set to combine the best of learning and networking in Europe’s fintech capital, London.
With a two-day flagship conference at its center, and one day events at Level 39 and Barclay’s Rise, Fintech Week London 2022 will bring together the city’s fintech leaders, as well as executives from further afield who are interested in the region. Key topics covered will include big tech and big banks, open banking and banking-as-a-service (BaaS), the next big thing in fintech and digital identity.
Attendees can join in-person or virtually, offering the best of both worlds.
Swiss Fintech Fair 2022
September 09, 2022
SIX ConventionPoint, Zurich, Switzerland

The annual Swiss Fintech Fair is one of the leading fintech trade shows in the country, bringing together C-level executives, investors, corporate innovation teams, and disruptors from across Europe to work together and build meaningful connections.
After two years of restrictions imposed by COVID-19, this year’s event will take place live in Zurich, and is expected to be attended by up to 1,000 people.
Blockchain Expo Europe 2022
September 20 – 21, 2022
RAI, Amsterdam, Netherlands

The Blockchain Expo Europe series will be returning to the RAI in Amsterdam on September 20 and 21, 2022. This year’s event will bring together key industries from across the globe for two days of top-level content and discussion across four co-located events covering Blockchain, IoT, Cyber Security &amp; Cloud, AI and Big data.
5,000 attendees are expected to congregate for the conference including CTO’s, heads of innovation and technology, IT directors, developers, startups, government officials, investors, venture capitalists, and technology providers.
The event will showcase the most cutting-edge technologies from more than 300 exhibitors and provide insight from over 500 speakers sharing their unparalleled industry knowledge and real-life experiences.
The Blockchain Expo Europe conference agenda will present a series of expert keynotes, interactive panel discussions and solution-based case studies. It will explore the key industries that are set to be disrupted the most by this new technology, including the legal sectors, retail, financial services, healthcare, insurance, energy, music, government, real estate and more.
AI &amp; Big Data Expo 2022
September 20 – 21, 2022
RAI, Amsterdam, Netherlands

The AI &amp; Big Data Expo Europe, a leading artificial intelligence and big data conference and exhibition event, will take place on September 20 and 21, 2022 at the RAI in Amsterdam.
The event will showcase next-generation technologies and strategies from the world of AI and big data, and provide participants with the opportunity to explore and discover the practical and successful implementation of these technologies.
Key topics will include creating an AI-powered organization, machine learning (ML), decision science, robotic process automation (RPA), infrastructure, platforms, ethics, data analytics, customer experience, computer vision, voice technology, natural language processing (NLP) and chatbots.
Regtech Summit London 2022
October 04, 2022
America Square Conference Centre, London, England

Now in its 7th year, the Regtech Summit in London will bring together the regtech ecosystem to explore how the European capital markets financial industry can leverage technology to drive innovation, cut costs and support regulatory change.
Topics covered will include managing regulatory change, regulatory reporting, know-your-customer (KYC) and onboarding, anti-money laundering (AML) and financial crime compliance, trade and communications surveillance, and ESG regulatory obligations. The precise conference agenda and speaker lineup are still in the making.
Web Summit 2022
November 01 – 04, 2022
Altice Arena and Fil, Lisbon, Portugal

Web Summit is one of the most important tech events in the world, focusing on topics centered on Internet technology, emerging technologies, and venture capitalism. Web Summit’s partners range from Fortune 500 companies to startups, with attendees representing all levels and sectors of the global high technology industry.
The 2022 edition will take place from November 01 to 04, 2022 and will be held in Lisbon, Portugal. It will feature 23 tracks, including MoneyConf, where the world’s leading banks, tech firms and fintech startups will meet to discuss emerging fintech trends and technologies.
Web Summit attendees will hear from the world’s best speakers in on-stage talks, panel discussions and Q&amp;As, as well as roundtables and masterclasses about the world of fintech. Topics covered will include cryptocurrencies and NFTs, open banking, savings, spending and lending, and the cashless futures.
Last year’s Web Summit event brought together 42,000+ people.
The post Top 20+ Upcoming Fintech Events to Attend in Europe appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-20-upcoming-fintech-events-to-attend-in-europe</link><guid>2581</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/RFS-Blockchain-Forum-1024x354.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 20+ Upcoming Fintech Events to Attend in Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>Why We Should Eliminate Passwords as Passwordless Authentication Is the Future</title><description><![CDATA[The computer password has been around for more than 6 decades. The first password can be traced back to 1961 in
Massachusetts when a computer at MIT was protected with a password for secure login.
Incidentally, MIT’s time-sharing system was the first system to suffer a data breach.
Since then, passwords have become a commonplace form of authentication, but the weakness of the solution has been painfully proven over and over again. Hence, it is time to say goodbye.
In this article, we discuss why is it important to let go of passwords altogether to improve the users’ security posture, and we take a closer look at the benefits from a passwordless authentication approach.
A surge in account takeover fraud
Cybercrime has soared since the pandemic, leading to a surge in identity-related losses.
According to Javelin Strategy and Research in their 2021 Identity Fraud Study, account take over (ATO) fraud resulted in over US$6 billion in total losses in 2020.
ATO often starts with bot-driven attacks such as credential stuffing, leveraging previously stolen user credentials and personally identifiable information to gain access to end user accounts.
Another successful technique involves brute force attacks. By using automation tools and bots, hackers try to guess passwords to gain unauthorised access to personal identifiable information and bank accounts.
Once an account is compromised, a fraudster can drain bank accounts of their funds, access payment information for use on other sites, or engage in another fraudulent activity.
Source: Unsplash
Why eliminate passwords?
Passwords reduce security and possess vulnerabilities to a variety of attacks.
Moreover, they create friction and make things hard for people. No one wants the hassle of inventing a multi-letter, multi-number combination.
Such passwords are hard to remember, and easy to guess, steal and crack. Passwords also create administrative overhead.
In fact, Forrester Research has shown that large organisations spend up to US$1 million per year on helpdesk interventions involving password resets.
What is passwordless authentication and is it secure?
Passwordless authentication encompasses every authentication method that doesn’t rely on a static password or knowledge-based secret for secure access.
Proof of a user’s identity therefore relies on other authentication factors such as a possession factor (such as a mobile authenticator app or hardware token that generates one-time passwords) or a biometric element such as a fingerprint or facial scan.
Passwordless login greatly reduces the attack vector as there is no password to be leaked or intercepted.
Taking a multi-layered approach to authentication that includes app security, device security and continuous fraud monitoring will further enhance the level of security.
Benefits of passwordless authentication
Source: depositphotos
Passwordless authentication reduces social engineering and account takeover fraud.
As there are no passwords to phish or compromise, the likelihood of being exposed to phishing attacks or account takeover attacks is greatly reduced.
Secondly, a passwordless approach to authentication will enhance the user experience.
Employees and customers can access services without having to remember complex passwords and typing them over.
Eliminating password fatigue and management can be achieved by deploying biometric authentication options such as a fingerprint or facial scan to achieve a seamless user experience.
By combining two factors such as something the user has (e.g., a mobile device for obtaining a passcode in an SMS message or from an authenticator app) and something the user is (e.g., a fingerprint or facial recognition), you can obtain a much stronger two-factor authentication (2FA) than authentication that is solely based on passwords.
Thirdly, password management eats up resources. Going passwordless will help a company reduce the costs associated with password resets and monitoring.
In addition, by strengthening their security and reducing attack vectors, a company can reduce the risk of falling victim to a data breach, which comes at a high cost.
Passwordless authentication is the future
Gartner predicts that 60% of large and global enterprises, and 90% of midsize enterprises, will implement passwordless methods in more than 50% of use cases.
Organisations should implement passwordless authentication to reduce attack vectors, enhance the user experience and reduce operational costs.
Downloading OneSpan’s whitepaper to discover superior user experience and growth through intelligent security with adaptive authentication here. 

The post Why We Should Eliminate Passwords as Passwordless Authentication Is the Future appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/why-we-should-eliminate-passwords-as-passwordless-authentication-is-the-future</link><guid>2580</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/OneSpan-security.jpeg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Why We Should Eliminate Passwords as Passwordless Authentication Is the Future</dc:text></item><item><title>Embedded Finance Total Market Value Could Reach US$7.2T by 2030</title><description><![CDATA[The COVID-19 pandemic, accelerated digital adoption, and a maturing fintech infrastructure sector have fueled the popularity of embedded finance. By 2030, it’s projected that the total market value of the sector could reach US$7.2 trillion, surpassing the current value of all fintech startups and the top 30 global banks and insurers combined, a new report by Dealroom, a market intelligence company, and ABN AMRO Ventures, the corporate venture arm of ABN AMRO bank, says.
The report, titled The Rise of Embedded Finance, sums up key insights shared during a virtual forum hosted earlier this month that looked at the state of embedded finance and its growth prospects.
According to the report, embedded finance has the potential to unlock an opportunity bigger than the value of the entire fintech startup landscape and the top global banks and insurers, combined, which currently stands at US$7.1 trillion.
Embedded finance, a multi-trillion dollar opportunity, Source: The rise of embedded finance, Dealroom and ABN AMRO Ventures, 2022
Embedded finance, a concept referring to the seamless integration of financial services adopted by non-financial companies, has become a hot topic in the fintech space these past years. Companies from all industries and of all sizes have jumped on the bandwagon, aiming to capitalize on the accelerated shift to digital channels induced by the global pandemic, booming consumer of adoption of digital financial services, and customer demand for integrated experiences.
On the supply side, the maturing fintech infrastructure scene, which comprises companies providing key integrations and application programming interfaces (APIs) that allow other companies to build and offer their own fintech products and services to their customers, has further stimulated adoption.
Evidenced of the rise of embedded finance is the surge in venture capital (VC) funding going into startups in the embedded finance and banking-as-a-service (BaaS) spaces, which grew by more than 3 times to US$3.1 billion and US$3 billion, respectively, between 2020 and 2021.
A look at the other trends comprising embedded finance shows that core banking recorded the strongest growth, with funding value growing 8.9 times to US$1.2 billion in 2021. Embedded payments (excluding independent buy now, pay later (BNPL) providers and not white-label products such as Klarna) saw the second biggest rise, growing 5 times to US$1.5 billion, followed by open banking, which rose 4.6 times to US$1.5 billion as well as.
VC funding growth by embedded finance trends (2021 vs 2020), Source: The rise of embedded finance, Dealroom and ABN AMRO Ventures, 2022
At the bottom of the list, embedded insurance and embedded lending saw the smallest growth, with, nevertheless, funding rising 2.5 times and 2.1 times, respectively. At US$800 million raised by embedded insurance startups in 2021, and US$300 million raised by embedded lending startups, these two sub-segments are still rather nascent, despite their huge potential.
Embedded finance maturity and potential by use case, Source: The rise of embedded finance, Dealroom and ABN AMRO Ventures, 2022
A separate study by Mambu and Amazon Web Services (AWS), from which the US$7.2 trillion market opportunity forecast was taken from, suggests that embedded lending (e.g. working capital for merchants, and consumer financing at point of sale (POS) and checkout) could be worth US$3.4 billion by 2030, making it the largest market opportunity.
Meanwhile, embedded insurance (e.g. health insurance integrated into fitness apps, and property and casualty (P&amp;C) insurance integrated into e-commerce and business trade platforms) could be worth US$1.8 trillion by 2030.
Looking at each key sector’s projected uptake of embedded finance, retail and e-commerce is expected to be the biggest adopter, accounting for 49% of the market, or US$3.5 trillion, by 2030. Healthcare is the second largest potential sector at 17% or US$1.7 trillion.
Embedded Finance Opportunity by 2030, Source: The rise of embedded finance, Dealroom and ABN AMRO Ventures, 2022
In Switzerland, fintech providers are catching up to the embedded finance movement, with wealthtech provider Additiv, for example, doubling down on the trend. Over the past, the firm has ramped up its Asia Pacific (APAC) team as it seeks to tap into the region’s estimated US$32 billion per annum opportunity. Meanwhile, Swiss regtech company Apiax has been marketing itself as an “embedded compliance” specialist that provide banks, wealth managers and asset managers with a comprehensive compliance to deploy across their whole organization.
The post Embedded Finance Total Market Value Could Reach US$7.2T by 2030 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/embedded-finance-total-market-value-could-reach-us72t-by-2030</link><guid>2579</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Embedded-finance-a-multi-trillion-dollar-opportunity-Source-The-rise-of-embedded-finance-Dealroom-and-ABN-AMRO-Ventures-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Embedded Finance Total Market Value Could Reach US$7.2T by 2030</dc:text></item><item><title>AI Industry Leader Unit8 Launches Advanced Analytic Trends Report 2022</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss data services company Unit8 highlights the key analytics trends that we will see accelerating in 2022 in its &#8220;Advanced Analytic Trends Report&#8221;.
The report compiles feedback of industry leaders from Merck, Credit Suisse, and Swiss Re, on using mega models in top-tier companies.
Mega models (e.g GPT-3, Wu Dao 2.0, etc.) show impressive performance yet are extremely costly to train.
Only a few companies are able to compete in this space, nonetheless, the availability of these mega models opens the possibilities to new applications.
There is still a major challenge around quality control before these are broadly adopted in a business environment but they already assist developers in writing snippets of code.
Are pre-trained machine learning models like GPT-3 ready to be used in your company?
Large scale language models trained on extremely large text datasets have enabled new capabilities that could soon power a wide range of AI applications across businesses of all shapes and sizes.
The most well-known such pre-trained machine learning model is OpenAI’s ‘Generative Pre-trained Transformer Version 3’ (GPT-3) &#8211; an AI model trained to generate text.
Unlike AI systems designed for a specific use-case, GPT-3 provides a general-purpose &#8220;text in, text out&#8221; interface &#8211; so users can try it on virtually any task involving natural language and even programming languages. GPT-3 created a huge buzz when beta testing of the new model was announced by OpenAI, back in 2020.
The hype was justified based on the impressive first demos of GPT-3 in action.
It was writing articles, creating poetry, answering questions, translating text, summarising documents, and even writing code. In six months since OpenAI opened access to the GPT-3 API to third parties, over 300 apps using GPT-3 hit the market, generating a collective 4.5 billion words a day.
Deep learning requires vast amounts of training data and processing power, neither of which were easily available until recently.
Pre-trained models exist because due to time and computing power restraints, it’s simply not possible for any company to build such models from scratch.
That’s why many industry leaders think that the use of PTM’s like GPT-3 could be the next big thing in AI tech for the business landscape.
Download the report here
How does the technology behind GPT-3 work?
Pre-trained models (PTM) are essentially saved neural networks whose parameters have already been trained on self-supervised task(s), the most common one being predicting the text that comes after a piece of input text.
So that instead of creating an MLmodel from scratch to solve a similar problem, AI developers can use the PTM built by someone else as a starting point to train their own models.
There are already different types of pre-trained language models such as CodeBERT, OpenNMT, RoBERTa, that are trained for different NLP tasks.
What’s clear is that the AI community has reached a consensus to deploy PTMs as the backbone for future development of deep learning applications.
A language model like GPT-3 works by taking a piece of input text and predicting the text that will come after. It makes use of Transformers &#8211; a type of neural network with a specific architecture that allows them to simultaneously consider each word in a sequence.
Another significant aspect of GPT-3 is its sheer scale. While GPT-2 has 1.5 billion parameters, GPT-3 has 175 billion parameters, vastly improving its accuracy and pattern-recognition capacity.
OpenAI spent a reported $4,5 million to train GPT-3 on over half a trillion words crawled from internet sources, including all of Wikipedia.
The emergence of these “mega models” has made powerful new applications possible because they are developed through self-supervised training.
They can ingest vast amounts of text data without the need to rely on an external supervised signal; i.e., without being explicitly told what any of it &#8216;means&#8217;
Combined with limitless access to cloud computing, transformer-based language mega models are very good at learning mathematical representations of text useful for many problems, such as taking a small amount of text and then predicting the words or sentences that follow.
Scaled up mega models can accurately respond to a task given just a few examples (few-shot), or even complete ‘one shot’ or ‘zero shot’ tasks.
Will GPT-3 Change the Face of Business?
Equally impressive is the fact that GPT-3 applications are being created by people who are not experts in AI/ML technology.
Although NLP technology has been around for decades, it has exploded in popularity due to the emergence of pre-trained mega models.
By storing knowledge in mega models with billions of parameters and fine-tuning them for specific tasks, PTMs have made it possible to perform language tasks downstream like translating text, predicting missing parts of a sentence or even generating new sentences.
Using a PTM like GPT-3, machines are able to complete these tasks with results that are often hard to distinguish from those produced by humans.
In fact, in some experiments only 12% of human evaluators guessed that news articles generated by GPT-3 were not written by a human.
Sectors like banking or insurance with strict regulations might always feel the need to keep a human in the loop for quality control.
However, any task that involves a particular language structure can get automated through pre-trained language models.
GPT-3 is already being used for tasks related to customer assistance, information search, or creating summaries.
Gennarro Cuofano, curator of the FourWeek MBA, lists a number of commercial applications that can exploit the potential of PTM’s like GPT-3 to automate mundane tasks, including:

Automated Translation: GPT-3 has already shown results that are as accurate as Google’s DeepMind AI that was specifically trained for translation.
Programming without Coding: By applying language models to write software code, developers could automatically generate mundane code and focus on the high-value part. Examples include using GPT-3 to convert natural language queries into SQL.
Marketing Content: In the Persado 2021 AI in Creative Survey, about 40% reported using AI to generate creative marketing content. Content marketing and SEO optimisation is just the start. Future use cases include building apps, cloning websites, producing Quizzes, Tests, and even Animations.
Automated Documentation: Generating financial statements and other standardised documents like product manuals, compliance reports etc., that require summarisation and information extraction. OthersideAI is building an email generation system to generate email responses based on bullet-points the user provides.

The use of those models becomes more and more democratised as there are more tutorials, tools and libraries such as huggingface but it still takes effort, expertise and enough data to fine-tune properly those pre-trained models.
The Future of Pre-Trained Machine Learning Models
To evaluate how ready PTM based services are to be used by your company, there are some limitations to consider.
As some experts have pointed out, mega models like GPT-3 are not an artificial “general” intelligence. It does lack a large amount of context about the physical world.
PTM’s like GPT-3 therefore have limitations related to the quality of input prompt text, but users can improve GPT-3’s abilities with better “prompt engineering”.
It is also possible to fine-tune mega models on new datasets, and the real potential of pre-trained models will be as an enabling technology for products that customise these models through methods known as transfer learning.
The next big challenge for the NLP community is to get better at understanding human intention.
Already, InstructGPT, the latest version released by OpenAI, is said to be better aligned with human intention since it is “optimised to follow instructions, instead of predicting the most probable word.”
It is also expected to be 500 times the scale of GPT-3.
What is certain is that the technology will become only more powerful. It’ll be up to us how well we build and regulate its potential uses and abuses.
The post AI Industry Leader Unit8 Launches Advanced Analytic Trends Report 2022 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ai-industry-leader-unit8-launches-advanced-analytic-trends-report-2022</link><guid>2578</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/advanced-analytic-trends-report-2022-1024x578.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>AI Industry Leader Unit8 Launches Advanced Analytic Trends Report 2022</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 19 Female Fintech Marketers and Communicators in Europe</title><description><![CDATA[Innovate Finance, an independent not-for-profit industry body representing the UK’s fintech ecosystem, has released its annual Women in Fintech Powerlist, recognizing the women leading innovation in financial services.
Although female participation in the workforce has significantly improved over the past few decades, women are still underrepresented in senior management and leadership roles in the finance and technology sectors.
This is according to a new report by FT Partners, an investment banking firm focused exclusively on the fintech sector, which looks at trends around women in finance, tech, venture capital and fintech.
Now in its 7th year, the 2021 Powerlist shines a spotlight on 250 women across nine fintech categories, namely the Senior Leaders, the Rising Stars, the Professionals in Financial Services, the Technology Professionals, the Policymakers and Regulatory Experts, the Investors and the Marketers and Communicators.
For this list, we look at the fintech marketing, PR and communications experts selected in the 2021 Women in Fintech Powerlist, putting the spotlight on their professional backgrounds and accomplishments.
Ani Petrova, Founder, AP Marketing Solutions
Ani Petrova, Founder, AP Marketing Solutions
Ani Petrova is the founder of AP Marketing Solutions, a remote boutique marketing consultancy specializing in the fintech industry.
Petrova started her career with Arkk Solutions, one of the UK’s fastest growing regtech startups, working directly with the founding team and being responsible for all marketing efforts. She later moved to the UK subsidiary of Saxo Bank Group where she worked closely with the senior management team to help shape and deliver the company’s regional marketing strategy.
Prior to founding AP Marketing Solutions, Petrova worked for Allianz Global Investors (AllianzGI) where she managed the company’s UK retail marketing operations specializing in product marketing. She was also in charge of the regional content marketing strategy, communications and various digital projects.
Anna Panayi, Product Marketing Manager, Claro Money
Anna Panayi, Product Marketing Manager, Claro Money
Anna Panayi is the product marketing manager of Claro Money, a financial planning app from the UK. She is a user-focused product manager focused on global consumer-facing products with years of product and operations experience at JP Morgan.
Panayi brings proven experience in defining and shaping product strategy, delivering products from concept through to launch, and has successfully managed cross-functional teams, collaborating closely with technology and design teams. She’s also experienced in using data and customer insights to define the direction of new products and optimize existing features.
Becci Furnell, Head of Global Press Office, Open Banking Excellence (OBE)
Becci Furnell, Head of Global Press Office, Open Banking Excellence (OBE)
Becci Furnell heads the global press office for Open Banking Excellence (OBE), a community of open banking and open finance pioneers. She brings a decade of experience in management, training and development processes to the table.
Furnell also has a background in social media and graphic design, and works across OBE’s portfolio of sponsors and partners, including Railsbank, Mastercard and MoneyHub.
In her spare time, Becci advocates for invisible illnesses via her #MyInvisibleProject on Instagram and was nominated for six awards in the WEGO Health Awards 2020 for her advocacy work.
Caroline Vaughan, Head of External Affairs and PR, Minna Technologies
Caroline Vaughan, Head of External Affairs and PR, Minna Technologies
Caroline Vaughan is the head of external affairs and PR at Minna Technologies, a Swedish tech company helping retail banks deliver superior digital experiences within subscription management.
In her role, Vaughan focuses on building a stronger communication platform supporting Minna Technologies’ customers and partners in their journey to deliver world-class banking services and subscription solutions.
Before joining the startup, she led the commercial and business development at Innovate Finance, the UK industry body for fintech. Vaughan’s portfolio career includes roles in sales, PR, professional services with a vested interest in how digital is transforming every industry.
Christy Fung, Global Lead, Customer Success, Checkout.com
Christy Fung, Global Lead, Customer Success, Checkout.com
Christy Fung is the global lead of customer success at Checkout.com, a global payment solutions provider and one of Europe’s most valuable fintech startups.
Fung brings innovative thinking and an adaptive approach to businesses, acting as a change agent and growth strategist. She’s experienced in both multi-national companies (Expedia, PayPal) and startup environments, and knows how to validate, scale and optimize new business model and products, especially in Asia Pacific (APAC).
During her career in technology, hospitality, gaming and loyalty, she has motivated teams to explore untapped potential beyond the traditional boundaries, and is a seasoned leader who’s able to identify talent in people and maximizes their strengths.
Courteney Way, Marketing Director, Funding Options
Courteney Way, Marketing Director, Funding Options
Courteney Way is the marketing director of Funding Options, a UK marketplace for businesses to access financing. Way has ten years of experience spanning across early stage startups and scaleups, helping them design and execute integrated marketing and global communications strategies to launch new products and services to market, drive new business and customer acquisition and establish brand leadership across multiple territories.
Her key focus areas include integrated marketing strategy and execution, growth and demand generation, go-to-market strategy and execution, brand and content strategy, strategic communications, though leadership and PR, and team and stakeholder management.
Elise Brown, Marketing Director, Anthemis Group
Elise Brown, Marketing Director, Anthemis Group
Elise Brown is the director of marketing of Anthemis Group, a leading global early stage venture capital (VC) firm. In this role, Brown oversees the marketing team at Anthemis and its portfolio of 100+ early stage startups. Additionally, she is responsible for communication, events and business development efforts for the investor community.
Brown has more than ten years of experience as a strategic marketer in the financial industry, having worked as a senior marketing manager at a private equity firm, a marketing program manager for the Americas at JP Morgan Asset Management, and a marketing and relationship manager at Edward Jones.
Most recently, she was recognized for her leadership in the industry by New York Fintech Women and listed as an Inspiring Fintech Female 2020. Her insights have been featured in Fast Company and podcasts catering to the marketing and founder community.
Emily Thomas, UK Consumer PR Lead, Klarna
Emily Thomas, UK Consumer PR Lead at Klarna, Klarna
Emily Thomas is the UK Consumer PR Lead of Klarna, the world’s leading buy now, pay later (BNPL) provider. Thomas is an experienced marketing and communications professionals with a demonstrated history of working in the financial services industry and major corporations including Omni Capital Retail Finance, one of the UK’s leading providers of customer credit, and Pernod Ricard, the world’s second largest firm in wines and spirits.
Georgie Scott, Head of Brand and Partnerships, Wagestream
Georgie Scott, Head of Brand and Partnerships, Wagestream
Georgie Scott is the head of brand and partnerships of Wagestream, a benefit provider that allows employees to access to their earned wages. Scott is a global business-to-business (B2B) marketer who has worked across a different array of B2B industries at companies including the Financial Times and Canon. She is expected across many marketing disciplines, from PR and communications, to product and digital marketing.
Harriet Allner, Fintech Director/Fintech Lead, Common Industry
Harriet Allner, Fintech Director/Fintech Lead, Common Industry
Harriet Allner is the fintech director and fintech lead of Common Industry, a purpose-led communications agency focused on telling the stories of businesses and individuals who are changing the world with their work.
Alongside business development and supporting the growth of Common Industry, Allner specialize in developing and executing PR and digital marketing strategies for fintechs, technology businesses, and founders, particularly those with a social purpose.
Previously, she led the communications team at Starling Bank, having joined the company pre-launch as one of their marketing managers. During her time at Starling, she helped to build Starling’s brand identity, launch their current account in the UK and Europe, and raise the profile of both the CEO and business in national and international media.
Isha Chander, Executive Director, Head of EMEA Marketing, Payments, JP Morgan Chase &amp; Co
Isha Chander, Executive Director, Head of EMEA Marketing, Payments, JPMorgan Chase and Co
Isha Chander is the executive director and head of marketing for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) for JP Morgan’s payment division. Chander has more than 15 years of experience delivering high revenue impact initiatives in fast paced environments, and has a proven track record of developing data driven multi-channel campaigns and strategic initiatives to drive retention and new customer acquisition.
She is passionate about building and leading high performing teams to enable organizations to achieve their growth ambitions, and was featured in Innovate Finance’s Women in Fintech Power List in 2017 and 2018 and 2021.
Leigh Rimmer, Senior PR Manager, LendInvest
Leigh Rimmer, Senior PR Manager, LendInvest
Leigh Rimmer is the senior PR manager of LendInvest, a non-bank mortgage lender in the UK, and property lending and investing platform. Rimmer currently heads up the PR and communications function at the company, is a member of its Corporate Social Responsibility Committee, and acts as a key support for the marketing and investor relations teams.
At LendInvest, Rimmer has led the PR launch for LendInvest’s initial public offering (IPO) and admission to trading as a public company on the London Stock Exchange in July 2021, its entry into the buy-to-let market, multiple major financial partnerships with financial institutions including JP Morgan, Barclays and HSBC, and its residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) securitization program.
Lucy Heavens, Chief Marketing Officer, 10x Banking
Lucy Heavens, Chief Marketing Officer, 10x Banking
Lucy Heavens is the CMO of 10x Banking, a B2B digital banking platform provider. In her role at 10x Banking, Heavens is responsible for defining the company’s marketing strategy and delivering growth across the business. She works closely with business development and product teams, Lucy is responsible for bringing the 10x narrative to life and telling the story of banking transformation to support the commercial vision of the company.
Heavens has more than 20 years of experience in marketing, having previously held senior positions at both international technology giants and high-growth scale-up firms, including Fiserv, SimCorp, Equipos, Qumram, CUBE, and Wealth Dynamix. Her marketing expertise ranges from product and partner marketing through to digital marketing, to demand generation and communications.
Heavens is recognized internationally for her thought leadership and expertise spanning fintech, regtech, wealthtech, big data and digital transformation, and is a widely-followed industry commentator. She co-founded not-for-profit association Regtech Women in 2019, and is an advisory board member for the Fintech B2B Marketing community.
Lucy Woolfenden, Founder of The Part-Time CMO and Scale Up
Lucy Woolfenden, Founder of The Part-Time CMO and Scale Up, The Part-Time CMO
Lucy Woolfenden is the founder of The Part-Time CMO and Scale Up, a tech marketing hub to upskill and support bootstrapped teams. She is a growth marketer with 18 years of experience of launching brands, growing their audiences and making them profitable. Her portfolio of tech startups includes launching Skype for Mobile, Starling Bank, and Yolt.
Woolfenden also mentors startup founders and teams from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Nicola Cowburn, Founder and Managing Director, Finarama Marketing
Nicola Cowburn, Founder and Managing Director, Finarama Marketing Ltd
Nicola Cowburn is the founder and managing director of Finarama Marketing, a company that works with scaleup fintech startups to boost visibility, boost pipeline and accelerate growth. She is an award-winning marketer with 25+ years of experience in go-to-market strategies, product marketing, marketing communications and content marketing, having worked with notable companies in the fields of fintech, regtech and wealthtech.
Cowburn is a recognized thought leader who champions financial services innovation, and was featured in Planet Compliance Top 50 Regtech Influencers list, the Onalytica Top 100 Regtech Influencer list and has appeared on the Women in Fintech Powerlist since its inception in 2016.
Olivia Minnock, Editor, Fintech Alliance
Olivia Minnock, Editor, Fintech Alliance
Olivia Minnock is the editor of Fintech Alliance, a government-backed digital ecosystem bringing together the UK fintech ecosystem. Having previously launched Fintech Magazine, Minnock writes and curates content around the changing world of finance and supports fintechs in accessing funding, building partnerships and growing their customer base.
Payal Raina, Founder, Fintech B2B Marketing
Payal Raina, Founder, Fintech B2B Marketing
Payal Raina is the founder of Fintech B2B Marketing community, the very first B2B fintech marketing community built for and by fintech marketers.
Raina is also the global head of marketing at Torstone Technology, a provider of cloud-based post-trade technology to financial institutions. In her role at Torstone Technology, Payal oversees planning, development and execution of the company’s marketing, PR and branding initiatives across global markets.
A recognized fintech marketer, Payal has been in the fintech industry since 2004 and has over two decades of experience in B2B marketing for global financial and technology companies including Microsoft, General Electric and Barclays in Europe and North America.
Outside her corporate role, Payal serves as a mentor, and has lectured in marketing. She is also an influential thought leader, and is a frequent keynote speaker at industry forums and public events.
Rachel Kerrone, Director of Brand and Marketing, Starling Bank
Rachel Kerrone, Director of Brand and Marketing, Starling Bank
Rachel Kerrone is the director of brand and marketing of Starling Bank, an award-winning digital challenger bank in the UK. She is a marketing and brand specialist that has worked in global teams for some of the world&#8217;s biggest financial services organizations, including the Royal Bank of Scotland, JP Morgan, and ABN AMRO.
Kerrone’s specialist areas include brand, strategic planning, integrated marketing campaigns, partnerships, sponsorships and events.
Sarah Aird-Mash, Former Head of EMEA Marketing, Currencycloud
Sarah Aird-Mash, Former Head of EMEA Marketing, Currencycloud
Sarah Aird-Mash is the former head of EMEA marketing of Currencycloud, an international payment solutions and infrastructure provider. She specializes in market strategy for key programs, product market strategy, end user engagement, digital engagement and program growth, and has worked for companies including eBay, Google, and Monster.co.uk.
The post Top 19 Female Fintech Marketers and Communicators in Europe appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-19-female-fintech-marketers-and-communicators-in-europe</link><guid>2577</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Top 19 Female Fintech Marketers and Communicators in Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>Hargreaves Lansdown Selects Bottomline to Future-Proof Payments</title><description><![CDATA[Bottomline announced that UK-based Hargreaves Lansdown plc, a UK based investment platform for private investors, has selected Bottomline PTX to support its ‘cloud-first’ payments strategy.
Hargreaves Lansdown’s decision to move to a cloud-based business payments platform aligns with its digital transformation strategy. Its selection of PTX reflects Bottomline’s ability to provide a fully integrated, regulation-compliant platform complete with innovative functionality around new payments initiatives, such as Open Banking. Hargreaves Lansdown will use PTX to receive funds from its clients and distribute funds to them.
David Espley
“As the UK’s number one investment platform for private investors, Bottomline’s payment system is an important part of our investment into our digital backbone, which gives us access to infinite scale by harnessing the power of the cloud,”
comments David Espley, Chief Technology Officer, Hargreaves Lansdown.
Paul Fannon
“Creating delight means that Bottomline connects its customers with their customers smartly, simply and securely across the life of payments and cash,”
said Paul Fannon, Managing Director of Global Business Solutions at Bottomline.
“We deliver that by innovating our payments solutions to include functionality such as Open Banking, Confirmation of Payee (CoP) fraud prevention measures, Request to Pay, and Enhanced Data, making the exchange of money easy.”
David Espley concludes,
“It was important for us to choose a safe, secure, and trusted payment provider, and following a full RFP, we took the decision to continue our relationship with Bottomline and migrate to their new PTX solution. The Bottomline solution also gives us the option to continue to develop our offering in future, as we see things like Open Banking develop.”
The post Hargreaves Lansdown Selects Bottomline to Future-Proof Payments appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/hargreaves-lansdown-selects-bottomline-to-future-proof-payments</link><guid>2574</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Hargreaves Lansdown Selects Bottomline to Future-Proof Payments</dc:text></item><item><title>Blockchain Heavyweights Leverage Swiss Start-UPS for Growth</title><description><![CDATA[Switzerland is anchoring the European and Middle East expansion of one of the world’s fastest growing cryptocurrency exchanges.
The Bermuda-based FTX group is building its regional headquarters on the foundations of a small, yet successful, Swiss company that was established just two years ago.
Like many projects I encounter in “Crypto Nation” Switzerland, Digital Assets came together in rapid time, surfing on the rising value of bitcoin.
From the office of his law firm in the eastern Swiss canton of Appenzell Outer Rhodes, Patrick Gruhn chanced upon the profitable cryptocurrency advisory business during the bitcoin boom in the middle of the last decade.
The law firm changed its name to Crypto Lawyers in 2018. Gruhn and his fellow crypto advocates then struck upon the idea of transforming company shares into digital “tokens” for a new era of blockchain trading.
And so Digital Assets was born in July 2020. It soon entered partnerships with FTX (which specialises in crypto derivatives) and the even bigger exchange, Binance &#8211; as were both exploring ways to create and trade a wider array of digital assets.
Patrick Gruhn
“A lot of people back then were claiming big things, but not many delivered,” Gruhn told me. “We ran our business for over a year without any hiccups and proved that tokenized company shares could work.”
FTX has now taken over the business, moving it to central Switzerland and retaining key staff, including Gruhn as head of the re-named FTX Europe.
Gruhn plans to hire around 50 staff in Switzerland by the end of the year and wants to secure licenses to build a trading platform in the Alpine state. It already has permission to operate out of Cyprus through a partner investment firm.
“Our assumption is that in two or three years we would expect 35% of group trading volume to originate from Europe,” says Gruhn. Global trading at FTX Group has exploded over the last few months to reach a daily volume of some $14 billion.
No sooner had the newly created European and Middle East Division of FTX been announced than it achieved a notable milestone. The award of a Virtual Asset Exchange and Clearing House license in Dubai has extended FTX’s reach into one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency hubs.
The United Arab Emirates are moving swiftly and ambitiously to capture a large slice of the global cryptocurrency and digital asset market.
Europe may prove a tougher nut to crack. Britain bans crypto derivatives trading among the general public. Quite a few crypto exchanges have tried, and failed, to enter the Swiss market. The financial regulator places heavy licensing demands on wannabe exchanges.
Gruhn’s company Digital Assets should not be confused with the US tech giant Digital Asset, which entered the Swiss market in 2016 by taking over the small Zurich-based company Elevence Digital Finance.
Elevence had developed a computer language for powering “smart contracts” – coding that automates transactions on distributed ledger technology systems.
That “Digital Asset Modeling Language” (DAML) is now an integral part of the Digital Asset success story and is utilized by the likes of the Australian and Hong Kong stock exchanges, Goldman Sachs and BNP Paribas.
It just goes to show that Crypto Nation Switzerland is not just about foundations and lawyers – it also plays a role in developing technology innovations.

The post Blockchain Heavyweights Leverage Swiss Start-UPS for Growth appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/blockchain-heavyweights-leverage-swiss-start-ups-for-growth</link><guid>2575</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Blockchain Heavyweights Leverage Swiss Start-UPS for Growth</dc:text></item><item><title>Blockchain Heavyweights Leverage Swiss Startups for Growth</title><description><![CDATA[Switzerland is anchoring the European and Middle East expansion of one of the world’s fastest growing cryptocurrency exchanges.
The Bermuda-based FTX group is building its regional headquarters on the foundations of a small, yet successful, Swiss company that was established just two years ago.
Like many projects I encounter in “Crypto Nation” Switzerland, Digital Assets came together in rapid time, surfing on the rising value of bitcoin.
From the office of his law firm in the eastern Swiss canton of Appenzell Outer Rhodes, Patrick Gruhn chanced upon the profitable cryptocurrency advisory business during the bitcoin boom in the middle of the last decade.
The law firm changed its name to Crypto Lawyers in 2018. Gruhn and his fellow crypto advocates then struck upon the idea of transforming company shares into digital “tokens” for a new era of blockchain trading.
And so Digital Assets was born in July 2020. It soon entered partnerships with FTX (which specialises in crypto derivatives) and the even bigger exchange, Binance &#8211; as were both exploring ways to create and trade a wider array of digital assets.
Patrick Gruhn
“A lot of people back then were claiming big things, but not many delivered,” Gruhn told me. “We ran our business for over a year without any hiccups and proved that tokenized company shares could work.”
FTX has now taken over the business, moving it to central Switzerland and retaining key staff, including Gruhn as head of the re-named FTX Europe.
Gruhn plans to hire around 50 staff in Switzerland by the end of the year and wants to secure licenses to build a trading platform in the Alpine state. It already has permission to operate out of Cyprus through a partner investment firm.
“Our assumption is that in two or three years we would expect 35% of group trading volume to originate from Europe,” says Gruhn. Global trading at FTX Group has exploded over the last few months to reach a daily volume of some $14 billion.
No sooner had the newly created European and Middle East Division of FTX been announced than it achieved a notable milestone. The award of a Virtual Asset Exchange and Clearing House license in Dubai has extended FTX’s reach into one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency hubs.
The United Arab Emirates are moving swiftly and ambitiously to capture a large slice of the global cryptocurrency and digital asset market.
Europe may prove a tougher nut to crack. Britain bans crypto derivatives trading among the general public. Quite a few crypto exchanges have tried, and failed, to enter the Swiss market. The financial regulator places heavy licensing demands on wannabe exchanges.
Gruhn’s company Digital Assets should not be confused with the US tech giant Digital Asset, which entered the Swiss market in 2016 by taking over the small Zurich-based company Elevence Digital Finance.
Elevence had developed a computer language for powering “smart contracts” – coding that automates transactions on distributed ledger technology systems.
That “Digital Asset Modeling Language” (DAML) is now an integral part of the Digital Asset success story and is utilized by the likes of the Australian and Hong Kong stock exchanges, Goldman Sachs and BNP Paribas.
It just goes to show that Crypto Nation Switzerland is not just about foundations and lawyers – it also plays a role in developing technology innovations.

The post Blockchain Heavyweights Leverage Swiss Startups for Growth appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/blockchain-heavyweights-leverage-swiss-startups-for-growth</link><guid>2576</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Blockchain Heavyweights Leverage Swiss Startups for Growth</dc:text></item><item><title>Robinhood Replaces Its Cash Management Product With a New Cash Card</title><description><![CDATA[Stock trading and investment app Robinhood announced that it has rolled out a new cash card for its customers.
Robinhood said that the cash card builds on its mission to democratise finance for all by giving debit card customers the same benefits and rewards that were once reserved for credit card holders.
When customers invest in themselves, Robinhood Money will give them a bonus of 10-100% (capped at US$10) on their weekly round-ups.
As they spend, customers can choose to round-up their change to the nearest dollar and invest it in their choice of assets.
Additionally, customers can set up their direct deposit and apply to get access to their paycheck up to two days early.
They can also use Robinhood&#8217;s split your paycheck feature to automatically invest in assets in their brokerage and crypto accounts.
The new Cash Card customers will also have access to 24/7 phone support, in-app educational resources, and access to a large selection of assets through Robinhood.
This will replace the existing Cash Management product, where customers’ investing and spending cash were all in their brokerage account.
Now, customers can sign-up for the Cash Card, and see separate accounts for investing, and spending.
Robinhood has retired sign-ups for the existing Cash Management product, and opening the waitlist to the public including current customers.
The company said in a statement,
&#8220;We were there for our customers at the beginning of their investment journey with commission-free trading and fractional shares. With the new Cash Card, we’ll be there with them when they spend on their daily needs—from morning coffee to weekend groceries—and help them build their investing habits for their future along the way.&#8221;

The post Robinhood Replaces Its Cash Management Product With a New Cash Card appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/robinhood-replaces-its-cash-management-product-with-a-new-cash-card</link><guid>2572</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/AM.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Robinhood Replaces Its Cash Management Product With a New Cash Card</dc:text></item><item><title>Erster Private Banking Anlagekonfigurator der Schweiz</title><description><![CDATA[Die PSS AG bringt frischen Wind in die Schweizer Finanzszene. Sie erfüllt den Anspruch, die Dienstleistung des Private Banking breiter verfügbar zu machen, mit dem neuen digitalen Anlagekonfigurator, durch die Nähe zu Pensionskassen, die Einfachheit und Transparenz im Anlageprozess und die konsequent hybride Form der Beratung.
Der Anlage-Prozess im Private Banking ist nach wie vor zeitlich aufwändig, teuer, kompliziert und nicht digitalisiert. PSS AG ist angetreten, dieses Muster aufzubrechen: Der digitale Anlagekonfigurator ist in der Schweiz einzigartig und bietet eine Balance zwischen Nutzen und Einfachheit.
Alain Beyeler
CEO Alain Beyeler betont:
«Die Zukunft des modernen Private Bankings hat begonnen. Unsere Analyse resultiert in einem professionellen Anlagevorschlag, der eine Anlagestrategie, Informationen zu Risiko und Rendite sowie wesentliche Hintergrundinformationen enthält.»
Zu jedem Zeitpunkt der digitalen Beratung können Kunden auf eine Video-Beratung zurückgreifen. Der Anlagevorschlag ist in wenigen Minuten erstellt und die Resultate sind aufgrund der digitalisierten Prozesse unmittelbar verfügbar. Durch diesen einfachen und effizienten Prozess sind die Gebühren tief.
Der digitale Vermögensverwalter arbeitet mit Anlageexperten aus der institutionellen Anlagewelt. Die enge Zusammenarbeit mit Schweizer Pensionskassen erlaubt einen professionellen Zugang zu Anlagestrategien und die Eliminierung von emotionalen Entscheiden – notabene ein häufiger Faktor für Fehlentscheide von Privatanlegern. PSS, ein Spin-off der HSG (Universität St.Gallen) trifft Anlageentscheide auf wissenschaftlichen Grundlagen und gemäss regulatorischer Rahmenbedingungen.
PSS ist sinnvoll für Kunden ab einem Vermögen von 30&#8217;000 Schweizer Franken, etwa nach einem Kapitalbezug von freiem Altersguthaben oder anderen Quellen. Zur Einfachheit und Transparenz von PSS passend: Kunden können jederzeit flexibel auf das Vermögen zugreifen.
 
The post Erster Private Banking Anlagekonfigurator der Schweiz appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/erster-private-banking-anlagekonfigurator-der-schweiz</link><guid>2570</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Erster Private Banking Anlagekonfigurator der Schweiz</dc:text></item><item><title>Wefox wird Hauptsponsor des 1. FC Union Berlin</title><description><![CDATA[Der 1. FC Union Berlin wird mit einem neuen Hauptsponsor in die Saison 2022/23 starten. Der 2015 in der Schweiz gegründete Digitalversicherer wefox hat seinen Hauptsitz in Berlin und zählt zu den erfolgreichsten Insurtechs in Europa. Bereits seit dem Bundesliga-Aufstieg ist wefox Ärmel-Sponsor des 1. FC Union Berlin. Diese gelungene Partnerschaft der letzten Jahre wird nun weiter intensiviert.
„Wir lieben diese Stadt, diese Gemeinschaft, diesen Verein. Mit wefox als Premium Partner trifft erstklassiger Fußball auf erstklassige Versicherungsberatung. Denn nur mit eisernem Teamspirit erreicht man gemeinsam Großartiges. Seit 2019 ist wefox als Sponsor auf den Trikots des 1. FC Union Berlin zu sehen. Wir sind stolz, einen Verein zu unterstützen, dessen Leidenschaft und Fanliebe für Gänsehaut in und außerhalb der Alten Försterei sorgt.“
Mit diesen Worten bekennt sich wefox auf seiner Homepage zur Partnerschaft mit Union. Im Sommer folgt nun der nächste Schritt, das wefox Logo wird die Brust der neuen Union-Trikots zieren.
Julian Teicke
„Wir haben uns in den vergangenen Jahren kennen- und schätzen gelernt. Unsere bisherige Zusammenarbeit war sehr erfolgreich und hat unsere Erwartungen nicht nur erfüllt, sondern übertroffen. So sind wir voller Freude in die Gespräche über das Hauptsponsoring gegangen, in der festen Überzeugung, dass wir der richtige Partner für Union sind – und Union der richtige für uns. Gemeinsam haben wir nicht nur in Deutschland, sondern in ganz Europa für Aufsehen gesorgt. Zusammen wollen wir nun den Erfolgskurs der letzten Jahre fortsetzen und ich bin sicher, dass uns auch das gelingen wird“,
erklärt wefox CEO Julian Teicke.
„Die Entwicklung von wefox in den vergangenen Jahren ist wirklich beeindruckend und wir sind stolz, dass wir unseren Partner auf seinem Weg mit unserer Präsenz in der Bundesliga wirksam unterstützen konnten. Seit Sommer 2019 ist diese Partnerschaft von beiden Seiten mit viel Leidenschaft und großem Engagement gelebt worden und die Rolle des Herausforderers in einem neuen Wettbewerbsumfeld verbindet und beflügelt uns. Die gemeinsame Entscheidung, nun zusammen eine neue Etappe in Angriff zu nehmen, zeigt: Es passt richtig gut“,
so Union-Präsident Dirk Zingler.
„Bedanken möchte ich mich an dieser Stelle bei unserem aktuellen Hauptsponsor Aroundtown. Wir haben gemeinsam unsere ersten drei Bundesliga-Jahre erfolgreich bestritten. Daran hatte das verlässliche Engagement von Aroundtown, insbesondere unter den schwierigen Bedingungen der Pandemie, einen wichtigen Anteil.“
Der abgeschlossene Dreijahresvertrag beinhaltet neben dem Trikotsponsoring der Profimannschaft auch die Präsenz auf TV-relevanten Werbeflächen, ein Hospitality-Paket sowie vielfältige digitale Aktivierungsmaßnahmen.
The post Wefox wird Hauptsponsor des 1. FC Union Berlin appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/wefox-wird-hauptsponsor-des-1-fc-union-berlin</link><guid>2571</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Wefox wird Hauptsponsor des 1. FC Union Berlin</dc:text></item><item><title>IFZ Fintech Switzerland Study 2022 Summary: 9 Key Facts and Graphics</title><description><![CDATA[In 2021, the number of active fintech companies in Switzerland declined for the first time since 2015, shrinking from 405 companies at the end of 2020 to 384 a year later. Despite a decrease of 21 companies, the Swiss fintech startups that remained grew their teams, raised larger rounds of funding, and expanded overseas, suggesting the further maturing of the fintech sector, according to the IFZ Fintech Study 2022.
Number of fintech companies by year, and by product area (left-hand graph) and technology category (right-hand graph) (n=384), Source: IFZ Fintech Study 2022
Fintech funding reached a new all-time high last year with Swiss startups raising a total of US$3.1 billion in 2021. Much of that sum was raised by more mature, growth stage fintech companies through Series B rounds.
Venture capital invested in Swiss fintech companies, Source: IFZ Fintech Study 2022
An analysis of the total funding per company and the number of full-time equivalents employed revealed that the median values of both figures increased in 2021 after stagnating a year prior. In 2021, the median total funding amount rose to CHF 3 million from the previous CHF 1.5 million, while the median number of full-time employees grew to 20 from 12.
Median total funding (n2021=59) and number of employees (n2021=149) by year, Source: IFZ Fintech Study 2022
Looking at fintech exits in 2021, the report notes that although no initial public offering (IPO) took place in Switzerland last year, several buyouts were recorded. These include the acquisitions of Appway by FNZ, of Assentis Technologies by Smart Communications, of numas by Allocare, of Run My Accounts by Infoniqa, as well as the acquisition of majority stakes of Accounto by AXA and Crypto Finance by Deutsche Börse.
Fintech acquisitions have gained in relevance over the past year, totaling 906 deals in 2021, up from just 540 the year prior, data from CB Insights show. Top mergers and acquisitions (M&amp;A) deals of 2021 are valued in the billions, and include the US$29 billion acquisition of buy now, pay later (BNPL) giant Afterpay, the US$4.7 billion acquisition of Indian online payment gateway BillDesk, and the US$2.5 billion acquisition accounting fintech Divvy.
Renewed interest in cryptocurrencies pushes token sales volume
Consistent with the renewed interest in the crypto assets sector observed over the past two years, token sales regained popularity in 2021 after two years of declining volumes. Last year, a total of 481 token sales took place around the world, raising a total of US$5.7 billion. This is a strong increase considering that 2020 only saw 91 token sales and a total of US$700 million raised.
In Switzerland, just one token sale was recorded for 2021: Concordium, the developer of a compliance-ready public blockchain infrastructure, which completed a US$36 million token sale in April.
Token sales globally across all sectors, Source: IFZ Fintech Study 2022
The revival of the cryptocurrency market was also seen in the surge in trading volumes for both direct investments in cryptocurrencies, i.e. the direct buying and holding of crypto assets, as well as and indirect investments, e.g. the buying of securities that track cryptocurrencies.
Indirect investments in cryptocurrencies through, for example, exchange-traded products (ETPs), more than tripled between late-2020 and September 2021, soaring from combined total assets of less than CHF 1 billion to roughly CHF 3.7 billion.
As for direct investments through exchange platforms, the IFZ Fintech Study 2022 estimates that trading volume in Switzerland ballooned to a total of CHF 96.6 billion between October 2020 to September 2021.
Total assets of ETPs and open-end funds and monthly trading volume of the 15 largest centralized and decentralized crypto exchanges for Switzerland, Source: IFZ Fintech Study 2022
The Swiss fintech sector in 2021
Like previous years, investment management and banking infrastructure were the two largest segments in the Swiss fintech sector in 2021, with 150 and 122 companies, respectively. They are followed by payments (64 companies) and deposit and lending (48).
From the technological perspective, Swiss fintech companies seem to be increasingly using technological concepts from the field of analytics/big data/artificial intelligence (AI). Adoption of these technologies is expected to increase further in the future as the financial industry continues to realize the untapped opportunity surrounding smart data, the report says.
This is in contrast to other technologies, including process digitalization/automation/robotics, and distributed ledger technology (DLT), which saw a decrease in the number of fintech companies using these technologies in 2021.
The report also outlines a growing tendency for Swiss fintech companies to focus on business-to-business (B2B) business models and to be predominantly internationally oriented considering the small domestic market.
By the end of 2021, B2B business models accounted for 58%, while B2C business models stood at 8%. One third of Swiss fintech companies pursued a hybrid strategy, targeting both business and private clients.
The majority of Swiss B2B (82%) and B2B and B2C (65%) fintech companies follow an international market strategy. Only pure B2C fintech companies tend to focus on their relatively small home market (62%).
Proportion of fintech companies by customer segments 2021 (n=154), Source: IFZ Fintech Study 2022
The post IFZ Fintech Switzerland Study 2022 Summary: 9 Key Facts and Graphics appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ifz-fintech-switzerland-study-2022-summary-9-key-facts-and-graphics</link><guid>2569</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Number-of-fintech-companies-by-year-and-by-product-area-left-hand-graph-and-technology-category-right-hand-graph-n384-Source-IFZ-Fintech-Study-2022.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>IFZ Fintech Switzerland Study 2022 Summary: 9 Key Facts and Graphics</dc:text></item><item><title>OneSpan Appoints Eric Hanson as Chief Marketing Officer</title><description><![CDATA[OneSpan, a digital identity verification and e-signatures solutions provider, announced that Eric Hanson has joined the company as Chief Marketing Officer and will be reporting to Matthew Moynahan, President and Chief Executive Officer.
Hanson combines more than 30 years of experience across roles in marketing, sales, and product, helping organisations drive transformation, build market momentum, and grow industry recognition.
Most recently Hanson served as the Chief Marketing Officer at Fuze where he was responsible for setting the company’s global marketing strategy and leading demand generation, brand, product and customer marketing.
During his tenure, he helped lead strategic initiatives with other members of the executive team to re-align Fuze’s go-to-market and product strategies in order to target emerging market opportunities in Unified Communications, earning Fuze recognition as a category visionary and leader.
Before his appointment as the Chief Marketing Officer, Hanson held leadership roles in product and demand generation.
Prior to Fuze, Hanson was the co-founder and CEO of SPY Visual Effects, a creative studio servicing advertising agencies and motion picture studios.
The company was acquired in 2009, and Hanson then served as the business unit’s SVP and General Manager until 2012.
Matthew Moynahan
“Hanson brings a rare mix of creativity, brand strategy, and business acumen while also understanding how to build market momentum and grow industry recognition.
 
I am thrilled to welcome Eric to OneSpan for the broad perspective and skillful leadership he will bring to our business and ongoing brand evolution.”
said Matthew Moynahan, President and CEO of OneSpan.
Eric Hanson
“I am excited to join the talented team at OneSpan and look forward to building on the rich heritage of the company as we transform the business, drive customer value, and capitalize on an amazing market opportunity,”
said OneSpan CMO Eric Hanson.
 
 

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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/onespan-appoints-eric-hanson-as-chief-marketing-officer</link><guid>2568</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/AM.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>OneSpan Appoints Eric Hanson as Chief Marketing Officer</dc:text></item><item><title>UK Digital Infrastructure: AWS Plans £1.8 Billion Investment</title><description><![CDATA[AWS’s continued commitment to the UK includes investments in infrastructure, renewable energy, and skills and training
Today we are announcing that we expect to spend more than £1.8 billion in the next two years building and operating data centres in the UK in order to meet the growing needs of our customers and to help strengthen the UK’s digital infrastructure. This will bring AWS’s total investment in the UK to more than double what it is today, since launching the AWS London Region in December 2016.
Over the last five years, we have been committed to investing in the UK to create the conditions for organisations in all industries to become global leaders in their use of technology. At AWS, we have the concept of a Region, which is a physical location around the world where we cluster data centres. We call each group of logical data centres an Availability Zone (AZ). In 2018, we added a third AZ to our London Region, allowing customers to architect highly scalable, fault-tolerant applications. We’ve also established edge locations across the UK which are connected to the AWS Region through the AWS network backbone, providing secure, reliable, low latency and high throughput network connectivity to organisations across the country.
Today, organisations of all sizes and across all industries in the UK are using AWS – from the fastest growing startups, to small and medium-sized businesses, the largest enterprises, public sector organisations, educational institutions, and government agencies. Customers like AstraZeneca, Barclays, easyJet, EDF, Formula 1, Just Eat, Genomics England, Hopin, ITV, the Ministry of Justice, Monzo, Morrisons, and NatWest Group are using AWS to lower costs, become more agile, and innovate faster.
In the UK, there are also thousands of businesses registered as AWS Partner Network (APN) partners across the country. The APN is an international programme that helps to connect AWS suppliers with new customers. While many of them remain small businesses, others have grown into significant businesses in their own right. According to research conducted by Public First, AWS APN partners reported earning around 60% of their revenue through their work with AWS. 41% of the APN partners surveyed said that their business would not be possible without AWS, and 58% said that AWS has helped them to win more customers.



Darren Hardman
We are proud of the contributions we are making to the UK economy. Looking ahead, we know that the UK remains full of opportunity and we continue to be excited by the potential to continue supporting our customers, partners, and citizens across the UK over the years to come.
Darren Hardman



Our dedication to delivering value in the UK extends beyond infrastructure investments. Public First research estimated that AWS is generating £8.7 billion in economic value for businesses across the country. This is the equivalent of 0.4% of the UK’s GDP, more value than the Premier League or the music industry. And we’re not stopping there. We’re also committed to creating the conditions for UK organisations to succeed through investments in skills and training, and sustainability.
Levelling up starts with skills, learning and development
There is no denying that there is still a large disparity in the uptake of cloud by businesses in different parts of the UK. For example, according to Public First’s research, if we could boost cloud prevalence in the North East to match that of London, it would help increase local productivity and wages by £1.4bn. Similar opportunities to use cloud to boost productivity also exist in Scotland and in the East of England.
To help level up the benefits of cloud, AWS has committed to investing hundreds of millions of pounds to provide free cloud computing skills training for 29 million people by 2025 – reaching people from all walks of life and all levels of technical knowledge, in more than 200 countries including the UK. We have launched a number of learning and skills programmes in UK including AWS Educate, AWS Academy, and AWS re/Start.
We first piloted AWS re/Start in the UK in 2017 as a way of building an inclusive, diverse global pipeline of new cloud talent and engaging individuals who otherwise might not have had access to this career path. The programme is now available in 95 cities in 38 countries around the world (as at December 2021). AWS re/Start prepares learners from unemployed and underemployed populations who have little technology experience, for careers in the cloud – at no cost to the learner. AWS re/Start is now operating in a number of cities across the UK including Belfast, Birmingham, Blackpool, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Leeds, London, Manchester, and Newcastle. The programme also connects learners with potential employers, and AWS re/Start graduates have secured jobs at organisations such as Cancer Research, BT, and the Financial Times. Amazon also announced that it is creating 1,500 new apprenticeships across the UK in 2022, including more than 40 different schemes including software development, data analysis, and IT engineering.
Alongside our skills programmes, we also help our customers to develop an innovative learning culture and build in-house cloud skills. In 2021, we rolled out the AWS Digital Innovation Program, which is designed to help small and medium sized businesses to bring ideas to market faster. The pilot programme, which first launched in the East of England with regional community group Tech East, has since expanded across the UK including in Oxford, Milton Keynes, and Cambridge with the Silverstone Technology Cluster, and through the Scottish Government’s Digital Boost programme.
To help accelerate adoption of cloud computing in the public sector while saving the taxpayer money, AWS signed a MOU with the UK government; the One Government Value Agreement (OGVA). This will help improve digital skills across the civil service, and help Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) to take part in public sector contracts. As part of this agreement, AWS established a new digital skills fund, which will train over 6,000 civil servants in cloud computing at no cost to the Government. According to Public First, over 150 companies have used AWS through the Government’s G-Cloud to help them deliver their own services worth more than £1.3 billion to the Government; over half of these companies were categorised as SMEs at the time of delivery.
Working towards a greener, more sustainable future
We are committed to running our business in the most efficient and sustainable way possible in order to reduce our impact on the environment. In 2019, Amazon co-founded The Climate Pledge – a pledge to reach net-zero carbon emissions across our operations by 2040, 10 years ahead of the Paris Agreement. As part of this, we are committed to powering our operations with 100% renewable energy by 2030, and we’re on a path to achieving this by 2025, five years ahead of our original target.
Amazon is the largest corporate purchaser of renewable energy in the world. In October 2021, Amazon’s first UK renewable energy project on the Kintyre Peninsula in Scotland became operational and started delivering clean energy to the grid. We purchase 100% of the power output from this wind farm, which is the first of five new, large-scale renewable energy projects in the UK enabled by Amazon and all built without public subsidy. Together, these projects will provide a total capacity of 545MW of clean energy, the equivalent of powering 620,000 homes, and supporting both the UK and Scotland in meeting their 2030 renewable energy targets.
Last year, Amazon announced its largest renewable energy project in the UK to date: the Moray West Wind Farm located off the coast of Scotland. Amazon will be the anchor and largest offtaker, contracting 350 MW of renewable energy. The project is expected to inject up to £500 million into the local Scottish economy throughout its lifespan, and during construction, will create and support more than 1,000 jobs in Scotland.
We’re not done investing in the UK. As a whole, Amazon has made direct investments in our UK operations of more than £32 billion since 2010. This includes both capital expenditure (such as the infrastructure we build, like our fulfilment centres, corporate offices and data centres), and operating expenditure (such as the jobs we create in the UK). Earlier this year we announced that we created a further 25,000 permanent roles across the UK in 2021 – including jobs in a variety of corporate and R&amp;D functions in Amazon and AWS, as well as our operations teams in our fulfilment centres, sort centres, and delivery stations – taking our total permanent workforce to more than 70,000 in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Cambridge.
We will continue to push the boundaries of how technology – digital infrastructure and services – can help our customers and partners to innovate, scale, and grow, and we remain deeply committed to supporting the transformation of the UK’s digital economy.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/uk-digital-infrastructure-aws-plans-18-billion-investment</link><guid>2566</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>UK Digital Infrastructure: AWS Plans £1.8 Billion Investment</dc:text></item><item><title>G+D Supports RaboBank in Creating a Sustainability-Focused and Individualized Payment Experience</title><description><![CDATA[With G+D Convego Recycled Cards Rabobank is introducing a new sustainable payment system. In addition, G+D facilitates the bank to further develop its customer service through an on-demand personalization approach.
As a co-operative agricultural bank, Rabobank works with its partners and customers to use resources consciously and to create efficient value chains. Thus, all of its own business processes are also consistently geared towards maximum sustainability. Rabobank, one of the largest Dutch banks, is now introducing eco-innovative payment cards. Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) will supply the solution for this implementation. G+D provides customised, secure and environmentally friendly solutions, products and services that meet the strict sustainability requirements, from sourcing via production to recycling.
With G+D’s Convego Recycled Cards, Rabobank contributes to a more circular economy by using cards where the relevant card body parts are made up of 100% recycled PVC layers. In the production of the cards, G+D uses renewable energy as well as environmentally friendly raw materials.
Customer experience is just as important to Rabobank as environmental protection. G+D’s Convego Relate Print solution, provides Rabobank with a just-in-time and on-demand management of the payment card mailing. Rabobank can thus convey targeted content and brand messages upon its customer opening the envelope containing the card. The printing of the stationery, which is also produced sustainably, is completely demand-driven, avoiding unnecessary logistics with external printing houses, stock build-up or paper waste.
G+D has numerous card personalisation centres around the world and is represented in 33 countries, guaranteeing optimal and prompt support to internationally active banks. This also enables G+D to provide Rabobank with rapid delivery of personalised payment cards to customers across diverse locations.
Carsten Wengel
“Banks expect truly sustainable solutions when it comes to payment cards – without unnecessary compromises. We are proud to enable card issuers and their customers to fulfil their commitment to the environment via innovative products and services,”
emphasises Dr. Carsten Wengel, Head of Global Sales &amp; Distribution for the Card &amp; Digital Payment business at G+D.
“Smart digital services in combination with physical cards can make an additional contribution to greater sustainability. All across the globe, we see banks increasingly taking this development into account. Rabobank is once again leading the way.“
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/gd-supports-rabobank-in-creating-a-sustainability-focused-and-individualized-payment-experience</link><guid>2565</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>G+D Supports RaboBank in Creating a Sustainability-Focused and Individualized Payment Experience</dc:text></item><item><title>Wolters Kluwer Partners NYDIG to Roll Out Bitcoin Regulatory Risk Assessment</title><description><![CDATA[Wolters Kluwer Compliance Solutions has collaborated with Bitcoin company NYDIG to launch the Bitcoin Risk Assessment.
The Risk Assessment evaluates a financial institution’s control environment related to its participation in the NYDIG Bitcoin platform.
As part of the assessment, clients receive a report on how the findings fit within a range of established, relevant controls, providing clients a clearer picture of their Bitcoin activities.
This helps the financial institution understand if its current controls will allow it to fulfill the relevant regulatory standards for offering Bitcoin products and services.
Wolters Kluwer is a NYDIG Preferred Consultant for risk assessments conducted by financial institutions related to the NYDIG platform.
In 2021, the two companies announced a strategic arrangement in which Wolters Kluwer agreed to provide regulatory compliance solutions and services—such as Wolters Kluwer Bitcoin Deposit Disclosure Program-NYDIG Accounts.
Stevie Conlon
“Recent federal regulatory messaging and guidance has emphasized that financial institutions pursuing Bitcoin-related investments for their customers must fully understand and control for potential risks. A targeted assessment allows a financial institution to appropriately tailor and document its controls.”
explained Stevie Conlon, Vice President, Tax and Regulatory Counsel for Wolters Kluwer Compliance Solutions.
Patrick Sells
 
“NYDIG’s research clearly shows that consumers expect their banks and credit unions to provide access to Bitcoin.
 
With Wolters Kluwer’s expertise and NYDIG’s best-in-class platform, banks can confidently provide the Bitcoin products clients want in a safe and compliant manner.”
said Patrick Sells, NYDIG’s Chief Innovation Officer.
 

 
The post Wolters Kluwer Partners NYDIG to Roll Out Bitcoin Regulatory Risk Assessment appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/wolters-kluwer-partners-nydig-to-roll-out-bitcoin-regulatory-risk-assessment</link><guid>2564</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/AM.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Wolters Kluwer Partners NYDIG to Roll Out Bitcoin Regulatory Risk Assessment</dc:text></item><item><title>eBay und Klarna starten strategische Partnerschaft in Deutschland</title><description><![CDATA[eBay kündigt eine strategische Partnerschaft mit Klarna an. Im Rahmen der Partnerschaft bietet eBay zukünftig Verbraucher*innen in Deutschland Klarnas flexible Zahlungsmethoden an.
eBay bietet zukünftig zwei neue Klarna-Zahlungsoptionen bei eBay.de an: Kauf auf Rechnung und Ratenzahlung. Die beiden neuen Optionen ergänzen das bereits bestehende Angebot, zu dem auch Klarnas Sofortüberweisung gehört, und ermöglichen es jetzt Verbraucher*innen, aus einer Reihe von Zahlungsoptionen zu wählen und bei jedem Kauf zu entscheiden, ob sie jetzt oder zu einem späteren Zeitpunkt bezahlen möchten. Die Einführung der neuen Zahlungsoptionen wird schrittweise erfolgen, wobei in den kommenden Wochen zunächst ausgewählte Händler beide Zahlungsoptionen anbieten werden, gefolgt von einer breiten Einführung im Laufe des Jahres.
Oliver Klinck
„Wir stehen in einem ständigen Austausch mit Käufer*innen bei eBay und beziehen ihre Wünsche in die Gestaltung unserer Plattform ein. Wie sie bei eBay.de bezahlen können, ist dabei eine unserer Prioritäten. Deshalb freuen wir uns über die neue strategische Partnerschaft mit Klarna. Sie ermöglicht es uns, zwei zusätzliche Zahlungsoptionen anzubieten, die deutsche Käufer*innen nutzen wollen“,
so Oliver Klinck, Vice President, eBay Deutschland.
Jani Tyyni
&#8220;Verbraucher*innen auf der ganzen Welt wenden sich von traditionellen Zahlungsmitteln ab und nutzen Alternativen, die ihre Erwartungen besser erfüllen, indem sie intelligente und transparente Dienstleistungen anbieten. eBay-Kund*innen sind da nicht anders. Durch unsere strategische Partnerschaft mit eBay sind wir nun in der Lage, das Einkaufserlebnis weiter zu verbessern, indem wir Millionen von Kund*innen die Klarna-Zahlungsoptionen anbieten &#8211; und ermöglichen es ihnen so, Zeit zu sparen, informierte Entscheidungen zu treffen und die Kontrolle über ihre persönlichen Finanzen zu behalten&#8221;,
sagte Jani Tyyni, Head of Northern and Central Europe bei Klarna.
eBay hat Ende 2018 damit begonnen, den End-to-End-Zahlungsprozess auf seinem Online-Marktplatz zu verwalten und hat diese Umstellung 2021 abgeschlossen. Indem
eBay die Zahlungen global verwaltet, verbessert das Unternehmen das Kund*innenerlebnis weiter und beseitigt Reibungsverluste für Verkäufer*innen und Käufer*innen.
The post eBay und Klarna starten strategische Partnerschaft in Deutschland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ebay-und-klarna-starten-strategische-partnerschaft-in-deutschland</link><guid>2563</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>eBay und Klarna starten strategische Partnerschaft in Deutschland</dc:text></item><item><title>Neue Finanz-App macht Sparen für Familien kinderleicht und nachhaltig</title><description><![CDATA[Ab jetzt macht es „Clanq“! Nach Monaten des Konzipierens, Programmierens und Ausprobierens geht heute, am 14. März 2022, das neue Schweizer FinTech Clanq an den Start.
Die einfach zu bedienende App ist eine einzigartige Kombination aus Bankkonto, Sparplan, Cashback-Gutschriften und nachhaltigen Anlagen. Zudem unterstützt sie junge Familien vorerst in Deutschland mit Know-How und Erklärungen bei der nachhaltigen Finanz-Vorsorge für die nächste Generation. Der Name Clanq ist ein Wortspiel aus „Clan“ und „Bank“ und soll zudem an das Geräusch erinnern, wenn eine Münze in ein Sparschwein fällt.
Denn ganz ehrlich: Das klassische Sparen, wie wir es selbst aus Kindheitstagen noch kennen, lohnt sich nicht mehr: Inflation, Negativzins, Wertverlust – die Finanzwelt verändert sich rasant und neue, übergreifende und digitale Angebote sind die einzige Möglichkeit, um mitzuhalten. Clanq setzt dabei voll auf das Prinzip der Bündelung einzelner Leistungen sowie die Bündelung des ganzen Clans – von den Grosseltern über Gotte und Götti bis zu den Freunden der Familien. Für eine effektive und nachhaltige Finanzplanung.
Hinter dem Startup steht das Gründer-Trio Benedict von Hoffmann, Christina Hammer sowie Jakob Kaya. Sie verfügen nicht nur über jahrelange Erfahrung im Bankwesen und in der Unternehmensführung, sondern verfolgen auch das gemeinsame Leitmotiv “Im besten Sinne des Kindes”: Die Finanzwelt verändert sich rasant und gerade für junge Eltern ist es neben all den anderen Herausforderungen schwer, den Überblick zu behalten.
Christina Hammer
Dabei ist die heutige Finanz-Erziehung ein bedeutender Baustein für eine sichere und unabhängige Zukunft. Das Wichtigste ist die Vorbildfunktion der Eltern, weshalb wir insbesondere Mütter animieren wollen, sich an das Thema heranzuwagen“,
so Co-Founderin Christina Hammer; Finanzexpertin und selbst Mutter eines Sohnes.
 
 
Featured image credit: Clanq Founders &#8211; Benedict von Hoffmann, Christina Hammer sowie Jakob Kaya
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/neue-finanz-app-macht-sparen-fur-familien-kinderleicht-und-nachhaltig</link><guid>2562</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Neue Finanz-App macht Sparen für Familien kinderleicht und nachhaltig</dc:text></item><item><title>Wolters Kluwer Inks Deal to Acquire IDS for US$70 Million</title><description><![CDATA[Wolters Kluwer Governance, Risk &amp; Compliance (GRC) has signed an agreement with The Reynolds and Reynolds Company to acquire International Document Services (IDS), a U.S. provider of compliance and document generation software solutions for the mortgage and real estate industry, for approximately US$70 million in cash.
IDS will become an integral part of GRC’s Compliance Solutions business, a provider of compliance software for U.S. banks, lenders, credit unions, insurers, and securities firms.
The acquisition builds on GRC’s existing footprint in digital loan compliance, with end-to-end capabilities spanning from document generation to eClosing, loan analytics and lien solutions.
IDS serves over 450 clients, including U.S. mortgage lenders, banks and law firms and the company’s services include initial disclosures, electronic signatures, closing documents, and document fulfillment.
The company is expected to generate revenues of approximately US$15 million in 2022 based on transactional pricing linked to mortgage volumes.
Wolters Kluwer said that the acquisition is expected to deliver a return on invested capital (ROIC) above its after tax weighted average cost of capital (8%) within 3 to 5 years from completion.
Completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected in the second quarter of 2022.
Steven Meirink
IDS is well-positioned to take advantage of continuing digital adoption trends and has a strong track record of innovation in the mortgage industry.
This strategic and exciting acquisition will further solidify Wolters Kluwer’s market leadership in expert solutions for loan compliance and, alongside our eOriginal product suite, positions us as the leading provider of digital lending solutions.”
said Steven Meirink, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Compliance Solutions, Wolters Kluwer GRC.
Mark Mackey
“Wolters Kluwer has a long and distinguished history of excellence and innovation, and we are truly excited to join this leading business.
This is the perfect combination that will bring the next level of capabilities to our clients and the lending market.”
commented Mark Mackey, General Manager of IDS.
 
 
This article first appeared on fintechnews.am

The post Wolters Kluwer Inks Deal to Acquire IDS for US$70 Million appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/wolters-kluwer-inks-deal-to-acquire-ids-for-us70-million</link><guid>2561</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/AM.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Wolters Kluwer Inks Deal to Acquire IDS for US$70 Million</dc:text></item><item><title>Digital Asset Manager CoinShares Increases Its Stake in FlowBank to 20.28%</title><description><![CDATA[London-based digital asset manager CoinShares announced that it will be increasing its stake in Swiss online bank FlowBank to 20.28%.
The move was to facilitate increased digital asset exposure through FlowBank&#8217;s proprietary technology platform.
In the fall of 2021, FlowBank announced that its new shareholder, CoinShares had acquired a stake of 9.02% in FlowB Holding which owns FlowBank.
Following the investment, Jean-Marie Mognetti, CEO of CoinShares, will join FlowBank’s board of directors.
Charles Henri Sabet
“We are delighted that CoinShares continues to recognize and support FlowBank’s great potential and accomplishments and has decided to increase its stake in our bank. Today, FlowBank’s clients can invest in CoinShares’ crypto on CFDs and gain exposure to digital currencies in this way.
 
This is only the beginning. We look forward to collaborating further with CoinShares in the coming months and taking our product offering to the next level, together,”
said Charles Henri Sabet, CEO and Founder of FlowBank.
Jean-Marie Mognetti
“After remarkable financial results in 2021, we continue to build an ambitious plan to make CoinShares an essential and leading player in the digital asset space.
 
We are very excited to increase our participation in FlowBank, a key innovative player in Switzerland powered by a unique technology, and allow them to leverage our technology and digital asset expertise,”
said Jean-Marie Mognetti, Co-founder and CEO of CoinShares.
The post Digital Asset Manager CoinShares Increases Its Stake in FlowBank to 20.28% appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digital-asset-manager-coinshares-increases-its-stake-in-flowbank-to-2028</link><guid>2559</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Digital Asset Manager CoinShares Increases Its Stake in FlowBank to 20.28%</dc:text></item><item><title>Here’s What You Need to Know About Biden’s Executive Order on Digital Assets</title><description><![CDATA[U.S. President Joe Biden has signed an Executive Order outlining its approach to addressing the risks and harnessing the potential benefits of digital assets and their underlying technology.
The order lays out a national policy for digital assets across six key priorities; consumer and investor protection; financial stability; illicit finance; U.S. leadership in the global financial system and economic competitiveness; financial inclusion; and responsible innovation.
The Executive Order calls for measures to:
1. Protect U.S. consumers, investors, and businesses by directing the Department of the Treasury and other agency partners to assess and develop policy recommendations to address the implications of the growing digital asset sector and changes in financial markets for consumers, investors, businesses, and equitable economic growth.
The order also encourages regulators to ensure sufficient oversight and safeguard against any systemic financial risks posed by digital assets.
2. Protect U.S. and global financial stability and mitigate systemic risk by encouraging the Financial Stability Oversight Council to identify and mitigate economy-wide (i.e., systemic) financial risks posed by digital assets and to develop appropriate policy recommendations to address any regulatory gaps.
3. Mitigate the illicit finance and national security risks posed by the illicit use of digital assets by directing an unprecedented focus of coordinated action across all relevant U.S. government agencies to mitigate these risks.
It also directs agencies to work with its allies and partners to ensure international frameworks, capabilities, and partnerships are aligned and responsive to risks.
4. Promote U.S. leadership in technology and economic competitiveness by directing the Department of Commerce to work across the U.S. government in establishing a framework to drive its competitiveness and leadership in, and leveraging of digital asset technologies.
This framework will serve as a foundation for agencies and integrate this as a priority into their policy, research and development, and operational approaches to digital assets.
5. Promote equitable access to safe and affordable financial services by affirming the critical need for safe, affordable, and accessible financial services as a U.S. national interest that must inform its approach to digital asset innovation, including disparate impact risk.
Such safe access is especially important for communities that have long had insufficient access to financial services.
The Secretary of the Treasury, working with all relevant agencies, will produce a report on the future of money and payment systems, to include implications for economic growth, financial growth and inclusion, national security, and the extent to which technological innovation may influence that future.
6. Support technological advances and ensure responsible development and use of digital assets by directing the U.S. Government to take concrete steps to study and support technological advances in the responsible development, design, and implementation of digital asset systems while prioritizing privacy, security, combating illicit exploitation, and reducing negative climate impacts.
7. Explore a U.S. Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) by placing urgency on research and development of a potential United States CBDC, should issuance be deemed in the national interest.
The order directs the U.S. Government to assess the technological infrastructure and capacity needs for a potential CBDC in a manner that protects Americans’ interests.
It also encourages the Federal Reserve to continue its research, development, and assessment efforts for a U.S. CBDC, including development of a plan for broader U.S. Government action in support of their work.
This effort prioritizes U.S. participation in multi-country experimentation, and ensures U.S. leadership internationally to promote CBDC development that is consistent with U.S. priorities and democratic values.
The administration said that it will continue work across agencies and with congress to establish policies that guard against risks and guide responsible innovation, with its allies and partners to develop aligned international capabilities that respond to national security risks, and with the private sector to study and support technological advances in digital assets.

 
This article first appeared on Fintech News America. 
The post Here’s What You Need to Know About Biden’s Executive Order on Digital Assets appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-bidens-executive-order-on-digital-assets</link><guid>2560</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/AM.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Here’s What You Need to Know About Biden’s Executive Order on Digital Assets</dc:text></item><item><title>5 Recommendations for Wholesale Central Bank Digital Currency Design and Implementation</title><description><![CDATA[A new paper from the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Clifford Chance, commissioned by the Global Financial Markets Association (GFMA), looks at the potential benefits and challenges relating to wholesale central bank digital currencies (wCBDCs), and shares five critical considerations for a successful design and implementation.
Over 70% of central banks around the world are exploring the possibility of introducing CBDCs as they seek to capitalize on the potential benefits promised by the technology including enhanced efficiency, resilience and effectiveness of money flows and capital markets.
But these benefits will only be achieved if both the wCBDCs themselves and the infrastructure which facilitates their uses are appropriately and effectively designed, says the paper, titled Central Bank Digital Currencies: A Global Capital Markets Perspective.
The report outlines five essential building blocks for consideration by central banks and other financial market authorities when developing a wCBDC, which relate to access, interoperability, regulation, prudential treatment and risk management.
The first recommendation involves the level of access which should be given to participants in the financial landscape. The paper notes that while there are many benefits to extending access of CBDCs to non-regulated institutions, at the initial stage of deployment, a wCBDC should be limited to regulated financial institutions that are eligible to hold central bank accounts in their respective jurisdictions. This will help mitigate potential financial stability issues.
Stablecoins quarterly transaction volume
Over time, access can be extended to select financial institutions that have comparable governance, risk management, anti-money laundering, counter terrorist financing (AML/CFT) and sanctions, capital, liquidity and operational resilience standards of regulated financial institutions, the paper says.
The second building block outlined in the paper is interoperability, a critical element considering that wCBDC are generally meant to work as an additional payment instrument and system rather than a replacement to existing ones.
Hence, ensuring that a wCBDC is interoperable with the broader financial ecosystem is critical to achieving full impact on payments and settlements, the paper says. This means making sure that the wCBDC system is interoperable with both existing and new wholesale payment instruments and systems, other capital market financial market infrastructures (FMIs), and cross-border foreign exchange (FX) systems.
Against this backdrop, central banks and policymakers should work together to set common standards. They also should partner with the private sector to design, experiment and implement solutions for interoperability, it says.
Next, the third building block revolves around legislation. The paper says that in order to be able to determine the status of a wCBDC, its treatment when held by intermediaries and the impact of an intermediary’s insolvency, legislative frameworks must legally classify wCBDCs as fungible with fiat currency. This will also be critical in establishing the duty of care required of intermediating entities for a CBDC that is held by them or accessed through them. In addition, standards for obtaining a security interest in CBDC should also be established, it adds.
The fourth building block concerns the prudential treatment of wCBDC. The paper argues that if wCBDCs were to be given a less favorable prudential treatment than central bank cash balances, their usability would be significantly reduced, impacting thus market efficiency. Hence, wCBDCs must be considered analogous to other central bank money and have the same prudential treatment to reach their full potential.
Finally, the fifth and last building block relates to risk management, including threat to financial stability, credit and liquidity, operational risk, and reputational risk. All in all, central banks should not overlook the potential risks of introducing wCBDCs and need to balance the risks and benefits. They should act conservatively when making decisions and properly structure the wCBDC so that it doesn’t diminish the central bank’s ability to conduct monetary policy and maintain financial stability.
In addition to these five building blocks, the paper also highlights other considerations, including whether or not to make the wCBDC programmable, cybersecurity risks, and operational resilience.
A 2021 survey of central banks by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) found that 86% were actively researching the potential of CBDCs. Efforts have intensified over the past year amid a decline in cash usage, rising digital payment adoption, and growing interest in cryptocurrencies.
In Switzerland, Project Helvetia concluded earlier this year with the completion of Phase II that sought to integrate a wCBDC running on a distributed ledger technology (DLT) platform into existing core banking systems.
Besides Project Helvetia, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) also took part in Project Jura, alongside Banque de France, and the BIS Innovation Hub, an initiative that focused on exploring the direct transfer of euro and Swiss franc wCBDCs between French and Swiss commercial banks on a single DLT platform operated by a third party.
The 2022 work program of the BIS Innovation Hub gives mention of an upcoming initiative called Project Titus which will be led by the organization’s Swiss hub. No further details have been released at this stage.
The post 5 Recommendations for Wholesale Central Bank Digital Currency Design and Implementation appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/5-recommendations-for-wholesale-central-bank-digital-currency-design-and-implementation</link><guid>2558</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Stablecoins-quarterly-transaction-volume-.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>5 Recommendations for Wholesale Central Bank Digital Currency Design and Implementation</dc:text></item><item><title>“BORN IN SWITZERLAND” Swiss Original Fintech Overview Map Update: 202 Companies</title><description><![CDATA[Luc Schuurmans, Deputy CEO, Executive Management at Bank Linth,  put together an updated overview map of Fintech Companies “Born in Switzerland”.
Here are the descriptions of all the Swiss Fintechs listed in Luc’s map:
Funding
Verve Ventures is a network and technology-driven venture capital firm based in Switzerland. Founded in 2010 by Steffen Wagner and Lukas Weber, Verve Ventures has grown to more than 45 team members and has become one of the most active venture investors in Europe with over 140 science and technology-driven startups in its portfolio. A dozen investment professionals identify the most promising digital, tangible and health &amp; bio startups. Selected private and institutional investors get access to investment opportunities through a digital platform. The company invests EUR 0.5 million to several million from Seed Stage onward in startups across Europe. Verve Ventures’ dedicated team helps startups with their most pressing needs such as hiring, client introductions and an expert network of high-profile individuals.
 
 
 
With the aim of giving both borrowers and lenders more freedom and control over their loans, 3circlefunding allows fwealborrowers to set loan interest rates and investors to sell loan parts in its secondary market. This makes 3circlefunding one of the few secondary market providers in Switzerland.
 
 
 
Foxstone is a Swiss real estate crowdfunding platform. The platform proposes institutional-grade real estate deals in Switzerland through three types of investments: co-ownership, co-investment and mezzanine debt with a minimum investment amount of CHF 25’000.
 
 
 

 
Bricks &amp; Bytes AG provides with crowdhouse.ch the first real estate crowd funding platform in Switzerland. By democratizing the way of being a real estate owner it makes everyone a happy landlord.
 
 

 
wemakeit.com was founded in Switzerland in February 2012 by the communication consultant Rea Eggli, the artist Johannes Gees and the interaction designer Jürg Lehni and within very short time grew into one of the largest crowdfunding platforms in Europe.
 
 
Beedoo is a platform proposing investment solutions to invest directly in the real economy, in startups &amp; SME&#8217;s, Real Estate and Impact Investing.
 
 
 
Projektstarter ist eine Crowdfunding-Plattform mit Sitz in Solothurn, welche seit dem Jahr 2011 tollen Ideen und ihren Machern eine Möglichkeit zur Finanzierung bietet. Sie ist in Besitz der Designatelier GmbH. ProjektStarter bietet den Menschen im Raum Schweiz die Möglichkeit ihre Idee oder ihr Projekt zu finanzieren.
 
 
On the platform crowdify.net Initiators present their projects and leave them there for 100 days to be funded by Boosters.
 
 
 
 
Drooms is the leading provider of data rooms in Europe, connecting professionals and information in the worlds´ real capital markets.
 
 
 
 
Go Beyond Investing brings together a group of private accredited investors dedicated to providing early-stage capital with entrepreneurs seeking investment capital. Go Beyond Investing enables novice &amp; experienced, small &amp; large investors, to access angel investing as an asset class through its unique platform, tools, training and expert angels.
 
 

 
SoSense is a pioneer in digital social innovation with offices in Zürich (Switzerland) and Berlin (Germany). They design creative and engaging concepts, implement innovative and empowering solutions and help run impactful campaigns with leverage.
 
 

 
CreditGate24 connects borrowers with private and institutional investors and offers an efficient and scalable settlement of loans. CreditGate24 operates exclusively online, with no branches or high administrative expenses in order not to diminish the yields on investment and to minimize the cost for borrowers.
 
 
Advanon is an authorized financial intermediary that is directly subordinated to FINMA (Directly Subordinated Financial Intermediary, DSFI) according to the Anti Money Laundering Act (AMLA).
 
 
 

Splendit matches students and investor in an auction process, issue documentation and manages payments through the lifetime of the loans.
 
 
 

swisspeers  ist eine unabhängige Crowdlending Plattform, die es Unternehmen erlaubt, bei Investoren direkt – also ohne Zwischen­schaltung eines Finanzinstituts – Fremdkapital zu beschaffen.
 
 
 
 

c-crowd represents a new way of financing entrepreneurs while democratising the concept of business angels, brings together innovative entrepreneurs and investors.
 
 
 

Loanboox is the independent money and capital market platform for public-sector borrowers and institutional investors. In contrast to conventional brokering, financing and investing through Loanboox is simple, transparent, safe and low cost, benefiting both borrowers and lenders alike.
 
 
 

creditworld verbindet Schweizer KMUs mit privaten sowie professionellen Investoren. KMUs profitieren von attraktiven Konditionen und fairen Vertragsbedingungen. Investoren erhalten Zugang zu einer neuen Anlageklasse mit interessanten Renditen und unterstützen dabei das Rückgrat der Schweizer Volkswirtschaft.
 
 
 
Bloomio is a digital investment platform connecting startups with individual investors. The platform allows startup founders to raise capital by tokenizing equity and gives investors the possibility to trade startup stakes through a secure blockchain-based marketplace.
 
 
 
Swiss Crowdlending FinTech for private persons and SME. Crowd Solutions is the provider of Crowd4Cash.ch the innovative Crowdlending platform. Crowd4Cash brings investors and borrower together. For better returns for the investors and lower interest rates for borrower. 100% online, easy and simply fair!
 
 
 

Acredius is an online platform that makes investors’ and borrowers’ needs meet in an unconventional, digital, intuitive and safe environment. Investors can diversify their portfolios and enjoy interesting yields. Borrowers get access to fair financing using their traditional and non-traditional data.
 
 
Lendora is a Swiss crowdlending startup. Our platform connects borrowers and investors online to make credit more accessible and investing more rewarding.
 
 
 
 
bob verbindet zuverlässige Finanzlösungen mit technischem Komfort und macht Ihnen mit seinen Online-Produkten das Leben so einfach wie möglich.
 
 
 
 
Führend in Immobilienfinanzierungen in der Schweiz Wir schaffen eine Verbindung zwischen Hypothekarkunden und institutionellen Kreditgebern und erreichen dadurch den besten Zins in Echtzeit. Dabei stehen wir für Integrität, Neutralität, Transparenz und die Sicherheit des Hypothekarmarktes. Unsere Partner zählen zu den Besten auf ihrem Gebiet, teilen unsere Werte und stehen für unternehmerisches Wachstum.
 
 
Greenmatch combines the perspectives of all market participants on one single platform and allows for an efficient interaction. Thanks to the independent, certified financial model, discussions regarding deviations between the financial models of the buyer and the seller do no longer occur. Detailed risk analysis strengthen the trust of banks and accelerate the closure of the project financing. Thus, each market participant saves valuable time and can focus more on his key competences.
 
Tradeplus24 specialises in providing Swiss KMUs with state of the art Insurance and Receivables Finance solutions. Unlike factoring, our innovative solution offers SMEs the opportunity to get a flexible credit line against their accounts receivable whilst offering them the option to insure their global accounts receivables against default. This way Swiss KMU&#8217;s can grow their export business in a financially sound and safe way, even when their buyers demand longer payment terms and want to trade own open account basis.
 
 
Systemcredit is a service provider to the lending industry. As the external rating agency, it helps SME to get suitable financing faster, at lower cost. And it enables lenders to grow their loan portfolios at reduced risk and lower process cost.
 
 
 
Cashare was founded in January 2008 as a public limited company under Swiss law, has its registered office in Hünenberg (ZG) and is registered in the commercial register of the Canton Zug. They are an approved financial intermediary pursuant to Art. 2, para. 3 of the Swiss Money Laundering Act and are audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers AG.
 
 
LEND matches investors with borrowers. Investors earn substantial returns and borrowers benefit from low interest rates. From person to person. Without a bank in the middle.
 
 
 
Teylor is a Swiss technology company focused on building better financial products for small businesses in Europe.
 
 
 
 
Aidonic is a Blockchain-powered platform for social fundraising and digital last mile distribution of humanitarian aid.

 
 
 
neocredit.ch AG is a Crowdlending platform specialised in business loans to Swiss SMEs. Thanks to the simple, fast and transparent process, SMEs can easily finance their projects. neocredit.ch AG is the only Swiss Crowdlending platform uniting two strong partners: Vaudoise Insurance and Credit.fr, a leading French crowdlending platform.

 

 

FinanceScout24 ist der erste mitdenkende digitale Partner für die wichtigsten Finanz- und Versicherungsthemen des Lebens. Als One-Stop-Shop ermöglicht FinanceScout24 den Vergleich und Abschluss von Hypotheken, Motorfahrzeugversicherungen und Konsumkrediten und steht den Usern mit Hintergrundwissen und Beratung rund um diese Themen zur Seite.
 
 
 
Advice

moneyguru.ch ist der digitale Assistent für private Finanzen in der Schweiz. Der Moneyguru ist von den Gründern von moneyland.ch ins Leben gerufen worden. Die unabhängige Vergleichsseite moneyland.ch ist sozusagen die Mutter, die Datenlieferantin und der Rechner von Moneyguru.
 
 
Alquant improves traditional asset management through quantitative methods and artificial intelligence for the benefit of its clients. Alquant&#8217;s purpose is to enable more and more people to enjoy greater financial prosperity by protecting and growing their assets. At Alquant, we strive for clear, sound and effective investment solutions.
 
 

Yeldo is an innovative real estate investment platform based in Zürich and in Lugano. We are specialized in professional selection of real estate assets and investment structuring.
 
 
 

Investment Navigator is operated by Investment Navigator AG based in Zurich. Investment Navigator AG works closely with fundinfo, the leading platform for information and mandatory disclosures in the fund sector.
 
 
 

InvestGlass is a 24/7 financial markets platform built with Swiss banking know-how and a predictive algorithm. Their goal is to deliver smart financial information investors need at the right time and in the right format. Equities, Bonds, Forex, ETF, Futures, News and much more…
 
 

Apiax is a compliance digitally mastered. We transform complex regulations into easy-to-use digital compliance rules.
 
 
 
 

Sentifi is a leading Crowd-Intelligence platform for financial markets globally, receiving Swiss FinTech Award 2016. Their unique approach is to structure unstructured financial data from news, blogs and social media, identify and rank the sources for their relevance and apply self-learning algorithms and a financial expert system to extract insights from the content.
 
 

At atfinity, we disrupt the way thousands of businesses manage processes: We give companies the tools to create apps for simple or complex processes themselves. Our &#8220;Excel of processes&#8221; is used to create a wide range of tools from digital onboarding solutions and KYC processes to legal request handling.
 
 

SwissMetrics is a dynamic startup from Switzerland that has a mission to enhance the way companies monitor their credit risk. As finance professionals, they have developed a SaaS platform with the aim of promoting smarter collaboration within companies to work for a common goal – saving money through risk minimization.
 
 

With diverse academic backgrounds ranging from information technology, mathematics, business administration, political sciences and philosophy, economics, design, linguistics and psychology, Adviscent‘s team of experts brings solid domain expertise on board in the banking, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and food industries.
 
 

MeetInvest seeks to democratize stock market investment with a free service that combines a social media platform and an investor toolkit, bringing in one place all the necessary resources for people to start trading like pros.
 
 
 

By leveraging technology, Dein-Anlageberater.ch provides users with personalized investment advisory services and recommendations for asset allocation at a much lower price than traditional investment advisers.
 
 
 

RealAdvisor a pour mission d’améliorer et optimiser votre expérience de vente et d’achat de biens immobiliers en Suisse grâce à des outils modernes et précis. The most reliable real estate valuation tool in Switzerland.
 
 
 

Nectar Financial, formerly Etops, is a Swiss fintech company specializing in wealth and asset management. It provides middle and back office services for more than 30 family offices, independent asset managers and banks and supports them in managing assets in excess of CHF 35 billion.
 
 
 

Riskifier makes investment risk profiling simple, fun and insightful for everyone. Our solution uses latest advances of artificial intelligence to fulfill the requirements of MiFID II/FIDLEG investor risk profiling and KYC data collection, while digitalizing &amp; gamifying user experience as well unleashing advantages of behavior based personalized investment risk profiles.
 
 
Pricehubble is a Swiss B2B proptech company that builds innovative digital solutions for the real estate industry based on property valuations and market insights. Leveraging big data, cutting-edge analytics and great visualization, PriceHubble’s products suite brings a new level of transparency in the market, enabling their customers to make real estate and investment decisions based on the most accurate data-driven insights and enhance the dialogue with end consumers.
 
 
EdgeLab is a fintech company providing an investment intelligence web platform to help financial institutions taking smarter decisions.
 
 
 

theScreener is the market leader for independent valuations of financial securities, equities, sectors and markets, and new funds.
 
 

 
Alethena is the first Swiss ICO and Blockchain-Asset Rating Agency and Due Diligence Service Provider.
With deep technical insight, vast financial market experience, and a conclusive rating methodology, Alethena bridges the gap between blockchain and established investors. As a Swiss company neutrality is a core of our culture.
 
 
As a Swiss FinTech company, we offer digital solutions for issuers to have a direct channel of communication to investors, on a global scale. Keeping up with the demands of increasingly tech-savvy investors is hard, Sharesinside aims to simplify this process, giving you more time to focus on what&#8217;s really important &#8211; your narrative.
 
 

Crypto Finance AG is a financial technology holding company founded in June 2017. The Group provides blockchain-related services through its three subsidiaries: Crypto Fund AG (Asset Management), Crypto Broker AG (Brokerage), and Crypto Storage AG (Storage).
 
 
 
The Swiss Real Estate sector is one of the most economically and politically stable in the world. It is very popular with institutional investors and remains difficult to access for private investors.
In fact, the heterogeneity of properties, their acquisition values, the complexity of financing them and the retention of information signifies that this market still remains relatively inefficient.
Based on these observations, Crowdpark SA, established on December 1st 2017 in Geneva, is an independent company specialized in Swiss Real Estate Crowd-Investing.
 
Leva sets the new standard for investment syndicates. At the intersection of finance and technology, Leva has developed a novel technology to bring investment syndicates into the 21st century. Our platform allows a fully automated syndicate creation. With Leva, syndicate leaders can conveniently onboard new investors, manage the investor base, and raise capital efficiently.
 
 
Der erste Robo Advisor für die Immobilienwirtschaft. propmatch ist die einfache Lösung zur Analyse, Bewertung und Vermittlung von Standorten, Renditeimmobilien und Grundstücken in der Schweiz.
 
 
 
Smolio ist dein Finanzbuddy. Wir begleiten dich und verkaufen keine Finanzprodukte. Anders als andere profitieren wir nicht versteckt von unseren Empfehlungen. Was du bezahlst finanziert die künftige Entwicklung von Smolio. Eben unabhängig.
 
 
 
ex indiciis believe that customer relationship is at the core of the wealth management industry. As a consequence we provide wealth managers with the necessary tools to deliver personalized content to any user interacting with the company through any digital channel.
 
 
Anova Partners provide an independent marketplace where investors and manufacturers meet to achieve better investment decisions facilitated through technologically enabled investment, risk, product management as well as execution services in order to manage your portfolio in a simple way.
 
 
Imvesters offers you concrete investments in performance real estate that will supplement your income every month.
 
 
 
 
SmartMoneyMatch.com offers two main functionalities: 1. Investments can be classified analogous to eBay and according to these criteria you can offer or demand investments. You can state what your supply is or your demand and giving other users the opportunity to search for supplied or demanded investments with the given criteria. 2. Users can mutually connect. This functionality is similar to LinkedIn with relevant criteria for the investment industry.
 
Legartis is developing an AI-based legal document life cycle solution provided as a SaaS system. It aids companies&#8217;​ legal and compliance departments, HR and procurement to review, analyze, amend and manage all legal documents throughout their entire life cycle.
 
 
 
Aisot (“AISignals and Operations in Trading”) is developping algorithms for data analytics and predictive analytics.
 
 
 
 
LumRisk is an independent company that provides state-of-the-art risk consolidation, analysis and reporting services to institutional clients. LumRisk provides risk analysis and reporting, based on full transparency into underlying instruments, on many types of investment programs, such as funds-of-hedge-funds, multi-asset programs, alternative risk premia programs and traditional long-only investments.
 
 

ElleXX ist die unabhängige Geld-Medien-Plattform für Frauen. Sie bringt Inhalte und Investieren zusammen. Frauen haben andere Lebensläufe als Männer. Sie verdienen weniger, erhalten schlechtere Kreditkonditionen, tiefere Darlehen, überziehen eher ihre Konten, zahlen mehr Gebühren und investieren weniger. Sie arbeiten mehr Teilzeit, erben weniger und leben länger. Das wirkt sich alles negativ auf ihre Finanzen aus.
 
 
Integration
Performance Watcher Evaluating and comparing the result of one&#8217;s investment portfolio must be accessible to everyone. Our aim is to popularize and demystify a traditionally opaque field. We believe in explanations that are simple, clear and understandable to everyone. With the disappearance of Swiss banking secrecy, increased competition, the Internet and a new generation of customers the transparency of results is born.
 
 
Sygnum is a technology-driven company that empowers financial services for the digital asset economy. It develops an integrated solution to securely issue, store, trade and manage digital assets.
 
 
 

Additiv develops and implements digital innovations and business models for financial services companies – tailor-made and turnkey.
 
 
 
At SEBA, we want to build a gateway that facilitates movement of assets between the crypto and traditional financial markets for major financial investors. Our ambition is to be one of the world&#8217;s first universal, fully licensed and supervised crypto banks, offering industry leading crypto-asset financial products and services.
 
 
 

Founded in 2007, NetGuardians was the first company to emerge from the innovation incubator Y-Parc, in Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland. The company now enjoys a solid international presence with a steadily growing clientele in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
 
 
 
FundBase is a cloud-based platform to ultimately host the complete investment process for high-conviction alternative investments. Fundbase delivers to qualified investors a seamlessly integrated platform to discover, execute and monitor complex investments such as hedge funds, private equity and other high-conviction investments.
 
 

Pure Value Metrics provides active investors with a unique combination of Global Equity Portfolio Selection, Market Insight, Online Trading and discretionary Voice Execution.
 
 
 
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/born-in-switzerland-swiss-original-fintech-overview-map-update-202-companies</link><guid>2557</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/finpension-AG.jpeg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>“BORN IN SWITZERLAND” Swiss Original Fintech Overview Map Update: 202 Companies</dc:text></item><item><title>Lendable Announces GBP 210M Funding Round Led by Ontario Teachers Pension Fund</title><description><![CDATA[Lendable, an AI-powered consumer finance platform, has announced a GBP 210m funding round at a valuation in excess of GBP 3.5bn. The round was led by the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board (Ontario Teachers’), through its Teachers’ Innovation Platform (TIP). TIP focuses on late-stage venture and growth equity investments in cutting-edge technology companies led by mission-driven entrepreneurs.
Lendable was founded in 2014 with the vision to use technology to make consumer finance work better for hundreds of millions of customers. Lendable applies AI and automation to enhance underwriting, and offer customers better rates, transparency and service, while offering institutional investors ranging from global banks to family offices access to the asset class. Consumer credit volumes in the UK and US alone are significant, with an addressable market of close to $3 trillion. The new investment from TIP will support Lendable in developing new products and drive the company’s ambitions for international growth.
Martin Kissinger, founder and CEO of Lendable, said:
“We are excited to partner with TIP as we accelerate our expansion across products and markets. Our DNA from day one has been to bring transparency and fairness to consumer finance, and we are proud of the fantastic feedback we consistently receive from our customers. TIP is a global growth investor with a long-term view who can support our ambition to make this giant market work better.”
Olivia Steedman
Olivia Steedman, Senior Managing Director, TIP: said:
“Lendable’s seamless, quick and easy to use products, powered by advanced AI, are shaping the future of consumer finance. We’re delighted to work with Martin and his visionary team to deliver on Lendable’s growth ambitions.”
 
The post Lendable Announces GBP 210M Funding Round Led by Ontario Teachers Pension Fund appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/lendable-announces-gbp-210m-funding-round-led-by-ontario-teachers-pension-fund</link><guid>2556</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Lendable Announces GBP 210M Funding Round Led by Ontario Teachers Pension Fund</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Blockchain Startup Wecan Chooses France for Its Expansion</title><description><![CDATA[Wecan Group SA, a Swiss Blockchain software provider used  Swiss private banks, is favoring an expansion in France for its internationalization. Behind this choice: an investment from Michel Reybier, owner of La Réserve hotels, and a selection in the Swave program, an initiative of the French government to attract the most promising fintechs in France.
100 billion is the amount of assets under management of independent asset managers using the Wecan Comply platform. The Swiss software, Wecan Group&#8217;s flagship product, enables the exchange of compliance information with the country&#8217;s largest private banks, such as Lombard Odier, Pictet Group, Edmond de Rothschild and Julius Bär. Spotted by Swave, the solution was selected from among several hundred other applications.
Vincent Pignon
“ We are proud to be among the 5 companies selected by the Swave to join their fintech incubator program in 2022. We intend to replicate our banking compliance solution with their institutional players such as the Banque de France or Société Générale. ”
says Vincent Pignon, founder and CEO of Wecan Group SA.
This collaboration is accompanied by the opening of new offices in the Grande Arche de la Défense, with the aim of attracting French financial players with its solution that simplifies and secures the exchange of compliance data.
“ France has become a leader in innovation in recent years. The French Startup Nation is a reality and attracts more and more companies like ours looking to establish themselves in a robust and disruptive ecosystem.”
continues Vincent Pignon.
In parallel with this move into France, the group has finalized a CHF 3.5 million (EUR 3.4 million) fundraising round to expand its solution to new industries and markets. Among the investors is Michel Reybier, founder of the Aoste Group and owner, among others, of La Réserve Hotels.
“ The arrival of new shareholders, including Michel Reybier, a seasoned and visionary investor, will allow us to benefit from new expertise in order to diversify our products towards the hotel, medical, wine and real estate industries in France. ”
adds Vincent Pignon.
 
The post Swiss Blockchain Startup Wecan Chooses France for Its Expansion appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-blockchain-startup-wecan-chooses-france-for-its-expansion</link><guid>2554</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Blockchain Startup Wecan Chooses France for Its Expansion</dc:text></item><item><title>2 Swiss Startups Make 2022 Top 50 Blockchain and Crypto Companies Ranking</title><description><![CDATA[Market intelligence platform CB Insights has released its second edition of The Blockchain 50, an annual ranking of the world’s top 50 most promising blockchain and crypto companies. Two Swiss startups made the 2022 ranking: SEBA Bank and the Solana Foundation.
The 50 private companies were selected from a pool of over 3,000 startups based on factors including data submitted by the companies, company business models and momentum in the market, and Mosaic scores, CB Insights’ proprietary algorithm that measures the overall health and growth potential of private companies.
These companies are being recognized for pushing blockchain and crypto toward greater adoption and product maturity, as well as for their ingenuity in applying the technology to solve business and consumer problems across various industries.
Switzerland’s SEBA Bank, a digital assets banking platform licensed by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA), was among the 50 companies included in this year’s cohort.
Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Zug, SEBA Bank provides a suite of regulated banking services, allowing institutional clients to invest, safekeep and trade in digital and traditional assets as well as borrow against these assets and issue tokens all out of an integrated and end-to-end banking platform.
SEBA Bank recently closed a CHF 110 million Series C funding round to accelerate the growth it had achieved over the prior year, and fuel its expansion plans in Asia-Pacific (APAC) and the Middle East where it opened an office just last month. The company raised a total of US$245 million in disclosed funding, according to CB Insights data.
The Solana Foundation is the second Swiss entity to make the list this year. Headquartered in Zug as well, the Solana Foundation is a non-profit organization that’s responsible for maintaining and growing the open source Solana project.
Released in 2019, Solana is a public blockchain platform with smart contract functionality that seeks to facilitate decentralized app (DApp) creation with a focus on decentralized finance (DeFi). It works to one up Ethereum by providing faster transaction times and cheaper fees, claiming to be able to process up to 710,000 transactions for second, 15 transactions per second for Ethereum.
Solana’s token (SOL) is currently priced at about US$84 for a market capitalization of US$27 billion, making the cryptocurrency the 9th biggest in the world. The project has raised US$23 million in venture capital financing, according to CB Insights data.
The US as the most represented country
Besides Switzerland, 14 other countries are represented in the 2022 Blockchain 50. With 28 startups, the US tops the list with ventures including NYDIG, a subsidiary of US$13 billion+ alternatives asset manager Stone Ridge that specializes in bitcoin products for institutional clients and businesses; Fireblocks, an institutional digital asset custody, transfer and settlement platform; Forte Labs, a blockchain gaming and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) company; and the Celsius Network, an interest-bearing and crypto-lending DeFi platform.
After the US, the UK is the second most represented country with 5 companies: Blockchain.com, a crypto services platform, Copper, a cryptocurrency custody firm serving the institutional digital asset investment community, Elliptic, a leader in cryptoasset risk management for crypto businesses and financial institutions, Aave, an open source DeFi protocol, and Wirex, a digital payment platform.
Canada, France and Singapore each has two: Dapper Labs and Figment for Canada, Ledger and Sorare for France, and Matrixport and Nansen for Singapore, while Austria (BitPanda), the Bahamas (FTX), Hong Kong (Amber Group), India (CoinSwitch Kuber), Israel (StarkWare), Malta (Binance), Mexico (Bitso), Norway (Dune Analytics) and Vietnam (Sky Mavis), each has one.
Funding and valuation
The 2022 Blockchain 50 cohort has raised US$17.1 billion in aggregate funding across 216 deals since 2016. 77% of that sum (US$13.2 billion) was raised in 2021 alone (excluding token sales), highlighting the surge in venture capital funding that startups in the space witnessed last year.
The list comprises companies at various investment stages, including nine early-stage startups (18%), 29 mid-stage companies (58%), and eight late-stage companies (16%).
Out of the 50 blockchain startups, 31 are unicorn startups and are valued at or above US$1 billion as of their latest funding round.
With a valuation of US$32 billion, crypto derivatives exchange FTX is the highest valued blockchain startup of the list. FTX is followed by crypto goods and NFTs peer-to-peer (P2P) marketplace OpenSea, valued at US$13.3 billion, blockchain development platform provider Alchemy, valued at US$10.2 million, Fireblocks, valued at US$8 billion, blockchain gaming startup Dapper Labs, valued at US$7.6 billion, and crypto exchange Gemini, valued at US$7.1 billion.
Coinbase Ventures was found to be the most active investor in this year’s list, having invested in 16 of the 50 companies. Coinbase Ventures is followed by Andreessen Horowitz with 14 companies, and Paradigm with 13 companies.
2022 Blockchain 50 cohort
The Blockchain 50 2022, Source: CB Insights
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/2-swiss-startups-make-2022-top-50-blockchain-and-crypto-companies-ranking</link><guid>2553</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/The-Blockchain-50-2022-Source-CB-Insights.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>2 Swiss Startups Make 2022 Top 50 Blockchain and Crypto Companies Ranking</dc:text></item><item><title>Real Estate Companies Now Refinance via Loanboox</title><description><![CDATA[Loanboox, a public sector financing platform, now also offers its services to housing cooperatives, real estate funds and real estate companies. For this purpose, Loanboox has added the experienced real estate financing expert Patrick Zurfluh to the team.
To date, municipalities, cities and large companies have concluded 2’500 loans via Loanboox. Due to the high demand, the financing platform is now also offering its services to housing cooperatives, real estate funds and companies.
The first pilot transactions have already been concluded in recent months. A housing cooperative from the canton of Zurich has saved 20% of its financing costs and more than halved its workload. With its new offering, Loanboox combines the advantages of the digital platform (digital offer comparison, efficient processes and access to a big lender network) with professional, personal advice.
Patrick Zurfluh
For this purpose, the financing expert Patrick Zurfluh joins the team as Head of Real Estate Financing. Patrick Zurfluh previously worked for Raiffeisen and Credit Suisse as a real estate financing specialist and explains:
«When working there, I noticed: Real estate financing should be simpler and more cost-efficient. That’s why I have joined Loanboox. I’m looking forward to helping real estate companies get their best financings.»
For lenders, Loanboox also creates advantages, by enabling wider access to opportunities and streamlined processes. In the digital data room, all documents and necessary information are available in one place and clearly synthetised. This eliminates the need for multiple back and forth between borrowers and lenders. Fair communication and clear deadlines are an advantage for all parties. Loanboox is open to partnerships with interested associations or organisations.
The post Real Estate Companies Now Refinance via Loanboox appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/real-estate-companies-now-refinance-via-loanboox</link><guid>2552</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Real Estate Companies Now Refinance via Loanboox</dc:text></item><item><title>SafeSide Ties up With LegacyNotes to Offer Digital Estate Planning</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss-based digital life insurance platform provider SafeSide has formed a long-term partnership with LegacyNotes, a digital estate planning solution provider.
LegacyNotes offers digital estate planning services which includes funeral requests, living wills, and advance care orders.
In addition to that, clients save essential data and determine the handling of digital accounts and assets.
SafeSide offers a customer-centric user experience, enabling customers to purchase pure life insurance quickly and efficiently.
The insurance technology start-up provides a unique digital experience, where customers can get life insurance policies in under three minutes.
SafeSide has partnered with financial services providers including insurers, mortgage providers and more.
Michael Klien
Michael Klien, CEO and Founder of SafeSide said,
&#8220;Estate planning is part and parcel of any sound financial set-up.
 
In this regard, we look forward to working with LegacyNotes and continuously innovating across the digital sphere of finance and insurance products.&#8221;
Monika Peterer-Gähwiler
Monika Peterer-Gähwiler, Head of Business Development and Sales at LegacyNotes said,
&#8220;By partnering up with SafeSide, our combined customer base now benefits from a whole spectrum of services – from protecting their loved ones to ensuring that in the event of their passing the estate is in order.&#8221;
 
The post SafeSide Ties up With LegacyNotes to Offer Digital Estate Planning appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/safeside-ties-up-with-legacynotes-to-offer-digital-estate-planning</link><guid>2551</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>SafeSide Ties up With LegacyNotes to Offer Digital Estate Planning</dc:text></item><item><title>Death, Taxes and Crypto: Lugano Tethers Ambitions to Stablecoin</title><description><![CDATA[Fresh from re-landscaping El Salvador’s economy, stablecoin company Tether is now giving the southern Swiss city of Lugano a crypto makeover.
Tether is helping El Salvador migrate to bitcoin – and it’s now also backing Lugano&#8217;s “European Capital of Crypto” ambitions.
Lugano’s “Plan B” project is a public-private partnership to attract blockchain start-ups and inspire greater cryptocurrency adoption among companies and citizens.
Other Swiss cities, such as Zug, Zurich and Neuchâtel, have successfully built up local blockchain industries. Switzerland now counts well over 1,000 enterprises, employing more than 6,000 people, according to the CV VC Top 50 Report.
Lugano has already launched its own blockchain for businesses and a LUGA reward points token &#8211; and clearly desires a bigger cut of the action.
“We believe there will be five or six blockchain hubs in the world,” Tether’s CTO Paolo Ardoino told me. “We have seen the emergence of El Salvador, Miami, Dubai and Singapore but Europe currently lacks a really important hub. This could be Lugano, as a multicultural city right in the heart of Europe.” (I’m not sure if Crypto Valley Zug would agree with this statement).
image via Unsplash
Lugano &#8220;not intimidated&#8221;
Tether produces stablecoins, which are crypto payment tokens pegged to US dollars. The decentralised finance system is flush with about $80 billion worth of tethers. But along the way, Tether has run into regulatory problems.
In October, Tether and its sister company Bitfinex were fined $42.5 million by the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) for regulatory infringements. Question marks remain about how Tether audits the financial instruments that back the stablecoin. The Financial Action Task Force says stablecoins are flaky and may present a real threat to the financial system.
But Lugano’s mayor, Michele Foletti, is unconcerned. “Bitcoin, cryptocurrency and blockchain are terms that frighten many people, but Lugano is not intimidated,” he said during the unveiling of Plan B.
Speaking to me later, Foletti added that Lugano &#8211; as Switzerland’s third largest financial centre &#8211; has experienced numerous bank scandals over the last few years. “There has been no shortage of reputational issues relating to the traditional banking sector,” he said. “In my view, the reputational risks of Plan B are lower than we have seen with the banking sector in recent times.”
Ardoino says that Tether has worked hard to improve its auditing and transparency record since it started in 2014. The company was not obliged to admit guilt during its recent financial settlement with the CFTC. “We don’t want to break any rules. When you innovate you can’t expect the existing laws to perfectly cover your groundbreaking product. We have made mistakes, but we have immediately made amends. We are doing our best to be a healthy actor in this space.”
Millions promised
Lugano has the blessing of the Swiss financial regulator to allow bitcoin, tether and LUGO payments for taxes and municipal services. The city will not hold cryptocurrencies in its treasury but will use intermediaries to convert payments into Swiss francs. This is the same approach taken by Zug, Chiasso and Zermatt, but Lugano says it accepts crypto for a wider range of taxes and services.
This includes parking fines, sewage and cemetery taxes, issuance of passports, access to cultural and leisure amenities and market stall fees.
Economic promotion campaigns love big budgets. Plan B has up to CHF100 million available for attracting blockchain companies to the city and CHF3 million to help companies integrate crypto into their businesses.
All of this will come from private sector partners, led by Tether and the India-based blockchain company Polygon.
Tether, and its sister company Bitfinex, have looked into establishing a Swiss base. But they have so far struggled to find the talent, despite a wealth of financial, regulatory and compliance experts in Switzerland. That is why an unspecified sum will fund some 500 student grants to take blockchain training at local universities.
Adoption benchmark
The real success or failure of the project will be the reaction of businesses and citizens living in Lugano. Precious few retailers have adopted a crypto payment system run by Bitcoin Suisse and payment infrastructure provider Worldline.
No-one knows from one week to the next if their bitcoin will pay for a basket of goods, half a basket or two baskets. The tether stablecoin is designed to retain the same constant purchasing power. This could boost adoption, provided that people trust tether.
Lugano has fallen behind the growth of other regions in Crypto Nation Switzerland. The city now hopes to close the gap by pushing the boat out further than others.

Are bitcoin or tether legal tender in Lugano?
Not quite. It’s not illegal to pay for goods and services in bitcoin (and other cryptocurrencies) or in euros (and other traditional foreign currencies) provided the counterparty accepts this form of payment.
But that does not make any cryptocurrency or foreign currency legal tender in Switzerland. Only the federal authorities decide on this legal distinction – not cantons. And the Swiss Confederation has named Swiss francs as the only legal tender in the country.
If I ask to pay my Swiss restaurant bill in bitcoin or euros, the restaurant is free to agree or decline. If I want to pay the bill in Swiss francs, the restaurant must agree and cannot decline this method of payment. The same goes for all commercial transactions, taxes and municipal services.

The post Death, Taxes and Crypto: Lugano Tethers Ambitions to Stablecoin appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/death-taxes-and-crypto-lugano-tethers-ambitions-to-stablecoin</link><guid>2550</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/tether-1024x576.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Death, Taxes and Crypto: Lugano Tethers Ambitions to Stablecoin</dc:text></item><item><title>Neue Schweizer Konferenz: Money – The Swiss Finance Summit, mit Disruptive Finance in die Zukunft</title><description><![CDATA[Der digitale Wandel stellt alle Finanzhäuser vor grosse Herausforderungen. Und die Pandemie hat uns alle definitiv ins digitale Zeitalter katapultiert.
MONEY – THE SWISS FINANCE SUMMIT greift dieses Thema auf und zeigt Innovationen in der Schweizer Finanzindustrie. Vom 16. bis 17. März 2022 finden im frisch umgebauten Kongresshaus in Zürich professionelle Anleger Antworten und Hilfestellungen zu den digitalen Herausforderungen.
Das innovative Konzept des Swiss Finance Summit geht neue Wege für Anbieter und Anwender. Im Mittelpunkt steht der Kongress mit einer vollen Content-Plattform, die Wissen vermittelt und Innovationen aufzeigt. Im Open Forum werden Erfahrungen und Know-How geteilt und aufgefrischt. Die teilnehmenden Institute repräsentieren das «Who is Who» aus der Finanzwelt.
Der Summit geht mit diesem innovativen Konzept neue Wege – weg von der Messe hin zum Wissensaustausch und bietet neben einer Content-Plattform ein Open Forum für alle Teilnehmer.
Die neue Fachkonferenz mit einer klaren Positionierung, schafft Gesprächsanreize und vermittelt Wissen für die Herausforderungen von Morgen.
Die Schweizer Finanz-Wirtschaft kann und will sich wieder begegnen. Den Besuchern wird ein differenziertes Kundenerlebnis geboten. MONEY – The Swiss Finance Summit ist eine Konferenz, Netzwerk- und Weiterbildungsplattform unter dem Motto «Content is King». Die neue Plattform ist contentgetrieben, deshalb dominieren Paneldiskussionen, Keynote-Referate und Fachvorträge.
Sichern Sie sich hier ihr Ticket: https://bit.ly/3vuOyTk

 
 
The post Neue Schweizer Konferenz: Money &#8211; The Swiss Finance Summit, mit Disruptive Finance in die Zukunft appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/neue-schweizer-konferenz-money-the-swiss-finance-summit-mit-disruptive-finance-in-die-zukunft</link><guid>2549</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Money-–-The-Swiss-Finance-Summit-1024x401.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Neue Schweizer Konferenz: Money – The Swiss Finance Summit, mit Disruptive Finance in die Zukunft</dc:text></item><item><title>Microsoft Switzerland Joins F10’s Ecosystem as an Innovation Partner</title><description><![CDATA[Microsoft Switzerland announced that it will be joining fintech incubator and accelerator F10 as an Innovation Partner to benefit from the latter&#8217;s ecosystem and support the upcoming fintech and insurtech startup scene at the start of 2022.
Microsoft joins other world-class financial institutions, consulting and tech firms to accelerate disruptive fintech, insurtech, regtech and deeptech innovations and empower collaborations.
Through this newly founded partnership, Microsoft will contribute to F10’s ecosystem to foster the exchange with fintech startups around the latest trends, ideas, talents, and investment opportunities.
Microsoft empowers financial services institutions by bringing together existing and new industry capabilities to deliver a more seamless, customised experience, while ensuring regulatory data residency aspects with their data centers in Switzerland.
Microsoft has been supporting tech startups in accelerating their growth trajectory by offering them access to Microsoft technologies and tools, technical support and mentorship.
Additionally, Microsoft helps startups to scale up by connecting them with its customer and partner ecosystem.
Christian Thier
“As part of our own transformation, Microsoft is creating industry specific innovation &amp; transformation platforms including the Cloud for Financial Services. A key element of this bringing innovative fintech offerings to our worldwide banking &amp; insurance customers.
 
Therefore, working with a leader in the fintech space like F10 is a fantastic opportunity to connect to and being partnering with the next generation of innovators in financial services.”
said Christian Thier, Head of Financial Services &amp; Insurance at Microsoft Switzerland.
Marc Hauser
“Partnering with F10 was a very natural step for both sides. Microsoft has done a lot for startups in Switzerland and with the increasing relevancy of cloud computing for many banks will become even more relevant.
 
We are very excited and are looking forward to support startups together and help them boost innovation in the financial industry,”
said Marc Hauser, Head of F10 Switzerland.
The post Microsoft Switzerland Joins F10’s Ecosystem as an Innovation Partner appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/microsoft-switzerland-joins-f10s-ecosystem-as-an-innovation-partner</link><guid>2548</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Microsoft Switzerland Joins F10’s Ecosystem as an Innovation Partner</dc:text></item><item><title>MoneyPark regelt CEO-Nachfolge</title><description><![CDATA[MoneyPark, ein unabhängiger Spezialist für Hypotheken und Immobilien in der Schweiz, regelt die operative und strategische Führung per Mai 2022 neu.
Stefan Heitmann, Gründer und CEO, wird sein Amt an den jetzigen Präsidenten des Verwaltungsrats, Martin Tschopp, übergeben. Heitmann bleibt Aktionär des Unternehmens und wird seine Erfahrung künftig als Verwaltungsrat mit Exekutivfunktion bei MoneyPark einbringen.
Per 1. Mai 2022 übernimmt Martin Tschopp als CEO die operative Leitung des Unternehmens. Er tritt damit die Nachfolge von Stefan Heitmann an, der das Fintech im Jahr 2012 gegründet und zum führenden unabhängigen Hypothekar- und Immobilienspezialisten der Schweiz entwickelt hat. Mit über 300 Mitarbeitenden und mehr als CHF 3 Milliarden jährlich vermitteltem Hypothekarvolumen ist MoneyPark heute die klare Nummer 1 im Markt und gilt als Begründer des professionellen technologie- und plattformbasierten Hypothekarbankings. Mit dem Ausbau des Leistungsspektrums auf Immobiliendienstleistungen der nächsten Generation unterstützt MoneyPark seine Kundinnen und Kunden umfassend bei der Suche, der Finanzierung und beim Verkauf von Immobilien.
Martin Tschopp
«Ich freue mich sehr, MoneyPark mit dem bestehenden Managementteam in die nächste Entwicklungsphase führen zu dürfen. Das Unternehmen ist exzellent aufgestellt und nun gilt es, die Nummer-1-Position weiter auszubauen»,
betont Martin Tschopp.
Er ist seit 2019 Verwaltungsratspräsident bei MoneyPark und verfügt über langjährige Berufserfahrung in der Finanzbranche im In- und Ausland. Bei Helvetia ist er seit 2017 tätig, zuerst als Leiter Unternehmensentwicklung und danach als Geschäftsleitungsmitglied von Helvetia Schweiz. Zu seinen Verantwortungsbereichen gehörten neben MoneyPark unter anderem der Helvetia Venture Fund, die Online-Versicherung Smile und das Kundenund Marktmanagement von Helvetia Schweiz.
Stefan Heitmann
«Als Gründer eines Unternehmens die Nachfolge einzuleiten, ist emotional nicht einfach, aber nach zehn Jahren an der Spitze von MoneyPark ist nun der richtige Zeitpunkt gekommen. Es freut mich ausserordentlich, mit Martin Tschopp einen fachlich versierten und menschlich herausragenden Nachfolger zu haben»,
erklärt Stefan Heitmann, Gründer und CEO von MoneyPark. Stefan Heitmann ist weiterhin Aktionär und bleibt MoneyPark als Verwaltungsrat mit exekutiver Rolle für Grosspartner-schaften erhalten.
The post MoneyPark regelt CEO-Nachfolge appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/moneypark-regelt-ceo-nachfolge</link><guid>2546</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>MoneyPark regelt CEO-Nachfolge</dc:text></item><item><title>German Fintech Investor CommerzVentures Closes Its €300 Million Fund</title><description><![CDATA[German specialist fintech investor CommerzVentures has announced its third €300 million fund.
The fund will go towards supporting early and growth-stage companies in the fintech and insurtech sectors, as well as the emerging climate fintech space.
CommerzVentures has also committed to arrange and fund high-quality carbon offsets for  portfolio companies in the first year of their partnership.
The latest fund, which saw Commerzbank return as the sole limited partner (LP), brings its combined total fund size to €550 million.
CommerzVentures’ third fund follows on from its first €100 million fund, launched in 2014, and their second €150 million fund in 2019, as well as successful investments in 28 companies to date.
The launch of Fund III will see CommerzVentures grow their headcount by 50%, enabling it to establish a foothold in new geographies, notably Africa, following its recent participation in MFS Africa’s US$100 million Series C.
CommerzVentures has seen 30% of their early investments develop into unicorns namely Bought By Many and Mambu, including two decacorns eToro and Marqeta.
Heiko Schwender
Commenting on the launch of the Fund III, CommerzVentures partner Heiko Schwender said,

“Over the past eight years, our team has leveraged our extensive experience to back founders reimagining the financial services industry across Europe, the US, Israel, and Africa.


We are proud and grateful to our portfolio of companies we have worked alongside, now including almost a dozen current and future unicorns.”

Paul Morgenthaler
Speaking on their carbon offset commitment, CommerzVentures partner Paul Morgenthaler said,

“As the pioneering investor in European climate fintech, we feel an obligation to support all our portfolio companies on their path towards carbon neutrality.
 
With our access to high-quality carbon offsetting projects, we can help them to make credible net-zero commitments, while working on emission reductions.&#8221;

The post German Fintech Investor CommerzVentures Closes Its €300 Million Fund appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/german-fintech-investor-commerzventures-closes-its-300-million-fund</link><guid>2545</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>German Fintech Investor CommerzVentures Closes Its €300 Million Fund</dc:text></item><item><title>Financial Times Names Unit8 as Fastest Growing Swiss Data &amp; AI Firm</title><description><![CDATA[Top spot for Unit8 in the annual ranking of the Financial Times: the Lausanne-based data &amp; AI services company achieved the strongest revenue growth of all Swiss participating companies. For the two founders, Marcin Pietrzyk and Michal Rachtan, the strong performance provides both confirmation of the progress and extra incentive to keep developing.
For the sixth year in a row, the Financial Times, in conjunction with the statistics portal Statista, has analysed the revenue growth of European companies. The result of the ‘FT1000: Europe&#8217;s Fastest Growing Companies 2022’ ranking is extremely pleasing for Unit8: the data &amp; AI services company experienced a revenue growth rate of 44 times between 2017 and 2020, which makes it the company with the highest growth rate in Switzerland. Compared to the whole of Europe, Unit8 ranks 17th overall and 6th in the technology sector.
Marcin Pietrzyk
‘I am very proud that Unit8 has been named the fastest-growing Swiss company by the Financial Times. Yet the real success is not the growth rate itself, it’s rather the positive impact Unit8 can make for its customers. As Unit8 continues to grow, it’s important to me that we continue to maintain this momentum to win and further strengthen the trust of some of the most well-known Swiss and European brands: companies that trust us to deliver best-in-class data and AI services,’
says CEO Dr. Marcin Pietrzyk.
‘I am particularly pleased that as the organisation scales, we are able to maintain the exceptional culture that we have built with our people. At this point, I would like to thank our customers, partners, and the team at Unit8. This award from the Financial Times is a shared success for all of us!’
adds Pietrzyk.
Michal Rachtan
‘​​We feel humbled to receive such [FT1000] recognition. Our vision is to help our customers gain valuable insights from data using modern cloud infrastructure, advanced analytics, and Machine Learning.This award is an honor and testament to the trust of our many customers and the talent we have onboard.’
says CTO and founder Michal Rachtan.
 
 
Customer focus, hard work and innovation
What started with two founders and a post-It note in 2017 is now a company with over 85 employees: offices in Zurich, Lausanne, and Kraków, and numerous satisfied customers. ‘We have now been able to show in more than 80 use cases how data can be used sensibly to help companies move forward,’ says Pietrzyk. This success is due to a strong customer focus, hard work, a lot of innovative spirit, and a great team – but the location in Switzerland also plays an important role.
Switzerland as a launchpad for innovative technologies
‘Such strong growth is only possible in an entrepreneur-friendly environment such as the one offered by Switzerland and Lausanne &amp; Zurich in particular. We benefit from networks such as digitalswitzerland.com and innovaud.ch, as well as the proximity to excellent universities. The high ranking of Unit8 is therefore also a success for Switzerland as the technology hub and launchpad for innovation,’ says CTO Michal Rachtan.
According to Pietrzyk, Unit8 will continue to grow in the current year. ‘We have many exciting new projects, and we continue to think big. Above all, however, we are committed to our mission to accelerate their digital transformation and fulfil their obligations toward business and society with data, Advanced Analytics &amp; AI.
Click here to see the ‘FT1000: Europe&#8217;s Fastest Growing Companies 2022’ ranking.
The post Financial Times Names Unit8 as Fastest Growing Swiss Data &#038; AI Firm appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/financial-times-names-unit8-as-fastest-growing-swiss-data-ai-firm</link><guid>2544</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Financial Times Names Unit8 as Fastest Growing Swiss Data &amp; AI Firm</dc:text></item><item><title>Everon Is the First Fintech Company to Be Crowned Switzerland’s Best Asset Manager</title><description><![CDATA[Once again, Everon performed outstandingly in the asset manager rankings compiled by BILANZ. Alongside the title of ‘Asset Manager of the Year’, the Zurich-based fintech company took first place in two further contests and second place in another. This demonstrates that Everon is not just succeeding in combining digital private banking with easy usability and affordable terms: the company is generating hefty returns, too.
Back in 2021, Everon took second place in the ranking of asset managers compiled every year by financial services provider firstfive on behalf of BILANZ. The 2022 rankings examined 120 strategies by 34 asset managers, offering definitive confirmation of the high quality of Everon’s approach. The Zurich-based start-up won awards in no fewer than four categories:

First place ‘Asset Manager of the Year (12 months)’
First place ‘Conservative Returns and Sharpe Ratio Strategy (12 months)’
First place ‘Dynamic Returns Strategy (12 months)’
Second place ‘Asset Manager of the Year (24 months)’

Florian Rümmelein
For CEO Florian Rümmelein, the ranking vindicates Everon’s investment strategy.
‘Being awarded this top ranking shows that our factor-based approach works brilliantly in the market,’ says Rümmelein. Everon collaborated with the Swiss 5 Group family office to develop the strategy, which it is now making available digitally. ‘This strategy sees Everon pursue a “multi-factor investing” approach based on quantifiable data and access to company data,’ says Rümmelein. ‘The final investment decision, based on technological parameters, is made by our investment committee, and the technology puts this into practice accordingly,’ he adds.
Jonas Bächinger
The strength of this systematic investment approach – which fully excludes human emotions – has come to the fore over the past two years, in particular. ‘2020 and 2021 were highly eventful years that often called for fast, pragmatic reactions. Even in this challenging environment, our approach delivered stunning results. The strategy with the highest proportion of stocks even generated returns of 38.5% in 2021,’
adds Jonas Bächinger, the company’s co-founder.
Private banking from CHF 30,000
Everon launched in 2019 with the goal of democratising private banking. ‘We believe that most private banking services can be digitalised, making them cheaper and enabling a broader audience to access them,’ says Bächinger. While the minimum investment for private banking is normally half a million to a million, Everon’s asset management starts from just CHF 30,000. All its processes can be handled via the app, but there is always the option of getting in touch with the team, too. ‘However, our customers generally like being independent and feel very much at home in the world of finance, so personal enquiries are the exception,’ says Bächinger.
Everon’s strong growth demonstrates the huge popularity of this product when combined with its low fees – 0.7% for the all-in asset management fee and 0.35% for its custodian banking services. ‘Our customer assets are growing at a rate of 25% a month,’ says Rümmelein.
No forecasts, but a sense of optimism
‘Everon will continue to work on improving customers’ overall experience,’ says Rümmelein And, of course, it aims to keep generating outstanding returns. ‘It is not possible to give a concrete forecast for 2022 – that is near impossible if you’re using a sustainable, quantitative approach,’ says Rümmelein. ‘However, based on the current data, I’m feeling pretty optimistic. The topics of inflation and increased interest rates, or any changes in forecasts, are in the foreground: they present both risks and opportunities. We can see these opportunities in every sector that benefits from periods of increased interest rates, such as the financial sector.’
The post Everon Is the First Fintech Company to Be Crowned Switzerland’s Best Asset Manager appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/everon-is-the-first-fintech-company-to-be-crowned-switzerlands-best-asset-manager</link><guid>2543</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Everon Is the First Fintech Company to Be Crowned Switzerland’s Best Asset Manager</dc:text></item><item><title>Squirro Supplies European Central Bank With AI Solution</title><description><![CDATA[Switzerland-based Squirro has announced a major project with the European Central Bank (ECB), in which Squirro will supply its Insight Engine and Risk Insights solution to the central bank of the 19 European Union countries that have adopted the euro. The ECB contract was awarded in Q4 2021.
Squirro already works with central banks such as the Bank of England and the German Bundesbank.
Squirro Insight Engine improves access to information by connecting all data sources and applying natural language processing and machine learning to deliver the right information to users at the right time.
This is augmented by the Squirro Risk Insights solution which monitors and contextualizes all relevant risk factors. Teams are provided with insights and next-best-action recommendations to help actively assess and mitigate ongoing risk levels.
Thanks to its flexibility and scalability, Squirro is able to shorten the time to value. Depending on the project, the time between contract signing and go-live can be reduced to two weeks.
Dorian Selz
“We work with some of the world’s biggest and best-known banks and regulatory institutions, confirming our position as a visionary and trusted Augmented Intelligence company,”
said Dr. Dorian Selz, CEO and Co-Founder of Squirro.
“Our Insight Engine overhauls enterprise access to information, providing relevant and context-based results to improve the efficiency of business processes. In addition, our Risk Insights solution provides more effective risk mitigation, supporting the digital transformation processes in financial services institutions.”
Squirro is also announcing the acquisition of a US startup deal sourcing platform, open.exchange, expanding Squirro’s reach in the US and enhancing its technology offering. Open.exchange will integrate with Squirro’s existing applications to form an even more rounded offering and will further enhance Squirro’s existing technology to increase the speed and flexibility of the platform.
“Our growth curve continues to rise sharply, and this acquisition puts us firmly on the map in the US,&#8221;
continued Dr. Dorian Selz, Squirro.
&#8220;Open.exchange has a highly complementary proposition to Squirro&#8217;s and allows us to expand our technology footprint in an important territory. We have already established a strong US presence, and the acquisition will greatly expand our market reach as demand for AI-derived insights increases.&#8221;
Squirro acquired open.exchange from BuildGroup, the capital investment firm founded by former Rackspace CEO Lanham Napier. As part of the acquisition, BuildGroup has made an investment in Squirro, marking the start of a long-term partnership, according to Lanham Napier:
“Squirro is a company that has been demonstrating fantastic potential for growth over the past few years, meeting the increasing demand for insights taken from unstructured data sources,” he said. “Open.exchange is in excellent hands with Dorian and his team, and I am delighted that BuildGroup will play a role in working with Squirro over the coming years.”
“This is a landmark day for Squirro,&#8221;
concluded Dr. Dorian Selz.
&#8220;To see the organization I co-founded in a position to make a major US acquisition like this, and win a landmark client such as the ECB, fills me with pride and optimism for our future. We are now better positioned than ever to capitalize on the trend of organizations becoming insights-driven businesses, and we are excited to welcome open.exchange to the Squirro family.”
The post Squirro Supplies European Central Bank With AI Solution appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/squirro-supplies-european-central-bank-with-ai-solution</link><guid>2542</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Squirro Supplies European Central Bank With AI Solution</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss SME Lender Tradeplus24 Launches in the UK With £30 Million Debt Facility</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss small and medium enterprise (SME) financing startup Tradeplus24 announced that it will be expanding into the UK with the close of a £30 million debt facility provided by San Francisco-headquartered global credit fund, Partners for Growth (PFG), with advice offered by debt advisory, Neu Capital.
The funds will be used to rapidly scale Tradeplus24’s revolving lines of credit for SMEs across the UK.
The lines of credit range between £250,000 and £5 million, and are secured by trade receivables in a unique insurance-wrapped securitisation structure that is recognised as investment grade by institutional investors, large debt funds, and investment banks alike.
The deal also marks a major milestone for PFG as it represents the launch of PFG’s fintech and asset backed lending operations in the UK and Europe which will be overseen by its Head of Europe &amp; Co-head of Fintech, Armineh Baghoomian.
This transaction is also one of PFG’s largest deals in Europe to date.
Tradeplus24 is a Zurich-founded fintech, with offices in London, Amsterdam, Zurich and Melbourne. The company is backed by leading investors such as Credit Suisse, SIX Group, Berliner Volksbank.
Karthi Sepulohniam
Karthi Sepulohniam, PFG&#8217;s Managing Director said,
“Tradeplus24 has proven itself to be an innovative leader in SME financing, with its differentiated and superior receivables financing product which reduces operational burden for its customers in a way that other providers cannot match.
 
The transaction made sense for us on many levels, and we look forward to growing with Tradeplus24 as it continues to scale in the UK and other markets globally. &#8220;
Niels Turfboer
Niels Turfboer, Managing Director for UK &amp; Netherlands at Tradeplus24 said,
&#8220;PFG is a first-class partner to have by our side as we seek to modernise the UK SME lending space. PFG understands and sees that, unlike most UK lenders, our product was built with a customer-first approach.
 
Our entirely unique solution allows our customers to focus on their businesses and not on managing an overly complex finance product. This debt facility will allow us to accelerate our growth in the UK market, and provide local SMEs with a competitively priced and seamless product.”
 
The post Swiss SME Lender Tradeplus24 Launches in the UK With £30 Million Debt Facility appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-sme-lender-tradeplus24-launches-in-the-uk-with-30-million-debt-facility</link><guid>2541</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss SME Lender Tradeplus24 Launches in the UK With £30 Million Debt Facility</dc:text></item><item><title>Yuh wird neuer Sponsor der Schweizer Eishockey National League</title><description><![CDATA[Die höchste Schweizer Eishockey Liga und die neue Finanz-App Yuh gehen gemeinsame Wege.
Ab der Saison 2022/2023 wird Yuh, ein Joint Venture von PostFinance und Swissquote, neuer Sponsor der National League und wird auf allen Mittelkreisen in den Stadien zu sehen sein. Bereits ab den diesjährigen Playoffs wird Yuh im Rahmen des Mittelkreis-Sponsorings von PostFinance in der Crunch-Time mittendrin sein.
Die Yuh-App wurde gemeinsam von der PostFinance, Hauptpartnerin der National League, sowie von Swissquote entwickelt. Yuh bringt mit dem «3-in-1»-Mix das mobile Finanzmanagement in der Schweiz einen Schritt weiter: Zahlen, Sparen und Investieren von überall her, sicher und leicht.
Markus Schwab
Markus Schwab, CEO von Yuh:
«Wir freuen uns sehr, neuer Sponsor der National League zu sein und dass wir bereits ab den Playoffs den Mittelkreis von PostFinance übernehmen können. Für Yuh könnte diese Partnerschaft nicht passender sein. Genau wie beim Eishockey sind im Banking Agilität, Leidenschaft und Teamwork zentral für den Erfolg.»
Denis Vaucher
Denis Vaucher, CEO der National League AG, freut sich ebenfalls sehr über die neue Partnerschaft:
«Die Yuh-App passt mit ihrem innovativen und modernen Auftreten perfekt zu unserer Liga. Ich bin überzeugt, dass es allerlei Synergien gibt, die wir gemeinsam mit diesem Schweizer Start-up nutzen können.»
The post Yuh wird neuer Sponsor der Schweizer Eishockey National League appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/yuh-wird-neuer-sponsor-der-schweizer-eishockey-national-league</link><guid>2540</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Yuh wird neuer Sponsor der Schweizer Eishockey National League</dc:text></item><item><title>Open Finance and Green Fintech Among Swiss Federal Council Top Areas of Focus for Coming Years</title><description><![CDATA[Switzerland’s Federal Council has set out 12 key fintech trends and technologies it will be putting a focus on for the coming years as part of the government’s ambition to establish the country as a top business location for digital finance.
A new report released on February 2, 2022 identifies opportunities and risks relating to digital finance, and outlines 12 specific areas of action for the government, among which open finance, regtech and suptech, and green fintech.
Open finance and open data
Striving to expand and promote open finance in the sector, the Federal Council says that it will be considering formal regulation if adoption and development turn out to be underwhelming.
Unlike the EU and the UK, Switzerland has so far refrained from mandating regulated financial institutions to use open interfaces, instead choosing to let the private sector itself push ahead with the standardization and opening of interfaces.
“If the progress is deemed insufficient, e.g. with regard to client and investor interests, the Federal Council shall instruct the Federal Department of Finance (FDF)/State Secretariat for International Finance (SIF) to submit a proposal to it on possible measures, including the examination of a statutory obligation to open up access to data via standardized interfaces,” the report reads.
Open finance, which refers to the practice of exchanging financial data over standardized and secure interfaces at the request of clients, has many potentials, the Federal Council says, providing customers with the ability to obtain an overview of all of their financial assets at the click of a button, open new bank accounts much more easily, and have their creditworthiness calculated much more quickly and accurately, among other use cases.
Beyond open finance, the Federal Council says it wants to encourage the use and exchange of data in the financial sector more broadly, an area that’s been largely underdeveloped in Switzerland, the report says. In particular, two distinctive themes are brought up in the report: the use of customer data to provide services that are personalized and better suited to one’s needs; and the use of shared data where one financial institution is granted access to another institution’s data either bilaterally or based on a shared or third-party operated platform.
Though shared data use remains largely theoretical at this stage, the concept holds great promises, it says. Larger and more diverse data pools means improved knowledge-building. Using algorithms and big data related technologies, insights extracted from these pools can be used to better combat money laundering and terrorist financing, mitigate cyber risks or optimize operations, products and distribution, among other use cases, it says.
Green fintech
The report also touches on green fintech, a field which Switzerland has committed to becoming a global leader in. Switzerland’s excellence and vast expertise in asset management gives it a competitive advantage over other jurisdictions, the Federal Council says, an edge it is looking to capitalize on in the ongoing shift toward sustainable investing.
In the coming months, the Federal Council says the Green Fintech Network will commence work on sustainability data with the goal of improving access for Swiss green fintech companies.
Fostering access to data was previously identified as a top priority for the group, which argued in its April 2021 action plan that gaining access to high quality sustainability data was one of the most potent innovation drivers for green fintech startups, helping them to create new products, processes and organizational methods, and boosting productivity.
The Green Fintech Network, a group of leading representatives of the Swiss green fintech sector, was formed in late-2020, spearheaded by SIF. It includes experts representing companies and organizations such as the Zurich University of Applied Sciences, F10 Fintech Incubator and Accelerator, PwC, Swisscom, MSCI Carbon Delta, Rep Risk and Inyova.
Aimed at acting as a bridge between the private green fintech sector and the government, the network will also be working towards other objectives, including encouraging the establishment of green fintechs in Switzerland, simplifying access to potential clients, and increasing the supply of risk capital in Switzerland, the report says.
Regtech/Suptech
Regtech and suptech were also identified as critical themes for Switzerland. Regtech, which refers to the use of technology to enhance regulatory and compliance processes, can be applied to many functions and processes, ranging from the opening of client relationships, the monitoring of risk (credit, market, liquidity and operational risk), trading and portfolio management, to reporting and disclosure requirements, the report notes. These solutions allow for efficiency and effectiveness gains.
Suptech, where technology is used by supervisory agencies and public sector regulators to carry out their responsibilities, involves tools and applications aimed at improving reporting, monitoring and enforcement capabilities.
In Switzerland, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) and the Swiss National Bank (SNB) are already using suptech solutions in addition to other supervisory instruments, the Federal Council says. However, more developments are expected in the foreseeable future, building on recent initiatives by FINMA such as the establishment of its Data Innovation Lab where the regulator has been conducting pilot projects.
Recent pilot projects included the use of machine learning to enhance time series analyses and forecasts, as well as the automatic processing of relevant text information such as annual reports or press articles using natural language processing.
To further enable the use of regtech and suptech in Switzerland, the Federal Council says it has instructed the FDF/SIF, in cooperation with FINMA and with the involvement of the industry, to identify possible obstacles to regtech solutions and to examine whether adjustments of the legal and supervisory framework are needed. A working group focusing on regtech and suptech will also be established later this year.
Besides open finance, green fintech and regtech/supertech, other themes and technologies of top priorities for Switzerland include artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing and cybersecurity. The government says it will also be keeping a close eye on “new configurations and players” that are fragmenting the value chain. A review of the existing legal and supervisory framework will be done with the goal of determining whether the existing perimeter is sufficient or if adjustments will need to be made.
The post Open Finance and Green Fintech Among Swiss Federal Council Top Areas of Focus for Coming Years appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/open-finance-and-green-fintech-among-swiss-federal-council-top-areas-of-focus-for-coming-years</link><guid>2538</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Open Finance and Green Fintech Among Swiss Federal Council Top Areas of Focus for Coming Years</dc:text></item><item><title>Open Finance, Green Fintech Among Swiss Federal Council’s Top Areas of Focus for Coming Years</title><description><![CDATA[Switzerland’s Federal Council has set out 12 key fintech trends and technologies it will be putting a focus on for the coming years as part of the government’s ambition to establish the country as a top business location for digital finance.
A new report released on February 2, 2022 identifies opportunities and risks relating to digital finance, and outlines 12 specific areas of action for the government, among which open finance, regtech and suptech, and green fintech.
Open finance and open data
Striving to expand and promote open finance in the sector, the Federal Council says that it will be considering formal regulation if adoption and development turn out to be underwhelming.
Unlike the EU and the UK, Switzerland has so far refrained from mandating regulated financial institutions to use open interfaces, instead choosing to let the private sector itself push ahead with the standardization and opening of interfaces.
“If the progress is deemed insufficient, e.g. with regard to client and investor interests, the Federal Council shall instruct the Federal Department of Finance (FDF)/State Secretariat for International Finance (SIF) to submit a proposal to it on possible measures, including the examination of a statutory obligation to open up access to data via standardized interfaces,” the report reads.
Open finance, which refers to the practice of exchanging financial data over standardized and secure interfaces at the request of clients, has many potentials, the Federal Council says, providing customers with the ability to obtain an overview of all of their financial assets at the click of a button, open new bank accounts much more easily, and have their creditworthiness calculated much more quickly and accurately, among other use cases.
Beyond open finance, the Federal Council says it wants to encourage the use and exchange of data in the financial sector more broadly, an area that’s been largely underdeveloped in Switzerland, the report says. In particular, two distinctive themes are brought up in the report: the use of customer data to provide services that are personalized and better suited to one’s needs; and the use of shared data where one financial institution is granted access to another institution’s data either bilaterally or based on a shared or third-party operated platform.
Though shared data use remains largely theoretical at this stage, the concept holds great promises, it says. Larger and more diverse data pools means improved knowledge-building. Using algorithms and big data related technologies, insights extracted from these pools can be used to better combat money laundering and terrorist financing, mitigate cyber risks or optimize operations, products and distribution, among other use cases, it says.
Green fintech
The report also touches on green fintech, a field which Switzerland has committed to becoming a global leader in. Switzerland’s excellence and vast expertise in asset management gives it a competitive advantage over other jurisdictions, the Federal Council says, an edge it is looking to capitalize on in the ongoing shift toward sustainable investing.
In the coming months, the Federal Council says the Green Fintech Network will commence work on sustainability data with the goal of improving access for Swiss green fintech companies.
Fostering access to data was previously identified as a top priority for the group, which argued in its April 2021 action plan that gaining access to high quality sustainability data was one of the most potent innovation drivers for green fintech startups, helping them to create new products, processes and organizational methods, and boosting productivity.
The Green Fintech Network, a group of leading representatives of the Swiss green fintech sector, was formed in late-2020, spearheaded by SIF. It includes experts representing companies and organizations such as the Zurich University of Applied Sciences, F10 Fintech Incubator and Accelerator, PwC, Swisscom, MSCI Carbon Delta, Rep Risk and Inyova.
Aimed at acting as a bridge between the private green fintech sector and the government, the network will also be working towards other objectives, including encouraging the establishment of green fintechs in Switzerland, simplifying access to potential clients, and increasing the supply of risk capital in Switzerland, the report says.
Regtech/Suptech
Regtech and suptech were also identified as critical themes for Switzerland. Regtech, which refers to the use of technology to enhance regulatory and compliance processes, can be applied to many functions and processes, ranging from the opening of client relationships, the monitoring of risk (credit, market, liquidity and operational risk), trading and portfolio management, to reporting and disclosure requirements, the report notes. These solutions allow for efficiency and effectiveness gains.
Suptech, where technology is used by supervisory agencies and public sector regulators to carry out their responsibilities, involves tools and applications aimed at improving reporting, monitoring and enforcement capabilities.
In Switzerland, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) and the Swiss National Bank (SNB) are already using suptech solutions in addition to other supervisory instruments, the Federal Council says. However, more developments are expected in the foreseeable future, building on recent initiatives by FINMA such as the establishment of its Data Innovation Lab where the regulator has been conducting pilot projects.
Recent pilot projects included the use of machine learning to enhance time series analyses and forecasts, as well as the automatic processing of relevant text information such as annual reports or press articles using natural language processing.
To further enable the use of regtech and suptech in Switzerland, the Federal Council says it has instructed the FDF/SIF, in cooperation with FINMA and with the involvement of the industry, to identify possible obstacles to regtech solutions and to examine whether adjustments of the legal and supervisory framework are needed. A working group focusing on regtech and suptech will also be established later this year.
Besides open finance, green fintech and regtech/supertech, other themes and technologies of top priorities for Switzerland include artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing and cybersecurity. The government says it will also be keeping a close eye on “new configurations and players” that are fragmenting the value chain. A review of the existing legal and supervisory framework will be done with the goal of determining whether the existing perimeter is sufficient or if adjustments will need to be made.
The post Open Finance, Green Fintech Among Swiss Federal Council&#8217;s Top Areas of Focus for Coming Years appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/open-finance-green-fintech-among-swiss-federal-councils-top-areas-of-focus-for-coming-years</link><guid>2539</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Open Finance, Green Fintech Among Swiss Federal Council’s Top Areas of Focus for Coming Years</dc:text></item><item><title>Rwanda’s Largest Bank Completes Core Modernization With Temenos</title><description><![CDATA[Temenos, the banking software company, today announces that Bank of Kigali Plc, Rwanda’s largest bank by assets and market share, has gone live on Temenos. Replacing its core banking system with Temenos open platform for composable banking allows the bank to break free from legacy constraints and accelerate its digital transformation.
Bank of Kigali can now quickly expand its digital channels and engagement to deliver faster, smarter customer experiences. Powered by Temenos, Bank of Kigali aims to double its retail and SME customer base to over one million in the next year through increased automation and new digital services such as payroll loans and enhanced mobile offerings.
The Temenos platform, including Financial Crime Mitigation (FCM) solution, was implemented by Temenos partners Inlaks and MCB Consulting. With integrated core banking and data management capabilities, the bank can deliver a smooth customer experience with controlled risk.
Diane Karusisi
Dr. Diane Karusisi, Chief Executive Officer, Bank of Kigali, commented:
“We are delighted to be live on Temenos, the modern technology platform of choice for banks worldwide. Temenos is crucial to our vision of giving anyone, anywhere, the best customer experience through digital and retaining our position as the leader in the country. We also benefit from a wealth of insight and information on banks worldwide as part of the Temenos Value Benchmark that helps us understand, accelerate, and optimize the business value created by our technology investment. I commend our staff and the support of Temenos, Inlaks and MCBC for their hard work in ensuring this go-live went as planned despite all the constraints brought by COVID-19 in the past two years. We can now propel our product innovation and lead the way in digital financial services while benefiting from increased automation to achieve operational efficiency.”
Jean-Paul Mergeai
Jean-Paul Mergeai, President EMEA &#8211; APAC, Temenos, said:
“Congratulations to the team at Bank of Kigali. The go-live on Temenos is a major milestone for the bank and its customers. Rwanda has “bet big” on digitization to accelerate growth and reduce poverty with some of the highest rates of coverage for mobile broadband on the continent. Bank of Kigali has similarly bold ambitions for digital transformation to improve the financial lives of all Rwandans. A modern banking platform is vital to thrive in the world of instant, always-on digital banking and Temenos is proud to support the bank to realize its vision.”
nsformation program. As a trusted and long-standing partner of Temenos, we are honored to have accompanied the bank over the past two years, and particularly on a remote basis during the pandemic, leading to this successful go-live.”
 
This article first appeared on fintechnews.africa

The post Rwanda’s Largest Bank Completes Core Modernization With Temenos appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/rwandas-largest-bank-completes-core-modernization-with-temenos</link><guid>2535</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/fintech-africa-banner.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Rwanda’s Largest Bank Completes Core Modernization With Temenos</dc:text></item><item><title>3a Fintech VIAC steigt ins Schweizer Online Hypotheken Business ein</title><description><![CDATA[Nebst dem eigentlichen Grund «Sparen fürs Alter» wird die Säule 3a häufig genutzt, um die nötigen Eigenmittel für den Erwerb von Wohneigentum anzusparen.
Um in diesem Bereich den VIAC-Kunden ein attraktives Angebot zu ermöglichen, wurde in Zusammenarbeit mit der Bank WIR die «VIAC Hypothek» lanciert. Mit dieser Hypothek profitieren alle Kunden von ausgezeichneten Zinsen –zeitaufwendige und nervenaufreibende Verhandlungen sind Vergangenheit: Alle Kunden erhalten die gleich tiefen Zinsen, sofern die Anforderungen erfüllt werden.
Es geht Schlag auf Schlag: Vor einer Woche wurde der Versicherungsmarkt mit dem Produkt «VIAC Life Plus» unter Zugzwang gesetzt, heute besetzt VIAC mit der Lancierung der «VIAC Hypothek» ein weiteres Themengebiet.
Die «VIAC Hypothek» im Detail
Angeboten wird die «VIAC Hypothek» durch die Bank WIR aus Basel, die seit Beginn der Erfolgsgeschichte von VIAC mit viel Herzblut und Engagement den Gründern den Rücken freihält.
Bruno Stiegeler
«Wir sind stolz, dass wir mit der Lancierung der VIAC Hypothek ein weiteres Kapitel der Zusammenarbeit aufschlagen können»,
führt Bruno Stiegeler, CEO der Bank WIR aus.
Daniel Peter
«In unserer DNA verbinden uns viele gemeinsame Werte, welche wir nun zum Vorteil der Kunden ausspielen können»,
ergänzt Daniel Peter, Mitgründer von VIAC.
Bei der «VIAC Hypothek» können die Kunden zwischen drei Modellen wählen: Geldmarkt-Finanzierung oder eine Festhypothek mit 5 oder 10 Jahren Laufzeit. Nebst der kostenlosen Erdbebenversicherung punktet die «VIAC Hypothek» auch damit, dass durch die Verpfändung der bei VIAC geführten 3a-Gelder eine Finanzierung von bis zu 100 Prozent des Kaufpreises ermöglicht wird.
Somit kann der Kunde eine mehrfach ausgezeichnete Anlagelösung mit einer attraktiven Hypothek kombinieren und bleibt in der Strategiewahl vollkommen frei.
Ökosystem
Mit 67‘000 aktiven Kunden und rund 2 Mrd. Franken an verwaltetem Vorsorgevermögen ist VIAC aktuell der Marktführer für digitale Vorsorgelösungen. Gestartet als Anbieter für die freiwillige Vorsorge in der Säule 3a, können heute Kunden auch ihre Freizügigkeit mit VIAC verwalten und seit neustem auch günstige Invaliditäts- und Todesfallabsicherungen abschliessen oder das Eigenheim über die VIAC-Plattform finanzieren lassen.
Damit bietet VIAC ein einmaliges Ökosystem rund um Vorsorgen, Investieren, Absichern und Finanzieren an, das sich durchgängig an den Kundenwünschen orientiert: flexibel, kostengünstig und einfach. Als nächster grosser Meilenstein des weiteren Ausbaus des Dienstleistungsangebots von VIAC steht die Lancierung des privaten Investierens an.
The post 3a Fintech VIAC steigt ins Schweizer Online Hypotheken Business ein appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/3a-fintech-viac-steigt-ins-schweizer-online-hypotheken-business-ein</link><guid>2536</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>3a Fintech VIAC steigt ins Schweizer Online Hypotheken Business ein</dc:text></item><item><title>London Stock Exchange Inks US$325 Million Deal to Acquire TORA</title><description><![CDATA[The London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) announced that it has agreed to acquire TORA, a US-headquartered cloud-based technology provider that supports customers trading multiple asset classes across global markets, for US$325 million.
The acquisition is expected to close later this year.
Founded in 2004, TORA offers order and execution management system (OEMS) and portfolio management system (PMS) for customers trading equities, fixed income, FX, derivatives as well as digital assets.
The addition of digital assets to LSEG’s trading capabilities strengthens its presence in this rapidly expanding asset class, at a time when institutional market participants are increasing exposure to crypto and other digital assets.
The transaction will further enhance the global footprint of LSEG’s Trading &amp; Banking Solutions business, with TORA’s established presence in Asia and North America and operations in Europe.
It will enable LSEG’s customers to benefit from a differentiated trading solution that combines the multi-asset class capabilities of TORA’s software with the group’s rich data and analytics services.
Following the completion of this deal, TORA will be a part of LSEG’s Data &amp; Analytics division.
Andrea Remyn Stone
Andrea Remyn Stone, Group Head, Data &amp; Analytics LSEG said,
“Combining TORA’s multi-asset technology and global expertise with the strength and breadth of LSEG’s Data &amp; Analytics Division will create a compelling customer proposition.
 
This acquisition is a great example of LSEG’s strategy to provide customers with a global, multi-asset class financial infrastructure that operates across the capital markets and investment lifecycle as an open ecosystem.”
Robert Dykes
Robert Dykes, Chief Executive Officer, TORA said,
“Bringing together TORA’s compelling trading solution with LSEG’s wealth of data has the potential to create a powerful toolkit for our customers, enabling them to trade more efficiently.
 
I’m confident that by collaborating with the wider Data &amp; Analytics team, we will innovate further and continue to deliver best-in-class solutions for our customers.”
 

Featured image: Edited from Unsplash 
The post London Stock Exchange Inks US$325 Million Deal to Acquire TORA appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/london-stock-exchange-inks-us325-million-deal-to-acquire-tora</link><guid>2534</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/AM.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>London Stock Exchange Inks US$325 Million Deal to Acquire TORA</dc:text></item><item><title>Top Three Digital Fraud Prevention Trends for 2022</title><description><![CDATA[2021 was another memorable year. Organisations that built remote processes in response to the pandemic have spent the past year optimising and strengthening their systems to ensure a positive and secure customer experience.
However, with identity theft, payment fraud, phishing, and other financial crimes at an all-time high, the work of digital security is never done.
In this article, we’ve gathered the three predictions that will shape the security landscape in 2022.
1. Digital identity initiatives will increase for governments, states, and private sectors
Governments around the globe are launching digital identity initiatives that enable users to access a range of services via online or mobile applications.
Singapore, UAE, and Australia have already issued a digital identity scheme, and the EU is moving in that direction too with the revision of eIDAS and the announcement of the European Digital Identity.
The availability of digital identities on mobile devices will facilitate the onboarding and authentication to digital applications and help combat account takeover fraud attacks.
Once a consumer is verified, they can use their digital identity anywhere at any time online to onboard or authenticate to any application using digital identity verification.
Any application dealing with digital identities will need to adapt and support the new governmental digital identity schemes in order to be relevant in the market.
Example sectors include energy suppliers, banks, postal services and telco providers.
Furthermore, the usage of qualified electronic signatures will become more relevant as citizens will be able to use their digital identities to legally sign contracts online.
This was elaborated further in our webcast discussing the “The Role of Digital Identity in Account Opening &amp; Onboarding”.

2. Security measures for embedded finance offerings
Non-financial enterprises are able to offer tailored financial products to their community, such as payday loans for easy and reliable access to credit or specialised digital platforms for truckers offering credit for fuel financing or vehicle insurance.
Analyst firm Juniper Research expects that the value of the embedded finance market will exceed US$138 billion in 2026, from just US$43 billion in 2021.
Both consumers and organisations have become more open to working with non-financial institutions.
These companies have better access to consumer data, which helps in providing an optimal user experience and leads to greater brand loyalty.
However, though these embedded finance offerings present value to consumers and opportunities for financiers, they also attract the attention of cybercriminals.
Because financing apps often include payment transactions and connections to bank accounts, these fintech applications will become even more interesting for hackers as they gain in popularity.
Security will play a key role as the market matures. Only the companies that combine a frictionless user journey with a secure environment will stand out in the crowd.
Functionality and usability will be important to be sure, but organisations that fail to protect their websites and mobile apps will quickly lose their brand reputation and customer base.
3. Cryptocurrency fraud will skyrocket
Source: Unsplash
Crypto exchange platforms have been developed very rapidly from open source without taking their security ecosystem or fraud management seriously.
Since the platforms are unregulated and not secure, there’s no guarantee that customers get their money back after a hack.
At least 32 incidents of hacks and fraud have already taken place in 2021, for a total value of almost US$3 billion.
Without a doubt, the number of cryptocurrency hack incidents and fraud losses will break records in 2022.
The most common types of crypto hacking are phishing and social engineering attacks, even though the technology to protect customers against those attacks has already existed for years and has been in use by traditional banks.
Push notifications instead of one-time passwords sent via SMS can prevent SIM Swap attacks. Also, application shielding can protect wallet applications from cloning and secret extraction.
The only way to mitigate these attacks is to bring in more regulation and rules, like PSD2 and the requirement for Strong Customer Authentication.
For customers, on the other hand, it is critical to select a trading platform that offers premium security capabilities.
Learn more about OneSpan’s top digital fraud trends and predictions here.
 
The post Top Three Digital Fraud Prevention Trends for 2022 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-three-digital-fraud-prevention-trends-for-2022</link><guid>2533</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/The-Role-of-Digital-Identity-in-Account-Opening-Onboarding-1024x567.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Top Three Digital Fraud Prevention Trends for 2022</dc:text></item><item><title>European Financial Services Providers, Banks Embrace Biometric Authentication</title><description><![CDATA[In Europe, financial services companies and banks are embracing biometrics, actively partnering with tech vendors and software developers to improve digital onboarding experiences, strengthen compliance functions, and enhance fraud prevention.
Biometric authentication techniques, which use a person’s unique biological characteristics such as their fingerprints, facial features and voice, to verify they are who they say they are, are fast becoming the go-to methods to verify one’s identity.
In the banking sector, the use of biometric authentication systems appears to have increased since the beginning of COVID-19, but the past year has seen an acceleration of the trend as financial institutions ramp up efforts to provide their customers with a superior digital-first user experience and enhance fraud prevention.
Just this month, Jumio, a provider of end-to-end identity orchestration, digital know-your-customer (KYC), and anti-money laundering (AML) solutions, announced that it signed Nationwide Building Society as a new customer. Based in the UK, Nationwide Building Society is said to be the world’s largest mutual building society.
The partnership saw Jumio’s technology being integrated into the British mutual financial institution’s workflow, allowing it to tap capabilities such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), biometrics and liveness detection to determine if an identity document is authentic and belongs to the user, thus streamlining KYC processes.
Another announcement made in February 2022 was the partnership between Ondato, the provider of an end-to-end KYC management platform, and Satchel, a European electronic money institution (EMI) providing business- and consumer-level accounts, cards, and other financial services.
The collaboration seeks to strengthen Satchel’s KYC, AML, and CFT compliance procedures by embedding Ondato’s automated identity verification services across its banking platform. Not only that, but it also aims to improve operational efficiency and add another layer of fraud protection to Satchel’s business and retail customers, the EMI said in a post.
Finally, iDenfy, an identity verification and fraud prevention specialist, said earlier this month that it signed the European Merchant Bank as a new customer. European Merchant Bank, a digital bank licensed by the European Central Bank (ECB), will be using iDenfy’s selfie biometrics and related services to ensure compliance and security, the companies said.
iDenfy claims it has signed over 300 partners in various industries worldwide since its beginning in 2017.
Increase in digital fraud drives adoption of biometrics authentication
These recent developments come amidst a sharp increase in digital fraud brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting shift to digital channels.
A November 2021 report by the European Payments Council shows that social engineering attacks and phishing attempts have increased over the years as techniques evolve. Also, malware remains a major threat, with ransomware in particular being on the rise during the past year.
In 2019, fraudulent transactions using cards issued within SEPA and acquired worldwide amounted to EUR 1.87 billion in 2019, the ECB estimates. 80% of that value resulted from card-not-present (CNP) transactions or payments via the Internet, mail or phone, reflective of the recent surge in e-commerce activity.
Experts have identified the large-scale remote working models and the increase in customers using non-branch banking channels as the key reasons behind the rise in fraud incidents in the banking sector, indicating that more needs to be done to protect customers in the digital age.
In 2021, the global identity verification market was worth US$8.6 billion, one research company estimates. Between 2021 and 2026, the market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.6% to reach US$18.6 billion.
Global identity verification market, Source: Research and Markets, Dec 2021
During the forecast period, biometrics are set to grow at the highest rate due to the increasing inherent demand from customers’ end for seamless onboarding, compliance management, and fraud prevention.
Other market drivers include increasing digitization initiatives, rising fraudulent activities and identity theft, and Increasing use cases of digital identities across different verticals.
The post European Financial Services Providers, Banks Embrace Biometric Authentication appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/european-financial-services-providers-banks-embrace-biometric-authentication</link><guid>2532</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Global-identity-verification-market-Source-Research-and-Markets-Dec-2021.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>European Financial Services Providers, Banks Embrace Biometric Authentication</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 12 In-Person Fintech Events Taking Place in H1 2022 in London</title><description><![CDATA[In 2021, in-person events started returning as governments around the world began easing social distancing and traveling rules. Now in 2022, it appears that in-person conferences are back in full force.
Over the coming months, several large scale, prominent fintech events and conferences will be held in London. These will cover a broad range of topics and trends, and will feature some of the industry’s most renowned experts and successful entrepreneurs. Today, we look at the top 12 fintech events scheduled to take place in London during the first six months of 2022.
FinovateEurope
March 22-23, 2022
Hybrid – Intercontinental O2

After a year of remote events, FinovateEurope will be returning this year for in-person events.
On March 22 and 23, 2022, FinovateEurope will provide the fintech community with the opportunity to reconnect face-to-face. The event is set to attract more than 1,000 senior attendees and will feature 40+ demoers, as well as 70+ speakers.
This year, FinovateEurope will kick off on March 15 with live sessions and networking through ConnectMe. This half-day of digital demos, fireside chats, and more will provide participants with the opportunity to start making connections, learn, and bookmark sessions for the in-person part of the event over March 22-23, 2022.
Topics covered this years at FinovateEurope will include fintech in Asia, financial inclusion, customer experience, financial crime, digital transformation, omnichannel payments, wealthtech, open banking, artificial intelligence (AI) and more.
Insurtech Insights Europe
March 15-16, 2022
InterContinental London – The O2

Insurtech Insights Europe, one of the largest insurtech conference in the region, will take place on March 15 and 16, 2022 and feature more than 200 speakers, 1,200+ insurtech companies, some 4,000 executives, entrepreneurs and investors from around the world.
The 2022 edition will see cover some of the hottest technologies in the space, including AI, machine learning (ML), the Internet-of-Things (IoT), blockchain, data analytics as well as key trends such as embedded insurance, the potential of preventative insurance, industry partnerships, big techs, micro-insurance, and more.
Confirmed speakers include top executives representing companies and organizations including WeFox, Generali, Swiss Re, and AXA.
Register here.
Pay360
March 22, 2022
Hybrid – Business Design Center

 
Pay360, one of the major annual events for the payment industry, will bring together over 1,500 attendees representing banks, merchants, government, investors, fintechs, financial institutions, card providers, consultants and solutions providers, to explore some of the most pressing issues and opportunities in the payment space.
The event will feature 8 hours of dynamics sessions with cutting edge content, learning opportunities and networking sessions. Attendees will get to hear from more than 50 speakers representing organizations and agencies like the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Barclays, the Euro Banking Association, FIS, Starling Bank, Tink and SWIFT.
For 2022, Pay360 will be a hybrid event, bringing together all the greatly missed elements of an in-person event with the benefits of the online version. All the sessions will be live broadcasted throughout the day.
MoneyLIVE Summit
March 28-29, 2022
QEII Centre

 
MoneyLIVE Summit will be returning this year on March 28 and 29 at the QEII Centre in London. The year’s event is set to attract more than 500 attendees across two days, and will feature CEO keynotes, interactive workshops and an after party.
Confirmed speakers include:

Nik Storonsky, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Revolut
Nuno Matos, Chief Executive Officer, Wealth and Personal Banking, HSBC
Mikael Sorensen, Chief Executive Officer, Handelsbanken UK
Clare Tracey, Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer, Nationwide Building Society
Peio Belausteguigoitia, Head of BBVA Spain, BBVA
Marion King, Group Director of Payments, NatWest

These experts will be covering some of the hottest trends in the space, including sustainability, open finance, next-gen banking-as-a-service (BaaS), and more.
FTT Lending 3.0
March 30, 2022
County Hall, Westminster

 
On March 30, FTT Lending 3.0 will bring together the lending community and explore how the latest innovations can help the space to serve the rising generation of borrowers. More than 200 financial institutions and 100 startups are expected to attend.
The event, which will feature 50+ C-suite speakers, will explore innovation within consumer, mortgage, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), specialist and peer-to-peer (P2P) lending to name a few topics. It will also consider some of the emerging lending types that are disrupting the sector, including embedded payments, the evolving regulatory landscape, modern card programs, and buy now, pay later (BNPL).
UK Fintech Week 2022
April 04-08, 2022

 
The UK continues to be a leader in financial innovation. Its place at the center of global financial services, with supportive regulation, access to world-class talent, and a rich investment landscape has made it a hotbed of startups and established fintechs. These new and exciting businesses are working to change and evolve the sector for the benefit of consumers and businesses alike.
From April 4 to 8, UK Fintech Week 2022 will bring together fintech founders, bank ex-cos, technologists, entrepreneurs, investors, regulators, policy-makers, politicians, academics and media from around the world to learn, discuss, debate and network.
This dedicated week will provide participants with the opportunity to discover why the UK is and will remain the world’s preeminent financial services hub, packing a year’s worth of knowledge, insight and engagement into just five days.
The agenda will shine a spotlight on the global fintech ecosystem, with an increased focus on the key areas that are enhancing, empowering and ensuring that fintech and financial services are sustainable and inclusive to all.
Fintech B2B Marketing Conference 2022
April 27, 2022
Hybrid

 
On April 27, the Fintech B2B Marketing Conference 2022 will bring senior financial services and technology marketers together to cover the latest themes in B2B marketing that will impact their respective industries.
The event will showcase forward thinkers, award-winning experts, and 100+ senior industry participants, and will provide participants with a unique opportunity to engage with key influencers, decision-makers, and innovators.
Themes covered will include AI and ML in B2B marketing, macroeconomics and regulatory developments, hyper-personalization, digitalization and more.
AltFi Festival of Finance 2022
April 27-28, 2022
Park Plaza London Riverbank

 
The AltFi Festival of Finance is a two-day in-person event exploring innovation in fintech, banking, and lending in the UK and across Europe. After running the event virtually in 2020 and 2021, AltFi will be launching its festival in-person for the very first time this year.
Across the two days in the city of London, industry experts and innovators will explore the UK’s fintech and alternative finance sector, the European market and will cap off the event with the infamous AltFi After Hours party in central London.
Participants will get to hear from 50+ speakers from the most innovative finance companies in the UK and Europe.
Global Insurtech Summit 2022
April 28, 2022
Hybrid – etc.venues St Paul&#8217;s

 
The 4th annual Global Insurtech Summit is returning as in-person event on April 28 this year to bring together Europe’s insurance leaders and innovators.
This year’s event will provide participants with the opportunity to network with execs and engage with senior-level leaders working in innovation, analytics, underwriting, technology, pricing, customer experience and distribution. Attendees will also get to hear from top industry leaders who will tackle some of the industry’s key trends and topics including interactive insurance, insurance fraud and security, the IoT and telematics, as well as AI/ML.
An AI-powered matchmaking platform will be made available to participants, allowing them to access to view live broadcast of all sessions, presentations and demos, participate seamlessly both live and virtually, and network with their peers.
AIM Summit
May 16-17, 2022
Four Seasons Hotel London, Ten Trinity Square

 
Launched in 2015, AIM Summit is one of the leading alternative investment management summits in the world, gathering and connecting regional investors and managers in the world of alternative investment, including hedge funds, private equity, venture capital, private debt, digital assets and fintech, with global industry leaders.
The summit aims to act as a platform for discussions on investment developments, global market conditions and the latest trends. It also acts as a networking forum for future business opportunities.
For its 11th edition, AIM Summit will focus on post-pandemic market recovery, investment trends, and the future of cryptocurrencies. Speakers will address the prevalent financial, economic, and social trends and explore the latest opportunities and developments within the alternative Investment sector including environmental, social and governance (ESG), renewable energy, emerging markets, digital assets, bitcoin mining, fintech and blockchain technology.
Fintech World Forum 2022
May 23-24, 2022
Kensington Conference and Event Centre

 
The 2022 Fintech World Forum will take place on May 23 and 24 in London, bringing together industry leaders and stakeholders to explore some of the key fintech trends right now.
This year’s event will cover a range of topics including global financing, payments, open banking, embedded finance, mortgage digitalization and wealthtech, and will feature top speakers representing some of the largest companies out there, like Western Union, SWIFT, Solarisbank, Tide, Google and IBM.
Participants will get to hear about financial market opportunities, the latest innovations and tech developments, the future of APIs and embedded finance, the distributed ledger technology (DLT) and digital currencies landscape, fintech partnerships and innovation models, and more.
Banking Transformation Summit
June 29, 2022
Novotel London West

 
The Banking Transformation Summit, one of Europe’s largest digital transformation and banking event, is returning for its 4th annual edition on June 29, 2022. Taking place at the Novotel London West, the summit will feature 50 industry leading speakers who will discuss the internal and external factors disrupting banking.
Participants will gain inspiration and confidence for the next step on their transformation journey, and learn more on how they can leverage open banking, BaaS and embedded banking to enhance customer experience and streamline processes.
The event will include keynote talks, fireside chats and themed panel sessions featuring top executives representing the likes of HSBC, Starling Bank, Societe Generale, Mastercard and Standard Chartered.
The post Top 12 In-Person Fintech Events Taking Place in H1 2022 in London appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-12-in-person-fintech-events-taking-place-in-h1-2022-in-london</link><guid>2531</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/FinovateEurope-1024x342.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 12 In-Person Fintech Events Taking Place in H1 2022 in London</dc:text></item><item><title>VIAC greift 3a-Lebens-Versicherungsprodukte an</title><description><![CDATA[Etwas mehr als ein Drittel aller 3a-Gelder werden mit Versicherungsprodukten verwaltet. Dies, obwohl seit Jahren in unzähligen Artikeln darüber berichtet wird, dass man «Sparen» und «Versichern» trennen soll.
Fehlte bislang ein einfaches, flexibles und vor allem kostengünstiges Angebot, möchte VIAC dies mit der Lancierung von «VIAC Life Plus» ändern. Neu kann man nebst dem attraktiven 3a-Sparprodukt separat – falls gewünscht – zusätzlich die flexibelste und kostengünstige Risikoabsicherung gegen Invalidität und/oder Tod hinzufü-gen.
Mit mehr als 66‘000 aktiven Kunden und knapp 2 Mrd. Franken an verwaltetem Vorsorgevermögen mauserte sich VIAC in den vergangenen vier Jahren vom kleinen Start-Up zum Marktführer für digitale Vorsorgelösungen. In Zusammenarbeit mit der Terzo Vorsorgestiftung der WIR Bank wurde im November 2017 die erste digitale Vorsorgelösung per App lanciert. Seit der Lancierung
wurde das Angebot kontinuierlich ausgebaut und nun folgt der nächste Streich: kostengünstige, flexible Risikoabsicherungen, die bequem innert weniger Minuten abgeschlossen und je nach Lebenslage jederzeit erhöht oder reduziert werden können.
Daniel Peter
«Seit Jahren sind mir die teuren 3a-Versicherungsprodukte ein Dorn im Auge», meint Daniel Peter, Kopf hinter VIAC, zu den Gründen der Lancierung. «Oft sind diese Produkte unnötig teuer, starr und mit nicht nachvollziehbar hohen Vertriebsprovisionen versehen. Viele Kunden bezahlen in jungen Jahren ein sehr hohes Lehrgeld für diesen Ausflug in 3a-Versicherungsprodukte», führt Daniel Peter weiter aus.
VIAC Life Plus
Mit «VIAC Life Plus» können 3a- und FZ-Kunden in der Web-App (für PC und Tablet) sehr preiswert eine zusätzliche Absicherung zum bereits vorhandenen kostenlosen Basisschutz hinzufügen. Wahlweise kann zwischen 50&#8217;000 und 300&#8217;000 Franken Todesfall- und/oder Invaliditätskapital entschieden werden. Die Versicherungsabdeckung wird in Kooperation mit der Helvetia Lebensversicherungsgesellschaft AG umgesetzt.
Im Gegensatz zur Konkurrenz verzichtet VIAC auf einen kostspieligen Vertriebskanal – auf diese Weise kann VIAC die Absicherungen bis zu drei Mal günstiger anbieten als vergleichbare Konkurrenzprodukte.
Statt wie bei herkömmlichen Versicherungsprodukten die Prämie dem steuerbefreiten 3a-Kapital zu belasten – was den Zinseszinseffekt reduziert – wird die Prämie bequem per Kreditkarte bezahlt. Damit kann der Kunde sehr flexibel die beiden Welten «Sparen» und «Versichern» kombinieren und diese je nach Lebenslage flexibel anpassen. Künden? Kein Problem – dies ist jederzeit und ohne Kündigungsfristen möglich. Deckung reduzieren oder erhöhen? Dauert weniger als eine Minute – und allenfalls überschüssige Prämie wird direkt an den Kunden zurückerstattet.
Mehrwert für die Kunden
Mit dem Angebot «VIAC Life Plus» stellt VIAC einmal mehr eindrücklich unter Beweis, wie kundenzentriertes Handeln gelebt wird. Noch nie konnte so einfach und flexibel eine Todesfall- oder Invaliditätsabsicherung abgeschlossen werden. «Es ist Zeit, dass sich auch die Versicherungsgesellschaften bewegen», so Christian Mathis, «bei den Banken haben wir ja bereits für einigen Wirbel gesorgt».
Mit diesem Schritt festigt VIAC die Position als Marktführer in der digitalen Vorsorge und bietet als erster Anbieter für wirklich alle eine Lösung an: vom verzinsten 3a-Konto über eine reine Aktienstrategie bis zur Kombination mit einer Invaliditäts- und Todesfallabsicherung. Getreu dem Motto: Mehrwert für die Kunden schaffen.
The post VIAC greift 3a-Lebens-Versicherungsprodukte an appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/viac-greift-3a-lebens-versicherungsprodukte-an</link><guid>2529</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>VIAC greift 3a-Lebens-Versicherungsprodukte an</dc:text></item><item><title>Alpian ernennt Chief Marketing Officer</title><description><![CDATA[Alpian hat die Ernennung von Roman Balzan zum Chief Marketing Officer mit Wirkung zum 01.01.2022 bekannt gegeben.
Als erfahrener Marketingexperte mit umfassenden Kenntnissen in integriertem Marketing und Markenkampagnen wird Roman Balzan für die gesamte Marken-, Marketing- und Markteinführungsstrategie des Schweizer Fintech-Startups verantwortlich sein. Roman Balzan&#8217;s primäre Aufgabe ist es daher, Vertrauen und Legitimität für das Startup in der Aussenwelt und in der digitalen Welt aufzubauen &#8211; zum einen durch Alpians Bildungs- und Finanzkompetenzplattform i-vest.ch und zum anderen durch verschiedene Marketing- und Kommunikationskampagnen.
Roman Balzan ist seit 2020 bei Alpian. Zuvor war er in leitenden Marketingpositionen bei Google und dem US-amerikanischen Scooter-Sharing-Riesen Lime tätig. Er begann seine Karriere am IFJ Institut für Jungunternehmen / Venturelab und schloss sein Studium der Wirtschaftswissenschaften an der Universität St. Gallen HSG ab.
Schuyler Weiss
Schuyler Weiss, CEO von Alpian, kommentiert:
&#8220;Da 2022 ein entscheidendes Jahr für uns sein wird, glauben wir fest an Romans Fähigkeit, unsere Entwicklung zu unterstützen und Alpian zu einer starken Marke unter den innovativen Schweizer Finanzdienstleistern zu machen. Seine Erfahrung und die Arbeit, die er seit seinem Eintritt bei Alpian im Jahr 2020 geleistet hat, zeugen von seinem tiefen Verständnis dessen, was Alpian ist und werden will: die weltweit erste digitale Privatbank, die Investitionen und Premium-Banking für alle zugänglich macht.&#8221;
Roman Balzan
Roman Balzan fügte hinzu:
&#8220;Wir haben Alpian und seine Marke nun seit fast zwei Jahren entwickelt und wir freuen uns auf das Jahr 2022, da wir erwarten, dass wichtige Meilensteine erreicht werden. Meine Hauptaufgabe war es, Alpian als einen disruptiven und inspirierenden Newcomer mit einer bedeutungsvollen Philosophie zu positionieren: Reichtum geht über Geld hinaus; es geht auch darum, in sich selbst zu investieren. Alpian möchte das Wort &#8220;Investieren&#8221; neu definieren, und ich freue mich sehr darauf, Teil dieser Reise zu sein.&#8221;
The post Alpian ernennt Chief Marketing Officer appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/alpian-ernennt-chief-marketing-officer</link><guid>2528</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Alpian ernennt Chief Marketing Officer</dc:text></item><item><title>Neuer CEO bei Bexio kommt von SwissSign</title><description><![CDATA[Doppelwechsel an der Spitze von bexio: Markus Naef wird neuer CEO, Tom Sprenger übernimmt den CTO-Posten. Die beiden stossen von der SwissSign Group AG zur Mobiliar Tochter.
Markus Naef
Markus Naef (52) übernimmt per 1. Mai 2022 die Führung von bexio. Er war zuvor CEO der SwissSign Group AG, die im Oktober 2021 von der Post übernommen worden ist. Zwischen 2014 und 2017 war er Geschäftsleitungsmitglied der Sunrise Communications AG und verantwortlich für den Bereich Geschäftskunden. Markus Naef tritt bei bexio die Nachfolge von Laurent Decrue an.
Neuer Chief Technology Officer (CTO) von bexio wird Tom Sprenger (51), der die letzten zwei Jahre in gleicher Funktion ebenfalls bei der SwissSign Group AG tätig war. Davor arbeitete Sprenger während zwanzig Jahren für die auf Software-Engineering spezialisierte IT-Firma AdNovum; unter anderem als CTO und stellvertretender CEO. Er tritt seine neue Stelle am 1. April 2022 an.
Andrea Kleiner
Der bisherige Managing Director Laurent Decrue und CTO Nenad Nikolic haben sich entschieden, bexio zu verlassen, um sich verstärkt auf ihre Softwareentwicklungsfirma zu konzentrieren, die sie 2014 zusammen gegründet haben.
«Ich danke Laurent Decrue und Nenad Nikolic für ihren Einsatz. Für ihre Zukunft wünsche ich ihnen alles Gute»,
sagt Andrea Kleiner, Leiterin Geschäftsentwicklung der Gruppe Mobiliar und Nachfolgerin von Thomas Trachsler als designierte neue Präsidentin des Verwaltungsrats von bexio.
Andrea Kleiner:
«Markus Naef hat viel Erfahrung bei der Vereinfachung von Geschäftsprozessen durch Digitalisierung. Er hat die SwissSign Group AG und vor allem die SwissID in den letzten fünf Jahren zu einer etablierten Marke für die Entwicklung und Vermarktung von sicheren digitalen Identitäten gemacht. Wir sind überzeugt, dass Markus Naef zusammen mit Tom Sprenger und dem ganzen bexio-Team den Wachstumskurs und die Weiterentwicklung bei bexio vorantreiben werden.»
The post Neuer CEO bei Bexio kommt von SwissSign appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/neuer-ceo-bei-bexio-kommt-von-swisssign</link><guid>2527</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Neuer CEO bei Bexio kommt von SwissSign</dc:text></item><item><title>AlgoTrader Raises $4.5M in Pre-Series B</title><description><![CDATA[The Pre-Series B funding is co-led by Credit Suisse Entrepreneur Capital and C3 EOS VC Fund with participation from East Asian venture capital firms SBI Investment and Fenbushi Capital, as well as other renowned investors including Verve Ventures, Quonota Investments, NeueCapital and more.
AlgoTrader has now raised $11.1 million in total and will pursue its mission to untangle digital asset trading for buy- and sell-side clients. The new investment will be used to expand AlgoTrader’s position in the market and to drive platform and team development.
By orchestrating the entire digital asset trade lifecycle with its modular approach, AlgoTrader’s strategic value proposition benefits not only buy-side clients, but especially meets the demands of banks and prime brokerage firms – making its technology stand out from pure OEMS providers and competitors.
The new capital infusion is a big vote of confidence in the AlgoTrader platform and business model, which comes on the heels of a record growth in 2021 – with the company booking an ARR increase of 200% in Q4 alone. Due to the further growth of crypto funds, while more banks are increasing their exposure to digital assets, AlgoTrader’s powerful feature set will perpetuate its ongoing success story.
Andy Flury
AlgoTrader CEO Andy Flury stated:
“As we pursue our strategic focus on institutional digital asset trading, gaining support from leaders in the industry is invaluable. This round of investment goes beyond dollars as we are able to draw on the expertise, infrastructure and networks of our new investors to accelerate our growth and work towards the upcoming Series B funding.”
 
The post AlgoTrader Raises $4.5M in Pre-Series B appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/algotrader-raises-45m-in-pre-series-b</link><guid>2526</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>AlgoTrader Raises $4.5M in Pre-Series B</dc:text></item><item><title>5 Fast-Growing Healthtech and Medtech Startups from Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[The healthcare industry is embracing cutting-edge technology at a rapid pace, leveraging cloud computing, sensors, artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) to help people monitor heart signals, treat patients remotely and organize the workflows of hospitals nicely.
Fast adoption of healthcare technology has pushed the digital health industry further up. Data from Statista show that the global digital health reached US$175 billion in 2019, and will rise at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of almost 25% to reach nearly US$660 billion in 2025.
As a life sciences hub, Switzerland is now emerging into a hotspot for healthtech and medtech innovation, with local players rapidly growing in scale and expanding overseas.
Healthtech refers to the use of technology to improve the delivery, payment, and/or consumption of care, while medtech technology is used for diagnosis, patient care, treatment, and improvement of a person’s health.
For this list, we look at some of the most promising and fastest growing private healthtech and medtech startups from Switzerland. These companies cover a wide range of fields, from neurorehabilitation and fertility monitoring, to self-testing and telemedicine, and have witnessed notable growth over the past year.
MindMaze

Founded in 2012, MindMaze is a global leader in digital neurotherapeutics solutions focusing on accelerating the brain’s ability to recover, learn and adapt. The company uses VR, brain imaging and 3D technology to build novel platforms for neurorehabilitation, game training and 3D imaging.
MindMaze claims its game-based digital therapies have been used by 90 centers, benefiting more than 3,300 patients. It also provides a home therapy program which can be set up in less than 5 minutes, and remotely monitored and tailored by each patient’s therapist.
MindMaze is a spin-off from the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL).
The company closed a US$125 million investment round in October 2021, which it said it will use to accelerate commercialization of and enhance market access for its neurorehabilitation platform and expand its neurorestorative portfolio through system development and clinical trials.
MindMaze is now reportedly in talks to list in the US by merging with a special purpose acquisition companies. The company reached unicorn status in 2016.
Ava

Ava is a digital health startup that specializes in the development of new medical technologies related to women’s reproductive health.
The award-winning startup is the creator of Ava Fertility, an ovulation tracking device that uses sensor technology and AI to detect a woman’s most fertile days. The device is paired with a mobile app that allows users to track their cycle and get annual reports.
In addition to fertility tracking, Ava Fertility also displays health parameters like temperature, sleep, physiological stress, and resting pulse rate, letting users know when they are in the best place to make a baby. Once pregnant, users can continue using Ava Fertility to follow the progress with graphs, trend analysis, and week-by-week content for the whole nine months.
Ava Fertility claims it was the first fertility tracking wearable to receive clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The device is also successfully certified under the new European Device Regulation (MDR).
Ava has offices in Zurich, San Francisco, Belgrade and Makati, and sells its bracelet in 36 countries. The company claims it has helped 50,000 women become pregnant.
Bloom Diagnostics

Founded in 2018, Bloom Diagnostics is a medtech startup that develops hardware and software aimed at identifying a range of medical conditions.
The company has developed a smart system that combines laboratory technology with personalized analysis to capture specific biomarkers from a just few drops of blood. Blood samples are collected on Bloom Test strips, which are then put into a Bloom Lab device for analysis. Results are accessible through the Bloom App in the form of a personalized, detailed report.
Self-tests currently provided by Bloom Diagnostics include ferritin levels in the blood to assess anemia and iron deficiency, TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone), which reflects the thyroid status in the blood and screens for primary hypothyroidism, and AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone), which estimates women’s individual ovarian reserve as an ancillary screen of fertility.
In September, Bloom Diagnostics opened its first flagship store in Zurich. The startup raised US$10 million in November 2021, bringing its total funding to US$30 million, according to a Sifted report.
Aktiia

Founded in 2018, Aktiia is the developer of an optical blood pressure monitoring wearable device designed to prevent and assist in high blood pressure. The company’s hardware and software solutions combine common optical sensors and clinically validated algorithms to measure an individual’s blood pressure at the wrist, enabling patients and healthcare professionals to understand the underlying causes of high blood pressure.
Aktiia claims its solution improves patient engagement, with current users checking their blood pressure on average 15 to 20 times per week, versus 1 to 2 times with traditional blood pressure cuffs.
The company closed a US$17.3 million Series A funding round in November 2021, which it said it will use to expand its commercial presence globally and within the healthcare sector. In January 2022, the company expanded to the US via a landmark study with Brigham and Women&#8217;s Hospital (BWH), a top 10 hospital for cardiology.
OnlineDoctor

OnlineDoctor is an innovative platform that allows users to have skin problems such as rashes, eczema and moles, assessed quickly (within 48 hours) and cost-effectively by an independent specialist licensed in Switzerland.
To use OnlineDoctor, users simply need to sign up through the online platform, choose one of the listed dermatologists, describe their symptoms by answer a quick questionnaire and upload three images of the skin problem. Users would then be directed to a payment page and required to make a payment of CHF 55 for the enquiry.
Finally, users receive an email with a link containing the recommended action from their chosen doctor, in addition to a 6-digit SMS code that they can use to download their personal recommendation for action as well as the receipt.
While OnlineDoctor provides a fast and convenient user experience, one of the platform’s key downsides is that customers cannot insert a foreign mobile phone number, limiting the scope to users with a Swiss mobile phone number in hand, despite the company claiming that it serves customers where ever they are located.
OnlineDoctor, which serves individuals as well as hospitals, clinics, pharmacies health insurance companies and international companies like Hartmann and L’Oréal, has raised CHF 8 million in venture capital and has embarked on a global expansion strategy.
The post 5 Fast-Growing Healthtech and Medtech Startups from Switzerland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/5-fast-growing-healthtech-and-medtech-startups-from-switzerland</link><guid>2524</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/MindMaze-300x158.jpeg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>5 Fast-Growing Healthtech and Medtech Startups from Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Switzerland and Singapore Planning International Fintech Conference in Zurich</title><description><![CDATA[Switzerland and Singapore are joining forces to organise an international fintech conference.
The first Point Zero Forum will take place in Zurich from 21 to 23 June 2022. The Forum aims to act as a platform for global leaders from the public and private financial and economic sectors to drive innovation in digital technology. The Forum will be opened by Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer and Singapore&#8217;s Deputy Prime Minister, Heng Swee Keat. Thomas Jordan, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank, leaders of the Swiss financial and fintech sector, as well as high-level representatives from the industry will also participate in the Forum.
The State Secretariat for International Finance (SIF) and Elevandi, an organisation set up by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), are jointly organising the first Point Zero Forum, which will take place in Zurich from 21 to 23 June 2022.
Ueli Maurer
&#8220;As one of the world&#8217;s leading and innovative financial centres, Switzerland is ideally placed to host this event, which will bring international financial market and supervisory authorities together with new players from the world of fintech&#8221;,
said Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer. He continued:
&#8220;Switzerland has long maintained a close financial dialogue with Singapore.&#8221;
Thomas Jordzan
Thomas Jordan, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank (SNB), emphasised:
&#8220;The SNB and MAS work closely together in the fintech sector and both are heavily involved in the BIS Innovation Hub with the Swiss and Singapore centres. The ability to create and implement technological innovation is an important success and stability factor for the financial sectors in Singapore and Switzerland.&#8221;
Heng Swee Keat
Heng Swee Keat, Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies, said:
&#8220;Digital technology has tremendous potential to change the world for the better, especially through finance. To unlock this potential, we must find new ways to collaborate, and partner one another to tackle key global challenges and ride the new wave of opportunities. Singapore and Switzerland have worked together to organise the inaugural Point Zero Forum, bringing together global technologists, financial institutions and regulators. Through this Forum, we can add to the global FinTech momentum and strengthen the global movement for innovation and change.&#8221;
The event serves as a platform for global leaders from the public and private sector to engage in an intense exchange of ideas and knowledge, and in order to drive fintech and Web3 in the digital economy.
More information can be found on the new website.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/switzerland-and-singapore-planning-international-fintech-conference-in-zurich</link><guid>2525</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Switzerland and Singapore Planning International Fintech Conference in Zurich</dc:text></item><item><title>BBVA to Invest $300 Million in Brazilian Digital Bank Neon</title><description><![CDATA[BBVA has reached an agreement to invest $300 million (about €263 million) in Neon, a Brazilian digital bank founded in 2016 that aims to improve access to financial services for individuals, self-employed and small businesses in its country.
Neon has 15 million registered accounts. The investment takes place in a context of unprecedented technological disruption, with solid growth of digital and innovative models, particularly in financial services. In addition to a clear commitment to innovation, this investment allows BBVA to gain exposure to retail banking in Brazil, a market with one of the highest potential in the world.
With this new investment, BBVA acquires a 21.7 percent stake in Neon. The Group already held a stake since 2018 through its venture capital fund Propel. Following this transaction, BBVA’s stake will total 29.7 percent of Neon.
Neon represents a new step in  BBVA’s strategy to enter new markets through investments in digital platforms. Brazil is a very attractive market given the size of its economy (8º in the world and 1º in Latin America), its large population (more than 210 million people) and the development of interesting propositions in the digital financial services arena.
Carlos Torres Vila
“The commitment to innovation is part of BBVA’s DNA, and digital is opening new ways for us to grow in very attractive markets,”
BBVA Chairman Carlos Torres Vila said.
“Neon’s value proposition connects with the financial needs of Brazilians serving as a platform to continue to grow rapidly in a market with great potential.”
The deal with Neon adds up to other investments by BBVA in digital platforms, such as Atom Bank in the U.K. and Germany’s Solarisbank.
Neon was founded in 2016, aiming to offer a simple, and competitive alternative compared to the traditional Brazilian banks. Through a unique product offering –including free checking accounts, debit and credit cards, payroll loans and specialized products for small businesses– Neon has set itself apart from the competition with a focus on the individuals, self-employed and small businesses.
Since its creation in 2016 and prior to BBVA’s investment, Neon had raised $423 million from investors through several financing rounds. Its shareholders include General Altlantic, Vulcan, BlackRock, Paypal and Banco Votorantim. Neon’s management team includes founder and CEO Pedro Conrade and executive managing partner Jean Sigrist, who will continue to lead the company.
Pedro Conrade
“BBVA’s investment and global expertise will allow Neon to offer loans in a more simple, sustainable and inclusive way. We want to reach more Brazilians, contributing to reducing inequalities and making a difference in their lives. Neon will continue to grow rapidly, while delivering on its purpose,”
Neon founder Pedro Conrade said.
Share subscription and payment are expected to take place in February. The transaction will have a capital consumption of about 10 bps in BBVA’s fully-loaded CET1 capital ratio.
 
This article first appeared on fintechnews.am

The post BBVA to Invest $300 Million in Brazilian Digital Bank Neon appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bbva-to-invest-300-million-in-brazilian-digital-bank-neon</link><guid>2523</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/AM-1.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>BBVA to Invest $300 Million in Brazilian Digital Bank Neon</dc:text></item><item><title>Italian Banking Group Intesa Sanpaolo Invests £40 Million Into Thought Machine</title><description><![CDATA[Italian international banking group Intesa Sanpaolo has selected Thought Machine, the UK-headquartered core banking technology company, to power its new digital banking platform.
In conjunction with this partnership, Intesa Sanpaolo has made a £40 million investment in Thought Machine to become part of the company’s growth story.
Intesa Sanpaolo has selected Thought Machine’s core banking engine, Vault, to power Isybank, its new digital banking platform announced recently as part of the group’s 2022-2025 business plan.
Isybank will initially target 4 million of Intesa Sanpaolo’s mass-market customers in Italy with a wide range of digital banking services, while driving a structural cost reduction for the group.
Intesa Sanpaolo has also indicated an intention to extend Thought Machine’s core banking platform into the group’s wider infrastructure as it continues to invest heavily in the bank’s digital transformation, replacing mainframe-based core technology and moving to cloud infrastructure.
Intesa Sanpaolo said that Vault was chosen for its flexibility to serve multi-currency and multi-country clients – with an intention to extend Thought Machine’s role to other client segments beyond mass-market retail banking, both in Italy and internationally.
Intesa Sanpaolo has approximately 13.5 million customers in Italy, served through its digital and traditional channels, and 7.1 million customers abroad, where it is present with subsidiary banks operating in commercial banking in 12 countries in Central and Eastern Europe and Egypt, as well as with an international network specialised in supporting corporate customers in 25 countries.
Carlo Messina
Carlo Messina, CEO of Intesa Sanpaolo said,
“This new digital bank will evolve our retail business from incumbent to fintech challenger in the mass market, with the option to expand internationally. We chose Thought Machine as our partner due to its international standing as a fintech innovator.
 
We believe so strongly that Thought Machine is the right partner for this transformation that we are also announcing our investment in the company to be part of its growth story.”
Paul Taylor
Paul Taylor, Founder and CEO of Thought Machine said,
“Complementing the work we have done with Tier 1 banks around the world, we are now proud to announce that Italy’s largest bank, and one of Europe’s leading financial institutions, will adopt Thought Machine’s technology into its new digital bank.
 
With Intesa Sanpaolo becoming an investor into the business, we have formed a relationship which will see our technology go further into the wider bank’s portfolio – having a central role to play in delivering enhanced digital services and experiences for the bank’s extensive customer base in Italy and beyond.”
 
The post Italian Banking Group Intesa Sanpaolo Invests £40 Million Into Thought Machine appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/italian-banking-group-intesa-sanpaolo-invests-40-million-into-thought-machine</link><guid>2521</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Italian Banking Group Intesa Sanpaolo Invests £40 Million Into Thought Machine</dc:text></item><item><title>Instimatch’s UK Subsidiary Munix Partners With Goldman Sachs Asset Management</title><description><![CDATA[Instimatch Global along with its UK subsidiary Munix, the digital network for institutional money market borrowing and lending, is partnering with Goldman Sachs Asset Management&#8217;s (GSAM) Mosaic platform.
The partnership aims to augment Munix&#8217;s core offering by adding access to liquidity funds and short duration products for its clients.
Mosaic is Goldman Sachs’ state-of-the-art investment platform that delivers digital products and services to institutional investors.
Kevin Thompson
Kevin Thompson, Managing Director of Munix said
“We are delighted to be partnering with GSAM, enabling us to further develop our award winning platform across multiple asset types.
 
This collaboration expands our overall suite of cash management products available to our client base to include short duration and liquidity funds from over 20 asset managers”
Lauren Oakes
Lauren Oakes, Managing Director and Co-head of the Global Liquidity Client Business of GSAM said,
“As front-end investors focus on diversifying counterparty risk while optimising returns, they are increasingly looking for a platform that provide access to a broad range of short-term investment solutions.
 
Mosaic is a core part of our strategic technology offering following significant investment and rapid growth in recent years, and we look forward to continuing growth partnering with Instimatch.”
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/instimatchs-uk-subsidiary-munix-partners-with-goldman-sachs-asset-management</link><guid>2522</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Instimatch’s UK Subsidiary Munix Partners With Goldman Sachs Asset Management</dc:text></item><item><title>FNZ Raises US$1.4 Billion, Now Valued at US$20 Billion</title><description><![CDATA[FNZ, a global wealth management platform, announced that it has secured US$1.4 billion in new equity funding from Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) and Motive Partners.
CPP Investments had committed to pouring in a total of US$1.1 billion. The fundraising values FNZ at over US$20 billion as it continues its geographical expansion.
The company has consistently attracted strong investment interest and CPP Investments and Motive Partners represent the fifth and sixth external shareholders in FNZ.
The capital raise will help FNZ further accelerate its growth through increased R&amp;D, as well as driving growth in markets that FNZ have recently entered, in particular North America.
In 2018, CDPQ and Generation Investment Management acquired a majority stake in the company, in a partnership built around long-term and sustainable investment.
They were joined in 2021 by Temasek, enhancing FNZ’s reach into Asian markets.
The company now partners with over 650 large financial institutions and over 8,000 wealth management firms in 21 countries.
Adrian Durham
Adrian Durham, Founder &amp; Group CEO of FNZ said,
⁠“Our growth trajectory shows no signs of slowing down, and we are delighted to welcome CPP Investments and Motive Partners to FNZ and look forward to working with them as we further invest in and enhance our core platform, delivering substantial incremental benefits to our customers and their clients.”
Hafiz Lalani
Hafiz Lalani, Managing Director, Head of Europe, Direct Private Equity at CPP Investments said,
“FNZ has seen considerable success and we are excited to support FNZ and its leadership in continuing to deliver on their vision to expand FNZ’s global footprint, while at the same time delivering attractive risk-adjusted returns for CPP contributors and beneficiaries.
 
Partnered with Motive, we believe we bring a unique combination of long-term capital and specialised expertise in the wealth management sector. We look forward to being a strategic and value-added partner to FNZ and to joining the business’ existing investors.”
 
This article first appeared on Fintech News America. 

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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fnz-raises-us14-billion-now-valued-at-us20-billion</link><guid>2520</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/AM-1.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>FNZ Raises US$1.4 Billion, Now Valued at US$20 Billion</dc:text></item><item><title>‘Middling’ Swiss Fintech Industry Needs More ‘Clout’</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss government is underwhelmed by the performance of the financial technology sector. The finance ministry believes that it’s high time this was remedied.
“Unlike the Swiss financial centre, which remains at the top of the global rankings, Switzerland is currently only in the middle of the pack as a fintech hub,” states a recent synopsis of the current situation. “As a leading financial centre and location for innovation, this needs to be remedied. Switzerland needs to build its international visibility and clout.”
So how do the administrators aim to boost the number of Swiss fintech “unicorns”?
They have commissioned a wide-ranging feasibility study with action promised on several fronts within the next three years. Sights have set on 12 areas, including the blockchain, open banking, cybersecurity, cloud computing, artificial intelligence and green finance.
That’s a wide-ranging mandate, and so far, precious few concrete plans – let alone radical solutions. It’s the nature of Switzerland to examine everything thoroughly and slowly progress through the steps before acting. And there have been some advances, such as the upgrade of financial and corporate laws last year to embrace digital ledger technology and tokenized securities.

Innovation platform
A couple of suggestions from this latest study caught my eye.
The first is a mooted body to coordinate the efforts entrepreneurs, regulators and academics in the fintech sphere.
“There is still no uniform platform for innovation and the exploitation of technology in the Swiss financial centre. This hinders both the establishment of new fintech companies of foreign origin and coordination between existing market participants in Switzerland.”
The idea is for the authorities to create a centralised entity to smooth the passage into Switzerland for overseas fintech companies. This fits with a more wide-reaching government agenda to retain the country’s image as a business-friendly location when a minimum corporate tax rate is introduced.
The second main objective of a “uniform platform” is to better link universities with companies to ensure a supply of fresh talent. Again, this desire is not confined to the fintech industry. Business leaders from various sectors have made similar suggestions in the past. It’s worth noting that several Swiss universities, in all corners of the country, have introduced blockchain courses to their curricula. Only a week ago, the non-profit Caspar Association donated CHF345,000 to the University of Zurich’s Blockchain Centre.
Flexible licenses
Another angle explored by the Swiss government, is the possibility of upgrading financial regulation to give Swiss fintechs a better chance against foreign competition. In recent times, the regulator has introduced a fintech banking license and a new category for digital asset exchanges.
But the speed of digital finance is moving so fast that “the existing array of licence categories partly lags behind market developments”. Decentralised finance and the adoption of financial services by technology firms is at risk if the demands of existing regulation “prove to be so high that the additional activity is abandoned”.
For all the new license categories being created, I’ve heard complaints that Switzerland lacks an EU-style e-money license, has yet to introduce a functioning eID system and lags behind other countries in creating efficient digital onboarding of customers to obtain financial services.
Forcing incumbent finance to open up
Switzerland is also behind the pace when it comes to Open Finance. The EU has created laws that force banks to loosen their jealous grip on client financial data. People can share their data with whoever they choose, which gives fintech companies greater access to customers. The Swiss fintech company Numbrs has found that this doesn’t always work in practice, even when offering services in Germany.
The Swiss authorities are encouraging the era of Open Finance but have so far refused to force financial institutions to play ball. Now they are hinting that this could change if Swiss financial players drag their heels too much.
“A more mandatory approach must remain an option in case developments in the market prove to be too slow or do not go far enough, thereby preventing the creation of new, innovative offerings and the potential for efficiency.”

The post ‘Middling’ Swiss Fintech Industry Needs More ‘Clout’ appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/middling-swiss-fintech-industry-needs-more-clout</link><guid>2517</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/CV-VC-Top-50-2021-1024x776.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>‘Middling’ Swiss Fintech Industry Needs More ‘Clout’</dc:text></item><item><title>Kanton Aargau Digitalisiert Betreibungsverfahrens</title><description><![CDATA[Drei Anbieter bewarben sich für die Ausschreibung des Kantonalen Steueramts Aargau für eine Softwarelösung zur Abwicklung der Betreibungsverfahren. Collecta AG erhielt als wirtschaftlich bestes Angebot den Zuschlag.
Der Markt für Softwarelösungen zum Betreibungsprozess in der Schweiz ist klein. Denn es handelt sich um eine spezifische Anbindung an eSchKG, dem Übermittlungsstandard der schweizerischen Betreibungsämter. Eine Software in diesem spezifischen Segment zu entwickeln, interessiert internationale Anbieter wenig.
Die in Zug ansässige Collecta AG hat sich schon vor der obligatorischen Einführung von eSchKG bei allen Betreibungsämtern 2017 auf die Nische Inkassosoftware spezialisiert. Als eine der ersten Anbieterinnen entwickelte sie mit Collecta eSchKG-Services eine Applikation, welche die elektronische Abwicklung des Betreibungsverfahrens sowie eine Anbindung von bestehenden Systemen an eSchKG ermöglicht.
Kanton Aargau und Aargauer Gemeinden werden den digitalen Service von eSchKG im Steuerumfeld nutzen
Das Steueramt des Kantons Aargau wird Collecta für die Abwicklung der Betreibungsverfahren im Steuerwesen und als zentrale Verlustbewirtschaftung für Bundes-, Staats- und Gemeindesteuer für natürliche und juristische Personen, inklusive Anbindung an die eSchKG-Schnittstelle einsetzen. Damit erhalten der Kanton Aargau und die Aargauer Gemeinden, welche den Service für die Gemeindesteuern vom Kanton beziehen, die Möglichkeit den digitalen Service im Betreibungsverfahren und der Verlustbewirtschaftung einzusetzen.
Die digitale Abwicklung und automatisierten Prozesse vereinfachen die administrativen Abläufe der Betreibungsverfahren massgeblich. Als Partner überzeugte Collecta dank jahrelanger Erfahrung und der breiten Kundenbasis, auch bei Kantonen und Gemeinden.
Giovanni Borrelli
Giovanni Borrelli, Geschäftsführer von Collecta AG, freut sich über den Zuschlag:
«Die umfassende Prüfung und Beurteilung des Kantons Aargau zeigt, dass unsere Betreibungssoftware den Anforderungen von mittleren bis grösseren Institutionen gerecht wird. Bereits über 40 Prozent der eSchKG-Anwender nutzen unsere Software.»
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/kanton-aargau-digitalisiert-betreibungsverfahrens</link><guid>2518</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Kanton Aargau Digitalisiert Betreibungsverfahrens</dc:text></item><item><title>Mihails Safro, Xpate CEO: Payment Optimisation Tips to Successfully Enter New Regions</title><description><![CDATA[Mihails Shafro, xpate CEO, dives deep into how sellers can optimise payment experience to deliver a great shopping experience to customers.
Mike Shafro
The pandemic has changed the trading landscape and made many merchants move into e-commerce, and rightly so. McKinsey &amp; Company reported that in Q2 2021, figures for cross-border shipments and product volumes surpassed previous years&#8217; results. E-commerce adoption spiked around the globe – a 57% YoY rise in outbound e-commerce in the UK and 42% growth in November alone are the ultimate indicator of a pinnacle this industry hasn&#8217;t reached before. Furthermore, that means consumers are no longer picky – the merchant&#8217;s location no longer plays a significant role in a final buying decision.
The opportunities for merchants are now enormous. Entering new markets is no longer an obstacle. However, with lower entry barriers comes stricter competition and higher expectations. Customers are used to a great shopping experience that encompasses high delivery speed or convenience. That&#8217;s an obstacle for newcomers – a competitive marketplace does not tolerate outdated habits. Payment data and its further analysis take a leading role in attracting new customers and generating sales leads. However, the prospects are promising for anyone wishing to try themselves in the new regions and adapt new practices.
image via xpate
 
Study Regulations
Every region has its rules, and merchants must remember that. Take Europe with its Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) under PSD2. Let&#8217;s break it down.
SCA requirements demand every transfer over €30 to run through a two-factor authentication in the European Economic Area (EEA). The rule aims to combat fraud for Card-Not-Present (CNP) online sales through user identification. While the practice is all about security, it forces buyers to pour extra time and effort into measures like one-time passcodes. If such features fail to operate smoothly, customers can abandon the shopping process and turn to competitors.
Fortunately, the technology positively affects the e-commerce landscape, and 3D secure is one of such solutions. Its new version, 3DS 2.0, delivers a ten-fold increase in data exchange speed between customer and seller, meaning the overall payment process can be optimised to the needs of both parties. This, in turn, decreases fraud rates.
3D Secure offers a lot of perks to the merchants, such as a higher rate of lead generation and frictionless payments flow. Yet, it&#8217;s essential to pick a right payments provider that can help utilise the technology to get all its benefits and offer a great shopping experience to consumers.
Speak Your Customer&#8217;s Language
Universal solutions make e-commerce a vibrant and fast-moving space, but they aren&#8217;t always the most fitting. After all, region specifics play a great role in choosing payment solutions. To be on top of the game, the merchants must know such specifics. Take a look at the Netherlands – 59% of all transfers go through the IDEAL app. In Italy, PayPal and PostePay remain the most used payment methods for online purchases.
The moral of the story is fairly straightforward – before moving into new markets, run a thorough analysis and identify the most popular payment methods and make sure you have them in your portfolio. Regional consumers have no obligation to change their tastes, and merchants must adapt accordingly. No matter the region of your choice, the right payments provider is the key to help merchants understand each region’s preferences and implement the appropriate payments methods.
Finally, the language is a huge deal. Would you run an English-only marketplace in Japan or Lebanon? Probably not, and rightly so &#8211; customers feel much more comfortable shopping on the platform supporting their language. After all, some customers have limited English proficiency – pushing them towards using an online translator is a way out of the regional e-commerce game with skyrocketing rates of abandoned carts.
Optimise the payment experience for mobile
With 86,05% of shopping cart abandonment rate, mobile optimisation remains the weakest spot for e-commerce merchants. Global e-commerce sales are projected to reach $3.56 billion, which means e-commerce sellers are missing huge profits when not offering mobile solutions to customers.
It&#8217;s clear that mobile optimisation is essential to reduce cart abandonment rates. However, it doesn&#8217;t end there. Merchants must remember that a proper layout with as few purchase steps as possible is the key to success. For returning customers, it is wise to enable tokenisation so that, customers wishing to buy more later can come back and click one button without inputting details again. Finally, allowing different payment methods is crucial. That includes e-wallets like PayPal and mobile wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay.
Know Your Customers and Their Interests
Opportunities in e-commerce for merchants are huge and incomparable to the past. However, while cross-border trade is a land of hope, it&#8217;s also a place with intense competition and high expectations. Merchants must know their customers in and out, adapt to the changing environment, learn regulations, and localise the payment process.
At the same time, by being on top of all that, merchants have a great chance of succeeding. In such a promising environment, it&#8217;s worth giving it a shot.
The post Mihails Safro, Xpate CEO: Payment Optimisation Tips to Successfully Enter New Regions appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mihails-safro-xpate-ceo-payment-optimisation-tips-to-successfully-enter-new-regions</link><guid>2519</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/XPATE-product-1024x512.jpeg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Mihails Safro, Xpate CEO: Payment Optimisation Tips to Successfully Enter New Regions</dc:text></item><item><title>2021 Was a Record Year for Fintech Funding, Unicorn Minting and M&amp;A Exits</title><description><![CDATA[In 2021, fintech companies attracted a new record of US$132 billion, more than double the 2020 figure. The amount represents 21% of all venture funding for 2021, making the sector the undisputed champion, data from CB Insights’ State of Fintech 2021 report show.
Global funding funding, Source: The State of Fintech 2021, CB Insights
Mega-rounds of US$100 million and up led most of the fintech funding activity in 2021. Though these represented just 7% of global deals, they accounted for 67% of total funding.
In particular, seven of these rounds were US$1 billion+ fundraisings. They included the US$3.4 billion raised by Robinhood in the beginning of the year, GoTo’s US$1.3 billion pre-IPO funding round, Integrity Marketing Group’s US$1.2 billion round, Devoted Health’s US$1.2 billion round, and Klarna’s US$1 billion equity funding round.
Number of US$100M+ fintech mega-rounds in 2021, Source: The State of Fintech 2021, CB Insights
Booming fintech funding activity pushed valuation to new heights, allowing 157 startups, including cryptocurrency exchange FTX, e-commerce checkout fintech Bolt, German neobroker Trade Republic, and Dutch banking software provider Mambu, to reach unicorn status. The figure brought the unicorn herd to 235, up 108% from 2020.
New unicorn births in 2021, Source: The State of Fintech 2021, CB Insights
Fintech exits also broke a new record last year. Across all exit types, it is mergers and acquisitions (M&amp;As) that witnessed the strongest rise, up from 540 deals in 2020 to 906 in 2021. The year also saw 75 public listings through initial public offerings (IPOs) and 15 mergers with special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs).
Fintech exits in 2021, Source: The State of Fintech 2021, CB Insights
2021’s largest fintech exits included American crypto exchange Coinbase (US$65.3 billion IPO), Brazilian neobank NuBank (US$41.5 billion IPO), Singaporean super-app Grab (US$39.6 billion SPAC merger), and American restaurant software company Toast (US$17.5 billion IPO).
Digital lending saw biggest jump; interest in fintech-focused blockchain picks up steam
Although every major fintech segment broke new records in 2021, digital lending funding and deals exploded, recording the largest annual jump, up 220% to US$20.5 billion and 90% to 633 deals, the report notes.
Top digital lending equity deals in 2021 included Better.com’s US$750 million Series F, Kavak’s US$700 million Series E and Brex’s US$300 million Series E. Better.com is an online mortgage originator company from the US, Kavak is a platform for buying and selling secondhand cars from Mexico, and Brex is an American all-in-one finance platform for businesses.
In 2021, 16 new digital lending unicorns were minted. 75 digital lending companies were acquired, 12 went public through IPOs, and four merged with SPACs.
Digital lending funding and deals in 2021, Source: The State of Fintech 2021, CB Insights
2021 was also a fruitful year for fintech-focused blockchain startups with cryptocurrency exchanges and decentralized finance (DeFi) startups in particular picking up steam, a separate study by CB Insights show.
Out of the US$25.2 billion raised by blockchain companies in 2021, a quarter (US$6.4 billion) went to crypto exchanges and brokerages.
The biggest deals of the year were closed by global players such as FTX and Gemini, but country-specific exchanges also saw traction, with India-based CoinSwitch Kuber, for example, closing a US$240 million round, and Bahrain-headquartered Rain Financial raising US$75 million in a Series B funding round.
Global funding to crypto exchanges and brokerages, Source: The State of Blockchain 2021, CB Insights
DeFi startups, meanwhile, closed 240 deals, nearly double 2020’s 124. 2021 funding reached US$3.4 billion, up nearly 10x from the US$355 million raised in 2020.
Top DeFi equity deals included Celsius Network’s US$750 million Series B, Alchemy’s US$250 million Series C, and ConsenSys’ US$200 million venture capital round. Celsius Network is a DeFi platform focusing on crypto lending, borrowing and earning; Alchemy is crypto infrastructure company; and ConsenSys is a blockchain venture studio supporting projects within the Ethereum ecosystem.
Global funding to DeFi startups, Source: The State of Blockchain 2021, CB Insights
With US$32.7 billion raised through 695 deals, payment was the top fintech category in 2021. The amount represents a 124% increase compared to 2020.
Notable deals included MoonPay’s US$555 million Series A, Atome’s US$500 million round, and Socure’s US$450 million Series E. MoonPay is a startup from the US that’s building a payment infrastructure for cryptocurrencies, Atome is a leading buy now, pay later (BNPL) provider from Singapore, and Socure is a digital identity specialist from the US.
55 new payment unicorns were minted in 2021, 87 payment companies were acquired, 18 went public through IPOs and four merged with SPACs.
Payment funding and deals in 2021, Source: The State of Fintech 2021, CB Insights
After payments, banking attracted the second largest fintech funding amount in 2021, with US$24.7 billion raised through 394 deals, up 129% and 14% compared to 2020, the report shows.
The largest banking rounds last year included N26’s US$900 million Series E, Monzo’s US$500 million Series H, and NuBank’s US$750 million extension to its Series G.
30 new banking unicorns were minted in 2021, 39 banking companies were acquired, 6 went public through IPOs and four merged with SPACs, the report says.
Banking funding and deals in 2021, Source: The State of Fintech 2021, CB Insights
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/2021-was-a-record-year-for-fintech-funding-unicorn-minting-and-ma-exits</link><guid>2516</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Global-funding-funding-Source-The-State-of-Fintech-2021-CB-Insights.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>2021 Was a Record Year for Fintech Funding, Unicorn Minting and M&amp;A Exits</dc:text></item><item><title>4 Fintech Trends in the Travel Industry in 2022</title><description><![CDATA[During the last decades, the impact of technology on travel has been significant. New IT services and technologies such as cloud computing and automation have allowed companies in the space to reduce costs, enhance operational efficiency and improve services and customer experience.
Now, new payment innovations and fintech trends such as open banking, embedded finance and banking-as-a-service (BaaS) are bringing new opportunities to the table, allowing companies in the travel space to access new revenue streams and improve customer loyalty.
In a new blog post, top executives from Amadeus, a leading IT provider for the global travel and tourism industry, share their top fintech predictions for the year to come.
Open banking introduces new payment methods
Open banking, one of the biggest changes in the financial services industry, is expected to introduce new payment methods. Payment initiation services (PIS) are amongst the most exciting ones.
PIS are a type of service that use online banking to make payments over the Internet where means of payment such as a credit card do not need to be used.
PIS providers essentially initiate a payment from the user account to the merchant account by creating a software “bridge” between these accounts, fill-in the information necessary for a transfer and inform the merchant once the transaction has been initiated.
These solutions are often cheaper and more efficient. Moving forward, Amadeus believes some travel companies will “go big” on direct bank-to-bank payments, especially for seller/provider transactions where trust is already established.

image via pexels
Jumping on the embedded finance bandwagon
Embedded finance is another major fintech trend that’s set to introduce new opportunities for companies in the tourism space.
Embedded finance enables any company to integrate pre-built financial solutions via an API into their offerings. These solutions can be anything ranging from payments and lending, to other specialized services such as insurance coverage, and investments.
Though airlines have provided co-branded cards for years now, embedded finance technologies are widening the range of financial services travel companies are now able to offer to their customers.
Around the world, a number of travel companies has already begun venturing into the financial space. In Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest online travel startup Traveloka provides a range of financial services including payment cards, insurance and wealth management.
Last year, Canadian travel upstart Hopper teamed up Amadeus to offer insurance policies and price-freeze solutions.
Embracing BNPL arrangements
Over the past few years, BNPL options have surged in popularity, propelled by the boom in online shopping created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
image via Unsplash
Today, brands like Klarna and Affirm have become household names by allowing any e-commerce player to embed BNPL options into their websites.
For travel merchants, the opportunity of BNPL relates to upselling, or the potential to encourage customers to purchase a higher-end product, an upgrade, or an additional item, increasing thus the basket size.
A study conducted by Amadeus, which polled 5,000 global travelers, found that 68% of respondents would be encouraged to spend more than usual on summer travel if a BNPL option was offered. 49% indicated that they would be more likely to buy airline ancillary services if a BNPL option was offered.
“With this type of upsell potential, we believe every travel merchant will at least consider BNPL options in 2022,” predicts Amadeus.
Travel companies and airlines including Expedia, Hotels.com, Priceline, Alternative Airlines, United Airlines, Lufthansa and Kayak have already embraced the trend, using BNPL arrangements provided by the likes of Klarna, Afterpay, Affirm and Uplift.
Frictionless payments
As technology continues to develop and become more widespread, consumers are demanding superior experiences and easier payment options.
Frictionless payments focus on fastening the checkout experience by reducing the number of steps required to complete a purchase. This improves buyer experience and loyalty, and increases revenue for merchants from fewer abandoned shopping carts.
Over the past few years, several payment technologies have emerged to remove friction. Amadeus outlines three key technologies in this areas: tokenization, which enables merchants to encrypt and securely store customer payment information in their own systems for future use; merchant initiated transactions such as subscriptions and instalments where payments are initiated by the merchant without the need for the customer to do anything; and last mile digitalization, which uses techniques like QR codes and “pay by link” to upgrade processes like chip and pin to e-commerce payments.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/4-fintech-trends-in-the-travel-industry-in-2022</link><guid>2515</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/cashless-payment-1024x682.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>4 Fintech Trends in the Travel Industry in 2022</dc:text></item><item><title>3 Key Trends Transforming the Swiss Wealth Management Industry</title><description><![CDATA[Open financial ecosystems, data and analytics, as well as sustainability are the top three most impactful trends shaking up the Swiss wealth management industry. These trends are forcing traditional players to rethink themselves and innovate in order to maintain their competitiveness over the long term, says a new report by Switzerland stock exchange operator SIX and the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU).
In a whitepaper titled Future of Wealth Management: Harvesting the Power of Data and Technology, the two organizations explore ongoing changes in the Swiss wealth management landscape, and delve into their potential implications for the future of the industry.
Open financial ecosystems boost interconnectedness of the industry
The first trend outlined in the study is open financial ecosystems. These ecosystems allow for the exchange of data and services within and outside the wealth management industry.
Ultimately, this could lead to the entry of new, highly specialized market players, whose products and services may improve, complement or even disrupt existing wealth management processes and activities through greater cost efficiency or better customer services, the report warns.
The traditional wealth management value chain would then be broken up into different segments with specialized offerings, and more granular. On one hand, this would mean increased competition, but on the other, incumbents would be given new opportunities, including new channels of distribution to tap into, as well as greater access to resources from specialists and other third-parties.
In Switzerland, though open financial ecosystems are not yet widely established, industry-driven initiatives have emerged to promote usage and set standards, the report notes.
SIX’s open finance platform bLink, for example, sets clear and uniform rules for the connection between participants. The operator also takes responsibility for the security of the system. And the OpenWealth Association initiative was founded in February 2021 to promote open financial ecosystems in wealth management. The organization strives to create an open API standard for the global wealth management community.
Against this backdrop, incumbents need to embrace open financial ecosystems or take the risk of being squeezed out by new market entrants and losing customers, the report says.
Transitioning to data-driven services
Technological advances and the digital transformation wave that’s been sweeping across business and society are leading to an ever-increasing amount of data being generated. This has led to the rise of data-driven business models and growing use of data analytics in many industries, including wealth management.
In wealth management, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven analytics allow firms to better understand their customers and personalize their products and services accordingly. In asset management, data can be used to generate optimized product or investment strategies by applying modern concepts of quantitative finance.
Rising usage of data will further be propelled by the adoption of open financial ecosystems which simplify the interaction between different market participants, the report says.
Moving forward, the Swiss wealth management industry will need to consider data, its analysis as well as the exchange of data with third-party providers as a key driver for value creation. Embracing data-driven models will ensure wealth management firms that they offer services that are as tailored and as efficient as possible to their customers, it says.
Growing importance of sustainability
Sustainability has become a hot topic in the financial landscape, driven by rising awareness and demand coming from investors, publicly availability of environmental, social and governance (ESG) data, and an evolving regulatory landscape.
In Switzerland, demand for sustainable investment has risen sharply over the past years. According to the Swiss Sustainable Investment Market Study, total sustainable investments in Switzerland surged from CHF 390 billion in 2017 to CHF 1,520 billion in 2020.
Development of sustainable investments in Switzerland, Source: Swiss Sustainable Finance, June 2021
In response to this, financial product providers are launching new sustainable funds at a fast pace. The IFZ Sustainable Investments Study 2021 recorded 512 new sustainable funds being opened to the general public from 2020 to 2021 alone.
Number of sustainable funds available to the public as of June 30, Source: IFZ Sustainable Investments Study 2021
Subsequently, this is leading to an increase in the need for ESG data, driving with it the emergence of an industry made of third-party providers that focus on collecting and providing ESG data and ESG ratings. In Switzerland, for example, Inrate is an independent sustainability rating agency which provides ESG ratings in a wide range of areas including countries, real estate or impact on a global level.
These developments are coming on the back of a changing regulatory landscape where regulators are progressively introducing sustainability-related rules.
In 2021, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) specified disclosure requirements of climate-related financial risks for the largest financial institutions. The entities concerned had to comply with the requirements starting in 2022.
In parallel, the Federal Department of Finance has been working on a consultation draft that would set parameters for mandatory climate reporting by large Swiss firms, public companies, banks and insurance companies. The draft is due to be completed by summer 2022.
As demand for sustainable investing continues to rise, sustainability will play a critical role in the investment process in the future. It will ultimately become one of the pillars of the investment process, alongside customer risk aversion, return expectations and liquidity constraints, the report says.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/3-key-trends-transforming-the-swiss-wealth-management-industry</link><guid>2514</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Development-of-sustainable-investments-in-Switzerland-Source-Swiss-Sustainable-Finance-June-2021.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>3 Key Trends Transforming the Swiss Wealth Management Industry</dc:text></item><item><title>2022 Promises to Be an Exciting Year for These 6 Global Swiss Fintech Startups</title><description><![CDATA[After a tumultuous year 2020, fintech activity in Switzerland regained some of its strength in 2021.
Much of the focus was put on large established firms last year as investors pumped large sums of money to support their growth and expansion plans.
Several of them managed to launch overseas despite the uncertainty brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. In most cases, this followed a period of rapid growth as consumers and businesses were forced to move online.
For this list, we’ve looked at some of Switzerland’s fastest growing fintech startups to identify the players that are worth following this year. These 6 ventures have been expanding aggressively after witnessing notable traction and getting financial backing from prominent investors.
Tradeplus24

Tradeplus24, a provider of flexible funding to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), started expanding dynamically overseas in 2020 and raising several hundred million of debt since then.
Tradeplus24 started with launching in Australia in late-2020, a launch that was further bolstered by joining the Australian Finance Group (AFG)’s panel of finance providers as its only fintech partner to offer its flexible credit line product.
In 2021, Tradeplus24 continued to pursue its global ambition, starting rolling out in the UK and the Netherlands in the beginning of the year as well as venturing into larger ticket transactions.
Driving the future of data-driven lending, Tradeplus24 has built core competencies in maximizing insights from collateral management in its existing markets. To further drive global expansion, the company will start offering its solution as a service (asset-backed lending-as-a-service) and expects to add further value by deploying new products in the B2B lending space.
Tradeplus24 is a Zurich-founded company launched in 2016. It currently offers SME loans across four markets using only accounts receivables as security. Receivables from almost all countries can be used as collateral.
Sygnum

Sygnum, a digital asset specialist that helps institutional and private qualified investors, corporates, banks and other financial institutions invest in the digital asset economy, closed a massive US$90 million Series B funding round in January 2022.
The new funding came on the heels of a solid trading year, which delivered a tenfold year-on-year increase in consolidated gross revenues, the company said. In the same period, its client base neared 1,000 financial institutions, banks, corporates and private investors, while its assets under administration grew to over US$2 billion.
The fundraising, which valued Sygnum at US$800 million post-money, will be used to create new decentralized finance (DeFi) offerings and expand its Singapore operations, the company said, hinting at an exciting year ahead for Sygnum.
Sygnum, which holds a Swiss banking license and a Singapore asset management license, has a portfolio of regulated digital asset banking services that comprises digital asset accounts and custody, brokerage, tokenization solutions, asset management, lending and business-to-business (B2B) banking services.
SEBA Bank

Like Sygnum, SEBA Bank is a licensed digital assets banking platform in Switzerland that supports professional individuals and companies as well as institutional clients with investing, custodian, trading and lending.
The company offers a fully universal suite of regulated banking services in the emerging digital economy, including business accounts and custody services.
Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Zug, SEBA Bank has been on an expansion spree over the past few years. Recently, it closed a CHF 110 million Series C funding round to accelerate the growth it had achieved over the prior year, and fuel its expansion plans in APAC and the Middle East.
SEBA Bank is currently supporting over 25 markets globally, having strengthened its presence in APAC earlier this year by appointing an APAC CEO to solidify its presence in Hong Kong and Singapore, along with other priority markets in the Middle East including the launch of a dedicated office in Abu Dhabi.
Amnis Treasury Services

Amnis Treasury Services, an international payment specialist, started expanding across Europe after receiving a license from Financial Market Authority Liechtenstein in late 2021.
The company, which claims more than 2,000 customers in Switzerland and says it has witnessed strong growth over the past year, unveiled new offices in Vienna and Prague in December 2021, marking its official entry into the European Union (EU).
The focus in the company’s initial phase of expansion will be on Central and Eastern Europe, with business activities having already been rolled out in Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Italy.
Amnis Treasury Services provides SMEs with cross-border payments and currency services. In addition to traditional payment methods, the company also offers the option of making cross-border, real-time payments around the clock to suppliers within a client’s own PEER network.
Amnis Treasury Services plans to launch IBAN accounts for customers in the near future.
Imburse

Imburse, a global payment integration middleware, is looking to hire for up to 30 new roles across its primary locations in London, Zurich and Lisbon by mid 2022 to support the “rapid growth trajectory” it has been on.
The hiring blitz comes on a back of a US$12 million capital injection it received from Accenture back in June 2021, a partnership that also saw Imburse joining Accenture Ventures’ Project Spotlight, an engagement and investment program aimed at connecting startups with the world’s largest public companies.
Founded in Zurich in 2018, Imburse works with global insurers, banks, and other large companies, allowing them to quickly and seamlessly connect to any payment provider or payment technology, anywhere in the world, for both collections and pay-outs.
Imburse’s marketplace provides a single platform for businesses to access the payment ecosystem, making it easy, fast and inexpensive to deploy new technologies.
Yokoy

Swiss spend management specialist Yokoy has been working on expanding deeper into the US, Europe and more regions across the globe after closing a US26 million Series A funding round in October 2021.
The company, which was founded just two years ago, has already attracted a clientele of more than 400 midsize and enterprise customers worldwide including DPD Group, Stadler Rail, Russia’s Sberbankm and Swiss bank Swissquote, and over 80,000 end-users. It has five global offices, and employs nearly 100 people.
Yokoy provides a platform that automates spend management with artificial intelligence. It combines expense management, supplier invoice management and corporate credit cards into one single intuitive tool, helping customers cut costs, save time and bring clarity to their spending.
Recently, Yokoy teamed up with Visa to launch a new debit card. Designed for all commerce-related expenses, the Yokoy Visa Business Card is available as both a physical card and a virtual product. It can be used worldwide and attracts no card fees, card account fees, transaction fees or foreign currency surcharges when used within the EU.
The company also partnered with UBS to allow UBS credit card bookings to be managed easily through the Yokoy app. In the future, UBS customers will also benefit from exclusive card management features.
The post 2022 Promises to Be an Exciting Year for These 6 Global Swiss Fintech Startups appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/2022-promises-to-be-an-exciting-year-for-these-6-global-swiss-fintech-startups</link><guid>2513</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Tradeplus24-300x25.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>2022 Promises to Be an Exciting Year for These 6 Global Swiss Fintech Startups</dc:text></item><item><title>Leidenschaft &amp; Engagement in einem InsurTech Start-up</title><description><![CDATA[Unweigerlich gelangt man beim Wort «InsurTech Start-Up» zur Annahme, dass es sich bei einem solchen Unternehmen um ein reines Technologie Start-Up in der Versicherungsbranche handelt. Bisweilen sorgen auch technologische Meisterstücke solcher Unternehmen für grosse Beachtung, was die Grundannahme zusätzlich stärkt.
Aber auch diese Unternehmen stehen im globalen Kampf um die besten Talente und es sind die Mitarbeitenden, welche den Erfolg eines InsurTech Start-Ups ausmachen.
Es ist also weit gefehlt zu glauben, die technologischen Fähigkeiten reichen einem neuen Unternehmen in der Versicherungsbranche aus, um Fuss zu fassen. Gerade in einem regulierten Bereich wie dem Versicherungswesen braucht der Gründer oder die Gründerin schnell einmal personelle Verstärkung für eine erfolgreiche Bewältigung aller Tätigkeiten.
Dieser Moment ist für den erfolgreichen Aufbau und die langfristige Ausrichtung des Unternehmens mitentscheidend. Welche Charaktere prägen die DNA des Unternehmens? Welche Personen wollen die unternehmerische Ausrichtung eines Start-Ups mitgestalten? Mit solchen und weiteren Fragen ist simpego als grösstes Schweizer Start-Up in der InsurTech-Szene täglich konfrontiert.
Technology photo created by rawpixel.com &#8211; www.freepik.com
So hat simpego schon von allem Anfang an grossen Wert daraufgelegt, seine Mitarbeitenden nicht nur anhand der funktionsbezogenen Fähigkeiten zu rekrutieren. Mindestens gleich wichtig ist simpego nebst unternehmerischem Handeln, eine hohe Sozialkompetenz, Teamfähigkeit und vor allem Leidenschaft. Die Selbstmotivation erhält bei simpego einen enorm hohen Stellenwert und führt dazu, dass Mitarbeitende zwar ihren Kernaufgaben nachgehen, darüber hinaus jedoch an zahlreichen weiteren Themen gemeinsam arbeiten.
Nicht weil sie müssen, sondern ganz schlicht und einfach, weil Mitarbeitende sich einbringen wollen. Und dies geschieht auf allen Funktionsstufen. So können zum Beispiel mehrere Geschäftsleitungsmitglieder bei simpego selbst programmieren.
Dementsprechend ist auch der Umgang mit und zwischen den Mitarbeitenden ein Erfolgsrezept eines Unternehmens. Bei simpego sind es die Mitarbeitenden selbst, welche die Zusammenarbeit definieren. Dies geschieht nicht etwa in stundenlangen Workshops, sondern direkt im täglichen Betrieb über Mitarbeitende, welche das Team begeistern und die Zusammenarbeit aktiv beeinflussen. Deshalb macht simpego diesbezüglich auch keine Vorgaben. Denn das positive Miteinander wird zusammen täglich gelebt: ehrlich, direkt und schnörkellos.
Die Homeoffice-Pflicht während der Corona-Pandemie hat weder den Zusammenhalt des simpego Teams noch das erfolgreiche Vorantreiben von Projekten beeinträchtigt. Ein Grund dafür ist sicherlich auch die Tatsache, dass man sich bei simpego für die Mitarbeitenden interessiert. Die Mitarbeitendenbefragung 2021 mit einer stolzen Teilnahmequote von 100% wurde dazu genutzt, um gemeinsam das Arbeitskonzept der Zukunft zu skizzieren.
Ein Arbeitskonzept, das nicht unzählige Regeln besitzt, sondern das wenige, aber gezielte Bedürfnisse und Rahmenbedingen in Einklang bringt. So konnten die Mitarbeitenden ihre Erwartungen an das Führungsteam formulieren: Zum Beispiel bestimmen die Mitarbeitenden für sich selbst, wie viele Tage Büropräsenz überhaupt noch gewünscht werden oder wie die Arbeitsplätze ausgestattet sein sollen. Die Involvierung aller Mitarbeitenden und die ehrliche Auseinandersetzung mit ihren Anliegen ist das oberste Gebot.
Fazit
Der technologische Vorsprung einer jungen InsurTech-Crew reicht nicht, um ein erfolgreiches Unternehmen zu werden. Dazu braucht es Mitarbeitende, welche mit ihren charakterlichen Fähigkeiten und ihrem Know-how ein junges Unternehmen mitgestalten möchten.
Diese zu finden, und zu halten, geht nur mit Rahmenbedingungen, welche nicht aus starren und vorgegebenen Regeln bestehen, sondern das positive Miteinander fördern. Und zu guter Letzt sind auch bei einem technologiegetriebenen Arbeitgeber die richtigen Mitarbeitenden die beste Voraussetzung, um für seine Kundinnen und Kunden die besten Lösungen und den besten Service anbieten zu können.
 
Autoren:
Patrick Eugster, CEO simpego
Dr. Patrick Eugster, CEO simpego
Patrick Eugster ist Gründer und CEO von simpego. In seiner Funktion als CEO trägt er seit fünf Jahren die Gesamtverantwortung des Unternehmens und engagiert sich im digitalen Versicherungsmarkt als Vizepräsident Verband Digitalversicherung Schweiz (VDVS).
Er hat über 15 Jahre Erfahrung in verschiedenen Führungsfunktionen in der Assekuranz mit Schwerpunkt in den Bereichen Marketing, Produktmanagement, Pricing und Strategie.
 
Simon Gerber, Leiter Unternehmensentwicklung
Simon Gerber, Leiter Unternehmensentwicklung
Simon Gerber ist seit einem Jahr bei simpego und baut in seiner Rolle die Unternehmensentwicklung auf. Die Schwerpunkte liegen in der strategischen Weiterentwicklung des Unternehmens sowie im Ausbau der Partnerschaften.
In seiner über 20-jährigen Versicherungserfahrung hatte Simon Gerber verschiedene Verantwortlichkeiten als Fachspezialist, Projekt- und Abteilungsleiter in den Bereichen Produktmanagement, Unternehmens- und Geschäftsentwicklung sowie in der Beratungsindustrie.
 
 
 
 
 
The post Leidenschaft &#038; Engagement in einem InsurTech Start-up appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/leidenschaft-engagement-in-einem-insurtech-start-up</link><guid>2512</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/simpego-insurance.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Leidenschaft &amp; Engagement in einem InsurTech Start-up</dc:text></item><item><title>US Federal Reserve Releases Discussion Paper on Central Bank Digital Currency</title><description><![CDATA[Recent technological advances including blockchain, cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) have ushered a wave of new private-sector financial products and services, paving the way for rapid developments in money.
While dozens of countries are already in the development and operational phases of their own digital currencies, the US has taken a more wary approach to the matter.
On January 20, 2022, the Federal Research Board released its long-anticipated discussion paper on the potential benefits and risks of issuing a retail central bank digital currency (CBDC).
Though the central bank emphasizes that “no decisions have been made on whether to pursue a CBDC,” it notes that a digital currency could bring a number of benefits.
Chicago Federal Reserve Bank Building, image via Unsplash
Benefits of a retail CBDC
For one, a CBDC could potentially serve as a new foundation for the payment system, providing a base for private-sector innovations to meet current and future needs and demands.
A CBDC could also help level the playing field in payment innovation, enabling smaller firms to just focus on creating new access services, distribution methods and related service offerings, rather than spend resources in issuing their own private money.
By introducing simplified distribution channels and creating additional opportunities for collaboration and interoperability, a retail CBDC could help improve cross-border payments, though realizing these improvements would require international coordination to set out common standards and guidelines.
By lowering transaction costs, a US-issued CBDC could potentially improve financial inclusion and help lower-income households. And since it would complement cash, a digital currency could extend public access to safe central bank money.
Risks and policy considerations for a CBDC
Though a retail CBDC could bring a number of benefits to the public, it could also introduce a number of risks and challenges, the paper says.
For one, a digital currency could change the structure of the US financial system, and cause a shift in deposits away from banks. This could in turn increase bank funding expenses and reduce credit availability or raise credit costs for individuals and businesses.
Moreover, the ability to quickly convert other forms of money, including deposits at commercial banks, into CBDC could make runs on financial firms more likely or more severe, especially during times of stress in the financial system.
A CBDC could also affect monetary policy implementation and interest rate control by altering the supply of reserves in the banking system.
Finally, operational disruptions and cybersecurity risks will need to be addressed.
The 4 key properties for a retail CBDC
The paper outlines the four key properties the Federal Reserve believes a retail CBDC should have. For one, it should ensure consumer privacy all the while affording the transparency necessary to detect criminal activity.
It should also follow an intermediated model where the private sector would be able to openly offer CBDC-related services such as accounts and wallets to facilitate the management of holdings and payments. Potential intermediaries could include commercial banks and regulated non-bank financial service providers, the paper says.
The digital currency should be a widely accessible means of payment that’s readily transferable between different intermediaries. Transfers should be fast and efficient, and a retail CBDC should be able to move freely throughout the economy.
Finally, it should be designed to comply with rules related to money laundering and the financing of terrorism. This would mean that CBDC intermediaries would need to verify the identity of a person accessing the digital currency, like a bank would verify the identities of their customers.
Moving forward
The discussion paper is part of the Federal Reserve’s ongoing research on digital currency. The central bank says it is currently engaged in a number of experiment revolving around the technology.
One involves the development of a hypothetical CBDC that would leverage existing infrastructure and technology. Another one explores possible designs for a CBDC that would leverage newer technologies such as blockchain. The Federal Reserve is also looking into the use of distributed ledger technology (DLT) for wholesale payments.
The Federal Reserve is inviting comments from the public until May 20, 2022.

The post US Federal Reserve Releases Discussion Paper on Central Bank Digital Currency appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/us-federal-reserve-releases-discussion-paper-on-central-bank-digital-currency</link><guid>2511</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Chicago-Federal-Reserve-Bank-Building-1024x683.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>US Federal Reserve Releases Discussion Paper on Central Bank Digital Currency</dc:text></item><item><title>14 Fintech Startups Selected For F10 Incubation Program Batch VIII</title><description><![CDATA[F10 Switzerland’s eighth batch of early-stage startups selected for the F10 flagship incubation program reflects the innovative FinTech and InsurTech potential and the relevant trends in this sector, covering solutions in areas such as Metaverse, Sustainability, Wealth Management, InsurTech and Investing.
During the program, which starts on 14th of February, the startups will work intensively to validate their idea, work on go-to-market strategies, receive pitch training and cover investment and fundraising. During the Masterclasses, the startups will receive world-class coaching and gain access to a vast network of mentors, experts and investors. The 5-month Incubation program culminates in the Demo Day on the 30th of June.
The cohort includes 14 disruptive, pre-seed and seed startups from 6 countries, 9 from Switzerland.
“I am very excited to join the innovation squad at F10 as Startup Success Lead. I’m looking forward to working with the founders of Incubation Batch VIII and the visionary managers at our Corporate Partners who are challenging the status quo together”,
says F10 Startup Coach Melih Vatansever about the upcoming batch.
Meet the 14 startups of Incubation Batch VIII:

Addmin (CH)

Addmin is a modern document management system democratizing access to advanced files’ organization for entrepreneurs, SMEs &amp; high-demanding individuals while ensuring bigger companies and online services can custom-build on top of its privacy-proof platform.

Clear Contracts (USA)

Clear Contracts provides a no code solution for individuals and organizations to create, manage, and execute financial smart contracts.

distriBind (UK)

Open banking for insurance –automated data exchange of any insurance transaction from distribution to capacity.

Modus3 (LU)

Modus3 is building an online platform for companies around the world to comply with regulations.

Pelt8 (CH)

Pelt8 enables organizations to aggregate their sustainability data, enrich it with suppliers&#8217; information, and share it in various formats with any stakeholder -all on one platform.

Rivvi (CA)

Rivvi is a fintech platform that couples payroll processes with financial wellness.

Splint Invest (CH)

Splint Invest is a B2B2C platform, where customers can buy tokens of alternative investments. Combining smart contracts, DLT and AI, we tokenize real-world assets effortless and fully automated.

terminos (CH)

Insurance companies take months and spend thousands of dollars to create terms and conditions for every policy program, terminos is a platform that let them create, localize and translate these documents in minutes instead of months and for a fraction of the cost.

STOverse (CH)

STOverse is a blockchain-based fundraising platform for innovative SMEs. They solve two problems: 1) Restricted access to capital for SMEs by leveraging the power of Security Tokens; 2) Low liquidity for investors by bridging Security Tokens to Decentralized Exchanges where there are daily trading volumes of $2billion.

Vylto (CH)

Vylto is a DiD-based ecosystem of verified users. Consumers can use their account to make financial transactions, share health records, verify vaccination status, hold transit passes and much more.

yukii (NL)

yukii grants retail investors access to alternative assets such as private equity funds and DeFi assets to help them diversify their personal portfolios.

Cow Level (CH)

Cow Level is a Fintech- Startup for Gaming. The main project is “FiPME”, an Exchange for the virtual worlds. We enable both private &amp; business clients to trade virtual goods as if they were trading stocks at the NYSE and access market analytics on ingame economies.

Truly (CH)

Truly is a digital bank account that allows you to track, analyze and understand your carbon footprint based on your transactions and do good with every payment.

Topaz Digital (CH)

Topaz Digital satisfies soaring HNWI digital expectations with a tailored aggregation &amp; engagement platform for banks and other service providers, enabling holistic reporting and collaboration through a peerless, premium client experience.

F10 opened applications for the next F10 Incubation program and is looking for early-stage, pre-revenue Fintech &amp; Insurtech startups and exceptional founders with scalable ideas for the programs in Zurich, Singapore and Spain. The Program starts end of August 2022 in all our hubs, applications for the country of interest can be handed in here.
The post 14 Fintech Startups Selected For F10 Incubation Program Batch VIII appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/14-fintech-startups-selected-for-f10-incubation-program-batch-viii</link><guid>2509</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>14 Fintech Startups Selected For F10 Incubation Program Batch VIII</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Federal Council Makes Push for Digital Finance</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss Federal Council has released a report outlining its focus on digital finance during its meeting yesterday.
In its report, the Federal Council sets out twelve areas of action with specific measures, and instructs the Federal Department of Finance (FDF) to implement them in 2022 and subsequent years in close coordination with political circles, authorities, the private sector and academia.
The council sees the great potential for Switzerland as a business location in the digitalisation of the financial market.
It said in a statement,
&#8220;The use of new digital technologies is opening the door for new players and leading to new products on financial markets. This potentially makes them more efficient, transparent, cost-effective and client-centric.
 
However, digitalisation also carries new risks. In Switzerland, the use of new digital technologies is generally a matter for the private sector.&#8221;
The change process and the opportunities and risks identified for Switzerland as a business location mean that the confederation has to play a more active role.
The council said that the confederation should improve the framework conditions for new business models, ensure stability, integrity and international competitiveness, and promote the sustainability and interconnectedness of the financial center.
 
In line with this, the council said that the authorities should provide the best possible regulatory framework as well as be active dialogue partners for the various stakeholders and coordinate where necessary.
The stakeholders include financial institutions, consumers, suppliers, innovative startups, globally active technology companies, academia and operators of decentralised networks and
They should also work on cross-cutting issues with regard to the competitiveness and risks of the Swiss financial center, specifically with respect to the use of data, clouds, distributed ledger technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, green fintech, teaching and research.
 
Featured image: Edited from Unsplash 
The post Swiss Federal Council Makes Push for Digital Finance appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-federal-council-makes-push-for-digital-finance</link><guid>2499</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Federal Council Makes Push for Digital Finance</dc:text></item><item><title>Google Cloud Meets Digital Assets and Crypto Payments</title><description><![CDATA[Blockchain technology is yielding tremendous innovation and value creation for consumers and businesses around the world. As the technology becomes more mainstream, companies need scalable, secure, and sustainable infrastructure on which to grow their businesses and support their networks. Google Cloud believes it can play an important role in this evolution.
Building on their existing work with blockchain developers, exchanges, and other companies in this space, Google Cloud announced a new dedicated Digital Assets Team within Google Cloud to support our customers’ needs in building, transacting, storing value, and deploying new products on blockchain-based platforms. This new team will enable our customers to accelerate their efforts in this emerging space and help underpin the blockchain ecosystems of tomorrow.
Payments Using Crypto Meets Google Cloud
Blockchain and distributed-ledger-based companies like Hedera, Theta Labs, and Dapper Labs have already chosen to build on top of Google Cloud for scalability, flexibility, and security. Moving forward, Google Cloud’s Digital Assets Team will undertake a number of short- and long-term initiatives to support companies in the digital assets/blockchain ecosystem, including:

Providing dedicated node hosting/remote procedure call (RPC) nodes for developers, allowing users to deploy blockchain validators on Google Cloud via a single click (“click to deploy”).
Participating in node validation and on-chain governance with select partners.
Helping developers and users host their nodes on the cleanest cloud in the industry, supporting their environmental, social, and governance initiatives.
Supporting on-chain governance via participation from Google Cloud executives and senior engineers.
Hosting several public BigQuery datasets on our Marketplace, including full blockchain transaction history for Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, Dash, Litecoin, Zcash, Theta, Hedera Hashgraph, Band Protocol, Polygon, XRP, and Dogecoin.
Driving co-development and integration into Google’s robust partner ecosystem, including participating in the Google Cloud Marketplace.
Embracing joint go-to-market initiatives with our ecosystem partners where Google Cloud can be the connective tissue between traditional enterprise and blockchain technologies.

Google Cloud will build out their team and is also exploring opportunities in the future to enable Google Cloud customers to make and receive payments using cryptocurrencies.



Blockchains and digital assets are changing the way the world stores and moves its information —as well as value. As an infrastructure provider, Google Cloud views the evolution of blockchain technology and decentralized networks today as analogous to the rise of open source and the internet 10-15 years ago. Just as open-source developments were integral to the early days of the internet, blockchain is yielding innovation and value creation for consumers and businesses. As the technology becomes more mainstream, companies will need scalable, secure infrastructure on which to grow their businesses and support their networks.
As such, Google Cloud&#8217;s technology to the blockchain market with the following principles:

Consistent with Google Cloud’s core business: We are specialists in data-powered innovation with leading infrastructure, industry solutions, and other cutting-edge technology. We pursue blockchain projects and partnerships that align with our mission and our expertise.
User trust and governance: Blockchain networks raise novel questions concerning legal compliance and user privacy. We will maintain our commitment to our users through a robust focus on privacy and user trust, as well as an uncompromising focus on compliance with applicable laws.
Network-agnostic: Google’s infrastructure will seek to preserve optionality of networks for the benefit of users.

 
This article first appeared on fintechnews.am

The post Google Cloud Meets Digital Assets and Crypto Payments appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/google-cloud-meets-digital-assets-and-crypto-payments</link><guid>2500</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Google-Cloud.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Google Cloud Meets Digital Assets and Crypto Payments</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintechs Raised US$530M in 2021, More Than Double 2020’s Total</title><description><![CDATA[In 2021, Swiss fintech funding activity regained some of its strengthen after underperforming for three years in a row.
Data from Dealroom show that Swiss fintech companies raised a total of US$530 million, up 129% from 2020. The surge followed a period of stagnation during which annual fintech funding hovered in the US$200 million – US$300 million range, after peaking in 2017 at US$532 million.
Investment by industry in Switzerland, 2015 &#8211; 2021, Source: Dealroom.co
The COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on fintech funding not just in Switzerland but globally. The downtrend started in late-2019 and continued on throughout 2020. But in 2021, the tables turned as established fintech firms completed large funding rounds.
In Switzerland, Komgo, which provides a platform that digitalizes trade finance, raised CHF 26 million in May 2021, Numbrs, a personal finance app, closed a CHF 27 million funding round in January, Yokoy, a spend management firm, raised US$26 million in October, and ZoodPay, a buy now, pay later (BNPL) completed a US$38 million Series B fundraising in November.
The momentum continued on this year with crypto banks in particular closing mega-rounds: SEBA Bank just recently secured a CHF 110 million Series C funding round, and Sygnum closed a US$90 million round.
With a valuation of US$800 million for Sygnum and between US$474 million and US$712 million for SEBA Bank, according to Dealroom, these two companies are amongst Switzerland’s 30+ potential future unicorns, a number that makes Switzerland one of the largest pools of potential future successes in Europe.
Future unicorns in Europe, Source: Dealroom.co
Despite Switzerland being a relatively small country with a population of just 8.6 million, the nation is currently home to 21 homegrown unicorns, making it one of the top hubs in Europe, behind only Germany (59), France (31), Sweden (25) and the Netherlands (24), according to Dealroom.
European ecosystems by number of unicorns (HQ location), Source: Dealroom.co
2021 fintech funding trends
The surge in fintech funding in Switzerland is reflective of global trends observed in 2021. A new report by Venture Scanner, which looks at venture capital (VC) activity globally in 2021, shows that fintech funding more than doubled from the previous record, closing the year at US$89 billion.
The three largest funding rounds completed in 2021 went towards Swedish BNPL leader Klarna (US$1 billion), German digital bank N26 (US$900 million), and German neobroker Trade Republic (US$900 million).
Fintech funding in 2021, Source: Venture Scanner, Dec 2021
Fintech exits also reached a new high, with 168 transactions in 2021, against a little over 100 deals in 2020 and just about 70 in 2019.
Notable initial public offerings (IPOs) in 2021 included payment processing company Marqeta, stock trading platform Robinhood, and cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase.
UK cross-border transfer specialist Wise, formerly TransferWise, listed in London via a direct listing, while companies including SoFi, an online personal finance company, Payoneer, a digital payment company, and Dave, a banking app, started trading last year after merging with special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs).
Fintech exits in 2021, Source: Venture Scanner, Dec 2021
Insurtech, regtech and blockchain are other tech markets that saw soaring funding activity in 2021.
Annual funding into blockchain companies recorded staggering growth, closing at US$18 billion and surpassing the total raised between 2017 and 2020. The top three funding events last year included Nydig’s US$1 billion round, FTX’s US$900 million round and Forte’s US$725 million.
Blockchain funding in 2021, Source: Venture Scanner, Dec 2021
Insurtech companies raised a total of US$20 billion, nearly tripling from the previous annual high, while regtech funding nearly doubled, reaching US$11 billion.
The post Swiss Fintechs Raised US$530M in 2021, More Than Double 2020’s Total appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintechs-raised-us530m-in-2021-more-than-double-2020s-total</link><guid>2501</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Investment-by-industry-in-Switzerland-2015-2021-Source-Dealroom.co_.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Fintechs Raised US$530M in 2021, More Than Double 2020’s Total</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Insurtech Firm Helvengo Raised Over CHF 4.2 Million in Seed Funding Round</title><description><![CDATA[Helvengo, a Zurich-based insurtech company focused on small and mid-size enterprises (SMEs) has secured over CHF 4.2 million in a seed financing round.
The round was led by TX Ventures, the VC arm of Swiss media company TX Group, which is further expanding its fintech portfolio.
Postfinance Ventures, Seed X, Hypoport, Anamcara Capital, Plug and Play, Conny&amp;Co and various business angels had also joined the funding round.
The company will use the new funds to further develop its products in Switzerland and expand into Germany.
Helvengo&#8217;s individual and tailor-made insurance products are aimed specifically at entrepreneurs, startups and SMEs and address several challenges that companies face when it comes to insurance.
After creating a risk analysis, Helvengo automatically compiles offers for professional liability, cyber as well as directors and officers (D&amp;O) insurance.
The company is also offering legal protection insurance which was developed in cooperation with Coop Rechtsschutz.
Vedran Pranjic
Vedran Pranjic, Co-founder of Helvengo said,
&#8220;We offer SME the opportunity to analyse and cover their risks in just a few minutes.
 
With this approach, we are making the market for corporate insurance more digital, more transparent and more cost-effective. &#8220;
Krzysztof Bialkowski, Investment Director at TX Ventures said,
Krzysztof Bialkowski
&#8220;We are convinced that Helvengo has great potential to revolutionise SME insurance in Switzerland and abroad with its innovative business model, experienced team and ecosystem approach.
 
Therefore, Helvengo is another important asset for our existing fintech portfolio, which we will continuously expand with CHF 20 million annually,&#8221;
The media mammoth had accelerated its push into consumer fintech last year by leading the CHF 5.5 million Series B financing round of crowdlending platform Lend.
TX Ventures had also took point in the the Series A funding round of Selma Finance, a Swiss-Finnish startup operating a regulated digital financial advisory platform.
The post Swiss Insurtech Firm Helvengo Raised Over CHF 4.2 Million in Seed Funding Round appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-insurtech-firm-helvengo-raised-over-chf-42-million-in-seed-funding-round</link><guid>2502</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Insurtech Firm Helvengo Raised Over CHF 4.2 Million in Seed Funding Round</dc:text></item><item><title>Crypto Firm Fireblocks Raises US$550 Million, Now Valued at US$8 Billion</title><description><![CDATA[Fireblocks, a US-based platform that allows financial institutions to store, move and issue cryptocurrencies, has raised US$550 million in Series E funding, vaulting its valuation to over US$8 billion.
The funding round, co-led by D1 Capital Partners and Spark Capital with participation from General Atlantic, Index Ventures, Mammoth, CapitalG (Alphabet&#8217;s independent growth fund), Altimeter, Iconiq Strategic Partners, Canapi Ventures, and Parafi Growth Fund.
With the new funds, Fireblocks intends to continue its strategic expansion, broaden its alliances, add to its client base and stakeholders, and extend its ecosystem.
With US$2 trillion in digital assets transferred, the Fireblocks&#8217; platform now supports more than 20 blockchains and 1,000 cryptocurrencies,
In the last year, Fireblocks grew from 150 to over 800 customers around the world, with institutions in the Asia Pacific and Europe, the Middle East, and Africa regions.
The Fireblocks Network, which connects members to the crypto capital markets ecosystem and enables instant settlements, is used by customers such as Bank of New York Mellon, Revolut, Galaxy Digital, Crypto.com, BlockFi, Deribit, eToro, CoinShares, SwissBorg, 3AC, B2C2 and more.
To date, Fireblocks customers have amassed US$45 billion assets under custody on the platform.
Michael Shaulov
&#8220;The adoption of cryptocurrencies across the financial and commercial sectors is going to accelerate in 2022, and Fireblocks&#8217; mission is to be a strategic partner for these new market entrants.
 
The new round of financing will accelerate our ability to support our clients globally, as well as heavily invest in innovation for DeFi, NFTs and payments, and allow new and established financial institutions to employ direct custody rather than relying on third parties, which will increase their competitive advantage.&#8221;
said Michael Shaulov, CEO of Fireblocks.

 
The post Crypto Firm Fireblocks Raises US$550 Million, Now Valued at US$8 Billion appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crypto-firm-fireblocks-raises-us550-million-now-valued-at-us8-billion</link><guid>2503</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/AM.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Crypto Firm Fireblocks Raises US$550 Million, Now Valued at US$8 Billion</dc:text></item><item><title>UBS Acquires Digital Wealth Manager Wealthfront for 1.4 Billion USD</title><description><![CDATA[Today, UBS and Wealthfront, an automated wealth management provider, signed an agreement whereby UBS would acquire Wealthfront in an all-cash transaction valued at $1.4 billion.
With over $27 billion in assets under management and more than 470,000 clients in the US, Wealthfront’s platform helps clients easily manage their wealth by providing access to financial planning capabilities, banking services and investment management solutions.
Ralph Hamers
“Adding Wealthfront’s capabilities and client base to our global investment ecosystem will significantly boost our ability to grow our business in the US,”
said Ralph Hamers, Group Chief Executive Officer of UBS.
“Wealthfront complements our core business in the US providing wealth management to high net worth and ultra high net worth investors through trusted relationships with financial advisors, and will enhance our long-term ambition to deliver a scalable, digital-led wealth management solution to affluent investors.”
Wealthfront’s primary focus is on millennial and Gen Z investors, a client segment with significant domestic growth potential. With more than 130 million investors in the US alone, millennials and the Gen Z population together comprise a high growth segment that will own an increasing share of the world’s wealth. As UBS looks to establish and grow relationships with additional affluent clients, Wealthfront’s capabilities will become the foundation of its new digital offering which will also include access to remote human advice. In addition, Wealthfront will expand UBS’s existing offering through the firm’s Wealth Advice Center, which focuses on serving core affluent clients, and its Workplace Wealth Solutions business, which works with employees of corporate clients on equity plan participation, financial education and retirement programs.
David Fortunato
“Partnering with UBS will allow Wealthfront to offer our clients additional value-added services and best in class research that will help accelerate our vision to make growing wealth delightfully easy,”
said David Fortunato, Chief Executive Officer of Wealthfront.
“We couldn’t be more excited to have found a strategic partner who has the same view on the power of technology as we do. We look forward to providing our service to even more millennial and Gen Z investors.”
Wealthfront’s existing clients will see no immediate change. In addition to investing services, clients will also continue to have access to Wealthfront’s banking services, including securities-backed loans, instant transfers to investment accounts, direct deposit, bill pay, and transfer services.
Wealthfront will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of UBS and will operate as a business within UBS Global Wealth Management Americas. The transaction is currently expected to close in the second half of 2022, subject to closing conditions including regulatory approvals.
UBS Investment Bank is serving as financial advisor to UBS and Sullivan &amp; Cromwell is acting as legal counsel. Qatalyst Partners is serving as Wealthfront’s exclusive financial advisor and Fenwick &amp; West is acting as legal counsel.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ubs-acquires-digital-wealth-manager-wealthfront-for-14-billion-usd</link><guid>2504</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>UBS Acquires Digital Wealth Manager Wealthfront for 1.4 Billion USD</dc:text></item><item><title>Project Helvetia Successfully Integrates DLT-Backed Wholesale CBDC Into Existing Core Banking Systems</title><description><![CDATA[In Switzerland, Phase II of Project Helvetia has been completed, successfully demonstrating that it is possible to integrate a wholesale CBDC (wCBDC) running on a distributed ledger technology (DLT) platforms into existing core banking systems.
Kickstarted in 2020, Project Helvetia is an experimental initiative by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) Innovation Hub Swiss Centre, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) and financial infrastructure operator SIX that focuses on exploring central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).
Phase I, completed in late 2020, showed that a Swiss franc wCBDC could be issued and transferred under Swiss law on a near-live DLT test platform, in this case, the SIX Digital Exchange (SDX).
Phase II, the last part of the project, expanded the experimentation to add commercial banks and integrated wCBDC into their core banking systems and that of the central bank to run transactions from end to end.
The tests covered a wide-range of transactions in Swiss francs, including interbank and monetary policy, and successfully supported the settlement of international transactions.
The transactions ran through test systems of SDX, the Swiss real-time gross settlement system – SIX Interbank Clearing (SIC) – and core banking systems of five banks, namely Citi, Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs, Hypothekarbank Lenzburg and UBS.
﻿
In a report released on January 13, 2022, the organizations detail findings from the experiment, noting that while it is complex but feasible to establish interoperability between DLT-based and traditional systems, it also raises a series of considerations for both central banks and commercial banks, covering, among other things, the specification of interfaces, messaging standards, booking and reconciliation procedures.
Public and private law questions were also raised, especially when wCBDC are issued on a third-party DLT platform and when delegating tasks related to wCBDC to the operator of the infrastructure, the paper says.
In addition to these immediate considerations, a transition towards a tokenized financial ecosystem could introduce broader issues.
For one, increased market activity and a booming tokenization ecosystem could lead to a surge in the number of platforms and settlement assets, increasing choice and competition, and ultimately, introducing greater fragmentation. Hence, exploration of interoperability between DLT-based and traditional systems is crucial at this stage, the paper reads.
Liquidity management challenges also exit. Instant gross settlement, a mechanism often implemented on tokenized asset platforms, requires prefunding of the asset leg and the cash leg. This could alter market structures and require significant amount of liquidity for settlement, potentially fragmenting the supply of liquidity, it says.
Commenting on the completion of Phase II Project Helvetia, Richard Turrin, a best-selling author and top fintech influencer, wrote in a LinkedIn post:
“Many still see blockchain, tokenization, CBDCs as tech for a distant future … Project Helvetia shows how a tokenized wholesale CBDC is not a ‘pipedream’ but a real system … The future isn’t 10 years off, it’s now.”
He added that while the SNB has made it clear that Project Helvetia was “purely experimental,” stating previously that there was no need for a digital Swiss franc at the moment since “the current payment system works well,” Turrin said he “doubts the SNB&#8217;s time and effort will be wasted.”
The completion of Project Helvetia followed the successful conclusion of Project Jura, an initiative that sought to explore the direct transfer of euro and Swiss franc wCBDCs between French and Swiss commercial banks on a single DLT platform operated by a third party.
Project Jura involved the SNB, Banque de France, and the BIS Innovation Hub, and was conducted in collaboration with a group of private sector firms comprising Accenture, Credit Suisse, Natixis, R3, SIX Digital Exchange and UBS.
This week, the BIS Innovation Hub unveiled its work program for 2022, among which an upcoming initiative called Project Titus which will be led by the organization’s Swiss hub. No further details have been released at this stage.
Another project being led by the Swiss center is Project Rio, which seeks to develop a prototype of a central bank-specific, real-time capable market monitoring platform.
The post Project Helvetia Successfully Integrates DLT-Backed Wholesale CBDC Into Existing Core Banking Systems appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/project-helvetia-successfully-integrates-dlt-backed-wholesale-cbdc-into-existing-core-banking-systems</link><guid>2505</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Project Helvetia Successfully Integrates DLT-Backed Wholesale CBDC Into Existing Core Banking Systems</dc:text></item><item><title>UK’s Crypto Index Series Pockets Seed Funding From coinIX and F10 Investment</title><description><![CDATA[German investment company coinIX and F10 Investment, the investment arm of fintech incubator F10, have jointly poured in seed investment into the Crypto Index Series (CIS).
CIS is a UK startup that had successfully graduated from the F10 Incubation Programme in Zurich in December last year.
The startup provides institutional-grade, AI-driven data, trading and monitoring tools for crypto asset markets.
CIS simplifies daily operations for asset managers, wealth managers and crypto solution providers by providing in-depth, reliable and trustworthy data, indicators and benchmarks, access to multiple trading venues as well as tools to manage multiple portfolios.
This allows institutions to focus on their main strategic activities rather than spend time and resources tackling technological challenges in the market data, trading and portfolio space.
CIS is also acting as a crypto data contributor for Refinitiv which operates under the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG).
The company lays the foundation for institutional investors and technology providers to facilitate professional data analysis, trading and monitoring of cryptocurrencies and incorporate it into their existing structures and trading systems.
Susanne Fromm
Susanne Fromm, CEO of coinIX said,
&#8220;As Bloomberg does for traditional capital markets, Crypto Index Series provides data on the crypto market, adding tremendous value for institutional capital in analyzing and trading cryptocurrencies.”
Marc Hauser
Marc Hauser, Head of F10 Switzerland said,
&#8220;We are proud to be part of the Crypto Index Series journey. We are convinced Gökce, Richard and the team will be successful. Their end-to-end crypto solution provides big benefits to wealth managers, asset managers and any institution looking to provide crypto offerings to their customers&#8221;,
 
The post UK’s Crypto Index Series Pockets Seed Funding From coinIX and F10 Investment appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/uks-crypto-index-series-pockets-seed-funding-from-coinix-and-f10-investment</link><guid>2506</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>UK’s Crypto Index Series Pockets Seed Funding From coinIX and F10 Investment</dc:text></item><item><title>J.P. Morgan to Acquire a Stake in Viva Wallet</title><description><![CDATA[J.P. Morgan announced that it has entered into an agreement with Athen based Viva Wallet, a leading European cloud-based payments fintech company, and its existing shareholders to acquire an ownership stake of approximately 49%, subject to regulatory approvals. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Takis Georgakopoulos
“We are very excited to make a strategic investment in Viva Wallet to support their vision to empower new growth and payments innovation targeted at European small and midsize businesses (SMBs) and middle market merchant services clients,”
said Takis Georgakopoulos, Global Head of J.P. Morgan Payments.
“The European payments landscape is fragmented yet large in terms of opportunity, with more than 17 million merchants1 ready to implement scalable payments solutions and this is a big focus area for added growth for J.P. Morgan Payments in the future.&#8221;
Founded in 2000, Viva Wallet is headquartered in Athens, Greece, and focuses on serving SMBs in 23 countries. The company built a proprietary, cloud-based payments platform that is able to offer a broad array of value-added services to merchants including tap to device technology, merchant cash advance, bill pay, expense management, virtual debit card issuance, cash disbursement, gift cards and loyalty.
Haris Karonis
“Viva Wallet’s mission is to change the way businesses pay and get paid in Europe with cutting edge technology, unprecedented agility and in-depth knowledge of the European payments landscape,”
said Haris Karonis, CEO &amp; co-founder of Viva Wallet.
“This strategic investment from J.P. Morgan’s Payments business will enable us to complete the build out of our vision to deliver fully localized payments and transactions services to SMBs across Europe.”
J.P. Morgan’s Payments business is focused on growing its omnichannel merchant acquiring capabilities offered to European SMBs. The strategic investment in Viva Wallet is a natural fit for J.P. Morgan’s Payments business – which combines corporate treasury services, trade finance, card and merchant services capabilities – to deliver an integrated payments experience to clients across the economy. The business recently unveiled its brand for SMB payments, Chase Payment Solutions, in the US and the strategic investment in Viva Wallet sets the stage to develop future international products and services across European SMBs.
 
The post J.P. Morgan to Acquire a Stake in Viva Wallet appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/jp-morgan-to-acquire-a-stake-in-viva-wallet</link><guid>2507</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>J.P. Morgan to Acquire a Stake in Viva Wallet</dc:text></item><item><title>Abacus lanciert innovative Bankkarte mit Hilfe von Yapeal und baut Beteiligung aus</title><description><![CDATA[Mit der Lancierung stellt Abacus die Vorteile der Technologie von YAPEAL all ihren Kunden zur Verfügung. Spesen und Zahlungen können in Echtzeit abgewickelt und verbucht werden. Manuelle Buchungen in der Buchhaltung erübrigen sich für diese Prozesse. Mit den über 60&#8217;000 Kunden von Abacus erhöht sich das Marktpotential von YAPEAL im B2B-Bereich substanziell.
Vollständige Integration in die neue Software
Für Abacus Kunden werden somit die Spesen- und Zahlungsprozesse deutlich günstiger, weil sie sowohl in der Buchhaltung als auch in der Archivierung vollständig integriert sind. Somit kommt Abacus ihrem Ziel, dem «Autonomous Live Accounting» einen grossen Schritt näher. Die Abacus Debit Business Visa Card wird mit der neuen Version Abacus DEEP Ende März 2022 ausgeliefert.
Keine Fremdwährungs- oder Kartengebühren
Mit der Abacus Debit Business Visa Card werden keine Karten- oder Fremdwährungsgebühren fällig. Innerhalb einer Unternehmung können die einzelnen Karten und deren Limiten selbständig verwaltet werden. Neben der physischen Visa Card können auch selbständig virtuelle Debitkarten für jedes Teammitglied für einen zusätzlichen Schutz vor Online-Betrug erstellt werden.
Dazu Claudio Hintermann
Dazu Claudio Hintermann, CEO von Abacus:
«Die zukunftsweisende Technologie von YAPEAL als einzige, vollständig in der Cloud existierende Schweizer Fintech-Bank wird nicht nur die Spesen- und Zahlungsprozesse bei Schweizer KMU revolutionieren. Es ist unsere Ambition, dass unsere Kunden immer von den neuesten Technologien profitieren, deshalb bauen wir diese in die neuste Abacus Version DEEP und auch swiss21 ein».
Gleichzeitig hat Abacus bekanntgeben, dass sie die Beteilung an Yapeal erhöht haben und damit nun dort grösster Aktionär ist.
The post Abacus lanciert innovative Bankkarte mit Hilfe von Yapeal und baut Beteiligung aus appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/abacus-lanciert-innovative-bankkarte-mit-hilfe-von-yapeal-und-baut-beteiligung-aus</link><guid>2508</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Abacus lanciert innovative Bankkarte mit Hilfe von Yapeal und baut Beteiligung aus</dc:text></item><item><title>GLKB offeriert neu Freizügigkeitslösung auf für Finanzberater</title><description><![CDATA[Nach dem Start von freeME im Juli 2021 lanciert die Glarner Kantonalbank nun eine Erweiterung der Online-Freizügigkeitslösung.
Damit kommt sie dem Bedürfnis von Finanzberaterinnen und Finanzberatern entgegen und stellt als erste Anbieterin im Markt ein Online-Beratercockpit zur Verfügung, mit dem Fachspezialisten jederzeit und rund um die Uhr den Überblick über die Freizügigkeitslösungen ihrer Kundinnen und Kunden haben.
Mit freeME lancierte die Glarner Kantonalbank im Juli 2021 eine kostengünstige und komplett online ausgerichtete Freizügigkeitslösung. Heute stellt die Bank eine Erweiterung des Tools vor.
Erste Lösung mit Beratercockpit
Ab sofort steht Finanz- und Versicherungsberaterinnen und -beratern ein eigener Zugang zum Tool zur Verfügung. Damit haben sie stets den Überblick über die Freizügigkeitskonten ihrer Kundinnen und Kunden und können bei Bedarf gemeinsam mit ihrer Kundschaft Anpassungen vornehmen.
Sven Wiederkehr
«Wir haben in der Entwicklungsphase sehr viele Gespräche mit Finanzberaterinnen und Finanzberatern geführt. Dabei wurde stets der Wunsch geäussert, dass auch Beraterinnen und Berater Einblick in die Details und die Entwicklung der Freizügigkeitslösungen erhalten müssten», erläutert Sven Wiederkehr, CEO der Glarner Kantonalbank.
Mit dem Beratercockpit bekommen die Spezialisten einen eigenen Zugang zum Tool und können so jederzeit die Entwicklung der Freizügigkeitskonten mitverfolgen und entsprechend detailliert beraten oder Anpassungen vorschlagen. Zudem können sie ihre Kunden vollständig digital über das freeME Beratercockpit eröffnen.
«Die Zusatzleistungen für Beraterinnen und Berater gibt es bisher noch bei keinem anderen Anbieter auf dem Markt»,
erklärt Sven Wiederkehr.
Unabhängige Beraterliste
freeME richtet sich in erster Linie an Personen, die vor einer Veränderung wie beispielsweise dem Schritt in die Selbständigkeit, einer beruflichen Auszeit, Auswanderung oder Scheidung stehen. Sie müssen eine Lösung für die angesparten Freizügigkeitsgelder finden. Das Online-Tool bietet dafür sechs Anlagestrategien und ist erst noch kostengünstig und gewinnbringend.
«Wir stellen fest, dass bei einem so wichtigen Thema wie Freizügigkeit viele Kundinnen und Kunden zusätzlich von einem Spezialisten begleitet werden möchten»,
so Sven Wiederkehr.
Mit der neuen Beraterlösung bietet freeME nicht nur die Möglichkeit, dass der Finanzberater oder die Finanzberaterin stets Einblick in das Konto hat, zusätzlich steht auch eine Beraterliste für diejenigen zur Verfügung, die einen Spezialisten suchen. Dort sind durch Liberty und GLKB geprüfte unabhängige Finanzberaterinnen und -berater aufgeführt, die fachliche und regulatorische Kriterien erfüllen müssen. Kundinnen und Kunden haben somit die Möglichkeit, diese für eine Beratung beizuziehen.
freeME stellt den Kontakt zwischen beiden Parteien her, so dass anschliessend ein Beratungstermin vereinbart werden kann. Die Gespräche erfolgen unabhängig von freeME direkt zwischen Kunde und Berater.
 
The post GLKB offeriert neu Freizügigkeitslösung auf für Finanzberater appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/glkb-offeriert-neu-freizugigkeitslosung-auf-fur-finanzberater</link><guid>2497</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>GLKB offeriert neu Freizügigkeitslösung auf für Finanzberater</dc:text></item><item><title>Raiffeisen’s Valyo Stops Online Security Issue Platform</title><description><![CDATA[Valyo AG discontinues business activities &#8211; Raiffeisen Switzerland guarantees paying agent function for issued securities.
Valyo AG was founded in 2019 and was able to launch its platform in June 2020, which digitised the issuing process of bonds end-to-end. Shortly afterwards, the first transactions could be processed on it.
With Valyo AG, Raiffeisen Switzerland, as sole shareholder, has ventured a foray into the digitalisation of the capital market business. Unfortunately, the general conditions in recent years, the pandemic in combination with the negative interest rate environment, have presented us with additional challenges that have negatively impacted the demand for digital issues in Switzerland.
The general assembly of Valyo AG has therefore decided to dissolve Valyo AG. The paying agent function for securities already issued will be ensured by Raiffeisen Switzerland at all times.
The post Raiffeisen&#8217;s Valyo Stops Online Security Issue Platform appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/raiffeisens-valyo-stops-online-security-issue-platform</link><guid>2496</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Raiffeisen’s Valyo Stops Online Security Issue Platform</dc:text></item><item><title>“BORN IN SWITZERLAND” Swiss Original Fintech Overview Map Update: 200 Companies</title><description><![CDATA[Luc Schuurmans, Deputy CEO, Executive Management at Bank Linth,  put together an updated overview map of Fintech Companies “Born in Switzerland”.
Here are the descriptions of all the Swiss Fintechs listed in Luc’s map:
Funding
investiere is the leading European startup investment platform for qualified and institutional investors. A team of investment professionals presents the best investment opportunities on a digital platform after a rigorous due diligence process. investiere focuses on European high-tech startups. The investiere community consists of more than 4’000 qualified private investors, family offices and pension funds. Since its inception in 2010, investiere has invested over EUR 120 million in over 80 startups.
 
 
 
With the aim of giving both borrowers and lenders more freedom and control over their loans, 3circlefunding allows fwealborrowers to set loan interest rates and investors to sell loan parts in its secondary market. This makes 3circlefunding one of the few secondary market providers in Switzerland.
 
 
 
Foxstone is a Swiss real estate crowdfunding platform. The platform proposes institutional-grade real estate deals in Switzerland through three types of investments: co-ownership, co-investment and mezzanine debt with a minimum investment amount of CHF 25’000.
 
 
 

 
Bricks &amp; Bytes AG provides with crowdhouse.ch the first real estate crowd funding platform in Switzerland. By democratizing the way of being a real estate owner it makes everyone a happy landlord.
 
 

 
wemakeit.com was founded in Switzerland in February 2012 by the communication consultant Rea Eggli, the artist Johannes Gees and the interaction designer Jürg Lehni and within very short time grew into one of the largest crowdfunding platforms in Europe.
 
 
Beedoo is a platform proposing investment solutions to invest directly in the real economy, in startups &amp; SME&#8217;s, Real Estate and Impact Investing.
 
 
 
Projektstarter ist eine Crowdfunding-Plattform mit Sitz in Solothurn, welche seit dem Jahr 2011 tollen Ideen und ihren Machern eine Möglichkeit zur Finanzierung bietet. Sie ist in Besitz der Designatelier GmbH. ProjektStarter bietet den Menschen im Raum Schweiz die Möglichkeit ihre Idee oder ihr Projekt zu finanzieren.
 
 
On the platform crowdify.net Initiators present their projects and leave them there for 100 days to be funded by Boosters.
 
 
 
 
Drooms is the leading provider of data rooms in Europe, connecting professionals and information in the worlds´ real capital markets.
 
 
 
 
Go Beyond Investing brings together a group of private accredited investors dedicated to providing early-stage capital with entrepreneurs seeking investment capital. Go Beyond Investing enables novice &amp; experienced, small &amp; large investors, to access angel investing as an asset class through its unique platform, tools, training and expert angels.
 
 

 
SoSense is a pioneer in digital social innovation with offices in Zürich (Switzerland) and Berlin (Germany). They design creative and engaging concepts, implement innovative and empowering solutions and help run impactful campaigns with leverage.
 
 

 
CreditGate24 connects borrowers with private and institutional investors and offers an efficient and scalable settlement of loans. CreditGate24 operates exclusively online, with no branches or high administrative expenses in order not to diminish the yields on investment and to minimize the cost for borrowers.
 
 
Advanon is an authorized financial intermediary that is directly subordinated to FINMA (Directly Subordinated Financial Intermediary, DSFI) according to the Anti Money Laundering Act (AMLA).
 
 
 

Splendit matches students and investor in an auction process, issue documentation and manages payments through the lifetime of the loans.
 
 
 

swisspeers  ist eine unabhängige Crowdlending Plattform, die es Unternehmen erlaubt, bei Investoren direkt – also ohne Zwischen­schaltung eines Finanzinstituts – Fremdkapital zu beschaffen.
 
 
 
 

c-crowd represents a new way of financing entrepreneurs while democratising the concept of business angels, brings together innovative entrepreneurs and investors.
 
 
 

Loanboox is the independent money and capital market platform for public-sector borrowers and institutional investors. In contrast to conventional brokering, financing and investing through Loanboox is simple, transparent, safe and low cost, benefiting both borrowers and lenders alike.
 
 
 

creditworld verbindet Schweizer KMUs mit privaten sowie professionellen Investoren. KMUs profitieren von attraktiven Konditionen und fairen Vertragsbedingungen. Investoren erhalten Zugang zu einer neuen Anlageklasse mit interessanten Renditen und unterstützen dabei das Rückgrat der Schweizer Volkswirtschaft.
 
 
 
Bloomio is a digital investment platform connecting startups with individual investors. The platform allows startup founders to raise capital by tokenizing equity and gives investors the possibility to trade startup stakes through a secure blockchain-based marketplace.
 
 
 
Swiss Crowdlending FinTech for private persons and SME. Crowd Solutions is the provider of Crowd4Cash.ch the innovative Crowdlending platform. Crowd4Cash brings investors and borrower together. For better returns for the investors and lower interest rates for borrower. 100% online, easy and simply fair!
 
 
 

Acredius is an online platform that makes investors’ and borrowers’ needs meet in an unconventional, digital, intuitive and safe environment. Investors can diversify their portfolios and enjoy interesting yields. Borrowers get access to fair financing using their traditional and non-traditional data.
 
 
Lendora is a Swiss crowdlending startup. Our platform connects borrowers and investors online to make credit more accessible and investing more rewarding.
 
 
 
 
bob verbindet zuverlässige Finanzlösungen mit technischem Komfort und macht Ihnen mit seinen Online-Produkten das Leben so einfach wie möglich.
 
 
 
 
Führend in Immobilienfinanzierungen in der Schweiz Wir schaffen eine Verbindung zwischen Hypothekarkunden und institutionellen Kreditgebern und erreichen dadurch den besten Zins in Echtzeit. Dabei stehen wir für Integrität, Neutralität, Transparenz und die Sicherheit des Hypothekarmarktes. Unsere Partner zählen zu den Besten auf ihrem Gebiet, teilen unsere Werte und stehen für unternehmerisches Wachstum.
 
 
Greenmatch combines the perspectives of all market participants on one single platform and allows for an efficient interaction. Thanks to the independent, certified financial model, discussions regarding deviations between the financial models of the buyer and the seller do no longer occur. Detailed risk analysis strengthen the trust of banks and accelerate the closure of the project financing. Thus, each market participant saves valuable time and can focus more on his key competences.
 
Tradeplus24 specialises in providing Swiss KMUs with state of the art Insurance and Receivables Finance solutions. Unlike factoring, our innovative solution offers SMEs the opportunity to get a flexible credit line against their accounts receivable whilst offering them the option to insure their global accounts receivables against default. This way Swiss KMU&#8217;s can grow their export business in a financially sound and safe way, even when their buyers demand longer payment terms and want to trade own open account basis.
 
 
Systemcredit is a service provider to the lending industry. As the external rating agency, it helps SME to get suitable financing faster, at lower cost. And it enables lenders to grow their loan portfolios at reduced risk and lower process cost.
 
 
 
Cashare was founded in January 2008 as a public limited company under Swiss law, has its registered office in Hünenberg (ZG) and is registered in the commercial register of the Canton Zug. They are an approved financial intermediary pursuant to Art. 2, para. 3 of the Swiss Money Laundering Act and are audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers AG.
 
 
LEND matches investors with borrowers. Investors earn substantial returns and borrowers benefit from low interest rates. From person to person. Without a bank in the middle.
 
 
 
Teylor is a Swiss technology company focused on building better financial products for small businesses in Europe.
 
 
 
 
Aidonic is a Blockchain-powered platform for social fundraising and digital last mile distribution of humanitarian aid.

 
 
 
neocredit.ch AG is a Crowdlending platform specialised in business loans to Swiss SMEs. Thanks to the simple, fast and transparent process, SMEs can easily finance their projects. neocredit.ch AG is the only Swiss Crowdlending platform uniting two strong partners: Vaudoise Insurance and Credit.fr, a leading French crowdlending platform.

 


 
Advice

moneyguru.ch ist der digitale Assistent für private Finanzen in der Schweiz. Der Moneyguru ist von den Gründern von moneyland.ch ins Leben gerufen worden. Die unabhängige Vergleichsseite moneyland.ch ist sozusagen die Mutter, die Datenlieferantin und der Rechner von Moneyguru.
 
 
Alquant improves traditional asset management through quantitative methods and artificial intelligence for the benefit of its clients. Alquant&#8217;s purpose is to enable more and more people to enjoy greater financial prosperity by protecting and growing their assets. At Alquant, we strive for clear, sound and effective investment solutions.
 
 

Yeldo is an innovative real estate investment platform based in Zürich and in Lugano. We are specialized in professional selection of real estate assets and investment structuring.
 
 
 

Investment Navigator is operated by Investment Navigator AG based in Zurich. Investment Navigator AG works closely with fundinfo, the leading platform for information and mandatory disclosures in the fund sector.
 
 
 

InvestGlass is a 24/7 financial markets platform built with Swiss banking know-how and a predictive algorithm. Their goal is to deliver smart financial information investors need at the right time and in the right format. Equities, Bonds, Forex, ETF, Futures, News and much more…
 
 

Apiax is a compliance digitally mastered. We transform complex regulations into easy-to-use digital compliance rules.
 
 
 
 

Sentifi is a leading Crowd-Intelligence platform for financial markets globally, receiving Swiss FinTech Award 2016. Their unique approach is to structure unstructured financial data from news, blogs and social media, identify and rank the sources for their relevance and apply self-learning algorithms and a financial expert system to extract insights from the content.
 
 

At atfinity, we disrupt the way thousands of businesses manage processes: We give companies the tools to create apps for simple or complex processes themselves. Our &#8220;Excel of processes&#8221; is used to create a wide range of tools from digital onboarding solutions and KYC processes to legal request handling.
 
 

SwissMetrics is a dynamic startup from Switzerland that has a mission to enhance the way companies monitor their credit risk. As finance professionals, they have developed a SaaS platform with the aim of promoting smarter collaboration within companies to work for a common goal – saving money through risk minimization.
 
 

With diverse academic backgrounds ranging from information technology, mathematics, business administration, political sciences and philosophy, economics, design, linguistics and psychology, Adviscent‘s team of experts brings solid domain expertise on board in the banking, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and food industries.
 
 

MeetInvest seeks to democratize stock market investment with a free service that combines a social media platform and an investor toolkit, bringing in one place all the necessary resources for people to start trading like pros.
 
 
 

By leveraging technology, Dein-Anlageberater.ch provides users with personalized investment advisory services and recommendations for asset allocation at a much lower price than traditional investment advisers.
 
 
 

RealAdvisor a pour mission d’améliorer et optimiser votre expérience de vente et d’achat de biens immobiliers en Suisse grâce à des outils modernes et précis. The most reliable real estate valuation tool in Switzerland.
 
 
 

Nectar Financial, formerly Etops, is a Swiss fintech company specializing in wealth and asset management. It provides middle and back office services for more than 30 family offices, independent asset managers and banks and supports them in managing assets in excess of CHF 35 billion.
 
 
 

Riskifier makes investment risk profiling simple, fun and insightful for everyone. Our solution uses latest advances of artificial intelligence to fulfill the requirements of MiFID II/FIDLEG investor risk profiling and KYC data collection, while digitalizing &amp; gamifying user experience as well unleashing advantages of behavior based personalized investment risk profiles.
 
 
Pricehubble is a Swiss B2B proptech company that builds innovative digital solutions for the real estate industry based on property valuations and market insights. Leveraging big data, cutting-edge analytics and great visualization, PriceHubble’s products suite brings a new level of transparency in the market, enabling their customers to make real estate and investment decisions based on the most accurate data-driven insights and enhance the dialogue with end consumers.
 
 
EdgeLab is a fintech company providing an investment intelligence web platform to help financial institutions taking smarter decisions.
 
 
 

theScreener is the market leader for independent valuations of financial securities, equities, sectors and markets, and new funds.
 
 

 
Alethena is the first Swiss ICO and Blockchain-Asset Rating Agency and Due Diligence Service Provider.
With deep technical insight, vast financial market experience, and a conclusive rating methodology, Alethena bridges the gap between blockchain and established investors. As a Swiss company neutrality is a core of our culture.
 
 
As a Swiss FinTech company, we offer digital solutions for issuers to have a direct channel of communication to investors, on a global scale. Keeping up with the demands of increasingly tech-savvy investors is hard, Sharesinside aims to simplify this process, giving you more time to focus on what&#8217;s really important &#8211; your narrative.
 
 

Crypto Finance AG is a financial technology holding company founded in June 2017. The Group provides blockchain-related services through its three subsidiaries: Crypto Fund AG (Asset Management), Crypto Broker AG (Brokerage), and Crypto Storage AG (Storage).
 
 
 
The Swiss Real Estate sector is one of the most economically and politically stable in the world. It is very popular with institutional investors and remains difficult to access for private investors.
In fact, the heterogeneity of properties, their acquisition values, the complexity of financing them and the retention of information signifies that this market still remains relatively inefficient.
Based on these observations, Crowdpark SA, established on December 1st 2017 in Geneva, is an independent company specialized in Swiss Real Estate Crowd-Investing.
 
Leva sets the new standard for investment syndicates. At the intersection of finance and technology, Leva has developed a novel technology to bring investment syndicates into the 21st century. Our platform allows a fully automated syndicate creation. With Leva, syndicate leaders can conveniently onboard new investors, manage the investor base, and raise capital efficiently.
 
 
Der erste Robo Advisor für die Immobilienwirtschaft. propmatch ist die einfache Lösung zur Analyse, Bewertung und Vermittlung von Standorten, Renditeimmobilien und Grundstücken in der Schweiz.
 
 
 
Smolio ist dein Finanzbuddy. Wir begleiten dich und verkaufen keine Finanzprodukte. Anders als andere profitieren wir nicht versteckt von unseren Empfehlungen. Was du bezahlst finanziert die künftige Entwicklung von Smolio. Eben unabhängig.
 
 
 
ex indiciis believe that customer relationship is at the core of the wealth management industry. As a consequence we provide wealth managers with the necessary tools to deliver personalized content to any user interacting with the company through any digital channel.
 
 
Anova Partners provide an independent marketplace where investors and manufacturers meet to achieve better investment decisions facilitated through technologically enabled investment, risk, product management as well as execution services in order to manage your portfolio in a simple way.
 
 
Imvesters offers you concrete investments in performance real estate that will supplement your income every month.
 
 
 
 
SmartMoneyMatch.com offers two main functionalities: 1. Investments can be classified analogous to eBay and according to these criteria you can offer or demand investments. You can state what your supply is or your demand and giving other users the opportunity to search for supplied or demanded investments with the given criteria. 2. Users can mutually connect. This functionality is similar to LinkedIn with relevant criteria for the investment industry.
 
Legartis is developing an AI-based legal document life cycle solution provided as a SaaS system. It aids companies&#8217;​ legal and compliance departments, HR and procurement to review, analyze, amend and manage all legal documents throughout their entire life cycle.
 
 
 
Aisot (“AISignals and Operations in Trading”) is developping algorithms for data analytics and predictive analytics.
 
 
 
 
LumRisk is an independent company that provides state-of-the-art risk consolidation, analysis and reporting services to institutional clients. LumRisk provides risk analysis and reporting, based on full transparency into underlying instruments, on many types of investment programs, such as funds-of-hedge-funds, multi-asset programs, alternative risk premia programs and traditional long-only investments.
 

Integration
Performance Watcher Evaluating and comparing the result of one&#8217;s investment portfolio must be accessible to everyone. Our aim is to popularize and demystify a traditionally opaque field. We believe in explanations that are simple, clear and understandable to everyone. With the disappearance of Swiss banking secrecy, increased competition, the Internet and a new generation of customers the transparency of results is born.
 
 
Sygnum is a technology-driven company that empowers financial services for the digital asset economy. It develops an integrated solution to securely issue, store, trade and manage digital assets.
 
 
 

Additiv develops and implements digital innovations and business models for financial services companies – tailor-made and turnkey.
 
 
 
At SEBA, we want to build a gateway that facilitates movement of assets between the crypto and traditional financial markets for major financial investors. Our ambition is to be one of the world&#8217;s first universal, fully licensed and supervised crypto banks, offering industry leading crypto-asset financial products and services.
 
 
 

Founded in 2007, NetGuardians was the first company to emerge from the innovation incubator Y-Parc, in Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland. The company now enjoys a solid international presence with a steadily growing clientele in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
 
 
 
FundBase is a cloud-based platform to ultimately host the complete investment process for high-conviction alternative investments. Fundbase delivers to qualified investors a seamlessly integrated platform to discover, execute and monitor complex investments such as hedge funds, private equity and other high-conviction investments.
 
 

Pure Value Metrics provides active investors with a unique combination of Global Equity Portfolio Selection, Market Insight, Online Trading and discretionary Voice Execution.
 
 
 

ADDFIN is a business solution for professional investors who seek to benefit and leverage on the full potential offered by digitalization and information technology in order to standardize the workflow, processes and procedures.
 
 
 

Centralway Numbrs is a customer-centric financial services company. It enables its customers to manage their existing bank accounts and personal finances and to buy any financial product from every provider at the best possible price.
 
 
 

Monetas develops technologies that empower people to live and do business with greater f]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/born-in-switzerland-swiss-original-fintech-overview-map-update-200-companies</link><guid>2495</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/finpension-AG.jpeg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>“BORN IN SWITZERLAND” Swiss Original Fintech Overview Map Update: 200 Companies</dc:text></item><item><title>Goldman Sachs Paper: Gaming and Media Industry Leads Metaverse Race</title><description><![CDATA[The metaverse, a concept that refers to a shared, immersive virtual environment facilitated by the use of VR and augmented reality (AR) headsets, has emerged into one of the hottest trends in the corporate world, becoming something startups and large companies alike began actively focusing on.
In October 2021, Facebook announced its rebranding to Meta Platforms to reflect the company’s push to build an avatar-filled virtual world. Meanwhile, Microsoft has chosen to focus on enterprises, announcing in March Mesh, a metaverse software feature which it plans to integrated into its videoconferencing app, Teams, later this year.
Across the world, in Asia, bigtechs including Baidu, Tencent and Alibaba are too investing in different pieces of that virtual future: Tencent, has invested in Roblox, a leading gaming firm and metaverse developer; NetEase, an Internet technology firm, is backing metaverse social network IMVU; and Baidu, a leading search engine provider, launched its metaverse just last month, allowing users to interact and visit virtual locations through avatars.
The metaverse has also caught the attention of investors, which poured more than US$10 billion into related startups in 2021, a significant jump from the US$5.9 billion companies in the sector raised in 2020, data from Crunchbase show.
Gaming and media firms take the lead
Though companies from all sectors and of all sizes have joined the metaverse frenzy, gaming firms appear to be taking the lead, a new report by Goldman Sachs Research says.
Often viewed solely through the lens of video games, companies such as Roblox and Epic Games have been pioneers in virtual experiences. These have capitalized on the shift to digital channels induced by the pandemic to further blur the lines between the virtual and physical worlds.
Roblox, for example, has seen accelerated adoption among brands across sectors including fashion and beauty, entertainment, sports and retail, in an effort to connect with a large, diverse and engaged user base through immersive experiences.
In May 2021, the gaming company teamed up with Gucci to recreate the Gucci Garden in Florence virtually. Players were able to shed their avatars transforming into mannequins, allowing visitors to try on different Gucci virtual items which they could then purchase.
Another example is Roblox’s partnership with Nike, which focused on building Nikeland, a virtual space that includes fields, arenas, and courts for game play and product showrooms.
Virtual events and parties have also been held on Roblox, allowing for artists and labels such as Sony and Lil Nas X to connect with fans.
In addition to gaming platforms, communication apps and media platforms also appear to have a head start in the metaverse race, having capitalized on the large-scaled adoption of their social media channels, and early investments in data center infrastructure as well as VR/AR technology.
Time spent by app and app category, Source: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research, Dec 2021
In 2014, Meta Platforms acquired Oculus for US$2.4 billion as its first foray into VR products. Since then, other acquisitions have followed suit, including Downpour Interactive, Ready at Dawn, Sanzaru Games, Beat Games, BigBox VR, and most recently, Within, the developer of Supernatural, a VR fitness app that can be used with Oculus Quest headsets, and ImagineOptix, a specialist in optical technologies that can be used in VR/AR devices.
Meta Platforms is planning to release a new VR headset called Project Cambria later this year. The device will be a high-end product and will be packed with the latest advanced technologies, including improved social presence, color Passthrough and pancake optics, the firm said in a blog post.
In addition, Meta Platforms is working on its first full-fledged AR glasses, an initiative that’s been code-named Project Nazare.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/goldman-sachs-paper-gaming-and-media-industry-leads-metaverse-race</link><guid>2493</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Time-spent-by-app-and-app-category-Source-Goldman-Sachs-Global-Investment-Research-Dec-2021.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Goldman Sachs Paper: Gaming and Media Industry Leads Metaverse Race</dc:text></item><item><title>Philippines’ UnionBank Picks METACO to Set Up Its Digital Asset Custody Operations</title><description><![CDATA[The Union Bank of the Philippines has selected METACO, a provider of security-critical software and infrastructure to the digital asset ecosystem, to implement its digital asset management services.
The bank will leverage METACO Harmonize which is its digital asset orchestration system to manage its digital asset operations.
METACO Harmonize enables institutions to manage a range of end-to-end digital asset use cases from cryptocurrency custody and trading to tokenisation, smart contract management and decentralised finance (DeFi).
With this move, UnionBank can improve insurability with additional FIPS 140-2 Level 4 certified physical controls for managing and migrating keys, mitigate potential operational risk and loss events through trusted threshold signatures and hardened policies, and address insider collusions with third-party audited source code deployments.
UnionBank will be deploying the services on IBM Cloud which is fully integrated with METACO Harmonize.
This partnership with UnionBank follows the recent opening of METACO’s Asia Pacific headquarters in Singapore.
Patrick Enjalbal
Patrick Enjalbal, VP Customer Success and MD, APAC at METACO commented,
“We are proud further to expand our significant presence in APAC, with Union Bank of the Philippines, a national leader in banking services. METACO continues to grow at a significant pace.
 
With the recent launch of our APAC headquarters in Singapore, we can ensure that we continue to offer best-in-class services to UnionBank and other customers and partners in the region.”
Henry Aguda
Henry Aguda, UnionBank’s Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Technology &amp; Operations Officer and Chief Transformation Officer said,
“We have the passion for meaningful and sustainable reinvention. We value our strategic partners, like METACO, and collaborate with them in an alliance that is meaningful in pursuit of a common vision.
 
And for UnionBank, that common vision is customer centricity driven by emerging technologies and innovation.&#8221;
 
This article first appeared on Fintech News Philippines. 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/philippines-unionbank-picks-metaco-to-set-up-its-digital-asset-custody-operations</link><guid>2491</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Philippines’ UnionBank Picks METACO to Set Up Its Digital Asset Custody Operations</dc:text></item><item><title>Meta Advances Work on Diem; Alphabet Shifts Focus on APAC Payment Market</title><description><![CDATA[These past few years have seen American bigtechs continuing to make inroads into fintech, teaming up with legacy financial institutions to embed financial services into their platforms, and taking part in strategic funding rounds to get their hands on the latest tech.
In 2020, US bigtech investments in fintech companies reached US$2.2 billion, data from CB Insights show. Though the amount represents a 4% drop from the previous year, deal count increased 52% year-over-year (YoY) hitting 32 deals.
Total disclosed fintech funding that involved participation from big tech venture arms 2016 – June 10, 2021, Source: CB Insights, The Big Tech In Fintech Report
In 2021, Alphabet, Google&#8217;s parent company, and Meta, the owner of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and other social media and technology brands, continued to grow their payment businesses with a view of establishing e-commerce powerhouses. While Facebook pursue its work on advancing its stablecoin plans, it appears that Google is putting an halt on its banking plans, shifting instead its focus on the Asia Pacific (APAC) region’s payment and remittance market.
Meta builds out e-commerce business
Meta Platforms has been focusing on strengthening its payment business as part of a broader push to develop a full-featured commerce platform.
In 2020, the firm launched Facebook Shops, allowing business profiles to easily set up a single online store for customers to access on both Facebook and Instagram. Customers can pay through Facebook Pay and carry their payment credentials from one app to another. After its introduction to the US market, Facebook Shops was rolled out to businesses in the UK and Canada last year.
Facebook Shops
Meta has been dabbling in fintech for couple of years now. Facebook Pay was introduced in 2019 as a way to establish a payment system that expands across the company’s apps for peer-to-peer (P2P) payments, donations and e-commerce. In 2020, the firm began rolling out payment functionalities on its WhatsApp messaging platform, starting with India and Brazil.
In tandem, a new blockchain division was set up to research and work on a cryptocurrency project. This would later become Diem, formerly known as Libra, an initiative aimed at developing a blockchain-powered payment system and stablecoin to facilitate transactions across Meta platforms.
Digital wallet Novi began trialing in October 2021, allowing a small group of users in the US and Guatemala to send and receive money using the Paxos USD stablecoin (USDP). Novi is designed for the Diem payment system, and the company plans to replace USDP with the Diem stablecoin at some point.
The Novi pilot was extended to WhatsApp last month, letting users transact directly through the messaging app.
Both Facebook Pay and Diem are overseen by Facebook Financial (F2), a division formed in 2020 to manage all of the firm’s payment efforts and establish coherence in its payment strategy.
Facebook’s parent company changed its corporate name to Meta Platforms in October 2021 as part of a major rebrand. The company said it will shift its focus toward building the metaverse, an immersive virtual environment. This ultimately led in December 2021 to the acquisition of the Meta Financial Group, an US regional bank that operates through its banking subsidiary MetaBank, for a whopping US$60 million.
Google puts a focus on APAC
After scrapping plans to launch bank accounts, Google&#8217;s parent company Alphabet appears to have shifted its focus on strengthening its payment business in the Asian continent.
News broke in July 2021 that the tech giant was working on the acquisition of Tokyo-based cashless payment and settlement startup Pring, reported Nikkei. The 20-30 billion yen (US$180 million to US$270 million) deal aims for Google to start offering fintech services such as payments and transfers in Japan this year.
This built on similar payment initiatives the firm undertook in 2021, including its entry into the remittance market last year through a partnership with Wise and Western Union. The partnership has enabled US Google Pay users to send money to India and Singapore. In India, Google Pay is one of the most popular digital wallets, holding a 35% market share in real-time payments.
Google has operated mobile payment service Google Pay, formerly Android Pay, since 2015. The service covers 40 countries and boasts over 150 million monthly users.
In 2020, Google said it would enter the banking sector through a partnership with Citigroup and Stanford Federal Credit Union. A service called Plex was meant to start letting users open bank accounts right from the Google Pay app beginning in 2021.
Instead, the firm said it will focus on “digital enablement for banks and other financial services providers rather than us serving as the provider of these services,” a spokesperson told CNBC in October 2021.
Like Meta, Google is looking to conquer the online shopping market, having, for example, teamed up with Shopify to allow merchants to more easily sign up to feature their products appear across Google Search, Maps, Images, Lens and its YouTube platform.
New e-commerce tools have also been launched to upgrade user experience for shoppers, leveraging for instance artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance retailers’ e-commerce capabilities and help them deliver personalized customer experiences. It’s also working on a new feature that would recognize products found in images on a website to make them instantly “shoppable.”
The post Meta Advances Work on Diem; Alphabet Shifts Focus on APAC Payment Market appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/meta-advances-work-on-diem-alphabet-shifts-focus-on-apac-payment-market</link><guid>2492</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Total-disclosed-fintech-funding-that-involved-participation-from-big-tech-venture-arms-2016-–-June-10-2021-Source-CB-Insights-The-Big-Tech-In-Fintech-Report.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Meta Advances Work on Diem; Alphabet Shifts Focus on APAC Payment Market</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss ‘Unicorn’ Banking App Reincarnates as Bitcoin Vault</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss fintech company Numbrs has blamed jealous banks for killing off its original business model as a third-party provider of financial products. So it has reinvented itself under the banner of the ultimate bank killer – bitcoin.
The company, fêted as a rare Swiss fintech unicorn (worth at least CHF1 billion), has just announced it has transformed into a bitcoin storage vault.
This is quite a startling strategic shift. More than two million people (mainly in Germany) had downloaded the original Numbrs app. It collected clients’ financial accounts in one place and offered them products from banks. Now all these apps have been shut down.
Fynn Kreuz
Why is that? Changes to European Union laws to create Open Banking should have made it easier for agile fintechs to plug into the financial system and reach customers. Not so, says Numbrs CEO and chair Fynn Kreuz.
“It should have allowed us to roll out our business by storm. But some banks tried their best to make the lives of third-party providers as complicated as possible and squeeze them out,” he told me. “We came to the conclusion that increasingly complicated regulation around mobile banking and our dependency on banks prevented us, in the long run, from building the quality product that we wanted to build.”
Jumping on bandwagon?
Maybe the writing was on the wall a couple of years back when Numbrs announced big job cuts after investors declined to put more money into the company. This left founder Martin Saidler to provide most of the funding to transition into a cryptocurrency company.
Even though the company has always been headquartered in Switzerland, the old Numbrs business focused on Germany, and to a lesser extent, Britain. Switzerland was too small a market for a financial aggregator app. Now, Switzerland is everything. Numbrs has moved its headquarters from Zurich to “Crypto Valley” Zug, even though its 70 staff work remotely in numerous locations.
It has fitted out an old Swiss army alpine bunker as a data storage centre (in common with other Swiss crypto storage businesses). It&#8217;s also standard practice to leverage Switzerland’s reputation for private banking, political neutrality and reasonable cryptocurrency regulations.
A growing number of companies are moving into cryptocurrencies. German online banking outfit N26 recently told the Financial Times that it is setting up a crypto trading business and regrets not taking the plunge sooner. Swiss cybersecurity firm WISeKey is to open a bitcoin mining operation (using an abandoned Swiss army alpine bunker).
Is Numbrs jumping on the crypto bandwagon to save its own skin? I had to ask. The answer was “no”.
Both Kreuz and Saidler have personally dabbled in bitcoin since 2013 and now believe that decentralised digital money will become “the basis of a new monetary system” that “has the power to change every aspect of our lives.”
Swiss data centre
“Back in 2013 we had the idea of building highly secure storage in Switzerland for our own bitcoin,” said Kreuz. The idea of a personal crypto vault has snowballed into the entire business strategy at Numbrs. Kreuz insists that all investors support the transition, including Saidler who has vacated the CEO and boardroom chair positions in favour of Kreuz.
The Numbrs app is a non-custodial wallet, which means clients keep hold of the private keys that give access to their bitcoin. But the Swiss data centre will act as a back-up, storing encrypted copies of private keys and seed phrases (randomly generated words) that are needed to recover funds.
Unusually, the wallet will charge quarterly or annual fees and will not connect with crypto exchanges or bank accounts. Kreuz says this is to defend the wallet from potential security threats. The vision is that bitcoin devotees will use the app both for storage and to make payments.
The market is getting more crowded by the week. Numbrs, perhaps, has one more chance to convince investors that their bets are good.
 
The post Swiss ‘Unicorn’ Banking App Reincarnates as Bitcoin Vault appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-unicorn-banking-app-reincarnates-as-bitcoin-vault</link><guid>2488</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss ‘Unicorn’ Banking App Reincarnates as Bitcoin Vault</dc:text></item><item><title>Temenos Launches IMPACT Partner Programme for Open Collaboration</title><description><![CDATA[Banking software company Temenos has strengthened its commitment to a partner-first future with the launch of the Temenos IMPACT Partner Programme.
The new partner programme aims to drive deeper collaboration and tighter engagement with system integrators, value-added resellers, solution providers, fintechs and consulting companies to open up new market opportunities and segments.
With the speed and cost of innovation and the emergence of new business models such as BaaS changing the DNA of how banks operate and the need for more collaborative ways of working, Temenos sees partnering as the key to success for all players in the financial industry ecosystem.
The Temenos IMPACT programme supports partners in building new businesses, growing their banking practices and adding new capabilities across different geographies in the retail, corporate, SME and wealth sectors.
The programme is built around five partner categories to deliver the maximum impact potential for co-innovation and shared benefits.
The five partner categories of Temenos IMPACT
Martin Häring
Martin Häring, CMO and Partner Ecosystem, Temenos commented,
“Building on our open banking platform strategy for composable banking, Temenos provides an ideal environment for system integrators, technology partners, solution providers, fintechs and other players to innovate.
 
Together we can scale rapidly, capture new markets and win using new business models while creating incredible value for our customers.”
 
 
The post Temenos Launches IMPACT Partner Programme for Open Collaboration appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/temenos-launches-impact-partner-programme-for-open-collaboration</link><guid>2489</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Landcape-diagram-impact-V1-768x432-1.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Temenos Launches IMPACT Partner Programme for Open Collaboration</dc:text></item><item><title>5 New Swiss Fintech Startups to Follow in 2022</title><description><![CDATA[In 2021, the Swiss fintech industry continued to mature with established players growing in size, attracting large rounds of funding, and expanding overseas.
The momentum in the cryptocurrency and blockchain space pursued, building on the surge in crypto trading, and the entry into force of the landmark distributed ledger technology (DLT) act.
Insurtech and green fintech were two other segments that picked up considerable steam, reflective of global trends.
The year also saw a number of new startups being founded, tackling varied segments ranging from payments and digital assets, to green fintech and wealth management.
For this list, we’ve selected five new fintech startups which we believe are worth watching closely this year. These companies were all founded in 2021 but have already gained notable traction and attracted investors’ interest.
Emilian

Emilian is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) insurtech that offers a comprehensive white label solution to digitize insurance distribution. Emilian’s plug-and-play web widgets convert static websites and social media pages into full-fledged digital insurance agencies within minutes, providing insurance product providers and brokers with a low-cost, no-code solution to digital insurance.
Launched in February 2021, the startup has already achieved significant success, onboarding customers in Switzerland and Colombia. In November 2021, it closed a six-digit figure financing round which it said it will use to strengthen its team and accelerate the onboarding of customers in both Europe and Latin America.
Ecoo

Ecoo provides a blockchain-based app that allows organizations to launch their own conditional payment system and currency in just 48 hours.
Cities, municipalities, SMEs and tourist regions can use the Ecoo app, which is based on the Tezos blockchain, to engage with their local communities, design state-of-the art loyalty programs or organize events. Use cases include improving branding and work motivation by gifting employees vouchers for food and health which they can redeem at selected partner shops, engaging with residents and community members in a more playful way, or boosting loyalty by fostering healthier lifestyles with rewards.
Ecoo secured more than CHF 1 million in a Series A funding round in October 2021.
Pelt8

Pelt8 is a green fintech startup specializing in environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) data. The company provides a cloud-based solution that enables organizations to aggregate their sustainability data, enrich it with suppliers’ information, and share it in various formats with any stakeholder. It also offers tools to create reports based on international standards, European regulations, or tailored to clients’ needs.
Pelt8 was one of the 15 tech startups that took part in the 2021 fall edition of the Mastercard Lighthouse FINITIV, a program that seeks to facilitate partnership interactions between Mastercard partner banks and innovative startups from around the Nordics and Baltics.
Mympact

Mympact is an upcoming digital banking platform that thrives to help customers live a more sustainable life. The green fintech startup uses open banking to help people track their CO2-footprint across accounts, motivating them to reduce their environmental impact with tips, challenges and more.
Mympact was one of the 14 early-stage startups to be selected to take part in F10’s inaugural Climate Fintech track last year, after which it received a CHF 150,000 investment from the incubator. The startup was also one of the finalists of the 2021 Global Fintech Hackcelerator as part of the annual Singapore Fintech Festival (SFF).
StokenX

StokenX partners with regulated financial institutions to power the liquidity of security tokens. Its StokenX technology offering, an open-source platform agnostic to banking systems, blockchains or custody providers, provides regulated financial institutions with the opportunity to offer their clients a compliant security token trading platform.
StokenX was founded as a spin-off of Alpine Tech, a pioneer in crypto mining and trusted specialist for computing power delivery, optimization and monetization. Like Mympact, StokenX was part of F10’s inaugural Climate Fintech track which was kickstarted in June 2021.
The post 5 New Swiss Fintech Startups to Follow in 2022 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/5-new-swiss-fintech-startups-to-follow-in-2022</link><guid>2487</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Emilian-300x74.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>5 New Swiss Fintech Startups to Follow in 2022</dc:text></item><item><title>How Can Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Boost Cyber Security?</title><description><![CDATA[Machine learning is the use of data and algorithms to allow machines to imitate human behaviour. This technology is applied in many different ways. One of these is in the boosting of cyber security, an issue that has become quite sensitive over the past few years. Cyber security can lead to the complete failure of an organization, especially if crucial data is lost to the competition. Customers are also likely to abandon a company if it develops a reputation for poor cyber security. So, how exactly can companies use machine learning to boost customer security? Let’s find out.
Using AI-Powered Identity Verification
Automated ID verification “Automated identity proofing” is becoming quite common. One such verification system is known as Autoldent. This is an AI-powered identity verification system that features high levels of fraud detection. The system was developed by top identity and fraud specialists, and it can quickly identify specific users of your platform.
Typically, AI-powered identity verification systems like IDEMIA use biometric data of the customer’s face to determine their identity and personal details. It may also use facial expressions and gestures to determine the authenticity of the customer. This makes it extremely difficult for strangers to access customer accounts. Another method used to verify customer data is the use of ID Card scans. In this case, the programs will check for some badge-specific security features, and this will be used to extract personal and biometric data.
French Government to Roll Out Digital ID Authentication With IDEMIA, Fintech News Swizterland
Machine Learning and AI Can Detect Malicious Activity
Machine learning and AI can learn normal human behaviour and will detect any variations from the norm. This is different from the use of traditional rules-based systems as it can detect new forms of attack. Machine learning algorithms are able to spot attacks within seconds and mitigate the damage. This way, customers don’t need to worry about losing sensitive data, and the organization can continue operating as usual.
Machine Learning and AI Can Automate Repetitive Security Tasks
Machine learning can free up human resources and company funds as it can automate certain security tasks. Any repetitive task can be handled by these systems. This means the security staff of the company can focus on more complicated cyber security tasks and problem-solving. Machine learning technology can collect data and understand certain patterns, and it will alert you whenever an actual problem is detected. Some repetitive tasks that can be handled by AI systems include looking up IP addresses, collecting URL intel, investigating domains, and retrieving logs. AI can perform these tasks and provide data enrichment and threat scores. Malware investigation tasks can also be handled by AI, and the common repetitive tasks here include extracting data and performing VM snapshots.
Conclusion
Machine learning and artificial intelligence can be extremely useful in protecting customer information, and they can also keep the company’s data safe. These systems are used to verify customers’ identities, and this is done using facial recognition and similar methods. Machine learning technology can also detect unusual behaviour on the network and raise the alarm. Another benefit of this technology is that it can help to automate repetitive tasks, meaning the cyber security staff will be able to focus on other useful tasks.
The post How Can Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Boost Cyber Security? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/how-can-artificial-intelligence-and-machine-learning-boost-cyber-security</link><guid>2490</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/French-Government-Selects-IDEMIA-for-the-National-Digital-ID-Program.jpeg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>How Can Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Boost Cyber Security?</dc:text></item><item><title>How Refinitiv is Empowering Developers in the Sustainable Finance Revolution</title><description><![CDATA[Refinitiv has created a global community for developers in the financial industry. In continuing its longstanding history as a leader of innovation and open tech, the Refinitiv Developer Community offers practical support for today’s business challenges.
This community offers enterprise developers access to capabilities, tools, interactive information, learning materials, events and global community. Refinitiv encourages broad, as well as in-depth, engagement with data. To enable efficient work with data we offer guides and insights to navigate Refinitiv API.
Some of the Developer Community’s most popular resources are engaging events, blogs and webinars, of which the latter are available on demand. An in-favour topic in the industry that is covered among the recorded events is sustainable finance, of which the Developer Platform covers in practical application.
Sustainable finance is rapidly becoming an essential outlook and factor to consider in business investment decisions, the industry is undergoing a revolution toward sustainable strategies and the inevitable outcome is that market participants are exploring data to furnish these outcomes.

With Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) insights in their infancy, data supporting its methodology is difficult to come by.
This kind of data is also critical for investment analysis in the assessment of risks and opportunities. In this video Refinitiv’s Developer Community establishes a framework for investment participants to gather and analyse various countries’ ESG metrics from micro to macro levels.
Beyond the conceptual, Refinitiv’s Developer Community offers the community practical walk-throughs and tutorials. Refinitiv’s in-house team has hosted a webinar to guide audiences on how to build, monitor and back-test portfolios using Python, with particular focus on sustainable investing. You can access the on-demand webinar here.
The platform offers supporting material across multiple programming languages, from Python to Java and C++ via video catalogue. A popular webinar within the community covers how to Build Financial Models in Python Using Refinitiv’s Datastream Web Service, which is a comprehensive world-leading time series database with histories dating back to the 1950’s.
Datastream gives users the opportunity to explore relationships between data series as well as perform correlation analysis, test investment and trading ideas and research countries, regions and industries.
With the depth and breadth in data available to users, the global finance industry has been on a trend to unfurl the landscape of possibilities in sustainable investing by exploring new data sets that govern ESG.
Refinitiv’s Developer Community enlists professionals and experts in the field of sustainable investing to engage with the community in highlighting the challenges of navigating the data that governs ESG. The inaugural Ask The Experts webinar not only covered the bigger picture outcomes in sustainable investing and accessing ESG data, but the interactive session gave the audience a walk-through on leveraging Jupyter (and Python) notebooks.
How to get started?
Sign-up for Refinitiv’s monthly Developer Digest for data insights, resources and updates from the community. The monthly newsletter provides technical content and details on how to best leverage Refinitiv’s data and APIs.”
Get a leg up on invitations to upcoming events and receive practical tips and tricks to enhance your experience and innovative application.

The post How Refinitiv is Empowering Developers in the Sustainable Finance Revolution appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/how-refinitiv-is-empowering-developers-in-the-sustainable-finance-revolution</link><guid>2484</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/AdobeStock-1024x357.jpeg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>How Refinitiv is Empowering Developers in the Sustainable Finance Revolution</dc:text></item><item><title>Entris Banking verbessert Zahlungsanbindung mit Bottomline</title><description><![CDATA[Bottomline gab heute bekannt, dass Entris Banking, ein neuer Schweizer Kunde, sich für die SaaS-basierte Zahlungsanbindungsplattform von Bottomline entschieden hat, um seinen Kunden ein verbessertes, flexibleres Zahlungserlebnis im In- und Ausland zu bieten.
Entris Banking  ist ein Anbieter von Geschäftsprozess- und Technologie-Outsourcing, der als Transaktionsbank und Zahlungsverkehrsdienstleister für eine Gruppe von mehr als 40 kleinen und mittelgrossen Banken in der Schweiz fungiert. Um ihre digitale Transformation zu unterstützen und zu steuern, suchte ENTRIS BANKING einen partnerschaftlichen Technologieanbieter mit einem ausgeprägten Verständnis für die disruptiven Veränderungen, die den Schweizer und internationalen Zahlungsverkehr prägen werden.
Neben der inländischen SIC/SECOM- und grenzüberschreitenden SWIFT-Konnektivität wird die neue SaaS-basierte Plattform das Onboarding und die Benutzererfahrung für die Kunden von ENTRIS BANKING verbessern und die Back-Office-Abläufe optimieren. Durch die Aktualisierung ihres Technologie-Stacks wird ENTRIS BANKING von der zentralisierten Datenintelligenz und -kontrolle, der gesteigerten Effizienz und dem verbesserten Risikomanagement profitieren, welche die Bottomline-Lösung bietet.
Jürg Gutzwiller
«Angesichts der fortlaufenden Entwicklung der Schweizer Zahlungsverkehrsbranche ist der Wechsel zur SaaS-basierten Zahlungsanbindungsplattform von Bottomline ein wichtiger Schritt»,
sagt Jürg Gutzwiller, CEO von ENTRIS BANKING.
«Wir haben uns für Bottomline aufgrund der modularen Technologie, des umfassenden Supports und der internationalen Zahlungserfahrung entschieden. Damit kann ENTRIS BANKING ihren Kunden einen effizienten und zukunftssicheren Payment Hub anbieten, der für die kommenden Herausforderungen, wie die Einführung von Instant Payments in der Schweiz, gerüstet ist.»
Daniel Bardini
«Für uns geht es nicht nur darum, mit Finanzinstituten zusammenzuarbeiten, um Technologien und Innovationen zu entwickeln, die ihren Bedürfnissen im Zahlungsverkehr gerecht werden»,
sagt Daniel Bardini, Managing Director Financial Messaging bei Bottomline in der Schweiz.
«Es geht auch darum, alles in unserer Macht Stehende zu tun, um ihre Prozesse zu vereinfachen, damit sie sich auf die Führung und das Wachstum ihres eigenen Geschäfts konzentrieren können.»
The post Entris Banking verbessert Zahlungsanbindung mit Bottomline appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/entris-banking-verbessert-zahlungsanbindung-mit-bottomline</link><guid>2485</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Entris Banking verbessert Zahlungsanbindung mit Bottomline</dc:text></item><item><title>Entris Banking Taps Bottomline to Boost Its Payment Connectivity</title><description><![CDATA[Bottomline announced that Entris Banking has selected its SaaS-based payment connectivity platform to provide customers with an enhanced, more flexible domestic and international payment experience.
ENTRIS BANKING is a business process and technology outsourcing provider acting as a transaction bank and payment hub to a group of more than 40 small and mid-sized banks in Switzerland.
Beyond domestic SIC/SECOM and cross-border SWIFT connectivity, the new SaaS-based platform will enrich the onboarding and user experience for Entri&#8217;s customers, and improve its back-office operations.
By updating its technology stack, Entris Banking stands to benefit from the centralised data intelligence and control, increased efficiency, and improved risk management that the solution offers.
Juerg Gutzwiller
“We selected Bottomline because of its modular technology, the comprehensive support and its international payment experience.
 
This will allow ENTRIS BANKING to offer its customers an efficient and future-proof payment hub, which will be ready for the challenges ahead, such as the introduction of instant payments in Switzerland.”
said Juerg Gutzwiller, CEO of ENTRIS BANKING.
Daniel Bardini
“For us, it’s not only about collaborating with financial institutions to deliver technology and innovation that will meet their payment needs.
 
It’s also about doing all we can to help simplify their processes, leaving them free to focus on running and growing their own business.”
said Daniel Bardini, Managing Director of Financial Messaging, Switzerland at Bottomline.
The post Entris Banking Taps Bottomline to Boost Its Payment Connectivity appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/entris-banking-taps-bottomline-to-boost-its-payment-connectivity</link><guid>2486</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Entris Banking Taps Bottomline to Boost Its Payment Connectivity</dc:text></item><item><title>The Bank Branch of the Future: Consumers Prefer Hybrid Experiences</title><description><![CDATA[Digital banking has been displacing many branch interactions in the move towards digital.
As consumers increasingly engage with their banks remotely and circumstances such as the pandemic as well as new digitally-focused strategies continue to play out, there are ongoing questions and serious challenges for banks in defining new models and transitioning to digital offerings.
Many customers will use self-service digital channels most of the time while others turn first towards channels where they can get human help.
The latter is still essential for certain transactions, interactions, or even as part of some activities.
Most banks are transforming to a hybrid model, but the greatest challenge remains as to how to replicate the human interaction when it comes to, for example, the explanation and understanding of contractual documents and serious financial decisions and products.
With the new hybrid banking model, the key is to find the right balance between human-mediated and digital experiences.
The evolving role of the branch network
Generally speaking, consumers do not want to visit branches to perform day-to-day transactions because they can do these activities through online banking or mobile banking.
However, they do want to go to the branch for more complex activities.
Ultimately, consumers are looking for hybrid experiences that combine digital empowerment and self service with human expertise and assistance.
It’s all about the right balance between digital and in-branch service for banking products.
For some activities, like applying for a loan or selecting retail banking services, consumers will switch between digital and in-person as they conduct research and gather information.
Hence, it’s important to ensure that these digital end-to-end tools are available both online and in-person.
When the human touch is a must
Image via Unsplash
While customers may agree that their banks do well on the digital and self-service side, these are not key contributors to customers’ opinion of good customer experience or brand loyalty.
Especially in-person interactions help drive customer trust and reassurance that transactions are completed correctly.
When we look at the activities done in traditional channels, they are more complex in nature.
Activities like applying for a mortgage or loan, or discussing investment or retirement strategies, are activities that greatly benefit from branch staff interaction and assistance.
That&#8217;s why it&#8217;s important to inject the human element into the digital experience where it makes the most sense.
With new technologies, it’s now possible to recreate the face-to-face experience in a virtual environment.
Using video conferencing and rich collaboration capabilities like co-browsing, an in-person experience can be closely mimicked.
Additionally, simultaneously being able to review and electronically sign documents in real time can be beneficial in some of these scenarios.
These types of virtual blended or hybrid experiences help customers and bank employees adapt to the new reality where customers often prefer interacting remotely rather than in the branch.
Hybrid experiences are part of the bank branch of the future
The evolution of the traditional branch into a hybrid banking experience is a win-win for banks and customers.
It comes down to being able to meet the needs of the consumer at every point of the customer journey.
Digital technology has enabled customers to conduct self-service transactions at their convenience.
At the same time, opportunities for in-person interaction at branches is just as important an offering and is the stronger driver for building customer loyalty and developing trusted customer relationships.
Digital technology enables financial institutions to mimic traditional face-to-face interactions through video conferencing, onscreen collaboration, and e-signature.
Through these hybrid experiences, customers get the financial help they need in a fast and convenient way, no matter what type of transaction they want to complete.
At the same time, financial institutions are able to increase their flexibility and adaptability and offer a competitive customer experience.
The best solution will be different for each company, so adopting a hybrid model will allow for the greatest amount of flexibility for banks to be able to meet the needs of their customers, as well as their own goals.
Learn how SC Ventures and OneSpan have simplified document handling and signatures at Standard Chartered here. 

The post The Bank Branch of the Future: Consumers Prefer Hybrid Experiences appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-bank-branch-of-the-future-consumers-prefer-hybrid-experiences</link><guid>2483</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.sg/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/personal-banking-1024x683.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>The Bank Branch of the Future: Consumers Prefer Hybrid Experiences</dc:text></item><item><title>TransUnion Taps Spring Labs to Bring Credit Data to Public Blockchain Networks</title><description><![CDATA[Blockchain-based data-sharing platform Spring Labs announced that is bringing TransUnion’s identity and credit data on-chain to help accelerate Web 3 and DeFi adoption.
The off-chain credit data from TransUnion, a global information and insights company, will be made available on public blockchain networks via Spring Labs’ ky0x Digital Passport.
Ky0x Digital Passport allows users to provide information about themselves in order to access permissioned smart contract applications while preserving the privacy of their off-chain identity.
With access to ky0x’s Digital Passport’s data, DeFi and Web3 applications can build increasingly competitive financial products that only ky0x’s open and continuously growing system can enable.
In addition to credit data, the ky0x Digital Passport enables any Web3 application or smart contract to access off-chain identity and compliance information.
Users can opt in and provide permission to have their credit data attached to their wallet(s), and never need to reveal their identity and Personally Identifiable Information when affirming their reputation and credit history to DeFi applications and services.
John Sun
“We want to foster greater trust (and adoption) in DeFi products and services, so we created the tool suite that makes available off-chain reputation (e.g. KYC/AML, credit) data on public blockchain that preserves the user’s privacy and anonymity.
 
With TransUnion’s identity and credit data, we’re providing the first building block to bringing reputation on-chain, in turn helping create a more efficient DeFi lending environment that can offer better loans, more available liquidity, and ultimately accelerate adoption in the space.”
John Sun, CEO of Spring Labs.
Liz Pagel
Enabling access to an industry-standard, trusted credit risk score like VantageScore on-chain and in a consumer permissioned, anonymous way opens the door to greater growth and financial inclusion in the DeFi space.
 
Paired with ky0x’s AML and KYC capabilities, DeFi lenders can transact with confidence at lower rates, potentially paving the way for lending without the over-collateralization that is standard today.”
Liz Pagel, SVP Consumer Lending Business Leader at TransUnion.

The post TransUnion Taps Spring Labs to Bring Credit Data to Public Blockchain Networks appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/transunion-taps-spring-labs-to-bring-credit-data-to-public-blockchain-networks</link><guid>2482</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/AM-1.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>TransUnion Taps Spring Labs to Bring Credit Data to Public Blockchain Networks</dc:text></item><item><title>Checkout.com Raises US$1 Billion Series D, Now Valued at US$40 Billion</title><description><![CDATA[Checkout.com, a London-based payments solutions provider, raised US$1 billion in its Series D funding round at a valuation of US$40 billion.
The firm has more than doubled its valuation since its US$450 million Series C a year ago.
Primary investors include Altimeter, Dragoneer, Franklin Templeton, GIC, Insight Partners, the Qatar Investment Authority, Tiger Global, the Oxford Endowment Fund, and another large west coast mutual fund management firm.
Existing investors Blossom Capital, Coatue Management, DST Global, Endeavor Catalyst and Ribbit Capital also participated in this round.
The Series D capital will drive three key initiatives; Checkout.com&#8217;s growth plans for the US market; the continued evolution of its proprietary technology platform and solutions; and its goal to remain on the cutting edge of Web3.
Checkout.com offers a full-stack online platform that simplifies payments processes for large global enterprise merchants.
Over the past year Checkout.com opened new offices in six countries across four continents to cater to surging merchant demand.
It also expanded its executive leadership team in the US and Europe with a new CFO, CHRO, CMO, CPO, CRO and CTO while its overall employee base grew to more than 1700 people in 19 countries.
Guillaume Pousaz
“At our core, we help enterprise merchants to navigate the complexity of moving money around the world, whether in fiat currency or bridging the gap to Web3.
 
Our Series D is validation of that work—but given we’re still in ‘chapter zero’ of our journey, it will also fuel our efforts to unlock the enormous untapped opportunity ahead.”
said Guillaume Pousaz, CEO and Founder of Checkout.com.
 
The post Checkout.com Raises US$1 Billion Series D, Now Valued at US$40 Billion appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/checkoutcom-raises-us1-billion-series-d-now-valued-at-us40-billion</link><guid>2481</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Checkout.com Raises US$1 Billion Series D, Now Valued at US$40 Billion</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 20 Most Valuable Independent Digital Banks Worth a Combined US$184.7B</title><description><![CDATA[Around the world, independent digital banks are growing and maturing. As awareness and adoption surged on the back of the COVID-19 pandemic, investors continued pouring billions of dollars into the sector, pushing valuations to all-time high levels.
As of late-2021, the top 20 most valuable independent digital banks in the world were worth a combined US$184.7 billion, a new analysis by fintech-focused research firm WhiteSight found. Five decacorns worth US$10 billion and over were identified, collectively valued at US$136 billion, or 73.6% of that total sum.
2021 top 20 most valued independent digital banks, Source: WhiteSight
5 decacorn digital banks
NuBank (US$45 billion)

With a market capitalization of US$45 billion, publicly-listed Brazilian digital bank NuBank was the most valuable independent digital bank in the world and the most valuable financial company from Latin America.
NuBank started out back in 2013 as a credit card provider before turning into a full-fledged digital bank providing digital accounts, loans, insurance and investment services. Last year, the company raised over US$2.5 billion in the fifth largest US initial public offering (IPO) of 2021.
NuBank boasts more than 48 million customers, a figure that could surge to 108 million by 2025 as the company ramps up its offering of financial products, says Goldman Sachs. Additionally, the company is venturing into e-commerce, teaming up with a roster of retailers including AliExpress, Dafiti and Magalu to allow customers to use these services right from its app.
Revolut (US$33 billion)

After NuBank and with a valuation of US$33 billion, digital challenger bank Revolut was the second most valuable independent digital bank in the world, as of the end of 2021.
Founded in 2015, England-headquartered Revolut offers services including accounts, currency exchange, debit cards, virtual cards, interest-bearing “vaults”, commission-free stock trading and cryptocurrencies.
The company started operating as a digital banking platform before securing its own banking license from the Bank of Lithuania in 2018. The license allows it to accept deposits and offer consumer credits but does not permit the company to provide investment services. In 2021, Revolut began launching its first bank accounts and started allowing existing customers in 12 European countries to upgrade to a full bank account.
The startup, which claims 18 million personal users and 500,000 business customers, is now pursuing a UK banking license. It has raised more than US$1.7 in funding so far, data from CB Insights show.
Chime (US$25 billion)

After Revolut and with a valuation of US$25 million, US-based Chime was ranked as the third most valuable independent digital bank in the world. Chime offers various fee-free banking products, including checking accounts with no minimum balance, an automated savings feature, early wage access, overdraft services, as well as credit cards.
The company, which is estimated to be serving about 20 million customers, is currently in talks to go public with a valuation of US$35 billion to US$45 billion, Forbes reported in October 2021.
Tinkoff (US$21 billion)

With a market capitalization of US$21 billion, Russian digital bank Tinkoff was ranked as the fourth most valuable independent digital bank in the world. Tinkoff, which serves more than 18.5 million customers, has been on an acquisition spree, snapping up companies such as online payment firm Cloudpayments, digital wallet Koshelek and business ecosystem Jump Finance.
Tinkoff is working on expanding overseas, focusing primarily on the Southeast Asian market. Over the next two years, the company plans to spend about US$200 million on its international growth by offering Asian customers its credit and debit accounts as well as a financial brokerage modelled on Robinhood and small business lending, people familiar with the plans told the Financial Times in November 2021.
SoFi Technologies (US$12 billion)
With a US$12 billion market capitalization, personal finance company SoFi Technologies took the fourth position in the ranking.
The US-headquartered company, which provides financial products that include student loan refinancing, mortgages, personal loans, credit card, investing, and banking through both mobile app and desktop interfaces, began trading in mid-2021 after merging with blank-check company Social Capital Hedosophia Corp V.
As of the end of 2021, SoFi Technologies had 2.9 million member, up 96% year-over-year. Founded in 2011, the company started with an alumni-funded lending model before expanding its product range. Last year, it acquired Golden Pacific Bancorp to become a chartered bank, and therefore be able to accept deposits and make loans that use members’ deposits.
After these five decacorn digital banks, the remaining 15 challenger banks that made the list had a valuation ranging anywhere from US$1.3 billion (Atom Bank) to US$9 billion (N26). Notable names include OakNorth Bank, valued US$5 billion, Monzo, valued US$4.5 billion, Uala, valued US$2.5 billion, and Bunq, valued US$1.9 billion.
With six digital banks out of the 20, the US was the most represented nation in the list, followed by the UK with five entities, and Brazil, with two. Other nations represented include Russia, Germany, the Netherlands and Argentina, each with one digital bank.
The post Top 20 Most Valuable Independent Digital Banks Worth a Combined US$184.7B appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-20-most-valuable-independent-digital-banks-worth-a-combined-us1847b</link><guid>2479</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Chime_Bank-300x111.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 20 Most Valuable Independent Digital Banks Worth a Combined US$184.7B</dc:text></item><item><title>SEBA Bank Raises CHF 110 Million in Series C Fundraise</title><description><![CDATA[SEBA Bank, a digital assets firm with a Swiss banking license from FINMA, announced that it has raised CHF 110 million in a significantly oversubscribed Series C funding round.
The round was co-led by Altive, Ordway Selections, and Summer Capital, as well as DeFi Technologies, a NEO listed leader in decentralised finance.
Alameda Research, a global cryptocurrency quantitative trading firm and liquidity provider, as well as core partner of FTX, also participated in the round
Existing investors, including Julius Baer, increased their positions in the funding round.
SEBA Bank said that this funding round will further accelerate the considerable growth that it has achieved over the past year.
The firm is currently supporting over 25 markets globally, having strengthened its presence in APAC earlier this year by appointing Sam Lin as CEO of Asia to solidify its presence in Hong Kong and Singapore; along with other priority markets in the Middle East including a dedicated office in Abu Dhabi.
SEBA Bank also deepened its executive talent with a number of appointments to its senior leadership team, and will further grow its headcount and expand into new markets.
Guido Buehler
Guido Buehler, CEO at SEBA Bank, said,
“With the support of such a strong group of investors, offering depth and breadth across the domains of finance, fintech, and blockchain, SEBA Bank is privileged to access a wide range of new skills and capabilities to fast-forward our growth plans.
 
This funding will allow us to further develop our digital asset banking platform and strengthen our presence in markets across the globe by attracting new talent.”
 
 
The post SEBA Bank Raises CHF 110 Million in Series C Fundraise appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/seba-bank-raises-chf-110-million-in-series-c-fundraise</link><guid>2480</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>SEBA Bank Raises CHF 110 Million in Series C Fundraise</dc:text></item><item><title>BBVA Switzerland Expands Its Crypto Offering With the Support of Avaloq</title><description><![CDATA[BBVA Switzerland’s crypto asset service, launched last June, is now also offering Ether.
Through a personalized digital wallet on the BBVA app, both cryptocurrencies can now be automatically converted into any fiat currency, and vice versa. The service, rolled out to cater for growing demand from wealth management clients, has been developed with Avaloq’s proprietary Crypto Assets solution.
A key benefit of this solution is that the crypto management system is linked with Avaloq’s banking platforms, alongside other asset classes. As such, the service allows investing in traditional and crypto assets in the same investment portfolio, offering clients an intuitive, seamless and transparent user experience.
Alfonso Gómez
Alfonso Gómez, CEO of BBVA Switzerland, said:
“We decided to add Ether to our crypto asset service because, together with Bitcoin, they are the protocols that spark the most interest among investors, while also offering all the guarantees to comply with regulation. BBVA Switzerland is aiming to continue expanding the portfolio of digital assets in the coming months.”
Georges Roten
Georges Roten, Regional Head Switzerland &amp; Liechtenstein at Avaloq, said:
“With its innovative crypto asset service, BBVA Switzerland is clearly a leading bank in the adoption of blockchain technology. We would like to thank BBVA for the excellent collaboration in this challenging project. The bank’s active involvement in the development and implementation of this service have been key to this success.”
The post BBVA Switzerland Expands Its Crypto Offering With the Support of Avaloq appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bbva-switzerland-expands-its-crypto-offering-with-the-support-of-avaloq</link><guid>2477</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>BBVA Switzerland Expands Its Crypto Offering With the Support of Avaloq</dc:text></item><item><title>Revolut Launches as a Bank in Liechtenstein and Germany</title><description><![CDATA[Revolut has operationalized its Lithuania-based European specialized banking licence in 10 European markets.
Customers in Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden who upgrade to Revolut Bank for additional services will now have their deposits protected under the deposit guarantee scheme.
Deposit protection up to EUR 100,000 is guaranteed by the Lithuanian State company Deposit and Investment Insurance.
Customers in afore mentioned countries are now able to upgrade to Revolut Bank from within the app. The upgrade process will only take customers a mere few minutes.
The launch of Revolut Bank is another example of the fintech’s constant effort to meet and support the needs of their customers. According to a survey carried out by Revolut at the end of 2020, on average, almost 50% of respondents indicated that they would deposit their salary on Revolut and 54% would spend more via the app if they had their deposits insured.
Joe Heneghan
“Launching the bank in ten new European markets will provide an even greater level of security and confidence for our customers, and will enable us to launch a host of new products and services in the near future”,
said Joe Heneghan, Chief Executive Officer of Revolut Bank.
In just six years, Revolut has attracted more than 18 million customers around the world. In 2020 Revolut launched its bank in Poland and Lithuania, started offering highly competitive credit products in both countries and continued expansion in the EU. After entering 10 new markets today, Revolut Bank now operates in 28 EU markets. The specialised bank licence allows Revolut Bank to provide limited banking services via the Revolut app along with an array of financial services and products offered by other Revolut Group companies.
Using Revolut app, customers can see exactly how much they are spending each month on things like restaurants and groceries, can set monthly spending budgets for these categories and manage fees for subscription services, send and request money from friends and receive it instantly, and round-up their card payments and build-up their spare change. Revolut customers can also spend and transfer money globally with no hidden fees, hold and exchange more than 30 currencies in the app, and send money to friends and family instantly.
The post Revolut Launches as a Bank in Liechtenstein and Germany appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/revolut-launches-as-a-bank-in-liechtenstein-and-germany</link><guid>2476</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Revolut Launches as a Bank in Liechtenstein and Germany</dc:text></item><item><title>Veteran Banker Martha Boeckenfeld Joins GenTwo’s Advisory Board</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss securitisation specialist GenTwo announced that former banker Martha Boeckenfeld will be joining its advisory board with immediate effect.
Working together with the GenTwo team, she will play an important role as a new member of the advisory board by helping to expand the company’s ecosystem and assure proper corporate governance as a leading expert in platform economics and digital business models.
Boeckenfeld held managerial positions at the Winterthur Group, which at the time belonged to Credit Suisse, eventually rising to become a member of the group’s Board of Directors.
Altogether Ms. Boeckenfeld has almost 25 years of experience in management positions in the financial services sector, including as CFO of the BHF Kleinwort Benson Group, CEO of Kleinwort Benson Bank, and Executive Board member of UBS Switzerland, where she was responsible for its Digital Platform and Marketplaces, and acted as Senior Advisor for Platform &amp; Ecosystems at UBS Global Wealth Management.
She is also a founding member of the fintech company DFG Deutsche Fondsgesellschaft SE Invest and was a member of the board of Unicredit, Generali Switzerland, and the fund board of Blackrock Global Funds.
GenTwo builds securitisation platforms for asset managers, banks, venture capital investors, and family offices, allowing it to serve as a bridge between the already established financial world and one that is newly developing.
Martha Boeckenfeld
Boeckenfeld said in a statement,
&#8220;I am very much looking forward to working with my fellow members of the Advsiory Board and to support the experienced GenTwo team to develop an ecosystem with global reach for innovation, while continuing to build up its exciting ‘AssetRush’ community platform.&#8221;
Phillippe A. Naegeli
Philippe A. Naegeli, CEO of GenTwo added,
“Martha will help us make decisive progress in shaping the international GenTwo ecosystem, particularly with our sub-brands &#8216;GenTwo Digital&#8217; and &#8216;AssetRush&#8217;.
 
We will also be able to benefit from her many years of expertise in managing existing projects and planning future ones. We are delighted to have convinced Martha, a proven expert in her field, to join us.&#8221;
The post Veteran Banker Martha Boeckenfeld Joins GenTwo’s Advisory Board appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/veteran-banker-martha-boeckenfeld-joins-gentwos-advisory-board</link><guid>2475</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Veteran Banker Martha Boeckenfeld Joins GenTwo’s Advisory Board</dc:text></item><item><title>Record-Fundraising in France: €486 Million for Qonto in Series D</title><description><![CDATA[Qonto announced today it has raised €486 million in Series D funding, bringing Qonto’s valuation to €4.4 billion.
This amount is unprecedented in the French tech ecosystem and is one of the largest funding rounds ever recorded in French history. This latest round is jointly led by new investors Tiger Global and TCV, in addition to eight other new contributors: Alkeon, Eurazeo, KKR, Insight Partners, Exor Seeds, Guillaume Pousaz, Gaingels and Ashley Flucas. They will join current investors Valar, Alven, DST Global and Tencent who are all renewing their support by participating in this new funding round.
Since its launch in France in 2017, Qonto has been committed to building the first all-in-one finance solution for SMEs and freelancers. Qonto simplifies everything from everyday banking and financing to bookkeeping and spend management, allowing its customers to focus on what truly matters. The company currently has more than 220,000 clients across four markets (France, Germany, Italy, and Spain). With this new funding round, Qonto’s ambition is to become the finance solution of choice for 1 million European SMEs and freelancers by 2025.
To support its high-level goals, Qonto will:

Continue expanding its product offer through in-house development, new strategic partnerships and potential acquisitions to ensure it offers its clients the best product available on the market;
Further grow its market penetration across Germany, Italy and Spain and new markets. In 2021, the company opened local offices in Barcelona, Berlin and Milan to fully tailor its offer to each market and lay down roots in those local ecosystems to foster closer partnership. Qonto is expanding particularly rapidly across these markets: the company has quadrupled its revenue over the past two years. Qonto will further accelerate its strong momentum across Europe by investing over €100 million in each market (Germany, Italy and Spain) over the next two years. Qonto also plans to reinforce its European leadership by launching in new markets by 2023. In 2025, it is expected that 75% of new clients will come from outside France.
Recruit new talent and quadruple its team to more than 2,000 by 2025, 50% of new hires to be based outside of France. In part, this will be achieved thanks to the creation of a new Customer Support Operations Hub, to be based in Barcelona and designed to maintain its outstanding customer support while further scaling. To reinforce its international recruitment strategy and meet the expectations of an increasingly agile and mobile talent pool, the company will also launch a European &#8220;Qonto Campus&#8221; program to enable international mobility between the local offices.

Alexandre Prot
Alexandre Prot, co-founder and CEO of Qonto:
“Since our launch in 2017, we’ve constantly strived to create the finance solution that energizes SMEs and freelancers, empowering them to achieve more. This new Series D funding round is an amazing opportunity for us to accelerate our hyper-growth trajectory by investing in our product, our customer service and our power to attract new talents. This funding round reveals the incredible dynamism of the French and European Tech ecosystem. We count on policymakers to continue their efforts to ensure entrepreneurship can succeed, leading to European and global champions that deliver innovation. This is only the beginning of our journey to best serve SMEs and freelancers and we couldn’t be more excited about what the future holds for us and our ambitions. The Qonto team is honored to welcome the most prestigious international investors to support our mission to become the leading business finance solution.&#8221;
J
Featured image credit: Alexandre Prot (CEO) and Steve Anavi (President)
The post Record-Fundraising in France: €486 Million for Qonto in Series D appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/record-fundraising-in-france-486-million-for-qonto-in-series-d</link><guid>2473</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Record-Fundraising in France: €486 Million for Qonto in Series D</dc:text></item><item><title>Record-Fundraising in France: €486 Million for SME Banking Startup Qonto in Series D</title><description><![CDATA[France SME Banking Startup Qonto announced today it has raised €486 million in Series D funding, bringing Qonto’s valuation to €4.4 billion.
This amount is unprecedented in the French tech ecosystem and is one of the largest funding rounds ever recorded in French history. This latest round is jointly led by new investors Tiger Global and TCV, in addition to eight other new contributors: Alkeon, Eurazeo, KKR, Insight Partners, Exor Seeds, Guillaume Pousaz, Gaingels and Ashley Flucas. They will join current investors Valar, Alven, DST Global and Tencent who are all renewing their support by participating in this new funding round.
Since its launch in France in 2017, Qonto has been committed to building the first all-in-one finance solution for SMEs and freelancers. Qonto simplifies everything from everyday banking and financing to bookkeeping and spend management, allowing its customers to focus on what truly matters. The company currently has more than 220,000 clients across four markets (France, Germany, Italy, and Spain). With this new funding round, Qonto’s ambition is to become the finance solution of choice for 1 million European SMEs and freelancers by 2025.
To support its high-level goals, Qonto will:

Continue expanding its product offer through in-house development, new strategic partnerships and potential acquisitions to ensure it offers its clients the best product available on the market;
Further grow its market penetration across Germany, Italy and Spain and new markets. In 2021, the company opened local offices in Barcelona, Berlin and Milan to fully tailor its offer to each market and lay down roots in those local ecosystems to foster closer partnership. Qonto is expanding particularly rapidly across these markets: the company has quadrupled its revenue over the past two years. Qonto will further accelerate its strong momentum across Europe by investing over €100 million in each market (Germany, Italy and Spain) over the next two years. Qonto also plans to reinforce its European leadership by launching in new markets by 2023. In 2025, it is expected that 75% of new clients will come from outside France.
Recruit new talent and quadruple its team to more than 2,000 by 2025, 50% of new hires to be based outside of France. In part, this will be achieved thanks to the creation of a new Customer Support Operations Hub, to be based in Barcelona and designed to maintain its outstanding customer support while further scaling. To reinforce its international recruitment strategy and meet the expectations of an increasingly agile and mobile talent pool, the company will also launch a European &#8220;Qonto Campus&#8221; program to enable international mobility between the local offices.

Alexandre Prot
Alexandre Prot, co-founder and CEO of Qonto:
“Since our launch in 2017, we’ve constantly strived to create the finance solution that energizes SMEs and freelancers, empowering them to achieve more. This new Series D funding round is an amazing opportunity for us to accelerate our hyper-growth trajectory by investing in our product, our customer service and our power to attract new talents. This funding round reveals the incredible dynamism of the French and European Tech ecosystem. We count on policymakers to continue their efforts to ensure entrepreneurship can succeed, leading to European and global champions that deliver innovation. This is only the beginning of our journey to best serve SMEs and freelancers and we couldn’t be more excited about what the future holds for us and our ambitions. The Qonto team is honored to welcome the most prestigious international investors to support our mission to become the leading business finance solution.&#8221;
J
Featured image credit: Alexandre Prot (CEO) and Steve Anavi (President)
The post Record-Fundraising in France: €486 Million for SME Banking Startup Qonto in Series D appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/record-fundraising-in-france-486-million-for-sme-banking-startup-qonto-in-series-d</link><guid>2474</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Record-Fundraising in France: €486 Million for SME Banking Startup Qonto in Series D</dc:text></item><item><title>UBS Next Fund with 3th Fintech Startup Investment</title><description><![CDATA[UBS Next launched in October 2020 to identify new venture opportunities within the start-up ecosystem. For this, they did a  strategic collaboration with Anthemis, a global venture capital fund with expertise in fintech investing.
In April 2021 they participated in the investment round of Hong Kong and US-based distributed ledger technology company Consensys, in July they invested into the Singapore-based digital advisor EndowUs.
Now the next investment is on, it will be into U.S.-based Trust &amp; Will, a fully digital estate planning platform.
Mike Dargan
“Trust &amp; Will’s platform helps to further digitalize and personalize an increasingly important aspect of wealth management: estate planning,”
said Mike Dargan, UBS Group Chief Digital and Information Officer.
“With this investment, we are exploring services beyond banking where we can partner to deliver real value for our firm.”
Trust &amp; Will’s platform provides an easy, fast, and secure way to set up trusts, wills, and guardianships online in the US. The company&#8217;s platform modernizes estate planning with a design-first approach, layered on top of customer support that helps families customize documents to meet their needs, while ensuring they adhere to individual state guidelines.
Cody Barbo
“We are excited to be the newest member of UBS’s portfolio of fintech companies,”
said Cody Barbo, Founder and CEO of Trust &amp; Will.
“With their investment and expert guidance, we will continue to develop innovative solutions to better serve our members and make creating a legacy, an accessible and achievable feat for American families.”
This investment is the fourth investment in a series of investments made by UBS Next in areas ranging from distributed ledger technology to digital wealth advisory.
 


 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ubs-next-fund-with-3th-fintech-startup-investment</link><guid>2471</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>UBS Next Fund with 3th Fintech Startup Investment</dc:text></item><item><title>French Payroll Solution Specialist Payfit Raises €254M</title><description><![CDATA[PayFit, payroll and HR management solution for SMEs, announced that it has raised €254M in a Series E funding round, a record-breaking amount for a French human resources (HR) startup. General Atlantic, a leading global growth equity firm, led the round, with participation from existing investors Eurazeo, Bpifrance and Accel Ventures. PayFit plans to use the funds to recruit additional top talent, accelerate the development of innovative new products, and increase its market share across Europe.
PayFit’s mission is to simplify payroll and HR management, which has become even more important in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the many complexities it has introduced for companies in managing human capital. The company provides a leading next-gen payroll solution that automates complex and time-intensive HR processes, particularly for the underserved small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) and micro-SME segment. PayFit’s proprietary technology platform enables HR managers to easily conduct payroll calculations in markets with complex regulatory requirements, a key differentiator amidst the fast-growing market for HR technology.
Since its founding in 2015, PayFit has gained over 6,000 clients, and has raised €179M to date, prior to this funding round. Its €90M Series D funding round, which closed in March, supported the company in the continued innovation of its current product suite and hiring of 300 new employees, reinforcing its leadership in the European HR tech sector. Based in France, PayFit has successfully expanded into three additional major European markets – Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom – and plans to scale from more than 700 current employees to over 1,000 within the next 12 months. The expansion of the PayFit team has included key senior leadership hires across critical business functions spanning technology, finance, operations, and more.
PayFit will leverage the proceeds from its Series E round to deepen its penetration in existing markets, invest in its core automated payroll software offering, and continue to expand its SME-tailored solution across HR management by complementing leaves/absences and expenses with interview assessment functionality, among other features to be launched in 2022.
Firmin Zocchetto
Firmin Zocchetto, CEO and cofounder of PayFit explained:
“PayFit’s expansion beyond France into the UK, Spain and Germany demonstrated further validation of our innovative offering and our capacity to scale up. As we look ahead, we plan to use these new funds to deepen our presence in our existing markets, where we have significant growth potential. At PayFit, we are proud to have built a company with strong foundations, where people are happy to work and that can have a real impact on our clients. This Series E funding will allow us to maintain the rapid growth we have achieved since our founding.”
Chris Caulkin
Chris Caulkin, Managing Director and Head of Technology for EMEA at General Atlantic, commented:
“PayFit has built an innovative and disruptive product supporting the payroll and HR management needs of SMBs across Europe. We see great opportunities ahead for the company as it extends its product offering and continues to capture market share in France and across Europe. We are delighted to support PayFit and its management team in this next chapter of growth.”
PayFit marks General Atlantic’s seventh investment in France’s technology ecosystem over the last five years, a region in which the firm has strong conviction.
 
Featured image credit: (L-R) Ghislain de Fontenay, Co-founder &amp; Director Innovation Lab, Firmin Zocchetto, CEO and Cofounder and Florian Fournier, Co-founder &amp; Deputy CEO at PayFit
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/french-payroll-solution-specialist-payfit-raises-254m</link><guid>2472</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>French Payroll Solution Specialist Payfit Raises €254M</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Crypto Industry Unfazed by New Year Bitcoin Crash</title><description><![CDATA[The New Year has started with a sharp fall in the price of bitcoin – and some intriguing stories surrounding the Swiss cryptocurrency scene.
The industry is well used to volatility in the price of cryptocurrencies and is ploughing on with expansion plans regardless of how many dollars you can currently get for your bitcoin.
New heads at Switzerland’s oldest crypto firm
As management shake-ups go, Bitcoin Suisse has raised the bar to a new level. The crypto company’s chairman (and founder) and its CEO have both decided to quit their posts in the space of three weeks.
Chief Executive Arthur Vayloyan has just announced he will hand over the reins to former Barclays and UBS bank executive Dirk Klee in April. Flamboyant founder Niklas Nikolajsen has only just stepped down from his duties of chairing the board. Both will stay on at the company as board representatives but have taken a step back from day-to-day affairs.
New Bitcoin Suisse CEO Announced
The departure of the two most senior managers at Bitcoin Suisse comes on top of a recent executive reshuffle that saw new personnel hired to head the company’s legal and compliance departments.
You don’t have to look very far to find a likely reason for the changes. In March, Bitcoin Suisse was denied a banking license when the financial regulator found deficiencies in its anti-money laundering compliance systems.
Finma’s unusually severe public rebuke tore a hole in Bitcoin Suisse’s strategic plans and dented its reputation as a bridge between traditional finance and cryptocurrencies.
Despite starting up Bitcoin Suisse in 2013, Nikolajsen’s decision to step back is perhaps the least surprising.
I recently wrote about Switzerland’s intention to gentrify the wild world of cryptocurrencies. Nikolajsen’s anti-establishment tendencies, combined with a passion for collecting vintage wartime tanks, are not a natural fit for making decentralised finance more palatable to lawmakers and regulators.
Vayloyan’s decision to step back as CEO after just four years at the helm was more of an eye-opener – particularly the timing, straight after the company appointed a new boardroom head.
It’s unclear whether Bitcoin Suisse, one of Switzerland’s oldest and most successful crypto companies, will re-apply for a banking license or even partner with an existing bank.
Appointing an experienced banker (Klee), with strong leaning towards wealth management, as a new CEO suggests that the company is betting on more rich clients showing an interest in crypto. It also points to a new strategic thrust towards expanding Bitcoin Suisse’s operations outside of Switzerland.
Mining for digital gold
I wrote some time ago about failed efforts to set up cryptocurrency mining operations in Switzerland. Mining is the computational method of creating the likes of bitcoin out of thin air. The highly competitive market requires a lot of concentrated computing power these days.
Bitcoin mining, image via Pixabay
It&#8217;s curious that Swiss cybersecurity firm WISeKey plans to invest $10 million to set up bitcoin mining operations in Switzerland over the next two years. It’s also difficult to see how they can succeed where others have previously failed.
Switzerland has abundant hydro-electric power, but it comes at a high price compared to many other countries. This is why the Alpine Mining project had to abandon efforts to mine cryptocurrencies on the Swiss-Italian border, despite negotiating favourable electricity rates with the local authority.
WISeKey points out that the crypto mining industry has been forced through some changes after China, which had been one of the dominant regions for creating bitcoin, suddenly banned the practice. This has now concentrated crypto mining in the United States. Another notable mining country, Kazakhstan, is currently going through a violent social upheaval which may have an impact on its bitcoin output.
So perhaps WISeKey has spotted a gap in the market. The canton Geneva-based company says it also hopes to open crypto mines in the US and Gibraltar.
The move appears to be a ploy to boost the company’s expanding cybersecurity reach into cryptocurrencies. It offers services that protect databases against “cyber jacking”, when malicious actors plant cuckoo malware that illicitly syphons off electricity to make bitcoin for the criminals.
IPO update
In October, I broke the news that Swiss crypto company Smart Valor plans to list on a European stock exchange. That plan has taken a step closer to becoming reality after Swedish-based Nasdaq First North Growth Market recently granted conditional approval for an initial public offering. A launch date (quite likely for this year) has yet to be announced.
Smart Valor currently offers cryptocurrency trading out of Liechtenstein, but it may also be eying up a DLT (Distributed Ledger Technology) Exchange license in Switzerland. This license category was introduced in August as part of a wider package of legal reforms to encompass blockchain trading. A DLT exchange would be able to trade cryptocurrencies and a new breed of blockchain-compliant digital securities.
This might be of interest to other international players. The Seychelles-incorporated BitMEX exchange, which has had its fair share of regulatory problems, is in the process of setting up a Swiss brokerage unit. Could this be the springboard for establishing legitimate crypto trading operations in the Alpine state?
The rumour mill has it that other crypto exchanges may also be moving to Switzerland. I hope to have more information on this in the near future.
I’ll be reporting from the Crypto Finance Conference in St Moritz between January 12-14. I’m already hearing about some big funding stories, so stay tuned to my Twitter feed @matthewallen40 to hear the news.
The post Swiss Crypto Industry Unfazed by New Year Bitcoin Crash appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-crypto-industry-unfazed-by-new-year-bitcoin-crash</link><guid>2470</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Dirk-Klee-Succeeds-Arthur-Vayloyan-as-Chief-Executive-Officer-of-Bitcoin-Suisse-1024x568.jpg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Crypto Industry Unfazed by New Year Bitcoin Crash</dc:text></item><item><title>Embedded Payments to Generate EUR 277B of Revenue in Europe Over Next 5 Years</title><description><![CDATA[In Europe, companies of all sizes and from all sectors are waking up to the embedded finance opportunity with most planning to the join the movement by integrating seamless payment capabilities, a new study by paytech and banking-as-a-service (BaaS) specialist OpenPayd found.
The survey, conducted in mid-2021, polled 150 decision makers from companies in the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain to understand their views on embedded payments and gauge their interest in implementing these solutions.
Results from the survey show that although only a few companies polled (4%) indicated currently offering embedded payment capabilities, nearly all (96%) are planning to provide such functionalities to their customers within the next five years or are seriously thinking about doing so.
Almost a quarter (22%) indicated having embedded payments in development, and three quarters said they expect to take products to market within the next two years. Eagerness to embrace embedded payments will push total revenue generated by such solutions to a total of EUR 277.46 billion by 2026, OpenPayd estimates.
Embedded payment adoption in Europe, Source: OpenPayd, Dec 2021, via Embedded Payments and the Reinvention of Customer Experiences
Customer demand will be driving the trend, with 70% of respondents citing changing consumer views as the main reason to implement embedded finance. Other key drivers cited include new revenue streams (67%) and improved customer experiences (63%).
Drivers of embedded finance, Source: OpenPayd, Dec 2021, via Embedded Payments and the Reinvention of Customer Experiences
Embedded finance takes off
Payment isn’t the only area companies are looking to capitalize on, the research found. After embedded payments, European firms are also looking to embrace embedded banking (94%), embedded short-term lending (69%) and embedded insurance (69%).
European firms with plans regarding embedded finance, Source: OpenPayd, Dec 2021, via Embedded Payments and the Reinvention of Customer Experiences
Embedded finance is one of the hottest trends in the fintech industry, a sector which Juniper Research predicts will be worth at least US$138 billion by 2026, soaring from just US$43 billion in 2021.
Fueling this growth of over 215% will be the increasing availability of APIs from financial services vendors, the firm says, coupled with the rise of buy now, pay later (BNPL) arrangements, which are set to account for over 50% of the embedded finance market in 2026.
Investors are also helping fuel the momentum, pouring millions into startups in the space. Just two weeks ago, investment platform Anthemis Group announced that it had raised US$700 million to fund embedded finance startups and early stage fintechs.
The fundraising came on the back of the closing of Mambu’s massive EUR 235 million Series E funding round, which brought the company’s valuation to EUR 4.9 billion. Dutch startup Mambu offers APIs and analytics to support the development of banking, lending, and deposit products. The company serves more than 200 business customers including Raiffeisen Bank, N26, and ABN Amro, and 53 million end-users.
Tapping Europe’s underserved SME market
In Europe, small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) banking is a area where embedded finance is set to make waves. Though an essential piece of the European economy, SMEs have long been an underserved segment for banks due largely to the difficulties of assessing their credit risk and subsequent challenges in lending to and creating true additional value for these clients.
Tapping into this market opportunity, fintech startups and platform players are increasingly using embedded finance to target small businesses and entrepreneurs, providing them with cloud-based accounting, financial management, productivity, and collaboration solutions that are seamlessly integrated into their day-to-day workflow.
Non-bank pioneers in embedded finance include Stripe Capital, which provides end-to-end lending APIs for platforms like Shopify to offer financing options to SME customers, Square, an online payment specialist that’s evolving into an SME solutions and services ecosystem, and Intuit’s QuickBooks accounting software brand, which has expanded into business banking accounts and other banking and financial management capabilities.
Accenture estimates that embedded finance could expand the SME banking market and generate growth of up to US$92 billion in revenue by 2025. Embedded finance could capture up to 26% of the global SME banking market, representing nearly US$124 billion in value by then, the firm says.
The global market for embedded financial services is projected to be worth US$124 billion by 2025, Source: Accenture, Dec 2021, via Embedded finance for SMEs: The ultimate collaboration of banks and digital platforms
The post Embedded Payments to Generate EUR 277B of Revenue in Europe Over Next 5 Years appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/embedded-payments-to-generate-eur-277b-of-revenue-in-europe-over-next-5-years</link><guid>2469</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Embedded-payment-adoption-in-Europe-Source-OpenPayd-Dec-2021-via-Embedded-Payments-and-the-Reinvention-of-Customer-Experiences.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Embedded Payments to Generate EUR 277B of Revenue in Europe Over Next 5 Years</dc:text></item><item><title>New Bitcoin Suisse CEO Announced</title><description><![CDATA[Bitcoin Suisse announced  that Dr. Dirk Klee, currently CEO Wealth Management &amp; Investments of Barclays UK, will take over as Chief Executive Officer of Bitcoin Suisse as of April 1, 2022.
Dr. Arthur Vayloyan will step down from his current role as Chief Executive Officer on March 31, 2022 and will remain a member of the Board of Directors of Bitcoin Suisse.
Luzius Meisser
Luzius Meisser, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bitcoin Suisse, said:
«Under the leadership of Arthur Vayloyan since November 2017, Bitcoin Suisse has evolved from a 20-person crypto startup to the leading crypto-financial services provider in Switzerland today, with over 300 employees. Arthur Vayloyan has professionalized Bitcoin Suisse and built up a strong leadership team with in-depth experience in both the fast-growing crypto market and the traditional financial sector. He was instrumental in the successful and fully subscribed capital increase in 2020. The valuation of the company has multiplied from CHF 30 million to several hundred million under his leadership. He will hand over the company to a successor with an outstanding track record. I am very pleased that Arthur Vayloyan will continue to shape the further development of our company as a significant shareholder and member of the Board of Directors of Bitcoin Suisse and that we will continue to benefit from his extensive expertise and great leadership experience.»
Regarding the appointment of Dr. Dirk Klee, Luzius Meisser added:
«Bitcoin Suisse is a major contributor to the crypto ecosystem in Switzerland. We partner with some of the most important crypto institutions as well as leading traditional financial service providers and international technology companies. Aligning business model, strategy and regulation are critical to our next growth step, as well as international expansion and institutionalization of crypto-financial services. We expect the institutional client segment to generate the greatest growth over the next few years. Dirk Klee has an impressive track record where all these success factors are concerned. This makes him the ideal next Chief Executive Officer for Bitcoin Suisse.»
 
Dirk Klee
Dr. Dirk Klee, designated Chief Executive Officer of Bitcoin Suisse, said:
«In the coming years, the growth of crypto-financial services will continue to accelerate in Europe and globally. We anticipate key shifts in regulation, client expectations, and technology. This requires thoughtful alignment of business model and strategy, as well as the ability to effectively implement new innovations. As a pioneer, Bitcoin Suisse is about constantly exploring new avenues and providing reliable solutions and services to our clients – as we have always done since the company was founded in 2013.
Bitcoin Suisse’s ambition must be to create clear value and drive the institutionalization of crypto-financial services and digital assets through innovation and our contribution to the international regulatory debate. In the coming years, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity awaits Bitcoin Suisse, our clients, investors, and employees. I am honored to have been appointed and very much look forward to helping shape the future.»
The post New Bitcoin Suisse CEO Announced appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-bitcoin-suisse-ceo-announced</link><guid>2468</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>New Bitcoin Suisse CEO Announced</dc:text></item><item><title>Biometric Startup iProov Announces $70M Investment</title><description><![CDATA[iProov, a leader in online biometric face authentication announced a $70 million (USD) growth investment from Sumeru Equity Partners.
Headquartered in Silicon Valley, Sumeru invests in technology firms with the potential to change the world, with a particular emphasis on helping companies expand in North America.
iProov will use the new capital from Sumeru to rapidly build on its leadership in the United States and expand its international customer base, accelerate the growth of its global partner network, and maintain its position at the forefront of technology innovation while hiring top-quality staff worldwide.
iProov’s patented technologies, Genuine Presence Assurance and Liveness Assurance, are trusted by many of the world’s most security conscious organizations, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the UK Home Office, the UK National Health Service (NHS), the Australian Taxation Office, GovTech Singapore, Rabobank, ING, and others.
Since iProov’s Series A in 2019, the cybersecurity company has achieved substantial growth. iProov tripled its revenues from 2020 to 2021, processing more online verifications during one 10 day period in 2021 than in the whole of 2020. More than 1 million verifications were completed in a single day several times throughout 2021.
Andrew Bud
“This investment by one of America’s leading growth funds recognizes the preeminent position we have established,”
said Andrew Bud, Founder and CEO of iProov.
“Our potential is enormous and we now have the resources to scale in the United States and worldwide. Our strong balance sheet will give our customers and partners confidence in our long-term ability to keep them and their customers secure.”
Kyle Ryland
“iProov is a unique business and its combination of patented deep technology, exceptional customer references and hugely capable team positions the company for outstanding future growth,”
said Kyle Ryland, Managing Partner at Sumeru.
“We’re delighted to support the company in the next phase of its expansion and are very excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.”
Kyle Ryland, Managing Partner of Sumeru, is joining the existing iProov board. iProov was advised on this transaction by Houlihan Lokey and existing investors JRJ Group. Legal advice was provided by Cooley.
 
Featured image: Photo: Business Wire
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/biometric-startup-iproov-announces-70m-investment</link><guid>2467</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Biometric Startup iProov Announces $70M Investment</dc:text></item><item><title>New Study Reveals Low Digital Banking Adoption Level Amongst Swiss SMEs</title><description><![CDATA[Despite Switzerland being a global banking hub, a study commissioned by fintech firm Crealogix found low adoption of digital functionalities and low satisfaction ratings of digital banking amongst Swiss small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The survey, which polled SMEs in the UK, Germany and Switzerland, found that, across these three jurisdictions, Switzerland had the lowest adoption of digital SME banking functionalities, and the lowest satisfaction levels, suggesting that available solutions are either irrelevant or too difficult to use.
SMEs rating of their bank by country, Source: SME Banking Report, Crealogix, Nov 2021
Results from the survey found that only 22% of SMEs in Switzerland are satisfied with their bank’s digital offerings, compared with the survey’s average of 40%. At the same time, Swiss SMEs were found to be very keen to adopt digital services, with nearly 80% of respondents indicating a desire to increase the number of digital touchpoints with their bank.
These attributes make Switzerland an appealing market for SME banking fintechs, the report says, where existing services appear to not be meeting demand.
An underdeveloped industry
Digital SME banking is an underdeveloped fintech segment in Switzerland, despite SMEs making up 95% of the domestic economy.
Last year, serial entrepreneur and former CEO and co-founder of German neobank Penta Lav Odorovic said that he will be entering the market with a new SME banking startup.
Relio says it will provide businesses in Switzerland with digital banking accounts, fast and remote onboarding, as well as advanced tools and software integrations for SMEs to easily manage their finances. The company, which has applied for a Swiss fintech license, closed a pre-seed financing round of CHF 700,000 in April 2021.
Relio’s upcoming business account will be the first homegrown SME banking product in Switzerland and will be joining similar propositions from foreign digital banking startups including N26 and Revolut.
These startups are evolving in a sector where Swiss incumbents have been slow to innovate. Credit Suisse’s affordable digital banking offering CSX is only available to the retail market, and UBS appears to be lacking a digital-first banking product for SMEs and instead provides online banking capabilities as well as discounts on fees for startups.
But 2021 saw a handful of Swiss banks making efforts to better service the SME market. Raiffeisen Switzerland, for example, teamed up with digital banking software provider Backbase last year to revamp customer engagement and improve experience.
The bank said it will base its retail and SME digital offerings on the Backbase Engagement Banking Platform to deliver a new customer experience and regroup all of its digital services into one single platform. This strategic move will allow Raiffeisen to deliver seamless experiences to customers, including digital engagement channels and the services provided in local branches, it said.
Europe’s red hot SME neobanking industry
These developments come on the back of a rapidly rising digital SME banking sector in Europe.
In the UK, SME business account provider Tide is one of the fastest growing fintech startups in the country, serving over 350,000 SMEs. The startup launched operations in India in 2020, its first international market.
In France, Qonto serves SMEs and freelancers, providing services including deposit accounts, financial management, debit cards for corporate expenses, payment solutions, and more. Qonto is one of the most well-funded fintech startups in France, and is reportedly in talks to close a EUR 400 million round at a massive EUR 4.4 billion valuation.
In Germany, Penta has amassed more than 25,000 business customers, allowing them to manage all of their financial activities from a single platform. The startup closed a EUR 22.5 million Series B funding round last year.
And in Greece, Viva Wallet raised US$80 million in April 2021 to expand its footprint across Europe and the services it offers. Viva Wallet currently serves customers across 23 European countries with services including business accounts, digital debit cards, small business payment solutions and credit card acceptance. The startup is reportedly working on a new round of funding which could include participation from JP Morgan.
The post New Study Reveals Low Digital Banking Adoption Level Amongst Swiss SMEs appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-study-reveals-low-digital-banking-adoption-level-amongst-swiss-smes</link><guid>2465</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/SMEs-rating-of-their-bank-by-country-Source-SME-Banking-Report-Crealogix-Nov-2021.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>New Study Reveals Low Digital Banking Adoption Level Amongst Swiss SMEs</dc:text></item><item><title>Acronis Appoints New Chief Marketing Officer</title><description><![CDATA[Acronis, a global leader in cyber protection, announced the appointment of Michael Callahan as its new Chief Marketing Officer.
Callahan joins the team with extensive sales and marketing experience, serving in senior leadership roles at companies such as McAfee, HP, and Juniper, and most recently as the Senior Vice President of Global Marketing for Cofense.
As Acronis’ Chief Marketing Officer, Callahan will develop Acronis’ global brand position while increasing awareness of the Cyber Protect Cloud Platform. With COVID-19 accelerating digital transformation solutions and the migration to cloud and hybrid solutions, organizations need an effective security solution to stop the always-evolving threats. In addition, Callahan will help expand Acronis’ dedication to nurturing the next group of tech leaders with outreach programs around the world, especially in disadvantaged areas.
Patrick Pulvermueller
“Michael will build on the past success and push Acronis’ marketing team to even greater achievements,”
said Patrick Pulvermueller, Chief Executive Officer at Acronis.
“Michael brings more than 20 years of marketing leadership from some of the most well-known companies in the industry, and will be instrumental in solidifying Acronis’ position as a leader in endpoint security. His track record of driving impressive growth from the brands he developed excites us for what is to come under his leadership and expertise.”
Callahan is a metrics-driven marketing executive with extensive software-as-a-service (SaaS) security domain experience, serving in leadership roles at McAfee, HP, Firemon and Zimperium, where he effectively managed and led global teams. This is essential experience for this position as Acronis prides itself on being an internationally connected company with offices and employees around the globe, enabling the company to reach broader demographics and extend its grasp on the cyber protection markets.
Michael will continue to increase Acronis’ visibility across the cybersecurity space as a leader in cyber protection by focusing on the value of Acronis’ security solutions – such as Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud – designed specifically to be delivered as a service through service providers or enterprises protecting their organizations.
2021 was the most successful year in Acronis history, with the Acronis US cloud business growing 77% year-over-year and Acronis Cyber Protect delivering protection to over 750,000 businesses. Callahan will build on the success from 2021, including the $250 million investment from CVC Partners in May of last year to further enhance Acronis’ go-to-market initiatives by expanding its broad partner network of managed service providers (MSPs) to keep the momentum going in 2022.
Michael Callahan
“I’m very excited to be joining Acronis at a time when the value of our solutions is rapidly gaining traction in the market resulting in exceptionally fast growth that allows us to continue to invest in solutions to our customers’ problems. As the world moves towards a cloud-based digital ecosystem, it’s more important than ever to make sure cybersecurity solutions effectively stop threats so security leaders can protect their organizations,”
said Callahan.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/acronis-appoints-new-chief-marketing-officer</link><guid>2466</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Acronis Appoints New Chief Marketing Officer</dc:text></item><item><title>Digital Ecosystem for EAMs: Banque Heritage Joins Wecan Comply</title><description><![CDATA[Banque Heritage joins Wecan Comply’s blockchain based compliance platform and aims to create a digital ecosystem for its EAMs.
Banque Heritage has joined Swiss fintech Wecan Comply’s compliance platform that is predicted to revolutionize the compliance procedures in Swiss banking. The increasing regulatory requirements in the banking environment have left many asset managers facing two problems: compliance demands reaching critical levels while at the same time fighting to improve efficiency when it comes to exchanging client documentation with their custodian banks.
Banque Heritage is helping its External Asset Managers by providing them the platform that serves both sides best. All aspects, from data security to administration and on demand access are improved.
The platform is not only aiming at EAMs and custodian banks, but also trustees and even any entity involved in handling a client’s KYC.
Michael Welti
“Through our ambition to provide our partners with added value, we constantly build on solutions and expand services for our business partners. As their custodian bank we are enablers in the ecosystem of Swiss Private Banking, thriving to be the first choice for national and international clients seeking the best service providers.”
says Michael Welti, Head of Private Banking, adding
“This new way of exchanging compliance relevant documentation will definitely become the standard in Switzerland.”
Vincent Pignon
Vincent Pignon, founder and CEO of the Wecan Group summarizes
“Blockchain technology has the potential to transform the way compliance is managed, with simpler procedures, higher security and real-time auditability. We are excited to welcome Banque Heritage as partner on the platform and we are confident their clients and business partners will benefit greatly.”
In July Julius Bär also announced a partnership with Wecan.
 
Featured image credit: Wecan
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digital-ecosystem-for-eams-banque-heritage-joins-wecan-comply</link><guid>2462</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Digital Ecosystem for EAMs: Banque Heritage Joins Wecan Comply</dc:text></item><item><title>MoneyGram Announces Minority Investment into Coinme</title><description><![CDATA[MoneyGram International announced that they have completed a strategic minority investment in Coinme, a cryptocurrency cash exchange in the U.S.
This venture, which gives the Company an approximate 4% ownership stake in Coinme, closes out Coinme&#8217;s Series A financing round and provides MoneyGram with a direct ownership position.
Alex Holmes
&#8220;At MoneyGram, we continue to be bullish on the vast opportunities that exist in the ever-growing world of cryptocurrency and our ability to operate as a compliant bridge to connect digital assets to local fiat currency. Our investment in Coinme further strengthens our partnership and compliments our shared vision to expand access to digital assets and cryptocurrencies,&#8221;
said Alex Holmes, MoneyGram Chairman and CEO.
&#8220;Our unique cash-to-bitcoin offering with Coinme, announced in May of 2021, opened our business to an entirely new customer segment, and we couldn&#8217;t be more pleased with our progress. As we accelerate our innovation efforts, partnerships with startups like Coinme will further our position as the industry leader in the utilization of blockchain and similar technologies.&#8221;
MoneyGram announced its original partnership with Coinme in May 2021 to create a crypto-to-cash model by building a bridge to connect bitcoin to local fiat currency. The partnership further expanded access to bitcoin by creating thousands of new point-of-sale locations to buy and sell bitcoin. MoneyGram and Coinme have additional initiatives in the pipeline that are expected to continue to increase the value of the partnership.
Neil Bergquist
&#8220;We see this as an incredible opportunity to continue our strong growth and build on our leading presence in the world of crypto,&#8221;
said Neil Bergquist, Coinme CEO.
&#8220;With MoneyGram&#8217;s global network and infrastructure, both the Company&#8217;s continued partnership and strategic investment will help us accelerate our growth and international expansion.&#8221;
Coinme was founded in 2014 and currently operates in 48 states with plans to expand internationally in the near future. In November of 2021, Coinme was selected as a Deloitte Technology Fast 500 winner and named the 78th fastest growing technology company in North America.
 

The post MoneyGram Announces Minority Investment into Coinme appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/moneygram-announces-minority-investment-into-coinme</link><guid>2463</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/AM-1.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>MoneyGram Announces Minority Investment into Coinme</dc:text></item><item><title>The Top 8 Crypto Custodians</title><description><![CDATA[As investors increasingly incorporate digital assets into their portfolios, the crypto custody landscape continues to grow and mature. As of late-2021, around US$230 billion worth of digital assets, or about 9% of the total US$2.5 trillion cryptocurrency market, were being stored on the technology solutions of eight crypto custodians, separate research by The Block Research and Blockdata found.
Coinbase stood as a leader in the space with some US$100 billion worth of custodial assets, the analyses found. Coinbase, a cryptocurrency trading platform, entered the institutional crypto custody business in 2018 and has since embarked on an acquisition spree, snapping up crypto wallet and asset holder Xapo’s institutional businesses, as well as custody technology firm Unbound Security more recently.
Last year, Coinbase signed Facebook as a new client, a partnership that will see the company act as Facebook’s custody partner for the pilot of digital wallet Novi.
After Coinbase, the other top crypto custody providers identified were BitGo (US$64 billion as of November 2021), Gemini (US$30 billion as of July 2021), Kingdom Trust (US$12 billion as of May 2021), Matrixport (US$10 billion as of October 2021), NYDIG (US$7 billion as of May 2021), Bitcoin Suisse (US$6.5 billion as of December 2021), and Hex Trust (US$1 billion as of March 2021).
Crypto firms offering custody overview, Source: An Evaluation of Digital Asset Custody Solutions, The Block Research, Fireblocks, Nov 12, 2021
With cryptocurrencies gaining significant traction over the past year or so, the custody business has evolved into a rich and dynamic market that now counts various options and participants.
Third party custodians like Coinbase and Gemini store digital assets on behalf of customers using clearly defined features and controls to provide certainty over the safekeeping of the asset. Typically, these solutions are designed for institutional investors, and will therefore implement institutional grade security and insurance.
Meanwhile, companies like Fireblocks and Ledger provide computer software and hardware solutions that enable their customers to establish custody of their own assets. Crypto unicorn Fireblocks, the creator of the MPC-CMP open source protocol, offers advanced custody technology solution, tokenization and settlement network services, serving banking institutions including BNY Mellon in the US and Bankhaus von der Heydt in Germany. According to Blockdata, Fireblocks had US$38 billion worth of custodied assets, as of November 2021.
Ledger, another crypto unicorn, provides the Ledger Fault platform, which allows custodians, exchanges, crypto banks and professional investors to store and manage their private keys securely and flexibly. According to Blockdata, Ledger had US$10 billion worth of custodied assets, as of November 2021.
Crypto custody providers compared, Source: Blockdata, Nov 18, 2021
In addition to these pure crypto players, a growing number of traditional financial institutions are also getting into the crypto custody business. Just last month, BBVA’s Swiss franchise announced that it had expanded its crypto custody and trading service with the addition of ether. BBVA Switzerland opened bitcoin trading services to private banking clients in June 2021.
In Switzerland, Julius Baer, Maerki Baumann and Swissquote are other private banks that have also started offering crypto custody services, competing against digital asset specialists like Custodigit, Metaco, SEBA Bank, Sygnum Bank and Taurus.
This burgeoning sector is growing on the back of rising interest in cryptocurrencies from institutional investors. A study by German derivatives exchange Eurex released in December 2021 found that the majority of surveyed institutions now consider cryptocurrencies as an asset class of their own (77%) and believe that they should be part of a diversified portfolio (60%). 59% of respondents indicated having a positive perception of digital assets, viewing cryptocurrencies as an innovative technology play (69%).
Perception of digital assets, Source: Digital Asset Trading 2021, Eurex
However, while openness to digital assets is rising, adoption of trading and investing in cryptocurrencies amongst financial institutions is still at an early stage with only a minority of respondents indicating being active in the new asset class.
Crypto adoption amongst institutional investors, Source: Digital Asset Trading 2021, Eurex
The post The Top 8 Crypto Custodians appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-top-8-crypto-custodians</link><guid>2461</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Crypto-firms-offering-custody-overview-Source-An-Evaluation-of-Digital-Asset-Custody-Solutions-The-Block-Research-Fireblocks-Nov-12-2021.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>The Top 8 Crypto Custodians</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech in Switzerland: 2021 in Review</title><description><![CDATA[In 2021, the Swiss fintech industry continued to mature, with established ventures attracting considerable funding to fuel growth and pursue their global ambitions.
In the digital asset and blockchain space, the momentum pursued, building on the surge in crypto and digital asset trading, and the entry into force of the landmark distributed ledger technology (DLT) act, a legislation that introduces a new licensing regime for digital asset trading platforms and allows for ledger-based securities.
The year also saw the Swiss insurtech sector picking up steam to eventually become one of Europe’s largest hubs for insurance innovation.
Green fintech was another hot segment this year with initiatives being spearheaded by the government to foster collaboration and encourage innovation in sustainable finance.
Fintech continues to attract investors’ interest
In 2021, fintech continued to attract investors’ interest. Out of the CHF 1.4 billion raised by Swiss tech startups in Q2 2021, CHF 677 million, or nearly half of that sum, went towards fintech companies, data from Startup.ch show.
Swiss VC funding in Q2 2021 by segment, Source: Swiss Venture Insights Report 2021 &#8211; Q2, Startup.ch
Insurtech startup Wefox’s massive CHF 588 million Series C funding round pushed the fintech sector to the top, overtaking biotech and information, and communications technology (ICT), two industries that have historically led in venture capital (VC) investment.
Funding activity continued in H2 2021 with considerable rounds closed by the likes of spend management startup Yokoy (US$26 million), small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) lending company Tradeplus24 (US$25 million) and buy now, pay later (BNPL) player ZoodPay (US$38 million).
Swiss fintech companies pursue global ambitions
In 2021, fast-growing Swiss fintech companies actively pursued their global ambitions.
Companies including Vestr, a capital markets startup, Metaco, a provider of security software and infrastructure to the digital asset ecosystem, SEBA Bank, a digital assets firm with a Swiss banking license, Sygnum, a digital asset bank, NetGuardians, a fraud prevention startup, and SIX, Switzerland’s bourse operator, have all set their sights on Asia, establishing regional headquarters and ramping up investment in the region.
Others, like Futurae Technologies, an authentication and transaction confirmation provider, Amnis Treasury Services, a cross-border payment startup, and Inyova, an impact investing startup formerly known as Yova, have instead opted to expand nearby in other European countries.
Just last month, Amnis Treasury Services was granted a license by the Financial Market Authority Liechtenstein, enabling the company to operate as a payment institution in the European Economic Area (EEA). Amnis Treasury Services said it will start by rolling out business activities in Germany, Australia, Italy, the Czech Republic and Poland.
Futurae Technologies closed a CHF 5 million round in April, which it said it would use to continue its European market expansion, notably in Germany, France and Austria. Similarly, Inyova launched in Germany in June after raising US$12 million.
DLT Act comes into full force
This year, Switzerland reformed its legislation to incorporate digital assets and blockchain into its legal framework.
On August 01, 2021, Switzerland’s DLT blanket act came into full force, allowing for innovative DLT trading facilities and increasing legal certainty in the event of bankruptcy.
The act selectively adapts ten existing federal laws to improve the conditions for blockchain and DLT companies in Switzerland, introducing a license for DLT trading facilities and enabling the introduction of uncertificated securities on a blockchain-based platform, among other things.
SIX, Switzerland’s stock exchange operator, was the first company to get regulatory approval to operate a stock exchange and a central securities depository for digital assets in Switzerland.
Over the past years, Switzerland has become a hub for crypto companies and non-profit foundations. The sector now boasts nearly 1,000 companies employing over 5,000 workers. In September, Switzerland welcomed its first Swiss crypto fund when the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) approved the Crypto Market Index Fund from Crypto Finance.
Green digital finance
Switzerland’s commitment to sustainable finance and green fintech was formalized in November 2020 with the launch of the Green Fintech Network, a group comprising green fintech companies, trade groups, investors, academics and consultancy firms. The group is tasked with formulateing proposals to the government to improve green fintech in Switzerland.
In April, it released its action plan, outlining 16 recommendations intended to turn the country into a leader in green fintech. These proposals focus on cultivating new startups, boosting the ecosystem and innovation, easing access to capital, fostering access to data, and promoting access to clients.
Switzerland’s effort to foster the development of green fintech comes on the back of booming demand for green finance and sustainable investment. Over the past year, capital flows into sustainable investment funds in Switzerland has more than doubled, reaching CHF 775 billion in mid-2021, data from the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts show.
Sustainable investment in Switzerland 2020 &#8211; 2021, Source: Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Nov 2021
A booming insurtech sector
With 50 insurtech companies, Switzerland has emerged into the fourth biggest hub in Europe for insurance innovation with a market share of 10%.
Number of European insurtechs per one million inhabitants, Source: IFZ Insurtech Report
The inaugural IFZ Insurtech Report, released earlier this month by the Institute of Financial Services Zug IFZ in cooperation with the House of Insurtech Switzerland (HITS), shows that the Swiss insurtech industry is concentrated on the Marketing and Distribution category, which comprises 42% of all Swiss insurtech companies, or 21 ventures.
The second largest segment is Infrastructure (30%) with 15 companies, and the remaining 14 companies are split between the categories Claims and Customer Service (nine companies) and Product Development, Pricing and Underwriting (five companies).
Swiss companies are also more focused on international customers than the rest of European insurtech companies.
In Switzerland, Zurich is the largest insurtech hub in Switzerland, hosting 33 companies (66%), followed by Zug (18%) with nine companies.
The post Fintech in Switzerland: 2021 in Review appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-in-switzerland-2021-in-review</link><guid>2460</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Swiss-VC-funding-in-Q2-2021-by-segment-Source-Swiss-Venture-Insights-Report-2021-Q2-Startup.ch_.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech in Switzerland: 2021 in Review</dc:text></item><item><title>Year End Message to Our Readers – Offline From 23rd December to the 2nd January</title><description><![CDATA[Fintech News Switzerland would like to take this opportunity to wish all our readers a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.
We will be taking a break from the 23rd December 2021 to the 2nd January 2022.
Until then, you can access some of our year-end articles that may be of interest to you. We look forward to seeing you all again on the 3rd January 2021!
Switzerland Poised to Become a Leading Hub for Sustainable Investment

Roll Out of Digital Euro Could Transform Payments in Germany

BIS Completes Wholesale Digital Currency Project With France and Swiss Regulators

Run auf die PropTech Map Switzerland

26 Startups Graduate From F10 Switzerland&#8217;s Global Summit /6 Investments

Portugal Fintech Report: Top 30 Fintechs and First Unicorn

Valuu: Das Angebot der Finanzierungsplattform wächst

SIX Digital Exchange Issues First Digital Bond

Banks Prepare For Big Changes In Switzerland’s Financial Landscape

Swiss Universities Ranked Amongst World’s Best for Blockchain

 
The post Year End Message to Our Readers – Offline From 23rd December to the 2nd January appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/year-end-message-to-our-readers-offline-from-23rd-december-to-the-2nd-january</link><guid>2457</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Year End Message to Our Readers – Offline From 23rd December to the 2nd January</dc:text></item><item><title>Crypto Assets Trading Volume in Switzerland Reached CHF 103.6B in 2021</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss market for crypto assets has seen strong growth over the past three years, a trend reflected in the trading volumes for direct and indirect investments into crypto assets, a new research by the Institute of Financial Services Zug IFZ and Swisscom shows.
An analysis of crypto asset trading activity in Switzerland on the top platforms shows an annual trading volume surpassing CHF 103 billion in 2021. Direct investments through crypto exchange platforms led in terms of trade volumes, but Swiss investors are also increasingly adopting investment products offering exposure to cryptocurrencies, including exchange-traded products (ETPs), the research found.
Between October 2020 and September 2021, crypto asset investments through the 15 largest centralized exchanges including Binance and Bitstamp amounted to CHF 92.6 billion, making up for most of crypto trading activities in Switzerland. Meanwhile, investments through the 15 largest decentralized crypto exchanges including Uniswap and Sushiswap totaled nearly CHF 4 billion.
Monthly trading volume of the 15 largest decentralized and centralized crypto exchanges for Switzerland, Source: CoinGecko (2021), Semrush (2021), via Crypto Assets Study, Institute of Financial Services Zug IFZ and Swisscom
During that period, indirect investment products, including ETPs and structured products including tracker certificates and mini-futures, totaled roughly CHF 7 billion on the SIX Swiss Exchange. SIX Swiss Exchange is one of the two exchanges where investors can purchase crypto-related indirect investment products in Switzerland alongside BX Swiss.
While volumes of indirect investment into crypto assets in Switzerland remain small, trading activity has considerably grown since late-2020 with ETPs in particular picking up steam, the report shows.
Market turnover by month, Source: Data provided by SIX, via Crypto Assets Study, Institute of Financial Services Zug IFZ and Swisscom
The Swiss and Liechtenstein crypto asset ecosystem
The inaugural Crypto Assets Study, released earlier this month, aims to provide an overview of the current state and developments in the Swiss and Liechtenstein crypto assets ecosystem, outlining key market players and sharing emerging trends.
The research identified 77 companies that offer different products and services related to crypto assets. Out of these companies, 20 companies took part in a survey conducted for the study.
The survey found that tokenization and insurance is the most represented category, with 13 companies active in the area. It’s followed by trading, brokerage and custody (11 companies each), advisory services, asset management and payments (10 companies each), know-your-customer (KYC) and anti-money laundering (AML) identification services (9 companies), staking services (8 companies), loans (7 companies), as well as discretionary mandates and exchange services (6 companies each).
Swiss mortgage bank Hypothekarbank Lenzburg and crypto startup Mt Pelerin are currently the ones providing the largest portfolios of crypto products and services, serving both retail and private clients, as well as institutional customers.
They are amongst the few providers in the two countries to address the retail market, while the majority of the companies polled focus on high-net-worth individuals, family offices and others institutional investors.
Product offerings and customer segments of companies from factsheets received, Source: Crypto Assets Study, Institute of Financial Services Zug IFZ and Swisscom
Looking at crypto investments in Switzerland, the research found that Binance is the top trading facility, recording CHF 42.7 billion in trading volume between October 2020 and September 2021. It’s followed by fintech unicorn FTX, with CHF 16.2 billion in trading volume, and Huobi Global with CHF 9.5 billion.
Annual trading volumes of the 15 largest centralized crypto exchanges, Oct. 1, 2020 to Sep. 30, 2021, Source: CoinGecko, SEMrush, via Crypto Assets Study, Institute of Financial Services Zug IFZ and Swisscom
Switzerland has been laying the groundwork to become a hub for blockchain innovation and crypto assets. In September, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) approved the first Swiss crypto fund, an investment fund dubbed Crypto Market Index Fund from Crypto Finance.
The passive investment fund tracks the performance of the SIX Swiss Exchanges’ Crypto Market Index 10. It’s administered by PvB Pernet von Ballmoos and custody services are provided by SEBA Bank, a FINMA-licensed Swiss bank which was recently granted a custodian license.
In 2020-2021, crypto asset adoption in Switzerland ranged between 2% and 10% of the population, different research have shown.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crypto-assets-trading-volume-in-switzerland-reached-chf-1036b-in-2021</link><guid>2456</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Monthly-trading-volume-of-the-15-largest-decentralized-and-centralized-crypto-exchanges-for-Switzerland.jpeg?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Crypto Assets Trading Volume in Switzerland Reached CHF 103.6B in 2021</dc:text></item><item><title>Meniga Appoints Gunter Saurwein as New COO</title><description><![CDATA[London-headquartered global digital banking solutions provider Meniga has appointed Gunter Saurwein as its new COO to drive growth and performance.
Saurwein will be based out of Meniga’s Stockholm office, and will also act as the CEO’s deputy, the company said.
He will be responsible for designing and implementing business operations, establishing policies that promote company culture and vision, contributing to overall business strategy and the organisation of the executive management team.
Saurwein has over 25 years experience, including senior positions in the aviation and travel industry.
He worked as a Vice President for The Americas at Qatar Airways, based in New York City, where he was responsible for all operations and sales in North and South America.
Saurwein joined Meniga in February this year as the Managing Director for Sweden and Head of Meniga Rewards.
His appointment comes at the end of a successful year of international expansion and growth for Meniga, the company said.
It closed an EUR10 million funding round ​​led by Velocity Capital and Frumtak Ventures earlier this year, and also launched a green banking solution, Carbon Insight.
Gunter Saurwein
“These are now really exciting times for the company as it looks to grow further and consolidate its portfolio of green banking solutions.
 
Meniga’s mission to help people lead healthier and more sustainable financial lives has never been more important, and I’m excited to embark on this journey and bring this bold mission to life,”
Saurwein said about the appointment.
Georg Ludviksson
“Gunter has a proven track record of building and developing high performance teams, along with extensive international experience of running teams within Europe, the Americas and the Middle East.
 
We have no doubt that this rich expertise will prove invaluable in accelerating our growth and expanding the company’s global footprint,”
said Georg Ludviksson, CEO and Co-founder of Meniga.
The post Meniga Appoints Gunter Saurwein as New COO appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/meniga-appoints-gunter-saurwein-as-new-coo</link><guid>2454</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Meniga Appoints Gunter Saurwein as New COO</dc:text></item><item><title>Checkout.com Appoints Meta’s Former Exec Meron Colbeci as New CPO</title><description><![CDATA[Checkout.com has announced the appointment of Meron Colbeci as its Chief Product Officer.
Colbeci is the former head of consumer product management at Meta’s fintech product group Novi, and was a senior product leader at SoFi and PayPal as well, a statement said.
In his new role, he will oversee the Checkout.com&#8216;s product management, product operations and design functions worldwide.
The appointment of Colbeci is part of the company’s broader executive team expansion this year, including the addition of a new CFO, CHRO, CMO, CRO and CTO.
Guillaume Pousaz
“At our core, we are passionate about the application of emerging technologies to solve real-world opportunities for enterprise merchants.
 
Meron’s experience as a close partner and customer at Novi—and his years with numerous other fintech leaders—means he’s well-positioned to take our product efforts to the next level. I’m excited to partner with him as we push the boundaries of what’s possible,”
said Guillaume Pousaz, founder and CEO at Checkout.com.
Colbeci will be based at Checkout.com’s office in the San Francisco Bay Area, and plans to relocate to Europe, the center of the company’s product and development efforts, over the next year.
Meron Colbeci
“Having worked with Checkout.com before, I had a good sense of how great the technology was and how capable the team was.
 
As I spent more time with Guillaume and the rest of the leadership team, I was inspired by the focus on building customer-first technologies that will help democratise access to the digital economy,”
said Colbeci.

Featured image: Checkout.com
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/checkoutcom-appoints-metas-former-exec-meron-colbeci-as-new-cpo</link><guid>2455</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/AM.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Checkout.com Appoints Meta’s Former Exec Meron Colbeci as New CPO</dc:text></item><item><title>Zurich Insurance Group to Acquire Estonia’s AI Firm AlphaChat</title><description><![CDATA[Zurich Insurance Group has agreed to acquire Estonia-based conversational AI company AlphaChat.
AlphaChat’s customer service automation technology will help to enhance Zurich Insurance Group’s conversational AI capabilities, and support the development of Intelligent Virtual Assistants for both internal and external business purposes, a statement said.
The 2017-founded startup provides a messaging automation product capable of understanding natural language, authenticating users, providing personalised responses and executing transactions.
Ericson Chan
“We have spent decades to learn how to communicate with computers through different programming languages. Now it is time for computers to learn how to have a personal conversation with all of us.
 
Natural language processing is key to further enhance customer experience, complementing human interaction in the most natural way,”
said Ericson Chan, Group Chief Information and Digital Officer at Zurich Insurance Group.
Indrek Vainu
“Building on our first-class team and on the strength of our product Zurich is launching an Intelligent Automation Centre of Excellence in Estonia where we focus on creating AI-powered messaging automation solutions for Zurich customers globally,”
Indrek Vainu, CEO of AlphaChat, added.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/zurich-insurance-group-to-acquire-estonias-ai-firm-alphachat</link><guid>2452</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Zurich Insurance Group to Acquire Estonia’s AI Firm AlphaChat</dc:text></item><item><title>Switzerland Poised to Become a Leading Hub for Sustainable Investment</title><description><![CDATA[As a global financial hub and the world’s top asset management center, Switzerland is poised to become a leading hub for sustainable finance, a new report by the Institute of Financial Services Zug IFZ, part of Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, and the Asset Management Association Switzerland, says.
Released in September, the Swiss Asset Management Study 2021 aims to provide a comprehensive overview on asset management in Switzerland and shares emerging trends to look out for.
The report identifies sustainable investment as “the most important opportunity in the industry,” a trend it predicts will rise on the back of persistently strong client demand and a regulatory push.
In Switzerland, sustainable investments have enjoyed double-digit growth over the past few years. In 2020, the total Swiss sustainable investment market, which includes sustainable funds, sustainable mandates and sustainable assets of asset owners, increased by 31% to reach CHF 1,520.2 billion as of the end of December, according to a recent study conducted by Swiss Sustainable Finance (SSF).
As a result, for the first time, sustainable investments accounted for more than half of the overall Swiss fund market, recording a share of 52% in 2020 against only 38% in 2019.
Development of sustainable investments in Switzerland, Source: Swiss Sustainable Finance, June 2021
In the broader European region, data show that Switzerland has a growing foothold in the region’s sustainable landscape. A 2021 analysis by Morningstar indicates that out of the top ten asset managers by sustainable fund assets in Europe, two are from Switzerland: Swisscanto (EUR 42.2 billion), ranked fourth, and USB (EUR 32.6 billion), ranked fifth.
Top 10 Asset Managers by Sustainable Fund Assets, Source: Morningstar Research. Data as of December 2020
ESG data challenges
Booming demand for sustainable investment is emerging on the back of changing mindsets amongst investors, a desire to invest in alignment with personal values and evolving regulations that are driving greater disclosure on environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors.
Yet, while demand for sustainable investment continues to accelerate, the sector is still hampered by poor quality and availability of ESG data and analytics.
Data quality is critical in the world of investment management, and especially in the area of ESG investing where lack of mandatory and consistent reporting by companies make it challenging for investors to make an informed decision.
ESG data is ever so critical as greenwashing, a form of marketing spin focusing on deceiving consumers into believing that an organization’s products, aims and policies are environmentally friendly, continues to surge.
Just this September, the US Securities and Exchange Commission and BaFin, Germany’s financial regulator, initiated a probe into allegations that Deutsche Bank’s DWS Group asset-management arm has been misstating several credentials of some of its ESG-labeled investment products.
According to data from the Global Sustainable Investment Alliance, the European market for sustainable investments contracted by US$2 trillion between 2018 and 2020 following the introduction of anti-greenwashing rules.
To address the ESG data challenge, the Swiss Asset Management Study 2021 notes that a number of fintech startups have emerged in Switzerland to make use of cutting edge technologies to allow investors to monitor and assess the risk exposure of organizations, projects and countries.
For example, RepRisk, from Zurich, leverages artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and human intelligence to systematically analyze public information and identify material ESG risks. It provides a comprehensive due diligence database on ESG and business conduct risks, with expertise in 20 languages and coverage of 185,000+ public and private companies and 50,000+ infrastructure projects.
Covalence, from Geneva, provides ESG ratings based on AI. And Impaakt, from Geneva as well, runs a collaborative platform that relies on collective intelligence to produce research and assessments of the social and environmental impact of companies.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/switzerland-poised-to-become-a-leading-hub-for-sustainable-investment</link><guid>2453</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Development-of-sustainable-investments-in-Switzerland-Source-Swiss-Sustainable-Finance-June-2021.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Switzerland Poised to Become a Leading Hub for Sustainable Investment</dc:text></item><item><title>Here Are the Key Findings From OneSpan’s Global Financial Regulations Report</title><description><![CDATA[OneSpan recently released its second annual Global Financial Regulations Report, that outlines major developments in the regulatory landscape.
In conjunction with comprehensive research into how the changing regulatory landscape is impacting the banking community, this year’s report also reveals how financial institutions are responding to new challenges presented by increasingly innovative hacking attacks, protecting sensitive data and evermore stringent regulations.
48% of financial institutions report that regulatory compliance has slowed digital transformation.
Source: OneSpan’s Global Financial Regulations Report 2022
Despite the major security and regulatory challenges institutions were faced with in 2021, 84% of banking leaders are taking steps to prepare for cutting-edge initiatives like Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) over the coming year.
In addition, half of banks are planning to implement mobile app shielding technologies to secure mobile apps in anticipation of upcoming CBDC initiatives.
Other key findings from the report:

Top compliance challenges for banks include: reducing or preventing cyber-attacks (53%); safeguarding sensitive data (47%), keeping pace with changes in consumer privacy laws and industry regulations (41%).
Almost half of banks are putting digital remote identity verification and biometrics in place to comply with industry regulations.
Bank leaders are generally optimistic about crypto regulations. 67% of financial services leaders agree that crypto regulations make banks’ participation in the market more attractive.

Source: OneSpan’s Global Financial Regulations Report 2022
Asia Pacific&#8217;s fintech landscape
Diverse and vibrant Asia Pacific is emerging as the world’s most exciting region for fintech.
Regulators, financial institutions and fintechs are intent on cultivating digital talent and developing innovative solutions like artificial intelligence.
Regional demand for fintech apps is surging. Although Asia Pacific fintech investment shrank in 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, it rose to US$ 7.5 billion in the first half of 2021.
Steep competition between jurisdictions—especially in the shadow of a digital powerhouse like China—will ensure that growth in fintech continues to accelerate.
Wealthy and established economies like Australia, Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan are pursuing ambitious digital plans.
Taiwan, Asia’s top economic performer of 2020 and one of the world’s most competitive economies, will be a key market to watch.
Its regulators have sought to lower entry barriers for fintechs, strengthen cybersecurity and data protection frameworks, and promote the development of disruptive technologies.
Hong Kong is similarly aiming to cement its status as a global financial center.
In June 2021, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced its Fintech 2025 strategy, which aims to modernise data infrastructure, promote the uptake of fintech by the financial sector, set the stage for the advent of CBDCs and provide more financial and regulatory support for the development of fintech.
Meanwhile, emerging markets like India and Southeast Asia are experiencing incredible digitalisation, though structural challenges and the continued effects of the pandemic could stall progress in economic transformation.
India’s fast-growing fintech market is currently valued at US$ 31 billion, and is forecast to expand by a staggering US$ 84 billion by 2025.
Its young and tech-savvy population is leading a surge in digital payments, and India’s United Payments Interface (UPI) recorded 3.55 billion transactions in August—an all-time high.
Australia, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Taiwan and Thailand are all exploring CBDCs, which will both promote financial inclusion and interregional and international trade.
In addition to the research, the second annual Global Financial Regulations Report outlines major developments in the regulatory landscape in 54 jurisdictions worldwide.
The report delves into country-by-country analysis of CBDCs, open banking, artificial intelligence, digital identity frameworks, e-signatures and remote online notarisation, and data privacy.
OneSpan’s Global Financial Regulations Report can be accessed here.

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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/here-are-the-key-findings-from-onespans-global-financial-regulations-report</link><guid>2451</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.sg/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/OneSpan.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Here Are the Key Findings From OneSpan’s Global Financial Regulations Report</dc:text></item><item><title>Thoma Bravo Takes Bottomline Private in US$2.6 Billion Acquisition Deal</title><description><![CDATA[Software investment firm Thoma Bravo has inked a deal to acquire payment and invoice management platform Bottomline Technologies in an all-cash transaction for approximately US$2.6 billion.
Under the terms of the agreement, Bottomline shareholders will receive $57.00 per share in cash, which represents a premium of approximately 42% to the company&#8217;s unaffected closing stock price on 19 October 2021.
Bottomline will no longer be listed on any public market and become a privately held company upon completion of the transaction.
News of the deal had caused Bottomline&#8217;s shares to rise by 15% to US$ 56.13.
Rob Eberle
Rob Eberle, CEO of Bottomline said,
“Our partnership with Thoma Bravo will provide additional resources and greater flexibility to build on our leadership position, invest in continued innovation and accelerate go-to-market efforts to deliver increased value to customers.
 
Additionally, the transaction will allow Bottomline to benefit from the operating capabilities, capital resources and sector expertise of one of the most experienced and successful software and financial technology investors.”
Brian Jaffee
Brian Jaffee, a principal at Thoma Bravo added,
“We’ve been tracking Bottomline as part of our broader financial technology effort for many years and are excited to work closely with the company to continue building on its strong track record of consistent innovation and growth.
 
We look forward to partnering with Bottomline’s highly-experienced management team to support their vision for continued growth and unwavering focus on delighting customers.”
 

The post Thoma Bravo Takes Bottomline Private in US$2.6 Billion Acquisition Deal appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/thoma-bravo-takes-bottomline-private-in-us26-billion-acquisition-deal</link><guid>2450</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/AM.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Thoma Bravo Takes Bottomline Private in US$2.6 Billion Acquisition Deal</dc:text></item><item><title>SIX and BearingPoint Join Forces for Invoice-To-Payment Service in Europe</title><description><![CDATA[Management and technology consulting company BearingPoint and the Swiss financial market infrastructure operator SIX are partnering to develop a fully integrated invoice-to-payment service.
The service will digitalise the entire value-added chain from the issue of the invoice to its payment.
The platform is based on the eBill processing infrastructure of SIX, as this is already well established in Switzerland and will be rolled out in Europe with BearingPoint’s industry experience.
The timing for the rollout of the solution depends on the participation of banks and invoice issuers in the respective countries.
BearingPoint and SIX are currently planning for the first applications in the European market by 2023.
With this, issuers will be able to send invoices directly and securely to their customers’ online and mobile banking applications.
Customers can verify all the information online and then approve payment of an invoice at the click of a button.
This service will also support the SEPA Request-To-Pay (SRTP) functions.
Marco Menotti
”With eBill, SIX has established a successful solution for digital invoices in the Swiss market. It is used by around 100 financial institutions and already reaches more than half of Swiss households.
 
In our next step, we want to implement this innovative solution across Europe in partnership with BearingPoint,”
said Marco Menotti, Head of Banking Services and Member of the Executive Board of SIX.
Thomas Steiner
”The role of the bank account in payment processing is undergoing a fundamental change. Banks need to address how they will position accounts with their customers in the future.
 
Our joint solution offers banks a way to link accounts with additional services that are related to invoice receipt and payment, and creates an overall win-win-win situation for banks, consumers and businesses,”
adds Thomas Steiner, Global Leader Banking &amp; Capital Markets at BearingPoint.
 
Featured image: Edited from Unsplash 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/six-and-bearingpoint-join-forces-for-invoice-to-payment-service-in-europe</link><guid>2448</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>SIX and BearingPoint Join Forces for Invoice-To-Payment Service in Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>Viseca lanciert Open Finance Angebot</title><description><![CDATA[Spesenprozesse sind oft papierbasiert und umständlich. Neue Lösungen für Spesenmanagement wie etwa Edi von HR Campus oder Yokoy schaffen hier Abhilfe.
Der Spesenprozess kann in solchen Fällen über eine Mobile App automatisiert und digital End-to-End in Echtzeit abgewickelt werden. Um auch Firmenkreditkarten in den vollautomatisierten Prozess zu integrieren, hat Viseca in Zusammenarbeit mit HR Campus ein Open Finance Modul mit modernen API-Schnittstellen entwickelt. Mittels dieser Schnittstelle können Drittanbieter ihre Lösungen für Spesenmanagement direkt an das Open Finance Modul anbinden. Dadurch erhalten die Anbieter Zugriff auf jede einzelne Kartentransaktion, die mit einer Firmenkreditkarte getätigt wird in Echtzeit – vorausgesetzt der Firmenkunde erteilt dem Kartenherausgeber die Erlaubnis.
Tobias Wirth
«Spesenmanagement ist eine dieser lästigen Tätigkeiten, die zum Berufsalltag dazugehören. Mit dem neuen Angebot helfen wir, diesen Prozess weiter zu digitalisieren. Damit adressieren wir ein grosses Bedürfnis von Firmenkunden, Drittfirmen und Kundenbanken. Gleichzeitig lancieren wir damit unseren ersten Open Finance Service basierend auf modernen API-Schnittstellen. Wir wollen künftig vermehrt mit innovativen Fintechs zusammenarbeiten und gemeinsam im Ökosystem weitere Lösungen auf der Basis von Open Finance Schnittstellen für unsere Kundenbanken und Endkunden entwickeln. Wir sehen in diesem Bereich viel Potential für die Zukunft»,
sagt Tobias Wirth, Head Digital Business &amp; Innovation bei Viseca.
Moritz Marti
«Dank dem neuen Open Finance Angebot von Viseca ist unsere Lösung Edi für das Spesenmanagement bei Kunden mit Firmenkreditkarten von Viseca noch attraktiver. Sie können damit sämtliche Spesen direkt digital in Echtzeit in unserer App verarbeiten – unabhängig davon, ob diese bar oder mit der Kreditkarte bezahlt wurden», sagt Moritz Marti, CEO bei HR Campus.
Der neue Open Finance Service steht ab sofort allen Kundenbanken von Viseca, Anbietern von digitalen Lösungen für Spesenmanagement sowie weiteren Lösungsanbietern mit ähnlichen Anwendungsfällen zur Verfügung. Mit Edi setzt HR Campus als erster Anbieter auf das Angebot der Viseca. Weitere folgen demnächst.
 
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/viseca-lanciert-open-finance-angebot</link><guid>2447</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Viseca lanciert Open Finance Angebot</dc:text></item><item><title>New Gold Token by SEBA Bank Allows Digital Ownership of Physical Gold</title><description><![CDATA[FINMA-licensed digital assets banking platform SEBA Bank has launched its Gold Token, a regulated digital token for investment in and delivery of physical gold on-demand.
The SEBA Bank Gold Token enables investors to own a digital form of physical gold via a fully regulated solution, a statement from SEBA Bank said. It also functions as a regulated stablecoin, providing secure transaction settlement and trading in crypto markets. 
The gold token allows investors to redeem their physical gold on-demand at any time from partner refineries, unlike traditional gold derivative investment products such as ETFs and OTC contracts.
It can also be used as a fully compliant stablecoin in the digital asset markets for trading, and acting as a store-of-value as well.
The SEBA Bank Gold Token has been developed in collaboration with Swiss precious metals service provider Argor-Heraeus, and Swiss blockchain-based precious metal platform aXedras.
Guido Buehler
“The gold standard was once the economic unit of account across the globe, forming the basis of our international monetary system. With the launch of our innovative Gold Token, we are building on this history to allow investors to own a fully regulated digital form of physical gold for the first time. 
 
Physically redeemable direct from refineries on-demand at any time, our gold token removes the frictions of owning gold for investors and provides a cost-effective solution for owning the asset fit for purpose in the new economy,”
said Guido Buehler, CEO at SEBA Bank.
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Pexels
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-gold-token-by-seba-bank-allows-digital-ownership-of-physical-gold</link><guid>2443</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>New Gold Token by SEBA Bank Allows Digital Ownership of Physical Gold</dc:text></item><item><title>Temenos Expands Microsoft Partnership to Bolster Its Cloud Banking Product</title><description><![CDATA[Global banking software company Temenos is expanding its strategic relationship with Microsoft to meet the growing demand for its SaaS and banking services.
The company is looking to grow its SaaS and open banking solutions under the Temenos Banking Cloud, Temenos said in a statement. 
Temenos will also be partnering with Microsoft over Green Cloud initiatives to support banks in reducing their carbon footprint and achieving Environmental, Social, &amp; Governance (ESG) goals.
The Temenos Banking Cloud allows banks to self-provision front-to-back banking services with localised functionality from over 150 countries. It is hosted on Microsoft Azure.
Microsoft’s own research suggests that businesses using their cloud infrastructure are up to 93% more energy-efficient and can lower carbon emissions by up to 98%, as compared to using their own datacenter.
Max Chuard
Max Chuard, CEO of Temenos, noted that cloud technology can help banks bring down their time to market and operational complexity, while scaling digital customer experiences. He added that it can also provide them with business agility in the space of open banking and banking-as-a-service.
“We see an acceleration in our SaaS business, and this landmark agreement will assist our clients in embracing the cloud for mission-critical banking services and taking advantage of emerging new business models with more certainty, predictability and at a lower cost,”
Chuard added.
 
Featured image credit: edited from pexels
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/temenos-expands-microsoft-partnership-to-bolster-its-cloud-banking-product</link><guid>2444</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Temenos Expands Microsoft Partnership to Bolster Its Cloud Banking Product</dc:text></item><item><title>Mexican Fintech Clara Clinches Unicorn Status With US$70 Million Series B</title><description><![CDATA[Mexico City-based end-to-end corporate spend management solution Clara has secured US$70 million in a Series B equity financing round.
The round was led by Coatue, and takes Clara’s valuation to US$1 billion. With the Series B, Clara has become the fastest Latin American startup to obtain unicorn status in the region, a statement said. Clara was launched in Mexico eight months ago.
Participating investors in the round included ICONIQ Growth, Box Group, Gaingels, and existing investors DST, monashees, General Catalyst, Avid Ventures, Global Founders Capital, Picus Capital, and Alter Global, among others.
General Partner at Coatue Michael Gilroy will be joining Clara&#8217;s board as its first external member.
Further, along with the fundraising deal, the company also announced that it would be launching its solutions in Brazil. It is kickstarting its Brazil operations with a group of nearly 100 company clients, including the Brazilian operations of its existing customers.
In Mexico, the company will operate under its principal member license through an agreement with Mastercard. This allows it to issue credit cards directly, without relying on third parties or sponsor banks.
Diego García
“Being able to operate with our own license backed by Mastercard in more than one country and in such a short time is the result of all the product decisions we have made over the past year since we started Clara.
 
With the new financing, we will continue to form the best team of engineers, designers, and product leaders so we can keep innovating,”
said Clara Co-founder and Head of Product Development, Diego García.
 

Featured image credit: Edtide from Unsplash
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mexican-fintech-clara-clinches-unicorn-status-with-us70-million-series-b</link><guid>2445</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/AM-1.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Mexican Fintech Clara Clinches Unicorn Status With US$70 Million Series B</dc:text></item><item><title>VT5 Becomes SPAC to Go Public on the SIX Swiss Exchange</title><description><![CDATA[VT5 Acquisition Company has become the first company to go public on the SIX Swiss stock exchange through a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) listing.
The IPO comprised an offering of 20,000,001 class A shares along with 6,666,657 redeemable warrants, at CHF 10 per share plus a third of a warrant per share, a statement by the SIX Swiss exchange said.
The placement volume was CHF 200 million. VT5 achieved a market capitalisation of CHF 222 million at an opening price of CHF 10.20 for 21,764,707 listed shares.
Jos Dijsselhof
“We are delighted to welcome VT5 to SIX so promptly after the new SPAC framework has entered into force. This SPAC IPO marks a milestone for Switzerland and we look forward to similar transactions of this kind next year. I wish VT5 every success in finding the suitable target businesses to take public on our exchange,”
said Jos Dijsselhof, CEO of SIX.
Earlier this month, the Swiss exchange unveiled a new regulatory framework that would allow IPOs via SPAC agreements. The framework restricts the selling of founders, sponsors, members shares for at least six months after an acquisition.
The post VT5 Becomes SPAC to Go Public on the SIX Swiss Exchange appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/vt5-becomes-spac-to-go-public-on-the-six-swiss-exchange</link><guid>2446</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>VT5 Becomes SPAC to Go Public on the SIX Swiss Exchange</dc:text></item><item><title>VT5 Becomes First SPAC to Go Public on the SIX Swiss Exchange</title><description><![CDATA[VT5 Acquisition Company has become the first company to go public on the SIX Swiss stock exchange through a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) listing.
The IPO comprised an offering of 20,000,001 class A shares along with 6,666,657 redeemable warrants, at CHF 10 per share plus a third of a warrant per share, a statement by the SIX Swiss exchange said.
The placement volume was CHF 200 million. VT5 achieved a market capitalisation of CHF 222 million at an opening price of CHF 10.20 for 21,764,707 listed shares.
Jos Dijsselhof
“We are delighted to welcome VT5 to SIX so promptly after the new SPAC framework has entered into force. This SPAC IPO marks a milestone for Switzerland and we look forward to similar transactions of this kind next year. I wish VT5 every success in finding the suitable target businesses to take public on our exchange,”
said Jos Dijsselhof, CEO of SIX.
Earlier this month, the Swiss exchange unveiled a new regulatory framework that would allow IPOs via SPAC agreements. The framework restricts the selling of founders, sponsors, members shares for at least six months after an acquisition.
The post VT5 Becomes First SPAC to Go Public on the SIX Swiss Exchange appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/vt5-becomes-first-spac-to-go-public-on-the-six-swiss-exchange</link><guid>2449</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>VT5 Becomes First SPAC to Go Public on the SIX Swiss Exchange</dc:text></item><item><title>90% Of North American Consumers Manage Money Through Financial Apps: Report</title><description><![CDATA[Mastercard released a new report today, The Rise of Open Banking, demonstrating the mainstream adoption of technology to power smarter, more meaningful digital experiences.
The report found more than 80% of consumers in the US – and 90% of younger consumers — are already connecting their bank accounts to technology apps.
According to the report, nine in 10 consumers in the US and Canada use online and mobile financial applications to manage money, with paying bills (82%) and banking (80%) as the most popular use cases.
Chiro Aikat
“Open banking gives consumers choice by enabling them to use their own data to obtain financial services solutions quickly, simply and securely.
 
Mastercard plays a central role in this ecosystem as a trusted intermediary and secure data network that powers smarter, more meaningful experiences and empowers consumers to practice good financial habits that enhance their day-to-day lives,”
said Chiro Aikat, Mastercard Executive Vice President, Product &amp; Engineering, North America.
Accelerated Shift to Digital
The survey uncovered that over the past year consumers have increasingly conducted common transactions digitally including:

Sending money to friends, family and businesses, with 59% of consumers using digital apps, products and/or services to do so and 36% in the US using this technology for the first time in the last year
Securing or refinancing a loan (28% of consumers)
Emerging use cases like buying or selling cryptocurrency and crowdfunding

Open banking is at the foundation of many of these applications, where fintech companies, banks and financial institutions are connecting financial data securely and seamlessly to enable a wide range of financial products and services.
Willingness to Connect Financial Accounts
Critical to driving many, if not all, of these transactions is the ability for consumers to securely link their bank or payment accounts and authorise their financial data to be used in online financial applications.
The report found that:

74% of consumers in the US (65% of Canadians) have, or would, consider connecting their bank accounts to financial apps and services to automate financial tasks
68% in the US (69% of Canadians) would do so to easily send money to someone

Trust in Fintech
Consumers are already connecting their data via multiple platforms to manage finances, and thus make their data work harder for them.
Of those surveyed:

59% of US respondents (55% of Canadians) feel very confident using technology to manage money
Convenience is a top driver for using financial technology, with 59% of consumers in Canada and the US saying fintech saves them time and is less work.

Putting consumers at the centre of how and where their financial data is used ensures greater transparency and in turn helps fintech companies, banks and financial institutions gather feedback, scale faster and create new financial products and services more efficiently.
 

Featured image: Mastercard
The post 90% Of North American Consumers Manage Money Through Financial Apps: Report appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/90-of-north-american-consumers-manage-money-through-financial-apps-report</link><guid>2440</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/AM-1.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>90% Of North American Consumers Manage Money Through Financial Apps: Report</dc:text></item><item><title>Klarna and GoCardless to Power Bank Debit Payments in the US</title><description><![CDATA[Global buy now pay later (BNPL) solution provider Klarna has partnered with UK-headquartered account-to-account payments solution provider GoCardless.
The partnership will enable Klarna to provide bank debit payments to over 21 million US customers, a statement from Klarna said.
More specifically, GoCardless will support the Swedish company’s Pay in 4 interest-free payment offering and monthly financing solution.
GoCardless entered the US market in 2019, and has been working with Klarna in the UK since 2018. The company has plans to grow its US team by 125%.
Koen Köppen
Koen Köppen, CTO at Klarna said,
“The US is a key market for Klarna and we continue to see strong growth, doubling our customer base to over 21 million from last year.
 
To continue along that trajectory we need partners that not only provide our consumers and retailers more choice and control but also offer us cutting-edge technology and best-in-class service,”
Hiroki Takeuchi, co-founder, and CEO of GoCardless, noted that account-to-account payments was likely to compete even strongly with payment cards.
Hiroki Takeuchi
“With card fees rising and the appetite for debt dropping, we predict rapid growth for alternative payment methods.
 
Not only does this include making purchases with [BNPL], it also extends to how shoppers prefer to pay off their balances &#8212; namely, through their bank account, whether that’s powered by ACH debit or newer technology like open banking,”
Takeuchi said.
Featured image: Klarna
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/klarna-and-gocardless-to-power-bank-debit-payments-in-the-us</link><guid>2438</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/AM-1.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Klarna and GoCardless to Power Bank Debit Payments in the US</dc:text></item><item><title>Unit8: Artificial Intelligence for Good Causes – And Not Just at Christmas</title><description><![CDATA[The leading Swiss AI start-up Unit8 gives something back to society – not just at Christmas, but throughout the year, too. Employees use 10% of their working time for projects dedicated to charitable purposes.
Refugees, homeless people, children and young people, and forest fire prevention benefit from these efforts – and last but not least, the employees and customers of Unit8 do, too.
Artificial intelligence (AI) does not have the best reputation everywhere and is repeatedly stigmatised as unethical.
Dr. Marcin-Pietrzyk
‘Like any other technology, AI is neutral in nature. Whether it has a positive or negative impact depends on the decisions made by the people who develop and use AI,’ says Dr Marcin Pietrzyk, CEO and co-founder of Unit8.
When he founded the start-up together with Michal Rachtan in 2017, they had a clear vision:
‘Our mission is to help companies, institutions and industries to accelerate the digital transformation. It’s not just about effectiveness and efficiency: the intention behind it also plays a role,’ says Pietrzyk.
‘We use data, advanced analytics and AI to make production processes more efficient and cleaner, for example, or to make financial institutions more robust. In turn, we help the pharmaceutical industry to find new and effective treatment methods.’
Another decision the two founders made early on: the benefits of these technologies should not only go to paying clientele.
‘We want to give back to society – not just on one day or two, but throughout the year,’ says Pietrzyk. ‘We therefore encourage our employees to dedicate ten percent of their working time to charitable projects.’
Artificial intelligence for good causes
When it comes to volunteering, Unit8’s ambition is to contribute to the principles of ‘AI for Good’. This initiative wants to use artificial intelligence as a force for good and is strongly aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including the fight against poverty, for healthy forests, better educational opportunities and taking action on climate change. Over the past four years, Unit8 employees have supported numerous projects at home and abroad, including the following:
Powercoders Switzerland
There are millions of refugees worldwide, and, at the same time, there is a great shortage of personnel in IT. Unit8 supports the Swiss non-profit program Powercoders, which gives refugees free programming training. Powercoders’ success rate is impressive: 90% of participants go on to get an internship, 60% find a job.
WWF Bolivia
Forest fires threaten ecosystems all over the world, but, in South America, the consequences for people and the environment are particularly serious. Unit8 supports WWF Bolivia and the Fundación Amigos de la Naturaleza (FAN) in predicting how fast a wildfire will spread, and in which direction. The AI-based models help those responsible to make the best possible decisions under pressure in order to keep the damage to both humans and nature as small as possible, evacuating the local population at the right time.
Kinderhilfswerk Rupert-Mayer-Stiftung Poland
Since the very beginning of Unit8, the company has supported an orphanage that helps kids without parents or from rough backgrounds, e.g. by volunteering there for the summer camp.
Aeris Futuro Poland
The ‘Time for a Forest’ project run by the Polish Aeris Futuro Foundation compensates for CO2 emissions with species-rich reforestation throughout the country. Its services are aimed at both private individuals and companies. From spring 2022, Unit8 will be supporting the organisation with forest-based work such as planting trees, cleaning the forest around Krakow, and participating in environmental events raising awareness of our carbon footprint and its effect on the climate.
Michal-Rachtan
Unit8 wants to solve urgent problems not only by using AI, but also through year-round participation in volunteering projects.
Michal Rachtan (CTO &amp; co-founder) adds: ‘Addressing societal and environmental challenges is a huge source of fulfilment and purpose in our work. That’s one of the reasons the new generation of tech talents is choosing Unit8 over large and established tech companies.’
 
 
The post Unit8: Artificial Intelligence for Good Causes – And Not Just at Christmas appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/unit8-artificial-intelligence-for-good-causes-and-not-just-at-christmas</link><guid>2437</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Unit8: Artificial Intelligence for Good Causes – And Not Just at Christmas</dc:text></item><item><title>Switzerland Insurtech Industry Ranks 4th Within Europe: IFZ Study</title><description><![CDATA[With 50 insurtech companies, Switzerland is one of Europe’s largest hubs for insurance innovation. The figure puts the country at the fourth position amongst 31 European nations in absolute number, surpassing Spain, Italy, the Netherland and Sweden, a new industry report by the Institute of Financial Services Zug IFZ in cooperation with the House of Insurtech Switzerland (HITS) shows.
The inaugural IFZ Insurtech Report, released on December 03, 2021, draws on desk research and data compiled by the two organizations to provide a comprehensive overview and analysis of active insurtechs in Switzerland but also the broader European region.
The organizations identified 50 insurtech companies in Switzerland, giving the country a 10% market share within the European continent. Looking at the number of companies in relation to the number of inhabitants, Switzerland ranks even higher, standing at the third position in terms of insurtechs per capita.
Number of European insurtechs per one million inhabitants, Source: IFZ Insurtech Report
In Switzerland, Zurich is emerging as the largest insurtech hub, hosting 33 companies (66%), followed by Zug (18%) with nine companies. The rest of the Swiss insurtech companies are located in Basel-City (three companies), Geneva (two companies), Aargau, Lucerne, and Solothurn (one company each).
Zurich and Zug’s leadership in insurtech can be explained by the two cantons’ well developed financial ecosystem and fintech industry. This year’s IFZ Fintech Study ranks Zurich the largest fintech hubs in Switzerland with 149 fintech companies, followed by Zug with 117.
Number of Swiss insurtech companies by canton and value chain (left graph) and by canton and technology area (right graph) (n=50), Source: IFZ Insurtech Report
Delving more deeply into the Swiss insurtech industry, the research found some particularities in Switzerland compared to the broader European region.
For one, Swiss companies are more focused on international customers than the rest of European insurtech companies. Out of the 50 Swiss insurtechs, 62% address customers in a cross-border context. In comparison, 53% of European insurtechs distribute their products and services internationally.
Another particularity of the Swiss insurtech industry is its concentration around the Marketing and Distribution category, which comprises 42% of all Swiss insurtech companies, or 21 ventures. The second largest segment is Infrastructure (30%) with 15 companies. The remaining 14 companies are split between the categories Claims and Customer Service (nine companies) and Product Development, Pricing and Underwriting (five companies).
Comparing these metrics to the European insurtech landscape, companies in the Infrastructure category are underrepresented in Switzerland while those in the Marketing and Distribution category are overrepresented.
Swiss insurtech companies were also found to be using more cutting-edge technologies than the rest of Europe. 6% of Swiss insurtech companies indicated using Internet-of-Things (IoT). The same figure applies for Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT). In comparison, 4% of European insurtech companies specialize in the IoT and 3% in DLT.
Number of Swiss insurtech incorporations per year by value chain (left graph) and technology area (right graph) (n=50), Source: IFZ Insurtech Report
The European insurtech landscape
The research identified a total of 497 insurtechs in Europe with the UK emerging as the largest insurtech hub with 136 companies. The UK is followed by Germany (91 companies) and France (61 companies).
Number of European insurtechs by country of headquarters and value chain (left graph) and by country of headquarters and technology area (right graph) (n=497), Source: IFZ Insurtech Report
An analysis of the value chain shows that 42% of the European insurtech companies operate in the Infrastructure category. Marketing and Distribution is the second most crowded segment with 30%, followed by Claims and Customer Service (15%) and Product Development, Pricing and Underwriting (13%). Within the Asset Management category, only one company in Europe was identified.
Most insurtech companies in the region use mature technologies including Process Digitization/Automatization/Robotics (63%) and Analytics/Artificial Intelligence (30%).
The post Switzerland Insurtech Industry Ranks 4th Within Europe: IFZ Study appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/switzerland-insurtech-industry-ranks-4th-within-europe-ifz-study</link><guid>2436</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Number-of-European-insurtechs-per-one-million-inhabitants-Source-IFZ-Insurtech-Report.png?x52498</dc:content ><dc:text>Switzerland Insurtech Industry Ranks 4th Within Europe: IFZ Study</dc:text></item><item><title>Switzerland’s Insurtech Industry Ranks 4th Within Europe: IFZ Study</title><description><![CDATA[With 50 insurtech companies, Switzerland is one of Europe’s largest hubs for insurance innovation. The figure puts the country at the fourth position amongst 31 European nations in absolute number, surpassing Spain, Italy, the Netherland and Sweden, a new industry report by the Institute of Financial Services Zug IFZ in cooperation with the House of Insurtech Switzerland (HITS) shows.
The inaugural IFZ Insurtech Report, released on December 03, 2021, draws on desk research and data compiled by the two organizations to provide a comprehensive overview and analysis of active insurtechs in Switzerland but also the broader European region.
The organizations identified 50 insurtech companies in Switzerland, giving the country a 10% market share within the European continent. Looking at the number of companies in relation to the number of inhabitants, Switzerland ranks even higher, standing at the third position in terms of insurtechs per capita.
Number of European insurtechs per one million inhabitants, Source: IFZ Insurtech Report
In Switzerland, Zurich is emerging as the largest insurtech hub, hosting 33 companies (66%), followed by Zug (18%) with nine companies. The rest of the Swiss insurtech companies are located in Basel-City (three companies), Geneva (two companies), Aargau, Lucerne, and Solothurn (one company each).
Zurich and Zug’s leadership in insurtech can be explained by the two cantons’ well developed financial ecosystem and fintech industry. This year’s IFZ Fintech Study ranks Zurich the largest fintech hubs in Switzerland with 149 fintech companies, followed by Zug with 117.
Number of Swiss insurtech companies by canton and value chain (left graph) and by canton and technology area (right graph) (n=50), Source: IFZ Insurtech Report
Delving more deeply into the Swiss insurtech industry, the research found some particularities in Switzerland compared to the broader European region.
For one, Swiss companies are more focused on international customers than the rest of European insurtech companies. Out of the 50 Swiss insurtechs, 62% address customers in a cross-border context. In comparison, 53% of European insurtechs distribute their products and services internationally.
Another particularity of the Swiss insurtech industry is its concentration around the Marketing and Distribution category, which comprises 42% of all Swiss insurtech companies, or 21 ventures. The second largest segment is Infrastructure (30%) with 15 companies. The remaining 14 companies are split between the categories Claims and Customer Service (nine companies) and Product Development, Pricing and Underwriting (five companies).
Comparing these metrics to the European insurtech landscape, companies in the Infrastructure category are underrepresented in Switzerland while those in the Marketing and Distribution category are overrepresented.
Swiss insurtech companies were also found to be using more cutting-edge technologies than the rest of Europe. 6% of Swiss insurtech companies indicated using Internet-of-Things (IoT). The same figure applies for Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT). In comparison, 4% of European insurtech companies specialize in the IoT and 3% in DLT.
Number of Swiss insurtech incorporations per year by value chain (left graph) and technology area (right graph) (n=50), Source: IFZ Insurtech Report
The European insurtech landscape
The research identified a total of 497 insurtechs in Europe with the UK emerging as the largest insurtech hub with 136 companies. The UK is followed by Germany (91 companies) and France (61 companies).
Number of European insurtechs by country of headquarters and value chain (left graph) and by country of headquarters and technology area (right graph) (n=497), Source: IFZ Insurtech Report
An analysis of the value chain shows that 42% of the European insurtech companies operate in the Infrastructure category. Marketing and Distribution is the second most crowded segment with 30%, followed by Claims and Customer Service (15%) and Product Development, Pricing and Underwriting (13%). Within the Asset Management category, only one company in Europe was identified.
Most insurtech companies in the region use mature technologies including Process Digitization/Automatization/Robotics (63%) and Analytics/Artificial Intelligence (30%).
The post Switzerland&#8217;s Insurtech Industry Ranks 4th Within Europe: IFZ Study appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/switzerlands-insurtech-industry-ranks-4th-within-europe-ifz-study</link><guid>2439</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Number-of-European-insurtechs-per-one-million-inhabitants-Source-IFZ-Insurtech-Report.png?x30842</dc:content ><dc:text>Switzerland’s Insurtech Industry Ranks 4th Within Europe: IFZ Study</dc:text></item><item><title>SafeSide und Swisscom kooperieren bei Electronic-Seal-Versicherungs-Lösung</title><description><![CDATA[SafeSide Life AG, die Betreiberin der unabhängigen Plattform für reine Lebensversicherungen in der Schweiz, gibt seine Partnerschaft mit Swisscom bekannt.
Um fälschungssichere Kundendaten zu garantieren, hat SafeSide das Electronic-Seal von Swisscom im Onboarding-Prozess implementiert und verankert so die Versicherungspolicen in der Swisscom Blockchain. Dieser Schritt unterstreicht das Bestreben von SafeSide, Transparenz, Sicherheit und modernste Technologien in den Lebensversicherungssektor zu bringen, um so seinen Kunden ein besonders positives Erlebnis in Zusammenhang mit ihrer Lebensversicherung bieten zu können.
Mit der neuen Zusammenarbeit können SafeSide-Kunden zum ersten Mal wichtige Bereiche ihrer Lebensversicherung wie die Policendokumente oder Änderungen bei Begünstigten auf der Swisscom Blockchain in der Schweiz hinterlegen und so zu 100 % sicherstellen, dass Änderungen eindeutig dokumentiert sind. Unstimmigkeiten über mögliche Begünstigte werden so minimiert.
Michael Klien
Michael Klien, CEO und Mitbegründer von SafeSide, sagt: &#8220;Wir sehen hier viel Potenzial, vor allem im Bereich der Lebensversicherung, und gehen davon aus, dass die Blockchain-Technologie in Zukunft eine stärkere Rolle einnehmen wird. Unsere Kunden sind die ersten, die in der Schweiz von dieser revolutionären Technologie im Bereich der Lebensversicherung profitieren können.&#8221;
Swisscom bietet in der Schweiz ein umfassendes technologisches Angebot an. &#8220;Wir denken, dass neben der Electronic-Seal-Lösung weitere Kooperationen möglich sind und prüfen bereits weitere Möglichkeiten der Zusammenarbeit.&#8221;
Mit diesem Schritt kommt SafeSide auch seinem Ziel näher, den Lebensversicherungsbereich ins digitale Zeitalter zu versetzen. SafeSide hat in kürzester Zeit den gesamten Antragsprozess digitalisiert und bietet den Kunden damit ein tolles Kauferlebnis. Die Transparenz der Schritte und der für den Kunden relevanten Informationen zeigt auch die Vorteile einer reinen Lebensversicherung gegenüber anderen Formen der Lebensversicherung auf.
Durch den Einsatz modernster Technologien entwickelt SafeSide seine Plattform für seine Kunden stetig weiter. Hier reiht sich die Kooperation im Bereich Electronic-Seal mit Swisscom logisch ein.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/safeside-und-swisscom-kooperieren-bei-electronic-seal-versicherungs-losung</link><guid>2435</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>SafeSide und Swisscom kooperieren bei Electronic-Seal-Versicherungs-Lösung</dc:text></item><item><title>Roll Out of Digital Euro Could Transform Payments in Germany</title><description><![CDATA[A digital programmable euro is essential for innovative business models in Germany, according to the Frankfurt School Blockchain Centre (FSBC).
The FSBC is a think tank and research centre focusing on the business implications of blockchain.
It published the &#8220;The Programmable Euro: Review and Outlook&#8221; report on behalf of the Finanzplatz München Initiative (fpmi), highlighting the use cases of the digital programmable euro, a blockchain-based euro that enables programmable payments.
The study found that there was a growing demand for payment solutions that eliminate the inefficiencies of current infrastructures, such as the SEPA or TARGET2 systems.
These systems were unable to address new business models due to complex data synchronisation processes, and counterparty risks from the asynchrony between delivery and payment.
Source: The Programmable Euro: Review and Outlook
The study also noted that the development of a digital euro by the European Central Bank (ECB) was not likely to happen before 2026.
It called on the private sector to develop the programmable euro instead.
The programmable euro will need a “technology-neutral legal framework&#8221;
Potential configurations for the programmable euro, as pointed out by the study, included stablecoins issued by unregulated companies, tokenised commercial bank money by financial institutions, tokenised e-money by e-money institutions, and trigger solutions based on conventional payment infrastructures and distributed ledger technology (DLT).
The study also noted that the programmable euro could support several use cases in the financial sector and the real economy.
This includes liquidity management and new lines of business in manufacturing, through pay-per-use and tokenisation, efficiency gains in supply chain management, smart contracts for the automated purchase and sale of electricity, DLT-based digital securities, and more.
Philipp Sandner
“For all of these DLT applications, a programmable euro would represent an efficient payment option, enabling micropayments and digital DvP transactions (among others), providing the building blocks for the industry of the future,”
said Dr. Philipp Sandner, Head of the FSBC at the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management.
Finally, the study highlighted that cross-company and stakeholder collaboration was essential to the development of the programmable euro.
The success of DLT-based solutions depended on their interoperability, it said, calling for a “a far-sighted, transparent and technology-neutral legal framework.”
 
Featured image: Pixabay
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/roll-out-of-digital-euro-could-transform-payments-in-germany</link><guid>2433</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Overview-of-use-cases.png?x52498</dc:content ><dc:text>Roll Out of Digital Euro Could Transform Payments in Germany</dc:text></item><item><title>BBVA Switzerland Adds Ether to Its Crypto Trading Service</title><description><![CDATA[BBVA Switzerland, the Swiss franchise of Spanish multinational financial institution BBVA, has expanded its cryptocurrency custody and trading service with the addition of Ether to its investment portfolio.
Its private banking clients and new gen customers will now have access to both Bitcoin and Ether, a statement from the company said.
These digital assets can be viewed along with other traditional investments on BBVA’s app, and can automatically be converted to euros, dollars or any fiat currency.
According to BBVA Switzerland, this move makes it the first traditional bank in Europe to incorporate Ether into its service.
The crypto asset service went live for all customers in June last year.
BBVA Switzerland aims to continue expanding its portfolio of digital assets in the coming months.
The new service is currently available in Switzerland, and expansion to new countries or customer groups will depend on market conditions in terms of maturity, demand and regulation.
Alfonso Gómez
“We decided to add ether to our crypto asset ‘wallet’ because, together with bitcoin, they are the protocols that spark the most interest among investors, while also offering all the guarantees to comply with regulation,”
said Alfonso Gómez, CEO of BBVA Switzerland.
 
 
 
Featured image: Photo by DrawKit Illustrations on Unsplash
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bbva-switzerland-adds-ether-to-its-crypto-trading-service</link><guid>2434</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>BBVA Switzerland Adds Ether to Its Crypto Trading Service</dc:text></item><item><title>New Swiss Fintech Startup Map December 2021 (Christmas Edition)</title><description><![CDATA[Swisscom has released the updated Swiss Fintech Startup Map for December 2021, welcoming 6 new Swiss startups for this month Christmas Edition
The map provides regular updates on the Swiss fintech landscape in the region now displays a grand total of 363 Swiss fintech startups.
For this month the map welcomes elleXX universe AG, LibertyGreen, swisspay, impactvise AG,Hypodossier  and Oper Credits are featured on the map the first time.

elleXX universe AG
lleXX ist die unabhängige Geld-Medien-Plattform für Frauen. Sie bringt Inhalte und Investieren zusammen. Frauen haben andere Lebensläufe als Männer. Sie verdienen weniger, erhalten schlechtere Kreditkonditionen, tiefere Darlehen, überziehen eher ihre Konten, zahlen mehr Gebühren und investieren weniger. Sie arbeiten mehr Teilzeit, erben weniger und leben länger. Das wirkt sich alles negativ auf ihre Finanzen aus.

LibertyGreen
LibertyGreen is one of the Liberty Pension foundations. Liberty Pension was founded in 2005 and is one of the leading independent full-service providers of occupational benefit schemes and private retirement savings plans in Switzerland.

swisspay
SwissPay allows you to pay your bills with your credit card. This means that your bills are paid immediately, but you still have your capital at your disposal and therefore have greater liquidity.

impactvise AG
Through Analytics that track a law firm’s ESG initiatives and progress, an ESG-focused business training Academy with @INSEAD, and bespoke Advisory services through sustainability experts @Ampersand Partners, impactvise’s “Triple A” approach is geared towards tracking and accelerating impact in the legal profession. In so doing, the platform also creates efficiencies for law firms and in-house general counsels to streamline the hiring and retention of representation that matches on not only skills and fees, but values and fit.

Hypodossier AG
HypoDossier is a document processing software, designed uniquely to meet the requirements of Swiss lenders.

Oper Credits AG
Oper gives the paper-based mortgage industry access to a digital future. Oper&#8217;s white-labelled product allows lenders to digitize the mortgage process from contact to contract. Increasing customer conversion and lowering the cost of a mortgage transaction.


The post New Swiss Fintech Startup Map December 2021 (Christmas Edition) appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-swiss-fintech-startup-map-december-2021-christmas-edition</link><guid>2432</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Fintech-Startup-Map-Dec-2021.jpeg?x52498</dc:content ><dc:text>New Swiss Fintech Startup Map December 2021 (Christmas Edition)</dc:text></item><item><title>Visa Invests in LATAM Open Finance Platform Belvo’s US$43 Million Series A</title><description><![CDATA[Visa has invested in Mexico City-headquartered open finance API platform Belvo through its US$43 million Series A.
The two companies have also signed a strategic partnership to jointly develop open finance solutions in Latin America, a statement from Belvo said.
Visa joins other investors in Belvo with this investment, including Kaszek Ventures, Founders Fund, Y Combinator, Future Positive, Maya Capital, and FJ Labs.
The investment comes under a wider collaboration between Visa and Belvo as well. This includes another strategic partnership to support financial institutions and issuers in Latin America to leverage and implement open finance solutions.
The two companies are also looking at new open finance capabilities, including richer consumer experiences and new payment flows.
Belvo’s API platform provides connections to over 50 financial institutions.
The company&#8217;s client base includes fintech and financial companies in Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia, such as Jeeves, Rappi, Mobills, Ferratum, and Higo.
Pablo Viguera
“As we’ve built our product and team and grown as a company, we’re now entering a new phase where market expansion and collaboration with several strategic partners is key to providing reliable and secure capabilities at scale to our clients,”
said Pablo Viguera, co-founder and co-CEO at Belvo.
Romina Seltzer
“At Visa, we believe open finance has the potential to unleash great collaboration across all payment’s ecosystem participants, while ultimately driving greater financial inclusion and empowering consumers with more choice in how and where they share their financial data,”
said Romina Seltzer, Senior Vice President of Products and Innovation for Visa Latin America and the Caribbean.
 
Featured image: Belvo
 
The post Visa Invests in LATAM Open Finance Platform Belvo&#8217;s US$43 Million Series A appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/visa-invests-in-latam-open-finance-platform-belvos-us43-million-series-a</link><guid>2430</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/AM-1.png?x52498</dc:content ><dc:text>Visa Invests in LATAM Open Finance Platform Belvo’s US$43 Million Series A</dc:text></item><item><title>Yokoy Unveils Visa Business Debit Card Solution Across the EU</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss spend management firm Yokoy has launched a Visa business debit card to integrate automated payment transactions into a spend management solution.
The Yokoy Visa Business Card is available both as a physical card and a virtual product, to companies with employees across Europe, a statement said.
The solution comes with no card fees, account fees, transactions fees or foreign currency surcharges when used in the EU.
Yokoy&#8217;s software helps to integrate the card with spend management software and existing enterprise resource planning systems. It works with common financial and HR systems.
The debit card is powered by the global card issuing platform Marqeta. Initial customers of the company include Doodle Germany and Austria&#8217;s Bitpanda.
Ian Johnson
“From freelancers to large corporations, businesses of all sizes are now realising the capabilities of modern payment card platforms, which allow companies to manage spending and expenses much more efficiently with real-time functionality,”
said Ian Johnson, SVP/Managing Director Marqeta (Europe).
Ute König-Stemmler
&#8220;We are very pleased to announce the joint pan-European launch of the Yokoy Visa Business Card.
 
This includes a card with direct connection to the company account, which employees can use both contactlessly and on the go at the point of sale, as well as online or in-app at 80 million acceptance points worldwide,”
said Ute König-Stemmler, Head of Business Development Central Europe at Visa.
Featured image: Yokoy
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/yokoy-unveils-visa-business-debit-card-solution-across-the-eu</link><guid>2431</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Yokoy Unveils Visa Business Debit Card Solution Across the EU</dc:text></item><item><title>B2B Cashflow Solutions Provider Tradeshift Fetches US$200 Million</title><description><![CDATA[San Francisco-headquartered B2B e-invoicing and accounts payable automation company Tradeshift has raised over US$200 million in funding from existing and new investors.
Tradeshift raised the funding, which includes debt, from Koch Industries, as well as IDC Ventures, LUN Partners, Private Shares, and Fuel Capital.
The funding will help to optimise Tradeshift growth and balance sheet to continue scaling, a statement said, and also accelerate product development.
The company has cumulatively processed over US$1 trillion in transactions. Annual charge volumes on Tradeshift Go, the company’s spend management solution for B2B virtual credit cards, are expected to surpass US$2.5 billion this year, representing a growth of 600% year on year.
Christian Lanng
“Embedding financial services directly into our product unclogs the flow of working capital across supply chains, eliminating a significant pressure point in the buyer-suppliers relationship.
 
As one of the first companies to recognise the potential for embedded finance in SaaS, we have been betting on the convergence of Fintech and SaaS products for a while. We’ve built the technology and distribution channels to capitalise on what is now one of the defining trends in our industry,”
said Christian Lanng, CEO and Co-founder of Tradeshift.

The post B2B Cashflow Solutions Provider Tradeshift Fetches US$200 Million appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/b2b-cashflow-solutions-provider-tradeshift-fetches-us200-million</link><guid>2428</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/AM-1.png?x52498</dc:content ><dc:text>B2B Cashflow Solutions Provider Tradeshift Fetches US$200 Million</dc:text></item><item><title>Yolt Receives PSD2 License From Dutch Central Bank to Fuel Expansion</title><description><![CDATA[Amsterdam-headquartered Yolt has received a PSD2 license from Dutch central bank De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB).
The license allows the company to independently offer open banking services across the EU, a statement from the company said.
The company was previously providing services under the license of its shareholder ING.
Yolt already holds a PSD2 license from the UK regulator Financial Conduct Authority, making the PSD2 approval from DNB its second such license.
Both licenses allow the company to serve open banking customers across the EU as well as the UK.
The company provides connections to over 600 banks across Europe through its API.
It also provides an online cash flow tool, customer account data services, and open banking payments.
 
Featured image: Yolt
The post Yolt Receives PSD2 License From Dutch Central Bank to Fuel Expansion appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/yolt-receives-psd2-license-from-dutch-central-bank-to-fuel-expansion</link><guid>2429</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Yolt Receives PSD2 License From Dutch Central Bank to Fuel Expansion</dc:text></item><item><title>Prices of Virtual Land Soar Fueled by Metaverse Frenzy</title><description><![CDATA[Demand for virtual land plots and real estate is surging on the back of booming activity on the metaverse. Betting on a virtual reality future, real estate promoters and investment firms are snapping up properties on popular virtual environments such as Decentraland and The Sandbox for millions of dollars.
Data from DappRadar, a platform that tracks decentralized applications (Dapps), suggest that in the last week of November, all virtual environments combined recorded upwards of US$100 million in NFT land sales, giving an idea of the magnitude of these types of transactions.
Virtual worlds land NFTs trading volume between November 22 &#8211; 28, 2021, million USD, Source: Dappradar.com
Just a few weeks ago, Republic Realm, a firm that develops real estate in the metaverse, bought a land plot in the Sandbox for US$4.3 million in what has been deemed the biggest virtual real estate sale to date.
The Sandbox is a virtual metaverse where users can create their own virtual worlds, interact with others, and create digital assets like non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
Republic Realm, which purchased the digital land from videogame company Atari, said that the two companies plan to partner on the development of some of the properties. Republic Realm runs two real-world investment vehicles focused on virtual real estate and owns about 2,500 plots of digital land across 19 worlds, co-founder Janine Yorio told the Wall Street Journal.
These digital land plots are either left vacant and sold later on when they appreciate in value. Or, Republic Realm develops them into commercial or residential properties with the help of architects and game developers, she said.
Meanwhile, Tokens.com, a Canadian investment firm, purchased in November virtual land for US$2.4 million in Decentraland, the largest transaction recorded on the platform.
Similarly to the Sandbox, Decentraland is a virtual reality platform powered by the Ethereum blockchain that allows users to create, experience, and monetize content and applications.
Tokens.com said it’s looking to develop properties in Decentraland, which it wants to rent out to fashion companies as event and retail space. The company is also developing an 18-story skyscraper that it hopes to lease to lawyers or cryptocurrency exchanges.
According to a new paper by academics from the University of Basel in Switzerland, despite being intangible, virtual worlds are much more than gimmicks and are attracting a large number of users which spend substantial amounts of time and money in the metaverse.
This provides corporates with new opportunities to sell their goods and services, promote their products and organizations, and hold virtual events.
In fact, the researchers, whom analyzed the determinants of virtual land prices in Decentraland, found that these prices are mainly driven by commercial considerations with investors willing to pay substantial premiums for parcels that are more easily detectable or have more easily memorable coordinates.
Booming metaverse environments
These million dollar real estate transactions are coming on the back of surging activity on virtual reality environments.
Data from Nonfungible.com, a website that tracks non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on the Ethereum blockchain, show that over the past month, 19,805 transactions on blockchain-based metaverse platforms were witnessed, totaling a record of US$238 million.
Total USD spent on completed sales related to the Metaverse (monthly), Source: Nonfungible.com
The Sandbox and Decentraland led most of the month’s activity, recording US$179 million and US$20.7 million worth of NFT sales over the period, respectively. Combined, these two platforms held a market share of 84% in transaction volume during the period.
The metaverse, a concept referring to an immersive virtual reality environment, has been one of the year’s hottest tech trends, fueled by renewed interest in crypto-assets and the NFT frenzy.
Companies related to the metaverse have raised nearly US$10.4 billion in funding so far this year across 612 deals, Crunchbase data show, nearly doubling the US$5.9 billion raised for the whole year 2020. Epic Games’ US$1 billion funding round in April leads the pack, but other notable transactions were recorded also including the Softbank-led US$100 million funding round for the Sandbox.
Last month, Andrew Steinwold, a crypto podcaster and a managing partner of Sfermion, a Chicago-based investment firm, raised US$100 million for a new NFT fund focused on metaverse-related investments. Backers included the Winklevoss twins and two general partners from Andreessen Horowitz.
The post Prices of Virtual Land Soar Fueled by Metaverse Frenzy appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/prices-of-virtual-land-soar-fueled-by-metaverse-frenzy</link><guid>2427</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Virtual-worlds-land-NFTs-trading-volume-between-November-22-28-2021-million-USD-Source-Dappradar.com_.png?x52498</dc:content ><dc:text>Prices of Virtual Land Soar Fueled by Metaverse Frenzy</dc:text></item><item><title>BLKB beteiligt sich als strategische Investorin an KMU Crowdlending Platform</title><description><![CDATA[Die BLKB beteiligt sich als strategische Investorin an swisspeers AG, die eine digitale Plattform zur Finanzierung von KMU in der Schweiz betreibt.
Die BLKB beteiligt sich an der 2015 gegründeten swisspeers AG. Die digitale Plattform von swisspeers ermöglicht den KMU einen einfachen und schnellen Zugang zu Finanzierungslösungen. Anleger können sich über die offiziell als «swiss made software» gelabelte Plattform direkt an Krediten für KMU beteiligen. Die BLKB unterstützt damit die Erweiterung des digitalen Angebots und das Wachstum von swisspeers. Wir festigen durch die Beteiligung unser Engagement für kleine und mittlere Unternehmen, die zusammen mehr als zwei Drittel der Arbeitsplätze in der Schweiz stellen.
John Häfelfinger
John Häfelfinger, CEO der BLKB, sagt: «Als zukunftsorientierte Bank sind für uns der Nachhaltigkeitsgedanke und die Unterstützung von KMU von grosser Bedeutung. Wir sind davon überzeugt, dass wir als strategischer Investor die digitale Finanzierungsplattform von swisspeers stärken und so innovative Lösungen fördern können. Damit unterstreichen wir unseren Anspruch, den Unternehmen in unserer Region Zugang zu umfassenden Finanzierungslösungen während des
ganzen Lebenszyklus zu ermöglichen.»
Alwin Meyer
Alwin Meyer, CEO von swisspeers AG, sagt: «Wir freuen uns sehr über das Engagement der BLKB und sehen viel Potenzial in der Zusammenarbeit mit der führenden Bank in ihrer Region. Damit sind wir in der Lage, unser Wachstum zu beschleunigen, unsere Technologie breiter zum Einsatz zu bringen und noch umfassendere Services anzubieten.»
 
 
 
 
Von links: Alwin Meyer (Swisspeers), Stefan Nägeli (Swisspeers), Beat Röthlisberger (Stv. CEO BLKB), Andreas Hug (Swisspeers), John Häfelfinger (CEO BLKB)
The post BLKB beteiligt sich als strategische Investorin an KMU Crowdlending Platform appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/blkb-beteiligt-sich-als-strategische-investorin-an-kmu-crowdlending-platform</link><guid>2426</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>BLKB beteiligt sich als strategische Investorin an KMU Crowdlending Platform</dc:text></item><item><title>BIS Completes Wholesale Digital Currency Project With France and Swiss Regulators</title><description><![CDATA[Banque de France (BdF), Swiss National Bank (SNB) and Bank for International Settlements’ (BIS) Innovation Hub have successfully completed Project Jura, an experiment in cross-border wholesale central bank digital currencies (wCBDCs).
The project was completed by a consortium led by Accenture and includes Credit Suisse, Natixis, R3, SIX Digital Exchange (SDX) and UBS.
Project Jura successfully explored cross-border settlement of tokenised assets in wCBDC on a distributed ledger technology (DLT) enabled platform.
The project explored settling foreign exchange (FX) transactions in euro and Swiss franc wholesale CBDCs as well as issuing, transferring and redeeming a tokenised euro-denominated French commercial paper between French and Swiss financial institutions.
Project Jura is novel in two ways as it firstly tests a new approach to promote secure, fast and efficient cross-border settlements by extending the safety of central bank money to cross-border settlements between resident and non-resident financial institutions using multiple wCBDCs.
Second, it shows a new approach that may give central banks comfort to issue wCBDC on a third-party platform with separate sub-networks and to allow regulated non-resident financial institutions access to wCBDC.
The experiment involved real-value payments and settlements under the existing legal and regulatory frameworks.
Project Jura is part of a series of CBDC experiments announced by the BdF in July 2020 and continues the wCBDC experimentation by the SNB and BIS Innovation Hub initiated with Project Helvetia.
According to a joint statement, the experiment is of exploratory nature and should not be interpreted as an indication that the BdF or the SNB plan to issue wCBDCs.
Benoît Cœuré
&#8220;Project Jura confirms that a well designed wholesale CBDC can play a critical role as a safe and neutral settlement asset for international financial transactions.
 
It also demonstrates how central banks and the private sector can work together across borders to foster innovation.&#8221;
said Benoît Cœuré, Head of the BIS Innovation Hub.
Andréa M Maechler
&#8220;As a small open economy, Switzerland requires efficient and robust cross-border payment and settlement arrangements.
 
Project Jura explores how distributed ledger technology can be successfully leveraged to map out how future-proof cross-border settlement between financial institutions could look like.&#8221;
said Andréa M Maechler, Member of the Governing Board, Swiss National Bank.
 
﻿
The post BIS Completes Wholesale Digital Currency Project With France and Swiss Regulators appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bis-completes-wholesale-digital-currency-project-with-france-and-swiss-regulators</link><guid>2424</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>BIS Completes Wholesale Digital Currency Project With France and Swiss Regulators</dc:text></item><item><title>Top Fintech and Blockchain Lawyer in Switzerland 2021</title><description><![CDATA[Blockchain has emerged to be one of the most definitive technologies of current time. As with any new technology, however, the legal aspects surrounding blockchain and its applications may not be readily apparent to founders, executives and investors.
In this case, it becomes vital that organisations rope in the right advisory support. Here are some of the top legal professionals that have built a body of expertise in the space of blockchain. The selection was made by Who’s Who Legal based on nominations from peers, corporate counsel and other market sources this year. Fintech News has scanned the rankings to pick out the top Switzerland-based lawyers for you.
 
Who is Who in Fintech and Blockchain Legal Switzerland 2021
Martin Hess
 
Martin Hess
Martin Hess from Künzi Hess MacNab is a &#8220;well-known&#8221; finance lawyer who comes &#8220;highly recommended&#8221; for his invaluable experience advising fintech businesses.
Cornelia Stengel
Cornelia Stengel
Cornelia Stengel at Kellerhals Carrard is a “very seasoned professional who is capable to combine legal and business know how to the benefit of the client”.
Reto Luthiger
Reto Luthiger
Fintech specialist Reto Luthiger from MLL Meyerlustenberger Lachenal Froriep has &#8220;the ability to provide expert advice based on profound knowhow of the regulatory landscape in Switzerland&#8221;.
Andreas Glarner
Andreas Glarner
MME Legal Tax Compliance’s Andreas Glarner is &#8220;great to work with&#8221; according to peers, who applaud his extensive fintech experience and strong knowledge of e-payments.
Matthias Kuert
Matthias Kuert
At CMS von Erlach Partners, Matthias Kuert is &#8220;a thorough legal specialist&#8221; with &#8220;extraordinary analytical skills and a great international legal network&#8221;.
Rashid Bahar
Rashid Bahar
Advestra has an “excellent” individual in Rashid Bahar who regularly advises clients on the Swiss legal and regulatory framework surrounding fintech matters.
The post Top Fintech and Blockchain Lawyer in Switzerland 2021 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-fintech-and-blockchain-lawyer-in-switzerland-2021</link><guid>2422</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Top Fintech and Blockchain Lawyer in Switzerland 2021</dc:text></item><item><title>Top Fintech and Blockchain Lawyers in Switzerland 2021</title><description><![CDATA[Blockchain has emerged to be one of the most definitive technologies of current time. As with any new technology, however, the legal aspects surrounding blockchain and its applications may not be readily apparent to founders, executives and investors.
In this case, it becomes vital that organisations rope in the right advisory support. Here are some of the top legal professionals that have built a body of expertise in the space of blockchain. The selection was made by Who’s Who Legal based on nominations from peers, corporate counsel and other market sources this year. Fintech News has scanned the rankings to pick out the top Switzerland-based lawyers for you.
 
Who is Who in Fintech and Blockchain Legal Switzerland 2021
Martin Hess
 
Martin Hess
Martin Hess from Künzi Hess MacNab is a &#8220;well-known&#8221; finance lawyer who comes &#8220;highly recommended&#8221; for his invaluable experience advising fintech businesses.
Cornelia Stengel
Cornelia Stengel
Cornelia Stengel at Kellerhals Carrard is a “very seasoned professional who is capable to combine legal and business know how to the benefit of the client”.
Reto Luthiger
Reto Luthiger
Fintech specialist Reto Luthiger from MLL Meyerlustenberger Lachenal Froriep has &#8220;the ability to provide expert advice based on profound knowhow of the regulatory landscape in Switzerland&#8221;.
Andreas Glarner
Andreas Glarner
MME Legal Tax Compliance’s Andreas Glarner is &#8220;great to work with&#8221; according to peers, who applaud his extensive fintech experience and strong knowledge of e-payments.
Matthias Kuert
Matthias Kuert
At CMS von Erlach Partners, Matthias Kuert is &#8220;a thorough legal specialist&#8221; with &#8220;extraordinary analytical skills and a great international legal network&#8221;.
Rashid Bahar
Rashid Bahar
Advestra has an “excellent” individual in Rashid Bahar who regularly advises clients on the Swiss legal and regulatory framework surrounding fintech matters.
The post Top Fintech and Blockchain Lawyers in Switzerland 2021 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-fintech-and-blockchain-lawyers-in-switzerland-2021</link><guid>2423</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Top Fintech and Blockchain Lawyers in Switzerland 2021</dc:text></item><item><title>bunq Becomes First European Digital Bank to Offer Mortgages</title><description><![CDATA[Dutch challenger bank bunq announced that it will become the first European digital bank to offer mortgages.
The bank secured a partnership with Dutch lending platform Tulp to deliver mortgages starting from early 2022, a statement from the company said.
The service will be available in the Netherlands initially, with about two-thirds of the digital bank&#8217;s home loans covered by the Dutch government’s insurance scheme.
The scheme provides up to EUR355,000 for 2022 towards borrower defaults.
The 2012-founded challenger bank reportedly has over EUR 1 billion in deposits as of April this year.
It raised EUR 193 million in a Series A round this year from British private equity firm Pollen Street Capital, at a valuation of EUR 1.6 billion.
Its first external round, the Series A was raised for the company’s Europe expansion, including M&amp;As. bunq also acquired Dublin-based SME lender Capitalflow as part of the deal.
Ali Niknam
“At bunq we are constantly innovating and evolving to serve our users.
 
Becoming the first digital bank in Europe to offer our users mortgages is an incredibly exciting development for everyone at bunq,”
said Ali Niknam, Founder and CEO of bunq.
 
The post bunq Becomes First European Digital Bank to Offer Mortgages appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bunq-becomes-first-european-digital-bank-to-offer-mortgages</link><guid>2419</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>bunq Becomes First European Digital Bank to Offer Mortgages</dc:text></item><item><title>Tiger Global Leads US$60 Million Series B for Blockchain Firm TRM Labs</title><description><![CDATA[US blockchain intelligence company TRM Labs has raised US$60 million in a Series B funding round.
Tiger Global was the lead investor in the Series B, according to a statement. The round also saw participation from American Express’ Amex Ventures, Visa, Citi Ventures, DRW Venture Capital, Jump Capital, Marshall Wace, Block (formerly Square, Inc.) and PayPal Ventures.
Other participating investors include B Capital Group, Bessemer Venture Partners, Blockchain Capital, Cap Table Coalition, Castle Island Ventures, Initialised Capital and Operator Partners.
Furthermore, 50 angel investors including Emilie Choi, President and COO of Coinbase, Frank Slootman, Chairperson and CEO of Snowflake, and Michael Scarpelli, CFO of Snowflake, also pitched in.
TRM Labs uses cross-chain data with threat intelligence, advanced analytics, and intuitive visualisations to detect crypto fraud and financial crime.
Launched out of Y Combinator in 2019, TRM has recorded 600% year-over-year in revenue since then, the statement said. Customers for its solutions include Circle, FTX US, MoonPay and government agencies.
Esteban Castaño
&#8220;Crypto is moving faster than any sector in our lifetimes. Organisations need a blockchain intelligence partner that can stay ahead of the evolving risk landscape — from ransomware attacks to DeFi exploits.
 
This round enables TRM to continue to offer the most reliable data and most innovative technology solutions in the market to its customers,”
said Esteban Castaño, Co-founder and CEO of TRM.

The post Tiger Global Leads US$60 Million Series B for Blockchain Firm TRM Labs appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/tiger-global-leads-us60-million-series-b-for-blockchain-firm-trm-labs</link><guid>2420</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/AM-1.png?x52498</dc:content ><dc:text>Tiger Global Leads US$60 Million Series B for Blockchain Firm TRM Labs</dc:text></item><item><title>Jumio Acquires 4Stop For End-To-End Identity Solutions</title><description><![CDATA[US-based online mobile payments and identity verification company Jumio is acquiring strategic partner and KYC, compliance and fraud prevention solution provider 4Stop. The deal is expected to close early next year.
The acquisition of the Germany-headquartered company will help Jumio advance “ end-to-end identity” solutions, a statement said.
The two companies will provide a customer identity lifecycle management offering within a single, unified platform, including configuration and integration through an API.
4Stop was founded in 2016 and acts as a global data marketplace and orchestration hub, with over 650 data sources across 195 countries.
Robert Prigge
“Today’s pace and sophistication of cybercrime means organisations cannot afford to rely on multiple vendors for their identity verification and fraud prevention needs.
 
There’s no way around it: a successful identity company must now have KYC, AML, KYB and orchestration. Together, 4Stop and Jumio’s solutions will offer this and more, delivering a complete, end-to-end approach to identity orchestration and fraud prevention,”
said Jumio CEO Robert Prigge.
Ingo Ernst
“It has always been 4Stop’s passion to establish a modern, end-to-end and versatile data and risk management platform to better serve business’ global compliance and fraud defences.
 
Our online ecosystem and regulations are constantly evolving. Businesses need to quickly adapt and sync with leading technology and obtain future-proof sustainability,”
said Ingo Ernst, CEO at 4Stop.

The post Jumio Acquires 4Stop For End-To-End Identity Solutions appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/jumio-acquires-4stop-for-end-to-end-identity-solutions</link><guid>2421</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/AM-1.png?x52498</dc:content ><dc:text>Jumio Acquires 4Stop For End-To-End Identity Solutions</dc:text></item><item><title>The Next Frontiers of AI and Machine Learning in Data</title><description><![CDATA[With data becoming a core business asset for financial companies, artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) continues to be a focal point in maximising the competitive advantage of this ‘new oil&#8217;.
This is according to a new study by LSEG Labs, The Defining Moment for Data Scientists, on the applications of AI/ML in financial services.
The study found that the adoption of AI/ML within organisations has remained steady since 2018. Over the last three years, between 40-50% of respondents reported deploying AI/ML in multiple areas.
The survey is based on responses from 482 data scientists, quants, model governance professionals and C-suite executives, from both sell-side and buy-side financial institutions.
The report noted that companies are now leveraging both structured as well as unstructured data, and that the use of alternative data is also on the rise. In this context, natural language processing (NLP) and deep learning models are both gaining popularity, while firms switch to a more modular approach for AI/ML and cloud integrations.

Microsoft leads the way in the NLP race for now
While just 2% of respondents reported working with unstructured data in 2018, this figure has now grown to 19% in 2021. And with this development, NLP has come to the fore.
Cloud-based off-the-shelf text analysis was especially in demand, with 60% of respondents relying on Microsoft for text analysis. Microsoft was closely tailed by big tech competitors Google (54%) and Amazon (31%).

In this case, over half of the survey’s respondents (55%) reported using Microsoft’s cloud services, as compared to Amazon (48%) or Google (38%).
That’s not to say that companies are not looking at open source libraries. The report found that Flair, NLTK and spaCy were the most popular libraries for analysing and processing unstructured data. Meanwhile, a tenth of respondents used open source tool Hugging Face to experiment with large, pre-trained models.
Deep learning emerges as preferred training type
Besides NLP, deep learning has also emerged as a top trend in the application of AI/ML, with supervised learning now taking a backseat.
84% of respondents reported using deep learning models, versus 66% for supervised learning, 54% for unsupervised learning, and 46% for reinforcement learning. Transfer learning was the least popular training method, with just 15% of respondents opting for it.

 
The LSEG Labs report attributed this surge in adoption of deep learning to its commercialisation, through third-party APIs as well as off-the-shelf solutions. It also attributed the increased adoption to increased NLP applications.
Further, one in six respondents expected that deep learning would continue to have precedence in 2022.
Interoperability is key to building the right AI/ML capabilities
Companies are increasingly looking at outsourced, interoperable AI/ML solutions from a strategic perspective, the report noted.
Most companies (72%) preferred third-party integrations with their internal applications, while 47% opted for open source options. Just 26% were keen on buying full solutions from vendors.
This was subjective to the size of the company, however. Those with over 100 data scientists were more likely to choose a full solution provided externally, while in firms with less than 25 data scientists, integrating third-party vendor solutions into their own applications was more popular.
In choosing a tool, it was important for firms to take a “modular” approach, to create solutions that are unique to their needs. This means firms will need to “ build a mindset of being multi-platform,” and leverage interoperable and transparent data capabilities.
Concerns around model governance and tech
The LSEG Labs report noted that as data science teams within organisations grew, so did the need for model governance frameworks. Model governance was particularly prioritised by organisations with a team of 51 or more data scientists.
Regulation largely influences organisational outlook towards model governance, the report showed. Investment in model governance is expected to stem mainly from regulatory considerations (51%), while cost and quality concerns (49%), and ethical standards (42%) were also salient.
The report added that European Union regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation, and new guidelines for excellence and trust in AI, are reshaping the way companies work in the intersection of data and AI/ML. Similar regulations also exist in the APAC region, such as the Personal Data Protection Act in Singapore, or the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance in Hong Kong.
Meanwhile, although stakeholder trust in the applications of AI/ML to data is a concern, firms are more inclined to implement model governance models for better statistical performance and explainability. This may have repercussions going forward, as the report points out that “ethical and bias issues are likely to emerge” as less-explainable AI/ ML frameworks such as deep learning, bias-laden data such as unstructured data, grow in adoption.

A second emerging concern is the role of technology as a barrier to AI/ML in tech. A small but growing percentage of respondents see technology as a significant barrier to adoption, from 3% in 2018 to 19% in 2021.
Further, as the tech landscape grows increasingly complex, fragmented and rapidly changing, and with emerging technologies shifting gears from niche to trending application, data scientists are required to develop new learning curves on the go.
However, AI/ML is well past the confines of a nice-to-have, and are now being recognised as a business essential. AI/ML is being deployed across multiple areas especially in the EMEA and APAC region, where 82% and 94% of respondents respectively consider it core to business strategy.
Further, not only are financial companies thinking about the different ways to tap into available technologies, but that they are also thinking about these integrations more strategically. Presumably, AI/ML is likely to become a key competitive differentiator going forward. In this context, data practitioners will be expected to take on increasingly strategic roles across the business, while executives will need to build a deeper understanding of the talent and technology that will be critical to the future of their firms.
Find out more about the latest developments surrounding AI/ML in data by downloading the LSEG Labs report accessible here.
The post The Next Frontiers of AI and Machine Learning in Data appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-next-frontiers-of-ai-and-machine-learning-in-data</link><guid>2417</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/The-Next-Frontiers-of-AI-and-Machine-Learning-in-Data-2-3-300x200.png?x52498</dc:content ><dc:text>The Next Frontiers of AI and Machine Learning in Data</dc:text></item><item><title>Climate Fintech Catches On with Rising Funding Activity</title><description><![CDATA[Climate fintech, a sector comprising digital innovations, applications and platforms that help tackle climate change, is rapidly taking off. Over the past year, at least 16 climate fintech companies have raised rounds, data from Crunchbase show, and now, one of the most prominent companies in the space is preparing to go public.

Climate fintech, also referred to as green fintech, is a new wave of fintech companies that focus on providing customers with environmentally-focused digital financial services and investment opportunities.
The landscape comprises players operating in various areas ranging from services related to environmental, social and governance (ESG) data, peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading platforms and alternative financial markets for environmental assets.
Climate fintech is catching the attention of venture capital (VC) investors whom are becoming increasingly serious about climate technology more broadly. Data from Sifted suggest that investors have so far poured a record-breaking US$8 billion into Europe’s sustainable startup this year. The region is home to over 40 VCs focused on sustainability and climate tech.
Early data on climate fintech from Crunchbase suggest that financing activity is also accelerating with early stage rounds including seed and Series A multiplying. The largest funding recipient so far has been Xpansiv, a US marketplace for ESG commodities, which closed a US$100 million funding round in September from backers including Clean Energy Finance and Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
Xpansiv, which provides a liquidity hub for ESG-inclusive commodities including carbon offsets, renewable energy certificates (RECs) and differentiated fuels, said it had witnessed strong growth, recording 15 million tons of carbon traded on its platform in August 2021, a 812% increase compared to the prior corresponding period.
Doconomy, a Swedish startup that compiles and provides data around the climate impact of products, transactions and companies, raised a US$17 million round in September in what the company claimed to be the largest funding round ever for a European climate fintech.
Doconomy currently processes close to 90 million transaction impact calculations per month in 20 markets for clients including Klarna, Nordea and Standard Chartered.
And Clim8 Invest, a London-based platform for investing in a portfolio of public companies making an impact in tackling climate change, has raised over US$18 million to date from a mix of crowdfunding and seed money, according to Crunchbase.
The climate fintech sector is also in the midst of seeing a prominent player hitting the public market. Los Angeles-based Aspiration Partners, a green fintech that lets customers spend, save and shop in ways that protect the planet, is combining with InterPrivate III Financial Partners, a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). The merger, which will value the company US$2.3 billion, will make Aspiration Partners the first sustainability-focused consumer financial services provider in the public markets.
Founded in 2013, Aspiration Partners provides products including savings accounts and investment vehicles with a pledge not to invest in fossil fuels. The company claims its revenue grew 700% over the past year and its customer base doubled to more than 5 million. Backers include actors Robert Downey Jr., Leonardo DiCaprio and Orlando Bloom, investment bank Allen &amp; Co. and eBay co-founder Jeff Skoll.
The rush in funding activity around climate fintech comes amid regulatory development and rising demand for sustainable finance from investors.
The 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) culminated last month with the Glasgow Climate Pact, the first climate agreement explicitly planning to reduce unabated coal usage. It also includes pledges to reverse deforestation by 2030 and work towards all sales of new cars and vans being zero emission globally by 2040.
In July, the European Commission (EC) adopted a comprehensive package of measures to improve the flow of money towards financing the transition to a sustainable economy. The package includes the Sustainable Finance Strategy, which sets out several initiatives to tackle climate change, and other environmental challenges, while increasing investment and the inclusiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It also includes the European Green Bond Standard proposal, which seeks to create a high-quality voluntary standard for bonds financing sustainable investment.
In Switzerland, the Green Fintech Network, a network of startups and experts in green fintech set up with the assistance of the State Secretariat for International Finance SIF, presented its action plan in April.
The plan includes proposals to set up a platform for sustainability data, establish an annual innovation challenge for green fintech startups, create a fund of funds dedicated to green fintechs, and pioneering the “green open finance” movement.
 
Featured image credit: Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash 
The post Climate Fintech Catches On with Rising Funding Activity appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/climate-fintech-catches-on-with-rising-funding-activity</link><guid>2418</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Climate Fintech Catches On with Rising Funding Activity</dc:text></item><item><title>FNZ Acquires Appway to Provide Personalised Financial Solutions at Scale</title><description><![CDATA[London-based wealth management platform FNZ Group has agreed to acquire Zurich-headquartered client onboarding and servicing solution provider Appway.
The deal is expected to close early in Q1 next year. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
This acquisition of the financial institutions-focused company will help FNZ integrate with enterprise grade low-code no-code workflow automation, with deep domain expertise across the wealth management value chain, a statement said.
CEO and Founder of Appway Hanspeter Wolf will take over as the CTO of FNZ, effective on the closing date of the deal.
FNZ provides an integrated technology, transaction and custody platform to wealth managers, banks, insurers and asset managers across North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific.
The company has over 150 institutional clients, with more than US$1.5 trillion in assets under administration.
Hans Peter Wolf
 
“The Appway low-code no-code workflow automation solutions are based on the deep expertise across the full wealth continuum and allow our customers to achieve up to 90% faster client onboarding times and a 10% increase in margins on average per onboarded client,”
said Wolf.
 
 
Featured image: (From left) Adrian Durham, CEO, FNZ Group and 
The post FNZ Acquires Appway to Provide Personalised Financial Solutions at Scale appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fnz-acquires-appway-to-provide-personalised-financial-solutions-at-scale</link><guid>2416</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>FNZ Acquires Appway to Provide Personalised Financial Solutions at Scale</dc:text></item><item><title>Republic to Acquire Seedrs in US$100 Million Deal to Expand Its Europe Footprint</title><description><![CDATA[US-based private investment platform Republic will be acquiring European online private investment platform Seedrs for about US$100 million. The deal is expected to close in early 2022.
The deal also saw participation from global institutional investment management firm Davidson Kempner Capital Management. The firm will hold a stake in Republic by acquiring approximately 30% of Seedrs.
According to a statement, the acquisition will help to build the first global private investment marketplace, with offerings across North America and Europe.
Republic expects to grow their presence in Europe through the deal, expanding Seedrs reach in the region.
The deal comes on the heels of Republic&#8217;s US$150 million Series B round led by Valor Equity Partners.
The 2016-founded company allows users to invest in private equity, debt or crypto through their retail platform, and has nearly US$1 billion in assets under management through its private asset management arm.
Republic and Seedrs have had a partnership in place over the last four years. Launched in 2012, Seedrs is the first regulated securities crowdfunding platform in the world, the statement said. It has seen about GBP 1.5 billion (nearly US$2 billion) invested on its platform so far.
Kendrick Nguyen
&#8220;In working with Seedrs, we have admired their technological capabilities, the strength of their team and their strong presence in the UK and soon Europe.
 
We anticipate further developing the strengths of both companies from retail, secondaries, crypto, and communities to create a clear industry leader,”
said Kendrick Nguyen, founder and CEO of Republic.

Featured image: Republic
The post Republic to Acquire Seedrs in US$100 Million Deal to Expand Its Europe Footprint appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/republic-to-acquire-seedrs-in-us100-million-deal-to-expand-its-europe-footprint</link><guid>2415</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/AM-1.png?x64356</dc:content ><dc:text>Republic to Acquire Seedrs in US$100 Million Deal to Expand Its Europe Footprint</dc:text></item><item><title>London Stock Exchange Group to Acquire Quantile for US$364 Million</title><description><![CDATA[The London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) will be acquiring financial services provider Quantile Group in a deal valued at GBP 274 million (US$364 million). The acquisition is expected to close in 2022.
Quantile will support LSEG’s global OTC Derivatives clearing services, helping the company to expand its post trade risk management customer solutions, according to a statement.
The acquisition will enable LSEG’s to tap into Quantile’s trade compression, capital and margin optimisation services.
Quantile’s optimisation engine provides banks, hedge funds and financial institutions trading OTC derivatives, with advanced trade compression and risk rebalancing capabilities.
The 2015-founded Quantile will work as an independent entity within LSEG’s Post Trade division. Quantile was co-founded by chairperson Stephen O’Connor, who is also a minority shareholder in the company.
O&#8217;Connor was the senior independent director on LSEG’s board until August, and remains a director of the London Stock Exchange. O’Connor is in line for a payout from the takeover because he is a shareholder in Quantile.
LSEG and Quantile’s services will be made available on an open access basis where customers can choose where to clear, compress and optimise their trading activity.
Daniel Maguire
“The acquisition of Quantile builds on the strong growth delivered by LSEG and our Post Trade division.
 
It significantly enhances LSEG’s multi-asset class customer offering across the transaction lifecycle by providing more sophisticated tools and infrastructure for customers to optimise their financial resources and drive greater operational efficiencies in OTC derivatives,”
said Daniel Maguire, Group Head, Post Trade, LSEG &amp; CEO, LCH Group.
 
Featured image credit: Photo by David Vincent on Unsplash 
The post London Stock Exchange Group to Acquire Quantile for US$364 Million appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/london-stock-exchange-group-to-acquire-quantile-for-us364-million</link><guid>2414</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>London Stock Exchange Group to Acquire Quantile for US$364 Million</dc:text></item><item><title>Run auf die PropTech Map Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[Quasi als Endspurt vor dem Jahreswechsel kommen neun PropTechs neu auf die Proptech Switzerland Map. Einmal mehr legt die Kategorie &#8220;Services&#8221; zu. Aber es gibt auch einen prominenten Abgang. STARTUP.ch vermeldet rekordhohe Firmengründungen, vor allem in den Bereich Immobilien und Bauwesen.
Wie gewohnt am Schluss die von mir ausgewählten Veranstaltungen. Und falls der Samichlaus heute keine Geschenke vorbeibrachte: Abonnieren Sie einfach meinen Blog auf proptechnews.ch. Dann haben Sie das Geschenk!
Run auf die PropTech Map Switzerland
Die letzte Aktualisierung für dieses Jahr zeigt Zugänge in den Kategorien &#8220;Finance, Marketplace, Services und Smart Building. Hier die PropTechs:
Finance
Die Thurgauer Kantonalbank hat mit brokermarket.ch eine Plattform für die Vermittlung von Hypotheken lanciert. Der Kampf ums Geld wird weiter angeheizt.
Marketplace
Unglaublich, aber wahr. Mit immo-klip.ch und trovas.ch kommen zwei weitere Immobilienmarktplätze hinzu. Da soll einer noch sagen, dass wir mit der Swiss Marketplace Group einen Monopolisten hätten. Noch nie war das Angebot so gross. Noch nie war die Konzentration so fortgeschritten.
Services
Wieder sind mir PropTechs aus der Westschweiz aufgefallen. enoki.ch und fixmyspace.ch sind neu auf der PropTech Map Switzerland. Neuzugänge sind auch live-track.ch, raumpioniereai.com und infradocks.ch.
Smart Building
ledcity.ch ist neu in dieser Kategorie.
In meiner internen Kategorie ist aroov.ch gelandet. Nach der Fusion mit flatfox.ch ist dieses PropTech prominenter Neuzugang auf dem Friedhof der Startups.
Run auf die PropTechMap Switzerland. Ein tolles Resultat für den kleinen Schweizer Markt.
Rekordmarke bei Firmengründungen
Laut einer Studie von STARTUP.ch sind dieses Jahr 50&#8217;000 Neugründungen von Firmen möglich. Bereits das erste Corona-Jahr brachte einen Rekord bei den Jungunternehmen. Firmengründungen gab es vor allem in den Bereichen Immobilien, Bauwesen und Handwerk. Aber auch Blockchain und Kryptowährungen sind hoch im Kurs. Neue Unternehmen gab es praktisch in allen Kantonen. So auch in Zürich und Bern, wo die höchsten Steuern auf Gewinne verlangt werden. Gewinne? Ist vielleicht für Startups nicht so relevant.
Run auf die PropTech Map Switzerland.
Ausgewählte Veranstaltungen
Bisher war NOAH Conference in London zu Hause. Jetzt kommt diese einzigartige Veranstaltung nach Zürich. Am 6. und 7. Dezember trifft sich (vielleicht) die internationale Digital-Szene.
Vom 19.-20. Januar 2022 wird die IMMO22 durchgeführt. proptechnews.ch ist Partner der Messe.
Praktisch parallel zur IMMO22 findet die Swissbau vom 18.-21. Januar 2022 statt. Dort präsentieren sechs Startups im Rahmen der &#8220;Swissbau Challenge&#8221;.
La SVIT School et pom+Consulting vous donnent rendez-vous le 3 février 2022 pour la 5e édition du Digital Real Estate Summit Romandie.
Am 1. März 2022 findet der Digital Real Estate Summit statt. Bis am 3. November können Projekte für die Digital Top 10 eingereicht werden.
 
Dieser Artikel erschien zuerst auf proptechnews.ch
The post Run auf die PropTech Map Switzerland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/run-auf-die-proptech-map-switzerland</link><guid>2412</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/proptech-Map-Switzerland-2021.png?x64356</dc:content ><dc:text>Run auf die PropTech Map Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>26 Startups Graduate From F10 Switzerland’s Global Summit</title><description><![CDATA[Twenty-six fintech and insurtech startups have graduated from incubator and accelerator programs by F10 Switzerland, as part of the third leg of the F10 Global Summit.
A statement by F10 Switzerland said that a total of 12 growth-stage and 14 early stage startups graduated from the programs.
Moreover, six of the early stage companies were selected for a combined investment of CHF 900,000 by F10 Investment AG, split equally between the startups.
These were mobility startup bloXmove, SME ecommerce solution provider Buyogo, digital assets platform CryptoIndexSeries, sustainability startup mympact, deal platform trueLedger, and digital marketing startup warrify.

bloXmove reinvents and streamlines mobility — providing a decentralized global mobility alliance: from taxis, scooters, bikes to trains and busses.

BUYOGO is a Zurich-based software startup, which offers small and medium-sized businesses integrated digital commerce solutions.

CryptoIndexSeries provides institutional-grade, AI-driven data, trading and portfolio analytics tools for Digital Asset Markets.

mympact empowers you to understand and reduce your environmental impact and live a sustainable life.

trueLedger is the first deal platform for buyers and vendors of professional services creating TRUE value: Transparent, Real-time, Undisputed, Efficient.

warrify converts paper receipts into a digital marketing channel to reach even anonymous customers after the sale.

The 14 early stage startups completed a five-month incubation program, which also features its first Climate Fintech track in collaboration with New Energy Nexus.
Meanwhile, the 12 growth-stage startups completed a three-month acceleration program, focused on collaboration between participating startups and corporate partners.
Partnerships include a collaboration between SIX Group and climate tech startup Deedster, as well as agreements by HITS/Generali with financial advisory platform Neuroprofiler and document AI platform Konfuzio.
Marc Hauser
&#8220;I am not only very proud of what the startups achieved during their 5 months with us, but also humbled by their rate of progress. It proves how much can be achieved with the support of the ecosystem: partners, mentors and investors,”
said Marc Hauser, Head F10 Switzerland.
 
 
 
Featured image: F10
The post 26 Startups Graduate From F10 Switzerland&#8217;s Global Summit appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/26-startups-graduate-from-f10-switzerlands-global-summit</link><guid>2411</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>26 Startups Graduate From F10 Switzerland’s Global Summit</dc:text></item><item><title>26 Startups Graduate From F10 Switzerland’s Global Summit /6 Investments</title><description><![CDATA[Twenty-six fintech and insurtech startups have graduated from incubator and accelerator programs by F10 Switzerland, as part of the third leg of the F10 Global Summit.
A statement by F10 Switzerland said that a total of 12 growth-stage and 14 early stage startups graduated from the programs.
Moreover, six of the early stage companies were selected for a combined investment of CHF 900,000 by F10 Investment AG, split equally between the startups.
These were mobility startup bloXmove, SME ecommerce solution provider Buyogo, digital assets platform CryptoIndexSeries, sustainability startup mympact, deal platform trueLedger, and digital marketing startup warrify.

bloXmove reinvents and streamlines mobility — providing a decentralized global mobility alliance: from taxis, scooters, bikes to trains and busses.

BUYOGO is a Zurich-based software startup, which offers small and medium-sized businesses integrated digital commerce solutions.

CryptoIndexSeries provides institutional-grade, AI-driven data, trading and portfolio analytics tools for Digital Asset Markets.

mympact empowers you to understand and reduce your environmental impact and live a sustainable life.

trueLedger is the first deal platform for buyers and vendors of professional services creating TRUE value: Transparent, Real-time, Undisputed, Efficient.

warrify converts paper receipts into a digital marketing channel to reach even anonymous customers after the sale.

The 14 early stage startups completed a five-month incubation program, which also features its first Climate Fintech track in collaboration with New Energy Nexus.
Meanwhile, the 12 growth-stage startups completed a three-month acceleration program, focused on collaboration between participating startups and corporate partners.
Partnerships include a collaboration between SIX Group and climate tech startup Deedster, as well as agreements by HITS/Generali with financial advisory platform Neuroprofiler and document AI platform Konfuzio.
Marc Hauser
&#8220;I am not only very proud of what the startups achieved during their 5 months with us, but also humbled by their rate of progress. It proves how much can be achieved with the support of the ecosystem: partners, mentors and investors,”
said Marc Hauser, Head F10 Switzerland.
 
 
 
Featured image: F10
The post 26 Startups Graduate From F10 Switzerland&#8217;s Global Summit /6 Investments appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/26-startups-graduate-from-f10-switzerlands-global-summit-6-investments</link><guid>2413</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>26 Startups Graduate From F10 Switzerland’s Global Summit /6 Investments</dc:text></item><item><title>Moody’s Acquires Passfort and 360kompany to Boost Its Onboarding Solutions</title><description><![CDATA[Global integrated risk assessment firm Moody’s Corporation is acquiring two European providers of onboarding and Know Your Customer (KYC) technology solutions.
Moody’s has completed the acquisition of PassFort Limited and has signed an agreement to acquire Austrian based d360kompany AG (kompany), according to a statement by the company.
PassFort’s acquisition was funded with cash, while the acquisition of kompany will be funded with a mix of cash and shares of Moody’s common stock.
kompany’s acquisition is expected to close in Q1 next year subject to conditions. Neither acquisitions are expected to impact the company&#8217;s 2021 financial results.
Both companies will be integrated into the KYC business within Moody’s Analytics.
The acquisitions will boost solutions for KYC, anti-money laundering, compliance, and counterparty risk at Moody’s.
They will support the Orbis company database, as well as the GRID database of risk profiles, adverse news, politically exposed persons, and sanctions.
UK-based SaaS workflow platform PassFort provides identity verification, customer onboarding, and risk analysis software solutions.
Meanwhile, kompany is an Austria-based platform for audit-proof business verification and KYC.
Keith Berry
“Our customers rely on our data and analytical tools to make decisions about who they do business with.
 
PassFort and kompany are innovators in the compliance and regulatory space, and their technologies will upgrade and accelerate our customers’ onboarding and monitoring processes,”
said Keith Berry, General Manager of Moody’s KYC business unit.

Featured image: Edited from Pexels
 
The post Moody’s Acquires Passfort and 360kompany to Boost Its Onboarding Solutions appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/moodys-acquires-passfort-and-360kompany-to-boost-its-onboarding-solutions</link><guid>2408</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/AM-1.png?x22073</dc:content ><dc:text>Moody’s Acquires Passfort and 360kompany to Boost Its Onboarding Solutions</dc:text></item><item><title>SEBA Bank Launches Crypto and Blended AMC Platform With GenTwo Digital</title><description><![CDATA[Digital assets banking platform SEBA Bank has launched a platform for blended Actively Managed Certificates (AMCs) in partnership with GenTwo Digital.
The AMC platform allows Swiss asset managers to originate a Swiss-compliant AMC with Swiss ISIN, a statement from the company said.
The solution allows asset managers, banks, and family offices, to build products based both on crypto and traditional underlying assets. These can then be offered to clients as AMCs.
Banks and asset managers can also provide crypto or blended AMCs with their own specific fee models.
Clients will also be able to access a range of assets and trading in fiat currencies, across all bankable and digital assets of SEBA Bank’s offering.
GenTwo Digital will be responsible for the establishment and coordination of the securitisation aspects.
Meanwhile, SEBA Bank will operate and represent the conventional and crypto asset solution.
SEBA Bank is a Zug-headquartered global smart bank founded in 2018 and licensed by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA).
The bank holds a Swiss banking and securities dealers license, and also acquired the CISA license in September this year.
Stefan Schwitter
“We are excited to make it easier for banks, asset managers and family offices to offer products solutions in digital assets or as blended portfolios combining digital and traditional asset classes.
 
We are pleased to continue the good cooperation with GenTwo Digital on structuring leading product solutions,”
said Stefan Schwitter, Head Investment Solutions at SEBA Bank.
 
The post SEBA Bank Launches Crypto and Blended AMC Platform With GenTwo Digital appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/seba-bank-launches-crypto-and-blended-amc-platform-with-gentwo-digital</link><guid>2409</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>SEBA Bank Launches Crypto and Blended AMC Platform With GenTwo Digital</dc:text></item><item><title>Bitcoin Capital Rolls Out New Crypto ETPs on the Swiss Stock Exchange</title><description><![CDATA[Bitcoin Capital has expanded its crypto asset offerings by launching two new crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs) on the SIX Swiss Exchange.
The new products, 1 FiCAS Active Bitcoin ETP and 1 FiCAS Active Ethereum ETP, are actively managed by crypto asset manager FICAS AG, a statement from the company said.
Bitcoin Capital is a subsidiary of FiCAS AG, a Swiss-based crypto investment management boutique.
The listing is accessible for investments by institutional, professional, and private investors in Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and the EU (excluding Hungary).
The company had launched the world&#8217;s first exchange-listed actively managed crypto ETP, 15 FiCAS Active Crypto ETP, on the Swiss stock exchange in 2020.
Dr. Luca Schenk
&#8220;Our purpose is to grant investors safe and easy access to digital assets and are convinced that crypto assets will soon be part of the diversification strategy of many investment portfolios.
 
The two new products with the most relevant cryptocurrencies as underlying may, through their active management, improve the overall portfolio risk by reducing underlying volatility,&#8221;
said Dr. Luca Schenk, Chairperson of Bitcoin Capital.
 
Featured image: Pexels
 
The post Bitcoin Capital Rolls Out New Crypto ETPs on the Swiss Stock Exchange appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bitcoin-capital-rolls-out-new-crypto-etps-on-the-swiss-stock-exchange</link><guid>2410</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Bitcoin Capital Rolls Out New Crypto ETPs on the Swiss Stock Exchange</dc:text></item><item><title>Colombia: Underdeveloped Wealthtech, Banking Tech Sectors Are an Opportunity for Swiss Fintechs</title><description><![CDATA[In Colombia, underdeveloped fintech segments including investment management/wealthtech and banking infrastructure represent a market opportunity for Swiss fintech companies, which have over the years build up expertise and competencies in both areas, a new report by Swiss governmental agency Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE) says.
With more than 320 companies, Colombia has the third largest fintech ecosystem in Latin America (Latam), a burgeoning industry that has been driven by the country’s young population of digital natives, rising demand for digital financial services, and stable legal and political environment.
This landscape has fueled the rise of a fintech industry that’s now largely dominated by early-state fintech services serving the underbanked, including neobanks and payment providers, leaving plenty of opportunities in the fields of wealthtech, banking technology, and more broadly fintech enablers, a paper says.
In comparison, Switzerland is a world leader in banking technology and wealthtech, building on the country’s historical leadership in innovation, banking and wealth management. This expertise, coupled with rising demand for these solutions in Colombia, are opening up opportunities for Swiss fintech companies in the country, it says.
Colombia fintech landscape versus Swiss fintech landscape, Source: Switzerland Global Enterprise, Oct 2021
Investment management and wealthtech companies represent only 24% of all fintech firms in Colombia, making it a young segment that’s nevertheless emerging rapidly. The sector is poised for growth, the report says, and will be driven by tech-savvy millennials demanding low-cost and transparent modern trading platforms and robo-advisors.
Banking infrastructure, a category that accounts for just 11% of the whole fintech startup landscape, is another segment with strong growth potential. This industry will rise on the back of modernization efforts by incumbent banks. These will be looking to replace their decades old core systems to keep up with cloud-native neobanking leaders, the paper says.
Opportunities in payments and remittances
Besides these two market opportunities, other fields are also worth exploring. For example, 35% of fintech companies in Colombia offer online lending solutions to consumers, making it a fairly developed and crowded space. However, the persistent funding gap means that no real leader has emerged yet.
Opportunities exist in the payments space as well where evolving customer expectations will increase demand for frictionless processes, outstanding experiences and great customer support. In this landscape, providers of payment solutions that are easy to integrate, cheap and work across platforms will have an edge, the report says.
Cross-border money transfer is another appealing segment, especially considering the amount of money overseas Colombians send back home each year, an estimated US$7 billion in 2020, according to data from the central bank of Colombia. Colombia is also home to two million immigrants and refugees from neighboring countries who send money back to their home country as well.
SME financing gap
Although Colombia’s fintech sector pales in comparison to regional leaders Brazil and Mexico, the country has the highest fintech adoption rate in Latam with 76% of consumers using some kind of fintech service, according to the EY Global Fintech Adoption Index 2019.
Still, 62% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Colombia do not have access to financing, a market opportunity which digital lending platform Finaktiva is looking to tap into. Recently, it acquired Libera Supply Chain, a factoring startup, to pursue its ambition to build a neobank for SMEs.
Last month, fintech startup Paymovil won the API’s Challenge, a competition organized by telco operator Claro and industry trade group Colombia Fintech to solve specific industry problems. Paymovil took the grand prize for an innovative electronic payment solution for SMEs that works through Near Field Communication (NFC).
Tuya took the second prize with a proposal for tailor-made financing in a buy now, pay later (BNPL) model.
 
This article first appeared on fintechnews.am

The post Colombia: Underdeveloped Wealthtech, Banking Tech Sectors Are an Opportunity for Swiss Fintechs appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/colombia-underdeveloped-wealthtech-banking-tech-sectors-are-an-opportunity-for-swiss-fintechs</link><guid>2407</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Colombia-fintech-landscape-versus-Swiss-fintech-landscape-Source-Switzerland-Global-Enterprise-Oct-2021.png?x22073</dc:content ><dc:text>Colombia: Underdeveloped Wealthtech, Banking Tech Sectors Are an Opportunity for Swiss Fintechs</dc:text></item><item><title>Infoniqa übernimmt Run my Accounts</title><description><![CDATA[Infoniqa übernimmt per sofort die Run my Accounts AG. Nach dem im Frühjahr 2021 angekündigten Kauf der Sage Schweiz AG ist die Akquisition von Run my Accounts bereits die zweite Schweizer Übernahme.
Mit den Übernahmen baut Infoniqa die Präsenz in der Schweiz weiter aus. KMU und Treuhänder profitieren von einem breiteren Angebot und der Investition in das bestehende Portfolio sowie in den Kundenservice. Die Tools und Dienstleistungen von Run my Accounts bilden dabei mit dem neu erworbenen Produktportfolio in der Schweiz starke Synergien.
Entwicklung neuer Produkte und Dienstleistungen
Als vollständig digitaler Online-Buchhaltungs-Dienstleister nimmt Run my Accounts eine Pole-Position rund um die Digitalisierung und Automatisierung administrativer Business-Prozesse ein. Zusammen mit Infoniqa wird Run my Accounts weitere digitale Produkte und Dienstleistungen anbieten, welche speziell für Treuhänder ein effizienteres Kerngeschäft und für Endkunden eine Buchhaltung in der Cloud ermöglichen.
Léon Vergnes
Léon Vergnes, CEO von Infoniqa: «Run my Accounts hat uns besonders mit dem digitalen Service-Ansatz überzeugt. Mit der innovativen Plattform wird die Buchhaltung stark automatisiert und weitere Services im Hintergrund reduzieren den Aufwand rund um Rechnungen und Steuern auf ein Minimum. Gemeinsam machen wir Buchhaltung so einfach wie Online-Shopping. Das ist ein entscheidender Benefit, der auch über Ländergrenzen hinaus explizit für Treuhänder und deren Kunden relevant ist.»
Was ändert sich für Run my Accounts Kunden?
Die bestehenden Dienstleistungen von Run my Accounts werden unverändert durch dieselben Ansprechpersonen erbracht und schrittweise erweitert. Dasselbe gilt für die Online-Buchhaltungs-Software von Run my Accounts, welche im Funktionsumfang weiter ausgebaut wird. Auch Run my Accounts-Gründer Thomas Brändle bleibt seiner Position treu und wird Run my Accounts im Sinne der Kontinuität weiterhin als Geschäftsführer leiten.
Dank der Übernahme durch die finanzstarke Infoniqa kann Run my Accounts in Zukunft noch bessere Dienstleistungen und Software anbieten. Run my Accounts wird als Tochtergesellschaft von Infoniqa weiterbestehen und das Dienstleistungs- und Softwareportfolio stark ausbauen.
Run my Accounts Gründer Thomas Brändle zur Zusammenarbeit: «Durch die Zusammenarbeit mit Infoniqa können wir die Vertriebskanäle unserer Produkte und Dienstleistungen massiv erweitern und künftig gemeinsam noch schneller wachsen. Wir erhalten die Möglichkeit, mit Infoniqa unsere Vision einer volldigitalen Buchhaltung umzusetzen.»
Synergien aus dem Kauf der Sage Schweiz AG
Im April 2021 gab Infoniqa bekannt, dass sie das Schweizer Geschäft der Sage Gruppe mit den lokalen Produkten übernimmt.
Nach dem finalen Abschluss des Kaufs am 30. November 2021 wird Infoniqa zu einem gewichtigen Marktteilnehmer rund um ERP-Lösungen sowie HR- und Finanzmanagement-Software in der Schweiz. Besonders vielversprechend erachtet Léon Vergnes die Synergien zwischen den beiden Zukäufen:
«Die Technologien, Tools und Dienstleistungen von Run my Accounts ergänzen unser neu erworbenes Produkt-Portfolio in der Schweiz optimal. Gemeinsam können wir künftig die Produktivität unserer Partner und Treuhänder auf ein völlig neues Level heben.»
Mit der Übernahme von Run my Accounts und Sage Schweiz AG wächst Infoniqa auf eine Unternehmensgruppe mit 510 Mitarbeitenden an 15 Standorten in Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz.
The post Infoniqa übernimmt Run my Accounts appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/infoniqa-ubernimmt-run-my-accounts</link><guid>2406</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Infoniqa übernimmt Run my Accounts</dc:text></item><item><title>Portugal Fintech Report: Top 30 Fintechs and First Unicorn</title><description><![CDATA[Portugal’s fintech industry had a fructuous year 2021 as it welcomed its first fintech startup unicorn and new regulatory development in the booming digital asset industry. Although the country is steadily rising as a startup hub in Europe, several challenges are still hampering the growth of the fintech sector, including the lack of tech talent, according to a new report by industry trade group Portugal Fintech.
The report, titled Portugal Fintech Report 2021, presents an overview of the industry’s progress and main trends, gives a mapping of the top Portuguese fintech companies and shares findings from a survey of these market leaders.
According to the report, the Portuguese fintech industry grew in 2021 as regulators continued to be active in the fintech space. 2021 saw Banco de Portugal issue operating licenses to two cryptocurrency exchanges in the country after announcing that it would start ensuring the regulation of cryptocurrencies.
The year also saw Portuguese financial regulators run the third edition of Portugal FinLab, a program aimed at establishing an accessible communication channel between entrepreneurs and emerging companies and the regulators, and supporting fintech companies in navigating legal and regulatory challenges.
The Portuguese government is currently studying and drafting cross-sector and primary legislation for so-called Technology Free Zones in a bid to facilitate both innovation and experimentation.
Portuguese fintech startups in 2021
In the startup ecosystem, Feedzai became this year the country’s first fintech unicorn startup after raising US$200 million in a Series D funding round. Feedzai provides banks and other financial services companies with artificial intelligence (AI) tools to spot and fight fraud.
Feedzai reaching a billion dollar valuation is reflective of broader fintech funding trends observed this year where startups in the cybersecurity and regtech spaces were favored.
A survey of the top 30 Portuguese fintech companies selected by Portugal Fintech this year shows that cybersecurity and regtech was the top vertical with regards to funding in 2021, making up for 60% of investments, followed by blockchain and cryptocurrency (27%), and insurtech (8%).
Fintech funding trends in 2021, Source: 2021 Portugal Fintech survey
The survey asked Portuguese fintech startups to share their views on key topics including access to capital, the job market, as well as policy and regulation.
Fintech professionals shared challenges in hiring tech talent, especially engineers. In terms of seniority, it was found to be more difficult to find people with about five years of experience.
Most founders (65%) believe there aren’t enough developers in Portugal to fulfil the demand, and 54% expect the cost of talent is expected to increase more than 1.5 times.
The job market, Source: 2021 Portugal Fintech survey
When it comes to regulation, 32% of respondents said accessibility to policymakers increased this year. Overall, 44% of respondents indicated that regulation has had a positive impact on their fintech company.
Policy and regulation, Source: 2021 Portugal Fintech survey
Top Portuguese fintechs of 2021
Out of the top 30 Portuguese fintech companies selected by Portugal Fintech, 27% operate in the payment and money transfer segment, 17% focus on lending and credit, and 17% are insurtech startups.
Top 30 Portuguese Fintech Startups, Source: Portugal Fintech Report 2021
82% of these companies are headquartered in Portugal like insurtech startup Kooli, which was named by Forbes one of top Portuguese startups in 2020; 13% are headquartered in other parts of Europe like Elucidate, a financial crime risk quantification platform headquartered in Berlin; and 6% are headquartered in the US like Feedzai and Anchorage Digital, the first crypto federally chartered bank in the US.
The report also identifies six emerging fintech startups in Portugal. These startup were founded this year and are worth keeping an eye on, the report says.
Yoonik, for example, has developed a proprietary facial recognition technology that can be used in different sectors where identity is relevant including payments.
ExxoTrade is a sustainable finance platform that connects companies with key players in one ecosystem, allowing trades to be easier, faster and more secure for financing and payments.
Anachron Tech provides ready-made APIs and no-code templates to allow financial companies to launch their own fintech products such as robo-advisors and financial planning tools quickly and on a pay-as-you-go model.
Reflora works with companies and forest conservation projects to transform sustainability costs into investments
RM Analytics is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform for asset managers that builds data-driven recommendations to create environmental, social and government (ESG) portfolios.
And Zharta is creating a platform for users to request loans in real time using their non-fungible tokens (NFTs) as collateral.
The post Portugal Fintech Report: Top 30 Fintechs and First Unicorn appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/portugal-fintech-report-top-30-fintechs-and-first-unicorn</link><guid>2398</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Fintech-funding-trends-in-2021-Source-2021-Portugal-Fintech-survey.png?x22073</dc:content ><dc:text>Portugal Fintech Report: Top 30 Fintechs and First Unicorn</dc:text></item><item><title>BEKB startet mit erstem Emittenten auf ihrem digitalen Marktplatz</title><description><![CDATA[




Die Berner Kantonalbank AG (BEKB) startet per 1. Dezember 2021 unter dem Namen SME|X mit ihrem digitalen Marktplatz. Der erste Emittent auf dem neuen Handelssystem ist die Cow Level AG. Mit dem Marktplatz für tokenisierte Assets ermöglicht die BEKB den KMU einfachere und effizientere Prozesse und erschliesst für Investoren neue Märkte.





Armin Brun
«Mit der SME|X haben wir einen innovativen Marktplatz für tokenisierte Assets geschaffen. Wir sind überzeugt, dass wir damit einen zukunftsfähigen Mehrwert für KMU sowie eine attraktive Alternative für Investoren bieten», sagt Armin Brun, CEO der BEKB.
Die BEKB ist das erste Schweizer Unternehmen, das nebst einem vollelektronisch organisierten Handelssystem, OTC-X, für nichtkotierte Schweizer KMU nun mit SME|X auch ein solches basierend auf der Blockchain-Technologie anbietet. Mit ihrem Angebot bildet sie die ganze Prozesskette von der Ausgabe über die Verwahrung bis hin zum Handel von tokenisierten Assets ab. Die BEKB unterstreicht einmal mehr ihre Ausrichtung, KMU optimale Lösungen Seite an Seite anzubieten.
Tradition und Innovation im Einklang bei der BEKB
Seit über 16 Jahren betreibt die BEKB das vollelektronisch organisierte Handelssystem OTC-X, das im Bereich der nichtkotierten Wertschriften von Schweizer KMU marktführend ist. Ihr Know-how und Netzwerk als Betreiberin von OTC-X bringt die Bank nun in ein Ökosystem ein und erschliesst dadurch für ihre Firmen- und Anlagekunden mit der innovativen Marktplatz-Lösung bei attraktiven Transaktionskosten neue Märkte.
Aktien werden dabei als digitale Wertrechte («Asset Token»), sogenannte Registerwertrechte, über eine Blockchain-Infrastruktur ausgegeben und transferiert. Die Distributed-Ledger-Technologie ermöglicht grosse Effizienzsteigerungen in der Abwicklung von Wertpapiertransaktionen sowie die automatisierte Führung von Aktienregistern. Mit diesem Vorhaben ermöglicht die BEKB den Handel von Nebenwerten in dieser neuen technologischen Umgebung. Den Fokus setzt sie dabei nach wie vor auf den Handel mit nichtkotierten Wertschriften von Schweizer KMU.
Digitale Aktien – die neue Art in KMU zu investieren
Mit der SME|X können Investoren direkt in kleinere, mittlere und grössere Unternehmen aus der Schweiz investieren. Die neuste und innovative Anlagemöglichkeit ist einfach und kostengünstig. Die Transaktionen werden am Handelstag abgewickelt und verbucht. Gleichzeitig kann sichergestellt werden, dass der Investor auch schnell im Aktienregister eingetragen wird und seine Rechte wahrnehmen kann. Kundinnen und Kunden der BEKB können die digitalen Aktien über ihr Kundenportal, die BEKB-App und bei ihrem Finanzcoach handeln. Dabei profitieren sie von attraktiven Konditionen beim Kauf und Verkauf. Die digitalen Aktien können in einem bestehenden Depot oder in einem neuen zusätzlichen Depot abgebildet werden. Die sichere und einfache Aufbewahrung von digitalen Aktien erfolgt kostenlos.
KMU: Einen Schritt voraus dank digitaler Aktien
Mit der SME|X und deren Services bietet sich KMU die schnelle und sichere Möglichkeit der Aktienausgabe, ohne sich um Zertifikatsdruck, Versand und Aufbewahrung kümmern zu müssen. Basierend auf der Blockchain-Technologie ermöglicht die BEKB gemeinsam mit ihrem Partner, der daura AG, die Digitalisierung des Aktienkapitals. Durch die sofortige Abwicklung von Transaktionen über die Blockchain sinkt der Aufwand für die Bewirtschaftung des Aktienregisters deutlich.
 
Armin Brun (CEO BEKB), Stefan Kaemper und Boris Obodda (Co-Founder Cow Level), Andreas Langenegger (SME|X) – (Klick aufs Bild zum Herunterladen)
The post BEKB startet mit erstem Emittenten auf ihrem digitalen Marktplatz appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bekb-startet-mit-erstem-emittenten-auf-ihrem-digitalen-marktplatz</link><guid>2399</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>BEKB startet mit erstem Emittenten auf ihrem digitalen Marktplatz</dc:text></item><item><title>BDO und BEKB beteiligen sich an daura</title><description><![CDATA[BDO und die Berner Kantonalbank AG (BEKB) gehen eine strategische Beteiligung an der daura ag ein. Durch die Zusammenarbeit soll das daura Ökosystem für digitale KMU-Aktien weiter verstärkt werden.
Mit der BEKB und BDO beteiligen sich zwei namhafte Unternehmen mit Schwerpunkt im Schweizer KMU-Markt an der daura ag. Über die Applikation der daura ag können kleinere, mittlere und etablierte Unternehmen aus der Schweiz mithilfe der Blockchain-Technologie Aktien digitalisieren.
Die BEKB gab bereits im September 2020 im Rahmen einer Medienmitteilung bekannt, dass sie mit Unterstützung der daura ag und weiteren Partnern eine technische Infrastruktur für die Emission und den Handel von digitalen Vermögenswerten entwickelt. Heute informiert die BEKB in einer weiteren Medienmitteilung, dass sie mit ihrem digitalen Marktplatz unter dem Namen SME|X und einem ersten Emittenten, der Cow Level AG, live geht.
BDO, eine  Wirtschaftsprüfungs-, Treuhand- und Beratungsgesellschaften in der Schweiz, ist seit März 2019 strategische Partnerin der daura. Konkret werden Kunden von BDO bereits heute über die Vorteile von digitalen Aktien und deren ergänzenden Dienstleistungen beraten. Nun wird die Partnerschaft im Zuge einer strategischen Beteiligung weiter intensiviert und in die Digitalisierungsstrategie der BDO integriert.
Zu Umfang und Höhe der Beteiligungen machen die Partner keine Angaben.
Strategische Kooperation mit BEKB
Die strategische Partnerschaft zwischen der BEKB und daura ist eine klare Win-Win-Situtation: Für daura als Infrastrukturdienstleisterin im Primärmarktbereich bedeutet die Zusammenarbeit mit der BEKB eine wesentliche Ergänzung zu ihrem bisherigen Dienstleistungsumfang, die sie ihren Endkunden anbieten kann. Durch den Marktplatz SME|X erhalten Kunden der daura Zugang zum Sekundärmarkt, worüber digitale Aktien gehandelt und verwahrt werden können. Für die BEKB wiederum ermöglicht die Kooperation einen Zugang zum Primärmarkt für digitale KMU-Aktien. Im Zuge der Beteiligung wird ein Vertreter der BEKB Einsitz in den Verwaltungsrat der daura einnehmen.
Armin Brun
«In der Zusammenarbeit mit daura hat sich die Marktführerin für die Ausgabe von tokenisierten Aktien als ausgesprochene Macherin hervorgetan. Daher sind wir überzeugt, dass wir in Zukunft in diesem partnerschaftlichen Ökosystem die Möglichkeiten der digitalen Welt noch besser und flexibler gestalten können», sagt Armin Brun, CEO der BEKB.
Strategische Kooperation mit BDO
Im Rahmen ihrer Digitalisierungsstrategie kann BDO das digitale Aktienbuch, digitale Generalversammlungen sowie tokenisierte Aktien verstärkt ihren Kunden anbieten. Konkret ist die Integration in die digitale KMU-Plattform «HelloNina» und in das Online-Angebot der BDO vorgesehen.
Thomas Studhalter
«Als Unternehmen, das sich das Ziel gesetzt hat, die Innovationskette stetig voranzutreiben, kann das Serviceportfolio von BDO in der KMU-Beratung mit dem Angebot von daura zusätzlich erweitert werden», sagt Thomas Studhalter, CEO von BDO.
daura baut Marktposition weiter aus
Neben der Kapitalbeteiligung von BDO und BEKB haben sich auch die bestehenden Aktionäre SIX, Swisscom und die Sygnum Bank an der Kapitalrunde beteiligt.
 
 
Bild-Legende (v.l.): Stefan Gerber (Partner BDO), Peter Schnürer (CEO daura ag), Armin Brun (CEO BEKB)
The post BDO und BEKB beteiligen sich an daura appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bdo-und-bekb-beteiligen-sich-an-daura</link><guid>2400</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>BDO und BEKB beteiligen sich an daura</dc:text></item><item><title>In Guatemala, Incumbents Tap Fintech Specialists to Ramp up Tech Capabilities</title><description><![CDATA[In Guatemala, incumbent banks are teaming up with fintech startups to benefit from their technological advancements, enable a seamless digital customer experience and access new market segments.
Banco de los Trabajadores (Bantrab) is among the prominent financial group in the country that’s eyeing partnership opportunities with startups. It’s currently exploring a tie-up with home delivery app Hugo that would focus on offering financial services to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
“We, as banks, have a market to serve and certain capacities,” Michel Caputi, corporate general director of Bantrab, told Forbes Centroamerica in an interview. “Fintech companies give us greater scalability without generating a high cost.”
Spanish digital identity verification company Mobbeel is one of the tech-focused ventures that are growing steadily in the Guatemalan market, riding on rising demand from the finance sector.
Mobbeel is the developer of MobbScan, a platform for online identity verification. The technology scans identity documents (IDs), both from mobile devices and through a web channel, verifies their authenticity, and then uses biometric facial recognition to compare that ID to a live photo of the individual.
Last year, the company signed two new customers: Banco G&amp;T Continental, a leading bank in the country, and Pronet, a payment service provider.
These partnerships focus on enabling digital onboarding on Dig&amp;tal, the digital banking offering of Banco G&amp;T Continental, and Pronet’s Akisi app, an e-wallet that allows users to pay bills and purchase goods at merchants.
Digital wallet platform Fri is another player that’s managed to ink partnerships with no less than six banks in the country. The fintech startup provides a multi-bank digital wallet that allows users to send, request and receive money, as well as pay by QR code by simply linking their bank accounts. Currently, the service is available to customers of Banco G&amp;T Continental, Banco Industrial, Banrural, Promerica, Interbanco and MiCoope.
Guatemala’s fintech landscape
Fintech is still a very nascent industry in Guatemala with only a handful of pure players. Data from industry trade group Fintech Guatemala suggest that there are just 47 fintech companies in the country.
39.6% of these companies operate in the digital payment space, followed by online lending (19.1%) and personal financial management (8.5%).
Fintech startups in Guatemala, Source: Fintech Guatemala
Data from Statista ranks Guatemala as the largest market of fintech users in Central America with around 6.3 million digital payments users, and 1 million customers of personal financial services. Honduras ranks second with around 3.2 million users in the segment of digital payments and another 210,000 in personal financial management services.
Number of fintech users in Central America in 2021, by country and segment (in millions), Source: Statista
These metrics pale in comparison with South America’s fintech landscape. In Brazil, for example, 33% of Internet users had conducted financial consultations, payments or other transactions online in 2020, and total transaction value in the digital payment segment is projected to amount to US$53.6 million in 2021, against just US$13.2 million for Guatemala.
According to Enrique Galdamez, the executive director of Fintech Guatemala, despite a relatively small fintech industry, Guatemala is a hot market for digital financial services because of its large population of unbanked and high smartphone penetration rate of 69%.
“In Guatemala, 56% of the population is currently unbanked; that’s more than one in two,” Galdamez said during a recent webinar. “Also, 88% of the population does not have access to credit.”
Currently, there is no specific regulation for fintech companies in Guatemala, forcing fintech companies in the country to navigate a complex and burdensome financial regulatory landscape to carry out their business, says law firm Consortium Legal.
So far, efforts to stimulate the sector have been timid, with banking regulator the Superintendent of Banks (SIB) creating for example a so-called an innovation hub in 2019 to act as a meeting point between the regulator, fintech companies and consumers.
 

The post In Guatemala, Incumbents Tap Fintech Specialists to Ramp up Tech Capabilities appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/in-guatemala-incumbents-tap-fintech-specialists-to-ramp-up-tech-capabilities</link><guid>2401</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Fintech-startups-in-Guatemala-Source-Fintech-Guatemala.png?x22073</dc:content ><dc:text>In Guatemala, Incumbents Tap Fintech Specialists to Ramp up Tech Capabilities</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Banks’ Foreign Exchange Rate Comparison</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss banks charge on average 1.46% for currency exchange. In some cases 4.5 times more than amnis.
Small and medium-sized companies are often unaware that high exchange rate mark-ups are hidden in the standard industry exchange rates. Amnis, however, is committed to transparent conditions and, thus, regularly analyzes the fees included in banks’ foreign exchange rates.
The chart below shows a comparison of the fees included in the exchange rates for a currency exchange of max. CHF 50’000:
Swiss banks charge between 1 and 1.9 percent for currency exchange. Amnis, on the other hand, offers fair and transparent conditions. The highest fee of amnis is 0.40%. The solution is therefore already worthwile for low annual volumes. With our “Essential” or “Professional” plans, the fee is 0.3% and 0.2% respectively. For customers with a very high currency volume, we are also happy to prepare a custom offer. Moreover, the foreign exchange account in our amnis starter package is available to anyone free of charge.
If your bank is not included in the analysis, we are happy to provide you with a non-binding comparison quote.
SMEs that regularly exchange foreign currencies can save with Amnis up to 1.46% of the total CHF amount exchanged. Hence, a company with a monthly FX volume of CHF 50,000 can already save more than CHF 8,400 per year. Already in the first half of 2021, SMEs saved more than 2.5 million thanks to Amnis.
By following three simple steps, you can create transparency and, most probably, save some money:

Never exchange currencies by means of standard account transfers. This can cost you up to 2.5% of the amount exchanged.
Know your costs! Find out the margins and fees included in your exchange rates.
Compare the various conditions and services.

Amnis WebApp combines all the tools you need for optimizing international payments and currency exchange. Send and receive international payments without any hidden fees. Bank opening hours no longer play a role. You can access our platform whenever you want and exchange currencies even on weekends – 24/7.
 
This article first appeared on amnistreasury.com
The post Swiss Banks’ Foreign Exchange Rate Comparison appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-banks-foreign-exchange-rate-comparison</link><guid>2402</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Swiss-Banks-Foreign-Exchange-Rate-Comparison-November-1024x568.jpg?x22073</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Banks’ Foreign Exchange Rate Comparison</dc:text></item><item><title>Credit Suisse’s CSX Named Best-Known Swiss Digital Banking Brand</title><description><![CDATA[Credit Suisse’s digital bank offering CSX has been named the best-known Swiss brand for digital banking in Switzerland a year after launching.
According to independent market research, nearly half of the Swiss population is familiar with the CSX brand name, a statement from Credit Suisse said.
The brand was launched in October 2020, and has since seen positive levels of client activity, uptake of products and services amongst the younger demographic, and deposited assets.
The number of downloads of the online banking app have tripled since launch, while account openings in Switzerland have doubled.
Meanwhile, half of CSX’s 100,000 clients are under the age of 34. CSX clients execute one transaction per day on average, and around half use CSX as their salary or primary bank account.
CSX currently holds a total asset volume of over CHF 1 billion.
The company said the clients were involved continuously in the product development process.
Since October 2020, new services, functionalities and strategic partnerships have been added as well.
The CSX product suite has been expanded to include CSX Financial Plan, CSX Invest, CSX Pension, CSX Mortgage (including API-integrated insurance solutions from third-party providers), and CSX Credit.
Credit Suisse is looking to add more features in the coming months, including account/credit card offers, rental deposits, and a platform for buying and selling properties.
Anke Bridge Haux
&#8220;We are delighted to gain confirmation from our clients that CSX is a future-oriented solution that addresses their needs and makes a relevant contribution to the development of digital banking in Switzerland. We have only just begun and will be expanding our offering on an ongoing basis. This encouraging picture one year after the launch is therefore all the more pleasing,”
said Anke Bridge Haux, Head of Digital Banking at Credit Suisse.
 
 
Featured image: Credit Suisse
 
The post Credit Suisse’s CSX Named Best-Known Swiss Digital Banking Brand appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/credit-suisses-csx-named-best-known-swiss-digital-banking-brand</link><guid>2403</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Credit Suisse’s CSX Named Best-Known Swiss Digital Banking Brand</dc:text></item><item><title>Former Citi Exec Launches US$1.5 Billion Crypto Investment Vehicle</title><description><![CDATA[Founded by former Citi&#8217;s head of structured products Matt Zhang, crypto-focused investment firm Hivemind Capital Partners has launched its debut US$1.5 billion multi-strategy investment venture for the blockchain and digital asset ecosystem.
The New York-headquartered firm will invest in crypto companies, trade digital assets, and offer a dedicated &#8220;play-to-earn strategy&#8221; in the gaming space, according to a statement.
Funds will be employed across crypto infrastructure, blockchain protocols, open internet, programmable money, virtual world, and more.
The firm has selected layer-1 blockchain infrastructure provider Algorand as its strategic partner for tech and network ecosystem infrastructure capabilities.
Further, Hivemind Capital Partners is also holding talks with other layer-1 networks to form partnerships that will back the firm’s multi-chain approach, Zhang said.
Matt Zhang
&#8220;We believe blockchain technology is a paradigm shift, and we are still in the early innings. Our mission is to provide start-to-finish capital and infrastructure solutions to visionary entrepreneurs and category-defining crypto projects.
 
The traditional asset management model is not designed to do this, which is why we are building a tailor made crypto investment platform from the ground up that also offers the infrastructure institutional investors need for risk management, compliance and security,”
Zhang added.
 
Featured image: Unsplash
The post Former Citi Exec Launches US$1.5 Billion Crypto Investment Vehicle appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/former-citi-exec-launches-us15-billion-crypto-investment-vehicle</link><guid>2404</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Former Citi Exec Launches US$1.5 Billion Crypto Investment Vehicle</dc:text></item><item><title>Digital Currency Group to Move Headquarters From NYC to Stamford</title><description><![CDATA[Bitcoin and blockchain investor Digital Currency Group (DCG) will be relocating its headquarters from New York City to Stamford, Connecticut.
The office of the Governor of Connecticut Ned Lamont announced that the move is expected to create over 300 jobs in the state over the next five years.
Along with the 2015-founded DCG, a few of its seven wholly owned subsidiaries will also be relocating their headquarters.
These include Grayscale Investments, a digital currency asset manager with over US$50 billion in assets under management, institutional trading platform TradeBlock, DCG Real Estate, and DCG’s new wealth management business HQ.
DCG and its four subsidiaries are expected to move into its new headquarters at Shippan Landing complex in Stamford by late 2022.
The space was leased earlier this year and is currently being renovated.
The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) is providing the company with a grant in arrears up to US$5,011,800, contingent on the company creating and retaining over 300 new full-time jobs.
“Cryptocurrencies like bitcoin are the new frontier for financial investing, and DCG is at the forefront of this burgeoning sector.
 
Connecticut is a great fit for dynamic investment firms like DCG that are disrupting the marketplace and showing great growth potential over the long-term,”
DECD Commissioner David Lehman and Peter Denious, President and CEO of the nonprofit organisation AdvanceCT, said.
DCG has invested in over 200 blockchain companies, including media, research, and events platform CoinDesk, lending and brokerage firm Genesis, digital asset financing and advisory company Foundry, and digital asset exchange Luno.
Earlier this month, the company announced that new investments had raised its valuation to US$10 billion. It also raised a debt capital facility of up to US$600 million this month.
Barry Silbert
“It quickly became clear that Connecticut had everything we were looking for in a new headquarters. Its proximity to major metropolitan areas combined with its infrastructure, talent, business-friendly environment, and world-class facilities to house our rapidly growing organisation made it an easy choice. We are committed to making our new home in Stamford a hub for the next generation of fintech and blockchain entrepreneurs,”
Founder and CEO Barry Silbert said.
 
Featured image: Unsplash (edited)
The post Digital Currency Group to Move Headquarters From NYC to Stamford appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digital-currency-group-to-move-headquarters-from-nyc-to-stamford</link><guid>2405</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Digital Currency Group to Move Headquarters From NYC to Stamford</dc:text></item><item><title>Mastercard to Extend Real-Time Payments to Latin America With Arcus Acquisition</title><description><![CDATA[Mastercard has acquired Mexico-based Arcus Financial Intelligence to support bill pay solutions and other real-time payment applications across Latin America.
Arcus provides bill pay and cash-in, cash-out services for billers, retailers, fintechs and traditional financial institutions in the US and Latin America.
The acquisition will enable Mastercard to boost the roll out of its Mastercard Bill Pay service in Latin America.
The service allows users to view, manage and pay their household and personal bills from their preferred financial service provider’s app.
 In the US, it is live as Mastercard Bill Pay Exchange with banks and credit unions and a network of 135,000 billers.
The statement said that the company’s flagship solution, the Arcus Pay Network, has access to the largest retailers and billers in Mexico.
The company also recently received approval to provide payment processing, settlement and reconciliation through Mexico’s real-time Interbank Electronic Payment System (Sistema de Pagos Electrónicos Interbancarios, or SPEI).
Iñigo Rumayor
“Edrizio de la Cruz and I began this company to help immigrants like us have a proper way to track our finances and send money home. 
 
For nearly a decade, we have grown from those aspirations to help pave the way toward greater financial inclusion in Latin America,” 
Co-founder of Arcus, Iñigo Rumayor, said.
Laura Cruz
“The past year has shown how critical digital solutions are for people and businesses across the region. 
 
With the addition of the Arcus team, we will enhance existing payment experiences and create new opportunities to address every day needs by connecting more people to the digital economy,”
Laura Cruz, division president for Mexico and Central America at Mastercard, said.
 
Featured image: Unsplash (edited)
The post Mastercard to Extend Real-Time Payments to Latin America With Arcus Acquisition appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mastercard-to-extend-real-time-payments-to-latin-america-with-arcus-acquisition</link><guid>2395</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Mastercard to Extend Real-Time Payments to Latin America With Arcus Acquisition</dc:text></item><item><title>How Can Financial Institutions Put a Stop to Account Takeover Attacks</title><description><![CDATA[Financial Institutions (FI’s) can detect and prevent account takeover attacks using continuous monitoring and adaptive multi-factor authentication.
Account takeover (ATO) fraud is one of the top causes of fraud losses for banks and financial institutions. An account takeover occurs when a customer’s bank account is digitally ‘broken into’ and acted on by an attacker.
The methods and techniques attackers use to fraudulently obtain access to a customer’s account credentials are continually evolving.
These include obtaining data from data breaches, malware, phishing, and other social engineering attacks such as phone scams (read more on common fraud techniques).
Account takeover is increasing due to lower barriers of entry, high rewards. lower risk of consequence and a fast movement by companies to try and offer digital services in reaction to the pandemic.
Additionally, attackers have more tools than ever available from the underground market.
They have more data to utilise, due to a record breaking 37 billion personal data records compromised in 2020 and more potential victims, companies and users that are new to digital services.
This results in personal data being available to attackers on demand, who can put it to use in an account takeover.
Source: Pixabay
Attacks are becoming more advanced and automated, for example an emulation attack with malware which was executed in December 2020 resulting in millions of users accounts being attacked in hours, despite the bank using SMS one time passwords.
The attackers were able to perfectly emulate devices, breaking security relying on device fingerprinting and intercept the SMS OTP without the victim knowing.
These attacks can result in identity theft, credentials / OTP’s for attacking a login / recovery process and or personal information to increase the success of social engineering we cannot ignore the threat this poses.
From a user perspective, these attacks might result in fraudulent payments to new beneficiaries and thus the loss of their savings, losing access to the account, as the attacker changes the authentication method such as registering a new device or changing the password.
Also the attacker may apply for a new product using the customer’s personal data.
For financial institutions (FI’s), the impact of account takeover attacks can go well beyond financial losses.
The FI’s need to move fast to reduce the likelihood of the attack continuing / scaling and recover from the attack itself. The attack can lead users to lose trust in the FI and can impact consumer confidence and growth.
How Financial Institutions Can Get Better at Detecting and Preventing Account Takeover Attacks
Source: Shutterstock
Account takeover attacks cost FI’s billions in payouts and compensation to users. To reduce these losses, FIs must find ways to detect and prevent an attacker from trying to obtain access to an account, and when an attacker is attempting to carry out an action or transactions fraudulently inside a users account.
Preventing attacks relies on establishing trust with the user and determining their behavior. For example aside from the credentials / OTP being correct, is what they are doing typical for them.
Trust, is not static. Trust is fluid, everchanging and may increase or decrease based on interactions and outcomes, it is therefore crucial for trust to be determined in real-time.
In short, FI’s need to address the issue of trust– when can they trust that a genuine user is accessing and using their account, how can they determine if a genuine user is being socially engineered to make a transfer they should not, and how can they determine when an attack is underway?
To solve this problem, FIs need a profoundly innovative approach &#8211; one that enables the collection and analysis of vast cross-channel data to detect and react to attacks in real-time.
Continuous monitoring is the real time collection and behavioral understanding of users and devices.
Allowing the understanding of the ‘normal’ behavior of the user – such as the way they interact with the device, how they type, swipe and drag across a page, and how they typically establish and interact with sessions, the types of transfers they make and many more.
This creates a profile of their normal behavior.
Machine learning utilises 1000’s of features (intelligence points of a user their device and location) to contrast the normal behavior of the user against suspicious behavior, such as the behavior of a bot or attacker.
When suspicious behavior is detected, FI’s can react immediately such as request additional authentication from the user, change the authentication approach if a device is compromised and or challenge access or transactions taking place.
If the users authentication and behavior are deemed low risk then they can proceed. If not, the process is stopped and the attack is prevented.
The capability to learn from all attacks, indicators of compromise (known malicious data attributes) and fraud enables machine learning models to outperform typical rule sets optimising costs and reducing losses.
Why Financial Institutions Need to Make ATO Prevention a Priority
Source: iStock
Static credentials such as usernames, email addresses and secret answers are vulnerable to attacks due to mass data breaches and users repeat credentials across multiple websites, social media profiles and sign-up accounts.
Authenticating users at login and using credentials alone is no longer an option.
Analyst firm KuppingerCole argues that only requiring a username/password for access to online or mobile banking systems is grossly insufficient for account security.
Financial institutions must continuously monitor the user’s actions and behavior to detect suspicious actors and challenge with setup-up security when risk is detected.
Additionally, the presence of malware on mobile devices makes users vulnerable to SMSishing attacks and SMS one time password (SMS OTP) interception.
The increasing sophistication of attacks utilising a blend of technology such as malware, device emulation and session simulation increases the scale of attacks meaning millions of users can be impacted in a day.
FI’s that use static credentials and SMS OTP are vulnerable to high scale, high impact attacks.
How Intelligent Adaptive Authentication Technology Can Stop Account Takeovers
Source: iStock
Intelligent adaptive authentication (IAA) provides a secure frictionless experience for users to authenticate.
Continuous monitoring with contextual understanding enables real time decision making and provides the relevant authentication method(s) relevant to the risk and friction.
The technology uses real-time risk analysis to determine the most suitable authentication method(s) based on the level of risk derived from the context of what a user is doing and the environment they are interacting in i.e. device risk.
Tailoring the authentication flow to each unique interaction reduces friction and fraud. As the user’s particular contextual patterns and circumstances evolve, the technology is intelligent enough to recognise these changes and adapt.
OneSpan IAA enables FI’s to deliver digital experiences users love.
By understanding their behavior and intentions whilst automating authentication decisions resulting in greater UX, reduced operational costs and a reduction in fraud.

Featured image credits: Pixabay
The post How Can Financial Institutions Put a Stop to Account Takeover Attacks appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/how-can-financial-institutions-put-a-stop-to-account-takeover-attacks</link><guid>2396</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.sg/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/cyber-security-2765707-1024x683.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>How Can Financial Institutions Put a Stop to Account Takeover Attacks</dc:text></item><item><title>Thought Machine Earns Unicorn Badge with US$200 Million Series C Fundraise</title><description><![CDATA[Thought Machine, a London-based cloud-based core banking technology firm, has now achieved a unicorn valuation following the closing of its US$200 million Series C funding round.
The round takes the total funding raised by Thought Machine to over US$340 million.
The Series C was led by US-based VC firm Nyca Partners. The investment arms of ING Ventures, JPMorgan Chase, and Standard Chartered Ventures, who are Thought Machine’s banking clients, also participated.
Existing investors Lloyds Banking Group, British Patient Capital, Eurazeo, SEB, Molten Ventures (formerly Draper Esprit), Backed, and IQ Capital joined the round as well.
The funding will be used to develop and expand the company’s cloud native core banking platform Vault.
Thought Machine is also looking to develop its Universal Product Engine, and expand its global reach by strengthening its five global offices while looking at new markets.
The company said in a statement that the fundraise comes after a “period of accelerated growth&#8221;.
Thought Machine currently has offices in London, New York, Singapore, Sydney, and Melbourne.
Paul Taylor
“We are delighted to have earned the support of our new and existing investors as we continue to move the world’s leading banks into the cloud.
 
These new funds will accelerate the delivery of Vault into banks around the world who wish to implement their future vision of financial services,”
Paul Taylor, Founder and CEO of Thought Machine, said.
 
 
Featured image: Thought Machine
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/thought-machine-earns-unicorn-badge-with-us200-million-series-c-fundraise</link><guid>2393</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Thought Machine Earns Unicorn Badge with US$200 Million Series C Fundraise</dc:text></item><item><title>Boerse Stuttgart’s BISON Launches Crypto Savings Plan</title><description><![CDATA[German stock exchange Boerse Stuttgart Group’s crypto platform BISON announced that it has rolled out savings plans for tradable cryptocurrencies. 
Plans start at a savings rate of 0.01 euros per week, month or quarter, and are accessible through BISON&#8216;s app and the desktop platforms, the statement said.
The platform allows users to trade Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple, Bitcoin Cash, Chainlink and Uniswap.
Users are not charged fees, and the company monetises its service through the spreads between the buying and selling prices.
Boerse Stuttgart Digital Ventures GmbH subsidiary blocknox GmbH acts as the custodian for the cryptocurrencies on an escrow basis.
The savings plans are “a functionality frequently requested by our users,” Dr. Ulli Spankowski, CEO of Sowa Labs GmbH, a subsidiary of Boerse Stuttgart Digital Ventures GmbH and the developer of Bison, said.
BISON currently has about 530,000 active users with a trading volume of EUR 5.3 billion in 2021.
Dr. Ulli Spankowski
&#8220;They can now invest regularly and automatically in cryptocurrencies and benefit from the cost-average effect. 
 
Like trading, investing with savings plans at Bison is as flexible and simple as possible,” 
Spankowski added.
 
 
Featured image: Boerse Stuttgart Group
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/boerse-stuttgarts-bison-launches-crypto-savings-plan</link><guid>2394</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Boerse Stuttgart’s BISON Launches Crypto Savings Plan</dc:text></item><item><title>Deep Dive: Digging Into The Short-Term Opportunities For Global Banking</title><description><![CDATA[Market dynamics in the financial services business rarely come on with an urgency attached. After all, the first Open Banking project in the UK dates back to 2016. Formal PSD2 discussions started in 2013. Therefore, it’s difficult to argue that financial institutions didn’t have advance warning about the changes that had the potential to significantly impact their business.
But this is not the case for the EU banking sector in 2022. Regulations, deadlines and new technology combined make this a year to make or break propositions. ISO 20022 messaging for example, needs to be in place by November.
The Open Banking and Implementation Entity (OBIE) has moved variable recurring payments (VRPs), which are a major benefit of open banking, from January to July. These are calendar deadlines. Any FI taking a casual approach to soft deadlines, like real-time payments and digital transformation is playing with fire. 2022 will be the year that you compete, or regret that you didn’t.
We’ve recently taken the temperature of FIs on a global scale in our report “The Future of Competitive Advantage in Banking &amp; Payments.” It shows that FIs are mostly focused on the core issues: digital transformation, regulation and changes in financial messaging. When we took a deeper dive with a lens on urgency, four key points emerged:
Digital Transformation
This was, by some margin, the top ranked concern, with 64% of respondents prioritizing digital transformation, which is linked to concerns two and three, real-time payments and cross border payments. No digital transformation, no new payment rails and no cross-border innovation. But some insiders will tell you that a potential problem with this implementation is not technology.
It’s people. The finance leaders that are most responsible for the fundamentals, money coming in and money going out, don’t have an issue with legacy technology. And if finance leaders are prioritizing it, it is challenging to deliver everything on their payments agenda. Overall, however, there&#8217;s an understanding within the larger banks that infrastructure needs to be modernized, so problems with buy-in at any level of the organization need to be solved quickly.
The Future of Competitive Advantage in Banking &amp; Payments Report
RegTech
As stated earlier, some regulatory deadlines are urgent. In our research, 63.5% of respondents said that RegTech will become more important in the next 12 months. But let’s go deeper into RegTech. My sense is that FIs are seeing RegTech as more than a deadline for business continuity. They’re seeing it as a driver for growth. That’s an important viewpoint, especially when it comes to the ISO 20022 standard.
Let’s use PSD2 as an example. Yes, it caused no shortage of headaches for the marketing and privacy departments. But at the end of the day, PSD2 was about levelling the playing field and giving equal voice to banks, challenger banks and fintechs.
The Future of Competitive Advantage in Banking &amp; Payments Report
ISO 20022
The findings here are a bit concerning. Our report found 13% of banks &amp; FIs have implemented ISO 20022, 15% are mid-way through and 13% have completed the integration. The ISO 20022 testing window opens in February 2022 and slots will be limited. More than half of the banks who responded to our questionnaire need to speed their progress. ISO is a global business standard, it’s not specific to payments. But look at all the dependencies from ISO.
Every real-time system has ISO 20022 as its messaging standard. You can&#8217;t fully leverage big data without ISO because you’re using analog messaging. That means that you can’t gain the insights that develop better customer experiences and new revenue streams. It will be nearly impossible to compete in 2022 without ISO 20022.
The Future of Competitive Advantage in Banking &amp; Payments Report
Cross-Border
In our survey, 31% said that the biggest obstacle when sending cross border payments is the cost of “nostro” accounts. A nostro account is an account that a bank holds in a foreign currency at another bank. In Asia-Pacific, for example, the cost of frozen liquidity in nostro accounts and other fees dock the average bank for $1.7 million a year. Some stakeholders have suggested that the proliferation of CBDCs could help solve issues associated with nostro accounts. But that won’t come in the short term. FI’s have faith in collaboration and co-existence.
Look at the US infrastructure for real-time payments. A consortium of banks and payments companies have agreed that they will use two rails: The Clearing House and NACHA. They will have a potential battle when the US Federal Reserve opens its own real-time payments service in early 2023. But it’s indicative of the effort it will take to bring down the cost and increase the transparency of cross-border payments.
The Future of Competitive Advantage in Banking &amp; Payments Report
The Bottomline
There’s a difference between driving innovation and feeling forced to do it. And there’s also a difference between improving the customer experience and being mandated to do it. It will be the FIs that understand the necessity of harnessing innovation to compete in 2022 that will be the winners.
 
The post Deep Dive: Digging Into The Short-Term Opportunities For Global Banking appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/deep-dive-digging-into-the-short-term-opportunities-for-global-banking</link><guid>2392</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Digital-Transformation--1024x808.jpg?x42752</dc:content ><dc:text>Deep Dive: Digging Into The Short-Term Opportunities For Global Banking</dc:text></item><item><title>Temenos Launches New Fintech Marketplace Temenos Exchange</title><description><![CDATA[Global banking software company Temenos has launched a new collaborative fintech marketplace, Temenos Exchange, according to a statement by the company.
The market provides pre-integrated and certified fintech solutions that are deployable within the Temenos Banking Cloud. It is the core element of the recently announced Temenos Scale Developer Program, which has a focus to promote and monetise new financial solutions.
Banks will be able to launch new financial services at reduced costs of development through the fintech marketplace, the statement said. Meanwhile, it also acts as an accelerator for fintech companies and software developers, allowing them to develop, validate and monetise new banking solutions.
“Temenos Exchange is all about collaboration and co-innovation, unlocking the enormous potential to create and sell solutions that transform consumer experiences and change the DNA of how banks operate.
 
It makes it easier for banks to quickly integrate new fintech solutions while helping developers accelerate innovation and get new ideas in front of the widest possible banking audience,”
Martin Bailey, Director of Innovation and Ecosystems at the company, said.
Temenos Exchange will reach a network of 3,000 banking clients globally
The statement noted that fintech companies and developers will be able to access a global network of 3,000 banking clients across 150 countries, to sell their solutions through the Temenos Exchange.
Other benefits include access to an API portal, multi-product sandboxes, and improved tooling. Meanwhile, early-stage fintech companies will also be able to tap into business expertise and support provided by Temenos, including proof of concept testing, the statement said.
The marketplace currently supports about 50 fintech companies. The company expects this to grow to over 200 companies in the next few years. It is also “significantly expanding” its integrations team so that solutions on the marketplace are tested, secure and bank-ready, the statement said.
Featured imaged: edited from Unsplash
The post Temenos Launches New Fintech Marketplace Temenos Exchange appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/temenos-launches-new-fintech-marketplace-temenos-exchange</link><guid>2391</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Temenos Launches New Fintech Marketplace Temenos Exchange</dc:text></item><item><title>Revolut Acquires Point-Of-Sale System Nobly to Expand Its Services Into Hospitality</title><description><![CDATA[London-headquartered fintech giant Revolut announced the acquisition of ePOS software provider Nobly POS to expand its offering to serve the restaurant and hospitality sectors.
Nobly has developed a comprehensive ePOS system for the restaurant and hospitality industry enabling hospitality businesses to manage their operations with its back office app, order and inventory management systems, kitchen displays, loyalty, and online ordering app.
The company currently serves merchants across the UK, USA and Australia.
Nobly’s product is currently being integrated with Revolut’s payment hardware as well as online and offline payment processing capabilities so that the latter will be able to offer a fully integrated solution to empower merchants to manage their businesses and accept payments easily.
This acquisition will enable Revolut Business hospitality customers to open a digital account, use FX, issue cards and seamlessly manage and sell their products, accept payments online and offline, saving time and reducing direct costs for its customers.
In the future, Revolut said that it intends to launch it’s fully integrated solution across its international footprint and expand its product capabilities to serve its wider retail customers.
Nik Storonsky
Nik Storonsky, CEO of Revolut said,
“The Nobly team has built a great product and expertise which will further advance our mission to offer a one stop shop solution to enable merchants of every kind to manage their finances and run their businesses from a single platform.
 
Nobly’s ePOS product will enhance our existing Revolut Business offering to make life easy for hospitality businesses. We look forward to working with the team to build more features to support our strong growth.”
George Urdea
George Urdea, co-founder and CEO at Nobly POS comments:
“We built Nobly to enable small business owners and their teams to better serve their customers.
 
Joining Revolut opens the exciting possibility to take the merchant-consumer experience to the next level, by bridging the rich point of sale data with Revolut’s financial super app.”
 
Featured image: Edited from Unsplash
The post Revolut Acquires Point-Of-Sale System Nobly to Expand Its Services Into Hospitality appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/revolut-acquires-point-of-sale-system-nobly-to-expand-its-services-into-hospitality</link><guid>2390</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Revolut Acquires Point-Of-Sale System Nobly to Expand Its Services Into Hospitality</dc:text></item><item><title>Studie: Digital-Kompetenz Schweizer Banken: Credit Suisse Top, Neon Flop</title><description><![CDATA[Wie ist es um die digitale Kompetenz der Schweizerischen Banken bestellt?
Mit der unabhängigen Studie „Finnoscore Schweiz 2022“ misst das internationale Beratungsunternehmen Finnoconsult erneut die digitale Attraktivität Schweizerischer Banken und vergleicht diese mit Mitbewerbern aus Europa und Nordamerika. Aus Sicht von bestehenden Kunden und potenziellen Neukunden wurden insgesamt über 220 Kreditinstitute untersucht, davon 71 in der DACH-Region und 19 aus der Schweiz.

Die Ergebnisse basieren auf der Analyse von 300 Einzelkriterien, aufgeteilt in zwölf Dimensionen, zu denen neben Faktoren wie beispielsweise Website, Online-Banking, Mobile App(s), Preis-Transparenz und Online-Onboarding in diesem Jahr erstmals auch Innovation und Nachhaltigkeitsagenda zählen.
Schweizerischer Spitzenreiter ist dieses Jahr die Credit Suisse, die sich unter anderem durch eine konsequente Ausrichtung auf potenzielle Neukunden sowie die erfolgreiche Einführung des digitalen Banking-Angebots CSX auf den obersten Rang katapultiert. Ebenfalls auf das Siegertreppchen geschafft hat es die Bank Cler, knapp vor der Grossbank UBS.
Überraschende Verlierer des Scores: Neo-Bank neon ist einer der grossen Absteiger und auch Partnerinstitut Hypothekarbank Lenzburg, die im Vorjahr noch unter den Top 3 war, hat sich deutlich verschlechtert. Die auf Banken und Versicherungen spezialisiere Beratungsboutique Finnoconsult schafft mit dem „Finnoscore Schweiz 2022“ nicht nur einen detaillierten Einblick in die digitale Reife der 220 untersuchten Geldinstitute, sondern macht durch die objektive Expertenbewertung auch Stärken und Schwächen der verschiedenen Digital-Angebote sichtbar.
Der Finnoscore beurteilt dabei aus der Perspektive bestehender Kunden und potenzieller Neukunden auf einer Skala von 0 bis 10 und fusst ausschliesslich auf öffentlich verfügbaren Informationen. Aufgeschlüsselt wird dabei unter anderem, wie Banken sich und ihre Produkte auf der eigenen Website präsentieren, welche Vorteile eine Kundenmitgliedschaft bietet, wie transparent Preise dargestellt und welche Möglichkeiten zum kommunikativen Austausch angeboten werden. Im Zuge des durch die COVID-19-Pandemie vorangetriebenen Digitalisierungsschubs war es für Banken in den letzten Monaten nahezu unverzichtbar, sich den Entwicklungen der Digitalwelt stetig anzupassen und die eigenen Angebote zukunftsgerichteter auszubauen.
Welchen Banken das gelungen ist, wie die etablierten aber auch die Neo- Banken dieses Jahr aufgestellt sind und wie die Schweizerischen Banken im internationalen sowie im DACH-Vergleich abschneiden, zeigt die aktuelle Edition des „Finnoscore Schweiz 2022“.
Kundennah, nachhaltig, innovativ: Schweizerische Banken mischen international oben mit
Eine der wichtigsten Erkenntnisse der diesjährigen Analyse ist, dass alle untersuchten Schweizerischen Banken, wenn auch in unterschiedlicher Intensität, noch mehr Wert auf die Kundenbindung legen als schon bisher. Das inkludiert nicht nur das langfristige Halten der bestehenden Kunden, sondern auch das systematische Aktivieren ebendieser zur Nutzung der angebotenen Services und Produkte. Während dieser Punkt im vergangenen Jahr bereits bei 80 % der Banken oben auf der Agenda stand, setzen mittlerweile alle Schweizerischen Banken des Analysesamples einen Fokus auf entsprechende Kundenbindungsmassnahmen.
Auch die Attraktivität für potenzielle Neukunden überzeugt zunehmend, denn mit 53 % richtet mehr als die Hälfte der Schweizerischen Institute hier gezielt ihre Webseiten spürbar auf Neukundengewinnung aus. Neu im Ranking, aber stets an Bedeutung gewinnend, ist das Thema Nachhaltigkeit. 42 % der Banken in der Schweiz erwähnen dieses Motiv auf ihren Homepages und haben konkrete Initiativen ins Leben gerufen, die Produkte sowie Mitarbeiter einschliessen.
Zum Vergleich: Auf internationaler Ebene setzen nur 29 % der Banken aktiv Impulse in diesem Segment. Vorzeigebeispiele sind unter anderem die Berner Kantonalbank mit ihrem Nachhaltigkeitsportal „Hüt für morn“, welches alle nachhaltigen Initiativen der Bank für Interessierte ansprechend aufbereitet sowie die Basellandschaftliche Kantonalbank, die mit der Gründung der Tochterfirma „Radicant“ gezielt nachhaltige Anlagemöglichkeiten und Finanzlösungen anbieten wird. Bemerkenswert ist nicht zuletzt, dass Banken in der Schweiz im Bereich Online-Innovationen investieren und dies auch zeigen möchten – 68% der analysierten Banken machen ihre digitalen Innovations-Investitionen für Kunden sichtbar.
Damit liegen sie deutlich über dem internationalen Durchschnitt (48%) der analysierten Banken. Folgerichtig landet die Schweiz aufgrund der überdurchschnittlich positiven Bewertungen in den genannten Dimensionen auf Platz 6 im allgemeinen Ländervergleich der Studie und macht damit im Vorjahresvergleich ganze vier Plätze gut. Gesamtsieger im Länderranking des Finnoscores ist wie im Vorjahr die polnische Bank PKO Bank Polski (7,40), die unter anderem in Bezug auf Online-Marketing, Omnichannel-Kommunikation und Preis-Transparenz noch besser abschneidet. Polen, die Slowakei und Tschechien machen im Gesamtüberblick die Spitzenplatzierungen unter sich aus.
Hochgelobt und tief gefallen: neon und Hypothekarbank Lenzburg heben Synergien unzureichend
Zwei Absteiger, die sich kennen: Konto-App neon (5,53) landet im Finnoscore im unteren Drittel und nur einen Rang über der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg (5,47 Punkte), die seit 2018 enger Partner der neon ist und dieser ihr Kernbankensystem Finstar leiht. Während die neon im Vergleich zu Platz 7 im Vorjahr auf Platz 14 abrutscht, verliert die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg den dritten Rang und steht nur noch auf Platz 15.
Christian Berger
„Beide Banken schneiden in unterschiedlichen Dimensionen besser bzw. schlechter ab – hier stellt sich die Frage, wieso Synergien offenbar nicht genutzt und Erfahrungswerte nicht miteinander geteilt werden. Das Potenzial der Zusammenarbeit wird derzeit nicht ausreichend ausgeschöpft“,
so Christian Berger, Co-Founder und Geschäftsführer bei Finnoconsult.
„Ebenfalls spannend ist dieses Fallbeispiel, um zu beobachten, ob Investitionen und Kooperationen unter traditionellen und Neo-Banken nachhaltige Lösungen darstellen können – oder eben nicht.“
Auf Social-Media-Kanälen beweist die Hypothekarbank nur sehr niedriges Engagement, im Bereich Innovation und Nachhaltigkeitsagenda fällt sie durch – hier können Co-Creation oder CSR-Initiativen nämlich gar nicht erst identifiziert werden. Partner neon fällt vor allem durch die schwache Performance im Bereich Paid Search und Display Advertising negativ auf. Gleichzeitig ist der früher noch verfügbare Konkurrenzvergleich für Produkte nicht mehr online und zieht die Bewertungen der Preis-Transparenz weiter nach unten. Weiterblickend kann auch die Yuh (5,39) als digitales Produkt der PostFinance und Swissquote dem schlechten Abschneiden der Neo-Banken wenig entgegensetzen.
Credit Suisse hat die Nase vorn, mehrere Kantonalbanken überzeugen mit Top-Werten
Anführer des Schweizerischen Rankings ist in diesem Jahr die Credit Suisse (6,77 Punkte), die sich im letzten Jahr noch mit dem zweiten Platz zufriedengeben musste. Das zweitgrösste Schweizerische Geldhaus punktet mit besonders hoher Attraktivität für potenzielle Kunden durch offensive Animierungen zur Konto-Eröffnung und ansprechender Positionierung der Vorteile einer Kundenmitgliedschaft. Auch in puncto Online Banking steigert sich die Credit Issue, hier primär durch eine verbesserte und vervollständigte Beschreibung der Features sowie das Anbieten einer Demo-Version.
Pluspunkte sammelt die Schweizerische Grossbank ausserdem durch regelmässige und angemessene Reaktionen auf Kundenfeedback: Jegliche Kommentare unter App-Bewertungen werden fortlaufend beantwortet.
„Die Credit Suisse setzt auf einen cleveren Massnahmen-Mix, der sehr zentriert auf die Gewinnung von Neukunden, aber auch auf die Pflege des Kontaktes zu bestehenden Kunden ausgerichtet ist. Zudem hat der Launch des Online-Konto-Modells CSX, das interessierten Kunden auf der Startseite präsent eröffnet wird, seine Wirkung keinesfalls verfehlt“, so Christian Berger.
Komplettiert wird die Top 5 des Landes durch die Bank Cler (6,60 Punkte) als Top-Performer in der Dimension Innovation und Nachhaltigkeitsagenda, die UBS (6,55) und Vorjahressieger PostFinance (6,26), welche allerdings beide erhebliche Mängel in der Omnichannel-Kommunikation aufweisen, sowie die Banque Cantonale Vaudoise (6,24 Punkte). Unter den traditionellen Banken, die das Feld in diesem Jahr massgebend anführen, finden sich zudem gleich mehrere Kantonalbanken weit oben und unter den Top-Aufsteigern. Hierzu zählen die Basellandschaftliche Kantonalbank (6,15), die mit einem Plus von 1,35 Punkten am stärksten aufholen konnte, die Walliser Kantonalbank (6.03) sowie die St. Gallener Kantonalbank (5,90), die als Neueinsteiger in der Studie einen guten Start hinlegte.
Blick auf die Nachbarn: Diffuses Bild in der DACH-Region
Erstmalslandet in diesem Jahr eine österreichische Bank an der Spitze des DACH-internen Rankings: Die Erste Bank Österreich belegt mit 7,36 Punkten den ersten Platz (im internationalen Vergleich Platz 2). Sie überzeugt vor allemmit einer hohen Attraktivität für potenzielle Neukunden sowie guten Bewertungen im Bereich Loyalty und Ökosystem. Zusätzlich punktet die Erste Bank in der Dimension Innovation und Nachhaltigkeitsagenda mit dem hauseigenen s Lab, das Kunden ermöglicht, eigene Ideen einzubringen und die Zukunft der Bank aktiv mitzugestalten.
Im Top 10-Gesamtbild des DACH-Raums liegen hingegen die deutschen Banken klar vorne. Sie stellen 6 der 10 Banken, Österreich ist immerhin mit drei Banken vertreten. Auffallend: Das „Bankenland“ Schweiz stellt mit der Credit Suisse lediglich Platz 10 im Ranking und die einzige Schweizerische Top-10-Bank in der DACH-Region. Die deutsche Bilanz kann sich auch im internationalen Vergleich sehen lassen, wo das Land von dem 8. auf den 4. Platz klettern konnte.

„Die Ergebnisse des DACH-Raums lassen nur schwer ein einheitliches Fazit ziehen. Die Schweizerischen Kandidaten sind in den Top 10 des DACH-Rankings zwar unterrepräsentiert, schneiden aber im internationalen Ländervergleich mit Platz 6 im oberen Viertel gut ab – zwei Plätze hinter Deutschland. Österreich wiederum stellt mit der Ersten Bank einerseits ein Flaggschiff, liegt aber andererseits in der Breite nur im internationalen Mittelmass“,
resümiert Christian Berger die Entwicklungen.
„In der Schweiz gab es in diesem Jahr grosse, teils sehr überraschende Verschiebungen. Gerade die traditionellen Banken zeigen, dass sie durchaus in der Lage sind, mit dem Tempo, das die Digitalisierung vorgibt, mitzuhalten und haben den Mut bewiesen, ihren Kunden neue digitale Ansätze nahezubringen – und das stiess zumeist auf positives Feedback der Nutzer“.
 
The post Studie: Digital-Kompetenz Schweizer Banken: Credit Suisse Top, Neon Flop appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/studie-digital-kompetenz-schweizer-banken-credit-suisse-top-neon-flop</link><guid>2387</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Finnoconsult_Finnoscore-Schweiz-2022_Top-19-Schweiz.jpg?x42752</dc:content ><dc:text>Studie: Digital-Kompetenz Schweizer Banken: Credit Suisse Top, Neon Flop</dc:text></item><item><title>Banking Circle Appoints New Head of Institutional Banking</title><description><![CDATA[Luxembourg-headquartered payments bank Banking Circle has appointed Timo Florian Zwez as the new Head of Institutional Banking for the DACH region.
Timo Florian Zwez
In his new role, Zwez will be looking to drive growth for the company in the DACH region.
More specifically, he will be focusing on Banking Circle’s growth plans for the DACH Banking marketplace, enabling institutions to cut the costs and time behind cross border payments.
Zwez previously spent six years at commercial wholesale bank Bayerische Landesbank (BayernLB). As senior director for financial institutions (FI) origination within the capital markets unit at the bank, Zwez worked on building the bank’s FI platform in Europe.
He also brings about two decades of experience spread across Treasury Departments of banks, public sector clients and corporates.
Zwez has taken up roles at UBS, Standard Chartered, RBS and Dresdner Kleinwort, being based in London, Singapore and Frankfurt as well.
Anders la Cour
“We are delighted that Timo is heading up the DACH Institutional Banking team. His background in strategic planning and client relationship development will be invaluable as we grow in the DACH region.
We look forward to working closely together as Banking Circle expands around the world to help more banks and non-bank financial institutions provide more affordable and accessible banking solutions to their underlying customers,”
said Anders la Cour, CEO of Banking Circle Group.
The post Banking Circle Appoints New Head of Institutional Banking appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/banking-circle-appoints-new-head-of-institutional-banking</link><guid>2385</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Banking Circle Appoints New Head of Institutional Banking</dc:text></item><item><title>Banking Circle Appoints New Head of Institutional Banking DACH</title><description><![CDATA[Luxembourg-headquartered payments bank Banking Circle has appointed Timo Florian Zwez as the new Head of Institutional Banking for the DACH region.
Timo Florian Zwez
In his new role, Zwez will be looking to drive growth for the company in the DACH region.
More specifically, he will be focusing on Banking Circle’s growth plans for the DACH Banking marketplace, enabling institutions to cut the costs and time behind cross border payments.
Zwez previously spent six years at commercial wholesale bank Bayerische Landesbank (BayernLB). As senior director for financial institutions (FI) origination within the capital markets unit at the bank, Zwez worked on building the bank’s FI platform in Europe.
He also brings about two decades of experience spread across Treasury Departments of banks, public sector clients and corporates.
Zwez has taken up roles at UBS, Standard Chartered, RBS and Dresdner Kleinwort, being based in London, Singapore and Frankfurt as well.
Anders la Cour
“We are delighted that Timo is heading up the DACH Institutional Banking team. His background in strategic planning and client relationship development will be invaluable as we grow in the DACH region.
We look forward to working closely together as Banking Circle expands around the world to help more banks and non-bank financial institutions provide more affordable and accessible banking solutions to their underlying customers,”
said Anders la Cour, CEO of Banking Circle Group.
The post Banking Circle Appoints New Head of Institutional Banking DACH appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/banking-circle-appoints-new-head-of-institutional-banking-dach</link><guid>2388</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Banking Circle Appoints New Head of Institutional Banking DACH</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Post Launches First-Of-Its-Kind Crypto Stamp in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss Post is launching Switzerland’s first crypto stamp today, according to a press announcement. The Swiss Crypto Stamp consists of two parts, a physical stamp worth 8.90 francs, and a related digital image that will show one of 13 possible designs.
The digital image, which is stored on a blockchain, can be collected, exchanged and traded online.
The physical Swiss Crypto Stamp is self-adhesive, and shows the Matterhorn and the moon on a blue background. The stamp can be used like any other stamp to frank postal items. The actual crypto stamp is a digital collector’s item.
The Swiss Crypto Stamp is a collectible stamp
Source: Swiss Post
Customers will not know which digital design will be linked to the physical Swiss Crypto Stamp that they purchase. They can access the digital twin of their physical stamp online by scanning a QR code printed next to the physical stamp.
The digital stamp comes in 13 different designs, with 65,000 copies of the most common digital design, and only 50 copies of the rarest.
The Swiss Crypto Stamp is being launched in an issue of 175,000, and will be available at selected Swiss Post branches. The stamp can also be ordered at all Swiss Post branches and online.
The launch of the Swiss Crypto Stamp will allow Swiss Post to bring the physical world of stamps and the digital crypto-universe together, the statement said. Swiss Post issues about 50 new stamps every year.
The post Swiss Post Launches First-Of-Its-Kind Crypto Stamp in Switzerland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-post-launches-first-of-its-kind-crypto-stamp-in-switzerland</link><guid>2386</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/swiss-post-crypto-stamp--e1637832540913-1024x717.jpeg?x42752</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Post Launches First-Of-Its-Kind Crypto Stamp in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Valuu: Das Angebot der Finanzierungsplattform wächst</title><description><![CDATA[Was im Februar 2019 als Hypothekenvermittlung für Privatpersonen begonnen hat, weitet sich mehr und mehr zu einer vielseitigen Finanzierungsplattform aus: Seit dem Sommer 2021 bietet Valuu auch einen Zugang für Vertriebspartner:innen und die Vermittlung von Privatkrediten an.
Die beiden neuen Angebote sind gut angelaufen, viele kleine und grosse Beratungsunternehmen haben sich bereits als Vertriebspartner:innen auf «Valuu Pro» angemeldet. Auch der Bereich Privatkredit wächst: Zu den ersten Partnern Migros Bank, BANK-now, cashgate, eny Finance und goodfinance ist jüngst LEND dazugestossen.
Thomas Jakob
Thomas Jakob, Leiter von Valuu, ist zufrieden: «Es war von Anfang an unsere Ambition, eine Finanzierungsplattform für verschiedene Zielgruppen und Produkte aufzubauen. Mit Valuu Pro und der Privatkreditvermittlung erschliessen wir uns jetzt weitere Segmente im B2B- und B2C-Bereich.»
Wie die Hypothekenvermittlung wird Valuu auch die neuen Angebote kontinuierlich ausbauen und optimieren – im engen Austausch mit den Partner:innen und Nutzer:innen. Als unabhängige Plattform ist Valuu offen für alle Unternehmen und freut sich über viele weitere Kooperationen.
Valuu Pro – das B2B-Angebot
Valuu Pro richtet sich an Unternehmen im Finanz- und Versicherungsbereich wie beispielsweise Makler:innen, Finanzberater:innen oder spezialisierte Hypothekarberater:innen. Diese können sich als Vertriebspartner:innen registrieren lassen und das einfache Suchen, Vergleichen und Abschliessen von Hypotheken für ihre Kund:innen nutzen. Für ihre erfolgreiche Vermittlungstätigkeit erhalten sie attraktive Provisionen.
«Die Rückmeldungen unserer Vertriebspartner:innen sind sehr positiv. Dank Valuu können sie ihre Beratungsqualität erhöhen und ihre Kunden können von den Top-Angeboten profitieren», sagt Thomas Jakob.
Privatkredit beantragen in zehn Minuten
Die neue Privatkreditvermittlung funktioniert ähnlich wie die Hypothekenvermittlung: einmal Antragsdaten erfassen, mehrere Angebote erhalten, vergleichen und Antrag an den Kreditgeber der Wahl schicken. Innerhalb weniger Tage liegt dann der Kreditentscheid vor. Das Antragsformular ist dabei so einfach gestaltet, dass der Antrag in zehn Minuten erledigt ist.
Auch das Vergleichen ist ein Kinderspiel, wie Thomas Jakob betont: «Wir legen grössten Wert auf Transparenz und echte Vergleichbarkeit. Nutzerinnen und Nutzer können sofort sehen, wie hoch die Monatsraten und die gesamten Zinskosten der verschiedenen Angebote sind. Auch Zusatzleistungen wie kostenlose Ratenaufschübe oder Kreditversicherungen sind klar ersichtlich.»
Gut zu wissen: Die Kreditsuche auf Valuu löst keinen Eintrag bei der Zentralstelle für Kreditinformationen (ZEK) aus. Erst wenn ein Kredit über Valuu beantragt wird und der gewählte Kreditgeber den Antrag prüft, wird dies bei der ZEK erfasst.
Hypothekenvolumen: über 500 Millionen
Die Online-Hypothekenvermittlung ist nach wie vor das Kerngeschäft von Valuu und verzeichnet seit Beginn ein starkes Wachstum. Im ersten Geschäftsjahr – Februar 2019 bis Februar 2020 – belief sich das vermittelte Hypothekarvolumen auf rund 100 Millionen Franken. In den darauffolgenden eineinhalb Jahren stieg dieser Wert auf stolze 500 Millionen Franken an (Stand August 2021).
Die Abschluss-Kurve soll aber noch steiler werden, denn das Ziel von Valuu ist es, DIE Schweizer Vergleichs- und Abschlussplattform zu werden. So wird auch 2022 sowohl der B2B- als auch den B2C-Bereich stetig ausgebaut werden, um den Vertriebspartner:innen und Kund:innen ein immer besseres Erlebnis zu bieten.
The post Valuu: Das Angebot der Finanzierungsplattform wächst appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/valuu-das-angebot-der-finanzierungsplattform-wachst</link><guid>2384</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Valuu: Das Angebot der Finanzierungsplattform wächst</dc:text></item><item><title>Die Säule-3a-App frankly hat 1 Milliarde an verwalteten Vermögen erreicht</title><description><![CDATA[frankly hat CHF 1 Milliarde verwaltetes Volumen an Säule-3a-Kundengeldern erreicht.
Die rein digitale Lösung der Vorsorgestiftung Sparen 3 der Zürcher Kantonalbank wurde 2020 lanciert. Mittlerweile ist die Anzahl frankly-Kunden auf über 49&#8217;000 gewachsen. Dank dem kontinuierlich steigenden Anlagevermögen konnte die Community-Rabattierung nun zum dritten Mal erhöht werden: Dadurch sinkt die All-in-Fee neu auf 0.45%.
Martin Scholl
«frankly hat sich als wichtiger digitaler Kanal im Vorsorgegeschäft der Zürcher Kantonalbank etabliert», sagt CEO Martin Scholl. «3a-Lösungen stossen bei der Bevölkerung im aktuellen Negativzinsumfeld auf grosses Interesse. frankly ist das ideale Produkt für alle Berufstätigen, die im Rahmen der 3. Säule vorsorgen.»
 
The post Die Säule-3a-App frankly hat 1 Milliarde an verwalteten Vermögen erreicht appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/die-saule-3a-app-frankly-hat-1-milliarde-an-verwalteten-vermogen-erreicht</link><guid>2382</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Die Säule-3a-App frankly hat 1 Milliarde an verwalteten Vermögen erreicht</dc:text></item><item><title>Credit Suisse, MoneyPark und PriceHubble gehen strategische Partnerschaft ein</title><description><![CDATA[Ob Kauf, Verkauf oder Finanzierung – die neuen umfassenden Immobiliendienstleistungen werden digital integriert, transparent und schnell sein.
Im Rahmen der strategischen Partnerschaft werden die Digital-Banking- und Finanzierungsdienstleistungen der Credit Suisse mit den Immobilien- und Hypothekendienstleistungen von MoneyPark und der BigData-Analytik von PriceHubble kombiniert.
Die Lösung stellt eine neue Ära im Immobilienbereich dar: Kunden erhalten exklusiven Zugriff auf eine Plattform mit Eigenheimen, die ihren Suchkriterien, besonderen Interessen und finanziellen Möglichkeiten entsprechen. Das Immobilien-Dashboard stellt Eigenheimbesitzern wertvolle Informationen bereit, z. B. aktuelle Immobilienbewertungen, Erkenntnisse zum Standort sowie Einblicke in die Marktdynamik wie Angebot, Nachfrage und Attraktivität, und es bietet Kunden die Möglichkeit, die Wertentwicklung ihrer Immobilie zu verfolgen.
Zudem können Kunden nach massgeschneiderten, zu ihrer finanziellen Situation passenden Objekten suchen und ihr existierendes verkaufen. Sie können potenzielle Käufer direkt identifizieren und haben Zugang zu Finanzierungslösungen durch Credit Suisse, einschliesslich Multi-Partner-Finanzierungsoptionen von MoneyPark. Mit nur wenigen Mausklicks erhalten Kunden vollständige Transparenz und Kontrolle über den gesamten Immobilien-Lebenszyklus, einschliesslich Kauf- und Verkaufsprozess.
Anke Bridge Haux
Anke Bridge Haux, Leiterin Digital Banking der Credit Suisse, kommentiert: «Diese einzigartige Lösung wird das Kundenerlebnis verbessern, indem sie modernste Datenverarbeitungstechnologien in flexible Finanzierungslösungen einbindet. Sie ergänzt unser Produkteportfolio in Einklang mit unserer strategischen Ausrichtung und stellt einen bedeutenden Fortschritt für innovatives Banking im Schweizer Immobilienmarkt dar.»
Stefan Heitmann
Stefan Heitmann, CEO und Gründer von MoneyPark, erklärt: «Wir sind sehr froh und stolz, die Kunden der Credit Suisse in allen Aspekten des Kaufs und Verkaufs von Immobilien unterstützen und beraten zu können und dazu unsere fortschrittlichen Datenkapazitäten zu nutzen und gemeinsam weiterzuentwickeln. Kunden erhalten dank dieser strategischen Kooperation nahtlos und bequem die besten individuellen Dienstleistungen in allen Phasen ihres Immobilienbesitzes.»
Julien Schillewaert
Julien Schillewaert, CEO von PriceHubble, sagt: «Im Rahmen dieser Partnerschaft mit der Credit Suisse und MoneyPark bringen wir ein völlig neues Kundenerlebnis auf den Markt. Alle Kunden der Credit Suisse erhalten demnächst Zugriff auf unsere digitalen Lösungen, mit denen sie die Bewertung ihrer eigenen Immobilie und die Marktdynamik besser nachvollziehen können. Wir sind sehr stolz auf diese Kooperation, mit der ein neues Mass an Transparenz auf den Schweizer Immobilienmarkt gebracht wird.»
The post Credit Suisse, MoneyPark und PriceHubble gehen strategische Partnerschaft ein appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/credit-suisse-moneypark-und-pricehubble-gehen-strategische-partnerschaft-ein</link><guid>2383</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Credit Suisse, MoneyPark und PriceHubble gehen strategische Partnerschaft ein</dc:text></item><item><title>Schweizer Anlage-App überzeugt in Höhle der Löwen</title><description><![CDATA[Nach dem erfolgreichen Launch der Anlage-App im Februar und dem strategischen Produktausbau im Oktober hat findependent gestern Abend erfolgreich in der 3. Staffel von «Die Höhle der Löwen Schweiz» auf 3+ teilgenommen.
Da sowohl E-Commerce-Unternehmer Roland Brack, als auch Amorana-Gründer Lukas Speiser und HR-Unternehmer Patrick Mollet in findependent investieren wollten, hatte das Team die Qual der Wahl. Schlussendlich wurde der Deal ganz bewusst mit Unternehmer und Neon-Investor Roland Brack geschlossen.

Partnerschaft mit neon
«Mit unserem neuen Investor wollen wir unsere Zusammenarbeit mit der Konto-App neon weiter stärken», so Matthias Bryner, Gründer von findependent und ehemaliger Neon-Mitarbeiter (rechts im Bild).
Die Voraussetzung dazu sind gut, schliesslich pflegen die beiden Fintech-Startups einen ähnlichen Auftritt und nutzen mit der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg die gleiche Partnerbank für ihre Dienstleistungen.
Roland Brack
Dies sieht auch Roland Brack so.
«Die Einfachheit hat mich auf Anhieb begeistert. Investieren ist auch eine Vertrauenssache und Partnerschaften sind deshalb wichtig. Gerade mit meinem bestehenden Investment Neon sehe ich da grosses Potenzial.»
Im Nachgang kam mit Lukas Speiser auch noch ein zweiter Löwe an Bord
Da aber auch das Wissen und die Erfahrung vom ehemaligen Goldman Sachs Banker und erfolgreichen Startup-Gründer Lukas Speiser für findependent unglaublich wertvoll gewesen wäre, entschied sich Matthias Bryner den Löwen nach der Sendung nochmals für ein Investment anzufragen. Das hat sich gelohnt, denn der Amorana-Gründer war nach wie vor sehr an einer Beteiligung an der Anlage-App interessiert.
Lukas Speiser
«Wer sich auskennt, weiss, dass ETF-Anlagelösungen wie diejenigen von findependent langfristig die beste Anlagemöglichkeit sind. Verpackt in eine verständliche App mit hervorragender User Experience hat findependent so ein Produkt geschaffen, welches wirklich überzeugt», so Lukas Speiser.
So konnte findependent schlussendlich sogar zwei Löwen gewinnen.
«Wir sind stolz, dass die beiden erfolgreichen Unternehmer an unsere Idee und unser Startup glauben und uns nun auf unserem Weg unterstützen» sagt Matthias Bryner.
«Die Teilnahme an der Show war für mich persönlich eine sehr wertvolle und sicherlich einzigartige Erfahrung und für das Unternehmen wirklich ein Meilenstein» ergänzt Nadine Hitz, die zusammen mit Matthias Bryner findependent vor der Kamera präsentierte.
findependent bietet eine einfache und verständliche Anlage-App, um mit wenig Aufwand mehr aus den Ersparnissen zu machen. Kundinnen und Kunden können ihr Konto in 15 Minuten online eröffnen und bereits ab CHF 500 starten. Sie können entweder eine der breit abgestützten, nachhaltigen findependent Anlagelösungen wählen, oder direkt in der App ihre eigene ETF-Anlagelösung zusammenstellen.
Dabei profitieren sie gemäss einem aktuellen Vergleich von Moneyland von den tiefsten Gebühren für Vermögensverwaltung in der Schweiz, haben dank der Partnerschaft mit der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg aber gleichzeitig die volle Sicherheit einer etablierten Bank.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schweizer-anlage-app-uberzeugt-in-hohle-der-lowen</link><guid>2381</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Höhle-der-Löwen-Findependent-1024x684.jpg?x42752</dc:content ><dc:text>Schweizer Anlage-App überzeugt in Höhle der Löwen</dc:text></item><item><title>VZ VermögensZentrum bietet neu auch Crypto an</title><description><![CDATA[Die Marktkapitalisierung von Kryptowährungen hat mittlerweile fast USD 3 Billionen erreicht, was auf die stetig wachsende Akzeptanz durch institutionelle Anleger und die Klarheit der Regulierung auf der ganzen Welt zurückzuführen ist. Die hohe Nachfrage nach Kryptoanlagen bietet Banken und Vermögensverwaltern die Möglichkeit, mit vertrauenswürdigen, kompetenten Partnern wie Sygnum zusammenzuarbeiten, um ihre Produktpalette zu erweitern und in dieser dynamischen Anlageklasse aktiv zu werden.
Die Kerndienstleistungen des VZ VermögensZentrums sind Vermögensverwaltung, Vorsorge- und Nachlassplanung für Privatpersonen sowie Versicherungs- und Pensionskassenmanagement für Unternehmen. Die Partnerschaft ermöglicht VZ und seinen Kunden einen effizienten und sicheren Zugang zu einer breiten Palette von Produkten und Dienstleistungen im Bereich der digitalen Vermögenswerte über die innovative B2B-Plattform der Sygnum Bank. Da Sygnum ein vollständig regulierter Spezialist für digitale Vermögenswerte mit einer Schweizer Banklizenz ist, ist sie eine der wenigen globalen Banken, die eine sichere Brücke zwischen dem traditionellen Finanzwesen und digitalen Vermögenswerten bieten kann.
Fritz Jost
Fritz Jost, Chief B2B Officer Sygnum Bank, sagt dazu: «Wir freuen uns darauf, weiteren Banken die Möglichkeit zu geben, sich mit unserem modularen «One-Stop-Shop-Angebot» zu verbinden &#8211; Custody, Brokerage, Asset Management, Lending und Tokenization. Wir setzen weiterhin auf Innovation und fördern Partnerschaften wie diese, um unseren Partnern zu helfen, die Lücke zwischen der traditionellen Fiat-Welt und dem regulierten Ökosystem für digitale Vermögenswerte zu schliessen.»
Das VZ VermögensZentrum schliesst sich anderen Sygnum-Geschäftspartnern an und bietet seinen Kunden über die B2B-Banking-Plattform von Sygnum einen vertrauenswürdigen, sicheren, konformen und nahtlosen Zugang zu Kryptowährungen und digitalen Vermögenswerten. Die Plattform kann innerhalb von nur 60 Tagen bereitgestellt werden und ermöglicht es den Partnerbanken, einen Fussabdruck für digitale Vermögenswerte unter ihrer eigenen Marke zu schaffen, der von höchsten Standards in Bezug auf Compliance und betriebliche Effizienz unterstützt wird.
Marc Weber
Marc Weber, CEO VZ Depotbank, sagt: «Das VZ VermögensZentrum ist stets an innovativen Lösungen im Finanzbereich interessiert, um die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit zu steigern und den sich schnell ändernden Kundenbedürfnissen gerecht zu werden. Die Zusammenarbeit mit Sygnum bietet uns die Möglichkeit, unsere Vision in die Weiterentwicklung der angebotenen Produkte einfliessen zu lassen und unseren Kunden die Möglichkeit zu geben, bequem, sicher und reguliert in diese neue Anlageklasse zu investieren.»
 
The post VZ VermögensZentrum bietet neu auch Crypto an appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/vz-vermogenszentrum-bietet-neu-auch-crypto-an</link><guid>2380</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>VZ VermögensZentrum bietet neu auch Crypto an</dc:text></item><item><title>Open Wealth API: ZKB lanciert offene Schnittstellen für externe Vermögensverwalter</title><description><![CDATA[Die Zürcher Kantonalbank hat offene, standardisierte Schnittstellen für externe Vermögensverwalter und Custody-Kunden im Bereich Open Wealth Management eingeführt. Diese sogenannten OpenWealth API ermöglichen externen Vermögensverwaltern und Custody-Kunden der Zürcher Kantonalbank den Datenbezug, um Kundenportfolios in ihren Drittsystemen abzubilden.
Ausbau erfolgt mit SIX bLink als Intermediär
Die Verwaltung und der Aufbau der Verbindungsmöglichkeiten basiert auf dem Prinzip von Open Banking. Die gut positionierte API-Plattform der Zürcher Kantonalbank wird mit SIX bLink als Intermediär ausgebaut. Der Kunde kann die Dienstleistung direkt im ZKB eBanking aktivieren. Damit übernimmt die Bank eine Vorreiterrolle im Finanzmarkt und legt den Grundstein für weitere Open-Banking-Geschäftsfälle.
Regina Kleeb
«Mit der Einführung der OpenWealth API modernisieren wir die Dienstleistungen für unsere externen Vermögensverwalter- und Custody-Kunden von Grund auf», sagt Regina Kleeb, Leiterin Produkt-management Anlage- &amp; Vorsorgegeschäft Zürcher Kantonalbank. «Open Banking ist kein Trend, sondern eine Entwicklung, die das Kundenbedürfnis konsequent in den Mittelpunkt stellt.»
Erste Adresse für Vermögensverwalter
Die neue Schnittstelle ermöglicht Kunden, ihre Daten von der Bank effizient und in hoher Qualität zu beziehen, sie in ihren bevorzugten Softwarelösungen weiter zu verarbeiten und für ihre täglichen Prozesse zu nutzen. Dabei ist der Schutz der Kundendaten zentral, wozu auch die involvierten Drittanbieter seitens der Bank verpflichtet werden.
«Mit dem Ausbau der Schnittstellen stellen wir sicher, dass die Zürcher Kantonalbank auch in Zukunft die erste Adresse für unsere Vermögensverwalter bleibt», sagt Tenzing Lamdark, Leiter externe Vermögensverwalter der Zürcher Kantonalbank. «Mit dem Anwendungsfall der externen Vermögensverwalter liefern wir einen Grundstein für Open Banking. Die Einführung der OpenWealth API schafft eine wichtige Voraussetzung für eine neue technologische Banking-Ära.»
Béatrice Sidler
Béatrice Sidler, Leiterin Multichannel Management, weist auf die sich verändernden Kundenbedürfnisse hin: «Bei den Open-Banking-Anwendungsfällen steht der Kundennutzen im Fokus. Kundinnen und Kunden können dabei von erweiterten Serviceangeboten profitieren, an denen sich unterschiedliche Finanzdienstleister wie Banken, Fintechs und Service-Provider beteiligen.»
Die Umsetzungen der API resultieren aus der Mitgliedschaft der Zürcher Kantonalbank im Verein «OpenWealth Association». Dieser hat zum Zweck, Schnittstellen im Bereich der Vermögensverwaltungs-Firmen zu harmonisieren und zu standardisieren, sowie die IT-Infrastrukturen für ihre Custody-Kunden und externen Vermögensverwalter zu erneuern. Seit Anfang Jahr können bereits die ersten Buchhaltungs-Lösungen mit standardisierten Schnittstellen angebunden werden, mit OpenWealth folgt nun der nächste Fachbereich.
Mit der Realisierung des aktuellen OpenWealth API-Programms unterstützt die Bank Bestrebungen der Branche, die Open-Finance-Geschäftsmodelle weiter auszubauen und damit die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit des Finanzplatzes Schweiz zu stärken.
 
 
The post Open Wealth API: ZKB lanciert offene Schnittstellen für externe Vermögensverwalter appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/open-wealth-api-zkb-lanciert-offene-schnittstellen-fur-externe-vermogensverwalter</link><guid>2379</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Open Wealth API: ZKB lanciert offene Schnittstellen für externe Vermögensverwalter</dc:text></item><item><title>Crypto Payments Infrastructure Provider MoonPay Bags US$555 Million Series A</title><description><![CDATA[MoonPay, a crypto payments infrastructure provider, announced it has closed a $555 million Series A financing round led by Tiger Global Management and Coatue, bringing its post-money valuation to US$3.4 billion.
The funding round also saw participation from Blossom Capital, Thrive Capital, Paradigm, and NEA.
The funds will enable MoonPay to rapidly accelerate its global footprint, further invest in its world-class team, and underwrite an expanding number of innovations in the crypto economy.
MoonPay is trusted by cryptocurrency, digital asset and blockchain technology companies including Bitcoin.com, which deployed MoonPay to help scale revenue by more than 500%.
The company’s fiat-to-crypto on-ramp powers more than 250 wallets, websites and applications in more than 160 countries and has processed more than US$2 billion in transactions to date.
Ivan Soto-Wright
“MoonPay is the world’s largest provider of crypto payments infrastructure that enables any organization to bridge traditional finance and crypto. We set out to democratize access to the crypto economy by providing the tools for businesses to onboard new users with magical product experiences. We are on a mission to help billions of people access trillions of dollars of digital value over the next decade and beyond.”
said Ivan Soto-Wright, Co-founder and CEO of MoonPay.
 

Featured image credits: Eva Marie Uzcategui | Bloomberg | Getty Images
The post Crypto Payments Infrastructure Provider MoonPay Bags US$555 Million Series A appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crypto-payments-infrastructure-provider-moonpay-bags-us555-million-series-a</link><guid>2378</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/AM-3.png?x42752</dc:content ><dc:text>Crypto Payments Infrastructure Provider MoonPay Bags US$555 Million Series A</dc:text></item><item><title>Demand for Digital Identity Verification Surges Amid Booming Virtual Banking Sector</title><description><![CDATA[An evolving regulatory landscape, rising digital adoption and the surge in fintech usage is pushing demand for digital identity verification. By 2026, the industry is expected to generate US$17.2 billion in revenue, translating to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22% over the six-year period, a new report by analyst and consultancy company Goode Intelligence.
Identity verification ensures that there is a person behind a process matches the one that is supposed to be. It’s an essential requirement in most procedures to avoid fraud and theft, and is referred to know-your-customer (KYC) in the banking sector.
Identity verification is ever-so relevant today as interactions are increasingly moving online, forcing financial institutions to embrace new methods to remotely verify users, ensure genuineness and comply with KYC, anti-money laundering (AML) and countering financing of terrorism (CFT) requirements.
In 2020, financial companies around the world were fined a collective US$10.6 billion for regulatory non-compliance, including AML/KYC non-compliance, according to the AML/KYC Tracker by payment news platform Pymnts and online identity verification services provider Trulioo.
Digital fraud against consumers has also increased by 24% for the period from January to April 2021, compared to the period from September to December 2020, the report says.
In June 2021, the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) fined digital bank N26 EUR 4.25 million for weak AML controls over the years 2019 and 2020.
In Europe, new reforms are in the works and are to set to make the regulatory landscape more complex for financial institutions. The European Commission (EC) is currently expanding its AML efforts and working on new regulation on AML/CFT.
The legislative proposals aim to strengthen the European Union (EU)’s AML/CFT rules, introducing measures to enhance the existing framework by taking into account new and emerging challenges linked to technological innovation including virtual currencies.
The EC will also be creating a new EU authority to fight money laundering. The new authority is expected to be operational in 2024.
At the same time, neobanks are surging in popularity, further increasing risks. Exton Consulting estimates that as of early 2021, more than 50 million clients had opened a neobank account in Europe.
EXTON RESEARCH, Report Neobanks 2021 Shifting from growth to profitability
The booming digital identity verification sector
These factors are driving the demand to digitally onboard customers in a compliant and efficient manner. This will result in over 3.8 billion separate identity checks annually by 2026, up from 1.1 billion checks by the end of 2021, according to the Goode Intelligence research.
Financial institutions around the world are rapidly implementing innovative solutions to address AML/CFT concerns and requirements.
British financial services company Hargreaves Lansdown recently implemented the HooYu and Equifax customer onboarding KYC journey into its technological ecosystem to create a faster and frictionless method of verifying identity for its clients.
In Lithuania, Nexpay is teaming up with Ondato to run all KYC, AML and e-signature processes through its compliance management platforms to prevent fraud and enable smooth digital onboarding. Nexpay is banking infrastructure provider for the digital assets industry, offering services including accounts and payments.
The red hot digital identity verification industry has attracted close to US$1 billion in investment in H1 2021, says Alan Goode, founder and CEO of Goode Intelligence and author of the report, and the trend is showing no sign of slowing down going into 2022 .
Just this month, US identity verification startup Socure raised a US$450 million Series E funding round, bringing its valuation to US$4.5 billion, up from US$1.3 billion this March when it raised US$100 million in its Series D.
Socure provides a predictive analytics platform. It leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) techniques with online and offline data intelligence from email, phone, address, IP, device, velocity, and the broader Internet to verify identities in real time.
Jumio, another US startup, closed a US$150 million funding round in March. Jumio has built a platform that provides a variety of digital identity tools and technology, using biometrics, ML, computer vision, big data and more to run checks on identity documents and log-ins. Jumio currently has around 1,000 customers including HSBC, United Airlines and the telecommunications operator Singtel.
 
Featured image credit: Technology photo created by rawpixel.com &#8211; www.freepik.com
The post Demand for Digital Identity Verification Surges Amid Booming Virtual Banking Sector appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/demand-for-digital-identity-verification-surges-amid-booming-virtual-banking-sector</link><guid>2377</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/NEOBANKS-WORLDWIDE-LAUNCHES-FROM-2010-1024x567.png?x42752</dc:content ><dc:text>Demand for Digital Identity Verification Surges Amid Booming Virtual Banking Sector</dc:text></item><item><title>El Salvador Plans World’s First ‘Bitcoin City’ Funded by US$1 Billion ‘Bitcoin Bond’</title><description><![CDATA[El Salvador&#8217;s President Nayib Bukele announced plans to build a world&#8217;s first &#8220;Bitcoin City&#8221; situated near a volcano that will be funded by the cryptocurrency according to Reuters.
Bukele seems to be doubling down on his crypto push as El Salvador had only recently emerged as the first country to use Bitcoin as legal tender.
The Bitcoin city&#8217;s construction will begin in 2022 and it will be built in the south-eastern region of La Unión where it would leverage Conchagua volcano&#8217;s geothermal energy to power the crypto&#8217;s mining.
The city will reportedly be circular featuring a central plaza that would look like a bitcoin symbol aerially along with an airport, residential and commercial areas.
The president added that the city will not levy any taxes except for value added tax (VAT) where half of it will be used to fund the bonds issued to build the city. Meanwhile, the other half will be utilised to pay for other requires services.
He estimates that the public infrastructure would cost up to 300,000 bitcoins.
Bukele also announced a partnership with digital assets infrastructure company Blockstream to raise US$1 billion through a &#8220;Bitcoin Bond&#8221;. Half of the funds will be used to purchase bitcoin while the other half will be channeled into energy and bitcoin mining infrastructure.
In order to move things along, Bukele said that El Salvador is developing a securities law and has earmarked the first license to operate an exchange for Hong Kong-based crypto exchange Bitfinex.
Nayib Bukele
 
&#8220;Invest here and make all the money you want. This is a fully ecological city that works and is energized by a volcano,&#8221;
said El Salvador&#8217;s President Nayib Bukele.
 
 

Featured image credit: Reuters
The post El Salvador Plans World’s First ‘Bitcoin City’ Funded by US$1 Billion ‘Bitcoin Bond&#8217; appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/el-salvador-plans-worlds-first-bitcoin-city-funded-by-us1-billion-bitcoin-bond</link><guid>2376</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/AM-2.png?x42752</dc:content ><dc:text>El Salvador Plans World’s First ‘Bitcoin City’ Funded by US$1 Billion ‘Bitcoin Bond’</dc:text></item><item><title>Plug and Play Tech Center Sets up New Office in Basel</title><description><![CDATA[The Plug and Play Tech Center, an innovation platform connecting startups, corporations, venture capital firms, universities, and government agencies, announced the launch of a new office in Basel, Switzerland.
The move was made possible through a partnership with its founding partner uptownBasel.
Plug and Play Basel will be situated in the uptownBasel Competence Center in Arlesheim where it will provide co-working spaces for the startups to utilise and scale their business.
The launch event, which will mark the start of the first programme batch, is planned for March 2022.
The basis of Plug and Play Basel will be a 3-month open innovation programme that will run twice a year.
Each programme welcomes selected national and international startups that are addressing the specific technological needs of the founding partners.
The startups and business units of the partners will work together on pilots and proof of concepts, leading towards production-ready implementations.
The goal is to have at least one joint project completed for each startup, to be showcased at EXPO Day, the final event at the end of each programme
Further offerings for startups, partners, and the growing ecosystem include dealflows, workshops, mentorship sessions, networking between partners, investment opportunities, and a series of monthly events including Selection Days, Innovation Days, and EXPO Days.
Plug and Play, headquartered in Sunnyvale, 50 miles outside San Francisco, is located in vibrant Silicon Valley and has more than 35 satellite offices worldwide.
Hans-Jörg Fankhauser
Hans-Jörg Fankhauser, site developer, architect and implementer of the uptownBasel project explains,
&#8220;Plug and Play Basel will use innovation as a lever to solve big challenges of our time with technologies like Industry 4.0, IoT, smart manufacturing, future logistics, and robotics.
 
Together, we will not only deliver profits to our corporate partners and startups, but also create new jobs, boost the region&#8217;s productivity, and build a long-term growing tech ecosystem.&#8221;
Daniela Bar-Gera
Daniela Bar-Gera, Head of Plug and Play Basel added,
&#8220;Basel is the perfect fit to be another European Hub for innovation: Its location in the Three-Country-Triangle (Switzerland, Germany, France), its industrial tradition and expertise as well as outstanding academics such as the University of Basel, the FHNW, and the various world-renowned institutes, such as the FMI (Friedrich Miescher Institute) provide the ideal foundation to be the leading open innovation platform.&#8221;
 
Featured image: Edited from Unsplash
The post Plug and Play Tech Center Sets up New Office in Basel appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/plug-and-play-tech-center-sets-up-new-office-in-basel</link><guid>2375</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Plug and Play Tech Center Sets up New Office in Basel</dc:text></item><item><title>Crypto Exchange Gemini Raises US$400 Million Valuing It at US$7.1 Billion</title><description><![CDATA[Gemini, a cryptocurrency platform, announced a US$400 million growth equity round which is its first-ever outside financing, pushing the company&#8217;s valuation to US$7.1 billion.
The fundraise was led by Morgan Creek Digital with participation from 10T, ParaFi, Newflow Partners, Marcy Venture Partners, and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, among others.
With this round of financing, Gemini said that it will continue to bring simple, innovative, and secure products to market, and advance its geographic expansion.
Launched in 2015 by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, Gemini supports more than 60 cryptos for trading and has US$30 billion in crypto assets in its custody.
In addition to buying, selling, and storing crypto, Gemini helps investors earn, spend, and learn about crypto, as well as create and collect non-fungible tokens (or NFTs) on Nifty Gateway, a wholly-owned NFT platform.
Gemini has increased its geographic footprint in 2021, entering the UK as one of the few registered crypto-asset firms as well as obtaining its EMI license from the Financial Conduct Authority.
It also filed its license with the Monetary Authority of Singapore to expand further into the Asia Pacific region.
Tyler Winklevoss
“Gemini is the portal into crypto for new and seasoned investors alike. The investors that we have brought on in this round share our ambitious vision for the future.”
said Tyler Winklevoss, Co-Founder and CEO of Gemini.
Cameron Winklevoss
“In 2021 we diversified our revenue stream, expanded to new territories, acquired pioneering companies, and invested in industry-redefining innovations through the Gemini Frontier Fund. We also supported Bitcoin core development through the Gemini Opportunity Fund.
 
We are incredibly excited to continue to build on the frontier of crypto and give individuals around the world greater choice, independence, and opportunity through crypto.”
said Cameron Winklevoss, Co-Founder and President of Gemini.

Featured image credits: Bloomberg
The post Crypto Exchange Gemini Raises US$400 Million Valuing It at US$7.1 Billion appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crypto-exchange-gemini-raises-us400-million-valuing-it-at-us71-billion</link><guid>2373</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/AM-2.png?x42752</dc:content ><dc:text>Crypto Exchange Gemini Raises US$400 Million Valuing It at US$7.1 Billion</dc:text></item><item><title>European Banks Move Towards Open Finance</title><description><![CDATA[Across Europe, banks are moving beyond open banking and PSD2 requirements, steadily transitioning towards open finance, a new report by open banking startup Salt Edge says.
The paper, titled State of open banking payments in Europe in 2021, draws on the testing of more than 2,500 PSD2 APIs from 31 European countries.
The analysis found that, as mandated by law, the UK’s CMA9, or the country’s nine largest banks, are mostly the ones in the region that share data about more types of accounts.
Nevertheless, banks in Continental Europe are slowly expanding the data set made available through open APIs, moving steadily towards open finance.
In particular, banks in France, Denmark and the Netherlands were found to be amongst those ahead of the curve, providing access to information about credit card transaction information, mortgage, savings and investment accounts, for example.
Out of the 2,500+ regulated APIs integrated by Salt Edge across Europe, 10% of banks are providing access to credit card transaction information, 9% are providing access to information about savings accounts, and 5% are providing access to information about mortgage accounts.
Open finance as part of the EU’s Digital Finance Strategy
Open finance is the next step in the open banking journey that involves enabling third-party providers to access customers’ data across a broader range of financial sectors and products, including savings and investments.
Legislations like Australia’s Consumer Data Right are setting the foundation for the sharing of data not only across the banking industry but other sectors as well including insurance, investment, energy and telecommunications.
In Europe, an open finance framework is currently in the works with hopes for greater data-driven innovation in the financial sector. Building on the progress made with the landmark revision of the Payment Services Directive (PSD2), the new legislation will seek to further enhance data sharing and openness across and within sectors. A legislative proposal for the framework is expected by mid-2022.
The open finance framework is part of the European Commission (EC)’s broader Digital Finance Strategy, which sets out key priorities for the development of digital finance.
These priorities include removing fragmentation in the Digital Single Market by reducing regulatory coherence and facilitating cross-border activities, adapting the European Union (EU) regulatory framework to encourage digital innovation notably in the areas of artificial intelligence (AI) and crypto-assets/blockchain technology, promoting data-driven innovation in the broader finance sector, and addressing the challenges and risks associated with digital transformation.
Europe shows progress in open banking implementation
Open banking has made considerable progress in Europe over the past years. The Salt Edge report notes that API availability amongst banks in Europe has greatly improved since 2020 with the highest performances this year recorded by institutions in the UK,  Czech Republic, Portugal, Austria, the Netherlands and Belgium.
The API availability rate is measured by the percentage of API requests sent by Salt Edge that were accepted by banks’ APIs and successfully replied to.
Top 6 EU countries with the highest API availability, 2021 vs 2020, Source: Salt Edge
Salt Edge also notes that several institutions are standing out from the crowd, providing a seamless, one-day integration process, dynamic third-party provider registration, fast communication and clear documentation.
These banks include Commerzbank and N26 from Germany, La Banque Postale from France, Raiffeisen Bank from Austria, Banca Popolare di Sondrio from Italy and OTP Bank from Hungary.
Shifting customer expectations, changing market dynamics, and an evolving regulatory landscape have pushed open banking to become one of the hottest trends in fintech. Just this week, Mastercard closed its acquisition of Aiia, an European open banking technology provider formerly known as Nordic API Gateway, a deal that comes just months after Visa purchased Swedish open banking platform Tink for a whopping EUR 1.8 billion.
In Switzerland, the deployment of open banking remains at a much earlier stage than the regulatory-driven EU, despite consumers showing strong interest in the use cases and opportunity the trend brings.
A Mastercard survey, which polled more than 1,000 consumers from Switzerland earlier this year, found that out of the respondents who had not heard of open banking before, 14% showed interest after being provided a generic definition, a level that increased significantly (52%) when consumers were given explanations of real use cases of open banking.
The post European Banks Move Towards Open Finance appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/european-banks-move-towards-open-finance</link><guid>2372</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Top-6-EU-countries-with-the-highest-API-availability-2021-vs-2020-Source-Salt-Edge.png?x42752</dc:content ><dc:text>European Banks Move Towards Open Finance</dc:text></item><item><title>Peru Fintech Industry Grew 16% This Year; COVID-19 Accelerates Adoption of Digital Financial Services</title><description><![CDATA[Peru’s fintech industry has been growing consistently these past years, surging to 171 fintech companies operating locally, as of September 2021. The figure represents a 16% from 2020, and an annual average growth rate of 20% over the last seven years, according to a new report by EY Law.
Despite notable growth, these figures indicate that Peru’s fintech industry remains fairly nascent compared to regional leaders Brazil and Mexico, but a growing economy, rising affluent middle class, large population of unbanked and high mobile penetration rate are setting the stage of strong growth, according to a new paper by Swiss agency Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE).
Peru’s informal and underbanked sector represents more 70% of the domestic workforce and over 90% of SMEs, and the financial sector, which is dominated by a few legacy banks, has been slow to innovate, the paper says.
At the same time, financial inclusion remains low. In Q1 2020, the percentage of adults with at least one financial product was barely above 43%, according to data from the Asociación de Bancos del Perú (the Association of Banks of Peru, ASBANC). This represents a huge opportunity for fintech companies.
Percentage of Peruvian adults holding at least 1 financial product, Source: ASBANC, via S and P Global
Peru’s fintech opportunities
An analysis of each fintech segment by S-GE suggests that opportunities exist across all major segments.
In deposit and lending, the paper notes that the lack of alternative financing options with quick and short approval times and reliable credit scoring systems represents an untapped opportunity.
In payments, the boom in e-commerce and food delivery apps during the COVID-19 lockdown will continue fueling the growth in mobile payments. In 2020, the use of mobile payment tripled and the use of mobile apps for payments quadrupled, the paper notes, a shift in customer behavior that’s projected to persevere post-COVID-19.
Banking-as-a-service (BaaS) and banking infrastructure is another segment poised for growth. This will build on rising demand from legacy banks for solutions to integrate innovative digital financial services.
According to the EY report, the Peruvian fintech ecosystem is dominated by companies in the lending space (41 companies), followed by payments and wallet services (27), small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) finance management (21), and personal financial management (14). Other segments represented include techfin (9 companies), cryptocurrencies (9), crowdfunding (8), credit coring (6) and insurtech (4).
Peru&#8217;s fintech companies segment distribution, Source: EY, Oct 2021
Government initiatives to boost fintech growth
This year, the government has announced several initiatives set to boost the fintech sector.
The Multisectoral Strategic Plan (PEM) of the National Policy for Financial Inclusion (PNIF), for example, was introduced by the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), in coordination with nine state-run agencies, to improve financial inclusion.
The plan includes 30 measures, including financial education programs and plans, training for the use of digital tools by entrepreneurs and traders, promotion of inclusive financial products and services, the DNI (ID card) Account Implementation Plan, and development of telecommunications infrastructure for expanded financial services.
The plan seeks to increase financial inclusion to 75% by 2030.
In May, the country introduced crowdfunding rules, setting the foundation for the sector to thrive. That same month, a draft legislation was published to set up a financial regulatory sandbox that would allow the testing of innovative solutions.
Just this week, the Central Reserve Bank of Peru’s (BCRP) president, Julio Velarde, unveiled plans to develop a central bank digital currency (CBDC). The project includes involvement of other central banks around the globe, including Singapore and India.
This article first appeared on fintechnews.am

Featured image credit: Photo by Agnieszka Mordaunt on Unsplash 
The post Peru Fintech Industry Grew 16% This Year; COVID-19 Accelerates Adoption of Digital Financial Services appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/peru-fintech-industry-grew-16-this-year-covid-19-accelerates-adoption-of-digital-financial-services</link><guid>2371</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Percentage-of-Peruvian-adults-holding-at-least-1-financial-product-Source-ASBANC-via-S-and-P-Global.png?x69075</dc:content ><dc:text>Peru Fintech Industry Grew 16% This Year; COVID-19 Accelerates Adoption of Digital Financial Services</dc:text></item><item><title>Peru Fintech Industry Grew 16% This Year; COVID-19 Accelerates Digital Adoption</title><description><![CDATA[Peru’s fintech industry has been growing consistently these past years, surging to 171 fintech companies operating locally, as of September 2021. The figure represents a 16% from 2020, and an annual average growth rate of 20% over the last seven years, according to a new report by EY Law.
Despite notable growth, these figures indicate that Peru’s fintech industry remains fairly nascent compared to regional leaders Brazil and Mexico, but a growing economy, rising affluent middle class, large population of unbanked and high mobile penetration rate are setting the stage of strong growth, according to a new paper by Swiss agency Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE).
Peru’s informal and underbanked sector represents more 70% of the domestic workforce and over 90% of SMEs, and the financial sector, which is dominated by a few legacy banks, has been slow to innovate, the paper says.
At the same time, financial inclusion remains low. In Q1 2020, the percentage of adults with at least one financial product was barely above 43%, according to data from the Asociación de Bancos del Perú (the Association of Banks of Peru, ASBANC). This represents a huge opportunity for fintech companies.
Percentage of Peruvian adults holding at least 1 financial product, Source: ASBANC, via S and P Global
Peru’s fintech opportunities
An analysis of each fintech segment by S-GE suggests that opportunities exist across all major segments.
In deposit and lending, the paper notes that the lack of alternative financing options with quick and short approval times and reliable credit scoring systems represents an untapped opportunity.
In payments, the boom in e-commerce and food delivery apps during the COVID-19 lockdown will continue fueling the growth in mobile payments. In 2020, the use of mobile payment tripled and the use of mobile apps for payments quadrupled, the paper notes, a shift in customer behavior that’s projected to persevere post-COVID-19.
Banking-as-a-service (BaaS) and banking infrastructure is another segment poised for growth. This will build on rising demand from legacy banks for solutions to integrate innovative digital financial services.
According to the EY report, the Peruvian fintech ecosystem is dominated by companies in the lending space (41 companies), followed by payments and wallet services (27), small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) finance management (21), and personal financial management (14). Other segments represented include techfin (9 companies), cryptocurrencies (9), crowdfunding (8), credit coring (6) and insurtech (4).
Peru&#8217;s fintech companies segment distribution, Source: EY, Oct 2021
Government initiatives to boost fintech growth
This year, the government has announced several initiatives set to boost the fintech sector.
The Multisectoral Strategic Plan (PEM) of the National Policy for Financial Inclusion (PNIF), for example, was introduced by the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), in coordination with nine state-run agencies, to improve financial inclusion.
The plan includes 30 measures, including financial education programs and plans, training for the use of digital tools by entrepreneurs and traders, promotion of inclusive financial products and services, the DNI (ID card) Account Implementation Plan, and development of telecommunications infrastructure for expanded financial services.
The plan seeks to increase financial inclusion to 75% by 2030.
In May, the country introduced crowdfunding rules, setting the foundation for the sector to thrive. That same month, a draft legislation was published to set up a financial regulatory sandbox that would allow the testing of innovative solutions.
Just this week, the Central Reserve Bank of Peru’s (BCRP) president, Julio Velarde, unveiled plans to develop a central bank digital currency (CBDC). The project includes involvement of other central banks around the globe, including Singapore and India.
This article first appeared on fintechnews.am

Featured image credit: Photo by Agnieszka Mordaunt on Unsplash 
The post Peru Fintech Industry Grew 16% This Year; COVID-19 Accelerates Digital Adoption appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/peru-fintech-industry-grew-16-this-year-covid-19-accelerates-digital-adoption</link><guid>2374</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Percentage-of-Peruvian-adults-holding-at-least-1-financial-product-Source-ASBANC-via-S-and-P-Global.png?x42752</dc:content ><dc:text>Peru Fintech Industry Grew 16% This Year; COVID-19 Accelerates Digital Adoption</dc:text></item><item><title>ZKB Fonds für Startups in Skalierungs­phase</title><description><![CDATA[Ohne genügend finanzielle Ressourcen kann auch die beste Geschäftsidee nicht zünden. Und genau das ist das Problem:
Fabian Bamert
«Der Schweiz fehlt es an finanzstarken Kapitalgebern, die auch nach einem erfolgreichen Markteintritt während der Skalierung ausreichend unterstützen und vielversprechende Start-ups weiter mit Kapital ausstatten können», sagt Fabian Bamert, Leiter Start-up Finance der Zürcher Kantonalbank.
Hier setzt die Zürcher Kantonalbank nun mit einem weiteren Angebot für innovative Jungunternehmen an:
Oliver Huggenberger
«Neu stehen uns zusätzlich zu den bisherigen Investments in frühen Phasen jährlich weitere rund zehn Millionen Franken zur Verfügung», sagt Oliver Huggenberger, Head of Scale-up Investments der Zürcher Kantonalbank.
Diese werde man in ausgewählte Jungunternehmen in der Skalierungsphase (Scale-up-Phase) mit Volumengrössen zwischen CHF 0,8 Mio. bis zu CHF 1,5 Mio. pro Finanzierungsrunde investieren – sowohl als Erst- wie auch Folgeinvestment zusammen mit Co-Investoren.
Beteiligungskapital für alle Entwicklungsphasen
Das nun lancierte Scale-up-Angebot schliesst die Lücke zwischen bereits bestehenden Finanzierungsmöglichkeiten in der Start-up- und Wachstumsphase:
«Wir können jetzt mit Stolz sagen, dass wir unter der Dachmarke der Zürcher Kantonalbank innovativen Jungunternehmen in allen Unternehmensphasen eine Lösung mit Beteiligungskapital anbieten», sagt Fabian Bamert.
Neu ist die Zürcher Kantonalbank Finanzpartnerin für alle Start-ups – vom Start und Aufbau neu über die Skalierung bis hin zum Wachstum. (Grafik: Zürcher Kantonalbank)
Bisheriges Engagement
Als eine der grössten und aktivsten Investorinnen in der Schweiz hat die Zürcher Kantonalbank bereits über 250 Start-ups mit über CHF 180 Mio. Risikokapital unterstützt. Dies vor allem in der Frühphase eines innovativen Jungunternehmens, sobald ein überzeugender Prototyp (Proof of Concept) vorgelegen hat mit Volumen zwischen CHF 0,2 Mio. bis zirka CHF 1 Mio. pro Finanzierungsrunde. Die Zürcher Kantonalbank hat dadurch Innovationen am Standort Schweiz massgebend gefördert und unter anderem über 3&#8217;500 Arbeitsplätze geschaffen.
Bei den grösseren Finanzierungsrunden in der Wachstumsphase kommt wiederum der Schweizer Wachstumsfonds von Swisscanto Invest by Zürcher Kantonalbank zum Zug. Der Private-Equity-Fonds ist seit über zweieinhalb Jahren auf dem Markt. Seitdem wurden 14 Erst- und 5 Folgeinvestments über rund CHF 80 Mio. in erfolgversprechende Wachstumsunternehmen der Sektoren ICT, Health- und Industrie-Technologien getätigt. Ein Nachfolgeprogramm für qualifizierte Anleger ist für das erste Quartal 2023 in Planung.
The post ZKB Fonds für Startups in Skalierungs­phase appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/zkb-fonds-fur-startups-in-skalierungsphase</link><guid>2370</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/zkb-startup-scaleup-1024x683.gif?x69075</dc:content ><dc:text>ZKB Fonds für Startups in Skalierungs­phase</dc:text></item><item><title>Investition in Startups: Neue Anlagekategorie für Schweizer Pensionskassen</title><description><![CDATA[Die Pensionskassen können künftig einfacher in innovative und zukunftsgerichtete Technologien in der Schweiz investieren. Der Bundesrat hat an seiner Sitzung vom 17. November 2021 die Schaffung einer neuen Anlagekategorie für nichtkotierte Anlagen beschlossen. Die entsprechenden Änderungen von zwei Verordnungen im Bereich der beruflichen Vorsorge treten am 1. Januar 2022 in Kraft.
Investitionen in innovative und zukunftsträchtige Technologien können für Pensionskassen wertvoll sein und der Erfüllung des langfristigen Vorsorgeziels dienen. Sie dienen daneben auch dem Technologiestandort Schweiz, indem ausreichend Risikokapital zur Verfügung gestellt wird.
Auf den 1.  Januar 2022 können nichtkotierte schweizerische Anlagen als eigene Kategorie im Katalog zulässiger Anlagen für Pensionskassen geführt werden, mit einer Limite von 5 Prozent des Anlagevermögens. Entsprechende Anlagen mussten bisher in der Kategorie «Alternative Anlagen», mit einer Limite von 15 Prozent, geführt werden. Inwieweit eine Pensionskasse die Limite ausschöpfen kann und will, hängt von ihrer Risikofähigkeit ab. Die entsprechende Verantwortung liegt weiterhin ausschliesslich beim zuständigen Organ der Pensionskasse.
Der Bundesrat führt diese neue Anlagekategorie mit Änderungen der Verordnung über die berufliche Alters-, Hinterlassenen- und Invalidenvorsorge (BVV 2) und der Verordnung über die Anlagestiftungen (ASV) ein, die am 1.1.2022 in Kraft treten werden. Er erfüllt damit das Kernanliegen der Motion «Langfristanlagen von Pensionskassen in zukunftsträchtige Technologien und Schaffung eines Zukunftsfonds Schweiz» (13.4184) des ehemaligen Ständerats Konrad Graber.
 
Vorgestelltes Bild: Photo by Claudio Schwarz on Unsplash 
The post Investition in Startups: Neue Anlagekategorie für Schweizer Pensionskassen appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/investition-in-startups-neue-anlagekategorie-fur-schweizer-pensionskassen</link><guid>2369</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Investition in Startups: Neue Anlagekategorie für Schweizer Pensionskassen</dc:text></item><item><title>Mastercard Finalises Acquisition of Danish Open Banking Firm Aiia</title><description><![CDATA[Mastercard announced it has completed its acquisition of Aiia, a Danish open banking technology provider that offers single and secure API access to banks and fintech companies, and enables users to easily perform account-to-account payments.
Details of the deal which was announced in September was not disclosed.
The acquisition of Aiia is said to further advance Mastercard’s existing distribution channels, technology, data practices and global multi-rail and open banking strategy.
Aiia’s open banking platforms and infrastructure – including its strong API connectivity to over 2,700 banks across Europe – enables Mastercard to continue to build applications through a developer-first approach for a variety of financial institutions, merchants, peer-to-peer networks and fintechs globally.
At scale, Mastercard’s suite of end-to-end open banking capabilities will continue to enable multi-rail payment flows, enhanced consumer authentication and fraud management, and delivery of analytics and consulting services.
The deal continues enhance Mastercard&#8216;s position in offering seamless choice and activation across multiple payment types, including cards, account-to-account, push payments and blockchain, enabled in many cases through the power of open banking connectivity.
Craig Vosburg
“Open banking empowers consumers and small businesses to use their financial data to expand access to financial services, such as demonstrating their financial wellness to increase access to credit, aggregating financial data to improve personal financial management, and to more seamlessly set up and manage payments.
 
Together, we’ll continue to build upon our API connectivity and our multi-rail strategy to enable greater consumer access, control and choice around the world.”
commented Craig Vosburg, Chief Product Officer, Mastercard.
 

The post Mastercard Finalises Acquisition of Danish Open Banking Firm Aiia appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mastercard-finalises-acquisition-of-danish-open-banking-firm-aiia</link><guid>2366</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/AM-2.png?x69075</dc:content ><dc:text>Mastercard Finalises Acquisition of Danish Open Banking Firm Aiia</dc:text></item><item><title>SIX Digital Exchange Issues World’s First Digital Bond</title><description><![CDATA[The Switzerland Stock Exchange (SIX) announced that the SIX Digital Exchange will issue its first senior unsecured digital CHF bond.
According to SIX, the bond was issued for a total volume of CHF 150 million and with its maturity for 2026 via its holding company SIX Group.
SIX added that this is the first digital issuance in a fully regulated environment.
The bond comprises two exchangeable parts. The digital part of the bond will be listed and traded on SDX Trading Ltd and centrally held by SIX Digital Exchange.
Meanwhile, the traditional part of the bond will be listed and traded on SIX Swiss Exchange and centrally held by SIX SIS.
This approach ensures the link between the digital and traditional worlds.
The digital part of the bond accounts for CHF 100 million of the total issue volume while CHF 50 million was allocated to the traditional part of the bond.
The company will use the net proceeds of the bond placed for general financing purposes of SIX.
The offering was oversubscribed several times and attracted strong interest from a very broad institutional investor base in Switzerland.
Credit Suisse, UBS Investment Bank, and Zürcher Kantonalbank acted as the joint lead managers.
Daniel Schmucki
Daniel Schmucki, CFO at SIX said,
“This is an innovative and historic transaction as it is the first of its kind in the world on a regulated and fully integrated digital exchange.
 
The transaction was supported by key Swiss market participants and has demonstrated that the investor base is convinced of the innovative power of the Swiss financial market and of the supporting role of SIX in the transformation and development of the financial center.”
Thomas Zeeb
Thomas Zeeb, Global Head of Markets at SIX said,
“The first issue of a tokenized bond on the SIX Digital Exchange as well as its listing and placement in the market proves that the forward-looking distributed ledger technology (DLT) also works very well in the highly regulated capital market.
 
The establishment and launch of SIX Digital Exchange is in line with the mandate of SIX to develop and operate infrastructure services.”
The post SIX Digital Exchange Issues World’s First Digital Bond appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/six-digital-exchange-issues-worlds-first-digital-bond</link><guid>2367</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>SIX Digital Exchange Issues World’s First Digital Bond</dc:text></item><item><title>SIX Digital Exchange Issues First Digital Bond</title><description><![CDATA[The Switzerland Stock Exchange (SIX) announced that the SIX Digital Exchange will issue its first senior unsecured digital CHF bond.
According to SIX, the bond was issued for a total volume of CHF 150 million and with its maturity for 2026 via its holding company SIX Group.
SIX added that this is the first digital issuance in a fully regulated environment.
The bond comprises two exchangeable parts. The digital part of the bond will be listed and traded on SDX Trading Ltd and centrally held by SIX Digital Exchange.
Meanwhile, the traditional part of the bond will be listed and traded on SIX Swiss Exchange and centrally held by SIX SIS.
This approach ensures the link between the digital and traditional worlds.
The digital part of the bond accounts for CHF 100 million of the total issue volume while CHF 50 million was allocated to the traditional part of the bond. The company will use the net proceeds of the bond placed for general financing purposes of SIX.The offering was oversubscribed several times and attracted strong interest from a very broad institutional investor base in Switzerland.
Credit Suisse, UBS Investment Bank, and Zürcher Kantonalbank acted as the joint lead managers.
Daniel Schmucki
Daniel Schmucki, CFO at SIX said,
“This is an innovative and historic transaction as it is the first of its kind in the world on a regulated and fully integrated digital exchange.
 
The transaction was supported by key Swiss market participants and has demonstrated that the investor base is convinced of the innovative power of the Swiss financial market and of the supporting role of SIX in the transformation and development of the financial center.”
Thomas Zeeb
Thomas Zeeb, Global Head of Markets at SIX said,
“The first issue of a tokenized bond on the SIX Digital Exchange as well as its listing and placement in the market proves that the forward-looking distributed ledger technology (DLT) also works very well in the highly regulated capital market.
 
The establishment and launch of SIX Digital Exchange is in line with the mandate of SIX to develop and operate infrastructure services.”
The post SIX Digital Exchange Issues First Digital Bond appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/six-digital-exchange-issues-first-digital-bond</link><guid>2368</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>SIX Digital Exchange Issues First Digital Bond</dc:text></item><item><title>Payroll Automation Startup Earny Launches Public Beta with Seed Funding</title><description><![CDATA[Earny, a Swiss-based startup that simplifies and automates payroll for small and mid-size enterprises (SMEs), announced the launch of its Software as a service (SaaS) as a public beta in November 2021.
By granting access of its solution to a small group of customers, Earny is looking to collect feedback in order to improve the product.
Earny added that it is looking to launch a more refined product in the first quarter of 2022.
The startup had recently raised close to CHF 1 million from Polytech Ventures, ACE &amp; Company, and Fusion Partners.
Founded May 2021, the company’s platform allows for accountants, SMEs and employees to enter their data securely into a central platform that is automatically included in the payroll.
Additionally, Earny has already secured a Swissdec certification which assures that the software can calculate payroll accurately in all employee scenarios.
Bassil Eid
Bassil Eid, Co-founder of Earny said,
“Typically, it takes 2 years to launch a payroll app in Switzerland and receive a SwissDec certification. We bought an existing SwissDec app and used this backend as the payroll calculator allowing us to focus on reimagining the front end experience.
 
Believe it or not, accountants, SMEs and employees are still sending emails &amp; excels to each other with sensitive payroll data. That data is then re-typed into payroll software either an Abacus or Cresus.”
 
 
 
The post Payroll Automation Startup Earny Launches Public Beta with Seed Funding appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/payroll-automation-startup-earny-launches-public-beta-with-seed-funding</link><guid>2365</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Payroll Automation Startup Earny Launches Public Beta with Seed Funding</dc:text></item><item><title>ConsenSys Raises Valuation to US$3.2 Billion With Us$200 Million Fundraise</title><description><![CDATA[Blockchain firm ConsenSys announced the close of a US$200 million financing round, bringing its valuation to US$3.2 billion.
New investors Marshall Wace, Third Point, ParaFi Capital, and Think Investments contributed to the round alongside new partners that include Dragonfly Capital, Electric Capital, Spartan Group, DeFiance Capital, Animoca Brands, Coinbase Ventures, and HSBC.
ConsenSys said that the funding will support the rapid expansion of its products MetaMask, a crypto wallet and gateway to blockchain apps, as well as Infura which anchors the company&#8217;s developer tools and infrastructure.
MetaMask currently has approximately 21 million monthly active users which is a 38x increase from 2020 and interacts with a universe of approximately 3,700 unique Web3 applications.
This growth is in line with ConsenSys’ mission to unlock the collaborative power of communities by making Web3 universally easy to use, access, and build on.
The firm added that it will also be adding another 400 new roles across its products and services.
Additionally, ConsenSys is also ramping up its efforts to drive NFT adoption for artists, content creators, brands, rights owners, game publishers, and leagues.
ConsenSys along with Visa were one of the three winners of the Global Central Bank Digital Currency Challenge at the Singapore Fintech Festival (SFF) last week.
Joseph Lubin
Joseph Lubin, Founder and CEO of ConsenSys as well as Co-creator of Ethereum said,
“We are honored to partner with some of the top financial and strategic investors from both traditional and next generation economies to accelerate the realization of Web3.
 
As our technology crosses into the mainstream, we are already seeing the transformation of how larger and larger cohorts of builders, users, artists, and enterprises live and work.”

The post ConsenSys Raises Valuation to US$3.2 Billion With Us$200 Million Fundraise appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/consensys-raises-valuation-to-us32-billion-with-us200-million-fundraise</link><guid>2363</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/AM-2.png?x69075</dc:content ><dc:text>ConsenSys Raises Valuation to US$3.2 Billion With Us$200 Million Fundraise</dc:text></item><item><title>Credit Card Startup Upgrade Raises US$280 Million Series F, Now Valued at US$6 Billion</title><description><![CDATA[Upgrade, Inc., a fintech company that offers affordable and responsible credit and mobile banking to mainstream consumers, announced that it raised a US$280 million Series F round at a US$6 billion pre-money valuation.
Upgrade said that it has raised US$600 million in equity capital since inception.
The round was led by Coatue Management and DST Global.
Dragoneer Investment Group and existing investors including Gopher Asset Management, G-Squared, Koch Disruptive Technologies, Old Well Partners, Ribbit Capital, Sands Capital, Ventura Capital and Vy Capital also participated in the round.
The Upgrade Card is touted to promote responsible credit by turning every balance into a fixed-rate installment plan, and by paying rewards to cardholders as they pay down their balance.
Upgrade reported that it has delivered over US$10 billion in affordable credit to consumers through cards and loans since inception in 2017 and is on track to deliver US$8 billion in 2021 alone.
Renaud Laplanche
&#8220;We are thrilled to partner with DST, Coatue and Dragoneer.
 
This new round comes just four months after our Series E and demonstrates Upgrade&#8217;s rapid growth and commitment to delivering innovative financial products that benefit consumers&#8221;.
said Renaud Laplanche, Co-founder and CEO of Upgrade.
 

The post Credit Card Startup Upgrade Raises US$280 Million Series F, Now Valued at US$6 Billion appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/credit-card-startup-upgrade-raises-us280-million-series-f-now-valued-at-us6-billion</link><guid>2362</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/AM-2.png?x69075</dc:content ><dc:text>Credit Card Startup Upgrade Raises US$280 Million Series F, Now Valued at US$6 Billion</dc:text></item><item><title>Anleger können jetzt auch in den Crowd-Lending- Pionier Cashare investieren</title><description><![CDATA[Kunden und Kundinnen von Cashare haben die Möglichkeit, auf der Plattform mittels Crowdinvesting Partizipationsscheine zu erwerben und damit direkt am zukünftigen Erfolg des Unternehmens teilzuhaben.
Beteiligung am Unternehmenswachstum
Der Crowdlending-Pionier Cashare hat mittlerweile über 45‘000 registrierte User auf der Plattform. Zwischen Anleger und Kreditnehmer wurden mehr als 3‘000 Kredite vermittelt und ein angefragtes Kreditvolumen von über eineinhalb Milliarden professionell und digital verarbeitet. Mit über CHF 150 Mio. an vermittelten Krediten, basierend auf modernsten Scoring-Technologien und Prozessen, wächst Cashare stetig weiter.
Selbst durch die COVID-Krise und den damit verbundenen starken Rückgang an KMU-Krediten, konnte das erfolgreiche Wachstum nicht trüben. Im Jahr 2020 konnte ein Wachstum von 45% erreicht werden und im immer noch betroffenen Jahr 2021 wird bereits wieder rund 60% Wachstum erwartet. Diese hervorragende Entwicklung war nur dank der treuen Kundschaft möglich, die auf das seit über 14 Jahre nachhaltig entwickelte Fintech vertrauen.
Aus diesem Grund ist es Cashare ein Bedürfnis, den Kunden etwas zurückzugeben und sie am zukünftigen Erfolg zu beteiligen. Jetzt haben Kunden und Kundinnen die Möglichkeit, mittels Partizipationsscheinen direkt in das Fintech-Unternehmen zu investieren.
cashare
Investment und Teilnahme
Die Nachfrage nach Investitionsmöglichkeiten in Cashare direkt, wurde schon öfters an das Unternehmen herangetragen. Allerdings war dies aufgrund des hohen elektronisch im Aktionärsregister von Cashare eingetragen. Mit dem persönlichen Login zu diesem Register, haben Kunden und Kundinnen jederzeit die Übersicht und Zugriff auf ihre digitalen Partizipationsscheine. Über dieses System erhalten sie zukünftig auch alle relevanten Informationen als Teilhaber*innen von Cashare.
The post Anleger können jetzt auch in den Crowd-Lending- Pionier Cashare investieren appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/anleger-konnen-jetzt-auch-in-den-crowd-lending-pionier-cashare-investieren</link><guid>2360</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/cashare-loan-1024x441.png?x69075</dc:content ><dc:text>Anleger können jetzt auch in den Crowd-Lending- Pionier Cashare investieren</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech M&amp;A Activity Reaches New Heights</title><description><![CDATA[Fintech exits through mergers and acquisitions (M&amp;A) have reached a new all-time high this year, outpacing all of 2020 by 23% to reach 664 deals in Q3 2021 year-to-date (YTD), new data from CB Insights show.
These figures were shared in the State of Fintech Q3’21 Report, which explores global investment trends to spotlight emerging trends.
According to the report, global fintech exits reached new heights this year, driven by M&amp;A activity. Acquisitions in the fields of digital lending and banking, in particular, led most of the activity.
In digital lending, buy now, pay later (BNPL) M&amp;A were all the rage in 2021 as banking incumbents and payment giants work to buy into the continued growth in e-commerce. Notable deals in Q3 2021 YTD included Square’s US$26.9 billion megadeal of Australian BNPL giant Afterpay, and Zip’s purchase of competitors Twisto and Spotii.
In Q3 2021 YTD, 61 digital lending startups were acquired, up 110% in deal count since 2020.
BNPL acquisitions continued in Q4 2021 with deals including PayPal’s US$2.73 billion acquisition of Japanese BNPL platform Paidy, Goldman Sachs’s US$2.24 billion acquisition of GreenSky, and ShopBack’s purchase of Singapore BNPL platform Hoolah.
In banking, M&amp;A deals totaled 31 in Q3 2021 YTD, jumping 121% in deal count since 2020. Deals included Avant’s acquisition of Zero Financial, Meliuz’s acquisition of AlterBank, and Orange Bank’s purchase of Anytime.
The top 10 largest fintech M&amp;A exits in Q3 2021 totaled US$12.6 billion in valuation. These include BillDesk (US$4.7 billion), Paidy and CurrencyCloud (US$963 million).
Top 10 M&amp;A exits in Q3&#8217;21 by valuation, Source: State of Fintech Q3 2021, CB Insights
Fintech initial public offerings (IPOs) and mergers with blank check companies also increased in Q3 2021 YTD, rising to 46 and 14 deals, respectively.
Global fintech exits, Source: State of Fintech Q3 2021, CB Insights
43 new fintech unicorns
43 fintech companies reached unicorn status in Q3 2021, the second-highest number of new unicorn births after the high in Q2 2021. The figure brought the total of fintech unicorns around the world to 206, or twice as many as the Q3 2020 count.
Global fintech unicorns growth, Source: State of Fintech Q3 2021, CB Insights
Out of the 43 freshly minted unicorns, 21 are from the US, eight are from Asia, and six are from Europe. The US continues to lead the world, with a total of 107 unicorns, followed by Asia (41) and Europe (36).
New fintech unicorns in Q3 2021, Geographic distribution, Source: State of Fintech Q3 2021, CB Insights
Cryptocurrency exchange FTX was the top unicorn birth in Q3 2021 by valuation. FTX completed a US$900 million Series B funding round in July 2021, bringing the startup’s valuation at US$18 billion. That amount was updated to US$1 billion in October with the participation of Singapore state investor Temasek. FTX also disclosed a US$420 million Series B-1 fundraise, increasing its valuation to US$25 billion.
Launched in early 2019, FTX is one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, averaging US$14 billion in daily volume.
After FTX, Zepz, formerly WorldRemit, was the second largest unicorn birth in Q3 2021 by valuation. The startup raised US$292 million in a Series E funding round, achieving a valuation of US$5 billion. Zepz is a digital cross-border payment platform operating two brands, namely WorldRemit and Sendwave, with over 11 million users across 150 countries.
Fintech funding trends
Global fintech funding totaled US$31.1 billion in Q3 2021, down 16% compared to the last quarter’s record levels but recording nevertheless a 147% increase year-over-year (YoY). This brought the total amount of fintech funding in Q3 2021 YTD to US$94.7 billion, blowing past 2020’s total of US$48.4 billion by a staggering 96%.
Global fintech funding in Q3 2021 YTD, Source: State of Fintech Q3 2021, CB Insights
Mega-rounds worth US$100 million and over drove most of global fintech funding in Q3 2021, accounting for 64% of quarterly funding. Large fundraising rounds in Q3 2021 included Revolut’s US$800 million Series E, Chime’s US$750 million Series G, and Kavak’s US$700 million Series E.
Global fintech mega-rounds, Source: State of Fintech Q3 2021, CB Insights
Wealthtech recorded significant traction, with funding reaching US$2.8 billion. The figure brought the total of funding raised in Q3 2021 YTD to US$12.7 billion, surpassing 2020’s full year total by a whopping 115%. Notable wealthtech deals the past quarter included DriveWealth’s US$450 million Series D, iCapital Network’s US$440 million and Bitpanda’s US$263 million.
Wealthtech funding in Q3 2021 YTD, Source: State of Fintech Q3 2021, CB Insights
Insurtech is another segment that saw traction in Q3 2021, reaching US$10 billion in funding in Q3 2021 YTD and surpassing 2020’s total of US$7.9 billion. Insurtech deals in Q3 2021 included Coalition’s US$205 million Series E, Digit Insurance’s US$200 million Series E and At-Bay’s US$185 million.
Insurtech funding in Q3 2021 YTD, Source: State of Fintech Q3 2021, CB Insights
The post Fintech M&#038;A Activity Reaches New Heights appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-ma-activity-reaches-new-heights</link><guid>2358</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Top-10-MA-exits-in-Q321-by-valuation-Source-State-of-Fintech-Q3-2021-CB-Insights.png?x69075</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech M&amp;A Activity Reaches New Heights</dc:text></item><item><title>Markteinführung der NFT-Kollektion „Homo Spacien“ zeigt, wie die Raumfahrt die menschliche Evolution prägen wird</title><description><![CDATA[Vizzio Art Creators Lab (VACL), Teil von Vizzio Art, einem europäischen Anbieter für digitale Wandkunst, kündigt den Launch der limitierten NFT-Sammlung „Homo Spacien“ an. Die einzigartige Serie zeigt Konzepte auf, wie sich die Menschheit parallel zur Weltraumforschung weiterentwickeln wird.
Am 16. Dezember 2021 wird VACL auf ihrer Website eine Sammlung von 10.000 „weiblichen“ Homo Spaciens in Form von digitalen Collagen veröffentlichen. Die „weiblichen“ Komponenten der Serie werden anhand von geometrischen Formen erstellt, die durch eine computergenerierte Software aus einem Pool von 153 Attributen und 13 verschiedenen Eigenschaften kombiniert werden.
NFT-Sammlung passt zum Zeitgeist der aktuellen Weltraummissionen von Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos und Richard Branson
Die NFT-Sammlung entstand zur Feier des aktuellen Trends der Weltraumforschung, der durch Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos und Richard Branson befeuert wird. Sie erkundet, wie Menschen sich körperlich und technologisch weiterentwickeln werden.
„Der Weltraum hat mich schon immer fasziniert und ich wollte erforschen, wie sich die menschliche Evolution an verschiedene Umgebungen anpasst“, erklärt Nukhet Cetin, Creative Director bei VACL, sowie Art- und Concept Creator.
„Es ist aufregend, dass Menschen eines Tages den Kosmos besiedeln werden. Unsere NFT-Sammlung wird in den kommenden Jahren ein weiterer Referenzpunkt in Diskussionen über die Weltraumforschung sein“.
„Homo Spacien“ wird die erste NFT-Sammlung der Welt sein, die Interessent:innen der Kollektion eine HD-Vorschau auf ihren Bildschirmen bietet.
Patrick Ashworth
„NFT-Sammler:innen sehen nicht nur ein kleines Bild auf einem Marktplatz. Sie können diese außergewöhnliche Sammlung auf Vizzio Art erleben, einer eigenen Plattform für digitale Kunst und NFTs“, sagt Patrick Ashworth, Gründer und CEO.
„Wir sind sehr gespannt auf den Launch dieser einzigartigen NFT-Sammlung in einer Zeit, in der es so viele grosse Erfolge bei Weltraummissionen gibt“, fügt Patrick Ashworth hinzu.
Die Homo Spacien-Sammlung folgt der aktuellen Bewegung in Richtung PFP (Picture for Proof) Art und der enormen Nachfrage nach computergenerierter digitaler Kunst. Sie bringt uns an die Grenzen unserer Fantasie und inspiriert dazu, sich das Leben auf einem anderen Planeten vorzustellen. Sie spielt mit dem Gedanken, wie die Menschheit den Kosmos besiedeln und in dieser Umgebung existieren und leben könnte.
Homo Spacien NFT Art Collection Collage
„Homo Spacien“ ist mehr als eine NFT-Sammlung und wird eine Community aus gleichgesinnten NFT-Sammler:innen und Weltraum-Fans hervorbringen, die Ideen und Feedback für eine „männliche“ Version liefern können. Für Besitzer:innen der „weiblichen“ Homo Spacien-Sammlung gibt es zudem einen speziellen Mobil- und Desktop-Screensaver, Events und Giveaways zum Thema Weltraum und kostenlosen Zugang zu Vizzio Art. Anfang 2022 wird außerdem ein exklusiver Merchandise-Shop eröffnet.
Spende an Hilfsorganisationen für Flüchtlinge und Weltraumforschung
Vizzio Art wird 10 % des Erlöses der Prägung (Minting) aus dem Hauptverkauf an drei Hilfsorganisationen spenden, die von der Community ausgewählt werden. Sie alle stehen im Zusammenhang mit der Weltraumforschung durch Bildung und Interessenvertretung sowie der Unterstützung von Flüchtlingen bei der Suche nach einem neuen „Zuhause“.
 
Details zur &#8220;weiblichen&#8221; Edition der Homo Spacien NFT Kollektion
Limitierte Auflage von 10.000 einzigartigen Homo Space NFTs
Einzelpreis 0.045 ETH (+ Gaskosten)
Start: Donnerstag, 16.12.21 um 17 Uhr GMT / 18 Uhr MEZ / 12 Uhr EST / 9 Uhr PST
Früher Zugang: «Early Bird» 500 Homo Spacien NFTs werden am Donnerstag, den 02.12.21 um 17 Uhr GMT / 18 Uhr MEZ / 12 Uhr EST / 9 Uhr PST über eine Whitelist veröffentlicht.
Vorverkauf: 1.000 Homo Spacien NFTs werden am Montag, den 13.12.21 um 17:00 Uhr GMT / 18:00 Uhr MEZ / 12:00 Uhr EST / 9:00 Uhr PST über eine Whitelist veröffentlicht. Treten Sie unseren Communities bei und Sie werden in Kürze über den Prozess zur Aufnahme auf die Whitelist informiert.
 
 
 
Haftungsausschluss: Dies ist ein Artikel von Vizzio Art Creators Lab. Fintechnews befürwortet keine Inhalte, Genauigkeit, Qualität, Werbung, Produkte oder andere Materialien auf dieser Seite und ist nicht dafür verantwortlich oder haftbar. Die Leser sollten ihre eigenen Nachforschungen anstellen, bevor sie irgendwelche Maßnahmen im Zusammenhang mit dem Unternehmen ergreifen. Fintechnews ist weder direkt noch indirekt verantwortlich für Schäden oder Verluste, die durch oder im Zusammenhang mit der Nutzung oder dem Vertrauen auf in der Pressemitteilung erwähnte Inhalte, Waren oder Dienstleistungen verursacht oder angeblich verursacht werden.
Bitte beachten Sie, dass dies keine Anlageberatung ist. 
The post Markteinführung der NFT-Kollektion „Homo Spacien“ zeigt, wie die Raumfahrt die menschliche Evolution prägen wird appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/markteinfuhrung-der-nft-kollektion-homo-spacien-zeigt-wie-die-raumfahrt-die-menschliche-evolution-pragen-wird</link><guid>2359</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Homo-Spacien-NFT-Art-Collection-Collage-1-1024x1024.jpg?x69075</dc:content ><dc:text>Markteinführung der NFT-Kollektion „Homo Spacien“ zeigt, wie die Raumfahrt die menschliche Evolution prägen wird</dc:text></item><item><title>MoneyLion Acquires MALKA Media to Accelerate Customer Growth</title><description><![CDATA[US-based neobank MoneyLion announced that it has acquired MALKA Media Group, a rapidly growing creator network and content platform.
The acquisition builds on a four-year partnership between both entities.
MALKA&#8217;s content engine as well as MoneyLion&#8217;s personalization technology and financial products will be paired to power consumer advice and decision making at scale inside the app and accross all digital media.
Additionally, MALKA&#8217;s network will also be tapped to drive new audiences to MoneyLion to acquire customers more efficiently.
MoneyLion&#8217;s customers will also be able to activate financial solutions and purchase products while consuming hyper-personalized content that engages and educates customers daily.
Following the acquisition, MALKA will continue to operate independently, with its Founder and CEO Louis Krubich and Co-Founder and President Jeff Frommer continuing to lead the day-to-day operations, alongside partners Pat Capra and Dan Fried.
Founded in 2012, MALKA is a fast growing platform in the digital media and content sectors across entertainment, sports, gaming, live streaming, and brand storytelling.
Dee Choubey
“By combining their capabilities with MoneyLion’s financial products and extensive first party data, we will create a durable advantage that accelerates MoneyLion’s customer growth and helps us serve our mission of providing financial access and advice to hardworking Americans.
 
We will expand our vision of a daily destination, which started with our own MoneyLife content, with personalized content that educates, informs, and supports consumers’ financial decision making,”
said Dee Choubey, Co-Founder and CEO of MoneyLion.
Louis Krubich
“MoneyLion lives at the intersection of culture and money, and the team understands the power of engaging content and how it helps form powerful relationships with communities.
 
This partnership will allow us to exponentially grow our creator network and engage with millions of more fans,”
said Louis Krubich, Founder and CEO of MALKA.
 

The post MoneyLion Acquires MALKA Media to Accelerate Customer Growth appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/moneylion-acquires-malka-media-to-accelerate-customer-growth</link><guid>2356</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/AM-1.png?x69075</dc:content ><dc:text>MoneyLion Acquires MALKA Media to Accelerate Customer Growth</dc:text></item><item><title>SIX Swiss Exchange to Allow SPAC Listings From December Onwards</title><description><![CDATA[The SIX Swiss Exchange announced that Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs) can now be be listed and traded on its platform from 6th December 2021 onwards.
The Swiss bourse said that it has obtained authorisation from all of the relevant authorities.
A SPAC is a shell company founded for the sole purpose of acquiring a non-listed target company which then becomes public.
According to Reuters, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) had previously requested that SIX revise its listing rules to enable SPAC listings since it has gained widespread attention by market participants.
This is why SIX has closely monitored these developments and the demand around SPACs for its market and – in response to a regulatory need &#8211; developed a new dedicated listing standard.
Companies seeking a listing as a SPAC are principally subject to the same listing requirements as other listed companies at SIX Swiss Exchange, but adapted to the specific characteristics of a SPAC while upholding an appropriate degree of investor protection.
Regulatory disclosure requirements for SPACs at IPO as well as at the time of de-SPAC aim to provide investors with the relevant details for them to take informed investment decisions.
Only stock corporations under Swiss law can be listed as SPAC on the exchange and the duration is limited to a maximum of three years.
The issue proceeds raised in an initial public offering (IPO) must be deposited in an escrow account at a bank.
The SPAC must grant all shareholders a fundamental right to return the shares acquired in the IPO.
The board of directors, management, founders, and sponsors of SPACs must conclude binding lock-up agreements with a lock-up period of at least six months.
Instead of shares, the SPAC can offer investors portions of a convertible bond in the IPO.
Further explanation regarding the new SPAC listing standard are available here.
Christian Reuss
Christian Reuss, Head SIX Swiss Exchange said,
“The SPAC listing standard will complement our ongoing efforts to offer new products and services for current and future issuers.
 
For companies that are ready to go public, SPACs provide an additional option to do so.&#8221;
The post SIX Swiss Exchange to Allow SPAC Listings From December Onwards appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/six-swiss-exchange-to-allow-spac-listings-from-december-onwards</link><guid>2357</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>SIX Swiss Exchange to Allow SPAC Listings From December Onwards</dc:text></item><item><title>Einführung der NFT-Kollektion „Homo Spacien“ zeigt wie die Raumfahrt die menschliche Evolution prägen wird</title><description><![CDATA[Vizzio Art Creators Lab (VACL), Teil von Vizzio Art, einem europäischen Anbieter für digitale Wandkunst, kündigt den Launch der limitierten NFT-Sammlung „Homo Spacien“ an. Die einzigartige Serie zeigt Konzepte auf, wie sich die Menschheit parallel zur Weltraumforschung weiterentwickeln wird.
Am 16. Dezember 2021 wird VACL auf ihrer Website eine Sammlung von 10.000 „weiblichen“ Homo Spaciens in Form von digitalen Collagen veröffentlichen. Die „weiblichen“ Komponenten der Serie werden anhand von geometrischen Formen erstellt, die durch eine computergenerierte Software aus einem Pool von 153 Attributen und 13 verschiedenen Eigenschaften kombiniert werden.
NFT-Sammlung passt zum Zeitgeist der aktuellen Weltraummissionen von Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos und Richard Branson
Die NFT-Sammlung entstand zur Feier des aktuellen Trends der Weltraumforschung, der durch Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos und Richard Branson befeuert wird. Sie erkundet, wie Menschen sich körperlich und technologisch weiterentwickeln werden.
„Der Weltraum hat mich schon immer fasziniert und ich wollte erforschen, wie sich die menschliche Evolution an verschiedene Umgebungen anpasst“, erklärt Nukhet Cetin, Creative Director bei VACL, sowie Art- und Concept Creator.
„Es ist aufregend, dass Menschen eines Tages den Kosmos besiedeln werden. Unsere NFT-Sammlung wird in den kommenden Jahren ein weiterer Referenzpunkt in Diskussionen über die Weltraumforschung sein“.
„Homo Spacien“ wird die erste NFT-Sammlung der Welt sein, die Interessent:innen der Kollektion eine HD-Vorschau auf ihren Bildschirmen bietet.
Patrick Ashworth
„NFT-Sammler:innen sehen nicht nur ein kleines Bild auf einem Marktplatz. Sie können diese außergewöhnliche Sammlung auf Vizzio Art erleben, einer eigenen Plattform für digitale Kunst und NFTs“, sagt Patrick Ashworth, Gründer und CEO.
„Wir sind sehr gespannt auf den Launch dieser einzigartigen NFT-Sammlung in einer Zeit, in der es so viele grosse Erfolge bei Weltraummissionen gibt“, fügt Patrick Ashworth hinzu.
Die Homo Spacien-Sammlung folgt der aktuellen Bewegung in Richtung PFP (Picture for Proof) Art und der enormen Nachfrage nach computergenerierter digitaler Kunst. Sie bringt uns an die Grenzen unserer Fantasie und inspiriert dazu, sich das Leben auf einem anderen Planeten vorzustellen. Sie spielt mit dem Gedanken, wie die Menschheit den Kosmos besiedeln und in dieser Umgebung existieren und leben könnte.
Homo Spacien NFT Art Collection Collage
„Homo Spacien“ ist mehr als eine NFT-Sammlung und wird eine Community aus gleichgesinnten NFT-Sammler:innen und Weltraum-Fans hervorbringen, die Ideen und Feedback für eine „männliche“ Version liefern können. Für Besitzer:innen der „weiblichen“ Homo Spacien-Sammlung gibt es zudem einen speziellen Mobil- und Desktop-Screensaver, Events und Giveaways zum Thema Weltraum und kostenlosen Zugang zu Vizzio Art. Anfang 2022 wird außerdem ein exklusiver Merchandise-Shop eröffnet.
Spende an Hilfsorganisationen für Flüchtlinge und Weltraumforschung
Vizzio Art wird 10 % des Erlöses der Prägung (Minting) aus dem Hauptverkauf an drei Hilfsorganisationen spenden, die von der Community ausgewählt werden. Sie alle stehen im Zusammenhang mit der Weltraumforschung durch Bildung und Interessenvertretung sowie der Unterstützung von Flüchtlingen bei der Suche nach einem neuen „Zuhause“.
 
Details zur &#8220;weiblichen&#8221; Edition der Homo Spacien NFT Kollektion
Limitierte Auflage von 10.000 einzigartigen Homo Space NFTs
Einzelpreis 0.045 ETH (+ Gaskosten)
Start: Donnerstag, 16.12.21 um 17 Uhr GMT / 18 Uhr MEZ / 12 Uhr EST / 9 Uhr PST
Früher Zugang: «Early Bird» 500 Homo Spacien NFTs werden am Donnerstag, den 02.12.21 um 17 Uhr GMT / 18 Uhr MEZ / 12 Uhr EST / 9 Uhr PST über eine Whitelist veröffentlicht.
Vorverkauf: 1.000 Homo Spacien NFTs werden am Montag, den 13.12.21 um 17:00 Uhr GMT / 18:00 Uhr MEZ / 12:00 Uhr EST / 9:00 Uhr PST über eine Whitelist veröffentlicht. Treten Sie unseren Communities bei und Sie werden in Kürze über den Prozess zur Aufnahme auf die Whitelist informiert.
 
 
 
Haftungsausschluss: Dies ist ein Artikel von Vizzio Art Creators Lab. Fintechnews befürwortet keine Inhalte, Genauigkeit, Qualität, Werbung, Produkte oder andere Materialien auf dieser Seite und ist nicht dafür verantwortlich oder haftbar. Die Leser sollten ihre eigenen Nachforschungen anstellen, bevor sie irgendwelche Maßnahmen im Zusammenhang mit dem Unternehmen ergreifen. Fintechnews ist weder direkt noch indirekt verantwortlich für Schäden oder Verluste, die durch oder im Zusammenhang mit der Nutzung oder dem Vertrauen auf in der Pressemitteilung erwähnte Inhalte, Waren oder Dienstleistungen verursacht oder angeblich verursacht werden.
Bitte beachten Sie, dass dies keine Anlageberatung ist. 
The post Einführung der NFT-Kollektion „Homo Spacien“ zeigt wie die Raumfahrt die menschliche Evolution prägen wird appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/einfuhrung-der-nft-kollektion-homo-spacien-zeigt-wie-die-raumfahrt-die-menschliche-evolution-pragen-wird</link><guid>2361</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Homo-Spacien-NFT-Art-Collection-Collage-1-1024x1024.jpg?x69075</dc:content ><dc:text>Einführung der NFT-Kollektion „Homo Spacien“ zeigt wie die Raumfahrt die menschliche Evolution prägen wird</dc:text></item><item><title>Abacus präsentiert neuste Generation von Business Software</title><description><![CDATA[Claudio Hintermann, CEO der Abacus Research AG, präsentierte an der 27. Abacus Partner Conference die fünfte Generation der Abacus Business Software «Abacus DEEP».
Die Konferenz stand unter dem Motto «Welcome to the future». Ziel der neuen Software-Generation ist eine sichere und digitale ERP-Plattform, welche eine autonome Echtzeit-Buchhaltung ohne Papier ermöglicht. Dies bedeutet, dass Buchungsprozesse nur noch digital abgewickelt werden und Informationen den Kunden unmittelbar zur Verfügung stehen.
deepbox als universale, digitale Drehscheibe
Dank der nahtlosen Integration verschiedenster Deep-Technologien können Kreditoren- und Debitorenbelege sowie deren Zahlungen neu autonom verarbeitet werden. Eine wichtige Funktion für den Austausch der Daten übernimmt dabei deepbox, eine Art elektronische Postbox, welche Dokumente, Informationen und Zahlungen zwischen Kunden, Lieferanten, Treuhändern, Banken, Versicherungen, Verwaltungen, aber auch Geräten respektive Liegenschaften und der Abacus Business Software als auch AbaNinja austauscht. Dank «Abacus DEEP», mit Technologien aus dem Hause der Tochterfirma DeepCloud AG, können sämtliche bisher manuell durchgeführten Buchungsprozesse eliminiert werden.
deepbox kann aber auch mit externen Firmen verbunden werden. So präsentierte Armin Arnegger, CEO von KMS AG, der führenden Anbieterin von Lösungen für die Steuerverwaltungen in der Deutschschweiz, die geplante Lösung clever-tax. Diese erlaubt, Bilanzen und Erfolgsrechnungen aus deepbox direkt mit den Steuerdeklarationen von Betrieben zu verbinden.
Direkte Verbuchung in Echtzeit
Ein weiterer wichtiger Baustein der neuen Generation von Business Software ist die vollständige Integration der Prozesse mit der Neo-Bank YAPEAL. Spesen oder Zahlungen lassen sich in Echtzeit und vollständig autonom verbuchen. Dank diesen wegweisenden Innovationen stärkt Abacus seine Stellung als führender Schweizer Hersteller von Business-Software für KMU und Öffentliche Verwaltungen.
Auf grosses Interesse bei den über 700 Teilnehmenden der Konferenz stiessen auch die zentralen funktionalen Neuerungen, wie z.B. die Finanz- und Investitionsplanung sowie die Weiterentwicklungen in den Anwendungsbereichen AbaTreuhand, Servicemanagement, Instandhaltung, AbaUnit für die Zeit- und Leistungserfassung, MyAbacus «for mobile», die Anbindung an UKA Connect von HRM Systems für die Krankheit- und Unfallmeldungen, AbaClik mit erleichtertem Freigabeprozess sowie AbaClock mit Gesichtserkennung. Zukünftig können Drittsoftware über REST-API noch einfacher an das Abacus angeschlossen werden.
Schweizer Innovationskraft dank Markt und Wettbewerb
Abacus ist es gelungen, in den letzten Jahren immer wieder neue Impulse zu setzen. Die Lancierung der fünften Generation ist ein Beispiel, dass privatrechtlich organisierte Schweizer Unternehmen einen wichtigen Beitrag zur Stärkung des Wirtschaftsstandorts leisten können.
Dazu Claudio Hintermann
Dazu Claudio Hintermann, CEO von Abacus:
«Abacus kann auch 36 Jahre nach der Gründung den Kunden eine Business Software anbieten, welche sowohl funktional als auch technologisch auf höchstem Niveau ist. Wir sind stolz darauf, aufzeigen zu können, dass es uns gelingt, auch ohne Subventionen und Querfinanzierungen immer wieder in die Zukunft zu investieren und unsere führende Position unter Bewies zu stellen. Davon profitieren die über 60’000 Kunden, die über 600 Mitarbeitenden aber auch der Werkplatz Schweiz.»
The post Abacus präsentiert neuste Generation von Business Software appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/abacus-prasentiert-neuste-generation-von-business-software</link><guid>2355</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Abacus präsentiert neuste Generation von Business Software</dc:text></item><item><title>Arcplace Inks Partnership With Yokoy to Expand Its Purchase-To-Pay Portfolio</title><description><![CDATA[Arcplace, a a specialised IT service provider in the information management and archiving industry, has signed a new partnership with Swiss spend management specialist Yokoy.
With this partnership, Arcplace is further expanding its portfolio in the purchase-to-pay (P2P) area by using Yokoy&#8217;s spend management tools.
Arcplace aims to digitise and automate all document-based processes for its customers.
The existing solutions in the areas of input management, enterprise content management and invoice processing / P2P have so far been able to cover the majority of customer requirements.
Yokoy closes the gap for expense management and thus ideally complements the Arcplace portfolio.
Since it was founded in 2006, Arcplace has implemented solutions for over 900 customers in a wide variety of industries.
Arcplace operates its services with data centers in Switzerland and is certified according to the ISO 27001 standard for information security.
Robbert Spierings
 
Robbert Spierings, Founder and CEO of Arcplace said,
&#8220;We are very pleased that with Yokoy we have found a solution that was developed in Switzerland and that allows us to further expand our offering for our customers&#8217; finance departments.&#8221;
 
 
Featured image: Edited from Pixabay
The post Arcplace Inks Partnership With Yokoy to Expand Its Purchase-To-Pay Portfolio appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/arcplace-inks-partnership-with-yokoy-to-expand-its-purchase-to-pay-portfolio</link><guid>2354</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Arcplace Inks Partnership With Yokoy to Expand Its Purchase-To-Pay Portfolio</dc:text></item><item><title>Melon Launches NFT Trading Platform for Social Media Influencers</title><description><![CDATA[Melon, a London-based decentralised Non Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and Decentralised Finance (DeFi) platform, announced the launch of its NFT trading platform for social media influencers from Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and Twitch.
These influencers are now selling their viral content as NFTs on this new platform.
Melon&#8217;s platform enables its users to turn popular digital content into rare digital collectibles for fans to collect, trade, and redeem exclusive rewards against.
Creators are able to transform their top social content into valuable digital assets, whilst fans can share in their favorite influencers&#8217; success.
The company said that its platform has already signed 100 top influencers with a combined reach of more than 250 million.
Melon operates on open standards and is a cross-chain platform where there are no restrictions on how creators choose to monetise their content and no censorship either.
This also means that assets created and sold on Melon can talk to other platforms and freely proliferate throughout the decentralised web.
The platform runs primarily on the Polygon network, a scalable and energy-efficient alternative to Ethereum.
 
Recently, TikTok had announced an upcoming NFT collection of iconic content from a selection of its top creators. This lets fans collect the viral moments that broke the Internet and re-sell them for profits, whilst creators earn directly from their content &#8211; both from the initial as well as all future sales.
Melon said in a statement,
&#8220;Melon innovates by opening up a new category in the NFT market: viral NFTs, assets that are both viral in nature and scarce in supply. The more viral a piece of content is, the rarer and the more valuable it becomes as a collectible NFT.
 
All pieces of content on Melon are existing, viral and iconic social moments that can&#8217;t be replicated and created over and over again out of thin air. The demand for these social posts is proven and validated by the views, likes, comments and impressions before they are turned into limited-edition NFTs.&#8221;
 
The post Melon Launches NFT Trading Platform for Social Media Influencers appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/melon-launches-nft-trading-platform-for-social-media-influencers</link><guid>2352</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Melon Launches NFT Trading Platform for Social Media Influencers</dc:text></item><item><title>Investment Firm Paradigm Launches New US$2.5 Billion Crypto Fund</title><description><![CDATA[Paradigm, a crypto-focused investment firm based in San Francisco, announced a new US$2.5 billion venture fund to continue funding next generation crypto companies and protocols.
The firm said that the size of the fund is reflective of crypto being the most exciting frontier in technology.
Coinbase&#8217;s Co-founder Fred Ehrsam and Sequoia Capital&#8217;s former partner Matt Huang said in a joint statement that the new fund will invest alongside its existing flagship fund across all stages and geographies.
Paradigm added that it will continue supporting companies at all stages from even &#8220;when there’s just a glimmer of an idea&#8221;.
Fred Ehrsam and Matt Huang, Co-founders and Managing Partners at Paradigm said in a statement,
&#8220;Our mission at Paradigm remains unchanged: to be the earliest and most helpful partner to crypto entrepreneurs and communities. We’ll continue incubating ideas. We’ll continue investing at the earliest stages when there’s just a glimmer of an idea.
 
We’ll also partner with later-stage category leaders, and support companies at every stage in between. There has never been a more exciting time to work in crypto, and we are grateful to our limited partners for their ongoing support and to the entrepreneurs who’ve entrusted us as their partners.&#8221;

 
Featured image: (From left) Matt Huang and Fred Ehrsam, Co-founders and Managing Partners at Paradigm 
The post Investment Firm Paradigm Launches New US$2.5 Billion Crypto Fund appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/investment-firm-paradigm-launches-new-us25-billion-crypto-fund</link><guid>2353</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/AM-1.png?x69075</dc:content ><dc:text>Investment Firm Paradigm Launches New US$2.5 Billion Crypto Fund</dc:text></item><item><title>Canadian Corporate Card Startup Float Secures US$30 Million Series A</title><description><![CDATA[Float, a Canadian all-in-one corporate card and spend management solution, announced that it has closed US$30 million in Series A financing led by Tiger Global.
Other investors include Golden Ventures, Susa Ventures, Global Founders Capital, Michael Hyatt, and A-Star.
The round was also joined by angel investors Michael Katchen (Wealthsimple), Andrew Macdonald (Uber), Kirk Simpson (Wave HQ), Les Whiting (H&amp;R Block), Brent Belzberg (TorQuest Partners), Russ Jones (Olo), Jamie McDonald (A2X), Anshul Ruparell and Rhianna Brancato from Properly, Richard Seibel as well as Dan Park (Clutch).
Since Float&#8217;s public launch earlier this year in March 2021, the firm reported that its average monthly customer spend has increased more than 6 times.
Meanwhile, its total payment volume on Float has increased by approximately 20x since its US$5 million seed financing in June 2021 co-led by Susa Ventures and existing investor Golden Ventures.
Rob Khazzam
Rob Khazzam, Co-Founder and CEO of Float said in a post,
&#8220;Since our public launch earlier this year, we’ve seen hundreds of companies adopt Float for business spending. Moreover, we’ve seen engagement on the platform skyrocket.
 
None of this would be possible without our amazing customers, many of whom have played a major part in helping us develop new products and features. We look forward to delivering even better service to our customers over the coming months and years.&#8221;

Featured image: Float&#8217;s co-founders &#8211; (From Left) Rob Khazzam, Ruslan Nikolaev, Griffin Keglevich
The post Canadian Corporate Card Startup Float Secures US$30 Million Series A appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/canadian-corporate-card-startup-float-secures-us30-million-series-a</link><guid>2351</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/AM-1.png?x69075</dc:content ><dc:text>Canadian Corporate Card Startup Float Secures US$30 Million Series A</dc:text></item><item><title>New BIS Paper Delves Into History of CBDC Initiatives</title><description><![CDATA[Most central banks around the world are either researching or launching their own central bank digital currency (CBDC), a trend driven by technological advances, changing consumer behavior, and disruptive forces including cryptocurrencies and stablecoins.
In a new paper titled Central bank digital currencies: motives, economic implications and the research frontier, the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) provides an overview of CBDC initiatives around the world, explores their potential implications on the financial system, financial stability, and monetary policy, and shares considerations regarding data privacy and integrity.
According to the paper, CBDC initiatives started in 2015 with a number of central banks running internal experiments. From 2016 onward, a slew of central banks, including those in Canada, Singapore, England, and Japan, launched research projects on wholesale CBDCs, focusing primarily on leveraging DLT for the settlement of interbank payments, as well as cross-border payments.
Work on retail CBDC, meanwhile, was first publicly announced in 2017 by Riksbank. Though Sweden was early to the CBDC game, China’s electronic Chinese yuan (e-CNY) project is by far the most advanced CBDC initiative today, with experts predicting that the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) could very well be the first to fully launch a CBDC. The PBoC started piloting the e-CNY in 2020.
Meanwhile, that same year, the Central Bank of the Bahamas began issuing the Sand Dollar through authorized financial institutions, providing residents with accessibility through digital wallets, physical payment cards and mobile apps.
This year, the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) launched its DCash, a retail CBDC distributed by licensed financial institutions and used for financial transactions between consumers and merchants, as well as in peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions.
As of mid-July 2021, at least 56 central banks had published retail or wholesale CBDC work, the paper says. At least three countries (Ecuador, Ukraine and Uruguay) have completed a retail CBDC pilot, and eight retail CBDC pilots are currently ongoing, including in China, South Korea and Sweden.
Timeline of CBDC projects since 2016, Source: BIS, 2021
Motivations for a CBDC
Motivations to launch a CBDC are numerous and are driven by both global trends and country-specific circumstances, the paper notes.
For one, the entry of bigtechs into payments and the growing centrality of data have raised concerns around competition, payment system integrity and privacy. Against this backdrop, a retail CBDC would help reduce a country’s dependency on bigtechs, experts have said. In China, for example, Alibaba and Tencent currently account for more than 90% of mobile transactions.
Additionally, the rapid rise in interest in cryptocurrencies and stablecoins has pushed central banks to step up efforts on CBDCs out of fear over their potential impact on financial stability and traditional monetary policy. Challenges posed by stablecoins include operational and financial integrity risks from cryptocurrency asset providers, investor protection risks, and inadequate reserves and disclosure. Between May 2020 and June 2021, stablecoin supply increased 13 times to reach more than US$100 billion, according to data from Blockdata, showcasing their dazzling growth.
Overall, central banks around the world see CBDCs as an opportunity to address risks to the safety of digital payments, ensure competition and data privacy, reduce costs and support their mandates for the smooth functioning of retail and wholesale payments, the paper says. In emerging markets, CBDCs could also help improve financial inclusion by enhancing access to payment services for the unbanked and reducing payment friction, it adds.
Accelerating CBDC efforts
CBDC efforts have significantly accelerated since the beginning of COVID-19.
During the 2021 Singapore Fintech Festival last week, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) unveiled Project Orchid, an initiative aimed at exploring the merits of a retail CBDC.
Though MAS said it has no immediate plan to launch a digital currency for the general public, it is nevertheless working with the private sector to build the technology infrastructure and capabilities needed for a retail CBDC system, should the nation decide to launch a digital currency in the future.
Similarly to Singapore, Switzerland is not planning to introduce a CBDC at the moment but research has nevertheless been ongoing since at least 2019.
In Europe, the European Central Bank (ECB) is exploring whether to issue a digital euro. In October, the Digital Euro Market Advisory Group was established to advise the Eurosystem – the ECB and the national central banks of the member states – on the design and distribution of a potential digital euro, as well as on how a digital euro could add value for all players in the euro area’s payment ecosystem.
Last week, the Bank of England said that it was advancing its exploration of CBDCs but added however that the so-called Britcoin was unlikely to arrive before 2025.
The post New BIS Paper Delves Into History of CBDC Initiatives appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-bis-paper-delves-into-history-of-cbdc-initiatives</link><guid>2349</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Timeline-of-CBDC-projects-since-2016-Source-BIS-2021.png?x69075</dc:content ><dc:text>New BIS Paper Delves Into History of CBDC Initiatives</dc:text></item><item><title>Sustainable Investing and Crypto Among Top European Fintech Trends in 2022</title><description><![CDATA[The year is coming to an end and Finch Capital is sharing its fintech predictions for 2022. Among the hottest trends for the year to come, the venture capital (VC) firm cites cryptocurrencies, decentralized finance (DeFi), embedded insurance, and sustainable investing as some of the key sectors forecast to see notable traction in the European fintech industry in 2022.
These predictions were shared in the sixth and latest edition of the State of European Fintech, which gives an overview of the fintech landscape in 2021 and explores the top themes for the year to come.
In 2022, the fintech-focused VC firm predicts that cryptocurrencies and DeFi will break into the mainstream as corporate VC funds continue their push into the emerging sector. The report cites their increased participation in crypto and DeFi deals over the past years at the detriment of sectors such as mortgage and lending.
Corporate participation, Source: Finch Capital
This past year has seen surging institutional adoption and interest in the cryptocurrency space. Out of the world’s 20 largest venture funds based on assets under management (AUM), 17 have invested in companies in blockchain or cryptocurrencies, according to a new research by Blockdata, a blockchain data and intelligence firm owned by CB Insights.
Blockchain companies raised a record of US$7 billion in H1 2021 driven by mega-rounds of US$100 million and over.
Insurtech is another segment to watch closely. After a blockbuster year 2021 with record funding levels and the minting of more than five insurtech unicorns, insurtech will continue to be a center of focus for investors and innovators, with business-to-consumer (B2C) insurtechs and embedded insurance, in particular, seeing notable traction.
Leading super apps and money management apps will be driving the embedded insurance movement, the report says, pushing others to follow suit and copy the integration. In the broader embedded finance market, insurance is expected to witness one of the fastest growth rates.
US private equity firm Lightyear Capital predicts that the global market for embedded finance will grow more than tenfold from US$22.5 billion in 2020 to US$229.8 billion in 2025. The embedded payments will account for the bulk of the figure at US$140 billion (61%), followed by embedded insurance (30.8%), embedded consumer finance (6.8%) and embedded asset management (1.1%).
Forecast of embedded finance market size, Source: Lightyear Capital
Enabling software including those that leverage artificial intelligence (AI) for debt collection and process automation, as well as end-to-end (E2E) know-your-customer (KYC) solutions and banking-as-a-service (BaaS) will be a key theme in 2022.
Finch Capital predicts rising adoption of efficient KYC solutions amid increased sophistication of financial crime and regulatory pressure. The firm also forecasts increasing use of AI-enabled debt collection software as tech adoption for this particular field remains low while delinquencies continue to increase.
Sustainable investments will also pick up steam as consumer interest continues to rise and household savings keep on growing, opening doors for sustainable investment apps to get a share of consumers’ disposable income.
Over the past two years, sustainable fund flows have grown significantly and will continue to surge to ultimately triple in the next decade, the VC says.
Another key theme for 2022 is buy now, pay later (BNPL) arrangements, a type of short-term financing that allows consumers to make purchases and pay for them in installments that has risen sharply since the beginning of the pandemic.
Consolidation is already happening in the space with payment giant Square acquiring Australian BNPL leader Afterpay for a whopping US$29 billion, and Australian BNPL provider Zip embarking on an acquisition spree that resulted in the purchase of Twisto (Czech Republic), Spotti (United Arab Emirates) and Quadpay (US).
In 2021, fintech dominated the VC funding activity in Europe, making up more than 25% of regional deals, up from 20% in 2020, the Finch Capital report says.
Fintech as a percentage of regional deal volume, Source: Finch Capital
In 2022, fintech growth should stall amid rising war on talent, a slowdown in public and initial public offering (IPO) activity, and increased regulatory scrutiny notably in payment processing and lending.
German payment firm Wirecard collapsed last year following a series of accounting scandals. In the UK, fintech lender Greensill filed for insolvency in March amid overexposure and mismanagement of its loan book. And in the US, stock trading app Robinhood has been at the center of numerous controversies related to trading outages, negligence and misleading information.
The post Sustainable Investing and Crypto Among Top European Fintech Trends in 2022 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sustainable-investing-and-crypto-among-top-european-fintech-trends-in-2022</link><guid>2350</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Corporate-participation-Source-Finch-Capital.png?x95630</dc:content ><dc:text>Sustainable Investing and Crypto Among Top European Fintech Trends in 2022</dc:text></item><item><title>Amnis Receives EEA Payment Institution License and Expands to Europe</title><description><![CDATA[AMNIS Treasury Services AG (Amnis), a Swiss fintech founded in 2014 with the goal of simplifying international payment transactions for SMEs, is expanding to Europe with the first license as a payment institution issued by the Financial Market Authority Liechtenstein.
Payment institutions must be licensed by the financial market authority of one of the member states before they can start operating in the European Economic Area (EEA).  To that end and because of the country’s proximity to Switzerland, Amnis has decided to found a subsidiary in Liechtenstein. Liechtenstein-based Amnis Europe AG is now the first payment institution in the Principality of Liechtenstein to receive this license.
The possibility of transferring its newly obtained license to other EEA countries within the framework of the free movement of services (EU passport) opens up enormous potential for Amnis in a market of 23 million companies.
Focus on Germany, Austria and Italy
The focus in the company’s initial phase of expansion will be on Central and Eastern Europe, with Amnis planning to roll out business activities in Germany, Austria, Italy, the Czech Republic and Poland before the end of the year.
Talking about the expansion, Michael Wüst, CEO of Amnis says:
“We’re thrilled that this payment institution license will now let us take off in Europe, as well. Given our business-friendly terms and conditions, I’m convinced that it won’t be long before we start leaving our mark on Europe’s SME banking market. Our mission is to become the first choice for international payments and currency transactions.”
Doris Beck was just recently elected to the Board of Directors to strengthen the organisation even further. The other members of the Amnis Board of Directors are Dr. Stefan Bürzle and Peter Gerlach.
Amnis is a fintech company founded in Zurich that radically simplifies international payments and currency transactions for small and medium-sized enterprises (SME). Amnis already serves more than 2,000 companies in Switzerland and is on a strong growth trajectory.
In addition to traditional payment methods, Amnis offers the option of making cross-border, real-time payments around the clock to suppliers within a client’s own PEER network. To expedite its expansion, Amnis has raised CHF 3 million in venture capital with Spicehaus Swiss Venture Fund serving as lead investors.
 
 
 
The post Amnis Receives EEA Payment Institution License and Expands to Europe appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/amnis-receives-eea-payment-institution-license-and-expands-to-europe</link><guid>2348</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/amnis-webapp-1024x527.png?x95630</dc:content ><dc:text>Amnis Receives EEA Payment Institution License and Expands to Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>SafeBreach Secures US$53.5 Million in Series D Funding Round</title><description><![CDATA[Breach and attack simulation startup SafeBreach announced that it has raised US$53.5 million in Series D funding, bringing the company’s total funding to over US$106 million.
Led by Sonae IM and Israel Growth Partners (IGP), the round was also joined by Sands Capital, Leumi Partners, ServiceNow, Sequoia Capital, DTCP, DNX Ventures, OCV Partners, and PayPal.
The new capital will fuel the company&#8217;s plans to expand its market footprint to new geographies and evolve its offerings in response to client needs.
Carlos Alberto Silva, Managing Partner at Sonae IM and Assaf Harel, General Partner at IGP will be joining the SafeBreach board, and Scott Frederick, Managing Director at Sands Capital will be added as a board observer.
According to Gartner, organizations that use the risk-based vulnerability management method will experience 80 percent fewer breaches.
The SafeBreach platform presents findings in customised dashboards, enabling stakeholders to focus on the biggest risks to the organization.
Guy Bejerano
&#8220;As we enter a new phase of growth, this investment will significantly expand our go-to-market capabilities while simultaneously increasing availability of our widely used continuous security validation platform in large and global scale enterprises.
 
In our evolving threat landscape, many organizations have responded to threats in their environment by buying more security products and hoping that will make them more secure. But hope is not a viable strategy – a holistic view of risk is needed.”
said Guy Bejerano, Co-founder and CEO of SafeBreach.

The post SafeBreach Secures US$53.5 Million in Series D Funding Round appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/safebreach-secures-us535-million-in-series-d-funding-round</link><guid>2346</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/AM-1.png?x95630</dc:content ><dc:text>SafeBreach Secures US$53.5 Million in Series D Funding Round</dc:text></item><item><title>Mexican Credit Card Issuer Stori Closes US$200 Million in Oversubscribed Series C</title><description><![CDATA[Mexican credit card issuer Stori announced that it has closed US$125 million during an over-subscribed Series C funding round co-led by global venture capital firm GGV Capital and growth-stage investor GIC.
Other investors include General Catalyst, Goodwater Capital, and Mexico-based Tresalia Capital which made its first fintech investment.
Previous Series A- and B-round investors Lightspeed Venture Partners, Vision Plus Capital, BAI Capital and Source Code Capital also continued to support the company with follow-on investments.
Alongside this equity raise, Stori has also raised US$75 million in debt financing from impact-focused, debt capital provider Community Investment Management (CIM).
Over the next year, Stori is committed to investing the US$200 million raised in Mexico to triple in size and broaden its suite of products.
Stori also plans to expand its team significantly, doubling down on training and development opportunities, while building a sustainable infrastructure across all teams to foster diverse thinking and an inclusive culture.
The company said more than 2 million Mexicans have applied for a Stori credit card, and that number has grown by more than 10 times in the last twelve months.
Marlene Garayzar
&#8220;Our success since launch is a direct result of having a team who is passionate about our mission to empower upward financial mobility for the underserved population.
 
We are incredibly grateful for their hard work and dedication,&#8221;
said Marlene Garayzar, Co-founder of Stori.
Bin Chen
&#8220;Our mission &#8211; empowering financial inclusion for millions of hard-working people – is amazingly meaningful and challenging at the same time.
 
A lot more will come in our journey to become a top consumer financial franchise in Latin America.&#8221;
said Bin Chen, CEO and Co-founder of Stori.
 

The post Mexican Credit Card Issuer Stori Closes US$200 Million in Oversubscribed Series C appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mexican-credit-card-issuer-stori-closes-us200-million-in-oversubscribed-series-c</link><guid>2347</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/AM-1.png?x95630</dc:content ><dc:text>Mexican Credit Card Issuer Stori Closes US$200 Million in Oversubscribed Series C</dc:text></item><item><title>G+D Named a Winner of Singapore Fintech Festival’s Global CBDC Challenge</title><description><![CDATA[The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) announced that Munich-based security technology group Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) was one of the three winners of the Global Central Bank Digital Currency Challenge (Global CBDC Challenge)
The challenge was a part of the Singapore Fintech Festival (SFF) that was held from 8 to 12 November 2021.
The other two winners of the challenge were ConsenSys and Criteo.
Selected from 15 finalists, the three top winners each received a cash prize of approximately US$37,000 (S$50,000).
The firm had presented its G+D Filia solution which is a token-based digital currency resembling cash, enhanced with smart features and without the friction of physical money.
G+D said that it has been designed from the very beginning to allow for consecutive offline payments.
Filia works both on smartphones and hardware wallets, can provide full privacy at the payment layer and supports programmable use cases.
To achieve that, a different approach from the standard DLT platforms were taken.
The company added that they do not record account balances or transaction metadata on a blockchain, but only the validity of a particular token together with its denomination.
G+D said in a post,
&#8220;We are over the moon to be one of the three winners of the Global CBDC Challenge initiated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)! Under the slogan “Building a truly inclusive public digital currency”, we presented our Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) solution Filia, which focuses on secure, consecutive offline payments. Our solution helps central banks not only build the necessary infrastructures for a digital currency, it also empowers everyone to participate in the digital economy.&#8221;
 
The post G+D Named a Winner of Singapore Fintech Festival’s Global CBDC Challenge appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/gd-named-a-winner-of-singapore-fintech-festivals-global-cbdc-challenge</link><guid>2345</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>G+D Named a Winner of Singapore Fintech Festival’s Global CBDC Challenge</dc:text></item><item><title>FINMA Extends YAPEAL’s License to Now Include Cross Border Services</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss digital challenger bank YAPEAL announced that the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) has granted it a license extension to offer cross border services to international customers.
The services include national payments, international transfers, a VISA debit card for unlimited payments, cash withdrawals in Swiss francs and foreign currencies among the most important functions.
With the Private + offer from YAPEAL, the company said that all services are unlimitedly included, with no additional fees or surcharges.
YAPEAL added that it intends to gradually and continuously develop the international markets and is initially doing this from within Switzerland.
The firm relies on a pure digital experience and ensures that a customer relationship can be conveniently opened within a few minutes from anywhere in the world, also thanks to the ability to read biometric data from passports or identity cards.
YAPEAL is supervised by FINMA and obtained its first fintech license in Switzerland in March 2020 following which it successfully launched its market offerings in January 2021.
Daniel Bänziger
“In a first step, we will welcome customers from the neighboring countries of Switzerland and in the first half of 2022 from 15 other countries. We are ready to make the necessary investments to grow abroad, too.
 
Our product is perfect for cross-border commuters and seasonal workers. We listen to our community and know their needs. High fees, hidden costs and poor exchange rates are also a disadvantage for the Swiss abroad at Swiss banks.&#8221;
says Daniel Bänziger, Head of Market Development at YAPEAL.
 
The post FINMA Extends YAPEAL’s License to Now Include Cross Border Services appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finma-extends-yapeals-license-to-now-include-cross-border-services</link><guid>2343</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>FINMA Extends YAPEAL’s License to Now Include Cross Border Services</dc:text></item><item><title>Banks Prepare For Big Changes In Switzerland’s Financial Landscape</title><description><![CDATA[When it comes to the financial landscape in Switzerland, there’s perception, and there’s reality. The perception may be that it is an isolated, neutral country that opted for independence from the European Union.
The reality is it has also made the necessary moves to connect its financial system to the rest of the world, while reserving the rights to be independent where it deems necessary, for example as it does by keeping the control for domestic payments.
And while it has a deserved reputation for global wealth management, the big banks in Switzerland like UBS and Credit Suisse account for less than half of the country’s assets (46.4 percent).
The balance is made up of smaller regional financial institutions (FIs), branches of foreign banks installed in Switzerland for private banking activities, and so called “cantonal banks”.
The truth is that Switzerland is a diverse financial ecosystem, open to and ready for changes in global payments.
Diving into the Swiss financial ecosystem
Switzerland has been an innovator over the past few years to keep its financial system efficient and ahead of the changes sweeping global payments.
To illustrate its innovative approach, as of December 2020, 382 fintechs were in operation, with one-third working in the blockchain space.
Having worked in Switzerland and in the financial industry for more than two decades, I am unsurprised by the changes.
In fact, from my perspective, Swiss banks and other financial institutions have been changing, and will continue to do so, as payments methods, messaging, and regulations evolve. This is necessary in order to keep an efficient marketplace for any investment.
All of the major global payments changes currently in motion – instant payments, clearing systems renewal, new cross border payment rails – are being embraced by Swiss FIs.
Four examples of this change stand out as the most impactful and each address separate pain points, ranging from quite technical changes to reduce cost and improve efficiency (e.g. new SSFN protocol, RTGS version 5), to more user driven change like instant payments.
Those changes sit alongside the recent combination of SIX with Worldline, and the rebranding of the SIX group banking consortium that has defined the market domestically and for cross-border payments within the EU.
4 global payments changes embraced by Switzerland
1. Welcome To Worldline
Currently the Swiss settlement and payment infrastructure is operated by Swiss Interbank Clearing (SIC), which is owned by SIX Group Ltd. SIX, according to its website, is owned by “121 domestic and international financial institutions, which are also the main users of its services. The shares are distributed in such a way that no single owner or type of bank has an absolute majority.”
Either way, the SIX Group has always been part of Worldline, an EU-wide payment transaction company.
It bought SIX in 2018, in part to get more of a foothold into the Swiss market via a ten-year “commercial relationship” consummated at that time.
As of Oct. 21, Worldline announced a new logo and more digitally-oriented brand positioning and as a result the SIX Payment Services brand (among others) will be “retired” and replaced by Worldline.
Worldline’s CEO says it is a move toward making his company a more global brand.
Time will tell whether it has any impact outside of the name on the SIX Group.
2. Connecting with the Real-Time Gross Settlement system
Amongst the technical evolution that is aimed at improving efficiency, security and reduction of cost, the Swiss market place will also make evolving the connectivity to its Real-Time Gross Settlement system throughout its SIC 5 version a priority.
As a reminder, some major changes occurring globally such as the usage of the rich ISO 200222 format don’t have the same impact in Switzerland as they have already had this in place for several years.
Throughout the course of the journey for the SIC 5 upgrade, the Swiss National Bank and Worldline have teamed up to create a completely different payment rail that will enable the market place to process Instant Payments.
RTGS will be operational in 2022 and instant payments in August 2024. SIC5 represents a transition from the existing SIC network and will accommodate more demanding environments, such as business to business payments.
In the context of instant payments, it has been described by SIX in the following way:
“SIC5 is to payment transactions in Switzerland what 5G is to mobile communications: speed.” The new SIC5 payments rail will allow more banks to extend instant payments use cases beyond today’s very low thresholds.
3. SSFN
Another initiative to adapt access to SIC comes from a change in the physical connectivity.
The SNB and SIX (Worldline) launched the Secure Swiss Finance Network (SSFN) communication network in July in reaction to the increasingly digital changes in the payment system and it is expected to significantly reduce the cyber risks inherent in digital transactions.
It has been developed in collaboration with several telecommunications providers including SCION anti-fraud software provider Anapaya Systems.
The SSFN allows for the exchange of messages between participating FIs, and also enables data to be shared securely between participants using the same architecture.
It will eventually replace the FinanceIPnet system that used costly and legacy technologies.
4. CBPR+ Messaging
All these domestic changes are happening in tandem with the proliferation of cross border payments.
Financial Messages are of course a substantial element of cross-border payments, and to accommodate that the international Financial Stability Board and SWIFT have designed Cross-border Payments and Reporting Plus (CBPR+).
It will define how ISO 20022 messaging should be used for cross-border payments and cash reporting on the SWIFT network and make ISO 20022 usage mandatory for all cross-border payments over the SWIFT network.
ISO 20022 is undoubtedly familiar to financial institutions all over the world. CBPR+ will standardise how these exchanges of information address one of the critical challenges for any bank-helping to reduce manual tasks with more automation. This is thanks to the end-to-end machine-readable format of ISO 20022.
So, change does come to Switzerland and with change comes the need to understand new technologies and communications for financial institutions.
These changes are just part of the overall picture that portrays Switzerland as a future-ready country that is keeping controls on its infrastructures in order to be more agile in reacting to changes and ensure they remain one of the most attractive financial market-place in the world.
Banks that do business in Switzerland, whether they be foreign or domestic, need a partner that can provide connectivity and create infrastructure harmony across a wide range of domestic, cross-border, and regulatory mandates.
This is the Bottomline mission. To find out more, listen to our webinar with SIX, Anapaya System and Bottomline &#8211; Positioning Banks &amp; FIs for Business Change in Switzerland.

 
Featured image credit: Photo by Patrick Federi on Unsplash 
The post Banks Prepare For Big Changes In Switzerland’s Financial Landscape appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/banks-prepare-for-big-changes-in-switzerlands-financial-landscape</link><guid>2344</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Artboard-1-43.png?x95630</dc:content ><dc:text>Banks Prepare For Big Changes In Switzerland’s Financial Landscape</dc:text></item><item><title>HWZ Zertifikate neu auf Swisscom Blockchain gespeichert</title><description><![CDATA[


Die HWZ startet einen Pilotversuch mit der Swisscom: 44 Absolvierende der Studiengänge CAS Digital Finance HWZ und CAS Digital Insurance HWZ erhalten neben dem offiziellen HWZ-Zertifikat auch ein fälschungssicheres Blockchain-Zertifikat. Der Einsatz dieses elektronischen Siegels soll in Zukunft unter anderem auf der Ebene eines Bewerbungsprozesses den HR-Abteilungen neue Möglichkeiten bieten.






«Electronic Seal» heisst der neue, innovative Service der Swisscom, der die Zertifikate der diesjährigen Studiengruppen des CAS Digital Finance HWZ und CAS Digital Insurance HWZ digital versiegelt. Es handelt sich hierbei um eine elektronische, fälschungssichere, digitale Lösung – unter anderem für Bildungszertifikate –, die Blockchain-basiert ist. Der Service der Swisscom wird vorerst als Pilotversuch von der HWZ getestet.
In vielen Studiengängen der HWZ ist inzwischen Blockchain und deren Anwendungen omnipräsent. Mit dem Proof-of-Concept (POC) für ein digitales Bildungszertifikat wollen wir die Technologie erlebbar machen. Toll, dass die HWZ die erste Hochschule der Schweiz ist, die diesen POC mit der Swisscom durchführen darf. Fast 50 Studierende haben sich für den Testlauf gemeldet und erhalten – neben dem offiziellen HWZ-Diplom – auch ein digitales Bildungszertifikat.
Echtheit von Zertifikaten kann einfacher überprüft werden
Welche Vorteile bringen Blockchain-Zertifikate und wie sicher sind sie? Wie die Swisscom garantiert, wird die Integrität der Zertifikate auf einer sicheren und hochverfügbaren privaten Blockchain der Swisscom gewährleistet. Die HWZ übermittelt hierzu die Kennung (Fingerabdruck) der Zertifikatsdateien an die Swisscom, welche den Fingerabdruck in der Blockchain speichert und für zukünftige Verifikationen aufbereitet. Anschliessend stellt die Swisscom eine öffentlich zugängliche Verifikations-Webseite für die Echtheitsprüfung zur Verfügung.
Mit diesem Service stehen beispielsweise Personalverantwortlichen im Bewerbungsprozess ganz neue Möglichkeiten für die Überprüfung von Zertifikaten zur Verfügung. Bei einer HR-Abfrage prüft die Swisscom, ob der korrespondierende Fingerabdruck des digitalen Diploms in der Blockchain verankert ist. Dank eines zusätzlich aufgedruckten QR-Codes auf dem Zertifikat kann sogar die Authentizität eines Zertifikats in Papierform überprüft werden. Ein einfacher Scan des QR-Codes führt direkt zum Prüfresultat.
Nicole Sigrist, Produktmanagerin Electronic Seal von Swisscom Blockchain
Nicole Sigrist, Produktmanagerin Electronic Seal von Swisscom Blockchain, betont:
Die Zusammenarbeit von HWZ und Swisscom sowie der Einsatz des Blockchain-basierten elektronischen Siegels ist eine grossartige Gelegenheit, um ein gewinnbringendes Ökosystem und eine Basis für einen dezentralen Vertrauenslevel in der Wirtschaftswelt zu schaffen.
Vorerst bleibt es bei einem Pilotversuch. Ob die HWZ in Zukunft weiteren Absolvierenden von anderen Studiengängen ein digital versiegeltes Zertifikat ausstellt, ist noch offen. Manuel P. Nappo, Leiter Institute for Digital Business HWZ, sieht dieses Projekt als einen ersten wichtigen Schritt:
Manuel P. Nappo, Leiter Institute for Digital Business HWZ
Was für eine einmalige Chance! Mit diesem Pilotversuch hat die HWZ erneut die Möglichkeit, ihre Vorreiterrolle wahrzunehmen und als erste Hochschule der Schweiz Blockchain-Zertifikate an ihre Absolvierenden zu vergeben.



 
 
 
 
 
Featured image credit:Mockup photo created by rawpixel.com &#8211; www.freepik.com
The post HWZ Zertifikate neu auf Swisscom Blockchain gespeichert appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/hwz-zertifikate-neu-auf-swisscom-blockchain-gespeichert</link><guid>2340</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>HWZ Zertifikate neu auf Swisscom Blockchain gespeichert</dc:text></item><item><title>Yuh bietet neu Fraktional-Trading an in der Schweiz</title><description><![CDATA[In der Yuh-App ist es neu möglich Fractions zu traden, sprich Bruchteile von Finanzinstrumenten zu handeln, ohne das ganze Produkt, wie z. B. Aktien oder ETFs kaufen zu müssen.
Mit diesem innovativen neuen Feature wandelt sich auch das Yuhniversum: Zusätzlich werden weitere 108 Titel lanciert und die Yuhser*innen können ihre Investments neu in Echtzeit tätigen, während die jeweiligen Börsen geöffnet sind – ein weiterer Schritt, um allen Nutzer*innen des Joint Ventures zwischen Swissquote und PostFinance die ganze Finanzwelt in die Hand zu legen.
Fractional Trading demokratisiert die Investmentwelt
Bis heute waren teure Aktien Anleger*innen mit einem grossen Budget vorbehalten. Yuh demokratisiert die Investmentwelt, indem es allen die Chance bietet mit den Grossen mitzumischen. Vorbei sind die Zeiten, in denen man sich entscheiden musste, ob man eine Aktie von Alphabet, Samsung, Swisscom oder Amazon kauft, weil das Budget nicht für alle Aktien gereicht hätte, die teilweise für über tausend Franken gehandelt werden. Dank Fractional Trading sind die Yuhser*innen frei in der Gestaltung ihres Portfolios und nicht mehr durch das verfügbare Budget beschränkt. Schon ab 25 Franken kann man ein Stück vom grossen Kuchen haben, wie zum Beispiel von der Lindt &amp; Sprüngli-Aktie, die für über 100&#8217;000 Franken gehandelt wird.
Das Yuhniversum wächst: Über 100 neue Titel
Das innovative Feature eröffnet neue Horizonte für Anleger*innen. Aus diesem Grund hat Yuh auch das Produktportfolio kräftig erweitert. Über Yuh können ab sofort 220 Aktien, 5 ETFs, 12 Trendthemen, 2 Anlagethemen und 24 Kryptowährungen gehandelt werden. Weitere Ergänzungen werden im Laufe dieses Jahres folgen. Damit bietet die Finanz-App das mit Abstand umfangreichste Angebot für Fractional Trading auf dem Schweizer Finanzmarkt.
Markus Schwab
«Wir hören unserer Community zu und suchen stetig nach neuen innovativen Möglichkeiten für das einfache und selbständige Managen ihrer Finanzen. Mit Fractional Trading revolutionieren wir nicht nur den Schweizer Bankenplatz, wir demokratisieren ihn. Dies, indem wir unseren schon über 33&#8217;000 Yuhser*innen die einzigartige Möglichkeit bieten, ihr Portfolio auch mit einem kleinen Budget frei und nach Belieben zu gestalten. Das ist es, was wir meinen, wenn wir sagen, become the boss of your money!»,
sagt Markus Schwab, CEO von Yuh.
Trading in Echtzeit bei «low-to-no-fees»
Mit den Fractional Shares kommt auch das Trading in Echtzeit. Ab sofort werden die Aufträge unmittelbar zum Marktpreis zu denselben attraktiven Konditionen ausgelöst, sofern die Börsen geöffnet sind. So können die Yuhser*innen selber entscheiden, zu welchem Zeitpunkt sie kaufen oder verkaufen möchten. Entsprechend dem einzigartigen «low-to-no-fees»-Prinzip von Yuh fallen beim Trading in Echtzeit keine zusätzlichen Gebühren an.
Yuh can do it
Bei Yuh geht es mit Volldampf voran. Noch im Laufe dieses Jahres stehen weitere spannende Weiterentwicklungen an, die den Yuhser*innen das Handling ihrer Finanzen noch einfacher und unkomplizierter machen – jederzeit vom Smartphone aus.
The post Yuh bietet neu Fraktional-Trading an in der Schweiz appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/yuh-bietet-neu-fraktional-trading-an-in-der-schweiz</link><guid>2341</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Yuh bietet neu Fraktional-Trading an in der Schweiz</dc:text></item><item><title>Google Invests US$1 Billion in CME Group, Signs Cloud Migration Deal</title><description><![CDATA[Google has made a US$1 billion equity investment in CME Group, a diverse derivatives marketplace, and signed a 10-year strategic partnership to accelerate latter&#8217;s move to the cloud.
Under the agreement, CME Group will migrate its technology infrastructure to Google Cloud beginning next year with data and clearing services, and eventually moving all of its markets to the cloud.
Using Google Cloud&#8217;s fast, secure, global network, CME Group will be able to scale its infrastructure, while increasing access for more market participants, optimising costs, and helping onboard new users more easily and quickly.
With Google Cloud&#8217;s technology, CME Group will co-innovate new products, such as risk mitigation tools, analytics services, and user-centric platforms.
To help facilitate the cloud migration for CME Group, Duffy has appointed Ken Vroman to a new role as Chief Transformation Officer.
Thomas Kurian
&#8220;CME Group has a century-long track record of helping investors access new markets and is known for innovation in financial markets.
 
Bringing together CME Group&#8217;s best-in-class financial talent with Google Cloud&#8217;s deep engineering expertise will help accelerate technological innovation in capital markets infrastructure.&#8221;
said Thomas Kurian, CEO, Google Cloud.
Terry Duffy
&#8220;Through this long-term partnership with Google Cloud, CME Group will transform derivatives markets through technology, expanding access and creating efficiencies for all market participants.
 
This partnership will enable CME Group to bring new products and services to market faster – all in a flexible and scalable environment that will create a wide range of opportunities for the marketplace.&#8221;
said Terry Duffy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, CME Group.

 
Featured Image: Edited from Unsplash
The post Google Invests US$1 Billion in CME Group, Signs Cloud Migration Deal appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/google-invests-us1-billion-in-cme-group-signs-cloud-migration-deal</link><guid>2339</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/AM-1.png?x95630</dc:content ><dc:text>Google Invests US$1 Billion in CME Group, Signs Cloud Migration Deal</dc:text></item><item><title>F10 Join Forces With the Italian Angels for Growth to Strengthen Its Investor Network</title><description><![CDATA[Fintech incubator and accelerator F10 and the Italian Angels for Growth (IAG) have signed letter of intent to work together to strengthen the global fintech and insurtech startup ecosystem.
Through the partnership, F10 further expands its international investor network and brings its startups unique exposure to the angel investor network in Italy.
Meanwhile, IAG&#8217;s members will gain access to promising early-stage fintech and insurtech startups from the F10 ecosystem.
IAG business angels have recently led the investment in Sonect, a Zurich-based fintech startup and F10 alumnus in 2016.
Carlo Tassi
&#8220;This new cross-border partnership with F10 demonstrates the strengthening of the association&#8217;s relationships with various partners to collaborate on the best investment opportunities in the fintech sector.
 
Over the last two years, IAG members have created a IAG Fintech community, formed by more than 50 managers and entrepreneurs from major Italian and international banking and insurance institutions and supported by a specialist team.&#8221;
said Carlo Tassi, Chairman of IAG.
Andreas Iten
“This new partnership strengthens the international Fintech &amp; Insurtech ecosystem by improving access to investment opportunities for both investors and promising startups from our network.
 
Early-stage startups specifically benefit greatly from increased exposure to investor networks, such as IAG. The recent round led by IAG for F10 alumni Sonect was just the beginning. We are looking forward to many more success stories.”
added Andreas Iten, CEO and Co-Founder of F10.
 
Featured image: Edited from Unsplash
The post F10 Join Forces With the Italian Angels for Growth to Strengthen Its Investor Network appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/f10-join-forces-with-the-italian-angels-for-growth-to-strengthen-its-investor-network</link><guid>2338</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>F10 Join Forces With the Italian Angels for Growth to Strengthen Its Investor Network</dc:text></item><item><title>BNPL Adoption Soars in the UK</title><description><![CDATA[Buy now, pay later (BNPL) arrangements are growing exponentially in the UK, gaining traction amongst both consumers and businesses. Research by consulting firm Bain &amp; Company found that BNPL is now used by 25% of e-commerce shoppers and 20,000 merchants in the UK.
These figures were shared in a new report titled Buy Now, Pay Later in the UK, which gives an overview of the country’s BNPL landscape, outlining the state of adoption and emerging trends.
According to the study, 2020 saw BNPL transactions totaling approximately GBP 6.4 billion, representing about 5% of the UK e-commerce market and an annual growth rate of a whopping 60% to 70%. That year, about 10.1 million people used BNPL, Bain &amp; Company estimates, representing roughly 70% to 80% annual growth.
Buy now, pay later and credit cards in the UK vary on a number of dimensions, Source: Bain and Company, Buy Now Pay Later in the UK, Oct 2021
BNPL arrangements allow consumers to purchase goods or services and pay for them in installments over a period of time. BNPL has been around for a while, taking the form of point-of-sale (POS) finance and mail-order or catalog credit, and focusing primarily on allowing customers to make larger purchases. But it wasn’t until COVID-19 that their popularity shot through the roof as consumers looked to stretch their dollars and avoid taking on new credit card debt.
Popular BNPL options today like Klarna and Afterpay take the form of digital services that let people defer or stagger payment for a product at the time of purchase. The BNPL provider assesses creditworthiness in real time for each transaction then pays the merchant the purchase value and charge a service fee. The consumer then repays the BNPL provider in interest-free installments.
Unlike the original version of BNPL, these so-called BNPL 2.0 options are integrated into the checkout process, allowing for a seamless user experience, greater convenience as well as easier management through mobile apps and digital platforms.
For merchants, BNPL arrangements typically result in new customer acquisition, improved conversion rates and increased average ticket size. When customers visited a store, 57% of merchants using BNPL options polled by Bain &amp; Company reported an increase in basket conversation and 46% witnessed an increase in average order value. Compared to card payments, purchases made through BNPL options could be 20% to 30% larger, the research found. 75% of surveyed merchants said that BNPL will a key part of their growth plan over the next year.
BNPL adoption varies across age groups and geographies
Compared to more mature markets like Sweden (23%), Germany (19%), Australia and New Zealand (10% each), adoption of BNPL arrangements in the UK is still limited, although it does exceed that of the US (2%).
Domestically, BNPL arrangements were found to be most popular amongst younger generations with many even adopting BNPL over traditional credit cards.
While buy now, pay later is most popular with younger consumers, it also appeals to many older ones as well, Source: Bain and Company, Buy Now Pay Later in the UK, Oct 2021
In the UK, Klarna is the best-known BNPL brand, with 54% of survey respondents having head of the company.
Swedish fintech giant Klarna is the world’s BNPL leader, serving some 90 million active consumers across 250,000 merchants in 17 countries. It’s the fourth most valuable private company in the world with a valuation of US$45.6 billion.
Other popular BNPL options in the UK include PayPal’s Pay in 3 offering, Clearpay (Afterpay’s UK brand), Laybuy, Openpay and Zip.
But the list is growing at a baffling rate: in September, neobanks Revolut and Monzo both announced plans to enter the BNPL market; Amazon is partnering with BNPL provider Affirm to offer BNPL arrangements; and Apple is working on launching its own BNPL scheme in collaboration with Goldman Sachs.
In the UK, the rapid rise of BNPL has prompted regulatory scrutiny. On October 21, 2021, the British government launched a consultation, seeking views on how to regulate BNPL products.
Proposals include rules governing how BNPL providers treat customers in financial difficulty, as well as the introduction of a statutory protection similarly to that of other regulated credit agreement. The government also said that it will working with the Credit Reference Agencies and the industry to find an appropriate way to report BNPL on consumers’ credit files.
The consultation will run until January 06, 2022.
The post BNPL Adoption Soars in the UK appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bnpl-adoption-soars-in-the-uk</link><guid>2336</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Buy-now-pay-later-and-credit-cards-in-the-UK-vary-on-a-number-of-dimensions-Source-Bain-and-Company-Buy-Now-Pay-Later-in-the-UK-Oct-2021.png?x95630</dc:content ><dc:text>BNPL Adoption Soars in the UK</dc:text></item><item><title>Schweizer Premiere: Private Banking Services via App</title><description><![CDATA[Während die Digitalisierung in vielen Bereichen des Finanzwesens bereits weit fortgeschritten ist, hat sie im Private Banking bisher wenig Spuren hinterlassen. Die Prozesse sind in der Regel mit viel manueller Arbeit verbunden, dementsprechend teuer und exklusiv sind die Services und Dienstleistungen.
Florian Rümmelein
«Private Banking muss digitaler werden»,ist CEO und Co-Gründer Florian Rümmelein überzeugt. «Aus diesem Grund haben wir die Everon-App entwickelt, insbesondere um Zugang zu professionellen Anlagemöglichkeiten zu bieten.»
Fintech revolutioniert den Zugang zu Private Banking Dienstleistungen
Everon ist Fintech und Multi Family Office in einem und verbindet die Vorteile der Digitalisier-ung mit denen des Private Bankings. Das heisst: Mit der All-in-One-Lösung können Kunden annähernd alle finanziellen Angelegenheiten (Anlegen, Vorsorgen, Bezahlen) eigenständig und über die App regeln und müssen trotzdem nicht auf die Vorzüge des Private Bankings verzichten. Dank der Kooperation mit dem Multi Family Office Swiss 5 Group und der langjährigen Erfahrung, erhalten sie Zugang zu Services und Anlagemöglichkeiten, die bisher nur institutionellen Anlegern und hochvermögenden Privatkunden vorbehalten waren.
Vorteile zusammengefasst :

Alles aus einer Hand: digitaler Zugang zu Private Banking Services und massgeschneiderten Anlagemöglichkeiten zu attraktiven Konditionen
All-in-One App mit umfassenden Finanzdienstleistungen (Vermögensverwaltung, Freizügigkeitskonto, Säule 3a, Private Markets, kostenloses Privatkonto mit Karte)
Sämtliche Dienstleistungen ohne Fremdwährungsgebühren
Komplett digital von der Registration über die Kontoeröffnung bis zum Vermögensüberblick
Vermögen massgeschneidert digital anlegen und verwalten und gleichzeitig jederzeit persönliche Private Banking Beratung durch Experten; dies bis auf Einzeltitelebene.

Während der laufenden «First-Mover-Phase» werden fortlaufend neue Services aufgeschaltet. Die bereits verfügbare Vermögensverwaltung wird in den nächsten Monaten um Freizügigkeit, Säule 3a und das kostenlose Privatkonto inklusive Karte ergänzt. Besonders wichtig sind Everon die Investitionsmöglichkeiten in Private Markets, die ab Q1/2022 verfügbar sein werden.
«Private Markets ist eine sehr attraktive Anlageklasse, die den meisten Anlegern bislang verwehrt ist»,
fügt Rümmelein hinzu.

Auszeichnungen in 2020 und 2021
Dass dieses Vorgehen funktioniert, zeigt das Vermögensverwaltungsranking, das die Bilanz und firstfive jährlich veröffentlichen: 2020 schaffte es Everon in die Top-5, im September 2021 auf den 1. Platz. Everon ist das einzige Fintech, das in diesem Ranking vertreten ist.
Kooperation mit Hypothekarbank Lenzburg
Seit Dezember 2020 arbeitet Everon bereits mit der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg zusammen, welche in ihrer Funktion als Depotbank die Kundenportfolien und -konten führt.
Marianne Wildi, CEO Hypothekarbank Lenzburg sagt:
«Durch die Zusammenarbeit mit Everon beweisen wir, dass wir den höchsten Qualitätsanforderungen an Private Banking Prozesse gerecht werden. Als erstes Schweizer Fintech mit einer klaren Strategie und Positionierung im qualitativ hochwertigen Segment, hat Everon in der bisher 12-monatigen Zusammenarbeit mit uns diese Prozesse noch geschärft und optimiert. Dies spiegelt sich besonders in der Zufriedenheit der gemeinsamen Private Banking Kunden hinsichtlich Servicequalität und Dienstleistungsangebot wider.»
Als «Everonpreneur:in» von Anfang an dabei – von Benefits profitieren
Um die App auf optimale Nutzerfreundlichkeit auszurichten, setzt Everon auf «Everonpreneur:innen», die exklusiven Zugang zur App, den damit verbundenen Private Banking Services und Benefits erhalten. «Wir wollen noch genauer wissen, welche Private-Banking-Bedürfnisse Everon abdecken soll – und auf welche Weise», erklärt Rümmelein. Aus diesem Grund bietet das Fintech Nutzern die Möglichkeit, bei der Weiterentwicklung der App aktiv mitzuwirken.
Benefits für Everonpreneur:innen

Erste persönliche kostenlose Finanzanalyse
Zugang zu Private Banking Dienstleistungen mit tiefen Mindestbeträgen
«Early access» zu Beta-Features und neuen Services.
Die Möglichkeit zur Teilnahme an (digitalen) Round-Tables mit den Everon-Gründern u.v.m.

Genauere Informationen, wie man «Everonpreneur:in» wird, finden Sie unter https://everon.swiss/get-started/
Mit CHF 50.000 Zugang zu exklusiven Private Banking Services erhalten
Mit der Kombination aus digitalem Erlebnis, preisgekrönten Strategien und bedarfsweisem Zugriff auf zusätzliche Dienstleistungen spricht Everon digitalaffine und innovationsfreudige Kunden an. «Unsere primäre Zielgruppe ist zwischen 30 und 55 Jahre alt und hat ein Vermögen zwischen 50’000 und zwei Millionen Franken», sagt Rümmelein. «Wir sind überzeugt, dass wir mit unserem Angebot neue Standards setzen.»
 
 
 
The post Schweizer Premiere: Private Banking Services via App appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schweizer-premiere-private-banking-services-via-app</link><guid>2337</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/mobile-app-EVERON--918x1024.jpg?x95630</dc:content ><dc:text>Schweizer Premiere: Private Banking Services via App</dc:text></item><item><title>Schweizer Betreibungsauszüge auf der Blockchain</title><description><![CDATA[Betreibungsschalter-Plus.ch bietet neu mit Blockchain-Siegel versehene elektronische Betreibungsauszüge an. Damit hat der Empfänger oder die Empfängerin eines Betreibungsauszugs die Sicherheit, dass die Daten echt sind.
Die Blockchain-Technologie bietet einen innovativen Ansatz für die Versiegelung von Dokumenten. Betreibungsauszüge mit einem Blockchain-basierten elektronischen Siegel sind absolut fälschungssicher. Die Echtheit und Unveränderbarkeit der Daten sind garantiert. Collecta bietet über die Plattform Betreibungsschalter-Plus als erstes Unternehmen Blockchain-versiegelte Betreibungsauszüge an.

Sei es bei der Wohnungssuche, beim Hypothekarantrag oder bei einer Stellenbewerbung für eine Führungsposition, in der Schweiz muss dafür ein Betreibungsauszug vorgelegt werden. Für den Empfänger oder die Empfängerin des Auszugs stellt sich dabei jeweils die Frage, ob der vorgelegte Auszug echt ist. Denn im digitalen Zeitalter werden Auszüge durchaus manipuliert. Deshalb prüfen Empfängerinnen wie Banken, Immobilienverwaltungen, usw. die Auszüge systematisch. Ein aufwändiger Prozess, denn die Abklärung nimmt Zeit in Anspruch und oft muss das Betreibungsamt angerufen werden.
Schneller geht es mit einem Betreibungsauszug von Betreibungsschalter-Plus.ch, der mit einem Blockchain-basierten Siegel versehen ist. Die Auszüge werden mittels eines Hash-Werts in der Blockchain-Cloud der Swisscom und der Post (Swiss Trust Chain) hinterlegt. Dritte Parteien können online überprüfen, ob es sich um das Original des Auszugs handelt. Der Vorgang erfolgt automatisiert und dauert nur wenige Sekunden.
Bezüger und Bezügerinnen eines Betreibungsauszugs profitieren von der Online-Abwicklung bei der Bestellung und dem Weiterversand des Auszugs. Zudem kann ein Auszug mehrere Male versandt werden, der elektronische Auszug kommt also mehreren Originalen gleich.
The post Schweizer Betreibungsauszüge auf der Blockchain appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schweizer-betreibungsauszuge-auf-der-blockchain</link><guid>2335</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Betreibungsschalter-Plus.ch_-1024x635.png?x95630</dc:content ><dc:text>Schweizer Betreibungsauszüge auf der Blockchain</dc:text></item><item><title>Socure Secures US$450 Million Series E Fundraise at US$4.5 Billion Valuation</title><description><![CDATA[Socure, a provider of digital identity verification and fraud solutions, announced its significantly oversubscribed US$450 million Series E funding round at a US$4.5 billion valuation.
The company achieved a US$4.5 billion valuation just seven months after its US$1.3 billion Series D.
The round was led by Accel alongside funds and accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.
It also includes two new investors, Bain Capital Ventures and Tiger Global, as well as participation from existing investors Commerce Ventures, Scale Venture Partners, and Sorenson Ventures.
Socure said that this will allow it to accelerate its investments in product innovation to address identity verification challenges.
Additionally, the firm will be able to penetrate new markets including the public sector, as well as continue to attract and retain talent.
The capital will also allow Socure to maximise the scale and intelligence of its customer consortium data and fully-automated ID+ platform to not only prevent third party and synthetic fraud, but also address payment and first party fraud risk while enabling world-class self-service analytics capabilities.
Johnny Ayers
Johnny Ayers, Founder and CEO, Socure said,
“With this additional capital, we will substantially increase our level of commercial velocity and intensity in solving complex customer and societal problems, while maintaining our Day 0 founder’s mentality and continuing to attract the market’s best product, data science, and engineering minds to join our already incredibly talented team.”
 
 

The post Socure Secures US$450 Million Series E Fundraise at US$4.5 Billion Valuation appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/socure-secures-us450-million-series-e-fundraise-at-us45-billion-valuation</link><guid>2334</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/AM-1.png?x95630</dc:content ><dc:text>Socure Secures US$450 Million Series E Fundraise at US$4.5 Billion Valuation</dc:text></item><item><title>Bottomline Acquires Bora Payment Systems for US$15 Million</title><description><![CDATA[Bottomline, a provider of financial technology that makes complex business payments simple, smart and secure, announced that it has completed the acquisition of Bora Payments Systems for US$15 million in cash.
Bora Payment Systems is a B2B card payment platform specializing in Buyer-Initiated Payment processing for commercial cards.
This move enables Paymode-X vendors to utilise straight through processing (STP) as a method of accepting virtual card payments.
The combination adds new bank channel relationships to Paymode-X and capabilities that improve the network’s virtual card program.
Tom Dolan
“For more and more customers and channel partners, the ultimate digital transformation of payables requires a comprehensive strategy for all payments—domestic, international, B2B and B2C. Today, however, the card payment piece of the equation can be inefficient and cumbersome.
 
For vendors, these new STP capabilities eliminate manual processing associated with virtual cards, shorten their invoice-to-cash cycle and optimize acceptance economics. For payers, they help improve relationships with suppliers, providing them with more payments acceptance options that offer great efficiency and cost-effectiveness.”
said Tom Dolan, General Manager, Paymode-X, Bottomline.

Featured image: Unsplash
The post Bottomline Acquires Bora Payment Systems for US$15 Million appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bottomline-acquires-bora-payment-systems-for-us15-million</link><guid>2332</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/AM-1.png?x80356</dc:content ><dc:text>Bottomline Acquires Bora Payment Systems for US$15 Million</dc:text></item><item><title>Klarna Expands Its Footprint to Ireland</title><description><![CDATA[Swedish Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) platform Klarna announced that it has officially launched in Ireland.
Irish consumers will be able to shop online and split their purchases into three interest-free equal payments (Pay in 3) through both the Klarna app and directly via integrated partner retailers.
Klarna’s launch of an interest-free and fee-free alternative to high-cost credit comes as Irish consumers shift away from credit cards towards debit for most of their day-to-day spend. Spending on debit cards grew three times faster than credit cards between 2015 and 2020.
In the Klarna app, Irish consumers will be able to ‘Pay in 3’ at any online store, regardless of whether they are a Klarna retailer or not, thanks to the ‘Shop Anywhere’ function.
Similarly, consumers who use Klarna at a partner retailer’s online checkout will be able to split their purchases interest-free.
Sebastian Siemiatkowski
Sebastian Siemiatkowski, Klarna’s Co-founder and CEO said,
“Ireland is a really exciting market for us, as people turn away from credit cards. As the older-style financial institutions exit the market we’re here to create more competition, which is in the best interest of the consumer.
 
At Klarna we believe that everyone deserves a better way to shop and pay, with more control, choice and flexibility.”
Colin Creagh
Colin Creagh, Head of Business Development at Klarna in Ireland added,
“We’ll be working with our Irish retailer partners to help them access a global marketplace. With coverage in 17 markets across three continents, we can accept payments from almost every country in the world, unlocking huge growth opportunities for our partners.
 
As a key European market with a population of keen digital adopters, Ireland has long been part of our expansion strategy in our mission to offer safer, more sustainable payment options to customers around the world.”
 
Featured image: Edited from Unsplash
 
The post Klarna Expands Its Footprint to Ireland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/klarna-expands-its-footprint-to-ireland</link><guid>2333</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Klarna Expands Its Footprint to Ireland</dc:text></item><item><title>5 Fintech Trends in Latin America</title><description><![CDATA[Latin America (LatAm)’s fintech revolution continues its course this year. Investors’ confidence remains high as they continue pouring billions into the space, betting on the prospect of fintech to help improve financial inclusion and bring innovation in the outdated banking and financial sector.
Several trends are emerging this year on the back of changing market dynamics, evolving customer habit and government initiatives. Here we look at five key fintech trends to look out for in LatAm.
Neobanking continues to lead LatAm’s fintech boom
LatAm’s fintech boom is showing no signs of slowing down as unicorns continue to grow and investors keep on pouring capital into the space.
LatAm’s fintechs attracted 40% of all venture capital (VC) investments in 2020, with some of the largest rounds of 2020/2021 going towards neobanks, including Neon, Nubank and C6 Bank, according to the Latin America Digital Transformation Report 2021 by Atlantico.
Latin America&#8217;s fintech boom, Source: Altantico, Latin America Digital Transformation Report 2021, Sep 2021
In 2021, neobanks continue to lead the fintech sector, showing astonishing growth. Brazil remains the region’s leader both in terms of sector development and consumer adoption.
Out of the 52 neobanks identified in LatAm, 24 players are from Brazil, and out of a pool of 77 million neobank customers in 2021, 63.5 million are located in Brazil, or 82.5% of the region’s total neobank customers.
Digital payments surge on real-time payment rails
While cash remains king, digital payments across LatAm are steadily taking off with the introduction of fast payment systems, notes the Atlantico report.
In Brazil, fast retail payment system Pix is thriving. In less than a year since its launch by the central bank, Pix has moved about US$89 billion worth of transactions and some 110 million Brazilians have used the system at least once, according to a Bloomberg report.
In Mexico, the central bank launched in 2019 Cobro Digital (CoDi), an instant payment platform for the retail market running on SPEI, a real-time gross settlements payment system. Adoption of CoDi has been somewhat slow but nevertheless rising. In December, a survey by the Bank of Mexico, found that 4% of the population used the SPEI system versus 0.5% pre-pandemic. As of June 2021, CoDi had 9.31 million accounts and had processed about US$97 million worth of transactions.
Fueling the growth of e-commerce
The rise of digital payments and fintechs, coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic, is fueling growth in e-commerce.
Data company Statista estimates that 13 million people across LatAm made an online transaction for the first time last year, while retail e-commerce expanded by 36.7% to around US$85 billion.
In Mexico, online sales surged 65% in 2020 while physical retail sales fell 5.1% as a direct impact of COVID-19, according to David Bernardo, CEO of LITS Adventures, a Mexico City‑based digital transformation specialist.
Indicative of this trend are the growth figures reported by MercadoLibre, LatAm’s e-commerce giant. In Q3 2021, MercadoLibre posted a 68% jump in quarterly revenue. Gross merchandise volume rose 23.9% to US$7.31 billion while its active userbase increased by 3% to 78.7 million. MercadoLibre, originally from Argentina, is present in 18 countries, including Brazil, Mexico and Colombia.
A crypto hub in the making
2021 has seen investors pour millions into LatAm cryptocurrency startups. These raised a total of US$517 million in VC funding in H1, the Association for Private Capital Investment in Latin America (LAVCA) told CoinDesk.
The year also saw the minting of two crypto unicorns: Mexican crypto exchange Bitso, valued US$2.2 billion, and Mercado Bitcoin, the largest crypto exchange in Brazil worth US$2.1 billion.
The flood of fresh money is sparking early signs of consolidation in the market with a number of mergers and acquisitions being announced this year. In February, Bitso bought Quedex, a crypto derivatives trading platform, based and regulated in Gibraltar. In January, Argentina’s crypto trading platform Ripio acquired BitcoinTrade, the second-largest crypto exchange in Brazil.
Amid rising institutional demand for exposure to crypto, Matba Rofex, Argentina’s largest futures market, told Bloomberg in October that it had submitted a proposal to the country’s securities regulator to launch bitcoin futures. The move would make Matba Rofex the first exchange to offer regulated bitcoin futures in the region.
Insurtech piques investors interest
Insurance penetration is still low in LatAm, leaving plenty of opportunity for growth.
In 2020, insurance premiums represented just about 4% of the gross domestic product (GDP) in Brazil and Chile, respectively, compared to 12% in the US and 4.5% in China, according to the Atlantico report. That figure is even lower for Mexico and Argentina at 2.6% and 2.2%, respectively.
Over the past years, a number of innovative insurtech players have emerged to digitalize the market. A number of them are now steadily picking up steam. 180° Seguros, for example, is a Brazilian startup that partners with businesses to create customized products that can be embedded in the end customer’s journey. In May, 180° Seguros raised US$8 million in what it claims to be the largest seed funding round ever recorded by an insurtech startup in LatAm.
Another noteworthy Brazilian insurtech is Justos. Justos uses data to improve the auto insurance process by measuring the way people drive and price insurance policies more accurately. This way, Justos claims it’s able to offer plans that are up to 30% cheaper than traditional plans. Just last month, Justos closed a US$35.8 million Series A funding round.

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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/5-fintech-trends-in-latin-america</link><guid>2331</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Latin-Americas-fintech-boom-Source-Altantico-Latin-America-Digital-Transformation-Report-2021-Sep-2021.png?x80356</dc:content ><dc:text>5 Fintech Trends in Latin America</dc:text></item><item><title>Spend Management Firm Yokoy Partners With UBS Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss spend management specialist Yokoy Group announced that it has entered into a partnership with UBS Switzerland.
Yokoy said that this partnership will open up new possibilities in the area of spend management for all of UBS&#8217; clients in the near future.
Together with UBS, Yokoy allows large companies to fully automate the spend management processes.
By integrating credit card transactions into the Yokoy app, clients can benefit from automatic data reconciliation, which enables efficient spend management.
As a next step, Yokoy added that credit card management will also be simplified where common tasks such as blocking cards or ordering replacement cards and PIN codes, can also be done via the app.
Using artificial intelligence-powered software, Yokoy is able to digitise and analyse receipts as well as supplier invoices.
The information contained on such receipts is enriched with meta-information from external data sources, which can be processed for company-internal enterprise resource planning systems.
The Yokoy app supports common interfaces and the products of many suppliers, while exchanging information with standard business software.
Philippe Sahli
Philippe Sahli, CEO of Yokoy Group said,
&#8220;I am very pleased that UBS appreciates the commercial significance of our software innovations.
 
Together we can open up new client segments and help more companies to digitise and automate their expense management.&#8221;
Alain Conte
Alain Conte, Head of UBS Corporate &amp; Institutional Clients Switzerland said.
&#8220;Working with an innovative fintech company is central to the further development of our digital banking services.
 
The partnership with Yokoy ideally complements our corporate card solutions offering, as our clients with large transaction volumes can now benefit from a strikingly simplified management of their business expenses.&#8221;
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/spend-management-firm-yokoy-partners-with-ubs-switzerland</link><guid>2330</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Spend Management Firm Yokoy Partners With UBS Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer to Build Ties at the Singapore Fintech Festival</title><description><![CDATA[Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer, together with a financial sector delegation, will attend the highly anticipated Singapore Fintech Festival on the 7th and 8th November 2021.
In his speech at the opening of this year&#8217;s Singapore Fintech Festival, Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer will highlight Switzerland&#8217;s advantages as a location for digital financial services.
A statement by the Swiss Federal Council highlighted that Switzerland combines established strengths such as trust and security with an openness for new technological developments.
Federal Councillor Maurer will be accompanied by a delegation of high-ranking representatives of the Swiss financial sector.
While in Singapore, Federal Councillor Maurer will additionally meet with Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, Lawrence Wong who is the Minister for Finance as well as MAS&#8217; Chairman Tharman Shanmugaratnam.
The exchange will focus on enhanced cooperation between the two countries both in the area of digital and sustainable financial services and in international financial and tax bodies.
The future organisation of a Europe-Asia Fintech Forum in Switzerland in cooperation with the Singapore Fintech Festival will likewise be discussed.
According to the statement,
&#8220;Switzerland will also be present at the Singapore Fintech Festival with a virtual pavilion, where Swiss fintech companies will be able to present themselves to international specialists under the auspices of Switzerland Global Enterprise.&#8221;
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-federal-councillor-ueli-maurer-to-build-ties-at-the-singapore-fintech-festival</link><guid>2329</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer to Build Ties at the Singapore Fintech Festival</dc:text></item><item><title>New Forrester Paper Explores Loan Origination Solution Market</title><description><![CDATA[Changing consumer behavior, tighter regulations and emerging technologies are transforming the lending landscape, challenging how incumbent lenders acquire, service and retain customers.
In the latest edition of the Now Tech series, research and advisory company Forrester explores the loan origination solutions market, providing an overview of 23 different solution providers to help professionals select the right vendor.
Loan origination solution providers use capabilities including application programming interfaces (APIs), artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled data extraction, advanced machine learning (ML), credit decisioning, and smart automation, to make processes faster and more efficient, cut costs, and help underwriters price risk accurately.
These providers help lenders acquire customers digitally, delivering digital portals that support real-time customer input, document uploads, data aggregations and analysis and digital signatures. They also help streamline know-your-customer (KYC) and due diligence, managing the risk of fraud and money laundering, and improve underwriting by incorporating advanced ML techniques for credit underwriting.
The Forrester analysis classifies the loan origination solution market in three main segments:
Credit and fraud risk specialists like Experian and FICO, which offer data management and aggregation toolkits and have strong KYC and fraud capabilities;
Digital lending engagement platform providers like nCino, Backbase, Blend, IRESS and Kuliza, which focuses on designing and delivering intuitive experiences for borrowers and brokers. And
Digital lending processing platform providers like Black Knight, EdgeVerve Systems, ICE Mortgage Technology, Oracle, and Sopra Banking Software, which offer lending applications and support lending processes. The segment encompasses a diverse set of players including core banking providers, lending and non-lending specific software and services vendors.
The analysis also provides an overview of these vendors’ size (by annual revenue), geographic presence (by revenue %), and vertical market focus (by revenue).
For example, the Sopra Banking Platform, a digital lending progressing platform, supports small business loans, mortgages and personal loans. It’s only active in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), serving customers including Credit Agricole, CIH Bank, and LCL.
Backbase’s digital lending engagement platform supports personal loans, mortgages and small business loans, and is active globally but primarily in North America, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific (APAC). Backbase customers include ABN AMRO, Lloyds Banking Group, and Westpac.
And Experian’s credit and fraud risk solution, PowerCurve, supports personal loans, mortgages and small business loans. It’s most active in EMEA, North America, and Latin America, and serves banks including ANZ Bank and Barclays.
To conclude, the Forrester analysis gives lenders recommendations, advising them to choose solutions that are built on flexible architecture, are modular, and are open to third-party data, solutions and systems.
These vendors should have access to data via APIs, allowing lenders to gain access to a holistic understanding for a borrower’s financial situation. But they should also have strong data security and privacy practices, the paper says.
They should use advanced AI techniques to elevate credit underwriting and allow for more sophisticated credit risk modeling.
These vendors should support seamless integration with third-party technology products and services, enabling lenders to plug external technology capabilities and integrate with KYC and due diligence providers, underwriting systems, and more.
Finally, lenders should select providers that understand their end-goal and which will help them innovate. For example, this can be a vendor building capabilities around home ownership, embedded products such as e-conveyancing, title insurance, and settlement services, or a vendor that offers cross-selling opportunities.
 
featured image credit: Pexels
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-forrester-paper-explores-loan-origination-solution-market</link><guid>2327</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Now-Tech-Functionality-Segments-Loan-Origination-Solutions-Q3-2021-896x1024.png?x80356</dc:content ><dc:text>New Forrester Paper Explores Loan Origination Solution Market</dc:text></item><item><title>Trade Finance Platform Drip Capital Raises US$175 Million</title><description><![CDATA[Drip Capital, a digital cross-border trade finance platform for small and medium businesses (SMBs), announced that it has raised US$175 million to power its next phase of growth.
Funds raised include a US$40 million Series C investment and US$135 million in warehouse debt facilities.
To date, with this fundraise, Drip Capital has raised about US$525 million in equity and debt funding.

San Francisco-based TI Platform led the Series C investment round alongside participation from new and existing investors, including Accel, Sequoia, Wing VC, Irongrey, and GC1 Holdings.
The new capital also includes a US$100 million warehouse credit facility with Barclays Investment Bank (Barclays) and a US$35 million increase in the existing facility (initially US$40 million) with East West Bank (EWB).
Drip Capital will use the new funding to scale its business over the next 18 months. It will invest in products and technology and accelerate go-to-market in existing and new geographies like South Asia and Latin America.
The company also plans to launch a new trade facilitation platform designed to alleviate the pain points of small businesses while collaborating with participants across the value chain, including shipping lines, payment processors, and insurance providers.


Founded in 2016, Drip Capital leverages machine learning and cloud technology to finance cross-border transactions, allowing SMBs to free up working capital and invest in growth.
To date, the company reportedly has financed more than US$2 billion worth of global trade transactions spanning 80+ countries. It serves SMBs across India, Mexico, and the US, providing access to collateral-free credit.
Pushkar Mukewar
&#8220;The COVID-19 pandemic has put severe pressure on cash flows of exporters and importers alike. This strain is being felt most by SMBs who have never had easy access to capital.
 
We are excited to welcome TI Platform and Barclays to help further our mission to make global trade easy and accessible to SMBs across the world.&#8221;
said Pushkar Mukewar, CEO and Co-founder of Drip Capital.
 


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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/trade-finance-platform-drip-capital-raises-us175-million</link><guid>2325</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/AM.png?x31862</dc:content ><dc:text>Trade Finance Platform Drip Capital Raises US$175 Million</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Accounting Tool Bexio Joins SIX’s Open Finance Platform</title><description><![CDATA[bexio, a Swiss provider of cloud-based business and accounting software solutions, announced that it is joining the bLink open finance platform.
Through the bLink platform, SIX Swiss Exchange makes available a platform that connects financial institutions with third party providers.
Additionally, SwissSalary, Counteo and LIMMOBI were three other accounting software providers that were also new to the platform.
Using the standardised Account &amp; Payments Services API on bLink, SMEs can now automatically integrate account and transaction data from their principal bank into their accounting tool.
This significantly reduces the administrative effort for SMEs, solving a key customer problem with the new interface.
Matthias Paulus
Matthias Paulus, Product Owner of bexio said,
“The connection to bLink allows us to standardise and further stabilise data exchange with banks.
 
In the future, this will allow us to focus on our core competencies and the processing of this data, and provide our customers with even greater automation in payment transactions.”
Matt Zürrer
Matt Zürrer, CPO of bexio said,
“We are already looking forward to offering our customers numerous new connections with bLink, such as in the cantonal bank segment.”
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-accounting-tool-bexio-joins-sixs-open-finance-platform</link><guid>2326</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Accounting Tool Bexio Joins SIX’s Open Finance Platform</dc:text></item><item><title>JP Morgan Study: Global Embedded Payment Volume Reached US$1.1T in 2020</title><description><![CDATA[In 2020, of the US$240 trillion in global payment flows, approximately US$1.1 trillion came from embedded payments, a new research by JP Morgan found.
Wearables (US$347 billion), the Internet-of-Things (US$240 billion) and virtual worlds (US$182 billion) made up for most of embedded payment volumes, but banking-as-a-service (BaaS) and buy now, pay later (BNPL) are amongst the fast-emerging trends to watch closely.
Embedded payment solutions are payment processing functionalities included within various software solutions and connected devices to provide a new level of convenience and speed.
These solutions make financial transactions contextual and contactless, and are part of the broader invisible banking concept where financial services are seamlessly embedded into daily activities and become so automated and frictionless that consumers no longer notice them.
Although embedded payments currently make up for a small portion of global payment volumes, the growth of neobanking and the rise of the BaaS platform model are some of the key trends which JP Morgan forecasts will be fueling growth in the embedded payment space.
BaaS refers to a business-to-business (B2B) service where a bank leases its infrastructure. Clients like fintechs, challenger banks and other third parties can then connect with the bank’s systems directly via application programming interfaces (APIs) and build banking offerings on top of the provider’s regulated infrastructure.
The BaaS platform model has been around for a decade but it wasn’t until open banking regulations were introduced that the concept reached mainstream adoption. Today, 66% of banks around the world are using a BaaS platform, according to the 2021 World Retail Banking Report.
BaaS adoption amongst banks, Sources: Capgemini Financial Services Analysis 2021; World Retail Banking Report 2021 Executive Survey
BaaS offerings are currently centered around bank accounts, branded cards and payment solutions but they will extend to lending, investing and other fintech products in the near future, JP Morgan says. The bank estimates that embedded finance enabled by BaaS could be worth US$3.6 trillion by 2030. In 2020, they accounted for US$100 billion in payment volume.
BNPL, a type of short-term financing that allows consumers to make purchases and pay for them at a future date, is another emerging segment within the embedded finance landscape that’s poised for long-term growth.
BNPL enables retailers to provide their customers with access to credit through their e-commerce app, payments processor or other channels. Fintechs like Klarna, Afterpay and Sezzle provide the necessary technology and data for this service.
European BNPL players raised EUR 930 million in Q1 2021, nearly surpassing the total amount raised for the whole year 2020 (EUR 1 billion), according to Exton Consulting.
By 2025, JP Morgan estimates that BNPL could top US$1 trillion in annual gross merchandise volume. Growth will be largely driven by Millennial and Gen Z shoppers who are increasingly demanding more flexible, inclusive and transparent ways to pay rather than traditional interest-bearing options like credit cards.
Embedded payments, Source: JP Morgan, via Payments are eating the world, Oct 2021
Digital platforms, wallets amongst other emerging trends
Embedded payments are one of the five key trends identified by JP Morgan that are transforming the global payment landscape. These so-called “mega-themes” amounted for a total of US$54 trillion in global payment flow in 2020.
Digital platforms and “super-apps” made up for 66% of that sum (US$36 trillion) with Chinese entities singlehandedly recording US$32 trillion in payment flows.
Payment flows on digital platforms and super-apps, Source: JP Morgan, via Payments are eating the world, Oct 2021
Next, the online economy, which comprises e-commerce, digital identity, the creator economy and the gig economy, recorded US$6.8 trillion worth of transactions in 2020. E-commerce led the broader space with US$6.3 trillion in payment flows.
Payment flows in the online economy, Source: JP Morgan, via Payments are eating the world, Oct 2021
Real-time transactions, another fast-growing trend, recorded US$5.3 trillion in payment flows from money transfers/remittances, and global trade.
Real-time payment flows in 2020, Source: JP Morgan, via Payments are eating the world, Oct 2021
Finally, the last trend, digital wallets, comprises central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), cryptocurrencies, stablecoins and US wallets and loyalty. These recorded a total of US$4.4 trillion in payment flow in 2020.
Digital currencies have risen in popularity over the past few years. Since 2015, the number of blockchain wallet users has grown 23 times, surging from just 3.12 million to more than 75 million in July 2021.
Stablecoins, cryptocurrencies that are pegged to other assets such as fiat currencies or tangible commodities like gold, have caught the eye of financial institutions and payments giants. Visa has started directly settling payments with stablecoin USD Coin. Facebook has been leading the Diem stablecoin project, formerly known as Libra, since at least 2018.
Since May 2020, the supply of stablecoins has increased 13 times to reach more than US$100 billion, according to Blockdata.
Payment flows through wallets, Source: JP Morgan, via Payments are eating the world, Oct 2021
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/jp-morgan-study-global-embedded-payment-volume-reached-us11t-in-2020</link><guid>2324</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/BaaS-adoption-amongst-banks-Sources-Capgemini-Financial-Services-Analysis-2021-World-Retail-Banking-Report-2021-Executive-Survey.png?x31862</dc:content ><dc:text>JP Morgan Study: Global Embedded Payment Volume Reached US$1.1T in 2020</dc:text></item><item><title>German Investment Platform Moonfare Raised US$125 Million Series C</title><description><![CDATA[Moonfare, a German-based digital private equity investment platform for individual investors, announced that it has raised US$125 million in Series C funding, led by New York-based global private equity and venture capital firm Insight Partners.
The company has raised US$185 million in funding to date. Moonfare’s last financing round was in March of this year and was led by Fidelity International Strategic Ventures, which also participated in the current round.
Moonfare will use the funding to continue to develop innovative investment solutions and accelerate its international expansion.
The company plans to double the size of its global team with over 80 full-time employees in the tech and product departments alone.
In September, Moonfare reportedly exceeded €1 billion assets under management, doubling its assets in only 8 months.
Moonfare already operates in 13 countries across Europe and Asia and has offices in Berlin, Hong Kong, London and Luxembourg, with more to open soon.
Dr. Steffen Pauls
“We are excited for this round of funding and the opportunity to leverage the capabilities and network of our new partners at Insight Partners.
 
We will transform the business into a global champion for individual investors in the years to come.”
said Dr. Steffen Pauls, Founder and CEO of Moonfare.
 
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/german-investment-platform-moonfare-raised-us125-million-series-c</link><guid>2323</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>German Investment Platform Moonfare Raised US$125 Million Series C</dc:text></item><item><title>Digital Currency Group Raises US$700 Million From Softbank, Google’s Capital G</title><description><![CDATA[Digital Currency Group (DCG) announced that it has closed a secondary investment round by selling more than US$700 million of its shares and is now valued at US$10 billion.
SoftBank’s Vision Fund II and Latin American Fund led a syndicate of equity investors that included Google’s Capital G, Ribbit Capital, GIC, Tribe Capital, and Emory University in purchasing the stock from existing investors.
According to the group, its founder and CEO Barry Silbert did not sell any shares as part of the secondary transaction.
The crypto conglomerate is the parent company of digital currency asset manager Grayscale, institutional lending and brokerage firm Genesis, digital asset exchange and wallet Luno, and blockchain news portal CoinDesk, among others.
DCG has only raised US$25 million in primary capital since the company was formed in 2015.
The group said that it has now invested in more than 200 blockchain companies in 30+ countries around the world and will exceed US$1 billion in revenues in 2021.
DCG also hinted at plans to build a new subsidiary that will launch in 2022.
Barry Silbert
Barry Silbert, Founder and CEO of Digital Currency Group, told CNBC in an interview,
“We’re the best proxy for investing in this industry. We were looking for the type of backers that could be, and hopefully will be with, with us on this journey for the next couple of decades.”
He added that while DCG wouldn’t rule out an IPO, the group is not actively discussing or planning for it at the moment.
 
 

Featured image: CNBC
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digital-currency-group-raises-us700-million-from-softbank-googles-capital-g</link><guid>2322</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/AM-3.png?x31862</dc:content ><dc:text>Digital Currency Group Raises US$700 Million From Softbank, Google’s Capital G</dc:text></item><item><title>PayPal Launches Mobile POS Solution “Zettle Terminal” for Small Businesses</title><description><![CDATA[PayPal announced the launch of the Zettle Terminal, its new, all-in-one point of sale solution that offers increased mobility in-store for small businesses.
The Zettle Terminal will now be available in the UK beginning and will continue to roll-out across additional markets in Europe, and in the U.S. next year. The terminal will also feature an integrated barcode scanner in 2022.
The Zettle Terminal comes with a pre-loaded SIM card, and its combined WiFi and cellular connectivity means that small businesses are no longer dependent on fixed check-out points.
The terminal makes the checkout completely mobile; the seller is free to complete the entire checkout process, from start to finish, wherever the customer is.
The in-store and omnichannel solution comes with the Zettle point of sale app pre-installed, and small businesses will get an integrated solution that not only helps them accept a range of payments in-person — including cards, digital wallets and PayPal and Venmo QR Codes — but also helps them manage sales, inventory, reporting and payments across channels, all in one place.
It can also be paired with a dock that has a built-in printer for on-the-spot receipt printing.
Jim Magats
&#8220;We’re excited to launch our all-in-one point of sale solution, the Zettle Terminal, which puts an entire store kit in the palm of small business owners&#8217; hands.
 
With the Zettle Terminal, we will help small businesses sell seamlessly across in-person and online channels, and offer them flexibility throughout the checkout process so they can meet their customers wherever they are.”
said Jim Magats, SVP, Payments and SMB Solutions, PayPal.
 

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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/paypal-launches-mobile-pos-solution-zettle-terminal-for-small-businesses</link><guid>2321</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/AM-3.png?x31862</dc:content ><dc:text>PayPal Launches Mobile POS Solution “Zettle Terminal” for Small Businesses</dc:text></item><item><title>Crypto Trading Platform BitMEX Expands Its Footprint to Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[BitMEX, a peer-to-peer crypto trading platform, announced the expansion of its footprint to Switzerland.
Switzerland will be home to BitMEX Link, a brokerage service for the adoption and trading of digital assets.
The company also intends to apply for a license from the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) once it qualifies.
After completing entity incorporation, BitMEX will open an office in Zurich and/or Zug in January 2022 where an initial workforce of five employees will grow as the business expands and invests in Switzerland-based talent.
The firm will be developing new business lines and functions under the BitMEX brand, including capabilities for Spot, Brokerage, Custody, Information Products, and an Academy to deepen knowledge of digital assets and crypto trading.
BitMEX added that Switzerland’s status as a regional hotspot for great talent with a growing blockchain ecosystem and an advanced institutional framework made it a natural choice for its first European presence.
Alexander Höptner
Alexander Höptner, CEO of BitMEX said,
“Switzerland is building an impressive crypto ecosystem with all the hallmarks of an attractive destination for companies like ours that are growing quickly and innovating responsibly.
 
We see investment in Switzerland as crucial to fulfilling our ‘Beyond Derivatives’ strategy, which will broaden the services we offer and expand our global impact.”
 
Featured image: Edited from Unsplash
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crypto-trading-platform-bitmex-expands-its-footprint-to-switzerland</link><guid>2320</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Crypto Trading Platform BitMEX Expands Its Footprint to Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Universities Ranked Amongst World’s Best Higher-Educational Institutions for Blockchain</title><description><![CDATA[CoinDesk, a news site specializing in blockchain and digital assets, has released its annual ranking of the world’s top universities for blockchain, naming three Swiss institutions in the top 30.
The CoinDesk University Ranking uses a scoring system to rank 230 schools internationally, assessing criteria including an institution’s strength in research and academic contributions to advancing the field, the existing blockchain offerings on campus such as research centers and student clubs, employment and industry outcomes, the cost of attendance, and the overall academic reputation.
For this year’s ranking, the University of Zurich (UZH) took the fourth place, recognized as the best institution for blockchain technology not just in Switzerland but also in the whole European continent.
The university is known for the UZH Blockchain Center, a competence center which was formally established in January 2019. The UZH Blockchain Center acts as the single point of contact between the university and peer academic initiatives, the blockchain industry and blockchain community. It’s also responsible for consolidating and coordinating research activities and fundraising campaigns, as well as structuring the educational offerings.
Since its launch, the UZH Blockchain Center has organized a wide range of academic, educational, and industry-related activities, and claims it is now the most active academic cluster in Switzerland comprising 22 faculty members and a world-renowned blockchain hub.
Besides its competence center, UZH offers programs and courses covering blockchain systems, the economics as well as the legal aspects behind the technology, smart contracts, cryptocurrencies, enterprise blockchains, initial coin offerings (ICOs) and more.
Atrium in the main building of the University of Zurich, Source: University of Zurich
Next from Switzerland at the 10th place is the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zurich). ETH Zurich, a public research university focusing on science, technology, engineering and mathematics, is one of Europe’s most prestigious universities known for its cutting-edge research and innovation as well as successful spinoffs.
The ETH Blockchain Initiative is responsible for coordinating efforts in blockchain research and related topics such as cryptocurrencies, fault-tolerant distributed systems, and smart contracts.
ETH Zurich offers programs and courses covering decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), smart contracts, token designs, distributed systems, decentralized finance (DeFi), and more.
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zurich), Source: ETH Zurich
The third and final Swiss university that made the ranking this year is the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), which took the 21st place. EPFL, the sister institution of ETH Zurich, is a public research university specializing in natural sciences and engineering, and one of the world’s top 20 best university across all fields.
EPFL’s Blockchain Student Association was created in 2018. The association’s goals are to develop the student ecosystem around blockchain and technologies related to decentralized systems, share scientific information on the topic through events and publications, and provide students with resources garnered through partnerships and more.
EPFL offers programs and courses covering financial applications of blockchains and distributed ledgers, decentralized systems engineering, decentralized cryptocurrencies, and more.
EPFL’s Blockchain Student Association, Source: École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
Besides UZH, ETH Zurich and EPFL, other European universities that made this year’s the top 30 list for blockchain education are the University College London (UCL) (7th), University of Oxford (15th), Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands (18th) and the University of Cambridge (23rd).
In 2021, Asia-Pacific (APAC) institutions dominated the ranking. The National University of Singapore took the first place, followed by the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. Other institutions representing APAC in the top ten are Hong Kong Polytechnic, Tsinghua University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
2021 CoinDesk University Ranking, Source: CoinDesk
 
Featured image: Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zurich), Source: ETH Zurich
The post Swiss Universities Ranked Amongst World’s Best Higher-Educational Institutions for Blockchain appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-universities-ranked-amongst-worlds-best-higher-educational-institutions-for-blockchain</link><guid>2318</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Hall-in-the-main-building-of-the-University-of-Zurich-Source-University-of-Zurich.jpeg?x27302</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Universities Ranked Amongst World’s Best Higher-Educational Institutions for Blockchain</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Universities Ranked Amongst World’s Best for Blockchain</title><description><![CDATA[CoinDesk, a news site specializing in blockchain and digital assets, has released its annual ranking of the world’s top universities for blockchain, naming three Swiss institutions in the top 30.
The CoinDesk University Ranking uses a scoring system to rank 230 schools internationally, assessing criteria including an institution’s strength in research and academic contributions to advancing the field, the existing blockchain offerings on campus such as research centers and student clubs, employment and industry outcomes, the cost of attendance, and the overall academic reputation.
For this year’s ranking, the University of Zurich (UZH) took the fourth place, recognized as the best institution for blockchain technology not just in Switzerland but also in the whole European continent.
The university is known for the UZH Blockchain Center, a competence center which was formally established in January 2019. The UZH Blockchain Center acts as the single point of contact between the university and peer academic initiatives, the blockchain industry and blockchain community. It’s also responsible for consolidating and coordinating research activities and fundraising campaigns, as well as structuring the educational offerings.
Since its launch, the UZH Blockchain Center has organized a wide range of academic, educational, and industry-related activities, and claims it is now the most active academic cluster in Switzerland comprising 22 faculty members and a world-renowned blockchain hub.
Besides its competence center, UZH offers programs and courses covering blockchain systems, the economics as well as the legal aspects behind the technology, smart contracts, cryptocurrencies, enterprise blockchains, initial coin offerings (ICOs) and more.
Atrium in the main building of the University of Zurich, Source: University of Zurich
Next from Switzerland at the 10th place is the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zurich). ETH Zurich, a public research university focusing on science, technology, engineering and mathematics, is one of Europe’s most prestigious universities known for its cutting-edge research and innovation as well as successful spinoffs.
The ETH Blockchain Initiative is responsible for coordinating efforts in blockchain research and related topics such as cryptocurrencies, fault-tolerant distributed systems, and smart contracts.
ETH Zurich offers programs and courses covering decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), smart contracts, token designs, distributed systems, decentralized finance (DeFi), and more.
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zurich), Source: ETH Zurich
The third and final Swiss university that made the ranking this year is the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), which took the 21st place. EPFL, the sister institution of ETH Zurich, is a public research university specializing in natural sciences and engineering, and one of the world’s top 20 best university across all fields.
EPFL’s Blockchain Student Association was created in 2018. The association’s goals are to develop the student ecosystem around blockchain and technologies related to decentralized systems, share scientific information on the topic through events and publications, and provide students with resources garnered through partnerships and more.
EPFL offers programs and courses covering financial applications of blockchains and distributed ledgers, decentralized systems engineering, decentralized cryptocurrencies, and more.
EPFL’s Blockchain Student Association, Source: École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
Besides UZH, ETH Zurich and EPFL, other European universities that made this year’s the top 30 list for blockchain education are the University College London (UCL) (7th), University of Oxford (15th), Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands (18th) and the University of Cambridge (23rd).
In 2021, Asia-Pacific (APAC) institutions dominated the ranking. The National University of Singapore took the first place, followed by the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. Other institutions representing APAC in the top ten are Hong Kong Polytechnic, Tsinghua University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
2021 CoinDesk University Ranking, Source: CoinDesk
 
Featured image: Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zurich), Source: ETH Zurich
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-universities-ranked-amongst-worlds-best-for-blockchain</link><guid>2319</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Hall-in-the-main-building-of-the-University-of-Zurich-Source-University-of-Zurich.jpeg?x31862</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Universities Ranked Amongst World’s Best for Blockchain</dc:text></item><item><title>American Express Launches Fully Digital Business Checking Account for SMEs</title><description><![CDATA[American Express has introduced its new Business Checking account designed for small and mid-sized (SME) businesses in the United States.
This fully digital Business Checking account offers a secure, high-yield, and low fee digital banking experience with a competitive APY of 1.1% on balances up to US$500,000.
The checking account connects with existing American Express Credit Cards and comes with a business debit card.
In early 2022, Business Checking customers will be able to earn membership rewards points and redeem them for deposits into their business checking account.
The announcement further expands American Express’ small business offerings, building on its acquisition of Kabbage, a fintech providing small business cash flow solutions.
American Express said that US small and mid-sized businesses can now apply for the new business checking account in as little as 10 minutes.
Dean Henry
“We built the new American Express Business Checking from the ground up because businesses told us they want more from their existing checking account. It’s a customer first, full-service digital business checking account that makes cash management easy, processes a range of payment types and earns high-yield interest on balances up to $500,000.
 
Plus, customers will soon be able to earn and redeem Membership Rewards® points. This is business checking with the best of American Express – security, service and rewards they can invest back into their business.”
said Dean Henry, Executive Vice President of Global Commercial Services at American Express.

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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/american-express-launches-fully-digital-business-checking-account-for-smes</link><guid>2317</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/AM-3.png?x31862</dc:content ><dc:text>American Express Launches Fully Digital Business Checking Account for SMEs</dc:text></item><item><title>F10 Spain Selects 10 Startups for the Second Batch of Its Incubation Programme</title><description><![CDATA[Fintech incubator and accelerator F10 has announced the list of ten promising startups joining the second cohort of its incubation programme in Barcelona.
Selected from more than 180 national and international applications, this batch brings innovative business models and trends with more female founders from three different continents – LATAM, Europe and Africa.
The goal of this 5-month programme is to support early-stage startups in the process of transforming their prototype into a scalable product, while they gain traction.
The programme kicks off this November and will conclude in March 2022.
During five months, the startups will have the opportunity to receive individual coaching and valuable insights on go-to-market, product development, fundraising, marketing, and sales.
They will also engage with the most relevant mentors and gain access to F10&#8217;s investor network and corporate partners.
The cohort includes 10 innovative pre-seed startups from 7 different countries, 4 from Spain, and cover a diverse range of highly relevant topics, including insurance, wealth management, payments, gig economy, investment and neobanks.
Startups selected for the F10 Incubation Programme Batch II in Spain

AIRA &#8211; Spain
AIRA System is a tool for inspection, review and risk analysis, customer updating and cross-selling.

&#x200d;Denq &#8211; Brazil
Denq is a LATAM blockchain based digital bank, that offers robo advisory investments, and a proprietary credit score, that aims to create a bridge between the region and EU.

&#x200d;Findoit &#8211; Spain
FINDOIT helps companies retain talent by helping employees improve their financial health and plan their personal goals.

Joos – Germany
JOOS® is a fast, easy and innovative way to bring content creators and their fans together.

Moya – South Africa
Moya is a money management platform for the self-employed in South Africa, this includes freelancers, sole traders and gig workers.

PayParc &#8211; Spain
PayParc is an automation tool for AP and AR management of travel companies, capable of instant and split payments purely based on the booking confirmation and with zero manual intervention.

Principia &#8211; Austria
Principia &#8211; invests cash reserves of middle-sized businesses, aiming to eliminate all opportunity costs of unused capital.

Pro1.trading &#8211; Spain
Pro1.trading optimizes your stock market strategies thanks to the power of Artificial Intelligence applied to financial markets.&#x200d;

&#x200d;Sylon &#8211; Mexico
Sylon is a micro-investing mobile app that rounds up transactions and automatically invests the “spare change” into a portfolio that makes sense for the customer.

Tranzfer.me &#8211; Peru
Tranzfer.me is a digital platform that manages money transfers abroad, connecting people from different parts of the world.

Andrea Sanchez
Andrea Sanchez, Country Head of F10 Spain said,
&#8220;We are excited to welcome the 10 selected startups to the F10 family! This programme is characterised by its geographic diversity of the fintech and insurtech startups participating, allowing it to become a great opportunity to connect international and national talent in Barcelona &#8211; one of the most entrepreneurial ecosystems in Europe.&#8221;
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/f10-spain-selects-10-startups-for-the-second-batch-of-its-incubation-programme</link><guid>2307</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>F10 Spain Selects 10 Startups for the Second Batch of Its Incubation Programme</dc:text></item><item><title>Wealthtech Firm TIFIN Closes US$47 Million Series C From JPMorgan, Broadridge</title><description><![CDATA[TIFIN, a fintech platform using AI for wealth and asset management, announced the successful closing of US$47 million in Series C funding.
The firm closes its Series C round at a valuation of US$447 million, which is nearly five times higher than its Series A that was completed towards the end of 2020.
Hamilton Lane, a private markets investment manager, entered the capital round as a new strategic investor.
Other investors include J.P. Morgan Asset Management, Morningstar, and Broadridge after their initial investment in TIFIN&#8217;s Series B round.
TIFIN said that it will work closely with its strategic investors to facilitate innovation in the industry, and partner with Hamilton Lane to explore adding alternatives to its suite of wealthtech capabilities.
The company uses data and investment driven intelligence to drive personalisation for wealth management, and digital distribution for investment managers.
Vinay Nair
Vinay Nair, PhD, TIFIN Founder and CEO said,
&#8220;We are delighted to complete our Series C with strong support from our existing investors and welcome our new strategic investment partner, Hamilton Lane.
 
We value their experience and expertise in the private markets as we explore ways to personalize and democratize access to this asset class to deliver better wealth outcomes for individuals.&#8221;
 

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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/wealthtech-firm-tifin-closes-us47-million-series-c-from-jpmorgan-broadridge</link><guid>2308</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/AM-3.png?x72788</dc:content ><dc:text>Wealthtech Firm TIFIN Closes US$47 Million Series C From JPMorgan, Broadridge</dc:text></item><item><title>Bitpanda Pro Appoints JPMorgan’s Exec Joshua Barraclough as CEO</title><description><![CDATA[Austrian digital investment platform Bitpanda announced that it has appointed Joshua Barraclough as the CEO of Bitpanda Pro, its digital asset exchange for professionals and businesses to trade.
Josh joins Bitpanda from J.P. Morgan, where he held key positions such as Co-Head of Digital Innovation and Global Head of the Fintech team.
He’s also spent time developing a PE-backed fintech, as well as his own venture in London.
Bitpanda said that Josh has the perfect blend of traditional and institutional financial market experience, alongside digital assets know-how, all mixed with an entrepreneurial mindset.
The company said in a statement,
&#8220;We&#8217;re in full hypergrowth mode and more than happy to welcome Joshua Barraclough as CEO of Bitpanda Pro. Josh is joining us from J.P. Morgan and he’ll take our digital assets exchange to the next level.
 
More importantly, his leadership style and clear understanding of what clients care about in digital markets will ensure that Bitpanda Pro becomes the #1 exchange in Europe, fueled by a world-class team that keeps on building industry-leading technology.&#8221;
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bitpanda-pro-appoints-jpmorgans-exec-joshua-barraclough-as-ceo</link><guid>2309</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Bitpanda Pro Appoints JPMorgan’s Exec Joshua Barraclough as CEO</dc:text></item><item><title>Brazilian Challenger Bank Nubank Makes Push for IPO</title><description><![CDATA[Brazilian challenger bank Nubank has filed for its initial public offering (IPO) and is expected to go public in the U.S. by early 2022, according to Forbes.
Nubank had filed both with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the U.S. and the Formulario de Referencia with the Comissão de Valores Mobiliários (CVM) in Brazil.
The IPO is expected to commence after the SEC and the CVM complete their respective review processes.
Nubank has secured a total of US$ 750 million during two extensions of its Series G funding round, raising the round to US$1.15 billion.
During the first extension, the neobank had managed to raise US$500 million led by billionaire Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, one of the largest publicly-held companies in the world.
The second US$250 million Series G extension was led by Sands Capital raising its valuation to US$ 0 billion valuation, up from US$25 billion at the time of its previous fundraising round.

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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/brazilian-challenger-bank-nubank-makes-push-for-ipo</link><guid>2310</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/AM-3.png?x27302</dc:content ><dc:text>Brazilian Challenger Bank Nubank Makes Push for IPO</dc:text></item><item><title>A Look Into Switzerland’s Distributed Ledger Technology Act</title><description><![CDATA[This year, the Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) bill entered into full force in Switzerland, opening up new opportunities and business models by providing legal clarity in areas including ledger-based securities and digital securities exchanges.
The new legal framework entered into force in two phases: on February 1, 2021, amendments enabling the introduction of ledger-based securities represented on a blockchain-based platform became effective, and on August 1, 2021, the remaining provisions, notably regarding DLT trading facilities, took effect.
Since the DLT Act introduces a number of new concepts which can be challenging to grasp, industry trade group the Swiss Blockchain Federation (SBF) has produced two papers delving into the key two concepts introduced in the law, namely ledger-based securities, and DLT trading systems, dissecting their legal definitions and highlighting their requirements.
Ledger-based securities
The DLT Act defines a ledger-based security as a right that is entered in a securities ledger under a registration agreement. Such securities can only be exercised and transferred via a particular securities ledger.
The law leaves the structure and design of the securities ledger open but lays down four requirements for a facility to be characterized as a securities ledger: the use of technological processes to give creditors the power of disposal over their rights; the protection of the integrity of the facility and the corresponding entries; the transparency of rights and functions in the ledger; and a minimum required content of the entries.
And since the ledger represents property rights, it must also satisfy the general public notice requirements
These new ledger-based securities are expected to facilitate the ability of companies to raise capital and issue instruments representing equity or debt by reducing the cost and effort. They are also expected to improve liquidity by making the transfer and secondary trading of securities easier and more accessible.
Trade via a conventional trading platform might look something like this, Swiss DLT law: New regulations bring new opportunities, PwC
DLT Trading Systems: rights and requirements
To support and facilitate the trading of ledger-based securities, a license for so-called DLT Trading Systems was introduced.
DLT Trading Systems are defined as institutions enabling the multilateral trading in DLT securities, or security tokens.
These venues are regulated following the existing rules for traditional trading venues such as stock exchanges and multilateral trading facilities. Requirements include for example being operated by a Swiss entity. DLT Trading Systems must also set up an independent body for supervising trading activities as well as an appeals body.
However, unlike traditional trading venues, licensed DLT Trading Systems are able to admit non-financial institutions as participants, offer central custody services, and/or clear and settle transactions with DLT securities.
This means that regulated DLT Trading Systems are allowed to offer all the services required for trading in one place, avoiding the need to split these operators’ activities across several legal entities.
However, certain financial instruments are not eligible for trading on a DLT Trading System, notably certain derivatives and those deemed to significantly impede the enforcement of anti-money laundering rules.
DLT Trading System license exemptions
To lower market entry barriers, the DLT Act exempts operators of DLT Trading Systems from the licensing requirement in a number of cases.
So-called non-commercial DLT Trading Systems, for example, do not require a license to operate at all.
A DLT Trading System is deemed to be running commercially when it generates gross profits of at least CHF 50,000 per year, if it maintains a business relationship with more than 20 clients or at least one securities dealer, or if it has indefinite power of disposal over third-party DLT securities with a total amount of more than CHF 5 million at any given time.
This exemption is aimed at facilitating the organization of smaller markets. For example, a company that organizes a small trading system for employees, investors and other stakeholders to trade its own shares does not need to hold a license.
So-called small DLT Trading Systems are also provided with certain exemptions, mainly in relation to organizational requirements. Small DLT Trading Systems are those with trading volume and settlement volume which do not exceed CHF 250 million per year, respectively, and which hold less than CHF 100 million worth of DLT securities in custody.
A hotspot for blockchain innovation
The introduction of the Swiss DLT Act comes at a time when jurisdictions around the world are ramping up digital assets and blockchain regulatory efforts.
Liechtenstein’s so-called Blockchain Act came into force on January 1, 2020, introducing a comprehensive legal framework for the blockchain industry that covers cryptocurrencies, utility tokens, payment tokens and digital securities like security tokens.
The European Commission (EC) is also working on regulating the space, publishing in September 2020 a proposal titled the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA). The proposal is part of a comprehensive Digital Finance Package, which also includes other documents including the DLT Pilot Regime.
Switzerland has one of the world’s most dynamic and developed blockchain ecosystems. Its canton of Zug has earned the nickname of Crypto Valley for the high density of crypto-related and blockchain startups and projects, hosting for example the Ethereum Foundation, the Web3 Foundation (Polkadot), and the Cardano Foundation.
The post A Look Into Switzerland’s Distributed Ledger Technology Act appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/a-look-into-switzerlands-distributed-ledger-technology-act</link><guid>2311</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Trade-execution-graphic-01-1024x716.png?x27302</dc:content ><dc:text>A Look Into Switzerland’s Distributed Ledger Technology Act</dc:text></item><item><title>Onfido Acquires Biometrics Identity Verification Provider EYN</title><description><![CDATA[Onfido, a London-based identity verification and authentication provider, announced the acquisition of complementary solution provider EYN. Details of the transaction was not disclosed.
EYN&#8217;s acoustic liveness technology will be incorporated into Onfido’s Real Identity Platform with its employees joining latter’s research and biometrics teams.
Liveness detection technology from Onfido and EYN ensures that document and biometric checks are submitted live and that photos or deepfakes cannot be used to spoof legitimate users.
Onfido had also announced that it had notched a 93% increase year-to-date (YTD) in global revenue and 100% growth in annually recurring revenue (ARR).
The firm also strengthened its leadership team during Q3 with two strategic hires including Faisal Chughtai who joins as Chief Financial Officer and Nello Franco as Chief Customer Officer.
Mike Tuchen
“We’re excited to announce another record quarter powered by strong U.S. and APAC growth, as businesses emerging from COVID-19 realize the benefits of digital-by-default customer acquisition strategies.
 
As we continue to increase our investment in research and development to fill out our arsenal of tools to fight fraud, we’re pleased to welcome the EYN team to the Onfido family. By combining their LiveProof anti-spoofing technology with our existing image-based liveness detection, we’ll be able to offer a liveness product that is unmatched in the industry. ”
said Mike Tuchen, CEO of Onfido.
Dr. Sheikh Faridul Hasan
“We’re thrilled to join Onfido to help shape the future of online identity verification and allow more people to gain access to the vital services they need.
 
We share the same philosophy as Onfido: building trust and security at onboarding and throughout the customer journey doesn’t mean that companies need to compromise on user experience or fraud detection.”
said Dr. Sheikh Faridul Hasan.
 
Featured image: Edited from Unsplash 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/onfido-acquires-biometrics-identity-verification-provider-eyn</link><guid>2312</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Onfido Acquires Biometrics Identity Verification Provider EYN</dc:text></item><item><title>Stripe Partners Klarna to Enable Businesses to Offer BNPL Services</title><description><![CDATA[Swedish Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) platform Klarna announced a strategic partnership with Irish-American payment processing platform Stripe.
The partnership will allow millions of businesses across the US and 19 countries in Europe running on Stripe to offer Klarna’s flexible payment options to their consumers.
The announcement also includes a deeper collaboration between Klarna and Stripe.
Stripe is now Klarna’s preferred payments partner for consumer purchases. After a customer’s initial purchase from a retailer is funded by Klarna, the subsequent repayments are all processed by Stripe as well.
After initial tests with Stripe yielded significant improvements in reliability and performance, Klarna decided to shift even more of its payments volume to Stripe than initially planned.
Klarna will now rely on Stripe to process the majority of its payment volume in the US and Canada.
Koen Köppen
Koen Köppen, Chief Technology Officer at Klarna said,
“Together with Stripe, we will be a true growth partner for retailers of all sizes, allowing them to maximize their entrepreneurial success through our joint services.
 
By offering convenience, flexibility, and control to even more shoppers, we create a win-win situation for both retailers and consumers alike.”
Will Gaybrick, Chief Product Officer at Stripe said,
Will Gaybrick
“We’re thrilled to partner with Klarna so that millions of businesses on Stripe globally can offer increased payment flexibility.
 
Klarna’s payment options are a powerful tool for online businesses to attract more customers, boost conversion rates, increase basket sizes, and thus grow their revenue.”
 
 
The post Stripe Partners Klarna to Enable Businesses to Offer BNPL Services appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/stripe-partners-klarna-to-enable-businesses-to-offer-bnpl-services</link><guid>2313</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Stripe Partners Klarna to Enable Businesses to Offer BNPL Services</dc:text></item><item><title>Mastercard and Bakkt Strikes up Crypto Partnership</title><description><![CDATA[Mastercard and Bakkt announced a multifaceted partnership at Money20/20 to enable merchants, banks and fintechs in the U.S. to offer cryptocurrency solutions and services.
Bakkt is a digital currency company that specialises in concurrency, rewards, and loyalty points.
It will now extend Mastercard’s ecosystem of cryptocurrency partners enabling Crypto-as-a-Service, providing quick access to cryptocurrency capabilities.
Through Mastercard&#8217;s network and Bakkt’s digital asset platform, the payment giant&#8217;s partners will be able to offer cryptocurrency solutions.
These include the ability for consumers to buy, sell and hold digital assets through custodial wallets powered by the Bakkt platform and streamlined issuance of branded crypto debit and credit cards.
Mastercard will also integrate crypto into its loyalty solutions, enabling its partners to offer cryptocurrency as rewards and create fungibility between loyalty points and other digital assets.
Consumers can now earn and spend rewards in cryptocurrency instead of traditional loyalty points and seamlessly convert their crypto holdings to pay for purchases.
Mastercard continues to invest in the digital asset space through several initiatives including the acquisition of CipherTrace, partnerships with leading crypto players, the creation of new platforms to test and support central bank digital currencies, and more.
Sherri Haymond
“Mastercard is committed to offering a wide range of payment solutions that deliver more choice, value and impact every day.
 
Together with Bakkt and grounded by our principled approach to innovation, we’ll not only empower our partners to offer a dynamic mix of digital assets options, but also deliver differentiated and relevant consumer experiences.”
said Sherri Haymond, Executive Vice President, Digital Partnerships at Mastercard.
Nancy Gordon
“We’re incredibly excited to partner with Mastercard to bring crypto loyalty services to millions of consumers.
 
As brands and merchants look to appeal to younger consumers and their transaction preferences, these new offerings represent a unique opportunity to satisfy increasing demand for crypto, payment and rewards flexibility.”
said Nancy Gordon, EVP, Loyalty Rewards and Payments at Bakkt.
 

 
The post Mastercard and Bakkt Strikes up Crypto Partnership appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mastercard-and-bakkt-strikes-up-crypto-partnership</link><guid>2314</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/AM-3.png?x27302</dc:content ><dc:text>Mastercard and Bakkt Strikes up Crypto Partnership</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Spend Management Firm Yokoy Closes US$26 Million Series A</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss spend management specialist Yokoy has raised US$26 million in a Series A funding round led by US investor Left Lane Capital, with participation from prominent European investor, Balderton Capital.
Yokoy will look to use the new funds to expand deeper into the US, Europe and more regions across the globe.
The funding will also be used to further enhance the technologies underpinning the platform of its AI, automation and security systems.
Since its launch two years ago, Yokoy has grown to more than 400 customers, more than 80,000 users, five global offices, and almost 100 employees with midsize and enterprise customers worldwide including DPD Group, Stadler Rail, Russia’s Sberbank, the Swiss bank Swissquote.
Dr. Devis Lussi
Dr. Devis Lussi, Co-Founder and CTO of Yokoy said,
“With Yokoy we’re building a highly intelligent, highly secure, and highly customisable global spend management platform that empowers our customers to take control of their vast corporate spending processes and fine tune their workflows.
 
We’re helping them to cut costs, save time and bring clarity to their global operations in a way that fits their ambitions. It’s this that we believe will see us becoming the leading spend management platform in the world.”
The post Swiss Spend Management Firm Yokoy Closes US$26 Million Series A appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-spend-management-firm-yokoy-closes-us26-million-series-a</link><guid>2315</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Spend Management Firm Yokoy Closes US$26 Million Series A</dc:text></item><item><title>German B2B BNPL Firm Billie Bags US$100 Million From the Likes of Klarna, Tencent</title><description><![CDATA[Billie, a Berlin-based “Buy Now, Pay Later” (BNPL) platform for businesses, announced that it has closed a successful Series C funding round of US$100 million, increasing its valuation to US$640 million which has nearly quadrupled since the last funding round.
The round was led by European B2B investor Dawn Capital and joined by Klarna and Tencent, alongside existing investors Creandum, Speedinvest, Picus and GFC.
In addition to its equity funding, Billie has secured refinancing lines of US$200 million per month.
The capital will be provided by a consortium of German banks led by VVRB (Vereinigte Volksbank Raiffeisenbank eG) with participation from Raisin Bank and Varengold Bank.
Billie said that it will use the new investment for its international expansion, as well as significantly expand its technical integration with Klarna and other strategic partners.
In addition, the company plans to enhance its B2B BNPL product—Billie Boost by adding features such as longer payment deadlines, installments, special offers for B2B marketplaces, e-invoicing and more to be added to the product.
Dr. Matthias Knecht
““Buy Now, Pay Later” for business customers, is still at a very early stage, and worldwide, there is nearly no provider of a BNPL product like what Klarna offers for B2C.
 
We aim to close this gap, and we are happy to have gained strong partners in Dawn Capital, Klarna and Tencent to establish BNPL as the leading payment method for business customers,”
said Dr. Matthias Knecht, co-founder and co-CEO of Billie.
 
Featured image: (From left to right) Billie&#8217;s founders Aiga Senftleben, Matthias Knecht, Christian Grobe
The post German B2B BNPL Firm Billie Bags US$100 Million From the Likes of Klarna, Tencent appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/german-b2b-bnpl-firm-billie-bags-us100-million-from-the-likes-of-klarna-tencent</link><guid>2316</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>German B2B BNPL Firm Billie Bags US$100 Million From the Likes of Klarna, Tencent</dc:text></item><item><title>New Proptech Firm Fixmyspace Kicks off to Offer Maintenance Services in Romandy</title><description><![CDATA[fixmyspace, a newly established Swiss proptech firm, announced that it has just launched its mobile application and online platform for the Romandy region.
The startup said that it aims to standardise and optimise the process of repairs and breakdowns via a digital platform, in order to eliminate the uncertainty and stress faced by homeowners.
fixmyspace provides a unique offer with a guarantee of market rates and the assurance of local and quality providers.
In addition, a multi-disciplinary team will accompany the customer and remains as the main contact throughout the entire process until the maintenance is completed.
The fixmyspace’s platform is based the standardisation of the pricing of services, allowing users to obtain a complete and transparent offer.
This includes the total cost of the maintenance, scheduling, and a qualified service provider.
fixmyspace offers a wide range of services from plumbing, painting/plastering, electricity, heating, locksmithing, household appliances and window and door repairs to insect control.

Patrick Odoni
&#8220;The asymmetry of information between providers and customers is a source of stress for the latter. Based on this premise, the idea was born to apply an innovative form of standardisation which would addresse this problem.
 
It&#8217;s a project that not only requires flawless technological execution, but also a good dose of market awareness and common sense. It&#8217;s a rare opportunity to quickly create real added value in an area that affects virtually everyone in Switzerland.&#8221;
said Patrick Odoni, CEO of fixmyspace.
 
Featured image: Edited from Flickr
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-proptech-firm-fixmyspace-kicks-off-to-offer-maintenance-services-in-romandy</link><guid>2305</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>New Proptech Firm Fixmyspace Kicks off to Offer Maintenance Services in Romandy</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Residents Show Reluctance to Neobanks, Non-Traditional Banking Providers</title><description><![CDATA[Despite being ranked this year’s most-innovative economy and boasting a dynamic fintech ecosystem, Switzerland’s residents are still reluctant to joining neobanks and non-traditional banking providers, indicating that digital challengers still have a long way to go before dethroning incumbent banks.
A survey of 1,500 Swiss residents conducted by local finance comparison platform Moneyland.ch found that only a minority of Swiss residents are willing to open a bank account at non-traditional banking services providers such as retailers, neobanks and bigtechs.
The survey participants, which were asked how likely they would be to bank with each of the listed service providers, were found to be the most open to retail groups Migros (27%) and Coop (20%), which scored the highest out of the list of providers.
Swiss pension funds (19%) and insurance companies (18%) were found to be the next most likely candidates for personal banking, followed by Swiss, online-only direct banks (17%), and Revolut (15%).
Readiness to open a bank account by company:sector, Source: Moneyland.ch
Greater openness towards neobanks but bigtechs see rising resistance
Despite underwhelming performances, these figures are an improvement compared to 2019 when Moneyland.ch first conducted this survey. At the time, only 6% of residents indicated openness to bank with Revolut.
Comparing 2019 and 2021 figures also show rising resistance towards Swiss insurance companies and pension funds. Less than 20% of residents indicated willingness to use an insurance company or pension fund for banking in 2021, compared to over 30% in 2019.
Readiness to open bank accounts with Google also waned, loosing 5% points between 2019 and 2021.
Overall, tech firms performed poorly this year, with around 80% of survey participants either hardly seeing themselves banking with these companies, or having no interest at all. Banking with airlines is also not an option for most residents.
Results from the Moneyland.ch survey are consistent with findings from a research by Swiss banking technology provider Avaloq, which found that Swiss investors are lagging behind their European counterparts in embracing investment technology services.
The survey, which polled 1,430 investors across 10 countries in Europe and Asia, found that only 8% of Swiss respondents are investing via robo-advisory platforms, behind Germany, France and the UK, where 17%, 10% and 14% of investors, respectively, use robo-advisors.
These results come on the back of the release of the Global Innovation Index 2021, an annual ranking of 130+ economies measuring their innovative capacities. In 2021, Switzerland remained the world’s leader in innovation for the 11th consecutive year, topping the list in information and communications technology (ICT) use and expenditure on education, and leading the region in innovation outputs, and in particular in patent by origin and intellectual property receipts.
Switzerland has been laying out the regulation foundation for fintech company to thrive. This year, the Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) Act came into force, introducing special provisions for the treatment of crypto-based assets, allowing for innovative DLT trading facilities and paving the way for tokenization of securities.
In 2019, Switzerland introduced the so-called Fintech License, which aims to lower the barriers to market entry for fintech companies while increasing legal certainty for the entire industry. So far, three entities have been granted a license: Yapeal, a neobanking startup; Klarpay, a merchant payments company; and Mogli, an e-wallet provider.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-residents-show-reluctance-to-neobanks-non-traditional-banking-providers</link><guid>2303</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Readiness-to-open-a-bank-account-by-companysector-Source-Moneyland.ch_.png?x27302</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Residents Show Reluctance to Neobanks, Non-Traditional Banking Providers</dc:text></item><item><title>8 Fast-Growing Fintech Startups from Berlin to Watch</title><description><![CDATA[Boasting one of the densest network of startups, deepest pools of experienced talent and some of the world’s most sophisticated investors, Berlin is a major tech powerhouse and one of the world’s largest fintech hubs in the world.
The city is home to some 400 fintech companies, or over a third of all fintech companies in Germany. In 2018 and 2019, Berlin accounted for 70% of all fintech funding in Germany, with fintech companies raising approximately EUR 1.8 billion in investment.
Fintech data specialist Findexable ranks Berlin as the second biggest fintech hubs in Europe, and the sixth biggest globally.
Given Berlin’s burgeoning fintech scene, we’ve compiled a list of eight exciting independent startups and scaleups from the city to keep a close eye on. These companies have made notable strides over the past year and are poised for further growth.
N26

Founded in 2013, N26 is a mobile bank serving 7 million customers in 25 markets. With a full European banking license, N26 provides an online banking platform that includes creating and handling current accounts, fixed accounts, insurance, loans, and other banking-related services, enabling customers to manage and control their banking details via a mobile app.
N26 has offices in Berlin, Barcelona, Madrid, Milan, Paris, Vienna, New York and Sao Paulo. It’s the most valuable fintech startup from Berlin, worth US$8 billion, according to CB Insights. The company has raised US$1.6 billion in funding.
Trade Republic

Founded in 2015, Trade Republic is a neobroker licensed by the German central bank and the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin). It offers commission-free investing in equities, cryptocurrencies, as well as free ETF and fractional stock savings plans.
Trade Republic serves over one million customers in Europe and is backed by top venture capital (VC) firms including Accel, Creandum, Founders Fund, Project A, Sequoia, TCV, and Thrive Capital.
Trade Republic is currently the second most valued fintech startup in Berlin, valued at US$5.3 billion. It has raised US$986.88 million in funding, according to CB Insights.
Mambu

Mambu is the developer of a banking platform designed to help create, launch, and service loan and deposit products.
The company’s software-as-a-service (SaaS) cloud banking platform powers digital financial services, providing flexible and innovative banking architectures. It’s designed to be composable so that independent engines, systems and connectors can be assembled and re-assembled seamlessly to meet business requirements and the ever-changing demands of customers.
Mambu claims 200 customers in over 65 countries, including N26, OakNorth, Tandem, ABN AMRO, Orange, Zest Money and League Data. It’s worth US$2.08 billion, making it one of the most valuable fintech startups in Germany, according to CB Insights. Mambu has raised over US$179 million in funding.
Wefox

Wefox, formerly Financefox, is a licensed full stack digital insurance company that sells insurance through intermediaries, and which provides digital tools that enable insurance agents to streamline and automate labor intensive processes.
The company, which is present in Germany, Switzerland and Poland, plans to expand into other European markets in the near future, and aims to increase revenues to US$350 million this year, from US$143 million in 2020.
Founded in 2015, Wefox is originally from Switzerland before moving its headquarters to Berlin later on. The company is worth US$3 billion and has raised US$924 million in funding, according to CB Insights.
Solarisbank

Founded in 2016, Solarisbank provides a banking-as-a-service (BaaS) platform. It holds a full German banking license.
Using APIs, Solarisbank allows partners to integrate modular banking services directly into their own product offering. The platform offers digital bank accounts and payment cards, identification and lending services, digital assets, including custody and brokerage, as well as services provided by integrated third-party providers.
In 2021, Solarisbank launched in France, Italy, and Spain to offer local IBANs.
Solarisbank is worth US$1.65 billion and has raised US$420 million in funding from a bluechip shareholder base, including ABN AMRO’s Digital Impact Fund, BBVA, Finleap, Samsung Catalyst Fund, SBI Group and Visa, according to CB Insights.
Raisin DS

Raisin DS is the product of the merger of two of Germany’s largest fintech startups: Deposit Solutions, a business-to-business (B2B) open banking platform in the savings deposit space, and Raisin, a marketplace that offers consumers access to competitive deposit products from all across Europe.
The merger, completed in June 2021, sought to form a leader in the savings and investment market. For savers, the merger meant more product choice and decision power, while for incumbent banks, it meant more implementation options and product access for their own marketplaces. Deposit-taking banks, meanwhile, gained better access to deposit funding.
Raisin DS collaborates with a combined circa 400 banks and financial services providers from more than 30 countries. It’s active in Europe as well as in the US.
Raisin was valued at around EUR 500 million in its last major financial round in 2019, while Deposit Solutions had a valuation of around EUR 1 billion before the merger.
Liqid

Liqid is a digital wealth manager focused on affluent private clients providing them with access to investment strategies and opportunities previously available only to high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and institutional investors.
In addition to tailored wealth management from EUR 100,000, Liqid’s offering includes professionally curated portfolios of top quartile private equity, as well as VC and real estate funds from EUR 200,000.
Since 2018, Liqid claims it has doubled its assets under management (AUM) every year and currently manages more than EUR 1.4 billion for its clients. The company is backed by investors including LGT, Toscafund Asset Management, HQ Trust, Project A and Dieter von Holtzbrinck Ventures, and has raised about EUR 120 million in funding, according to data from Crunchbase and Dealroom.
Taxfix

Founded in 2016, Taxfix provides a mobile app that makes use of automation to simplify complicated tax systems and make tax returns accessible to everyone.
The app simulates a conversation with a tax accountant, asking users around 70 simple, personalized questions, each tailored to their unique circumstances. At the end of the conversation, the app tells them what refund they can expect and files the return directly with the government for a fee of EUR 39.99, which is waived if the expected return is less than EUR 50.
Since its launch, Taxfix has helped collect several hundred million euros in tax refunds for customers in Germany, Italy and France. Last year, the company more than tripled its revenue. According to Ophelia Brown, partner at Blossom Capital, the startup could very well reach unicorn status by the end of 2021. It has raised EUR 100 million in funding so far, according to Sifted.
The post 8 Fast-Growing Fintech Startups from Berlin to Watch appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/8-fast-growing-fintech-startups-from-berlin-to-watch</link><guid>2304</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/N26-1-300x204.png?x27302</dc:content ><dc:text>8 Fast-Growing Fintech Startups from Berlin to Watch</dc:text></item><item><title>DocuSign Launches Venture Firm Focused on the Future of Agreements</title><description><![CDATA[DocuSign, a US-based e-signature technology provider, has introduced DocuSign Ventures, which will co-invest in as well as partner with companies raising early stage funding to innovate around the agreement process.
By staying close to and working with innovative startups, DocuSign can help its customers identify and integrate new solutions.
This includes technologies that facilitate pre-agreement work and negotiation, in addition to the logistics and workflows that may result after an agreement is signed.
DocuSign Ventures said that it is interested in a diverse range of innovative technologies being used to transform how agreements are created, executed, and managed.
This includes agreement process automation and workflows, AI and smart contract technology, identity verification and management, digital payment platforms, legal and compliance automation technologies as well as vertical solutions in areas such as mortgage and lending.
DocuSign Ventures reinforces the company&#8217;s existing strategic investments and partnership efforts across the startup ecosystem, which include investments in BlackBoiler, DataGrail, Pactum, and Snapdocs, and a recent investment in The LegalTech Fund, an early stage fund focused on backing companies that are transforming the world of law.
Additionally, DocuSign Ventures also made investments in and subsequently acquired Seal Software and Clause.
These relationships have led to enhancements to the DocuSign Agreement Cloud platform including AI-powered contract analytics and smart agreement capabilities.
Eric Darwin
&#8220;More and more businesses are recognizing the power and urgency of digitizing their agreement processes in order to meet the new &#8216;anywhere expectations&#8217; of their customers, partners, and employees.
 
DocuSign Ventures is excited to partner with the disruptors who are propelling smarter, simpler and frankly better ways of executing and fulfilling agreements.&#8221;
said Eric Darwin, Head of Corporate Development at DocuSign.
 

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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/docusign-launches-venture-firm-focused-on-the-future-of-agreements</link><guid>2301</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/AM-2.png?x27302</dc:content ><dc:text>DocuSign Launches Venture Firm Focused on the Future of Agreements</dc:text></item><item><title>Facebook Can’t Be Trusted to Manage Cryptos, US Senators Say Following Novi Launch</title><description><![CDATA[A number of US lawmakers jointly issued a statement saying that Facebook cannot be trusted to manage cryptocurrency and has urged Mark Zuckerberg to stop the launch of Novi and Diem immediately.
Facebook had just announced the pilot launch of Novi, the new name and brand for the digital wallet that will help people send and hold Libra digital currencies, in Guatemala and the US except for Alaska, Nevada, New York and the US Virgin Islands.
The pilot version of Novi will only be available to a limited number of people and others may be placed on a waitlist when they sign up.
Facebook said that one can sign up for Novi using a valid government-issued ID and add money to their accounts with a debit card.
Novi users will then be able to send and receive money using USDP (Pax Dollar) through partnerships with Paxos and Coinbase, who recently faced its own spat with regulators over its crypto lending product.
The social media giant mentioned that it was planning on migrating Novi to the Diem payment network once it secures the necessary regulatory approvals. This will be an uphill battle given the strong opposition from the senators.
US senators Brian Schatz, Sherrod Brown, Richard Blumenthal, Elizabeth Warren and Tina Smith voiced their opposition to Facebook’s revived effort to launch its cryptocurrency Diem and the digital wallet Novi.
In light of yet another scandal involving Facebook’s failure to protect its users, the senators urged Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to immediately discontinue the company’s pilot of Novi, and to commit not to bring Diem to market.
The senators wrote in their letter to Zuckerberg,
“Facebook is once again pursuing digital currency plans on an aggressive timeline and has already launched a pilot for a payments infrastructure network, even though these plans are incompatible with the actual financial regulatory landscape—not only for Diem specifically, but also for stablecoins in general.
 
Unfortunately, Facebook’s decision to pursue a digital currency and payments network is just one more example of the company ‘moving fast and breaking things’ (and in too many cases, misleading Congress in order to do so). Facebook cannot be trusted to manage a payment system or digital currency when its existing ability to manage risks and keep consumers safe has proven wholly insufficient.”
In October 2019, Senators Schatz and Brown wrote to members of the Diem Association’s predecessor, the Libra Association, and expressed deep concerns about the risks the project posed to consumers and the financial system.
Facebook subsequently shelved Libra amid regulatory scrutiny, but the company has now revived its efforts under new branding.

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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/facebook-cant-be-trusted-to-manage-cryptos-us-senators-say-following-novi-launch</link><guid>2300</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/AM-2.png?x27302</dc:content ><dc:text>Facebook Can’t Be Trusted to Manage Cryptos, US Senators Say Following Novi Launch</dc:text></item><item><title>London Fintech Plum Bags US$14 Million in First Close of Its Series A</title><description><![CDATA[London-based money management app Plum announced the first close of its US$14 million Series A round to fuel its expansion plans in Europe.
The company also announced a new crowdfunding round opening on Crowdcube later in October. Plum reports that more than 20,000 people registered interest in the round in the first 12 hours of the campaign launch.
When the Series A closes, Plum said that it expects the total funding to date to have topped US$43.3 million and its valuation to have tripled since the company’s last funding round in July 2020.
The round is led by a consortium of noted investors, including new partners dmg ventures and Ventura Capital, who have previously invested in scaleups such as Cazoo and Farewill (dmg) and Railsbank (Ventura).
The new investors are joined in this round by previous Plum backers Global Brain, VentureFriends and 500 Startups.
Plum&#8217;s fundraise also saw the participation of angel investors Francesco Simoneschi, CEO &amp; co-founder of Truelayer, Charles Delingpole, founder and CEO of ComplyAdvantage, and Hugh Strange, VP of Product at Nubank.
The company, which has European bases in Athens and Nicosia, is expected to receive regulatory approval to offer investments in the EU, which will allow Plum to give customers in France, Spain and Ireland access to its US stocks product when it goes live later in the year.
Plum is also planning to offer more assets, building on its forthcoming stocks launch with EU and UK stocks, as well as crypto as an asset class by mid-2022.
Victor Trokoudes
Victor Trokoudes, CEO and Co-founder of Plum said,
“Wealth for all is our mission and we’ve made some great strides towards making that reality this year, expanding our user base massively and delivering a product that looks more-and-more like a financial super app.
 
With the help of this new investment and our upcoming crowdfund, our app will become the natural choice for anyone in Europe looking to improve their finances for the long-term.”
 
The post London Fintech Plum Bags US$14 Million in First Close of Its Series A appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/london-fintech-plum-bags-us14-million-in-first-close-of-its-series-a</link><guid>2298</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>London Fintech Plum Bags US$14 Million in First Close of Its Series A</dc:text></item><item><title>Newly Minted Unicorn Zopa Raises £220 Million Led by Softbank Ahead of IPO</title><description><![CDATA[Zopa, London-based peer-to-peer lender and digital bank, announced its latest fundraise of £220 million led by Softbank Vision Fund 2 ahead of plans for an initial public offering (IPO) by late 2022 in London.
CNBC reports that Zopa is now one of the latest unicorns in the UK with a US$1 billion valuation following the fundraise.
The round is also supported by a number of existing investors including Silverstripe, Northzone and Augmentum.
The company said that it is focused on building a sustainable, profitable business model which works for its customers and shareholders.
Zopa was granted a full banking license in the UK following which the company had launched credit cards and savings accounts.
The firm added that it had attracted £675 million in deposits for its fixed savings accounts and issued 150,000 credit cards a year after the full launch of its bank.
Zopa said in a statement,
&#8220;We are focused on building a sustainable, profitable business model which works for our customers and our shareholders. This is close to becoming a reality as we are on track to hit profitability within the next 10 weeks, making Zopa one of the fastest digital banks in the UK to do so, just 18 months after gaining our full bank license. We have some exciting new products in the pipeline and we can’t wait to share them with the world soon.&#8221;
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/newly-minted-unicorn-zopa-raises-220-million-led-by-softbank-ahead-of-ipo</link><guid>2299</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Newly Minted Unicorn Zopa Raises £220 Million Led by Softbank Ahead of IPO</dc:text></item><item><title>Tala Raises US$145 Million Series E, Plans to Roll Out Crypto Products</title><description><![CDATA[Tala, a Californian digital financial services provider in emerging markets, announced that it has secured a US$145 million Series E fundraise led by Upstart with participation from the Stellar Development Foundation.
New investors Kindred Ventures and the J. Safra Group also joined, along with existing investors IVP, Revolution Growth, PayPal Ventures, and Lowercase Capital, to bring Tala&#8217;s total funding to more than US$350 million.
Tala said that it use this investment to provide those services and accelerate the rollout of its new financial account experience.
The company will also work to develop mass-market crypto products for emerging markets to help make crypto solutions more affordable and equitable for those who need them most.
Tala has reportedly has 6 million users and disbursed more than US$2.7 billion across Kenya, the Philippines, Mexico, and India to start and expand small businesses and manage day-to-day needs.
The company is headquartered in Santa Monica with offices in Nairobi, Manila, Mexico City, and Bangalore.
Tala said in a statement,
&#8220;At Tala, we’re working to build the world’s most accessible financial services. More than 6 million people have used our app to pursue their financial goals with confidence, all from their phone. Previously overlooked, our customers continue to drive the success and evolution of our product.&#8221;
 

The post Tala Raises US$145 Million Series E, Plans to Roll Out Crypto Products appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/tala-raises-us145-million-series-e-plans-to-roll-out-crypto-products</link><guid>2297</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/AM-2.png?x27302</dc:content ><dc:text>Tala Raises US$145 Million Series E, Plans to Roll Out Crypto Products</dc:text></item><item><title>Neobank N26 Secures US$900 Million Series E, Now Valued at US$9 Billion</title><description><![CDATA[German neobank N26 announced a record-breaking US$900+ million Series E funding round which increases the company&#8217;s valuation to more than US$9 billion.
The round was led by renowned New York-based tech investors Third Point Ventures and Coatue Management, and joined by Dragoneer Investment Group as well as N26&#8217;s existing investors.
N26 was also supported by Goldman Sachs Bank Europe who acted as a placement agent for the round.
The firm said that it will use its fresh funding to significantly expand its mobile banking experience.
N26 will also scale its global team further, and aims to bring on board 1,000 new team members in the coming years, with a particular focus on the areas of product, technology and cybersecurity.
In addition, N26 will significantly expand its employee equity pool, while broadening Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) participation to 100% of its employees.
Valentin Stalf
Valentin Stalf, CEO and co-Founder of N26 said,
&#8220;This recent financing round solidifies the fact that retail banking as we know it has changed. With our fresh capital, we are in prime position to become one of the biggest retail banks in Europe, all without a single branch.&#8221;
Maximilian Tayenthal
Maximilian Tayenthal, Co-CEO and co-Founder of N26 said,
&#8220;It is hugely important to us that we can share the success of N26 with our employees. Without them, we would not be the company we are today.&#8221;
 
The post Neobank N26 Secures US$900 Million Series E, Now Valued at US$9 Billion appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/neobank-n26-secures-us900-million-series-e-now-valued-at-us9-billion</link><guid>2296</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Neobank N26 Secures US$900 Million Series E, Now Valued at US$9 Billion</dc:text></item><item><title>Virtual Debit/Credit Cards Take Off Amid Rising Theft, Digital Shift</title><description><![CDATA[Around the world, virtual debit and credit cards are on the rise, a trend brought about by COVID-19. In Switzerland, neobanks, incumbents and card issuers are waking up to the shift, launching new products to address evolving customer demand and expectations.
At the start of 2020, physical cards were still favored for the majority of transactions but since the pandemic, usage of virtual cards started picking up alongside digital payments. Data from US expense management and business budgeting software Divvy show that virtual card transactions climbed to make up more than 50% of business card transactions in March 2020, up from less than 40% in January and February.
In 2020, out of the total number of Divvy cards issued, 93% of these were virtual cards, showcasing how businesses have been quick to embrace them.
Virtual and physical transaction counts in 2020, Source: Divvy, March 2021
Credit Suisse forecasts virtual card payments to reach US$286 billion in volume in 2021, rising at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19% between 2017 and 2020.
Virtual card payments growth, Source: Credit Suisse, January 2021
Booming credit card theft has been a driving force for growth in the virtual credit card market. In 2019, payment card fraud losses reached US$28.65 billion worldwide, according to a Nilson Report data. Experts warn that credit card fraud will only increase in the years to come amid the economic downturn, with losses estimated to rise to US$34.66 billion in 2022.
What virtual cards are and how they work
Virtual debit and credit cards are digital alternatives to physical bank cards. But instead of existing physically, they only exist digitally. They are stored in digital wallets and used typically through a mobile banking app.
Using a virtual card is similar to using a real credit card. Payments at point-of-sale (POS) terminals in physical stores are done using the virtual card in combination with a mobile payment platform like Apple Pay or Google Pay.
For online payments and card-not-present (CNP) transactions, users simply need to enter the card number, expiry date, and verification code as they would with a physical, conventional credit card.
Virtual cards have a number of benefits, including increased security since the card cannot be physically stolen, easy cancellation as users can freeze and delete their virtual card on demand through their mobile app, as well as seamless management and spend limit which can be set and modified conveniently through the app. Also, some providers offer the ability to create temporary virtual cards for one-time use with a set budget, an expiration date or a spending limit.
Virtual cards are typically linked to a digital platform that features personal finance management tools and instant notifications, providing greater visibility and control. It can also include personalized security features such as fingerprint ID and PIN verification.
Another important advantage is that virtual cards are available almost immediately after the account is opened, and customers don’t need to wait to receive their physical card to start making payments.
Limited options and the list is growing
In Switzerland, virtual card options are still limited but growing in number. Out of the six service providers serving the Swiss retail market, five are digital banks and neobanking platforms, according to information compiled by local online comparison platform Moneyland.ch.
N26, a digital bank from Germany, Revolut, a neobank from the UK, Wise, a UK-based cross-border payments specialist, Yapeal, a Swiss app-based banking platform, and Swiss Bankers, a provider of card-based and account-independent peer-to-peer (P2P) money transfer services, all provide their customers with virtual cards.
Wise customers can have access to as many as three digital cards on their account, while Revolut customers can add up to five standard virtual cards, in addition to unlimited disposable cards which can only be used for one transaction.
UBS is currently the only bank in Switzerland to provide a virtual credit card, an offering it launched in November 2020.
Virtual business credit cards also exist, and are issued by Cornercard and Swisscard. 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/virtual-debitcredit-cards-take-off-amid-rising-theft-digital-shift</link><guid>2295</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Virtual-and-physical-transaction-counts-in-2020-Source-Divvy-March-2021.jpeg?x27302</dc:content ><dc:text>Virtual Debit/Credit Cards Take Off Amid Rising Theft, Digital Shift</dc:text></item><item><title>Revolut Bank Continues Rollout Across Europe; Launches in Austria</title><description><![CDATA[UK digital banking unicorn Revolut has started operating as a bank in Austria, marking the 13th country in which it is launching as a licensed specialized bank.
Revolut Bank secured a specialized banking license from the Bank of Lithuania in 2018, which allows it to accept deposits and offer consumer credits. Since then, the company has started allowing existing customers in more than 10 European countries to switch to Revolut Bank, taking advantage of European passporting rules to onboard customers from Poland, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Estonia, Greece, Latvia, Malta, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and, most recently, Austria.
In the remaining European Economic Area (EEA) member states, Revolut is maintaining its services using its e-money license. In addition to Europe, Revolut also operates in Australia, Singapore, Switzerland, Japan and the US.
Founded in 2015, Revolut has grown into one of the dominant consumer fintech firms in Europe by constantly introducing new features and capabilities. Today, the company offers a wide range of products and services including GBP and EUR bank accounts, debit cards, fee-free currency exchange, stock trading, cryptocurrency exchange, and peer-to-peer (P2P) payments.

This past year has seen Revolut applying for several new licenses as the company continues to expand its offering and diversify its revenue streams in the 30+ markets it operates in.
Revolut is now seeking a banking license in both the UK and Australia. In the US, the startup has applied for a bank charter via applications with the FDIC and the California Department of Financial Protection.
Last month, Revolut secured a US broker-dealer license, enabling it to compete against the likes of Robinhood in the red-hot neobrokerage space, CEO and founder Nikolay Storonsky told CNBC.
The company is currently testing its stock trading service which will allow users to buy exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and shares of companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Nasdaq Stock Exchange.
Ron Oliveira, head of Revolut’s US business told the media outlet that the service will be available in the coming months and will allow for fractional share purchases and investing spare change from card transactions.
Another product in the pipeline is a cryptographic token that would give holders several benefits.
“It’s a ‘Revolut users earn a token’ type of thing, similar to Wirex and Nexo,” a source told CoinDesk. The Wirex Token and the Nexo Token are both designed to reward holders and customers of their respective platforms through for example discounts and interests.
Headquartered in London, Revolut is the most valuable UK tech startup in history and the eighth biggest private company in the world, worth an estimated US$33 billion, according to CB Insights.
Revolut has more than 16 million customers worldwide and sees over 150 million transactions per month. The company is aiming for a public listing in the UK, the US or perhaps a dual listing, Storonsky told CNBC.
Storonsky, which owns more than 20% of Revolut, joined the billionaire club last year, becoming Britain’s first fintech billionaire, according to the Telegraph’s Tech Hot 100, a ranking of the 100 richest startup founders in the country. Storonsky surpassed Kristo Käärmann (GBP 768 million) and Taavet Hinrikus (GBP 529 million), Wise’s co-founders.
Earlier this year, he opened a family office in London, raising the possibility that the founder could begin investing part of his now estimated US$7 billion wealth into tech startups.
Storonsky has so far backed one startup, according to CB Insights data, joining in early 2019 Tink’s EUR 56 million funding round. Tink is a Swedish open banking startup. In June 2021, Visa agreed to acquire the company for EUR 1.8 billion.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/revolut-bank-continues-rollout-across-europe-launches-in-austria</link><guid>2294</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/revolut--1024x683.png?x27302</dc:content ><dc:text>Revolut Bank Continues Rollout Across Europe; Launches in Austria</dc:text></item><item><title>6 Fast-Growing Fintech and Blockchain Startups from Zug</title><description><![CDATA[Within the Greater Zurich Area, Zug has emerged as a hotspot for fintech startups, home to some of the world largest and most renowned blockchain projects and networks including Ethereum, Cardano and Polkadot.
The canton is primarily known for hosting the so-called Crypto Valley, the largest blockchain and distributed ledger technology (DLT) ecosystem worldwide that now counts over 430 blockchain-focused startups and organizations. But it also features a vast and diverse community of fintechs involved in other segments including digital banking and trading.
To get a sense of some of the hottest fintech startups from Zug, we’ve selected six fast-growing companies that have made notable strides over the past year, either by receiving backing from prominent investors, securing regulatory approval, or because they’ve recorded strong growth, and which are now worth watching closely.
For this list, we’ve excluded public networks and infrastructures with trading tokens, and focused on independent, venture capital (VC)-backed startups headquartered in Zug.
Bitcoin Suisse

Founded in 2013, Bitcoin Suisse is a regulated financial intermediary offering prime brokerage, trading, custody, lending, staking and other crypto-financial services for private and institutional clients.
A cryptocurrency pioneer and market leader, Bitcoin Suisse has helped shape the crypto and blockchain ecosystem in Switzerland, acting as a driving force in the development of the Crypto Valley and Crypto Nation Switzerland.
Over the past year, the company has witnessed strong growth with revenue jumping to CHF 70.3 million in H1 2021, from CHF 14.3 million in H1 2020, it said in a shareholder update. The Zug-based company said profit was at an eight-year record but didn’t disclose the number. In the past 18 months, it increased headcount from 120 to 260.
Bitcoin Suisse has raised US$50.5 million in funding and is worth US$450 million, according to blockchain-focused VC investor CV VC.
SEBA Bank

SEBA Bank, a Swiss bank licensed by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA), is a pioneer in the financial industry, providing a bridge between digital and traditional assets.
The company claims to be the only global smart bank providing a fully universal suite of regulated banking services in the emerging digital economy, allowing clients to invest, safely keep, trade and borrow against traditional and digital assets, as well as issue tokens all in one place.
In September 2021, SEBA Bank became the custodian bank focused on digital assets to be granted a license to custody collective investment schemes. The new license extends SEBA Bank’s fully integrated digital asset investment activities by offering digital custody services for Swiss domiciled mutual funds
SEBA Bank has raised US$136 million in funding and is worth US$360 million, according to CV VC.
Smart Valor

Founded in 2017, Smart Valor operates a fully compliant digital asset and crypto exchange, allowing users to trade cryptocurrencies including bitcoin and ether. The platform features advanced trading tools, staking services, security and custody, and support for many fiat currencies including CHF, EUR, GBP and the USD.
On top of its infrastructure, Smart Valor has built out a decentralized marketplace for non-fungible tokens (NFTs), derivatives and security tokens.
Smart Valor, which operates under a license from the Financial Market Authority Liechtenstein (FMA), is eyeing a distributed ledger technology (DLT) stock exchange license in Switzerland, co-founder and chair Olga Feldmeier told Swissinfo in October 2021.
The company recently raised CHF 3 million in funding and is now looking at a range of European exchanges on which to list, including Deutsche Boerse and Swedish-based Nasdaq First North Growth Market, she told the media outlet.
21Shares

21Shares, formerly Amun, aims to provide investors with an easy, secure, and regulated way to buy, sell, and short cryptocurrencies through existing bank and brokerage accounts.
It does so by issuing crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs). ETPs are securities that offer investors exposure to the cryptocurrency market without having to worry about custody or owning the underlying asset. By investing through an ETP, investors can benefit from institutional-class custody, simplified trading through a standard brokerage account, greater liquidity, and transparent trading. 21Shares’ crypto ETPs are currently tradable on nine European exchanges including SIX, Xetra and Euronext.
As of October 5, 2021, 21Shares managed more than US$2 billion in 17 cryptocurrency ETPs and 77 listings, including the world’s only ETPs tracking Binance, the Crypto Index Basket and two ETPs with investor staking rewards (Tezos and Solana).
21Shares has raised US$7.5 million in funding and is worth US$250 million in funding, according to CV VC.
Open Mineral

Open Mineral is an online exchange for physical commodities. Founded in 2017, Open Mineral’s cloud-based exchange platform directly connects concentrate producers with smelters and offers tender management, trade execution services, contract execution monitoring, document tracking, and exchange as well as reporting and analytics, enabling producers to increase profitability through efficient, direct and transparent transactions.
Open Mineral says its platform has registered more than 900 metals and mining companies across the world. The startup has raised more than US$40 million in funding, including a US$33 million Series C funding round in September.
Klarpay

Klarpay is an early stage startup freshly licensed by FINMA building what it claims to be the first borderless multi-currency account in Switzerland dedicated to e-commerce, digital entrepreneurs and social media influencers.
When live, Klarpay will be offering over 436 payment acceptance methods in more than 96 regions. Additionally, Klarpay will be able to disburse funds to 169 countries in 65 locally preferred methods. Customers will be able to store funds in CHF, EUR, USD, GBP and other currencies, in Swiss IBAN accounts.
The company plans to start onboarding clients by the end of the 2021. According to Crunchbase, Klarpay raised US$1.1 million in pre-seed last year. Founders Martynas Bieliauskas and Mihkel Vitsur have also contributed their own capital of US$6.5 million.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/6-fast-growing-fintech-and-blockchain-startups-from-zug</link><guid>2293</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/bitcoin-suisse-switzerland-hottest-startups-300x96.png?x27302</dc:content ><dc:text>6 Fast-Growing Fintech and Blockchain Startups from Zug</dc:text></item><item><title>Payments Firm SumUp Acquires Fivestars for US$317 Million</title><description><![CDATA[SumUp, a London-based global payments service provider, announced the acquisition of Fivestars, America&#8217;s commerce network that combines a marketing platform with integrated payments, for US$317 million in a mix of cash and stock.
The acquisition will enable both companies to offer essential payments and marketing automation services to small business owners across the U.S. and globally.
Fivestars&#8217; San-Francisco-based team, including its CEO and co-founder, Victor Ho, will remain in their roles and continue to operate the firm.
The deal is SumUp&#8217;s first acquisition in the U.S. and will provide the company with access to the more than 70 million consumer members and 12,000 small businesses within Fivestars&#8217;s network, which currently drives over US$3 billion in sales and 100 million transactions per year.
Following a €750 million raise in March 2021, SumUp has reportedly grown to support over three million merchant users in 34 markets.
Marc-Alexander Christ
Marc-Alexander Christ, Co-founder of SumUp said,
&#8220;SumUp is a market leader because of our support for, and belief in, small businesses. Our global community of merchants has battled through lockdowns and volatility and we&#8217;re confident that this acquisition will further energize the U.S.&#8217;s recovering small business economy.
 
Now is the time to make sure our presence is as strong in the U.S. as it is in Europe and, by acquiring Fivestars, SumUp will deliver for U.S.-based merchants as it has in other international markets,&#8221;
Victor Ho
Victor Ho, Co-founder and CEO, Fivestars said,
&#8220;We founded Fivestars to give small businesses the opportunity to thrive in the digital economy and over the years, we&#8217;ve achieved just that.
 
Understanding that SumUp shares this mission, it was an easy decision to partner, and together, we look forward to supporting a retail market that champions small business success.&#8221;
 

The post Payments Firm SumUp Acquires Fivestars for US$317 Million appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/payments-firm-sumup-acquires-fivestars-for-us317-million</link><guid>2292</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/AM-1.png?x27302</dc:content ><dc:text>Payments Firm SumUp Acquires Fivestars for US$317 Million</dc:text></item><item><title>Facebook to Hire 10,000 New European Talent to Help Build Its Metaverse</title><description><![CDATA[Social media giant Facebook announced its plan to create 10,000 new high-skilled jobs within the European Union (EU) over the next five years to help build its &#8220;metaverse&#8221;.
The computing platform is a a new phase of interconnected virtual experiences using technologies like virtual and augmented reality.
In September, Facebook had a announced a US$50 million investment in global research and programme partners to ensure these products are developed responsibly.
Facebook believes that the metaverse has the potential to help unlock access to new creative, social and economic opportunities.
Mark Zuckerberg himself has in the past discussed his desire to transition Facebook into a metaverse company, seeing it as the next logical step for the social media network.
Nick Clegg, VP Global Affairs, and Javier Olivan, VP Central Products said,
&#8220;As we begin the journey of bringing the metaverse to life, the need for highly specialised engineers is one of Facebook’s most pressing priorities. We look forward to working with governments across the EU to find the right people and the right markets to take this forward, as part of an upcoming recruitment drive across the region. And as Facebook continues to grow in Europe, we hope to invest more in its talent and continue to innovate in Europe, for Europe and the world.&#8221;
The post Facebook to Hire 10,000 New European Talent to Help Build Its Metaverse appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/facebook-to-hire-10000-new-european-talent-to-help-build-its-metaverse</link><guid>2291</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Facebook to Hire 10,000 New European Talent to Help Build Its Metaverse</dc:text></item><item><title>German Asset Manager DWS Group Acquires Minority Stake in Smart Pension</title><description><![CDATA[Smart, a global savings and investments technology platform provider based in London, announced that DWS Group has acquired a minority stake in the firm by joining its £165 million series D funding round.
The DWS Group is a German asset management company with €859 billion in assets under management (AUM), was formerly a part of Deutsche Bank.
The group spun off to became a separate entity through an initial public offering on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in 2018.
Existing investors Chrysalis Investments who led the Series D fundraise with a £75 million investment and was joined by Barclays, J.P. Morgan, Legal &amp; General Investment Management, Link Group and Natixis Investment Managers.
Smart&#8217;s technology powers their own captive master trust, one of the “big four” UK auto enrolment master trusts, as well as partnering with major financial institutions internationally including Zurich in Dubai, and New Ireland Assurance in Ireland.
Smart’s technology platform serves close to a million savers, and is on a trajectory to support 5 million savers over the next 24 months, having grown from £100m AUM to £2bn in just over two years.
Mark Cullen
Mark Cullen, member of the Executive Board of DWS Group and Chief Operating Officer said,
“Acquiring a minority stake in Smart is an exciting investment opportunity for DWS given the outlook for growth in defined contribution pension savings both in the UK and globally.
 
We believe that the strength of Smart’s technology platform underpins their current success and that the asset management capabilities of DWS have the potential to help Smart to achieve its global ambitions.”
Co-founders of Smart, Will Wynne and Andrew Evans said in a joint statement,
“Alongside our other strategic investors, we are delighted to announce DWS Group as an investor in Smart.
 
With strategic partners like DWS Group, and our existing stable of investors, we are in a great place to continue executing to deliver on that, providing governments, financial institutions, employers and savers across the world with a better financial future.”
 
Featured image: Co-founders of Smart, Will Wynne and Andrew Evans, image via Smart
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/german-asset-manager-dws-group-acquires-minority-stake-in-smart-pension</link><guid>2290</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>German Asset Manager DWS Group Acquires Minority Stake in Smart Pension</dc:text></item><item><title>Marc Hauser Appointed as New Head of F10 Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[Fintech incubator and accelerator F10 announced that it has appointed Marc Hauser as new Head of Switzerland and a member of its global leadership team.
&#x200d;Gerrit Sindermann, who has been leading F10 Switzerland until recently, decided to pursue new endeavours outside F10, but will still be supporting F10 until the end of this year.
Marc will be responsible for leading the Swiss team in achieving F10’s mission of shaping the future of banking and insurance.
In his new role, he will focus on supporting startups to transform their ideas into successful companies and facilitating successful collaborations with F10&#8217;s corporate partners.
With his extensive experience in both corporate and entrepreneurial environments, the F10 team gains an experienced team member with a track-record on both sides.
Marc will be working closely with corporate partners, investors and industry experts in growing F10’s footprint in Switzerland and strengthening the Swiss fintech and insurtech ecosystem.
He has forged a distinguished career in the financial service industry, combining an entrepreneurial background with banking and strategy consulting experience.
Marc has co-founded two startups and supported startups in his role at the Institut fürJungunternehmen. In his most recent position he acted as co-founder, COO and Chief Growth Officer for F10 Alumni Startup advaisor AG.
At UBS Wealth Management he held positions across the value chain from product development to sales management and the digital offerings.
Prior to his career at UBS, he experienced formative years working in strategy consultancies, such as Roland Berger.
Marc holds a Master in Strategy &amp; International Management from the University of St. Gallen and an MBA in Finance from the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.
Andreas Iten
“We are very excited to welcome Marc to the team.
 
With his drive, international experience, business development acumen and in-depth knowledge in banking, entrepreneurship and innovation, he will strongly contribute to the growth of F10,&#8221;
said Andreas Iten, CEO and Co-Founder of F10.
Marc Hauser
Marc said on his new role,
&#8220;F10 has an impressive history and created all the relevant building blocks to enable innovation in the financial industry.
 
I am greatly looking forward to working with corporate partners, startups, investors and mentors to strengthen Switzerland’s position in the fintech and insurtech innovation landscape.&#8221;
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/marc-hauser-appointed-as-new-head-of-f10-switzerland</link><guid>2287</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Marc Hauser Appointed as New Head of F10 Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Embedded Finance Firm Alviere Raises US$70 Million in Funding</title><description><![CDATA[Alviere, a New York-based embedded finance platform offering single-integration plug and play software services, announced that it had raised US$70 million of new funding.
This latest round includes the participation of existing investors Viola Ventures, Viola Fintech and CommerzVentures, as well as Cleveland-based, North Coast Ventures.
Other participants in the round include Opera Tech Ventures and the VC arm of BNP Paribas.
This capital will be used to accelerate Alviere’s go-to-market plans as well as expand beyond North America to Europe and Latin America.
In April, Alviere closed a US$20 million Series A led by Viola Ventures and Viola Fintech, with the participation of CommerzVentures, Mitsubishi Capital Corporation, Wix.com Capital, Draper Triangle Ventures, Cross River Bank Capital, CERCA Partners and more.
The company added another US$50 million investment in a Series B after that.
Yuval Brisker
Yuval Brisker, CEO and co-founder of Alviere said,
“With Alviere’s industry leading technology and expertise, brands who never considered the idea, can now launch a highly lucrative, immediately profitable new line of business.
 
Our embedded finance solution can easily and quickly deliver ‘everything personal finance’ to your customers, deepening customer relationships and insights while dramatically increasing bottom line revenue.”

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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/embedded-finance-firm-alviere-raises-us70-million-in-funding</link><guid>2288</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/AM-1.png?x27302</dc:content ><dc:text>Embedded Finance Firm Alviere Raises US$70 Million in Funding</dc:text></item><item><title>Halo Investing Bags Over US$100 Million Series C, Plans to Set up Office in the UAE</title><description><![CDATA[Halo Investing, a Chicago-based multi-issuer technology platform for protective investment solutions, announced that it has raised over US$ 100 million in Series C funding.
The latest fundraising round was led by Owl Capital and included the Mubadala-backed US$ 1 billion fund managed by Abu Dhabi Catalyst Partners, in addition to existing investors Allianz Life Ventures and William Blair.
As a result of Abu Dhabi Catalyst Partners’ investment, Halo will open an office at Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) to drive the growth of its international footprint in the protective investing landscape.
Halo, which has raised US$ 120 million to date, will use the proceeds to continue to expand, disrupt, and democratise access to innovative protective investment options that can increase savings and investment returns for individuals.
The firm plans to invest in new markets, enter into more distribution channels and expand into new asset classes.
Biju Kulathakal
“We are building a one-of-a-kind technology platform to level the playing field for investors. Individuals are living longer and continue to struggle with saving enough for retirement.
 
Our platform provides easy and transparent access to investment solutions that can help solve this savings crisis. The future of investing is outcome-based. We are proud of the impact we are making in helping individuals secure their financial futures.
said Biju Kulathakal, Co-Founder &amp; CEO of Halo.
 

The post Halo Investing Bags Over US$100 Million Series C, Plans to Set up Office in the UAE appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/halo-investing-bags-over-us100-million-series-c-plans-to-set-up-office-in-the-uae</link><guid>2289</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/AM-2.png?x27302</dc:content ><dc:text>Halo Investing Bags Over US$100 Million Series C, Plans to Set up Office in the UAE</dc:text></item><item><title>Advisory Firm Nebula Capital Partners Set to Launch BNPL-Focused Fund</title><description><![CDATA[London-based advisory firm Nebula Capital Partners (NCP) is launching a fintech lending focused fund project which bridges the gap between traditional and digital finance.
NCP aims to bring the emerging asset classes of digital lending and embedded finance to professional and institutional investors as part of this broader strategy.
i2 group, provider of lending solutions, will assist NCP by collaborating with Swiss Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) firm HeidiPay to provide its proprietary software, IT and structuring services.
Thanks to the partnership with HeidiPay, NCP’s investors can gain access to a disruptive consumer finance product which is set to capitalise on the strengths of digital-native BNPL offerings.
Gregor Stadelmann
Gregor Stadelmann, CEO of i2 group said,
“Our structuring and software solutions will provide NCP with an effortless platform and interface for handling and monitoring of funding and management processes while offering the possibility to easily integrate further partners in the project.
 
We believe to have found a great partner in NCP and Markus Hunold specifically. We are excited to help create new funding sources for the fintech lending sector while providing investors with access to this attractive opportunity.”
Markus Hunold
Markus Hunold, Founder of Nebula Capital Partners said,
“By combining i2 group’s strengths in technology and structuring services with our domain specific expertise, investors can get institutional-grade access to an innovative, easily accessible and scalable investment product, which aims to deliver strong risk adjusted returns with low market correlation.”
 
 
Featured image: The founders of i2 invest. From left to right: Marco Müller, Gregor Stadelmann, Markus Benz, Dominik Hertig.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/advisory-firm-nebula-capital-partners-set-to-launch-bnpl-focused-fund</link><guid>2284</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Advisory Firm Nebula Capital Partners Set to Launch BNPL-Focused Fund</dc:text></item><item><title>7 Must-Know Fintech Startups from Geneva</title><description><![CDATA[Geneva, a leading international financial center, is seeing the emergence of a burgeoning fintech sector. Today, the region is home to some 39 fintech companies that cover various segments ranging from blockchain and crowdfunding, to regtech and wealthtech.
To keep up with Geneva’s fast-evolving fintech landscape, we’ve compiled a list of the most noteworthy fintech startups from the city. These have made notable strides over the past years, and are worth keeping a close eye on.
Komgo

Komgo is a software development and technology services company. It is the creator of a blockchain technology-based platform that digitalizes trade finance, automating finance transactions and allowing banks, traders and other participants to transact, manage and monitor deals in real time, boosting up transparency of trade operations.
Komgo offers four main product lines: Konsole, which connects corporates and banks for documentary credit workflows and data exchanges; Market, for price discovery and deal execution; Check, for the digital exchange of data and documents with external parties; and Trakk, which allows for the creation of smart digital documents with embedded metadata and built-in audit trail functionality.
Komgo is backed by more than a dozen banks, commodity houses and trading companies. In May 2021, it closed its third funding round with more than CHF26 million in new equity raised.
Mt Pelerin

Mt Pelerin is a regulated Swiss fintech company providing products and services aimed at bridging the crypto world with traditional finance.
Its two core products today are Bridge Wallet, a mobile app that allows users to easily invest in Bitcoin and Ethereum assets, and the Bridge Protocol, an open source asset tokenization technology.
Mt Pelerin is also working on a comprehensive banking offering featuring a full reserve account where 100% of deposits would be kept in the safe in Switzerland. It will be natively global with multi-currency crypto-fiat IBANs, fully tokenized and connected to digital asset marketplaces.
Mt Pelerin was bootstrapped by its own community through an equity crowdfunding that raised more than US$2 million in 2018, and was the first company to offer tokenized shared with full voting and dividend rights to the public.
Taurus

Founded in 2018, Taurus is a digital assets and blockchain specialist. It claims to have developed the most advanced and most complete digital asset platform in the industry that allows financial institutions to issue/onboard, manage, and book any type of tokenized securities and digital currencies on one unified platform
Taurus received a securities firm license in April 2021 from the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) and secured that same month over CHF 10 million in a Series A funding round.
In July, Taurus was selected to join the new Mastercard Start Path cryptocurrency and blockchain program. In the program, Taurus will be collaborating on the most promising and relevant use cases with Mastercard’s own digital asset teams as well as with its worldwide ecosystem of customers and partners.
SwissLending

Founded in 2015, SwissLending claims it is the largest crowdlending platform in the country that has facilitated more than 30 loans worth in excess of CHF 135 million.
SwissLending specializes in loans for real estate professionals, connecting qualified/accredited investors with real estate developers. It provides debt, equity and land banking investment opportunities in Switzerland, France and Luxembourg.
SwissLending offers relatively short-term investments. Debt investments can generally be recovered between 6 to 24 months depending on the duration of the work. The minimum investment varies by project.
Foxstone

Established in 2016, Foxstone is a real estate crowdfunding platform offering a turnkey service to invest in the Swiss real estate starting with just CHF 25,000.
The platform offers a vast category for selection and easy access, allowing property owners and real estate sponsors to enter into contact with potential acquirers or lenders.
Through Foxstone, investors can either purchase shares in rented investment in co-ownership and collect rental income, or directly lend to real estate developers and collect a fixed amount of interest.
Since launching its platform in 2018, Foxstone has grown to a community of over 12,000 investors. The platform has helped members become co-owners of 24 buildings worth CHF 104 million.
In June 2020, Foxstone raised a “multi-million dollar investment” from investors including Vaudoise Assurances.
Wecan Group

Founded in 2015, Wecan is a Swiss-based company first active in the crowdfunding space before pivoting to blockchain technology in 2018.
Today, Wecan co-creates, run and scale joint ventures that leverage blockchain technology. In addition, it also offers two products: Wecan Comply, a platform that simplifies the compliance processes between banks and external asset managers, and Wecan Tokenize, a platform to issue, distribute and custody digital assets.
Wecan has already won over many private banks including Geneva-based Pictet, Bank Julius Baer, Lombard Odier, UBP, Mirabaud, Edmond de Rothschild, Syz and Reyl. Major independent asset managers such as Swisspartners, Bedrock and Stanhope Capital are also using the company’s solutions.
Wecan raised nearly CHF 2 million in late 2018.
InvestGlass

InvestGlass is the developer of a client and prospect management platform for bankers, wealth managers, advisers and family officers. Its all-in-one customer relationship management (CRM) is designed to facilitate more efficient prospecting and onboarding of new clients, as well as the management of relationships with existing clients.
InvestGlass’ product core features regroup customizable forms, CRM integrations, mix digital and paper, monitoring and remediation, score and client classification, smart conditional logic, approval processes, and automation.
The company serves about 60 banks and asset managers. In addition to Geneva, it has offices in Singapore, Madrid and Panama.
The post 7 Must-Know Fintech Startups from Geneva appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/7-must-know-fintech-startups-from-geneva</link><guid>2285</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Komgo.png?x27302</dc:content ><dc:text>7 Must-Know Fintech Startups from Geneva</dc:text></item><item><title>London Fintech 9fin Secures £8 Million Series A Led by Swiss VC Redalpine</title><description><![CDATA[9fin, a London-based provider of data, news and predictive analytics for debt capital markets, has announced an £8 million Series A round to fuel its expansion into the US.
The company will expand into the US market by opening a New York-based office following strong client demand.
Initial hiring in New York will focus on content, analytics and business operations. 9fin is also hiring across its sales, marketing, product and engineering teams.
9fin expects to double its current team of 30 people before the end of the year.
The latest investment was led by Swiss venture firm Redalpine, alongside previous investor in the company, Fly Ventures.
Angel investors Paul Forster, Co-Founder of Indeed, and Alan Morgan, Co-Founder of MMC Ventures, also participated along with Ilavska Vuillermoz Capital and a number of high net worth individuals.
To date 9fin has secured over £10 million in funding, including backing from Seedcamp and AI Seed Fund.
9fin&#8217;s tech platform uses machine learning and computer vision to extract and standardise debt capital markets data in real time.
The company&#8217;s predictive analytics helps its customers save time, spot trading opportunities and increase their share of the $65bn of debt capital markets fees earned by advisors each year.
Within the last year, the company has quadrupled its number of clients, tripled the size of its team and partnered with the European Leveraged Finance Association on legal data and analytics.
Steven Hunter
Steven Hunter, Co-Founder and CEO of 9fin said,
&#8220;We&#8217;re delighted to have the backing of new and existing investors in this round. The Redalpine team has a very strong track record of fintech investments.
 
We&#8217;re excited to welcome Aleksandra to our board, lending her capital markets and operational expertise to our team. This fundraise will allow us to rapidly scale and bring similar benefits to new customers, asset classes and geographies.&#8221;
 
Featured image: 9fin&#8217;s Co-Founders &#8211; Hussam EL-Sheikh and Steven Hunter 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/london-fintech-9fin-secures-8-million-series-a-led-by-swiss-vc-redalpine</link><guid>2286</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>London Fintech 9fin Secures £8 Million Series A Led by Swiss VC Redalpine</dc:text></item><item><title>Yokoy Co-Founder and CMO Shares Ambitions, Expansion Plans</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss spend management specialist Yokoy is on an expansion spree. After launching in Austria and Germany less than a year ago, the startup is already planning to conquer new markets, Yokoy co-founder and CMO Melanie Gabriel told Fintech News Switzerland in an interview.
Melanie Gabriel
“This year, we have established branches in Germany and Austria,”
Gabriel said.
“Soon, other European countries will follow and we are also thinking about expanding intercontinentally. The aim is for people to think of Yokoy first when they hear the keyword spend management.”
Founded in 2019 as Expense Robot, Yokoy uses artificial intelligence (AI) to automate spend management for medium and large enterprises, combining expense management, supplier invoice management and smart corporate cards into one platform.
Yokoy is targeted at companies with high special requirements when it comes to security, user administration, the mapping of complex workflows, standardizations and integration, Gabriel said, noting that the AI-powered system is able to capture accounting documents in all major languages and in almost all writing systems.
“These companies have a diverse software environment into which Yokoy has to be integrated, and we are able to do that,”
Gabriel said.
“Our software is prepared to exchange information with standard business software. All standard interfaces and the products of all important providers, including SAP, are supported.”
AI plays a key role in Yokoy’s spend management software, allowing for automation, improved efficiency and reduced risks. Hence, expertise in AI is one of the startup’s core competencies, Gabriel said.
“It’s not just about digitizing an expense voucher or a receipt or an invoice. Correctly recognizing the numbers and letters contained on such a piece of paper is only the beginning. Further, it is also about discovering the meaning of these characters” depending on the context, country and language, she explained.
“We have trained our AI with millions of examples. What’s more: the software can also recognize whether a booking complies with internal specifications. It can detect attempted fraud. The software is constantly being further developed, it learns new things, and it can be adapted to company-specific workflows.”
Automating corporate expense reports, approvals and reimbursements
Illustration via Yokoy
With Yokoy’s AI-based solution, an employee simply needs to take a photo of a receipt or upload invoice to have it booked correctly into their enterprise resource planning (ERP) system (including VAT). The system then pays out the expense automatically to the appropriate person. The entire process of generating an expense report takes just three seconds, from the photo of the receipt to the financial posting, including checks, VAT reclaim, archiving and reimbursement of expenses.
The same technology is applied to supplier invoices where a user just needs to upload an invoice for the system to automatically capture and validate the invoice data, and then export it into the company’s accounting system.
Information extraction from invoice/receipt, Source: Yokoy
Yokoy integrates with all major third-party tools and platforms, including SAP R3, S/4, BusinessOne and Business ByDesign, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and Finance and Operations, Abacus, Sage, Workday and even Uber, and also provides the free OpenAPI platform to partners and customers.
“The research shows that it costs a company around US$60 to capture and process an expense report … [which] is too high,” Gabriel said. “When a company has a lot of employees, managing expenses costs a lot. Automating these processes with the help of our software allows savings of up to 90%. Thanks to our AI software, these processes can be made more efficient and therefore cheaper.”
Not only that, but AI also allows customers to gain key insights into corporate expenses, flag irregularities and fraud, and help improve future spending by highlighting opportunities for savings.
“The Yokoy software can handle complicated accounting transactions on its own, but equally as important is its ability to work with people,” Gabriel said. “It can integrate itself into an organization and adapt to company-specific approval flows. Adaptability also extends to cooperation with other software products. The protection of privacy and the security of data are always guaranteed.”
Yokoy also comes with an accompanying corporate Mastercard that’s integrated into the expense platform, allowing for transactions to be instantly matched with expenses. The card is entirely free and currency exchanges are done on the basis on the interbank exchange rate with zero fee added.
Other features and products in the pipeline include smart physical and virtual corporate Visa cards and for European companies, and an automated subscription management platform.
Yokoy serves over 500 customers, including companies such as Swissquote, Stadler Rail, On Running, Bobst, Zühlke and BDO. The company was the winner of this year’s Growth Stage Startup of the Year at the 2021 Swiss Fintech Awards.
The post Yokoy Co-Founder and CMO Shares Ambitions, Expansion Plans appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/yokoy-co-founder-and-cmo-shares-ambitions-expansion-plans</link><guid>2282</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Illustration-via-Yokoy.png?x27302</dc:content ><dc:text>Yokoy Co-Founder and CMO Shares Ambitions, Expansion Plans</dc:text></item><item><title>Die St.Galler Kantonalbank startet mit Open Wealth API</title><description><![CDATA[Als erste Schweizer Bank stellt die St.Galler Kantonalbank gemäss eigenen Angaben per sofort eine standardisierte Programmierschnittstelle (OpenWealth API) für ihre Depotbank-Services zur Verfügung. Die Programmierschnittstelle ermöglicht einen sicheren Austausch von Finanzdaten mit autorisierten externen Vermögensverwaltern (eVV).
Eine gute Nachricht für externe Vermögensverwalter: Assetmax und Alphasys sind die ersten Portfolio Management System Anbieter, die an die OpenWealth API der St.Galler Kantonalbank andocken und ohne grossen Aufwand die Depotbank-Services der SGKB in ihre Portfolio Management Systeme integrieren. Dank der standardisierten Programmierschnittstelle können unabhängige Vermögensverwalter die Bankdienstleistungen direkt über das Portfolio Management System beziehen – ganz ohne den Umweg über das E-Banking.
Die OpenWealth API ermöglicht die Übertragung von Portfoliodaten und Wertschriftentransaktionen, ebenso das Lesen und Modifizieren von Kundendaten. So können Depotbanken und externe Vermögensverwalter einfacher zusammenarbeiten, während zugleich operative und regulatorische Risiken reduziert werden.
SGKB treibt Open Banking voran
Die SGKB tritt mit der Lancierung der Programmierschnittstelle erstmals nicht nur als Finanzdienstleister, sondern als Treiber für Open Banking auf.
Falk Kohlmann
«Mit OpenWealth beweist die St.Galler Kantonalbank ihre Innovationskraft sowie ihre engagierte und gestaltende Rolle in der Digitalisierung»,
sagt Falk Kohlmann, Bereichsleiter Marktleistungen und Geschäftsleitungsmitglied.
Aufgrund des Potentials für Open Wealth und der strategischen Bedeutung von Open Banking hat die SGKB gemeinsam mit dem Beratungsunternehmen Synpulse die OpenWealth API Initiative ins Leben gerufen. Da ein API Standard nur im offenen Verbund mit weiteren Marktteilnehmern entstehen kann, wurde im Februar 2021 die Initiative in einen Verein überführt. Seitdem konnte der Verein mehr als 20 weitere Mitglieder gewinnen.
«Wir freuen uns, dass unsere Initiative viel Dynamik ausgelöst hat», so Falk weiter.
 
The post Die St.Galler Kantonalbank startet mit Open Wealth API appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/die-stgaller-kantonalbank-startet-mit-open-wealth-api</link><guid>2281</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Die St.Galler Kantonalbank startet mit Open Wealth API</dc:text></item><item><title>Salt Edge, Supernovae Labs Partner to Boost Open Banking in Italy</title><description><![CDATA[Italian fintech accelerator Supernovae Labs has joined forces with open banking solutions provider Salt Edge to provide financial institutions and third-party providers a much more secure and reliable way of aggregating bank data and initiating payments powered by PSD2 in the country.
Salt Edge and Supernovae Labs are offering an open banking platform, ensuring connectivity to thousands of banks from over 50 countries worldwide.
This includes getting an aggregated view of account data from the EU and other parts of the world, alongside the interpretation of it into financial insights, and initiate payments from banks across Europe.
The collaboration between these two companies will help financial institutions leverage open banking opportunities and provide their clients with even more customer-oriented services.
Salt Edge’s open banking gateway is providing connections to over 5000 banks worldwide for account aggregation and enables payment initiation from more than 2500 financial institutions in Europe.
Carlo Giugovaz
&#8220;We’re delighted to partner with Salt Edge who has proved to be a leader in providing open banking solutions.
 
We, at Supernovae Labs, are committed to helping businesses accelerate their development by integrating high-end solutions, and Salt Edge’s Open Banking Gateway is bringing to the table exactly what the Italian market needs.&#8221;
Carlo Giugovaz, founder and CEO at Supernovae Labs.
Andrei Scutari
&#8220;Open banking is redesigning the European payments’ market and drawing a clear line between how things used to be done and how they can be done now.
 
Joining forces with Supernovae Labs is directly supporting startups and is boosting innovation and contributes to creating a new competitive landscape with new rules of the game, allowing new players to participate – and all this with the main focus on the end-user.&#8221;
Andrei Scutari, Country Manager Italy at Salt Edge
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/salt-edge-supernovae-labs-partner-to-boost-open-banking-in-italy</link><guid>2280</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Salt Edge, Supernovae Labs Partner to Boost Open Banking in Italy</dc:text></item><item><title>Next Gen Finance Professionals Need to Embrace Major Upskilling to Keep Pace</title><description><![CDATA[Refinitiv&#8217;s new report &#8220;Workspace Without Limits&#8221; explores the data challenges financial professionals are facing, and the role that technology, interoperability and programming skills play in solving for some of these challenges; enhancing productivity, and helping firms differentiate against the competition.
Key findings from Refinitiv&#8217;s report
Refinitiv’s survey of 1,200 financial professionals shows new ways of working are urgently needed to keep up with an industry undergoing rapid digital transformation.
Open architecture capabilities and interoperability standards are needed to drive simplicity and speed and address the data challenges associated with app overload.
Firms need to be investing in the workflows of tomorrow. Growing numbers of financial professionals are already learning the language of data – programming skills – to improve efficiency and create more time for higher-value tasks.
Source: Workspace Without Limits Report
From investment bankers to analysts to portfolio managers, the message from the 1,200 financial professionals worldwide surveyed in Workspace Without Limits was the same: traditional ways of working are no longer keeping pace in an industry being rapidly transformed by digital technology.
In 2021, this is especially true, with the drive to digital given extra impetus by the COVID-19 pandemic – 86 percent of financial professionals say the pandemic had made their organisation more digital and data-centric.
The report reveals the challenges of those still working in data silos and closed environments, continually importing and exporting data manually between Excel sheets.
For example, some 40 percent of senior bankers surveyed report delays caused by swapping data between applications; 37 percent report errors.
Perhaps more surprisingly, all respondents say they typically use nine different applications to complete a single task – which undoubtedly has an impact on productivity.
Open and interoperable standards are key
This message of frustration is paired, however, with a message of optimism.
The industry is awake to the problems and is either moving towards embracing open architecture and new, interoperable ways of working – or preparing to do so.
Seventy-nine percent of respondents say their company participates in working groups on developing interoperability standards.
The ability to access high-quality data flexibly, so that it interoperates with other data sources, will become a key component for those looking to benefit from more transparency and control over their data use.
Upskilling the next generation of financial professionals
The report also highlights that the industry is adopting coding to build more advanced data models and automate routine tasks.
Source: Workspace Without Limits Report
Already, 20 percent of financial professionals told us they code at work; a further 54 percent say they are either learning or would like to learn.
One of the most interesting benefits of coding that respondents see is the ability to differentiate amongst the competition: 81 percent of those that use coding in presentations tell their clients about it to demonstrate the breadth of modelling and testing that went into the thinking.
Not all professionals will be keen to make the switch in the immediate term, but the next generation of bankers and analysts may not have a choice.
Internships at major buy-side financial firms now require graduates to be able to code in Python.
Source: Workspace Without Limits Report
Five years ago, that wasn’t the case, but the industry is very clearly shifting – firms need to create time for upskilling and experimenting with new tools in order to remain competitive and retain top talent.
This report shows the financial services industry at a tipping point, convinced of the benefits of open architecture and the willingness to embrace it.
It also shows that the industry is hungry for new ways of working with data to deliver more meaningful business outcomes – from better deal flow to broader coverage universes with potentially higher returns – only if equipped with the right tools, skills and sponsorship.
Explore how financial institutions can drive productivity and uncover insights through new ways of working with data with Refinitiv&#8217;s report Workspace Without Limits.

 
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/next-gen-finance-professionals-need-to-embrace-major-upskilling-to-keep-pace</link><guid>2279</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Refinitv-2.png?x27302</dc:content ><dc:text>Next Gen Finance Professionals Need to Embrace Major Upskilling to Keep Pace</dc:text></item><item><title>Digital Asset Manager CoinShares Snaps up 9% Stake in FlowBank for US$11.8 Million</title><description><![CDATA[London-based digital asset manager CoinShares has acquired a 9.02% stake in Swiss online bank FlowBank for US$11.85 million.
With this move, FlowBank’s clients can invest in CoinShares’ crypto ETPs. From next year onwards, customers will be able to directly buy, HODL, sell, share cryptocurrencies as well as other tokenised assets directly from their FlowBank account.
This further expands the wide financial product suite currently available through FlowBank.
Additionally, FlowBank has also opened an office in the heart of Zurich’s financial district a year after its successful launch and rapid growth.
FlowBank’s new office will accommodate both the business development team as well as key functions of the customer support team.
Charles Henri Sabet
Charles Henri Sabet, Founder and CEO of FlowBank said,
“Zurich&#8217;s well-known Paradeplatz is getting competition.
 
With our new location at Löwenplatz, we will now be able to extend our outreach and better connect with our growing user base across all Swiss cantons.”
Jean-Marie Mognetti
Jean-Marie Mognetti, Co-Founder and CEO of CoinShares said,
“ FlowBank’s and our vision for the banking and investing industries align perfectly and therefore serve as fertile soil for a trusting, enduring partnership.
 
It is our pleasure to become a close partner to Charles Henri Sabet and his team and help them achieve their growth ambitions.”
 
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digital-asset-manager-coinshares-snaps-up-9-stake-in-flowbank-for-us118-million</link><guid>2278</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Digital Asset Manager CoinShares Snaps up 9% Stake in FlowBank for US$11.8 Million</dc:text></item><item><title>German Regulator BaFin Grants Third Crypto Custody License to Tangany</title><description><![CDATA[Tangany has received a license from the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) as the third regulated service provider for the custody of digital assets in the country to provide crypto custody business.
Furthermore, Tangany plans to apply for further licenses in Germany and Europe in the future and has already received preliminary permission from BaFin to manage registers of crypto securities.
Tangany is a B2B white-label crypto custodian regulated in Germany with its headquarters in Munich.
Customers can use the Tangany Custody Suite to store digital assets such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, stablecoins, NFTs, and security tokens in warm wallet and cold wallet storage solutions.
Developed in-house since 2018 at the highest technical level, Tangany Custody Suite combines digital asset custody technology with regulatory security through the granting of the crypto custody license by Bafin.
Martin Kreitmair
“As the third regulated service provider for the custody of digital assets in Germany, we have received the license to provide crypto custody services. The clear German regulatory framework for custody of digital assets will help us to achieve sustainable growth in the long run.
 
With currently more than 30 B2B customers, including many regulated banks and financial service providers, and over 60,000 active wallets with 400 million euros of crypto assets in custody, we are proving our potential and demonstrating the growing demand in the market,”
said Martin Kreitmair, CEO of Tangany.
 
Featured image: Edited from Unsplash
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/german-regulator-bafin-grants-third-crypto-custody-license-to-tangany</link><guid>2277</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>German Regulator BaFin Grants Third Crypto Custody License to Tangany</dc:text></item><item><title>4 Priorities for Banks to Secure Digital and Mobile Channels</title><description><![CDATA[During the pandemic, the number of data breaches has increased drastically: cyberattacks targeting banks have even grown by 238 percent. This fraud surge goes hand in hand with the growing use of the mobile and digital banking channels.
While this trend had already started before the pandemic, it was greatly accelerated when bank branches closed and the digital channel was the only option.
With one in three customers in Southeast Asia having used mobile banking more than they did prior to the crisis, and the shift to digital channels likely to be permanent, it is time for banks to lock-down the security of their digital offerings.
We discuss 4 key areas financial institutions should consider in order to protect their digital channels against fraud.
1. Become a digital-first organisation
The importance of having a digital-first business model cannot be denied after the pandemic. Many banks realised they needed to accelerate their digital transformation plans in order to meet consumers’ expectations.
As threats continue to rise, the security of customers’ accounts and sensitive data throughout digital and mobile channels has never been more critical. Approximately 25 percent of the 15 billion leaked consumer credentials available to hackers on the dark web contain bank account information.
Banks should look to adopt cloud-based platforms and security solutions for their back-end infrastructure, which will allow them to become more agile, respond faster to changing customer needs and react to fast-changing security threats.
2. Reinvent the customer journey
Often, the first experience a customer has with a bank is the process of opening a new account. However, this process is also highly targeted for fraud.
A study from Aite-Novarica Group states that 65 percent of anti-money laundering professionals say the use of synthetic identities in new account fraud is a bigger threat for banks than traditional identity theft.
If banks don’t catch a fraudulent attempt to open an account, they can face big losses.
Balancing security with user experience is key in optimising the customer journey. Customers don’t want to be prompted with a cumbersome authentication process.
At the same time, they expect to be protected from cybersecurity threats. Banks should implement adaptive authentication methods that only prompt customers with additional steps if risk is detected.
Security solutions like behavioral biometrics provide strong security that is seamless and convenient, yet invisible for the customer.
3. Protect the mobile platform
Banks are increasingly transitioning customers to the mobile channel. That brings the ability to build a clearer view of how customers are laid out within their organisation in order to consolidate and manage them in a central flow.
Modern mobile security solutions give banks additional controls for securing customer accounts, compared to accessing a bank account via a website.
Banks should prioritise securing their mobile banking apps on the client side through technologies like mobile application shielding.
In this way, banks can keep the mobile app secure even if it is being used on a jailbroken or malware-infected phone.
4. Leverage Artificial Intelligence to analyse patterns
Most of the time, hackers use a bot-like approach to push out attacks. This means that attacks are essentially the same every time for all of an organisation’s users. AI serves as the eyes that banks need to analyse the patterns that humans don’t pick up as quickly.
In the COVID-19 era, banks and financial institutions are working hard to digitally transform themselves while also providing the strong security and convenient experience customers want.
This requires coordination, collaboration, and implementing new technologies like biometric authentication and real-time risk analytics powered by AI and ML.
By embedding security into their digital services, financial institutions can protect their customers, defend against increased fraud and cybersecurity threats, and provide the type of seamless experience that will keep customers loyal and position the organisation for future success.
Financial institutions looking to combat fraud can gain insights from the KuppingerCole Report of Fraud Reduction Intelligence Platforms here.

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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/4-priorities-for-banks-to-secure-digital-and-mobile-channels</link><guid>2275</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/KuppingerColeRepor-300x300.jpeg?x27302</dc:content ><dc:text>4 Priorities for Banks to Secure Digital and Mobile Channels</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 50 Early-Stage Insurtechs in Europe</title><description><![CDATA[With 29 out of 50 companies, the UK takes the lion’s share in this year’s Future50, a ranking by Insurtech Insights and Sønr depicting Europe’s top 50 most promising early-stage insurtech startups.
These 50 insurtechs were selected out of thousands of early-stage independent startups founded in the past ten years and with a head office in Europe. To make the cut, they had to have raised no later than a Series A funding round at the time of judging.
The Sønr Index, which evaluates millions of data points following criteria such as the people leading the business, the potential of their product, and their growth performances, gave a pre-selection of 100 companies, which were then shortlisted and ranked by a group of industry experts.
Out of the final top 50 insurtech startups, 29 are from the UK, making the country the most represented nation in the ranking. The UK is followed by France with four, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain with three respectively, Italy with two, and Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Denmark, Croatia and Greece with one each.
Top 10 early-stage insurtech startups in Europe
Half of the top ten insurtechs at the top of the list are from the UK: Global Parametrics (#1), a risk hazard platform that consolidates data sets that power climate risk modelling; AkinovA (#5), an independent electronic marketplace for the transfer and trading of insurance risk; YuLife (#6), the developer of an app-based group life insurance product that rewards people for looking after their wellbeing; Collective Benefits (#7), an award-winning insurance and benefits platform for independent workers; and Ravin (#10), which uses a combination of deep learning and computer vision to detect a vehicle’s condition and assess damage.
Germany’s Nect, a patented remote identity verification and biometrics company, took the second place, followed by Dutch Vandersat, a provider of global satellite-observed data, products and services, focusing particularly on water and crops, ranked third, and France’s Descartes, a company that specializes in climate risk modeling and data-driven risk transfer, ranked fourth.
Switzerland’s Vlot, a solution that helps users recognize gaps in their personal finances and protection, took the eighth position, neck and neck with Denmark’s Penni.io, an embedded insurance solution provider.
Other top insurtech startups in Europe
In France, the other three insurtechs that made the list besides Descartes are Leocare (#11), a digital insurance product provider; Indeez (#16), which protects the income and livelihoods of independent workers through bespoken insurance solutions; and Acheel (#28), a digital insurance startup offering personalized home, pet and health insurance.
In the Netherlands, CargoSnap, a software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution that helps companies reduce cargo damage claims, was ranked 22nd, while CarePay, which offers a financing and technology platform for health insurers, was ranked 34th.
In Germany, Coya, a business-to-business-to-customer (B2B2C) digital insurer, took the 40th position, and Hepster, a developer of embedded insurance solutions, took the 44th.
In Spain, Asistensi, a platform for emergency medical insurance and immediate medical assistance, was ranked 14th; Inari, a cloud-based blockchain platform which streamlines the end-to-end lifecycle for (re)insurers, was ranked 38th ; and Docline (#47), a telemedicine solution provider, was ranked 47th.
In Italy, blockchain-based short-term insurance provider Poleecy took the 21st place, while Lokky, a digital insurance broker took the 46th place.
Other notable European insurtech startups that made the include Austria’s Bsurance (#32), which develops cloud-based products to be fully embedded at the point-of-sale (POS); Sweden’s Insurely (#22), which makes insurance more transparent by leveraging data; Croatia’s Amodo (#30), a platform that enables usage-based products through increasing customer touchpoints and gamification of insurance; and Greece’s Pricefox (#50), a price comparison platform.
The post Top 50 Early-Stage Insurtechs in Europe appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-50-early-stage-insurtechs-in-europe</link><guid>2273</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Insurtech-Insights-Future50-Europe.jpg?x27302</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 50 Early-Stage Insurtechs in Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>Europe Leads in Open Banking Regulation But Adoption Discrepancies Exist Between Countries</title><description><![CDATA[Europe is often considered a pioneer in the widespread introduction of open banking, but despite groundbreaking regulations like PSD2, significant differences and discrepancies exist between countries of the continent, a new research by German open banking platform Ndgit found.
In a whitepaper titled Open Banking APIs Worldwide, Ndgit offers a country-by-country guide to open banking and provides a country ranking based on five key factors: the spread of open APIs, regulatory requirements, standardization initiatives, and the presence of a central third-party provider (TPP) regulatory body.
Europe leads in open banking legislation
The paper ranks the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), and the UK at the top of the list, recognizing the PSD2 legislation, which regulates electronic payment services in the EU and EEA, and the Open Banking regulatory initiative in the UK, which forces the biggest banks in the country to open up their data, as critical drivers to the implementation of open banking.
These formal, compulsory open banking regimes have fast-tracked the adoption of open APIs. In the EU, although PSD2 does not provide a API standard or a framework, the industry has been quick to embrace common standards. Today, the NextGenPSD2 of the Berlin Group is the most widely standard and covers 78% of all European banks. It’s followed by UK Open Banking and STET in France.
In the UK, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) mandated in 2018 the country’s nine largest banks to provide standardized open APIs to allow licensed startups direct access to their data down. Since then, 327 regulated providers have joined the UK open banking ecosystem, including 234 TTPs and 93 account providers, of which 114 having live offerings in the market.
As of the beginning of 2021, more than 3 million UK consumers and businesses had used open banking-enabled products to manage their finances, access credit and make payments.
Germany, Spain and the Nordics as top open banking innovators

Within the EU and the EEA, several countries are standing out with Germany, Spain and the Nordics emerging as particularly innovative in the field of open banking, according to the Ndgit report.
The Nordic countries of Sweden, Denmark and Norway have amongst the most advanced open banking ecosystems, thanks to highly developed digital infrastructures and a pan-Nordic collaborative approach.
To date, the Nordics are the only countries in Europe where established digital ID authentication and know-your-customer (KYC) services at a pan-Nordic level are part of the open banking strategy. Not only that, but the region is also leading in digital payment services with notably the P27 initiative, which seeks to develop a real-time, cross-border payment infrastructure.
Germany was the first country to provide interfaces and APIs for account access, offering since the late-90s FinTS, a bank-independent protocol for online banking. The NextGenPSD2 of the Berlin Group is based on the experience with the FinTS standard for account access and payment initiation services.
In Spain, although the industry uses the Berlin Group standard, Redsys has launched its own hub, which now serves more than 25 banking groups. The Redsys API gateway takes API functionality beyond the scope of PSD2 to, for example, savings products, loans and real estate finance.
Besides these countries, nations like Portugal, Luxembourg and Italy, have seen the emergence of hubs that centralize the delivery of APIs through a single vendor, making thus integration much easier for fintech companies, the report notes.
In 2018, Consorzio CBI, the think tank for innovation for the payments market promoted by the Italian Banking Association, launched the CBI Globe (Global Open Banking Ecosystem). In Portugal, SIBS introduced in 2019 the first open API platform in the country, giving access to 95% of all domestic bank accounts.
Switzerland: a “riser” in open banking
Switzerland, although legendary for its banking landscape, was ranked as a “riser” in open banking due to the lack of legislation for opening bank data.
Hence, open APIs and API standard initiatives in Switzerland have solely been driven by the market, often lead by market bodies and stakeholders. Examples include industry trade group Swiss Fintech Innovations (SFTI), which has been working with system providers Avaloq, Finnova, Temenos, Finstar and Ndgit on the Common API; the OpenBankingProject.ch, which has been developing an open API for Swiss payments; and the b.Link platform, launched in May 2020 by Swiss stock market operator SIX, which provides financial institutions and service providers with a platform for standardized interfaces.
According to Ndgit, regional bank Hypothekarbank Lenzburg is currently the only market player to offer open banking APIs in Switzerland via a developer portal. The ecosystem enables multidimensional business models using the Ndgit API platform, allowing startups like Neon to launch services directly to their customers. Simultaneously, Hypothekarbank Lenzburg’s banking customers can benefit from a range of products provided by fintech startups part of the ecosystem. Like PSD2, these APIs support account information and payment initiation but also take into account local Swiss characteristics.
The post Europe Leads in Open Banking Regulation But Adoption Discrepancies Exist Between Countries appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/europe-leads-in-open-banking-regulation-but-adoption-discrepancies-exist-between-countries</link><guid>2274</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/open-banking-regulators.jpg?x27302</dc:content ><dc:text>Europe Leads in Open Banking Regulation But Adoption Discrepancies Exist Between Countries</dc:text></item><item><title>Europe Paved the Way for Open Banking but Held Back by Adoption Discrepancies</title><description><![CDATA[Europe is often considered a pioneer in the widespread introduction of open banking, but despite groundbreaking regulations like PSD2, significant differences and discrepancies exist between countries of the continent, a new research by German open banking platform Ndgit found.
In a whitepaper titled Open Banking APIs Worldwide, Ndgit offers a country-by-country guide to open banking and provides a country ranking based on five key factors: the spread of open APIs, regulatory requirements, standardization initiatives, and the presence of a central third-party provider (TPP) regulatory body.
Europe leads in open banking legislation
The paper ranks the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), and the UK at the top of the list, recognizing the PSD2 legislation, which regulates electronic payment services in the EU and EEA, and the Open Banking regulatory initiative in the UK, which forces the biggest banks in the country to open up their data, as critical drivers to the implementation of open banking.
These formal, compulsory open banking regimes have fast-tracked the adoption of open APIs. In the EU, although PSD2 does not provide a API standard or a framework, the industry has been quick to embrace common standards. Today, the NextGenPSD2 of the Berlin Group is the most widely standard and covers 78% of all European banks. It’s followed by UK Open Banking and STET in France.
In the UK, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) mandated in 2018 the country’s nine largest banks to provide standardized open APIs to allow licensed startups direct access to their data down. Since then, 327 regulated providers have joined the UK open banking ecosystem, including 234 TTPs and 93 account providers, of which 114 having live offerings in the market.
As of the beginning of 2021, more than 3 million UK consumers and businesses had used open banking-enabled products to manage their finances, access credit and make payments.
Germany, Spain and the Nordics as top open banking innovators

Within the EU and the EEA, several countries are standing out with Germany, Spain and the Nordics emerging as particularly innovative in the field of open banking, according to the Ndgit report.
The Nordic countries of Sweden, Denmark and Norway have amongst the most advanced open banking ecosystems, thanks to highly developed digital infrastructures and a pan-Nordic collaborative approach.
To date, the Nordics are the only countries in Europe where established digital ID authentication and know-your-customer (KYC) services at a pan-Nordic level are part of the open banking strategy. Not only that, but the region is also leading in digital payment services with notably the P27 initiative, which seeks to develop a real-time, cross-border payment infrastructure.
Germany was the first country to provide interfaces and APIs for account access, offering since the late-90s FinTS, a bank-independent protocol for online banking. The NextGenPSD2 of the Berlin Group is based on the experience with the FinTS standard for account access and payment initiation services.
In Spain, although the industry uses the Berlin Group standard, Redsys has launched its own hub, which now serves more than 25 banking groups. The Redsys API gateway takes API functionality beyond the scope of PSD2 to, for example, savings products, loans and real estate finance.
Besides these countries, nations like Portugal, Luxembourg and Italy, have seen the emergence of hubs that centralize the delivery of APIs through a single vendor, making thus integration much easier for fintech companies, the report notes.
In 2018, Consorzio CBI, the think tank for innovation for the payments market promoted by the Italian Banking Association, launched the CBI Globe (Global Open Banking Ecosystem). In Portugal, SIBS introduced in 2019 the first open API platform in the country, giving access to 95% of all domestic bank accounts.
Switzerland: a “riser” in open banking
Switzerland, although legendary for its banking landscape, was ranked as a “riser” in open banking due to the lack of legislation for opening bank data.
Hence, open APIs and API standard initiatives in Switzerland have solely been driven by the market, often lead by market bodies and stakeholders. Examples include industry trade group Swiss Fintech Innovations (SFTI), which has been working with system providers Avaloq, Finnova, Temenos, Finstar and Ndgit on the Common API; the OpenBankingProject.ch, which has been developing an open API for Swiss payments; and the b.Link platform, launched in May 2020 by Swiss stock market operator SIX, which provides financial institutions and service providers with a platform for standardized interfaces.
According to Ndgit, regional bank Hypothekarbank Lenzburg is currently the only market player to offer open banking APIs in Switzerland via a developer portal. The ecosystem enables multidimensional business models using the Ndgit API platform, allowing startups like Neon to launch services directly to their customers. Simultaneously, Hypothekarbank Lenzburg’s banking customers can benefit from a range of products provided by fintech startups part of the ecosystem. Like PSD2, these APIs support account information and payment initiation but also take into account local Swiss characteristics.
The post Europe Paved the Way for Open Banking but Held Back by Adoption Discrepancies appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/europe-paved-the-way-for-open-banking-but-held-back-by-adoption-discrepancies</link><guid>2276</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/open-banking-regulators.jpg?x27302</dc:content ><dc:text>Europe Paved the Way for Open Banking but Held Back by Adoption Discrepancies</dc:text></item><item><title>YAPEAL lanciert das erste digitale Firmenkunden Konto in der Schweiz</title><description><![CDATA[YAPEAL bietet neu vollumfänglich digitalisierte Dienstleistungen für Firmenkunden in der Schweiz an.
Das Schweizer Firmenkundengeschäft der Banken ist in vielen Bereichen weit davon entfernt, die digitalen Möglichkeiten, welche den Unternehmen einen Mehrwert bieten würden, zu nutzen und den Kunden anzubieten. Vieles entspricht noch den manuellen und aufwändigen Prozessen, wie sie bereits seit Jahrzehnten bestehen.
Mit dem gestrigen Launch bietet YAPEAL zusammen mit Abacus in einer ersten Phase mit dem 100% digitalen Onboarding-Prozess für Unternehmen, einem 100% digitalisierten Spesen-Prozess sowie dem günstig, schnellen und transparenten Zahlungsverkehr eine Basisfunktionalität an, welche in weiteren Ausbauschritten in naher Zukunft ergänzt werden wird.
Vor gut 100 Abacus Treuhändern hat gestern live die Kunden-/Kontoeröffnung einer Aktiengesellschaft inkl. einer ersten Zahlung stattgefunden. Gedauert hat der voll digitalisierte Prozess unter 15 Min.
Thomas Hilgendorff
Thomas Hilgendorff, CEO at YAPEAL:
«Wir freuen uns sehr, basierend auf unserer in der Schweiz selber entwickelten digitalen Plattform für ‘embedded Finance’, erste Lösungen mit vollständig digitalisierten und integrierten end-to-end Prozessen für Firmenkunden anbieten zu können. Dies ist erst der Anfang, more to come.»
The post YAPEAL lanciert das erste digitale Firmenkunden Konto in der Schweiz appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/yapeal-lanciert-das-erste-digitale-firmenkunden-konto-in-der-schweiz</link><guid>2272</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>YAPEAL lanciert das erste digitale Firmenkunden Konto in der Schweiz</dc:text></item><item><title>German Neo Insurer Getsafe Extends Series B Fundraise to US$93 Million</title><description><![CDATA[Getsafe, a digital insurer targeting millennial buyers in Germany and the UK, announced that it has extended its Series B funding round to US$93 million.
The neo insurer previously announced in December 2020 that it had secured US$30 million during a Series B funding round.
Among the new investors are some of the largest Family Offices from Germany and Switzerland, for example Abacon Capital. Existing investors Earlybird, CommerzVentures and Swiss Re also participated.
Getsafe said that it plans to use the money to fund its own insurance license by the end of 2021 and to accelerate its European expansion.
The firm had applied for a license with Germany&#8217;s Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) last year. With its own license, Getsafe said that it plans to expand its product offering and innovations even faster.
The company began offering renters insurance in Germany in late 2017, and has expanded its product portfolio to a car insurance product at the end of last year. It also launched its renters insurance product in the UK in 2020.
Christian Wiens
&#8220;The insurance brands we know today have been founded in a totally different era. But insurance, more than many other products, can be much better when powered by technology and machine learning.
 
This is why we believe that insurance companies built from scratch, on their own digital platform, are set to become the dominant insurance players for the generations to come.&#8221;
said Christian Wiens, CEO &amp; Co-Founder of Getsafe.
The post German Neo Insurer Getsafe Extends Series B Fundraise to US$93 Million appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/german-neo-insurer-getsafe-extends-series-b-fundraise-to-us93-million</link><guid>2270</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>German Neo Insurer Getsafe Extends Series B Fundraise to US$93 Million</dc:text></item><item><title>Deutsche Börse to Roll Out Digital Post-trade Platform</title><description><![CDATA[Global market infrastructure provider Deutsche Börse plans to launch a regulatory compliant, fully digital post-trade platform called D7, anchored in the recently introduced German digital securities law framework.
The new cloud-backed and DLT-ready D7 platform will enable market participants to digitise their financial products with continuing access to both existing central and distributed infrastructures and markets.
The D7 platform paves way for same-day-issuance and paperless, automated straight-through processing for the entire value chain of issuance, custody, settlement, payment and asset servicing for digital securities.
As of mid-2022, over 80 percent of German securities will be digitisable via D7, fostering digitisation of the German and European financial markets.
For this, Deutsche Börse has joined forces with several leading global and German financial institutions to create a market-ready digital infrastructure, including BNP Paribas, Citi, DekaBank, Deutsche Bank, dwpbank, DZ Bank, Goldman Sachs, Raiffeisen Bank International and Vontobel.
The D7 platform is being developed in collaboration with long-term strategic technology partners Digital Asset and Microsoft, as well as R3 and VMware.
The complete functionality of the D7 platform will be rolled out in phases over the next few years.
Stephan Leithner
Stephan Leithner, Member of the Executive Board of Deutsche Börse, responsible for Pre- &amp; Post-Trading said,
“With D7, we’re providing the financial community with a next generation digital securities post-trade platform to unlock the potential of truly digital and decentralised finance.
 
It’s time not only to digitise single processes; it’s time to reinvent post-trading altogether for a stronger, more sustainable and digital future of securities markets.”
Christoph Böhm
Christoph Böhm, CIO/COO and Member of the Executive Board of Deutsche Börse added,
“D7 reflects our strategic ambitions and the clear focus we put on fostering innovation and new technologies.
 
We are creating the next generation of future-proof financial infrastructure for the digital era, delivering cutting-edge technology and services, and paving the way for the transformation towards digital markets for our industry.”
The post Deutsche Börse to Roll Out Digital Post-trade Platform appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/deutsche-borse-to-roll-out-digital-post-trade-platform</link><guid>2269</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Deutsche Börse to Roll Out Digital Post-trade Platform</dc:text></item><item><title>5 Recommendations for Successful Insurtech Partnerships</title><description><![CDATA[Incumbent insurers and non-insurance companies are increasingly teaming up with insurtech companies, as they search for novel ways to solve business challenges, inspire innovation and create new business opportunities.
Throughout the years, business relationships involving insurtech companies have consistently increased, reaching a new high of 665 disclosed partnerships in 2020, up from 599 in 2019, according to CB Insights data.
At the same time, funding to insurtech companies hit a yearly high of US$7.1 billion in 2020 and a quarterly high of US$2.5 billion in Q1 2021, showcasing the confidence investors have in the future of the insurtech industry.
Disclosed insurtech partnerships, Source: CB Insights
For incumbent insurers, insurtech startups are perceived as key enablers in helping them improve their underwriting, claims, distribution, and product development efforts. For non-insurance companies like digital bank Revolut, gig economy platform Uber, and auto manufacturer Ford, partnering with insurtechs means adding insurance-related services and improving their core offerings.
As partnerships between incumbent insurers and insurtechs become increasingly common, Insurtech Insights, an insurtech community, and EPAM, an enterprise software development, design and consulting firm, have produced a new paper on insurer/insurtech partnerships, highlighting five key recommendations for a successful collaboration.
Be clear about the problem that needs to be solved
Incumbent insurers can choose to partner with insurtechs for many reasons, whether that’s to leverage technology to enhance operational efficiency or customer experience, go to market with a new product, target a new customer segment, or expand into new regions.
When deciding to partner with an insurtech, it is critical that, at the outset of the project, incumbents clearly define the problem they want to solve, and identify the capabilities, both internally and from the partner, required to deliver. Diligence at this stage is key to prevent unexpected surprises later on, the paper says.
Get the right people involved early on
Next, incumbents must bring the key decision-makers to the table and get the right people involved in the project as early as possible.
They typically include the business owners, subject-matter experts, information and data-security specialists and procurement teams, but three additional stakeholder groups should also be brought to the table: the enterprise architects, the strategists, and the end users, the paper says.
Properly assess the strategic, technical and human fit
Then comes the initial discovery and selection phase. In this phase, a number of important guiding principles of discovery and selection apply, covering both partner choice but also the actual request for proposal (RFP) process.
When looking to a partner to help accelerate a growth strategy, such as future mobility, preventative health, or wealth management, it is critical for an insurtech to be able to bring proprietary expertise, intellectual property (IP), and market positioning. Conversely, the incumbent’s resources and expertise should be clearly beneficial for the insurtech.
On the technological front, it is important to consider whether the insurtech will be able to fill the incumbent’s capability gap, especially when the partnership focuses on a specific technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) or the Internet-of-Things (IoT). It’s also critical to assess the level of flexibility and customizability of their solution, and gauge whether or not the insurtech is willing to go the extra mile to tailor it.
Beyond the technological capabilities, an insurtech’s understanding of the wider business context and how to effectively work with an incumbent insurer can make the difference to their success.
Be open and honest about expectations and cultural differences
Incumbents must be pragmatic when negotiating with commercials, but must also be prepared to be patient, to educate and to explain. They must recognize that large organizations’ processes can be difficult for startups and should set expectations that are tempered with an appreciation of what is feasible for the partner to deliver.
At the same time, insurers can take this opportunity to learn more about the startup’s nimbler ways of working to help inspire cultural change.
For the insurtech, it is particularly important that they understand the incumbent’s organization and decision-makers.
Reaching that level of understanding will require key personnel in both organizations to come together, talk openly about cultural differences, share people time and build the bonds of human connection that are needed for a successful team.
Deploy strong and transparent governance
A transformation project must be governed by the project plan with milestones and owners. These milestones will be define based on the delivery methodology: either agile, which relies on a more flexible, iterative approach, or waterfall, which basically involves establishing a plan and sticking to it.
Naturally, most incumbents will tend to prefer waterfall milestones which are more tangible. Hence, the insurtech partner must be prepared to flex its methodology accordingly and should not expect to work 100% agile with a large organization that’s not agile itself. Conversely, the incumbent should be willing to take on advice from its partner, adapt, and deploy agile principles where possible.
At the end of the day, establishing guidelines for communication and decision-making with associated timings will be key to a successful partnership, and individual teams should meet on a regular basis so that decisions can be made swiftly, the paper says.
Teams from the incumbent insurer should work in line of sight of the board, and produce key data points and KPIs into their reporting. They should also prepare stakeholders in advance to anticipate potential issues before they happen.
The post 5 Recommendations for Successful Insurtech Partnerships appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/5-recommendations-for-successful-insurtech-partnerships</link><guid>2267</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Disclosed-insurtech-partnerships-Source-CB-Insights.png?x27302</dc:content ><dc:text>5 Recommendations for Successful Insurtech Partnerships</dc:text></item><item><title>Money Transfer Startup TransferGo Secured US$50 Million in Series C Fundraise</title><description><![CDATA[TransferGo, a London-based money transfer company, announced that it has secured US$50 million during a Series C funding round, bringing its total funds raised to US$77 million so far.
The funding round was led by Elbrus Capital Fund III and Black River Ventures and joined by new investor Unlimint and existing investors which include Hard Yaka, VEF, SmartHub and Milano Investments.
The firm said that the funds will be used to help expand its customer base, mainly migrants looking to send and receive money across Europe.
It also has plans to develop its product offering in support of its goal to grow 5 times in the next three to four years.
TransferGo was founded in 2012 and reportedly has a user base of 3.5 million people across 160 markets having processed a total of US$6 billion in transactions.
The firm currently has 200 employees with offices in London, Vilnius, Kaunas, Berlin, Istanbul and Warsaw.
Daumantas Dvilinskas
Daumantas Dvilinskas, Founder and CEO of TransferGo said,
“At TransferGo, we believe that everyone has the right to move money quickly, securely and cheaply. Despite a challenging economic environment for migrant workers, we have seen prolific, sustained growth during the pandemic.
 
With the additional funding, our next chapter of growth will see us in an even stronger position to keep innovating and developing our product offering, for hardworking migrants all across Europe.”
The post Money Transfer Startup TransferGo Secured US$50 Million in Series C Fundraise appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/money-transfer-startup-transfergo-secured-us50-million-in-series-c-fundraise</link><guid>2266</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Money Transfer Startup TransferGo Secured US$50 Million in Series C Fundraise</dc:text></item><item><title>Robo Advisor Betterment Earns Unicorn Badge With US$160 Million Series F</title><description><![CDATA[New York-based robo advisor Betterment announced that it has secured US$160 million during a Series F equity round, pushing the company&#8217;s valuation to nearly US$1.3 billion.
The growth capital raised comprises a US$60 million equity round and a US$100 million credit facility.
The round was led by Treasury, with participation from existing investors, including Kinnevik, Bessemer Venture Partners, Francisco Partners, Menlo Ventures, Anthemis Group, Globespan Capital Partners, Citi Ventures, and The Private Shares Fund, as well as new investors Aflac Ventures and ID8 Investments.
The US$100 million credit facility was established with ORIX Corporation USA&#8217;s Growth Capital group and Runway Growth Capital. ORIX&#8217;s Growth Capital group acted as lead arranger and agent.
The additional funding will be used to accelerate the company&#8217;s growth across its core retail investment products and advisor solutions, and particularly its rapidly growing 401(k) offering for small and medium sized businesses.
The digital investment advisor reports that it has US$32 billion in assets under management and nearly 700,000 clients.
Sarah Levy
&#8220;We are thrilled to have the support of new and existing investors who believe in our business model and are excited by the opportunity to support our growth.
 
We&#8217;re using these funds to further cement our category leadership with rapid innovation on top of our already differentiated product suite and unique, multi-pronged distribution model that serves retail investors, advisors and small businesses.&#8221;
said Sarah Levy, CEO of Betterment.
 

The post Robo Advisor Betterment Earns Unicorn Badge With US$160 Million Series F appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/robo-advisor-betterment-earns-unicorn-badge-with-us160-million-series-f</link><guid>2264</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/AM.png?x27302</dc:content ><dc:text>Robo Advisor Betterment Earns Unicorn Badge With US$160 Million Series F</dc:text></item><item><title>Insurtech Firm Sure Bags US$100 Million in Series C, Now Valued at US$550 Million</title><description><![CDATA[US-based insurtech Sure announced that it has raised US$100 million during a Series C funding round which values it at US$550 million.
The fundraise was co-led by Declaration Partners LP and Kinnevik AB with participation from WndrCo, FTAC Ventures, Expanding Capital, and existing investors W. R. Berkley Corporation and Menlo Ventures.
Sure that that it will be using the funds to expand its team, accelerate advancements in embedded insurance, and scale the business in international markets to further improve the digital insurance experience.
The startup had previously secured US$23.1 million during a Series B funding round last year in June.
Sure said in a post,
&#8220;Today we announce one of the many milestones we’ve achieved on our journey to unlocking the full potential of insurance on the internet.&#8221;

The post Insurtech Firm Sure Bags US$100 Million in Series C, Now Valued at US$550 Million appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/insurtech-firm-sure-bags-us100-million-in-series-c-now-valued-at-us550-million</link><guid>2265</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/AM.png?x27302</dc:content ><dc:text>Insurtech Firm Sure Bags US$100 Million in Series C, Now Valued at US$550 Million</dc:text></item><item><title>Market Pay Acquires French Payments Firm Dejamobile</title><description><![CDATA[Market Pay, an European and omni-channel payment platform, announced the acquisition of Dejamobile, a French provider of mobile and connected equipment payment solutions.
This deal is the second acquisition for Market Pay this month, following the acquisition of the Acoustic Payment platform.
These developments represent part of an ambitious growth plan for Market Pay following AnaCap’s acquisition of a majority stake of 60% in the company in April 2021.
This investment allows Market Pay to onboard integrate a leading, mobile transaction technology offering with substantial adoption potential, to further strengthen Market Pay’s international footprint in the payments industry.
Dejamobile’s expertise in both digital and contactless payments complements the full range of in-store and e-commerce payment services already offered by Market Pay.
The Dejamobile team, made up of developers and engineers, will support and strengthen Market Pay’s R&amp;D teams.
Market Pay and Dejamobile have already successfully partnered pre acquisition by developing PayWishâ, an innovative service for mobile purchasing experiences through a contactless payment application on Android smartphones and tablets.
Houssem Assadi
Houssem Assadi, CEO and co-founder of Dejamobile said,
“Dejamobile&#8217;s founders and employees are excited to join Market Pay to build a leading fintech on an international scale.
 
The range of innovative solutions developed by Dejamobile since 2012, as well as its ecosystem of customers and partners, provides Market Pay with new assets in its ambitious development project.&#8221;
Frédéric Mazurier
Frédéric Mazurier, CEO of Market Pay said,
“Dejamobile is a strategic acquisition for Market Pay. It strengthens our technological expertise as well as our strategic positioning in our various markets while also accelerating the ability to expand Market Pay’s international footprint.
 
The Dejamobile team, which has already developed innovative solutions partnering with us, will become core to Market Pay&#8217;s R&amp;D processes on all mobile payment related activities.”
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Pixabay 
The post Market Pay Acquires French Payments Firm Dejamobile appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/market-pay-acquires-french-payments-firm-dejamobile</link><guid>2263</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Market Pay Acquires French Payments Firm Dejamobile</dc:text></item><item><title>Deutsche Börse’s Venture Arm Acquires Minority Stake in Israeli Fintech WeMatch</title><description><![CDATA[Deutsche Börse’s venture arm DB1 Ventures has acquired a minority stake in WeMatch, an Israel-based fintech company digitising the wholesale derivatives industry, as part of the latter&#8217;s US$ 19.5 million Series B equity funding round. The deal closed on 30 September 2021.
Other investors in the funding round included Augmentum Fintech PLC, Illuminate Financial and existing shareholder J.P. Morgan.
WeMatch develops web-based solutions to replace voice broking by automating matching, negotiation and lifecycle management for instruments such as securities borrowing and lending, total return swaps, interest rate derivatives, as well as equity derivatives.
It provides market participants with a one-stop solution across a range of assets, cutting costs for clients, increasing efficiency and reducing conduct risk for traders.
WeMatch was founded in 2016 and currently has 26 employees across offices in Tel Aviv, London, and Paris.
So far, the firm reports that 40 banks and 17 fund managers have been onboarded, with a notional of over US$ 1 trillion matched to date.
Matthias Graulich
“The digitalization of workflows combined with seamless access to large liquidity pools at market infrastructure providers has been driving the collaboration between WeMatch and Deutsche Börse; hence, this investment makes perfect sense and further strengthens our partnership.
 
It is a win-win from our perspective – Deutsche Börse will benefit from WeMatch’s agility and innovation power, and WeMatch will benefit from our deep liquidity pools and strong global distribution power facilitating further growth for both firms.”
said Matthias Graulich, Member of the Eurex Clearing Executive Board at Deutsche Börse.
Joseph Seroussi
“The combination of the significant synergies with a leading European exchange like Deutsche Börse, the continued support of our banking partners J.P. Morgan and Société Générale, and the contribution of impactful Fintech VCs like Illuminate Financial and Augmentum, will help us deliver our project to digitize capital market workflows on a global scale for both sell-side and buy-side Institutions.”
said Joseph Seroussi, co-CEO of WeMatch.
 
 
 
The post Deutsche Börse’s Venture Arm Acquires Minority Stake in Israeli Fintech WeMatch appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/deutsche-borses-venture-arm-acquires-minority-stake-in-israeli-fintech-wematch</link><guid>2262</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Deutsche Börse’s Venture Arm Acquires Minority Stake in Israeli Fintech WeMatch</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 10 Upcoming International (Online) Events for Swiss Fintechs</title><description><![CDATA[It’s fintech events season again, with a number of global webinars, festivals and roundtables lined up for the tail end of 2021.
For Swiss fintech companies looking to broaden their business base, and jumpstart their expansion efforts into fintech hubs across the world, these events for Swiss fintechs represent an opportunity to build connections, get ground-level perspectives, and dive into regional strategies.
Here are some of the top upcoming international events for Swiss fintechs that can be attended virtually.
1. SGE Roundtable: Global growth opportunities in fintech (fall program)
26 Oct 2021, 11:00 – 12:00 AM (CET)

 
The global fintech ecosystem has been having a blockbuster recovery so far. With a V-shaped rebound from the pandemic, global fintech investments nearly reached US$100 billion in H1 this year. VC investment in fintech surpassed US$52 billion for the period (nearly beating the annual record of US$54 billion in 2018). Elsewhere, corporate venture capital, private equity and M&amp;A deals have all been abuzz this year.
In this context, Switzerland Global Enterprise (SGE) is hosting an online roundtable for fintech companies to explore global growth opportunities. The webinar will cover the major markets of India, Russia, Mexico and Mauritius. It is especially tailored for Swiss and Liechtenstein companies looking to kickstart their global expansion journey.
The roundtable will cover:

Different opportunities in across global fintech markets with a focus on India, Russia, Mexico and Mauritius
Expansion possibilities for Swiss and Liechtenstein fintech startups
Insights into entry strategies by a successful Swiss fintech
Ways to tailor the expansion journey for each of the four countries covered

The free webinar is part of SGE’s events for Swiss fintechs under their fall program. The program aims to provide Swiss and Liechtenstein-based fintech companies with insights into expansion tailored to their needs.
Companies can also book a free consulting session with SGE to discuss their internationalisation journey with country-specific insights.
2. SGE Roundtable: Fintech opportunities in ASEAN (fall program)
26 Oct 2021, 12:30 – 01:30 PM (CET)

 
The APAC region is a hotbed for fintech development, especially around Southeast Asia, with startup powerhouses such as Singapore and Indonesia leading the way. Last year, Southeast Asian countries attracted US$903.65 million in funding dollars (as of Q3 2020) despite the pandemic, and US$1.12 billion the year before. The region also attracted major partnerships from Asian tech giants such as Tencent and Ant Group.
This free webinar by SGE is an opportunity for Swiss and Liechtenstein companies to learn about the fintech sector in the region. It focuses on ASEAN nations Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
Attendees can network with Asian fintech players, gain ground-level insight from Swiss fintech companies that successfully entered the ASEAN market, and learn about the best strategies to tap into the ASEAN fintech opportunity.
The virtual roundtable will cover:

The latest developments in ASEAN’s fintech landscape
Insights on breaking into the ASEAN market from two Swiss fintechs
What to expect from the upcoming Singapore Fintech Festival 2021 happening on November 8-12
A chance to interact with speakers through a Q&amp;A session

The webinar is also part of SGE’s events for Swiss fintechs under their fall program.
3. SGE Webinar: Business opportunities in cybersecurity Qatar 2022 (fall program)
5 Oct 2021, 12:00 – 12:30 PM CET

 
 
Cybersecurity is a long-standing priority for Qatar’s Ministry of Transport and Communication. Two key initiatives in this space include the Qatar Computer Emergency Response Team (Q-CERT), announced in 2005 in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University, and the National Cyber Security Strategy in 2013.
SGE will be hosting a webinar to understand Qatar’s cybersecurity space better, and discuss ways for Swiss companies to make headway in this market. Attendees can expect to delve into the opportunities in Qatar going into 2022 and beyond.
The SGE webinar will cover:

Structural organisation of cybersecurity in Qatar
Tangible business opportunities beyond 2022
Requirements of local cyber security and digital transformation sub-sectors

4. SGE Webinar: Do business in the Saudi Arabia fintech ecosystem (fall program)
5 Oct 2021, 12:30 – 13:00 PM CET

 
Fintech adoption is rising in Saudi Arabia. Digital payments increased by 75% in 2020, and 69% of individuals use e-payment services in the country. Saudi Arabia is also looking to reduce cash usage, increasing non-cash transactions in the country to 70% by 2025.
SGE is organising a free webinar for Swiss and Liechtenstein companies looking to establish a presence in this growing Middle East fintech hub. The webinar will feature industry insiders discussing the Saudi fintech sector, as well as entry strategies.
More specifically, the free webinar will cover:

An overview about Saudi Arabia’s fintech sector, including trends, history and progress
The testing environment and fintech regulations concerning fintech in Saudi Arabia
Latest developments and innovations in the sector
Needs of local companies, and entry strategies for Swiss companies

5. Paris Fintech Forum 2021
12 &#8211; 13 October 2021

Spread across two days, the Paris Fintech Forum 2021 will feature the Paris Fintech Forum Awards, Women in Finance Lunch, Paris Fintech Night for networking, and a number of sessions pertaining to payments and finance.
Attendees can also look forward to speed meeting sessions, 1-1 networking, and roundtables, as well as an exhibition hall, and a Startup Village (featuring 80 handpicked fintech companies).
Some of the themes include:

Financial data and new business models
Borderless payment technology
UX and new customer behaviours

6. Fintech Inn Lithuania 2021
21 &#8211; 22 October 2021

Lithuania’s fintech ecosystem is growing rapidly, with its fintech sector named the fastest growing in the EU. With this steep growth, Fintech Inn Lithuania is back with its 5th edition taking place virtually.
This two-day event brings together global fintech companies, startups, investors, policymakers, and leaders. It will also cover everything from digital banking, payments and remittance, to blockchain, digital assets, and more. More importantly, it will create a space for Lithuanian fintech players to exchange know-how and build important networks.
7. Hong Kong Fintech Week 2021
1 &#8211; 5 November 2021
Hong Kong Fintech Week is back this November in a hybrid format. The event will be taking place offline in Hong Kong, but will also be accessible online, and is one of many global events for Swiss fintechs to attend virtually.
 
The conference features speakers from across the fintech industry, including Alibaba Group, BlackRock, Sequoia, Gobi Partners and more. It also has a Global Fast Track 2021 programme for startups to delve into expansion opportunities in the Great Bay Area, and the wider Asia region, as well as fintech masterclasses and workshops.
8. Singapore Fintech Festival 2021
8 &#8211; 12 November 2021, 01:30 AM CET onwards

Another one for Swiss fintech companies looking to tap into the Asian fintech space, Singapore Fintech Festival 2021 will focus on the impact of Web 3.0. It will discuss how Web 3.0 will influence financial services and the digital economy, especially through emerging developments such as DeFi.
There’s something for everyone at the conference this year. Some key themes include:

Designing and building financial services for Web 3.0
The value of blockchain in financial services
Web 3.0 in consumer banking, insurance, pension and investment banking
New commercial and partnership models with embedded finance
Next-gen market and payments infrastructure
The need for a global multi-jurisdiction connected SME platform, and more

9. Fintech Abu Dhabi 2021
22 &#8211; 24 November 2021

A top fintech hub in the Middle East, the UAE is benefitting heavily from the efforts of local bodies established to promote fintech in the country. The Fintech Abu Dhabi Festival is one of the country’s highlights, and for Swiss fintech companies, it’s an opportunity to meet the who’s who not only in UAE’s fintech industry, but globally as well.
The conference will be held in a hybrid format this year, but retains much of its original format, including the Fintech100 programme, Innovation Challenge, Government Fintech Forum, Investor Forum and Fintech Awards.
Swiss fintech startups attending can look forward to the following:

Fintech for Good, a dedicated forum on the intersection of sustainability, fintech and innovation
CxO21, a deep dive into corporate innovation and digital banking
Token, which focuses on digital assets and currencies
Risk 4.0, discussing expert perspectives on financial security
Fintech Souk, a close look at developments in retail and payments

10. Fintech Connect Leaders Summit 2021
1 &#8211; 2 December 2021

Fintech Connect 2021 brings together fintech leaders and experts across digital transformation, payments, blockchain and regtech. The conference will feature 250 speakers and 6000 attendees representing over 50 countries.
Here’s what attendees can expect from the virtual two-day conference:

Roadmap the digital transformation of financial services
Understand the rapid changes in both B2B and B2C payments
Delve into the institutional blockchain revolution
Hear from leaders in the space of security for financial services

 
 
The post Top 10 Upcoming International (Online) Events for Swiss Fintechs appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-10-upcoming-international-online-events-for-swiss-fintechs</link><guid>2261</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/ROUNDTABLE-GLOBAL-GROWTH-OPPORTUNITIES-IN-FINTECH.jpg?x27302</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 10 Upcoming International (Online) Events for Swiss Fintechs</dc:text></item><item><title>FQX Bags Award at the Fintech Germany Awards 2021</title><description><![CDATA[FQX, a Swiss-based provider of electronic promissory note infrastructure to facilitate trade finance and money markets, has won an award at the Fintech Germany Awards 2021.
The startup bagged an award for the category “Foreign Entrant into the German Market”, two months after winning the Swiss Fintech Awards 2021 for early stage startups.
Stephan D. Meyer
Stephan D. Meyer, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of FQX said,
“FQX uses a global unconditional promise to pay, combines it with banking-grade DLT and the result is one of the most powerful financing and payment instruments in the world: eNotes.
 
We very proud that FQX is awarded with this prize in the category &#8220;foreign&#8221; and is in good company with reputable fintechs such as Revolut, TransferWise and Quonto.”
Benedikt Schuppli
Benedikt Schuppli, Co-Founder &amp; Co-CEO of FQX said,
&#8220;It‘s both humbling and motivating, being honored with this Award, in such an impressive company of other startups.&#8221;
The post FQX Bags Award at the Fintech Germany Awards 2021 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fqx-bags-award-at-the-fintech-germany-awards-2021</link><guid>2259</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>FQX Bags Award at the Fintech Germany Awards 2021</dc:text></item><item><title>Latin America’s Fast-Evolving Fintech Regulatory Landscape</title><description><![CDATA[Latin America (Latam)’s fintech industry is booming, fueled by the region’s large population of unbanked, rising demand for online banking tools and a surge in venture capital (VC) investment into the region.
In 2016, Latam financial services companies secured just US$300 million in investment, according to Crunchbase data, a number that soared to US$1.5 billion in 2019, and to US$2 billion 2020.
And that growth in VC financing continued this year, as adoption of digital tools increased during COVID-19. A research released in October 2020 by Americas Market Intelligence in partnership with Mastercard found that over 40 million people in Latam were added to the banking ecosystem over the previous five months.
Latam’s burgeoning fintech industry has encouraged regulators across the region to introduce new rules and guidelines to not only protect customers and industry participants, but also encourage the safe development of the industry.
Iupana, an information service for Latam’s fintech, banking and payments sectors, has recently released an extensive guide on how fintech regulations are evolving in the region, showcasing the diverse strategies that each nation has adopted.
Mexico: a pioneer in fintech regulation
Photo by Jezael Melgoza on Unsplash
Mexico was an early mover in fintech regulation, enacting in March 2018 the Fintech Law. Although the legislation was meant to provide regulatory clarity, the burden involved have forced many players to turn to alliances, acquisition deals and even embedded finance opportunities to enter the Mexico market.
Reflective of that was the acquisition of Invermerica by Chilean wealthtech company Fintual to accelerate its entry into Mexico.
Applicants have also reported delays in obtaining the proper operating authorizations. As of January 2021, 85 fintech companies had applied for a license but only one applicant was granted one.
Mexico’s Fintech Law regulates electronic payment fund institutions, crowdfunding operations and virtual assets. It also introduces a regulatory regime for open banking as well as a regulatory sandbox for players to test out innovative products and services.
Brazil: advancing open banking
Photo by Raphael Nogueira on Unsplash
Brazil, Latam’s largest fintech ecosystem, has been advancing fintech regulations for now eight years, focusing particularly on payments, online lending and crowdfunding.
In 2013, new payments regulation was introduced, paving the way for mobile payments innovation and digital wallets. This was followed in 2017 by crowdfunding rules, and in 2018 by the release of regulation for so-called credit startups as well as establishing a licensing regime for peer-to-peer (P2P) lenders.
Brazil’s central bank approved the Brazilian Open Banking in early 2019 as part of a broader modernization push of the country’s financial sector. Implementation started in February 2021. The third phase, which enables consumers to share data in order to pay bills, access credit and make money transfers, is scheduled to be rolled out on October 29, 2021.
In late-2020, Brazil established guidelines for the operation of its regulatory sandbox, an environment in which entities from the financial or payment industries are licensed to test, for a specified period, an innovative solution.
Chile: new regulation underway
Photo by Caio Silva on Unsplash
Chile has been making a big push to regulate the fintech sector. In February 2021, the so-called Fintech Law was published by the Financial Market Commission (CMF), setting out a legal framework for companies engaged in crowdfunding, alternative transaction systems, financial instrument intermediation, credit advisory, and custodial services, among others.
The bill also includes guidelines for the creation of an open banking framework. One particularity of the proposal is that, although it establishes certain prerequisites for startups, it also provides the CMF with some flexibility in treating these companies, allowing it, for example, to differentiate these companies based on their transaction volumes.
The proposal was sent to Congress on September 3, 2021. It could take it at least another year to draw up secondary regulation that will effectively lay out the clauses for the sector to follow, global law firm Dentons told Iupana.
Argentina: focus on digital payments
image via Unsplash
Currently, Argentina does not have an umbrella legislation for the fintech sector but has nevertheless experienced with more specific regulations relating to, for example, so-called non-financial credit providers. These companies provide credit products but do not take in any customer deposits.
Other new rules that have been introduced that are somewhat related to fintech include a framework that facilitates entrepreneurship and business creation, crowdfunding regulation, as well as tax benefits for technology companies.
In November, the Argentinian central bank will be launching Transferencia 3.0 plan, a plan that seeks to boost digital payments and promote interoperability of the different digital wallets available in the country.
Argentina is one of the biggest digital wallet ecosystems in Latam with some 30 solutions. Market leader Mercado Libre reported US$17.5 billion in payment volumes in Q2 2021, up 53% year-over-year, according to Iupana. In response, the banking sector came together to launch Modo, a digital banking and payment solution, backed by 30 firms.
Ecuador: taking the first steps
Photo by Juan Ordonez on Unsplash
Ecuador is taking the first steps towards regulating its fintech sector. On August 18, legislator Nathalie Viteri presented a bill to the National Assembly to amend several laws for the development, regulation and control of fintech services.
The so-called Fintech Law aims to create a legal framework for fintech companies, setting out various requirements for those engaged in business-to-business (B2B) financial services, personal finance and advice, crowdfunding, blockchain and digital assets, paytech, and banking infrastructures, among others.
The bill also incorporates the possibility of establishing a regulatory sandbox.
Before this development, Ecuador had introduced reforms to cater to new market entrants and business models such as rules to facilitate business creation and innovation.

The post Latin America’s Fast-Evolving Fintech Regulatory Landscape appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/latin-americas-fast-evolving-fintech-regulatory-landscape</link><guid>2260</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/mexico.jpg?x27302</dc:content ><dc:text>Latin America’s Fast-Evolving Fintech Regulatory Landscape</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Crypto Exchange Lykke Business Appoints Dom Braun as New CEO</title><description><![CDATA[Lykke Business, a Swiss fintech company that runs the crypto exchange Lykke Wallet for retail and professional traders, announced that it has appointed Dom Braun as its new CEO.
Dom is an experienced business and technology leader who will succeed Niklaus Mettler and assume responsibilities on 1st of October 2021. Niklaus will stay on with Lykke Business as Management Consultant.
He will be based out of Singapore first before moving to Switzerland. Dom has been in the technology industry for more than 14 years, most recently in the fintech and regtech space.
Dom is known as a thought leader with the ability to building up businesses from scratch and revamping existing businesses. While in his previous position as MD APAC with fintech firm Episode Six, Dom was crucial to build and expand the APAC business and brand to success for the last 2 years.
Before that, Dom was with global regtech firm Accuity, now known as Lexis Nexis Risk, in different regional and global leadership positions throughout his tenure of more than 6 years.
Dom received his MBA degree from Warwick Business School (WBS) and received several awards during his career.
Richard Olsen
Richard Olsen, Founder of Lykke said,
“Lykke is a blockchain lab with a suite of unique products and services.
 
I am thrilled that Dom, an expert of scaling successful businesses, has joined Lykke Business as CEO and will build the distribution network for our products and services.&#8221;
Dom Braun
Dom Braun said,
“I am very excited to be part of the Lykke ecosystem to lead and expand their B2B business for its cutting edge Blockchain-based enterprise solutions.
 
With their existing assets and great engineering and product teams, Lykke Business has a strong foundation to be built on with leveraging my market and business experience”,
 
The post Swiss Crypto Exchange Lykke Business Appoints Dom Braun as New CEO appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-crypto-exchange-lykke-business-appoints-dom-braun-as-new-ceo</link><guid>2256</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Crypto Exchange Lykke Business Appoints Dom Braun as New CEO</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Crypto Exchange Lykke Appoints Dom Braun as New CEO</title><description><![CDATA[Lykke Business, a Swiss fintech company that runs the crypto exchange Lykke Wallet for retail and professional traders, announced that it has appointed Dom Braun as its new CEO.
Dom is an experienced business and technology leader who will succeed Niklaus Mettler and assume responsibilities on 1st of October 2021. Niklaus will stay on with Lykke Business as Management Consultant.
He will be based out of Singapore first before moving to Switzerland. Dom has been in the technology industry for more than 14 years, most recently in the fintech and regtech space.
Dom is known as a thought leader with the ability to building up businesses from scratch and revamping existing businesses. While in his previous position as MD APAC with fintech firm Episode Six, Dom was crucial to build and expand the APAC business and brand to success for the last 2 years.
Before that, Dom was with global regtech firm Accuity, now known as Lexis Nexis Risk, in different regional and global leadership positions throughout his tenure of more than 6 years.
Dom received his MBA degree from Warwick Business School (WBS) and received several awards during his career.
Richard Olsen
Richard Olsen, Founder of Lykke said,
“Lykke is a blockchain lab with a suite of unique products and services.
 
I am thrilled that Dom, an expert of scaling successful businesses, has joined Lykke Business as CEO and will build the distribution network for our products and services.&#8221;
Dom Braun
Dom Braun said,
“I am very excited to be part of the Lykke ecosystem to lead and expand their B2B business for its cutting edge Blockchain-based enterprise solutions.
 
With their existing assets and great engineering and product teams, Lykke Business has a strong foundation to be built on with leveraging my market and business experience”,
 
The post Swiss Crypto Exchange Lykke Appoints Dom Braun as New CEO appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-crypto-exchange-lykke-appoints-dom-braun-as-new-ceo</link><guid>2257</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Crypto Exchange Lykke Appoints Dom Braun as New CEO</dc:text></item><item><title>Lykke Business Appoints Dom Braun as New CEO</title><description><![CDATA[Lykke Business, a Swiss fintech company that runs the crypto exchange Lykke Wallet for retail and professional traders, announced that it has appointed Dom Braun as its new CEO.
Dom is an experienced business and technology leader who will succeed Niklaus Mettler and assume responsibilities on 1st of October 2021. Niklaus will stay on with Lykke Business as Management Consultant.
He will be based out of Singapore first before moving to Switzerland. Dom has been in the technology industry for more than 14 years, most recently in the fintech and regtech space.
Dom is known as a thought leader with the ability to building up businesses from scratch and revamping existing businesses. While in his previous position as MD APAC with fintech firm Episode Six, Dom was crucial to build and expand the APAC business and brand to success for the last 2 years.
Before that, Dom was with global regtech firm Accuity, now known as Lexis Nexis Risk, in different regional and global leadership positions throughout his tenure of more than 6 years.
Dom received his MBA degree from Warwick Business School (WBS) and received several awards during his career.
Richard Olsen
Richard Olsen, Founder of Lykke said,
“Lykke is a blockchain lab with a suite of unique products and services.
 
I am thrilled that Dom, an expert of scaling successful businesses, has joined Lykke Business as CEO and will build the distribution network for our products and services.&#8221;
Dom Braun
Dom Braun said,
“I am very excited to be part of the Lykke ecosystem to lead and expand their B2B business for its cutting edge Blockchain-based enterprise solutions.
 
With their existing assets and great engineering and product teams, Lykke Business has a strong foundation to be built on with leveraging my market and business experience”,
 
The post Lykke Business Appoints Dom Braun as New CEO appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/lykke-business-appoints-dom-braun-as-new-ceo</link><guid>2258</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Lykke Business Appoints Dom Braun as New CEO</dc:text></item><item><title>BIS Joins Forces With Seven Central Banks to Explore Practicality of Retail CDBCs</title><description><![CDATA[A group formed by seven central banks and the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) has now turned to practical policy and implementation issues for retail Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), building on an initial report published in 2020.
The central banks in question include the Bank of Canada, Bank of England, Bank of Japan, European Central Bank, Federal Reserve, Sveriges Riksbank and the Swiss National Bank.
While none of these central banks has yet decided to proceed with a retail CBDC, they believe continuing to work on the topic is key, due to its wide-ranging implications.
Delivering on the future needs of consumers would require systems that encourage innovation, choice and competition among a diverse mix of intermediaries.
The first report explores how private-public collaboration and interoperability can be designed into CBDC systems to achieve this objective.
Developing and running a CBDC system would be a major undertaking for any central bank. In particular, policies about privacy and access to payment data would be key design elements in order to maintain public trust.
The second report focuses on how a CBDC could best serve people and businesses in a fast-changing technological landscape.
Lessons from previous payment innovations compiled in the report, show that success often requires harnessing network effects and not requiring users to obtain new devices.
Nonetheless, there would not be a &#8220;one-size-fits-all&#8221; solution and CBDC adoption strategies would need to consider multiple perspectives through public consultations.
The third report outlines the possible impact of CBDC issuance on banking systems, in terms of intermediation capacity and overall resilience.
Preliminary analysis highlights the importance of allowing the financial system time to adjust and the flexibility to use safeguards to influence CBDC adoption.
Christine Lagarde
&#8220;Central banks have a responsibility to ensure that citizens have access to the safest form of money – central bank money – in the digital age.
 
These reports are evidence that policy makers are enhancing their domestic projects with international cooperation, sharing ideas on the best technological innovations to provide fast, easy and secure means of payment in the 21st century.&#8221;
Christine Lagarde, ECB&#8217;s President and chair of the group of central bank governors responsible for the reports.
Benoît Cœuré
&#8220;CBDCs can foster innovation and preserve the best elements of the current system as it evolves.
 
This group is helping central banks to answer difficult and practical questions about how to offer safe and neutral currency with interoperable systems that harness new technology and serve the public.&#8221;
Benoît Cœuré, Head of the BIS Innovation Hub and working group co-chair.
 
The post BIS Joins Forces With Seven Central Banks to Explore Practicality of Retail CDBCs appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bis-joins-forces-with-seven-central-banks-to-explore-practicality-of-retail-cdbcs</link><guid>2246</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>BIS Joins Forces With Seven Central Banks to Explore Practicality of Retail CDBCs</dc:text></item><item><title>Visa Teases Plans for an Interoperable Hub for Crypto Payments</title><description><![CDATA[Visa announced that it is currently developing the “Universal Payment Channel” (UPC), a hub that connects multiple blockchain networks and allowing for secure transfer of digital currencies.
The payments giant calls it a a “universal adapter” among blockchains, allowing central banks, businesses, and consumers to seamlessly exchange value, no matter the form factor of the currency.
Visa has detailed the mechanics of UPC in its research paper &#8220;Universal Payment Channels: An Interoperability Platform for Digital Currencies&#8221;, as well as policy guidance for central banks and regulators on the implication of this research from the Visa Economic Empowerment Institute.
In a blog post on Thursday, Visa highlighted that while digital currencies may not be a part of one&#8217;s daily financial life today, it’s likely that they will play an important role in the future.
Over the past two years, central banks around the world have shown an increasing interest in exploring CBDC — a new, digital form of central bank money that can be used directly by consumers, merchants, and financial institutions.
Visa added that in order for CBDCs to be successful, they must have two essential ingredients: a great consumer experience and widespread merchant acceptance.
It means the ability to make and receive payments, regardless of currency, channel, or form factor which is where Visa’s UPC concept comes in.
Visa&#8217;s research team began developing a framework for interoperability that would work across different blockchain networks and be independent of the underlying blockchain mechanisms in 2018.
The company said that as it continues its applied research, Visa is working to translate its ideas into actual lines of code.
Visa has requested for comments and technical feedback to its UPC design here.
Catherine Gu
An expert from the blog post written by Catherine Gu, Global CBDC Product Lead at Visa,
&#8220;Imagine splitting the check with your friends, when everyone at the table is using a different type of money — some using a central bank digital currency (or CBDC) like Sweden’s eKrona, and others preferring a private stablecoin like USDC. How about sending $500 in USDC to a friend in London, and having those funds automatically converted to digital British pounds before they arrive in her CBDC wallet.
 
Now imagine all this happening in real-time, across multiple networks, and compatible with multiple digital wallets.  In the not-too-distant future, this very well may be a reality. But getting there will take solving one key problem: cross-chain interoperability. In other words, how do you get different digital currencies, relying on different tech stacks and protocols, with different compliance standards and market requirements, to “talk” to each other in a wider network of value?&#8221;
 
The post Visa Teases Plans for an Interoperable Hub for Crypto Payments appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/visa-teases-plans-for-an-interoperable-hub-for-crypto-payments</link><guid>2247</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Visa Teases Plans for an Interoperable Hub for Crypto Payments</dc:text></item><item><title>European Funding Trends: Soaring Wealthtech and Insurtech Funding</title><description><![CDATA[In Q2 2021, European fintech companies raised a record of US$7.2 billion in venture capital (VC) funding, a 30% quarter on quarter (QoQ) surge driven by insurtech and wealthtech companies, according to new data from CB Insights.
Among all fintech segments, insurtech and wealthtech recorded the biggest funding gains QoQ. Insurtech companies raised a record of US$1.8 billion, up over 400% QoQ, while wealthtech companies raised US$1.3 billion, up 273% QoQ.
QoQ funding and deal growth, overall and by sector, Q1’21 – Q2’21, Source: Fintech Funding Trends in Europe, CB Insights, Sep 2021
The five largest insurtech deals of Q2 2021 totaled US$1.5 billion, and included WeFox (US$650 million, Germany), Bought By Many (US$350 million, France), Alan (US$222.6 million, France), Shift Technology’s (US$220 million, France), and FintechOS (US$60 million, Romania).
Deals and equity funding ($M) to insurance tech companies, Q2’20 – Q2’21, Source: Fintech Funding Trends in Europe, CB Insights, Sep 2021
In wealthtech, the top five largest funding rounds of Q2 2021 raised a total of US$1.2 billion. They included Trade Republic, a German neobroker (US$900 million), Scalable Capital, another German startup providing digital wealth services (US$183 million), Bux, a Dutch community-based trading app (US$80.49 million), Tesseract, a Finnish digital asset management platform (US$25 million), and Epsor, a French human resources (HR) tool allowing users to manage payroll and employee savings (US$24.5 million).
Deals and equity funding ($M) to wealth tech companies, Q2’20 – Q2’21, Source: Fintech Funding Trends in Europe, CB Insights, Sep 2021
The capital markets segment recorded the third biggest funding gain QoQ, jumping ­75% to US$552 million in Q2 2021. Open banking and banking platforms took most of the top deals with notable rounds that included 10x Future Technologies, a UK bank infrastructure provider (US$187 million), Mambu, a German software-as-a-service (SaaS) banking platform (US$134.9 million), and Tink, a Swedish open banking software (US$103 million).
Deals and equity funding ($M) to capital markets tech companies, Q2’20 – Q2’21, Source: Fintech Funding Trends in Europe, CB Insights, Sep 2021
At the end of the spectrum, real estate companies saw the biggest decline, falling 87% in funding QoQ to US$80 million. Payments companies also took a hit, declining 38% to US$1.5 billion.
Blockbuster year for fintech funding
Funding to European fintech companies in H1 2021 totaled a record-breaking US$12.8 billion, nearly 1.5x higher than 2020’s full-year total. Deal count fell 8% QoQ while funding grew 30%, indicating that those fundraisings went towards mid- to late-stage rounds.
Quarterly VC-backed, Europe-based fintech funding ($M), Q3’17 – Q2’21, Source: Fintech Funding Trends in Europe, CB Insights, Sep 2021
Germany raised some of the region’s largest deals of Q2 2021, nearly reaching UK’s funding high among European countries. In Q2 2021, German fintech companies raised US$2,031 million, only 2% more than their UK counterparts (US$2,069 million).
Quarterly VC-backed, Europe-based fintech deals and funding ($M), Q3’17 – Q2’21, Source: Fintech Funding Trends in Europe, CB Insights, Sep 2021
2021 has been a blockbuster year for fintech funding and startup valuation in Europe. The continent started the year with just one decacorn fintech startup worth US$10 billion or more – buy now, pay later (BNPL) giant Klarna that’s worth US$45.6 billion, according to CB Insights data – but since then, two new decacorns have been minted: digital bank Revolut, and digital payment specialist Checkout.com, worth US$33 billion and US$15 billion, respectively.
Europe’s 39 fintech unicorns have collectively raised US$22.6 billion to date, Crunchbase data show, and are altogether valued at US$178 billion. This means that about half of that capital was raised this year alone. Close to half of Europe’s fintech unicorns reached the status in 2021, among which Trade Republic, London-based challenger bank Starling Bank, health insurance platform Alan, and Danish employee smart card company Pleo.
Crunchbase data show that Index Ventures, Seedcamp and Accel have the highest investment count in European fintech unicorns. Seedcamp has the highest portfolio count at the seed stage, while Valar Ventures and Index Ventures mainly get in at Series A rounds.
Active investors in European fintech unicorns and exited unicorns by investment counts, Source: Crunchbase, Aug 2021
The post European Funding Trends: Soaring Wealthtech and Insurtech Funding appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/european-funding-trends-soaring-wealthtech-and-insurtech-funding</link><guid>2248</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/QoQ-funding-and-deal-growth-overall-and-by-sector-Q121-–-Q221-Source-Fintech-Funding-Trends-in-Europe-CB-Insights-Sep-2021.png?x27302</dc:content ><dc:text>European Funding Trends: Soaring Wealthtech and Insurtech Funding</dc:text></item><item><title>London’s SME Lender Wiserfunding Bags £3 Million From BGF</title><description><![CDATA[Wiserfunding, a London-based provider of credit risk assessment for SME lenders, announced it has secured £3 million investment from growth capital investor BGF.
The deal was led by James Austin and Rowan Bird at BGF. As part of the deal, James Austin will join Wiserfunding as director.
This investment will support Wiserfunding in accelerating international expansion and strengthening its global position.
Wiserfunding said that it currently serves more than 60 customers across three continents, a mix of bank and non-bank lenders, insurance firms, payment providers and asset managers.
Combined, Wiserfunding’s clients have reportedly lent almost almost £3 billion to SMEs in the last year.
Gabriele Sabato
Gabriele Sabato, CEO, Wiserfunding said,
“This investment, alongside BGF’s expertise, will provide strategic support as we expand globally and will enable us to support the recovery of SMEs crying out for on-demand finance.
 
With revenues having grown eight-fold in the space of just two years, we are closer than ever to achieving our mission to become the market standard for SME risk assessment.”
James Austin
James Austin, Investment Director at BGF said,
“As a result of BGF’s funding, we will be able to fast track the ongoing commercial roll-out and continue with the development plan which will keep adding depth and breadth to the product.
 
This investment also represents a great addition into BGF’s growing fintech portfolio, which we hope to expand significantly in the near future.”
The post London’s SME Lender Wiserfunding Bags £3 Million From BGF appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/londons-sme-lender-wiserfunding-bags-3-million-from-bgf</link><guid>2249</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>London’s SME Lender Wiserfunding Bags £3 Million From BGF</dc:text></item><item><title>85% of World’s Largest VCs Bet on Blockchain and Crypto</title><description><![CDATA[Out of the world’s 20 largest venture funds based on assets under management (AUM), 17 have invested in companies involved in blockchain technology or cryptocurrencies, implying that 85% of the world’s biggest investors have committed part of their funds to the space, a new research by Blockdata, a blockchain data and intelligence firm owned by CB Insights.
With 61 blockchain investments, venture capital (VC) giant Andreessen Horowitz is the most active investor in terms of the number of investments in blockchain companies.
Andreessen Horowitz has been investing in crypto since 2013, betting on companies such as Coinbase Global, a crypto exchange that went public earlier this year, Compound, a decentralized finance (DeFi) specialist, and Dapper Labs, the non-fungible tokens (NFTs) company behind viral blockchain-based video game CryptoKitties. Andreessen Horowitz is also a participant in Diem, a stablecoin project spearheaded by Facebook.
In June 2021, the VC launched a US$2.2 billion crypto-focused venture fund, the largest yet by one of the major venture investors.
After Andreessen Horowitz, IDG Capital is the second most active VC in blockchain and crypto, having backed 29 companies including the likes of Ripple, a currency exchange and remittance network, Bitmain, a company offering hardware and solutions for blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) applications, and Circle, a blockchain paytech and stablecoin company.
Circle is best known for co-creating the US dollar-backed stablecoin USD Coin (USDC), alongside Coinbase and Bitmain. USD Coin has been one of the fastest growing stablecoins in the world, growing over 3,400% between January and July 2021.
Circle is planning to go public later this year through a merger with special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) Concord Acquisition Corp in a transaction that would value it at an enterprise value of US$4.5 billion, the company said in July.
With 24 blockchain investments, Sequoia Capital is the third most active VC investor. The firm has invested in companies such as FTX Exchange, a cryptocurrency derivatives exchange, Chainalysis, a blockchain data platform, and Filecoin, a decentralized storage network.
Sequoia Capital is followed by Lightspeed Venture Partners with 23 blockchain companies, Founders Fund (16), Accel (15), General Catalyst (13), Kleiner Perkins (11), Tiger Global (8), Insight Partners, New Enterprise Associates, Hong Kong DST Global and Institutional Venture Partners (4 blockchain companies each), GGV Capital (3), and Hillhouse Capital Group, Greenspring Associates and Norwest Venture Partners (1 each).
Top VCs investing in blockchain companies, Source: Blockdata, Sept 2021
Crypto exchanges as the preferred investment
So far, crypto exchanges have been these VCs’ preferred investment option. Out of the world’s top 20 venture funds, ten have invested in crypto exchanges, the Blockdata research found.
Lightspeed Venture Partners in particular has been significantly committed, single-handedly backing six different exchanges, including DeversiFi, a decentralized exchange, Blockchain.com, a crypto services platform, and FTX Exchange.
So far, 2021 has been a blockbuster year for blockchain and crypto funding. In H1 2021, companies in the space raised over US$7 billion in funding, more than any full year of fundraising in history, according to data from Blockdata.
The surge in blockchain fundraising was driven by mega-rounds of US$100 million and over, on the back of booming demand from both consumers and institutions. In H1 2021, mega-rounds closed a combined US$3.95 billion.
10 biggest funding rounds in blockchain and crypto companies as of July 2021, Source: Blockdata, Sept 2021
Big rounds are continuing in H2 2021. In July 2021, FTX Exchange raised the largest funding round to date, closing US$900 million at a staggering US$18 billion valuation. BlockFi, a wealth management and trading firm, is reportedly in talks to raise US$500 million in a deal that would value it at US$5 billion.
Blockchain.com, which started out as a blockchain explorer before expanding into a full suite of crypto services including trading and crypto services, closed a US$300 million at a US$5.2 billion valuation, the Wall Street Journal reported in March. Blockchain.com CTO told Fortune in an interview in August 2021 that the firm was considering an initial public offering (IPO) in 18 months or more.
Other crypto exchanges looking to go public in the coming months include Kraken, one of the world’s largest crypto trading platforms.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/85-of-worlds-largest-vcs-bet-on-blockchain-and-crypto</link><guid>2250</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>85% of World’s Largest VCs Bet on Blockchain and Crypto</dc:text></item><item><title>Payments Giant Mastercard Jumps on the BNPL Bandwagon</title><description><![CDATA[Mastercard announced that it is set to introduce a new Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) offering, Mastercard Installments for its customers in the United States, Australia and the UK.
The programme gives consumers a flexible, ubiquitous way to pay online and in-store through equal, interest-free installments – an additional choice to debit, credit or prepaid cards.
Mastercard Installments enables banks, lenders, fintechs and wallets the ability to offer BNPL experiences at merchants with flexibility across the entire acceptance network.
Additionally, the seamless integration into Mastercard’s trusted network enables merchants to quickly offer secure BNPL solutions.
Mastercard Installments also offers comprehensive consumer protections with respect to responsible data use and fee transparency.
The payments giant will work with Barclays US, Fifth Third, FIS, Galileo, Huntington, Marqeta, SoFi, and Synchrony in the US, and with Qantas Loyalty and Latitude in Australia on the BNPL programme.
Craig Vosburg
“At the heart of it, payments come down to choice – and people want more from their money with greater flexibility and control in how they pay and where they shop. Mastercard Installments has been built on our guiding principles to protect consumers and enable choice without sacrificing trust and security.
 
It is a digital-focused way to pay today and tomorrow, delivered through consumer’s most trusted relationships with their banks and other lenders, at merchants of their choice.”
said Craig Vosburg, Chief Product Officer at Mastercard.

Featured image: Shutterstock
The post Payments Giant Mastercard Jumps on the BNPL Bandwagon appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/payments-giant-mastercard-jumps-on-the-bnpl-bandwagon</link><guid>2251</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/AM-3.png?x66709</dc:content ><dc:text>Payments Giant Mastercard Jumps on the BNPL Bandwagon</dc:text></item><item><title>SEBA Bank, Crypto Finance Licensed as Custodians of the First Swiss Crypto Fund</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) announced that it has approved the first crypto fund “Crypto Market Index Fund”.
The fund is administered by investment management company PvB Pernet von Ballmoos (PvB), with custody by digital assets firm SEBA Bank and crypto broker Crypto Finance.
This new licenses granted to SEBA Bank and Crypto Finance allows both firms to offer digital custody services for Swiss domiciled mutual funds, and is an important new enabler of liquid investment funds with crypto or other digital assets as an underlying investment class.
The Crypto Market Index Fund, which is restricted to qualified investors, invests primarily in crypto assets which are based on the blockchain or distributed ledger technology.
Since crypto assets involve particular risks, FINMA has tied the approval to specific requirements in the present case. For instance, the fund may only invest in established crypto assets with a sufficiently large trading volume.
Furthermore, the investments must be made through established counterparties and platforms that are based in a member country of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and are subject to corresponding anti-money laundering regulations.
Finally, there are specific requirements with regard to risk management and reporting for the institutions involved in the management and custody.
Guido Buehler
Guido Buehler, CEO of SEBA Bank stated,
“Two years ago SEBA Bank received a Swiss banking and securities firm license and is now enjoying excellent business momentum as institutional adoption of crypto &amp; digital assets accelerates globally.
 
With our new CISA license, SEBA Bank continues its pioneering role in the institutional digital asset space. Asset managers can now offer strategies based on crypto or other underlying digital assets to a broader audience utilising Swiss-based mutual fund structures secured by SEBA Bank as the CISA-licensed custodian.”
Bernadette Leuzinger
Bernadette Leuzinger, CEO of Asset Management at Crypto Finance said,
“Crypto Finance is pleased to launch the first Swiss crypto fund, supervised by FINMA and launched with strong Swiss partners PvB and SEBA Bank.
 
The investment fund enables clients of innovative wealth and asset management firms to participate in this upcoming asset class and to further diversify their portfolio in a secure and regulated way.”
The post SEBA Bank, Crypto Finance Licensed as Custodians of the First Swiss Crypto Fund appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/seba-bank-crypto-finance-licensed-as-custodians-of-the-first-swiss-crypto-fund</link><guid>2252</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>SEBA Bank, Crypto Finance Licensed as Custodians of the First Swiss Crypto Fund</dc:text></item><item><title>Backbase Entwickelt Kundenportal für Raiffeisen Bank</title><description><![CDATA[Im Rahmen der Strategie «Raiffeisen 2025» investiert Raiffeisen substanziell in den weiteren Ausbau ihrer digitalen Kanäle. Bis Ende 2025 soll ein Kundenerlebnis-Portal entstehen, in dem alle digitalen Dienstleistungen von Raiffeisen im Sinne eines Self-Service gebündelt werden.
Für die technische Entwicklung des Kundenerlebnis-Portals geht die Bankengruppe eine Zusammenarbeit mit dem Softwareunternehmen Backbase ein. Backbase ist führend im Bereich Digital Banking und verfügt über weitreichende Erfahrung in der Umsetzung von Softwarelösungen, die Nutzerinnen und Nutzern ein personalisiertes und nahtloses Kundenerlebnis auf allen digitalen Endgeräten und Kanälen ermöglichen. Dank der langjährigen Umsetzungserfahrung von Backbase im Retail Banking kann der Fokus von Anfang an auf die Kundinnen und Kunden und deren Bedürfnisse gelegt werden.
Damit können Zeit und Ressourcen für den Aufbau von Basisinfrastruktur gespart werden. Eine erste Version der neuen Anwendung wird voraussichtlich 2022 für Privatkundkunden von Raiffeisen verfügbar sein.
The post Backbase Entwickelt Kundenportal für Raiffeisen Bank appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/backbase-entwickelt-kundenportal-fur-raiffeisen-bank</link><guid>2253</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Backbase Entwickelt Kundenportal für Raiffeisen Bank</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Blockchain Firm Authena Raises CHF 2.3 Million in Seed Funding</title><description><![CDATA[Authena, Swiss blockchain-based technology solutions provider for tracking supply chains, announced that it has closed a CHF 2.3 million seed funding round from angel investors from Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
The firm also received funding from US innovation fund Ecliptic Capital which focuses on pre-seed, seed and Series A investments.
Authena said that this new funding will be used to ensure continued growth and the development of new prototypes for major customers.
The company has developed a blockchain-based solution for tracking supply chains and establishing interactive, end-to-end communication between manufacturers and end users.
Matteo Panzavolta
“We are proud of the international trust placed in our team and technology. We are pleased to be able to take the next step in our business development with this investment. Our technology is successfully being used by companies such as wine and cosmetic producers, pharmaceuticals manufacturers, and in agriculture.
 
Every single product and every unit can be verified by users with the Authena app at any time. We are therefore making it possible to access detailed information about the product and generate the necessary data to further develop smart supply chains,”
said Matteo Panzavolta, CEO of Authena.
 
The post Swiss Blockchain Firm Authena Raises CHF 2.3 Million in Seed Funding appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-blockchain-firm-authena-raises-chf-23-million-in-seed-funding</link><guid>2254</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Blockchain Firm Authena Raises CHF 2.3 Million in Seed Funding</dc:text></item><item><title>Wo Finanzberater zu Cyborgs transformieren</title><description><![CDATA[Are you dating your customer yet? An der Swiss Digital Finance Conference vom Freitag, 1. Oktober 2021, tauschen sich am Campus Zug-Rotkreuz der Hochschule Luzern  namhafte Vertreterinnen und Vertreter aus der Finanzbranche zum Potenzial der Daten für den Kunden von morgen aus. Dr. Pascal Kaufmann wird als Keynote Speaker erwartet.
Pascal Kaufmann
Sind Sie schon ein Cyborg? Nein? Höchste Zeit zur Transformation! Unter dem Titel «The Rise of the Cyborgs – When Data is not enough» wird Pascal Kaufmann, Unternehmer und Gründer von Starmind sowie CEO von Mindfire, an der Swiss Digital Finance Conference 2021 über neue Technologien und deren Auswirkungen auf Organisationen und ihre Mitarbeitenden sowie den Einfluss von Künstlicher Intelligenz auf das Wissensmanagement sprechen.
Zudem fragt die diesjährige Swiss Digital Finance Conference danach, wie sich Kundendaten gewusst wie nutzen lassen. Sie zeigt auf, von wem diese schon heute erfolgreich genutzt werden, und gibt Erfahrungen weiter, die erfolgreiche Organisationen auf ihrem Weg in die Zukunft gemacht haben. Und sie ermöglicht den Teilnehmenden Zugang zu neusten Erkenntnissen und Trends.
Warum hingehen?

An der Swiss Digital Finance Conference trifft die klassische Finanzwelt auf ihre Herausforderer aus dem digitalen Zeitalter.
Akteure des Schweizer Finanzsektors tauschen sich aus und betreiben Networking.
Teilnehmende entdecken neue Lösungen und Ideen. Sie bekommen Denkanstösse, wie sie diese innerhalb ihrer Geschäftsmodelle anwenden können.
Die Konferenz verschafft dem Publikum einen Überblick über neueste Technologie-Trends und wie diese den Finanzsektor beeinflussen.
Teilnehmende lernen die digitalen Möglichkeiten und Werkzeuge der nächsten Generation besser kennen.

Weitere Informationen zur Swiss Digital Finance Conference 2021 finden sich unter hslu.ch/dfc21. Die Anmeldung zu diesem spannenden Netzwerkanlass ist dort derzeit noch möglich. Ein rasches Handeln ist indes wohl ratsam, da die Teilnehmerzahl begrenzt ist und die Plätze sehr begehrt sind.
*Fintechnews.ch ist Medienpartner der Konferenz
The post Wo Finanzberater zu Cyborgs transformieren appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/wo-finanzberater-zu-cyborgs-transformieren</link><guid>2255</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/SDFC21_Banner_600x500.jpg?x66709</dc:content ><dc:text>Wo Finanzberater zu Cyborgs transformieren</dc:text></item><item><title>Switzerland Dangles Carrot for Crypto Exchanges</title><description><![CDATA[The award of a trading license to the SIX Digital Exchange (SDX) coincides with a regulatory backlash on crypto exchanges around the world.
For cryptocurrency enthusiasts, the writing is on the wall: the nimble upstarts may have gained a head start but centralised regulators are queuing up to pull them back.
Some of these crypto exchanges are blazing a trail into new financial territory – branching out from pure cryptocurrency trading into areas like staking, lending and listing DLT securities, such as blockchain-compliant versions of company shares.
This has brought the likes of Coinbase, Binance and Poloniex into conflict with regulators, particularly the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
“I believe we have a crypto market now where many tokens may be unregistered securities,”
SEC chairman Gary Gensler recently said.
“This leaves prices open to manipulation. This leaves investors vulnerable.”
Could Switzerland provide the answer? At first glance this seems unlikely, as large international exchanges found out when they inquired about setting up shop in the Alps.
Strict requirements
“The main reason that there are no large exchanges in Switzerland is not related to trading, but to the custody side of the business on which Swiss banking laws are quite strict,”
Dominik Hofmann of the MME law firm told me.
Crypto exchanges can operate in the European Union as Payment Service Providers under an e-money license.
“Switzerland has no such license, so crypto exchanges that wanted to offer accounts in traditional money or pooled custody of cryptocurrencies needed to become fully-fledged banks, apply for a fintech banking license, collaborate with existing banks or otherwise design their setup in a way to avoid Swiss banking regulation,”
says Hofmann.
Swiss-headquartered exchanges like Smart Valor, Lykke and Swissborg have been forced to trade out of Liechtenstein, Britain and Estonia. “It was a big mistake to think that the regulator would understand and welcome the potential of this new technology. I was completely wrong. It was just a disaster,” says Lykke founder Richard Olsen.
&#8220;Game changer&#8221;
But Swiss lawmakers have pushed through a series of legal reforms this year to encourage the trading of digital stocks, bonds and other securities out of Switzerland. August 1 saw the introduction of a new DLT trading system license.
The legal reforms are designed to accommodate blockchain-compliant company shares, real estate and art rather than bitcoin. But Hofmann believes the Swiss DLT trading system license is a perfect fit for crypto exchanges that want to add this new class of digital security to their trading options. Particularly as such exchanges would have direct access to the general public.
“It’s a game changer,”
Hofmann said.
“If you want to establish an integrated exchange that also offers trading in DLT securities then Switzerland is now the first place to come.”
The updated Swiss laws have also opened the doors for bespoke DLT security trading venues. These include Sygnum bank’s SygnEx platform, the TDX Digital eXchange from Taurus, and the anticipated DLT platform from the Cantonal Bank of Bern. Lykke has also applied for a securities dealer license to join this group. It’s now become even simpler to trade securities on the blockchain out of Switzerland.
Broken bicycle
Switzerland has regulatory competition. Liechtenstein has had its DLT legal framework in place for a couple of years. The EU is plotting its own course along the same lines – with the DLT Pilot Regime and other laws in the pipeline.
Richard Olsen thinks the growing maze of regulations and laws has simply made things “more confusing”. He believes DLT has the potential to fix the “broken bicycle” of traditional finance by making it, cheaper, more transparent and approachable for the general public. A type of IKEA finance, as he puts it.
“We need a top strategic view to say: ‘Look, this is a marvellous technology, how can we radically get it implemented?’,”
he says.
“We need an overarching simplification”.
But others may disagree. DLT trading platforms no longer have to go through the cumbersome four-year process as SDX for a traditional exchange license.
It’s become a whole lot simpler to trade securities on the blockchain out of Switzerland.
 

The post Switzerland Dangles Carrot for Crypto Exchanges appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/switzerland-dangles-carrot-for-crypto-exchanges</link><guid>2245</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/SIGN-UP-4.png?x66709</dc:content ><dc:text>Switzerland Dangles Carrot for Crypto Exchanges</dc:text></item><item><title>Insurtech Wefox ernennt ex Zurich CEO zum neuen Chief Insurance Officer</title><description><![CDATA[Das InsurTech wefox ernennt Peter Huber (49) zum Chief Insurance Officer (CIO).
Vorbehaltlich der regulatorischen Bewilligung durch die FMA Liechtenstein übernimmt der Spitzenmanager als Leiter des eigenen Versicherungsträgers die Expansion in den Bereich Lebens- und Krankenversicherung sowie die Vertriebsstrategie des bestehenden Produktportfolios.
Zuvor war Peter Huber CEO bei Zurich International. Mit seiner langjährigen Erfahrung im globalen Versicherungsgeschäft wird Huber gemeinsam mit dem kürzlich ernannten COO David Stachon wefox bei der Expansion in neue Ländermärkte unterstützen.
Mit mehr als 20 Jahren Erfahrung im internationalen Versicherungsgeschäft wird Peter Huber die Go-To-Market-Strategie von wefox implementieren und seine Expertise im regulatorischen Umfeld einbringen. Wefox plant ihr hauseigenes Versicherungsportfolio im Sachgeschäft auszubauen und bereits mittelfristig eigene Policen für die Lebens- und Krankenversicherungen einzuführen. Damit ist wefox das weltweit erste Versicherungsunternehmen, die Sach-, Lebens- und Krankenversicherungen in einer einzigen technologischen Plattform betreibt.
Julian Teicke
„Ich freue mich sehr, Peter bei uns willkommen zu heißen. Seine Managementexpertise auf internationalem Parkett und sein unternehmerischer Scharfsinn sind unübertroffen. Nach unserem neuen COO, Dr. David Stachon ist Peter der zweite globale Superstar aus der Versicherungsbranche, der zu uns kommt. Wir werden weiterhin in neue Technologien und Wachstum investieren, um innerhalb eines Jahrzehnts die Nummer eins unter den Personenversicherern zu sein. Mit Peter im Team bin ich fest davon überzeugt, dass wir dieses Ziel erreichen werden.”
Julian Teicke, CEO &amp; Co-Founder von wefox Datengetriebene Produktentwicklung in Rekordtempo Für das kommende Jahr plant wefox die Einführung von 50 neuen Produkten in verschiedenen Ländermärkten.
Möglich macht es die wefox Produktfabrik, die mit ihrem modularen Entwicklungsansatz innerhalb von 28 Tagen neue Versicherungsprodukte liefert, die Kunden in ganz Europa fordern. Wefox ist es damit möglich ihre Produkte maßgeschneidert nach Kundenbedarf zu lancieren, während arrivierte Versicherer ihre Kunden zum Produktkauf überzeugen. Für diese marktnahe Innovationskultur hat wefox mit Peter Huber den richtigen Partner gefunden.
Peter Huber
“Wefox ist ein Versicherungsunternehmen, dass so sehr an kundenzentrierte Innovation glaubt wie ich. Wir sind ein schlagkräftiges Team um einen echten Wandel in der globalen Versicherungsindustrie zu vollziehen. Aus meiner Erfahrung kann ich bestätigen, dass Kundenbedürfnisse gegenüber ihren Versicherern länderübergreifend homogen sind. Mit der wefox Produktfabrik ist es uns erstmals möglich, kurzfristig auf die Wünsche eines weltweiten Vertriebsnetzwerkes einzugehen, und in Einbeziehung lokaler Spezifikationen zur richtigen Zeit die richtigen Policen anzubieten. Damit haben wir uns gemeinsam ambitionierte Ziele gesetzt und teilen auch die Vision, dass Versicherungen die Welt wirklich zu einem besseren Ort machen werden.”
Peter Huber, CIO von wefox
The post Insurtech Wefox ernennt ex Zurich CEO zum neuen Chief Insurance Officer appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/insurtech-wefox-ernennt-ex-zurich-ceo-zum-neuen-chief-insurance-officer</link><guid>2244</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Insurtech Wefox ernennt ex Zurich CEO zum neuen Chief Insurance Officer</dc:text></item><item><title>Zurich Ties up With BOXX Insurance, Invests in Its Series A Fundraise</title><description><![CDATA[Zurich Insurance Group announced a global collaboration with Toronto-based insurtech BOXX Insurance (BOXX), which provides fully-integrated cybersecurity and insurance solutions for small-to-medium-sized businesses (SMEs), consumers and families.
Technology has brought significant benefits to businesses and individuals – improving lifestyles and connecting people wherever they are in the world.
However, the increased adoption of digital business models has also led to growing cyber risks resulting in cyber-attacks, business disruption, loss of revenue and regulatory action on data protection.
Additionally, Zurich will also participate in BOXX’s Series A funding round to build a presence in the cyber SMEs and consumer space.
Jack Howell
“We expect the innovation and capabilities of this collaboration with BOXX to strengthen our ability to execute on our customer-focused strategy and exceed the needs and expectations of our customers and partners around the world. BOXX’s prevention-led approach convinced us that they are building a winning business with the potential to actively shape cyber insurance for this customer segment.
 
They are an exciting business and passionate about making cyber security simple for customers by integrating tools and technology with insurance. The combination of their knowledge and Zurich’s global reach and international expertise is a win-win situation for Zurich’s customers and BOXX.”
said Jack Howell, CEO of Zurich Global Ventures.

 
The post Zurich Ties up With BOXX Insurance, Invests in Its Series A Fundraise appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/zurich-ties-up-with-boxx-insurance-invests-in-its-series-a-fundraise</link><guid>2241</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/AM-3.png?x66709</dc:content ><dc:text>Zurich Ties up With BOXX Insurance, Invests in Its Series A Fundraise</dc:text></item><item><title>Entrust Signs Deal to Acquire Parisian Fintech Antelop Solutions for Undisclosed Sum</title><description><![CDATA[Entrust, an American digital security and credential issuance solutions provider, announced that it has signed a deal to acquire Antelop Solutions, a Paris-based fintech that enables financial institutions to issue secure digital credit and debit cards to their customers.
This move looks to combine Antelop’s solutions with Entrust&#8217;s card issuance portfolio.
Antelop Solutions has about 30 employees who will join Entrust with the acquisition, including founder and CEO Nicolas Bruley.
He will continue to lead this team to advance digital financial credential solutions at Entrust.
The acquisition is expected to close in the next several weeks.
Entrust&#8217;s solutions help banks and financial institutions create integrated, seamless digital and physical financial card and payment experiences for their customers.
Meanwhile, Antelop Solutions which was founded in 2014 has a customer base includes more than 40 banks in 25 countries.
Todd Wilkinson
“Consumers want to transact seamlessly and securely, around the world and across platforms. Banks, credit unions and other financial institutions need to make both digital and physical card payment options secure and easy for their cardholders.
 
Entrust is the world leader in secure payment card issuance &#8212; the combination of Entrust and Antelop Solutions will empower financial institutions with an unmatched portfolio of digital and physical credential issuance and transaction security solutions.”
said Todd Wilkinson, CEO of Entrust.
Nicolas Bruley
“We are extremely pleased to join the Entrust team. As a certified Visa, Mastercard and Cartes Bancaires (CB) partner, we can deliver fast, secure integration of all card features onto a single digital payment credential.
 
This empowers banks, credit unions and other issuers to offer true digital-first payment credentials that fully align with consumer expectations for simplicity and security.”
said Nicolas Bruley, CEO of Antelop Solutions.
 

 
Featured image: (From left) Todd Wilkinson, CEO of Entrust and Nicolas Bruley, CEO of Antelop Solutions
 
The post Entrust Signs Deal to Acquire Parisian Fintech Antelop Solutions for Undisclosed Sum appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/entrust-signs-deal-to-acquire-parisian-fintech-antelop-solutions-for-undisclosed-sum</link><guid>2240</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/AM-3.png?x57780</dc:content ><dc:text>Entrust Signs Deal to Acquire Parisian Fintech Antelop Solutions for Undisclosed Sum</dc:text></item><item><title>Entrust Signs Deal to Acquire Parisian Fintech Antelop Solutions</title><description><![CDATA[Entrust, an American digital security and credential issuance solutions provider, announced that it has signed a deal to acquire Antelop Solutions, a Paris-based fintech that enables financial institutions to issue secure digital credit and debit cards to their customers.
This move looks to combine Antelop’s solutions with Entrust&#8217;s card issuance portfolio.
Antelop Solutions has about 30 employees who will join Entrust with the acquisition, including founder and CEO Nicolas Bruley.
He will continue to lead this team to advance digital financial credential solutions at Entrust.
The acquisition is expected to close in the next several weeks.
Entrust&#8217;s solutions help banks and financial institutions create integrated, seamless digital and physical financial card and payment experiences for their customers.
Meanwhile, Antelop Solutions which was founded in 2014 has a customer base includes more than 40 banks in 25 countries.
Todd Wilkinson
“Consumers want to transact seamlessly and securely, around the world and across platforms. Banks, credit unions and other financial institutions need to make both digital and physical card payment options secure and easy for their cardholders.
 
Entrust is the world leader in secure payment card issuance &#8212; the combination of Entrust and Antelop Solutions will empower financial institutions with an unmatched portfolio of digital and physical credential issuance and transaction security solutions.”
said Todd Wilkinson, CEO of Entrust.
Nicolas Bruley
“We are extremely pleased to join the Entrust team. As a certified Visa, Mastercard and Cartes Bancaires (CB) partner, we can deliver fast, secure integration of all card features onto a single digital payment credential.
 
This empowers banks, credit unions and other issuers to offer true digital-first payment credentials that fully align with consumer expectations for simplicity and security.”
said Nicolas Bruley, CEO of Antelop Solutions.
 

 
Featured image: (From left) Todd Wilkinson, CEO of Entrust and Nicolas Bruley, CEO of Antelop Solutions
 
The post Entrust Signs Deal to Acquire Parisian Fintech Antelop Solutions appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/entrust-signs-deal-to-acquire-parisian-fintech-antelop-solutions</link><guid>2243</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/AM-3.png?x66709</dc:content ><dc:text>Entrust Signs Deal to Acquire Parisian Fintech Antelop Solutions</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Unicorns Solarisbank and Feedzai Partner for Enhanced Risk Management</title><description><![CDATA[Feedzai, an American cloud-based financial risk management platform, and Berlin-based Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) platform Solarisbank announced a multi-year partnership at Money20/20 Europe.
With this new partnership, Solarisbank is leveraging Feedzai’s proprietary technology which enables them to apply an effective risk management which is in line with respective law requirements.
The companies have joined forces to combine BaaS with the risk management and security that is expected from financial institutions, while preserving the customer experience.
The flexibility of Feedzai’s risk management solution means they can scale as Solarisbank grows, helping the company to keep up with a regulatory and geo-political landscape that is in a constant state of flux as well as more comprehensively protect customers from threats.
Solarisbank companies to offer financial services via APIs while easing the technical and regulatory complexities of banking.
Roland Folz
“We were drawn to Feedzai’s depth and breadth of experience in helping various banks fight financial crime.
 
Using Feedzai’s financial risk management platform we can bridge an important gap within the industry to deliver the best experience, both in terms of customer ease of use and protection from financial risk.”
said Roland Folz, CEO of Solarisbank.
Nuno Sebastiao
“We are excited to be part of Solarisbank’s growth journey by providing a best-in-class risk management tool that will be further protecting its tech-savvy customer base.
 
A growing number of financial institutions are looking for cutting edge financial risk management technologies wrapped around a digital-first evolution approach. Solarisbank is leading this new wave of financial institutions that are unlocking the full power of the cloud.”
said Nuno Sebastiao, CEO of Feedzai.
 

The post Fintech Unicorns Solarisbank and Feedzai Partner for Enhanced Risk Management appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-unicorns-solarisbank-and-feedzai-partner-for-enhanced-risk-management</link><guid>2239</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/AM-3.png?x66709</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech Unicorns Solarisbank and Feedzai Partner for Enhanced Risk Management</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Digital Identity Firm fidentity Secures Undisclosed Sum of Investment</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss digital identity firm fidentity announced that it has raised an undisclosed sum during a recent financing round with Spicehaus Swiss Venture Fund as lead investor and several experienced angel investors.
With the fresh capital, fidentity will expand its product leadership and invest in further growth in Switzerland and Europe in 2022.
fidentity said that the first step in its expansion plan will be to focus on countries bordering Switzerland.
The company simplifies automated online identification (KYC) via identification documents and a liveness check.
Thorsten Hau
 
&#8220;We are pleased to have reached an important milestone for fidentity with this financing round. Our goal is to make our solution even better known and to show that compliance and an excellent user experience are not mutually exclusive. With Spicehaus we have gained a partner with a lot of experience in our target market!&#8221;
said Thorsten Hau, CEO of fidentity.
 
The post Swiss Digital Identity Firm fidentity Secures Undisclosed Sum of Investment appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-digital-identity-firm-fidentity-secures-undisclosed-sum-of-investment</link><guid>2237</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Digital Identity Firm fidentity Secures Undisclosed Sum of Investment</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Digital Identity Firm fidentity Secures Funding From Spicehaus Venture Fund</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss digital identity firm fidentity announced that it has raised an undisclosed sum during a recent financing round with Spicehaus Swiss Venture Fund as lead investor and several experienced angel investors.
With the fresh capital, fidentity will expand its product leadership and invest in further growth in Switzerland and Europe in 2022.
fidentity said that the first step in its expansion plan will be to focus on countries bordering Switzerland.
The company simplifies automated online identification (KYC) via identification documents and a liveness check.
Thorsten Hau
 
&#8220;We are pleased to have reached an important milestone for fidentity with this financing round. Our goal is to make our solution even better known and to show that compliance and an excellent user experience are not mutually exclusive. With Spicehaus we have gained a partner with a lot of experience in our target market!&#8221;
said Thorsten Hau, CEO of fidentity.
 
The post Swiss Digital Identity Firm fidentity Secures Funding From Spicehaus Venture Fund appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-digital-identity-firm-fidentity-secures-funding-from-spicehaus-venture-fund</link><guid>2238</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Digital Identity Firm fidentity Secures Funding From Spicehaus Venture Fund</dc:text></item><item><title>TrueLayer Earns Unicorn Badge With US$130 Million Funding From Stripe</title><description><![CDATA[London-based open banking platform TrueLayer announced that it has secured US$130 million, earning the unicorn badge with a company valuation of more than US$ 1 billion. The funding round was joined by Tiger Global and Stripe.
This brings TrueLayer&#8217;s total funds raised to US$270 million having previously raised US$70 million during a Series D funding round in April this year.
The company has been authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) as a Payments Institution and will soon set up an European headquarters in Dublin.
Francesco Simoneschi
 
Francesco Simoneschi, CEO and Co-Founder of TrueLayer said,
&#8220;This new funding will allow us to bring open banking payments to new businesses, supercharging mainstream adoption through industries like ecommerce and subscriptions.&#8221;
 
 
 
The post TrueLayer Earns Unicorn Badge With US$130 Million Funding From Stripe appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/truelayer-earns-unicorn-badge-with-us130-million-funding-from-stripe</link><guid>2236</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>TrueLayer Earns Unicorn Badge With US$130 Million Funding From Stripe</dc:text></item><item><title>Coinbase to Invest US$500 Million Into Crypto Assets</title><description><![CDATA[American cryptocurrency exchange platform Coinbase announced that it has committed to invest US$500 million of its cash and cash equivalents into a diverse portfolio of crypto assets.
Coinbase added that going forward, it will also allocate 10% of quarterly net income into this same portfolio.
According to a statement by the firm, this move will make it the first publicly traded company to hold Ethereum, Proof of Stake assets, DeFi tokens, and many other crypto assets supported for trading on its platform, in addition to Bitcoin, on its balance sheet.
Coinbase&#8217;s crypto asset investment allocation will be driven by its aggregate custodial crypto balances which means that its customers will drive its investment strategy. The firm added that it may increase our allocation over time as the crypto economy matures.
Its investments will be continually deployed over a multi-year window using a dollar cost averaging strategy.
The company recently made waves as it announced that it will be scrapping the launch of its crypto lending programme &#8220;Coinbase Lend&#8221; when the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) gave it a Wells notice with intentions to sue it.
Paul Grewal, Chief Legal Officer at Coinbase claimed that while it had been transparent in its dealings with the SEC, the regulator did not give it probable cause for the notice.
It has instead chosen to postpone the launch of Lend to October and &#8220;continues to welcome additional regulatory clarity&#8221;.
Coinbase said in a blog post,
&#8220;We are long term investors and will only divest under select circumstances, such as an asset delisting from our platform. All trades will be executed via our over the counter desk or away from our exchange to avoid any conflict of interest with our customers.
 
We believe that in the future, more and more companies will hold crypto assets on their balance sheet. We hope by incorporating more crypto assets into our own corporate financial practices, we can take another step towards building a more open crypto economy.&#8221;

The post Coinbase to Invest US$500 Million Into Crypto Assets appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/coinbase-to-invest-us500-million-into-crypto-assets</link><guid>2235</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/AM-3.png?x66709</dc:content ><dc:text>Coinbase to Invest US$500 Million Into Crypto Assets</dc:text></item><item><title>Switzerland Lags Behind in Adopting Robo-Advisors, Investment Tech</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss investors are lagging behind their European counterparts in embracing investment technology services. A new survey by Swiss banking technology provider Avaloq, which polled 1,430 investors across 10 countries in Europe and Asia, found that only 8% of Swiss respondents are investing via robo-advisory platforms, and 6% via crowdfunding platforms.
This is behind Germany, France and the UK, where 17%, 10% and 14% of investors, respectively, use robo-advisors. Adoption levels are also higher for crowdfunding platforms, with 23% of respondents in Germany, 24% in France and 14% in the UK stating that they use these platforms to invest.
Across all 10 markets, Asian investors were found to be the most open to investment tech, with 52% of respondents in China, 36% in Hong Kong, 23% in Singapore and 21% in India claiming that they use robo-advisors. Likewise, usage of crowdfunding platforms is also higher in these markets, with Hong Kong taking the lead (42%), followed by India (40%) and China (25%).
How do people invest: Robo-advisors, Avaloq, 2021
How do people invest: Crowdfunding platforms, Avaloq, 2021
These findings indicate some reluctancy from Swiss investors when it comes to robo-advisors despite these services being much cheaper than traditional financial advisors and planners, which 18% of Swiss respondents indicated relying on.
A recent research conducted by Swiss online comparison service Moneyland.ch found that traditional banks can be more than twice as expensive as online asset managers and robo-advisors.
Examining the costs of Swiss wealth management in 2021, Moneyland.ch found that on average, traditional asset management clients pay around 1.37% per year for a portfolio of shares worth CHF 1 million, compared to an average of 0.62% per year for digital providers for a similar portfolio, with Findependent and True Wealth emerging as the cheapest services.
Investment trends and preferences
Looking at investment trends, the Avaloq study found that investors in a number of markets, including Switzerland, the UK and Japan, are investing to have enough money for retirement.
After retirement income (69%), Swiss investors named property investments (33%), future personal health care costs (32%) and funding their own entrepreneurial activities (25%) as the primary reasons why they invest.
Why do people invest, Avaloq, 2021
Although the range of assets investors invest in varies from one country to another, a few are emerging as favorites, with publicly-traded stocks/equity, cash and investments funds often cited amongst a market’s top three preferred assets.
On cryptocurrencies, sentiment differs greatly from one market to another. Indians and Germans are the most open to the emerging asset class with 49% and 45% of respondents in these respective markets investing in cryptocurrencies. At the other end of the spectrum is Japan where only 11% of respondents indicated investing in cryptocurrencies. Swiss investors stands somewhat in the middle, with 25% of respondents investing in cryptocurrencies.
What do people invest in, Avaloq, 2021
2021 has been the tipping point for the acceptance of cryptocurrencies and digital assets in Switzerland. A research by Zug-based investment company CV VC found that, this year, investors are entering the space at a rapid pace and that a number of large Swiss institutions are currently preparing for a digital asset offering out of public view, indicating that client demand has simply become too large to brush aside.
The post Switzerland Lags Behind in Adopting Robo-Advisors, Investment Tech appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/switzerland-lags-behind-in-adopting-robo-advisors-investment-tech</link><guid>2234</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/How-do-people-invest-Robo-advisors-Avaloq-2021.png?x66709</dc:content ><dc:text>Switzerland Lags Behind in Adopting Robo-Advisors, Investment Tech</dc:text></item><item><title>Open-Banking-Weichensteller actesy neu im F10-Accelerator-Programm</title><description><![CDATA[Die actesy AG erhält in Zukunft Unterstützung vom Fintech-Beschleuniger F10 in Zürich. Das Ostschweizer Unternehmen ist eines von 25 europäischen, asiatischen und amerikanischen FinTech- und InsurTech-Startups, welches für das neue Förderungsprogramm ausgewählt wurde. actesy wurde aus insgesamt über 350 Bewerbern ausgewählt.
Andreas M. Imthurn
actesy-CEO Andreas Imthurn freut sich über den Anschluss ins Programm:
«Von der Aufnahme ins F10-Accelerator-Programm versprechen wir uns Sichtbarkeit, neue Kontakte und Projekte bei Banken und anderen Unternehmungen.»
Ziel des dreimonatigen Programms, das ab sofort läuft, ist die Beschleunigung von Startups. Dieses Jahr lag der Fokus auf Firmen, die im Bereich nachhaltige Finanzen und KMU-Dienstleistungen tätig sind. Die F10-Unternehmenspartner SIX, Julius Bär, Baloise und Generali/HITS waren bei der Auswahl der Startups eng involviert und werden mit den 25 vielversprechenden Unternehmen nun auch eng zusammenarbeiten.
Deborrah Schaer
«actesy wird für die Innovation der Branche entscheidend sein»
Deborrah Schaer, die bei F10 als Startup-Coach für die Programmleitung verantwortlich ist, freut sich über die Zusammenarbeit mit actesy:
Marc Lussy
«Das St.Galler Startup wird mit seiner einzigartigen Technologie etablierten Finanzunternehmen helfen, ihre diversen Systeme besser zu integrieren. Dies wird für die Innovation der Branche entscheidend sein.»
Marc Lussy neu im actesy-Advisory-Board
Neu wird das Ostschweizer-Startup auch von FinTech-Afficionado Marc Lussy beraten. Lussy, der vom actesy-Verwaltungsrat ins Advisory Board geholt wurde, wird dem Unternehmen helfen, schneller Fuss im Bankensektor zu fassen. Während seiner 20 Jahre als Leiter von IT-Projekten, hat Lussy von Software-Anbietern immer wieder gehört, dass die Schnittstellen kein Problem darstellen würden. In Tat und Wahrheit kam es dann aber immer zu vielen unschönen Überraschungen.
«Von dem was ich bisher von actesy gesehen habe, scheint diese Firma es nun geschafft zu haben, die Schnittstellenthematik wirklich stark zu vereinfachen»,
führt Lussy aus. Gerade im Open-Banking-Kontext sei dieses Thema wichtiger denn je.
Marc Lussy ist unter anderem Partner und Head Business Development beim WealthTech-Startup IBO, Senior Advisor und Mentor beim Incubator F10 und zudem begleitete er schon zweimal die offizielle FinTech-Promotions-Gruppe des Bundes rund um Finanzminister Ueli Maurer. Lussy nimmt seine neue Funktion im Advisory Board von actesy ab sofort auf. In den letzten fast sechs Jahren in denen er mit Startups zusammengearbeitet hat, sei das zentrale Erfolgselement immer das Team gewesen:
«Im Falle von actesy sind die Gründer sehr erfahrene Unternehmer, die sich gegenseitig ausgezeichnet ergänzen.»
Trotz diesen Qualitäten sei die Leitung des jungen St.Galler Unternehmens sehr offen für Ratschläge und Inputs.
«Ich freue mich auf die zukünftige Zusammenarbeit.»
actesy wurde 2017 gegründet und beschäftigt heute in St. Gallen und Berlin 15 Mitarbeitende. Das Schweizer Startup ist ein Spezialist bei der Integration verschiedener Datenquellen und bietet für Firmen End-to-End-Digitalisierungslösungen an.
«actesy vereinfacht komplexe Daten und ist die einzige Plattform, welche wirklich einfach und flexibel zu nutzen ist»,
erklärt actesy-CEO, Andreas Imthurn.
The post Open-Banking-Weichensteller actesy neu im F10-Accelerator-Programm appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/open-banking-weichensteller-actesy-neu-im-f10-accelerator-programm</link><guid>2233</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Open-Banking-Weichensteller actesy neu im F10-Accelerator-Programm</dc:text></item><item><title>SpotOn Raises US$300 Million in Series E Funding to Acquire Appetize</title><description><![CDATA[SpotOn, provider of mobile payment technology and management system for restaurants and small businesses, announced US$300 million in Series E funding, raising its valuation to US$3.15 billion.
The funding, which comes four months after SpotOn&#8217;s US$125 million Series D, will be used to acquire Appetize, a digital and mobile commerce platform for enterprise businesses, such as sports and entertainment venues, theme parks, zoos, college campuses, and more.
The round was led by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), one of the world’s leading technology and software investors, with continued participation from current investors, including DST Global, 01 Advisors, Dragoneer Investment Group, Franklin Templeton, and Mubadala Investment Company, as well as new investors Wellington Management and Coatue Management.
Advisors Douglas Merritt, CEO of Splunk, and Mike Scarpelli, CFO of Snowflake, also made individual investments.
Following the acquisition, SpotOn said that it is positioned to rapidly expand its reach to serve the middle market.
The firm has hundreds of account executives embedded in communities across the country who will bring Appetize’s technology to thousands of regional entertainment centers, stadiums, colleges, and universities in these communities.
Matt Hyman
“From our first meetings with Appetize, we knew they had great people and a great product, and the more we worked together it became clear that our two companies were stronger together.
 
We are combining our complementary technologies, extending our market coverage and retaining our shared passion for great service and support for our clients. SpotOn is quickly becoming a part of everyday life for consumers across the country whenever they shop, dine, or visit a stadium or a college campus.”
said Matt Hyman, Co-CEO of SpotOn.
Max Roper
“This acquisition enables our combined team to accelerate investments into our core product and client base, while expanding to fill a void in the mid-market space.
 
By bringing the two companies together, businesses from a major league ballpark to a local clothing boutique will have access to modern, intuitive, cloud-based technology that delivers exceptional customer experiences from one trusted provider.”
said Max Roper, CEO at Appetize, who will continue running the business as part of SpotOn.
 

Featured image credits: Edited from rawpixel.com
The post SpotOn Raises US$300 Million in Series E Funding to Acquire Appetize appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/spoton-raises-us300-million-in-series-e-funding-to-acquire-appetize</link><guid>2232</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/AM-3.png?x66709</dc:content ><dc:text>SpotOn Raises US$300 Million in Series E Funding to Acquire Appetize</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss VC btov Partners Closes US$135 Million Fund Focused on European Tech Startups</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss venture capital firm btov Partners announces the final closing of its new digital technologies early-stage fund with a volume of US$135 million.
It’s the second fund that focuses entirely on digital technologies, and the ninth for btov Partners in total.
Investments in earlier fund generations included companies such as DeepL, Raisin, SumUp, Orcam, Seven Senders, Ottonova, Urban Sports Club, Ledgy, Foodspring (acquired by Mars) and Data Artisans (acquired by Alibaba).
The fund works very closely with btov’s Private Investor Network of experienced entrepreneurs.
Over 70 of the network members invested personally in the new fund and will work closely with the fund team to identify investment opportunities and support portfolio companies.
The investments of the new fund will concentrate on topics such as AI, digital health, fintech, logistics, B2B SaaS and marketplaces, all across Europe and focusing on seed and series A stages.
Florian Schweitzer
Florian Schweitzer, Founder of btov Partners said,
“We are very grateful to have raised this fund with such strong support from our Private Investor Network, as well as from previous institutional LPs, particularly the European Investment Fund.
 
The close collaboration with our investors and our expanded partnership will continue enabling us to identify and win non-obvious investment opportunities better than ever.”
 
The post Swiss VC btov Partners Closes US$135 Million Fund Focused on European Tech Startups appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-vc-btov-partners-closes-us135-million-fund-focused-on-european-tech-startups</link><guid>2231</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss VC btov Partners Closes US$135 Million Fund Focused on European Tech Startups</dc:text></item><item><title>Goldman Sachs to Acquire GreenSky, Led Form3’s US$160 Million Series C</title><description><![CDATA[Goldman Sachs Group has signed a deal to acquire GreenSky, a fintech platform for home improvement consumer loan originations, in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately US$2.24 billion.
GreenSky’s differentiated lending capabilities and market-leading merchant and consumer ecosystem will help accelerate the efforts of Goldman Sachs to create the consumer banking platform of the future.
Since its founding, GreenSky has provided simple and transparent home improvement financing solutions for approximately four million customers.
GreenSky has a growing network of over 10,000 merchants and helps them accelerate their business by incorporating a seamless financing experience into their commerce flow.
David M. Solomon
“We have been clear in our aspiration for Marcus to become the consumer banking platform of the future, and the acquisition of GreenSky advances this goal.
 
GreenSky and its talented team have built an impressive, cloud-native platform that will allow Marcus to reach a new and active set of merchants and customers and provide them with an expanding set of solutions.”
said David M. Solomon, Chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs.
In other news, Goldman Sachs Asset Management had led platform payment technology provider Form3&#8217;s US$160 million Series C funding round.
Form3 said that it welcomes new shareholder Goldman Sachs alongside existing investors Lloyds Banking Group, Nationwide Building Society, Barclays, Mastercard, 83North and Draper Esprit.
The firm is expected to move into new markets including the USA where it is in advanced conversations with a number of banks.
Michael Mueller
“More and more financial institutions (FI’s) are placing mission critical processes onto a platform. Cloud-native technology is now proven at an industrial scale and confidence is high and growing.
 
This announcement marks the beginning of a global roll out for Form3, and the funding required to tackle the next big challenges in payments; how should payments become smart – uniquely possible with our cloud native technology and an exciting new phase to come.”
said Michael Mueller, Chief Executive Officer at Form3.
 
The post Goldman Sachs to Acquire GreenSky, Led Form3’s US$160 Million Series C appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/goldman-sachs-to-acquire-greensky-led-form3s-us160-million-series-c</link><guid>2229</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Goldman Sachs to Acquire GreenSky, Led Form3’s US$160 Million Series C</dc:text></item><item><title>Avaloq Ventures Rebrands as FiveT Fintech Following Spin-off From Group</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss core banking solution provider Avaloq announced that the investment advisor of its fintech investment fund is being spun off from the group by means of a management buyout and renamed as FiveT Fintech.
This will give the management team more agility in advising the fund while Avaloq will focus on growing its ecosystem, also by increasing its commitment to the fund.
This change of ownership will not impact the fund’s strategic focus and Avaloq will maintain its long-term interests and involvement in the spin-off.
Launched in 2020, the Avaloq Ventures fund provides investors with early-stage access to next-generation players in the financial industry through its ecosystem, consisting of established banks and wealth managers as well as up-and-coming fintech companies.
The management buyout is led by Francisco Fernandez (Founder and board member of Avaloq Group and Chairman of Avaloq Ventures), Alexander Christen (CEO of Avaloq Ventures) and FiveT Capital Holding, all of whom have already been a shareholder of the investment advisor. Following the spin-off from Avaloq Group, Avaloq Ventures is being renamed FiveT Fintech.
Francisco Fernandez
Francisco Fernandez said,
“As FiveT Fintech enters the next stage of its growth story, we firmly believe that the fund will benefit from this new structure, allowing the management team more freedom to implement its innovative strategy.
 
I’m personally very excited about the investment opportunities in the extremely dynamic fintech space and look forward to supporting start-ups to reach their full potential and giving investors the opportunity to participate in their success.”
Alexander Christen
Alexander Christen said,
“Going independent is a major step for FiveT Fintech and we are very happy to further contribute to Avaloq’s ecosystem strategy.
 
As the capital flows into the global fintech sector are reaching new highs, our fund is uniquely positioned to identify the most promising start-ups and accelerate the digitalization of the financial industry.”
 
Featured image: edited from Unsplash
The post Avaloq Ventures Rebrands as FiveT Fintech Following Spin-off From Group appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/avaloq-ventures-rebrands-as-fivet-fintech-following-spin-off-from-group</link><guid>2230</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Avaloq Ventures Rebrands as FiveT Fintech Following Spin-off From Group</dc:text></item><item><title>Coinfirm Raises US$8 Million in Series A Co-led by SIX Fintech Ventures</title><description><![CDATA[London-based crypto regtech firm Coinfirm announced the close of its Series A fund raise of US$ 8 million, and has appointed Dr. Mircea Mihaescu as its new Chief Executive Officer.
The funding round was co-led by SIX Fintech Ventures, the corporate venture arm of SIX, and FiveT Fintech, followed by MiddleGame Ventures. Mission Gate and CoinShares also participated in this round.
Alexander Christen, CEO of FiveT Fintech will join Pascal Bouvier, General Partner at MiddleGame Ventures, and Dr. Mircea Mihaescu on Coinfirm’s Board of Directors.
Meanwhile, Maximilian Spelmeyer of SIX Fintech Ventures and Daniel O’Brien of Bird Capital join Coinfirm’s board as non-director members.
The investment will enable Coinfirm to continue its rapid growth trajectory and strengthen its position in the EU as well as enabling the company to expand its offering to the Asian and US markets.
The funding will especially strengthen the firm’s enterprise and financial institution offering, to complement its strong offering for crypto market participants.
Additionally, Dr. Mircea Mihaescu joined the company earlier this year as Executive Chairman, and now steps into the CEO role, to lead the firm with his wealth of knowledge in SaaS scaling for emerging and financial technology companies.
Dr. Mircea Mihaescu
“The Series A unlocks Coinfirm’s potential in the crypto compliance and analytics space as we expand in a fast-paced growth market.
 
I am excited to be joining Coinfirm in its next step on the journey to power the mass adoption of blockchain whilst we remain committed to delivering the very highest value to our clients and partners.”
said Dr. Mircea Mihaescu, CEO of Coinfirm.
 
Featured image: Screengrab from Coinfirm Youtube
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/coinfirm-raises-us8-million-in-series-a-co-led-by-six-fintech-ventures</link><guid>2228</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Coinfirm Raises US$8 Million in Series A Co-led by SIX Fintech Ventures</dc:text></item><item><title>Raiffeisen Switzerland Issues CHF 165 Million Bail-in Bond on Valyo’s Platform</title><description><![CDATA[Raiffeisen Switzerland, a cooperative of cooperatives the union of all independent Swiss Raiffeisen banks, has issued a CHF 165 million bail-in bond on Valyo&#8217;s capital market platform.
This is reportedly the first bail-in bond has been issued digitally in Switzerland. This is also the first time Valyo has involved a bank in the role of joint lead manager on the platform.
The bond was issued with a term of eight years, a call option after seven years and a coupon of 0.405 percent.
The first trading day on the SIX Swiss Exchange is scheduled for 24 September 2021.
On the Valyo capital market platform, issuers and investors come together directly and process the issue online via the platform, from the recording of transaction data, through book building, to settlement and arranging for the listing of the bond.
Daniel Schwab
Daniel Schwab, CEO of Valyo  said,
&#8220;With the issuance of a bail-in bond, we were able to prove our innovation capabilities once again.
 
In addition, it was possible for us to include a bank as a joint lead partner for the first time.”
 
The post Raiffeisen Switzerland Issues CHF 165 Million Bail-in Bond on Valyo’s Platform appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/raiffeisen-switzerland-issues-chf-165-million-bail-in-bond-on-valyos-platform</link><guid>2227</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Raiffeisen Switzerland Issues CHF 165 Million Bail-in Bond on Valyo’s Platform</dc:text></item><item><title>Switzerland’s Startup Competition Venture Has Ended on a High Note This Year</title><description><![CDATA[Switzerland’s startup competition &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; has come to a close with the announcement of this year&#8217;s winners.
Established in 1997, &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; ranks and celebrates the top 3 winners in the five categories including that of the &#8220;Finance &amp; Insurance&#8221; category.
A jury of industry experts, seasoned CEOs of Switzerland’s most successful corporations, and investors named Lyyna, aisot and Ignatica for this category.
The competition was co-organised by Swiss institutions; ETH Zurich, McKinsey &amp; Company, Knecht Holding, Innosuisse, and EPFL.
&gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; awarded over CHF 500,000 in non dilutive funds, business consulting packages from McKinsey &amp; Company and mentorship by an extensive high-profile network of industry experts to the following winners for this year.
Winners for the Finance &amp; Insurance Category:
First place: Lyyna (Zurich)
Empowers banks to unleash the full value from payment data and offer insurance for small purchases to their customers.
Lyyna&#8217;s team
Second place: aisot (Zurich)
Builds the next generation (predictive) analytics tools, with an early focus on digital assets.
Aisot&#8217;s team
Third place: Ignatica (Bern)
Their core platform helps insurers grow their markets, increase profitability, and service customers digitally.
Ignatica&#8217;s team
 
Featured image: Screengrab from YouTube
The post Switzerland’s Startup Competition Venture Has Ended on a High Note This Year appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/switzerlands-startup-competition-venture-has-ended-on-a-high-note-this-year</link><guid>2225</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Lyyna-1.jpg?x13410</dc:content ><dc:text>Switzerland’s Startup Competition Venture Has Ended on a High Note This Year</dc:text></item><item><title>Money20/20 Europe 2021: Line-up, Key Topics and More</title><description><![CDATA[Money20/20 Europe, one of the biggest annual fintech events in the region, is coming back from September 21 to 23, 2021, in the Netherlands, and will bring together some of the fintech industry’s brightest minds to explore where the future of the industry lies and share the ideas shaping it.
This year’s event will take place at the RAI Exhibition and Convention Centre in Amsterdam, and is set to bring together over 4,000 attendees including industry leaders, C-level executives, renowned speakers, and innovators who are playing a key role in shaping the future of fintech.
More than 1,250 companies and organizations will be represented including Barclays, Deutsche Bank, Flutterwave, N26, Mastercard, McKinsey and Wise.
Money2020 Europe 2019, Source: Europe.Money2020.com
Top sessions and speakers
The Money20/20 Europe 2021 agenda will cover a wide spectrum of topics and discuss some of the fintech industry’s biggest trends and issues, ranging from central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and digital assets, to digital identity and the future of payments.
On Tuesday, September 21, Daniel Marovitz, senior vice president of Booking.com’s fintech unit, will share how the e-commerce firm develops new products and how it adds value to customers’ experience with the platform.
Central bankers from Banque de France, De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) and Sveriges Riksbank will delve into the topic of CBDCs, explain how these can be used and explore their potential impact on the economy and for consumers.
Frederique Slevin, vice president and head of retail payments product management at ACI Worldwide, Fredrik Sauter, head of growing markets at American Express, and Oscar Berglund, CEO of Trustly will then discuss what the future of payments could look like and whether or not cards have a place in that future.
Later that day, Francisco Maroto Castro, head of blockchain and digital assets at BBVA, Mariana Gospodinova, executive vice president of operations at Crypto.com, and Jochen Siegert, managing director and global head of asset platforms at Deutsche Bank, will gather for a panel discussion on the explosion of digital assets and the regulatory and applicational framework needed to stabilize and absorb the shocks of volatility.
On Wednesday, September 22, Julia Hoggett, CEO of the London Stock Exchange, at the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) will share how one of the world’s oldest stock exchanges manages the ongoing demands of the modern economy, including adapting to the changing needs of issuers and investors, and the fast pace of technological change.
Top executives from digital assets and decentralized finance (DeFi) specialists Aave, Adan, Nordico and The Tokenizer will then discuss the booming DeFi space, exploring how open source, permissionless and transparent DeFi solutions can help create a fairer financial system.
Later on, Hanna Raftell, CEO of Fimento, and Keith Grose, head of international at Plaid, will explain how new rules are fueling the rise of open banking and data sharing in the European Union (EU), and share their views on what this new landscape could look like.
Finally, on Thursday, September 23, top leaders from BBVA, Datakeeper, ING and TransUnion will discuss the rise of hyper-personalized journeys and products and data privacy, and explore how companies can build products in a world where individuals are in control of their data.
Then, executives from Belgian Mobile ID – itsme, Currence and OneWelcome will share how a pan-European identity layer would look like and what technologies it would use.
In the afternoon, Jon Prideaux, CEO of Boku, Shengliang Yang, acting head and deputy head of Europe at UnionPay, and Berit Svendsen, head of international at Vipps, will explain how businesses can be local champions all the while serving customers globally.
Other things to look forward to
After a cancelled 2020 edition due to COVID-19, Money20/20 Europe 2021 promises a whole new experience centered around interactivity, building meaning connections and fostering innovative thinking.
In addition to an immersive agenda, Money20/20 Europe 2021 will be introducing the Think Tanks, which will consist of eight groups of up to 30 selected industry players who will come together to ideate and co-create a solution for the most complicated problems the industry faces today.
The Collisions app will also be available to participants, allowing them to access artificial intelligence (AI)-powered recommendations of who they should meet based on their business needs, search, sort and filter the full attendee list to identify those they want to meet, book business meetings with attendees before the show doors even open, and send direct message to other attendees.
Collisions app, Source: Europe.Money2020.com
 
Featured image: Money2020 Europe 2019, Source: Europe.Money2020.com
The post Money20/20 Europe 2021: Line-up, Key Topics and More appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/money2020-europe-2021-line-up-key-topics-and-more</link><guid>2224</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Collisions-app-Source-Europe.Money2020.com_.png?x13410</dc:content ><dc:text>Money20/20 Europe 2021: Line-up, Key Topics and More</dc:text></item><item><title>Valuu steht jetzt auch Hypothekar- und Finanzberater:innen offen</title><description><![CDATA[Seit Juli 2021 können nebst Privatkunden auch professionelle Vermittler die Hypothekenplattform Valuu nutzen. Das Angebot mit dem Namen «Valuu Pro» wartet bereits mit einem ersten Update auf und macht so die Beratung noch effizienter.
Valuu Pro richtet sich an Hypothekar- und Finanzberater:innen. Diese können sich als Vertriebspartner:innen registrieren und über Valuu Pro alle Vorteile der digitalen Plattform für ihre Kundinnen und Kunden nutzen: das einfache und schnelle Suchen, Vergleichen und Abschliessen von Hypotheken. Für ihre erfolgreiche Vermittlungstätigkeit erhalten sie attraktive Provisionen.
Effizientes Vermittlungs- und Beratungstool
Thomas Jakob
«Mit Valuu Pro stellen wir Hypothekar- und Finanzberater:innen ein effektives und effizientes Tool für ihre Kundenbetreuung zur Verfügung»,
sagt Thomas Jakob, Leiter von Valuu.
«Dank Valuu können sie aus einem riesigen Hypotheken-Pool schöpfen und schnell und einfach das passende Angebot für ihre Kunden herausfiltern. Das spart Zeit und erhöht die Beratungsqualität. Unter dem Strich bedeutet das: mehr Abschlüsse in weniger Zeit.»
Der Angebotspool ist dabei derselbe wie für Privatpersonen; er umfasst attraktive Finanzierungen von über 100 Schweizer Banken, Versicherungen und Pensionskassen. Im Unterschied zum «normalen» Valuu wird Valuu Pro aber ausschliesslich von den Berater:innen der jeweiligen Partnerunternehmen bedient; diese erfassen für ihre Kundinnen und Kunden sämtliche nötigen Daten, durchlaufen mit ihnen den Hypothekarprozess und nehmen den Abschluss vor. Sie bleiben dadurch länger mit ihren Kunden in Konktakt und stärken ihre eigene Position als kompetenter Partner ihrer Kunden.
«Wir von Valuu bleiben dabei im Hintergrund und kümmern uns um Aufgaben wie die Dossierprüfung und das Kreditgeber-Management. So können sich unsere Vertriebspartner voll auf die Beratung und den Kundenkontakt konzentrieren»,
so Thomas Jakob.
Broker Journey mit indikativen Zinsen
Wie Valuu wird auch Valuu Pro stetig optimiert.
«Bei der Weiterentwicklung von Valuu Pro arbeiten wir eng mit den aktuellen Vertriebspartnern zusammen. Ihre Erfahrungen weisen uns den Weg»,
sagt Thomas Jakob.
Ein erstes Resultat dieser Zusammenarbeit ist die Integration von indikativen Zinsen: Vermittler:innen können nun schon vor einer Registrierung ihrer Kundinnen und Kunden auf Valuu die voraussichtlichen Zinsen abfragen und damit vorsondieren, ob sich ein weiteres Vorgehen lohnt.
«Unsere Partner können sich so auf jene Kunden konzentrieren, die mit hoher Wahrscheinlichkeit attraktive Angebote via Valuu erhalten und zum Abschluss kommen»,
so Thomas Jakob.
Weiterer Meilenstein
Mit dem Schritt ins B2B-Geschäft hat Valuu nach gut zweieinhalb Jahren einen weiteren Meilenstein erreicht. Valuu Pro hat bereits grossen Anklang gefunden; viele kleine und grosse Beratungsunternehmen haben sich als Vetriebspartner angemeldet, weitere Broker wie Immobilienmakler zeigen grosses Interesse.
«Ganz egal ob Einzelunternehmen oder grosse Firma, wir freuen uns auf alle neuen Vertriebspartner und ihre Ideen, wie wir Valuu Pro noch besser machen können»,
sagt Thomas Jakob.
 

Valuu Pro: Vetriebspartner werden
Interessierte Hypotheken-Vermittler:innen können Valuu eine unverbindliche Anfrage senden.  Hier geht es zum Kontaktformular.

The post Valuu steht jetzt auch Hypothekar- und Finanzberater:innen offen appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/valuu-steht-jetzt-auch-hypothekar-und-finanzberaterinnen-offen</link><guid>2223</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Valuu steht jetzt auch Hypothekar- und Finanzberater:innen offen</dc:text></item><item><title>Payroll Platform Papaya Global Raises US$250 Million at US$3.7 Billion Valuation</title><description><![CDATA[Papaya Global, a New York-based workforce management platform transforming global employment, announced that it has raised US$250 million in Series D funding, bringing the company’s valuation to US$3.7 billion.
Papaya’s valuation has increased tenfold since September 2020 with a total funding of US$440 million to date.
The new funding round was led by New York-based global private equity and venture capital firm Insight Partners and joined by Tiger Global, with participation from existing investors Greenoaks Capital, IVP, Scale Venture Partners, Bessemer Venture Partners, Alkeon Capital, Workday Ventures, Access Industries and Group 11.
The firm said that the funding will be used to continue its rapid expansion and accelerate the recruitment of rapidly growing companies (pre/post IPO) and Fortune 5000 clients.
Papaya provides a solution for managing and paying all types of global workers in full compliance, from onboarding to payments, in over 140 countries.
Eynat Guez.
“2021 is a breakthrough year for Papaya. We set a new standard for global payroll management by introducing our ‘Total Payroll’ offering, a technology solution for managing all global payroll activities through a single panel, including equity and benefits.
 
This latest round of funding, which follows our Series C only six months ago, will allow Papaya to continue its hyper growth as we expand globally.”
said Papaya Global Co-founder and CEO Eynat Guez.
 

 
Featured image: (From left to right) Papaya Global&#8217;s Co-Founders &#8211; Ofer Herman (CTO), Eynat Guez (CEO), and Ruben Drong (CPO)
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/payroll-platform-papaya-global-raises-us250-million-at-us37-billion-valuation</link><guid>2221</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/AM-2.png?x13410</dc:content ><dc:text>Payroll Platform Papaya Global Raises US$250 Million at US$3.7 Billion Valuation</dc:text></item><item><title>Avaloq Appoints Georges Roten to Lead Swiss and Liechtenstein Operations</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss core banking solution provider Avaloq announced that it has appointed Georges Roten as its new regional head for Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
Roten joined Avaloq in June 2021 to ensure a smooth handover from Mathias Schütz who is leaving the company as per mid-October to pursue new endeavours.
He spent 12 years at Bank Sarasin as Head IT. Before and after this engagement he was a Senior Advisor at various international consultancy firms.
Barry Frame
Barry Frame, Chief Client Success &amp; Sales Officer at Avaloq, said:
“As our home market, the Switzerland and Liechtenstein region is the corner stone for our global expansion.
 
We are therefore very happy that with Georges, we have such an experienced leader in place, who knows our clients’ needs and expectations so well.”
Georges Roten, Avaloq’s new Regional Head for Switzerland and Liechtenstein, said:
“Through my many years as an Avaloq client and as an external consultant, I have witnessed first-hand how the company has transformed from a pure core banking software provider to a leader in the field of innovative wealth management technology.
 
I am very excited to be part of this journey and am committed to deliver the best possible products and services for the benefit of our clients.”
The post Avaloq Appoints Georges Roten to Lead Swiss and Liechtenstein Operations appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/avaloq-appoints-georges-roten-to-lead-swiss-and-liechtenstein-operations</link><guid>2222</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Avaloq Appoints Georges Roten to Lead Swiss and Liechtenstein Operations</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Consumers Show Interest in Open Banking-Enabled Services Despite Low Awareness</title><description><![CDATA[In Switzerland, although just a few consumers know what open banking is, consumers are showing strong interest in the use cases and opportunities the trend brings, signaling that future growth and adoption of open banking will be driven by consumer demand, a new study by Mastercard found.
The research, which polled more than 1,000 consumers from Switzerland in April 2021, found that despite low awareness of open banking general, with just 6% of respondents stating that they had heard of open banking, Swiss consumers indicated willingness to use open banking-enabled services when explaining to them what open banking was and its use cases.
Out of the respondents who had not heard of open banking before, 14% showed interest after being provided a generic definition, a level that increased significantly (52%) when consumers were given explanations of real use cases of open banking.
Swiss consumer awareness and interest in open banking, Source: Open Banking in Switzerpand Part I, Mastercard, Sept 2021
These results imply that as awareness of open banking and related services increases in the market and as consumers start to really understand their value in everyday life, demand will materialize and grow, the report says.
Not only that, but the study also found that, despite strong customer loyalty to their primary bank, a significant proportion of respondents (49%) said that they would be willingness to change their primary bank or add a new banking relationship to benefit from at least one open banking-enabled service.
Customer relationship with their primary bank and willingness to change, Source: Open Banking in Switzerpand Part I, Mastercard, Sept 2021
Apart from general interest, 62% of respondents even indicated that they would be willing to pay a fee for open banking-enabled services, with as many as 45% stating that they would be willing to pay more than CHF 4 on a monthly basis.
Share of consumers willing to pay for Open-Banking-enabled services (maximum fee per month), Source: Open Banking in Switzerpand Part II, Mastercard, Sept 2021
Security, data privacy as top concerns
Open banking, a concept pioneered by the European Union (EU) and the UK, is a banking practice that provides third-party financial service providers open access to consumer banking, transaction, and other financial data from banks and non-bank financial institutions through the use of application programming interfaces (APIs).
This allows for services such as account aggregation, where customers can get an overview of their various accounts, tailored personal finance management products, as well as streamlined onboarding through the sharing of customer’s bank details and information and quicker know-your-customer (KYC).
Although the sharing of consumers’ financial data is a prerequisite of open banking, data privacy and security remain for many consumers one of the main perceived threats of open banking.
In Switzerland, 88% of the 1,000+ respondents surveyed indicated having concerns when sharing their financial data with non-banks, a fear that stems from the potential use of their financial data for commercial purposes as well as potential security failures and data leaks, the study found.
No longer an “optional luxury”
Despite data security concerns and trust issues in non-bank, new entrants, the study’s results show that open banking can no longer be viewed as “an optional luxury that financial institutions can consider,” but instead has become “an inevitability that will drive competitive advantages and monetization opportunities,” the report says.
It notes that while deployment of open banking in Switzerland remains at a much earlier stage than in the surrounding regulatory-driven EU, many Swiss market participants have recognized the need to embrace the trend.
Furthermore, progress in standardization initiatives such as the OpenWealth API by the Open Wealth Association, the Common API by Swiss Fintech Innovations, and the Swiss NextGen API by Openbankingproject.ch, will incentivize current followers to join in, the report says.
The release of MasterCard’s two-part report on the Swiss open banking ecosystem comes at a time when the payment network is looking to extend its foothold in the European open banking scene.
Last week, it unveiled the acquisition of Aiia, a Danish open banking startup. Aiia offers a direct connection to banks through a single API, allowing third-party providers to build services on top of financial data with the consent of the end-users.
The post Swiss Consumers Show Interest in Open Banking-Enabled Services Despite Low Awareness appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-consumers-show-interest-in-open-banking-enabled-services-despite-low-awareness</link><guid>2219</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Swiss-consumer-awareness-and-interest-in-open-banking-Source-Open-Banking-in-Switzerpand-Part-I-Mastercard-Sept-2021.png?x13410</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Consumers Show Interest in Open Banking-Enabled Services Despite Low Awareness</dc:text></item><item><title>Banks Remain Costliest Remittance Providers</title><description><![CDATA[Although wire transfers might be the quickest and most convenient way to send money, it is also exorbitantly pricey, especially when it involves international transfers.
In fact, the World Bank’s Q1 2021 Remittance Prices World Quarterly report found that banks remain the most expensive type of service provider when it comes to remittances, with an average cost of 10.66%. Banks surpass post offices, with an average cost of 8.79%, money transfer operators (MTOs) (5.43%) and mobile operators (3.12%).
Total average by remittance service provider type, Source: Q1 2021 Remittance Prices World, World Bank, March 2021
The true cost of international bank transfers
To truly understand how much customers are actually paying when they send money to their loved ones overseas, money transfer comparison platform Monito has produced a detailed guide, breaking down the different fees banks charge customers for international transfers, giving concrete examples, and sharing key recommendations.
Generally, two types of costs are involved when it comes to overseas bank transfers, the guide notes: the wire transfer fees, and the exchange rates.
The wire transfer fee is the standard fee that a bank charges a customer for sending money aboard. This fee can also include correspondent and intermediary bank fees in the event that the wire transfer needs to go through several intermediary banks.
Wire transfer fees vary from one bank to another and from country to country. For example, US banks would typically charge a fixed fee in the range of US$25 to US$40 per international bank wire. Meanwhile, in South Africa, international bank transfers would typically involve a commission of around 0.5% of the transfer value, with minimum and maximum caps, in addition to a fixed fee in the tunes of ZAR 100 (US$7) to ZAR 200 (US$14) per transaction.
The second major cost when sending money aboard through international bank transfers is the exchange rate margin. This cost is the difference between the mid-market exchange rate or the “interbank exchange rate” – the exchange rate at which banks trade currencies between one another – and the exchange rate the bank actually offers the customer.
This costs vary from one bank to another, and also depends on whether the transaction involves major world currencies or more obscure, volatile ones. But generally, it tends to range from 1.50% of the transfer value to about 15%. The exchange rate margin is charged by practically every bank around the globe, even though it’s not displayed transparently.
Edgar, Dunn &amp; Company estimates that each year, GBP 150 billion is unknowingly spent in hidden fees on foreign currency transfers. These fees are either extracted through an exchange rate markup, or a rate markup plus additional fees.
The same 2021 research further shows that only 4% of surveyed bank customers understand what they are being charged in these transactions.
In addition to the fees associated with sending money aboard, many banks also charge a separate set of fees for receiving money from overseas.
A transaction fee can be automatically debited in the receiving currency in the form of a fixed or commission fee. The receiver can also be charged the exchange rate margin in the event that the money that arrived into their account was in a foreign currency.
Using data it has compiled from banks around the world, Monito provides a list of the best banks for international wire transfers based on the country customers are sending the money from.
For those located in the US, the money transfer comparison platform recommends using Citibank. For consumers in the UK, Bank of Scotland, or its subsidiary Halifax, are considered to be the best options. In Australia, Monito names the National Australia Bank (NAB) as the best bank, while in New Zealand, it names Kiwibank. In Singapore, customers should opt for DBS Bank, especially its remittance service DBS Remit, or its subsidiary POSB. And in South Africa, Absa is considered as the best provider.
Money transfer specialists are the top choices
While some banks are better than others for sending money overseas, Monito nevertheless discourages consumers to use them altogether, arguing that better options exist on the market, such as money transfer specialists.
In particular, a previous research conducted by Monito named Wise, formerly TransferWise, as the best money transfer service in the world.
Wise secured the highest Monito Score, scoring perfectly in trust and credibility, and the highest in customer satisfaction as well as service and quality. Wise topped an extensive list of international money transfer services from all parts of the world, including TransferGo (ranked 2nd) and Remitly (ranked 3rd) and surpassed veterans Western Union and MoneyGram, as well as established fintechs Xoom and PayPal.
 
Featured image credit: Photo by Alistair MacRobert on Unsplash 
The post Banks Remain Costliest Remittance Providers appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/banks-remain-costliest-remittance-providers</link><guid>2220</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Total-average-by-remittance-service-provider-type-Source-Q1-2021-Remittance-Prices-World-World-Bank-March-2021.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Banks Remain Costliest Remittance Providers</dc:text></item><item><title>Canadian Startup Nuula Secures US$120 Million to Boost Service Offerings for SMEs</title><description><![CDATA[Nuula, a Canadian mobile application that gives small business owners instant access to critical business metrics, announced that it has raised US$120 million.
The total funds secured are US$20 million in equity funding led by Edison Partners that will accelerate the brand&#8217;s launch and drive adoption of the Nuula mobile app.
Meanwhile, the remaining US$100 million credit facility was provided by funds managed by the Credit Group of Ares Management Corporation that will provide scale to the app&#8217;s integrated credit product.
Nuula will soon be adding the capability for small business owners to monitor other critical metrics including financial, payments and e-commerce data, all from the convenience of the Nuula app.
The company also unveiled its plans to provide access to a range of innovative financial products within its ecosystem, including an on-demand line of credit that will enable small businesses to access the capital they need to thrive.
Mark Ruddock
&#8220;Significant innovations have transformed consumer financial services in the past decade. Small business financial services, however, has lagged this revolution, and a new generation of small business owners are frustrated with that gap.
 
Today marks the beginning of Nuula&#8217;s journey to reinvent small business financial services, by providing entrepreneurs with instant access to the content, the tools and the capital to power their business from the palms of their hands.&#8221;
said Mark Ruddock, CEO at Nuula.

The post Canadian Startup Nuula Secures US$120 Million to Boost Service Offerings for SMEs appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/canadian-startup-nuula-secures-us120-million-to-boost-service-offerings-for-smes</link><guid>2218</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/AM-2.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Canadian Startup Nuula Secures US$120 Million to Boost Service Offerings for SMEs</dc:text></item><item><title>US Crypto Custody Firm Fireblocks Sets up Swiss Office for DACH Expansion Plans</title><description><![CDATA[Fireblocks, a US-based platform that allows financial institutions to store, move and issue cryptocurrencies, announced that it will be opening of a new office headquartered in Switzerland.
The firm said that it will be dedicating significant resources toward expanding its presence and growth in the DACH market.
Over the last six months, Fireblocks has doubled the size of its European team to support the increasing number of institutional customers in the region with close to 200 customers in the DACH market.
Richard Astle
To support Fireblocks’ customer-base in the region, the company has appointed Richard Astle and Ana Santillan as co-Heads of Switzerland.
Richard brings extensive knowledge of the Swiss financial services industry from top tier banks where he participated in launching Swiss Crypto Vault, and was a founding member of the Bitcoin Suisse Institutional Services and Products Division.
Ana Santillan
Meanwhile, Ana’s background is in debt capital markets, having established Morgan Stanley’s Swiss fixed income institutional service team. She held senior positions in Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse wealth management before transitioning to digital assets.
With over a decade of financial experience, Richard and Ana have been advising hedge funds, banks, and corporate clients implementing trading and custody of digital assets.
After onboarding over 500 financial institutions and growing it’s custody technology to support US$1 trillion in digital assets, Fireblocks is solidifying its investment and focus in Switzerland.
In its effort to support the growth of digital assets in Switzerland, Fireblocks recently joined as a member of The Crypto Valley Association, an independent, government-supported association.
Fireblocks has grown to support global banks such as Siam Commercial Bank, SVB, and Bank of New York Mellon (BNY), as well as many institutions based in the EU region like Revolut, Algotrader, GSR Markets, Woorton, Enigma Securities and Scrypt Asset Management powering the custody, transfer and issuance of digital assets.
Michael Shaulov
“It is important for us to work with Switzerland-based companies because of the value they bring to the financial market, having established themselves as one of the world&#8217;s leading financial centers.
 
Now these financial institutions are seeking to rapidly deploy digital asset custody, trading, and tokenisation products and are turning to vetted technologies to help them remain at the forefront of this space and securely tap into the global crypto-ecosystem.”
said Michael Shaulov, CEO of Fireblocks.

Featured image: Edited from Unsplash 
The post US Crypto Custody Firm Fireblocks Sets up Swiss Office for DACH Expansion Plans appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/us-crypto-custody-firm-fireblocks-sets-up-swiss-office-for-dach-expansion-plans</link><guid>2217</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/AM-2.png</dc:content ><dc:text>US Crypto Custody Firm Fireblocks Sets up Swiss Office for DACH Expansion Plans</dc:text></item><item><title>MoneyLion to Offer Crypto Investment Ahead of SPAC Merger</title><description><![CDATA[US-based neobank MoneyLion announced the launch of its new cryptocurrency capabilities, enabling customers to buy and sell digital currencies within its app.
MoneyLion said that eligible customers will initially be able to buy and sell Bitcoin and Ethereum, as well as round-up their debit card purchases in Bitcoin.
In the coming months, the neobank plans to add more cryptocurrencies and related features to the offering.
The rollout is underway and will continue over the coming weeks, with the new capabilities available to all eligible MoneyLion customers on October 5.
MoneyLion had recently announced that its merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) Fusion Acquisition Corp. to become a publicly listed company is coming to a close soon.
Dee Choubey
“We view the new cryptocurrency offering as an important part of the MoneyLion platform, which includes banking, lending &amp; investing solutions along with tools to help our customers better manage their finances, all in one app.
 
Offering this emerging asset class is a natural addition to our existing savings and investing products, and supports our goal of providing customers with access to a variety of asset classes, along with the tools and education they are looking for to feel confident in their financial decisions.”
said Dee Choubey, Co-Founder and CEO of MoneyLion.

Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash 
The post MoneyLion to Offer Crypto Investment Ahead of SPAC Merger appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/moneylion-to-offer-crypto-investment-ahead-of-spac-merger</link><guid>2216</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/AM-2.png</dc:content ><dc:text>MoneyLion to Offer Crypto Investment Ahead of SPAC Merger</dc:text></item><item><title>Global Payments Signs Deal to Acquire MineralTree for US$500 Million</title><description><![CDATA[Global Payments, a worldwide provider of payment technology and software solutions, announced an agreement to purchase MineralTree, a provider of accounts payable automation and business-to-business (B2B) payments solutions, for US$500 million in cash.
The company will make the acquisition from an investor group led by Great Hill Partners, .406 Ventures and Eight Roads Ventures. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2021.
MineralTree’s software-as-a-service (SAAS) offerings automate key procurement processes, including invoice capture, coding and approval, and enable virtual cards and integrated payments options across a variety of key vertical markets to digitize payables for thousands of customers.
In combination with Global Payments&#8217; existing B2B payments capabilities, including commercial payments, domestic and international acquiring, payroll, data and analytics, access to non-card based rails and virtual card provisioning, MineralTree’s cloud native solutions substantially expand Global Payments’ target addressable markets.
Global Payments also will provide unique advantages for buyers, suppliers and employers through the creation of new virtual networks, deepening its competitive moat by expanding the company’s marketplaces and ecosystems.
Jeff Sloan
“The addition of MineralTree’s digitised payables solutions enhances our B2B product suite and expands our opportunity set in one of the largest and most underpenetrated markets in software and payments. We intend to scale our combined B2B initiatives more quickly by leveraging our extensive distribution channels and leading cloud centric technologies globally.”
said Jeff Sloan, Chief Executive Officer, Global Payments.
 
 

Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
The post Global Payments Signs Deal to Acquire MineralTree for US$500 Million appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/global-payments-signs-deal-to-acquire-mineraltree-for-us500-million</link><guid>2214</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/AM.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Global Payments Signs Deal to Acquire MineralTree for US$500 Million</dc:text></item><item><title>FQX Appoints Two New Advisors to Propel Its Growth Plans</title><description><![CDATA[FQX, a Swiss-based provider of electronic promissory note infrastructure to facilitate trade finance and money markets, announced the appointment of Whitman Knapp and John Taylor as its advisors.
Whit Knapp, Chairman of GTBInsights LLC, a global transaction banking advisory firm, and veteran of the transaction banking world, will bring years of hands-on experience to embed FQX’s electronic promissory notes in real world transactions.
Previously, Whit spent twenty-five years working for a leading international bank, the Bank of Boston, holding senior management positions in London, Luxembourg and Paris, and being responsible for the bank’s B2B business line in the EMEA region.
Subsequently, he created a research firm for the transaction banking businesses of the leading US, European and Asian banks. Throughout this time, he has been an active member of BAFT (The Bankers’ Association for Finance and Trade) where he is a past Director, and currently serves on the Membership Committee, the North American Council, the Supply Chain Finance Committee and the Innovation Council. For the past five years, he has devoted a majority of his time to the development of the BAFT DLPC, the Distributed Ledger Payment Commitment.
Meanwhile, John Taylor, a Professor of International Finance and Trade Law at the Centre for Commercial Law Studies, Queen Mary University of London, has exceptionally diverse international corporate and finance experience. He has practiced in leading law firms in Australia, the UK and the USA and held senior international management roles in law and finance in banks, a private equity firm and a global fund manager.
At various times during his career, he has held increasingly responsible legal and banking positions in three international financial institutions (the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, where he was a former General Counsel).
For several years, both Whit and John have been Honorary Members of the Bankers Association for Finance and Trade (BAFT) and active members of BAFT’s Councils and of the innovative Working Group that developed the BAFT Distributed Ledger Payment Commitment (DLPC).
Whitman Knapp
Whitman Knapp said,
“I am honored to join FQX AG a Strategic Counsel to help this award-winning team bring to market their innovative eNotesTM enabling clients to either originate or invest in trade assets, or both.”
John Taylor
John Taylor commented,
“It is a real pleasure to become a Strategic Counsel at FQX AG and I look forward to deploying my legal and financing experience to promote the development of FQX’s relationships and innovative products.”
 
 
Featured image: FQX&#8217;s team
The post FQX Appoints Two New Advisors to Propel Its Growth Plans appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fqx-appoints-two-new-advisors-to-propel-its-growth-plans</link><guid>2215</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>FQX Appoints Two New Advisors to Propel Its Growth Plans</dc:text></item><item><title>Blockchain-Based Invoice Factoring Firm Hiveterminal Expands to DACH Region</title><description><![CDATA[Blockchain-based invoice factoring platform Hiveterminal announced that it has expanded to the DACH region as part of its Europe growth plans.
Hiveterminal aims to start cultivating relationships with Swiss-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) who need fast and continuous access to liquidity without going through the hassle of applying for bank financing.
The offered solution has reportedly already been adopted by more than 4,000 registered business users in the initial market.
The Hiveterminal platform can also be used for closed ecosystems or white-labeled on a Software as a Service (SaaS) basis in its Enterprise edition, which was recently launched. The solution is also available to companies within the DACH market now.
This news comes less than two weeks after the firm announced that Swiss-based Bonart Mati will be taking over as Hiveterminal&#8217;s CEO.
Hiveterminal said that it is making a move towards the EU invoice financing market worth EUR 1.8 trillion. After receiving an investment from a Swiss VC investor and now expanding its staff in the region, the company aims to expnad its footprint.




&#8220;We are happy to announce that Hiveterminal has moved its headquarters to Switzerland’s “Crypto Valley” Zug, the European blockchain hub. There, we will be operating under the legal entity Hiveterminal AG.&#8221;

Bonart Mati
Bonart Mati, CEO of Hiveterminal said,

“Invoice factoring as a financing option is not well developed in Switzerland simply because there is a need for an easier and more user-friendly solution within this space. We aim to take advantage of this fact and make invoice factoring respectable in CH and the rest of Europe — also by using blockchain technology.”





The post Blockchain-Based Invoice Factoring Firm Hiveterminal Expands to DACH Region appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/blockchain-based-invoice-factoring-firm-hiveterminal-expands-to-dach-region</link><guid>2212</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Blockchain-Based Invoice Factoring Firm Hiveterminal Expands to DACH Region</dc:text></item><item><title>Orell Füssli Snaps up Majority Stake in Swiss Digital Identity Firm Procivis</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss printing and bookselling company Orell Füssli has acquired a majority stake in technology company Procivis which offers smartphone-based identity solutions.
Orell Füssli will offer both physical and digital identity and certificate solutions from a single source, based on secure and unalterable data from trustworthy sources.
Additional functionalities are intended to facilitate seamless, simple and efficient interactions and business processes for users, authorities and companies.
The implementation of this strategy requires innovative technologies and specific digital competencies.
For this reason, Orell Füssli acquired a stake in Procivis in spring 2020, to realise the potential of a digital society with forward-looking technology solutions for digital identities and e-government.
The accelerated digitalisation of the economy and society in recent months has led to increasingly digital interactions and processes in business and government.
This often requires identity documents and certificates, which are until today mostly produced and used physically.
Procivis’ smartphone-based identity solution has reportedly been successfully introduced at several customers and enables users to handle their own data in a self-determined way.
Daniel Gasteiger
Daniel Gasteiger, CEO Procivis said,
&#8220;We are looking forward to strengthening the cooperation with the Orell Füssli team and are convinced that a digital identity solution for our society must be driven by privacy by design, decentralised data storage and data minimisation.
 
These have been the principles of our product development at Procivis from the very beginning. »
Daniel Link
Daniel Link, CEO of Orell Füssli said,
&#8220;By acquiring Procivis we drive forward our strategy and are at the forefront of shaping the attractive business field of digital identities and certificates.
 
We build on joint projects with Procivis to develop secure, trustworthy digital services for business and government transactions in the future.»
The post Orell Füssli Snaps up Majority Stake in Swiss Digital Identity Firm Procivis appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/orell-fussli-snaps-up-majority-stake-in-swiss-digital-identity-firm-procivis</link><guid>2213</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Orell Füssli Snaps up Majority Stake in Swiss Digital Identity Firm Procivis</dc:text></item><item><title>How Jacksonville, FL, Prevails as an Emerging Fintech Powerhouse</title><description><![CDATA[Many cities on the West Coast of the United States burgeoned into innovation centers during the dot-com bubble. Tech hubs like California’s Silicon Valley and Washington’s Greater Seattle region are home to some of the biggest tech companies in the world and offer a range of amenities to support talent attraction.
But as the world shifted to accommodate social distancing in 2020, workers are trading their traditional workspaces for home offices, leading many businesses to reconsider their operational costs.
Accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, emerging tech and financial tech hubs are gaining favor among businesses and workers alike, eager to find new economic opportunities and better work-life balance. While cities like New York, San Francisco, Boston and Miami reported net migration losses in 2020, Florida’s largest city, Jacksonville, reported a 9 percent increase in workers during the pandemic, the second highest increase in the country.
Today, the Jacksonville region boasts more than 62,000 working professionals in the financial services industry. The combination of a rapidly increasing skilled talent pool with access to world-class universities and colleges, affordable and available real estate and supportive regulatory bodies solidifies Jacksonville’s status as an emerging fintech city to watch closely.
Doing Business in Jacksonville
The state of Florida has long attracted a variety of corporate businesses and entrepreneurs with its low tax structure and streamlined regulatory environment. The Jacksonville region distinguishes itself from competitors by pairing its strong employment market with healthy, sustainable growth in its commercial and residential real estate sectors – a combination that has effectively lured several fintech giants to the region recently including Dun &amp; Bradstreet, SoFi, SS&amp;C Technologies and SmartStream Technologies.
A haven for tech talent, Jacksonville has the third largest monthly tech job growth rate in the nation, outranking notable tech cities such as Los Angeles, Houston and Miami. Ideally located in the Southeastern United States with access to a deep-water port and continuous flow of specialized workers, Jacksonville is well positioned for accelerated growth, expansion and investment.
Fintech in the Jacksonville Region
From small startups to multinational businesses, fintech companies of all sizes are relocating or expanding to the Jacksonville region. When Bay Area-based premium financial services platform SoFi began plans for a new operations center, their search started and ended in Jacksonville. “Jacksonville, from the start of our exploration, has been a clear front-runner for talent, accessibility and offering an affordable cost of living,” said SoFi CEO Anthony Noto to The Florida-Times Union.
Connecticut-based multinational fintech company, SS&amp;C Technologies, also elected to expand its presence in the Southeast by adding nearly 200 jobs to their existing Jacksonville workforce along with announcing a $1.7 million investment in capital expenditures in 2019. And just this year, London-based SmartStream Technologies opened its third U.S. location in Jacksonville.
Haytham Kaddoura
“Dedicated to the development and support of our services, we wanted a site that was near customers, offered a pool of available talent and was located in an area that was conducive to doing business,”
said Haytham Kaddoura, CEO of SmartStream.
Jacksonville also serves as the primary location and headquarters for several fintech businesses, including Black Knight, OnPay Solutions, Greenshades, Finxact and FIS, the largest fintech company by revenue in the world. FIS has been in Jacksonville for more than 15 years and employs more than 55,000 employees worldwide, 1,500 of which are in the company’s downtown Jacksonville headquarters.
In 2019, FIS committed to create another 500 jobs and a brand new 12-story riverfront headquarters, currently under construction.
Gary Norcross
“Jacksonville has been a true partner in our ability to attract a world-class workforce and achieve our growth goals,”
said Gary Norcross, FIS chairman, president and CEO,
“We operate in more than 100 countries around the world to deliver leading-edge financial technology innovations and it all starts right here in Jacksonville.”
FIS continues to showcase growth and strength as a company, growing from $8.7 billion in annual revenue in 2018 to $12.55 billion in 2020.
Sustaining the Fintech Workforce
Every year, more than 28,000 students graduate throughout the state of Florida with STEM degrees, granting Jacksonville employers direct access to a wealth of talent. Jacksonville’s strategic location puts businesses within reach of Florida’s most prestigious colleges and universities, helping to support a steady flow of talent. Notably, the Northeast Florida Fintech Initiative was established in 2020 to develop technical certificate programs to supply the burgeoning fintech industry.
The partnership between St. Johns River State College and Florida State College at Jacksonville creates a sustainable fintech pipeline by collaborating with banks, investment firms, and other financial businesses to create curriculum, paid internships, scholarships, and job placements to promote fintech success and growth in Jacksonville.
Companies around the world are recognizing Jacksonville’s potential and abundance of fintech resources throughout the region. From supplying and establishing a talented workforce to providing lenient regional regulations to promote innovative business practices, the city proves itself not only as a reputable fintech powerhouse in the United States, but as a global competitor.
This article first appeared on fintechnews.am

The post How Jacksonville, FL, Prevails as an Emerging Fintech Powerhouse appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/how-jacksonville-fl-prevails-as-an-emerging-fintech-powerhouse</link><guid>2211</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Artboard-3-14.png</dc:content ><dc:text>How Jacksonville, FL, Prevails as an Emerging Fintech Powerhouse</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Sector Starts Taking Shape in Panama</title><description><![CDATA[Although Panama is lagging behind nations such as Brazil, Mexico and Colombia, in the development of fintech, the lack of access to financial services and high financial exclusion levels provide opportunities for the space to grow.
A study released in February by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), looks at the state of the Panamanian banking and financial industry, and gives an overview of the domestic fintech ecosystem.
According to the study, the traditional banking and financial industry is failing to serve all segments of the population. This factor, coupled with Panama’s established financial center, is giving the country’s fintech’s sector “good prospects” for future growth.
“The findings show that the financial sector has significant shortcomings to serve certain business segments and the population. There’s also a low degree of development of the securities markets and the industry fintech,” the report says. “The [fintech] ecosystem … is still nascent, but with good prospects.”
In 2017, only 46 % of the population had a bank account, a level that stands below the 55 % in Latin America and the Caribbean, according to an April 2020 paper by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Moreover, only 69.1 % of businesses used a current or savings account, compared to 92.9 % in the region.
In addition to the financial inclusion opportunity, Panama has several advantages, including the presence of international banks and financial conglomerates, a significant talent pool with knowledge of the sector and high Internet penetration, the IDB report says.
Regulatory initiatives to modernize the domestic payment system and proposals for the development of regulatory sandboxes could also lay the foundations for fintech development.
Just this week, a new bill was introduced to the National Assembly, which, if approved, will regulate crypto assets and promote blockchain adoption.
The proposed law aims to provide a legal foundation for companies in space to thrive and attract digitally-focused entrepreneurs, companies and investments.
All these factors are putting Panama “as a good country to become a fintech center in the region,” the report says.
The Panamanian fintech ecosystem
Despite having a relatively underdeveloped fintech ecosystem compared to other Latin American nation, Panama is starting to see the formation of a burgeoning fintech sector.
One segment that’s been growing rapidly is cryptocurrency and blockchain. Companies in space provide varied services ranging from peer-to-peer (P2P) payments (e.g. Aeon), and charity and donations (e.g. Cointributions), to crypto wallet solutions (e.g. Blockmove).
Other segments represented include business financing, business payments, consumer lending, digital payments and digital wallets, and insurtech.
Fortesza, for example, is an invoice factoring platform that connects investors with companies in search of capital. mPOS specializes in payments services for businesses. Fygaro is an e-commerce generator with an integrated billing platform. Zinli and PagueloFacil provide mobile payments services. And Eprezto.com is an insurance comparison platform.
Zinli app, Source: Zinli
Latin America (Latam) has been experiencing an explosion of fintech activity, a trend that’s been fueled by rising demand for online banking tools, encouraging demographics, and a significant underserved population.
According to CB Insights, funding to Latam fintech companies has grown at a 57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) since 2016, showcasing investors’ appetite for the red-hot market. This, coupled with rapid customer adoption of digital solutions and progressive regulations, has helped turn some of the region’s fintech players into billion-dollar unicorn startups.
Brazil’s Nubank, for example, is Latam’s largest digital bank serving some 40 million customers. It’s also the world’s fourth most valuable fintech company at US$30 billion, according to CB Insights data. C6 Bank is another major retail digital bank from Brazil that boasts some seven million customers, and which is valued a whopping US$5.5 billion.

 
Featured image: Photo by Darren Miller on Unsplash 
The post Fintech Sector Starts Taking Shape in Panama appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-sector-starts-taking-shape-in-panama</link><guid>2210</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Zinli-app-Source-Zinli-1024x926.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech Sector Starts Taking Shape in Panama</dc:text></item><item><title>Irish BNPL Firm Scalapay Bags US$155 Million to Fund Its Expansion Plans</title><description><![CDATA[Ireland-based buy now pay later (BNPL) firm Scalapay has raised US$155 million in equity funding as part of its Series A investment round. The company is now valued at US$700 million.
The latest funding round brings the total amount raised to US$203 million in two years since launch.
The round was led by Tiger Global, with participation from Baleen Capital and Woodson Capital. The new investors join existing investors Fasanara Capital and Ithaca Investments.
This new funding will go towards Scalapay&#8217;s growing team and operations. In July, Scalapay appointed Pingki Houang as General Manager, previously General Director for ShowroomPrive and Chief Executive of FashionCube as well as Arlene Reynolds, previously Head of Global Operations for Just Eat to oversee operations and country expansion.
Additionally, the new funding will help scale internationally and launch new products to support merchants in luxury, fashion, and travel.
The company was founded in 2019 and since its launch, Scalapay have opened their services to Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Finland, Belgium, Netherlands and Austria.
Simone Mancini
&#8220;We are giving customers the ability to enjoy the small pleasures in life without needing to compromise; a favorite fragrance, dress or romantic weekend. This has become especially important over the past year as many of us rethink what&#8217;s important.
 
We want to bring the Italian concept of dolce vita and slowing down to enjoy the small things in life &#8211; to the rest of the world, via our partners.&#8221;
said Simone Mancini, Co-Founder and CEO of Scalapay.
 
Featured image: (From left to right) Raffaele Terrone CFO, Simone Mancini CEO, Johnny Mitrevski CTO, Pingki Houang, General Manager
The post Irish BNPL Firm Scalapay Bags US$155 Million to Fund Its Expansion Plans appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/irish-bnpl-firm-scalapay-bags-us155-million-to-fund-its-expansion-plans</link><guid>2209</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Irish BNPL Firm Scalapay Bags US$155 Million to Fund Its Expansion Plans</dc:text></item><item><title>Neobank Varo Raises US$510 Million, Now Valued at US$2.5 Billion</title><description><![CDATA[US-based Neobank Varo Bank announced that it closed a US$510 million oversubscribed Series E funding round, valuing it at US$2.5 billion.
The round was led by new investor Lone Pine Capital, who was joined by dozens of additional new investors including Declaration Partners, Eldridge, Marshall Wace, Berkshire Partners / Stockbridge, and funds and accounts managed by BlackRock.
New investors who also participated in the round includ Warburg Pincus, The Rise Fund, Gallatin Point Capital, and HarbourVest Partners.
Varo said that the investment will be used to further accelerate Varo&#8217;s rapid customer growth and support additional investment in product and technology innovation.
In the last 13 months since obtaining its bank charter, Varo reported that it has doubled its opened accounts to four million.
In addition, the company has tripled its revenue, unlocked new cost efficiencies, and expanded its suite of innovative financial products.
Employee count has nearly doubled, with Varo expanding into a third hub in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Colin Walsh
&#8220;The time is now to bring the best of fintech to the regulated financial system and build an entirely new kind of bank: one where consumers no longer have to choose between a sophisticated digital experience and a trustworthy banking partner.
 
This funding accelerates our path to achieving a profitable, transformative, and sustainable business designed to advance financial inclusion for millions of consumers.&#8221;
said Colin Walsh, CEO and founder of Varo Bank.

The post Neobank Varo Raises US$510 Million, Now Valued at US$2.5 Billion appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/neobank-varo-raises-us510-million-now-valued-at-us25-billion</link><guid>2207</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/AM-1.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Neobank Varo Raises US$510 Million, Now Valued at US$2.5 Billion</dc:text></item><item><title>FINMA Issues First-Ever Approval to SIX for Digital Assets Trading</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) has granted approvals for the SIX Digital Exchange to act as a central securities depository and the associated company SDX Trading to act as a stock exchange for digital assets.
With the granting of these two licenses, a closely knit value chain ranging from issuance and trading through to the settlement and custody of tokenised assets has been facilitated. The SDX offering is aimed at supervised financial institutions.
The regulator said that this is the first time that a license has been issued in the Swiss financial center for infrastructures that facilitate the trading of digital securities in the form of tokens and their integrated settlement.
SIX had previously released a blog post in December 2018 to first state its intentions to offer digital assets trading.
&#8220;FINMA recognises the innovative potential of new technologies for the financial markets. In order to facilitate serious innovation, it applies the existing provisions of financial market law in a consistently technology-neutral way, i.e. in keeping with the “same risks, same rules” principle.
 
At the same time, it makes sure that the protective goals of financial market legislation are preserved. Business models for the multilateral trading or settlement of securities based on so-called Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT for short) can be approved in one of two ways.&#8221;
First, in the traditional form of approval as a stock exchange or central securities depository as per the Financial Market Infrastructure Act (FMIA). This presupposes that the corresponding offering will only be open to supervised financial institutions.
Alternatively, trading in DLT securities can now be approved on the basis of the DLT Act. An approval to operate a DLT trading facility allows organisations to obtain a single license for the trading and settlement of DLT securities.
Furthermore, in this case it is also possible to offer the service to end clients, as long as the corresponding additional requirements – e.g. provisions on combating money-laundering and the relevant provisions of the Financial Services Act – are complied with.
Thomas Zeeb
Thomas Zeeb, Global Head, Exchanges &amp; Member Executive Board at SIX said,
“The SDX approval process has proven to be an invaluable experience for SIX and for the industry as a whole. It has been instrumental in helping to define our offering, our strategy, and to build a new ecosystem to help our clients meet the increasing demands for commercial return that they face from their stakeholders.
 
This is an important milestone in bringing the digitalisation of capital markets into the mainstream, but it is only the beginning. We will continue to work with our clients, regulators, and other stakeholders to shape the markets of the future.”
 
Featured image: Thomas Zeeb, Global Head, Exchanges &amp; Member Executive Board at SIX 
The post FINMA Issues First-Ever Approval to SIX for Digital Assets Trading appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finma-issues-first-ever-approval-to-six-for-digital-assets-trading</link><guid>2208</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>FINMA Issues First-Ever Approval to SIX for Digital Assets Trading</dc:text></item><item><title>Spiros Margaris Among Two New Additions to CoreLedger’s Advisory Board</title><description><![CDATA[CoreLedger, a Liechtenstein-based crypto firm, has announced the addition of Spiros Margaris and David Ishag as new members to its advisory board.
Spiros Margaris
Spiros is an accomplished unicorn startup advisor, venture capitalist, and keynote speaker who has also been widely recognised and awarded for his work as an influencer, wining a coveted “Triple Crown Ranking,” among other awards.
David Ishag
Meanwhile, David is a tenacious entrepreneur with over 30 years in the private banking and equity space.
His industry knowledge and contacts throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and China have already been hugely helpful in boosting CoreLedger’s network and introducing the firm to new projects and players.
CoreLedger said in a statement,
&#8220;We’re delighted that Spiros and David share our vision to make the disruptive power of blockchain technology accessible for businesses of all sizes. The experience, knowledge, and network they both bring to CoreLedger will be vital as we move forward on our mission to make Token Economies a reality, and to bring our Token Economy Operating System to every device.&#8221;
 

Thrilled to be part of the @CoreLedger #blockhain team!
Announcing CoreLedger&#8217;s New #AdvisoryBoard: #CoreLedger https://t.co/8bjID2iMyG #fintech @psb_dc @JimMarous @leimer @FintechCH @andi_staub @cgledhill @FrankJSchwab @efipm @comboeuf @rinoborini @GeorgesGrivas @Salz_Er pic.twitter.com/UCgFbaD1KY
— Spiros Margaris (@SpirosMargaris) September 9, 2021


The post Spiros Margaris Among Two New Additions to CoreLedger’s Advisory Board appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/spiros-margaris-among-two-new-additions-to-coreledgers-advisory-board</link><guid>2205</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Spiros Margaris Among Two New Additions to CoreLedger’s Advisory Board</dc:text></item><item><title>Mastercard Bets on Crypto, Buys CipherTrace for Undisclosed Sum</title><description><![CDATA[Mastercard has signed a deal to acquire CipherTrace, a US-based cryptocurrency intelligence company, for an undisclosed sum to extend its capabilities deep into the field of digital assets. The deal is anticipated to close before the end of the year.
The integrated offering will build on CipherTrace’s suite of digital assets and Mastercard’s cyber security solutions to provide businesses with greater transparency to help identify and understand their risks and to help manage their digital asset regulatory and compliance obligations.
The deal enables Mastercard to combine the technology, AI and cyber capabilities of both companies to differentiate its card and real-time payments infrastructure, allowing customers and stakeholders globally to build upon and benefit from the solutions to protect their consumers and comply with regulations, as they build their own virtual asset offerings.
CipherTrace will also help drive continued innovation with a diverse range of partners, like fintechs, crypto-wallet providers, governments, etc., while also allowing the company to deliver on the principles it has established for all blockchain-related programs.
The acquisition is part of Mastercard’s strategy in the digital assets space to help provide customers, merchants and businesses with more choice in how they move digital value.
It follows a number of investments the company has made, including partnerships with Uphold, Gemini and BitPay to create crypto cards, the creation of new platforms to test and support Central Bank Digital Currencies, programs to support the broader use of blockchain technology and NFTs, and the potential to support select stablecoins directly on its network.
CipherTrace’s platform helps customers enhance their security and fraud monitoring activities for crypto-related programs.
They provide solutions for some of the largest banks, exchanges, and other financial institutions in the world due to their data analytics and algorithms to help customers convert on their opportunities across more than 7,000 cryptocurrency entities.
Ajay Bhalla
“Digital assets have the potential to reimagine commerce, from everyday acts like paying and getting paid to transforming economies, making them more inclusive and efficient.
 
Our aim is to build upon the complementary capabilities of Mastercard and CipherTrace to do just this.”
said Ajay Bhalla, president, Cyber &amp; Intelligence at Mastercard.
Dave Jevans
“We help companies – whether they are banks or cryptocurrency exchanges, government regulators or law enforcement to keep the crypto economy safe.
 
Our two companies share this vision to provide security and trust throughout the ecosystem. We are thrilled to join the Mastercard family to scale CipherTrace’s reach across the globe.”
said Dave Jevans, CEO, CipherTrace.
 

Featured image: Shutterstock
The post Mastercard Bets on Crypto, Buys CipherTrace for Undisclosed Sum appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mastercard-bets-on-crypto-buys-ciphertrace-for-undisclosed-sum</link><guid>2203</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/AM-1.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Mastercard Bets on Crypto, Buys CipherTrace for Undisclosed Sum</dc:text></item><item><title>French Government to Roll Out Digital ID Authentication With IDEMIA</title><description><![CDATA[The French government agency Agence Nationale des Titres Sécurisés (ANTS) will be collaborating with IDEMIA, a provider of identity-related security services, on the national digital ID program, France Identité Numérique.
With their consent, French citizens using the service, will be able to prove their identity remotely by placing their eID card on the back of their smartphone.
IDEMIA said that hundreds of additional secure online services will soon be available thanks to the Agence Nationale de la Sécurité des Systèmes d’Information (ANSSI)-certified authentication system.
The updated French national eID card (CNIe) was launched in August 2021, and will enable French citizens to complete online transactions using their smartphone.
Citizens will receive an authentication request on their smartphone who will then place their CNIe on the back of their phone, which will communicate using Near-Field Communication technology.
The mobile app will securely read and authenticate the personal data held in the card’s chip. Citizens will need to provide their consent before authentication.
The digital ID system will be issued with a First Level security certificate from the French IT agency, ANSSI, and will therefore comply with the EU eIDAS regulations; Substantial and High1.
The system will reportedly protect citizens’ identity data, and will ensure that only the authorized citizen has control over it.
The FranceConnect platform, which underpins the program, has already attracted over 28 million users and 900 service providers. French citizens will soon be able to securely access these services using their new digital ID.
IDEMIA’s expertise is helping bring about substantial digital ID changes that are currently underway.
The firm is said to meet governments’ needs for securer and agile citizen databases, ID documents and online authentication of citizens’ identity after having successfully implemented over 135 online and offline identification programs across the world.
Pierre Lelièvre
“As a French company, we are extremely proud to work on the national digital ID program. The new CNIe with its highly-secure chip is a great example of combining a physical ID document with a digital ID to securely access online services,”
said Pierre Lelièvre, Senior Vice President Digital ID at IDEMIA.
Valérie Peneau
“Our mission is to create and offer a user-friendly means of electronic identification that facilitates and protects the online transfer of citizen identity data, so that transactions cannot be centralized or traced,”
said Valérie Peneau, General Government Inspector and Director of the France Identité Numérique program.
 
The post French Government to Roll Out Digital ID Authentication With IDEMIA appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/french-government-to-roll-out-digital-id-authentication-with-idemia</link><guid>2204</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>French Government to Roll Out Digital ID Authentication With IDEMIA</dc:text></item><item><title>ADB, BlueOrchard Inks US$50 Million Risk-Sharing Deal for Microfinance Programme</title><description><![CDATA[BlueOrchard Finance, a Swiss impact investment manager, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a US$50 million risk-sharing agreement for microfinance coverage in the latter&#8217;s developing member countries (DMCs).
The company is the first impact investment manager to work with the ADB&#8217;s microfinance programme.
Its flagship fund, the BlueOrchard Microfinance Fund, will invest in selected microfinance institutions (MFIs) and banks.
ADB will participate in the default risk of the capital-taking organizations in order to increase both the risk appetite of the fund and the capital invested in DMCs.
In addition, this partnership aims to encourage the private sector to increase the flow of capital to deepen financial inclusion.
In times of liquidity and financing challenges, the risk-sharing agreement makes it easier for MFIs to access finance for their further lending.
This will expand financial inclusion and thereby contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, such as reducing poverty and gender inequality and improving access to clean water and sanitation.
In addition to increasing microfinance coverage, the ADB and BlueOrchard partnership aims to facilitate access to new markets and segments.
These include financing for adaptation to climate change and the associated strengthening of resilience.
Over the next four years, more than 150,000 borrowers and micro-businesses in India, Indonesia, the Philippines and other developing countries are expected to receive funding under this partnership.
ADB&#8217;s microfinance program, launched in 2010, has supported US$1.8 billion in loans and raised US$881 million in co-financing. It has given more than 8 million borrowers access to microcredit, 98% of whom are women.
Suzanne Gaboury
Suzanne Gaboury, Director General of Private Sector Operations at the ADB said,
“Loans from microfinance institutions are a lifeline for underserved customers such as low-income households and small businesses. This is especially true for companies that are run by women. We support them to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic and to recover from its effects.&#8221;
Philipp Müller
Philipp Müller, CEO of BlueOrchard said,
“We are proud to be the first impact investing manager to partner with the ADB microfinance program. We look forward to further promoting financial inclusion in Asia together with the ADB in the future.&#8221;
The post ADB, BlueOrchard Inks US$50 Million Risk-Sharing Deal for Microfinance Programme appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/adb-blueorchard-inks-us50-million-risk-sharing-deal-for-microfinance-programme</link><guid>2200</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>ADB, BlueOrchard Inks US$50 Million Risk-Sharing Deal for Microfinance Programme</dc:text></item><item><title>AnaCap Completes Acquisition of German eKYC Firm WebID</title><description><![CDATA[AnaCap Financial Partners (AnaCap), a specialist mid-market private equity investor in technology enabled financial services, has completed its acquisition of WebID, a German digital identification provider.
AnaCap will provide significant growth capital and partner with the founders and existing management team.
The company is looking to extend WebID’s product offering to other industries outside of the core financial services and telecoms space where it has a market presence, such as eGovernment, eHealth, eCommerce and eMobility as well as support inorganic growth through future acquisitions.
WebID provides a range of digital identification solutions for Know Your Customer (KYC) purposes as well as qualified electronic signature (QES) solutions for e-signing to financial institutions and corporates across Germany.
The firm was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in Berlin, other main sites are Hamburg, Kiel, and Solingen.
Frank S. Jorga
Frank S. Jorga, Founder of WebID said,
“Now with AnaCap, we have found the right investor to consistently expand our leading position in the market and as an industry pioneer and to significantly accelerate our growth, which has so far been organic.
 
AnaCap&#8217;s experience and success in the fintech space are ideal to further realize our strategy of ambitious growth. Together, we are taking WebID&#8217;s success story to the next level.”
 
Featured image: Frank S. Jorga, Founder of WebID 
The post AnaCap Completes Acquisition of German eKYC Firm WebID appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/anacap-completes-acquisition-of-german-ekyc-firm-webid</link><guid>2201</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>AnaCap Completes Acquisition of German eKYC Firm WebID</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech and Proptech Startups That Bagged the TOP 100 Swiss Startup Award</title><description><![CDATA[The 11th edition of the TOP 100 Swiss Startup Award which looks to celebrate Switzerland’s best startups has announced its list of winners this year.
The award was organised by Venturelab and facilitated by its presenting partners Credit Suisse and Swiss Venture Club.
Within a decade, the TOP 100 Swiss Startup Award has become a benchmark in Switzerland’s startup ecosystem.
The award show connects the most promising Swiss startup CEOs with Swiss and international investors, executives, and journalists.
Jordi Montserrat
“The last year has not been easy, but the Swiss startup ecosystem has shown that it is resilient and thrives under pressure. Celebrating the TOP 100 is celebrating all entrepreneurs in these turbulent times.
 
We are starting the second decade of the TOP 100 Swiss Startups not only with a new location but also with a wide range of innovations that will positively impact our lives and strengthen Switzerland’s position as a global leader in innovation and entrepreneurship.”
said Jordi Montserrat, Managing Partner at Venturelab.
Here are the fintechs and proptechs that made the Top 100 Swiss Startups 2021 list:
#20 &#8211; Yokoy Group (Fintech)

The Swiss fintech company Yokoy formerly known as Expense Robot uses artificial intelligence to automate the entire corporate spend and corporate credit card process.
Founded in 2019 by five founders to simplify expense management, Yokoy already has over 500 customers, including companies such as Stadler Rail, On Running, Bobst, Zühlke and BDO.
In October 2020, the acquisition of the competitor product FlowExpense was added, which gave additional momentum to the growth. At the end of November of the same year, Yokoy started its expansion into the DACH market with the opening of an office in Vienna.
In June 2021, Yokoy expanded its software offering, making the step from an expense tool to a comprehensive automation of the entire spend management and expanded further with an office in Munich.
#23 &#8211; neon Switzerland (Fintech)


Neon is an app-based mobile banking solution, in which users can open a bank account and get a free Mastercard.
In September 2019, Neon had closed its Series A funding round with by raising 5 million CHF where lead investor Tamedia, also Zurich-based Backbone Ventures and several existing investors increased their engagement in the firm.
Additionally, the Helvetia Venture Fund invested and holds a stake in neon, its first fintech investment, following a past partnership between the two entities.
Earlier this year in June 2021, neon received a funding of CHF 7 million and offered equity crowdfunding to customers.
#24 &#8211; Skribble

Skribble allows companies to sign any document online with just a few clicks and this is legally binding according to Swiss and EU law.
#25 &#8211; Inyova &#8211; formerly known as Yova (Fintech)
Inyova is a digital platform for investing with a sustainability impact. Inyova customers invest directly into companies that help to solve global problems, eg by fighting climate change or by promoting human rights.
All investments are professionally diversified portfolios that are designed for an attractive financial return.
The firm had rebranded itself from Yova ahead of its expansion into Germany.
#27 &#8211; Sygnum Bank (Fintech)
Sygnum is a digital asset bank with a banking license from the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA). The firm also received regulatory approval for its digital asset trading facility (OTF) last year.
The company operates an independently controlled, scalable and future-proof regulated banking platform. Its interdisciplinary team of banking, investment and Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) experts is shaping the development of a trusted digital asset ecosystem.
Additionally, Sygnum Pte Ltd also secured a capital markets services (CMS) license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).
In February 2021, Sygnum raised an undisclosed eight-figure US$ investment from SBI Digital Asset Holdings, the digital asset umbrella company of SBI Group.
#30 &#8211; Mobbot (Proptech)

Mobbot is a 3D concrete printing technology provider for construction companies and manufacturers of precast products where customers can boost their productivity and reduce the amount of people needed to manufacture concrete elements.
The firm has received funding from Berner Kantonalbank (BEKB) and venture capital firm Swiss Immo Lab.
Leveraging a patented technology to tackle global construction challenges, Mobbot is setting a new fabrication method that enables highly customised products and can save up to 30% CO2.
Mobbot currently focuses on underground utility products as this is a global need. The market acceptance has been proven with direct sales of concrete products in 2019 already.
#32 &#8211; PriceHubble (Proptech)
PriceHubble is a Swiss B2B proptech company that builds innovative digital solutions for the real estate industry based on property valuations and market insights.
The firm completed its fourth acquisition and has bought Czech proptech startup Realtify and has begun operating as PriceHubble Czechia.
PriceHubble successfully completed its oversubscribed Series B funding round and raised US$ 34 million in July this year.
The company is active in 9 countries (Switzerland, France, Germany, Austria, Japan, Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic and Slovakia) and employs more than 100 people.
#48 &#8211; Taurus (Fintech)

Taurus is building the next generation platform to buy and sell digital assets. It is offering, at the time of writing, a brokerage platform to individuals and legal entities.
The firm was granted a securities firm license from FINMA to operate a regulated marketplace for digital assets in April this year.
Taurus was one of the two Swiss fintechs that joined Mastercard&#8217;s global startup engagement program Start Path.
#88 &#8211; Archilyse (Proptech)
Archilyse makes architecture and real estate quality measurable, comparable and understandable for everybody. Its software-as-a-service solution processes real estate data into a variety of analytical results.
The company provides holistic, qualitative insights and support real estate decision-makers in digitising, evaluating and optimising properties and in simplifying processes in the planning and management of real estate.
Archilyse was one of the four proptech startups that received investments from Berner Kantonalbank (BEKB) and venture capital firm Swiss Immo Lab.
Additionally, the firm has raised a total of CHF 4 million to date.
#93 &#8211; ImmoZins (Proptech)
ImmoZins offers property investors three different real estate investment models. Common to all of them is the high level of transparency, for which the company developed its own software, and the assumption of risk.
#95 &#8211; Urbio (Proptech)
Urbio is a SaaS platform that accelerates the transition of utilities to clean energy. The company automates the design of new energy assets like solar or district heating with 90% time savings to better inform investment decisions.
With a focus on improving the efficiency of buildings &#8211; one of the leading sources of carbon emissions &#8211; Urbio is committed to fight climate change.
#96 &#8211; Oxara (Proptech)
Oxara&#8216;s goal is to provide sustainable and affordable housing all over the world.
Bringing the actors of the construction ecosystem together to collectively create an innovative and sustainable industry is a key ingredient to make Oxara&#8217;s business scalable and to achieve its vision of providing safe and decent housing to all.
#97 &#8211; Imburse (Fintech)
Imburse is a Swiss cloud-based, payments-as-a-service enterprise platform that simplifies the way businesses around the world access the global payments ecosystem.
The firm had raised US$1.7 million during a bridge funding round which was joined by PostFinance, the financial services unit of Swiss Post.
Imburse also received a strategic investment of US$12 million from Accenture and joined the Accenture Ventures’ Project Spotlight.
#99 &#8211; Workspace2go (Proptech)

Workspace2go is the leading Swiss marketplace for meeting rooms, desks and workshop locations.
Through its platform, space providers list their spaces, which guests can book for their meetings – Workspace2go works like ‘Airbnb’, just for business rooms.
# 100 &#8211; Sonect (Fintech)

Sonect, a Zurich-based fintech startup that allows customers to withdraw cash directly in the store using only their smartphone. It was founded in 2016 and employs 28 people in Zurich, Vilnius, and Mexico City.
The firm entered into a partnership agreement with Lana, a personal finance platform aiming to provide transactional accounts and financial services to gig economy workers throughout Latin America.
 
The post Fintech and Proptech Startups That Bagged the TOP 100 Swiss Startup Award appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-and-proptech-startups-that-bagged-the-top-100-swiss-startup-award</link><guid>2199</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/yokoy-AG-logo-300x146.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech and Proptech Startups That Bagged the TOP 100 Swiss Startup Award</dc:text></item><item><title>15 Fintech and Proptech Startups That Bagged the TOP 100 Swiss Startup Award</title><description><![CDATA[The 11th edition of the TOP 100 Swiss Startup Award which looks to celebrate Switzerland’s best startups has announced its list of winners this year.
The award was organised by Venturelab and facilitated by its presenting partners Credit Suisse and Swiss Venture Club.
Within a decade, the TOP 100 Swiss Startup Award has become a benchmark in Switzerland’s startup ecosystem.
The award show connects the most promising Swiss startup CEOs with Swiss and international investors, executives, and journalists.
Jordi Montserrat
“The last year has not been easy, but the Swiss startup ecosystem has shown that it is resilient and thrives under pressure. Celebrating the TOP 100 is celebrating all entrepreneurs in these turbulent times.
 
We are starting the second decade of the TOP 100 Swiss Startups not only with a new location but also with a wide range of innovations that will positively impact our lives and strengthen Switzerland’s position as a global leader in innovation and entrepreneurship.”
said Jordi Montserrat, Managing Partner at Venturelab.
Here are the fintechs and proptechs that made the Top 100 Swiss Startups 2021 list:
#20 &#8211; Yokoy Group (Fintech)

The Swiss fintech company Yokoy formerly known as Expense Robot uses artificial intelligence to automate the entire corporate spend and corporate credit card process.
Founded in 2019 by five founders to simplify expense management, Yokoy already has over 500 customers, including companies such as Stadler Rail, On Running, Bobst, Zühlke and BDO.
In October 2020, the acquisition of the competitor product FlowExpense was added, which gave additional momentum to the growth. At the end of November of the same year, Yokoy started its expansion into the DACH market with the opening of an office in Vienna.
In June 2021, Yokoy expanded its software offering, making the step from an expense tool to a comprehensive automation of the entire spend management and expanded further with an office in Munich.
#23 &#8211; neon Switzerland (Fintech)


Neon is an app-based mobile banking solution, in which users can open a bank account and get a free Mastercard.
In September 2019, Neon had closed its Series A funding round with by raising 5 million CHF where lead investor Tamedia, also Zurich-based Backbone Ventures and several existing investors increased their engagement in the firm.
Additionally, the Helvetia Venture Fund invested and holds a stake in neon, its first fintech investment, following a past partnership between the two entities.
Earlier this year in June 2021, neon received a funding of CHF 7 million and offered equity crowdfunding to customers.
#24 &#8211; Skribble

Skribble allows companies to sign any document online with just a few clicks and this is legally binding according to Swiss and EU law.
#25 &#8211; Inyova &#8211; formerly known as Yova (Fintech)
Inyova is a digital platform for investing with a sustainability impact. Inyova customers invest directly into companies that help to solve global problems, eg by fighting climate change or by promoting human rights.
All investments are professionally diversified portfolios that are designed for an attractive financial return.
The firm had rebranded itself from Yova ahead of its expansion into Germany.
#27 &#8211; Sygnum Bank (Fintech)
Sygnum is a digital asset bank with a banking license from the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA). The firm also received regulatory approval for its digital asset trading facility (OTF) last year.
The company operates an independently controlled, scalable and future-proof regulated banking platform. Its interdisciplinary team of banking, investment and Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) experts is shaping the development of a trusted digital asset ecosystem.
Additionally, Sygnum Pte Ltd also secured a capital markets services (CMS) license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).
In February 2021, Sygnum raised an undisclosed eight-figure US$ investment from SBI Digital Asset Holdings, the digital asset umbrella company of SBI Group.
#30 &#8211; Mobbot (Proptech)

Mobbot is a 3D concrete printing technology provider for construction companies and manufacturers of precast products where customers can boost their productivity and reduce the amount of people needed to manufacture concrete elements.
The firm has received funding from Berner Kantonalbank (BEKB) and venture capital firm Swiss Immo Lab.
Leveraging a patented technology to tackle global construction challenges, Mobbot is setting a new fabrication method that enables highly customised products and can save up to 30% CO2.
Mobbot currently focuses on underground utility products as this is a global need. The market acceptance has been proven with direct sales of concrete products in 2019 already.
#32 &#8211; PriceHubble (Proptech)
PriceHubble is a Swiss B2B proptech company that builds innovative digital solutions for the real estate industry based on property valuations and market insights.
The firm completed its fourth acquisition and has bought Czech proptech startup Realtify and has begun operating as PriceHubble Czechia.
PriceHubble successfully completed its oversubscribed Series B funding round and raised US$ 34 million in July this year.
The company is active in 9 countries (Switzerland, France, Germany, Austria, Japan, Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic and Slovakia) and employs more than 100 people.
#48 &#8211; Taurus (Fintech)

Taurus is building the next generation platform to buy and sell digital assets. It is offering, at the time of writing, a brokerage platform to individuals and legal entities.
The firm was granted a securities firm license from FINMA to operate a regulated marketplace for digital assets in April this year.
Taurus was one of the two Swiss fintechs that joined Mastercard&#8217;s global startup engagement program Start Path.
#88 &#8211; Archilyse (Proptech)
Archilyse makes architecture and real estate quality measurable, comparable and understandable for everybody. Its software-as-a-service solution processes real estate data into a variety of analytical results.
The company provides holistic, qualitative insights and support real estate decision-makers in digitising, evaluating and optimising properties and in simplifying processes in the planning and management of real estate.
Archilyse was one of the four proptech startups that received investments from Berner Kantonalbank (BEKB) and venture capital firm Swiss Immo Lab.
Additionally, the firm has raised a total of CHF 4 million to date.
#93 &#8211; ImmoZins (Proptech)
ImmoZins offers property investors three different real estate investment models. Common to all of them is the high level of transparency, for which the company developed its own software, and the assumption of risk.
#95 &#8211; Urbio (Proptech)
Urbio is a SaaS platform that accelerates the transition of utilities to clean energy. The company automates the design of new energy assets like solar or district heating with 90% time savings to better inform investment decisions.
With a focus on improving the efficiency of buildings &#8211; one of the leading sources of carbon emissions &#8211; Urbio is committed to fight climate change.
#96 &#8211; Oxara (Proptech)
Oxara&#8216;s goal is to provide sustainable and affordable housing all over the world.
Bringing the actors of the construction ecosystem together to collectively create an innovative and sustainable industry is a key ingredient to make Oxara&#8217;s business scalable and to achieve its vision of providing safe and decent housing to all.
#97 &#8211; Imburse (Fintech)
Imburse is a Swiss cloud-based, payments-as-a-service enterprise platform that simplifies the way businesses around the world access the global payments ecosystem.
The firm had raised US$1.7 million during a bridge funding round which was joined by PostFinance, the financial services unit of Swiss Post.
Imburse also received a strategic investment of US$12 million from Accenture and joined the Accenture Ventures’ Project Spotlight.
#99 &#8211; Workspace2go (Proptech)

Workspace2go is the leading Swiss marketplace for meeting rooms, desks and workshop locations.
Through its platform, space providers list their spaces, which guests can book for their meetings – Workspace2go works like ‘Airbnb’, just for business rooms.
# 100 &#8211; Sonect (Fintech)

Sonect, a Zurich-based fintech startup that allows customers to withdraw cash directly in the store using only their smartphone. It was founded in 2016 and employs 28 people in Zurich, Vilnius, and Mexico City.
The firm entered into a partnership agreement with Lana, a personal finance platform aiming to provide transactional accounts and financial services to gig economy workers throughout Latin America.
 
The post 15 Fintech and Proptech Startups That Bagged the TOP 100 Swiss Startup Award appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/15-fintech-and-proptech-startups-that-bagged-the-top-100-swiss-startup-award</link><guid>2202</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/yokoy-AG-logo-300x146.png</dc:content ><dc:text>15 Fintech and Proptech Startups That Bagged the TOP 100 Swiss Startup Award</dc:text></item><item><title>10 Largest Fintech Acquisition Deals so Far in 2021</title><description><![CDATA[2021 is emerging as a record year for fintech exits. Since the beginning of the year, there has been EUR 22.6 billion worth of exits in Europe, an all-time high that’s double the previous record of EUR 11.36 billion in 2018, according to a Sifted report, citing PitchBook data.
Out of the EUR 22.6 billion, EUR 18.5 billion worth of European fintech exits involved public listings and mergers with special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs), while the remaining EUR 4.1 billion went towards acquisition deals.
Venture-capital exits for European fintechs, by type (EUR billion), Graph by Sifted.eu
So far this year, much of the fintech consolidation has happened in the business-to-business (B2B) segment as incumbents accelerate their modernization efforts in response to the pandemic. High-profile acquisitions included open banking platform Tink, banking-as-a-service (BaaS) provider Contis and Portuguese telco Nowo.
Consolidation in the payments market also continued this year with a flurry of sizeable acquisition deals taking place such as real estate payments specialist Zego, paytech firm First American Payment System, and Indian digital payments provider BillDesk.
To get a sense of the current fintech exits landscape, we’ve compiled a list of the largest acquisition deals that have been announced so far this year. For this list, we’ve excluded SPAC merger deals.
Afterpay – US$29 billion

Payments company Square reached a deal in August to acquire Australian buy now, pay later (BNPL) provider Afterpay in a US$29 billion all-stock transaction.
Melbourne-based Afterpay allows retailers to offer customers the option of paying for products in four installments without interest if the payments are made on time. The acquisition will allow Square to integrate Afterpay into its existing Seller and Cash App business units and enable merchants to offer BNPL options at checkout.
BillDesk – US$4.7 billion

Dutch tech giant Prosus announced in August an agreement between its payments and fintech business PayU and the shareholders of the Indian digital payments provider BillDesk to acquire BillDesk for US$4.7 billion.
Prosus plans to combine BillDesk with PayU to turn it into one of the leading online payments providers globally with some US$147 billion in payment volume annually. The acquisition will also provide PayU wuth access to BillDesk’s large merchant base as the former looks to cross-sell products, including business lending.
Founded in 2000, BillDesk is one of the leading payments businesses in India.
Calypso Technology – US$3.75 billion

Software investment firm Thoma Bravo announced in March the acquisition of Calypso Technology, a provider of cloud-enabled, of cross-asset front-to-back solutions and managed services for financial markets.
Founded in 1997 and headquartered in San Francisco, Calypso Technology leverages innovative cloud micro-services and blockchain distributed ledger technology (DLT) based solutions to reduce trading costs and improve time to value. The award-winning software is used by 35,000 users in 60+ countries.
In July, Calypso Technology was merged with another Thoma Bravo portfolio company AxiomSL, a provider of regulatory reporting and risk management solutions for financial institutions.
Itiviti – US$2.5 billion

Fintech firm Broadridge Financial Solutions announced in March the acquisition of trading and connectivity technology provider Itiviti for US$2.5 billion.
Itiviti is a capital markets technology service provider offering solutions that financial institutions use to consolidate their trading infrastructure. With offices in 16 countries, Itiviti serves 24 of the top 25 global investment banks and over 2,000 leading brokers, trading firms and asset managers across 50 countries.
The acquisition will allow Broadridge Financial Solutions to extend its capabilities into the front office and deepening its multi-asset class solutions, significantly strengthening its Capital Markets franchise, Tim Gokey, Broadridge’s CEO said.
Paidy &#8211; US$2.7 billion

Japanese buy now, pay later (BNPL) firm Paidy was acquired by PayPal for approximately US$2.7 billion (¥300 billion) and the transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Paidy will continue to operate its existing business, maintain its brand and support a wide variety of consumer wallets and marketplaces.
With this move, PayPal expands its capabilities in the Japanese domestic payments market.
Divvy – US$2.5 billion

Bill.com, a provider of software to automate complex back-office financial operations, announced in May the acquisition of Divvy, a US-based fintech unicorn. The US$2.5 billion acquisition deal will enable Bill.com to expand into spend management technology.
Divvy is a leader in spend management that modernizes finance for business by combining expense management software and smart corporate cards into a single platform.
Bill.com’s expanded solution will enable businesses to automatically manage accounts payable, accounts receivable, and corporate card spend all in one place.
NIC – US$2.33 billion

Tyler Technologies, a provider of integrated software and technology services to the public sector, announced in February the acquisition of NIC, a digital government solutions and payments company, in a US$2.3 billion all-cash transaction.
The transaction will strengthen Tyler Technologies’ ability to provide end-to-end solutions to local, state, and federal governments. Together, the combined company is expected to significantly expand its business with federal agencies.
In addition, NIC’s extensive expertise and scale in the government payments arena will accelerate Tyler’s strategic payments initiatives.
Tink – US$2.1 billion

Payment network Visa announced in June the acquisition of Tink, a European open banking platform. Visa will pay total financial consideration of EUR 1.8 billion (US$2.1 billion), inclusive of cash and retention incentives, to acquire Tink.
Tink enables financial institutions, fintechs and merchants to build tailored financial management tools, products and services for European consumers and businesses based on their financial data. Tink is integrated with more than 3,400 banks and financial institutions, reaching millions of bank customers  across Europe.
The combination of Visa’s infrastructure with Tink’s APIs is expected to help accelerate the adoption of open banking in Europe.
Cardtronics – US$1.7 billion

NCR, a global enterprise corporation technology provider for the financial, retail and hospitality industries, announced in January the acquisition of Cardtronics, one of the world’s largest non-bank ATM operators and service providers with 285,000 ATMs in 10 countries.
The deal would value Cardtronics at US$39 a share, or around US$1.7 billion, people familiar with the matter told the Wall Street Journal. It aims to help NCR accelerate its “NCR-as-a-service strategy” and expand opportunities in payments.
The combined company is expected to achieve US$100-US$120 million in run rate operating cost synergies by the end of 2022.
Capco – US$1.45 billion

Wipro, an Indian information technology, consulting and business process services firm, announced in March the acquisition of London-based Capco, a management and technology consultancy providing digital, consulting and technology services to financial institutions.
The US$1.45 billion acquisition deal will allow Wipro to boost its offerings for the financial services industry and turn it into one of the largest end-to-end global consulting, technology and transformation service providers to the banking and finance industry.
Capco, which specializes in driving digital transformation in the financial services industry, has a growing client portfolio comprising of over 100 global organizations.
The post 10 Largest Fintech Acquisition Deals so Far in 2021 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/10-largest-fintech-acquisition-deals-so-far-in-2021</link><guid>2198</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Venture-capital-exits-for-European-fintechs-by-type-EUR-billion-Graph-by-Sifted.eu_.png</dc:content ><dc:text>10 Largest Fintech Acquisition Deals so Far in 2021</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Readers Voted: The Top Swiss Fintech Influencers and Companies</title><description><![CDATA[Recognized by the Fintech News community for their strong growth and market potential, Dextra, Sygnum and Yapeal were named the most outstanding Swiss fintech companies.
The readers selected Miki Vayloyan and Andy Waar as the most influential fintech professionals of 2020/21, applauding their leadership and expertise, results from a survey conducted by Fintech News Switzerland show.
The poll, which ran between December 2020 and May 2021, asked the fintech industry to select 2020’s Top Swiss Fintech Startups from a pre-determined list of companies. These companies had garnered significant traction and made notable strides in 2020.
Participants were also invited to name the Community Favorite Swiss Fintech Startup of 2020 by nominating a fintech company which they believed was deserving of recognition but which wasn’t included in the list.
Top Swiss Fintech Startups
The poll gathered more than 1,000 votes and selected Sygnum and Dextra as the Top Swiss Fintech Startups of 2020.
 
Sygnum is the world’s first digital asset bank and a digital asset specialist. With a banking license in Switzerland and a capital markets services license in Singapore, Sygnum allows institutional and private qualified investors, corporates, banks and other financial institutions to invest in the digital asset economy.
Sygnum’s portfolio of regulated digital asset banking services includes digital asset accounts and custody, brokerage, tokenization solutions, asset management, lending and business-to-business banking services.
Sygnum signed for example Genevan private bank Bordier as a customer, allowing its wealthy clientele to buy, hold and trade cryptocurrencies. The startup is reportedly mulling a public offering that could include both Switzerland and Singapore stock exchanges.
Sygnum came neck and neck with SEBA, another licensed crypto bank from Switzerland. Sygnum won by just four votes.
The second winner of the 2020 Top Swiss Fintech Startup title is insurance player Dextra (Simpego)
Dextra is a young online insurance company that entered the legal protection insurance business back in 2012 with the intention of offering more comprehensive and customer-friendly products. In 2017, this provider of direct insurance also ventured into the car insurance sector.
Today, Dextra is widely known for providing a generous range of customization options as well as flexible cancellation periods. Dextra was renamed in 2021 to Simpego. Dr. Patrick Eugster, CEO of Simpego wrote recently about the future of online insurance here.
Community Favorite Swiss Fintech Startup
Swiss neobank Yapeal was nominated by its peers and took the Community Favorite Swiss Fintech Startup 2020 title.
Founded in 2018, Yapeal offers fully digitalized financial services, including a Swiss bank account with a customizable IBAN, a Visa debit card, a mobile wallet as well as connection to the payment system. Yapeal was the first startup to get a Swiss fintech license in 2020.
Earlier this year, it raised “several millions of CHF” from Abacus Research, and recently inked a partnership with crypto startup Relai to give customers access to cryptocurrencies.
Top Swiss Fintech Influencers
The public was also invited to vote for the fintech experts whom they believed had been the most influential in 2020.
15 fintech experts were pre-selected based on their track-record, involvement in the community, and deep understanding of the sector. But participants were also welcome to nominate anyone they deemed deserving of the title.
The community named Miki Vayloyan and Andy Waar as the Top Swiss Fintech Influencers of 2020.
Vayloyan is the former CEO of regtech startup KYC Spider, a successful strategist, and a household name in the world of regulated environments. Currently she is the Director of Marketing at Intrum and is also an advisor of the new Swiss e-Wallet app Mogli.
In addition to her international wealth of experience on digital innovation projects, including in the area of ​​compliance, she brings additional momentum and foresight to Zug’s regtech space.
Last year, we conducted an interview of Vayloyan during which she shared what Switzerland had done right when it comes to fintech, and more.
Just a few votes behind,  Cornelia Stengel came in second place. Cornelia was recently awarded the Swiss Fintech Influencer at the Swiss Fintech Awards.
Waar is a serial entrepreneur, a lawyer and a digital marketing specialist. He was the CMO of Yapeal and the founder of Fintechrockers Club, a fintech community. Recently he announced to be a new advisor at the Swiss Wealthtech Kaspar&amp;.
Waar also sits on the advisory board of Wirz &amp; Partners (fintech and digital banking), is a member of the Swiss LegalTech Association, and is a guest lecturer at the University of Applied Sciences in Business Administration Zurich (Hochschule für Wirtschaft Zürich).
Waar spoke to Fintech News Switzerland in an interview last year, sharing how COVID-19 had impacted his life, what Yapeal had been up to, and more.
The post Fintech News Readers Voted: The Top Swiss Fintech Influencers and Companies appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-readers-voted-the-top-swiss-fintech-influencers-and-companies</link><guid>2197</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Top-Swiss-Fintech-Startups-of-2020-Sygnum-1024x568.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech News Readers Voted: The Top Swiss Fintech Influencers and Companies</dc:text></item><item><title>Glarner Regionalbank setzt in der Vorsorge auf Descartes</title><description><![CDATA[Die Kundenberater der Glarner Regionalbank können ab sofort auf der Plattform Descartes Vorsorge, egal ob via Handy, Tablet oder stationärem Computer, gemeinsam mit dem Kunden innerhalb von fünf Minuten ein Vorsorgedepot eröffnen. Nach Eröffnung erhält der Kunde innert Sekunden alle relevanten Angaben, um ein bestehendes Vorsorgekonto in eine nachhaltige Vorsorge-Anlagelösung zu transferieren oder mit einer neuen Säule 3a- oder Freizügigkeitslösung zu starten.
Die Kundenberaterinnen und -berater haben jederzeit Zugriff auf alle kundenrelevanten Informationen in der Descartes CRM-Lösung, um einfach und benutzerfreundlich die abgeschlossenen Säule 3a und FZ-Lösungen zu verwalten oder im Beratungsgespräch die Kundschaft optimal zu betreuen.
Mike Baumann
Mike Baumann, Leiter Anlageberatung GRB, sagt dazu:
«Mit Descartes können wir unserer Kundschaft eine moderne Vorsorgelösung anbieten. Uns hat das positive «digitale» Kundenerlebnis überzeugt. Zudem kann unsere Kundschaft nun auf eine professionelle Vorsorge-Lösung von Descartes setzen.»
Adriano Lucatelli
Für Gründer &amp; CEO Adriano Lucatelli zeigt dieser Schritt, dass eine kleinere, traditionelle Regionalbank sich zeitgemäss aufstellen kann:
«Für viele Banken lohnt es sich nicht eine eigene digitale Lösung aufzubauen. Kooperationen sind in vielen Fällen zielführender, und der Schritt von GRB zeigt, dass traditionelle Banken und Fintech zusammen viel bewegen können.»
 
Featured image credit: Descartes Facebook Page
The post Glarner Regionalbank setzt in der Vorsorge auf Descartes appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/glarner-regionalbank-setzt-in-der-vorsorge-auf-descartes</link><guid>2196</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Glarner Regionalbank setzt in der Vorsorge auf Descartes</dc:text></item><item><title>Mastercard Inks Deal to Acquire Danish Open Banking Firm Aiia</title><description><![CDATA[Mastercard is set to acquire Aiia, a Danish open banking technology provider, for an undisclosed sum and the transaction is anticipated to close by year’s end.
Aiia is a licensed Payment Initiation Service Provider (PISP) and Account Information Service Provider (AISP) and operates under the supervision of the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority (FSA).
Mastercard has made several moves in recent times to blend its proprietary technology and multi-rail payments expertise with strong partners offering complementary services.
In 2019, Mastercard launched its first open banking connectivity offering in the UK and Poland through a partnership with Token.
With the acquisition of Finicity in 2020, Mastercard bolstered a strong commitment to its customers by bringing together top-tier technology platforms, dedicated resources and a global infrastructure to catalyze innovation and continue to deliver localized customer service.
This continued earlier in 2021 with Mastercard Payment Services, a broader set of account-to-account payment and open banking capabilities gained in the acquisition of the majority of Nets’ Corporate Services business.
Craig Vosburg
“As open banking continues to ignite innovation, we’re committed to providing a unique set of technology platforms, data connectivity and infrastructure combined with data privacy and security principles.
 
This will help fintechs and financial institutions innovate, gather feedback and scale faster and more effectively than ever to power smarter, more meaningful experiences.”
said Craig Vosburg, Chief Product Officer, Mastercard.
Rune Mai
“For the past decade, we have worked to build Aiia into a leading and quality-driven open banking platform, which has onboarded hundreds of banks and fintechs onto safe and secure open banking rails.
 
We’re excited to become a part of Mastercard and progress our journey of empowering people to bring their financial data and accounts into play &#8211; safely and transparently,”
said Rune Mai, CEO and Founder of Aiia.
 

Featured image: Shutterstock
The post Mastercard Inks Deal to Acquire Danish Open Banking Firm Aiia appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mastercard-inks-deal-to-acquire-danish-open-banking-firm-aiia</link><guid>2193</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/AM-1.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Mastercard Inks Deal to Acquire Danish Open Banking Firm Aiia</dc:text></item><item><title>Ledgy Secures US$10 Million in Series A Fundraise Led by Sequoia</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss equity management platform Ledgy announced that it has raised US$10 million during a Series A funding round led by Sequoia.
Ledgy&#8217;s existing investors and early supporters Myke Näf, Paul Sevinç, btov Partners, Creathor Ventures and VI Partners also participated in the round.
Angel investors who joined the round include Xavier Niel, Harry Stebbings, Visionaries Club, and several SaaS founders including UiPath’s Daniel Dines and Front’s Mathilde Collin.
Ledgy said that it will be looking to strengthen its presence in the rest of continental Europe as well as in the UK to finally establish a standard way for companies to manage ownership.
The firm will also increase its features to better support public companies as well, a number of them are on Ledgy already.
To support these expansion plans, Ledgy is looking to expand its team and is actively hiring.
Luciana Lixandru
Ledgy also announced that Luciana Lixandru, a Partner from Sequoia Capital will be joining its board of directors.
Yoko Spirig
&#8220;At Ledgy our mission is to empower teams to be owners. Our vision is to build the global platform for ownership.
 
We believe that entrepreneurs will be central to solving the world&#8217;s biggest challenges, and that democratising company ownership can be the difference between short-term growth and truly enduring success.&#8221;
said Yoko Spirig, Co-Founder and CEO of Ledgy.
 
Featured image: Ledgy&#8217;s team
The post Ledgy Secures US$10 Million in Series A Fundraise Led by Sequoia appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ledgy-secures-us10-million-in-series-a-fundraise-led-by-sequoia</link><guid>2194</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Ledgy Secures US$10 Million in Series A Fundraise Led by Sequoia</dc:text></item><item><title>SIX Joins Forces With Inventx to Expand the Swiss Open Finance Ecosystem</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss stock exchange SIX will collaborate with Inventx, an IT service provider, to ensure the smooth interconnection of their complementary ix.OpenFinancePlatform and bLink open-finance hubs going forward.
Following the cooperation between Swisscom and SIX announced in March, this partnership will enable financial institutions and third-party providers to gain easier access to the Swiss open-finance ecosystem.
The respective platform offerings will continue to exist independently in the market.
As part of this partnership, the participants get to choose between the best services on both ix.OFP and bLink.
SIX said in a statement,
&#8220;With this cooperation, the two technology providers are sending another positive signal in the discussion about more standardisation – especially when it comes to financial institutions. Both companies are convinced that all participants and the Swiss financial center as a whole will benefit from the formation of overarching open-finance ecosystems.&#8221;
 
Featured image: Edited from Unsplash 
The post SIX Joins Forces With Inventx to Expand the Swiss Open Finance Ecosystem appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/six-joins-forces-with-inventx-to-expand-the-swiss-open-finance-ecosystem</link><guid>2195</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>SIX Joins Forces With Inventx to Expand the Swiss Open Finance Ecosystem</dc:text></item><item><title>Stronger Mobile Application Security Is the Key to Revenue Growth</title><description><![CDATA[Financial institutions have been moving towards expanding digitisation for years, offering remote banking services, and prioritising the customer experience in digital platforms.
In 2020, however, the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically accelerated this shift. With less access to bank branches, the mobile and online banking channels became the primary, and in some cases even the only banking options available.
Criminals always go where the money is, which is why they have increasingly turned their attention to the mobile channel. The pandemic has driven a massive increase in mobile malware attacks.
In 2020, Kaspersky detected more than 5.6 million malicious installation packages, more than 156,000 new mobile banking Trojans, and more than 20,000 new mobile ransomware Trojans.
Additionally, many consumers wrongly believe that all apps they download are secure, but that is not the case. Apps available on the official Apple and Google Play stores can sometimes even be malicious.
Though the official app stores filter out a large percentage of malware, they are not perfect.
When businesses’ mobile apps are vulnerable, or consumers’ devices and personal information are compromised due to mobile device or application security weaknesses, the consequences can be devastating.
Businesses can suffer reputation and brand damage and may face regulatory fines; consumers can become victims of identity theft or other types of fraud.
The good news is that a security incidents involving a mobile device or app can be avoided altogether by implementing mobile application security technologies.

How To Strengthen Mobile Application Security
Businesses can take simple steps to reduce the risk of fraud, malware, account takeover and other types of attacks in the mobile channel. Organisations and mobile developers creating their apps must begin implementing a complete mobile application security programme.
Traditionally, this would consist of building security into design requirements, providing secure code training and resources to developers, performing regular security testing throughout the development life cycle, and periodically conducting penetration testing.
But today, these methods are not enough. Businesses and app developers must begin applying client-side security measures, such as mobile application shielding technologies.
Mobile application shielding refers to a set of technologies integrated into the mobile app’s code to protect it against malicious activity and safeguard sensitive information from cybercriminals.
Even if the user’s device becomes infected with malware, app shielding will detect it and prevent the malicious code from running. It enables mobile apps to protect themselves even in untrusted device environments, such as compromised, infected or jailbroken phones.
In addition to mobile application shielding, businesses must also focus on natively integrating multifactor authentication into their apps.
Tools like facial recognition, fingerprint readers and even behavioral biometrics have become more commonly used in mobile banking apps to strengthen security and help prevent mobile account takeover.
These authentication technologies should be used in a layered approach, so as not to negatively impact the customer experience.
Prioritise Mobile App Security
Many organisations may have confidence that the Android or iOS operating systems will protect them, but neither of these will ever be 100% secure. Extra measures are needed.
Additionally, many businesses still do not allocate a specific budget for securing their mobile apps, and developers often look at security as another barrier.
But when done right, strong mobile application security can be a business benefit, driving revenue growth and customer retention while protecting against digital threats.
Without adequate security, there are some functionalities and services that businesses simply won’t provide to their customers through the mobile channel because they are deemed too risky.
By securing the mobile app and ensuring that it can protect itself from zero-day vulnerabilities, even on untrusted devices, businesses can have the confidence to open up new services through the mobile channel, creating new revenue streams that they otherwise would not have.
Mobile App Security Supports The Bottom Line
There are pressures from all sides of the business to get the application built, tested and published as quickly as possible. However, in the rush to market, security cannot be overlooked.
Here are five simple steps to build a successful mobile app security programme:

Educate developers about secure coding on a regular basis.
Include security in the product requirements.
Integrate frequent, automated security testing earlier in the development life cycle when vulnerabilities can be fixed more easily.
Conduct periodic penetration testing on the mobile app.
Strengthen the app with additional protection in untrusted environments with in-app protection and app shielding technology.

With proper security measures in place, including application shielding and layers of natively integrated multifactor authentication, businesses are able to defend their mobile apps against attacks, while also protecting their customers, simplifying the customer experience and growing revenue.
OneSpan&#8217;s whitepaper on mobile app security is available here.

 
 
The post Stronger Mobile Application Security Is the Key to Revenue Growth appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/stronger-mobile-application-security-is-the-key-to-revenue-growth</link><guid>2192</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Strengthen-Mobile-Application-Security.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Stronger Mobile Application Security Is the Key to Revenue Growth</dc:text></item><item><title>FQX Leverages Blockchain &amp; Electronic Signatures to Revamp Trade Finance &amp; Money Markets</title><description><![CDATA[Switzerland’s fintech startup FQX seeks to revamp how companies around the world access finance by using blockchain and tokenization to make promissory notes transferable, cross-border and more cost-efficient.
Promissory notes, are financial instruments that contain a written promise by one party to pay another party a definite sum of money. In German, they are called “Wechsel” or “Eigenwechsel”.
Businesses can sell their eNotes in a practice similar to invoice factoring to get cash before the settlement dates as means to improve cash flow. eNotes can also be used by companies to obtain short-term financing from banks or other corporations.
Benedikt Schuppli
“Traditionally, promissory notes were paper-based (and still are printed on paper in some countries as of today). FQX is bringing about a revolution by digitizing it,” FQX co-founder and co-CEO Benedikt Schuppli told Fintech News Switzerland.
These so-called electronic promissory notes (eNotes) are issued and traded in real-time on a blockchain-based infrastructure, enabling improved liquidity and risk protection for both trading partners.
Financial institutions can participate directly via the eNotes platform or tap into FQX’s integration solutions.
By digitizing promissory notes, Schuppli said his technology can help solve small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)’ historical credit constraints, while providing institutional investors with the opportunity to finance the real economy.
“Many companies around the globe, especially in developing markets do not have sufficient access to liquidity, as banks don&#8217;t provide access at all or if they do, it’s at a prohibitively high cost,” Schuppli said.
“FQX targets this problem by really changing the way credit works and actually posing an alternative infrastructure for credit that is blockchain-based, cross-border, freely transferable and at a low cost.”
Within the next five years, Schuppli said he hopes to build FQX into “the PayPal for eNotes” by leveraging its first-mover advantage.
Stephan Meyer
“FQX is the first market-ready solution for eNotes, which is built on a banking-grade blockchain – Swiss Trust Chain – with a unique, patent-pending authentication mechanism based on regulated and qualified electronic signatures provided by Swisscom Trust Services,”
Stephan Meyer, FQX&#8217;s further Co-Founder and Co-CEO said.
“When compared to other financing options, our eNotes as negotiable instruments outperform through their financial steering capabilities and transferability.”
New legislation and national acts covering distributed ledger technology (DLT)-tokens are paving the way for players like FQX to reimagine trade finance and boost adoption of innovative business models, Meyer said, adding that with its live and running eNote infrastructure, FQX is well placed to become “the leading tech company at the epicenter of a pivotal and exponentially growing market.”
“If you think about it, just two years ago, eNotes were not on the agenda of most finance players,” Schuppli said. “Since then, leading countries such as Singapore, the UK, the US, and the UAE (supported by UNCITRAL, ICC, BAFT and ITFA), have made a blockchain-based solution for trade finance and money markets a top priority, enacting or initiating legislations that are supposed to govern electronic promissory notes.”
FQX, which just recently launched commercially, has already signed prominent clients and partners including Instimatch, Metalshub, OFX, a Swiss Tier 1 bank, and “a Swiss Champion,” Schuppli said.
Moving forward, he said the team will focus on the rollout of its product with existing clients and partners, and lay the foundations for international expansion.
FQX won the 2021 Swiss Fintech Awards in the Early Stage Startup category, and is in the short-list for the 2021 Fintech Germany Awards. In June, it raised US$4.7 million in a seed funding led by Earlybird with participation from SIX Fintech Ventures, the non-strategic corporate venture arm of SIX, and unicorn Hybris Software co-founder Carsten Thoma.
 
Featured image credit: FQX team
The post FQX Leverages Blockchain &#038; Electronic Signatures to Revamp Trade Finance &#038; Money Markets appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fqx-leverages-blockchain-electronic-signatures-to-revamp-trade-finance-money-markets</link><guid>2191</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>FQX Leverages Blockchain &amp; Electronic Signatures to Revamp Trade Finance &amp; Money Markets</dc:text></item><item><title>Supercar CrowdInvesting: Einen Aston Martin oder einen Bentley teilen</title><description><![CDATA[Ein Sportwagen zu besitzen, zu fahren und zu erleben ist für viele ein Traum und für andere ein alltägliches Erlebnis.
Häufig kommt es vor, dass solche Fahrzeuge, auch Supercars von der Community genannt, gemietet oder geleast werden. In Anbetracht der Anschaffung- und Instandhaltungskosten mag ein solches Fahrzeug zu mieten, im ersten Augenblick attraktiv wirken, gleiches gilt für Leasing welches sowohl mit Vorteilen als auch mit Nachteilen behaftet ist. Doch am Ende der Laufzeit, muss das Fahrzeug wieder zurückgegeben werden, ohne besonderen Mehrwert.
Denn das Fahrzeug gehört dem Fahrer ja nicht direkt. Kauft man sich einen Sportwagen allein, geht das auf Kosten des persönlichen Vermögens, hinzu kommen die jährlichen Instandhaltungskosten die schmerzlich sein können. Auf der anderen Seite, finden wir Autohäuser und Garagen die Luxusfahrzeuge sowie Sportwagen verkaufen, doch bis der eigentliche Verkauf eines Fahrzeuges mit einem Wert von über 200.000 Franken stattfindet, vergehen oftmals mehrere Monate. Manche Modelle, sind sogar nach über einem Jahr noch im Schaufenster, oder in den öffentlichen Autobörsen aufzufinden.
All das muss nicht sein. &#8211; Dachten sich die Gründer der Schweizer Car-Sharing und Crowdfunding Plattform Supercar Sharing, Deivis H. Valdes und Joschua Ammann.

Mit ihrem Geschäftsmodell, gestalten sie seit dem Launch der Plattform supercarsharing.ch im Juni 2021, die Fahrzeuglandschaft von Sportwagen effizient mit. Denn das Konzept von Supercar Sharing, ermöglicht es Interessenten, Fahrzeuganteile von exklusiven Sportwagen über die Crowdfunding Lösung zu erwerben. Der „Crowdfunder“, wird so zum Miteigentümer vom ausgewählten Fahrzeug, zum Bruchteil des Kaufpreises.
Neben deutschen Sporthybriden von Porsche bis britische und italienische Sportwagen von Lamborghini und Ferrari werden auch limitierte Sammlerfahrzeuge wie Koenigsegg oder Bugatti gehandelt. Maximal werden 10 Personen pro Fahrzeug zugelassen. Die Anschaffungskosten werden so untereinander aufgeteilt und die Fahrzeuganteile notariell beurkundet. Das Fahrzeug steht dann in gesicherten und voll gemanagten Autostorages, den Miteigentümer zur gemeinsamen Nutzung zur Verfügung.
Ein ausgeklügeltes Buchungssystem und faire Nutzungsbedingungen sorgen für Transparenz und einen reibungslosen Vorgang. Auf den Strassen befinden sich zudem, nicht 10 weitere Sportwagen, sondern nur 1 Wagen für 10 Personen. Mit dieser Initiative möchte Supercar Sharing, Sportwagenbesitzer und die, die eine Neuanschaffung erwägen, in die ökologische Verantwortung miteinbeziehen und so, das allgemeine Bewusstsein einer neuen, im einflussreicher werdenden Fahrkultur, auch in der Schweiz bestärken.
Anders als beim Leasing, Abo oder bei der Miete, erhalten die Miteigentümer der Fahrzeuganteile, den Wert ihres Anteils abzüglich Wertverlust, oder Wertzuwachs des Fahrzeuges nach dem Verkauf wieder zurück.
Bei Supercar Sharing schliessen sich daher Fahrzeugenthusiasten, Kenner und Fahrzeugsammler zusammen, für die Gemeinschaftsdenken, Wirtschaftlichkeit und Nachhaltigkeit, ein Thema ist, aber nicht auf den Fahrspass und die Leidenschaft für solche Fahrzeuge verzichten möchten.

Featured image: Photo by Josué Soto on Unsplash 
The post Supercar CrowdInvesting: Einen Aston Martin oder einen Bentley teilen appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/supercar-crowdinvesting-einen-aston-martin-oder-einen-bentley-teilen</link><guid>2190</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Erster-Schweizer-Car-Sharing-Anbieter-spezialisiert-sich-auf-Sportwagen-1-1.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Supercar CrowdInvesting: Einen Aston Martin oder einen Bentley teilen</dc:text></item><item><title>Fazit zur Mega Immobilien Marktplatz Fusion von TX Group, Ringier und der Mobiliar</title><description><![CDATA[Nachdem ich weltweit als Erster über den geplanten Zusammenschluss der Marktplätze von TX Group und Ringier berichtet habe (die Mobiliar habe ich vergessen), möchte ich heute versuchen, die neue Realität einzuordnen.
Für mich ist klar, dass bei den Rubriken Immobilien, Auto und Kleinanzeigen ein Monopol entstehen wird. Eines, das bei den Stellen bereits von den gleichen Akteuren seit längerem betrieben wird. Und für die Konkurrenz wird es eng!
Was kommt zusammen?
Ich konzentriere mich auf den Bereich Immobilien. In den Medien wurde nur von homegate.ch und immoscout24.ch berichtet. Es geht aber um viel mehr. Zu homegate.ch gehören die Marktplätze home.ch, immostreet.ch, alle-immobilien.ch und seit diesem Sommer acheter-louer.ch. Zum Publikationsnetzwerk von immoscout24.ch zählen HEV Schweiz, NZZdomizil.ch, zentralhome.ch, osthome.ch, comparis.ch, etc. Auch wird der Marktplatz auf den Zeitungsportalen von Blick, Bieler Tagblatt, Le Journal und der Gewerbezeitung integriert. Sicher sind diese Partnerschaften mit längerfristigen Verträgen abgesichert.
Mit anderen Worten: Niemand kommt an homegate.ch und immoscout24.ch vorbei.
Casasoft, eine Tochtergesellschaft von Scout24, ist eine wichtige Datendrehscheibe. Viele Immobilienfirmen nutzen CASAONE und liefern so interessante Daten wie Dauer der Ausschreibung, Anzahl Anfragen pro Marktplatz, Preise.
Personalabbau unvermeidlich
Nach dem erfolgten Zusammenschluss braucht es weniger Personal. Es macht ja wenig Sinn, wenn am Montag der Verkäufer von homegate.ch, am Dienstag die Verkäuferin von immoscout24.ch, am Mittwoch der Verkäufer von immostreet.ch und am Donnerstag die Verkäuferin für Neubauprojekten von immoscout24.ch die Kunden besuchen. Im Weiteren braucht es weniger Produktmanager, weniger Softwareentwickler und vor allem weniger Chefs. TX Markets hat heute bereits in Serbien eine eigene Einheit mit Softwareingenieuren. Die Versuchung, weitere Stellen dorthin zu verschieben, wird gross sein.
Der Personalabbau wird also kommen. Dieser führt zu tieferen Kosten, was wiederum die EBITDA-Marge noch oben drückt. Weitere Einsparungen lassen sich mit einer vereinheitlichten Technologie erzielen.
Keine Alternativen in Sicht
Der Aufschrei in der Immobilienbranche ist gross. Vor allem aus dem Umfeld von newhome.ch kommt die lauteste Kritik. Verzweifelt wird auf die WEKO geschaut. TX Group, Ringier und Mobiliar werden im Vorfeld Abklärungen getroffen haben, sonst hätten sie den Zusammenschluss nicht gross angekündigt. Auch der globale Investor wird sich nicht auf ein Abenteuer eingelassen haben. Gemäss Pietro Supino, Präsident der TX Group, wird es kein Weko-Verfahren geben. Dies mit der Begründung, dass der Umsatz des Joint Venture unter der Interventionsschwelle der Weko liege.
Die vier Akteure begründen den Zusammenschluss mit dem Druck von Facebook, Google, Amazon und Co. Mindestens im Immobilienbereich spielen solche internationalen Player keine Rolle. Es wird also eine Monopolisierung des digitalen Rubrikengeschäftes erfolgen.
Vergleich Marktplätze über drei Monate
Auch wenn ich mich mit der nächsten Aussage um Kopf und Kragen schreibe: Der Zug für newhome.ch ist abgefahren. Warum? Schauen wir einfach die Kennzahlen an. Auf similarweb.com habe ich homegate.ch, immoscout24.ch und newhome.ch miteinander verglichen. newhome.ch liegt bei allen relevanten Werten weit hinter den beiden Marktführern zurück. Den Vorsprung haben sich homegate.ch und immoscout24.ch mit viel Geld erkauft. Auch bei den Ökosystemen rennt newhome.ch hinterher.
Was hat der User davon?
Dem Suchenden oder dem privaten Inserenten ist der Zusammenschluss egal. Der Suchende will eine grosse Auswahl und einfache Prozesse. Der private Inserent will weiterhin vernünftige Insertionspreise und möglichst schnell Mieter oder Käufer. Welche Plattform diese Werte liefert, ist egal. Deshalb ist von den Suchenden oder den privaten Inserenten kein Aufschrei zu erwarten. Sie sind ja eh schon bei homegate.ch und immoscout24.ch, wie die Statistiken zeigen.
Sponsoringgelder bye bye
Heute profitieren SVIT Schweiz und die regionalen Marktorganisationen vom bisher erbitterten Kampf zwischen homegate.ch und immoscout24.ch. Die Finanzchefs der Verbände, aber auch aller Veranstalter von Immobilienanlässen, tun gut daran, Sponsoringeinnahmen zukünftig vorsichtiger zu budgetieren. Warum sollen Marketings- und Sponsoringfranken ausgegeben werden, wenn die Plattformen den Markt beherrschen?
Mein persönliches Fazit: Ein Blutbad
Die folgenden Aussagen beschränken sich auf den Immobilienmarkt.

es entsteht ein Monopol
der Zug für newhome.ch ist abgefahren
Nischenplayer werden es schwer haben
es werden Stellen abgebaut werden
die Inseratepreise werden nicht sinken (siehe Punkt 1 und 2)
die vier Aktionäre werden sich über steigende EBITDA-Margen freuen können (heute schon über 40 %)

Die nächsten zwei Jahre werden die Plattformen wegen des Zusammenschlusses mit sich selber beschäftigt sein. Danach wird aber ein digitales Powerhouse den Immobilienmarkt beherrschen. Blutbad in der digitalen Welt.
 
Dieser Artikel erschien zuerst auf Proptechnews.ch
Featured image:Technology photo created by rawpixel.com &#8211; www.freepik.com
The post Fazit zur Mega Immobilien Marktplatz Fusion von TX Group, Ringier und der Mobiliar appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fazit-zur-mega-immobilien-marktplatz-fusion-von-tx-group-ringier-und-der-mobiliar</link><guid>2187</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Vergleich-Marktplätze-über-drei-Monate-2-1024x640.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Fazit zur Mega Immobilien Marktplatz Fusion von TX Group, Ringier und der Mobiliar</dc:text></item><item><title>New Swiss Fintech Startup Map September 2021 Welcomes 4 Newcomers</title><description><![CDATA[Swisscom has released the updated Swiss Fintech Startup Map for September 2021, welcoming 4 new Swiss startups for the month.
The map provides regular updates on the Swiss fintech landscape in the region now displays a grand total of 355 Swiss fintech startups.
For this month the map welcomes Sustainaccount, fidentity AG, Wize and Yuh SA.

fidentity AG
Simply Know Your Customer. Identity verification via document scan and liveness check. Audited customer onboarding fully automated and 24/7.

Sustainaccount
Automating sustainable finance

Wize
WIZE is an all-in-one Wealth Management solution offered by TeamWork, a Swiss company founded in 1999 which has now more than 800 employees internationally.

Yuh SA
Yuh combines paying, saving and investing in one app.


The post New Swiss Fintech Startup Map September 2021 Welcomes 4 Newcomers appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-swiss-fintech-startup-map-september-2021-welcomes-4-newcomers</link><guid>2188</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/september_2021.png</dc:content ><dc:text>New Swiss Fintech Startup Map September 2021 Welcomes 4 Newcomers</dc:text></item><item><title>Databricks Secures US$1.6 Billion in Series H Fundraise at US$38 Billion Valuation</title><description><![CDATA[Databricks, a US-based enterprise software company, announced that it has raised US$1.6 billion during a Series H funding round at a US$38 billion valuation.
This new round brings Databricks’ total funding to almost US$3.6 billion, and will be used to accelerate the company’s rapidly growing data lakehouse market.
The round was led by Counterpoint Global (Morgan Stanley) and joined by other new investors including Baillie Gifford, ClearBridge Investments and UC Investments (Office of the Chief Investment Officer of the Regents of the University of California).
Existing investors participating in the round include Andreessen Horowitz, funds and accounts managed by BlackRock, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments), Coatue Management, Fidelity Management &amp; Research, Franklin Templeton, GIC, Greenoaks, Octahedron Capital, funds and accounts managed by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc., Tiger Global Management and Whale Rock Capital Management.
Additionally, Alta Park Capital, a suite of BNY Mellon funds, Discovery Capital, Dragoneer Investment Group, Flucas Ventures, Gaingels, Geodesic, Green Bay Ventures, the House Fund, Insight Partners, and New Enterprise Associates also joined the fundraise.
As further commitment to accelerate lakehouse adoption globally, Databricks also announced the appointment of former Salesforce executive, Andy Kofoid, as President of Global Field Operations.
Ali Ghodsi
“This new investment is a reflection of the rapid adoption and incredible customer demand we’re seeing for the Databricks Lakehouse Platform and underscores the industry and investor confidence in our vision – that lakehouse is the data architecture of the future.
 
This marks a thrilling new chapter that will allow us to accelerate our pace of innovation and further invest in the success of data-driven organizations on their journey to the lakehouse.”
said Ali Ghodsi, Co-Founder and CEO of Databricks.
 

Featured image: Ali Ghodsi, Co-Founder and CEO of Databricks.
The post Databricks Secures US$1.6 Billion in Series H Fundraise at US$38 Billion Valuation appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/databricks-secures-us16-billion-in-series-h-fundraise-at-us38-billion-valuation</link><guid>2186</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/AM.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Databricks Secures US$1.6 Billion in Series H Fundraise at US$38 Billion Valuation</dc:text></item><item><title>MoneyLion’s SPAC Merger to Be Finalised, Soon to Be Listed on NYSE</title><description><![CDATA[US-based neobank MoneyLion&#8217;s merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) Fusion Acquisition Corp. to become a publicly listed company is coming to a close.
A special meeting of Fusion Acquisition Corp. shareholders will be held on 21 September 2021 in order to approve the proposed merger.
Upon closing of the transaction, the combined company will be named MoneyLion Inc. and will be listed on the NYSE under the new ticker symbol &#8220;ML.&#8221;
Dee Choubey
Dee Choubey, CEO and Founder of MoneyLion said,
“We are excited to reach this important milestone on our path to becoming a publicly-traded company. We look forward to successfully completing the proposed business combination so that we can continue to scale, innovate and grow aggressively to help even more Americans take control of their finances and achieve their life goals.”
John James
John James, CEO of Fusion Acquisition Corp. said,
“The MoneyLion team has executed extremely well and is poised to scale even faster driven by the company’s tremendous momentum. We are excited to present the business combination to Fusion stockholders and look forward to partnering with MoneyLion through its next phase of growth.”
 
 
 

The post MoneyLion’s SPAC Merger to Be Finalised, Soon to Be Listed on NYSE appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/moneylions-spac-merger-to-be-finalised-soon-to-be-listed-on-nyse</link><guid>2185</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/AM.png</dc:content ><dc:text>MoneyLion’s SPAC Merger to Be Finalised, Soon to Be Listed on NYSE</dc:text></item><item><title>Swisscom Releases Updated Swiss Regtech Startup Map for 2021</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss telecommunications provider Swisscom has teamed up with think tank e.foresight to publish this quarter&#8217;s comprehensive market overview of the country&#8217;s regtech startups.
The regtech map hones in on firms that provide solutions for authentication, AML / KYC, crossborder and tax solutions, enterprise risk management / fraud detection, investment risk management / quantitative analytics as well as regulatory mapping.
 

Authentication
Fidentity
fidentity provides digital identification with seamless user experience. An API enables integration in 3rd party websites, mobile sites, apps or even messengers. Its ease of use leads to minimal acquisition costs.
 
 
Futurae
Creating fast, simple and hands-off two-factor user authentication for online applications that require additional security by pairing mobile devices with computers in the vicinity of each other.
 
 
 
Procivis
 

PROCIVIS is a Swiss based start-up offering digital identity solutions and e-government applications and services. Founded in October 2016 by a team of experts in blockchain technology, e-government infrastructure, investment banking as well as by influential academicians, the company aims to spearhead the transition to e-governance in Switzerland and abroad.
 
 
 
OneVisage
OneVisage is a Swiss cyber-security company founded in 2013 with the vision to bring secure and convenient authentication services to mass-markets using standard mobile devices (BYOD).
 
 
 
Synacts
We solve the problem of an increasing amount of data that is created and used by people. Today, this data is locked into silos at companies which leads to unacceptable risks as seen with Equifax and many others but also denies the user to control over what happens with their data.
 
 
Signatys
Signatys is a Swiss company focusing on the quality and security of digital relationships. Signatys offers a new way of exchanging and signing documents based on a level of trust equivalent to an identification made by a bank.
 
 
 
Spitch
Spitch is a Swiss provider of solutions based on Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) and voice biometrics, Voice User Interfaces (VUI), and natural language voice data analytics.
 
 
 
Skribble
Skribble allows you to legally sign PDFs based on the e-signature “QES” – the digital equivalent to the handwritten signature under Swiss and EU law.
 
 
 
 
AML / KYC
FinForm
Finform, a joint venture of Axon Ivy and PostFinance, was founded in June 2016. The company specializes in standardizing, industrializing and digitalizing compliance formalities.
 
 
 
Polixis
Polixis is known to the market as a boutique, best-in-class advisory firm, specializing in the emerging markets Risk &amp; Compliance. With ARDIS that stands for Applied Risk &amp; Data Intelligence Solution, we take this expertise to the next level by blending human expertise with machine intelligence and big data. The result is a unique technological solution that aims to change the way Risk &amp; Compliance teams work on client and transactional due diligence, political and country risk analysis.
 
Chaordic
Chaordic specialise in Client Due Diligence technology which helps financial institutions with AML, CRS &amp; FATCA compliance throughout the client lifecycle.
 
 
 
SwissMetrics
SwissMetrics provides a collaborative credit risk monitoring platform allowing for companies to monitor the financial health of their customers, suppliers and potential acquisitions.
 
 
RockOn
Swiss FINTECH and FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARY specialized in digital client onboarding, digital lifecycle management and digital payments via escrow account.
 
 
 
GlobalPass
GlobalPass provides high-end identity verification and screening solutions, covering 200+ countries.
 
 
 
PXL Vision
PXL Vision AG is a Swiss high-tech spin-off of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH). It was founded by former key employees of Dacuda AG, an award-winning computer vision company that sold its 3D division to Magic Leap at the beginning of 2017.
PXL Vision provides leading solutions for the automation and enhancement of online identity verification and customer onboarding through tailored software solutions powered by the latest developments in Computer Vision and Machine Learning.
Cortex
Cortex provides you with the most comprehensive AML check you can find in the marke
 
 
 
 
id4
id4 AG is a Swiss software company specialised in the provision of innovative solutions in Client Lifecycle Management.
 
 
 
 
Crossborder &amp; Tax Solutions
datalevel
DataLevel offers companies efficient options for organising their financial data in the best way to suit their specific needs, in order to save both time and money.
 
 
 
Confinale
Confinale is a consultancy and software development company that specializes in digitalization projects for the banking sector. We find solutions for current and future challenges either by implementing new functionalities in existing bank software or by developing totally new applications.
 
 
 
Enterprise Risk Management / Fraud Detection
RegData
RegData clears you through regulatory and technical borders, especially during the aggregation of data from any source and when it is shared. Its transparent, unintrusive integration, no matter the languages and protocols, allows you to lead innovative strategies for your company’s data.
 
 
 
Swiss Finlab
New solutions are needed for managing personal data and personal wealth – We explore &amp; build them. We believe that the successful company of the future will have access to customer data, the ability to analyze it and use it for intuitive applications. We at SWISS FIN LAB can help you with exactly that. We are really good at investments, managing and analyzing data and making beautiful and intuitive applications.
 
Dathena
Dathena is the First Data Governance Platform Developed by Real Users for Real Users
 
 
 
 
Ifinity AG
IFINITY AG (founded 2015) is an independent service provider committed to strengthening the operational efficiency and regulatory compliance of independent asset managers (IAMs). Thanks to IFINITY’s unique service offering IAMs are able to focus on client interaction as their core „USP“.
 
 
 
Dydon
Dydon’s powerful AI tool suite combines NLP, central data structuring, non-linear aggregation, prediction, and fast, user-friendly, explainable results presentation, resolving the most pressing issues of today’s AI implementation.
 
 
Exeon
Exeon is an Swiss cyber security company specialized in security analytics.
 
 
 
 
Cybera
Disrupt financially motivated cybercrime.
 
 
 
 
 
Investment Risk Management / Quantitative Analytics
Lumrisk
LumRisk is an independent company that provides state-of-the-art risk consolidation, analysis and reporting services to institutional clients. LumRisk provides risk analysis and reporting, based on full transparency into underlying instruments, on many types of investment programs, such as funds-of-hedge-funds, multi-asset programs, alternative risk premia programs and traditional long-only investments.
 
 
FinHorizon AG
finhorizon’s portal translates complex investment research results to intuitive decision indicators. This novel approach allows all investors to easily find assets that exactly match their risk tolerance and return goals out of all instruments world-wide. They can automatically compile and manage their own optimal personalized portfolios.
 
 
InvestGlass
Founded in 2014, InvestGlass provides a white-labeled, client and prospect management platform for bankers, wealth managers and advisors. The platform is designed to facilitate more efficient prospecting and onboarding of new clients, as well as the management relationships with existing clients. Components include a content management system, CRM, and client portal.
 
Integration Alpha
We are a boutique data strategy consulting firm with a focus on guiding organizations on their journey towards data-driven business and industry models. More than ever before, success at doing business, at keeping clients engaged and at maintaining an edge over competitors is dependent on the intelligent use (and exploitation) of data. Not in the form most businesses are accustomed to today but as continuous streams of specific intelligence.
 
Regulatory Mapping
Apiax
Apiax is an early-stage startup that aims at generating better access to compliance regulations. It provides easily integrated public programming interfaces (APIs) that facilitate access to always up-to-date and verified compliance rules.
 
 
 
Capnovum
Capnovum introduces a new chapter by empowering clients to manage change self-sufficiently.  Asset based services help our clients stay informed and in control of ever more complex regulatory requirements. Our clients, investing in their own resources; mitigate risk, drive down cost of change, and reduce dependence on management consultants for execution.
 
 
Lari
LARI helps businesses to keep track of legal and regulatory changes. Our mission is to promote collaboration and increase workflow productivity of corporate legal departments. LARI is an intelligent issue management platform for legal and compliance departments. It automatically discovers the latest updates in laws and regulations impacting a company. It helps teams to understand those changes and translate them into actionable and auditable items.
 
 
Indagia
The world’s first and only fully integrated platform powered by artificial intelligence for external audit. Thanks to artificial intelligence indagia can greatly increase the efficiency and accuracy of a financial audit, by analyzing up to 100% of all transactions. In addition, our software can perform automatic risk assessments and propose tailormade audit procedures. With the help of RPA analytical procedures and test of details are perform in minutes!
 
Investment Navigator
Investment Navigator AG (IMN) is a web-based information platform for banks and asset managers that supports the internal advisory process with regards to financial services, products and portfolio management in their cross-border and product suitability management.
 
 
RegRadar
RegRadar gives you the process to route the regulatory publications traffic to address opportunities and risks.
 
 
 
 
Politik.ch
politik.ch is THE online tool for public affairs professionals.
 
 
 
 
atfinity
Help banks to stay ahead in compliance.
 
 
 
 
 
Indigita

Indigita SA is a Swiss regulatory technology (regtech) company headquartered in Geneva, which provides a suite of interactive trainings, digital tools and APIs to support financial institutions and their employees to conduct cross-border business in a safe and compliant way.
 
The post Swisscom Releases Updated Swiss Regtech Startup Map for 2021 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swisscom-releases-updated-swiss-regtech-startup-map-for-2021</link><guid>2184</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Swiss-RegTech-Map-Aug-2021-scaled.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swisscom Releases Updated Swiss Regtech Startup Map for 2021</dc:text></item><item><title>News Swiss Regtech Startup Map for 2021 Released</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss telecommunications provider Swisscom has teamed up with think tank e.foresight to publish this quarter&#8217;s comprehensive market overview of the country&#8217;s regtech startups.
The regtech map hones in on firms that provide solutions for authentication, AML / KYC, crossborder and tax solutions, enterprise risk management / fraud detection, investment risk management / quantitative analytics as well as regulatory mapping.
 
Authentication
Fidentity
fidentity provides digital identification with seamless user experience. An API enables integration in 3rd party websites, mobile sites, apps or even messengers. Its ease of use leads to minimal acquisition costs.
 
 
Futurae
Creating fast, simple and hands-off two-factor user authentication for online applications that require additional security by pairing mobile devices with computers in the vicinity of each other.
 
 
 
Procivis
 

PROCIVIS is a Swiss based start-up offering digital identity solutions and e-government applications and services. Founded in October 2016 by a team of experts in blockchain technology, e-government infrastructure, investment banking as well as by influential academicians, the company aims to spearhead the transition to e-governance in Switzerland and abroad.
 
 
 
OneVisage
OneVisage is a Swiss cyber-security company founded in 2013 with the vision to bring secure and convenient authentication services to mass-markets using standard mobile devices (BYOD).
 
 
 
Synacts
We solve the problem of an increasing amount of data that is created and used by people. Today, this data is locked into silos at companies which leads to unacceptable risks as seen with Equifax and many others but also denies the user to control over what happens with their data.
 
 
Signatys
Signatys is a Swiss company focusing on the quality and security of digital relationships. Signatys offers a new way of exchanging and signing documents based on a level of trust equivalent to an identification made by a bank.
 
 
 
Spitch
Spitch is a Swiss provider of solutions based on Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) and voice biometrics, Voice User Interfaces (VUI), and natural language voice data analytics.
 
 
 
Skribble
Skribble allows you to legally sign PDFs based on the e-signature “QES” – the digital equivalent to the handwritten signature under Swiss and EU law.
 
 
 
 
AML / KYC
FinForm
Finform, a joint venture of Axon Ivy and PostFinance, was founded in June 2016. The company specializes in standardizing, industrializing and digitalizing compliance formalities.
 
 
 
Polixis
Polixis is known to the market as a boutique, best-in-class advisory firm, specializing in the emerging markets Risk &amp; Compliance. With ARDIS that stands for Applied Risk &amp; Data Intelligence Solution, we take this expertise to the next level by blending human expertise with machine intelligence and big data. The result is a unique technological solution that aims to change the way Risk &amp; Compliance teams work on client and transactional due diligence, political and country risk analysis.
 
Chaordic
Chaordic specialise in Client Due Diligence technology which helps financial institutions with AML, CRS &amp; FATCA compliance throughout the client lifecycle.
 
 
 
SwissMetrics
SwissMetrics provides a collaborative credit risk monitoring platform allowing for companies to monitor the financial health of their customers, suppliers and potential acquisitions.
 
 
RockOn
Swiss FINTECH and FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARY specialized in digital client onboarding, digital lifecycle management and digital payments via escrow account.
 
 
 
GlobalPass
GlobalPass provides high-end identity verification and screening solutions, covering 200+ countries.
 
 
 
PXL Vision
PXL Vision AG is a Swiss high-tech spin-off of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH). It was founded by former key employees of Dacuda AG, an award-winning computer vision company that sold its 3D division to Magic Leap at the beginning of 2017.
PXL Vision provides leading solutions for the automation and enhancement of online identity verification and customer onboarding through tailored software solutions powered by the latest developments in Computer Vision and Machine Learning.
Cortex
Cortex provides you with the most comprehensive AML check you can find in the marke
 
 
 
 
id4
id4 AG is a Swiss software company specialised in the provision of innovative solutions in Client Lifecycle Management.
 
 
 
 
Crossborder &amp; Tax Solutions
datalevel
DataLevel offers companies efficient options for organising their financial data in the best way to suit their specific needs, in order to save both time and money.
 
 
 
Confinale
Confinale is a consultancy and software development company that specializes in digitalization projects for the banking sector. We find solutions for current and future challenges either by implementing new functionalities in existing bank software or by developing totally new applications.
 
 
 
Enterprise Risk Management / Fraud Detection
RegData
RegData clears you through regulatory and technical borders, especially during the aggregation of data from any source and when it is shared. Its transparent, unintrusive integration, no matter the languages and protocols, allows you to lead innovative strategies for your company’s data.
 
 
 
Swiss Finlab
New solutions are needed for managing personal data and personal wealth – We explore &amp; build them. We believe that the successful company of the future will have access to customer data, the ability to analyze it and use it for intuitive applications. We at SWISS FIN LAB can help you with exactly that. We are really good at investments, managing and analyzing data and making beautiful and intuitive applications.
 
Dathena
Dathena is the First Data Governance Platform Developed by Real Users for Real Users
 
 
 
 
Ifinity AG
IFINITY AG (founded 2015) is an independent service provider committed to strengthening the operational efficiency and regulatory compliance of independent asset managers (IAMs). Thanks to IFINITY’s unique service offering IAMs are able to focus on client interaction as their core „USP“.
 
 
 
Dydon
Dydon’s powerful AI tool suite combines NLP, central data structuring, non-linear aggregation, prediction, and fast, user-friendly, explainable results presentation, resolving the most pressing issues of today’s AI implementation.
 
 
Exeon
Exeon is an Swiss cyber security company specialized in security analytics.
 
 
 
 
Cybera
Disrupt financially motivated cybercrime.
 
 
 
 
 
Investment Risk Management / Quantitative Analytics
Lumrisk
LumRisk is an independent company that provides state-of-the-art risk consolidation, analysis and reporting services to institutional clients. LumRisk provides risk analysis and reporting, based on full transparency into underlying instruments, on many types of investment programs, such as funds-of-hedge-funds, multi-asset programs, alternative risk premia programs and traditional long-only investments.
 
 
FinHorizon AG
finhorizon’s portal translates complex investment research results to intuitive decision indicators. This novel approach allows all investors to easily find assets that exactly match their risk tolerance and return goals out of all instruments world-wide. They can automatically compile and manage their own optimal personalized portfolios.
 
 
InvestGlass
Founded in 2014, InvestGlass provides a white-labeled, client and prospect management platform for bankers, wealth managers and advisors. The platform is designed to facilitate more efficient prospecting and onboarding of new clients, as well as the management relationships with existing clients. Components include a content management system, CRM, and client portal.
 
Integration Alpha
We are a boutique data strategy consulting firm with a focus on guiding organizations on their journey towards data-driven business and industry models. More than ever before, success at doing business, at keeping clients engaged and at maintaining an edge over competitors is dependent on the intelligent use (and exploitation) of data. Not in the form most businesses are accustomed to today but as continuous streams of specific intelligence.
 
Regulatory Mapping
Apiax
Apiax is an early-stage startup that aims at generating better access to compliance regulations. It provides easily integrated public programming interfaces (APIs) that facilitate access to always up-to-date and verified compliance rules.
 
 
 
Capnovum
Capnovum introduces a new chapter by empowering clients to manage change self-sufficiently.  Asset based services help our clients stay informed and in control of ever more complex regulatory requirements. Our clients, investing in their own resources; mitigate risk, drive down cost of change, and reduce dependence on management consultants for execution.
 
 
Lari
LARI helps businesses to keep track of legal and regulatory changes. Our mission is to promote collaboration and increase workflow productivity of corporate legal departments. LARI is an intelligent issue management platform for legal and compliance departments. It automatically discovers the latest updates in laws and regulations impacting a company. It helps teams to understand those changes and translate them into actionable and auditable items.
 
 
Indagia
The world’s first and only fully integrated platform powered by artificial intelligence for external audit. Thanks to artificial intelligence indagia can greatly increase the efficiency and accuracy of a financial audit, by analyzing up to 100% of all transactions. In addition, our software can perform automatic risk assessments and propose tailormade audit procedures. With the help of RPA analytical procedures and test of details are perform in minutes!
 
Investment Navigator
Investment Navigator AG (IMN) is a web-based information platform for banks and asset managers that supports the internal advisory process with regards to financial services, products and portfolio management in their cross-border and product suitability management.
 
 
RegRadar
RegRadar gives you the process to route the regulatory publications traffic to address opportunities and risks.
 
 
 
 
Politik.ch
politik.ch is THE online tool for public affairs professionals.
 
 
 
 
atfinity
Help banks to stay ahead in compliance.
 
 
 
 
 
Indigita

Indigita SA is a Swiss regulatory technology (regtech) company headquartered in Geneva, which provides a suite of interactive trainings, digital tools and APIs to support financial institutions and their employees to conduct cross-border business in a safe and compliant way.
 
 
 

 
The post News Swiss Regtech Startup Map for 2021 Released appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/news-swiss-regtech-startup-map-for-2021-released</link><guid>2189</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Swiss-RegTech-Map-Aug-2021-scaled.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>News Swiss Regtech Startup Map for 2021 Released</dc:text></item><item><title>F10’s Alumnus Things Protocol Works on Mobility Project for Eco-friendly Travels</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss incubator and accelerator F10&#8217;s alumnus Things Protocol announced that it is working on a MobiFi project, a sustainable fintech solution that will reportedly change the way people travel around the world.
The MobiFi project aims at building the next generation Mobility as a Service (MaaS) platform to bring together end-users, public and private operators, and other stakeholders such as insurance companies, and marketers to promote eco-friendly travel behaviour.
The idea behind the project is to create a decentralised and sustainable ecosystem and connect mobility service providers with Decentralised Finance (DeFi) in order to help service providers streamline their operations securely and efficiently.
The project also aims to drive mainstream adoption of digital currencies, and accelerate the transition to zero-net carbon journeys through tokenised incentives.
Lisa Sennhauser
Things Protocol will be partnering with Lisa Sennhauser, an ex-UBS Managing Director who will bring her experience and leadership skills to this project.
To achieve its vision, the startup chose to collaborate with Lisa due to her vast experience in mentoring and advising many organisations and entrepreneurs.
Additionally, she is an experienced senior finance executive with a proven leadership record, she held leadership positions including C-Suite at Equatex Global (globally regulated financial institution), 16 years at UBS including 5 years as a Managing Director in finance and risk control roles, leading transformation programmes requiring significant cross functional collaboration.
She was previously at Black &amp; Decker US, Emhart Glass Switzerland (Bucher Industries), KPMG both Zurich and Melbourne, and Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
Yudi Xu
&#8220;I got to know Lisa from our lovely mentor Katie. At that moment we needed some expertise in the field of financial management, licensing etc, and Lisa just perfectly fits in.
 
She has years of experience in banking and finance. There is no doubt that Lisa will bring the MobiFi project to a new level in the financial world.&#8221;
said Yudi Xu, Project Lead at Things Protocol.
The post F10’s Alumnus Things Protocol Works on Mobility Project for Eco-friendly Travels appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/f10s-alumnus-things-protocol-works-on-mobility-project-for-eco-friendly-travels</link><guid>2183</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>F10’s Alumnus Things Protocol Works on Mobility Project for Eco-friendly Travels</dc:text></item><item><title>5 Reasons Why Apple Could Be Your Next Bank</title><description><![CDATA[As more big tech companies want to grow and take over the financial tech space, Apple already offers few financial services like Apple Wallet, Apple Pay and Apple Card. However, it’s reasonable to believe that Apple is interested in taking a step further, become a relevant player in the financial sector and potentially be your next bank. Here are 5 reasons why Apple could do so:
1. Apple enjoys a strong reputation and a loyal client base.
Apple has become a new body part, a lifestyle brand. Adding more financial services to the iPhone is another way for Apple to become an even more integral part of its customers’ lives, creating a higher barrier for them to switch hardware providers. Consumers put their faith in Apple due to what the company stands for and its reputation. They know Apple has a solid foundation to stand upon and will be there for them in the years ahead.
They also know they have the money to invest in research and development. As a result, the services will only continue to get better and better.
Apple customer base is not only loyal but also vast and international. According to Apple, there are currently 1 billion active iPhones globally, and in the United States alone, 45.3% of smartphone users have an iPhone. Thus, if customers can trust Apple with their bank accounts, that could be “the winning punch” against other credit cards with similar perks. Lastly, Apple has the full support of millennials, a generation that looks at banking differently due to the technology they grew up with.
2. Apple knows how to provide a good customers experience.
A common complaint with traditional banking systems is that they lack a user-friendly interface to view transactions and make operations, from everyday banking transfers to trading securities. Apple is very good at making complex processes appear simple to the end-user. As a result, customers would be able to engage with their banking platform in a clean and straightforward interface that provides them with a snapshot of their financial situation. By acquiring or partnering with powerful personal financial management fintechs,
Apple would provide customers with clear insight and possible actions that they could take to get the most from banking provision. Moreover, Apple could leverage its relationship with the retailers and manufacturers to provide a set of rewards to customers, like cash-backs and incentives. Summing up, at Apple they know what consumers want and how to deliver.
3. Apple needs to find new ways to sell iPhones.
Over time big tech companies need to keep innovating. However, there is a limit on how much Apple can increase profits when it comes to new iPhone designs or by adding new subscription services. The financial industry would be a way to keep growing and turn into a mega big tech company. However, the attractiveness of the banking sector for Apple is not only in its financial return.
Apple’s interest is primarily in becoming an even more integral part of its customers’ life, creating higher barriers for them to switch hardware providers. Moreover, if Apple will be able to provide a superior banking experience, non-iPhone holders may be incentivized to purchase an iPhone to access these services
4. Apple is sitting on a massive pile of unused cash.
Apple has currently around $200 billion in cash on hand. That’s more than the market capitalization of Goldman Sachs itself. Such a significant amount of cash it&#8217;s vital to finance acquisitions of fintechs or develop the necessary extensive banking expertise. Moreover, assuming Apple is interested in becoming a full-stack bank, having cash available is essential to satisfy the regulatory issues it will have to deal with to become a banking system.
5. Data Analytics expertise and security.
source: Statistica
Apple is a market leader in managing and handling data. Ryan Gilbert, general partner at Propel Ventures, says &#8220;money is just a form of data, and Apple has been great at managing access to data. They’ll take the same approach to money&#8221;. Moreover, Apple is known for being able to provide customers with heightened security, a crucial aspects when it comes to payments and banking. All the new devices embed biometric security, either “Touch ID” or “Face ID”, which are currently used to authorize payments through Apple Pay and Apple Card.
So, will Apple ever become a bank?
As stated by Sarah Kocianski, Head of Research at fintech consultancy 11:FS, &#8220;Apple, like others big tech firms, will continue to add services that are peripheral to banking to their existing offerings, without going full-stack banking. The headache of getting and maintaining a banking license would likely be considered too big a risk for these companies. Instead, they will continue to operate with licensed partners&#8221;. This appears to be the most probable path, at least in the next years. However, not being a full-stack bank won’t prevent Apple from disrupting the banking industry.
 
This article was published by banq. The original article can be found here.
Featured image credit: Photo by blocks on Unsplash
The post 5 Reasons Why Apple Could Be Your Next Bank appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/5-reasons-why-apple-could-be-your-next-bank</link><guid>2182</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/apple-pay-1024x739.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>5 Reasons Why Apple Could Be Your Next Bank</dc:text></item><item><title>SFTI Co-Director Cornelia Stengel Discusses Top Fintech Trends</title><description><![CDATA[Payment innovations, embedded finance and digital assets are amongst the fast-rising trends to watch out for in the Swiss fintech space. These trends are emerging on the back of deeper ecosystem collaborations and a shift towards “individualization” and hyper-personalization of financial services, Cornelia Stengel, the co-director of Swiss Fintech Innovations (SFTI), told Fintech News Switzerland.
Cornelia Stengel
Embedded finance refers to the use of banking-as-a-service and API-driven banking and payment services to integrate financial services within other environments and ecosystems.
It translates to solutions such as embedded payments in ride-sharing apps, embedded lending, where a customer is able to apply for and get a loan right at the point of purchase, and embedded insurance, where coverage is bundled within the purchase of a product.
Around the world, companies of all types and from all industries are launching embedded financial services to serve business and consumer segments: Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google are examples that utilize embedded payments for their digital wallet offering; Uber leverages the Visa and Mastercard payment networks to pay drivers automatically at the end of each ride; and Klarna offers buy now, pay later (BNPL) options during the checkout process.
This booming sector is reflected in investment trends. CB Insights’ latest Q2 2021 State of Fintech report noted a spike in investor interest in embedded insurance, citing deals like Extend’s US$310 million Series C funding round, Boost’s US$20 million Series B, and Element’s US$19.5 million Series C.
US-based Extend provides merchants with the capabilities to add warranty coverage to their e-commerce products; New York-based Boost helps companies build end-to-end insurance products to offer to their customers; and Element is a German digital risk carrier that offers property and casualty insurance through partners.
Embedded finance is part of the broader open finance movement, the extension of open banking data-sharing principles, Stengel said, which enables third party providers to access customers’ data across a broader range of financial sectors and products, including savings and investments, and seeks to focus on individuals’ total financial lives.
Though open financial ecosystems have not yet been established on a broad scale in the Swiss financial landscape, several market-driven initiatives are underway to set the foundations and achieve harmonized standards.
In July, SFTI’s Common API working group published its latest whitepaper covering API security. The paper addresses corresponding legal and regulatory issues and the different aspects of API security. It also shares examples of solutions already in use internationally.
The Common API working group includes banks such as Credit Suisse, UBS, Raiffeisen, ZKB, BCV, Hypothekarbank Lenzburg, Lombard Odier, Valiant, and St. Galler Kantonalbank as well as insurers like AXA and Swisslife that are all are working together on a uniform interface standard for industry-specific use cases.
Digital money and digital assets are other trends set to make a significant impact in the financial industry, Stengel said, with innovation coming from both corporates and central banks.
In Switzerland, although the central bank has said that it has no plans to introduce a digital Swiss franc, it is nevertheless studying and piloting digital currency projects in partnership with the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) and the French central bank.
These developments come on the back of new legislation on distributed ledger technology (DLT). The DLT blanket act, which recently came into full force in Switzerland this month, aims to improve the conditions for blockchain and DLT companies in Switzerland and seeks to make the country an international pioneer in modern regulation of innovative financial market technologies.
“We have the great privilege in Switzerland of having innovation-friendly framework conditions – a top starting position,” Stengel praised. “Switzerland must continue to work actively on this.”
Stengel, a lawyer for financial market and data protection law, is an active and well-respected member of the Swiss fintech community. In addition to her work at SFTI, Stengel is also a member of expert groups of the Federal Administration, especially regarding DLT legislation, a permanent guest of the Expert Commission on Digitalisation of the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA) and a member of the working groups on financial market law, data protection/policy of economiesuisse.
This year, Stengel took the Fintech Influencer title at the 2021 Swiss Fintech Awards, and was recognized for her contribution to the Swiss fintech landscape.
The post SFTI Co-Director Cornelia Stengel Discusses Top Fintech Trends appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sfti-co-director-cornelia-stengel-discusses-top-fintech-trends</link><guid>2180</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>SFTI Co-Director Cornelia Stengel Discusses Top Fintech Trends</dc:text></item><item><title>Funding Circle Launches BNPL Offering ‘FlexiPay’ for SMEs</title><description><![CDATA[Funding Circle, a London-based lending platform for small businesses, has jumped on the Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) bandwagon with its own offering called FlexiPay.
FlexiPay enables businesses to spread any UK invoice or supplier payment over three months, with the initial payment made upfront on their behalf.
The feature has launched in beta to a selection of Funding Circle’s existing customers with interest-free repayments, and a 3% flat fee on each transaction.
New customers can join the waitlist and be next to access FlexiPay as it is rolled out more widely in the coming months.
The firm said that this new feature provides businesses with greater flexibility to negotiate with suppliers, deal with unexpected payments, buy equipment, and more.
Underpinned by powerful machine learning risk models and instant decision lending technology, FlexiPay offers a new and unique solution whereby businesses can apply within minutes and approved customers can access between £2,000 and £30,000 almost immediately.
Last year, Funding Circle accelerated the roll-out of its Instant Decision Lending, which now serves 50% of term loan customers.
This functionality has reportedly reduced the application time to an average of six minutes and wait for a decision to just nine seconds.
FlexiPay is the latest addition to Funding Circle’s suite of products, opening up the booming UK small business payments market currently valued at more than £1 trillion.
Funding Circle is also launching a waitlist for a business charge card to help small businesses manage their spending.
Lisa Jacobs
Lisa Jacobs, Europe Managing Director of Funding Circle said,
“We are really excited to be using our market-leading technology to launch FlexiPay, which is designed to support small businesses to manage and control their cash flow.
 
The new product enables businesses to buy now and pay later on any business spend in a way that suits them.”
 
Featured image: Lisa Jacobs, Europe Managing Director of Funding Circle
 
The post Funding Circle Launches BNPL Offering &#8216;FlexiPay&#8217; for SMEs appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/funding-circle-launches-bnpl-offering-flexipay-for-smes</link><guid>2179</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Funding Circle Launches BNPL Offering ‘FlexiPay’ for SMEs</dc:text></item><item><title>Digitale Buchhaltung: Lancierung einer Petition an den Bundesrat</title><description><![CDATA[Wundert sich in diesem Land eigentlich niemand darüber, wieso selbst digitalaffine KMU ihre Buchhaltung noch immer in Papier-Form führen?
Das Problem hat einen Namen: Geschäftsbücherverordnung (GeBüV). Nur ganz wenige KMU sind finanziell, organisatorisch oder technisch in der Lage, den Archivierungsprozessbdigital nach den hohen Anforderungen der GeBüV zu betreiben. Will sich ein KMU an die vom Bund vorgegebenen Regeln halten &#8211; und das sollte man in der Schweiz ja eigentlich voraussetzen, dann gehen die Kosten für eine konforme digitale Archivierung in die Zehntausende von Franken.
Deshalb will die Buchhaltungs-Firma Run my Accounts den Bundesrat in einer Petition auffordern, die Geschäftsbücherverordnung zu revidieren. Ziel dieser Revision: Alle KMU können ohne weiteres von der digitalen Buchhaltung profitieren.
Die Anforderungen der Geschäftsbücherverordnung sind für viele KMU zu hoch
Die Geschäftsbücherverordnung (GeBüV) fordert in Art. 9 Abs. 1 lit. b komplizierte Verfahren zur digitalen Aufbewahrung von Unterlagen: Belege sollen mit einer digitalen Signatur und einem Zeitstempel versehen werden, damit diese auf handelsüblichen Speichermedien archiviert werden dürfen. Darüber hinaus müssen die Verfahren dokumentiert und Logfiles gespeichert werden. Das von der Verordnung geforderte Verfahren ist für die meisten KMU zu teuer, zu komplex und zu riskant.
Papier-Buchhaltung ist Schweizer Standard
Thomas Brändle
Thomas Brändle, Geschäftsführer von Run my Accounts:
«Wer schon wagt es, die Geschäftsbücherverordnung zu missachten? Ein Verstoss kann schnell teuer werden! Weil die Anforderungen an ein digitales Archiv derart hoch sind, gehen die meisten KMU den sichersten und pragmatischen Weg: Sie führen ihre Buchhaltung weiterhin zu 100% in Papierform. Denn gemäss GeBüV ist dies bedenkenlos und ohne komplizierte Verfahren möglich.»
In einer Umfrage haben mehr als Hälfte der befragten Unternehmen angegeben, zwischen 60 und 100 Prozent aller Rechnungen in Papierform zu erhalten.
Das Potential der digitalen Buchhaltung ist riesig
Digitale Belege können automatisch und zeitnah bearbeitet werden. Dies reduziert die Administrationskosten und verbessert die finanzielle Transparenz von Unternehmen. Ausserdem wird der Papierverbrauch reduziert und die Umwelt geschont. Voraussetzung dafür ist jedoch, dass der Grossteil der Buchungsbelege in digitaler Form den Empfänger erreicht. Der Umweg über ein Papier ist heute nicht mehr zeitgemäss und er steht einer effizienteren Arbeitsweise im Weg.
Was fordert die Petition?
Die Petitionäre fordern, dass Unterlagen ohne digitale Signatur oder ähnliche Verfahren auf konventionellen Datenträgern aufbewahrt werden können, sofern der Nachweis der Korrektheit des Beleges über die Grundsätze ordnungsmässiger Buchführung nach OR 957ff erbracht werden kann. Eine digitale Signatur soll nur noch freiwillig auf einem Beleg angebracht werden, um die Rechtssicherheit zusätzlich zu verbessern. Damit sollen digital empfangene Rechnungen und sonstige Belege problemlos und ohne komplizierten Umweg auf einem handelsüblichen Speichermedium oder in der Cloud archiviert werden können.
The post Digitale Buchhaltung: Lancierung einer Petition an den Bundesrat appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digitale-buchhaltung-lancierung-einer-petition-an-den-bundesrat</link><guid>2171</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Digitale Buchhaltung: Lancierung einer Petition an den Bundesrat</dc:text></item><item><title>Andy Waar als Advisor zum WealthTech Kaspar&amp;</title><description><![CDATA[Das FinTech-Unternehmen Kaspar&amp; kann Andy Waar, Co-founder und ehemaligen CMO der Schweizer Neo-Bank Yapeal, als neuen Advisor gewinnen. Das Spin-off der Universität St. Gallen (HSG) und Eidgenössischen Technischen Hochschule (ETH) baut damit seine Marketing- und Kommunikationsexpertise weiter aus.
Konsequenter Ausbau beim St.Galler FinTech: Pünktlich zum Beginn seiner breiten Testphase baut Kaspar&amp; sein Advisory Board um einen renommierten Marketing- und Kommunikationsexperten aus. Andy Waar hatte vorher bereits als Co-founder der Neo-Bank Yapeal der Schweizer FinTech Szene gezeigt, dass Community Building und User Integration ein entscheidender Punkt in der Gewinnung breiter Kundengruppen ist. Mit Hilfe dieses Know-Hows kann nun auch Kaspar&amp; beginnen in die nächste Testphase einzusteigen.
Unmittelbar vor Start der Pionier-Phase
Kaspar&amp; hat im Frühjahr dieses Jahres seine erste Finanzierungsrunde abgeschlossen und Thierry Kneissler, ex-CEO von TWINT, dabei als Verwaltungsrat gewinnen können. Das inzwischen auf 7 Personen angewachsene Team ist nun in den finalen Zügen, um mit mehreren hundert vorregistrierten Testkunden beginnen zu können. Als Bankingpartner setzen die St.Galler dabei auf die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg. Nach erfolgreichem Abschluss der Testphase soll Kaspar&amp; dann ab Beginn nächsten Jahres für alle Kund:innen verfügbar werden.
Andy Waar
«Seit ich Vater geworden bin vor mehr als 7 Jahren, ist mir «Financial literacy» – also die «Finanzielle Allgemeinbildung» – ein ganz persönliches Anliegen geworden. Es freut mich, dass ich diesen Pfad nun auch mit Kaspar&amp; weiterhin unterstützen und mitgestalten darf. Ich glaube stark an ein Ökosystem, bei dem Konkurrenten mit dedizierten Dienstleistungen zu Partnern werden. Jede Firma steuert den Teil bei, den sie am besten kann. #BetterTogether ist nicht bloss ein Buzzwort – ich lebe das, nun auch mit Kasper&amp;!», sagt Andy Waar zur zukünftigen Zusammenarbeit mit Kaspar&amp;.
The post Andy Waar als Advisor zum WealthTech Kaspar&#038; appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/andy-waar-als-advisor-zum-wealthtech-kaspar</link><guid>2172</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Andy Waar als Advisor zum WealthTech Kaspar&amp;</dc:text></item><item><title>Heroes Secures US$200 Million to Acquire More Amazon Merchants and Upscale Them</title><description><![CDATA[Heroes, a London-based e-commerce company which acquires, operates and scales top performing Amazon brands, announced the closing of a US$200 million fundraise from US-based investor Crayhill Capital Management.
The fundraise will facilitate the next phase of Heroes’ rapid growth and enable it to acquire and scale consumer brands across the globe.
Since its launch in October 2020, Heroes has scaled its business in the UK, the EU, North America and Asia, and through multiple acquisitions has built a portfolio of category-leading consumer brands operating on global Amazon marketplaces.
Heroes integrates acquired brands onto its own tech-enabled and operational platform post acquisitions and rapidly scales the brands through operational optimisation across logistics, marketing, channel expansion and internationalisation.
Heroes uses a proprietary approach to identify, assess, acquire and optimise e-commerce brands which enables it to complete brand acquisitions in as little as three weeks.
Riccardo Bruni
Riccardo Bruni, Co-founder of Heroes said,
“By adding this significant amount of capital, we now have a high level of flexibility in executing on our growth plans and significantly expand and further diversify our brand portfolio.
 
We look forward to continuing our work with the new wave of outstanding entrepreneurs to give them a fast, seller-friendly and reliable way to sell their business, so they can reap the fruits of the hard work they have put into building their brands.”
Featured image: Heroes&#8217; founders
The post Heroes Secures US$200 Million to Acquire More Amazon Merchants and Upscale Them appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/heroes-secures-us200-million-to-acquire-more-amazon-merchants-and-upscale-them</link><guid>2173</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Heroes Secures US$200 Million to Acquire More Amazon Merchants and Upscale Them</dc:text></item><item><title>1,8 Millionen Euro Seed-Finanzierung für Krypto-Investment-Startup Coinpanion</title><description><![CDATA[Mitgründer von Scalable Capital und CLARK dabei bei der Investmentrunde in Krypto Investment Startup.
Coinpanion ermöglicht jedem, ohne jegliches Vorwissen, automatisiert vom Kryptowährungs-Markt zu profitieren. Dabei kümmert sich das Start-up um alles, vom einfachen Markteinstieg bis hin zum automatischen Management der Kryptowährungen.
Coinpanion verwaltet nach knapp einem Jahr bereits mehrere Millionen Euro für seine Kund*innen und erhält nun 1,8 Millionen Euro Seed-Investment von namhaften Investoren aus Deutschland und Österreich.
1,8 Millionen Euro Seed-Finanzierung für Krypto-Investment-Start-up Coinpanion
Lead-Investor der Runde ist der deutsche High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), einer der aktivsten Venture-Capital Fonds auf dem europäischen Markt. Zudem investieren Patrick Pöschl, Mitgründer des mittlerweile als Unicorn (über 1 Mrd. Euro Bewertung) bewerteten Münchner Robo-Advisors Scalable Capital, sowie Christopher Oster, CEO des Versicherungsmanagers CLARK.
Auch mit an Bord sind Florian Gschwandtner, Gründer der Fitness-App Runtastic und Jurymitglied der Start-up-TV-Show „2 Minuten 2 Millionen“, Österreichs wohl bekanntester Start-up-Investor Johann „Hansi“ Hansmann, der die grössten Start-up Exits Österreichs begleitet hat (u.a. Runtastic, Shpock, mySugr) und der Lead-Investor der Pre-Seed-Runde Frank Westermann, Mitgründer der Diabetes-App mySugr.
Bitcoin und Ethereum sind seit geraumer Zeit in aller Munde, während viele mit Begriffen wie Cardano, Chainlink oder EOS noch nicht wirklich etwas anzufangen wissen. Genau hier setzt Coinpanion an.
Alexander Valtingojer
„Unser Ziel ist es, den Zugang zum Kryptowährungs-Markt für die Allgemeinheit zu vereinfachen. Wir sind begeistert, dass wir einige der erfolgreichsten Unternehmer und Investoren in Deutschland und Österreich von unserer Vision überzeugen konnten“,
erklärt Alexander Valtingojer, Mitgründer und CEO von Coinpanion. Und das Coinpanion-Gründerteam hat große Pläne: Die 1,8 Millionen Euro Kapital sollen vor allem in das weitere Wachstum fließen.
„Wir wollen unser starkes Nutzer*innen-Wachstum weiter ausbauen. Außerdem planen wir, innerhalb eines Jahres von 18 auf 50 Mitarbeiter*innen zu wachsen”,
so Valtingojer.
Zu den Hintergründen der Seed-Finanzierung sagt Kilian von Berlichingen, Investment Manager beim Lead-Investor High-Tech Gründerfonds:
„Mit Coinpanion demokratisiert endlich ein Start-up den undurchsichtigen Kryptowährungs-Markt. Nun kann wirklich jeder ohne Vorkenntnisse zum Krypto-Investor werden!”
Coinpanion macht Kryptowährungs-Investments einfach
Coinpanion ermöglicht einen einfachen und sicheren Einstieg in die komplexe Welt der Kryptowährungen. Nutzer*innen können aus unterschiedlichen smarten Portfolios mit verschiedenen Risikostufen wählen, die sorgfältig vorselektierte Kryptowährungen beinhalten. Coinpanion verwaltet das Kryptowährungs-Investment danach automatisiert und bietet zusätzlich die Möglichkeit, Sparpläne abzuschließen. Mit der Coinpanion-App und dem Online-Zugang behalten Nutzer*innen immer und überall den Überblick über ihre Anlage. Jedes Portfolio ist mit modernsten Sicherheitsstandards geschützt, alle Kryptowährungen sind versichert.
 
Foto v.l.n.r.: Coinpanion Gründer-Team Alexander Valtingojer (CEO), Matthias Zandanel (CTO), Saad J. Wohlgenannt (CMO), Aaron Penn (Lead Developer) © Olga Kretsch
The post 1,8 Millionen Euro Seed-Finanzierung für Krypto-Investment-Startup Coinpanion appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/18-millionen-euro-seed-finanzierung-fur-krypto-investment-startup-coinpanion</link><guid>2174</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/coinpanion-1024x568.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>1,8 Millionen Euro Seed-Finanzierung für Krypto-Investment-Startup Coinpanion</dc:text></item><item><title>Prosus Inks Deal to Acquire BillDesk for US$4.7 Billion, Plans to Double Down on India</title><description><![CDATA[Prosus, a Dutch company that is the international internet assets division of South African multinational Naspers, is set to acquire Indian digital payments provider BillDesk for US$4.7 billion.
The proposed acquisition will see PayU, the payments and fintech business of Prosus, to meet the changing payments needs of digital consumers, merchants and Government enterprises in India.
PayU India and BillDesk will be running complementary businesses within India’s digital payment industry.
Together, the two expect to create a financial ecosystem handling four billion transactions annually which is four times PayU’s current level in India.
Prosus added that it will offer state-of-the-art technology to excluded sections of society, while adhering to the regulatory environment in India and delivering robust consumer protection.
The agreement builds on previous successful acquisitions by PayU in India, including CitrusPay, Paysense and Wibmo.
Bob van Dijk
Bob van Dijk, Group CEO of Prosus said,
“We’ve invested close to US$6 billion in Indian tech to date, and this deal will see that increase to more than US$10 billion.
 
BillDesk exemplifies the ambition and expertise of Indian entrepreneurs, who are among the best in the world, with exceptional abilities to build products and services and understand scale and value.&#8221;
M N Srinivasu
M N Srinivasu, Co-founder of BillDesk said,
“This investment by Prosus validates the significant opportunity in India for digital payments that is being propelled by innovation and the progressive regulatory framework put into place by the Reserve Bank of India, India’s central bank.
 
We are excited about what the two great teams at BillDesk and PayU can deliver together as a driving force within the evolving digital payments landscape in India.”
 
 
The post Prosus Inks Deal to Acquire BillDesk for US$4.7 Billion, Plans to Double Down on India appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/prosus-inks-deal-to-acquire-billdesk-for-us47-billion-plans-to-double-down-on-india</link><guid>2175</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Prosus Inks Deal to Acquire BillDesk for US$4.7 Billion, Plans to Double Down on India</dc:text></item><item><title>Digital Identity: the Foundation of a Tech-Based, Data-Driven Economy</title><description><![CDATA[Digital identity, one of the most significant technology trends, is becoming increasingly essential for organizations of all kinds, from private companies to government agencies and civil organizations, and for the people and organizations they serve.
These organizations are now relying on a range of digital identities not only for themselves and their employees, but also their co-workers, customers and citizens, as well as for their Internet-connected devices and applications, according to a new paper by Deloitte.
In a new paper titled The Future of Digital Identity: What does it mean for you?, the consulting firm delves into the different forms of digital identities.
The first kind of digital identities outlined in the paper are digital identities for customers. When properly managed, these can lead to increased customer loyalty and revenue. Not only that, but with the acceleration of digitization, customer requirements around digital experiences have changed, and are now defined by identity management, the paper says.
The Future of Digital Identity, Deloitte
In the future, Deloitte predicts that customers will expect organizations to have a single digital identity for them. This would provide them a seamless hybrid experience that connects their physical and digital behavior not only within individual organizations, but also across multiple organizations and governments.
The second kind of digital identities outlined are those for devices and applications. As societies move towards artificial intelligence (AI)–based decision-making, traditional ways of organizing and accessing data will not be sufficient.
AI and machine learning (ML) help organizations create and adopt automated processes across industries. Ultimately, these technologies will augment and replace low-level or non-scalable human decision making with machine-made decisions.
But in order for organizations to fully leverage automated decision-making, AI and machine-to-machine activity, they must analyze which operational processes require human access, which data is involved, and where privileged access is needed. This will require them to modernize their infrastructure, the paper says.
Finally, the third kind of digital identities outlined are those for employees and third-party co-workers. In this scenario, the purpose is to both facilitate employees and the organization in leveraging technology and data with low friction, and to protect the organization since with digital identities, organizations know and control who has access to which systems and data, and with which rights.
Ramping up national digital identity efforts
Unlike a paper-based identification such as most driver’s licenses and passports, a digital identity can be authenticated remotely over digital channels. It can be issued by a national or local government, a consortium of private or nonprofit organizations, or an individual entity.
Around the world, jurisdictions are introducing national digital identity schemes to simplify the use of online services offered by commercial businesses, facilitate contact with public institutions via e-government channels, and boost digital banking.
In India, the Aadhaar system provides each citizen with a unique 12-digit identification number that can be used to access a range of services.
Aadhaar has been combined with an ambitious financial development policy to provide a bank account to all households in India. In just one year, 166 million people had opened accounts as part of the program, and by 2019, that number had risen to almost 384 million. Today, more than 80% of all Indians have a bank account, up from half that level when the program started back in 2009.
In the European Union (EU), the European Commission (EC) released in June a framework for a digital identity scheme for all citizens, residents and businesses, allowing anyone in the bloc to prove their identity, share electronic documents and access online services from any device.
The European Digital Identity would allow EU citizens to access public and private services anywhere in the bloc as easily and conveniently as they would in their home country, whether that’s renting a flat, opening a bank account, enrolling at a European university, or checking in at the airport.
End-users would use digital wallets offered by their member states to store identity documents and other attributes including driving licenses, diplomas and bank accounts.
In Switzerland, a digital identity scheme is currently in the works despite recent setbacks.
In March, voters threw out a law governing a proposed digital identity system over data privacy concerns. The proposed digital identity verification system was to be licensed and controlled by the state but provided mainly by private companies.
Voters did not come out against a digital identity scheme in general but rather against the proposed solution, with many citing the need for a national digital identity scheme provided only by the government and under democratic control.
“We have no choice and must work towards a new solution, even if it takes several attempts,” Justice Minister Karin Keller-Sutter said during a news conference. “It is key for Switzerland to catch up with other countries when it comes digitalization.”
 
Featured image: Technology photo created by rawpixel.com &#8211; www.freepik.com
The post Digital Identity: the Foundation of a Tech-Based, Data-Driven Economy appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digital-identity-the-foundation-of-a-tech-based-data-driven-economy</link><guid>2176</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/deloitte-Digital-Identity-1024x576.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Digital Identity: the Foundation of a Tech-Based, Data-Driven Economy</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Stock Exchange SIX Gets Approval to Launch New Equity Segment for SMEs</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss stock exchange SIX is set to launch a new equity segment dedicated to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) dubbed as Sparks after receiving the necessary approvals from the relevant authorities.
SIX said in a statement that preparations for the launch of the platform are now under way.
With the launch of Spark, SMEs can be listed and traded in the new segment starting 1 October 2021. All relevant rules and regulations will be made public in the coming two weeks. SMEs will now be able to put their IPO projects in motion.
Listed SMEs will benefit from having greater flexibility in optimising their ownership structure, broadening their financing options and gaining access to a broad investor base thus raising equity-capital efficiently.
SIX said that investors stand to benefit from the new Sparks trading model which supports effective price formation and best-execution in equity securities.
It added that SMEs listed on Sparks benefit from the advantages of being a listed company on the Swiss stock exchange.
In addition, the Swiss stock exchange is putting the finishing touches to a new exclusive IPO training programme to be offered to Sparks IPO candidates in close collaboration with key capital market service providers.
The programme aims to ready these candidates and support them on their journey to going public. The B2B marketplace for entrepreneurs is now in the making as well and will help companies keep their focus on developing great products by bringing clarity to, and allowing discoverability of, key capital market services and providers.
SIX will also continuously develop established services such as Stage, which unlocks independent research coverage for SMEs, conferences connecting SMEs with investors, education workshops, and e-learning solutions.
Christian Reuss
Christian Reuss, Head SIX Swiss Exchange said,
“Having an SME stock exchange for Switzerland’s powerhouse SMEs &#8211; the backbone of our economy and society &#8211; enables us to further support them and their owners in their growth ambitions.
 
It also strengthens Switzerland’s exceptionally well-functioning ecosystem for public capital raising.”
Valeria Ceccarelli
Valeria Ceccarelli, Head Primary Markets, SIX Swiss Exchange said,
“Sparks is one more key element in our ongoing efforts to help SMEs benefit from public capital markets.
 
We recently announced our partnership with Venturelab to develop new capital market services for scale-ups by bringing the expertise of the Swiss stock exchange together with Venturelab’s deep understanding of the needs and ambitions of entrepreneurs.“
 
The post Swiss Stock Exchange SIX Gets Approval to Launch New Equity Segment for SMEs appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-stock-exchange-six-gets-approval-to-launch-new-equity-segment-for-smes</link><guid>2177</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Stock Exchange SIX Gets Approval to Launch New Equity Segment for SMEs</dc:text></item><item><title>Facebook Readies Novi Launch; Digital Currency Wallet Could Support NFTs</title><description><![CDATA[Facebook is preparing for the launch of Novi, a digital currency wallet that will be integrated into its multiple apps. David Marcus, the head of Facebook Financial (F2), the internal group developing the digital wallet, said Novi could be supporting non-fungible tokens (NFTs), an emerging type of digital tokens used to represent ownership of unique items.
In a memo on August 18, 2021, Marcus said that Novi was “ready to come to market,” adding that it has secured “licenses or [regulatory] approvals … in nearly every [US] state.”
The release could potentially happen before the introduction of Diem, the stablecoin and payment system the company has been working on through a consortium. Marcus told The Information however that he would prefer releasing Novi alongside Diem.
Designed for the Diem payment system, Novi, formerly known as Calibra, will offer free peer-to-peer (P2P) payments both domestically and internationally as well as “cheaper merchant payments to businesses,” he said, and could also incorporate products and features related to NFTs.
“We’re definitely looking at the number of ways to get involved in the space because we think we’re in a really good position to do so,” Marcus told Bloomberg Television. “When you have a good crypto wallet like Novi will be, you also have to think about how to help consumers support NFTs.”
NFTs, which are used to represent an array of things ranging from artwork and collectibles, to in-game assets, have been all the rage this year.
In Q1 2021 alone, sales of NFTs soared to over US$2 billion, more than 20 times the volume of Q4 2021, according to a report from NonFungible.com, a website that tracks NFT transactions and marketplaces.
Facebook first announced its stablecoin project, initially called Libra, back in 2019. The stablecoin originally sought to be backed by a basket of currencies including the US dollar, the euro, the Japanese yen, the British pound and the Singapore dollar, but later scaled down its vision to focus on launching a single coin backed one-for-one by the US dollar.
It rebranded to Diem at the end of 2020 after being met with severe backlash from regulators who worried it could threaten monetary stability, become a hotbed for money laundering, and infringe on users’ privacy,
Diem is backed by over 20 firms and non-profit organizations, which alongside Facebook, include publicly listed crypto exchange Coinbase, Singapore sovereign wealth fund Temasek, and venture capital (VC) firm Andreessen Horowitz.
Novi: what we know so far
Novie Homepage
Slated to launch by the end of 2021, Novi is designed for the Diem payment system, which comprises three core elements: a blockchain-based technological backbone of the payment system; Diem stablecoins backed by a reserve of assets made up of cash and short-term government securities; and governance by the Diem Association, the membership organization tasked with developing and operating the Diem payment system.
Initially, the system will support a few digital currencies including stablecoins pegged to the US dollar (≋USD), the British pound (≋GBP), and the euro (≋EUR), according to the Novi website. The Diem payment system will also support a combination of these digital currencies, ≋XDX. Over time, it intends to support additional digital currencies.
Users will be able to use Novi to purchase Diem tokens using their local currency, store them, use them to pay for everyday transactions, and send funds around the world, the website says.
Novi will be integrated into the Facebook, WhatsApp and Messenger apps but will also be available as a stand-alone app in the App Store and Google Play for users who don’t use these services.
As part of creating a new account, Novi will require full customer due diligence, including identification through the uploading of a government-issued identification, Marcus said.
Facebook’s fintech moves
Though Novi will focus on payment functionalities at the beginning, it will “branch out and offer a variety of other financial services in partnership with respected and well-regulated partners, and expand from there” once the digital currency wallet achieves a meaningful customer base, Marcus said in his memo.
Facebook has been an actor in the payment industry since at least 2009 when it started Facebook Payments. In the past four quarters, some US$100 billion worth of transactions have been enabled by Facebook, Marcus said.
This year, Facebook launched its payment capabilities on the WhatsApp platform in Brazil, introduced a loan program for small businesses in India, and began expanding its Facebook Pay feature beyond its own platforms, starting with Shopify.
Facebook’s payment business operates in over 160 countries, allowing individuals and businesses to make P2P payments, shop, make in-game purchases and donate in 55 different currencies.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/facebook-readies-novi-launch-digital-currency-wallet-could-support-nfts</link><guid>2178</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Novie-Homepage-1024x690.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Facebook Readies Novi Launch; Digital Currency Wallet Could Support NFTs</dc:text></item><item><title>Yapeal Introduces Youth Banking Service Yapini</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss digital challenger bank Yapeal recently released a new digital banking service for children and youth. Called Yapini, the offering is aimed at enabling money management services for young customers.
Yapini comes with savings, digital payments and financial security features, as well as a debit card. For parents with a paid premium account at Yapeal, the Yapini service is free.
Users of Yapeal’s Private or Private+ service will gain access to the bank’s Yapini offering, whereas Loyalty users can test the service for free over three months. Parental controls are enabled on Yapini accounts, including spending limits on Yapini debit cards.
YAPEAL Pocketmoney
The solution has been developed in close conjunction with parents and is available to users above the age of seven.
Youth banking is gaining popularity
Youth banking has gradually been picking pace in the EU. For instance, Revolut introduced similar parent-control Junior accounts for young customers last year. Aimed at children aged between 7 and 17 years, Revolut Junior integrates directly with the parent’s main Revolut app.
Elsewhere, Fintune has the Finny Kids app for children aged 7-12 years, parents can open a children’s account with KBC, and other similar solutions such as Kard, PixPay and Xaalys also cater to this market.
The post Yapeal Introduces Youth Banking Service Yapini appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/yapeal-introduces-youth-banking-service-yapini</link><guid>2170</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/YAPEAL-Pocketmoney-1024x997.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Yapeal Introduces Youth Banking Service Yapini</dc:text></item><item><title>Amazon Taps Affirm to Offer BNPL Payment Option at Checkout</title><description><![CDATA[Affirm, a US-based Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) firm, announced that its flexible payment solution will soon be available to Amazon.com customers at checkout.
In a joint statement, Amazon and Affirm said that they are testing with select customers now, and in the coming months, Amazon plans to make Affirm more broadly available to its customers.
As a result of Amazon and Affirm&#8217;s partnership, select Amazon customers now have the option to split the total cost of purchases of US$50 or more into simple monthly payments by using Affirm.
Approved customers are shown the total cost of their purchase upfront and will not have to pay more than what they agree to at checkout.
According to Affirm, consumers will not be charged any late or hidden fees.
Eric Morse
“By partnering with Amazon we’re bringing the transparency, predictability and affordability that Affirm provides today to the millions of people who shop on Amazon.com in the US.
 
Offering Affirm’s alternative to credit cards also delivers more of the payment choice and flexibility consumers on Amazon want.”
said Eric Morse, Senior Vice President of Sales at Affirm.
 

The post Amazon Taps Affirm to Offer BNPL Payment Option at Checkout appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/amazon-taps-affirm-to-offer-bnpl-payment-option-at-checkout</link><guid>2169</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/AM-2.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Amazon Taps Affirm to Offer BNPL Payment Option at Checkout</dc:text></item><item><title>Privatam Appoints Veteran Banker as Sales Director for LATAM Expansion Plans</title><description><![CDATA[Monaco-based wealthtech firm Privatam has appointed Jose Carlos Reis as its Sales Director for the Latin American market to consolidate its presence in the South American region.
Prior to joining Privatam, Jose Carlos Reis worked at BB Securities Asia (Banco do Brasil group) in Singapore as Executive Director, Head of Institutional Sales and held various positions at Banco BPI, Portugal, leading institutional sales teams, structuring investment solutions, trading derivatives, Latam fixed income and equities.
Jose Carlos has an extensive track record in the finance industry, with over eighteen years of experience advising institutional investors in Asia, Europe and Latin America.
He is a CFA Charter holder, holds an Executive MBA from INSEAD and a B.Sc. in Applied Mathematics from the University of Coimbra.
Jose Carlos
Jose Carlos said on his appointment,
&#8220;It is with great joy that I join Privatam in Monaco to leverage the business in Latin America. A state-of-the-art technological platform combined with strong partnerships provide unique investment solutions for wealth managers in a simple, flexible, and efficient way.
 
It is a privilege to be back in Europe and to work with such an experienced, diverse, and agile team. I look forward to contributing to Privatam’s growth and success in the years to come.”
Thomas Schmidlin, Head of Investment Solutions said,
“Jose Carlos will help us to support our position as a leading independent Structured Products provider and further expand our business in the LATAM region.
 
We are very happy to be able to hire such an impressive profile and we are looking forward to a great and fruitful collaboration with Jose Carlos&#8221;.

The post Privatam Appoints Veteran Banker as Sales Director for LATAM Expansion Plans appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/privatam-appoints-veteran-banker-as-sales-director-for-latam-expansion-plans</link><guid>2168</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/AM-2.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Privatam Appoints Veteran Banker as Sales Director for LATAM Expansion Plans</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Space Is in Good Shape but There’s Still Room for Improvement</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss Federal Council is looking to strengthen the country&#8217;s appeal as an ideal location for startups and has tasked the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) to examine Switzerland&#8217;s startup ecosystem.
The subsequent report reveals that this ecosystem is generally in good shape but states that there is room for improvement in a number of areas.
The EAER is therefore proposing to the Federal Council various measures to be examined in greater detail; namely ways of optimising technology transfer, boosting internationalisation, improving access to skilled workers and honing regulation.
In view of the fact that numerous states have launched extensive programmes to support startups in recent years, measures for a more active growth strategy should also be examined in order to strengthen Switzerland&#8217;s appeal as a location for startups in the long term.
To this end, the Federal Council has decided in particular to comprehensively examine the advantages and disadvantages of a Swiss innovation fund.
The aim is to explore the extent to which such a fund could expand the venture capital market in Switzerland and thus improve the growth opportunities of innovative companies in Switzerland.
On 25 August, the Federal Council tasked the EAER and the FDJP with examining the various measures in greater detail. The findings are expected to be presented in June 2022.
 
Featured image: Photo by Nadine Marfurt on Unsplash 
 
The post Swiss Fintech Space Is in Good Shape but There’s Still Room for Improvement appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-space-is-in-good-shape-but-theres-still-room-for-improvement</link><guid>2167</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Space Is in Good Shape but There’s Still Room for Improvement</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Blockchain Hackathon Set to Kick off Soon!</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss Blockchain Hackathon will take place from 29 to 31 October 2021 and will be held as part of the NTN Innovation Booster &#8211; Blockchain Nation Switzerland.
The multi-year funding programme was initiated by the Swiss agency for innovation promotion Innosuisse.
Together with the consortium partner Trust Square, the hackathon will be organised simultaneously at various locations in Switzerland in a hybrid format.
Around 500 developers and innovators from Switzerland and abroad are expected both on and offline to work on various tasks and compete for prizes.
The goal is to have developed working prototypes that offer solutions to real challenges after about 60 hours. The specific tasks will be published in the coming weeks.
Blockchain protocols Streamr, Velas, Algorand and NEAR, the licensed SEBA Bank with core competence in the area of digital assets and Bitcoin Suisse, the Swiss market leader in crypto-finance services, will support the second edition of the largest Swiss Blockchain Hackathon.
Blockchain protocols will provide developers with access to their platforms and corporate partners define industry-specific vertical challenges.
This way, the suitable applications can be constructed on the right platform. Participation for corporate partners is possible until the end of September and is free of charge.
Over CHF 100,000 in cash and non-cash prizes as well as paid-out tokens await as a reward.
In addition, the corporate acceleration phase of the NTN Innovation Booster will start afterward, in which the most promising ideas will be included.
This year&#8217;s Swiss Blockchain Hackathon aims to transfer the enthusiasm for decentralised technologies and the outstanding knowledge within the Swiss blockchain community to tangible applications and business models for various industries.
On the one hand, this will promote a sustainable technology ecosystem and, on the other, further strengthen Switzerland&#8217;s position as a leading location for research and development in blockchain.
Marc Degen
Marc Degen, Co-founder of Trust Square said,
&#8220;The Swiss Blockchain Hackathon advances the application and acceptance of blockchain technology, not least by hacking feasible solutions for real issues within a very short time.
 
This helps Switzerland to expand its pioneering role in the adaptation of new technologies. We are proud of the Swiss Blockchain Hackathon &#8211; the last one was great fun, and we are looking forward to the second round.&#8221;
 
The post Swiss Blockchain Hackathon Set to Kick off Soon appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-blockchain-hackathon-set-to-kick-off-soon</link><guid>2166</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Blockchain Hackathon Set to Kick off Soon!</dc:text></item><item><title>F10’s Swiss Accelerator Picks 12 Startups Focused on Sustainable Finance and SMEs</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss fintech incubator and accelerator F10 has selected 12 growth-stage startups with a focus on sustainable finance and small and mid-size enterprise (SME) services.
The startups were selected from a total 384 applications globally joining the newly designed accelerator at its Zurich hub.
The 3-month programme which kicks off on the 6th of September aims to accelerate post-revenue startups and to facilitate successful collaborations with F10 corporate partners.
The accelerator looks to setting the stage for and developing successful collaborations, implemented via a 360 degree startup analysis, an in-depth collaboration playbook facilitated by a dedicated F10 coach, and regular knowledge and experience exchange between participating startups and the corporate partners.
Startups selected for this new accelerator will gain life-time access to the F10 Startup Services.
This comprises flexible, on-demand content spanning the F10 Academy, online learning and peer to peer exchange based on startups’ needs, the F10 Mentor programme, access to a network of more than 250 mentors across all hubs, as well as the F10 Investor Introduction Service.
Gerrit Sindermann
“This corporate program has been developed based on 5 years of practical experience with open innovation challenges of different corporate partners.
 
It is a structured process to identify and assess the most suitable entrepreneurial partners and to facilitate an efficient and effective start of a corporate-startup collaboration.”
said Gerrit Sindermann, Head of F10 Switzerland.
 
The 12 startups selected for the F10 Acceleration Programme Fall 2021 in Zurich are:
Divizend (Germany)

Divizend is the leading international wealth-tax platform for the fastest way to reclaim foreign dividend withholding taxes by automating this process in a novel, intuitive, price-competitive way. With our holistic approach verbalized by the claim “Find, Act, Maximize”, Divizend‘s platform will be the central place for investors striving for high dividend earnings.
Actesy (Switzerland)
actesy provides turnkey data solutions for executives and companies. They don’t have to be experts in data science. actesy enables them to create cost and resources efficiencies, optimize processes and harness innovation. Our solutions are compliant and future-proof enabling access to consolidated data quickly and easily, and creating seamless tasks’ automation.
Deedster (Sweden)

Deedster enables the shift to sustainable lifestyles using technology, gamification and climate-psychology. With our digital platform our corporate customers engage their employees or customers in taking action for the climate and in doing so creating a powerful branding for themselves and real climate impact.
Urgentem (UK)
Urgentem is the award-winning, independent provider of transparent emissions data and climate risk analytics to the finance industry. Urgentem pioneers in tracking entire value chain emissions data and has an innovative Climate Risk Platform. We provide tools and solutions to enable financial services industry manage climate-transition risk and identify opportunities.
Proof of Impact (USA)

POI has built a digital impact data performance platform to uniquely offer collection, verification, analysis and trading of impact data for the private market in the most reliable, scalable and costs efficient way. It was awarded “Best in Class” by Swiss Development Corporation out of 86 impact data providers.
Art Recognition (Switzerland)

At Art Recognition we have developed an AI system which can establish the authenticity of an artwork by analyzing its photograph. The algorithm learns the main characteristics of an artist from photographs of original artworks by that artist and can subsequently determine whether a submitted artwork is original or fake.
SignD Identity (Austria)
We offer different onboarding solutions in a single easy-to-use platform. With SignD Quantum our customers can handle over 10 different KYC, KYB, AML, PEP, Document, Identity, Open Banking technologies and easily tailor the onboarding flow that they need. Don ́t lose your time looking for multiple products and data providers!
Weave.AI (USA)

Weave.AI helps investors evaluate the materiality of ESG claims, improve portfolio allocation, reduce investment risks, and better engage stakeholders. It employs advanced AI to automatically and transparently analyze and benchmark ESG disclosures and performance. Companies also employ Weave.AI to automate the end-to-end benchmarking and improvement of their ESG profiles.
SwIDch (UK)

We are committed to bringing secure authentication to every digital identity even in the off-the-network environment. Based on the world’s first one-way dynamic authentication technology, swIDch sets a new standard for authentication in cybersecurity beyond the limitations of existing technologies.
Surfly (Netherlands)

Surfly is a high-growth and award-winning Amsterdam-based start-up building interaction middleware that can share, secure and transform web experiences. We help our clients thrive in the era of digital transformation and remote product / service distribution, especially in highly regulated industries. Our mission is to innovate online interactions.
Sustema (Switzerland)

Sustema analyses corporate behavior using publicly available data to improve the underwriting performance of commercial insurers. We have shown loss ratio gains of 28% with customers in Switzerland, Germany, UK and the US in backtesting of their portfolios.
Konfuzio (Germany)

Helm &amp; Nagel is the service provider and Konfuzio is the product, an extensible AI end-to-end platform that enables Data Scientists to quickly build state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence pipelines on data in business documents in a sandbox, integrate AI as containerized workloads to automate processes and improve them with humans in the feedback loop via a user-friendly web interface.
 
The post F10’s Swiss Accelerator Picks 12 Startups Focused on Sustainable Finance and SMEs appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/f10s-swiss-accelerator-picks-12-startups-focused-on-sustainable-finance-and-smes</link><guid>2164</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Divizend-logo-300x44.png</dc:content ><dc:text>F10’s Swiss Accelerator Picks 12 Startups Focused on Sustainable Finance and SMEs</dc:text></item><item><title>Inyova launcht nachhaltiges 3a-Vorsorge-Produkt</title><description><![CDATA[Inyova, was sich auf Impact Investing spezialisiert, hat die Einführung eines vollständig nachhaltigen 3a-Produktes bekannt gegeben. Das Produkt soll im Herbst verfügbar sein und enthält erstmals die Möglichkeit, auch bei der Vorsorge über die Auswahl von Einzelaktien einen nachhaltigen Impact zu schaffen.
Tillmann Lang
„Impact Investing ist durch seine langfristige Ausrichtung und einen ausgewogenen Blick auf die Technologien und Geschäftsmodelle der Zukunft für die Vorsorge in der 3a hervorragend geeignet. Wir freuen uns, ein Produkt anbieten zu können, das die grossen Herausforderungen unserer Zeit – wie den Klimawandel – angeht, und gerade dadurch eine tolle langfristige Vermögensperspektive bietet“,
erklärt Tillmann Lang, CEO und Co-Gründer von Inyova.
Mit der massgeschneiderten Inyova-Lösung haben Kunden die Möglichkeit nicht nur für ihre eigene finanzielle Zukunft, sondern auch für die des Planeten Sorge zu tragen. „3a ist damit in einer neuen Dimension angekommen“, so Lang weiter.
„Neben dem Steuervorteil liefert das Produkt einen nachhaltigen Impact, ohne Kompromisse bei der Rendite machen zu müssen.”
Bereits über 1.000 Voranmeldungen gab es in den ersten 24 Stunden nach der Live-Schaltung der Warteliste. „Wir wussten von vielen Kundenanfragen aus den vergangenen Monaten, dass die Nachfrage nach einem nachhaltigen 3a-Produkt gross ist“, berichtet Lang.
„Die Resonanz hat uns dann aber doch noch einmal überrascht. Wir werden natürlich versuchen so vielen Leuten wie möglich noch dieses Steuerjahr Zugriff auf unsere Lösung zu geben.“
Aktuell sind mehr als 1.500 Schweizer*innen auf der Liste. Eine Möglichkeit, auf der Warteliste aufzusteigen, ist die Weiterempfehlung des nachhaltigen 3a-Produktes.
Für zusätzlichen Impact pflanzt Inyova für jede Registrierung einen Baum. Studien der ETH haben ergeben, dass globale Aufforstungsprogramme das Potenzial haben, zwei Drittel der Treibhausgase zu reduzieren.
So funktioniert die 3a-Lösung bei Inyova
Maximal 6&#8217;833 CHF pro Jahr können Anleger*innen als 3a-Vorsorge bei Inyova in nachhaltige Unternehmen investieren. Dabei ist kein Finanzwissen notwendig, denn sie werden durch den Portfolioprozess digital geleitet. So erhalten die Verbraucher*innen 100 Prozent Transparenz, in was sie investieren und zu welchen Kosten.
Es stehen 24 verschiedene Impact-Themen zur Auswahl (Handabdruck, Fussabdruck, Exklusion), aus denen Anleger*innen eine auf ihre persönlichen Werte basierende Anlagestrategie erstellen. Um eine entsprechende Diversifizierung zu gewährleisten, enthalten die Inyova-Portfolios zwischen 35 und 40 verschiedene Einzeltitel. Anleger*innen investieren in einzelne Aktien, z. B. Tesla und Beyond Meat sowie Anleihen. Sie können sich als Anteilseigner*innen für die Themen einsetzen, die ihnen wichtig sind. Alle Portfolios sind voll diversifiziert und risikooptimiert.
Die Portfolio-Unternehmen werden kontinuierlich im Hinblick auf ihre finanzielle Performance, vor allem aber auf ihre ökologischen und sozialen Initiativen sowie Auswirkungen analysiert. So stellt Inyova sicher, dass sich nur Unternehmen in den Portfolios befinden, die nachhaltige Lösungen entwickeln (Handabdruck), selbst hohe Nachhaltigkeitsstandards umsetzen (Fussabdruck) oder gar bestimmte nicht nachhaltige Bereiche wie fossile Brennstoffe (Exklusion) ausschliessen. Als Aktionär*innen können die Anleger*innen die Unternehmen direkt beeinflussen und werden so zu Impact Investor*innen.
The post Inyova launcht nachhaltiges 3a-Vorsorge-Produkt appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/inyova-launcht-nachhaltiges-3a-vorsorge-produkt</link><guid>2163</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Inyova launcht nachhaltiges 3a-Vorsorge-Produkt</dc:text></item><item><title>Corporate Card Startup Ramp Bags US$300 Million, Acquires Buyer</title><description><![CDATA[Corporate credit card startup Ramp announced that it has raised US$300 million in a Series C funding round which now values the firm at US$3.9 billion. Ramp has raised over US$620 million to date in a mix of equity and debt financing.
Founders Fund led the round, with participation from Redpoint Ventures, Thrive Capital, D1 Capital Partners, Spark Capital, Coatue Management, Iconiq, Altimeter, Stripe, Vista Public Strategies, Lux Capital, A* Partners, Definition Capital, Honeycomb, Kinetic, and other existing investors.
Ramp said that it intends to use the new financing to accelerate development of its finance automation platform, designed to help businesses save time and money.
Additionally, Ramp has also acquired Buyer to offer a negotiation-as-a-service platform to save its clients an average of 27.3% on big ticket purchases such as annual software contracts.
With the addition of the Buyer team, Ramp will be able to offer a customised and proactive approach to savings on large purchases, beyond the generic perks and discounts that most corporate cards offer today.
In the longer term Ramp also intends to expand its product offering as a result of the Buyer acquisition.
The firm reported that it has over 2,000 US businesses using its primary spend management solution leading to a tripling of transaction volume on Ramp corporate cards since the company’s US$115 million Series B announced in April 2021.
Eric Glyman
“We founded Ramp with the intent to empower businesses. Ramp’s mission is to save our customers time and money so they can focus on their mission. Frankly the current state of finance tools and legacy card programs is not acceptable.
 
They trap finance teams into doing unproductive ‘busy work’. This funding will allow us to automate away even more of those tasks so that finance teams can focus on being more strategic.”
said Eric Glyman, Co-Founder and CEO of Ramp.
Kimia Hamidi
“Over the course of the pandemic software spending ballooned. It is now the second largest line item for companies. By finding better value on these purchases, we’ve been able to have a meaningful impact on the bottom line for many businesses.
 
We couldn’t be more excited about joining the Ramp team, because both of our companies care deeply about helping our customers achieve more through savings. Joining Ramp will allow us to scale this vision.”
said Kimia Hamidi, Founder and CEO of Buyer.
 

 
Featured image credit: Screengrab from Ramp
The post Corporate Card Startup Ramp Bags US$300 Million, Acquires Buyer appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/corporate-card-startup-ramp-bags-us300-million-acquires-buyer</link><guid>2162</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/AM-1.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Corporate Card Startup Ramp Bags US$300 Million, Acquires Buyer</dc:text></item><item><title>With 120+ Unicorns, Tiger Global Management Has Backed the Most Billion-Dollar Companies</title><description><![CDATA[With more than 120 unicorn companies in its portfolio, US-based Tiger Global Management is the world’s top unicorn investor, way ahead of SoftBank Group with 77 unicorns and ranked second, and Coatue Management with 61 and ranked third, data from CB Insights show.
Over 350 institutional investors boast at least five unicorns in their portfolios but Tiger Global Management tops the ranking. Tiger Global Management, one of the most profitable tech investors, holds stakes in more billion-dollar companies than any other firms. Tiger Global Management is known for its fast-paced investing style, and this year, it has already invested in more than 170 venture deals in startups.
Tiger Global Management’s unicorn portfolio companies include ByteDance, the owner of TikTok, Stripe, the world’s most valuable fintech company, Nubank, Brazil’s top digital bank, Checkout.com, an online payment services provider, Chime, a mobile banking startup, and Grab, one of Southeast Asia’s so-called super apps.
After Tiger Global Management, SoftBank Group was found to be the second largest unicorn investor. Japan’s SoftBank Group primarily invests in companies operating in the tech, energy, and financial sectors. It also runs the Vision Fund, the world’s largest tech-focused venture capital (VC) fund, with over US$100 billion in capital, backed by sovereign wealth funds from countries in the Middle East.
In the fintech space, SoftBank has invested in unicorn startups like Klarna, the world’s leading buy now, pay later (BNPL) provider, One97 Communications, the owner and operator of India’s largest online commerce platform and mobile wallet Paytm, and Creditas, a Brazilian lending business.
At the third position is Coatue Management, a US-based global tech-focused investment manager. Coatue Management invests in both the public and private markets with a focus on tech, media, and telecommunications, as well as the consumer and healthcare sectors.
Coatue Management has invested in fintech unicorns such as Bitmain Technologies, a semiconductor companies providing hardware and solutions for blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI), Fireblocks, a digital asset custody, transfer and settlement platform, and Ramp Financial, a provider of corporate cards designed to save businesses money.
Top unicorn investors, data as of Q2 2021, Source: CB Insights
Most efficient unicorn investors
In addition to its ranking of the world’s top unicorn investors, the CB Insights report also looks at each of the top ten unicorn investors’ so-called efficiency rate.
This rate corresponds to the proportion of total unicorn investments to the number of those investments made at the early stage. It’s indicative of a firm’s unicorn investment prowess and of expertise in assessing future winners and champions early on in their journey.
Accel, Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia Capital China emerged as the most efficient unicorn investors, having invested in 51%, 37% and 36% of their unicorn portfolio companies at the early stages (seed or Series A funding), respectively.
Examples of fintech unicorns in which these investors have invested in early on include peer-to-peer payment technology company Circle (Accel), startup-focused banking services provider Mercury (Andreessen Horowitz), and cross-border payments and foreign exchange platform Airwallex (Sequoia Capital China).
Top 10 unicorn investors&#8217; efficiency, data as of Q2 2021, Source: CB Insights
Looking more broadly at all investors that have backed at least 10 unicorns, Benchmark tops the list in efficiency for early-stage unicorn investments at 80%, followed by Social Capital (75%) and 5Y Capital (71%).
Most efficient unicorn investors, data as of Q2 2021, Source: CB Insights
As of August 2021, there were more than 800 unicorns around the world worth a combined US$2,588 billion, according to CB Insights data. 131 of these billion-dollar companies operate in the fintech space, and have a cumulative valuation of US$516 billion.
Among the top 20 most valuable private companies, eight are fintechs: Stripe (US$95 billion valuation), Klarna (US$45.6 billion valuation), Revolut (US$33 billion valuation), Nubank (US$30 billion), Chime (US$25 billion valuation), FTX (US$18 billion valuation), One97 Communications (US$16 billion valuation), and Checkout.com (US$15 billion).
The post With 120+ Unicorns, Tiger Global Management Has Backed the Most Billion-Dollar Companies appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/with-120-unicorns-tiger-global-management-has-backed-the-most-billion-dollar-companies</link><guid>2160</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Top-unicorn-investors-data-as-of-Q2-2021-Source-CB-Insights.png</dc:content ><dc:text>With 120+ Unicorns, Tiger Global Management Has Backed the Most Billion-Dollar Companies</dc:text></item><item><title>55% of World Top Banks Have Invested in Blockchain and Crypto Companies</title><description><![CDATA[In 2021, blockchain and cryptocurrencies continue to be a hot field for banks to be in as they look to capitalize on the emerging asset class. According to new data from Blockdata, a CB Insights company, out of the world’s top 100 banks by assets under management (AuM), 55 have invested in crypto and blockchain companies either directly or through subsidiaries.
With 22 investments into blockchain and crypto companies, Barclays takes the lead and is currently the most active investor in the space, the research found. Barclays has invested in companies such as Everledger, a startup that leverages blockchain and the Internet-of-Things (IoT) to offer supply chain transparency, and R3, a provider of enterprise technology and services and the developer of open source distributed ledger technology (DLT) project Corda.
Blarclays is followed by Citibank with 14 investments (e.g. Chain, Digital Asset and Komgo), BNP Paribas with nine (e.g. METRON, TradeIX and Token), and JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co. (e.g. ConsenSys and Axoni) and Goldman Sachs (e.g. Coin Metrics, Circle and Veem), both with eight.
Since funding rounds count numerous investors, it’s not possible to determine how much investment these banks have each committed in total. As a proxy of this, Blockdata looked at valuations of the rounds they participated in to get a sense of which financial institutions are betting big on the space, and ranked them accordingly.
Based on this, Standard Chartered was found to be the most active investor in the biggest funding rounds (US$380 million in six funding rounds). Standard Chartered has invested in the likes of Ripple, a blockchain-based digital payment network and protocol, Dianrong, the provider of a supply chain finance for small businesses, and Metaco, a Swiss digital asset custody startup.
Standard Chartered is followed by BNY Mellon (US$321 million in five funding rounds), and Citibank (US$279 million in 14 funding rounds).
Top Banks Investing in Crypto and Blockchain Companies (July 2021), Source: Blockdata.tech, August 2021
Focus on crypto custody
A deeper look into investment trends shows that banks are actively investing in crypto custody. Crypto custody solutions are third-party providers of storage and security services for digital assets. Their services are mainly aimed at institutional investors such as hedge funds who hold large amount of bitcoin, ether and other cryptocurrencies.
Booming interest in custody services comes on the back of rising demand from investors for exposure to the new asset class.
In Switzerland, blockchain-focused early stage venture capital (VC) investor CV VC deemed 2021 as “the tipping point” for acceptance of cryptocurrencies and digital assets, noting in its latest industry report that over 14 private, retail and online banks were active in the digital asset space. Interviews with senior executives from the Swiss financial sector revealed that more digital asset offerings were planned to hit the market later this year.
According to Blockdata, 23 out of the top 100 banks by AuM are either building custody solutions, or investing in the companies that provide them. Alongside Metaco, other custody and security services providers that are backed by the world’s largest banks include Fireblocks, Paxos, Nydig and Cobalt.
67 blockchain companies invested in by the top 100 banks, Source: Blockdata.tech, August 2021
Switzerland’s DLT Act came into full force this month, entailing various improvements to the legal framework in connection with the use of decentralized technologies and blockchain. Among other things, the new legislation introduces so-called ledger-based securities, as well as the DLT/Security Token Exchange, a new form of license for trading venues for digital assets.
DLT trading facilities focus on trading DLT-based securities, cryptocurrencies as well as utility tokens. They differ from traditional trading venues and token exchanges in that they are allowed to serve retail customers, can clear and settle transactions with DLT securities, and can hold DLT securities and tokens in safe custody.
The post 55% of World Top Banks Have Invested in Blockchain and Crypto Companies appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/55-of-world-top-banks-have-invested-in-blockchain-and-crypto-companies</link><guid>2161</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>55% of World Top Banks Have Invested in Blockchain and Crypto Companies</dc:text></item><item><title>WorldRemit Raises US$292 Million at a Valuation of US$5 Billion, Rebrands as Zepz</title><description><![CDATA[Zepz, a digital cross-border payments platform formerly known as WorldRemit, has raised US$292 million in a Series E financing round to achieve a valuation of US$5 billion.
The round includes new equity investors Farallon Capital among others, as well as backing from existing investors Leapfrog, TCV and Accel.
Bloomberg had previously reported that the firm was raising funds ahead of a potential initial public offering in 2022.
The firm rebranded as Zepz following the acquisition of Africa-focused remittance app Sendwave in 2021 to have a combined user base of over 11 million customers across 150 countries.
Zepz said that it will to continue to invest in its technology, platform and customer proposition.
The firm added that it sees significant growth opportunities both in its existing markets by driving engagement and deeper market penetration, as well as expanding into new markets and further extending its platform to offer additional value-added services to its users.
In 2020, Zepz’ brands enabled over 4.5 million monthly transactions on its platform generating almost US$10 billion of Gross Send Volumes and US$338 million of revenues.
Breon Corcoran
Breon Corcoran, CEO of Zepz said,
“Today’s announced raise is another important step in the execution of our strategy. Following the acquisition of Sendwave we have made significant progress with the integration of the different businesses and are retaining both the Sendwave and WorldRemit brands.
 
In that context we are proud to announce the rebranding of our holding Company to Zepz. The additional funds raised enable us to accelerate investment to prosecute our very sizeable growth opportunity whilst further strengthening our high-quality investor base and our mission to provide fair, fast, flexible payments for our customers.”
 
The post WorldRemit Raises US$292 Million at a Valuation of US$5 Billion, Rebrands as Zepz appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/worldremit-raises-us292-million-at-a-valuation-of-us5-billion-rebrands-as-zepz</link><guid>2159</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>WorldRemit Raises US$292 Million at a Valuation of US$5 Billion, Rebrands as Zepz</dc:text></item><item><title>Zwei Schweizer Proptechs Fusionieren</title><description><![CDATA[Die Schweizer Proptechs Flatfox und aroov haben ihre Fusion bekannt gegeben und bieten neu eine einzige, umfassende Lösung für Wohnungssuchende, Mieterinnen und Bewirtschafter an. Die fusionierte Firma heisst Flatfox AG.
Bis im Frühjahr waren sie noch Mitbewerber: das aroov-Team aus Bern und die Flatfox-Truppe aus Zürich. Hier der Berner Newcomer mit der Vision einer umfassenden Mieterplattform, dort der Marktführer mit eigenem kostenlosen Marktplatz und einer technisch ausgereiften und etablierten Lösung für Insertion, Kommunikation und Bewerbungsprozess.
Seit nun vier Monaten arbeiten die beiden Teams auf das gemeinsames Ziel hin: das Beste aus beiden Welten zu kombinieren. Im Herbst wird es soweit sein: Unter dem Namen Flatfox wird das neue Produkt nicht nur alle bisherigen, sondern auch alle aroov-Funktionen bieten &#8211; und dazu noch einige mehr.
“Wir waren als aroov-Kunde schon sehr zufrieden &#8211; nun freuen wir uns umso mehr auf die vielen Erweiterungen, die Flatfox bringen wird”,
sagt Angela Guerriero, Leiterin Immobilienbewirtschaftung &amp; -Vermarktung Previs Vorsorge.
Die fusionierte Firma mit Standorten in Bern und Zürich heisst seit Ende Juni 2021 Flatfox AG. Die neue Geschäftsleitung setzt sich aus Leuten aus beiden Firmen zusammen: CEO ist der bisherige aroov-Geschäftsführer Matthias Frieden. Flatfox-Mitgründer und bisheriger CEO Bernhard Mäder verantwortet künftig als CTO die Produktentwicklung. Die Geschäftsleitung wird komplettiert durch Flatfox-Mitgründer Mattia Regi (CFO), Julia Bitschnau (CPO / ehemals aroov) und Gregor Letonja (Chief Customer Success / ehemals Flatfox).
Matthias Frieden
“Wenn man von zwei innovativen Produkten das Beste nimmt und zu einem zusammenführt, profitiert die Kundschaft”,
freut sich CEO Matthias Frieden. Und stellt in Aussicht:
“Wir bieten einen schweizweiten Marktplatz, kombiniert mit einer digitalen Plattform, die den Mietprozess für alle bequemer und effizienter macht &#8211; Wohnungssuchende, Mieterinnen und Immobilienprofis.”
The post Zwei Schweizer Proptechs Fusionieren appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/zwei-schweizer-proptechs-fusionieren</link><guid>2158</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Zwei Schweizer Proptechs Fusionieren</dc:text></item><item><title>PayPal Expands Buying and Selling Cryptocurrency Services to the UK</title><description><![CDATA[PayPal announced the launch of a new service enabling its customers in the UK to buy, hold and sell cryptocurrency with starts rolling out this week.
Customers can choose from four types of cryptocurrencies; Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin and Bitcoin Cash. They can buy a minimum of £1 in cryptocurrency through the PayPal app or website.
They can also view real-time crypto prices, access educational content to help answer commonly asked questions, and learn more about cryptocurrencies, including the opportunities and risks.
This announcement marks the first international expansion of the company’s cryptocurrency offering outside of the United States.
This March, the company announced ‘Checkout with Crypto’, enabling U.S. customers to use their cryptocurrency alongside other payment methods in their PayPal wallet to make purchases at businesses around the world. In April, the company introduced crypto services on its mobile payment service Venmo in the U.S.
In addition to providing these cryptocurrency services, PayPal has been exploring the potential of digital currencies through partnerships with licensed and regulated cryptocurrency platforms and with central banks around the world.
PayPal has enabled its cryptocurrency offering through a partnership with Paxos Trust Company. PayPal’s venture capital arm has also made investments in blockchain and cryptocurrency-related start-ups including; TRM Labs, a cryptocurrency risk management software; TaxBit, a provider of crypto tax software to customers and exchanges; and Talos, institutional-grade infrastructure technology for digital asset trading.
Jose Fernandez da Ponte
“Our global reach, digital payments expertise, and knowledge of consumer and businesses, combined with rigorous security and compliance controls provides us the unique opportunity, and the responsibility, to help people in the UK to explore cryptocurrency.
 
We are committed to continue working closely with regulators in the UK, and around the world, to offer our support—and meaningfully contribute to shaping the role digital currencies will play in the future of global finance and commerce.”
said Jose Fernandez da Ponte, Vice President and General Manager, Blockchain, Crypto and Digital Currencies at PayPal.
 
The post PayPal Expands Buying and Selling Cryptocurrency Services to the UK appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/paypal-expands-buying-and-selling-cryptocurrency-services-to-the-uk</link><guid>2157</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>PayPal Expands Buying and Selling Cryptocurrency Services to the UK</dc:text></item><item><title>Paysafe’s Acquisition Spree Continues With Germany’s viafintech</title><description><![CDATA[London-based payments platform Paysafe has signed an agreement to acquire German fintech company, viafintech, in an all-cash transaction for an undiclosed sum and will be finalised in the coming months.
viafintech, known under the brands of Barzahlen/viacash and viacash, offers payments infrastructure that are bank independent in the DACH region, allowing a popular alternative to the traditional banking structure.
For Paysafe, this latest acquisition not only boosts its growth opportunities in Germany, it also creates revenue-generating opportunities to cross-sell viafintech’s alternative banking and payments solutions to its merchants around the world.
Paysafe offers payment processing, digital wallets, e-cash and open banking solutions. It offers over 70 payment types in over 40 currencies around the world.
viafintech was founded in 2011 and integrates with digital banking apps to offer an “mobile ATM” concept which enables consumers to make deposits or withdraw cash from their digital bank accounts at a nearby retail store using a barcode.
Headquartered in Germany, it also has a presence in an additional five European countries with plans to expand further. It operates via a network of 20,000 points of sale and has deep relationships in the banking, bill payments and e-commerce industries.
As part of the deal, the viafintech team, including its managing directors, Sebastian Seifert, Achim Bönsch and Andreas Veller, will become part of Paysafe’s expanding e-cash and open banking solutions’ team which is headed up by Paysafe eCash CEO, Udo Müller.
This latest acquisition builds on Paysafe’s recent Latin American acquisition agreements with PagoEfectivo and SafetyPay.
Following the sale of their shares to Paysafe, viafintech’s majority shareholder, Glory Ltd., a provider of cash technology solutions, will enter into a new strategic partnership with Paysafe.
The two companies have signed a referral agreement that enables Glory to offer paysafecard, one of Paysafe’s e-cash solutions, as a form of payment within its in-store payments kiosks, and, in turn, for Paysafe to offer Glory’s cash technology solutions to its merchants around the world.
Meanwhile, GRENKE BANK, which has been providing viafintech’s German bank license and proven regulatory framework since 2017, as well as being a shareholder of the company, will continue to provide the same banking service going forward.
Udo Müller
Udo Müller, CEO, Paysafe eCash and Open Banking commented,
“We believe the team are perfectly positioned to take advantage of the shift away from the legacy banking system in Germany and beyond as more and more challenger banks enter the market and consumers opt to use mobile-based solutions for banking and payments.
 
By combining viafintech’s leading solutions with our existing eCash and APM portfolio, we are well positioned as an essential payments partner to challenger banks around the world as consumer banking habits continue to evolve.”
.
The post Paysafe’s Acquisition Spree Continues With Germany’s viafintech appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/paysafes-acquisition-spree-continues-with-germanys-viafintech</link><guid>2156</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Paysafe’s Acquisition Spree Continues With Germany’s viafintech</dc:text></item><item><title>DriveWealth Secures US$450 Million Series D, Now Valued at US$2.85 Billion</title><description><![CDATA[DriveWealth, US-based specialist of embedded finance, fractional investing in US equities, and API-driven brokerage infrastructure, announced a US$450 million Series D with a valuation of US$2.85 billion.
The round was co-led by New York-based global private equity and venture capital investor Insight Partners and Accel, with significant participation by Greyhound Capital, Softbank Vision Fund 2, and Series C lead Point72 Ventures.
The round also included a follow-on investment from Fidelity International, plus several new investors including Base 10, FTX, and FlightDeck.
DriveWealth said that it will use the Series D investment to &#8220;execute its strategic vision of becoming the category leader of embedded investing across digital wallets and brokerage apps on every continent&#8221;.
This raise will fund continued product and service expansion, talent acquisition, and technology innovation to build modern, industrial-strength infrastructure in brokerage to support the firm&#8217;s and its partners&#8217; future growth.
Additionally, the funding will also be used to launch self-clearing and accelerate execution via strategic acquisitions and partnerships.
DriveWealth added that it will welcome the strategic support and engagement of two new board members, Deven Parekh from Insight Partners and Matthew Weigand from Accel.
Meanwhile, Tripp Shriner from Point72 Ventures, who led DriveWealth&#8217;s Series C round, will continue contributing in his role as board member.
Bob Cortright
&#8220;We are in the early innings of a worldwide retail investing revolution. Our goal is for DriveWealth to be the partner of choice to deliver the embedded investing experience of the future.
 
This new capital and investor engagement will accelerate our global expansion plans in order to become the world-class, exchange-like technology company that powers tomorrow&#8217;s investing products.&#8221;
said Bob Cortright, Founder and CEO of DriveWealth.
 

The post DriveWealth Secures US$450 Million Series D, Now Valued at US$2.85 Billion appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/drivewealth-secures-us450-million-series-d-now-valued-at-us285-billion</link><guid>2155</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/AM.png</dc:content ><dc:text>DriveWealth Secures US$450 Million Series D, Now Valued at US$2.85 Billion</dc:text></item><item><title>PostFinance Appoints Former Avaloq Exec as New Head of Payment Solutions</title><description><![CDATA[PostFinance, the financial services unit of Swiss Post, has appointed Benjamin Staeheli as the new Head of Payment Solutions who will also be joining the Executive Board as of 1 January 2022.
Benjamin Staeheli
Staeheli will be joining the Payment Solutions unit with more than 250 employees which offers payment collection solutions for retailers and invoice issuers.
He will take on the leadership of the unit from Ron Schneider, who has headed the unit on an interim basis since the departure of Patrick Graf at the end of May 2021.
PostFinance  said that the appointment of Staeheli will enable it to benefit from his proven expertise in financial services and information management.
Benjamin Staeheli has been Head of Global Banking Operations for the Avaloq Group since 2016. From 2008 to 2016, he was Head of Banking and a member of the Executive Board at B-Source SA which is now known as Avaloq Sourcing Ltd.
He also previously held a variety of managerial positions at Credit Suisse.
Hansruedi Köng
“I am delighted that Benjamin Staeheli will be assisting us on our path to becoming Swiss payment champion from next year. He will be an asset to PostFinance in strategically relevant fields thanks to his broad experience in banking and payment processes, his strategic, visionary approaches, his incisive mindset when it comes to digitization, and his understanding of technological trends.”
said Hansruedi Köng, CEO of PostFinance.
 
The post PostFinance Appoints Former Avaloq Exec as New Head of Payment Solutions appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/postfinance-appoints-former-avaloq-exec-as-new-head-of-payment-solutions</link><guid>2154</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>PostFinance Appoints Former Avaloq Exec as New Head of Payment Solutions</dc:text></item><item><title>Worldline, Bitcoin Suisse Enable Swiss Merchants To Accept Bitcoin Payments</title><description><![CDATA[European payments firm Worldline and Swiss cryptocurrency trading platform Bitcoin Suisse announce the go-live of their omnichannel crypto payment solution WL Crypto Payments.
The integrated service allows more than 85,000 Swiss merchants on Worldline&#8217;s network to accept Bitcoin and Ether as a payment option at the point-of-sale (POS) and in e-commerce.
Merchants using the Worldline point-of-sale and e-commerce payment services can now enable payments in Bitcoin and Ether.
They can download the WL Crypto Payments mobile app or install the Worldline payment plugin for their online store.
Clients paying with crypto may do so through their usual mobile crypto wallet application.
Prices shown by the merchant in CHF, can be, upon selection by the customer, alternatively quoted in Bitcoin or Ether in real time, paid for with crypto, and get confirmed to the merchant instantly.
WL Crypto Payments enables merchants to offer payments with cryptocurrencies without being exposed to volatility risks, as the crypto transaction is securely converted into Swiss Francs straight after payment confirmation.
The joint statement added that merchants benefit further by settlement in Swiss Francs and pay-out processes bundled with other payment options, like credit cards.
The crypto payments collaboration between Worldline and Bitcoin Suisse was first announced in November 2019. The rollout to all Worldline merchants in Switzerland was preceded by a successful pilot programme.
Marc Schluep
Marc Schluep, CEO of Worldline Switzerland commented,
“The launch of cryptocurrencies acceptance at the POS in Switzerland is a great proof of our ambition: Worldline wants to bring tangible value to merchants across the globe and to facilitate smooth and modern payments in all the markets we operate in. We’re happy to collaborate with Bitcoin Suisse on this forward-looking project.”
Dr. Arthur Vayloyan
Dr. Arthur Vayloyan, CEO of Bitcoin Suisse added,
“This is a historic milestone for crypto adoption in Switzerland and beyond. It is a great pleasure working together with Worldline to bring user-friendly crypto payments to the market in Switzerland. This step proves once again that Switzerland is a leader in collaborative innovation and a pioneer in the crypto and blockchain industry.”
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/worldline-bitcoin-suisse-enable-swiss-merchants-to-accept-bitcoin-payments</link><guid>2152</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Worldline, Bitcoin Suisse Enable Swiss Merchants To Accept Bitcoin Payments</dc:text></item><item><title>Canadian Travel Tech Firm Hopper Secures US$175 Series G Funding</title><description><![CDATA[Canadian travel tech company Hopper announced that it has completed a US$175 million Series G financing round led by New York&#8217;s GPI Capital.
The fundraise also saw participation from Glade Brook Capital, WestCap, Goldman Sachs Growth and Accomplice.
Hopper said in a statement that the funds will be used to accelerate the company&#8217;s growth across several fronts including customer support.
The firm will also be hiring an additional 500 employees, 300 of which will be focused on customer service.
Additionally, Hopper added that it is actively looking to &#8220;acqui-hire&#8221; other teams in travel, data science, or engineering-heavy startups to introduce new product offerings and fuel international expansion.
Hopper has had recent success integrating the teams of Journy and Mowgli, which will accelerate entry into new travel categories such as home rentals and regional expansion to Europe.
Frederic Lalonde
&#8220;We feel strongly that our fintech offerings through Hopper Cloud can help supercharge the travel industry&#8217;s recovery by introducing a totally unique revenue stream for other brands.
 
In fact, if all travel distribution channels offered our fintech, it could increase the total consumer spend for the sector by $200 billion annually.&#8221;
said Frederic Lalonde, CEO and Co-Founder of Hopper.
 

Featured image: Frederic Lalonde, CEO and Co-Founder of Hopper
The post Canadian Travel Tech Firm Hopper Secures US$175 Series G Funding appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/canadian-travel-tech-firm-hopper-secures-us175-series-g-funding</link><guid>2153</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/AM.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Canadian Travel Tech Firm Hopper Secures US$175 Series G Funding</dc:text></item><item><title>Revolut Taps BearingPoint RegTech To Meet Regulatory Reporting for Its UK Bank</title><description><![CDATA[London-headquartered fintech giant Revolut has extended its partnership with BearingPoint RegTech, a Netherlands-based regtech solution provider, to support its United Kingdom (UK) expansion plans.
Revolut will be extending the use of the Abacus360 Banking solution as it faces new regulatory requirements after opening a bank in the UK.
The firm already relies on the regulatory reporting solution by BearingPoint RegTech since September 2019, when it selected Abacus360 Banking with a Managed Services offering for European Banking Authority (EBA) and AnaCredit reporting.
In total, three additional modules; UK Statistical Reporting Module, EBA Solo Reporting Modules, and EBA Consolidated Modules are now being added to the solution to meet the requirements imposed by UK regulators with regards to Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), EBA and Bank of England (BoE) statistical reporting.
Joel Kass
&#8220;For us, the key strengths of Abacus360 Banking are the smooth reporting process and the ability to respond quickly and easily to our regulatory requirements.
 
In addition, the software makes an important contribution towards streamlined and standardised reporting processes and therefore makes reporting processes more efficient.&#8221;
said Joel Kass, Head of Bank Strategy and Development at Revolut.
Bodo Windmöller
&#8220;We are pleased that we were able to convince Revolut with our software and services and that we now accompany their entry into the UK market as a bank.
 
Our solution will cater for both national and international prudential reporting as well as statistical reporting, covering the scope Revolut requires in the UK.&#8221;
Bodo Windmöller, Senior Vice President Product Management at BearingPoint RegTech.
The post Revolut Taps BearingPoint RegTech To Meet Regulatory Reporting for Its UK Bank appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/revolut-taps-bearingpoint-regtech-to-meet-regulatory-reporting-for-its-uk-bank</link><guid>2151</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Revolut Taps BearingPoint RegTech To Meet Regulatory Reporting for Its UK Bank</dc:text></item><item><title>Momentum Continues in Colombia’s Fintech Ecosystem</title><description><![CDATA[Colombia’s fintech sector is growing at a fast pace with now more than 320 companies operating in various segments ranging from online lending and digital payments, to business finance and wealthtech. This makes Colombia the third largest fintech hub in Latin America (LatAm) after Brazil and Mexico, according to a recent report by industry trade group Colombia Fintech.
The figure represents a 37% increase in the number of fintech companies since 2017. Though growth slowed down between 2019 and 2020, recording just a shy 2% rise, Erikc Rincon Cardenas, the president of Colombia Fintech, believes that the 2020-2021 period should see a new boom in fintech activity as COVID-19 forces businesses to move online, he told local business newspaper La Republica.
The global pandemic has driven a rise in innovative, technology-enabled business models, he said, and many were not formalized in 2020. The surge should be reflected in the coming year’s report.
Number of fintech companies in Colombia (2017-2020), Source: Informe Sectorial Fintank 2020, Colombia Fintech, 2021
Jose Manuel Ayerbe, vice president of corporate marketing at Grupo Aval, one of Colombia’s largest financial groups, told the media outlet that the fintech ecosystem is rapidly expanding and emerging as one of the key drivers of the country’s development. He noted that over the past year, the digital banking sector has recorded a strong 59% growth rate.
Digital payment is another area that has witnessed significant traction with COVID-19. Diego Navarro, director of Mercado Pago Colombia, an e-commerce and digital payment specialist, said that digital payments have helped improve financial inclusion, mentioning that in Q1 2021, online payments grew triple digits, while QR code payments surged five times.
According to Colombia Fintech, investors have poured more than US1 billion into fintech companies in the past three years, US$300 million of which came during the first five months of the pandemic.
So far, the fintech industry has created about 9,300 new jobs, the Colombia Fintech report says, and the 2019-2020 period saw a significant increase of 38% in new jobs creation. This rise can be explained by booming demand for digital financial services and a need to strengthen business capabilities with new hirings, the report says.
Fintech jobs growth in Colombia (2017-2020), Source: Informe Sectorial Fintank 2020, Colombia Fintech, 2021
Growth in demand for fintech solutions is also reflected in providers’ sales, which totaled US$540 million in 2019, up 29% from 2018, and 54% from 2017, the report notes.
Colombia fintech sales growth (2017-2019), Source: Informe Sectorial Fintank 2020, Colombia Fintech, 2021
A closer look at Colombia’s fintech industry
In Colombia, online credit is the most developed and crowded fintech segment, making up for 30% of fintech companies. Key players in the space include Rapicredit, which recently reached the milestone of one million loans granted to individuals, as well as Sempli, which provides small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with working capital.
Last year, Sempli expanded its portfolio of products, adding Sempli Business, a virtual credit card for startups and SMEs in Colombia, as well as insurance products for businesses.
After online lending, digital payment is the second most developed fintech segment, representing 26% of all companies. The category includes players such as Puntored, which provides financial transactions services including payment, withdrawal, deposit, and virtual services through a nationwide network of partners, and Tpaga, a mobile wallet specialized in payroll payments.
Colombian fintechs per vertical, Source: Informe Sectorial Fintank 2020, Colombia Fintech, 2021
Movii is another fast-growing Colombian fintech startup. Founded in 2018, Movii is an online banking platform offering mobile payment services, third-party services, and a prepaid debit card. It’s the first provider in the country to offer 100% digital financial services and is amongst the first fintechs to be granted a Specialized Electronic Deposit and Payment Institution (SEDPE) license, according to business news outlet BNamericas.
Movii serves 1.5 million customers but projects it could reach 3.2 million users by the end of this year based on the current growth spurt.
Buy now, pay later (BNPL) startup Addi has also started picking up steam, growing over five times since the beginning of the year. In May 2021, the company raised a US$35 million Series B funding round and US$30 million in debt funding to fuel its expansion into Brazil where it launched earlier this year.
Colombia has been amongst the most proactive jurisdictions in LatAm when it comes to fintech regulation. It was the first country in the region to launch a regulatory sandbox, allowing startups to experiment with new business models under relaxed rules and requirements.
It also offers a special certificate for fintech companies to operate temporarily under minimum requirements before they can obtain a full license.
Featured image: Photo by Jorge Gardner on Unsplash 
The post Momentum Continues in Colombia’s Fintech Ecosystem appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/momentum-continues-in-colombias-fintech-ecosystem</link><guid>2150</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Number-of-fintech-companies-from-2017-to-2020-Source-Informe-Sectorial-Fintank-2020-Colombia-Fintech-2021.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Momentum Continues in Colombia’s Fintech Ecosystem</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Bitcoin Investment App Relai Hires Bitpanda’s Former Exec as New CMO</title><description><![CDATA[Zurich-based bitcoin investing startup Relai announced that Imo Bábics will join as Chief Marketing Officer to lead the company&#8217;s European expansion plans.
He brings over twelve years of marketing experience to Relai and a proven track record in growing a cryptocurrency startup. As the Head of Marketing at Bitpanda, Bábics built the Austrian fintech’s marketing department from the ground up within two years, paving the way for its future rapid growth.
Before Bitpanda, he worked at Universal Pictures in London, where he oversaw the implementation of launch campaigns for Universal&#8217;s theatrical releases across the EMEA region.
In June 2021, Relai raised CHF 2.5 million in a Series A round led by Swiss VC Redalpine which will be used to build the leading bitcoin investing app in Europe and obtain a financial intermediary license.
Julian Liniger
Julian Liniger, Co-founder and CEO of Relai said,
“We’re very excited to have Imo join the Relai team.
 
As an experienced marketer with a track record of taking startups to the next level, he will be a valuable addition to our executive leadership team as we move into the next phase of our growth.”
Imo Bábics, Chief Marketing Officer of Relai said,
“The best days for Bitcoin are yet to come as it&#8217;s shifting from being the domain of pure technologists to the domain of digital natives who are concerned with governments inflating their currencies and looking for ways to protect their savings.
 
I believe Relai has a unique opportunity to become the app of choice for the long-term bitcoin investor with its fast, secure, and hassle-free experience.”
 
The post Swiss Bitcoin Investment App Relai Hires Bitpanda&#8217;s Former Exec as New CMO appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-bitcoin-investment-app-relai-hires-bitpandas-former-exec-as-new-cmo</link><guid>2149</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Bitcoin Investment App Relai Hires Bitpanda’s Former Exec as New CMO</dc:text></item><item><title>Valuu Branches Out To Offer Personal Loans Comparison Feature</title><description><![CDATA[Valuu, a fully digital mortgage brokerage platform in Switzerland launched by PostFinance, is expanding its services with transparent, digital comparison options for personal loans.
Five Swiss lenders Migros Bank, BANK-now, Cembra Money Bank, eny Finance and good finance are acting as guarantors for the digital service for taking out loans and conducting independent comparisons.
Customers can now quickly and easily compare conditions for personal loans and apply for their loan on Valuu&#8217;s online comparison platform.
For personal loan users, the addition of step-by-step explanations to the platform provides a time-saving and transparent way to review their financial options.
Valuu has worked with its customers and with lenders to develop the entire process so that the application, assessment and payment are tailored to their specific needs.
Right from the start, the five lenders Migros Bank, BANK-now, Cembra Money Bank, eny Finance and good finance will be responsible for verifying and granting the loans.
Valuu added that it is constantly optimising the processes available to platform users on its digital comparison platform and is gradually acquiring more lenders.
This gives lenders the opportunity to further expand their digital distribution channels.
Thomas Jakob
“As a pioneer in the Swiss market, Valuu offers its customers independent, direct comparisons for personal loans.
 
Much like the service we provide for our mortgage business, this allows customers to compare individual offers transparently and then apply directly online – saving time and money,”
said Thomas Jakob, Chief Business Unit Officer Platform Business at PostFinance.
 
Featured image: screengrab from Valuu
The post Valuu Branches Out To Offer Personal Loans Comparison Feature appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/valuu-branches-out-to-offer-personal-loans-comparison-feature</link><guid>2148</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Valuu Branches Out To Offer Personal Loans Comparison Feature</dc:text></item><item><title>Paysafe Signs US$441 Million Deal To Acquire LATAM Rival SafetyPay</title><description><![CDATA[London-based payments platform Paysafe signed a deal to acquire Latin American digital payments firm SafetyPay for US$ 441 million in an all-cash transaction that is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Paysafe said in a statement that the two acquisitions sets it up to be the leading open banking and digital payments solutions provider in Latin America, one of the world’s fastest-growing online markets&#8221;.
It currently offers over 70 payment types in over 40 currencies around the world.
Furthermore, with SafetyPay having established relationships with more banks in Latin America, Paysafe will be uniquely positioned to capture share of the nascent open banking market by integrating its services and solutions further into the region’s payments ecosystem including its digital wallet and gateway capabilities.
On completion of the deal, the SafetyPay team will transition into Paysafe’s expanding eCash and online banking solutions’ team which is headed up by Paysafe eCash CEO, Udo Mueller.
SafetyPay’s CEO, Gustavo Ruiz Moya, will become CEO, e-cash for Latin America and Global Head of Open Banking, reporting into Mueller.
The merged entities will be able to offer e-cash and open banking solutions in over 60 countries with over one million distribution points.
For Paysafe, this latest deal strengthens its strategic foothold in Latin America, building on its recently announced acquisition agreement with Peruvian payments platform, PagoEfectivo.
SafetyPay was founded in 2007 as an e-commerce payments platform with the mission to enable millions of consumers to use alternative payment methods (APMs), most notably bank transfer and e-cash solutions, to make online purchases.
It now has a presence in 11 Latin American countries with additional coverage in Europe and has over 90 percent bank coverage, and over 180,000 cash collection points.
It serves nearly 300 merchants primarily in the travel, entertainment, and digital goods industries.
Philip McHugh
“We are very excited to welcome SafetyPay into the Paysafe family. The team has successfully built a market-leading payment platform that has become the de facto open banking solution for Latin America. We look forward to partnering with Gustavo and the team to continue to build eCash and online banking solutions across LATAM and beyond.”
said Philip McHugh, CEO of Paysafe.
 
 

The post Paysafe Signs US$441 Million Deal To Acquire LATAM Rival SafetyPay appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/paysafe-signs-us441-million-deal-to-acquire-latam-rival-safetypay</link><guid>2147</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/AM.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Paysafe Signs US$441 Million Deal To Acquire LATAM Rival SafetyPay</dc:text></item><item><title>BLKB and Lombard Odier Join Forces To Offer Sustainable Investments</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss cantonal bank Basellandschaftliche Kantonalbank (BLKB) and Geneva-based private bank Lombard Odier are planning a partnership in the field of sustainable investments for the former&#8217;s customers.
As part of this collaboration, both entities will come up with investment strategies for wealthy private clients in north-western Switzerland. Both partners reportedly have a strong focus on sustainability in their business models, advice and offers.
The joint offer will be further specified in the coming months from a strongly customer-centric perspective as part of the holistic customer advice &#8211; especially in the investment area.
Products and services will then be made available to BLKB customers in the course of the coming year.
John Häfelfinger
&#8220;Thanks to our planned partnership with the long-established private bank Lombard Odier, we can further expand BLKB&#8217;s existing offering for wealthy customers.
 
As a future-oriented bank, we live sustainability as an integral part of our business strategy and we see Lombard Odier, with its strong focus on this topic, as an ideal partner.&#8221;
said John Häfelfinger, CEO of BLKB.
Frédéric Rochat
 “The sustainability revolution is spawning a multitude of major structural trends that will reshape our economies.
 
This opens up numerous opportunities for investors to generate attractive returns in the course of the transition to an emissions-neutral economy.”
adds Frédéric Rochat, Managing Partner and Co-CEO of Private Banking at Lombard Odier.
 
Featured image credit: BLKB Basel branch
The post BLKB and Lombard Odier Join Forces To Offer Sustainable Investments appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/blkb-and-lombard-odier-join-forces-to-offer-sustainable-investments</link><guid>2145</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>BLKB and Lombard Odier Join Forces To Offer Sustainable Investments</dc:text></item><item><title>Austrian Unicorn Bitpanda Bags US$263 Million, Now Valued at US$4.1 Billion</title><description><![CDATA[Austrian digital investment platform Bitpanda has raised US$263 million in funding at a US$4.1 billion valuation 4 months after gaining unicorn status.
The Series C funding round was led by Valar Ventures, with the participation of Alan Howard and REDO Ventures, as well as existing investors LeadBlock Partners and Jump Capital.
The company will use the proceeds to strengthen its team and design the organisation for scale, while doubling down on state-of-the-art technology, international expansion and growth. Bitpanda added that it also plans to open new offices in Europe.
Founded in Austria in 2014 by Eric Demuth, Paul Klanschek and Christian Trummer, Bitpanda started as a crypto-trading company which now has 3 million users.
The company recently announced the opening of its remote-first Blockchain Research &amp; Development hub where it will be investing €10 million over the next two years.
Four key executive hires have joined the team include; Lindsay Ross, ex-Adyen and MessageBird, as Chief HR Officer; Irina Scarlat, ex-Revolut and Uber, as Chief Growth Officer; João Luís, ex-Farfetch, as VP of Engineering; and Michael Keskerides, ex-N26, as VP Product.
Eric Demuth
Eric Demuth, Co-Founder and CEO of Bitpanda said,
“We’re grateful to share our journey with these incredible people — and that’s why a key area of focus for us is to keep strengthening our team by bringing onboard world-class talent.
 
We’re also grateful for the vote of confidence received from our investors, old and new, in this investment round. We look forward to working together as we shape the future of finance and grow Bitpanda into the #1 investment platform in Europe and beyond”.
 
Featured image: (From left to right) Bitpanda&#8217;s Co-Founders Christian Trummer, Paul Klanschek and Eric Demuth.
The post Austrian Unicorn Bitpanda Bags US$263 Million, Now Valued at US$4.1 Billion appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/austrian-unicorn-bitpanda-bags-us263-million-now-valued-at-us41-billion</link><guid>2144</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Austrian Unicorn Bitpanda Bags US$263 Million, Now Valued at US$4.1 Billion</dc:text></item><item><title>Open Finance: SIX’s bLink Platform Could Act as the Trusted Central Authority</title><description><![CDATA[With open finance increasingly coming to the public’s attention in Switzerland, discussions on API standards are accelerating. In July, industry trade group Swiss Fintech Innovations (SFTI) released a whitepaper outlining key considerations to address in regards to data security and data protection.
The whitepaper, produced by SFTI’s Common API working group, looks at different aspects of API security, provides examples of solutions already in use internationally and gives recommendations relevant to the Swiss ecosystem.
According to the paper, industry participants and SFTI members are open to using SIX’s bLink platform as the trusted intermediary. The platform would take the role of a hub through which banks and third-party providers connect with each other.
It notes that the majority of banks prefer the platform approach of bLink and many have already established a connection with the platform.
Launched in May 2020, bLink is a platform for standardized interfaces to financial institutions as well as software and service providers. Using bLink’s APIs, they can connect and exchange data to offer new services to their customers, such as the processing of account information and payment order directly from in an accounting software.
Currently, four banks and third-party providers are offering the services “Account Information (AIS) for accounting solutions and financial institutions” and “Payment Submission (PSS) for accounting solutions and financial institutions”, allowing users to automatically reconcile their bank accounts with online accounting software: Credit Suisse, UBS, Zurcher Kantonalbank and KLARA.
bLink animation by SIX
In a digital service ecosystem with a dynamic number of participants, a so-called trusted central authority (TCA) is needed to ensure that the rules of the game are defined and complied with, the SFTI paper says. This way, collaborations can be centrally facilitated, since, otherwise, peer-to-peer (P2P) negotiations, clarifications and coordination would be necessary.
An initial multi-banking proposition
API security addresses the protection of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of APIs respectively the corresponding services and information. It’s key to protecting users’ data all the while ensuring the smooth and secure transfer of critical data to take full advantage of open finance.
In regards to API security, the SFTI paper says that members are open to taking the steps towards a planned multi-banking minimum viable product (MVP) with bLink, while keeping an eye on international efforts and eventually reviewing the chosen procedure again at a later time to make appropriate adjustments.
Unlike jurisdictions like the European Union (EU) or Australia, no regulatory rules determine the implementation of open banking in Switzerland.
Instead, industry participants have taken a concerted approach towards implementing the concept and setting uniform industry standards.
Consortia like SFTI’s Common API working, and the Open Banking Project bring together numerous banks and third-party providers alike to define standards in areas such as payment services, lending and pensions, and promote their wider application.
In addition, several individual initiatives have been launched, which, in addition to the SIX bLink platform, include Avaloq.one, the Finnova Open Platform, the Lenzburg/Finstar Open Banking platform and the Swisscom Open Banking Hub.
For financial institutions and market participants, the lack of stringent rules provides them with the possibility to design themselves the conditions for open banking and experiment as they go.
The post Open Finance: SIX’s bLink Platform Could Act as the Trusted Central Authority appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/open-finance-sixs-blink-platform-could-act-as-the-trusted-central-authority</link><guid>2143</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/bLink.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Open Finance: SIX’s bLink Platform Could Act as the Trusted Central Authority</dc:text></item><item><title>BEKB lanciert Infrastruktur für tokenisierte Assets</title><description><![CDATA[In den kommenden Monaten wird die BEKB mit Unterstützung der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg und der daura AG eine Plattform für die Transaktion und die Verwaltung von tokenisierten Assets entwickeln.
Der Handel wird auf Basis der bestehenden Nebenwerteplattform OTC-X stattfinden. Die entsprechenden Absichtserklärungen wurden am 9. September 2020 unterzeichnet.
Seit über 15 Jahren betreibt die BEKB die vollelektronisch organisierte Handelsplattform OTC-X, die im Bereich der nichtkotierten Wertschriften von Schweizer KMU marktführend ist. Bereits im vergangenen Dezember hat sie kommuniziert, dass sie ihr Know-how und Netzwerk als Betreiberin von OTC-X in ein Ökosystem einbringen und dadurch Firmen- und Anlagekunden mit einer innovativen Handelsplatz-Lösung bei attraktiven Transaktionskosten neue Märkte erschliessen will. Aktien sollen künftig als digitale Wertrechte («Asset Token») auf einer Blockchain ausgegeben und transferiert werden können.
Diese Distributed-Ledger-Technologie ermöglicht grosse Effizienzsteigerungen in der Abwicklung von Wertpapiertransaktionen sowie die automatisierte Führung von Aktienregistern. Mit ihrem Vorhaben will die BEKB den Handel von Nebenwerten in dieser neuen technologischen Umgebung ermöglichen. Den Fokus setzt sie dabei nach wie vor auf den Handel mit nichtkotierten Wertschriften von Schweizer KMU.
BEKB will Innovationskraft fördern
Im August 2020 hat die BEKB über ihre Strategie 2025 informiert. Sie will auch in Zukunft ihre Stellung als die führende Finanzdienstleisterin im Wirtschaftsraum behaupten und ihre Innovationskraft fördern. Gemeinsam mit externen Partnern will sie in Ökosystemen neue, innovative Lösungen lancieren und damit ihren digital-affinen Anspruchsgruppen attraktive Lösungen anbieten sowie neue Technologien zugänglich machen.
Die Entwicklung eines organisierten Handelssystems für tokenisierte Assets unterstreicht diese Vision der BEKB. Der Zugang zum Kapitalmarkt und das Management des Aktionariats wird für Unternehmen dadurch deutlich einfacher und effizienter. Den Kunden der BEKB werden zudem neue Investitionsmöglichkeiten erschlossen.
Armin Brun
«Die von uns angebotene Lösung wird die ganze Prozesskette von der Ausgabe über den Handel bis hin zur Verwahrung von tokenisierten Assets auf der Blockchain-Technologie abbilden. Wir sind überzeugt, dass wir damit eine zukunftsfähige Gesamtlösung schaffen»,
sagt Armin Brun, CEO der BEKB.
Blockchain-Technologie steigert Effizienz
Mit Einsatz der Blockchain-Technologie soll die Abwicklung von Wertpapiertransaktionen wirksamer gestaltet werden. Bei der Umsetzung ihres Vorhabens wird die BEKB von der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg und der daura AG unterstützt. Für die Transaktionsabwicklung und Verwahrung von digitalen Assets wird sie die Finstar Open Banking Digital Asset Plattform der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg einsetzen. Für die Emission von Tokens sowie für das digitale Aktienregister zeichnet die daura AG verantwortlich. Die technische Integration der Module in den verschiedenen Systemen erfolgt über eine offene Schnittstellenarchitektur. Die Inbetriebnahme des organisierten Handelssystems ist im ersten Halbjahr 2021 geplant.
 
Ausgewähltes Bild: Seit dem 28. Juni 2021 empfängt das Team der BEKB Thun die Kundinnen und Kunden in den neuen Räumlichkeiten
The post BEKB lanciert Infrastruktur für tokenisierte Assets appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bekb-lanciert-infrastruktur-fur-tokenisierte-assets</link><guid>2142</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>BEKB lanciert Infrastruktur für tokenisierte Assets</dc:text></item><item><title>Neobank Chime Bags US$750 Million, Fintech Expert Questions US$25 Billion Valuation</title><description><![CDATA[San Francisco-based challenger bank Chime Financial announced that it has secured a funding of US$750 million, pushing its valuation to US$25 billion ahead of a planned initial public offering (IPO) early next year.
The funding round was led by new investor Sequoia Capital Global Equities with participation from SoftBank Group Corp.’s Vision Fund 2, General Atlantic, Tiger Global Management LLC and Dragoneer Investment Group LLC.
The funds will be used to push ahead with its IPO plans for early 2022.
Founded in 2012, Chime provides checking and savings accounts and introductory credit cards to consumers through its app.
Prior to this, Chime had secured US$485 million in a Series F fundraise where the neobank was worth close to 900% more in 18 months for a US$1.5 billion valuation.
While Chime has experienced a meteoric rise since its inception, Ron Shevlin, the author of the Fintech Snark Tank on Forbes, raised the question whether the challenger bank has earned the lofty valuation.
Ron Shevlin
&#8220;In my book, Chime simply isn’t a $25 billion company. But what a US$25 billion valuation could do for them is put them in a position to make some acquisitions that could jumpstart the company’s path to earning that valuation,&#8221;
said Ron Shevlin.
 
 

Featured image: Chris Britt, CEO and Co-Founder of Chime from Medium
The post Neobank Chime Bags US$750 Million, Fintech Expert Questions US$25 Billion Valuation appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/neobank-chime-bags-us750-million-fintech-expert-questions-us25-billion-valuation</link><guid>2141</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Artboard-3-14.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Neobank Chime Bags US$750 Million, Fintech Expert Questions US$25 Billion Valuation</dc:text></item><item><title>The 10 Most-Well Funded European Fintech Companies of 2021</title><description><![CDATA[2021 has been a record year for fintech funding globally. In Europe, total fintech funding broke the record for annual investment, reaching EUR 10.4 billion in just June 2021 and surpassing the previous record of EUR 9.3 billion raised across the whole of 2019, according to Dealroom data.
So far, 2021’s figures have been dominated by mega-rounds going towards the likes of Klarna, Trade Republic and Wefox, and have pushed valuations to new highs.
To get a sense of Europe’s hottest and fastest growing fintech companies, we have compiled a list of the top 10 most-well funded fintech companies on the continent. These operate in various segments ranging from buy now pay later (BNPL) and insurtech, to digital banking and brokerage.
Klarna – US$3.472 billion
Founded in 2005 in Stockholm, Klarna is the world leading buy now pay later (BNPL) provider, serving 90 million active consumers and 250,000 merchants in 17 countries.
Klarna offers direct payments, pay after delivery options and instalment plans in a smooth one-click purchase experience that lets consumers pay when and how they prefer to, processing some 2 million transactions per day.
Klarna is Europe’s most well-funded and valuable private fintech company. It has raised US$3.472 billion in funding so far, and is valued at a whopping US$45.6 billion.
Revolut – US$1.716 billion
Founded in 2015, Revolut is a neobank headquartered in London that offers personal and business accounts featuring currency exchange, debit cards, virtual cards, interest-bearing “vaults”, commission-free stock trading, and other services. It’s building what it claims to the “first global financial superapp.”
Revolut serves more than 16 million customers in the European Economic Area (EEA), Australia, Singapore, Switzerland, Japan and the US. It has a banking license from the Bank of Lithuania which it passports throughout the whole European Union (EU), and applied earlier this year for additional licenses in the UK and the US.
Revolut has raised US$1.716 billion in funding so far, and is valued at US$33 billion.
Greensill Capital – US$1.705 billion
Greensill Capital is a financial services company based in the UK and Australia that focuses on the provision of supply chain financing and related services. The company provides businesses with alternative sources of funding, allowing them to provide suppliers with the opportunity for faster payment, while at the same time preserving their own capital position.
Greensill Capital has been at the center of several controversies involving notably the financing of companies tied to Softbank, one of its key investors, as well as regarding its significant exposure to GFG Alliance, a group of businesses associated with steel magnate Sanjeev Gupta. Recently, it has been at the center of a British political scandal involving former prime minister David Cameron. Greensill filed for insolvency protection in March 2021.
Despite these controversies, data from CB Insights suggest that Greensill still remains one of the most well-funded private companies in Europe, having raised more than US$1.7 billion.
OakNorth – US$990.52 million
Based in the UK, OakNorth is a startup specialist bank that provides business and property loans, as well as personal and business savings. It’s also the creator of the ON Credit Intelligence Suite, a cloud-based software that helps banks build deeper relationships with clients and deliver credit analysis 10x faster than traditional models.
At the end of 2020, OakNorth Bank had 175,000 savings customers and had lent several billion pounds to British businesses.
OakNorth is worth US$2.8 billion and has raised US$990.52 million in funding so far.
Trade Republic – US$986.88 million
Founded in 2015, Trade Republic provides a mobile app that lets users trade stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) without paying a commission. Instead, Trade Republic makes money from a flat 1 EUR fee it charges per trade.
The company, which holds a full banking license, has amassed some 1 million users and over US$6 billion in assets under management. It’s now one of the largest brokers in Germany. Earlier this year, it added a cryptocurrency offering.
Trade Republic isn’t well known beyond its core markets of Germany, France and Austria, but plans to roll out across all euro zone countries in the coming year.
The company has raised US$986.88 million in funding so far and is worth US$5.3 billion.
Mollie – US$934 million
Founded in 2004, Mollie is a Dutch paytech startup that builds payment products, commerce solutions, and APIs that let users accept online and mobile payments.
The company’s payment application is designed to simplify the process of setting up an online store and accepting payments, and comes with features including one-click payments, fraud monitoring, multicurrency payment, daily settlement management and real-time accounting, enabling businesses to connect, protect and grow efficiently.
Mollie is worth US$6.5 billion and has raised US$934 million in funding.
Wefox – US$924 million
Insurtech startup Wefox, formerly known as FinanceFox, was founded in Switzerland in November 2014. It’s a fully licensed digital insurance company that sells insurance products through intermediaries.
Wefox, which is currently active in Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Poland, plans to expand into the US and Asia within the next two years. The company reached profitability in 2020 during which it saw its revenue double to US$143 million.
Wefox is worth US$3 billion and has raised US$924 million in funding.
Starling Bank – US$905.62 million
Starling Bank is a UK-based licensed challenger bank offering personal, business, joint, teen, euro and dollar accounts alongside a child card and a range of lending products.
Starling Bank also provides business-to-business (B2B) banking and payments services through its banking-as-a-service (BaaS) model based on the proprietary technology platform that it uses to power its own bank.
Finally, the Starling Marketplace offers customers in-app access to a selection of third party financial services.
Since its 2017 launch, the bank has opened more than two million accounts, including more than 300,000 small business accounts. In March 2021, its total gross lending exceeded GBP 2 billion, while deposits topped GBP 5.4 billion.
Starling Bank has raised US$905.62 million in funding and is valued at US$1.95 billion.
Checkout – US$830 million
Founded in 2012 and based in London, Checkout operates as a payment processing company, offering an online payment platform focusing on accepting more transactions, currencies, and payment methods through one integration and providing complete transparency across the entire payment value chain.
Checkout processes payments for big clients including Pizza Hut, H&amp;M and Farfetch, as well as fintechs like Coinbase, Klarna and Revolut.
Checkout has raised US$830 million in funding and is valued at US$15 billion.
N26 – US$822.36 million
Founded in 2013, N26 is a fully licensed German digital bank providing a free basic current account and an accompanying debit card, with available overdraft and investment products and premium accounts for a monthly fee.
Recently, it ventured into the insurance space, allowing customers in Europe to purchase coverage, manage their plan and initiate claims for insurance for their smartphone within the N26 app.
N26 serves about 7 million customers across 25 markets across the European Union (EU) as well as Switzerland and the US.
The company has raised US$822.36 million in funding and is worth US$3.5 billion.
The post The 10 Most-Well Funded European Fintech Companies of 2021 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-10-most-well-funded-european-fintech-companies-of-2021</link><guid>2140</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>The 10 Most-Well Funded European Fintech Companies of 2021</dc:text></item><item><title>Neobank Upgrade Closes US$105 Million Series E Round, Valued at US$3.325 Billion</title><description><![CDATA[Upgrade, a US-based fintech company that offers affordable and responsible credit to mainstream consumers, announced that it closed a US$105 million Series E round at a US$3.325 billion pre-money valuation.
The round was led by Koch Disruptive Technologies (KDT) with participation from new and existing investors including BRV and Ventura Capital advised by Julius Baer.
Upgrade offers products that are designed to give consumers more value and a better experience than those offered by traditional banks. Upgrade Card, the company&#8217;s flagship product, promotes responsible credit by turning every balance into a fixed-rate installment plan, and by paying rewards to cardholders as they pay down their balance.
The neobank reported that it has delivered over US$7 billion in affordable credit to consumers through cards and loans since inception in 2017, and is on track to deliver US$7 billion in 2021 alone.
Renaud Laplanche
&#8220;We are thrilled to partner with KDT. We have experienced unprecedented growth and profitability this year, and the additional capital will enable us to further establish Upgrade Card as a mainstream credit card and continue designing innovative products that benefit consumers&#8221;.
said Renaud Laplanche, Co-Founder and CEO of Upgrade.
 
 

The post Neobank Upgrade Closes US$105 Million Series E Round, Valued at US$3.325 Billion appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/neobank-upgrade-closes-us105-million-series-e-round-valued-at-us3325-billion</link><guid>2139</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Artboard-3-14.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Neobank Upgrade Closes US$105 Million Series E Round, Valued at US$3.325 Billion</dc:text></item><item><title>EPAM Acquires Columbian Software Firm S4N as Part of Its Latin America Expansion Plans</title><description><![CDATA[EPAM Systems, a US-based provider of digital platform engineering and development services, has acquired S4N, a Columbian software development services firm specialising in the design and development of modern software products and enterprise platforms.
The move is a part of EPAM&#8217;s global footprint expansion within the Latin American region.
With offices in Colombia, S4N has built software for some of the world’s largest retailers, insurance companies, and airlines specialising in architecting and delivering software distributed systems, data-intensive solutions, as well as CloudOps.
With an existing presence in Mexico, EPAM’s move into Colombia will strengthen its position by combining both engineering experience along with its delivery capability around digital, consulting and experience design.
With the addition of the S4N team, EPAM now employs more than 1,500 IT professionals in LATAM and plans to add several thousand additional jobs over the coming years.
Victor Dvorkin
“The acquisition of S4N enables our continued progress in building a more agile, diverse and global delivery organization.
 
With the addition of hundreds of talented engineers in key LATAM locations, we can deliver enhanced and truly multidisciplinary engagements to our customers in the Americas and around the world.”
said Victor Dvorkin, SVP, Head of Global Delivery at EPAM.
Octavio Echeverri
“We’re pleased to join forces with EPAM—as they very much share our company culture and values.
 
We see this as a new, exciting stage of evolution for our organisation, and together, we’ll have the ability to serve our clients even better, offer exciting new opportunities for our people, and bringing more of the best talent in LATAM to serve EPAM’s customers around the globe,”
said Octavio Echeverri, CEO of S4N.
 
 
 

 
Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
The post EPAM Acquires Columbian Software Firm S4N as Part of Its Latin America Expansion Plans appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/epam-acquires-columbian-software-firm-s4n-as-part-of-its-latin-america-expansion-plans</link><guid>2137</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Artboard-3-14.png</dc:content ><dc:text>EPAM Acquires Columbian Software Firm S4N as Part of Its Latin America Expansion Plans</dc:text></item><item><title>EPAM Acquires Colombian Software Firm S4N as Part of Its Latin America Expansion Plans</title><description><![CDATA[EPAM Systems, a US-based provider of digital platform engineering and development services, has acquired S4N, a Columbian software development services firm specialising in the design and development of modern software products and enterprise platforms.
The move is a part of EPAM&#8217;s global footprint expansion within the Latin American region.
With offices in Colombia, S4N has built software for some of the world’s largest retailers, insurance companies, and airlines specialising in architecting and delivering software distributed systems, data-intensive solutions, as well as CloudOps.
With an existing presence in Mexico, EPAM’s move into Colombia will strengthen its position by combining both engineering experience along with its delivery capability around digital, consulting and experience design.
With the addition of the S4N team, EPAM now employs more than 1,500 IT professionals in LATAM and plans to add several thousand additional jobs over the coming years.
Victor Dvorkin
“The acquisition of S4N enables our continued progress in building a more agile, diverse and global delivery organization.
 
With the addition of hundreds of talented engineers in key LATAM locations, we can deliver enhanced and truly multidisciplinary engagements to our customers in the Americas and around the world.”
said Victor Dvorkin, SVP, Head of Global Delivery at EPAM.
Octavio Echeverri
“We’re pleased to join forces with EPAM—as they very much share our company culture and values.
 
We see this as a new, exciting stage of evolution for our organisation, and together, we’ll have the ability to serve our clients even better, offer exciting new opportunities for our people, and bringing more of the best talent in LATAM to serve EPAM’s customers around the globe,”
said Octavio Echeverri, CEO of S4N.
 
 
 

 
Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
The post EPAM Acquires Colombian Software Firm S4N as Part of Its Latin America Expansion Plans appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/epam-acquires-colombian-software-firm-s4n-as-part-of-its-latin-america-expansion-plans</link><guid>2138</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Artboard-3-14.png</dc:content ><dc:text>EPAM Acquires Colombian Software Firm S4N as Part of Its Latin America Expansion Plans</dc:text></item><item><title>BBVA Spain Joins Ant Group’s Blockchain-Based Trading Platform Trusple</title><description><![CDATA[BBVA has signed an agreement to integrate its cross-border payment and financing services on Trusple, a blockchain-based trading platform powered by Alibaba&#8217;s affiliate Ant Group, for greater transparency and security.
Trusple aims to accelerate the digital transformation and facilitate the financing of international trade operations, with a special focus on small and mid-sized businesses.
These services will be offered by BBVA Mexico and BBVA Spain so that Mexican and Spanish importers that currently import from China can pay for the operations within Trusple, without having to use external services.
The system uses smart contracts which automatically execute the transactions when the milestones established in the contract by the importer and exporter are reached.
BBVA estimates that the first piloting systems will be launched in early 2022 and the services will be operational for its clients in Spain and Mexico throughout the year.
This agreement makes BBVA the first bank in Spain and Mexico to join the international trade platform, which already has over 10 major financial institutions across the world.
Trusple was launched in September 2020 offering an immutable system in the data log and a single access point to all the tools that address the needs of cross-border trade and financing.
“We hope that by next year, we can help any Spanish or Mexican SME that already makes purchases from Chinese suppliers through this portal with a much simpler, easier and more transparent system,”
said Pablo Lopez Tallada, the Head of International Solutions on BBVA Spain.
 
This article first appeared on Fintech News Hong Kong. 
The post BBVA Spain Joins Ant Group’s Blockchain-Based Trading Platform Trusple appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bbva-spain-joins-ant-groups-blockchain-based-trading-platform-trusple</link><guid>2135</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>BBVA Spain Joins Ant Group’s Blockchain-Based Trading Platform Trusple</dc:text></item><item><title>Helvetia Venture Fund Takes Minor Stake in Spanish Fintech Coinscrap Finance</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss Helvetia Venture Fund has acquired a minority stake in Spanish startup Coinscrap Finance which offers various white-label smartphone apps for banks and insurance companies in the pensions sector.
The funds from the financing round will be used to drive international growth. The focus is on countries with a strong bancassurance tradition.
Coinscrap Finance is already working with Spanish insurer Caser which was acquired by Helvetia in January 2020. Caser has successfully launched the pension solution Cling Cling on the market with Coinscrap Finance.
The firm is the first investment that Helvetia Venture Fund has made in the area of pensions. Coinscrap Finance&#8217;s simple solutions are a good fit with the helvetia 20.25 strategy, which places a strong focus on customer convenience.
Markus Gemperle
Markus Gemperle, CEO Europe of Helvetia said,
&#8220;The cooperation between Coinscrap Finance and Caser has been very successful so far. In addition, the topic of micro saving, among others, is gaining in importance for other Helvetia units. With Coinscrap Finance, we are investing in an ideal partner with a broad experience.&#8221;
David Conde
David Conde, CEO and Co-Founder of Coinscrap Finance added,
&#8220;Caser has been one of our partners since the very beginning. We are very pleased to deepen our partnership with Helvetia Group and to explore further collaboration.&#8221;
The post Helvetia Venture Fund Takes Minor Stake in Spanish Fintech Coinscrap Finance appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/helvetia-venture-fund-takes-minor-stake-in-spanish-fintech-coinscrap-finance</link><guid>2134</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Helvetia Venture Fund Takes Minor Stake in Spanish Fintech Coinscrap Finance</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 10 Leading Fintech in France by Amounts of Funds Raised</title><description><![CDATA[Despite the economic turmoil caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, French fintech companies showed resilience in 2020, raising a total of EUR 828.2 million through 63 deals, up 18.9% from 2019, according to data from industry trade group France Fintech.
As of December 2020, some 387 companies made up the French fintech ecosystem, data from New Alpha Asset Management show. Paytech, insurtech and neobanking/bank-as-a-service were the most crowded segments, as well as the most established ones, representing 67.2% of all funding raised by French fintech companies in 2020.
Amid France’s fast-growing fintech sector, we look today at some of the country’s hottest and most-well funded fintech startups.
Ledger – EUR 432 million
Using proprietary technology, Ledger develops security and infrastructure solutions for cryptocurrencies as well as blockchain applications for individuals and companies.
The company’s products include one of the world’s most popular hardware wallet for cryptocurrency assets and cryptocurrency management platform, Ledger Live, as well as a digital assets security solution for financial institutions called Ledger Enterprise Solutions.
Ledger has sold more than 3 million hardware wallets in 190 countries to date and serves over 1.5 million monthly users on Ledger Live. It claims to secure 15% of all cryptocurrency assets globally.
Ledger raised US$380 million in a Series C funding round in June, reaching a valuation of US$1.5 billion. Data from Dealroom and Crunchbase suggest it has raised EUR 432 million in funding so far.
Younited Credit – EUR 340 million
Younited Credit is an online lending marketplace for individuals, companies, insurers, foundations and pension funds, offering products including auto loan, boat loan, motorcycle loan, marriage loan, travel loan and business loan.
Users can avail loans from EUR 1,000 to EUR 50,000. The platform offers 8 loan durations ranging from 6 months to 84 months. For investors, Younited Credit offers 3 public funds to invest in. The minimum investment amount is EUR 1,000.
Younited Credit raised US$170 million in July 2021, bringing the total amount of funds raised since inception to US$400 million (EUR 340 million).
Alan – EUR 310 million
Insurtech startup Alan provides an app-based health insurance platform for individuals and businesses, offering policies for freelancers, businesses, hotels, restaurants, startups and more. Available plans include Alan Green for health care protection, Alan Blue for reimbursement on uncovered hospitals and Alan Pension for employees.
Alan covers some 160,000 people and generates over EUR 100 million in annualized revenue. The startup raised a US$220 million (EUR 185 million) funding round in April 2021 at a US$1.67 billion valuation (EUR 1.4 billion). Data from Dealroom and Crunchbase suggest that it has raised EUR 310 million in funding so far.
Shift Technology – EUR 289 million
Shift Technology provides artificial intelligence (AI)-based fraud detection and claims processing solutions for insurers. It features cloud-based end-to-end claim processing and filing solutions as well as underwriting fraud detection and investigation tools. Shift Technology also offers solutions to accelerate and automate claim decisions.
Shift Technology’s software has analyzed billions of insurance transactions to date, the company claims and serves more than 100 clients in 25 countries. Last year, it won Frost &amp; Sullivan’s 2020 Global Claims Solutions for Insurance Market Leadership Award and was recognized for the high level of innovation in automation and fraud detection its technology offers.
Shift Technology closed a Series D investment round of US$220 million in May 2021, bringing the total amount of funding raised so far to US$320 million. The company is valued at more than US$1 billion.
PayFit – EUR 179 million
Payfit provides cloud-based payroll and human resource (HR) management software for businesses, offering solutions for wage management, expense reporting, employee management, leaves management, workflow management, onboarding, organizational management, and more.
The company’s software automates the payroll of employees and manages social statements as well as offers a flexible HR system to track and manage working time, onboarding process, leaves and expense report, enabling small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) to easily manage payroll and HR information online on a single platform.
PayFit announced in March 2021 that it had secured EUR 90 million, bringing its total funding raised to over EUR 179 million.
Spendesk – EUR 160 million
Founded in 2016, Spendesk offers a software-as-a-service (SaaS) spend management solution that provides full visibility and control on all company spending. The platform combines payments, processes and data into one source of truth, with virtual and physical cards for employees, expense reimbursements, invoice management, automated spend approvals, and budgets.
Spendesk, which operates in France, Germany and the UK, raised EUR 100 million in Series C funding in July, bringing the total amount of funding raised so far to EUR 160 million.
Lydia – EUR 142 million
Lydia is an app-based mobile payment platform for consumers, supporting Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and QR code payments. Lydia allows users to monitor bank accounts, make bank transfers, create online money pots, set recurring payments, and block payment cards. It offers peer-to-peer (P2P) money transfer services and provides a universal card linked to all accounts with personal financial management tools including payment receipts, spending limits, and spending categories.
Launched in 2013, Lydia claims it served over 400 million users and claimed a 30% market share among French millennials, as of December 2020.
Lydia has so far raised over US$160 million (EUR 140 million) in funding from investors such as Tencent, XAnge, New Alpha, Groupe Duval and Founders Future.
Qonto – EUR 136 million
Founded in 2017, Qonto is a neobank for SMEs and freelancers, providing services including deposit accounts, financial management, debit cards for corporate expenses, payment solutions, and more. Qonto also offers bookkeeping solutions, customized solutions for expenses, an app-based platform for digital banking, and more.
Qonto claims it serves more than 150,000 businesses in France, Spain, Italy and Germany. Since its creation, Qonto has raised EUR 136 million from Valar, Alven, the European Investment Bank, Tencent and DST Global, to support its global growth ambitions.
Swile – EUR 115 million
Swile, formerly Lunchr, is the provider of a meal ordering platform intended to reinvent the experience of lunch breaks with colleagues. The company’s solution replaces the traditional and outdated French paper meal voucher with a digital solution that works with the Visa and Mastercard networks, and an accompanying mobile app.
Swile has plans to extend beyond meal vouchers and lunch break experiences, with a new product would enable corporate gifts to be distributed to employees using the same system, as well as the addition of features to improve life at work and employee engagement.
Swile closed a EUR 70 million Series C round in June 2020, bringing the total funding raised since its launch in 2018 to EUR 115 million.
Agicap – EUR 99.28 million
Agicap is a cash management solution for SMEs to monitor and forecast the evolution of cash flow.
Created 2016, the SaaS solution aims to make cash management intuitive and real-time by leveraging advanced technologies including AI to allow businesses to automatically  synchronize financial data and benefit from real-time cash flow visualization, automatically update budget and cash flow forecasts to spot-out financial gaps and refine future budget, and make the best decisions by evaluating and anticipating the impact of strategic scenarios on cash flow.
Agicap, which operates in France, Germany, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands, raised US$100 million funding round in May 2021, valuing the company at over US$500 million (EUR 410 million). Since its inception in 2016, the company has raised a total funding of US$121 million (EUR 99.28 million).
The post Top 10 Leading Fintech in France by Amounts of Funds Raised appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-10-leading-fintech-in-france-by-amounts-of-funds-raised</link><guid>2133</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Top 10 Leading Fintech in France by Amounts of Funds Raised</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech IPO Listings Reach New Highs</title><description><![CDATA[Fintech public listings reached a new high in Q2 2021 with 19 venture capital-backed fintech companies announcing public exits that quarter. Companies like Coinbase, Alkami, Flywire, dLocal and Marqeta went the initial public offering (IPO) route while others, including Grab, Better.com, Dave and Acorns, opted for a merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), according to a CB Insights’ latest State of Fintech industry report.
SPACs have become an increasingly popular path for fintechs to enter public markets. In Q1 2021, 17 blank-check companies announced plans to merge with fintech firms, according to data from fintech-focused investment bank Financial Technology Partners (FT Partners), surpassing the whole year 2020 during which 15 SPACs merged with fintech companies.
So far this year, about 5 SPAC mergers involving fintech companies have been completed, according to data from Spactrack.net, including Opportunity Financial, Alight, Payoneer, Katapult and BTRS, but more deals are in the works.
These include Grab’s landmark US$40 billion merger deal with blank-check Altimeter Growth scheduled for Q4 2021, Israeli brokerage firm eToro’s US$10.4 billion deal with Fintech Acquisition V, savings and investing app Acorns’ US$2.2 billion merger with Pioneer Merger, and financial-connectivity firm Pico’s US$1.8 billion merger with FTAC Athena Acquisition.
Q2 2021 also saw a number of high-profile public listings, including Coinbase, the first crypto company to go public and Marqeta, a US paytech company serving customers like Uber. More followed suit during the month of July, including acclaimed cross-border money transfer specialist Wise (formerly TransferWise), and commission-free stock brokerage pioneer Robinhood.
Other blockbuster direct listings and IPOs are expected for the second half of the year, including India’s fintech leaders Paytm, Mobikwik and Policybazaar and US neobank Chime, In the US, digital payments processor Stripe has reportedly taken the first steps towards a stock market debut by hiring a law firm to help with preparations, sources told Reuters in July. Stripe, a 11 year old company, is the world’s most valuable private fintech firm, worth US$95 billion.
2021, a blockbuster year for fintech funding
With more than US$30 billion raised across 657 deals, Q2 2021 was the largest funding quarter recorded by CB Insights, surpassing Q1 2021’s previous record of US$23 billion.
This brings the total amount of funding raised so far this year to US$54 billion, already exceeding total funding in 2020 by 24% and paving the way for a blockbuster year.
Global VC-backed deal activity and funding ($M), 2016 – 2021 YTD (6/30/21), State of Fintech Q2&#8217;21 Report, CB Insights
Mega-rounds worth US$100 million and over drove Q2 2021’s fintech funding boom. A record of 88 mega-rounds were announced that quarter, accounting for 70% of total fintech funding for that period.
Global VC-backed fintech mega-round deals and % of total funding, Q2’18 – Q2’21, State of Fintech Q2&#8217;21 Report, CB Insights
Europe-based fintech companies attracted most of the quarter’s largest deals. Germany’s commission-free broker Trade Republic scored US$900 million, the biggest fintech funding round in Q2 2021, followed by Dutch paytech startup Mollie (US$800 billion). Germany’s Wefox secured US$650 million, Q2 2021’s fourth largest round, while Swedish buy now pay later (BNPL) leader Klarna closed US$639 million, the fifth largest one.
South America is another region highlighted in the CB Insights report where funding soared 153% quarter-on-quarter, while deal count surged 52%. Since 2016, funding to Latin America (LatAm) fintech companies has grown at a 57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), showcasing investors’ appetite for the red-hot market.
As of June 28, US$4.2 billion had been raised this year, nearly twice as much as 2020’s total funding. Paytech startups scooped the largest sums including  EBANX (US$430 million), a Brazilian startup offering cross-border payment processing across LatAm, Clip (US$250 million), a Mexican business payments and risk management system provider, and CloudWalk (US$190 million), an open payment platform from Brazil.
Funding to Latin America fintech companies since 2016, State of Fintech Q2&#8217;21 Report, CB Insights
In Q2 2021, funding grew in nearly all fintech sectors though open banking, in particular, gained momentum. Several large deals going towards companies like Plaid (US$425 million), TrueLayer (US$70 million), and Belvo (US$43 million) were closed. The quarter also saw the announcement that Visa would be acquiring Tink, an open banking platform last valued US$2.2 billion.
Blockchain was another hot topic, with funding hitting a new record high of US$4.3 million in Q2 2021. Top deals included Circle’s US$440 million round, Ledger’s US$380 million round and Paxos’ US$300 million round.
Blockchain funding between Q1 2020 and Q2 2021, State of Fintech Q2&#8217;21 Report, CB Insights
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-ipo-listings-reach-new-highs</link><guid>2132</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Global-VC-backed-deal-activity-and-funding-M-2016-–-2021-YTD-63021-State-of-Fintech-Q221-Report-CB-Insights.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech IPO Listings Reach New Highs</dc:text></item><item><title>Crypto Firm Circle Announces Intentions To Be a National Digital Currency Bank</title><description><![CDATA[Circle, creator of the second largest stablecoin USDC, announced its intention to become a full-reserve national commercial bank, operating under the supervision of the Federal Reserve, U.S. Treasury, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
In the coming years, Circle said that it anticipates USDC growing into hundreds of billions of dollars in circulation, continue to support trillions of dollars in low-friction, high-trust economic activity and become widely used in financial services and internet commerce applications.
Establishing national regulatory standards for dollar digital currencies is crucial to enabling the potential of digital currencies in the real economy, including standards for reserve management and composition.
Since inception, USDC reserves have been bound by the permissible investment rules under state money transmission regulations, which is how Circle is regulated today.
Jeremy Allaire
&#8220;Circle has always held ourselves to the highest of regulatory standards, to ensure that a dollar exchanged into USDC is safe. As we move towards national bank-level regulatory supervision we will begin to publish information about the fundamental liquidity of USDC and our liquidity coverage under Basel III.
 
Similarly, as specific national supervisory standards for dollar digital currencies emerge from the President’s Working Group, we will proactively work with our national regulatory counterparts on the ultimate commercial adoption of new dollar digital currency standards.&#8221;
said Jeremy Allaire, Circle Co-Founder and CEO.
 
The post Crypto Firm Circle Announces Intentions To Be a National Digital Currency Bank appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crypto-firm-circle-announces-intentions-to-be-a-national-digital-currency-bank</link><guid>2131</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Crypto Firm Circle Announces Intentions To Be a National Digital Currency Bank</dc:text></item><item><title>Nubank Leads US$44 Million Investment Round in Indian Neobank Jupiter</title><description><![CDATA[Brazilian challenger bank Nubank announced that it led a US$44 million investment round in Jupiter, an Indian digital bank which launched its beta app about a month ago.
This marks the first investment that Nubank has made into another company. The funding round was joined by venture capital firms Sequoia Capital and Matrix Partners.
With this investment, Nubank intends be a part of Jupiter and also &#8220;take advantage of the similarities with the Indian market to promote more and more changes in Latin America&#8221;.
Nubank had recently announced that it had raised a total of US$ 750 million during two extensions of its Series G funding round, raising the round to US$1.15 billion.
The neobank is now valued at US$30 billion, up from US$25 billion at the time of its previous fundraising round.
David Vélez
&#8220;Nubank and Jupiter share the mission of creating the best possible financial experience for customers, eliminating all the bureaucracy and pain of the current system.
 
The Indian and Latin American markets have many similarities and, with this investment, we intend to support them on their path of growth and learn from the challenges they will face there.”
said David Vélez, CEO and Founder of Nubank.

Featured image: Screengrab from Jupiter
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/nubank-leads-us44-million-investment-round-in-indian-neobank-jupiter</link><guid>2130</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Artboard-3-14.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Nubank Leads US$44 Million Investment Round in Indian Neobank Jupiter</dc:text></item><item><title>Australian Digital Bank Alex Goes Live on Temenos</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss banking software company Temenos announced that Australia’s newest digital bank, Alex, has gone live on The Temenos Banking Cloud.
Temenos technology powers Alex’s launch as a licensed bank, following the acquisition of its Restricted-Authorized Deposit-Taking Institution (RADI) license from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) earlier this month.
With Temenos’ SaaS technology, Alex said that it has created a hyper-efficient cost structure that enables the bank to offer better consumer credit options, like fast, competitive loans with no upfront, ongoing or hidden fees.
The end-to-end digital banking platform automates manual loan application processes to generate fast and simple customer journeys.
Temenos technology has already supported the bank to reportedly process almost 10,000 loan applications in the last six months, with each application taking the customer just three minutes to fill out.
Alex’s front-to-back platform uses Temenos’ pre-configured Australia Model Bank methodology, which applies localised functionality to deliver new products and services faster.
This will allow the bank to quickly expand its scope of services from personal lending to deposits now that the bank has received its RADI license.
Using The Temenos Banking Cloud, Alex will be able to simply and cost-efficiently scale its business and bring to market a portfolio of products to improve the consumer credit and banking experience for Australians.
Simon Beitz
Simon Beitz, Chief Executive Officer, Alex commented,
“Temenos’ ultra-efficient cloud technology simplifies our business operations so we can focus on our customers’ needs and help them to get more of the things in life they really care about.
 
It also allows us to keep our operating costs at an absolute minimum, so we can pass the benefits of better value, fairer banking services on to our customers.”
Jean-Paul Mergeai
Jean-Paul Mergeai, President International Sales, Temenos, said:
“By choosing to run their operations on The Temenos Banking Cloud, Alex will gain control of its business model and innovation cycles.
 
This means having the agility to launch new products and entire business lines fast and without complexity, delivering better value to its customers.”
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/australian-digital-bank-alex-goes-live-on-temenos</link><guid>2129</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Australian Digital Bank Alex Goes Live on Temenos</dc:text></item><item><title>Austrian Unicorn Bitpanda To Invest €10 Million for a Blockchain Hub</title><description><![CDATA[Bitpanda, the Austrian digital investment platform which recently achieved unicorn status, announced that it will be investing €10 million over the next two years into the newly launched Blockchain Research &amp; Development Hub.
The new Blockchain Research &amp; Development Hub is expected to attract world-class blockchain experts and engineers who want to develop the technologies of the future. Bitpanda expects to have 30 developers on board by the end of 2021.
This innovative hub will focus on building a next generation investment platform where engineers will aim to leverage the possibilities of state-of-the-art blockchains.
All engineers joining will receive a dedicated training along with focused knowledge-swapping sessions with the existing team members, including Bitpanda’s Chief Technology Officer, Christian Trummer.
Bitpanda has been engaging in the blockchain space since 2014 and is now building a specialised center that uses different blockchains to build a powerful infrastructure for its own multi-asset investment platform.
The firm had recently secured a US$170 million Series B fundraise and an additional €10 million as an extension to that round.
Lukas Enzersdorfer-Konrad
Lukas Enzersdorfer-Konrad, Chief Product Officer at Bitpanda said,
“Top engineers are the differentiating factor for tech companies, and with this new technology emerging as a dominant field, we’re aiming to unite and unleash these disruptive players by launching an innovative Blockchain Research &amp; Development Hub.
 
The idea is to bring blockchain engineers together – across boundaries, cultures and time zones – and empower them to build the investment platform that’s revolutionising the financial industry”.
 
Featured image: Lukas Enzersdorfer-Konrad, Chief Product Officer at Bitpanda
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/austrian-unicorn-bitpanda-to-invest-10-million-for-a-blockchain-hub</link><guid>2126</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Austrian Unicorn Bitpanda To Invest €10 Million for a Blockchain Hub</dc:text></item><item><title>16 Upcoming Fintech Events in the US</title><description><![CDATA[Across the US and around the world, live events are back in full force and gathering steam. In key fintech hubs like New York and California, major trade shows and events are scheduled to take place in the coming months, promising to gather some of the industry’s most influential experts and thought leaders.
We’ve compiled a list of the top upcoming fintech events and gatherings for professionals to keep up with the latest developments and build meaning connections with industry leaders.
LendIt Fintech Nexus
September 01 – 02, 2021
Loews Miami Beach Hotel, FL

LendIt Fintech, one of the leading event series dedicated to financial services innovation, will be launching its inaugural dealmakers event, Fintech Nexus, taking place in Miami as a live event in September.
Fintech Nexus will be an exclusive, invite-only partnering event for fintech decision-makers. The focus of the event will be to facilitate high-quality one-on-one meetings between banks and solutions providers, and fintechs and investors.
{DeFi}ntech Retreat 2021
September 8, 2021
Stone Mountain Estates, Calabasas, CA

{DeFi}ntech Retreat 2021 will bring together executives, investors, entrepreneurs and professionals in decentralized finance (DeFi). Attendees will get to participate in intimate networking and interactive discussions about the latest innovations, opportunities and challenges surrounding DeFi.
Key topics covered will include DeFi trends, exchanges, cryptourrencies, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), regulation, lending and fraud.
Confirmed speakers include top executives from companies like ShapeShift, Mojito, Framework Ventures, Patomak Global Partners, Celsius.Network, TransUnion, the World Economic Forum, JP Morgan Chase, and
This is a limited seating event with only 125 passes available.
Finovate Fall
September 13 – 15, 2021
The Marriott Marquis Times Square, New York, NY

After a year of remote events, FinovateFall will return in 2021 for an in-person event. This year’s edition will provide participants with the chance to reconnect face-to-face with the fintech community and plot a course for the future.
The event will feature live demos of innovative fintech solutions and networking opportunities. Participants will also get to hear expert advice from key influencers.
Finovate Awards
September 14, 2021
Edison Ballroom, New York, NY

The Finovate Awards will recognize the companies driving fintech innovation forward and the individuals bringing new ideas to life.
The awards will bring leading banks, fintech firms, accelerators, and individuals together to compete against each other in 25 different categories including consumer lending, digital banking, SMB/SME, ID management, and crown a grand winner in each.
2021 US Fintech Symposium
September 23 – 24, 2021
Rosen Centre Hotel, Orlando, FL

The 2021 US Fintech Symposium is a two-day fintech conference that will discuss the practical uses of advanced enterprise technologies within the finance and financial services industries. Attendees will hear presentations and panel discussions from fintech industry experts pertaining to blockchain, robotic process automation, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, banking APIs and more.
​​The event will provide finance, banking, technology and other executives an opportunity to learn about the latest fintech developments. Furthermore, there will be extensive opportunities to network with other fintech professionals.
One of the goals of the US Fintech Symposium is to enable attendees to learn, discuss and evaluate fintech topics with a greater degree of certainty and industry insight.
Boston Fintech Week
September 28 – October 01, 2021
Boston, MA, and virtually

Boston Fintech Week will be back from September 28 to October 1, 2021. During this week, fintech experts and thought-leaders will explore new technologies and new ways of doing business, with an eye on sustainable finance, inclusivity, environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG), decentralized finance, and — of course — the post-COVID future.
Boston Fintech Week will feature keynotes, panel discussions, and fireside chats and a global audience of thousands of senior attendees from across the financial services industry.
2021 Fintech World Digital Economy Summit
October 01, 2021
National Press Club, Washington, DC

After a challenging year for in-person events across the globe, Fintech World is returning to the exclusive National Press Club in Washington, DC on October 01, 2021, to host its flagship mastermind fintech event.
The 9th Annual Fintech World Summit will focus on the digital economy and will feature some of the greatest minds in the industry as they share their wealth of knowledge and insights on the rapidly evolving digital economy.
Discussion highlights will include the changing regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies, SPACs, NFTs, tokenization, and banking; how the industry has been impacted by the pandemic; and novel ways to capitalize on innovations in blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML). The summit will also explore the future of digital money, cryptocurrencies and stablecoins as mankind embarks on its fourth industrial revolution.
Lend360
October 04 – 06, 2021
The Sheraton Dallas Hotel, Dallas, TX and virtually

Lend360 is an annual summit for the leaders in online lending that explores fintech industry trends and new technologies impacting consumer lenders, small business lenders, service partners, investors, bank representatives, and more.
After holding the 2020 event virtually, this year’s event will provide participants with the option of joining virtually or in-person at its first ever hybrid event. Participants will get to connect with the influencers shaping the fintech industry during a series of networking events, women-led panels and discussions, as well as through private meetings designed with their interests and targets in mind.
Future of Fintech 2021
October 05 – 06, 2021
New York, NY and virtually

Future of Fintech 2021 is back in NY as the must-attend forum for understanding the evolution of financial services and as a live marketplace for connecting industry buyers and sellers.
The event will look at recent fintech developments, and will provide in-depth analysis on important trends driving financial services. Key topics will include challenger banks, banking-as-a-service, real-time payments, digital wallets, the buy now pay later (BNPL) frenzy, and ESG investing.
Futures in Finance Day 2021
October 14 – 15, 2021
Cal Poly Multi Activity Center (MAC), San Luis Obispo, CA and virtually

Futures in Finance Day (FFD) is California Polytechnic University’s Financial Management Association’s annual industry-specific career fair. Each year, it brings on average 300 students who attend to provide recruiters with opportunities to fill summer internships and full-time positions.
FFD connects all students from Orfalea College of Business to recruiters from across a variety of finance industries based on student preferences and interests. This year, the organizer has partnered with Cal Poly Fintech, Real Estate, Investment Banking, and more to create a more holistic career fair.
New York Fintech Week 2021
October 18 – 22, 2021
New York, NY and virtually

New York Fintech Week was designed to be an inclusive collaboration of the entire startup ecosystem. It’s a series of events highlighting different fintech initiatives and range from conferences and invitation-only roundtables to events free to the community.
This year’s New York Fintech Week will include Pitch Day sponsored by Mastercard, the Banking Innovation Roundtable, as well as the Empire Fintech Conference.
Empire Fintech Conference
October 19, 2021
New World Stages, New York, NY

The Empire Fintech Conference, the highlight of the New York Fintech Week, will bring together over 600 attendees. The event will feature startup demos, keynotes, live podcasts and networking sessions, showcasing the latest in fintech.
Participants will get to hear from those forging new trails in payments, blockchain, lending, wealth, insurtech, real estate, and more. In addition to attracting hundreds of entrepreneurs, this fintech conference will also play host to the investors and service providers that help accelerate startups.
Money20/20 USA
October 24 – 27, 2021
The Venetian Resort, Las Vegas, NV and virtually

Money20/20 is the fintech industry’s premier content, sales and networking platform, and the go-to source for in-depth analysis and insight.
After a year of lackluster meetings and stilted conversations, this year’s event will be held in-person in Las Vegas, and promises to offer participants more catalysts for spontaneity and serendipitous moments than ever before.
The Voice of Money
November 10, 2021
Clinton Hall, New York, NY

The Voice of Money will present a one-day only gathering focusing on voice tech, AI, and modern banking and finance. Key topics covered will include conversational AI in banking, the future of payments, and voice, AI and risk management.
Invest Connect
November 15 – 16, 2021
New York Hilton Midtown

With exponentially more wealth management clients going digital in 2020, many firms have responded with similar offerings. Now, as wealthtech accelerates faster than expected, firms are looking to differentiate themselves based on superior user experiences.
Featuring engaging demos highlighting the industry’s most impressive advances, Invest Connect will gather senior leaders to provide insight into how innovative firms are using new strategies and technologies to better serve their clients.
Key topics will include wealthtech trends, technology-driven hyper-personalization, and the rise of APIs.
LendIt Fintech LatAm 2021
December 07 – 08, 2021
JW Marriott Marquis Miami, FL

LendIt Fintech LatAm is where finance executives transforming the LatAm lending and banking industries come together to learn, network and do business.
This year’s edition will allow participants to discover new opportunities, how to mitigate risk, and what the new financial reality means for their businesses.
 
Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/16-upcoming-fintech-events-in-the-us</link><guid>2127</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.am/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/LendIt-Fintech-Nexus.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>16 Upcoming Fintech Events in the US</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Proptech emonitor Raises CHF 5 Million in Series A Funding Round</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss proptech startup emonitor announced that it has successfully raised over 5 million Swiss francs Series A financing round to further develop technologies in the “home” ecosystem.
New investors in this round include St. Galler Kantonalbank, Graubündner Kantonalbank and Luzerner Kantonalbank. Existing investor Alpana Ventures from Geneva, increased their stake in the second round.
Founded five years ago, emonitor digitalises rental and sales processes for the real estate market. The startup has several established partners, such as providers of ERP systems, real estate portals, credit-check solutions and management system.
emonitor AG employs 25 people throughout Zurich, St. Gallen and Mostar. The founders remain majority shareholders.
Daniel Baur
&#8220;For us, this round of financing is a further milestone on the way to expanding the “Home” ecosystem for everything that has to do with living and real estate. We are lookin forward to expanding into new markets and helping developers plan more affordable and sustainable real estate projects.
 
We are very much looking forward to working with the cantonal banks, which stand for reliability, trust and enjoy a high reputation in the real estate market.&#8221;
Daniel Baur, co-founder &amp; CEO of emonitor AG
 
Featured image: The managing founders of emonitor: Daniel Baur, Christoph Craviolini &amp; Marcel Wehrle (from left to right)
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-proptech-emonitor-raises-chf-5-million-in-series-a-funding-round</link><guid>2125</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Proptech emonitor Raises CHF 5 Million in Series A Funding Round</dc:text></item><item><title>Neobank Mercury Bags US$120 Million, Looks To Crowdfund US$5 Million More</title><description><![CDATA[Mercury, a San Francisco-based fintech startup which offers banking services for startups, announced that it has raised US$120 million during its Series B funding round and is now valued at US$1.62 billion.
The round was led by Coatue, with participation from Andreessen Horowitz, CRV, and Sapphire Ventures.
Investors including Dylan Field, CEO at Figma, Mathilde Collins, CEO at Front, Akshay Kothari, COO at Notion, Jack Altman, CEO at Lattice, Hunter Walk and Satya Patel, Partners at Homebrew, and Elizabeth Yin, Partner at Hustle Fund had contributed too.
Additionally, Mercury said that it will set aside a US$5 million allotment in its Series B to allow for crowdfunding through Wefunder from US$100 onwards.
The firm currently holds more than US$4 billion in customer deposits from 200+ countries.
Mercury said in a blog post,
&#8220;Our focus is as singular as ever: we still want to turn banking into something like magic. We’ll use this new funding to expand our team and continue building products that help you scale. We want to build something truly great together, for startups, ecommerce, investors, creators, nonprofits, and beyond.&#8221;

The post Neobank Mercury Bags US$120 Million, Looks To Crowdfund US$5 Million More appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/neobank-mercury-bags-us120-million-looks-to-crowdfund-us5-million-more</link><guid>2124</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Artboard-3-14.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Neobank Mercury Bags US$120 Million, Looks To Crowdfund US$5 Million More</dc:text></item><item><title>Square Inks Deal To Acquire Australian BNPL Firm Afterpay for US$29 Billion</title><description><![CDATA[Digital payments company Square announced that it has agreed to acquire Australia&#8217;s Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) firm Afterpay in a in an all-stock deal worth approximately US$29 billion.
The closing of the transaction is expected in the first quarter of 2022.
Square had recently announced that its financial arm has begun its banking operations in the US to offer business loan and deposit products, beginning with underwriting and originating business loans for Square Capital’s existing lending product.
The acquisition of Afterpay will allow Square to expand its offerings to include that of consumer lending as well.
Square plans to integrate Afterpay into its services to offer BNPL services at checkout. Meanwhile, Afterpay will offer its consumers to manage their installment payments directly in the app.
Afterpay&#8217;s Co-Founders and Co-CEOs will join Square upon completion of the transaction and help lead its respective merchant and consumer businesses.
Additionally, Square will appoint one of Afterpay&#8217;s director as a member of its board following the closing of this deal.
Jack Dorsey
“Square and Afterpay have a shared purpose. We built our business to make the financial system more fair, accessible, and inclusive, and Afterpay has built a trusted brand aligned with those principles.
 
Together, we can better connect our Cash App and Seller ecosystems to deliver even more compelling products and services for merchants and consumers, putting the power back in their hands.”
said Jack Dorsey, Co-Founder and CEO of Square.
&#8220;By combining with Square, we will further accelerate our growth in the U.S. and globally, offer access to a new category of in-person merchants, and provide a broader platform of new and valuable capabilities and services to our merchants and consumers.
 
We are fully aligned with Square’s purpose and, together, we hope to continue redefining financial wellness and responsible spending for our customers,”
said Anthony Eisen and Nick Molnar, Afterpay Co-Founders and Co-CEOs.
Featured image credit: Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/square-inks-deal-to-acquire-australian-bnpl-firm-afterpay-for-us29-billion</link><guid>2123</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Artboard-3-14.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Square Inks Deal To Acquire Australian BNPL Firm Afterpay for US$29 Billion</dc:text></item><item><title>Fenergo’s Acquisition Gets the Green Light From the EU Commission</title><description><![CDATA[The acquisition of Irish regtech firm Fenergo by private equity firms, the Paris-based Astorg and London-based Bridgepoint has been concluded in a US$600 million deal.
The transaction was completed following approval by the European Commission.
This deal could potentially push Fenergo’s market valuation to US$1.165 billion, making it one of Ireland’s new unicorns.
Entering its third chapter of growth, Fenergo aims to develop innovative, digital solutions that equip financial institutions with the tools to navigate the highly complex regulatory environment and fight financial crime, transforming client operations, accelerating growth and enhancing client and employee experience.
Fenergo recently strengthened its C-suite to work alongside Marc Murphy, who will continue to strategically steer the business towards organic and inorganic growth.
The regtech will drive deeper market penetration and geographic footprint through the continued innovation of its SaaS and on-premise platforms and product line development.
Marc Murphy
“We are excited to embark on the next chapter of our story with Astorg and Bridgepoint following the conclusion of our acquisition. Both firms have a proven track record in investing in and scaling high-growth firms like Fenergo.
 
The acquisition validates the unique value Fenergo delivers to financial institutions in today’s rapidly evolving business environment, and we look forward to continuing our growth trajectory with the support of our new investors,”
said Marc Murphy, CEO of Fenergo.
Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fenergos-acquisition-gets-the-green-light-from-the-eu-commission</link><guid>2121</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fenergo’s Acquisition Gets the Green Light From the EU Commission</dc:text></item><item><title>Fenergo’s Acquisition Gets Green Light From the EU Commission</title><description><![CDATA[The acquisition of Irish regtech firm Fenergo by private equity firms, the Paris-based Astorg and London-based Bridgepoint has been concluded in a US$600 million deal.
The transaction was completed following approval by the European Commission.
This deal could potentially push Fenergo’s market valuation to US$1.165 billion, making it one of Ireland’s new unicorns.
Entering its third chapter of growth, Fenergo aims to develop innovative, digital solutions that equip financial institutions with the tools to navigate the highly complex regulatory environment and fight financial crime, transforming client operations, accelerating growth and enhancing client and employee experience.
Fenergo recently strengthened its C-suite to work alongside Marc Murphy, who will continue to strategically steer the business towards organic and inorganic growth.
The regtech will drive deeper market penetration and geographic footprint through the continued innovation of its SaaS and on-premise platforms and product line development.
Marc Murphy
“We are excited to embark on the next chapter of our story with Astorg and Bridgepoint following the conclusion of our acquisition. Both firms have a proven track record in investing in and scaling high-growth firms like Fenergo.
 
The acquisition validates the unique value Fenergo delivers to financial institutions in today’s rapidly evolving business environment, and we look forward to continuing our growth trajectory with the support of our new investors,”
said Marc Murphy, CEO of Fenergo.
Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
The post Fenergo’s Acquisition Gets Green Light From the EU Commission appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fenergos-acquisition-gets-green-light-from-the-eu-commission</link><guid>2122</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fenergo’s Acquisition Gets Green Light From the EU Commission</dc:text></item><item><title>Commission-Free Trading Pioneer Robinhood Seeks US$35B Valuation in Upcoming IPO</title><description><![CDATA[Robinhood, the US startup that pioneered commission-free trading, is seeking a market valuation of up to US$35 billion in its upcoming initial public offering (IPO) on July 29.
In its submission to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the company said it will be offering 55 million shares and will aim to sell them at a range of US$38 to US$42 apiece to raise as much as US$2.3 billion. Robinhood will be reserving 20% to 35% of its IPO shares for its own clients in what CEO and founder Vlad Tenev expects will be one of the largest retail allocations ever.
The sum would make Robinhood’s IPO the fifth-largest on a US exchange in 2021, a year that has already set an all-time record with 648 companies raising a total of about US$218 billion, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
Founded in 2013, Robinhood offer equity, cryptocurrency and options trading, as well as cash management accounts, and states its mission is to “democratize finance for all.” It’s particularly popular amongst younger generations who joined the platform and started trading shares extensively during the COVID-19 lockdown, often buying meme stocks such as GameStop.
In its filing, Robinhood said it had 18 million funded accounts, 17.7 million monthly active users and US$81 billion of assets under custody as of Q1 2021, up from 7.2 million accounts and US$19.2 billion in assets in March 2020.
More than half of Robinhood’s customers are first-time investors, and over 80% come by word of mouth of the firm’s referral program. The company estimates that nearly half of all new brokerage accounts in the US between 2016 and 2021 were opened at Robinhood.
Robinhood
Robinhood’s IPO roadshow
On July 24, instead of hosting its IPO roadshow behind closed doors among investment banks and hedge funds, Robinhood held a public virtual roadshow.
During the live streamed event, company officials highlighted the company’s priorities, vision for the future and shared key financial information.
Tenev said Robinhood plans to expand internationally and become a “global company.” The long-term vision for Robinhood is to build it into the “single money app of the future,” he said.
Robinhood CFO Jason Warnick said the company’s revenue grew by 245% year-over-year in 2020, and 40% of monthly active users interact with the app daily.
In Q1 2021, the company reported revenue of US$522 million. In Q2 2021, it estimates it generated between US$546 million and US$574 million in revenue with assets under custody projected to surge to more than US$100 billion. Despite warning of a potential slowdown in the retail trading frenzy, Robinhood expects to have 22.5 million accounts as of Q2 2021 and is optimistic about the future of individual investing.
“We think retail investing is a trend that’s here to stay,” Warnick said. “If you look at the data, the growth in retail actually started years before we launched. Our contribution has really been to accelerate the process.”
Executives also answered several questions about Robinhood’s source of revenues. As of Q1 2021, 81% of its total revenues came from payment for order flow, or PFOF, where market makers pay it a fee in exchange for routing users’ equity, option and cryptocurrency trade orders to them for execution. Warnick said Robinhood receives an average of 2.5 cents for every US$100 traded.
But the company is also making efforts to diversify its revenues stream, adding, for example, a securities lending business, a debit card, as well as enhancing its premium membership offering Robinhood Gold, and expanding internationally. The company is also looking to add IRA and Roth IRA accounts.
In June, Robinhood was slapped with the biggest-ever penalty by Wall Street’s self-regulator. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) said it fined Robinhood US$57 million for its systemwide outages and misleading communication and trading practices, and ordered it to pay US$12.6 million in restitution to thousands of clients.
Earlier this year, Robinhood reached a settlement with the family of Alexander Kearns, a 20-year-old trader who died by suicide after mistakenly believing he owed Robinhood US$730,000 and desperate attempts to get in touch with the company.
The family of Alexander Kearns accused the startup in a February 2021 lawsuit of luring inexperienced investors to take big risks in sophisticated financial instruments without providing the necessary customer support and investment guidance.
The settlement was disclosed in Robinhood’s IPO filing, though terms were not disclosed.
 

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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/commission-free-trading-pioneer-robinhood-seeks-us35b-valuation-in-upcoming-ipo</link><guid>2118</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/robinhood-app-1024x568.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Commission-Free Trading Pioneer Robinhood Seeks US$35B Valuation in Upcoming IPO</dc:text></item><item><title>Commission-Free Trading Pioneer Robinhood Seeks US$35B IPO Valuation</title><description><![CDATA[Robinhood, the US startup that pioneered commission-free trading, is seeking a market valuation of up to US$35 billion in its upcoming initial public offering (IPO) on July 29.
In its submission to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the company said it will be offering 55 million shares and will aim to sell them at a range of US$38 to US$42 apiece to raise as much as US$2.3 billion. Robinhood will be reserving 20% to 35% of its IPO shares for its own clients in what CEO and founder Vlad Tenev expects will be one of the largest retail allocations ever.
The sum would make Robinhood’s IPO the fifth-largest on a US exchange in 2021, a year that has already set an all-time record with 648 companies raising a total of about US$218 billion, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
Founded in 2013, Robinhood offer equity, cryptocurrency and options trading, as well as cash management accounts, and states its mission is to “democratize finance for all.” It’s particularly popular amongst younger generations who joined the platform and started trading shares extensively during the COVID-19 lockdown, often buying meme stocks such as GameStop.
In its filing, Robinhood said it had 18 million funded accounts, 17.7 million monthly active users and US$81 billion of assets under custody as of Q1 2021, up from 7.2 million accounts and US$19.2 billion in assets in March 2020.
More than half of Robinhood’s customers are first-time investors, and over 80% come by word of mouth of the firm’s referral program. The company estimates that nearly half of all new brokerage accounts in the US between 2016 and 2021 were opened at Robinhood.
Robinhood
Robinhood’s IPO roadshow
On July 24, instead of hosting its IPO roadshow behind closed doors among investment banks and hedge funds, Robinhood held a public virtual roadshow.
During the live streamed event, company officials highlighted the company’s priorities, vision for the future and shared key financial information.
Tenev said Robinhood plans to expand internationally and become a “global company.” The long-term vision for Robinhood is to build it into the “single money app of the future,” he said.
Robinhood CFO Jason Warnick said the company’s revenue grew by 245% year-over-year in 2020, and 40% of monthly active users interact with the app daily.
In Q1 2021, the company reported revenue of US$522 million. In Q2 2021, it estimates it generated between US$546 million and US$574 million in revenue with assets under custody projected to surge to more than US$100 billion. Despite warning of a potential slowdown in the retail trading frenzy, Robinhood expects to have 22.5 million accounts as of Q2 2021 and is optimistic about the future of individual investing.
“We think retail investing is a trend that’s here to stay,” Warnick said. “If you look at the data, the growth in retail actually started years before we launched. Our contribution has really been to accelerate the process.”
Executives also answered several questions about Robinhood’s source of revenues. As of Q1 2021, 81% of its total revenues came from payment for order flow, or PFOF, where market makers pay it a fee in exchange for routing users’ equity, option and cryptocurrency trade orders to them for execution. Warnick said Robinhood receives an average of 2.5 cents for every US$100 traded.
But the company is also making efforts to diversify its revenues stream, adding, for example, a securities lending business, a debit card, as well as enhancing its premium membership offering Robinhood Gold, and expanding internationally. The company is also looking to add IRA and Roth IRA accounts.
In June, Robinhood was slapped with the biggest-ever penalty by Wall Street’s self-regulator. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) said it fined Robinhood US$57 million for its systemwide outages and misleading communication and trading practices, and ordered it to pay US$12.6 million in restitution to thousands of clients.
Earlier this year, Robinhood reached a settlement with the family of Alexander Kearns, a 20-year-old trader who died by suicide after mistakenly believing he owed Robinhood US$730,000 and desperate attempts to get in touch with the company.
The family of Alexander Kearns accused the startup in a February 2021 lawsuit of luring inexperienced investors to take big risks in sophisticated financial instruments without providing the necessary customer support and investment guidance.
The settlement was disclosed in Robinhood’s IPO filing, though terms were not disclosed.
 

The post Commission-Free Trading Pioneer Robinhood Seeks US$35B IPO Valuation appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/commission-free-trading-pioneer-robinhood-seeks-us35b-ipo-valuation</link><guid>2120</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/robinhood-app-1024x568.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Commission-Free Trading Pioneer Robinhood Seeks US$35B IPO Valuation</dc:text></item><item><title>SEBA Bank Strengthens APAC Presence With Appointment of New Asia CEO</title><description><![CDATA[SEBA Bank, a digital assets firm with a Swiss banking license from FINMA, announced the appointment of Sam Lin as its Chief Executive Officer for Asia with immediate effect.
This appointment is in line with SEBA Bank&#8217;s aim to strengthen the offering of its digital asset banking services in Asia demand for institutional-grade digital asset banking services in the region accelerates.
SEBA Bank had previously raised US$22.5 million in a Series B funding round to support its expansion efforts.
With over 15 years of experience in investment banking at Credit Suisse and Barclays, Sam is a highly experienced wealth management practitioner and business leader in the development and implementation of institutional-grade financial technology solutions.
A former Executive Director and CFO of a fintech company listed on NASDAQ, which provides a platform for integrating and personalising financial services across Southeast Asia to over 68 million users.
Sam was reportedly instrumental in raising US$ 300 million in pre-IPO funding for the company, successfully guiding the company through its public listing.
Sam Lin
Sam Lin, Chief Executive Officer Asia of SEBA Bank said,
“I am thrilled to join the deeply talented team at SEBA Bank at a pivotal time in the growth of the company.
I am looking forward to working closely with my colleagues across the globe to grow our presence in Asia and beyond”.
Guido Buehler
Guido Buehler, CEO of SEBA Bank, commented,
“We are proud to see that we are making great progress with the constitution of our entities in Hong Kong and Singapore as we have ambitious plans to grow our business in Asia.
 
Sam Lin brings extensive experience in Asian wealth management and has a significant network throughout the region. He is a proven business leader, well equipped to take our Asia business to the next stage of its development.”
 
 
The post SEBA Bank Strengthens APAC Presence With Appointment of New Asia CEO appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/seba-bank-strengthens-apac-presence-with-appointment-of-new-asia-ceo</link><guid>2119</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>SEBA Bank Strengthens APAC Presence With Appointment of New Asia CEO</dc:text></item><item><title>2 Schweizer Krypto-Startups im Mastercard Accelerator dabei</title><description><![CDATA[Mastercard startet ein weiteres globales Startup-Engagement-Programm. Start Path unterstützt schnell wachsende junge Unternehmen aus den Bereichen Digital Assets, Blockchain und Kryptowährungen.
Sieben Startups haben sich dem Programm angeschlossen: GK8, Domain Money, Mintable (Singapore), SupraOracles, STACS (Singapore), Taurus und Uphold. Gemeinsam mit Mastercard werden sie in Zukunft die Innovationskraft im Bereich Digital Assets vorantreiben und sich für einen einfacheren und sicheren Zugang zu Kryptowährungen für alle einsetzen.
Zwei der sieben Teilnehmer am Start Path Programm sind Schweizer Startups: Taurus und SupraOracles.
Taurus bietet eine Infrastruktur an, mit der sämtliche digitalen Vermögenswerte über eine einzige Plattform verwaltet werden können. So bietet Taurus die Emission und Verwahrung, den Handel und das Asset Servicing von Kryptowährungen und weiteren tokenisierten Vermögenswerten aus einer Hand an.

SupraOracles ist ein Unternehmen aus dem Bereich der Oracles, das hilft, Daten aus der realen Welt mit öffentlichen und privaten Blockchains zu verbinden und die Interoperabilität von Smart Contracts unterstützt. Dies mit dem Ziel die Zukunft der Finanzmärkte zu automatisieren, zu vereinfachen und zu sichern.
Jess Turner
Jess Turner, Executive Vice President von New Digital Infrastructure und Fintech bei Mastercard, kommentiert:
«Mastercard engagiert sich seit 2015 im Ökosystem der digitalen Währungen. Als führender Technologieanbieter glauben wir daran, dass wir in der Branche durch aktive Mitgestaltung eine Schlüsselrolle übernehmen können. Neben unserem Beitrag in den Bereichen Konsumentenschutz und Sicherheit sehen wir unsere Rolle darin, etablierte Prinzipien der Finanzwelt mit den Innovationen neuer digitaler Vermögenswerte zu verbinden.»
Ziel der sieben jungen Digital Asset und Blockchain Unternehmen ist es, aktuelle Probleme zu lösen, darunter die Tokenisierung von Vermögenswerten, Datengenauigkeit, die digitale Sicherheit sowie der nahtlose Zugang zwischen der traditionellen und der digitalen Wirtschaft. Jedes der Startups konzentriert sich auf die Lösung einer einzigartigen Branchenherausforderung und wird im Rahmen des Start Path Programms mithilfe der Expertise von Mastercard das eigene Wachstum sowie die Entwicklung von neuen Lösungen vorantreiben.
Zu den weiteren Programmteilnehmern gehören:
Mintable (Singapur) ist ein Marktplatz für NFTs (Non Fungible Tokens), auf dem Nutzer:innen digitale und physische Vermögenswerte erstellen, kaufen und verkaufen können, wie zum Beispiel avantgardistische Kunstwerke oder Musik. NFTs sind durch die Blockchain gesicherte Vermögenswerte und nicht austauschbar. Die Mintable Plattform ist voller neuartiger Funktionen und auf Konsument:innen ohne Vorkenntnisse im Bereich Krypto oder Programmierung abgestimmt.
GK8 (Israel) ist eine selbstverwaltete End-to-End-Plattform für die Verwahrung institutioneller Krypto-Assets und bietet einen echten, luftgekühlten Tresorraum. Damit ist die Plattform in der Lage ohne direkte Internetverbindung sichere Blockchain-Transaktionen zu erstellen, zu signieren und zu versenden. So eliminiert GK8 sämtliche potenziellen Cyberangriffsvektoren von vornherein.
Domain Money (USA) hat sich zum Ziel gesetzt, eine Investmentplattform der nächsten Generation aufzubauen, die die Lücke zwischen digitalen Assets und traditioneller Finanzierung für Privatanleger schliesst.
STACS (Singapur) bietet eine Blockchain-Infrastruktur für die Finanzindustrie, um Wertpotenziale zu erschliessen und eine effektive nachhaltige Finanzierung zu ermöglichen. Zu seinen Kund:innen und Partner:innen gehören globale Banken, nationale Börsen und Vermögensverwalter:innen.
Uphold (USA) ist eine kryptonative Multi-Asset-Plattform für digitales Geld, welche Investitions- und Zahlungsdienstleistungen für Konsument:innen und Unternehmen weltweit anbietet. Uphold bietet eine einzigartige «Anything-to-Anything»-Trading-Erfahrung. Damit können Kund:innen dank eingebettetem Zahlungssystem (Embedded Payments) nahtlos zwischen Anlageklassen handeln.
Digitale Vermögenswerte und Fintech-Innovationen
Die Unterstützung des Startup-Ökosystems ist ein zentraler Bestandteil des Ethos von Mastercard, und mehr als 250 Startups haben seit 2014 am Start Path-Programm teilgenommen. Mit der Ausweitung von Start Path auf schnell wachsende Krypto-, Blockchain- und Digital-Asset-Startups bietet Mastercard Zugang zu seinen neuesten Tools und Lösungen, um diese Unternehmen bei der Skalierung ihrer Innovationen und Spitzentechnologien zu unterstützen. Die Startups nutzen das Programm, um sich mit Mastercards Ökosystem aus Banken, Händler:innen, Partner:innen und digitalen Akteuren auf der ganzen Welt zu verbinden und neue Lösungen zu liefern.
Featured image credit: Mastercard
The post 2 Schweizer Krypto-Startups im Mastercard Accelerator dabei appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/2-schweizer-krypto-startups-im-mastercard-accelerator-dabei</link><guid>2115</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>2 Schweizer Krypto-Startups im Mastercard Accelerator dabei</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Tradeplus24 “Raises” $225 Million To Drive Expansion</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss small and medium enterprise (SME) financing startup Tradeplus24 has raked in $225 million in a mix of equity and debt financing, Australian Financial Review (AFR) reported.
Of the total funding, $25 million is in equity financing and the remaining $200 million is in debt financing.
The biggest investment in this round came from existing investors Credit Suisse, SIX Group, and Berliner Volksbank. A European family office also participated in the round, the report noted. The round precedes a larger Series B raise scheduled for early next year.
Founded in 2016, Zurich-headquartered Tradeplus24 provides flexible and easy funding to SMEs looking to improve their liquidity. Businesses can take 30-180 days to clear due invoices which keep capital tied up. Therefore, Tradeplus24 extends a credit line against outstanding payments to help improve the immediate liquidity position of SMEs.
The startup lends between $500,000 and $10 million using a borrower&#8217;s receivables as security. It also buys insurance against missed payments to minimise risk. The startup provides funding for receivables from both domestic and international debtors.
In 2019, the startup expanded to Australia which is emerging as Tradeplus24&#8217;s fastest-growing market. According to the AFR report, Australia is expected to become Tradeplus24&#8217;s largest market by mid-2022. The startup has already funded nearly 25 SMEs in Australia with almost $100 million in debt facilities.
The fresh funds will boost Tradeplus24&#8217;s lending capabilities as well as its acquisition goals aimed at bolstering its technological proficiency, the report said. With its increasing success in Australia, the firm is looking to bring on board Australian strategic investors in its next funding round, the report added.
 
Featured image credit: Tradeplus24
The post Swiss Fintech Tradeplus24 &#8220;Raises&#8221; $225 Million To Drive Expansion appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-tradeplus24-raises-225-million-to-drive-expansion</link><guid>2114</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Tradeplus24 “Raises” $225 Million To Drive Expansion</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Tradeplus24 Raises $25 Million To Drive Expansion</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss small and medium enterprise (SME) financing startup Tradeplus24 has raked in $225 million in pre-Series B round, the startup announced.
Of the total funding, $25 million is in equity financing and the remaining $200 million is in debt financing. According to the press release, the startup was originally targeting $15 million in the equity round but due to overwhelming investor confidence closed a significantly oversubscribed round in just six weeks.
The round was led by a European family office that has previously invested in startups like Klarna, Delivery Hero, and Lyft. Existing investors Credit Suisse, SIX Group, and Berliner Volksbank also participated in the round, the statement noted. The round precedes a larger Series B raise scheduled for early next year.
Founded in 2016, Zurich-headquartered Tradeplus24 provides flexible and easy funding to SMEs looking to improve their liquidity. Businesses can take 30-180 days to clear due invoices which keep capital tied up. Therefore, Tradeplus24 extends a credit line against outstanding payments to help improve the immediate liquidity position of SMEs.
The startup lends between $500,000 and $10 million using a borrower&#8217;s receivables as security. It also buys insurance against missed payments to minimise risk. The startup provides funding for receivables from both domestic and international debtors.
In 2019, the startup expanded to Australia which is emerging as Tradeplus24&#8217;s fastest-growing market. According to an AFR report, Australia is expected to become Tradeplus24&#8217;s largest market by mid-2022. The startup has already funded nearly 25 SMEs in Australia with almost $100 million in debt facilities. Moreover, Tradeplus24&#8217;s Australian arm has also witnessed a 3x increase in customers in Q2 2021.
The strong global demand for Tradeplus24’s unique, invisible, and low-cost line of credit solution is indicative of the global nature of the issue it solves, said Tradeplus24 Australia Managing Director, Adam Lane.
Lane added,

Adam Lane
“There is nowhere in the world where the issues around efficient access to working capital for SMEs have been adequately addressed at scale. This is especially true when it comes to loan amounts ranging between $500k to $10 million. So the enormous demand for our unique tech-enabled line of credit solution is unsurprising &#8211; particularly as the world still comes to terms with the new business landscape created in the wake of the pandemic.


“It’s a widely-known fact that incumbents in the invoice finance sector suffer from legacy systems, slow and manual processes, and an acute lack of innovation which forces their customers to waste countless hours on unnecessary and frustrating administration. We are determined to provide an alternative that offers much-needed support to growing Aussie businesses, whose growth prospects will be massively amplified through greater access to capital via the simple and user-friendly solution Tradeplus24 provides.&#8221;

Tradeplus24’s global team also doubled in size during 2021, the statement noted. The fresh funds will boost Tradeplus24&#8217;s lending capabilities as well as its acquisition goals aimed at bolstering its technological proficiency. According to the press statement, the new capital injection will help the startup expand its existing operations in Australia and Europe and launch its presence in the UK and Netherlands later this year.
With its increasing success in Australia, the firm is looking to bring on board Australian strategic investors in its next funding round, the report added.
 
Featured image credit: Tradeplus24
The post Swiss Fintech Tradeplus24 Raises $25 Million To Drive Expansion appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-tradeplus24-raises-25-million-to-drive-expansion</link><guid>2116</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Tradeplus24 Raises $25 Million To Drive Expansion</dc:text></item><item><title>What are Stablecoins and What Risks and Opportunities Do They Bring?</title><description><![CDATA[Stablecoins, or digital tokens with values tied to fiat currencies or other assets, have surged in popularity over the past year on the back of booming cryptocurrency transaction activity, the emergence of decentralized finance (DeFi), and a large rise in digital payments more generally.
Total stablecoins in circulation recently surpassed 100 billion, up from about 10 billion a year ago, according to a June paper by Moody’s. Globally, CB Insights estimates that there have been at least 200 stablecoins either released or in development.
Number of stablecoins in circulation has jumped over the past year, Source: FAQ on the risks and opportunities of stablecoins, Moody’s Investors Service, June 2021
While historically, stablecoins were created for use in the crypto and blockchain realm, interest is expanding to the traditional financial sector where a growing number of financial institutions are attempting to find ways to integrate stablecoins into their businesses.
JPMorgan launched in 2020 the JPM Coin, a system that allows clients to instantly transfer US dollars held on deposit with the bank, facilitating thus real-time value movement and helping solve common hurdles of traditional cross-border payments.
In March 2021, Visa began supporting the use of USD Coin (USDC), a stablecoin backed by the US dollar, to settle transactions. The firm started piloting the capability with partner Crypto.com, but plans to offer the USDC settlement capability to additional partners later this year.
Meanwhile, digital currency group Diem Association, formerly known as Facebook’s Libra project, is planning to launch a pilot of a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar later this year.
With stablecoins rapidly entering the mainstream, we look today at what these innovations are, what they bring to the table, and what risks they pose.
What are stablecoins?
A stablecoin is a cryptocurrency whose value is pegged to another asset class, such as a fiat currency or gold, to limit price fluctuation. Stablecoins aim to solve traditional cryptocurrencies’ volatility issue, all the while retaining the convenience cryptocurrencies typical offer, including instant consensus-based settlement and privacy.
Stablecoins are also different from central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), which are digital representations of legal tender and direct liabilities of the central bank itself, since they are issued by the private sector as a digital alternative to fiat currency.
Currently, four main types of stablecoins exist. These have different characteristics and roles within the digital asset ecosystem. The fiat-collateralized stablecoin is pegged to a fiat currency such as the UD dollar or the euro and maintains a 1:1 ration with a unit of that currency, while the crypto-collateralized stablecoin is pegged to a cryptocurrency like bitcoin or ether. The asset-backed stablecoin uses exchange-traded commodities such as precious metals and oil as collateral. Finally, the algorithmic stablecoin deploys an experimental mechanism to control the money supply and maintain the price.
Advantages of stablecoins
The key advantage of stablecoins is their practical application for everyday transactions because their values don’t fluctuate as much as traditional cryptocurrencies like bitcoin and ether. Since stablecoins offer all the major benefits of cryptocurrencies, minus the volatility, they have the potential to be a pertinent alternative to cash.
Stablecoins also have the benefits of DLT, including low costs, global reach and speed. They can potentially facilitate cross-border trades, lower transactions fees and speed them up. They can also help improve financial inclusion by providing a universally accessible peer-to-peer payment system.
Not only that, but in a world that’s increasingly more connected, stablecoins offer the potential for better integration into our digital lives since they’re being designed by firms that thrive on user-centric design.
Challenges and risks associated with stablecoins
Despite the significant advantages stablecoins bring, they also present challenges and risks. First, banks could lost their place as intermediaries if they lose deposits to stablecoin providers. Second, monopolies could rise and tech giants could use their networks to shut out competitors and monetize information, notes the International Monetary Fund (IFM).
Weaker currencies could also face threats, especially those in countries with high inflation and weak institutions. Local currencies could be shunned in favor of stablecoins in foreign currency, creating thus a new form of “dollarization” and undermining monetary policy, financial development and economic growth.
Other risks include misuse of personal information, especially in models where providers are offering their services free of charge in exchange for personal data, exposure to money laundering and other criminal activities, systemic risks in the case the operational failure of a payment system, and environmental implications related to the amount of energy required to mine tokens.
These risks, coupled with the stablecoin’s global reach and their rapid growth in usage, have led regulators, policymakers and central banks to begin looking closely into the sector.
Earlier this week, top financial regulators in the US met to discuss stablecoins. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen emphasized “the need to act quickly to ensure there is an appropriate US regulatory framework in place.”
In September 2020, the European Union (EU) set out plans to create comprehensive rules for crypto assets, including stress tests as well as capital and liquidity requirements, stating that Facebook would have to adhere to them before launching its proposed stablecoin in the bloc.
The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) published in 2019 a supplement to its initial coin offering (ICO) guidelines, outlining how it treats stablecoins under Swiss supervisory law.
 
Featured image credit: Photo by Roger Brown from Pexels
The post What are Stablecoins and What Risks and Opportunities Do They Bring? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/what-are-stablecoins-and-what-risks-and-opportunities-do-they-bring</link><guid>2113</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Number-of-stablecoins-in-circulation-has-jumped-over-the-past-year.png</dc:content ><dc:text>What are Stablecoins and What Risks and Opportunities Do They Bring?</dc:text></item><item><title>Spendesk Raises €100 Million in Series C Funding</title><description><![CDATA[Paris-headquartered Spendesk, an all-in-one spend management platform for finance teams, has raised €100 million in a Series C funding round.
The round was led by global growth equity firm General Atlantic while existing investors Index Ventures and Eight Roads Ventures also participated in the round.
With the current investment, Spendesk&#8217;s total funding reached €160 million. The startup will use the fresh funds to double its team size to more than 600 employees in the next two years. It will also accelerate product innovation in a bid to bring more automation and insights to every aspect of business spending, the press release stated.
Founded in 2016, Spendesk is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform that helps clients manage business expenditures. It claims to provide full visibility and control on all company spending — with every purchase trackable to a person, a project, and a budget.
The Spendesk platform combines payments, processes and data into a single platform, with virtual and physical cards for employees, expense reimbursements, invoice management, automated spend approvals, and budgets. The solution aims to automate day-to-day admin tasks, enabling finance teams to focus on strategic functions.
Rodolphe Ardant, Co-founder and CEO of Spendesk, said,

Rodolphe Ardant
“Work culture is becoming increasingly informed by our private lives. Employees crave more empowerment, agility and faster decision-making to be effective in their roles. And traditionally, finance teams haven’t been equipped with the tools that can support this transformation.
 
In the past few years we have built the reference spend management solution for finance teams in Europe, which frees businesses and their people from administrative constraints of spending and managing money at work. While our solution is about empowering finance teams, we are actually delivering value to the entire business through the finance team.”
The startup will use and benefit from General Atlantic&#8217;s experience in scaling SaaS and fintech startups like OpenClassrooms, Doctolib, Typeform and Mollie, Ardant added.
In a blog post, Ardant explained that spending money at work has traditionally been a complicated and time-consuming ordeal. This slows down businesses and reduces their output, Ardant wrote. Moreover, it restricts talented finance team members from adding value to companies as they spend weeks chasing receipts, reconciling payments or manually updating budgets, he argued.
Therefore, Spendesk helps streamline the entire expenditure handling of a company. It allows non-finance employees to manage spending themselves, providing them all the guidance they need to make the right decisions, Ardant wrote. Using Spendesk, managers can track and control budgets seamlessly while senior leadership gets more visibility over cash flow and revenue, he added.
Aaron Goldman, Managing Director and Global Co-Head of Financial Services at General Atlantic noted,

Aaron Goldman
“Rodolphe and the Spendesk team have set out to become the operating system for business spending – delivering visibility, transparency, and control to the CFO suite. The company is driving much-needed digital innovation in antiquated finance processes and helping to define the spend management software category. ”
The new funding comes after Spendesk witnessed robust growth amid the pandemic. According to the press release, Spendesk has doubled its revenue and team size during the pandemic. Moreover, membership in Spendesk&#8217;s global finance community, CFO Connect, has also doubled and now has over 6,500 members worldwide.
 
Featured image (left to right): Aaron Goldman, Managing Director and Global Co-Head of Financial Services at General Atlantic and Rodolphe Ardant, Co-founder and CEO of Spendesk. 
Featured image credit: Spendesk
The post Spendesk Raises €100 Million in Series C Funding appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/spendesk-raises-100-million-in-series-c-funding</link><guid>2111</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Spendesk Raises €100 Million in Series C Funding</dc:text></item><item><title>Solarisbank Becomes Unicorn With EUR 190 Million Series D Funding</title><description><![CDATA[
Berlin-based Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) platform Solarisbank has raised EUR 290 million in an oversubscribed Series D funding round, the startup announced.
The funding was led by Switzerland-based Decisive Capital Management while new investors Pathway Capital Management, CNP (Groupe Frère) and Ilavska Vuillermoz Capital participated in the round. Existing investors led by yabeo Capital, alongside BBVA, Vulcan Capital and HV Capital also provided significant additional investments.
With the current funding round, Solarisbank became a unicorn with a valuation of € 1.4 billion, the press release noted. The startup had previously raised € 60 million in its Series C funding round in June 2020 at a valuation of €320 million. This indicates that the startup&#8217;s valuation has grown nearly five times in 13 months.
Including the current investment round, Solarisbank&#8217;s total funding stands at over € 350 million. The startup will use the fresh funds for business expansion.


Founded in 2016, Solarisbank facilitates embedded finance by helping banks and fintechs to integrate financial services into their own product offering via APIs. The startup offers a range of financial services through 180 APIs that clients can use to build products for end-users. These products include basic banking and card services, lending, payments, and know-your-customer services. Solarisbank has a full German banking license.
Thomas Schlytter-Henrichsen, Partner at Decisive Capital Management, noted,

Thomas Schlytter-Henrichsen
We are experiencing a paradigm shift in banking, where customers expect financial services to adapt to their specific needs. Technology is the key to enable this transformation and Solarisbank’s powerful Banking-as-a-Service platform positions it perfectly for this new banking era.
Since its last funding round, Solarisbank has migrated its full tech stack to the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud. The startup has also moved all its clients to its core banking system developed in-house. This has enabled Solarisbank to set a new European benchmark in terms of cost efficiency, scalability and service quality, the company claims.
Recently, Solarisbank announced its official market entry in France, Italy and Spain, where it will offer local international bank account numbers (IBANs) to its partners. The startup has nearly 50 clients including well-known industry names like Trade Republic, American Express, BP, Samsung and Vivid. Through its customers, Solarisbank&#8217;s services cover nearly 2 million end-user accounts.
Alongside its funding announcement, Solaribank also declared that it is acquiring rival Contis. Founded in 2008, Contis is a leading profitable pan-European BaaS provider. The acquisition will help Solarisbank expand its offerings to all over Europe and start expanding to Asia, Solarisbank CEO Roland Folz told Techcrunch.
According to Folz, the combined entity with generate revenues of hundreds of millions of euros. Solarisbank recorded net revenue of €35 million in 2020. The combined entity will be led by Folz while Cox will support the transition in his new role as Senior Advisor and shareholder.
 

Featured image (Left to right): Solarisbank CEO Roland Folz and Ramin Niroumand, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Solarisbank 
Image credit: Solarisbank


The post Solarisbank Becomes Unicorn With EUR 190 Million Series D Funding appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/solarisbank-becomes-unicorn-with-eur-190-million-series-d-funding</link><guid>2110</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Solarisbank Becomes Unicorn With EUR 190 Million Series D Funding</dc:text></item><item><title>Solarisbank Reaches Unicorn Status With EUR 190 Million Series D Funding</title><description><![CDATA[
Berlin-based Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) platform Solarisbank has raised EUR 290 million in an oversubscribed Series D funding round, clinching the coveted unison status with a valuation of € 1.4 billion.
The funding was led by Switzerland-based Decisive Capital Management while new investors Pathway Capital Management, CNP (Groupe Frère) and Ilavska Vuillermoz Capital participated in the round.
Existing investors led by yabeo Capital, alongside BBVA, Vulcan Capital and HV Capital also provided significant additional investments.
The startup&#8217;s valuation has grown nearly five times in 13 months having previously raised € 60 million in its Series C funding round in June 2020 at a valuation of €320 million.
Including the current investment round, Solarisbank&#8217;s total funding stands at over € 350 million. The startup will use the fresh funds for business expansion.


Founded in 2016, Solarisbank facilitates embedded finance by helping banks and fintechs to integrate financial services into their own product offering via APIs.
The startup offers a range of financial services through 180 APIs that clients can use to build products for end-users. These products include basic banking and card services, lending, payments, and know-your-customer services.
Solarisbank has a full German banking license.
Thomas Schlytter-Henrichsen, Partner at Decisive Capital Management, noted,

Thomas Schlytter-Henrichsen
We are experiencing a paradigm shift in banking, where customers expect financial services to adapt to their specific needs. Technology is the key to enable this transformation and Solarisbank’s powerful Banking-as-a-Service platform positions it perfectly for this new banking era.
Since its last funding round, Solarisbank has migrated its full tech stack to the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud. The startup has also moved all its clients to its core banking system developed in-house. This has enabled Solarisbank to set a new European benchmark in terms of cost efficiency, scalability and service quality, the company claims.
Recently, Solarisbank announced its official market entry in France, Italy and Spain, where it will offer local international bank account numbers (IBANs) to its partners. The startup has nearly 50 clients including well-known industry names like Trade Republic, American Express, BP, Samsung and Vivid. Through its customers, Solarisbank&#8217;s services cover nearly 2 million end-user accounts.
Alongside its funding announcement, Solaribank also declared that it is acquiring rival Contis. Founded in 2008, Contis is a leading profitable pan-European BaaS provider. The acquisition will help Solarisbank expand its offerings to all over Europe and start expanding to Asia, Solarisbank CEO Roland Folz told Techcrunch.
According to Folz, the combined entity with generate revenues of hundreds of millions of euros. Solarisbank recorded net revenue of €35 million in 2020. The combined entity will be led by Folz while Cox will support the transition in his new role as Senior Advisor and shareholder.
 

Featured image (Left to right): Solarisbank CEO Roland Folz and Ramin Niroumand, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Solarisbank 


The post Solarisbank Reaches Unicorn Status With EUR 190 Million Series D Funding appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/solarisbank-reaches-unicorn-status-with-eur-190-million-series-d-funding</link><guid>2112</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Solarisbank Reaches Unicorn Status With EUR 190 Million Series D Funding</dc:text></item><item><title>2021, a Tipping Point for Digital Asset Adoption in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[2021 was the tipping point for the acceptance of cryptocurrencies and digital assets in Switzerland. Investors entered the space at a rapid pace and client demand became simply too large to brush aside. Meanwhile, financial institutions started actively joining the sector and some larger banks are now reportedly working on a digital asset offering behind the scene, according a new report by Swiss blockchain-focused early stage venture capital (VC) investor CV VC.
In early 2021, digital assets moved “from something easily dismissed as hype (or worse) to a nascent and exciting new asset class,” and at this stage of the game, it’s safe to say that they “are clearly here to stay,” the report says.
Drawing on more than 80 interviews with senior executives from banks, wealth managers and service providers as well as professional individual investors and family offices, the report shares that several respondents confirmed that a number of large Swiss institutions are preparing for a digital asset offering out of public view.
This will likely give the sector a boost considering that larger Swiss banks have been mostly absent so far, preferring to adopt a wait-and-see approach towards cryptocurrencies and digital assets over regulatory concerns, the report says.
At the moment, over 14 private, retail and online banks are active in the digital asset space, the research found, and more are projected to enter this year amid rising investor demand. Swiss exchange operator SIX, for example, is awaiting regulatory backing for its Swiss Digital Exchange (SDX) and hopes it will be able to start operating in the second half of 2021.
2021 saw many key developments taking place in the Swiss crypto industry, the paper notes, citing the entrance of the first Swiss pension fund into digital assets, and the announcement that insurance firm AXA would start accepting bitcoin for payments.
In April, Geneva-based Taurus got regulatory approval for the first independent, regulated marketplace for digital assets, a major step given that Switzerland is still missing a venue for larger trading volumes.
“Clearly, digital assets are making huge strides towards wider adoption in Switzerland,” the report says, and the country is now home to a diverse and rapidly maturing digital asset ecosystem comprising pure players, fintech companies, and incumbent financial institutions.
Swiss Digital Asset Ecosystem, Source: First Swiss Digital Asset and Wealth Management Report 2021, CVVC
Switzerland: a leader in blockchain and digital assets
Switzerland’s competence in wealth management, experienced regulator and modern regulatory framework have allowed to country to become “one of the most advanced nations when it comes to blockchain and crypto assets, not only in Europe, but also globally,” according to the recent EU Blockchain Ecosystem Development Report.
Back in 2019, Switzerland was the first country to award banking licenses to crypto banks SEBA and Sygnum, a world-first that put the “Crypto Nation Switzerland” on the global map of the growing digital asset ecosystem.
Last year, the Parliament adopted the Federal Act on the Adaptation of Federal Law to Developments in Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT Act). The law is designed as a blanket act that provides for selective adjustments in a total of nine federal laws, spanning from civil law to financial market law and insolvency law.
Among other things, the legislation enables the adoption of DLT as a new way of issuing financial instruments, and introduces a new financial market infrastructure authorization type, the so-called DLT trading facility. These facilities provide custody, settlement and clearing services for both cryptocurrencies and digital securities.
The History of the Crypto Valley, 2021, Source: First Swiss Digital Asset and Wealth Management Report 2021, CV VC
Last month, Germany’s stock exchange operator Deutsche Börse snapped up Swiss crypto firm Crypto Finance, further reflecting a growing trend of traditional financial institutions gearing themselves up for the anticipated growth in the trade of digital assets.
Founded in 2017, Crypto Finance provides trading, storage, and investment in digital assets to institutional and professional clients. The acquisition will allow Deutsche Börse to extend its offering for digital assets by providing a direct entry point for investments, including post-trade services such as custody, the group said in statement.
The post 2021, a Tipping Point for Digital Asset Adoption in Switzerland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/2021-a-tipping-point-for-digital-asset-adoption-in-switzerland</link><guid>2109</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Swiss-Digital-Asset-Ecosystem-Source-First-Swiss-Digital-Asset-and-Wealth-Management-Report-2021-CVVC.png</dc:content ><dc:text>2021, a Tipping Point for Digital Asset Adoption in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Marketplace Lending Volume Surged 42.5% to CHF 15.4 Billion in 2020</title><description><![CDATA[In 2020, the total volume of new debt capital brokered through online platform in Switzerland grew 42.5% to CHF 15.4 billion.
This represents a 183% increase from 2017 during which total volume of marketplace lending in Switzerland totaled CHF 5.4 billion, and indicates that marketplace lending is increasing moving into the mainstream, found a new research paper by the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, the Swiss Marketplace Lending Association (SMLA) and the TMF Group.
Total Volume Swiss Marketplace Lending, 2017-2020 (in CHF million; * = estimate), Source: Marketplace Lending Report Switzerland 2021, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Swiss Marketplace Lending Association (SMLA) and TMF Group
Breaking down the different segments composing marketplace lending, data show that while consumer loans and small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) loans volumes stalled between 2017 and 2020, real estate crowdlending, online loans for mid-sized and large corporations, and public entities, and online mortgage loans drove the whole sector’s growth, with volumes soaring 1,184%, 350% and 70%, respectively.
2020 numbers show that online loans for mid-sized and large corporations and public entities took the lion’s share, making up for more than 58% of the year’s total marketplace lending volume.
Three market participants are active in the segment – Loanboox, Cosmofunding (owned by Bank Vontobel), and Valyo (owned by Raiffeisen Schweiz) – and they now hold an estimated 10% market share, the report says.
 
Market Growth vs Relevance (Indicative, Estimated Values) in Different Market Segments, Source: Marketplace Lending Report Switzerland 2021, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Swiss Marketplace Lending Association (SMLA) and TMF Group
These figures coincide with the fact that public entities, including municipalities, cities and cantons, have embraced online lending at a faster pace than other segments.
A separate 2020 study by the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts focused on municipalities found that about 15% of the surveyed municipalities used platforms for financing purposes in 2019. While banks remained public entities’ most important financial partners, their market share is decreasing, sliding 11% compared to the 2016 study, the research found.
After online loans for mid-sized and large corporations and public entities, online mortgage loans had the second strongest growth rates of about 20% annually and a market share of about 3%. In 2020, volumes jumped to CHF 9 billion, growing 45% from 2019.
Six different brokerage platforms currently operate in the space: UBS Atrium and key4 by UBS, both owned by UBS; Valuu, run by PostFinance; and HypoPlus, Hypotheke and MoneyPark, three independent players.
At the end of 2020, a total of 15 platforms in Switzerland were active in the crowdlending segment.
Swiss crowdlending platforms as of December 2020, Source: Marketplace Lending Report Switzerland 2021, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Swiss Marketplace Lending Association (SMLA) and TMF Group
Though significant growth has been witnessed since 2018, the Swiss crowdlending space remains relatively small, especially when compared to the UK and the US, the report says.
Moving forward, the authors expect a rebound in the SME lending market, which took a halt due to the Swiss government’s loan program. In 2021 and onward, growth rates are set to accelerate, the report says, especially considering that many SMEs have grown accustomed to digital tools amid COVID-19, and could potentially be more open to digital lending solutions.
Despite already strong growth, the momentum of online mortgages is projected to continue with growth rates estimated at around 30% per year during the next two to three years. With a market share of just 3%, the space is poised to take off considerably. In comparison, in Germany, 40% of mortgages are concluded or extended via online platforms. In the Netherlands and the UK, the figures are as high as 65% and 70%, respectively.
The post Swiss Marketplace Lending Volume Surged 42.5% to CHF 15.4 Billion in 2020 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-marketplace-lending-volume-surged-425-to-chf-154-billion-in-2020</link><guid>2108</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Total-Volume-Swiss-Marketplace-Lending-2017-2020-in-CHF-million-estimate-.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Marketplace Lending Volume Surged 42.5% to CHF 15.4 Billion in 2020</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 12 Global Neobanking Influencers in 2021</title><description><![CDATA[From retail and telecommunications to construction and transport, numerous sectors are currently experiencing disruption and digital transformation. This trend has been further accelerated by the global pandemic that forced people to adopt digital services in all spheres of life.
In the financial services sector, a major trend arising out of this drive for digital transformation has been the rise of neobanks, that operate solely online without any physical presence, unlike traditional banks.
As the Economist put it, the future of banking could be best understood through the eyes of digital natives. The main reason people choose a bank is convenience – for older people that means a nearby branch, while for the younger tech-savvy generation it means an excellent app.
Amid this robust growth of neobanking, a number of significant influencers have emerged in the space. Here&#8217;s a look at the top 10 influencers shaking up the neobanking space.
Global neobanking Influencers
Thousands of media articles and social media posts were scoured through and analysed by Commetric to find the top neobanking influencers. The company used Influencer Network Analysis, which uses natural language processing (NLP), text mining, dynamic visualisation and human enrichment, to provide a data-backed ranking of neobanking influencers.
The media discussion around the relevant neobanking companies is presented as a two-mode network map below, displaying the influencers (circles) and the publications (squares) that referenced them in the neobanking coverage. The size of the circles indicates the influencer’s prominence in the media discussion, while the width of the connections between the individuals and the publications is indicative of the coverage volume.

Moreover, social media conversations including 18,399 tweets posted between May 2020 and May 2021 were also analysed by Commetric. As with everything relating to technology, cryptocurrencies, blockchain, AI or innovation as a whole, the social media discussion around neobanking is very dynamic, with many influencers regularly sharing thought leadership.
1. Anne Boden, CEO of Starling Bank
Anne Boden
The bulk of the influencers came from neobanks, with Anne Boden, CEO of Starling, being the most influential individual in the debate. Publications like the Financial Times, CNBC and the BBC mentioned her not only in reports on Goldman’s investment in Starling but also in analyses on female leadership in the financial services industry.
Boden told the BBC,
“women have to achieve more, work harder and be much more perfect to get the job compared to a man,” and that the experience of being treated differently because she is female only inspires her to work harder.
The rise of neobanks and fintech startups as a whole has been perceived as ushering in more opportunities for women to become leaders. Banking has been an industry with a palpable presence in the gender diversity media debate – for example, Goldman Sachs received a flurry of media attention after announcing that it will carry out IPOs only for companies that have at least one woman or non-white board member.
2. Eric Wilson, Co-founder of Xinja
Eric Wilson
The second most influential individual, Eric Wilson, Co-founder of Xinja, was mentioned by outlets like Daily Mail and The Guardian because of his bank’s failure – Xinja became the first Australian bank to return all customer deposits and to surrender its banking licence after it failed to develop a sustainable business model. Wilson told Business Insider Australia earlier in the year that the bank had been “punched in the face” but that it was picking itself back up.
3. Tom Blomfield, Founder of Monzo
Tom Blomfield
Monzo Founder Tom Blomfield gained prominence in the media for his decision to quit the digital bank because of mental health struggles during the pandemic after stepping down as CEO last year. He had also said that he did not enjoy working for Monzo in the two years since it transformed from a startup into a major brand with almost 5 million customers. Prior to Monzo, Blomfield worked at rival Starling.
Talking about his experience with Monzo at a recent podcast, he said,
“If I knew … the amount of pain and heartache involved I would never have started. But I didn’t know that, so I had a huge amount of self-confidence, a huge amount of naivety and just assumed that I could figure it out.”
4. Nik Storonsky, CEO of Revolut
Nik Storonsky
Considered a &#8220;genius&#8221; by many, Nik Storonsky, CEO of Revolut, recently gained the spotlight for his assertion that if he was starting a payments business today, he would think digital banking wouldn’t be attractive because the capital requirements are so much tighter. He was referring to the Financial Conduct Authority’s plan to enforce new rules that experts say will drive up costs.
Storonsky has also been in the news previously for his mercurial personality, as well the startup&#8217;s questionable client acquisition and hiring practices.
5. Spiros Margaris, Founder of Margaris Ventures
Spiros Margaris
Spiros Margaris, venture capitalist and futurist, and the founder and owner of Margaris Ventures had the highest influence score. He is a well-established thought leader and a frequent speaker at international fintech and insurtech conferences.
Recently, he suggested that although some claim the fintech industry has already seen the most exciting achievements it has to offer, there’s a lot more still to see, because to date, fintechs — from neobanks to trading apps — have picked only the low-hanging fruit. He also tweets about Bitcoin, saying that it is much more than a speculative asset.
6. Interfima and its director Marc R Gagné
Marc R Gagné
Margaris was followed by the professional financial association Interfima and its director Marc R Gagné, who shares cybersecurity-related news. Gagné is a privacy and data governance advocate who sits on the Board of Directors of the Privacy and Access Council of Canada since 2010.
With nearly two decades of experience, Gagné has been focused on providing policy advice for government and corporate clientele alike. He is also a contributing author for Irish Tech News and regularly tweets about cybersecurity breaches and related issues.
7. Urs Bolt, product manager of ti&amp;m
Urs Bolt
The most influential individual from a tech firm was Urs Bolt, product manager of digital banking at Swiss software firm ti&amp;m, who recently tweeted that while tech innovations are driving digital banking, most banks’ core systems can’t keep pace nor leverage innovations.
Bolt has over 30 years of experience in wealth management, investment banking and related technology businesses. My core expertise lies in developing and rolling out new digital business platforms. He currently focuses on helping financial service providers and tech companies realign business strategies, advising on strategic projects, developing solutions and markets, and building business partnerships. He is also an active public speaker, moderator, micro-blogger, lecturer and author.
8. Theodora Lau, Founder of Unconventional Ventures
Theodora Lau
From the investment community, Theodora Lau, founder of Unconventional Ventures, a US financial wellness consultancy was found to be a neobanking influencer with a particularly prominent presence. Unconventional Ventures provides consulting services to drive innovation with the aim of improving systematic financial wellness.
Through Unconventional Ventures, Lau focuses on developing and growing an ecosystem of financial institutions, corporations, startups, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and accelerators to better address the unmet needs of consumers. She is also a renowned speaker in the industry, regularly talking on topics including artificial intelligence (AI) and fintech.
Moreover, she co-hosts One Vision, a podcast on innovation and fintech, and runs a weekly newsletter, &#8216;FinTech Prose,&#8217; which discusses emerging technologies such as voice recognition and AI), fintech and innovation. Additionally, she is a guest contributor at Harvard Business Review, Nikkei Asia, MIT Tech Review, American Banker, Breaking Banks, Irish Tech News, among others.
9. Bradley Leimer, Founder of Unconventional Ventures
Bradley Leimer
Bradley Leimer founded Unconventional Ventures with Lau and regularly writes and speaks about banking and technology trends, advises corporates, startups, accelerators and gives speeches at key industry conferences in the financial sector. He promotes engagement banking strategies, that can be described as a marketing, sales, and service model that uses technology to achieve both customer intimacy and scale. A significant element of these efforts is understanding customer behaviour and predicting its impact on evolving business models in banking, Leimer believes.
10. Jim Marous, host of Banking Transformed
Jim Marous
One of the most prominent journalists in neobanking is Jim Marous, host of the Banking Transformed podcast. Marous is an internationally recognized financial industry strategist, co-publisher of The Financial Brand, and owner and publisher of the Digital Banking Report. Marous provides advice on all aspects of digital transformation within the financial services industry.
As a prominent public speaker and author within the financial services industry, Marous contributes to Forbes and has been featured by CNBC, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, The Financial Times, The Economist, among other publications. Marous has also advised the White House on banking policy in the past.
11. Christian König, Founder of Fintech News Network
Christian König
With more than 15 years of experience in financial services including fintech and investment banking, Christian König, Founder of Fintech News Network, has rightly emerged as a neobank influencer. König started his career as a derivatives banker and moved on to the publishing industry to bridge the gap in fintech reporting.
While traditional media houses overlooked the importance of fintech, König aimed at raising awareness around the sector, especially in emerging markets. His company focuses on providing emerging and insightful fintech-related news. Fintech News Network currently has a presence in Switzerland, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Vietnam, Middle East, the Baltic and Africa.
Owing to his expertise in content marketing and digitisation, König is also a well-known lecturer and consultant, both within and outside the financial sector.
12. Brett King, CEO of Moven
Brett King
The only neobank CEO influencer on the list is Brett King, CEO of Moven, one of the first challenger banks which closed its US consumer financial services operations in 2020 due to lack of funding. Moven continues to operate as a mobile banking and financial technology application developer.
King is regarded as an influencer in financial services globally, contributing to publications like the BBC and the Huffington Post and producing on-air interviews with women leaders in the financial tech sector. He recently tweeted about how the shift to a digital-first world triggered by the pandemic has exposed the disparity in digital inclusion.
The post Top 12 Global Neobanking Influencers in 2021 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-12-global-neobanking-influencers-in-2021</link><guid>2107</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Neoinfluencers.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 12 Global Neobanking Influencers in 2021</dc:text></item><item><title>Report: 53% of Global Population Set To Embrace Digital Banking By 2026</title><description><![CDATA[With the pandemic accelerating digital adoption across the globe, the popularity of digital banking has soared through the roof. Around 35% of customers adopted online banking, with 30% specifically increasing their use of mobile banking, since COVID-19 struck last year.
According to the Global Mobile Consumer Trends Report, downloads of mobile banking apps rose 20% from Q1 to Q2 2020. Moreover, the report noted that the Daily Active Users (DAU) of banking apps has also grown by nearly 6% since the pandemic began.
While this data undoubtedly proves that digital banking has gained the limelight since early 2020, a new study by Juniper Research claims that the upward trend is here to stay.
According to their report, 53% of the global population will embrace digital banking services in 2026. This means that the number of digital banking users will increase to 4.2 billion by 2026 from 2.5 billion in 2021.
The new research has identified China as a key player in the digital banking space. By 2026, China will be the largest digital banking market, accounting for nearly 25% of all digital banking users worldwide.
According to Statista&#8217;s 2020 Fintech Survey, China was expected to generate nearly $1.9 trillion worth of transactions or 45% of all digital payments in 2020.

Digital Transformation Readiness Index 2021
Juniper Research’s Digital Transformation in Banking Readiness Index analysed 30 leading Tier 1 banks.
The banks&#8217; digital transformation capabilities were evaluated based on their innovation and investment in digital strategies, and their agility in terms of size, profitability and brand strength.


Juniper Research’s Digital Transformation Readiness Index 2021

Bank of America (BOA) ranked first, followed by HSBC, JPMorgan Chase, BBVA and DBS Bank in the Digital Transformation readiness index. These banks are leading the world in terms of innovative digital strategies and increased user engagement through digital platforms.
According to the report, BOA offers an ever-expanding digital platform, including the Erica chatbot, and has recorded significant growth in digital usage and engagement during COVID-19. JPMorgan Chase, on the other hand, has experimented with blockchain and has made acquisitions in the wealth management space to boost its offerings.
HSBC has launched innovative solutions, such as HSBC Kinetic for small businesses in the UK, while BBVA has launched initiatives including cryptocurrency trading. Singapore-based DBS Bank has also registered high levels of digital engagement.
Research co-author Damla Sat said,
‘These banks have progressed with well-planned and executed digital transformation strategies, and other banks need to build similarly broad and revolutionary roadmaps, or they will be left behind by more agile competitors.&#8221;
Featured image credit: Photo by ijeab on Freepik 
The post Report: 53% of Global Population Set To Embrace Digital Banking By 2026 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/report-53-of-global-population-set-to-embrace-digital-banking-by-2026</link><guid>2106</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://www.juniperresearch.com/getmedia/30cec4d4-6724-4693-ae34-d17c906f7e91/BankingIndex.png.aspx</dc:content ><dc:text>Report: 53% of Global Population Set To Embrace Digital Banking By 2026</dc:text></item><item><title>UK Fintech Soldo Raises US$180 Million in Series C Funding Round Led by Temasek</title><description><![CDATA[Soldo, a London-based business expense automation platform, announced that it has closed a US$180 million oversubscribed Series C funding round.
The fundraise was led by Temasek, a leading global investor headquartered in Singapore.
The round includes new investors Sunley House Capital, Advent International&#8217;s crossover fund, Citi Ventures and continued backing from Accel, Battery Ventures, Dawn Capital, and Silicon Valley Bank for debt financing.
Soldo closed US$61 million in Series B funding in July 2019 and has since significantly increased the size of its business with more than 200 employees across offices in London, Dublin, Rome, and Milan.
The latest funding round will see the company deepen its focus on new markets including Benelux, France and Germany where Soldo sees immense potential for hyper-growth.
The firm will also be able to use the funds to continue accelerating product development and market expansion across Europe&#8217;s addressable market of US$170 billion.
The firm&#8217;s European pay and spend automation platform gives businesses real-time visibility and cost control across all departments, serving more than 26,000 customers from small and mid-market to global enterprise in more than 30 countries.
Carlo Gualandri
Carlo Gualandri, CEO and Founder of Soldo said,
&#8220;We are delighted to welcome Temasek as the lead investor. With a track record of investing in category-leading fintechs, Temasek&#8217;s insights will be valuable to us as we scale our platform and offering.&#8221;
 
The post UK Fintech Soldo Raises US$180 Million in Series C Funding Round Led by Temasek appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/uk-fintech-soldo-raises-us180-million-in-series-c-funding-round-led-by-temasek</link><guid>2105</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>UK Fintech Soldo Raises US$180 Million in Series C Funding Round Led by Temasek</dc:text></item><item><title>Remote Becomes Unicorn With $150 Million Series B Funding</title><description><![CDATA[When the global pandemic struck last year, millions of people transitioned from working in physical offices to working from home, within the span of a few weeks. Physical meetings turned to video calls and break-time interactions moved to online messaging platforms. While several major economies are lifting movement restrictions, it is clear that remote work is here to stay. Several employees and companies are exploring either fully remote or hybrid working structures owing to the flexibility that comes with working remotely.
Therefore, there is a growing demand for remote working tools and software that allow remote teams to function effectively and efficiently. New York-based Remote is one such startup catering to this emerging need. Remote provides tools to manage onboarding, payroll, benefits and other services for technology and other knowledge remote workers, regardless of whether they are contractors or full-time employees.
After registering strong demand for its suite of tools, Remote announced that it has raised $150 million in its Series B funding round. The round was led by Accel, with participation from existing investors Sequoia, Index Ventures, Two Sigma, General Catalyst and Day One Ventures. According to TechCrunch, the new round puts the company&#8217;s valuation at over $1 billion, making it one of the latest unicorns.
Founded in 2017, Remote will use the fresh funds to expand and continue building more tools and partnerships to integrate with other providers of services. Unlike its competitors in the Employer of Record Services space, Remote owns all of its infrastructures.
The startup provides human resource services for 50 countries and aims to expand its presence to 80 countries by the end of 2021. Moreover, Remote is planning to enhance its platform with more tools in areas like benefits, equity incentive planning, visa and immigration support and employee relocation.
Remote co-founder and CEO Job van der Voort said,

Job van der Voort
“We are doubling down on our approach. We try to fully own the entire stack: entity, operations, experts in house, payroll, benefits and visa and immigration — all of the items that come up most often. We want to build infrastructure products, foundational products because those have a higher level of quality and ultimately a lower price.”
Along with its funding announcement, the startup also announced the launch of Global Employee API and a partnership with Greenhouse, an applicant tracking system and recruiting software.
Remote&#8217;s Global Employee API will allow HR and payroll companies to take advantage of Remote’s vertically integrated global employment structure within their own products and platforms, the company said. Moreover, it will help clients consolidate domestic and international payroll and enable their teams to grow faster.
On the other hand, the partnership with Greenhouse will allow Remote to integrate Greenhouse&#8217;s employee information data into its platform. This will help increase the speed and accuracy of Remote customers’ onboarding processes, the company said.
Remote has experienced robust growth since last year. It raised $35 million in its Series A funding round in November 2020. Since November, Remote&#8217;s customer base has grown 7x while the number of users on its platform has increased 10x in the last eight months. Its team has also grown significantly from 50 to over 220 team members in 47 countries spread across six continents.
According to TechCrunch, Remote&#8217;s revenue has increased 65 times, signifying a sharp uptick in user engagement.

 
Featured image credit: Job van der Voort, co-founder and CEO, Remote
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/remote-becomes-unicorn-with-150-million-series-b-funding</link><guid>2103</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Artboard-3-14.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Remote Becomes Unicorn With $150 Million Series B Funding</dc:text></item><item><title>Nassim Taleb Now Calls Bitcoin Worthless, Too Volatile to be a Useful Currency or Store of Value</title><description><![CDATA[Not only does bitcoin fail to satisfy the notion of being a currency without a government, but the cryptocurrency is also not a reliable inflation hedge nor a safe haven investment, Nassim Nicholas Taleb, a probability researcher and former quantitative trader, says in a recent paper.
“Few assets in financial history have been more fragile than bitcoin,” Taleb says in a paper titled Bitcoin, Currencies, and Fragility. Transactions in bitcoin are considerably more expensive than wire services, and are much slower than standard commercial systems used by credit cards, making it not an effective currency.
And because bitcoin requires a sustained amount of interest in it, Taleb says it’s worth “exactly zero.” In comparison, “gold and other precious metals are largely maintenance free, do not degrade over an historical horizon, and do not require maintenance to refresh their physical properties over time,” he says.
Throughout its life, bitcoin has maintained “extremely high volatility” of “between 60% and 100% annualized,” the paper reads, implying that it’s too volatile to be a useful currency or store of value.
BTC Volatility 2013-2021, Source: Bitcoin, Currencies, and Fragility, Nassim Nicholas Taleb, June 2021
On the popular belief that bitcoin is a safe haven against financial tail risk, the author notes that during the March 2020 market panic upon the onset of the global pandemic, the price of bitcoin actually dropped farther than the stock market.
And because bitcoin transactions are open for inspection to everyone, transactions are easily traceable, debunking thus the myth that bitcoin can be used effectively to hide one’s assets from the government and act as a protection from tyrannical regimes.
The paper is in opposition with previous statements Taleb had made about bitcoin in the past. In 2017, he wrote the foreword to The Bitcoin Standard, a book by economist Saifedean Ammous, which makes the case of a “decentralized alternative to central banking.”
Back then, Taleb called bitcoin “the first organic currency,” championing the fact that it’s “owned by the crowd” and “gives us, the crowd, an insurance policy against an Orwellian future.”
Analysts and industry observers have sounded the alarm on bitcoin after the cryptocurrency soared to multiple all-time highs in Q4 2020 and H1 2021, crossing US$63,000 in April 2021. Bitcoin posted a price return of 103% in Q1 2021 alone, according to the CoinGecko Q1 2021 Quarterly Cryptocurrency Report.
But since reaching its peak, bitcoin has slumped, losing more than 50% of its value since April 2021. This came on the back of after public statements by Elon Musk and the announcement of a ban for financial institutions and payment companies from providing cryptocurrency services in China.
Price of bitcoin in USD from January 2017 to July 21, 2021, Source: Coinmarketcap.com
Veteran fund manager David Tice urged investors to stay vigilant in the cryptocurrency space amid these highly volatile times, telling CNBC’s Trading Nation on July 16: “We had a bitcoin position when bitcoin was at US$10,000. However, when it got to US$60,000 we felt like that was long in the tooth.”
He noted that there has been a lot of uproar and negative statements from organizations including central banks and the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) on cryptocurrencies lately, stating that “it’s very dangerous to hold today.”
Recent research by the BIS found that cryptocurrencies are not sought as an alternative to fiat currencies or regulated finance, but instead are a niche digital speculation object.
The paper calls for a regulatory and supervisory framework for cryptocurrency markets since “the objectives of [crypto] investors are the same as those for other asset classes, so should be the regulation.”
 
Featured image credit: Nassim Nicholas Taleb, edited from Unsplash
The post Nassim Taleb Now Calls Bitcoin Worthless, Too Volatile to be a Useful Currency or Store of Value appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/nassim-taleb-now-calls-bitcoin-worthless-too-volatile-to-be-a-useful-currency-or-store-of-value</link><guid>2104</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/BTC-Volatility-2013-2021-Source-Bitcoin-Currencies-and-Fragility-Nassim-Nicholas-Taleb-June-2021.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Nassim Taleb Now Calls Bitcoin Worthless, Too Volatile to be a Useful Currency or Store of Value</dc:text></item><item><title>Singaporean Insurtech bolttech Plots Europe Expansion With Acquisition of i-surance AG</title><description><![CDATA[Singaporean insurtech firm bolttech announced it has acquired i-surance, a next-generation B2B2C digital insurance platform based in Switzerland.
The acquisition of i-surance extends bolttech’s global footprint from 14 to 26 markets across North America, Asia, and Europe, adding 12 new countries in Europe including Belgium, France, Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom.
Launched in 2020, bolttech’s insurance exchange has US$5 billion premium on the platform, providing a gateway to more than 5,000 products and 150 insurance providers.
Supported by a team of 1,400 employees, bolttech currently serves more than 7.7 million customers.
Meanwhile, i-surance offers protection products to leading brands across its markets, including telecommunications providers, retailers, and manufacturers.
The transaction will bring together i-surance’s differentiated product set and geographic footprint with bolttech’s rapidly growing European partnerships, digital native protection and insurance capabilities.
bolttech intends to build out its insurance exchange capabilities in Europe, providing partners and customers with more choice through its B2B2C insurance exchange as it has done in the United States and Asia.
The transaction is part of bolttech’s international expansion strategy and follows its recent closing of US$180 million Series A funding round which values it at more than US$1 billion, giving it unicorn status a year after its launch.
i-surance and bolttech’s customers and partners will not be impacted by the transfer of ownership and rebranding, and all services and agreements will continue uninterrupted.
Rob Schimek
Rob Schimek, Group Chief Executive Officer of bolttech said,
“We are excited to welcome the i-surance team to the bolttech family. We have an aligned vision to connect people with more ways to protect the things they value, and we will build upon bolttech and i-surance’s strong foundations in Europe to accelerate our growth across the region.”
i-surance&#8217;s founder Dr. Jens Schädler, will remain with the business. He will continue to apply his deep experience and expertise as part of the team led by Andrew Cons, bolttech’s General Manager for Europe.
Dr. Jens Schädler
Dr. Jens Schädler, CEO of i-surance commented,
“As the market leader in several European countries for mobile device protection and hearing insurance, we’re delighted to be joining such an ambitious and innovative business as bolttech. As part of the bolttech family we are now able to provide our partners with global solutions.”
 
 
The article first appeared on Fintech News Singapore. 
 
The post Singaporean Insurtech bolttech Plots Europe Expansion With Acquisition of i-surance AG appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/singaporean-insurtech-bolttech-plots-europe-expansion-with-acquisition-of-i-surance-ag</link><guid>2102</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Singaporean Insurtech bolttech Plots Europe Expansion With Acquisition of i-surance AG</dc:text></item><item><title>Visa To Acquire UK Payments Startup Currencycloud</title><description><![CDATA[Visa has signed a definitive agreement to acquire London-based payments startup Currencycloud, Visa announced today. The acquisition builds on an existing strategic partnership between the two companies.
Visa had led an $80 million investment round for Currencycloud at the beginning of 2020. Therefore, the final amount Visa will pay for Currencycloud will be reduced by the outstanding equity it already owns. The deal pegs the valuation of Currencycloud at £700 million, inclusive of cash and retention incentives.
Currencycloud will continue to operate from its London headquarter and will retain its current management team. The finalisation of the deal is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
Currencycloud is a cloud-based global platform that helps banks and fintechs to provide innovative foreign exchange solutions for cross-border payments. Its wide range of APIs enables clients to offer myriad features like real-time notifications on foreign exchange transactions, multi-currency wallets, and virtual account management. Founded in 2007, the startup&#8217;s platform currently supports almost 500 banking and technology clients with a global reach across more than 180 countries.
Currencycloud will strengthen Visa&#8217;s existing forex capabilities and enable it to better serve financial institutions, fintechs and partners while enabling new use cases and payment flows, Visa said. Moreover, Currencycloud will also help accelerate the time-to-market and improve payment transparency for Visa clients. This will help Visa clients to provide flexible, digital-first, international payment services that offer better visibility and control.
Cross-border payments have witnessed significant growth over the last few years. This growth has been driven by increasing demand from businesses of all sizes to engage in international commerce. A recent study shows that 43% of all small businesses conducted international trade in 2020.
The addition of Currencycloud’s capabilities to Visa’s network will widen access to innovative international payment products that help businesses meet their cross-border needs, the press release noted.
Colleen Ostrowski, Visa’s Global Treasurer, said,

Colleen Ostrowski
“The acquisition of Currencycloud is another example of Visa executing on our network of networks strategy to facilitate global money movement. Consumers and businesses increasingly expect transparency, speed and simplicity when making or receiving international payments.
 
With our acquisition of Currencycloud, we can support our clients and partners to further reduce the pain points of cross-border payments and develop great user experiences for their customers.”
Visa&#8217;s acquisition of Currencycloud would mark the payment giant&#8217;s second fintech deal this year. Last month, it had inked a deal to buy Swedish open banking platform Tink for $2.2 billion. Earlier in the year, Visa&#8217;s plans to acquire U.S. fintech firm Plaid were thwarted by US regulators.
Mike Laven, CEO of Currencycloud, said,

Mike Laven
“At Currencycloud, we’ve always strived to deliver a better tomorrow for all, from the smallest start-up to the global multi-nationals. Re-imagining how money flows around the global economy just got more exciting as we join Visa.
 
The combination of Currencycloud’s fintech expertise and Visa’s network will enable us to deliver greater customer value to the businesses moving money across borders.”
Featured image credit: Image by Miloslav Hamřík from Pixabay 
The post Visa To Acquire UK Payments Startup Currencycloud appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/visa-to-acquire-uk-payments-startup-currencycloud</link><guid>2101</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Visa To Acquire UK Payments Startup Currencycloud</dc:text></item><item><title>Glarner Kantonalbank bringt eine Online-Freizügigkeitslösung</title><description><![CDATA[Mit freeME bringt die Glarner Kantonalbank eine kostengünstige Freizügigkeitslösung auf den Markt, die komplett online ausgerichtet ist. Damit schliesst die Bank einmal mehr mit einer innovativen Plattform eine Lücke im Digital Banking.
freeME heisst die neue, komplett digitale Freizügigkeitslösung der Glarner Kantonalbank. Die Desktop-App kann ganz einfach über die Website freeme.glkb.ch aufgerufen werden. «Der Name bringt es auf den Punkt», betont Sven Wiederkehr, CEO der Glarner Kantonalbank.
Sven Wiederkehr
«Wir wollen den Nutzern von freeME die Möglichkeit geben, ihre Freizügigkeitsgelder einfach und gewinnbringend anzulegen. Sie bestimmen selbst darüber, was mit ihren Geldern passiert und profitieren gleichzeitig von der Expertise der Glarner Kantonalbank und der Liberty Vorsorge AG».
Aufgrund der aktuellen Tiefzinssituation erzielen heutzutage auf klassischen Freizügigkeitskonten angelegte Gelder kaum Gewinne. freeME bietet Alternativen dazu.
Was ist neu an freeME?
Mit freeME bringt die Glarner Kantonalbank eine Online-Freizügigkeitslösung auf den Markt, die zum einen sehr kostengünstig ist und mit einem aktuellen Zinssatz von 0,1 Prozent das attraktivste Angebot im Markt stellt. Zum anderen können Kundinnen und Kunden selbständig auswählen, wie sie ihr Geld anlegen möchten. Weiter profitieren sie von erprobten und laufend überprüften Finanzprodukten aus fünf abgestuften Anlagestrategien. Dazu unterbreitet freeME – abhängig von der jeweiligen finanziellen Lebenssituation, dem persönlichen Anlageziel und der Anlagedauer – konkrete Vorschläge für die Investition der Freizügigkeitsgelder.
Mit nur einem Klick wählen Kundinnen und Kunden schliesslich selbst die geeignete Anlagestrategie. «Diese Art von Freizügigkeitslösung bietet ganz neue Möglichkeiten», ergänzt Sven Wiederkehr. «Zudem hat man jederzeit online den Überblick über seine Anlage und kann aktiv Änderungen vornehmen.» Ein weiterer Vorteil von freeME ist die Unabhängigkeit: freeME ist an keinen Emittenten von Finanzprodukten gebunden und kann somit, bezogen auf Performance und Kosten, immer die besten Produkte am Markt auswählen.
Für wen eignet sich freeME?
FreeME richtet sich an Personen, die vor einer Veränderung wie beispielsweise dem Schritt in die Selbständigkeit, einer beruflichen Auszeit, Auswanderung oder Scheidung stehen. Sie alle müssen für die angesparten Freizügigkeitsgelder eine Lösung finden. Wer vor einer solchen Veränderung steht, sollte sich frühzeitig mit einer neuen Freizügigkeitslösung auseinandersetzen. Mit freeME ist es möglich, die ersparten Gelder aus der 2. Säule einfach, selbstbestimmt und gewinnbringend anzulegen.
Ab wann kann freeME genutzt werden?
freeME ist ab dem 21. Juli 2021 online. In kurzen Abständen werden weitere Entwicklungsschritte folgen. So ist bereits im Spätsommer 2021 eine Erweiterung des Online-Angebots mit einer Beraterlösung geplant. Diese wird es beispielsweise Finanzplanerinnen und Finanzplanern ermöglichen, über ein Cockpit die Freizügigkeitsgelder ihrer Kunden online anzulegen und zu verwalten.
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/glarner-kantonalbank-bringt-eine-online-freizugigkeitslosung</link><guid>2100</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Glarner Kantonalbank bringt eine Online-Freizügigkeitslösung</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Takes Lion’s Share in Q2 2021 Swiss VC Funding</title><description><![CDATA[Out of the CHF 1.4 billion raised by Swiss startups in Q2 2021, CHF 677 million, or nearly half of that sum, went towards fintech companies, according to a new report by Startup.ch, Switzerland’s largest startup directory and a leading news platform.
Wefox’s massive CHF 588 million Series C funding round pushed the fintech sector to the top, overtaking biotech and information and communications technology (ICT), two industries that have historically led in venture capital (VC) investment.
Swiss VC funding in Q2 2021 by segment, Source- Swiss Venture Insights Report 2021 &#8211; Q2, Startup.ch
The Wefox deal was by far the largest round in that quarter, far ahead of the second largest one (CHF 106 million) which went to medtech company Cequr. It’s the only fintech round that made it into the top ten VC rounds list.
The deal gave Wefox a post-money valuation of US$3 billion and represents the largest Series C to date for an insurtech globally, the company said in its media release.
Wefox, formerly known as FinanceFox, was founded in Switzerland in November 2014. It’s a fully licensed digital insurance company that sells insurance products through intermediaries. In 2020, the company reached profitability and saw its revenue double to US$143 million.
Wefox, which is currently active in Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Poland, plans to use the proceeds from its latest fundraising to expand into the US and Asia within the next two years.
“Super-rounds” of more than CHF 20 million drove most of Switzerland’s VC funding activity in Q2 2021, contributing a total of CHF 1.15 billion through 11 deals, data show. Two of those deals involved fintech companies. Alongside Wefox, the other fintech super-round went towards unicorn startup Numbrs, which announced the closing of CHF 27 million round in January 2021.
Founded in 2014, Numbrs is a personal finance app that allows users to connect their bank accounts, crypto wallets and loyalty cards into one platform to have better view of their finances. As of May 2020, the app had an aggregated of EUR 11 billion in client assets, recorded 2.2 million downloads and had 1.8 million bank accounts linked to it.
Swiss VC super-rounds in Q2 2021 by segment, Source: Swiss Venture Insights Report 2021 &#8211; Q2, Startup.ch
Q2 2021 also saw Deutsche Boerse acquiring a majority stake in Swiss digital asset startup Crypto Finance. The US$108 million+ deal sees Germany’s stock exchange operator hold a two-thirds majority in the fintech company, and allows it to extend its offering for digital assets by providing a direct entry point for investments, including post-trade services such as custody, the group said on June 29.
A record year
Q2 2021 was a record quarter for Switzerland’s VC funding activity, which grew 118% in volume and 13% in deal count compared to the same period last year.
Swiss VC deal activity from 2018 to Q2 2021, Source: Swiss Venture Insights Report 2021 &#8211; Q2, Startup.ch
The trend in Switzerland is consistent with the broader European region where startup investment boomed in H1 2021.
An analysis by Sifted, a Financial Times-backed media site focused on European startups, shows that total funding raised by tech startups in H1 2021 skyrocketed to US$57.5 billion, or three times more than in the same period last year.
For some of those countries, fintech represented a big chunk of their VC funding activity in H1 2021.
Sweden secured some of the region’s largest funding rounds in H1 2021 with buy now, pay later (BNPL) giant Klarna raising two massive rounds of US$1 billion and US$639 million.
In the UK, London-based fintech companies secured US$5.3 billion out of the US$18.8 billion raised by all UK startups in H1 2021, demonstrating the capital’s resilience as a fintech hub post-Brexit. Five of the country’s top ten largest funding rounds came from fintechs: neobank Starling Bank (US$444 million), blockchain startup Blockchain (US$300 million), and payment startups SaltPay (US$478 million), Checkout.com (US$450 million) and Rapyd (US$300 million).
In the Netherlands, online payment company Mollie came neck and neck with enterprise social network MessageBird, both raising US$800 million, the largest deals in H1 2021. And in Germany, neobrokers Trade Republic and Scalable Capital raised two of the ten biggest rounds: US$750 million for the former and US$180 million for the latter.
The post Fintech Takes Lion’s Share in Q2 2021 Swiss VC Funding appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-takes-lions-share-in-q2-2021-swiss-vc-funding</link><guid>2098</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Swiss-VC-funding-in-Q2-2021-by-segment-Source-Swiss-Venture-Insights-Report-2021-Q2-Startup.ch_.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech Takes Lion’s Share in Q2 2021 Swiss VC Funding</dc:text></item><item><title>Revolut Forays Into the Travel Sector in a Bid to Become a Superapp</title><description><![CDATA[London-headquartered fintech giant Revolut is betting on the rebound of the travel sector. The company launched a new feature called Stays, that allows users to book hotels and other accommodation through the app.
With its premium plans, Revolut&#8217;s Stays will offer customers cashback of up to 10% of their travel spend.
The company, which was valued at US$33 billion through a new investment round last week, has set aside £70 million to offer these cashbacks.
The feature also offers hassle-free bill splitting and pay-per-day travel insurance. Premium customers get travel insurance and airport lounge access included in their plans.
During its testing period, Revolut found that the average holiday expenditure on its app is £437.59. With its cashback offers, this translates into savings of up to £43. Moreover, Revolut will not charge any booking fees.
This is the company’s first foray outside the realm of finance. With its plans to diversify its offerings, Revolut is looking to become a superapp that provides multiple services through a single platform. The trend has gained traction in Asia with the likes of Gojek, Grab, Tencent and Alibaba.
Revolut&#8217;s entry into the travel sector comes at a time when travel restrictions across the globe are slowing being eased. The company is looking to challenge major industry giants like Booking Holdings, Expedia and TripAdvisor.
Marsel Nikaj
Marsel Nikaj, Revolut’s Head of Savings and Lifestyle, was quoted by CNBC saying,
“As the world begins to cautiously open up, we know everyone is desperate to get away whenever they can — whether it’s to Margate or Mallorca. We’ve built Stays to make it easy for people to find and book their perfect break in their ideal destination. After 18 months of endless restrictions and lockdowns, we want to give people more and make their money travel further.”
 
 
 
Featured image credit: Revolut
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/revolut-forays-into-the-travel-sector-in-a-bid-to-become-a-superapp</link><guid>2099</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Revolut Forays Into the Travel Sector in a Bid to Become a Superapp</dc:text></item><item><title>Julius Baer Taps Wecan Comply’s Blockchain-Based Compliance Platform</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss wealth management group Julius Baer has formed a partnership with Wecan Comply, a blockchain-based compliance platform for private banks and external asset managers.
Wecan Comply&#8217;s solution helps prevent compliance and administrative work from overwhelming the day-to-day activities of asset managers, and to ensure that specific tasks are carried out correctly and reliably, while complying with new regulations.
With the entry into force of the FinIA and FinSA laws on January 1, 2020, external asset managers and trustees are no longer supervised by banks, but also by supervisory bodies.
The procedures for identifying, controlling and monitoring client relationships are becoming increasingly complex. Measures must be put in place to avoid the increasingly time-consuming duplication of the same tasks.
Michel Yigit
Michel Yigit, Sub-Region Head Intermediaries German-Speaking Switzerland at Julius Baer said,
&#8220;As a private bank with a strong entrepreneurial spirit, we are committed to empowering the success of our clients and partners through innovative solutions.
 
We can unequivocally identify with the vision of Wecan Comply and are excited to join the growing community to create value for our intermediary partners in Switzerland, facilitating efficiency gains via pioneering co-creation.&#8221;
Vincent Pignon
Vincent Pignon, Founder and CEO of Wecan Group said,
“The collaboration with Bank Julius Baer is a demonstration that Wecan Comply is the gold standard, for the industry, to pool resources and guarantee the best compliance requirements.
 
It is a great pride for Wecan Group and we are pleased that the bank also joins the Board of the Blockchain Association for Finance, which governs the development of Wecan Comply.”
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/julius-baer-taps-wecan-complys-blockchain-based-compliance-platform</link><guid>2097</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Julius Baer Taps Wecan Comply’s Blockchain-Based Compliance Platform</dc:text></item><item><title>Open Banking Fintech Yapily Raises US$51 Million in Series B Fundraise</title><description><![CDATA[Yapily, a London-based open banking infrastructure provider, announced the first closing of its US$51 million Series B funding round led by Sapphire Ventures.
Existing investors Lakestar, HV Capital and Latitude also participated in the round. With this new round of investment, Yapily&#8217;s total funding reached $69 million.
The startup will use the fresh funds to expand across Europe, extending open banking to cover 95% of the continent by the end of 2021.
Yapily will expand to France and Spain and continue to invest in existing markets this year while it is aiming for expansion beyond Europe in 2022.
It will also continue to invest in infrastructure development and aims to significantly grow its engineering capabilities over the next 12 months.
Founded in 2017, Yapily helps companies seamlessly access financial data and initiate payments. Using Yapily&#8217;s infrastructure, companies can improve customers&#8217; payment experiences while cutting down payment fees, enable them to securely access their balance, identity and transaction data, and streamline account and digital wallet top-ups with instant payments, the startup claims.
Yapily currently has a presence in UK, Italy and Germany and offers its infrastructure to clients like American Express, Intuit Quickbooks, GoCardless, Moneyfarm, Volt, Vivid Money and BUX.
The startup had also announced plans to set up in Vilnius, Lithuania which has a flourishing fintech scene.
Stefano Vaccino
Stefano Vaccino, CEO and Founder of Yapily said,
“We are delighted with this strategic investment, demonstrating Yapily’s position at the heart of disrupting global financial infrastructure.
 
Open Banking infrastructure is fundamental to how data and payments move between organisations worldwide, and it will shift the power to consumers for years to come.”
 
Featured image: Stefano Vaccino, CEO and Founder of Yapily
 
The post Open Banking Fintech Yapily Raises US$51 Million in Series B Fundraise appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/open-banking-fintech-yapily-raises-us51-million-in-series-b-fundraise</link><guid>2096</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Open Banking Fintech Yapily Raises US$51 Million in Series B Fundraise</dc:text></item><item><title>Liechtenstein’s LGT Acquires Stake in German Digital Wealth Manager LIQID</title><description><![CDATA[LGT, an international private banking and asset management group owned by the Princely House of Liechtenstein, has agreed to acquire a strategic minority stake in the Germany-based digital wealth manager LIQID.
In the future, LGT will contribute to the development of LIQID’s investment strategy for its wealth management offering, thus making LGT’s investment expertise available to LIQID clients.
As part of the agreement with LIQID, LGT will contribute to the development of the investment strategy for LIQID Wealth clients.
The LIQID Wealth offering is available to private investors investing EUR 100 000 or more and offers comprehensive investment strategies in traditional asset classes.
Since the company’s launch in the fall of 2016, LIQID has provided affluent private investors access to professional wealth management investment solutions and to private equity, venture capital and real estate investments through its digital platform.
In early 2021, LIQID reported that it’s client assets reached the EUR 1 billion mark.
The transaction will be completed as soon as the necessary approvals have been obtained from the supervisory authorities.
Christian Schneider-Sickert
Christian Schneider-Sickert, CEO and founder of LIQID said,
“With its focus on sustainability and entrepreneurship, LGT ideally complements our ambitions and values.
 
Together with LGT, I look forward to developing LIQID into Europe’s leading provider of digital private banking.”
H.S.H. Prince Max von und zu Liechtenstein
H.S.H. Prince Max von und zu Liechtenstein, Chairman of LGT said,
“We are delighted to be supporting LIQID in its ongoing expansion and also expect this to provide impetus for the further digitalization of our own services.
 
The collaboration with LIQID will enable a broader segment of private investors in Germany to access LGT’s investment expertise.”
 
Featured image credit: LGT Bank
The post Liechtenstein&#8217;s LGT Acquires Stake in German Digital Wealth Manager LIQID appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/liechtensteins-lgt-acquires-stake-in-german-digital-wealth-manager-liqid</link><guid>2095</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Liechtenstein’s LGT Acquires Stake in German Digital Wealth Manager LIQID</dc:text></item><item><title>Wealth and Asset Managers Will Go Head to Head as Their Opportunities Converge</title><description><![CDATA[The recent Weath and Asset Management Report 2021 by Oliver Wyman and Morgan Stanley sheds light on emerging industry trends as the global market is poised to grow significantly over the next few years.
According to the report, wealth and asset managers face a common set of challenges and opportunities. For wealth managers, there is a noticeable shift towards providing holistic financial advice and planning.
This requires them to move away from offering standardised portfolios and providing more customised solutions using a myriad products and technologies to fit the needs of the lower wealth band, the report notes.
For ultra-high net worth (UHNW) and high net worth (HNW) investors, private markets and Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance are emerging as the biggest opportunities, the report finds.
On the other hand, for asset managers, the opportunity lies in delivering differentiated, in-demand products to retail investors.
These products are designed to offer better economics than those provided by institutional asset managers and signifies a growing share of total industry assets under management (AUM), the report said.
The study has found that wealth and asset managers are in competition for common growth opportunities.
Opportunities for wealth and asset managers
The report forecasts rapid growth in each of these spaces. By 2025, the report expects the total private market fund AUM to reach US$13 trillion.
During the same period, total ESG fund AUM is expected to reach US$6.5 trillion. Moreover, Bitcoin Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) and direct indexing managed accounts AUMs to reach U$0.3 trillion and US$1.5 trillion by 2025 respectively.





Private markets to continue their upward growth
According to the report, private market grew steadily through 2020 and now exceeds US$7 trillion in total AUM. The study expects this robust growth to continue till 2025. The growth will be driven by demand for yield, inflation protection, and the increasing access to retail wealth investors.
Historically, HNW individuals have had limited access due to entry barriers like illiquidity, high minimum thresholds and limited diversification.
However, these challenges are now being tackled and the report expects HNW investors to play a more crucial role in the space.
By 2025, HNWs are expected to allocate and additional 5% of their portfolios to private markets, signifying US$1.5 trillion in AUM or a US$21 billion revenue opportunity.




Next wave of opportunity in ESG to come from three macro shifts
According to the report, while wealth and asset managers have already found a significant opportunity in ESG considerations, the next scope of growth will come from three macro shifts: beyond Europe, beyond screening, and &#8216;beyond E.&#8217;
ESG Success Factors
Beyond Europe:



The growth of ESG considerations has been predominantly noticed in Europe so far. In fact, Europe represented roughly 85% of the US$2 trillion worth of total ESG AUM at the end of 2020, the report notes. However, the growth of ESG in the US has been accelerating and represents the next space of growth opportunity.



Beyond screening:
While ESG investments are undergoing a geographical shift, they are also transitioning from less mature strategies such as screening and exclusion to mature strategies like assessing impact and thematic investments, the report notes.
To adapt to this change, wealth and asset managers need to look beyond high-level scores. They have to use more quantitative and outcome-oriented data to monitor and report on real, tangible impact of ESG investments.
Beyond ‘E’:
Wealth and asset managers can carve out new opportunities through differentiation by using more mature strategies, the report notes. They can help investors focus on specific themes and goals they prioritise and care about. For instance, they can target UN&#8217;s Sustianable Development Goals across ESG.
Cryptocurrencies present a booming opportunity
Institutionalisation of crypto represents a significant opportunity for wealth and asset managers, the report notes. With cryptocurrencies experiencing a record bull run earlier this year, market capitalisation of cryptocurrencies reached US$2 trillion in April 2021. This is compared to a market capitalisation of US$50 billion four years ago.
Traditional institutional investors are increasingly attracted to crypto due to strong returns, low correlation and growing institutionally suitable products. This adding to the momentum already created by strong retail trading activity and family office investments.



However, barriers to entry continue to exist, hindering wider adoption of crypto by institutional investors and wealth managers. Some of the biggest challenges include the evolving regulatory landscape and legislative uncertainty, high volatility, and sustainability concerns.
According to the report, crypto could generate a US$1 billion revenue opportunity from ETFs, based on bitcoin&#8217;s ability to replace stores of values like gold. Asset managers looking to tap into the crypto market should consider a range of offerings.
This could include crypto assets as part of an existing multi-asset fund, or having dedicated active or passive crypto products and other structured solutions, the report said.
Customisation is the need of the hour
Historically, access to customised portfolios have been limited to institutions and UNHWIs due to the high cost and sophisticated model required, as well as their limited scalability.
Investors belonging to the lower wealth band, on the other hand, are looking towards increased standardisation through model portfolios, the report noted.



As technology improves, asset managers will need to decide how to scale their customised offerings for smaller account sizes.
These offerings need to provide sufficient customization flexibility at low cost.
Delivering these products creates greater options, and hence more potential value for clients. But it also increases the burden on asset managers to help investors and their advisors to best utilise that customisability.

Featured image credit: Photo by Freepik





















The post Wealth and Asset Managers Will Go Head to Head as Their Opportunities Converge appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/wealth-and-asset-managers-will-go-head-to-head-as-their-opportunities-converge</link><guid>2094</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Opportunities-for-wealth-and-asset-managers.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Wealth and Asset Managers Will Go Head to Head as Their Opportunities Converge</dc:text></item><item><title>Insurtech Firma sponsored Fussball Stadium in Schaffhausen</title><description><![CDATA[Frohe Kunde beim Fussballclub Schaffhausen. Mit wefox steigt ein Insurtech Partner beim Stadtclub ein, der dem Stadion einen neuen Namen verleiht.
Die Firma wefox Switzerland AG mit Sitz in Roggwil BE, gehört zur wefox, welches Kapitalgeberin von wefox Insurance AG ist. Seit rund dreieinhalb Jahren erfolgreich auf dem Markt, geniesst das Unternehmen das Vertrauen von Kunden aus Deutschland, Polen, Italien, Österreich und der Schweiz und besitzt zudem in Frankreich und Spanien weitere Standorte.
Seit 2019 unterstützt wefox in Deutschland als Premium Partner und Trikotsponsor den Bundesligisten 1. FC Union Berlin sowie ebenfalls seit diesem Sommer den amtierenden Schweizer Meisters BSC Young Boys und unterstreicht ihre Sympathie und Liebe zu den Vereinen und dem Fussballsport. Durch eine frische Liaison sollen nun neue Synergien entstehen. Zusätzlich wurde eine Partnerschaft mit dem FC Schaffhausen angestrebt und schliesslich gefunden. Eine Gemeinsamkeit ergibt sich bereits äusserlich, denn der violette Hintergrund im Logo von wefox erinnert an die Gründungsfarben, als der FC Viktoria seine fussballerische Geschichte mit gelb-violetten Trikots startete.
Die wefox erhält rückwirkend per 01. Juli 2021 die Namensrechte für das Stadion Schaffhausen. Der Vertrag ist auf zwei Jahre ausgezeichnet worden. Ab sofort wird die Heimstätte des FC Schaffhausen in wefox Arena umbenannt.
Die wefox will den Standort Schaffhausen nutzen, um Vertrauen in der Region zu schaffen. Die Leidenschaft zum Fussball ist auch in der Schweiz riesig, was sie mit ihrer aktiven Unterstützung gegenüber dem FC Schaffhausen und somit auch dem Schweizer Fussball bezeugen möchten.
FCS-Präsident Roland Klein zeigt sich überglücklich über diese Zusammenarbeit:
«Es freut mich ungemein, mit wefox den bestmöglichen Partner für das wunderschöne Stadion in Schaffhausen und den FC Schaffhausen gefunden zu haben. Wir vom FC Schaffhausen können uns vollständig mit der wefox als junges und dynamisches Unternehmen, welches neue Massstäbe im Versicherungsgeschäft setzt, identifizieren. Auch das Stadion Schaffhausen, die neue wefox Arena, erfreut sich einer noch jungen Vergangenheit. Gemeinsam freuen wir uns auf eine erfolgreiche Zukunft und vielen guten Spielen in der wefox Arena!»
Der FC Schaffhausen bedankt sich von ganzem Herzen für die Partnerschaft und freut sich auf die gemeinsame Zukunft mit wefox.
 Vorgestelltes Bild: Wandervogel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/insurtech-firma-sponsored-fussball-stadium-in-schaffhausen</link><guid>2092</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Insurtech Firma sponsored Fussball Stadium in Schaffhausen</dc:text></item><item><title>Facebook Pay To Be Available to Online Retailers Starting With Shopify</title><description><![CDATA[With digital payments picking up pace across the globe, social media giant Facebook is extending its payment services to online retailers.
Shopify has become the first e-commerce platform to sign up for Facebook Pay. This will allow Shopify merchants to offer Facebook Pay as a payment option during checkout, eliminating the need to re-enter payment information for every transaction.
Prior to this, Facebook Pay, which was launched in 2019, was available for its main platform, as well as WhatsApp and Instagram.
The feature will be expanded across more platforms in the US starting this August.
The development comes not long after Facebook&#8217;s Libra cryptocurrency project went belly up.
Moreover, the global digital payments scene heating up with the likes of Google, Apple and PayPal throwing their hat in the ring.
It comes as no surprise that Facebook is looking to leverage its huge customer base to establish itself as a major digital payments player.
Moreover, a report by The Verge points out that this may be another tactic by the controversy-laced firm to collect more customer data.
According to its privacy policy, Facebook Pay will collect purchase information including payment method, transaction date, billing, shipping and contact details.
Moreover, Facebook Pay stores card and bank account numbers in an encrypted format, its privacy policy notes. Additionally, Facebook Pay will also use this information to deliver targeted content and ads.
In 2019, Facebook was slammed by US regulators with a record fine for data privacy violations.
Earlier this year, Facebook-owned WhatsApp&#8217;s new privacy policies landed the instant messaging platform amidst a heated controversy.

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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/facebook-pay-to-be-available-to-online-retailers-starting-with-shopify</link><guid>2093</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Artboard-3-14.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Facebook Pay To Be Available to Online Retailers Starting With Shopify</dc:text></item><item><title>Mastercard Taps Circle for Payment Settlement Pilot With USDC Stablecoin</title><description><![CDATA[Circle and Mastercard announced an engagement to use the USD Coin (USDC) to facilitate crypto-to-fiat conversions in a pilot programme to expand the ability of issuers and crypto businesses to enable customers to spend their crypto assets.
The engagement will test using USDC as a means for card issuers to more easily settle payments to Mastercard, helping accelerate the world towards greater use of internet-native financial infrastructure.
Jeremy Allaire
“The engagement between Circle and Mastercard reinforces how USDC is growing its role in payments and commerce on the internet, while building a vital bridge between digital currency payment systems and large, established payment networks.
 
We are thrilled to work with Mastercard to simplify card offerings for cryptocurrency companies.”
said Jeremy Allaire, Co-founder and CEO of Circle.
The supply of USDC has grown to more than US$25 billion in circulation, with more than US$785 billion in transaction volume facilitated on-chain.
The engagement with Mastercard will enhance its crypto card program for cryptocurrency exchanges, making it simpler for partners to convert cryptocurrency to traditional fiat currency.
Raj Dhamodharan
“The engagement between Mastercard and Circle fuels new payment opportunities and commerce in digital currencies.
 
The cryptocurrency market continues to mature and we are driving it forward together to reduce friction and create choice for people.”
said Raj Dhamodharan, Executive Vice President of Digital Asset and Blockchain Products and Partnerships at Mastercard

The post Mastercard Taps Circle for Payment Settlement Pilot With USDC Stablecoin appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mastercard-taps-circle-for-payment-settlement-pilot-with-usdc-stablecoin</link><guid>2091</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Artboard-3-14.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Mastercard Taps Circle for Payment Settlement Pilot With USDC Stablecoin</dc:text></item><item><title>M1 Finance Clinches Unicorn Status with US$150 Million Fundraise</title><description><![CDATA[M1 Finance, an all-in-one money management platform, announced that it has secured US$150 million during a Series E funding round, the firm is now valued at US$1.45 billion.
SoftBank’s Vision Fund 2 led the round, with participation from existing investors.
After raising a Series B through D in the past twelve months, M1’s total funding is now over US$300 million, and its total assets under management is reportedly over US$4.5 billion.
The new capital will allow M1 to focus on delivering an optimal client experience through new products and features, platform innovation, enhanced customer service, and hiring top talent to realize its mission.
Last December, M1 launched Smart Transfers, allowing M1 Plus clients to automate financial goals based on pre-set rules.
In February of this year, it released Custodial Accounts, giving M1 Plus parents or guardians the ability to invest in portfolios for younger generations.
M1 had also launched Send Check, which allows M1 Plus clients to send physical checks from their M1 Spend Plus checking accounts.
Brian Barnes
“Each funding round is proof and motivation that people believe in our mission of empowering financial well-being. Financial well-being isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. Our platform helps people have more control, more freedom, and more power over their money.
 
We experienced massive growth in the past year, and it’s extremely gratifying to see investors and clients believe in our vision and make it a reality.”
said Brian Barnes, Founder and CEO of M1 Finance.

The post M1 Finance Clinches Unicorn Status with US$150 Million Fundraise appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/m1-finance-clinches-unicorn-status-with-us150-million-fundraise</link><guid>2088</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Artboard-3-14.png</dc:content ><dc:text>M1 Finance Clinches Unicorn Status with US$150 Million Fundraise</dc:text></item><item><title>Latin America Sees Booming Digital Banking Sector with Brazil at the Lead</title><description><![CDATA[Over the last few years, digital banking in Latin America (Latam) has experienced extraordinary growth on the back of changing customer needs, expanding technological penetration and rapidly evolving regulatory standards.
Since 2017, the number of digital banks has more than doubled, reaching 52 independent neobanks in 2021, according to a new report by Swiss digital banking tech provider Banking, Payments: Context (BPC) and Dutch fintech consultancy firm Fincog.
Brazil leads the region both in terms of sector development and consumer adoption. Out of the 52 neobanks identified, 24 players are from Brazil, and out of a pool of 77 million neobank customers in 2021, 63.5 million are located in Brazil, or 82.5% of the region’s total neobank customers, the research found.
Growth of Digital Banks in South America 2012-2021, Source: Digital Banking in Latin America, BPC and Fincog, June 2021
Accelerated growth
Looking at key growth indicators, interest in neobanks in Latam significantly picked up in 2019 where the number of customers surged 307.8% from just 9 million in 2018 to 36.7 million. From 2019 to 2021, that number doubled, reaching 77 million in 2021.
After Brazil, Mexico stands at the second place, hosting 14 independent neobanks that serve 7.1 million customers. Mexico is followed by Chile (2.5 million neobanks), Argentina (2.4 million) and Colombia (1.5 million).
Number of Neobank Customers 2012-2021, Source: Digital Banking in Latin America, BPC and Fincog, June 2021
Latam’s digital banking industry is dominated by a handful of players. The research found that the top ten digital banks account for over 90% of all neobank customers in Latam, totaling some 71.2 million. Big players in more developed markets like Brazil and Mexico are now expanding into smaller countries and thus rapidly enlarging their market shares.
Latam’s leading neobanks
Among the key players, Nubank stands out from the crowd. The company has benefited from a first mover advantage into the underserved space, launching in 2014 a no-fee credit card, fully managed by a mobile app.
Today, Nubank serves some 34 million customers, making it the largest digital bank in Latam. It’s also the most valued private company in the region at US$30 billion, according to CB Insights data.
Nubank is reportedly in advanced preparations for a stock market debut in the US which could value the digital bank at more than US$40 billion and could happen by the end of the year or early 2022, sources told Reuters in June 2021.
Besides Nubank, several newer players have also succeeded in capturing significant market share. For example, Neon, from Brazil as well, targets low-income segments and micro-entrepreneurs and has accumulated some 9.4 million customers.
Mexico’s Broxel, which has about six million customers, is a digital payments solutions company that provides a free prepaid debit card to the Hispanic population of the US to facilitate remittances and send or receive money instantaneously across borders.
In Argentina, market leader Uala counts 2 million customers, providing them with nearly free financial services including a bank account, an accompanying debit card, investment in mutual funds, personal loans and money management features.
Top 10 Neobanks by Number of Customers 2021, Source: Digital Banking in Latin America, BPC and Fincog, June 2021
The report also gives mention of smaller, yet noteworthy Latam neobanks like Colombian RappiPay, the first and only super-app in the region that started out as a e-wallet service, Albo, a Mexican startup focusing on introducing the lower and middle-income segments into the formal financial system, Maximo, from Peru, which targets the younger generations with a free digital account and accompanying services, and Cuenca, from Mexico, which provides basic daily banking services to underserved segments.
A favorable regulatory landscape
The growth of neobanking in Latam can be partially attributed to favorable regulatory changes and modernization initiatives by governments themselves, the report notes.
Brazil, for example, kicked off its open banking plan in February 2021, an last year, the central bank launched a national instant payment scheme called Pix. Pix has since been complemented with new features and capabilities such as Pix Cobrança, which allows companies to generate a QR code for a transaction at a future date. Other features planned to be released this year include offline transactions, cash withdrawals, and a “salary account.”
In Mexico, the fintech law was launched in March 2018, offering a framework for key fintech groups, such as crowdfunding platforms and electronic payment providers, while also providing a process for new fintech models.
As of early 2021, 93 fintech companies were in the process of obtaining a so-called Financial Technology Institution (FTI) license, according to data from the Comisión Nacional Bancaria y de Valores (National Banking and Securities Commission), showcasing how the legislation is helping spur a surge in startups.
Mexico’s landmark legislation has enticed several other Latam countries to follow suit.
In Chile, the Financial Market Commission (CMF) published in February 2021 a proposal for the so-called Fintech Law, a new regulation that intends to establish a legal framework for crowdfunding platforms, alternative transaction systems, financial instrument intermediaries, custodians, and credit advisors.
Colombia launched in 2020 the first fintech regulatory sandbox in Latam, a two-year arrangement that allows startups to experiment with business models without meeting all the requirements of a traditional financial institutions.
 

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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/latin-america-sees-booming-digital-banking-sector-with-brazil-at-the-lead</link><guid>2089</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Growth-of-Digital-Banks-in-South-America-2012-2021-Source-Digital-Banking-in-Latin-America-BPC-and-Fincog-June-2021.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Latin America Sees Booming Digital Banking Sector with Brazil at the Lead</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Proptech Firm PriceHubble Bags US$34 Million for Its International Expansion Plans</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss B2B proptech startup PriceHubble announced that it has successfully completed its Series B funding round and raised US$ 34 million.
The financing round was strongly oversubscribed and led by Digital+ Partners, a European growth equity investor.
Latitude Ventures, the Series B+ sister fund of London-based VC LocalGlobe and TX Ventures from Zurich, TX Group AG’s venture arm, joined the round.
Other high ranking business angels which joined the round includes Dr. Martin Enderle, Chairman of Delivery Hero and former CEO of Scout24 Group with strong support from existing investors, such as Swiss Life and btov/Helvetia Venture Fund.
PriceHubble will use the funds from this investment for its growth and expansion strategy, as well as to further extensively innovate in data science resources. 
Founded in 2016, the proptech is now active in nine markets; Switzerland, France, Germany, Austria, Japan, Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic and Slovakia.
PriceHubble said that its rapidly growing customer base in Europe and Asia consists of more than 800 companies and has tripled over the last twelve months. PriceHubble currently employs over 130 specialists.
The firm had recently acquired Czech proptech startup Realtify and started operating as PriceHubble Czechia with immediate effect.
Julien Schillewaert
Julien Schillewaert, CEO of PriceHubble said,
&#8220;The entire PriceHubble-team is extremely proud to announce this successful Series B funding.
 
It is a major milestone towards accomplishing our vision of becoming the undisputed leader in data-driven digital solutions for real estate and finance in Europe and Asia,&#8221;
Dr. Stefan Heitmann
Dr. Stefan Heitmann, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of PriceHubble added,
&#8220;With this new capital, PriceHubble can further accelerate the global market expansion and continue expanding our technology leadership in data driven solutions for the real estate and finance markets.
 
It is one of the largest B-rounds in the European proptech scene and I would like to thank both our existing and new investors for their trust and strong commitment.&#8221;
 
Featured image: (left to right) Dr. Stefan Heitmann, Co-Founder/Chairman of the Board of Directors of PriceHubble, Markus Stadler, Co-Founder/COO PriceHubble, Julien Schillewaert, CEO PriceHubble 
The post Swiss Proptech Firm PriceHubble Bags US$34 Million for Its International Expansion Plans appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-proptech-firm-pricehubble-bags-us34-million-for-its-international-expansion-plans</link><guid>2090</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Proptech Firm PriceHubble Bags US$34 Million for Its International Expansion Plans</dc:text></item><item><title>Sygnum Bank and Artemundi Tokenise a Picasso Worth CHF 4 Million</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss digital asset bank Sygnum and Artemundi, an art investment pioneer, have partnered to tokenise Picasso’s Fillette au béret painting.
This marks the first time the ownership rights in a Picasso, or any artwork, are being broadcast onto the public blockchain by a regulated bank, enabling investors to purchase and trade “shares” in the artwork called Art Security Tokens (ASTs).
Created in 1964 by Pablo Picasso, the most influential artist of the twentieth century, the Fillette au béret is priced at CHF 4 million.
There will be an issuance of 4,000 tokens through Sygnum Bank where investors can own a share of the painting.
Tokens can be subscribed directly through Sygnum’s e-banking platform, with a minimum subscription of CHF 5,000.
Transactions will be settled in Swiss Francs, using Sygnum’s digital CHF stablecoin (DCHF). All tokens are tradeable on SygnEx, Sygnum’s digital asset trading platform.
The significance of this tokenisation project also lies in the legal certainty of ownership that the issued tokens provide. The direct ownership in the artwork – not a fund or investment vehicle holding the painting – will be tokenised.
These tokens are recognised under Swiss DLT (Distributed Ledger Technology) law, with transactions on the blockchain considered legally binding. As such, ownership rights are protected, and investors are able to invest with full confidence.
As a regulated bank, Sygnum applies a robust legal framework to all token issuances on its platform, while providing a seamless, end-to-end solution – from primary issuance, settlement and custody to secondary trading.
Sygnum said that it will continue to create new and unique investment opportunities in the verticals of Art &amp; Collectibles, Venture Capital, Mid Cap and Real Estate.
Mathias Imbach
Mathias Imbach, Co-Founder and Group CEO of Sygnum Bank says,
“It has been Sygnum’s mission from the start to empower investors with more direct access to ownership and value. The tokenisation of the Fillette au béret exemplifies how we bring our mission to reality, unlocking a universe of unique investment opportunities that can be made accessible to many.&#8221;
 
Featured image: Sygnum
The post Sygnum Bank and Artemundi Tokenise a Picasso Worth CHF 4 Million appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sygnum-bank-and-artemundi-tokenise-a-picasso-worth-chf-4-million</link><guid>2087</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Sygnum Bank and Artemundi Tokenise a Picasso Worth CHF 4 Million</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss National Bank, SIX Launch the Secure Swiss Finance Network for Data Sharing</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss National Bank (SNB) and SIX Swiss Exchange are launching the Secure Swiss Finance Network (SSFN) communication network to further improve the resilience of the financial system against cyber risks.
It is aimed at secure, flexible and resilient data communication.
The SSFN is expected to go live in November 2021 and will initially run in parallel with SIX’s existing, already highly secure communication service.
The network will replace this service in the medium term however, due to its superior flexibility and functionality.
The SSFN is a monitored and protected network that allows authorised participants operating in the Swiss financial center to communicate securely with each other and with financial market infrastructures.
This is intended to increase the security and stability of communication with the SIC payment system and other SIX services.
The launch of the SSFN should make a significant contribution to combating cyber risks.
The SSFN has been developed in close collaboration with the telecommunications companies Sunrise UPC, Swisscom and SWITCH as well as the SCION software provider Anapaya Systems. The participation of several telecom companies improves the resilience and flexibility of communication within the network.
The network is based on SCION technology developed at ETH Zurich. Its architecture makes it possible to control which parties may use the communication network and which path data take when being transmitted from sender to receiver.
Cyber resilience is a key concern for the Swiss financial sector given the growing threat of cyber risks globally. Communication between participants in the financial marketplace and
financial market infrastructures is also affected by this issue.
 
Featured image credit: Unsplash
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-national-bank-six-launch-the-secure-swiss-finance-network-for-data-sharing</link><guid>2085</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss National Bank, SIX Launch the Secure Swiss Finance Network for Data Sharing</dc:text></item><item><title>Revolut Raises US$800 Million in Series E Fundraise, Valuing It at US$33 Billion</title><description><![CDATA[Revolut, the financial superapp with more than 16 million customers worldwide, announced an US$800 million series E funding round, valuing the business at US$33 billion.
The new funding round brings onboard two new investors, SoftBank Vision Fund 2 and Tiger Global Management.
The investment will enable the company to further its growth plans, in particular its ongoing product innovation aimed at meeting customers’ everyday financial needs and aspirations, from quick and easy global transfers, to managing everything from savings to insurance, to democratising wealth and trading.
It will also support the expansion of Revolut’s offering to US customers and its entry to India as well as other international markets.
Nikolay Storonsky
Nikolay Storonsky, Founder &amp; CEO of Revolut said,
“SoftBank and Tiger Global’s investments are an endorsement of our mission to create a global financial superapp that enables customers to manage all their financial needs through a single platform.
 
This funding round makes Revolut the UK’s most valuable fintech, demonstrating investors’ confidence that we can deliver products that raise the bar for customers’ expectations across the whole financial services industry.&#8221;
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/revolut-raises-us800-million-in-series-e-fundraise-valuing-it-at-us33-billion</link><guid>2086</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Revolut Raises US$800 Million in Series E Fundraise, Valuing It at US$33 Billion</dc:text></item><item><title>Bridging The Gap In Fintech News Reporting</title><description><![CDATA[Over the last few years, there has been a rapid drive towards digital transformation across sectors, including financial services. This drive was greatly accelerated with the onset of the global pandemic that forced even the less tech-savvy population to migrate online for their daily needs. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that fintech has been experiencing robust growth with the increasing digital adoption and growing prominence of digital wallets and contactless payment methods.
Addressing an unmet need
However, although fintech was gaining steam even before the pandemic, there was limited reporting focused on the sector until a few years ago, Christian König, Founder of Fintech News Network, told creatorstory.ch in an interview.
Despite the burgeoning circle of fintech providers and users across the world, fintech reporting was largely an underserved market. Established traditional publications overlooked the sector&#8217;s growing importance and readers had little choice to stay updated with the latest developments.
König said,

Christian Konig
&#8220;When we started fintechnews.ch and Fintechnews.sg in 2014, there was very little reporting on the topic of fintech&#8230;At that time, there were no media outlets actively reporting fintech news&#8230;the largest tech and finance news platform in Asia at the time was publishing merely five articles a year on fintech. The topic just wasn’t on their radar at all.&#8221;
König aimed at catering to this emerging need for reporting in fintech. Raising awareness on fintech and digitisation in finance in Switzerland, therefore, became a priority for him.
Before founding Fintech News, König worked towards this aim with a financial product/ finance 2.0-focused blog, finanzprodukt.ch, between 2012 and 2014. He also initiated the first Fintech/Finance 2.0 conference in 2013, while the blog won him recognition and an award in 2014. This formed the genesis of Fintech News Network.
König said,
Later, we removed the topic of Finance 2.0/Fintech from the blog and created our own platform for these topics in the form of fintechnews.ch. As I happened to be in Asia on business at the time, we also launched the platform in Singapore.&#8221;
König started his career as a derivatives banker and currently heads Fintech News Network, a global fintech news publication with eight news websites and readers from across the globe. In addition to Fintech News Switzerland and Singapore, the company now operates Fintech News Hong Kong, Malaysia, Philippines, Middle East and Baltic sites. The firm also recently expanded its presence to Africa.
Hailing from Meilen, König entered the financial world looking for a career change and later on studied at the HSG. With Fintech News Network, König is combining his passion for content marketing and fintech. Owing to his reports, articles and expertise in content marketing and digitisation, he is also a coveted consultant and lecturer even outside of the financial sector. After almost a decade since he entered the world of publication, König chiefly identifies himself as a &#8220;publisher and marketer of niche blogs in the financial world.&#8221;
Christian König as speaker at FINNOVASIA
How Fintech News Network differentiates itself
Speaking about how Fintech News differs from other traditional publications like Die Handelszeitung and NZZ Wirtschaft, König said,
&#8220;We not only distribute news on our own website, but across a range of different media. In addition to our news sites, we also use over 140 social media channels. Search engine optimisation is also very important to us. If you Google the topic of Fintech Switzerland, we are right at the top, above the “traditional” media houses.&#8221;
Moreover, although cryptocurrencies fall under the purview of fintech, König wants to distance Fintech News from the &#8220;nascent crypto movement.&#8221; He emphasises that Fintech News is not a crypto portal and does not actively report on the current Bitcoin and Ethereum rates. As a former derivatives trader, König is a crypto sceptic owing to the liquidity problems associated with cryptocurrencies.
He said,
&#8220;In my opinion, it is quite possible that the Bitcoin price could double again and hit the 100,000-mark. However, I think that if panic breaks out, it is more likely that Bitcoin will trade at almost zero, at least in the short term due to a lack of liquidity. Buying Bitcoin is easy, however, selling it is difficult. We also learned this lesson in the Euro/Franc market, which was worth billions before the SNB abandoned the 1.20 peg. The next exchange rate peg was then set at 0.95.&#8221;
In 2015, the Swiss National Bank had removed the Swiss Franc peg to the Euro and allowed the currency to float. This led to a crash in EUR/CHF that left traders and brokers out of business as liquidity became extremely scarce. A similar scenario is also likely in the crypto market in the event of a crash, König believes.
Besides, there are more important topics in fintech that require attention like the international remittance market where consumers still pay exorbitant fees, König said. According to World Bank data, the global average remittance cost was 6.38% of the amount sent in Q1 2021, down from 6.51% in Q4 2020. A decrease of remittance cost by at least five percentage points can save up to US$16 billion a year, the World Bank claims.
A success story
With a presence that now scales across more than half the globe, running and expanding Fintech News has made König a bird of passage.
He said,
&#8220;I had to renew my last passport after two years because there were no blank pages left for visas. Thanks to the frequent flyer program, I was often able to fly in business class. For the last seven years, I have mostly traveled to Southeast Asia, to our offices in Saigon, Vietnam and Singapore where I spent most of my time in the winter as I don&#8217;t like the cold.&#8221;
But the COVID-19 pandemic has been a dampener for König&#8217;s travels. He was forced to leave Southeast Asia in April 2020 and has not been able to return since. Last year, he spent most of his time in Zurich, Vilnius (Fintech News Baltic), Dubai (Fintech News Middle East) and Tanzania (launch of Fintech News Africa) and is currently in Brazil and the USA preparing the launch of Fintech News America.
As Fintech News celebrates its sixth anniversary, König said the company has gained significant prominence in the field. He counts this as a major achievement since Fintech News operates in an &#8220;area that is doubly new – fintech and content marketing.&#8221; The company has managed to rack up an impressive base of clients as well. This includes big banks, tech giants like Google and Alibaba, fintech startups and consulting companies.
 
Part of the Fintech News Network Team, 2018 in Manila
König has also been fervently working towards raising fintech awareness in emerging markets. For instance, he has been pushing Fintech News in Vietnam since 2014, and his efforts have even earned him TV appearances on the subject. Moreover, the company had a record year in 2020, which can be partly attributed to the COVID-19 induced increased digital adoption.
He added,
Without a doubt, my greatest personal success was being able to keep the Fintech News Network afloat in difficult times and in the early days, even if it caused me many sleepless nights. As an entrepreneur, it’s times like that where you learn the most.
Lastly, as a fintech specialist with an extensive background in finance, König recommends spending over saving money. But he is not referring to reckless or impulsive spending. He believes that spending money can be valuable &#8220;as long as it’s an investment in your education for personal growth or in building your own company.&#8221;
 
partly translated from https://creatorstory.ch/christian-koenig/
The post Bridging The Gap In Fintech News Reporting appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bridging-the-gap-in-fintech-news-reporting</link><guid>2083</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.sg/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Christian-Konig-at-Finnovasia-1024x768.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>Bridging The Gap In Fintech News Reporting</dc:text></item><item><title>Mt Pelerin Selects Tezos to Power Its Open Source Asset Tokenisation Platform</title><description><![CDATA[Mt Pelerin&#8217;s cryptocurrency mobile app Bridge Wallet has launched support for Tezos with a zero fees on-ramp and off-ramp for XTZ, the native cryptocurrency of the Tezos blockchain.
The firm said that it is &#8220;dedicated to building bridges between the crypto economy a traditional ﬁnance and is excited to bring their non-custodial mobile app Bridge Wallet to the Tezos ecosystem&#8221;.
Additionally, Mt Pelerin announced that Tezos will power its open source asset tokenisation platform, to support the issuance and management of compliant tokenised securities such as shares, bonds or funds.
Bridge Wallet is the gateway to a new world of money, the mobile wallet, which now supports Tezos and its XTZ token, focuses on facilitating direct ﬁat to crypto investments and easy crypto withdrawals.
With more than 13,000 users today in 171 countries, Bridge Wallet is gaining traction for offering completely free crypto-ﬁat transactions, with no commission, inﬂated spread or hidden costs.
Tezos celebrated its three year anniversary this year, making it one of the ﬁrst and longest running Proof of Stake blockchains. Network activity on Tezos has grown 1,200 percent this year due in part to its energy-efﬁcient design and ease of use. Game developers, music labels, sporting franchises, central banks, and more are all building on Tezos.
It also has a growing DeFi ecosystem with ERC-20 bridges for low-gas cross-chain utility, yield framing protocols, and surging AMM platforms.
With Bridge Wallet, Tezos users can purchase and cash out XTZ by bank transfer at no cost, up to a certain threshold &#8211; from $500 to $50,000 for holders of MPS tokens, the tokenised shares of Mt Pelerin &#8211; above which a small degressive commission is charged. Instant card purchases and withdrawals will also be available soon for XTZ.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mt-pelerin-selects-tezos-to-power-its-open-source-asset-tokenisation-platform</link><guid>2081</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Mt Pelerin Selects Tezos to Power Its Open Source Asset Tokenisation Platform</dc:text></item><item><title>Crowdfunding Skyrockets in Switzerland Amid COVID-19 Support Campaigns</title><description><![CDATA[In 2020, Swiss reward-based crowdfunding and crowddonation campaigns skyrocketed in number and volume on the back of soaring solidarity campaigns amid COVID-19, according to the Institute of Financial Services Zug IFZ’s annual crowdfunding research.
2020 saw 14,984 campaigns funded in the reward-based crowdfunding and crowddonation segment generating a volume of CHF 44.6 million. That represents a rise of 747% in the number of campaigns and a 81.6% rise in terms of volume – the highest growth across all crowdfunding segments.
The sharp increase is attributed to the increase in the number of support and solidarity campaigns to gather funds for people impacted by COVID-19. Campaigns under the “Society, social projects” category jumped 308.9% in number to more than 13,000, while volume surged 5,639.9%, the research found.
Reward-based crowdfunding : crowddonating volumes and number of campaigns 2012-2020, Source: Crowdfunding Monitor Switzerland 2021, Institute of Financial Services Zug IFZ
Examples of such initiatives cited in the report include Wemakeit’s “We make solidarity” and “We make tourism”, two channels that let people create campaigns for COVID-19 affected individuals and businesses. Lokalhelden.ch’s #LocalSupport campaign allowed small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to sell vouchers to their loyal customers and collect additional donations to address short-term liquidity issues. And the #zämefüralli fundraising campaign by I Care For You raised CHF 1.7 million from companies, foundations and private donors to support individuals and families in financial distress because of the pandemic.
SME and consumer loans slump
At the other end of the spectrum, significantly fewer business loans were granted to SMEs and consumer loans to private individuals in the crowdlending sector in 2020. These two categories witnessed a decline of 18% and 40% respectively, the research found.
The fall in loans can be partly attributed to the government’s COVID-19 loan program, which allowed businesses to submit streamlined loan applications to banks to bridge liquidity shortages, the report says. These bridging loans aimed at providing enough liquidity for businesses to cover ongoing fixed costs despite revenue losses.
Despite the decline in SME and consumer lending, the overall crowdlending segment recorded a volume growth of 7.1%, reaching CHF 448 million in 2020. This was largely driven by real estate crowdlending, which grew by a high 55.3% in 2020 to CHF 296.7 million. Real estate crowdlending typically involves mortgages for private individuals, interim financing for property developers and mortgage-backed SME loans.
Crowdlending volumes in Switzerland 2012-2020, Source: Crowdfunding Monitor Switzerland 2021, Institute of Financial Services Zug IFZ
Crowdinvesting, which allows customers to acquire a stake in a business or property via equity or mixed forms of equity an borrowed capital, also plunged, declining 26% in value compared to 2019 to CHF 114 million.
Like crowdlending, the bulk of the volume in crowdinvesting came from real estate in 2020, with CHF 69 million raised, thought the business category rose significantly, jumping 37.6% in volume between 2019 and 2020.
Crowdinvesting volumes in Switzerland 2012-2020, Source: Crowdfunding Monitor Switzerland 2021, Institute of Financial Services Zug IFZ
As of the end of April 2021, 38 crowdfunding platforms maintained a domiciled office presence in Switzerland, the research found, though only 28 saw active funding campaigns. These platforms helped raise CHF 606.6 million in 2020, up 2% compared to 2019.
Successfully funded campaigns by funding volume 2008-2020, Source: Crowdfunding Monitor Switzerland 2021, Institute of Financial Services Zug IFZ
SME crowdlending platform Swisspeers compiled these 28 platforms into one infographic, which include Crowdify (reward-based crowdfunding/crowddonation), Funders (crowdlending but also active in reward-based crowdfunding and crowddonation), and Crowdhouse (crowdinvesting).
Crowdfunding platforms in Switzerland (2021), Source: Swisspeers
The study authors Andreas Dietrich and Simon Amrein from the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts estimate that around 270,000 Swiss people backed crowdfunding projects in 2020, with many doing so for the first time. This indicates that “financing via the Internet has become more widespread,” the authors said in a statement.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crowdfunding-skyrockets-in-switzerland-amid-covid-19-support-campaigns</link><guid>2082</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Reward-based-crowdfunding-crowddonating-volumes-and-number-of-campaigns-2012-2020-Source-Crowdfunding-Monitor-Switzerland-2021-Institute-of-Financial-Services-Zug-IFZ.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Crowdfunding Skyrockets in Switzerland Amid COVID-19 Support Campaigns</dc:text></item><item><title>SIX Signed an MoU With Saudi Stock Exchange Tadawul for Future Cooperation</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss stock exchange SIX has signed a memorandum of understanding with its Saudi counterpart Tadawul on cooperation in the stock exchange sector.
This is the third financial dialogue between Switzerland and Saudi Arabia that took place in Zurich. The first two financial dialogues between the two entities were held in 2018 and 2019.
The main topics addressed in the financial dialogue were the great potential of digitalisation for sustainable financial services, an improvement in reciprocal market access and sovereign debt management.
The delegations also acknowledged the double taxation agreement between the two countries that came into force on 1 April 2021.
The financial dialogue also included a meeting between the two delegations and high-ranking representatives of Swiss banks and insurance companies, as well as visits to fintech companies in the Zurich region.
Saudi Arabia is one of Switzerland&#8217;s most important trading partners in the Middle East, with an annual trade volume of around CHF 2.3 billion. Over 100 Swiss companies operate locally in Saudi Arabia.
 
 
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/six-signed-an-mou-with-saudi-stock-exchange-tadawul-for-future-cooperation</link><guid>2080</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>SIX Signed an MoU With Saudi Stock Exchange Tadawul for Future Cooperation</dc:text></item><item><title>European Buy Now Pay Later Market Heats Up</title><description><![CDATA[Buy now pay later (BNPL) arrangements, which allow customers to buy items on credit and pay the money back over time, is witnessing record growth in Europe with demand from consumers rising and investor sentiment remaining overall optimistic, according to a new report by European startup news site Sifted.
Investment in European BNPL players grew 118% year-on-year in 2020 to EUR 1.1 billion, and 2021 started off with EUR 930 million raised in Q1 alone, suggesting another record-breaking year.
Meanwhile, demand from consumers is heating up. In Q4 2020, market leader Klarna saw over 4 million downloads in the US and over 2.5 million downloads in Europe, the report says, citing Apptopia data.
Across Europe, Klarna has consistently ranked the most downloaded app in the shopping category and has captured 10% of Northern Europe’s e-commerce market share, the report says.
Klarna’s mobile app downloads in Europe (m), Source: The payments revolution: fintech unwrapped 2.0, Sifted, 2021
As the space grows and matures, the rate of BNPL consolidation is also accelerating.
In mid-2020, Australian BNPL player Clearpay acquired Spanish rival Pagantis for EUR 50 million as part of its European expansion plan.
This year, Aussie BNPL fintech Zip announced a similar move, acquiring European BNPL provider Twisto as part of its European strategy. UK-based Twisto holds a European Payment Institution license, enabling the provision of payment services across all European Union (EU) member states.
Swedish Klarna, which has been on an acquisition spree, also brought Italian BNPL startup Moneymour last year.
The booming BNPL space has led many big-name companies to innovate on their offerings. PayPal and Amazon have all launched interest-free installment payment options. In the UK, Curve is also set to launch its own lending and loan offering called Curve Credit, which will allow customers to split eligible transactions into installments.
Emergence of installment credit cards
In the fast-evolving BNPL landscape, key emerging trends can be observed. In particular, the Sifted report notes the merging of BNPL and credit card models where players like UK-based Zilch are offering a card with a personalized credit line that’s then paid back in installments.
These credit cards are more convenient for consumers since users are no longer required to handle multiple BNPL providers with their own apps and platforms.
BNPL leaders including Klarna and Affirm are rapidly catching up with the trend, and have both launched card product. Similarly to Zilch, payments are made across the board and then split into installments.
Traditional credit card companies are also jumping onto the installment model. American Express, for example, has launched a hybrid model in the US called Pay It Plan It. The program allows customers to pay off small purchases on their American Express credit, or set up a payment plan for larger purchases.
Europe’s BNPL market
In Europe, Klarna is the undeniable BNPL leader. The Swedish firm is Europe’s most valued private company and the 4th biggest in the world with a valuation of US$45.6 billion, according to CB Insights data. Globally, Klarna counts over 90 million active users and processes 2 million transactions a day.
But Klarna’s stronghold on Europe’s BNPL market is coming under attack from a wave of new startups. In France, where Klarna isn’t available, there is Alma, a startup that has raised EUR 62.5 million in funding. In Italy, there’s Scalapay, which claims to be the country’s biggest BNPL player. Scalapay is also available in France and Germany. In Denmark, there is ViaBill, which counts over 900 merchants and has expanded to Spain. And in the UK, there is Divido, which raised in June 2021 a US$30 million Series B funding round led by HSBC and ING.
Europe&#8217;s Buy Now Pay Later Market infographic, Source: The payments revolution: fintech unwrapped 2.0, Sifted, 2021

Fintech research specialist Kaleido Intelligence estimates that US$680 billion will be spent by global consumers using point-of-sale (POS) finance/BNPL over e-commerce channels in 2025. This will represent a 92% rise over the US$353 billion spent in 2019.
In Europe, e-commerce spend via BNPL is predicted to hit US$347 billion by 2025, accounting for 30% of all predicted e-commerce spend.
 
Featured image: edited from Unsplash and Pexels
The post European Buy Now Pay Later Market Heats Up appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/european-buy-now-pay-later-market-heats-up</link><guid>2079</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Klarnas-mobile-app-downloads-in-Europe-m-Source-The-payments-revolution-fintech-unwrapped-2.0-Sifted-2021.png</dc:content ><dc:text>European Buy Now Pay Later Market Heats Up</dc:text></item><item><title>Switzerland Has The Highest Contactless Payment Limit In Europe</title><description><![CDATA[Switzerland&#8217;s contactless payment limit stands at CHF 80 (approximately GBP 63) – the highest in Europe, a new study has found. Approximately two-thirds of the Swiss population currently owns a credit card but the country still lags far behind on the list of global cashless economies.
The top 15 global cashless countries were compiled by rating them based on the percentages of the population that own a credit and debit card, contactless payment limits, number of major e-wallet players and ATMs per 100,000 adults. Singapore ranks ninth on the list which is topped by Canada, followed by Hong Kong and Singapore.
Canada has the highest contactless spending limit in the world at GBP 147 – more than twice that of Switzerland, the study notes. Moreover, Canada also leads the world in credit card usage – 83% of the population own a credit card. In 2020, Visa and Mastercard increased the contactless payment limit in Canada by 150%, from C$100 (GBP 58) to C$250 (GBP 147).
Global Contactless Payment Limits
At GBP 107, Singapore has the highest cashless spending limit in Asia, with 92% of the population owning a debit card. Moreover, Asian countries account for half of the economies with the highest cashless spending limits, the study indicates.
James Andrews, senior personal finance expert at money.co.uk said,

James Andrews
&#8220;Before the coronavirus pandemic, we were beginning to see a global shift away from paper money towards electronic payments, and that move has been massively accelerated since restrictions aimed at limiting the spread of the virus came into effect. In the past 12 months, we’ve witnessed more than 40 countries increase the limits for contactless transactions and in the UK the government has placed emphasis on using contactless methods of payment where possible.&#8221;
The world has been gradually moving away from cash for the past few years. For instance, cash usage in the UK has been steadily declining at 15% since 2017.
But the lockdowns imposed to curb the spread of the virus resulted in a major shift towards online payments and transactions. Moreover, as people became wary of transmission risks from paper money, contactless payments gained preference.
In the UK, cash usage fell by 35% last year – more than double the rate of decline since 2017. And while overall card payments declined in the UK in 2020, their share of payments increased with over half of all payments made using cards. According to the study, UK has the fourth highest contactless spending limit in Europe after Switzerland, Liechtenstein (GBP 63) and Russia (GBP 48)
Contactless Payment Limits in Europe
Earlier this year, the UK government announced changes to its rules to allow for an increase in the single contactless transaction limit to GBP 100. Following this change, the UK will have the seventh-highest contactless payment limit in the world, rising above the UAE, Bahrain, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Switzerland remains a cash dominant society against the general trend across the continent. A 2017 survey found that 70% of transactions in Switzerland take place in cash.
The move away from cash towards plastic payment methods and e-wallets have several advantages, said Andrews. Cashless payments are not only quick and easy, but the creation of digital paper trails can also help reduce tax fraud and money laundering, he said.
Moreover, cashless transactions require retailers to spend less time sorting out a cash float at the start of the day and fewer trips to the bank for deposits. It also reduces the risk of loss from theft.
Andrews added,

“However, as with many technological advancements, there is some concern that the change could leave vulnerable individuals behind. As things stand, shops are also well within their rights to refuse cash payments in the UK if they choose to go fully cashless &#8211; potentially excluding people unwilling or unable to pay with a card or smart device.&#8221;

Additionally, for people travelling abroad, the lack of cash option could mean paying hefty card charges if they do not have a suitable contactless travel card, Andrews said.
This means that any move towards a fully cashless economy requires infrastructural and legislative changes to ensure everyone is equipped with the necessary tools for cashless transactions, Andrews emphasises.
Featured image credit: Freepik
The post Switzerland Has The Highest Contactless Payment Limit In Europe appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/switzerland-has-the-highest-contactless-payment-limit-in-europe</link><guid>2078</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Global-Contactless-Payment-Limits-1024x755.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Switzerland Has The Highest Contactless Payment Limit In Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>Pollen Street Capital Snaps Up 10% Stakes in Dutch Neobank Bunq for €193 Million</title><description><![CDATA[British private equity firm Pollen Street Capital has acquired 10% stakes in Dutch challenger bank Bunq for €193 million, raising its valuation to €1.6 billion. The investment round is pending regulatory approval by De Nederlandsche Bank.
With this capital injection, Bunq will incorporate M&amp;A as its business growth strategy by acquiring Irish lender Capitalflow Group.
The company, founded in 2012 by serial entrepreneur Ali Niknam who invested €98.7 million of his own capital into bunq, is a self-funded challenger bank that branched into 30 European markets without VC funds.
During the last year, bunq said that it had doubled its user deposits for the third time in a row and the challenger bank passed the €1 billion in user deposits earlier this year.
Ali Niknam
“bunq was founded to challenge what banking is and can do. By putting our users first we have created a bank that is super focused to make life easy in a sustainable way. We’re extremely excited to join forces with Pollen Street Capital to further expand the bank of The Free throughout Europe”,
said Ali Niknam, Founder and CEO of Bunq.
James Scott
“Combining the SME lending expertise of Capitalflow, the digital execution capability of bunq and the ‘customers first’ approach of both Capitalflow and bunq creates a really exciting, high growth and self-sustaining platform with a pan-European reach that will mark a new standard in European digital banking.”
said James Scott, Partner of Pollen Street Capital.
 
 
Featured image credit: Bunq
The post Pollen Street Capital Snaps Up 10% Stakes in Dutch Neobank Bunq for €193 Million appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/pollen-street-capital-snaps-up-10-stakes-in-dutch-neobank-bunq-for-193-million</link><guid>2077</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Pollen Street Capital Snaps Up 10% Stakes in Dutch Neobank Bunq for €193 Million</dc:text></item><item><title>Austrian Crypto Tax Solution Provider Blockpit Bags US$10 Million in Series A Fundraise</title><description><![CDATA[Blockpit, an Austria-based provider of legally compliant and audited tax reports for the treatment of crypto assets, announced that it has received US$10 million during a Series A funding round.
The funding round was led by MiddleGame Ventures (MGV) with participation from Fabric Ventures, Force over Mass Capital, Tioga Capital (Casa), Avaloq Ventures and Venionaire through his Luxembourg fund, EXF Alpha SCS.
Blockpit said that it aims to further develop its certified tax reporting software Cryptotax and make it available in additional countries.
Founded in 2017, Blockpit developed the Cryptotax software with which crypto traders and investors can automatically calculate taxable profits from trading crypto assets such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.
The rollout of Cryptotax in Spain and France recently took place, which means that the audited tax reports are now available in a total of six countries which also includes the US, Austria, Germany and Switzerland.
Florian Wimmer
Florian Wimmer, CEO and Co-Founder of Blockpit said,
“In addition to the monetary boost, the expertise and international networking of investors in various areas result in new market access and numerous opportunities for additional partnerships. This will massively accelerate the further development of our products as well as the expansion into new countries.&#8221;
 
 
Featured Image: Blockpit C-Level (left to right): Vladimir Tosovic (CMO), Magnus Berchtold (CPO), Florian Wimmer (CEO), Gerd Karlhuber (COO) and Thomas Buchsteiner (CTO) ©Blockpit
The post Austrian Crypto Tax Solution Provider Blockpit Bags US$10 Million in Series A Fundraise appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/austrian-crypto-tax-solution-provider-blockpit-bags-us10-million-in-series-a-fundraise</link><guid>2074</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Austrian Crypto Tax Solution Provider Blockpit Bags US$10 Million in Series A Fundraise</dc:text></item><item><title>Argentina’s Fintech Landscape Shows Strong Growth Despite Headwinds</title><description><![CDATA[Argentina’s booming fintech industry boasts over 300 companies that employ nearly 15,000 people. This year, the sector is expected to create more than 5,600 positions, reflecting on the industry’s massive growth and traction, according to data from Cámara Argentina de Fintech (the Argentine Chamber of Fintech).
Results of a research shared in May 2021 by the organization show that 20% of all Argentine fintech companies currently in operation were founded just last year, showcasing the accelerated growth the sector witnessed during the global pandemic. Between 2017 and 2020, direct employment in the fintech sector grew at a sustained rate of 40% year-on-year, a trend that’s projected to continue in 2021.
Digital payments on the rise
Despite a challenging economic context due to both Argentine macroeconomics and the COVID-19 pandemic, the domestic fintech ecosystem recorded strong growth over the past year driven mostly by digital wallets and payment aggregators adoption amid the e-commerce boom, Marcelo Bastante, an independent financial services analyst, said in an interview with Bnamericas.
A 2021 study on payment trends by digital transformation consultancy Minsait found that two-thirds of banked Argentines increased their use of digital wallets since the beginning of the pandemic. Mobility restrictions, the surge in e-commerce activity and digital dispersal of government assistance payments pushed 6.5 million Argentines to download one or more digital wallets, according to the Argentine Chamber of Fintech. Topping the list of downloads was Mercado Pago, the digital payment platform of e-commerce giant Mercado Libre, with some 3.5 million downloads, followed by Cuenta DNI, and Uala, both at about 2 million users, the organization said.
Around 30 wallets share a market of more than 10 million users in Argentina, according to Latin American tech news and information portal Convergencialatina, and despite an already crowded digital payment space, competition is already heating up with new players including fintech startups, bigtechs and banks themselves entering the field.
Last year, a group of Argentine banks launched a payment platform called Modo, a service that enables bank account holders to send and receive funds free of charge. Modo reached one million users in just two months in operation by leveraging these lenders’ large existing customer bases.
A booming crypto industry
Blockchain is another segment that has picked up steam over the past years, Bastante said, noting for a lot of developments have occurred, including the successful application of the technology to contracts, control structures, and more. In addition, Argentines are increasingly perceiving cryptocurrencies as a way to mitigate the inflation effect over the local currency and to sort out the restrictions imposed by the foreign exchange regulations, a trend that has led to the introduction of two bills before the Argentine Congress in 2020 to institutionalize and regulate crypto assets.
Showcasing Argentina’s vibrant and fast-growing crypto space, digital asset company Ripio, formerly BitPagos, is today one of the country’s biggest fintech startups. The company serves more than 1 million users in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Uruguay and Spain, and was named in 2018 one of the top 100 most innovative fintech companies in the world by KPMG and H2 Ventures. This year, Ripio acquired Brazil’s second-largest crypto exchange BitcoinTrade as part of a broader plan to increase its footprint across the Latin American crypto market.
Ripio
Digital payment platform Mercado Pago is another leading Argentine fintech solution serving over 13 million users in Latin America. The service lets users make and receive payments in various methods ranging from credit cards to QR codes, and operates in multiple countries including Mexico and Brazil. Mercado Pago saw the number of accounts surge 125.25% last year while payment volume jumped 91.7%.
Digital banking startup Uala is another globally recognized Argentine fintech that has won early backing from investors George Soros and Point72 Ventures to offer prepaid debit cards, transfers, payments, and savings and lending services. In 2020, it received millions in fresh funding from Tencent and SoftBank to accelerate its growth. This year, it closed another US$64 million investment right after starting the process of acquiring rival Argentine digital bank Wilobank.
Uala has already expanded to Mexico but there’s potential for Uala to reach out to the unbanked in countries including Peru, Paraguay, Colombia and Chile, as well as the US and Europe, Pierpaolo Barbieri, the Argentine company’s founder, told Reuters in May.
Argentine fintech companies had attracted investments of US$194 million as of December 2020, according to data from Statista. Uala was the most well-funded startup at US$194 million, followed by challenger bank Brubank at US$12.8 million, and Moni, an online microfinance service provider at US$5.5 million.
 

Featured image: Photo by Fernando Távora on Unsplash
The post Argentina’s Fintech Landscape Shows Strong Growth Despite Headwinds appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/argentinas-fintech-landscape-shows-strong-growth-despite-headwinds</link><guid>2075</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/ripio-banner-1024x538.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Argentina’s Fintech Landscape Shows Strong Growth Despite Headwinds</dc:text></item><item><title>Central Bank Digital Currency: Non-Implementation Poses Risks Too, Warns Swiss Bankers Association</title><description><![CDATA[At a time when central banks around the world are ramping up digital currency plans, Switzerland’s inactivity and possible “non-implementation” of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) could, in the long run, jeopardize the country’s competitiveness, and turn it into a digital laggard compared to international counterparts, warns banking trade group the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA).
In a new discussion published on June 24, 2021, the SBA traces the international development of digital currencies and presents the opportunities and challenges CBDCs pose for the Swiss banking industry.
The Swiss Bankers Association discussion paper
According to the paper, because the Swiss financial and payment system works well and runs smoothly, the pressure to take immediate action appears to be lower for the SNB than for other central banks.
Though at first glance, remaining inactive could seem like the most beneficial option for Switzerland in terms of minimizing risks for the banks, in the future, this could be detrimental for the country.
“It can be presumed that in the absence of a modern means of payment, the digitalization of the economy and business models would proceeds more slowly,” the paper reads. “Outdated legacy systems for payment transactions could not be efficiently and fully adapted to the new circumstances of the global digital economy. Interoperability with foreign digital markets would be a challenge.”
There’s also the risk that if Switzerland does not issue its own CBDC, consumers would turn to platforms using foreign digital currencies or digital money for their payment transactions, introducing thus systemic and monetary policy risks due to the loss of currency sovereignty, the paper says.
Nevertheless, it notes that digital forms of money do come with risks and challenges for banks. For example, the widespread use of a private stablecoin like Facebook-backed Diem could reduce banks to a mere provider role or even displace them altogether. Assuming that demand for these new forms of digital money takes off, this could create a large-scale, system-wide displacement of deposits created by commercial banks. A bank run from current bank deposits to CBDC balances would pose a risk to financial stability.
Not only that, but a programmable digital currency also introduces privacy and political risks. For example, in the event that a digital currency provided by a foreign issuer rises to prominence, the issuer would be able track all the transactions and exclude groups of people from using it. Such information and the possibility of exclusion could, for example, be abused in the form of political pressure on a country.
Hence, a decision to introduce a CBDC goes far beyond monetary and economic policy considerations and is ultimately a strategic challenge for a state, the paper says. The SBA thus encourages public authorities and the business community to take a more productive position on the topic of CBDC, urging the general public to “drive the opinion-forming process.”
The release of the SBA paper came on the back of the announcement by the SNB a few weeks ago that the central bank has no plans for a CBDC in Switzerland, neither retail nor wholesale, reported Swiss business publication Handelszeitung.
At a recent press conference hosted by the banking trade group in June, SNB’s chief economist Carlos Lenz said there is no need for a digital Swiss franc at the moment since “the current payment system works well.”
According to Lenz, there is no risk for the Swiss franc to be displaced by other currencies if Switzerland were to decide not to issue a CBDC. “We had such discussions when the euro was introduced,&#8221; Lend said. “There was also fear that payments would suddenly be made in euros,” which didn’t come true, he added.
Despite the seemingly negative stance, Switzerland has been researching CBDCs. Project Helvetia, undertaken by the SNB, financial infrastructure operator SIX and the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) Innovation Hub Swiss Centre, reported in December 2020 on two successfully conducted feasibility studies on the settlement of tokenized assets in a CBDC on a distributed ledger.
In June 2021, SNB, Banque de France and the BIS Innovation Hub announced an experiment using a wholesale CBDC for cross-border settlement.
 
Featured image: Photo by Abdul basit on Unsplash 
The post Central Bank Digital Currency: Non-Implementation Poses Risks Too, Warns Swiss Bankers Association appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/central-bank-digital-currency-non-implementation-poses-risks-too-warns-swiss-bankers-association</link><guid>2076</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Positive-change-of-opinion-among-central-bank-representatives-from-mid-2018-1024x568.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Central Bank Digital Currency: Non-Implementation Poses Risks Too, Warns Swiss Bankers Association</dc:text></item><item><title>Wise Makes Its Debut on the London Stock Exchange, Now Valued at US$11 Billion</title><description><![CDATA[Wise, a London-based remittance firm, has begun trading on the London Stock Exchange’s (LSE) main market through a direct listing.
According to a statement by the LSE, this marks the first direct listing of a technology company in its history.
Reuters reported that Wire&#8217;s shares opened at 800 pence and closed at 880 pence, valuing the company at US$11 billion (8.75 billion pounds).
With this valuation, which is well above the US$6 &#8211; US$7 billion market expectations from earlier this year, Wise has emerged as London&#8217;s biggest tech company by market capitalisation.
Co-founded by Taavet Hinrikus and Kristo Käärmann in 2011 under its original name TransferWise, Wise has over 10 million people and businesses move more than £5 billion across borders every month using its platform.
According to Wise, the firm has been profitable since 2017. In FY2021, Wise moved £54 billion across borders for 6 million customers, representing a volume CAGR of 42% between FY2019 and FY2021.
Revenues grew at a CAGR of 54% over the same period, reaching £421 million. Adjusted EBITDA reached £109m.
Kristo Käärmann
Kristo Käärmann, CEO and co-founder of Wise, commented on the listing,
“Our listing is incredibly exciting, and lots of hard work from many people has made it a reality. But, it’s important to remember that we’re still very early on in our journey.
 
We’re currently saving customers around £1 billion a year in these hidden fees. The £149 billion that’s still to go remains our focus.”
 
 
Featured image: Edited from Unsplash
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/wise-makes-its-debut-on-the-london-stock-exchange-now-valued-at-us11-billion</link><guid>2073</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Wise Makes Its Debut on the London Stock Exchange, Now Valued at US$11 Billion</dc:text></item><item><title>Digital Lending Platform LoanPro Bags US$100 Million From Series A Fundraise</title><description><![CDATA[LoanPro, a SaaS-based loan management, servicing and collections platform for alternative, fintech and traditional lenders, announced it has raised a US$100 million growth equity investment in a Series A funding round from FTV Capital, a growth equity investor.
As part of the transaction, Robert Anderson, who led the investment for FTV Capital, will join LoanPro&#8217;s board of directors.
Through this capital raise, LoanPro will enhance its platform functionality, enter new lending verticals, and further invest in client-centric growth initiatives.
LoanPro was founded in 2014 by three brothers, to enable lenders to take back operational control and enhance real-time data insights and visibility.
The platform reportedly has more than US$15 billion of loans under management and over 600 clients across a diverse range of loan types and lending programs (e.g. prime, sub-prime, personal, consumer, auto, business, point-of-sale finance and buy now, pay later) in the United States and Canada.
Rhett Roberts
&#8220;As founders who started out as lenders, we understand the pain points that lenders experience. LoanPro was built by lenders for lenders—we use a modern tech stack to simplify the user experience of managing loans—we do the hard work on the back end to make the front end clean and simple to use.
 
FTV Capital&#8217;s investment, in addition to their extensive market knowledge and vast strategic network, will help us grow our platform and accelerate our ability to reach and successfully serve even more lenders.&#8221;
said Rhett Roberts, Co-Founder and CEO of LoanPro.
 
Featured image: LoanPro Founders. (Left to right) Lloyd, Ben, and Rhett Roberts
The post Digital Lending Platform LoanPro Bags US$100 Million From Series A Fundraise appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digital-lending-platform-loanpro-bags-us100-million-from-series-a-fundraise</link><guid>2072</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Digital Lending Platform LoanPro Bags US$100 Million From Series A Fundraise</dc:text></item><item><title>Freelance Fintech Platform Willa Closed US$18 Million in Series A Fundraise</title><description><![CDATA[California-based fintech Willa announced that it has secured US$18 million during a Series A funding round.
The round was led by New York-based Fintech Collective, including additional investments from Entrée Capital and EQT Ventures.
With the investment, Willa is gearing up to expand its invite-only beta to a waitlist of 150,000+ freelancers in the United States.
The latest funding will also allow for the company to grow its active user base and keep up with demand and a rapidly growing waitlist. A debit card and additional services centered around financial wellness for freelancers are planned later in 2021.
Willa also plans to expand its team by hiring for an additional 40-50 roles.
The Series A raise comes about a year after a $3M seed investment from EQT Ventures and other angel investors.
The iOS app first launched in late 2020 and helps creative freelancers with an easier way to get paid with no paperwork or risk. Freelancers receive their money in less than 30 seconds, and their clients can pay later on their own terms.
Kristofer Sommestad
Kristofer Sommestad, Co-founder &amp; CEO of Willa said,
“We’ve got something special going on at Willa which became evident when we had the opportunity to pick and choose between the world’s leading investors for the Series A. I’m excited to boost Willa with additional superpowers from Fintech Collective.
 
Combining this with the continued support from EQT Ventures and all other existing investors, we come well prepared for the next leg of our journey towards a better life for the future of work.”

Featured image: Kristofer Sommestad, Co-founder &amp; CEO of Willa
The post Freelance Fintech Platform Willa Closed US$18 Million in Series A Fundraise appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/freelance-fintech-platform-willa-closed-us18-million-in-series-a-fundraise</link><guid>2071</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Artboard-3-14.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Freelance Fintech Platform Willa Closed US$18 Million in Series A Fundraise</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Stock Exchange SIX to Launch New Equity Segment Exclusively for SMEs</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss stock exchange SIX announced that it will launch its new Sparks equity segment dedicated to Small &amp; Medium Enterprises (SMEs) subject to regulatory approval.
These companies will benefit from enhanced visibility, a more relevant peer group and more effective price formation in their equity securities while benefitting from the advantages of being a listed company on the Swiss stock exchange.
Sparks, a dedicated new equity segment on the Swiss stock exchange, will provide a key piece in addressing this need of SMEs and their investors for a dedicated, tailored, regulated exchange venue.
In establishing and growing a well-functioning ecosystem for raising public capital the continual and concerted efforts of the broader Swiss financial center will also be very important.
SIX is committed to ensuring that the backbone of the Swiss economy, fast-growing and established SMEs, can benefit from the unique advantages of public capital markets.
Sparks will be the next step in SIX’s ongoing efforts to enhance its offering to this segment.
It follows services such as Stage, which unlocks independent research coverage for SMEs, conferences connecting SMEs with investors, education workshops, and e-learning solutions.
Valeria Ceccarelli
Valeria Ceccarelli, Head Primary Markets, SIX Swiss Exchange said,
“Our challenge has been to ensure that we can offer entrepreneurs a platform that can help them efficiently access capital, enhance their visibility, strengthen their credibility, and provide the levels of transparency and scrutiny that maximize investor interest.
 
With Sparks, we will be able to achieve the right balance of all of these elements as well as to contribute meaningfully to the growth of SMEs and, more broadly, to that of the Swiss economy.”
 
Featured image: Edited from Unsplash
The post Swiss Stock Exchange SIX to Launch New Equity Segment Exclusively for SMEs appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-stock-exchange-six-to-launch-new-equity-segment-exclusively-for-smes</link><guid>2070</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Stock Exchange SIX to Launch New Equity Segment Exclusively for SMEs</dc:text></item><item><title>Visa Customers Spent More Than US$1 Billion on Crypto-Linked Cards in 2021</title><description><![CDATA[Visa revealed that its customers had spent more than US$1 billion on its crypto-linked cards in the first half of 2021.
The payments giant reported that it had partnered with 50 leading crypto platforms on card programmes that make it easy to convert and spend digital currency at 70 million merchants worldwide.
Visa had previously announced in March 2020 that it will allow the use of USD Coin (USDC), a stablecoin backed by the US dollar, to settle transactions on its payment network over Ethereum.
The company has been expanding partnerships with digital currency platforms such as FTX, Coinbase, Crypto.com, and CoinZoom, to name a few.
In fact, one-quarter of the companies in its Fintech Fast Track programme are working to issue Visa cards linked to a crypto platform.
All of this is in line with Visa&#8217;s digital currency roadmap which spells out its vision for supporting the future of money.
Vasant Prabhu
Vasant Prabhu, CFO of Visa told CNBC,
“We are doing a lot to create an ecosystem that makes crypto currency more usable and more like any other currency. People are exploring ways in which they can use cryptocurrencies for things they would use normal currencies for.
 
There are lots of issues in terms of volatility, etc. But that’s up to the owners of cryptocurrencies to manage and track.”

Featured image credit: VISA
The post Visa Customers Spent More Than US$1 Billion on Crypto-Linked Cards in 2021 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/visa-customers-spent-more-than-us1-billion-on-crypto-linked-cards-in-2021</link><guid>2069</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Artboard-3-14.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Visa Customers Spent More Than US$1 Billion on Crypto-Linked Cards in 2021</dc:text></item><item><title>Crypto Firm Circle Eyes IPO Through SPAC Merger, Bolstered by US$1.1 Billion in Capital</title><description><![CDATA[Cryptocurrency company Circle is eyeing an initial public offering (IPO) via a merger with Concord Acquisition Corp, a publicly-traded special purpose acquisition corporation (SPAC) in a deal that values the firm at US$4.5 billion. The transaction is anticipated to close in Q4 2021.
Concord had previously raised US$276 million in its initial public offering in December 2020 and is listed on the NYSE.
Upon completion of the transaction, existing Circle shareholders will maintain approximately 86% ownership of the public entity.
Under the terms of the agreement, a new Irish holding company will acquire both Concord and Circle and become a publicly-traded company, expected to trade on the NYSE under the symbol &#8220;CRCL&#8221;.
The SPAC has US$276 million in trust while investors have committed US$415 million in private investment in public equity (PIPE) financing by leading institutional investors including Marshall Wace LLP, Fidelity Management &amp; Research Company LLC, Adage Capital Management LP, accounts advised by ARK Investment Management LLC (&#8220;ARK&#8221;) and Third Point.
This coupled with Circle&#8217;s recent fundraise of US$440 million will provide the firm with over US$1.1 billion in gross proceeds upon the close of the transaction.
Circle&#8216;s co-founder, Jeremy Allaire, will remain CEO of the company while Bob Diamond, Chairman of Concord Acquisition Corp and CEO of Atlas Merchant Capital will join the board.
The firm is the principal operator of the fastest growing dollar digital currency, USD Coin (USDC), which has grown to more than $25 billion in circulation and has supported more than $785 billion in on-chain transactions.
In 2021, USDC in circulation has grown in excess of 3400%, fueling a broadening array of use cases for high-trust, low-friction internet-native payments and settlements.
Jeremy Allaire
Jeremy Allaire, Circle&#8217;s Co-Founder and CEO commented,
&#8220;While this transaction, and the transformation of Circle into a global, publicly listed company is exciting in and of itself, it is merely a marker in our journey to transform the world’s economic system using internet-native technologies.
 
We have a long way to go in pursuing our mission, and are incredibly grateful to each and every one of you for your support and engagement with Circle. We are also thrilled to partner with Concord’s executive and investment team, drawing on their decades of operating experience growing financial services businesses around the world.&#8221;
 
Featured image: Jeremy Allaire, Co-founder and CEO of Circle (Photo: Business Wire)
The post Crypto Firm Circle Eyes IPO Through SPAC Merger, Bolstered by US$1.1 Billion in Capital appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crypto-firm-circle-eyes-ipo-through-spac-merger-bolstered-by-us11-billion-in-capital</link><guid>2068</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Crypto Firm Circle Eyes IPO Through SPAC Merger, Bolstered by US$1.1 Billion in Capital</dc:text></item><item><title>UBS Ties up With Baloise to Offer Proptech Solutions for Swiss Property Owners</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss insurance holding company Baloise and UBS, with its mortgage brokerage platforms Atrium and key4, plans to enter into a strategic partnership in order to provide innovative solutions and services to property owners in Switzerland.
The aim of this strategic relationship is to give customers access to complementary services that address property owners’ key needs regarding financing, insurance and maintenance.
The project means further progress for Baloise in the expansion of its service portfolio and partnerships in the Home and Mobility ecosystems under the Simply Safe strategy.
This move combines the two partners’ core competences and services and their respective digital offerings to create a shared customer journey.
The new joint Home &amp; Living ecosystem will be designed to cover customer needs at all stages of the value chain.
It will be based on the established UBS platforms Atrium and key4, Baloise’s Home initiatives, existing and prospective equity investments of both companies and potential further partnerships with third parties.
In addition to the two companies’ existing cooperation on mortgage brokerage for investment properties, Baloise wants to further expand its mortgage offering through this strategic partnership.
Yannick Hasler
Yannick Hasler, Head of Retail Customers and a member of the Executive Committee of Baloise in Switzerland said,
“Baloise has invested heavily in the expansion of its Home ecosystem in recent years. Alliances with, and investments in, innovative Swiss start-ups such as Houzy, Devis, MOVU, Bubble Box and Batmaid have laid the foundations for a network of services that make everyday life easier for our customers. I am delighted about the plans to now form a strong partnership with UBS that will provide the basis for a shared Home &amp; Living ecosystem,”
Sabine Magri
Sabine Magri, COO at UBS Switzerland AG said,
“UBS has laid the foundations for its platform business in Switzerland with Atrium and key4. Ongoing expansion efforts through partnerships with innovative start-ups and brokers are key to the further development of our ecosystem. The planned strategic partnership with Baloise supports this approach; we complement each other very well.”
 
Featured image credit: UBS image from Unsplash; Head Office of Basler Versicherungen, Basel from baloise.com
The post UBS Ties up With Baloise to Offer Proptech Solutions for Swiss Property Owners appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ubs-ties-up-with-baloise-to-offer-proptech-solutions-for-swiss-property-owners</link><guid>2067</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>UBS Ties up With Baloise to Offer Proptech Solutions for Swiss Property Owners</dc:text></item><item><title>The Swiss Fintech Awards 2021 Winners Are…</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss Fintech Awards is organized yearly since 2015 to promote regional development and to strengthen the Swiss fintech ecosystem. A network of partner organisations and fintech experts select the best early and growth-stage startups through a multi-tiered application process. Additionally, the jury, consisting of 20 fintech experts, nominate the winner for the &#8216;Fintech Influencer of the Year&#8217; category.
The &#8216;Early Stage Startup of the Year&#8217; is selected from a pool of startups currently working on their first demo or prototype, or which are about to launch their first product or service. This year, the title was bagged by FQX, a startup digitalising promissory notes using blockchain. 
Predominantly paper-based, promissory notes are an unconditional pledge to pay a specific sum to someone at a specific future date. By digitalising them as eNotes, FQX allows users flexibility to sell or transfer them to a third party with ease.
Benedikt Schuppli, Co-Founder &amp; Co-CEO at FQX said,
Benedikt Schuppli
&#8220;The idea was born out of a real customer problem our Chairman experienced: with existing financing methods such as factoring, companies do not have the needed steering flexibility and institutional investors don’t have direct access to the real economy. By digitizing the formerly paper-based promissory note on a Blockchain, FQX is able to release the huge potential of the eNote for finance on a global scale to bring liquidity closer to the real economy.&#8221;
FQX claims that eNotes outperform other financing options because of their financial steering capabilities and global transferability. Moreover, banks and fintechs can integrate FQX&#8217;s eNote infrastructure on their financing platforms. This allows customers of financing platforms to benefit from the entire eNote lifecycle from issuance to settlement, FQX claims.
Schuppli added,
&#8220;Untypical for Swiss culture, FQX‘s vision is bold due to its global ambition to substantially change how companies access finance &amp; steer liquidity.&#8221;
This, along with its diverse team – the oldest employee being 64 years while the youngest being 24 – is what made FQX stand out from the throng of applicants, the team believes.
FQX is planning to roll out its product to the existing client and partner base over the next few months. The startup is also eyeing international expansion, the team said.
The &#8216;Growth Stage Startup of the Year&#8217; award was presented to Yokoy, an automated corporate expense management platform. This category evaluates startups with working business models and showing clear signs of significant growth.
Powered by artificial intelligence (AI), Yokoy automates the management and processing of expenses, invoices and cards for medium and large enterprises. Moreover, users can map out customised process flows and integrate Yokoy into their existing corporate systems.
Melanie Gabriel
Melanie Gabriel, Co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer at Yokoy, said
&#8220;We’re solving a true problem that each and every company independently of the industry knows and has. Too many companies are wasting money because their employees, managers and finance or HR teams spend too much time on manually processing expenses, invoices and credit card transactions.&#8221;
The spend management and corporate card industry in Germany, Switzerland and Austria alone is estimated to be above 28 billion USD, Gabriel said.
In its 1.5 years of operations, Yokoy has acquired over 300 customers including Stadler Rail, Swissquote and Bobst. In addition to Switzerland, the startup already has a presence in Austria and Germany and plans to expand further in the coming months. Yokoy is also aiming to double its user base from 50,000 to 100,000, and expand its team to 50 employees by the end of the year.
The &#8216;FintechInfluencer&#8217; award recognizes individuals or organisations that have positively shaped or influenced the Swiss fintech landscape. This year, the award was presented to financial market and data protection lawyer Cornelia Stengel. She is also the Co-director of the Swiss FinTech Innovations (SFTI) association and a permanent guest of the Swiss Bankers Association&#8217;s (SBA) Commission for Digitisation.
Cornelia Stengel
&#8220;I am very happy – especially about the fact that even &#8220;dry&#8221; legal work can obviously have a positive influence on the fintech scene. It is a great recognition for me, but also for the top people I have the privilege to work with, especially at Kellerhals Carrard and Swiss FinTech Innovations, and to whom I dedicate this award.
&#8220;I still think that a lot of innovation comes from payment systems in the broad sense. There is a trend in the direction of embedded finance, a variation or perhaps further development of open finance, but in any case cooperation in ecosystems,&#8221;
said Stengel while talking about the future of fintech.
Stengel also foresees strong developments around digital currencies and assets, driven by both the central banks and private companies. She added, &#8220;And last but not least – the focus on the customer. I would also describe individualization or the &#8216;segment of one&#8217; as a strong development, which is of course fueled by the aforementioned trends.&#8221;
The Swiss Fintech Awards winners were selected from about 70 accepted written applications after a rigorous selection process. Along with the award, the winners also received CHF 24,000 as prize money.
Swiss Fintech Awards 2021 Finalists




	Top 10 Fintech StartupsFinalistsStartup WInners




	aisot (early stage) DeepJudge (early stage) FQX (early stage) 


	Avoodoo (early stage) FQX (early stage) Yokoy (growth stage) 


	decentriq (growth stage) PriceHubble (growth stage) Influencer of the Year


	DeepJudge (early stage) Yokoy (growth stage) Cornelia Stengel


	FQX (early stage)


	PriceHubble (growth stage)


	Sygnum (growth stage)


	Troc Circle (early stage)


	WealthArc (growth stage)


	Yokoy (growth stage)




The post The Swiss Fintech Awards 2021 Winners Are&#8230; appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-swiss-fintech-awards-2021-winners-are</link><guid>2064</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>The Swiss Fintech Awards 2021 Winners Are…</dc:text></item><item><title>Here Are the Winners of the Swiss Fintech Awards 2021</title><description><![CDATA[The much-anticipated Swiss Fintech Awards has announced the winners for the year 2021 where winners of the three categories received CHF 24,000 each as prize money.
The awards have been organised yearly since 2015 to promote regional development and to strengthen the Swiss fintech ecosystem.
A network of partner organisations and fintech experts select the best early and growth-stage startups through a multi-tiered application process.
Additionally, the jury, consisting of 20 fintech experts, nominate the winner for the &#8216;Fintech Influencer of the Year&#8217; category.
The Swiss Fintech Awards winners were selected from about 70 accepted written applications after a rigorous selection process.
Winner of &#8216;Early Stage Startup of the Year&#8217; award
FQX, a startup digitalising promissory notes using blockchain, was named as the winner for the &#8216;Early Stage Startup of the Year&#8217; category. 
Predominantly paper-based, promissory notes are an unconditional pledge to pay a specific sum to someone at a specific future date. By digitalising them as eNotes, FQX allows users flexibility to sell or transfer them to a third party with ease.
FQX said that banks and fintechs can integrate FQX&#8217;s eNote infrastructure on their financing platforms. This allows customers of financing platforms to benefit from the entire eNote lifecycle from issuance to settlement.
The startup is planning to roll out its product to the existing client and partner base over the next few months and is also eyeing international expansion.
The winner for this category is selected from a pool of startups currently working on their first demo or prototype, or which are about to launch their first product or service.
Benedikt Schuppli
Benedikt Schuppli, Co-Founder &amp; Co-CEO at FQX said,
&#8220;The idea was born out of a real customer problem our Chairman experienced: with existing financing methods such as factoring, companies do not have the needed steering flexibility and institutional investors don’t have direct access to the real economy.
 
By digitising the formerly paper-based promissory note on a Blockchain, FQX is able to release the huge potential of the eNote for finance on a global scale to bring liquidity closer to the real economy.&#8221;
Winner of the &#8216;Growth Stage Startup of the Year&#8217; award
The &#8216;Growth Stage Startup of the Year&#8217; award was presented to Yokoy, an automated corporate expense management platform. This category evaluates startups with working business models and showing clear signs of significant growth.
Powered by artificial intelligence (AI), Yokoy automates the management and processing of expenses, invoices and cards for medium and large enterprises.
Moreover, users can map out customised process flows and integrate Yokoy into their existing corporate systems.
Melanie Gabriel
Melanie Gabriel, Co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer at Yokoy, said
&#8220;We’re solving a true problem that each and every company independently of the industry knows and has.
 
Too many companies are wasting money because their employees, managers and finance or HR teams spend too much time on manually processing expenses, invoices and credit card transactions.&#8221;
In its 1.5 years of operations, Yokoy has acquired over 300 customers including Stadler Rail, Swissquote and Bobst.
In addition to Switzerland, the startup already has a presence in Austria and Germany and plans to expand further in the coming months.
Yokoy said that it is also aiming to double its user base from 50,000 to 100,000, and expand its team to 50 employees by the end of the year.
Winner of the &#8216;Fintech Influencer&#8217; award
The &#8216;Fintech Influencer&#8217; award recognises individuals or organisations that have positively shaped or influenced the Swiss fintech landscape.
This year, the award was presented to financial market and data protection lawyer Cornelia Stengel.
She is also the Co-director of the Swiss Fintech Innovations (SFTI) association and a permanent guest of the Swiss Bankers Association&#8217;s (SBA) Commission for Digitisation.
Cornelia Stengel
&#8220;I am very happy – especially about the fact that even &#8220;dry&#8221; legal work can obviously have a positive influence on the fintech scene.
 
It is a great recognition for me, but also for the top people I have the privilege to work with, especially at Kellerhals Carrard and Swiss Fintech Innovations, and to whom I dedicate this award.
said Stengel while talking about the future of fintech.
 
Swiss Fintech Awards 2021 Finalists




	Top 10 Fintech StartupsFinalistsStartup WInners




	aisot (early stage) DeepJudge (early stage) FQX (early stage) 


	Avoodoo (early stage) FQX (early stage) Yokoy (growth stage) 


	decentriq (growth stage) PriceHubble (growth stage) Influencer of the Year


	DeepJudge (early stage) Yokoy (growth stage) Cornelia Stengel


	FQX (early stage)


	PriceHubble (growth stage)


	Sygnum (growth stage)


	Troc Circle (early stage)


	WealthArc (growth stage)


	Yokoy (growth stage)




The post Here Are the Winners of the Swiss Fintech Awards 2021 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/here-are-the-winners-of-the-swiss-fintech-awards-2021</link><guid>2065</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Here Are the Winners of the Swiss Fintech Awards 2021</dc:text></item><item><title>Pleo Becomes the Latest Danish Fintech Unicorn With US$150 Million Fundraise</title><description><![CDATA[Danish fintech Pleo announced that it has raised US$150 million in a Series C funding round to become a unicorn with a company valuation of US$1.7 billion.
The Series C round was co-led by Bain Capital Ventures and Thrive Capital, with contributions from existing investors Creandum, Kinnevik, Founders, Stripes and Seedcamp.
Keri Gohman, a partner at Bain Capital Ventures will be joining Pleo’s board of directors.
Pleo offers smart company cards that enable employees to buy the things they need for work, while keeping a company&#8217;s finance director in control of spending.
With the new funds, Pleo will be ramping up its product offering and will be hiring for the 30+ roles that it has open currently.
Additionally, Pleo will also be looking at market expansion, whether to break into new territories or to double down on the six markets that it already has a presence in.
This investment comes just two years after its Series B round, led by Stripes, which saw Pleo raise US$56 million.
Pleo said in a statement,
&#8220;While this investment round is taking Pleo to new heights, our core mission remains the same: to make everyone feel valued at work. Since day one, we’ve been committed to creating a spending solution that encourages a work culture built on trust and transparency, instead of overwhelming control and needless bureaucracy.
 
As with every investment round, this is just the beginning. It takes a village to fix an age-old problem, and we’re only just getting started.&#8221;

Featured image: Jeppe Rindom, Co-founder &amp; CEO at Pleo and Niccolo Perra, Cofounder at Pleo
 
The post Pleo Becomes the Latest Danish Fintech Unicorn With US$150 Million Fundraise appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/pleo-becomes-the-latest-danish-fintech-unicorn-with-us150-million-fundraise</link><guid>2063</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/fintech-baltic-1024x300.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Pleo Becomes the Latest Danish Fintech Unicorn With US$150 Million Fundraise</dc:text></item><item><title>Concardis Schweiz and CCV Schweiz Finalised Merger to Form Nets Schweiz</title><description><![CDATA[The legal merger of Swiss payment terminal provider CCV Schweiz SA with Concardis Schweiz AG by the Nets Group, a payment service provider in Europe, has been completed.
As of 30 June 2021, the two companies will continue to operate under the Nets brand as Nets Schweiz AG. The merger was originally announced in October last year.
The rebranding to Nets Schweiz AG has already been implemented with the successful legal merger. The web presence of CCV and Concardis in Switzerland will be integrated into the Nets Group website.
With their expanded service portfolio, Nets Schweiz will become a one-stop-shop for merchants and service providers in Switzerland in demand for payment solutions.
This ranges from card acceptance in e-commerce or at the point of sale, to card terminals and related services, to cash register integration, customer loyalty and shopping card systems.
Nets Group has already strategically expanded its position in Europe with acquisitions in Germany, Poland, Austria and Switzerland in recent years.
Additionally, the merger of Nets Group with the Italian paytech firm Nexi is expected to become effective.
Marianne Bregenzer
&#8220;By merging Concardis and CCV to form Nets Schweiz AG, we have created very good conditions for further growth and the expansion of our presence in Switzerland.
 
In this way, we are supporting the expansion of the Nets Group in European high-growth regions,&#8221;
said Marianne Bregenzer, Country Director at Nets Schweiz.
 
 
Featured image credit: Unsplash
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/concardis-schweiz-and-ccv-schweiz-finalised-merger-to-form-nets-schweiz</link><guid>2062</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Concardis Schweiz and CCV Schweiz Finalised Merger to Form Nets Schweiz</dc:text></item><item><title>Credit Suisse Hires Goldman Sachs’ Exec as New Chief Technology &amp; Operations Officer</title><description><![CDATA[Credit Suisse Group AG announced the appointment of Joanne Hannaford as Chief Technology &amp; Operations Officer and a member of the Executive Board of Credit Suisse Group, effective January 1, 2022.
Joanne Hannaford
Mrs. Hannaford joins from Goldman Sachs, bringing deep technical expertise, creativity and strong leadership acquired in a global setting over the past three decades.
Joanne will be based in Zürich and report directly to the Group CEO, Thomas Gottstein. James Walker, the current Chief Operating Officer, will continue in his role until the end of the year.
As of January 1, 2022, James will become the deputy CEO of Credit Suisse Holdings (USA), Inc. and be based in USA for family reasons. James will focus on ensuring that we operate our US businesses in a controlled and efficient manner.
Mrs. Hannaford has held a number of senior roles across Goldman Sachs Engineering in London and New York, including co-head of Enterprise platforms and global head of resiliency.
Most recently Mrs. Hannaford has been instrumental in defining the EMEA Engineering location strategy and leading significant change programs. She was named managing director in 2008 and partner in 2014. She served as a member of the Goldman Sachs Engineering Executive Group.
Joanne Hannaford started her career at Merrill Lynch after graduating with a First Class Bachelor of Science degree from Staffordshire University. She was awarded the Professor Michaelson Award for outstanding research in Computer Science.
Mrs. Hannaford serves on the UK Government Digital Service Advisory Board, Chairs the Bank of England CIO Forum (CMORG) and is a member of the Royal Society Science, Industry and Translation Committee. In 2020 she received the Women in Banking and Finance Award for Achievement.
Thomas Gottstein
Thomas Gottstein, Group CEO of Credit Suisse said,
&#8220;Joanne’s expertise in leading technological changes as well as implementing digital strategies will be key as Credit Suisse further focuses on technology to deliver value for its clients.
 
I am very much looking forward to the new perspectives Joanne will bring to the Executive Board. I also would like to thank James for his services over the past years in his role as Chief Operating Officer and look forward to continue working with him.&#8221;
 
Featured image: Joanne Hannaford, image via Credit Suisse
The post Credit Suisse Hires Goldman Sachs&#8217; Exec as New Chief Technology &#038; Operations Officer appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/credit-suisse-hires-goldman-sachs-exec-as-new-chief-technology-operations-officer</link><guid>2061</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Credit Suisse Hires Goldman Sachs’ Exec as New Chief Technology &amp; Operations Officer</dc:text></item><item><title>Netcetera, Entersekt Enables Secure Payments With FIDO Authentication for PLUSCARD</title><description><![CDATA[PLUSCARD, a full-service processor for numerous card-issuing institutions across Germany, Netcetera, a digital payment solutions provider, and Entersekt, a customer authentication specialist, launched the FIDO-certified alternative to app-based authentication in Europe in June 2021.
The solution enables secure online credit card payments without the use of a mobile device.
FIDO is an international authentication standard that offers an alternative for secure, easy and SCA-compliant payments without the use of a mobile device.
PLUSCARD, Netcetera and Entersekt have implemented the FIDO standard in their joint solution. Entersekt has integrated the FIDO server into the solution, which is certified by the FIDO Alliance.
Meanwhile, Netcetera is a long-standing partner of PLUSCARD and has successfully implemented this secure and user-friendly authentication solution.
Authentication is handled via a physical token which is linked to a credit card enabling customers to easily authenticate their online transactions.
Thomas Niederauer, Product Manager at PLUSCARD said,
&#8220;Customers without a mobile device now have the option to approve their online payments conveniently and securely with the FIDO token.
 
Together with Netcetera and Entersekt, we have implemented a future-proof solution with the FIDO standard. So far, this is a unique alternative to app-based authentication in the German market.&#8221;
Bernhard Binz
Bernhard Binz, Project Manager at Netcetera said,
&#8220;A FIDO token is much more secure than a transaction number sent via SMS and therefore the better choice for end customers. This is the second successful solution we have developed for PLUSCARD.
 
Together, we were the first in the payments industry to introduce app-based authentication 5 years ago and now we are again taking a leading role in the market with the first FIDO implementation.&#8221;
 
 
Featured image: Edited from Unsplash
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/netcetera-entersekt-enables-secure-payments-with-fido-authentication-for-pluscard</link><guid>2060</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Netcetera, Entersekt Enables Secure Payments With FIDO Authentication for PLUSCARD</dc:text></item><item><title>Broadridge Acquires ECS From Jordan &amp; Jordan to Enhance Its Regulatory Compliance</title><description><![CDATA[Broadridge Financial Solutions, an American-based investment banking company, announced that has acquired cloud-based Execution Compliance and Surveillance Service&#8217;s (ECS) assets from Jordan &amp; Jordan.
The solution provides a combination of surveillance and regulatory reporting as well as compliance consulting capabilities for US regulations.
The acquisition enables Broadridge to further extend its strategic regulatory reporting capabilities as well as add compliance and regulatory reporting consulting capabilities.
The solution allows broker-dealers to more effectively comply with regulations such as SEC Rules 605/606 and Consolidated Audit Trail (CAT) and strengthens their capabilities around best execution, trade surveillance and the detection of fraud-based manipulative activity.
It also enables clients to monitor the effectiveness of their required policies and procedures and provide detailed records to demonstrate a commitment to ongoing surveillance.
Berkery Noyes and CapM Advisors acted as financial advisors to Jordan &amp; Jordan.
Vijay Mayadas
“We are committed to helping broker-dealers simplify the process of complying with an ever-changing set of regulatory requirements.
 
This tuck-in acquisition provides a natural extension of our reporting and compliance capabilities for pre and post execution activities for the US market and underlines Broadridge’s commitment to expanding our capital markets offerings to clients.”
said Vijay Mayadas, President of Capital Markets at Broadridge.
Tom Jordan
“We are proud that our innovative solution is being used by an increasing number of firms to assist in meeting their compliance obligations.
 
The acquisition by Broadridge, a leader in the capital markets industry with significant size and scale, will further accelerate its capability to meet the increasing demand from clients.”
said Tom Jordan, President and CEO of Jordan &amp; Jordan.
 
Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/broadridge-acquires-ecs-from-jordan-jordan-to-enhance-its-regulatory-compliance</link><guid>2059</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Broadridge Acquires ECS From Jordan &amp; Jordan to Enhance Its Regulatory Compliance</dc:text></item><item><title>Innosuisse Paves the Way for Swiss Startups to Expand to Japan and South Korea</title><description><![CDATA[Startups supported by Swiss Innovation agency Innosuisse will soon be able to go to Japan or South Korea to develop their business internationally thanks to the two new camps being opened this year to meet growing demand.
These destinations were chosen in particular because of the potential of the Asian market and the appeal of their markets for Swiss startups.
This expansion has come about because demand for &#8220;Internationalisation Camps&#8221; has been steadily increasing in recent years.
Furthermore, expanding the offer of camps to new Asian markets is a necessary step in order to meet the demand from startups in the Innosuisse coaching programme.
The World Bank forecasts that Asian markets in general will show significant growth despite the global pandemic.
As with previous camp expansions, the new sites will be introduced as part of a three-year pilot project.
Two years after their introduction, they will be evaluated, and the Innosuisse Innovation Council will decide whether they should be continued.
Twelve camps are currently available, offering these companies the opportunity to test or even establish themselves in new markets such as New York, Rio de Janeiro and London.
Marcel Hofstetter
“There is strong demand from Swiss entrepreneurs for these destinations. In addition, there is a free trade agreement and cooperation in research, education and innovation between these destinations and Switzerland. This makes them ideal markets,”
said Marcel Hofstetter, Head of the Internationalisation Camp programme at Innosuisse.
 
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash here and here
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/innosuisse-paves-the-way-for-swiss-startups-to-expand-to-japan-and-south-korea</link><guid>2057</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Innosuisse Paves the Way for Swiss Startups to Expand to Japan and South Korea</dc:text></item><item><title>Brazil and Mexico Emerge as Top Fintech Countries in Latin America</title><description><![CDATA[Though the growth of fintech in Latin America (Latam) started later than in other region, it quickly picked up stream. Today, Latam is experiencing an explosion of fintech activity that’s being fueled by rising demand for online banking tools, encouraging demographics, and a significant underserved population.
Since 2016, more than US$7 billion has been invested into Latam financial services companies, according to Crunchbase data. Funding activity accelerated in 2019, jumping from US$600 million in 2018 to US$1.5 billion. As of June 2, 2021, total investment dollars invested in the sector were already neck-and-neck with last year’s total, indicating that 2021 investment will almost certainly surpass 2020.
Latin America financial services investments, Source: Crunchbase News, June 2021
A report released in November 2020 by the Bank for International Settlements provides an overview of the Latam fintech ecosystem, showcasing that across the region, two countries, namely Brazil and Mexico, are dominating the landscape.
Brazil: Latam’s biggest fintech ecosystem
Home to more than 750 companies, Brazil is without a doubt the largest fintech market in Latam and arguably the most mature.
It’s the birthplace of some of the region’s biggest and most successful fintech companies, including Nubank, Latam’s largest digital bank serving some 40 million customers and the world’s third most valuable fintech company at US$30 billion, C6 Bank, another major retail digital bank boasting some seven million customers, and Creditas, a consumer lending business worth US$1.75 billion.
Key regulatory changes and infrastructure developments, including the introduction of the regulatory sandbox, open banking regulation and the launch of Pix, Brazil’s instant payment system, have contributed to the rise of the domestic fintech sector, a momentum which industry observers and experts predict will continue this year onwards.
A breakdown of fintech investment in Latam shows that investors are particularly bullish on the prospect of the Brazilian market, with data from Colombian platform Latam Fintech Hub indicating that more than 66% of fintech funding in 2020 went towards Brazilian companies.
2020 fintech funding per Latin American country, Source: Latam Fintech Hub
Moving forward, more innovation and developments are expected to occur, notably in the areas of insurtech and open banking, predicts Bruno Diniz, managing partner of fintech-focused consultancy Spiralem and one of the most influential fintech experts in Brazil.
2021 should also see a number of large, established Brazilian fintech companies go public. Nubank is preparing for a US listing in the coming months, Reuters reported in April, and Ebanx, a Brazilian paytech unicorn, is looking to raise another round of funding before going public later this year in the US as well as, Bloomberg reported in May.
Mexican fintech industry gets a boost following regulatory changes
After Brazil, Mexico is the second largest and second most developed fintech ecosystem in Latam. The country is home to more than 440 fintech startups, and major regulatory developments this year are set to further push that momentum.
In 2018, Mexico became the first jurisdiction in Latam to introduce a specific fintech legal framework through the enactment of the Fintech Law. The law regulates two types of fintechs, notably crowdfunding institutions, and electronic money and payment institutions, but also covers topics including cryptocurrencies, open banking, and a regulatory sandbox.
As of early 2021, 93 fintech companies were in the process of obtaining a so-called Financial Technology Institution (FTI) license, according to data from the Comisión Nacional Bancaria y de Valores (National Banking and Securities Commission), indicating strong interest from the startup community.
Like Brazil and other emerging markets, Mexico boasts a large young and tech-savvy demographic that’s underserved by the traditional banking and financial system and which is eager to embrace innovative, digital-first financial products and services.
These encouraging demographics and favorable regulatory landscape have set a strong foundation for fintech companies to thrive. Today, Mexico is home to two fintech unicorns: Bitso, a cryptocurrency exchange platform worth US$2.2 billion, and Clip, a leading digital payment and commerce platform valued US$2 billion, data from CB Insights show.
This year, experts and industry observers expect accelerated growth in the Mexican fintech industry, building on rapid digital adoption amid COVID-19. Raphael Kappeler, a Swiss fintech entrepreneur based in Mexico, projects that smaller, underdeveloped fintech segments will see strong traction. In particular, business-to-business (B2B) services providers offering integration capabilities should witness rising demand as incumbent banks begin integrating with third-party fintech providers.
 

Featured image credit: Unsplash here and here
The post Brazil and Mexico Emerge as Top Fintech Countries in Latin America appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/brazil-and-mexico-emerge-as-top-fintech-countries-in-latin-america</link><guid>2058</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Latin-America-financial-services-investments-Crunchbase-News-June-2021.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Brazil and Mexico Emerge as Top Fintech Countries in Latin America</dc:text></item><item><title>Crowdfunding: Viele Corona-Hilfen über Internetplattformen</title><description><![CDATA[Gutscheinverkäufe für das lokale Restaurant, Spenden-Aktion für den Kiosk um die Ecke oder finanzielle Hilfe für Personen, die unter der Pandemie besonders leiden: Die Coronakrise hat eine Welle von Unterstützungsinitiativen auf Crowdfunding-Plattformen ausgelöst.
Im Bereich des Crowdsupporting und Crowddonating hat sich das Volumen beinahe verdoppelt. Hingegen wurden weniger KMU- und Konsumkredite über Internetplattformen vergeben als im Vorjahr. Das zeigt der Crowdfunding-Monitor 2021 der Hochschule Luzern.
Im Jahr 2020 erreichte das Volumen im Crowdfunding-Markt ein weiteres Mal einen Rekordwert, wie der Crowdfunding-Monitor der Hochschule Luzern zeigt. So wurden über Schweizer Crowdfunding-Plattformen Projekte im Umfang von insgesamt 606.6 Millionen Franken finanziert.

Wachstum unterschiedlich in Crowdfunding-Bereichen
Das Volumen-Wachstum innerhalb der Crowdfunding-Kategorien fiel 2020 vor allem Covid-19- bedingt unterschiedlich aus. Insgesamt sehr positiv waren die Effekte der Covid-19-Pandemie für den Bereich Crowdsupporting/Crowddonating, wo das Volumen von 24.6 Millionen im Jahr 2019 auf 44.6 Millionen Franken stieg (plus 82 Prozent; siehe Grafik). Die zuvor hohe Wachstumsdynamik im Crowdlending hingegen wurde durch Covid-19 gestoppt. Das Marktvolumen stieg gegenüber dem Vorjahr nur noch um sieben Prozent auf 448 Millionen. Im Bereich Crowdinvesting war das Volumen rückläufig und betrug 2020 noch 114 Millionen Franken (-26 Prozent).
Boom dank Corona-Projekten
Besonders im Bereich Crowdsupporting/Crowddonating wurden aufgrund der Coronakrise viele neue Kampagnen durchgeführt. Bei dieser Form des Crowdfundings werden für soziale, karitative, kulturelle oder unternehmerische Projekte Gelder gesammelt. Teilweise ist die Spende an keine Gegenleistung geknüpft, teilweise erhält der Investor oder die Investorin für seinen Beitrag beispielsweise ein Produkt oder einen Gutschein für das Projekt, das er oder sie unterstützt hat. Im letzten Jahr kamen die finanzierten Gelder oft dem lokalen Gewerbe oder Freischaffenden zugute.
Einerseits wurden diese Kampagnen über bestehende Schweizer Crowdfunding-Plattformen finanziert. Diese führten meist gezielte Initiativen durch, um solche Kampagnen schnell und einfach zu ermöglichen. Andererseits entstanden auch etwa 40 temporäre Plattformen, die lediglich ein paar Monate online waren. Auf diesen temporären Plattformen wurden während des Lockdowns häufig Gutscheine verkauft, welche dann zu einem späteren Zeitpunkt eingelöst werden können.
Rund 270&#8217;000 Menschen haben sich an Projekten beteiligt
Die Studienautoren Andreas Dietrich und Simon Amrein von der Hochschule Luzern schätzen, dass im Jahr 2020 rund 270&#8217;000 Schweizerinnen und Schweizer Geld für Crowdfunding-Kampagnen gegeben haben. Andreas Dietrich:
Andreas Dietrich
«Ich gehe davon aus, dass 2020 viele Personen zum ersten Mal ein Projekt online finanziert haben. Finanzierungen über das Internet haben sich somit weiter verbreitet.»
Wachstum von Crowdlending gebremst
Negative Effekte der Covid-19-Krise waren insbesondere im Bereich Crowdlending zu sehen. Zwar ist das Crowdlending-Volumen insgesamt um 7.1 Prozent gewachsen und der Markt für Crowdlending ist volumenmässig noch immer die wichtigste Crowdfunding-Kategorie in der Schweiz. Im Segment der KMU-Kredite war aber ein Rückgang des Volumens von 60.1 Prozent auf noch 95.9 Millionen Franken zu verzeichnen. Grund für diesen Volumenrückgang war in erster Linie das Covid-19-Kreditprogramm des Bundes, über welches KMU von Banken Kredite bis 500&#8217;000 Franken zinslos und ohne Kreditprüfung erhielten.
«Die Crowdlending-Plattformen wurden in diesem Kreditprogramm nicht miteinbezogen»,
so Dietrich. Das
Volumen von Konsumkrediten über Crowdlending-Plattformen ging 2020 ebenfalls zurück, von 67.7 auf 55.4 Millionen Franken. Kräftig zulegen konnten hingegen Immobilienkredite, deren Volumen auf 296.7 Millionen Franken stieg. Für das Jahr 2021 rechnen die Studienautoren insgesamt wieder mit einem höheren Wachstum des Schweizer Crowdfunding-Marktes und mit einem Volumen zwischen 650 und 850 Millionen Franken.
The post Crowdfunding: Viele Corona-Hilfen über Internetplattformen appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crowdfunding-viele-corona-hilfen-uber-internetplattformen</link><guid>2056</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/210701-hslu-crowdfunding-abbildung-1-teaser.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>Crowdfunding: Viele Corona-Hilfen über Internetplattformen</dc:text></item><item><title>UK Retirement Platform Smart Snaps up £165 Million in Series D Fundraise</title><description><![CDATA[Smart, the global retirement savings technology platform provider that powers the Smart Pension Master Trust, one of the ‘big four’ UK auto enrolment master trusts, has announced that it is concluding a £165 million Series D funding round.
Chrysalis Investments has led Smart’s Series D funding round with a £75 million equity investment, with additional investors to be announced in the coming weeks.
The overall round will comprise £110 million of primary and £55 million of secondary equity.
Smart reported enormous growth in 2020, with assets on the platform growing by more than 160% to £1.8 billion and the successful rollouts of the Smart platform with Bank of Ireland’s insurance arm, New Ireland Assurance, and with global insurance giant Zurich and the Dubai International Financial Centre in the Middle East.
The co-founders of Smart, Andrew Evans and Will Wynne said,
“Chrysalis Investments joins us at a really exciting time. Smart’s achievements over the last 12 months are testament to our amazing team, and also to the incredible resilience of both our operating model and the Smart platform that we deploy for large financial institutions and national governments.
 
With close to a million savers on our platform already, we now have straight line visibility through to well over five million savers on the platform within the next 24 months.
 
Featured image: Co-founders of Smart, Andrew Evans and Will Wynne
The post UK Retirement Platform Smart Snaps up £165 Million in Series D Fundraise appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/uk-retirement-platform-smart-snaps-up-165-million-in-series-d-fundraise</link><guid>2053</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>UK Retirement Platform Smart Snaps up £165 Million in Series D Fundraise</dc:text></item><item><title>Moderne Online-Versicherer: Weg von der Marke und hin zum Technologiepartner</title><description><![CDATA[Versicherer digitalisieren ihre Partnerschaften.
In den letzten zwei Dekaden hat sich in der Technologie von Versicherungen viel verändert: Zahlreiche Gründungen von Insurtechs mit modernen und skalierbaren Technologielösungen bedienen ihre Kunden oft mit einer sehr fortschrittlichen digitalisierten Art. Diese Entwicklung macht auch vor Partnerschaften und Kooperationen nicht halt. Versicherer haben vermehrt Beziehungen zu anderen Unternehmen und Ökosystemen geknüpft und lassen daraus echte Partnerschaften entstehen.
Zu Beginn des Milleniums kamen bei Versicherern insbesondere Kooperationen mit Automobil-Importeuren oder -Herstellern auf. In den letzten fünf Jahren konnten allerdings zahlreiche weitere Mitteilungen zu Partnerschaften sowohl innerhalb der Assekuranz (z. Bsp. simpego &amp; Sympany) aber auch über die Grenzen der Assekuranz hinweg zu Technologieunternehmen (z. Bsp. Brack &amp; Helvetic Warranty) oder zu anderen Retailern (z. Bsp. Migros &amp; Vaudoise oder IKEA &amp; SwissRe) in der Presse mitverfolgt werden. In letzter Zeit gewinnt sogar das frühere Schlagwort Bancassurance wieder an Bedeutung (z. Bsp. UBS &amp; Zurich).
Die technische Fitness ist dabei heutzutage äusserst wichtig, damit Partnerschaften schnell angebunden werden können und Chancen auf erfolgreiche Integrationen in Ökosysteme entstehen. Insbesondere für Insurtechs, welche in einem gesättigten Markt versuchen gegen die etablierten Versicherungsbrands zu bestehen, ist eine erfolgreiche Integration in verschiedenste Ökosysteme zentral. So sind seit Gründung von simpego Entwicklungen stets mit dem Ziel vorangetrieben worden, dass die Integration in digitale Partnernetzwerke und Ökosysteme einfach und schnell erfolgen kann.
Simpego hat in seinem Kernsystem genau darauf geachtet, dass generische Schnittstellen implementiert werden. Auf dieser Basis lassen sich die Applikationen vernetzen sowie die Daten von Partnern (z. Bsp. Datenzulieferer) gezielt übertragen und automatisiert verarbeiten. Dementsprechend stellt Simpego seinen zahlreichen Partnern moderne und offene API’s zur Anbindung zur Verfügung.

White-Labeling der Moderne
In den vergangenen Jahren konnten immer mehr Aktivitäten der Assekuranz beobachtet werden, bei welchen der Versicherer in einem Versicherungsprodukt nicht mehr seine eigene Marke in der Kundenbeziehung in den Vordergrund stellt, sondern jene des Partners. Das Versicherungsunternehmen fungiert in solchen Modellen primär als Risikoträger. Simpego konnte bis heute in mehr als einem Duztend solcher Kooperationen verschiedene Lösungen entwickeln. Sei dies in Zusammenarbeit mit anderen Versicherern, dem Hersteller oder Importeur von Fahrzeugen oder aber auch in Partnerschaften mit versicherungsnahen Technologieunternehmen wie zum Beispiel kasko2go oder autoSense.
Vor dem Hintergrund, dass solche und ähnliche Zusammenkünfte von Unternehmen zum Verbund zwischen Primärprodukt und Versicherung entstehen, sind für die hiesigen Versicherungsgesellschaften strategische Entscheide zu treffen. Soll man als modernes Start-Up im Versicherungsbereich auf White-Label-Lösungen setzen und damit einhergehend seine Marke in den Hintergrund stellen? Oder soll die Erkennung der eigenen Marke als oberstes Gebot gelten?
Für simpego ist dieser Fall klar: Moderne Online-Versicherer sollten nicht von Grund auf an eine Marke oder Markenbekanntheit des Versicherers selbst gebunden sein. Vielmehr ist eine schnelle, zeitnahe und agile Integration in andere Ökosysteme zentral für den Erfolg. Dabei ist es aber auch wichtig, gescheiterte Experimente nicht weiter zu optimieren, sondern schnell deren Exit zu vollziehen. Der Spagat zwischen einer kostentreibenden ständigen Optimierung der Markenbekanntheit zur Erhöhung der eigenen Vertriebskraft und der Investition in technische Fähigkeiten zur Erschliessung von Wachstumspotential in Partnerschaften stellt sich für einen Digitalversicherer viel weniger. Das wichtigste ist die Entwicklung hin zu einem zuverlässigen Technologiepartner.
Der Aufbau einer Versicherungsmarke ist mit enormen Investitionen verbunden. Doch zunehmend entscheiden über erfolgreichen Kundenzuwachs nicht mehr die traditionellen Kaufmotive der Endkunden, sondern die Fähigkeiten des Versicherers, sich im Verbund mit anderen Unternehmen am Markt zu positionieren und damit Kundenzugänge zu erreichen, bei welchen die Qualität von massgeschneiderten Versicherungsprodukten im Vordergrund steht. Es ist gewissermassen eine Abkehr des weit verbreiteten Gedankens, die Marke des Versicherungsunternehmens stehe für Vertrauen, hin zu konkreten und individuellen Versicherungslösungen mit direktem Kundennutzen, auch wenn diese unter einem anderen Brand verkauft werden.
Voraussetzungen für ein erfolgreiches Partnermanagement im modernen Sinne sind einerseits einen von Grund auf modularen Ansatz in der Produktentwicklung zu wählen, andererseits die generische Anbindung durch smarte Technologien zu schaffen. Effizienz wird erreicht, wenn beide Voraussetzungen in hohem Masse erfüllt sind.
Simpego hat seit seiner Entstehung grossen Wert auf dieses Fundament gelegt. Das Unternehmen richtet sich stark darauf aus, eine agile und modulare Produktpalette anzubieten und bedarfsgerechte Lösungen zusammen mit den Partnern im Ökosystem zu entwickeln. Im Vordergrund steht dabei nicht primär das eigene Versicherungslabel, sondern der Mehrwert für den Endkunden.
Der «Enabler» zum erfolgreichen Vertrieb über Partnernetzwerke erfolgt zu wesentlichen Teilen über dynamische und offene Schnittstellen direkt in das Kernsystem und dauert bei einer Umsetzung in der Regel maximal vier Wochen von der ersten technischen Spezifikation bis zur vollendeten Inbetriebnahme. Damit lassen sich Opportunitäten schnell umsetzen und sind ohne hohen Zeitverlust direkt marktwirksam. Nicht zuletzt erlaubt die hohe Agilität auch, dass beim Partner ein rasches Prototyping ermöglicht wird. Partner können unmittelbar Kundentests durchführen und mit diesen ersten Erfahrungen damit den Kundennutzen weiter optimieren.
Fazit
Es lässt sich festhalten, dass im Bereich des Partnermanagements in der Assekuranz in den nächsten Jahren einiges an Bewegung zu erwarten ist. Der Kampf um die besten Plätze in Ökosystemen ist lanciert. Gewinnen werden nicht jene Versicherer, welche die beste Marke haben, sondern jene Anbieter, die ihren Partnern technische Umsetzungen agil, schnell und unkompliziert anbieten können und darüber hinaus auch noch Testsieger Produkte und hervorragenden Kundenservice als USP’s mitbringen. Es wird nicht nur die Bereitschaft und Offenheit für neue Partner entscheidend sein, sondern auch das Versprechen und Einhalten einer smarten technologischen Umsetzung.
Autoren:

Patrick Eugster, CEO simpego und Simon Gerber, Leiter Unternehmensentwicklung simpego
Featured image:Woman photo created by rawpixel.com &#8211; www.freepik.com
The post Moderne Online-Versicherer: Weg von der Marke und hin zum Technologiepartner appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/moderne-online-versicherer-weg-von-der-marke-und-hin-zum-technologiepartner</link><guid>2054</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/simpego-ecosystem.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Moderne Online-Versicherer: Weg von der Marke und hin zum Technologiepartner</dc:text></item><item><title>Wealthtech Kaspar&amp; Advances to Stage Two of Venture Kick’s Accelerator Programme</title><description><![CDATA[The St.Gallen based wealthtech startup Kaspar&amp; announced that it has secured a seat in the second stage of Switzerland startup accelerator programme Venture Kick.
Launched in 2017, Venture Kick offers a three stage funding model initiated to support Swiss startups with enough funding to kick-start their entrepreneurial success.
In contrast to existing neo banks or robo-advisors, Kaspar&amp; does not solely focus on one offering or single service.
Instead, its approach is to guide the customer through an entire wealth building process that is enriched with specific banking and investment services to realise proposed actions.
Previously, Kaspar&amp; has started its first live operations and is about to launch the Alpha phase including a fully digital onboarding, an automatised top-up mechanism that allows micro-investments with every card payment transaction.
It also offers the possibility to create as many individualised investment goals with personalised underlying strategies.
Jan-Philip Schade
“These achievements show the broad and general interest in our vertical development approach.
 
By setting customer needs at first place and then adding classical banking commodities, such as payments, together with wealth management services we can create an entirely new generation of B2C offering.”
says Jan-Philip Schade, co-founder of Kaspar&amp;.
 
Featured image: (L-R)Dr. Lukas Plachel, Dr. Jan-Philip Schade, Lauro Böni, Sebastian Büchler
The post Wealthtech Kaspar&#038; Advances to Stage Two of Venture Kick&#8217;s Accelerator Programme appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/wealthtech-kaspar-advances-to-stage-two-of-venture-kicks-accelerator-programme</link><guid>2051</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Wealthtech Kaspar&amp; Advances to Stage Two of Venture Kick’s Accelerator Programme</dc:text></item><item><title>Physical Fintech Events are Back in Europe</title><description><![CDATA[As vaccination rollout continues and confidence begins to return, governments in Europe are starting to relax COVID-19 restrictions. Already, signs are showing that the event industry is inching back to the traditional in-person events that were the norm before the pandemic moved everything online.
Last week, the Swiss government started allowing mass events and officially lifted the work-from-home rule. Starting June 26, events of over 10,000 people have been allowed, provided attendees can prove they are vaccinated, have recovered from, or have tested negative for COVID-19.
The mandatory work-from-home rule has also been listed and the wearing of hygiene marks outdoors is no longer required. Travel restrictions such as quarantine requirements, have also been dropped for people from the 26 single-border European Schengen countries, and tests are only necessary for those arriving by plane.
Switzerland is working with the European Union on mutual recognition of COVID-19 certificates, with an agreement likely next month, a Swiss government lawyer told Reuters last week.
Switzerland’s Federal Council eases measures against the coronavirus
Similarly, starting June 30, the Netherlands will be allowing in-person events regardless of size and without face marks, though attendees will be required to show that they are either vaccinated or provide a valid COVID-19 test.
Earlier this month, France entered its third and penultimate phase of easing COVID-19 restrictions, and introduced the new health pass. The health pass provides proof that an individual aged 11 and up are fully vaccinated, or tested negative with a recent COVID-19 PCR test, allowing them access to gatherings of more than 1,000 people, including sporting events, cultural venues and trade shows.
Germany will be easing up restrictions on July 01, including ending the compulsory work-from-home rule. Germany will also be launching a digital “travel pass,” allowing citizens to prove that they are fully vaccinated and travel anywhere within the European Union (EU) or Schengen zone without needing to follow certain health measures, such as quarantining or testing.
Meanwhile, UK prime minister Boris Johnson has said people in England were “very likely” to be able to return to “pretty much life before COVID-19” on July 19.
Across the continent, trade show and event organizers are jumping on the opportunity, rapidly setting up events to provide professionals and businesses with the opportunity to finally get to connect in-person. Here we’ve listed three must-attend fintech events being held in the coming months as physical gatherings.
Swiss Fintech Fair 2021
September 08, 2021
Zurich, Switzerland

The Swiss Fintech Fair is returning in September 2021 as the first major get-together of the overall Swiss fintech community after a very long period of online events.
The invitation-only event, a major annual event within the Swiss fintech community, is expected to bring together the leading 500 who matter in fintech and finance, including those representing top fintech startups, scale-ups and providers, as well a C-Levels, decision makers, innovation officers and board members of leading Swiss and European banks, insurers and financial institutions.
Money 20/20 Europe
September 21 – 23, 2021
Amsterdam

Money20/20 is the premier show on the payment and fintech industry’s calendar where C-level executives, renowned speakers, innovators and disruptors from across the world drive change in the future of money.
Taking place in Amsterdam, Money20/20 Europe 2021 will offer three remarkable days of the right conversations, the right connections and the right discoveries which enable individuals and organizations of all sizes to achieve their goals and grow.
More information here.
Web Summit 2021
November 01 – 04, 2021
Altice Arena, Lisbon, Portugal

Web Summit is an annual technology conference held in Lisbon, Portugal, considered the largest tech event in the world. The conference’s topics center on Internet technology, emerging technologies, and venture capitalism. Web Summit partners range from Fortune 500 companies to startups, with attendees representing all levels and sectors of the global high technology industry.
This year, Web Summit is coming back as a physical event, promising some 1,200 speakers and over 2,600 journalists.
 
Featured image credit: Unsplash
The post Physical Fintech Events are Back in Europe appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/physical-fintech-events-are-back-in-europe</link><guid>2052</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Switzerland-COVID-19.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>Physical Fintech Events are Back in Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>IDnow Notches Its Third Acquisition With French Regtech ARIADNEXT</title><description><![CDATA[IDnow, a German-based leader in identity verification-as-a-service solutions, announced that it has agreed to acquire ARIADNEXT, a French company specialising in remote identity verification and digital identity creation.
With IDnow and ARIADNEXT joining forces, the companies can provide one comprehensive identity verification platform, ranging from AI driven to human-assisted technology and from online to point-of-sale verification options.
The combination further increases the services IDnow offers to the UK, French and German markets, as well as to international customers with identity verification needs across several jurisdictions and use cases.
IDnow will retain ARIADNEXT’s locations in Rennes, Paris, Madrid, Bucharest, Iasi and Warsaw, as well as its over 125 employees.
The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals.
This is IDnow&#8217;s third acquisition following that of Identity Trust Management and Wirecard.
Andreas Bodczek
“This combination with ARIADNEXT is an important step towards our vision of building the pan-European leader for identity verification-as-a-service solutions. It is now critical for banks, insurers, mobility companies and others to shift towards safe, automated solutions.
 
With ARIADNEXT, in addition to our recent acquisition of identity Trust Management AG, IDnow can provide our customers with an even broader suite of products through a single platform with a seamless user experience.”
said Andreas Bodczek, CEO of IDnow.
Guillaume Despagne
“We are looking forward to joining a team of IDnow’s caliber, combining our experience and skills to work towards our shared vison of providing a pan-European secure and future-proof solution to customers.
 
With a strong presence in Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Poland and Romania, our combined product portfolios create an unmatched platform for customers across the European market.&#8221;
said Guillaume Despagne, President of ARIADNEXT.
 
Featured image: IDnow Founders
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/idnow-notches-its-third-acquisition-with-french-regtech-ariadnext</link><guid>2049</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>IDnow Notches Its Third Acquisition With French Regtech ARIADNEXT</dc:text></item><item><title>JPMorgan Chase Set to Snap up 40% Stake in Brazilian Digital Bank C6</title><description><![CDATA[JPMorgan Chase has entered into an agreement for a 40% ownership stake in Brazilian digital bank C6 Bank for an undisclosed sum.
Launched in 2019, C6 Bank has reportedly amassed more than 7 million customers on its digital platform.
C6 Bank offers a full suite of products including multi-currency checking and savings accounts, debit and credit cards, travel and loyalty programs, investment and lending products for individuals as well as banking and payments products for small businesses.
Brazil is one of the largest retail banking markets in the world where unprecedented regulatory reform and infrastructure modernisation has led to increased competition and consumers have shown a high rate of digital adoption.
Driven mainly by mobile banking usage, more than 60% of banking transactions in Brazil are conducted digitally, a statistic that has risen steadily in recent years.
JPMorgan Chase has had local presence in Brazil for nearly 60 years, offering expertise in Corporate and Investment Banking, Markets, Wholesale Payments, Private Banking and Asset Management.
The bank’s retail banking business, branded Chase, offers a broad range of consumer banking products in the U.S. and has more than 55 million digitally active customers.
Sanoke Viswanathan
“We’re excited to be partnering with one of Brazil’s fastest growing digital banks. We’ve admired C6 Bank, its management team and their strategy for some time. With an impressive platform and product suite, they are well-positioned to sustain their growth trajectory and build a strong franchise.
 
We look forward to supporting C6 Bank in its aspiration to be a long-term winner in the Brazilian banking market.”
said Sanoke Viswanathan, CEO of International Consumer for JPMorgan Chase.
“Partnering with JPMorgan Chase, a global leader in financial services and a trusted name in retail banking, is a game-changer.
 
With their support, we will invest and scale our business in a way that continues to provide Brazilian customers with best-in-class digital banking products to help them accomplish their goals.”
said Marcelo Kalim, CEO and Co-Founder of C6 Bank.

Featured image credit: C6 Bank Facebook Page
The post JPMorgan Chase Set to Snap up 40% Stake in Brazilian Digital Bank C6 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/jpmorgan-chase-set-to-snap-up-40-stake-in-brazilian-digital-bank-c6</link><guid>2050</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Artboard-3-14.png</dc:content ><dc:text>JPMorgan Chase Set to Snap up 40% Stake in Brazilian Digital Bank C6</dc:text></item><item><title>Payoneer Finalises Merger With SPAC Company, Begins Trading on Nasdaq</title><description><![CDATA[Cross border payments specialist Payoneer announced that it has completed its merger with the FTAC Olympus Acquisition Corp. (FTOC), a special purpose acquisition company, to become a publicly traded company.
As a result of this merger, a new public entity under the name Payoneer Global Inc., and its common stock and warrants, will begin trading on the Nasdaq stock market under the ticker symbol “PAYO” and “PAYOW”, respectively.
Payoneer’s global management team, led by Scott Galit, Chief Executive Officer, Michael Levine, Chief Financial Officer, and Keren Levy, Chief Operating Officer, will continue to lead the company.
The transaction includes a US$300 million PIPE investment from investors including existing investor Wellington Management, as well as Dragoneer Investment Group, Fidelity Management &amp; Research Company LLC, Franklin Templeton, certain funds managed by Millennium Management, funds and accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc., and Winslow Capital Management, LLC.
Scott Galit
Scott Galit, Chief Executive Officer of Payoneer said,
“We are thrilled to be a public company and join forces with Betsy and the entire FTOC team.
 
This move into the public markets is an important step on our journey to provide any business, in any market, the technology, connections and confidence to realize their potential.”
Betsy Z. Cohen
Betsy Cohen, Chairman of the Board of Directors of FTAC Olympus Acquisition Corp., stated,
“The Payoneer team has positioned the company incredibly well to capitalise on the expansion of global commerce, and we are proud to be their partner during this next phase of growth.
 
Payoneer has a strong balance sheet with ample capital to expand its already broad suite of services, both organically, by deepening existing merchant relationships and continuing to build new ones, and through strategic acquisitions.”
 

Featured image credit: Payoneeer
The post Payoneer Finalises Merger With SPAC Company, Begins Trading on Nasdaq appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/payoneer-finalises-merger-with-spac-company-begins-trading-on-nasdaq</link><guid>2048</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Artboard-3-14.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Payoneer Finalises Merger With SPAC Company, Begins Trading on Nasdaq</dc:text></item><item><title>Deutsche Börse Group Acquires Majority Stake in Crypto Finance AG</title><description><![CDATA[Deutsche Börse Group has acquired a majority stake in Crypto Finance AG, a financial group under consolidated FINMA supervision that offers trading, storage, and investment in digital assets to institutional and professional clients.
Through the acquisition, Deutsche Börse further extends its offering for digital assets by providing a direct entry point for investments, including post-trade services such as custody.
Crypto Finance Group, with a fully licenced securities firm, offers 24/7 trading and brokerage of more than 200 digital assets in combination with a highly secure in-house custody solution. With connectivity to a multitude of digital asset venues worldwide, Crypto Finance bridges the problem of liquidity fragmentation in the market. Professional and institutional clients can directly invest in digital assets, without having to setup their own infrastructure and operational frameworks.
Furthermore, Crypto Finance enables clients to store a wide range of digital assets securely with custody solutions, as well as offering tokenisation and blockchain infrastructure services. An asset management unit under FINMA regulation also enables investor access to the digital asset class via an active and rule-based alternative investment fund offering.
As part of Deutsche Börse Group, Crypto Finance will be able to further scale the business and expand the range of digital asset services. Deutsche Börse also intends to make Crypto Finance’s offering easily accessible for participants via its established platforms. The goal is to establish a neutral, transparent, and highly scalable digital asset ecosystem under European regulation.
Thomas Book
“Digital assets will transform the financial industry. There is increasing demand from established financial institutions who are looking to become active in this new asset class and want a trusted partner”,
said Thomas Book, Executive Board Member for Trading and Clearing at Deutsche Börse.
“We are excited that Crypto Finance is joining the Group. The team is an ideal strategic fit, and will help us tremendously on our way to building a trusted and fully regulated digital asset ecosystem for institutional investors in Europe. Crypto Finance perfectly complements our recent offerings like 360X, the innovative DLT-based platform for serial marketplace creation, and our leading, centrally-cleared crypto ETNs.”
Jan Brzezek
Jan Brzezek, CEO and Founder, of Crypto Finance AG, said:
“Since the beginning, our goal was to bridge the old and new worlds. This is why we are excited to team up with a neutral partner like Deutsche Börse, who brings trust, reputation, and expertise in traditional financial market infrastructure. In combination with our proven expertise in crypto assets and the underlying technologies, we will now achieve our goals much faster. Together, we will enable thousands of financial institutions and professional investors in Europe to instantly enter this new asset class in a way they are familiar with.”
With its investment in a moderate three-digit CHF million range, Deutsche Börse will hold a two-thirds majority in the 2017-founded fintech that has received multiple awards. The remaining shares stay with existing investors, including CEO and founder Jan Brzezek, who will continue to lead and manage the business. The parties expect to close the transaction in the fourth quarter of 2021, following regulatory approvals. Further terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The post Deutsche Börse Group Acquires Majority Stake in Crypto Finance AG appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/deutsche-borse-group-acquires-majority-stake-in-crypto-finance-ag</link><guid>2047</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Deutsche Börse Group Acquires Majority Stake in Crypto Finance AG</dc:text></item><item><title>Finastra Study: Banking-as-a-Service to Gain Massive Traction in the Next Year</title><description><![CDATA[According to a global study by Finastra, Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) and inclusive banking services will have a significant impact on the industry over the next twelve months.
While this trend is expected worldwide by 85 percent of the surveyed global financial institutions &#8211; Hong Kong (with 92 percent), the UAE (with almost 90 percent) and Singapore (87 percent) assume the greatest effects.
Germany is taking a somewhat more cautious, but still significant, approach (with 80 percent).
Open banking gains traction
The &#8221; Financial Services: State of the Nation Survey 2021&#8243; study also shows that most companies are now taking advantage of open banking and open finance, with the latter seen as the natural evolution for the sector.
Globally, 94 percent of respondents agree that open banking is important for their company, in Germany the figure is as high as 96 percent.
Compared to the global average of 63 percent, Germany, at 77 percent, found an improvement in customer experience thanks to Open Banking, well above this average.
The study was conducted in March this year. A total of 785 experts from financial institutions and banks in the USA, Great Britain, Singapore, France, Germany, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates were interviewed, 108 of them experts from Germany.
The study examines the open banking and finance landscape, technologies and initiatives that will impact financial services over the next year, and what impact COVID-19 has had on the industry to date.

In addition to BaaS, mobile banking and artificial intelligence were identified as further top technologies that are to be further developed and implemented over the next 12 months. 95 percent of companies predict that they will be looking for further optimizations or implementations of these technologies within the next year. The United Arab Emirates (44 percent) and Hong Kong (42 percent) lead the way when it comes to interest in mobile banking, compared with an average of 36 percent across all seven markets including Germany.
Open banking will have the greatest impact on private customer business, according to almost half (48 percent) of those surveyed in Germany. This was also the consensus (compared to other areas) in the UK (56 percent), the US (49 percent) and Hong Kong (49 percent). Directly behind this is the area of ​​payment transactions in Germany, which 47 percent of the respondents see as being more influenced by open banking.
Cooperations are still important for 94 percent of financial service providers. Complex regulations were identified as the greatest obstacle to cooperation in Germany (with 44 percent) and can also be found in Singapore (with 45 percent) and France (with 47 percent). Banks in the US, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates (each with 40 percent) cited increased security risk as the greatest barrier, while legacy systems and IT in the UK (48 percent) were cited as the greatest obstacle to cooperation.
According to 8 out of 10 global companies, COVID-19 acts as an accelerator for adaptation and investment in new technologies and innovations. Singapore (87 percent), Great Britain (82 percent) and the UAE (82 percent) had the greatest influence here.
The financial industry is increasingly concerned with its corporate purpose. 86 percent of respondents believe that financial services and banking are about more than just finance and that financial service providers have a duty to support society.


 
Eli Rosner
“The results of our study show how financial institutions are already benefiting from open banking and &#8211; new this year &#8211; a growing role from BaaS.
 
We believe these initiatives have already paved the way to true open finance and help financial service providers continue to develop and improve the services they offer their clients,”
said Eli Rosner, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Finastra.
The post Finastra Study: Banking-as-a-Service to Gain Massive Traction in the Next Year appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finastra-study-banking-as-a-service-to-gain-massive-traction-in-the-next-year</link><guid>2046</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/4.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Finastra Study: Banking-as-a-Service to Gain Massive Traction in the Next Year</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 5 Fintech Cities in the USA</title><description><![CDATA[A world leader in tech innovation, it comes with little surprise that the US has produced some of the world’s biggest fintech companies with widely renowned names including PayPal, Square and Stripe.
Today, the country hosts some of the largest and most established fintech hubs that have benefited from the presence of world leading universities, abundant tech talent pool, and finance expertise to establish some of the world&#8217;s top fintech ecosystems.
Using a number of research papers including the Global Fintech Ecosystem Report 2020 by Startup Genome, the Global Fintech Hub Report 2020 produced by top Chinese Universities and government agencies, as well as analyses by Accenture and EY, we’ve compiled a list of the top five fintech hubs’ in the US, outlining their most distinctive characteristics and features, as well as some of the top fintech companies they’ve created.
San Francisco (California)
Most research are adamant that San Francisco, and Silicon Valley in particular, is not only the US’ top fintech city, it’s also the world’s leading fintech hub.
Some of the world’s biggest fintech companies are from San Francisco, including Stripe, the most valuable fintech company at US$95 billion, Chime (valued US$14.5 billion), and Plaid Technologies (valued US$13.5 billion), data from CB Insights show.
 
According to the Startup Genome report, Silicon Valley tops in most startup sub-sector rankings from AI, to robotics, to life sciences, and is the world’s main unicorn factory, producing more than 96 through December 2019.
San Francisco’s strengthens lie in the presence of a large pool of talent coming from top universities such as Stanford University, UC Berkeley and USCF, easy access to capital, and the proximity to numerous world-renowned investors and mentors.
Seven of the world’s top 10 AI investors including Google, Facebook, and Apple, are based in Silicon Valley, according to Startup Genome, and global financial companies like JP Morgan, Visa and Deutsche Bank have established innovation labs and tech campuses in the region.
New York City (New York)
Photo by Cara Willenbrock on Unsplash
After San Francisco, New York City is considered by many as the world’s second largest fintech hub, thanks to a massive tech ecosystem. Startup Genome estimates that New York City has the world’s second biggest tech scene with 9,000+ startups, 22 unicorns and 100+ accelerators, incubators, bootcamps, and coworking spaces. The city is also a world leader in AI and machine learning (ML), as well as cybersecurity.
As an old and well-known financial center, New York has a solid finance foundation, and mega financial institutions such as Morgan Stanley, Citibank and Goldman Sachs engage in frequent and significant digitization activities, establishing a favorable landscape for financial innovation and fintech development, says the Global Fintech Hub Report 2020.
Top fintech companies in New York City include unicorn startups Better.com, valued US$6 billion, Cedar, valued US$3.2 billion, and Paxos, valued US$2.4 billion, according to CB Insights.
Chicago (Illinois)
Like New York City, Chicago is a finance-driven global fintech hub. Ranked amongst the world’s top ten leading fintech hubs, Chicago’s strong fintech ecosystem is built on the city’s historical position as an international financial center, and a global derivatives, insurance and risk management center, notes the Global Fintech Hub Report 2020.
Chicago has the second largest central business district in the US and is home to the Chicago Stock Exchange and eight Fortune 1,000 financial services companies, says the Startup Genome report. The city also has abundant human resources and world famous universities such as the Chicago University, the North West University, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
These factors all contributed to Chicago’s development of a global fintech hub, which today hosts several renowned fintech companies including unicorns Enfusion, Clearcover and Amount.
Boston (Massachusetts)
Boston, located in the north-east of the US, is a major high-tech innovation center, the country’s largest medical research center, and its second largest biotechnology center. Its ranking amongst other global fintech hubs varies from one research to another, but most agree that the city ranks in the top 20.
Boston is perceived as one of the prominent tech hubs in the US, owing to the presence of world leading universities such as Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Babson College, notes a 2020 research by EY. It’s a leader in advanced manufacturing and robotics and life sciences, and a research and development (R&amp;D) tax credit offered by the state of Massachusetts makes it an appealing location for research-intensive companies.
Boston’s vibrant fintech ecosystem is represented by unicorn startups Toast, a cloud-based restaurant software company worth US$4.9 billion, and Circle, a US$3 billion crypto startup.
Los Angeles (California)
Los Angeles, the second largest city in the US, is one of the continent’s major industry and commercial, international trade, research and education, and entertainment and sports centers. Research rank Los Angeles in the top ten fintech ecosystems in the world, recognized for its active startup ecosystem, world-class universities, and abundant tech talent pool.
Los Angeles is the third largest startup ecosystem in the US, according to the Global Fintech Hub Report 2020, which has over the years attracted many startups, venture capital (VC) firms, and incubators to set up shop. With recent tech successes such as Snap and Tinder, the region now offers a deep pool of experienced founders, employees and investors.
Top fintech companies in Los Angeles include unicorn startups ReCharge, Sunbit and Dave.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-5-fintech-cities-in-the-usa</link><guid>2045</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/NYSE-1024x678.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 5 Fintech Cities in the USA</dc:text></item><item><title>Swisscom Selects AWS for Its Move Towards a Cloud-Native 5G Network</title><description><![CDATA[Amazon Web Services (AWS), an Amazon.com company, announced that Swisscom, a Switzerland-base telecommunications company, has selected AWS as its preferred public cloud provider for its enterprise IT.
Swisscom is pursuing a cloud-first strategy and will use AWS to increase IT agility, drive operational efficiencies, and accelerate time to market for new information and communications technology (ICT) features and services.
As part of its overall digital transformation, Swisscom will migrate to AWS a wide range of core applications that power its enterprise resource planning, operational support system (OSS), business support system (BSS), analytics, contact center, and communications provisioning workloads.
Swisscom will also leverage AWS’s proven infrastructure and breadth and depth of services to explore how it can build a reliable, scalable, secure, and cost-effective 5G Core in the cloud that would enable rapid development and deployment of new 5G services for its customers.
Swisscom is the largest telecoms company in Switzerland and one of the country’s leading IT services providers.
By transforming parts of its internal IT on AWS, Swisscom aims to reduce complexity, gain greater efficiency, and scale on demand to seamlessly deliver new innovations for its customers.
Swisscom will use AWS’s comprehensive set of analytics, machine learning, containers, database, and storage services to modernize its applications.
In addition, Swisscom engineers and developers will be able to automate hardware provisioning, database setup, patching, and backups, as well as deploy new applications in minutes.
Through the collaboration with AWS, Swisscom will also explore migrating from a 5G network built on current infrastructure to a new standalone 5G network powered by a cloud-native 5G Core—the architecture that aggregates and directs traffic flow across the network.
As envisioned, Swisscom’s 5G Core will run on a hybrid cloud infrastructure with Swisscom infrastructure, AWS Outposts, and in the AWS Europe (Zurich) region launching in 2022.
Christoph Aeschlimann
Christoph Aeschlimann, CTIO of Swisscom said,
“We expect 5G to open the door for a host of specialized services. Having AWS by our side, with their proven infrastructure and unparalleled suite of cloud technologies, will help us innovate and grow at a rapid pace.
 
Leveraging AWS, we are able to quickly build and run the applications that underpin our organization with low latency, reliability, and scalability, while meeting security and compliance requirements.”
Adolfo Hernandez
Adolfo Hernandez, Vice President of Telco Sales, Amazon Web Services said,
“We are thrilled to support Swisscom, Switzerland’s leading communications provider, with our proven infrastructure and industry-leading services to accelerate their digital transformation.
 
Our collaboration with Swisscom represents our long-term commitment to Switzerland, and we look forward to driving broad industry transformations for more European customers when we open our new region next year.”
 
Featured image: Photo by Claudio Schwarz | @purzlbaum on Unsplash 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swisscom-selects-aws-for-its-move-towards-a-cloud-native-5g-network</link><guid>2044</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swisscom Selects AWS for Its Move Towards a Cloud-Native 5G Network</dc:text></item><item><title>NSF lanciert den SME Lending Fund Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[Über die Schweizer Marketplace Lending-Plattformen Cashare, Crowd4Cash und Lend investiert der neu aufgesetzte Anlagefonds von NSF diversifiziert in Schweizer und liechtensteinische KMU Kredite.
Professionelle und qualifizierte Anleger erhalten dadurch die Möglichkeit, Unternehmen, die das Rückgrat der Schweizer Wirtschaft bilden, durch Bereitstellung von Kapital aktiv zu fördern und damit einen wichtigen Beitrag zur Stärkung der realen Wirtschaft zu leisten. Die i2 invest AG (“i2 invest”) agiert als ganzheitlicher Software-Dienstleister für die Investments des Anlagefonds . Zudem steht die i2 invest mit ihrem langjährigen Know-how im Marketplace Lending NSF tatkräftig zur Seite.
Seit 2016 verfolgt Michael Negele, Geschäftsführer von NSF Wealth Management Trust reg, die Idee, einen Anlagefonds aufzusetzen, welcher diversifiziert in KMU Kredite investiert. NSF ist eines der grössten unabhängigen Vermögensverwaltungs- und Treuhandunternehmen in Liechtenstein und verwaltet neben Kundenvermögen ebenfalls weitere Anlagefonds. Nachdem vor über zehn Jahren ein Private Debt Fund lanciert wurde, wird die Produktpalette um ein weiteres Lending Produkt erweitert. Weitere Produkte werden folgen. Hierfür wurde speziell die Marketplace Lending Fund Solutions SICAV gegründet. Weitere Informationen sind unter www.marketplace-lending.li abrufbar.
Gemeinsam mit dem Technologieanbieter i2 invest startet NSF nun mit seinem ersten Finanzprodukt im Bereich Digital Lending. Durch die proprietäre Software von i2 invest wird einerseits die Skalierbarkeit der Investitionen sichergestellt und andererseits das Investment Reporting, die Risikoüberwachung und die Buchhaltung vereinfacht und automatisiert. Plattformübergreifend werden die Daten aller Kredite täglich abgegriffen, standardisiert, aggregiert und ausgewertet. Dies erlaubt NSF die Zusammenstellung eines einzigartig diversifizierten Kreditportfolios, welches aufgrund der hohen Transparenz jederzeit überwacht und adjustiert werden kann.
Michael Negele
«Dank der Unterstützung durch die Softwarelösung und dem Know-how von i2 invest können wir qualifizierten Anlegern endlich Zugang zu Marketplace Lending in einer strukturierten, diversifizierten und skalierbaren Form mittels eines Anlagefonds anbieten»,
freut sich Michael Negele.
Qualifizierten Anlegern bietet die Marketplace Lending Fund Solutions SICAV mit ihrem Teilfonds SME Lending Fund Switzerland die Möglichkeit, eine vom öffentlichen Kapitalmarkt weitgehend unabhängige Rendite zu erzielen und gleichzeitig die Schweizer KMU-Landschaft zu unterstützen. Damit bietet diese Anlagestrategie eine echte Alternative im aktuell niedrigen Zinsumfeld.
Gregor Stadelmann
“Wir freuen uns sehr, gemeinsam mit NSF Teil dieses Fondsprojekts zu sein, NSF und ihre Anleger in der Bereitstellung eines attraktiven Rendite-Risiko-Profils zu unterstützen und gleichzeitig die Zusammenarbeit mit den Schweizer Marketplace Lending Plattformen zu intensivieren”,
so i2 invest CEO Gregor Stadelmann.
 
 
 
Featured image credit: Edited form Unsplash
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/nsf-lanciert-den-sme-lending-fund-switzerland</link><guid>2043</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>NSF lanciert den SME Lending Fund Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>World Wealth Report 2021 Highlights Booming Wealthtech Sector, Rising Crypto Adoption</title><description><![CDATA[The wealth management sector is undergoing a profound transformation on the back of macroeconomic, technological and social shifts. High-net-worth-individuals (HNWIs) are increasingly investing in emerging asset classes, evolving client profiles and behaviors are creating service gaps, and non-traditional players and wealthtechs are rising in popularity, says Capgemini’s annual World Wealth Report.
The World Wealth Report 2021, released on June 29, looks at megatrends, new wealth drivers and technology’s enabling role in the rapidly changing wealth space. It shares findings from surveys of both HNWIs and wealth managers to understand investment behavior, customer preferences, digital transformation efforts, collaboration strategies, and more.
Crypto, sustainable investing surge in popularity
According to research, new asset classes, including cryptocurrencies and sustainable businesses, are taking off. Out of 2,900 HNWIs across 26 markets surveyed, 72% have invested in cryptocurrencies, and 74% have invested in other digital asset such as website domain names.
Recognizing the need to meet clients’ evolving needs, several banks and financial institutions have expanded their offerings to include digital assets. Goldman Sachs, for example, is planning to offer its first investment vehicles for bitcoin and other digital assets to clients of its private wealth management group. Fidelity Investments is preparing to launch its own bitcoin fund as it seeks cement its clout in the market for digital assets. And robo-advisory platform Wealthfront will start allowing clients to invest in cryptocurrencies later this year, it said in April.
In addition to cryptocurrencies, demand for sustainable investing is accelerating. A separate Capgemini Research Institute survey of +11,000 consumers found that the proportion of consumers who prefer to invest in assets with a positive societal impact but lesser returns increased from 31% before the COVID-19 outbreak to 46% by November 2020.
Demand for sustainable investment opportunities is also maturing, with HNWIs now expecting more information on sustainable investment opportunities as well as more customized solutions. The Capgemini survey found that 43% of ultra-HNWIs and 39% of HNWIs age 40 or younger are likely to request an environmental, social and governance score for products offered by their firm.
Rise of wealthtech
Another key trend outlined in the report is the rise of wealthtech companies. These companies are emerging as both competitors to traditional wealth management firms and enabling partners.
In 2020, wealthtech companies generated robust funding, reaching an annual record of US$3.7 billion across 157 deals through November 2020, the report notes. Investments grew more than 50% compared with US$2.4 billion throughout 2019, showcasing investor rising appetite for the segment amid the global pandemic.
This comes on the back of renewed consumer interest in robo-advisory platforms, the report says, citing that 34% of HNWIs surveyed are actively using a wealthtech firm to manage their assets.
In addition to the rise of tech-enabled wealth management specialists, the report notes that non-traditional players are increasingly exploring investment services. In Asia, the fintech arm of Singapore-based ride-hailing giant Grab acquired robo-advisory startup Bento to offer retail wealth management solutions to users, driver-partners and merchant-partners via the Grab app.
At the same time, traditional wealth management firms continue to partner with wealthtechs to reach new client segments (32%) and to provide new and unique offerings to clients (29%), the survey found.
Delivering superior customer experience
As industry boundaries blur and as bigtechs’ entry looms, customer experience is becoming the latest battleground for wealth management firms. While steps have been taken to address HNWIs’ rising demand for personalization and seamless digital interfaces, customers are still overall underwhelmed by traditional players’ offerings.
51% of surveyed HNWIs said they are not satisfied with their firm’s personalized offerings or digital interfaces. Moreover, clients increasingly seek support beyond investments, with 36% saying that a firm’s lack of value-added services might drive them elsewhere.
Despite an overall realization that the industry must embrace digital tools and technology, executives are still lacking so-called “new-age competencies,” the research found.
Fewer than half of the executives surveyed said they are confident in their firm’s data readiness, and although wealth management firms are doing relatively well in the soft skills of data governance and building a data-driven culture, there are more notable gaps in infrastructure implementation and data-driven organizations processes.
New investment avenues
Finally, another trend highlighted in the report is the emergence of new investment avenues, including special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs).
SPACs debuted in the early 1990s but have exploded in popularity since 2020. This year alone, an estimated US$100 billion have been raised through 370 SPAC listings globally, according to data provider Refinitiv. More than 400 SPACs are currently hunting for companies to buy.
SPACs have also become the go-to listing vehicle for fintech companies. In Q1 2021, 17 blank check companies announced plans to merge with fintech firms, totaling a combined valuation of US$62 billion, data from fintech-focused investment bank Financial Technology Partners (FT Partners) show.
These figures are a new record for the industry and surpass those for the whole year 2020 during which 15 SPACs merged with fintechs for a combined valuation of US$57 billion.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/world-wealth-report-2021-highlights-booming-wealthtech-sector-rising-crypto-adoption</link><guid>2042</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/tech-driven-wealth-exploded-throughout-the-1990s-1024x497.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>World Wealth Report 2021 Highlights Booming Wealthtech Sector, Rising Crypto Adoption</dc:text></item><item><title>UK’s Credit Scoring Platform ClearScore Secures US$200 Million Investment</title><description><![CDATA[ClearScore, a UK-based free credit scoring service and marketplace, announced that it has secured US$200 million from global equity investor Invus Opportunities, pushing its valuation to US$700 million.
The investment is a mix of primary and secondary, with existing investors &#8211; QED, Blenheim Chalcot and LeadEdge – together with management, retaining the majority of their positions in ClearScore, whilst allowing Invus Opportunities to take a significant minority position in the company.
The deal sees Benjamin Tsai of Invus Opportunities joining the ClearScore board, with co-founders Nigel Morris remaining as Chairman and Justin Basini continuing as Chief Executive.
This investment will accelerate ClearScore’s ongoing investments to expand its team, product suite, and customer base globally.
ClearScore currently serves over 14 million customers worldwide, on three continents.
Justin Basini
Justin Basini, Co-Founder and CEO, ClearScore said,
&#8220;As one of the only profitable UK fintech business operating at real scale, we didn’t need to raise money, but rather we chose to partner with Invus.
 
We made this decision as a team because of Invus’ track record of working strategically over the long term with their businesses to recognise global opportunities, whilst delivering superior services to consumers.”
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/uks-credit-scoring-platform-clearscore-secures-us200-million-investment</link><guid>2040</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>UK’s Credit Scoring Platform ClearScore Secures US$200 Million Investment</dc:text></item><item><title>German Fintech Deposit Solutions Merges With Rival Raisin to Form Raisin DS</title><description><![CDATA[Deposit Solutions and Raisin have announced the completion of their merger to from Raisin DS, servicing banks and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic in the savings and investment market. The merger only needs to be registered in the commercial register.
One of Raisin DS&#8217; key priorities is maintaining a high degree of continuity. Both companies&#8217; current management will take over leadership roles at Raisin DS.
Both CEOs, Dr. Tamaz Georgadze and Dr. Tim Sievers, will initially lead the new company as co-CEOs. Dr. Tim Sievers will then move to the company&#8217;s Advisory Board at the end of the year.
Deposit Solutions is a B2B open banking platform in the savings deposit space. The company operates deposit marketplaces for over 150 partners, including large institutions such as Deutsche Bank, and connects them with deposit-taking banks from all across Europe. Raisin is a pan-European B2C platform for savings and investments.
Raisin’s marketplaces offer consumers simple access to competitive deposit products from all across Europe. In Germany, the fintech company also offers globally diversified, cost-effective ETF portfolios and ETF-based pension products.
As Raisin DS, both companies will now be able to unite B2B offering and Europe’s B2C savings marketplaces under one roof.
Going forward, Raisin DS plans to invest in its platforms, extend the product range and expand into further markets.
Dr. Tim Sievers
“Deposit Solutions and Raisin have brought important innovations to a market that has been underserved for decades. Together we can achieve even more.
 
By uniting Deposit Solutions and Raisin, we’re transforming two German innovation leaders into the European champion with global ambitions.&#8221;
said Dr. Tim Sievers, CEO and founder of Deposit Solutions.
Dr. Tamaz Georgadze
“Raisin DS is breaking down barriers and reinforcing our long-time vision for a single transparent market for savings and investment products.
 
We want to contribute to a financial system that better serves day-to-day financial needs of people and enables banks to provide a stronger backbone to the real economy.”
added Dr. Tamaz Georgadze, CEO and co-founder of Raisin.
 
Featured image: Dr. Tamaz Georgadze, CEO and co-founder of Raisin &amp; Dr. Tim Sievers, CEO and founder of Deposit Solutions
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/german-fintech-deposit-solutions-merges-with-rival-raisin-to-form-raisin-ds</link><guid>2041</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>German Fintech Deposit Solutions Merges With Rival Raisin to Form Raisin DS</dc:text></item><item><title>EU Plans Digital Identity Scheme for All Bloc’s Citizens, Residents and Businesses</title><description><![CDATA[The European Commission (EC) has released a framework for a digital identity scheme for all citizens, residents and businesses in the European Union (EU), allowing anyone in the bloc to prove their identity, share electronic documents and access online services from any device.
The European Digital Identity would allow EU citizens to access public and private services anywhere in the bloc as easily and conveniently as they would in their home country, whether that’s renting a flat, opening a bank account, enrolling at a European university, or checking in at the airport.
End-users would use digital wallets offered by their member states to store identity documents and other attributes including driving licenses, diplomas and bank accounts. These wallets may be provided by public authorities or by private entities recognized by the member state, the EC said.
The European Digital Identity should have three main characteristics: first, it should be available to anyone wanting to use it; second, it should be widely usable as a way either to identify users or to prove certain personal attributes to access public or private digital services; and finally, it should provide end-users with full control over their data, the EC said.
Though not mandatory for EU residents, dominant online platforms such as Google and Facebook would be required to accept an EU digital wallet, Margrethe Vestager, the European Commission’s executive vice president for digital, said during a virtual media briefing, a provision that aligns with the EC’s goals to regulate bigtechs, notably over data privacy concerns.
“Because of that, you can decide how much data you want to share – only enough to identify yourself,” the commissioner said.
The EC is asking member states to establish a common toolbox by September 2022 so that pilot projects can begin. The toolbox should comprise the technical architecture, standards and guidelines for best practices for the digital identity scheme, and member states should “start the necessary preparatory work immediately,” the authority said.
The EC 2030 Digital Compass
The European Digital Identity is part of the EC’s 2030 Digital Compass strategy and the bloc’s broader digital ambitions. These include having 75% of EU companies taken up cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI) and big data by 2030, 100% online provision of key public services available for European citizens and businesses, all citizens having access to electronic medical records, and 80% of citizens using digital identity.
Europe’s Digital Decade: digital targets for 2030, Source: European Commission
In parallel, the EC and the European Central Bank (ECB) have been contemplating the introduction of a so-called digital euro.
The central bank digital currency (CBDC) would complement cash and payment solutions supplied by the private sector, and could potentially help accelerate the digitalization of the economy, support improvements in the overall costs and ecological footprint of the monetary and payment systems, improve existing cross-currency payment infrastructures, and better service users with changing behaviors and expectations, according to an October 2020 report by the ECB.
In a recent interview with the Financial Times, Fabio Panetta, an executive board member at the ECB, said that one of the project’s key aims would also be to combat the spread of digital coins created by other nations and companies.
“If the central bank gets involved in digital payments, privacy is going to be better protected … because we are not like private companies. We have no commercial interest in storing, managing or monetizing the data of users,” Panetta told the media outlet.
“Of course there is the potential threat that could come from others issuing a digital means of payment … If people do want to pay digitally and we do not offer them a digital means of payment, somebody [else] would do that.”
Around the world, CBDC engagement and development have accelerated over the past year amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and many central banks are now moving into more advanced stages in their efforts. Latest research by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) found that about 60% of central banks are conducting experiments or PoC projects, up from 42% in 2019, while 14% are moving forward to development and pilot arrangements.
The EU has yet to officially decide whether or not it will be issuing a so-called digital euro, though a number of countries part of the bloc have been researching and experimenting with CBDC individually.
Banque de France is currently testing the use of a CBDC for the wholesale market. It announced earlier this month a partnership with the Swiss National Bank to start a joint cross-border CBDC experiment dubbed Project Jura.
Sweden, which is part of the EU but which hasn’t adopted the euro, completed the first phase of the e-krona pilot in April 2021. In that phase, the digital currency was token-based in a distributed network based on blockchain technology.
 
Featured image: (L-R) Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President for a Europe Fit for the Digital Age and Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/eu-plans-digital-identity-scheme-for-all-blocs-citizens-residents-and-businesses</link><guid>2036</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Europes-Digital-Decade-digital-targets-for-2030-Source-European-Commission.png</dc:content ><dc:text>EU Plans Digital Identity Scheme for All Bloc’s Citizens, Residents and Businesses</dc:text></item><item><title>Digital Asset Inks Deal to Connect Daml-Driven Apps Into the Nasdaq Marketplace</title><description><![CDATA[Digital Asset announced a new partnership with Nasdaq to enable Daml-driven applications on the Nasdaq Marketplace Services Platform.
Nasdaq and Digital Asset customers will be able to leverage applications built in Daml, a multi-party application platform, and connect them seamlessly into the Nasdaq Marketplace Services Platform.
Launched in 2020, the Nasdaq Marketplace Services Platform is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform for exchanging digital assets, services and information in the cloud.
Built on top of the Nasdaq Financial Framework’s high-performance, low-latency foundation, the platform provides access to functionally-robust services covering the transaction lifecycle, including the issuance of assets and trading through pre-trade risk management, market surveillance and efficient digital settlement.
Daml also presents an opportunity for Nasdaq and its customers to build application logic in Daml to manage new types of assets, such as ESG certificates, real estate, precious metals and more as part of Nasdaq’s Marketplace Services Platform, a DLT agnostic offering aimed at providing its clients with the ability to manage the full lifecycle of digital assets.
Digital Asset’s exchange client base includes the Australian Securities Exchange, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing, Singapore Exchange, and most recently, Xpansiv, an ESG commodity trading platform, among others.
Johan Toll
“The partnership with Digital Asset is another step forward in Nasdaq’s journey to create a dynamic marketplace that supports all kinds of markets worldwide.
 
While Daml has a strong foundation in capital markets, we see opportunities for this technology in similar types of non-financial markets where supply and demand needs to be matched and later settled in blockchain or other platforms.”
said Johan Toll, Head of Digital Assets, Market Technology at Nasdaq.
Kelly Mathieson
“Nasdaq has always been a front runner when it comes to embracing new technologies. The partnership with Nasdaq is another milestone in our journey to become the global economic network of interconnected businesses.
 
We are excited to work with Nasdaq and explore the numerous ways Daml can add value to the growing Marketplace Services Platform.”
said Kelly Mathieson, Chief Client Experience Officer at Digital Asset.
 
Featured image: Edited from Pixabay
The post Digital Asset Inks Deal to Connect Daml-Driven Apps Into the Nasdaq Marketplace appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digital-asset-inks-deal-to-connect-daml-driven-apps-into-the-nasdaq-marketplace</link><guid>2037</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Digital Asset Inks Deal to Connect Daml-Driven Apps Into the Nasdaq Marketplace</dc:text></item><item><title>Instimatch Teams up With FQX to Roll Out eNotesTM for Its Institutional Client Base</title><description><![CDATA[Instimatch Global, a Swiss digital platform for institutional short-term money market trading, is partnering with Swiss Fintech FQX to augment its core offering by introducing eNotesTM, a disruptive short-term financing and payment tool.
The company currently offers trading of unsecured cash deposits within a large network of banks, corporates, asset managers, insurance companies, public sector counterparties and others.
Leveraging FQX’s technology will enable Instimatch to offer the use of eNotesTM, a form of electronic promissory notes verified and secured by Swisscom and SwissPost on the banking-grade blockchain, Swiss Trust Chain.
An eNoteTMis an unconditional promise to pay a specific sum to another party at a specific future date or at a specified time after sight.
The eNotesTM can be flexibly sold and transferred to third parties.
Hugh Macmillen, Founder of Instimatch Global, said
“Our partnership with FQX enables us to empower banks to digitize their certificate of deposit programs using FQX’s eNotesTM, a revolutionary money market solution.
 
Institutional Investors trading these electronic certificates of deposit (eCDs) would experience fully digitised deposit transactions, digitally signed and immutably stored on the Swisscom Blockchain infrastructure. The enforcement regime applicable to eNotesTM is recognized in over 165 countries”.
Stephan D. Meyer
Stephan D. Meyer Co-CEO of FQX said,
“The partnership between Instimatch Global and FQX forms the perfect synergy by combining Instimatch Global’s client network and superb digital-only user experience with the strengths of the blockchain-based, easily enforceable and tradeable eNoteTM.
 
This significantly improves the way money market transactions are done”.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/instimatch-teams-up-with-fqx-to-roll-out-enotestm-for-its-institutional-client-base</link><guid>2038</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Instimatch Teams up With FQX to Roll Out eNotesTM for Its Institutional Client Base</dc:text></item><item><title>Pricehubble Acquires Proptech Realtify, Expands to Czech Republic and Slovakia</title><description><![CDATA[PriceHubble, a B2B-proptech company, completes its fourth acquisition and has bought Czech proptech startup Realtify and is now operating in nine countries.
PriceHubble acquires 100% of Realtify, which will be operating as PriceHubble Czechia with immediate effect.
The Realtify team will be fully integrated within PriceHubble and Vladislav Kochetov will take on the role of Managing Director of the new entity. He will be responsible for PriceHubble&#8217;s business development in Central and Eastern Europe.
With a future focus on Central and Eastern Europe, PriceHubble is entering the Czech and Slovak markets.
PriceHubble currently employs over 100 specialists and is active in the following nine countries; Switzerland, France, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and Belgium, Japan &#8211; and now also in Czech Republic and Slovakia.
The company was founded by Dr. Stefan Heitmann and Markus Stadler in Zurich in 2016 and is now active in nine countries in Europe and Asia.
Realtify was founded in Prague in December 2019 by Vladislav Kochetov and the Czech proptech provides analytical and research tools for residential real estate professionals with a team of currently 10 specialists.
Vladislav Kochetov
Vladislav Kochetov, Founder and CEO of Realtify said,
&#8220;We are proud to be part of the PriceHubble-family.
 
The whole team is looking forward to working with the global powerhouse for AI analytics and digital real estate solutions and together we will significantly contribute to the digitisation of the entire value chain in Central and Eastern Europe,&#8221;
Stefan Heitmann
Dr. Stefan Heitmann, Chairman and Founder of PriceHubble said,
&#8220;We already serve customers in the region and the acquisition creates synergies for both our customers and us.
 
PriceHubble is not only one of the fastest growing global PropTechs, but also the most international one.&#8221;
 
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash and Pexels
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/pricehubble-acquires-proptech-realtify-expands-to-czech-republic-and-slovakia</link><guid>2035</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Pricehubble Acquires Proptech Realtify, Expands to Czech Republic and Slovakia</dc:text></item><item><title>Accenture Invests in Swiss Payments Firm Imburse for an Undisclosed Sum</title><description><![CDATA[Accenture has made a strategic investment in Imburse, a Swiss cloud-based, payments-as-a-service enterprise platform that simplifies the way businesses around the world access the global payments ecosystem.
Terms of the investment that was made through Accenture Ventures were not disclosed.
Imburse will join Accenture Ventures’ Project Spotlight—an immersive engagement and investment program aimed at connecting emerging technology startups with the Global 2000 to fill strategic innovation gaps.
Through the programme, Imburse will also have access to Accenture’s global innovation network and the opportunity to co-innovate with Accenture software engineers, system architects, and payments experts.
Founded in Zurich in 2018, Imburse works with global insurers, banks, and other large companies to easily connect outdated legacy systems to the global payments ecosystem through a single connection using application programming interfaces (APIs).
Imburse works with several multinational clients, including Generali Group.
Sulabh Agarwal
“Payments systems at many companies are being stressed by changing consumer preferences – challenging them to offer the latest digital payment options while maintaining efficient operations.
 
Imburse’s payments platform removes integration challenges and acts as the payments glue for organisations, fusing together all payments types including bank transfers, credit cards, and digital wallets, to offer the customer seamless, quick and secure experiences.”
said Sulabh Agarwal, who leads Accenture’s Payments group globally.
 
Featured image: Oliver Werneyer, CEO of IMburse AG
The post Accenture Invests in Swiss Payments Firm Imburse for an Undisclosed Sum appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/accenture-invests-in-swiss-payments-firm-imburse-for-an-undisclosed-sum</link><guid>2034</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Accenture Invests in Swiss Payments Firm Imburse for an Undisclosed Sum</dc:text></item><item><title>Accenture Invests in Swiss Payments Firm Imburse</title><description><![CDATA[Accenture has made a strategic investment in Imburse, a Swiss cloud-based, payments-as-a-service enterprise platform that simplifies the way businesses around the world access the global payments ecosystem.
Terms of the investment that was made through Accenture Ventures were not disclosed.
Imburse will join Accenture Ventures’ Project Spotlight—an immersive engagement and investment program aimed at connecting emerging technology startups with the Global 2000 to fill strategic innovation gaps.
Through the programme, Imburse will also have access to Accenture’s global innovation network and the opportunity to co-innovate with Accenture software engineers, system architects, and payments experts.
Founded in Zurich in 2018, Imburse works with global insurers, banks, and other large companies to easily connect outdated legacy systems to the global payments ecosystem through a single connection using application programming interfaces (APIs).
Imburse works with several multinational clients, including Generali Group.
Sulabh Agarwal
“Payments systems at many companies are being stressed by changing consumer preferences – challenging them to offer the latest digital payment options while maintaining efficient operations.
 
Imburse’s payments platform removes integration challenges and acts as the payments glue for organisations, fusing together all payments types including bank transfers, credit cards, and digital wallets, to offer the customer seamless, quick and secure experiences.”
said Sulabh Agarwal, who leads Accenture’s Payments group globally.
 
Featured image: Oliver Werneyer, CEO of IMburse AG
The post Accenture Invests in Swiss Payments Firm Imburse appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/accenture-invests-in-swiss-payments-firm-imburse</link><guid>2039</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Accenture Invests in Swiss Payments Firm Imburse</dc:text></item><item><title>BIS Backs the Development of Central Bank Digital Currencies</title><description><![CDATA[The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) said in an annual report that it backs the development of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).
The Annual Economic Report 2021 said that CBDCs are &#8220;moving from concept to practical design and renew the institution of money in a new form designed for the digital age&#8221; and lays out the design choices for CBDCs.
BIS analysis finds that CBDCs would best function as part of a two-tier system where the central bank and the private sector work together to do what each does well.
The central bank would operate the core of the system and ensure its safety and efficiency, while the private sector, such as banks and payment service providers, would use its innovative capacity to serve customers.
From a practical perspective, the BIS says the most promising CBDC design would be one tied to a digital identity, requiring users to identify themselves to access funds.
A careful design would balance protecting users against the abuse of personal data with protecting the payment system against money laundering and financial crime.
In addition, the BIS says international cooperation on design will be vital if central banks are to harness the full benefits of CBDCs, and to improve cross-border payments while countering foreign currency substitution.
The BIS&#8217;s Innovation Hub (BISIH), the Swiss National Bank (SNB) and the financial infrastructure operator SIX had recently announced the successful completion of a joint proof-of-concept for its wholesale CBDC dubbed as Project Helvetia.
Hyun Song Shin
&#8220;CBDCs are a concept whose time has come. They open a new chapter for the monetary system by providing a technologically advanced representation of central bank money.
 
In doing so, they preserve the core features of money that only the central bank can provide, anchored in the foundation of trust in the central bank.&#8221;
said Hyun Song Shin, Economic Adviser and Head of Research of the BIS.
Benoît Cœuré
&#8220;CBDCs could form the backbone of a new digital payment system by enabling broad access and providing strong data governance and privacy standards.
 
They are the best way to promote the public interest case for digital money.&#8221;
said Benoît Cœuré, Head of the BIS Innovation Hub.
﻿
 
Featured image: Hyun Song Shin, Economic Adviser and Head of Research of the BIS, screengrab from Youtube
The post BIS Backs the Development of Central Bank Digital Currencies appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bis-backs-the-development-of-central-bank-digital-currencies</link><guid>2031</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Capture-1.png</dc:content ><dc:text>BIS Backs the Development of Central Bank Digital Currencies</dc:text></item><item><title>Visa Inks Deal to Acquire Swedish Open Banking Platform Tink for US$2.2 Billion</title><description><![CDATA[Visa announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Tink, a Swedish open banking platform, for 1.8 billion Euros (US$2.2 billion).
Tink will retain its brand and current management team, and its headquarters will remain in Stockholm, Sweden.
The combination of Visa’s proven infrastructure and sustained investment in resilience, cybersecurity and fraud prevention with Tink’s APIs, technology and customer relationships is expected to help accelerate the adoption of open banking in Europe by ensuring a secure, reliable platform for innovation.
As a result, consumers can better control their financial experiences, including managing their money, financial data and financial goals.
At the same time, businesses large and small will have a greater and more customised range of tools to operate digitally and securely, whether reconciling bank statements and accounts or enabling alternative financing.
Tink is integrated with more than 3,400 banks and financial institutions, reaching millions of bank customers across Europe.
Al Kelly
“Visa is committed to doing all we can to foster innovation and empower consumers in support of Europe’s open banking goals.
 
By bringing together Visa’s network of networks and Tink’s open banking capabilities we will deliver increased value to European consumers and businesses with tools to make their financial lives more simple, reliable and secure.”
said Al Kelly, CEO and Chairman of Visa.
Daniel Kjellén
“Joining Visa, we will be able to move faster and reach further than ever before.
 
Visa is the perfect partner for the next stage of Tink&#8217;s journey, and we are incredibly excited about what this will bring to our employees, customers and for the future of financial services,”
said Daniel Kjellén, CEO and Co-Founder of Tink.
 
Featured image: Edited from Pixabay
The post Visa Inks Deal to Acquire Swedish Open Banking Platform Tink for US$2.2 Billion appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/visa-inks-deal-to-acquire-swedish-open-banking-platform-tink-for-us22-billion</link><guid>2032</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Visa Inks Deal to Acquire Swedish Open Banking Platform Tink for US$2.2 Billion</dc:text></item><item><title>YAPEAL Integrates Wise Platform to Bring Cheaper, Faster Remittance Services</title><description><![CDATA[YAPEAL, developer of a blockchain-inspired digital-to-the-core and cloud-native banking platform for the Swiss retail banking market, has integrated the Wise platform to bring cheaper, faster international payments to its customers.
The firm’s customers will now be able to access Wise’s fast and low cost international money transfers to send money to over 80 countries around the world including the US, UK, Germany and France, directly from their YAPEAL account.
The company said that this integration also makes YAPEAL one of the first Swiss banks to provide international money transfers with no exchange rate markups and full price transparency to their customers.
Globally, Wise Platform is live with banks in 10 countries across 4 continents. Wise Platform also comes pre-integrated in core banking platforms like Temenos, Mambu and Thought Machine.
Daniel Capraro
“Like Wise, our mission is to make payments fast, easy and convenient for all our customers, whether that’s domestically or across borders.
 
Integrating Wise Platform allowed us to do this without much additional and expensive build, enabling us to unlock simpler, faster and more transparent international payments for all YAPEAL customers in just 11 weeks from initiating integration to customer rollout,”
said Daniel Capraro, Co-founder, YAPEAL.
 
 
Featured image: Screengrab from YAPEAL
The post YAPEAL Integrates Wise Platform to Bring Cheaper, Faster Remittance Services appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/yapeal-integrates-wise-platform-to-bring-cheaper-faster-remittance-services</link><guid>2030</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>YAPEAL Integrates Wise Platform to Bring Cheaper, Faster Remittance Services</dc:text></item><item><title>Klarna Launches its Shopping App in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[
Swedish Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) platform Klarna announces the launch of its shopping app in Switzerland. Besides searching for inspiration and products, all purchases can be made directly via the Klarna app.
Users will also be able to manage their own finances through the app and manage entire return processes including all from returns and complaints to refunds.
The Klarna app is already the one-stop shop for 18 million monthly users in 17 countries, including Germany, Austria, the US and UK.
With the launch of the app, Klarna aims to enhance the entire shopping experience for all users, responding to the constantly changing needs of consumers who increasingly desire more flexibility, convenience and control when shopping online.
In addition, further app functions will be introduced successively during the upcoming months.
Klarna said that the app gathers around one million new users worldwide every month.
This development reflects the global trend towards increased demand for mobile shopping, which is also evident in Switzerland: 75%2 of Swiss consumers prefer to shop online via smartphone.
Thomas Vagner
Thomas Vagner, Country Manager DACH at Klarna said,
&#8220;After being present in Switzerland for years with our Klarna payment products and working here with established merchants such as H&amp;M, Campz, Bikster, Mango or Calida, launching the Klarna app is the logical next step for us.
 
This allows us to offer all Swiss consumers an improved shopping experience in the future and thus cater to their preference for mobile shopping.&#8221;
 


The post Klarna Launches its Shopping App in Switzerland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/klarna-launches-its-shopping-app-in-switzerland</link><guid>2029</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Klarna Launches its Shopping App in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Italian Bank Credem Goes Live With Temenos for a Frictionless Digital Experience</title><description><![CDATA[Temenos, the banking software company, announced that Italian bank Credito Emiliano (Credem) has gone live with a new mobile app to accelerate its digital banking strategy.
Temenos Infinity, running on the public cloud, will make it quicker and easier for Credem to develop frictionless, personalised, and secure digital banking services that will help it attract new customers and drive long-term customer loyalty.
Credem has already launched a fully renewed new mobile app developed in just nine months using Temenos Infinity.
The new app offers a basic set of features for personal customers and, thanks to the speed granted by Temenos Infinity, will be enriched with new features in a continuous improvement approach.
A small business version will follow in a few months. It includes features that make it easy and convenient to move money, view transactions, check and manage cards, including the re-charge of pre-paid cards and phone tops ups, and initiate instant chat with customer support agents or view the locations of nearest ATMs.
Following the launch of its mobile app, Credem plans to further leverage Temenos Infinity to enhance the customer experience for internet banking later in 2021.
Fabio Caliceti
Fabio Caliceti, Head of Digital Channels, Credito Emiliano commented,
&#8220;With Temenos, we have been able to quickly develop a mobile banking experience to compete with the very best in Italy.
 
Temenos Infinity gives us the platform we need to efficiently build and manage exceptional digital banking experiences that keep pace with changing customer needs.&#8221;
David Macdonald
David Macdonald, President of Europe, Temenos said,
&#8220;Credem has shown how Temenos Infinity can deliver outstanding digital mobile experiences in a very short timeframe.
 
Customer expectations are constantly evolving, but with the continuous innovation and deployment capabilities of the platform, Credem will always be one step ahead of the competition.&#8221;
 
 
The post Italian Bank Credem Goes Live With Temenos for a Frictionless Digital Experience appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/italian-bank-credem-goes-live-with-temenos-for-a-frictionless-digital-experience</link><guid>2028</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Italian Bank Credem Goes Live With Temenos for a Frictionless Digital Experience</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Impact Investing Platform Rebrands as Inyova Ahead of Germany Expansion Plans</title><description><![CDATA[Inyova, an impact investing platform in Switzerland, announced that it is expanding to Germany. The startup had also rebranded from Yova ahead of the move.
At Inyova, investors can invest in sustainable companies from as little as CHF 2,000.
No financial knowledge is required, as they are digitally guided through the portfolio process.
This gives consumers 100 percent transparency on what they are investing in and at what cost.
Tillmann Lang
&#8220;In Switzerland, we have already been able to help over 5`000 people become impact investors*. By launching in Germany, we now enable many more people to do good for the planet and build wealth at the same time.
 
We are convinced that a new generation of investors is just emerging that will completely change investing. Sustainability and impact are here to stay.&#8221;
said Dr. Tillmann Lang, CEO and Co-Founder of Inyova.
 
Featured image: The management team of Inyova (from left to right): Dr. Tillmann Lang (CEO and Co-Founder), Cristian von Angerer (Head of Investing), Angela Altvater (CMO), Erik Gloerfeld (CPO).
The post Swiss Impact Investing Platform Rebrands as Inyova Ahead of Germany Expansion Plans appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-impact-investing-platform-rebrands-as-inyova-ahead-of-germany-expansion-plans</link><guid>2027</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Impact Investing Platform Rebrands as Inyova Ahead of Germany Expansion Plans</dc:text></item><item><title>Dutch Payments Provider Mollie Raises US$800 Million In Series C Funding Round</title><description><![CDATA[Mollie, a Netherlands-based payment service provider, announced the closing of US$800 million in a Series C funding round.
This takes the total amount raised by the company to over US$940 million, pushing its valuation to US$6.5 billion.
The round was led by funds managed by Blackstone Growth (BXG), Blackstone’s growth equity investing business, and included EQT Growth, General Atlantic, HMI Capital and Alkeon Capital.
TCV who led the Series B investment in September 2020 also participated in the funding round.
Mollie has around 480 employees and plans to hire 300 new team members in the next six-to-nine months.
Additionally, the firm is evaluating additional countries for expansion both within Europe and beyond.
Mollie also plans to continue investing in its technology platform and expanding its product portfolio beyond payments into financial services for SMEs, following the arrival of new Chief Product Officer, Rogier Schoute.
Launched in 2004, Mollie serves more than 120,000 monthly active merchants of all sizes across the continent.
In 2020, Mollie processed more than 10 billion Euros in transactions and is on track to handle more than 20 billion Euros during 2021.
Shane Happach
“Over the past months, Mollie has been receiving a remarkable amount of interest from some of the world’s foremost fintech investors. In bringing on BXG, we believe we have an investor who can help Mollie in our next phase of growth.
 
The involvement of our new group of investors demonstrates confidence in Mollie’s growth, strategy and product set.”
said Shane Happach, CEO, Mollie.
 
Featured image: Mollie Team
The post Dutch Payments Provider Mollie Raises US$800 Million In Series C Funding Round appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/dutch-payments-provider-mollie-raises-us800-million-in-series-c-funding-round</link><guid>2026</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Dutch Payments Provider Mollie Raises US$800 Million In Series C Funding Round</dc:text></item><item><title>Digitaler Kapitalmarkt Vaylo verstärkt Verwaltungsrat</title><description><![CDATA[Valyo, der seit 2019 im Schweizer Anleihenmarkt aktive digitale Kapitalmarktplatz, verstärkt seinen Verwaltungsrat weiter:
Die zwei ausgewiesenen Branchenexperten Kaspar W. Kelterborn, ehemaliger Chief Financial Officier und Mitglied der Konzernleitung der Conzzeta AG, und Roger Reist, Leiter des Departements «Treasury &amp; Markets» und Geschäftsleitungsmitglied von Raiffeisen Schweiz, wurden an der Generalversammlung der Valyo AG vom 21. Juni 2021 in den Verwaltungsrat gewählt.
Mit Kaspar W. Kelterborn und Roger Reist holt sich das Fintech-Startup Valyo zusätzliches Kapitalmarkt-Know-how und Erfahrung aus Emittentensicht.
Kaspar W. Kelterborn
Kaspar W. Kelterborn, lic. oec. HSG, war von 2006 bis Juni 2021 Chief Financial Officier (CFO) und Mitglied der Konzernleitung der Conzzeta AG. Von 2003 bis 2005 war er als CFO und Mitglied der Konzernleitung für die Unaxis-Gruppe tätig. Zwischen 1996 und 2002 arbeitete er für die Clariant Gruppe im Ausland und hatte leitende Funktionen im Bereich Finanzen und Controlling inne, unter anderem als CFO für eine weltweit operierende Division mit Sitz in Manchester (England) oder als CFO der ASEAN-Region mit Sitz in Singapur. Zwischen 1992 und 1995 war er für die Sandoz International AG in der Schweiz und im Ausland aktiv. Kaspar W. Kelterborn ist Mitglied des Verwaltungsrats der CPH Chemie + Papier Holding AG, sowie von verschiedenen privaten Unternehmen.
Roger Reist
Roger Reist ist seit 2020 Leiter des Departements «Treasury &amp; Markets» von Raiffeisen Schweiz. Von 2019 bis 2020 war er für die Bereiche Devisen, Noten und Edelmetalle bei der Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB) zuständig. Bis 2019 leitete er die Abteilung Prime Finance Trading und verantwortete unter anderem das Securities Lending, das Repo Geschäft sowie die Planung, Steuerung und Sicherstellung der kurzfristigen Refinanzierung der Gesamtbank. Zuvor war er seit 2010 beim gleichen Unternehmen in verschiedenen Führungspositionen tätig. Vorher arbeitete Roger Reist bei der UBS Investment Bank im Bereich Handel und bei PricewaterhouseCoopers International als Wirtschaftsprüfer für Banken. Roger Reist hat an der Universität Zürich studiert und verfügt über einen Masterabschluss in Banking and Finance.
The post Digitaler Kapitalmarkt Vaylo verstärkt Verwaltungsrat appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digitaler-kapitalmarkt-vaylo-verstarkt-verwaltungsrat</link><guid>2023</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Digitaler Kapitalmarkt Vaylo verstärkt Verwaltungsrat</dc:text></item><item><title>Digitaler Kapitalmarkt Valyo verstärkt Verwaltungsrat</title><description><![CDATA[Valyo, der seit 2019 im Schweizer Anleihenmarkt aktive digitale Kapitalmarktplatz, verstärkt seinen Verwaltungsrat weiter:
Die zwei ausgewiesenen Branchenexperten Kaspar W. Kelterborn, ehemaliger Chief Financial Officier und Mitglied der Konzernleitung der Conzzeta AG, und Roger Reist, Leiter des Departements «Treasury &amp; Markets» und Geschäftsleitungsmitglied von Raiffeisen Schweiz, wurden an der Generalversammlung der Valyo AG vom 21. Juni 2021 in den Verwaltungsrat gewählt.
Mit Kaspar W. Kelterborn und Roger Reist holt sich das Fintech-Startup Valyo zusätzliches Kapitalmarkt-Know-how und Erfahrung aus Emittentensicht.
Kaspar W. Kelterborn
Kaspar W. Kelterborn, lic. oec. HSG, war von 2006 bis Juni 2021 Chief Financial Officier (CFO) und Mitglied der Konzernleitung der Conzzeta AG. Von 2003 bis 2005 war er als CFO und Mitglied der Konzernleitung für die Unaxis-Gruppe tätig. Zwischen 1996 und 2002 arbeitete er für die Clariant Gruppe im Ausland und hatte leitende Funktionen im Bereich Finanzen und Controlling inne, unter anderem als CFO für eine weltweit operierende Division mit Sitz in Manchester (England) oder als CFO der ASEAN-Region mit Sitz in Singapur. Zwischen 1992 und 1995 war er für die Sandoz International AG in der Schweiz und im Ausland aktiv. Kaspar W. Kelterborn ist Mitglied des Verwaltungsrats der CPH Chemie + Papier Holding AG, sowie von verschiedenen privaten Unternehmen.
Roger Reist
Roger Reist ist seit 2020 Leiter des Departements «Treasury &amp; Markets» von Raiffeisen Schweiz. Von 2019 bis 2020 war er für die Bereiche Devisen, Noten und Edelmetalle bei der Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB) zuständig. Bis 2019 leitete er die Abteilung Prime Finance Trading und verantwortete unter anderem das Securities Lending, das Repo Geschäft sowie die Planung, Steuerung und Sicherstellung der kurzfristigen Refinanzierung der Gesamtbank. Zuvor war er seit 2010 beim gleichen Unternehmen in verschiedenen Führungspositionen tätig. Vorher arbeitete Roger Reist bei der UBS Investment Bank im Bereich Handel und bei PricewaterhouseCoopers International als Wirtschaftsprüfer für Banken. Roger Reist hat an der Universität Zürich studiert und verfügt über einen Masterabschluss in Banking and Finance.
The post Digitaler Kapitalmarkt Valyo verstärkt Verwaltungsrat appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digitaler-kapitalmarkt-valyo-verstarkt-verwaltungsrat</link><guid>2025</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Digitaler Kapitalmarkt Valyo verstärkt Verwaltungsrat</dc:text></item><item><title>5 Trends Shaping Brazil’s Fintech Industry in 2021</title><description><![CDATA[Brazil, the largest fintech market in Latin America (Latam) and the fifth in the world with more than 750 fintech companies, had a glorious year 2020, and the momentum is expected to continue in 2021.
Investment in Brazilian fintech companies totaled US$1.7 billion in 2020, up 86% from US$910 million in 2019. 2020 also saw the fintech sector welcome several important regulatory and infrastructure developments including the new regulatory sandbox, open banking regulation, and the launch of Pix, Brazil’s instant payment system.
Riding on this momentum, fintech funding in Brazil continued to accelerate this year, with two of the top 10 fintech deals in Q1’21 going towards Brazil-based companies: Loft, a digital platform that provides instant offers to sellers and helps buyers find available properties (Mar; US$425 million); and Nubank, a challenger bank serving 40 million customers (Jan; US$400 million), according to CB Insights’ State of Fintech Q1’21 Report.
2021 should see greater adoption of fintech solutions, a surge of interest in insurtech, open banking and embedded fintech, and “hyperspecialization” of fintech products, predicts Bruno Diniz, managing partner of fintech-focused consultancy Spiralem and one of the most influential fintech experts in Brazil.
Pix to boost digital payment adoption and innovation
In a column for Exame, a top Brazilian business magazine, Diniz said he predicts a surge in digital transactions, fueled by the introduction of Pix, the instant payment system launched by the Banco Central do Brasil (BCB), the central bank of Brazil, in November 2020.
2021 should see “an acceleration of the use of digital payments” fueled by new digital habits introduced by COVID-19, and the growth in the usage of Pix as “the new instant payments system gets popular and gains scale,” Diniz wrote.
2021 should also see strong fintech development and innovation building on top of the Pix platform, he predicts, noting that last year, Banco Bradesco, the country’s second largest lender started offering credit via Pix, and that Banco do Brasil, another leading financial institution, began enabling Pix payments through WhatsApp.
The central bank has also started releasing new features and capabilities, including Pix Cobrança, which allows companies to generate a QR code for a transaction at a future date. Other features planned to be released this year include offline transactions, cash withdrawals, and a “salary account.”
Rise of insurtech
Insurtech, a nascent fintech segment, is expected to see strong traction this year on the back of early initiatives by fintech leaders and regulatory developments, Diniz predicts.
Last year, Brazilian challenger bank Nubank launched a fully digital life insurance offering in partnership with Chubb, a major development in insurtech indicative of the rising trend.

This year, the regulatory sandbox put in place earlier by the central bank, in collaboration with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Brazil (CVM), and the Brazilian Superintendence of Private Insurance (Susep), accepted its first projects including Pier, a digital insurer for cars and cell phones, and Stone, a Brazilian startup unicorn which will be testing a digital insurance offering.
“There is much to be done in the democratization of insurances in Brazil and perhaps we are in the ideal time to do so,” Diniz wrote.
Open banking catches interest
Open banking is another segment that’s set to experience strong growth this year, Diniz predicts. In particular, development and interest in the field will build on new regulation introduced in 2020 and the kickoff of the implementation plan earlier this year.
Brazil’s open banking implementation aims to boost market competition and encourage innovation. It’s part of the country’s broader agenda of modernization of the national financial ecosystem.
“Fintechs focused on infrastructure for open banking should also fly high,” Diniz wrote. “Several companies in this segment have entered the radar of investors and banks … [as] most traditional players are not technically and culturally prepared for the changes brought about by an open banking scenario. Therefore, there will be a huge space for companies such as Quanto and Belvo, for example, which are operating in this field.”
Banking-as-a-service (BaaS) providers ride the embedded finance movement
Embedded finance, a booming trend referring to non-financial companies integrating financial services into their core offering, will put Brazilian BaaS providers in the spotlight.
Last year, local fintechs including Fitbank, Iugu, Conductor, Zoop and Swap received significant investment and saw strong growth. The ongoing platformification of the financial market will keep up the momentum.
“We definitely should see more investments and merger and acquisition (M&amp;A) deals in this area, like the acquisition of Hub Fintech, a BaaS provider, by Magazine Luiza that happened in December 2020,” Diniz wrote.
“Hyperspecialization” of fintech products
Amid aggressive fintech pushes from both financial and non-financial companies in 2020, the sector will see fierce competition this year and force companies to “hyperspecialize” on small niche markets, continuing on a trend that had already been visible last year.
Diniz cited the example of Brazilian retailer Via Varejo which owns banQi, a digital banking app that targets the unbanked and underbanked. The app offers free digital transaction capabilities and enables access to banking services through Via Varejo’s retail locations including goods purchases, bill payments, mobile top ups, and more.
In the restaurant industry, leading delivery app iFood started offering digital bank accounts for its partner restaurants in November 2020, providing some 236,000 restaurateurs with services for banking transactions, credit transactions, and acquiring services.
Ambev, a beverage producer, introduced in December 2020 a new digital wallet for bars and restaurants, allowing them to track customer payments and use the available balance to pay bills or make transactions.
In digital banking, neobanks and challenger banks focused on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs are expected to pick up steam in 2021 after raising significant funding last year. Key players to watch out for this year, according to Diniz, include Cora, which got its license approved by the central bank in 2020 and recently raised a US$26.7 million Series A funding round, and Conta Simples, which closed a US$2.5 million seed funding round last year.
 
Featured image: Photo by Raphael Nogueira on Unsplash 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/5-trends-shaping-brazils-fintech-industry-in-2021</link><guid>2024</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Nubank-Bags-US-750-Million-in-Two-Series-G-Extensions-Now-Valued-at-US30-Billion-817x404_c.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>5 Trends Shaping Brazil’s Fintech Industry in 2021</dc:text></item><item><title>PostFinance Selects FICO to Protect Nearly 3 Million Debit Cards With AI</title><description><![CDATA[Analytics software firm FICO announced that Switzerland&#8217;s PostFinance will protect nearly 3 million debit cards with the FICO® Falcon® Platform, an AI-powered payments card protection system.
PostFinance, the financial institution of Swiss Post, will use the Falcon Platform to manage suspicious behavior on customers&#8217; accounts, including activity that may be the result of scams, which are increasing across Europe during the pandemic.
An estimated one-third of debit card transactions in Switzerland are made using PostFinance debit cards.
PostFinance has also recently partnered with MasterCard to cobrand its debit cards, which can be used as MasterCard cards both internationally and domestically.
The FICO® Falcon® Platform is designed to adapt fraud defenses in real time, across all channels and payment types, with each transaction.
Around two-thirds of the world&#8217;s card accounts are protected by the Falcon Platform, and more than 2.6 billion global payment accounts are in the FICO® Falcon® Intelligence Network.
&#8220;Our goal is to be the leading digital bank in Switzerland. Trust is critical as we strive to give customers the best banking experience.
 
This is why we selected the FICO Falcon Platform, which is known worldwide as the gold standard in payments fraud protection. Security is our main goal, but we also will ensure more frictionless transactions.&#8221;
said Christoph Stettler, senior security officer at PostFinance.
Steve Hadaway
&#8220;Debit cards in many countries lack the strong level of protection that credit cards have long had.
 
With the FICO Falcon Platform, PostFinance customers will enjoy the strongest protection possible, powered by more than 120 patents in the area of artificial intelligence for fraud detection.&#8221;
said Steve Hadaway, vice president and general manager of FICO in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
 
Featured image credit: © PostFinance Ltd 2017, all rights reserved
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/postfinance-selects-fico-to-protect-nearly-3-million-debit-cards-with-ai</link><guid>2022</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>PostFinance Selects FICO to Protect Nearly 3 Million Debit Cards With AI</dc:text></item><item><title>Banque de France Completes Digital Currency Pilot With SEBA Bank and Partners</title><description><![CDATA[Banque de France successfully conducted a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) experiment with SEBA Bank, as part of the experimental programme launched in March 2020.
The experiment consisted in using the CBDC to simulate the settlement of listed securities and thus trigger their delivery in TARGET2-Securities (T2S), in test environment, thanks to Conditional Securities Delivery (CoSD) existing feature in T2S.
From a technological point of view, Banque de France simulated CBDC issuance on public blockchain, by preserving control and confidentiality of transactions, based on the development and deployment of a dedicated smart contract.
All these operations were conducted in collaboration with SEBA Bank, Banque Internationale à Luxembourg and LuxCSD.
The programme&#8217;s other experiments are ongoing until mid-2021 and all the lessons learned will be an important part of the Banque de France&#8217;s contribution to the Eurosystem&#8217;s more global reflection on the benefits of CBDC.
Nathalie Aufauvre
Nathalie Aufauvre, General Director of Financial Stability and Operations said,
“This experiment made it possible to demonstrate the possibilities of interaction between conventional and distributed infrastructures.
 
It also paves the way for other alliances in order to benefit from the opportunities offered by financial assets in a blockchain environment.”
Matthew Alexander
Matthew Alexander, Head Digital Corporate Finance SEBA Bank said,
“We are delighted to have led the successful completion of this experiment with the Banque de France and to have leveraged SEBA Bank’s institutional grade digital assets platform infrastructure to support Banque de France in this important development and contribution towards the possibility of a Digital European currency.”
 
Featured image: Banque de France Mbzt – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/banque-de-france-completes-digital-currency-pilot-with-seba-bank-and-partners</link><guid>2021</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Banque de France Completes Digital Currency Pilot With SEBA Bank and Partners</dc:text></item><item><title>Miami Sees Booming Fintech Ecosystem Amid Favorable Political Environment and Latam Opportunity</title><description><![CDATA[As Miami rapidly becomes a central destination for technology development and a symbol for the tech exodus from Silicon Valley, fintech companies are flocking in the city, looking to leverage its Latin American (Latam) ties and crypto-friendly political environment.
This year, Fortu, a digital bank focused on Latino and Hispanic US residents, chose Miami to base its headquarters, deeming it “the highest profile American city with a Latino majority and home to the most exciting emerging technology hub.”
fortú
Former PayPal and Intuit CEO Bill Harris said in May that he had moved to Miami to launch its new venture, Nirvana Technology, a digital bank with global ambitions. Harris said in a statement that the team will be “bringing the fire of Silicon Valley – innovation, ambition and mission – to the new Silicon Beach” and will be looking to employ 50 people by yearend and two hundred by the following year.
Migrant-focused Swedish mobile banking app Majority announced the opening of a meet-up center in Miami, and Novo, a challenger bank for small businesses from New York, launched its Miami office.
These are just a few examples of a broader phenomenon that has emerged over the last few months where fintech companies are setting shop in South Florida, looking to benefit from its proximity to Latin America and a political environment that’s welcoming to tech startups and investors.
Laura González-Estéfani, founder of venture capital (VC) firm TheVentureCity, told Techcrunch earlier this year that Miami “has always been an extraordinary hub for fintech” but recently, there has been “a huge internal movement from other states to Miami … because of the immense opportunities Miami offers.”
A bridge to Latin America
Miami has deep cultural ties to Latam and South America, a region that’s seen booming fintech adoption amid low banking penetration, and a slew of fintech companies are looking to take advantages of that, investors interviewed by Techcrunch said.
Tom Wallace
“Being the gateway to Latin America has a massive appeal to me and us here at Florida Funders,”
Tom Wallace, managing partner of Florida Funders (Tampa), said.
“The Latin American technology market is still in a very early stage, and Miami is where Latam companies jump into the US and vice versa.”
Financial services in Latam have notoriously low adoption rates and the vast majority of consumers are still underbanked or unbanked. Strong demand for convenient and affordable financial services is setting the stage for new fintech players to both provide existing customers with superior digital banking experiences and introduce consumers to the formal financial system for the first time, Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) general partner Angela Strange and partner Matthieu Hafemeister, wrote in an April 2021 report.
Though the region has experienced an explosion in fintech activity, with leaders including Brazil’s Nubank and C6 Bank, and Mexico’s Bitso, witnessing rapid growth, there’s still plenty of opportunities to tap into, the authors said. They noted Latam’s massive addressable market, the underwhelming digital banking experiences provided by traditional banks, and fintech-friendly regulations.
A crypto-friendly mayor
Miami has also been generating considerable buzz in the cryptocurrency community as it strives to become a top destination for all sorts of professionals interested in the space.
Crypto-friendly mayor Francis Suarez has been vocal about his interest in Bitcoin, advocating for policies that would enable city employees to be paid and residents to pay their taxes in the cryptocurrency. The city itself is considering holding it as an asset on their balance sheet.
Tim Shields, a Kelley Kronenberg partner in Florida, called it “an exciting step” that’s “symbolic more than practical because of the limited amount of people that might partake [in that option].”
Nevertheless, the mayor’s advocacy will earn goodwill in the industry and perhaps some additional business, Shields told Law360.
“When the governor and the mayor of the city and the mayor of the county are all in on recruiting tech companies and saying, ‘Hey, we’re open for business,’ a lot of people are making individual choices to end up down here,” he said.
Most recently, the mayor told CNBC that Miami was working to lower the cost of electricity in order to entice bitcoin miners, mostly particularly those in China, to make the move to Florida. He promoted the city’s virtually unlimited supply of cheap nuclear energy, stating: “We want to make sure that our city has an opportunity to compete. We’re talking to a lot of companies and just telling them, ‘Hey, we want you to be here.’”
Compared to fintech hubs like New York and San Francisco, the Miami fintech ecosystem remains relatively small but funding activity has accelerated over the past year. In 2020, fintech was the second-largest tech sector in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale by VC deals, according to Refresh Miami, and this year, a number of notable rounds have already taken place.
These include Pipe’s massive US$250 million funding round in May. The investment came just a few months after Pipe, a revenue trading platform for businesses, raised US$50 million in strategic equity funding, and valued the startup at a whopping US$2 billion. Pipe is Florida’s first and only fintech unicorn, according to CB Insights data.
Nymbus, a provider of banking-as-a-service solutions, raised a S$53 million Series C in February. The company closed an additional US$15 million in April, reported Refresh Miami.
 
Featured image: Photo by Antonio Cuellar from Pexels
The post Miami Sees Booming Fintech Ecosystem Amid Favorable Political Environment and Latam Opportunity appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/miami-sees-booming-fintech-ecosystem-amid-favorable-political-environment-and-latam-opportunity</link><guid>2019</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/fortu-300x300.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Miami Sees Booming Fintech Ecosystem Amid Favorable Political Environment and Latam Opportunity</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Bitcoin Investment App Relai Bags CHF 2.5 Million in Series A Led by Redalpine</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss bitcoin investment app Relai announced that it has raised CHF 2.5 million in a Series A round led by Swiss VC Redalpine less than one year after going to market.
Relai received additional backing from Polytech Ventures, Bitcoin-focused Fulgur Ventures, and ACE &amp; Company, an investment group with over CHF 1 billion in assets under management.
The new financing round will enable Relai to build a proprietary broker for efficient order processing and provide new offerings for investors who are looking to buy large amounts of bitcoin.
With its own brokerage capabilities, Relai is also looking to provide features like instant purchases (price lock), optimising execution, and direct delivery to the user-controlled wallet of choice (Relai or third-party).
Additionally, Relai is looking to obtain a financial intermediary license.
Julian Liniger
Julian Liniger, Co-Founder and CEO at Relai said,
“With our own broker, the Relai App will not only be the easiest, but also the most efficient way to buy &amp; sell bitcoin in Europe.
 
The whole team is proud and incredibly excited to receive backing from such top-notch venture capital investors like Redalpine, Polytech, Fulgur, and ACE, who understand our vision and trust us to deliver on our mission.”
Peter Niederhauser
Peter Niederhauser, Co-Founder and Partner at Redalpine said,
“We are impressed by the dedication, hard work, and rapid growth that the young Relai team has demonstrated in the last year. We want to help accelerate the mass adoption of crypto by easing access to its leading currency, Bitcoin.
 
We look forward to being part of the journey and to supporting this exceptional Swiss early-stage startup in achieving global success.”
 
The post Swiss Bitcoin Investment App Relai Bags CHF 2.5 Million in Series A Led by Redalpine appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-bitcoin-investment-app-relai-bags-chf-25-million-in-series-a-led-by-redalpine</link><guid>2018</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Bitcoin Investment App Relai Bags CHF 2.5 Million in Series A Led by Redalpine</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Federal Council Brings DLT Act Into Force and Issues Ordinance</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss Federal Council has introduced the Federal Act on the Adaptation of Federal Law to Developments in Distributed Electronic Register Technology which will come into full force on the 1st August 2021.
The associated blanket ordinance will also enter into force on the same day. This will allow for innovative distributed ledger technology (DLT) trading facilities and increase legal certainty in the event of bankruptcy.
In September 2020, the parliament passed the DLT blanket act, which selectively adapts ten existing federal laws.
The blanket ordinance that has now been adopted summarises the necessary adjustments to ten ordinances.
The legislation improves the conditions for blockchain and DLT companies in Switzerland, thereby making the country an international pioneer in modern regulation of innovative financial market technologies.
One of the key changes that will come into force on 1 August 2021 is a license for DLT trading facilities, i.e. financial market infrastructures for DLT securities that can admit other companies and persons to trading in addition to financial intermediaries.
Legal certainty will be increased in insolvency law by explicitly regulating the segregation of crypto-based assets in the event of bankruptcy.
The adopted amendments to the Swiss Code of Obligations, among others, already came into force on 1 February 2021.
These enabled the introduction of uncertificated securities on a blockchain. No amendments at ordinance level were necessary for those provisions.
Featured image via Freepik
The post Swiss Federal Council Brings DLT Act Into Force and Issues Ordinance appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-federal-council-brings-dlt-act-into-force-and-issues-ordinance</link><guid>2017</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Federal Council Brings DLT Act Into Force and Issues Ordinance</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss BBVA Rolls Out Crypto Asset Trading for Its Private Banking Clients</title><description><![CDATA[BBVA Switzerland makes its first crypto asset trading and custody service available to all its private banking clients after six months of testing with a selected group of users.
The new service is available only in Switzerland and has started operating for its private banking clients interested in digital asset investments.
For the time being, BBVA Switzerland‘s offer includes bitcoin trading and custody services, with the aim of extending it to other cryptocurrencies. The entity will not offer advice on these types of investments.
The bitcoin management system is fully integrated in its app, where its performance can be viewed alongside that of the rest of the customers’ assets, funds or investments.
Through the customer’s personalised digital wallet, bitcoins can be converted into euros or any other current currency, and vice versa, automatically, without delays and without the illiquidity that affects other digital wallets or independent brokers.
For the time being, BBVA is limiting this new cryptocurrency service to Switzerland because it has an ecosystem where there is clear regulation and widespread adoption of these digital assets.
Its extension to new countries or other types of customers will depend on whether the markets meet the appropriate conditions in terms of maturity, demand and regulation.
Alfonso Gómez
“This gradual roll-out has allowed BBVA Switzerland to test the service’s operations, strengthen security and, above all, detect that there is a significant desire among investors for crypto-assets or digital assets as a way of diversifying their portfolios, despite their volatility and high risk.
 
With this innovative offer, BBVA positions itself as a benchmark institution in the adoption of blockchain technology. Over the coming months, we will continue to enhance and expand the digital asset offering,”
said Alfonso Gómez, CEO of BBVA Switzerland.
 
Featured image: BBVA
The post Swiss BBVA Rolls Out Crypto Asset Trading for Its Private Banking Clients appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-bbva-rolls-out-crypto-asset-trading-for-its-private-banking-clients</link><guid>2016</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss BBVA Rolls Out Crypto Asset Trading for Its Private Banking Clients</dc:text></item><item><title>BBVA Switzerland Rolls Out Crypto Asset Trading for Its Private Banking Clients</title><description><![CDATA[BBVA Switzerland makes its first crypto asset trading and custody service available to all its private banking clients after six months of testing with a selected group of users.
The new service is available only in Switzerland and has started operating for its private banking clients interested in digital asset investments.
For the time being, BBVA Switzerland‘s offer includes bitcoin trading and custody services, with the aim of extending it to other cryptocurrencies. The entity will not offer advice on these types of investments.
The bitcoin management system is fully integrated in its app, where its performance can be viewed alongside that of the rest of the customers’ assets, funds or investments.
Through the customer’s personalised digital wallet, bitcoins can be converted into euros or any other current currency, and vice versa, automatically, without delays and without the illiquidity that affects other digital wallets or independent brokers.
For the time being, BBVA is limiting this new cryptocurrency service to Switzerland because it has an ecosystem where there is clear regulation and widespread adoption of these digital assets.
Its extension to new countries or other types of customers will depend on whether the markets meet the appropriate conditions in terms of maturity, demand and regulation.
Alfonso Gómez
“This gradual roll-out has allowed BBVA Switzerland to test the service’s operations, strengthen security and, above all, detect that there is a significant desire among investors for crypto-assets or digital assets as a way of diversifying their portfolios, despite their volatility and high risk.
 
With this innovative offer, BBVA positions itself as a benchmark institution in the adoption of blockchain technology. Over the coming months, we will continue to enhance and expand the digital asset offering,”
said Alfonso Gómez, CEO of BBVA Switzerland.
 
Featured image: BBVA
The post BBVA Switzerland Rolls Out Crypto Asset Trading for Its Private Banking Clients appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bbva-switzerland-rolls-out-crypto-asset-trading-for-its-private-banking-clients</link><guid>2020</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>BBVA Switzerland Rolls Out Crypto Asset Trading for Its Private Banking Clients</dc:text></item><item><title>McLaren Inks Deal With Tezos as Official Blockchain Partner, Creates NFT Fan Platform</title><description><![CDATA[McLaren Racing has selected Tezos, a Luxembourg-based open-source blockchain protocol for assets and applications, to become the team’s official blockchain partner in a new multi-year technical partnership across Formula 1, INDYCAR and esports.
McLaren will use the energy efficient and upgradeable Tezos network to create a non-fungible token (NFT) platform with fan experience at the heart.
Earlier this month, Red Bull Racing Honda had embarked on a similar partnership with Tezos.
McLaren will build a dedicated platform that brings its racing heritage and renowned driver line-ups across its multiple teams to offer a NFT fan experience.
For Tezos and McLaren, sustainability through innovation is key. Embracing clean NFTs and energy-efficient networks ensures that the impact of this new medium to share creative expression is not offset by unnecessarily high energy consumption.
Unlike traditional Proof of Work blockchains, Tezos’s Proof of Stake mechanism is said to be significantly more energy-efficient approach to securing its network, using two million times less energy than Proof of Work networks like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
This allows Tezos to operate cleanly, with minimal energy consumption and a negligible carbon footprint.
As part of the partnership, the Tezos brand will be represented across the McLaren Formula 1 and Arrow McLaren SP teams, including on the race suits of McLaren F1 drivers Lando Norris and Daniel Riccardo, and AMSP drivers Pato O’Ward and Felix Rosenqvist.
Lindsey Eckhouse
Lindsey Eckhouse, Director, Licensing, ecommerce and esports, McLaren Racing said,
“Tezos and McLaren Racing uniting to create a unique fan-focused NFT platform is an innovative step in an exciting and rapidly developing industry.
 
At McLaren we are known for putting fans at the heart of everything we do, and this is another partnership which allows us to enter a space where fans can own key pieces of our team.”
Hubertus Thonhauser
Hubertus Thonhauser, Chair, Tezos Foundation said,
“McLaren Racing has one of the longest and most illustrious legacies in Formula 1 racing, and we are excited that they have chosen to bring it to the Tezos blockchain through their NFT Fan engagement platform.
 
The concept of blockchain is evolving, becoming faster, more secure, and more efficient. This requires a blockchain that can keep up with this rapid pace of innovation.”
 
Featured image: Photo by Wes Tindel on Unsplash 
The post McLaren Inks Deal With Tezos as Official Blockchain Partner, Creates NFT Fan Platform appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mclaren-inks-deal-with-tezos-as-official-blockchain-partner-creates-nft-fan-platform</link><guid>2015</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>McLaren Inks Deal With Tezos as Official Blockchain Partner, Creates NFT Fan Platform</dc:text></item><item><title>EU’s Shareholder Rights Directive II, a Catalyst for Change in the Securities Industry</title><description><![CDATA[September 10, 2020 marked the deadline for member states of the European Economic Area (EEA) to implement new measures required by the Shareholder Rights Directive II (SRD II).
SRD II, which came into force on June 09, 2017, amends the Shareholder Rights Directive to strengthen shareholder engagement, increase transparency, and improve corporate governance in companies whose securities are traded on the European Union&#8217;s (EU) regulated markets.
Key changes include the identification of shareholders when they hold more than a threshold share of issue capital, increased rights for investors and shareholders at general meetings, access to investment strategy information, and better insights into proxy advisors’ actions and how they establish voting instructions.
SRD II obligations for indicated parties, Source: CFA Society Netherlands and VBA
Globally, the directive is far-reaching because it impacts all firms that hold or trade shares in EU-based issuers listed on regulated EU markets, regardless of where they are based.
This means that any company that provides services such as safekeeping of EU shares, administration of EU shares or maintenance of securities accounts on behalf of shareholders in the EU, must comply with SRD II. And that goes for Swiss intermediaries and proxy advisors that carry out activities in relation to shares of EU companies.
Rising demand for transparency
As discussed in Bottomline’s whitepaper leveraging their experience of supporting 40+ customers in SRD II compliance; How will SRD II positively impact the securities industry in 2020 and beyond?, despite the issues raised, the cost of implementation and busy regulation roadmaps, SRD II has the potential to revolutionise corporate investment and inspire investor confidence
“Because SRD II requires asset managers to document and publicize their investment strategy, shareholders gain greater visibility and information, and are thus able to make better, more informed decisions,”
said Frédéric Viard, Product Director &#8211; Securities at Bottomline.

SRD II is a new type of corporate action designed with new flows and new standards aiming at more automation and speed. The directive also provides issuers with increased options to position and disclose their strategies in order to gain market share”
And because the directive gives shareholders the chance to vote on director’s remuneration, it provides real clarity on the companies they are investing in and represents an essential step in avoiding any future scandals by creating a new platform for investor confidence, the paper said.
Not only that, but since SRD II requires all parties to pass information down the chain of intermediaries in a timely and secure manner, it could also be a catalyst for change, accelerating adoption of technology to improve operational efficiency and increase automation.
Viard, Frédéric
“SRD II is meeting evolving customer expectations. Investors will like it because they need transparency and they are looking at companies with strong rates in governance. SRDII is part of that and empowers investors much more than ever before and this is appreciated by the market,”
Frédéric explained.
Some specialist proxy voting and disclosure-handling companies are already exploring the use of distributed ledger technology (DLT) as a more efficient way of sharing shareholder information.
Delays and tech issues
SRD II might have been in effect since last year, but it’s still very much in the early stages of a full and seamless adoption across EU regulated markets.
As of January 2021, seven countries had not yet fully transposed the requirements into national law, namely Cyprus, Liechtenstein, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden, and two countries, Norway and Iceland, were still awaiting the EEA agreement to be updated before they transposed the directive.
“SRD II is a new type of corporate action designed with new flows and new standards aiming at more automation and speed. The directive also provides issuers with more options to position and disclose their strategies in order to gain market share,”
Viard explained.
Since the rules are being applied differently across European markets, many market participants have indicated technical issues and delays in requests for information. In addition to that, some intermediaries do not yet have systems in place that allow them to process disclosure requests.
Under SRD II, intermediaries are required to transmit information on the same business day, and to make any disclosures by the end of the following business day.
Penalties for non-compliance with SRD II vary on a member state by member state basis, and a number of jurisdictions have already confirmed they will levy fines for non-compliance with requirements.
 

 
Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash
The post EU’s Shareholder Rights Directive II, a Catalyst for Change in the Securities Industry appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/eus-shareholder-rights-directive-ii-a-catalyst-for-change-in-the-securities-industry</link><guid>2013</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/SRD-II-obligations-for-indicated-parties-Source-CFA-Society-Netherlands-and-VBA.png</dc:content ><dc:text>EU’s Shareholder Rights Directive II, a Catalyst for Change in the Securities Industry</dc:text></item><item><title>Freight Payments Platform PayCargo Secures US$125 Million From Insight Partners</title><description><![CDATA[PayCargo, a freight payment platform in the U.S., has announced a US$125 million Series B investment by global venture capital and private equity firm Insight Partners.
The Series B Round comes just nine months after Insight Partners&#8217; previous investment of US$35 million in a Series A Round.
PayCargo said that this next round of investment will be used for its growth and expansion into new markets with a focus on security and data protection, to fit every part of the supply chain.
Additionally, the firm has doubled its team and developed new solutions as well as partnerships with Insight Partners.
This year, PayCargo is on track to process US$10 billion of freight-related payments, a 250% increase from 2020.
PayCargo is an independent freight payments network with over 67,000 active users remitting and receiving payments on the platform and thousands more joining each month.
Its cloud-based payments network enables payers to quickly and securely pay air and ocean carriers, maritime ports, ground handlers, freight forwarders, and customs brokers, amongst others.
PayCargo integrates with over 20 leading TMS, ERP, and Terminal Operating Systems across all transport modes.
Eduardo Del Riego
&#8220;PayCargo was founded on the vision of building a modern freight payment network that lowers transaction costs, accelerates cargo release, and increases business agility and growth across the entire supply chain.
 
We are excited to accelerate our mission to bring modern payment solutions to our increasingly global base of customers.&#8221;
said Eduardo Del Riego, CEO of PayCargo.
 
Featured image: Edited from PayCargo and Unsplash
The post Freight Payments Platform PayCargo Secures US$125 Million From Insight Partners appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/freight-payments-platform-paycargo-secures-us125-million-from-insight-partners</link><guid>2014</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Freight Payments Platform PayCargo Secures US$125 Million From Insight Partners</dc:text></item><item><title>JPMorgan Chase to Acquire Robo-Advisor Nutmeg Ahead of U.K. Digibank Launch</title><description><![CDATA[JPMorgan Chase announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire U.K.&#8217;s digital wealth manager Nutmeg Saving and Investment Limited, subject to regulatory approval.
The acquisition will complement the digital bank that is planned for launch in the U.K. later this year under the Chase brand.
The bank intends to offer a range of products, launching at first with a new take on current accounts. The offering is currently being piloted in an internal testing phase, prior to public release.
Since it launched in 2012, Nutmeg has a customer base of over 140,000 investors, and amassing over £3.5 billion of assets under management (AUM) – a growth of 70% year on year.
Meanwhile, Chase is a leader in consumer banking in the United States and offers a wide range of banking products to more than 56 million digitally active customers.
Sanoke Viswanathan
Sanoke Viswanathan, CEO of International Consumer at JPMorgan Chase said,
“We are building Chase in the U.K. from scratch using the very latest technology and putting the customer’s experience at the heart of our offering, principles that Nutmeg shares with us.
 
We look forward to positioning their award winning products alongside our own, and continuing to support their innovative work in retail wealth management.”
Neil Alexander
Neil Alexander, CEO of Nutmeg said:
“Nutmeg’s customers can expect the same level of transparency, convenience and service that helped make us a leading digital wealth manager in the U.K.
 
I am truly impressed with the digital experience that Chase is building for the U.K., and this new chapter in our story will see Nutmeg’s customers benefit from a wider range of products and services in the future, and allow us to expand into new markets.”
 
Featured image: Edited from Unsplash
The post JPMorgan Chase to Acquire Robo-Advisor Nutmeg Ahead of U.K. Digibank Launch appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/jpmorgan-chase-to-acquire-robo-advisor-nutmeg-ahead-of-uk-digibank-launch</link><guid>2012</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>JPMorgan Chase to Acquire Robo-Advisor Nutmeg Ahead of U.K. Digibank Launch</dc:text></item><item><title>BearingPoint Inks Deal to Acquire Ireland’s Vizor to Combine Their Regtech Portfolio</title><description><![CDATA[BearingPoint RegTech, a European provider of innovative regulatory, risk, and supervisory technology solutions, has acquired Vizor Software, a Dublin-based regulatory and supervisory technology provider for an undisclosed sum.
The current management team at Vizor will remain and work in close partnership with BearingPoint.
The combination of the two companies complements each others solution portfolios within the regulatory and supervisory technology space. Furthermore, the two companies serve complimentary geographies.
While BearingPoint can rely on a strong customer base in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and a growing presence in adjacent geographies such as Benelux, Ireland, the Nordics, and the UK, Vizor’s customers are primarily based in Africa, Asia, Australia, Canada, and Middle East.
The group will provide innovative regulatory, risk, and supervisory technology solutions to all stakeholders across the regulatory value chain.
The combined organisation will maximise synergies in product development and innovation to create even more value for their customers.
Together, BearingPoint and Vizor serve more than 7,000 firms including banks, insurance companies, and financial services providers with reporting solutions.
At the same time, they enable more than 50 regulators and tax authorities to collect and analyse data from 34,000 firms in 60 countries.
Conor Crowley
Conor Crowley, CEO at Vizor Software, comments:
“Since we founded Vizor over 20 years ago, we have made the company a renowned technology provider for central banks, regulators and tax authorities around the world. Vizor’s decision to join forces with RegTech is crucial for the further development and international growth of our company.
 
We look forward to opening a new chapter together with RegTech not only in the history of our company, but also in the field of RegTech and SupTech.”
Emer FitzPatrick
Emer FitzPatrick, Country Lead Ireland at BearingPoint RegTech added,
“As Country Lead Ireland, I am particularly excited about the combination of RegTech and Vizor. Our Irish team will now not only be part of a large international RegTech provider, but also part of a larger organisation in Ireland.
 
We look forward to working with the management and entire team at Vizor, with whom we share not only a very similar vision and mission, but also cultural values.”
 
The post BearingPoint Inks Deal to Acquire Ireland&#8217;s Vizor to Combine Their Regtech Portfolio appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bearingpoint-inks-deal-to-acquire-irelands-vizor-to-combine-their-regtech-portfolio</link><guid>2011</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>BearingPoint Inks Deal to Acquire Ireland’s Vizor to Combine Their Regtech Portfolio</dc:text></item><item><title>Prominent VC Firm Andreessen Horowitz Warns of Long-Term Costs Implications of Cloud</title><description><![CDATA[In a lengthy analysis, Silicon Valley venture capital (VC) firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) argues that software companies could save billions by “repatriating” workloads from the cloud and running IT infrastructure themselves, shattering the common belief that the cloud is the most cost-efficient model for all companies in the space.
The new analysis, authored by a16z partner Sarah Wang and general partner Martin Casado, estimates that across 50 of the top public software companies currently utilizing cloud infrastructure, US$100 billion of market value is being lost among them due to cloud impact on margins.
Extending the analysis to the broader universe of scale public companies, the VC firm estimates that the total impact is potentially greater than US$500 billion.
“As the cloud matures … it’s becoming evident that while cloud clearly delivers on its promise early on in a company’s journey … [with] an incredibly powerful value proposition … driving efficiencies both in operations and economics … the pressure it puts on margins can start to outweigh the benefits as a company scales and growth slows,” the report says. “As growth (often) slows with scale, near term efficiency becomes an increasingly key determinant of value in public markets. The excess cost of cloud weighs heavily on market cap by driving lower profit margins.”
Drawing from conversations with experts, the VC firm estimates that cloud repatriation drives a 50% reduction in cloud spend, resulting in total savings of US$4 billion in recovered profit.
While the numbers differ from one company to another, experts interviewed by a16z converged on the “formula” that repatriation results in one-third to one-half of the cost of running equivalent workloads in the cloud.
“Across all our conversations with diverse practitioners, the pattern has been remarkably consistent: if you’re operating at scale, the cost of cloud can at least double your infrastructure bill,” the authors warn.
Growing awareness from software companies
Wang and Casado stress the need for cloud optimization, whether through system design and implementation, re-architecture, third-party cloud efficiency solution, or moving workloads to special purpose hardware.
The authors note that several companies have started to understand the true, long-term cost implications of the cloud, and embarked on infrastructure optimization initiatives.
Dropbox, for example, launched an infrastructure optimization initiative in 2016. By shifting the majority of its workloads from public cloud to “lower cost, custom-built infrastructure in co-location facilities” it directly leased and operated, Dropbox was able to save nearly US$75 million over two years.
In October 2019, customer data platform company Segment revealed that between July and January 2018, it managed to reduce infrastructure costs by 30% through incremental optimization of their infrastructure decisions.
Meanwhile, companies including CrowdStrike and Zscaler have decided to repatriate some of their workloads and adopt a hybrid approach, the authors note.
The report comes at a time of rapid adoption of cloud services across all sectors. In 2020, enterprise spending on cloud infrastructure services continued to ramp up aggressively, rising 35% to reach almost US$130 billion, data from Synergy Research Group show.
Meanwhile, enterprise spending on data center hardware and software dropped by 6% to under US$90 billion, continuing a decade-long trend of explosive growth in cloud and virtual stagnation in the market for enterprise-owned data center equipment.
Enterprise spending on cloud and data centers, Synergy Research Group, March 2021
 
Featured image source: CapIQ as of May 2021; note: charts herein are for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon when making any investment decision
The post Prominent VC Firm Andreessen Horowitz Warns of Long-Term Costs Implications of Cloud appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/prominent-vc-firm-andreessen-horowitz-warns-of-long-term-costs-implications-of-cloud</link><guid>2010</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Enterprise-spending-on-cloud-and-data-centers-Synergy-Research-Group-March-2021.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>Prominent VC Firm Andreessen Horowitz Warns of Long-Term Costs Implications of Cloud</dc:text></item><item><title>Wise Seeks to Be the First Tech Firm With Direct London Listing</title><description><![CDATA[Wise, a London-based remittance firm formerly known as TransferWise, is seeking the first direct listing of a technology company on the London Stock Exchange.
The firm said that it has no plans to raise capital ahead of the listing.
Reuters had previously reported that had planned to launch an initial public offering in a deal that could value the company at US$6 billion to US$7 billion.
Wise plans to establish a customer shareholder programme known as OwnWise which will reward customers joining as shareholders,
OwnWise, open for pre-applications from UK&#8217;s eligible customers, provides participants with the chance to receive bonus shares in Wise, representing 5% of the value of the shares they buy and hold for at least 12 months (based on market value at the time of purchase) up to a cap of £100, amongst other perks.
Kristo Käärmann
Kristo Käärmann, CEO and Co-Founder of Wise, said:
“Wise is used to challenging convention, and this listing is no exception. We’re ten years into building a new way to move money around the world &#8211; faster, cheaper, easier and completely transparent.
 
A direct listing allows us a cheaper and more transparent way to broaden Wise’s ownership, aligned with our mission.&#8221;
 
Featured image: Kristo Käärmann, CEO and Co-Founder of Wise
 
The post Wise Seeks to Be the First Tech Firm With Direct London Listing appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/wise-seeks-to-be-the-first-tech-firm-with-direct-london-listing</link><guid>2009</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Wise Seeks to Be the First Tech Firm With Direct London Listing</dc:text></item><item><title>UK Fintech 10X Future Technologies Raises US$187 Million in Series C Fundraise</title><description><![CDATA[10x Future Technologies, London-based cloud banking platform, announced the completion of an oversubscribed US$187 million Series C financing round.
The funding round was co-led by funds managed by BlackRock and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) and supported by existing investors JPMorgan Chase, Nationwide, Ping An and Westpac.
The London-based technology company will use the funding to support its expansion plans into new markets, including North America, as well as further investment into the development of the cloud native 10x SuperCore platform.
The company said that the fundraising will support 10x’s plans to scale its platform to 1 billion end-user customers worldwide within next decade.
10x clients include building society Nationwide and Australia&#8217;s Westpac, which is preparing to launch a Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) platform powered by the 10x SuperCore.
10x is working with top-tier banks globally and has recently begun working with a major bank in an additional geography to deliver a greenfield transformation project.
Antony Jenkins
“This funding round represents another significant milestone in our journey to become the operating system of choice for leading banks across the globe,”
said Antony Jenkins, Founder, Chair and CEO of 10x Future Technologies.
“With our microservices architecture and API-first design, our platform has been purposefully designed to enable the world’s largest banks to transform their customer experience and economics. Our vision is to reliably support more than one billion of their customers within the next 10 years,”
 
Featured image: 10X Future Technologies Team
The post UK Fintech 10X Future Technologies Raises US$187 Million in Series C Fundraise appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/uk-fintech-10x-future-technologies-raises-us187-million-in-series-c-fundraise</link><guid>2008</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>UK Fintech 10X Future Technologies Raises US$187 Million in Series C Fundraise</dc:text></item><item><title>VALK Secures a Place in the UK FCA’s Regulatory Sandbox</title><description><![CDATA[VALK, the London-based end-to-end digital transaction solution for private markets built on Corda, has secured a place in the UK Financial Conduct Authority’s regulatory sandbox.
Launched in 2016, the FCA regulatory sandbox is designed to help the financial services industry and the UK fintech market, worth £11 billion, to collaborate and solve some of the industry’s most complex challenges.
It also provides a safe test-space for companies, and the regulator, to learn how products work, normally for several months, with safeguards in place.
VALK is operating a digital end-to-end solution for investment banks, asset and fund managers as well as multi-family offices that integrate every stage of a fundraise or M&amp;A deal onto one secure platform, which connects financial institutions and investors.
Based on the Corda Digital Ledger Technology, the product’s interoperability seamlessly digitises and automates the securities issuance process for a streamlined, efficient and more secure execution of private offers.
For this year’s FCA sandbox chosen cohort, VALK is collaborating with leading global law firm CMS on the product’s development to ensure it fully complies with all legal and regulatory requirements.
For VALK, a successful exit from the sandbox will mean it ensures its products will be FCA-authorised and that its infrastructure and processes are fully compliant for regulatory standards, enabling its clients to take full advantage of its opportunities.
Antoine Loth
Antoine Loth, Co-Founder of VALK said,
“Our success and experience to date has helped us to ensure a sought-after place in the FCA regulatory sandbox and we look forward to participating fully in this hugely beneficial and unrivalled experience as part of our growth journey.
 
We warmly welcome the opportunity to test our leading digital platform solution so that we can help to bring even greater efficiency, reliability, transparency and liquidity to a market in urgent need of reform.”
 
Featured image: (Left to right) VALK founders Elie Azzi and Antoine Loth
The post VALK Secures a Place in the UK FCA’s Regulatory Sandbox appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/valk-secures-a-place-in-the-uk-fcas-regulatory-sandbox</link><guid>2007</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>VALK Secures a Place in the UK FCA’s Regulatory Sandbox</dc:text></item><item><title>Mexican Fintech Credijusto Acquires Banco Finterra for Under US$50 Million</title><description><![CDATA[Credijusto, a Mexican lending platform for small businesses, announced the acquisition of a local bank Banco Finterra which specialises in financing solutions for small businesses and the agriculture sector.
According to Reuters, Credijusto acquired the regulated bank in a deal for under US$50 million, becoming the first Mexican fintech to do so.
This move allows Credijusto to become a neobank in Latin America that is focused on serving small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Allan Apoj
“Our acquisition of Banco Finterra creates the first truly digital banking platform for Mexican SMEs.
 
This acquisition marks a major milestone in Mexico and the region, and we are proud to be revolutionising the future of banking in Latin America.”
said Allan Apoj, Co-CEO of Credijusto.
David Poritz
“By combining our proprietary software and data science expertise with Finterra’s banking capabilities, we are building a next generation financial services business.
 
Our acquisition will also enable a digital cross-border experience to the thousands of businesses engaged in commerce between the U.S. and Mexico, an opportunity that we see as a major driver of growth for Credijusto.”
said David Poritz, Co-CEO of Credijusto.
The post Mexican Fintech Credijusto Acquires Banco Finterra for Under US$50 Million appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mexican-fintech-credijusto-acquires-banco-finterra-for-under-us50-million</link><guid>2005</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Mexican Fintech Credijusto Acquires Banco Finterra for Under US$50 Million</dc:text></item><item><title>Brazilian Cross-Border Commerce Platform EBANX Bags US$430 Million Ahead of IPO</title><description><![CDATA[EBANX, a Brazilian cross-border commerce platform, announced an investment of US$400 million from Advent International and an additional commitment of US$30 million to the company&#8217;s planned IPO in the U.S.
Advent has made investments in Vantiv, Worldpay, Nets, Nexi, Planet, Xplor Technologies, Prisma, Concardis, Monext, and Stone. The firm joins FTV Capital as a minority investor in EBANX.
For the first time, all four of Advent’s funds, including Latin American Private Equity Fund (LAPEF), Global Private Equity (GPE), Advent Tech and Sunley House Capital, are participating in the same investment.
The investment will be used to continue funding EBANX&#8217;s aggressive expansion across Latin America.
EBANX said that it will also continue to recruit talent aggressively. The company recently hired Alexandre Dinkelmann as Chief Financial Officer, who brings his public company experience as CFO of TOTVS, a software company in Brazil.
EBANX has helped companies such as Amazon, Alibaba, Shopee, Spotify and Uber reach and conduct commerce with over 70 million Latin American consumers across 15 countries, through its proprietary platform and solutions.
The company has reportedly processed over US$3.5 billion in volume and 150 million transactions in 2020.
João Del Valle
&#8220;Our goal has always been to develop the highest-performing digital payments solutions, recruit the best technology talent and business minds, and deliver a superior value proposition that makes it easier and more cost effective for global companies to access and grow their businesses across Latin America.
 
We are excited to have Advent join us on our journey and help us accelerate our growth”,
said João Del Valle, CEO and Co-Founder of EBANX.
 
Featured image: EBANX 
The post Brazilian Cross-Border Commerce Platform EBANX Bags US$430 Million Ahead of IPO appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/brazilian-cross-border-commerce-platform-ebanx-bags-us430-million-ahead-of-ipo</link><guid>2003</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Brazilian Cross-Border Commerce Platform EBANX Bags US$430 Million Ahead of IPO</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss AI-Powered Spend Management Firm Yokoy Expands Its Footprint to Germany</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss fintech Yokoy announced that it has expanded to Germany to offer medium-sized and large companies its AI-powered spend management solution.
A few days ago, Yokoy announced a significant expansion of its software offering, which the fintech company is now also offering on the German market.
The initial expense tool has become a comprehensive spend management solution that allows for the processing of supplier invoices in addition to the handling of expenses.
Yokoy was launched in Switzerland in 2019 with the aim of revolutionising companies&#8217; expense and credit card processes through automation.
The Yokoy solution&#8217;s complete process from receipt capturing to financial posting &#8211; including checks, VAT reclaim, archiving and expense reimbursement.
In fall, Yokoy&#8217;s software is to be supplemented throughout Europe with physical and virtual corporate credit cards. Already in use in Switzerland, the physical corporate cards further simplify expense management by automatically feeding all transactions into the expense management system.
Philippe Sahli
&#8220;AI needs to get out of academic theory and be used in real life &#8211; preferably where it significantly facilitates the everyday lives of people and companies.
 
We have also set ourselves this goal for Germany,&#8221;
explains Philippe Sahli, CEO of Yokoy.
Ben Bauer
&#8220;In Germany, too, interest in digital topics, especially in artificial intelligence solutions, has increased rapidly over the past 15 months.
 
According to a study by the digital association Bitkom, 95 percent of companies in this country have become more interested in digitization in the wake of the Corona crisis. We want to meet this growing demand with our commitment to the German market,&#8221;
added Ben Bauer, Country Manager Germany at Yokoy, who heads the Munich office opened at the beginning of June as part of the German launch.
 
Featured image: Yokoy team
 
The post Swiss AI-Powered Spend Management Firm Yokoy Expands Its Footprint to Germany appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-ai-powered-spend-management-firm-yokoy-expands-its-footprint-to-germany</link><guid>2002</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss AI-Powered Spend Management Firm Yokoy Expands Its Footprint to Germany</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Spend Management Firm Yokoy Expands Its Footprint to Germany</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss fintech Yokoy announced that it has expanded to Germany to offer medium-sized and large companies its spend management solution.
A few days ago, Yokoy announced an expansion of its software offering, which the fintech company is now also offering on the German market.
The initial expense tool has become a comprehensive spend management solution that allows for the processing of supplier invoices in addition to the handling of expenses.
Yokoy was launched in Switzerland in 2019 with the aim of revolutionising companies&#8217; expense and credit card processes through automation.
The Yokoy solution&#8217;s complete process from receipt capturing to financial posting &#8211; includes checks, VAT reclaim, archiving and expense reimbursement.
In fall, Yokoy&#8217;s software is to be supplemented throughout Europe with physical and virtual corporate credit cards.
Already in use in Switzerland, the physical corporate cards further simplify expense management by automatically feeding all transactions into the expense management system.
Philippe Sahli
&#8220;AI needs to get out of academic theory and be used in real life &#8211; preferably where it significantly facilitates the everyday lives of people and companies.
 
We have also set ourselves this goal for Germany,&#8221;
explains Philippe Sahli, CEO of Yokoy.
Ben Bauer
&#8220;In Germany, too, interest in digital topics, especially in artificial intelligence solutions, has increased rapidly over the past 15 months.
 
According to a study by the digital association Bitkom, 95 percent of companies in this country have become more interested in digitization in the wake of the Corona crisis. We want to meet this growing demand with our commitment to the German market,&#8221;
added Ben Bauer, Country Manager Germany at Yokoy, who heads the Munich office opened at the beginning of June as part of the German launch.
 
Featured image: Yokoy team
 
The post Swiss Spend Management Firm Yokoy Expands Its Footprint to Germany appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-spend-management-firm-yokoy-expands-its-footprint-to-germany</link><guid>2004</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Spend Management Firm Yokoy Expands Its Footprint to Germany</dc:text></item><item><title>The Offensive UEFA 2020 Swiss Fintech National Football Team</title><description><![CDATA[Fintech News Switzerland has put together our very own &#8220;Switzerland Fintech Football Team&#8221; just in time for the 2020 UEFA European Football Championship to show our support for the national team as they compete this year.
During its first match on the 12th June, the Swiss team had tied 1-1 with Wales, therefore we completely restructured our 2018 and 2016 Swiss Fintech National Team and go this time very offensive with Neobanks and Crypto-Banks in our Top 11 fintech selection.
Here you can crosscheck our 2016 and 2018 Teams. Only Twint (our goalkeeper since 2016 and Viac (from the 2018 substitution team) made it into our 2021 selection.
We look towards the next matches against Italy and Turkey with much anticipation. (Remember please, that&#8217;s all just for fun).
Hopp Schwiiz!
Upcoming Matches:
16th June 2021 
Italy versus Switzerland
20th June 2021
Turkey versus Switzerland

The post The Offensive UEFA 2020 Swiss Fintech National Football Team appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-offensive-uefa-2020-swiss-fintech-national-football-team</link><guid>2000</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-design-1.png</dc:content ><dc:text>The Offensive UEFA 2020 Swiss Fintech National Football Team</dc:text></item><item><title>The UEFA 2020 Swiss Fintech National Football Offense Team</title><description><![CDATA[Fintech News Switzerland has put together our very own &#8220;Switzerland Fintech Football Team&#8221; just in time for the 2020 UEFA European Football Championship to show our support for the national team as they compete this year.
During its first match on the 12th June, the Swiss team had tied 1-1 with Wales, therefore we have completely restructured our 2018 and 2016 Swiss Fintech National Team and to go on the offensive with neobanks and crypto banks for our Top 11 fintech selection.
Here you can have a glance at our 2016 and 2018 Teams. Only Twint (our goalkeeper since 2016 and Viac (from the 2018 substitution team) made it for our 2021 selection.
We look towards the next matches against Italy and Turkey with much anticipation. (Remember please, that this is all just for fun).
Hopp Schwiiz!
Upcoming Matches:
16th June 2021 
Italy versus Switzerland
20th June 2021
Turkey versus Switzerland

The post The UEFA 2020 Swiss Fintech National Football Offense Team appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-uefa-2020-swiss-fintech-national-football-offense-team</link><guid>2001</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-design-1.png</dc:content ><dc:text>The UEFA 2020 Swiss Fintech National Football Offense Team</dc:text></item><item><title>The EURO 2021 Swiss Fintech National Football Offense Team</title><description><![CDATA[Fintech News Switzerland has put together our very own &#8220;Switzerland Fintech Football Team&#8221; just in time for the 2020 UEFA European Football Championship to show our support for the national team as they compete this year.
During its first match on the 12th June, the Swiss team had tied 1-1 with Wales, therefore we have completely restructured our 2018 and 2016 Swiss Fintech National Team and to go on the offensive with neobanks and crypto banks for our Top 11 fintech selection.
Here you can have a glance at our 2016 and 2018 Teams. Only Twint (our goalkeeper since 2016 and Viac (from the 2018 substitution team) made it for our 2021 selection.
We look towards the next matches against Italy and Turkey with much anticipation. (Remember please, that this is all just for fun).
Hopp Schwiiz!
Upcoming Matches:
16th June 2021 
Italy versus Switzerland
20th June 2021
Turkey versus Switzerland

The post The EURO 2021 Swiss Fintech National Football Offense Team appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-euro-2021-swiss-fintech-national-football-offense-team</link><guid>2006</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-design-1.png</dc:content ><dc:text>The EURO 2021 Swiss Fintech National Football Offense Team</dc:text></item><item><title>Bâloise’s Open Insurance API Is Now Available In the LUXHUB Marketplace</title><description><![CDATA[Retail digital insurance provider Bâloise Assurances and European Open Finance Hub LUXHUB announced the launch of a joint initiative in the field of open insurance.
This partnership will enable financial institutions to integrate mortgage insurance quotes directly within their core banking systems.
The Bâloise Open Insurance Application Programming Interface (API) is now available in the LUXHUB Marketplace.
Now listed within LUXHUB’s Open Finance Marketplace, Bâloise’s Open Insurance API is easily accessible, with comprehensive commercial and technical documentation, as well as sandbox access, freely available to the public.
Xavier Roblin
Xavier Roblin, Head of Corporate Development  and International Relations at Bâloise Assurances Luxembourg explains,
&#8220;In a world where connectivity is the condition of all successful business models, and where ergonomics and intuitiveness are so important, Bâloise now enables the interconnection of its services directly into the interfaces that bank advisors, and their customers, are already so familiar with.&#8221;
Jacques PÜTZ
Jacques PÜTZ, CEO of LUXHUB added,
&#8220;We have, since our very inception, been convinced about the potential of Open Finance to drive tangible and sizeable impact beyond banking and into the wider financial services sector.
 
Our mantra of ‘innovation imposes collaboration’ is again clearly evidenced, and it is a pleasure to form a partnership with a company so committed to pioneering developments in this direction.&#8221;
The post Baloise&#8217;s Open Insurance API Is Now Available In the LUXHUB Marketplace appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/baloises-open-insurance-api-is-now-available-in-the-luxhub-marketplace</link><guid>1999</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Bâloise’s Open Insurance API Is Now Available In the LUXHUB Marketplace</dc:text></item><item><title>KMU-Plattform-Anbieters Accounto mit neuem Leiter</title><description><![CDATA[Accounto hat seit dem Einstieg von AXA Schweiz als Investor im Jahr 2019 eine umfassende Transformation hinter sich.
So wurde die Software-Platform zur automatisierten Verbuchung von Kleinunternehmens-Buchhaltungen neu aufgebaut, eine Treuhand-Lösung lanciert, der Treuhand-Kanal etabliert und viele neue Innovationen wie ein integriertes Spesenmanagement oder die vollautomatisierte Bankabstimmung umsetzt. Zuletzt wurde Accounto in der französisch sprechenden Schweiz lanciert.
Kilian Perrin
Diese Transformation wurde vom GL-Trio Alessandro Micera (CEO), Jan-Hendrik Heuing (CTO und Co-Founder) und Kilian Perrin (COO) gestaltet.
Per Ende Januar 2021 hat die AXA Schweiz die Mehrheit der Gesellschaft übernommen und die Organisation wird auf den nächsten Evolutionsschritt ausgerichtet. So wird ab dem 1. Juli 2021 die Geschäftsleitung von Accounto aus einem CEO, einem CTO, einem CSO und einem Head Customer Success zusammengesetzt. Während in der CTO-Rolle weiterhin Jan-Hendrik Heuing tätig sein wird, übernimmt die CEO-Rolle Kilian Perrin. Die restlichen Rollen werden in den nächsten Wochen besetzt.
Dominique Kasper
«Wir sehen wie sich Accounto mehr und mehr zu einer strategischen Komponente im AXA KMU-Ökosystem entwickelt. Nun gilt es das Wachstum zu beschleunigen und mit weiteren Innovationen im Markt zu überzeugen»
so Dominique Kasper, Vize-VRP und Mitglied der Geschäftsleitung AXA Schweiz.
Alessandro Micera wird seine Rolle verändern und als VR-Mitglied und Leiter strategische Grosskunden und Partnerschaften den weiteren Ausbau von Accounto unterstützen.
Alain Veuve
«Kilian Perrin hat gezeigt, dass er unter sich verändernden Gegebenheiten die Organisation und das Geschäft schnell und zielgerichtet weiterbringen kann. Wir freuen uns, zusammen mit ihm das nächste Kapitel von Accounto zu beginnen. Ich danke Alessandro Micera für seine Leistung der letzten Jahre ohne die Accounto nicht am heutigen Punkt sein würde.»
sagt Alain Veuve, Founder und VRP von Accounto.
The post KMU-Plattform-Anbieters Accounto mit neuem Leiter appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/kmu-plattform-anbieters-accounto-mit-neuem-leiter</link><guid>1996</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>KMU-Plattform-Anbieters Accounto mit neuem Leiter</dc:text></item><item><title>KMU-Plattform-Anbieter Accounto mit neuem Leiter</title><description><![CDATA[Accounto hat seit dem Einstieg von AXA Schweiz als Investor im Jahr 2019 eine umfassende Transformation hinter sich.
So wurde die Software-Platform zur automatisierten Verbuchung von Kleinunternehmens-Buchhaltungen neu aufgebaut, eine Treuhand-Lösung lanciert, der Treuhand-Kanal etabliert und viele neue Innovationen wie ein integriertes Spesenmanagement oder die vollautomatisierte Bankabstimmung umsetzt. Zuletzt wurde Accounto in der französisch sprechenden Schweiz lanciert.
Kilian Perrin
Diese Transformation wurde vom GL-Trio Alessandro Micera (CEO), Jan-Hendrik Heuing (CTO und Co-Founder) und Kilian Perrin (COO) gestaltet.
Per Ende Januar 2021 hat die AXA Schweiz die Mehrheit der Gesellschaft übernommen und die Organisation wird auf den nächsten Evolutionsschritt ausgerichtet. So wird ab dem 1. Juli 2021 die Geschäftsleitung von Accounto aus einem CEO, einem CTO, einem CSO und einem Head Customer Success zusammengesetzt. Während in der CTO-Rolle weiterhin Jan-Hendrik Heuing tätig sein wird, übernimmt die CEO-Rolle Kilian Perrin. Die restlichen Rollen werden in den nächsten Wochen besetzt.
Dominique Kasper
«Wir sehen wie sich Accounto mehr und mehr zu einer strategischen Komponente im AXA KMU-Ökosystem entwickelt. Nun gilt es das Wachstum zu beschleunigen und mit weiteren Innovationen im Markt zu überzeugen»
so Dominique Kasper, Vize-VRP und Mitglied der Geschäftsleitung AXA Schweiz.
Alessandro Micera wird seine Rolle verändern und als VR-Mitglied und Leiter strategische Grosskunden und Partnerschaften den weiteren Ausbau von Accounto unterstützen.
Alain Veuve
«Kilian Perrin hat gezeigt, dass er unter sich verändernden Gegebenheiten die Organisation und das Geschäft schnell und zielgerichtet weiterbringen kann. Wir freuen uns, zusammen mit ihm das nächste Kapitel von Accounto zu beginnen. Ich danke Alessandro Micera für seine Leistung der letzten Jahre ohne die Accounto nicht am heutigen Punkt sein würde.»
sagt Alain Veuve, Founder und VRP von Accounto.
The post KMU-Plattform-Anbieter Accounto mit neuem Leiter appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/kmu-plattform-anbieter-accounto-mit-neuem-leiter</link><guid>1997</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>KMU-Plattform-Anbieter Accounto mit neuem Leiter</dc:text></item><item><title>StanChart Extends Temenos’ Partnership for Enhanced Financing and Securities Services</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss banking software company Temenos announced that Standard Chartered has extended their strategic relationship to support the latter&#8217;s growing financing and securities services offering.
Standard Chartered&#8216;s Financing and Securities Services arm provides custody, clearing, fiduciary and fund services, securities lending and prime service to client segments that include insurance, asset management and sovereign wealth funds.
The organisation’s fund and fiduciary footprint covers 22 markets across Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
The rapidly expanding alternatives market in Asia Pacific, which is expected to grow to $4.97 trillion by 2025, faster than any other region and more than double the forecasted growth rate for global alternative markets, has been the underlying driver for the enhancements of Standard Chartered’s investor servicing platform.
With Temenos’ modern technology stack, Standard Chartered is now well positioned to offer futuristic services to its clients, improve the overall client experience and continue going from strength to strength to take on this growing market opportunity as one of the leading alternatives administrators.
The new service offerings include automations throughout the investor servicing lifecycle, have enabled higher levels of operational efficiency, freeing operations teams from manual, labor-intensive tasks so they can focus on deepening relationships with their clients.
Kiran Dhillon, Head of Fiduciary and Fund Services, Technology &amp; Innovation, Securities Services, Standard Chartered commented,
“We have invested significantly in our infrastructure to bring stability and robustness to the platform as part of our sustainability agenda, to ensure that we bring scale and speed to market in today’s ever-evolving landscape.
 
We look forward to continuing our partnership with Temenos to further streamline our technology ecosystem by advancing our cloud journey, and further harnessing their solutions to improve our services across alternative products to enhance the client experience.”
The post StanChart Extends Temenos&#8217; Partnership for Enhanced Financing and Securities Services appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/stanchart-extends-temenos-partnership-for-enhanced-financing-and-securities-services</link><guid>1995</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>StanChart Extends Temenos’ Partnership for Enhanced Financing and Securities Services</dc:text></item><item><title>Broadridge Goes Live With DLT Repo Platform, Executes US$31 Billion in the First Week</title><description><![CDATA[Broadridge Financial Solutions, an American-based investment banking company, announced the successful go-live of its transformative distributed ledger repo (DLR) platform.
DLR provides a single platform where market participants can agree, execute and settle repo transactions.
Furthermore, DLR allows for the immobilisation of the underlying securities in the repo transactions, while transferring ownership via smart contracts executed on the platform.
The platform&#8217;s functionality significantly reduces the operating cost and risk of all repo activity, including intraday, overnight and term repos, both on a bilateral and an intracompany basis and also reduces counterparty risk while increasing auditability.
Leveraging Broadridge&#8217;s leading fixed income trade processing platform, DLR utilises Daml smart contracts from Digital Asset as well as VMware Blockchain, a highly scalable distributed ledger platform.
According to Broadridge, DLR has executed $31 billion in average daily volume in the first week since launch.
Early participants of the blockchain-enabled platform are realising significant and immediate benefits of reduced risk, operational costs and enhanced liquidity, while also accelerating their digitisation journey.
The launch builds on the success of multiple pilots with sell-side and buy-side firms.
Vijay Mayadas
&#8220;This is the first step in the transformation of the $10T global bilateral repo market using smart contracts and distributed ledger technology. Co-innovating with market participants, we are able to bring solutions to our network of clients that create the next level of operational efficiencies.
 
Within the repo market, distributed ledger technology and smart contracts have shown that they can play an instrumental role in driving efficiencies, reducing risk and enhancing liquidity while leveraging the existing legal and account frameworks.&#8221;
said Vijay Mayadas, President of Capital Markets at Broadridge.
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
The post Broadridge Goes Live With DLT Repo Platform, Executes US$31 Billion in the First Week appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/broadridge-goes-live-with-dlt-repo-platform-executes-us31-billion-in-the-first-week</link><guid>1994</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Broadridge Goes Live With DLT Repo Platform, Executes US$31 Billion in the First Week</dc:text></item><item><title>Dutch Payments Firm Adyen Granted Branch License to Operate in California</title><description><![CDATA[Dutch payments firm Adyen announced that it has received approval from the US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to establish a branch in California.
With the OCC&#8217;s approval and granting of the branch charter in combination with the Federal Reserve’s approval of the application, Adyen will be able to commence operations as a Federal Foreign Branch.
Obtaining this US branch license allows Adyen to enhance its US activities and operations in line with those conducted in Europe under its European banking license that was obtained in 2017.
The payments firm said in a statement that benefits of this include increased operational scalability via Adyen’s single platform and the ability to offer enhanced services to its merchants.
Pieter van der Does
“This license was a logical next step for Adyen, and one that has long been on the horizon,”
said Pieter van der Does, Co-Founder and CEO of Adyen.
&#8220;I’m excited to see this positively impact our merchants operating in the US – we’re well positioned to help them grow.”
 
 
Featured image: Adyen
The post Dutch Payments Firm Adyen Granted Branch License to Operate in California appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/dutch-payments-firm-adyen-granted-branch-license-to-operate-in-california</link><guid>1993</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Dutch Payments Firm Adyen Granted Branch License to Operate in California</dc:text></item><item><title>Monito-Ranking: Wise Named Best Money Transfer Service</title><description><![CDATA[UK-headquartered Wise, formerly TransferWise, has been named the best money transfer service in the world, ranking the highest in trust and credibility, service quality and customer satisfaction, a research by money transfer comparison website Monito found.
Wise secured the highest Monito Score amongst an extensive list of international money transfer services from all parts of the world, ahead of veterans Western Union and MoneyGram, as well as established fintechs Xoom and PayPal.
The Monito Score leverages millions of pricing data points from Monito’s comparison engine to rank cross-border payment companies objectively on key criteria including business practice, customer experience and pricing.
Wise ranks first with nearly perfect score
With an overall score of 9.5 out of 10, Wise was recognized as the best money transfer service, scoring perfectly in trust and credibility, and the highest in customer satisfaction as well as service and quality.
Monito recommends Wise especially for small and medium-sized transfers destined for foreign bank accounts.
Wise Monito Score, June 2021
Founded in 2011 by Estonian entrepreneurs, Wise is one of the world’s fastest growing tech companies having raised over US$1 billion in primary and secondary transactions from world leading investors. 10 million individuals and businesses use Wise, which processes over GBP 5 billion in cross-border transactions every month.
Wise is expected to go public later this year in a deal that could value the company at US$6-7 billion, two sources told Reuters in April. It’s currently focused on a London listing and does not favor the option of merging with a special acquisition vehicle (SPAC) at this stage, one of the source said.
TranferGo named second best
With a score of 9.1 out of 10, TranferGo was ranked the second best money transfer service. Like Wise, TransferGo scored perfectly in trust and credibility, and amongst the highest in customer satisfaction, and service and quality.
Monito recommends TransferGo for users from Europe and Turkey looking for a variety of pay-in and pay-out options with competitive fees and exchange rates.
TransferGo Monito Score, June 2021
Founded in 2012, TransferGo has established itself as one of the most trusted money transfer services in the world that today services over two million customers.
Amid COVID-19, growth has accelerated drastically for TransferGo, with the firm recording a 60% uptick in cross-border payments last year. The company has been on a global expansion spree, entering more than 10 new markets in 2020 including Singapore and Saudi Arabia.
Remitly takes third position
With an overall score of 9.0 out of 10, Remitly was ranked the third best money transfer service, scoring perfectly in fees and exchange rates, and amongst the highest in customer satisfaction.
Monito recommends Remitly for international money transfers, especially when sending money for cash pick-up as its pricing is very competitive for these types of transfers compared to competitors.
Remitly Monito Score, June 2021
Founded in 2011, Remitly is a US-headquartered company targeting migrant workers from the Philippines, India, El Salvador, and others. Between 2019 and 2020, the company reported a 200% customer growth, reaching three million in mid-2020. It attributed that to more competitive rates compared to incumbents like Western Union and MoneyGram, and a superior digital-first customer experience.
Remitly filed for an initial public offering (IPO) last week at a valuation of around US$5 billion, Reuters reported in May.
Other top money transfer services
Two Swiss companies made Monito’s top 20 best remittance services list: B-Sharpe was ranked 6th with a notable score of 8.3/10; while Exchangemarket.ch took the 10th position, scoring 7.1/10.
Despite being often criticized for their high fees and slow processes, MoneyGram and WesternUnion are still considered highly, offering reliable services that’s got them ranked 15th and 16th, respectively. That’s higher than Xoom and PayPal, two established fintech companies that scored rather poorly at 6.5/10 and 5.4/10, ranking 19th and 20th, respectively.
Top 20 Best Money Transfer Services, Ranked by Monito Score:

Wise – 9.5/10
TransferGo – 9.1/10
Remitly – 9.0/10
Paysend – 8.9/10
Azimo – 8.5/10
B-Sharpe – 8.3/10
Skrill – 8.2/10
Small World – 8.1/10
SingX – 8.1/10
Currencyfair – 8.0/10
Instarem – 8.0/10
Remessa Online – 8.0/10
WorldRemit – 7.8/10
Xe – 7.8/10
MoneyGram – 7.7/10
WesternUnion – 7.5/10
Ria Money Transfer – 7.1/10
Exchangemarket.ch – 7.1/10
Xoom – 6.5/10
PayPal – 5.4/10

The Best Money Transfer Services Ranked By Monito Score, Monito, June 2021
The post Monito-Ranking: Wise Named Best Money Transfer Service appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/monito-ranking-wise-named-best-money-transfer-service</link><guid>1992</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Wise-Monito-Score.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Monito-Ranking: Wise Named Best Money Transfer Service</dc:text></item><item><title>Broadridge Expands Wealth Management Capabilities with AdvisorStream Acquisition</title><description><![CDATA[Broadridge Financial Solutions, provider of investor communications, technology-driven solutions, and data and analytics to the financial services industry, announced that it has acquired AdvisorStream, a provider of digital engagement and marketing solutions for the global wealth and insurance industries.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The acquisition expands Broadridge&#8216;s front-to-back office wealth capabilities, positioning Broadridge to serve growth-oriented advisors and firms looking to attract and engage prospects and clients across key digital channels.
AdvisorStream&#8217;s advisor marketing platform enables advisors to drive revenue and growth by providing personalised and consistent client communications.
The platform combines powerful marketing automation with highly engaging content licensed from global sources like Dow Jones Newswires (including The Wall Street Journal and Barron&#8217;s), The New York Times, Forbes, Bloomberg Media, The Globe &amp; Mail, and many others.
Broadridge&#8217;s broad data foundation, combined with AdvisorStream, will empower financial advisors to pinpoint what is most relevant and engaging for individual prospects and clients at each step of the investor lifecycle.
Advisors can drive revenue and growth by providing every investor with the right communication, at the right time, in the manner that is most meaningful to them.
In addition, AdvisorStream&#8217;s robust compliance capabilities provide flexibility for advisors while still easily integrating into existing head office marketing workflows.
Michael Alexander
&#8220;The events of 2020 have transformed the nature of advisor and client collaboration and communications. They have also heightened overall investor expectations for personalized and relevant communications from their advisor,&#8221;
said Michael Alexander, President of Wealth Management at Broadridge.
&#8220;AdvisorStream&#8217;s platform provides the most effective means for advisors to engage, convert and nurture relationships by leveraging highly credible content across digital channels. The acquisition of AdvisorStream is the latest example of Broadridge growing our wealth management business by expanding our core offerings for clients.&#8221;
 
Featured image: Unsplash
The post Broadridge Expands Wealth Management Capabilities with AdvisorStream Acquisition appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/broadridge-expands-wealth-management-capabilities-with-advisorstream-acquisition</link><guid>1991</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Broadridge Expands Wealth Management Capabilities with AdvisorStream Acquisition</dc:text></item><item><title>French Crypto Security Provider Ledger Bags US$380 Million in Series C Fundraise</title><description><![CDATA[Ledger, a French provider of security and infrastructure solutions for cryptocurrencies and blockchain applications, announced that it has raised $380 million during a Series C funding round led by 10T, a mid- to late-stage growth equity fund that invests in private companies operating in the digital asset ecosystem.
They were joined by other investors from their Series B round such as Cathay Innovation, Draper Associates, Draper Dragon, Draper Esprit, DCG, Wicklow Capital and newcomers including Tekne Capital, Uphold Ventures, Felix Capital, Inherent, Financière Agache (Groupe Arnault), and iAngels Technologies.
Ledger will use the new funds to further innovate its hardware products, including new products in the pipeline and add new transactional services to Ledger Live such as decentralised finance solutions.
The firms also plans on integrating new third-party services through ongoing development of its proprietary OS and strengthen its capacity to support businesses through Ledger Enterprise Solutions.
The crypto firm said that it will execute these plans globally, as its continues to expand its operational and geographic footprint.
Since 2014, Ledger has sold more than 3 million hardware wallets in 190 countries and have more than 1.5 million monthly users on Ledger Live.
Pascal Gauthier
&#8220;As we look to the future, we see ourselves as the secure gateway to this growing ecosystem. Our goal is to empower users to buy, sell, swap, borrow, and lend digital assets through the Ledger Live platform, which— when combined with our hardware— offers best-in-class security and a seamless user experience.
 
The results of our Series C round bring us one step closer to this vision. We are excited to watch our global community grow and help people around the world begin their investment journey with confidence that their digital assets are secure.&#8221;
said Pascal Gauthier, Chairman and CEO of Ledger.
 
Featured image: Pascal Gauthier, President at Ledger with Eric Larchevêque, CEO at Ledger
 
The post French Crypto Security Provider Ledger Bags US$380 Million in Series C Fundraise appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/french-crypto-security-provider-ledger-bags-us380-million-in-series-c-fundraise</link><guid>1990</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>French Crypto Security Provider Ledger Bags US$380 Million in Series C Fundraise</dc:text></item><item><title>Stripe Rolls Out Tax Compliance Feature for Businesses in Over 30 Countries</title><description><![CDATA[Stripe, an Irish-American payment processing platform, announced the launch of Stripe Tax to help businesses automatically calculate and collect sales tax, value-added tax (VAT), and goods and services tax (GST) in over 30 countries.
The Stripe Tax feature was engineered in its Dublin headquarters and has been in pilot mode over the last six months.
The new feature automates tax calculation and collection for transactions on Stripe, tells businesses where they need to collect taxes, and creates comprehensive reports to make filing taxes easy.
The Stripe Tax&#8217;s features include real time tax calculation by determining the end customer’s precise location, and matching that to the product or service being sold.
It also has frictionless checkout by using location information of B2C businesses to calculate and show taxes in the most familiar way to their customers.
Additionally, for B2B businesses, Stripe Tax collects the tax identification number from customers, and automatically validates VAT IDs for European customers, applying a reverse charge or zero VAT rate when necessary.
Stripe Tax also creates comprehensive reports for each market in which a business is registered to collect tax, speeding up filing and remittance.
This feature covers Sales Tax, VAT and GST requirements in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
In May, Stripe announced the acquisition of TaxJar, a leading provider of sales tax software for internet businesses in the US. Stripe Tax already integrates directly with TaxJar, enabling users to easily file their taxes.
John Collison
“No one leaps out of bed in the morning excited to deal with taxes. For most businesses, managing tax compliance is a painful distraction.
 
We simplify everything about calculating and collecting sales taxes, VAT, and GST, so our users can focus on building their businesses.”
said John Collison, Co-Founder and President of Stripe.
 
 
The post Stripe Rolls Out Tax Compliance Feature for Businesses in Over 30 Countries appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/stripe-rolls-out-tax-compliance-feature-for-businesses-in-over-30-countries</link><guid>1989</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Stripe Rolls Out Tax Compliance Feature for Businesses in Over 30 Countries</dc:text></item><item><title>Basel Committee Mulls Regulating Banks’ Exposure to Cryptoassets</title><description><![CDATA[The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision issued a public consultation on preliminary proposals for the prudential treatment of banks&#8217; cryptoasset exposures.
While banks&#8217; exposures to cryptoassets are currently limited, the continued growth and innovation in cryptoassets and related services, coupled with the heightened interest of some banks, could increase global financial stability concerns and risks to the banking system in the absence of a specified prudential treatment.
Given the rapidly evolving nature of this asset class, the committee believes that policy development for cryptoasset exposures is likely to involve more than one consultation.
This initial public consultation, which follows a discussion paper published in December 2019, will allow further work to continue with the additional benefit of incorporating feedback from external stakeholders.
The proposed prudential treatment outlined in the consultation divides cryptoassets into two broad groups:

Group 1 cryptoassets &#8211; these fulfil a set of classification conditions and as such are eligible for treatment under the existing Basel Framework (with some modifications and additional guidance). These include certain tokenised traditional assets and stablecoins.
Group 2 cryptoassets &#8211; are those, such as bitcoin, that do not fulfil the classification conditions. Since these pose additional and higher risks, they would be subject to a new conservative prudential treatment.

According to the statement, central bank digital currencies are not within the scope of the consultation.
The committee is looking for feedback on the proposals, which should be submitted by 10 September 2021 where all submissions will be published on the BIS website unless a respondent specifically requests confidential treatment.
Featured image credit: Bank for International Settlements “Tower” building
The post Basel Committee Mulls Regulating Banks&#8217; Exposure to Cryptoassets appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/basel-committee-mulls-regulating-banks-exposure-to-cryptoassets</link><guid>1985</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Basel Committee Mulls Regulating Banks’ Exposure to Cryptoassets</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss and French Central Banks to Pilot Wholesale CBDC Project</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss National Bank, the Banque de France and the BIS Innovation Hub announced that, together with a private sector consortium led by Accenture, they will conduct an experiment using wholesale central bank digital currencies (wholesale CBDC) for crossborder settlement.
The private sector consortium includes Credit Suisse, Natixis, R3, SIX Digital Exchange and UBS.
This comes on the back of the announcement that BIS, Swiss National Bank and SIX had completed the pilot for a wholesale CBDC dubbed as Project Helvetia.
Andréa M. Maechler
“It is essential for central banks to stay on top of technological developments. The Swiss National Bank is already investigating the settlement of tokenised assets with wholesale CBDC as part of Project Helvetia.
 
We are looking forward to expanding this analysis to a cross-border context by participating in this exciting initiative,”
said Andréa M. Maechler, Member of the Governing Board, Swiss National Bank.
The experiment named Project Jura will explore cross-border settlement with two wholesale CBDCs and a French digital financial instrument on a distributed ledger technology (DLT) platform.
It will involve the exchange of the financial instrument against a euro wholesale CBDC through a delivery versus payment (DvP) settlement mechanism and the exchange of a euro wholesale CBDC against a Swiss franc wholesale CBDC through a payment versus payment (PvP) settlement mechanism.
These transactions will be settled between banks domiciled in France and in Switzerland, respectively.
Sylvie Goulard
“The Banque de France is convinced of the potential benefits of wholesale central bank digital currency to provide maximum security and efficiency in financial transactions, and opened last year an experimental programme to make progress in this area.
 
In this perspective, we are delighted to be able to conduct an important experiment – called Jura – on cross-border settlement in partnership with the Swiss National Bank and the BIS Innovation Hub,”
said Sylvie Goulard, Deputy Governor of the Banque de France.
Project Jura expands on central bank experimentation investigating the effectiveness of wholesale CBDC for cross-border settlement.
The statement said that the project is of exploratory nature and should not be interpreted as an indication that the Swiss National Bank or the Banque de France plan to issue wholesale CBDCs.
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash and Pexels
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-and-french-central-banks-to-pilot-wholesale-cbdc-project</link><guid>1983</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss and French Central Banks to Pilot Wholesale CBDC Project</dc:text></item><item><title>Die Vaudoise Investiert weitere 10 Millionen CHF in Crowdlender neocredit.ch</title><description><![CDATA[Die Gruppe Vaudoise Versicherungen investiert CHF 10 Millionen in neocredit.ch, ein Crowdlending-Unternehmen, das sie 2019 mit Credit.fr initiiert hat. Mit dem Betrag werden Projekte von Schweizer KMU mitfinanziert. Mit neocredit.ch können private und professionelle Anleger gemeinsam in KMU investieren, die einfache und schnelle Finanzierungslösungen suchen.
KMU machen den Reichtum des schweizerischen Wirtschaftsgefüges aus. Deren Finanzierung ist für sie ein wichtiger ökonomischer Faktor. Nicht selten haben sie jedoch in ihrer Entwicklungsphase Mühe, bei Kreditinstitutionen Finanzierungen zu erhalten. Investoren und KMU werden mithilfe der Plattform neocredit.ch zusammengebracht und erhalten einfache, schnelle und transparente Anlage- und Finanzierungsmöglichkeiten.
Seit der Lancierung Ende 2019 konnten dank neocredit.ch bereits 56 Projekte von Schweizer KMU mit einem Gesamtvolumen von über CHF 8,5 Millionen erfolgreich finanziert werden. Die Investoren tragen zur lokalen Wirtschaft bei und profitieren von einer Rendite von rund 4,6 %.
Vincent Van Seumeren, CEO neocredit.ch AG
Vincent Van Seumeren, CEO von neocredit.ch, äussert sich so:
«Wir schätzen das Vertrauen der Vaudoise-Gruppe, das auf unserem Engagement und unseren guten Leistungen fusst. Mit dieser Investition können wir weiterhin schnell und unkompliziert Schweizer KMU finanzieren.»
Zwei Partner, die sich ergänzen
Die Vaudoise-Gruppe und Credit.fr finanzieren seit 2019 gemeinsam die Plattform neocredit.ch mit dem Ziel, die Schweizer KMU-Wirtschaftslandschaft zu fördern. Die beiden Partner vereinen die genossenschaftlichen Werte von einem der zehn grössten Schweizer Privatversicherer mit dem Know-how des Crowdlending-Leaders im französischen Markt. Auf www.neocredit.ch können KMU eine Finanzierungsanfrage zwischen CHF 20‘000 und CHF 1‘000‘000 einreichen. Die Finanzierungsanfrage dauert nur einige Minuten und die KMU erhalten innert 48 Stunden eine erste Antwort. Die Finanzierungskampagne steht Investoren höchstens 10 Tage lang offen, dann werden die Beträge an das KMU überwiesen. Die Investoren legen ihr Kapital zu attraktiven Zinssätzen (von 2,0 % bis 8,8 %) an. Der gesamte Prozess läuft online ab. Für Kreditgeber und Anleger ist das Modell eine Win-win-Situation.
Auswahlprozess der Projekte
Neocredit.ch wählt die Projekte der KMU nach strengen Kriterien aus. Finanzierungsanfragen stellen können KMU, die seit mindestens vier Jahren bestehen, im Handelsregister als Einzelunternehmen, AG oder GmbH eingetragen sind und einen Jahresumsatz von mehr als CHF 150‘000 erzielen. Neocredit.ch führt anschliessend eine Risikoprüfung durch, um die Verzinsung jedes Projekts festzulegen. Nach der Prüfung werden die ausgewählten Projekte online gestellt. Anleger können ab CHF 100.– einsteigen und ihre Investitionen selbstständig verwalten.
Neues Mitglied im Verwaltungsrat von neocredit.ch
Stefan Schürmann
Stefan Schürmann, Head of Corporate Development und M&amp;A der Vaudoise-Gruppe, ist seit dem 23. April 2021 Verwaltungsratsmitglied von neocredit.ch. Weitere Verwaltungsratsmitglieder sind: Charles Perraudin (Verwaltungsratspräsident), Vizedirektor Business Development &amp; Special Lines der Vaudoise-Gruppe, Thomas de Bourayne, Gründer von Credit.fr und Guillaume Arnaud, Vorstandsvorsitzernder der Gruppe SOFIDY.
 
 
Ausgewähltes Bild: Vincent Van Seumeren, CEO von neocredit.ch, äussert sich so:
 
The post Die Vaudoise Investiert weitere 10 Millionen CHF in Crowdlender neocredit.ch appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/die-vaudoise-investiert-weitere-10-millionen-chf-in-crowdlender-neocreditch</link><guid>1984</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Die Vaudoise Investiert weitere 10 Millionen CHF in Crowdlender neocredit.ch</dc:text></item><item><title>Vaudoise investiert weitere 10 Millionen CHF in Crowdlender neocredit.ch</title><description><![CDATA[Die Vaudoise Versicherungs Gruppe investiert CHF 10 Millionen in neocredit.ch, ein Crowdlending-Unternehmen, das sie 2019 mit Credit.fr initiiert hat. Mit dem Betrag werden Projekte von Schweizer KMU mitfinanziert. Mit neocredit.ch können private und professionelle Anleger gemeinsam in KMU investieren, die einfache und schnelle Finanzierungslösungen suchen.
KMU machen den Reichtum des schweizerischen Wirtschaftsgefüges aus. Deren Finanzierung ist für sie ein wichtiger ökonomischer Faktor. Nicht selten haben sie jedoch in ihrer Entwicklungsphase Mühe, bei Kreditinstitutionen Finanzierungen zu erhalten. Investoren und KMU werden mithilfe der Plattform neocredit.ch zusammengebracht und erhalten einfache, schnelle und transparente Anlage- und Finanzierungsmöglichkeiten.
Seit der Lancierung Ende 2019 konnten dank neocredit.ch bereits 56 Projekte von Schweizer KMU mit einem Gesamtvolumen von über CHF 8,5 Millionen erfolgreich finanziert werden. Die Investoren tragen zur lokalen Wirtschaft bei und profitieren von einer Rendite von rund 4,6 %.
Vincent Van Seumeren, CEO neocredit.ch AG
Vincent Van Seumeren, CEO von neocredit.ch, äussert sich so:
«Wir schätzen das Vertrauen der Vaudoise-Gruppe, das auf unserem Engagement und unseren guten Leistungen fusst. Mit dieser Investition können wir weiterhin schnell und unkompliziert Schweizer KMU finanzieren.»
Zwei Partner, die sich ergänzen
Die Vaudoise-Gruppe und Credit.fr finanzieren seit 2019 gemeinsam die Plattform neocredit.ch mit dem Ziel, die Schweizer KMU-Wirtschaftslandschaft zu fördern. Die beiden Partner vereinen die genossenschaftlichen Werte von einem der zehn grössten Schweizer Privatversicherer mit dem Know-how des Crowdlending-Leaders im französischen Markt. Auf www.neocredit.ch können KMU eine Finanzierungsanfrage zwischen CHF 20‘000 und CHF 1‘000‘000 einreichen. Die Finanzierungsanfrage dauert nur einige Minuten und die KMU erhalten innert 48 Stunden eine erste Antwort. Die Finanzierungskampagne steht Investoren höchstens 10 Tage lang offen, dann werden die Beträge an das KMU überwiesen. Die Investoren legen ihr Kapital zu attraktiven Zinssätzen (von 2,0 % bis 8,8 %) an. Der gesamte Prozess läuft online ab. Für Kreditgeber und Anleger ist das Modell eine Win-win-Situation.
Auswahlprozess der Projekte
Neocredit.ch wählt die Projekte der KMU nach strengen Kriterien aus. Finanzierungsanfragen stellen können KMU, die seit mindestens vier Jahren bestehen, im Handelsregister als Einzelunternehmen, AG oder GmbH eingetragen sind und einen Jahresumsatz von mehr als CHF 150‘000 erzielen. Neocredit.ch führt anschliessend eine Risikoprüfung durch, um die Verzinsung jedes Projekts festzulegen. Nach der Prüfung werden die ausgewählten Projekte online gestellt. Anleger können ab CHF 100.– einsteigen und ihre Investitionen selbstständig verwalten.
Neues Mitglied im Verwaltungsrat von neocredit.ch
Stefan Schürmann
Stefan Schürmann, Head of Corporate Development und M&amp;A der Vaudoise-Gruppe, ist seit dem 23. April 2021 Verwaltungsratsmitglied von neocredit.ch. Weitere Verwaltungsratsmitglieder sind: Charles Perraudin (Verwaltungsratspräsident), Vizedirektor Business Development &amp; Special Lines der Vaudoise-Gruppe, Thomas de Bourayne, Gründer von Credit.fr und Guillaume Arnaud, Vorstandsvorsitzernder der Gruppe SOFIDY.
 
 
Ausgewähltes Bild: Vincent Van Seumeren, CEO von neocredit.ch, äussert sich so:
 
The post Vaudoise investiert weitere 10 Millionen CHF in Crowdlender neocredit.ch appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/vaudoise-investiert-weitere-10-millionen-chf-in-crowdlender-neocreditch</link><guid>1986</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Vaudoise investiert weitere 10 Millionen CHF in Crowdlender neocredit.ch</dc:text></item><item><title>AntChain Inks Deal With UEFA EURO to Be Its Official Global Blockchain Partner</title><description><![CDATA[UEFA and AntChain, the blockchain business of Ant Group, announced a five-year global partnership around blockchain technologies and to jointly explore how blockchain technology can be used to further the digital transformation of football industry and improve the experiences of fans around the world.
In doing so, AntChain also becomes the official global blockchain partner of UEFA EURO 2020 and UEFA EURO 2024
The partnership also revealed the tournament’s Top Scorer Trophy which applies blockchain technology and designed by Alipay, a digital payment and lifestyle platform operated by Ant Group and UEFA’s global partner since November 2018.
The UEFA EURO 2020 Top Scorer Trophy is the first major international football Top-Scorer trophy to utilise blockchain in its design and will feature a hash value at its base through which the scoring records of the tournament’s top scorers will be uploaded and permanently stored on a blockchain based on AntChain’s solution.
Alipay will also launch &#8220;Top Scorers in Campus&#8221;, a new advocacy programme dedicated to helping the development of campus football in China.
To inspire more teenagers to pursue their football dreams, the &#8220;Top Scorers in Campus&#8221; programme will award trophies with the same design as the Top Scorer Trophy of UEFA EURO 2020 to the best young players in campus football tournaments across China.
Similar to the UEFA EURO 2020 top scorer trophy, these student footballers’ scoring records and honors will also be stored on the blockchain provided by AntChain.
Geoff Jiang
Geoff Jiang, President of Intelligent Technology Business Group, Ant Group said,
“We are excited for AntChain to become the official partner of UEFA EURO 2020 and UEFA National Team Football.
 
As football and technology increasingly come together to innovate for fans globally, AntChain will explore how innovative technologies including blockchain can help the sports industry better develop and facilitate its digital transformation.&#8221;
 
 
The post AntChain Inks Deal With UEFA EURO to Be Its Official Global Blockchain Partner appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/antchain-inks-deal-with-uefa-euro-to-be-its-official-global-blockchain-partner</link><guid>1981</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>AntChain Inks Deal With UEFA EURO to Be Its Official Global Blockchain Partner</dc:text></item><item><title>COVID-19 Accelerates Digital Payment Adoption in Armenia</title><description><![CDATA[In Armenia, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of digital payment solutions and boosted e-commerce activity.
Beniamin Tadevosyan, CEO and co-founder of Armenian paytech startup PayX told local fintech news site Fintech.am that, while prior to the pandemic payment technologies were well developed in the country, adoption was very low. But the global health crisis and the government’s call to limit cash usage have push adoption of digital payment to new heights.
Beniamin Tadevosyan
“Due to some local peculiarities, including the habit of the population to pay in cash … [payment technologies in Armenia] were not actively used in everyday life before the pandemic,” Tadevosyan told Fintech.am. “The increase in cashless payments, especially for e-commerce, amid the current situation is natural … [especially considering] that the government and the Central Bank of Armenia have repeatedly strongly recommended non-cash payments.”
Though no official data have been released, Tadevosyan said that at PayX, the volume and value of digital and online transactions “have increased markedly,” a trend he expects to continue.
Demand for online payment solutions, notably those with easy and seamless integration capabilities, has risen particularly, owing in part to the boom of social commerce. “These solutions are especially requested by stores operating on Facebook and Instagram,” he said
Armenia declared a 30-day state of emergency on March 16, 2020 to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus, which was followed later on by more stringent restrictions on movement. E-commerce skyrocketed after the announcement with retail sales tripling within the first month, Armenia’s Minister of High Technology Industry Hakob Arshakyan said at a press conference on April 8, 2020, describing the trend as a positive indicator that indicates great opportunities in the field of cashless commerce.
Armenia’s nascent fintech industry
Information about the Armenian fintech ecosystem are scarce but data available suggest that the country is home to just a handful of startups. Similarly to other nascent fintech ecosystems, Armenia’s fintech sector is dominated by young startups operating in the payment segment.
PayX, which was founded in 2017, develops digital, mobile and e-commerce payment solutions, serving both the retail and corporate segments. Qsak is an app-based mobile payment platform that allows individuals to receive cash back on their transactions, which they can accumulate, spend, transfer and withdraw.
EasyPay provides merchants with point-of-sale (POS) terminals and consumers with a card-linked wallet that allows them to easily make fund transfers, pay bills, top up their mobile credit, and make purchases both online and offline. So far, more than 2,700 payment terminals have been installed.
And Text And Pay Me is a new startup offering “text payments,” allowing users to perform peer-to-peer (P2P) transfers on any messaging app simply by entering text commands.
Besides payments, other fintech segments are also represented in Armenia, including crowdfunding with platforms such as BoostBloom and Ayo; corporate services with online invoice service My Online Invoice; and data with the likes of Cognaize, a startup that specializes in artificial intelligence (AI)-based processing of financial information.
One fast-growing segment is cryptocurrency and blockchain where a flurry of startups have emerged over the past years.

Arcnet is a local blockchain startup providing a career development ecosystem comprised of a job market, certification, career advice and recruitment services; Omnia offers a platform for users to mine and invest in cryptocurrencies; and Coin Stats is an app-based cryptocurrency portfolio tracker with live crypto market data, research and news. Users can set price limits volume and market cap alerts, and sync multiple crypto exchanges.
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash and freepik
The post COVID-19 Accelerates Digital Payment Adoption in Armenia appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/covid-19-accelerates-digital-payment-adoption-in-armenia</link><guid>1982</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/bitcoin-bus-1024x768.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>COVID-19 Accelerates Digital Payment Adoption in Armenia</dc:text></item><item><title>COVID-19 Accelerates Digital Payment and Fintech Adoption in Armenia</title><description><![CDATA[In Armenia, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of digital payment solutions and boosted e-commerce activity.
Beniamin Tadevosyan, CEO and co-founder of Armenian paytech startup PayX told local fintech news site Fintech.am that, while prior to the pandemic payment technologies were well developed in the country, adoption was very low. But the global health crisis and the government’s call to limit cash usage have push adoption of digital payment to new heights.
Beniamin Tadevosyan
“Due to some local peculiarities, including the habit of the population to pay in cash … [payment technologies in Armenia] were not actively used in everyday life before the pandemic,” Tadevosyan told Fintech.am. “The increase in cashless payments, especially for e-commerce, amid the current situation is natural … [especially considering] that the government and the Central Bank of Armenia have repeatedly strongly recommended non-cash payments.”
Though no official data have been released, Tadevosyan said that at PayX, the volume and value of digital and online transactions “have increased markedly,” a trend he expects to continue.
Demand for online payment solutions, notably those with easy and seamless integration capabilities, has risen particularly, owing in part to the boom of social commerce. “These solutions are especially requested by stores operating on Facebook and Instagram,” he said
Armenia declared a 30-day state of emergency on March 16, 2020 to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus, which was followed later on by more stringent restrictions on movement. E-commerce skyrocketed after the announcement with retail sales tripling within the first month, Armenia’s Minister of High Technology Industry Hakob Arshakyan said at a press conference on April 8, 2020, describing the trend as a positive indicator that indicates great opportunities in the field of cashless commerce.
Armenia’s nascent fintech industry
Information about the Armenian fintech ecosystem are scarce but data available suggest that the country is home to just a handful of startups. Similarly to other nascent fintech ecosystems, Armenia’s fintech sector is dominated by young startups operating in the payment segment.
PayX, which was founded in 2017, develops digital, mobile and e-commerce payment solutions, serving both the retail and corporate segments. Qsak is an app-based mobile payment platform that allows individuals to receive cash back on their transactions, which they can accumulate, spend, transfer and withdraw.
EasyPay provides merchants with point-of-sale (POS) terminals and consumers with a card-linked wallet that allows them to easily make fund transfers, pay bills, top up their mobile credit, and make purchases both online and offline. So far, more than 2,700 payment terminals have been installed.
And Text And Pay Me is a new startup offering “text payments,” allowing users to perform peer-to-peer (P2P) transfers on any messaging app simply by entering text commands.
Besides payments, other fintech segments are also represented in Armenia, including crowdfunding with platforms such as BoostBloom and Ayo; corporate services with online invoice service My Online Invoice; and data with the likes of Cognaize, a startup that specializes in artificial intelligence (AI)-based processing of financial information.
One fast-growing segment is cryptocurrency and blockchain where a flurry of startups have emerged over the past years.

Arcnet is a local blockchain startup providing a career development ecosystem comprised of a job market, certification, career advice and recruitment services; Omnia offers a platform for users to mine and invest in cryptocurrencies; and Coin Stats is an app-based cryptocurrency portfolio tracker with live crypto market data, research and news. Users can set price limits volume and market cap alerts, and sync multiple crypto exchanges.
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash and freepik
The post COVID-19 Accelerates Digital Payment and Fintech Adoption in Armenia appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/covid-19-accelerates-digital-payment-and-fintech-adoption-in-armenia</link><guid>1988</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/bitcoin-bus-1024x768.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>COVID-19 Accelerates Digital Payment and Fintech Adoption in Armenia</dc:text></item><item><title>SoftBank Leads Swedish BNPL Firm Klarna’s Mega Fundraise of US$639 Million</title><description><![CDATA[Swedish Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) platform Klarna announced that it has secured US$ 639 million during a new equity funding round, pushing its post-money valuation to US$ 45.6 billion.
The round was led by SoftBank’s Vision Fund 21, with additional participation from existing investors Adit Ventures, Honeycomb Asset Management and WestCap Group.
Klarna said that the funds will be used to support international expansion and further capture global retail growth.
Klarna’s other investors include Sequoia Capital, SilverLake, Dragoneer, Permira, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Bestseller Group, Ant Group, Northzone, GIC &#8211; Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund &#8211; as well as funds and accounts managed by BlackRock and HMI.
As part of the GiveOne initiative established by Klarna earlier this year, 1% of this equity raised will be directed to initiatives supporting planet health.
Sebastian Siemiatkowski
Sebastian Siemiatkowski, Klarna Founder and CEO said,
“Consumers continue to reject interest-and fee-laden revolving credit and are moving toward debit while simultaneously seeking retail experiences that better meet their needs. Klarna&#8217;s more transparent and convenient alternatives align with evolving global consumer preferences and drive worldwide growth.
 
I’m very proud of the investors who are supporting Klarna’s ambition to challenge these outdated models to empower consumers with fair, transparent, and convenient products to help them bank, shop and pay each day.”
The post SoftBank Leads Swedish BNPL Firm Klarna&#8217;s Mega Fundraise of US$639 Million appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/softbank-leads-swedish-bnpl-firm-klarnas-mega-fundraise-of-us639-million</link><guid>1980</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>SoftBank Leads Swedish BNPL Firm Klarna’s Mega Fundraise of US$639 Million</dc:text></item><item><title>Global Spend on Financial Crime Compliance at Financial Institutions Reaches US$213.9 Billion</title><description><![CDATA[LexisNexis Risk Solutions, a global data and analytics company, has released its annual True Cost of Financial Crime Compliance Global Report.
The results derived from the comprehensive survey of 1,015 financial crime compliance decision makers at financial institutions including banks as well as investment, asset management and insurance firms globally.
The projected total cost of financial crime compliance across all financial institutions reached $213.9 billion in 2021, surpassing the $180.9 billion recorded in 2020.
The majority of this sizeable year-over-year increase is represented by Western Europe and the United States.
The decision makers who took part in the study oversee financial crime compliance processes such as sanctions monitoring, know your customer (KYC) remediation, anti-money laundering (AML) and transaction monitoring.
Key findings from the report:
Western Countries Continue to Spend Highest on Compliance – Western European countries and the U.S. continue to represent 82.7% of global total projected costs.
Germany and the U.S. bear the bulk of cost increases at $9.6 billion and $8.8 billion respectively with Germany outsizing all other countries by a considerable amount.
Mid to large financial institutions lead this growth where all regions, excluding South Africa and the Middle East, show double digit percentage increases in compliance costs.
Less Consensus on Operational Challenges – In previous years there has been consensus on the top two or three ranked compliance challenges within financial institutions.
There is less uniformity in this year’s survey.
Customer risk profiling, sanctions screening, regulatory reporting, identifying politically exposed persons (PEPs), KYC for account onboarding and efficient alerts resolution are all similarly ranked as key challenges.
Different regions see varying degrees to which certain challenges are more heightened, however.
Pandemic Impact – The ongoing pandemic has left a significant imprint on compliance departments, which exacerbated existing issues and led to an increase in the time and spending needed for due diligence.
Mid and large firms in the U.S. and Canada and parts of LATAM experienced sizeable pandemic-related cost increases.
Key operational challenges became heightened in these markets since the start of the pandemic, including increased alert volumes and suspicious transactions, inefficiencies with alert resolution and due diligence, more manual work and limitations with proper risk profiling/sanctions screening/PEP identification.
Technology Investment Leads to Better Outcomes – Financial institutions implementing technology solutions to support financial crime compliance efforts have been more prepared and less impacted overall by increasing regulatory pressures and COVID-19.
Compared to firms that distributed more of their annual compliance costs to labor, those that allocated costs more toward technology are seeing smaller year-on-year financial crime compliance operations cost increases, lower costs per full-time employee and fewer pandemic-related challenges.
Leslie Bailey
Leslie Bailey, Vice President, Financial Crime Compliance for LexisNexis Risk Solutions said,
“Criminals will never cease to become more sophisticated, but a multi-layered solution approach to financial crime compliance can facilitate a more cost-effective, efficient compliance approach, as well as one that benefits the larger organisation.
 
Financial institutions should investigate both the physical and digital identity attributes of their customers, leveraging data analytics to assess risks and behaviors in real time.”
 
 
The post Global Spend on Financial Crime Compliance at Financial Institutions Reaches US$213.9 Billion appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/global-spend-on-financial-crime-compliance-at-financial-institutions-reaches-us2139-billion</link><guid>1978</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/sg.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Global Spend on Financial Crime Compliance at Financial Institutions Reaches US$213.9 Billion</dc:text></item><item><title>Financial Crime Compliance at Financial Institutions Globally Reaches US$213.9 Billion</title><description><![CDATA[LexisNexis Risk Solutions, a global data and analytics company, has released its annual True Cost of Financial Crime Compliance Global Report.
The results derived from the comprehensive survey of 1,015 financial crime compliance decision makers at financial institutions including banks as well as investment, asset management and insurance firms globally.
The projected total cost of financial crime compliance across all financial institutions reached $213.9 billion in 2021, surpassing the $180.9 billion recorded in 2020.
The majority of this sizeable year-over-year increase is represented by Western Europe and the United States.
The decision makers who took part in the study oversee financial crime compliance processes such as sanctions monitoring, know your customer (KYC) remediation, anti-money laundering (AML) and transaction monitoring.
Key findings from the report:
Western Countries Continue to Spend Highest on Compliance – Western European countries and the U.S. continue to represent 82.7% of global total projected costs.
Germany and the U.S. bear the bulk of cost increases at $9.6 billion and $8.8 billion respectively with Germany outsizing all other countries by a considerable amount.
Mid to large financial institutions lead this growth where all regions, excluding South Africa and the Middle East, show double digit percentage increases in compliance costs.
Less Consensus on Operational Challenges – In previous years there has been consensus on the top two or three ranked compliance challenges within financial institutions.
There is less uniformity in this year’s survey.
Customer risk profiling, sanctions screening, regulatory reporting, identifying politically exposed persons (PEPs), KYC for account onboarding and efficient alerts resolution are all similarly ranked as key challenges.
Different regions see varying degrees to which certain challenges are more heightened, however.
Pandemic Impact – The ongoing pandemic has left a significant imprint on compliance departments, which exacerbated existing issues and led to an increase in the time and spending needed for due diligence.
Mid and large firms in the U.S. and Canada and parts of LATAM experienced sizeable pandemic-related cost increases.
Key operational challenges became heightened in these markets since the start of the pandemic, including increased alert volumes and suspicious transactions, inefficiencies with alert resolution and due diligence, more manual work and limitations with proper risk profiling/sanctions screening/PEP identification.
Technology Investment Leads to Better Outcomes – Financial institutions implementing technology solutions to support financial crime compliance efforts have been more prepared and less impacted overall by increasing regulatory pressures and COVID-19.
Compared to firms that distributed more of their annual compliance costs to labor, those that allocated costs more toward technology are seeing smaller year-on-year financial crime compliance operations cost increases, lower costs per full-time employee and fewer pandemic-related challenges.
Leslie Bailey
Leslie Bailey, Vice President, Financial Crime Compliance for LexisNexis Risk Solutions said,
“Criminals will never cease to become more sophisticated, but a multi-layered solution approach to financial crime compliance can facilitate a more cost-effective, efficient compliance approach, as well as one that benefits the larger organisation.
 
Financial institutions should investigate both the physical and digital identity attributes of their customers, leveraging data analytics to assess risks and behaviors in real time.”
 
 
The post Financial Crime Compliance at Financial Institutions Globally Reaches US$213.9 Billion appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/financial-crime-compliance-at-financial-institutions-globally-reaches-us2139-billion</link><guid>1979</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/sg.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Financial Crime Compliance at Financial Institutions Globally Reaches US$213.9 Billion</dc:text></item><item><title>Financial Crime Compliance at Financial Institutions Globally Reaches US$213.9 Billions</title><description><![CDATA[LexisNexis Risk Solutions, a global data and analytics company, has released its annual True Cost of Financial Crime Compliance Global Report.
The results derived from the comprehensive survey of 1,015 financial crime compliance decision makers at financial institutions including banks as well as investment, asset management and insurance firms globally.
The projected total cost of financial crime compliance across all financial institutions reached $213.9 billion in 2021, surpassing the $180.9 billion recorded in 2020.
The majority of this sizeable year-over-year increase is represented by Western Europe and the United States.
The decision makers who took part in the study oversee financial crime compliance processes such as sanctions monitoring, know your customer (KYC) remediation, anti-money laundering (AML) and transaction monitoring.
Key findings from the report:
Western Countries Continue to Spend Highest on Compliance – Western European countries and the U.S. continue to represent 82.7% of global total projected costs.
Germany and the U.S. bear the bulk of cost increases at $9.6 billion and $8.8 billion respectively with Germany outsizing all other countries by a considerable amount.
Mid to large financial institutions lead this growth where all regions, excluding South Africa and the Middle East, show double digit percentage increases in compliance costs.
Less Consensus on Operational Challenges – In previous years there has been consensus on the top two or three ranked compliance challenges within financial institutions.
There is less uniformity in this year’s survey.
Customer risk profiling, sanctions screening, regulatory reporting, identifying politically exposed persons (PEPs), KYC for account onboarding and efficient alerts resolution are all similarly ranked as key challenges.
Different regions see varying degrees to which certain challenges are more heightened, however.
Pandemic Impact – The ongoing pandemic has left a significant imprint on compliance departments, which exacerbated existing issues and led to an increase in the time and spending needed for due diligence.
Mid and large firms in the U.S. and Canada and parts of LATAM experienced sizeable pandemic-related cost increases.
Key operational challenges became heightened in these markets since the start of the pandemic, including increased alert volumes and suspicious transactions, inefficiencies with alert resolution and due diligence, more manual work and limitations with proper risk profiling/sanctions screening/PEP identification.
Technology Investment Leads to Better Outcomes – Financial institutions implementing technology solutions to support financial crime compliance efforts have been more prepared and less impacted overall by increasing regulatory pressures and COVID-19.
Compared to firms that distributed more of their annual compliance costs to labor, those that allocated costs more toward technology are seeing smaller year-on-year financial crime compliance operations cost increases, lower costs per full-time employee and fewer pandemic-related challenges.
Leslie Bailey
Leslie Bailey, Vice President, Financial Crime Compliance for LexisNexis Risk Solutions said,
“Criminals will never cease to become more sophisticated, but a multi-layered solution approach to financial crime compliance can facilitate a more cost-effective, efficient compliance approach, as well as one that benefits the larger organisation.
 
Financial institutions should investigate both the physical and digital identity attributes of their customers, leveraging data analytics to assess risks and behaviors in real time.”
 
 
The post Financial Crime Compliance at Financial Institutions Globally Reaches US$213.9 Billions appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/financial-crime-compliance-at-financial-institutions-globally-reaches-us2139-billions</link><guid>1987</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/sg.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Financial Crime Compliance at Financial Institutions Globally Reaches US$213.9 Billions</dc:text></item><item><title>German Rob Advisor Scalable Capital Raises €150 Million in Fundraise Led by Tencent</title><description><![CDATA[Scalable Capital, a German-based neobroker and digital wealth manager, has raised more than US$180 million (€150 million) in a Series E funding round led by China’s technology company Tencent.
This purely primary investment round where existing shareholders participated brings the total capital raised to over US$320 million (€260 million).
The funding will be used to accelerate Scalable Capital’s European growth and to continue building an integrated digital wealth management and brokerage experience.
Additional, the funds will also be used for international expansion and the company’s continued product development efforts.
Five years after go-live in February 2016, the company has over a quarter of a million clients and over $5 billion (€4 billion) of client assets on its platform.
In addition to the headquarters in Munich and an office in London, Scalable Capital recently opened a location in Berlin to attract more talent, especially in the fields of engineering, client success and marketing.
Erik Podzuweit
“Tencent complements our existing long-term partners who already represent an international investor base. Our recent funding is a major step forward on our way to becoming the leading retail investment platform in Europe. The strong acceleration of our growth further validates our mission to empower investors.
 
Anyone thinking of investing money should think of Scalable Capital. Whether you want to invest yourself via our broker or want our wealth management solutions to do it for you.”
said Erik Podzuweit, co-CEO and co-founder of Scalable Capital.
 
Featured image credit: © Scalable Capital
The post German Rob Advisor Scalable Capital Raises €150 Million in Fundraise Led by Tencent appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/german-rob-advisor-scalable-capital-raises-150-million-in-fundraise-led-by-tencent</link><guid>1977</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>German Rob Advisor Scalable Capital Raises €150 Million in Fundraise Led by Tencent</dc:text></item><item><title>Nubank Bags US$ 750 Million in Two Series G Extensions, Now Valued at US$30 Billion</title><description><![CDATA[Brazilian challenger bank Nubank announced that it has raised a total of US$ 750 million during two extensions of its Series G funding round, raising the round to US$1.15 billion.
During the first extension, the challenger bank secured US$500 million led by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, one of the largest publicly-held companies in the world.
The second US$250 million Series G extension was led by Sands Capital and with the participation of Brazilian investors; Absoluto Partners , asset manager co-founded by José Zitelmann and Gustavo Hungria, and Verde Asset Management, manager led by Luis Stuhlberger.
The new investments give Nubank a US$ 30 billion valuation, up from US$25 billion at the time of its previous fundraising round.
Nubank said in a statement that it is the largest digital bank in the world in terms of number of customers as it has just reached the 40 million mark and, in these first five months of the year, it has grown at a pace of more than 45,000 new customers per day.
The company has strengthened its operations in Mexico and Colombia, countries that, together with Brazil, represent 60% of Latin America&#8217;s GDP and population.
David Vélez
“Nubank established a new paradigm in the market, which has forced all players to review their processes and products.
 
And as I say: for us at Nubank, it&#8217;s still the first day. There is still a lot to be done”,
said David Vélez, Founder and CEO of Nubank.
In line with the company&#8217;s plans, the investment raised will be used to support Nubank&#8217;s growth on three major development fronts.
First, it will help to further expand the product offering, introducing new solutions to the portfolio, but also maintaining the accelerated growth rate in terms of market penetration, for example, in the investment sector.
Nubank recently absorbed Easynvest, a digital investment platforms in Brazil, which has more than US$5 billion in assets under custody and 1.6 million clients.
With this step, the company intends to take the Nubank way of revolutionising financial services even further and democratise access to investments.
The capital will also be directed towards the company&#8217;s international expansion. The digital bank launched its first product in Mexico just over a year ago and has already received 1.5 million applications and is one of the largest issuers of new credit cards in the country.
On top of that, the company recently announced that it will invest US$ 135 million in the country to accelerate growth and expand the local operation.
In Colombia, where Nubank landed about six months ago and has a product in beta phase, more than 300,000 Colombians have already signed up on the waiting list to become credit card customers.
Additionally, the investment will help Nubank continue to attract global talent, such as the recent hires of Matt Swann, formerly of Amazon and Booking, as Chief Technology Officer and Arturo Nuñez, formerly of Apple and Nike, as Chief Technology Officer marketing (Chief Marketing Officer).
 
Featured image: NuBank
The post Nubank Bags US$ 750 Million in Two Series G Extensions, Now Valued at US$30 Billion appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/nubank-bags-us-750-million-in-two-series-g-extensions-now-valued-at-us30-billion</link><guid>1976</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Nubank Bags US$ 750 Million in Two Series G Extensions, Now Valued at US$30 Billion</dc:text></item><item><title>Digital Banking: Release a New Feature in the Swiss Market in Half the Time</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss banking market is among the most traditional in Europe. With a number of native traditional, private banks and a few European challengers attempting to penetrate the market, it stands to say that the digital banking landscape is evolving rapidly in the last 2 years and especially in the last 6 months.
Both traditional banks and challengers are heavily investing in the digital banking system while private banks are trying to fully-serve their customers digitally through the introduction of advanced digital banking products and services.
Just in the last week, 2 new digital features were introduced by a large private bank while the rest of the Swiss market knows little about that recent change. Fintech Insights, a digital banking research platform that analyzes the digital banking of banks and fintechs worldwide and evaluates their UX, always keeps up with the latest breakthroughs in the market.
From our research, we have understood that for Swiss banks creating a new feature is a lengthy process that at times leads to extended delivery time. For this reason we wanted to step into the shoes of a Swiss digital banking team which has to compete with challengers and private banks.
We came up with a sample scenario of a fictional bank called Grindelwald that wanted to introduce a new digital banking feature: setting a savings goal with a recurring payment to it.
It is an extremely important addition as this feature highly engages customers as it helps them simplify their daily finances by taking manual saving of their hands.
Through Fintech Insights, Grindelwald bank was able to quickly introduce a new feature in half the time and with less trouble.
How was the fictional Grindelwald bank able to do that?
Step 1: Identify competitors that offer the same feature

The first step to improving the bank’s feature set was conducting competitive analysis of their market. The image above shows which banks in Switzerland offer the Set a Savings Goal feature.
With Fintech Insights, the fictional bank was able to analyze all their competitors&#8217; digital offerings and discovered that 9 banks in the Swiss market offer this particular feature.
Step 2: Know which competitor does it best

As can be seen in the UX ranking of the Set a Savings Goal feature in the above image, Grindelwald bank discovered which of the Swiss banks offer the most user-friendly journey.
The ranking showed that N26 offered the best UX journey with a score of 532/1000 according to Fintech Insights’ Perfect 1000 scoring system. Then it could choose to get inspired by how N26 did it.
Step 3: Know which competitor internationally does it best

Then, as illustrated in the global ranking of banks that offer the Set a Savings feature above, they knew that Monese (EU), bunq (EU) and Chase (US) had created user-friendly journeys.
The bank did not only get an overview of the Swiss market, but also found out which international banks offered this feature with the best UX.
This way, they knew the best practices worldwide and used them to plan their new features.
Step 4: Understand how they do it
The flowchart image above shows every single step users need to follow to complete the Set a Savings Goal process in N6. Every step is UX-evaluated.
By using Fintech Insights, the hypothetical bank could with a few clicks know exactly how N26 has managed to create the most UX friendly journey.
This allowed Grindelwald bank to learn from N6 and include elements of that feature into their new product design.
Step 5: Understand their omnichannel coverage

In the above video we see how the fictional bank was able to see how Revolut (or any bank for that matter) offers the Set a Saving Goal feature in its iOS and Android channels.
Simply by clicking a button they could see how it is done across all channels. With that information at hand, they ensured that their new feature will achieve omnichannel coverage.
Step 6: Create the new journey from scratch using best practices globally
Having completed an exhaustive competitor analysis on the Swiss market and knowing which banks offer the Set a Saving goal feature locally and globally, the bank could organize a design plan.
Using the videos and flowcharts of the best UX journeys, the bank can create a thorough plan of the whole digital product development process which was influenced by the best practices.
This ensures that their design process would be smooth and their product engaging to the bank&#8217;s customers.
The real benefits
Through the utilization of Fintech Insights, the digital banking team managed to:

improve their go-to-market time by 50%
have assurance that their new feature follows the best practices and stands out in the market
have a clear view of what their direct and indirect competitors offer
exploit gaps in the market and introduce a feature that customers truly need
stay within the production deadline
avoid the extra cost of delays
avoid team burnout by simplifying the product development process,
be sure of their decisions through concrete business cases

Explore Fintech Insights and find out how your bank can offer the best-in-class features worldwide across all channels while cutting down your product development time.
The post Digital Banking: Release a New Feature in the Swiss Market in Half the Time appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digital-banking-release-a-new-feature-in-the-swiss-market-in-half-the-time</link><guid>1975</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Banks-that-are-live-in-Switzerland-that-offer-Set-a-Savings-Goal-1024x670.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Digital Banking: Release a New Feature in the Swiss Market in Half the Time</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech DACH Trends: Funding Bounces Back in 2020</title><description><![CDATA[Despite an initial fall in transaction value and volume in the first half of 2020, fintech funding in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, or the DACH region, rebounded significantly in the second half of the year with EUR 2.2 billion raised during H2 2020.
This brought the total amount of funding raised by DACH fintech companies in 2020 to over EUR 3 million, a report by PwC says.
DACH fintech transaction value and transactions, Source: Dealroom, PwC Analysis, via Fintech deals in Continental Europe, March 2021
Released in March 2021, the report looks at fintech funding trends in Continental Europe between 2018 and 2020, and shares emerging trends to watch out for this year.
In 2020, investors in the DACH fintech sector favored more mature, less capital intensive, and therefore less risky fintech companies, focusing on larger, later-stage rounds for established companies amid the global pandemic.
Banking companies will retain attractiveness
Data reveal that fintech companies in the banking subsector were able to attract a strong level of investments despite the COVID-19 crisis, with, for instance, Germany’s digital bank N26 raising over EUR 500 million in its Series D funding round, and Solaris Bank, a banking-as-a-service platform provider, closing a EUR 60 million Series C funding round. Both are from Germany.
Across all fintech subsectors, banking will remain amongst the most resilient fintech segments in DACH during the prolonged health crisis, PwC predicts. This will be owed to the shift in consumer behavior to digital banking and the fact that companies are continuously improving their digital operations.
Banking, insurance and investment lead in DACH fintech funding
Between 2018 and 2020, DACH fintech companies operating in the banking segment raised the most funding with a total of EUR 983 million. Average funding round was larger for banking companies than other fintech segments at EUR 35 million.
After banking, insurtech was another favored fintech segment in DACH, with companies in the space raising a total of EUR 702 million between 2018 and 2020.
Insurance-related funding rounds included Wefox’s EUR 200 million Series B, Friday’s EUR 115 million Series A and B, and Ottonova’s EUR 54 million early venture capital (VC) round. All these rounds were closed in 2019 and involved German digital insurance providers.
Ranking third in total funding amount for the period is the investment segment. Companies in the space raised a total of EUR 669 million, though rounds were smaller in size with an average of EUR 13 million.
Notable deals included Tradeplus24’s EUR 100 million+ Series A and SEBA Bank’s EUR 90 million early VC round. Tradeplus24 provides financing solutions to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and SEBA Bank is a regulated crypto bank. Both are from Switzerland.
DACH– Fintech funding rounds (no M&amp;A) by sector over 2018-2020, Source: Dealroom, PwC Analysis, via Fintech deals in Continental Europe, March 2021
Signs of consolidation
The 2019/2020 DACH Report, released in December 2020 by Frontline and Speedinvest, notes that the three markets have seen continued growth in their respective fintech sector, pointing out to signs of consolidation in all three.
In Switzerland, fintech continues to show signs of success, supported by a strong banking ecosystem. The cryptocurrency and blockchain space in particular has witnessed significant growth with two of the largest rounds in 2019 going towards startups in the sector: Bitcoin Suisse (US$47 million Series B) and Metaco (US$18 million Series A), the report says. 2020 saw the acquisition of Swiss banking software developer Avaloq Group by Japanese electronics giant NEC for a whopping CHF 2.05 billion.
In Austria, fintech is amongst the most developed tech sectors. Despite having a relatively small startup ecosystem, Austria has nevertheless managed to produce several fintech winners, including Bitpanda, Trality and Blockpit, the report says. Crypto exchange Bitpanda reached unicorn status in March 2021, becoming the first Austrian startup to reach a valuation of over US$1 billion.
And in Germany, fintech is an emerging sector that has begun consolidating with the number of deals starting to stabilize. N26 is reportedly looking to make its first acquisition while just recently Wefox recently announced a USD 650m Funding round bringing their valuation to over US$ 3billion, giving them room for acquisitions.
DACH Fintech Webinar
This and other topics will be discussed on the Fintech News Webinar this Thursday. Register here:

The post Fintech DACH Trends: Funding Bounces Back in 2020 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-dach-trends-funding-bounces-back-in-2020</link><guid>1974</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/DACH-transaction-value-and-transactions-Source-Dealroom-PwC-Analysis-via-Fintech-deals-in-Continental-Europe-March-2021.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech DACH Trends: Funding Bounces Back in 2020</dc:text></item><item><title>9 Top-Ranked Crypto Blockchain Project Coins You’ve Probably Never Heard of Before</title><description><![CDATA[Cryptocurrencies have been all the rage this year with total market capitalization surging 132% since the beginning of the year.
Given this crypto frenzy, it is quite remarkable how some of the top marketcap ranking firms have eluded  mainstream attention.
Fintech News compiled a list of top nine cryptocurrency firms ranked (#) by market cap according to coinmarketcap. These crypto firms haven&#8217;t been featured much by the mainstream media so far, probably with the exception of the Binance exchange.
Please note this is no investment advice at all and any of those coins can be traded anytime at 0.0001.
#4. Binance Coin (US$61.92 billion)

Binance Coin (BNB) is the cryptocurrency issued by the Binance cryptocurrency exchange. It powers the whole Binance ecosystem which includes he Binance Chain, Academy, Trusted Wallet and Research projects.
BNB has a strict maximum of 200 million tokens and was launched during an initial coin offering (ICO) in July 2017. It is one of the world’s most popular utility tokens.
At the time of writing, BNB had a market cap of US$61.92 billion and ranked fourth behind only Bitcoin, Ethereum and Tether USD.
#8. Polkadot (US$23.63 billion)

Polkadot (DOT) is an open-source sharding multichain protocol that facilitates the cross-chain transfer of any data or asset types, thereby making a wide range of blockchains interoperable with each other.
This interoperability seeks to establish a fully decentralized and private web, controlled by its users, and simplify the creation of new applications, institutions and services.
The Polkadot whitepaper was released in 2016. In October 2017, the project raised over US$140 million in a token sale.
Polkadot’s native DOT token serves three clear purposes: providing network governance and operations, and creating parachains (parallel chains) by bonding. At the time of writing, DOT had a market cap of US$23.63 billion and ranked eighth.
#10. Uniswap (US$15.03 billion)

Uniswap (UNI) is a decentralized finance protocol that is used to exchange cryptocurrencies. The protocol facilitates automated transactions between cryptocurrency tokens on the Ethereum blockchain through the use of smart contracts, and eliminates the need of trusted intermediaries.
Launched in November 2018, Uniswap has gained considerable popularity over the past year thanks to the decentralized finance (DeFi) phenomenon and associated surge in token trading.
The company behind it has received investments from venture capital firms including Andreessen Horowitz, Paradigm Venture Capital, Union Square Ventures LLC and ParaFi.
At the time of writing, UNI had a market cap of US$15.03 billion and ranked tenth.
#11. Internet Computer (US$13.17 billion)

The Internet Computer (ICP) is a digital token that runs on its own proprietary protocol called the Internet Computer Protocol, which aims to let anyone build software or publish content on the Internet without using services from big companies.
Using the Internet Computer, developers can create websites, enterprise IT systems and Internet services by installing their code directly on the public Internet and dispense with server computers and commercial cloud services.
The project is being developed by the Dfinity Foundation, a not-for-profit scientific research organization based in Zurich.
At the time of writing, ICP had a market cap of US$13.17 billion and ranked eleventh. The Internet Computer went live on May 07, 2021.
#13. Chainlink (US$12.28 billion)

Chainlink (LINK) is a decentralized oracle network and cryptocurrency that provides real-world data to blockchains. It aims to curb dishonest centralized data-feed providers by using a distributed network of nodes to verify data it receives from sources.
Chainlink is one of the main sources of data used to feed information to applications in DeFi, and has grown to become the main interconnection pillar between the real world, decentralized applications (DApps) and the DeFi ecosystem.
LINK is Chainlink’s native token. Launched in 2017, LINK is an Ethereum token that’s used to pay for services on the network.
At the time of writing, LINK had a market cap of US$12.28 billion and ranked 13th.
#15. Solana (US$11.95 billion)

Solana (SOL) is a blockchain network focused on fast transactions and high throughput. The protocol is designed to facilitate DApp creation and make DeFi accessible on a larger scale.
Solana aims to improve scalability by introducing a proof-of-history (PoH) consensus combined with the underlying proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus of the blockchain. As a result, it claims to be able to support 50,000 transactions per second without sacrificing decentralization.
Solana was officially launched in March 2020 by the Solana Foundation with headquarters in Geneva.
SOL is the native currency used to interact with and transact on the Solana blockchain. At the time of writing, SOL had a market cap of US$11.95 billion and ranked 15th.
#16. Polygon (US$10.54 billion)

Polygon (MATIC), previously Matic Network, is a protocol and a framework for building and connecting Ethereum-compatible blockchain networks, creating thus a so-called “multi-chain Ethereum ecosystem.”
Polygon aims to solve pain points associated with blockchains, like high gas fees and slow speeds, without sacrificing on security. This multi-chain system is akin to other ones such as Polkadot, Cosmos and Avalanche, but with the advantages of Ethereum’s security, vibrant ecosystem and openness.
MATIC, the native tokens of Polygon, is an ERC-20 token running on the Ethereum blockchain. It’s used for payment services on Polygon and as a settlement currency between users who operate within the Polygon ecosystem. The transaction fees on Polygon sidechains are also paid in MATIC tokens.
At the time of writing, MATIC had a market cap of US$10.54 billion and ranked 16th.
#18. Theta (US$9.51 billion)

Theta (THETA) is a blockchain-powered network purpose-built for video streaming. Launched in March 2019, the Theta mainnet operates as a decentralized network in which users share bandwidth and computing resources on a peer-to-peer (P2P) basis. The project is advised by Steve Chen, co-founder of YouTube and Justin Kan, co-founder of Twitch.
THETA is the network’s native cryptocurrency token, which performs various governance tasks within the network. At the time of writing, THETA had a market cap of US$9.51 billion and ranked 18th.
#23. Wrapped Bitcoin (US$6.86 billion)

Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC) is the first Ethereum token backed 1:1 with Bitcoin. WBTC standardizes Bitcoin to the ERC20 format, creating smart contracts for Bitcoin. This makes it easier to write smart contracts that integrate Bitcoin transfers, and brings greater liquidity to the Ethereum ecosystem including decentralized exchanges (DEXs) and financial applications.
WBTC was first announced on October 26, 2018, and officially launched on January 31, 2019. At the time of writing, WBTC had a market cap of US$6.86 billion and ranked 23rd.
The post 9 Top-Ranked Crypto Blockchain Project Coins You&#8217;ve Probably Never Heard of Before appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/9-top-ranked-crypto-blockchain-project-coins-youve-probably-never-heard-of-before</link><guid>1973</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Binance-Coin-BNB.png</dc:content ><dc:text>9 Top-Ranked Crypto Blockchain Project Coins You’ve Probably Never Heard of Before</dc:text></item><item><title>Canadian ID Verification Firm Trulioo Raises US$394 Million, Valued at US$1.75 Billion</title><description><![CDATA[Trulioo, a Canadian global identity and business verification provider, announced that it has completed a US$394 million Series D round at a US$1.75 billion valuation.
The Series D round was led by TCV, a growth equity firm, with participation from existing investors Amex Ventures, Citi Ventures, Blumberg Capital and Mouro Capital.
TCV General Partner, Jake Reynolds, and Principal Amol Helekar will join Trulioo’s Board of Directors.
Over the past year alone, Trulioo has expanded into new verticals, grown its leadership team and established a presence in Dublin, Austin and San Diego.
Steve Munford
“This new round of funding will enable us to accelerate our goal to become an end-to-end identity platform.
 
Our vision is to break down fragmented data silos caused by disparate identity networks, and we will work in partnership with TCV to expand our investments in product innovation, build out artificial intelligence/machine learning capabilities and accelerate our global go-to-market strategy.”
said Steve Munford, Trulioo President and CEO.
 
Featured image: Steve Munford, Trulioo President and CEO
The post Canadian ID Verification Firm Trulioo Raises US$394 Million, Valued at US$1.75 Billion appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/canadian-id-verification-firm-trulioo-raises-us394-million-valued-at-us175-billion</link><guid>1972</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Canadian ID Verification Firm Trulioo Raises US$394 Million, Valued at US$1.75 Billion</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Startup Competition Venture Announces Fintech Finalists and Winners for 2021</title><description><![CDATA[Switzerland&#8217;s startup competition &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; has announced its list of 52 finalists for its 2021 competition.
The competition has finalists from five different verticals namely Finance and Insurance, Health and Nutrition, ICT, Retail and Consumer Services as well as Industrials and Engineering.
For the Finance and Insurance vertical, &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; the 11 finalists and the 3 winners are:

Eleven Finalists for the Finance and Insurance Vertical
Aequitec AG
Managing corporate actions, e.g. capital increases, is manual, error-prone, time-consuming and costly.
Fast growing IPO candidates, listed companies and professional service companies purchase our software and expertise to automate corporate actions together with lawyers, notaries, auditors and bank representatives.
Aequitec reduces workload by up to 90 percent through automation and increases non-listed share visibility and liquidity. CHF 7.5k average annual recurring revenue per contract.
Aisot (Winner)
Ever increasing relevant data sources make it hard to be on top of what is happening on the market. At aisot, we offer next level data &amp; predictive analytics. By dynamically combining various real-time datasets – from markets and alternative sources – we can create directly actionable signals beyond sentiments. We are a B2B company selling licenses to trading and investment signals and apply revenue sharing models where appropiate.
Alquant AG
Alquant is a Swiss innovative quantitative asset management and financial research firm led by Millennials. The company operates in two segments, the asset management and the platform business. Within asset management, Alquant offers disruptive investment products, leveraging the latest technologies and alternative data to find untapped potentials. In the platform segment, Alquant provides the next generation actionable signals and helps portfolio managers to become data-driven investors.
Avoodoo
The global Index Industry makes yearly around USD 5 billion revenues and grows by 10%.
Asset management and pension funds ask for more specialized indices like ESG. Regulators demand full transparency. Index providers struggle with these market dynamics. They suffer from a slow time-to-market and high cost due to complex index management processes and quality issues due to data gaps and a fragmented tooling landscape. This leads to a huge loss of market opportunities and revenues.
CyQuant
Insurers use historical data to estimate insurance premiums. This is not possible with Cyber Risk. we developed an innovative platform to model companies cyber risk. Bringing the technology (ML) to where the risks are growing (cyber), which promises to bring savings for both company and insurer.
Fea Money Switzerland
Women are the most powerful consumers, driving 70 – 80 % of all purchasing worldwide, However, they are also the most financially unstable compared to men, due to:

Gender pay gaps
Gender pension gaps
Staying away from the job market
Spending habits

Fea Money offers services and products, such as budgeting and in-app community, tailored specifically for women and empowers them to take charge of their finances.
Fidectus
Fidectus revolutionizes post trading in OTC energy and commodity markets. Our clients benefit of a unified solution enabling them to digitize and fully automate their post trade processes. Fidectus SaaS platform seamlessly integrates into their IT landscape. Our services Confirmations, Settlements, Broker Fees and Financing provide multiple revenue streams, based on per transaction fee and fixed fee models. We become the cogwheel in their processes and continuously extend our value proposition.
Ignatica (Winner)
Ignatica is an Insurtech startup offering a cloud-based B2B Saas platform to Insurers and brokers which allows them to launch new products faster, cheaper and much more tailored to reach the individual needs of their clients.
Kaspar&amp;
700’000 Swiss mass affluent market customers have one and the same problem in today’s low-interest rate world: they know they should invest for tomorrow, but do not know how to start today. Therefore, Kaspar&amp; offers an all-in-one app including a Swiss bank account, a personalized payment card, an automatic transaction-based round-up mechanism that invests the resulting micro-payments and the chance to invest any amount in professionally managed investment strategies. All for a fair flat-fee.
Lyyna (Winner)
When customers buy something valuable, they need insurance. Large shops offer insurance on checkout. Small, specialised shops do not. They are too small to partner with insurers. Collectively, however, they account for ~50% of valuable items sales. Lyyna empowers banks to serve this large untapped market: Customers pay for large purchases digitally. A bank connects to Lyyna, which analyses the payment data. and enables the bank to offer their customer the insurance directly from her smartphone.
Ratyng
Evaluating the financial stability of SMEs is actually quite difficult. We provide the financial industry highly efficient &amp; accessible SME risk assessment, without the need for complex and time-consuming processes. Our models achieve the same quality and predictive power as gold standard banking models, while reducing the required inputs by over 90% and packing it all into an easy to use software suite easily available at attractive prices.
The post Swiss Startup Competition Venture Announces Fintech Finalists and Winners for 2021 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-startup-competition-venture-announces-fintech-finalists-and-winners-for-2021</link><guid>1971</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/venture-finance-2021-winner.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Startup Competition Venture Announces Fintech Finalists and Winners for 2021</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 10 Upcoming Fintech Webinars and Virtual Events in DACH to Attend</title><description><![CDATA[Despite the loosening of restrictions, webinars and,virtual events continue to be widely popular.
As fintech continues to shake up the traditional financial services industry and see rising adoption, we&#8217;ve compiled today a list of the top 10 webinars and, virtual and hybrid fintech events that are taking place within the next coming months in Germany, Austria and Switzerland (DACH).
Who is George anyway? The intelligent digital bank advisor from Austria
June 08, 2021, 10:00 – 10:50 (GMT +2)

In 2015, Austria’s Erste Bank started a revolution with George, a service-oriented online banking assistant across all digital channels. Now the time has come for the next level.
George is to be raised to the level of an intelligent real-time engine and to interact with the customer on a channel-agnostic basis across all subject areas. From investment advice to payment transactions.
The customer interaction should take place via natural language and thus make George a trustworthy financial assistant available 24/7, anywhere, and supporting a high range of services.
In this webinar, participants will learn how Erste Bank is gradually implementing the operationalization of this strategy with the help of SAS in order to develop George into an intelligent customer interaction platform.
Top Fintech DACH Trends 2021
June 10, 2021, 11:00 (GMT +2)

In this fintech webinar, experts from ti&amp;m, Tradeplus24, UBS and Comarch will discuss the DACH fintech landscape, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, startup financing, and emerging market trends.
Register here: https://bit.ly/3vwHKlq
BANCASSURANCE reloaded – LIVE
June 15, 2021, 14:00 – 15:00 (GMT +2)

There’s currently a revival of bancassurance. How can the linking of banking and insurance products be successfully raised to the next level with digital help? Where is Germany currently standing on this topic, and how should bancassurance be set up in the future?
In this webinar, experts from Bankingclub, Versicherungsforen Leipzig, Fonds Finanz and Consumer Bank will discuss the results of a large-scale study titled Perspectives of Bancassurance in Germany, highlight the key findings of the research, and share insights on where the sector is heading.
CfC St. Moritz Virtual Day
June 17, 2021

The CfC St. Moritz Virtual Day will bring together over 200 carefully selected international investors, family offices, funds and decision makers in the most private and unique setting in the heart of the Swiss Alps.
For three days, opinion leaders and high-ranking representatives from governmental and supranational bodies, the private sector, academia and decentralized organizations exchange their knowledge of digital assets, blockchain and traditional finance.
As a part of a well-structured program, industry leaders will have the opportunity to talk about trends, regulatory changes and new business developments.
More Information here: CfC St. Moritz
Vision Bank – Vision Swiss Financial Center
September 02, 2021, 13:30 – 19:00 (GMT +2)
Hybrid, SIX ConventionPoint, Zurich, Switzerland

Regional, national and international banks are faced with the question of how to deal with such a crisis, what they can do for their customers and how they can support the economy.
The 16th edition of Vision Bank – Vision Swiss Financial Center, planned as a hybrid event, will be all about cooperation. The first half of the conference program will be primarily focused on the Swiss market, and will feature key insight from local government agencies, as well as business and banking leaders.
Speakers will include Swiss politician Ueli Maurer; Christoph Mäder, president of Economiesuisse; and Herbert Scheidt, president of the Swiss Bankers Association.
In the second half of the conference, the perspective will be broadened and internationalized. Top industry representatives will share their views and insights through keynotes, panel discussions and interviews.
Blockchain Financial Services 2021
October 19, 2021, 8:15 – 18:30 (GMT +2)
Hybrid, Gottlieb Duttweiler Institut, Rüschlikon, Switzerland

Startups, established companies, states and central banks are testing and developing new applications with the blockchain.
At the hybrid Blockchain Financial Services 2021 event, participants will get to hear from experts representing companies, organizations and governmental bodies such as Switzerland’s State Secretariats for International Financial Matters, the Canton of Zug, the University of Basel, SEBA Bank, Sygnum Bank, Oesterreichische Nationalbank OeNB, and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, who will discuss the latest fintech developments, regulations, crypto markets, central bank digital currencies, and more.
The Magic of Innovation – Insurance Innovation Day
October 20 – 21, 2021
Hybrid, Palace Eschenbach, Vienna, Austria

The Magic of Innovation, a leading international conference and hotspot for the insurance industry, is returning this year, featuring more than 40 expert speakers.
Information about this year’s event is still limited but previous editions have featured experts representing the likes of Linkedin, Munich Re, Facebook, Google Cloud, Swisslife and Generali.
Crypto Valley Conference 2021
October 28 – 29, 2021
Hybrid, Rotkreuz, Switzerland

Due to the current global pandemic of COVID-19, this year’s Crypto Valley Conference will take place in a hybrid format.
The 4th edition of the Crypto Valley Conference, organized by the Crypto Valley Association in partnership with the Lucerne University, is coming up with two days of in-depth discussions on the current state and future of blockchain technology. The event will feature more than 40 presentations from global industry leaders covering topics on technology, economy and finance, and legal and regulation.
Key themes will include smart contracts, identity management, scalability and consensus, crypto assets, the Internet-of-Things (IoT), interoperability, central banks and cryptocurrencies, exchanges and infrastructure, and more.
Fintech Forum 2021
November 18, 2021, 12:30 – 18:00 (GMT +2)
Hybrid, Airport Club for International Executives, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Since 2013, Fintech Forum’s 21+ events have explored the future of financial services in Europe and delved into fintech trends, bringing together 350+ startups and 1,800+ investors and financial institutions.
This year’s event, planned to be held as a hybrid event, will feature award-winning insights, startup pitches, and offer connections into the European fintech startup and investment landscape.
Blockchance 2021
December 02 – 04, 2021
Hybrid, Hamburg City Hall, Germany

Blockchance, Germany’s leading business-to-business (B2B) and trade fair on blockchain technology, will take place this year as a hybrid event from December 02 to 04.
This year’s event will introduce the topics of digital assets, AI, green technology and sustainability, and will focus on connecting thought leaders and innovators. 1,500 participants, 200 investors, 120 international speakers and 50 exhibitors are expected to attend.
Highlights of this year’s conference will include a EUR 100,000 startup award, a one-day AI Summit, an interactive networking area, as well as a unique supporting program with VIP Breakfast, Gala Dinner, Cinema Night and the legendary After Glow Party.
Speakers will include experts representing organizations include the United Nations, European Commission, and the German Federal Government, Bitkom, Bitmain, BMW, Börse Stuttgart, ConsenSys, Deutsche Bahn, ECB, HHLA, HPA, IBM, IOTA, Mercedes, Tesla and Volkswagen.
The post Top 10 Upcoming Fintech Webinars and Virtual Events in DACH to Attend appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-10-upcoming-fintech-webinars-and-virtual-events-in-dach-to-attend</link><guid>1969</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Who-is-George-anyway-The-intelligent-digital-bank-advisor-from-Austria.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 10 Upcoming Fintech Webinars and Virtual Events in DACH to Attend</dc:text></item><item><title>PayAlly Taps Banking Circle to Enhance Its B2B Cross Border Payments Services</title><description><![CDATA[PayAlly, a London-based fully integrated payments ecosystem for SMEs, has selected global financial infrastructure provider Banking Circle&#8216;s solutions to improve its multi-currency B2B cross border payments services.
In particular, the new partnership gives PayAlly access to a wider choice of payment rails through the Banking Circle super-correspondent banking network, thereby improving the speed and cost of international payments for its e-commerce customers.
With the aim of halving the cost of acquiring and payments for e-commerce SMEs, PayAlly delivers accounts, payments, prepaid cards, Foreign Exchange (FX) and factoring, alongside value-added solutions including supply chain Customer Management System, accounting and E-invoicing.
PayAlly serves over 1,000 corporate clients around the world and is now using Banking Circle to manage the cross border payments and FX requirements of these clients.
Banking Circle enables local B2B payments and collections across borders and eliminates the need for a physical presence or a relationship with a correspondent bank in that region.
PayAlly can issue accounts to business customers, in multiple jurisdictions, giving them access to a reliable and fully flexible cross border payment system previously only accessible through larger banking institutions.
Rafal Andzejevski
Rafal Andzejevski, PayAlly Co-Founder &amp; CEO explained:
“Working with Banking Circle, which offers us additional routes for international payments, we are able to improve our ability to execute B2B cross border payments in various currencies more quickly, efficiently and smoothly than we were previously able to do.
 
As a result our clients can send and receive funds much faster and with less hassle and that is good news for their cashflow and profitability.”
Anders la Cour, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Banking Circle added,

Anders la Cour
“With its mission to provide customer-centric solutions that break down barriers to international payments and increase SME financial inclusion, PayAlly’s ethos is very closely aligned to ours.
 
Working together, we can help PayAlly’s e-commerce clients expand internationally without the high cost and slow transfer fees that could otherwise hold them back.”
 
The post PayAlly Taps Banking Circle to Enhance Its B2B Cross Border Payments Services appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/payally-taps-banking-circle-to-enhance-its-b2b-cross-border-payments-services</link><guid>1968</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>PayAlly Taps Banking Circle to Enhance Its B2B Cross Border Payments Services</dc:text></item><item><title>BNPL Player Klarna Launches in-App Shopping Feature for UK’s Users</title><description><![CDATA[Swedish Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) firm Klarna has launched its shopping app where UK&#8217;s users can pay in three monthly installments at any online retailer, regardless of whether they’re partnered with the firm or not, directly through the its app.
The feature is already live in other markets including the US, Australia and Sweden where the app is used by 6.5 million people on average each month and the pay later interest-free feature has been used over 12.8 million times to make a purchase through the app.
It will also integrate monthly budgets and personal spending limit functionalities for users to set and remain in control of their spending.
Additional features include personalised wish lists and curated content based on consumers’ interests and their favourite stores, price drop notifications, thousands of deals updated daily, and lists of retailers for users to decide where to buy their favourite product, at the best price.
Sebastian Siemiatkowski, CEO of Klarna said,
“Shoppers now can interact with their favourite retailers without having to leave the Klarna app, to create a smooth, safe and frictionless shopping experience.
 
Our one stop shop app is the future of shopping, it creates a truly personalised and bespoke service for every user and liberates consumers from ever paying more than the price of the product.”
 
The post BNPL Player Klarna Launches in-App Shopping Feature for UK&#8217;s Users appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bnpl-player-klarna-launches-in-app-shopping-feature-for-uks-users</link><guid>1966</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>BNPL Player Klarna Launches in-App Shopping Feature for UK’s Users</dc:text></item><item><title>Red Bull Racing Honda Selects Tezos as Its Official Blockchain Partner</title><description><![CDATA[Red Bull Racing Honda has confirmed a new multi-year technical partnership with Tezos, a Luxembourg- based decentralised, open-source blockchain network, as the team’s official blockchain partner.
As part of this initiative, Red Bull Racing Honda will launch the team’s first ever range of digital collectible NFTs exclusively on the Tezos blockchain.
With Grand Prix fans still impacted by the global pandemic, the team is constantly looking to provide new, unique and immersive experiences as part of its fan engagement platform.
The energy efficient blockchain Tezos has been selected by the team to build its first ever NFT fan experience.
By design, Tezos uses a more energy efficient approach to secure its network which means it can operate cleanly, with minimal energy consumption and a negligible carbon footprint.
The core technical features of performance and energy efficient design, which are critical elements for the team both on and off track, proved key in Red Bull Racing Honda’s selection of Tezos.
Hubertus Thonhauser
Hubertus Thonhauser, Chair at Tezos Foundation said,
“We are excited that Red Bull Racing Honda has selected Tezos as the exclusive platform for this partnership and we are looking forward to welcoming them into the fast growing ecosystem of brands building NFT platforms on Tezos.
 
The Tezos blockchain is designed to evolve and adapt, doing so with security and performance in mind and in the most efficient ways possible. These principles are perfectly mirrored in the Red Bull Racing Honda team, and this is why we believe this to be a winning partnership.”
The post Red Bull Racing Honda Selects Tezos as Its Official Blockchain Partner appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/red-bull-racing-honda-selects-tezos-as-its-official-blockchain-partner</link><guid>1965</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Red Bull Racing Honda Selects Tezos as Its Official Blockchain Partner</dc:text></item><item><title>Capchase Secures $125 Million Funding to Launch Financing for Tech Companies</title><description><![CDATA[Capchase, a New York-based a platform for recurring-revenue companies to secure non-dilutive capital, has announced a US$125 million Series A investment, led by QED Investors.
Additional investors in the round include early backers Bling Capital, ScifiVC and Caffeinated Capital, along with several operator angels.
The new funding, which will be a mix of debt and equity, comes on the back of unprecedented growth since the firm launched just eight months ago.
As part of its growth plans, the company has announced it will also be expanding its operations in the UK and Spain.
Capchase was founded in 2020 and helps companies unlock cash that is otherwise tied up in future predictable revenue payments.
By advancing future revenues, companies can invest more into growth without depleting their cash reserves.
The new financing offered by Capchase enables tech companies to draw the right amount of funds at the right time, which is a more efficient and affordable way to fund a recurring revenue business.
Capchase also offers a proprietary programmatic funding model that is based on analytics and disperses just the financing required for growth on a monthly or weekly basis – as opposed to providing capital in one lump sum, which leads to cash sitting in a bank without generating returns.
Miguel Fernandez
&#8220;We built Capchase to help tech companies access the capital they need to grow faster, without selling their company bit by bit.
 
With our Series A funding, we will be able to continue improving our core products and complement them with the new features that our customers expect from us.&#8221;
noted Miguel Fernandez, co-founder and CEO of Capchase.
 
 
Featured image: Capchase Team
The post Capchase Secures $125 Million Funding to Launch Financing for Tech Companies appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/capchase-secures-125-million-funding-to-launch-financing-for-tech-companies</link><guid>1962</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Capchase Secures $125 Million Funding to Launch Financing for Tech Companies</dc:text></item><item><title>Winners of Efma-Accenture Innovation in Insurance Awards 2021 Announced</title><description><![CDATA[Efma, an association of more than 2,550 retail financial services companies in 133 countries, and Accenture announced the winners of the sixth annual Innovation in Insurance Awards.
The awards competition, which recognizes the best insurance technology innovations, attracted 460 entries from nearly 300 institutions in 55 countries.
This year’s entries reflect the intense drive among insurers to innovate to address new risks and meet changing customer needs amid continued COVID-19-related disruption.
The winners were selected across seven categories by a panel of 25 judges, including senior executives from insurers worldwide.
Each entry was assessed using three criteria: originality; strategic capacity to generate long-term competitive edge and return on investment; and adaptability for use in other markets and countries.
The winners of the Efma-Accenture Innovation in Insurance Awards 2021 are:

AXA XL (USA) — received the Connected Insurance &amp; Ecosystems 2021 award for the AXA XL Construction Ecosystem, a digital network of innovative products and services focused on advancing technology adoption among construction customers to help them reduce business risk, solve customer issues and improve business results.

Discovery (South Africa) — won the Core Insurance Transformation 2021 award for AI Quote. Using AI Quote, brokers and clients can upload a PDF or pictures of competitor insurance and investment documents via phone or desktop and receive an equivalent Discovery quote in seconds.
Generali Welion (Italy) — received the Customer Experience 2021 award for its WelionAPP. With COVID-19 putting a strain on the healthcare system in Italy, the WelionAPP helps its users more easily access health services for daily and specialized needs and book a consultation.

HITS, a Generali Group company (Switzerland) — won the Insurtech 2021 award for bAIby, an AI-based baby cry translator that recognizes a baby’s five basic needs, co-developed with Zoundream.
Baloise (Luxembourg) — was named the winner of the Product &amp; Service Innovation 2021 award for its Drive Electric insurance, which insures electric vehicles and also provides key value-add services to help customers make the switch to electric, including assistance to set up a charging station at home, and granting access to 180,000 recharging stations across Europe.

Assicurazioni Generali (Italy) — won the Workforce Transformation 2021 award for the We SHARE App, the first app the insurer has created at the group level to reach employees worldwide.
It provides updates on a share plan for group employees, offers a financial literacy program, and provides company news.
Assicurazioni Generali was also named Global Innovator 2021 for its innovation in introducing several products, including its Smart Automation Centre of Excellence, the Vehicle Ownership Lifecycle Digital Management, and its use of AI-augmented underwriting, which uses geospatial data.
John Berry
John Berry, CEO of Efma said,
“With the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 will no doubt stand out in history as being out-of-the-ordinary years. Insurance players have had to face many challenges, requiring them to adapt their offerings and distribution models.
 
I congratulate the winners and all those who made submissions, demonstrating their agility in finding customer-focused solutions in a fast-evolving world.”
 
Featured image credit: Efma
The post Winners of Efma-Accenture Innovation in Insurance Awards 2021 Announced appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/winners-of-efma-accenture-innovation-in-insurance-awards-2021-announced</link><guid>1963</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/AXA-XL-USA-logo-300x82.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Winners of Efma-Accenture Innovation in Insurance Awards 2021 Announced</dc:text></item><item><title>Generali Bags Four Awards at Efma and Accenture’s Insurance Competition</title><description><![CDATA[Efma, an association of more than 2,550 retail financial services companies in 133 countries, and Accenture announced the winners of the sixth annual Innovation in Insurance Awards.
The awards competition, which recognizes the best insurance technology innovations, attracted 460 entries from nearly 300 institutions in 55 countries.
This year’s entries reflect the intense drive among insurers to innovate to address new risks and meet changing customer needs amid continued COVID-19-related disruption.
The winners were selected across seven categories by a panel of 25 judges, including senior executives from insurers worldwide.
Each entry was assessed using three criteria: originality; strategic capacity to generate long-term competitive edge and return on investment; and adaptability for use in other markets and countries.
The winners of the Efma-Accenture Innovation in Insurance Awards 2021 are:

AXA XL (USA) — received the Connected Insurance &amp; Ecosystems 2021 award for the AXA XL Construction Ecosystem, a digital network of innovative products and services focused on advancing technology adoption among construction customers to help them reduce business risk, solve customer issues and improve business results.

Discovery (South Africa) — won the Core Insurance Transformation 2021 award for AI Quote. Using AI Quote, brokers and clients can upload a PDF or pictures of competitor insurance and investment documents via phone or desktop and receive an equivalent Discovery quote in seconds.
Generali Welion (Italy) — received the Customer Experience 2021 award for its WelionAPP. With COVID-19 putting a strain on the healthcare system in Italy, the WelionAPP helps its users more easily access health services for daily and specialized needs and book a consultation.

HITS, a Generali Group company (Switzerland) — won the Insurtech 2021 award for bAIby, an AI-based baby cry translator that recognizes a baby’s five basic needs, co-developed with Zoundream.
Baloise (Luxembourg) — was named the winner of the Product &amp; Service Innovation 2021 award for its Drive Electric insurance, which insures electric vehicles and also provides key value-add services to help customers make the switch to electric, including assistance to set up a charging station at home, and granting access to 180,000 recharging stations across Europe.

Assicurazioni Generali (Italy) — won the Workforce Transformation 2021 award for the We SHARE App, the first app the insurer has created at the group level to reach employees worldwide.
It provides updates on a share plan for group employees, offers a financial literacy program, and provides company news.
Assicurazioni Generali was also named Global Innovator 2021 for its innovation in introducing several products, including its Smart Automation Centre of Excellence, the Vehicle Ownership Lifecycle Digital Management, and its use of AI-augmented underwriting, which uses geospatial data.
John Berry
John Berry, CEO of Efma said,
“With the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 will no doubt stand out in history as being out-of-the-ordinary years. Insurance players have had to face many challenges, requiring them to adapt their offerings and distribution models.
 
I congratulate the winners and all those who made submissions, demonstrating their agility in finding customer-focused solutions in a fast-evolving world.”
 
Featured image credit: Efma
The post Generali Bags Four Awards at Efma and Accenture&#8217;s Insurance Competition appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/generali-bags-four-awards-at-efma-and-accentures-insurance-competition</link><guid>1967</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/AXA-XL-USA-logo-300x82.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Generali Bags Four Awards at Efma and Accenture’s Insurance Competition</dc:text></item><item><title>Crypto Hedge Fund Industry Assets Surge to Record US$3.8B</title><description><![CDATA[Last year, cryptocurrency hedge fund assets nearly doubled to hit a new record as the industry delivered outstanding performance.
Amid a crypto market bull run, total assets under management (AuM) of crypto hedge funds surged from just over US$2 billion in 2019, to more than US$3.8 billion in 2020, according to PwC’s 3rd Annual Global Crypto Hedge Fund Report 2021.
The report, which shares the results of survey-based research conducted in Q1 2021 by Elwood Asset Management, combined with qualitative inputs from PwC’s crypto team, shows a median performance of 184% in 2020, vastly higher than 2019 at 17%.
Total AuM of crypto hedge funds globally, PwC&#8217;s 3rd Annual Global Crypto Hedge Fund Report 2021, May 2021
Cryptocurrencies have had a blockbuster year with total market capitalization surging 132% since the beginning of 2021. The market bull run, which began towards the end of 2020, drove the price of bitcoin to a new all-time high of over 64,800 USD/BTC in mid-April 2021.
That same month, total market capitalization surpassed the US$2 trillion mark for the first time with so-called altcoins, or cryptocurrencies other than bitcoin, driving most of the rise.
Looking at crypto hedge funds data, the effect of the 2020/2021 crypto bull market is clearly visible, the PwC report says, noting that the proportion of funds managing larger amounts of assets was considerably higher in 2020, compared to 2019.
In 2020, the percentage of crypto hedge funds with AuM over US$20 million increased from 35% in 2019 to 46%. At the other end of the spectrum, the number of funds with smaller AuMs decreased from more than 80% in 2019 to about 55% in 2020.
Crypto hedge fund AuM distribution, PwC&#8217;s 3rd Annual Global Crypto Hedge Fund Report 2021, May 2021
Similarly, the average AuM for this year’s surveyed funds increased from US$12.8 million in 2019 to US$42.8 million in 2020, while the median AuM rose from US$3.8 million to US$15.0 million.
Crypto trends and price predictions
The survey’s results indicate rapid adoption of decentralized finance (DeFi) by crypto hedge funds with 31% of surveyed companies utilizing decentralized exchanges (DEXs).
DEXs are a type of crypto exchange which allows for direct peer-to-peer (P2P) crypto transactions to take place online securely and without the need for an intermediary. Promised benefits include increased privacy, safety and transparency.
Uniswap was found to be the most widely used DEX (15.7%), followed by 1inch (7.9%) and SushiSwap (4.5%).
Top 5 most used decentralised exchanges by crypto hedge funds, PwC&#8217;s 3rd Annual Global Crypto Hedge Fund Report 2021, May 2021
Crypto hedge funds were also asked about their predictions for the price of bitcoin and the overall crypto market for the end of 2021.
Results show that fund managers are broadly bullish, with the majority (65%) forecasting that the price of bitcoin will be in the US$50,000 to US$100,000 range. Another 21% predict that the price of bitcoin will stand anywhere between US$100,000 and US$150,000 on December 31, 2021.
Distribution of bitcoin price predictions for the end of 2021, PwC&#8217;s 3rd Annual Global Crypto Hedge Fund Report 2021, May 2021
With regards to total market capitalization, over 76% of funds are confident that it will finish the year above current levels with the median predicted level at US$3 trillion. Over 60% believe that total market capitalization will be in the US$2 trillion to US$5 trillion range.
Distribution of cryptocurrency market cap predictions for end of 2021, PwC&#8217;s 3rd Annual Global Crypto Hedge Fund Report 2021, May 2021
Crypto hedge fund industry
PwC estimates that there are currently between 150 and 200 active crypto hedge funds. Four in five active crypto hedge funds were launched between 2017 and 2020 (81%), showcasing the correlation with the price of bitcoin and the broader crypto market.
Launch of new crypto hedge funds appears correlated to the price of Bitcoin, PwC&#8217;s 3rd Annual Global Crypto Hedge Fund Report 2021, May 2021
High-net worth individuals (HNWIs) were found to be the most common investor type in crypto hedge funds, with more than half of funds mentioning them as the most common investor type. Family offices come second (30%) and funds of funds, a distant third (4%).
Most common investors in crypto hedge funds, PwC&#8217;s 3rd Annual Global Crypto Hedge Fund Report 2021, May 2021
The research found that although there are many smaller funds, assets are highly concentrated among the largest hedge funds, with the top-10 largest ones controlling over 60% of total AuM.
Hedge funds increasingly investing in digital assets
The research also found that traditional hedge funds are increasingly investing in digital assets. Out of these surveyed, 21% are investing in digital assets with an average percentage of total AuM allocated standing at 3%.
86% of those investing in digital assets intend to deploy more capital into the emerging asset class by the end of 2021. The remainder (14%) plan to maintain the same level of capital.
When asked about the main motivations for including digital assets in their portfolio, hedge fund managers cited “general diversification” as the top reason (57%), followed by “exposure to a new value-creation ecosystem” (29%), and “inflation hedge” (14.3%).
Breakdown of participants: Are you currently investing in digital assets?, PwC&#8217;s 3rd Annual Global Crypto Hedge Fund Report 2021, May 2021
Out of the 80% of hedge funds not investing in digital assets, the majority cited regulatory uncertainty (81.8%) as the main obstacle, followed by client reaction/reputational risk (77.4%), and lack of infrastructure/service provider availability (71.4%).
Nevertheless, 9% are in late-stage planning to invest in digital assets, and 17% are looking to invest.
What are the main obstacles to investing, PwC&#8217;s 3rd Annual Global Crypto Hedge Fund Report 2021, May 2021
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crypto-hedge-fund-industry-assets-surge-to-record-us38b</link><guid>1964</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Total-AuM-of-crypto-hedge-funds-globally-PwCs-3rd-Annual-Global-Crypto-Hedge-Fund-Report-2021-May-2021.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Crypto Hedge Fund Industry Assets Surge to Record US$3.8B</dc:text></item><item><title>Wealthtech Startup Yieldstreet Lands US$100 Million in Series C Fundraise</title><description><![CDATA[Yieldstreet, a New York-based digital investing platform, announced that it has raised US$100 million during a Series C funding round.
Tarsadia Investments, led the round, joined by Kingfisher Investment, Top Tier Capital Partners and Gaingels.
Existing investors, Edison Partners, Soros Fund Management, Greenspring Associates, Raine Ventures, Greycroft and Expansion Venture Capital also participated.
The firm said that it will channel the new funding to expand its user base, develop new investment products, explore international expansion, and pursue strategic acquisitions.
Yieldstreet was founded by Milind Mehere and Michael Weisz to digitally transform and democratise access to alternative investments, historically the near-total domain of the ultrawealthy and institutional investors.
With the diversification opportunity offered by the Yieldstreet platform, retail investors can now modernise their digital portfolios across multiple asset classes and strategies.
Milind Mehere
“We’re on the brink of the greatest wealth transfer in history as Baby Boomers pass the torch to new generations. The consumer has changed, yet the tools and infrastructure in wealth management haven’t kept pace.
 
It’s a new world—a mobile-first digital one—so we’ve created a platform to eliminate the built-in friction points to better connect with consumers wherever they are, help educate and provide access to investments to fuel their life goals.”
said Milind Mehere, CEO and Founder of Yieldstreet.
 
Featured image: (L-R) Milind Mehere, CEO and Founder of Yieldstreet and Michael Weisz, President, Chief Investment Officer, and Founder of Yieldstreet
The post Wealthtech Startup Yieldstreet Lands US$100 Million in Series C Fundraise appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/wealthtech-startup-yieldstreet-lands-us100-million-in-series-c-fundraise</link><guid>1959</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Wealthtech Startup Yieldstreet Lands US$100 Million in Series C Fundraise</dc:text></item><item><title>NatWest, Deutsche Bank and Others Trial Blockchain-Based Intraday FX Swaps</title><description><![CDATA[Eleven banking groups including NatWest Group, Deutsche Bank, Bank of Ireland and Banca Mediolanum have trialed a solution for intraday FX swaps.
The banks plan to support the initiative further with live transactions expected in 2021 or early 2022.
This is a diverse group of large and midsize players from Europe and North America, including clearing banks for five different home currencies; Canadian dollar, Euro, Pound sterling, Swiss franc and US dollar.
With a combined balance sheets of $14.5 trillion among the participating banks, this is said to be among the largest groups of banks ever to trial new market infrastructure.
Using intraday FX swaps, bank treasury teams can borrow for hours at a time, enabling them to efficiently meet a temporary liquidity need. This helps banks to optimise intraday liquidity buffers, which have been in focus since Basel III.
Banks can also use intraday FX swaps to lend excess funds, representing a new revenue stream. In a poll during the trial, the majority of banks estimated they could each save millions of dollars in costs every year.
The banks’ initiative to create an intraday FX swaps market is enabled by a platform built by Finteum, a London fintech company.
Finteum has been improving its intraday FX swaps platform since the solution was first announced with R3 and Fnality in September 2019, recently adding Request for Quote (RFQ) functionality.
The Finteum initiative will integrate with the best possible settlement solutions, which could include non-DLT technology such as CLSNow, and also DLT-based technology such as the Fnality Payment System.
During the trial, the banks engaged in simulated trading and discussion sessions, focused on the capabilities and features of the software, and its potential benefits.
Over the course of one of the hour-long simulated trading sessions, the banks executed 76 intraday FX swap transactions, based on 66 orders in a central limit order book and 69 bilateral RFQs.
Brian Nolan
Brian Nolan, Finteum Co-Founder said,
“We are excited for the next phase of development. The engagement and feedback from the banks during the trial was very encouraging. It reinforces the value the initiative can offer to banks across all geographies.
 
While every bank treasury team is focused on controlling costs, efficient optimisation of liquidity buffers is often overlooked by senior management. It is great to see the banks from the trial encouraging their peers to join the initiative and optimise the cost savings for all involved.”
The post NatWest, Deutsche Bank and Others Trial Blockchain-Based Intraday FX Swaps appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/natwest-deutsche-bank-and-others-trial-blockchain-based-intraday-fx-swaps</link><guid>1956</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>NatWest, Deutsche Bank and Others Trial Blockchain-Based Intraday FX Swaps</dc:text></item><item><title>10 Startups Selected For the FIS Fintech Accelerator Programme in 2021</title><description><![CDATA[Financial products and services provider FIS and The Venture Center have announced the ten companies selected to participate in the FIS Fintech Accelerator programme which will be conducted virtually.
In its sixth year, the FIS Fintech Accelerator programme is focused on identifying and fostering startup financial technology firms with promising, high-potential technologies that advance the way the world pays, banks and invests.
The 2021 programme received applications from fintech companies in the U.S. and 29 other countries with thirty percent of this year’s cohort features solutions created by women founders.
The 12-week accelerator program begins on June 7 and is preceded by a four-week programme to prepare company founders to work with FIS and its clients.
The 2021 programme will culminate with a Demo Day on August 26, where leaders from each of the participating firms will demonstrate their refined solutions to hundreds of leading financial institutions, potential investors and industry participants.
The ten selected fintech companies and their focus areas are:

Array (USA)– Credit monitoring

AtomicFI (USA)– Authentication / direct deposit

Bankifi (USA)– Banking-as-a-service

BankLabs (USA)– Lending

Informed.IQ (USA) – Automation

Long Game (USA)– Financial wellness

OakNorth (England)– Lending

Railz (Canada)– Banking-as-a-service

TaxStatus (USA)– Authentication / lending

Vymo (USA)– Customer relationship management

Wayne Miller
“FIS continues to lead the world of innovation through programs including the FIS Fintech Accelerator, in partnership with The Venture Center,”
said Wayne Miller, Executive Director, The Venture Center.
“This program has grown immensely in both scope and stature over the past six years, and we are proud to play a pivotal role ushering in a new era of technology alongside the most talented founders in the world.”
 
The post 10 Startups Selected For the FIS Fintech Accelerator Programme in 2021 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/10-startups-selected-for-the-fis-fintech-accelerator-programme-in-2021</link><guid>1957</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>10 Startups Selected For the FIS Fintech Accelerator Programme in 2021</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Challenger Bank Neon Receives CHF 7 Million in Funding</title><description><![CDATA[The Zurich-based challenger bank neon announced that it has received funding of 7 million CHF from its pre-existing investors.
Thsi includes TX Group, BackBone Ventures, QoQa Services SA, the Helvetia Venture Fund, the Schwyzer Kantonalbank’s innovation foundation, as well as private investors.
With 70,000 customers already on board, neon is launching equity crowdfunding with tokenised non-voting shares (participation certificates) in June so these users can have a hand in its future success.
neon is creating new, tokenised non-voting shares (participation certificates) for the future crowd investors, which will be held in a personal wallet.
The Swiss digital asset specialist Sygnum Bank is acting as the tokenisation partner.
Jörg Sandrock
&#8220;We’re delighted that our pre-existing investors are supporting our sustainable growth and future product innovations in this financing round, to ensure we can maintain our dynamism in Switzerland’s retail banking sector!&#8221;
said Jörg Sandrock, CEO and Co-Founder of neon.
Yves Collet
&#8220;We can sense just how committed our users are to neon, so we’ve reserved an additional 1.5 million CHF for direct investments, after the financing round,&#8221;
said Yves Collet, CFO at neon.
 
The post Swiss Challenger Bank Neon Receives CHF 7 Million in Funding appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-challenger-bank-neon-receives-chf-7-million-in-funding</link><guid>1958</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Challenger Bank Neon Receives CHF 7 Million in Funding</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Neobank Neon Bags CHF 7 Million, Offers Equity Crowdfunding to Customers</title><description><![CDATA[The Zurich-based challenger bank neon announced that it has received funding of 7 million CHF from its pre-existing investors.
Thsi includes TX Group, BackBone Ventures, QoQa Services SA, the Helvetia Venture Fund, the Schwyzer Kantonalbank’s innovation foundation, as well as private investors.
With 70,000 customers already on board, neon is launching equity crowdfunding with tokenised non-voting shares (participation certificates) in June so these users can have a hand in its future success.
neon is creating new, tokenised non-voting shares (participation certificates) for the future crowd investors, which will be held in a personal wallet.
The Swiss digital asset specialist Sygnum Bank is acting as the tokenisation partner.

Yves Collet
&#8220;We can sense just how committed our users are to neon, so we’ve reserved an additional 1.5 million CHF for direct investments, after the financing round,&#8221;
said Yves Collet, CFO at neon.
 
The post Swiss Neobank Neon Bags CHF 7 Million, Offers Equity Crowdfunding to Customers appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-neobank-neon-bags-chf-7-million-offers-equity-crowdfunding-to-customers</link><guid>1961</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Neobank Neon Bags CHF 7 Million, Offers Equity Crowdfunding to Customers</dc:text></item><item><title>adesso unterstützt die Mobiliar -Versicherung bei der Digitalisierungsstrategie</title><description><![CDATA[adesso ist ein Partner bei der grossen Digitalisierungsinitiative für die Schweizerische Mobiliar Versicherungsgesellschaft. Das achtköpfige adesso-Team ist Teil dieses Digitalisierungsprojektes und entwickelt einen Code für die Automatisierung der Vertragsfakturierung.
Die Mobiliar mit fast 6‘000 Mitarbeitenden ist die älteste private Versicherungsgesellschaft der Schweiz und umfasst das Versicherungs- und Vorsorgegeschäft von Kundinnen und Kunden in der Schweiz und Liechtenstein.
Mit einer Digitalisierungs-Initiative führt die Mobiliar ihre Digitalisierungsstrategie fort, modernisiert ihre gesamte Systemlandschaft und richtet diese mit Hilfe einer Microservices-Architektur für die Zukunft aus. Mit der Beschleunigung der End-to-End-Digitalisierung in den Versicherungsproduktbereichen „Nicht-Leben“ und „Leben“ werden die Produkte modernisiert, die Kernprozesse effizienter ausgestaltet und die digitalen Kontaktpunkte für Kundinnen und Kunden sowie Mitarbeitende auf ein benutzerfreundlicheres Niveau gehoben.
Alexandra Windisch
„Dieses Digitalisierungsprojekt hat eine Grössenordnung, die für uns neu ist. Unser Team hat die extrem spannende Aufgabe, die Fakturierung von Rechtsschutzversicherungen für Privatpersonen zu automatisieren. Wir haben einen Code entwickelt, der über jeden Rechtsschutzversicherungsvertrag läuft – vom Abschluss der Versicherung am Handy, über die Ausstellung der Police inklusive der Prämie und Laufzeit. Auf Basis dessen wird dann die Rechnung erstellt – im Hintergrund arbeitet ein SAP-System – und gedruckt. Gleichzeitig wird ein Dokument generiert, welches in Zukunft dem Kunden als PDF elektronisch übermittelt wird. Das Ziel ist, die Migration im laufenden Jahr abzuschliessen. Die dafür notwendigen Arbeiten werden in quartalsweise stattfindenden Meetings unter den am Projekt arbeitenden 500 IT-Expertinnen und Experten – derzeit remote – aufgeteilt, geplant und abgestimmt, um die gesamte Digitalisierungsinitiative im Auge zu behalten“,
gibt Alexandra Windisch von adesso Austria und Scrum Master bei der Mobiliar-Initiative einen Einblick in das Projekt.
Geballte IT-Engineer-Kraft
adesso Schweiz und adesso Austria erhielten im Rahmen eines Nearshoring-Auswahlverfahrens im Herbst 2018 den Zuschlag. Seitdem arbeitet das achtköpfige adesso-Team – ein Scrum Master und sechs Developer von adesso Austria sowie ein Quality Engineer von adesso Schweiz – mit zwei Mobiliar-Mitarbeitenden, einem Business Analyst und einem PO (Product Owner), eng zusammen.
Um dieses umfangreiche und zukunftweisende Projekt mit seinen anspruchsvollen Anforderungen optimiert umsetzen zu können, wurde als Vorgehensmodell SAFe gewählt, ein von der Scaled Agile Inc. erarbeitetes Framework für skalierte Agilität. Diese Methode bietet höchste Flexibilität, eine erhebliche Umsetzungsgeschwindigkeit und ist ein Garant für den Projekterfolg.
Hansjörg Süess
„Das ist das erste Projekt, bei dem adesso Austria und adesso Schweiz zusammenarbeiten. Besonders hervorzuheben ist hier die hohe agile Reife, die das Projekt-Team auszeichnet“,
so Hansjörg Süess, CEO und Delegierter des Verwaltungsrats der adesso Schweiz AG.
„adesso unterstützt die Mobiliar dabei, für ihre Kundinnen und Kunden sowie ihre Mitarbeitenden moderne, effiziente und benutzerfreundliche Touch-Points zu bauen – und darauf sind wir sehr stolz.“
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
The post adesso unterstützt die Mobiliar -Versicherung bei der Digitalisierungsstrategie appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/adesso-unterstutzt-die-mobiliar-versicherung-bei-der-digitalisierungsstrategie</link><guid>1955</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>adesso unterstützt die Mobiliar -Versicherung bei der Digitalisierungsstrategie</dc:text></item><item><title>Norilsk Nickel Owners Continue Tokenization of Physical Assets</title><description><![CDATA[Interros, Nornickel&#8217;s largest shareholder, has entered the consortium of investors for the Atomyze blockchain platform, Interros head Sergey Batekhin told reporters.
Earlier, Norilsk Nickel, the world&#8217;s largest producer of palladium and nickel, issued the first metal contract tokens to its main industrial partners Traxys SA and Umicore SA. Norilsk Nickel became one of the first companies in the industry and in the world to launch this mechanism.
Atomyze deals with the tokenization of physical assets, that is, the translation of them into digital form. One of the first Atomyze issuers was Norilsk Nickel, which last year issued tokens for its metals on this platform. Tokens are actively traded on the London and Frankfurt stock exchanges, and they are planned to be listed on other world platforms.
Sergey Batekhin
&#8220;Own platforms for tokenization are an element of a full-fledged infrastructure for the digital economy, which is important from the point of view of ensuring digital equality of Russia with the world&#8217;s largest economies,&#8221;
Batekhin said. The Atomyze platform exists in the American and Swiss jurisdictions, pending permission from the Central Bank of Russia. At the end of May, the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs asked the Central Bank to speed up the licensing of tokenization platforms in Russia.
Tokenization will allow industrial companies with ambitious environmental goals to create additional value for their ESG-compliant products. According to Mr. Batekhin, the creation of new value can become another incentive for the digitalization of industrial goods, in addition to the obvious simplification of procedures between market participants (for example, when planning supplies and distributing surpluses).
Digital assets that will be backed by ESG compliant products have an important difference from conventional financial instruments. Given the specifications of the blockchain technology, the origin of goods and services at all stages of their production up to disposal will be transparent.
“Smart contracts can contain important information for responsible manufacturers and consumers of products regarding the compliance of products with ESG standards,”
said Batekhin. Potentially, tokens for such products can become an investment tool and be in demand not only among traditional industrial clients, but also among other categories of investors focused on ESG.
Over the past two years, Norilsk Nickel has reduced its carbon footprint by more than 70,000 tons and plans to release the first batch of carbon-neutral nickel in the near future, Batekhin said. The green status of these products of the company will be provided not by offsets, but by a specific set of measures that made it possible to offset the carbon footprint for this batch.
In early June, the company&#8217;s Board of Directors approved a new environmental strategy to further reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency. At present, Norilsk Nickel is in the lower segment of the global indicators of the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions and is the leader in terms of the use of renewable energy sources: in 2020, the share of electricity obtained from renewable sources amounted to 46% for the group as a whole. According to Batekhin, the carbon neutral metal will be in demand by the world&#8217;s most demanding producers such as Tesla, Apple and others, especially in anticipation of the carbon tax, which the EU plans to introduce from 2023.
The post Norilsk Nickel Owners Continue Tokenization of Physical Assets appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/norilsk-nickel-owners-continue-tokenization-of-physical-assets</link><guid>1960</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Norilsk Nickel Owners Continue Tokenization of Physical Assets</dc:text></item><item><title>Nach nur drei Wochen: Yuh knackt die 10’000er Kundenmarke</title><description><![CDATA[Am 11. Mai 2021 ging die neue digitale Finanz-App Yuh im Apple und Google Play Store live. Heute wurde bereits die 10’000er Kundenmarke geknackt.
Die angekündigte Revolution kommt in der Schweiz sehr gut an, wie die eindrücklichen Zahlen nach nur drei Wochen belegen. So konnte per 3. Juni 2021 bereits der oder die 10&#8217;000 Kund:innen begrüsst werden.
Markus Schwab
Markus Schwab, CEO von Yuh, freut sich:
«Wir könnten nicht stolzer sein auf diese ersten Resultate, die unsere Erwartungen bei weitem übertreffen. Was uns jedoch richtig Freude bereitet ist, dass unser Angebot offensichtlich genau den Nerv der Zeit trifft und die Bedürfnisse unserer Kund:innen widerspiegelt. Somit auch ein grosses Kompliment an alle Kolleg:innen und Partner:innen, die diesen Erfolg überhaupt möglich gemacht haben, eine tolle Teamleistung. Das motiviert und verpflichtet uns zugleich, Yuh stetig zu optimieren, um unsere Kund:innen langfristig zu begeistern.»
Die ganze Finanzwelt in einer Hand
Der Grundgedanke von Yuh liegt darin, dass alle frei entscheiden können, wann, wo und wie sie ihr Geld managen wollen – und das so unkompliziert wie möglich. Das «3-in-1»-Angebot von Yuh beinhaltet Pay, Save und Invest, alles in einer App. Auch im Gebührenbereich geht Yuh neue Wege und führt das «low-to-no-fees»-Prinzip ein.
Das bedeutet keine Gebühren, wo immer möglich und tiefe Gebühren, falls welche anfallen müssen – dann werden diese aber transparent, einfach und verständlich kommuniziert. «Yuhsers» sollen Freude und Spass an ihren Finanzen haben, keine Überraschungen erleben und wenn, dann nur positive. Ein Versprechen, das offensichtlich grossen Anklang findet.
The post Nach nur drei Wochen: Yuh knackt die 10&#8217;000er Kundenmarke appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/nach-nur-drei-wochen-yuh-knackt-die-10000er-kundenmarke</link><guid>1953</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Nach nur drei Wochen: Yuh knackt die 10’000er Kundenmarke</dc:text></item><item><title>14 Startups Selected For F10 Incubation Program With First Dedicated Climate Fintech Track</title><description><![CDATA[During the program the startups will validate and further develop their ventures, receive world-class coaching and gain access to a vast network of mentors, experts and investors.
The first dedicated program track for Climate FinTech Startups comes at a time with exponential demand for innovative financial technology focused on the decarbonization of the global economy. Banks and Financial Service Institutions all over the world are announcing ambitious plans to support climate action by transitioning to a low carbon footprint economy. This first Climate FinTech track, supported by our strategic partnership with New Energy Nexus, F10 aims to accelerate innovation in this space.
The cohort includes 14 disruptive, pre-seed and seed startups from 9 countries, 7 from Switzerland, and covering topics as diverse as Climate Tech, Crypto Trading, Behavioral Science or SME Services.
James Sanders
“We have an incredible array of different business models, trends and strong founders, and we envision the collaboration and interactions between the teams to be something very special. We at the F10 are very much looking forward to the next 6 months to help each of these teams with their growth plans and aspirations”,
says Startup Coach James Sanders about the upcoming batch.
Meet the 14 startups of Incubation Batch VII:

Mympact
Mympact is the sustainable bank account that helps people live an eco-friendly live.

MANU Analytics
MANU Analytics tracks behavioral data while the person progresses through online application to identify unqualified customers before onboarding and help companies select only the best.

Strabo
Strabo is the easiest way to manage finances around the globe.

Warrify
Warrify makes every shopping experience as personal as in the shop next door.

Buyogo
Buyogo radically improves the service portfolio of B2B SMEs, by enabling multichannel commerce combined with embedded finance. They help SMEs thrive in the digital era.

IOC Group
From large enterprises to SMEs, easy to use and data driven fund operations reduce the time to market and increase cost efficiency.

Norsia
Norsia enables wealth management companies to fully and systematically integrate their clients&#8217; personal values into the investment process.

Sustainaccount
Sustainaccount enables banks, investors, and asset managers to finance the transition to a zero-carbon economy by sourcing auditable ESG data from non-listed companies and offering data-driven sustainable finance products.

StokenX
StokenX’s mission is to democratize the secondary trading of digital security tokens across geographies, partnering with regulated financial institutions to ensure 100% compliance with local regulations.

TrueLedger
TrueLedger’s vision is to connect buyers and vendors via smart contracting to increase commitment and optimize the collaboration for both.

Velotix
Velotix is empowering a streamlined data journey for intelligent insights.

CryptoIndexSeries
CryptoIndexSeries provides AI-driven, institutional-grade data, analytics and trading tools for Crypto Markets.

BloX.move
bloXmove is reinventing mobility — providing a seamless global mobility alliance: From taxis and city bikes to trains and spaceships.

Epic Impact
The ethical personal impact companion and loyalty rewards platform providing the foundations for living sustainably.

Due to great interest, the application period for F10’s next Acceleration Batch has been extended to June 4, 2021. We are looking for post-revenue Sustainable Finance and SME Services startups ready to scale and collaborate with the corporate partners in our Zurich Hub. Applications can be submitted directly here. More information about the program and its perks can be found on their website.
The post 14 Startups Selected For F10 Incubation Program With First Dedicated Climate Fintech Track appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/14-startups-selected-for-f10-incubation-program-with-first-dedicated-climate-fintech-track</link><guid>1954</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>14 Startups Selected For F10 Incubation Program With First Dedicated Climate Fintech Track</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Event Management Company MCH Group Acquires Zurich’s Digital Festival</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss event management company MCH Group is wholly acquiring Digital Festival AG in Zurich with its platforms Digital Festival, HackZurich and HackZurich Talents.
The operational team around managing director and co-founder Jonathan Isenring is being integrated in the MCH Group and will continue to be responsible for the platforms and their further development, thus ensuring continuity.
With the platforms of Digital Festival AG, the MCH Group is acquiring a Swiss event in the field of innovation, technology and digitalisation, as well as Europe’s most important hackathon and a unique platform for the career of young talents.
This constitutes a valuable enhancement of the MCH Group’s Swiss Events portfolio, and the group will benefit from the new team’s expertise and network in a number of different areas.
Despite the difficult circumstances, it proved possible to further boost the importance and profile of the Digital Festival and HackZurich in 2020.
After a hybrid hackathon was launched with HackZurich last year, the Digital Festival is also being staged in a hybrid format for the first time this year, extending the festival&#8217;s reach.
The 6th Digital Festival is being held from 23 to 26 September in the Schiffbau in Zurich.
Beat Zwahlen
“The three events constitute an excellent fit for our strategy of expanding our portfolio with new formats on hybrid and digital platforms.
 
Jonathan Isenring’s team, with its specific know-how, will also make a key contribution to the ongoing development of innovative event formats and future-orientated topics.”
said Beat Zwahlen, CEO of the MCH Group.
Jonathan Isenring
“The integration into the MCH Group enables a next phase of further development, internationalization and growth.
 
Following the successful establishment of our platforms, their integration in the MCH Group will permit the next phase of further development, internationalisation and growth.”
said Jonathan Isenring, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Digital Festival.
 
Featured image credit: MCH Group
The post Swiss Event Management Company MCH Group Acquires Zurich&#8217;s Digital Festival appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-event-management-company-mch-group-acquires-zurichs-digital-festival</link><guid>1952</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Event Management Company MCH Group Acquires Zurich’s Digital Festival</dc:text></item><item><title>St. Galler Kantonalbank Goes Live With CREALOGIX’s Hybrid Platform</title><description><![CDATA[St.Galler Kantonalbank (SGKB) selected Swiss digital banking software provider CREALOGIX to pursue new paths in the digitalisation of its infrastructure and the new platform went live in May 2021.
This enables it to integrate new digital applications quickly and easily, while the platform incorporates various modules relating to customer support and outreach, which support the bank’s transition.
The bank is thus better able to position itself effectively in a demanding market.
The hybrid platform from CREALOGIX combines the latest technology in digital banking with modules for customer support and outreach in the self-service channel.
This enables the bank to integrate new applications and provide them for the end customer straightforwardly via the API-based architecture.
At the same time, the hybrid platform permits the combination of existing architecture with new applications, which is not only cost-efficient but also offers added scaling potential.
The main modules of the new platform comprise general digital banking functions such as document management, push notifications, securities and payment transactions.
A major advantage of the CREALOGIX hybrid platform is its open architecture, which permits the bank to incorporate third-party applications itself quickly and easily and thus offer customers added value.
With a new security token concept, the existing internal third-party applications, such as HäschCash or Wiitblick, and external third-party applications can likewise be incorporated uniformly according to the latest security standards.
Falk Kohlmann
Falk Kohlmann, Head of Market Services and Member of the Executive Management at St.Galler Kantonalbank said
&#8220;With the solution from Crealogix, we have readied our digital banking for the coming challenges and are now able to further expand the experience for our customers quickly via the open architecture.&#8221;
Oliver Weber
Oliver Weber, CEO of CREALOGIX said,
&#8220;We are delighted that our solution was able to bridge the gap for SGKB between the existing infrastructure and the new applications of open banking, and that it can now be scaled quickly and easily.
 
The hybrid platform thus forms the optimal basis for the implementation of St.Galler Kantonalbank’s digitalisation strategy.&#8221;
The post St. Galler Kantonalbank Goes Live With CREALOGIX&#8217;s Hybrid Platform appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/st-galler-kantonalbank-goes-live-with-crealogixs-hybrid-platform</link><guid>1951</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>St. Galler Kantonalbank Goes Live With CREALOGIX’s Hybrid Platform</dc:text></item><item><title>FiCAS Appoints Chief Growth Officer, Christine Schmid Joins the Board of Bitcoin Capital</title><description><![CDATA[FiCAS, a Swiss-based crypto investment management boutique, has appointed Niklaus Neddermann to lead the design and implementation of new business initiatives and organic growth more broadly.
Niklaus Neddermann
Niklaus Neddermann began his career as a financial market analyst at the Swiss National Bank before becoming COO, CFO, and finally CEO of Julius Baer Wealth Management.
 
Dr. Mattia Rattaggi
Dr. Mattia Rattaggi, Chairman of FiCAS said,
&#8220;The appointment of Niklaus Neddermann fills a resource gap in our journey to become an institutional-grade cryptocurrencies investment company of choice &#8211; currently the only company offering a professional economic value proposition to investors across continental Europe seeking an exposure to the top 15 cryptocurrencies globally by market cap.&#8221;
Christine Schmid
Additionally, FiCAS also announced that Christine Schmid has joined the Board of Directors of its fully owned Bitcoin Capital, issuer of its actively managed ETP.
Christine Schmid brings over 20 years of financial and leadership experience to Bitcoin Capital.
Christine is a member of the executive board and head strategy of Additiv, a leader in the provision of wealth and credit digital solutions.
In the past, she headed the investment solutions department of Credit Suisse Switzerland and, prior to that, the Global Equity and Credit Research team of Credit Suisse.
 
Featured image: (L-R) Niklaus Neddermann, Chief Growth Officer, FiCAS and Christine Schmid, Board of Directors , Bitcoin Capital
The post FiCAS Appoints Chief Growth Officer, Christine Schmid Joins the Board of Bitcoin Capital appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ficas-appoints-chief-growth-officer-christine-schmid-joins-the-board-of-bitcoin-capital</link><guid>1950</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>FiCAS Appoints Chief Growth Officer, Christine Schmid Joins the Board of Bitcoin Capital</dc:text></item><item><title>FQX Secures $4.7M in Seed Funding Led By Earlybird Venture Capital and SIX Ventures</title><description><![CDATA[Zurich-based FQX secures $4.7M in seed funding to scale their revolutionary eNoteTM infrastructure. Earlybird led the round with participation of SIX Fintech Ventures, the non-strategic corporate venture arm of SIX, and the unicorn founder Carsten Thoma.
FQX is radically facilitating trade finance &amp; money markets by using eNotesTM, a disruptive short-term financing &amp; payment instrument. In essence, an eNoteTM is an unconditional promise to pay a specific sum to another party at a specific future date. The eNoteTM is based on Blockchain technology and can be flexibly sold and transferred to any third party (i.e. an investor). When compared to other financing options, eNotesTM as negotiable instruments outperform through their financial steering capabilities and global transferability.
eNotesTM are based on the globally proven, formerly paper-based “promissory notes”. The enforcement regime applicable to eNotesTM is recognized in over 165 countries. FQX is the first market-ready solution for eNotesTM built on a banking-grade Blockchain (Swiss Trust Chain) with a unique, patent-pending authentication mechanism (based on regulated and qualified electronic signatures provided by Swisscom). The eNoteTM infrastructure can be integrated into financing platforms of banks and Fintechs, allowing their customers to benefit from the entire eNoteTM lifecycle from issuance to settlement.
Just two years ago, eNotesTM were not on the agenda of most finance players. Since then, leading nations such as Singapore, the UK, the US, and the UAE (supported by UNCITRAL, ICC, BAFT and ITFA), have made a Blockchain-based solution for trade finance and money markets a top priority, enacting or initiating legislations that are supposed to govern electronic promissory notes. FQX, with its live and running
eNoteTM infrastructure, is the leading tech company at the epicentre of a pivotal and exponentially growing market.
Frank Wendt
Frank Wendt, FQX’s Chairman &amp; Co-Founder comments:
“As a team, we’re immensely proud to have built an eNoteTM technology infrastructure we envisaged two years ago that is now uniquely positioned to transform trade finance and money markets. This funding enables us to scale our transaction volume over the years to come.”
 
Featured image: FQX AF Team
The post FQX Secures $4.7M in Seed Funding Led By Earlybird Venture Capital and SIX Ventures appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fqx-secures-47m-in-seed-funding-led-by-earlybird-venture-capital-and-six-ventures</link><guid>1948</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>FQX Secures $4.7M in Seed Funding Led By Earlybird Venture Capital and SIX Ventures</dc:text></item><item><title>FQX Secures $4.7 Million Seed Funding to Scale Its Promissory Note Infrastructure</title><description><![CDATA[FQX, a Swiss-based fintech focused on electronic negotiable instruments, has secured US$4.7 million in seed funding to scale their eNoteTM infrastructure.
Earlybird led the round with participation of SIX Fintech Ventures, the non-strategic corporate venture arm of SIX, and the unicorn founder Carsten Thoma.
FQX facilitates trade finance and money markets by using eNotesTM, a disruptive short-term financing and payment instrument.
The eNoteTM is an unconditional promise to pay a specific sum to another party at a specific future date which is based on blockchain technology and can be flexibly sold and transferred to any third party.
When compared to other financing options, eNotesTM as negotiable instruments outperform through their financial steering capabilities and global transferability.
eNotesTM are based on the globally proven, formerly paper-based “promissory notes” and the enforcement regime applicable to eNotesTM is recognized in over 165 countries.
FQX is the first market-ready solution for eNotesTM built on a banking-grade blockchain (Swiss Trust Chain) with a unique, patent-pending authentication mechanism based on regulated and qualified electronic signatures provided by Swisscom.
The eNoteTM infrastructure can be integrated into financing platforms of banks and fintechs, allowing their customers to benefit from the entire eNoteTM lifecycle from issuance to settlement.
Frank Wendt
Frank Wendt, FQX’s Chairman and Co-Founder said,
“As a team, we’re immensely proud to have built an eNoteTM technology infrastructure we envisaged two years ago that is now uniquely positioned to transform trade finance and money markets.
 
This funding enables us to scale our transaction volume over the years to come.”
 
Featured image: FQX AF Team
The post FQX Secures $4.7 Million Seed Funding to Scale Its Promissory Note Infrastructure appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fqx-secures-47-million-seed-funding-to-scale-its-promissory-note-infrastructure</link><guid>1949</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>FQX Secures $4.7 Million Seed Funding to Scale Its Promissory Note Infrastructure</dc:text></item><item><title>Wefox Bags US$650 Million in Series C Fundraise, Secures Valuation of US$3 Billion</title><description><![CDATA[wefox, a Berlin-based digital insurance company, has raised US$650 million for its Series C funding round led by Target Global, resulting in a post-money valuation of US$3 billion.
The firm intends to invest the proceeds in strengthening its presence in existing markets and expanding globally within the next two years.
wefox, which was launched in 2015, is a fully licensed digital insurance company that sells insurance through intermediaries and not directly to customers, which has resulted in significant growth with a clear path to profitability.
The company has grown its revenues to more than US$140 million in the 2020 financial year and reported a profit for 2020 through its insurance carrier, wefox Insurance.
Julian Teicke
Julian Teicke, CEO and Founder of wefox said,
“This year we took several important steps, such as unifying the business under one wefox brand, expanding into Poland, and setting up a deep tech team in Paris.
Within the next few years, we will expand our global footprint, increase our presence in Europe, and move into both the US and Asian markets. wefox will become the leading personal insurance company within the decade.”
Fabian Wesemann
Fabian Wesemann, CFO and Founder of wefox said,
“This investment strengthens our growth strategy and moves us closer to realising our vision &#8211; to prevent 30% of risks from happening &#8211; in order to offer the most advanced service to our customers.
 
As part of this, we want to ensure that we are building the technology to automate our business processes to have a STP ratio consistently above 80%.”
 
Featured image: (L-R) Fabian Wesemann, CFO and Founder of wefox and Julian Teicke, CEO and Founder of wefox
The post Wefox Bags US$650 Million in Series C Fundraise, Secures Valuation of US$3 Billion appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/wefox-bags-us650-million-in-series-c-fundraise-secures-valuation-of-us3-billion</link><guid>1947</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Wefox Bags US$650 Million in Series C Fundraise, Secures Valuation of US$3 Billion</dc:text></item><item><title>London Fintech Curve Raises Nearly £10 Million in Largest Ever Equity Raise on Crowdcube</title><description><![CDATA[Curve, a London fintech that allows consumers to store their payment cards in a single location, has secured £10 million in an equity raise on Crowdcube from 11,795 investors.
This is reportedly the largest ever equity raise on Crowdcube, breaking multiple records during the campaign.
The campaign was designed to enable Curve customers and retail investors to follow in the footsteps of some of tech’s leading institutional investors.
The funds raised this week follow the £132 million that Curve has raised in cash and capital commitments to-date to support its rapid growth, including the capital secured in the super app’s recent Series C, led by IDC Ventures, Fuel Venture Capital and Vulcan Capital.
Curve will use the funds raised by crowdfunding and its recent Series C round to execute its growth strategy, focused on its international expansion and product innovation.
This strategy includes the rollout of its platform in the US, broadening its European reach, and the forthcoming launch of Curve Credit in the UK, and in Europe.
To deliver this, Curve plans to add at least 200 employees to its workforce over the course of 2021.
In the last year alone, it has hired over 100 new staff, doubled its customer base, and it has seen the volume of transactions it processes increase by over £1 billion to £2.6 billion, despite the backdrop of a global pandemic.
Shachar Bialick
Shachar Bialick, Founder and CEO of Curve said,
“So we launched this campaign to give the public a chance to join us as we embark on the next stage of our exciting journey, when we reveal Curve Credit to the world and launch in the US.
 
We’ve been blown away by the level of interest we’ve seen over the past three days, and I’m so excited to welcome nearly 12,000 investors on board.”
 
 
Featured image credit: Curve
The post London Fintech Curve Raises Nearly £10 Million in Largest Ever Equity Raise on Crowdcube appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/london-fintech-curve-raises-nearly-10-million-in-largest-ever-equity-raise-on-crowdcube</link><guid>1946</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>London Fintech Curve Raises Nearly £10 Million in Largest Ever Equity Raise on Crowdcube</dc:text></item><item><title>Boerse Stuttgart Digital Appoints Moneyfarm’s Senior Exec to Its Board of Directors</title><description><![CDATA[Boerse Stuttgart Digital Holding, Germany’s trading platform for digital assets and the parent company for the digital business of Boerse Stuttgart Group, announced the appointment of Dr Oliver Vins to its board of directors from 1 June 2021 onwards.
Oliver Vins
Dr Vins will also become Member of the Management Boards of Boerse Stuttgart Digital Ventures once approval has been obtained from the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) for blocknox, Boerse Stuttgart Group’s cryptocurrency custody service provider.
Dr Oliver Vins is moving from Moneyfarm, a European digital wealth manager, where he was Chief Product Officer and Member of the Executive Committee since 2018.
Prior to this, he founded the robo-advisor vaamo in 2013 and headed the company as co-CEO until the business combination with Moneyfarm. He was responsible for product and IT development at the fintech company.
On the Management Board of Boerse Stuttgart Digital Holding, Dr Oliver Vins will join Dr Ulli Spankowski and Dr Matthias Voelkel, who will also start with Boerse Stuttgart Group on 1 June.
Dr Michael Völter
Dr Michael Völter, CEO of Boerse Stuttgart Group commented,
“Our digital business activities are one of the strategic pillars of Boerse Stuttgart Group, along with the classical exchange business.
 
We are delighted that Dr Oliver Vins, who has many years of experience and extensive expertise in the fintech sector, will take an active role in shaping our digital business.”
 
Featured image credit: Oliver Vins, Boerse Stuttgart
 
The post Boerse Stuttgart Digital Appoints Moneyfarm&#8217;s Senior Exec to Its Board of Directors appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/boerse-stuttgart-digital-appoints-moneyfarms-senior-exec-to-its-board-of-directors</link><guid>1945</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Boerse Stuttgart Digital Appoints Moneyfarm’s Senior Exec to Its Board of Directors</dc:text></item><item><title>Crypto Firm Circle Raises US$440 Million, Considers US$4 Billion SPAC Deal</title><description><![CDATA[Circle, creator of the second largest stablecoin USDC, announced it has raised US$440 million in financing from leading institutional and strategic investors.
The financing included investments from leading private equity, institutional and strategic investors, including Fidelity Management and Research Company, Marshall Wace, Willett Advisors, Intersection Fintech Ventures, Atlas Merchant Capital, Digital Currency Group, FTX, Breyer Capital, Valor Capital Group, Pillar VC, as well as Michael J. Price and Friends.
The funds will be used to fuel the company&#8217;s continued growth, organisational development and market expansion opportunities.
On the heels of recruiting world-class leaders to Circle&#8217;s executive team, including Dante Disparte, as Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Global Policy, Jeremy Fox-Geen, as Chief Financial Officer, Mandeep Walia as Chief Compliance and Risk Officer, along with hundreds of open roles across the U.S. and around the world, Circle is now poised to meet significant global demand for its products and services aimed at marrying the existing financial system with breakthroughs in digital currency within payments and finance.
Underpinning this growth is Circle&#8216;s principal contribution in the rapid rise of USD Coin (USDC) which now stands at $22 billion in circulation. USDC has grown by 436% in 2021 alone, and over 28,000% over the past 12 months.
The funding was said to have come ahead of a potential special purpose acquisition vehicle (SPAC) deal according to a report by The Block which cited unnamed sources.
Circle&#8217;s target valuation for the SPAC is said to be US$4 billion.
Jeremy Allaire
&#8220;The sustained global demand for our services powering the growth of USDC, as the most trusted and well regulated dollar digital currency, signals that we are one step closer to achieving our mission.
 
With powerful backers who are committed to our mission and vision, we will redouble our efforts to expand into new markets, continue driving fundamental technology innovation and grow our team,&#8221;
said Jeremy Allaire, Circle Co-Founder and CEO.
 
Featured image credit: Jeremy Allaire, Circle Co-Founder and CEO
 
The post Crypto Firm Circle Raises US$440 Million, Considers US$4 Billion SPAC Deal appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crypto-firm-circle-raises-us440-million-considers-us4-billion-spac-deal</link><guid>1944</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Crypto Firm Circle Raises US$440 Million, Considers US$4 Billion SPAC Deal</dc:text></item><item><title>Dutch Payments Security Firm Fraudio Secures US$3.3 Million in Seed Funding</title><description><![CDATA[Fraudio, a Netherlands-based payments fraud prevention startup, announced that it has raised US$3.3 million during a seed funding round.
Investors in this round are the founders of FinTech companies Stone and SaltPay, VCs BiG Start Ventures and BYND Venture Capital, as well as the founders of Viva Wallet, ComplyAdvantage and VOLT, and experts from the payments and cybersecurity industries.
Fraudio&#8217;s funding came at a time when there is growing demand for fraud detection solutions as more merchants and consumers move online in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The team has spent 2 years building what it describes as a cloud native centralised AI and machine learning payment fraud detection solution that can be leveraged by any company in the payments ecosystem; payment-service-providers (PSPs), acquirers, issuers, processors, card schemes and even large merchants who run their own checkout or gateway.
The aim is to offer a modern replacement to the generation one rules based systems or generation two integration heavy fraud prediction models that are standard in the market today.
Fraudio&#8217;s current customers include Viva Wallet, Borgun, Novalnet, PagueloFacil and other undisclosed customers in Europe, North America, Latin America and Asia.
Nathan Trousdell
&#8220;More than 70% of fraud is caused by organised crime groups. These are sophisticated organisations with their own data scientists developing cutting edge AI solutions that are constantly evolving.
 
Their industry is booming, with some reports indicating payment fraud was up over 600% year-on-year during Covid-19. The old way of doing things is just not working anymore.&#8221;
said Nathan Trousdell, COO and Co-Founder of Fraudio.
 
Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash
The post Dutch Payments Security Firm Fraudio Secures US$3.3 Million in Seed Funding appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/dutch-payments-security-firm-fraudio-secures-us33-million-in-seed-funding</link><guid>1943</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Dutch Payments Security Firm Fraudio Secures US$3.3 Million in Seed Funding</dc:text></item><item><title>Baloise Launches a Mobility Accelerator for Early-Stage Startups</title><description><![CDATA[Baloise, a Swiss insurance holding company, has launched its own mobility accelerator with the aim of promoting innovative ideas by early-stage startups under the tagline Mobility@Baloise.
The initiative goes hand in hand with the launch of its information platform, which is designed to act as a new gateway to the Mobility@Baloise ecosystem for interested startups and young entrepreneurs.
As part of its Simply Safe strategic phase, Baloise has been making huge efforts since 2017 to boost its innovative strength, especially in the Home and Mobility ecosystems.
To this end, it uses a highly structured innovation process that provides routes to five possible cooperation models; incubation, acquisition, investment, cooperation and partnership.
Together with the strategic innovation consultancy Spark Works and its spin-off Sparkademy, Baloise is now issuing a call for participation in a 10-week Baloise Mobility Accelerator programme.
At the end of the programme, Baloise will evaluate the selected mobility ideas together with the relevant start-up teams and accordingly provide funding to further develop the minimal viable products (MVPs) they created.
Sparkademy offers a structured learning programme based on innovation principles that guide start-ups through problem-solving processes in a structured manner.
Startups that would like to participate in the programme have until the end of June to apply for the mobility accelerator.
Patrick Wirth
“Programmes like this one are geared towards concrete, tangible results and have the added benefit of fostering a culture of innovation.
 
Our aim with this call for participation in Mobility@Baloise is to attract start-ups from the European mobility start-up scene – especially those in the pre-seed or seed phase – to our Baloise ecosystem.”
said Patrick Wirth, Head of the Mobility ecosystem at Baloise.
 
Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash
The post Baloise Launches a Mobility Accelerator for Early-Stage Startups appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/baloise-launches-a-mobility-accelerator-for-early-stage-startups</link><guid>1941</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Baloise Launches a Mobility Accelerator for Early-Stage Startups</dc:text></item><item><title>Visa Expands Its Fintech Partner Connect Programme</title><description><![CDATA[Visa announced the expansion of its Visa Fintech Partner Connect programme which is designed to help financial institutions quickly connect with a vetted and curated set of technology providers.
By streamlining the discovery process, Fintech Partner Connect can help Visa’s issuing partners create digital-first experiences without the cost and complexity of building the back-end technology in-house.
Initially launched in Europe, Visa Fintech Partner Connect is now available to clients in the U.S and in markets across Asia Pacific, Central Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
With Visa Fintech Partner Connect, Visa clients can discover technology and service providers offering tools and solutions across the customer journey.
Visa clients can get in touch with programme partners through the Visa Partner website and receive benefits such as reduced implementation fees and pricing discounts.
Terry Angelos
“In today’s climate, building a competitive financial product requires more technology than ever before. Consumers want seamless interactions across mobile and web, and they want access to a greater suite of digital banking capabilities.
 
We’ve assembled a community of payment and banking technology platforms to streamline the discovery and procurement process for our clients—with the ultimate goal of accelerating adoption of digital-first innovations.”
said Terry Angelos, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Fintech at Visa.
Tina Giorgio
“Community banks will continue to evolve to best serve the needs of their customers and communities, and this means embracing the latest digital tools and technologies while also staying true to their relationship banking roots.
 
Programmes such as Visa Fintech Partner Connect that help expedite the process of sourcing and vetting financial technology providers can help smaller banks accelerate their digital roadmap, retain and expand their customer base while reducing costs.”
said ICBA Bancard President and CEO Tina Giorgio.
 
Featured image credit: VISA
The post Visa Expands Its Fintech Partner Connect Programme appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/visa-expands-its-fintech-partner-connect-programme</link><guid>1940</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Visa Expands Its Fintech Partner Connect Programme</dc:text></item><item><title>6 Startups to Know in Italy’s Booming Insurtech Sector</title><description><![CDATA[Italy, one of the main European insurance markets, has a rich insurtech sector that has witnessed exponential growth on the back of booming investment and increasing collaboration with incumbents to develop innovative products and services.
Industry trade group Italian Insurtech Association identified more than 60 insurtech companies that operated in Italy as of Q2’2021, including foreign companies like Vlot, an enterprise software-as-a-software (SaaS) insurtech company, and Kasko, an insurtech-as-a-service platform from the UK.
These insurtech companies operate across eight main segments with Awareness, Research and Purchase being the largest category. Companies in this space primarily work as insurance intermediaries and have built ties with one or more companies. They interface directly with end-customers and allow users to receive information and advice on insurance products, as well as compare and purchase these services.
Prevention, Risk Management and Fraud is another fast-growing segment, with companies offering risk analysis, prevention and mitigation solutions, serving insurers or customers directly. These companies typically have expertise in the field of data collection and analysis, and leverage technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML).
The Use and Servicing category, another large insurtech segment in Italy, comprises companies providing solutions in customer-facing areas of the value chain such as claims and assistance.
Map of the Italian Insurtech Ecosystem, Q2 2021, Source: the Italian Insurtech Association
In this booming sector, we look today at six fast-growing insurtech companies in Italy. These ventures have made significant strides over the past years, and should be followed very closely.
Neosurance

Founded in 2016, Neosurance is a licensed broker in the European Union (EU) providing insurance companies with an AI-based omnichannel distribution platform, allowing insurers to deliver scenario-based tailored policies.
Neosurance’s core solution is designed to suggest the right policy at the right time, allowing partnered insurers to offer the right coverage when the customer actually needs it. The offer is made through a personalized push notification to customers’ mobile devices with the proposed microinsurance coverage for a specific event.
Neosurance was awarded the Insurance &amp; Previdenza 2017 Elite prize in the Best insurance Startup category by major Italian newspaper Milano Finanza. In 2017, it partnered with AXA Italy to offer travel insurance products exclusively to users of Tiassisto24, an auto concierge community app.
Neosurance raised EUR 1.1 million in funding in April 2020 at a pre-money valuation of EUR 10 billion.
Yolo

Yolo provides a platform for on-demand and pay-per-use insurance products, focusing on health and travel, as well as bikes, pets, appliances, and bad weather insurance products.
Yolo enables customers to access and sign up to products of the main insurance groups operating in Italy and internationally, in real-time. The offer is based on actual customer needs and profiles, and is adapted to fit their habits, as well as their personal and professional lives, and leverages technologies including the Internet-of-Things (IoTs), AI and chatbots.
Yolo recently won the Best Insurtech title at this year’s Italy Insurance Awards. The startup has raised about EUR 10 million in funding so far, according to BeBeez.
MioAssicuratore

MioAssicuratore is an online insurance dedicated broker in Italy, helping customers find, compare, buy and manage their policies. Through the platform, users can choose policies, compare different estimates obtained automatically or through the advice of an expert, purchase them from the comfort of their home, and have all their policies access through their dashboard.
The platform uses proprietary algorithms to analyze a customer’s risk profile and insurance needs, and then suggesting the user with the most relevant coverages that suit their needs and requirements most.
MioAssicuratore is partnered with most major insurance firms in Italy. As of May 2020, MioAssicuratore boasted over 425,000 registered users and had distributed 554 insurance products from 32 different companies.
The company has raised EUR 1.8 million in funding so far, according to data from Crunchbase.
Insoore

Insoore is an on-demand, real-time damage assessment platform helping insurance and fleet management companies optimize the claims management process through video-photographic inspections and damage estimations made by a community of thousands of experts.
The solution streamlines the claims process, eases information collection and reduces fraud by providing companies with access to a community of users available to make certified video-photographic documentation.
Insoore’s partners include Generali, ALD Automotive (owned by Société Générale), Helvetia, and Zurich. The startup has raised EUR 1.6 million in funding so far, according to data from Dealroom.
Healthy Virtuoso

Healthy Virtuoso incentivizes and rewards people to live a healthy lifestyle, helping corporates to improve the engagement and the health of their customers and employees.
Through Health Virtuoso, users can take part in competitions, and win daily rewards based on their healthy lifestyle. It works through a mobile app which uses data coming from Google Fit (Android) and Health (iOS). The aim of Virtuoso is to help people to become more aware of their health and to understand the importance of a correct lifestyle, improving it day after day.
Companies that are using Healthy Virtuoso include Intesa Sanpaolo, KPMG, Mediolanum Bank, Mediobanca, Zurich, Telepass, Milkman, Birra Peroni, Indivior, Reinsurance Group of America, Mansutti and Unifarm.
Healthy Virtuoso, a Startupbootcamp 2019 alum, has raised EUR 1.2 million in funding, according to data from Crunchbase.
Lokky

Digital insurance broker Lokky has developed a digital platform through which it offers insurance brokerage services focused on micro-enterprises, professionals and freelancers. It uses technologies to analyze customer requirements and understand their real insurance needs, automatically identifying the most suitable products to best manage business risks.
Lokky covers the insurance needs of more than 200 types of micro-enterprises, professionals and freelancers, with coverage for civil liability, professional liability, legal protection, accidents, fire, theft and other damages. Its proprietary algorithm has already been tested on more than 40,000 real customers.
Lokky has raised EUR 1.6 million in funding so far, according to a Nordic 9 report.
The post 6 Startups to Know in Italy’s Booming Insurtech Sector appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/6-startups-to-know-in-italys-booming-insurtech-sector</link><guid>1939</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Map-of-the-Italian-Insurtech-Ecosystem-Q2-2021-Source-the-Italian-Insurtech-Association.png</dc:content ><dc:text>6 Startups to Know in Italy’s Booming Insurtech Sector</dc:text></item><item><title>E-Commerce Fraud Prevention Firm Forter Secures US$300 Million Funding</title><description><![CDATA[Forter, a U.S.-based integrated fraud prevention platform for e-commerce, announced that it has raised US$300 million in Series F funding round.
The announcement comes six months after the company completed its US$125 million Series E round, almost tripling the valuation to $3 billion.
The funding round was led by Tiger Global Management, with participation from Third Point Ventures and Adage Capital Management.
Existing investors also participated including Bessemer Venture Partners, Sequoia Capital, March Capital, NewView Capital, Salesforce Ventures and Scale Venture Partners.
Forter will use the additional funding to continue expanding its global ecosystem of trust, enabling retailers, e-commerce platforms, issuing banks and payment providers to fight fraud together.
As part of the company&#8217;s continued expansion, Forter has more than tripled the number of employees within the APAC region and continues to grow its presence in Australia.
Over the last 12 months, Forter has doubled the size of its global network of merchants to exceed $250 billion in annual online transactions while protecting more than a billion shoppers globally and grown its revenue by more than 100%.
Michael Reitblat
“Forter’s platform brings together merchants, banks and payment providers to dramatically improve authorisation rates, eliminate false declines and allow consumers to shop with greater convenience and enjoy a more personalised, secure experience.
 
The funding will enable us to accelerate our growth trajectory by investing in talent, technology and continued global expansion.”
said Michael Reitblat, CEO and Co-Founder, Forter.
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
The post E-Commerce Fraud Prevention Firm Forter Secures US$300 Million Funding appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/e-commerce-fraud-prevention-firm-forter-secures-us300-million-funding</link><guid>1938</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>E-Commerce Fraud Prevention Firm Forter Secures US$300 Million Funding</dc:text></item><item><title>Payments Firm Paysend Secures US$125 Million in Series B Fundraise</title><description><![CDATA[Paysend, a London-based payments platform, announced that it has closed a Series B funding round of US$125 million.
The fundraise was led by One Peak, with participation from Infravia Growth Capital, Hermes GPE Innovation Fund, and existing long-term investors including Silicon Valley based Plug and Play.
Paysend said in a statement that the funding will help expand its international footprint and speed up product innovation, enabling it to further accelerate its growth trajectory.
The payments firm reported that it has reached over 3.7 million consumers, 17,000 SMEs and 110 receiving countries since its founding in April 2017.
Paysend’s platform owns the entire payment value chain, removing the need for third-party acquirers or processors which increase cost and complexity, delivering savings and efficiency back to end user consumers and SMEs.
Ronnie Millar
Ronnie Millar, CEO at Paysend, commented,
“This $125 million B Round investment will allow us to take our platform to the next stage, innovating and expanding geographically to target the $133tn opportunity in cross-border payment flows.
 
There remain significant barriers to entry for consumers and SMEs to pay and send money globally; our platform aims to democratise the service by providing a one-stop-shop to pay and send money to families, suppliers, employees and partners in any currency anywhere in the world at a significantly reduced cost.”
The post Payments Firm Paysend Secures US$125 Million in Series B Fundraise appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/payments-firm-paysend-secures-us125-million-in-series-b-fundraise</link><guid>1937</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Payments Firm Paysend Secures US$125 Million in Series B Fundraise</dc:text></item><item><title>RIDDLE&amp;CODE Granted Crypto License From Austrian Regulator</title><description><![CDATA[RIDDLE&amp;CODE Fintech Solutions, an Austrian blockchain interface solutions provider, has obtained a license as a &#8220;service provider for virtual/cryptographic tokens&#8221; from the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA).
The crypto firm is reportedly one of the first fintech companies in Austria to be registered with FMA.
RIDDLE&amp;CODE promotes the tokenisation of industrial services, where regulatory requirements are still in development and challenging to meet.
Following successful registration, RIDDLE&amp;CODE and its token management platform are now licensed to safeguard and issue payment and utility tokens.
Alexander Koppel
&#8220;With the FMA registration, RIDDLE&amp;CODE is one step closer to becoming the leading—and at the same time fully compliant—tokenisation provider in the industrial sector.
 
We have been a trusted partner of the industry for two years and are pleased to extend our activities to enable new business models and services through tokenisation,&#8221;
said Alexander Koppel, CEO of RIDDLE&amp;CODE.
Raphael Toman
&#8220;The official FMA approval is a strategic milestone for RIDDLE&amp;CODE.
 
We are pleased that we could make an important contribution to the company&#8217;s success, demonstrating, once again, our expertise in the fintech industry,&#8221;
said Raphael Toman, Associated Partner at BRANDL TALOS.
 
Featured image: Screengrab from RIDDLE&amp;CODE 
The post RIDDLE&#038;CODE Granted Crypto License From Austrian Regulator appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/riddlecode-granted-crypto-license-from-austrian-regulator</link><guid>1936</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>RIDDLE&amp;CODE Granted Crypto License From Austrian Regulator</dc:text></item><item><title>TONI Digital und Migros lancieren Onlineversicherung</title><description><![CDATA[Während das Zürcher Insurtech TONI den Versicherungsmarkt transparenter, digitaler und günstiger machen will, steht die Migros für faire, einfache und kostengünstige Produkte. Die neue Partnerschaft weitet dieses Produktversprechen nun auf den Versicherungsbereich aus und bietet damit den traditionell komplizierten und intransparenten Versicherungsangeboten die Stirn.
Der Start erfolgt mit zwei Onlineversicherungsprodukten für Hausrat und Privathaftpflicht mit attraktiven Zusatzoptionen unter anderem für Sportgeräte oder Unterhaltungs- und Kommunikationselektronik. Die Produktpalette wird danach bedarfsgerecht mit schlanken und kundenfreundlichen Angeboten erweitert.
Bernard El Hage
«Wir sind stolz unsere Mission von einfachen, transparenten und kostengünstigen Versicherungslösungen gemeinsam mit einem so namhaften Schweizer Unternehmen wie der Migros zu verfolgen»,
sagt Bernard El Hage, CEO von TONI.
«Durch die Kombination unserer modernen, digitalen Versicherungsplattform mit Migros’ vielfältigen Kundenbeziehungen können wir die neuen Versicherungsangebote vielen Menschen in der Schweiz zugänglich machen.»
Jürg Wild
Jürg Wild, Leiter Digitales der Migros Zürich, erklärt:
«Viele der heute auf dem Markt verfügbaren Versicherungsprodukte sind komplex, intransparent und schwer vergleichbar. Migros steht hingegen für einfache und faire Produkte mit einem hervorragenden Preis-Leistungs-Verhältnis. Dank unserem Versicherungspartner TONI und dessen flexibler Versicherungsplattform gelang es uns innerhalb kurzer Zeit unser Produktversprechen auf den Versicherungsbereich auszuweiten und das neue Angebot in die Migros-Welt zu integrieren. Mit den neu entwickelten Angeboten für Hausrat und Privathaftpflicht sind wir in der Lage unseren Kundinnen und Kunden schlanke, verständliche und preiswerte Versicherungen getreu den Migros-Werten anzubieten.»
Die Entwicklung der neuen Online-Versicherungen erfolgte in enger Zusammenarbeit mit Migros Genossenschaft Zürich und dem Risikoträger Vaudoise Versicherungen. Der konsequente Fokus auf die spezifischen Bedürfnisse der Migros und ihrer Kundschaft resultierte in massgeschneiderten Versicherungsprodukten mit klaren Vorteilen für die Endkunden: Neben einer einfachen, schnellen und intuitiven Online-Antragsstrecke, die den Kunden den Versicherungsabschluss jederzeit digital, einfach und innerhalb weniger Klicks ermöglicht, wird Transparenz und Flexibilität grossgeschrieben.
Die üblicherweise als unleserlich und komplex gestalteten Versicherungsbedingungen kommen äusserst kundenfreundlich, simpel und klar daher. Die Verträge sind alle auf Monatsfrist kündbar. Zudem profitieren Kunden nicht nur bei Bezahlung ihrer Versicherungsprämie vom Cumulus-Bonusprogramm, sondern können zusätzliche Cumuluspunkte sammeln, etwa in schadenfreien Jahren. Die neuen Angebote können online unter migros-versicherungen.ch erworben werden.
Die jüngste Zusammenarbeit mit Migros unterstreicht das Potenzial des Geschäftsmodells von TONI, welches sich auf die Entwicklung von massgeschneiderten, White-label-Versicherungslösungen für starke Marken konzentriert.
 
The post TONI Digital und Migros lancieren Onlineversicherung appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/toni-digital-und-migros-lancieren-onlineversicherung</link><guid>1934</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>TONI Digital und Migros lancieren Onlineversicherung</dc:text></item><item><title>German Neobroker Trade Republic Announces US$900 Million Fundraise Led by Sequoia</title><description><![CDATA[German neobroker Trade Republic announced that it has raised US$900 million in a Series C funding round which pushed its valuation to over US$5 billion at present.
The fundraise was led by Sequoia with participation from new investors TCV and Thrive Capital as well as existing investors Accel, Founders Fund, Creandum and Project A.
This marks one of Sequoia&#8217;s largest initial investments ever in Europe. The round is completed by TCV, who has invested into iconic consumer brands like Netflix, Spotify and Peloton until their IPOs and beyond, as well as by Thrive Capital, investors in Nubank and Oscar Health.
With this investment, Trade Republic said that it will push forward with its European expansion plans. The company also looks to grow its team.
The firm had previously raised €62 million during a Series B round led by Accel and Founders Fund in April 2020.
Trade Republic aims to help millions of people across Europe to invest money into capital markets with an easy-to-use and commission-free offering.
Christian Hecker
&#8220;At Trade Republic, we believe everybody should have the right to participate in economic growth. This requires an easy-to-use, accessible and affordable savings platform that is open to everyone.
 
Within just 24 months, we have empowered over one million people to put their money to work. For many Germans, French and Austrians, Trade Republic is the home screen app to manage their wealth.&#8221;
said Christian Hecker, Co-Founder of Trade Republic.
Thomas Pischke
&#8220;Fifty percent of Trade Republic&#8217;s customers, over 500k people, have never invested in capital markets before in their life. We empower people to start with wealth creation, who have been neglected by big banks for too long, with high fees and opaque products.
 
With over €6B in Assets under Management, we are the core savings account for our customers.&#8221;
adds Thomas Pischke, Co-Founder of Trade Republic.
 
Featured image credit: screengrab and edited from Trade Republic
The post German Neobroker Trade Republic Announces US$900 Million Fundraise Led by Sequoia appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/german-neobroker-trade-republic-announces-us900-million-fundraise-led-by-sequoia</link><guid>1933</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>German Neobroker Trade Republic Announces US$900 Million Fundraise Led by Sequoia</dc:text></item><item><title>German Neobroker Trade Republic Announces US$900 Million Fundraise</title><description><![CDATA[German neobroker Trade Republic announced that it has raised US$900 million in a Series C funding round which pushed its valuation to over US$5 billion at present.
The fundraise was led by Sequoia with participation from new investors TCV and Thrive Capital as well as existing investors Accel, Founders Fund, Creandum and Project A.
This marks one of Sequoia&#8217;s largest initial investments ever in Europe. The round is completed by TCV, who has invested into iconic consumer brands like Netflix, Spotify and Peloton until their IPOs and beyond, as well as by Thrive Capital, investors in Nubank and Oscar Health.
With this investment, Trade Republic said that it will push forward with its European expansion plans. The company also looks to grow its team.
The firm had previously raised €62 million during a Series B round led by Accel and Founders Fund in April 2020.
Trade Republic aims to help millions of people across Europe to invest money into capital markets with an easy-to-use and commission-free offering.
Christian Hecker
&#8220;At Trade Republic, we believe everybody should have the right to participate in economic growth. This requires an easy-to-use, accessible and affordable savings platform that is open to everyone.
 
Within just 24 months, we have empowered over one million people to put their money to work. For many Germans, French and Austrians, Trade Republic is the home screen app to manage their wealth.&#8221;
said Christian Hecker, Co-Founder of Trade Republic.
Thomas Pischke
&#8220;Fifty percent of Trade Republic&#8217;s customers, over 500k people, have never invested in capital markets before in their life. We empower people to start with wealth creation, who have been neglected by big banks for too long, with high fees and opaque products.
 
With over €6B in Assets under Management, we are the core savings account for our customers.&#8221;
adds Thomas Pischke, Co-Founder of Trade Republic.
 
Featured image credit: screengrab and edited from Trade Republic
The post German Neobroker Trade Republic Announces US$900 Million Fundraise appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/german-neobroker-trade-republic-announces-us900-million-fundraise</link><guid>1935</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>German Neobroker Trade Republic Announces US$900 Million Fundraise</dc:text></item><item><title>F10 Welcomes Swiss Hewlett Packard Enterprise Into Its Global Fintech Ecosystem</title><description><![CDATA[F10 announced that it has partnered with Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) Switzerland for its fintech accelerator programme along with other renown financial institutions, consulting and tech firms.
The partnership with F10 is a strategic initiative for HPE Switzerland&#8217;s focus in the fintech and deeptech space.
HPE provides business innovation in several verticals; Digital Hospital, Smart Factory and Retail, Smart City as well as Digital Banking &#8211; working closely together with startups to scale promising technologies to their customers globally.
Use cases HPE will focus on as part of the F10 partnership include fraud detection based on machine learning, increased security and safety leveraging artificial intelligence and internet of things (IoT), and simplifying processes based on blockchain technology.
HPE has a track record of promoting business innovation with its Swiss startup program, its IoT Lab based in Geneva, and its global center of excellence for artificial intelligence based in Grenoble.
Through participation in the F10 ecosystem, HPE will have the opportunity to maximize their return on innovation by getting access to the latest trends, ideas, talents, and investment opportunities.
Joining the F10 ecosystem with global reach and local hubs in Switzerland, Singapore, and Spain helps incumbents and new players future-proof their business.
Applications are open until May 28th for F10’s global acceleration program for growth-stage fintech, insurtech, deeptech and regtech startups in Madrid, Zurich and Singapore.
Anthony Palmieri
“Joining F10 will help us co-innovate with leading startups in FinTech and InsurTech to bring business innovation to our customers in the financial services industry.
 
“It’s exactly this combination of disruptive startup innovation with HPE’s global technology leadership and scale that customers need to strengthen their competitive edge.”
says Anthony Palmieri, Chief Business Innovation Officer, HPE Switzerland.
Andreas Iten
“We are excited to welcome HPE Switzerland to the global F10 innovation network and to support them on their innovation journey.
 
By partnering with HPE, we can offer the startups in our ecosystem access to exciting collaboration and growth opportunities, leveraging the synergies with HPE’s current and future business innovation initiatives,”
said Andreas Iten, Co-Founder of F10.
The post F10 Welcomes Swiss Hewlett Packard Enterprise Into Its Global Fintech Ecosystem appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/f10-welcomes-swiss-hewlett-packard-enterprise-into-its-global-fintech-ecosystem</link><guid>1931</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>F10 Welcomes Swiss Hewlett Packard Enterprise Into Its Global Fintech Ecosystem</dc:text></item><item><title>ETC Group Lists Physically Backed Ethereum and Litecoin Crypto ETCs on SIX</title><description><![CDATA[ETC Group, a specialist provider of digital asset-backed securities, has announced that it will list its physically backed Ethereum and Litecoin cryptocurrency ETCs on the Swiss Stock Exchange SIX.
The listing of ETHetc (ETC Group’s Physical Ethereum ETC) and LTCetc (ETC Group´s Physical Litecoin ETC) in USD, CHF and GBP, follows the success of its first Bitcoin based product which is the BTCetc (ETC Group Physical Bitcoin ETC), which was listed on SIX in January 2021.
All three products are also listed on XETRA, are issued by ETC Group and distributed by HANetf.
The Ethereum and Litecoin ETCs were listed on XETRA in February and April 2021 respectively. ETC Group Physical Ethereum ETC has surpassed USD $100 million assets under management (AuM), since listing on Deutsche Börse’s XETRA platform in March 2021.
The products are currently available on SIX Swiss Exchange for professional investors only.
ETC Group is one of the providers of crypto ETCs within Europe and since launch has seen its assets under management grow to over $1 billion in just seven months.
Meanwhile, BTCE was the top exchange traded product (ETC) performer for inflows, daily turnover and spreads among eight Bitcoin ETCs in Q1 in Europe.
Bradley Duke
Bradley Duke, CEO of ETC Group said,
“Since we launched our BTCetc Bitcoin Exchange Traded Crypto (BTCE) earlier this year on SIX, one of the world’s most advanced and crypto friendly stock exchanges, we’ve seen a very positive response from investors.
 
Now, by giving access via SIX Swiss Exchange access to our Ethereum and Litecoin products, will further establish ETC Group’s leadership position in crypto based ETCs in Europe.”
 
Featured image credit: Unsplash
The post ETC Group Lists Physically Backed Ethereum and Litecoin Crypto ETCs on SIX appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/etc-group-lists-physically-backed-ethereum-and-litecoin-crypto-etcs-on-six</link><guid>1932</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>ETC Group Lists Physically Backed Ethereum and Litecoin Crypto ETCs on SIX</dc:text></item><item><title>Revolut Rolls Out Invoice Tool for Its Business Account Users</title><description><![CDATA[Revolut, a British fintech company offering banking services, has rolled out a new feature enabling its users to send professional invoices from their Revolut Business account in minutes without having to switch between platforms.
With Revolut&#8216;s new tool, users can monitor their invoices from start to finish with real-time tracking and notifications.
Additionally, the invoices have automatic reconciliation so users will be able to save time and cut back on administrative work.
The invoice feature also has more payment options to choose from, including card payments, bank transfers and Apple Pay.
When the user&#8217;s customers have made their payment, the users will get the money paid directly into their Revolut Business account 24/7.
Users can get started by going to Revolut Business Invoices in Marketplace and click on new Invoice. They will have to fill out the information, add an email message and send it to their respective customers to get paid.

 
Featured image credit: Revolut
The post Revolut Rolls Out Invoice Tool for Its Business Account Users appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/revolut-rolls-out-invoice-tool-for-its-business-account-users</link><guid>1930</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/revolut.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Revolut Rolls Out Invoice Tool for Its Business Account Users</dc:text></item><item><title>China, UK, Germany Among Top Shopping Markets for European E-Commerce Customers</title><description><![CDATA[In Europe, online shoppers are increasingly embracing cross-border e-commerce, with China, the UK and Germany emerging as the top three preferred shopping markets, a new report says.
In a new paper titled How Europe prefers to pay: E-Commerce Payment Report 2021, German business services firm Arvato and payment services provider PPRO look at the state of e-commerce in Europe and customers’ preferences.
According to the report, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a catalyst for consumer adoption of e-commerce with forecasts estimating an annual revenue growth of over 6% by 2025. In France, Germany and the UK, the three largest European markets, up to 80% of customers now carry out at least half of their shopping online.
In Europe, the UK, Germany and Belgium have the highest penetration rates with e-commerce making up 19%, 16% and 13% in the overall market, but Spain and Italy saw the strongest growth, with e-commerce activity rising 19% and 16%, respectively.
Customers in Austria, Belgium and Switzerland were find to be the most avid cross-border shoppers in the region, representing 83% of e-commerce customers in Austria, 69% in Belgium and 65% in Switzerland. China, Germany and the UK are the top three shopping markets for cross-border purchases.
E-commerce trends in Europe, Source: How Europe prefers to pay: E-Commerce Payment Report 2021, Arvato and PPRO, May 2021
These findings coincide with results from a recent global survey conducted by the International Post Corporation (IPC), a consortium of national postal service operators. The study, which surveyed more than 33,00 frequent online shoppers in 40 countries, found that 32% of cross-border shoppers purchased more from online retailers in other countries in 2020.
Cross-border shoppers purchased most often from China which attracted the most foreign shoppers – as they have for the past five years of the survey. Germany ranked second, attracting 14% of cross-border shoppers in 2020.
Country from which respondents made their last cross-border online purchase, 2020 vs. 2019, Source: International Post Corporation &#8220;Cross-Border E-commerce Shopper Survey 2020&#8221;, Feb 2021
The study found that Amazon is the most popular international retailer, followed by AliExpress, the Alibaba Group marketplace mostly used by Chinese retailers, EBay, and Wish, another marketplace that mostly features affordable goods from China.
Retailer from which respondents made their last cross-border online purchase, Source: International Post Corporation &#8220;Cross-Border E-commerce Shopper Survey 2020&#8221;, Feb 2021
A recent study by Forrester found that mobile devices are driving the boom in e-commerce. In 2020, mobile overtook desktop across Europe as the preferred shopping platform. More than half of online sales took place on a smartphone or tablet, accounting for EUR 123 billion in sales, the study found.
According to the European Parliamentary Research Service, the rise of mobile commerce (m-commerce) in the region will likely accelerate the adoption of mobile payment methods.
Currently, payment method for e-commerce purchases in Europe vary according to local preferences, but overall, cards are the preferred method across most markets, a 2018 JP Morgan survey found.
Card usage is particularly strong in wealthy, digitally advanced countries with high bank penetration such as Denmark (63.4% of e-commerce payments), Ireland (60%), and the UK (53%).
In Finland, Switzerland and the Netherlands, bank transfers are the primary payment method, while in Germany, customers tend to prefer open invoicing, where purchases are paid for once they have been received, as well as PayPal.
 
Featured image credit: Photo by PhotoMIX Company from Pexels
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/china-uk-germany-among-top-shopping-markets-for-european-e-commerce-customers</link><guid>1929</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/How-Europe-prefers-to-pay-E-Commerce-Payment-Report-2021-Arvato-and-PPRO-May-2021.png</dc:content ><dc:text>China, UK, Germany Among Top Shopping Markets for European E-Commerce Customers</dc:text></item><item><title>Prifate Equity Firms to Acquire Irish Regtech Fenergo in US$600 Million Deal</title><description><![CDATA[Irish regtech Fenergo announced that it has been acquired by private equity firms, the Paris-based Astorg and London-based Bridgepoint, from Insight Partners.
While financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed publicly, the Irish Times cited industry sources to claim that the deal was valued at $600 million. This pushes Fenergo&#8217;s market valuation to $1.165 billion, making it one of Ireland&#8217;s new unicorns.
The acquisition follows a period of strong expansion for Fenergo and will drive investment in the firm’s SaaS strategy, product line development and support an expanding team through the next phase of growth.
Established in 2009, Fenergo’s SaaS platform provides solutions to the world’s largest and most complex financial institutions, helping to fight financial crime and to enhance customer journeys while being compliant every step of the way.
Fenergo currently helps top financial institutions including ICBC Standard Bank, Santander, Mizuho, ABN AMRO and BNP Paribas to digitally transform their end-to-end client lifecycle processes.
In the financial year ending March 2021, Fenergo’s revenue increased by 17% to USD$107 million.
Marc Murphy
&#8220;We are delighted that Astorg and Bridgepoint have chosen to invest in our company, providing us with the financial strength required to pursue our ambitious high-growth strategy.
 
Both Astorg and Bridgepoint have enormous experience and credibility in our sector, something I am keen to leverage over the coming years. Ultimately, we only exist to serve the needs of our customers. We are looking forward to partnering with them in the next phase of our development.&#8221;
said Marc Murphy, Founder and CEO, Fenergo.
Benoît Ficheur
&#8220;We have tracked Fenergo for many years and have been impressed with its strong market position, innovative technology and consistent strong positive feedback from a customer base of large financial institutions.
 
We are thrilled to partner with Bridgepoint to help shape the future of this unique company. Marc Murphy and his team have proven their strength year after year in this very demanding industry. This investment confirms our commitment to backing fast-growing and innovative software leaders.&#8221;
said Benoît Ficheur, Partner in charge of growth investments at Astorg.
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
The post Prifate Equity Firms to Acquire Irish Regtech Fenergo in US$600 Million Deal appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/prifate-equity-firms-to-acquire-irish-regtech-fenergo-in-us600-million-deal</link><guid>1926</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Prifate Equity Firms to Acquire Irish Regtech Fenergo in US$600 Million Deal</dc:text></item><item><title>Private Equity Firms to Acquire Irish Regtech Fenergo in US$600 Million Deal</title><description><![CDATA[Irish regtech Fenergo announced that it has been acquired by private equity firms, the Paris-based Astorg and London-based Bridgepoint, from Insight Partners.
While financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed publicly, the Irish Times cited industry sources to claim that the deal was valued at $600 million. This pushes Fenergo&#8217;s market valuation to $1.165 billion, making it one of Ireland&#8217;s new unicorns.
The acquisition follows a period of strong expansion for Fenergo and will drive investment in the firm’s SaaS strategy, product line development and support an expanding team through the next phase of growth.
Established in 2009, Fenergo’s SaaS platform provides solutions to the world’s largest and most complex financial institutions, helping to fight financial crime and to enhance customer journeys while being compliant every step of the way.
Fenergo currently helps top financial institutions including ICBC Standard Bank, Santander, Mizuho, ABN AMRO and BNP Paribas to digitally transform their end-to-end client lifecycle processes.
In the financial year ending March 2021, Fenergo’s revenue increased by 17% to USD$107 million.
Marc Murphy
&#8220;We are delighted that Astorg and Bridgepoint have chosen to invest in our company, providing us with the financial strength required to pursue our ambitious high-growth strategy.
 
Both Astorg and Bridgepoint have enormous experience and credibility in our sector, something I am keen to leverage over the coming years. Ultimately, we only exist to serve the needs of our customers. We are looking forward to partnering with them in the next phase of our development.&#8221;
said Marc Murphy, Founder and CEO, Fenergo.
Benoît Ficheur
&#8220;We have tracked Fenergo for many years and have been impressed with its strong market position, innovative technology and consistent strong positive feedback from a customer base of large financial institutions.
 
We are thrilled to partner with Bridgepoint to help shape the future of this unique company. Marc Murphy and his team have proven their strength year after year in this very demanding industry. This investment confirms our commitment to backing fast-growing and innovative software leaders.&#8221;
said Benoît Ficheur, Partner in charge of growth investments at Astorg.
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
The post Private Equity Firms to Acquire Irish Regtech Fenergo in US$600 Million Deal appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/private-equity-firms-to-acquire-irish-regtech-fenergo-in-us600-million-deal</link><guid>1927</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Private Equity Firms to Acquire Irish Regtech Fenergo in US$600 Million Deal</dc:text></item><item><title>SWIFT Assesses What Roles It Could Play in Future CBDC Ecosystem</title><description><![CDATA[As central banks around the world accelerate their digital currency efforts, international payment network SWIFT is assessing what roles it could play in this new future.
In a new paper released on May 11, 2021 and produced in partnership with Accenture, the cooperative delves into four possible functions it could fulfill in this new paradigm, and provides an overview of the experimentation it will be performed using distributed ledger technology (DLT) and digital currency.
According to the paper, enabling interoperability between central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) could be a role of relevance for SWIFT given that it’s already an orchestrator of the current financial system and has strong relationships with parties within the system.
The coming months will see SWIFT experiment on that idea and conduct trials involving cross-border transactions using digital currencies, the paper says.
The first case will simulate a transaction between two economies in which one country uses a traditional payment system, while the other relies on a DLT-based CBDC system. The second case will focus on cross-border transactions between two parties on different DLT networks.
CBDCs interoperability
In 2021, CBDCs continued to gain traction with development accelerating and institutional involvement continuing to grow. Just last week, the Bank of Israel released a report on the potential issuance of a digital shekel which was accompanied by a public call for responses from the professional community.
“The Bank of Israel has not yet decided whether it intends to issue a digital shekel, but in view of the rapid developments in the digital economy and in payments, and in view of the major central banks’ work on the issue, the Bank of Israel is accelerating its research and preparation for the potential issuance of a digital shekel,” it said in a release.
Research by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) found that CBDC initiatives are now moving into more advanced stages of development with about 60% of central banks conducting experiments or proofs-of-concepts (PoCs), while 14% are moving forward to development and pilot arrangements.
As works on CBDCs advance, the topic of systems interoperability has been put at the forefront. The BIS is currently experimenting with so-called multi-CBDC (mCBDC) arrangements for cross-border payments and systems interoperability, which it has named one of its top priorities for the years 2021 and 2022.
The project, first initiated bilaterally by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Bank of Thailand under the name Inthanon-LionRock, was renamed mCBDC Bridge when the BIS, the People’s Bank of China and the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates joined.
Other possible roles SWIFT could play
Cross-network support is the initial role SWIFT will be exploring with its members and the wider banking community, and other functions will be assessed in the future, the organization says.
Another role it has identified would be to act as a central technical operator, or a so-called “CBDC networks-as-a-service” provider. Here, SWIFT would leverage its existing network and infrastructure to provide the DLT network upon which CBDCs are built. Changes will be required to the SWIFT platform and infrastructure but the organization would be open to considering it, it says.
SWIFT could also provide application offerings on top of central banks’ CBDC platforms, providing for example a suite of interfaces and services to interact with CBDC payment applications, or for compliance and know-your-customer/anti-money laundering (KYC/AML) purposes.
Finally, SWIFT could leverage its position as a trusted authority to provide a range of critical services for CBDC networks including transaction confirmation and notary services.
Founded nearly 50 years ago, SWIFT, or the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, provides a network that enables financial institutions worldwide to send and receive information about financial transactions. The cooperative, which has based in Belgium, also sells software and services to financial institutions. As of 2021, SWIFT linked more than 11,000 financial institutions in over 200 countries and territories.
Four roles SWIFT could play in a future CBDC ecosystem, Exploring central bank digital currencies: How they could work for international payments, SWIFT and Accenture, May 2021
 
Featured image credit: SWIFT Operations Forum &#8211; Americas (SOFA) 2013 | Taken at SOFA in midtown Manhattan, Tuesday, March 5, 2013
 
The post SWIFT Assesses What Roles It Could Play in Future CBDC Ecosystem appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swift-assesses-what-roles-it-could-play-in-future-cbdc-ecosystem</link><guid>1925</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Exploring-central-bank-digital-currencies-How-they-could-work-for-international-payments-SWIFT-and-Accenture-May-2021.png</dc:content ><dc:text>SWIFT Assesses What Roles It Could Play in Future CBDC Ecosystem</dc:text></item><item><title>In-Person Events are Back: 26 Live Fintech Conferences to Attend in 2021</title><description><![CDATA[With vaccination campaigns accelerating around the world, in-person, live fintech events and conferences are coming back this year. Most of 2021’s biggest live fintech gatherings will take place in the second half of the year and will be held in key regional fintech hubs, including the US, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Switzerland and Singapore.
For fintech professionals looking to network and meet face-to-face with their peers, we’ve compiled a list of 26 major fintech events that are being held live and taking place in the coming months.
Intersekt 2021
May 19 – 20, 2021
Grand Hyatt Melbourne, Australia

Now in its 5th year, Australia’s annual fintech Industry Conference, Intersekt, will bring together Australian fintechs, hubs, accelerators, policymakers, regulators, investors and advisors, to examine, discuss and unlock the potential of the local fintech market.
The program will bring together leading international and national speakers, free workshops, optional satellite events and extensive networking opportunities with multiple social functions.
Hosted by Fintech Australia and supported by the Victorian Government, Intersekt 2021 aims to serve as a melting pot between the banking sector and the fintech industry, aiding in overall collaboration in the industry.
Themes covered will include fintech and industry collaboration, growth pathways, customer experience, and Southeast Asia.
Fintech Summit
May 26, 2021
Grand Hyatt Hotel Amman, Jordan

Hosted in an intimate setting that’s ideal for networking, Fintech Summit (FTSummitME) is expected to bring together attendance of over 1,500 fintech professionals, in-person and virtual, who are shaping the current and future of digital banking, and financial products and services.
This event will be held in a hybrid format and will cover topics including digital payments, digital banking, open banking, artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain technology.
ELEV8 Miami 2021
June 02 – 03, 2021
Miami, Florida, USA

ELEV8 Miami 2021 will take place on June 2 and 3, at the Wynwood Garage in Miami, and will address the latest trends and investment opportunities for digital assets including non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and altcoins, as well as blockchain adoption.
The conference will boast over 20 speakers and will include dynamic workshops, panel discussions, presentations, case studies, and networking events.
The initial lineup of speakers include senior executives and experts representing companies and organizations such as Transform Group, Celsius, BetaBlocks, Aspire, and GBA Global.
Global DeFi Investment Summit
June 02 – 03, 2021
Dusit Thani Hotel, Dubai, UAE

The Global DeFi Investment Summit will explore the evolution of decentralized finance (DeFi) by showcasing live projects and examining business use cases. Topics covered will include blockchain, decentralized exchange, banking transformation, staking, regulation, and more.
The summit is expected to bring more than 200 delegates including emerging startups, global investors and DeFi experts. More than 25 visionary speakers will discuss how tech is impacting their businesses and provide insight and thought-provoking debate into what they see will redefine the industry in the future.
The summit will be held in a hybrid format and streamed online for those who cannot attend in person. It will include keynotes, case studies, panel discussions, spotlight talks, topic meetups, roundtables, and demos.
#TECHSUPERSHOW
June 22 – 25, 2021
Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami, Florida, USA

#TECHSUPERSHOW is a mega-event focused on enterprise communications, the Internet-of-Things (IoT), mobility and wireless, blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), and more.
#TECHSUPERSHOW will comprise 12 events, including:

The ITExpro, which will provide participants with an in-depth look at the communications and technology solutions and trends that are shaping the future;
The IoT Evolution Expo, where over 120 business and technologies sessions, workshops and keynotes will explore the industries and verticals where IoT is powering the most disruption and opportunity;
The Smart City Event, during which participants will get to learn how connected solutions can drive city wide improvements, better quality of life for residents and business opportunity for enterprises; and
The Blockchain Event, where entrepreneurs, developers, industry leaders and investors will discuss how blockchain is disrupting every market imaginable.

Fintech 2021: The Future of Embedded Finance
July 06, 2021
Gottlieb Duttweiler Institut, Rüschlikon, Switzerland

From the customer’s point of view, the best financial service is an uncomplicated, perfectly embedded or even invisible financial services. The future is moving towards embedded finance. What does this mean for young fintech companies and for long-established banks? What opportunities does embedded finance offer for business models that go beyond the low-margin core services of banks and insurance companies? What does it mean when financial institutions become little more than a part of ecosystems where they lose direct customer relationships? How do financial service providers have to rethink in order to seize the opportunities of this change?
At this year’s Fintech Forum, experts and industry leaders will use specific examples to explore the most successful kinds of alliances, business models and strategies for embedded finance.
Fintech 2021 will also include the grand finale and awards ceremony of this year&#8217;s Swiss Fintech Awards.
Asia Tech x Singapore
July 13 – 16, 2021
Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

Organized by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and Informa Tech, and supported by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), the inaugural Asia Tech x Singapore (ATxSG) event promises the largest industry tech event since the start of the pandemic that features both physical and virtual components.
Spanning over several days, ATxSG will host conferences as well as exhibition markets places, providing deeper insight into today’s hottest topics in business, technology and social impact.
At the physical event on July 14 and 15 at Marina Bay Sands, participants will be able to:

Hear from industry leaders in person and discover new technology they employ, and discuss challenges and how to overcome them;
View products and attend face-to-face meetings with exhibitors;
Network with peers in person;
Gain access to live startup pitches; and
View live exhibitor demos on stage.

Featured events at ATxSG will include ATxEnterprise, an industry event that will bring together telecommunications, broadcast and media, satellite and enterprise solutions into exhibition marketplaces and conferences; and ATxImpact, a collection of events fostering social impact.
Fintech Nexus
September 01 – 02, 2021
Miami

LendIt Fintech, one of the leading event series dedicated to financial services innovation, will be launching its inaugural dealmakers event, Fintech Nexus, taking place in Miami as a live event in September.
Fintech Nexus will be an exclusive, invite-only partnering event for fintech decision-makers. The focus of the event will be to facilitate high-quality one-on-one meetings between banks and solutions providers, and fintechs and investors.
Finnovex Middle East
September 07 – 08, 2021
Conrad Dubai, UAE
The Middle Eastern banking industry is currently focusing on putting the needs of the customers at the forefront, rethinking the definition of digital banking with the application of data, analytics, technology and innovation.
The 3rd edition of Finnovex Middle East will take place from September 7 to 8, 2021 and feature more than 40 expert speakers who will discuss the latest trends in the space including open banking, customer experience, cybersecurity, data integration and more.
The event will be held as a hybrid event at the Conrad Dubai in the UAE and available virtually. Confirmed speakers include experts representing organizations and companies such as the Dubai Financial Services Authority, Dubai International Financial Center, HSBC, Citi, National Bank of Oman, and more.
Swiss Fintech Fair 2021
September 08, 2021
SIX ConventionPoint, Zurich, Switzerland

After last year’s Swiss Fintech Fair has been successfully moved to an online platform due to the COVID-19 situation, in 2021 the flagship event of fintech in Switzerland will be hosted in-person according to the motto #backtogether21.
Like previous years, the Swiss Fintech Fair 2021 will combine an event mix of trade fair, conference, and networking.
In the exhibitor section, startups as well as established providers of all fintech clusters, will be able to present and showcase their products and solutions. The accompanying stage agenda will feature innovation pitches, keynotes, panel discussions as well as expert talks. Networking lounges will also be made available for attendees to exchange.
FinovateFall
September 13 – 15, 2021
New York Marriott Marquis, New York, USA

After a year of remote events, FinovateFall will return in 2021 for an in-person event. This year’s edition will provide participants with the chance to reconnect face-to-face with the fintech community and plot a course for the future.
The event will feature live demos of innovative fintech solutions and networking opportunities. Participants will also get to hear expert advice from key influencers.
Finovate Awards
Edison Ballroom, New York, USA
September 14, 2021

The Finovate Awards will recognize the companies driving fintech innovation forward and the individuals bringing new ideas to life. The awards will bring leading banks, fintech firms, accelerators, and individuals together to compete against each other in 25 different categories like consumer lending, digital banking, SMB/SME, ID management, and crown a grand winner in each.
MEBIS+
September 15 – 16, 2021
Le Méridien Dubai Conference Centre, UAE

MEBIS+, a sequel event to the Middle East Banking Innovation Summit, will take place in Dubai on September 15 and 16, 2021, and explore the latest technological advancements that are supercharging the banking industry.
MEBIS+ will consist of two knowledge-packed days filled with in-depth fireside chats, roundtable discussions, panels, keynotes and much more. This new and improved summit will also include the MEBIS+ Bank Awards, which will celebrate the institutions that are going above and beyond for their employees and clients.
MEBIS+ will delve into how factors such as automation, AI, machine learning, data analytics and digital transformation are pushing the industry into the future and creating a dynamic, growth-focused banking culture. With hundreds of delegates attending, MEBIS+ is set to be the largest and most influential banking technology event in the MENA region.
Seamless Middle East 2021
September 29 – 30, 2021
Dubai World Trade Centre, UAE

Built on 21 years of history, Seamless Middle East brings together the regional payments, banking and fintech ecosystem for two days of creative exchange, networking, inspiring talks. It is about the big ideas, market disruptors, top industry trends and technologies on which the future marketplace will operate.
This year’s event will focus on payments, e-commerce, retail, identity, fintech, insurtech, banking and cards, and will feature more than 300 speakers representing companies and organizations such as Standard Chartered Bank, the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority, DIFC Fintech Hive, Revolut, Kabbage, Amazon UAE, and Noon.
For more information: Seamless Middle East
Money 20/20 Europe
September 21 – 23, 2021
Amsterdam

Money20/20 is the premier show on the payment and fintech industry’s calendar where C-level executives, renowned speakers, innovators and disruptors from across the world drive change in the future of money.
In Amsterdam, Money20/20 Europe offers three remarkable days of the right conversations, the right connections and the right discoveries which enable individuals and organizations of all sizes to achieve their goals and grow.
The 2021 US Fintech Symposium
September 23 – 24, 2021
University of Illinois at Chicago conference center, Chicago, USA

The 2021 US Fintech Symposium is a two-day fintech conference that will discuss the practical uses of advanced enterprise technologies within the finance and financial services industries. Attendees will hear presentations and panel discussions from fintech industry experts pertaining to blockchain, robotic process automation, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, banking APIs and more.
​​The event will provide finance, banking, technology and other executives an opportunity to learn about the latest fintech developments. Furthermore, there will be extensive opportunities to network with other fintech professionals.
One of the goals of the US Fintech Symposium is to enable attendees to learn, discuss and evaluate fintech topics with a greater degree of certainty and industry insight.
Lend360
October 04 – 06, 2021
The Sheraton Dallas Hotel, Dallas, Texas, USA

Lend360 is an annual summit for the leaders in online lending that explores fintech industry trends and new technologies impacting consumer lenders, small business lenders, service partners, investors, bank representatives, and more.
After holding our 2020 event virtually, this year’s event will provide participants with the option of joining virtually or in-person at its first ever hybrid event.
The 3-Day Hybrid Conference – Africa Fintech Festival
October 13 – 15, 2021
Caudan Arts Center, Mauritius

The 3-Day Hybrid Conference, the closing part of the Africa Fintech Festival running through several events from May 4 to October 15, will take place at the prestigious Caudan Arts Center situated in the capital of Mauritius.
The event will cater for both audiences online and on-site with exciting keynotes, workshops, activities, and panel discussions amongst others. Topics will include fintech regulations, investment and deal flow, skills and capacity building, and innovation and incubation.
Fintech Surge 2021
October 17 – 20, 2021
Dubai World Trade Centre, UAE

Shining a light on the intersection between technology and finance, Fintech Surge will take place from October 17 to 20, 2021 and provide attendees with the opportunity to meet face-to-face with fintech investors, corporate and government buyers, banks and financial institutions and insurance companies.
The event will cover trending and cutting-edge topics, deliver dedicated training sessions and offer personalized networking opportunities. Participants will get to hear from the world’s fintech regulators, investors, banks, associations and innovators who will discuss the latest tech innovations, products and regulatory developments driving the transformation of the banking and financial services sectors.
Register here: https://bit.ly/3fQHuqA
New York Fintech Week 2021
October 18 – 22, 2021
New York

New York Fintech Week was designed to be an inclusive collaboration of the entire startup ecosystem. It’s a series of events highlighting different fintech initiatives and range from conferences and invitation-only roundtables to events free to the community.
This year’s New York Fintech Week will include the Empire Fintech Conference that’s set to bring together over 600 attendees for product demos, keynotes, live podcasts, and networking opportunities, as well as the Banking Innovation Roundtable, which will feature a curated group discussion covering data privacy, innovation, diversity, and the regulatory landscape.
Blockchain Financial Services 2021
October 19, 2021
Gottlieb Duttweiler Institut, Rüschlikon, Switzerland

Startups, established companies, states and central banks are testing and developing new applications with the blockchain.
At the Blockchain Financial Services 2021 event, participants will get to hear from experts representing companies, organizations and governmental bodies such as Switzerland’s State Secretariats for International Financial Matters, the Canton of Zug, the University of Basel, SEBA Bank, Sygnum Bank, Oesterreichische Nationalbank OeNB, and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China. They will discuss the latest fintech developments, regulations, crypto markets, central bank digital currencies, and more.
2nd Annual Financial Innovation Forum
October 21 – 22, 2021
Limassol, Cyprus

The Financial Innovation Forum is an annual event that brings together international industry experts to engage discussions on the latest developments, trends, best practices, compliance and regulatory considerations in the use of technology, digital advances and innovative solutions.
This year’s event will be themed “A new era of customer-focused innovation,” and will feature targeted keynote presentations, interactive sessions, speed networking, and panel discussions, as well as workshops and dedicated focus groups to delve deeper into some of today’s most pressing issues and biggest opportunities.
Money 20/20 USA
October 24 – 27, 2021
Las Vegas

Money20/20 is the fintech industry’s premier content, sales and networking platform, and the go-to source for in-depth analysis and insight.
After a year of lackluster meetings and stilted conversations, this year’s event will be held in-person in Dallas, and promises to offer participants more catalysts for spontaneity and serendipitous moments than ever before.
IFN Middle East Forum 2021
October 31, 2021
Dubai, UAE

Islamic finance is deeply rooted in the Middle East, a region which continues to shape the modern Islamic finance industry globally.
Covering the region since 2004 and organizing industry-leading conferences in the Middle East since 2008, IFN will return in 2021 with a new brand in tow: IFN Middle East, a culmination of the various localized and global Islamic finance events under the IFN umbrella, with a specific yet wide-ranging regional focus.
IFN Middle East will gather industry thought leaders and mover shakers from across the region to discuss and identify the sector’s most pressing issues as well as emerging opportunities. From latest innovations, to rising trends and hurdles, IFN Middle East will trace the evolution of the Islamic finance sector in the region through the lens of market practitioners and experts.
Register here: IFN Middle East
Web Summit
November 01 – 04, 2021
Lisbon

Commerce has gone through more major upheavals in the past two decades than almost any other industry. The last few months have tested these changes and, with another global recession on the way, the decisions we make in the near future will shape the years to come.
At Web Summit in Lisbon this November, industry leaders, founders and CEOs of technology companies, fast-growing startups, policymakers and heads of state will discuss what’s next for finance and commerce.
Middle East Investment Summit 2021
November 10 – 11, 2021
The Ritz-Carlton DIFC, Dubai, UAE

In its 22nd year, Middle East Investment Summit continues to be the conference of choice for regional and global sovereign wealth funds, family offices, private and institutional investors, high-level fund managers, economists and tech providers.
It is the ultimate annual platform for industry professionals to network, strategize and learn from the industry’s prominent global leaders.
Each year, the summit surveys the region’s top institutional and private investors on industry-wide concerns, challenges and opportunities, and considers their allocation strategies and investment vehicles of choice for the coming year.
 
Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash
The post In-Person Events are Back: 26 Live Fintech Conferences to Attend in 2021 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/in-person-events-are-back-26-live-fintech-conferences-to-attend-in-2021</link><guid>1924</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Intersekt-2021.png</dc:content ><dc:text>In-Person Events are Back: 26 Live Fintech Conferences to Attend in 2021</dc:text></item><item><title>New Access Wins Additional Global Core-to-Digital Platform Client</title><description><![CDATA[New Access, a Geneva based wealth management and private banking software company, announced the signature of a license agreement with Decisive Capital Management SA.
Decisive Capital Management is an independent, Next -Generation financial advisor providing services exclusively to sophisticated ultra-high net worth individuals, families, and institutional investors. Established since 2016 in Geneva, Decisive has more than 70 professionals in Switzerland and in the UK to strengthen its worldwide presence across strategic international locations. In early 2021, the company opened a new office in Zurich and has over $4.3 billion of assets under supervision.
Recently, Decisive was awarded as winner for the “Direct Investment Program” Team category at the Wealthbriefing Swiss EAM awards 2021.
Following a comprehensive review of solutions providers, Decisive Capital Management has selected New Access to support its firm’s operations. This platform conversion will strategically advance Decisive’s core capabilities in handling their clients’ current and emerging needs by moving its Core system, Portfolio Management System and Digital activity to a single, integrated global platform, reducing complexity. Combined with New Access’ Client Lifecycle Management System “Banker’s Front”, the Core-to-Digital solution enhances process automation and standardization, allowing the Bank to deliver an improved digital journey to its Relationship Managers and clients.
Elie Chamat, CEO of Decisive Capital Management, says
“Decisive is a next-generation, ultra-high net worth advisor. We are growing fast on all levels: investment opportunities, assets, and clients. And we set the bar very high, both for ourselves and our business partners. Today, we are partnering with New Access to accelerate our digital transformation and we are sure its dynamic and forward-thinking, best-in-class platform is the right match for us to service our clients. When our clients win, we win.”
Vincent Jeunet
Vincent Jeunet, CEO of New Access, comments
“We are proud that Decisive Capital Management decided to pursue its digital transformation journey with us. The key focus of New Access is to help wealth management organizations and private banks manage their business models in the simplest and most cost-effective ways by providing their bankers and clients with the best-in-class solutions. “
 
 
The post New Access Wins Additional Global Core-to-Digital Platform Client appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-access-wins-additional-global-core-to-digital-platform-client</link><guid>1923</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>New Access Wins Additional Global Core-to-Digital Platform Client</dc:text></item><item><title>Wise Goes Live on Temenos for Transparent, Real-Time Remittance to Banks Worldwide</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss banking software company Temenos announced that Wise, formerly known as TransferWise, is now live on Temenos MarketPlace.
The Temenos MarketPlace comprises over 50 curated fintech solutions, enabling Temenos&#8217; clients to innovate and differentiate quickly.
The addition of Wise Platform, which is its infrastructural solution for banks, enables Temenos customers to quickly and easily switch on Wise’ trusted cross-border payments within their digital banking platform.
Temenos customers will have seamless access to Wise’ technology through Temenos Infinity digital banking platform and Temenos Transact next-generation core banking product.
The Wise solution is pre-integrated for rapid implementation and time-to-value.
Adding Wise to their digital platform, financial institutions can offer a convenient, fast and transparent international money transfer experience to attract and retain retail and business customers.
Wise enables payments to 80 countries around the world where 38% of all global transfers are reportedly delivered under 20 seconds.
Stuart Gregory
Stuart Gregory, MD, Wise Platform and Wise Business said,
“We share Temenos’ ambition to modernize the international financial system. Though an email today travels around the world in a matter of seconds, for virtually nothing, moving money internationally is still incredibly slow and expensive.
 
We want to change this status quo and make moving money as fast, quick and affordable as sending an email. Joining the Temenos MarketPlace brings us one step closer to achieving this mission. We are thrilled to be joining Temenos in building better experiences for banks, financial institutions and their customers.”
Martin Bailey
Martin Bailey, Product Director, Temenos said,
“Together with Wise, we are making banking better. Wise brings a truly borderless experience to international banking and payments.
 
We’re thrilled to offer Wise Platform on Temenos MarketPlace so that our clients can leverage Wise’s unique network and infrastructure to ultimately offer faster, fairer international banking experiences to their customers.”
 
This article first appeared on Fintech News Singapore. 
The post Wise Goes Live on Temenos for Transparent, Real-Time Remittance to Banks Worldwide appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/wise-goes-live-on-temenos-for-transparent-real-time-remittance-to-banks-worldwide</link><guid>1922</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Wise Goes Live on Temenos for Transparent, Real-Time Remittance to Banks Worldwide</dc:text></item><item><title>Swedish Fintech Tink Acquires German Open Banking Counterpart FinTecSystems</title><description><![CDATA[Sweden&#8217;s open banking platform Tink continues its expansion across Europe with the acquisition of FinTecSystems, a German open banking infrastructure fintech, powering over 150 banks and fintechs in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
The acquisition of FinTecSystems is conditional upon approval from the national competent authorities.
Tink said in a statement that this acquisition builds on the €175 million investment that it had secured through two funding rounds in 2020, and complements its organic growth strategy to enhance its platform, increase connectivity and expand its product offering across Europe.
Following the acquisition, FinTecSystems will continue to serve new and existing customers in the DACH region, as part of Tink.
The combination of Tink and FinTecSystems will offer both local and international customers in the region a comprehensive solution when partnering for open banking technology.
In 2021, Tink committed to adding 200 new recruits to the almost 400 employees it has today, to double Tink’s market presence for payments by expanding its payment initiation technology to 10 European countries.
Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Stockholm, Tink currently serves 18 markets out of 13 local offices, with the open banking platform now used by more than 10,000 developers. Meanwhile, FinTecSystems was founded in 2014, with 67 employees operating out of four offices in Germany.
FinTecSystems specialises in data analytics, digital account checks, account aggregation and open banking payments, with customers including N26, DKB, Santander, Solarisbank and Check24.
Stefan Krautkrämer
Stefan Krautkrämer, Co-Founder and Managing Director of FinTecSystems said,
“We are proud to have built the leading open banking platform in DACH, serving some of the biggest and most innovative financial institutions and fintechs in the region.
 
Now we are equally proud that FinTecSystems will become part of Europe’s leading open banking platform. By joining forces with Tink, there is a unique opportunity to further strengthen FinTecSystems’ position as the open banking leader in the region, and better support our clients to expand across Europe.”
Daniel Kjellén
Daniel Kjellén, co-founder and CEO, Tink added,
“Germany is a key market for Tink, and we are excited to have acquired an innovative leader with a strong reputation for the quality of its bank connectivity and payments services.
 
We have followed FinTecSystems for many years and are impressed by what they have achieved. Through this acquisition, we are taking a big step into the DACH region, and we look forward to supporting the FinTecSystems’ team to further accelerate their growth.”
 
This article first appeared on fintechnews.ch
Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
The post Swedish Fintech Tink Acquires German Open Banking Counterpart FinTecSystems appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swedish-fintech-tink-acquires-german-open-banking-counterpart-fintecsystems</link><guid>1921</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swedish Fintech Tink Acquires German Open Banking Counterpart FinTecSystems</dc:text></item><item><title>Finanzkriminalität – die wahren Kosten der Compliance</title><description><![CDATA[LexisNexis Risk Solutions hat die Ergebnisse der neuesten True Cost of Financial Crime Compliance Study &#8211; EMEA Edition veröffentlicht.
Die Umfrage unter Compliance-Fachleuten identifiziert die Faktoren, die Financial Crime Compliance beeinflussen und zeigt Kostenentwicklungen auf. Die Studie untersucht auch die geschäftlichen Auswirkungen regulatorischer Veränderungen im Financial Crime Compliance Umfeld und identifiziert Herausforderungen und Auswirkungen im Zusammenhang mit der COVID-19-Pandemie.
Die Studie stellt fest, dass sich die veranschlagten jährlichen Gesamtkosten für Financial Crime Compliance in den EMEA-Märkten auf 117,5 Milliarden US-Dollar belaufen, wobei Frankreich, Deutschland, Italien und die Niederlande im Jahr 2020 höhere Kosten im Vergleich zu 2019 melden (18,1 %, 20,2 %, 26,6 % bzw. 22,2 %).
Nina Kerkez
Nina Kerkez, Director, Financial Crime Compliance EMEA und Pressesprecherin für die DACH-Region, kommentiert:
&#8220;In Deutschland stiegen die veranschlagten Gesamtkosten für Financial Crime Compliance in Finanzorganisationen um 20,2 % auf 57,1 Milliarden US-Dollar im Jahr 2020. Dies entspricht einem überdurchschnittlichen Anteil an den EMEA-Gesamtkosten, gefolgt von Frankreich und Italien. Finanzinstitute müssen zumindest in absehbarer Zukunft mit einem Anstieg von Finanzkriminalität rechnen und sich besonders gut auf die Risiken vorbereiten.&#8221;
Siebzig Prozent der Unternehmen erwarten, dass die COVID-19 Pandemie in den nächsten 12 bis 24 Monaten weitere Compliance-Ausgaben erzeugen wird, und gehen davon aus, dass sich 69 % dieser Kosten auf Technologie beziehen werden.
Compliance-Technologie senkt Kosten und Herausforderungen
Unternehmen standen im letzten Jahr vor außergewöhnlichen Herausforderungen. Die Umfrageergebnisse legen jedoch nahe, dass Finanzinstitute, die Technologie als Eckpfeiler ihrer Compliance-Programme einsetzen, im Vergleich zu anderen Unternehmen, deutliche Vorteile haben.
Diese Unternehmen hatten es leichter, die Herausforderungen der Pandemie zu bewältigen, da die Technologie eine schnellere Anpassung an die sich ändernden regulatorischen Anforderungen ermöglichte. Compliance-Experten berichteten, dass ein technologisch ausgerichtetes Financial Crime Compliance Programm ihnen trotz der Herausforderungen ein besseres Verständnis für die Kunden ermöglicht und Erkenntnisse liefert, die zur Verbesserung der Kundenbeziehungen beitragen.
Die Umfrageteilnehmer geben an, dass eine erhöhte Zuweisung von Mitteln für Technologielösungen für Financial Crime Compliance es Mitarbeiter ermöglicht höherwertigere Aufgaben zu erfüllen. Dies ist besonders wichtig für Compliance-Experten in der EU, die sich mit den Auswirkungen von COVID-19 und den vermehrten oder sich ändernden regulatorischen Anforderungen in Form der 5. und 6. EU-Geldwäscher Richtlinie auseinandersetzen müssen.
Unternehmen in der EMEA-Region, die mehr als 50 % ihres Budgets für Technologie ausgeben, haben vergleichsweise niedrigere durchschnittliche jährliche Compliance-Kosten in Höhe von 44,6 Mio. US-Dollar im Vergleich zu 48,4 Mio. US-Dollar bei Unternehmen, die mehr Geld für Mitarbeiter ausgeben. Diese Firmen profitieren auch von einer geringeren negativen Auswirkung beim Onboarding neuer Kunden, denn nur 26 % der mittleren bis großen Firmen geben dies als Herausforderung an, im Vergleich zu 44 % der Firmen mit unterdurchschnittlichen Technologieausgaben.
COVID-19 Auswirkungen
&#8220;Die Pandemie hat neue Herausforderungen für Finanzinstitute und Risikoexperten in der gesamten Region geschaffen. Die Umfrageteilnehmer geben an, dass mehr als die Hälfte der Unternehmen keinen formalen Prozess zur Identifizierung und Nachverfolgung neu auftretender Bedrohungen haben&#8221;,
sagte Patrick Hinchin, Vice President of Financial Crime Compliance bei LexisNexis Risk Solutions.
&#8220;Das bedeutet, dass der Zeitaufwand für alltägliche Aufgaben wie das Abklären von Warnmeldungen erheblich gestiegen ist.&#8221;
Methodologie
Im Rahmen der EMEA-Studie wurden 380 Entscheidungsträger befragt, die für die Bereiche KYC-Remediation, Sanktionsüberwachung, Transaktionsüberwachung bei Financial Crime und/oder Compliance-Operationen zuständig sind. Zu den vertretenen Unternehmen gehören Vermögensverwalter, Banken, Investment- und Versicherungsunternehmen.
Laden Sie hier ein Exemplar der True Cost of Financial Crime Compliance Study &#8211; EMEA Edition herunter.
The post Finanzkriminalität &#8211; die wahren Kosten der Compliance appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finanzkriminalitat-die-wahren-kosten-der-compliance</link><guid>1919</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Veranschlagte-Gesamtkosten-der-Compliance.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Finanzkriminalität – die wahren Kosten der Compliance</dc:text></item><item><title>Apiax Expands Its Management Team Ahead of Ambitious Expansion Plans</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss regtech startup Apiax has expanded its management team with experienced professionals Mark Holden and Jerome Salaun to take over its Enterprise Sales and Customer Success teams to support the company in the next phase of its expansion plans.
Apiax said in a statement that Jerome Salaun has been appointed as its new Head of Customer Success and Mark Holden as its new Global Head of Enterprise Sales.
Mark Holden has more than 20 years of experience in senior sales positions in financial services while Jerome Salaun has more than 15 years of experience in building and leading customer success teams for SaaS companies.
Mark and Jerome join the company which now has more than 70 professionals across 5 locations with more than 15 clients.
Mark Holden
Mark Holden, Global Head of Enterprise Sales at Apiax said,
&#8220;I am extremely pleased to join Apiax at this stage in their journey. For such a young company the recent rapid growth is testament to the value Apiax brings to our clients in digitising the complex regulatory landscape, generating real and tangible business value”.
Jerome Salaun
Jerome Salaun, Head of Customer Success said,
“I am very excited to join Apiax. My goal is to provide our customers with the best experience from the time they onboard and help them succeed in their business with Apiax”.
The post Apiax Expands Its Management Team Ahead of Ambitious Expansion Plans appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/apiax-expands-its-management-team-ahead-of-ambitious-expansion-plans</link><guid>1917</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Apiax Expands Its Management Team Ahead of Ambitious Expansion Plans</dc:text></item><item><title>Das umfassende Open Banking Schweiz Dossier</title><description><![CDATA[Open Banking bedeutet die Verwendung offener, einheitlicher APIs (Application Programming Interface, zu deutsch: Programmier-Schnittstelle), mit denen Entwickler von Drittanbietern Anwendungen und Dienste rund um das Finanzinstitut erstellen können. Der Endkunde entscheidet, für welchen Service, den er nutzen möchte, diese APIs geöffnet werden sollen.
Offene und einheitliche APIs. Beides ist in der Schweiz (noch) nicht der Fall. Für den Privatkundenbereich sind keine Standards definiert und es ist in der Schweiz nicht «open», da immer die Bank entscheidet, für wen sie ihre Schnittstellen öffnet. Dies im Gegensatz zum EU-Bereich, wo Finanzinstitute dazu gezwungen sind &#8211; durch die PSD2-Regulierung. Zur Förderung des Wettbewerbs und der Innovation in der EU.
Die Akteure der Schweizer Finanzbranche arbeiten an einer eigenen, «marktbasierten» Interpretation davon. Wenn Banken und FinTechs ohne staatliche Regulierungen aufeinander treffen, ist klar, wer am längeren Hebel sitzt und wer am meisten Einfluss auf Prozess und Tempo einer potenziellen Umgestaltung nimmt. Auch bleibt genügend Zeit, um die rechtliche Situation und den Datenschutz zu klären.
Das Schweizer Vorgehen mag makroökonomisch kurzfristig betrachtet, effizient sein, da nicht alle Teilnehmer im Finanzsystem sofort umstellen müssen, langfristig führt es aber tendenziell zu einer Schmälerung der Innovationskraft der Schweizer FinTech-Branche, einer zentralen Zukunftsschmiede der Finanzbranche in der Schweiz: So zeigt die IFZ FinTech-Studie 2021, dass der Schweizer FinTech-Markt im Jahr 2020 ein weiteres Mal gewachsen ist, die Wachstumsgeschwindigkeit ist allerdings ins Stocken geraten (mit aktuell 6% jährlicher Wachstumsrate, die tiefste seit 2015). Diesen Sachverhalt gilt es nach der Covid19-Zeit weiter im Auge zu behalten.
(Quelle: IFZ FinTech Studie 2021, Seite 65)
Die Schweiz ist bekannt für ihren Meinungs-Pluralismus. Das ist auch beim Thema Open Banking API nicht anders. Da gibt es verschiedene, zueinander im Wettbewerb stehende Kräfte, die verschiedene Ziele verfolgen. So fasste noch im Februar 2021 Finnova-CEO Hendrik Lang zusammen: «Beim Open Banking existiert hierzulande nicht einmal eine Standard-API.»
Zur gleichen Zeit hatte Marianne Wildi, CEO der Hypi Lenzburg, aufgrund ihrer Open-Banking-Stärke durch das Kernbankensystem Finstar einen anderen Blickwinkel auf das Thema: «In der Schweiz sind wir der EU längst voraus: Wir arbeiten daran, Schnittstellen zu Depots zur Verfügung zu stellen oder für Hypotheken.» Finstar stellt insofern einen eigenen Standard dar. Einen verbindlichen Standard für Open Banking in der Schweiz fände auch Alexander Christen, CEO bei Avaloq Ventures, entscheidend: «Keinen einheitlichen Standard zu haben, wie Bankendaten konsumiert werden können, ist ein massiver Wettbewerbsnachteil für Schweizer Startups und hindert schlussendlich Innovation im Finanzsystem».
Anwendungsfelder für standardisierte APIs (Bild: IFZ FinTech Studie 2021)
Status Quo der Standardisierungen in den verschiedenen Fachbereichen
Seit kurzem kommt jedoch verstärkt Bewegung ins Thema Open Finance, wie es in der Schweiz genannt wird, und man darf von einem leichten Frühlingserwachen für Open Finance in der Schweiz sprechen (Stand: Mai 2021).
Seit kurzem darf man von einem leichten Frühlingserwachen für Open Finance in der Schweiz sprechen (Stand: Mai 2021).
Tatsache bleibt jedoch, dass anfangs Mai 2021 noch kein Standard betreffend Open Finance für Privatkunden existiert. Dies betrifft allem voran die zwei zentralen Dienste Zahlungsauslösedienst (Payment Initiation Service) und den Kontoinformationsdienst (Account Information Service) für Privatkunden. Während für den Bereich Open Wealth durch SFTI (Swiss FinTech Innovators Verband) bereits ein Standard ausgerufen wird, der auch internationale Aspiration hat (Quelle). Im Bereich der Open Finance für Firmenkunden gibt es aktuell einzig die Common-API-Spezifikation (von Six, siehe weiter unten), welche von SFTI akzeptiert wurden. Doch welche Organisation darf für sich in Anspruch nehmen, gesamtschweizerisch die Entscheidungsinstanz für API-Fragen zu sein? SFTI (welcher vor allem durch die Banken gesteuert ist) oder OpenBankingProject?
Bisher haben diese zwei Vereinigungen wenig Gemeinsames verlautbaren lassen. Während SFTI (Standardisierung) sich als die zentrale Koordinationsstelle zur Erarbeitung von Open Finance-Grundlagen sieht, werden auch von OpenBankingProject (Operationalisierung) laufend Arbeitspapiere publiziert, welche verschiedene Wege beschreiben.
Es entsteht der Eindruck, dass jener Akteur Standards definiert, der sie zuerst publiziert. Hier täte Abstimmung gut.
Rückblende zu 2018: Die Akteure am Schweizer Finanzplatz haben anfangs mit der Umsetzung von Open Banking Standards abgewartet, diese aber rechtlich ausgeleuchtet und diskutiert. Dieses Vorgehen ermöglichte dem Finanzplatz Schweiz auf bewährte Lösungsansätze aus Europa zurückzugreifen, ohne deren Kinderkrankheiten und erstrangigen Konflikte zwischen den Parteien (Banken – Fintech) auch durchleben zu müssen.
Auch wollen die Schweizer Banken die API-Entwicklung steuern und nicht zu Getriebenen werden. Dennoch: Open Banking/Finance Standards machen das Anbieten von Finanzdienstleistungen sowie die Zusammenarbeit mit Finanzinstituten viel einfacher, was schlussendlich allen zugute kommt. Darüber hinaus fördert Open Banking die Umsetzung von Embedded Finance, was den Banken ein neues, vielversprechendes Gebiet an Kollaborationen ermöglicht.
Aktuell sehen sich die Schweizer Banken vor allem in der Rolle des Angebot-Aggregators mit einem Nennungsanteil von 79% (Quelle). Die Strategie-Analysen von IBM Research (Quelle) und McKinsey sehen die Bank eher in einer zusätzlichen Zulieferer-Rolle mit viel New-Business-Potenzial für die Banken – auf externen Plattformen, on Demand in der Customer Journey.
Banken sehen sich aktuell vor allem in der Rolle des Aggregators (Bild: SBVg)
 
Quelle: Paolo Sironi, IBM Research

Die verschiedenen Positionslager
Auch in der Schweiz finden sich betreffend API-Standards Zögerer (Bankiervereinigung 2017; Twitter) und Progressive (z.B. HBL, Swisscom, St.Galler Kantonalbank, Schweizer Challengerbanken). Dabei lassen sich auch weitere Positionslager ausmachen: Die Grossbanken (SFTI, Six, SBVg; vorerst nur APIs für Firmen) gegenüber Fintech-nahen Technologie-Unternehmen (OpenBankingProject.ch; APIs für Private und Firmen).
Ebenfalls vertraten SIX und Swisscom lange zwei verschiedene Lösungs- und Zeitpläne, dies änderte sich erst Ende März 2021, als die Börsenbetreiberin und das Telko-Unternehmen ihre Partnerschaft für Open Finance bekannt gegeben haben. Es wurde klar, das nur gemeinsam und abgestimmt, die Branche betreffend Standardisierungen nachhaltig vorwärts gebracht werden kann. Die Ausmarchung für den Open-Finance-Standard für Privatkunden wird zwischen SFTI und OpenBankingProjekt geschehen.
Die Schweizerische Bankiervereinigung (SBVg) definiert Open Banking/Finance als Geschäftsmodell, das auf dem standardisierten und gesicherten Austausch von Daten zwischen der Bank und vertrauenswürdigen Drittanbietern beziehungsweise zwischen verschiedenen Banken basiert.
Verschiedenen API-Schnittstellen bei Banken treffen vor allem die neuen Drittparteien (Fintechs), die sich zwischen Banken und Endnutzer platzieren oder über die Bank zu den Endkunden gelangen. Diese Drittparteien müssen für ihre APIs (welche auch einheitlich sein sollten, aber wenn es noch keinen Standard gibt, ist das schwer zu bestimmen) individuelle Adaptoren an die differenten API-Schnittstellen der bestehenden Banken bauen, was die Kosten für die Fintechs erhöht. Verschiedene API-Standards machen auch Multibanking-Projekt aufwendiger.
Ein zügiges Aufarbeiten dieser API-Standards hilft der Schweiz dabei, die Rücklichter des Open-Banking-Champions UK nicht ganz aus den Augen zu verlieren und modernste Banking-Serivces von Fintech auch in der Schweiz einfach zu den Nutzern zu bringen (siehe z.B. Neon App, Sonnect und Finstar, November 2018).
Informative Zusammenfassungen und Meinungen dazu:

Wie die Schweiz die besten API Standards bauen kann (Hakan Eroglu, April 2018)
Open Banking: als Regionalbank in einem Ökosystem wachsen und gedeihen (NZZ, Mai 2019)
Sieben Thesen zu Open Banking von Six (Sven Siat, Juni 2020)
Aus jeder Tech-Firma wird eine Fintech-Firma – nur nicht in der Schweiz (Bilanz, April 2021)
Open Banking APIs: A Guide for Fintech Founders (Andrew Burak, May 2021)

Vom Thema APIs ist es ein naheliegender Schritt zu Cloud Banking. Positiv fällt dabei der Leitfaden für Cloud Banking der SBVg vom März 2019 auf, der wichtige Punkte wie Daten-Verschlüsselung, -Anonymisierung, -Pseudonymisierung betont.
Ursprung in der EU
Mit der Open Banking Regulierung (UK) und der PSD2 (Payment Services Directive 2) in der EU müssen Banken ab 2018 ihre Systeme für Drittanbieter öffnen und Schnittstellen zur Verfügung stellen, zum Beispiel zur Auslösung von Bezahlvorgängen oder dem Abruf von Kontoinformationen. Auf welche Weise sich Drittanbieter technisch mit den Banken verbinden bzw. kommunizieren, lassen diese Regulierungen jedoch offen.
Seit 2004: The Berlin Group – a European Standards Initiative (26 Teilnehmer aus 10 Ländern – Berlin-Gruppe, weil sie sich dort zum ersten Mal getroffen haben). Im April 2018 wurde das Berlin Group NextGenPSD2 API Framework fertiggestellt. Dieses Framework ist eine intelligente Referenz für die Schweizer Arbeitsgruppen.
Weltweite Open Banking Initiativen, Stand Mai 2020 (Quelle)
Vergleich internationaler Ansätze für die Regulierung von Open Banking (Stand 2020, Quelle)

Umfassender Status-Quo- und Meinungs-Report: Report zum globalen Open Banking (Quelle: FT-Partners, 2021)
Fachvortrag (Video): The Origin of Open Banking Standards von Simon Redfern (Mai 2021, mit kostenlosem Login des Open Banking World Congress 2021)
Buch über API Product Management von Andrea Zulian und Dr. Amancio Bouza.

Initianten-Gremien in der Schweiz und ihre Aktivitäten

Ab September 2018 für APIs: common-api.ch / SwissFintechInnovators (der Industrieverband der Banken und Versicherer, gegründet bereits März 2016 mit dem Vereins-Ziel, den Finanzplatz Schweiz zum führenden Platz für Fintech zu machen; Divergenz zu den Zielen der Schweizerischen Bankiervereinigung)

Seit August 2020 gestalten sich die Common-API-Spezifikationen im Zahlungsbereich kompatibel mit b.Link von SIX.
Im Dezember 2020 treffen Bundesrat Ueli Maurer und SIF am runden Tisch auf Akteure des Schweizer Open Banking (Quelle): Die Ansage von Ueli Maurer: Man wolle Open Bank nicht vom Staat regulieren, aber wenn nicht bald weitere Umsetzungen lanciert werden, müssen man die Optionen re-evaluieren.
März 2021: SFTI und die Schweizerische Bankiervereinigung vertiefen ihre Zusammenarbeit (Quelle).
April 2021: SFTI publiziert Standardisierungsempfehlung für Open Wealth API (Quelle)


Im Februar 2019 wurde OpenBankingProject.ch gegründet als  Initiative zur Förderung der Open-Banking-Kultur in der Schweiz. Zu den Gründungsmitgliedern gehören Avaloq, DXC Technology, Ergon, Finnova, Hypothekarbank Lenzburg, Universität Bern und das Business Engineering Institute St. Gallen. Im Fokus steht: Zugang zu bestehenden Schnittstellen zu geben.

Als ersten API-Standard für die Schweiz lanciert das Open Banking Project im Dezember 2019 die “Swiss NextGen API” für den Abruf von Kontoinformationen und für die Initiierung von Zahlungsaufträgen gemäss den in der Schweiz gültigen Spezifikationen
Ab Januar 2020 ist das Entwicklerportal von obp.ch verfügbar: FinTechs und Entwickler von Finanz-Apps erhalten freien Zugang für Tests mit ihren Open-Banking-Lösungen. Ab Februar 2021 sind Templates für einen API-Lizenzvertrag verfügbar. Aktuelle Tendenzen zeigen, dass in der Schweiz mehrheitlich dieser API-Standard verfolgt wird (Stand: Februar 2021).


Seit 2019: Swiss Corporate API, die API-Plattform für Firmen. Mitinitianten für Pilot: Six, UBS, Credit Suisse, ZKB, Raiffeisen (nur Vorphase), Valiant (nur Vorphase)
Seit Juni 2020: OpenWealth API-Standards. Arbeitsgruppe bestehend aus Synpulse, St. Galler Kantonalbank, SIX und sieben Herstellern von Portfolio-Management-Systemen. St Galler Kantonalbank möchte als erste Bank das OpenWealth API anwenden.

Am 18.02.2021 wurde die API-Standardisierungsinitiative in den Verein Openwealth Association überführt. Gründungsmitglieder: St.Galler Kantonalbank, Zürcher Kantonalbank, SIX Group, Assetmax und Alphasys. Geschäftsführung des Vereins: Synpulse Management Consulting.
Ende April 2021 erteilt die St.Galler Kantonalbank dem Swisscom Open Banking Hub den Auftrag zur Einführung der OpenWealth APIs (Quelle).



Chronologie der umgesetzten Open Banking Projekte in der Schweiz
Die folgende Liste ist (noch) keine vollständige Aufzählung. Ergänzungen bitte an mhaenni at hotmail.com melden.

Seit 2017: Hypothekarbank Lenzburg/Finstar Open Banking. Es sind mehr als 20 digitale Partner an das Ecosystem von Finstar angebunden, z. B. Neon App, Transferwise und Yokoy.

Im August 2020 lancierten Yokoy und Hypi Lenzburg über Finstar gemeinsam die erste gebührenfreie Firmenkarte der Schweiz (eine Prepaidkarte).


Seit November 2017: Swisscom Open Banking Hub (OBH). Erstes Projekt: die Zusammenarbeit von Baloise Bank SoBa und dem RegTech-Startup Apiax. Der OBH hat das Ziel, industrieübergreifend (Finance, Insurance, Telecommunication, eHealth, Health Insurance, Utility Departements usw.) Business API-Ökosysteme zu schaffen, um Prozesse zu vereinfachen und zusätzlichen Mehrwert zu erschliessen. Derzeit sind über 30 Unternehmen über den Swisscom Integration Layer verbunden, welcher Teil des Open Business Hubs ist (Stand: Mai 2021). So läuft beispielsweise Twint mit API-Anbindung an über 18 Banken mit unterschiedlichen Identity und Access Management (IAM) Lösungen und Core Systemen über den Swisscom Integration Layer.
Ende März 2021 geben Swisscom und Six ihre Partnerschaft für Open Finance bekannt (Quelle).




Ende April 2021 gewinnt OBH die St.Galler Kantonalbank für die Einführung der OpenWealth APIs (Quelle).


Seit November 2018: Finnova Open Plattform. Die grosse Mehrheit der Schweizer Banken, welche ihr Core Banking von Finnova beziehen, haben noch keine API-Initiative öffentlich bekannt gegeben, Stand Dezember 2020. Auch erwähnt Finnova-CEO Hendrik Lang in einer Zwischenbilanz zum Finnova-Geschäftsjahr 2020 zwar Investitionen in Open Banking, gibt aber keine Hinweise auf laufende API-Projekte, was darauf schliessen lässt, dass Finnovas Klientel (u.a. viele Schweizer Kantonalbanken) noch keine klare Vorstellung von Open Finance entwickelt habt und das Thema noch nicht für sich entdeckt hat (Stand: Mai 2021).


Ende Apri 2021 lanciert Finnova “Open Banking as a Service”, basierend auf einer Lösung von Ergon Informatik (Quelle). Eine Liechtensteiner Bank nutzt den Service seit April 2021. Finnova setzt dabei auf dem definierten Standard der unabhängigen OpenBankingProject.ch-Vereinigung sowie auf den PSD2-Standard.



Seit Januar 2019: Der erste FinTech (Raisin) wird an den Temenos MarketPlace (gegründet 2015) angeschlossen. Weltweit sind über 700 Banken an den MarketPlace angebunden (Quelle). Im Februar 2021 wurde auch Tink in den MarketPlace integriert (Quelle), was den angeschlossen Banken einfachen Zugang auf modernste PFM- und Transaktions-Analyse-APIs ermöglicht.
Die Sicht von Six auf das Thema API (2019)

März 2019: UBS öffnet mit Ndigt in einigen europäischen Ländern ihre Schnittstellen für Fintech-Anbieter (Quelle). Nicht aber in der Schweiz.
Seit April 2019: Avaloq One – eine Plattform für das weltweite Verbindungen für Banken und Fintechs. Seit dem Launch sind mehr als 100 Fintechs auf die Plattform ongeboardet worden.
November 2019: Multibanking von Valiant (zusammen mit Contovista, Crealogix und Swisscom)
Mai 2020: Marktlaunch von b.Link von Six, die API-Plattform für Firmen, vormals Swiss Corporate API genannt. Erste Umsetzungen: Zugriff auf Bankkonten-Daten; in Planung sind: Einlieferung von Zahlungsaufträgen, Zugriff auf Buchhaltungsdaten, die Abfrage von Bilanzdaten via die Bank und die Benachrichtigung von Unternehmen untereinander.

Im Januar 2021 ist die ZKB der Plattform beigetreten. Ebenfalls wurde im Januar 2021 drei APIs der OpenWealth Association auf b.Link veröffentlicht. Sven Siat, Head Connectivity, ist bei Six zuständig für b.Link.


Juni 2020: UBS lanciert key4 – die neue Hypothekenplattform für Eigenheim (Quelle). Mit key4 und UBS Atrium sucht UBS die Marktführerschaft im Plattformgeschäft und der Vermittlung von Hypotheken.
November 2020: Credit Suisse lanciert Open-Banking-APIs fürs Interbankengeschäft (Quelle)

Neben den Herstellern von Kernbankensystemen sind auch weitere Software-Dienstleister an der Erstellung von Bank-Portalen, Frontends und Ecosystemen im Zusammenhang mit Open Banking in der Schweiz tätig: z.B. additiv, Crealogix, ti&amp;m, Inventx, Aixigo.
Coopetition forces platforms into ecosystems (Jan 2021):The platforms created by businesses are increasingly only a starting point
Die rechtliche Situation
Januar 2021: Die EU-Mitgliedstaaten sind verpflichtet, die sogenannte PSD2 Zahlungsdienstleister-Richtlinie (Payment Services Directive 2) umzusetzen. Durch PSD2 soll im EU-Raum der Zahlungsverkehr auch für Nicht-Banken (Drittparteien, oftmals auch Third Party Provider (TPP) genannt) geöffnet werden, wodurch Innovationen und Wettbewerb gefördert werden sollen. Auf Wunsch des jeweiligen Kontoinhabers werden dabei Finanzinstitute verpflichtet, via APIs (Application Programming Interfaces), Zugänge respektive Schnittstellen für Drittparteien (TPPs) zu schaffen, damit diese am Zahlungsverkehr der Banken teilnehmen können. (Quelle)
Anders als im europäischen PSD2-Umfeld ist diese Situation für die Schweiz nicht reguliert. Entsprechend gibt es hierzulande keine Verpflichtung für die Finanzinstitute, Schnittstellen bereitzustellen. Positiv formuliert könnte man auch sagen, dass die Finanzinstitute und verschiedenen Drittanbieter hierzulande die Bedingungen für Open Banking (noch) selber gestalten und aktiv mithelfen können, neue Geschäftsmodelle zu entwickeln. Die Herausforderung besteht darin, eine Lösung zu entwickeln, die den gesamten Finanzplatz Schweiz stärkt und die Zusammenarbeit zwischen Finanzinstituten und Drittanbietern effizient gestaltet.
Schwierigkeiten

Die fehlende Standardisierung von Schnittstellen verunmöglicht einige interessante Mehrwertdienste für die Endkunden und erhöht den Aufwand für alle Teilnehmer im Ökosystem.
Die Definition der Überprüfung von Drittparteien sowie die Zulassungsprüfung der einzelnen Drittparteien erfordert teilweise einen hohen personellen Ressourceneinsatz.
Die Ausarbeitung von Vertragswerken mit allen Drittparteien ist zeitaufwändig und führt oft zu Verzögerungen in der Anbindung der entsprechenden Lösung.

 
Disclaimer: Hier handelt es sich um die Erläuterungen und Sicht von Michael Hänni und nicht die seines Arbeitgebers. Er hat diesen Artikel als neutraler Open Banking Practitioner zusammengefasst, um Klarheit zum Status Quo des Open Bankings in der Schweiz zu erhalten.
Dieser Artikel erschien zuerst auf www.6mobiles.com/
Author:
Michael Hänni
Michael Hänni, Digital Product Lead, MBA
 
 
 
 
 
Bild: Photo by Patrick Federi on Unsplash 

The post Das umfassende Open Banking Schweiz Dossier appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/das-umfassende-open-banking-schweiz-dossier</link><guid>1916</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Anzahl_Fintech.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Das umfassende Open Banking Schweiz Dossier</dc:text></item><item><title>FINMA Permits Chip Scanning and Geolocation for Digital Onboarding</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) now allows the scanning of chips embedded in biometric identity documents as part of the digital onboarding process. The changes come into force on the 1st of June 2021.
Additionally, FINMA will allow geolocation to be used as an alternative to confirm the contracting party’s home address.
Two years after the last amendments to the “Video and online identification” Circular, FINMA is further updating the process for initiating client relationships digitally to take the latest technology into consideration.
Online identification processes will be further automated to enable companies to offer smooth onboarding for clients.
In particular, consideration has been given to the technological possibilities offered by biometric passports.
Under the new arrangements, financial intermediaries may dispense with the bank transfer used to identify clients if the requisite data can be read from the chip embedded in biometric identity documents.
FINMA carried out a public consultation for the partial revision of the above circular. The possibility of using chip-based data from biometric identity documents was universally welcomed, and many respondents were keen to see further alleviations in the identification process.
Conversely, FINMA considers automatic video-based identification followed by downstream manual verification by employees (a process known as asynchronous identification) not yet to be sufficiently secure to dispense with additional security mechanisms such as a bank transfer or the newly available chip scanning.
 
Featured image credit: Technology photo created by rawpixel.com &#8211; www.freepik.com
The post FINMA Permits Chip Scanning and Geolocation for Digital Onboarding appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finma-permits-chip-scanning-and-geolocation-for-digital-onboarding</link><guid>1915</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>FINMA Permits Chip Scanning and Geolocation for Digital Onboarding</dc:text></item><item><title>Yova schliesst Finanzierungsrunde über 11 Millionen Franken ab</title><description><![CDATA[Die 2017 in Zürich gegründete Impact Investing Plattform Yova setzt ihren Wachstumskurs fort. In einer kürzlich abgeschlossenen Finanzierungsrunde erlöste das Unternehmen 11 Millionen Franken.
Yova wird von namhaften Investoren finanziert, darunter Carole Ackermann (CEO bei Diamondscull; VR bei BKW, BVZ, BNP Paribas Switzerland, Allianz Suisse u.a.) oder Christoph Sutter (Axpo, Gründer von Southpole sowie myclimate) sowie dem eidgenössischen Technologiefonds.
Carole Ackermann
„Yova trifft den Nerv der Zeit und dies vor allem bei der jungen Generation“,
erklärt Carole Ackermann.
„Junge Menschen möchten eine nachhaltige Welt mitgestalten, aber auf eine transparente und technologisch State-of-the-Art nicht verzichten.“
Tillmann Lang
Tillmann Lang, CEO und Co-Gründer von Yova ergänzt:
„Diese Mittel erlauben uns, neben dem Ausbau des Schweizer Geschäftes auch unsere europäische Expansion zeitnah und mit voller Kraft voranzutreiben. So war diese Finanzierungsrunde fast drei Mal so gross wie im April 2020.“
In den den ersten vier Monaten dieses Jahres konnte die Anzahl der Kunden bereits fast verdoppelt werden. Dabei wächst Yova vor allem aus der eigenen Kundenbasis heraus: Jeder zweite neue Kunde kommt über Empfehlungen von bestehenden Kunden, also aus der eigenen Yova Community. Aktuell baut Yova sein Team weiter aus. Zu den bisherigen 30 Mitarbeitern sollen aktuell 20 weitere Positionen kurzfristig besetzt werden.
Als weiteren Erfolgsschritt vermeldet Yova die Förderung durch den Schweizer Technologiefonds mit 3 Millionen Franken. Dieser von der Schweizerischen Eidgenossenschaft aufgelegte Fonds verbürgt Darlehen an Schweizer Unternehmen, deren neuartige Produkte eine nachhaltige Verminderung von Treibhausgasemissionen ermöglicht. Die Zusage der Unterstützung durch das Bundesamt für Umwelt (BAFU) attestiert, dass Yova und seine Impact Investors genau dies erfolgreich umsetzen. Durch Yovas starkes Wachstum konnte im vergangenen Jahr bereits eine CO2-Reduktion von mehr als 10`000 Tonnen in den Portfolios erzielt werden.
 
Featured image: (L-R) Erik Gloerfeld, Founder – CPO, Tillmann Lang, CEO, Dr. Christoph Birkholz, Founder – Partnerships
The post Yova schliesst Finanzierungsrunde über 11 Millionen Franken ab appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/yova-schliesst-finanzierungsrunde-uber-11-millionen-franken-ab</link><guid>1914</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Yova schliesst Finanzierungsrunde über 11 Millionen Franken ab</dc:text></item><item><title>Revuto’s Latest $1.7 Million in Funding to Aid Subscription Management and Payment Simplification</title><description><![CDATA[Just days ahead of its scheduled public token sale, Revuto has closed $1.7 million during a private investment round. The team is building the first decentralized application on the Cardano network for subscriptions and payment management.
Forthcoming dApp To Deliver Recurring Payment Functionality
As more and more companies adopt the subscription model, the subscription economy is witnessing a meteoric rise. However, consumers are always left without many choices as the subscription-based industry is ridden with free-trial traps and complicated cancellation policies.
Revuto dApp blends crypto and DeFi services with subscription payments to address these problems, allowing users greater control over their subscriptions. The dApp is built on the Cardano blockchain and is designed to favor consumers by making their subscriptions more cost-efficient. Revuto users can instantly send notifications to approve, block, or delay charges for subscriptions or any other pending payment type.
This innovative idea has gained tremendous momentum since its inception. With just a few days remaining for its scheduled public token sale, Revuto has achieved another milestone by raising $1.7 million from its private token sale. The private round, led by BlackDragon VC, attracted some of the most renowned private investors and firms within the blockchain ecosystem. Being the first to build a project on Cardano’s ecosystem, Revuto has already crossed over a million early sign-ups for its dApp.
The BlackDragon group is optimistic about Revuto’s innovative dApp and its potential to revolutionize the subscription economy. They announced,
“Their stellar team has shown unparalleled growth in a very short time &#8211; and we&#8217;re excited to join the team in this journey and support Revuto and their native token REVU. We invest hours of dedicated research to provide our community with the average ROI of 40x &#8211; and Revuto is exactly what we are looking for.&#8221;
According to their roadmap, the dApp is set to commence its public token sale on May 18th before preparing for a full deployment in the forthcoming months. The Revuto dApp features a unified dashboard that empowers users to control and manage online subscriptions, recurring payments, and applications for DeFi micro-loans.
The native REVU token powers the platform, and through the ecosystem’s native wallet, users will get rewards, cashback, and between different payment options. In addition, users can stake REVU tokens, adding liquidity to the protocol and earning profits in-kind.
Josipa Majic
Revuto’s CEO, Josipa Majic, sees the dApp as the catalyst for merging crypto and traditional markets. She adds,
“We’re grateful to our private investors, including BlackDragon, for believing in Revuto’s team and tech, and for sharing our vision of making crypto spendable in everyday life. Having the right funding and investor that backs our long term vision is crucial, hence we are delighted to achieve this milestone and excited for times ahead.”
 
 
 
 
The post Revuto’s Latest $1.7 Million in Funding to Aid Subscription Management and Payment Simplification appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/revutos-latest-17-million-in-funding-to-aid-subscription-management-and-payment-simplification</link><guid>1918</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Revuto’s Latest $1.7 Million in Funding to Aid Subscription Management and Payment Simplification</dc:text></item><item><title>Revuto’s Latest $1.7 Million in Funding to Aid Subscription Mgt and Payment Simplification</title><description><![CDATA[Just days ahead of its scheduled public token sale, Revuto has closed $1.7 million during a private investment round. The team is building the first decentralized application on the Cardano network for subscriptions and payment management.
Forthcoming dApp To Deliver Recurring Payment Functionality
As more and more companies adopt the subscription model, the subscription economy is witnessing a meteoric rise. However, consumers are always left without many choices as the subscription-based industry is ridden with free-trial traps and complicated cancellation policies.
Revuto dApp blends crypto and DeFi services with subscription payments to address these problems, allowing users greater control over their subscriptions. The dApp is built on the Cardano blockchain and is designed to favor consumers by making their subscriptions more cost-efficient. Revuto users can instantly send notifications to approve, block, or delay charges for subscriptions or any other pending payment type.
This innovative idea has gained tremendous momentum since its inception. With just a few days remaining for its scheduled public token sale, Revuto has achieved another milestone by raising $1.7 million from its private token sale. The private round, led by BlackDragon VC, attracted some of the most renowned private investors and firms within the blockchain ecosystem. Being the first to build a project on Cardano’s ecosystem, Revuto has already crossed over a million early sign-ups for its dApp.
The BlackDragon group is optimistic about Revuto’s innovative dApp and its potential to revolutionize the subscription economy. They announced,
“Their stellar team has shown unparalleled growth in a very short time &#8211; and we&#8217;re excited to join the team in this journey and support Revuto and their native token REVU. We invest hours of dedicated research to provide our community with the average ROI of 40x &#8211; and Revuto is exactly what we are looking for.&#8221;
According to their roadmap, the dApp is set to commence its public token sale on May 18th before preparing for a full deployment in the forthcoming months. The Revuto dApp features a unified dashboard that empowers users to control and manage online subscriptions, recurring payments, and applications for DeFi micro-loans.
The native REVU token powers the platform, and through the ecosystem’s native wallet, users will get rewards, cashback, and between different payment options. In addition, users can stake REVU tokens, adding liquidity to the protocol and earning profits in-kind.
Josipa Majic
Revuto’s CEO, Josipa Majic, sees the dApp as the catalyst for merging crypto and traditional markets. She adds,
“We’re grateful to our private investors, including BlackDragon, for believing in Revuto’s team and tech, and for sharing our vision of making crypto spendable in everyday life. Having the right funding and investor that backs our long term vision is crucial, hence we are delighted to achieve this milestone and excited for times ahead.”
 
 
 
 
The post Revuto’s Latest $1.7 Million in Funding to Aid Subscription Mgt and Payment Simplification appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/revutos-latest-17-million-in-funding-to-aid-subscription-mgt-and-payment-simplification</link><guid>1920</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Revuto’s Latest $1.7 Million in Funding to Aid Subscription Mgt and Payment Simplification</dc:text></item><item><title>Temenos Taps Digital Assets Platform Taurus to Unlock Banks’ Access to Crypto Assets</title><description><![CDATA[Banking software company Temenos announced the integration of Taurus, a Swiss digital asset and blockchain infrastructure fintech, with Temenos Transact, the next generation core banking software.
Following a thorough landscape review and evaluation process, Temenos selected Taurus as a partner to deliver simplified access to digital assets for its banking clients.
Taurus’ technology is available to Temenos’ clients through Temenos MarketPlace, a curated community of fintech solutions that complement Temenos software.
Taurus brings the capability to integrate and seamlessly manage any digital asset, whether traditional securities, cash or digital assets, through its full suite of products; Taurus-CAPITAL (tokenisation and lifecycle management), Taurus-PROTECT (hot, warm, cold digital asset custody), and Taurus-EXPLORER (API-based blockchain connectivity to more than 10 blockchain protocols).
This collaboration allows banks to not only provide custody to a wide range of digital assets but also further innovate by creating tokenised products of their choice.
Depending on their business model and regulatory framework, banks will also be able to create, manage and service a wide range of tokenized assets leveraging Taurus-CAPITAL and Taurus-PROTECT functionalities.
Taurus recently received a securities firm license from the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) to operate as an independent regulated marketplace for digital assets.
Alexandre Duret
Alexandre Duret, Product Director at Temenos said,
“Investors are increasingly aware of the performance of cryptocurrencies, which can effectively participate in the diversification of a portfolio. But other applications of blockchain technology, such as tokenised securities have the potential to transform the value chain with simpler issuance procedures, greater liquidity and real-time settlement.
 
Taurus is leading the field in cryptography and blockchain technology. By joining forces, we can help banks to bridge the gap between traditional investments and digital assets.”
Sébastien Dessimoz
Sébastien Dessimoz, Managing Partner at Taurus added,
“We are pleased to collaborate with Temenos, the world-leading banking software, and be able to make available our technology to Temenos’ client base of more than 3,000 banks and financial institutions worldwide.
 
Taurus end-to-end platform will allow Temenos clients to manage any digital asset and create products in a couple of clicks.”
 
The post Temenos Taps Digital Assets Platform Taurus to Unlock Banks’ Access to Crypto Assets appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/temenos-taps-digital-assets-platform-taurus-to-unlock-banks-access-to-crypto-assets</link><guid>1912</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Temenos Taps Digital Assets Platform Taurus to Unlock Banks’ Access to Crypto Assets</dc:text></item><item><title>Temenos Taps Digital Assets Platform Taurus to Unlock Swiss Banks’ Access to Crypto Assets</title><description><![CDATA[Banking software company Temenos announced the integration of Taurus, a Swiss digital asset and blockchain infrastructure fintech, with Temenos Transact, the next generation core banking software.
Following a thorough landscape review and evaluation process, Temenos selected Taurus as a partner to deliver simplified access to digital assets for its banking clients.
Taurus’ technology is available to Temenos’ clients through Temenos MarketPlace, a curated community of fintech solutions that complement Temenos software.
Taurus brings the capability to integrate and seamlessly manage any digital asset, whether traditional securities, cash or digital assets, through its full suite of products; Taurus-CAPITAL (tokenisation and lifecycle management), Taurus-PROTECT (hot, warm, cold digital asset custody), and Taurus-EXPLORER (API-based blockchain connectivity to more than 10 blockchain protocols).
This collaboration allows banks to not only provide custody to a wide range of digital assets but also further innovate by creating tokenised products of their choice.
Depending on their business model and regulatory framework, banks will also be able to create, manage and service a wide range of tokenized assets leveraging Taurus-CAPITAL and Taurus-PROTECT functionalities.
Taurus recently received a securities firm license from the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) to operate as an independent regulated marketplace for digital assets.
Alexandre Duret
Alexandre Duret, Product Director at Temenos said,
“Investors are increasingly aware of the performance of cryptocurrencies, which can effectively participate in the diversification of a portfolio. But other applications of blockchain technology, such as tokenised securities have the potential to transform the value chain with simpler issuance procedures, greater liquidity and real-time settlement.
 
Taurus is leading the field in cryptography and blockchain technology. By joining forces, we can help banks to bridge the gap between traditional investments and digital assets.”
Sébastien Dessimoz
Sébastien Dessimoz, Managing Partner at Taurus added,
“We are pleased to collaborate with Temenos, the world-leading banking software, and be able to make available our technology to Temenos’ client base of more than 3,000 banks and financial institutions worldwide.
 
Taurus end-to-end platform will allow Temenos clients to manage any digital asset and create products in a couple of clicks.”
 
The post Temenos Taps Digital Assets Platform Taurus to Unlock Swiss Banks’ Access to Crypto Assets appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/temenos-taps-digital-assets-platform-taurus-to-unlock-swiss-banks-access-to-crypto-assets</link><guid>1913</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Temenos Taps Digital Assets Platform Taurus to Unlock Swiss Banks’ Access to Crypto Assets</dc:text></item><item><title>6 Swiss Fintechs That Managed to Expand Internationally During the Pandemic</title><description><![CDATA[In 2020, Switzerland’s economy shrank 2.9% as a results of the COVID-19 pandemic, the worst annual contraction in 45 years.
Startup funding declined 7.4% while fintech funding fell 38% as investors spread their financing more thinly, avoiding rounds of more than CHF 200 million and early stage startups, according to the 2021 Swiss Venture Capital Report.
A deeper analysis of the Swiss fintech sector in 2020 by the Lucerne University Applied Sciences and Arts shows a slowdown in the growth of the sector, a trend evidenced by the increased share of companies with low-sized total funding, and a workforce that failed to grow at mid-sized companies.
Despite these challenging times, several fintechs have managed to rise against the odds, continuing their momentum in 2020 and 2021 by entering new markets and strengthening their footprint. Today, we look at six Swiss fintech companies that have continued growing over the past two years, and even expanded overseas.
SME lending fintech TradePlus24 strengthens footprint in Australia, UK, and the Netherlands

Credit Suisse and SIX Group backed TP24 launched in Australia in late 2020 after raising CHF 120 million in debt and equity in February.
The launch was further bolstered by joining the Australian Finance Group (AFG)’s panel of finance providers as its only fintech partner to offer its flexible credit line product.
AFG is one of Australia’s largest broking groups with 2,975 finance brokers that work with close to 7,500 Australians each month. Tradeplus24 was selected to join the panel in recognition of its unique model, which uses insurance to underwrite a pool of SMEs&#8217; account receivables.
“Our globally unique structuring, insurance and financial engineering and a strong use of data allow us to deliver a solution that was previously only accessible to large companies to SMEs across the globe”, said Ben James, Group CEO.
Tradeplus24 also started its roll out into the UK and Netherlands in early 2021, market launches are expected later this year.
Regtech startup Apiax opens German subsidiary

Zurich-based fintech Apiax said in February 2021 that it had won its first customers in Germany and opened a subsidiary in Frankfurt to better serve the market. The announcement came on the back of fresh funding the startup raised from the Frankfurt-based Futury Regio Growth fund and existing investors including Xange, E.ventures, Diventures, Sictic, Zuercher Kantonalbank, Tugboat and former UBS Chairman Peter Kurer.
Apiax is a regtech startup that builds digital solutions to help financial institutions be compliant with complex regulations worldwide. With Apiax, the rules are consumable via an app or can be integrated directly into banking processes through an easy-to-use API.
Apiax’s expansion to Germany follows previous similar initiatives in the UK, in March 2019, and Singapore, in October 2019.
Numbrs launches personal finance app in Spain
Numbrs launches personal finance app in Spain, Illustration via Numbrs.com
Personal finance app Numbrs launched its smart wallet in Spain in March 2021 after releasing the app in Germany in 2014 and the UK in the summer of 2020.
Founded in 2014, Numbrs is a Swiss fintech that offers an app that aggregates bank account and credit card information. Numbrs Smart Wallet facilitates mobile banking and personal financial planning by allowing users to manage all their bank accounts, crypto and loyalty cards on one platform.
The startup raised a total of CHF 27 million in 2020 after changing its business model to a paid software-as-a-service (SaaS) subscription model. It’s looking to launch in France and Italy next.
Wealthtech provider Additiv opens new European head office in Frankfurt
Additiv opens new European head office in Frankfurt, Illustration via AdditivAG, Twitter
Wealthtech provider Additiv announced in October 2020 the opening a new European head office in Frankfurt. Additiv already had offices established in Singapore, Dubai, Nairobi, Bucharest as well as headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland.
The new office focuses on European customers, overseeing local customer operation and delivery needs within the new “financial capital of Europe,” the company said.
It aims to support strategic growth as the company increases its focus, particularly within Germany, Austria, Benelux and the Nordic region initially, although additional offices within these regions and beyond are planned.
Established in 1998, Additiv provides a business-to-business (B2B) SaaS cloud ecosystem for financial institutions to deploy client advisory, servicing, and expert tools in wealth and credit management.

Local Community Lending platform Loanboox awarded a German license

Loanboox team, Photo: Dominique Hügli, COO of Loanboox, via Twitter (@DHuegli)
Loan marketplace operator Loanboox was granted a license by Germany’s financial regulator BaFin in April 2020 and plans to further expand its business in other member states of the European Economic Area (EEA).
Zurich-based Loanboox is a peer-to-peer (P2P) debt financing platform for public sector borrowers and institutional investors and banks. In 2020, debt financing on Loanboox rose by 50% to CHF 7.1 billion, serving over 600 borrowers and 120 investors. As of late-2020, the platform served more than 600 borrowers and 120 investors in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, France and the Netherlands.
Cash deposit network Instimatch Global expands to the Middle East
Image credit: Qatar Financial Centre
Instimatch Global, a digital marketplace for trading cash deposits across multiple geographies, sectors and currencies, entered the Gulf market in February 2020, partnering with a leading Qatari institution and a group of local partners to establish a joint venture.
Board members of the new company include Michael Schmidt and Hugh Macmillen of Instimatch Global, representing the Zurich-based fintech, along with two local partners, representing the local group, and an additional independent member.
Instimatch Global also secured a range of leading banks as new clients in the region, including Ahli Bank QPSC and Gulf Bank.
Launched in 2017, Instimatch Global connects borrowers with lenders within the huge unsecured money markets, providing more efficient access, better pricing and the ability to diversify counterparty risk.
The post 6 Swiss Fintechs That Managed to Expand Internationally During the Pandemic appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/6-swiss-fintechs-that-managed-to-expand-internationally-during-the-pandemic</link><guid>1911</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Credit-Suisse-backed-Tradeplus24-launches-with-AFG-to-access-brokers-nationally.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>6 Swiss Fintechs That Managed to Expand Internationally During the Pandemic</dc:text></item><item><title>Spanish Stock Exchange Set to Pilot a Blockchain-Based SME Financing Platform</title><description><![CDATA[The Spanish stock exchange Bolsa de Madrid (BME) announced last week that it is set to test blockchain-based SME financing platform in a regulatory sandbox by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation.
The project&#8217;s entry into the sandbox represents the second phase in the project&#8217;s roadmap, following a successful pilot conducted in the summer of 2020 with a number of investment services firms, issuers and investors. The project&#8217;s blockchain network is based on Ethereum technology.
The project consists of the creation of a platform or &#8220;marketplace&#8221; for alternative financing that offers security to investors and helps small and medium-sized companies to raise financing through the issuing of participatory loans and convertible notes represented as digital assets in a blockchain network.
The platform is primarily aimed at facilitating the financing of limited liability companies, which, in addition to their size, due to their status as LLC, face limited financing alternatives other than bank financing.
In addition to the participation of issuers and investors, investment services firms (ESIs) play an important role in the platform, both in the onboarding and validation processes and in the marketing and management of issues.
In order to optimise processes in this type of financing and obtain the benefits of blockchain technology, the platform integrates an electronic money solution (EDE) so that users have an e-wallet where all their assets are stored, both electronic money and financial instruments represented as digital assets.
BME intends this platform also to serve as a link with BME Growth, BME’s SME growth market, by creating a fast track to this market, putting companies in contact with the appropriate professionals to, for example, facilitate their conversion into public limited companies at the time of conversion of loans into capital or to initiate the application process for the listing of these shares on BME Growth.
Companies can also rely on BME&#8217;s pre-market environment, an initiative launched three years ago by BME, which consists of a training and networking programme for growth SMEs to learn how capital markets work and gain access to private and institutional investors.
The advantages of this project submitted to the sandbox include facilitating regulatory compliance (by improving or standardising processes), improving regulation and the exercise of financial supervision, increasing the efficiency of institutions, improving Spain’s competence and offering such advantages to users of financial services, as transparency, real-time information and a one stop shop for integral management.
 
Featured image: Image by Carabo Spain from Pixabay
The post Spanish Stock Exchange Set to Pilot a Blockchain-Based SME Financing Platform appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/spanish-stock-exchange-set-to-pilot-a-blockchain-based-sme-financing-platform</link><guid>1910</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Spanish Stock Exchange Set to Pilot a Blockchain-Based SME Financing Platform</dc:text></item><item><title>MoneyGram Allows Customers to Buy a nd Sell Bitcoin With Cash</title><description><![CDATA[MoneyGram , a provider of cross-border P2P payments and money transfers, announced the launch of a new partnership with Coinme, a licensed cryptocurrency cash exchange in the U.S., to enable the cash funding and payout of digital currency purchases and sales.
The MoneyGram and Coinme integration will provide a fast and easy way for customers to purchase bitcoin with cash and withdraw bitcoin holdings in cash.
It is specially designed for customers who may be interested in utilising bitcoin for the first time.
The service will be available at select MoneyGram locations starting in the U.S. in the coming weeks. Additional countries and cryptocurrencies will be made available shortly thereafter.
With less than 20,000 cryptocurrency kiosks in the world, the MoneyGram and Coinme partnership will further expand access to bitcoin and potentially other digital currencies by creating thousands of new point-of-sale locations to buy and sell cryptocurrency.
The partnership utilises MoneyGram&#8217;s mobile and API-driven payments platform and Coinme&#8217;s proprietary cryptocurrency exchange and custody technology.
MoneyGram said that it had plans to expand to select international markets in the second half of 2021.
Alex Holmes
&#8220;This innovative partnership opens our business to an entirely new customer segment as we are the first to pioneer a crypto-to-cash model by building a bridge with Coinme to connect bitcoin to local fiat currency.
 
Our unique, global network is an incredibly valuable asset, and we&#8217;re excited to open our platform to Coinme as we increasingly look to capture new growth by monetizing our network to new use-cases.&#8221;
said Alex Holmes, MoneyGram Chairman and CEO.
Neil Bergquist
&#8220;MoneyGram has spent more than 80 years building one of the world&#8217;s largest P2P payment networks. By integrating its global infrastructure with our licensed crypto exchange technology, we can enable the purchase and sale of cryptocurrencies across its system using cash.
 
This is a major milestone for the bitcoin and cryptocurrency communities, and for the millions of people who will benefit from a trusted, easy and affordable onramp to digital currency.&#8221;
said Neil Bergquist, Coinme CEO.
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
The post MoneyGram Allows Customers to Buy a nd Sell Bitcoin With Cash appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/moneygram-allows-customers-to-buy-a-nd-sell-bitcoin-with-cash</link><guid>1908</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>MoneyGram Allows Customers to Buy a nd Sell Bitcoin With Cash</dc:text></item><item><title>MoneyGram Allows Customers to Buy and Sell Bitcoin With Cash</title><description><![CDATA[MoneyGram , a provider of cross-border P2P payments and money transfers, announced the launch of a new partnership with Coinme, a licensed cryptocurrency cash exchange in the U.S., to enable the cash funding and payout of digital currency purchases and sales.
The MoneyGram and Coinme integration will provide a fast and easy way for customers to purchase bitcoin with cash and withdraw bitcoin holdings in cash.
It is specially designed for customers who may be interested in utilising bitcoin for the first time.
The service will be available at select MoneyGram locations starting in the U.S. in the coming weeks. Additional countries and cryptocurrencies will be made available shortly thereafter.
With less than 20,000 cryptocurrency kiosks in the world, the MoneyGram and Coinme partnership will further expand access to bitcoin and potentially other digital currencies by creating thousands of new point-of-sale locations to buy and sell cryptocurrency.
The partnership utilises MoneyGram&#8217;s mobile and API-driven payments platform and Coinme&#8217;s proprietary cryptocurrency exchange and custody technology.
MoneyGram said that it had plans to expand to select international markets in the second half of 2021.
Alex Holmes
&#8220;This innovative partnership opens our business to an entirely new customer segment as we are the first to pioneer a crypto-to-cash model by building a bridge with Coinme to connect bitcoin to local fiat currency.
 
Our unique, global network is an incredibly valuable asset, and we&#8217;re excited to open our platform to Coinme as we increasingly look to capture new growth by monetizing our network to new use-cases.&#8221;
said Alex Holmes, MoneyGram Chairman and CEO.
Neil Bergquist
&#8220;MoneyGram has spent more than 80 years building one of the world&#8217;s largest P2P payment networks. By integrating its global infrastructure with our licensed crypto exchange technology, we can enable the purchase and sale of cryptocurrencies across its system using cash.
 
This is a major milestone for the bitcoin and cryptocurrency communities, and for the millions of people who will benefit from a trusted, easy and affordable onramp to digital currency.&#8221;
said Neil Bergquist, Coinme CEO.
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
The post MoneyGram Allows Customers to Buy and Sell Bitcoin With Cash appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/moneygram-allows-customers-to-buy-and-sell-bitcoin-with-cash</link><guid>1909</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>MoneyGram Allows Customers to Buy and Sell Bitcoin With Cash</dc:text></item><item><title>How to Get a Swiss Fintech License, Swiss SME Banking Heats Up</title><description><![CDATA[Switzerland’s fintech license appears to have attracted a horde of cryptocurrency startups looking to leverage the relaxed regime to provide certain bank-like services which would have otherwise required a full banking license, Michael Brüggler, managing expert at Fintech Werkstatt, told Fintech News Switzerland in an interview.
Michael Brüggler
“As far as we understand, a lot of [fintech license] applications that were filled in regard to cryptocurrencies, raises questions of legal certainty, AML issues, as well as political concerns,”
Brüggler said in an exclusive interview with fintechnews.ch.
“This created quite a big backlog of applications involving cryptocurrencies.”
Brüggler’s venture, Fintech Werkstatt, supports fintech startups in getting regulatory approval, for both the sandbox and fintech license. It also provides advisory and business services in areas such as company registration, financial budgeting and business planning.
Fintech Werkstatt managed the application process for MOGLI, an e-wallet provider which was recently granted a fintech license by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA). MOGLI, which is still in the beta phase, targets both retail and corporate segments, providing individuals with the ability to send and receive payments conveniently, as well as white-label solutions for corporates looking to support digital payments.
Switzerland’s attractiveness to crypto startups comes as no surprise considering that the nation has thrived as a major blockchain hub. Last year, the Swiss Parliament passed an amending act that incorporates crypto assets and distributed ledger technology (DLT) into Swiss law, allowing for the introduction of digital securities represented on a blockchain platform, and recognising a new authorisation category for “DLT trading facilities.”
While these recent regulatory changes have lowered the barriers for market entry, the reality is that young startups, even with the proper license, will still face hurdles when operating in Switzerland.
“There is no passporting [of these licenses] in the European Union (EU) and a fintech in the sandbox has great difficulties to open an account with a bank or even a service provider,” Brüggler said. “Even with a fintech license, it is challenging to open a correspondent bank account. If you’re dealing with cryptocurrencies, it is close to impossible.”
Funding is another issue, especially if you are an early-stage startup with limited financial resources, Brüggler said.
“Raising seed money takes a lot of time in Switzerland. Most funds talk about their will to finance innovation but at the same time request that these companies must already have traction in the size of at least CHF 1-5 million in turnover. Building innovation, something truly new, is contradictory with this requirement,” he said.
“Realistically you need much more capital than the minimum required capital [3% of the public deposits received, but no less than CHF 300,000] requested for a fintech license.
“For a fintech license, you have to spend at least half of your equity. And with the remaining funds, you can&#8217;t realistically build or buy an e-wallet application. Also, you still have running costs to build up your organisation.”
Despite the drawbacks, Brüggler praised Swiss regulators for establishing a licensing process that’s quicker and much more streamlined. He also noted their willingness and proactiveness to assist companies in the process.
“We know EU licenses that take over 12 months to be approved with equity requirements above EUR 1 million,” Brüggler said. “We sent in the application for MOGLI and managed to get the license within eight months. That’s decent in comparison to the EU.”
“Plus, the accessibility of FINMA is outstanding … a governmental authority that takes the time to explain the issue, always picks up the phone, and promptly replies to email. This is rare with rather autocratic authorities and really sets the Swiss fintech licensing process apart,” Brüggler concluded.
Besides MOGLI, FINMA has granted a fintech license to two other companies; Yapeal and Klarpay.
Relio, a startup building digital bank accounts for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Switzerland, could be next in line, Brüggler predicts, noting the startup’s “in-house competence&#8221;.
Relio was founded by Lav Odorovic, the Founder and previous CEO of Penta, a German neobank for freelancers, startups and SMEs. The company is backed by SIX Fintech Ventures, the German High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), F10 Investment, an angel investor and Revolut&#8217;s former COO Richard Davies.
Full Interview
You can read the full interview and learn more about how to get a Swiss Fintech license here.
Interview: Michael Brüggler Dives Deep Into Swiss Fintech License Landscape

Featured image credit: edited from Background photo created by www.slon.pics &#8211; www.freepik.com
The post How to Get a Swiss Fintech License, Swiss SME Banking Heats Up appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/how-to-get-a-swiss-fintech-license-swiss-sme-banking-heats-up</link><guid>1906</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>How to Get a Swiss Fintech License, Swiss SME Banking Heats Up</dc:text></item><item><title>Kriterien für erfolgreiche Bancassurance-Modelle</title><description><![CDATA[Die derzeit grassierende Corona-Pandemie hat in der Finanzwirtschaft einen Boom verschiedenster Plattform-Geschäftsmodelle ausgelöst und damit den Weg für eine Wiederbelebung des Allfinanz-Modells geebnet.
Zu diesem Ergebnis kommt eine aktuelle Studie der Frankfurter Unternehmensberatung TME. Untersucht wurden dabei die unterschiedlichen Ansätze der wichtigsten Anbieter sowie die Faktoren, die Bancassurance-Plattformen zum Erfolg führen. Die Studie formuliert und begründet zudem die Empfehlung, dass sich nach den Banken auch Unternehmen der Versicherungswirtschaft noch stärker dem Plattform-Geschäftsmodell öffnet und damit einen erfolgversprechenden Weg aus der derzeitigen Krise finden.
Stehen Sie digitalen Technologien grundsätzlich eher positiv oder eher negativ gegenüber? (Stand 2020 vs Vorjahr)
Das Geschäftsmodell der Bancassurance, Versicherungsprodukte über den Bankvertrieb zu verkaufen, erlebt eine rasante Renaissance. Anfang der 2000er Jahre galten die Allfinanz und der gemeinsame Vertrieb von Bank- und Versicherungsprodukten als großes Trendthema, schafften es aber trotzdem nie aus einem Nischendasein heraus. Seit kurzem ebnet die Digitalisierung im Vertrieb und der Megatrend der digitalen Plattformen diesem Vertriebskanal den neuen Weg.
Digitale Anbieter haben belastbare und flexible Plattformen entwickelt und übernehmen schrittweise den Versicherungsvertrieb über den digitalen Kanal. Um diese Kundenschnittstelle nicht gänzlich zu verlieren, haben einige Versicherungen und Banken, anders als bei der Ausbreitung von Paypal in den 2000er Jahren, nun frühzeitig reagiert und gehen Kooperationen zur gemeinschaftlichen Betreuung der Kunden ein.
Auszug des Bancassurance-Dienstleistungs-Ökosystems
Kooperationen ebnen den neuen Erfolgsweg
Diese Kooperationen unterstreichen die Dynamik um das Trendthema Digitale Bancassurance: In jüngster Vergangenheit liegt das Momentum insbesondere bei JDC mit einer breiten Marktdurchdringung und neuen Partnern wie Finanzguru oder der Provinzial Versicherung für 100 Sparkassen, aber auch andere Plattformen wie Fonds Finanz mit der PSD Bank, [pma:] bei Sparkassen oder Friendsurance mit der Deutschen Bank haben Partnerschaften geschlossen.
Durch die Wachstumsraten der digitalen Immobilienplattformen Interhyp oder Europace von bis zu 30% des vermittelten Volumens im Corona-Jahr 2020 gewinnt daher für Versicherungen das Thema &#8220;Offene Versicherungsplattform&#8221; zunehmend an Bedeutung, um nicht von Banken und FinTechs zum reinen Produktanbieter degradiert zu werden.
TME spezifiziert 10 Erfolgsfaktoren für den Plattformerfolg
Die TME hat diesbezüglich das Angebot führender deutscher Plattformanbieter, namentlich: Blau direkt, Fonds Finanz, Friendsurance, Hypoport AG, Jung DMS und Cie (JDC) und [pma:], analysiert.
Neben der Analyse der technischen Anbieter beleuchtet die Studie auch die Zukunft des Marktes für offene Versicherungsplattformen und spezifiziert 10 konkrete Faktoren, die den zukünftigen Plattformerfolg für Banken und Versicherungen sicherstellen. Um ein erfolgreiches Plattformgeschäftsmodell zu etablieren, sollte sich eine Versicherung oder Bank beispielsweise auf die eigene Kernkompetenz konzentrieren &#8211; die Technologie gehört nicht dazu. Diese wird von professionellen etablierten Anbietern beherrscht. Außerdem müssen Versicherungen für Plattformen eigene, dediziert digitale Produkte entwickeln, da bestehende Produkte und Tarife im digitalen Markt selten wettbewerbsfähig sind.
Stefan Roßbach
Stefan Roßbach, Gründer und Partner der TME:
&#8220;Die offene Versicherungsplattform ist der notwendige Schritt, um Versicherungs- und Bankleistungen an einem virtuellen Ort zu bündeln und die Basis für alle weiteren Angebote im Sinne eines Financial Home für alle Finanzdienstleistungen anzubieten.&#8221;
Darüber hinaus ist die Einbindung und Integration des bestehenden Vertriebs in den digitalen Vertriebskanal essenziell.
 
 
Die vollständige Studie kann hier heruntergeladen werden: https://tme-ag.de/studie/offene-versicherungsplattformen
 
Bild: Anbieter von Bancassurance- und Versicherungsplattformen / Studie: Corona lässt digitale Finanzplattformen boomen / TME-Untersuchung analysiert Kriterien für erfolgreiche Bancassurance-Modelle und zeigt Wege aus der Krise, TME AG
The post Kriterien für erfolgreiche Bancassurance-Modelle appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/kriterien-fur-erfolgreiche-bancassurance-modelle</link><guid>1905</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Stehen-Sie-digitalen-Technologien-grundsätzlich-eher-positiv-oder-eher-negativ.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Kriterien für erfolgreiche Bancassurance-Modelle</dc:text></item><item><title>Interview: Michael Brüggler Dives Deep Into Swiss Fintech License Landscape</title><description><![CDATA[Fintech News Switzerland (FNN) speaks with Michael Brüggler* to explore how up-and-coming startups can expertly navigate the complex Swiss fintech license regulatory landscape.
Michael is the managing expert at Fintech Werkstatt and was the FINMA license application manager for the new Swiss fintech startup MOGLI. He recently successfully obtained a Swiss fintech license for MOGLI in only 8 months. In this exclusive FNN interview , he walks us through the process.
FNN: Switzerland has issued only 3 fintech licenses so far to YAPEAL, Klarpay and MOGLI, what is the reasoning behind that?
Michael: FINMA had to build a new desk for the new approval category Art. 1b within a short period of time where many detailed legal questions needed to be clarified. As far as we understand, a lot of applications were filed for crypto currencies which raised questions on legal certainty, AML issues as well as political concerns. This created a huge backlog of applications involving crypto currencies. To the best of our understanding, this has little to do with the efficiency of FINMA&#8217;s approval process in general.

&#8220;Filing a fintech application under Art. 1b is a very challenging task&#8221;

Additionally in the beginning, the applications that were filed were also poorly done. If you don&#8217;t have the know-how, then the application process will take up a lot of time and eventually FINMA has no other choice than to reject the application. To &#8216;filter out&#8217; and better assure that the minimum legal standards are met in an application, FINMA has mandated that fintech applications must pass an audit first and it has to be performed by a recognised audit company. Technically this is not legally required but it is within FINMA&#8217;s purview. This adds about CHF 30,000 to the cost and further delays the application process. But this is due to the amateurs who filed such poor applications in the first place.
FINMA did not specify the total number of applications that are currently under consideration or how many were actually denied.
Filing a fintech application under Art. 1b is a very challenging task as multiple expert competencies are required but utmost emphasis is placed on the AMLA provisions. We had sent in the application for MOGLI and managed to secure a license for our client within 8 months. That&#8217;s pretty decent in comparison to the EU and our client was very happy with the results.
We are witnessing a sudden boom in fintech players serving Swiss SMEs in banking namely Klarpay, Mogli and Relio, who have yet to secure a license. Is there a reason for the sudden surge as it was a quiet space for the past few years?
Firstly we think many started about at the same time when this new category was passed and came into effect on the 1st January 2019. YAPEAL was the pioneer who had paved the way for the fintech industry. The experienced team around YAPEAL&#8217;s Co-Founder and CEO Thomas Hilgendorf did a particularly good job. Moreover, having a chairman such as Hans Kuhn, who worked for the Federal Office of Justice as well as the Swiss National Bank (SNB) for over 13 years surely helped to establish a proper application. When you have legal, compliance, AML and risk experts with decades of experience in the banking and payment industry, you don&#8217;t need much help with the application. We would also expect Relio to be able to secure their license soon based on their in-house competence.

Fintech Werkstatt has initiated a monthly &#8216;Fintech Alliance Talk&#8217; 

Besides, I think the ability to raise seed money takes a lot of time in Switzerland. Most funds talk about their willingness to finance innovation but at the same time request these companies to have at least CHF 1-5 million in turnover. To build innovation i.e. something truly new, is contradictory with this requirement. In short, the innovation phase is often slowed down due to the founders’ minimal financial resources. Realistically you need much more of your own capital than the minimum required amount of CHF 300,000 or at least 3% of client deposits. For the fintech license, you would probably have to spend at least half of your equity and with the remaining funds you can’t realistically build or buy an e-wallet application. Besides, there are other costs required to build up your organisation. Startups should aim for a minimum of CHF 700,000 or more as you have to maintain half of your own capital at all times according to the Swiss Code of Obligation.
Fintech Werkstatt supports fintech startups in getting regulatory approval, for both the sandbox and fintech license. It also provides advisory and business services in areas such as company registration, financial budgeting and business planning.
Fintech Werkstatt has initiated a monthly ‘Fintech Alliance Talk’ with the CEOs’ of Saphirstein, MOGLI, YAPEAL and Klarpay to support Swiss fintechs in general. Relio’s CEO will be joining our next meeting as well. Taking into account the comments from fintech startups that have already gone through the application process gave us a comprehensive overview in regard to working with FINMA. We are confident that the applications will be processed more quickly now that more are coming in a ‘new normal’ will be established.
Traditional Swiss banks do not seem to care much about Swiss SMEs. Where do you see the potential?
Traditional banks might not see the symbiotic potential and their legacy IT system is also a limiting factor. Additionally, we think that many banks focus on other more lucrative earning streams and offering real-time payments linked to SME accounting is simply not their priority.
With PSD2 &#8216;à la cart&#8217;, Switzerland is missing out on many innovations that are currently taking place in Europe. I would not agree that the banks do not care, on the contrary, we see it with MOGLI where large banks are very much interested to work with them. For such a fintech, having a full technology stack of their own is not the limiting factor anymore. Some banks might view fintechs wrongfully as a threat rather than an opportunity which is regrettable.
Our client MOGLI, for example, showed us their rules-based platform called youONE. They claim that they can use their rule engine for all business logic and interfaces. Looking at its development, it seems realistic to us that they need only about 10% of the effort compared to other modern softwares based on the visual &#8216;drag&amp;drop&#8217; rules creation demo and their small staff size.
For larger SMEs, they provide custom solutions by adding some specific rules. Then on the mandateID of a request, the platform selects the correct rule at run time. Combined with their mature text understanding AI and big data capabilities, we were simply impressed at how innovative such a small startup can be.
This presents an opportunity for every bank, insurance and telecoms company or even the production industry. Currently rule-based programming is mainly used by Google and Microsoft. To have such an innovation here in Switzerland is amazing.
Which are the entities largely investing in Swiss fintech startups? Who are the investors of MOGLI and how was the fundraising process?
Fintech Werkstatt helps investors to find promising fintech investments and development partners while we aid innovative startups to find seed investors. It is a symbiotic win-win situation which we find fruitful.
As outlined earlier, banks, insurance and telecoms companies have some very good reasons to invest and work with innovative startup companies.
But while local potential investors have the tendency to ponder about traction and turnover, international investors are starting their due diligence and they are much faster at it. We have observed US and Chinese investors already completing their due diligence process for fintechs like MOGLI to position themselves to snap up this little Swiss pearl.

&#8220;If  they do not already generate a turnover of at least 1 million Swiss francs, Swiss investors end to stay away&#8221;

To our understanding, investors might underestimate the potential of growth through innovation. In our opinion, these investments have a potential to grow more than 5 to 10 times within a few years. But you have to be able to balance between risk and innovation.
Even the &#8216;Swiss Enterpreneurs Foundation&#8217;, which was founded in December 2017 under the patronage of Federal Councilor Johann N. Schneider-Ammann, does not want to take the risk to invest in innovative startups if they do not already generate a turnover of at least 1 million Swiss francs. To what extent the classic financing of growth companies with a turnover of over CHF 1 million per year is promoting innovation remains unclear to us. Based on such requirements, these funds welcome the opportunity for established companies to obtain an attractive refinancing alternative rather than supporting innovation at its core.
We can&#8217;t see the point of how these investments are impacting innovation in a meaningful way. The Swiss Entrepreneurs Fund follows more or less the same investment criteria that Credit Suisse, UBS, Swisscom and MOBILIAR have used for a very long time in their own venture and entrepreneurs funds. To no one&#8217;s surprise, these very same institutes are on the Board of the Swiss Entrepreneurs Foundation. Federal funds that are administered the same way as countless venture funds that already exist are pointless or at least sadly miss the opportunity to support Swiss innovation in a meaningful way. The fact that the federal government has put the keys to manage innovation capital for the fintech industry in the hands of the banks and insurance companies is regrettable and a rather disturbing conflict of interest. Why should banks support innovative fintech companies with venture capital if they could potentially become a threat?
The consultation process around the new category Art. 1b, PSD2 for Open Banking or a simple account opening by a fintech company at a bank shows how ambivalent the relationship between banks and the fintech industry really is. We observe that innovation in Switzerland is to a large extent financed by the founders. A rather surprising paradox given all the political efforts and countless talks expressing the willingness to financially support innovation in Switzerland.

&#8220;Traditional banks&#8217; legacy IT systems are unable to handle the evolution of Swiss SMEs&#8221;

We estimate that it takes about 5 years or even longer for an innovative startup to generate a steady turnover of over 1 million Swiss francs. An innovative startup that has been around for over 5 years can&#8217;t be deemed as new in this fast-moving industry. A different and more innovative approach would be more helpful and is necessary.
Perhaps investors, funds and banks should focus on assessing the potential, and risks of an innovative startup as well as the competence of the team. At the moment, fintech founders and many others take on all of the risks to work for the benefit of an entirely new economy. Should the worst happen, they not only lose their savings but will face great difficulties in getting paid by the Swiss unemployment insurance. This is a thorn that should be removed.
Seeing how money is being invested in Archegos and Greensill but not in Switzerland to nurture domestic innovations has raised questions. We have difficulties in fully understanding why the assessment of risk and potential comes to a halt when it comes to the turnover question. Our experts at Fintech Werkstatt have done their jobs in lining up potential investors from London, Palo Alto and Singapore for our hidden champions. We just have to accept that in Switzerland, once again foreign strategic investors are in the driving seat. These top Swiss innovators, jobs and taxes might leave through the same door as the financing is coming in.
How are SME payments traditionally handled in Switzerland and how are new fintechs able to disrupt or improve that?
Banks handle payments in quite a static and instructive way without being explanatory. Their legacy IT systems are unable to handle the evolution of SMEs&#8217; needs or their accounting processes. The competence in handling the matter does not depend on the bank but on individual employees dealing with customers and therefore can be classified as mostly random.
The IT systems of the banks are a patchwork of databases. They are not up to the task for fully automated AI-based AML support or transactional risk assessment supported with automated semantic analysis and adverse media checking. This are areas where innovative startups will be able to handle and be a disruptive force especially when handling large volumes.
You mentioned MOGLI earlier, walk us through its journey from inception to present and what were the lessons learnt in their attempts to get a license.
To test within the sandbox, we filed an application at the Self Regulatory Organisation (SRO) VQF in October 2018 and got the approval in March 2019. In March 2020, the board mandated Fintech Werkstatt to prepare their FINMA Fintech license application which we sent in on August 2020. We received a deposition on the 1st August 2021 for our client.
In the sandbox, MOGLI was able to test its e-wallet in the market with clients. During this period, MOGLI found fraudulent attempts to use stolen credit card credentials. Some London-based criminals had loaded money with stolen credit card credentials to the app just to transfer it shortly after to another bank in order to avoid the freezing of their assets. The lesson learned was:

Two factor identification helps but it does not provide absolute protection;
The names on the credit cards are for decorative use only;
If you have too many fraudulent attempts with your e-wallet, the acquirer will put your contract to an end and the money will be blocked for a long time without much explanation.

There are no passporting in the EU and a fintech in the sandbox has great difficulties to open an account with a bank or even a service provider due to this. The concept of SRO&#8217;s are basically unknown in the EU and therefore mostly disregarded. But even with a fintech license, it is challenging to open a correspondence bank account. If you are dealing with crypto currencies, it is close to impossible.
Taking the great expense into account, I think our client could not learn enough to justify the cost and administrative work for an SRO application, the audits and the onboarding of all the partners that you need to become operative. Still, it was a good experience in preparation for the fintech license.
What sets MOGLI apart from the other players out there and how have they set out to make a difference in terms of core banking?
MOGLI’s development team and their technology which focuses on creating value for SMEs, banks, insurance and telecoms companies sets them apart. They started with a first use case that happens to be payments with a focus on KMU. Then they went through the pain to develop their own stack which sets them apart by putting them into a position to match KMUs’ needs. Loyalty functions allows KMUs to tailor their marketing campaigns according their client’s needs and enable efficient up-selling. Connecting instant payments to instant accounting is another topic. But to see an entire trade finance platform built within only a few months is impressive.

&#8220;FINMA always promptly responds to calls and emails&#8221;

How does the Swiss fintech licensing process compare to that of our European or even Asian counterparts?
We have only a modest ability in making this comparison. We know of EU licenses that took over 12 months to be approved as the equity requirement is above € 1 million. This is where FINMA&#8217;s accessibility is outstanding as a government authority that clarifies any issues, and always promptly responds to calls and emails. This is rare and really sets the Swiss fintech licensing process apart.
Are there any areas of friction in the fintech licensing process that you foresee the need for Swiss regulators to smooth out?
With less than CHF 30,000, FINMA&#8217;s cost is reasonable regarding the application filing. More importantly, if you have a cash burn rate of CHF 100,000 per month for example, each month is crucial. We hope FINMA gets the financial support to increase its number of staff to shorten the application period to below 8 months especially for a straightforward application. As mentioned, on the crypto side there is quite a big backlog. From clients, the questions we received most were regarding minimum equity requirements, AML transaction supervision, budget and cross border activity/passporting.
How is Fintech Werkstatt able to ease this licensing process for Swiss startups? Where can they find the information needed?
It is best if you have a quick look at our website for more information. Law and consulting companies&#8217; services are rather expensive. However, if you compare the fees in Zurich with what you pay for a lawyer in London or worse in New York,  you might be very happy with the fees in Switzerland.

&#8220;We wish that FINMA gets the financial support to increase its number of staff to shorten the application period to below 8 months&#8221;

Most importantly Fintech Werkstatt has the documents and experts to do the job successfully in the past which not many consulting or law firms can claim. But sure, with about 50% lower costs, we have some disruptive potential on the cost side. Fintech Werkstatt hands out a set of sample documents that you need for a FINMA application for CHF 30,000. Even if you establish all the documents yourself with the help of a consulting or law company, you may still end up paying more than this. But more importantly, when a client gives us the full mandate to manage their fintech applications, they also profit from our large network in the fintech industry.
We support our clients to set up a company, establish a financial budget and business plans, find technical partners for the onboarding or find a white label solution. We also help and advise with the setting up of a competent board, management as well as risk and compliance department. Fintech Werkstatt has no objective to be disruptive as there is no need for that. We are rather integrative, just extremely focused on one thing; to manage the FINMA fintech applications for our clients in order to reduce the time for market launch and the cost for our clients. With law and consulting firms, we work in a symbiotic way. Many of the lawyers and consultants that we work with are experts in a specific area or are audit companies that need to remain independent as future auditors for those fintech companies.
What final advice do you have for up-and-coming startups looking to secure a Swiss fintech license?
In short, our advice for startups or any other companies is to focus on their core business and competence. A FINMA fintech application is a one-off complex endeavor. Get help from experts whenever you have to perform a complex task outside of your core competence.
 
Michael Brüggler
*Michael is a business economist (FH), startups investor and CEO/CFO on demand. As a fintech and financial expert, he focuses on managing fintech applications to the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) as well as advising board members and investment committees.
 
The post Interview: Michael Brüggler Dives Deep Into Swiss Fintech License Landscape appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/interview-michael-bruggler-dives-deep-into-swiss-fintech-license-landscape</link><guid>1907</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Interview: Michael Brüggler Dives Deep Into Swiss Fintech License Landscape</dc:text></item><item><title>Die Gewinner der Blockchain Challenge 2021 der Universität Basel</title><description><![CDATA[Am Dienstag, den 11. Mai, endete die Blockchain Challenge 2021 des Center for Innovative Finance der Universität Basel mit der in diesem Jahr online ausgetragenen Abschlussveranstaltung.
Die praxisorientierte und sehr anspruchsvolle Blockchain Challenge hat sich inzwischen neben weiteren Blockchain-Lehrveranstaltungen der Universität Basel etabliert und findet grossen Zuspruch unter den Studierenden. Das Center for Innovative Finance unterstreicht damit seine Rolle als einer der Vorreiter in der Lehre und Forschung auf dem Gebiet der neuen Finanztechnologien, die nicht nur in der Wirtschaft, sondern auch in der Politik und im öffentlichen Leben immer mehr Bedeutung erlangen.
Blockchain-Technologie in der Praxis
Wie schon in den letzten Ausgaben der Blockchain Challenge bearbeiteten acht Studierenden-Teams im Verlauf des Semesters jeweils einen Business Case der teilnehmenden Partner-Unternehmen. In diesem Jahr beteiligten sich AXA, BearingPoint, Burckhardt, Bank CLER, Credit Suisse Asset Management (Schweiz), Novartis, Swisscom und TopPharm als Projektpartner.
Andri Silberschmidt
Die Eröffnungsrede am Abschluss-Event hielt Nationalrat Andri Silberschmidt. Er unterstrich die wachsende Bedeutung der Blockchain-Technologie und die wichtige Rolle, die der Schweiz und somit auch ihren Universitäten auf diesem Gebiet zukommt.
Im Hauptteil der Veranstaltung präsentierten die Studierenden dem Publikum Blockchain-basierte Lösungskonzepte, um auf Herausforderungen im Tagesgeschäft der Projekt-Partner zu reagieren, und verdeutlichten diese durch Live-Demonstrationen. Die erarbeiteten Anwendungen reichten von Plattformen für die Finanz-, Versicherungs- und Pharmabranche über innovative Blockchain-Lösungen zu juristischen Themen bis hin zu Konzepten zu Nachhaltigkeit, Kunst und Bonusprogrammen.
Gewinner der Blockchain Challenge
Im Anschluss an die Präsentationen hatte die 18-köpfige Jury, bestehend aus Vertretern der Praxispartner und Experten aus dem Blockchain-Bereich, die Aufgabe, alle Projekte zu bewerten, um das Siegerteam der diesjährigen Blockchain Challenge zu küren.
Die Studierenden Dominik Merz und Wenqi Li belegten den dritten Platz mit einer Blockchain-basierten Lösung für das TopPharm Loyalty Programm. Das zweitplatzierte Team mit den Studierenden Laslo Dosa, Albi Tahiri und Thom van Rijn überzeugte mit seinem im Auftrag von AXA entwickelten Konzept für Smart Contracts Versicherungen.
Zum Sieger der Blockchain Challenge 2021 wurde das Team mit Nico Born, Annika Kristina Hansen und Pirmin Can Özdemir gekürt. Sie entwickelten im Auftrag von Burckhardt Law eine Blockchain-Anwendung, welche es ermöglicht, Testamente und Verfügungen mithilfe der Blockchain-Technologie vor Fälschung und Manipulation zu schützen.
Neben zahlreichen lehrreichen und wertvollen Erfahrungen als Teilnehmer der Blockchain Challenge 2021 konnten sich die drei Siegerteams über ein Preisgeld in Höhe von 3’000, 6’000 und 10’000 CHF freuen.
Auch die Vertreter der teilnehmenden Unternehmen betonten in ihrem Feedback den Wert, den die Blockchain Challenge und die gewonnenen Erkenntnisse für sie persönlich und ihre Unternehmen darstellen. Das Blockchain Challenge Team zeigte sich mit den Ergebnissen der diesjährigen Challenge und dem Verlauf des Abschlussevents hochzufrieden. Der vermeintliche Nachteil, die Veranstaltung in diesem Jahr online austragen zu müssen, entpuppte sich im Nachhinein als Glücksfall, da auf diese Weise mehr als 350 Personen aus aller Welt dem Anlass beiwohnen konnten.
The post Die Gewinner der Blockchain Challenge 2021 der Universität Basel appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/die-gewinner-der-blockchain-challenge-2021-der-universitat-basel</link><guid>1904</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Blockchain-Challenge-2021-1024x576.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Die Gewinner der Blockchain Challenge 2021 der Universität Basel</dc:text></item><item><title>Diem Withdraws Swiss License Application, Makes Bold Move With U.S. Shift</title><description><![CDATA[Diem Association, a digital currency project previously knows as Facebook&#8217;s Libra project, announced that it has dropped its plans to get a Swiss payments license and will instead focus on shifting its primary operations to the United States.
The crypto firm had sent in its application to the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) in April 2020. The application was originally based on a stablecoin linked to a basket of currencies which was revised to reflect significant changes that were made to the project.
Despite its application already being in an advanced stage, Diem chose to withdraw its application from FINMA.
Stuart Levey
“While our plans take the project fully within the US regulatory perimeter and no longer require a license from FINMA, the project has benefited greatly from the intensive licensing process in Switzerland and the constructive feedback from FINMA and more than two dozen other regulatory authorities from around the world convened by FINMA to consider the project,”
said Stuart Levey, Chief Executive Officer of Diem.
Diem is planning to launch the payment system from the USA in a first phase because initially the project will focus on the USA as its target market and because it is now based on the US currency.
To make this happen, Diem announced a partnership between its wholly-owned subsidiary, Diem Networks US, and Silvergate Capital Corporation.
Under this partnership, Silvergate Bank will become the exclusive issuer of the Diem USD stablecoin.
Diem has built a blockchain-based payment system to support financial inclusion and responsible financial services innovation. Silvergate will become the exclusive issuer of the Diem USD stablecoin and will manage the Diem USD reserve.
Silvergate is a California state-chartered bank and a member of the Federal Reserve, and Diem Networks US will register as a money services business with the US Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.
Diem Networks US will run the Diem Payment Network (DPN), a permissioned blockchain-based payment system that facilitates the real-time transfer of Diem stablecoins among approved network participants. The formation of this partnership is an important step in preparation for a Diem USD pilot.
“Silvergate is a leader in financial innovation and an ideal partner for Diem as we move forward with a blockchain-based payment system that protects consumers and enhances the integrity of the financial system.
 
We are committed to a payment system that is safe for consumers and businesses, makes payments faster and cheaper, and takes advantage of blockchain technology to bring the benefits of the financial system to more people around the world. We look forward to working with Silvergate to realize this shared vision.”
added Levey.
Alan Lane
“We believe in the future of U.S. dollar backed stablecoins and their potential to transform existing payment systems.
 
We’re inspired by Diem’s technology and commitment to building a regulatory compliant payment system that offers a safe and secure way to move money. We’re excited to be at a place in the process where we can announce this product with confidence and look forward to continuing our work with Diem to bring this to market.”
said Alan Lane, Chief Executive Officer of Silvergate.
 
Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash
The post Diem Withdraws Swiss License Application, Makes Bold Move With U.S. Shift appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/diem-withdraws-swiss-license-application-makes-bold-move-with-us-shift</link><guid>1902</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Diem Withdraws Swiss License Application, Makes Bold Move With U.S. Shift</dc:text></item><item><title>Neobank for Freelancers Lili Secures US$55 Million in Series B Fundraise</title><description><![CDATA[Lili, a mobile banking service for freelancers in the U.S., announced a US$55 million Series B investment led by Group 11, bringing total funding to US$80 million. Other notable investors included Target Global and AltaIR with previous investors re-upping.
The New York-based banking app is spearheaded by finance serial entrepreneur Lilac Bar David and is strengthening its claim as the leading banking app and finance tool for freelancers and gig-economy workers.
Offering relevant and timely features such as expense management, effortless tax preparation, and no-fee accounts, Lili said that it has doubled its account base in the past 6 months as more users pursue new, entrepreneurial endeavors and turn to Lili as a reliable resource for their growing businesses.
The new $55 million capital injection will allow Lili to expand the platform to address existing pain points for freelancers with new features related to invoice and payment management, as well as expanding into credit products.
Lilac Bar David
&#8220;Becoming an entrepreneur or freelancer &#8212; your own boss &#8212; is one of the most exciting life decisions you can make,”
said Lilac Bar David, CEO of Lili.
“We’ve created the tools you need to spend more time building your venture and less time on things that historically your employer would handle, sorting expenses, managing financials, and filing taxes.”
The post Neobank for Freelancers Lili Secures US$55 Million in Series B Fundraise appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/neobank-for-freelancers-lili-secures-us55-million-in-series-b-fundraise</link><guid>1903</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Neobank for Freelancers Lili Secures US$55 Million in Series B Fundraise</dc:text></item><item><title>Remitly Receives Investment From Visa Ahead of IPO Plans</title><description><![CDATA[Remitly, a mobile-first provider of remittances and financial services for immigrants, announced that it has received an undisclosed sum of equity investment from Visa.
News of the funding comes days amidst reports that Remitly is preparing for an initial public offering (IPO) in New York this year.
This new funding from Visa comes on the heels of Remitly’s US$85 million Series F round in July 2020. The Series F funding has helped power the organisation as it expands its money transfer network into new markets, further develops its suite of digital financial services products, and reaches new customers worldwide.
Further deepening their relationship, Remitly is also extending an earlier partnership with Visa, to integrate Visa Direct, Visa’s real-time push payments platform, to help enable Remitly customers in the United States to send funds to eligible Visa debit cards in countries around the world.
Remitly first announced its partnership with Visa in March 2019, providing customers another fast, secure, and transparent channel to send and receive funds from the United States to eligible Visa debit cards across borders. Visa also supports Passbook by Remitly.
Through this extension, Visa and Remitly will continue to work together to further expand cross-border transfer services and provide customers affordable, convenient, and secure money transfer solutions.
Since the start of 2020, Remitly has more than doubled its reach in the number of available receive countries, from 49 to over 100 while also launching send functionality in Singapore.
Matt Oppenheimer
“Over the last two years, our partnership with Visa and integration of Visa Direct, has bolstered our cross-border money transfer network and provided our customers with even more options to send and receive money all over the world.
 
After a strong initial collaboration with the world’s leader in digital payments, we’re excited to bring even more payment disbursement innovations to the forefront in the years ahead, and serve our customers with speed, convenience, and optionality.&#8221;
said Matt Oppenheimer, Remitly&#8217;s Co-Founder and CEO.
Ruben Salazar
“Remittances are a lifeline for the 200 million workers around the world who rely on this service to quickly and securely move money to their families.
 
By expanding on our collaboration with Remitly through Visa Direct, we look forward to unlocking new corridors and help give people more options to digitally send and receive funds to friends and family around the world.”
said Ruben Salazar, SVP and Global Head of Visa Direct, Visa.
 
Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/remitly-receives-investment-from-visa-ahead-of-ipo-plans</link><guid>1901</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Remitly Receives Investment From Visa Ahead of IPO Plans</dc:text></item><item><title>Älteste Uhrenfabrik der Schweiz setzt auf Blockchain</title><description><![CDATA[Die Philippe DuBois et fils S.A. mit Sitz in Basel ist Herstellerin von Armbanduhren. Das Unternehmen besteht seit 1785 und produziert heute ausschliesslich stark limitierte Uhrenmodelle.
Jetzt belebt DuBois et fils die in der Schweiz tief verankerte Handwerkskunst neu und führt sie in einer besonderen Aktion in die Zukunft: Noch in diesem Jahr werden historische Uhrwerke auf einer Blockchain repräsentiert.
Werte erlebbar machen
DuBois et fils hat zu diesem Zweck im Januar 2021 eine Tochtergesellschaft, die SwissValueCHain GmbH, gegründet. Sie ist Grundlage für diverse digitale Zukunftsprojekte des Unternehmens, das in einer einzigartigen Kombination Schweizer Handwerkskunst mit modernster Technologie verknüpft.
Die Blockchain ist nicht nur zur Dokumentation und Teilhabe an der Wertschöpfungskette oder zum Schutz vor Fälschungen von Uhren gedacht. Der Schritt in das neue Feld dieser Technologie und die Entwicklung einer spezifischen Blockchain-Anwendung ermöglicht DuBois et fils, Werte wie Nachhaltigkeit und historische Verbundenheit im Zeitalter der Digitalisierung glaubwürdig erlebbar zu machen.

Thomas Steinemann
 
«Wir wollen durch transparente Partizipation Vertrauen und Begeisterung erzeugen für das, was wir machen»,
sagt Thomas Steinemann, CEO von DuBois et fils.
Langfristige Ziele
DuBois et fils ist eine kleine, eigenständige Marke mit traditionsreicher Geschichte und grossem Innovationspotenzial. Bereits die Gründerfamilie war bekannt für ihre Kreativität und Fähigkeit, zukunftsweisende Ideen zu generieren und über die gewöhnlichen Grenzen hinauszuschauen. Wie die Uhrenpioniere von damals, zeichnet sich DuBois et fils heute noch dadurch aus – gepaart mit langfristigem Denken und Handeln.
Das Unternehmen ist durch ein breites Aktionariat gestützt. Über 1&#8217;000 Aktionär*innen in 31 Ländern sind bereits Teil der Geschichte und ihrer historischen Entwicklung als wertvolle Schweizer Uhrenmarke.

«Das Tokenisieren unseres Aktienkapitals ist deshalb eines der Themen, die in Zukunft auf der Blockchain realisiert werden sollen. Weitere spannende Projekte sind bereits in der Umsetzungsphase»,
so Thomas Steinemann.
 
Bild: Das Stammhaus von DuBois et fils in Le Locle besteht bis heute. © DuBois et fils SA
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/alteste-uhrenfabrik-der-schweiz-setzt-auf-blockchain</link><guid>1900</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Älteste Uhrenfabrik der Schweiz setzt auf Blockchain</dc:text></item><item><title>SPAC Deals Drive Fintech Exit Activity to New High</title><description><![CDATA[In Q1 2021, fintech exit activity hit a new high driven by blank check transactions. 11 initial public offerings (IPOs) and 67 merger and acquisition (M&amp;A) deals were announced and/or completed this past quarter – many of which through special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) transactions, according to CB Insights’ latest quarterly State of Fintech report.
M&amp;A and IPO activity for VC-backed fintech companies, Q1&#8217;19 &#8211; Q1&#8217;21, Source: State of Fintech Q1 2021 Report, CB Insights
Over the past year, SPACs have emerged as a popular way for private companies to go public. According to Refinitiv, the value of listings by SPACs grew seven-fold in the US last year to more than US$70 billion. This year, that full-year figure was surpassed by the end of March.
In Q1’21, fintech SPAC transactions were particularly prolific in the challenger banks segment, according to the CB Insights report, with startups including Social Finance (SoFi) and MoneyLion announcing multi-billion-dollar merger deals.
Retail investing platform eToro also unveiled plans to merge with Fintech Acquisition V in a US$10.4 billion deal, and digital asset marketplace Bakkt said in January that it will be going public with VPC Impact Acquisition in a deal valued at US$2.1 billion.
Real estate technology continued to be a major investment target for SPACs with several dedicated blank check companies being launched in Q1’21, as well as numerous proptech companies unveiling plans to go public via the SPAC route. These include spatial data firm Matterport, real estate marketplace Offerpad, building management software provider Latch, and real estate transaction platform Doma (formerly States Title).
Fintech funding rebounds to new high
Q1’21 saw a significant increase in fintech funding with US$22.8 billion raised through 614 deals. The figures make Q1’21 the largest quarter on record for fintech funding, surpassing Q2’18’s previous all-time-high that included a massive US$14 billion funding round closed by Ant Group.
Global VC-backed fintech funding trends, Q1’18 – Q1’21, Source: State of Fintech Q1 2021 Report, CB Insights
Fintech funding growth was global with nearly every continent recording an increase, except for Australia. Europe witnessed the biggest jump with fintech investment surging 180% quarter-over-quarter (QoQ) to US$5 billion, surpassing Asia at US$3.6 billion. North America continued to lead, ranking first with US$12.8 billion.
Quarterly funding ($M) by continent, Q1&#8217;21 &#8211; Q1&#8217;21, Source: State of Fintech Q1 2021 Report, CB Insights
Stock trading apps close large funding rounds
Q1’21’s staggering rise was mainly driven by mega-rounds of US$100 million and over. These totaled 57 deals, a new quarterly record, and together, accounted for 69% of total funding during the quarter.
Global VC-backed fintech mega-round (US$100M+) funding trends, Q1&#8217;18 &#8211; Q1&#8217;21, Source: State of Fintech Q1 2021 Report, CB Insights
Digital investments platforms and stock trading apps took a nice share of Q1’21’s mega-rounds, closing large funding rounds to continue the momentum triggered by the retail trading surge.
Zero-commission stock trading pioneer Robinhood raised two of the quarter’s 10 largest funding rounds, totaling US$3.4 billion. The amount represents about 60% of the total funding raised by wealthtech startups in Q1’21, the report says.
The US-based startup, which allows users to invest in stocks, ETFs, options, cryptocurrencies and more, helped drive this past year’s surge in retail investing. In March, it filed for an IPO that could come late in the second quarter, reported CNBC.
Robinhood’s last fundraising brought its valuation to US$11.7 billion but trading of private shares indicated the company could be valued as much as US$40 billion in its IPO, according to Bloomberg.
Public.com (US$220 million Series D, US), WeBull (US$150 million Series D, China) and FreeTrade (US$69 million, UK) are stock trading platforms that also raised funding in Q1’21.
Other fintech trends in Q1’21
In Q1’21, European payments startups including Klarna, Checkout.com, Rapyd and Ppro closed multiple mega-rounds that pushed their valuations much higher.
Klarna, an online commerce payment company from Sweden, raised the quarter’s second largest round at US$1 billion, nearly tripling its valuation from US$10.7 billion to now US$31 billion.
Klarna offers services including payments for online storefronts, direct payments and post purchase payments. Data from Apptopia suggest that the startup has witnessed stronger growth than its competitors this past year, and is now leading the pack.
Klarna is Europe’s most valuable fintech company, and the world’s second largest, according to data from CB Insights.
UK-based Checkout.com closed a US$450 million funding round that pushed its valuation from US$5.5 billion to US$15 billion. And, Rapyd, another UK startup, raised US$300 million in January that doubled its valuation to US$2.5 billion.
In Q1’21, API-based banking software continued to mature on the back of rising demand for digital experiences. Germany’s software-as-a-service (SaaS) banking platform Mambu raised a EUR 100 million Series D after reporting a 100% year-over-year (YoY) growth.
In the US, data analytics startup MX closed a US$300 million Series C funding round. The company, which helps financial firms use data to reduce fraud, serves more than 2,000 financial institutions and 43 of the top 50 digital banking provides.
Buy now pay later (BNPL) was another hot segment around the world, with deals being closed across different regions and countries including Italy (Scalapay, US$48 million), the UK (Butter, US$21.7 million), Czech Republic (Twisto, US$19.5 million), Saudi Arabia (Tamara, US$6 million), India (ePayLater, US$2.5 million), and Ghana (Motito).
The post SPAC Deals Drive Fintech Exit Activity to New High appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/spac-deals-drive-fintech-exit-activity-to-new-high</link><guid>1899</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/MA-and-IPO-activity-for-VC-backed-fintech-companies-Q119-Q121-Source-State-of-Fintech-Q1-2021-Report-CB-Insights.png</dc:content ><dc:text>SPAC Deals Drive Fintech Exit Activity to New High</dc:text></item><item><title>Austrian Unicorn Bitpanda Secures Additional €10 Million in Extension of Series B Round</title><description><![CDATA[Austrian investment platform Bitpanda announced that it has raised an additional €10 million as an extension of its Series B funding round.
This extension brings crypto and fintech investors Jump Capital and market makers Winterntermute Trading, to Bitpanda, with participation of LeadBlock Partners to strengthen their institutional offering and position in Europe.
Bitpanda&#8217;s strategic incorporation to meet this surging demand comes after a $170 million Series B round in March led by Valar Ventures and DST Global, raising the company&#8217;s valuation to $1.2 billion and giving it unicorn status.
Eric Demuth
Eric Demuth, Co-founder and CEO of Bitpanda said,
&#8220;Bitcoin and digital assets have proven that they are here to stay. It has been the best performing asset class of the last decade and now institutional investors want to participate the same way as retail investors.
 
We are ready to meet this demand, and are fully regulated as a company based in the EU with offices and experts around the continent.&#8221;
 
 
Featured image: Bitpanda founders: Christian Trummer, Paul Klanschek, Eric Demuth
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/austrian-unicorn-bitpanda-secures-additional-10-million-in-extension-of-series-b-round</link><guid>1898</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Austrian Unicorn Bitpanda Secures Additional €10 Million in Extension of Series B Round</dc:text></item><item><title>2021 Breaks Record in Fintech SPAC Deal Count and Volume</title><description><![CDATA[In Q1 2021, 17 blank check companies announced plans to merge with fintech firms, totaling a combined valuation of US$62.396 billion, data from fintech-focused investment bank Financial Technology Partners (FT Partners) show.
These figures are a new record for the industry and surpass those for the whole year 2020 during which 15 special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) merged with fintechs for a combined valuation of US$57.539 billion.
Fintech SPACs in Q1 2021 and 2020, Source: FT Partners
In Q1 2021, banking and lending technology specialists made up for a big chunk of fintech SPAC deals with six announced transactions: LoanMe, LibertyTax, MoneyLion, OppFi, Sunlight Financial and Social Finance (SoFi).
Insurtech and wealth and capital markets technology were two other hot segments with three announced transactions each: Hippo, States Title and CCC Information Services in insurtech; and eToro, APEX Clearing, and Bakkt in wealth and capital markets technology.
Other segments represented include healthcare fintech (Alight), payment (Payoneer), financial management solutions (Qomplx), blockchain/cryptocurrency (Cipher Mining), and real estate technology (Offerpad).
Nearly all of the fintech SPAC transactions have a target investment that’s from the US, showcasing that the country continues to drive the frenzy. The only exception is eToro, an Israeli stock brokerage company.
eToro announced in March a US$10 billion merger deal with Fintech Acquisition Corp V, a SPAC backed by banking entrepreneur Betsy Cohen. The deal is the biggest announced so far in 2021, and the third largest of the past year.
Founded in 2007, eToro is a social trading and multi-asset brokerage company that focuses on providing financial and copy trading services. The company counts 20 million registered users and generated gross revenue of US$605 million in 2020, a 147% jump from a year earlier.
SPAC craze arrives in Europe
SPACs have become the go-to listing vehicle for fintech companies and while much of the craze has taken place in the US, it’s now coming to Europe.
In March, former Commerzbank CEO Martin Blessing launched the Amsterdam initial public offering (IPO) of a SPAC targeting the acquisition of a fintech company in the region within the next 24 months.
Earlier this year, Bernard Arnault, the chairman of luxury goods group LVMH and Europe’s richest man, joined hands with global alternative asset management group Tikehau Capital to launch a SPAC focusing on the financial services sector.
Former London Stock Exchange CEO Xavier Rolet is reportedly planning to launch his own US$300 million blank check company. The US-listed SPAC would target fintech investments.
In parallel, European fintechs too are warming to the controversial practice. Germany’s banking-as-a-service (BaaS) provider Solarisbank is said to be contemplating the route of a SPAC merger. It’s aiming for a billion-euro valuation, and the deal could lead to an IPO in early 2022, according to Finance Forward.
In Switzerland, a handful of local private companies are reportedly being wooed by US-listed SPACs interested to acquire them.
New research by S&amp;P Global Market Intelligence found that at least 40 large SPACs with gross IPO proceeds of US$500 million and above are still in search of companies in the financial or tech sector, or have not defined a target sector. The firm estimates that these SPACs could generate total acquisition value of US$262.8 billion.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/2021-breaks-record-in-fintech-spac-deal-count-and-volume</link><guid>1896</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Fintech-SPACs-in-Q1-2021-and-2020-Source-FT-Partners.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>2021 Breaks Record in Fintech SPAC Deal Count and Volume</dc:text></item><item><title>Forge Raises Over US$150 Million in Funding, Backed by Deutsche Börse and Temasek</title><description><![CDATA[Forge Global, a global private securities marketplace, announced that it has received Financial Industry Regulatory Authority&#8217;s (FINRA) approval to operate as a single broker dealer with SharesPost following a merger in 2020, and that it closed an oversubscribed round of more than $150 million in new funding.
Total funding raised to date exceeds $250 million with the latest round including existing investor Deutsche Börse and Forge’s new investors Temasek, Wells Fargo Strategic Capital, LUN Partners Group, True Global Ventures and others.
Since inception, Forge has completed more than $9 billion in transactions in nearly 400 private companies.
In the months since its acquisition of SharesPost, the company tallied three consecutive record-breaking quarters including in Q1 2021 when Forge completed 1400 transactions totaling more than $730 million.
Forge intends to use the increased funding to continue to expand service offerings in the US and beyond.
Meanwhile, Jane Atherton, Managing Director, Investment at Temasek International and Paul Hilgers, Managing Director of Deutsche Börse&#8217;s cash market business, will join Forge’s board.
Kelly Rodriques
“With the momentum from the SharesPost acquisition and the support and backing of strategic investors including private market investing pioneer True Global Ventures, which first invested in SharesPost in 2010, we are in an excellent position to continue to build world-class solutions that bring data, technology and liquidity at scale to the private markets.”
said Kelly Rodriques CEO of Forge.
Christoph Hansmeyer
“The importance of private markets is growing – for companies and investors alike.
 
Investing in Forge pays testament to our commitment to help companies access liquidity both publicly and privately, and allows global investors to participate in the wealth created in both the public and private markets.”
said Christoph Hansmeyer, Head of Group Strategy &amp; M&amp;A at Deutsche Börse.
 
Featured image credit: Edtide from Unsplash
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/forge-raises-over-us150-million-in-funding-backed-by-deutsche-borse-and-temasek</link><guid>1895</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Forge Raises Over US$150 Million in Funding, Backed by Deutsche Börse and Temasek</dc:text></item><item><title>Germany’s Aareal Bank Group Integrates PayPal Onto Its B2B Payment Solution</title><description><![CDATA[Aareal Bank Group has expanded its Aareal Exchange &amp; Payment Platform solution (AEPP), which was launched in 2020, by allowing the option to pay with PayPal.
Moving forward, companies will be able to offer their customers payments via PayPal, including credit card payments, alongside the already integrated services offered by the provider.
As a B2B platform solution and link between ERP systems and various payment providers, AEPP can be a key component for companies when it comes to efficient process management of payment transactions and additional services.
The platform offers housing and property industry companies the possibility to tap into new sources of income around their properties by intermediating services.
According to Aareal Bank, the new PayPal integration will forward users to the latter&#8217;s payment page where they can then choose their payment options.
German housing companies and a provider of affordable housing German housing companies and a provider of affordable housing was the first to pilot the PayPal integration.
Lars Ernst
Lars Ernst, Managing Director at Aareal Bank said,
“The Aareal Exchange &amp; Payment Platform is an important basis for companies entering the platform economy – where simple interactions are key to success. The AEPP enables companies from all sectors to digitalise and centrally integrate services and payment processes into their own ERP systems, thus realising material efficiency gains.
 
“In light of the increasing number of payment providers, it is thus becoming more and more important for companies from all sectors to have fully automated payment transactions, integrating them into the existing process landscape as efficiently as possible. This is where our platform solution comes into play.”
Christina Moritz
Christina Moritz, Director Sales, PayPal Germany, Austria and Switzerland added,
“Customers want to have a range of simple and secure payment methods when it comes to paying their rent, too. Integrating PayPal into the Aareal Exchange &amp; Payment Platform enables companies to connect with more than 375 million active PayPal customers worldwide and offer them the option of paying the way they want to.”
 
 
Featured image: Lars Ernst, Managing Director at Aareal Bank
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/germanys-aareal-bank-group-integrates-paypal-onto-its-b2b-payment-solution</link><guid>1892</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Germany’s Aareal Bank Group Integrates PayPal Onto Its B2B Payment Solution</dc:text></item><item><title>Germany’s Aareal Bank Group Integrates PayPal Into Its B2B Payment Solution</title><description><![CDATA[Aareal Bank Group has expanded its Aareal Exchange &amp; Payment Platform solution (AEPP), which was launched in 2020, by allowing the option to pay with PayPal.
Moving forward, companies will be able to offer their customers payments via PayPal, including credit card payments, alongside the already integrated services offered by the provider.
As a B2B platform solution and link between ERP systems and various payment providers, AEPP can be a key component for companies when it comes to efficient process management of payment transactions and additional services.
The platform offers housing and property industry companies the possibility to tap into new sources of income around their properties by intermediating services.
According to Aareal Bank, the new PayPal integration will forward users to the latter&#8217;s payment page where they can then choose their payment options.
German housing companies and a provider of affordable housing German housing companies and a provider of affordable housing was the first to pilot the PayPal integration.
Lars Ernst
Lars Ernst, Managing Director at Aareal Bank said,
“The Aareal Exchange &amp; Payment Platform is an important basis for companies entering the platform economy – where simple interactions are key to success. The AEPP enables companies from all sectors to digitalise and centrally integrate services and payment processes into their own ERP systems, thus realising material efficiency gains.
 
“In light of the increasing number of payment providers, it is thus becoming more and more important for companies from all sectors to have fully automated payment transactions, integrating them into the existing process landscape as efficiently as possible. This is where our platform solution comes into play.”
Christina Moritz
Christina Moritz, Director Sales, PayPal Germany, Austria and Switzerland added,
“Customers want to have a range of simple and secure payment methods when it comes to paying their rent, too. Integrating PayPal into the Aareal Exchange &amp; Payment Platform enables companies to connect with more than 375 million active PayPal customers worldwide and offer them the option of paying the way they want to.”
 
 
Featured image: Head Office of Aareal Bank AG in Wiesbaden
The post Germany&#8217;s Aareal Bank Group Integrates PayPal Into Its B2B Payment Solution appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/germanys-aareal-bank-group-integrates-paypal-into-its-b2b-payment-solution</link><guid>1897</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Germany’s Aareal Bank Group Integrates PayPal Into Its B2B Payment Solution</dc:text></item><item><title>Bill.com to Acquire Expense Management Startup Divvy for US$2.5 Billion</title><description><![CDATA[Bill.com, a provider of cloud-based software, announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Divvy in a stock and cash transaction valued at approximately $2.5 billion.
Divvy focuses on spend management that modernises finance for business by combining expense management software and smart corporate cards into a single platform.
The acquisition will expand the market opportunity for both companies.
Bill.com can offer expense management and budgeting software combined with smart corporate cards to its more-than 115,000 customer base and its network of 2.5 million members.
Meanwhile, Divvy will be able to offer automated payable, receivables, and workflow capabilities to the more-than 7,500 monthly active SMBs that it serves.
Bill.com said in a statement that the acquisition supports its mission and enhances its ability to deliver value to the combined customer base.
Bill.com’s expanded solution will enable businesses to automatically manage accounts payable, accounts receivable, and corporate card spend all in one place, saving them valuable time and money.
With real-time insight into all their B2B spending and access to multiple payment solutions, businesses will be empowered to spend smarter, better manage their budgets and cash flow, and simplify their back-office financial operations.
René Lacerte
“Customers have been asking us to help them with their spend management, and I am excited that together with Divvy, we can deliver on that ask, furthering our vision to transform SMB financial operations. Our expanded platform will provide more automation and real-time information to SMBs, enabling them to make more informed decisions.
 
We are excited to work with the talented Divvy team. We have a shared passion for helping SMBs succeed and both companies are driving our customers’ digital transformations. Together, we can further empower SMBs to transition quickly and easily.”
said René Lacerte, Bill.com&#8217;s CEO and Founder.
Blake Murray
“We are excited to be joining forces with Bill.com to help SMBs grow and thrive by modernizing and transforming their financial operations. At Divvy, our customers are our true north, and they always have been.
 
As we listened to our customers, we heard them ask for a comprehensive payments platform so that they don’t have to use multiple software systems to manage their finances.”
said Blake Murray, Divvy&#8217;s CEO and Co-Founder.
 
Featured image credit: (L-R) René Lacerte, Bill.com&#8217;s CEO and Founder  and Blake Murray, Divvy&#8217;s CEO and Co-Founder, image from Bill.com
 
The post Bill.com to Acquire Expense Management Startup Divvy for &#8220;US$2.5 Billion&#8221; appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/billcom-to-acquire-expense-management-startup-divvy-for-us25-billion</link><guid>1893</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Bill.com to Acquire Expense Management Startup Divvy for US$2.5 Billion</dc:text></item><item><title>Jürg Stuker neu im Beirat von ti&amp;m</title><description><![CDATA[Mit dem erfahrenen Digitalisierungsexperten Jürg Stuker gewinnt ti&amp;m einen Top-Shot der Schweizer Digitalisierungsbranche für seinen Expertenbeirat. Er unterstützt die Geschäftsleitung vor allem in den Bereichen Service Design und Banking Experience, zwei der Kernkompetzenzen von ti&amp;m.
Jürg Stuker ist ein Digitalisierer der ersten Stunde: Er war Mitgründer und 13 Jahre lang CEO und Partner von Namics. Heute ist er Partner bei der Open-Innovation-Plattform «Kickstart Innovation», die unter anderem internationale Projektpartnerschaften in den Bereichen FinTech &amp; InsurTech etabliert.
Das Branchenwissen in Banking und Finance hat sich Jürg Stuker über Jahre hinweg aufgebaut: Für die UBS, die Deutsche Bank und die HSBC hat er nutzerzentrierte Lösungen erarbeitet und weitere Projekte in der Banking-Branche vorangetrieben.
Jürg Stuker
Neben der fachlichen Expertise, die er bei der ti&amp;m einbringen kann, freut sich Jürg Stuker auch auf die Zusammenarbeit auf Augenhöhe:
«Ich komme aus der Open Innovation, für mich sind flache Hierarchien völlig normal. Genau diesen Mindset spüre ich auch bei der ti&amp;m. Sie bietet die richtigen Rahmenbedingunen, in denen ich meine Ideen einbringen und verwirklichen kann.»
Thomas Wüst
Thomas Wüst, CEO und Gründer von ti&amp;m, verspricht sich viel von der kommenden Zusammenarbeit:
«Mit Jürg Stuker haben wir einen Banking-Experience-Experten, der uns helfen wird, unsere Produktpalette rund um unsere Digital Banking Suite weiter auszubauen und laufend den Marktbedürfnissen anzupassen.»
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/jurg-stuker-neu-im-beirat-von-tim</link><guid>1894</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Jürg Stuker neu im Beirat von ti&amp;m</dc:text></item><item><title>Shift Technology Joins the Unicorn Club by Securing $220 Million in Investment</title><description><![CDATA[Shift Technology, a France-based SaaS provider of AI-driven decision automation and optimisation solutions for the insurance industry, announced that it has closed a Series D investment round of $220 million.
The latest funding round brings total investment in Shift to $320 million and a market valuation of more than $1 billion. This investment marks Advent’s sixth growth equity investment this year.
The round was led by Advent International, through Advent Tech, with participation from Avenir and others. Previous Series C participants Accel, Bessemer Venture Partners, General Catalyst, and Iris Capital also joined the round.
With this latest round of funding Shift will use this investment to expand its presence in key geographies including the U.S., Europe, and Asia.
In the U.S., the company will look to further penetrate the property and casualty (P&amp;C) insurance market as well as expand into the health insurance sector, an area in which Shift sees a large opportunity.
The funding will also be used to drive R&amp;D efforts in the creation of new solutions to address emerging decision automation and optimization requirements for forward-thinking insurers.
Initially known for its award-winning fraud detection and claims automation software, in January 2021 the company introduced the Shift Insurance Suite to enable insurers to apply AI-based decision automation and optimization technology to an even wider array of critical processes across the policy lifecycle, including underwriting, subrogation, and compliance.
The company now serves more than 100 customers in 25 different countries and has analyzed nearly two billion claims to date.
Thomas Weisman
“Since its founding in 2014, Shift has made a name for itself in the complex world of insurance.
 
Shift’s advanced suite of SaaS products is helping insurers to reshape manual and often time-consuming claims processes in a safer and more automated way. We are proud to be part of this exciting company’s next wave of growth.”
said Thomas Weisman, a Director on Advent’s technology investment team in London.
Jeremy Jawish
“We are thrilled to partner with Advent International, given their considerable sector expertise and global reach and are taking another giant step forward with this latest investment.
 
We have only just scratched the surface of what is possible when AI-based decision automation and optimisation is applied to the critical processes that drive the insurance policy lifecycle.”
stated Jeremy Jawish, CEO and co-founder, Shift Technology.
 
Featured image credit: edited from Background vector created by pikisuperstar &#8211; www.freepik.com
The post Shift Technology Joins the Unicorn Club by Securing $220 Million in Investment appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/shift-technology-joins-the-unicorn-club-by-securing-220-million-in-investment</link><guid>1891</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Shift Technology Joins the Unicorn Club by Securing $220 Million in Investment</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Contactless Payments Has Continued to Flourish, Neobanks Rise in Popularity</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss Payment Monitor found that the trend towards credit card use and contactless payment has continued to flourish in Switzerland.
The Swiss Payment Monitor is a joint research project between the University of St.Gallen and the ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences. It is supported by the Swiss Payment Association (SPA) and the industrial partners Concardis and Worldline.
Swiss Payment Monitor found that locals spent the most money with credit cards in 2020, around 24 percent of their total spending. This means that the credit card has overtaken the debit card for the first time, which now falls to third place with 21 percent. Meanwhile, cash fell to a share of 13 percent.

At the same time, the share of contactless transactions is rising to new records with eight out of ten card payments are processed contactlessly.
The findings were from payment service provider Concardis, which is part of the Nets Group, one of the payment service providers in Europe.
More and more people in Switzerland are paying by smartphone:, almost ten per cent of all transactions are settled with a mobile device. In terms of turnover, this is an increase of more than half compared to the previous year. Mobile phone use is growing massively, especially for small amounts, which also shows how much payment habits have changed in a short time.
Marianne Bregenzer
&#8220;Instead of paying small amounts with cash as usual, cashless payment methods are being used more frequently as a matter of course,&#8221;
says Marianne Bregenzer, Country Manager Concardis Switzerland AG.
Further increase in contactless payments
The change in payment behaviour since the start of the Corona pandemic in March 2020 can also be observed in Austria and Germany.
The value of contactless payments skyrocketed significantly during the shutdown in all countries of the DACH region in mid-March in the shops that remained open.

In January 2020, the share of contactless transactions in Switzerland was around 61 percent on industry average.
In April, during the government-ordered closures of retail businesses, it was already at 74 percent in the shops that remained open. One year after the start of the pandemic, in March 2021, this figure is 81 percent.
&#8220;Unlike other security measures during the pandemic, the use of contactless payments with cards or smartphones is permanent and has long been detached from the pandemic. People have become familiar with the advantages and convenience and have left any previous reservations behind,&#8221;
added Bregenzer.
&#8220;We assume that this trend will continue and that payment by tab and go will become the standard,&#8221;
Cash transactions fall by 13 percent
Although most transactions are still paid for with cash, but the proportion fell by ten percentage points in terms of turnover and 13 percentage points in terms of the number of transactions in 2020, according to the representative survey of 1,400 people throughout Switzerland by the Zurich University of Applied Sciences and the University of St. Gallen.
&#8220;Whether by QR code, by NFC or also private payments via Twint, for example: the relationship of the Swiss to payment technologies and to payment itself has changed rapidly and will continue to develop in this direction, which we in the Nets Group already know from the Nordic countries,&#8221;
said Bregenzer.
&#8220;This opens the way for innovative solutions and simplified processes on both the merchant and consumer side.&#8221;
The awareness and use of neobanks also continues to grow in Switzerland. The reasons are the same as for cashless and contactless payments, simple and practical handling as well as speed.

The survey for the Swiss Payment Monitor has been conducted annually since 2018 and will be conducted every six months from now on.
 
Featured image credit:Technology photo created by user18526052 &#8211; www.freepik.com
The post Swiss Contactless Payments Has Continued to Flourish, Neobanks Rise in Popularity appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-contactless-payments-has-continued-to-flourish-neobanks-rise-in-popularity</link><guid>1889</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/ZHAW_PaymentMonitor_Bezahlverhalten-1024x932.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Contactless Payments Has Continued to Flourish, Neobanks Rise in Popularity</dc:text></item><item><title>Revolut Kicks off Beta Phase of Bitcoin Withdrawals</title><description><![CDATA[Revolut, a British fintech company offering banking services, has rolled out the beta launch of bitcoin withdrawals to customer&#8217;s own preferred digital wallets.
The neobank added that during this beta phase, U.K.-based Metal customers will be able to withdraw up to £1000 a month, or £500 per day and add a maximum of three external addresses.
As an added security feature, Revolut introduced a two-factor authentication when customers add an address.
In 2017, Revolut had introduced Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum trading but customers were only able to withdraw it as fiat until present.
According to CoinDesk, Ed Cooper, Revolut’s Head of Crypto said that Revolut’s Metal customers in the U.K. number around 80,000, an estimated 40,000 of whom have invested in cryptocurrency.
Revolut mentioned plans of adding more tokens and upgrades in the near future.
The post Revolut Kicks off Beta Phase of Bitcoin Withdrawals appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/revolut-kicks-off-beta-phase-of-bitcoin-withdrawals</link><guid>1890</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Revolut Kicks off Beta Phase of Bitcoin Withdrawals</dc:text></item><item><title>F10 Seeks Sustainable Finance and SME Services Applications</title><description><![CDATA[The ten startups in F10 Switzerland’s second Acceleration Program has officially graduated during an online startup showcase which featured 275 high-profile attendees mainly from investor and corporate backgrounds.
F10 had announced the list of ten startups that have been selected in January 2021.
In addition to the startup pitches, the event included an investor panel for early growth stage startups and leveraged an event platform specifically designed to build valuable networking connections.
The F10 Acceleration Program connects startups with corporate partners SIX, SDX, Julius Baer, Baloise, Generali HITS, PostFinance, Raiffeisen, Zürcher Kantonalbank, TX Group and PwC, as well as with close to 100 of our most experienced mentors and subject matter experts from companies like SIX, Tomahawk VC, BV Ventures, Capco, Falcon PB and more.
For the next Acceleration Program running from September to November 2021, F10 is already looking for promising growth-stage startups focusing on Sustainable Finance and SME Services in order to accelerate collaborations with its corporate partners.
Since 2016, more than 130 fintech and insurtech startups have participated in F10 programs globally. During the upcoming three month acceleration program, F10 works with selected startups to achieve successful collaboration via 360 degree evaluations, a collaboration playbook, and 1:1 collaboration coaching.
Gerrit Sindermann
&#8220;The Acceleration Program focuses on supporting open innovation efforts of our corporate partners and on helping post-seed, post-revenue startups bring fundraising and customer development to the next level.
 
The program closing event we always open to the wider ecosystem and invite investors and corporates internationally.&#8221;
said Gerrit Sindermann, Country Success Lead F10 Switzerland.
 
10 startups that graduated the F10 Acceleration Program Batch II:
Neuroprofiler uses behavioral finance and gamification to uncover the true ESG preferences of investors.
FQX provides an electronic promissory note (eNote) infrastructure that enables liquidity crossing borders and markets without rule books and in a banking-grade DLT environment.
MinerEye enables the discovery of unstructured data for automated governance, data privacy and protection and cloud optimisation.
Joulica elevates customer experience by orchestrating journeys across all interaction channels using rich real-time and predictive analytics.
Norbloc enables individuals, organisations and regulators to effectively manage and securely share verified Know Your Customer data via Blockchain.
Edgeless Systems builds the most secure platform to store, analyse, and share data, using confidential computing.
DigiShares provides a white-label platform for processes related to issuance, corporate management, and trading of tokenised securities.
Crymbo is a unique SaaS-B2B-Network concept, tailor made for financial institutions allowing them to easily offer digital assets.
Elimity helps highly-regulated enterprises secure access to their IT assets as easily as possible.
Verif-y enables organisations to seamlessly authenticate counterpart identities without needing to see or store the data.
 
Featured image credit: Edited from People photo created by freepik &#8211; www.freepik.com
The post F10 Seeks Sustainable Finance and SME Services Applications appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/f10-seeks-sustainable-finance-and-sme-services-applications</link><guid>1888</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>F10 Seeks Sustainable Finance and SME Services Applications</dc:text></item><item><title>Banking Circle Reports Significant Growth a Year After Securing Its Banking License</title><description><![CDATA[Payments specialist Banking Circle reported a significant uplift in payments flow and clients a year after it secured a banking license in Luxembourg.
At the end of February 2020, Banking Circle received its Banking License from the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF), enabling it to give financial institutions direct access to real-time payments.
Additionally, the firm had also launched its new headquarters in Luxembourg.
Twelve months on, the company is reporting significant growth as it continues to support the cross border flows of payments businesses and banks, while they focus on delivering solutions to their end customers.
Key achievements and targets include:

Doubled client base to over 150+ financial institutions including Stripe, Alibaba and Paysafe
Processed 6% of Europe’s B2C e-commerce flow in 2020
Processed EUR 155bn of payments volume in 2020
Targeting EUR 250 billion run-rate annual payment volumes and 100 million annual bank transfers by end of 2021

Acquired by the EQT VIII fund and EQT Ventures fund (jointly known as EQT), together with company founders and other co-investors in September 2018, Banking Circle has been able to accelerate its growth in current and new geographies, with access to both operational and financial resources to drive innovation and investments in technology development and talent acquisition.
It has also leveraged the entire EQT platform, including deep TMT sector expertise, local presence and EQT’s global network of industrial advisors.
Anders la Cour
“Building on the considerable success achieved in the last 12 months, we have ambitious targets for the future which are possible because of the unique combination of in-house experts, a strong network and our majority shareholder, EQT, which supports the long-term vision with the funding necessary.
 
The end game for Banking Circle is to see the time and cost of cross border payments reduce significantly. Through the investment we are making in the payment rails across all key geographies and jurisdictions we are providing direct access to clearing in multiple countries unconstrained by the same legacy issues of correspondent banks.”
said Anders la Cour, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder.
 
Featured image credit: Anders la Cour, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Banking Circle: image via Youtube
The post Banking Circle Reports Significant Growth a Year After Securing Its Banking License appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/banking-circle-reports-significant-growth-a-year-after-securing-its-banking-license</link><guid>1887</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Banking Circle Reports Significant Growth a Year After Securing Its Banking License</dc:text></item><item><title>Visa Teams up With Tala to Drive Crypto Adoption Among the Underbanked</title><description><![CDATA[Tala, a digital financial services provider in emerging markets, announced a new partnership with Visa to help underbanked populations participate in the crypto economy.
Together with additional partners Circle and the Stellar Development Foundation, Tala will explore opportunities to make it easier for underbanked consumers to convert, store, and use crypto currencies, beginning with USDC, the stablecoin governed by the Centre Consortium.
USDC is a fully reserved and regulated dollar digital currency that has seen more than 1,000% year-over-year growth and now has more than $13 bilion in circulation.
New use cases have continued to emerge around USDC, including cross border B2B payments and remittances.
But these uses represent only a portion of what USDC and other crypto solutions can offer to the estimated 3 billion people globally who are poorly served by the formal economy.
Tala and its partners want to advance a core promise of digital currency ecosystems by delivering more efficient and equitable financial tools to people who are currently excluded from traditional financial services.
Through Tala’s integration with Circle and Stellar, Tala customers will have access to USDC in Tala’s digital wallet, enabling secure and stable storage of money, fast and affordable cross-border money transfers, and easy exchange into other digital assets or local fiat.
Tala’s partnership with Visa will enable Tala to offer Visa cards linked to Tala’s digital wallet, giving customers a seamless way to spend against their USDC balance at any of the 70 million merchants worldwide that accept Visa.
Shivani Siroya
“Digital currencies have tremendous potential to radically open financial access and put more control directly into the hands of underbanked and underestimated people.
 
We couldn’t be more excited that Visa, Circle, and the Stellar Development Foundation share our vision and want to work on a solution, not only for Tala’s 6 million global customers but for the billions more who can benefit.”
said Shivani Siroya, Tala’s CEO and Founder.
Cuy Sheffield
“Digital currencies like USDC have the potential to extend the value of digital payments to a greater number of people and places.
 
We’re excited to partner with Tala’s global team to bring the benefits of the crypto economy to the populations that need it most.”
said Cuy Sheffield, Visa’s Head of Crypto.
The post Visa Teams up With Tala to Drive Crypto Adoption Among the Underbanked appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/visa-teams-up-with-tala-to-drive-crypto-adoption-among-the-underbanked</link><guid>1886</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Visa Teams up With Tala to Drive Crypto Adoption Among the Underbanked</dc:text></item><item><title>Bluecode Taps Deutsche Handelsbank’s Former Top Exec as New COO</title><description><![CDATA[European mobile payment provider Bluecode has expanded its executive team by hiring Daniel Koller as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). Koller was formerly the COO for the Deutsche Handelsbank and Klarna Group&#8217;s subsidiary Sofort.
The 42-year-old Bavarian strengthens the managerial team headed by Bluecode CEO Christian Pirkner, Chief Corporate Officer Mirko Thomas Oberholzer, CCO Georg Schardt, and Deputy CEO Jens Lütcke. Koller, Schardt and Lütcke have previously worked together at Sofort and Klarna.
Since April 2021, Koller is responsible for operations and tech integration as well as project management. By integrating more banks, Savings Banks and merchants into the Bluecode mobile payment ecosystem, he will also drive the company’s growth.
The business graduate brings more than 15 years of experience from various executive positions in the payment and e-commerce sectors. As Sofort&#8217;s COO at the time, he and former Sofort CEO and current Bluecode Deputy CEO, Jens Lütcke, developed the Sofortüberweisung (instant direct transfer) into the leading direct transfer method in Europe.
After another role at Klarna as Director Merchant Development, SME Sales &amp; Commercial Operations for the DACH region, the Allgäu native was most recently active as COO of Deutsche Handelsbank for more than four years.
The Bluecode payment network enables partner banks and retailers to keep their mobile payment-related value chain within their own apps and offer their customers secure mobile payments combined with attractive value-added services, in accordance to European standards and rules.
Bluecode had recently announced in April 2021 that it has received new funding worth €20 million with the Hopp Family Office leading the round.
Christian Pirkner
Christian Pirkner, CEO of Bluecode said,
“With his years of experience, Daniel Koller is a great addition to the team comprised of his former Sofort and Klarna colleagues.
 
He is going to be an excellent COO. They all view Bluecode as the future of value-added mobile payments, and with their previous work developing similar payment solutions, they have proven that European alternatives to Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal and others can be very successful.”
Daniel Koller, COO of Bluecode said,
Daniel Koller
“The mission to support Bluecode’s growth as European mobile payment alternative truly intrigues me. Bluecode has recently secured the German drugstore chain Rossmann and the Unser Ö-Bonus Club loyalty program as its partners.
 
Partnerships with various other retail, technology and banking partners are currently in the works. It is my goal to integrate new partners into our ecosystem as quickly as possible, improve growth processes, and make Bluecode ready-to-scale.”
 
 
Featured image: Daniel Koller, COO Blue Code International AG © Olga Schmid
The post Bluecode Taps Deutsche Handelsbank&#8217;s Former Top Exec as New COO appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bluecode-taps-deutsche-handelsbanks-former-top-exec-as-new-coo</link><guid>1885</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Bluecode Taps Deutsche Handelsbank’s Former Top Exec as New COO</dc:text></item><item><title>Cybersecurity Firm Acronis Snags $250 Million Investment, Attains $2.5 Billion Valuation</title><description><![CDATA[Acronis, a cybersecurity firm founded in Singapore and incorporated in Switzerland, announced that it has received more than $250 million in a funding round from CVC Capital Partners VII and other investors.
The investment has pushed the company&#8217;s valuation at more than $2.5 billion.
The firm said that it will use the funds to further accelerate growth by expanding its portfolio of natively integrated cyber protection products.
Acronis added that it will continue to invest in staff resources, expanding its global sales, partner account management and partner success teams, and hiring new technical talent for its research and development centers in Bulgaria, Israel, and Singapore, as well as Switzerland and the United States.
The company will be expanding support for its cloud partners, providing them with additional sales and marketing resources, faster and localised technical support, dedicated partner success managers, and local data centers in 111 locations worldwide.
Additionally, a significant portion of the investment will also be used to further enhance Acronis’ go-to-market initiatives by expanding its broad partner network, most notably managed service providers (MSPs), to help them better serve the cyber protection needs of their clients.
Acronis Cyber Protect is a unified cybersecurity and data protection solution that is natively integrated, so service providers can operate these critical functions through a single pane of glass, delivering comprehensive cyber protection at a lower cost.
Serguei “SB” Beloussov
“With this additional funding, we will accelerate the development of our product portfolio and invest more in our partners’ success.
 
Our goal is to develop market-leading technology and help our partners grow their profits, while providing the best protection for their clients.”
said Serguei “SB” Beloussov, Founder and CEO of Acronis.
 
Featured image credit: edited from Background vector created by rawpixel.com &#8211; www.freepik.com
The post Cybersecurity Firm Acronis Snags $250 Million Investment, Attains $2.5 Billion Valuation appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/cybersecurity-firm-acronis-snags-250-million-investment-attains-25-billion-valuation</link><guid>1883</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Cybersecurity Firm Acronis Snags $250 Million Investment, Attains $2.5 Billion Valuation</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss-Singaporean Cybersecurity Firm Acronis Snags $250 Million Investment</title><description><![CDATA[Acronis, a cybersecurity firm founded in Singapore and incorporated in Switzerland, announced that it has received more than $250 million in a funding round from CVC Capital Partners VII and other investors.
The investment has pushed the company&#8217;s valuation at more than $2.5 billion.
The firm said that it will use the funds to further accelerate growth by expanding its portfolio of natively integrated cyber protection products.
Acronis added that it will continue to invest in staff resources, expanding its global sales, partner account management and partner success teams, and hiring new technical talent for its research and development centers in Bulgaria, Israel, and Singapore, as well as Switzerland and the United States.
The company will be expanding support for its cloud partners, providing them with additional sales and marketing resources, faster and localised technical support, dedicated partner success managers, and local data centers in 111 locations worldwide.
Additionally, a significant portion of the investment will also be used to further enhance Acronis’ go-to-market initiatives by expanding its broad partner network, most notably managed service providers (MSPs), to help them better serve the cyber protection needs of their clients.
Acronis Cyber Protect is a unified cybersecurity and data protection solution that is natively integrated, so service providers can operate these critical functions through a single pane of glass, delivering comprehensive cyber protection at a lower cost.
Serguei “SB” Beloussov
“With this additional funding, we will accelerate the development of our product portfolio and invest more in our partners’ success.
 
Our goal is to develop market-leading technology and help our partners grow their profits, while providing the best protection for their clients.”
said Serguei “SB” Beloussov, Founder and CEO of Acronis.
 
Featured image credit: edited from Background vector created by rawpixel.com &#8211; www.freepik.com
The post Swiss-Singaporean Cybersecurity Firm Acronis Snags $250 Million Investment appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-singaporean-cybersecurity-firm-acronis-snags-250-million-investment</link><guid>1884</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss-Singaporean Cybersecurity Firm Acronis Snags $250 Million Investment</dc:text></item><item><title>Wealthsimple Raises US$ 610 Million, Canadian Celebrities Buy In</title><description><![CDATA[Wealthsimple, a Canadian online investment management service focused on millennials, announced that it has raised $610 million (C$750 million) in a funding round. This latest investment has pushed its valuation to about $4 billion (C$5 billion).
The round was led by existing investors Meritech Capital Partners and Greylock Partners.
DST Global, Sagard, Iconiq, Dragoneer, TCV, iNovia, Allianz X, Base 10, Redpoint, STEADFAST, Alkeon, TSV, Plus Capital and others had also participated in the round.
Wealthsimple also had prominent Canadian actors Ryan Reynolds and Michael J. Fox, and athletes Kelly Olynyk, Dwight Powell, and Patrick Marleau as well as Canadian rapper Drake investing in its firm.
Michael Katchen
The funding announcement came from a blog post by Michael Katchen who is the Co-Founder and CEO of Wealthsimple.
&#8220;I’m going to get to the part where I say that getting this investment isn’t an accomplishment, it’s just ammunition to accomplish what we set out to do.
 
We will use this investment to give Canadians more, and more powerful, financial products; more efficient ways to grow and manage their money; and make sure that the door to financial freedom is open to every single one of us.&#8221;
 
Featured image credit: Screengrab from Wealthsimple
The post Wealthsimple Raises US$ 610 Million, Canadian Celebrities Buy In appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/wealthsimple-raises-us-610-million-canadian-celebrities-buy-in</link><guid>1882</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Wealthsimple Raises US$ 610 Million, Canadian Celebrities Buy In</dc:text></item><item><title>Postfinance and Swissquote Set to Officially Kick Off Their Digital Banking App Yuh</title><description><![CDATA[PostFinance, the financial services unit of Swiss Post, has partnered with Swissquote will be officially launching their collaborative digital banking app Yuh to the public on 11 May 2021.
The project is the result of the joint venture between the two entities that was announced in November 2020.
The newly founded joint venture aims to consistently adopt fresh approaches in mobile banking.
Markus Schwab
“Yuh will provide people with an app on their mobile phones that gives them the freedom to manage their money as they wish.
 
And they’ll have partners in the background who they know and trust,”
said Markus Schwab, CEO of Yuh.
“A new mobile solution that simplifies banking for customers but also behind the scenes was a logical step in the development of our digital services.
 
We’re delighted to have found a partner in PostFinance that not only supports us in terms of development, but also has many years of experience in Swiss retail banking.”
said Marc Bürki, CEO of Swissquote.
The post Postfinance and Swissquote Set to Officially Kick Off Their Digital Banking App Yuh appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/postfinance-and-swissquote-set-to-officially-kick-off-their-digital-banking-app-yuh</link><guid>1880</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Postfinance and Swissquote Set to Officially Kick Off Their Digital Banking App Yuh</dc:text></item><item><title>Adesso Schweiz to Support Hypothekarbank Lenzburg’s Open Banking Ambitions</title><description><![CDATA[Consulting and IT service provider adesso Schweiz has entered into a strategic partnership with Hypothekarbank Lenzburg to further develop and market open banking solutions in the Swiss market.
Hypothekarbank Lenzburg had added an open interface architecture to Finstar, a core banking system it developed in-house, four years ago to create one of the first open banking platforms in Switzerland.
Since then a number of domestic and international fintech companies have linked up with Finstar to establish a unique digital financial ecosystem.
Following the integration of open programming interfaces (APIs), which was completed in 2017, the bank is committed to a hybrid strategy that complements personal banking with modern digital services.
The individual components of the Finstar system can be deployed modularly ‘as a service’ and integrated into other systems, allowing Finstar to offer tailor-made IT solutions for private and universal banks.
adesso will support the financial service provider in future in the further development and distribution of its Finstar solution, particularly in the area of digital onboarding.
Both companies are excited about the new partnership.
Marianne Wildi
Marianne Wildi, CEO of Hypothekarbank Lenzburg said,
&#8220;We’re a bank and an IT company. Since 2000, Hypothekarbank Lenzburg has single-handedly developed, maintained and operated Finstar, the Swiss core banking system.
 
We believe that working in close partnership with adesso allows us to more effectively exploit the potential of our innovative solutions.&#8221;
Hansjörg Süess
Hansjörg Süess, CEO and Delegate of the Board of Directors of adesso Schweiz said,
‘We are very proud to be working with Hypothekarbank Lenzburg to promote the open banking model in the Swiss banking sector in future years.’
 
 
 
Featured image credit: Hypothekarbank Lenzburg
The post Adesso Schweiz to Support Hypothekarbank Lenzburg&#8217;s Open Banking Ambitions appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/adesso-schweiz-to-support-hypothekarbank-lenzburgs-open-banking-ambitions</link><guid>1881</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Adesso Schweiz to Support Hypothekarbank Lenzburg’s Open Banking Ambitions</dc:text></item><item><title>New CIO for Swiss Mobile-Payment App TWINT</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss mobile payment app TWINT announced the appointment of Simon Wehrli as its Chief Information Officer as well as a member of its Core Executive Board as of 1 May 2021.
Simon Wehrli will thus assume responsibility for TWINT’s entire IT division.
The Core Executive Board of TWINT now comprises Markus Kilb (Chief Executive Officer), Anton Stadelmann (Chief Customer Officer, Deputy CEO) and Simon Wehrli (Chief Information Officer).
Simon Wehrli
Simon Wehrli has already held the position of CIO on an interim basis over the past months and provided important impetus to ensuring the future success of TWINT in the process.
The qualified computer scientist started his journey at TWINT in 2017 as a software architect.
Since 2019, he has been responsible for the areas of architecture and technology in the roles Chief Technology Officer and Deputy CIO.
He previously worked as a freelancer in the development of mobile apps and also counted major companies from the financial sector among his customers. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.
 
The post New CIO for Swiss Mobile-Payment App TWINT appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-cio-for-swiss-mobile-payment-app-twint</link><guid>1879</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>New CIO for Swiss Mobile-Payment App TWINT</dc:text></item><item><title>German Challenger Bank Vivid Money Secures EUR 60 Million for European Expansion</title><description><![CDATA[Berlin-based mobile banking app Vivid Money announced an investment of EUR 60 million, bringing the company’s valuation to EUR 360 million.
The Series B round was led by Greenoaks with participation from existing investor Ribbit Capital.
The new investment will drive expansion into key markets in Europe, as well as helping to build out the platform with more features.
Vivid Money launched its financial platform in 2020 in Germany, offering a single-app solution that breaks down the boundaries between saving, spending and investments.
Artem Yamanov
“This latest round of investment is a strong signal of support for our vision of a better future for European retail investors and customers. With our new partner, Greenoaks, as well as the continued support from Ribbit Capital, we are well positioned to keep growing and expanding our business.
 
We want to enable our users to organize all their financial needs — investments, savings, stocks and crypto assets, as well as financial education — in one single app. That is how we have set ourselves apart from the competition and how we plan to attract more customers across Europe.”
said Artem Yamanov, Co-Founder of Vivid Money.
 
Featured image credit: Screengrab from Vivid Money
The post German Challenger Bank Vivid Money Secures EUR 60 Million for European Expansion appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/german-challenger-bank-vivid-money-secures-eur-60-million-for-european-expansion</link><guid>1878</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>German Challenger Bank Vivid Money Secures EUR 60 Million for European Expansion</dc:text></item><item><title>PostFinance to Offer Personal Loans via Fintech Startup bob finance</title><description><![CDATA[PostFinance, the financial services unit of Swiss Post, has partnered with Swiss digital lender bob Finance to offer personal loans.
This financing solution allows PostFinance to expand its product range and offer a broad customer base access to a personal loan with attractive and transparent conditions.
The postfinance personal loan is an online product from bob Finance and provided by PostFinance to private, permanently employed individuals with a Swiss residency and an account with the latter or another Swiss bank.
The loan is available for amounts of CHF 1,000 up to CHF 80,000 and has a maximum term of seven years. Customers between 18 and 64 years of age can apply for the loan online, depending on their individual needs.
The interest rate for the PostFinance personal loan is between 3.95% and 6.9% and depends on the applicant&#8217;s personal and financial circumstances.
Applicants will receive an indicative interest rate offer immediately after submitting a successful online application.
The final decision regarding the loan is made by bob Finance after a comprehensive credit check in accordance with the Consumer Credit Act (CCA).
 
Featured image: © PostFinance Ltd 2017, all rights reserved
The post PostFinance to Offer Personal Loans via Fintech Startup bob finance appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/postfinance-to-offer-personal-loans-via-fintech-startup-bob-finance</link><guid>1877</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>PostFinance to Offer Personal Loans via Fintech Startup bob finance</dc:text></item><item><title>Kaspar&amp; holt Ex-Twint-CEO an Bord und schliesst erste Finanzierungsrunde ab</title><description><![CDATA[Mit Kaspar&amp; wächst der Markt der digitalen Vermögensverwalter in der Schweiz um einen vielversprechenden Player. Im Gegensatz zu bestehenden digitalen Angeboten, welche sich oftmals auf Marktnischen fokussieren, sieht sich Kaspar&amp; als Vermögensverwalter des Schweizer Mittelstandes und will mit seiner App das Anlegen und Investieren für die breite Bevölkerung zugänglich machen.
Innovation Aufrundungs-Investieren
Mit der Möglichkeit, Kleinstbeträge bei jeder Zahlung mit der Zahlungskarte spielerisch zu sparen und automatisch zu investieren, kombiniert Kaspar&amp; erstmals Payments mit Anlegen und Investieren. Grundlage hierfür bildet die neuartige Möglichkeit, bereits ab einem Franken breit diversifiziert zu investieren. Die investierten Rundungsbeträge können für grössere und frei individualisierbare Anlageziele wie beispielsweise die Altersvorsorge, das Sparen für das eigene Göttikind oder das eigene Wohneigentum verwendet werden.
Überzeichnete Finanzierung als Wachstumsgrundlage
Das im August 2020 gegründete St. Galler Fintech-Unternehmen konnte kürzlich erfolgreich seine überzeichnete Erstfinanzierung abschliessen. Das von renommierten Business Angels gezeichnete Kapital dient als Grundlage für die Lancierung der «Family and Friends»-Phase im zweiten Quartal dieses Jahres sowie dem Ausbau weiterer Anlage- und Vermögensverwaltungsfunktionen.
Partnerschaft mit der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg
Bei der Depotführung und dem Co-Branding der eigenen Zahlungskarte setzt Kaspar&amp; auf die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg (HBL) als Partnerin. Die modulare und offene Bankeninfrastruktur der HBL ermöglicht es Kaspar&amp;, seine Dienstleistungen frei zu gestalten, ohne selbst eine Banklizenz beantragen zu müssen.
«Kaspar&amp; hat uns mit seinem frischen Auftritt, der innovativen Idee des Aufrundungs-Investieren und der Einfachheit des Angebots überzeugt. Wir freuen uns auf eine erfolgreiche Kooperation»,
sagt Marianne Wildi, CEO der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg.
Wer hinter Kaspar&amp; steckt
Thierry Kneissler
Das Team rund um die Gründer Dr. Jan-Philip Schade, Dr. Lukas Plachel, Lauro Böni und Sebastian Büchler besteht aus erfahrenen Finanz- und Softwareexperten mit langjähriger Praxis- und akademischer Forschungserfahrung. In den letzten Jahren waren die Gründer vor allem in der Entwicklung und Verwaltung grosser institutioneller Anlagemandate und Wealth-Management-Lösungen in der Schweiz beschäftigt. Des Weiteren waren sie in der Umsetzung von diversen Softwareanwendungen in der Bankenindustrie tätig.
Mit Thierry Kneissler als neuem Verwaltungsrat stösst ein erfahrener Paymentveteran hinzu, der vor allem aus strategischer Sicht die Entwicklung von Kaspar&amp; mitgestalten wird.
 
Bild: Von links nach rechts das Kaspar Gründer Team: Dr. Lukas Plachel, Dr. Jan-Philip Schade, Lauro Böni, Sebastian Büchler
The post Kaspar&#038; holt Ex-Twint-CEO an Bord und schliesst erste Finanzierungsrunde ab appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/kaspar-holt-ex-twint-ceo-an-bord-und-schliesst-erste-finanzierungsrunde-ab</link><guid>1876</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Kaspar&amp; holt Ex-Twint-CEO an Bord und schliesst erste Finanzierungsrunde ab</dc:text></item><item><title>Lidl Pay startet in Deutschland</title><description><![CDATA[Mit dem Scan der Lidl-Plus-App an der Kasse können Kunden ganz einfach in einem Schritt ihre Coupons einlösen, auf Wunsch mit Lidl Pay bezahlen und erhalten im Anschluss ihren Sofortgewinn sowie ihren digitalen Kassenbon.
Damit möglichst alle Kunden diese einfache Bezahlmöglichkeit nutzen können, erfolgt die Zahlung per Lastschrift über das Girokonto. Zur Aktivierung müssen Kunden einmalig ihre Bankverbindung und ihre Adresse unter dem Punkt &#8220;Lidl Pay&#8221; in der Lidl-Plus-App hinterlegen sowie eine Pin vergeben.
Wollen Kunden mit Lidl Pay bezahlen, müssen sie dies vor dem Scan der Lidl-Plus-App kurz mit ihrer Pin, ihrem Fingerabdruck oder per Face-ID bestätigen. Am Ende des Kassiervorgangs fragt der Lidl-Mitarbeiter an der Kasse, ob die Zahlung mit Lidl Pay erfolgen soll. Nach der ersten Nutzung von Lidl Pay erhalten die Kunden einen Coupon über 5 Euro, der beim nächsten Einkauf ab 30 Euro eingelöst werden kann.
Mit Lidl Pay noch schneller und einfacher bezahlen | Lidl
Erste personalisierte Inhalte bei Lidl Plus
Ergänzend zur neuen Bezahlmöglichkeit werden den Kunden zum Beispiel nun personalisierte Inhalte auf Basis ihres bisherigen Einkaufsverhaltens angezeigt. Dabei handelt es sich im ersten Schritt um bis zu 40 Produktempfehlungen, die zweimal wöchentlich aktualisiert werden.
Die Lidl-Plus-App  wurde in Deutschland bereits mehrere Millionen Mal heruntergeladen.
The post Lidl Pay startet in Deutschland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/lidl-pay-startet-in-deutschland</link><guid>1875</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/lidl-pay-1024x683.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Lidl Pay startet in Deutschland</dc:text></item><item><title>«MOGLI» – die erste Payment-App für Schweizer KMU’s erhält Finma Fintech Bewilligung</title><description><![CDATA[MOGLI safe and easy: «MOGLI» bewahrt die Kundengelder im Girokonto bei der Schweizerischen Nationalbank auf. Das Herz von Geschäfts- und Privatkunden gewinnt «MOGLI» durch die einfache und schnelle Handhabung von Zahlungen.
Der Fokus liegt bei den Geschäftskunden. Treue Kunden von KMU&#8217;s werden wertschöpfend in den Mittelpunkt gestellt. «MOGLI» führt die Zahlungen seiner Kunden mit transparenten und verständlichen Anforderungen in Bezug auf das Schweizerische Geldwäschegesetzt (GwG) durch. Eine Anbindung an die Buchhaltung vereinfacht die Prozesse. Mit innovativer Entwicklungstechnologie werden Produkte zehn mal schneller regelbasiert entwickelt und auf den Markt gebracht.
«MOGLI», das Schweizer Start-Up Unternehmen, hat heute rechtskräftig die FINMA FinTech-Bewilligung der Eidgenössischen Finanzmarktaufsicht (FINMA) nach Art. 1b des schweizerischen Bankengesetzes erhalten.

The post «MOGLI» – die erste Payment-App für Schweizer KMU&#8217;s erhält Finma Fintech Bewilligung appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mogli-die-erste-payment-app-fur-schweizer-kmus-erhalt-finma-fintech-bewilligung</link><guid>1874</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Mogli-AG.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>«MOGLI» – die erste Payment-App für Schweizer KMU’s erhält Finma Fintech Bewilligung</dc:text></item><item><title>Deutsche Börse and Commerzbank Join Forces to Build Digital Asset Marketplaces</title><description><![CDATA[German stock exchange operator Deutsche Börse and Commerzbank have partnered to invest into Fintech 360X to create digital asset marketplaces.
The entities made the move to develop new digital marketplaces and ecosystems for existing real assets such as art and real estate on a blockchain platform.
Deutsche Borse reportedly invested €10 million in the new firm for a 50% stake in the newly founded company. Meanwhile Commerzbank holds a significantly lower double-digit stake with the rest of the shares being held by its founders and private investors.
Deutsche Börse said in a statement that investments in art and real estate will be the initial asset classes introduced.
The assets are to be made investable and tradable via tokenisation and fractionalisation. Tokenised real assets are mapped on the blockchain to make it easier for investors to access and also to be able to split the underlying asset.
The first reference transactions (minimum viable products) for two asset classes are already planned for this year.
The new trading platforms should enable investors to invest in previously illiquid assets.
Deutsche Börse and Commerzbank have been gaining experience with DLT technology for many years where they carried out joint pilot transactions for the first time via DLT in 2019.
Carlo Kölzer
Carlo Kölzer, Founder and CEO of 360X said,
“Our mantra is: &#8216;Making Things Investable &#8211; Bridging the Gap between Asset Classes and Capital Markets&#8217;.
 
We create transparent and liquid trading venues for assets for which these digital markets do not yet exist. To do this, we start with trading venues for works of art and real estate. 360X is set up as a highly scalable model, which is why other asset classes are to follow soon.&#8221;
Theodor Weimer
Theodor Weimer, CEO of Deutsche Börse said,
“I am convinced that Deutsche Börse has to develop new asset classes.
 
In the future, we will see broad tokenization and digitization of assets that cannot be traded today. 360X is the new innovative platform of serial marketplaces that we want to build with partners. &#8220;
 
Featured image: (From right) Theodor Weimer, CEO of Deutsche Börse and Manfred Knof, CEO of Commerzbank
 
 
The post Deutsche Börse and Commerzbank Join Forces to Build Digital Asset Marketplaces appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/deutsche-borse-and-commerzbank-join-forces-to-build-digital-asset-marketplaces</link><guid>1872</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Deutsche Börse and Commerzbank Join Forces to Build Digital Asset Marketplaces</dc:text></item><item><title>Trends und Analysen des digitalen Hypothekarmarktes</title><description><![CDATA[Mit Valuu lancierte PostFinance Anfang 2019 die erste vollständig digitale Hypothekenplattform der Schweiz. Die Idee dahinter: Personen in der Schweiz sollen ihre Hypotheken auch auf digitalem Weg vergleichen und abschliessen können – und so viel Zeit und Geld sparen. Nach zwei Jahren Valuu deutet alles darauf hin, dass diese Idee gut ankommt. Denn immer mehr Menschen in der Schweiz erkennen, welche Chancen ein transparenter Vergleich und ein digitaler Abschluss bei den Hypotheken bietet.
Das von Valuu vermittelte Hypothekarvolumen ist im zweiten Geschäftsjahr um das Dreifache gestiegen. Auch bei der Anzahl potenzieller Kreditgeber wächst Valuu rasant. Aktuell arbeitet die Plattform mit rund 30 Partnern zusammen, die über 100 bekannte Schweizer Banken, Versicherungen und Pensionskassen abdecken.
In der kurzen Zeit seit der Lancierung von Valuu ist der Online-Hypothekarmarkt in einem grossen Wandel. Viele neue Plattformen sind aufgetaucht, auf denen Finanzierungen online initiiert und/oder abgeschlossen werden können. Für Online-Hypotheken im engeren Sinne (vollständig digitaler Abschluss) ist Valuu derzeit die unabhängige Schweizer Vergleichs- und Abschlussplattform mit dem breitesten Angebot (vgl. Lattmann 2020).
In dieser Analyse gibt Valuu erstmals Einblicke in die Präferenzen der Hypothekarnehmenden, die ihre Finanzierung online abschliessen. Die Daten basieren auf einer hohen dreistelligen Anzahl Hypotheken, die zwischen dem 01.01.2020 und 31.12.2020 mit Valuu digital abgeschlossen wurden.
Thomas Jakob
Die nachfolgenden Trends und Analysen zeigen, dass der spannende Online-Hypothekarmarkt frischen Wind in ein CHF 1100 Milliarden schweres Geschäftsfeld bringt.
Thomas Jakob, Leiter Plattform Valuu
Festhypotheken machen Freude
Die beliebteste Online-Hypothek ist die 10-jährige Festhypothek. Über die Hälfte aller Abschlüsse fallen auf dieses Produkt. 40% der digital abgeschlossenen Hypotheken sind Festhypotheken mit Laufzeiten unter zehn Jahren. Festhypotheken mit einer Laufzeit von 11 oder mehr Jahren machen 4% aus. Nur ein sehr kleiner Anteil der Online-Hypotheken entfällt auf die Geldmarkthypothek Flex /SARON, zu der auch das Auslaufmodell Libor-Hypothek zählt.
Ein knappes Drittel will Pensionskassen
Mit Valuu sind digitale Abschlüsse bei rund 30 Partnern möglich, die zusammen mehr als 100 Schweizer Banken, Versicherungen und Pensionskassen abdecken. 58% aller Online-Hypotheken werden bei einer Bank abgeschlossen. 31% der Online-Hypotheken entfallen auf Pensionskassen. Der Rest wird durch Versicherungen finanziert.
Neukäufer binden sich länger
Eine Hypothek digital abschliessen ist für alle möglich und nicht nur Finanzprofis vorbehalten. Digital abgeschlossen werden sowohl Hypotheken für Neukäufe von Immobilien als auch Erneuerungen bestehender Hypotheken. Dabei zeigt sich ein Unterschied in der Länge der Laufzeiten für die abgeschlossenen Finanzierungen. Neukäufer:innen binden sich tendenziell länger. Zwei Drittel schliessen eine Festhypothek für 10 Jahre oder mehr ab. Bei Personen, welche ihre bestehende Hypothek ablösen, sind es rund 16% weniger.
Der Röstigraben ist da
Angebote für Online-Hypotheken gibt es in der ganzen Schweiz. Es zeigen sich Unterschiede zwischen Abschlüssen in der Deutschschweiz und der Romandie. In der Deutschschweiz werden 55% aller Online-Hypotheken bei Banken abgeschlossen. In der Romandie sind es mit 64% deutlich mehr. Dafür schliessen die Hypothekarnehmenden aus der Westschweiz nur in 2% aller Fälle ihre Online-Hypothek bei einer Versicherung ab. In der Deutschschweiz tun dies
ganze 15%.

Unterschiede zeigen sich auch bei den abgeschlossenen Laufzeiten. Hypothekarnehmende aus der Romandie binden sich deutlich länger an ihren Finanzierungspartner als solche aus der Deutschschweiz. 71% der Westschweizer Personen schliessen Festhypotheken mit Laufzeiten von 10 Jahren oder mehr ab. In der Deutschschweiz tun dies nur 50%. Die andere Hälfte entscheidet sich derweil für Laufzeiten unter 10 Jahren.
Alter und Vermögen spielen keine Rolle
Keine klaren Trends bei den digitalen Hypothekenabschlüssen sind erkennbar hinsichtlich Alter und Vermögen. Alle Kategorien haben ähnliche Hypothekenabschlüsse wie der Durchschnitt. Beim Einkommen ist festzustellen, dass die Personen mit einem Gesamteinkommen bis 160000 Franken brutto pro Jahr häufiger kurze und mittlere Laufzeiten abschliessen. In der Einkommensklasse ab mehr als 160000 Franken brutto pro Jahr sind die Festhypotheken mit Laufzeiten von zehn und mehr Jahren gefragter.

 

Unterschiede zum traditionellen Hypothekarmarkt
Die Online-Hypotheken der Vergleichs- und Abschlussplattform Valuu stammen aus einem Partnernetzwerk, das viele bekannte Banken, Versicherungen und Pensionskassen beinhaltet. Die Angebote auf der Plattform werden transparent und unabhängig vorgestellt. Es darf also von einer Vergleichbarkeit zur Angebotsauswahl im traditionellen Hypothekarmarkt ausgegangen werden. Aus den vorliegenden Daten zum Online-Hypothekarmarkt ergeben sich einige spannende Unterschiede zum traditionellen Hypothekarmarkt. Diese zeigen wir im Folgenden auf.

Tagesaktuelle Zinsen und sinkende Margen

Wer online eine Hypothek abschliesst, kann sicher sein, immer die besten Zinsen am Markt zu erhalten. Das zeigt der Vergleich des durchschnittlichen Zinssatzes für 10-jährige Festhypotheken beim digitalen Abschluss mit dem entsprechenden SWAP-Satz, zu dem sich viele Kreditgeber am Markt refinanzieren. Die Zinskurven laufen nahezu parallel. Das heisst, die Zinsen für Online-Hypotheken sind tagesaktuell und fair, da sie sich unmittelbar am Refinanzierungssatz orientieren. Transparenz und Vergleich führen ausserdem zu geringeren Margen der Kreditgeber, wie die Analyse zeigt.


Mehr Nachfrage nach langen Laufzeiten

Wer online eine Hypothek abschliesst erhält eine hohe Transparenz, differenzierte Angebote und attraktive Konditionen. Denn Online-Hypotheken bieten eine grosse Auswahl an Kreditgebern und frei wählbare Laufzeiten. Die Zinsänderungen zwischen Kreditgebern und Laufzeiten sind dabei sofort und klar ersichtlich. Tiefe Zinsen im Vergleich zum traditionellen Hypothekarmarkt sind garantiert. Diese Mischung sorgt für hohes Vertrauen in langfristige Finanzierungen. So werden online deutlich häufiger Festhypotheken mit Laufzeiten ab 10 Jahren abgeschlossen als im traditionellen Hypothekarmarkt (vgl. Schweizerische Nationalbank o.D.).

Einfacher Zugang zu Pensionskassen

Pensionskassen sind attraktive Finanzierungspartner für Immobilien. Die Online-Hypotheken erleichtern Hypothekarnehmenden den Zugang zu diesen Kreditgebern. Während 95% aller Hypotheken im traditionellen Markt von Banken vergeben werden (vgl. Lengwiler /Amrein 2020), sind es bei digitalen Abschlüssen deutlich weniger (58%). Dafür werden 31% der Online-Hypotheken bei Pensionskassen abgeschlossen.
Pensionskassen gewinnen im OnlineHypothekarmarkt also massiv an Bedeutung. Eine Win-Win-Situation: Während Pensionskassen dank digitaler Vergleichs- und Abschlussplattform einen besseren Marktzugang erhalten, profitieren Hypothekarnehmende von deren oft sehr attraktiven Zinsen.
Digitale Erfolgsfaktoren: Vergleich, Preis, Beratung
Die Finanzierung einer Immobilie ist eine grosse Lebensentscheidung. Das wichtigste Kriterium für die Hypothekarnehmenden ist dabei die Möglichkeit, Angebote und Kreditgeber zu vergleichen. 71% der befragten Personen im aktuellen GfK Markenmonitoring Valuu (2020) wollen das. Das zweitwichtigste Kriterium beim digitalen Abschluss einer Hypothek ist demnach der Preis respektive Zinssatz (67%). Beratung bei der Online-Hypothek ist für
60% ein wichtiger Faktor.
Die Vergleichs- und Abschlussplattform Valuu bietet Hypothekarnehmenden deshalb nicht nur exklusiv verhandelte Top-Zinsen bei ihren Partnern, sondern auch eine umfassende kostenlose Begleitung während des gesamten Prozesses von der Suche der passenden Finanzierung bis zum fertigen Hypothekarvertrag. Dazu zählen Tipps und Anleitungen beim Ausfüllen des Online-Antrags ebenso wie die persönliche Beratung durch Fachpersonen am Telefon oder in den PostFinance Filialen Bern (PostParc Hochhaus), Zürich (Rennweg), Aarau und Lausanne.

Die Zukunft des Hypothekenabschluss liegt online
Online-Hypotheken auf der Schweizer Vergleichs- und Abschlussplattform Valuu erleichtern Hypothekarnehmenden den Zugang zu passenden und günstigen Finanzierungen. Sie sorgen für Transparenz und Preisdruck im Hypothekarmarkt.
Digitale Abschlüsse von Hypotheken machen in der Schweiz bisher nur einen kleinen Teil des gesamten Marktvolumens aus (vgl. Dietrich/Bayley 2020). Bei Neuabschlüssen wird der Marktanteil von Online-Hypotheken auf etwa 3% geschätzt. Doch die Nachfrage digitaler Produkte steigt rasant. Der Markt für Online-Hypotheken wächst pro Jahr um etwa 30%. Aktuell werden vor allem Online-Hypotheken für selbstgenutztes Wohneigentum angeboten.
Es besteht grosses Potenzial, weitere Geschäftsfälle zu digitalisieren. Für das enorme Potenzial von OnlineHypotheken in der Schweiz spricht ein Blick ins Ausland: In Deutschland nutzen bereits rund 40% aller Hypothekarnehmenden Vermittlungsplattformen; in Grossbritannien sind es sogar um die 70% (vgl. Business Engineering Institute St. Gallen 2020). In der Schweiz können sich derzeit 40% der befragten Hypothekarnehmenden vorstellen, ihre Finanzierung online abzuschliessen, wie das GfK Markenmonitoring Valuu (2020) zeigt. Ein wichtiger Faktor bleibt dabei auch für digitale Abschlüsse die Beratungsqualität.
The post Trends und Analysen des digitalen Hypothekarmarktes appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/trends-und-analysen-des-digitalen-hypothekarmarktes</link><guid>1873</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Wahl-des-Produkts.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Trends und Analysen des digitalen Hypothekarmarktes</dc:text></item><item><title>European Investment Bank Issues Digital Bond on Ethereum</title><description><![CDATA[The European Investment Bank (EIB) has launched a digital bond issuance on a blockchain platform, deploying distributed ledger technology for the registration and settlement of digital bonds, in collaboration with Goldman Sachs, Santander and Societe Generale.
In a partnership with Banque de France, the payment of the issue monies from the underwriters to the EIB has been represented on the blockchain in the form of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC).
This transaction consists in the issuance by the EIB of a series of bond tokens on a blockchain, where investors purchase and pay for the security tokens using traditional fiat.
The joint lead managers will then settle the underwriting against the issuer using a representation of the CBDC. The principal is expected to be repaid in commercial fiat at maturity. The transaction will use Ethereum, a public blockchain protocol.
The EIB believes that the digitalisation of capital markets may bring benefits to market participants in the coming years, including a reduction of intermediaries and fixed costs, better market transparency through an increased capacity to see trading flows and identity asset owners, as well as a much faster settlement speed.
Mourinho Félix
Mourinho Félix, Vice President at the European Investment Bank (EIB) said,
“Innovation at the EIB goes beyond the projects we are supporting. As a global leader in the green and sustainability bond markets, the EIB is clearly well‑placed to lead the way now in the issuance of digital bonds on blockchain.
 
These digital bonds will play a role in giving the Bank a quicker and more streamlined access to alternative sources of finance to boost finance for projects across the globe.”
Bertrand de Mazières
Bertrand de Mazières, Director General Finance at the EIB said,
“In another testimony of EIB’s leading position in capital markets’ innovation, this transaction marks the EIB’s first step as a pioneer in the use of blockchain technology for the issuance of financial securities.
 
By helping to create a framework for a new market ecosystem, the EIB believes this will bring value added for both issuers and investors, while contributing to an innovative, efficient and secure market infrastructure.”
 
Featured image credit: Photo by bruno neurath-wilson on Unsplash 
The post European Investment Bank Issues Digital Bond on Ethereum appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/european-investment-bank-issues-digital-bond-on-ethereum</link><guid>1870</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>European Investment Bank Issues Digital Bond on Ethereum</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Startup Competition Venture Announces Fintech Finalists for 2021</title><description><![CDATA[Switzerland&#8217;s startup competition &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; has announced its list of 52 finalists for its 2021 competition.
The competition has finalists from five different verticals namely Finance and Insurance, Health and Nutrition, ICT, Retail and Consumer Services as well as Industrials and Engineering.
For the Finance and Insurance vertical, &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; has selected eleven Swiss startups as finalists.
Eleven Finalists for the Finance and Insurance Vertical
Aequitec AG
Managing corporate actions, e.g. capital increases, is manual, error-prone, time-consuming and costly.
Fast growing IPO candidates, listed companies and professional service companies purchase our software and expertise to automate corporate actions together with lawyers, notaries, auditors and bank representatives.
Aequitec reduces workload by up to 90 percent through automation and increases non-listed share visibility and liquidity. CHF 7.5k average annual recurring revenue per contract.
Aisot
Ever increasing relevant data sources make it hard to be on top of what is happening on the market. At aisot, we offer next level data &amp; predictive analytics. By dynamically combining various real-time datasets – from markets and alternative sources – we can create directly actionable signals beyond sentiments. We are a B2B company selling licenses to trading and investment signals and apply revenue sharing models where appropiate.
Alquant AG
Alquant is a Swiss innovative quantitative asset management and financial research firm led by Millennials. The company operates in two segments, the asset management and the platform business. Within asset management, Alquant offers disruptive investment products, leveraging the latest technologies and alternative data to find untapped potentials. In the platform segment, Alquant provides the next generation actionable signals and helps portfolio managers to become data-driven investors.
Avoodoo
The global Index Industry makes yearly around USD 5 billion revenues and grows by 10%.
Asset management and pension funds ask for more specialized indices like ESG. Regulators demand full transparency. Index providers struggle with these market dynamics. They suffer from a slow time-to-market and high cost due to complex index management processes and quality issues due to data gaps and a fragmented tooling landscape. This leads to a huge loss of market opportunities and revenues.
CyQuant
Insurers use historical data to estimate insurance premiums. This is not possible with Cyber Risk. we developed an innovative platform to model companies cyber risk. Bringing the technology (ML) to where the risks are growing (cyber), which promises to bring savings for both company and insurer.
Fea Money Switzerland
Women are the most powerful consumers, driving 70 – 80 % of all purchasing worldwide, However, they are also the most financially unstable compared to men, due to:

Gender pay gaps
Gender pension gaps
Staying away from the job market
Spending habits

Fea Money offers services and products, such as budgeting and in-app community, tailored specifically for women and empowers them to take charge of their finances.
Fidectus
Fidectus revolutionizes post trading in OTC energy and commodity markets. Our clients benefit of a unified solution enabling them to digitize and fully automate their post trade processes. Fidectus SaaS platform seamlessly integrates into their IT landscape. Our services Confirmations, Settlements, Broker Fees and Financing provide multiple revenue streams, based on per transaction fee and fixed fee models. We become the cogwheel in their processes and continuously extend our value proposition.
Ignatica
Ignatica is an Insurtech startup offering a cloud-based B2B Saas platform to Insurers and brokers which allows them to launch new products faster, cheaper and much more tailored to reach the individual needs of their clients.
Kaspar&amp;
700’000 Swiss mass affluent market customers have one and the same problem in today’s low-interest rate world: they know they should invest for tomorrow, but do not know how to start today. Therefore, Kaspar&amp; offers an all-in-one app including a Swiss bank account, a personalized payment card, an automatic transaction-based round-up mechanism that invests the resulting micro-payments and the chance to invest any amount in professionally managed investment strategies. All for a fair flat-fee.
Lyyna
When customers buy something valuable, they need insurance. Large shops offer insurance on checkout. Small, specialised shops do not. They are too small to partner with insurers. Collectively, however, they account for ~50% of valuable items sales. Lyyna empowers banks to serve this large untapped market: Customers pay for large purchases digitally. A bank connects to Lyyna, which analyses the payment data. and enables the bank to offer their customer the insurance directly from her smartphone.
Ratyng
Evaluating the financial stability of SMEs is actually quite difficult. We provide the financial industry highly efficient &amp; accessible SME risk assessment, without the need for complex and time-consuming processes. Our models achieve the same quality and predictive power as gold standard banking models, while reducing the required inputs by over 90% and packing it all into an easy to use software suite easily available at attractive prices.
The post Swiss Startup Competition Venture Announces Fintech Finalists for 2021 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-startup-competition-venture-announces-fintech-finalists-for-2021</link><guid>1871</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Startup Competition Venture Announces Fintech Finalists for 2021</dc:text></item><item><title>10 Swiss Blockchain Startups to Watch in 2021</title><description><![CDATA[Startup.ch, which serves as a Swiss startups radar, has compiled a list of ten up-and-coming Swiss blockchain startups that the market should keep an eye on.
The explosive growth in the cryptocurrency market within the recent month has recharged the interest of many in this fairly new asset class.
Here are 10 Swiss companies utilising blockchain technology in innovative ways to create solutions in areas such as healthcare, supply chain, identification, and more.
Adresta AG
Adresta creates digital certificates for luxury goods, starting with high-end timepieces. The certificates are securely stored on a blockchain together with the history of the watch from manufacturer to service and repair and pre-owned sale.
Authena
Authena is a Swiss company whose goal is to create a future free from counterfeiting and fraud. With its blockchain &amp; IoT (Internet of Things) platform, Authena wants to revolutionise how brands of high value goods protect their products and reputation against counterfeiting and reach unprecedented level of end users engagement.
collectID AG
collectID is a product authentication ecosystem allowing every user to easily authenticate and trade any product by simply tapping the smartphone on the item. collectID protects the consumer confidence in brands and retailers and creates a new secure resale market. collectID combines cutting-edge blockchain technology and NFC hardware to fight the problem of counterfeiting.
dq technologies AG (decentriq)
Decentriq’s avato platform sets the standards for data scientists, making data exploitable. Avato ensures that all parties are always working on encrypted data (encryption-in-use). The platform is based on the latest advancements of hardware cryptography (Intel-SGX) and machine learning, functioning as a software layer on top of the public cloud infrastructure. Thus, enabling scalable machine learning on encrypted data. Data collaboration without data sharing.
Hive Power Sagl
Hive Power is a technology provider of a platform fully open to existing and new energy actors. The goal of Hive Power is to create energy sharing communities where all participants are guaranteed to benefit from the participation, reaching at the same time a technical and financial optimum for the whole community.
Lyfegen HealthTech
Lyfegen helps patients to access cutting edge, high-cost therapies with our groundbreaking value-based contracting platform. Our solutions provide manufacturers, healthcare payers, and healthcare providers the tools needed to execute value-based and data-driven agreements.
Modum
Modum offers a digital supply chain monitoring &amp; optimization solution that measures environmental conditions at high shipment volumes for the pharma industry. Our first solution enables pharma distributors to fulfil regulatory obligations under GDP in an efficient and cost effective way.
Ormera
Ormera is a web-based platform for energy utilities, energy service providers, real estate service providers, administrations and installers. It links the meter to the account, thus automating the entire electricity billing process. For self-consumption communities (SCC), Ormera is the ideal meter-to-cash solution for independent management and electricity billing
Scantrust
Scantrust is a connected goods and products platform for companies that depend on selling physical products in a connected world. Benefit from Active Brand Protection, Supply Chain Awareness, and direct Consumer Engagement. Maintain brand integrity, deliver valuable consumer insights, and unlock growth potential in the goods and products you sell.
xFarm
xFarm is a startup that aims at the digitization of agriculture, providing innovative tools that can support farmers and food supply chain&#8217;s stakeholders in the management of their companies. Created by farmers and tailored to the agricultural sector, its main focus is on ease of use, intuitiveness and complete adaptability to agricultural realities.
The post 10 Swiss Blockchain Startups to Watch in 2021 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/10-swiss-blockchain-startups-to-watch-in-2021</link><guid>1869</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>10 Swiss Blockchain Startups to Watch in 2021</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss-Austrian Bluecode Bags €20 Million Investment to Accelerate Expansion Plans</title><description><![CDATA[Bluecode, a Swiss mobile payments solution enabling cashless payments, announced that it has received new funding worth €20 million with the Hopp Family Office leading the round, joined by new and existing investors.
The firm will use the capital for the expansion of its value-added mobile payment ecosystem in Austria and Germany.
Additionally, the company will strengthen its offering as technology partner for the European banking and commerce sectors.
Consumers will be able to make contactless payments via Bluecode at even more points of acceptance at retailers, restaurants and bars as well as hotels.
Bluecode is cooperating closely with banks and local retailers in order to integrate the mobile payment capability into their cash register systems and apps.
Last year, more than 300 Austrian financial institutions joined the European payment network by Bluecode.
Recently, new retail and technology partners such as Unser Ö-Bonus Club GmbH, Huawei in Austria and Germany, and Germany&#8217;s largest drugstore chain, Rossmann, have become part of the Bluecode ecosystem.
In addition to brick-and-mortar retail, the company is pushing to expand its payment technology into the realm of e-commerce and m-commerce.
Christian Pirkner
“Bluecode has the goal of developing a mobile payment system for Europe that benefits all stakeholders. This is something that the European Commission, the European Central Bank, the Deutsche Bundesbank and many other organizations have been calling for”,
says Christian Pirkner, CEO of Blue Code International and continues,
“We are excited to have the Hopp Family Office joining our mission. Their newest investment is a strong signal for a pro-European movement and opens many doors to further advance the partnership between Bluecode and the banking and commerce sectors.”
 
 
 
The post Swiss-Austrian Bluecode Bags €20 Million Investment to Accelerate Expansion Plans appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-austrian-bluecode-bags-20-million-investment-to-accelerate-expansion-plans</link><guid>1868</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss-Austrian Bluecode Bags €20 Million Investment to Accelerate Expansion Plans</dc:text></item><item><title>Crypto Firm Paxos Raises US$ 300 Million in Series D Funding At US$ 2.4 Billion Valuation</title><description><![CDATA[Paxos, a New York-based regulated blockchain infrastructure platform, announced it has closed a US$ 300 million Series D round of funding.
Oak HC/FT led the round, with participation from previous investors Declaration Partners, PayPal Ventures, Mithril Capital, Senator Investment Group, Liberty City Ventures, WestCap and more.
To date, Paxos has raised more than $500 million in funding and with a valuation of $2.4 billion.
Paxos will continue investing in the development of enterprise-grade infrastructure while deepening its commitment to regulation, reliability and security.
The company will accelerate growth by hiring new team members across all functions, scaling its operations, increasing platform capacity and investing in innovation.
Additional liquidity will also be added across the platform to enhance the customer experience and increase utilisation of its tokens.
To continue the development of its robust, regulated platform, Paxos also plans to establish the Paxos National Trust Bank, support its application for a Clearing Agency registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission and pursue its Major Payment Institution license in Singapore.
In 2021, Paxos supported the launch of crypto buying and selling services on Venmo through its partnership with PayPal and tokenised more than 100,000 oz of the highest quality investment-grade gold with PAX Gold.
Charles Cascarilla
Charles Cascarilla, CEO and Co-Founder of Paxos, commented,
“Demand for our enterprise solutions has accelerated much faster than we could have anticipated.
 
It validates our approach to providing the most innovative and regulated enterprise solutions to replatform the financial system and create the digital economy of the future.”
 
The post Crypto Firm Paxos Raises US$ 300 Million in Series D Funding At US$ 2.4 Billion Valuation appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crypto-firm-paxos-raises-us-300-million-in-series-d-funding-at-us-24-billion-valuation</link><guid>1867</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Crypto Firm Paxos Raises US$ 300 Million in Series D Funding At US$ 2.4 Billion Valuation</dc:text></item><item><title>French Healthcare App Alan Raises €185 Million at €1.4 Billion Valuation</title><description><![CDATA[Alan, a France-based digital health insurance platform, announced last week the closing of a €185 million Series D funding round, bringing the company’s total valuation to €1.4 billion.
The funding comes as Alan doubles its member base to 155,000 and surpasses €100 million in annualised revenue.
The funding round was led by Coatue, a global technology-focused investment manager founded by Philippe Laffont, along with Dragoneer, Exor, and existing investors Index Ventures, Ribbit Capital and Temasek.
By the end of 2023, Alan will hire 400 additional staff across Europe and will grow its international teams from 30 to 140.
The company aims to exceed 1 million insured members and expects to reach profitability in its home market of France by then.
With the new funding round, Alan will invest in the following :

For French companies: Increased automation of HR routine tasks such as Employee affiliation to the health and “prévoyance” insurances, payroll update &amp; work stoppage management.
For Belgium insured members: Medical chat and psychological hotline services to provide personalized answers to members&#8217; health concerns, and further development of preventive programs to help people take care of their health.
For Spanish insured members: Medical concierge services, taking appointments and finding doctors on behalf of Alan’s Spanish members.
For everyone: Personal care guidance to access the right in-person or virtual care options, as well as direct-to-consumer products in Parenting (Alan Baby) and Mental Health.

As a healthcare app, Alan provides health insurance plans to companies of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises, and combines its health insurance offering with access to personalised health care information, proactive care, care delivery, payment and post-care.
Jean-Charles Samuelian-Werve
Jean-Charles Samuelian-Werve, Co-Founder and CEO of Alan said,
&#8220;In a post-pandemic world, our role as a trusted partner will be to re-engage individuals with the healthcare system.
 
For us, this means being; personalised and tailored to each person’s needs, able to offer the best price possible and relieving financial stress, incredibly fast at delivering accurate answers on health and wellbeing, and proactive when providing decisive medical guidance to everyone.&#8221;
 
 
 
The post French Healthcare App Alan Raises €185 Million at €1.4 Billion Valuation appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/french-healthcare-app-alan-raises-185-million-at-14-billion-valuation</link><guid>1866</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>French Healthcare App Alan Raises €185 Million at €1.4 Billion Valuation</dc:text></item><item><title>Kid-Focused Startup Greenlight Snags US$260 Million in Series D Funding Round</title><description><![CDATA[Greenlight Financial Technology, a debit card for kids and a mobile app that empowers parents raise financially-smart children, announced the close of a US$ 260 million Series D funding round.
This brings Greenlight&#8217;s total funding to over $550 million and increases the company&#8217;s valuation from $1.2 billion to $2.3 billion in a six-month period.
The series was led by Andreessen Horowitz whose general partner David George will join Greenlight&#8217;s board of directors.
The fundraise was also participated by return investors TTV Capital, Canapi Ventures, Wells Fargo Strategic Capital, BOND, Fin VC, Goodwater Capital, as well as new investors Wellington Management, Owl Ventures and LionTree Partners.
The new funding will be used to accelerate product development to add more financial services to Greenlight&#8217;s platform and to invest further in strategic distribution partnerships and geographic expansion to reach more families.
The capital will also be used to hire more talent with plans to add 300 new employees with a focus on engineering over the next two years.
Greenlight is a comprehensive, all-in-one money management platform purpose-built for families that offers a suite of financial services across earning, saving, spending, giving and investing. It includes a debit card, companion app and educational resources that teach young people critical financial skills.
The fintech said that it serves 3 million parents and kids, helping them learn healthy financial habits and collectively save more than $120 million to-date.
Tim Sheehan
&#8220;Our vision at Greenlight is to create a world where every child grows up to be financially healthy and happy.
 
Today&#8217;s financing will enable us to bring even more value to families as we continue to introduce new innovative products that shine a light on the world of money.&#8221;
said Tim Sheehan, Co-Founder and CEO of Greenlight.
The post Kid-Focused Startup Greenlight Snags US$260 Million in Series D Funding Round appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/kid-focused-startup-greenlight-snags-us260-million-in-series-d-funding-round</link><guid>1865</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Kid-Focused Startup Greenlight Snags US$260 Million in Series D Funding Round</dc:text></item><item><title>Current Raises US$220 Million Funding, Triples Valuation to US$2.2 Billion</title><description><![CDATA[US-based challenger bank Current announced that it has raised $220 million in Series D funding and tripled its valuation to $2.2 billion in just five months. Current has now raised over $400 million in total funding.
Andreessen Horowitz led the round with substantial participation by returning investors Tiger Global Management, TQ Ventures, Avenir, Sapphire Ventures, Foundation Capital, Wellington Management and EXPA.
Current said in a statement that the fundraise follows a year of tremendous growth after signing on three million members, a significant bump from the one million mark it reached just last summer, and it also expanded its creator partnerships.
Its mobile banking products provide new platforms to engage their fans and the new capital will allow Current to grow the company and its member base as well as build integrated products with some of today&#8217;s most relevant creators.
Stuart Sopp
&#8220;Getting ahead is more important than ever to this generation. Building products that solve your members&#8217; financial needs now and have the potential to grow with them is as important as building a brand that is relatable.
 
We&#8217;ve always been committed to providing products that make life better and with this new round of funding we&#8217;ll continue to innovate to find more ways to provide value, improve financial outcomes and accelerate the growth of our company and member base.&#8221;
said Stuart Sopp, Current CEO and Founder.
The post Current Raises US$220 Million Funding, Triples Valuation to US$2.2 Billion appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/current-raises-us220-million-funding-triples-valuation-to-us22-billion</link><guid>1864</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Current Raises US$220 Million Funding, Triples Valuation to US$2.2 Billion</dc:text></item><item><title>Verse: Solving the in-App Instant Payments Challenge</title><description><![CDATA[Verse, a mobile P2P payments provider, wanted to seize an opportunity to move quickly on the P2P payments scene to allow its users to instantly send money to any eurozone country – without the need for Verse to rely on an intermediary to execute payments.
In close partnership with Metasite bespoke financial software engineers, the fintech smoothly launched Eurozone-wide instant mobile app payments in active use by over half a million customers. Metasite SEPA Payments Plug-In Application enabled Verse to confidently go live with the full range of cross-border payments, driving a significant increase in payment transactions.
“We’re very happy to have chosen Metasite as our technology partner for launching a new service vital for our business – SEPA instant payments that enabled instant transfers to all banks in Spain and the Eurozone without the need for an intermediary”,
shares Jaume Miró, Verse COO.
The company is now part of the Cash App organisation, a mobile payment service developed by a US-based fintech Square with over 36 million monthly active customers.
The solution: Metasite SEPA payments plug-in application
Verse chose to integrate its core banking system with the Central Bank of Lithuania CENTROlink payment system because that enables Verse to incorporate SEPA instant payments and credit transfers into the Verse app experience.
Yet integrating SEPA payments into the Verse core banking infrastructure posed some challenges – from ensuring a smooth roll-out through to meeting technical and compliance requirements. Verse needed a partner that could deliver a steady, re-assuring route to achieve its objectives. At the same time, Verse wanted to retain maximum decision-making power and flexibility to meet demanding user expectations.
In Metasite, Verse found a technology partner with a unique mix of a tailored approach as well as expertise and speed. Metasite also has an established yet highly customisable middleware solution that provided a stepping stone: Metasite SEPA Payments Plug-in Application.
The application is a customisable middleware hosted on Verse infrastructure, which cuts out the need for payments intermediaries. The plugin is designed for quick deployment with the goal to help fintech companies such as Verse to quickly access real-time payments.
The result: confidently rolling out instant payments across Europe
To implement SEPA capabilities, Metasite helped Verse with the integration of SEPA credit transfers and instant payments schemes. From a technical perspective, the integration of each scheme requires going through the following key steps – setup and integration with a client’s internal systems, integration with a hardware security module (HSM) for the signing process, and passing the required tests.
Verse instant go-live was aided by the fact that Metasite is an established integrator with knowledge of the Central Bank of Lithuania processes, including existing experience in helping clients pass CENTROlink acceptance testing.
Mantas Kentra
“Financial institutions must provide a test log of completed transactions scenarios that demonstrate the ability of the institution’s integration to handle different transactions competently. The current testing regime requires proof of successful execution for dozens of test cases. We assisted Verse in demonstrating that their SEPA integration functions according to regulatory requirements and that the payment processing is ready to go live.
In general, SEPA payments integration for Verse worked really smoothly, which in large part was the result of the client’s hands-on approach,”
shares Mantas Kentra, Metasite Senior Solution Architect.
 
About Metasite
Metasite engineers build and integrate complex financial platforms and applications for financial industry clients in the UK, Switzerland and across EU. They develop solutions for Bank Vontobel, Man Group, Verse (Cash App / Square), ERGO (Munich RE), Solum Financial, Bond Radar, Equiniti and Swedbank, among others.
Metasite build enterprise-grade digital solutions and financial platforms: online platforms and interfaces, SEPA payments apps, billing and payment systems, portfolio management systems, ESPP solutions, derivatives portfolio valuation and risk modelling platforms, business process automation solutions, middleware and integration modules, market simulation platforms, mobile and desktop web portals and complex data visualisation solutions, to name just a few examples.
Their engineering and design teams breathe Java, .NET, Node.js, Python, React, Angular, TomCat, WildFly, PostgreSQL, Oracle, MySQL, Hadoop, MongoDB, Elasticsearch, Kafka, Cassandra, Impala, Spark, Tableau, Talend and are biased towards open source tech and agile development.
Metasite is Lloyd&#8217;s-insured and ISO9001 and ISO27001-certified.
The post Verse: Solving the in-App Instant Payments Challenge appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/verse-solving-the-in-app-instant-payments-challenge</link><guid>1862</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Verse: Solving the in-App Instant Payments Challenge</dc:text></item><item><title>Amazon to Roll Out Pay-With-Palm at Whole Foods Stores</title><description><![CDATA[Amazon.com announced that it is rolling out its biometrics technology Amazon One as a payment option at Whole Foods stores in the Seattle area over the coming months.
The multinational company had introduced Amazon One as a fast, convenient, contactless way for people to use their palm to enter, identify, and pay.
After introducing the Amazon One service last September, the company added it as an entry and payment option at several Amazon stores in the Seattle area, including Amazon Go, Amazon Go Grocery, Amazon Books, Amazon 4-star, and Amazon Pop Up.
Amazon said that thousands of customers have signed up for the service, and feedback has been great—customers have shared they appreciate how quick it is to enroll and use, and that its contactless nature has been helpful in our current environment.
Customers who are new to using Amazon One can sign up at any Amazon One kiosk or device in participating stores, and enrollment takes less than a minute.
After they insert their credit card, customers hover their palm over the device and follow the prompts to associate that card with the unique palm signature being built in real-time for them by Amazon&#8217;s computer vision technology.
Customers will have the option to enroll with just one palm or both.
Once enrolled, customers can use Amazon One to pay at participating Whole Foods Market stores in about a second or so.
If customers have previously signed up for Amazon One at an Amazon store, they may need to re-insert their credit card one time at an Amazon One device in a Whole Foods Market so they can continue to use the service in those stores.
If customers choose to link their Amazon One ID with their Amazon account, they can automatically get their Prime member discount as usual at Whole Foods Market.
image via Amazon
Arun Rajan
“Working closely with Amazon, we’ve brought benefits like Prime member discounts, online grocery delivery and pickup, and free returns to our customers, and we’re excited to add Amazon One as a payment option beginning today.
 
We’re starting with an initial store at Madison Broadway in Seattle and look forward to hearing what customers think as we expand this option to additional stores over time.”
said Arun Rajan, Senior Vice President of Technology and Chief Technology Officer at Whole Foods Market.
 
The post Amazon to Roll Out Pay-With-Palm at Whole Foods Stores appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/amazon-to-roll-out-pay-with-palm-at-whole-foods-stores</link><guid>1863</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Amazon-One.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>Amazon to Roll Out Pay-With-Palm at Whole Foods Stores</dc:text></item><item><title>Helvetia Venture Fund Acquires German Property Finance Company Baufi24</title><description><![CDATA[The Helvetia Venture Fund is investing in Baufi24, a German property finance company, by acquiring its shares as part of a series A financing round.
Venture capital firm btov also took part in the financing round alongside Helvetia Venture Fund. The sum raised was undisclosed.
With the additional funds, Baufi24 said that it is going to press ahead with developing its own technology and expand its network of branches across Germany.
Baufi24 was launched in 2006 as a search engine for property financing, and has since 2017 positioned itself as an all-round independent property financing broker.
For each financing request, Baufi24 compares what around 450 banks, insurance companies and building societies have to offer, with the aim of enabling its customers to obtain rapid loan commitments with minimal bureaucracy.
Baufi24 supplements its digital offering with 60 franchised branches that provide personal advice, both face to face and via video.
The B2B company FinLink is also part of the Baufi Group and offers CRM services for marketing property financing via its technology platform.
Patrick Scherrer
Patrick Scherrer, Head Strategy &amp; M&amp;A at Helvetia said,
&#8220;MoneyPark, the Swiss technology leader in property financing, is already part of the Helvetia Group.
Investing in Baufi24 will create interesting exchange possibilities for both parties&#8221;,
Tomas Peeters
Tomas Peeters, CEO of Baufi24 added,
&#8220;With the Helvetia Venture Fund and btov, we have two strong investors on board in order to push forward with the development of our smart and innovative technology.&#8221;
 
 
Featured image: Helvetia
The post Helvetia Venture Fund Acquires German Property Finance Company Baufi24 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/helvetia-venture-fund-acquires-german-property-finance-company-baufi24</link><guid>1861</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Helvetia Venture Fund Acquires German Property Finance Company Baufi24</dc:text></item><item><title>56 Fintech Billionaires Worth a Combined US$327B in 2021</title><description><![CDATA[There are 56 fintech billionaires around the world who combine a total net worth of US$327.7 billion, data curated by Finextra based on Forbes’ 2021 World’s Billionaires list show. These represent some of the world’s biggest and most successful fintech companies in the world including Ant Group, PayPal, Stripe and Klarna. They are also world renowned fintech investors and the founders of leading firms such as Bloomberg and Thomson Reuters.
US leads in fintech billionaire count
Out of the 56 fintech billionaires identified, 28 are in the US, making it the largest hub of fintech billionaires.
US fintech billionaires are worth a combined US$162.1 billion and represent industries including financial media and information, payment, cryptocurrency, blockchain, brokerage and trading, and digital banking.
They include the three co-founders of financial information and media firm Bloomberg Michael Bloomberg (worth US$59 billion), Charles Zegar (US$2.6 billion), and Duncan MacMillan (US$1.5 billion), eBay founder Pierre Omidyar (US$21.4 billion), Square founder Jack Dorsey (US$12.5) and co-founder Jim McKelvey (US$3.5 billion), and Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong (US$6.5 billion) and founder Fred Ehrsam (US$1.9 billion).
Other notable US fintech billionaires include identical twins Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss (worth US$3 billion individually), the two founders of cryptocurrency exchange Gemini, Ripple co-founder Chris Larsen (US$3.4 billion), blockchain and crypto pioneer Jed McCaleb (US$2 billion), venture capitalist (VC) Tim Draper (US$1.5 billion), Chime co-founder Chris Britt (US$1.3 billion), and Robinhood founder Vlad Tenev (US$1 billion) and co-founder Baiju Bhatt (US$1 billion).
Fintech billionaires around the world

After the US, China has the second highest number of fintech billionaires at 6 for a combined total net worth of US$65 billion.
Three of them are affiliated with Ant Group, the fintech spinoff of China’s e-commerce giant Alibaba and the world’s most valuable fintech company at US$220 billion. They are Jack Ma (US$48.4 billion), Alibaba’s co-founder, Eric Jing (US$1.7 billion), Ant Group’s executive chairman, and Shao Xiaofeng (US$1.3 billion), a major shareholder of Ant Group and former chief risk officer at Alibaba.
Other Chinese fintech billionaires include Qi Shi (US$10.4 billion), the founder of Shenzhen-listed East Money Information, a financial and stock information website provider, Changpeng Zhao (US$1.9 billion), the founder and CEO of Binance, one of the world’s biggest cryptocurrency exchanges, and Ye Qiongjiu (US$1.3 billion), the deputy general manager of HithinkRoyalFlush Information Network, an online financial information services business.
Brazil has the third highest number of fintech billionaires at three who combine a total net worth of US$9.5 billion. They are Andre Street (US$2.5 billion) and Eduardo de Pontes (US$2.4 billion), the co-founders of StoneCo, a Nasdaq-listed cloud-based online payment processor, and Luis Frias (US$4.6 billion), the chairman of PagSeguro Digital, a New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)-listed payment company.
The UK, Sweden, the Netherlands, Ireland, Canada, and Australia all have two fintech billionaires each, who oftentimes are the two co-founders of a successful company.
In Ireland, they are John Collison (IUS$3.2 billion) and Patrick Collison (US$3.2 billion), the co-founders of Stripe, the world’s most valuable VC-backed private company at US$95 billion.
In Sweden, they are Victor Jacobsson (US$2.7 billion) and Sebastian Siemiatkowski (US$2.2 billion), the co-founders of Klarna, Europe’s most valuable fintech company at US$31 billion.
In the Netherlands, they are Arnout Schuijff (US$3.5 billion) and Pieter van der Does (US$2.6 billion), the co-founders of payment processing company Adyen.
And in Australia, they are Anthony Eisen (US$1.8 billion) and Nick Molnar (US$1.8 billion), the co-founders of Afterpay, a leading buy now pay later company.
Other fintech billionaires around the world include Swiss Guillaume Pousaz (US$9 billion), the founder of Checkout.com, the UK’s most valuable fintech company at US$15 billion, Canadian David Thomson (US$41.8 billion) of Thomson Reuters, India’s Vijay Shekhar Sharma (US$2.3 billion), the founder of Paytm, the country’s largest mobile wallet, the UK’s Nik Storonsky (US$1.2 billion), the co-founder of neobank Revolut, and Colombian David Velez, the founder and CEO of Brazil’s Nubank, the largest fintech company and the most valuable VC-backed company in Latin America valued at US$25 billion.




	Fintech RankBillionaire RankNameWorth (US$ bn)CountryBusinessBio




	120Michael Bloomberg59USABloombergMichael Bloomberg cofounded financial information and media company Bloomberg LP in 1981.


	226Jack Ma48.4ChinaAnt GroupA former English teacher, Jack Ma cofounded Alibaba Group, one of the world's largest e-commerce businesses.


	333David Thomson41.8CanadaThomson ReutersDavid Thomson and his family control a media and publishing empire founded by his grandfather Roy Thomson.


	483Pierre Omidyar21.4USAPayPalPierre Omidyar founded online auction firm eBay in 1995 and now serves on the company's board.


	5173Jack Dorsey12.5USASquareTattooed entrepreneur Jack Dorsey has been CEO of both social media firm Twitter and small business payments company Square since 2015.


	6216Qi Shi10.4ChinaEast Money InformationQi Shi chairs Shenzhen-listed East Money Information, which operates one of the country's most popular financial and stock information websites.


	7262Guillaume Pousaz9SwitzerlandCheckout.comGuillaume Pousaz founded Checkout.com in 2012 to solve the problem of online payment processing for shops and shoppers around the world.


	8274Sam Bankman-Fried8.7USAFTXSam Bankman-Fried manages $2.5 billion of assets through Alameda Research, the quantitative crypto trading firm he founded in 2017.


	9404Brian Armstrong6.5USACoinbaseBrian Armstrong is the chief executive of Coinbase Global, the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the United States.


	10539David Velez5.2ColombiaNubankVélez is cofounder and CEO of Nubank, a Sao-Paulo based digital bank that offers credit cards, checking accounts and life insurance.


	11622Luis Frias4.6BrazilPaySeguro DigitalLuis Frias is chairman of PagSeguro Digital, a payments company that went public on the New York Stock Exchange in 2018, raising over $2 billion.


	12680Scott Cook4.2USAIntuitScott Cook is the cofounder of financial software giant Intuit, known for products like QuickBooks, TurboTax and Mint.


	13859Arnout Schuijff3.5NetherlandsAdyenArnout Schuijff is the cofounder of Adyen, an Amsterdam-based payment processing company.


	13859Jim McKelvey3.5USASquareJim McKelvey cofounded payments firm Square with Jack Dorsey in 2009 after he had trouble selling a $2,000 art piece from his studio.


	13859Thomas Secunda3.5USABloombergThomas Secunda is a cofounder of financial services and media company Bloomberg LP.


	14891Chris Larsen3.4USARippleChris Larsen cofounded Ripple in 2012 to facilitate international payments for banks using blockchain technology.


	15925Vyacheslav Kim3.3KazakhstanKaspi BankVyacheslav Kim is chairman of Kaspi Bank, Kazakhstan's largest payments and fintech company.


	16956Mikhail Lomtadze3.2GeorgiaKaspi BankKaspi is Kazakhstan's largest payments and fintech ecosystem with over 7 million monthly users.


	16956John Collison3.2IrelandStripeJohn Collison is cofounder and president of Stripe, a company that lets businesses and individuals accept payments over the internet.


	16956Patrick Collison3.2IrelandStripePatrick Collison is the cofounder and CEO of Stripe, a company that lets businesses and individuals accept payments over the internet.


	171008Cameron Winklevoss3USAGeminiIdentical twins Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss cofounded cryptocurrency exchange Gemini in 2014; today it processes about $200 million a day in trades.


	171008Tyler Winklevoss3USAGeminiIdentical twins Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss cofounded cryptocurrency exchange Gemini in 2014; today it processes about $200 million a day in trades.


	181064Chad Richison2.9USAPaycomChad Richison is founder and CEO of Paycom, one of the first companies to process payroll completely online.


	191174Victor Jacobsson2.7SwedenKlarnaJacobsson cofounded Klarna in 2005, pioneering the buy-now, pay-later model in fintech that has recently soared in popularity.


	201205Pieter van der Does2.6NetherlandsAdyenPieter van der Does is the cofounder and CEO of Adyen, an Amsterdam-based payment processing company.


	201205Steven Sarowitz2.6USAPaylocitySteven Sarowitz founded online payroll firm Paylocity in 1997 after working at several other payroll firms.


	201205Charles Zegar2.6USABloombergCharles Zegar is one of three billionaire cofounders of financial services and media giant Bloomberg LP.


	211249Andre Street2.5BrazilStoneCoAndre Street is a cofounder of StoneCo, a Brazilian cloud-based online payment processor that raised $1.5 billion in its 2018 IPO.


	221299Eduardo de Pontes2.4BrazilStoneCoEduardo de Pontes is a cofounder of StoneCo, a Brazilian cloud-based online payment processor; it raised $1.5 billion in its 2018 IPO.


	221299William Stone2.4USASS&amp;CBill Stone started financial-software firm SS&amp;C Technologies in 1986 with the $20,000 he had saved from his days as a KPMG executive.


	231362Vijay Shekhar Sharma2.3IndiaPaytmSon of a schoolteacher from a small city in north India, Vijay Shekhar Sharma founded fast-rising mobile wallet Paytm in 2011.


	231362Jared Isaacman2.3USAShift4 PaymentsJared Isaacman is the founder and CEO of Allentown, Pennsylvania-based payment processing firm Shift4 Payments.


	231362Michael Saylor2.3USAMicroStrategyMichael Saylor is the CEO of business analytics software firm MicroStrategy.


	241444Sebastian Siemiatkowski2.2SwedenKlarnaSiemiatkowski cofounded Klarna in 2005, pioneering the buy-now, pay-later model in fintech that has recently soared in popularity.


	241444Max Levchin2.2USAAffirmLevchin is cofounder and CEO of Affirm, a fintech lending company that helps people pay for items like cameras and dresses in installments.


	251580Jed McCaleb2USAMt Gox; Ripple; StellarMcCaleb was an early pioneer in the blockchain space who helped launch three well-known crypto firms.


	261664Changpeng Zhao1.9ChinaBinanceChangpeng Zhao, who goes by CZ, is founder and CEO of Binance, a cryptocurrency exchange that became the largest on the planet in just under 180 days.


	261664Fred Ehrsam1.9USACoinbaseEhrsam founded cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase in 2012 with Brian Armstrong. It has since grown into the largest U.S. crypto brokerage.


	271750Anthony Eisen1.8AustraliaAfterpayAnthony Eisen is cofounder and CEO of Afterpay, which lets people pay for retail items like clothing in four interest-free installments.


	271750Nick Molnar1.8AustraliaAfterpayNick Molnar cofounded Australian fintech startup Afterpay in 2015, which lets people pay for small items like dresses in 4 interest-free installments.


	281833Philip Fayer1.7CanadaNuveiPhilip Fayer is chairman and CEO of Nuvei Corp.; he founded the predecessor to the payment processor company in 2003.


	281833Eric Jing1.7ChinaAnt GroupEric Jing is the executive chairman of financial services firm Ant Group, an affiliate of China e-commerce giant Alibaba Group.


	291931Barry Silbert1.6USADigital Currency GroupBarry Silbert is the founder and CEO of Digital Currency Group (DCG), a conglomerate of five cryptocurrency-focused companies.


	291931David Zalik1.6USAGreenskyDavid Zalik is the cofounder and CEO of financial technology company GreenSky.


	302035Tim Draper1.5USADraper Fisher JurvetsonA scion of a Silicon Valley investing dynasty, Tim Draper is a founding partner of venture capital firm Draper Fisher Jurvetson.


	302035Duncan MacMillan1.5USABloombergDuncan MacMillan cofounded financial data and media company Bloomberg LP in 1981 with Mike Bloomberg, Thomas Secunda and Charles Zegar.


	302035Matthew Roszak1.5USABloqRoszak is cofounder and chairman of Bloq, a blockchain technology startup that consults on projects such as helping banks store digital assets.


	312263Shao Xiaofeng1.3ChinaAnt GroupShao Xiaofeng's fortune arises from his holdings in Ant Group, the financial services arm of China e-commerce leader Alibaba Group.


	312263Ye Qiongjiu1.3ChinaHithink RoyalFlush Information NetworkYe Qiongjiu is deputy general manager of HithinkRoyalFlush Information Network, an online financial information services business.


	312263Chris Britt1.3USAChimeChris Britt cofounded San Francisco startup Chime in 2013 as a mobile banking app and debit card with no monthly fees.


	322378Ronald Slabke1.2GermanyHypoport SERonald Slabke is the CEO of Hypoport SE, a network of technology companies serving the credit, real estate and insurance industries.


	322378Simon Nixon1.2UKMoneySupermarketSimon Nixon earned the bulk of his fortune from his price-comparison website MoneySuperMarket.


	322378Nik Storonsky1.2UKRevolutNik Storonsky cofounded and runs U.K.-based financial services firm Revolut.


	322378Ronald Clarke1.2USAFleetcor TechnologiesRonald Clarke is the CEO and chairman of Fleetcor Technologies, a $2.4 billion (sales) digital payments company.


	332674Baiju Bhatt1USARobinhoodBaiju Bhatt cofounded no-fee stock trading app Robinhood in 2013 with his friend Vlad Tenev.


	332674Vlad Tenev1USARobinhoodVlad Tenev is CEO of no-fee stock trading app Robinhood, which he founded in 2013 with his friend Baiju Bhatt.




The post 56 Fintech Billionaires Worth a Combined US$327B in 2021 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/56-fintech-billionaires-worth-a-combined-us327b-in-2021</link><guid>1860</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Fintech-Billionaires-2021-1.png</dc:content ><dc:text>56 Fintech Billionaires Worth a Combined US$327B in 2021</dc:text></item><item><title>Relio Aims to Build Digital Accounts for Swiss SMEs</title><description><![CDATA[Relio, a Swiss provider of digital accounts for SMEs, announced the closing of a pre-seed financing round of CHF 0.7 million with SIX FinTech Ventures and High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF).
The firm also received additional support from the former Revolut COO, Richard Davies, as angel investor and the former CEO of Contovista, Gian Reto a Porta, as Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Relio announced its intentions to obtain a fintech license from Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA).
The company plans to use the funds from the investment round to expand its technical infrastructure so that everything is ready for market launch by the time the fintech license is granted.
Meanwhile, investor meetings for the upcoming seed-funding are already ongoing.
Relio said that it will soon launch Swiss digital accounts tailored to SMEs that has a new approach to compliance and KYC.
The firm said that with this approach, complex SMEs will be able to obtain an account with a Swiss IBAN quickly and without red tape.
The startup is one of the few among the F10 2020 batch, that received funding from F10 Investment AG.
Lav Odorovic
&#8220;Our promise is compliance without complications,&#8221;
said Lav Odorovic, Founder and CEO of Relio.
 
 
 
 
Featured image: Screengrab from Relio
The post Relio Aims to Build Digital Accounts for Swiss SMEs appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/relio-aims-to-build-digital-accounts-for-swiss-smes</link><guid>1858</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Relio Aims to Build Digital Accounts for Swiss SMEs</dc:text></item><item><title>St.Galler Fintech revolutioniert das Anlegen des Altersguthabens</title><description><![CDATA[Die PSS, führende Fintech-Spezialistin für die Anlage des freien Altersguthabens, lanciert eine neue Fintech-Anlageplattform – zugeschnitten auf das Kundensegment 55+. Die neue PSS-Plattform ermöglicht die vollständig papierlose Kundenbetreuung, wobei die Kundinnen und Kunden über das hybride Betreuungsmodell den Grad der digitalen Interaktion frei wählen können.
Digitale Kundenbetreuung ohne Papierkram
Mit der neuen PSS-Plattform kann die Kundenbetreuung vollständig digital durchgeführt werden. Die PSS-Plattform bietet vollständige Transparenz und ermöglicht eine intuitive Unterstützung bei der Anlageplanung. So können PSS Kundinnen und Kunden mit wenigen Klicks die Vermögensentwicklung verfolgen, die Portfolio-Positionen einsehen und Administratives einfach erledigen. Mit der «3-Klick-Auszahlung» kann eine Auszahlung in weniger als einer Minute in Auftrag gegeben werden. Intelligente Planungswerkzeuge unterstützen das Anlageziel, wie beispielsweise den Vermögensverzehr. In Zusammenarbeit mit der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg kann das Konto für die PSS-Plattform in weniger als 15 Minuten online eröffnet werden.
Hybride Betreuung individuell zugeschnitten
Mit dem hybriden Betreuungsmodell entscheiden die Kundinnen und Kunden, welche Dienstleistungen sie digital und welche über eine physische Interaktion beziehen möchten. So können sie beispielsweise zwischen einem physischen Onboarding vor Ort oder dem Online-Onboarding wählen.
Professionelle Anlagestrategien – frei von Interessenskonflikten
Die Anlagestrategien der PSS werden gemeinsam mit Schweizer Pensionskassen entwickelt und verwaltet. Dabei werden sowohl die strategische als auch die taktische Portfolio-Strukturierung sowie die Produktauswahl in Zusammenarbeit mit Pensionskassen erstellt und in den Kundendepots umgesetzt. Dadurch erhalten die Kundinnen und Kunden eine breit diversifizierte Anlagestrategie mit professionellen Anlageprozessen und effizienten Kostenstrukturen. Diese Anlagestrategien werden unabhängig von Banken verwaltet und sind frei von Interessenskonflikten.
Faire Kosten durch Fintech-Effizienz
Durch effiziente Fintech-Prozesse werden faire Kostenstrukturen möglich. Bei einem Anlagebetrag von 90 000 Franken und einer einfachen Portfoliostruktur betragen die jährlichen Totalkosten 0.55 %. Diese 0.55 % Totalkosten beinhalten alle Kosten inklusive der Depotkosten, der Transaktionskosten, der Produktekosten (TER), sowie der Verwaltungsgebühr.
The post St.Galler Fintech revolutioniert das Anlegen des Altersguthabens appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/stgaller-fintech-revolutioniert-das-anlegen-des-altersguthabens</link><guid>1859</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>St.Galler Fintech revolutioniert das Anlegen des Altersguthabens</dc:text></item><item><title>Klarpay Secures FINMA License, Plans to Roll Out Borderless Multi-Currency Accounts</title><description><![CDATA[Zug-based merchant payments company Klarpay announced that it has secured a license to offer borderless multi-currency accounts to digital businesses from the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA).
Switzerland introduced the fintech license under the Swiss Federal Banking Act Article 1b in 2019 to attract modern financial institutions, and Klarpay is one of the first ones to receive the authorisation. (Yapeal was the first one)
The process of onboarding clients will begin in the 2nd half of 2021.
Leveraging its proprietary technology, Klarpay can offer over 436 payment acceptance methods in more than 96 regions. Additionally, Klarpay can disburse funds to 169 countries in 65 locally preferred methods.
The co-founders of Klarpay, Martynas Bieliauskas and Mihkel Vitsur were the ones who are seed financing the venture.
Martynas Bieliauskas
&#8220;From our experience as internet entrepreneurs, established financial institutions always had a hard time understanding and evaluating our business cases. We don&#8217;t want to invent anything new.
 
Reliable solutions are out there. By bundling the best of breed payment products, we can offer these as an all-in-one package to online businesses.&#8221;
said Martynas Bieliauskas, CEO of Klarpay.
 
Featured image credit: Screengrab from Klarpay
The post Klarpay Secures FINMA License, Plans to Roll Out Borderless Multi-Currency Accounts appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/klarpay-secures-finma-license-plans-to-roll-out-borderless-multi-currency-accounts</link><guid>1856</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Klarpay Secures FINMA License, Plans to Roll Out Borderless Multi-Currency Accounts</dc:text></item><item><title>12 Fintech Leader Women to Follow in Switzerland in 2021</title><description><![CDATA[Fintech News Switzerland has selected some fintech women leaders in the Swiss fintech sector.
These 12 women have gained the trust and respect of their peers through hard work, dedication and leadership. They are now driving changes in the traditional banking, financial services and insurance technology, leveraging technologies including big data, artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain to enhance efficiencies, improve customer experiences, and cut costs.
Switzerland&#8217;s Leader: 12 Fintech Women in Fintech
 
Stephanie Feigt
Founder/CEO, 3rd-Eyes Analytics
LinkedIn | Twitter

Stephanie Feigt, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), is the founder and CEO of 3rd-Eyes Analytics, a Swiss wealthtech and insurtech company founded in 2015.
Prior to 3rd-Eyes Analytics, Feigt co-founded Contract Capital, a consultancy company in the areas of sustainable investing advising institutional clients, and worked for banks and financial institutions including RobecoSAM, Clariden Leu and Credit Suisse. She has over 25 years of wealth management and sustainable investing experience.
Yoko Spirig
Co-Founder/CEO, Ledgy
Website | LinkedIn | Twitter

Yoko Spirig is the co-founder and CEO of Ledgy, an end-to-end equity management platform built for high-growth companies.
Prior to Ledgy, Spirig graduated in Physics from ETH Zürich, conducted research at CERN and the University of Oxford and was project lead of ETH Zürich’s first hyperloop team, swissloop.ch. She was named as one of the Digital Shapers 2020 by Bilanz magazine as well as in the 30 Under 30 list by Forbes magazine.
Sandra Tobler
Co-Founder/CEO, Futurae Technologies
LinkedIn | Twitter

Sandra Tobler is the co-founder and CEO of Futurae Technologies, a cybersecurity startup providing user authentication technology. In her role at Futurae Technologies, she focuses on strategy and business development.
Tobler has years of experience working at firms including IBM and S-GE, and brings an extensive US and CH network.
Marie-Christin Kamann
CEO, ServiceHunter
LinkedIn

Marie-Christin Kamann is the CEO of ServiceHunter, the operator of Quitt.ch, a platform that allows employers to legalize and manage their domestic helpers completely online, taking care of the registration, payroll accounting and insurance of cleaning ladies, nannies or care of the elderly.
Kamann has an extensive experience in digital business models and successful building and growing new businesses. Prior to ServiceHunter, she was the managing director of a startup with up to 40 employees and EUR 10 million+ in turn-over.
Mette Skjold Rotbøll
Co-Founder, Think Yellow
LinkedIn | Twitter

Mette Skjold Rotbøll is the co-founder at Think Yellow, a leading platform for investments with an impact towards a more gender-balanced world, and the founder of Vigil Thinking, a consulting firm.
Rotbøll also sits on the advisory board of numerous startups including Yova, a Swiss robo-advisor focusing on impact investing, and Genomic Expression, a woman-led biotech startup.
Before launching her own startup, she had worked in the Swiss financial sector since 1997.
Dr. Renu Ann Joseph
Founder/CEO, Luminant Analytics
LinkedIn | Twitter
Dr. Renu Ann Joseph is the founder and CEO of Luminant Analytics, an insurtech company that offers advanced analytics solutions for insurance companies.
She is a trained economist with work experience in the financial services industry and in public health, in both corporate and academic environments, and has worked on headline topics in casualty insurance data analytics, macroeconomic modeling, health policy analysis and tobacco control economics.
Olga Feldmeier
Executive Board Chairwoman/Co-Founder, Smart Valor
LinkedIn | Twitter

Olga Feldmeier is the executive board chairwoman and co-founder of Smart Valor, a digital asset exchange providing custody, trading and brokerage services.
Feldmeier has been involved in the Swiss crypto and blockchain scene since the very beginning, enabling the first Bitcoin license in Switzerland in 2015 and consequently helping write the history of the Crypto Valley. For her contribution to the blockchain industry, she was nominated twice for the Top 100 Digital Shapers list by Bilanz, and was named one of the Top 100 Women in Business by UBS.
Prior to founding Smart Valor, she was the commercial managing partner at Xapo, one of the first global bitcoin custodians, and held senior executive positions at several banks such as UBS and Barclays Capital. Prior to that she advised global banks on strategy during her five year stance at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG).
Isabella Brom
Co-Founder/COO, Kore Technologies
LinkedIn | Twitter

Isabella Brom is the co-founder and COO of Kore Technologies, a company providing technology platforms and services. She’s also the CIO of Crowdliton, a blockchain-based real estate investment platform.
Brom is a solution architect and manager with an international background. She combines experience in IT architecture and business advisory in financial services, applied blockchain and distributed ledger technology (DLT) in insurance and treasury, blockchain and database technologies.
Prior to Kore Technologies, she set up and operationally managed the consulting arm for DLT at EY Switzerland, and initiated and carried out digitization projects with Fortune 500 companies.
She’s also a lead lecturer at the HWZ University of Applied Science in Business Administration Zurich where she teaches the blockchain economy and distributed ledger technology (DLT), and is a guest lecturer at the ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences.
Souleïma Baddi
CEO, Komgo
LinkedIn | Twitter

Souleïma Baddi is the CEO of Komgo, a blockchain-based platform for the commodity trade ecosystem that has supported close to US$1 billion of financing channeled by network members. Komgo is backed by 15 of the world’s largest global banks, trading companies, and oil giants, and is adding new members at a rapid rate.
Before founding and joining Komgo as CEO, Baddi was deputy head of Societe Generale’s trade and commodity finance team based in Switzerland that she incorporated in 2010. She also led blockchain initiatives at the bank.
Olga Miler
Co-Founder/CEO, SmartPurse
LinkedIn | Twitter

Olga Miler is the co-founder and CEO of SmartPurse, a female-focused financial advice platform. A global innovation expert specializing in women and finance, sustainability, and gender-smart investing, Miler has been broadly recognized for her transformational achievements to change the financial services industry for women and gender equality, and won numerous awards.
Her career covers leading roles in three blue-chip companies and over 15 years in leading roles in financial services. She’s developed innovation in over 15 countries, working for and with the likes of PwC, Nestle, ZIEL Consulting and UBS.
Johanna Kaelble
Co-Founder/CEO, Avoodoo
LinkedIn

Johanna Kaelble is the co-founder and CEO of Avoodoo, a startup providing a cloud-based platform for exchanges, banks or asset managers who want to validate and backtest their index ideas quickly using historic data.
Prior to Avoodoo, Kaelble worked in various industries with a focus on data and business analysis in banking. She also held different leadership positions. In large change and transformation initiatives, she was often required to build a bridge between different parties.
Diana Biggs
CEO, Valour
Website | LinkedIn | Twitter

Diana Biggs is the CEO of Valour, the issuer of exchange-traded products providing investors with exposure to innovation, such as digital assets. In additional to her role at Valour, Biggs is an associate fellow with Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, where she guest lectures on digital assets and blockchain technology, and serves as head tutor for the Oxford Blockchain Strategy Programme.
Prior to joining Valour, Biggs served as global head of innovation for HSBS Private Banking, and head of digital innovation, UK and Europe, for HSBC Retail Banking and Wealth Management. She was also the CSO of venture-based social enterprise Soko, and served as Kiva’s first social impact-focused fellow.
The post 12 Fintech Leader Women to Follow in Switzerland in 2021 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/12-fintech-leader-women-to-follow-in-switzerland-in-2021</link><guid>1857</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/12-Fintech-Leader-Women-to-Follow-in-Switzerland-in-2021.png</dc:content ><dc:text>12 Fintech Leader Women to Follow in Switzerland in 2021</dc:text></item><item><title>Finnova Introduces ‘Open Banking As a Service’ Solution</title><description><![CDATA[Finnova, a Swiss provider of banking solutions, announced that it is launching its &#8216;open banking as a service&#8217; solution with the implementation of the Swiss NextGen Banking API.
The as-a-service solution enables the simple, efficient and secure connection of third-party companies and fintechs to the Finnova&#8216;s bank clients.
To begin with, it addresses the payment initiation service and the account information service, which are two central business cases. The solution was put into productive operation in the Finnova Community at the beginning April 2021.
It is based on the standard defined by the independent OpenBankingProject.ch association and is the Swiss answer to the EU&#8217;s PSD2 directive on harmonisation of payment transactions.
Finnova is implementing its &#8216;open banking as a service&#8217; solution in close cooperation with Swiss technology and security service provider Ergon Informatik. Ergon contributes its Swiss open banking solution and security products as well as its experience from similar projects with Swiss and EU banks.
Since April 2021, a Liechtenstein Bank has been using Finnova&#8217;s &#8216;open banking as a service&#8217; solution.
Simon Kauth
Simon Kauth, Chief Product Officer of Finnova said,
&#8220;This solution is part of the Finnova product and services strategy. It offers our customer banks &#8216;banking in the value chain&#8217;. The &#8216;open banking as a service&#8217; solution offers our banks the possibility of implementing platform-based business models.
 
This means that they can be effectively integrated into the ecosystem and interlinked with external partners for new collaborations. The banks thereby create innovative and attractive services as well as consistent user experiences for their end clients,&#8221;
Adrian Berger
Adrian Berger, Ergon&#8217;s MD Finance and Telecom Solutions added,
&#8220;The implementation of open banking and the conversion to API-capable infrastructures and platform models provide modern banks with significant advantages for new income and cost-effectiveness.&#8221;
 
The post Finnova Introduces &#8216;Open Banking As a Service&#8217; Solution appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finnova-introduces-open-banking-as-a-service-solution</link><guid>1855</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Finnova Introduces ‘Open Banking As a Service’ Solution</dc:text></item><item><title>2 Swiss Startups Chosen for PwC’s UK Wealthtech Accelerator Programme</title><description><![CDATA[PwC has announced the latest cohort of fintechs who have joined the Wealth Scale programme which will support nine wealthtech businesses. Two of the startups chosen were Swiss-based; Conser and 3rd Eyes Analytics.
The other startups that made the list include; Datactics, Creative Mass, Novastone, Tiller, My Compliance Centre, Opus Nebula, and Clear Macro.
Focused on the UK and international insurance, asset and wealth market, this cohort will see a number of connections generated between industry leaders and wealthtech firms, with the aim to build commercial opportunities and relationships.
The 10-week programme will connect industry leaders to emerging firms to help boost innovation at a critical time for the sector.
Key to this will be addressing changes to consumer behaviour and the new operational challenges and opportunities resulting from the pandemic.
As part of the programme, firms will explore the heightened focus on adviser efficiency, risk and compliance, ESG as well as the growing need for operational simplification.
The PwC Scale team has already run 45 Scale programmes in the UK working with 438 scale-ups across sectors such as fintech, insurtech, GovTech and retail.
From a group of 600 firms, we have selected nine exceptional Wealth Technology firms, to whom we will be providing access to advice, bespoke support and client networking events.
Swiss startups chosen for the Scale Wealth Tech 2021 cohort:

Conser is a pioneering third-party ESG verifier which has developed ESG Consensus (R), a unique and innovative digital tool to measure and improve the impact and sustainability of investments portfolios. SWISS
3rd Eyes Analytics empowers financial institutions to deliver goal-based investing with realistic and scenario-based asset liability management methods, integrating sustainable investing beyond regulatory requirements. SWISS
 
Featured image credit: Photo by ]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/2-swiss-startups-chosen-for-pwcs-uk-wealthtech-accelerator-programme</link><guid>1853</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Conser-logo.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>2 Swiss Startups Chosen for PwC’s UK Wealthtech Accelerator Programme</dc:text></item><item><title>BLKB Starts Digital Bank Project “Radicant”</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss cantonal bank Basellandschaftliche Kantonalbank (BLKB) in partnership with with Dr. Anders Bally, the founder of venture firm Bally Capital Partners, announced that they have launched Radicant, a Zurich-based digital financial services provider that operates throughout Switzerland.
BLKB said in a statement that Radicant will be developed into a purely digital company that will provide both personalised financial advice and sustainable financial solutions.
The company intends to enter the market in 2022 with a focus on sustainable investments
Radicant is a strategic investment of BLKB, with the position of company CEO being filled by  Sentifi founder Dr. Anders Bally.
Anders Bally
“Radicant is a unique opportunity not only to redefine financial institution technology but also to bring more transparency to sustainable investment opportunities.
 
As we move forward, we are looking to collaborate with Swiss fintech companies, other financial services providers, NGOs, experts and private individuals who also would like to make a contribution to sustainable development. I am convinced that we can achieve an enormous amount together.”
said Dr. Anders Bally, CEO of radicant.
John Häfelfinger
“We are pleased to have the opportunity to properly launch radicant after a long preparatory phase. With the recruitment of Anders Bally as CEO, we have been able to bring on board an extremely experienced and competent entrepreneur who cares deeply about sustainability.
 
We see this as marking the beginning of the development of a pioneering digital financial services provider that stands for responsibility and authenticity, just like BLKB.”
said John Häfelfinger, CEO of BLKB.
The chairman of radicant is Marco Primavesi, member of the Bank Council of BLKB. Stefan Mühlemann, founder and chairman of Loanboox, is member of the Board of Directors and Michel Degen, Chief Risk Officer (CRO) at BLKB becomes member of the Board of Directors instead of Herbert Kumbartzki, who has decided to retire at the end of July 2021.
The post BLKB Starts Digital Bank Project &#8220;Radicant&#8221; appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/blkb-starts-digital-bank-project-radicant</link><guid>1851</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>BLKB Starts Digital Bank Project “Radicant”</dc:text></item><item><title>Tencent-Backed BUX Raises $80 Million to Expand Its Free Trading Platform</title><description><![CDATA[BUX, a European mobile brokerage company based in Amsterdam and London, announced that it has raised US$ 80 million from a group of investors.
The funding round was led by Prosus Ventures and Tencent, with participation from additional new investors ABN Amro Ventures, Citius, Optiver, and Endeit Capital.
Existing investors HV Capital and Velocity Capital Fintech Ventures also participated in the round.
BUX reported that it had recently welcomed its 500,000th customer and will use this investment as additional impetus to expand its commission-free investment app BUX Zero.
Having successfully launched BUX Zero in Germany, France, Austria and Belgium in the past year, the neo-broker will continue its international expansion throughout 2021.
In parallel with the funding round, founder and CEO Nick Bortot will hand over the helm of the company to its current COO Yorick Naeff. Nick will remain involved with BUX as a member of the non-executive board.
Yorick Naeff
&#8220;Younger generations in Europe now realise that investing is one of the few viable ways left to create a stable financial future. With this new funding round, BUX will continue to spearhead innovation by implementing advanced features to further shape the future of how Europeans invest.
 
We are extremely grateful to have top tier investors like Prosus Ventures and Tencent onboard to support us in our mission,&#8221;
said Yorick Naeff, BUX’s new CEO.
 
Featured image: Yorick Naeff, CEO and Nick Bortot, Founder of BUX
 
 
 
The post Tencent-Backed BUX Raises $80 Million to Expand Its Free Trading Platform appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/tencent-backed-bux-raises-80-million-to-expand-its-free-trading-platform</link><guid>1852</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Tencent-Backed BUX Raises $80 Million to Expand Its Free Trading Platform</dc:text></item><item><title>Neobank, Challenger Bank Maps Showcase Boom in Digital Banking</title><description><![CDATA[Since 2010, more than 310 neobanks have launched around the world, attracting an estimated 39 million users globally. Out of the 300+ ventures to have ever launched, 256 were live as of late-2020 with nearly half (111) located in Europe, data from European management consulting firm Exton Consulting show.
Inside Financial Services: Neobanks 2021, Exton Consulting, 2020
Neobanks, also known as online banks, virtual banks or digital banks, are a type of direct banks that operate exclusively online without traditional physical branch networks. These fintech-based financial providers are challenging traditional banks by offering services digitally either through their own banking license, or through banking partners.
Europe leads neobanking
In Europe, the UK is home to 37 neobanks, or more than the whole Asia-Pacific (APAC) region (34) or Africa and the Middle East (21), making it a neobanking powerhouse.
Revolut is perhaps the most well-known neobank from the UK. Launched in 2015, Revolut provides bank accounts, money management tools, stock trading and more via a mobile app. Since its inception, the startup has attracted more than 15 million retail customers and has expanded to over 35 countries with India now next in line.
This year, Revolut applied for a UK banking license and has been working on getting a US banking license as well as.
The startup is currently looking to raise a new round of funding that would value the company at between US$10 billion and US$15 billion, Sky News reported last week. The new valuation would make it one of the UK’s top 2 most valuable venture capital (VC)-backed companies, according to data from CB Insights.
In the rest of Europe, 74 neobanks were live in late-2020, making the region the most developed when it comes to digital banking.
N26 is a notable players serving more than seven million customers in 25 markets. N26, which is from Germany, is a mobile bank with its own full European banking license from the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin). It provides a free basic current account and a debit card, with available overdraft and investment products and premium accounts for a monthly fee.
N26 operates in various member states of the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) and in the US where it provides banking services in partnership with Axos Bank. This year, N26 will be launching N26 Insurance as part of a new API-driven strategy which will seek to allow partners to integrate their products on their own, and facilitate data transfers and transactions between N26 and its partners.
In Finland, Holvi has created one of Europe’s most successful digital banks for freelancers, sole traders and small businesses. Founded in 2011, Holvi provides an online platform for sales, invoicing and cash flow tracking services, as well as traditional banking. Holvi was acquired by Spanish banking giant BBVA in 2016 before being sold to Keru Fintech Investments, an investment firm set up by one of the Finnish fintech’s founders in February 2021. Holvi serves some 200,000 customers.
Bunq, a challenger bank from the Netherlands, was named by the Financial Times as one of the fastest-growing fintechs in Europe with 2019 revenue reaching EUR 8.8 million, rising as a compound annual growth rate of 280%. It’s reportedly nearing unicorn status.
This year, Bunq became the first challenger bank to join the TARGET Instant Payment Settlement (TIPS) network developed by the European Central Bank, giving its users access to instant payments with banks both in its native country but also across Europe.
In France, Qonto is a popular neobank for entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) serving some 120,000 companies in four markets, namely France, Spain, Germany and Italy.
Neobanks around the world
Europe stands ahead of the other regions when it comes to neobanking innovation but other locations are rapidly catching up.
The Challenger Bank Map by Swiss strategy consultancy Aperture, updated last earlier this month, showcases a booming digital banking landscape that has taken over the world.
In Asia Pacific, rule changes are opening up the market to new entrants in jurisdictions like Singapore, Hong Kong, the Philippines and Indonesia.
Singapore and Hong Kong, two leading financial centers in the region, already granted their digital banking licenses. All of Hong Kong’s eight virtual banks are live, while in Singapore, the central bank expects the four digital banks to commence operations by early 2022.
The Philippines approved a new license category for digital banks in November 2020, and, as of February 2021, has received two applications. In Indonesia, guidelines for digital banks are expected to be released by mid-2021.
South America is another region that has witnessed a booming neobanking landscape. Data from Dutch fintech consultancy firm Fincog show that as of January 2021, the region was home to more than 30 live neobanks and digital banks that served over 50 million customers.
Brazil’s neobank Nubank is the largest fintech company and the most valuable venture capital (VC)-backed company in the broader Latin American region, valued at US$25 billion, according to data from CB Insights.
Aperture’s Challenger Bank Map, April 2021:
The Challenger Bank Map, Aperture, via LinkedIn, April 2021
The post Neobank, Challenger Bank Maps Showcase Boom in Digital Banking appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/neobank-challenger-bank-maps-showcase-boom-in-digital-banking</link><guid>1850</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Exton-Consulting-2020.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Neobank, Challenger Bank Maps Showcase Boom in Digital Banking</dc:text></item><item><title>“BORN IN SWITZERLAND” Swiss Original Fintech Overview Map Update: 185 Companies</title><description><![CDATA[Luc Schuurmans, Head Private Banking, Executive Management at Bank Linth,  put together an updated overview map of Fintech Companies “Born in Switzerland”.
Since his last update, he collected 1 more Swiss Fintechs- Aidonic
Here are the descriptions of all the Swiss Fintechs listed in Luc’s map:
Funding
investiere is the leading European startup investment platform for qualified and institutional investors. A team of investment professionals presents the best investment opportunities on a digital platform after a rigorous due diligence process. investiere focuses on European high-tech startups. The investiere community consists of more than 4’000 qualified private investors, family offices and pension funds. Since its inception in 2010, investiere has invested over EUR 120 million in over 80 startups.
 
 
 
With the aim of giving both borrowers and lenders more freedom and control over their loans, 3circlefunding allows fwealborrowers to set loan interest rates and investors to sell loan parts in its secondary market. This makes 3circlefunding one of the few secondary market providers in Switzerland.
 
 
 
Foxstone is a Swiss real estate crowdfunding platform. The platform proposes institutional-grade real estate deals in Switzerland through three types of investments: co-ownership, co-investment and mezzanine debt with a minimum investment amount of CHF 25’000.
 
 
 

 
Bricks &amp; Bytes AG provides with crowdhouse.ch the first real estate crowd funding platform in Switzerland. By democratizing the way of being a real estate owner it makes everyone a happy landlord.
 
 

 
wemakeit.com was founded in Switzerland in February 2012 by the communication consultant Rea Eggli, the artist Johannes Gees and the interaction designer Jürg Lehni and within very short time grew into one of the largest crowdfunding platforms in Europe.
 
 
Beedoo is a platform proposing investment solutions to invest directly in the real economy, in startups &amp; SME&#8217;s, Real Estate and Impact Investing.
 
 
 
Projektstarter ist eine Crowdfunding-Plattform mit Sitz in Solothurn, welche seit dem Jahr 2011 tollen Ideen und ihren Machern eine Möglichkeit zur Finanzierung bietet. Sie ist in Besitz der Designatelier GmbH. ProjektStarter bietet den Menschen im Raum Schweiz die Möglichkeit ihre Idee oder ihr Projekt zu finanzieren.
 
 
On the platform crowdify.net Initiators present their projects and leave them there for 100 days to be funded by Boosters.
 
 
 
 
Drooms is the leading provider of data rooms in Europe, connecting professionals and information in the worlds´ real capital markets.
 
 
 
 
Go Beyond Investing brings together a group of private accredited investors dedicated to providing early-stage capital with entrepreneurs seeking investment capital. Go Beyond Investing enables novice &amp; experienced, small &amp; large investors, to access angel investing as an asset class through its unique platform, tools, training and expert angels.
 
 

 
SoSense is a pioneer in digital social innovation with offices in Zürich (Switzerland) and Berlin (Germany). They design creative and engaging concepts, implement innovative and empowering solutions and help run impactful campaigns with leverage.
 
 

 
CreditGate24 connects borrowers with private and institutional investors and offers an efficient and scalable settlement of loans. CreditGate24 operates exclusively online, with no branches or high administrative expenses in order not to diminish the yields on investment and to minimize the cost for borrowers.
 
 
Advanon is an authorized financial intermediary that is directly subordinated to FINMA (Directly Subordinated Financial Intermediary, DSFI) according to the Anti Money Laundering Act (AMLA).
 
 
 

Splendit matches students and investor in an auction process, issue documentation and manages payments through the lifetime of the loans.
 
 
 
 

swisspeers  ist eine unabhängige Crowdlending Plattform, die es Unternehmen erlaubt, bei Investoren direkt – also ohne Zwischen­schaltung eines Finanzinstituts – Fremdkapital zu beschaffen.
 
 
 
 

c-crowd represents a new way of financing entrepreneurs while democratising the concept of business angels, brings together innovative entrepreneurs and investors.
 
 
 

Loanboox is the independent money and capital market platform for public-sector borrowers and institutional investors. In contrast to conventional brokering, financing and investing through Loanboox is simple, transparent, safe and low cost, benefiting both borrowers and lenders alike.
 
 
 

creditworld verbindet Schweizer KMUs mit privaten sowie professionellen Investoren. KMUs profitieren von attraktiven Konditionen und fairen Vertragsbedingungen. Investoren erhalten Zugang zu einer neuen Anlageklasse mit interessanten Renditen und unterstützen dabei das Rückgrat der Schweizer Volkswirtschaft.
 
 
 
Bloomio is a digital investment platform connecting startups with individual investors. The platform allows startup founders to raise capital by tokenizing equity and gives investors the possibility to trade startup stakes through a secure blockchain-based marketplace.
 
 
 
Swiss Crowdlending FinTech for private persons and SME. Crowd Solutions is the provider of Crowd4Cash.ch the innovative Crowdlending platform. Crowd4Cash brings investors and borrower together. For better returns for the investors and lower interest rates for borrower. 100% online, easy and simply fair!
 
 
 

Acredius is an online platform that makes investors’ and borrowers’ needs meet in an unconventional, digital, intuitive and safe environment. Investors can diversify their portfolios and enjoy interesting yields. Borrowers get access to fair financing using their traditional and non-traditional data.
 
 
Lendora is a Swiss crowdlending startup. Our platform connects borrowers and investors online to make credit more accessible and investing more rewarding.
 
 
 
 
bob verbindet zuverlässige Finanzlösungen mit technischem Komfort und macht Ihnen mit seinen Online-Produkten das Leben so einfach wie möglich.
 
 
 
 
Führend in Immobilienfinanzierungen in der Schweiz Wir schaffen eine Verbindung zwischen Hypothekarkunden und institutionellen Kreditgebern und erreichen dadurch den besten Zins in Echtzeit. Dabei stehen wir für Integrität, Neutralität, Transparenz und die Sicherheit des Hypothekarmarktes. Unsere Partner zählen zu den Besten auf ihrem Gebiet, teilen unsere Werte und stehen für unternehmerisches Wachstum.
 
 
Greenmatch combines the perspectives of all market participants on one single platform and allows for an efficient interaction. Thanks to the independent, certified financial model, discussions regarding deviations between the financial models of the buyer and the seller do no longer occur. Detailed risk analysis strengthen the trust of banks and accelerate the closure of the project financing. Thus, each market participant saves valuable time and can focus more on his key competences.
 
Tradeplus24 specialises in providing Swiss KMUs with state of the art Insurance and Receivables Finance solutions. Unlike factoring, our innovative solution offers SMEs the opportunity to get a flexible credit line against their accounts receivable whilst offering them the option to insure their global accounts receivables against default. This way Swiss KMU&#8217;s can grow their export business in a financially sound and safe way, even when their buyers demand longer payment terms and want to trade own open account basis.
 
 
Systemcredit is a service provider to the lending industry. As the external rating agency, it helps SME to get suitable financing faster, at lower cost. And it enables lenders to grow their loan portfolios at reduced risk and lower process cost.
 
 
 
Cashare was founded in January 2008 as a public limited company under Swiss law, has its registered office in Hünenberg (ZG) and is registered in the commercial register of the Canton Zug. They are an approved financial intermediary pursuant to Art. 2, para. 3 of the Swiss Money Laundering Act and are audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers AG.
 
 
LEND matches investors with borrowers. Investors earn substantial returns and borrowers benefit from low interest rates. From person to person. Without a bank in the middle.
 
 
 
Teylor is a Swiss technology company focused on building better financial products for small businesses in Europe.
 
 
 
 
Aidonic is a Blockchain-powered platform for social fundraising and digital last mile distribution of humanitarian aid.

 
 
 
 
Advice

moneyguru.ch ist der digitale Assistent für private Finanzen in der Schweiz. Der Moneyguru ist von den Gründern von moneyland.ch ins Leben gerufen worden. Die unabhängige Vergleichsseite moneyland.ch ist sozusagen die Mutter, die Datenlieferantin und der Rechner von Moneyguru.
 
 
 

Crowd Trading‘s objective is to bring a revolution to the world wide online financial services being the first on the market to offer a social trading platform to collectively manage portfolios of financial assets through a decision-making system for public groups of investors (herein “crowd”) and an automated trades replication within the crowd.
 
 

adviceonline.ch, the complete and regulatory conform Onboarding, Profiling, Opening Document Management, Advisory and Consolidation Suite for EAM and Banks.
 
 
 
 

Investment Navigator is operated by Investment Navigator AG based in Zurich. Investment Navigator AG works closely with fundinfo, the leading platform for information and mandatory disclosures in the fund sector.
 
 
 

InvestGlass is a 24/7 financial markets platform built with Swiss banking know-how and a predictive algorithm. Their goal is to deliver smart financial information investors need at the right time and in the right format. Equities, Bonds, Forex, ETF, Futures, News and much more…
 
 
 

FLYNT reinvents platforms, services and experiences that put clients in control of their wealth. We see wealth as a means to follow life’s dreams, ambitions and aspirations. Wealth is a gateway to opportunity. Our mission is to transform how our clients realise these opportunities – in the most fluid, dynamic and rewarding way possible.
 
 

Sentifi is a leading Crowd-Intelligence platform for financial markets globally, receiving Swiss FinTech Award 2016. Their unique approach is to structure unstructured financial data from news, blogs and social media, identify and rank the sources for their relevance and apply self-learning algorithms and a financial expert system to extract insights from the content.
 
 

Qumram enables every digital interaction – web, social and mobile – to be recorded and replayed, at any time, providing a complete digital audit trail for financial services organisations, in accordance with key global regulatory requirements (MIFID-II, SEC, FINRA and more).
 
 
 

SwissMetrics is a dynamic startup from Switzerland that has a mission to enhance the way companies monitor their credit risk. As finance professionals, they have developed a SaaS platform with the aim of promoting smarter collaboration within companies to work for a common goal – saving money through risk minimization.
 
 
 

With diverse academic backgrounds ranging from information technology, mathematics, business administration, political sciences and philosophy, economics, design, linguistics and psychology, Adviscent‘s team of experts brings solid domain expertise on board in the banking, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and food industries.
 
 

MeetInvest seeks to democratize stock market investment with a free service that combines a social media platform and an investor toolkit, bringing in one place all the necessary resources for people to start trading like pros.
 
 
 

By leveraging technology, Dein-Anlageberater.ch provides users with personalized investment advisory services and recommendations for asset allocation at a much lower price than traditional investment advisers.
 
 
 
 

CrowdInvest.ch ist die erste Plattform der Schweiz, bei der jedermann die Kursentwicklung von Aktien prognostizieren kann. Denn wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zeigen, dass kollektives Wissen besser ist als einzelne Expertenmeinungen. Werde jetzt Teil von crowdinvest.ch und miss dich mit den Finanzexperten.
 
 

Nectar Financial, formerly Etops, is a Swiss fintech company specializing in wealth and asset management. It provides middle and back office services for more than 30 family offices, independent asset managers and banks and supports them in managing assets in excess of CHF 35 billion.
 
 
 

Riskifier makes investment risk profiling simple, fun and insightful for everyone. Our solution uses latest advances of artificial intelligence to fulfill the requirements of MiFID II/FIDLEG investor risk profiling and KYC data collection, while digitalizing &amp; gamifying user experience as well unleashing advantages of behavior based personalized investment risk profiles.
 
 
Pricehubble is a Swiss B2B proptech company that builds innovative digital solutions for the real estate industry based on property valuations and market insights. Leveraging big data, cutting-edge analytics and great visualization, PriceHubble’s products suite brings a new level of transparency in the market, enabling their customers to make real estate and investment decisions based on the most accurate data-driven insights and enhance the dialogue with end consumers.
 
 
EdgeLab is a fintech company providing an investment intelligence web platform to help financial institutions taking smarter decisions.
 
 
 

Apiax is a compliance digitally mastered. We transform complex regulations into easy-to-use digital compliance rules.
 
 
 



theScreener is the market leader for independent valuations of financial securities, equities, sectors and markets, and new funds.
 
 

 
Alethena is the first Swiss ICO and Blockchain-Asset Rating Agency and Due Diligence Service Provider.
With deep technical insight, vast financial market experience, and a conclusive rating methodology, Alethena bridges the gap between blockchain and established investors. As a Swiss company neutrality is a core of our culture.
 
 

Crypto Finance AG is a financial technology holding company founded in June 2017. The Group provides blockchain-related services through its three subsidiaries: Crypto Fund AG (Asset Management), Crypto Broker AG (Brokerage), and Crypto Storage AG (Storage).
 
 
 
The Swiss Real Estate sector is one of the most economically and politically stable in the world. It is very popular with institutional investors and remains difficult to access for private investors.
In fact, the heterogeneity of properties, their acquisition values, the complexity of financing them and the retention of information signifies that this market still remains relatively inefficient.
Based on these observations, Crowdpark SA, established on December 1st 2017 in Geneva, is an independent company specialized in Swiss Real Estate Crowd-Investing.
 
Leva sets the new standard for investment syndicates. At the intersection of finance and technology, Leva has developed a novel technology to bring investment syndicates into the 21st century. Our platform allows a fully automated syndicate creation. With Leva, syndicate leaders can conveniently onboard new investors, manage the investor base, and raise capital efficiently.
 
 
Der erste Robo Advisor für die Immobilienwirtschaft. propmatch ist die einfache Lösung zur Analyse, Bewertung und Vermittlung von Standorten, Renditeimmobilien und Grundstücken in der Schweiz.
 
 
 
Smolio ist dein Finanzbuddy. Wir begleiten dich und verkaufen keine Finanzprodukte. Anders als andere profitieren wir nicht versteckt von unseren Empfehlungen. Was du bezahlst finanziert die künftige Entwicklung von Smolio. Eben unabhängig.
 
 
 
ex indiciis believe that customer relationship is at the core of the wealth management industry. As a consequence we provide wealth managers with the necessary tools to deliver personalized content to any user interacting with the company through any digital channel.
 
 
 
Imvesters offers you concrete investments in performance real estate that will supplement your income every month.
 
 
 
 
Legartis is developing an AI-based legal document life cycle solution provided as a SaaS system. It aids companies&#8217;​ legal and compliance departments, HR and procurement to review, analyze, amend and manage all legal documents throughout their entire life cycle.
 
 
 
Aisot (“AISignals and Operations in Trading”) is developping algorithms for data analytics and predictive analytics.
 
 
 
 
Integration
 
Performace Watcher Evaluating and comparing the result of one&#8217;s investment portfolio must be accessible to everyone. Our aim is to popularize and demystify a traditionally opaque field. We believe in explanations that are simple, clear and understandable to everyone. With the disappearance of Swiss banking secrecy, increased competition, the Internet and a new generation of customers the transparency of results is born.
 
 
Onedot is a Swiss company making data consumable across sources and boundaries. Onedot&#8217;s artificial intelligence (AI)-driven software helps businesses reduce manual work in data management by 8x, speed up time-to-market by 90% and increase revenue up to 10%. Onedot makes this possible by radically improving data quality–automating the data integration, cleaning and categorisation process.
 
 
 

Additiv develops and implements digital innovations and business models for financial services companies – tailor-made and turnkey.
 
 
 

Qedos designs beautiful &amp; innovative solutions for wealth managers. Their solutions revolutionise the way wealth managers and their client interact. They help wealth managers provide tailored advice, provide a better client experience, achieve superior investment performance, comply with regulations and work more efficiently.
 
 

Founded in 2007, NetGuardians was the first company to emerge from the innovation incubator Y-Parc, in Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland. The company now enjoys a solid international presence with a steadily growing clientele in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
 
 
 
FundBase is a cloud-based platform to ultimately host the complete investment process for high-conviction alternative investments. Fundbase delivers to qualified investors a seamlessly integrated platform to discover, execute and monitor complex investments such as hedge funds, private equity and other high-conviction investments.
 
 

Pure Value Metrics provides active investors with a unique combination of Global Equity Portfolio Selection, Market Insight, Online Trading and discretionary Voice Execution.
 
 
 

ADDFIN is a business solution for professional investors who seek to benefit and leverage on the full potential offered by digitalization and information technology in order to standardize the workflow, processes and procedures.
 
 
 

Centralway Numbrs is a customer-centric financial services company. It enables its customers to manage their existing bank accounts and personal finances and to buy any financial product from every provider at the best possible price.
 
 
 
 

Monetas develops technologies that empower people to live and do business with greater freedom than ever before, and that make financial inclusion a reality.
 
 
 
 

Interaction Partners is a Swiss-based Investor Relations Services firm with a focus on facilitating broker-independent trust-building, live interactions (roadshows) between listed corporates and institutional investors in Zurich, Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lugano, Milan and London.
 
 
 
We believe that great decision makers are the ones that ask the right questions. Veezoo empowers them to find the answers efficiently by themselves. We make complex information easy to understand by answering any question with a clean visualization.
 
 
 
Lykke is a Swiss Fintech company building a global marketplace based on blockchain. It builds on decades of thought and research by company founder Richard Olsen, a pioneer in the field of high-frequency finance. Richard served as co-founder and CEO of OANDA, a leading foreign exchange company. Lykke received initial seed funding in 2015.
 
 
 
Oyoba is a finance-as-a-service platform, providing its users access to a wide range of fintech and blockchain services, including bank accounts, Bitcoin wallets, robo advisory, lending, P2P payments and debit cards. Oyoba’s vision is to turn consumer banking into a modern information service by using personal, financial and other data to create new, personalized and better services.
 
 
Spitch is a Swiss provider of solutions based on Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) and voice biometrics, Voice User Interfaces (VUI), and natural language voice data analytics.
 
 
 
Moneygrid is born out of the vision that currency systems should be as diverse as possible and that they should connected to each other if it does make sense.
 

 
 

Altoo has developed its wealth platform in co-creatorship with its clients. Our independence and diversity enables us to connect people, wealth and processes by technology in a unique way.
 
 

 
AlgoTrader is an algorithmic trading software system. The company was founded by the CEO Andy Flury in Zurich Switzerland.
 
 

 
Yapeal building a new digital bank and we’ll redefine the way people bank.
 
 
 
 
Instimatch Global was founded in 2017. The inspiration for doing so, stemmed from the liquidity crisis in 2007/2008. Our founder witnessed first-hand how the interbank lending and borrowing system broke down and trust between financial institutions disappeared within a matter of days.
 
 
Appway builds software for today, and innovates for the technology of the future. With over 15 years of industry experience, Appway guides the leading financial institutions, both big and small, as they build sustainable and scalable solutions that quickly adapt to changing conditions.
 
 
 
Unblu helps the world&#8217;s leading banks deliver an in-person experience online. We provide highly secure engagement and collaboration software, enabling banks to enrich the digital experience of their clients.
 
 
 
 
Tindeco VISION is our award-winning fully integrated investment management platform. VISION is used by Banks, Family Offices and Fund Managers. VISION CORE Technologies provides Portfolio Admin]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/born-in-switzerland-swiss-original-fintech-overview-map-update-185-companies</link><guid>1849</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/finpension-AG.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>“BORN IN SWITZERLAND” Swiss Original Fintech Overview Map Update: 185 Companies</dc:text></item><item><title>Die 3a-Vorsorge App frankly verstärkt den Fokus auf Nachhaltigkeit: 600 Millionen Meilenstein</title><description><![CDATA[Die Vorsorge-App frankly ermöglicht Nutzerinnen und Nutzer in ihrer Säule 3a ein einfaches und günstiges Vorsorgesparen mit Wertschriften. Die rein digitale Lösung der Vorsorgestiftung Sparen 3 der Zürcher Kantonalbank hat im ersten Jahr nach ihrer Lancierung überzeugende Resultate geliefert. Aktuell nutzen über 25&#8217;000 Kunden frankly. Das verwaltete Volumen an Säule-3a-Kundengeldern beträgt mittlerweile über CHF 600 Mio. Dank dem kontinuierlich steigenden Anlagevermögen konnte die Community-Rabattierung bereits zweimal erhöht werden: Die All-in-Fee beträgt damit aktuell 0.46%.
Nachhaltigkeit im Wertschriftensparen
frankly hat Ende März die Palette an nachhaltigen Anlagen erweitert. Personen mit einem langen Anlagehorizont und hoher Risikofähigkeit, die auch bei grösseren Kursschwankungen an ihrer gewählten Strategie festhalten können, steht neu die aktive Anlagegruppe «Swisscanto AST Avant BVG Responsible Portfolio 95» zur Auswahl. Damit bietet frankly allen Nutzern unabhängig vom persönlichen Risikoprofil die Möglichkeit, in nachhaltig ausgerichtet Produkte zu investieren. Die App schlägt Nutzern dabei jeweils die Produkte vor, die dem massgeblichen Anlagehorizont und der eigenen Risikoneigung entsprechen.
Die Anlagestrategien von frankly stützen sich auf die Expertise von Swisscanto Invest – dem Asset Management der Zürcher Kantonalbank –, die als Vorreiterin ihre aktiven Anlageprodukte im Bereich traditionelle Anlagen auf eine nachhaltige Verwaltung umgestellt hat. Der Nachhaltigkeitsansatz in der Responsible-Produktlinie berücksichtigt Umwelt-, Sozial- und Governance-Kriterien (ESG) als integrale Bestandteile des Anlageprozesses. In diesen aktiv verwalteten traditionellen Anlageklassen hat sich die Bank zum Ziel gesetzt, jährlich die CO2-Äquivalente zu reduzieren.
Wachsende Nutzerbasis
frankly hat eine breite Nutzerbasis angezogen. Eine Auswertung der Daten zeigt, dass die App in allen Alterskategorien beliebt ist (siehe Grafik unten). Der Frauenanteil wächst seit dem Start stetig und liegt mittlerweile bei einem Drittel. Ein Vergleich zeigt, dass der durchschnittliche Aktienanteil von Frauen mit 62% nur leicht unter dem von Männern mit 71% liegt. Insgesamt sind frankly-Nutzerinnen und -Nutzer risikofreudiger als bei klassischen Säule-3a-Anlagelösungen der Zürcher Kantonalbank. Dort wählen Frauen im Durchschnitt einen Aktienanteil von 39% und Männer einen Anteil von 43%.
Zum ersten Geburtstag der App erhalten Kundinnen und Kunden von frankly Refer-a-Friend-Gutscheine, die sie in ihrem Bekanntenkreis verschenken können. Jeder Neukunde erhält dabei eine Gutschrift von CHF 50.- und der Vermittler CHF 25.-, die jeweils von den Gebühren abgezogen werden.
 
Ausgewählte Bildquelle: Youtube, Die 3a-Vorsorge App frankly verstärkt den Fokus auf Nachhaltigkeit: 600 Millionen Meilenstein
The post Die 3a-Vorsorge App frankly verstärkt den Fokus auf Nachhaltigkeit: 600 Millionen Meilenstein appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/die-3a-vorsorge-app-frankly-verstarkt-den-fokus-auf-nachhaltigkeit-600-millionen-meilenstein</link><guid>1847</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Vervollstandigung-der-Produktpallete-mit-dem-Swisscanto-AST-Avant-BVG-Responsible-Portfolio-95-1024x467.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Die 3a-Vorsorge App frankly verstärkt den Fokus auf Nachhaltigkeit: 600 Millionen Meilenstein</dc:text></item><item><title>SumUp und N26 kooperieren für bargeldlosen Zahlungslösungen für Selbständige</title><description><![CDATA[SumUp hat eine Partnerschaft mit der mobilen Bank N26 verkündet. Die beiden Branchenpioniere wollen Freiberuflern, Selbstständigen und UnternehmerInnen in ganz Europa dabei helfen, einfach und flexibel bargeldlose Zahlungen zu akzeptieren.
Die Kooperation zwischen N26 und SumUp basiert auf der gemeinsamen Vision, eine breitere Akzeptanz bargeldloser Zahlungslösungen in ganz Europa zu fördern. Als digitale Marktführer streben N26 und SumUp danach, Produkte und Dienstleistungen ohne versteckte Gebühren und mit einem nahtlosen Benutzererlebnis anzubieten. Ein Jahr mit wirtschaftlicher Ungewissheit und Lockdown-Maßnahmen haben die Veränderung der Kaufgewohnheiten in ganz Europa beschleunigt: Im Durchschnitt nutzen Menschen weniger Bargeld und zahlen lieber kontaktlos oder digital.
Die Kooperation unterstützt KontoinhaberInnen von N26 Business Konten bei der Wiederaufnahme ihrer Geschäftstätigkeit. N26 und SumUp stellen ihnen die notwendigen digitalen Hilfsmittel zur Verfügung, um bargeldlose Zahlungen auf sichere, einfache und bequeme Weise zu akzeptieren.
Berechtigte KontoinhaberInnen von N26 profitieren von einem besonderen Angebot für Air Kartenterminals von SumUp. Auf diese Weise können sie Kartenzahlungen und Zahlungen über mobile Wallets von ihren KundInnen akzeptieren – ohne sich mit Bargeld oder anderen teureren Kartenterminals befassen zu müssen.
Georg Hauer
„Freiberufler und Selbstständige sind eine wichtige Säule unserer Wirtschaft. In den vergangenen zwei Jahren hat sich die Anzahl unserer Geschäftskunden in Europa verdreifacht. Deshalb freuen wir uns sehr über die Partnerschaft mit SumUp, um unseren GeschäftskundInnen die richtigen Werkzeuge an die Hand zu geben, damit ihr Unternehmen auch in der heutigen, zunehmend digitalen Welt, floriert”,
so Georg Hauer, General Manager DACH &amp; Nordeuropa bei N26.
Eine aktuelle Studie von SumUp unter Kleinunternehmen in Deutschland zeigt den zunehmenden Wunsch, ihr Geschäft an eine immer stärker digitalisierte Umgebung anzupassen. Infolgedessen führten 28 % zusätzliche Zahlungsmethoden wie kontaktlose Zahlungsmöglichkeiten ein und 23 % starteten einen Online-Shop. Zudem weist die Studie auf, dass 26 % der HändlerInnen Hilfe bei der Digitalisierung ihres Geschäfts benötigen. Das zeigt die wichtige Rolle von Finanzdienstleistungs-Pionieren wie N26 und SumUp, die Freiberufler, Selbständige und UnternehmerInnen bei der Anpassung an die sich wandelnden Bedürfnisse ihrer KundInnen unterstützen können.
Carolin Wies
„Digitale Zahlungen in ganz verschiedenen Formen einfach und flexibel akzeptieren zu können, hat vielen Unternehmen sehr geholfen, die während der Pandemie einen lebenswichtigen Rettungsring brauchten. Diese Partnerschaft mit einem weiteren wichtigen Branchenakteur baut darauf auf. Sie kommt zu einer Zeit, in der Sicherheitsbedenken an erster Stelle stehen, da sowohl KundInnen als auch GeschäftsinhaberInnen auf bargeldlose Zahlungsmethoden umsteigen”,
so Carolin Wies, Partnerships Lead bei SumUp.
Das Angebot gilt ab dem 20. April für KundInnen mit einem N26 Business Standard, N26 Business Smart, N26 Business You oder N26 Business Metal Konto in Belgien, Dänemark, Deutschland, Estland, Finnland, Frankreich, Griechenland, Island, Irland, Italien, Lettland, Liechtenstein, Litauen, Luxemburg, den Niederlanden, Norwegen, Österreich, Polen, Portugal, Slowakei, Slowenien, Spanien oder Schweden. Um das Angebot in Anspruch zu nehmen, müssen Kunden nur zum “Entdecken”-Tab in der N26-App gehen und auf das SumUp-Icon innerhalb der Rubrik Partnerangebote klicken.
The post SumUp und N26 kooperieren für bargeldlosen Zahlungslösungen für Selbständige appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sumup-und-n26-kooperieren-fur-bargeldlosen-zahlungslosungen-fur-selbstandige</link><guid>1848</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>SumUp und N26 kooperieren für bargeldlosen Zahlungslösungen für Selbständige</dc:text></item><item><title>SumUp und N26 kooperieren für bargeldlose Zahlungslösungen für Selbständige</title><description><![CDATA[SumUp hat eine Partnerschaft mit der mobilen Bank N26 verkündet. Die beiden Branchenpioniere wollen Freiberuflern, Selbstständigen und UnternehmerInnen in ganz Europa dabei helfen, einfach und flexibel bargeldlose Zahlungen zu akzeptieren.
Die Kooperation zwischen N26 und SumUp basiert auf der gemeinsamen Vision, eine breitere Akzeptanz bargeldloser Zahlungslösungen in ganz Europa zu fördern. Als digitale Marktführer streben N26 und SumUp danach, Produkte und Dienstleistungen ohne versteckte Gebühren und mit einem nahtlosen Benutzererlebnis anzubieten. Ein Jahr mit wirtschaftlicher Ungewissheit und Lockdown-Maßnahmen haben die Veränderung der Kaufgewohnheiten in ganz Europa beschleunigt: Im Durchschnitt nutzen Menschen weniger Bargeld und zahlen lieber kontaktlos oder digital.
Die Kooperation unterstützt KontoinhaberInnen von N26 Business Konten bei der Wiederaufnahme ihrer Geschäftstätigkeit. N26 und SumUp stellen ihnen die notwendigen digitalen Hilfsmittel zur Verfügung, um bargeldlose Zahlungen auf sichere, einfache und bequeme Weise zu akzeptieren.
Berechtigte KontoinhaberInnen von N26 profitieren von einem besonderen Angebot für Air Kartenterminals von SumUp. Auf diese Weise können sie Kartenzahlungen und Zahlungen über mobile Wallets von ihren KundInnen akzeptieren – ohne sich mit Bargeld oder anderen teureren Kartenterminals befassen zu müssen.
Georg Hauer
„Freiberufler und Selbstständige sind eine wichtige Säule unserer Wirtschaft. In den vergangenen zwei Jahren hat sich die Anzahl unserer Geschäftskunden in Europa verdreifacht. Deshalb freuen wir uns sehr über die Partnerschaft mit SumUp, um unseren GeschäftskundInnen die richtigen Werkzeuge an die Hand zu geben, damit ihr Unternehmen auch in der heutigen, zunehmend digitalen Welt, floriert”,
so Georg Hauer, General Manager DACH &amp; Nordeuropa bei N26.
Eine aktuelle Studie von SumUp unter Kleinunternehmen in Deutschland zeigt den zunehmenden Wunsch, ihr Geschäft an eine immer stärker digitalisierte Umgebung anzupassen. Infolgedessen führten 28 % zusätzliche Zahlungsmethoden wie kontaktlose Zahlungsmöglichkeiten ein und 23 % starteten einen Online-Shop. Zudem weist die Studie auf, dass 26 % der HändlerInnen Hilfe bei der Digitalisierung ihres Geschäfts benötigen. Das zeigt die wichtige Rolle von Finanzdienstleistungs-Pionieren wie N26 und SumUp, die Freiberufler, Selbständige und UnternehmerInnen bei der Anpassung an die sich wandelnden Bedürfnisse ihrer KundInnen unterstützen können.
Carolin Wies
„Digitale Zahlungen in ganz verschiedenen Formen einfach und flexibel akzeptieren zu können, hat vielen Unternehmen sehr geholfen, die während der Pandemie einen lebenswichtigen Rettungsring brauchten. Diese Partnerschaft mit einem weiteren wichtigen Branchenakteur baut darauf auf. Sie kommt zu einer Zeit, in der Sicherheitsbedenken an erster Stelle stehen, da sowohl KundInnen als auch GeschäftsinhaberInnen auf bargeldlose Zahlungsmethoden umsteigen”,
so Carolin Wies, Partnerships Lead bei SumUp.
Das Angebot gilt ab dem 20. April für KundInnen mit einem N26 Business Standard, N26 Business Smart, N26 Business You oder N26 Business Metal Konto in Belgien, Dänemark, Deutschland, Estland, Finnland, Frankreich, Griechenland, Island, Irland, Italien, Lettland, Liechtenstein, Litauen, Luxemburg, den Niederlanden, Norwegen, Österreich, Polen, Portugal, Slowakei, Slowenien, Spanien oder Schweden. Um das Angebot in Anspruch zu nehmen, müssen Kunden nur zum “Entdecken”-Tab in der N26-App gehen und auf das SumUp-Icon innerhalb der Rubrik Partnerangebote klicken.
The post SumUp und N26 kooperieren für bargeldlose Zahlungslösungen für Selbständige appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sumup-und-n26-kooperieren-fur-bargeldlose-zahlungslosungen-fur-selbstandige</link><guid>1854</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>SumUp und N26 kooperieren für bargeldlose Zahlungslösungen für Selbständige</dc:text></item><item><title>Apple Introduces Apple Family Card, Allowing Spouses to Merge Their Credit Lines</title><description><![CDATA[Apple announced the launch of Apple Card Family, which allows users to share their Apple Card in order to track purchases, manage spending, and build credit together with their Family Sharing group.
Available in the US in May, Apple Card Family allows two people to co-own an Apple Card, and share and merge their credit lines while building credit together equally.
Apple Card Family also enables parents to share Apple Card with their children, while offering optional spending limits and controls to help teach smart and safe financial habits.
The new offering is designed to help the Family Sharing group achieve a healthier financial life by making it easy to track spending, all on iPhone and with a single monthly bill.
Apple Card is the first credit card designed for an iPhone and to help people lead a healthier financial life.
Built into the Apple Wallet app on iPhone, Apple Card has simplified the application process, eliminating all fees, encouraging users to pay less interest, and providing a new level of privacy and security.
Without credit card number, CVV security code, expiration date, or signature on the card, the titanium Apple Card is more secure than any other physical credit card.
Jennifer Bailey
“We designed Apple Card Family because we saw an opportunity to reinvent how spouses, partners, and the people you trust most share credit cards and build credit together.
 
There’s been a lack of transparency and consumer understanding in the way credit scores are calculated when there are two users of the same credit card, since the primary account holder receives the benefit of building a strong credit history while the other does not,”
said Jennifer Bailey, Vice President at Apple Pay.
 
 
The post Apple Introduces Apple Family Card, Allowing Spouses to Merge Their Credit Lines appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/apple-introduces-apple-family-card-allowing-spouses-to-merge-their-credit-lines</link><guid>1845</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Apple Introduces Apple Family Card, Allowing Spouses to Merge Their Credit Lines</dc:text></item><item><title>Hypo Lenzburg wird Partnerbank bei digitalem Altervorsorge Fintech Pionierprojekt</title><description><![CDATA[Das St. Galler Fintech-Unternehmen PSS AG lanciert für Menschen im Pensionierungsalter eine erste rein digitale Anlagelösung für das freie Altersguthaben aus dem Kapitalbezug und kooperiert dabei mit der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg als Depotbank und Onboarding-Partnerin.
Mit dem Übertritt der geburtenstarken Baby-Boomer-Generation (1945–1964) ins Rentnerleben und der zugleich kontinuierlich steigenden Lebenserwartung nimmt der Bedarf an einer professionellen Vermögensplanung nach der Pensionierung zu. So gehen in der Schweiz jedes Jahr rund 95&#8217;000 Personen in Rente und stehen vor der Frage, ob sie ihr Alterskapital in der zweiten Säule als Rente oder Kapital beziehen wollen. Mehr als 50 Prozent der Neurentnerinnen und Neurentner beziehen wenigstens einen Teil in Kapitalform. Rund ein Drittel der Neurentnerinnen und Rentner tätigt einen vollständigen Kapitalbezug.
Mit einem rein digitalen Angebot lanciert die PSS AG mit Sitz in St. Gallen eine attraktive und flexible Anlagelösung, die auf die Bedürfnisse von Menschen im Pensionierungsalter zugeschnitten ist, die plötzlich über ihr persönliches Alterskapital verfügen können. Die Lösung basiert auf bewährten Anlagestrategien von Schweizer Pensionskassen und greift auf digitale Banking-as-a-Service-Dienstleistungen der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg zurück, wie die beiden Unternehmen heute bekanntgegeben haben.
Alain Beyeler
«Banken unterschätzen ältere Menschen hinsichtlich ihrer digitalen Affinität. Unsere Erfahrung zeigt bei Rentnerinnen und Rentner eine erstaunlich hohe Bereitschaft, über ein digitales Cockpit ihre Vermögen selbst zu verwalten. Sie wissen, dass sich auf diesem Weg hohe Kosten vermeiden lassen»,
sagt Alain Beyeler, CEO der PSS AG.
Wie die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg verfolgt auch die PSS AG ein hybrides Geschäftsmodell. Das heisst, sie offeriert sowohl ein digitales als auch ein persönliches Modell. Beim jetzt neu lancierten digitalen Angebot nutzt PSS die digitale Onboarding-Technologie der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg. Im Rahmen des digitalen Eröffnungsprozesses erhalten PSS-Neukundinnen und -Neukunden bei der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg ein Konto mit zugehörigem Wertschriftendepot. Der Service für die digitale Kontoeröffnung steht ab sofort auf der Internetplattform pssplattform.ch zur Verfügung.
Mit ihrem Angebot, das neben Rentnerinnen und Rentner auch jüngeren Interessierten zur Verfügung steht, repliziert die PSS AG bewährte Anlagestrategien von Schweizer Pensionskassen.
«Dank der offenen Schnittstellenstruktur der beteiligten Partner können wir das volle Potenzial einer Open-Banking-Struktur abschöpfen. So erreichen wir eine Kosteneffizienz, wie sie in diesem Bereich in der Schweiz einmalig ist: Wir bieten unser digitales Modell für Totalkosten ab 0,55 Prozent der verwalteten Vermögen an, womit Depotgebühren, Transaktions-, Verwaltungs- und Produktkosten abgegolten sind»,
sagt Beyeler.
Marianne Wildi
«Die Kooperation mit PSS bestätigt das grosse Potenzial, über das Open-Banking-Projekte verfügen. Die Verwendung unserer Onboarding-Technologie in diesem Bereich beweist, dass sie hinsichtlich Benutzerfreundlichkeit hohe Qualitätsstandards erfüllt»,
sagt Marianne Wildi, CEO der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg
 
 
 
Bildmaterial Hypothekarbank Lenzburg AG
The post Hypo Lenzburg wird Partnerbank bei digitalem Altervorsorge Fintech Pionierprojekt appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/hypo-lenzburg-wird-partnerbank-bei-digitalem-altervorsorge-fintech-pionierprojekt</link><guid>1842</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Hypo Lenzburg wird Partnerbank bei digitalem Altervorsorge Fintech Pionierprojekt</dc:text></item><item><title>Hypi Lenzburg wird Partnerbank bei digitalem Altervorsorge Fintech Projekt</title><description><![CDATA[Das St. Galler Fintech-Unternehmen PSS AG lanciert für Menschen im Pensionierungsalter eine erste rein digitale Anlagelösung für das freie Altersguthaben aus dem Kapitalbezug und kooperiert dabei mit der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg als Depotbank und Onboarding-Partnerin.
Mit dem Übertritt der geburtenstarken Baby-Boomer-Generation (1945–1964) ins Rentnerleben und der zugleich kontinuierlich steigenden Lebenserwartung nimmt der Bedarf an einer professionellen Vermögensplanung nach der Pensionierung zu. So gehen in der Schweiz jedes Jahr rund 95&#8217;000 Personen in Rente und stehen vor der Frage, ob sie ihr Alterskapital in der zweiten Säule als Rente oder Kapital beziehen wollen. Mehr als 50 Prozent der Neurentnerinnen und Neurentner beziehen wenigstens einen Teil in Kapitalform. Rund ein Drittel der Neurentnerinnen und Rentner tätigt einen vollständigen Kapitalbezug.
Mit einem rein digitalen Angebot lanciert die PSS AG mit Sitz in St. Gallen eine attraktive und flexible Anlagelösung, die auf die Bedürfnisse von Menschen im Pensionierungsalter zugeschnitten ist, die plötzlich über ihr persönliches Alterskapital verfügen können. Die Lösung basiert auf bewährten Anlagestrategien von Schweizer Pensionskassen und greift auf digitale Banking-as-a-Service-Dienstleistungen der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg zurück, wie die beiden Unternehmen heute bekanntgegeben haben.
Alain Beyeler
«Banken unterschätzen ältere Menschen hinsichtlich ihrer digitalen Affinität. Unsere Erfahrung zeigt bei Rentnerinnen und Rentner eine erstaunlich hohe Bereitschaft, über ein digitales Cockpit ihre Vermögen selbst zu verwalten. Sie wissen, dass sich auf diesem Weg hohe Kosten vermeiden lassen»,
sagt Alain Beyeler, CEO der PSS AG.
Wie die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg verfolgt auch die PSS AG ein hybrides Geschäftsmodell. Das heisst, sie offeriert sowohl ein digitales als auch ein persönliches Modell. Beim jetzt neu lancierten digitalen Angebot nutzt PSS die digitale Onboarding-Technologie der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg. Im Rahmen des digitalen Eröffnungsprozesses erhalten PSS-Neukundinnen und -Neukunden bei der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg ein Konto mit zugehörigem Wertschriftendepot. Der Service für die digitale Kontoeröffnung steht ab sofort auf der Internetplattform pssplattform.ch zur Verfügung.
Mit ihrem Angebot, das neben Rentnerinnen und Rentner auch jüngeren Interessierten zur Verfügung steht, repliziert die PSS AG bewährte Anlagestrategien von Schweizer Pensionskassen.
«Dank der offenen Schnittstellenstruktur der beteiligten Partner können wir das volle Potenzial einer Open-Banking-Struktur abschöpfen. So erreichen wir eine Kosteneffizienz, wie sie in diesem Bereich in der Schweiz einmalig ist: Wir bieten unser digitales Modell für Totalkosten ab 0,55 Prozent der verwalteten Vermögen an, womit Depotgebühren, Transaktions-, Verwaltungs- und Produktkosten abgegolten sind»,
sagt Beyeler.
Marianne Wildi
«Die Kooperation mit PSS bestätigt das grosse Potenzial, über das Open-Banking-Projekte verfügen. Die Verwendung unserer Onboarding-Technologie in diesem Bereich beweist, dass sie hinsichtlich Benutzerfreundlichkeit hohe Qualitätsstandards erfüllt»,
sagt Marianne Wildi, CEO der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg
 
 
 
Bildmaterial Hypothekarbank Lenzburg AG
The post Hypi Lenzburg wird Partnerbank bei digitalem Altervorsorge Fintech Projekt appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/hypi-lenzburg-wird-partnerbank-bei-digitalem-altervorsorge-fintech-projekt</link><guid>1846</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Hypi Lenzburg wird Partnerbank bei digitalem Altervorsorge Fintech Projekt</dc:text></item><item><title>Die Mobiliar gründet VC Firma Lightbird</title><description><![CDATA[Die Mobiliar stärkt ihre Position als Startup-Investorin und hat die Lightbird Ventures AG gegründet. Sie beauftragt Marcau Partners mit dem Mandat als exklusiver Investment Manager von Lightbird.
Marcau Partners unterstützt Unternehmen beim Aufbau und Betrieb ihrer eigenen Venture Capital-Einheiten («VC as a Service»). Immer mehr Unternehmen setzen Venture Capital als weiteren wichtigen Baustein bei der eigenen digitalen Transformation ein. Neben den unternehmensinternen Innovationsbereichen und der eher auf den Kauf etablierter Unternehmen ausgerichteten M&amp;A Abteilung spielt die Venture Capital Einheit eine zusehends wichtigere Rolle und stellt den Zugang zu innovativen Startups in einer frühen Entwicklungsphase sicher. Die Mobiliar hat hierzu die Lightbird Ventures AG gegründet.
Thomas Meier
Thomas Meier stösst als Partner neu zu Marcau Partners und wird den Aufbau des für Lightbird Ventures bestimmten Teams zusammen mit Benjamin Solenthaler verantworten, einem der drei Mitgründer von Marcau Partners. Das Team bringt profunde Erfahrung im VC-Geschäft mit, unter anderem durch die vormaligen Tätigkeiten bei Redalpine und Ringier Digital Ventures. Als Kauffman Fellow verfügt Thomas Meier zudem über ein weitreichendes Netzwerk in der internationalen Startup- und VC-Branche.
Thomas Kaiser
Thomas Kaiser, Mitgründer und Verwaltungsratspräsident von Marcau Partners:
«Die Positionierung als eigenständige Venture Capital Einheit erlaubt Lightbird Ventures, sich optimal in einem dynamischen Startup-Umfeld zu bewegen und auf Augenhöhe mit führenden Co-Investoren in die nächste Startup-Gründergeneration zu investieren. Es freut mich ausserordentlich, dass wir mit Marcau Partners Lightbird Ventures auf diesem Weg aktiv begleiten dürfen und hierzu Thomas Meier als neuen Partner gewinnen konnten.»
 
The post Die Mobiliar gründet VC Firma Lightbird appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/die-mobiliar-grundet-vc-firma-lightbird</link><guid>1843</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Die Mobiliar gründet VC Firma Lightbird</dc:text></item><item><title>Digital Asset Bags US$120 Million to Expand its Daml Data Network</title><description><![CDATA[Digital Asset, the creators of the Daml multi-party application platform, announced that it has raised over US$ 120 million in Series D funding from 7RIDGE and Eldridge.
The company said that it will use this financing to continue to expand its team globally by 50% this year.
Digital Asset will also enhance its product portfolio with a new interoperability protocol that enables data to seamlessly interact across blockchains and traditional databases, creating an interoperable data network across systems of record.
The company also announced that Carsten Kengeter and Veronica Augustsson of 7RIDGE have joined the Digital Asset Board.
The latest round of financing follows a $45 million Series C round in 2020, which included participation from technology giants Salesforce, Samsung and VMware, as well as existing investors.
Digital Asset is backed by a range of strategic investors, including leading financial and technology companies Accenture, Citi, Goldman Sachs, IBM, and J.P. Morgan, among others.
Organisations rely on Daml to transform disparate data silos into synchronised networks, eradicating latency and errors by guaranteeing consistent data.
Digital Asset’s customer base includes the Australian Securities Exchange, BNP Paribas, Broadridge, and Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing.
Emnet Rios
“In 2020, Digital Asset tripled its customer base, with 50% of new business coming from non-blockchain deployments. We saw significant demand for Daml to solve internal challenges of data silos within an organization.
 
As a result, we expanded our product portfolio to support 10 different underlying ledgers, including traditional databases.”
said Emnet Rios, CFO &amp; COO at Digital Asset.
 
 
 
The post Digital Asset Bags US$120 Million to Expand its Daml Data Network appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digital-asset-bags-us120-million-to-expand-its-daml-data-network</link><guid>1841</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Digital Asset Bags US$120 Million to Expand its Daml Data Network</dc:text></item><item><title>Swissquote Adds 9 Additional Cryptocurrencies for Retail Trading</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss banking group Swissquote announced that it is expanding its cryptocurrency offering with nine additional ones.
In addition to the leading twelve cryptocurrencies, investors can now also trade Cardano, Filecoin, Maker, Uniswap and yearn.finance (YFI).
A further four cryptocurrencies will follow at the end of the month namely Aave (AAVE), Algorand (ALGO), Compound (COMP) and Cosmos (ATOM).
With a total of 21 tradable virtual currencies, Swissquote offers comprehensive cryptocurrency trading in Switzerland.
Client demand and the liquidity available for trading were the key factors in the selection of these new cryptocurrencies. The bank first offered private clients the opportunity to trade in cryptocurrencies in July 2017, and since then the offering has been continuously expanded.
In March 2021, Swissquote had no less than CHF 1.8 billion in client crypto assets under custody.
The post Swissquote Adds 9 Additional Cryptocurrencies for Retail Trading appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swissquote-adds-9-additional-cryptocurrencies-for-retail-trading</link><guid>1840</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swissquote Adds 9 Additional Cryptocurrencies for Retail Trading</dc:text></item><item><title>The Green Fintech Action Plan to Turn Switzerland Into a Sustainable Digital Finance Hub</title><description><![CDATA[The Green Fintech Network, a group of startups and experts in digital and sustainable financial services, has released an action plan to improve the framework conditions of green fintech companies active in Switzerland.
The action plan, released on April 8, 2021, outlines 16 proposals intended to turn the country into a leader in green fintech. These proposals focus on five areas: cultivating new startups; boosting the ecosystem and innovation; easing access to capital; fostering access to data; and promoting access to clients.
A green fintech action plan for Switzerland
To foster startup growth, the group proposes the introduction of an annual innovation challenge intended to attract global talent and entrepreneurs and encourage them to set up shop in Switzerland.
Dedicated green fintech accelerator tracks should also be established to support early-stage startups through education, mentorship, and financing. Finally, Switzerland should leverage the new Federal Law on distributed ledger technology (DLT) and encourage the use of blockchain in green finance, the group says.
To boost the green fintech ecosystem and innovation, it encourages the hosting of regular gatherings that would allow key stakeholders from Switzerland and abroad to exchange knowledge, latest research and enable match-making for joint projects. A key focus should also be put on exchanging knowledge and building ties with foreign agencies and global green fintech hubs and communities.
To encourage innovation and develop talent, the group proposes the establishment of distinct research funding opportunities for agencies such as Innosuisse, and encourages the creation of dedicated master classes on green digital finance, stressing the need for Switzerland to produce high class specialists and promote knowledge of sustainable finance among finance professionals.
To ease access to capital, the group suggests the creation of a fund of funds dedicated to green fintechs. The fund would invest in venture capital (VC) funds that have a focus on Swiss startups and could be financed by the government for example through the issuance of green tech bonds. It also recommends greater regulatory flexibility for pension funds to invest in green fintechs, and proposes measures to encourage VCs to base their funds in Switzerland.
On data accessibility, the group recommends the creation of an international sustainability data platform which would combine today’s dispersed environmental data points into an unified view. It also advises the Swiss government to work towards ensuring that Swiss actors have access to key sustainability data sets, and stresses the need for companies to improve sustainability disclosures to increase awareness of and capacity to address risks such as climate change.
Finally, to promote Swiss green fintech, the group suggests the establishment of a Swiss green fintech map that would give local startups global visibility. It also encourages stakeholders to come together to form a dedicated industry trade group that would help drive the transition towards a sustainable financial center, and promote the Swiss green digital finance ecosystem on a global scale.
Switzerland’s green fintech push
The Green Fintech Network is an informal group of experts representing companies and organizations such as the Zurich University of Applied Sciences, F10 Fintech Incubator and Accelerator, PwC and Swisscom, but also green fintech startups like MSCI Carbon Delta, Rep Risk and Yova.
The group was initiated by the State Secretariat for International Finance SIF and is part of Switzerland’s broader ambition to become a global leader in green digital finance.
Green finance refers to any structured financial activity that’s been created to ensure a better environmental outcome. Globally, the industry has blossomed with the green bond market projected to be worth US$2.36 trillion by 2023.
Sustainable finance, an evolution of green finance that takes into consideration environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues and risks, has considerably picked up in Switzerland over the past four years.
According to the Swiss Sustainable Investment Market Study 2020 prepared jointly by Swiss Sustainable Finance and the Center for Sustainable Finance and Private Wealth (CSP) at the University of Zurich, the market for sustainable investments in Switzerland experienced double-digit growth with volume increasing by 62% to over CHF 1,163 billion in 2019.
Development of sustainable investments in Switzerland (in CHF billion), Source: Swiss Sustainable Finance, via Swiss Sustainable Investment Market Study 2020
 
Featured image credit: Photo by Tanathip Rattanatum from Pexels
The post The Green Fintech Action Plan to Turn Switzerland Into a Sustainable Digital Finance Hub appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-green-fintech-action-plan-to-turn-switzerland-into-a-sustainable-digital-finance-hub</link><guid>1838</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Development-of-sustainable-investments-in-Switzerland-in-CHF-billion-Source-Swiss-Sustainable-Finance-via-Swiss-Sustainable-Investment-Market-Study-2020.png</dc:content ><dc:text>The Green Fintech Action Plan to Turn Switzerland Into a Sustainable Digital Finance Hub</dc:text></item><item><title>Bitpanda lanciert 24/7-Trading von Teilaktien</title><description><![CDATA[Die Österreichische Investment-Plattform Bitpanda, die erst kürzlich einen Marktwert von 1,2 Mrd. $ und somit Unicorn-Status erreicht hat bietet mit dem Launch ihres neuen Produkts Bitpanda Stocks seinen Nutzern in der Schweiz und in den übrigen Märkten ab sofort auch Investitionen in Teilaktien an.
Bitpanda Stocks brilliert mit innovativen Neuerungen, wie beispielsweise der einzigartigen Möglichkeit, rund um die Uhr auf ihre Investitionen zugreifen und ab nur 1 CHF in ihre Lieblingsunternehmen investieren zu können – provisionsfrei, mit engen Spreads und selbst ausserhalb der regulären Handelszeiten.
Ab heute können Bestands- und Neukunden mit einem verifizierten Bitpanda Konto in Teilaktien investieren.
In den letzten sieben Jahren hat Bitpanda unermüdlich daran gearbeitet, das Investieren in Kryptowährungen, Edelmetalle und digitale Assets für die breite Masse einfach zugänglich zu machen. Mehrere Millionen Menschen in Europa nutzen bereits die eigens dafür entwickelte, erfolgreiche Investment-Plattform.
Mit der Erfahrung und den gewonnenen Kenntnissen der letzten Jahre wagte sich Bitpanda in neue Gefilde der weiten Welt des Investierens, um allen den Zugang zum Investieren in Aktien zu gewähren – und das rund um die Uhr. Bei all unseren Aktien und ETFs handelt es sich um vollständig regulierte und hinterlegte Derivatprodukte, die bei unserem Depotbank-Partner BNP Paribas sicher verwahrt werden, und zudem durch ein Pfandrecht gesichert sind. Obwohl wir Bitpanda Stocks provisionsfrei und mit engen Spreads anbieten, kommen bei Bitpanda weder Servicegebühren noch andere laufende Gebühren zur Anwendung.
Ab heute um 9 Uhr MEZ können Nutzer ganz einfach und provisionsfrei in die erste Auswahl an Aktien- und ETF-Derivaten investieren. Mehrere hundert Assets werden stetig über die nächsten Monate hinzugefügt, um die Anlegernachfrage erfüllen zu können. Mit tausenden Unternehmen werden bis Ende des Jahres sowohl der Aktien- als auch der ETF-Markt abgedeckt.
Eric Demuth
Eric Demuth, CEO und Mitgründer von Bitpanda:
“Dieser Tag ist unglaublich spannend für Bitpanda. Wir gründeten das Unternehmen mit dem Gedanken, dass jeder dieselben Chancen in der Finanzwelt haben sollte. Investieren sollte einfach, zugänglich und für alle verfügbar sein – genau darum geht’s bei Bitpanda Stocks.
Das Finanzsystem war historisch gesehen immer schon viel zu kompliziert und exklusiv. Wir wollen es allen ermöglichen, ihre Portfolios jederzeit aufrufen und verwalten zu können – dann, wann sie es möchten, und nicht, wann der Markt es vorschreibt. Alle sollten unabhängig von ihrem Budget die Möglichkeit haben, ihr Geld härter arbeiten zu lassen. Wir haben unser neues Produkt sogar mit dem bekannten Bitpanda Savings Feature ausgestattet, mit dem Nutzer Sparpläne für ihre Lieblingsassets erstellen und somit Stress vermeiden können und nicht auf eine hohe App-Nutzung angewiesen sind.”
Alle neuen Assets können auch mit der erst kürzlich gelaunchten Bitpanda Card verwendet werden, die es unseren Nutzern ermöglicht, die Assets in ihrem Portfolio auch in der realen Welt auszugeben. Das verknüpfte Asset für Zahlungen kann dabei jederzeit über die Bitpanda App für iOS oder Android getauscht werden, wodurch unsere Nutzer zukünftig auch mit einem Anteil an Starbucks, Amazon oder Nike, Bitcoin oder Gold, oder ganz traditionell mit EUR zahlen können.
Eric Demuth fortführend:
“Anteilmässiges Investieren ist das A und O für dieses Produkt. Wenn Nutzer in Technologieriesen oder Blue Chips investieren möchten, dann sollte ihnen das nicht aufgrund eines kleinen Budgets verwehrt bleiben. Unsere Plattform steht für den barrierefreien Zugang aller zu digitalen Assets, inklusive zu den Unternehmen, an die sie wirklich glauben. Bitpanda Stocks ist wie die Wall Street, nur ohne Wall; selbst, wenn die Wall Street schliesst.”
Der Launch folgt der Gründung des Tochterunternehmens Bitpanda Financial Services, welches erst kürzlich von der Österreichischen Finanzmarktaufsichtsbehörde (FMA) MiFID II-lizenziert wurde.
Rechtzeitig zum Launch enthüllte Bitpanda zusammen mit der neuen Website und App auch ihr neues Logo. Technisch wurde dafür gesorgt, dass Anleger einen besseren Überblick über ihre Finanzen behalten können.
The post Bitpanda lanciert 24/7-Trading von Teilaktien appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bitpanda-lanciert-247-trading-von-teilaktien</link><guid>1839</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Bitpanda lanciert 24/7-Trading von Teilaktien</dc:text></item><item><title>Austrian Investment Platform Bitpanda Launches Fractional Shares Trading</title><description><![CDATA[Bitpanda, an Austrian investment platform that just recently attained unicorn status at a valuation of US$ 1.2 billion, has launched a new product called Bitpanda Stocks, which offers investments in fractional shares.
Existing and new users with a verified Bitpanda account can invest with as low €1 in fractional shares without service charges or recurring fees 24/7.
As a fully regulated derivative product, all stocks and ETFs are fully backed by Bitpanda&#8217;s custody bank partner BNP Paribas, and are also secured through a pledge agreement.
Bitpanda said that hundreds of assets will be added continuously in the next months and in order of investor demand, covering both the stock and ETF markets and offering thousands of brands more by the end of this year.
All of the assets added to the platform will also be able to take advantage of the recently-launched Bitpanda Card, allowing users to make purchases with any of the assets they hold in their portfolio.
Users can switch the linked asset at any time via the Bitpanda iOS and Android app, allowing them to choose whether to make a purchase with a fraction of Starbucks, Amazon or Nike, Bitcoin or gold, or even traditionally with EUR.
The launch follows the founding of its subsidiary Bitpanda Financial Services and its recent approval for a MiFID II license from the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA).
To coincide with the launch, Bitpanda has also unveiled a new brand alongside its new website and app, including improvements to make it easier for investors to engage with their finances at a glance.
Eric Demuth
Eric Demuth, Bitpanda CEO and Co-Founder commented,
“Fractional investing is such an important part of this product. If users want to access tech giants or blue chips, they shouldn’t be prevented from doing so due to a lack of capital.
 
Our platform means that anyone can access and invest in digital assets, including the companies and sectors that they really believe in – without barriers. It’s Wall Street without the walls, even when Wall Street closes.”
The post Austrian Investment Platform Bitpanda Launches Fractional Shares Trading appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/austrian-investment-platform-bitpanda-launches-fractional-shares-trading</link><guid>1844</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Austrian Investment Platform Bitpanda Launches Fractional Shares Trading</dc:text></item><item><title>Bank of England Establishes a Digital Currency Taskforce</title><description><![CDATA[The Bank of England and the UK Treasury have announced the joint creation of a taskforce to coordinate the exploration of a potential Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC).
A CBDC would be a new form of digital money issued by the Bank of England and for use by households and businesses. It would exist alongside cash and bank deposits, rather than replacing them.
The taskforce will be co-chaired by Deputy Governor for Financial Stability at the Bank of England, Jon Cunliffe, and HM Treasury’s Director General of Financial Services, Katharine Braddick.
Bank of England said in a statement that as appropriate other UK authorities will be involved in the taskforce.
The taskforce aims to ensure a strategic approach is adopted between the UK authorities as they explore CBDC, in line with their statutory objectives, and to promote close coordination between them.
The Bank of England has also announced that it will establish a CBDC unit that will lead its internal exploration around CBDC.
It unit lead the bank’s external engagement on CBDC, including with other UK and international authorities. The Deputy Governor for Financial Stability, Jon Cunliffe, will oversee the work of the CBDC unit.
The government and the Bank of England have not yet made a decision on whether to introduce a CBDC in the UK, and will engage widely with stakeholders on the benefits, risks and practicalities of doing so.
 
Featured image credit: Photo by Colin Watts on Unsplash 
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bank-of-england-establishes-a-digital-currency-taskforce</link><guid>1837</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Bank of England Establishes a Digital Currency Taskforce</dc:text></item><item><title>Mt Pelerin Offers Crypto Investment With “Zero Fees” to Its New Users</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss fintech Mt Pelerin now allows the users of its mobile app Bridge Wallet to buy and sell cryptocurrencies at the market rates, without any additional cost.
Users of the app will be able to do so commission-free up to $500 per year, get MPS tokens and increase that limit to $50,000.
Bridge Wallet allows users access to market prices that they would get on a centralised trading platform, while preserving full control and ownership of their cryptocurrencies.
With single or recurring bank transfers, users can have their crypto investment directly deposited on their wallets.
The crypto investment can be converted back in 28 currencies and withdrawn from bank accounts around the world.
Mt Pelerin added that instant card purchases and withdrawals will follow soon.
Additionally, Bridge Wallet also integrates multiple decentralised exchange tools like Uniswap, giving access to thousands of cryptoassets from one&#8217;s phone.
Mt Pelerin said that free crypto-fiat transactions are available for all users up to $500 per year, with a degressive margin of 1.3% above. That limit can be raised up to $50,000 per year for holders of MPS tokens, the tokenised shares of Mt Pelerin available in P2P exchange on Bridge Wallet.
Arnaud Salomon
“With the real market prices and the self-sovereignty features of cryptocurrencies, you get the best of both worlds from your phone. With an MPS token, you own an actual share of our company with full voting and dividend rights, which are exercised in Bridge Wallet.
 
The users own the product, it’s a powerful example of financial democratisation.”
said Arnaud Salomon, Founder and CEO of Mt Pelerin.
The post Mt Pelerin Offers Crypto Investment With &#8220;Zero Fees&#8221; to Its New Users appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mt-pelerin-offers-crypto-investment-with-zero-fees-to-its-new-users</link><guid>1835</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Mt Pelerin Offers Crypto Investment With “Zero Fees” to Its New Users</dc:text></item><item><title>Munich-Based SME and Freelancer Focused Insurtech Raises €5 Million Seed Funding</title><description><![CDATA[insureQ, a Germany-based provider of embedded insurance products for SMEs and freelancers, announced that it has raised a €5 million seed round.
The fund raise was led by Nauta Capital with existing investors Flash Ventures and GFC also participating.
Founded in 2019, the insurtech will use the additional capital to accelerate growth, enhance its tailor-made insurance products as well as expand both its partner network and the SME segments it serves.
In the last few months insureQ has strengthened its core team with new members who were previously working at companies such as Allianz, Google or AIG joining the company.
Alexander Le Prince
“With the investment, we can continue to pursue our vision to build a simple and customer-centric digital insurance solution for the self-employed and SMEs.
 
We are working intensively on the further development of our products and services and are very pleased that we have now also been able to convince Nauta Capital of our innovative concept,”
said Alexander Le Prince, Co-Founder and CEO of insureQ.
The post Munich-Based SME and Freelancer Focused Insurtech Raises €5 Million Seed Funding appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/munich-based-sme-and-freelancer-focused-insurtech-raises-5-million-seed-funding</link><guid>1836</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Munich-Based SME and Freelancer Focused Insurtech Raises €5 Million Seed Funding</dc:text></item><item><title>PayPal’s Venmo Introduces Crypto Buying and Selling Within Its App</title><description><![CDATA[Venmo, a mobile payment service owned by PayPal, announced that it now allows more than 70 million of its customers to buy, hold and sell cryptocurrency directly within the app.
The offering will be available for all customers within the next few weeks.
Venmo customers can start their crypto journey with as little as $1 by clicking on &#8220;Crypto&#8221; in the Venmo menu at the top right in the app.
Customers can choose from four types of cryptocurrency; Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin and Bitcoin Cash.
Crypto on Venmo is enabled through PayPal&#8217;s partnership with Paxos Trust Company, a regulated provider of cryptocurrency products and services.
PayPal was also granted a first-of-its-kind conditional Bitlicense by the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS), allowing PayPal and Venmo to offer its customers this service.
Darrell Esch
&#8220;Crypto on Venmo is a new way for the Venmo community to start exploring the world of crypto, within the Venmo environment they trust and rely on as a key component of their everyday financial lives.
 
Our goal is to provide our customers with an easy-to-use platform that simplifies the process of buying and selling cryptocurrencies and demystifies some of the common questions and misconceptions that consumers may have.&#8221;
said Darrell Esch, SVP and GM, Venmo.
 
﻿
 
Featured image: PayPal
The post PayPal&#8217;s Venmo Introduces Crypto Buying and Selling Within Its App appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/paypals-venmo-introduces-crypto-buying-and-selling-within-its-app</link><guid>1834</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>PayPal’s Venmo Introduces Crypto Buying and Selling Within Its App</dc:text></item><item><title>Mastercard to Acquire Identity Verification Company Ekata for US$850 Million</title><description><![CDATA[Mastercard announced that it has acquired identity verification company Ekata for US$850 million as digital identity is a foundational part of Mastercard’s multi-layered approach to security.
In 2019, the company introduced a new framework on how digital interactions should evolve, as well as how digital identity will build trust, collaboration and economic growth.
That framework is now in use across a number of sectors, from education to travel to healthcare.
Ekata works with a wide range of global merchants, financial institutions, travel companies, marketplaces and digital currency platforms. The company uses insights to deliver unique scores, data attributes and risk indicators that businesses then use to make more informed decisions.
They help their customers identify good consumers and businesses and bad actors in real-time during online account opening, payments and variety of other digital interactions.
The addition of Ekata&#8217;s technology and engineering teams will help bolster the support Mastercard can provide as a one-stop partner for any consumer, bank, merchant, fintech or government’s data, payment and open banking needs.
The combined capabilities across digital-first, installment and crypto payment services will help to enable greater choice and functionality, with the potential to expand further to real-time payments and cross-border activities.
The transaction is subject to regulatory review and customary closing conditions. It is anticipated to close within the next six months.
Ajay Bhalla
&#8220;The shift to a more digital world requires real solutions to secure every transaction and instill trust in every interaction.
 
With the addition of Ekata, we will advance our identity capabilities and create a safer, seamless way for consumers to prove who they say they are in the new digital economy.&#8221;
said Ajay Bhalla, President of Cyber and Intelligence Solutions at Mastercard.
Rob Eleveld
“The acceleration of online transactions has thrust global digital identity verification to the forefront as one of the biggest opportunities to build digital trust and combat global fraud.
 
The right identity verification solutions enable inclusive and frictionless experiences while, at the same time, ensuring customer privacy, control and security. Becoming part of the Mastercard Identity family ensures a broader, collective approach to meeting the growing demands of the digital economy.”
said Rob Eleveld, CEO at Ekata.
 
Featured image credit: Pexels
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mastercard-to-acquire-identity-verification-company-ekata-for-us850-million</link><guid>1833</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Mastercard to Acquire Identity Verification Company Ekata for US$850 Million</dc:text></item><item><title>Deutsche Telekom Kauft DeFi Blockchain Startup</title><description><![CDATA[Die Deutsche Telekom investiert in die Zukunft der dezentralen Finanzwirtschaft (DeFi) und kauft Celo Token (CELO). Celo ist ein weltweites Blockchain-Netzwerk. Es bietet Finanzdienste für jeden per Smartphone an. Als erstes Telekommunikation-Unternehmen tritt die Telekom der globalen Celo Allianz  für Wohlstand mit seinen mehr als 130 Mitgliederorganisationen bei.
Adel Al-Saleh
«Mit unserem Investment in Celo in Kombination mit der von T-Systems betriebenen Infrastruktur verfolgen wir einen strategischen Ansatz für die Teilnahme am öffentlichen Blockchain-Netzwerk. So unterstützen wir das Celo-Netzwerk sowohl mit finanziellen Mitteln als auch mit unserer eigenen Cloud-Infrastruktur. Gleichzeitig erleichtern wir den Einstieg neuer Nutzerinnen und Nutzer und die Entwicklung von Anwendungsfällen auf Basis des Celo-Netzwerks»,
sagt Adel Al-Saleh, Vorstandsmitglied Deutsche Telekom AG und CEO T-Systems.
Die Telekom betreibt Infrastruktur für das Celo-Netzwerk. Dafür nutzt die Telekom-Tochter T-Systems MMS als künftiger Validator die Open Telekom Cloud (OTC). Die OTC erfüllt die strengen Vorgaben für Sicherheit und Compliance im europäischen Rechtsrahmen. Und sorgt so weltweit für sichere Finanzdienste per Smartphone.
Darüber hinaus öffnet die Telekom ihre SMS-Programmierschnittstelle (API) für Entwickler. Damit können Validatoren SMS-Nachrichten zur Verifizierung senden. Eine grössere Auswahl an SMS-Anbietern auf der Celo-Plattform verbessert die Sicherheit und Zuverlässigkeit des dezentralen Protokolls. Celo verwendet es zur Verifizierung von mobilen Endgeräten. Dies ist wichtig für eine einfache Nutzung der Celo-Blockchain.
Celos Mission ist ein Finanzsystem aufzubauen, das die Voraussetzungen für Wohlstand schafft – für alle.
Rene Reinsberg
«Wir freuen uns, die Deutsche Telekom im Celo-Netzwerk zu begrüssen. Sie wird uns dabei helfen die Celo-Infrastruktur weiter zu verstärken. Ausserdem wird sie als Validator wichtige Beiträge zur Sicherung unseres Netzwerks leisten»,
sagt Rene Reinsberg, Mitbegründer von Celo.
«Die Telekom wird nun nicht nur CELO-Token halten, sondern auch als Mitglied in der Celo Allianz für Wohlstand dazu beitragen, die Akzeptanz von digitalen Vermögenswerten im Massenmarkt zu beschleunigen. So werden überall sichere und kostengünstige Zahlungen für Smartphone-Nutzer ermöglicht.»
Die für den Betrieb des Celo-Netzwerks verwendeten Ressourcen sind klimaneutral.
Der Kauf von CELO-Token durch die Deutsche Telekom wird durch den Telekom Innovation Pool (TIP) getätigt. TIP ist der strategische Investment-Fond der Telekom, den die Deutsche Telekom Capital Partners (DTCP) beratend unterstützt.
 
Featured image: Deutsche Telekom
The post Deutsche Telekom kauft DeFi Blockchain Startup appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/deutsche-telekom-kauft-defi-blockchain-startup</link><guid>1832</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Deutsche Telekom Kauft DeFi Blockchain Startup</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Influencer Marketing Report 2020 – Top 7 Insights</title><description><![CDATA[Die vorliegende Studie der Universität Luzern ist die erste in der Schweiz durchgeführte Studie, die sowohl die relevante Zielgruppe von Influencer Marketing (Millennials im Alter von 13–30 Jahren) als auch Schweizer Influ encer/innen und Schweizer Marketingverantwortliche als Vertreter ihrer Unternehmen befragt und damit das Beziehungsdreieck der relevanten Akteure im Influencer Marketing analysiert.
Nachfolgend sind die Top 7 Insights der Studie aufgelistet:
1. Der Einsatz von Influencer Marketing in Schweizer Unternehmen nimmt zu: Während zum Zeitpunkt der Befragung 28% der befragten Unterneh-men dieses Kommunikationsinstrument nutzten, planten 44% es zu- künftig einzusetzen – dies bedeutet einen Anstieg von 57%.
2. 53% der betroffenen Marketingverantwortlichen schätzen den bisherigen Return on Investment ihrer Influencer Kampagnen höher ein als bei alternativen Werbeformen.
3. Bereits 60% aller Millennials folgen Influencer/innen auf sozialen Medien, 56% suchen dort gezielt nach Produktinformationen.
4. 37% aller Millennials wurden schon von Influencer/innen zu einem Kauf inspiriert. Unter Millennials, die aktiv Influencer/innen folgen, sind es so- gar 53%.
5. Glaubwürdigkeit ist das wichtigste Merkmal guter Influencer Werbung – da sind sich alle befragten Gruppen einig (71% der Millennials, 83% der Marketingverantwortlichen, 94% der Influencer/innen stimmen dem zu).
6. Insgesamt orientieren sich Millennials bei ihren Kaufentscheidungen stärker an den Informationen von Influencer/innen als an Informationen durch andere bezahlte Werbeformen wie TV-Werbung, Anzeigen oder Suchmaschinenresultate.
7. Instagram ist die wichtigste Influencer Plattform – darin sind sich Millennials (76% stimmen dem zu) und Influencer/innen (90%) einig. Jedoch: Nur 28% aller Marketingverantwortlichen favorisieren Instagram für Influencer Marketing in ihrem Unternehmen.

Detaillierte Studie
Diese und zahlreiche weitere Insights finden sich in dem detaillierten Studienbericht. Auf über 70 Seiten beinhaltet dieser die Ergebnisse der drei Umfragen mit insgesamt 1349 Befragten. Er bietet vertiefte Erkenntnisse über die aktuelle Verbreitung und «Hot Topics» von Influencer Marketing in der Schweiz (beliebteste Plattform, Themen und Influencer/innen der Schweiz), die Gestaltung, Wahrnehmung und Wirksamkeit von Influencer Content sowie die Ausgestaltung der Influ- encer Tätigkeit und deren Beziehungen mit Geschäftspartnern und Followern.
Dabei beantwortet er Fragestellungen wie beispielsweise: Wie viel verdient ein/e Influencer/in? Welches sind die beliebtesten Influencer/innen Schweizer Millennials? Mit welchen Schweizer Unternehmen wollen Influencer/innen am liebsten zusammenarbeiten und wie sollen Verträge und Kooperationen zwischen Influencer/innen und Unternehmen ausgestaltet werden?

The post Swiss Influencer Marketing Report 2020 – Top 7 Insights appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-influencer-marketing-report-2020-top-7-insights</link><guid>1831</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Das-Studiendesign-1024x659.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Influencer Marketing Report 2020 – Top 7 Insights</dc:text></item><item><title>True Wealth’s Assets Under Management Now Exceeds Half a Billion Swiss Francs</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss online wealth management platform True Wealth reported that its number of customers has increased by 1,500 (more than 25%) in the first quarter of 2021, while its assets under management rose by 103 million Swiss francs (more than 27%).
With continued growth in April, True Wealth now exceed the 500 million franc mark in customer funds, with over 7,700 customers entrusting their money to the online wealth manager.
This does not include the customers and customer funds of the partner banks that use True Wealth&#8217;s technology.
Felix Niederer, Founder and CEO of True Wealth mentioned in an interview with finanzprodukt.ch iin 2016 that it was their goal to hit the billion CHF mark.
Felix Niederer
Felix Niederer, Founder and CEO said,
“500 million is an important milestone for us.
 
The fact that the response has been so positive confirms our mission to make investing as efficient and simple as it gets for everyone.&#8221;
 
 
 
Featured image: screengrab from True Wealth
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/true-wealths-assets-under-management-now-exceeds-half-a-billion-swiss-francs</link><guid>1830</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>True Wealth’s Assets Under Management Now Exceeds Half a Billion Swiss Francs</dc:text></item><item><title>Societe Generale Issues Structured Products as Security Token on Public Blockchain</title><description><![CDATA[Societe Generale announced that it has issued its first structured product as a security token directly registered on the Tezos&#8217; blockchain network.
The securities were fully subscribed by Societe Generale Assurances.
The move was in line with the development of Forge which is a regulated subsidiary of Societe Generale Group.
Forge&#8217;s operating model enables security tokens to be directly integrated to conventional banking systems interfaced with SWIFT format.
Forge aims to offer crypto assets structuring, issuing, exchange and custody services to the group’s professional clients by 2022. 
This new experimentation, performed in accordance with best market practices, demonstrates the legal, regulatory and operational feasibility of issuing more complex financial instruments (structured products) on public blockchain.
It leverages on this disruptive technology which enables increased efficiency and fluidity of financial transactions; unprecedented capacity of product structuration, shortened time-to-market, automated corporate actions, increased transparency and speed in transactions and settlements, as well as reduced cost and number of intermediaries.
This operation follows in the footsteps of a first covered bond Security Token issuance worth EUR 100 million  on the Ethereum blockchain, settled in euros in April 2019, and of a second covered bond Security Token issuance worth EUR 40 million this time settled in Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) issued by Banque de France, in May 2020.
 
This article first appeared on finanzprodukt.ch
Featured image credit: Societe Generale
The post Societe Generale Issues Structured Products as Security Token on Public Blockchain appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/societe-generale-issues-structured-products-as-security-token-on-public-blockchain</link><guid>1829</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Societe Generale Issues Structured Products as Security Token on Public Blockchain</dc:text></item><item><title>Is a SPAC Approach Relevant For Swiss Companies? (Part 2)</title><description><![CDATA[Following my initial article on SPACs, I was surprised to see how many people and Swiss companies that had been averse to the idea of going public for a long time had, all of a sudden, developed a keen interest in SPACs.
I just want to make one thing clear – a merger with a SPAC is not the same thing as a trade sale. It is simply one of the pathways to becoming a public company, where the target management is pretty much left “holding the baby”, once the merger transaction between the SPAC and the target is completed.
That being said, I wanted to write Part 2 of the article, in order to give a few examples of transactions that might resonate with smaller high-growth Swiss companies, and to briefly talk about the latest trends in SPACs in the US and Europe.
I was previously making the case that a lot of SPACs tend to acquire significantly larger companies than the average Swiss start-up or scale-up, but that mergers with SPACs at the lower end of the scale are not implausible.
I have got some good news…
There are now some examples of recently proposed or completed transactions at the lower end of the scale (target enterprise value below USD 1bn) from the 2020 batch of US SPAC IPOs. While it may be a small number of cases (from what I can see, about 13% of the completed or proposed transactions involving the above-mentioned batch of SPACs), at least it is happening.
To illustrate some of the smaller deals, I thought it might be useful to mention a handful of transactions that might be interesting for various reasons:
· The exception to the rule: In most cases, SPACs acquire a single sizeable company. In this particular case, the SPAC (Greenrose Acquisition Corporation), acquired 4 companies simultaneously. The purpose: vertical integration and creation of a cash flow positive platform, in the cannabis market. In addition to the USD 172m raised at the IPO, the SPAC also raised USD 150m through a private placement consisting of a mixture of common stock and debt. More info here.
· Some of the smallest US SPACs listed in 2020 and their acquisition targets:
Newborn Acquisition Corp. raised USD 50m at IPO, to acquire an operating business domiciled in and around Asia (excluding China) and the United States. The SPAC acquired Nuvve Corporation, a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology company headquartered in the US, but with strong European connections. A further USD 18m was raised through a private placement (PIPE) and bridge financing. Assuming no debt outstanding, the combined company’s pro forma enterprise value was expected to be approximately USD 132 million. The current market cap of Nuvve Holding Corp, the post-merger entity, is approximately USD 190m. More info here.
LifeSci Acquisition Corp. raised USD 60m at IPO. On Sept 29, 2020 the SPAC announced a merger agreement with Vincera Pharma (clinical, oncology). No further capital (through a PIPE) seems to have been raised in this case. More info here. The current market cap of Vincerx Pharma Inc (new name post-merger) is approx. USD 280m and the share price evolution can be seen here.
Vistas Media Acquisition raised USD 100m at IPO, to identify a target business in the Global Media &amp; Entertainment sector. With the help of a PIPE financing of USD 40m, Anghami, a Spotify rival headquartered in Abu-Dhabi, is set to become the first Arab technology company to list on NASDAQ New York via a merger with the Vistas SPAC. According to Anghami, the transaction implies an initial pro-forma enterprise valuation of approximately USD 220m, or 2.5x 2022 estimated revenues. More info here.
Although not always in the sub-USD 1bn enterprise value, you may also wish to have a look at:
· Some examples of transactions in the healthcare space (proposed):
Renovacor (preclinical, gene therapy) and Chardan Healthcare Acquisition 2. More info here.
Humacyte (clinical, tissue engineering) and Alpha Healthcare Acquisition. More info here.
DocGo (last-mile telehealth provider) and Motion Acquisition Corp. More info here.
· Some examples of transactions in the tech space (proposed):
Airspan Networks (5G network software/hardware) and New Beginnings Acquisition Corp. More info here.
Redwire (space technology) and Genesis Park Acquisition Corp. More info here.
(completed) AppHarvest (AgTech) and Novus Capital Corporation. More info here.
The Bitcoin enthusiasts may wish to have a look at the proposed transaction between Cipher Mining Technologies Inc. (Bitcoin miner) and Good Works Acquisition. More info here.
I have also got some not-so-good news…
Firstly, the 2021 SPACs listed to date in the US are bigger than the ones listed in 2020. This means there are now more SPACs out there that will be looking for bigger targets. This makes a lot of them incompatible, at least for now, with the majority of Swiss start-ups and scale-ups.
Since the beginning of the year, there have been 302 new SPAC listings in the US. The table below shows that the largest growth has been in the USD 200-499m segment.

Secondly, according to Reuters, last week the US regulator opened an inquiry into the US SPAC frenzy1. This means from now on there will be an increased level of scrutiny on target due diligence, valuations, etc., which is of course not bad. However, the inquiry may also dampen the appetite of US investors for new SPACs, or for supporting existing SPACs through additional fundraising via PIPEs. The latter may in turn mean that SPACs would be looking for smaller targets than initially planned. Time will tell.
Thirdly, in Europe, the SPACs that are listing now are also quite big. It is my understanding that there is currently a lot of overlap between investors that invest in US SPACs and the ones that have invested in the recent European-listed ones. Therefore the investors’ expectations of a sizeable PIPE raising and of a target fair market value being at least 80% of the SPAC’s money in trust (although not imposed by the European exchanges) are likely to still influence the preference of SPACs for bigger deals, for a while.
Since my previous SPAC article, we have had two sizeable SPAC listings in Europe: ACQ Bure and EFIC1. Both of them happened last week.
ACQ Bure is Nasdaq Stockholm’s first SPAC IPO after the exchange changed the rules in early February 2021 to accommodate this type of vehicle. It raised the equivalent of CHF 380m to invest in “Nordic high-quality companies, with an enterprise value of approximately SEK 3-7 billion (CHF 750m) and which are operating in markets with great potential or in niche markets where the target company has a leading position.” Apparently, there are other SPACs in the pipeline that have a “more international flavour”2.
European FinTech IPO Company 1 (EFIC1), backed by a former co-head of UBS Global Wealth Management, listed on Euronext Amsterdam, and raised EUR 415m “to acquire a Financial Services or Financial Technology Company operating or headquartered in Europe, including the United Kingdom, or Israel”3.
Pegasus Europe, backed by the LVMH founder Bernard Arnault and former UniCredit chief Jean Pierre Mustier, is expected to be one of the next SPACs to list in Amsterdam, and is thought to be looking to raise “in the low hundreds of millions of euros” to invest in European financial companies4.
With regards to the smaller European SPACs, which would be much more relevant for a larger number of Swiss companies, my understanding from discussions with a number of European stock exchanges is that there are some “in preparation” for a listing. However, they are slower to come to the market because they would first like to see what the recently-listed larger SPACs are doing, how they are received by the market, how quickly they start announcing targets.
The good thing about European exchanges is that, as mentioned above, they do not impose a minimum acquisition size versus SPAC money in trust. This makes me think that, in the case of the future European-listed SPACs, we are likely to see more of them going for a multiple acquisition strategy of several smaller targets (similar to the Greenrose example). That is also more likely to happen once the European investors increase their interest in SPACs, which means less dependence on implementing the US model (of mainly one large acquisition) on a like-for-like basis.
To gain a better understanding of how a SPAC transaction works, from a target’s perspective, a Part 3 of this series is planned.
 
Part one of the article &#8220;Is a SPAC Approach Plausible for Swiss Companies?&#8221; is available here. This article first appeared on Next-Generation Wealth
 
Featured image credit: Photo by Magda Ehlers from Pexels
The post Is a SPAC Approach Relevant For Swiss Companies? (Part 2) appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/is-a-spac-approach-relevant-for-swiss-companies-part-2</link><guid>1828</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/SPAC-1.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Is a SPAC Approach Relevant For Swiss Companies? (Part 2)</dc:text></item><item><title>Finnova Announces Major Revamp Of Its Board Of Directors</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss-based banking solutions provider Finnova has announced several major changes in its board of directors.
Walter Knabenhans and Hanspeter Rhyner are both stepping down as members of the Board of Directors while Heinrich Leuthard and Pascal Niquille are replacing them as new representatives.
New board members
Pascal Niquille
Pascal Niquille is coming on board as successor to Walter Knabenhans. As former CEO of Zuger Kantonalbank, he knows Finnova very well.
Like most cantonal banks, Zuger Kantonalbank relies on the Finnova core banking system. Niquille is also Chairman of the Board of Directors of Viseca Holding and is extremely familiar with the trends and challenges of the sector and has a broad network in the Community.
Heinrich Leuthard
Additionally, Heinrich Leuthard is joining the Board of Directors as representative of the shareholder banks. As the long-standing CEO of Nidwaldner Kantonalbank, he also knows Finnova very well.
Leuthard is looking forward to successfully helping shape the long-term development of Finnova with his knowledge of the sector and end clients&#8217; needs.
The elections took place at the Finnova General Assembly on 14 April 2021 and are effective immediately. Finnova&#8217;s Board of Directors is therefore composed as follows:

Hans Zehetmaier (Chairman of the Board of Directors of Finnova and Chairman of the Board of the msg company group)
Stephan Frohnhoff (CEO of the msg company group)
Robert Gebel (Head of Banking, Swisscom)
Heinrich Leuthard (CEO of Nidwaldner Kantonalbank)
Pascal Niquille (independent representative of the Board of Directors)
Hendrik Lang (CEO of Finnova, Delegate of the Board of Directors)

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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finnova-announces-major-revamp-of-its-board-of-directors</link><guid>1826</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Finnova Announces Major Revamp Of Its Board Of Directors</dc:text></item><item><title>AXA Switzerland Accepts Bitcoin for Insurance Payments</title><description><![CDATA[AXA Switzerland announced that it will now allow its customers to pay their bills with bitcoin from April onwards, being the first insurer to offer this solution.
Private customers can currently pay their premiums for all non-life products. However, this payment option is not offered for life insurance products due to regulatory reasons.
AXA said that to make the payments with bitcoin, customers would need a reference number, the amount, and their own Bitcoin wallet.
The amount in Swiss francs is converted into bitcoins in the background, and the payment can then be completed via desktop or smartphone.
There will be a progress bar that shows how long the indicated exchange rate between bitcoin and Swiss francs remains valid.
The person who pays the premium bears no exchange rate risk during this time. If the time runs out before a transaction is concluded, the exchange rate is updated, and the timer starts over. AXA doesn&#8217;t charge any special fees for bitcoin payments.
In future, the new payment option will appear on bills sent by e-mail. Customers who wish to pay with bitcoin will have to go online to make the transfer by entering the reference number and amount and then confirming their entry.
AXA added that it will not hold any bitcoins on its balance sheet as the cryptocurrency payments will be routed to crypto broker Bitcoin Suisse who will convert them into Swiss francs.
The insurer said in a statement that further payment options besides bitcoin are set to go live in the near future, including TWINT, a mobile app-payment solution for the Swiss market.
Additionally, AXA mentioned that said it intends to gather some experience with bitcoin before deciding whether to accept other cryptocurrencies.
Claudia Bienentreu
&#8220;This is AXA&#8217;s response to growing demand from its customers for alternative payment solutions, with new technologies playing an ever greater role,&#8221;
said Claudia Bienentreu, Head of Open Innovation at AXA Switzerland.
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/axa-switzerland-accepts-bitcoin-for-insurance-payments</link><guid>1827</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>AXA Switzerland Accepts Bitcoin for Insurance Payments</dc:text></item><item><title>6 Fintechs Make Top 20 US Valuation Leaderboard; Worth a Combined US$145B</title><description><![CDATA[The past two years have seen the valuations of the US’s most valuable venture (VC)-backed fintech companies soar. As of March 19, 2021, six fintechs were amongst the country’s top 20 most valuable VC-backed companies, and worth a combined US$145.1 billion, up 68% from their worth in 2020 of US$86 billion, data from PitchBook show.
Online-based, payment processing platform Stripe is currently valued US$95 billion. It’s the most valuable VC-backed company in the US and the world’s second most valuable one, right after world leader Bytedance, a provider of social networking platforms and the operator of TikTok valued at US$140 billion, according to April 2021 data from CB Insights.
In less than a year, Stripe’s valuation almost tripled after it announced a US$600 million fundraising in March  2021. The valuation overtook billionaire Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which previously was the US’s most valuable VC-backed company.
Stripe valuation throughout the years, Graphic by the Financial Times, March 2021
Stripe is now expanding rapidly into Europe, Asia and Latin America, attracting corporate clients such as Facebook’s Instagram and software provider Atlassian, Stripe co-founder John Collison told the Financial Times in March 2021.
After Stripe, Chime is the US’s second most valuable fintech company at US$14.5 billion. Chime, a neobank providing fee-free financial services through a mobile app, has had a remarkable growth, joining PitchBook’s Valuation Leaderboard just last year with it doubled its worth from US$6 billion in March 2020 to US$14.5 billion in September 2020. In 2019, Chime was valued at just US$1.3 billion.
Challenger bank Chime surpassed the 12 million customer mark earlier this year, growing its customer base by 50% through the pandemic and becoming the biggest online bank in the US, according to a recent study from Cornerstone Advisors and StrategyCorps.
Number of challenger bank customers, Source: Cornerstone Advisors and StrategyCorps, via Ron Shevlin, Forbes
Commission-free stock trading app Robinhood is the third most valuable VC-backed fintech company in the US, valued at US$11.9 billion since late-2020. This represents a 56% surge from its 2019 valuation of US$7.6 billion.
From its founding in 2013 until the end of 2020, Robinhood gained 13 million users. It added another six million users in the first two months in 2021. Robinhood recently filed for an initial public offering (IPO) on the Nasdaq.
Blockchain startup Ripple Labs is the fourth most valuable VC-backed fintech company in the US, valued at US$10 billion. Ripple Labs develops the Ripple payment protocol and exchange network. The company and two of its top executives are currently being sued by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Ripple Labs is followed by cryptocurrency startup Coinbase, valued at US$8 billion. Coinbase, which operates one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange platforms, counts 56 million verified users, and 6.1 million monthly transaction users. It generated US$1.27 billion in revenue in 2020, up from US$533 million in 2019. Coinbase is going public on April 14, 2021, on the Nasdaq stock exchange.
Finally, Social Finance (SoFi), an online personal finance company, is the sixth most valuable VC-backed fintech company in the US, valued at US$5.7 billion. SoFi provides a suite of financial products that includes student loan refinancing, mortgages, personal loans, credit card, investing and banking through both a mobile app and desktop interfaces.
The startup is set to go public by merging with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) run by venture capital investor Chamath Palihapitiya. The merger with Social Capital Hedosophia Corp V would value SoFi at US$8.65 billion.
6 Most Valuable US Fintech VC-Backed Companies:
Most Valuable VC-Backed Fintech Companies in the US
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/6-fintechs-make-top-20-us-valuation-leaderboard-worth-a-combined-us145b</link><guid>1824</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Stripe-valuations-throughout-the-years-Graphic-by-the-Financial-Times.png</dc:content ><dc:text>6 Fintechs Make Top 20 US Valuation Leaderboard; Worth a Combined US$145B</dc:text></item><item><title>World Retail Banking Report 2021 Highlights Discrepancies Between Customers Expectations and Banks Priorities</title><description><![CDATA[The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated banking-sector issues, forcing retail banks to embrace digital transformation and realign their offerings to customer expectations. But while many have been vocal about delivering superior customer experiences, there is still a large disconnect between what customers want and banks’ priorities are, a new study by Capgemini and Efma found.
This year’s World Retail Banking Report, released in March, discusses the disruption caused by the global pandemic, the growth of neo- and challenger banks, and the need for retail banks to embrace cloud-based banking-as-a-service (BaaS) platform models.
Discrepancies and practical challenges
Findings of the 2021 survey indicate a divide between retail banks’ priorities and customers’ expectations. The biggest gap is seen on transparency, ethics and social responsibility, a topic which customers feel strongly about but which banks are putting at the bottom of their priority lists. Reduced cost/charges of products and services, as well as improved customer support services are other top customer expectations overlooked by retail banks.
The gap between customer expectations and bank priorities continues to widen, Sources: Capgemini Financial Services Analysis, 2021; World Retail Banking Report 2021 Executive and Voice of Customer surveys
Forced to accelerate digitalization, banks are now facing practical difficulties, the survey found. 42% of the bank executives polled are not sure how to integrate and streamline mid-, back-, and front-office functions effectively, and 46% are unsure how to embrace open banking, orchestrate the ecosystem and become a truly data-driven organizations.
More than 40% executives said they are not confident about going beyond digital to offer superior customer experience, and are conflicted about the future role of the bank branches.
Neo-, challenger banks as top cause of disruption
These challenges and dilemmas come on the back of fast-growing neo- and challenger banks. These have attracted more than 39 million customers, and their sector is projected to reach a valuation of US$578 billion by 2027, growing at a compound annual growth rate of about 46.5% between 2018 and 2027, according to a report by Facts and Factors Market Research. The 2021 customer survey found that currently, 81% of consumers said easy access and flexible banking could motivate them to switch to a fintech company.
Retail banks are well aware of the threat posed by fintechs and challenger banks. Of the banking executives interviewed, 66% of respondents cited new-age players as a competitive threat and a major cause of business disruption in the banking sector, ahead of economic uncertainty (50%) and evolving customer behavior (38%).
What&#8217;s making retail banking executives lose sleep? Sources: Capgemini Financial Services Analysis, 2021; World Retail Banking Report 2021 Executive survey
The Banking 4.X era
This year, the banking sector is entering a new era which the report calls Banking 4.X. Banking 4.X refers to experience-driven, platform-based banking, where banking is embedded directly into customers’ lifetime experiences and made invisible.
In the Banking 4.X era, core products such as loans, accounts, cards and mortgages, will evolve to become simpler, instant, and on demand, the report says. In tandem, banks will expand the core to include peer-to-peer (P2P) lending, mobile payments and robo-advisory options.
The banking 4.X era- how we got here, Source: Capgemini Financial Services Analysis, 2021
Embedded finance, enabled by banking-as-a-service (BaaS) platforms, is helping banks promote their financial products and services, and reach a broader market. For third-parties, BaaS allows them to embed financial services and services in their customer journeys.
An example of this is Standard Chartered’s BaaS platform Nexus. Launched in 2020, Nexus allows digital platforms and ecosystems like e-commerce, social media and ride-hailing companies to offer their customers loans, credit cards, and savings accounts co-created with Standard Chartered but promoted under their own brand.
Nexus has enabled Standard Chartered to partner with companies such as e-commerce platforms Sociolla and Bukalapak, both from Indonesia, providing the bank with a low-cost opportunity to reach unbanked populations.
In India, ICICI Bank introduced a co-branded credit card with Amazon Pay in 2018, giving the bank low-cost access to Amazon’s vast customer base. 20 months after its launch, the credit card became the fastest in the country to cross the milestone of 1 million.
World Retail Banking Report 2021 Infographic:

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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/world-retail-banking-report-2021-highlights-discrepancies-between-customers-expectations-and-banks-priorities</link><guid>1822</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/The-gap-between-customer-expectations-and-bank-priorities-continues-to-widen-Sources-Capgemini-Financial-Services-Analysis-2021-World-Retail-Banking-Report-2021-Executive-and-Voice-of-Customer-surveys.png</dc:content ><dc:text>World Retail Banking Report 2021 Highlights Discrepancies Between Customers Expectations and Banks Priorities</dc:text></item><item><title>Banks Fell Short of Meeting Customers’ Expectations in 2021</title><description><![CDATA[The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated banking-sector issues, forcing retail banks to embrace digital transformation and realign their offerings to customer expectations. But while many have been vocal about delivering superior customer experiences, there is still a large disconnect between what customers want and banks’ priorities are, a new study by Capgemini and Efma found.
This year’s World Retail Banking Report, released in March, discusses the disruption caused by the global pandemic, the growth of neo- and challenger banks, and the need for retail banks to embrace cloud-based banking-as-a-service (BaaS) platform models.
Discrepancies and practical challenges
Findings of the 2021 survey indicate a divide between retail banks’ priorities and customers’ expectations. The biggest gap is seen on transparency, ethics and social responsibility, a topic which customers feel strongly about but which banks are putting at the bottom of their priority lists. Reduced cost/charges of products and services, as well as improved customer support services are other top customer expectations overlooked by retail banks.
The gap between customer expectations and bank priorities continues to widen, Sources: Capgemini Financial Services Analysis, 2021; World Retail Banking Report 2021 Executive and Voice of Customer surveys
Forced to accelerate digitalization, banks are now facing practical difficulties, the survey found. 42% of the bank executives polled are not sure how to integrate and streamline mid-, back-, and front-office functions effectively, and 46% are unsure how to embrace open banking, orchestrate the ecosystem and become a truly data-driven organizations.
More than 40% executives said they are not confident about going beyond digital to offer superior customer experience, and are conflicted about the future role of the bank branches.
Neo-, challenger banks as top cause of disruption
These challenges and dilemmas come on the back of fast-growing neo- and challenger banks. These have attracted more than 39 million customers, and their sector is projected to reach a valuation of US$578 billion by 2027, growing at a compound annual growth rate of about 46.5% between 2018 and 2027, according to a report by Facts and Factors Market Research. The 2021 customer survey found that currently, 81% of consumers said easy access and flexible banking could motivate them to switch to a fintech company.
Retail banks are well aware of the threat posed by fintechs and challenger banks. Of the banking executives interviewed, 66% of respondents cited new-age players as a competitive threat and a major cause of business disruption in the banking sector, ahead of economic uncertainty (50%) and evolving customer behavior (38%).
What&#8217;s making retail banking executives lose sleep? Sources: Capgemini Financial Services Analysis, 2021; World Retail Banking Report 2021 Executive survey
The Banking 4.X era
This year, the banking sector is entering a new era which the report calls Banking 4.X. Banking 4.X refers to experience-driven, platform-based banking, where banking is embedded directly into customers’ lifetime experiences and made invisible.
In the Banking 4.X era, core products such as loans, accounts, cards and mortgages, will evolve to become simpler, instant, and on demand, the report says. In tandem, banks will expand the core to include peer-to-peer (P2P) lending, mobile payments and robo-advisory options.
The banking 4.X era- how we got here, Source: Capgemini Financial Services Analysis, 2021
Embedded finance, enabled by banking-as-a-service (BaaS) platforms, is helping banks promote their financial products and services, and reach a broader market. For third-parties, BaaS allows them to embed financial services and services in their customer journeys.
An example of this is Standard Chartered’s BaaS platform Nexus. Launched in 2020, Nexus allows digital platforms and ecosystems like e-commerce, social media and ride-hailing companies to offer their customers loans, credit cards, and savings accounts co-created with Standard Chartered but promoted under their own brand.
Nexus has enabled Standard Chartered to partner with companies such as e-commerce platforms Sociolla and Bukalapak, both from Indonesia, providing the bank with a low-cost opportunity to reach unbanked populations.
In India, ICICI Bank introduced a co-branded credit card with Amazon Pay in 2018, giving the bank low-cost access to Amazon’s vast customer base. 20 months after its launch, the credit card became the fastest in the country to cross the milestone of 1 million.
World Retail Banking Report 2021 Infographic:

The post Banks Fell Short of Meeting Customers&#8217; Expectations in 2021 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/banks-fell-short-of-meeting-customers-expectations-in-2021</link><guid>1825</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/The-gap-between-customer-expectations-and-bank-priorities-continues-to-widen-Sources-Capgemini-Financial-Services-Analysis-2021-World-Retail-Banking-Report-2021-Executive-and-Voice-of-Customer-surveys.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Banks Fell Short of Meeting Customers’ Expectations in 2021</dc:text></item><item><title>Digitalisierung-Trends im Schweizer Versicherungsmarkt</title><description><![CDATA[Mehr als ein Drittel der in der Schweiz wohnhaften Bevölkerung kann sich vorstellen, künftig ausschliesslich online mit Versicherungen zu interagieren. Gleichzeitig schätzen Kundinnen und Kunden weiterhin den traditionellen Kontakt, etwa per Telefon. Dies geht aus dem «Swiss Insurance Monitor 2021», einer neuen Studie unter Leitung der Universität Luzern, hervor.
Der am 15. April veröffentlichte Swiss Insurance Monitor 2021 ist das Ergebnis der ersten Durchführung einer jährlich geplanten Studienreihe der Universität Luzern zur allgemeinen Wahrnehmung von Versicherungen und der Einstellung gegenüber der Schweizer Versicherungslandschaft. Das für die Schweiz repräsentative Studienformat entstand unter der Leitung von Prof. Dr. Reto Hofstetter (Universität Luzern) in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Verband Digitalversicherungen Schweiz, der EY Schweiz AG und FinanceScout24.
Die erste Ausgabe des Monitors setzt einen inhaltlichen Schwerpunkt auf Themen der fortschreitenden Digitalisierung im Versicherungsmarkt. Die Ergebnisse der Studie geben somit nicht nur Einblicke in die allgemeine Wahrnehmung von Versicherungsleistungen, sondern auch zu spezifischen Themen der Digitalisierung im Versicherungskontext wie etwa neuen Online-Interaktionsformen (z. B. Versicherungs-Apps oder Chat-Bots).



Insgesamt 72 Prozent der in der Schweiz wohnhaften Bevölkerung ist grundsätzlich zufrieden mit ihren Versicherungen. Entsprechend empfehlen 57 Prozent der Befragten ihre Versicherungen an Freunde oder Bekannte weiter. Die Studienergebnisse deuten jedoch darauf hin, dass einige für Schweizerinnen und Schweizer wichtige Entscheidungskriterien nicht ausreichend durch die Versicherungen adressiert werden. Hierzu gehört beispielsweise die Kündigungsfrist von Versicherungsverträgen, welche von Kundinnen und Kunden als zu lange angesehen wird.
Die Auswirkungen der Digitalisierung auf die Versicherungsbranche zeigen sich aktuell bereits exemplarisch bei den Vertragsabschlüssen: 24 Prozent der Versicherungsverträge wurden in den letzten fünf Jahren online abgeschlossen. Bei Online-Versicherungsabschlüssen schätzen Kunden vor allem den Zeitgewinn. Zudem können sich 36 Prozent der Umfrageteilnehmenden vorstellen, zukünftig ausschliesslich online mit Versicherungen zu kommunizieren. Zu den beliebtesten digitalen Kommunikationswegen im Jahr 2021 zählen Online-Versicherungsportale und Smartphone-Messenger (z.B. WhatsApp).
Die Ergebnisse zeigen jedoch gleichzeitig, dass die traditionellen Interaktionsformen mit Versicherungen weiterhin eine hohe Bedeutung haben. So hat 56 Prozent der Schweizer Bevölkerung noch nie einen Versicherungsvertrag auf einem digitalen Weg abgeschlossen. Der beliebteste Kommunikationskanal ist der klassische Telefon-Anruf.
Vollständiger Studienbericht
Neben diesen Erkenntnissen bietet der vollständige Studienbericht auf über 60 Seiten detaillierte Einblicke zur allgemeinen Wahrnehmung von Versicherungen und zur Einstellung gegenüber der Schweizer Versicherungslandschaft. Diese umfassen beispielsweise wahrgenommene Vor- und Nachteile von Online- und Offline-Wegen beim Vertragsabschluss, Kommunikationskanal-Präferenzen bei Serviceanliegen sowie die Bereitschaft zum Teilen von persönlichen Angaben. Um weiterführende Erkenntnisse zu ermöglichen, berücksichtigt die Analyse an relevanten Stellen auch persönliche Eigenschaften der Teilnehmenden wie deren Affinität zu neuen Technologien oder ihre allgemeine Risikobereitschaft.
Der vollständige Studienbericht kann auf der Webseite der Universität Luzern unter Swiss Consumer Studies vorbestellt werden. Zusätzlich sind dort ausgewählte Ergebnisse des Monitors (Key Insights) frei erhältlich.




Studienhintergrund
Datengrundlage des Swiss Insurance Monitors ist eine für die Schweiz repräsentative Online-Umfrage bei 1’035 Versicherungskundinnen und -kunden in der Schweiz. Die Erhebung fand zwischen dem 25. Februar und 08. März 2021 in Zusammenarbeit mit LINK statt. Der Swiss Insurance Monitor ist Teil der Swiss Consumer Studies des Instituts für Marketing und Analytics (IMA) der Universität Luzern. In den Swiss Consumer Studies werden in regelmässigen Abständen Studien zu aktuellen Themen des digitalen Konsumentenverhaltens und des digitalen Marketings veröffentlicht.

The post Digitalisierung-Trends im Schweizer Versicherungsmarkt appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digitalisierung-trends-im-schweizer-versicherungsmarkt</link><guid>1823</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Infografik_SwissInsuranceMonitor-1-scaled.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Digitalisierung-Trends im Schweizer Versicherungsmarkt</dc:text></item><item><title>Safeside and Easyinsured Announce a Cooperation in the Area of Pure Life Insurance</title><description><![CDATA[Today SafeSide Life AG, a company which manages safeside.life a platform for pure life insurance, and JC Insurance Brokers GmbH, a company with easyinsured.ch website announced their cooperation. This initiative seeks to educate about and showcase the advantages of pure life insurance to a wider public.
SafeSide offers an exceptional user experience for people seeking to get life insurance in Switzerland. Clients are empowered to protect their loved ones in less than three minutes. Through continuous innovation and simplification of the underwriting process, SafeSide has thus become the ideal partner for many financial service providers.
Michael Klien
“Our collaboration with easyinsured will further add to the current positive momentum, as we are on a mission to bring transparency, innovation and customer-centricity to the Swiss life insurance market,&#8221;
said Michael Klien, CEO and co-founder at SafeSide.
&#8220;Our digital experience empowers customers to have a positive experience when purchasing their pure life insurance policy. The pure life insurance is a flexible and affordable financial protection tool. It should be easily accessible by everyone. Our collaboration with easyinsured is yet another step towards our goal. &#8220;
JC Insurance Brokers GmbH follows the innovative approach and by offering advice in a completely digital way on their website easyinsured.ch. Users of the website are able to find relevant information on various insurance topics. Customers and prospects are presented with transparent and informative content on the various insurance topics. To further educate the populous, easyinsured runs a popular podcast &#8220;einfach versichert&#8221; (simply insured).
Christian Jetzer
&#8220;SafeSide is an ideal partner for us. Both of our companies seek to deliver more transparency through innovation in the Swiss insurance market. SafeSide&#8217;s 100% digital approach coincides with our philosophy of offering advice in a completely digital way. SafeSide is a perfect match for us,&#8221;
says Christian Jetzer CEO of JC Insurance Brokers GmbH.
The cooperation between SafeSide and easyinsured is a great example of how two startups are changing the Swiss insurance landscape in a positive and innovative way for the benefit of all Swiss people.
Featured Image: Michael Klien (left) and Georg Liechtenstein (right), Co-Founders of SafeSide
The post Safeside and Easyinsured Announce a Cooperation in the Area of Pure Life Insurance appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/safeside-and-easyinsured-announce-a-cooperation-in-the-area-of-pure-life-insurance</link><guid>1821</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Safeside and Easyinsured Announce a Cooperation in the Area of Pure Life Insurance</dc:text></item><item><title>Smile und Mastercard lancieren Partnerschaft für den digitalen Zahlungsverkehr</title><description><![CDATA[Als erste Versicherung der Schweiz hat Smile ihren Kunden ermöglicht, die Versicherungsprämie per Kreditkarte zu bezahlen. Nun geht das InsurTech in Kooperation mit Mastercard noch einen Schritt weiter.
Künftig werden Kunden, die ihre Prämie via Mastercard bezahlen, mit einem Cashback belohnt. Das Besondere: Die beiden Partner haben gemeinsam eine vollautomatisierte und skalierbare Lösung entwickelt, welche die Zahlung mit Mastercard erkennt und den Cashback umgehend auf der Smile App gutschreibt. Der Kunde kann sich den Betrag anschliessend direkt auszahlen lassen. Die Partnerschaft versüsst so das digitale Kundenerlebnis beim Zahlungsverkehr und soll neue Kundensegmente für Produkte und Dienstleistungen erschliessen.
Bancassurance 2.0
Smile treibt so ihr digitales Geschäftsmodell und das Thema Mobile Bancassurance weiter voran und setzt in Zukunft noch stärker auf eine effiziente, mobile und digitale Zahlungsabwicklung. Denn: Kartenzahlungen sind nicht nur sicher und komfortabel, sondern haben insbesondere im vergangenen Jahr nochmals stark an Bedeutung gewonnen. Laut einer repräsentativen Studie der Vergleichsplattform Moneyland erachten 71% der Schweizer Bevölkerung die Kreditkarte als wichtigstes Zahlungsmittel.

Pierangelo Campopiano
«Smile-Kunden sind digital-affine Konsumenten, die ihre Finanzen online und übers Smartphone managen. Mit unserem neuen Zahlungsangebot bieten wir unseren Kunden die bestmöglichste Convenience und erhalten Zugang zu neuen Geschäftsfeldern im E-Commerce»,
erklärt Pierangelo Campopiano, CEO von Smile. Über die nächsten Monate soll die Partnerschaft zwischen Smile und Mastercard mit weiteren Angeboten und Services ausgebaut werden.
Daniela Massaro
«Ein komplizierter Zahlungsprozess ist für Kunden lästig. Das soll für Smile-Kunden der Vergangenheit angehören und zusätzlich erhalten Mastercard Kartenhalter einen Cashback. Wir freuen uns, unsere digitalen Kompetenzen mit Smile zu bündeln und gemeinsam positive Kundenerlebnisse zu gestalten»,
so Daniela Massaro, Country Managerin bei Mastercard Schweiz.
 
The post Smile und Mastercard lancieren Partnerschaft für den digitalen Zahlungsverkehr appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/smile-und-mastercard-lancieren-partnerschaft-fur-den-digitalen-zahlungsverkehr</link><guid>1816</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Smile und Mastercard lancieren Partnerschaft für den digitalen Zahlungsverkehr</dc:text></item><item><title>Binance Launches Stock Tokens With CM-Equity and Digital Assets</title><description><![CDATA[Global blockchain company Binance announced the launch of zero commission tradable stock tokens with CM-Equity, a licensed investment firm in Germany, and Swiss-based Digital Assets platform for asset tokenisation.
Each digital token represents one share of equity stock and is fully backed by a depository portfolio of underlying securities that represents the outstanding tokens. Users will be able to trade fractional tokens.
The first stock tokens announced will be of Tesla, the largest automaker by market capitalisation, and their minimum trade size is one-hundredth of a stock token, representing the same fraction of a Tesla share. Stock tokens are priced and settled in Binance USD (BUSD), a regulated stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar and issued by Paxos Trust Company.
Stock tokens enable greater financial participation by fractionalising a highly sought-after asset class of publicly-tradable equities into more affordable units.
Holders of stock tokens qualify for capital returns on the underlying equity, including potential dividends and stock splits, as they would from holding traditional shares.
Binance users who are knowledgeable about crypto&#8217;s fractional properties can now diversify into equity assets using a digital currency and platform they are familiar with.
Conventional investors can access equities in smaller quantities as well as gain exposure to the fast-growing crypto market through the largest and most liquid digital asset exchange.
Changpeng Zhao
&#8220;Stock tokens demonstrate how we can democratise value transfer more seamlessly, reduce friction and costs to accessibility, without compromising on compliance or security.
 
Through connecting traditional and crypto markets, we are building another technological bridge for a more inclusive financial future,&#8221;
said Changpeng &#8220;CZ&#8221; Zhao, CEO of Binance.
Michael Kott
&#8220;CM-Equity and Digital Assets, as the engineers of the product, are pleased to pioneer an innovative experience on the Binance platform.
 
This new kind of token combines different asset classes that are offered in one single marketplace for instant settlement in a compliant, scalable and sound format.&#8221;
said Michael Kott, CEO of CM-Equity.
 
Featured image credit: Photo by Vadim Artyukhin on Unsplash 
 
The post Binance Launches Stock Tokens With CM-Equity and Digital Assets appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/binance-launches-stock-tokens-with-cm-equity-and-digital-assets</link><guid>1817</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Binance Launches Stock Tokens With CM-Equity and Digital Assets</dc:text></item><item><title>Germany’s Auxmoney Secures EUR 250 Million Debt Financing From Citigroup and Chenavari</title><description><![CDATA[auxmoney, a Germany-based digital-lending platform for consumer credit in Europe, has secured a EUR 250 million debt financing for its marketplace loans from Citigroup and Chenavari Investment Managers.
Following the announcement by auxmoney to invest in loans on its own marketplace in November 2020, the fintech company is now co-investing for the first time alongside partners as part of this transaction.
Through auxmoney’s investment arm, investors benefit from highly efficient processes including fully automated onboarding, risk assessment and investor reporting.
With the latest iteration of its scorecard, leveraging advances in machine learning, auxmoney facilitates investors&#8217; access to a digital asset class.
Raffael Johnen
Raffael Johnen, CEO of auxmoney said,
&#8220;With our investment platform, we are able to set up partnerships at scale, further broadening our base of institutional investors. Today, we are delighted to add another strong set of partners to the auxmoney platform.
 
With this significant investment, auxmoney is able to bring the benefit of digital loans to even more consumers.”
Daniel Drummer
Daniel Drummer, CFO at auxmoney said,
“This funding commitment from one of the leading global debt investors once again proves the appeal of digital lending as an asset class. The investment further strengthens auxmoney’s position as a leading provider of technology-enabled access to credit in Europe.
 
We see enormous momentum for technology-driven credit offerings in the market. Further new partnerships are in the making.”
 
 
Featured image: (from left to right) CFO Daniel Drummer, CEO Raffael Johnen, COO Arie Wilder
The post Germany&#8217;s Auxmoney Secures EUR 250 Million Debt Financing From Citigroup and Chenavari appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/germanys-auxmoney-secures-eur-250-million-debt-financing-from-citigroup-and-chenavari</link><guid>1818</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Germany’s Auxmoney Secures EUR 250 Million Debt Financing From Citigroup and Chenavari</dc:text></item><item><title>Legaltech: Experts Forecast Rising Adoption of AI, Analytics in 2021</title><description><![CDATA[COVID-19 has accelerated the use of digital tools and platforms in the legal industry, further increasing adoption of legal technology, or legaltech. For many attorneys and legal technologists, 2021 will see more companies embrace artificial intelligence (AI) and analytics, amid rising demand for greater efficiency by clients and increasing growth of data.
Catherine Casey, CIO of legaltech company Disco, predicts that in 2021, the use of AI in law will move from being a hyped trend to being researched and integrated more extensively by the industry.
“In 2021, AI in law will stop being categorized as new … and just recognized as necessary,” Casey told Legaltech News. “This is the year that legal AI moves out of the Gartner hype curve’s ‘peak of inflated expectations’ into the promised land of the ‘slope of enlightenment’ — legal teams will move from hype to practice and improvement.
“The industry is integrating AI seamlessly into legaltech … and the result is (finally) increased adoption and in some cases a shift to using some level of analytics and AI as a default.”
Similarly, Rebecca Eisner, a partner at global law firm Mayer Brown, said her company has seen a sharp increase in the use of AI tools provided through platform cloud offerings, a trend which she expects will continue in 2021.
Results of the 2020 Bloomberg Law Legal Technology Survey, released in August last year, found that in-house legal departments and law firms are embracing AI at a rapid pace. The majority of respondents said they frequently used technologies that employ AI or machine learning algorithms, with legal research (82%), electronic discovery (e-discovery) (59%) and document review (52%) cited as the most prominent use cases.
Types of AI-Driven Tech Used by Law Firms and Legal Departments, 2020 Bloomberg Law Legal Technology Survey, August 2020
Legaltech funding trends
Fresh data on legaltech funding are scarce but previous research and analyses suggest that investment began accelerating in 2018 when funding surpassed US$1 billion, up over 700% from 2017. 2019 surpassed 2018’s levels in just the third quarter when investments reached US$1.2 billion.
In 2020, legaltech companies continued to attract large amounts of money with notable deals that included Verbit’s US$31 million Series B and US$60 million Series C, both closed last year; Everlaw’s US$62 million Series C; and Disco’s US$60 million venture round.
This year, interest in legaltech is picking up as more companies are seeking to digitize aspects of their businesses and shed costs. More startups are moving beyond the early stage; later stage startups like Notarize are closing mega-rounds of US$100 million or over; and established players like Clio, Ironclad and DocuSign are making strategic investments and acquisitions to solidify their positions.
Data from Legalcomplex.com’s Spark, a dashboard for legal and regulatory solutions, show that merger and acquisition (M&amp;A) activity in legaltech reached an all-time high in January 2021 with 19 deals for the month. That’s more than double the number of legaltech M&amp;A deal in January 2020.
Legaltech M&amp;A activity began increasing in mid-2020 when monthly deal counts jumped from about four to nine deals, to now be hovering anywhere between 12 and 19.
Graphic by Legalcomplex.com, via Legal IT Insider
Legaltech refers to the use of technology and software to provide legal services and/or to support the legal industry with practice management, document storage, billing, accounting and e-discovery.
In Switzerland, the industry is represented companies such as Legartis, a contract intelligence solution, Swisslex, a digital legal information platform, Jur, a blockchain startup developing a multi-jurisdiction online dispute resolution platform, and GetYourLawyer, a lawyer network and online platform for legal services.
The post Legaltech: Experts Forecast Rising Adoption of AI, Analytics in 2021 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/legaltech-experts-forecast-rising-adoption-of-ai-analytics-in-2021</link><guid>1819</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Types-of-AI-Driven-Tech-Used-by-Law-Firms-and-Legal-Departments-2020-Bloomberg-Law-Legal-Technology-Survey-August-2020.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Legaltech: Experts Forecast Rising Adoption of AI, Analytics in 2021</dc:text></item><item><title>Swisscom and Banks Completes Pilot for a Digital Assets Reference Rate</title><description><![CDATA[Swisscom and the four banks namely SEBA, Swissquote, Sygnum and Vontobel have together piloted the Swiss Institutional Digital Asset Reference Rate (SIDAR) in order to strengthen the legitimacy of the digital asset space and foster financial innovation.
With a joint proof of concept, the banks and Swisscom aims to lay the foundation for banking-grade reference prices in the digital asset world.
In contrast to existing digital asset price sources, the SIDAR is exclusively based on data from regulated banks and financial institutions.
As a robust and trustworthy benchmark, SIDAR can be used for creating innovative digital asset linked products, enabling a new wave of financial innovation.
Moreover, the SIDAR serves as a unique market indicator, reflecting digital asset market interest and activity among regulated participants.
During a two-week testing period the partners carried out daily fixings for Bitcoin and Ether where the banks acted as data contributors and Swisscom as the calculation agent.
Following the successful completion of the pilot project, Swisscom is now assessing a possible commercial roll-out together with the project partners.
Aetienne Sardon
Aetienne Sardon from Swisscom Fintech said,
&#8220;Switzerland, with one of the most advanced digital asset ecosystems in the world is ideally suited to bring institutional-grade digital asset benchmarks to life&#8221;,
Christopher Thomas
Christopher Thomas, Head Digital Assets at Swissquote Bank said,
&#8220;Digital assets are an important and expanding theme at Swissquote Bank.
 
As a pioneer of crypto-assets, we are delighted to collaborate with other Swiss banks and continue to strengthen the Swiss ecosystem.&#8221;
 
Featured image credit: Photo by Claudio Schwarz | @purzlbaum on Unsplash 
The post Swisscom and Banks Completes Pilot for a Digital Assets Reference Rate appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swisscom-and-banks-completes-pilot-for-a-digital-assets-reference-rate</link><guid>1820</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swisscom and Banks Completes Pilot for a Digital Assets Reference Rate</dc:text></item><item><title>CREALOGIX Doubles Down Its Presence in DACH and Central Europe With New MD</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss banking software provider CREALOGIX announced that it has appointed Jordi Perez as its Regional Managing Director will assume responsibility for CREALOGIX&#8217;s business in Germany, Austria and Switzerland as well as other countries in Central Europe (CEE) with immediate effect.
In his new role, Perez said that he is fully committed to growth and the transformation of the company into a SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) provider.
The German-speaking market including the CEE countries is one of the key regions for the CREALOGIX Group.
By appointing Jordi Perez as the new regional head, the company is reinforcing its team with an executive who has learned digital banking from scratch.
With his profile, he possesses the exact knowledge and skills that CREALOGIX needs in this important phase of its corporate development.
Perez has nearly twenty years of professional experience in senior positions in sales, IT, managed services and artificial intelligence for the financial industry. In his last post before joining CREALOGIX, he worked for IBM for five years, most recently as Director Strategic Sales and Large Deals Executive.
Perez began his career at Wincor-Nixdorf, where he held several positions and was ultimately Head of Strategic Business Development, responsible for the targeted expansion of business with large customers.
Oliver Weber
&#8220;We are delighted that Jordi Perez has taken on the responsible and central task of Regional Manager DACH and CEE for our company.
 
Jordi is an outstanding expert in digital banking, has done successful business in the key accounts segment and has optimised business processes with artificial intelligence,&#8221;
said Oliver Weber, Chief Executive Officer of CREALOGIX.
 
Featured image: Jordi Perez, Regional Managing Director for CREALOGIX
The post CREALOGIX Doubles Down Its Presence in DACH and Central Europe With New MD appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crealogix-doubles-down-its-presence-in-dach-and-central-europe-with-new-md</link><guid>1815</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>CREALOGIX Doubles Down Its Presence in DACH and Central Europe With New MD</dc:text></item><item><title>Facial Recognition for Payments to Be Used By Over 1.4 Billion People Globally by 2025</title><description><![CDATA[A new study from Juniper Research, &#8220;Mobile Payment Authentication: Biometrics, Regulation &amp; Market Forecasts 2021-2025&#8221; has found that the number of users of software-based facial recognition to secure payments will exceed 1.4 billion globally by 2025, from just 671 million in 2020.
This rapid growth of 120% demonstrates how widespread facial recognition has become; fuelled by its low barriers to entry, a front-facing camera and appropriate software.
The research identified the implementation of FaceID by Apple as accelerating the growth of the wider facial recognition market, despite the challenges to facial recognition during the pandemic with face mask use.
The research recommends that facial recognition vendors implement robust and rapidly evolving AI based verification checks to ensure the validity of user identity, or risk losing user trust in the authentication method as spoofing attempts increase.
Fingerprint Sensors Dominant, Hardware-based Facial Recognition Growing
The report found that fingerprint sensors will feature on 93% of biometrically equipped smartphones in 2025. This compares favourably to hardware-based facial recognition, with just 17% of biometrically equipped smartphones featuring these capabilities in 2025.
Research co-author Susan Morrow explains,
&#8220;Hardware-based facial recognition is growing, but the ability to carry out facial recognition via software is limiting its adoption rate.
 
As the need for a secure mobile authentication environment grows, smartphone vendors will need to increasingly turn to more robust hardware-based systems to keep pace with fraudsters’ evolving tactics.&#8221;
Voice Recognition for Payments Growing, but Limited in Scope
The research also found that the use of voice recognition for payments is increasing, from 111 million users in 2020, to over 704 million in 2025.
The report identified that, at present, voice recognition is mostly used in banking, and will struggle to grow beyond this, due to concerns around robustness.
Vendors should adopt a multi-method biometric strategy, which encompasses facial recognition, fingerprints, voice and behavioural indicators to ensure a secure payment environment.
 
Featured image credit: Freepik
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/facial-recognition-for-payments-to-be-used-by-over-14-billion-people-globally-by-2025</link><guid>1814</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Juniper-Research.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Facial Recognition for Payments to Be Used By Over 1.4 Billion People Globally by 2025</dc:text></item><item><title>Plaid Raises US$ 425 Million, Pushing Its Valuation to US$ 13.5 Billion</title><description><![CDATA[Open banking platform Plaid announced in a blog post that it has raised US$ 425 million during a Series D financing round, pushing its estimated valuation to US$13.5 billion.
The funding round was joined by new investors Altimeter Capital, Silver Lake, and Ribbit Capital.
Existing investors include Andreessen Horowitz, Index Ventures, Kleiner Perkins, New Enterprise Associates, Spark Capital, and Thrive Capital.
Zachary Perret
Zachary Perret, CEO and Co-Founder of Plaid said,
&#8220;Looking ahead, Plaid is focused on creating a single, integrated platform focused on helping innovators build digital financial products. Doing so requires scaling to meet the increased use of fintech, expanding globally to meet international demand, and delivering an expanded set of platform products to our customers.
 
This will include continued investment in APIs that help people connect a complete view of their finances, as well as tools and services to support enhanced privacy, personalisation, decisioning, and automation. We could not be more excited for the years to come.&#8221;
 
Featured image credit: Plaid
The post Plaid Raises US$ 425 Million, Pushing Its Valuation to US$ 13.5 Billion appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/plaid-raises-us-425-million-pushing-its-valuation-to-us-135-billion</link><guid>1813</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Plaid Raises US$ 425 Million, Pushing Its Valuation to US$ 13.5 Billion</dc:text></item><item><title>Open Banking Network Truelayer Raises $70m</title><description><![CDATA[TrueLayer announced it has secured a $70m Series D investment round led by new investor Addition.
The latest raise reflects the growing demand for its open banking-based services and marks another significant milestone for TrueLayer on its mission to open up finance, building an open banking network that brings together payments, financial data, and identity to redefine how people spend, save, and transact online.
Existing investors, including Anthemis Group, Connect Ventures, Mouro Capital, Northzone, and Temasek, also participated, with a significant increase to the company’s valuation. Additional investors in the round include Visionaries Club, Surojit Chatterjee (CPO Coinbase), Zack Kanter (CEO Stedi), Daniel Graf (ex-Uber, Google, Twitter) and David Avgi (ex-CEO SafeCharge, CEO UniPaaS). It brings the total investment to date in TrueLayer to $142m.
The new funding will be used to fuel global expansion and accelerate the development of premium open banking-based services that will continue to drive innovation and revenue growth for clients. It will also be used to expand TrueLayer’s engineering, product and commercial teams to meet the increasing global demand for its open banking platform.
TrueLayer’s API-first platform accounts for more than half of all open banking traffic in the UK, Ireland and Spain, processing billions of pounds in payments. It powers services for some of Europe&#8217;s fastest-growing brands, including Revolut, Trading 212 and Payoneer.
Over the past 12 months, TrueLayer has expanded its services across 12 European markets, growing payment volumes by 600x, and adding hundreds of new customers across digital banking, eCommerce, trading and investment, wealth management, crypto and iGaming. It has continued to innovate, for example, with the recent launch of PayDirect, combining instant pay-in capabilities with instant pay-outs, to deliver a higher converting, lower fraud method for online payments.
Francesco Simoneschi
“When Luca and I started TrueLayer in 2016, we imagined open banking becoming a new digital channel for solving cost and complexities around payments, digital identity, credit data and much more. We wanted to open up this newly built infrastructure to many businesses and consumers. It is such a joy to see our vision coming alive and open banking based payments quickly becoming the new normal,”
commented Francesco Simoneschi, CEO and Co-Founder at TrueLayer.
TrueLayer is rapidly expanding as demand for its open banking platform increases, largely driven by consumer demand for digital financial services that work better for them, and give them more control over their financial lives.
“The Addition team thinks very long term and it has been such a pleasure working together. They complement the incredibly strong group of experienced backers who align with our vision of how financial services are evolving.”
Lee Fixel
Lee Fixel, Founder of Addition, commented:
“TrueLayer is ideally positioned to benefit from the trends shaping the future of financial services as more and more companies embed digitally native payments into their platforms. We look forward to supporting the TrueLayer team as they scale their offering and drive continued innovation.”
The post Open Banking Network Truelayer Raises $70m appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/open-banking-network-truelayer-raises-70m</link><guid>1810</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Open Banking Network Truelayer Raises $70m</dc:text></item><item><title>Alpian Secures USD 18 Million Series B Funding</title><description><![CDATA[The digital financial services company Alpian, incubated by the Swiss banking group REYL, today announced a successful Series B funding worth around USD18 million (CHF16.9 million). The fundraising follows the Series A round in 2020 in which CHF12.2 million was raised.
The company&#8217;s latest funding will allow Alpian to finalise the development of its digital offering tailored for the mass affluent population, individuals with investible assets between CHF100,000 and 1,000,000, and ensure that all operations are in place to achieve a successful launch, subject to regulatory approval.
The offering combines cutting edge technology with investment advisors to create tailored investment portfolios aligned to personal preferences aimed at delivering a unique experience to each client based on their concept of wealth. Payment services will also be offered to meet everyday banking needs.
Schuyler Weiss
Schuyler Weiss, Alpian&#8217;s CEO, said:
&#8220;While the Series A fundraising was conducted to build the digital bank, the Series B fundraising is intended to be principally used to launch the bank in the Swiss market, subject to the issuance of a full banking licence by FINMA.&#8221;
Pasha Bakhtiar
Pasha Bakhtiar, Alpian board member and partner at REYL, said:
&#8220;This exceptional milestone is a strong testament to the talent and execution capabilities of the Alpian management team and the innovative mindset championed by Reyl &amp; Cie. We are particularly proud that this incubated idea has flourished into a blooming company and has attracted broad investor interest as well as support from our strategic partner ISP-Fideuram.&#8221;
The post Alpian Secures USD 18 Million Series B Funding appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/alpian-secures-usd-18-million-series-b-funding</link><guid>1811</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Alpian Secures USD 18 Million Series B Funding</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Green Fintech Network Launches the First Action Plan</title><description><![CDATA[F10 collaborates with a diverse group of stakeholders from academia, tech and venture capital in the Green Fintech Action Plan.
This plan aims to support the Swiss government and the financial services industry in better understanding how a global leadership position in Sustainable Finance can be achieved by leveraging Green Fintech solutions.
F10 joined the Green Fintech Network initiated by State Secretary for International Finance (SIF) in November 2020, and since then has collaborated in drafting a broad set of recommendations to improve framework conditions for Green Fintech in Switzerland, suggesting concrete actions and supporting their implementation.
Switzerland is ideally positioned to seize the enormous opportunities arising from the global push for a more sustainable financial sector. In its recent financial market policy, the Swiss Federal Council reiterated its commitment to position the Swiss financial centre as a global leader in sustainable finance, taking advantage of digital technology. The Green Fintech Network is a group of experts from the green digital finance ecosystem contributing to this ambition.
Gerrit Sindermann
“The whole F10 team is excited about contributing to a more sustainable financial sector, by helping to implement the Green Fintech Action Plan with our partners”,
says Gerrit Sindermann, Country Success Lead Switzerland at F10.
“Climate and sustainability have become central topics in the financial services industry.”
F10 has identified a number of initiatives through which it will take an active role in generating, supporting and funding green fintech innovations:

Dedicated Climate Fintech Accelerator Programming (strategic partnership with New Energy Nexus)
Hosting a dedicated Climate Fintech Hackathon
Opening its API Sandbox to additional partners willing to support Climate Fintech use cases (e.g. with ESG or Open Wealth data)

In the coming months, F10 will develop these initiatives, working closely together with the Green Fintech Network, and leveraging the invaluable support of existing and new corporate partners:
Building on its extensive experience in facilitating open innovation for leading financial services players, F10 will apply and further evolve its proven innovation platform and ecosystem model to support industry partners in effectively seizing opportunities and complying with regulatory duties arising from the global push for a multi-trillion dollar transformation of the world’s economy and society.
F10 welcomes enquiries from industry players wanting to be at the forefront of Green Fintech and Climate Fintech innovation, and who are interested in supporting F10 in its journey.
 
Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash
The post Swiss Green Fintech Network Launches the First Action Plan appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-green-fintech-network-launches-the-first-action-plan</link><guid>1812</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Green Fintech Network Launches the First Action Plan</dc:text></item><item><title>Delta Exchange Closes US$5 Million Raise From Blockchain Valley Ventures Among Others</title><description><![CDATA[Delta Exchange, a UK-based institutional-grade crypto derivatives exchange, announced that it has closed a US$ 5 million token raise from existing and new investors where Swiss venture firm Blockchain Valley Ventures (BVV) backed and advised the former on their token raise.
The token raise adds to existing investors like Aave, Coinfund and Kyber Network. New investors of the company include Spartan Group, QCP Soteria, Gumi Crypto, LuneX Ventures, Tembusu Partners and BVV.
The token generation event, as well as token listing initially on Delta and Uniswap, is expected around the end of March.
Delta is an established player with highly innovative products, focusing on alternative derivatives, where they are unbeaten in speed to market. It is led by a team of seasoned derivative industry executives from global institutions and investment banks. Delta records a fastly growing volume of currently between USD 80 to 100m daily of swaps, options and additional derivatives on digital assets. With a local and global customer base, Delta is perfectly positioned to take advantage of the opportunities in the Indian market. Despite recent developments, India is the largest derivatives market in the world and the recent lift of the crypto ban has amplified local traction.
Delta champions an approach built on key premises from DeFi and existing token models. It leverages these to build deep liquidity pools, engage in liquidity mining via automated market-making (AMM), support a state-of-the-art buyback program and combined with a minimum support price. This will allow Delta to significantly improve spreads among its altcoin order book and grow its best-practice offering. With the strong pickup of DeFi and emerging new tokens, Delta is well-positioned to capture large parts of this opportunity and provide investors with financial products to hedge and safeguard positions, while its liquidity will allow best-in-class execution.
Pankaj Balani
Pankaj Balani, the Founder and CEO of Delta said,
“With this raise, we can double down on remaining ahead of the curve in our industry and capitalize on the derivatives opportunity. The support from BVV has been instrumental; they have deep contacts, across Asia and Europe, with leading institutional token investors in the crypto space.
 
They not only helped us connect with the right set of investors but also helped us in streamlining our efforts.&#8221;
Sebastian Markowsky and Luca Burlando from Blockchain Valley Ventures commented:
“We are very bullish on Delta’s developments, being highly innovative in nature and at the cutting edge of the industry. Token models have matured significantly and will give rise to growth use cases for custodians, exchanges, wallets or digital asset providers in the coming months.
We are excited to have been part of this successful project and to see how Delta will take global leadership in its market.”
The post Delta Exchange Closes US$5 Million Raise From Blockchain Valley Ventures Among Others appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/delta-exchange-closes-us5-million-raise-from-blockchain-valley-ventures-among-others</link><guid>1807</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Delta Exchange Closes US$5 Million Raise From Blockchain Valley Ventures Among Others</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Funding in Europe Reaches Highest Quarterly High Since Q2’18</title><description><![CDATA[In Q1’21, fintech funding in Europe reached its highest quarterly total since Q2’18, surpassing US$2.9 billion in just the first two months of the year, data from market intelligence startup CB Insights show.
 
Global fintech funding ($M) by continent, Q2&#8217;18 &#8211; Q1&#8217;21 (as of 2/28/21), State of Fintech Q1&#8217;21 Preview, CB Insights
High fintech investment levels, not only in Europe, but also in Asia and North America, were fueled by a surge in mega-rounds, or investments of US$100 million or more.
As of February 28, 2021, the first quarter of the year already set a new record for both the number of mega-rounds and the volume of funds raised by mega-rounds. In January and February, mega-rounds’ share of global fintech funding amounted to 71%, and mega-round deals accounted for 8% of the total fintech deal count during these two months.
Fintech mega-round deal count by selected regions, Q2’18 – Q1’21 (as of 2/28/21), State of Fintech Q1&#8217;21 Preview, CB Insights
In Europe, such rounds included for example London-based online payments platform provider Checkout.com. The company, which processes transactions for companies like Grab, Klarna and Farfetch, nearly tripled its valuation to US$15 billion after it landed a US$450 million investment in January.
Germany banking software company Mambu closed a EUR 110 million mega-round in January, giving the startup a post-money valuation of EUR 1.7 billion. UK-based localized payment provider PPRO also hit a billion-dollar valuation that same month after closing a US$180 million funding round. The round was later extended by another US$90 million.
Blockchain.com, the Luxembourg-headquartered company behind a popular cryptocurrency wallet, an exchange, a block explorer and more, has raised a total of US$420 million in two funding rounds since the beginning of the year.
Just last month, challenger bank Starling Bank, insurtech startup Zego and crypto startup BitPanda, all raised mega-rounds and attained unicorn status, furthering the momentum. BitPanda is Austria’s first fintech unicorn.
Europe is home to 20 fintech unicorns, with the UK making up for more than half of the continent’s total number of fintech unicorns (13). The UK is followed by Germany with four fintech unicorns. Switzerland, the Netherlands, Sweden and Austria host one fintech unicorn each.
Fintech trends in Europe
This year, KPMG predicts that digital currencies and embedded finance will continue gaining traction.
Advanced in distributed ledger technology (DLT) and increased interest in both stablecoins and central bank digital currencies (CBDC) will further bring crypto-assets into the mainstream, the firm said in its latest fintech analysis paper released in February.
In 2020, central banks around the world ramped up their CBDC efforts with China beginning a real-world trial of its CBDC. In Europe, the European Central Bank is currently exploring the introduction of a digital euro within the next five years.
The Bank of International Settlements’ latest survey of central banks found that CBDC initiatives around the world are rapidly moving into more advanced stages of development. About 60% of central banks are currently conducting experiments or proofs-of-concepts (PoCs), while 14% are moving forward to development and pilot arrangements.
This trend will be coupled with the rise of institutional investors in the cryptocurrency space as the market continues its rally, which will subsequently push demand for operations-focused solutions, notably for compliance and investigative purposes. 2021 could also see the issuance of the first stablecoins by mainstream brands, KPMG predicts.
Embedded finance, a concept where non-financial companies integrate financial products into their service offerings, is another trend to watch for this year. In particular, embedded consumer lending such as buy now and pay later (BNPL) programs, and embedded payments, should witness increased interest and investments.
2021 will see further consolidation among Europe’s fintechs, which will ultimately bring together the strongest players, tech platform and customer experience technologies, KPMG said. Incumbents will continue to make investments in fintechs and forge partnerships to accelerate their digital transformation efforts.
The post Fintech Funding in Europe Reaches Highest Quarterly High Since Q2&#8217;18 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-funding-in-europe-reaches-highest-quarterly-high-since-q218</link><guid>1808</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Global-fintech-funding-M-by-continent-Q218-Q121-as-of-22821-State-of-Fintech-Q121-Preview-CB-Insights.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech Funding in Europe Reaches Highest Quarterly High Since Q2’18</dc:text></item><item><title>Instinet and Credit Suisse Conduct Same-Day Settlement of U Traded Stocks</title><description><![CDATA[Paxos Trust Company, a regulated financial market infrastructure provider, announced Instinet and Credit Suisse settled US listed equities trades on a same-day settlement cycle (known as T+0) via Paxos Settlement Service.
The trades occurred at 11 AM ET and 3 PM ET and were settled at 4:30 PM ET, demonstrating the platform&#8217;s ability to enable same-day settlement for trades conducted throughout the day. In the legacy system, settlement can only occur the same day if trades are completed before 11 AM ET, and therefore is rarely utilized.
Paxos Settlement Service is a private, permissioned blockchain solution designed to allow two parties to bilaterally settle securities trades directly with each other. The platform is interoperable with the legacy clearing system and can facilitate settlement on any time cycle.
It is also the first live application of blockchain technology for the US equities market and enables the simultaneous exchange of cash and securities to settle trades. Paxos Settlement Service has been settling trades daily for more than a year, and is operating on the standard T+2 settlement timeframe. The same-day settlement was conducted with live trades to demonstrate the future capability of the platform.
Today, the platform operates under No-Action Relief from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Staff. Paxos will apply for full clearing agency registration with the SEC, and hopes to secure registration in 2021.
Charles Cascarilla
Charles Cascarilla, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Paxos, stated,
&#8220;Settlement in US equities is opaque and laden with unnecessary delays, capital costs and expenses. We are working hard to improve settlement for the benefit of all market participants. An upgraded settlement system can create safer, fairer and more open capital markets that foster innovation. Modern technology makes the risks of the current system obsolete while also enabling greater trading liquidity with greater ownership transparency. Paxos has built the only alternative solution that significantly alleviates risk and offers immediate benefits for market participants.&#8221;
Emmanuel Aidoo
Emmanuel Aidoo, Head of Digital Assets Markets at Credit Suisse, commented,
&#8220;Innovation in blockchain technology is incremental. We&#8217;re excited to make progress in forging a path to faster settlement times at lower costs in public equities. These advancements will ultimately benefit the broader market as more firms join the platform. We&#8217;re pleased to work with Paxos and Instinet to advance this technology, which will help unlock capital, increase liquidity and reduce risk over time.&#8221;
If granted a clearing agency registration by the SEC, the Paxos Settlement Service plans to provide the industry with greater flexibility around their settlement cycles, ranging from T+2 to T+0, optimized according to their trading and asset management strategies. Additionally, Paxos will run multilateral netting processes in real-time to ensure efficient, fast and transparent net settlement of transactions.
 
 
Featured image credit: Photo by Jan Huber on Unsplash 
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post Instinet and Credit Suisse Conduct Same-Day Settlement of U Traded Stocks appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/instinet-and-credit-suisse-conduct-same-day-settlement-of-u-traded-stocks</link><guid>1805</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Instinet and Credit Suisse Conduct Same-Day Settlement of U Traded Stocks</dc:text></item><item><title>Instinet and Credit Suisse Conduct Same-Day Settlement of US Traded Stocks</title><description><![CDATA[Paxos Trust Company, a regulated financial market infrastructure provider, announced Instinet and Credit Suisse settled US listed equities trades on a same-day settlement cycle (known as T+0) via Paxos Settlement Service.
The trades occurred at 11 AM ET and 3 PM ET and were settled at 4:30 PM ET, demonstrating the platform&#8217;s ability to enable same-day settlement for trades conducted throughout the day. In the legacy system, settlement can only occur the same day if trades are completed before 11 AM ET, and therefore is rarely utilized.
Paxos Settlement Service is a private, permissioned blockchain solution designed to allow two parties to bilaterally settle securities trades directly with each other. The platform is interoperable with the legacy clearing system and can facilitate settlement on any time cycle.
It is also the first live application of blockchain technology for the US equities market and enables the simultaneous exchange of cash and securities to settle trades. Paxos Settlement Service has been settling trades daily for more than a year, and is operating on the standard T+2 settlement timeframe. The same-day settlement was conducted with live trades to demonstrate the future capability of the platform.
Today, the platform operates under No-Action Relief from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Staff. Paxos will apply for full clearing agency registration with the SEC, and hopes to secure registration in 2021.
Charles Cascarilla
Charles Cascarilla, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Paxos, stated,
&#8220;Settlement in US equities is opaque and laden with unnecessary delays, capital costs and expenses. We are working hard to improve settlement for the benefit of all market participants. An upgraded settlement system can create safer, fairer and more open capital markets that foster innovation. Modern technology makes the risks of the current system obsolete while also enabling greater trading liquidity with greater ownership transparency. Paxos has built the only alternative solution that significantly alleviates risk and offers immediate benefits for market participants.&#8221;
Emmanuel Aidoo
Emmanuel Aidoo, Head of Digital Assets Markets at Credit Suisse, commented,
&#8220;Innovation in blockchain technology is incremental. We&#8217;re excited to make progress in forging a path to faster settlement times at lower costs in public equities. These advancements will ultimately benefit the broader market as more firms join the platform. We&#8217;re pleased to work with Paxos and Instinet to advance this technology, which will help unlock capital, increase liquidity and reduce risk over time.&#8221;
If granted a clearing agency registration by the SEC, the Paxos Settlement Service plans to provide the industry with greater flexibility around their settlement cycles, ranging from T+2 to T+0, optimized according to their trading and asset management strategies. Additionally, Paxos will run multilateral netting processes in real-time to ensure efficient, fast and transparent net settlement of transactions.
 
 
Featured image credit: Photo by Jan Huber on Unsplash 
The post Instinet and Credit Suisse Conduct Same-Day Settlement of US Traded Stocks appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/instinet-and-credit-suisse-conduct-same-day-settlement-of-us-traded-stocks</link><guid>1806</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Instinet and Credit Suisse Conduct Same-Day Settlement of US Traded Stocks</dc:text></item><item><title>Inflationsängste treiben Hypothekarzinsen auf ein 12-Monats-Hoch</title><description><![CDATA[Die Richtzinsen für zehnjährige Hypotheken lagen Anfang Jahr bei etwas über 1 Prozent. Am Ende des 1. Quartals 2021 liegt der Wert nun bei 1,20 Prozent. In der Spitze kletterte der Richtzins auf 1,21 Prozent.
Das zeigen die Daten von HypoPlus, der Hypothekarspezialistin der Comparis-Gruppe. Das ist der höchste Stand seit zwölf Monaten. Im Vorjahresquartal waren die Hypothekarzinsen maximal auf 1,19 Prozent angestiegen – angetrieben durch den Corona-Schock. Weniger deutlich haben die Richtzinsen fünf- und zweijähriger Hypotheken angezogen. Mit 0,92 und 0,86 Prozent liegen sie leicht unter den Werten des Vorjahresquartals.
Frédéric Papp
«Viele glauben an ein baldiges Ende der Pandemie. Das befeuert die Aussicht auf einen globalen Wirtschaftsboom»,
begründet Comparis-Finanzexperte Frédéric Papp. Die Kehrseite: Inflationsängste keimen auf und die Kapitalmarktzinsen steigen.
«Höhere Kapitalmarktzinsen verteuern wiederum die Refinanzierungskosten von Hypotheken»,
so Papp.
Anbieter verengen Margen, Hypothekarnehmende profitieren
Die höheren Refinanzierungskosten spiegeln sich in der Entwicklung des zehnjährigen Swap-Satzes. Dieser hat sich in den ersten drei Monaten des laufenden Jahres um 35 Basispunkte auf etwas mehr als null Prozent erhöht.
Hypothekarinstitute wälzen den Swap-Anstieg aber bei weitem nicht vollends auf Hypothekarnehmende ab. Das heisst: Die Preise sind nicht so stark gestiegen, wie sie könnten. Dafür hat die Marge der Hypothekargeber abgenommen. Daten der zur Comparis-Gruppe gehörenden Hypothekarspezialistin HypoPlus zeigen: Der durchschnittliche Richtzins erhöhte sich im ersten Quartal bloss um 16 Basispunkte. Der beste ausgehandelte Zinssatz durch HypoPlus sogar nur um 8 Basispunkte.
«Diese Margenverengung zeigt klar, dass der Anbieterwettbewerb spielt. Davon profitieren Hypothekarnehmende»,
sagt der Comparis-Finanzexperte.
Eine zehnjährige Festhypothek gibt es bereits ab 0,76 Prozent. Das zeigen die Daten von HypoPlus. Im Vergleich zum Richtzins von 1,2 Prozent beträgt die Differenz 44 Prozentpunkte. Aufgerechnet auf eine Hypothek über 750’000 Franken beträgt die potenzielle Ersparnis fast 3’300 Franken pro Jahr oder 33’000 Franken für die gesamte Laufzeit.
Zinskurve ist steiler geworden
Die Zinsdifferenzen zwischen kurzen, mittleren und langen Laufzeiten haben sich im ersten Quartal 2021 vergrössert. Das zeigt die nachfolgende Tabelle. «Das ist das Resultat von aufgeflammten Inflationsängsten», sagt Papp. Die Differenz zwischen einer zehnjährigen und einer fünfjährigen Festhypothek beträgt per Ende März 28 Basispunkte. Eine fünfjährige Festhypothek ist 6 Basispunkte teurer als eine zweijährige.
Bei den Richtzinsen handelt es sich um Durchschnittswerte. Der konkret ausgehandelte Abschluss liegt in der Regel deutlich tiefer.
 
Photo by Precondo CA on Unsplash 
The post Inflationsängste treiben Hypothekarzinsen auf ein 12-Monats-Hoch appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/inflationsangste-treiben-hypothekarzinsen-auf-ein-12-monats-hoch</link><guid>1809</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Inflationsängste treiben Hypothekarzinsen auf ein 12-Monats-Hoch</dc:text></item><item><title>Futurae Accelerates International Expansion with New Funding Round</title><description><![CDATA[Futurae Technologies AG, a Swiss authentication and transaction confirmation provider, has received a 5 million investment from a number of investors, namely the European leading financial services provider Euroclear, as well as the existing investors AXA Venture Partners, Zürcher Kantonalbank, and EquityPitcher Ventures.
The investment allows the company to expand its team in order to grow in two key areas: accelerating international expansion and growing its fully managed authentication platform.
Digitalization, with its increased security requirements, continues to advance rapidly, especially in the financial services industry. At a time when secure digital interactions are more important than ever, Futurae’s innovative platform addresses the pain points enterprises face with strong customer authentication: exploding help desk costs, customer loss throughout the digital journey, and increased fraud, to name a few.
Over the past three years, more than 100 banks with users across over 50 countries have selected Futurae as their authentication platform. Futurae will continue its European market expansion, building upon its first banking customers in Germany, France, and Austria. The Futurae platform is also being enhanced with machine-learning capabilities to detect frauds faster and more accurately, all the while supporting customers with what they really need: usable solutions for their users.
Futurae Technologies was founded by Sandra Tobler, CEO, an experienced businesswoman and thought leader in fintech and the financial ecosystem, and two security and usability experts known throughout the industry for their research. Nikolaos Karapanos, CTO, with a PHD in authentication and web security, and Claudio Marforio, COO and head of product, with a PHD in mobile security and usability.
“The customer authentication market is stuck with insecure and unusable solutions that dampen user engagement and break the digital journey. The main driver of our rapid growth, besides the high usability and ease of integration, is the fact that we help our customers to massively reduce their high support costs”,
said Sandra Tobler, CEO of Futurae.
“With many years of experience in operations management roles, I’ve lived first hand the struggles companies face when introducing security solutions”,
said Michael Shipton, who recently joined Futurae board of directors and is an executive director on the board of Euroclear Switzerland.
 
The post Futurae Accelerates International Expansion with New Funding Round appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/futurae-accelerates-international-expansion-with-new-funding-round</link><guid>1804</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Futurae Accelerates International Expansion with New Funding Round</dc:text></item><item><title>Commerzbank Signs on Google Cloud for Its Cloud Transformation Plans</title><description><![CDATA[Google Cloud and Commerzbank announced last week that they are expanding their collaboration by entering into a five-year, strategic partnership.
With the help of Google Cloud, Commerzbank will move a significant number of its banking applications to the cloud, a continuation of a comprehensive digital transformation strategy underway since 2017.
Google Cloud said that it will support Commerzbank on its shift to cloud and to innovate new solutions for the bank’s customers.
Commerzbank is increasingly using cloud technology to bring new products and customer experiences to market faster, improve the performance of its systems and reduce operating costs.
This is intended to accelerate the bank&#8217;s overall digital transformation, which includes a goal of running 85 percent of its decentralised applications in the cloud by 2024.
Google Cloud has been providing Commerzbank with cloud technologies and expertise since 2017. With this new, expanded agreement, Google will now offer the bank a deeper set of platform services to enable its digital transformation.
Jörg Hessenmüller
&#8220;In our new ‘Strategy 2024’, a multicloud approach continues to play a major role. We will benefit from Google Cloud’s extensive capabilities in infrastructure modernization, as well as from its know-how in data analytics and machine learning, as one of the pioneers of this technology.
 
As we move to the cloud, Google Cloud is an important strategic partner,&#8221;
said Jörg Hessenmüller, Chief Operating Officer and member of the Board of Managing Directors of Commerzbank.
Daniel Holz
“We are excited to work with Commerzbank to help the bank digitally transform.
 
This partnership means that Google Cloud not only satisfies the high regulatory requirements of the financial sector but we also cooperate on industry-wide initiatives such as the Collaborative Cloud Audit Group to provide verifiable transparency against important compliance standards in the financial services industry,”
said Daniel Holz, Vice President, EMEA North Region at Google Cloud.
 
Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post Commerzbank Signs on Google Cloud for Its Cloud Transformation Plans appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/commerzbank-signs-on-google-cloud-for-its-cloud-transformation-plans</link><guid>1803</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Commerzbank Signs on Google Cloud for Its Cloud Transformation Plans</dc:text></item><item><title>Filmprojekt Madheidi sammelt 1 Million CHF via Crowdinvesting</title><description><![CDATA[Schweizer Filmprojekt bricht Finanzierungs-Rekorde und zeigt mit Blockchain und automatisierter Umsatzbeteiligung die Zukunft von Crowdinvesting.
Innovation made in Switzerland
Mit einem revolutionären Crowdinvesting-Modell, das Investoren über eine Blockchain-gesicherte Plattform direkt an den Einnahmen des Films beteiligt, hat die Schweizer Firma Swissploitation Films einen Volltreffer gelandet. 295 Personen aus 18 Ländern haben in den letzten Monaten über eine Million Franken investiert, und das obwohl von Mad Heidi bis jetzt nur ein Teaser existiert.
Die Investoren des Projekts heissen «Mad Investors» und erhalten ab 500 Franken neben einer Umsatzbeteiligung auch exklusive Einblicke in die Entstehung des Films und in Abhängigkeit des investierten Betrages viele weitere Privilegien. Wer will, kann sogar eine kleine Rolle im Film haben und z.B. seinen Filmtod durch Heidi erleben (“Get slashed by Heidi” heisst das dann). Für investierende Filmfans, die mehr als einfache Rendite suchen und sich in einem Film verewigen möchten, ist das genau das Richtige.
Innovativ ist aber auch der monetäre Teil des Investments. Mit Smart Contracts und Blockchain-Technologie werden Investments sicher registriert sind und Auszahlungen transparent und in Echtzeit dem richtigen Mad Investor zugeteilt.
Dadurch wird aufwändige Administrationsarbeit eliminiert und die Investoren haben die Sicherheit, dass ihre Beteiligung korrekt abgerechnet wird. Die Entwicklung des Systems erfolgte in Zusammenarbeit mit der englischen Firma FilmChain und zeigt eine spannende Möglichkeit, wie kreative Inhalte in Zukunft finanziert werden können.
Fast so erfolgreich wie Disney&#8230;
Um die Marke «Mad Heidi» zu etablieren haben die Macher bereits früh mit dem Verkauf von Merchandise begonnen. Von T-Shirts über eigene Fondue-Mischungen bis hin zum eigenen Absinthe wurden damit bis dato zusätzlich über 150&#8217;000 Franken eingenommen. Für eine Disney-Produktion wäre das nichts besonderes, aber für ein Schweizer Filmprojekt sind das unglaubliche Zahlen!
So bricht das Crowdfinancing von Mad Heidi alle Rekorde in der Schweiz und auch international gibt es kaum eine handvoll Projekte, die das geschafft haben. Der Film wird nun im Herbst dieses Jahres gedreht und 2022 veröffentlicht werden.
… und so smart wie Netflix
MAD HEIDI wird global digital auf der eigenen Plattform madheidi.com herausgebracht, ohne Vertrieb und ohne Verleiher. In einer Zeit, in der Filme nicht nur pandemiebedingt hauptsächlich über das Internet konsumiert werden, ist das zukunftsweisend. Die Macher bauen sich quasi ihr eigenes Netflix, multiplizieren dadurch die Einnahmen für die Investoren und verringern die Piraterie.
Damit das auch wirklich funktioniert, wird durch die gesamte Produktionszeit hindurch eine weltweite Fangemeinde aufgebaut, die als Brainpool und Marketing-Multiplikator fungiert. Insgesamt folgen dem Projekt bereits über 40’000 Menschen aus 46 Ländern. Dass der Film auf Englisch gedreht wird unterstreicht den globalen Anspruch.
Produziert wird der Film von «Bruno Manser»-Produzent Valentin Greutert und dem Crowdfunding-Pionier Tero Kaukomaa («Iron Sky»). Regie macht der junge Berner Regisseur Johannes Hartmann («Halbschlaf»). Die drei haben es sich zur Aufgabe gemacht, bei der Finanzierung, der Produktion und dem Vertrieb von Filmen neue Wege zu beschreiten, um neue Möglichkeiten für kleine, unabhängige Filmgesellschaften zu schaffen und einen Weg in die Zukunft zu weisen.

Heidi 2.0
Und worum geht es im Film? In einer dystopischen Schweiz, die unter die faschistische Herrschaft eines Käsemagnaten geraten ist, lebt Heidi als einfache junge Frau in den Bergen. Grossvater Alpöhi beschützt seine Enkelin vor den schlechten Einflüssen der Welt nach Kräften, doch bald wird ihre Sehnsucht nach persönlicher Freiheit den Funken einer Revolution entfachen. Aus dem naiven Mädchen wird eine wilde Kämpferin, die den Käsefaschisten den Garaus macht.
Von «Fondue-Boarding» bis zum «Death by Chocolate» ist MAD HEIDI eine Action-Adventure-Horrorkomödien-Interpretation der beliebten Kinderbuchfigur Heidi und der erste Swissploitation-Film – eine Persiflage auf das Heimatfilm-Genre der 50er Jahre mit einem Twist ins Exploitation-Genre der 70er und 80er Jahre. Fans von Mad Max, Kill Bill oder Iron Sky kommen bei Mad Heidi voll auf ihre Kosten. Hier geht’s zum Teaser.
 
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post Filmprojekt Madheidi sammelt 1 Million CHF via Crowdinvesting appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/filmprojekt-madheidi-sammelt-1-million-chf-via-crowdinvesting</link><guid>1801</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/mad-Invest.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Filmprojekt Madheidi sammelt 1 Million CHF via Crowdinvesting</dc:text></item><item><title>Filmprojekt Mad Heidi sammelt 1 Million CHF via Crowdinvesting</title><description><![CDATA[Schweizer Filmprojekt bricht Finanzierungs-Rekorde und zeigt mit Blockchain und automatisierter Umsatzbeteiligung die Zukunft von Crowdinvesting.
Innovation made in Switzerland
Mit einem revolutionären Crowdinvesting-Modell, das Investoren über eine Blockchain-gesicherte Plattform direkt an den Einnahmen des Films beteiligt, hat die Schweizer Firma Swissploitation Films einen Volltreffer gelandet. 295 Personen aus 18 Ländern haben in den letzten Monaten über eine Million Franken investiert, und das obwohl von Mad Heidi bis jetzt nur ein Teaser existiert.
Die Investoren des Projekts heissen «Mad Investors» und erhalten ab 500 Franken neben einer Umsatzbeteiligung auch exklusive Einblicke in die Entstehung des Films und in Abhängigkeit des investierten Betrages viele weitere Privilegien. Wer will, kann sogar eine kleine Rolle im Film haben und z.B. seinen Filmtod durch Heidi erleben (“Get slashed by Heidi” heisst das dann). Für investierende Filmfans, die mehr als einfache Rendite suchen und sich in einem Film verewigen möchten, ist das genau das Richtige.
Innovativ ist aber auch der monetäre Teil des Investments. Mit Smart Contracts und Blockchain-Technologie werden Investments sicher registriert sind und Auszahlungen transparent und in Echtzeit dem richtigen Mad Investor zugeteilt.
Dadurch wird aufwändige Administrationsarbeit eliminiert und die Investoren haben die Sicherheit, dass ihre Beteiligung korrekt abgerechnet wird. Die Entwicklung des Systems erfolgte in Zusammenarbeit mit der englischen Firma FilmChain und zeigt eine spannende Möglichkeit, wie kreative Inhalte in Zukunft finanziert werden können.
Fast so erfolgreich wie Disney&#8230;
Um die Marke «Mad Heidi» zu etablieren haben die Macher bereits früh mit dem Verkauf von Merchandise begonnen. Von T-Shirts über eigene Fondue-Mischungen bis hin zum eigenen Absinthe wurden damit bis dato zusätzlich über 150&#8217;000 Franken eingenommen. Für eine Disney-Produktion wäre das nichts besonderes, aber für ein Schweizer Filmprojekt sind das unglaubliche Zahlen!
So bricht das Crowdfinancing von Mad Heidi alle Rekorde in der Schweiz und auch international gibt es kaum eine handvoll Projekte, die das geschafft haben. Der Film wird nun im Herbst dieses Jahres gedreht und 2022 veröffentlicht werden.
… und so smart wie Netflix
MAD HEIDI wird global digital auf der eigenen Plattform madheidi.com herausgebracht, ohne Vertrieb und ohne Verleiher. In einer Zeit, in der Filme nicht nur pandemiebedingt hauptsächlich über das Internet konsumiert werden, ist das zukunftsweisend. Die Macher bauen sich quasi ihr eigenes Netflix, multiplizieren dadurch die Einnahmen für die Investoren und verringern die Piraterie.
Damit das auch wirklich funktioniert, wird durch die gesamte Produktionszeit hindurch eine weltweite Fangemeinde aufgebaut, die als Brainpool und Marketing-Multiplikator fungiert. Insgesamt folgen dem Projekt bereits über 40’000 Menschen aus 46 Ländern. Dass der Film auf Englisch gedreht wird unterstreicht den globalen Anspruch.
Produziert wird der Film von «Bruno Manser»-Produzent Valentin Greutert und dem Crowdfunding-Pionier Tero Kaukomaa («Iron Sky»). Regie macht der junge Berner Regisseur Johannes Hartmann («Halbschlaf»). Die drei haben es sich zur Aufgabe gemacht, bei der Finanzierung, der Produktion und dem Vertrieb von Filmen neue Wege zu beschreiten, um neue Möglichkeiten für kleine, unabhängige Filmgesellschaften zu schaffen und einen Weg in die Zukunft zu weisen.

Heidi 2.0
Und worum geht es im Film? In einer dystopischen Schweiz, die unter die faschistische Herrschaft eines Käsemagnaten geraten ist, lebt Heidi als einfache junge Frau in den Bergen. Grossvater Alpöhi beschützt seine Enkelin vor den schlechten Einflüssen der Welt nach Kräften, doch bald wird ihre Sehnsucht nach persönlicher Freiheit den Funken einer Revolution entfachen. Aus dem naiven Mädchen wird eine wilde Kämpferin, die den Käsefaschisten den Garaus macht.
Von «Fondue-Boarding» bis zum «Death by Chocolate» ist MAD HEIDI eine Action-Adventure-Horrorkomödien-Interpretation der beliebten Kinderbuchfigur Heidi und der erste Swissploitation-Film – eine Persiflage auf das Heimatfilm-Genre der 50er Jahre mit einem Twist ins Exploitation-Genre der 70er und 80er Jahre. Fans von Mad Max, Kill Bill oder Iron Sky kommen bei Mad Heidi voll auf ihre Kosten. Hier geht’s zum Teaser.
 
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post Filmprojekt Mad Heidi sammelt 1 Million CHF via Crowdinvesting appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/filmprojekt-mad-heidi-sammelt-1-million-chf-via-crowdinvesting</link><guid>1802</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/mad-Invest.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Filmprojekt Mad Heidi sammelt 1 Million CHF via Crowdinvesting</dc:text></item><item><title>Visa Expands Real-TimePpush Payments with Introduction of Visa Direct Payouts</title><description><![CDATA[Visa has announced the expansion of Visa Direct, a real-time push payments platform, with the introduction of Visa Direct Payouts.
The new solution allows Visa’s clients and partners around the world to use a single point of connection to push payments to eligible cards for domestic payouts, and eligible cards and/or accounts for cross-border payments.
Visa Direct Payouts supports real-time domestic and cross-border person-to-person (P2P), business-to-small business (B2SB) and business-to-consumer (B2C) use cases, such as insurance disbursements, marketplace seller payouts, providing workers faster access to their earnings, as well as remittances.
A number of Visa’s clients and partners around the world are launching new money-movement programs enabled by Visa Direct Payouts. One of them is Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited which is enhancing its digital international transfer services for its retail banking customers.
Additionally, MoneyGram is launching an enhanced money-movement optionality for its customers who are sending and receiving money across borders.
With the addition of Visa Direct Payouts, Visa Direct now provides multi-rail access to 5 billion cards and accounts combined across more than 200 geographies, supporting 160 currencies, connecting to 16 card-based networks, 65 domestic Automated Clearing House (ACH) schemes, seven Real-Time Payment (RTP) networks and five payment gateways.
“As digital commerce accelerates, Visa is innovating to give financial institutions, governments, individuals and businesses new ways to pay and get paid beyond the card. The launch of Visa Direct Payouts marks an important milestone in Visa’s expansion of its account-to-account capabilities to now reach an additional 2 billion bank accounts around the world.
 
Backed by the operating scale and performance of VisaNet, the solution integrates Visa’s acquisition of Earthport to transform how Visa’s clients deploy and optimize global money movement programs.”
said Bill Sheley, SVP, Global Head, Visa Direct, Visa.
 

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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/visa-expands-real-timeppush-payments-with-introduction-of-visa-direct-payouts</link><guid>1799</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Visa Expands Real-TimePpush Payments with Introduction of Visa Direct Payouts</dc:text></item><item><title>Visa Expands Real-Time Push Payments with Introduction of Visa Direct Payouts</title><description><![CDATA[Visa has announced the expansion of Visa Direct, a real-time push payments platform, with the introduction of Visa Direct Payouts.
The new solution allows Visa’s clients and partners around the world to use a single point of connection to push payments to eligible cards for domestic payouts, and eligible cards and/or accounts for cross-border payments.
Visa Direct Payouts supports real-time domestic and cross-border person-to-person (P2P), business-to-small business (B2SB) and business-to-consumer (B2C) use cases, such as insurance disbursements, marketplace seller payouts, providing workers faster access to their earnings, as well as remittances.
A number of Visa’s clients and partners around the world are launching new money-movement programs enabled by Visa Direct Payouts. One of them is Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited which is enhancing its digital international transfer services for its retail banking customers.
Additionally, MoneyGram is launching an enhanced money-movement optionality for its customers who are sending and receiving money across borders.
With the addition of Visa Direct Payouts, Visa Direct now provides multi-rail access to 5 billion cards and accounts combined across more than 200 geographies, supporting 160 currencies, connecting to 16 card-based networks, 65 domestic Automated Clearing House (ACH) schemes, seven Real-Time Payment (RTP) networks and five payment gateways.
“As digital commerce accelerates, Visa is innovating to give financial institutions, governments, individuals and businesses new ways to pay and get paid beyond the card. The launch of Visa Direct Payouts marks an important milestone in Visa’s expansion of its account-to-account capabilities to now reach an additional 2 billion bank accounts around the world.
 
Backed by the operating scale and performance of VisaNet, the solution integrates Visa’s acquisition of Earthport to transform how Visa’s clients deploy and optimize global money movement programs.”
said Bill Sheley, SVP, Global Head, Visa Direct, Visa.
 

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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/visa-expands-real-time-push-payments-with-introduction-of-visa-direct-payouts</link><guid>1800</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Visa Expands Real-Time Push Payments with Introduction of Visa Direct Payouts</dc:text></item><item><title>Making Central Bank Digital Currency Systems Interoperable for Cross-Border Fund Transfers</title><description><![CDATA[Around the world, central banks are accelerating their work on digital currencies (CBDCs) and exploring the opportunities these could bring to cross-border fund transfers.
CBDCs are now a widely researched new form of digital central bank money that are starting to be issued and piloted in some jurisdictions. Central banks are particularly interested in CBDCs’ potential to contribute to financial inclusion, increase transaction efficiencies, but also improve cross-border payments.
In a paper titled Multi-CBDC arrangements and the future of cross-border payments, the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) looks at three models for so-called multi-CBDC (mCBDC) arrangements for cross-border payments and systems interoperability, highlighting the work the organization has undertaken on the topic.
For the years 2021 and 2022, mCBDC will be one of the main areas of focus for the BIS Innovation Hub, the organization’s innovation arm.
The so-called mCBDC Bridge initiative seeks to explore proofs-of-concept (PoCs) to link wholesale CBDC in different currencies to allow international transfers. It will use distributed ledger technology (DLT) to facilitate real-time cross-border transactions and intends to build a corridor network prototype that would support CBDCs of other central banks.
Built on the experience of Inthanon-LionRock, a project of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the Bank of Thailand, it’s currently being undertaken by the team at the BIS Innovation Hub’s Hong Kong center.
With central banks around the world ramping up CBDC efforts, the BIS says the question of interoperability and linkage of national systems is critical.
“Any central bank issuing a CBDC will do so in pursuit of its domestic mandate and public policy objectives,” the paper reads. “Yet as the globalization of economic activity continues, a broader horizon will be needed.”
In its latest paper, the organization outlines three main approaches to cross-border CBDCs.
The first model involves making CBDC systems compatible from the get-go. However, setting common technical standards, aligning legal frameworks, and coordinating participants to move to these standards, could take years.
The second model involves linking CBDC systems. This would require the introduction of either a shared technical interface between domestic systems, or a common clearing mechanism.
Finally, the third model involves creating a system for multiple CBDCs. Such system would offer the same improvements as interlinking systems but with additional integration.
Potential improvements of different mCBDC arrangements, Source: Multi-CBDC arrangements and the future of cross-border payments, BIS, Mar 2021
Over the past four years, the share of central banks actively engaging in some form of CBDC work grew by about one third and now stands at 86%, according to BIS’ latest survey of central banks. In particular, work related to retail CBDCs is gaining in relative popularity with central banks either looking at both wholesale and retail CBDCs, or retail CBDC only.
CBDC initiatives are now rapidly moving into more advanced stages of development. About 60% of central banks are conducting experiments or PoCs, while 14% are moving forward to development and pilot arrangements.
To date, the Central Bank of the Bahamas is the only central bank in the world to have issued a CBDC.
Central banks’ work on CBDC advances further, Source: BIS central bank survey on CBDCs, Jan 2021
Last week, China proposed a set of global rules for CBDCs. The new proposals were laid out at a BIS seminar and include rules on how CBDCs should be used around the world, privacy issues such as monitoring and information sharing, and more.
During the seminar, Mu Changchun, the director-general of the People’s Bank of China (PBOC)’s digital currency institute, said that “interoperability should be enabled between CBDC systems of different jurisdictions and exchange,” and that “information flow and fund flows should be synchronized so as to facilitate regulators to monitor the transactions for compliance.”
PBOC is aiming to become the first major central bank to issue a CBDC. In Europe, the European Central Bank (ECB) is also exploring the introduction of a digital euro within the next five years. Concerned about privacy issues, the ECB is looking into the possibility to introduce so-called “anonymity vouchers,” which would allow users to privately transfer a limited amount of digital currency over a defined period of time.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/making-central-bank-digital-currency-systems-interoperable-for-cross-border-fund-transfers</link><guid>1798</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Potential-improvements-of-different-mCBDC-arrangements-to-frictions-in-correspondent-bank-arrangements-for-cross-border-payments-.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Making Central Bank Digital Currency Systems Interoperable for Cross-Border Fund Transfers</dc:text></item><item><title>Inventx baut Innovation Lab aus</title><description><![CDATA[Die Inventx AG investiert in ihre Innovationskraft und baut die Tochterfirma Inventx Lab AG (InventxLab) mit Sitz in St. Gallen weiter aus. Seit dem 1.3.2021 leitet Urs Halter das InventxLab. Gleichzeitig konnte mit Damir Bogdan ein prominenter externer Zuzug für den Verwaltungsrat der InventxLab AG gewonnen werden.
Als eigenständige rechtliche Einheit bietet das InventxLab Raum für die Entwicklung und Umsetzung von Ideen zum Ausbau der Wettbewerbsfähigkeit der Schweizer Finanzindustrie. Als Tochterunternehmen der Inventx AG vernetzt, begleitet und befähigt es Mitarbeitende der Inventx wie auch Partner und Kunden, ihre innovativen Ideen zur Marktreife zu bringen.
Das InventxLab unterstützt Initiativen zur Effizienzsteigerung wie auch zur Geschäftsmodell-Innovation, welche an den regelmässig durchgeführten Innovation Days entstehen und die in einem strukturierten Innovationsprozess vorangetrieben werden. Zusätzlich werden Anwendungsfelder von neuen Technologien evaluiert und entwickelt, welche für das Finanz- und Versicherungs-Ökosystem relevant sind.
Mit seinem «Open Innovation Model» steht das InventxLab auch Kunden und Partnern offen, um gemeinsam Community-Ideen zu entwickeln und in Ko-Kreation zu realisieren. Dadurch können für alle Beteiligten Synergien erzielt, die Umsetzungsgeschwindigkeit erhöht und die Innovationskosten reduziert werden.
Durch den Beizug von Experten, Partnern und Hochschulen wird eine sachverständige Perspektive von aussen auf das Potenzial der Ideen gewährleistet. Das Kernteam verfügt über Kompetenzen in den Bereichen Innovationsmethodik, Technologiemanagement, Architektur, Software Engineering sowie Produkt- und Projektmanagement. Die in enger Zusammenarbeit erstellten Prototypen und das Know-how werden in die Inventx transferiert, wovon das Kerngeschäft der Finanz-IT-Spezialistin profitiert.
Urs Halter
Per 1.3.2021 übernahm Urs Halter die neugeschaffene Stelle des Leiters des InventxLab. Der studierte ETH-Ingenieur mit Zusatzausbildungen an der HSG verfügt über einen grossen Leistungsausweis und Erfahrungsschatz im Technologieumfeld der Schweizer Finanzindustrie. Urs Halter hat den Aufbau des InventxLab im 2020 in seiner bisherigen Funktion als Bereichsleiter Technology Services &amp; Solutions bei der Inventx AG und Mitglied des VR der InventxLab AG bereits mitgeprägt.
Damir Bogdan
Gleichzeitig vermeldet das InventxLab mit Damir Bogdan einen prominenten Neuzugang im Verwaltungsrat und in der Jury für die Innovationsprojekte. Damir Bogdan, Gründer der Actvide AG, berät Unternehmen in Bezug auf Digitalisierung und Innovation. Er ist sowohl in der Schweiz wie auch im Silicon Valley tätig, wo er als Mentor, Verwaltungsrat und Investor für Startups wirkt und daneben Strategie-Workshops für Geschäftsleitungen europäischer Unternehmen organisiert. Zuvor war Damir Bogdan langjähriger CIO &amp; Head of Operations der Raiffeisen-Gruppe in der Schweiz.
Hans Nagel, Mitgründer der Inventx und VR-Präsident der Inventx Lab AG, sieht immenses Potenzial:
«Das InventxLab ist eine Art Inkubator, der Ideenskizzen zu weiterer Reife verhelfen soll. Eine mit internen sowie externen Experten besetzte Jury begutachtet die Ideen unter den Gesichtspunkten Nutzen, Machbarkeit und Finanzierbarkeit. Das Innovationsteam wird befähigt, sein Projekt zu schärfen und anschliessend aus Prototypen oder einem Minimal Viable Product eine Produktentwicklung resp. die ‘Produktisierung’ in die Wege zu leiten. Wir können damit die Time-to-Market für eigene neue Angebote wie auch für neue Kundenservices massiv beschleunigen.»
 
Ausgewählte Bildquelle: Screengrab von Inventx
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/inventx-baut-innovation-lab-aus</link><guid>1795</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Inventx baut Innovation Lab aus</dc:text></item><item><title>Broadridge Inks Deal to Acquire Itiviti for US$2.5 Billion</title><description><![CDATA[Broadridge Financial Solutions, an American-based investment banking company, is set to acquire Itiviti, a provider of trading and connectivity technology to the capital markets industry, in an all-cash transaction valued at €2.143 billion (approximately $2.5 billion) from Nordic Capital.
Broadridge said in a statement that Itiviti’s strong presence in APAC and EMEA will significantly expand Broadridge’s revenues outside of North America and enhance Broadridge’s international footprint in key markets.
Itiviti’s blue-chip client base should also provide significant cross-sell opportunities across Broadridge’s product portfolio, further enhancing its long-term growth.
Upon closing, Itiviti will become part of Broadridge’s Global Technology and Operations segment and its senior management team, led by CEO Rob Mackay, will remain with the company to drive future growth.
The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approval and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Tim Gokey
“By extending our capabilities into the front office and deepening our multi-asset class solutions, Itiviti significantly strengthens our Capital Markets franchise and better enables Broadridge to help financial institutions adapt to a rapidly evolving marketplace.
 
The acquisition is also expected to deliver value to our shareholders in the form of stronger recurring revenue growth, higher margins and higher Adjusted EPS. This incremental revenue and earnings growth positions us well to deliver at the higher end of our three-year growth objectives for recurring revenue and Adjusted EPS growth,”
said Tim Gokey, Broadridge’s Chief Executive Officer.
Rob Mackay
“Joining Broadridge represents an exciting next chapter for our business and team by creating a leading front-to-back capital markets technology and operations provider.
The combination of our technology, solutions and people will unlock significant value for our clients and drive long-term growth for our combined business.”
said Rob Mackay, CEO of Itiviti.
 
Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/broadridge-inks-deal-to-acquire-itiviti-for-us25-billion</link><guid>1796</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Broadridge Inks Deal to Acquire Itiviti for US$2.5 Billion</dc:text></item><item><title>Broadridge Plans APAC and EMEA Expansion With Latest Acquisition for US$2.5 Billion</title><description><![CDATA[Broadridge Financial Solutions, an American-based investment banking company, is set to acquire Itiviti, a provider of trading and connectivity technology to the capital markets industry, in an all-cash transaction valued at €2.143 billion (approximately $2.5 billion) from Nordic Capital.
Broadridge said in a statement that Itiviti’s strong presence in APAC and EMEA will significantly expand Broadridge’s revenues outside of North America and enhance Broadridge’s international footprint in key markets.
Itiviti’s blue-chip client base should also provide significant cross-sell opportunities across Broadridge’s product portfolio, further enhancing its long-term growth.
Upon closing, Itiviti will become part of Broadridge’s Global Technology and Operations segment and its senior management team, led by CEO Rob Mackay, will remain with the company to drive future growth.
The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approval and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Tim Gokey
“By extending our capabilities into the front office and deepening our multi-asset class solutions, Itiviti significantly strengthens our Capital Markets franchise and better enables Broadridge to help financial institutions adapt to a rapidly evolving marketplace.
 
The acquisition is also expected to deliver value to our shareholders in the form of stronger recurring revenue growth, higher margins and higher Adjusted EPS. This incremental revenue and earnings growth positions us well to deliver at the higher end of our three-year growth objectives for recurring revenue and Adjusted EPS growth,”
said Tim Gokey, Broadridge’s Chief Executive Officer.
Rob Mackay
“Joining Broadridge represents an exciting next chapter for our business and team by creating a leading front-to-back capital markets technology and operations provider.
The combination of our technology, solutions and people will unlock significant value for our clients and drive long-term growth for our combined business.”
said Rob Mackay, CEO of Itiviti.
 
Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post Broadridge Plans APAC and EMEA Expansion With Latest Acquisition for US$2.5 Billion appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/broadridge-plans-apac-and-emea-expansion-with-latest-acquisition-for-us25-billion</link><guid>1797</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Broadridge Plans APAC and EMEA Expansion With Latest Acquisition for US$2.5 Billion</dc:text></item><item><title>All 96 Fintech Unicorns: Worth a Combined US$404B</title><description><![CDATA[There are 96 fintech unicorns around the world that are worth collectively an estimated US$404 billion, according to data from CB Insights.
Nearly half (46) of them are from the US, making it the largest hub for fintech unicorns in the world. The US is home to some of most valued fintech private companies, including Stripe (US$95 billion), Chime (US$14.5 billion), Robinhood (US$11.7 billion), Ripple (US$10 billion) and Coinbase (US$8 billion).
After the US, the UK has the second largest community of fintech unicorns with 13 players, among which names such as Checkout.com, the UK’s most valuable fintech at US$15 billion, Revolut (US$5.5 billion), and Wise, formerly TransferWise (US$5 billion). It’s followed by China (8) and India seven (7).
Regional distribution of fintech unicorns
Regionally, the fact that the US is single-handedly home to 46 fintech unicorns, makes North America the top region when it comes to fintech unicorns. Add to this the five fintech unicorns that make up Latin America – dLocal, Ebanx, Creditas, C6 Bank and Nubank – , and you get a total number of 51 for the Americas.
After the Americas, Asia Pacific (APAC) is the world’s second largest hub for fintech unicorns with 21 companies. 15 of these companies are either based in China and India, the two biggest locations, ahead of Australia (2), and Japan, South Korea, Indonesia and Hong Kong, all with one unicorn each. APAC fintech unicorns include Pine Labs, PolicyBazaar, Ovo, Viva Republica and WeLab.
Europe is the world’s third largest hub with 20 fintech unicorns. UK companies make up for more than half of the region’s total number of fintech unicorns with 13, followed by Germany with four unicorns, and Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands and Sweden with one fintech unicorn each. These players include Starling Bank, Blockchain, Rapyd, Numbrs and Wefox.
2021 trends
So far, 2021 has seen the addition to 20 fintech unicorns. That’s more than the 19 fintech companies that joined the unicorn club during the whole year 2020, but less than 2019’s all-time high figure of 27.
Among the 20 fintech companies that reached unicorn status in 2021, 10 are from the US, and four are from the UK. Israel and Austria welcomed their first fintech unicorns this year: Melio, a digital payment startup, and Earnix, a software provider, both from Israel, and BitPanda, a crypto startup from Austria.
Robinhood rival WeBull turned into an unicorn last month when it raised a US$150 million funding round. The Chinese-owned brokerage, which runs one of the fastest-growing trading platforms in the US, has been riding the retail trading frenzy, successfully positioned itself as the go-to platform for disgruntled users of Robinhood. Like Robinhood, WeBull offers a commission-free trading platform with a smooth and polished online interface.
There are currently more than 600 private companies with billion-dollar valuations. These tech startups are worth over US$2 trillion and have raised a combined total of US$426 billion. Across all segments, fintech and Internet software and services are the most represented categories, accounting for 15% of all unicorns each. They are followed by e-commerce and direct-to-consumer (12%) and artificial intelligence (8%).
Currently, ByteDance is the only private company considered to be a “hectocorn” that’s worth US$100 billion or more. ByteDance, the tech company behind TikTok, has been named the most valuable startup in the world.
31 private companies are “decacorns” worth US$10 billion or over. Decacorns in fintech include Stripe, which is on track to reach hectocorn status, Klarna (US$31 billion), Nubank (US$25 billion) and One97 Communications (US$16 billion), the operator of India’s largest mobile payments and commerce platform Paytm.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/all-96-fintech-unicorns-worth-a-combined-us404b</link><guid>1794</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/All-96-Fintech-Unicorns-Worth-Combined-US-404-billion-1.png</dc:content ><dc:text>All 96 Fintech Unicorns: Worth a Combined US$404B</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech in Africa will Boom in 2022: Fintech News Network Launches Its 8th Publication</title><description><![CDATA[The Fintech News Network is pleased to announce the launch of our eighth publication; Fintech News Africa.
The Fintech News Network is an industry publication covering fintech and digital news across the globe. Our readers are from established financial institutions as well as budding fintech startups.
Eight publications are currently present in four continents, covering fintech news across 44 different countries.
The list of publications include; Fintech News Switzerland (soft launched end of 2014), Fintech News Singapore (2015), Fintech News Hong Kong (launched in 2016), Fintech News Middle East (launched in 2017), Fintech News Malaysia (launched in 2018), Fintech News Baltic (launched in 2018), Fintech News Philippines (launched in 2020) and now Fintech News Africa (launched in 2021).
The Fintech News Network spans 4 continents, 44 countries and 8 publications
While Fintech News has consistently provided fintech updates from the African continent on our Middle East site, we believe that the tremendous growth that the region has seen warrants its very own publication.
Africa has been touted as the next up-and-coming fintech hub after China as it is currently home to about 600 fintech startups according to Disrupt Africa.
The region’s growth is evidenced by fintech attracting the lion’s share of Africa’s tech funding in 2020. Fintech funding in Africa increased by a whopping 49.3% in 2020 to US$160 million. Fintech deal sizes also grew last year, rising from an average of US$1.3 million in 2019 to US$1.6 million in 2020.
These positive developments are a strong indicator of the region’s maturing and fast developing fintech ecosystem.
While South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya have historically been the fintech hubs of the vast continent, Ethiopia, Ghana and Rwanda are now quickly catching up to their predecessors.
Fintech News is excited to provide our readers with updates on these bustling hubs with the launch of Fintech News Africa (www.fintechnews.africa).
Christian Konig
Christian Koenig, Founder of Fintech News Network said,
”Fintech will be essential to the economic recovery of many African countries as the pandemic has inadvertently accelerated the digital transformation of the financial sector.
Most of these institutions, incumbents and fintechs alike, have leveraged this opportunity to revolutionise their digital offerings to keep up with the market’s needs. ”
Christian will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for the next few months to work on the new page and hire local staff.
 
About Fintech News Network
The Fintech News Network is an industry publication covering fintech and digital news across the globe. Our readers are from established financial institutions as well as budding fintech startups.
Launched in 2014, the Fintech News Network team works very hard to deliver fintech-centric content in various forms to an audience looking for updates on fintech events and webinars, stunning opinions from highly-reputable digital finance innovators, analysis on fintech applications from active insiders, breaking news on fintech topics and fintech market alerts. Today those publications have in total more than 500k relevant readers.
More information see: https://fintechnews.ch/fintechnews-media-kit/
For additional information, please visit www.fintechnews.africa or contact:
Christian Koenig
ck@finanzpro.ch
More Information about the Fintech News Network:
https://fintechnews.ch/fintech/fintech-news-network-celebrates-6th-birthday/40139/
 

.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post Fintech in Africa will Boom in 2022: Fintech News Network Launches Its 8th Publication appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-in-africa-will-boom-in-2022-fintech-news-network-launches-its-8th-publication</link><guid>1793</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/FNN-Overview-.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech in Africa will Boom in 2022: Fintech News Network Launches Its 8th Publication</dc:text></item><item><title>RealT Selects Mt Pelerin’s Asset Tokenisation Technology for Real Estate Management</title><description><![CDATA[Real estate tokenisation platform RealT has chosen Swiss fintech Mt Pelerin&#8216;s Bridge Protocol, an open source asset tokenisation technology, to optimise the management of its properties and investors.
RealT, an American company based in Florida, has created a model that makes real estate investment easily accessible for the public through tokenisation which is the issuance of financial assets on the blockchain in the form of tokens.
Since 2019, RealT allows its clients to invest starting from a few dozen dollars in ownership shares of high yield (10% to 13%) residential and commercial real estate in the US, with rental revenue being proportionally and directly paid to token holders in stablecoin.
With 75 properties sold and new ones being offered on a weekly basis, the model also brought increasing costs and complexity to manage each new sale.
To relieve those burdens and sustain the growth of its business, RealT has sought the support of Mt Pelerin, which specialises in digital securities.
The two companies have worked together in the last months to migrate RealT’s activities onto Bridge Protocol.
This enables RealT to rapidly issue and distribute tokenised assets that is able to simultaneously comply with multiple jurisdictions (US and European in this case), the possibility to freely transfer tokens while complying with those regulations, as well as the consolidated management of investors KYC/AML across the multiple properties that they may own.
Mt Pelerin has also produced a version of its mobile app Bridge Wallet specially customised for RealT. With it, their investors are able to invest in new properties, exchange them and vote on decisions related to their management from their phone.
All of RealT’s 75 properties are now live and operational on Mt Pelerin’s platform. Some of them are even live on two blockchains simultaneously; Ethereum and xDai.
Jean-Marc Jacobson
Jean-Marc Jacobson, Co-Founder and Principal of RealT said,
&#8220;This collaboration with Mt Pelerin allowed us to accelerate the achievement of our vision for the future of real estate.
 
We share that ideal of democratising investment.&#8221;
Arnaud Salomon
Arnaud Salomon, CEO and Founder of Mt Pelerin said,
&#8220;We are proud that our technology has been beneficial to RealT, a project that we follow and admire from day one.
 
RealT is a trailblazer in what will be the norm in a few years.&#8221;
 
 
Featured image: One of RealT’s properties issued on Bridge Protocol 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/realt-selects-mt-pelerins-asset-tokenisation-technology-for-real-estate-management</link><guid>1791</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>RealT Selects Mt Pelerin’s Asset Tokenisation Technology for Real Estate Management</dc:text></item><item><title>PayPal Allows American Customers to Use Cryptocurrencies for Purchases</title><description><![CDATA[PayPal announced the launch of Checkout with Crypto, where US customers will be able to choose to check out with crypto seamlessly.
Building on the ability to buy, hold and sell cryptocurrency with PayPal, customers using Checkout with Crypto can check out safely and easily, converting cryptocurrency holdings to fiat currency, with certainty of value and no additional transaction fees.
Checkout with Crypto will automatically appear in the PayPal wallet at checkout for customers with sufficient cryptocurrency balance to cover an eligible purchase.
All transactions are settled in USD and converted to the applicable currency for the business at the standard PayPal conversion rates.
Dan Schulman
&#8220;As the use of digital payments and digital currencies accelerates, the introduction of Checkout with Crypto continues our focus on driving mainstream adoption of cryptocurrencies, while continuing to offer PayPal customers choice and flexibility in the ways they can pay using the PayPal wallet.
 
Enabling cryptocurrencies to make purchases at businesses around the world is the next chapter in driving the ubiquity and mass acceptance of digital currencies.&#8221;
said Dan Schulman, President and CEO, PayPal.
 
﻿
 
Featured image: PayPal
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/paypal-allows-american-customers-to-use-cryptocurrencies-for-purchases</link><guid>1792</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>PayPal Allows American Customers to Use Cryptocurrencies for Purchases</dc:text></item><item><title>F10 Investment Selects 6 Fintech and Insurtech Startups for 2021</title><description><![CDATA[F10 Investment has chosen six fintech and insurtech startups from the latest F10 Incubation Programme cohort in Zurich for its second investment round.
Through the F10 Investment, the corporate partners of the F10 Fintech Incubator and Accelerator, such as SIX Group and the House of Insurtech Switzerland (HITS) have the opportunity to invest in carefully selected startups shaping the future of banking and insurance.
The six startups joining the F10 Investment portfolio were five startups founded in Switzerland, and one startup headquartered in the US.
Marek Socha
“We are thrilled to be able to invest in and partner with the most promising F10 graduates.
 
Beyond their market potential and great product ideas, we were impressed by their excellent founding teams – one of the key factors in our decision to invest.”
said Marek Socha, Chairman of the Board F10 Investment AG and Senior M&amp;A Manager at SIX.

 
The six startups chosen by F10 Investment:

Troc Circle is an open netting platform that allows businesses to pay and get paid at the same time without moving money by offsetting accounts receivables with account payables on the go. Consider Troc Circle as your smart collection and payment officer to start optimizing your cash flow and working capital.
 

Stableton is a next-generation marketplace for alternative investments. Stableton’s alternative investment Fintech platform strives to become the globally leading market network for qualified and institutional investors seeking exposure to liquid alternatives, private equity, venture capital, private debt, and real assets.

Lyyna is an innovative B2B2C distribution platform for single item insurance. Whenever a customer purchases a valuable item, such as a bicycle, jewelry or a trip, they can buy insurance from established insurance companies easily and securely straight from their smartphone.

Relio is a Swiss digital account for SMEs. With its new approach to compliance and KYC, even complex companies can get an account with a Swiss IBAN within 24h. Relio is also developing tools and software integrations, that will help businesses to save time and be more productive.

Avoodoo is a platform for market index development, calculation &amp; management. Every ETF is based on an index – Avoodoo enables index providers to build better indices with a simplification of the end-to-end index lifecycle and an accelerated time-to-market.

aisot is a next generation data analytics and forecasts. aisot creates directly actionable trading &amp; investment signals, by dynamically combining real-time datasets, from markets and alternative sources. Giving better real-time insights, aisot creates a whole new range of opportunities for Traders, Asset and Portfolio Managers.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/f10-investment-selects-6-fintech-and-insurtech-startups-for-2021</link><guid>1790</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Stableton-logo-300x45.png</dc:content ><dc:text>F10 Investment Selects 6 Fintech and Insurtech Startups for 2021</dc:text></item><item><title>Booming NFT Scene Has Critics Warn of Bubble</title><description><![CDATA[Stories about non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have been everywhere this past month: meme animations, musical albums, digital artworks, and even virtual houses, are being sold at exorbitant prices with NFT tokens, and now both the New York Times and the Times Magazine are planning sales of their own NFTs. Critics warn that the ongoing NFT frenzy could be just the latest crypto fad, with signs of a bubble waiting to burst.
NFTs are tokens that are not interchangeable with one another. One bitcoin holds the same value as any other bitcoin, making it therefore fungible. Assets like diamonds, land or baseball cards are not fungible because each unit has unique qualities that add or subtract value.
NFTs were created to track ownership of such unique items using blockchain technology. They can represent pretty much anything, but so far, application has been largely focused on digital files such as art, audio, videos, items in video games and other forms of creative work. While the digital files themselves are infinitely reproducible, the NFTs representing them are unique and tracked on their underlying blockchains, providing buyers with proof of ownership.
The reason why NFTs are becoming so popular in the digital art space is because these tokens are helping artists create financial value for their work by adding scarcity. Digital art has long been undervalued since it’s so freely available. Adding a distinctive element such as a unique NFT to an art piece creates scarcity since there’s just one in the world like it.
NFTs are currently having their big-bang moment, with collectors and speculators having spent more than US$220 million on an array of NFT-based digital items in the past month alone, according to market tracker Nonfungible.com, compared with US$250 million throughout all of 2020. On March 11, digital artist Mike Winkelmann, known as Beeple, sold a piece at Christie’s for US$69 million – the third highest price ever fetched by a living artist.
VCs join the NFT craze
The NFT craze is happening alongside a rally in cryptocurrencies like bitcoin and ether. The former surged almost 500% since its latest bull run began in October 2020, while the latter, which is often used to trade NFTs, jumped more than 300%.
Investors have taken noticed and are now writing big checks for startups in the booming space. Data shared with CNBC by Pitchbook suggest that investors have poured US$90 million into NFT and digital collectibles companies so far in 2021. That’s almost triple the US$35 million the NFT startups raised last year.
Sorare, a blockchain-based fantasy football game, raised about US$50 million in February from big-name investors including Benchmark and Accel. It’s 2021’s biggest NFT deal so far.
Andrei Brasoveanu, a general partner at Accel, called NFTs “one of the most exciting developments we’ve seen in crypto for years.”
“It’s one of those developments that has mass market appeal and could potentially impact a world outside the crypto niche,” he told CNBC.
The second largest deal went to OpenSea, an NFT marketplace, which announced a US$23 million round of funding earlier this month led by Andreessen Horowitz. OpenSea CEO Devin Finzer said the platform has seen transaction volumes grow 100 times over the last six months.
“We just think there is a huge market. I mean, look at Apple last year. People purchased US$61 billion of digital content” on the App Store, said Kathryn Haun, the Andreessen partner who led the deal. “We don’t think it’s silly or faddish at all,” she added, referring to the NFT craze.
OpenSea was launched back in 2017 and emerged during the CryptoKitties fad. CryptoKitties, a blockchain game developed by Dapper Labs, allows users to buy, collect, breed and sell virtual cats. The game reached massive popularity in 2017, congesting the Ethereum network and causing it to reach an all-time high in the number of transactions.
Critics warn of bubble risk
The ongoing NFT frenzy has had many critics warn of a possible bubble. In fact, Winkelmann himself believes that NFT art is “absolutely” in a bubble.
“I actually do think there will be a bubble, to be quite honest,” Winkelmann told the BBC. “And I think we could be in that bubble right now.”
Others are even more skeptical. “There are some artists absolutely making bank on this stuff&#8230; it’s just that you probably won’t,” warned David Gerard, author of Attack of the 50-foot Blockchain.
The people selling the NFTs are actually “the same guys who’ve always been at it, trying to come up with a new form of worthless magic bean that they can sell for money,” he added.
For many, NFTs are just the latest get-rich-quick scheme in the cryptosphere. “This is just about the pure desire to get rich that drives everything in the crypto space right now,” Frances Coppola, a finance and economics commentator, told the Financial Times. “It’s another of these bubble manias.”
 
Featured image credit: Background vector created by Kerfin7 &#8211; www.freepik.com
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/booming-nft-scene-has-critics-warn-of-bubble</link><guid>1789</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Booming NFT Scene Has Critics Warn of Bubble</dc:text></item><item><title>Visa Pilots Payment Settlements Using Stablecoin with Crypto.com</title><description><![CDATA[Visa announced that it will allow the use of USD Coin (USDC), a stablecoin backed by the US dollar, to settle transactions on its payment network over Ethereum, an open-source blockchain.
Visa said that it is piloting the capability with Crypto.com, a crypto platform and a Visa partner, and plans to offer the USDC settlement capability to additional partners later this year.
Working with Anchorage, a digital asset bank and an exclusive Visa digital currency settlement partner, Visa has launched the pilot programme with Crypto.com.
Visa’s standard settlement process requires partners to settle in a traditional fiat currency, which can add cost and complexity for businesses built with digital currencies.
The ability to settle in USDC can ultimately help Crypto.com and other crypto native companies evaluate fundamentally new business models without the need for traditional fiat in their treasury and settlement workflows.
Visa’s treasury upgrades and integration with Anchorage also strengthen Visa’s ability to directly support new central bank digital currency (CBDC) as they emerge in the future.
Jack Forestell
Jack Forestell, Executive Vice president and Chief Product Officer at Visa said,
“Crypto-native fintechs want partners who understand their business and the complexities of digital currency form factors.
 
The announcement today marks a major milestone in our ability to address the needs of fintechs managing their business in a stablecoin or cryptocurrency, and it’s really an extension of what we do every day, securely facilitating payments in all different currencies all across the world.”
Kris Marszalek
Kris Marszalek, Co-Founder and CEO of Crypto.com said,
“We’ve seen record-breaking growth in our business and the broader crypto ecosystem over the last year. To continue accelerating the world’s transition to cryptocurrency, we need partners who understand the opportunity and the tools that will help us get to market faster and more efficiently.
 
Having been a Visa partner for several years, we’re excited to deepen that relationship through our global agreement and to pioneer an exciting world-first in stablecoin payments.”
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/visa-pilots-payment-settlements-using-stablecoin-with-cryptocom</link><guid>1788</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Visa Pilots Payment Settlements Using Stablecoin with Crypto.com</dc:text></item><item><title>ABB Signs on AWS to Develop Cloud-Based Fleet Management Platform</title><description><![CDATA[ABB and Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced a collaboration to jointly develop a cloud-based digital solution for the real-time fleet management of electric vehicles (EVs).
The solution will optimise the efficient use of EVs and speed up the electrification of transport fleets, helping fleet operators worldwide maintain 100 percent business continuity as they transition to fully electric.
The collaboration will combine ABB’s experience in energy management, charging technology and e-mobility solutions with AWS’s portfolio of cloud technologies and software expertise.
The new platform, which is planned for roll out in the second half of 2021, will offer a tailored user experience in a single view platform.
Working with AWS, this new venture will design the interoperable fleet management solution to work with all vehicle types and charging infrastructure.
Using machine learning and analytics, it will include a compelling set of features including charge planning and real-time monitoring with insight and actions for vehicle health and servicing, along with EV route optimization based on time of day, weather and use patterns.
Frank Muehlon
Frank Muehlon, President of ABB’s eMobility Division said,
“This new solution will revolutionise the world of electric mobility, integrating EV hardware and software into one ecosystem to provide a seamless user experience.
 
We are confident that by working together we can propel the use of electric fleet vehicles by giving operators the confidence to make the switch.”
Jon Allen
Jon Allen, Director, Professional Services, Automotive at AWS said,
“This collaboration between AWS and ABB will combine our companies’ deep expertise in the automotive, logistics and electrification spaces with leadership in the cloud to deliver a hardware-agnostic, intelligent electric fleet management solution.
 
Together, ABB and AWS will bring the insights, agility and scale the cloud provides to the electric vehicle industry and help our customers successfully transition to a lower-emission future.”
 
Featured image credit: ABB
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/abb-signs-on-aws-to-develop-cloud-based-fleet-management-platform</link><guid>1787</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>ABB Signs on AWS to Develop Cloud-Based Fleet Management Platform</dc:text></item><item><title>Open Banking Picks up in the US Amid Growing Demand and Competitive Pressures</title><description><![CDATA[Adoption of open banking is catching in the US on the back of rising customer demand and competitive pressures, according to a new report by Financial Technology (FT) Partners.
In a paper titled Open Banking: Rearchitecting the Financial Landscape, the fintech-focused investment bank gives an overview of the open banking landscape in the US and introduces some of the companies leading the space.
According to the report, US consumers are becoming increasingly awareness and receptive of open banking with younger generations in particular being the most interested in the potential for more flexible and transparent financial offerings.
Higher-income consumers tend to favor open banking as well. The FT Partners report cites a Deloitte study conducted in 2019 which found that consumers with more than US$250,000 in annual income were the most receptive to sharing their financial data and to open banking in general.
Younger consumers find open banking most valuable, Source: Deloitte analysis, 2019
Unlike in the UK and the European Union (EU) where open banking adoption is mandated by law, US regulators have taken a more hands-off approach by issuing non-binding guidelines and allowing industry stakeholders including financial institutions and tech companies to drive the impetus for open banking themselves.
For example, Wells Fargo entered a data exchange agreement with Intuit in 2017 to expand functionality for their shared customers. Tech company Envestnet Yodle offers financial data APIs that provide access to the majority of US financial institutions, while Plaid, one of the biggest names in the US open banking space, delivers an API platform for third-party providers to connect to financial institutions for account access and authentication.
Founded in 2012, Plaid originally had plans to develop a personal finance management app but later shifted its focus to API-driven bank account connectivity. Today, the startup provides a technology platform that allows applications to connect with users’ bank accounts, enabling consumers to share their financial information, including linking bank accounts and monitoring investments with thousands of apps such as Venmo, Robinhood and Coinbase.
Plaid has experienced rapid growth over the past years, raising over US$300 million from prominent venture capital (VC) firms and ultimately agreeing to be acquired by Visa for US$5.3 billion in January 2020. Visa later abandoned the deal after opposition by the US Department of Justice due to data privacy and antitrust risks. Plaid is now valued at an estimated US$15 billion.
Brigit is another fintech startup that’s surfing on the open banking movement. The company offers an app that analyzes users’ financial health in real time and provides them with access to tools to help them make more responsible financial decisions. Brigit is able to get real time visibility by connecting to users’ bank accounts via Plaid’s API. The startup raised a US$31 million Series A funding round in January. It was valued at about US$150 million back in 2019.
Challenges with open banking adoption
Despite considerable development in the US open banking landscape, the sector remains in its early stages and several challenges are hampering customer adoption, the FT Partners report says.
Although younger generations are less concerned than other generations for the most part, many consumers of all ages have reservations regarding privacy and security.
US respondents of the Deloitte study called out potential theft of identity (69%) and misuse of data (60%) as the aspects of open banking that most concerned them.
Tack of trust in the institution receiving the data, and concerns that the data will be misused, shared with others without permission, or lost/hacked, were cited as the main reasons why most customers do not want their banks to share their information with third parties. About one-half of respondents hesitant to have their data shared said these reasons were their main concerns with open banking.
Consumers&#8217; biggest concerns about the open banking concept, Source: Deloitte analysis, 2019
The number of financial related APIs has increased tremendously over the past years, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 35% between 2010 and 2019, the FT Partners report says. In 2019, there were some 4,000 financial services APIs available around the world.
Total financial services APIs, Source: Programmable Web, via FT Partners
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/open-banking-picks-up-in-the-us-amid-growing-demand-and-competitive-pressures</link><guid>1786</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Younger-consumers-find-open-banking-most-valuable-Source-Deloitte-analysis-2019.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Open Banking Picks up in the US Amid Growing Demand and Competitive Pressures</dc:text></item><item><title>Austrian Fintech NumberX to Launch App-Based Card Powered by Open Banking</title><description><![CDATA[NumberX, an Austrian fintech firm launched by former Revolut and Anyline managers, are preparing to launch an app-based Mastercard powered by open banking.
With NumberX, users can connect all their current accounts to the app, set a monthly spending limit and use the NumberX Mastercard to make cashless payments worldwide without hidden costs, to withdraw cash free of charge as well as benefit from other services without switching to a neobank.
The business model is enabled by a new flat-rate concept. The first partners are the global payment network Mastercard, the financial technology company PPS and industry-related investors.
For the implementation, the company takes advantage of the regulations of the European Union, specifically the Single European Payments Area (SEPA) and the Second EU Payment Services Directive (PSD2).
The fintech was launched by Claudio Wilhelmer, previously Country Manager DACH of London-based neobank Revolut, and Matthias Seiderer, previously Chief Revenue Officer of Vienna-based AI technology company Anyline.
Claudio Wilhelmer
“Traditional banks hardly offer any modern solutions for the digital lifestyle of a young generation, especially in the card sector.
 
The price-performance ratio is simply not right. We are putting an end to this and are reshuffling the cards with NumberX! We will soon be launching our app-based Mastercard,”
said Claudio Wilhelmer, Co-Founder and Co-Managing Director of NumberX.
Matthias Seiderer
“The banking world has problems responding to the needs of customers and their desire for financial freedom. We are the easy-to understand link between the old banking world and new financial technologies – that’s what NumberX stands for.
 
The current accounts of the users remain with their bank, where the trust is high. We are building on this foundation and see ourselves as an independent financial platform that connects existing current accounts with innovative financial technologies via a single card.”
added Matthias Seiderer, Co-Founder and Co-Managing Director of NumberX.
 
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/austrian-fintech-numberx-to-launch-app-based-card-powered-by-open-banking</link><guid>1785</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Austrian Fintech NumberX to Launch App-Based Card Powered by Open Banking</dc:text></item><item><title>German Central Bank: DLT-Based Securities Settlement Successfully Tested</title><description><![CDATA[Deutsche Börse, Deutsche Bundesbank and Germany’s Finance Agency have developed and successfully tested a settlement interface for electronic securities, working with a range of other market participants.
Securities settlement using distributed ledger technology (DLT) is performed with the aid of a “trigger” solution and a transaction coordinator in TARGET2, the Eurosystem’s large-value payment system.
In doing so, the participants have demonstrated that it is possible to establish a technological bridge between blockchain technology and conventional payment systems to settle securities in central bank money with no need to create central bank digital currency. During testing, the Federal Government’s Finance Agency issued a ten-year Federal bond (Bund) in the DLT system, with primary and secondary market transactions also being settled using DLT. The transactions carried out during testing are not legally binding.
Burkhard Balz, member of the Bundesbank Executive Board responsible for the Directorate General Payments and Settlement Systems, said:
Stephan Leithner
“Following successful testing, the Eurosystem should be able to implement such a solution in a relatively short space of time – at least in far less time than it would take to issue central bank digital currency, for instance.”
Stephan Leithner, member of the Executive Board of Deutsche Börse, added:
“New technologies are a key component in creating infrastructures of tomorrow that meet the markets’ needs. This project marks a major step towards more efficient securities settlement and securities digitalisation by combining new technologies with existing infrastructures in a smart way.”
Jutta Dönges
Jutta Dönges, Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Finance Agency, commented:
&#8220;We are delighted to be supporting the development of this innovative technology with our know-how. The transactions between us and our counterparties were conducted very successfully.”
The market participants involved in conducting the experiment were Barclays, Citibank, Commerzbank, DZ Bank, Goldman Sachs and Société Générale.
The solution in detail
DLT such as blockchain have been increasingly growing in importance in recent years. The project saw the creation of an interface between conventional payment systems and a DLT-based securities system. Two software modules – a trigger chain from the Bundesbank and a transaction coordinator from Deutsche Börse – connect TARGET2 with a DLT securities system. The securities and central bank money do not change hands until the transfer has been successfully confirmed by all parties. This delivery-versus-payment mode of settlement minimises counterparty risk for both the buyer and the seller.
In DLT-based settlement, assets and money are typically tokenised, i.e. represented as digital tokens in the DLT environment. This newly unveiled solution does not require tokenised money. What has been created instead is an interface that connects the DLT platform with conventional payment systems and initiates (“triggers”) payment. As the solution tested in the project can be adopted by a variety of DLT-based settlement systems, it represents a major advance for the further use of DLT in the financial sector and real economy.
About the project
This test sees Bundesbank and Deutsche Börse now joining forces with the Finance Agency to continue the work they started on the Blockbaster (blockchain-based settlement technology research) project back in 2016. The functionality of blockchain technology in securities settlement and the cash leg settlement of transactions was successfully demonstrated in previous project phases.
 
Featured image credit: Unsplash
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/german-central-bank-dlt-based-securities-settlement-successfully-tested</link><guid>1784</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>German Central Bank: DLT-Based Securities Settlement Successfully Tested</dc:text></item><item><title>European Trading-App Freetrade Secures $69 Million in Series B Funding</title><description><![CDATA[Freetrade, a London-based investment platform, announced that it has raised $ 69 million during a Series B funding round.
The company said that the funds will be used to accelerate its growth in international markets and allow the team to scale its product.
The funding round was led by Left Lane Capital, a growth equity firm focused on consumer internet and technology businesses.
Other investors include The Growth Fund of L Catterton, a global consumer-focused private equity firm, and LSE-listed venture firm, Draper Esprit.
The round includes primary and secondary investments. Final completion of the round is subject to FCA approval.
Freetrade reported that the fundraising follows a period of significant growth that saw its customer numbers hit 600,000, quarterly trade volumes exceed £1 billion, and the opening of offices in Sweden and Australia.
Adam Dodds, Founder and CEO of Freetrade said,
Adam Dodds
&#8220;This is a transformational investment that will supercharge our mission to get everyone investing. It&#8217;s painful to see millions of investors across Europe stuck paying high fees and bogged down by complex terms and conditions. The costs of offering essential services like share dealing are simply not justifiable and erode valuable returns.
 
Everyone already invests their time and their money on a daily basis, but there is so much more that millions can be doing to get the most out of their money. We are committed to helping everyone to achieve better financial outcomes.&#8221;
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post European Trading-App Freetrade Secures $69 Million in Series B Funding appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/european-trading-app-freetrade-secures-69-million-in-series-b-funding</link><guid>1781</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>European Trading-App Freetrade Secures $69 Million in Series B Funding</dc:text></item><item><title>METACO Leverages IBM’s Capabilities for Its Digital Asset Orchestration System</title><description><![CDATA[IBM announced that METACO, a provider of security-critical infrastructure that helps large banks manage digital assets, will leverage confidential computing capabilities through IBM Cloud and IBM Cloud Hyper Protect Services for their digital asset orchestration system.
With its platform running on IBM Cloud, METACO can deliver its traditional finance clients benefits including increased security and scalability as they adopt hybrid cloud strategies.
To address the rapidly growing market demand for digital assets, METACO enables large financial institutions to securely integrate cryptocurrencies, tokens, and distributed ledger use-cases into their core infrastructure.
METACO offers digital asset custody, transaction management, trading, and tokenisation solutions for banks and exchanges.
METACO’s solution for safe custody of digital assets, offers new options of wallet deployments for flexibility of hot, warm, cold, nearline and frozen storage of digital assets, each encompassing a specific balance of security and agility to best fit the needs of institutions.
The orchestration system is running in IBM Cloud Hyper Protect Virtual Server enclaves, which provide access to IBM’s confidential computing capabilities.
IBM Cloud Hyper Protect Services are available on IBM Cloud and on-premises via IBM LinuxONE.
Adrien Treccani
Adrien Treccani, CEO and Founder of METACO said,
“IBM is one of the financial industry’s longest standing and most trusted technology providers, and we are proud to join forces to strengthen the offering of our custody solution and digital asset orchestration system for institutions.
 
At METACO, we are constantly striving to innovate, expand and improve upon our service offerings. This integration will allow us to deliver greater levels of security and trust to our clients as they innovate in the digital asset space.”
Hillery Hunter
Hillery Hunter, IBM Fellow, VP and CTO, IBM Cloud said,
“As the world’s leading financial institutions adopt hybrid cloud, it is critical that they keep in mind security and privacy assurance.
 
As companies such as METACO continue to help the world’s top banks and exchanges manage their digital assets, IBM’s confidential computing capabilities help its clients ensure their data and processes are managed securely, bringing trust into the ecosystem and providing privacy assurance”.
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
 
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post METACO Leverages IBM&#8217;s Capabilities for Its Digital Asset Orchestration System appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/metaco-leverages-ibms-capabilities-for-its-digital-asset-orchestration-system</link><guid>1782</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>METACO Leverages IBM’s Capabilities for Its Digital Asset Orchestration System</dc:text></item><item><title>Digital Banking Solution Provider Meniga Closes €10 Million Investment Round</title><description><![CDATA[Meniga, a provider of digital banking solutions, announced that it has closed a €10 million strategic investment round.
The round was led by institutional investors, Velocity Capital Fintech Ventures, and Frumtak Ventures.
Other participants in the round include Industrifonden, the UK Government’s Future Fund, and existing customers UniCredit, Swedbank, Groupe BPCE, and Íslandsbanki.
Meniga said that the funding will be used for continued investment in Meniga’s R&amp;D activities, and in particular the development of innovative green banking products.
Additionally, the new injection of investment will help strengthen Meniga’s sales and service teams.
In 2020, Meniga said that it had signed several new partnerships with key financial players and launched a total of 18 digital banking solutions across 17 countries.
Meniga’s physical presences include its headquarters in London, Reykjavik, Stockholm, Warsaw, Barcelona, Singapore and New York.
Georg Ludviksson
Georg Ludviksson, CEO and Co-Founder of Meniga said,
“The new capital will be instrumental in helping us accelerate our expansion into sustainable finance management. We are already working with banks across the world helping them accelerate their green-banking strategies with our Carbon Insight solution.
 
Our Carbon Insight solution is going live with banks in 4 different countries during 1H 2021 and the demand is accelerating.”
 
Featured image: Meniga team
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post Digital Banking Solution Provider Meniga Closes €10 Million Investment Round appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digital-banking-solution-provider-meniga-closes-10-million-investment-round</link><guid>1783</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Digital Banking Solution Provider Meniga Closes €10 Million Investment Round</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Platform Feedzai Raises $200 Million at a Unicorn Valuation</title><description><![CDATA[Feedzai, an American cloud-based financial risk management platform, announced that it has secured $200 million during a Series D investment round, valuing the startup at more than $1 billion.
The funding round was led by leading global investment firm KKR, with participation from existing investors Sapphire Ventures and Citi Ventures.
Feedzai said that the new investment will be used to accelerate the company’s global expansion, further develop its product offerings, and boost its partner strategy to strengthen its position in the market.
Feedzai’s platform is used by financial institutions, payment providers, and merchants to manage the risk of financial crime while enabling an optimised experience for end-users.
The investment comes as demand for Feedzai’s technology is accelerating alongside the rapid shift to digital banking and commerce, which has led to a significant increase in consumers becoming victims of financial crime.
In the last quarter of 2020 alone, consumers faced a 650% increase in account takeover scams, a 600% in impersonation scams, and a 250% increase in online banking fraud attacks compared to the first quarter in the same year, according to Feedzai’s data.
Feedzai reportedly has more than 800 million customers in 190 countries, with products protecting half of the U.K.’s and Canada’s populations, as well as four of the five largest banks in North America.
Nuno Sebastiao
“Feedzai’s technology is the cornerstone of today’s commerce as consumers across the globe expect fast, reliable, seamless, and, above all, secure banking and payment experiences. The world has faster digitization requirements, and financial institutions need reliable solutions that thrive in this new digital environment in days, not months.
 
We’re thrilled to be working with KKR to bring more innovation into this space and to keep protecting our customers from an ever-evolving financial crime landscape.”
said Nuno Sebastiao, CEO and Chairman of Feedzai.
 
Featured image credit: feedzai
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post Fintech Platform Feedzai Raises $200 Million at a Unicorn Valuation appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-platform-feedzai-raises-200-million-at-a-unicorn-valuation</link><guid>1780</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech Platform Feedzai Raises $200 Million at a Unicorn Valuation</dc:text></item><item><title>33%  of European Fintechs Face Regulatory Intervention Due to Partner Banks</title><description><![CDATA[ClearBank, UK&#8217;s cloud-based clearing bank, has released a report that revealed 33% of European fintechs have faced regulatory intervention due to agency banking resiliency failures.
Agency banking is when a fintech offers its customers a service that is provided and managed by a licensed bank as the agent of that service. Common examples of these services include access to payment rails like Faster Payments in the UK or the provision of customer accounts.
The report ‘How well are fintechs served by banks? The state of agency banking across the UK and Europe’ revealed that fintechs, particularly larger one with more sophisticated needs, are underserved by their current banking partners.
ClearBank’s research is based on an independent survey of 100 fintechs across the Netherlands, Lithuania, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Key findings from the report
Banks are critical to the success of fintechs but aren’t meeting their needs

More than 50% of fintechs see banks as mission-critical partners which help them maintain regulatory compliance, unlock new revenues and reduce operational expenditure.
But nearly half of respondents (49%) don’t believe their agency bank has helped their business.
A quarter of fintechs are not satisfied with their agency banking services especially access to payment rails like CHAPS (38%) and operating accounts (35%).
Fintechs felt their bank is more focused on offering loans and debt products than on facilitating payments and helping them manage their accounts.

The bigger the fintech becomes the less well served it is

71% of larger fintechs use a traditional high street bank for agency banking services.
Larger fintechs report missing out on important elements of agency banking: 50% of respondents don’t have reconciliations logged in real-time with just 30% of large fintechs are offered access to real-time payments. Meanwhile, 66% of larger fintechs require at least 2-3 days to open a customer account
Overall, 42% of large fintechs are ‘indifferent’ about their agency banking partners.

Agency banking resiliency failures are creating major problems for fintechs

One third (33%) of fintechs have faced intervention from the regulator because of an issue with an agency banking partner.
One in 20 fintechs have suffered unforeseen rises in agency banking costs, lost revenue or seen services go down due to their agency bank.
15% of fintechs have delayed the launch of a new product/service because of their agency bank.

Fintechs want more from their bank, but are scared to switch

The most requested agency banking improvements from fintechs are; single API access (49%), transparency around use of funds held (42%) and better use of Open Banking infrastructure (39%).
However, 22% of fintechs don’t believe their agency bank can provide these improvements.
And nearly half (48%) don’t believe they receive Banking-as-a-Service.
44% of fintechs stay with their agency bank is because “switching looks painful”.
Despite this, 14% of fintechs plan to switch in the next 12 months.

 

Charles McManus
“Every fintech needs to work with an agency banking partner and the nature of this relationship is coming to define our industry. These partnerships are critical, yet as they stand agency banks have not been meeting the needs of fintechs. Firms are losing out.
 
There is also a reputational impact and the potential for hefty fines as operational resilience becomes an increasingly bigger priority. Providers need to do better and unless things change, the fintech sector will not reach its full potential.”
said Charles McManus, CEO at ClearBank.
 
 
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post 33%  of European Fintechs Face Regulatory Intervention Due to Partner Banks appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/33-of-european-fintechs-face-regulatory-intervention-due-to-partner-banks</link><guid>1779</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/clearbank.png</dc:content ><dc:text>33%  of European Fintechs Face Regulatory Intervention Due to Partner Banks</dc:text></item><item><title>Kontist: 25 Millionen Euro für Expansion von Echtzeit-Steuerservice für Selbständige</title><description><![CDATA[Kontist, Deutschlands erste Neo-Bank mit Fokus auf Freelancern und Selbstständigen, gibt eine weitere Finanzierungsrunde bekannt.
Im Rahmen einer Series-B-Runde erhält Kontist von seinen Investoren insgesamt 25 Millionen Euro, mit denen der neue Geschäftsbereich Steuerservice weiter ausgebaut werden soll. Angeführt wird das Investment von Founders, dem dänischen Startup-Studio und Tech-Investor, mit dessen Unterstützung Mitgründer und CEO Christopher Plantener die Berliner Neo-Bank aufgebaut hat. Unter den Kapitalgebern befindet sich zudem die Freiburger Haufe Group, die bereits im Jahr 2018 im Rahmen einer Series-A-Investition eine Minderheitsbeteiligung erwarb.
Kontist plant, das frische Kapital insbesondere für die Erweiterung des Steuerserviceangebots mit Echtzeit- und KI-gestützter Steuerberechnung für Freelancer zu verwenden. So will das Unternehmen den Ausbau des Steuerservices vorantreiben, speziell in punkto vollautomatisierter Buchhaltung sowie geschäftliche und private Steuererklärungen durch die Kontist Steuerberatungsgesellschaft. Diese Leistungen werden zusammen mit dem Geschäftskonto in einer App gebündelt.
Christopher Plantener
„Wir freuen uns sehr über das erweiterte Engagement unserer Investoren, zeigen sie doch damit etwas, das wir bei unserer Geschäftsentwicklung ebenso wie bei der Finanzierung sehr schätzen: Nachhaltigkeit und Kontinuität. Zudem teilen sie unsere Vision, dass der Gruppe der Selbstständigen als essentieller Säule einer Volkswirtschaft Dienstleistungen zur Verfügung stehen sollten, mit deren Hilfe gerade auch in Corona-Zeiten ihre Arbeit deutlich erleichtert wird”,
erläutert Christopher Plantener, Gründer und CEO von Kontist.
Durch KI und die Automatisierung von Prozessen kann eine grosse operative Entlastung für Selbstständige und Freiberufler geschaffen werden. Mit der Ausweitung auf den Bereich Steuern hat Kontist einen Game-Changer für sein Geschäftsmodell identifiziert, der nur dank der Erkenntnisse und Daten möglich ist, die Kontist zur Verfügung stehen. Diese Entwicklung ist äusserst vielversprechend und wir freuen uns, dass wir das Zukunftspotenzial von Kontist durch unsere Evergreen-Fondsstruktur verdoppeln können.“
 
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post Kontist: 25 Millionen Euro für Expansion von Echtzeit-Steuerservice für Selbständige appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/kontist-25-millionen-euro-fur-expansion-von-echtzeit-steuerservice-fur-selbstandige</link><guid>1777</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Kontist: 25 Millionen Euro für Expansion von Echtzeit-Steuerservice für Selbständige</dc:text></item><item><title>Regtech Spending to Exceed a Whooping $130 Billion in 2025</title><description><![CDATA[A new study from Juniper Research has found that spending on regtech, systems that enable banks and other heavily regulated sectors to meet their compliance burdens, will exceed $130 billion in 2025 from $33 billion in 2020.
The report named The Role of Regtech in a Post-pandemic World found that this 290% growth is being fueled by greater use of artificial intelligence (AI) to automate highly manual tasks and the transition to digital onboarding, which have emerged as critical capabilities in the wake of the pandemic.
The research recommends that regtech vendors make AI a core part of their solutions, whilst still leveraging human intelligence to keep their decisions fully explainable. AI’s capabilities in automating manual tasks will allow businesses to begin to improve their levels of spending on regulatory compliance.
Digital Onboarding in Banking Growing Rapidly
The new research, Regtech: Market Opportunities, Challenges &amp; Forecasts 2021-2025 Market Research, found that nearly 330 million new bank accounts will be opened via digital onboarding in 2025, from 184 million in 2020.
Ultimately, consumers will continue to use digital onboarding in ever-greater numbers and, as such, vendors must design long-term strategies that support this.

Nick Maynard
Research author Nick Maynard explains,
&#8220;Digital onboarding has been accelerated by lockdown measures, but ultimately, it is an acceleration of existing trends towards greater digital engagement.
 
Businesses should rebuild their KYC and onboarding processes from the ground up to take advantage of these new capabilities, or they will lose ground to digitally native competitors.&#8221;
 
AI Gaining Ground in Digital Onboarding
The research also found that almost 18% of banking digital onboarding in 2025 globally will use AI systems, compared to under 4% in 2020.
The report identified that the introduction of AI in areas like identity document verification means that businesses can finally move from their still largely manual processes to a fully digital model of KYC.
This will provide significant cost savings of over $460 million in banking onboarding alone, and will also provide a significantly improved user experience.
 
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post Regtech Spending to Exceed a Whooping $130 Billion in 2025 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/regtech-spending-to-exceed-a-whooping-130-billion-in-2025</link><guid>1778</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/regtech-juniper.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Regtech Spending to Exceed a Whooping $130 Billion in 2025</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 50 in Swiss Crypto Valley in 2021</title><description><![CDATA[Crypto Valley has been growing rapidly over the past year despite COVID-19. The hub, which includes both Switzerland and Liechtenstein, is home to 960 blockchain/cryptocurrency companies, among which 11 unicorns, that employ over 5,000 people, a new research by venture capital investor CV VC found.
The 6th edition of the CV VC Top 50 Report, released on March 3, 2021, shows striking growth in Crypto Valley in spite of the public health crisis. Between July 2020 and February 2021, the number of companies specialized in blockchain in Crypto Valley rose 4.4% from 919 to 960, total employment by blockchain companies grew from 4,784 to 5,164, and the number of unicorns increased from 6 to 11.
Crypto Valley’s 11 unicorns and Top 50 companies
Joining the six blockchain unicorns of July 2020 are Aave, Cosmos, Solana, Near and Nexo. These 11 blockchain unicorns in Crypto Valley are all protocols and focus on areas such as scalability and security.
With the ongoing crypto frenzy that began in late-2020, markets have seen a surge in valuations with Ethereum reaching US$152.2 billion, making it the biggest blockchain project in the hub that represents more than 60% of the total capitalization of the blockchain sector in Crypto Valley. Ethereum is followed by Cardano (US$40.6 billion), and Polkadot (US$29.3 billion).
Total valuation of Crypto Valley blockchain companies and projects, CV VC Top 50 Report H2 2020, CV VC, March 2021
Like previous editions, the CV VC Top 50 H2 2020 report names its selection of the Crypto Valley Top 50 companies. Out of the 50 companies, 24 focus on blockchain technology, providing services related to data and analytics, hardware and infrastructure, and platform and protocol; 22 are applying blockchain in financial use cases such asset management, crypto banking, and payment and stablecoins; and 4 use the technology in other areas including art, insurtech, media and supply chain.
Together, these 50 companies are valued at a combined US$254.9 billion, have raised a total of US$3.7 billion in funding, and employ more than 800 people.
Crypto Valley Top 50 Companies per Sector, CV VC Top 50 Report H2 2020, CV VC, March 2021
Big names that made the list include Bitcoin Suisse, a regulated Swiss financial intermediary providing prime brokerage, trading, custody and lending services, among other things, serving both private and institutions clients. Bitcoin Suisse, which is valued at an estimated US$302 million.
Nexo, which recently reached unicorn status, is another Top 50 blockchain company. It specializes in lending and has some US$4 billion worth of assets under management.
Diem, previously known as Libra, is a stablecoin project led by Facebook that seeks to use blockchain technology to enable open instant and low-cost movement of money. Diem is valued at US$1 billion and has raised US$210 million in funding.
Other notable brands and blockchain companies in the CV VC Top 50 H2 2020 list include Crypto Finance, a firm serving institutional and professional investors, Mt Pelerin, a tokenization specialist, and Sygnum, the world’s first digital asset bank.
Blockchain trends in Crypto Valley
With the price of bitcoin reaching new highs, institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies has increased, and new financial applications, or so-called decentralized finance (DeFi) projects, have risen to prominence.
DeFi projects including Curve.fi, Enzyme and Oxygen were added to the Crypto Valley Top 50 list due to recent interest surge and booming activity. Curve.fi enables the direct exchange of stablecoins. Enzyme is the follow-on protocol of Melon, providing on chain asset management infrastructure. And Oxygen is developing infrastructure for prime brokerage services in DeFi.
Beyond financial services, use cases in other areas including supply chain, track and trace, healthcare, and non-fungible tokens (NFT) continue to develop, signaling that adoption of blockchain technology is rising across the board.
Maps.me, an offline mapping tool counting 140 million users, was added to the Crypto Valley Top 50 list for its rapidly growing user base. Modum, another Crypto Valley Top 50 company, specializes in supply chain traceability. Meanwhile, 4Art Technologies and inacta are building the application infrastructure and ecosystem for the traditional art space to be fully digitized.
As of February 2021, Zug remained the largest blockchain hub in Crypto Valley, being home to more than 400 companies or 45% of all companies in the zone. Zug is followed by Zurich (178), Liechtenstein (83), Geneva (57) and Ticino (49).
Number of blockchain startups by canton, CV VC Top 50 Report H2 2020, CV VC, March 2021
Crypto Valley Top 50




	ComapanyDescription




	BancorBancor is a blockchain protocol that allows users to convert different virtual currency tokens directly and instantly instead of exchanging them on cryptocurrency exchanges like Coinbase. It is a decentralized financial network that seeks to provide liquidity to small- and microcap coins and returns for liquidity providers. It utilizes two token layers that facilitate its liquidity pools and functionality: BNT and ETHBNT. Bancor and its competitor Uniswap are the leaders in a new wave of decentralized financial systems.


	Aeternityæternity blockchain is an Erlang-based scalable smart contract platform engineered by programming pioneers to address some of the most fundamental challenges native to earlier blockchains. By redesigning blockchain technology at the protocol level, the æternity developer community has enabled the core protocol to understand and integrate a rich set of functionalities as built-in oracles, off chain smart contract executions, naming service, or type safe VM, out of the box.


	CardanoCardano is a decentralised public blockchain and cryptocurrency project and is fully open source. Cardano is developing a smart contract platform which seeks to deliver more advanced features than any protocol previously developed.


	AragonCreate value without borders or intermediaries. Aragon is being built because so that decentralized organizations can solve the world’s worst problems. Aragon is a project that aims to disintermediate the creation and maintenance of organizational structures by using blockchain technology. The company wants to empower people across the world to easily and securely manage their organizations. Aragon provides the tools for anyone to become an entrepreneur and run their own organization, to take control of their own lives.


	Casper LabsThe Casper Network is a fully decentralized (permissionless), scalable, and highly secure Proof-ofStake layer 1 blockchain. Casper has solved the layer 1 trilemma; it is secure, fully decentralized, and scalable/fast. Powered by Highway, an innovative, correct-by-construction (CBC) Casper-based Proof-of-Stake consensus protocol, Casper is leveraging popular workflows, innovative developer tools and multiple programming languages. Casper makes blockchain services easier to use, more upgradable and more predictable, thus removing barriers to mainstream adoption.


	ConcordiumWhen launched in 2021, the Concordium blockchain will be a Level-1, Proof-of-stake, regulatory-compliant, enterprise-grade blockchain with verified identity of users built-in at the protocol level and with application of zero-knowledge proofs. Technological innovations will enhance its performance and allow the blockchain to be fast without compromising security, be scalable, offer interoperability and it’s partial synchronicity adjust to the speed of the internet and ensure that Concordium won´t break under any circumstances.


	Deon DigitalDeon Digital leverages more than 10 years of academic research, a world-class team, and the power of distributed ledger technology to turn paper contracts into digital contracts. Contracts are at the core of a company covering all its operational aspects: sales/purchase, production, loans, insurance, pensions, transportation, mobility, logistics, etc. Deon Digital Technology captures them all; it stores, executes and monitors digital contracts securely and privately. It dramatically reduces the amount of time that is spent to reconcile data


	CosmosInterchain Foundation, a Swiss non-profit, which is responsible for co-ordinating fundraising and allocating funds to get the network off the ground. The foundation will suggest a distribution of Atoms according to the results of the fundraiser. Users will ultimately decide the distribution for themselves when they run the software. The Interchain Foundation will suggest that 5% of the Atoms go to its initial donors, 10% go to the Interchain Foundation, 10% go to the company developing most of the software, and the remaining 75% to be distributed according to the results of the private and public fundraisers.


	Dfinity FoundationThe DFINITY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization based in Zurich, Switzerland, that oversees research centers in Palo Alto, San Francisco, Tokyo, and Zurich. Our mission is to build, promote, and maintain the Internet Computer — and by doing so, improve the world. The Internet Computer extends the functionality of the internet from connecting billions of people to also providing millions of developers and entrepreneurs with a public compute platform — creating a revolutionary new way to build software, DeFi and open internet services. In turn, this generational shift in computing aims to return the internet back to its free and open roots.


	Cysec SACYSEC SA is a data security company based at the EPFL Innovation Park in Lausanne, Switzerland. CYSEC brings 360° security in one click for container-based workloads and platforms through its ARCA trusted OS software. CYSEC partners with leading cybersecurity research centers to develop technological innovations in the area of Confidential Computing and delivers its cybersecurity solutions for any vertical sectors.


	EthereumEthereum is a decentralized platform that runs smart contracts: applications that run exactly as programmed without any possibility of downtime, censorship, fraud or third-party interference. These apps run on a custom built blockchain, an enormously powerful shared global infrastructure that can move value around and represent the ownership of property. This enables developers to create markets, store registries of debts. or promises, move funds in accordance with instructions given long in the past (like a will or a futures contract) and many other things that have not been invented yet, all without a middleman or counterparty risk.


	GolemGolem is a global, open source, decentralized supercomputer that anyone can access. It is made up of the combined power of users machines, from PCs to entire data centers. Golem creates a decentralized sharing economy of computing power and supplies software developers with a flexible, reliable and cheap source of computing power.


	LiskDevelop and publish blockchain applications with your own sidechains on the open-source Lisk Platform. Promotion of new technology developments and applications, in particular promotion and maintenance of new open decentralized software architectures. In the foreground - but not exclusively - is the promotion and development of the so-called Lisk protocol and the corresponding technology as well as the promotion and support of applications using the Lisk protocol.


	Hdac TechnologyHeadquartered in Zug, Switzerland, Hdac Technology AG is a blockchain technology company that aims to develop and provide a decentralized platform that meets a variety of needs required in the hyper-connected society. This is done by combining blockchain with other core technologies including IoT, Cloud, Big Data, and others.


	NEARNEAR is a decentralized storage and compute platform that is secure enough to manage high value assets like money or identity and performant enough to make them useful for everyday people, putting the power of the Open Web in their hands.


	ICONThe ICON project is building one of the largest decentralized networks in the world. Promotion and development of new technologies and applications, especially in the areas of new open and decentralized software architectures. In the foreground - but not exclusively - is the promotion and development of the so-called ICON protocol and the corresponding technologies, as well as the promotion and support of applications using the ICON protocol.


	PolkadotPolkadot will enable a completely decentralized web where users are in control. The platform is built to connect private and consortium chains, public and permissionless networks, oracles, and future technologies that are yet to be created. Polkadot facilitates an internet where independent blockchains can exchange information and transactions in a trustless way via the Polkadot relay chain. Polkadot makes it easier than ever to create and connect decentralized applications, services, and institutions


	SantimentSantiment creates tools to help analyze the crypto market and find data-driven investment opportunities. The project provides clean and reliable on-chain, social media and development information on over 1000 crypto assets, and develops unique metrics, signals, strategies and reports on top of their custom datasets.


	StatusStatus is an interface to access Ethereum, built for Android and iOS. Enjoy encrypted messaging, a cryptocurrency wallet, and seamless access to DApps. Status strives to be a secure communication tool that upholds human rights. Designed to enable the free flow of information, protect the right to private, secure conversations, and promote the sovereignty of individuals


	SecurosysSecurosys SA is a technology company headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. We secure data and communications. Our products are developed and manufactured in Switzerland and with vested European partners using a trusted supply chain. There are no backdoors. Our flagship product is the Primus Hardware Security Module used to protect the Swiss banking system SIC, blockchain and crypto assets solutions, and Public Key Infrastructure Systems.


	Tezos NetworkThe Tezos protocol is a blockchain technology that evolves by upgrading itself. Stakeholders of the Tezos blockchain vote on amendments to the protocol to reach social consensus on proposals, creating a secure and organic upgrading system. The protocol’s on chain governance system, Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus algorithm, and ability to facilitate formal verification, make Tezos an ideal long-term solution for digital transactions.


	SolanaSolana is a highly functional open source project that banks on blockchain technology’s permissionless nature to provide decentralized finance (DeFi) solutions. While the idea and initial work on the project began in 2017, Solana was officially launched in March 2020 by the Solana Foundation with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Solana protocol is designed to facilitate decentralized app (DApp) creation.


	VelasVelas is a Swiss headquartered technology company led by a diverse team of engineers, cryptographers, researchers, mathematicians and results-driven business leaders. World’s first Artificial Intuition optimised consensus and Blockchain, including an ecosystem of decentralized products, designed in an user-friendly way, allowing anyone to feel the benefits of blockchain technology seamlessly


	Waves PlatformWaves creates the economics of free, perfect and instant. The Waves Platform is a global public blockchain platform, founded in 2016. Waves Platform’s mission is to reinvent the DNA of entrepreneurship around the world by providing a shared infrastructure, offering easy-to-use, highly functional tools to make blockchain available to every person or organisation that can benefit from it.


	Bitcoin SuisseFounded in 2013, Bitcoin Suisse is the Swiss crypto-finance and technology pioneer and market leader. Bitcoin Suisse has helped to shape the crypto and blockchain ecosystem in Switzerland and has been a driving force in the development of the ‘Crypto Valley’ and ‘Crypto Nation Switzerland’. As a regulated Swiss financial intermediary and undergoing licensing as a Swiss and Liechtenstein bank, Bitcoin Suisse offers prime brokerage, trading, custody, lending, staking and other crypto-financial services for private and institutional clients. Bitcoin Suisse has built a team of 220 highly qualified experts at its locations in Zug, Copenhagen, and Liechtenstein.


	21 Shares AGZürich-based 21Shares AG is the world’s premier issuer of crypto exchange-traded products, with over $1 billion in AUM across eleven index, single-asset, and inverse crypto ETPs listed on the Swiss SIX, Deutsche Börse, &amp; Weiner Börse.


	BittrexBittrex Global provides a proven and secure platform for its customers to access the opportunities of digital asset trading. Built on Bittrex’s cutting-edge technology, Bittrex Global provides an institutional grade experience for professional and novice customers alike.


	AaveAave (fun fact: the name is taken from the Finnish word for “ghost”) is a decentralised, open-source, and non-custodial liquidity protocol on Ethereum. Depositors earn interest by providing liquidity to lending pools, while borrowers can obtain loans by tapping into these pools with variable and stable interest rate options. Aave Protocol is unique in that it tokenizes deposits as aTokens, which accrue interest in real time. It also features access to Flash Loans and Credit Delegation as uncollateralised loan options.


	BityThe Swiss gateway to convert money into cryptocurrencies and digital assets. Buy and sell bitcoins and ethers. Introducing Bity Kiosks, the easiest way to acquire or sell bitcoins with cash. Only a phone number is required. Bitcoin ATMs are currently located in Geneva, Lausanne, Montreux, Neuchâtel, Zürich Hauptbahnhof and Zürich Hardbrücke.


	CoreLedgerCoreLedger provides a decentralized, modular and extensible operating system for token economies, designed for all types of assets. The company’s core product is TEOS (Token Economy Operating System), which comes with user-friendly whitelabel tools such as a marketplace, wallet and portal. It features a patent pending multi-party settlement mechanism and simple powerful add-ons to ensure regulatory compliance. With TEOS, businesses can tokenize any types of assets, or use it in Sandbox mode to quickly showcase and model blockchain business ideas


	Curve.fiCurve is an exchange liquidity pool on Ethereum (like Uniswap) designed for (1) extremely efficient stablecoin trading (2) low risk, supplemental fee income for liquidity providers, without an opportunity cost. Curve allows users to trade between DAI and USDC with a bespoke low slippage, low fee algorithm designed specifically for stablecoins and earn fees.


	Cryptix Cryptix AG is the central venture-building platform and umbrella for a European cluster of businesses in Crypto Valley. The company founds, promotes and maintains subsidiaries and participations that work under one vision to create the “People’s financial marketplace”. The Group consists of companies in Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria and Slovenia. Cryptix Labs GmbH, the in-house R&amp;D center accompanies these initiatives with studies and technology around Blockchain and DLT.


	DiemDiem, previously known as Libra, is a payment system built on blockchain technology to enable the open, instant, and low-cost movement of money. People will be able to send, receive, and spend their money, enabling universal access to financial services. The Diem Blockchain is the technological backbone of the payment system, operated by a network of validator nodes. The software that implements the blockchain is open source and is able to scale so that billions of people can depend on it for their financial needs.


	Crypto FinanceThe Crypto Finance Group provides institutional and professional investors products and services with a level of quality, reliability, and security that is unique in the digital asset space today. The group provides asset management, with the first regulated asset manager for crypto asset funds authorised by FINMA; brokerage services for 24/7 crypto asset trading; and crypto asset storage infrastructure and tokenisation solutions. Since its founding in 2017, the group has been recognised several times, including as a Crypto Valley Top 50 blockchain company, Top 100 Swiss Start-up, and 2019 Swiss FinTech Award winner.


	EidooEidoo, a Ticino based blockchain startup, has officially launched the ICO Engine to allow crypto companies and startups host and manage their token sales safely and with ease via the Eidoo mobile app.


	EnzymeEnzyme empowers you to build and scale investment strategies of your choice - from discretionary and robo to ETFs and market making. Security is our priority. Our second generation smart contract-enforced platform is thoroughly tested and audited before any mainnet deployments are made


	Mt PelerinMt Pelerin is a Swiss FinTech company based in Geneva, specialized in providing tools and solutions to bridge traditional finance with the crypto world. It provides an open-source asset tokenization platform for the issuance and management of compliant digital securities, which processes the largest number of ERC-20 security tokens in circulation. It also provides a non-custodial mobile wallet with crypto-fiat banking features, as well as various tokenization, KYC/AML and crypto brokerage services. Mt Pelerin is currently working on the creation of a full-reserve institution that will leverage its tokenization and banking technologies


	FlovtecFlovtec is an award-winning leader in the field of liquidity provision for digital assets. As a key player in the Blockchain ecosystem, flovtec fosters price stability and reduces transaction costs, for the benefit of all market participants. The firm is built on three pillars: a highly experienced and visionary team, tested investment strategies and a professional operational structure. The team is comprised of Blockchain pioneers with detailed insights into the ecosystem of digital assets and its future, experienced asset management professionals with proven track records and quants that can deploy investment strategies in a quick and efficient manner.


	NexoNexo is the world’s leading regulated financial institution for digital assets with $4 billion in assets under management. The company’s mission is to maximize the value and utility of cryptocurrencies by offering tax-efficient Instant Crypto Credit Lines, a high-yield Earn on Crypto &amp; Fiat suite, and sophisticated trading and OTC capabilities, while providing the top-tier custodial insurance and military-grade security of the Nexo Wallet. Nexo has processed $5+ billion for 1,000,000+ users across more than 200 jurisdictions.


	MetacoMETACO is the leading provider of security-critical infrastructure enabling financial institutions to enter the digital asset ecosystem. The company is trusted by top banks, exchanges and infrastructure providers globally


	Oxygen.org AGDefi prime brokerage. Oxygen enables you to custody a portfolio of assets, lend them out, borrow against them and trade all in one place. Oxygen is built on the liquid and growing Serum ecosystem, running on Solana’s scalable blockchain, and seeded by the 140M users of Maps.me 2.0, an on-chain mapping and fintech application.


	SEBA BankSEBA Bank is a pioneer in the financial industry, providing a bridge between digital and traditional assets. SEBA Bank is the only global smart bank providing a fully universal suite of regulated banking services in the emerging digital economy. SEBA Bank enables clients to invest, safely keep, trade and borrow against traditional and digital assets, as well as issue tokens all in one place. The broad, vertically integrated spectrum of services combined with the highest security standards, make SEBA Bank’s value proposition unique.


	Taurus GroupTaurus is a technology company providing end-toend digital asset infrastructure for financial institutions. Multi-assets, multi-blockchains. EU market leader with more than 1 bank out of 2 running Taurus infrastructure. We offer a suite of applications to manage the entire lifecycle of any digital assets (private assets, crypto assets and digital currencies) in one platform: issuance, tokenisation, custody and blockchain communication. Easy to deploy or integrate: API-based, available on premise or SaaS. Future-proof solutions: our engineers are among the few teams in the world that master the full technology stack across software development, secure DevOps, cryptography and blockchain technology


	SwissBorgBorn out of an ICO, today SwissBorg is advising over 200,000 people in crypto wealth management.


	Zulu RepublicThe Zulu Republic aims to mitigate the adoption problem, leveraging blockchain technology to create a sustainable cryptotoken ecosystem composed of individuals, merchants, and larger businesses, bolstered by enterprise-level activity and product “exports”—creating a place where people can not only make use of blockchain technology in their daily lives but thrive in the process of doing so.


	SygnumSygnum is the world’s first digital asset bank, and a digital asset specialist with global reach. With Sygnum Bank AG’s Swiss banking licence, as well as Sygnum Pte Ltd’s capital markets services (CMS) licence in Singapore, Sygnum empowers institutional and private qualified investors, corporates, banks and other financial institutions to invest in the digital asset economy with complete trust. Sygnum operates an independently controlled, scalable and future-proof regulated banking platform. Sygnum’s interdisciplinary team of banking, investment and Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) experts is shaping the development of a trusted digital asset ecosystem.


	Maps.meLeading offline maps mobile app with 140 million registered user. Creating embedded FinTech story on this basis with a strong defi angle.


	4ARTechnologies4ARTechnologies is setting a new digital standard for the art world. The company combines the blockchain with its patented Augmented-Authentication-Technology and offers all art world participants more transparency, security and process efficiency. Using a smartphone camera, the microscopic structure of an artwork is captured and converted into a digital “fingerprint”. Together with the provenance of an artwork, this fingerprint is secured with the blockchain as a “biometric passport”. Once stored, the artwork is safely and uniquely assigned to its digital certificate.


	Utopia MusicUtopia Music is a technology company that leverages big data in order to enhance the global music industry through increased revenues, reduced costs, accelerated payment cycles and improved insights, while creating an ecosystem where music and tech foster creativity &amp; joy


	ETHERISCEtherisc’s mission is to build decentralized insurance applications, making the purchase and sale of insurance more efficient, enabling lower operational costs, increase transparency of insurance compared to traditional operations, and democratize access to reinsurance investments.


	Modummodum.io sensor devices record environmental conditions while physical products are in transit. When a change in ownership occurs, the collected data is checked against a specific smart contract in the blockchain. This contract validates that the transaction meets all of the standards set out by the sender, their clients, or the regulator and triggers various actions. The first product of modum.io offers an efficient system to comply with recently tightened regulatory requirements for the transport of medicinal products for human use in the European Union.




.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post Top 50 in Swiss Crypto Valley in 2021 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-50-in-swiss-crypto-valley-in-2021</link><guid>1776</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Total-valuation-of-Crypto-Valley-blockchain-companies-and-projects-CV-VC-Top-50-Report-H2-2020-CV-VC-March-2021.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 50 in Swiss Crypto Valley in 2021</dc:text></item><item><title>Open Banking Becomes a Reality in Latin America</title><description><![CDATA[The open banking movement has reached Latin America (LatAm) on the back of a booming fintech sector.
The growth of fintech in LatAm started later than in other regions but quickly picked up steam. From 2017 to 2019, fintech investment in LatAm grew more than 100% while the number of deals increased by 28%, according to a November 2020 paper by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS).
In 2019, Brazil was the largest fintech market in terms of investment, volume of alternative finance and number of deals, while Colombia had the second highest volume of investment, and Mexico had the second highest number of deals.
Latin America is capturing the attention of global fintech investors, Source: The dawn of fintech in Latin America: landscape, prospects and challenges, Bank for International Settlements, Nov 2020
With fintech on the rise in the region, governments are introducing new regulations to implement open banking.
On the regulatory level, the degree of open banking development varies significantly among countries, with Mexico and Brazil, the two largest fintech hubs in LatAm, currently taking the lead. Meanwhile, Chile and Colombia are working on an open banking framework, while nations including Peru, Argentina and Bolivia are lagging behind without a clear direction stated by their local authorities.
Open banking in Mexico
In 2018, Mexico released the Fintech Law, which addresses a broad framework for the sector, but the first set of secondary laws meant to establish the next steps for open banking implementation in the country were released by the central bank in March 2018 and by the National Banking and Securities Commission in June 2020.
The law requires all the different actors in the financial ecosystem to offer application programming interfaces (APIs) in order to share information with each other. Financial institutions are obliged to share open financial data, aggregated data and transactional data, provided that the user agrees to give access to them. This affects a total of around 2,200 institutions, from banks to various financial companies.
Since the Fintech Law passed in 2018, deployment of open banking has been somewhat slow. Today, open banking in Mexico has only been focusing on non-confidential financial data, such as information on banks’ products and services, and ATM locations.
Aggregated data by the institutions, including statistical information about both personal and institutional operations, and transactional data of the clients will be addressed in 2021.
Open banking in Brazil
In Brazil, the central bank launched Phase 1 of open banking in February 2021 after rolling out a new regulation back in May 2020 on customer data sharing and requiring both traditional banks and fintechs to comply with it.
The first phase aims for banks to deliver the foundations for the market to create business models and services. In this initial phase, there’s no sharing of data on customer registration or transactional activity. Instead, companies participating in the open banking ecosystem are required to open data on their service channels and the characteristics of banking products and services through open APIs.
The second phase, which will starts in July 2021, will allow participating institutions regulated, authorized and supervised by the central bank to start sharing customer information with their consent, including registration data, account transactions, card information and credit operations.
The third phase, scheduled for August 2021, will focus on transactional information. In this phase, consumers will begin to have access to personalized services such as payments and credit offers through financial institutions’ digital channels.
Finally, the fourth and last phase, forecast for December 2021, will allow for the sharing of additional customer data related insurance, pension plans, investments and salary accounts, among others.
Chile: open banking and fintech law in the works
In Chile, an open banking and fintech law is in the works and is expected to be ready in one or two years.
The legal project follows Chile’s Financial Portability Law, which came into force in September 2020 and which makes it easier for individuals, entrepreneurs, and small businesses to switch between financial service providers, an initial step on the path to establishing an open banking framework.
Colombia: creating an “open architecture”
Similarly, Colombia is working on an open banking regulation expected to be ready in 2022.
The government agency in charge of drafting the law, the Regulatory Projection and Financial Regulation Studies Unit (URF), said the long-term goal is to have an open architecture for all financial products and services.
The URF is planning a series of public-private sector discussions this year to advance the regulatory framework with the financial industry. In the long term, the agency aims to have open architecture for all financial products and services.
Featured image credit: Unsplash
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post Open Banking Becomes a Reality in Latin America appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/open-banking-becomes-a-reality-in-latin-america</link><guid>1775</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Latin-America-is-capturing-the-attention-of-global-fintech-investors-Source-The-dawn-of-fintech-in-Latin-America-landscape-prospects-and-challenges-Bank-for-International-Settlements-Nov-2020.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Open Banking Becomes a Reality in Latin America</dc:text></item><item><title>Launch of the First Interactive Insurtech DACH Map</title><description><![CDATA[Showcasing more than 140 InsurTechs in Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany and Austria,  in order to better connect the ecosystem, increase its visibility and empower stronger collaboration.
&#x200d;House of InsurTech Switzerland (HITS), F10 and Kickstart have joined forces for the launch of the first interactive DACH InsurTech Map.
&#x200d;The InsurTech Map is enabling a virtual and interactive place to highlight startup entries and relevant innovative solutions across the insurance value chain. With startups from all over Germany, Switzerland and Austria, the map is a guide for corporates and investors to find innovative startups to collaborate with.
Andreas Iten
&#x200d;“The InsurTech Map is closely aligned with F10s mission to empower collaboration in the ecosystem to shape the future of banking &amp; insurance. We are excited to launch this dynamic and growing platform providing much needed visibility in the InsurTech space together with HITS and Kickstart.”
Andreas Iten, F10 Co-Founder.
Ruth Armalé
“Due to the current lack of reliable data and information on incorporated startups in the InsurTech space, there was a need to create a dynamic and dedicated space to provide visibility for these innovative companies,”
said Ruth Armalé, Head of Open Innovation at HITS.
“The creation of this map has been made possible through the joint collaboration of valuable partners Swisscom, Clara and Hochschule Luzern.”
During the last months, the three initiators worked closely together with partners to identify and validate the startups included in this first release of the InsurTech Map. In order to reflect the fast-changing ecosystem, the map will keep growing with new startups added in quarterly intervals not just in DACH, but eventually all of Europe.
This initiative has been kindly co-sponsored by Generali, Swiss Life Labs and Innopeaks.

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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/launch-of-the-first-interactive-insurtech-dach-map</link><guid>1774</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Launch-of-the-First-Interactive-Insurtech-Map-1024x568.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Launch of the First Interactive Insurtech DACH Map</dc:text></item><item><title>FINMA CEO to Step Down and Move to German’s BaFin; Jan Blöchliger Takes over</title><description><![CDATA[Mark Branson is stepping down as Chief Executive Officer of the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA. He will take on the role of President of the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority BaFin in Germany from mid-2021.
Mark Branson has worked at FINMA since 1 January 2010, initially as Head of Banking Supervision, from 2013 additionally as Deputy CEO and since April 2014 as CEO. Mark Branson played a decisive role in building up the authority and establishing it both nationally and internationally and his appointment is testament to its international recognition.
FINMA’s Board of Directors very much regrets his decision and thanks Mark Branson for his enormous and successful dedication to FINMA over many years. Jan Blöchliger will take over the operational leadership of FINMA from 1 May 2021 and until further notice. The Board of Directors has already begun the process of selecting the new FINMA CEO.
Mark Branson began his FINMA career on 1 January 2010 as Head of the Banks division. At the beginning of his time at FINMA, topics such as the aftermath of the financial crisis, strengthening the resilience of the banking sector, the further professionalisation of banking supervision and overseeing the tax dispute-related regularisation were at the forefront. Following his appointment as CEO, FINMA increasingly prioritised conduct supervision and in particular the fight against financial crime in the context of money laundering supervision. Under his leadership, FINMA actively supported innovation in the Swiss financial centre with its technology-neutral approach.
The achievements in supervision and regulation as well as the professional organisation of FINMA have now also proven themselves in the coronavirus crisis.
Marlene Amstad
“The role of FINMA CEO is an extremely demanding job, which Mark Branson has done extraordinarily well. He has made an outstanding contribution to establishing our authority during a very eventful period for the financial markets. The fact that FINMA is in such a good position today as a nationally and internationally well-regarded authority can be credited to Mark Branson. His appointment as BaFin President is an expression of this international recognition. I thank Mark Branson on behalf of the Board of Directors and the whole of FINMA for his excellent work and his great personal commitment over the years,”
says Marlene Amstad, Chair of FINMA’s Board of Directors.
Mark Branson
Mark Branson, FINMA CEO:
“This is a very difficult step for me to take. I am very proud of what this relatively small team has time and again achieved together in very challenging times. FINMA is only as good as its employees. And FINMA employees are characterised by their expertise, motivation and dedication – characteristics that they have deployed successfully to protect clients and the stability of the financial system. I would therefore like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to all our employees, to my close colleagues on the Executive Board and to the Board of Directors for their trust and cooperation over the years.”
Jan Blöchliger to take over operational leadership of FINMA from 1 May 2021
Jan Blöchliger
Jan Blöchliger will take over the operational leadership of FINMA from 1 May 2021 until further notice.
“FINMA has established processes, a proven leadership team and in Jan Blöchliger also an experienced leader who, together with the other members of the Executive Board, will ensure continuity and that the authority’s strategic direction is maintained,”
said Marlene Amstad. Mark Branson will now focus on ensuring a smooth transition.
The Board of Directors has started the process of selecting a new CEO. This appointment must be approved by the Federal Council. FINMA will provide further information when the appointment has been made and approved.
 
Featured image credit: FINMA
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post FINMA CEO to Step Down and Move to German&#8217;s BaFin; Jan Blöchliger Takes over appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finma-ceo-to-step-down-and-move-to-germans-bafin-jan-blochliger-takes-over</link><guid>1773</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>FINMA CEO to Step Down and Move to German’s BaFin; Jan Blöchliger Takes over</dc:text></item><item><title>Growth of Switzerland’s Fintech Sector Stalls: Fintech Report 2021</title><description><![CDATA[Despite an increase in the number of Swiss fintech companies in 2020, an evaluation of fintech companies’ capitalization and the number of employees working for them signals a slowdown in the growth of the sector, according to the Lucerne University Applied Sciences and Arts’ annual fintech report.
The 2021 IFZ Fintech Study, released earlier this month, looks at the state of the Swiss fintech sector, outlining key developments and future trends to watch for.
According to the study, the Swiss fintech sector continued to grow in 2020, adding 23 new companies that brought the total number of fintech companies in Switzerland to 405.
Despite this, 2020 witnessed the first signs of a slowdown in the development of the sector, a trend evidenced by the larger share of companies with low-sized total funding. In 2020, the proportion of fintech companies that raised less than CHF 1 million increased 10% points, while the proportion of companies with capitalization above CHF 5 million reduced by a 5% point.
Another indicator of the downtrend in the Swiss fintech sector is the evolution of the workforce. While most Swiss fintech companies employ between five and 15 full-time equivalents, 2020 saw a year-to-year decline of 10% points in this middle interval.
The decrease was mainly in favor of larger fintech companies with 16 to 50 employees and more than 50 employees, which increased their share by 6% points in total. This implies that Switzerland is home to some fintech companies with sizeable workforces.
Proportion of fintech companies by total funding and employees, IFZ Fintech Study 2021, Lucerne University Applied Sciences and Arts, March 2021
Looking at the median values – the value separating the higher half from the lower half – for both total funding and number of employees by year, there’s a clear shift in 2020.
While the median value for the number of full-time employees employed at Swiss fintech companies stagnated at 12, the total funding median value decreased from CHF 2.1 million to CHF 1.4 million, suggesting that the continued growth of the Swiss fintech sector observed earlier came to a halt in 2020, the report says.
Median total funding and number of employees by year, IFZ Fintech Study 2021, Lucerne University Applied Sciences and Arts, March 2021
Furthermore, an analysis of human capital at Swiss fintech companies shows that an increased share of their employees is located abroad. Internationalization of the workforce in the sector has been an ongoing trend for years, with the proportion of employees of Swiss fintech companies working from overseas growing from 28% in 2017 to 37% in 2020.
Proportion of employees of Swiss fintech companies in Switzerland and abroad by year, IFZ Fintech Study 2021, Lucerne University Applied Sciences and Arts, March 2021
On a global scale, while Switzerland continued to perform well in 2020, conditions have deteriorated in recent years.
For the first time since the first edition of the IFZ Fintech Study was released back in 2017, the composition of the top three fintech hubs in the world changed. While Singapore and Zurich once again claimed the top two ranks, Stockholm took the third place, replacing Geneva.
The relative deterioration of Swiss cities in the top ten fintech hubs this year was due to a performance decline in the political/legal, economic and social dimensions compared to international counterparts, the report says.
Fintech hub ranking, IFZ Fintech Study 2021, Lucerne University Applied Sciences and Arts, March 2021
Since 2015, the total of number of companies in the Swiss fintech sector has increased by more than one and a half times from 161 at the end of 2015 to 405 at the end of 2020.
After a surge in 2017-2018 partly caused by the emergence of the Crypto Valley and the rise in the number of distributed ledger technology (DLT)-based fintech companies, the number of company foundations has decreased consistently.
Number of fintech company incorporations per year by product and technology area, IFZ Fintech Study 2021, Lucerne University Applied Sciences and Arts, March 2021
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post Growth of Switzerland’s Fintech Sector Stalls: Fintech Report 2021 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/growth-of-switzerlands-fintech-sector-stalls-fintech-report-2021</link><guid>1772</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Proportion-of-fintech-companies-by-total-funding-and-employees-IFZ-Fintech-Study-2021-Lucerne-University-Applied-Sciences-and-Arts-March-2021.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Growth of Switzerland’s Fintech Sector Stalls: Fintech Report 2021</dc:text></item><item><title>Central Banks Ramp up Digital Currency Plans</title><description><![CDATA[Around the world, interest in central bank digital currency (CBDC) is growing in response to changes in payments, finance and technology, and on the back of rising digital adoption triggered by COVID-19.
A 2021 survey of central banks conducted by the Bank of International Settlements (BIS) found that central banks are ramping up CBDC development as modern technology and the global pandemic are facilitating a global shift toward cashless economies. 86% of central banks are actively researching the potential for CBDCs, up from 80% the previous year, 60% are experimenting with the technology and 14% are deploying pilot projects, the research found.
CBDCs, which intend to act as digital banknote created by the state, are currently being studied and tested in order to realize their many potential benefits including economic growth, technology innovation, increased transaction efficiencies and improved financial inclusion.
China is undoubtedly the most proactive country when it comes to CBDC, conducting real-world trials of a digital yuan partnering with the SWIFT global transaction system. Recently, the People’s Bank of China joined central banks from Thailand, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Hong Kong to explore a digital currency cross-border payment project together.
In Switzerland, the Swiss National Bank has been working with financial infrastructure operator SIX on Project Helvetia, the landmark study on the feasibility of CBDC in Switzerland.
The project has completed two proofs of concepts so far, successfully using a CBDC for wholesale transactions between financial institutions and linking a distributed ledger technology (DLT) platform to existing payment systems in a near-live setup.
The next stage in the trial is currently underway and is due to be completed by Q3 2021, with cross-border payments also being examined.
SNB’s proposed retail CBDC scheme
Most CBDC projects around the world have been focused on retail CBDCs intended to be used by consumers to purchase goods and make peer-to-peer (P2P) transfers, an area not covered by Project Helvetia in Switzerland.
Instead, the SNB released earlier this month a working paper that lays out how a retail CBDC could look like. In the paper, titled How to issue a central bank digital currency, the central bank outlines the key features and characteristics a retail CBDC should have, proposing a scheme for a token-based system that doesn’t run on a DLT platform, and which combines transaction privacy with know-your-customer (KYC) and anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) compliance.
CBDC Withdrawal , How to issue a central bank digital currency paper
According to the SNB, a retail CBDC should be more efficient and cost-effective than fund transfer systems currently operated by central banks. It should also not compete with commercial bank deposits but rather replicate physical cash.
Like cash, a retail CBDC should preserve transaction privacy and protect the user from government scrutiny, surveillance abuses, as well as the other party in the transaction.
Anonymity in CBDC systems is a key area of concern not only for Switzerland but also the European Union (EU). The European Central Bank (ECB), which has been working on a digital euro to complement cash, has explored the possibility of so-called “anonymity vouchers.” These vouchers would allow users to privately transfer a limited amount of digital currency over a defined period of time.
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/central-banks-ramp-up-digital-currency-plans</link><guid>1770</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/CBDC-Withdrawal--1024x667.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Central Banks Ramp up Digital Currency Plans</dc:text></item><item><title>Migros Bank kooperiert mit FinanceScout24 für Online-Kredit Vertrieb</title><description><![CDATA[Ab sofort werden Privatkredite der Migros Bank auch über die digitale Finanz- und Versicherungsplattform von FinanceScout24 angeboten.
Die Migros Bank forciert seit Jahren die Ergänzung traditioneller Vertriebskanäle mit Online-Abschlussmöglichkeiten, um sämtlichen Kundenbedürfnissen und Kanalpräferenzen gerecht zu werden. Auch im Privatkreditgeschäft war die Migros Bank Pionierin mit ihrem Online-Antrag, welcher bereits 2005 realisiert wurde.
Rolf Knöpfe
«Dieser Fokus auf Kundenzufriedenheit verbindet die Migros Bank und FinanceScout24. Wir begrüssen daher die Kooperation sehr und freuen uns, dass neu auch Konsumentinnen und Konsumenten von FinanceScout24 von unseren vorteilhaften Konditionen profitieren können»,
so Rolf Knöpfel, Leiter Innovation und Marketing der Migros Bank.
Starker Partner im Kreditgeschäft
Jan Hinrichs
Jan Hinrichs, Managing Director von FinanceScout24, freut sich über die weitere Kooperation:
«Mit der Migros Bank haben wir einen starken Partner im Kreditgeschäft gewonnen. Der Mehrwert für unsere Nutzerinnen und Nutzer wird enorm sein. Durch die Partnerschaft erweitern wir unser Portfolio erneut und Interessierte profitieren so von unserem ausgeweiteten Angebot im Privatkreditbereich auf financescout24.ch.»

 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/migros-bank-kooperiert-mit-financescout24-fur-online-kredit-vertrieb</link><guid>1771</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Migros Bank kooperiert mit FinanceScout24 für Online-Kredit Vertrieb</dc:text></item><item><title>Julius Baer Rolls Out Digital Onboarding for Its Private Clients</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss wealth management group Julius Baer has introduced a guided digital onboarding solution for clients, including a complete video identification service.
The bank claims to be one of the first wealth managers to provide a guided digital onboarding experience tailored to the needs of private banking clients.
Digital onboarding meets clients’ demand for easy account opening from the comfort of their own home or on the go.
Moreover, the Julius Baer said that its solution differs from existing banking applications as a wealth-management-specific implementation that does not involve industrialisation or a shift to a self-service process.
Julius Baer said that it offers clients a convenient and speedy onboarding experience while facilitating the interaction with the relationship manager, who accompanies the client thoroughly through the process.
The solution, developed together with external providers, consists of two parts. The first being video identification that enables prospects and clients to verify their identity via a video call, thus providing a digital alternative to traditional face-to-face meetings.
The second would be the e-signature for prospects, which enables prospects to sign account-opening agreements electronically in the Julius Baer Assistant App in a secure, convenient, and legally compliant way.
Complete digital onboarding has been rolled out for clients served out of Switzerland and the video identification part for clients served out of Luxembourg.
The solutions are planned to be introduced to additional advisory offices and booking centers.
This account opening service extends Julius Baer’s recently accelerated digital offering, which includes other new functionalities such as chat capabilities, BJB Chat and WhatsApp, and e-signature for existing clients.
Matthias Plattner
Matthias Plattner, Head Channels and Innovation at Julius Baer commented,
“We are delighted to introduce a convenient, guided, digital onboarding solution for our clients, which is perfectly aligned with our personalised wealth management business.
 
While personal relationships remain at the centre of excellent wealth management, we use digital technology wherever we see potential to improve the banking experience for our clients.”
 
Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post Julius Baer Rolls Out Digital Onboarding for Its Private Clients appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/julius-baer-rolls-out-digital-onboarding-for-its-private-clients</link><guid>1769</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Julius Baer Rolls Out Digital Onboarding for Its Private Clients</dc:text></item><item><title>Global Mapping: Open Banking Key Players in 2021</title><description><![CDATA[Dutch payment news and intelligence the Paypers has released an updated version of its infographic of the global open banking ecosystem in 2021, mapping key solution providers and their core offerings and solutions.
The map categories open banking companies in eight segments depending on their offerings. Some companies such as Ndgit (Germany), Tide (UK) and Tink (Sweden) fall into multiple open banking categories because they offer several different solutions.
The first segment, open banking enablers, comprises companies either building PSD2 – the European Union (EU)’s revised Payment Services Directive – and open banking-enabled propositions, providing developers and payment services providers (PSPs) with access to bank data and payments, or assisting banks to publish the dedicated PSD2 compliance interfaces (APIs) via a set of consistent and cost-efficient products. Providers in this category include Flinks (Canada), Trilo (UK) and Yapily (UK).
The second category, API connectivity for payment initiation, comprises companies that are offering payment initiation APIs that allow third-parties to set up payments on behalf of customers and once authorized submit the payment for processing. Companies in this segment include Associated Foreign Exchange (USA), Modulr (UK) and Ppro (UK).
Excerpt for Open Banking Enablers and API Connectivity for Payment Initiative categories, Source: Global Mapping and Infographic of Key Players in the Open Banking Ecosystem, the Paypers, Mar 2021
The third category, API connectivity for data retrieval and value-added data solutions and services, is made of companies that collect data from banks and provide insights and analytics on their customers’ transaction data. Services include raw data presentation, transaction categorization, credit scoring and white-label transaction monitoring. Providers in this category include Credit Kudos (UK), OpenWrks (UK) and Yolt Technology Services (Netherlands).
The next category comprises companies that offer consent platforms for financial institutions. These platforms allow them to ensure that access to bank account information and payments made on their customers’ behalf is fully compliant. Providers include CrossKey (Åland Islands), Pluggy (Brazil) and Ping Identity (USA).
Excerpt for API Connectivity for Data Retrieval and Value-added Data Solutions and Services and Consent Management categories, Source: Global Mapping and Infographic of Key Players in the Open Banking Ecosystem, the Paypers, Mar 2021
The fifth category, third-party provider checking and repository, comprises companies that offer know-your-customer (KYC), identity verification, and anti-money laundering (AML) regulation compliance in the context of open banking/PSD2. Providers include Callsign (UK), LexisNexis (USA) and Salt Edge (Canada).
Bank in the box/banking-as-a-service/core banking infrastructure comprises firms offering white-label solutions spanning across multiple core banking modules, channels, and payment solutions to meet the operational needs of a bank. These players servie banks, fintechs, marketplaces and large corporates, and include Avaloq (Switzerland), Deposit Solutions (Germany), Finastra (UK), Meniga (Iceland) and Thought Machine (UK).
Excerpt for TPP Checking and Repository and Bank in the Box/Banking-as-a-Service/Core Banking Infrastructure categories, Source: Global Mapping and Infographic of Key Players in the Open Banking Ecosystem, the Paypers, Mar 2021
The end-user propositions and solutions category is made of companies providing both business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) solutions. These solutions can relate to personal finance management (e.g. 86400, Meniga), cash/treasury management (e.g. iBanFirst, Unnax), credit scoring (e.g. finAPI, Open Payments), savings and investment (e.g. Mode, Worldline), financial wellbeing and wealth management (e.g. Bizcuit, Frollo), lending (e.g. Klarna, Pelican), marketing/loyalty (e.g. Paylead, Nets), KYC based upon open banking (e.g. Know Your Customer, Pngme), and account aggregation (e.g. Bottomline, Finicity).
Excerpt for End-user Propositions and Solutions (B2C and B2B) category, Source: Global Mapping and Infographic of Key Players in the Open Banking Ecosystem, the Paypers, Mar 2021
Finally, the last category, fraud/risk/security, features companies that include in their offering services aimed at transaction monitoring, API security, and strong customer authentication, such as Feedzai (USA), Truelayer (UK), and ThreatMark (UK).
Excerpt for Security/Risk management/Fraud category, Source: Global Mapping and Infographic of Key Players in the Open Banking Ecosystem, the Paypers, Mar 2021
Switzerland’s open financial ecosystem
Unlike jurisdictions such as the EU, the UK and Australia, Switzerland has taken a market-driven approach to open banking with no specific legal and regulatory requirements for banks and other market participants to follow. Instead the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA) published in 2020 a set of guidelines for the implementation of open banking,
The lack of formal open banking rules has nevertheless not prevented an ecosystem to emerge. The 2021 IFZ Fintech Study, released earlier this month, gives an overview of the Swiss so-called “open financial ecosystem,” citing a number of providers and solutions along the value chain.
Klara, for example, is a API-based business software solution for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). A solution provided by Axon Group, Klara was among the first solutions to join SIX’s open banking initiative, b.Link, a platform that simplifies the transmission of payment data and information.
Hypothekarbank Lenzburg is an example of a Swiss bank that provides banking-as-a-service solutions via APIs. Hypothekarbank Lenzburg’s Finstar open platform, which opened its doors to fintech companies in 2017, provides selected firms with partner interfaces to access data and services around accounts, securities accounts, and other banking processes of the bank. Swiss digital banking platform Neon provides independent products and services to end customers but execution and custody is handled by Hypothekarbank Lenzburg via Finstar.
Other Swiss platforms include Additiv DFS, Avaloq.one, Finnova Open Platform, Inventx Open-Finance-Plattform, Open Business Hub (Swisscom) and Temenos Marketplace. Meanwhile, numerous market initiatives focused on API standardization are currently being undertaken.
Swiss platforms and initiatives for open financial ecosystems, Source: IFZ Fintech Study 2021, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, March 2021
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post Global Mapping: Open Banking Key Players in 2021 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/global-mapping-open-banking-key-players-in-2021</link><guid>1768</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Open-banking-enablers-API-connectivity-for-payment-initiation.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Global Mapping: Open Banking Key Players in 2021</dc:text></item><item><title>Avaloq’s CEO Steps Down Following NEC Merger</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss core banking solution provider Avaloq announced that Juerg Hunziker will be stepping down as CEO by the end of March following its recent acquisition by Japan&#8217;s NEC Corporation.
In the meantime, the current Group Executive Board members Martin Greweldinger, Group Chief Product Officer, and Thomas Beck, Group Chief Technology and Group Chief Service Delivery Officer, will become co-CEOs of Avaloq.
This change ensures leadership continuity following Avaloq’s recent acquisition by NEC Corporation, a global leader in the integration of IT and network technologies.
Avaloq is also positioning itself for further growth by facilitating the digital transformation of client firms and responding to global demand that has accelerated in the last 12 months.
The company continues to invest in its leading core banking platform and will further scale the recently launched core-agnostic products; Avaloq Wealth, Avaloq Engage and Avaloq Insight.
Hunziker had joined Avaloq in 2016 and assumed the CEO role in 2018. His efforts culminated in Avaloq’s acquisition by NEC at the end of last year.
Following his personal decision to withdraw from the CEO role at the end of March 2021, he will focus on interaction with existing and prospective clients of Avaloq as its Senior Advisor to the Group Executive Board.
Juerg Hunziker
Juerg Hunziker, CEO of Avaloq said,
“First and foremost, I would like to thank all Avaloq employees for their dedication and hard work not only during this past year, which was an exceptional one in many ways, but also during prior years, which laid the foundation for where we are today.
 
However, I have now come to a point in my life where it is time to reinvent myself, too. I will remain dedicated in driving Avaloq to further growth, and I look forward once again to being able to spend more time with existing and future clients, which is my passion.”
Martin Greweldinger
Martin Greweldinger, Group Chief Product Officer and new co-CEO of Avaloq said,
“I feel very honoured to lead this company together with Thomas. Not long ago Avaloq successfully launched its core-agnostic platforms, and I will focus on providing banks with access to these innovative solutions so they can deliver exceptional wealth management services in today’s world.
 
I also look forward to driving innovation throughout the whole organization, including client-facing functions, internal operations and finance.”
 
Featured image: (Left) Martin Greweldinger, Group Chief Product Officer and new co-CEO of Avaloq and (right) Thomas Beck, Group Chief Technology Officer, Group Chief Service Delivery Officer and new co-CEO of Avaloq.
 
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post Avaloq&#8217;s CEO Steps Down Following NEC Merger appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/avaloqs-ceo-steps-down-following-nec-merger</link><guid>1767</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Avaloq’s CEO Steps Down Following NEC Merger</dc:text></item><item><title>Neobanks Come for Kids and Teens</title><description><![CDATA[Neobanks and digital banks have set new standards in customer experience and expectations, pushing incumbents to get out of their comfort zone and innovate. After accumulating an estimated 39 million users worldwide, neobanks are now coming after the next generation, launching child- and teen-focused offerings.
Fintech intelligence startup WhiteSight identifies more than 50 neobanks providing products and services targeted at an audience below the age of 18 years old. The group includes over 40 ventures that focus solely on children and teenagers. The rest cater to broader customer segments but have launched kids-focused digital offerings. These include Current (USA), Naraja X (Argentina), Revolut (UK), Lunar (Denmark), Kakao Bank (South Korea) and Bettr (South Africa).
Kids and teen neobanks around the world, Source: WhiteSight, 2021
Europe leads the world with nearly half of all of child-focused neobanking startups based in the region. Providers include Gimi (Sweden), Go Henry (UK), Kard (France), Osper (UK), Pixpay (France) and Xaalys (France).
Gimi is an app that teaches children and young adults about money. It counts some 1.2 million users globally. Pixpay offers a digital bank card for 10-18 year old teenagers that is managed by their parents.
Kard is a mobile banking alternative for the new generation, providing teenagers with a bank account, an IBAN and an accompanying Mastercard debit card. Kard raised EUR 3 million in September 2020, bringing the total amount of money raised by the startup to EUR 6 million.
In Asia Pacific (APAC), there are Mellow, a mobile platform from Hong Kong for parents to teach kids how to build money habits, FamPay, which claims to be India’s first neobank for teenagers, and Zimble, a rewards-based pocket money platform for parents and children up to 18 years of age from Singapore.
In the Americas, players include Mydoh and Walo from Canada, Jassby, BusyKid and Wingocard from the US, and Mozper from Mexico. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), there is Savii, a digital bank account for teens.
These neobanks are surfing on the hyper-personalization trend. Hyper-personalization refers to the use of real-time data and cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) to deliver more relevant product or service information to users.
Fintech companies and neobanks are already at the forefront of this trend, especially those targeting true digital natives and younger generations.
In Spain, Mitto is a neobank focused on teens and young adults. It offers a carbon footprint measuring tool that tracks the CO2 impact of user’s purchases and compares it with that of their friends. Mitto rewards sustainable shopping with cashback. Mitto launched in Spain in 2019 and brought on about 80k users. The startup is reportedly looking to launch in the UK and the rest of the Eurozone later this year.
Neobanks have ballooned in number. The number of neobanks worldwide has more than tripled since 2017, surging from 100 to now more than 300, according to Exton, a consultancy firm which manages a global database of consumer banking apps.
Neobanks worldwide launches from 2010, Source: Exton, Jan 2021
Europe, the birthplace of neobanking, is the world’s largest neobanking hub with 111 players. The region is followed by the Americas with 90 neobanks, APAC with 34, and Africa and the Middle East with 21.
Live neobanks overview worldwide, Source: Exton, Jan 2021
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/neobanks-come-for-kids-and-teens</link><guid>1766</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Kids-and-teen-neobanks-around-the-world-Source-WhiteSight-2021.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Neobanks Come for Kids and Teens</dc:text></item><item><title>Crypto Firm Bitcoin Suisse’s Banking License Application Rejected by FINMA</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) has rejected Swiss cryptocurrency trading platform Bitcoin Suisse&#8216;s banking license application, deeming it ineligible for approval.
Bitcoin Suisse had previously submitted an application for a banking license in 2019.
FINMA said in a statement that &#8220;various elements that are relevant under licensing law make it unlikely that a license will be granted. Among other things there are indications of weaknesses in the money laundering defence mechanisms&#8221;.
Following this decision, Bitcoin Suisse AG informed FINMA that it is withdrawing the application leading the Swiss regulator to terminate the licensing procedure.
Bitcoin Suisse is a financial intermediary domiciled in Zug that specialises in the cryptocurrency business. The company is not supervised by FINMA but is, however, subject to supervision by an anti-money laundering self-regulatory organisation.
Bitcoin Suisse had previously secured CHF 45 million during its Series A funding round, claiming to push its valuation at CHF 302.5 million.
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post Crypto Firm Bitcoin Suisse&#8217;s Banking License Application Rejected by FINMA appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crypto-firm-bitcoin-suisses-banking-license-application-rejected-by-finma</link><guid>1765</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Crypto Firm Bitcoin Suisse’s Banking License Application Rejected by FINMA</dc:text></item><item><title>An Overview of the Swiss Green Fintech Sector</title><description><![CDATA[Riding on the rise of sustainable finance, a new wave of climate-focused fintechs are emerging in Switzerland to provide customers with environmentally-friendly digital financial services and investment opportunities.
Thomas Ankenbrand and Marc Grau from the Institute of Financial Services Zug IFZ identify two prominent groups of green fintechs in Switzerland based on their offered services.
First, there are those that focus on the provision and analysis of environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) data. Swiss actors active in this field include Carbon Delta, RepRisk, Covalence, and Impaakt.
Carbon Delta is an environmental fintech and data analytics firm specializing in climate change scenario analysis. It was acquired in October 2019 by rating provider MSCI.
RepRisk, based in Zurich, is another Swiss ESG data science company that specializes in ESG and business-conduct risk research and quantitative solutions. The company runs an online due-diligence database that allows clients to monitor and assess the risk exposure of companies, infrastructure projects, sectors, and countries.
Covalence, which was founded in 2001 in Geneva, offers investment solutions, ESG ratings and data based on artificial intelligence (AI), and portfolio advisory.
Meanwhile, rating provider Impaakt provides a collaborative platform relying on collective intelligence to produce research and assessments of the social and environmental impact of companies.
How it works, Impaakt.com
In addition to Swiss fintechs specializing in ESG data, others like Yova, 3rd Eyes, Greenmatch, Blueyellow and Pexapark, focus on impact investing and financing of renewable energy.
Yova, headquartered in Zurich, is a robo-advisor offering tailored investment solutions with a sustainable impact. Yova actively manages users’ stocks for a fee, acting as an online, sustainable asset management. The company launched in late 2020 and raised a CHF 4 million seed round in April 2020.
Yova mobile app illustration, via Yova.ch
In the business-to-business (B2B) category, 3rd Eyes provides financial institutions with a goal-based and sustainable investment suite using scenario-based asset and liability management methods.
Switzerland is also home to a few green fintech companies focusing on physical risk applications. Examples include CelsiusPro, an award-winning insurtech startup specialized in the industrialization of insurance solutions to combat adverse effects from weather, climate change, and natural catastrophes, and the South Pole Digital Lab, which focuses on the development and scaling of digital solutions for the management of climate-risk and other environmental risks.
Sustainable finance on the rise
The rise of green fintech in Switzerland comes on the back of growing interest in sustainable finance. Sustainable finance refers to the process of taking into account ESG considerations when making investment decisions in the financial sector.
Environmental considerations may refer to climate change mitigation and adaption, as well as the environment more broadly, while social considerations may refer to issues of inequality, inclusiveness, as well as human right issues. Finally, governance considerations aim to ensure the inclusion of social and environmental considerations in the decision-making process.
Sustainable finance has gained much traction over the past years, a trend evidenced by the rising importance of sustainable financial investments for both wealth management and investment advice as well as pension funds and insurance companies.
In 2019, the market for sustainable investments in Switzerland experienced double-digit growth with volume increasing by 62% to over CHF 1,163 billion, according to the Swiss Sustainable Investment Market Study 2020 prepared jointly by Swiss Sustainable Finance and the Center for Sustainable Finance and Private Wealth (CSP) at the University of Zurich.
Development of sustainable investments in Switzerland (in CHF billion), Source: Swiss Sustainable Finance, via Swiss Sustainable Investment Market Study 2020
Government support
Committed to supporting the development of sustainable finance, Switzerland’s Federal Council adopted a report and guidelines on sustainability in the financial sector in June 2020, a move that’s been focused on turning Switzerland into a leading location for sustainable financial services.
With technology becoming increasingly important for the Swiss financial center, the Federal Council launched the Green Fintech Network in November 2020 to speed up the development of environmentally-friendly fintech innovation.
The Green Fintech Network aims to bring together green fintech companies, associations, potential financial backers, academics, and consulting and legal firms. The body is to submit proposals to the government and finance industry on how to foster green fintech in Switzerland.
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/an-overview-of-the-swiss-green-fintech-sector</link><guid>1764</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Impaakt-How-it-works-via-Impaakt.com_.png</dc:content ><dc:text>An Overview of the Swiss Green Fintech Sector</dc:text></item><item><title>Austrian Crypto Broker Bitpanda Secures Unicorn Status With $170 Million Funding</title><description><![CDATA[Bitpanda, an Austrian digital investment platform dealing with cryptocurrency, announced that it has closed it Series B funding round with an investment of $170 million and attained unicorn status with a valuation of $1.2 billion.
The funding round was led by Valar Ventures with participation from partners of DST Global. Bitpanda had also previously secured $52 million during its Series A from Valar Ventures.
The Series B was signed last week and is currently in the necessary approval process of the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA).
Bitpanda said in a blog post that it would be using the new funding to expand its team which currently has 350 staff members to around 600.
The company has already expanded into France, Spain, Turkey, Italy and Poland in 2020 and will enter additional European markets throughout 2021 and the years to come.
In December 2020, a tech innovation hub was established in Krakow with the objective of doubling the workforce and there are plans to form tech hubs and offices in Madrid, Barcelona, London, Paris and Berlin.
Bitpanda had previously launched a debit card by Visa that is linked to the assets in its user’s portfolio, enabling them to use Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency holdings to shop online and in stores worldwide.
Eric Demuth
Commenting on the funding, Eric Demuth Co-founder and CEO said,
“Becoming Austria’s first unicorn is a great achievement, and I’m incredibly proud of the team for everything we have accomplished over the past few years. It is yet another endorsement in our vision to give everyone more access and greater control over their financial future, on their terms, no matter their financial means.”
 
Retail investors will soon be able to access an even larger range of digital assets, and we already have plans in place to bring our offer to several new markets. Our goal is to continue leading the digital investment revolution in Europe and to help people build the confidence and knowledge to be in charge of their financial future. Our partners and this round will enable us to do that, and more.”
 
Featured image: Eric Demuth Co-founder and CEO of Bitpanda
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post Austrian Crypto Broker Bitpanda Secures Unicorn Status With $170 Million Funding appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/austrian-crypto-broker-bitpanda-secures-unicorn-status-with-170-million-funding</link><guid>1763</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Austrian Crypto Broker Bitpanda Secures Unicorn Status With $170 Million Funding</dc:text></item><item><title>Payments Provider SumUp Raises €750 Million in Debt Facility</title><description><![CDATA[London-based global payments service provider SumUp announced that it has raised a €750 million facility from Goldman Sachs, Temasek, Bain Capital Credit, Crestline, and funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management.
The current round was oversubscribed due to high demand from new and existing investors.
SumUp will use the proceeds to accelerate its growth and continue to acquire and support its existing merchants in 33 markets across the world.
The new funds will also be used to continue expanding SumUp’s product suite, both organically and through further acquisitions (M&amp;A), as well as for refinancing existing debt facilities.
The company has recently broadened its product portfolio in the POS and gastronomy space across the UK and continental Europe through the acquisition of leading POS software providers Goodtill and Tiller.
SumUp has also recently completed the acquisition of the core banking system provider Paysolut, as part of its strategy to build up its offering of banking services for merchants.
In the year ahead, SumUp is looking to grow its more than 2000 strong team by adding talent to its 19 international offices on three continents.
In addition to prominence in Europe, the US, and Brazil, SumUp’s long-term trajectory will include expansion into Asia.
In Europe, SumUp has launched in Romania, bringing the number of its European markets to 29.
Within its new markets, SumUp acquired the full stake in the joint venture it previously had with Chile’s BancoEstado and will continue serving merchants and developing the market further exclusively under the SumUp brand.
The Colombian market launch is also a hugely significant step for SumUp, with the fourth largest economy in LATAM and a population of over 50 million people now able to come into contact with the company’s technology.
Marc-Alexander Christ
Marc-Alexander Christ, Co-founder at SumUp comments,
“As one of the fastest growing technology companies in the world, this cash injection &#8211; in addition to having the built-in option to expand the financing &#8211; will significantly accelerate the growth of our customer base, enhance SumUp’s technology leadership position, and drive the development of new services to support our merchants globally.”
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/payments-provider-sumup-raises-750-million-in-debt-facility</link><guid>1762</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Payments Provider SumUp Raises €750 Million in Debt Facility</dc:text></item><item><title>PropTech Innovation Ranking 2021: Das sind die Top-20-Firmen der Schweiz</title><description><![CDATA[Die PropTech Academy Schweiz hat einen internationalen «PropTech Innovation»-Bewertungsprozess entwickelt.
Damit wurden nun erstmals 155 Schweizer Firmen der Bau- und Immobilienwirtschaft nach ihrem Innovationsgrad bewertet und ein «PropTech Innovations-Ranking 2021» der Top-20-Firmen veröffentlicht.
Deniz Karahan
«Das PropTech-Innovationsranking ist kein üblicher und klassischer Unternehmens- bewertungsprozess. Es ist auch keine klassische Innovationsbewertung. Es ist nicht darauf ausgerichtet, nur Startups zu analysieren und zu bewerten»
erklärt Deniz Karahan, Vorstandsvorsitzende der PropTech Academy.
 
Die 20 bestplatzierten Unternehmen
(in alphabetischer Reihenfolge)
 

Archilyse

Crowdlitoken


Droople


E-NNO Switzerland

Fahrländer Partner


Huperty


Hypoteq


Jarowa


Lightmove

 

Locatee

 

Nomoko


Ormera


Parquery


PriceHubble


PropBase

PropTech Partners

Smart Home


Soobr


Token Factory Switzerland


Woonig


Die International PropTech Standards werden in Zusammenarbeit mit Universitäten und Institutionen erstellt. Das Normenkomitee arbeitet unabhängig, neutral und ohne politisches Engagement und Profit. Der Sitz des Komitees befindet sich in der Schweiz.
Die Rolle der Innovationsbewertungsmethode
Die PropTech-Innovationsbewertungsmethode wurde zum ersten Mal in der Schweiz und auch weltweit entwickelt. Er hat dazu beigetragen, internationale PropTech-Standards zu schaffen. Deshalb ist es ein wichtiger Schritt in der Immobilien-, Bau- und Finanzbranche. Die Methode selbst ist eine innovative Erfindung.
Das Innovationslabel bietet klare Richtlinien und Anleitungen, die bei richtiger Anwendung sicherstellen sollen, dass eine Dienstleistung oder ein Produkt eine Reihe von spezifischen Qualitäts-, Innovations-, Technologie- und Nachhaltigkeitskriterien erfüllt, die den Anforderungen der Kunden und Investoren entsprechen. Indem Sie die entsprechenden Kriterien umsetzen, können Sie ein höheres Mass an Leistung und Zuverlässigkeit erreichen. Dies wird Ihnen helfen, Kunden für Ihre Produkte und Dienstleistungen zu gewinnen und zu binden, wodurch Ihr Unternehmen wettbewerbsfähiger und erfolgreicher wird.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/proptech-innovation-ranking-2021-das-sind-die-top-20-firmen-der-schweiz</link><guid>1761</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>PropTech Innovation Ranking 2021: Das sind die Top-20-Firmen der Schweiz</dc:text></item><item><title>Stripe Raises $600 Million in Funding, Pushing Its Valuation To $95 Billion</title><description><![CDATA[Stripe, an Irish-American payment processing platform, has raised $600 million (€500 million) during a funding round, pushing its valuation to $95 billion (€80 billion).
Primary investors include Allianz X, Axa, Baillie Gifford, Fidelity Management &amp; Research Company, Sequoia Capital, and Ireland’s National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA).
The company will use the capital to invest in its European operations, and its Dublin headquarters in particular, support surging demand from enterprise heavyweights across Europe, and expand its Global Payments and Treasury Network.
Of the 42 countries in which Stripe powers businesses today, 31 are in Europe. And many of the continent’s largest and fastest growing companies are building on the platform.
John Collison
“We’re investing a ton more in Europe this year, particularly in Ireland.
 
Whether in fintech, mobility, retail or SaaS, the growth opportunity for the European digital economy is immense.“
said John Collison, President and co-founder of Stripe.
Mike Clayville
“In 2021, we will double down on our enterprise capabilities, particularly our customer success teams, to help even more large businesses like Twilio or Zapier significantly increase their revenue.
 
We will also invest in our global expansion to help companies such as Glofox or MATCHESFASHION increase their market opportunity. And through partnerships with enterprise solutions like Salesforce Commerce Cloud we will make it even easier for large multinationals around the world to switch to Stripe.”
said Mike Clayville, Stripe’s Chief Revenue Officer.
Stripe has built programmable infrastructure for global money movement, known as its Global Payments and Treasury Network, as well as a growing roster of products and services atop that foundation, including Billing, Capital, Connect, Issuing, Radar, Terminal and Treasury.
In 2021, Stripe will continue to build its Global Payments and Treasury Network, further expanding its suite of software and services to help ambitious businesses drive more revenue.
Stripe will also soon be available to millions more businesses in Brazil, India, Indonesia, Thailand and the UAE.
 
Featured image: from left: Patrick Collison, CEO and Co-Founder of Stripe and John Collison, President and co-founder of Stripe

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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/stripe-raises-600-million-in-funding-pushing-its-valuation-to-95-billion</link><guid>1760</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Stripe Raises $600 Million in Funding, Pushing Its Valuation To $95 Billion</dc:text></item><item><title>Rivero and Viseca Launch the First End-to-End Digital Chargeback Solution amiko</title><description><![CDATA[Rivero, a Swiss fintech company providing payments processing solution, has launched “amiko”, the first end-to-end digital chargeback solution.
The solution was launched in partnership with Viseca Payment Services, an issuer and processor of Mastercard and Visa branded debit and credit cards in Switzerland and provider of innovative financial management solutions under the brand Contovista.
amiko is said to be the first end-to-end digital chargeback solution that helps payment card issuers improve their efficiency in chargeback handling and to offer self-servicing services to their customers.
Chargeback is one of the core payment processes established by payment networks like Mastercard, Visa, and Amex to protect cardholders in cases of fraud or when there is a problem with the merchant fulfillment of the cardholder’s purchase.
The increasing volume of chargebacks, driven by the launch of e-Commerce capable modern debit cards and the overall increase in e-commerce transactions, makes it crucial for issuers to improve customer experience and process efficiency for chargeback handling.
The integration project started in mid October 2020 and amiko is live in production from February 2020, processing chargebacks for Viseca’s debit and credit cards.
Patrick Dessouslavy
“Continuous improvement in our back-office processes and customer’s services is essential for us.
 
We were looking for a solution that helps us to improve the efficiency in our chargeback process and offering cardholder self-servicing, without dependency on our payment processor and huge IT costs”
said Patrick Dessouslavy, Head Operations Risk Management of Viseca.
 
 
Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/rivero-and-viseca-launch-the-first-end-to-end-digital-chargeback-solution-amiko</link><guid>1758</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Rivero and Viseca Launch the First End-to-End Digital Chargeback Solution amiko</dc:text></item><item><title>swisspartners erweitert mit Sygnum Bank sein Angebot im Kryptobereich</title><description><![CDATA[Als einer der grössten External Asset Manager entwickelt und vertreibt swisspartners individuelle Lösungen in der klassischen Vermögensverwaltung und -strukturierung.
Mit der Kooperation mit der Sygnum Bank reagiert swisspartners auf die steigende Kundennachfrage nach innovativen und zukunftsorientierten Dienstleistungen. Die Partnerschaft mit der regulierten Schweizer Bank Sygnum ermöglicht es den Kunden, digitale Assets sicher und regelkonform direkt über ihren Vermögensverwalter swisspartners zu halten.
Neben dem effizienten Handel mit Kryptowährungen vereinfacht die Kooperation ausserdem die Aufbewahrung von digitalen Assets. Darüber hinaus werden zusätzliche Dienstleistungen wie Tokenization und Lombard Loans möglich. Sygnum steht den Kunden von swisspartners als neue Depotbank zur Verfügung.
Christian Dietsche
Christian Dietsche, Leiter der Vermögensverwaltung von swisspartners, zur Kooperation:
«Digitale Vermögenswerte werden von unseren Kunden zunehmend angefragt und werden künftig zu einem wichtigen Bestandteil der umfassenden Vermögensverwaltung. Mit der Sygnum haben wir einen anerkannten Partner an der Seite, um erstklassige und sichere Dienstleistungen im Kryptobereich zu offerieren. Wir freuen uns auf die Zusammenarbeit und die gemeinsame Geschäftsentwicklung im Wachstumsbereich digitalisierte Vermögenswerte.»
Die Dienstleistungen von swisspartners umfassen die Bereiche Kapitalerhalt und Kapitalvermehrung, steuerliche Optimierung, Vermögensnachfolge und Nachfolgeregelung sowie Domizilverlegung unter Einbezug komplexer Strukturen im Treuhand- und Versicherungsbereich.
Martin Burgherr
«Wir freuen uns, Sygnums zukunftsorientierte Kooperation mit Schweizer Partnern bekannt zu geben, welche aktiv unsere Expertise im Bereich digitaler Assets nutzen und damit ermöglichen, ihren Kunden eine Reihe digitaler Asset-Services mit institutionellem Rückhalt und Vertrauen anzubieten»,
fügt Martin Burgherr, Chief Client Officer bei Sygnum Bank, hinzu.
 
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post swisspartners erweitert mit Sygnum Bank sein Angebot im Kryptobereich appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swisspartners-erweitert-mit-sygnum-bank-sein-angebot-im-kryptobereich</link><guid>1759</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>swisspartners erweitert mit Sygnum Bank sein Angebot im Kryptobereich</dc:text></item><item><title>Petra Jenner wird General Manager Schweiz und Osteuropa bei Salesforce</title><description><![CDATA[Zum neuen Geschäftsjahr stellt sich Salesforce Schweiz neu auf.
Petra Jenner übernimmt ab sofort als General Manager Schweiz von Blaise Roulet, der seit 2015 für die Leitung des hiesigen Markts verantwortlich war. Blaise Roulet übernimmt bei Salesforce aus der Schweiz heraus die Rolle des EMEA Head of Strategic Customers.
Petra Jenner behält darüber hinaus die Leitung der Region Osteuropa, die sie bereits 2020 innehatte. Petra Jenner ist seit fünf Jahren für Salesforce tätig und bekleidete verschiedene Management-Positionen in Europa, zuletzt die Rolle als General Manager and Senior Vice President EMEA Emerging Markets.
Sie begeistert das Thema Digitalisierung und die Entwicklung neuer Geschäftsmodelle. Vor ihrem Wechsel zu Salesforce war sie sieben Jahre lang Country Manager bei Microsoft in Österreich und bei Microsoft in der Schweiz. Weitere Stationen ihrer Karriere waren unter anderem Check Point Software, Informix Software und Sybase. Sie bringt insgesamt mehr als 25 Jahre an Erfahrung in der Technologie-Branche mit.
Petra Jenner
 
Petra Jenner zu ihrer neuen Position:
&#8220;Ich freue mich sehr auf meine erweiterte Aufgabe bei Salesforce und darauf, zusammen mit vertrauten Kunden und Partnern spannende innovative und richtungsweisende Projekte umzusetzen. Gemeinsam mit dem bestehenden Team werden wir das Geschäft in der Schweiz weiter ausbauen.&#8221;
Blaise Roulet hat in den vergangenen sechs Jahren den Ausbau des Salesforce Geschäfts in der Schweiz massgeblich vorangetrieben. Vor seinem Einstieg bei Salesforce hatte er das Beratungsunternehmens Salesconquest gegründet, das zum primären Salesforce-Partner in der Schweiz wurde und das Blaise Roulet dann an Isobar/Densu verkauft hat.
Blaise Roulet
Sein Gründer- Know-how wird er in einer zusätzlichen Funktion in Zukunft auch in den Private Equity Bereich bei Salesforce einbringen.
&#8220;Ich freue mich auf diese spannenden neuen Aufgaben &#8211; gerade heute ist Salesforce mehr denn je als vertrauter Berater gefragt, wenn es darum geht, Digitalisierungsprojekte voranzubringen und neue, datenbasierte Geschäftsmodelle zu entwickeln.&#8221;
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post Petra Jenner wird General Manager Schweiz und Osteuropa bei Salesforce appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/petra-jenner-wird-general-manager-schweiz-und-osteuropa-bei-salesforce</link><guid>1757</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Petra Jenner wird General Manager Schweiz und Osteuropa bei Salesforce</dc:text></item><item><title>AdNovum Appoints Appway Exec as Its New Chief Marketing Officer</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss software company AdNovum has appointed Andreas Punter as its Chief Marketing Officer.
By creating this new position, AdNovum aims to strengthen its marketing and communication unit and thus support the strategic focus on clients and vertical markets.
Andreas Punter will continue to serve as the Global Head of Marketing &amp; Partner Management with Appway until November 2020. He will assume his new position as the Chief Marketing Officer on the March 15, 2021. In his new role, Andreas Punter will report directly to AdNovum&#8217;s CEO Thomas Zangerl.
Andreas Punter holds a master in business administration and management from the University of Innsbruck and looks back on more than 15 years of marketing and leadership experience in tech companies. Prior to joining Appway as Global Head of Marketing in 2016, he was Microsoft Regional Business Director with Wunderman. Andreas Punter is an expert in digital marketing and business development. He has long-standing experience in leading highly professional distributed B2B marketing teams. In addition to that, he is a guest lecturer for marketing automation at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and the MCI in Innsbruck.
Thomas Zangerl
Thomas Zangerl CEO of AdNovum said,
&#8220;By onboarding Andreas Punter as Chief Marketing Officer of AdNovum, we strengthen our activities in digital marketing and the use of digital tools for client acquisition. His long-standing experience in digital B2B marketing is a true asset for our company.
 
It will help us to communicate our innovative digitalisation offering to the market in fresh, broader and more targeted way.&#8221;
Andreas Punter
Andreas Punter said,
&#8220;I am inspired by AdNovum’s plan to dynamically exploit the opportunities that arise in a market environment characterised by change.
 
I can’t wait to map complete customer journeys by combining traditional and digital marketing to inspire both prospects and clients of AdNovum with targeted and personalised information.&#8221;
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post AdNovum Appoints Appway Exec as Its New Chief Marketing Officer appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/adnovum-appoints-appway-exec-as-its-new-chief-marketing-officer</link><guid>1756</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>AdNovum Appoints Appway Exec as Its New Chief Marketing Officer</dc:text></item><item><title>ICC and Finastra Team up To Close the Growing Trade Finance Gap</title><description><![CDATA[The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and Finastra, a London-based financial services software and cloud solutions provider, have committed to a strategic initiative to tackle the growing trade finance gap.
Both organisations are orchestrating an ecosystem and exploring the development of a financing marketplace that will provide micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with access to a broader set of alternative finance resources in order to help keep the global economy moving forward.
The ICC TRADECOMM marketplace, powered by Finastra, aims to reduce trade finance barriers for SMEs and enable all parties to benefit from improvements in matching supply and demand.
ICC TRADECOMM will allow investors to finance trade transactions against title documents and equip SMEs with a broader set of solutions to mitigate perceived risk, the burden of compliance, and enhance access to finance.
In the coming months, ICC and Finastra will plan a series of pilots across select markets before launching the platform globally.
During the initial launch period, bank and non-bank financers will be given the opportunity to transact on invoices from SME suppliers from select marketplaces.
Subsequent versions of ICC TRADECOMM may include other trade documents, such as letters of credit, bills of lading, and other bank-syndicated products, in a move towards creating seamless documentary flow.
John W.H. Denton AO
ICC Secretary General, John W.H. Denton AO said,
“If SMEs are going to survive the ongoing economic crisis, they need tools and solutions that will enable them to trade now. Only then will many micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises be able to seize new business opportunities and build back their activity post-pandemic.
 
We are extremely pleased to partner with Finastra on ICC TRADECOMM, one of the solutions that ICC will unveil as part of its commitment to connect investors and SMEs looking for short-term liquidity for their international trade operations.”
Simon Paris
Simon Paris, CEO at Finastra said,
“We have an obligation to redefine finance for good, to help reduce this gap and drive global economic equality. Our plans with ICC to establish and orchestrate this ecosystem are designed to do exactly this and keep trade moving.
 
Our shared ambition is to facilitate millions of dollars in trade financing for SMEs. We are at the beginning of an exciting journey together, a journey towards reducing friction in trade and providing open finance for all.”
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/icc-and-finastra-team-up-to-close-the-growing-trade-finance-gap</link><guid>1755</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>ICC and Finastra Team up To Close the Growing Trade Finance Gap</dc:text></item><item><title>Switzerland Bags the Top Spot in United Nation’s B2C E-Commerce Index in 2020</title><description><![CDATA[For the first time, Switzerland leads the Business-to-Consumer (B2C) e-commerce Index, an annual list by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) which ranks 152 countries on their readiness to support and engage in online commerce.
The 2020 index, which takes into consideration indicators including account ownership at a financial institutions or mobile-money service provider, internet usage, and postal reliability, puts Switzerland on top of the list, recognising the country for its high scores across all four indicators.
Most of the Swiss population (97% in 2019) uses the internet, and Switzerland has a high banking penetration rate (98% in 2017) and banking coverage, the report says.
The country ranks 5th in the world in the index in secure server density, a proxy for online shops in the country, and according to the Swiss Distance Selling Association, there were at least 250 web shops with online sales in Switzerland in 2019.
Finally, Switzerland ranks amongst the top in the world when it comes to postal reliability, and is number one for overall postal development.
Mobile commerce gets a boost
With COVID-19 forcing a lockdown on Switzerland, e-commerce got a boost with volume up by 8% between 2019 and 2020, according to the E-Commerce Report Switzerland 2020 by Datatrans and the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland.
One particular trend that’s seen notable growth is mobile commerce. Sales through social media are growing and platforms are adding “buy” buttons and introducing new payment functions.
JP Morgan estimates the Swiss B2C e-commerce to be worth EUR 10.1 billion, with mobile commerce standing at EUR 2.72 billion and accounting for 27% of the overall e-commerce sector.
Preferred e-commerce methods in Switzerland, Source: 2019 Global Payments Trends, JP Morgan
The Swiss mobile commerce market is forecast to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 15% up to 2021, double the pace of overall e-commerce growth to reach a value of EUR 4.76 billion.
This positive outlook on mobile commerce in Switzerland comes on the back of high mobile penetration and usage as Switzerland is a nation of smartphone users, the JP Morgan 2019 Global Payments Trends Report notes.
The Swiss are avid users of social networking sites on mobile, and have a habit of leaving product feeds and reviews on social media. They also conduct most of their online product research on smartphones.
Global B2C e-commerce trends
This is the first time Switzerland leads the UNCTAD B2C E-commerce index, surpassing the Netherlands, the previous leader. Out of the global top ten countries, the only non-European economies are Singapore, ranked fourth, and Hong Kong, in the 10th position.
Top 10 economies in the UNCTAD B2C E-commerce Index 2020, Source: UNCTAD, Feb 2021
An analysis of developing economies found that Asia and the Middle East are leading the group with countries including South Korean, Malaysia, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Iran, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman topping the list.
Top 10 developing economies in the UNCTAD B2C E-commerce index 2020, Source: UNCTAD, Feb 2021
The global retail e-commerce market, including automotive sales but excluding food and delivery services, reached US$3.9 trillion in 2020, or 17% of equivalent global retail sales, according to media investment company GroupM.
The sector is projected to reach US$10 trillion in retail e-commerce sales by 2027. By 2024 retail-focused e-commerce will amount to US$7 trillion in annual sales activity, or 25% of retail sales at that time.
Global e-commerce sales and growth, Source: E-commerce Forecast, December 2020, GroupM
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post Switzerland Bags the Top Spot in United Nation&#8217;s B2C E-Commerce Index in 2020 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/switzerland-bags-the-top-spot-in-united-nations-b2c-e-commerce-index-in-2020</link><guid>1754</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Preferred-e-commerce-methods-in-Switzerand-Source-2019-Global-Payments-Trends-JP-Morgan.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Switzerland Bags the Top Spot in United Nation’s B2C E-Commerce Index in 2020</dc:text></item><item><title>Klarna’s Open Banking Solution Extended to 8 More European Markets</title><description><![CDATA[Swedish payments firm Klarna announced the expansion of its open banking solution across eight more European countries, which now includes Portugal, Denmark, Luxembourg, Ireland, Croatia, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia.
As part of the latest expansion, Klarna also introduced the &#8220;Account Insights'&#8221; feature which turns simple bank statements into unique insights through categorisation and data enrichment.
These insights can enable a variety of use cases including personalised budget plans, insurance checks, loan applications, credit and risk assessments, personal finance management applications, and many more, through a simple API integration.
Klarna said that it currently supports a total of 24 countries in the continent, with up to 99% and a minimum of 90% bank coverage across markets.
Additionally, Klarna&#8217;s open banking solution reportedly processes more than 150 million transactions per year.
The solution allows consumers, wishing to elevate the potential of their financial data, to better understand and engage with their finances in a more meaningful way.
Koen Köppen
&#8220;Since we launched our open banking offering in March 2019 our growth trajectory has been tremendous. That&#8217;s why we&#8217;re excited to launch in 8 more markets today and expand our product offering even further, as we continue to lead Europe&#8217;s open banking industry covering more than 6.000 banks across 24 countries.
 
The ability to empower consumers through financial data should not be at the discretion of a single provider but open to many providers so that more solutions can be developed that put the customer at the center of their personal finances,&#8221;
said Koen Köppen, Chief Technology Officer of Klarna.
 
This article first appeared on fintechbaltic.com
Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/klarnas-open-banking-solution-extended-to-8-more-european-markets</link><guid>1753</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Klarna’s Open Banking Solution Extended to 8 More European Markets</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Private Bank NPB Offers Incore Bank’s Digital Asset Banking Services</title><description><![CDATA[NPB Neue Privat Bank, a Zurich-based Swiss boutique private bank, announced that it is introducing InCore Bank&#8216;s comprehensive digital asset banking services to its clients.
With this partnership, NPB&#8217;s clients will now able to trade in major crypto currencies and benefit from a highly secure Switzerland-based custody solution delivered through NPB&#8217;s traditional Swiss private banking service model.
The services are fully integrated into InCore Bank&#8217;s digital asset layer platform and provide a seamless interface between Finnova&#8217;s core banking system and the world of digital assets.
With full automation, customers of NPB benefit from a highly efficient process, from e-banking to asset statements, backed by a traditional Swiss private banking service model.
The launch of digital asset banking services is an expansion of an existing partnership between both entities since 2013.
Prof. Dr. Dr. Markus Ruffner
Prof. Dr. Dr. Markus Ruffner, co-founder and CEO of NPB said,
&#8220;With the launch of Digital Asset Banking Services, we are offering our clients an additional option for diversification and reaffirm our tradition as an innovative Swiss boutique private bank.
 
Taking this step together with our partner InCore Bank is a natural continuation of our long-standing and successful collaboration in bringing the benefits of technological innovation to our clients.&#8221;
Mark Dambacher
Mark Dambacher, CEO of InCore Bank said,
&#8220;The focus on digital assets is a pillar of our strategy. Our aim is to be at the forefront of developing digital ledger technologies and dealing with crypto currencies and digital tokens.
 
One example of this is the launch of our digital wallet, which we are using to promote the security and acceptance of the new asset classes&#8221;.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-private-bank-npb-offers-incore-banks-digital-asset-banking-services</link><guid>1751</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Private Bank NPB Offers Incore Bank’s Digital Asset Banking Services</dc:text></item><item><title>BNP Paribas Launches Instant Payments for European E-Commerce Merchants</title><description><![CDATA[Token, a London-based open banking payments platform, and BNP Paribas, announced the launch of online payments service to combine the power of SEPA Instant and PSD2 APIs, two major initiatives from the European Payments Council.
Developed with Token, BNP Paribas Instanea is a turnkey instant payments initiation solution. It delivers account-to-account (A2A) payment capabilities to enhance the speed and increase the security of transactions for merchants across Europe.
Token said that its open payments platform is driving the shift from traditional payment methods to A2A payments.
The platform provides pan-European connectivity to banks, and rich functionality to enable existing payment service providers to benefit from open banking capabilities.
BNP Paribas Instanea is said to easily integrate with popular shopping carts and payment gateways to deliver immediate payment settlement and enhance security.
Risks like chargeback, are also eliminated as payments are authenticated by the customer in their banking portal.
Carlo Bovero
“SEPA Instant has provided a foundation for additional fast and secure payment solutions for our eCommerce clients. The advent of open banking APIs presents a unique opportunity to innovate and deliver instant payments at scale. Token’s technology has equipped us with an unrivalled breadth of API connectivity.
 
BNP Paribas Instanea empowers merchants to leverage open banking APIs to manage cash-flow in real time and deliver better checkout experiences.”
said Carlo Bovero, Global Head of Cards and Innovative Payments at BNP Paribas.
Todd Clyde
“Token is helping first-movers like BNP Paribas leverage open banking and establish strategic advantage. BNP Paribas Instanea is a great example of how Token’s technology can be used to develop compelling payment propositions which become enablers for merchants.
 
Not only do open payments dramatically reduce the risk of eCommerce chargeback, they also enhance the customer experience and boost conversion. We look forward to helping BNP Paribas Instanea drive the take up of instant payments as it is rolled out across Europe.”
said Todd Clyde, CEO of Token.
 
Featured image credit: Photo by Andrea Ferrario on Unsplash 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bnp-paribas-launches-instant-payments-for-european-e-commerce-merchants</link><guid>1752</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>BNP Paribas Launches Instant Payments for European E-Commerce Merchants</dc:text></item><item><title>Baloise’s Insurtech Arm FRIDAY Expands To France</title><description><![CDATA[FRIDAY, a Berlin-based insurtech which is a Baloise subsidiary, has announced its expansion into the French market.
FRIDAY currently has a team at four offices namely Paris, Berlin, Warsaw and Luxembourg.
Launched by Baloise as part of its Simply Safe strategy in 2017, the digital insurer has acquired over 100,000 customers.
Tech entrepreneur Jehan de Castet and insurance manager Maud Mariani will head up the FRIDAY team in France.
Jehan de Castet has already founded two successful insurtech companies, and also founded and managed LesFurets, the leading price comparison site in France. His second company, Fluo, has optimised online insurance advice.
In building up the French arm of FRIDAY, Jehan de Castet can rely on Maud Mariani and her business development experience in the insurance sector. Maud Mariani was previously the global head of business development at Generali Group’s EuropAssistance.
Jehan de Castet
“FRIDAY is a role model for the future of the insurance industry. Customers everywhere want a new and straightforward way of managing insurance. In France, the way people use insurance products has changed dramatically due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
 
I am delighted to be leading FRIDAY France to success from our Paris office,”
said Jehan de Castet.
Gert De Winter
“The launch of FRIDAY in France is a crucial step in the digital strategy at Baloise. The expansion shows how digital insurance solutions that are firmly aligned with customer needs can not only be rapidly scaled but also easily launched in new markets.
 
I am particularly proud that we are taking this step with FRIDAY, as insurtech is one of the key initiatives of Simply Safe, which Baloise has developed from scratch,”
said Gert De Winter, CEO of the Baloise Group.
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Pexels
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/baloises-insurtech-arm-friday-expands-to-france</link><guid>1750</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Baloise’s Insurtech Arm FRIDAY Expands To France</dc:text></item><item><title>Is a SPAC Approach Plausible for Swiss Companies?</title><description><![CDATA[Well, it’s already happening. In the past week, I have heard of 4 Swiss private companies approached by US-listed SPACs interested to acquire them. There may be more such cases in Switzerland by now, but there will definitely be more in the near future. SPACS are publicly traded companies with no commercial operations that have been formed strictly to raise capital through an IPO with the purpose of acquiring a private operating company. The SPAC concept has been around for many years. It is the extent of the phenomenon that is new.
Irrespective of whether the SPAC listing trend continues, or will be more subdued, one thing is certain. On the one side Switzerland has many interesting private companies. On the other side, for at least a few years from now, there will quite a few listed SPACs, with considerable amounts of cash in the bank, that will be looking for a target, against a strict timeframe.
How many SPACs are “on the hunt” at the moment?
Many, and the number is (still) growing.
In the US, NASDAQ and NYSE saw 249 SPACs list in 2020. Out of these, by my calculations and research, between 65-70% are currently looking for targets. In 2021, the two exchanges saw an additional 189 SPACs list in January and February.
In Europe, SPACs are also becoming trendy. Whether or not this lasts &#8211; it needs to be seen. Recent IPOs include the Frankfurt-listed EUR 275m Lakestar SPAC I SE, backed by the Lakestar founder Klaus Hommels, ESG Core Investments, a EUR 250m SPAC listed in Amsterdam. There are many other SPACs in the making. For example, Bernard Arnault, Europe’s richest man, is planning to back a financial services SPAC. Rumour goes that there might be some Swiss SPACs in preparation as well. Worth noting that European stock exchanges are also starting to adapt rules to accommodate the US-style of SPACs. As of early February 2021 Nasdaq Stockholm has new rules with regards to SPACs. In the UK Lord Hill’s Listing Review Report, released this week, is also making recommendations in that respect.
Which SPACs could be looking to acquire Swiss companies?
US-listed SPACs with European management or current and future European-listed SPACs are likely to exhibit a degree of European bias.
In addition, many US-listed SPACs look to acquire companies in sectors that are global by nature, where the origin of the target is relatively unimportant. For example, out of the 90 SPACS listed on Nasdaq in 2020 that are still looking for a target, from what I can see about 2/3 have a global, geography-agnostic mandate. In terms of sector, if we look at the same set of SPACs, from what I could see roughly 65% of them were in technology and healthcare, with other global themes such as ESG, travel and leisure following suit.
Worth also mentioning that the Hong Kong and Singapore bourses have recently announced they were considering allowing SPAC listings as well. If that happens, they may also list SPACs that look to acquire European companies in the future.
What is the typical target profile SPACs are looking for?
A certain size is what I would like to highlight. From the start, in the US for example, there is a minimum threshold imposed under the NASDAQ and NYSE rules, which specify that “the De-SPAC transaction must be with one or more target businesses or assets that together have an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the assets held in the trust account at the time of signing the definitive agreement”. If one looks at the table below, one could do some back-of-the-envelope math.
In the case of SPACs with a “one acquisition” strategy, a rule of thumb seems to currently be to assume that funds raised by a SPAC at IPO represent roughly 25-30% of the target enterprise value (EV), although I have seen quite a few deals where the target was significantly larger than that.
In the case of SPACs with a “buy and build” or multiple acquisition strategy from the start, there is obviously more flexibility in term of size per individual target.
To give you an idea of the level of funds raised (which you would then have to multiply by 3 or 4 for an indicative EV of the target), I have gathered some data from the SPAC listings of 2020 and 2021 on NASDAQ and NYSE:
Europe being Europe – I can only presume it will not have the same number of very large SPAC IPOs. Therefore, the target size European SPACS will be looking for is likely to be generally smaller. It is difficult to be more precise on size, because we do not have any visibility of what SPACs will be listed in the future. As a reference point, the smallest SPACs listed in the US recently, as per the above table, have raised USD 40m at IPO. Multiplied by 3, that’s an indicative target EV of USD 120m.
To this end, I personally doubt that a CHF 10-20m EV Swiss company would be a target any time soon, but starting from an EV of CHF 100-150m, it is not implausible to see a SPAC approaching such a company in the future.
Prior to 2020, it used to be more or less the norm that SPACs would look for EBITDA-positive companies. Since 2020, things seem to have become more flexible.
In terms of performance and prospects, it only makes sense for SPACs to target companies they believe to have meaningful upside potential. Some SPACs are looking for companies that are already doing well, some are looking for “fallen angels”, for restructuring and turnaround situations. To this end, a Swiss Software-as-a-Service company with high and sustainable growth, a later-stage biotech, a fast-growing company in the renewable space and a family business that has a solid market position but needs a re-vamp, could all be targeted by different types of SPACs.
At the opposite end, anything that is generally too early stage for an IPO, or developed but ex-growth in a stale or shrinking industry, with no chance of revival, would generally not make a good SPAC acquisition target.
The 4 Swiss companies I have heard of that have been approached by SPACs are one in the tech space and three biotechs. All of them were at different stages of preparing for an IPO anyway, as far as I know.
How can Swiss private companies become more “SPACs-y”?
There are two key things one could do, to trigger attention from SPACs: be visible to the relevant parties and have “the house in order”. In my view, the categories of Swiss companies that are naturally in pole-position here are:

Industry leaders and industry disruptors, which are generally known in the relevant sector circles and are likely to be very well organised internally; and
IPO candidates, because IPO preparation ticks both boxes. IPO candidates are known to bankers, and bankers are often idea or lead generators for the SPAC founders. At the same time, the in-house part of IPO preparation naturally makes the company far easier to due diligence and more agile to respond to an M&amp;A approach.

For all those companies that are none of the above, but have now become interested in the phenomenon, there is no impediment in them taking a more proactive role and contacting the SPAC management teams directly. The SPAC information (profile, key management) is in the public domain, on the website of the stock exchanges, in the media etc.
For US SPACs, you can see the full list of IPOs and new filings (imminent IPOs) here. They generally are the ones with an initial price per share of USD 10 and a ticker symbol that ends in U (for “unit”). In Europe, some exchanges do not publicly share their IPO lists. One needs to keep an eye on the media in this case. The London Stock Exchange publishes its IPOs here and Nasdaq Nordic publishes here. SIX (if and when SPACs happen) publishes completed IPOs here.
However, worth remembering that – particularly for Swiss companies that have shown no interest whatsoever in going public to date and have all of a sudden become excited about SPACs &#8211; an acquisition by a SPAC may come as a shock to the system. That is because, from a target’s perspective, a transaction with a SPAC is basically a hybrid “IPO/M&amp;A” done within a condensed timeframe. In contrast, companies would generally take one to several years to prepare internally for an IPO. In addition, the end of this hybrid “IPO/M&amp;A” process is nothing but the beginning of another process: that of life as a public company, with all its benefits, but also obligations.
In my view, there is no universal answer to the question “is it better for companies to go public via an IPO or a SPAC”, the same way one could have pros and cons for an IPO versus a direct listing. The answer depends very much on every target, and the respective SPAC and its sponsors, and the terms and conditions of the deal etc. One thing is for sure though: for the target, going public through SPACs is faster, there is the certainty of price, one does not need to do the beauty parades with the banks or the initial investor roadshow and targets can talk about their future and forecasts more freely.
For me and for now, the listing via SPAC is just another type of listing, alongside IPOs and direct listings. For Swiss private companies in general though, the carrot of “SPAC = money looking for companies” may just be the right incentive to make them give public markets a more serious consideration.
 
This article first appeared on Next-Generation Wealth
Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash and Freepik
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/is-a-spac-approach-plausible-for-swiss-companies</link><guid>1749</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Is-a-SPAC-Approach-Plausible-for-Swiss-Companies.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>Is a SPAC Approach Plausible for Swiss Companies?</dc:text></item><item><title>UK Digital Bank Starling Raises £272 Million Funding, Secures Valuation of £1.1 Billion</title><description><![CDATA[UK digital bank Starling announced a £272 million (US$ 376 million) Series D funding round led by Fidelity Management &amp; Research Company.
The new investment values the company at £1.1 billion (US$ 1.5 billion) pre-money.
The funding will be deployed primarily to support a targeted expansion of Starling’s lending in the UK, as well as to launch Starling in Europe and for anticipated M&amp;A.
Other investors include Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), RPMI Railpen, the investment manager for the £31 billion Railways Pension Scheme, and the global investment firm Millennium Management.
Since launching in 2017, it has opened more than two million accounts, including more than 300,000 small business accounts. Starling’s total gross lending now reportedly exceeds £2 billion, while deposits top £5.4 billion.
Rothschild &amp; Co is acting as exclusive financial advisor with Norton Rose Fulbright acting as legal advisor to Starling Bank on this transaction.
The transaction remains subject to regulatory approval.
Anne Boden
Anne Boden, Founder and CEO of Starling Bank said,
“Digital banking has reached a tipping point. Customers now expect a fairer, smarter and more human alternative to the banks of the past and that is what we are giving them at Starling as we continue to grow and add new products and services.
 
Our new investors will bring a wealth of experience as we enter the next stage of growth, while the continued support of our existing backers represents a huge vote of confidence.”
 
Featured image credit: Starling Bank
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/uk-digital-bank-starling-raises-272-million-funding-secures-valuation-of-11-billion</link><guid>1747</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>UK Digital Bank Starling Raises £272 Million Funding, Secures Valuation of £1.1 Billion</dc:text></item><item><title>PayPal to Acquire Crypto Security Firm Curv</title><description><![CDATA[PayPal announced that it has agreed to acquire Curv to accelerate and expand its initiatives to support cryptocurrencies and digital assets.
Curv is a provider of cloud-based infrastructure for digital asset security based in Tel Aviv, was founded in 2018 by CEO Itay Malinger and CTO Dan Yadlin.
In October 2020, PayPal announced its commitment to help shape the role that digital currencies will play in the future of financial services and commerce. To drive sustained growth and innovation in this area, the company recently created a business unit focused on blockchain, crypto and digital currencies.
Curv will join the newly formed group, with its team of technologists adding technical expertise to PayPal.
PayPal expects to complete the acquisition in the first half of 2021. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Jose Fernandez da Ponte
&#8220;The acquisition of Curv is part of our effort to invest in the talent and technology to realize our vision for a more inclusive financial system.
 
During our conversations with Curv&#8217;s team, we&#8217;ve been impressed by their technical talent, entrepreneurial spirit, and the thinking behind the technology they&#8217;ve built in the last few years. We&#8217;re excited to welcome the Curv team to PayPal.&#8221;
said Jose Fernandez da Ponte, Vice President and General Manager, Blockchain, Crypto and Digital Currencies, PayPal.
Itay Malinger
&#8220;As a pioneer in security infrastructure for digital assets, Curv is proud to be recognised as an innovator and trusted partner to leading financial institutions around the world.
 
Now, as the adoption of digital assets accelerates, we feel there&#8217;s no better home than PayPal to continue our journey of innovation. We&#8217;re excited to join PayPal in expanding the role these assets play in the global economy.&#8221;
said Itay Malinger, CEO of Curv.
 
Featured image credit: Photo by Brett Jordan from Pexels
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/paypal-to-acquire-crypto-security-firm-curv</link><guid>1748</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>PayPal to Acquire Crypto Security Firm Curv</dc:text></item><item><title>IDnow Acquires Identity Trust Management</title><description><![CDATA[IDnow, a provider of Identity Verification-as-a-Service solutions, announced that it has agreed to acquire identity Trust Management, an international provider of digital and offline identification solutions from Germany.
IDnow will retain identity Trust Management’s Düsseldorf location as well as its employees.
The acquisition of identity Trust Management will allow IDnow to expand into new industry verticals and provide its services to a broader customer base throughout Germany and beyond.
The combined product portfolio will offer one of the broadest sets of identity verification methods available in the European market, ranging from automated to human-assisted and from purely online to point-of-sale. All these methods will be made available via the unified IDnow platform.
identity Trust Management has established itself in the German identity market over the last decade, with a particularly strong reputation and portfolio of clients across the telecommunications and insurance verticals.
This is IDnow’s second acquisition in the last six months following that of Wirecard Communication Services in September 2020.
Andreas Bodczek
&#8220;identity Trust Management AG has built an impressive company both in terms of product portfolio and client relationships. We have known the leadership team for years and have established a partnership rooted in deep loyalty and mutual understanding.
 
We are excited to welcome identity Trust Management AG’s talented team to the IDnow family and look forward to combining the strengths of both companies to create a unified, market-leading brand.”
said Andreas Bodczek, CEO at IDnow.

Uwe Stelzig
“This combination unites the power of IDnow’s innovative technology with identity Trust Management AG’s diverse set of capabilities to create a differentiated identity verification platform.
 
Together, we will be well-positioned to achieve our joint vision of providing clients with a unique, one-stop solution for identity verification.”
said Uwe Stelzig, CEO at identity Trust Management AG.
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/idnow-acquires-identity-trust-management</link><guid>1746</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>IDnow Acquires Identity Trust Management</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Blockchain Federation Launches Blockchain Innovation Programme</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss Blockchain Federation has launched the NTN Innovation Booster – Blockchain Nation Switzerland, a four-year program co-funded by Innosuisse, the Swiss Innovation Agency.
The initiative aims to systematically and sustainably drives blockchain innovation in Switzerland, presenting an opportunity to incorporate startups and create new jobs.
One of the goals of this Innovation Booster is to connect larger firms and incumbent blockchain companies with startups and researchers to develop promising prototypes and business models.
Heinz Tännler
Heinz Tännler, President of the Swiss Blockchain Federation and Government Councillor of the Canton of Zug said,
“As a pioneering nation in Blockchain technology, we have a responsibility to embrace a broad range of diversity criteria.
 
The Swiss Blockchain Federation already looks forward to reviewing the project proposals of many talented women and men from every region of Switzerland.”

Consortium Funded by Innosuisse
The Swiss Blockchain Federation is partnering with five consortium partners from the blockchain industry and academia in implementing the programme:

The Lucerne School of Computer Science and Information Technology at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Lucerne (HSLU) is the first of its kind at a Swiss university of applied sciences. On its new Zug-Rotkreuz Campus, some 900 Bachelor’s and Master’s students as well as 1,200 participants in continuing and executive education programs benefit from its varied services and programs.
The Institute of Information Systems and Networking at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI) – Department of innovative Technologies &#8211; carries out teaching and applied research activities in the information and communication technology domain. It is an ICT research institute with a strong expertise in applied computer science as well as data and network science.
CV VC AG is an early-stage venture capital investor with a focus on startups that build on Blockchain technology. In addition to the venture capital investments, the company operates an own incubator and ecosystem business under the CV Labs brand, consisting of co-working spaces, advisory and events.
CV Labs offers startups and entrepreneurs two primary services, the CV Labs Incubator and CV Labs Coworking space.
Trust Square AG provides a space for innovative ideas to flourish. With disruptive technologies as the common denominator, Trust Square connects entrepreneurs, early-stage ventures, businesses, investors and academics and allows them to pursue their visions in an open, versatile and diverse environment. In 2019, Trust Square organized the biggest Blockchain Hackathon (#SBHACK19) in Switzerland.

SBF Innovation Cycle
 
 
Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-blockchain-federation-launches-blockchain-innovation-programme</link><guid>1744</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/SBF-Innovation-Cycle.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Blockchain Federation Launches Blockchain Innovation Programme</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Studie und Ranking 2021</title><description><![CDATA[Der Schweizer FinTech-Markt ist im Jahr 2020 ein weiteres Mal gewachsen. Ein genauerer Blick auf den Sektor lässt jedoch erahnen: Das Wachstum der Branche gerät ins Stocken. Das zeigen die Ergebnisse der diesjährigen FinTech-Studie der Hochschule Luzern.
Die Schweizer FinTech-Branche hat sich in den letzten Jahren von einem Nischenmarkt zu einem relevanten Anbieter von innovativen Lösungen für die Schweizer Finanzindustrie entwickelt. Zum Ende des Jahres 2020 waren insgesamt 405 Schweizer FinTech-Unternehmen in der Schweiz ansässig, was einem Anstieg von 23 Unternehmen (plus sechs Prozent) gegenüber dem Jahr 2019 entspricht (siehe Abbildung 1).
Die Mehrheit der Unternehmen bietet dabei Lösungen im Bereich des Investment Management und der Bankeninfrastruktur an. Ihre Geschäftsmodelle basieren überwiegend auf Technologien aus den Bereichen der Prozessdigitalisierung, Automatisierung und Robotics.
Abbildung 1: Der Schweizer FinTech-Markt ist im Jahr 2020 ein weiteres Mal gewachsen, die Wachstumsgeschwindigkeit gerät allerdings ins Stocken. Die Abbildung 1 zeigt die Entwicklung der Schweizer FinTech-Branche (zum Vergrössern klicken).
Trotz der ansteigenden Anzahl an FinTech-Unternehmen mit Sitz in der Schweiz gibt es im Jahr 2020 auch erste Anzeichen für eine Verlangsamung der Entwicklung des Sektors.
Thomas Ankenbrand
«Seit 2015 war die Wachstumsrate noch nie so tief»,
sagt Thomas Ankenbrand, Studienleiter und Dozent für Banking and Finance an der Hochschule Luzern.
Weitere Indikatoren, die auf eine Verlangsamung der Schweizer FinTech-Branche hindeuten, sind der sinkende Median der Gesamtkapitalisierung der Unternehmen und der konstant bleibende Median der Mitarbeitendenzahl. Ein Blick auf die Belegschaft der Schweizer FinTech-Unternehmen zeigt zudem: Der Anteil ihrer Mitarbeitenden, die nicht in der Schweiz, sondern im Ausland stationiert sind, steigt kontinuierlich an. Ende 2020 machte diese Gruppe bereits mehr als einen Drittel aller Beschäftigten von Schweizer FinTech-Unternehmen aus.
Die guten Bedingungen verschlechtern sich tendenziell
Die Schweiz steht im internationalen Vergleich bezüglich der vorherrschenden Rahmenbedingungen für FinTech-Unternehmen weiterhin gut da, wie aus dem FinTech-Hub-Ranking der HSLU-Studie hervorgeht. «Die Bedingungen haben sich in den letzten Jahren aber im Vergleich zu den anderen führenden FinTech-Ökosystemen tendenziell verschlechtert», erläutert Ankenbrand.
Dies trifft insbesondere auf soziale und wirtschaftliche Umweltfaktoren zu. Eine weiterführende Analyse zeigt, dass die Qualität des Umfeldes einen klar positiven Zusammenhang mit der Grösse eines FinTech-Sektors aufweist. «Diesen Rahmenbedingungen Sorge zu tragen ist nicht nur für die ansässige FinTech-Branche, sondern auch für die Schweizer Finanzindustrie insgesamt von Bedeutung», so der FinTech-Experte.
Abbildung 2: Die Schweiz steht im internationalen Vergleich bezüglich der vorherrschenden Rahmenbedingungen für FinTech-Unternehmen weiterhin gut da, hat gegenüber anderen führenden FinTech-Ökosystemen aber leicht eingebüsst (zum Vergrössern klicken).
FinTech kommt langsam in der realen Welt an
Ein großer Teil der Volumina, sei es im Zahlungsverkehr, bei Krediten oder Investitionen, wird immer noch von traditionellen Finanzinstituten und einzelnen etablierten FinTech-Unternehmen abgewickelt. Ein Blick auf die Zahlen zeigt zudem, dass Schweizer Banken im Laufe der Zeit effizienter geworden sind und sich der Effekt der Digitalisierung langsam materialisiert.
Dies ist unter anderem auf FinTech-Lösungen zurückzuführen, welche gemäss den Erkenntnissen der Studie mehrheitlich auf das Business-to-Business-Geschäft abzielen, was auch innovative Lösungen für etablierte Banken inkludiert. Generell konnten traditionelle Finanzinstitute die verwalteten Volumina steigern, während sie ihre Kosten stabil hielten. «Diese Entwicklung spiegelt sich jedoch nicht auf der Ertragsseite wider», so Thomas Ankenbrand. Das deute laut den Studienautoren darauf hin, dass die gewonnenen Effizienzgewinne direkt an die Kundinnen und Kunden weitergegeben werden.
Open Banking realisiert sich über Plattformen
Angetrieben durch den Druck auf Geschäftsmodelle, durch technologische Fortschritte, veränderte Kundenbedürfnisse und regulatorische Anforderungen gilt Open Banking, bei dem Banken und Drittanbieter gewisse Daten beziehungsweise Dienstleistungen miteinander austauschen, als bedeutender Trend in der Finanzbranche. Eine in der Studie präsentierte Umfrage unter IT-Verantwortlichen bei Schweizer Banken zeigt jedoch, dass der Druck zur Öffnung von Bankschnittstellen wie auch der Bedarf an entsprechenden Lösungen, insbesondere im Business-to-Consumer-Bereich, relativ gering ist.
Weitere Hinderungsgründe für die Implementierung von Open-Banking-Lösungen sind die hohen Kosten und Aufwände sowie Bedenken in Bezug auf die IT-Sicherheit und die fehlende Standardisierung. Letzteres ist, zumindest teilweise, darauf zurückzuführen, dass Open Banking in der Schweiz vom Markt getrieben und nicht wie in der Europäischen Union über verbindliche Richtlinien (PSD2) verordnet ist.
Daher haben sich verschiedene Plattformen herausgebildet, die den sicheren und standardisierten Austausch von Daten und Dienstleistungen ermöglichen. Diese Plattformen werden auch zunehmend von den Banken genutzt, insbesondere im Firmenkundengeschäft.
«Skin in the game matters»
Die Risikokapitalaktivität stellt den Indikator mit der höchsten Bedeutung im FinTech-Hub-Ranking dar. Diesbezüglich ist die Schweiz grundsätzlich gut aufgestellt. Indikatoren dafür sind das Wagniskapitalvolumen, das in den FinTech-Sektor investiert wird, sowie die von Schweizer FinTech-Unternehmen wahrgenommenen geringen Schwierigkeiten bei der Aufnahme neuer Finanzmittel.
Total konnte der Sektor im Jahr 2020 rund 260 Millionen Schweizer Franken an neuem Kapital aufnehmen. Auch für die einzelnen Unternehmen ist die Gesamtkapitalisierung von Bedeutung. Diese weist neben den Erlösen und der Anzahl der Mitarbeitenden einen signifikanten Zusammenhang mit der Bewertung eines FinTech-Unternehmens auf, was aus einer quantitativen Analyse in der Studie hervorgeht.
Die Studie kann per Mail an ifz@hslu.ch bestellt werden.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-studie-und-ranking-2021</link><guid>1745</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/MM-Grafiken-Deutsch-Abbildung-1.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech Studie und Ranking 2021</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Regtech Apiax Begins Operations in Germany and Secures Fresh Funding</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss regtech startup Apiax announced that it has started operations in Germany and opened a subsidiary in Frankfurt to serve the market even better. The expansion follows its existing initiatives in the UK and Singapore.
Frankfurt-based venture firm Futury Regio Growth Fund, together with leading international investors, has invested an undisclosed sum into Apiax to further accelerate its growth plans.
The follow-up financing succeeds the first $6.6 million Series A funding round. All previous investors are also involved in the new financing round including XAnge, e.ventures, Peter Kurer, DIVentures, SICTIC, Zürcher Kantonalbank, and Tugboat.
With the establishment of a subsidiary in Frankfurt, the investment is said to create future-proof jobs and strengthen the financial center of Hesse.
Benjamin Krahmer, Managing Director of Futury said,
Benjamin Krahmer
“The Apiax team combines technical expertise with regulatory know-how and entrepreneurial spirit.
 
Apiax has created an excellent basis for further growth with its existing clients, partnerships and projects. We look forward to working with the team and the founders.”
Nicolas Blanchard, Co-founder of Apiax, said:
Nicolas Blanchard
“The German financial center is of strategic importance to us and we are convinced that it will become even more important in the future.
 
With Futury, we have found the perfect partner to further our expansion plans in Germany.”
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-regtech-apiax-begins-operations-in-germany-and-secures-fresh-funding</link><guid>1743</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Regtech Apiax Begins Operations in Germany and Secures Fresh Funding</dc:text></item><item><title>Square’s Banking Subsidiary Begins Operations in the US</title><description><![CDATA[Square, a US-based mobile payment company, announced that its subsidiary Square Financial Services, has begun operations.
The launch follows Square Financial Services&#8217; completion of the charter approval process with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Utah Department of Financial Institutions.
Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, its primary purpose will be to offer business loan and deposit products, beginning with underwriting and originating business loans for Square Capital’s existing lending product.
Moving forward, Square Financial Services will be the primary provider of financing for Square sellers across the U.S.
Square Financial Services said that it will continue to expand access to loans and banking tools to underserved populations. 58% of loans through Square Capital will be allocated to women-owned businesses, compared to 17% of traditional loans, and 35% of loans through Square Capital go to minority-owned businesses, compared to 27% of traditional loans.
Square Financial Services added that it will continue to sell loans to third-party investors and limit balance sheet exposure as it does not expect the bank to have a material impact on Square’s consolidated balance sheet, total net revenue, gross profit, or adjusted EBITDA in 2021.
In addition to the appointment of Lewis Goodwin as CEO and Brandon Soto as CFO, Square announced the following new appointments:

Sharad Bhasker, Chief Risk Officer
Samantha Ku, Chief Operating Officer
Homam Maalouf, Chief Credit Officer
David Grodsky, Chief Compliance Officer
Jessica Jiang, Capital Markets and Investor Relations Lead

Amrita Ahuja
“Bringing banking capability in-house enables us to operate more nimbly, which will serve Square and our customers as we continue the work to create financial tools that serve the underserved.
 
We thank the FDIC and Utah DFI for their partnership enabling us to reach this milestone, and look forward to continuing to expand access to financial services at this critical time for small businesses.”
said Amrita Ahuja, Square, Inc. Chief Financial Officer and Executive Chairwoman of the board of directors for Square Financial Services.
 
Featured image credit: Photo by Christiann Koepke on Unsplash
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/squares-banking-subsidiary-begins-operations-in-the-us</link><guid>1742</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Square’s Banking Subsidiary Begins Operations in the US</dc:text></item><item><title>Israel Expat Neobank Rewire Raises $20 Million in Series B Funding Round</title><description><![CDATA[Rewire, a Tel Aviv-based neobank for migrants, announced a Series B funding round of $20 million led by global crowdfunding platform OurCrowd and also included a line of credit from an unnamed bank.
Rewire said that the current round of funding will enable it to continue enhancing its product portfolio and services, as well as its strategic partnerships in the migrant’s country of origin and the country in which they currently reside.
New key investors Renegade Partners, Glilot Capital Partners (through its early growth fund Glilot+), and Jerry Yang, former Yahoo! CEO and director at Alibaba, through AME Cloud Ventures.
They were joined by current investors including Viola Fintech, BNP Paribas through their venture capital fund Opera Tech Ventures, Moneta Capital, and private angel investors.
Rewire has recently secured its EU Electronic Money Institution license (EMI), granted by the Dutch Central Bank, which allows the fintech startup to issue electronic money, provide payment services, and engage in money remittance. Rewire was also granted an expanded Israeli Financial Asset Service Provider.
Rewire plans to enrich its platform with new value-added services such as bill payments and insurance, in addition to credit and loan services, investments, and savings.
With $500 million processed through its systems, Rewire has tripled its customer base in 2020 and will soon reach half a million registered users, with 40% attributed to organic growth.
Rewire has penetrated new markets in Europe and the UK and introduced new cross-border bill payments.
Additionally, the neobank has established partnerships with financial institutions in multiple countries such as UkrSibbank in Ukraine and mobile wallet enablers in Nigeria and the Philippines. Rewire offers its cross-border solution in 8 different languages and a localised app.
Guy Kashtan, CEO of Rewire said,
Guy Kashtan
“At our core, we aim to create financial inclusion. Everything that we do at Rewire is aimed to help migrants to build a more financially secure future for themselves and their families.
 
To do so, we aim to provide services that go beyond traditional banking services such as insurance payments in the migrant’s home country and savings accounts. This investment and licenses are major steps towards fulfilling our company’s vision and will be used for additional expansion of geographies and products.”
 
 
Featured image: Rewire founders from right to left &#8211; Saar Yahalom, Guy Kashtan and Adi Ben Dayan. Photo &#8211; Eric Sultan
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/israel-expat-neobank-rewire-raises-20-million-in-series-b-funding-round</link><guid>1738</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Israel Expat Neobank Rewire Raises $20 Million in Series B Funding Round</dc:text></item><item><title>Fidesmo Launches Wearable Payments Service in Switzerland With Cembra</title><description><![CDATA[Swedish tech company Fidesmo is expanding its wearable payments service to Switzerland through a collaboration with Cembra, a Swiss provider of consumer finance products.
This allows for customers with payment cards issued by Cembra to connect with wearables that support Fidesmo Pay to make contactless payments.
Wearables with support for Fidesmo Pay are provided by several fashion brands and are sold online and in-store.
Customers can choose from a variety of wearables including watch straps, bracelets, keyrings and more.
The payment card can be easily and securely connected online when ordering the wearable and activated for payments through the Fidesmo app once the purchase has gone through.
Fidesmo reported that Swiss wearable partners have already agreed to collaborate with it and will launch their smart products in near future.
As of end 2020, Cembra has 1,030,000 credit cards in the Swiss market.
Ulrich Dreefs
&#8220;Fidesmo is on the growth path and is starting in more and more countries, with innovative banks and service providers.
 
We are very pleased that we could win Cembra to take our first steps with issuers in Switzerland and look forward to our further cooperation. It is especially important to me to emphasize great personal cooperation,&#8221;
says Ulrich Dreefs, Head of Sales, Fidesmo.
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fidesmo-launches-wearable-payments-service-in-switzerland-with-cembra</link><guid>1739</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fidesmo Launches Wearable Payments Service in Switzerland With Cembra</dc:text></item><item><title>Insurtech simpego übernimmt Sachversicherungen von Sympany</title><description><![CDATA[Das Insurtech Start-Up simpego und die Krankenversicherung Sympany sind eine strategische Partnerschaft für Sachversicherungen eingegangen.
Ab sofort wird Sympany die Sachversicherungsprodukte Auto und Hausrat/Privathaftpflicht von simpego im White Label vertreiben. Gleichzeitig übernimmt Simpego das Sachversicherungsportfolio der Sympany Versicherungen AG.
Mit Verfügung der FINMA vom 18. Februar 2021 übernimmt simpego das Sachversicherungsgeschäft von Sympany. Die Übernahme des Portfolios gibt dem am schnellsten wachsenden Sachversicherer der Schweiz einen weiteren Wachstumsschub. simpego will sich als umfassender Sachversicherer aufstellen und dafür in neue Sachversicherungssparten vordringen.
Patrick Eugster
«Mit der Übernahme des Sympany Versichertenbestands können wir auf einem bereits bestehenden Portfolio aufbauen»
so Patrick Eugster, CEO der simpego Versicherungen AG. Für Sympany bedeutet der Ausstieg als Risikoträger aus der Sachversicherung eine Fokussierung auf das Kerngeschäft im Gesundheitsbereich.
Michael Willer
«Die Kunden werden weiterhin vollumfänglich von Sympany selbst betreut. Sympany agiert somit auch in Zukunft als ihr persönlicher Ansprechpartner»,
so Michael Willer, CEO bei Sympany.
«Wir haben uns mit simpego einem Partner anvertraut, der sich im Sachversicherungsgeschäft sehr gut auskennt und sich auf Autoversicherung und Versicherungen rund um den Haushalt spezialisiert hat»,
führt er weiter aus. Die betroffenen Sympany Kunden werden in den nächsten Tagen über den Bestandsübertrag individuell informiert.
Die Wachstumsambitionen der beiden Gesellschaften im Sachversicherungsgeschäft werden durch die Partnerschaft gestärkt. Auch weitere mögliche Kooperationsformen werden regelmässig evaluiert.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/insurtech-simpego-ubernimmt-sachversicherungen-von-sympany</link><guid>1740</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Insurtech simpego übernimmt Sachversicherungen von Sympany</dc:text></item><item><title>Fidor Solutions Partners SIA to Launch Instant Payments Service in Europe</title><description><![CDATA[Fidor Solutions, a subsidiary of Sopra Banking Software, has signed a partnership agreement with SIA, a European company in payment services and infrastructures, to launch its new instant payments service in Germany and in other European countries.
With this agreement, Fidor Solutions said that it enables European financial institutions and their customers to send and receive payments in less than 10 seconds for a maximum amount currently set at 100,000 euros per individual transaction, 24 hours a day, in line with the SEPA Instant Credit Transfer scheme of the European Payments Council (EPC).
This instant payment service is enabled through Fidor Solutions&#8217; partnership with SIA. This allows for direct access to the EBA Clearing’s pan-European real-time payment system RT1 and to the TARGET Instant Payments Settlement (TIPS) service of the Eurosystem (the ECB and national central banks in the Eurozone).
The “SIA EasyWay” platform used by Fidor Solutions operates as a hub, simplifying the integration of instant payments with the internal systems of financial institutions, reducing costs and service activation times.
This is made possible through an integrated service between Fidor Solutions and SIA which covers the entire payment value chain, from the order via all the channels used by banks and payment service providers – mobile, web and APIs – to the handling and processing of transactions, and network connections with on-demand scalable state of the art payment infrastructure.
Michael Maier
“We are very pleased to partner with SIA to offer our clients a fully integrated Instant SEPA Payment Solution within our digital platform. By adopting the Fidor Solutions platform approach, our clients will benefit from a full end-to-end service with a highly resilient partner.
 
Through this partnership, we can address the needs of our clients to easily adjust to new trends in payments and also by minimizing the overheads. It´s a great value added to our proposition and for our clients,”
said Michael Maier, CEO Fidor Solutions.
Cristina Astore
“We are really proud to provide instant payments to Fidor Solutions and its partners all over Europe in a sector undergoing a huge digital transformation such as that of payments. Through our best of breed platform, the new service has been up and running in just a few months and will be available for Fidor Solutions’ clients soon.
 
This represents the first milestone for a wider cooperation to boost the development of innovative use cases for citizens and businesses, contributing to the growth of digital payments in Europe,”
said Cristina Astore, SIA’s Northwest Europe and DACH Region Sales Director.
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fidor-solutions-partners-sia-to-launch-instant-payments-service-in-europe</link><guid>1741</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fidor Solutions Partners SIA to Launch Instant Payments Service in Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>F10 Partners New Energy Nexus for Green and Climate Fintech Programme</title><description><![CDATA[F10 FinTech Incubator &amp; Accelerator, a global banking and insurance incubator and accelerator with hubs in Switzerland, Singapore and Spain, plans to form a strategic partnership with New Energy Nexus, an international startup support organisation and accelerator, to foster green and climate fintech startups.
F10 and New Energy Nexus will collaborate to establish the “Green &amp; Climate Fintech Program” with engagement by major corporates on both net-zero commitments and fintech integration.
New Energy Nexus will provide support in the “climate fintech” selection, mentorship, programming, networking, and investment to complement F10’s curriculum in order to bring these solutions to the forefront of digital financial technology and decarbonization.
“The intersection of digital financial technology and the climate emergency is real. Climate fintech can help make net-zero pathways and clean energy more accessible, measurable and bankable.
 
We’re thrilled to partner with F10 to help bring Climate Fintech innovations to market – enabling both individuals and corporates to save, spend, lend, and invest in ways which put the planet first”,
explained Aaron McCreary, Climate Fintech Lead at New Energy Nexus.
Andreas Iten
“There is immense potential and a strong use case for green &amp; climate fintechs in the market.
 
Together with New Energy Nexus we can create the perfect environment for these cutting-edge startups to thrive and positively impact the global financial sector”,
added Andreas Iten, Co-Founder of F10.
To bolster this effort, F10 has extended their current open call for startup applicants which fit this green theme.
The application window for F10 Zurich Incubation Batch VII will be extended from Feb 26 to March 9, 2021 for green and climate fintech, insurtech, regtech and deep tech startups.
Startups accepted into the program will benefit from up to CHF 15,000 of expense coverage and CHF 150,000 in funding, fintech and climate accelerator curriculum and startup support services as well as a roster of mentorship around subject-specific ESG, carbon, and energy problem-solving.
Additionally, they will receive exposure to corporates interested in cutting-edge startups dedicated to carbon neutrality and open innovation in the fintech space and access to a large network of fintech and ClimateTech VC and angel investors.
The New Energy Nexus Climate Fintech Report can be found here.
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post F10 Partners New Energy Nexus for Green and Climate Fintech Programme appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/f10-partners-new-energy-nexus-for-green-and-climate-fintech-programme</link><guid>1737</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>F10 Partners New Energy Nexus for Green and Climate Fintech Programme</dc:text></item><item><title>Report: Open Banking’s Global Revolution in Progress</title><description><![CDATA[Banking software company Temenos published a new report “Open Banking: Revolution or Evolution?” written by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) and based on a survey of over 300 global banking executives.
It finds that nearly half (45%) are set on transforming their business models to become digital ecosystems and almost a third (29%) have strategies for open bank hub initiatives.
While banking data is beginning to flow, according to the report, the global revolution in open banking is a work in progress and customer experience and confidence are key to unlocking its true potential.
The pandemic has boosted open banking and the financial technology ecosystem. The report states that incumbent banks could be the biggest beneficiaries, provided they adopt adequate technology strategies to compete with nimble new entrants.
The report finds open banking could benefit banks by making it easier for them to leverage their own data internally for better service personalization, a top priority for nearly a third (32%) of respondents in the EIU survey.
Regulatory and market-led approaches will affect the speed and direction of open banking development
Regulation has been the main driver in many regions, notably Europe and some Asian and Latin American countries. In others, open banking has evolved owing to market forces and new competitors such as e-commerce giants in China and nimble challengers in the US.
The UK is leading the way in open banking due to regulatory requirements and a dedicated central program and platform, the Open Banking Implementation Entity, funded by the country’s nine biggest banks. Australia, Mexico and Brazil have also introduced open banking legislation, while Canada has started the second phase of its “consumer-directed finance” consultation.
The report cautions, while 87% of countries reportedly have some form of open APIs in place, the evolution of open banking depends on customer confidence in sharing their data, interoperability, enhanced user experience, and actual added-value of products and services for customers.
 
John Broxis
John Broxis, Managing Director, Open Banking Europe stated in the report,
“Opening up banking isn’t enough unless you can prove to your customer base the certainty of how their data is going to be treated, certainty about refund periods and reconciliation information, or certainty about what happens if you do something wrong.”
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/report-open-bankings-global-revolution-in-progress</link><guid>1736</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Temenos-report-1.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Report: Open Banking’s Global Revolution in Progress</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Flovtec Starts Offering Digital Asset Market Making Solution</title><description><![CDATA[flovtec, a Swiss technology company specialising in providing liquidity to tokens and exchanges in the growing digital asset space, said that it will give the digital asset ecosystem full control over market making.
This move is said to offer a seamless digital experience, transparent pricing models and listing options on centralised or decentralised exchanges.
It will also put the power back in the hands of token issuers, allowing them to create a new revenue stream for their project.
flovtec added that its digital platform will resolve the issue of liquidity.
Users can select the Market Making package that suits them the best and onboard in a digital and automated way.

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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-flovtec-starts-offering-digital-asset-market-making-solution</link><guid>1734</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/flovtec.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Flovtec Starts Offering Digital Asset Market Making Solution</dc:text></item><item><title>SETL Hires Former SWIFT and Ripple Exec as Head of Payments</title><description><![CDATA[SETL, a London-based settlement and payments infrastructure provider, announced the appointment of Marjan Delatinne to its executive management team as the Head of Payments.
Marjan will have the overall responsibility for growing SETL’s payments business, alongside its market infrastructure and asset management offerings.
Marjan joins SETL having most recently served as Global Head of Banking at Ripple. She brings with her a wealth of experience, having previously held senior business development roles at SWIFT, where she was responsible for the commercialisation of large scale projects both in securities and payments, namely Target 2 Securities and SWIFT gpi (Global Payments Innovation).
Marjan began her financial markets career in sales and relationship management at BNY Mellon and Euroclear.
Sir David Walker
Sir David Walker, SETL Chairman, said:
“I am delighted to welcome Marjan as part of SETL’s executive team.
 
Her appointment comes at an exciting time for our business, as we have successfully completed the world’s first Central Bank Digital Currency live fund transaction with Banque de France, using the SETL blockchain.”
Marjan Delatinne, Head of Payments at SETL, said:
Marjan Delatinne
“I am delighted to join the SETL management team at this exciting time in its corporate development. Key to helping the payments industry tackle the common pain points is a need for strong and committed community engagement. SETL’s payments solution is designed to improve the management of cross-border settlement and solve the liquidity management challenge.
 
We use DLT technology to aggregate payment sources and gain a fuller and clearer picture of liquidity, enabling payments providers to dynamically manage their liquidity in real-time across a highly fragmented landscape.”
 
Featured image: Marjan Delatinne, Head of Payments at SETL
 
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post SETL Hires Former SWIFT and Ripple Exec as Head of Payments appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/setl-hires-former-swift-and-ripple-exec-as-head-of-payments</link><guid>1735</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>SETL Hires Former SWIFT and Ripple Exec as Head of Payments</dc:text></item><item><title>PayPal Goes Galactic to Make Universal Space Payments a Reality</title><description><![CDATA[PayPal announced the launch of PayPal Galactic, an initiative that addresses the issues to help make universal space payments a reality.
PayPal Galactic brings together leaders in the scientific community, including the SETI Institute and Space Tourism Society, to prepare and support the future of space commerce.
Already the need for a galactic payment system exists as astronauts inhabiting space stations still need to pay for life’s necessities from their bills back on Earth to their entertainment, like music and e-books, while in space.
Space Tourism Society said that “within five to ten years the earliest types of ‘space hotels’ and orbital and lunar commerce will be operational and in need of a payment system”.
This visionary programme, spearheaded by PayPal, working with the SETI Institute, aims to bring together leaders in the space industry to work on the big questions around the commercialisation of space. These include:

What will our standard currency look like in a truly cash-free interplanetary society?
How will the banking systems have to adapt?
How will risk and fraud management systems need to evolve?
What regulations will we have to conform with?
How will our customer support need to develop?

David Marcus
“As space tourism programs are opening space travel to ‘the rest of us’, this drives questions about the commercialization of space. We are launching PayPal Galactic, in conjunction with leaders in the scientific community, to increase public awareness of the important questions that need to be addressed.
 
“We may not answer these questions today or even this year, but one thing is clear, we won&#8217;t be using cash in space. PayPal has already pushed payments onto the Internet, onto mobile phones and across terrestrial borders. We now look forward to pushing payments from our world to the next, and beyond.”
said David Marcus, PayPal’s President.
To support the SETI Institute and its mission to improving the understanding of life on Earth, and the search for life beyond it, PayPal is launching a crowdfunding campaign powered by FundRazr.
The SETI Institute&#8217;s scientists play an active role in some of the world&#8217;s most advanced scientific ventures, including groundbreaking studies in astrobiology and radio astronomical research with the Allen Telescope Array.
Jill Tarter
“PayPal and the SETI Institute are well-matched to work on PayPal Galactic because together we can create a recipe for innovation.
 
“PayPal envisions exploring possibilities in space the way that we do, breaking boundaries to make real progress. When the SETI Institute succeeds in its exploration of the universe, and as we find our place among the stars, PayPal will be there to facilitate commerce, so people can get what they need, and want, to live outside of our planet.”
said Jill Tarter, the Bernard M. Oliver Chair for the SETI Institute.
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post PayPal Goes Galactic to Make Universal Space Payments a Reality appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/paypal-goes-galactic-to-make-universal-space-payments-a-reality</link><guid>1733</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>PayPal Goes Galactic to Make Universal Space Payments a Reality</dc:text></item><item><title>Schweizer Treasury Fintech Amnis holt Julius Bär Banker in VR</title><description><![CDATA[AMNIS Treasury Services AG (Amnis), ein 2014 gegründetes Schweizer Fintech-Unternehmen mit dem Ziel, den internationalen Zahlungsverkehr für KMU zu vereinfachen, ernennt Peter Gerlach zum neuen Mitglied des Verwaltungsrates.
Peter Gerlach war bis 2020 in verschiedenen Positionen für Julius Bär tätig, unter anderem viele Jahre als Handelschef und Mitglied der Geschäftsleitung, zuletzt als Managing Director im Bereich Strategic Projects CEO Office sowie im Stiftungsrat der Julius Bär Foundation.
Zugleich sass Gerlach von 2019 bis 2020 im Verwaltungsrat der Schweizer Krypto-Bank Seba. Ebenfalls 2020 machte sich Gerlach mit seiner eigenen Unternehmung Framl AG selbstständig und ist seit Ende 2020 Senior Advisor bei der Boston Consulting Group. Seine weitrechenden Erfahrungen im Bereich der digitalen Transformation und neuer Kundenbedürfnisse bringt er per sofort bei Amnis ein.
Amnis ist eine All-in-One-Plattform, die den Fremdwährungs-Zahlungsverkehr vereinfacht und kleinen und mittleren Unternehmen (KMU) die Optimierung internationaler Zahlungen, den Empfang von Fremdwährungs-Zahlungen und kosteneffiziente Währungswechsel über einen Multi-Currency-Account ermöglicht.
Michael Wüst
Zu dieser Wahl sagt Michael Wüst, CEO von Amnis:
«Wir freuen uns sehr, mit Peter Gerlach einen fundierten Kenner der Branche im Verwaltungsrat zu begrüssen. Sein Know-How, seine Expertise und sein weitreichendes Netzwerk ergänzen die Kompetenzen unseres Verwaltungsrats hervorragend. Zudem wird er bei der Internationalisierung und dem weiteren Wachstum in der Schweiz wichtige Impulse geben.»
Peter Gerlach
Peter Gerlach:
«Ich freue mich sehr über meine neue Rolle im Verwaltungsrat von Amnis, die mit einer innovativen Lösung auf eine stark wachsende Kundenbasis zählt. Mit der Lancierung von kostenlosen Echtzeit-Peer-to-Peer-Zahlungen eröffnet Amnis zudem international tätigen Unternehmen völlig neue Möglichkeiten.»
Die weiteren Mitglieder des Verwaltungsrats von Amnis sind die drei Gründungsmitglieder Robert Bloch (Co-Founder und COO), Philippe Christen (Co-Founder und CFO) und Michael Wüst (Co-Founder und CEO) sowie Stefan Bürzle (CEO Deloitte Liechtenstein &amp; Geschäftsführer bei Confida Wirtschaftsprüfung), der ebenfalls per sofort zum Gremium stösst.
 
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post Schweizer Treasury Fintech Amnis holt Julius Bär Banker in VR appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schweizer-treasury-fintech-amnis-holt-julius-bar-banker-in-vr</link><guid>1732</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Schweizer Treasury Fintech Amnis holt Julius Bär Banker in VR</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Private Bank Starts Offering Crypto Investments</title><description><![CDATA[Bordier &amp; Cie SCmA, a Swiss private bank founded in 1844, has expanded its offering to include cryptocurrencies by incorporating Sygnum’s B2B banking platform.
This partnership will enable Bordier clients to securely buy, hold and trade cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash and Tezos, and gain diversified exposure via Sygnum’s suite of digital asset management products.
Sygnum’s B2B banking platform is an integrated digital asset solution encompassing not only the technical infrastructure but also compliance as a service, research and sales education as well as access to a broad range of digital asset products.
Sygnum said that Bordier was able to fully integrate its B2B banking platform and offer seamless access to digital assets to their clients in under 60 days.
Investment diversification via cryptocurrencies has gained significant momentum as total market capitalisation of cryptocurrencies increased almost four-fold in 2020, making it the best-performing asset class and a powerful tool for portfolio diversification thus also increasing Bordier’s client-demand.
Evrard Bordier
Evrard Bordier, Bordier &amp; Cie’s SCmA Managing Partner said,
“We have seen increasing demand from our clients to diversify into alternative asset classes such as digital assets.
 
By partnering with Sygnum Bank, we are providing our clients with a one-stop, integrated solution while empowering them to invest in this new, high growth asset class with complete trust.”
Mathias Imbach
Mathias Imbach, Sygnum Bank’s Group CEO said,
“Bordier continues its 177-year tradition of safeguarding clients’ wealth for future generations by offering the ‘next generation’ of assets to its clients.
 
Bordier’s timeless values and Sygnum Bank’s vision for Future Finance is a powerful combination in the changing financial landscape,”
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-private-bank-starts-offering-crypto-investments</link><guid>1731</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Private Bank Starts Offering Crypto Investments</dc:text></item><item><title>Skrill Launches New Fiat-to-Crypto Withdrawal Service</title><description><![CDATA[Digital payments provider Skrill, part of the integrated payments platform Paysafe, has announced a new feature for its digital wallet that enables users to withdraw funds directly to a cryptocurrency address of their choice.
For the first time, Skrill customers are able to instantly convert and withdraw their fiat balance to an external cryptocurrency wallet by entering an address. The feature can be accessed when a customer goes to withdraw funds in their account and selects ‘Crypto Wallet’. The user then enters the balance amount and wallet address of either a Bitcoin or Ethereum wallet.
The withdrawal feature is now live in European Economic Area (EEA) countries, with plans to launch in the UK and elsewhere in the near future, as well as to add additional cryptocurrencies for withdrawal.
Using Skrill’s cryptocurrency service, first launched in 2018, customers can instantly convert 40 fiat currencies, including the Euro, US dollar, and British pound sterling, into interests in Bitcoin (BTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Dash, EOS, Ethereum (ETH), Ethereum Classic (ETC), Kyber, Litecoin (LTC), Tezos, Stellar, XLM. and 0x (ZRX).
Lorenzo Pellegrino
“More people than ever are buying cryptocurrency as a long-term investment, particularly in light of recent institutional backing from the likes of Tesla, which has driven Bitcoin to fresh all-time highs,”
said Lorenzo Pellegrino, CEO of Skrill, NETELLER, and Income Access at Paysafe.
“Our customers have been enjoying the ability to interact with both fiat currencies and digital assets through Skrill for some time. Expanding a crypto portfolio is incredibly simple with Skrill, thanks to our fiat on-ramp. The new withdraw feature further enhances our service by enabling users to quickly and conveniently move their existing fiat balance to a crypto address of their choosing, saving them both time and money on fees. ”
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/skrill-launches-new-fiat-to-crypto-withdrawal-service</link><guid>1728</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Skrill Launches New Fiat-to-Crypto Withdrawal Service</dc:text></item><item><title>Corona: Bargeld nicht mehr wichtigstes Zahlungsmittel</title><description><![CDATA[Der unabhängige Online-Vergleichsdienst moneyland.ch hat im Rahmen einer repräsentativen Online-Umfrage im Januar 2021 gefragt, mit welchen Zahlungsmitteln und wie häufig die Schweizer Bevölkerung im Laden und im Internet zahlt. Ausserdem hat moneyland.ch gefragt, wie unverzichtbar verschiedene Zahlungsmittel für die Befragten sind.
Insgesamt sind 1500 Personen im Alter zwischen 18 und 74 Jahren in der Deutsch- und Westschweiz befragt worden. Analoge Umfragen hat moneyland.ch in der Vergangenheit durchgeführt. So auch vor einem Jahr noch vor Ausbruch der Corona-Krise. Resultat:
«Zum ersten Mal wird Bargeld von der Bevölkerung nicht mehr als wichtigstes Zahlungsmittel angesehen»,
so Benjamin Manz, Geschäftsführer vom unabhängigen Online-Vergleichsdienst moneyland.ch.
Debitkarten und Kreditkarten werden als unverzichtbarer eingestuft. Gegenüber der Zeit vor Corona haben kontaktlose Zahlungen und solche mit dem Smartphone zugenommen. Bei Twint ist die grösste Zuwachsrate zu verzeichnen.
«moneyland.ch geht davon aus, dass Bargeld nun kontinuierlich an Bedeutung verliert»,
so Manz. Auch nach der Corona-Krise geht die Tendenz in Richtung von kontaktlosen Zahlungen – vor allem wird immer mehr via Handy bezahlt.
Auf Debitkarten und Kreditkarten möchte die Bevölkerung am wenigsten verzichten moneyland.ch hat gefragt, auf welche Zahlungsmittel die Befragten wie gut verzichten können. Die Befragten konnten auf einer Skala von 1 («brauche ich gar nicht») bis 10 («ist für mich unverzichtbar») antworten. Wer die Skalenwerte 6 bis 10 gewählt hat, möchte auf das entsprechende Zahlungsmittel nicht verzichten. Zahlungsmittel mit den höchsten Werten werden von den Befragten als am wichtigsten eingestuft.
Resultat: Bargeld wird zum ersten Mal nicht mehr als wichtigstes Zahlungsmittel eingeschätzt. An der Spitze stehen Debitkarten mit 73%, gefolgt von Kreditkarten mit 71%. Cash steht an dritter Stelle: Auf Bargeld möchten im Jahr 2021 67% nicht verzichten – vor einem Jahr waren es noch 78%. Auf die Maestro-Debitkarte möchten 53% nicht verzichten, danach folgt bereits Twint mit hohen 43%. Vor der Corona-Krise im Januar 2020 waren es erst 26%, die nicht auf Twint verzichten wollten.
«Twint ist während Corona für viele Nutzer zu einem ernst zu nehmenden Zahlungsmittel geworden»,
so Benjamin Manz.
Auf die PostFinance Card möchten 25% nicht verzichten, bei Prepaid-Kreditkarten sind es 20%, bei der Visa-Debitkarte beziehungsweise V-Pay-Debitkarte sind es 18% und bei der Debit Mastercard ebenfalls 18%. Immer noch abgeschlagen sind Apple Pay (7%), Google Pay (5%), Samsung Pay (4%) und Bitcoin (3%). Auch Bezahlen mit der Uhr ist in der Schweiz noch irrelevant (4%).
Wie die Schweiz im Laden zahlt
moneyland.ch hat gefragt, wie häufig die Befragten verschiedene Zahlungsmittel im Laden nutzen. Die Befragten gaben jeweils an, ob sie die jeweiligen Zahlungsmittel bei jedem Kauf, täglich, mehrmals pro Woche, einmal pro Woche, mehrmals pro Monat, einmal pro Monat, nur wenige Male pro Jahr oder gar nie nutzen. Diese Antworten wiederum lassen sich weiter kategorisieren in seltene Zahlungen (einmal pro Jahr), gelegentliche Zahlungen (einmal und mehrmals pro Monat, einmal pro Woche) sowie häufige Zahlungen (mehrmals pro Woche, täglich und bei jedem Kauf).
Für Zahlungen im Laden ist Bargeld in der Schweiz immer noch populär. 98% nutzen Bargeld im Laden: 17% selten, 47% gelegentlich und 34% oft. Debitkarten (Maestro, Debit Mastercard, PostFinance Card oder Visa Debit/V-Pay) werden von 91% genutzt. 10% nutzen mindestens eine Debitkarte selten, 24% gelegentlich und sogar 57% häufig. Kreditkarten werden von 84% der Bevölkerung im Laden genutzt: 18% nutzen sie selten, 32% gelegentlich und 34% oft. Bei der Kategorie der häufigen Nutzung stehen also Debitkarten mit Abstand an erster Stelle, gefolgtvon Bargeld und Kreditkarten.
Immer mehr Personen zahlen in der Schweiz kontaktlos
Gegenüber dem Vorjahr vor Corona haben kontaktlose Zahlungen nochmals zugelegt. Mittlerweile geben 62% aller Befragten an, mit Kreditkarten im Laden kontaktlos (in unterschiedlicher Häufigkeit) zu zahlen. Zum Vergleich: Insgesamt geben 84% der Befragten an, im Laden mit einer Kreditkarte zu zahlen. Fast drei Viertel der Kreditkarten-Nutzer zahlen also schon kontaktlos via Kreditkarte. Bei der Maestro-Karte sind es 51% der Schweizer Bevölkerung, die kontaktlos zahlen, oder anders gesagt: Etwa zwei Drittel der Maestro-Karten-Inhaber nutzen diese bereits kontaktlos. Die Revolut-Karte wird von gut 80% der Inhaber kontaktlos genutzt.
Immer mehr Personen zahlen mit dem Handy
Auch die Handy-Nutzung zum Zahlen nimmt zu. Am häufigsten genutzt wird Twint: Bereits 48% der Befragten geben an, Twint im Laden als Zahlungsmittel zu nutzen. 12% selten, 27% gelegentlich und 9% oft.
Apple Pay liegt – deutlich abgeschlagen – an zweiter Stelle. 12% nutzen Apple Pay: 4% selten, 5% gelegentlich und 3% oft. Es folgen Google Pay (9%) und Samsung Pay (7%). Mit «Smart Watches» wird noch kaum gezahlt: Garmin, Fitbit und Swatch Pay nutzen weiterhin nur je 2% der Befragten, Bitcoin nur 5%.
Wie die Schweiz im Internet zahlt
Aufgrund der Corona-Krise hat auch das Internet-Shopping zugenommen. Neben den Zahlungsmitteln im Laden hat moneyland.ch auch nach den Zahlungsmitteln im Internet gefragt. Am beliebtesten ist für Online-Zahlungen weiterhin die Kreditkarte, welche 88% der Befragten nutzen. 23% zahlen mit der Kreditkarte selten, 51% gelegentlich und 14% oft. Danach folgt die Zahlung auf Rechnung mit insgesamt 84%: 34% zahlen selten, 45% gelegentlich und 5% oft auf Rechnung. Danach folgen Vorauszahlungen per Banküberweisung mit insgesamt 51%, Paypal mit 46%, Twint mit 43% und die PostFinance Card mit 27%. Bitcoin mit 5% und andere Kryptowährungen mit 4% werden auch im Internet erst selten als Zahlungsmittel eingesetzt.
Frauen und Männer zahlen unterschiedlich
Besonders bei neueren Technologien zeigen sich auch beim Zahlen Unterschiede zwischen den Geschlechtern. So nutzen Männer Smartphones, kontaktlose Zahlungsmittel, Revolut, Bitcoin und andere Kryptowährungen deutlich häufiger als Frauen. Beispiel Revolut: 16% der Männer nutzen bereits Revolut, bei Frauen sind es mit 8% die Hälfte. Allgemein nutzen 35% der Frauen das Smartphone zum Zahlen, während es bei den Männern schon 44% sind. Bitcoin als Zahlungsmittel nutzen erst 3% der Frauen, bei Männern sind es mit 6% doppelt so viele.
Jüngere zahlen viel häufiger mit Prepaid-Karten, Twint und Smartphone
Die verschiedenen Altersgruppen unterscheiden sich deutlich in ihrem Zahlungsverhalten. Die Wichtigkeit von Prepaidkarten, Twint, Apple Pay und Smartphone nimmt mit zunehmendem Alter ab, während es beim Bargeld umgekehrt ist.
Beispiel Prepaid-Kreditkarten: 46% der 18- bis 25-Jährigen nutzen Prepaid-Kreditkarten im Laden als Zahlungsmittel (in unterschiedlicher Häufigkeit), während es bei den 26- bis 49-Jährigen noch 25% und bei den 50- bis 74-Jährigen nur noch 17% sind. Beispiel Apple Pay: 17% der 18- bis 25-Jährigen nutzen Apple Pay im Laden als Zahlungsmittel (in unterschiedlicher Häufigkeit), während es bei den 26- bis 49-Jährigen noch 13% und bei den 50- bis 74-Jährigen nur noch 8% sind.
Revolut bei Jungen bereits erstaunlich populär
Bereits 21% der befragten 18- bis 25-Jährigen nutzen die Revolut-Karte im Laden als Zahlungsmittel (in unterschiedlicher Häufigkeit), während es bei den 26- bis 49-Jährigen 16% und bei den 50- bis 74- Jährigen 5% sind. «Dass die ausländische Bezahlkarte Revolut gerade bei den Jungen schon erstaunlich populär ist, sollte den Schweizer Banken zu denken geben», so Benjamin Manz. Die Popularität von Revolut ist in erster Linie auf die einfachen Prozesse und die gute Nutzbarkeit der Revolut-App sowie die tiefen Gebühren zurückzuführen.
Twint hat sich im Corona-Jahr etabliert
Am markantesten ist die Entwicklung von Twint als Zahlungsmittel während der Corona-Krise. Während im Januar 2020 erst 36% der Befragten Twint (in unterschiedlicher Häufigkeit) im Laden nutzten, sind es nun bereits 48%. Rund die Hälfte der 18- bis 74-Jährigen nutzt Twint als Zahlungsmittel, 12% selten, 27% gelegentlich und 9% oft. 43% der Befragten möchten nicht mehr auf Twint verzichten – ein respektabler Wert.
Zum Vergleich: Auf Apple Pay möchten nur 7% nicht verzichten. Populär ist Twint besonders bei den Jüngeren: Bereits 67% der 18- bis 25-Jährigen möchten nicht auf Twint verzichten, bei den 26- bis 49-Jährigen sind es 51%. Schon 70% der 18- bis 25-Jährigen nutzen Twint als Zahlungsmittel im Laden (in unterschiedlicher Häufigkeit), bei 26- bis 49-Jährigen sind es 55% und bei den 50- bis 74-Jährigen 32%.
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post Corona: Bargeld nicht mehr wichtigstes Zahlungsmittel appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/corona-bargeld-nicht-mehr-wichtigstes-zahlungsmittel</link><guid>1729</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2021-bevorzugte-zahlungsmittel-schweiz-moneyland_ch.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Corona: Bargeld nicht mehr wichtigstes Zahlungsmittel</dc:text></item><item><title>Dank Corona: Bargeld nicht mehr wichtigstes Zahlungsmittel</title><description><![CDATA[Der unabhängige Online-Vergleichsdienst moneyland.ch hat im Rahmen einer repräsentativen Online-Umfrage im Januar 2021 gefragt, mit welchen Zahlungsmitteln und wie häufig die Schweizer Bevölkerung im Laden und im Internet zahlt. Ausserdem hat moneyland.ch gefragt, wie unverzichtbar verschiedene Zahlungsmittel für die Befragten sind.
Insgesamt sind 1500 Personen im Alter zwischen 18 und 74 Jahren in der Deutsch- und Westschweiz befragt worden. Analoge Umfragen hat moneyland.ch in der Vergangenheit durchgeführt. So auch vor einem Jahr noch vor Ausbruch der Corona-Krise. Resultat:
«Zum ersten Mal wird Bargeld von der Bevölkerung nicht mehr als wichtigstes Zahlungsmittel angesehen»,
so Benjamin Manz, Geschäftsführer vom unabhängigen Online-Vergleichsdienst moneyland.ch.
Debitkarten und Kreditkarten werden als unverzichtbarer eingestuft. Gegenüber der Zeit vor Corona haben kontaktlose Zahlungen und solche mit dem Smartphone zugenommen. Bei Twint ist die grösste Zuwachsrate zu verzeichnen.
«moneyland.ch geht davon aus, dass Bargeld nun kontinuierlich an Bedeutung verliert»,
so Manz. Auch nach der Corona-Krise geht die Tendenz in Richtung von kontaktlosen Zahlungen – vor allem wird immer mehr via Handy bezahlt.
Auf Debitkarten und Kreditkarten möchte die Bevölkerung am wenigsten verzichten moneyland.ch hat gefragt, auf welche Zahlungsmittel die Befragten wie gut verzichten können. Die Befragten konnten auf einer Skala von 1 («brauche ich gar nicht») bis 10 («ist für mich unverzichtbar») antworten. Wer die Skalenwerte 6 bis 10 gewählt hat, möchte auf das entsprechende Zahlungsmittel nicht verzichten. Zahlungsmittel mit den höchsten Werten werden von den Befragten als am wichtigsten eingestuft.
Resultat: Bargeld wird zum ersten Mal nicht mehr als wichtigstes Zahlungsmittel eingeschätzt. An der Spitze stehen Debitkarten mit 73%, gefolgt von Kreditkarten mit 71%. Cash steht an dritter Stelle: Auf Bargeld möchten im Jahr 2021 67% nicht verzichten – vor einem Jahr waren es noch 78%. Auf die Maestro-Debitkarte möchten 53% nicht verzichten, danach folgt bereits Twint mit hohen 43%. Vor der Corona-Krise im Januar 2020 waren es erst 26%, die nicht auf Twint verzichten wollten.
«Twint ist während Corona für viele Nutzer zu einem ernst zu nehmenden Zahlungsmittel geworden»,
so Benjamin Manz.
Auf die PostFinance Card möchten 25% nicht verzichten, bei Prepaid-Kreditkarten sind es 20%, bei der Visa-Debitkarte beziehungsweise V-Pay-Debitkarte sind es 18% und bei der Debit Mastercard ebenfalls 18%. Immer noch abgeschlagen sind Apple Pay (7%), Google Pay (5%), Samsung Pay (4%) und Bitcoin (3%). Auch Bezahlen mit der Uhr ist in der Schweiz noch irrelevant (4%).
Wie die Schweiz im Laden zahlt
moneyland.ch hat gefragt, wie häufig die Befragten verschiedene Zahlungsmittel im Laden nutzen. Die Befragten gaben jeweils an, ob sie die jeweiligen Zahlungsmittel bei jedem Kauf, täglich, mehrmals pro Woche, einmal pro Woche, mehrmals pro Monat, einmal pro Monat, nur wenige Male pro Jahr oder gar nie nutzen. Diese Antworten wiederum lassen sich weiter kategorisieren in seltene Zahlungen (einmal pro Jahr), gelegentliche Zahlungen (einmal und mehrmals pro Monat, einmal pro Woche) sowie häufige Zahlungen (mehrmals pro Woche, täglich und bei jedem Kauf).
Für Zahlungen im Laden ist Bargeld in der Schweiz immer noch populär. 98% nutzen Bargeld im Laden: 17% selten, 47% gelegentlich und 34% oft. Debitkarten (Maestro, Debit Mastercard, PostFinance Card oder Visa Debit/V-Pay) werden von 91% genutzt. 10% nutzen mindestens eine Debitkarte selten, 24% gelegentlich und sogar 57% häufig. Kreditkarten werden von 84% der Bevölkerung im Laden genutzt: 18% nutzen sie selten, 32% gelegentlich und 34% oft. Bei der Kategorie der häufigen Nutzung stehen also Debitkarten mit Abstand an erster Stelle, gefolgtvon Bargeld und Kreditkarten.
Immer mehr Personen zahlen in der Schweiz kontaktlos
Gegenüber dem Vorjahr vor Corona haben kontaktlose Zahlungen nochmals zugelegt. Mittlerweile geben 62% aller Befragten an, mit Kreditkarten im Laden kontaktlos (in unterschiedlicher Häufigkeit) zu zahlen. Zum Vergleich: Insgesamt geben 84% der Befragten an, im Laden mit einer Kreditkarte zu zahlen. Fast drei Viertel der Kreditkarten-Nutzer zahlen also schon kontaktlos via Kreditkarte. Bei der Maestro-Karte sind es 51% der Schweizer Bevölkerung, die kontaktlos zahlen, oder anders gesagt: Etwa zwei Drittel der Maestro-Karten-Inhaber nutzen diese bereits kontaktlos. Die Revolut-Karte wird von gut 80% der Inhaber kontaktlos genutzt.
Immer mehr Personen zahlen mit dem Handy
Auch die Handy-Nutzung zum Zahlen nimmt zu. Am häufigsten genutzt wird Twint: Bereits 48% der Befragten geben an, Twint im Laden als Zahlungsmittel zu nutzen. 12% selten, 27% gelegentlich und 9% oft.
Apple Pay liegt – deutlich abgeschlagen – an zweiter Stelle. 12% nutzen Apple Pay: 4% selten, 5% gelegentlich und 3% oft. Es folgen Google Pay (9%) und Samsung Pay (7%). Mit «Smart Watches» wird noch kaum gezahlt: Garmin, Fitbit und Swatch Pay nutzen weiterhin nur je 2% der Befragten, Bitcoin nur 5%.
Wie die Schweiz im Internet zahlt
Aufgrund der Corona-Krise hat auch das Internet-Shopping zugenommen. Neben den Zahlungsmitteln im Laden hat moneyland.ch auch nach den Zahlungsmitteln im Internet gefragt. Am beliebtesten ist für Online-Zahlungen weiterhin die Kreditkarte, welche 88% der Befragten nutzen. 23% zahlen mit der Kreditkarte selten, 51% gelegentlich und 14% oft. Danach folgt die Zahlung auf Rechnung mit insgesamt 84%: 34% zahlen selten, 45% gelegentlich und 5% oft auf Rechnung. Danach folgen Vorauszahlungen per Banküberweisung mit insgesamt 51%, Paypal mit 46%, Twint mit 43% und die PostFinance Card mit 27%. Bitcoin mit 5% und andere Kryptowährungen mit 4% werden auch im Internet erst selten als Zahlungsmittel eingesetzt.
Frauen und Männer zahlen unterschiedlich
Besonders bei neueren Technologien zeigen sich auch beim Zahlen Unterschiede zwischen den Geschlechtern. So nutzen Männer Smartphones, kontaktlose Zahlungsmittel, Revolut, Bitcoin und andere Kryptowährungen deutlich häufiger als Frauen. Beispiel Revolut: 16% der Männer nutzen bereits Revolut, bei Frauen sind es mit 8% die Hälfte. Allgemein nutzen 35% der Frauen das Smartphone zum Zahlen, während es bei den Männern schon 44% sind. Bitcoin als Zahlungsmittel nutzen erst 3% der Frauen, bei Männern sind es mit 6% doppelt so viele.
Jüngere zahlen viel häufiger mit Prepaid-Karten, Twint und Smartphone
Die verschiedenen Altersgruppen unterscheiden sich deutlich in ihrem Zahlungsverhalten. Die Wichtigkeit von Prepaidkarten, Twint, Apple Pay und Smartphone nimmt mit zunehmendem Alter ab, während es beim Bargeld umgekehrt ist.
Beispiel Prepaid-Kreditkarten: 46% der 18- bis 25-Jährigen nutzen Prepaid-Kreditkarten im Laden als Zahlungsmittel (in unterschiedlicher Häufigkeit), während es bei den 26- bis 49-Jährigen noch 25% und bei den 50- bis 74-Jährigen nur noch 17% sind. Beispiel Apple Pay: 17% der 18- bis 25-Jährigen nutzen Apple Pay im Laden als Zahlungsmittel (in unterschiedlicher Häufigkeit), während es bei den 26- bis 49-Jährigen noch 13% und bei den 50- bis 74-Jährigen nur noch 8% sind.
Revolut bei Jungen bereits erstaunlich populär
Bereits 21% der befragten 18- bis 25-Jährigen nutzen die Revolut-Karte im Laden als Zahlungsmittel (in unterschiedlicher Häufigkeit), während es bei den 26- bis 49-Jährigen 16% und bei den 50- bis 74- Jährigen 5% sind. «Dass die ausländische Bezahlkarte Revolut gerade bei den Jungen schon erstaunlich populär ist, sollte den Schweizer Banken zu denken geben», so Benjamin Manz. Die Popularität von Revolut ist in erster Linie auf die einfachen Prozesse und die gute Nutzbarkeit der Revolut-App sowie die tiefen Gebühren zurückzuführen.
Twint hat sich im Corona-Jahr etabliert
Am markantesten ist die Entwicklung von Twint als Zahlungsmittel während der Corona-Krise. Während im Januar 2020 erst 36% der Befragten Twint (in unterschiedlicher Häufigkeit) im Laden nutzten, sind es nun bereits 48%. Rund die Hälfte der 18- bis 74-Jährigen nutzt Twint als Zahlungsmittel, 12% selten, 27% gelegentlich und 9% oft. 43% der Befragten möchten nicht mehr auf Twint verzichten – ein respektabler Wert.
Zum Vergleich: Auf Apple Pay möchten nur 7% nicht verzichten. Populär ist Twint besonders bei den Jüngeren: Bereits 67% der 18- bis 25-Jährigen möchten nicht auf Twint verzichten, bei den 26- bis 49-Jährigen sind es 51%. Schon 70% der 18- bis 25-Jährigen nutzen Twint als Zahlungsmittel im Laden (in unterschiedlicher Häufigkeit), bei 26- bis 49-Jährigen sind es 55% und bei den 50- bis 74-Jährigen 32%.
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post Dank Corona: Bargeld nicht mehr wichtigstes Zahlungsmittel appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/dank-corona-bargeld-nicht-mehr-wichtigstes-zahlungsmittel</link><guid>1730</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2021-bevorzugte-zahlungsmittel-schweiz-moneyland_ch.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Dank Corona: Bargeld nicht mehr wichtigstes Zahlungsmittel</dc:text></item><item><title>Zürcher Kantonalbank Completes First Blockchain-Based Fund Transaction</title><description><![CDATA[Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB) and Deutsche Börse’s post-trade services provider Clearstream successfully processed their first live blockchain-based end-to-end fund transactions, using FundsDLT, a decentralised platform for fund transaction processing.
The entities reported that the overall processing time for an investor order was reduced from several hours to only a few minutes.
ZKB was the first to leverage the joint FundsDLT and Clearstream solution, with an end investor placing a fund transaction request via a mobile app directly on the private blockchain.
The order was captured and delivered to Clearstream’s fund processing platform Vestima via the blockchain. ZKB’s client received real-time updates and, after a few minutes, the transaction confirmation on the app, a process that could commonly take several hours before.
This particular cross-border distribution of an investment fund between Switzerland and Luxembourg showed that distributed ledger technology (DLT) can foster more efficient, scalable and faster fund investing for all market participants.
ZKB built on its existing connection to Vestima and triggered the blockchain-based fund transactions via API delivered by FundsDLT, allowing ZKB to access all 48 connected fund markets without the need for additional onboarding processes.
Peter Hubli
Peter Hubli, Head Digital Asset Solutions at ZKB commented,
“With FundsDLT we convinced ourselves of the potential for the entire value chain in the fund business, including the improvement of customer experience, efficiency in the settlement process and the reduction of costs.
 
The proof of value allowed us to have a sneak peek into the future of the fund industry, its potential and impact not only for ZKB, but also for our clients and partners. By leveraging blockchain technology, we get both an overview of the entire flow of assets and money and can also identify and understand investor&#8217;s needs.”
Olivier Portenseigne
Olivier Portenseigne, CEO of FundsDLT said,
“We are delighted to see a bank such as Zürcher Kantonalbank push forward and explore the value that the collaboration between FundsDLT and Clearstream can deliver to the wealth management side.
 
Digital transformation is today paramount for financial institutions and our goal is to enable fund distributors to simplify their business and operating model and build the technology foundation to enable their clients to connect to fund products anywhere and in an easier manner.”
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/zurcher-kantonalbank-completes-first-blockchain-based-fund-transaction</link><guid>1727</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Zürcher Kantonalbank Completes First Blockchain-Based Fund Transaction</dc:text></item><item><title>Blackrock and Snowflake Launch Cloud Data Solution for Investment Managers</title><description><![CDATA[American asset management firm BlackRock and Snowflake, a cloud-based data-warehousing company, announced a strategic partnership to deliver a next-generation solution for the investment management industry.
BlackRock will launch Aladdin Data Cloud, a solution for investment managers to expand the utility of data, powered by Snowflake’s platform.
The Aladdin Data Cloud will be a strategic part of Snowflake’s Data Cloud and a part of the Aladdin platform, a portfolio management software by BlackRock.
The solution allows companies to bring Aladdin and non-Aladdin data together making it easy for users to build on top of it with Aladdin Studio, BlackRock’s platform for developers.
By bringing together Aladdin and Snowflake’s Data Cloud, the Aladdin Data Cloud allows its clients to expand the utilisation of data across their organisation unlocking creativity and increasing operational efficiency.
Each Aladdin Data Cloud client receives an independent, centrally-managed data store pre-loaded with rich front-to-back Aladdin data sets which can then be supplemented with proprietary and other third-party data sources, allowing organisations to access and query their business-critical data on a single, cloud-based platform.
BlackRock’s Aladdin Data Cloud is an evolution of its existing Aladdin Data Warehouse solution and is among a suite of new capabilities that Aladdin expects to roll out in 2021 as part of Aladdin Studio.
Rob Goldstein
“Aladdin has been on a journey for three decades to put data at the heart of the investment process. We’re excited to be working with Snowflake’s innovative technology as we enter the next phase of that journey,”
said Rob Goldstein, COO of BlackRock.
“Today, each client is able to customise on top of Aladdin and with their instance of Aladdin Studio and the Aladdin Data Cloud, they will have more powerful tools than ever at their disposal.”
Frank Slootman
&#8220;We’re thrilled to be a strategic partner to BlackRock to power a robust data platform for investment managers,”
said Frank Slootman, CEO of Snowflake.
“With Aladdin as a strategic part of Snowflake Data Cloud, our goal is to create a new industry standard in financial services for accessing, governing and acting on data in a unified and secure data environment.”
 
 
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post Blackrock and Snowflake Launch Cloud Data Solution for Investment Managers appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/blackrock-and-snowflake-launch-cloud-data-solution-for-investment-managers</link><guid>1726</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Blackrock and Snowflake Launch Cloud Data Solution for Investment Managers</dc:text></item><item><title>Digitaler Anlagespezialist Findependent setzt auf Online-Onboarding der Hypi Lenzburg</title><description><![CDATA[Neue Kunden und Kundinnen können bei Findependent ab sofort ihr Anlagekonto auf digitalem Weg eröffnen. Das Aarauer Wealthtech Startup vertraut auf die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg als Technologie- und Bankingpartnerin.
Neue Kundinnen und Kunden der Anlage-App Findependent können ab sofort ihr Anlagekonto auf digitalem Weg eröffnen. Das Aarauer Startup-Unternehmen verwendet dazu die Technologie des Online-Onboardings der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg. Zudem nutzt Findependent die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg als Depotbank und als Abwicklungspartnerin für die Wertschriftentransaktionen ihrer Anlagekundinnen und -kunden. Dies haben die beiden Unternehmen heute bekanntgegeben.
Findependent ist der siebte Nutzer der Online-Onboarding-Lösung, welche die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg zusammen mit dem Lausanner Technologiepartner Twist Lab entwickelt hat. Das Onboarding läuft über einen Web-Browser und kann mit einem Smartphone, Tablet oder Laptop gemacht werden. Mit mehr als 50&#8217;000 digital bereits eröffneter Konten ist der Kontoanbieter Neon Switzerland der prominenteste Nutzer dieser Technologie.
Dank der offenen Schnittstellenarchitektur der Open-Banking-Software Finstar, die von der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg entwickelt und für die Konto- und Depotverwaltung der Findependent-Kundinnen und -Kunden verwendet wird, können die Daten der Kundinnen und Kunden zwischen dem Findependent-System und der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg sicher und automatisch übermittelt werden.
Findependent bietet den Kundinnen und Kunden passiv verwaltete Anlagelösungen auf Basis börsengehandelter Fonds (Exchange Traded Funds, ETF) an. Die Anlagelösungen können dabei bequem über die von Findependent entwickelte App gesteuert werden. Für die effiziente Abwicklung von Kauf- und Verkaufsaufträgen werden derzeit bei Finstar offene Schnittstellen (Open APIs) entwickelt. Das HBL Asset Management, die Vermögensverwaltungsabteilung der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg, führt die Wertschriftentransaktionen von Findependent aus.
Matthias Bryner
«Die Zeit ist reif für eine digitale Anlagelösung. Viele Menschen in der Schweiz haben in den letzten Jahren gute Erfahrungen mit anderen digitalen Finanzprodukten wie Twint, Neon oder Revolut gesammelt und möchten nun eine genauso einfache und unkomplizierte Möglichkeit, um ihr Geld anzulegen. Dies fängt bei der Kontoeröffnung an. Deshalb ist das Online-Onboarding der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg genau das Richtige für unsere Anlage-App»,
sagt Matthias Bryner, CEO und Gründer von Findependent.
Marianne Wildi
«Es freut uns, dass das aus dem Kanton Aargau stammende Unternehmen Findependent die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg als Partnerin gewählt hat. Mit Findependent erhalten wir Zugang zu einer weiteren Kundenschnittstelle eines Drittanbieters von Finanzdienstleistungen mit einem innovativen Produktangebot. Damit erhöhen wir den Diversifikationsgrad unserer Bank, mit einer potenziellen Stärkung der Erträge im Banking-as-a-Service-Geschäft und in der Vermögensverwaltungsbereich»,
sagt Marianne Wildi, CEO der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg.
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post Digitaler Anlagespezialist Findependent setzt auf Online-Onboarding der Hypi Lenzburg appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digitaler-anlagespezialist-findependent-setzt-auf-online-onboarding-der-hypi-lenzburg</link><guid>1724</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Digitaler Anlagespezialist Findependent setzt auf Online-Onboarding der Hypi Lenzburg</dc:text></item><item><title>Risikokapital Ökosystem in Europa auf dem Vormarsch – Deutschland wächst Stark</title><description><![CDATA[i5invest und das Institut für Entrepreneurship der Wirtschaftsuniverstiät Wien veröffentlichen den European Capital Report 2021 und zeigen, dass sowohl das Venture Capital als auch Private Equity Ökosystem in Europa trotz Covid-19 in den letzten 24 Monaten einen Wachstumsschub verzeichnen.
Die Gesamtanzahl der Investoren steigt damit auf 676, aufgeteilt auf 443 Venture Capital und 233 Private Equity Fonds mit europäischem Standort. Der Report gibt spannenden Einblick in unterschiedliche Dimensionen.
Weiterhin mit Vorsprung führt Großbritannien das Ranking der Länder mit den meisten heimischen Investoren in Europa an (306), gefolgt von Deutschland (181), Frankreich (119), Luxemburg (66) und den Niederlanden (60). Mit 18 Fonds-Neugründungen in den letzten 24 Monaten wächst das Investorenökosystem in der DACH Region allerdings am schnellsten.
Unter den 181 in Deutschland ansässigen Investoren sind 55% Venture Capital, 36% Private Equity und 9% Corporate Venture Capital Fonds. Der beliebteste Industriefokus von Investoren in Deutschland ist 2021 Life Science &amp; Health.
Im Ranking der mächtigsten deutschen Venture Capital Investoren 2021 auf Basis der gemanagten Fondsvolumina führt HV Capital, gefolgt von Earlybird, Global Founders Capital, Wellington Partners und Deutsche Telekom Capital Partners, im Private Equity Ranking ist SwanCap an der Spitze, gefolgt von Deutsche Beteiligungs AG, Bregal Unternehmerkapital, DPE Deutsche Private Equity und Castik Capital.
Die aktivsten deutschen Investoren auf Basis der Anzahl an getätigten Investments 2020 sind der High Tech Gründerfonds (160 Investments 2020), APX Axel Springer Porsche (60), Cherry Ventures (35), Bayern Kapital (31) und Target Global (26). Nur der in Ungarn heimische Investor Hiventures hat im Vorjahr mit 200 Investments im Europaranking mehr Transaktionen durchgeführt als der deutsche High Tech Gründerfonds.

Die beeindruckenden 18 Neugründungen in der DACH Region sind 468 Capital, a/o PropTech, Future Energy Ventures, Game Seer Venture Partners, Heal Capital, MobilityFund, Schumpeter Ventures, Signature Ventures, Smart Infrastructure Ventures, VR Ventures, Vsquared Ventures und NGC Nachfolgekapital (alle in Deutschland), Swiss Immo Lab, Tomahawk VC und Sparrow Ventures in der Schweiz, Calm/Storm und Smartworks in Österreich und Seed X in Liechtenstein.
Gründer von heimischen Scale-Ups müssen sich für Folgefinanzierungen daher häufig schnell im europäischen Ausland umsehen oder die Fühler über den Atlantik ausstrecken. Doch auch amerikanische Investoren zieht es immer stärker nach Europa. Insgesamt haben 124 US-Fonds mittlerweile einen europäischen Standort eröffnet, im Ranking der beliebtesten Städte ist Berlin mit 14 Niederlassungen amerikanischer Fonds allerdings nur auf dem 4. Platz hinter London (92), Paris (23) und Luxemburg (18).
Herwig Springer
Herwig Springer:
„Ob der Brexit hier zu einer Trendwende führt bleibt abzuwarten.“
Auch Corporate Venture Capital gewinnt in Deutschland stetig an Bedeutung. Mit 16 Playern am heimischen Markt verwaltet BMW i Ventures mit EUR 583 Millionen das größte veröffentlichte Fondsvolumen, gefolgt vom M Ventures, Risikokapitalarm der Merck KGaA, mit EUR 400 Millionen.
„Corporate Venture Capital bleibt auf jeden Fall ein Trendthema, und für 2021 erwarten wir, dass weitere heimische Unternehmen als Teil ihrer Innovationsstrategie in Zukunft auf Corporate Venture Capital Investments setzen werden“,
ergänzt Stephan Jung vom Gründungszentrum der Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien.
Der gesamte European Capital Report 2021 kann kostenlos auf www.europeancapitalmap.com heruntergeladen werden.

.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post Risikokapital Ökosystem in Europa auf dem Vormarsch – Deutschland wächst Stark appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/risikokapital-okosystem-in-europa-auf-dem-vormarsch-deutschland-wachst-stark</link><guid>1721</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Risikokapital-öKosystem-in-Europa-Auf-Dem-Vormarsch-–-Deutschland-Wächst-Stark.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Risikokapital Ökosystem in Europa auf dem Vormarsch – Deutschland wächst Stark</dc:text></item><item><title>ZKB und SGK forcieren neuen Open Banking Verband</title><description><![CDATA[Die von der St.Galler Kantonalbank und dem Beratungsunternehmen Synpulse ins Leben gerufene OpenWealth API-Standardisierungsinitiative wurde in einen Verein überführt.
Mit dem Verein OpenWealth Association wollen die Initianten die OpenWealth APIs im Markt weiter etablieren und neue Mitglieder gewinnen. Gründungmitglieder des Vereins sind: St.Galler Kantonalbank, Zürcher Kantonalbank, SIX Group, Assetmax und Alphasys. Die Geschäftsführung des Vereins übernimmt Synpulse Management Consulting und stellt daher den Präsidenten und Vizepräsidenten des Vereins.
Die OpenWealth Community hat im Dezember 2020 die erste Version der OpenWealth API veröffentlicht. Bei der Definition hat neben der St. Galler Kantonalbank auch die Zürcher Kantonalbank als zweite Bank in den letzten Monaten an den API-Spezifikationen mitgearbeitet. Um allen Community-Mitgliedern einen geregelten Rahmen für die zukünftige Kollaboration bei der API-Spezifikation für Wealth Management Use Cases zu geben, gründen die Unternehmen St.Galler Kantonalbank, Zürcher Kantonalbank, SIX Group, Alphasys und Assetmax den Verein «OpenWealth Association».
Synpulse wird die Community weiterhin orchestrieren und wurde dafür vom frisch gegründeten Verein mit der Geschäftsführung der OpenWealth Association beauftragt. Raphael Bianchi, Partner und Leiter von Synpulse Schweiz wurde als Präsident, Simon Alioth, Synpulse Associate Partner und Head Open Finance wurde als Vizepräsident der OpenWealth Association gewählt.
Raphael Bianchi
Raphael Bianchi, betonte im Rahmen der Vereinsgründung:
«Wir sind stolz, dass wir im letzten Jahr OpenWealth zur anerkannten API-Standarisierungs­initiative für Wealth Management etablieren konnten. Synpulse ist geehrt, die Geschäftsführung zu übernehmen, um an die Erfolge anzuknüpfen und OpenWealth im Sinne aller Vereinsmitglieder zu führen.» Simon Alioth ergänzt: «Ich freue mich, zusammen mit den Mitgliedern den OpenWealth API zu pflegen, weiterzuentwickeln und umzusetzen. Als Verein, der Tatsachen schafft, sind wir schon in Aufnahmegesprächen mit weiteren namhaften Depot-Banken und WealthTech-Unternehmen.»
Falk Kohlmann
Falk Kohlmann, Bereichsleiter Marktleistungen und Geschäftsleitungsmitglied der St.Galler Kantonalbank:
«Mit OpenWealth beweist die St.Galler Kantonalbank ihre Innovationskraft sowie ihre engagierte und gestaltende Rolle in der Digitalisierung. Wir sind in Vorleistung gegangen, weil wir überzeugt sind, dass OpenWealth einem echten Kundenbedürfnis entspricht. Wir freuen uns, dass unsere Initiative viel Dynamik ausgelöst hat und neben uns auch weitere Unternehmen die APIs implementieren werden.»
Béatrice Sidler
Béatrice Sidler, Leiterin Multichannel Management der Zürcher Kantonalbank:
«Sowohl die Anbindung an die b.Link-Plattform, als auch der Verein für die Standardisierung der API-Schnittstellen helfen uns, unsere Bank im API-Banking in Zukunft richtig zu positionieren und die Ziele im Anlagegeschäft bestmöglich zu erreichen. Mit unserem Multichannel Management- und Prozess-Know-how unterstützen wir den Vertrieb bei weiteren Open Banking-Vorhaben für die Kerngeschäfte.»
 
Sven Siat
Sven Siat, Head Connectivity und verantwortlich für die Open Banking-Plattform b.Link von SIX:
«Die OpenWealth-Initiative ist ein Musterbeispiel des Schweizer branchengetriebenen Open Banking-Ansatzes. Jetzt gilt es, den Standard in die Praxis zu überführen. Wir freuen uns, mit OpenWealth bereits drei neue APIs auf b.Link zu bringen, sodass diese von Banken und Drittanbietern täglich eingesetzt werden können. Mit dieser Initiative setzt der Schweizer Finanzplatz zudem ein starkes Zeichen im internationalen Open Banking-Wettbewerb.»
Massimo Ferrari
Massimo Ferrari, CEO von Assetmax:
«Das OpenWealth-Format hat alle Voraussetzungen, um ein Standard zu werden. Umfassend, modern, offen und von Branchenexperten nach den Anforderungen der Praxis entwickelt.»
Fabrizio De Ambroggi
Fabrizio De Ambroggi, Partner/CIO von Alphasys
«Es freut uns sehr, dass Alphasys Teil des OpenWealth-Projekts ist. Wir sind entschlossen, gemeinsam mit unseren Partnerunternehmen das Thema Open Finance in der Schweiz voranzutreiben. Dieses Vorhaben unterstützt nicht nur die Erweiterung unserer Produktpalette, sondern beschleunigt aus unserer Sicht auch die nachhaltige Transformation des Bankenplatzes Schweiz.»
 
 
Featured image credit: Synpulse
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post ZKB und SGK forcieren neuen Open Banking Verband appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/zkb-und-sgk-forcieren-neuen-open-banking-verband</link><guid>1722</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>ZKB und SGK forcieren neuen Open Banking Verband</dc:text></item><item><title>ZKB und SGKB forcieren neuen Open Banking Verband</title><description><![CDATA[Die von der St.Galler Kantonalbank und dem Beratungsunternehmen Synpulse ins Leben gerufene OpenWealth API-Standardisierungsinitiative wurde in einen Verein überführt.
Mit dem Verein OpenWealth Association wollen die Initianten die OpenWealth APIs im Markt weiter etablieren und neue Mitglieder gewinnen. Gründungmitglieder des Vereins sind: St.Galler Kantonalbank, Zürcher Kantonalbank, SIX Group, Assetmax und Alphasys. Die Geschäftsführung des Vereins übernimmt Synpulse Management Consulting und stellt daher den Präsidenten und Vizepräsidenten des Vereins.
Die OpenWealth Community hat im Dezember 2020 die erste Version der OpenWealth API veröffentlicht. Bei der Definition hat neben der St. Galler Kantonalbank auch die Zürcher Kantonalbank als zweite Bank in den letzten Monaten an den API-Spezifikationen mitgearbeitet. Um allen Community-Mitgliedern einen geregelten Rahmen für die zukünftige Kollaboration bei der API-Spezifikation für Wealth Management Use Cases zu geben, gründen die Unternehmen St.Galler Kantonalbank, Zürcher Kantonalbank, SIX Group, Alphasys und Assetmax den Verein «OpenWealth Association».
Synpulse wird die Community weiterhin orchestrieren und wurde dafür vom frisch gegründeten Verein mit der Geschäftsführung der OpenWealth Association beauftragt. Raphael Bianchi, Partner und Leiter von Synpulse Schweiz wurde als Präsident, Simon Alioth, Synpulse Associate Partner und Head Open Finance wurde als Vizepräsident der OpenWealth Association gewählt.
Raphael Bianchi
Raphael Bianchi, betonte im Rahmen der Vereinsgründung:
«Wir sind stolz, dass wir im letzten Jahr OpenWealth zur anerkannten API-Standarisierungs­initiative für Wealth Management etablieren konnten. Synpulse ist geehrt, die Geschäftsführung zu übernehmen, um an die Erfolge anzuknüpfen und OpenWealth im Sinne aller Vereinsmitglieder zu führen.» Simon Alioth ergänzt: «Ich freue mich, zusammen mit den Mitgliedern den OpenWealth API zu pflegen, weiterzuentwickeln und umzusetzen. Als Verein, der Tatsachen schafft, sind wir schon in Aufnahmegesprächen mit weiteren namhaften Depot-Banken und WealthTech-Unternehmen.»
Falk Kohlmann
Falk Kohlmann, Bereichsleiter Marktleistungen und Geschäftsleitungsmitglied der St.Galler Kantonalbank:
«Mit OpenWealth beweist die St.Galler Kantonalbank ihre Innovationskraft sowie ihre engagierte und gestaltende Rolle in der Digitalisierung. Wir sind in Vorleistung gegangen, weil wir überzeugt sind, dass OpenWealth einem echten Kundenbedürfnis entspricht. Wir freuen uns, dass unsere Initiative viel Dynamik ausgelöst hat und neben uns auch weitere Unternehmen die APIs implementieren werden.»
Béatrice Sidler
Béatrice Sidler, Leiterin Multichannel Management der Zürcher Kantonalbank:
«Sowohl die Anbindung an die b.Link-Plattform, als auch der Verein für die Standardisierung der API-Schnittstellen helfen uns, unsere Bank im API-Banking in Zukunft richtig zu positionieren und die Ziele im Anlagegeschäft bestmöglich zu erreichen. Mit unserem Multichannel Management- und Prozess-Know-how unterstützen wir den Vertrieb bei weiteren Open Banking-Vorhaben für die Kerngeschäfte.»
 
Sven Siat
Sven Siat, Head Connectivity und verantwortlich für die Open Banking-Plattform b.Link von SIX:
«Die OpenWealth-Initiative ist ein Musterbeispiel des Schweizer branchengetriebenen Open Banking-Ansatzes. Jetzt gilt es, den Standard in die Praxis zu überführen. Wir freuen uns, mit OpenWealth bereits drei neue APIs auf b.Link zu bringen, sodass diese von Banken und Drittanbietern täglich eingesetzt werden können. Mit dieser Initiative setzt der Schweizer Finanzplatz zudem ein starkes Zeichen im internationalen Open Banking-Wettbewerb.»
Massimo Ferrari
Massimo Ferrari, CEO von Assetmax:
«Das OpenWealth-Format hat alle Voraussetzungen, um ein Standard zu werden. Umfassend, modern, offen und von Branchenexperten nach den Anforderungen der Praxis entwickelt.»
Fabrizio De Ambroggi
Fabrizio De Ambroggi, Partner/CIO von Alphasys
«Es freut uns sehr, dass Alphasys Teil des OpenWealth-Projekts ist. Wir sind entschlossen, gemeinsam mit unseren Partnerunternehmen das Thema Open Finance in der Schweiz voranzutreiben. Dieses Vorhaben unterstützt nicht nur die Erweiterung unserer Produktpalette, sondern beschleunigt aus unserer Sicht auch die nachhaltige Transformation des Bankenplatzes Schweiz.»
 
 
Featured image credit: Synpulse
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post ZKB und SGKB forcieren neuen Open Banking Verband appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/zkb-und-sgkb-forcieren-neuen-open-banking-verband</link><guid>1725</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>ZKB und SGKB forcieren neuen Open Banking Verband</dc:text></item><item><title>Former Governor of the Bank of England Joins Stripe’s Board of Directors</title><description><![CDATA[Stripe, a US-based payment processing platform, announced that Mark Carney, the former Governor of the Bank of England and the Bank of Canada, has joined the company’s board of directors.
Regulated in multiple jurisdictions and partnering with several dozen financial institutions around the world, Stripe will benefit from Mark Carney’s extensive experience of global financial systems and governance.
As Stripe rolls out its climate efforts globally, enabling millions of businesses to bring more funding to emerging carbon removal technologies, the company will receive guidance from one of the world’s leading experts in sustainable finance.
As the UN Special Envoy for Climate Action, Mark has galvanised climate action and private finance ahead of the forthcoming COP26 conference in Glasgow.
Mark is joined on the Stripe board of directors by Christa Davies, Diane Greene, Jonathan Chadwick and Sir Michael Moritz, as well as Stripe’s co-founders Patrick and John Collison.
Stripe&#8217;s client base includes Zoom, Slack, Wayfair, and Maersk, and global technology leaders including Shopify, Amazon, Atlassian, Deliveroo, Grab, and Glofox, who uses its payment platform to enable their internet operations.
Mark&#8217;s appointment comes amidst talks of Stripe chasing a valuation of US$70 billion to US$100 billion with its last valuation at US$36 billion according to Bloomberg.
Mark Carney
Mark Carney said,
“The very nature of commerce has changed over the past decade. Stripe has been at the forefront of enabling this new digital economy, providing innovative and resilient global payment solutions to businesses large and small.
 
In the process, Stripe has been breaking down barriers to global trade and accelerating economic output. I look forward to supporting Stripe over the coming years as they build the global infrastructure that enables the internet to become the engine for strong and inclusive economic growth.”
John Collison, Co-founder and President of Stripe said,
John Collison
“As Stripe enters its second decade, Mark’s unparalleled experience of the highest levels of financial services and central banking will be of enormous benefit as we work to grow the GDP of the internet.
 
From his desire to see faster settlement systems to his commitment to climate change mitigation, Mark’s values align with ours. We’re delighted he’s joining our Board of Directors.”
 
Featured image: Mark Carney, Board of Directors, Stripe 
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post Former Governor of the Bank of England Joins Stripe&#8217;s Board of Directors appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/former-governor-of-the-bank-of-england-joins-stripes-board-of-directors</link><guid>1723</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Former Governor of the Bank of England Joins Stripe’s Board of Directors</dc:text></item><item><title>Digital Asset Adoption Gains Momentum With US$26 Billion in Bitcoin Transactions</title><description><![CDATA[Bitcoin’s recent price surge has accelerated institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies leading to institutional investor pouring an estimated US$26 billion into bitcoin over the past eight months, an analysis by SNGLR Group shows.
In its second report part of the Digital Asset Briefing series, the Swiss tech firm looks at the latest developments and trends in cryptocurrencies and digital assets, arguing that bitcoin’s current rally has led to renewed interest in cryptocurrencies, a trend that comes on the back of favorable regulatory endorsements and large institutional investments coming in from names like Testa, MicroStrategy and Square.
SNGLR Group’s analysis suggests that at least US$26 billion have been invested into bitcoin over the past six to eight months. This figure only comprises publicly announced transactions, suggesting that the real amount could actually be well over that.
Barry Silbert’s Grayscale Investments, the world’s largest digital currency manager, currently leads the way with some US$21 billion in assets under management. Grayscale is followed by Tesla, which announced earlier this month that it had bought US$1.5 billion worth of bitcoin. Software maker MicroStrategy stands in third position after it unveiled that it had acquired US$1 billion worth of bitcoin throughout 2020. MicroStrategy is now reportedly looking to buy more. Another big name that’s on the list is Square, which is said to be holding about US$160 million worth of cryptocurrencies.
Publicly disclosed institutional bitcoin transactions, Table by SNGLR Group, Digital Assets Briefing #2, Feb 2021
Rising institutional participation comes on the back of a series of favorable regulations and developments involving blockchain and digital assets. In September 2020, Switzerland passed the new distributed ledger technology (DLT) bill, a new framework that experts and industry observers have argued will make Switzerland one of the most advanced jurisdictions for digital assets. Some provisions entered into force in February 2021 while the remaining will commence in August 2021.
Another area that’s been gaining stream is central bank digital currency (CBDC). A new research by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) found that 86% of central bank around the world are now actively engaging in some form of CBDC work. About 60% are conducting experiments or proofs-of-concept, while 14% are moving forward to development and pilot arrangements.
In the private sector, large financial institutions and incumbents recently made some big moves. Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan and Citi have reportedly showed interest in entering the digital asset custody business, while BlackRock, the world’s largest asset management, is planning to add bitcoin futures as an eligible investment to two funds, according to a recent company filing.
Another bullish trend has been the series of public listing announcements from crypto companies including Coinbase and Bakkt.
Coinbase, the biggest cryptocurrency exchange in the US, said in a statement last month that it planned to go public through a direct listing. Intercontinental Exchange-owned Bakkt announced in January that it had agreed to merge with blank check firm VPC Impact Acquisition Holdings in a deal that would give the cryptocurrency trading platform a valuation of US$2.1 billion. And Gemini, another cryptocurrency exchange, has hinted at a potential public listing.
Decentralized finance (DeFi) gains momentum
Renewed interest in cryptocurrency has led to the emerging decentralized finance (DeFi) space to finally break through the so-called “institutional barrier,” a trend that’s evidenced by the significantly larger amounts of capital flowing into the sector, the SNGLR Group report says.
DeFi refers to a form of finance that does not rely on central financial intermediaries such as brokerages, exchange or banks to offer financial instruments, but instead utilizes smart contracts on blockchain platforms, the most common being Ethereum. DeFi products and services include decentralized exchanges (DEX), lending and yielding farming, stablecoins, synthetic assets, and automated market making (AMM).
Data from DeFi Pulse, a market intelligence and analysis platform, show that the total value locked (TVL) in DeFi platforms currently stands at more than US$41 billion, up 412.5% from September 2020 at US$8 billion. TVL measures the total value of tokens currently being staked in a specific protocol, representing thus the total amount of underlying supply being secured by a specific application and/or a DeFi as a whole.
Total value locked (USD) in DeFi, Feb 19, 2021, defipulse.com
Metrics from the DeFi industry shows that investors are increasingly diversify into the emerging but largely unregulated space. The SNGLR Group report notes that for the year 2020, only Chainlink, a decentralized oracle network that provides real-time data to smart contracts, and Synthetix, a protocol that enables the issuance of synthetic assets on the Ethereum blockchain, outperformed bitcoin at 62% and 40% respectively.
The price of bitcoin, the world&#8217;s largest cryptocurrency, surged above the 52,000 USD/BTC level on Wednesday in a new all-time high. Bitcoin more than quadrupled in 2020 and has gained over 70% this year already.
 
Featured image credit: Publicly disclosed institutional bitcoin transactions, Table by SNGLR Group, Digital Assets Briefing #2, Feb 2021
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post Digital Asset Adoption Gains Momentum With US$26 Billion in Bitcoin Transactions appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digital-asset-adoption-gains-momentum-with-us26-billion-in-bitcoin-transactions</link><guid>1719</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Publicly-disclosed-institutional-bitcoin-transactions-Table-by-SNGLR-Group-Digital-Assets-Briefing-2-Feb-2021.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Digital Asset Adoption Gains Momentum With US$26 Billion in Bitcoin Transactions</dc:text></item><item><title>Säule 3a Startup Pionier VIAC erreicht 1 Mrd. verwaltetes Vermögen</title><description><![CDATA[Vor rund 3 Jahren startete VIAC mit der ersten digitalen Säule 3a der Schweiz. Dank stetigem Produktausbau und innovativen Features ist VIAC heute als Taktgeber im Schweizer Vorsorgemarkt nicht mehr wegzudenken.
Das Erfolgsrezept: Top Kundenservice, attraktives Pricing und ein durchdachtes Produkt. Mit einem verwalteten Vermögen von einer Milliarde CHF hat VIAC nun als erstes Fintech der Schweiz diese Schallmauer durchbrochen. Damit gesellt sich VIAC zu den europaweit grössten digitalen Anlageplattformen &#8211; einzig in den USA ist der Appetit nach digitalen Anlagelösungen noch grösser. Dank diesem Erfolg plant VIAC bald eine weitere Reduktion der Gebühren.
Daniel Peter
&#8220;Die Idee entstand aus dem eigenen Bedürfnis nach einer einfachen, verständlichen und vor allem effizienten Vorsorgelösung&#8221;
so Daniel Peter – Kopf hinter VIAC – zur Motivation, weshalb er mit VIAC gestartet ist. Die Kundenzentrierung wird nicht allein durch eine gute digitale Plattform mit einem attraktiven Pricing erreicht, sondern das gesamte Bild muss stimmig sein: kompetenter Kundensupport sowie ein klarer Mehrwert gegenüber der Konkurrenz.
Bei diesem Mehrwert setzt VIAC an und grenzt sich durch diverse Merkmale klar von der Konkurrenz ab:
 



Kostenloses Konto Plus mit 5% Aktien
Eine Lösung für konservative Sparer, die genug vom Nullzinskonto haben.
Kostenloser Basisschutz bei Invalidität oder Todesfall von bis zu 250&#8217;000 CHF
Oftmals sind gerade Versicherungslösungen sehr teuer; auch hier versucht VIAC mit diesem neuen Ansatz für Bewegung zu sorgen.
Keine Investition in negative Obligationen
Während bei der Konkurrenz durchs Band in Obligationen investiert wird, die meist bereits vor Kosten negativ rentieren, setzt VIAC auf verzinstes, gebührenlos geführtes Kontoguthaben. Das reduziert sowohl Zinsänderungsrisiken als auch Gebühren.
Tiefste durchschnittliche Gebühren
Mit durchschnittlichen Gebühren von 0.40% (berechnet ohne das kostenlose 3a Konto und das kostenlose 3a Konto Plus) ist VIAC die attraktivste Vorsorgeplattform.
Bis zu 5&#8217;500 CHF gebührenfrei verwaltet – ein Leben lang
Durch das VIAC Weiterempfehlungs-Programm «Freunde werben Freunde» können VIAC Kunden bis zu 5&#8217;500 CHF Wertschriftenvermögen lebenslang gebührenfrei verwalten.



Christian Mathis
&#8220;Der Kunde ist stets im Zentrum unseres Denkens&#8221;
so Christian Mathis – ebenfalls Mitgründer von VIAC. Dies soll auch in Zukunft so bleiben: Mehrwert für die Kunden und nicht nur für die Bank! Weshalb VIAC schon bald die Gebühren bei den sportlichen Strategien nochmals deutlich senken möchte.
&#8220;Der Markt hat sich in unseren Augen noch zu wenig im Interesse der Kunden bewegt. Diesen Trend wollen wir damit beschleunigen&#8221;
so Daniel Peter zu den Gründen der geplanten Gebührensenkung.
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post Säule 3a Startup Pionier VIAC erreicht 1 Mrd. verwaltetes Vermögen appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/saule-3a-startup-pionier-viac-erreicht-1-mrd-verwaltetes-vermogen</link><guid>1720</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Säule 3a Startup Pionier VIAC erreicht 1 Mrd. verwaltetes Vermögen</dc:text></item><item><title>SPAC Frenzy Comes for Europe’s Fintechs</title><description><![CDATA[Bernard Arnault, the chairman of luxury goods group LVMH and Europe’s richest man, is the latest billionaire to embrace the SPAC frenzy, joining hands with global alternative asset management group Tikehau Capital through his investment holding company Financière Agache to launch a special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC.
Tikehau Capital said on February 15, 2021 that the SPAC will focus on the financial services sector with potential targets that include fintech companies, asset management platforms, insurance services, and diversified financial services companies.
SPACS are “blank-check” shell corporations set up by investors with the sole purpose of raising through an initial public offering (IPO) without going through the traditional burdensome process.
In an IPO, a company announces its intention to go public, and then has to disclose a lot of details about its business operations. After that, investors put money into the company in exchange for shares.
In the case of a SPAC, investors pool their money together first, while having no idea what company they’re truly investing in. The SPAC then goes public, after which it hunts for a company that wants to go public and merges with it.
Investors who invested in the SPAC then own stock in a real company, not just a shell company, and the sponsors who organized the SPAC get a big chunk of the company as a reward.
Three phases of SPAC lifespan, Special Purpose Acquisition Companies- An Introduction, by Ramey Layne and Brenda Lenahan, Vinson &amp; Elkins LLP, via Harvard Law School on Corporate Governance
SPACs were once an obscure part of the industry but have since exploded in popularity. More than half of all SPAC IPO transactions that ever took place occurred in 2020 and 2021, data from SPACInsider.com show. These transactions raised a combined US$127 billion in gross proceeds, or 73% of all SPAC IPO proceeds in history.
2020 saw 248 SPAC IPO transactions that raised a total of US$83 billion in gross proceeds, up 320% in deal count and up 510% in amount raised. 144 SPACs went public in 2021 already, demonstrating that the momentum will continue this year.
SPAC IPO by year, SPACinsider.com
Fintech SPACs
Since the end of 2020, the fintech industry has seen a flurry of SPAC deals. Payoneer, a startup that provides cross-border payments for small businesses, online sellers and freelancers in over 190 countries, is one of the latest fintech companies to agree to merge with a SPAC, announcing on February 3, 2021 its planned combination with FTAC Olympus Acquisition Corp in a US$3.3 billion deal.
FTAC Olympus Acquisition Corp is one of the latest blank-check companies backed by Betsy Cohen, a fintech pioneer and the founder of the Bancorp. Cohen has also been the name behind FTAC Athena Acquisition Corp, FTAC Hera Acquisition Corp, and the series of Fintech Acquisition Corp vehicles, which have taken companies including CardConnect, International Money Express (Intermex), Paya and Perella Weinberg Partners public.
FTAC Hera Acquisition Corp and FTAC Athena Acquisition Corp both recently filed for an IPO, the former looking to raise about US$750 million, while the latter, about US$220 million.
Another merger announced just earlier this week is the MoneyLion and Fusion Acquisition Corp deal. MoneyLion, which provides a digital financial platform that helps customers save, borrow money and invest, said on February 12, 2021, that the deal will give it a valuation of US$2.9 billion once it closes some time during the first half of 2021. The company plans to add more features and products including pay over time, a credit card, and a cryptocurrency platform.
Other recently announced or completed fintech SPAC transactions include Social Finance (SoFi) and Social Capital Hedosophia Corp V (US$8.65 billion), United Wholesale Mortgage and Gores Holdings IV, Inv (US$16.1 billion), Paysafe and Foley Trasimene Acquisition Corp II (US$9 billion) and Global Blue and Far Point (US$2.6 billion).
A list compiled by LenditFintech News suggests that at least six SPACs are now actively pursuing fintech acquisitions including JOFF Fintech Acquisition, Quantum Fintech Acquisition, Thunder Bridge Capital Partners III, and Cohen-backed Fintech Acquisition Corp V.
The multitude of fintech SPAC deals that took place just this year showcases that 2021 has so far shown no signs of slowing down last year&#8217;s SPAC frenzy. But one trend that experts and industry observers are predicting for 2021 is the spread of the SPAC mania to Europe.
This has already been evidenced by the upcoming Arnault-backed SPAC which will be targeting European financial services companies and fintechs. Now, it appears that VPC Impact Acquisition Holdings II, the latest SPAC of global investment firm Victory Park, is looking to acquire high-growth fintech companies outside of the US, with the most likely candidates being European fintech unicorns like eToro. The SPAC recently filed for a US$225 million IPO.
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post SPAC Frenzy Comes for Europe’s Fintechs appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/spac-frenzy-comes-for-europes-fintechs</link><guid>1717</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Three-phases-of-SPAC-lifespan-Special-Purpose-Acquisition-Companies-An-Introduction-by-Ramey-Layne-and-Brenda-Lenahan-Vinson-Elkins-LLP-via-Harvard-Law-School-on-Corporate-Governance.png</dc:content ><dc:text>SPAC Frenzy Comes for Europe’s Fintechs</dc:text></item><item><title>Survey: Swiss Fintech Startups Have Risen Against the Odds Despite the Pandemic</title><description><![CDATA[In a recent survey among the members of the Swiss Fintech association on economic development during the Covid-19 pandemic, found that fintech companies faced challenges during this period of time but they also seized the opportunity to overcome the crisis.
According to a survey in May of last year, over 55% of the respondents were planning to hire new staff, and just under half also saw the crisis as an opportunity for digital solutions acceptance.
Now, almost a year later, the Swiss Fintech association has compiled a report from various fintech startups on their thoughts about the current situation.
Compilation of Reports From the Swiss Fintech Community:
 
Loanboox

Martina Bühler
&#8220;The COVID crisis is leading to increased financial needs for the public sector, including the threat of tax shortfalls and support for local SMEs. This has been reflected in our figures: In 2020, a volume of CHF 7.1 billion was concluded through our platform &#8211; 50% more than in the previous year,&#8221;
said Martina Bühler of Loanboox.
&#8220;In Germany, demand has increased the most &#8211; the annual closing volume quadrupled. We are very pleased to have been able to make a small contribution to the financing of the public sector, the transport sector and the energy sector in these uncertain times.&#8221;
 
Adamant Lane

Oliver Schreiber
Oliver Schreiber, CEO Adamant Lane explains:
&#8220;Due to the growing need for a suitable platform for Supply Chain Finance (SCF), we have used the pandemic period to develop LiquidityHub for Corporates. With the solutions for SCF (Reverse Factoring) as well as Dynamic Discounting, we have succeeded in tapping into the new customer group of corporates. That&#8217;s why we are currently enjoying exciting discussions with well-known companies that are using the time to restructure and equip themselves with adequate software, especially in view of unprecedented market requirements and increasing volumes.&#8221;
 
Payrexx

Ivan Schmid
&#8220;The spreading of COVID-19 and the associated measures prompted many companies to switch to online sales. Through our fully comprehensive payment platform, we were able to help SMEs in particular with this transition,&#8221;
explains Ivan Schmid, CEO of Payrexx.
&#8220;In addition, last year we developed a new COVID-19 secure QR tool that enables contactless payments on the spot. Every month, around 650 merchants register on our platform. The total transaction volume increased by 95% year-on-year and we generated a 120% increase in revenue.&#8221;
Selma Finance

Patrik Schär
&#8220;The COVID crisis has led to a lasting change in trust and awareness of digital services in Switzerland. This is especially true for the financial industry,&#8221;
says Patrik Schär, CEO of Selma Finance.
&#8220;Digital account opening, live chat support, and round-the-clock access via apps have become the new standard. Despite Corona, we were able to open more than 2,800 new accounts with Selma last year, more than tripling our business. We now see that this growth is also sustainable: In 2021 alone, we could already open more than 1,000 new accounts with Selma.&#8221;
 
Accounto

Alessandro Micera
&#8220;The Corona pandemic massively intensified the pressure to digitalize, especially for trustee companies with an analog way of working,&#8221;
says Alessandro Micera Co-CEO of Accounto.
&#8220;Digital and innovative solutions &#8211; such as those from Accounto &#8211; enjoyed extremely high demand as a result. In numerous live demos with SMEs and trustee companies, Accounto succeeded in building up a solid customer base within a very short time. The only downer: Canceled events and thus lost opportunities to present Switzerland&#8217;s only fully automated accounting software to even more interested parties.&#8221;
 
 
Featured image credit:Unsplash
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/survey-swiss-fintech-startups-have-risen-against-the-odds-despite-the-pandemic</link><guid>1718</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Survey: Swiss Fintech Startups Have Risen Against the Odds Despite the Pandemic</dc:text></item><item><title>Sygnum Bank Secures Eight Figure Investment From SBI Digital Asset</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss Digital asset bank Sygnum announced that it has secured an eight-figure US$ investment from SBI Digital Asset Holdings, the digital asset umbrella company of SBI Group, as the lead investor of its strategic investment fundraising round.
With the completion of this fundraising round, Sygnum will have raised approximately US$ 30 million in the past six months.
Proceeds from this fundraising round will be used to continue to grow Sygnum’s assets under administration, which stood at over half a billion US$ as of January 2021.
This includes expanding its client base of private qualified and institutional investors, banks and other financial institutions.
The proceeds will also drive Sygnum’s expansion into new markets in Europe and Asia from its Switzerland and Singapore headquarters, as well as accelerate the launch of new products and services.
Sygnum will also be commercialising its newly-launched Desygnate tokenisation platform and SygnEx secondary market trading facility.
The company will also be expanding its’s open banking API infrastructure to enable banks and other market participants to offer their clients digital assets exposure with complete trust.
Additionally, Sygnum plans on increasing its range of institutional-grade custody features, such as additional staking services and yield generating products.
Sygnum will aslo be developing new asset management products, such as the digital asset options that were launched in January 2021.
This funding round build on Sygnum’s and SBI’s strategic partnership that was established in October 2020 with a planned SBI-Sygnum Digital Asset Opportunity fund, which targets early-stage investments in digital asset startups.
Mathias Imbach
“We are very pleased to welcome SBI Group as a trusted Sygnum shareholder and strategic partner. 2020 saw digital assets receive a global surge in interest from institutional investors and financial institutions.
 
Together with SBI’s deep and longstanding expertise in fintech and digital assets, we look forward to meeting the rising demand coming from Switzerland, Singapore and globally, and providing our clients with unique investment opportunities, empowering them to diversify into the emerging digital assets economy with complete trust,”
said Mathias Imbach, Sygnum Co-Founder and Group CEO.
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sygnum-bank-secures-eight-figure-investment-from-sbi-digital-asset</link><guid>1716</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Sygnum Bank Secures Eight Figure Investment From SBI Digital Asset</dc:text></item><item><title>Web Browser Opera Launches E-Wallet Dify for Its European Users</title><description><![CDATA[Web browser Opera with 380 million monthly active users globally and 50 million in Europe, has announced the launch of a new European e-wallet Dify.
Opera plans to first offer an in-browser cash back service for online shopping and to get its large European user base to install and use the Dify Wallet.
The beta version of the Dify app as well as cash back services are currently offered in Spain with more European markets to follow in the future.
In addition to the cash back integration, the initial version of the Dify app ships with a current account, a free virtual debit card issued by Mastercard, as well as Google Pay support.
The first version of the Dify app will allow consumers to receive e-commerce cash back for purchases made on partner websites accessed through the Opera browser. Those who choose to pay with the Dify card will receive additional cash back.
Opera users will also get access to a new smart shopping mode in the Opera browsers, providing access to the cashback service and shopping-related tabs while protecting the shoppers’ privacy by disabling third party extensions.
In the future, Opera’s plans include offering more wallet services like savings management, credit, investment opportunities and instant cashback.
Krystian Kolondra, EVP Browsers &amp; EEA Fintech of Opera, said,
Krystian Kolondra
“Every day millions of people shop online and make their payments using the Opera browsers. Opera has a track record of growing audiences and then improving their experiences to make them more engaging.
 
We think this is one of the highest-potential areas: With Dify, we are making the browser and a superior wallet work better, together, to improve users’ shopping experience and also make it financially rewarding”.
Dify&#8217;s launch follows several corporate acquisitions and investments in the financial industry made by Opera. In January 2020, Opera announced its acquisition of Pocosys, an Estonian banking-as-a-service startup.
In July 2020, Opera announced its next step, an agreement to acquire Fjord Bank and also joined the Emerging Payments Association EU as a founding member in September 2020.
 
Featured image credit: Dify by opera
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/web-browser-opera-launches-e-wallet-dify-for-its-european-users</link><guid>1715</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Web Browser Opera Launches E-Wallet Dify for Its European Users</dc:text></item><item><title>Digital Bezahlen im Alter: 5 Thesen</title><description><![CDATA[Das digitale Rad dreht sich infolge der COVID-19-Pandemie immer schneller, gerade im Online- wie im kontaktlosen Zahlungsverkehr.
Die Kreditkartenanbieterin VISA sorgte am 3. Februar für Schlagzeilen als ihr CEO Alfred Kelly bekanntgab, das Bezahlnetzwerk der Firma werde bald eine Fülle von Kryptowährungen akzeptieren – ein weiterer digitaler Meilenstein, der zweifelsohne junge Leute ansprechen wird, betagte Konsumenten aber irritieren mag.
„Neun von zehn Menschen unter den 18- bis 34-Jährigen kennen Bitcoin, aber 88% der Generation 65+ ist Bitcoin unbekannt,“ laut dem Tech-Guru Spencer Bogart, General Partner bei Blockchain Capital.

Heutzutage sind ältere Mitbürger immer wieder auf die Hilfe von Kassierern und Verkäufern angewiesen, um selbst kleinere Rechnungen im Supermarkt oder im öffentlichen Personennahverkehr zu begleichen. Die rasche Ausbreitung kontaktloser oder biometrische Bezahl-Terminals ruft Banken und Kartenanbieter auf den Plan. In Deutschland beispielsweise “werden Rentner oft digital vernachlässigt,” sagt ein Artikel, der im Oktober 2020 in der FAZ.
Der Artikel zitiert eine Studie wonach lediglich 21 Prozent der Kunden, die 65 und älter sind Online-Banking nutzen, und nur 5 Prozent ihr Bankkonto über eine App auf dem Smartphone nutzen. In den USA gibt es ähnliche Schieflagen im Cyberspace: dort nutzen nur 7 Prozent der gleichen Altersgruppe den Microblogging-Dienst Twitter.
Europa und Nordamerika haben noch einen gemeinsamen Nenner: die westlichen Gesellschaften altern rasant. Die Lebenserwartung steigt aufgrund des medizinischen Fortschritts und eines wachsenden Lebensstandards. Gleichzeitig steigt die Dauer des Rentnerdaseins, denn nur wenige sind daran interessiert spät in Pension zu gehen. Die Unternehmensberater von Deloitte fanden heraus, “dass sich nicht jeder mit der Idee eine bargeldlosen Gesellschaft anfreunden kann, insbesondere nicht die eher konservative Schweiz.“

Nonstop-Aufstieg des digitalen Geldes
Die globale Ausbreitung der Lungenkrankheit durch das Virus Sars-COV2 hat digitalen Bezahlsystemen noch einmal einen Schub verliehen. Wir haben 5 Thesen formuliert für die Inklusion der Kundengruppe 65+ für Banken und Anbietern von digitalen und mobilen Bezahl-Terminals, damit diese zahlungskräftige Gruppe nicht den Zug zur bargeldlosen Gesellschaft zu verpassen.
1. Marktsegmentierung ist entscheidend
Die Taktik “Eine Konfektionsgröße für alle” klingt zwar modern, sie macht jedoch wenig Sinn bei Online-Banking und dem digitalen Bezahlen. Eine Anbieter haben auf den wachsenden Bedarf für auf betagte Kunden zugeschnittene Lösungen reagiert. Das zweite Schweizer Bankhaus Credit Suisse hat im September 2020 die Subdivision CSX Young lanciert, um sich mit diesem Segment voll und ganz auf ihre junge Kundschaft , die oft viel gewandter mit digitalem Geld umgeht und dementsprechend anspruchsvoll ist, zu fokussieren. Denn die bereits länger im Berufsleben stehenden und pensionierten Kunden mit den Youngstern in einen Topf zu werfen wird oft zum Spagat und funktioniert nicht.
2. Expertenwissen gefragt
Nicht nur sind zu kleine Ziffern auf dem Smartphone oft ein Hindernis für Betagte, sondern auch aufgrund der (temporären) Schließungen von Bankfilialen aufgrund der Pandemie fühlt sich die betagte Kundschaft oft nur unzureichend beraten. Viele Applikationen für das elektronische Konto für die Westentasche Tasche wurden zudem fast immer von jungen Programmierern realisiert. Expertenwissen von Pensionären für Pensionäre ist gefragt. Diese kann durch eine Umfrage oder durch die Beschäftigung eines Pensionärs oder einer Pensionärin auf freischaffende Basis akquiriert werden.
3. Vertrauen ist gut, Kontrolle ist besser
Wo Licht ist, ist auch Schatten. Die digitale Transformation schreitet voran wie nie, was leider auch Nepper auf den Plan ruft. Von Phishing-Attacken per E-Mail bis hin zum PIN- und Kartenklau – die Gefahren sin da, aber sie sind kontrollierbar. Deshalb: Die Anbieter von kontaktlosen Bezahlterminals müssen Détail-Händlern eine Einweisung in die Apparatur geben und darauf hinweise, dass Kunden stets die Rechnung auf Papierform behalten sollen. Große Lettern an den Kassen über den genauen Gebrauch der Terminals sind obligatorisch. Außerdem sollten die Banken ältere Kunden speziell über regulatorische Änderungen auf dem Laufenden halten.
4. Sicheres Reisen für Rentner
“Zwei Geschäftsmodelle werden die Zukunft gewinnen: die Reisebranche und der damit verbundene Rentnertourismus,“ sagte Michael Chin, Vorsitzender der Firma Group Talent Global in einem Interview mit der englischsprachigen China Daily. Sobald Reisebeschränkungen im Laufe von 2021 wieder fallen, werden technisch gewiefte Pensionäre viele Fragen stellen: Kann ich meine Debitkarte auch an Flughäfen und im Ausland benutzen? Welche Kosten fallen an, wenn ich mein Hotel mit Kreditkarte bezahle oder damit Fremdwährungen von einem Bankomaten beziehe? Die britische Bank HSBC hat in Dubai, einem beliebten Ferienort für „Kader ausser Dienst“, im Verein mit Visa virtuelle Debtikarten herausgebracht. Innovationen wie diese werden den Beratungsbedarf unter den Senioren noch einmal steigern.
5. Zuhören, bitte!
Kunden, die von ihrer Pensionskasse leben haben gegenüber jungen Hipstern eines voraus: Erfahrung. Sollte dies nicht für Plastikgeldbieter und Geldhäuser von Vorteil sein? Unsere Großeltern haben die Kubakrise, den Ölpreisschock von 1973 und den Fall des Eisernen Vorhangs durchlebt. Das Konsumverhalten während Krisen und Inflation ist oft unerforscht, aber Gold wert für die Finanzbranche. Die Generation Silber hat viel zu berichten und deren Risikowahrnehmung im Hinblick auf Passwörter und Kryptowährungen sind Anleitung für die Produktenwicklung und Vermarktung. Feedback kann durch einen 24/7-Callcenter eingeholte werden oder durch den Berater im Retailbanking.
Licht im Tunnel
Trotz der Herausforderungen im Hinblick auf die Einbindung älterer Kunden in die digitale Transformation der Finanzwelt gibt es Hoffnung. Laut der Schweizer Sozialorganisation Prosenectute, die betagte Menschen unterstützt, sind 74 Prozent der 65plus-Pensionäre in der Schweiz online, dank von Initiativen, die Banken, Versicherer und Kartenanbieter ergriffen haben.
Auch die Reisebranche zieht allmählich mit. Im Februar gab der französische Hotelkonzern Accor bekannt, seine Ibis- und Sofitel-Ressorts mit digitalen Zimmerschlüsseln namens „Accor Key“ auszustatten. Initiativen wie diese werden Urlauber im Lebensabend den notwendigen Schubs in Richtung digitaler Alltag in der postpandemischen Ära geben.
Maßnahmen wie diese sind indes kein Luxus, sondern notwendig. Denn welcher Ladenbesitzer, Supermarktgigant oder Reiseanbieter will schon auf die kaufkräftige Generation Silber verzichten nur weil er sie unzureichend berät oder seine Produktepalette oder die Vertriebskanäle nicht an die entsprechenden Bedürfnisse anpasst?
Gemeinsam haben die Marktteilnehmer, dass die digitale Sicherheit ganz oben auf der Traktandenliste stehen muss – denn Sicherheit erwartet jeder, ganz gleich ob Studentin oder Rentnerin.
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post Digital Bezahlen im Alter: 5 Thesen appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digital-bezahlen-im-alter-5-thesen</link><guid>1714</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/DE-Swiss-age-structure.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Digital Bezahlen im Alter: 5 Thesen</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Funding Drops 38% in 2020</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss fintech companies raised a total of CHF 220.1 million in 2020, a 38% decrease compared the CHF 360.3 million raised in 2019, new data from local startup portal Startupticker.ch show.
The decline in fintech fundraising, outlined in the newly released Swiss Venture Capital Report 2021, can be partially explained by the lack of large funding rounds in 2020. Most deals closed last year went towards seed and early stage fintech startups, such as AlgoTrader (CHF 5.5 million raised in two rounds), Flovtec (CHF 4.5 million), and i2 invest (CHF 1.3 million), Liquity (CHF 2.2 million), neon (CHF 5 million), vlot (CHF 1 million) and Yokoy (Expense Robot) (CHF 1.7 million), data compiled by Startupticker.ch show.
The trend was consistent across all sectors. In 2020, early phase financing achieved strong growth and attracted a significantly larger share of the investment amount than in previous years.
Financing rounds and invested capital by phase, Swiss Venture Capital Report 2021, Startupticker.ch
Out of the 38 fintech deals closed in 2020, only 7 were worth more than CHF 10 million. Bitcoin Suisse raised the biggest fintech funding round of 2020 and the 11th largest one across all sectors combined (CHF 45 million).
In fintech, the biggest funding rounds of 2020 went towards crypto/blockchain startups, which besides Bitcoin Suisse, include SEBA Bank (CHF 20 million), Metaco (CHF 16 million) and Crypto Finance (CHF 14 million). Other notable fintech deals in 2020 include NetGuardians (CHF 17 million), Immozins (CHF 12.5 million) and Alpian (CHF 12.2 million).
In 2020, Zug was the leader in fintech investment with CHF 91 million raised, representing 41.3% of all fintech funding for that year in Switzerland. Zug is followed by Zurich with CHF 68.4 million (31%), Vaud with CHF 35.5 million (16.1%), and Geneva with CHF 25.2 million (11.4%).
Investment by sector and canton 2020, Swiss Venture Capital Report 2021, Startupticker.ch
2020 fintech acquisition deals
Data compiled by Startupticker.ch show that eight Swiss fintech companies were acquired in 2020. Noteworthy acquisitions included leading banking software developer Avaloq, which was acquired by Japan’s NEC Corporation for a whopping CHF 2.05 billion, the purchase of wealthtech developer Evolute by banking service and software provider Etops, and the takeover of debt financing platform operator Advanon by rival CreditGate24.
Other trade sales in 2020 include AAAccell, an award-winning startup that delivers artificial intelligence (AI)-based solutions for asset and risk management, which was purchased by Germany’s LPA Captech Group; and AI and data science company Incube, which was acquired by London-based fintech company Finantix.
Swiss venture capital trends in 2020
Despite a slight 7.4% decrease compared to the previous year, investment in Swiss startups remained robust in 2020 with more than CHF 2.1 billion in venture capital being raised through 304 rounds, a new record.
Invested capital in Swiss startups and financing rounds, Swiss Venture Capital Report 2021, Startupticker.ch
The biotech sector took the lion’s share, raising more than CHF 820 million in 2020, or 39% of all capital invested that year.
11 of the 20 biggest financing rounds of 2020 went toward 9 biotech companies with some of the largest ones being raised by very young startups. Two biotech companies that made it into the top 20 of the largest financing rounds were founded in 2020, and two were established in 2019.
None of the 9 biotech companies that made the list were founded prior to 2015.
After biotech, the ICT sector raised the second largest amount (CHF 500 million), followed by fintech, cleantech (CHF 166.2 million) and medtech (CHF 161.6 million).
Invested capital by industry in 2020, Swiss Venture Capital Report 2021, Startupticker.ch
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-funding-drops-38-in-2020</link><guid>1713</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Financing-rounds-and-invested-capital-by-phase-Swiss-Venture-Capital-Report-2021-Startupticker.ch_.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Funding Drops 38% in 2020</dc:text></item><item><title>Personetics Secures $75 Million Funding From Warburg Pincus</title><description><![CDATA[Personetics, a Tel Aviv-based global provider of data-driven personalisation and customer engagement solutions for banks and financial services providers, announced it has raised $75 million in funding from Warburg Pincus LLC, a leading global private equity firm focused on growth investing.
Personetics is backed by Viola Ventures, Lightspeed Ventures, Sequoia Capital and Nyca Partners.
Banks use Personetics’ agile tools and its low-code engagement builder, a creation and management console, to quickly modify hundreds of pre-programmed insights and build customised user journeys.
This enables banks to share real-time personalised insights and advice, as well as automated, self adjustable financial wellness programmes across its customer base comprising both individual banking customers and small businesses.
The company&#8217;s clients include leading banks, such as U.S. Bank (US), RBC (Canada), Intesa Sanpaolo (Italy), Santander (Spain), KBC (Belgium), Metro Bank (UK), UOB (Singapore), Hyundai Card (Korea) and MUFG (Japan).
David Sosna
David Sosna, CEO and Co-Founder of Personetics, said:
“The financial services industry is reaching a tipping–point in mobile adoption and setting a new standard in Smart Personalized Engagement. Personetics has set out down this path and has launched its vision of Self-Driving Finance.
 
We are looking to quickly expand our global footprint with new partners and clients, and support our existing customers with innovative business solutions. We are very excited to be partnering with Warburg Pincus on this journey”.
Peter Deming
Peter Deming, Managing Director at Warburg Pincus and Head of Financial Services across EMEA, said:
“Personetics leverages an unrivaled AI technology which is badly needed by established banks as they seek to differentiate themselves in a crowded market and match the customer experience of the neobanks and fintech apps.
 
Through the combination of our financial backing and Warburg Pincus’ extensive global network across financial services, Personetics can distribute its unique technology into banks all over the world”.
 
 
Featured image: (From left) David Sosna and David Govrin, Co-Founders of Personetics
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/personetics-secures-75-million-funding-from-warburg-pincus</link><guid>1711</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Personetics Secures $75 Million Funding From Warburg Pincus</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Startup Map Feb 2021 Welcomes 18 Newcomers</title><description><![CDATA[Swisscom has released the updated Swiss Fintech Startup Map for February 2021, welcoming 18 new Swiss startups for the month.
The map provides regular updates on the Swiss fintech landscape in the region now displays a grand total of 341 Swiss fintech startups.
For this month, the Swiss fintech startups that have made their way onto the map are HYPOTEQ AG, Liquity, Graypes GmbH AG, Cerealia, Ratyng (Onloan GmbH), Cortex AG, CYSEC SA, DIA e.V., Tatoshi AG, Exeon Analytics AG, PAN AG, BLP Digital AG, wearonize AG, 4cash &#8211; 4bridges GmbH, Everon AG, Flink AI AG,  ETFbook, Staxe AG, Schlossberg&amp;Co Technologies AG, Aequitec AG, FinSwiss SA

HYPOTEQ AG
HYPOTEQ ist anerkannter Partner von Credit Exchange und bietet unabhängigen Vermittlern einen einfachen und unkomplizierten Zugang zur ersten Schweizer Börse für Hypothekarkredite.

Liquity AG
Decentralized protocol that provides interest-free liquidity against Ether.

Graypes GmbH
Graypes is a set of tools that provide solutions to the next main problems: 1. Innovators have not easy access to funds. 2. Fundraising is a time-consuming process with uncertain results. 3. Entrepreneurs start and invest in their idea, without a reliable assessment if this idea is realistic, fundable, innovative, sellable, profitable.

Cerealia
Blockchain powered agri-trading platform. Cerealia is the first professional online marketplace for international physical agri-trading, that enables traders to transact with, so far unavailable, high certainty.

Ratyng (Onloan GmbH)
Ratyng provide the financial industry highly efficient &amp; accessible SME risk assessment, without the need for complex and time-consuming processes.

Cortex AG
The Cortex AG is the manufacturer of the multimodel NoSQL database CortexDB and provides the CortexPlatform as a collection of various tools for the enterprise use of NoSQL.

CYSEC SA
CYSEC SA is a data security company based at the EPFL Innovation Park in Lausanne, Switzerland. CYSEC brings 360° security in one click for container-based workloads and platforms through its ARCA trusted OS software.

DIA e.V.
DIA is a Swiss non-profit association that provides open-source access to crowd-verified financial data, enabling a fair and symmetric financial ecosystem.

Tatoshi AG
Tatoshi Services Tatoshi Services is offering consulting and project management. We accompany mobile app projects from the idea to the go-live. The programming is done by our outsourcing partner Simple Task from Serbia.

Exeon Analytics AG
Exeon is an Swiss cyber security company specialized in security analytics.

PAN AG
PAN aim to profoundly change how society benefits from personal data. We want to create a world where the value and privacy of personal data matter, and where people and business mutually benefit from it.

BLP Digital AG
BLP makes use of Artificial Intelligence to automate repetitive and tedious tasks &amp; free up your back office employees.

wearonize AG
wearonize is a fintech company based in zurich &amp; munich with focus on driving customer loyalty and data harvesting through innovative wearables and tokenization.

4cash &#8211; 4bridges GmbH
Micropayments using cryptocurrency

Everon AG
Was bisher einer Minderheit vorbehalten war, wird jetzt allgemein zugänglich: Everon revolutioniert Private Banking.

Flink AI AG
Flink AI is building a streaming machine learning and AI infrastructure tailored to financial and time series data and develops state of the art AI models and self-learning software agents which translate information from high frequency data streams into actionable insights.

ETFbook &#8211; SquaredData GmbH
The etfbook.com is an information and analytic platform established with a mission to broaden effective use of ETFs&#8217; analytics to turn insights into actionable results such as fund selection, new product development or stunning marketing content and charts.

Staxe AG
Staxe is the first decentralized platform for investing digital assets in live events (such as concerts, festivals, networking events). Staxe brings a real use case for DLT and digital assets, creating a gateway to experience and grow your cryptocurrency investments.

Schlossberg&amp;Co Technologies AG
Schlossberg&amp;Co is focused on understanding how the world works and where it is going. By translating that understanding into reality, we apply the most sophisticated quantitative algorithms – the SB Model – having built a consistent and distinct track record of success.

Aequitec AG
Aequitec is a register serving founders and investors. For registered shares it assists clients in recording ownership unambiguously via automated processing of all relevant corporate actions.

FinSwiss SA
inSwiss brings together proven technologies, experience in developing markets, and relationships within the financial industry to create the right solutions for your business.


.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post Swiss Fintech Startup Map Feb 2021 Welcomes 18 Newcomers appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-startup-map-feb-2021-welcomes-18-newcomers</link><guid>1710</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Swiss-Fintech-Startup-Map-Feb-2021.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Startup Map Feb 2021 Welcomes 18 Newcomers</dc:text></item><item><title>New Swiss Fintech Startup Map February Welcomes 18 Newcomers</title><description><![CDATA[Swisscom has released the updated Swiss Fintech Startup Map for February 2021, welcoming 18 new Swiss startups for the month.
The map provides regular updates on the Swiss fintech landscape in the region now displays a grand total of 341 Swiss fintech startups.
For this month, the Swiss fintech startup has been completely updated, thats why quiet a few new one have made their way onto the map. Those are HYPOTEQ AG, Liquity, Graypes GmbH AG, Cerealia, Ratyng (Onloan GmbH), Cortex AG, CYSEC SA, DIA e.V., Tatoshi AG, Exeon Analytics AG, PAN AG, BLP Digital AG, wearonize AG, 4cash &#8211; 4bridges GmbH, Everon AG, Flink AI AG,  ETFbook, Staxe AG, Schlossberg&amp;Co Technologies AG, Aequitec AG, FinSwiss SA

HYPOTEQ AG
HYPOTEQ ist anerkannter Partner von Credit Exchange und bietet unabhängigen Vermittlern einen einfachen und unkomplizierten Zugang zur ersten Schweizer Börse für Hypothekarkredite.

Liquity AG
Decentralized protocol that provides interest-free liquidity against Ether.

Graypes GmbH
Graypes is a set of tools that provide solutions to the next main problems: 1. Innovators have not easy access to funds. 2. Fundraising is a time-consuming process with uncertain results. 3. Entrepreneurs start and invest in their idea, without a reliable assessment if this idea is realistic, fundable, innovative, sellable, profitable.

Cerealia
Blockchain powered agri-trading platform. Cerealia is the first professional online marketplace for international physical agri-trading, that enables traders to transact with, so far unavailable, high certainty.

Ratyng (Onloan GmbH)
Ratyng provide the financial industry highly efficient &amp; accessible SME risk assessment, without the need for complex and time-consuming processes.

Cortex AG
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Check Solution for digital assets (Crypto &amp; Blockchain).

CYSEC SA
CYSEC SA is a data security company based at the EPFL Innovation Park in Lausanne, Switzerland. CYSEC brings 360° security in one click for container-based workloads and platforms through its ARCA trusted OS software.

DIA e.V.
DIA is a Swiss non-profit association that provides open-source access to crowd-verified financial data, enabling a fair and symmetric financial ecosystem.

Tatoshi AG
Tatoshi Services Tatoshi Services is offering consulting and project management. We accompany mobile app projects from the idea to the go-live. The programming is done by our outsourcing partner Simple Task from Serbia.

Exeon Analytics AG
Exeon is an Swiss cyber security company specialized in security analytics.

PAN AG
PAN aim to profoundly change how society benefits from personal data. We want to create a world where the value and privacy of personal data matter, and where people and business mutually benefit from it.

BLP Digital AG
BLP makes use of Artificial Intelligence to automate repetitive and tedious tasks &amp; free up your back office employees.

wearonize AG
wearonize is a fintech company based in zurich &amp; munich with focus on driving customer loyalty and data harvesting through innovative wearables and tokenization.

4cash &#8211; 4bridges GmbH
Micropayments using cryptocurrency

Everon AG
Was bisher einer Minderheit vorbehalten war, wird jetzt allgemein zugänglich: Everon revolutioniert Private Banking.

Flink AI AG
Flink AI is building a streaming machine learning and AI infrastructure tailored to financial and time series data and develops state of the art AI models and self-learning software agents which translate information from high frequency data streams into actionable insights.

ETFbook &#8211; SquaredData GmbH
The etfbook.com is an information and analytic platform established with a mission to broaden effective use of ETFs&#8217; analytics to turn insights into actionable results such as fund selection, new product development or stunning marketing content and charts.

Staxe AG
Staxe is the first decentralized platform for investing digital assets in live events (such as concerts, festivals, networking events). Staxe brings a real use case for DLT and digital assets, creating a gateway to experience and grow your cryptocurrency investments.

Schlossberg&amp;Co Technologies AG
Schlossberg&amp;Co is focused on understanding how the world works and where it is going. By translating that understanding into reality, we apply the most sophisticated quantitative algorithms – the SB Model – having built a consistent and distinct track record of success.

Aequitec AG
Aequitec is a register serving founders and investors. For registered shares it assists clients in recording ownership unambiguously via automated processing of all relevant corporate actions.

FinSwiss SA
inSwiss brings together proven technologies, experience in developing markets, and relationships within the financial industry to create the right solutions for your business.


.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post New Swiss Fintech Startup Map February Welcomes 18 Newcomers appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-swiss-fintech-startup-map-february-welcomes-18-newcomers</link><guid>1712</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Swiss-Fintech-Startup-Map-Feb-2021.png</dc:content ><dc:text>New Swiss Fintech Startup Map February Welcomes 18 Newcomers</dc:text></item><item><title>TransferGo Forges Partnership With Thought Machine to Fuel Global Expansion Plans</title><description><![CDATA[TransferGo, London-based money transfer company, announced a partnership with Thought Machine, a cloud native core banking technology company, to propel its ongoing product innovation and drive global expansion into new markets.
TransferGo said that it will focus on enhancing its customer experience through better, more advanced platform capabilities through the selection of Thought Machine&#8217;s next generation cloud native core banking platform Vault.
TransferGo reported that it saw its cross-border payments grow by over 60% and that this partnership will help for sustained growth.
Vault will enable TransferGo to expand its real-time payments platform, build products rapidly and release future card and account capabilities without delay.
Vault has no legacy technology and allows TransferGo to build and deliver payment services to its exact requirements.
The technology aims to support TransferGo&#8217;s mission to continuously drive improvement to its digital payments service and the customer experience for the migrant worker community.
Justinas Lasevicius
&#8220;Hot off the heels of a $4m investment from Silicon Valley Bank in November, this partnership demonstrates our momentum in investing, innovating and disrupting the global remittance market.
Our customers are at the heart of every decision we make, and through our work with Thought Machine and their intuitive product Vault, we will introduce more enhanced services and drive impactful experiences for our migrant worker community.&#8221;
said Justinas Lasevicius, CFO and Co-Founder of TransferGo.
Paul Taylor
&#8220;By tapping into the power of the cloud, TransferGo will enjoy a host of benefits, including unparalleled scalability, reliability, security and speed.
 
Coupled with Vault&#8217;s unique horizontal architecture – they will be unshackled from the constraints of legacy product building – free to focus on providing an exceptional customer service and a world-class remittance service.&#8221;
said Paul Taylor, CEO and Founder of Thought Machine.
TransferGo also recently partnered with VISA and Mastercard, and bolstered its senior leadership team through the hires of Edgardo Savoy as Chief Technology Officer and Francesco Fulcoli as Chief Compliance Officer.
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post TransferGo Forges Partnership With Thought Machine to Fuel Global Expansion Plans appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/transfergo-forges-partnership-with-thought-machine-to-fuel-global-expansion-plans</link><guid>1709</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>TransferGo Forges Partnership With Thought Machine to Fuel Global Expansion Plans</dc:text></item><item><title>15 Startups Graduate From the F10 Zurich Incubation Batch VI Programme</title><description><![CDATA[The F10 FinTech Incubator &amp; Accelerator has announced the list of 15 startups that had graduated its Incubation Batch VI programme.
The now global incubator and accelerator reported that it was its biggest Demo Day to date with over 700 attendees including its lead countries Switzerland, Singapore and Spain as well as notable representatives from the F10 Corporate Partners.
Graduting startups will be acquiring new leads, partnering with big corporates, completing investment rounds, delivering Proof-of-Concepts (POCs) and more are on top of their to do lists.
Gerrit Sindermann
“Not only is it the first time that all participating startups of the Incubation program have graduated, but also did we never have such a diverse batch before, covering tech fields from FinTech, InsurTech to DeepTech over to TradeTech, MarTech and Mobility.
 
Therefore, it is not surprising that this Demo Day in particular generated broad interest in the public. 2021 could not have had a better start for our rising entrepreneurs.”
said Gerrit Sindermann, Country Success Lead Switzerland, F10 FinTech Incubator &amp; Accelerator.
15 Startups Graduating Incubation Batch VI

Troc Circle
Troc Circle platform is specialized in accounts receivable and payable management, that offsets receivables with payables on the go in a fast, secure and cost-effective way.

Things Protocol
Things Protocol utilizes #tokenomics to streamline the mobility UX for today&#8217;s transport system, make it more connected, transparent, and sustainable.

Stableton Financial AG
Stableton Financial’s alternative investment Fintech platform is striving to become the global leading market network for qualified and institutional investors seeking exposure to liquid alternatives, private equity, including venture capital, private debt, and real assets.

Resilient
To extend insurance benefits in an economically viable way to low- and moderate income individuals.

Plenitude
B2B values-led digital wealth and pensions manager.

Lyyna
Uses digital payment and electronic fund transfer information to assess the need for insurance.

Galaxis Network
Bringing technology regulated transparency to the digital fund management industry

Forto

Digital Swiss bank account for SMEs worldwide, built on proprietary compliance automation.

Avoodoo
The world&#8217;s fastest platform for market index development, calculation &amp; management.

GOUD
GOUD is a personal, flexible and affordable transport service for elderly, so that they can retain their freedom and keep moving around independently.

Riskwolf

Riskwolf helps re-insurance companies globally to close the protection gap for the digital economy.

Meloncast
Meloncast is a SaaS solution that gives marketers the insights they need to produce relevant content for specific target groups by using machine learning.

Latent Insight
Applying Artificial Intelligence in support of integrity in on-line transactions.

BlackGull
Empowering SMEs in international trade

Aisot
Advancing data to real-time signals.

.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post 15 Startups Graduate From the F10 Zurich Incubation Batch VI Programme appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/15-startups-graduate-from-the-f10-zurich-incubation-batch-vi-programme</link><guid>1708</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>15 Startups Graduate From the F10 Zurich Incubation Batch VI Programme</dc:text></item><item><title>2 Jahre Valuu: Hypothekar-Volumen verdreifacht</title><description><![CDATA[An ihrem 2. Geburtstag hat die digitale Vermittlungsplattform Valuu allen Grund zu feiern: Im Vergleich zum ersten Jahr hat sie das vermittelte Hypothekar-Volumen verdreifacht und die Nutzerzahl mehr als verdoppelt. Doch die junge Geschäftseinheit von PostFinance ist noch lange nicht am Ziel.
Wetten, dass Schweizerinnen und Schweizer ihre Hypotheken auch auf digitalem Weg abschliessen können? Mit dieser selbstauferlegten Herausforderung lancierte PostFinance Anfang 2019 Valuu, die erste vollständig digitale Hypothekenplattform. Nach zwei Jahren Valuu deutet alles darauf hin, dass die Wette aufgeht.
Wachstum auf allen Ebenen
Erst nur als mobile App auf Deutsch erhältlich, kamen im Verlauf des ersten Jahres die Web-Version und die französische Übersetzung hinzu. Innert Jahresfrist zählte Valuu bereits 6000 aktive Nutzerinnen und Nutzer – das Konzept funktionierte. Auch hinter das Zweitjahresziel kann Valuu-Leiter Thomas Jakob nun einen Haken machen:
«Wir wollten beweisen, dass wir in diesem sehr kompetitiven Markt bestehen können. Mit der Verdreifachung des Volumens und der Verdoppelung der Nutzerzahl auf über 13&#8217;500 ist uns das mehr als gelungen. Immer mehr Leute in der Schweiz verstehen, welche Chancen ein transparenter Vergleich und ein digitaler Abschluss bei den Hypotheken bietet – und wie viel Zeit und Geld sie damit sparen können.»
Auch die Anzahl der Partner und damit das Hypothekarangebot wurde 2020 substanziell erhöht: Aktuell arbeitet Valuu mit 29 Kreditgebern zusammen, die über 100 bekannte Schweizer Banken, Versicherungen und Pensionskassen abdecken. Derzeit eruiert Valuu zudem, wie neben der telefonischen auch persönliche Beratungen in den PostFinance-Filialen angeboten werden können.
«Viele Nutzerinnen und Nutzer kommen selbstständig durch den digitalen Prozess. Aber wer eine physische Beratung auf Basis der Valuu-Plattform wünscht, soll diese in Zukunft auch bekommen»,
so Jakob.
Mit neuen Angeboten und Kooperationen an die Marktspitze
In der kurzen Zeit seit der Lancierung von Valuu hat sich der Online-Hypothekarmarkt extrem verändert. Viele neue Plattformen sind aufgetaucht, die ebenfalls versuchen, sich in diesem spannenden Markt zu etablieren.
Thomas Jakob
«Das zeigt, dass wir den richtigen Riecher hatten»,
sagt Thomas Jakob.
«Nicht alle Plattformen werden überleben. Wir wollen aber nicht nur überleben, sondern mittelfristig die führende Schweizer Vergleichs- und Abschlussplattform werden.»
Um dieses Ziel zu erreichen, wird Valuu neben Finanzierungs- künftig auch Versicherungs- und Vorsorgelösungen anbieten. Auch in Sachen Partnerschaften hat Valuu kürzlich neues Terrain betreten: Seit dem 21. Januar 2021 arbeitet Valuu eng mit immobilier.ch, dem führenden unabhängigen Immobilienportal der Westschweiz, zusammen.
«Es gibt sehr viele spannende Unternehmen und Plattformen, mit denen wir zusammenarbeiten könnten. Weitere Partner sind uns sehr willkommen!»
so Jakob.
Bereit für die neuen Ziele
Innerhalb von nur zwei Jahren ist Valuu vom Projektteam zu einem mittelgrossen Unternehmen herangewachsen.
«Wir haben viele Prozesse und Strukturen etabliert, aber es herrscht immer noch der Gründergeist der Anfangszeit»,
sagt Jakob.
«Ich bin begeistert von meinem Team und seinem unermüdlichen Einsatz für Valuu – wir sind bestens aufgestellt für die Herausforderungen des kommenden Jahres.»
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post 2 Jahre Valuu: Hypothekar-Volumen verdreifacht appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/2-jahre-valuu-hypothekar-volumen-verdreifacht</link><guid>1707</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>2 Jahre Valuu: Hypothekar-Volumen verdreifacht</dc:text></item><item><title>400’000 CHF Seed Runde für neue digitale Kreditplattform Systemcredit</title><description><![CDATA[Das Schweizer Fintech Startup Systemcredit – die digitale Kreditplattform für KMU-Kredite – hat eine Seed-Finanzierungsrunde mit CHF 400’000 erfolgreich durchgeführt.
Investiert haben neben den Gründern und bisherigen Angel Investoren auch zwei erfahrene Business Angel.
Die Mittel setzt Systemcredit dafür ein, die bei den KMU-Kunden von Systemcredit erprobten Produkte mit neuen und innovativen Lösungen zu ergänzen. Damit wird das junge Startup aus Schlieren ZH den Zugang zu den attraktivsten Kreditofferten am Schweizer Markt für KMU noch einfacher und effizienter gestalten.
Gesunde Kredite unterstützen KMU bei ihrer Entwicklung und setzen unternehmerisches Potenzial frei. Deshalb hilft Systemcredit den KMU bei der Umsetzung von Projekten durch gesunde Finanzierungen. Bei Systemcredit erleben KMU den einfachen, effizienten und unabhängigen Zugang zu den attraktivsten Kreditofferten am Schweizer Markt.
 
Featured image: SystemsCredit Team
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post 400&#8217;000 CHF Seed Runde für neue digitale Kreditplattform Systemcredit appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/400000-chf-seed-runde-fur-neue-digitale-kreditplattform-systemcredit</link><guid>1705</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>400’000 CHF Seed Runde für neue digitale Kreditplattform Systemcredit</dc:text></item><item><title>Migros Venture Fonds beteiligt sich an Selma Finance</title><description><![CDATA[Sparrow Ventures, der Venture Builder und Wachstumskapitalgeber der Migros-Gruppe, beteiligt sich am digitalen Vermögensverwalter Selma Finance. Damit schliesst sich Sparrow Ventures zusammen mit bestehenden Investoren einer Finanzierungsrunde in Höhe von CHF 3.5 Millionen unter dem Lead der TX Group an. Das frische Kapital wird für den Ausbau der digitalen Beratung, weiteres Wachstum und Lancierung weiterer innovativer Produkte im Schweizer Markt genutzt.
Das schweizerisch-finnische Fintech Selma Finance mit Büros in Zürich und Helsinki bietet Anlegern ein neuartiges Nutzererlebnis und vereinfacht den Prozess des Geldanlegens. Mit seinem Smart-Advisor Selma bietet das Fintech massgeschneiderte Anlagemöglichkeiten und macht Finanzberatung über eine einfach zu bedienende Benutzeroberfläche für alle zugänglich. Kundinnen und Kunden profitieren von einer einfachen monatlichen Gebühr. Darin enthalten ist die komplette Betreuung der Säule-3a-Konten sowie aller Finanzanlagen durch Selma. Der digitale Vermögensberater beschäftigt 12 Mitarbeitende, ist als unabhängiger Vermögensverwalter in der Schweiz reguliert und verzeichnet bereits über 4&#8217;000 zahlende Kunden in der Schweiz.
Im Zuge der Beteiligung durch Sparrow Ventures schliessen Selma Finance und die Migros Bank eine Partnerschaft ab, um gemeinsam innovative digitale Wealth-Management-Dienstleistungen und Vertriebskanäle zu entwickeln und zu testen.
Manuel Kunzelmann
«Die Kooperation mit Selma Finance entspricht unseren Bestrebungen, gemeinsam mit innovativen Partnern konsequent vom Kunden aus gedachte Lösungen zu entwickeln»,
erklärt Manuel Kunzelmann, CEO der Migros Bank.
Patrik Schär
Patrik Schär, CEO von Selma Finance:
«Wir freuen uns, mit Sparrow Ventures, dem Wachstumskapitalgeber der Migros-Gruppe, einen Investor und starken Partner mit einem umfassenden Netzwerk zu gewinnen. Dies unterstützt uns dabei ein neuartiges Beratungserlebnis im Wealth-Management einer breiten Masse zugänglich zu machen und Selma zum führenden digitalen Finanzberater in der Schweiz zu entwickeln. Wir freuen uns sehr auf die Zusammenarbeit.»
Die Beteiligung an Selma ist die erste im Bereich Fintech für das Portfolio von Sparrow Ventures.
Lorenz Lüchinger
«Selma ist ein spannendes Wealth-Tech-Startup, das eine unvergleichliche neue Zugänglichkeit zu professioneller Kapitalanlage und Altersvorsorge schafft. Den Bedarf einer solchen Lösung im Schweizer Markt haben die Gründer von Selma und ihr Team bereits demonstriert. Sie sind somit bestens aufgestellt, um dem in Zukunft noch besser gerecht werden zu können. Wir freuen uns, Selma auf diesem Weg unterstützen zu dürfen und auf die bevorstehende Zusammenarbeit»,
so Lorenz Lüchinger, CFO von Sparrow Ventures.
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post Migros Venture Fonds beteiligt sich an Selma Finance appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/migros-venture-fonds-beteiligt-sich-an-selma-finance</link><guid>1706</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Migros Venture Fonds beteiligt sich an Selma Finance</dc:text></item><item><title>Klarna Launches Its First in-App Banking Services in Germany</title><description><![CDATA[Klarna, a Swedish global payment and shopping service, announced that it is launching consumer bank accounts in Germany.
Klarna said that the launch marks a first for the company and will allow customers to easily track, categorise and analyse all of their everyday spending using its app.
The Klarna bank account will come with a Visa debit card which can also be connected to both Google Pay and Apple Pay.
The offering will be made available only to a limited number of Klarna’s most loyal consumers, where the startup aims to intensively collect and integrate feedback before gradually rolling out to all Klarna users in Germany in the coming months.
With this new product, Klarna provides its consumers with a full end-to-end experience; from shopping to keeping track, managing and predicting one’s spendings, the Klarna app enables consumers to have all their finances in one place.
In future, German consumers will also be able to set savings goals and benefit from Klarna’s savings accounts product in the Klarna app, which was launched earlier this year in Sweden.
Sebastian Siemiatkowski, CEO of Klarna said,
&#8220;Our focus is to provide a superior shopping experience to our consumers at the intersection of retail and banking. And we know that there’s still massive room for improvement to the way many people bank and save their money today. Users are demanding more seamless, intuitive and transparent services to meet their daily needs, but many banks still do not cater for this.
 
We are very excited to introduce Klarna Banking today, bundling shopping and banking in one app and allowing our consumers to bank in the same seamless way as they shop with Klarna.”
﻿
.pf-button.pf-button-excerpt { display: none; }The post Klarna Launches Its First in-App Banking Services in Germany appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/klarna-launches-its-first-in-app-banking-services-in-germany</link><guid>1704</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Klarna Launches Its First in-App Banking Services in Germany</dc:text></item><item><title>Oracle Study Shows People Trusting Robots More Than Themselves With Money</title><description><![CDATA[People now trusting robots more than themselves to manage their finances as 2020 has changed our relationship with money, according to a new study by Oracle and personal finance expert Farnoosh Torabi.
The &#8220;Money and Machines: 2021 Global Study&#8221; of more than 9,000 consumers and business leaders in 14 countries found that the COVID-19 pandemic has increased financial anxiety, sadness, and fear among people around the world and has changed who and what we trust to manage our finances.
In addition, people are rethinking the role and focus of corporate finance teams and personal financial advisors, according to the research.
COVID-19 has created financial anxiety, sadness, and fear
The global pandemic has damaged people’s relationship with money at home and at work.
Among business leaders, financial anxiety and stress increased by 186% and depression grew by 116% while consumer financial anxiety and stress doubled and sadness increased by 70%.
90% of business leaders worry about the impact of COVID-19 on their organisation, with the most common concerns centering on a slow economic recovery or recession (51%); budget cuts (38%); and bankruptcy (27%).
Additionally, 87% of consumers are experiencing financial fears, including job loss (39%); losing savings (38%); and never getting out of debt (26%).
Worryingly these concerns are keeping people up at night as 41% of consumers reported losing sleep due to their personal finances.

People see robots as a better way to manage finances
The financial uncertainty created by COVID-19 has changed who and what we trust to manage our finances. To help navigate financial complexity, consumers and business leaders increasingly trust technology over people to help.
The study said that 67% of consumers and business leaders trust a robot more than a human to manage finances while another 73% of business leaders trust a robot more than themselves to manage finances. Meanwhile, 77% of them trust robots over their own finance teams.
Moreover, 89% of business leaders believe that robots can improve their work by detecting fraud (34%); creating invoices (25%); and conducting cost/benefit analysis (23%).
Oracle&#8217;s study also found that 53% of consumers trust a robot more than themselves to manage finances while 63% trust robots over personal financial advisors. 66% of consumers believe robots can help detect fraud (33%); reduce spending (22%); and make stock market investments (15%).
The role of finance teams and financial advisors will never be the same
To adapt to the growing influence and role of technology, corporate finance professionals and personal finance advisors alike must embrace change and develop new skills.
The study found that 56% of business leaders believe robots will replace corporate finance professionals in the next five years.
Meanwhile, 85% of business leaders want help from robots for finance tasks, including finance approvals (43%); budgeting and forecasting (39%); reporting (38%); and compliance and risk management (38 %).
Business leaders want corporate finance professionals to focus on communicating with customers (40%); negotiating discounts (37%); and approving transactions (31%).
Also, 42% of consumers believe robots will replace personal financial advisors in the next five years.
Additionally, 76% of consumers want robots to help manage their finances by freeing up time (33%); reducing unnecessary spending (31%); and increasing on-time payments (31%).
Consumers want personal financial advisors to provide guidance on major purchasing decisions such as buying a house (45%); buying a car (41%); and planning for retirement (38%).

Our relationship with money has changed, it’s time to embrace AI to manage finance
The events of 2020 have changed the way consumers think about money and have increased the need for organisations to rethink how they use AI and other new technologies to manage financial processes.
About 60% of consumers say the pandemic has changed the way they buy goods and services while 72% of consumers say the events of 2020 have changed how they feel about handling cash, with people feeling anxious (26%); fearful (23%); and dirty (19%).
More than a quarter (29%) of consumers now say that cash-only is a deal-breaker for doing business.
Businesses have been quick to respond as 69 percent of business leaders have invested in digital payment capabilities and 64% have created new forms of customer engagement or changed their business models in response to COVID-19.
Moreover, 51% of organisations are already using AI to manage financial processes, compared with 27% of consumers.
87% of business leaders say organisations that don’t rethink financial processes face risks, including falling behind competitors (44%); more stressed workers (36%); inaccurate reporting (36%); and reduced employee productivity (35%).


Juergen Lindner
“Financial processes in our personal and professional worlds have become increasingly digital for many years and the events of 2020 have accelerated that trend. Digital is the new normal and technologies such as artificial intelligence and chatbots play a vital role in managing finance.
 
Our research indicates that consumers trust these technologies to accelerate their financial well-being over personal financial advisors and business leaders see this trend reshaping the role of corporate finance professionals. Organisations that don’t embrace these changes risk falling behind their peers and competitors; hurting employee productivity, morale and well-being; and struggling to attract the next generation of AI-empowered finance talent.”
said Juergen Lindner, senior vice president, global marketing, Oracle.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/oracle-study-shows-people-trusting-robots-more-than-themselves-with-money</link><guid>1702</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Oracle-1.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Oracle Study Shows People Trusting Robots More Than Themselves With Money</dc:text></item><item><title>Helvetia Venture Fund Invests in Taxtech Startup Taxly</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss venture firm Helvetia Venture Fund announced that it is investing in Taxly, a Zurich-based tax tech company for an undisclosed amount.
Taxly aims to use funding from the financing round to further improve its offering for the coming tax period and extend it to other cantons.
Taxly was founded in 2019 to help its customers to complete and file their tax returns. The startup launched its own product range in February 2020 for the cantons of Aargau, Basel-Land, St.Gallen and Zurich.
In addition to the funding investment made through the Venture Fund, Helvetia also aims to establish operational cooperation with other startups.
Taxly offers some interesting link-ups; for instance under Helvetia&#8217;s &#8220;Home&#8221; ecosystem, which MoneyPark, Switzerland&#8217;s independent mortgage and real estate specialist, is part of. Helvetia said that this presents a unique opportunity as acquiring property always involves questions regarding tax and tax-optimised financing.
Helvetia also plans to use Taxly to assist its customers with pension matters.
Martin Tschopp
Martin Tschopp, Chief Customer Officer of Helvetia Switzerland remarked summing up the reasons for the investment,
&#8220;Taxly&#8217;s radically simple yet impressive process strikes the right chord with customers.
 
Thanks to digital interfaces, the startup also offers interesting opportunities for cooperation with partners when providing additional services&#8221;,
Daniel Kershaw, founder and CEO of Taxly added,
Daniel Kershaw
&#8220;With a company like Helvetia backing us, more and more people will start to notice us.
 
Together with the planned product improvements, this creates the ideal basis to achieve our ambitious targets in the coming tax period.&#8221;
 
Featured image credit: Taxly App Illustration via Taxly
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/helvetia-venture-fund-invests-in-taxtech-startup-taxly</link><guid>1703</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Helvetia Venture Fund Invests in Taxtech Startup Taxly</dc:text></item><item><title>How Policy Makers Around the World are Addressing Asset Tokenization</title><description><![CDATA[Applications of blockchain and distributed ledger technology (DLT) in finance have proliferated in recent years, forcing policy makers around the world to step in and formulate rules in regard to asset tokenization.
In a report released in January 2021, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) documents and analyses the range of policy responses to the emerging tokenization market, outlining the main strategies that have been adopted by regulators around the world so far.
Stylised representation of asset tokenisation, Regulatory Approaches to the Tokenisation of Assets report
A technology-neutral approach to regulating financial services
According to the study, most regulators around the world, including the European Commission (EC), the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as well as US regulators, have opted for a technology-neutral approach to policies and risks where existing financial regulations are applied to tokenized assets.
Under this principle, the regulatory perimeter and the treatment of financial products and services and activities are not influenced by the technological medium – in this case, blockchain – through which the services or products are provided.
In the European Union (EU), for example, the European Banking Authority (EBA) and the European Securities Market Authority (ESMA) published a report in 2019 that clarified the circumstances under which a given crypto-asset would qualify as a MiFID (Markets in Financial Instruments Directive) financial instrument, and thus be subject to the EU financial securities rules. Crypto-assets with attached profit rights, for instance, are likely to qualify as MiFID financial instrument, implying that firms undertaking activities involving these must comply with EU financial securities rules.
The UK FCA, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA), and the Polish FSA have adopted similar technology-neutral approaches in their policymaking around crypto-assets and tokenization.
Dedicated regulatory frameworks for tokenized assets
Policy makers in other jurisdictions, including France, Luxembourg, Malta, Switzerland and Germany have introduced new, tailored frameworks for tokenized assets and DLT-based markets.
In France, the Blockchain Order of 2017 established a regulatory framework governing the representation and transmission of unlisted financial securities via DLTs.
In Germany, the government passed in December 2020 new legislation allowing all-electronic securities to be recorded using blockchain.
In March 2019, Luxembourg enacted a similar law to the Blockchain Order in France, recognizing that token transfers via blockchain were equivalent to transfers between securities accounts.
In Liechtenstein, the so-called Blockchain Act came into force on January 2020, providing a comprehensive regulatory framework for the tokenized economy.
In Switzerland, some parts of the DLT bill entered into force on February 1, 2021, allowing for the introduction of ledger-based securities represented in a blockchain-based platform. The remaining provisions of the DLT bill will enter into force on August 01, 2021 and will see the introduction of a new authorization category for “DLT trading facilities” among other key regulatory changes.
Swiss DLT startups vertical distribution, Swiss Fintech Startup Map, Swisscom, January 2021
In September 2020, the EC released a comprehensive package of legislative proposals for the regulation of crypto-assets. The proposed Markets in Crypto-assets Regulation (MiCA) would update certain financial rules for crypto-assets and create a legal framework for a pilot regime for the use of DLTs in trading and settlement of securities.
The new legislation intends to replace national rules to prevent fragmentation across the region and cover all participants in the value chain including crypto-asset issuers, wallets operators and exchanges.
The booming tokenized asset market
The tokenization of assets refers to the process of issuing a blockchain-based token that digitally represents a real tradable asset. The practice came to the forefront with the initial coin offering (ICO) frenzy of 2017 and 2018, but has since emerged as the most prominent use case of DLTs in financial markets.
A research paper by crypto media platform Forkast.news estimates that the tokenized asset industry surpassed US$18 billion in Q4 2020 and was largely dominated by tokenized currencies or so-called stablecoins.
Regulators themselves are exploring the potential of tokenization with sandbox-based and proof-of-concept (PoC) projects such as Project Ubin in Singapore and Project Jasper in Canada.
In Switzerland, Project Helvetia by the Swiss National Bank (SNB), the BIS Innovation Hub and the SIX Digital Exchange (SDX) aims to demonstrate the feasibility and legal robustness of issuing a wholesale central bank digital currency (CBDC) onto a DLT digital asset platform and linking that platform to the existing wholesale payment system.
Phase I of Project Helvetia, which focused on settling tokenized assets in CBDC leveraging the near-live SDX digital asset platform, was completed in December 2020.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/how-policy-makers-around-the-world-are-addressing-asset-tokenization</link><guid>1701</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Stylised-representation-of-asset-tokenisation-1024x429.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>How Policy Makers Around the World are Addressing Asset Tokenization</dc:text></item><item><title>How Free Trading Platform Robinhood Makes Money</title><description><![CDATA[Robinhood Markets is a rapidly growing fintech startup based in California that’s been at the center of the recent retail trading boom.
Robinhood offers commission-free trades of stocks, exchange-traded funds, options and cryptocurrencies as well as margin via a mobile app. The company is widely known for having disrupted the brokerage industry by pioneering zero-commission trading and lowering the barriers that were once common to investing.
Robinhood’s zero-commission value proposition makes it easier for lower-income, first-time investors to begin trading, and there are no minimum account requirements. Users can also trade fractional shares instead of having to purchase whole shares, making investing in high-performance but more experience stocks such as Apple more accessible.
Since the launch of its mobile app in 2015, Robinhood has gained much traction notably from the younger generations – the average age of Robinhood users is 31, compared to 50 for Charles Schwab –, but the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent GameStop frenzy have pushed that growth to unprecedented levels.The firm had amassed about 20 million users by the end of December 2020, people close the company told the Wall Street Journal, doubling its user base in just a year. In January 2021, its app hit the top of download charts, surpassing popular social and entertainment apps including YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
Robinhood illustration, Robinhood.com
JMP Securities analyst Devin Ryan wrote in a report earlier this month that Robinhood appears to have been downloaded more than 3 million times in January alone, which would likely be a record for any broker ever.
Strained by the high volume of trading in stocks, Robinhood was pushed to raise US$3.4 billion in the past weeks after the buying frenzy forced the trading platform to increase the money it deposits with the clearinghouses that process its trades.
The startup is now on track for its planned initial public offering (IPO) expected in the next few months, sources told Barron’s last week.
How Robinhood makes money
Like other retail brokerage firms, Robinhood generates significant income from payments for order flow (PFOF). This common but controversial practice refers to the compensation and benefit a brokerage firm receives for directing orders to third parties or market makers for execution.
Other brokerages such as Charles Schwab and E-Trade make money from PFOF, though significantly less than Robinhood: PFOF accounts for 3% of Schwab’s revenues and 17% of E-Trade’s revenues, an analysis by CB Insights suggests. PFOF generated an estimated US$69 million in revenue for Robinhood in 2018, accounting for more than 40% of its overall revenue, sources told Bloomberg. PFOF earned Robinhood US$687 million in 2020, according to securities filings.
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority fined Robinhood US$1.25 million in December 2019 over how it routed customers’ orders and for failing to ensure clients got the best prices for securities orders.
In December 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged Robinhood for misleading customers and omitting to disclose the  receipt of payments from trading firms for routing customer orders to them. Robinhood agreed to pay US$65 million to settle the charges.
Robinhood Gold is the company’s second biggest source of revenue after PFOF, according to CB Insights. Robinhood Gold is a subscription-based service that offers additional features including margin loans, investing tools and professional research reports. It costs a flat US$5 per month.
Robinhood also makes money by lending margin securities to counterparties, from fees on purchasing using its debit card, and earns interest on uninvested cash.
Robinhood launched the Cash Management account with its accompanying debit card in 2019 to expand beyond its core online brokerage business.
Introducing Cash Management, blog.robinhood.com
 
Featured image credit: Robinhood illustration, Robinhood.com
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/how-free-trading-platform-robinhood-makes-money</link><guid>1700</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Robinhood-illustration-Robinhood.com_.png</dc:content ><dc:text>How Free Trading Platform Robinhood Makes Money</dc:text></item><item><title>Over Half of US Consumers Would Consider Switching to Digital-Only Banks</title><description><![CDATA[A new survey conducted by Juniper Research has found that more than 50% of US consumers wanting to change banks would consider a digital-only bank, with the same finding reflected in a similar UK survey.
However, the findings showed that banks need to be more than technologically competent as users’ top priorities include sign-up benefits and good rates, which are often more important than digital features.
Banking Basics Still Important in a Digital World
The new report, Digital Commerce Survey: Consumer Attitudes to Mobile Banking, mCommerce &amp; Contactless Report, noted that there are marked differences between US and UK consumers around reasons to switch banks.
The most common driver in the US is for sign-up benefits, but UK switchers prefer better overall rates.
Digital integrations are less important to consumers, with 26% of US switchers reporting integration with other services as important.
In the UK, where open banking integrations are available, only 13% of switchers consider this a reason to switch. The survey found that almost half of UK mobile banking users were unsure if they had used open banking services, pointing to an awareness gap that needs closing for open banking to be successful.
Card Usage Shifts the Contactless Payments Battle
The survey found that COVID-19 has greatly increased contactless payments use, with 60% of US contactless users stating COVID-19 safety as a reason to use contactless payments.
Despite the head start OEM Pay had in the US, 89% of American contactless payments users now use contactless cards, and 35% of current non-users are expecting to start using cards in future. However, use of OEM Pay solutions remains strong, with 85% of US contactless users using at least one OEM Pay solution.

 
Featured image credit: Photo by Christiann Koepke on Unsplash
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/over-half-of-us-consumers-would-consider-switching-to-digital-only-banks</link><guid>1699</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Over Half of US Consumers Would Consider Switching to Digital-Only Banks</dc:text></item><item><title>Switzerland and Estonia Among Europe’s Most Advanced Blockchain Ecosystems</title><description><![CDATA[In Europe, Switzerland, Estonia, Malta and Cyprus have the most advanced and mature blockchain ecosystems with well-developed startup scenes and high levels of regulatory maturity, a paper by the EU Blockchain Observatory and Forum says.
More specifically, the European Commission (EC) blockchain think tank places Switzerland at the epicenter of blockchain activity, not only in Europe, but globally, noting the country’s massive blockchain industry of 800 dedicated blockchain providers, among which eight unicorns, an active venture capital (VC) ecosystem, and supportive regulators that have formulated favorable rules for the sector to thrive.
Switzerland moved early to clarifying the legal situation of crypto-assets, the paper notes, with the earliest report by the federal government published in 2018 that analyzed the applicability of existing legal framework on blockchain. Since then, specific guidance and initiatives have been announced, and this year, the so-called DLT (distributed ledger technology) bill will come into effect. Many observers and experts believe this regulatory development will further cement Switzerland’s position as a global blockchain powerhouse.
Estonia is another European country that was quick to work on crypto-assets regulation. Today, the Baltic country provides a special “digital assets license” to exchanges and custodian crypto-asset wallet providers and allows for the setup of a company remotely though its e-residency program. Estonia counts 143 blockchain startups which have raised a total of EUR 257 million in funding.
Malta, the self-proclaimed “blockchain island,” offers licensing provision for virtual currency/digital assets companies as well. Malta has been among the world’s first jurisdictions to have a comprehensive regulatory regime for crypto-assets. Malta is home to 60 blockchain startups which has raised EUR 51 million in funding.
Cyprus, one of the region’s blockchain hotspot, adopted a national strategy to support and promote the technology in 2019, and is widely known for boasting the first ever academic course and full degree on blockchain. Today, the country is home to 27 blockchain startups that have raised a total of EUR 142 million in funding, making it one Europe’s most successful countries in attracting investment capital in blockchain.
An heterogeneous region
Blockchain development and maturity vary drastic across European countries. At the other end of the spectrum, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia were found to have the least mature blockchain ecosystems with just a few blockchain startups – 38 companies the most (Czech Republic), and seven companies the least (Croatia).
Meanwhile, countries including Lithuania, the Netherlands, Slovenia and the UK have burgeoning fintech startup communities but their regulatory frameworks could be improved. France, Germany and Luxembourg were found to have regulatory ecosystems that are mature, but relatively small blockchain startup ecosystems.
European blockchain ecosystems maturity matrix, EU Blockchain Ecosystem Developments, EU Blockchain Observatory and Forum, Nov 2020
In 2018, 21 European Union (EU) member states and Norway adopted the European Blockchain Partnership (EBP), the first EU-wide initiative specifically devoted to blockchain. Since then, eight more countries have joined the partnerships, bringing the total number of signatories to 30.
Among other projects, the EBP has been working on developing the European Blockchain Services Infrastructure (EBSI), a peer-to-peer (P2P) network of interconnected nodes running a blockchain-based services infrastructure. Initially, the system will support notarization services, diplomas and education credentials management, a European self-sovereign identity, as well as data sharing among customs and tax authorities in the EU.
Each member of the EBP will run at least one node. 25 nodes are currently live, and 11 nodes are currently in setup phase.
EU member states have been exploring the potential of blockchain and crypto-assets individually. France&#8217;s central bank recently completed a pilot transaction with a digital currency running on blockchain technology. Ukraine and Turkey are other European countries that are exploring the merits of central bank digital currency (CBDC). In the UK, two hospitals started using blockchain technology to keep taps on the storage and supply of COVID-19 vaccines.
Germany passed new legislation in December 2020 that allows all-electronic securities to be recorded using blockchain technology.
 
Featured image credit: Unsplash here and here
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/switzerland-and-estonia-among-europes-most-advanced-blockchain-ecosystems</link><guid>1698</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/European-blockchain-ecosystems-maturity-matrix-EU-Blockchain-Ecosystem-Developments-EU-Blockchain-Observatory-and-Forum-Nov-2020.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Switzerland and Estonia Among Europe’s Most Advanced Blockchain Ecosystems</dc:text></item><item><title>Valuu Triples Mortgage Volume in Its Second Year of Operations</title><description><![CDATA[Valuu, a fully digital mortgage brokerage platform in Switzerland launched by PostFinance, reported that it has tripled the volume of mortgages brokered compared to its first year in operations.
Given this, Valuu said that it is looking to expand its range to include more services this year.
Valuu is an app that allows future homeowners and those who want to refinance a mortgage to find suitable property financing digitally.
At first it was only available as a mobile app in German, but the web version and French version was launched a few months later.
Since its launch in January 2019, Valuu has already financed hundreds of millions of francs worth of mortgages with around 12,000 users and collaborated with 29 lenders who represent over 100 leading Swiss banks, insurance companies and pension funds.
Thomas Jakob
Thomas Jakob, Head of Valuu said,
“We wanted to prove that we could perform well in this very competitive market. By tripling volume and doubling the number of users, we have done even better. More and more people understand the opportunities the transparent comparison and digital conclusion of a mortgage offer, as well as how much money they can save in the process.
 
The vast majority of users can complete the digital process on their own without any problems. However, if someone would like a more in-depth consultation, because it is their first mortgage for example, they should be able to have one,”
 
Featured image credit: edited from Freepik
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/valuu-triples-mortgage-volume-in-its-second-year-of-operations</link><guid>1688</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Valuu Triples Mortgage Volume in Its Second Year of Operations</dc:text></item><item><title>WealthArc Secures Over $4 Million Capital Raise</title><description><![CDATA[WealthArc, a Swiss wealth management platform, announced that it has secured over $4 million in funding.
WealthArc said that it will leverage this new capital to continue developing its digital platform and value proposition, mainly in the fields of artificial intelligence, custodian data reconciliation, analytics, recruitment strategy, and new business opportunities.
Additionally, WealthArc is also planning to use the funding to expand its presence in the domestic Swiss market and strengthen its overseas growth.
The company has a growing number of customers in Switzerland (Zurich, Geneva, and Lugano among others) and beyond (Singapore, Dubai, and the United Kingdom).
The company is said to have integrated over 60 private banks from Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Singapore via APIs. This allows WealthArc users to have access to high quality investment data that is automatically gathered and curated by artificial intelligence.
Chris Gogol
“Wealth management anytime and anywhere is the future of the industry. We want to help family offices and private banks in their digital journey.
 
With the new funding, we are getting closer to executing our mission: becoming the most comprehensive wealth management information hub in Switzerland and beyond,”
said Chris Gogol, Co-Founder and CEO of WealthArc.
 
Featured image credit: edited from Freepik
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/wealtharc-secures-over-4-million-capital-raise</link><guid>1689</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>WealthArc Secures Over $4 Million Capital Raise</dc:text></item><item><title>Payoneer Poised to Go Public With US$3.3 Billion Merger Deal</title><description><![CDATA[Payoneer announced that it plans to go public by merging with FTAC Olympus Acquisition Corp. (FTOC), a special purpose acquisition company in a US$ 3.3 billion deal.
Payoneer has been backed by investments from TCV, Susquehanna Growth Equity (SGE), Viola Ventures, Wellington Management, Nyca Partners, Temasek and more.
The company will be renamed as Payoneer Global Inc. and the combined company will operate as Payoneer, a U.S. publicly listed entity. Payoneer’s management team will continue to lead the company.
Over the past 15 years, Payoneer’s secure, regulated platform offers a global, multi-currency account to businesses of any size around the world.
Scott Galit
“We are incredibly excited about the opportunity ahead and believe that our leading global platform, brand, product suite, and network create significant and sustainable competitive advantages, and that our multi-pronged growth strategy will deliver strong growth for years to come.
We are thrilled to partner with Betsy Cohen and the FTOC team and are confident that we will benefit from their significant industry expertise as we embark on our journey as a public company.”
said Scott Galit, Chief Executive Officer of Payoneer.
Betsy Z. Cohen
“Its proven ability to facilitate the overall growth of e-commerce through capabilities such as B2B payment digitization, global risk and compliance infrastructure, and the enablement for SMBs to rapidly grow and scale sets Payoneer apart.
 
I couldn’t be more excited about this transaction which will allow this talented team to accelerate their growth strategy and continue to democratize access to global commerce.”
said Betsy Z. Cohen, Chairman of the Board of Directors of FTAC Olympus Acquisition Corp.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/payoneer-poised-to-go-public-with-us33-billion-merger-deal</link><guid>1690</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Payoneer Poised to Go Public With US$3.3 Billion Merger Deal</dc:text></item><item><title>Visa Pilots Its New Crypto API Programme With US Neobank First Boulevard</title><description><![CDATA[Visa has announced a partnership with First Boulevard, a digitally native neobank focused on building generational wealth for the black community, to pilot Visa’s new suite of crypto APIs that is anticipated to launch later this year.
As part of the initial pilot programme, Visa plans to enable First Boulevard to connect to infrastructure provided by Visa’s partner, Anchorage, a federally chartered digital asset bank, to allow their customers to buy and sell Bitcoin.
The pilot will serve as a key first step in supporting API capabilities that help additional Visa clients access and integrate crypto features into their product offering.
The development of Visa’s crypto APIs marks the next phase of Visa’s digital currency strategy which is focused on expanding the company’s role as a network-of-networks.
As part of this initial test and learn phase, Visa will explore ways in which financial institutions lacking their own digital currency infrastructure can harness Visa’s platform for tapping into the growing world of crypto assets and blockchain networks.
Additionally, First Boulevard will also launch a visa debit card, which offers digital-first features, including early access to wages with Early Direct Deposit, a Cash Back for Buying Black programme, and financial education and budgeting tools to improve spending habits.
Jack Forestell
“We set out to make Visa the bridge between digital currencies and our global network of 70 million merchants and today we are the leading network for crypto wallets with 35 crypto platforms choosing to issue with Visa.
 
With this pilot programme, we want to extend the value of Visa to our neobank and financial institution clients by providing an easy bridge to crypto assets and blockchain networks.”
said Jack Forestell, Chief Product Officer, Visa.
Donald Hawkins
“The First Boulevard mission is to help black America build wealth.
 
We are thrilled to partner with the leader in digital payments, Visa, and leverage their crypto APIs to provide another channel for the black community to access crypto as a new asset class that can help build black wealth.”
said Donald Hawkins, President and Chief Executive Officer, First Boulevard.
Visa said in a statement that it is committed to embedding diversity and inclusion into its partnership and go-to-market strategies. By prioritising partners like First Boulevard, Visa aims to level the playing field when it comes to access to new technologies.
In addition to the pilot with First Boulevard, Visa also announced a series of partnerships emphasising the company’s commitment to closing the financial gap in the black community.
 
Featured image: Business Wire
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/visa-pilots-its-new-crypto-api-programme-with-us-neobank-first-boulevard</link><guid>1691</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Visa Pilots Its New Crypto API Programme With US Neobank First Boulevard</dc:text></item><item><title>Kreditfabrik der Glarner Kantonalbank baut Zusammenarbeit mit der Mobiliar aus</title><description><![CDATA[Die Kreditfabrik der Glarner Kantonalbank (GLKB) und die Mobiliar bauen ihre Kooperation im Business-to-Business-Geschäft (B2B) substanziell aus. Die GLKB übernimmt die Verwaltung des bestehenden Hypothekenportfolios der Mobiliar.
Die Mobiliar wird die Verwaltung ihres eigenen Hypothekenbestandes von insgesamt rund 1,4 Milliarden Franken ab dem 1. Juni 2021 schrittweise an die Kreditfabrik der Glarner Kantonalbank übergeben. Die Intensivierung der Zusammenarbeit mit der ältesten privaten Versicherungsgesellschaft der Schweiz stellt für die GLKB Kreditfabrik einen weiteren, grossen Erfolg in ihrem B2B-Geschäft dar.
Sie arbeitet bereits seit 2018 indirekt mit der Mobiliar zusammen. Damals konnte die GLKB Kreditfabrik die Bewirtschaftung des Hypothekenportfolios für die digitale Hypothekenplattform Credit Exchange AG (CredEx) übernehmen. CredEx ist eine der führenden Schweizer Hypothekenbörsen, an welcher die Mobiliar beteiligt ist. Die Mobiliar überträgt die gesamte Verwaltung des bestehenden Hypothekenportfolios an die GLKB Kreditfabrik.
Mit dem Outsourcing des Bestandesgeschäfts fokussiert sich die Mobiliar ganz auf die strategische Lenkung ihres Portfolios und treibt die Standardisierung und Professionalisierung der Hypothekenverwaltung weiter voran. Die Mobiliar mit Sitz in Bern profitiert dabei von der Expertise der Fachspezialisten der GLKB Kreditfabrik und deren Erfahrung in der gesamten Wertschöpfungskette des Kreditbereichs.
Im Zuge der Übernahme der Hypothekenbewirtschaftung für die Mobiliar eröffnet die Glarner Kantonalbank in Bern einen Service-Standort der GLKB Kreditfabrik, um die Nähe zum Kunden vor Ort sicherzustellen und die Dienstleistungen optimal auf das B2B-Geschäft auszurichten.
Featured image credit: Glarner Kantonalbank
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/kreditfabrik-der-glarner-kantonalbank-baut-zusammenarbeit-mit-der-mobiliar-aus</link><guid>1692</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Kreditfabrik der Glarner Kantonalbank baut Zusammenarbeit mit der Mobiliar aus</dc:text></item><item><title>Hyppo Teams up With F10 Alumni OperCredits to Offer Digital Mortgage for Swiss Expats</title><description><![CDATA[Hyppo.CH, a digital home financing portal for expats in Switzerland, has partnered with Oper Credits for a complete digital mortgage journey with increased accessibility to digital-savvy expats which will be available April onwards.
Keen Innovation AG, the external innovation lab of Basler Kantonalbank and Bank Cler had launched Hyppo.CH in 2020. Hyppo supports expats in navigating through the complex Swiss home buying and mortgage process.
Hyppo will expand its services further, allowing its users to request a mortgage through its website where BKB and Bank Cler will then process these applications in the background.
Hyppo initiative ties in with Oper Credits aim to reimagine the mortgage origination process by offering banks an out-of-the-box, white-labeled SaaS product that supports the mortgage process.
This includes digital client onboarding, document exchanges, e-signatures, and smart pricing and scoring.
Oper will provide Hyppo with its digital client portal allowing them to apply for a mortgage in a completely digital, mobile-first journey.
In parallel, Oper’s advisory portal will also capture leads and allows for efficient handling by client advisors enabling a hybrid process with human advisory interventions.
Thomas Leber
Thomas Leber, CEO of Keen Innovation said,
“Given the digital readiness of most expats, we want to serve Hyppo.CH clients with a 100% digital journey. With Oper, we have a partner that brings a wealth of expertise in mortgage digitization and understands the complexity of the Swiss market.
 
This collaboration can act as a blueprint for future collaborations. This partnership will also mark the first 100% digital application flow for both Basler Kantonalbank and Bank Cler.”
 
 
Featured image credit: edited from Mockup psd created by graphictwister &#8211; www.freepik.com
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/hyppo-teams-up-with-f10-alumni-opercredits-to-offer-digital-mortgage-for-swiss-expats</link><guid>1693</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Hyppo Teams up With F10 Alumni OperCredits to Offer Digital Mortgage for Swiss Expats</dc:text></item><item><title>The Most Well-Funded Fintech Startup in Each Country in Europe</title><description><![CDATA[In Europe, fintech is the largest investment category, receiving more than EUR 30 billions of venture capital (VC) investment since 2014, ahead of health (EUR 29B), enterprise software (EUR 27B) and transportation (EUR 12B), data from Dealroom show.
An analysis by Tech.eu and Finstar suggests that the region’s fintech industry has been maturing quickly over the past years, with deal sizes significantly growing, and early-stage rounds becoming fewer. Between 2018 and 2019, the size of financing rounds for fintech companies more than doubled from EUR 11 million to EUR 25.5 million. In the same timeframe, the number of EUR 100 million+ fintech financing deals in Europe increased by 5X.
Fintech is such a hot segment in Europe’s startup scene that for countries including Sweden, Italy, Romania, Cyprus, Latvia and Slovenia, the most well-funded tech startup is actually a fintech, CB Insights data show.
In Sweden, the top-funded tech startup is Klarna, a company that offers a “buy now, pay later” e-commerce solution. In Italy, it’s Satispay, a smart payment platform; in Latvia, it’s peer-to-peer lending marketplace Mintos; in Slovenia, it’s blockchain-based payment network Eligma; in Cyprus, it’s trading app capital.com; and in Romania, it’s FintechOS, the provider of digital banking and insurance solutions.
To get a sense of the region’s fintech leaders, we used data from CB Insights, Sifted, Tech.eu, Finstar, Raiffeisen Bank International, Statista, Dealroom and Crunchbase, to identity the rest of Europe’s most well-funded fintech companies. For each country in the region, we identified the fintech that raised the most funding. For some nations, including Albania, Croatia, and Malta, we weren’t able to identify the top-funded fintech company due to lack of available data.
The most well-funded fintech startup in each country in Europe are:

Sweden: Klarna (EUR1.6B)

UK: Greensill (EUR 1.6B)

Germany: N26 (EUR 711 million)

Ireland: Fenergo (EUR 211M)

Switzerland: Numbrs (EUR 205M)

Netherlands: BitFury Group (EUR 182M)

France: Younited Credit (EUR 172M)

Italy: Satispay (EUR 155M)

Portugal: Liqui.do (EUR 150M)

Denmark: Lunar (EUR 108M)

Spain: Pagantis (EUR 76M)

Finland: Mash (EUR 63M)

Czech Republic: Twisto (EUR 50.5M)

Austria: Bitpanda (EUR 47.3M)

Belgium: Clear2Pay (EUR 46.2M)

Poland: Creamfinance (EUR 27.8M)

Luxembourg: HQLAx (EUR 24.4M)

Bulgaria: Cash Credit (EUR 22.7M)

Cyprus: Capital.com (EUR 22.7M)

Estonia: Veriff (EUR 21.2M)

Hungary: Bitrise (EUR 19M)

Norway: Aprila (EUR 18.7M)

Greece: Hellas Direct (EUR 14.3M)

Latvia: Mintos (EUR 14.2M)

Romania: FintechOS (US$13M)

Slovakia: Minit (EUR 10.3M)

Slovenia: Eligma (EUR 3.6M)

Lithuania: Kevin. (EUR 3.4M)

Ukraine: MyCredit (EUR 2.7M)

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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-most-well-funded-fintech-startup-in-each-country-in-europe</link><guid>1694</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>The Most Well-Funded Fintech Startup in Each Country in Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>Das sind die Top KI-Trends 2021 für die Versicherungsbranche</title><description><![CDATA[Künstliche Intelligenz (KI) ist in aller Munde. Egal ob in Wirtschaft, Wissenschaft oder Gesellschaft: Das Thema KI wird viel und kontrovers diskutiert. Für Unternehmen der Versicherungsbranche ist es da nicht leicht, den Überblick zu behalten. Während technologische Innovationen immer neue Möglichkeiten eröffnen, hinkt der KI-Einsatz in der betrieblichen Praxis häufig hinterher. Dabei birgt KI wertvolle Chancen und erhöht die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit von Unternehmen.
Wohin geht die Reise 2021? Die Frage nach dem passenden KI-Anwendungsfall für ein Unternehmen lässt sich nicht pauschal beantworten. Jede Branche hat eigene Herausforderungen, Rahmenbedingungen und Ziele – insbesondere vor dem Hintergrund der Corona-Pandemie und ihren Auswirkungen. Der Beratungs- und IT-Dienstleister adesso sieht folgende Trends für das kommende Jahr in der Versicherungsbranche.
Trend 1: Explainable AI (XAI)
Vertrauen ist das wichtigste Gut eines Versicherungsunternehmens. Dies verpflichtet zu einem verantwortlichen Umgang mit neuen Technologien, insbesondere der Nutzung von KI. Hier entscheidet ein Algorithmus und nicht der Mensch. Mit dem Einsatz von XAI werden maschinelle Entscheidungen nachvollziehbar. Die Verwendung von XAI ist für viele Anwendungsfälle, beispielsweise im Bereich Schadenmanagement und Betrugserkennung Voraussetzung für den Einsatz von KI, da diese Verfahren der Rechenschaftspflicht unterliegen. Die Herausforderung liegt neben der technischen Implementierung in der verständlichen Aufbereitung der Erklärungen.
Trend 2: Personalisierung
Durch Big Data wird der Versicherungsnehmer zunehmend transparent, wodurch eine Anpassung bestimmter Prozesse entlang der Wertschöpfungskette zu einer individualisierten Behandlung des Kunden führt. Die analysierten Nutzungs- und Nutzerdaten ermöglichen beispielsweise ein Zielgruppenmodell für eine optimierte Kundenansprache in Marketing und Vertrieb, eine individuelle verhaltensorientierte Anpassung der Versicherungsbeiträge und -leistungen in bestimmten Sparten sowie eine spezifische Bedarfsprognose für eine ganzheitliche Beratung und Deckung.
Trend 3: Vorgehensweise
Kunden wollen bereits vor Umsetzungsbeginn eines Digitalisierungsvorhabens ein klares Verständnis darüber erlangen, mit welchen prozessualen und/oder monetären Mehrwerten nach Einführung der Technologielösung zu rechnen ist. Idealerweise wird dies mit einem ROI quantifiziert. Infolgedessen nimmt die bedarfsorientierte, das heisst anwendungsfallbezogene, Vorgehensweise bei der Einführung von KI-Projekten in Versicherungen an Bedeutung zu. Es zeichnet sich der Trend ab, dass die Akzeptanz der Versicherer stark steigt, sich für die Einführung von KI-Lösungen zu entscheiden, wenn erste Ergebnisse und Erfolge in Teilbereichen schnell belegt werden können. Das bedeutet, dass Versicherer vorerst ausgewählte Teilbereiche mit Hilfe von KI digitalisieren wollen – also einen „Proof of Concept“ erhalten möchten – bevor im Folgenden ganze Sparten digitalisiert werden. Die hierfür notwendige Modularität muss aus verschiedenen Perspektiven berücksichtigt werden, wie beispielsweise eine fachliche, technische und preisliche Modularität.
Trend 4: Qualitätsversprechen
Versicherer, die eine KI-Lösung einführen, wollen sich auf die Prozessstabilität und die Qualität der gelieferten Daten verlassen können. Das kollektive Verständnis, was KI leisten kann und wo es physische Grenzen gibt, steigt. So wurde die Erwartungshaltung, dass eine KI-Lösung ohne jegliches Zutun wahre Wunder vollbringt von der Erkenntnis abgelöst, dass jede KI, vor allem zu Beginn, in die richtige Richtung gewiesen werden muss, um die zu erwartenden Ergebnisse zukünftig automatisiert zu erzielen. Es zeichnet sich hier der Trend ab, dass durch den Betreiber der KI-Lösung vertraglich zugesicherte Qualitätsversprechen besonders gerne von den Versicherern angenommen und auch aktiv eingefordert werden. Eine zielgerichtete Vorgehensweise und ein Qualitätsversprechen erhöhen die Akzeptanz von KI-Vorhaben bei Versicherern deutlich.
Trend 5: Chatbots und Telefonbots
Car vector created by iuriimotov &#8211; www.freepik.com
Versicherungsunternehmen kämpfen täglich mit einem stetig hohen Anfragevolumen, das über verschiedene Kanäle zum Versicherer gelangt. Die KI-basierten Systeme helfen dabei, die Anliegen der Kundinnen und Kunden schneller, rund um die Uhr und ohne Wartezeiten klären zu können. Zeitgleich helfen sie Versicherern dabei, Abläufe zu automatisieren, Beschäftigte zu entlasten und Kosten zu senken – ohne dass die Qualität leidet.
Trend 6: Betrugserkennung
Die Versicherungswirtschaft steht vor der Herausforderung, betrügerische Versicherungsfälle zu identifizieren und einzudämmen. In Deutschland beispielsweise werden allein in der Schaden- und Unfallversicherung jährlich über 50 Milliarden Euro an Schadensleistungen erbracht. Davon sind schätzungsweise mindestens 10 Prozent auf betrügerisches Handeln zurückzuführen. Eine aktive Betrugserkennung stellt daher gerade in Bereichen mit sogenannten Mengenschäden einen integralen Bestandteil der initialen Schadensbearbeitung dar. Hier steht die Erkennung von neuen Betrugsmustern im Vordergrund. Ansätze, die auf KI basieren, werden Versicherungsunternehmen in die Lage versetzen, neuartige Missbrauchsmuster schnell zu erkennen und entsprechende Gegenmassnahmen einzuleiten. Ein KI-basiertes Betrugssystem ist hierbei als ein lernendes System zu verstehen, das den Schadenexperten bei der Aufdeckung von potenziellen Betrugsfällen unterstützt.

Stefan Riedel verantwortet den Geschäftsbereich Versicherungen im Vorstand der adesso SE. (Copyright: Martin Steffen Fotografie, Januar 2021)
„Die Versicherungswirtschaft geht nach generischen Ansätzen dazu über, den Mix aus moderner Analytik für interne und externe Daten mit gezielten Algorithmen für dedizierte Anwendungsfälle zu verbinden“,
sagt Stefan Riedel, Vorstand Versicherungen beim Beratungs- und IT-Dienstleister adesso SE.
„Dies versetzt Versicherer zunehmend in die Lage, nicht nur ex post zu regulieren und Preise aus Modellen mit Daten der Vergangenheit zu generieren, sondern mehr und mehr ein Teil einer Präventionsstrategie für den Kunden zu sein. Hier entstehen Mehrwertdienste und Services, das heisst Angebote, die klare Bedürfnisse des Versicherten erfüllen.“
 
 
 
Featured image credit:Car vector created by iuriimotov &#8211; www.freepik.com
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/das-sind-die-top-ki-trends-2021-fur-die-versicherungsbranche</link><guid>1695</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/chatbot-1024x1024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Das sind die Top KI-Trends 2021 für die Versicherungsbranche</dc:text></item><item><title>Switzerland’s Blockchain Fintech Industry in 2021</title><description><![CDATA[Switzerland is home to 130 startups that are applying blockchain and distributed ledger technology (DLT) to finance use cases, new data from Swisscom show. Most of these companies (48%) operate in the banking infrastructure vertical, followed by investment management (24%), and payments (21%).
Swiss DLT startups vertical distribution, Swiss Fintech Startup Map, Swisscom, January 2021
The largest vertical, banking infrastructure, comprises companies tackling tokenization, with the likes of Axedras and dauras; custody services with players like Taurus and Custodigit; and crypto banks, including Seba and Sygnum.
Roland Cortivo, head of blockchain infrastructure for digital business at Swisscom, said in a recent Q&amp;A that he expects the segment to continue growing with more bank-related services emerging including multi-bank signature management solutions.
Deposit and lending, though the smallest segment, could further grow in the future on the back of a booming decentralized finance (DeFi) sector, according to Thomas Ankenbrand of the Institute of Financial Services Zug (IFZ) at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts.
Another key development Ankenbrand outlined is the use of blockchain in capital markets, citing the tie-up between SIX and daura, a digital share platform for financing and investing in Swiss small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). SIX, which operates the infrastructure for the Swiss financial center, acquired a stake in daura in 2019. The company has been working on the SIX Digital Exchange (SDX), an integrated financial market infrastructure for digital assets, which, once fully launched, will allow companies to issue digital securities tokens.
How the Swiss blockchain fintech sector has evolved
The Swiss blockchain sector has significantly grown over the past four years, Ankenbrand said. In particular, 2017 and 2018 are the two years that saw the strongest uptick in the number of blockchain fintech companies being founded with 80 ventures, or more than 60% of all existing companies.
Over the last two years, however, the number of new DLT fintech startups being launched has stagnated. Instead, existing startups have evolved and developed, and capitalization of these companies has grown, showcasing that the sector is maturing and stabilizing, Ankenbrand said. He added that merger and acquisition (M&amp;A) deals and company closures have been few and far between, implying that the market hasn’t shown any notable sign of consolidation yet.
In terms of geographical distribution, most of Switzerland’s blockchain fintechs (57%) are unsurprisingly based in the canton of Zug with 75 companies choosing the location to base their venture. Zug is followed by Zurich with 19 companies, Geneva with 12 companies, and Ticino with 7 companies.
Swiss DLT startups geographical distribution, Swiss Fintech Startup Map, Swisscom, January 2021
DLT bill entering into force
On February 01, 2021, some parts of the so-called DLT bill will enter into force. More particularly, the amendments to the Code of Obligations, the Federal Intermediated Securities Act and the Federal Act on International Private Law, will formally allow for the introduction of ledger-based securities represented in a blockchain.
In September 2020, the Swiss Parliament passed an amending act aimed at strengthen Switzerland’s position as a leading DLT/blockchain hub by incorporating crypto assets and DLT into Swiss law. The adopted act will amend several existing laws ranging from company bankruptcy to banking regulation.
The remaining provisions of the DLT bill, which are set to enter into force on August 01, 2021, will bring, among other things, the introduction of a new authorization category for “DLT trading facilities.” These will function similarly to existing multilateral trading facilities but will allow for direct access of retail participants and the provision of further services on the trading value chain such as clearing, settlement and custody services.
Blockchain-focused venture capital firm CV VC identified 835 blockchain companies in Switzerland as of September 2020, making the country one of the biggest blockchain hubs in the world.
Reto Luthiger, an attorney-at-law for Meyerlustenberger Lachenal in Zurich, believes the new legislation will “elevate the already very favorable Swiss crypto regulatory framework to one of the most advanced globally,” he wrote in his latest article in the IFC Economic Report 2021.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/switzerlands-blockchain-fintech-industry-in-2021</link><guid>1696</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Swiss-DLT-startups-vertical-distribution-Swiss-Fintech-Startup-Map-Swisscom-January-2021.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Switzerland’s Blockchain Fintech Industry in 2021</dc:text></item><item><title>Sygnum Bank Tokenised Premium Wines Under New Swiss DLT Law</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss-based digital asset bank Sygnum Bank and Fine Wine Capital, a privately held specialist trading company with a focus on the fine wine market, have successfully tokenised a range of premium investible wines, creating the first asset tokens issued under the new Swiss DLT law, which has come into effect.
Fine Wines Capital was one of a strong cohort of issuers that took part in the recent launch of Sygnum’s bank-grade tokenisation solution, including Gruppo Azimut (mid-cap vertical), Bak Motors (venture capital vertical) and ImmoZins and CROWDLITOKEN (real estate vertical).
This fully integrated, institutional-grade solution is comprised of Desygnate, a primary market issuance platform and SygnEx, a secondary market trading venue.
The bank has also tokenised its own shares on Desygnate, laying the foundation for a potential future public offering.
Assets tokenised on Sygnum’s Desygnate platform are issued under the incoming legal framework, and will be fully recognised under a new category of ledger-based securities.
Based on the new legal provisions, Sygnum has developed a framework which links the ownership of financial and real assets to a DLT-based asset token.
With this, securities in the form of asset tokens can be conveniently and securely issued and traded. All associated legal rights and obligations will be automatically transferred to the new investor and fully recognised by the Swiss legal system.
High-growth, attractive real asset investments like premium wine, fine art and diamonds are often illiquid and hard-to access.
Sygnum’s bank-grade tokenisation solution enables issuers to make their unique investment opportunities more widely accessible, affordable via fractional ownership, and easily tradeable.
Gino Wirthensohn
“The legal provisions which come into effect today ensure that asset tokenisation is now a viable alternative to traditional securitisation from a legal point of view.
 
At Sygnum, we have developed a framework which allows us to efficiently issue our clients’ asset tokens under the new legal framework.”
said Gino Wirthensohn, Sygnum Bank’s Head of RegTech.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sygnum-bank-tokenised-premium-wines-under-new-swiss-dlt-law</link><guid>1697</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Sygnum Bank Tokenised Premium Wines Under New Swiss DLT Law</dc:text></item><item><title>PostFinance Joins Forces With CoCoNet for Corporate Cash Management Solution</title><description><![CDATA[PostFinance, the financial services unit of Swiss Post, and CoCoNet, a German-based digital banking solutions provider, are collaborating on a joint project to introduce a new cash management solution for corporate customers.
The new solution offers all of PostFinance&#8216;s corporate customers, from medium-sized companies to international corporations, numerous functions for efficient cash management.
The bank aims to support its customers in the secure planning of financial flows, in particular with forward-looking liquidity management that also takes into account account information from third-party banks.
The solution is technically based on MULTIVERSA IFP, CoCoNet’s payment transactions and cash management portal.
For the introduction, PostFinance did a survey with its corporate customers. The definition of the requirements for the new portal was based on the customer survey. During the partner selection process, customers were invited to pre-test the CoCoNet solution.
Corinne Häusler
“We have found that we are on exactly the right track with the solution. Our customers found the design of the demo version very appealing and quickly found their way around.&#8221;
said Corinne Häusler, Head of Treasury Solutions at PostFinance.
Björn Hassing
“We are very proud that PostFinance has chosen our product MULTIVERSA IFP to realise the idea of the leading digital bank for corporate customers. Swiss companies usually have two to five different bank accounts, some of them even abroad in different currencies. Our solution will help these companies to have a better overview of their financial flows and banking activities in the future and to have with PostFinance a strong digital partner at their side.”
said Björn Hassing, CEO of CoCoNet.
The range of functions, in particular the multi-bank capability and the handy liquidity presentation, also triggered anticipation among the test persons for the new solution. The solution is said to be scheduled to go live in autumn 2021.
 
Featured image: CoCoNet 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/postfinance-joins-forces-with-coconet-for-corporate-cash-management-solution</link><guid>1684</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>PostFinance Joins Forces With CoCoNet for Corporate Cash Management Solution</dc:text></item><item><title>S&amp;P Dow Jones to Launch Crypto Indexes in 2021</title><description><![CDATA[Financial data provider S&amp;P Dow Jones Indices (S&amp;P DJI) is launching global cryptocurrency asset index capabilities with Lukka, a New York City-based crypto asset software and data company in 2021.
S&amp;P DJI will provide customised indexing and benchmarking solutions supported by Lukka&#8217;s proprietary crypto asset pricing data.
As the market for cryptocurrency assets has evolved in recent years, investor interest in benchmarking and index-based solutions based on crypto and blockchain assets has grown, reinforcing the need for reliable pricing data.
S&amp;P DJI is utilising a variety of Lukka&#8217;s aggregated data services including Lukka Reference Data and Lukka Prime, a Fair Market Value-focused pricing methodology for crypto assets.
These new cryptocurrency index capabilities will make it easier for investors to access this emerging technology-driven asset class while potentially mitigating some of the common risks associated with this traditionally speculative market.
Peter Roffman
&#8220;For more than a century, S&amp;P Dow Jones Indices has been a pioneer in creating innovative and relevant indices and benchmarks that reflect the global market&#8217;s ongoing growth and evolution,&#8221;
said Peter Roffman, Global Head of Innovation and Strategy at S&amp;P Dow Jones Indices.
&#8220;With digital assets such as cryptocurrencies becoming a rapidly emerging asset class, the time is right for independent, reliable and user-friendly benchmarks. We&#8217;re excited to work with Lukka, who has been at the forefront of digital asset data services, to promote more transparency in this nascent sector.&#8221;
Robert Materazzi
&#8220;Our collaboration with S&amp;P DJI is yet another milestone that bridges the gap between the crypto asset ecosystem and traditional financial services,&#8221;
said Robert Materazzi, CEO of Lukka.
&#8220;Customers with crypto data requirements will soon have access to the most trusted data in the industry underpinned by Lukka&#8217;s institutional-quality standards, such as AICPA SOC Controls. In a rapidly maturing industry, it is paramount to build to institutional standards when working with highly respected brands, such as S&amp;P DJI. Lukka is thrilled to help drive ongoing innovation in collaboration with S&amp;P DJI.&#8221;
 
Featured image credit: Pexels
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sp-dow-jones-to-launch-crypto-indexes-in-2021</link><guid>1685</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>S&amp;P Dow Jones to Launch Crypto Indexes in 2021</dc:text></item><item><title>Portugal’s Fintech Industry Continues to Grow and Mature on the Back of Favorable Regulation</title><description><![CDATA[Portugal’s fintech ecosystem continued to grow and mature in 2020 with several new developments including the establishment of fintech hub Fintech House as well as the release of the framework for a regulatory sandbox.
Committed to supporting the development of a healthy fintech ecosystem, the government has set out plans to launch regulatory sandboxes. In April, the country’s Council of Ministers published the framework for a sandbox which will test emerging technologies including artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, big data and 5G.
“The objective is to create a legislative framework that promotes and facilitates research, demonstrations and testing activities, in a real environment of technologies, innovative products, services, processes and models, in Portugal,” André de Aragão Azevedo, Secretary of State for Digital Transition, told industry trade group Portugal Fintech.
There are also plans to introduce so-called Technological Free Zones (ZLTs), which will have tailored regulatory regimes for each sector or industry, de Aragão Azevedo explained. ZLTs are part of Portugal’s Digital Action Plan that seeks to create a favorable environment for innovation and strengthen Portugal’s economic competitiveness.
“This measure … will help promote Portugal’s positioning in research and development (R&amp;D), national resources and the participation in international projects, as well as the attraction of innovative projects and investment related to emerging technologies,” he said.
Portugal Fintech Report 2020: survey findings
The interview of de Aragão Azevedo was conducted as part of the Portugal Fintech Report 2020, an annual report which shares industry statistics, trends and experts insights.
This year’s survey found that the Portuguese fintech startup landscape is rather young with 42% of fintech companies founded in 2018 or later. 56% are either in pre-seed or seed stage.
The research also found that payments and money transfers is the most developed fintech segment, representing 27% of all fintech startups in the country. Payments is followed by insurtech (19%), and blockchain and crypto (13%).
Fintechs in Portugal per vertical, Source: 2020 Portugal Fintech Survey, Portugal Fintech
The survey, which asked fintech startups their views on the regulatory landscape, found that although fintechs believe efforts have been made to improve accessibility to regulators over the past year (53% in 2020 compared to 50% in 2019), a majority feels like there needs to be stronger ties between the sector and the government (71% in 2020 compared to 61% in 2019).
While in 2019 half of respondents felt like regulation had had a negative impact on their business, this year’s results showcase a more positive sentiment in this regard, with 49% stating that regulation has had a positive impact on their business over the past 12 months.
Policy and regulation, Source: 2020 Portugal Fintech Survey, Portugal Fintech
7 emerging Portuguese fintech startups
The report names seven emerging Portuguese fintech startups to watch for. These were all founded in 2020 and operate across various segments including human resources and employment benefits, insurtech, wealthtech and blockchain.
Swood, for example, provides a platform for companies to manage employment benefits. Finlayer is developing a wealth management software-as-a-service solution for managers, securities agencies and financial advisors.
In insurtech, Lifin provides customers with self-service insurance policies. Subscriptions and claims are done entirely digitally though the Lifin platform. Meanwhile, startup P4lpro is targeting brokers and insurance companies with an all-in-one platform that comes with customer relationship management (CRM), marketing, sales and business tools.
In blockchain and crypto, three startups made the list, including CodingLibra, a business-to-business (B2B) software development company that develops digital asset solutions for institutional clients, Revault, a Bitcoin security company specialized in custody software and integration for institutions, and ImpactMarket, an open crowdfinance infrastructure targeting vulnerable communities including refugees and impoverished populations.
 
Featured image credit: Unsplash
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/portugals-fintech-industry-continues-to-grow-and-mature-on-the-back-of-favorable-regulation</link><guid>1683</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Fintechs-in-Portugal-per-vertical-Source-2020-Portugal-Fintech-Survey-Portugal-Fintech.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Portugal’s Fintech Industry Continues to Grow and Mature on the Back of Favorable Regulation</dc:text></item><item><title>BIS, Swiss National Bank and SIX Complete Pilot for Wholesale Digital Currency Project</title><description><![CDATA[The Bank for International Settlements’ Innovation Hub (BISIH), the Swiss National Bank (SNB) and the financial infrastructure operator SIX announced the successful completion of a joint proof-of-concept (POC) for its wholesale central bank digital currency (CBDC).
Dubbed as Project Helvetia, the initiative shows the feasibility of two POCs, which uses near-live systems to settle digital assets on a distributed ledger with central bank money.
A POC linking the existing payment system to a distributed ledger and another issuing a wholesale central bank digital currency (CBDC) were compared. The collaboration sets the stage for further joint experimentation to assess the impact of digital innovation on the future of the financial system.
Project Helvetia explored the technological and legal feasibility of transferring digital assets by issuing a wholesale CBDC onto a distributed digital asset platform and linking the digital asset platform to the existing wholesale payment system.
The initiative demonstrated the feasibility and legal robustness of both alternatives in a near live setup. However, comparing them reveals benefits and challenges. A wholesale CBDC has potential advantages when settling digital assets.
Yet it would raise major policy and governance hurdles. Linking existing systems to new DLT platforms would avoid many of these problems, but would forgo the potential benefits of full integration.
Project Helvetia explored a wholesale CBDC, restricted to banks and other financial institutions. A retail or general purpose CBDC would address different use cases and have very different policy implications.
The POCs are experiments conducted at the BISIH and should not be interpreted as an indication that the SNB is to issue wholesale CBDCs onto SIX Digital Exchange’s (SDX) platform or to allow settlement of SDX transactions in the Swiss Interbank Clearing system.
Andréa M. Maechler
“Irrespective of which technologies the financial markets adopt next, the safety and reliability of Swiss financial infrastructure must be preserved. If DLT can deliver significant improvements in securities trading and settlement, then the SNB will be prepared,”
said Andréa M. Maechler, Member of the Governing Board of the SNB.
Benoît Cœuré
“If wholesale CBDCs are to fulfil their potential as a new means of settlement, their design and implications deserve close study and consideration. This is only possible via continued deliberations and experimentations among central banks and with other stakeholders, such as market supervisors and the private sector. Given the speed of digital transformation, central banks – and others – need to learn fast to make informed policy decisions,”
said Benoît Cœuré, Head of the BISIH.
Further work is needed where the next steps are to gain a better understanding of the practical complexities and policy implications of wholesale CBDC. Different design choices that allow for trade-offs between risks and benefits need to be explored.

﻿﻿
Featured image credit: Unsplash
The post BIS, Swiss National Bank and SIX Complete Pilot for Wholesale Digital Currency Project appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bis-swiss-national-bank-and-six-complete-pilot-for-wholesale-digital-currency-project</link><guid>1686</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>BIS, Swiss National Bank and SIX Complete Pilot for Wholesale Digital Currency Project</dc:text></item><item><title>Ein Kommen und Gehen auf der Schweizer PropTech Map</title><description><![CDATA[Ein Kommen und Gehen auf der PropTech Map Switzerland. Mit dem letzten Update für 2020 etabliert sich die PropTech Map Switzerland definitiv als die führende Übersicht zum Thema PropTech. Dies macht mich als Erfinder und Autor natürlich stolz. Einer meiner Weggefährten wechselt nun die Seite. Mario Facchinetti verlässt das Netzwerk SwissPropTech und widmet sich seinen eigenen unternehmerischen Aktivitäten. Interessant sind immer wieder die Einblicke, die mein Kollege Mike DelPrete zum amerikanischen iBuyer Markt vermittelt.
Ein Kommen und Gehen auf der PropTech Map Switzerland
Die führende Übersicht über die in der Schweiz aktiven PropTechs verzeichnet weitere Zugänge. In der Kategorie Marktplatz ist anibis.ch hinzugekommen. Dann sind neu in der Kategorie Services deskbird.ch, Planyourmove, Plutinsus, visits und wild.dots, während in der Kategorie Smart Building eliona dazugestossen ist. Die Kategorie Sales erfährt mit swifthome einen Zugang. umbaumanager und wilma sind neu in der Kategorie Construction.
Aareon bietet neu die ERP-Lösung Relion unter der Kategorie Software an. Oxygenatwork bietet gerade in Corona-Zeiten einen wichtigen Service an. Dieses Startup hat sich ein neues Logo gegeben. Auf der anderen Seite verliert die Kategorie Blockchain die bisherigen Einträge elea.io und Crypto Real Estate. Offensichtlich sprechen viele lieber von Blockchain, als dass sie Lösungen im Bereich Real Estate eine Chance geben.
Bye, bye Mario
Mario Facchinetti
Er gilt (noch bis Ende 2020) als der Super-Mario der PropTech Szene. Jetzt verlässt Mario Facchinetti die Netzwerkorganisation SwissPropTech. Für seine Aufbauarbeit gebührt im Respekt und Anerkennung. Ich erinnere mich noch gut an den Nachmittag in meinem Garten. Mario interviewte mich für seine Diplomarbeit (etwas das ich sehr gerne mache, denn der Austausch mit den Studenten ist auch für mich bereichernd). So philosophierten wir gemeinsam, was in der Schweiz für die aufkeimende Spezie PropTech gemacht werden könnte. Wir realisierten bald, dass Mario und ich die gleichen Ideen wälzten.
Entstanden ist dann SwissPropTech, während ich mich auf proptechnews.ch und die PropTech Map Switzerland konzentriere. Als Partnerorganisationen haben wir immer sehr gut zusammengearbeitet. Ich wünsche Mario viel Erfolg und Befriedigung als Unternehmer. Seinem Nachfolger Lars Sommer wünsche ich einen guten Start und freue mich auf die weitere Zusammenarbeit zwischen SwissPropTech und proptechnews.ch.
Wir schreiben das Jahr 2020
Flatfox und VERIT führen zusammen mit Skribble die elektronische Signatur im Mietvertrag ein. Wow, was für eine Innovation. Ich meine dies natürlich ironisch. Selbstverständlich bringen uns gerade solch kleine Schritte weiter Richtung Digitalisierung. Zu allen drei Unternehmen habe ich einen persönlichen Bezug. Zu meiner Zeit als CEO von homegate.ch hatten wir auch zu den Gründern von Flatfox Kontakt. Mit der Arroganz des Marktführers haben wir die Anfrage für eine Zusammenarbeit abgelehnt. Vielleicht hat dies bei Flatfox zu der erfolgreichen Neuausrichtung geführt, weg vom alternativen Marktplatz. Wer weiss.
Martin Frei, Chief Digital Officer der Verit, hat mit mir den CAS Digital Real Estate der HWZ besucht. Ich freue mich besonders, weil die von Martin angeführte Innovation mit der elektronischen Signatur für mich die erste von Absolventen des CAS öffentlich gemachte Neuerung darstellt. Philipp Dick, CEO von Skribble, kenne ich schon seit seiner Zeit bei quitt.ch und PopupOffice AG. Schön, wie sich der Kreis schliesst.
iBuyer Markt halbiert
Mein lieber Kollege Mike DelPrete zeigt in seinem neuesten Bericht auf, dass der iBuyer Markt in Amerika im ersten Halbjahr um 50 % geschrumpft ist. Während 2019 noch 60’000 Transaktionen verzeichnet wurden, viel dieser Wert in den ersten sechs Monaten dieses Jahr auf eben 30’000. In Amerika gibt es vier grosse Player: Opendoor, Zillow, Offerpad und REDFIN. Der Abschwung traf Opendoor am härtestens mit -59 %. Zillow und Offerpad verloren 21% resp. 24 %. Nur REDFIN konnte das Niveau des Vorjahres mehr oder weniger halten. Heisst dies nun, dass das iBuyer Modell gescheitert ist? Es wäre absolut verfrüht, den Tod von iBuyer anzukündigen. Vielmehr haben auch diese  Anbieter unter Corona gelitten.
Mike sagt, „the drop in market share and transaction volumes isn’t a failure of the model, but it is a result of the model. The iBuyers face a slow climb back to the level of 2019, as they conservatively ramp up operations in a new, uncertain housing market“.
Ein Kommen und Gehen auf der PropTech Map Switzerland
Die PropTech Community erhält weitere Gesichter. Ich wünsche allen PropTechs weiterhin gutes Gelingen.
The post Ein Kommen und Gehen auf der Schweizer PropTech Map appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ein-kommen-und-gehen-auf-der-schweizer-proptech-map</link><guid>1682</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/PropTech-Map-Switzerland.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Ein Kommen und Gehen auf der Schweizer PropTech Map</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Vietnam Market Map: Missing B2B Fintechs Is a Chance for Swiss SMEs</title><description><![CDATA[Over the past year, Vietnam’s fintech industry has grown significantly on the back of rising adoption of digital transactions, a booming e-commerce industry and a broader push by the government to boost digital payments, according to Fintech News’ latest report on the domestic fintech landscape.
Investors continued to be bullish on the potential of fintech in Vietnam this year, pumping millions into local startups.
In 2019, Vietnam already ranked second in ASEAN in terms of fintech funding, attracting 36% of all of the region’s fintech investment. The optimism comes as Vietnam is experiencing a boom in digital payments and e-commerce activity amid COVID-19 restrictions and fear of contagion.
In Q1 2020, electronic payments increased by 76% with the total value of transactions jumping 124% compared to Q1’19. Players in the space recorded unprecedented growth, with payments on mobile wallet MoMo doubling since February.
E-commerce activity also significantly picked up this year, with overall visits to shopping apps reaching 12.7 billion in Q2 2020 and growing 43% quarter-on-quarter.
These new customer behaviors are in part driven by the government’s ongoing push for greater development and adoption of technology in the banking and financial sector. State Bank of Vietnam governor Le Minh Hung cited promoting non-cash payments, digital banking and green banking as the three top priorities for the industry for the 2020-2025 period.
Over the past couple of years, the Vietnamese fintech startup scene has grown from 44 companies in 2017 to now more than 120 companies.

Vietnam&#8217;s Fintech Startups player in 2020, Fintech News Vietnam
These companies operate across a broad range of areas, though payments remain the dominant segment with companies in the space representing 30% of all fintechs in Vietnam.
Though it is apparent that the Vietnamese fintech industry is getting more and more crowded by the day, there are still gaps to fill. For one, the market is largely dominated by players operating under a business-to-consumer (B2C) model, leaving plenty of space for B2B players, notably those that leverage technology to help incumbent banks and financial institutions rapidly digitize, automate, and reduce their costs.
This represents a major opportunity of mature Swiss fintech companies that are internationally oriented to expand into the Southeast Asian country and help the local banking industry in their digital transformation.
Vietnamese banks have accelerated their digital push, partnering with fintech companies to ramp up effort. Vietnam’s Tien Phong Commercial Joint Stock Bank (TPBank), for example, recently partnered with digital-first banking platform Backbase to provide the bank’s customers with digital-first products and services.
Fintech Vietnam Startups Map 2020, Fintech News Vietnam
Swiss fintech companies are particularly active in the B2B segment, and Swiss players such as Avaloq, Temenos and Adnovum have built a global reputation for creating trustworthy, reliable and innovative solutions for an international audience.
 
Featured image credit: Pexels
The post Fintech Vietnam Market Map: Missing B2B Fintechs Is a Chance for Swiss SMEs appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-vietnam-market-map-missing-b2b-fintechs-is-a-chance-for-swiss-smes</link><guid>1681</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Vietnams-Fintech-Startups-player-in-2020.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech Vietnam Market Map: Missing B2B Fintechs Is a Chance for Swiss SMEs</dc:text></item><item><title>Stefan Distel wurde mit Digitalisierung von Reka-Geld beauftragt</title><description><![CDATA[Stefan Distel wird Leiter des Geschäftsbereichs Reka-Geld und gleichzeitig Mitglied der Direktion der Schweizer Reisekasse Reka. Reka-Geld ist mit über einer Million Kunden die beliebteste Lohnnebenleistung der Schweiz. Stefan Distel wird die Digitalisierung des Geschäftsbereichs weiter vorantreiben.
Roger Seifritz
«Mit Stefan Distel gewinnen wir eine fachlich überzeugend ausgewiesene Führungskraft für unsere Geschäftsleitung»,
sagt Roger Seifritz, Direktor der Schweizer Reisekasse Reka.
«Mit seinem Wissen und seinem Erfahrungsschatz mit bargeldlosen Zahlungsmitteln und in der Digitalisierung von Kunden- und Geschäftsprozessen wird Stefan Distel der Entwicklung des Geschäftsbereichs Zahlungsmittel weiteren Schub verleihen können.»
Stefan Distel | &#8220;obs/Schweizer Reisekasse (Reka) Genossenschaft/zvg&#8221;
Der 42-jährige Stefan Distel leitet zurzeit die Division Produkt und Customer Experience Management bei TCS. Er bringt zudem umfangreiche Erfahrungen im Bereich bargeldloser Zahlungsmittel und der Digitalisierung bei Post Finance sowie aus dem Banking bei Crédit Suisse und UBS mit. Stefan Distel wird Anfang April 2021 in das Unternehmen eintreten.
André Dubois, langjähriger Leiter des Geschäftsbereichs, zieht sich nach erfolgter Übergabe aus der Bereichsleitung zurück und wird fortan den Vertrieb der Einheit steuern und betreuen. Unter seiner Führung erfolgte eine starke Zunahme des Verkaufsvolumens von Reka-Geld. Zudem übernahm Reka die Funktionen des Issuers, des Acquirers und des Processors der eigenen bargeldlosen Zahlungsmittel.
Reka-Zahlungsmittel sind die beliebteste nicht unternehmenseigene Lohnnebenleistung der Schweiz mit einem Jahresverkaufsvolumen von über einer halben Milliarde Franken. Zurzeit bietet Reka drei für die Nutzer vergünstigte zweckbezogene Zahlungsmittel an: Reka-Check, Reka-Rail und Reka-Lunch. Über eine Million Einwohner der Schweiz nutzen Reka-Geld und nahezu 5’000 Arbeitgeber und Verbände vergünstigen Reka-Geld für ihre Mitarbeitenden und Mitglieder.
 
Featured image credit: Reka.ch
The post Stefan Distel wurde mit Digitalisierung von Reka-Geld beauftragt appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/stefan-distel-wurde-mit-digitalisierung-von-reka-geld-beauftragt</link><guid>1680</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Stefan Distel wurde mit Digitalisierung von Reka-Geld beauftragt</dc:text></item><item><title>Wooden Credit Cards – a Corny Gimmick?</title><description><![CDATA[Sustainable finance is all the rage these days. What better way to market your green credentials directly to the public than through environmentally-sound credit cards? Many sustainable offerings, however, should be viewed under a microscope to test their claims.
Most people have them. An estimated six billion credit cards are made every year worldwide. But instead of carrying plastic in your wallet, why not have wood or…wait for it…corn.
Zurich Cantonal Bank has teamed up with the company Swiss Wood Solutions to produce an array of biodegradable cards made from sustainable timber. This perfectly taps into the growing demand for designer credit cards that get flashed around restaurants as status symbols. So people can appear unique and chic and climate conscious at the same time. Wow!
UBS is also taking on the neo-banks with their fancy credit card designs. This week, the bank announced a new card made from animal feed corn, which is fermented into a polylactic acid (PLA) material that substitutes for plastic. UBS claims these cards are “more than 80% biodegradable”.
PLA sounds like a wonder material, but some quick research throws up a couple of environmental issues. Firstly, a lot of PLA seems to be manufactured from genetically modified crops. And you can’t just throw PLA on a landfill site and hope it breaks down nicely – it’s only biodegradable under the right conditions.
UBS says its PLA cards are not made from GM crops. Rather than cut up expired cards and throw them in the trash, customers will be invited to return them to a bank branch for disposal. Burning PLA, says the bank, emits far fewer toxic fumes than normal plastic.
Even wooden cards don’t tick all the right environmental boxes, according to the Zurich-based MyClimate Foundation. They told Swiss public broadcaster SRF (in German) that the wooden cards have a similar carbon footprint to plastic because of the energy intensive way they are made.
Swiss Wood Solutions suggests this problem could be alleviated by new manufacturing techniques once production ramps up.
Regardless of the pros and cons of PLA or wood, another answer might be to have a card that doesn’t exist in physical form. This is another product that UBS is launching – a virtual debit card linked to several digital payment platforms. No disposal or recycling problems.
This is all reminiscent of the coffee pod recycling debate that has been running for many years. It’s now the turn of banks to fall over themselves to show they have a social conscience and are good for the planet (the jury is still out on some claims).
Visa and Mastercard have already launched initiatives to improve the sustainability of their cards by using different materials. Environmental NGOs give the unappetizing message that the fish you just bought by credit card may have eaten microplastics from the decomposed remains of other cards – an unpalatable form of recycling.
“How green is your credit card” could be a slogan for the new era of sustainable finance.

 
 
The post Wooden Credit Cards – a Corny Gimmick? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/wooden-credit-cards-a-corny-gimmick</link><guid>1679</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/SIGN-UP-4.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Wooden Credit Cards – a Corny Gimmick?</dc:text></item><item><title>Switzerland to Participate in Singapore Fintech Festival 2020 With Digital Exhibitors</title><description><![CDATA[The Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE) and the Swiss Business Hub ASEAN will be participating in this year&#8217;s Singapore FinTech Festival 2020 (SFF) on the 7-11 December with a digital Swiss Pavilion featuring 8 exhibitors.
The virtual participation is part of the overarching goal of S-GE to enable Swiss and Liechtenstein SMEs realise their international business potential in new and existing markets as the country remains the first choice of location in Europe for innovative foreign companies.
Switzerland Finance Minister (Federal Department of Finance) Mr Ueli Maurer will lead the Swiss participation with his keynote speech titled “Fintech, Sustainable Finance and Innovation”. The speech will be followed by an in-depth panel discussion on the strengths of the Swiss financial center with speakers from Credit Suisse Group, UBS and the Swiss Bankers Association.
These sessions will be telecast live from the SIX Convention Point in Zurich on 7 December at 5pm SGT.
Singapore FinTech Festival (SFF), alongside Singapore Week of Innovation &amp; TeCHnology (SWITCH) 2020, will take place in Singapore with more than 40 global satellite events taking place across the world.
Fabrice Filliez
H.E. Mr Fabrice Filliez, Ambassador of Switzerland to Singapore, said:
“The participation of the Swiss Pavilion at the annual Singapore Fintech Festival is an anchor initiative. In 2020, the participating companies will reflect the robustness of the Swiss finance ecosystem, paving the way for collaborations and partnerships in co-innovation and fresh ventures. With Singapore being Switzerland’s most important trading partner in Asia, Swiss fintech companies view the republic as an important gateway to the wider Asian economic region.”
Renee Koh
Renee Koh, Head of Swiss Business Hub ASEAN said:
“With Singapore-Swiss bilateral cooperation remaining strong, there is still much room to expand business and economic linkages amid the changing global business climate. Innovation continues to be strong in both these global centers and the Swiss presence at this fintech festival presents an opportunity for both sides to collaborate and propel innovation to greater heights.”
List of exhibitors at the digital Swiss Pavilion 2020
AlgoTrader
Founded in 2014, AlgoTrader is an end-to-end quantitative and algorithmic trading software solution that supports both digital and traditional assets.
CREALOGIX

CREALOGIX is a publicly listed, global leader in digital banking technology and a Swiss Fintech 100 company. They develop and implement innovative fintech solutions for the digital bank of tomorrow.
Custodigit
Custodigit was founded in 2018 in Zurich as a joint venture between Swisscom and Sygnum. Custodigit provides a single, trusted gateway to the world of digital assets. From anti-money laundering (AML) and custody storage to smart order routing and best execution, Custodigit covers the entire digital asset value chain.
SIX Digital Exchange
SIX Digital Exchange is building the first market infrastructure in the world to offer a fully integrated end-to-end trading, settlement and custody service for digital assets. The service will provide a safe environment for issuing and trading digital assets, and enable the tokenization of existing securities and non-bankable assets.
SIX

SIX operates and develops infrastructure services in the Securities &amp; Exchanges, Banking Services and Financial Information business units with the aim of raising efficiency, quality and innovative capacity across the entire value chain of the Swiss financial center.
Swisscom
Swisscom is Switzerland’s leading telecom company and one of its leading IT company. Swisscom is active in markets EU, US, APAC. Moreover, Swisscom is one of the leading corporate in the Blockchain, Digital Assets and FinTech space as well as Trust Services.
Sygnum

Sygnum is the world’s first digital asset bank, and a digital asset specialist with global reach. Sygnum Bank AG has a Swiss banking license, as well as Sygnum Pte Ltd’s capital markets services (CMS) license in Singapore,
Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE)

Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE) is the official Swiss organization for export and investment promotion with around 200 employees at offices throughout Switzerland and in 31 countries. S-GE supports Swiss SMEs in their international business and helps innovative foreign companies to settle in Switzerland.
 
Featured image credit: Unsplash
The post Switzerland to Participate in Singapore Fintech Festival 2020 With Digital Exhibitors appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/switzerland-to-participate-in-singapore-fintech-festival-2020-with-digital-exhibitors</link><guid>1678</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Switzerland to Participate in Singapore Fintech Festival 2020 With Digital Exhibitors</dc:text></item><item><title>Trotz Corona: Filialen bleiben für Banken wichtig</title><description><![CDATA[Für die Retailbanken bleibt die Filiale trotz Digitalisierung und Covid-19 auch in Zukunft ein zentraler Ort für die Interaktion mit ihren Kundinnen und Kunden. Webchats, Videoberatung, Chatbots und Co. gewinnen aber an Bedeutung. Das zeigt die Studie zum Schweizer Retailbanken-Markt der Hochschule Luzern.
Die Retail-Banking-Studie der Hochschule Luzern erscheint bereits zum neunten Mal und beleuchtet das Kerngeschäft der inländisch-orientierten Banken aus zahlreichen Blickwinkeln. So wird gezeigt, welche Touchpoints für Banken heute und in fünf Jahren wichtig sind. Die Studie gibt zudem einen Einblick in die Marktanteile der einzelnen Bankengruppen in den kantonalen Hypothekarkreditmärkten, zeigt welche Bank aus Kennzahlen-Sicht die beste im Lande ist und wie es um die Corporate Governance der Banken steht.
Wie werden Banken in fünf Jahren mit der Kundschaft interagieren?
Im Hinblick auf die Kommunikation zwischen Kunden und Beraterinnen finden derzeit bedeutende Veränderungen statt. Der zunehmend seltener werdende Filialbesuch muss für die Kundinnen und Kunden einen klaren Mehrwert bieten und weitere Touchpoints, vor allem die digitalen Kommunikationswege, müssen noch stärker erschlossen werden. Auch die Covid-19-Krise im Frühjahr hat das Verhalten von Kundinnen und Kunden sowie die Angebotserbringung von Banken verändert.
Im Rahmen der IFZ Retail Banking-Studie wurden 63 Geschäftsleitungsmitglieder von Schweizer Banken befragt. Sowohl heute als auch in fünf Jahren werden aus Sicht der Bankenvertreterinnen und Bankenvertreter die persönliche Beratung in der Filiale, das Telefongespräch sowie E-Mails die wichtigsten Kommunikationskanäle bleiben. Jedoch gewinnen Webchats, Videoberatung und Chatbots an Bedeutung.
Andreas Dietrich
«Digitale Touchpoints werden wichtiger. Aus Bankensicht führt das aber noch nicht zu einem grundlegenden Paradigmenwechsel»,
sagt Andreas Dietrich, Studienleiter und Professor für Banking and Finance an der Hochschule Luzern.
Aus Sicht des Studienautors müssen Banken einerseits ein verstärktes Augenmerk auf die Verknüpfung der vielen verschiedenen Kanäle legen. Dietrich weist zudem darauf hin, dass neue Banken mit einem komplett digitalen Angebot Bewegung in den Schweizer Bankenmarkt bringen. Diese Dynamik werde auch zu einer beschleunigten Akzeptanz von digitalen Kanälen gerade im «Alltagsbanking» führen. Gleichzeitig ist es aber fraglich, ob alle Banken wirklich nach dem «Giesskannenprinzip» alle neuen Touchpoints bearbeiten sollen oder ob man sich nicht besser auf die im Zusammenhang mit der Gesamtstrategie der Bank und der Markteinschätzung passendsten Touchpoints fokussieren sollte.
Starke Position der Kantonalbanken in den Hypothekarmärkten
Das Volumen des Schweizerischen Hypothekarmarkts beträgt gemäss Berechnungen der Studienautoren etwa 1&#8217;100 Milliarden Franken. 94.5 Prozent davon wurden von Banken vergeben. Jedoch tätigen auch Privatversicherungen und zunehmend auch wieder die Pensionskassen Hypothekarfinanzierungen. Deren Marktanteile betrugen Ende 2019 3.8 bzw. 1.7 Prozent.
Innerhalb der Bankengruppen verfügen die Kantonalbanken sowie die Grossbanken über die grössten Hypothekenportfolios. Der Marktanteil der Grossbanken (ohne NAB) ist aber seit 2003 um fast acht Prozentpunkte auf 26 Prozent gesunken. Im Gegenzug konnten insbesondere die Raiffeisenbanken ihren Marktanteil deutlich und die Kantonalbanken leicht steigern. Mit Blick auf die Kantone zeigt sich eine sehr starke Präsenz der Kantonalbanken in eher ländlichen Kantonen. In sieben Kantonen sind die Kantonalbanken mit Marktanteilen von mehr als 50 Prozent dominant. Die Grossbanken sind hingegen eher in urbanen Gebieten überproportional stark vertreten. Regionalbanken und Sparkassen haben hohe Marktanteile in den Kantonen Aargau, Bern, Solothurn und Schaffhausen.
Ergänzend zur Analyse der Hypothekarmärkte geht die Studie in einem Exkurs auch auf die Refinanzierungssituation der Banken ein mit Fokus auf die Rolle der Pfandbriefdarlehen, welche in den letzten Jahren stark an Bedeutung gewonnen haben.
Kennzahlen-Ranking: Kleinbanken erneut mit starken Abschlüssen
Die Retail Banking-Studie analysierte in ihrem Benchmarking-Teil die Kennzahlen von 91 Instituten in den Bereichen Risiko und Rentabilität sowie Struktur für die Jahre 2015 bis 2019. In den ersten fünf Rängen der Gesamtpositionierung platzieren sich vier Kleinstbanken mit Bilanzsummen von weniger als 500 Millionen Franken. Lediglich die Schwyzer Kantonalbank schafft es als mittelgrosses Institut unter die ersten fünf Banken. Auffällig sind weiterhin die teilweise sehr hohen Zinsmargen von kleinen Banken (siehe Rangliste in Anhang).
Der Einfluss von Covid-19 auf die Banken
Covid-19 ist das dominierende Thema im wirtschaftlichen Umfeld. Auch die Banken sind davon betroffen. Mit Blick auf die Erfolgsrechnungen und Bilanzen der Retailbanken waren per 30. Juni 2020 zwei Effekte zu beobachten: Als indirekter Effekt verzeichneten viele Banken aufgrund der Unsicherheit an den Finanzmärkten eine höhere Anzahl an Transaktionen und dadurch einen gegenüber dem Vorjahr höheren Erfolg aus dem Kommissions- und Dienstleistungsgeschäft.
Direkte Effekte der Covid-19-Kredite sind einerseits die Ausweitung der Bilanzen infolge der zusätzlichen Kreditvolumina und andererseits (potenzielle) Kreditausfälle. Während sich die Bilanzen der Banken im ersten Halbjahr auch durch die Covid-19-Kredite weiter vergrössert haben, ist es für eine Einschätzung der Covid-19-bedingten Kreditausfälle per Ende Juni 2020 noch zu früh. Einige Banken haben in Zusammenhang mit der wirtschaftlichen Unsicherheit aber vorsorglich Rückstellungen gebildet, Einzelwertberichtigungen gemacht oder die Reserven für allgemeine Bankrisiken erhöht. Die Krise war bisher in den Bankenbüchern aber noch nicht «spürbar». Für das Covid-19-Kreditprogramm des Bundes wickelten 124 Banken insgesamt etwa 136&#8217;000 Kredite mit einem Volumen von 16.9 Milliarden Franken ab.
Frauenanteil: Steigend in Verwaltungsräten und Geschäftsleitungen
Im letzten Teil der Studie wurde die Corporate Governance von 74 Banken analysiert. Wie sich unter anderem zeigt, steigt der Frauenanteil in den Verwaltungsräten weiter an. Auch in den Geschäftsleitungen ist ein Anstieg – allerdings auf tiefem Niveau – zu verzeichnen (25 Prozent, bzw. 9 Prozent). Die Zahl der Frauen in den Verwaltungsräten stieg innerhalb eines Jahres von 112 auf 130. Unter den neu gewählten VR-Mitgliedern des letzten Jahres machen Frauen rund 44 Prozent aus. Bei den Geschäftsleitungen nahm die Zahl der Frauen von 23 auf 28 zu.
 
Featured image credit: Unsplash
The post Trotz Corona: Filialen bleiben für Banken wichtig appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/trotz-corona-filialen-bleiben-fur-banken-wichtig</link><guid>1677</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/banking-studie-1024x986.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Trotz Corona: Filialen bleiben für Banken wichtig</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Helvetia Venture Fund Adds Spanish Insurtech to Its Investment Portfolio</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss venture firm Helvetia Venture Fund has invested in Spanish insurtech startup company Freshurance. With the additional capital, Freshurance will participate in Sandbox Spain, as well as expand its marketing and develop the product technologically.
The insurtech has launched a peer-to-peer mobile phone insurance for the Spanish market under the name Cobertoo. Cobertoo&#8217;s target groups are millennials and Generation Z with a smartphone.
It is a peer-to-peer (P2P) insurance model from a behavioral economics point of view, as the clients have incentives to avoid unnecessary damages to their devices. The entire insurance process, including claims settlement, shall be handled digitally.
Under the peer-to-peer approach, policyholders pay a monthly membership fee of EUR 1 and monthly premiums for the insured mobile phone, dependent on the model. Freshurance receives the membership fee and 25 percent of the premium.
The remaining 75 percent of the premiums are pooled. Claims are paid from this pot. 75 percent of everything that remains in the pot is returned to the policyholder in the form of a cash back. The other 25 percent is donated to NGOs for charitable purposes.
With its investment in Freshurance, Helvetia is gaining insights into the Spanish insurtech market and further knowledge of peer-to-peer business models.
Markus Gemperle
&#8220;Helvetia has already gained a lot of experience in the insurance of items such as mobile phones. With Freshurance&#8217;s peer-to-peer insurance, we are gaining further insights into an exciting market for Helvetia&#8221;,
explains Markus Gemperle, CEO Europe of Helvetia.
 
 
Featured image credit: Courbevoie (Helvetia France)
The post Swiss Helvetia Venture Fund Adds Spanish Insurtech to Its Investment Portfolio appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-helvetia-venture-fund-adds-spanish-insurtech-to-its-investment-portfolio</link><guid>1676</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Helvetia Venture Fund Adds Spanish Insurtech to Its Investment Portfolio</dc:text></item><item><title>Vertrauen in digitale Anlageangebote wächst in der Schweiz</title><description><![CDATA[Die Zahl der Fintech-Unternehmen in der Schweiz hat sich in den vergangenen fünf Jahren nahezu verdoppelt. Alleine rund 150 Fintechs bieten Dienstleistungen im Bereich Investment Management an. Allerdings vertrauen potenzielle Schweizer Nutzer digitaler Anlagemöglichkeiten dabei eher den Lösungen etablierter Finanzdienstleister als denen von Fintechs.
Potenzial zeigt sich besonders stark im hybriden Modell: ein digitales Tool mit etabliertem Bankanbieter im Hintergrund – die Mehrheit der Anleger wird den persönlichen Berater also nicht aufgeben wollen. Zu diesen Ergebnissen kommt die Studie des Instituts für Finanzdienstleistungen Zug IFZ der Hochschule Luzern. Im Auftrag von Raiffeisen und Vontobel wurden über 1‘200 Schweizerinnen und Schweizer zwischen 18 und 79 Jahren in allen Landesteilen befragt. Das ermittelte Durchschnittsalter der Nutzer von digitalen Anlageangeboten liegt bei 50 Jahren, wobei sich die über 65-jährigen Schweizer am besten beim digitalen Investieren auskennen. Die Studie ergab zudem, dass Frauen weniger über die Angebote informiert sind als Männer.
Die Thematik gewinnt im Tiefzinsumfeld und mit dem steigenden Vorsorgebedarf an Bedeutung. Zwar bezeichneten sich viele der Befragten als generell wenig finanzaffin in der Frage der Vermögensverwaltung. Doch schon jetzt investiert ein Viertel der Schweizer Anleger ihr Geld digital, oder kann sich solche Anlagen in Zukunft vorstellen. Dabei sind mehr als der Hälfte aller Investoren konkrete digitale Anlageprodukte noch nicht bekannt. Hier zeigt sich nach Ansicht der Hochschule Luzern ein beträchtliches Potenzial für die kommenden Jahre. Digitale Anlageprodukte können sich in den nächsten Jahren als Standardangebote vieler Banken etablieren.
Gemäss der neuen «Studie Digitales Anlegen in der Schweiz – ein Markt mit Potenzial» des Instituts für Finanzdienstleistungen Zug IFZ der Hochschule Luzern, liegt das grösste Potenzial digitaler Anlagemöglichkeiten bei Schweizern, die ihren Anlageentscheid eigenständig treffen, den sogenannten «Soloisten», sowie bei der Gruppe der sogenannten «Validatoren», die für die Entscheidungsfindung grundsätzlich den Partner oder Vermögensberater hinzuziehen.
Die Validatoren bilden mit 56 Prozent die grösste Investorengruppe in der Schweiz. 7 Prozent von ihnen legen heute bereits ihr Vermögen digital an. 12 Prozent sehen sich als potenzielle Nutzer. Validatoren sind am häufigsten in der Deutschschweiz und im Tessin anzutreffen. Sie stammen häufig aus der Babyboomer-Generation und sind vor allem Frauen. Unter den Soloisten finden sich häufig Männer aus der Deutschschweiz, die der Generation Z oder der Generation X angehören. Sie bilden die zweitgrösste Investorengruppe mit 34 Prozent der Befragten. Jeder Zehnte unter ihnen nutzt bereits digitale Vermögensverwaltungslösungen und jeder Vierte kann sich vorstellen, Geld in Zukunft digital anzulegen. Die kleinste Investorengruppe stellen mit 10 Prozent der Befragten die «Delegatoren». Sie delegieren ihren Anlageentscheid in der Regel komplett an ihren Berater. Unter ihnen investieren heute bereits 6 Prozent digital; 11 Prozent könnten es sich nach eigenen Aussagen für die Zukunft vorstellen. Unter den Delegatoren überdurchschnittlich vertreten sind Frauen, die Generation Y (Jahrgänge zwischen den frühen 1980er und späten 1990er) und Westschweizer.
Transparenz und Benutzerfreundlichkeit an erster Stelle

Dass Digitalisierung keine Frage des Alters ist, zeigt die Tatsache, dass sich über 65-Jährige sowie Deutschschweizer, Männer und ebenso Personen mit einem Vermögen ab 100‘000 Schweizer Franken am besten über digitale Anlagemöglichkeiten informiert fühlen. Die Schweizer erwarten von einer digitalen Vermögensverwaltung vor allem Transparenz (54 Prozent). Validatoren wollen Transparenz (57 Prozent), Benutzerfreundlichkeit (39 Prozent) und Einfachheit (48 Prozent). Die Studie zeigt auch, dass Kunden bereit sind, für ein gutes Angebot einen angemessenen Preis zu zahlen. Kosten spielen vor allem für Validatoren und Delegatoren gegenüber Transparenz und Benutzerfreundlichkeit eine eher untergeordnete Rolle. Diese Kundengruppen legen auch gegenüber den Soloisten überproportional viel Wert auf eine breite digitale Angebotspalette und die Möglichkeit zur Individualisierung des Portfolios. Soloisten, denen diese Möglichkeiten weniger wichtig sind, achten dafür am stärksten auf den Preis (63 Prozent).
Wachstumspotenzial für hybride Modelle
Der Wunsch nach individuellen Möglichkeiten spiegelt sich in den zunehmenden Angeboten an Anlagelösungen, die sowohl hohe Personalisierung wie auch hohe Sophistizierung bieten. Kunden legen unter anderem immer mehr Wert auf gute Prozesse zur Bestimmung des Risikoprofils und eine grössere Auswahl der Anlageklassen. Da die etablierten Anbieter genau diese Ansprüche abdecken, sollten ihre digitalen Hybridlösungen vom Trend profitieren können.
Vermögensaufbau, -erhalt und Altersvorsorge als wichtigste Ziele

Über alle Regionen, Geschlechter und Alters- sowie Vermögensgruppen hinweg werden die gleichen Anlageziele verfolgt. Vermehrung des Vermögens (52 Prozent), Sparen fürs Alter (46 Prozent) sowie der Erhalt des Vermögens (36 Prozent) stehen bei Frau und Herr Schweizer ganz oben auf der Agenda. Die Geldanlage ist für sie eine ernste Angelegenheit, denn nur rund 10 Prozent geben Spass und Spekulieren als Erwartungshaltung an.
Rund zwei Drittel der Befragten legt mindestens für fünf Jahre an. Überdurchschnittlich lange Anlagehorizonte zeigen Deutschschweizer, die Gruppe der Delegatoren sowie die Generation X. Soloisten sowie die Generation Z (Jahrgänge 1997 und jünger) verfolgen dagegen deutlich weniger langfristige Ziele.
Ungeachtet dessen können sich vor allem Soloisten vorstellen, dass sie für den Aufbau ihrer 3a-Altersvorsorge in den kommenden 12 Monaten auch digitale Angebote nutzen. Insgesamt spielen 22 Prozent mit dem Gedanken, bereits in den nächsten 12 Monaten in der Säule 3a auch digital anzulegen. Vor allem Männer, überdurchschnittlich gutverdienende Anleger und jüngere Personen sind an digitalen Lösungen auch für ihre Altersvorsorge interessiert.
Die Studie bestätigt, dass Frau und Herr Schweizer trotz der Zeiten der Negativzinsen ihre Altersvorsorge in Sparanlagen sehen. Die Möglichkeiten des Kapitalmarkts nutzen vor allem Soloisten sowie Validatoren und die Generation X. Jeder vierte Besitzer eines Säule 3a Kontos weiss nicht, ob oder welchen Anteil er davon in Wertschriften investiert hat.
Wenngleich die Studie aufzeigt, dass digitale Vermögensverwaltungen Potenzial haben, so zeigt sie auch, dass digitale Anlagelösungen – auch im Vergleich zum Ausland – noch wenig bekannt sind. Nur 13 Prozent aller Befragten (und 18 Prozent der Investoren) geben an, leichte bis gute Kenntnisse zu diesen Produkten zu haben.
Steigende Nachfrage erwartet
Nach Ansicht des Instituts für Finanzdienstleistungen Zug IFZ der Hochschule Luzern, wird die Nachfrage nach digitalen Vermögensverwaltungslösungen in den kommenden Jahren an Tempo gewinnen. Treiber werden die zunehmende Angebotsvielfalt und der Einstieg grosser Marktteilnehmer sein, die über eine grosse Kundenbasis verfügen.
 
The post Vertrauen in digitale Anlageangebote wächst in der Schweiz appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/vertrauen-in-digitale-anlageangebote-wachst-in-der-schweiz</link><guid>1675</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/infografik_kennntisstand_de_2-1-1024x1024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Vertrauen in digitale Anlageangebote wächst in der Schweiz</dc:text></item><item><title>A Look at Switzerland’s Blockchain DLT Fintech Industry</title><description><![CDATA[A recent analysis by ccecosystems.news has identified 167 blockchain and distributed ledger technology (DLT) startups focusing on financial services in Switzerland. Out of the 167 companies, only 117 had a valid Internet presence, implying that about 30% of these ventures might have already been disbanded, according to an article summing up the findings.
Visual classification of Swiss blockchain:DLT fintechs, Fintech Landscape in Switzerland: Blockchain, Nov 2020, by Klara Krämer
The analysis found that most blockchain/DLT fintechs in Switzerland currently offer several products and services, with that number typically ranging anywhere between two and five bundled services.
The majority of them provide products and services in the cryptocurrency space, which comprises services for the trading and sale of cryptocurrencies as well as crypto wallet services (59%), followed by investment and asset management, which includes the offering, management and custody of digital assets (57%); and token issuance, which refers to startups using blockchain to digitally display and distribute assets (46%).
Services offered by Swiss FinTechs based on blockchain and DLT, Fintech Landscape in Switzerland: Blockchain, Nov 2020, by Klara Krämer
Across all categories, 35% of Swiss blockchain fintechs only operate under a business-to-customer (B2C) model, while 31% are pure business-to-business (B2B) players, and 34% offer services for both companies and end customers.
In the B2C segment, the analysis found that cryptocurrency services are mainly offered to investors, which shows a gap in terms of potential customer groups, especially for younger and lower-income populations.
Overall, the Swiss blockchain fintech space was found to be highly concentrated around a few areas and models, implying that there are still plenty of opportunities to tap into.
Switzerland’s blockchain sector
Switzerland is rapidly emerging as a leading blockchain and crypto hub, being home to more than 900 blockchain-related companies located the so-called Crypto Valley, according to CV VC Blockchain report.
As of January 2020, Crypto Valley counted five unicorns valued at more than US$1B: Ethereum (US$14.4B), Dfinity (US$2B), Polkadot (US$1.2B), Bitmain (US$1B) and Libra (US$1B). Four out of the five are headquartered in Switzerland, while Bitmain is originally from China and headquartered in Beijing.
Switzerland hosts a number of renowned research institutes focusing on blockchain including the Center of Digital Trust in Lausanne, the Crypto Valley Academy in Zug, and the Blockchain Center at the University of Zurich. And each year, some of the biggest blockchain events are held in the country such as the Crypto Finance Conference, the CV Summit, and the Geneva Blockchain Congress.
In September, the second chamber of the parliament adopted an amending act to further improve Switzerland’s framework conditions for DLT/blockchain companies, further strengthening its position as a leading location for blockchain innovation, according to a Swissinfo.ch report.
The so-called Blockchain Act will update the banking, corporate and financial infrastructure laws to accommodate blockchain companies, and could potentially open the doors to decentralized finance as well as the creation of digital company shares.
In 2019, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) became the first financial regulator to authorize crypto-focused lenders, granting banking licenses to SEBA Bank and Sygnum.
Both provide digital asset services including accounts and custody, trading and investment, serving institutional and private qualified investors, corporates, banks and other financial institutions.
The post A Look at Switzerland’s Blockchain DLT Fintech Industry appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/a-look-at-switzerlands-blockchain-dlt-fintech-industry</link><guid>1674</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Visual-classification-of-Swiss-blockchainDLT-fintechs-Fintech-Landscape-in-Switzerland-Blockchain-Nov-2020-by-Klara-Krämer.png</dc:content ><dc:text>A Look at Switzerland’s Blockchain DLT Fintech Industry</dc:text></item><item><title>Bitcoin Banking Services Edging Closer to Reality in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[“We are operationally ready to offer institutional clients bank accounts and payment services in cryptocurrencies, just like Swiss franc accounts.” Gazprombank Switzerland is one of a number of banks hoping that the Swiss regulator will give the green light next year.
Gazprombank’s Swiss unit was recently given regulatory approval to store and trade cryptocurrencies on behalf of clients. They join a growing list of such banks in Switzerland. But buying stocks and bonds (or anything else) with bitcoin remains a taboo subject in the traditional banking sector – for now.
Edouard Hurstel
Edouard Hurstel, Head of Crypto &amp; Blockchain Services at Gazprombank Switzerland (quoted above), thinks regulatory approval is only months away. The key breakthrough has been finding a way to make bitcoin banking payments compliant with anti-money laundering rules.
Banks don’t just transfer money for their clients – they also pass on information on their identity and the source of funds. This is to comply with a global anti-money laundering regulation known as the “Travel Rule” and it is performed via the SWIFT interbank messaging system. The trouble is that cryptocurrencies are created, stored, transacted and audited differently from dollars and francs. The answer is to build an alternative to SWIFT.
Several systems are now available around the world, including the Swiss decentralised and open source protocol known as OpenVASP. (Regulators have dubbed entities that store, trade or manage cryptocurrencies for clients as “Virtual Asset Service Providers” or VASPs.)
OpenVASP has been tested and declared functional using a system built by Swiss software developers 21 Analytics. In August, the financial services firms Mt Pelerin and Crypto Finance claimed to have conducted the first Travel Rule compliant bitcoin transaction. This was followed by another successful test transaction between Gazprombank Switzerland and Bitcoin Suisse.
Dukascopy Bank has become a member of a different Travel Rule solution, Sygna Bridge, developed by Taiwanese company CoolBitX. The bank, which has issued its own Dukascoin digital payment token, said it is open to further collaborations, but for now, Sygna Bridge offers a solid answer to the Travel Rule plus exposure to the “strategically important” Asian market.
Andre Duka
“The technology is so new that it remains unclear which designs and protocols will become more popular in the future,”
Dukascopy CEO Andre Duka told me.
“Digital assets are still a very new type of instrument. They will need years or even decades to prove their role and claim their place in the industry. From the banking industry&#8217;s perspective, everything is in the hands of regulators.”
True to form, the Swiss financial regulator FINMA appears to be applying rules more stringently. Clients must now be identified for cryptocurrency transactions above CHF1,000 &#8211; rather than the previous CHF5,000 limit &#8211; because of the “heightened money-laundering risks in this area”.
This makes a mockery of FINMA’s proclamation of being “technology neutral”,
says Roger Darin, spokesman for the Bitcoin Association Switzerland.
“Once bitcoin is recognised as a store of value, it’s hardly surprising that it attracts institutional investors,” he said. “This will inevitably attract the attention of regulators. But regulation has to be fair and proportional.”
Proportional or not, regulators and lawmakers in Switzerland are not blind to the potential enhancements digital assets could bring to the financial centre. And Edouard Hurstel thinks that the Swiss “laboratory” can drive forward the integration of blockchain and traditional finance.
“Switzerland is currently probably the only country in the world that can integrate cryptocurrency payments in a fully regulated, trustworthy way,”
he says. The ball is in FINMA’s court.

The post Bitcoin Banking Services Edging Closer to Reality in Switzerland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bitcoin-banking-services-edging-closer-to-reality-in-switzerland</link><guid>1672</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/SIGN-UP-4.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Bitcoin Banking Services Edging Closer to Reality in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Innosuisse lanciert des Impulsprogrammes «Innovationskraft Schweiz»</title><description><![CDATA[Der Bundesrat hat am 11. November 2020 die Lancierung des Impulsprogramms «Innovationskraft Schweiz» durch die Innovationsförderagentur «Innosuisse» beschlossen. Mit erleichterten finanziellen Bedingungen bei der Projektförderung sollen Unternehmen ihre Innovationskraft während der Pandemie aufrechterhalten und die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit soll nachhaltig gesichert werden. Die Mehrkosten werden durch die vom Parlament beschlossene Aufstockung des Zahlungsrahmens von Innosuisse 2021 – 2024 aufgefangen.
Mit dem Impulsprogramm «Innovationskraft Schweiz» sollen KMU sowie Unternehmen mit maximal 500 Mitarbeitenden in den Jahren 2021 und 2022 unterstützt werden. Konkret wird die Förderung von Innovationsprojekten in diesen beiden Jahren durch folgende Massnahmen ergänzt:

Die Eigenleistung der Unternehmen kann auf 30% (statt 50%) der Projektkosten begrenzt und der Cash-Beitrag im Einzelfall erlassen werden.
Wenn im Projekt zusätzliche externe Beratungsleistungen für risikoreichere radikale Innovationsvorhaben nötig sind, kann die Eigenleistung auf 20% der Projektkosten begrenzt werden.

Innosuisse rechnet damit, dass in diesem Rahmen in den beiden Jahren 2021 &#8211; 2022 475 Projekte unterstützt werden können. Daneben sollen weiterhin 300 bis 350 Innovationsprojekte nach den üblichen Kriterien finanziert werden. Insgesamt kann davon ausgegangen werden, dass mehr als die Hälfte aller 2021 und 2022 von Innosuisse geförderten Projekte in den Genuss erleichterter Förderbedingungen kommen können.
Im Vergleich zur «Normalförderung» entstehen der Innosuisse für diese Projekte voraussichtlich Zusatzkosten von rund 63 Mio. Das Gesamtfördervolumen für diese Projekte beträgt 226 Mio. CHF. Das Impulsprogramm wird mit der vom Parlament im Hinblick auf das Innovationspotenzial von KMU beschlossenen Aufstockung des Zahlungsrahmens Innosuisse 2021-2024 finanziert. Darüber hinaus sind keine Zusatzmittel erforderlich.
 
Featured image credit: Unsplash
The post Innosuisse lanciert des Impulsprogrammes «Innovationskraft Schweiz» appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/innosuisse-lanciert-des-impulsprogrammes-innovationskraft-schweiz</link><guid>1670</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Innosuisse lanciert des Impulsprogrammes «Innovationskraft Schweiz»</dc:text></item><item><title>Innosuisse lanciert das Impulsprogramm «Innovationskraft Schweiz»</title><description><![CDATA[Der Bundesrat hat am 11. November 2020 die Lancierung des Impulsprogramms «Innovationskraft Schweiz» durch die Innovationsförderagentur «Innosuisse» beschlossen. Mit erleichterten finanziellen Bedingungen bei der Projektförderung sollen Unternehmen ihre Innovationskraft während der Pandemie aufrechterhalten und die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit soll nachhaltig gesichert werden. Die Mehrkosten werden durch die vom Parlament beschlossene Aufstockung des Zahlungsrahmens von Innosuisse 2021 – 2024 aufgefangen.
Mit dem Impulsprogramm «Innovationskraft Schweiz» sollen KMU sowie Unternehmen mit maximal 500 Mitarbeitenden in den Jahren 2021 und 2022 unterstützt werden. Konkret wird die Förderung von Innovationsprojekten in diesen beiden Jahren durch folgende Massnahmen ergänzt:

Die Eigenleistung der Unternehmen kann auf 30% (statt 50%) der Projektkosten begrenzt und der Cash-Beitrag im Einzelfall erlassen werden.
Wenn im Projekt zusätzliche externe Beratungsleistungen für risikoreichere radikale Innovationsvorhaben nötig sind, kann die Eigenleistung auf 20% der Projektkosten begrenzt werden.

Innosuisse rechnet damit, dass in diesem Rahmen in den beiden Jahren 2021 &#8211; 2022 475 Projekte unterstützt werden können. Daneben sollen weiterhin 300 bis 350 Innovationsprojekte nach den üblichen Kriterien finanziert werden. Insgesamt kann davon ausgegangen werden, dass mehr als die Hälfte aller 2021 und 2022 von Innosuisse geförderten Projekte in den Genuss erleichterter Förderbedingungen kommen können.
Im Vergleich zur «Normalförderung» entstehen der Innosuisse für diese Projekte voraussichtlich Zusatzkosten von rund 63 Mio. Das Gesamtfördervolumen für diese Projekte beträgt 226 Mio. CHF. Das Impulsprogramm wird mit der vom Parlament im Hinblick auf das Innovationspotenzial von KMU beschlossenen Aufstockung des Zahlungsrahmens Innosuisse 2021-2024 finanziert. Darüber hinaus sind keine Zusatzmittel erforderlich.
 
Featured image credit: Unsplash
The post Innosuisse lanciert das Impulsprogramm «Innovationskraft Schweiz» appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/innosuisse-lanciert-das-impulsprogramm-innovationskraft-schweiz</link><guid>1673</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Innosuisse lanciert das Impulsprogramm «Innovationskraft Schweiz»</dc:text></item><item><title>Helvetia bietet neu eine “Blockchain” Wertsachenversicherungen an</title><description><![CDATA[Das Startup Adresta macht via App alle wichtigen Stationen einer Uhr für Hersteller, Händler und Käufer auf einer Blockchain zugänglich. Neu bietet Helvetia Wertsachenversicherungen für Uhren direkt in der App an und deckt so Bedürfnisse dort ab, wo sie entstehen.
Helvetia Versicherungen bietet ihre Wertsachenversicherung neu direkt via Adresta an. Dank der Zusammenarbeit kann Helvetia Erfahrungen mit einem neuartigen Vertriebskanal sammeln. Zudem bietet sich die Chance, gemeinsam mit Adresta die Kundenreaktionen zu analysieren und so neue Versicherungslösungen für Wertsachen zu entwickeln. Adresta digitalisiert den Lebenszyklus von Luxusuhren. Dabei werden alle wichtigen Stationen einer Uhr digital für Hersteller, Händler und Käufer zur Verfügung gestellt. Jede Uhr, deren Hersteller Partner von Adresta ist, kann zweifelsfrei identifiziert und als Original verifiziert werden. Gleichzeitig werden Fälschungen und Diebesgüter auf dem Uhrenmarkt erkannt und von diesem ausgeschlossen. Hierfür erstellt das Start-up digitale Zertifikate, die durch die Blockchain-Technologie abgesichert sind. Besonders bei Secondhandkäufen sorgt Adresta damit für Sicherheit und Transparenz.
Versicherungsbedürfnisse an der Quelle abdecken
Adresta ist aus dem Helvetia Kickbox-Programm entstanden und steht seit Frühling 2020 auf eigenen Beinen. Mit den neu integrierten Wertsachenversicherungen, die Kunden direkt in der Adresta-App abschliessen können, deckt Helvetia Bedürfnisse dort ab, wo sie entstehen.
Martin Tschopp
«Mit Adresta erreichen wir Uhrenliebhaber, denen die Authentizität und Sicherheit ihrer Schmuckstücke am Herzen liegen»,
erklärt Martin Tschopp, Mitglied der Geschäftsleitung und Chief Customer Officer von Helvetia Schweiz.
Seit der Ausgründung hat sich Adresta sehr positiv entwickelt. Mehrere Uhrenmarken und Uhrenfachhändler zählen bereits zu dessen Kunden. Die Gründer Mathew Chittazhathu, Nicolas Borgeaud und Leonie Flückiger haben aber noch weitere Pläne.
Mathew Chittazhathu
«Mit Helvetia gewinnen wir den ersten Partner ausserhalb der Uhrenbranche. Ziel ist es, Uhrenliebhabern eine breite Palette an Dienstleistungen in unserer App anzubieten. Rund um unser digitales Zertifikat soll ein Ökosystem entstehen, das den Uhrenbesitzern neue und vereinfachte Möglichkeiten für die Interaktion mit Partnern bietet»,
sagt Mathew Chittazhathu, CEO und Mitgründer von Adresta.
The post Helvetia bietet neu eine &#8220;Blockchain&#8221; Wertsachenversicherungen an appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/helvetia-bietet-neu-eine-blockchain-wertsachenversicherungen-an</link><guid>1671</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Helvetia bietet neu eine “Blockchain” Wertsachenversicherungen an</dc:text></item><item><title>Digital Asset Expert Daniel Diemers Secures Another Board Seat</title><description><![CDATA[flovtec, a Switzerland-based company that provides liquidity solutions to digital assets exchanges and token issuers, announced that in June 2020 the shareholders have elected Dr. Daniel Diemers to the Board of Directors.
This recent appointment is in addition to the board sets that he holds at Incore Bank as well as FiCAS, a Switzerland based crypto investment management boutique.
Fintech News Switzerland had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Daniel as a part of our Fintech Influencer Switzerland interview series in June this year.
The former Managing Director of Strategy&amp; Switzerland and Head of Blockchain for PwC EMEA has made a career of bringing together the innovative world of blockchain technology and the more traditional business landscape. His appointment complements the Board’s strong industry experience and supports flovtec’s strategy for growth and sustainable value creation.
Daniel Diemers
“I strongly believe in the importance of liquidity for the digital asset ecosystem and continue to be impressed with flovtec’s achievements and the quality of the team. I very much look forward to contributing to flovtec’s success and appreciate the confidence put in me by the shareholders and the board”,
adds Dr. Daniel Diemers.
flovtec has built a technological infrastructure and fully automated market making algorithms that allow it to enable liquidity across dozens of digital asset exchanges and for any token. The clients, exchanges and token issuers, provide the capital and flovtec then leverages its technology to ensure a liquid market for the tokens.
Earlier this year, flovtec has successfully closed a seed financing round where the company has now raised a total of CHF 4.5 million. The funds raised will help flovtec reach the technological scalability necessary to onboard clients, exchanges and token issuers at a higher pace.
flovtec has also partnered up with Archax, a FCA-regulated digital asset exchange for digital securites, as a technology partner to offer liquidity solutions to issuers of security tokens.
Additionally, flovtec announced the launch of its first investment product “met@one nematic”, an Actively Managed Certificate that provides professional and institutional investors exposure to digital assets through flovtec’s trading strategies.
The post Digital Asset Expert Daniel Diemers Secures Another Board Seat appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digital-asset-expert-daniel-diemers-secures-another-board-seat</link><guid>1669</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Digital Asset Expert Daniel Diemers Secures Another Board Seat</dc:text></item><item><title>SalesPlaybook Launches Europe’s First Sales Accelerator for B2B Entrepreneurs</title><description><![CDATA[Entrepreneurs have the potential to change our world for the better solving real-world problems by launching, growing, and scaling new business models, technologies, products, and services. Unfortunately, the state of Europe’s B2B sales is far from great and getting access to top sales professionals and talent is traditionally one of the hardest things to get right as a company.
With the 2nd wave of COVID-19, selling successfully is becoming even harder, yet critical to survival for many B2B entrepreneurs. Companies need to learn quickly and leverage insights, tools, and new processes. They also must lower customer acquisition costs and increase the scalability of their sales setup by becoming more data driven.
In response to these growing needs, SalesPlaybook has just launched a new sales coaching platform to give entrepreneurs access to some of Europe’s best B2B entrepreneurial sales professionals and talent at an affordable, fixed monthly price. With this offering, they are helping B2B clients efficiently generate qualified leads, attract great salespeople, and bring sales employees to full productivity within three months.
The success achieved so far speaks for itself: SalesPlayBook helped 100+ B2B clients hit product-market-fit faster and accelerate their sales without hiring expensive salespeople or trainers. Its own revenue has increased 300% over the past year.
Connecting Sales Masterminds with Sales Talent and potential Buyers on one central platform
Manuel Hartmann
Manuel Hartmann, CEO and Founder SalesPlaybook says:
“We went from 100% physical sales workshops to 100% virtual sales enablement and remote selling in early 2019 by building a proprietary self-learning platform and conducting ongoing remote coaching. Now, we bring entrepreneurial sales enablement for European B2B Entrepreneurs to the next level by orchestrating sales masterminds with sales talent and potential buyers all on one central platform.
 
Fight the economic consequences of COVID-19 by making a sales starter package available to support entrepreneurs
Waiting “until COVID-19 is over” before investing into sales acceleration will not work for most businesses. SalesPlaybook is committed to helping entrepreneurs where they can by offering their “Sales Starter Package” with high-value content at no cost for the foreseeable future.
Get access to SalesPlaybook’s Sales Starter Package (at CHF 250 value) for free by going to https://thesalesplaybook.io/start and using “HACKTHECRISISTOGETHER” as the Coupon Code.
Client Drazen Ivanis, Founder &amp; CEO of wowflow says:
“The best cold email campaign we had was about 90% read emails, 60% reply rate and a 30% booking rate. After three months of working with SalesPlaybook, we doubled our monthly recurring revenue. The largest deal we have now closed has an overall contract value over 3 years of EUR 150’000 &#8211; around 15x higher than our previous deals. This has attracted great investors as they see the hockey stick trajectory. We are now hiring our first Sales Manager and are looking forward to further collaborations with SalesPlaybook.”
Watch the full video with Drazen &amp; other clients here:
﻿
The post SalesPlaybook Launches Europe’s First Sales Accelerator for B2B Entrepreneurs appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/salesplaybook-launches-europes-first-sales-accelerator-for-b2b-entrepreneurs</link><guid>1668</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>SalesPlaybook Launches Europe’s First Sales Accelerator for B2B Entrepreneurs</dc:text></item><item><title>COVID-19 Fuels Digital Nomad Visas Boom</title><description><![CDATA[Before COVID-19, flexible work arrangements had been a trend in the ever-changing world of work, but the public health crisis has accelerated the mass-adoption of remote working to ensure business continuity in these turbulent times.
In Switzerland, the number of people working from home has doubled during the COVID-19, according to a Deloitte study. Before COVID-19, around 25% of respondents were working from home at least one a week, the survey shows. After the crisis, however, 34% believe that they will be working from home at least once a week.
In respond to the rapidly changing working environment, some countries have shifted away from traditional tourism models that rely on short-term visitors to targeting remote workers and digital nomads willing to stay for longer periods.
Several countries including Germany, Portugal, Spain, the Czech Republic, Costa Rica and Mexico have already been providing special residency schemes and visa programs of relevance to freelancers and remote workers for a few year now. But this year, at least nine jurisdictions have introduced digital nomad visas to attract overseas professionals and more countries are slated to join in the near future.
Dubai (UAE): Virtual Working Program (Oct 2020)
Dubai announced in October 2020 a new one-year residency program targeted at overseas remote workers, digital nomads and their families.
The so-called “virtual working” program gives these professionals the possibility relocate to the emirate and continue to work for their current overseas employer, while securing key documents required to rent housing, access banking services, and settle down.
Estonia: Digital Nomad Visa (Aug 2020)
credit: e-residency
Estonia officially launched its Digital Nomad Visa in August 2020, which allows remote workers to live in Estonia for up to one-year and legally work for their employer or their own company registered abroad.
Estonia is one of the world’s most digitally developed countries. It already has a very unique e-Residency program which allows people to create and run a business online from anywhere in the world.
Bermuda: Work from Bermuda Certificate (Aug 2020)
Bermuda launched a new program in August 2020 that allows executives and students to work and study remotely from the island for a year.
The Work from Bermuda Certificate program, which involves a US$263 application fee per person, also includes the flexibility to travel back and forth home from Bermuda during the one-year period.
Georgia: Remotely from Georgia (July 2020)
Georgia launched in July 2020 a new program that allows foreign citizens to travel to and work remotely from the country. The Remotely from Georgia program is designed for freelancers, full-time employees or business owners looking to stay for at least 360 days without a visa per their passport or other travel document.
Countries in the Caribbean
Cayman Islands: Global Citizen Concierge Program (Oct 2020)
The Cayman Islands launched its Global Citizen Concierge Program in October 2020, allowing professionals and digital nomads alike to work remotely from the country for up to 24 months.
Individual applicants must prove that they’re employed outside of the Cayman Islands and that they make at least US$100,000 a year. If they are applying with an accompanying spouse or civil partner, they must make a minimum of US$150,0000 annually.
Antigua and Barbuda: Nomad Digital Residence (Sept 2020)
Antigua and Barbuda announced its new Nomad Digital Residence Program in September 2020, which allows persons and their dependents to reside on the island for up to two years and to travel in and out of the county during that period.
Individual applicants must work remotely for companies and individuals outside of Antigua and Barbuda, and must earn at least US$50,000 a year.
Aruba: One Happy Workation (Sept 2020)
Launched in September 2020, Aruba’s One Happy Workation program allows US passport holders to stay and work remotely in Aruba from one week up to 90 days.
The program offers them package deals and discounted rates at local hotels, chain resorts, and rental homes. Eligibility criteria include being employed by a company or be self-employed in their home country.
Anguilla: Digital Nomad package (Aug 2020)
Since late-August, 2020, the British territory of Anguilla has been allowing remote workers to live and work on the island for either up to three months or up to a year.
A stay under three months costs US$1,000 for individuals and US$1,500 for a family of four. Entrance fees, which double for longer stays, cover two COVID-19 tests, a digital work permit and other costs.
Barbados: Barbados Welcome Stamp (June 2020)
Barbados announced the introduction of its 12-month Barbados Welcome Stamp in June 2020. The new remote work program establishes a visa to allow people to work remotely in Barbados for a maximum of 12 months.
The visa is available to anyone who meets the visa requirements and whose work is location independent, whether individuals or families.
Coming soon
In Croatia, the government has been working on a digital nomad visa program, which will allow internationals who are engaged in jobs independent of location and time, to work and reside in Croatia.
And in Iceland, the government recently amended regulations to allow foreign nationals remotely working for foreign companies, or self-employed, to apply for a long-term visa that allows them and their families to stay in Iceland for up to six months.
 
Featured image credit: Unsplash
The post COVID-19 Fuels Digital Nomad Visas Boom appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/covid-19-fuels-digital-nomad-visas-boom</link><guid>1666</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/e-residency-card-Estonia-1024x683.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>COVID-19 Fuels Digital Nomad Visas Boom</dc:text></item><item><title>COVID-19 Fuels Digital Nomad Visa Boom</title><description><![CDATA[Before COVID-19, flexible work arrangements had been a trend in the ever-changing world of work, but the public health crisis has accelerated the mass-adoption of remote working to ensure business continuity in these turbulent times.
In Switzerland, the number of people working from home has doubled during the COVID-19, according to a Deloitte study. Before COVID-19, around 25% of respondents were working from home at least one a week, the survey shows. After the crisis, however, 34% believe that they will be working from home at least once a week.
In respond to the rapidly changing working environment, some countries have shifted away from traditional tourism models that rely on short-term visitors to targeting remote workers and digital nomads willing to stay for longer periods.
Several countries including Germany, Portugal, Spain, the Czech Republic, Costa Rica and Mexico have already been providing special residency schemes and visa programs of relevance to freelancers and remote workers for a few year now. But this year, at least nine jurisdictions have introduced digital nomad visas to attract overseas professionals and more countries are slated to join in the near future.
Dubai (UAE): Virtual Working Program (Oct 2020)
Dubai announced in October 2020 a new one-year residency program targeted at overseas remote workers, digital nomads and their families.
The so-called “virtual working” program gives these professionals the possibility relocate to the emirate and continue to work for their current overseas employer, while securing key documents required to rent housing, access banking services, and settle down.
Estonia: Digital Nomad Visa (Aug 2020)
credit: e-residency
Estonia officially launched its Digital Nomad Visa in August 2020, which allows remote workers to live in Estonia for up to one-year and legally work for their employer or their own company registered abroad.
Estonia is one of the world’s most digitally developed countries. It already has a very unique e-Residency program which allows people to create and run a business online from anywhere in the world.
Bermuda: Work from Bermuda Certificate (Aug 2020)
Bermuda launched a new program in August 2020 that allows executives and students to work and study remotely from the island for a year.
The Work from Bermuda Certificate program, which involves a US$263 application fee per person, also includes the flexibility to travel back and forth home from Bermuda during the one-year period.
Georgia: Remotely from Georgia (July 2020)
Georgia launched in July 2020 a new program that allows foreign citizens to travel to and work remotely from the country. The Remotely from Georgia program is designed for freelancers, full-time employees or business owners looking to stay for at least 360 days without a visa per their passport or other travel document.
Countries in the Caribbean
Cayman Islands: Global Citizen Concierge Program (Oct 2020)
The Cayman Islands launched its Global Citizen Concierge Program in October 2020, allowing professionals and digital nomads alike to work remotely from the country for up to 24 months.
Individual applicants must prove that they’re employed outside of the Cayman Islands and that they make at least US$100,000 a year. If they are applying with an accompanying spouse or civil partner, they must make a minimum of US$150,0000 annually.
Antigua and Barbuda: Nomad Digital Residence (Sept 2020)
Antigua and Barbuda announced its new Nomad Digital Residence Program in September 2020, which allows persons and their dependents to reside on the island for up to two years and to travel in and out of the county during that period.
Individual applicants must work remotely for companies and individuals outside of Antigua and Barbuda, and must earn at least US$50,000 a year.
Aruba: One Happy Workation (Sept 2020)
Launched in September 2020, Aruba’s One Happy Workation program allows US passport holders to stay and work remotely in Aruba from one week up to 90 days.
The program offers them package deals and discounted rates at local hotels, chain resorts, and rental homes. Eligibility criteria include being employed by a company or be self-employed in their home country.
Anguilla: Digital Nomad package (Aug 2020)
Since late-August, 2020, the British territory of Anguilla has been allowing remote workers to live and work on the island for either up to three months or up to a year.
A stay under three months costs US$1,000 for individuals and US$1,500 for a family of four. Entrance fees, which double for longer stays, cover two COVID-19 tests, a digital work permit and other costs.
Barbados: Barbados Welcome Stamp (June 2020)
Barbados announced the introduction of its 12-month Barbados Welcome Stamp in June 2020. The new remote work program establishes a visa to allow people to work remotely in Barbados for a maximum of 12 months.
The visa is available to anyone who meets the visa requirements and whose work is location independent, whether individuals or families.
Coming soon
In Croatia, the government has been working on a digital nomad visa program, which will allow internationals who are engaged in jobs independent of location and time, to work and reside in Croatia.
And in Iceland, the government recently amended regulations to allow foreign nationals remotely working for foreign companies, or self-employed, to apply for a long-term visa that allows them and their families to stay in Iceland for up to six months.
 
Featured image credit: Unsplash
The post COVID-19 Fuels Digital Nomad Visa Boom appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/covid-19-fuels-digital-nomad-visa-boom</link><guid>1667</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/e-residency-card-Estonia-1024x683.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>COVID-19 Fuels Digital Nomad Visa Boom</dc:text></item><item><title>Neue Head Enterprise Marketing bei Huawei Schweiz</title><description><![CDATA[Die Enterprise Business Group von Huawei in der Schweiz baut das  Marketing aus. welches neu von Caroline Schmutzer geführt wird.
Caroline Schmutzer
Caroline Schmutzer war zuvor bei AdNovum Informatik AG als Marketingverantwortliche tätig und hatte in dieser Funktion Aufgaben in den Bereichen Marketing, Sales und Proposal Management inne; des Weiteren stand sie auch für das Sales Reporting ein. Sie hatte ihre Verantwortung bei AdNovum in den mehr als sechs Jahren ihrer Tätigkeit stetig ausgebaut und unter anderem auch Erfahrungen im Digital Marketing und Event Management gesammelt. Weitere berufliche Stationen der gebürtigen Österreicherin waren unter anderem das Markt- und Meinungsforschungsinstitut IFES und das Österreichische Bundesministerium für Inneres.
Caroline Schmutzer studierte Psychologie mit Schwerpunkten Wirtschaftspsychologie, Branding und Verbraucherverhaltensforschung an der Universität Wien und schloss mit einem Magister rerum naturalium (rer. nat.) ab. Sie bildete sich an der Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften ZHAW in Digital Marketing Management und in Corporate Management weiter. Zudem absolvierte sie ein Junior Leadership Program bei der WEKA Business Media AG.
Caroline Schmutzer rapportiert an Roland von Arx, Vice President Enterprise Business Group Switzerland, und wird unterstützt von Anita Breudel.
Roland von Arx
Roland von Arx gibt einen Ausblick, wohin sich das Marketing der Enterprise Business Group künftig entwickeln soll:
«Unsere Enterprise Business Group wächst rasant und weit über dem Marktdurchschnitt. Unsere Kunden anerkennen unsere ausgezeichneten Serviceleistungen und unsere Kundenorientierung sowie die Zuverlässigkeit, Robustheit und funktionelle Qualität unserer Lösungen, die mittlerweile in allen Industrien und einer grossen Zahl der namhaftesten Unternehmen und Behörden in der Schweiz im Einsatz sind und geschätzt werden. Unsere Stärken möchten wir einer breiteren Öffentlichkeit noch stärker bekannt machen und dazu unsere Marketinganstrengungen im digitalen Bereich und auf Social Media intensivieren. Caroline wird die Digitale Lead-Kommunikation vorantreiben und sich gleichzeitig auf die Stärkung der Kundenbindung fokussieren.»
Huawei ist seit 2008 in der Schweiz aktiv und in vier Business Groups aufgestellt: Neben dem Carrierbereich und dem Consumer Business sind dies die Geschäftskundensparte Enterprise Business Group sowie die neu formierte Cloud &amp; AI Business Group. Im Enterprise Business ist Huawei im laufenden Jahr um ca. 40 Prozent gewachsen.
The post Neue Head Enterprise Marketing bei Huawei Schweiz appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/neue-head-enterprise-marketing-bei-huawei-schweiz</link><guid>1664</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Neue Head Enterprise Marketing bei Huawei Schweiz</dc:text></item><item><title>Gazprombank Switzerland Completes First Successful Bitcoin Transaction</title><description><![CDATA[Gazprombank Switzerland, a fully licensed Swiss financial institution, has successfully performed its first transactions in Bitcoin.
After receiving approval from the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) to provide cryptocurrency bank accounts to corporate and institutional clients, Gazprombank reportedly becomes one of the first banks to offer a fully regulated cryptocurrency investment and account management solution for its clients.
The new cryptocurrency solution builds on Gazprombank’s long-standing relationship with Avaloq, a digital banking solutions provider and METACO, a provider of security-critical infrastructure enabling financial institutions to enter the digital asset ecosystem.
To further strengthen its digital offering, Gazprombank has also become a member of the OpenVASP association, whose objective is to establish and maintain an open protocol for the transmission of transaction information between virtual asset service providers (VASPs) and other parties.
As such, Gazprombank is spearheading the development of a uniform communication protocol to execute crypto payments between the members of the association.
To this end, a bilateral agreement has been signed for the first time in Switzerland between a bank and a VASP; Bitcoin Suisse, a Swiss a cryptocurrency brokerage and partner of Gazprombank.
Roman Abdulin
Roman Abdulin, CEO at Gazprombank, explains:
“We are delighted to announce the successful launch of our bespoke cryptocurrency offering. Our solution allows us to make transactions with cryptocurrencies as easy as transactions with traditional assets. Digital assets will become increasingly important for our clients and the global economy. We are pleased to work together with leading Swiss-based entities on the further development of the Swiss and global crypto and blockchain ecosystem.”
Thomas Beck
Thomas Beck, Group Chief Technology Officer at Avaloq, says:
“We are proud of the successful implementation of our integrated crypto asset solution and the further enhancement of our relationship with Gazprombank. Our new offering is a testament to our innovation journey in the blockchain space and our mission to place our customers at the forefront of the technological changes driving the financial services sector.
 
The rollout of our crypto offering represents an important milestone in our journey to power the development of crypto and blockchain technology and provide investors, wealth managers, and financial institutions with more convenient, transparent, and simple solutions in order to accelerate their investment in crypto assets.”
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Pexels
The post Gazprombank Switzerland Completes First Successful Bitcoin Transaction appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/gazprombank-switzerland-completes-first-successful-bitcoin-transaction</link><guid>1665</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Gazprombank Switzerland Completes First Successful Bitcoin Transaction</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Expense Fintech Yokoy Extends Its Footprint to Austria</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss fintech company Yokoy has opened a new office in Vienna, Austria to serve the DACH market with its expense solution. Reportedly, they have already signed on their Austrian customers.
Yokoy uses artificial intelligence to fully digitalise and automate companies&#8217; expense and corporate credit card processes. The fintech startup is supported by the investors Swisscom Ventures and SIX Group.
In October 2020, Yokoy had announced the acquisition of its competitor product FlowExpense which is an expense management tool from the Zug-based consulting company Innflow AG. Yokoy already counts over 150 well-known global companies such as Stadler Rail and Swissquote among its customers.
Vienna as the gateway to Europe
Melanie Gabriel
When asked why Vienna was the first office outside of Switzerland to be opened, Melanie Gabriel, co-founder and CMO of Yokoy, answers:
&#8220;Our goal is to serve the DACH but also the pan-European market with our solution. By developing customer-specific features, we can meet all national and global requirements. The Austrian market is characterised by a unique central geographical location. This makes it possible to establish an initial base close to Switzerland and thus acts as a hub for expansion into other European markets&#8221;.
Stephan Hebenstreit
Following its expansion to Vienna, Stephan Hebenstreit joins the Swiss management team as managing director of Yokoy in Austria.
In recent years Stephan Hebenstreit has been intensively involved in the topics of digitalisation, innovation and automation. In these areas he was able to gain the necessary experience as a co-founder of FREYGEIST lightweight e-bikes, as an independent consultant, and most recently at PwC in the area of ‘Digital and Innovation’.
Yokoy said that their strong growth in Switzerland has shown them the need for their solution in other countries and that they will start their expansion plan with the office in Vienna.

 
The post Swiss Expense Fintech Yokoy Extends Its Footprint to Austria appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-expense-fintech-yokoy-extends-its-footprint-to-austria</link><guid>1663</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Expense Fintech Yokoy Extends Its Footprint to Austria</dc:text></item><item><title>3 Versicherungen und Zur Rose Apotheke lan­cieren Digitale Schweizer Ge­sund­heits­platt­form</title><description><![CDATA[Erstmals werden in der Schweiz Partner aus verschiedenen Bereichen des Gesundheitswesens zusammenarbeiten, um gemeinsam ein Unternehmen zum Betrieb einer integrierten digitalen Ge­sund­heits­platt­form zu gründen.
Allianz Care, CSS, Visana und Zur Rose Group lan­cieren eine di­gi­tale Ge­sund­heits­platt­form. Der Markteintritt mit ersten Angeboten ist für das zweite Quartal 2021 geplant.
Die geplante Plattform unterstützt Kunden bei der Organisation ihrer persönlichen Gesundheitsversorgung und bei sämtlichen Etappen einer Behandlung. Mit einem Klick erhalten Patienten Zugang zu individuell zugeschnittenen, Gesundheits-Dienstleistungen. Diese stehen rund um die Uhr über eine Smartphone-App zur Verfügung. Schnell und bequem können sie so beispielsweise allgemeine Gesundheitsfragen klären, im Krankheitsfall einen digitalen Symptom-Check für eine erste Diagnose nutzen, medizinische Unterstützung in Anspruch nehmen, Arzttermine vereinbaren, Medikamente bestellen oder auf weitere Dienstleistungen zugreifen.
Eine offene und neutrale Plattform
CSS und Visana werden ihren Versicherten jeweils die Nutzung der Plattform zusätzlich zu ihren Versicherungslösungen anbieten. Sie steht aber auch allen anderen Krankenversicherern offen. Gleichzeitig orientiert sich die Plattform an den Bedürfnissen der Leistungserbringer. Das Ärztenetzwerk mediX beispielsweise, will diese nutzen, wie Dr. med. Felix Huber, Präsident von mediX schweiz, betont:
«Die Gesundheitsplattform hebt sich gerade deshalb von anderen Initiativen ab, weil sie Leistungserbringer wie die Ärzteschaft aktiv in die Entwicklung und Ausgestaltung der Plattform einbezieht.»
Die Leistungserbringer erhalten damit erstmals eine einfache digitale Interaktionsmöglichkeit mit ihren Patienten und weiteren Akteuren entlang des Behandlungspfades. Diese erweiterten Kundenschnittstellen auf digitaler Basis ermöglichen eine gesteigerte Qualität der Behandlung und effizientere Prozesse, die zur Dämpfung der Gesundheitskosten und damit der Prämien beitragen.
 
 
Featured image credit: Freepik
The post 3 Versicherungen und Zur Rose Apotheke lan­cieren Digitale Schweizer Ge­sund­heits­platt­form appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/3-versicherungen-und-zur-rose-apotheke-lancieren-digitale-schweizer-gesundheitsplattform</link><guid>1661</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>3 Versicherungen und Zur Rose Apotheke lan­cieren Digitale Schweizer Ge­sund­heits­platt­form</dc:text></item><item><title>gowago and Intrum Introduces Digital Signature for Swiss Car Leasing Contracts</title><description><![CDATA[Switzerland&#8217;s car leasing platform gowago.ch and Intrum, a credit management company, have announced their partnership, to enable one to sign a car leasing contract digitally.
This digital signature is recognised by FINMA and is therefore legally valid.
Customers can now lease their new car on the gowago.ch platform at a transparent monthly fixed price without having to visit the dealer in person to sign the contract. In addition, the vehicle can be delivered directly to the customer&#8217;s home on request.
As part of this partnership, Intrum is expanding its range of services and driving the digitalisation of processes in the automotive industry, in compliance with all necessary safety standards and regulations. At the same time, gowago.ch benefits from the financial services provider&#8217;s comprehensive expertise in simplifying the sales process.
Rutger Verhoef, CEO and co-founder of gowago.ch, comments on the partnership:
Rutger Verhoef
&#8220;We are very pleased about the partnership with Intrum, not least because it gives us a unique selling point in the Swiss car leasing market. Furthermore, the digital signing of contracts on our platform is a very welcome innovation, especially for dealers, as they can now easily serve customers from all over Switzerland&#8221;.
 
 
 
Featured Image: gowago.ch
The post gowago and Intrum Introduces Digital Signature for Swiss Car Leasing Contracts appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/gowago-and-intrum-introduces-digital-signature-for-swiss-car-leasing-contracts</link><guid>1662</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>gowago and Intrum Introduces Digital Signature for Swiss Car Leasing Contracts</dc:text></item><item><title>Study: Call for International Cooperation in Fight Against Crypto-Related Crime</title><description><![CDATA[The global nature of the blockchain ecosystem is adding a layer of complexity in the fight against crypto-related crimes. Against this backdrop, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) is calling for international, federal, state and public-private cooperation to improve the regulation and policing of cryptocurrency activity.
On October 8, 2020, the US Attorney General’s Cyber-Digital Task Force released a new report addressing the emerging threats and enforcement challenges associated with cryptocurrencies.
In the Cryptocurrency Enforcement Framework, the task force says that while it recognizes the “breathtaking possibilities [of distributed ledger technology] for human flourishing,” citing areas including supply chain transparency and central bank digital currency (CBDC), the technology also “plays a role in many of the most significant criminal and national security threats our nation faces.”
While crime has been expanding beyond national borders for years, blockchain and cryptocurrencies have taken this globalization to another level, allowing parties to conduct transactions and transfers between continents in a matter of minutes. In addition to this, some of the largest crypto exchanges are based overseas and conduct very limited customer due diligence. Finally, the emergence decentralized platforms, peer-to-peer exchangers, and anonymity-enhanced cryptocurrencies is further obscuring financial transactions.
In light of this, the DOJ says that “for cryptocurrency to realize its truly transformative potential,” national, federal and state governments, as well as stakeholders, must take coordinated active to mitigate harmful uses of the technology.
The DOJ “[recognizes] the importance of working with interagency and international partners to enhance an already vigorous enforcement plan, regulatory scheme, and policy framework to thwart the opportunities created by cryptocurrency for criminals, terrorists, and other bad actors,” the report says.
“The department is committed to strengthening its key partnerships by promoting law enforcement awareness and expertise; by fostering cooperation with state authorities; by enhancing international cooperation; by promoting comprehensive, consistent international regulation; and by conducting private sector education and outreach.”
Illicit uses of cryptocurrencies
The framework identifies three main types of criminal behavior that exploit the unique features of cryptocurrencies and the cryptocurrency marketplace.
To begin with, it cites the use of cryptocurrencies to engage in financial transactions associated with the commission of crimes, such as buying and selling drugs or weapons on the dark web, engaging in extortion schemes, leasing servers to commit cybercrimes, or soliciting funds to support terrorist activity.
Anatomy of the DeepDotWeb Criminal Operation, Cryptocurrency Enforcement Framework
Most recently, the FBI observed an increase in cryptocurrency fraud schemes due to COVID-19. Fraudsters have been leveraging the fear and uncertainty cause by the pandemic to carry out scams in new ways, such as threatening to infect victims and their families with COVID-19 unless they send payment in bitcoin.
The second category involves the use of cryptocurrencies to engage in money laundering or shield otherwise legitimate activity from tax, reporting, or other legal requirements.
Infamous cryptocurrency trading platform BTC-e was one of the world’s major bitcoin exchanges before the US government seized the website and arrested staff members in 2017. According to the indictment, BTC-e facilitated transactions for cybercriminals worldwide and received criminal proceeds from numerous computer intrusions and hacking incidents, ransomware scams, identity theft schemes, corrupt public officials, and narcotics distribution rings.
Finally, the third category relates to crimes implicating the cryptocurrency marketplace itself, such as stealing cryptocurrency from exchanges through hacking or using the promise of cryptocurrency to defraud unwitting investors.
In 2019, over US$4.5 billion of cryptocurrency was lost to theft or fraud, more than doubling the losses from the prior year, according to crypto intelligence company CipherTrace. The first five months of 2020 saw crypto thefts, hacks, and frauds totaling US$1.4 billion, suggesting that 2020 could see the second-highest value in crypto crimes ever recorded.
Established in early 2018, the Cyber-Digital Task Force consists of officials in the DOJ’s Criminal Division, National Security Division, Office of Legal Policy, and the FBI. It was formed to study how the DOJ responds to cyber threats and make recommendations to curb those threats.
 
Featured image credit: Pexels
The post Study: Call for International Cooperation in Fight Against Crypto-Related Crime appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/study-call-for-international-cooperation-in-fight-against-crypto-related-crime</link><guid>1660</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Anatomy-of-the-DeepDotWeb-Criminal-Operation.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Study: Call for International Cooperation in Fight Against Crypto-Related Crime</dc:text></item><item><title>Seedcamp Closes Its Fifth Fund at £78 Million</title><description><![CDATA[London-based pre-seed and seed stage venture capital firm Seedcamp has closed its heavily oversubscribed fifth fund dubbed as Fund V at £78 million in partnership with Rabo Frontier Ventures (RFV).
In Fund V, Seedcamp will increase the amount of capital it invests in pre-seed and seed stage companies and will reserve capital for follow-on rounds up to Series B.
Founders will continue to benefit from Seedcamp’s global network and in-house platform of support, engineered to help companies get off the ground and to Series A.
In spite of the challenging macro climate, Seedcamp&#8217;s Fund V was more than 50% over-subscribed and is backed by some of the world’s leading institutions, investors and 80 of the fund’s founders.
Some of the investors include British Patient Capital, Legal &amp; General, OMERS, Index Ventures, Northzone, Sequoia, Underscore VC, Taavet Hinrikus (TransferWise), Daniel Dines (UiPath), David Helgason (Unity).
Seedcamp Fund V is an equal partnership between Partners Carlos Espinal, Reshma Sohoni, Sia Houchangnia and Tom Wilson.
Seedcamp launched in 2007 and its portfolio of over 360 startups includes European decacorn, UiPath, and unicorn businesses Revolut, Transferwise and Hopin. So far the VC has reportedly invested in 118 pre-seed and seed stage companies in its previous Fund IV which first closed on Nov 2017.
Managing Partner of Rabo Frontier Ventures, Jeroen van Doornik commented:
Jeroen van Doornik
“Seedcamp is a strong brand in pre-seed and seed-stage and it’s great to partner with their latest fund, Seedcamp V. This fund will continue to focus on the same stage across Europe, building a large and diversified portfolio. I’m looking forward to work with the team and invest in some of the portfolio winners in future.”
 
 
 
 
Featured image credit: Seedcamp
The post Seedcamp Closes Its Fifth Fund at £78 Million appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/seedcamp-closes-its-fifth-fund-at-78-million</link><guid>1659</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Seedcamp Closes Its Fifth Fund at £78 Million</dc:text></item><item><title>1,8 Millionen Euro Seed Finanzierung für Österreichische Immobilien Investment-Plattform</title><description><![CDATA[Den drei Gründern Lukas Müller, Tobias Leodolter und Paul Brezina ist mit einer Seed-Finanzierung in der Höhe von 1,8 Millionen Euro zu Beginn des zweiten Corona-Lockdowns ein bemerkenswerter Coup gelungen, der weit über die Grenzen Österreichs hinausstrahlt.
Mithilfe des eingesammelten Anschubkapitals des aws Gründerfonds sowie international tätiger Immobilien-Grössen wie z. B. Daniel Jelitzka und Ivan Holler soll das internationale Wachstum des fünf Jahre alten Unternehmens deutlich beschleunigt werden. Als erste Maßnahmen stehen der weitere Ausbau des Büros in München und die Entwicklung zusätzlicher Immobilien-Anlageprodukte auf der Agenda.
Lukas Müller
Lukas Müller, CEO von Rendity, sieht in den aktuellen Marktbedingungen ideale Voraussetzungen:
„Die wachsende Unsicherheit an den Finanz- und Kapitalmärkten verstärkt das Interesse von Anlegern in Wohnimmobilien. Unsere Mission ist es, den Immobilienmarkt zu demokratisieren und die Investitionskultur im ersten Schritt in Mitteleuropa positiv zu verändern. Das tun wir, indem wir bestehende Hürden durch Digitalisierung überwinden.“
Ralf Kunzmann
Ralf Kunzmann, Geschäftsführer aws Gründerfonds, fasst die Gründe für das Investment zusammen:
„Rendity hat sich im Vergleich zum Markt in den vergangenen Jahren überproportional gut entwickelt und zeigt ein starkes organisches Wachstum. Das Gründerteam ist hoch professionell und sehr gut vernetzt. Sie bringen mit ihrer Digitallösung frischen Wind in den traditionellen Immobilienmarkt und richten sich mit ihrem Angebot an eine breite Bevölkerungsschicht. So gesehen ausgezeichnete Voraussetzungen für den weiteren Ausbau ihrer Geschäftstätigkeit in Österreich und Europa.“
Seit Gründung wurden über 80 Immobilien-Projekte finanziert, die eine durchschnittliche Laufzeit von 28 Monaten hatten und 6,1 Prozent Rendite pro Jahr für die Anleger abwarfen. Dadurch konnten in den letzten Jahren Immobilienprojekte in Deutschland und Österreich mit einem Gesamtvolumen von € 455 Millionen realisiert werden.
 
Featured image: Lukas Müller, Paul Brezina und Tobias Leodolter sorgen für gute Stimmung bei Immobilienanlegern und Investoren | Bildquelle: Nicole Viktorik 
The post 1,8 Millionen Euro Seed Finanzierung für Österreichische Immobilien Investment-Plattform appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/18-millionen-euro-seed-finanzierung-fur-osterreichische-immobilien-investment-plattform</link><guid>1658</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>1,8 Millionen Euro Seed Finanzierung für Österreichische Immobilien Investment-Plattform</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Metal Trader Made a US$500,000 Blockchain Transaction on the Swiss Trust Chain,</title><description><![CDATA[FQX, a Swiss provider of infrastructure for the issuance and transfer of electronic negotiable instruments, announced another set of successful transactions via its eNoteTM, an electronic promissory note using blockchain.
The eNotes with a total value of more than USD 500,000 were used by a Swiss commodity trader to finance a transatlantic metal shipment. The transaction was facilitated using sensor and tracking devices by the Swiss supply chain management service provider ARVIEM.
Arviem’s technology provided real-time information to all parties involved in the transaction on the location of the goods also reporting on door openings, intrusions, temperature, container damage and shocks.
Each eNoteTM is stored and recorded on the Swiss Trust Chain, a banking-grade DLT-system maintained by Swisscom and the Swiss Post. The integrated qualified electronic signatures used to securely issue and transfer the eNotes on the FQX platform are provided by Swisscom Trust Services.
Complex traditional financing processes often hinder companies in their growth. These barriers contribute to a global trade finance gap of over $2 trillion for which electronic promissory notes offer a remedy.
Promissory notes are a widespread traditional financial instrument that enable companies and individuals to obtain finance on the basis of an unconditional promise to pay.
In electronic form, as eNotes, they offer flexibility and efficiency in trade and corporate finance. By storing the eNoteTM on the Swiss Trust Chain of Swisscom and Swiss Post, transactions are fully digital and fraud risk is minimised. Liquidity flows directly to the companies that need financing without the need to involve other intermediaries.
Frank Wendt
“Electronic promissory notes make liquidity available where it is needed for businesses, while also offering attractive investment opportunities for financial institutions. Each eNote issued via FQX is assigned an ISIN number, making it easily transferable to other investors,”
says Frank Wendt, FQX Chief Executive Officer.
Roland Cortivo, Head of DLT Infrastructure at Swisscom, comments:
Roland Cortivo
“Innovation and trust are at the heart of Swisscom. We are proud to support FQX with our leading electronic signature and DLT infrastructure to support the issuance and transfer of an eNoteTM. This transatlantic trade finance transaction proves why blockchain technology is the key to fully digital business processes.”
 
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Pexels
 
The post Swiss Metal Trader Made a US$500,000 Blockchain Transaction on the Swiss Trust Chain appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-metal-trader-made-a-us500000-blockchain-transaction-on-the-swiss-trust-chain</link><guid>1656</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Metal Trader Made a US$500,000 Blockchain Transaction on the Swiss Trust Chain,</dc:text></item><item><title>ti&amp;m ist erster unabhängiger Integrationspartner für «TransferWise for Banks» in der Schweiz</title><description><![CDATA[ti&amp;m und das führende Technologieunternehmen TransferWise geben heute eine strategische Partnerschaft bekannt. Im Zuge dieser Partnerschaft ist ti&amp;m der erste unabhängige Schweizer Technologie-Dienstleister, der «TransferWise for Banks» nahtlos bei Schweizer Banken implementieren kann.
Ab sofort kann ti&amp;m die Technologieinfrastruktur von TransferWise schnell und nahtlos direkt in das eigene Banking-Angebot einer Bank integrieren. Den Endkunden können so günstige, schnelle und transparente internationale Geldtransfers zum Devisenmittelkurs ohne Wechselkursaufschlag angeboten werden.
Mit «TransferWise for Banks» können Banken ihre Auslandsüberweisungen End-to-End digital und mit einer über zehn Jahre optimierten User Experience abwickeln. Die Banken können ihren Kunden damit eine bequemere Lösung anbieten und sie gleichzeitig auf ihren E-Banking-Portalen halten.
Banken positionieren sich damit als moderner Lösungsanbieter auf dem Schweizer Markt. Dank der bereits bestehenden Schnittstelle zwischen TransferWise an ti&amp;m werden Integrationszeit und die Entwicklungsprozesse im Hintergrund für eine Bank erheblich minimiert.
Aktuell nutzen mehr als acht Millionen Menschen TransferWise und mehr als ein Dutzend Banken, darunter die Groupe BPCE, Frankreichs zweitgrösste Bankengruppe, N26, Monzo und bunq, haben sich dazu entschieden, die Lösung in die eigenen Angebote zu integrieren.
Thomas Wüst
«TransferWise bietet nicht nur den Konsumenten erhebliche Kosten- und Usability-Vorteile. Für Banken ist die Lösung noch attraktiver, weil TransferWise den Prozess für die aufwändigen und ressourcenintensiven Auslandüberweisungen inkl. Compliance und Kundensupport übernimmt und Transfervolumen im eigenen Institut generiert. Die Partnerschaft zwischen TransferWise und ti&amp;m ist die Symbiose von international führenden Technologien und lokaler Implementierung für die Bank und ihre Kunden»,
betont ti&amp;m CEO und Firmengründer Thomas Wüst.
Abid Mumtaz
Abid Mumtaz, Global Head of TransferWise for Banks ergänzt:
«Wir freuen uns über die Partnerschaft von TransferWise mit ti&amp;m. Unsere beiden Unternehmen vereint, dass Transparenz und digitale Innovation essenzieller Bestandteil der DNA sind. Bei TransferWise ist es unsere Mission, dass jeder Zugang zu schnellen, günstigen und transparenten internationalen Überweisungen hat, und die Partnerschaft mit ti&amp;m bringt uns diesem Ziel ein weiteres Stück näher.»
 
Featured image credit: Transferwise
The post ti&#038;m ist erster unabhängiger Integrationspartner für «TransferWise for Banks» in der Schweiz appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/tim-ist-erster-unabhangiger-integrationspartner-fur-transferwise-for-banks-in-der-schweiz</link><guid>1657</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>ti&amp;m ist erster unabhängiger Integrationspartner für «TransferWise for Banks» in der Schweiz</dc:text></item><item><title>Schweizer Digitalbörse Smartvalor begeistert Löwen für eigene Kryptowährung</title><description><![CDATA[Novum in der Welt der Investoren-Shows: In der diese Woche ausgestrahlten Folge der TV24-Sendung Die Höhle der Löwen Schweiz konnte SMART VALOR-Gründerin Olga Feldmeier die Jury für den Kauf der plattformeigenen digitalen Währung gewinnen. Die Vision eines Online-Handelsplatzes, auf dem auch physische Vermögenswerte von jedermann einfach und kostengünstig in digitaler Form gekauft und verkauf werden können, vermochte zu überzeugen.
Die Schweiz ist ihrem Ruf als Crypto-Nation einmal mehr gerecht geworden. In der heute ausgestrahlten Folge der Investoren-Show Die Höhle der Löwen Schweiz entschloss sich Jury-Mitglied Bettina Hein, Schweizer IT-Unternehmerin und Investorin, zum Kauf der digitalen Währung «VALOR» in der Höhe des vorgeschlagenen Gesamtbetrags von 50&#8217;000 Franken.
Olga Feldmeier, CEO of SMART VALOR
Für SMART VALOR CEO Olga Feldmeier ein grosser Vertrauensbeweis:
«Wir sind stolz, dass wir mit unserem Geschäftsmodell in der Höhle der Löwen überzeugen und das grosse Potenzial von digitalisierten Vermögenswerten gegenüber einer kritischen Jury
verständlich machen konnten.»
Das 2017 gegründete Schweizer Unternehmen SMART VALOR betreibt einen Handelsplatz für digitale Vermögenswerte, der für jedermann online zugänglich ist. Den Anfang machten digitale Währungen, wie zum Beispiel Bitcoin und Ether, die auch aktuell wieder stark gefragt sind. Es folgte der Handel mit Gold, bei dem die auf der Plattform ausgetauschten digitalen Einheiten, sogenannte Tokens, mit dem Edelmetall in physischer Form hinterlegt werden. Und im Dezember steht bereits der nächste Schritt an, wenn der digitale Handel mit weiteren physischen Anlagewerten und Kunstgegenständen über SMART VALOR möglich wird.

Bettina Hein and Olga Feldmeier
«Plattformen wie SMART VALOR werden so zum Amazon der nächsten Generation»,
sagt Olga Feldmeier zur Ambition ihres Unternehmens.
Bettina Hein sagt zu den Beweggründen für ihr Engagement:
«Das Team von SMART VALOR hat mich überzeugt, weil sie es geschafft haben, innerhalb sehr kurzer Zeit eine komplexe Börseninfrastruktur für digitale Assets aufzubauen und erfolgreich zu skalieren.»
Mit ihrem Engagement begibt sich Bettina Hein in gute Gesellschaft. Der Risikokapitalfonds Venture Incubator ist bereits als einer der Hauptinvestoren in SMART VALOR investiert. Hinter dem Fonds stehen als Geldgeber namhafte Schweizer Unternehmen wie Credit Suisse, Nestle oder ABB. Auch der international bekannte Business Angel Daniel Gutenberg hat in SMART VALOR investiert, als bisher einziges Blockchain-Investment im Portfolio des Krypto-Experten.
Das Besondere an Bettina Heins Engagement bei SMART VALOR: Zum ersten Mal ist es auch für Zuschauerinnen und Zuschauer der Sendung möglich, es den Löwen gleich zu tun, indem sie selbst VALOR kaufen. Denn VALOR ist eine börsengehandelte digitale Währung, die rund um die Uhr auf Kryptobörsen gekauft und verkauft werden kann, unter anderem auch auf SMART VALOR selbst. Normalerweise besteht keine Möglichkeit, die Investments aus Die Höhle der Löwen selbst nachzubilden.
 
The post Schweizer Digitalbörse Smartvalor begeistert Löwen für eigene Kryptowährung appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schweizer-digitalborse-smartvalor-begeistert-lowen-fur-eigene-kryptowahrung</link><guid>1654</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/SMART-VALOR-CEO-Olga-Feldmeier.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Schweizer Digitalbörse Smartvalor begeistert Löwen für eigene Kryptowährung</dc:text></item><item><title>Onfido Co-Founder Steps Aside for New CEO</title><description><![CDATA[Onfido, the global identity verification and authentication provider, announced the appointment of Mike Tuchen as the new CEO to lead the company as it further scales its global offer.
Mike joins Onfido, succeeding Husayn Kassai, co-founder of Onfido, who is stepping down as CEO but will remain with Onfido to help and advise Mike as he leads the company through the next period of growth across sectors and geographies.
Mike is a highly experienced executive with an established track record of scaling technology and software businesses globally. He most recently served as CEO of Talend, a provider of cloud data integration, which he took public in 2016.
Prior to Talend he led Rapid7, a security software startup, and founded a marketing analytics startup in between senior management roles at Microsoft and Polycom. He holds degrees in Electrical Engineering from Brown and Stanford and an MBA from Harvard Business School where he was a Baker Scholar.
Mike Tuchen, incoming CEO of Onfido, said:
Mike Tuchen
“I have spent over twenty years working with leading software and tech businesses and I couldn’t be more optimistic about Onfido’s product and mission. This is an incredibly exciting time for the business, with Onfido’s focus on virtual verification more important than ever as companies focus on digitisation and the shift to remote working. Husayn has built a fantastic team and business and I look forward to building on that success as we rapidly scale the company worldwide and broaden our offering.”
Onfido employs over 400 people globally, has raised more than $200 million across multiple funding rounds and is continuing to grow rapidly across all its end markets.
The post Onfido Co-Founder Steps Aside for New CEO appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/onfido-co-founder-steps-aside-for-new-ceo</link><guid>1655</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Onfido Co-Founder Steps Aside for New CEO</dc:text></item><item><title>Postfinance and Swissquote To Jointly Launch Digital Banking Application</title><description><![CDATA[PostFinance and Swissquote will jointly launch a digital banking app scheduled for the first half of 2021.
The two entities have collaborated on online trading for several years and have now extended their partnership with this collaboration and have reportedly signed a letter of intent.
The transaction still has to go through the usual official approval process. Further details will be released when a concrete range of services is ready to be launched on the market.
At the beginning of September 2020, PostFinance had announced its intention to launch a new service for “Banking and Beyond” geared entirely to the digital world over the course of the coming year. Digital banking has also been a key element of Swissquote’s strategy.
Work on the app has been underway for some time. It will now be further refined as part of this joint venture.
 
Featured image credit: © PostFinance Ltd 2017, all rights reserved
The post Postfinance and Swissquote To Jointly Launch Digital Banking Application appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/postfinance-and-swissquote-to-jointly-launch-digital-banking-application</link><guid>1653</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Postfinance and Swissquote To Jointly Launch Digital Banking Application</dc:text></item><item><title>12 Swiss Fintech Startups Pitching for Funding</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss Fintech Investor Day will showcase 12 early-stage fintech startups selected by the Swiss ICT Investor Club (SICTIC), a non-profit association organising matchmaking for startups and investors, to pitch for funding at its fifth edition on the 30th November.
Founded in 2016, the Swiss Fintech Investor Day is an annual business matchmaking event that has became the go-to event for Swiss seed and early-stage fintech startups looking for funding.
It is reported that in the past 4 years, the funding success rate for the 12 startups that made their pitch is more than 50 percent.
This years event will have a hybrid format with the speakers being live-streamed from Trust Square in Zürich.
You will hear more from the following 12 Fintech startups:

Agryo by Few Nickels Tecnologia da Informação LTDA

Agryo is a data driven AgFintech platform that creates credit profiles for traditionally under-served farming families through sophisticated risk intelligence and predictive yield algorithms. Agryo supports financing through a peer-to-peer lending network and agricultural debt investment accounts.

eCollect AG

Europe&#8217;s leading receivables management platform

ETFbook by SquaredData GmbH

B2B SaaS solution for quick and shareable Exchange Traded Funds analytics

Evolute AG

SaaS enabled marketplace for independent wealth managers and multi-family offices.

Ratyng by Onloan GmbH

Ratyng enables organizations to efficiently assess financial stability by offering easy access to highly accurate credit risk models without the need for complex and time-consuming inputs.

Riskwolf AG

Riskwolf is the platform that insures the digital economy

Stableton Financial AG

The Leading Next-Generation Marketplace for Alternative Investments

Systemcredit AG

From 3-minute loan platform to highly automated digital credit factory and accredited rating agency, we disrupt the traditional lending business for small business loans by deploying technology, AI, machine learning and automated algorithms.

Timewise AG

Digitization and demographic change have changed professional and private life. People in Switzerland are living and working longer and at the same time have to become increasingly flexible and adaptable. The changes in living and working conditions require more flexible options and professional team.

Tresio GmbH

Cash flow planning for small and mid-sized companies made easy

Vestun GmbH

Vestun is an AI-engineering company that combines numerical AI approach with cognitive reasoning to enable explainable and enhanced human-like insights capabilities.

Wearonize AG

Wearonize provides the technology to help watch manufacturers and fashion brands to integrate payment functions in their products and supply banks &amp; credit card issuers with secure and innovative payment methods that satisfy emerging customer needs.

 
 
The post 12 Swiss Fintech Startups Pitching for Funding appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/12-swiss-fintech-startups-pitching-for-funding</link><guid>1651</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>12 Swiss Fintech Startups Pitching for Funding</dc:text></item><item><title>Avaloq Joins Forces With Google Cloud to Expand Its Cloud Offering Services</title><description><![CDATA[Google Cloud and Avaloq, a Swiss-based digital banking solutions provider, announced a new strategic partnership to help financial services organisations in their digital transformation using cloud technologies.
This new partnership is set to enable financial institutions to use the Avaloq Banking Suite and other Avaloq platforms on Google Cloud.
Avanish Sahai
“The financial services industry is undergoing rapid shifts, as banks seek to deliver strong, digital-first experiences to customers. Avaloq provides core and digital banking solutions for many of the world’s leading banks and financial institutions, and we are delighted to partner with Avaloq to support cloud-based transformation for these customers.”
said Avanish Sahai, Vice President, Partnerships at Google Cloud.
Due to its experience with Avaloq implementations, Orbium (part of Accenture Wealth Managemnet) was selected to support the testing and implementation procedures in Google Cloud.
Bringing the Avaloq Banking Suite to Google Cloud is said to enable financial institutions to rapidly provision infrastructure for deployment of their Avaloq applications, combined with the flexibility provided by the cloud including Bare Metal solutions to meet the needs of each customer.
Additionally, customers will also obtain the benefits of security and performance, along with improved scalability. With Avaloq’s Sensitive Data Segregation services, the partnership will also enable customers to store their data close to home, helping banks adhere to local data residency requirements.
Thomas Beck, Group Chief Technology Officer at Avaloq, said:
Thomas Beck
“We are truly impressed by Google Cloud’s innovative solutions and are excited to partner with this distinguished firm. This strategic partnership builds on Avaloq’s multi-cloud strategy, which allows our clients to pick and choose from a wide range of state-of-the-art IT infrastructure solutions.”
 
 
The post Avaloq Joins Forces With Google Cloud to Expand Its Cloud Offering Services appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/avaloq-joins-forces-with-google-cloud-to-expand-its-cloud-offering-services</link><guid>1652</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Avaloq Joins Forces With Google Cloud to Expand Its Cloud Offering Services</dc:text></item><item><title>SafeSide Embarks on a Mission to Simplify the Swiss Insurance Landscape</title><description><![CDATA[SafeSide Life AG, a Swiss-based digital life insurance platform provider, aims to simplify the process of purchasing life insurance without compromising user experience.
Pure financial protection is on an upward trajectory around the globe. However, buying pure life insurance in Switzerland is anything but easy and reminiscent of the digital dark ages. A young and innovative startup, SafeSide Life, is on a mission to beam financial protection into the 21st century by bringing much needed digital evolution to an old and often opaque industry. So far client feedback ranges from amazement at how easy buying insurance in Switzerland can be, to being surprised at the speed of the digital purchasing process while nonetheless enjoying a great user experience.
SafeSide&#8217;s journey to fruition
It all started when Michael Klien, one of the co-founders of SafeSide, and his wife were expecting their first child. Looking for term life insurance he noticed that it was not possible to do this without talking to an insurance agent. As a highly respected financial analyst with many years of experience scrutinising the insurance industry, he was amazed to find such little innovation and lack of customer focus. His frustration with the way pure life insurance is sold in Switzerland set him on his entrepreneurial journey.
Determined to educate every person in Switzerland on the affordability, simplicity and flexibility of pure life insurance, he founded SafeSide together with his co-founder Georg Liechtenstein. Since then SafeSide is on a relentless mission to enable everybody to buy pure life insurance fully digitally without having to talk to an insurance agent.
Simplifying life insurance with state of the art technologies
SafeSide oﬀers easy to understand language for an insurance product often viewed as complex, provides customers with much-needed transparency, and utilizes diverse state of the art technologies. All these characteristics amount to a great experience when applying for pure life insurance. Unique in Switzerland, you can now protect your loved ones financially in less than 3 minutes without the need for a signature. SafeSide simply wants its users to have the opportunity to secure their loved ones financially from anywhere and at any time without insurance agents seducing them into expensive life insurance products.
The tendency to push consumers into more expensive products can be seen in the Swiss life insurance data. Whereas there are more than 2.2 million individual life insurance policies only close to 600’000 are for pure life insurance, the others are mixed life insurance contracts and incorporate some form of capital accumulation in addition to financial protection. Unfortunately, mixed life insurance policies have many deficiencies such as inflexibility and high fees. As a general rule SafeSide recommends to separate investing and risk protection.
In addition, SafeSide intends to raise awareness on the fact that many Swiss residents fall prey to a false sense of security when it comes to financial protection. Even though the Swiss three pillars system provides for financial security it is often not enough. An intuitive and easy to use needs calculator on the SafeSide website provides a good starting point to assess your need for financial protection.
In the near future SafeSide wants to modernize term life insurance and take advantage of the latest technical possibilities by digitizing the entire process, which includes the usage of modern underwriting technologies and the individualization of premiums to a greater extent. In addition, SafeSide intends to build an ecosystem around the topic of “financial security”.
Beneficiaries of SafeSide&#8217;s platform
In overview SafeSide offers its pure life insurance solution to:
Individuals: SafeSide offers you a calculator to assess your financial protection needs. If financial protection is recommended, its digital process enables you to apply for a policy within 3 minutes, without a doctor’s appointment, no paperwork and fully online. SafeSide&#8217;s policy is highly flexible. You can change it at any time, even increases in duration or coverage are possible.
Corporates: SafeSide&#8217;s solution can easily be integrated into attractive compensation packages as fringe benefits. As such corporates can offer employees access to better financial security.
Insurers: SafeSide offers an additional distribution channel and also gives access to business clients who are looking for open architecture solutions. Thanks to SafeSide&#8217;s API offering integration can be achieved seamlessly.
Banks and financial advisors: SafeSide&#8217;s solution is the ideal tool to be used in holisitic financial planning. Integrate SafeSide into your e-banking portal to secure mortgages, enable your customers to create synthetic life insurance solutions or have SafeSide as a widget on your website. Thanks to SafeSide’s API offering, integration can be achieved seamlessly.
Details on the platform and its offering are available on SafeSide&#8217;s website.
 
Featured Image: Michael Klien (left) and Georg Liechtenstein (right), Co-Founders of SafeSide 
The post SafeSide Embarks on a Mission to Simplify the Swiss Insurance Landscape appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/safeside-embarks-on-a-mission-to-simplify-the-swiss-insurance-landscape</link><guid>1650</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>SafeSide Embarks on a Mission to Simplify the Swiss Insurance Landscape</dc:text></item><item><title>Spending Target: neue Personal Finance Funktion vom Kreditkartenanbieter Viseca</title><description><![CDATA[Mit dem neusten Update der beliebten one Karten-App erhalten Inhaber von Viseca Kredit- und Debitkarten noch mehr Kontrolle über ihre Ausgaben: Mit der neuen Funktion «Spending Target» können sich Nutzer ein wöchentliches Ausgabenziel setzen.
Dabei legen sie fest, wie viel Geld sie pro Woche ausgeben möchten. Die Ausgaben werden dann laufend und transparent dem Ziel gegenübergestellt. Dabei gibt die App auch verschiedene Rückmeldungen, wie etwa «Sie geben Ihr Geld zu schnell aus». Durch das wöchentliche Feedback der App in Bezug auf das Ausgabenziel erhalten Kunden ein klares Bild ihrer Ausgabensituation. Das hilft ihnen, informierte Kaufentscheidungen zu fällen und die Kontrolle über ihre Kartenausgaben zu behalten.
«Spending Target» basiert auf der Forschungs-App «Walter Finance», einer gemeinsamen Entwicklung von Viseca und den Auto-ID Labs der ETH Zürich und der Universität St. Gallen. Die App wurde eigens zu dem Zweck entwickelt, um mehr über das Ausgabeverhalten von Kartennutzern zu gewinnen. Mehr als 1’000 Nutzer haben die Forschungs-App über einen Zeitraum von zwei Jahren intensiv genutzt.
Klaus Fuchs
Klaus Fuchs, Associate Research Director beim Auto-ID Labs, sagt:
«Financial Literacy ist eines der wichtigsten Kundenanliegen im Finanzbereich: Kunden wollen einen umfassenden Blick auf ihre Finanzdaten. Dazu gehört auch, dass sie jederzeit eine konsolidierte Übersicht über ihre Ausgaben haben, um informierte Kaufentscheidungen zu treffen. Mit Walter Finance haben wir genau dieses Ziel verfolgt. Es freut mich sehr, dass unsere Forschungs-App nun in Form einer neuen Funktion in der one App von Viseca integriert wurde und so einer breiten Nutzergruppe zur Verfügung steht.»
Tobias Wirth
Tobias Wirth, Head Digital Business &amp; Innovation bei Viseca Payment Services SA, ergänzt:
«Es war uns bei Viseca stets ein Anliegen, unsere Kunden mit innovativen digitalen Services bei der Kontrolle ihrer Ausgaben zu unterstützen. Mit der Einführung von Spending Target in der one App setzen wir diesen Ansatz nun konsequent um. Damit können unsere mehr als 1,7 Millionen Kunden ihre Zahlkarte tagtäglich ohne Bedenken mit einem Gefühl der vollen Ausgabenkontrolle einsetzen.»
 
Featured image credit: Walter Finance 
The post Spending Target: neue Personal Finance Funktion vom Kreditkartenanbieter Viseca appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/spending-target-neue-personal-finance-funktion-vom-kreditkartenanbieter-viseca</link><guid>1649</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Spending Target: neue Personal Finance Funktion vom Kreditkartenanbieter Viseca</dc:text></item><item><title>Versicherungs-IT-Anbieter Centris verwaltet gesamtes Netzwerk mit Huawei</title><description><![CDATA[Centris, ein  Dienstleister für modulare IT-Lösungen im Schweizer Markt der Kranken- und Unfallversicherer, setzt auf Huawei-Komponenten für sein neues Software Defined Data Center Network (SD-DCN). Dank der Huawei Cloud Fabric können Netzwerk- und Security-Dienste nun automatisiert bereitgestellt werden. Huawei erfüllte den anspruchsvollen Anforderungskatalog der Centris optimal.
Die Anbieterin von Versicherungs-IT mit Sitz in Solothurn ist von der traditionellen Verwaltung ihres Data Center Networks (DCN) zu einer automatisierten Lösung übergegangen. Zum Einsatz kommt die «Huawei Cloud Fabric».
Mit dem neuen Software Defined Data Center Network (SD-DCN) konnte Centris ihr gesamtes Netzwerk inklusive Firewalls an einem Ort zentralisieren und die Komplexität der Infrastruktur massiv reduzieren. Das Netzwerkteam kann per Mausklick innerhalb von wenigen Minuten eine komplett neue Netzwerkzone über mehrere Data Centers kreieren und in Betrieb nehmen. Darüber hinaus können auch die virtuellen Zonen-Firewalls auf derselben Plattform erstellt und konfiguriert werden. Damit wird das Centris-Netzwerk-Team von repetitiver und fehleranfälliger Arbeit entlastet.
Julian Portmann
«Das Cloud-Fabric-Produkt von Huawei hat sämtliche unserer Kriterien erfüllt»,
sagt Centris-CIO Julian Portmann.
«Das Projekt, inklusive Implementation und Migrationsservices, wurde termingerecht und mit erfolgreicher Inbetriebnahme abgeschlossen».
Marco Kley
Marco Kley, Enterprise Account Manager bei Huawei Schweiz, ergänzt:
«Das Projekt war von einer intensiven und sehr erfolgreichen partnerschaftlichen Zusammenarbeit geprägt. Wir konnten Centris somit nicht nur von unseren innovativen Komponenten, sondern auch von unserem tiefen Verständnis ihrer Bedürfnisse als Kunde überzeugen.»
Mit dem einzigartigen Feature «Active/Standby SDN Controller Cluster» können zudem zwei voneinander getrennte Clusters aufgebaut und an geographisch voneinander getrennten Orten installiert werden, so dass der Ausfall des einen keine Auswirkung auf den anderen hat. Dies sichert Business Continuity in der Wartung und im Katastrophenfall – ein für Centris wesentlicher Faktor.
Ein intelligentes Data Center Network Monitoring und Analyzing Tool rundet die Lösung ab. «Fabric Insight» analysiert praktisch in Echtzeit die Telemetrie-Daten vom Data Center Network, gleicht den Ist- mit dem Soll-Zustand ab und meldet Optimierungspotenzial.
Aus dieser Zusammenarbeit sind bereits Folgeprojekte entstanden, mit denen sich Centris weiter für die digitale Zukunft rüstet und die erfolgreiche Partnerschaft vertieft.
 
Featured image credit: Screengrab from Youtube
The post Versicherungs-IT-Anbieter Centris verwaltet gesamtes Netzwerk mit Huawei appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/versicherungs-it-anbieter-centris-verwaltet-gesamtes-netzwerk-mit-huawei</link><guid>1646</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Versicherungs-IT-Anbieter Centris verwaltet gesamtes Netzwerk mit Huawei</dc:text></item><item><title>COVID-19 Has Caused Financial Regulators from Around the World to Prioritise Fintech</title><description><![CDATA[Amid COVID-19, central banks and financial regulators around the world are increasing their prioritization of fintech, with 85% of them indicating a high or increased focus on fintech in light of the pandemic, according to a new study by the World Bank and the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance.
In a report titled The Global COVID-19 Fintech Regulatory Rapid Assessment Study, the organizations share findings from a study conducted March and August 2020 of 118 regulatory authorities in 114 jurisdictions around the world.
The research found that across the globe, financial regulators are putting innovation as their number one priority as COVID-19 continues to have an extreme impact on our lives.
Image: The priority of FinTech within regulators in light of Covid-19 (N=72), The Global COVID-19 FinTech Regulatory Rapid Assessment Study, The World Bank and the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance, October 2020
In particular, regulators perceive fintech as a key enabler for financial inclusion (70%), with the potential to support market development (61%), the adoption of digital financial services (53%) as well as promoting competition (47%).
Image: Perceived impact of FinTech on regulatory objectives in light of Covid-19 (N=88), The Global COVID-19 FinTech Regulatory Rapid Assessment Study, The World Bank and the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance, October 2020
COVID-19 regulatory response
Amid COVID-19, 37% of responding regulators have undertaken at least one measure targeting one or more specific fintech activities or sectors, the research found. The digital payments and remittances sector was found to be the most commonly targeted (61%), followed by digital savings (17%), digital lending (15%), and digital capital raising (15%).
Image: FinTech sector specific measures taken by regulators (N=46), The Global COVID-19 FinTech Regulatory Rapid Assessment Study, The World Bank and the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance, October 2020
In the digital payments and remittances sector, measures that have been implemented include the temporary waiving of transaction fees as well as the increase of transaction limits/thresholds in a bid to encourage cashless transactions, the report notes.
It cites the example of the Central Bank of Kenya, which increased the transaction and balance limits by 114% in March, in addition to requiring mobile money providers to partially or fully waiving transaction fees. These moves, the central bank said, has led to “increased usage at higher amounts and greater convenience.”
In other fintech sectors, the most frequently cited measure undertaken was the issuance of regulations and guidelines to govern activities in specific sectors, including digital savings and deposits, digital capital raising, digital banking, cryptoasset exchange services, and robo-advisory services.
Image: Examples of Covid-19 FinTech specific regulatory measures
The research also found that the majority of respondents have introduced COVID-19 measures not directly targeting fintech but which have had an impact on the sector.
These measures fall into five main areas: know-your-customer (KYC), anti-money laundering (AML) and digital identity (49%); economic relief (42%); business continuity (39%); cybersecurity (29%); and employment and talent.
In particular, the report notes that COVID-19 has been a catalyst for digital adoption in financial services, which has prompted regulatory action with respect to KYC requirements.
Examples of this include facilitating or permitting electronic KYC (eKYC) processes or simplifying KYC processes and practices. Such initiatives have taken the forms of measures that support digital onboarding, digital/electronic signatures, as well as simplified and/or digital customer due diligence (CDD) checks using, for example, facial recognition technology.
Image: Instances of regulatory measures taken by respondents – Emerging market and developing economies versus Advanced economies (N=90), The Global COVID-19 FinTech Regulatory Rapid Assessment Study, The World Bank and the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance, October 2020
To help them in their work on fintech and digital financial services, regulators also indicated different types of assistance and support they would benefit from.
80% of respondents cited skills development as the most important type of support, followed by technical support (67%). Regtech and support were also popular themes with respondents requesting assistance to develop both road and strategies, but also specific tools, the report says.
Image: Types of assistance regulators would most benefit from in order to support their work on finTech in light of Covid-19 (N=83), The Global COVID-19 FinTech Regulatory Rapid Assessment Study, The World Bank and the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance, October 2020
Impact of COVID-19 on fintech
Central banks and financial regulators were also asked about the changes in usage or offering of fintech products they have observed since the beginning the pandemic.
More than 60% of respondents indicated that they saw an increase in the digital payments and remittances sector, while 22% observed rising activities in the digital banking sector.
Out of those that reported an increase in the usage or offering of digital payments and remittances, 65% were respondents in emerging markets and developing economies. In addition to this, respondents these markets were also found to be more likely to see an increase in digital banking activities (24% versus 18%), as well as digital savings or deposits (22% versus 12%).
On the other hand, 14% of respondents witnessed a decreased in activities in the digital capital raising sector, 16% in the cryptoasset exchanges sector, and 12% in the digital custody sector.
Image: Observed changes in usage or offering of fintech products and services in light of COVID-19 (N=97), The Global COVID-19 FinTech Regulatory Rapid Assessment Study, The World Bank and the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance, October 2020
 
This article first appeared on fintechnews.sg
The post COVID-19 Has Caused Financial Regulators from Around the World to Prioritise Fintech appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/covid-19-has-caused-financial-regulators-from-around-the-world-to-prioritise-fintech</link><guid>1647</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/The-priority-of-FinTech-within-regulators-in-light-of-Covid-19-N72-1.png</dc:content ><dc:text>COVID-19 Has Caused Financial Regulators from Around the World to Prioritise Fintech</dc:text></item><item><title>Switzerland Envisions Fintech and Sustainable Investments as a Winning Combo</title><description><![CDATA[The State Secretariat for International Finance (SIF) together with industry representatives, has launched the Green Fintech Network on 3 November 2020.
The Federal Council sees sustainable finance as a great opportunity for the Swiss financial center. The combination of sustainable financial services and digital technology (green fintech) is said to be promising.
SIF has recognised the importance of ecological sustainability in the financial sector both nationally and internationally, releasing a report and guidelines on sustainability in the financial sector.
Daniela Stoffel
State Secretary Daniela Stoffel laid the foundation for the network during a virtual meeting with the relevant industry players. The aim of the network is to ensure close cooperation between SIF and key specialists from the Swiss green fintech ecosystem.
The main industry players are represented in the network are green fintech companies and associations, risk capital firms, universities or specifically universities of applied sciences as well as consultancy and law firms.
The Green Fintech Network&#8217;s mandate is to identify areas in which the conditions for green fintech in Switzerland could be improved. The network should then submit concrete proposals to both the government and the private sector. The network aims to assist in the implementation of measures once the proposals are finalised.
The results of the Green Fintech Network&#8217;s initial activities will be recorded in an action plan, which is due to be published in spring 2021.
 
Featured image: Edited from Unsplash
The post Switzerland Envisions Fintech and Sustainable Investments as a Winning Combo appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/switzerland-envisions-fintech-and-sustainable-investments-as-a-winning-combo</link><guid>1648</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Switzerland Envisions Fintech and Sustainable Investments as a Winning Combo</dc:text></item><item><title>The Voice of Reason: Hyppo.ch Offers Straight Talking on Swiss Home Ownership</title><description><![CDATA[Different system, different language, different rules: three factors that are quick to deter expats from pursuing home ownership in Switzerland. Sprinkle in a dose of legalese and the cost of having everything translated – with no guarantee that the end product will be any clearer – and the task seems virtually impossible. It comes as little wonder, then, that rental agreements continue to reign among expats, despite many wanting to put down lasting roots and gain a foothold on the Swiss property ladder.
Lifting the fog
Fortunately, there’s now a way for expats to navigate the mortgage minefield with ease: Hyppo.CH, an innovative online mortgage calculator designed by Keen Innovation – a fintech innovation lab based in Basel – has the answers to all the questions a potential buyer may have about purchasing a property in Switzerland. The website breaks down the entire mortgage process into plain, simple language – no fewer than five languages in fact. It covers everything from how much a down payment should be in Switzerland (it’s 20%) to which residence permits are required. Nothing is left out, the explanations are simple and every step is clearly signposted with intuitive visual guides. Free to use and accessible at home and on the go, the website is available in English, German, French, Italian and Spanish. By the way, did you know you could use your pension savings as a guarantee in order to afford a bigger house? Now you do – you’re well on your way to becoming a true Swiss resident!
A few steps toward a dream future

 
Hyppo is originally designed as a web app that works on every platform. The landing screen is a streamlined version of the calculator on the Hyppo.CH website, and is intended to give users a quick overview of the type of home they can afford in Switzerland. This makes it ideal for use on the go – after, say, spotting a dream home for sale while out on a day trip.
No need to sweat the legal stuff

 
After inputting a few details, Hyppo.CH tells users if they fulfil legal requirements in order to sign their name on the dotted line. Not all residents with a foreign passport are eligible to purchase a home in Switzerland, so it’s a good idea to know this from the outset. EU citizens, for example, have the same rights as a Swiss passport holder. But citizens of other countries have to apply for an additional permit if they want to buy a holiday home or a second residence. Also worth knowing: owning property in Switzerland isn’t a fast track to a residence permit; in fact, it has no effect at all. Conversely, buying a property here while resident abroad results in certain restrictions (which vary depending on the canton).
The financial nitty-gritty

 
Buying a property involves much more than simply paying the mortgage (and interest) each month. Many people don’t realise this when they agree to the payment terms, meaning their dream home can quickly turn into a debt nightmare. Hyppo.CH sets out exactly what costs are involved – interest, building maintenance and amortisation – in a clear, colour-coded pie chart.
Hidden costs revealed

 
A down payment is essential for home ownership – this is the amount you have to pay upfront. However, this is not the only one-time payment a prospective homeowner will have to stump up: there’s also the fee for the notary (who oversees signature of the relevant documents by the purchaser and the seller) and a sizeable canton-specific property transfer tax, which covers the cost of the property’s entry into the land registry. A mortgage advisor will usually leave the latter fees out of the conversation – but Hyppo.CH doesn’t.
To buy or not to buy: that is the question
 
Buying a property is a good idea only if the numbers add up. If they don’t, it’s easy to become saddled with unmanageable amounts of debt. That’s why Hyppo has a feature that compares the monthly costs of renting a property with those involved in owning one. It states how many years it will take before owning returns a ‘profit’ over renting and sets out some handy additional factors to consider before making the property plunge.
A handy PDF primer

 
Hyppo compiles all the information entered and all the calculations made into a convenient, easy-to-read PDF that can be downloaded and shared with trusted advisors, or simply saved for later consultation. That means there’s no need to enter the same data and perform the calculations again – it’s already there.
The best things in life are free

 
A property valuation is an important step along the road to owning a home. Why? Because a bank uses it to determine the property’s value and ultimately to grant or decline a mortgage. A property valuation can be a fantastic bargaining chip when a prospective homeowner sets their sights on a bigger place, as they can cite the market value during price negotiations and hopefully swing it in their favour. Hyppo.CH enables users to request a property valuation free of charge – all it takes is an email address and a qualified adviser will get in touch within just one business day.

Proof of funding is another free service provided by Hyppo.CH. This document is essential, as it confirms the prospective homeowner is financially solvent. Given that demand for proof of funding is rather high in Switzerland, it can often take several business days to obtain one – by which time the property might already be off the market. Thankfully, users can simply enter their email address and they will be contacted by a qualified adviser within one business day, who will resolve their proof of funding request ASAP.
Ilya Shumilin
“Our primary goal when developing Hyppo was to create an intuitive online mortgage calculator that helps expats on their journey to home ownership in Switzerland. How? By setting out in no uncertain terms exactly what it involves. Financing, legal, practical, administrative: Hyppo answers every question, offers practical advice and recommendations, and hopefully builds a little excitement en route to becoming a home owner in the land of cheese and chocolate.”
Ilya Shumilin, Open Innovation Manager, Keen Innovation AG
 
No hidden agendas, only straight talk
In any financial agreement, it’s easy to fall victim to unexpected costs, especially when they are deliberately buried in the small print. Hyppo.CH lists all the hidden fees a buyer can expect along the path to home ownership, and also breaks down the legal requirements involved in buying a property in Switzerland. The mortgage calculator can even analyse a person’s salary, savings and current rental agreement, and offer a recommendation on whether the time is right to buy or if renting is the better option. Hyppo.CH also comes with a range of additional services provided at no extra cost, including an in-depth property assessment and written confirmation of financing. What’s more, registered users can download a PDF report – protected by two-step verification – with an overview of their current financial situation and buying options.
In other words, it’s never been easier for potential buyers from Europe and further afield to get the ball rolling with a Swiss mortgage.
 
Featured image: edited from Pexels
The post The Voice of Reason: Hyppo.ch Offers Straight Talking on Swiss Home Ownership appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-voice-of-reason-hyppoch-offers-straight-talking-on-swiss-home-ownership</link><guid>1645</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Hyppo-Voice-of-Reason-1.png</dc:content ><dc:text>The Voice of Reason: Hyppo.ch Offers Straight Talking on Swiss Home Ownership</dc:text></item><item><title>The Swiss Fintech Startup Map Welcomes 5 Newcomers in November</title><description><![CDATA[Swisscom has released the updated Swiss Fintech Startup Map for November 2020, welcoming five new Swiss startups for the month.
The Swisscom map which provides regular updates on the fintech landscape in the region now displays a grand total of 375 Swiss fintech startups.
For this month, the five new Swiss fintech startups that have made their way onto the map are VenturePole, Freya Savings, Kaspar&amp;, finpension and inapay.

VenturePole
VenturePole is a venture investment platform and business intelligence company, on a mission to raise more money for female founders and founders of color.

Freya Savings
FREYA Savings is a mobile app that delivers simple, personalized and straightforward savings plans for individual retirement accounts (Swiss 3a).

Kaspar&amp;
Kaspar&amp; is designed to provide seamless and comfortable access to professional financial services – starting with investing &amp; saving.

finpension
finpension is specialised in the management and investment of 2nd and 3rd pillar pension assets.

inapay
inapay is a mobile app which lets you accept payments in Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies in your business.


The post The Swiss Fintech Startup Map Welcomes 5 Newcomers in November appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-swiss-fintech-startup-map-welcomes-5-newcomers-in-november</link><guid>1644</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Swiss-Fintech-Startup-Map-November-2020.png</dc:content ><dc:text>The Swiss Fintech Startup Map Welcomes 5 Newcomers in November</dc:text></item><item><title>KLARA neu auch mit dem UBS E-Banking verknüpft</title><description><![CDATA[Zahlungsdaten per Knopfdruck von der Buchhaltung ins E-Banking übertragen: Mit dem digitalen Assistenten von KLARA ist das jetzt auch für Kunden von UBS  möglich.
Das Schweizer Finanzwesen vereinfachen: Das ist nur eines der vielen Ziele von KLARA. Neben der Buchhaltungslösung, die automatisch mit allen relevanten Schnittstellen kommuniziert, übermittelt KLARA Zahlungsdaten neu ans E-Banking von UBS. KLARA freut sich, den zahlreichen Kundinnen und Kunden von UBS den Abgleich von Kontobewegungen mit der Buchhaltung anzubieten.
Zuvor hatte KLARA schon E-Banking Integrationen bei mit der Credit Suisse  und der Glarner Kantonalbank bekanntgeben. Auch die Postfinance ist seit anfang Jahr mitangebunden
Die automatische Verknüpfung der Finanzbuchhaltung mit dem Bankwesen setzt neue Massstäbe für die Buchführung eines KMU. Per Knopfdruck übertragen Anwender Zahlungsdaten direkt ins E-Banking. Mühsame Exporte und Importe gehören somit der Vergangenheit an.
KLARA hat zum Ziel, durch praktische Lösungen den administrativen Aufwand von Schweizer KMU auf das Minimum zu reduzieren. Die Module von KLARA sind miteinander vernetzt und von überall aus erreichbar. Mit der grössten Schweizer Bank an Bord kann der digitale Assistent seine innovativen Tools einem noch grösseren Publikum zugänglich machen.
Die Schweizerische Post hatte KLAR im letzten September vollständig übernommen.
 
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Pixabay
The post KLARA neu auch mit dem UBS E-Banking verknüpft appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/klara-neu-auch-mit-dem-ubs-e-banking-verknupft</link><guid>1643</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>KLARA neu auch mit dem UBS E-Banking verknüpft</dc:text></item><item><title>German Challenger Bank Vivid Money Raises 15 Million Euro in Funding</title><description><![CDATA[Vivid Money, a Berlin-based challenger bank, raised 15 million Euro during its Series A funding round for expansion and product development, reaching a valuation of 100 million Euro.
Vivid Money launched its financial platform in 2020 in Germany, offering a single-app solution for its users.
The funding round was led by Ribbit Capital, a fintech-focused Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm whose portfolio includes notable players such as Robinhood, Nubank and Coinbase.
In addition to its expansion plans, the startup wants to use the new financing to offer a comprehensive investment product within the app for its users in the near future.
The investment product launch combined with a free metal card and stock rewards program aims to create a bridge between banking and investing.
Artem Yamanov
Artem Yamanov, co-founder of Vivid Money, explains:
&#8220;The partnership with Ribbit Capital gives us even more opportunities to complete our product in all its facets. Vivid users love our ever-expanding feature portfolio, which covers more and more needs around the topic of finance. After only a few months, we have been able to set ourselves apart from the competition. With this financing round, we are now a big step closer to our goal of offering an incomparable investment product throughout Europe&#8221;.
 
Featured image credit: Vivid Money
The post German Challenger Bank Vivid Money Raises 15 Million Euro in Funding appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/german-challenger-bank-vivid-money-raises-15-million-euro-in-funding</link><guid>1642</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>German Challenger Bank Vivid Money Raises 15 Million Euro in Funding</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss FinTech Awards 2021 Is Now Open for Applications</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss FinTech Awards that aims to boost Swiss innovation in finance and fostering fintech teams from all over Switzerland are now open for applications again.
The awards are part of the Swiss startup ecosystem with international integration established by a jury of fintech experts and investors, Accenture as its knowledge partner, partnership with several Swiss fintech associations, a network of finance institutions as well as the Finanz und Wirtschaft Forum.
The awards will connect startups with fintech investors, potential clients, coaches, industry experts and more. The top 10 start-ups will be given the opportunity to pitch at exclusive events and potentially win prize money and media coverage.
All fintech startups with a Swiss connection are eligible. This can include, for example Swiss founders (active in Switzerland and/or abroad) or startups with a Swiss office. Interested startups may visit their website for details on the application process.
Applications are grouped in early stage and growth stage startups so that young as well as more mature startups have a fair chance at winning.
The purpose of the Swiss FinTech Awards is to promote Swiss fintech innovators and to contribute to the strong Swiss fintech ecosystem.
For several years now the awards recognise outstanding fintech startups and fintech influencers. The winners are chosen by a renowned jury consisting of 20+ fintech experts.
The grand finale and awards ceremony will take place after the leading annual fintech conference by Finanz und Wirtschaft Forum “FinTech 2021” on 11 March 2021 in Zurich.
In early September, the awards had announced the list of its winners for the year 2020.
The post Swiss FinTech Awards 2021 Is Now Open for Applications appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-awards-2021-is-now-open-for-applications</link><guid>1639</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss FinTech Awards 2021 Is Now Open for Applications</dc:text></item><item><title>VIAC – Neu mit kostenloser Risikoversicherung in der Säule 3a</title><description><![CDATA[Es gilt, Neukunden zu gewinnen und Bestandskunden zu begeistern. In diesem Zusammenhang lanciert VIAC heute ein neues Feature: Dank der neuen und kostenlosen Risikoversicherung bei Invalidität oder Tod erhalten die Vorsorgenehmer von VIAC im Schadenfall bis zu 25 Prozent zusätzlich ausgezahlt. Es fallen keine zusätzlichen Gebühren für die Absicherung an, und VIAC bleibt mit durchschnittlichen Gesamtkosten (für Depot, Courtagen, Verwaltung, Produktkosten sowie MwSt) von lediglich 0,39% weiterhin Preisführer.
Mit mehr als 32‘000 aktiven Kunden und rund 650 Millionen Franken an verwaltetem Vorsorgevermögen dominiert VIAC den Markt der digitalen Vorsorgelösungen in der Schweiz.
Mit der kostenlosen Risikoabsicherung bei Invalidität oder Todesfall erweitert VIAC seinen Einflussbereich: Standen bisher vor allem Banken unter Zugzwang, so müssen sich inskünftig auch Versicherungsangebote neu erfinden.
Der VIAC Basisschutz
Der Basisschutz beinhaltet eine Kapitalversicherung bei Invalidität oder Todesfall und leitet sich anhand des in Wertschriften investierten Vermögens ab. Pro 10‘000 Franken investiertem Vermögen gibt es 2‘500 Franken Absicherung bei Invalidität oder Todesfall geschenkt. VIAC-Kunden in der Säule 3a und Freizügigkeit können so je Produkt bis zu 250‘000 Franken kostenlose Risikoabdeckung erhalten. Der VIAC-Life-Basisschutz wird jedem bestehenden und neuen VIAC-Kunden in der Säule 3a und Freizügigkeit automatisch hinterlegt. In der VIAC-App sowie in der VIAC-Webversion können die Kunden jederzeit einsehen, welchen kostenlosen Basisschutz sie geniessen. Der Kunde hat die Möglichkeit, das beim Basisschutz abgesicherte Risiko zwischen Invalidität oder Todesfall zu wechseln. Die Versicherungsabdeckung wird in Kooperation mit der Helvetia Lebensversicherungsgesellschaft AG umgesetzt.
Christian Mathis
Mehrwert für die Kunden schaffen oder wie es Christian Mathis Mitgründer von VIAC, formuliert:
&#8220;Das Feature kostet uns natürlich etwas Marge (denn die Kosten für diese Absicherungen trägt VIAC), dennoch ist dies in unseren Augen ein interessanter Weg weitere Kundensegmente zu erschliessen und den Kunden etwas zurückzugeben statt sehr viel Geld für Werbung auszugeben. &#8220;
The post VIAC – Neu mit kostenloser Risikoversicherung in der Säule 3a appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/viac-neu-mit-kostenloser-risikoversicherung-in-der-saule-3a</link><guid>1640</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>VIAC – Neu mit kostenloser Risikoversicherung in der Säule 3a</dc:text></item><item><title>St.GallerKB setzt in der hybriden Anlageberatung auf Ecofin Wealthtech Lösung</title><description><![CDATA[Die St.Galler Kantonalbank und ECOFIN bauen ihre Zusammenarbeit in der Digitalisierung der Anlageberatung aus. FINFOX, die digitale Anlageplattform von ECOFIN, wird zukünftig nicht nur die Anlageberater der St.Galler Kantonalbank in der Kundeninteraktion unterstützen, sondern ihren Bankkunden ergänzende Self-Services in der Anlageberatung ermöglichen.
Falk Kohlmann
«Gemeinsam mit ECOFIN haben wir eine Lösung gefunden, mit der unsere Kompetenzen in der Anlageberatung auch direkt über unsere SGKB-App unseren Kundinnen und Kunden zur Verfügung stehen»,
sagt Falk Kohlmann, Leiter Digital Banking und designiertes Geschäftsleitungsmitglied von der St.Galler Kantonalbank.
Die St.Galler Kantonalbank setzt in den letzten Jahren vermehrt auf digitale Services für ihre Bankkunden. Beispiele hierfür sind die mobilen Applikationen #HäschCash oder Wiitblick. Kunden haben die Möglichkeit, direkt über die SGKB-App auf verschiedene digitale Angebote zuzugreifen und damit ganz unabhängig von Ort und Zeit ihre Bankgeschäfte zu erledigen. Neu ist es die Absicht, dass auch die Digitale Anlageempfehlung über die SGKB-App aufrufbar sein wird. Ziel ist, Beratungskunden zeitnah, ortsunabhängig und individuell durch ihre Kundenberater über neue Anlage-Chancen in ihrem Portfolio zu informieren, konkrete Vorschläge zu unterbreiten und Entscheidungen direkt digital zu übermitteln. Eine Lancierung der Lösung ist im zweiten Halbjahr 2021 geplant.
FINFOX setzt im Investment-Ökosystem voll auf Digitalisierung, um das Beratungserlebnis für die Bankkunden zu intensivieren und die Beratungseffizienz für die Bank zu steigern. Als modulare Omni-Kanal-Lösung ermöglicht FINFOX hybride Beratungsansätze also die auf den Bankkunden ausgerichtete Kombination von persönlicher und digitaler Interaktion. So werden die Anforderungen an ein attraktives Kundenerlebnis, fachlich und regulatorisch korrekte Funktionalitäten sowie modernen Technologie-Einsatz ideal integriert.
Christian Dicke
«Ein digitales Investment-Ökosystem für Banken, ihre Berater und ihre Kunden zu schaffen, ist Kern unserer strategischen Agenda»,
führt Dr. Christian Dicke, CEO der ECOFIN Software and Technology AG, aus.
«Ein modernes Kundenerlebnis, effiziente Prozesse und stete Regulationskonformität sind für uns keine leeren Schlagworte, sondern täglich gelebte Praxis mit FINFOX.»
 
Featured image: Dr. Christian Dicke, CEO der ECOFIN Software and Technology AG
The post St.GallerKB setzt in der hybriden Anlageberatung auf Ecofin Wealthtech Lösung appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/stgallerkb-setzt-in-der-hybriden-anlageberatung-auf-ecofin-wealthtech-losung</link><guid>1638</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>St.GallerKB setzt in der hybriden Anlageberatung auf Ecofin Wealthtech Lösung</dc:text></item><item><title>St.Galler KB setzt in der hybriden Anlageberatung auf Ecofin Wealthtech Lösung</title><description><![CDATA[Die St.Galler Kantonalbank und ECOFIN bauen ihre Zusammenarbeit in der Digitalisierung der Anlageberatung aus. FINFOX, die digitale Anlageplattform von ECOFIN, wird zukünftig nicht nur die Anlageberater der St.Galler Kantonalbank in der Kundeninteraktion unterstützen, sondern ihren Bankkunden ergänzende Self-Services in der Anlageberatung ermöglichen.
Falk Kohlmann
«Gemeinsam mit ECOFIN haben wir eine Lösung gefunden, mit der unsere Kompetenzen in der Anlageberatung auch direkt über unsere SGKB-App unseren Kundinnen und Kunden zur Verfügung stehen»,
sagt Falk Kohlmann, Leiter Digital Banking und designiertes Geschäftsleitungsmitglied von der St.Galler Kantonalbank.
Die St.Galler Kantonalbank setzt in den letzten Jahren vermehrt auf digitale Services für ihre Bankkunden. Beispiele hierfür sind die mobilen Applikationen #HäschCash oder Wiitblick. Kunden haben die Möglichkeit, direkt über die SGKB-App auf verschiedene digitale Angebote zuzugreifen und damit ganz unabhängig von Ort und Zeit ihre Bankgeschäfte zu erledigen. Neu ist es die Absicht, dass auch die Digitale Anlageempfehlung über die SGKB-App aufrufbar sein wird. Ziel ist, Beratungskunden zeitnah, ortsunabhängig und individuell durch ihre Kundenberater über neue Anlage-Chancen in ihrem Portfolio zu informieren, konkrete Vorschläge zu unterbreiten und Entscheidungen direkt digital zu übermitteln. Eine Lancierung der Lösung ist im zweiten Halbjahr 2021 geplant.
FINFOX setzt im Investment-Ökosystem voll auf Digitalisierung, um das Beratungserlebnis für die Bankkunden zu intensivieren und die Beratungseffizienz für die Bank zu steigern. Als modulare Omni-Kanal-Lösung ermöglicht FINFOX hybride Beratungsansätze also die auf den Bankkunden ausgerichtete Kombination von persönlicher und digitaler Interaktion. So werden die Anforderungen an ein attraktives Kundenerlebnis, fachlich und regulatorisch korrekte Funktionalitäten sowie modernen Technologie-Einsatz ideal integriert.
Christian Dicke
«Ein digitales Investment-Ökosystem für Banken, ihre Berater und ihre Kunden zu schaffen, ist Kern unserer strategischen Agenda»,
führt Dr. Christian Dicke, CEO der ECOFIN Software and Technology AG, aus.
«Ein modernes Kundenerlebnis, effiziente Prozesse und stete Regulationskonformität sind für uns keine leeren Schlagworte, sondern täglich gelebte Praxis mit FINFOX.»
 
Featured image: Dr. Christian Dicke, CEO der ECOFIN Software and Technology AG
The post St.Galler KB setzt in der hybriden Anlageberatung auf Ecofin Wealthtech Lösung appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/stgaller-kb-setzt-in-der-hybriden-anlageberatung-auf-ecofin-wealthtech-losung</link><guid>1641</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>St.Galler KB setzt in der hybriden Anlageberatung auf Ecofin Wealthtech Lösung</dc:text></item><item><title>Nordic Capital Acquires RegTech From BearingPoint</title><description><![CDATA[Stockholm-based Nordic Capital, a private equity whose funds focus on investments primarily in Northern Europe, has acquired the RegTech division from management and technology consulting firm BearingPoint. BearingPoint will continue to serve as a strategic consulting partner and retain a minority stake in the company.
RegTech, a European provider of software solutions across the regulatory value chain, is headquartered in Frankfurt and has 17 offices across 10 countries. Founded over 25 years ago, the company is reportedly expected to generate revenues of close to EUR 100 million in 2020.
The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Nordic Capital intends to support RegTech’s next phase of innovation and sustainable growth by investing in the company’s continued product development, enhancing its organisational capacity and expanding its international footprint.
Fredrik Näslund
&#8220;RegTech&#8217;s unique portfolio of software and solutions is highly acclaimed in the industry and has already earned the trust of more than 6,000 reporting firms including banks, insurance companies, supervisory authorities and financial services providers. Our broad experience in supporting the growth and development of software and technology companies makes Nordic Capital an ideal partner to play a formative role in the next phase for RegTech together with the company’s management team,&#8221;
said Fredrik Näslund, Partner and Head of Technology &amp; Payments, Nordic Capital Advisors.
Technology and payments is one of Nordic Capital’s focus sectors, with 17 platform investments made since 2001.
Nordic Capital’s previous experience in this sector includes investments such as Bambora, Board International, Conscia, Itiviti, Macrobond, Trustly and Signicat.
RegTech is Nordic Capital’s second technology and payments platform investment in 2020, following Siteimprove, a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) company providing software solutions which improves digital accessibility and compliance, announced in September.
 
Featured image: Jürgen Lux, CEO of RegTech
The post Nordic Capital Acquires RegTech From BearingPoint appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/nordic-capital-acquires-regtech-from-bearingpoint</link><guid>1636</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Nordic Capital Acquires RegTech From BearingPoint</dc:text></item><item><title>Digital Banking Champions Lead in UX, Functionalities and Ecosystem Building</title><description><![CDATA[So-called digital banking champions are delivering the best UX in account opening, transfers and buying a credit product. They are also leading their peers in products and personal finance management, as well as in expanding their digital functionalities to provide the widest range of products, according to a new report by Deloitte.
In its Digital Banking Maturity 2020 report, the firm shares findings from the largest global benchmarking of digital retail banking channels, and provides an overview of the areas where digital champions are putting their focuses on.
According to the report, digital champions, which offer a wide range of functionalities and a compelling user experience (UX), lead their peers in the number of digital functionalities along the customer journey, and, in the case of incumbent champions (81% of all digital champions), these outperform other incumbents in their country on average on both cost-to-income ratio (-4.0 percentage point (p.p.)) and return on equity (ROE) (+1.9 p.p.).
Selected KPIs of incumbents- average difference to incumbent peers, p.p., Digital Banking Maturity 2020, Deloitte, Oct 2020
Digital champions understood early on that UX is a key differentiator driving customer satisfaction, and today 65% of them ranked in the top 10% for analyzed UX scenarios, the research found. In particular, they excel in account opening (71% versus 23% for digital latecomers), transfers (79% versus 54%) and buying credit products (75% versus 45%).
% of UX-related functionalities offered by banks, Digital Banking Maturity 2020, Deloitte, Oct 2020
Digital champions are also actively developing ecosystems, whether that’s by making APIs available for developers (100% versus 61% for digital latecomers), being involved in fintech accelerator programs and hackathons (94% versus 30%), or pursuing varied types of fintech partnerships (66% versus 39%).
% of banks offering given functionality, Digital Banking Maturity 2020, Deloitte, Oct 2020
Unsurprisingly, challenger banks were found to be faster than incumbents to adopt new trends and innovations, with the most notable gaps being in bill splitting (27% versus 2%), virtual debit card (26% versus 2%), transaction geolocation tags (21% versus 1%), cryptocurrency operations (9% versus 0%), and chatbots with advanced use cases (15% versus 4%).
% of banks offering given innovative functionality, Digital Banking Maturity 2020, Deloitte, Oct 2020
With a digitally-focused, seamless customer experience and a value proposition that resonates with a specific target segment, challenger banks have been able to acquire a significant customer base around the world.
UK-headquartered Revolut claims it has over 12 million individual customers and recently expanded into the US and Asia Pacific (APAC). Monzo, another challenger bank from the UK, counts 4.75 million customers. In the UK, challenger banks like Revolut, Monzo, but also Starling and Tide, hold a market share of more than 14% for primary accounts being switched.
In Brazil, NuBAnk, an app-only bank for the unbanked, is now the largest challenger bank in the world with over 15 million unique customers after growing 200% year-over-year in 2019.
COVID-19 changing consumer behavior
2020 has been a challenging year for the banking sector as the COVID-19 pandemic forces incumbents to implement digital processes, embrace contactless payments methods, and overall, fast-track their digital transformation.
In the US, teller transactions are down 30 to 40% this year as a result of the pandemic. Michael Perito, regional bank analyst for investment bank Keefe Bruyette &amp; Woods, predicts that some 20,000 bank branches, if not more, could close after COVID-19.
On the other end of the spectrum, mobile and digital adoption has been on rise. Bain &amp; Company’s recent survey of roughly 10,000 consumers found that 30% reduced or stopped using a traditional payments method such as cash during the pandemic, a trend that will likely continue.
In Italy, Spain and the US, 15 to 20% of customers surveyed by McKinsey expect to increase their use of digital channels once the crisis has passed. In Western European markets, preference for handling everyday transactions digitally is as high as about 60 to 85%, even for customers 65 years of age or older.
The post Digital Banking Champions Lead in UX, Functionalities and Ecosystem Building appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digital-banking-champions-lead-in-ux-functionalities-and-ecosystem-building</link><guid>1635</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Selected-KPIs-of-incumbents-average-difference-to-incumbent-peers-p.p.-Digital-Banking-Maturity-2020-Deloitte-Oct-2020.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Digital Banking Champions Lead in UX, Functionalities and Ecosystem Building</dc:text></item><item><title>AWS eröffnet Rechenzentren in der Schweiz</title><description><![CDATA[Amazon Web Services( AWS), ein Unternehmen von Amazon.com, wird in der zweiten Jahreshälfte 2022 eine neue Infrastrukturregion mit drei Verfügbarkeitszonen in der Schweiz eröffnen.
Damit ergänzt es die bereits vorhandenen europäischen Regionen in Frankreich, Deutschland, Irland, Italien, Schweden und Grossbritannien. Aktuell stellt AWS weltweit 77 Verfügbarkeitszonen in 24 geografischen Regionen zur Verfügung. 12 weitere Verfügbarkeitszonen und vier zusätzliche Regionen sind für die Schweiz, Indonesien, Japan, und Spanien angekündigt. Mit der AWS Europe (Zurich)-Region können mehr Entwickler, Startups und grosse Unternehmen sowie Behörden, Bildungsinstitutionen und Non-Profit-Organisationen ihre Anwendungen in Rechenzentren in der Schweiz betreiben und Endkunden von dort bedienen. Weitere Informationen zur weltweiten AWS-Infrastruktur finden Sie hier.
«Seit über 14 Jahren unterstützt AWS Unternehmen und Organisationen aus der gesamten Schweizer Industrie dabei, ihre IT-Kosten zu senken, Innovationen zu beschleunigen und Prozesse zu transformieren»,
sagt Peter DeSantis, Senior Vice President of Global Infrastructure and Customer Support bei Amazon Web Services.
«Wir freuen uns, die Region in der Schweiz anzukündigen und Schweizer Institutionen, Startups, und führende Pharma-Unternehmen dabei zu unterstützen, ihre Cloud-basierenden Anwendungen bereitzustellen und die wirtschaftliche Entwicklung im ganzen Land voranzutreiben.»
AWS-Regionen bestehen aus Verfügbarkeitszonen, also technische Infrastrukturen, die physisch getrennt und geografisch voneinander entfernt sind. Die physische Distanz reduziert das Risiko deutlich, dass ein einzelnes Ereignis die Kontinuität der Geschäftsabläufe beeinträchtigt. Zugleich liegen die Verfügbarkeitszonen nah genug aneinander, dass eine niedrige Latenz für Anwendungen, die eine Hochverfügbarkeit verlangen, sichergestellt wird. Jede Verfügbarkeitszone verfügt über eine unabhängige Stromversorgung, Kühlung, eigene physische Sicherheit und ist über ein redundantes Netzwerk mit niedriger Latenz verbunden. AWS-Kunden, für die Latenz eine zentrale Rolle spielt, können ihre Anwendungen so aufbauen, dass sie in verschiedenen Verfügbarkeitszonen laufen und so eine hohe Fehlertoleranz erreichen.
Mit der neuen AWS Europe (Zurich) Region können Kunden der Anforderung ihre Daten in der Schweiz zu halten, gerecht werden. Dabei behalten sie die vollständige Kontrolle darüber, wo ihre Daten gespeichert sind und profitieren landesweit von einer niedrigeren Latenz. Schweizer Unternehmen haben so sicheren Zugang zu den fortschrittlichen Amazon-Web-Services-Technologien und eine umfassende Auswahl an Cloud-basierten Diensten für Analysen, künstliche Intelligenz, virtuelle Maschinen und Container, Datenbanken, Internet der Dinge, maschinelles Lernen sowie für mobile Applikationen, serverless Technologien, die Datenspeicherung und viele mehr.
Mit der neuen Schweizer AWS-Region setzt AWS seine Investitionen in die Schweiz fort. Die Präsenz des Cloud-Anbieters im Land hat sich aufgrund des Kundenwachstums stetig vergrössert. Im April 2016 öffnete das erste Büro in der Schweiz, in Zürich. Ein zweiter Standort folgte in Genf im Dezember 2017. Im März desselben Jahres richtete AWS zwei Points of Presence (PoP) in Zürich ein: Von hier werden Amazon CloudFront, Amazon Route 53, AWS Shield, AWS WAF sowie Lambda@Edge und Amazon Direct Cloud zur Verfügung gestellt.
 
 
Featured image: Edited from Pexels
The post AWS eröffnet Rechenzentren in der Schweiz appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/aws-eroffnet-rechenzentren-in-der-schweiz</link><guid>1633</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>AWS eröffnet Rechenzentren in der Schweiz</dc:text></item><item><title>AWS eröffnet Rechenzentrum in der Schweiz</title><description><![CDATA[Amazon Web Services( AWS), ein Unternehmen von Amazon.com, wird in der zweiten Jahreshälfte 2022 eine neue Infrastrukturregion mit drei Verfügbarkeitszonen in der Schweiz eröffnen.
Damit ergänzt es die bereits vorhandenen europäischen Regionen in Frankreich, Deutschland, Irland, Italien, Schweden und Grossbritannien. Aktuell stellt AWS weltweit 77 Verfügbarkeitszonen in 24 geografischen Regionen zur Verfügung. 12 weitere Verfügbarkeitszonen und vier zusätzliche Regionen sind für die Schweiz, Indonesien, Japan, und Spanien angekündigt. Mit der AWS Europe (Zurich)-Region können mehr Entwickler, Startups und grosse Unternehmen sowie Behörden, Bildungsinstitutionen und Non-Profit-Organisationen ihre Anwendungen in Rechenzentren in der Schweiz betreiben und Endkunden von dort bedienen. Weitere Informationen zur weltweiten AWS-Infrastruktur finden Sie hier.
Peter DeSantis
«Seit über 14 Jahren unterstützt AWS Unternehmen und Organisationen aus der gesamten Schweizer Industrie dabei, ihre IT-Kosten zu senken, Innovationen zu beschleunigen und Prozesse zu transformieren»,
sagt Peter DeSantis, Senior Vice President of Global Infrastructure and Customer Support bei Amazon Web Services.
«Wir freuen uns, die Region in der Schweiz anzukündigen und Schweizer Institutionen, Startups, und führende Pharma-Unternehmen dabei zu unterstützen, ihre Cloud-basierenden Anwendungen bereitzustellen und die wirtschaftliche Entwicklung im ganzen Land voranzutreiben.»
AWS-Regionen bestehen aus Verfügbarkeitszonen, also technische Infrastrukturen, die physisch getrennt und geografisch voneinander entfernt sind. Die physische Distanz reduziert das Risiko deutlich, dass ein einzelnes Ereignis die Kontinuität der Geschäftsabläufe beeinträchtigt. Zugleich liegen die Verfügbarkeitszonen nah genug aneinander, dass eine niedrige Latenz für Anwendungen, die eine Hochverfügbarkeit verlangen, sichergestellt wird. Jede Verfügbarkeitszone verfügt über eine unabhängige Stromversorgung, Kühlung, eigene physische Sicherheit und ist über ein redundantes Netzwerk mit niedriger Latenz verbunden. AWS-Kunden, für die Latenz eine zentrale Rolle spielt, können ihre Anwendungen so aufbauen, dass sie in verschiedenen Verfügbarkeitszonen laufen und so eine hohe Fehlertoleranz erreichen.
Mit der neuen AWS Europe (Zurich) Region können Kunden der Anforderung ihre Daten in der Schweiz zu halten, gerecht werden. Dabei behalten sie die vollständige Kontrolle darüber, wo ihre Daten gespeichert sind und profitieren landesweit von einer niedrigeren Latenz. Schweizer Unternehmen haben so sicheren Zugang zu den fortschrittlichen Amazon-Web-Services-Technologien und eine umfassende Auswahl an Cloud-basierten Diensten für Analysen, künstliche Intelligenz, virtuelle Maschinen und Container, Datenbanken, Internet der Dinge, maschinelles Lernen sowie für mobile Applikationen, serverless Technologien, die Datenspeicherung und viele mehr.
Mit der neuen Schweizer AWS-Region setzt AWS seine Investitionen in die Schweiz fort. Die Präsenz des Cloud-Anbieters im Land hat sich aufgrund des Kundenwachstums stetig vergrössert. Im April 2016 öffnete das erste Büro in der Schweiz, in Zürich. Ein zweiter Standort folgte in Genf im Dezember 2017. Im März desselben Jahres richtete AWS zwei Points of Presence (PoP) in Zürich ein: Von hier werden Amazon CloudFront, Amazon Route 53, AWS Shield, AWS WAF sowie Lambda@Edge und Amazon Direct Cloud zur Verfügung gestellt.
 
 
Featured image: Edited from Pexels
The post AWS eröffnet Rechenzentrum in der Schweiz appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/aws-eroffnet-rechenzentrum-in-der-schweiz</link><guid>1634</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>AWS eröffnet Rechenzentrum in der Schweiz</dc:text></item><item><title>AWS plant Eröffung von Rechenzentren in der Schweiz</title><description><![CDATA[Amazon Web Services (AWS), ein Unternehmen von Amazon.com, wird in der zweiten Jahreshälfte 2022 eine neue Infrastrukturregion mit drei Verfügbarkeitszonen in der Schweiz eröffnen.
Damit ergänzt es die bereits vorhandenen europäischen Regionen in Frankreich, Deutschland, Irland, Italien, Schweden und Grossbritannien. Aktuell stellt AWS weltweit 77 Verfügbarkeitszonen in 24 geografischen Regionen zur Verfügung. 12 weitere Verfügbarkeitszonen und vier zusätzliche Regionen sind für die Schweiz, Indonesien, Japan, und Spanien angekündigt. Mit der AWS Europe (Zurich)-Region können mehr Entwickler, Startups und grosse Unternehmen sowie Behörden, Bildungsinstitutionen und Non-Profit-Organisationen ihre Anwendungen in Rechenzentren in der Schweiz betreiben und Endkunden von dort bedienen.
Peter DeSantis
«Seit über 14 Jahren unterstützt AWS Unternehmen und Organisationen aus der gesamten Schweizer Industrie dabei, ihre IT-Kosten zu senken, Innovationen zu beschleunigen und Prozesse zu transformieren»,
sagt Peter DeSantis, Senior Vice President of Global Infrastructure and Customer Support bei Amazon Web Services.
«Wir freuen uns, die Region in der Schweiz anzukündigen und Schweizer Institutionen, Startups, und führende Pharma-Unternehmen dabei zu unterstützen, ihre Cloud-basierenden Anwendungen bereitzustellen und die wirtschaftliche Entwicklung im ganzen Land voranzutreiben.»
AWS-Regionen bestehen aus Verfügbarkeitszonen, also technische Infrastrukturen, die physisch getrennt und geografisch voneinander entfernt sind. Die physische Distanz reduziert das Risiko deutlich, dass ein einzelnes Ereignis die Kontinuität der Geschäftsabläufe beeinträchtigt. Zugleich liegen die Verfügbarkeitszonen nah genug aneinander, dass eine niedrige Latenz für Anwendungen, die eine Hochverfügbarkeit verlangen, sichergestellt wird. Jede Verfügbarkeitszone verfügt über eine unabhängige Stromversorgung, Kühlung, eigene physische Sicherheit und ist über ein redundantes Netzwerk mit niedriger Latenz verbunden. AWS-Kunden, für die Latenz eine zentrale Rolle spielt, können ihre Anwendungen so aufbauen, dass sie in verschiedenen Verfügbarkeitszonen laufen und so eine hohe Fehlertoleranz erreichen.
Mit der neuen AWS Europe (Zurich) Region können Kunden der Anforderung ihre Daten in der Schweiz zu halten, gerecht werden. Dabei behalten sie die vollständige Kontrolle darüber, wo ihre Daten gespeichert sind und profitieren landesweit von einer niedrigeren Latenz. Schweizer Unternehmen haben so sicheren Zugang zu den fortschrittlichen Amazon-Web-Services-Technologien und eine umfassende Auswahl an Cloud-basierten Diensten für Analysen, künstliche Intelligenz, virtuelle Maschinen und Container, Datenbanken, Internet der Dinge, maschinelles Lernen sowie für mobile Applikationen, serverless Technologien, die Datenspeicherung und viele mehr.
Mit der neuen Schweizer AWS-Region setzt AWS seine Investitionen in die Schweiz fort. Die Präsenz des Cloud-Anbieters im Land hat sich aufgrund des Kundenwachstums stetig vergrössert. Im April 2016 öffnete das erste Büro in der Schweiz, in Zürich. Ein zweiter Standort folgte in Genf im Dezember 2017. Im März desselben Jahres richtete AWS zwei Points of Presence (PoP) in Zürich ein: Von hier werden Amazon CloudFront, Amazon Route 53, AWS Shield, AWS WAF sowie Lambda@Edge und Amazon Direct Cloud zur Verfügung gestellt.
 
 
Featured image: Edited from Pexels
The post AWS plant Eröffung von Rechenzentren in der Schweiz appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/aws-plant-eroffung-von-rechenzentren-in-der-schweiz</link><guid>1637</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>AWS plant Eröffung von Rechenzentren in der Schweiz</dc:text></item><item><title>EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Switzerland Award? Ein Fintech Startup unter den Top 5</title><description><![CDATA[Zum 23. Mal hat das Prüfungs- und Beratungsunternehmen EY in der Schweiz herausragende und verdienstvolle Wirtschafts-Persönlichkeiten ausgezeichnet. Insgesamt 60 Unternehmerinnen und Unternehmer aus der ganzen Schweiz stellten sich zur Wahl; von den daraus gekürten 15 Finalistinnen und Finalisten wählte die Jury heute Abend folgende fünf Preisträger:
Patrick Firmenich, VR-Präsident Firmenich, Genf
Patrick Firmenich, VR-Präsident Firmenich, Genf
Gewinner in der Kategorie «Family Business», weil er die Tradition des familieneigenen Unternehmens seit vielen Jahren so erfolgreich zusammenhält, dass sie zu den Top-Firmen weltweit zählt. Patrick Firmenich ist der Delegierte der Familie und Vorsitzende eines traditionellen Familienunternehmens, das bereits 1895 gegründet wurde. Das grösste private Duft- und Aromaunternehmen ist heute in über 100 Märkten präsent. Weltweit arbeiten über 10.000 Menschen für das Schweizer Unternehmen.
Marek Dutkiewicz, Gründer und CEO HR Campus, Dübendorf (ZH)
Gewinner in der Kategorie «Dienstleistungen/Handel», da sein Lebenslauf zeigt, dass echtes Unternehmertum grenzenlos ist. Als polnischer Flüchtling kam Marek Dutkiewicz in die Schweiz und begann 1998 mit seiner Firma HR Campus als Technologieanbieter für Personalabteilungen. Heute ist die Firma mit mehr als 160 Mitarbeitenden der führende Dienstleistungs- und IT-Anbieter, der sich der HR-Exzellenz widmet. Die Tools, Lösungen und Plattformen decken den gesamten Lebenszyklus der Mitarbeitenden für HR-Fachkräfte ab.
Avni Orllati, Gründer und VR-Delegierter Groupe Orllati, Bioley-Orjulaz (VD)
Avni Orllati, Gründer und VR-Delegierter Groupe Orllati, Bioley-Orjulaz (VD)
Gewinner in der Kategorie «Industrie/High-Tech/Life Sciences» in Anerkennung seiner harten Arbeit, die zu einer inspirierenden Gründungsgeschichte geführt hat. 1997, im Alter von 21 Jahren gründen Avni und sein Zwillingsbruder ein eigenes Unternehmen, indem sie eine Maschine mieten, die Beton aufbricht. Heute ist Orllati ein führender Anbieter auf dem Gebiet des «grünen Bauens» und beschäftigt in der Westschweiz über 850 Mitarbeiter. Das Unternehmen ist auf alle Bereiche der vorbereitenden Bauarbeiten spezialisiert, z. B. Abbrucharbeiten, Erdarbeiten, Abwasserentsorgung sowie Bohrungen.
Michael Born und Karim Nemr, Co-Gründer und CEO respektive Chief Business Officer PXL Vision AG, Zürich




Gewinner in der Kategorie «Emerging Entrepreneurs», weil sie eine absolut überzeugende Zukunftstechnologe entwickelt haben. Michael Born und Karim Nemr trafen sich beim 3D-Scanning-Spezialisten Dacuda (EOY-Gewinner 2012) und beschlossen, diese Technologie weiterzuentwickeln. Heute bietet PXL Vision eine Technologieplattform für die sichere Identitätsprüfung und vertrauenswürdige digitale Identitäten. Die Plattform ist ein skalierbares Geschäftsmodell, das erst am Anfang eines grossen und globalen Anwendungsbereichs steht.
Stefan Rösch-Rütsche
Stefan Rösch-Rütsche, Country Managing Partner von EY Switzerland, kommentiert:
«Die diesjährige Durchführung unserer Wahl zum «EY Entrepreneur Of The Year» hat einmal mehr gezeigt, dass die Schweiz über ein sehr grosses Potenzial an innovativen Unternehmer-Persönlichkeiten verfügt. Zudem freut es mich zu sehen, dass in der Schweiz die unterschiedlichsten beruflichen und privaten Wege zu einem erfolgreichen Unternehmertum führen können».
Logitech-Gründer für berufliches Lebenswerk geehrt
Gleichzeitig wurde heute mit Daniel Borel auch eine langjährige, erfolgreiche und verdiente Schweizer Unternehmer-Persönlichkeit geehrt. Er erhielt von der Jury die diesjährige «Master Entrepreneur»-Auszeichnung für sein berufliches Lebenswerk zugesprochen. Daniel Borel war 1981 Mitbegründer von Logitech und leitete die Herstellerin von Computermäusen von 1992 bis 1998 als CEO. Von 1988 bis 2007 amtierte er als Präsident des Verwaltungsrates sowie anschliessend bis 2015 als VR-Mitglied. 1988 führte Daniel Borel Logitech an die Schweizer Börse SIX und 1997 auch noch an die US-amerikanische Technologiebörse Nasdaq.
Preisverleihung 2020 im Rahmen einer digitalen Premiere
Traditionell findet die Preisverleihung zum «Entrepreneur Of The Year» jeweils im Rahmen einer festlichen Gala statt. Aufgrund der aktuellen Situation hat EY frühzeitig entschieden, die diesjährige Preisverleihung in Form einer hybriden Gala durchzuführen. So wurde die heutige Award-Show &#8211; unter Einhaltung eines strikten Schutzkonzepts &#8211; live aus dem Studio des Schweizer Fernsehens in Zürich gestreamt. Vor Ort waren Jury, Finalisten und die Organisatoren präsent. Die geladenen Gäste, darunter die Familien und Freunde der Preisträger, konnten dank dem Live-Stream virtuell am Festakt teilnehmen und miteinander interagieren. Insgesamt nahmen an dieser digitalen Premiere über 1&#8217;000 Zuschauer aus 20 Ländern teil.
The post EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Switzerland Award: Ein &#8220;Fintech&#8221; Startup unter den Top 5 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ey-entrepreneur-of-the-year-switzerland-award-ein-fintech-startup-unter-den-top-5</link><guid>1632</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/EY-Patrick-Firmenich-1024x683.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Switzerland Award? Ein Fintech Startup unter den Top 5</dc:text></item><item><title>The Future of Retail Banking is Ecosystem-Based, Mobile-First and Data-Driven: Study</title><description><![CDATA[The future of retail banking in Switzerland will be data-driven, ecosystem-based and run primarily through mobile consumer interfaces, a new study conducted by Business Engineering Institute St. Gallen found.
The study, commissioned by Contovista, Viseca, smama and e.foresight, is based on interviews of 14 experts from Swiss retail banks. It seeks to understand how incumbents perceive the relevance of so-called “data-driven banking,” and where adoption and implementation currently stand at.
When asked about the most relevant innovations in their data-driven banking strategies, Swiss retail banks cited mobile devices, ecosystems and generational targeted offerings as the top three trends.
Potential and relevance in data-driven banking, Innovative products, services and data usage, Source: Data-driven Banking, by Business Engineering Institute St. Gallen (BEI) on behalf of Contovista, Viseca, smama und e.foresight, Sept 2020
Mobile banking is rapidly rising to prominence, especially at a time when COVID-19 is accelerating the shift to digital. In Insider Intelligence’s second annual UK Mobile Banking Competitive Edge Study, released in July 2020, data shows that 68% of all UK respondents surveyed use mobile banking.
Of that that use mobile banking, 86% said mobile was their primary banking channel and 62% said they would even change banks if the mobile banking experience fell short.
For Swiss retail banks, an integrated customer view with complete transaction history is considered the entry ticket to data-driven banking, the Business Engineering Institute St. Gallen research found. A united customer view with accurate data makes digital activation in context-based marketing possible. In this context, data management is seen as a cornerstone of data-driven banking, the study found.
Potential and relevance in data-driven banking, Bank manages customer data, Source: Data-driven Banking, by Business Engineering Institute St. Gallen (BEI) on behalf of Contovista, Viseca, smama und e.foresight, Sept 2020
Data-driven banking revolves around collecting, processing and using customer data to provide greater personalization. For Swiss retail banks, a personalized customer approach through profiling and behavioral analysis is top priority, the study found.
Potential and relevance in data-driven banking, Bank analyses their customers, Source: Data-driven Banking, by Business Engineering Institute St. Gallen (BEI) on behalf of Contovista, Viseca, smama und e.foresight, Sept 2020
The results from the Business Engineering Institute St. Gallen study echo findings from PwC’s Banking 2020 Survey. The firm, which polled 560 C-suite level respondents from banks across the world, found that developing a customer-centric business model has been this year’s top priority for incumbents.
Over the next five years, banks will be focusing on enhancing customer data collection (54%), evaluating their performance from a customer’s viewpoint (53%), and allowing for increased customer choice in configuring product features including pricing (50%), the PwC survey found.
Areas of significant effort over next 5 years, Source: PwC Banking 2020 Survey
Though incumbents have understood that the future of banking will be data-driven, most banks still do not capitalize on their data-rich advantages. According to Capgemini and Efma’s World Retail Banking Report 2020, just 24% of banks actually use data effectively for hyper-personalization, and only 26% of them currently extract the best out of data.
Incumbents have work to do when it comes to managing and using data effectively, Source: Capgemini Financial Services Analysis, 2020; 2020 Global Retail Banking Executive Interviews and Survey
 
Featured image: Edited from Pexels and Freepik
The post The Future of Retail Banking is Ecosystem-Based, Mobile-First and Data-Driven: Study appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-future-of-retail-banking-is-ecosystem-based-mobile-first-and-data-driven-study</link><guid>1631</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Potential-and-relevance-in-data-driven-banking-Innovative-products-services-and-data-usage.png</dc:content ><dc:text>The Future of Retail Banking is Ecosystem-Based, Mobile-First and Data-Driven: Study</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Insurtech vlot Raises CHF 1M to Transform the Life Insurance and Pensions Landscape</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss-based enterprise SaaS company vlot AG creates awareness of personal income and saving gaps and provides seamless workflows to plug in tailored product solutions. To further accelerate market traction and expansion, vlot has closed a CHF 1M pre-Series A financing round, led by Spicehaus Partners (Switzerland) and co-led by SixThirty Ventures (USA).
vlot was founded with the mission to enable families and individuals to make financially responsible decisions. Through B2B partner organizations (primarily insurers, but also brokers, banks and pension funds), vlot helps people to intuitively navigate the jungle of state and employer related social security benefits, and rapidly understand the financial impact of death, disability as well as the lack of adequate retirement funds.
Michael Dritsas
Michael Dritsas, CEO of vlot, says:
“At vlot we believe in the importance of life insurance and retirement savings. And we are even more convinced that distribution of life insurance and savings products works best when they are not sold – but bought. Bought by the end-client because his or her coverage needs are clearly displayed, easily understandable, and addressed through the right channel at the right point in time.”
The round was led by Spicehaus Partners and co-led by SixThirty Ventures, with participation of existing private investors that have supported the company since its inception in 2017.
Teddy Amberg
Dr. Teddy Amberg says:
“Spicehaus Partners is looking forward to working with vlot. The team has many years of experience in the insurance sector. Their B2B software enables insurers to quickly and automatically identify customer needs, thereby saving costs and increasing premium volumes.”
This financing round of 1 million Swiss francs will allow vlot to expand the product offering, ramp up sales activities and grow its B2B customer base.
In addition to the new investment, vlot joined the SixThirty Go-To-Market Program, as one of six participants in the 2020 fall cohort.
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-insurtech-vlot-raises-chf-1m-to-transform-the-life-insurance-and-pensions-landscape</link><guid>1630</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Insurtech vlot Raises CHF 1M to Transform the Life Insurance and Pensions Landscape</dc:text></item><item><title>Deutsche Kreditbank startet mit vollautomatisiertem Online-Konsumentenkredit</title><description><![CDATA[In Echtzeit kann man nun bei der Deutschen Kreditbank (DKB)  einen automatisierten Kreditentscheidung fällen. Der Sofortkredit bei der DKB startet ab Anfang November mit einem effektiven Jahreszinssatz von 3,19 Prozent bei einem Nettodarlehensbetrag zwischen 2.500 und 30.000 Euro für Neukunden
Die vollautomatisierte maschinelle Prüfung und Freigabe der gesamten Kreditantragstrecke ist am Finanzmarkt ein wesentlicher digitaler Fortschritt in Vergleich zu den bisher etablierten Kreditvergabeverfahren. Denn bislang sind Kreditantragsstrecken überwiegend teilautomatisiert und auf die digitale Antragserstellung fokussiert. Die finale Kreditentscheidung treffen in diesen Fällen immer noch die Kreditberater*innen. Beim DKB-Sofortkredit hingegen, trifft der Algorithmus die Kreditentscheidung – darin sind alle regulatorisch vorgegebenen Prüfungsschritte enthalten. Somit ist über den Antrag hinaus der gesamte Kreditvergabeprozess bis zur Auszahlung automatisiert. Natürlich bleibt der Weg über eine manuelle Kreditentscheidung den Kund*innen auf Wunsch weiterhin offen.
Für Bestandskund*innen hat die DKB den Sofortkredit bereits erfolgreich erprobt. Jetzt profitieren auch Neukund*innen davon, die ihr Gehalts- beziehungsweise Hauptkonto bei anderen Banken haben. Die Kund*innen erleben vom Anfang bis zum Ende der Antragstrecke eine digital verlässliche und vor allem schnelle Prüfung des persönlichen Kreditantrages. Von der Beantragung bis zur Kreditentscheidung und sofortigen Auszahlung vergehen nur wenige Minuten.
Die Antragsteller benötigen lediglich ein Smartphone oder einen Computer mit Webcam, den Personalausweis und einen Online-Zugang zum Gehaltskonto. Zusätzliche Unterlagen werden nicht benötigt, die Signatur erfolgt digital.
Eine PSD2-konforme Kontoanalyse bildet die Grundlage für die auf Algorithmen basierende Kreditentscheidung
Über die sogenannte XS2A – eine PSD2-konforme Kontoanalyse, werden die Kontodaten der Antragssteller*innen erfasst und kategorisiert (nach relevanten Einnahmen- und Ausgabenarten). Der Technologiepartner FTS stellt hierbei den technisch wichtigen Baustein des Kontozugangs zur Bonitäts- und Betrugsprüfung zur Verfügung. Die Treffsicherheit bei der Kategorisierung von Daten beträgt mehr als 98 Prozent in den relevantesten Kategorien. Die kategorisierten Umsatzdaten bilden die Basis für die bankinterne vollautomatisierte Prüfung des Antrages. Diese wird zudem mit weiteren Scoring-relevanten Daten wie z.B. Auskunfteien verknüpft.
Tilo Hacke
Tilo Hacke, Privatkundenvorstand der DKB sieht einen klaren Mehrwert für die Kund*innen:
„Die Automatisierung von Kreditanträgen ist ein logischer Schritt im Kontext der Digitalisierung und der sich stark verändernden Kundenanforderungen. Der DKB-Sofortkredit zahlt somit auch auf unsere Digitalisierungsoffensive in Verbindung mit unserer aktuellen Wachstumsstrategie ein, um Kreditanträge noch smarter und weiterhin verlässlich abzuwickeln. Vor allem die Corona-Pandemie wirkt hierbei als zusätzlicher Katalysator. Immer mehr Verbraucher*innen wechseln derzeit von analogen Banking-Services auf ein digitales Banking-Erlebnis. Dabei erwarten sie zu Recht eine unkomplizierte, schnelle digitale Kreditvergabe ohne viel Papierkram.“
 
The post Deutsche Kreditbank startet mit vollautomatisiertem Online-Konsumentenkredit appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/deutsche-kreditbank-startet-mit-vollautomatisiertem-online-konsumentenkredit</link><guid>1629</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Deutsche Kreditbank startet mit vollautomatisiertem Online-Konsumentenkredit</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Decentralised Exchange Project Hangs in Balance</title><description><![CDATA[The cryptocurrency firm Lykke is one of the longest-established Swiss blockchain companies. But it has recently run into financial difficulties. What’s going on and what does that mean for the sector? Founder and CEO Richard Olsen gave me his take on the situation.
First the background. Lykke was established in Switzerland in 2015. It aims to create a decentralised digital market for tokenised assets. This means turning the likes of company shares into digital code that can be traded on the blockchain. It says this will result in faster transactions, lower costs and better access to small investors.
But this is proving no easy task. An article from the financial news platform Insideparadeplatz speaks of the company shedding employees because it could not pay wages. It also points to mounting annual losses, internal disagreements and a failure so far to win a Swiss trading license. The article strongly infers that Lykke is on the verge of collapse.
Richard Olsen
“We are cutting back to the bone,”
Olsen told me. There was a problem paying wages. Some 17 staff have been let go, nearly half of the people employed in Lykke’s core unit. This is despite receiving a CHF500,000 coronavirus loan and having access to a separate Swiss fund that compensates workers who have been put on shortened working hours during the pandemic.
But Olsen also employs fighting talk.
“There is zero doubt of our forthcoming success.”
Olsen, who previously founded the successful digital foreign exchange platform Oanda, is pinning his hopes on two developments. He has brought in former Oanda quant trader Ion Oancea to re-engineer Lykke’s UK-based trading platform.
The second ray of hope for Olsen is his increased optimism about receiving a Swiss license to operate as a securities dealer and regulated exchange in Switzerland. This is a cornerstone of Lykke’s strategy and, according to Olsen, appears to be on the imminent horizon. If this can be achieved, Olsen is convinced that investors will stump up further money for the company.
Depending on who you talk to, the prognosis for Lykke varies to quite some degree.
“The signs point to it probably being all over in a couple of months,”
one former employee told me.
“Olsen is like a genie – just when you think things are hopeless, he pulls something out of the bag,”
says a current shareholder.
But why should it matter if Lykke joins the likes of Monetas, Tend, SwissRealCoin, Oyoba, Alethena or LakeDiamond as blockchain projects that have gone under or are in demise? Lykke is, after all, just one company from over 900 in the Swiss blockchain sector. A new industry littered with start-ups is bound to see plenty of failures.
Like it or not, Lykke is seen as something of a standard bearer in the Swiss blockchain industry. It’s one of the first such companies, is led by a successful entrepreneur and has stayed true to its decentralised roots rather than fill its ranks with mainstreet bankers.
Between 2016 and 2019 the company burned through CHF38.9 million in operating expenses – enough to make investors sweat.
As noted above, Switzerland has no shortage of blockchain companies but it needs world beaters if the country wants to be a world leader in the field.

The post Swiss Decentralised Exchange Project Hangs in Balance appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-decentralised-exchange-project-hangs-in-balance</link><guid>1628</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/SIGN-UP-4.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Decentralised Exchange Project Hangs in Balance</dc:text></item><item><title>Der WetziKoin fürs lokale Gewerbe</title><description><![CDATA[Eine Investition der Stadt Wetzikon zugunsten des örtlichen Gewerbes in der Coronakrise, eine Plattform samt App für den Kreislauf eines lokalen Zahlungsmittels und die drei Partner DU DA, Papers, Farner Consulting: dies sind die Grundlagen von ecoo, der digitalen Plattform für zweckgebundene Transaktionen, basierend auf der Blockchain von Tezos.
Die wirtschaftlichen Folgen der COVID-Pandemie sind für viele Unternehmen deutlich spürbar &#8211; das Staatssekretariat für Wirtschaft SECO rechnet aktuell für 2020 mit einem Minus des Bruttoinlandproduktes von 3,8 %. Besonders verletzlich sind kleinere Betriebe, die umsatzmindernde Auflagen einhalten oder in Schutzkonzepte investieren müssen.
Vor diesem Hintergrund hat die Stadt Wetzikon einen Teil ihres Corona-Rahmenkredits zur Unterstützung des lokalen Gewerbes zur Verfügung gestellt. Rund 250’000 Franken werden in Form von elektronischen Gutscheinen an die Einwohnerinnen und Einwohnern von Wetzikon ausgegeben, welche die eCoupons ausschliesslich bei Gewerbebetrieben in Wetzikon einlösen können.
ecoo: sichere, einfache, digitale Umsetzung
Vor dieser Ausgangslage entwickelten DU DA &#8211; Data &amp; Commtech by Farner, Papers AG aus dem Crypto Valley in Zug und Farner Consulting die Plattform ecoo, eine sichere, einfache, digitale Lösung für die Ausgabe und das Management des Kreislaufs der eCoupons. Mit ecoo können zweckgebundene Mittel in Form von Coins oder Punkten in einer Smartphone-App als Guthaben zur Verfügung gestellt werden. Kunden – in diesem Fall die Bevölkerung von Wetzikon – laden «WetziKoins» im Wert von 10 Franken nach einer einfachen Registrierung als Guthaben ins Wallet ihrer ecco App. Die angeschlossenen Partner – die Gewerbebetriebe der Stadt – kassieren die WetziKoins mittels App ein und können die gesammelten Coins schliesslich bei der Stadt – wiederum via App – in reales Geld zurückwechseln.
ecoo ermöglicht somit einen geschlossenen Kreislauf einer zweckgebundenen «Währung» in einem klar definierten Ökosystem und ist in der Anwendung so einfach und sicher wie bekannte Apps, die täglich millionenfach bei Zahlungen in Supermärkten oder bei Überweisungen unter Freunden zum Einsatz kommen.
Ruedi Rüfenacht
Dazu Ruedi Rüfenacht, Stadtpräsident von Wetzikon:
«Uns ist es wichtig, in der aktuellen Situation etwas für die lokale Wirtschaft zu tun, das von nachhaltiger Dauer und nicht nur an einen bestimmten Zeitpunkt gebunden ist. Mit ecoo haben wir eine nachhaltige Lösung gefunden, Wetzikerinnen und Wetziker zum Einkauf in lokalen Läden zu motivieren, anstatt lediglich online oder bei Grosshändlern einzukaufen.»
ecoo – eine innovative Commtech-Lösung nicht nur für den öffentlichen Sektor
Mit ecoo lancieren DU DA, Papers und Farner eine Lösung, die auf zahlreiche weitere Anwendungsfälle übertragbar ist, zum Beispiel

auf Tourismusregionen, wo Gäste bei ausgewählten Geschäften, Bahnen und Betrieben mit «Tourismus Coins» bezahlen können
auf Veranstaltungen oder Festivals, wo die Besucher mit Coins bezahlen, während die Partner, z.B. ein Cateringstand, die Eventwährung via App einkassieren
auf Unternehmen, die den Mitarbeitenden Essensgutscheine nicht nur für die Kantine, sondern auch für den nahelegenden Bäcker oder das Pop-up-Restaurant an der Ecke abgeben wollen
auf Krankenkassen, die den Versicherten «Health Points» gutschreiben, die bei ausgewählten Partnern eingelöst werden können. Dies vereinfacht die Organisation von Partnerschaften im Gesundheitswesen, beispielsweise im Bereich der Gesundheitsförderung.

ecoo – Produkt einer starken Partnerschaft
ecoo ist das Ergebnis einer engen Zusammenarbeit der Partner DU DA, Papers und Farner Consulting und basiert auf der Tezos Blockchain. Während sich DU DA um Idee und Konzept, Definition der Anwenderprozesse, Design und Entwicklung der Apps kümmerte, nahm sich Papers der Entwicklung der Blockchain und sicherheitsrelevanten Komponenten an.
Als zentrale Herausforderungen bei der Entwicklung von ecoo erwiesen sich die Gewährleistung höchster Sicherheitsstandards sowie die Einhaltung regulatorischer Vorgaben in Kombination mit grösster Alltagstauglichkeit für die App-Nutzer.
ecoo ist auf der Tezos Blockchain gebaut, einem dezentralen Blockchain-Netzwerk, das die erforderliche kontinuierliche Ausbau- und Verbesserungsfähigkeit, Sicherheit und Kontinuität für langfristige Anwendungen bietet. Dank dem On-Chain-Upgrade-Prozess, dem Konsens-Algorithmus, der auf dem Konzept des Proof-of-Stake (PoS) basiert, und der erleichterten formalen Verifizierung eignet sich Tezos besonders für dieses Projekt. Durch den Einsatz von Tezos entfällt für ecoo-Benutzer jeglicher Verwaltungsaufwand und Transaktionen können anonymisiert in Echtzeit verfolgt und ausgewertet werden.
 
The post Der WetziKoin fürs lokale Gewerbe appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/der-wetzikoin-furs-lokale-gewerbe</link><guid>1626</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Der WetziKoin fürs lokale Gewerbe</dc:text></item><item><title>key4 UBS erweitert Angebot und geht neue Partnerschaft mit Homegate ein</title><description><![CDATA[Ende Juni hat UBS mit key4 eine offene Online-Plattform rund um die Finanzierung und den Erhalt von Eigenheim und Wohnen lanciert. Bestehende Hypotheken können seit dem Launch auf key4 unkompliziert verlängert werden. Heute baut UBS das Angebot aus: So sind ab sofort auch Abschlüsse von neuen Hypotheken über die Plattform möglich.
Dabei finden Interessenten auf key4 sowohl Anbieter mit attraktiven Zinsen für lange, als auch Anbieter mit besonders guten Konditionen für kurze Laufzeiten. So lassen sich etwa SARON-Hypotheken mit variablen Zinssätzen neu unkompliziert mit einer Festhypothek kombinieren. Erstmals und einzigartig im Markt können Kunden so für jede Hypothekar-Tranche das jeweils attraktivste Angebot von unterschiedlichen Schweizer Kreditgebern auswählen und ihre Immobilienfinanzierung zusammenstellen. Mit den neu auf key4 integrierten Hypotheken- und Maximal-Kaufpreis-Rechner lassen sich zudem die monatlichen Kosten einer Hypothek sowie deren Tragbarkeit schnell und unkompliziert ermitteln.
Martha Böckenfeld
Martha Böckenfeld, Head Digital Platforms &amp; Marketplaces:
&#8220;Zukünftige Wohneigentümer erhalten direkt und bequem bei ihrer Traumimmobilie auf homegate.ch in wenigen Schritten eine Finanzierungsofferte via key4. Und das Besondere daran: Erstmals können Hypothekarnehmer in der Schweiz für jede einzelne Tranche verschiedene Kreditgeber auswählen. Dies ist eine Innovation am Schweizer Immobilienmarkt.&#8221;
Neue Partnerschaft mit Homegate
Mit dem Ziel, alle wichtigen Dienstleistungen und Services rund um Eigenheim und Finanzierung aus einer Hand anzubieten, wird key4 als offene Plattform kontinuierlich mit zusätzlichen Dienstleistungen sowie weiteren Partnerschaftsangeboten ausgebaut. So hat UBS erst im Juli die Zusammenarbeit und die Beteiligung am innovativen Start-up Houzy bekanntgegeben. Die Partnerschaft mit dem Start-up bietet Wohneigentümerinnen und -eigentümern nützliche Tools rund um das Thema Wohneigentum und ergänzt so das Ökosystem von key4.
Heute wird key4 um eine weitere Partnerschaft mit der schweizweiten
Immobilienvermittlungsplattform homegate.ch erweitert. Die Verknüpfung mit dem grössten Online-Immobilienmarktplatz der Schweiz führt Immobiliensuchende direkt zu key4. Dabei erhalten Nutzer mit wenigen Klicks eine Offerte für die Finanzierung ihres Wunschobjektes. Dank der automatischen Übernahme der Daten von Homegate in key4 entfällt das mühsame Eingeben aller Spezifikationen zu einem Wunschobjekt und vereinfacht so die Immobiliensuche der Nutzer erheblich. Diese Funktionalität ist Teil der konsequenten Strategie von key4, Prozessabläufe zu optimieren und zu digitalisieren. Schliessen Kunden eine Hypothek über key4 ab, ist UBS die Ansprech- und Vertragspartnerin in allen Belangen.
 
Featured image: Edited from Freepik
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/key4-ubs-erweitert-angebot-und-geht-neue-partnerschaft-mit-homegate-ein</link><guid>1627</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>key4 UBS erweitert Angebot und geht neue Partnerschaft mit Homegate ein</dc:text></item><item><title>Gazprombank Switzerland Receives FINMA Authorization for Crypto Offering</title><description><![CDATA[Gazprombank (Switzerland) has received authorization from the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) to provide cryptocurrency bank accounts to corporate and institutional clients.
Gazprombank (Switzerland) (&#8220;Gazprombank&#8221;) provides traditional banking products and services to its customers, including corporates, investment funds and other institutions. In addition to these services, Gazprombank now offers the safe custody of cryptocurrencies as well as trading between crypto and fiat currencies to its corporate and institutional clients. Following a stringent evaluation process, Gazprombank will initially provide these services to a limited number of selected clients.
The new services will include institutional-grade storage solutions and the purchase and sale of Bitcoin. Gazprombank plans to gradually expand the offering to include additional cryptocurrencies and other products and services.
Roman Abdulin
&#8220;We expect digital assets to become increasingly important in the global economy and, in particular, for our current and potential clientele. Being committed to continuous financial innovation, we strive to offer our clients advanced banking services at the highest level of quality. Our blockchain solution provides uncompromising security as well as ease of use. We are very pleased to be able to offer these services to our clients after years of professional development using top industry know-how. The authorization by the Swiss regulator FINMA marks a very important milestone for Gazprombank&#8221;,
explains CEO Roman Abdulin.
The new crypto offering has major advantages for the clients of Gazprombank: The clients get access to cryptocurrency liquidity, while the safekeeping of the cryptocurrencies is taken care of by a Swiss regulated bank. Furthermore, the counterparty risk is limited.
To allow Gazprombank to execute a broad range of transactions with blockchain assets, it makes use of specially designed due diligence procedures and software, which add additional layers of security and ensure compliance with Swiss anti-money laundering and know-your-customer laws and regulations.
Roman Abdulin explains:
&#8220;Gazprombank is delighted to be able to contribute to the growth of the Swiss and global crypto and blockchain ecosystem. As a FINMA regulated financial institution, we are confident that we can add value by providing an increased level of trust to participants, both in terms of institutional-grade custody as well as between transactional partners. Our goal is to set a new benchmark in institutional client service.&#8221;
 
Featured image: Edited from Pexels
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/gazprombank-switzerland-receives-finma-authorization-for-crypto-offering</link><guid>1625</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Gazprombank Switzerland Receives FINMA Authorization for Crypto Offering</dc:text></item><item><title>A Useful Swiss Crypto Legal Guide</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss Crypto Guide which is a platform providing free guidance for legal questions concerning crypto currencies in Switzerland and is aimed particularly at startups and SMEs, has now gone live.
Source: Swiss Crypto Guide
The author is Dr. Karin Lorez, who, as the responsible legal counsel, accompanied the first-time launch of crypto investments by a Swiss bank. Since then she has been working on the legal aspects of cryptocurrencies and also lectures on the topic.
The &#8220;Crypto Valley&#8221; from Zug to Zurich has been enjoying great international attention for several years. Currently the COVID-19 pandemic has provided a strong boost for cryptocurrencies.
The number of crypto companies in Switzerland has also increased significantly in the first half of 2020 and is expected to reach 1000 soon. An important factor for the successful development of the sector in Switzerland is the local blockchain legislation, which purportedly is one of the most advanced in the world.
High initial legal costs as an obstacle
Despite optimal conditions here in Switzerland, companies find it difficult to implement crypto projects in Switzerland.
One reason is the lack of consolidated information on the legal environment and regulations.
Since this information is widely spread and sometimes difficult to find, Swiss law firms or consulting firms familiar with the subject matter must often be consulted for initial clarifications, which generates corresponding costs.
This can be a relevant hurdle for startups and SMEs, especially those from abroad.
Support for location promoters
Companies are said to often ask same questions about planned crypto projects. These include questions such as founding and licensing issues or, in general, whether Switzerland is really the best location and not possibly another country.
The Swiss Crypto Guide provides an overview of relevant regulatory topics, making it easier for companies to implement cryptocurrency projects in Switzerland.
It also supports organisations promoting Switzerland as a business location to advise foreign companies on thematic issues.
The English-language Swiss Crypto Guide was launched in collaboration with the Office for Economy and Labour, Business and Economic Development, Canton Zurich and Switzerland Global Enterprise.
Source: Swiss Crypto Guide
The post A Useful Swiss Crypto Legal Guide appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/a-useful-swiss-crypto-legal-guide</link><guid>1624</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Swiss-Crypto-Guide.png</dc:content ><dc:text>A Useful Swiss Crypto Legal Guide</dc:text></item><item><title>Yooz Launches in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss companies have now access to the most automated, paperless purchase-to-pay solution in Europe offering seamless integration with all ERPs.
Yooz, an international provider of intelligent P2P software announces the launch of its automated, cloud-based accounts payable (AP) solution in Switzerland.
The company is dedicated to making an intelligent, automated P2P automation solution easy and affordable for all businesses in Switzerland, regardless of size, industry and volume of documents. Our P2P software seamlessly integrates with all ERP package (Microsoft, SAP, Oracle, Exact and NetSuite) currently on the market.
Micropole, Spartoo and Adopte Un Mec already chose Yooz to automate their AP processes and benefit from the expertise of the rich and vibrant Yooz ecosystem Serial, Uneo and Codalis.
Financial intelligence accessible to all businesses in Switzerland.
Yooz is a global leader in automating purchasing, accounting and financial workflows. 200,000 users and 4,000 customers rely on our solutions to automate their P2P processes in France, Germany, the US, Latin America, the UK, Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg, and in 30 more countries around the world.
What makes our solutions such a success?

Yooz is the smartest solution with the ability to automate more than 80% of supplier invoices. How? The solution combines Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning with the power of Big Data, to capitalise on the processing experience of over 1 million vendors and more than 250 million documents.
Yooz is hosted in the cloud. Our “all-inclusive” monthly subscription model offers unparalleled automation of financial workflows.
Yooz combines the most sophisticated and powerful technologies with the utmost simplicity, leveraging AI, Deep Learning and Big Data.

The Covid-19 pandemic highlights the critical importance of digital to drive growth
For many administrative and financial managers, paperless is both the future and vital to their interests. But, there’s a stumbling block: fear of launching into a project that could be tough, costly andrisky—or so they think.
Yooz’ answer is to transform AP automation into an easy-to-use and affordable solution
The pandemic is a wake-up call. Finance departments must take decisive action and optimize their accounting processes to save time and money. Digitizing these processes enables them to achieve precisely these objectives:

Eliminates the need for paper
Reduces the cost per invoice by up to 70%
Cuts processing time from weeks to days
Full mobile functionality: ability to process AP documents from anywhere, anytime
Ends the loss of paper documents
Friction-free relationships with suppliers
Complete strategic visibility on business spending
Smart fraud detection
And much more…

Micropole, the international consulting and innovative technologies group, relies on Yooz’s unique and powerful solution to process 10,000 annual supplier invoices. Employees are enthusiastic and rightly so: by immediately eliminating some of the most time-consuming and tedious tasks (data entry, filing, search and more) while providing visible results quickly, the accounting teams can keep on working while maintaining good relations with suppliers.
This disruptive solution offers an exceptional level of efficiency, simplicity and implementation. It allows every company to benefit from the most sophisticated technologies in the best conditions of accessibility.
Its end-to-end service runs entirely in the cloud and covers all the P2P process, so companies can easily and seamlessly capture, manage, and process financial documents without up-front investment. Moreover, it integrates natively with more than 250 accounting software and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software solutions including BOB 50, Microsoft, SAP, WinBooks, Oracle and Exact. It boasts the &#8220;Designed for NetSuite&#8221; label, a program designed for partners in NetSuite’s SuiteCloud Developer Network
Magali Michel
Speaking on the Switzerland launch, Magali Michel, Director of Yooz, said:
“in the current crisis, companies are clear about the need for digital tools, not only for service continuity, but also to free up accounting and finance teams from repetitive, tedious and low value-added tasks. Yooz is the perfect solution for this market, which is one of the very first to have adopted e-invoicing legislation. Our solutions are designed for companies in this &#8220;new era” that we are building together.”
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/yooz-launches-in-switzerland</link><guid>1623</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Yooz Launches in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>UBS Launches US$200 Million Fintech Investment Fund</title><description><![CDATA[UBS has launched a US$ 200 million fund called UBS Next that targets investments in the fintech and broader tech ecosystem.
UBS is driving both internal initiatives as well as existing strategic partnerships and external collaborations with technology companies, startups, regulators, peer banks, other market participants, academia and industry thought leaders.
Sabine Keller
“Connecting to fintechs and tech startups through our innovation labs, digital factories, future of finance initiatives as well as project collaborations has always been key to remaining at the forefront of the digital movement to drive client experiences and operational excellence,”
says Sabine Keller-Busse, Group Chief Operating Officer and President UBS Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Mike Dargan
Mike Dargan, Head of Group Technology, adds:
&#8220;UBS Next is a further step to accelerate our innovation efforts as well as to identify and apply the latest technology for our client businesses. With our investments through close collaboration with Anthemis, we widen our access to fintech start-ups.&#8221;
UBS Next focuses on enabling UBS&#8217;s key strategic priorities such as codeveloping digital innovation and ecosystem through partnerships, research and innovation pipeline management, facilitated by centers of excellence.
It also aims at modernising and modularising technical estates, leveraging new technologies, such as public cloud, microservices architecture, and AI.
In addition to that, UBS Next looks to find new and effective ways to engage with clients and deliver their services.
UBS Next primarily pursues direct investments into early stage fintechs and other relevant tech companies. In addition to direct investments, UBS enters a strategic collaboration with Anthemis.
This global venture capital firm has been identifying fintech companies for over a decade and will help accelerate investment opportunity identification and deal flow for UBS.
UBS Next will be funded exclusively by UBS and will be managed by a dedicated tech venture investment team with market-proven capital expertise.
Featured image: Unsplash
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ubs-launches-us200-million-fintech-investment-fund</link><guid>1622</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>UBS Launches US$200 Million Fintech Investment Fund</dc:text></item><item><title>Digital Identity Apps Will Snowball To 6.2 Billion by 2025</title><description><![CDATA[A new Juniper Research study revealed that the number of digital identity apps in use will snowball to 6.2 billion in 2025, from just over 1 billion in 2020.
The research found that civic identity apps, where government-issued identities are held in an app, will account for almost 90% of digital identity apps installed globally in 2025. This is driven by the increasing use of civic identity in emerging markets and the lasting impact of the pandemic.
The Why Digital Identity is Critical to Post-Pandemic Society report identified that the unprecedented shift to digital services during the pandemic across the world will stimulate rapid growth in civic identity.
The report estimates that there will be a growth of 467% between 2020 and 2025, as robust onboarding and verification for digital services become vital.
Civic Apps to Overtake Digital Identity Card Use in 2023
The new research, Digital Identity: Technology Evolution, Regulatory Landscape &amp; Forecasts 2020-2025, found that civic identity apps will overtake the number of digital identity cards in use in 2023, with the number of apps in use 41% higher than cards by 2025.
While digital identity cards are still growing, the research shows that apps are much easier to scale, and better support increased involvement in digital commerce, which will be critical to digital identity’s future use.
Research co-author Nick Maynard explains:
Nick Maynard
&#8220;Civic identity apps have come into their own as a way to boost digital financial participation, particularly in emerging economies. Post-pandemic, this capability will be crucial in enabling increased digital engagement.&#8221;
Blockchain Important to Securing Identity Networks
The research found that blockchain will be important to the future of digital identity, with blockchain-based third-party digital identity apps accounting for 16% of all installed third-party identity apps in 2025.
However, this is not necessarily the much-lauded self-sovereign model, where numerous parties such as banks, identity providers and mobile network operators work together to provide identity as a part of a wider network.
Blockchain will be an effective way to secure federated access to data; injecting trust and transparency.
 
Featured image: Freepik
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digital-identity-apps-will-snowball-to-62-billion-by-2025</link><guid>1620</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Digital Identity Apps Will Snowball To 6.2 Billion by 2025</dc:text></item><item><title>iCapital Network Builds Momentum With Europe and Asia Expansion</title><description><![CDATA[New York-based iCapital Network, a fintech startup with a platform for investing in alternative assets, announced a series of milestones in its expansion journey into European and Asian markets.
With the appointment of two industry insiders as senior executives to lead iCapital’s international growth strategy, plans for new offices spanning Europe and Asia, and the agreed-upon acquisition of a 65-person technology team in Portugal, iCapital is rapidly expanding its global foothold.

Lawrence Calcano
“iCapital’s latest international investments demonstrate our commitment to bringing the opportunities of private investments to international advisors and investors and fulfilling our mission of powering the global alternative investing ecosystem,”
said Lawrence Calcano, Chairman and CEO of iCapital Network.
“As appetite for private market investing continues to grow, our expanding team will deliver these strategies – powered by a robust technical infrastructure – to advisors and their clients across the globe.”
Key Senior Appointments Drive International Strategy
To drive the achievement of its mission, iCapital announced the addition of two accomplished leaders with expertise in supporting the global high-net-worth (HNW) investing community.
Marco Bizzozero
Based out of Zurich, Marco Bizzozero will join iCapital on December 1st as Head of International and a member of the iCapital Executive Committee, reporting to Mr. Calcano. In this newly created role, Mr. Bizzozero will spearhead iCapital’s expansion into the European and Asian markets.
An industry veteran, Mr. Bizzozero has more than 25 years of international experience in the financial industry and an impressive list of accomplishments in senior executive positions in global wealth management and private equity organizations. Mr. Bizzozero joins iCapital from UniCredit where he was CEO of Group Wealth Management and member of the Group Executive Management Committee.
Previously, Mr. Bizzozero was with Deutsche Bank for 14 years, where he most recently served as Head of Wealth Management EMEA and CEO of Deutsche Bank Switzerland. Prior to assuming that role, he was the Global Head of Private Equity for the Deutsche Bank Wealth Management division, a business which was then acquired by iCapital Network in 2017. He also worked at LGT Capital Partners as Head of Private Equity Secondary Investments and UBS in a variety of roles in Investment Banking and Private Equity in Zurich, London, and New York.
Tom Slocock
Based out of London, Tom Slocock joins iCapital as Managing Director and Head of International Product Development &amp; Origination, reporting to Mr. Bizzozero. Mr. Slocock will lead the development and launch of new investment products and manage the life cycle of existing offerings explicitly designed for the needs of the international marketplace. Mr. Slocock will bring to iCapital a career-deep understanding of the investment product needs of advisors and their high-net-worth clients in the European and Asian markets.
Prior to joining iCapital, Mr. Slocock was with Deutsche Bank Wealth Management in London for more than 10 years, most recently serving as Head of the Global Funds Group and Head of the Global Investment Group. Prior to this, he was CEO of the U.K. Wealth Management business. Before joining Deutsche Bank, he was with Credit Suisse in London, most recently as Managing Director and Head of International Private Banking.
Acquisition of Portugal-Based Technology Team
Earlier this month, iCapital entered into an agreement to acquire a 65-person technology team from Portugal-based product development company, Runtime Group.
Under the agreement, these experts will join iCapital’s existing team of engineers, developers, and designers dedicated to the ongoing technological innovation of iCapital’s offerings. The transaction is expected to close 4Q2020.
In 2018, iCapital opened its first international office in Zurich, Switzerland to bring increased access to alternative investing opportunities to the European markets.
Furthermore, iCapital will open offices in London and Singapore in 1H2021 to support its recent international senior hires and growing footprint in the European and Asian regions.
Funding Round Also Boosts International Growth
Led by Hong Kong-based Ping An Global Voyager Fund, iCapital raised US$146 million in its latest funding round.
Investors include BlackRock, Blackstone, Goldman Sachs, Affiliated Managers Group, Hamilton Lane, WestCap, UBS, BNY Mellon and Wells Fargo. Additional existing strategic investors in iCapital include The Carlyle Group, Credit Suisse, JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co, and Morgan Stanley Investment Management.
 
Featured image: Marco Bizzozero, Head of International and a member of  iCapital Executive Committee and Tom Slocock, Managing Director and Head of International Product Development &amp; Origination of iCapital. 
The post iCapital Network Builds Momentum With Europe and Asia Expansion appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/icapital-network-builds-momentum-with-europe-and-asia-expansion</link><guid>1621</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>iCapital Network Builds Momentum With Europe and Asia Expansion</dc:text></item><item><title>KYC.ch: A Cohesive, Unified Digital KYC Ecosystem</title><description><![CDATA[Know your customer (KYC) guidelines, which require professionals in the financial services industry to verify the identity, suitability and risks involved with maintaining a business relationship, are a significant element in the fight against financial crime and money laundering.
But in the age of fintech and digital banking, traditional, paper-based KYC checks are becoming rapidly outdated, dragging the onboarding process on, and negatively impacting client experience, ultimately resulting in abandoned onboarding.
Not only that, traditional KYC processes are also time-consuming and require a lot of resources, placing a costly burden on businesses operating in the financial industry, especially smaller financial companies where compliance costs are disproportionately heavy.
A Fenergo research released last year estimates that the current end-to-end process of managing client relationships is costing financial institutions US$10 billion per year in lost revenue.
The survey found that, on average, more than one-third (36%) of financial institutions had lost customers and prospects due to inefficient or slow onboarding procedures. Meanwhile, 84% believed that client experience during the onboarding process seriously impacted the lifetime value of a client.
At a time when digital banking is rapidly becoming the new normal and customers are increasingly demanding seamless digital-first experiences, digital or online KYC and compliance solutions are emerging as powerful tools to offer customers a fast and convenient onboarding experience.
Digital KYC, also referred to as eKYC, is an advancement from the old method of KYC where customers need to visit a financial institution in-person and provide paper-based documentations. Instead, eKYC solutions use modern identification methods including video streaming, facial recognition and document scans, to check and confirm a potential customer’s identity.
Most digital compliance and eKYC providers focus on specific solutions, like Jumio, which uses artificial intelligence (AI), biometrics, machine learning (ML), and certified liveness detection to perform identity verifications, or IDNow, which provides financial institutions and fintech with solutions for video identification, electronic signatures, and more.
KYC.ch: a one-stop shop for digital compliance
The KYC process has changed from one-to-one identification to digital KYC checks. Holistic KYC ecosystems are the new way for the institution&#8217;s compliance processes.
In Switzerland, KYC Spider (KYC.ch) has developed a whole ecosystem for digital compliance and eKYC, where data input (i.e. onboarding/data collection from new customers), compliance and KYC check (i.e. checks for possible connections to politically exposed persons (PEPs), crime, blacklists and sanction lists), as well as data output (i.e. documentation/storage of data from the compliance and KYC checks) are processed through one system.
This holistic approach to digital compliance allows KYC processes to be carried out more easily, securely and in a faster manner. Not only that, it also enables the KYC process with no interruptions through a single interface.
KYC Spider provides the KYC Toolbox, a flexible, online tool for compliance that allows clients to implement their customer compliance process themselves. The KYC Toolbox has a modular design with access to all the features needed for KYC requirements.
The KYC Toolbox, which the company refers to as a KYC 4.0 offering, can be used to review risk criteria including sanction lists, PEP status, reference to compliance-relevant information, and country risk.
KYC Spider also offers KYC Expert, a service where KYC Spider implements clients’ compliance process using the KYC Toolbox. The goal is to help institutions to reduce their working effort for their compliance processes.
Through KYC Expert KYC checks are made by connecting clients’ database via API. All tools from the KYC Toolbox, for example KYC checks, address checks, onboarding assistant, MRZ checks or EDD assistant are available but are done digital via an API.
KYC Expert works in three steps: first, data input and registration are done by connecting a client’s customer management tool to KYC Spider’s API; KYC Spider then automatically processes the data in the Compliance Factory according to clients’ compliance concept; finally, data output is done, delivering key documents including the automated risk report to the person in charge on the clients’ end for final review and decision.
 
Featured image: Edited from Canva
The post KYC.ch: A Cohesive, Unified Digital KYC Ecosystem appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/kycch-a-cohesive-unified-digital-kyc-ecosystem</link><guid>1619</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>KYC.ch: A Cohesive, Unified Digital KYC Ecosystem</dc:text></item><item><title>Sonect Starts in UK and Builds Create Cross-Continental Network in Latin America</title><description><![CDATA[Zurich-based Sonect has entered into a partnership agreement with Lana, a personal finance platform aiming to provide transactional accounts and financial services to gig economy workers throughout Latin America.
The Sonect app allows customers to withdraw cash directly in the store using only their smartphone.
Workers in gig economy marketplaces in Latam are often underbanked, having limited access to financial services. In Mexico, where over 50% of the population remain unbanked, cash continues to account for 90% of consumer payments.
However, accessing cash is no easy task for consumers. ATMs are considered the most insecure place by Mexicans and at the end of last year, people in 50,949 towns had to travel more than seven kilometers to access an ATM, which represented 57.7% of the country’s total.
Lana is working closely with companies to unify the workers’ disparate wallets into a single account that would operate as a payment account.
In Mexico, Sonect is working with institutions such as Arca Continental, Yomp! and the Mexican National Chamber of Bakers and Related Industries (CANAINPA) to create an ATM network in the country.
Through its partnership with Lana, Sonect aims to create a cross-continental network within Europe and Latin America.
Sandipan Chakraborty
“We are super excited to kick off our Mexican journey with Lana. They are the ideal partner to support our expansion and help us bring our service to a bigger audience. At Sonect, we focused all our forces on expanding internationally in 2020. Signing a partnership agreement with Lana is a significant milestone for us, and it shows that we are reaching our ambitious strategic goal for this year,”
said Sandipan Chakraborty, CEO and founder of Sonect.
 
Sonect launches its UK activities
In addition to the development in Latin America, Sonect was selected as the only solution from outside the UK to participate in the Community Access to Cash Pilot.
Cash withdrawals in the UK have become increasingly difficult as banks have closed down branches due to cost pressure, often also removing their ATMs and as a result, thousands of communities and cash users lost the possibility of accessing cash.
The pilot aims to work with a number of communities across the UK to try out and test scalable solutions that help to ensure sustainable access to cash.
As part of this initiative a small number of locations for pilot projects have been selected. The pilots will operate for the first six months of 2021. The aim of these pilots is to trial new solutions for cash access which could have wider applicability across the UK.
After a successful pilot project in Sweden, the UK is now the second confirmed market entry in 2020, with more European markets to follow by the end of the year.
 
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
The post Sonect Starts in UK and Builds Create Cross-Continental Network in Latin America appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sonect-starts-in-uk-and-builds-create-cross-continental-network-in-latin-america</link><guid>1617</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Sonect Starts in UK and Builds Create Cross-Continental Network in Latin America</dc:text></item><item><title>Sonect Launches in the UK and Builds Cross-Continental Network in Latin America</title><description><![CDATA[Zurich-based Sonect has entered into a partnership agreement with Lana, a personal finance platform aiming to provide transactional accounts and financial services to gig economy workers throughout Latin America.
The Sonect app allows customers to withdraw cash directly in the store using only their smartphone.
Workers in gig economy marketplaces in Latam are often underbanked, having limited access to financial services. In Mexico, where over 50% of the population remain unbanked, cash continues to account for 90% of consumer payments.
However, accessing cash is no easy task for consumers. ATMs are considered the most insecure place by Mexicans and at the end of last year, people in 50,949 towns had to travel more than seven kilometers to access an ATM, which represented 57.7% of the country’s total.
Lana is working closely with companies to unify the workers’ disparate wallets into a single account that would operate as a payment account.
In Mexico, Sonect is working with institutions such as Arca Continental, Yomp! and the Mexican National Chamber of Bakers and Related Industries (CANAINPA) to create an ATM network in the country.
Through its partnership with Lana, Sonect aims to create a cross-continental network within Europe and Latin America.
Sandipan Chakraborty
“We are super excited to kick off our Mexican journey with Lana. They are the ideal partner to support our expansion and help us bring our service to a bigger audience. At Sonect, we focused all our forces on expanding internationally in 2020. Signing a partnership agreement with Lana is a significant milestone for us, and it shows that we are reaching our ambitious strategic goal for this year,”
said Sandipan Chakraborty, CEO and founder of Sonect.
 
Sonect launches its UK activities
In addition to the development in Latin America, Sonect was selected as the only solution from outside the UK to participate in the Community Access to Cash Pilot.
Cash withdrawals in the UK have become increasingly difficult as banks have closed down branches due to cost pressure, often also removing their ATMs and as a result, thousands of communities and cash users lost the possibility of accessing cash.
The pilot aims to work with a number of communities across the UK to try out and test scalable solutions that help to ensure sustainable access to cash.
As part of this initiative a small number of locations for pilot projects have been selected. The pilots will operate for the first six months of 2021. The aim of these pilots is to trial new solutions for cash access which could have wider applicability across the UK.
After a successful pilot project in Sweden, the UK is now the second confirmed market entry in 2020, with more European markets to follow by the end of the year.
 
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
The post Sonect Launches in the UK and Builds Cross-Continental Network in Latin America appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sonect-launches-in-the-uk-and-builds-cross-continental-network-in-latin-america</link><guid>1618</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Sonect Launches in the UK and Builds Cross-Continental Network in Latin America</dc:text></item><item><title>Nets Group Acquires Swiss Payment Terminal Provider CCV Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[Nets Group, Denmark&#8217;s payment provider, announced the acquisition of CCV Switzerland, a subsidiary of CCV Group based in the Netherlands. The acquisition is expected to be completed in the coming weeks.
CCV Schweiz is said to have a portfolio of around 34,000 payment terminals and employs around 90 people at three locations in Switzerland.
CCV Schweiz will be integrated with Concardis Schweiz, which is part of Nets Group. As soon as the integration is completed in the coming months, the two companies will operate under the Nets brand.
The acquisition is a step further in Nets Group’s European growth and expansion strategy.
Robert Hoffmann
Robert Hoffmann, CEO of Concardis and Nets Merchant Services said,
“Joining forces will take our partnership to the next level, enabling us to support merchants across Switzerland, Germany, and Austria with a strong and competitive alternative offer, and helping to further develop Nets’ pan-European footprint in high growth regions. Strong growth rates in cashless payments, as well as a general openness to innovation and digitisation, make Switzerland an attractive location, which is why we are investing heavily here,”
In recent years, Nets Group has significantly expanded its European presence, having participated in six major strategic transactions since 2017 to provide greater exposure to high-growth regions and capture the continuing shift towards digital payments.
 
Featured image: edited from Freepik
The post Nets Group Acquires Swiss Payment Terminal Provider CCV Switzerland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/nets-group-acquires-swiss-payment-terminal-provider-ccv-switzerland</link><guid>1616</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Nets Group Acquires Swiss Payment Terminal Provider CCV Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>René Hürlimann Promoted To Microsoft Switzerland’s Executive Team</title><description><![CDATA[René Hürlimann, who has been with Microsoft Switzerland for the past two years, is the new Specialist Technology Unit (STU) Lead and has been appointed to Microsoft&#8216;s Executive Team.
Hürlimann has led the STU ad interim since the beginning of July. He took over the position from Luca Callegari, who moved to Microsoft Italy at the end of June.
René Hürlimann previously was Head of Sales for the Microsoft Azure Cloud. Before joining Microsoft Switzerland, Hürlimann held various management positions at international IT companies, most recently as Director EMEA &amp; APAC for the fintech company Appway.
The STU business unit, which employs around 100 people in Switzerland, is in charge of the solutions business and accompanies customers in their transformation through in-depth technical know-how in Azure&#8217;s product areas; (Apps &amp; Infra and Data &amp; AI), Modern Work, Biz Apps and Support.
The Executive Team of Microsoft Switzerland consists of the following members; Marianne Janik (CEO ), Simone Frömming (Enterprise Commercial), Henriette Wendt (Marketing &amp; Operations), Caroline Rogge (HR), Anita Ratkovic Andric (CFO), Roger Altorfer (CSU), René Hürlimann (STU), Christian Widmer (Public Sector), Thomas Winter (OCP), Martin Haas (SMC), Bjørn Vestergaard (Microsoft Consulting), Marc Holitscher (NTO) and Tobias Steger (PR &amp; Communications ).
Marianne Janik will lead Microsoft Switzerland until the end of October. As of November 1, she will become Country General Manager of Microsoft Germany. Until a successor is appointed, Didier Ongena, Microsoft Country Manager for Belgium and Luxembourg, will take over the management of Microsoft Switzerland ad interim in addition to his current function.
 
Featured image: René Hürlimann, Executive Team of Microsoft Switzerland
The post René Hürlimann Promoted To Microsoft Switzerland&#8217;s Executive Team appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/rene-hurlimann-promoted-to-microsoft-switzerlands-executive-team</link><guid>1614</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>René Hürlimann Promoted To Microsoft Switzerland’s Executive Team</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Insurance Group Helvetia Makes Fintech Moves</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss insurance group Helvetia is making fintech moves, partnering with fintech players and investing in fintech startups.
This year, Helvetia has accelerated its push into fintech, teaming up with leading app-based Swiss banking solution neon to launch the first bancassurance solution in Switzerland.
Michael Wieser, Partner Helvetia Venture Fund
Through its digital insurance outfit Smile, Helvetia joined hands with neon to launch a strategic joint venture in July to create a mobile bancassurance product focusing on providing users with the right financial products at the right time. Initially, the solution will focus on car, bicycle and household insurance, as well as basic account services, Helvetia said in a press release.
Helvetia, which runs a 50 million EUR venture fund, acquired earlier this year a stake in neon, its first fintech investment, the group announced in August.
Besides startup investments, Helvetia Group also expands its activities by majority stake investments. In 2019, for instance, Helvetia expanded its mortgage offering with the help of its subsidiary, MoneyPark, unveiling in January that the two companies would be pooling their sales capabilities.
Helvetia acquired a 70% stake in MoneyPark, Switzerland’s largest independent mortgage broker, in 2016.
Helvetia Venture Fund
Launched in 2017, the Helvetia Venture Fund invests in early-stage startups with the potential to shape the future of insurance. These can be insurtech startups, but also startups using technologies and business models that can be applied to the insurance business.
Run by former entrepreneurs, the Helvetia Venture Fund focusses on startups from throughout Europe and places an emphasis on those countries in which Helvetia operates, namely Switzerland as well as Germany, France, Italy, Austria and Spain. Ticket sizes typically range between 500,000 CHF and 1.5 million CHF.
So far, the fund has invested in an array of segments ranging from fintech, insurtech and proptech, to the Internet-of-Things (IoT) and mobility.
According to its website, Helvetia’s portfolio companies include:
neon

Based in Zurich, neon offers a free bank account optimized for the smartphone. The neon bank account comes with a MasterCard, and is integrated with TransferWise, enabling fast and convenient international transfers. Launched in March 2019, neon claims more than 35,000 users.
Volocopter

Formerly known as E-Volo, Volocopter is a German aircraft manufacturer that specializes in electric, autonomously flying passenger drones. Founded in 2011, Volocopter is developing autonomous electrical Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircrafts to offer air taxi services in large cities. The company recently conducted several public flights at the Helsinki International Airport, in Germany’s Stuttgart, and over Singapore’s Marina Bay.
BlueID

Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Munich, BlueID develops mobile security applications that enable identification, access control, authentication, and command execution. BlueID ACCESS is a cloud-based access control solution with digital keys, which proptech and asset owners can easily integrate into their products and buildings.
PriceHubble

Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Zurich, PriceHubble is a leading international proptech startup and the developer of a real estate analytics platform intended to make better informed real estate decisions. PriceHubble aggregates and analyzes a wide variety of data, runs big data analytics and uses state-of-the art machine learning to generate reliable valuations and predictive analytics for the real estate market.
Flatfox

Founded in 2012 and based in Zurich, Flatfox is a proptech startup providing a real estate marketplace oriented towards landlords and potential tenants. Flatfox also offers self-developed services and digital products for real estate agencies and real estate managers.
Inzmo

Inzmo is an advanced fully-digital insurance platform covering all the key stages of insurance. The aim of the multi-award-winning startup is to create efficiency on costs, administration, claims processing and underwriting for insurers as well as a pleasant experience for the consumers. Inzmo is based in Berlin and was founded in 2015.
Theftex

Founded in 2017, Theftex is a German startup and the developer of digital tracking and security systems intended to manage the supply chain operations and protect goods. Theftex’s solutions include cut-resistant tarpaulins and low-energy GPS trackers.
Immoledo

Immoledo, by Swiss proptech startup readyData, digitizes and simplifies the analysis of the status of buildings. Immoledo also offers other services such as investment planning and portfolio analysis. Immoledo determines the best time for renovating the building and calculates the corresponding investment costs, broken down by structural elements.
Chargery

Berlin-headquartered Chargery is a full service provider for the future of mobility in urban areas. Chargery offers a holistic solution to operate a shared electric fleet, enabling customers to operate their fleets efficiently and cost-effectively through a combination of innovative technologies and professional services.
Campai

Campai is a startup from Berlin that offers software for the administration of associations. Campai digitizes all kind of processes for clubs, federations, and groups, thanks to a self-developed full-fledged service platform.
Mobile Garantie

Mobile Garantie is a German startup offering modular and customized warranty and service solutions, mainly in the automotive sector.
MyPass

MyPass is an Italian consumer Internet company focused on transforming current transaction systems. MyPass builds mobile apps aimed at enabling greater ease-of-use paperless tickets with enhanced security and privacy, as well as the convenience of free, instant, global digital payments.
Skribble

Founded in 2018, Skribble is a Swiss provider of electronic signatures. Skribble offers an one-stop shop for electronic signing, enabling companies to conclude all types of contracts digitally with just a few clicks that are legally valid worldwide.
The post Swiss Insurance Group Helvetia Makes Fintech Moves appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-insurance-group-helvetia-makes-fintech-moves</link><guid>1613</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Volocopter.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Insurance Group Helvetia Makes Fintech Moves</dc:text></item><item><title>RaiseNow Closes 5.4 Million CHF in Funding Round Led by SIX Fintech Ventures</title><description><![CDATA[RaiseNow, a Swiss-based provider of online fundraising solutions, announced a Series A+ investment of 5.4 million CHF.
The funding round was led by SIX Fintech Ventures, with existing investor PostFinance and individual investors participating in the round.
SIX Fintech Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of SIX, and PostFinance, the financial services unit of Swiss Post, both invest in innovative high-potential startups in the fintech sector. Another prominent investor featured in the round was Ivo Francioni, a private investor and fintech veteran, who will also join RaiseNow’s Board of Directors.
Marco Zaugg
“As an industry, we are just scratching the surface of how powerful fundraising technology can be when it’s combined with donor data, diversified channels, integrated and automated processes and massive opportunities offered by dynamic shifts in the industry”,
said Marco Zaugg, Founder and CEO of RaiseNow.
“Having the strong commitment and domain expertise of our existing and new investors will help us execute our vision even more rapidly and broadly.”
The financing round followed a strategic merger earlier this year between RaiseNow and Altruja, a fundraising technology company specialised in the growth of digital fundraising in Germany and Austria.
With PostFinance increasing their stake in the team after being a current investor for more than three years, the latest funding will be used for further investment in RaiseNow’s technology capacity.
Headquartered in Zurich with active offices in Berlin and Munich, RaiseNow builds fundraising technology to help non-profit organisations find supporters, rally communities, raise funds, and create impact.

 
The post RaiseNow Closes 5.4 Million CHF in Funding Round Led by SIX Fintech Ventures appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/raisenow-closes-54-million-chf-in-funding-round-led-by-six-fintech-ventures</link><guid>1609</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>RaiseNow Closes 5.4 Million CHF in Funding Round Led by SIX Fintech Ventures</dc:text></item><item><title>Hölle der Löwen Schweiz: Schweizer Expense Fintech Startup räumt ab</title><description><![CDATA[Anfang Woche ging die fünfte Folge der Gründershow «Die Höhle der Löwen» auf TV24 über die Bühne. Mit dabei war auch das FinTech Startup Expense Robot, das seit Anfang September Yokoy heisst. Alle fünf Investoren wollten in das aufstrebende Startup investieren, das Rennen machte am Schluss der Unternehmer und Angel Investor Tobias Reichmuth.
Unter den Gründer*innen, die in der gestrigen Folge der Gründershow «Höhlen der Löwen» um ein Investment der Löwen Anja Graf, Bettina Heine, Konrad Antoine alias DJ Antoine, Roland Brack und Tobias Reichmuth buhlten, befand sich auch das 2019 gegründete Startup Yokoy.
Das Schweizer Fintech Yokoy nutzt künstliche Intelligenz, um die Spesen- und Firmenkartenprozesse von Unternehmen zu automatisieren. Da die Sendung bereits im Frühjahr (noch vor Corona) gedreht wurde, gab es im schnelllebigen Umfeld eines Startups bereits grössere Veränderungen: Traten die Gründer in der Sendung noch als Expense Robot auf, heisst die Firma seit Anfang September Yokoy. Zudem haben sie neu auch eine eigene Firmenkreditkarte im Produktportfolio, die sie zusammen mit der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg anbieten.
Alle fünf Investoren wollten in Yokoy investieren
Nachdem die Gründer*innen auf Herz und Nieren geprüft wurden, kam es zum super Coup: alle fünf Löwen wollten investieren. Anja Graf bot 500’000 für 10% Anteile, Bettina Hein bot zusammen mit Roland Brack die gleiche Summe aber wollten dafür 15% der Firma. Tobias Reichmuth bot dem Gründungsteam 250’000 CHF für 5% Anteile. Zu guter Letzt bot Konrad Antoine 250’000 CHF wollte dafür aber ebenfalls 10%. Im Gegenzug bot er an bei einem erfolgreichen Investment als Brand Ambassador für Yokoy in Erscheinung zu treten.
Die vier Gründer*innen zogen sich kurz zurück um diese Palette an Angeboten zu diskutieren und entschieden sich für Tobias Reichmuth.
Philippe Sahli
“Wir hatten das Privileg, die Qual der Wahl zu haben”,
meint Philippe Sahli, CEO und Mitgründer von Yokoy
“letzten Endes entschieden wir uns für Tobias Reichmuth, da wir uns neben dem finanziellen Investment, sehr viel von seinem grossen Netzwerk und seinen Erfahrungen mit SUSI Partners erhofften.”
Damals wusste noch niemand, dass Yokoy alias Expense Robot in den Wochen darauf eine viel grössere Runde machen würde als ursprünglich angedacht. So konnten sie kurz nach den Aufnahmen von Höhle der Löwen Swisscom Ventures und die SIX Group für sich gewinnen und eine Seed-Finanzierung in der Höhe von CHF 1.7 Millionen ins Trockene bringen.
 
 
Featured image: V.l.n.r. Vier der fünf Gründer*innen von Yokoy (ehemals Expense Robot): Thomas Inhelder (CFO), Lars Mangelsdorf (CCO), Philippe Sahli (CEO), Melanie Gabriel (CMO). Foto: CH Media
The post Hölle der Löwen Schweiz: Schweizer Expense Fintech Startup räumt ab appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/holle-der-lowen-schweiz-schweizer-expense-fintech-startup-raumt-ab</link><guid>1610</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Hölle der Löwen Schweiz: Schweizer Expense Fintech Startup räumt ab</dc:text></item><item><title>Höhle der Löwen Schweiz: Schweizer Expense Fintech Startup räumt ab</title><description><![CDATA[Anfang Woche ging die fünfte Folge der Gründershow «Die Höhle der Löwen» auf TV24 über die Bühne. Mit dabei war auch das FinTech Startup Expense Robot, das seit Anfang September Yokoy heisst. Alle fünf Investoren wollten in das aufstrebende Startup investieren, das Rennen machte am Schluss der Unternehmer und Angel Investor Tobias Reichmuth.
Unter den Gründer*innen, die in der gestrigen Folge der Gründershow «Höhlen der Löwen» um ein Investment der Löwen Anja Graf, Bettina Hein, Konrad Antoine alias DJ Antoine, Roland Brack und Tobias Reichmuth buhlten, befand sich auch das 2019 gegründete Startup Yokoy.
Das Schweizer Fintech Yokoy nutzt künstliche Intelligenz, um die Spesen- und Firmenkartenprozesse von Unternehmen zu automatisieren. Da die Sendung bereits im Frühjahr (noch vor Corona) gedreht wurde, gab es im schnelllebigen Umfeld eines Startups bereits grössere Veränderungen: Traten die Gründer in der Sendung noch als Expense Robot auf, heisst die Firma seit Anfang September Yokoy. Zudem haben sie neu auch eine eigene Firmenkreditkarte im Produktportfolio, die sie zusammen mit der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg anbieten.
Alle fünf Investoren wollten in Yokoy investieren
Nachdem die Gründer*innen auf Herz und Nieren geprüft wurden, kam es zum super Coup: alle fünf Löwen wollten investieren. Anja Graf bot 500’000 für 10% Anteile, Bettina Hein bot zusammen mit Roland Brack die gleiche Summe aber wollten dafür 15% der Firma. Tobias Reichmuth bot dem Gründungsteam 250’000 CHF für 5% Anteile. Zu guter Letzt bot Konrad Antoine 250’000 CHF wollte dafür aber ebenfalls 10%. Im Gegenzug bot er an bei einem erfolgreichen Investment als Brand Ambassador für Yokoy in Erscheinung zu treten.
Die vier Gründer*innen zogen sich kurz zurück um diese Palette an Angeboten zu diskutieren und entschieden sich für Tobias Reichmuth.
Philippe Sahli
“Wir hatten das Privileg, die Qual der Wahl zu haben”,
meint Philippe Sahli, CEO und Mitgründer von Yokoy
“letzten Endes entschieden wir uns für Tobias Reichmuth, da wir uns neben dem finanziellen Investment, sehr viel von seinem grossen Netzwerk und seinen Erfahrungen mit SUSI Partners erhofften.”
Damals wusste noch niemand, dass Yokoy alias Expense Robot in den Wochen darauf eine viel grössere Runde machen würde als ursprünglich angedacht. So konnten sie kurz nach den Aufnahmen von Höhle der Löwen Swisscom Ventures und die SIX Group für sich gewinnen und eine Seed-Finanzierung in der Höhe von CHF 1.7 Millionen ins Trockene bringen.
 
 
Featured image: V.l.n.r. Vier der fünf Gründer*innen von Yokoy (ehemals Expense Robot): Thomas Inhelder (CFO), Lars Mangelsdorf (CCO), Philippe Sahli (CEO), Melanie Gabriel (CMO). Foto: CH Media
The post Höhle der Löwen Schweiz: Schweizer Expense Fintech Startup räumt ab appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/hohle-der-lowen-schweiz-schweizer-expense-fintech-startup-raumt-ab</link><guid>1611</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Höhle der Löwen Schweiz: Schweizer Expense Fintech Startup räumt ab</dc:text></item><item><title>PayPal Dips Its Toes in the Crypto Market…. in 2021</title><description><![CDATA[PayPal announced the launch of a new service enabling its customers to buy, hold and sell cryptocurrency directly from their PayPal account.
The company is introducing the ability to buy, hold and sell select cryptocurrencies, initially featuring Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash and Litecoin, directly within the PayPal digital wallet.
The service will be available to PayPal accountholders in the U.S. in the coming weeks. The company plans to expand the features to Venmo and select international markets in the first half of 2021.
Dan Schulman
&#8220;Our global reach, digital payments expertise, two-sided network, and rigorous security and compliance controls provide us with the opportunity, and the responsibility, to help facilitate the understanding, redemption and interoperability of these new instruments of exchange. We are eager to work with central banks and regulators around the world to offer our support, and to meaningfully contribute to shaping the role that digital currencies will play in the future of global finance and commerce.&#8221;
said Dan Schulman, President and CEO, PayPal.
The service is enabled in the U.S. through a partnership with Paxos Trust Company, a regulated provider of cryptocurrency products and services.
PayPal has also been granted a first-of-its-kind conditional Bitlicense by the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS).
Linda A. Lacewell
&#8220;NYDFS&#8217; approval today follows our June 2020 announcement for a new framework for a conditional Bitlicense to encourage, promote, and assist interested institutions to have a well-regulated way to access the New York virtual currency marketplace in a way that is both timely and protective of New York consumers, through partnerships with New York authorised virtual currency firms,&#8221;
said Linda A. Lacewell, superintendent, NYDFS.
As part of this offering, PayPal will provide accountholders with educational content to help them understand the cryptocurrency ecosystem, the risks and opportunities related to investing in cryptocurrency, and information on blockchain technology.
There are no service fees when buying or selling cryptocurrency through December 31, 2020, and there are no fees for holding cryptocurrency in a PayPal account.
Increasing the Utility of Cryptocurrency in Digital Commerce
Beginning in early 2021, PayPal customers will be able to use their cryptocurrency holdings as a funding source to pay at PayPal&#8217;s 26 million merchants around the globe.
Consumers will be able to instantly convert their selected cryptocurrency balance to fiat currency, with certainty of value and no incremental fees.
PayPal merchants will have no additional integrations or fees, as all transactions will be settled with fiat currency at their current PayPal rates.
In effect, cryptocurrency simply becomes another funding source inside the PayPal digital wallet, adding enhanced utility to cryptocurrency holders, while addressing previous concerns surrounding volatility, cost and speed of cryptocurrency-based transactions.
PayPal has also been exploring the potential of digital currencies through partnerships with licensed and regulated cryptocurrency platforms and with central banks around the world.

Today, we are announcing the launch of a new service that will enable customers to buy, hold and sell #Cryptocurrency directly from their PayPal account. https://t.co/QS6JRmG9hs pic.twitter.com/uHBatfZkbF
&mdash; PayPal (@PayPal) October 21, 2020

 
The post PayPal Dips Its Toes in the Crypto Market&#8230;. in 2021 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/paypal-dips-its-toes-in-the-crypto-market-in-2021</link><guid>1608</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>PayPal Dips Its Toes in the Crypto Market…. in 2021</dc:text></item><item><title>Willkommene Konkurrenz in Säule 3a : finpension bringt 0.39 % Pauschalgebühr Lösung</title><description><![CDATA[finpension komplettiert ihr Vorsorgeangebot. Die bereits etablierten Angebote der zweiten Säule (Freizügigkeit und 1e) werden um eine 3a-Wertschriften-App erweitert.
Der Säule 3a Markt ist aufgrund gesetzlicher Vorgaben von Banken und Versicherungen dominiert (Art. 1 Abs. 1 BVV 3). Ein Markteintritt eines unabhängigen Anbieters wird dadurch stark erschwert. finpension hat diese Hürde erfolgreich gemeistert und fordert die Mitbewerber im Vorsorgemarkt mit einer konkurrenzlos günstigen Pauschalgebühr heraus. Zudem zeigt finpension mit ihrem Angebot, dass auch nachhaltiges Anlegen günstig sein kann.
Günstiges Angebot fürs langfristige Wertschriftensparen
Die Gebühr der Anlagestrategien beträgt lediglich 0.39 % zzgl. Mehrwertsteuer und damit einen Bruchteil dessen, was etablierte Anbieter verlangen. Bis zur (Früh-)Pensionierung kann man so bis über 100&#8217;000 Franken an Gebühren sparen.

Keine versteckten Kosten:

Viele Anbieter verdienen auch da, wo es der Kunde nicht merkt. So zum Beispiel am Fremdwährungs- wechsel oder mit Ausgabe- und Rücknahmekommissionen. Das Angebot von finpension kommt gänzlich ohne versteckten Gebühren aus. Die Transaktionskosten, Depotgebühren und die Produktkosten der Fonds sind in der pauschalen Gebühr bereits enthalten. Zusätzliche externe Produktkosten (TER) der Fonds werden transparent ausgewiesen.

Einfacher Zugang dank App (Android und iOS):

Die App bietet den Kunden einen einfachen Zugang zur Säule 3a. Die Kundenbeziehung ist mit wenigen Klicks und ohne zusätzliche administrative Hürden eröffnet. Die App bietet alle wichtigen Funktionen, um die persönliche 3a-Lösung zu optimieren und zu verwalten. Ein Zugang über das Web ist bereits in der Entwicklung und folgt in wenigen Monaten.

Hoher Aktienanteil von bis zu 99 % möglich:

finpension bietet sechs Anlagestrategien mit bis zu 99 % Aktienanteil an. Jede Strategie gibt es in drei verschiedenen Ausprägungen (Global, Schweiz und Nachhaltig) (vgl. Strategieblatt gemäss Beilage). Die Kunden können die Strategie zudem selbst individuell anzupassen. Alles ohne zusätzliche Gebühren.

Quellensteueroptimierte Indexfonds:

Die angebotenen Strategien werden mit institutionellen Indexfonds der Credit Suisse umgesetzt. Pensionskassen investieren über 140 Milliarden Franken in dieselben Fonds. Die Fonds haben zwei wesentliche Vorteile gegenüber den bekannteren ETFs: Die eingesetzten Indexfonds können aufgrund einer Anlegerkreiskontrolle mehr Quellensteuern auf ausländischen Dividenden zurückfordern. Zudem fallen beim Kauf und Verkauf keine Stempelsteuern an.
The post Willkommene Konkurrenz in Säule 3a : finpension bringt 0.39 % Pauschalgebühr Lösung appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/willkommene-konkurrenz-in-saule-3a-finpension-bringt-039-pauschalgebuhr-losung</link><guid>1612</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/finpension-app.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Willkommene Konkurrenz in Säule 3a : finpension bringt 0.39 % Pauschalgebühr Lösung</dc:text></item><item><title>Willkommene Konkurrenz in Säule 3a: finpension bringt unabhängige 0.39 % Pauschalgebühr Lösung</title><description><![CDATA[finpension komplettiert ihr Vorsorgeangebot. Die bereits etablierten Angebote der zweiten Säule (Freizügigkeit und 1e) werden um eine 3a-Wertschriften-App erweitert.
Der Säule 3a Markt ist aufgrund gesetzlicher Vorgaben von Banken und Versicherungen dominiert (Art. 1 Abs. 1 BVV 3). Ein Markteintritt eines unabhängigen Anbieters wird dadurch stark erschwert. finpension hat diese Hürde erfolgreich gemeistert und fordert die Mitbewerber im Vorsorgemarkt mit einer konkurrenzlos günstigen Pauschalgebühr heraus. Zudem zeigt finpension mit ihrem Angebot, dass auch nachhaltiges Anlegen günstig sein kann.
Günstiges Angebot fürs langfristige Wertschriftensparen
Die Gebühr der Anlagestrategien beträgt lediglich 0.39 % zzgl. Mehrwertsteuer und damit einen Bruchteil dessen, was etablierte Anbieter verlangen. Bis zur (Früh-)Pensionierung kann man so bis über 100&#8217;000 Franken an Gebühren sparen.

Keine versteckten Kosten:

Viele Anbieter verdienen auch da, wo es der Kunde nicht merkt. So zum Beispiel am Fremdwährungs- wechsel oder mit Ausgabe- und Rücknahmekommissionen. Das Angebot von finpension kommt gänzlich ohne versteckten Gebühren aus. Die Transaktionskosten, Depotgebühren und die Produktkosten der Fonds sind in der pauschalen Gebühr bereits enthalten. Zusätzliche externe Produktkosten (TER) der Fonds werden transparent ausgewiesen.

Einfacher Zugang dank App (Android und iOS):

Die App bietet den Kunden einen einfachen Zugang zur Säule 3a. Die Kundenbeziehung ist mit wenigen Klicks und ohne zusätzliche administrative Hürden eröffnet. Die App bietet alle wichtigen Funktionen, um die persönliche 3a-Lösung zu optimieren und zu verwalten. Ein Zugang über das Web ist bereits in der Entwicklung und folgt in wenigen Monaten.

Hoher Aktienanteil von bis zu 99 % möglich:

finpension bietet sechs Anlagestrategien mit bis zu 99 % Aktienanteil an. Jede Strategie gibt es in drei verschiedenen Ausprägungen (Global, Schweiz und Nachhaltig) (vgl. Strategieblatt gemäss Beilage). Die Kunden können die Strategie zudem selbst individuell anzupassen. Alles ohne zusätzliche Gebühren.

Quellensteueroptimierte Indexfonds:

Die angebotenen Strategien werden mit institutionellen Indexfonds der Credit Suisse umgesetzt. Pensionskassen investieren über 140 Milliarden Franken in dieselben Fonds. Die Fonds haben zwei wesentliche Vorteile gegenüber den bekannteren ETFs: Die eingesetzten Indexfonds können aufgrund einer Anlegerkreiskontrolle mehr Quellensteuern auf ausländischen Dividenden zurückfordern. Zudem fallen beim Kauf und Verkauf keine Stempelsteuern an.
The post Willkommene Konkurrenz in Säule 3a: finpension bringt unabhängige 0.39 % Pauschalgebühr Lösung appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/willkommene-konkurrenz-in-saule-3a-finpension-bringt-unabhangige-039-pauschalgebuhr-losung</link><guid>1615</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/finpension-app.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Willkommene Konkurrenz in Säule 3a: finpension bringt unabhängige 0.39 % Pauschalgebühr Lösung</dc:text></item><item><title>Swisscard Hires Former Mastercard Executive as New CEO</title><description><![CDATA[Swisscard, a subsidiary of the Swiss bank Credit Suisse, has appointed Guido Müller as its new CEO succeeding Florence Schnydrig Moser who left the company in June 2020. The company also named Daniel Muff as its Chief Risk Officer (CRO).
Until Guido takes up his position on January 1, 2021, Wilhelm Rohde will continue to manage Swisscard as the interim CEO, in addition to his function as CFO.
Guido Müller
Guido Müller already worked for Swisscard from 2003 to 2010, most recently as a member of the Executive Board responsible for Consumer Business and Marketing and Sales. From 2012 to 2017, as Country Manager Guido Müller expanded Mastercard’s market leadership in the credit and debit card business in Switzerland with a digital innovation agenda.
This includes the launch of Apple Pay and Samsung Pay in Switzerland and the introduction of the latest generation of contactless and Internet-enabled debit cards. Guido Müller is currently responsible for the Data and Services business in South East Asia at Mastercard Asia Pacific Ltd. in Singapore, including the areas of analytics and data platforms, consulting and marketing services and loyalty solutions. He holds a Master of Science degree from the University of Zurich and has further training in strategic marketing and digital commerce.
Daniel Muff joins the Executive Board as CRO
Daniel Muff
Daniel Muff took over as Head of the Risk Department on October 19, 2020 and also joins the Swisscard Executive Board in his role as CRO. Daniel Muff is a proven risk expert and an experienced leader.
Daniel Muff was Head of Risk Management and member of the Executive Board at BANK-now from 2013. Prior to this, he held various management positions at Credit Suisse for 13 years, including responsibility for developing rating models in accordance with Basel II and working for the last five years as Head Risk Return Management Corporate Clients.
He is considered to be a profound industry expert, is a member of various industry committees and also serves as President of the IKO Consumer Credit Information Office. Daniel Muff studied politics and economics at the University of Zurich, majoring in banking and finance, and completed his doctorate in economics in 2005.
Daniel Muff will take over the CRO responsibilities from Özlem Civelek, who has led the Risk Department for the past 5 years and took over as Head of Operations last June.
 
The post Swisscard Hires Former Mastercard Executive as New CEO appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swisscard-hires-former-mastercard-executive-as-new-ceo</link><guid>1605</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swisscard Hires Former Mastercard Executive as New CEO</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Equippo Introduces New Online Auction Concept</title><description><![CDATA[Equippo Auction, an online marketplace for the construction industry, has introduced a new online heavy equipment auction concept that allows for a full refund regardless of the reason.
The Swiss-based company is shaking up the market for the sale of used construction equipment. The company sells virtual lots from sellers premises and its own two physical locations, in the port of Zeebrugge Belgium and in Domazan (Avignon) in France.
The Equippo concept: flexibility, agility and security
The “Money Back Guarantee” launched by Equippo overturns the historical principles of auctions and democratises an area previously reserved to professional buyers. The startup, created in 2014, makes an innovative offer for the sale of used construction equipment, entirely on the internet.
Without intermediaries, entrepreneurs can buy their second-hand equipment via the brand&#8217;s marketplace and its auctions.
Equippo&#8217;s service starts with a complete inspection of all machines; they are verified by the brand, which then provides bidders with detailed reports and photos, videos and functionality tests.
The startup also offers a transportation service to its buyers. It has a transparent delivery cost calculator, where the bidder knows the exact price of the transaction, delivery included, and it adapts during the auction &#8211; without restricting buyers on their choice of carrier.
It also offers a test period of 5 days or 25 hours of operation of the new machine acquired, on the work site after delivery. If the customer is not completely satisfied, Equippo offers a full refund regardless of the reason.
For sellers, the platform has created a simple and fluid service; free listings with rapid offers from qualified buyers all over the world. Sellers have the choice between price control and auctions without reserve. They can also use Equippo&#8217;s yards for free or save transport costs and sell from their own site.
Equippo is organising a huge upcoming auction
On October 28, Equippo is organising an auction with equipment in Belgium, France and other European countries. To participate, bidders must create an Equippo account and register for the auction on the website. On the day of the event, potential buyers can bid live, online, from their computer or can also pre-bid in advance via an automatic system.
With its own television studio to animate the sale, Equippo has digital auctions with human animation and live stream machine videos displayed using “green screen” technology.
 
 
The post Swiss Equippo Introduces New Online Auction Concept appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-equippo-introduces-new-online-auction-concept</link><guid>1606</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Aerial-view-of-Equippo-Auctions-yard-in-Belgium-2-1024x576.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Equippo Introduces New Online Auction Concept</dc:text></item><item><title>Equippo Introduces New Online Auction Concept for Europe</title><description><![CDATA[Equippo Auction, an online marketplace for the construction industry, has introduced a new online heavy equipment auction concept that allows for a full refund regardless of the reason.
The company is shaking up the market for the sale of used construction equipment. The company sells virtual lots from sellers premises and its own two physical locations, in the port of Zeebrugge Belgium and in Domazan (Avignon) in France.
The Equippo concept: flexibility, agility and security
The “Money Back Guarantee” launched by Equippo overturns the historical principles of auctions and democratises an area previously reserved to professional buyers. The startup, created in 2014, makes an innovative offer for the sale of used construction equipment, entirely on the internet.
Without intermediaries, entrepreneurs can buy their second-hand equipment via the brand&#8217;s marketplace and its auctions.
Equippo&#8217;s service starts with a complete inspection of all machines; they are verified by the brand, which then provides bidders with detailed reports and photos, videos and functionality tests.
The startup also offers a transportation service to its buyers. It has a transparent delivery cost calculator, where the bidder knows the exact price of the transaction, delivery included, and it adapts during the auction &#8211; without restricting buyers on their choice of carrier.
It also offers a test period of 5 days or 25 hours of operation of the new machine acquired, on the work site after delivery. If the customer is not completely satisfied, Equippo offers a full refund regardless of the reason.
For sellers, the platform has created a simple and fluid service; free listings with rapid offers from qualified buyers all over the world. Sellers have the choice between price control and auctions without reserve. They can also use Equippo&#8217;s yards for free or save transport costs and sell from their own site.
Equippo is organising a huge upcoming auction
On October 28, Equippo is organising an auction with equipment in Belgium, France and other European countries. To participate, bidders must create an Equippo account and register for the auction on the website. On the day of the event, potential buyers can bid live, online, from their computer or can also pre-bid in advance via an automatic system.
With its own television studio to animate the sale, Equippo has digital auctions with human animation and live stream machine videos displayed using “green screen” technology.
 
 
The post Equippo Introduces New Online Auction Concept for Europe appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/equippo-introduces-new-online-auction-concept-for-europe</link><guid>1607</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Aerial-view-of-Equippo-Auctions-yard-in-Belgium-2-1024x576.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Equippo Introduces New Online Auction Concept for Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>Why Collaboration Is Key for Growing Startups</title><description><![CDATA[The next generation of banking and insurance customers is generally speaking less loyal to companies or brands. They tend to perceive financial products and services as interchangeable. Innovative startups such as N26, ndgit and Apiax have been developing tools that provide financial institutions with new solutions to improve user journeys, personalization, and customer relationship management.
These solutions help banks and insurance companies to fulfill the needs of the next generation of customers and stay competitive in the face of globalization and digitalization. F10 strongly believes that incumbents should be collaborating with disruptive startups instead of competing to further innovation and not only defend but also increase their market share. As the place where innovation meets industry, F10 considers early collaboration between startups, incumbents, and investors to be the fastest route to innovation.
Collaborations between big business and agile startups combine decades of experience with fresh ideas and lean structures. True collaboration includes offering opinions and being open to other perspectives. Gather feedback from potential customers, investors, and industry experts to find out what works for your team as soon as possible and discard the rest. It enables entrepreneurs to discover if a proposed business model is viable before allocating valuable resources to projects doomed to fail.
For B2B startups, one of the most efficient ways to receive an overview of the wants and needs of the target audience, to get feedback on solutions and to validate hypotheses on product-market fit is interviewing relevant players in the target market. Even while maintaining social distancing and with most bigger industry events cancelled, software solutions allow getting feedback on your product or service and connecting with your target audience. Try to gather as much feedback as possible, and adjust your product or service accordingly. Continuous testing and modifying ensure the product-market fit.
How entrepreneurs benefit from global ecosystems
Especially in the first stages of founding a startup, it is crucial to get feedback on your ideas from potential customers and investors. Is your product or service addressing real-life problems? How does your solution further innovation? Where does your target audience see growth opportunities? Early-stage startups benefit from multiple feedback occasions and valuable connections by becoming part of the global F10 ecosystem. With the Incubation Program, F10 helps pre-seed FinTech, RegTech, InsurTech and DeepTech startups to solve the number one problem new ventures face: selling their solution to big companies and organizations.
The F10 team in Switzerland is already scouting for high-potential startups to join the seventh batch of the F10 Incubation Program in Zurich starting in June 2021. The startups selected for the program have the chance to connect with the prestigious F10 corporate partners. These connections lie the foundation to conduct pilot projects or start business partnerships. Furthermore, the experienced F10 startup coaches – who have guided more than 120 startups on their journey to become successful companies – provide feedback on business models, scalability as well as teamwork and facilitate introductions to investors within the extensive F10 ecosystem. Another source for constructive feedback is F10’s global mentor network: industry experts share insights with the startups, evaluate new ideas and participate in prototype testing.
Post-seed startups have the opportunity to get market feedback when scaling their business model by working closely with incumbents when joining the F10 ecosystem. Teams accepted into F10 Acceleration Program benefit from direct access to senior executives of the F10 corporate partners, the chance to conduct pilot projects with selected F10 partners and 1:1 investor meetings. After successfully kicking off the F10 Acceleration Program in Zurich in summer 2020, the three-month program goes into the second round in February 2021. F10 is currently scouting for the best post-seed startups in FinTech, RegTech, InsurTech, or DeepTech to join the program and take the fast track to scaling their business. So far, more than 120 international startups have completed the F10 programs and generated over 100 million in funding.
 

Opportunity alert
Are you eager to take your startup to the next level?
Post-seed startups can apply for the second batch of the F10 Acceleration Program in Zurich starting in February 2021 until the 8th of November 2020.
F10 is also accepting applications by pre-seed startups for the seventh batch of the Incubation Program in Zurich starting in June 2021.
Unique opportunity for F10 startups: prototype testing with real-life data
By being accepted into the F10 Incubation or Acceleration Program, startups get direct access to test data from major banks and insurance companies to validate their hypotheses. Real-life data and open APIs facilitates the development and testing of new solutions massively. F10 had launched the first FinTech Sandbox in Switzerland in fall 2019, and F10 startups can test their prototypes in the sandbox. This accelerates the development and testing process for new solutions while data privacy for the companies providing the data and APIs is guaranteed. Sandboxing also protects data collections from changes that could be damaging to a mission-critical system and are often difficult to revert.
Get an overview of the F10 programs for pre- and post-seed FinTech, RegTech, InsurTech and DeepTech startups.

 
Featured image credit:Business photo created by freepik &#8211; www.freepik.com
The post Why Collaboration Is Key for Growing Startups appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/why-collaboration-is-key-for-growing-startups</link><guid>1604</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Why Collaboration Is Key for Growing Startups</dc:text></item><item><title>AI to Unlock US$1T of Additional Value Each Year for Banks: McKinsey</title><description><![CDATA[For global banking, artificial intelligence (AI) could potentially deliver up to US$1 trillion of additional value each year, boosting revenues through increased personalization of services, lowering costs through efficiencies, and uncovering new and previously unrealized opportunities through the use of data, says McKinsey &amp; Company.
Total potential annual value, $ billion, Source: The executive&#8217;s AI playbook, McKinsey.com
In a post titled AI-bank of the future: Can banks meet the AI challenge?, McKinsey says that banks have continuously adapted to the latest technology innovations throughout the years, and as the industry heads towards the AI-powered digital age, incumbents must adopt AI at scale and become so-called “AI-first banks.”
Several trends are accelerating banks’ transition towards becoming AI-first, it says, with the first one being customers’ rapid adoption of digital banking. COVID-19 has further boosted the adoption of digital banking with use of online and mobile banking channels surging an estimated 20 to 50% in the first few months of the pandemic.
The emergence of digital ecosystems and so-called “super apps” is also changing the way consumers discover, evaluate and purchase banking products and services, it says. Across countries, non-banks businesses, and tech giants in particular, are embedding financial services and products in their journeys, delivering exceptional experiences for customers and disrupting traditional methods.
Bigtech players have major market advantages, McKinsey says, including a large and engaged customer network, troves of data, access to low-cost capital and tech expertise. Many have gained a foothold in domains such as payments, lending and insurance, and will continue to expand.
McKinsey notes that around the world, leading financial institutions are increasingly using advanced AI technologies. McKinsey’s Global AI Survey report, released in November 2019, found that about 60% of financial companies had embedded at least one AI capability.
Robotic process automation (36%) was found to be the most widely adopted AI capability in financial services, followed by virtual agents or conversational interfaces (32%), and natural language text understanding (28%).
Organizations&#8217; AI capabilities, % of respondents, by industry, McKinsey’s Global AI Survey, November 2019
The AI-bank of the future
According to McKinsey, the AI-first bank will integrate AI and analytics capabilities into diverse core systems and delivery platforms to offer intelligent, personalized and truly omnichannel propositions and experiences.
These intelligent propositions will be made accessible not only on the bank’s own platforms but also in other ecosystems that its customers are part of.
Tech giants that have successfully developed extensive ecosystems include Alibaba, Baidu, and WeChat in China, and Amazon, Facebook, and Google in the US, McKinsey notes.
AI-first banks will also blend banking capabilities with relevant products and services beyond banking, and will collaborate extensively with partners to deliver new value propositions. They will be as fast and agile as digital-native companies, and will be able to launch new features in days or weeks instead of months.
How AI transforms banking for a retail customer, AI-bank of the future: Can banks meet the AI challenge, McKinsey &amp; Company, September 2020
How AI transforms banking for a small- and medium-sized enterprise customer, AI-bank of the future: Can banks meet the AI challenge, McKinsey &amp; Company, September 2020
Internally, AI-first institutions will be optimized for operational efficiency, turning to extreme automation of manual tasks as well as replacing/augmenting human decisions utilizing advanced diagnostic engines, McKinsey says.
According to a survey jointly conducted by the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance and the World Economic Forum in Q2-Q3 2019, incumbents expect AI to replace nearly 9% of all jobs in their organization by 2030.
AI is expected to become a key lever of success for specific financial services sectors, including asset management, lending and payments, the research found.
Nearly half of all the survey participants, which comprised 151 fintech companies and financial institutions, regard bigtechs leveraging AI capabilities to enter financial services as a major competitive threat.
The post AI to Unlock US$1T of Additional Value Each Year for Banks: McKinsey appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ai-to-unlock-us1t-of-additional-value-each-year-for-banks-mckinsey</link><guid>1603</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Total-potential-annual-value-billion-Source-The-executives-AI-playbook-McKinsey.com_.png</dc:content ><dc:text>AI to Unlock US$1T of Additional Value Each Year for Banks: McKinsey</dc:text></item><item><title>WIR Bank investiert in Schweizer Proptech Startup</title><description><![CDATA[Die Digitalisierungs- und Diversifikationsstrategie der WIR Bank ist um ein Kapitel reicher.
Die schweizerische Genossenschaftsbank beteiligt sich an der Vermando AG, die Angebote rund um die digitale Transformation im Immobilienbereich realisiert. Auf ihrer Hauptplattform «HausHeld.ch» erhalten Hauseigentümerinnen und -eigentümer mit Renovationsbedarf für ihr Projekt passende Handwerks­betriebe vermittelt.
Paul Preiss
«Ziel der Zusammenarbeit ist es, das KMU-Netzwerk rund um ‹Hausheld.ch› auszubauen und gemeinsam neue Angebote entwickeln und lancieren zu können»,
sagt Paul Preiss, einer der Gründer und Co-CEO von Vermando.
Die 2016 entstandene Firma mit Sitz in Herisau befindet sich auf Wachstumskurs – und will mit der WIR Bank als Smart Investor dieses Wachstum weiter beschleunigen. Vermando blickt bis dato auf über 60 000 Vermittlungen an derzeit über 700 aktive Handwerkspartner in 20 Branchen mit einem Projektvolumen von über 300 Millionen Franken zurück.
«Wir profitieren nun von zusätzlichen Impulsen durch das WIR-Netzwerk und vom Know-how der WIR Bank»,
Auch für die WIR Bank ist der Schulterschluss ein logischer Schritt:
Matthias Pfeifer
«Wir sind überzeugt, dass unsere KMU-Kundinnen und -kunden von dieser neuen digitalen Akquisitionsmethode sehr profitieren werden»,
erklärt Matthias Pfeifer, Leiter Firmen- und Privatkunden der WIR Bank.
«Gleichzeitig erhalten unsere Hypothekar­kundinnen und -kunden zusätzlich eine attraktive Dienstleistung, die über die Hypothek sowie Spar- und Vorsorgelösung hinausgeht.»
Geplant sind weitere Produkte rund um die Themen Gebäudeverwaltung und -management.
«Mit der Investition in Vermando setzt die WIR Bank ihre Strategie mit Beteiligungen und Partnerschaften fort und baut ihr digitales Ökosystem für Firmen- und Privatkunden konsequent aus. Dazu gehören bereits VIAC (digitales Wertschriften-Vorsorgesparen), Amnis (günstiger Online-Devisenhandel für KMU) und CredEx (digitale Hypotheken-Plattform). Weitere Kooperationen sind gemäss der Bank in der Pipeline.
 
Featured image credit: WIR Bank
The post WIR Bank investiert in Schweizer Proptech Startup appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/wir-bank-investiert-in-schweizer-proptech-startup</link><guid>1602</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>WIR Bank investiert in Schweizer Proptech Startup</dc:text></item><item><title>“BORN IN SWITZERLAND” Swiss Original Fintech Overview Map Update: 174 Companies</title><description><![CDATA[Luc Schuurmans, Head Private Banking, Executive Management at Bank Linth,  put together an updated overview map of Fintech Companies “Born in Switzerland”.
Since his last update, he collected 10 more Swiss Fintechs- aisot, axelra, custodigit, finpension, sparbatze, investart, inapay, flovtec,flowbank and invemo.
Here are the descriptions of all the Swiss Fintechs listed in Luc’s map:
Funding
investiere is the leading European startup investment platform for qualified and institutional investors. A team of investment professionals presents the best investment opportunities on a digital platform after a rigorous due diligence process. investiere focuses on European high-tech startups. The investiere community consists of more than 4’000 qualified private investors, family offices and pension funds. Since its inception in 2010, investiere has invested over EUR 120 million in over 80 startups.
 
 
 
With the aim of giving both borrowers and lenders more freedom and control over their loans, 3circlefunding allows fwealborrowers to set loan interest rates and investors to sell loan parts in its secondary market. This makes 3circlefunding one of the few secondary market providers in Switzerland.
 
 
 
Foxstone is a Swiss real estate crowdfunding platform. The platform proposes institutional-grade real estate deals in Switzerland through three types of investments: co-ownership, co-investment and mezzanine debt with a minimum investment amount of CHF 25’000.
 
 
 

 
Bricks &amp; Bytes AG provides with crowdhouse.ch the first real estate crowd funding platform in Switzerland. By democratizing the way of being a real estate owner it makes everyone a happy landlord.
 
 

 
wemakeit.com was founded in Switzerland in February 2012 by the communication consultant Rea Eggli, the artist Johannes Gees and the interaction designer Jürg Lehni and within very short time grew into one of the largest crowdfunding platforms in Europe.
 
 
Beedoo is a platform proposing investment solutions to invest directly in the real economy, in startups &amp; SME&#8217;s, Real Estate and Impact Investing.
 
 
 
Projektstarter ist eine Crowdfunding-Plattform mit Sitz in Solothurn, welche seit dem Jahr 2011 tollen Ideen und ihren Machern eine Möglichkeit zur Finanzierung bietet. Sie ist in Besitz der Designatelier GmbH. ProjektStarter bietet den Menschen im Raum Schweiz die Möglichkeit ihre Idee oder ihr Projekt zu finanzieren.
 
 
On the platform crowdify.net Initiators present their projects and leave them there for 100 days to be funded by Boosters.
 
 
 
 
Drooms is the leading provider of data rooms in Europe, connecting professionals and information in the worlds´ real capital markets.
 
 
 
 
Go Beyond Investing brings together a group of private accredited investors dedicated to providing early-stage capital with entrepreneurs seeking investment capital. Go Beyond Investing enables novice &amp; experienced, small &amp; large investors, to access angel investing as an asset class through its unique platform, tools, training and expert angels.
 
 

 
SoSense is a pioneer in digital social innovation with offices in Zürich (Switzerland) and Berlin (Germany). They design creative and engaging concepts, implement innovative and empowering solutions and help run impactful campaigns with leverage.
 
 

 
CreditGate24 connects borrowers with private and institutional investors and offers an efficient and scalable settlement of loans. CreditGate24 operates exclusively online, with no branches or high administrative expenses in order not to diminish the yields on investment and to minimize the cost for borrowers.
 
 
Advanon is an authorized financial intermediary that is directly subordinated to FINMA (Directly Subordinated Financial Intermediary, DSFI) according to the Anti Money Laundering Act (AMLA).
 
 
 

Splendit matches students and investor in an auction process, issue documentation and manages payments through the lifetime of the loans.
 
 
 
 

swisspeers  ist eine unabhängige Crowdlending Plattform, die es Unternehmen erlaubt, bei Investoren direkt – also ohne Zwischen­schaltung eines Finanzinstituts – Fremdkapital zu beschaffen.
 
 
 
 

c-crowd represents a new way of financing entrepreneurs while democratising the concept of business angels, brings together innovative entrepreneurs and investors.
 
 
 

Loanboox is the independent money and capital market platform for public-sector borrowers and institutional investors. In contrast to conventional brokering, financing and investing through Loanboox is simple, transparent, safe and low cost, benefiting both borrowers and lenders alike.
 
 
 

creditworld verbindet Schweizer KMUs mit privaten sowie professionellen Investoren. KMUs profitieren von attraktiven Konditionen und fairen Vertragsbedingungen. Investoren erhalten Zugang zu einer neuen Anlageklasse mit interessanten Renditen und unterstützen dabei das Rückgrat der Schweizer Volkswirtschaft.
 
 
 
Bloomio is a digital investment platform connecting startups with individual investors. The platform allows startup founders to raise capital by tokenizing equity and gives investors the possibility to trade startup stakes through a secure blockchain-based marketplace.
 
 
 
Swiss Crowdlending FinTech for private persons and SME. Crowd Solutions is the provider of Crowd4Cash.ch the innovative Crowdlending platform. Crowd4Cash brings investors and borrower together. For better returns for the investors and lower interest rates for borrower. 100% online, easy and simply fair!
 
 
 

Acredius is an online platform that makes investors’ and borrowers’ needs meet in an unconventional, digital, intuitive and safe environment. Investors can diversify their portfolios and enjoy interesting yields. Borrowers get access to fair financing using their traditional and non-traditional data.
 
 
Lendora is a Swiss crowdlending startup. Our platform connects borrowers and investors online to make credit more accessible and investing more rewarding.
 
 
 
 
bob verbindet zuverlässige Finanzlösungen mit technischem Komfort und macht Ihnen mit seinen Online-Produkten das Leben so einfach wie möglich.
 
 
 
 
Führend in Immobilienfinanzierungen in der Schweiz Wir schaffen eine Verbindung zwischen Hypothekarkunden und institutionellen Kreditgebern und erreichen dadurch den besten Zins in Echtzeit. Dabei stehen wir für Integrität, Neutralität, Transparenz und die Sicherheit des Hypothekarmarktes. Unsere Partner zählen zu den Besten auf ihrem Gebiet, teilen unsere Werte und stehen für unternehmerisches Wachstum.
 
 
Greenmatch combines the perspectives of all market participants on one single platform and allows for an efficient interaction. Thanks to the independent, certified financial model, discussions regarding deviations between the financial models of the buyer and the seller do no longer occur. Detailed risk analysis strengthen the trust of banks and accelerate the closure of the project financing. Thus, each market participant saves valuable time and can focus more on his key competences.
 
Tradeplus24 specialises in providing Swiss KMUs with state of the art Insurance and Receivables Finance solutions. Unlike factoring, our innovative solution offers SMEs the opportunity to get a flexible credit line against their accounts receivable whilst offering them the option to insure their global accounts receivables against default. This way Swiss KMU&#8217;s can grow their export business in a financially sound and safe way, even when their buyers demand longer payment terms and want to trade own open account basis.
 
 
Systemcredit is a service provider to the lending industry. As the external rating agency, it helps SME to get suitable financing faster, at lower cost. And it enables lenders to grow their loan portfolios at reduced risk and lower process cost.
 
 
 
Cashare was founded in January 2008 as a public limited company under Swiss law, has its registered office in Hünenberg (ZG) and is registered in the commercial register of the Canton Zug. They are an approved financial intermediary pursuant to Art. 2, para. 3 of the Swiss Money Laundering Act and are audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers AG.
 
 
LEND matches investors with borrowers. Investors earn substantial returns and borrowers benefit from low interest rates. From person to person. Without a bank in the middle.
 
 
 
Teylor is a Swiss technology company focused on building better financial products for small businesses in Europe.
 
 
 
 
Advice

moneyguru.ch ist der digitale Assistent für private Finanzen in der Schweiz. Der Moneyguru ist von den Gründern von moneyland.ch ins Leben gerufen worden. Die unabhängige Vergleichsseite moneyland.ch ist sozusagen die Mutter, die Datenlieferantin und der Rechner von Moneyguru.
 
 
 

Crowd Trading‘s objective is to bring a revolution to the world wide online financial services being the first on the market to offer a social trading platform to collectively manage portfolios of financial assets through a decision-making system for public groups of investors (herein “crowd”) and an automated trades replication within the crowd.
 
 

adviceonline.ch, the complete and regulatory conform Onboarding, Profiling, Opening Document Management, Advisory and Consolidation Suite for EAM and Banks.
 
 
 
 

Investment Navigator is operated by Investment Navigator AG based in Zurich. Investment Navigator AG works closely with fundinfo, the leading platform for information and mandatory disclosures in the fund sector.
 
 
 

InvestGlass is a 24/7 financial markets platform built with Swiss banking know-how and a predictive algorithm. Their goal is to deliver smart financial information investors need at the right time and in the right format. Equities, Bonds, Forex, ETF, Futures, News and much more…
 
 
 

FLYNT reinvents platforms, services and experiences that put clients in control of their wealth. We see wealth as a means to follow life’s dreams, ambitions and aspirations. Wealth is a gateway to opportunity. Our mission is to transform how our clients realise these opportunities – in the most fluid, dynamic and rewarding way possible.
 
 

Sentifi is a leading Crowd-Intelligence platform for financial markets globally, receiving Swiss FinTech Award 2016. Their unique approach is to structure unstructured financial data from news, blogs and social media, identify and rank the sources for their relevance and apply self-learning algorithms and a financial expert system to extract insights from the content.
 
 

Qumram enables every digital interaction – web, social and mobile – to be recorded and replayed, at any time, providing a complete digital audit trail for financial services organisations, in accordance with key global regulatory requirements (MIFID-II, SEC, FINRA and more).
 
 
 

SwissMetrics is a dynamic startup from Switzerland that has a mission to enhance the way companies monitor their credit risk. As finance professionals, they have developed a SaaS platform with the aim of promoting smarter collaboration within companies to work for a common goal – saving money through risk minimization.
 
 
 

With diverse academic backgrounds ranging from information technology, mathematics, business administration, political sciences and philosophy, economics, design, linguistics and psychology, Adviscent‘s team of experts brings solid domain expertise on board in the banking, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and food industries.
 
 

MeetInvest seeks to democratize stock market investment with a free service that combines a social media platform and an investor toolkit, bringing in one place all the necessary resources for people to start trading like pros.
 
 
 

By leveraging technology, Dein-Anlageberater.ch provides users with personalized investment advisory services and recommendations for asset allocation at a much lower price than traditional investment advisers.
 
 
 
 

CrowdInvest.ch ist die erste Plattform der Schweiz, bei der jedermann die Kursentwicklung von Aktien prognostizieren kann. Denn wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zeigen, dass kollektives Wissen besser ist als einzelne Expertenmeinungen. Werde jetzt Teil von crowdinvest.ch und miss dich mit den Finanzexperten.
 
 

Nectar Financial, formerly Etops, is a Swiss fintech company specializing in wealth and asset management. It provides middle and back office services for more than 30 family offices, independent asset managers and banks and supports them in managing assets in excess of CHF 35 billion.
 
 
 

Riskifier makes investment risk profiling simple, fun and insightful for everyone. Our solution uses latest advances of artificial intelligence to fulfill the requirements of MiFID II/FIDLEG investor risk profiling and KYC data collection, while digitalizing &amp; gamifying user experience as well unleashing advantages of behavior based personalized investment risk profiles.
 
 

Pricehubble a Swiss based company, focusing on international real estate markets. We integrate top academic and industry experience in machine learning, computer science, econometrics, mathematics, statistics, financial services and consulting. We develop innovative solutions to support real estate decision making.
 
 
EdgeLab is a fintech company providing an investment intelligence web platform to help financial institutions taking smarter decisions.
 
 
 

Apiax is a compliance digitally mastered. We transform complex regulations into easy-to-use digital compliance rules.
 
 
 



theScreener is the market leader for independent valuations of financial securities, equities, sectors and markets, and new funds.
 
 

 
Alethena is the first Swiss ICO and Blockchain-Asset Rating Agency and Due Diligence Service Provider.
With deep technical insight, vast financial market experience, and a conclusive rating methodology, Alethena bridges the gap between blockchain and established investors. As a Swiss company neutrality is a core of our culture.
 
 

Crypto Finance AG is a financial technology holding company founded in June 2017. The Group provides blockchain-related services through its three subsidiaries: Crypto Fund AG (Asset Management), Crypto Broker AG (Brokerage), and Crypto Storage AG (Storage).
 
 
 
The Swiss Real Estate sector is one of the most economically and politically stable in the world. It is very popular with institutional investors and remains difficult to access for private investors.
In fact, the heterogeneity of properties, their acquisition values, the complexity of financing them and the retention of information signifies that this market still remains relatively inefficient.
Based on these observations, Crowdpark SA, established on December 1st 2017 in Geneva, is an independent company specialized in Swiss Real Estate Crowd-Investing.
 
Leva sets the new standard for investment syndicates. At the intersection of finance and technology, Leva has developed a novel technology to bring investment syndicates into the 21st century. Our platform allows a fully automated syndicate creation. With Leva, syndicate leaders can conveniently onboard new investors, manage the investor base, and raise capital efficiently.
 
 
Der erste Robo Advisor für die Immobilienwirtschaft. propmatch ist die einfache Lösung zur Analyse, Bewertung und Vermittlung von Standorten, Renditeimmobilien und Grundstücken in der Schweiz.
 
 
 
Smolio ist dein Finanzbuddy. Wir begleiten dich und verkaufen keine Finanzprodukte. Anders als andere profitieren wir nicht versteckt von unseren Empfehlungen. Was du bezahlst finanziert die künftige Entwicklung von Smolio. Eben unabhängig.
 
 
 
ex indiciis believe that customer relationship is at the core of the wealth management industry. As a consequence we provide wealth managers with the necessary tools to deliver personalized content to any user interacting with the company through any digital channel.
 
 
 
Imvesters offers you concrete investments in performance real estate that will supplement your income every month.
 
 
 
 
Legartis is developing an AI-based legal document life cycle solution provided as a SaaS system. It aids companies&#8217;​ legal and compliance departments, HR and procurement to review, analyze, amend and manage all legal documents throughout their entire life cycle.
 
 
 
Aisot (“AISignals and Operations in Trading”) is developping algorithms for data analytics and predictive analytics.
 
 

 
Integration
 
Performace Watcher Evaluating and comparing the result of one&#8217;s investment portfolio must be accessible to everyone. Our aim is to popularize and demystify a traditionally opaque field. We believe in explanations that are simple, clear and understandable to everyone. With the disappearance of Swiss banking secrecy, increased competition, the Internet and a new generation of customers the transparency of results is born.
 
 
Onedot is a Swiss company making data consumable across sources and boundaries. Onedot&#8217;s artificial intelligence (AI)-driven software helps businesses reduce manual work in data management by 8x, speed up time-to-market by 90% and increase revenue up to 10%. Onedot makes this possible by radically improving data quality–automating the data integration, cleaning and categorisation process.
 
 
 

Additiv develops and implements digital innovations and business models for financial services companies – tailor-made and turnkey.
 
 
 

Qedos designs beautiful &amp; innovative solutions for wealth managers. Their solutions revolutionise the way wealth managers and their client interact. They help wealth managers provide tailored advice, provide a better client experience, achieve superior investment performance, comply with regulations and work more efficiently.
 
 

Founded in 2007, NetGuardians was the first company to emerge from the innovation incubator Y-Parc, in Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland. The company now enjoys a solid international presence with a steadily growing clientele in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
 
 
 
FundBase is a cloud-based platform to ultimately host the complete investment process for high-conviction alternative investments. Fundbase delivers to qualified investors a seamlessly integrated platform to discover, execute and monitor complex investments such as hedge funds, private equity and other high-conviction investments.
 
 

Pure Value Metrics provides active investors with a unique combination of Global Equity Portfolio Selection, Market Insight, Online Trading and discretionary Voice Execution.
 
 
 

ADDFIN is a business solution for professional investors who seek to benefit and leverage on the full potential offered by digitalization and information technology in order to standardize the workflow, processes and procedures.
 
 
 

Centralway Numbrs is a customer-centric financial services company. It enables its customers to manage their existing bank accounts and personal finances and to buy any financial product from every provider at the best possible price.
 
 
 
 

Monetas develops technologies that empower people to live and do business with greater freedom than ever before, and that make financial inclusion a reality.
 
 
 
 

Interaction Partners is a Swiss-based Investor Relations Services firm with a focus on facilitating broker-independent trust-building, live interactions (roadshows) between listed corporates and institutional investors in Zurich, Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lugano, Milan and London.
 
 
 
We believe that great decision makers are the ones that ask the right questions. Veezoo empowers them to find the answers efficiently by themselves. We make complex information easy to understand by answering any question with a clean visualization.
 
 
 
Lykke is a Swiss Fintech company building a global marketplace based on blockchain. It builds on decades of thought and research by company founder Richard Olsen, a pioneer in the field of high-frequency finance. Richard served as co-founder and CEO of OANDA, a leading foreign exchange company. Lykke received initial seed funding in 2015.
 
 
 
Oyoba is a finance-as-a-service platform, providing its users access to a wide range of fintech and blockchain services, including bank accounts, Bitcoin wallets, robo advisory, lending, P2P payments and debit cards. Oyoba’s vision is to turn consumer banking into a modern information service by using personal, financial and other data to create new, personalized and better services.
 
 
Spitch is a Swiss provider of solutions based on Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) and voice biometrics, Voice User Interfaces (VUI), and natural language voice data analytics.
 
 
 
Moneygrid is born out of the vision that currency systems should be as diverse as possible and that they should connected to each other if it does make sense.
 

 
 

Altoo has developed its wealth platform in co-creatorship with its clients. Our independence and diversity enables us to connect people, wealth and processes by technology in a unique way.
 
 

 
AlgoTrader is an algorithmic trading software system. The company was founded by the CEO Andy Flury in Zurich Switzerland.
 
 

 
Yapeal building a new digital bank and we’ll redefine the way people bank.
 
 
 
 
Instimatch Global was founded in 2017. The inspiration for doing so, stemmed from the liquidity crisis in 2007/2008. Our founder witnessed first-hand how the interbank lending and borrowing system broke down and trust between financial institutions disappeared within a matter of days.
 
 
Appway builds software for today, and innovates for the technology of the future. With over 15 years of industry experience, Appway guides the leading financial institutions, both big and small, as they build sustainable and scalable solutions that quickly adapt to changing conditions.
 
 
 
Unblu helps the world&#8217;s leading banks deliver an in-person experience online. We provide highly secure engagement and collaboration software, enabling banks to enrich the digital experience of their clients.
 
 
 
 
Tindeco VISION is our award-winning fully integrated investment management platform. VISION is used by Banks, Family Offices and Fund Managers. VISION CORE Technologies provides Portfolio Administration, Portfolio Management, Risk Management, Order Management and Client Relationship Management &#8211; making it a comprehensive solution for Asset Managers.
 
 
 
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/born-in-switzerland-swiss-original-fintech-overview-map-update-174-companies</link><guid>1601</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/finpension-AG.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>“BORN IN SWITZERLAND” Swiss Original Fintech Overview Map Update: 174 Companies</dc:text></item><item><title>3 Key AI Capabilities for Asset Management Applications</title><description><![CDATA[Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly being adopted across the financial landscape. In asset management, applications of AI are articulated around the technology’s key inherent capabilities: the ability to conduct repetitive tasks efficiently; the ability to extract information from unstructured data sources; and the fact that AI algorithms are able to improve themselves, according to a research paper by the CFA Institute.
The paper, titled Artificial Intelligence in Asset Management, gives an overview of a wide range of existing and emerging applications of AI in asset management, focusing on three major areas: portfolio management, trading and portfolio risk management. Looking at how the technology has been used so far in the industry, it outlines three main intrinsic capabilities of AI that are relevant to asset management.
The first capability, the paper says, relies on the fact that AI models are objective, highly efficient in conducting repetitive tasks, and able to identify patterns in high dimensional data that may not be perceptible by humans.
AI can also analyze data with minimal knowledge of their structure or the relation between input and output, a feature that’s is especially useful for forecasting, yielding more accurate estimates, the paper says.
In trading, AI techniques are already an essential part of the practice, notably for its ability to process large amounts of data to generate trading signals. Moreover, algorithms can be trained to automatically execute trades based on these signals, which has given rise to the industry of algorithmic trading.
Note: The figure presents the three stages of algorithmic trading and summarizes the applications of AI in each stage.
In portfolio management, AI is being used to help construct portfolios with specific risk and return characteristics. AI has helped produce better risk estimates and solve portfolio optimization problems, thus improving the shortcomings of classical portfolio construction techniques and producing better asset return, the paper says.
The second capability, it notes, is the ability of AI to extract information from unstructured data sources, such as news articles, online posts, reports, and images. As a result, a tremendous amount of information can be incorporated into financial analysis without manual processing and intervention.
This is relevant for risk management where AI currently helps generate more accurate forecasts of bankruptcy and credit risk, market volatility, macroeconomic trends, financial crises, and so on, than traditional techniques.
Finally, the third capability outlined in the paper is the fact that unlike other statistical techniques, AI algorithms can be designed to improve themselves by readjusting in accordance with the data. This ability, it says, means that the manual reconfiguration or parameter re-estimation is unnecessary with AI.
Adoption of AI on the rise, though DACH lags behind North America, Asia
In recent years, AI have surged in popularity with machine learning (ML) techniques being the most used in finance right now, the paper says. ML is a subset of AI in which machines are able to decide and perform actions based on past experiences.
This surge in popularity has been mainly driven by three developments, the paper says: improved computing processing and storage capacity; increased volume and breadth of data used to train AI models; and greater accessibility and improvements of AI algorithms.
Note: The figure illustrates the structure of robo-advisor systems that incorporate AI and summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of these systems.
According to Insider Intelligence’s AI in Banking report, the decision for financing institutions to adopt AI will be accelerated by technological advancement, increased user acceptance and shifting regulatory frameworks.
But in the DACH region (Germany, Austria and Switzerland), AI adoption still lags behind more advanced regions like Asia and North America, according to a 2020 PwC study.
To date, DACH’s AI activities have been primarily focused on smaller-scale business and customer experience improvements. 56% of survey respondents, which consisted of banks, insurers and fintech professionals in DACH, said they were investigating AI for personalization and chatbot experiences, and an overwhelming majority (80%) said they were hoping to use AI for smaller efficiency improvements such as smaller-scale automation and predictive marketing.
AI applications could help banks save an estimated US$447 billion by 2023, with front and middle office accounting for US$416 billion of that amount, according to a research by Autonomous Next.
 
Featured image credit: edited from Science vector created by iuriimotov &#8211; www.freepik.com
The post 3 Key AI Capabilities for Asset Management Applications appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/3-key-ai-capabilities-for-asset-management-applications</link><guid>1600</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Algorithmic-Trading-with-AI.png</dc:content ><dc:text>3 Key AI Capabilities for Asset Management Applications</dc:text></item><item><title>Boerse Stuttgart Digital Exchange Now Trades Ethereum, Litecoin and XRP Against Euro</title><description><![CDATA[Boerse Stuttgart Digital Exchange (BSDEX), Germany’s first regulated trading venue for digital assets launched in September, has now introduced trading of Ethereum, Litecoin and XRP against Euro.
Another new feature is the possibility to transfer Ethereum, Litecoin and XRP from a private wallet to BSDEX.
Deposits and withdrawals of the tradable cryptocurrencies are free of charge at BSDEX. BSDEX meets the regulatory requirements in accordance with the German Banking Act (Kreditwesengesetz) and is operated as a multilateral trading facility by Baden-Wuerttembergische Wertpapierboerse, which also is the operating company for the public stock exchange in Stuttgart.
The technical operator of BSDEX is Boerse Stuttgart Digital Exchange which is a joint venture of Boerse Stuttgart, Axel Springer, finanzen.net and SBI Crypto Investment.
Maximilian von Wallenberg
“We are continuously screening for which cryptocurrencies we can offer reliable and transparent trading at BSDEX. After Ethereum, Litecoin and XRP, further cryptocurrencies and, in the future, other digital assets will follow,”
says Maximilian von Wallenberg, CEO of BSDEX.
Trading at BSDEX is almost 24 hours, seven days a week. Open order books provide information about existing orders and the current market situation.
In addition, financial services provider EUWAX AG, a subsidiary of Boerse Stuttgart, increases liquidity by providing buying and selling prices.
At BSDEX, there are transaction fees based on the type of order. blocknox, a subsidiary of Boerse Stuttgart Digital Ventures, takes care of the custody of cryptocurrencies for investors at BSDEX on an escrow basis and free of charge.
 
Featured image credit: BSDEX
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/boerse-stuttgart-digital-exchange-now-trades-ethereum-litecoin-and-xrp-against-euro</link><guid>1598</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Boerse Stuttgart Digital Exchange Now Trades Ethereum, Litecoin and XRP Against Euro</dc:text></item><item><title>TX Group Leads Lend’s Funding Round With CHF 5.5 Million</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss media company TX Group led the Series B financing round for Lend, a crowdlending platform, with an investment of CHF 5.5 million in a move that will strengthen its existing fintech portfolio.
Other investors in the round included PostFinance and Alpana Ventures, the Geneva-based venture capital fund.
This platform is a direct channel for loans between borrowers and investors, avoiding the use of banks as intermediaries. Investors benefit from attractive returns and borrowers, who include private individuals as well as SMEs, pay comparatively favourable interest.
Founded in 2015 by Florian Kübler and Michel Lalive d’Epinay, this Zurich-based fintech enterprise now employs a 17-strong workforce.
Borrowers have already applied to Lend for loans amounting to over CHF 1.3 billion. As part of a cooperation arrangement, PostFinance also offers loans via Lend to its business clients.
Florian Kübler, a Co-founder of Lend comments,
Florian Kübler
&#8220;Through Lend, we are offering simple and efficient financial services for everyone. By doing so, we aim to change the status quo and turn the financial world into a fair and supportive environment. We are delighted to know that we have the TX Group on our side as a strong partner, and we look forward to having a positive impact on the financial world as we work together.&#8221;
Samuel Hügli, Head of Technology &amp; Ventures and Member of the Group Management at the TX Group, who is also a new member of the Lend Board of Directors,
Samuel Hügli
&#8220;Lend is an ideal complement to our existing fintech portfolio and we share the same vision, because we too want to offer our Swiss clients independent and fair financial solutions. Furthermore, the company benefits from the extensive reach of our media and platforms, given that we reach over 80 percent of the Swiss population every day.&#8221;
 
Featured image: (L-R)Florian Kübler and Michel Lalive, Co-Founders of LEND
The post TX Group Leads Lend&#8217;s Funding Round With CHF 5.5 Million appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/tx-group-leads-lends-funding-round-with-chf-55-million</link><guid>1599</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>TX Group Leads Lend’s Funding Round With CHF 5.5 Million</dc:text></item><item><title>SIX Orchestrates Swiss OpenWealth API Roundtable for Financial Institutions</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss Fintech Innovations (SFTI), OpenWealth (orchestrated by Synpulse) and b.Link of SIX are jointly initiating a roundtable for Swiss financial institutions to discuss the state of open banking.
Four and a half months ago SIX officially launched the open banking hub “b.Link”. With the first two applications within payment submission (PSS) and account information services (AIS), SIX enables software providers to automatically connect their solutions with their customer’s bank accounts.
In September, SIX entered into partnership with LuxHub, an open banking provider that has already developed these functionalities for the European market and will support them in implementation.
OpenWealth API Roundtable for Financial Institutions
To drive the implementation and establishment of the OpenWealth API standard on the market in a structured way, together with Synpulse and SFTI, SIX has invited various cantonal (district) and private banks to a physical roundtable on 29 October and has been purportedly met with great interest.
SIX will present the results of the discussions and corresponding clarifications at a virtual follow-up event with additional capacity for participants. Financial institutions that are interested to participate may contact SIX for further information.
Expansion to New Scopes of Application: Asset Management
SIX will use the momentum to connect more financial institutions and third-party providers to the two existing payment APIs.
However, it is equally important to expand open banking in Switzerland to new scopes of application in various customer segments. Together with financial institutions and third-party providers, SIX will continuously evaluate possible use cases to expand b.Link to.
SIX is currently taking account of the great interest in wealth management. The primary objective is to provide independent asset managers with modern interfaces.
This generally provides similar possibilities as in the case of the previously mentioned scopes of application AIS and PSS, only applied to securities portfolios rather than customer bank accounts.
Moreover, the focus is no longer primarily on business customers. Open banking in Switzerland will soon bring benefit not only to businesses, but also to private individuals.
At the end of June, St.Galler Kantonalbank and Synpulse in cooperation with six providers of portfolio management systems launched the “OpenWealth” community.
At the end of September, the first version of an API standard for wealth management was developed in consultation with “Common API” of SFTI and made accessible to the community.
In the next step, it is now the time to operationalize this newly created standard and establish it in a wider community of financial institutions and third-party providers as efficiently and simply as possible.
 
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/six-orchestrates-swiss-openwealth-api-roundtable-for-financial-institutions</link><guid>1597</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>SIX Orchestrates Swiss OpenWealth API Roundtable for Financial Institutions</dc:text></item><item><title>COVID-19 Accelerates Shift to Digital Payments, Virtual Banking: McKinsey</title><description><![CDATA[The COVID-19 pandemic and its many repercussions have dramatically changed consumer behaviors, accelerating the move from physical to virtual banking and boosting digital payments, according to a new report by McKinsey.
All forms of electronic payments, whether peer-to-peer (P2P) or consumer-to-business, have been boosted amid the public health crisis. In Switzerland, share of debit card spending grew from 65% to 72% between January and May 2020, while in Asia, alternative payments, including instant and mobile payments, have witnessed a significant surge, the consulting firm says in its 2020 McKinsey Global Payments Report.
Digital commerce boom
The rise of digital and electronic payments has occurred on the back of changing buying habits and booming e-commerce activities, the report says.
In the first six months of 2020, consumers spent US$347 billion online with US retailers, up 30% from the same period in 2019. And in Europe, 28% of consumers who live in urban areas used online shopping as the main channel for buying groceries during the lockdown, an increase of 10% compared to before the pandemic, according to a PwC study. More than 80% of consumers who started buying groceries online during the pandemic are planning to continue to do so, the survey found.
Image: Online grocery shopping in Europe, Source: PwC Study Global Consumer Insights Survey 2020
Across geographies, small businesses are moving to the digital space, mostly through marketplace platforms like Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Flipkart and Shopify, which have seen seller sign-ups increase by 70 to 150% since the start of the pandemic, the McKinsey report says.
Cash usage will continue to decline
While e-commerce activity and electronic payments have surged amid the pandemic, cash usage on the other hand has declined as customers favor payment journeys that do not require physical contact.
In Western European countries heavily affected by the pandemic, offline transactions decreased by 60% YoY after the lockdown, according to an analysis by Oliver Wyman.
Image: Domestic offline vs. online transactions, Source: Oliver Wyman
In India, ATM usage fell by 47% in April, while in the UK, ATM usage per month experienced 46% declines on average from March to July 2020.
By the end of 2020, McKinsey expects cash usage to decline by four to five percentage points in the share of global payment transactions compared to 2019 fueled by evolving behavior.
Image: Cash usage by region, Source: Global Payments Map by McKinsey
Virtual banking on the rise
In parallel to rising digital payments, virtual banking has also grown. Around the world, banks are closing branches and focusing on their digital offering.
In India, banks stepped up their digital propositions, integrating bill payments, e-commerce links and the national real-time payment system, Unified Payments Interface (UPI), into mobile banking apps. UPI spending increased by about 70% over the first seven months of 2020.
In Europe, customers’ adoption of digital banking has leapt forward by a couple of years in just a couple of months. A recent customer survey conducted by McKinsey showed a 10 to 20% rise in digital banking use across Europe in April.
Image: Shifting banking usage, Source: McKinsey M&amp;S COVID Europe Consumer Pulse Survey week Apr 16-19, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has put a stop to payments revenues’ growth. Over the past several years, revenues had grown by roughly 7% annually, but in the first six months of 2020, global revenues declined by an estimated 22% compared with the same period in 2019.
McKinsey expects revenues to recover to a certain degree in the second half of 2020, ending 7% lower than full-year 2019.
Image: Global payments revenues growth, Source: Global Payments Map by McKinsey
Despite the direct impact of COVID-19, payments remain amongst the best-performing financial services product segments, and McKinsey expects the momentum to persist as a next normal develops.
Image: Payments companies performance, Source: S&amp;P Capital IQ; McKinsey analysis
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/covid-19-accelerates-shift-to-digital-payments-virtual-banking-mckinsey</link><guid>1596</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Image-Online-grocery-shopping-in-Europe-Source-PwC-Study-Global-Consumer-Insights-Survey-2020.png</dc:content ><dc:text>COVID-19 Accelerates Shift to Digital Payments, Virtual Banking: McKinsey</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Re and Daimler Join Forces to Launch Insurtech Startup Movinx</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss Re and Daimler Insurance Services have launched a new company called Movinx for automotive and mobility insurance.
Both shareholders of the 50/50 joint venture will leverage their expertise to establish a new business model. The aim is to develop fully digital automotive and mobility insurance products that both fulfill changing customer needs and offer best-in-class service quality. Movinx has received all necessary competition clearances.
Pravina Ladva, Swiss Re’s Digital Transformation Officer said,
Pravina Ladva
&#8220;We believe that partnering with Daimler Insurance Services and establishing Movinx will take us to the next level in innovating mobility insurance. Our joint long-term ambition is to unlock an ecosystem interplay where insurance supports the introduction of new technologies such as advanced driving assistance systems and autonomous cars as well as new business models in the mobility area.&#8221;
Ingo Telschow, CEO Daimler Insurance Services, said:
Ingo Telschow
&#8220;We will establish a new business model as well as co-create and co-own an insurance platform. This platform enables easy and efficient insurance purchase and customer-centric services by using real time data. Furthermore, we as Daimler Insurance Services are going deeper into the value chain of insurance business, having more influence on product development and pricing.&#8221;
With the aim of creating a new business model, Movinx will act as a Managing General Agent (MGA). It enables an embedded mobility and insurance customer journey – making insurance an integrated part of the vehicle purchase.
Instead of today’s rather short-term oriented partnerships between car manufacturers and various insurers, the focus is on a joint development journey to offer flexible and fully digital products.
Movinx enables the introduction of new insurance propositions across a range of markets with the underlying technology platform.
The joint venture will be open for cooperations with other stakeholders such as car manufacturers or, more generally, mobility service providers.
Future partners will benefit from their co-owned insurance MGA and be able to offer white-labeled solutions globally. So instead of having to deal with many insurers, the manufacturer has one partner, Movinx, across countries.
Movinx will then partner with locally licensed insurers to deliver its solutions to the end-customers and cover insurance risk.
Insurers and other stakeholders can connect to the IT platform and profit from centralised operations and automated processes supported by a combination of machine- and deep-learning technologies.
By connecting to the MGA&#8217;s platform, insurers benefit from not having to build tailored and quickly changing insurance programmes.
Movinx will be located in Berlin and is set to expand quickly. Sebastiaan Bongers, Head Mobility Ventures at Swiss Re, and Andreas Roth, Head Digital Insurance Model at Daimler Insurance Services, will lead the new company.
The first insurance products and services are planned to launch in France in 2021. In the coming years, further market entries are planned across Europe, Americas, and Asia.
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
The post Swiss Re and Daimler Join Forces to Launch Insurtech Startup Movinx appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-re-and-daimler-join-forces-to-launch-insurtech-startup-movinx</link><guid>1595</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Re and Daimler Join Forces to Launch Insurtech Startup Movinx</dc:text></item><item><title>New Deutsche Bank Paper Outlines Opportunities and Challenges of CBDCs</title><description><![CDATA[Central banks around the world are exploring the potential of digital currencies to improve monetary transactions. While so-called central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) appear to be upon us, promising many benefits including faster and cheaper transfers, they also present multiple challenges to consumers and financial institutions, according to a new report by Deutsche Bank.
In the latest Deutsche Bank Wealth Management CIO report, titled Central bank digital currencies: Money reinvented, the bank delves into the state of CBDC developments around the world, pointing out the opportunities and challenges that these may bring.
According to the paper, CBDCs could change the world we live in significantly, improving the speed and ease of monetary transactions between individuals, but also between governments and individuals.
More effective monetary policy and increased traceability
For central banks, the launch of a whole new digital currency system would change monetary policy and traditional financial system, opening up a large range of new possibilities.
Central banks could use CBDCs to ameliorate specific problems around low or negative interest rates, as well as stimulate growth. A CBDC would give policy-makers more options to combat undesirably high savings rates, by, for example, allowing them to set individual allowance limits.
In the case of an account-based CBDC where individual accounts are held at the central bank, money could be transferred directly from the central bank to individuals instead of relying on the transmission via banks.
Image: CBDC features vs. traditional central bank “money”, Source: Bank for International Settlements, Deutsche Bank Wealth Management, as of September 2020
Ultimately, this would mean that the role of banks as a gatherer of private savings would change dramatically, and they would need to offer higher interest rates than the central bank in order to attract savings, the paper says.
For governments, one major advantage of CBDCs is that they could make it much easier to enhance capital movement controls. In particular, centrally-organized digital currencies would make it possible for regulatory authorities and commercial institutions to see and trace every transaction, making it thus easier to crackdown on money laundering and tax evasion. CBDCs could also allow governments to better manage social benefit transfers.
CBDCs for individuals and privacy concerns
For individuals, CBDCs could bring many changes and benefits including lower cost and real-time transactions. Counterparty-party risk could also be eliminated.
But because CBDCs would make possible for governments to trace every money flow, they also come with serious privacy implications that could make consumers refractory to adopt them. Therefore, implementation of CBDCs could very well encounter political unrest and, possibly, encourage social unrest, the paper warns.
Other challenges posed by CBDCs include scalability, regulation, as well as their possible implications for the global economy and international relations.
CBDCs development around the world
Over the past 5 years, central bankers’ views on CBDC have evolved to become more accepting of collaborative innovation. Now, several countries around the world are exploring the possibility of launching their own CBDC, with many of them having already completed or in the process of initiating advanced stage pilots.
China’s Digital Currency Electronic Payment (DC/EP) is arguably the most developed experiment of a CBDC in an advanced economy. The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) started testing DC/EP in December 2019, and though there is still no official launch date, the PBOC’s governor has said that DC/EP may be piloted at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
Other early pioneers around the world include Sweden (e-Krona), Uruguay (e-Peso) and Ukraine (e-Hyrvnia). The e-Krona project was initiated in Q1 2017 and is currently being tested for payment, deposit, and transfer capabilities. Uruguay’s e-Peso pilot ran from September 2017 to April 2018 and tested the issuance and distribution of digital banknotes for use in peer-to-peer (P2P), business-to-business (B2B), and business-to-customer (B2C) payment use cases. And in Ukraine, the central bank successfully tested an electronic form of its hryvnia currency, the e-Hryvnia, in 2018.
Meanwhile, other jurisdictions have pursued the potential of wholesale CBDCs. Unlike retail CBDCs which are available for the general public, wholesale CBDCs are restricted to serve a limited circle, mostly financial institutions.
Such projects include for example Project Stella, a joint research project conducted by the European Central Bank (EBC) and Bank of Japan to explore the opportunity for distributed ledger technology (DLT) to improve financial market infrastructure, Project Ubin, a collaborative project across the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS), and several international financial institutions to explore the use of DLT for clearing and settlement use cases, and Project Inthanon/LionRock, a joint initiative launched by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the Bank of Thailand to explore wholesale CBDC use for cross-border payments.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-deutsche-bank-paper-outlines-opportunities-and-challenges-of-cbdcs</link><guid>1594</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Image-CBDC-features-vs.-traditional-central-bank-“money”-Source-Bank-for-International-Settlements-Deutsche-Bank-Wealth-Management-as-of-September-2020.png</dc:content ><dc:text>New Deutsche Bank Paper Outlines Opportunities and Challenges of CBDCs</dc:text></item><item><title>New Swiss Challenger Bank FlowBank to Be Powered by Temenos</title><description><![CDATA[Temenos announced that FlowBank has selected Temenos Transact to power its new digital bank in Switzerland.
Temenos Transact core banking technology is said to enable FlowBank to rapidly launch and offer a new investing experience to private and institutional investors in Switzerland and internationally.
FlowBank had recently secured its banking license in July 2020 and is planning to launch the operations by the end of 2020. The bank aims to meet the needs of both sophisticated and new investors, who wish to manage their banking and investments on their own.
The bank will be using an optimised trading platform underpinned by Temenos Transact. The bank is FINMA-regulated and deposits are guaranteed up to CHF 100,000.
With Temenos SaaS, FlowBank will create what is said to be a hyper-efficient cost model and reduce IT costs, which will enable it to go up against established players by offering online trading and banking services at competitive rates.
Accessing the solution through a subscription model, FlowBank will be able to scale usage based on business demand. Temenos SaaS offers elastic scalability to support the bank’s client growth plan and its international expansion.
A key new product feature within Temenos Transact will allow Flowbank’s customers to trade from a single multi-currency bank account and access more than 50 financial markets.
The bank purportedly will be able to launch personalised products at a fraction of the time and differentiate the customer experience.
FlowBank will offer online banking, trading services and credit cards, an investment experience open to everyone using a mobile app and an optimised trading platform to deal with all asset classes.
Charles-Henri Sabet, Founder and CEO, FlowBank commented,
Charles-Henri Sabet
“Temenos advanced cloud technology will enable us to launch fast and offer outstanding and reliable trading and banking experiences to our customers. Temenos SaaS technology will support our growth and will enable us to take on established players in the market benefit from a hyper-efficient business model and deliver more value to our investors and competitive prices.”
Flowbank joins a raft of digital banks across the globe such as Alba, Banco del Sol, Flowe, Lunar, Next Commercial Bank, Varo Bank and WeLab Bank, that have selected Temenos as the de facto technology provider.
Max Chuard, Chief Executive Officer, Temenos, added:
Max Chuard
“Temenos Transact delivered as SaaS, will allow FlowBank to benefit from scalability and an elastic hyper-efficient cost structure. With Temenos SaaS, the new digital bank will benefit from lower total cost of ownership and allow FlowBank to be agile, rapidly innovate and offer outstanding trading and banking experiences. We see traction globally where challenger banks – free from the constraints of legacy technology – recognize the potential for Temenos’ innovative technology to give them the agility to grow.”
 
Featured image: FlowBank
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-swiss-challenger-bank-flowbank-to-be-powered-by-temenos</link><guid>1593</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>New Swiss Challenger Bank FlowBank to Be Powered by Temenos</dc:text></item><item><title>Mt Pelerin’s Tokenised Shares Can Now be Converted to Standard Shares</title><description><![CDATA[Mt Pelerin, a Swiss blockchain company specialising in banking and finance, unveiled a new process to make security tokens bankable with financial institutions in a move to accelerate adoption by all types of investors.
Mt Pelerin made its first breakthrough in the world of security tokens in 2018 when it created what they said to be the very first share-token, a company’s registered share incorporated in the form of an ERC-20 token providing direct ownership of the share with full voting and dividend rights.
That innovation is said to have highlighted the multiple benefits of tokenising shares, such as zero cost issuance, instant and 24/7 share transfers, cap table and corporate action automation, and the possibility for any company to open its shareholding to the public easily.
However, the downside of tokenised shares was the quasi impossibility to address traditional investors such as VCs, family offices and other institutions as ERC-20 tokens were not bankable within the existing infrastructure of trading, clearing and settlement systems.
To solve that problem, Mt Pelerin proposed a simple process allowing a share (or any other security) to exist in both forms; a tokenised version and a standard version attributed with an ISIN code (International Securities Identification Number) which is the global standard for tracking securities across markets.
As a result, any company can incorporate its shares in either forms, then switch between tokenised and regular shares when needed.
To demonstrate this process, Mt Pelerin has un-tokenised 10% of its own shares, which now have the Swiss ISIN code CH0539730892. To do so, Mt Pelerin has worked with Swiss bank REYL &amp; Cie as the paying agent, ShareCommService as the registrar, and SIX as the ISIN provider.
By getting an ISIN code, tokenised shares become compatible with the financial data software used by institutional investors and can therefore be traded and kept in custody according to their usual processes.
This new bridge between traditional finance and tokenised securities is a considerable progress toward their adoption.
With it, institutional investors can now process private equity related tokens as any other security, and small cap issuers can now address crowd and professional investors simultaneously.
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mt-pelerins-tokenised-shares-can-now-be-converted-to-standard-shares</link><guid>1592</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Mt-Pelerin.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Mt Pelerin’s Tokenised Shares Can Now be Converted to Standard Shares</dc:text></item><item><title>Digital Banking Solution Meniga Announces US Expansion</title><description><![CDATA[Meniga, provider of AI-powered digital banking solutions, announced that it has expanded its business to the US, with a dedicated team appointed to drive sales operations.
The new US team &#8211; operating remotely before opening planned premises in New York in 2021 &#8211; will be headed up by North America Heads of Sales, Wim Van Lerberghe and Paul Renken.
The team has been established in response to increasing demand in the sector for digital solutions; a demand that has accelerated due to the pandemic and the need to help customers live better financial lives.
Meniga’s suite of products is said to enable America’s traditional banks to improve their offering to customers, against a growing number of challengers and technology giants such as Apple, Amazon, Google, and Facebook, which are currently grabbing significant shares of the market.
Wim Van Lerberghe has more than two decades’ experience in international B2B financial services sales, with the past few years spent in the technology sector, particularly focusing on scaling fintechs in the US as co-founder of consultancy firm Advintro.
Paul Renken, also a co-founder of Advintro, brings expertise in sales, strategy and business development from numerous top-level roles within the technology, financial services and investment banking sectors in the US.
With Wim and Paul establishing Meniga’s US footprint, the new office is currently running as a remote operation before moving to physical premises based in New York in 2021.
By opening its doors in the US, Meniga is said to be consolidating its global market presence, with over 165 banking partners across more than 30 countries, and offices in London (its HQ), Reykjavik, Stockholm, Warsaw, Barcelona and Singapore.
Paul Renken, North America Head of Sales, commented,
Paul Renken
“We see banks as the bastions of the customer, designed to protect and manage assets, particularly during such a financially unstable climate. However, in order to remain competitive this means they also need to move, and digitalise, with the times. With Meniga’s technology and expertise, banks all across the States will be able to achieve this.”
Georg Ludviksson, CEO and Co-founder of Meniga said,
Georg Ludviksson
“Meniga created the digital standard for banks in Europe, with our banking partners now proudly leading the way when it comes to personalised services and customer engagement. We know that the unrivalled expertise and local market insight brought by Wim and Paul will allow us to fully export our technology to the US, granting American banking partners access to cutting-edge digital products and apps that their customers will love to use every day.”
Meniga recently raised €8.5 million during a strategic investment round led by its client Groupe BPCE.
 
Featured image: Edited from Unsplash
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digital-banking-solution-meniga-announces-us-expansion</link><guid>1591</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Digital Banking Solution Meniga Announces US Expansion</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 8 Swiss Fintech “Bankers” in 2020 – Bilanz Ranking</title><description><![CDATA[The recently released Bilanz&#8217;s list of top 100 Swiss bankers serves to recognise and celebrate the contributions that these financial leaders have made in the region. We would like to highlight the additions of eight fintech &#8220;bankers&#8221; who have also found themselves being a part of this list.
The list comprises the founders and CEOs of noteworthy fintech startups; Crypto Finance AG, Bitcoin Suisse, Sygnum, Descartes Finance, True Wealth, Bitcoin Suisse, Moneypark and additiv.
The featured fintech founders/CEOs:

63. Marc Bernegger, Investor and Board Member of Crypto Finance AG


63. Niklas Nikolajsen, Chairman and Founder of Bitcoin Suisse


76. Manuel Krieger, Co-Founder of Sygnum


76. Adriano B. Lucatelli, Founder and CEO at Descartes Finance


76. Felix Niederer, Co-founder at True Wealth


76. Dr. Arthur Vayloyan, CEO of Bitcoin Suisse
Arthur Vayloyan

85. Stefan Heitmann, CEO, Founder Moneypark
Stefan Heitmann

93. Michael Stemmle, CEO, additiv AG
Michael Stemmle

 
The post Top 8 Swiss Fintech &#8220;Bankers&#8221; in 2020 &#8211; Bilanz Ranking appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-8-swiss-fintech-bankers-in-2020-bilanz-ranking</link><guid>1590</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Top 8 Swiss Fintech “Bankers” in 2020 – Bilanz Ranking</dc:text></item><item><title>Christie’s First Auction of Blockchain Related Artwork Sold for More Than US$130,000</title><description><![CDATA[The world&#8217;s purported first blockchain-focused art, Block 21 was sold off at Christie’s, renown auction house.
Block 21 is a part of Portraits of a Mind, a global art project decentralising the founding code behind Bitcoin into 40 fragments.
Portraits of a Mind is the largest work of art in the history of blockchain technology, with 40 paintings stretching more than 50 meters long and forming a complete hand painted transcription of the 12.8 million digits of code (v0.1.0) that launched Bitcoin, the world’s first cryptocurrency.
A symbolic expression of decentralisation, once globally distributed, the project will draw up a global network of 40 collectors where no one individual will hold all the code.
Offered privately in early 2020 to select collectors, the first half of Satoshi’s codebase (Blocks 0 -20), now lie decentralised across the world &#8211; in 14 cities and across 3 continents, with works placed in important private and corporate collections.
Eighteen bidders, from across three continents, bid online and by phone in a heated four-minute bidding war and the work sold for over 10 times its estimate, realising $131,250. The artwork was viewed online over 3,000 times at Christies.com.
The culmination of the high level auction, which featured works by Warhol, Louise Bourgeois, Ed Ruscha, Martin Wong and Yayoi Kusama, resulted in a major moment for the cultural appreciation of Satoshi Nakamoto’s revolutionary codebase.
Robert Alice project was founded by Benjamin Gentilli. Source: Robert Alice website.
Alongside the painting, the anonymous buyer of Block 21 received access to a unique Non-Fungible Token (NFT), a core part of the artwork.
Created by Robert Alice and developed by the leading NFT specialists Async Labs, the NFT is spatiotemporally connected to the artwork- meaning that the digital component of the artwork is only visible during daylight within the time zone in which it is geographically located.
As the owner of the NFT, the buyer can control the visibility of the artwork by changing where it is located.
 

Featured Image: Christie’s New York
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/christies-first-auction-of-blockchain-related-artwork-sold-for-more-than-us130000</link><guid>1588</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Robert-Alice-project-was-founded-by-Benjamin-Gentilli.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>Christie’s First Auction of Blockchain Related Artwork Sold for More Than US$130,000</dc:text></item><item><title>Had Your Face Stolen Lately?</title><description><![CDATA[You can reset your PIN after a data breach, you can reset your password after a data breach, you can reset your security questions after a data breach – but can you reset your face?
Sure, there’s surgery, but clearly that’s asymmetry of the amount of effort you’ll need to expend in response to a vendor’s careless handling of biometric data. Subsequent resets could get even weirder. This elevates identify theft to a whole new level. I can’t imagine a phone call to your online accounts saying, “that’s not me!” The reply: “Is this your face?”. Hard to argue you didn’t make the fraudulent purchase.
Vendors in the biometric space know they’re protecting really sensitive information, so they’d be super-diligent not to let that happen, right?
The US Department of Homeland Security recently had a brush with biometric data theft, and they’re supposed to be good at protecting data, maybe better than most of vendors in the space. They certainly have access to good resources. What about other vendors?
There’s a pseudo-marketing-driven narrative behind it all: Please give us your face so we can guarantee security. But after years of doing security, we’ve learned there’s no such thing as perfect security, only better or worse.
image via Pixabay
And a security record that included your face would also include a host of other sensitive information. There’s no need to enrich the data to seem convincing. This is one reason medical records have been such a target for data theft: there’re closer and closer to being you, and very hard to fake.
Facial recognition is definitely on the upswing. China has been extensively experimenting with it, using machine learning to do the heavy “face-lifting”, and plenty of other countries have joined the fray.
Singapore is implementing a national ID based on the citizen’s face. It’s impossible not to insert sentences here that include “Orwell”.
You could argue that your face could be captured by the growing swarm of public cameras, so what’s the big deal?
But if a biometric profile of you, including your face, can be used to interact digitally with an increasingly growing swarm of businesses and organizations you touch, it can substantially ruin your real life.
I had a friend who worked in the government sector who was accidentally declared dead due to a computer glitch. It’s taken her over 20 years to fix that. She had to convince her service providers that she wasn’t dead. It wasn’t enough that she was on the phone talking to them. It was weird. She’s now mostly alive in their eyes, but it still reset her retirement, which is why she’s still working. Also, someone stole her Social Security Number while she was “dead”, then ran up bad debt.
It’s hard to prove you’re not dead. It’s also hard to prove that your profile including your face isn’t you.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/had-your-face-stolen-lately</link><guid>1589</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ESET-face-recognition-1024x682.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Had Your Face Stolen Lately?</dc:text></item><item><title>Pay With Your Palm? Amazon Launched New Biometric System</title><description><![CDATA[Amazon launched its latest payment technology using a new biometric system that uses palm recognition, allowing its users to do everyday activities like paying at a store, presenting a loyalty card, entering a location etc.
The service, called Amazon One, is designed to be highly secure and uses custom-built algorithms and hardware to create a person’s unique palm signature.
This will be available in select Amazon Go stores, where Amazon One will be added to the store’s entry gate as a convenient choice for customers to use to enter the store to shop.
In most retail environments, Amazon One could become an alternate payment or loyalty card option with a device at the checkout counter next to a traditional point of sale system.
Or, for entering a location like a stadium or badging into work, Amazon One could be part of an existing entry point to make accessing the location quicker and easier.
Amazon One device
It purportedly takes less than a minute to sign up at these Amazon Go stores using an Amazon One device. The first step is to insert your credit card. Next, hover your palm over the device and follow the prompts to associate that card with the unique palm signature being built for you by our computer vision technology in real time.
Users will have the option to enroll with just one palm or both. Once enrolled, to use Amazon One to enter these Amazon Go stores, users just need to hold their palm above the Amazon One device at entry for about a second or so, and be on their way.
The Amazon One device is protected by multiple security controls and palm images are never stored on the Amazon One device. Rather, the images are encrypted and sent to a highly secure area that is custom-built in the cloud where the user&#8217;s palm signature is created.
Beyond Amazon Go, the company expects to add Amazon One as an option in additional Amazon stores in the coming months. Amazon also plans to offer the service to third parties like retailers, stadiums, and office buildings so that more people can benefit from this ease and convenience in more places. Interested third parties can reach out through the email address provided on our Amazon One website.
﻿
 
Featured Image: Amazon One
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/pay-with-your-palm-amazon-launched-new-biometric-system</link><guid>1586</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Amazon-One.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Pay With Your Palm? Amazon Launched New Biometric System</dc:text></item><item><title>McKinsey: COVID-19 Pandemic Shakes Up European Fintech Landscape</title><description><![CDATA[The COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing global economic crisis have shaken up the fintech industry, forcing many to readjust their strategies and expand their revenue streams on the back of a contracted funding environment.
After growing more than 25% a year since 2014, fintech investment dropped by 11% globally and 30% in Europe in H1 2020, compared to the same period in 2019. With fintech funding declining, cash-consumptive fintechs will have to make strategic adjustments and pursue more economically viable paths, McKinsey &amp; Company said in a recent blog post.
In particular, digital banks that are skewed towards customer acquisition and which require continual investor funding will be put to the test. Pre-COVID-19 already these players faced challenges compared to incumbents but the pandemic is further putting pressure on them to turn a profit.
Pre-COVID-19, loss per customer at top digital banks was between EUR 10 and EUR 60, while top-performing incumbent banks generated EUR 150 and EUR 350 per customer. Now, fintechs’ loss per customer is expected to expand to EUR 20 to EUR 75, while profit per customer at top incumbent banks is expected to drop to EUR 50 – EUR 200, the firm estimates.
Monoline businesses like peer-to-peer (P2P) lending and marketplace financing too have been negatively impacted by the pandemic, having to face challenges such as higher credit risk, and new regulatory obligations like payment holidays.
McKinsey cited the case of RateSetter, one of the UK’s largest P2P lending platform, which had to slash interest payouts by 50% earlier this year in anticipation of a wave of defaults under COVID-19.
The alternative lender said in May 2020 that 6% of borrowers had requested a payment freeze and as a result, it was increasing its projected loan losses. The saving from cutting interest rates would be diverted to prop up its Provision Fund, which provides a financial safety net for investors in the face of a default, RateSetter said.
Finally, business-to-business (B2B) fintechs will have to deal with an increasingly challenging selling environments, McKinsey said, though those that help financial institutions digitize, automate and reduce their costs will likely continue to get attention and win sales.
Adapting to the new normal
Many fintechs will have to quit “burning money unsustainably” and “spending themselves out of business,” This will require them to cut international expansions plans, business lines and initiatives, and “focus their energies and capital on areas … with long-term potential,” McKinsey said.
Some players will need to readjust their strategies to these new market conditions and changing customer behaviors. This could mean expanding their offering by for example helping governments provide fiscal reliefs and COVID-19 programs. This could also mean expanding into other markets and segments.
Business-to-consumer (B2C) fintechs like digital banks could consider white-labelling their technology platforms and digital capabilities, while B2B fintechs could reconsider their pricing structure and shift to a usage-based model to attract cost-conscious buyers, McKinsey said.
Though COVID-19 might require several fintechs to recalibrate their focus, the crisis-fueled shift to digital channels will nevertheless continue to bring plenty of opportunities by accelerating demand for digital banking and digital transactions.
McKinsey’s Financial Decision Maker Pulse Survey, which was run in early April 2020, found that as many of 80% of consumers in Western Europe prefer handling everyday financial transactions digitally. Between 5 to 20% of consumers in these markets expect to do more digital banking in the future.
These findings coincide with results from a study conducted earlier this year by Goodwin, which found that 39% of banks and financial institutions around the world are making fintech adoption a high priority, highlighting the global demand for a more advanced financial landscape.
European organizations were found to be more dedicated than their US counterparts to fintech adoption and investment, allocating between 11% and 30% of their profits to fintech.
Further consolidation
These new economics induced by COVID-19 will likely prompt a wave of consolation, McKinsey said. With fintech valuations falling steeply across the board, incumbent banks and corporates will take that opportunity to enter new areas and gain access to talent and technology.
French financial services group Societe Generale said in June that it was acquiring French fintech startup Shine to develop its offer for business and micro-enterprise clients. Shine had been developing a challenger bank for freelancers and small companies in France.
Acquisitions will also continue amongst fintechs as players look to offer a broader customer value proposition and fill monetization gaps in their business models. With the market further consolidating, competition weakening or simply going out of business, mature and successful fintechs will benefit the most and will continue to attract capital, McKinsey said.
In March, Stockholm-based open banking startup Tink announced that it had acquired Madrid-based Eurobits, a provider of account aggregation services serving over 50 banks and fintechs including BBVA and Santander. Tink said the deal would allow it to continue expanding across Europe and will complement its platform.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mckinsey-covid-19-pandemic-shakes-up-european-fintech-landscape</link><guid>1587</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/COVID-19-Pandemic-Shakes-Up-European-Fintech-Landscape-1024x754.png</dc:content ><dc:text>McKinsey: COVID-19 Pandemic Shakes Up European Fintech Landscape</dc:text></item><item><title>Berner Kantonalbank Joins Swiss Immo Lab To Invest in Proptech Startups</title><description><![CDATA[Berner Kantonalbank (BEKB) joins venture capital firm Swiss Immo Lab, to invest in innovative proptech startups.
BEKB is now the fourth partner alongside Avobis, Hypothekarbank Lenzburg and Gebäudeversicherung Bern (GVB).
Since its inception in December 2019, Swiss Immo Lab has already invested in four startups namely Archilyse, RealXData, Mobbot and Insolight.
The two software firms Archilyse and RealXData looks to increase efficiency and support data-driven decision-making in the development and management of buildings and entire real estate portfolios.
Meanwhile, Mobbot aims to save time in construction by enabling mass production of concrete elements on-site. Lastly, Insolight’s produces solar panels where the profitability of photovoltaic installations is improved.
These first investments show the attractiveness and variety of the investment space.
With the fourth partner on board, Swiss Immo Lab will continue to invest in innovative startups who drive the much-needed digital transformation of the construction and real estate industry, two sectors that have been lagging behind so far.
 
 
Featured Image: BEKB Niederlassung Bern Bundesplatz, Hauptsitz
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/berner-kantonalbank-joins-swiss-immo-lab-to-invest-in-proptech-startups</link><guid>1585</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Berner Kantonalbank Joins Swiss Immo Lab To Invest in Proptech Startups</dc:text></item><item><title>Hitachi and Swiss Re Link up for ‘Digital Risk’ Coverage</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss Re Corporate Solutions and Hitachi Europe announced a partnership to launch integrated insurance-based offerings for the digital era.
As organisations increasingly depend on Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered automation for critical business processes and operations, corporations need to manage new &#8216;digital risks&#8217;. To address this need, Swiss Re and Hitachi are launching a new industry solution that helps organisations accelerate their digital transformation while minimising the risk.
Initially focused on the manufacturing machinery and transport industries, the joint solution will help customers embrace AI and cutting-edge technologies to maximise productivity, increase automation, implement contactless operations and reduce downtime, while also insuring them against any unexpected business disruption.
Andreas Berger
&#8220;We are excited to work with a global technology leader like Hitachi to advance corporate insurance through digital market platforms and accelerate the adoption of innovative, smart manufacturing. Through this partnership we are activating machine-sensor data and continuous diagnostics across the industrial sector.
 
Ultimately this will enable us to price risk more precisely, ensure effective pay-out mechanisms, and provide a seamless risk management experience that addresses industry inefficiencies and is tailored to our customers&#8217; needs.&#8221;
said Andreas Berger, CEO, Swiss Re Corporate Solutions.
The two companies are positioned to bring their offering to the market, with the first organisations launching in October 2020.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/hitachi-and-swiss-re-link-up-for-digital-risk-coverage</link><guid>1583</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Hitachi and Swiss Re Link up for ‘Digital Risk’ Coverage</dc:text></item><item><title>Salesforce Ventures Launches US$100M Fund for Cloud Startups</title><description><![CDATA[Salesforce announced its second Impact Fund worth US$100 million from Salesforce Ventures, the company’s global strategic investment arm.
The new fund will accelerate the growth of cloud companies addressing some of today’s most pressing needs including education and reskilling, climate action, diversity, equity and inclusion, and providing tech for nonprofits and foundations.
Suzanne DiBianca
“Now more than ever, we believe business can be a powerful platform for change. We must leverage technology and invest in innovative ideas to drive the long-term health and wellness of all citizens, enable equal access to education and fuel impactful climate action,”
said Suzanne DiBianca, Chief Impact Officer and EVP of Corporate Relations at Salesforce.
“Through this new fund, Salesforce will invest in companies solving the world’s most pressing social and environmental challenges.”
The new fund will invest in companies delivering solutions that address today’s urgent and interwoven crises:

Education + Workforce Development &#8211; Companies enabling equal access to high-quality education, reskilling and preparing workers for jobs of the future.
Sustainability &#8211; Companies creating better access to clean energy, improving resource efficiency and supply chain performance and developing new technologies that will help address climate change.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion &#8211; Companies developing tools that promote equal opportunity and economic empowerment for women and underrepresented groups, as well as investing in women and underrepresented founders.
Social Sector Technology &#8211; Companies amplifying impact for nonprofits, foundations and public sector customers through technology that increases efficiency and transparency.

Continued Investment in Social Good
Impact investing is experiencing significant growth as businesses and investors increasingly aim to make real-world change and build a better future for all stakeholders. The Global Impact Investing Network states that despite recent headwinds, impact investors hold a positive outlook for the future, and estimates the market size at $715 billion, up more than 40% from last year.
In 2017, Salesforce Ventures introduced its first $50 million Salesforce Ventures Impact Fund to support a new generation of startups that are focused on driving positive social change. To date, this fund has invested in more than 25 companies to help accelerate their impact around the world.
 
 
Featured image credit: Salesforce
The post Salesforce Ventures Launches US$100M Fund for Cloud Startups appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/salesforce-ventures-launches-us100m-fund-for-cloud-startups</link><guid>1584</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Salesforce Ventures Launches US$100M Fund for Cloud Startups</dc:text></item><item><title>Traditionelle Privatkredite versus P2P Lending in der Schweiz</title><description><![CDATA[In der Schweiz gibt es zahlreiche Wege, um einen Kredit zu erhalten und zahlreiche Anbieter, aus denen man wählen kann. Herkömmliche Kreditgeber oder Crowdlending-Plattformen &#8211; beide haben ihre jeweiligen Vorteile und Nachteile, die berücksichtigt und sorgfältig abgewogen werden müssen, bevor eine Entscheidung für einen Anbieter getroffen wird.
Zum besseren Verständnis dessen, wie ein Kreditvergabeprozess abläuft und was dazu gehört, werfen wir heute einen Blick auf die Unterschiede zwischen herkömmlichen Bankkrediten und Crowdlending sowie auf die Vorteile und Risiken beider Optionen.
Kredite in der Schweiz
Privatkredite
Edited from Freepik
In der Schweiz können Personen einen Privatkredit entweder auf herkömmliche Weise beantragen, indem Sie persönlich eine Filiale eines Kreditgebers besuchen, oder aber online über ein digitales Portal, das von einem klassischen Kreditgeber oder von einem bankenunabhängigen Crowdlending-Plattformanbieter zur Verfügung gestellt wird.
Kreditnehmer müssen keinen Verwendungszweck angeben, um einen Schweizer Privatkredit zu erhalten, aber in der Schweiz werden diese Kredite oft für den Auto-, Haus- oder Möbelkauf genutzt.
Ob einer Person ein Kredit gewährt werden kann, wird in der Schweiz durch ihre Kreditwürdigkeit bestimmt &#8211; in anderen Worten ist das die Wahrscheinlichkeit, dass sie das Geld tatsächlich fristgerecht zurückzahlen werden. Die Beurteilung einer Person als zuverlässig und kreditwürdig beruht auf ihrer Bonität. Diese wird durch einen bestimmten Kriterienkatalog definiert, wozu das Alter des Kreditnehmers, sein Wohnsitzland, sein Beschäftigungsstatus, die Bonitätsauskunft und Kredithistorie gemäss der Zentralstelle für Kreditinformation (ZEK), die Kreditart sowie der Grund, das Volumen und die Laufzeit des Kredits.
Zusätzlich hat jeder Kreditgeber eine eigene Kriterienliste, welche den Familienstand, monatliche Miet- oder Hypothekenzahlungen, die Wohnsituation und den Beruf des Antragstellers umfassen kann.
Die Bonität beeinflusst auch den Zinssatz und damit die Kosten des Kredits. Kreditnehmer mit exzellenter Bonität bekommen die besten und niedrigsten Zinssätze, während Kreditnehmer mit schlechter Bonität und daher höherem Kreditrisiko die schlechtesten und höchsten Zinssätze bekommen.
Während die meisten in der Schweiz Kreditanträge noch auf herkömmliche Art in einer Bankfiliale stellen, nimmt die Nutzung von Online-Plattformen für Kreditanträge zu. Um die wachsende Nachfrage der Kunden nach digitalen Optionen zu bedienen, haben viele Banken in der Schweiz begonnen, Kunden die Option der Kreditantragstellung über ein Online-Portal anzubieten. Dadurch wird der Kreditprozess verschlankt, was in vielen Fällen zu günstigeren Privatkrediten führt.
Unternehmenskredite
Ähnlich wie Privatkredite werden auch Unternehmenskredite in der Schweiz sowohl von Banken als auch von bankenunabhängigen Kreditgebern angeboten. Als grundlegende Kriterien für die Kreditvergabe gelten die Fragen, ob Inkassofälle, Vermögensentziehungen oder uneinbringliche Forderungen gegen das Unternehmen vorliegen, sowie Gewinn und/oder Umsatz des Unternehmens, Alter, Art und Sitz des Unternehmens und Volumen und Laufzeit des Kredits.
Zusätzlich können manche Kreditgeber auch vom Unternehmen verlangen, Sicherheiten bereitzustellen und weitere Kriterien zu erfüllen.
Zur Beantragung eines Unternehmenskredits verlangen Kreditgeber von den Antragstellern in der Regel Jahresabschlüsse für die dem Kreditantrag vorausgegangenen Jahre, zusätzlich zu Finanzdaten für das laufende Jahr, in welchem der Antrag gestellt wird.
Ein wichtiger Aspekt, der bei der Beantragung eines Geschäftskredits zu berücksichtigen ist: Neben den jährlichen Zinsen fallen für Unternehmenskredite auch Verwaltungsgebühren an, die die Kreditkosten um weitere 1 % bis 4,5 % erhöhen. Während manche Kreditgeber nur eine einmalige Verwaltungsgebühr berechnen, stellen andere diese jährlich in Rechnung.
Crowdlending in der Schweiz
Neben konventionellen Bankkrediten können Privatpersonen und Unternehmen sich auch dafür entscheiden, sich auf den zahlreichen in der Schweiz verfügbaren Crowdlending-Plattformen um Finanzierung zu bemühen.
Crowdlending, das auch als Peer-to-Peer-Lending (P2P-Lending) bezeichnet wird, ist eine Form der internetbasierten Kreditvergabe, bei der die Kredite meist von einer Anzahl von Privatpersonen an andere Privatpersonen oder an Unternehmen vergeben werden. Die beiden Seiten kommen auf sogenannten Online-Kreditmarktplätzen zusammen, auf denen die Kreditsucher ihre Projekte vorstellen und Kreditgeber die Gelegenheit erhalten, in diese zu investieren.
Aus Perspektive des Kreditnehmers bietet Crowdlending zahlreiche Vorteile, darunter ein oftmals einfacherer und schnellerer Ablauf als bei einer Bank. Crowdlending birgt allerdings auch bestimmte Risiken und Nachteile. Zum einen ist die Ablehnungsrate für Kreditanträge recht hoch und eine schlechte Bonität kann zu absurd hohen Zinszahlungen führen. Anders als bei Bankkrediten, bei denen man im Vorfeld transparent über alle Gebühren informiert wird, könnten Crowdlending-Plattformen versteckte Gebühren berechnen, die sie letztlich zur teureren der beiden Optionen machen. Da Crowdlending von einer Vielzahl von Personen (der Crowd) abhängig ist, kann es unter Umständen eine Weile dauern, bis die Kreditsumme erreicht und ausgezahlt wird &#8211; wenn der Kredit überhaupt ausgezahlt wird.
Risiken und Nachteilen zum Trotz hat sich der Crowdlending-Sektor in der Schweiz in den letzten Jahren gut entwickelt und verzeichnete von 2018 bis 2019 das grösste Wachstum aller Crowdfunding-Arten, wie das Institut für Finanzdienstleistungen Zug (IFZ) in seinem Crowdfunding Monitor Schweiz 2020 berichtet.
Zum Jahresende 2019 waren insgesamt 15 Plattformen in der Schweiz im Crowdlending-Segment aktiv. Manche dieser Crowdlending-Plattformen werden von etablierten Branchenunternehmen betrieben, andere werden von ihnen unterstützt.
Miro Kredit hilft Ihnen weiter
Die professionelle Kreditvermittlung Miro Kredit ist seit 1978 in der Branche tätig und bietet Kunden rasche, diskrete und reibungslose Unterstützung beim Kreditantrag.
Das Unternehmen bietet eine Plattform an, die es Nutzern ermöglicht auszurechnen, welchen Betrag sie sich leihen könnten und was sie das kosten würde. Die Plattform ist darauf fokussiert, Kunden in Abhängigkeit von ihrer Situation und ihren Finanzen den erschwinglichsten und am besten geeigneten Kredit zu bieten.
Der Kreditantragsprozess läuft vollständig online ab und wenn Miro Kredit die vollständigen Kreditdokumente erhalten hat, erhalten die Kunden innerhalb von 24 Stunden eine Zusage.
Miro Kredit übernimmt die gesamte Verwaltung und Finanzanalyse, ohne dafür Gebühren zu berechnen. Den Kunden entstehen keine Kosten für die Kreditantragsbearbeitung oder durch damit verbundene Gebühren, sie müssen lediglich die monatlichen Raten ihres Kredits zahlen.
Miro Kredit kooperiert mit zahlreichen grossen Banken und konzentriert sich auf Privatkredite im Bereich von 2.000 CHF bis 350.000 CHF.
 
Featured image: Edited from here and here
The post Traditionelle Privatkredite versus P2P Lending in der Schweiz appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/traditionelle-privatkredite-versus-p2p-lending-in-der-schweiz</link><guid>1581</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Kredite-in-der-Schweiz-.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Traditionelle Privatkredite versus P2P Lending in der Schweiz</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss ATM’s Get Standardised Software</title><description><![CDATA[SIX has completed the “ATMfutura” migration where banks that have equipped their ATMs with a standardised software, enabling users to carry out financial transactions regardless of the operator of the device.
As an operator of the infrastructure for the Swiss financial center, SIX ensures that all ATMs in Switzerland have the same user interface and user guidance with this standardised software. It is said to simplify its usage considerably, and all users can rely on the full range of functions and the same processes at any ATM.
New functions are now also available for all ATMs and can be activated by the banks. These include withdrawals and deposits using a QR code, for example with a smartphone.
Other functions include free account selection for cash withdrawals, option to choose the denomination of banknotes issued, and an audio function for the visually impaired. This function is already in operation at around half of all ATMs in Switzerland.
Following the software change, SIX now processes all transactions and entries at ATMs from both the bank’s own customers and third-party customers. This alleviates the need for banks to monitor and manage their ATMs.
With a central monitoring solution, the conditions are in place for SIX to take over further ATM operating processes. The corresponding monitoring system from SIX can be used as a software solution by the banks themselves.
However, some banks have already outsourced the entire monitoring of their ATMs to the SIX&#8217;s team of experts. SIX is currently working with various banks on additional solutions; security management, cash management and services such as the installation and maintenance of ATMs.
Marco Menotti, Head Banking Services and member of Executive Board, SIX highlights,
Marco Menotti
“Before SIX started the project, more than 25 different software solutions were in use in Swiss ATMs. Thanks to the uniform software, end customers can now benefit from many innovations across all banks. They can now also use their smartphones to withdraw cash from ATMs at several big banks and cantonal banks. The function is being activated on more and more ATMs on an ongoing basis.”
 
 
 
 
Featured image credit: SIX
The post Swiss ATM&#8217;s Get Standardised Software appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-atms-get-standardised-software</link><guid>1582</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss ATM’s Get Standardised Software</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech KeeSystem Launches a New Version of Its Wealth Management Software</title><description><![CDATA[KeeSystem launches its new version of KeeSense, its portfolio management software for independent managers. It pursues its objective initiated when it was created in 2009: to provide private management professionals with the best technology for their activity.
For the past ten years, KeeSystem, fintech based in Geneva, has been helping asset management companies and family offices to develop their activity thanks to its KeeSense technological solution.
Several times recognized for its innovation, KeeSense has established itself as a state-of-the-art portfolio management solution in the wealth management industry. The new version of KeeSense is part of this vision of innovation and excellence.

Pierre-Alexandre Rousselot
“We didn’t want to release an improved version of KeeSense. We wanted to build and deliver the best technology solution available today for asset managers&#8221;.
said Pierre-Alexandre Rousselot, CEO KeeSystem
A completely redesigned user experience
KeeSense users use it extensively, several hours a day for the vast majority. The new version of KeeSense includes a redesigned ergonomics and user experience.
To do it, the latest advances in cognitive science have been taken into account to simplify and streamline access to information. In addition, a group of voluntary users was involved in the design of the new interfaces. A real work of co-creation.
Enriched and flexible functionalities
“KeeSystem customers are entrepreneurs. Every person on their team should be able to contribute to creating value for the company. ”
Pierre added.
The unique and advanced features of KeeSense provide unmatched capabilities for customization and intelligent automation of many tasks. More than software, it is now positioned as an ecosystem manager for managers, connecting them directly with their custodian banks and their clients, thanks to the KeeSense e-banking module.
Scalability and adaptability
The new version of KeeSense offers strong possibilities for customization so that each client can adapt the solution to their business model and integrate their processes, workflows and corporate identity.
KeeSense users thus benefit from the advantages of a solution that integrates and follows the standards of the wealth management industry while being flexible and adaptable. The new version of KeeSense provides many custom fields.
A “Plug &amp; Play” approach
The new version of KeeSense cuts the time it takes to deploy the solution in half. To achieve this technical feat, the KeeSystem R&amp;D team completely redesigned the code and architecture of KeeSense, to make it lighter, more flexible, but also faster and more efficient. This reduction and control of deployment times allows KeeSystem to post zero delays and zero exceeded budgets for customers.
Deployed during the first half of 2020 to all customers, the new version of KeeSense is unanimous among users.
About KeeSystem
KeeSystem is a company specializing in financial technologies, based in Switzerland. Since 2009, its mission has been to simplify and improve the daily life of private management professionals. KeeSystem helps independent wealth managers and family offices to increase their impact in terms of services, profitability and development of their activity thanks to their portfolio management solution, KeeSense, which has been awarded several times for its innovation.
The post Swiss Fintech KeeSystem Launches a New Version of Its Wealth Management Software appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-keesystem-launches-a-new-version-of-its-wealth-management-software</link><guid>1580</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Fintech KeeSystem Launches a New Version of Its Wealth Management Software</dc:text></item><item><title>The Swiss Fintech Startup Map Welcomes 9 Newcomers in October</title><description><![CDATA[Swisscom has released the updated Swiss Fintech Startup Map for October 2020, providing updates on the fintech landscape in the region.
For this month, the nine new Swiss fintech startups have made their way onto the map are; Aisot, flov technologies, FlowBank, Findependent, Centi, Bittrex Global, Ubitec, LiquidityHub and iLoy Solutions.

Aisot
Aisot (&#8220;AISignals and Operations in Trading&#8221;) develops algorithms for data analytics and predictive analytics. The company aims to help take better data-driven trade and investment decisions by providing customers with innovative and accurate predictions for their needs.

flov technologies
Flov technologies is a Swiss asset management company with focus on quantitative investment strategies in digital assets, with a vision of a global peer-to-peer marketplace that utilizes distributed ledger technology as a settlement infrastructure.

FlowBank 
FlowBank is Swiss digital native online bank providing customers with the best online investment and trading tools, FINMA banking license.

Findependent

Findependent has developed an investment solution that educates about investing, informs transparently about all generated income and fees and makes the benefits of financial markets accessible for everyone. With their investment-app, you can save cleverly for your goals and dreams, decide every quarter about the use of the generated net income and manage your investment solution conveniently via your smartphone.

Centi 
The bitcoin technology allows Centi to make the payment experience multi-lateral and provide real value-add solutions which will be much more than just another payment option.

Bittrex Global
Bittrex Global is a secure, reliable and advanced digital asset trading platform developed for international customers and built with its cutting-edge technology.

Ubitec
Ubitec is a specialist for digital solutions in the finance and insurance sector.

LiquidityHub (Previously known as Adamant Lane)
LiquidityHub delivers fully integrated services for the global financial supply-chain community – always customised to teh customer&#8217;s needs, flexible-service based for modular use and 100% compliant.

iLoy Solutions
iLoy creates next-generation platform technology for loyalty, CRM and Payment systems using rule-based methodologies and AI/predictive Analytics.

The post The Swiss Fintech Startup Map Welcomes 9 Newcomers in October appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-swiss-fintech-startup-map-welcomes-9-newcomers-in-october</link><guid>1579</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/2020-swiss-fintech-map-oct.png</dc:content ><dc:text>The Swiss Fintech Startup Map Welcomes 9 Newcomers in October</dc:text></item><item><title>NEC Acquires Avaloq for CHF 2.05 Billion</title><description><![CDATA[Avaloq, a Swiss company that develops and provides software for core banking, announced its acquisition by Japanese NEC Corporation.
The acquisition is expected to be worth CHF 2.05 billion (approximately US$2.2 billion), and to be completed by April 2021, following the confirmation of necessary procedures and approvals for each organisation.
The partnership is expected to accelerate Avaloq’s long-term growth, global expansion and value creation strategy.
Founded in 1985, Avaloq provides cloud solutions for banks and wealth managers around the globe through business process as a service (BPaaS) and software as a service (SaaS). With more than 120 years of expertise, NEC provides the integration of IT and network technologies.
Listed on the Tokyo stock exchange, NEC has office locations in more than 50 countries. NEC announced the acquisition of 100% of Avaloq’s shares, 45% of which is owned by Warburg Pincus, while the rest is held by Avaloq’s founder and employees.
Headquartered in Switzerland, Avaloq will continue to operate as its own entity and this acquisition will not lead to a reduction in workforce.
NEC has well-established research centers, amongst others also in Heidelberg, Germany, which Avaloq would start to collaborate with in order to anticipate future trends and build smarter solutions for clients.
Juerg Hunziker, CEO of Avaloq, said:
Juerg Hunziker
“The Avaloq team is delighted to be joining NEC Group, a highly trusted and well-respected company with a long heritage, which will help further enlarge our geographical footprint across the globe. With NEC, Avaloq found a perfect new home to continue our success story of serving our clients with solutions that make their lives simpler in an ever more complex world. The Avaloq team would like to thank Warburg Pincus for its valuable strategic advice and continued support during our successful partnership.”
 
 
Featured image credit: NEC
The post NEC Acquires Avaloq for CHF 2.05 Billion appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/nec-acquires-avaloq-for-chf-205-billion</link><guid>1578</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>NEC Acquires Avaloq for CHF 2.05 Billion</dc:text></item><item><title>eKYC Landscape in Austria and Germany</title><description><![CDATA[Like many countries in Europe, Germany and Austria are looking to adopt digital KYC in order to streamline the customer onboarding process.
A digital onboarding process allows banks and financial institutions to offer a good first impression to customers. This favours a good customer-bank relationship from the start and also appeals to digitally native customers such as the Gen Z, who will have most of the buying power in a few years time. In addition to enhanced customer experience, a digital KYC system drastically reduces costs and makes it easier to meet regulations.
Germany and Austria are considered to be some of the most developed nations in the EU, yet their customer onboarding systems are mostly manual. Communication with customers takes place through the post or phone calls, leading to time-consuming errors and corrections from both parties.
Many financial institutions are afraid of moving forward with any new technologies due to the risk of breaching regulations and receiving large fines. However, with regulators enacting digital-friendly laws and Fintechs offering tech-specific services, financial services players in Austria and Germany now have the opportunity to adopt eKYC and take their customer onboarding system to the next level.
Regulation in Austria and Germany
After the 2008 financial crisis, regulations in Europe became much more stringent and expensive to meet.
Source: Nicolas Rose, Alexis du Peloux, Majdoline Wahbi
Since the implementation of PSD2, GDPR and MiFID II, firms in Europe have spent over $750 million every year just to keep up with compliance. And according to BBVA research, financial institutions in Europe are currently spending 10-15% of their workforce on compliance and risk management &#8211; anything to avoid the huge fines that regulators are imposing. Thousands of regulations are being updated and published every year, and firms are having to hire entire compliance teams just to stay on top of them.
Global venture activity in RegTech according to the KPMG Pulse of Fintech report
In 2014, the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority took the first step towards digitization by encouraging financial institutions to leverage video calls in order to onboard customers. The regulator has also encouraged institutions to partner with Fintechs that offer secure, AML compliant solutions to banks looking to onboard customers seamlessly.
However, regulations in Germany have “digitised” rather than “transformed” the onboarding process: they’ve simply replaced the manual process with a two-way video. This does not streamline the process and continues to be very manual, which means it’s still very expensive and time-consuming for financial institutions.
Austria, in comparison, offers some of the most advanced regulatory technology, where the central bank (OeNB) and other banks are implementing new reporting models. This has encouraged Austrian banks to join forces and found a joint venture called the Austrian Reporting Services (AuRep) &#8211; Europe’s largest regulatory reporting utility processing 1.4 billion records per report. This innovative approach to reporting means that firms and institutions in Austria have managed to lower regulatory costs as well as security risk. However, this is just one step in the direction of digital transformation; many onboarding processes still remain manual.
Using eKYC in Austria and Germany
As regulations increase in complexity across the board, financial institutions are turning to eKYC to help onboard customers in a more cost-efficient way. By introducing digital KYC, firms in Austria and Germany can move away from a traditional, time-consuming and expensive manual process to a digital and seamless process. Both countries have adopted video-streaming technology or new reporting models in an attempt to automate and streamline the process, but the next step for a secure and rapid onboarding process requires a new kind of technology: artificial intelligence.
Austria is increasingly aware of the need to adopt a much more automated KYC process and is one of the first countries in Europe to allow identification using AI, starting with the telecommunication industry. In January 2019, the IVO regulation (Identification Ordinance) was put in place obliging individuals to complete identification in order to buy a prepaid SIM card. Telecommunication providers are allowed to use an automated digital system relying solely on artificial intelligence: the person’s information is captured and a computer verifies every security feature necessary. Biometrics are also in force, allowing a user to verify their identity with a selfie. The forward thinking reporting system together with the IVO regulation means that Austrian firms are some of the most qualified in Europe to adopt efficient eKYC technologies.
Germany has also taken a step towards digital verification but is still working on the laws and incentives to encourage firms to introduce AI into customer verification. Both Germany and Austria are looking to remedy the issue of expensive onboarding by partnering up with Fintechs that specialise in compliance, digital onboarding and customer experience. This not only solves the issues of cost and time-consumption, but it means firms can allocate resources to what they do best, instead of spending large amounts of resources on compliance.
Germany also has Berlin, one of the largest Fintech hubs in Europe. The constant stream of innovative Fintech startups means financial services players in Germany have a large pool of potential partners to help with digital onboarding and other technical processes. Although Germany may not have the laws and reporting systems that Austria has, one could argue it has more opportunities to partner with specialised Fintechs that can offer higher quality services. Having said that, Austria isn’t falling far behind, with the country regularly offering million-dollar programs to help startups grow. An innovative culture and tech-friendly regulations are both key ingredients to adopting efficient eKYC systems.
Although Austria and Germany have taken larger steps than their European counterparts, both countries still struggle with expensive and time-consuming identity verification processes. eKYC provides an opportunity for entities in both countries to meet increasingly complex regulations, offer a seamless customer onboarding experience and drastically reduce implementation costs.
The post eKYC Landscape in Austria and Germany appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ekyc-landscape-in-austria-and-germany</link><guid>1577</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/regtech-in-europe.png</dc:content ><dc:text>eKYC Landscape in Austria and Germany</dc:text></item><item><title>Banking Circle Bags Two Digital Awards by Juniper Research</title><description><![CDATA[Banking Circle has been awarded two prestigious awards at Juniper Research&#8217;s Future Digital Awards for Technology and Innovation this year.
The financial infrastructure provider was awarded the Lending Platform Platinum Award for Banking Circle Lending, and a Gold Award for Banking Platform Innovation.
Now in its 12th year, the Juniper Research&#8217;s Future Digital Awards recognises organisations that have made outstanding contributions to their industry and are positioned to make a significant impact in the future. The Fintech and Payments awards programme honours the best technologies and leading players across the sector.
Anders la Cour, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Banking Circle said of the double win:
Anders la Cour
“As a business we have always been committed to developing new solutions rather than adapting existing ones that will undoubtedly end up not fit for purpose. We are not just building for today; we are building for a payments world that is ever evolving. It is fantastic for the entire team to receive the recognition of this innovation and dedication, through these latest two award wins.
 
“Our solutions have won multiple awards since launch, and we are delighted to have now won two Future Digital Awards, recognising the importance and value of our financial infrastructure platform and lending solutions.”
Earlier this year in March, the company received its banking license from the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF) in Luxembourg.
In addition to that, Banking Circle &#8216;s lending solutions provide financial institutions with the ability to offer their merchant customers with what is said to be a fast, transparent, flexible, low-cost, and easy-to-manage loan solution.
Banking Circle Lending is improving financial inclusion by giving financial institutions the ability to offer SMEs fast access to loans and receivables financing with flexible repayment options.
The post Banking Circle Bags Two Digital Awards by Juniper Research appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/banking-circle-bags-two-digital-awards-by-juniper-research</link><guid>1576</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Banking Circle Bags Two Digital Awards by Juniper Research</dc:text></item><item><title>Entersekt und ndgit gehen Partnerschaft ein</title><description><![CDATA[Entersekt, spezialisiert auf Mobilgeräte basierte Identitätsprüfung und Omnichannel Authentifizierungs-Lösungen, hat eine strategische Partnerschaft mit ndgit, einem Open-Finance-Plattform- Anbieter mit Sitz in München, bekanntgegeben.
Ab sofort ist die State-of-the-Art-Lösung für starke Kundenauthentifizierung und Smart Messaging von Entersekt auf dem ndgit-Marktplatz verfügbar. In dieser sicheren Hosting-Umgebung haben Finanzinstitutionen Zugang zu sorgfältig ausgewählten Fintech-Produkten für die ndgit Open-Finance-Plattform.
Von der Partnerschaft der beiden Lösungsanbieter profitieren alle Beteiligten des Open-Finance-Ökosystems. Denn die Entwicklung neuer Anwendungsszenarien kann schneller umgesetzt und die User Experience kontinuierlich optimiert werden, ohne dabei den Aspekt „Sicherheit“ aus den Augen zu verlieren.
Die Lösungen beider Partner helfen Kunden, schnell und unkompliziert Compliance mit der Europäischen
Zahlungsdiensterichtlinie (PSD2) zu erreichen. Laut einem Gutachten des unabhängigen Beratungsunternehmens SRC GmbH erfüllt die Entersekt-Lösung alle Vorgaben der von der EBA (European Banking Authority) herausgegebenen RTS (Regulatory Technical Standards) bezüglich starker Kundenauthentifizierung und sicherer Kommunikation. Sie hat sich außerdem bereits vielfach in der Praxis bewährt. Zahlreiche europäische Kunden, darunter Sparkassen, Privatbanken, Vermögensverwalter und große multinationale Unternehmen, schätzen die intuitive User Experience.
Uwe Härtel
„Entersekt hilft Banken und anderen Unternehmen weltweit dabei, ihre digitale Transformation zu beschleunigen, veränderte Kundenerwartungen zu erfüllen und Compliance-Vorgaben einzuhalten. ndgit verfolgt das gleiche Ziel. Deshalb freuen wir uns, künftig gemeinsam mit ndgit Innovationen und Sicherheit im Bereich Open Finance voranzutreiben“,
sagt Uwe Härtel, Country Manager Central Europe bei Entersekt.
Abel Japon
Abel Japon, Global Fintech Partner Manager von ndgit, kommentiert:
„Herzlich willkommen, Entersekt, auf unserem Marktplatz! Hier bieten wir unseren Kunden aus dem Finanzbereich Best-of-Breed-Lösungen für verschiedene Aufgabenstellungen. Wir freuen uns auf eine erfolgreiche Zusammenarbeit mit Entersekt bei der Umsetzung der State-of-the-Art Identifizierungs- und Authentifizierungslösungen über unsere Plattform und unser Ökosystem.“
 
 
Featured image credit:Banner vector created by starline &#8211; www.freepik.com
The post Entersekt und ndgit gehen Partnerschaft ein appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/entersekt-und-ndgit-gehen-partnerschaft-ein</link><guid>1574</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Entersekt und ndgit gehen Partnerschaft ein</dc:text></item><item><title>A Deep Dive Into the European Open Banking Adoption and Fintech Collaboration Space</title><description><![CDATA[Across the world, banks in Europe are being the most active in adopting open banking, and the majority of them are pursuing a collaborative approach when it comes to developing new, innovative products, a new survey found.
The study, conducted in 2019 by Next Digital Finance (ndgit), a banking and insurance API platform provider, surveyed around 100 decision-makers at global banks and found that banks in Europe are actively embracing open banking. In the region, 67% of banks are planning to invest in open banking in the future, compared with 65% globally.
Image: Capital budgeting for open banking, Source: Open Banking Status Quo and Strategies: Exploring current attitudes among global bank decision makers, ndgit
European banks were also found to be a bit more inclined to collaborate with other industry players, with 80% stating they were either planning to, or already collaborating with a fintech (51%) or another partner such as a digital solution provider or another bank (29%), against 77% for banks globally.
Image: Existing and concretely planned cooperation with fintechs and other partners, Source: Open Banking Status Quo and Strategies: Exploring current attitudes among global bank decision makers, ndgit
For the next three years, European banks cited ecosystem building (62%) as their top business priority, followed by providing multibanking and account aggregation capabilities (40%), using fintech APIs (36%) and offering banking APIs  (33%).
Image: Planned measures for business development in the next three years, Source: Open Banking Status Quo and Strategies: Exploring current attitudes among global bank decision makers, ndgit
Globally, banks were unanimous on the importance and relevance of open banking for their businesses with an overwhelming 99% believing that open banking will play a critical role in the future of the industry.
Image: Relevancy of open banking, Source: Open Banking Status Quo and Strategies: Exploring current attitudes among global bank decision makers, ndgit
European banks increase open banking spending
The findings from the ndgit study echo another research paper released last month by open banking platform Tink, which found that this year, financial institutions are accelerating open banking adoption. 62.8% of European banks indicated that they have increased their open banking budget this year, with banks in the UK, Belgium and Portugal emerging as the most committed.
Image: Change in open banking spending, The investments and returns of open banking, Source: Tink &amp; YouGov, 2020
The study, which surveyed 290 senior decision-makers and influencers working at regulated financial institutions across Europe, found that the median spend on open banking lies between EUR 50 million and EUR 100 million, with 44.8% of financial executives indicating that their investment budgets are even bigger.
Banks from Portugal, France and Germany were found to be the biggest spenders on open banking initiatives, with 70% of Portuguese banks, 64.5% of French banks and 56.7% of German banks indicating spending more than EUR 100 million on open banking.
The report notes that these countries have been early adopters of open banking: in Portugal, financial institutions have become accustomed to open banking long before PSD2 was enforced; Germany is the birthplace of many of the open banking innovations pre-PSD2; and France is home to some of the world’s largest banks which have been going through a significant digital transformation.
Image: Spending on open banking objectives, The investments and returns of open banking, Source: Tink &amp; YouGov, 2020
Changing customer behaviors
The urgency to adopt open banking reflects customers’ changing behaviors and preferences. The ndgit survey found that 81% of global banks are reporting a willingness amongst their customers to use bank-independent financial service providers.
Image: Willingness of consumers to use bank-independent financial service providers, Source: Open Banking Status Quo and Strategies: Exploring current attitudes among global bank decision makers, ndgit
Rising demand for digital banking and fintech solutions is further being accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the social distancing measures put in place to limit the spread of the virus.
In the UK, open banking usage has doubled since the beginning of the year, with now more than 2 million consumers using open banking-enabled products, up from 1 million in January, according to data from the Open Banking Implementation Entity (OBIE).
 
Open Banking: Status Quo Study





You can download the full report here



 
The post A Deep Dive Into the European Open Banking Adoption and Fintech Collaboration Space appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/a-deep-dive-into-the-european-open-banking-adoption-and-fintech-collaboration-space</link><guid>1575</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Capital-budgeting-for-open-banking.png</dc:content ><dc:text>A Deep Dive Into the European Open Banking Adoption and Fintech Collaboration Space</dc:text></item><item><title>Baloise Adds Proptech Startup Houzy to Its Expanding ‘Home’ Ecosystem</title><description><![CDATA[Baloise, a Swiss insurtech company, is expanding its ‘Home’ ecosystem by investing in Houzy, a digital platform for homeowners, adding a further dimension to the ecosystem.
The long-term equity investment in Houzy is the fourth alliance announced for the ‘Home’ ecosystem this year, following that of Keypoint, Batmaid and Immopass.
The investment in Houzy represents another step in the implementation of Baloise’s Simply Safe strategy. Headquartered in Zurich, Houzy is a technology platform that enables owners of houses and apartments to manage every aspect of their building digitally in one place.
Houzy intelligently connects its customers directly with the right partners, whether they are buying, renovating, maintaining or selling their property. Partners pay a fixed annual fee in order to be listed on the platform. Customers can use the platform for free.
“Houzy fits perfectly with Simply Safe and with the ‘Home’ ecosystem that Baloise has defined as part of this strategy,”
says Stefan Schärer, CEO and co-founder of Houzy.
“Customers register with the platform free of charge and can enter the key data for their property. Houzy then provides regular property valuations and helps customers with the forward planning and liquidity management that is required for renovation and refurbishment. New services are being added to the platform all the time. The most recent is the ‘plant manager’, an online app that enables customers to find out how to look after their houseplants properly,”
 
 
The post Baloise Adds Proptech Startup Houzy to Its Expanding ‘Home’ Ecosystem appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/baloise-adds-proptech-startup-houzy-to-its-expanding-home-ecosystem</link><guid>1573</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Baloise Adds Proptech Startup Houzy to Its Expanding ‘Home’ Ecosystem</dc:text></item><item><title>Proptech Map Switzerland wächst um 10 %</title><description><![CDATA[PropTech Map Switzerland wächst um 10 %. Fast alle Kategorien haben zu diesem Wachstum beigetragen. Auch der Auftritt der PropTech Map Switzerland ist bunter geworden. So hat jede Kategorie nun eine Farbe und die Anzahl Nennungen sind im Kategorientitel aufgeführt. Neben der Online-Map gibt es auch eine Druckversion, welche für Referate und Präsentationen unter Nennung der Quelle verwendet werden darf.
Asset Management (neu 10)
alphaprop.ch und byron.ch gehören neu zu dieser Kategorie.
Construction (neu 23)
PropTech verschmilzt immer mehr mit ConTech. So ist es nicht verwunderlich, dass in dieser noch jungen Kategorie viele neue Gesichter auftauchen. Neben appex.ch sind buildagil.ch, e-switch.ch, snglr.com und wirbauengerne.ch neu. Gerade wirbauengerne.ch verfolgt einen ganz neuen Ansatz in der Zusammenarbeit zwischen Bauherr und Lieferanten.
Finance (neu 18)
UBS tritt mit key4.ch an, der Plattform mit Hypothekarangeboten von verschiedenen Banken. hyppo.ch will ebenfalls im Hypothekengeschäft mitmischen.
Floorplan AR/IR 3D (neu 23)
Mit 360pics.ch, immages.ch und stomeo.ch sind drei Schweizer Anbieter neu auf der PropTech Map Switzerland. obulo.de ist ein Berliner Startup, welches in der Schweiz schon Kunden hat.
Marketplace (neu 38)
Als ehemaliger CEO von homegate.ch dachte ich, dass keine neuen Marktplätze mehr entstehen werden. apartolino.ch und lookmove.ch lehren mich eines Beseren.
Rental (neu 38)
Je ein Deutschschweizer und Westschweizer PropTech sind neu: equa.world und imofix.io.
Sale (neu 21)
Zwei neue Makler mit einem hybriden Geschäftsmodell gehen an den Start. Interessant ist die Initiative maklando.ch, welche aus dem Hause Kuoni Mueller &amp; Partner kommt. Da wagt ein etablierter Makler einen neuen Weg. Wir bleiben dran. Neu ist auch homedeal24.ch.
Services (72)
Den grössten Zuwachs verzeichnet diese Kategorie. Nicht weiter verwunderlich, ist „Services“ oftmals das Auffangbecken für alle PropTechs, welche nicht anders zugeordnet werden können. Neu sind ambergloglay.com, beunity.io, conreal.ch, dox42.com, fixify.ch und ofri.ch.
Smart Building (neu 28)
locatee.ch hat glaubhaft darlegen können, dass ihr PropTech in diese Kategorie gehört. Deshalb habe ich das Startup „verschoben“. Effektiv neu sind ehall.ch, meteoviva.com, ormera.ch und soobr.ch.
Software ERP CRM (24)
Ich habe den Titel der Kategorie erweitert um ERP und CRM. Dies wurde nötig, weil PropTechs immer wieder in der Kategorie „Software“ platziert werden wollten. Mit der Präzisierung ERP und CRM sollte nun die Bedeutung klarer sein. 365immo.ch ist neu.
PropTech Map Switzerland wächst um 10 %. Neu zählt die führende PropTech Map Switzerland 299 Unternehmen. Und ein Ende ist noch nicht in Sicht.

The post Proptech Map Switzerland wächst um 10 % appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/proptech-map-switzerland-wachst-um-10</link><guid>1569</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/PropTech-Map-Switzerland-.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Proptech Map Switzerland wächst um 10 %</dc:text></item><item><title>Proptech Map Switzerland zählt nun 299 Unternehmen</title><description><![CDATA[PropTech Map Switzerland wächst um 10 %. Fast alle Kategorien haben zu diesem Wachstum beigetragen. Auch der Auftritt der PropTech Map Switzerland ist bunter geworden. So hat jede Kategorie nun eine Farbe und die Anzahl Nennungen sind im Kategorientitel aufgeführt. Neben der Online-Map gibt es auch eine Druckversion, welche für Referate und Präsentationen unter Nennung der Quelle verwendet werden darf.
Asset Management (neu 10)
alphaprop.ch und byron.ch gehören neu zu dieser Kategorie.
Construction (neu 23)
PropTech verschmilzt immer mehr mit ConTech. So ist es nicht verwunderlich, dass in dieser noch jungen Kategorie viele neue Gesichter auftauchen. Neben appex.ch sind buildagil.ch, e-switch.ch, snglr.com und wirbauengerne.ch neu. Gerade wirbauengerne.ch verfolgt einen ganz neuen Ansatz in der Zusammenarbeit zwischen Bauherr und Lieferanten.
Finance (neu 18)
UBS tritt mit key4.ch an, der Plattform mit Hypothekarangeboten von verschiedenen Banken. hyppo.ch will ebenfalls im Hypothekengeschäft mitmischen.
Floorplan AR/IR 3D (neu 23)
Mit 360pics.ch, immages.ch und stomeo.ch sind drei Schweizer Anbieter neu auf der PropTech Map Switzerland. obulo.de ist ein Berliner Startup, welches in der Schweiz schon Kunden hat.
Marketplace (neu 38)
Als ehemaliger CEO von homegate.ch dachte ich, dass keine neuen Marktplätze mehr entstehen werden. apartolino.ch und lookmove.ch lehren mich eines Beseren.
Rental (neu 38)
Je ein Deutschschweizer und Westschweizer PropTech sind neu: equa.world und imofix.io.
Sale (neu 21)
Zwei neue Makler mit einem hybriden Geschäftsmodell gehen an den Start. Interessant ist die Initiative maklando.ch, welche aus dem Hause Kuoni Mueller &amp; Partner kommt. Da wagt ein etablierter Makler einen neuen Weg. Wir bleiben dran. Neu ist auch homedeal24.ch.
Services (72)
Den grössten Zuwachs verzeichnet diese Kategorie. Nicht weiter verwunderlich, ist „Services“ oftmals das Auffangbecken für alle PropTechs, welche nicht anders zugeordnet werden können. Neu sind ambergloglay.com, beunity.io, conreal.ch, dox42.com, fixify.ch und ofri.ch.
Smart Building (neu 28)
locatee.ch hat glaubhaft darlegen können, dass ihr PropTech in diese Kategorie gehört. Deshalb habe ich das Startup „verschoben“. Effektiv neu sind ehall.ch, meteoviva.com, ormera.ch und soobr.ch.
Software ERP CRM (24)
Ich habe den Titel der Kategorie erweitert um ERP und CRM. Dies wurde nötig, weil PropTechs immer wieder in der Kategorie „Software“ platziert werden wollten. Mit der Präzisierung ERP und CRM sollte nun die Bedeutung klarer sein. 365immo.ch ist neu.
PropTech Map Switzerland wächst um 10 %. Neu zählt die führende PropTech Map Switzerland 299 Unternehmen. Und ein Ende ist noch nicht in Sicht.

 
This article first appeared on proptechnews.ch
The post Proptech Map Switzerland zählt nun 299 Unternehmen appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/proptech-map-switzerland-zahlt-nun-299-unternehmen</link><guid>1572</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/PropTech-Map-Switzerland-.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Proptech Map Switzerland zählt nun 299 Unternehmen</dc:text></item><item><title>Schweizer Blockchain-Gesetzgebung gibt Digital Assets Rückenwind</title><description><![CDATA[Stände- und Nationalrat haben letzte Woche in der Schlussabstimmung die neue Blockchain-Gesetzgebung bestätigt. Mit diesem Entscheid ist definitiv klar, dass die Schweiz nächstes Jahr eine der innovationsfreundlichsten Rechtsgrundlagen für dezentrale Anwendungen und Geschäftsmodelle erhält.
Dieser Standortvorteil bietet Chancen, die für die internationale Wettbewerbsfähigkeit der Schweiz im Blockchain-Bereich genutzt werden müssen.
Die fortschrittlichen Rahmenbedingungen bieten Rechtssicherheit und zugleich Spielraum für Innovationen und neue Geschäftsmodelle. Die Blockchain-Gesetzgebung führt eine neue Handelslizenz für Security Tokens ein, etwas breiter Digital Assets genannt. Mit der neuen Handelslizenz wird ein organisierter Handel von digitalen Assets in der Schweiz ermöglicht. Dadurch wird die Schweiz interessant für Handelsplätze aller Art von digitalen Vermögenswerten. Diese «First-mover-advantage» gilt es im Sinne einer starken Marktstellung der Schweiz zu nutzen.
Rolf H. Weber
Rolf H. Weber, Professor an der Rechtswissenschaftlichen Fakultät der Universität Zürich, Vorstandsmitglied der SBF und Co-Autor dieses Leitfadens, bestätigt:
“Das neue Gesetz, das im Laufe des Jahres 2021 in Kraft treten dürfte, bringt Rechtssicherheit in vielen Bereichen, nämlich z.B. für die Übertragung von digitalen Vermögenswerten, die Aussonderung solcher Vermögenswerte im Konkurs eines Dritten und den Handel mit Assets auf digitalen Blockchain-Plattformen.”
Leitfaden für Sekundärmarkt-Handel mit digitalen Vermögenswerten
Für die Anbieter solcher Handelsplattformen wird nun eine neue Bewilligungskategorie geschaffen; die Konkretisierung des Gesetzes erfolgt auf dem Weg der Verordnung, deren Entwurf für den Oktober 2020 erwartet wird. Die konkreten Anforderungen, welche die Bestimmungen zu den DLT-Handelsplattformen vorsehen, gehen weniger weit als die heute schon bestehenden Vorgaben für multilaterale Handelssysteme und organisierte Handelssysteme (ebenso wie die Vorgaben für die Zentralverwahrer, die ein Effektenabwicklungssystem betreiben).
Dennoch dürften die neuen Anforderungen, welche potentielle Anbieter von DLT-Handelsplattformen für die Erteilung einer FINMA-Bewilligung zu erfüllen und hernach während des Betriebs des Handelssystems einzuhalten haben, zumindest für kleinere Anbieter kaum geeignet sein.
 
The post Schweizer Blockchain-Gesetzgebung gibt Digital Assets Rückenwind appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schweizer-blockchain-gesetzgebung-gibt-digital-assets-ruckenwind</link><guid>1570</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Schweizer Blockchain-Gesetzgebung gibt Digital Assets Rückenwind</dc:text></item><item><title>EU Discloses Digital Finance Strategies and Crypto-Assets Framework </title><description><![CDATA[The European Commission, executive branch of the European Union (EU), has adopted a new Digital Finance Package which includes digital finance and retail payments strategies as well as legislative proposals on crypto-assets.
The package is aimed at boosting Europe&#8217;s competitiveness and innovation in the financial sector. It will give consumers more choice and opportunities in financial services and modern payments, while at the same time ensuring consumer protection and financial stability.
Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission said:
Valdis Dombrovskis
“Technology has much more to offer consumers and businesses and we should embrace the digital transformation proactively, while mitigating any potential risks. That&#8217;s what today&#8217;s package aims to do. An innovative digital single market for finance will benefit Europeans and will be key to Europe&#8217;s economic recovery by offering better financial products for consumers and opening up new funding channels for companies.”
The Digital Finance Package consists of a Digital Finance Strategy, a Retail Payments Strategy, legislative proposals for an EU regulatory framework on crypto-assets, and proposals for an EU regulatory framework on digital operational resilience.
A Digital Finance Strategy
The aim of the Digital Finance Strategy is to make Europe&#8217;s financial services more digital-friendly and to stimulate responsible innovation and competition among financial service providers in the EU.
It will reduce fragmentation in the digital single market, so that consumers can have access to financial products across borders and that fintech start-ups scale up and grow. It will also ensure that EU financial services rules are fit for the digital age, for applications such as artificial intelligence and blockchain.
Data management is also at the heart of today&#8217;s strategy. In keeping with the commission&#8217;s broader data strategy, the objective is to promote data sharing and open finance, while maintaining the EU&#8217;s high standards on privacy and data protection.
Finally, the strategy aims to ensure a level playing field among providers of financial services, traditional banks or technology companies.
A Retail Payments Strategy
This strategy aims to bring safe, fast and reliable payment services to European citizens and businesses. It will make it easier for consumers to pay in shops and make e-commerce transactions safely and conveniently.
It seeks to achieve a fully integrated retail payments system in the EU, including instant cross-border payment solutions.
This will facilitate payments in euro between the EU and other jurisdictions and promote the emergence of home-grown and pan–European payment solutions.
Legislative proposals on crypto-assets
The commission has proposed for the first time new legislation on crypto-assets.
The ‘Regulation on Markets in Crypto Assets&#8217; (MiCA) aims to boost innovation while preserving financial stability and protecting investors from risks. This will provide legal clarity and certainty for crypto-asset issuers and providers.
The new rules will allow operators authorised in one member state to provide their services across the EU (passporting). Safeguards include capital requirements, custody of assets, a mandatory complaint holder procedure available to investors, and rights of the investor against the issuer.
Issuers of significant asset-backed crypto-assets (so-called global ‘stablecoins&#8217;) would be subject to more stringent requirements (e.g. in terms of capital, investor rights and supervision).
The commission is also proposing a pilot regime for market infrastructures that wish to try to trade and settle transactions in financial instruments in crypto-asset form.
The pilot regime represents a so-called ‘sandbox&#8217; approach – or controlled environment – which allows temporary derogations from existing rules so that regulators can gain experience on the use of distributed ledger technology in market infrastructures, while ensuring that they can deal with risks to investor protection, market integrity and financial stability.
The intention is to allow companies to test and learn more about how existing rules fare in practice.
Legislative proposals on digital operational resilience
Technology companies are becoming more and more important in the area of finance, both as IT providers for financial firms, as well as providers of financial services themselves.
The proposed ‘Digital Operational Resilience Act&#8217; (DORA) aims to ensure that all participants in the financial system have the necessary safeguards in place to mitigate cyber-attacks and other risks.
The proposed legislation will require all firms to ensure that they can withstand all types of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) &#8211; related disruptions and threats. The proposal also introduces an oversight framework for ICT providers, such as cloud computing service providers.
Full details on the Digital Finance Package are available here.
 
Featured image credit: Unsplash
The post EU Discloses Digital Finance Strategies and Crypto-Assets Framework  appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/eu-discloses-digital-finance-strategies-and-crypto-assets-framework</link><guid>1571</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>EU Discloses Digital Finance Strategies and Crypto-Assets Framework </dc:text></item><item><title>How Much Blockchain Does the Financial World Need?</title><description><![CDATA[Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) is the buzz-phrase of the moment. But the Swiss National Bank (SNB) says producing digital Swiss francs for the general public would create many problems with unclear benefits. The Swiss government has backed up the central bank word for word.
And it turns out that an SNB issued digital Swiss franc for institutional players (such as banks) is not a done deal either.
Sébastien Kraenzlin
“We are conducting cutting-edge research in this area but there are no plans to issue a wholesale CBDC at this time,”
says the SNB’s Head of Banking Operations Sébastien Kraenzlin.
“Central banks need to be ready to respond promptly to market developments,”
he adds.
“There won’t be a Big Bang move of the financial market infrastructure into the DLT world, but possibly more of a transition where existing and new financial market infrastructures co-exist.”
Kraenzlin’s comments reflect a widely-held view among the traditional financial sector: that Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) could fit within the current infrastructure to offer some improvements without tearing up the whole system.
Such a view sits at odds with those who reject the “best of both worlds” philosophy. DLT (whose most famous incarnation is blockchain) is a unique digital system in its own right, say many in “Crypto Nation” Switzerland. Rather than squeeze it into the existing framework as a complementary add-on, DLT should be free to operate independently as a “better” alternative.
It should be noted that no-one has proved that DLT can yet handle the same volumes of transactions as the existing infrastructure as effectively or securely. Indeed, some efforts at DLT-only systems have thrown up serious security problems.
So why is the SNB exploring DLT and CBDC? I went to its Zurich headquarters to ask Kraenzlin about the Swiss centre of the Bank for International Settlements’ Innovation Hub.
The SNB and the Swiss centre are working on a proof of concept with Swiss stock exchange operator SIX, which is currently building a digital asset trading platform. This will examine how central bank money could be integrated into a DLT ecosystem and the advantages, if any, over the traditional trading system. Preliminary results will be available by the end of 2020.
Any blockchain-style challenger will have its work cut out beating the efficiency, speed, scale and security of existing infrastructures run by SIX, says Kraenzlin.
But there are still inefficiencies that DLT might realistically help solve. The average time for settling financial market transactions is not seconds, but between one and two hours. This is because parties must first move their money and/or assets from their own domestic systems to SIX.
And this is only one part of the story. Transactions also need to be cleared and reconciled – a tedious two to three-day process of balancing the books.
Kraenzlin sees potential value in a trustworthy distributed ledger producing “a golden copy” of transactions for everyone to see. DLT could conceivably vanquish the need to move assets between different systems and alleviate the complexities of reconciliation.
Enhanced book-keeping might not sound as sexy as a new form of people’s cash, but it could make a bigger splash.
Kraenzlin believes that, with a bit of tweaking, “the existing financial market infrastructure could provide market solutions for instant payments and financial inclusion requirements.” Non-blockchain fintech innovations may also prove a better option for faster and more cost-efficient payment solutions.
For example, Revolut and other fintech firms currently process cross-border transactions at very low costs. SWIFT, the system of sending transactions around the world, now allows financial institutions and people to track their payments much like tracing the location and status of parcel deliveries.
Injecting a dose of innovation into a tried and tested, yet evolving, system may well help resolve inefficiencies in the payment world. In this case, who needs a potentially disruptive central bank issued currency for the masses, argues the SNB, despite what others may say?

The post How Much Blockchain Does the Financial World Need? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/how-much-blockchain-does-the-financial-world-need</link><guid>1568</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/SIGN-UP-4.png</dc:content ><dc:text>How Much Blockchain Does the Financial World Need?</dc:text></item><item><title>Huawei stärkt Standort in der Romandie</title><description><![CDATA[Huawei Schweiz hat in Lausanne einen neuen Standort bezogen, an dem die für die Romandie verantwortlichen Teams räumlich zusammenrücken: die Account-Teams für das Carrier- und das Enterprise-Geschäft, die Mitarbeitenden des Huawei-Forschungszentrums sowie die Abteilung «Industry Standardization».
Huawei ist seit 2008 in der Schweiz und beschäftigt an den drei Standorten Liebefeld, Dübendorf und Lausanne mehr als 300 Angestellte. Mit der Gründung des Forschungszentrums, dem Aufbau der international angebundenen Huawei-Abteilung «Industry Standardization» sowie neuen Projekten bei Salt in Lausanne stehen die Zeichen für Huawei in der Schweiz auf Wachstum, insbesondere auch in der Romandie. Huawei Schweiz hat daher neue Büroräumlichkeiten in unmittelbarer Nähe zur EPFL und deren Innovation Park bezogen.
Seit letztem Jahr hat Huawei den Aufbau seines Forschungszentrums in der Schweiz vorangetrieben. In den kommenden Jahren soll die Forschung in Informationstechnologie von Huawei in der Schweiz substanziell ausgebaut werden. Zudem konzentriert Huawei seine internationale Abteilung für Industrienormung in Lausanne und beschäftigt am neuen Standort Standardisierungsspezialisten, die Huawei bei den in Genf ansässigen internationalen Standardisierungsorganisationen für Telekom und IT vertreten.
Die Abteilung hilft Huawei, Standardisierung und deren Implementierung über alle eigenen Geschäftsbereiche hinweg zu koordinieren und die Entwicklung von Telekommunikationsstandards in Interaktion mit Industriepartnern und Kunden sowie internationalen Institutionen zu beschleunigen. Huawei gilt als das Unternehmen, das bisher weltweit am meisten zur Standardisierung von 5G beigetragen hat.
Im futuristisch anmutenden Gebäude, das von den bekannten regionalen Architekten Fruehauf, Henry &amp; Viladoms SA realisiert wurde, verfügt Huawei im derzeitigen Ausbau über 30 moderne Arbeitsplätze, eine Cafeteria sowie Begegnungszonen und Meetingräume. Ein weiterer Ausbau ist geplant. Huawei ist bestrebt, das Forschungszentrum zu vergrössern und mit den Hochschulen in der Region Genf-Lausanne-Neuchâtel zu kooperieren.
Haitao Wang
Haitao Wang, CEO von Huawei Schweiz, betont:
«Uns ist es ein sehr wichtiges Anliegen, nahe bei unseren Kunden und Partnern zu sein. Mit der Eröffnung des neuen Standorts in St. Sulpice stärken wir unsere Community in der Westschweiz und geben ein klares Commitment zu unserer flächendeckenden Präsenz in der Schweiz ab.»
Moses Wang
Moses Wang, Leiter des Huawei-Forschungszentrums, ergänzt:
«Die Nähe zu den Westschweizer Universitäten ist für unsere weitere Forschungszusammenarbeit zentral und erlaubt uns, einen grösseren Beitrag zur Grundlagenforschung zu leisten. Zudem rücken wir mit unseren Bestrebungen nach mehr Standardisierung näher an das internationale Genf mit seinen wichtigen länderübergreifenden Technologie- und Telco-Institutionen heran.»
The post Huawei stärkt Standort in der Romandie appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/huawei-starkt-standort-in-der-romandie</link><guid>1567</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Huawei stärkt Standort in der Romandie</dc:text></item><item><title>Digitale Buchhaltung? – Schweizer KMU’s sind weit davon entfernt</title><description><![CDATA[Als “digital” kann die Buchhaltung in Schweizer KMU nicht bezeichnet werden, wie Umfrageergebnisse von Gryps und RunMyAccount zeigen. Belege in Papierform sind noch immer Standard. Auch Online-Buchhaltungsprogramme gehören in der KMU-Landschaft nicht zur Norm. Die Vorteile einer digitalen Buchhaltung, wie tiefe Kosten und aktuelle und aussagekräftige Bücher, werden von Schweizer KMU noch nicht erkannt.
Buchhaltung als unliebsames Nebenprodukt für KMU – Konkursrisiko dadurch erhöht?
Auf einer Skala von 0-4 schätzen sich Schweizer KMU lediglich bei einer 2.8 ein, wenn es darum geht, die Buchhaltung für unternehmerische Entscheidungen (z.B. Einstellung neuer Mitarbeiter, Entscheid über Investitionen) zu nutzen. Besonders kleine KMU nutzen das strategische Potenzial der Bücher nicht, der Blick aufs Bankkonto muss oft genügen. Definieren KMU ohne Blick in die Buchhaltung wichtige Unternehmensprozesse, erhöht dies unmittelbar das Risiko eines Konkurses.
Und wie steht es um die Qualität der Buchhaltungen?
Eine Buchhaltungslösung muss für Schweizer KMU in erster Linie billig sein: Als wichtigsten Faktor nennen KMU “Tiefe Kosten”. Qualität und Gesetzeskonformität werden erst an zweiter Stelle genannt. So verwundert es denn auch nicht, dass die Schweizer KMU die Qualität ihrer eigenen Buchhaltung als mittelmässig einschätzen: Auf der Skala von 1-5 vergeben sich die Unternehmen lediglich eine 3.3 bei der Qualität der eigenen Buchhaltung.
Im klassischen KMU ist der Geschäftsführer der Buchhalter
Beschäftigen sich KMU-Geschäftsführer lieber mit der Buchhaltung als mit ihren Kunden?  In 47% der befragten KMU führt der Geschäftsführer die Finanzbuchhaltung höchst persönlich. Ein externer Treuhandprofi übernimmt lediglich in 19% der befragten KMU die Buchhaltung.
Die Umfrage wurde zwischen dem 25. Juni bis 8. Juli 2020 durchgeführt wurde. Bei der Umfrage haben 109 KMU online teilgenommen.
Weitere Resultate in der Umfrage:

Digitale Belege in Schweizer KMU noch nicht angekommen: Über die Hälfte der Befragten (55%) schätzen den Anteil der Belege in Papierform in ihrem KMU noch immer auf mindestens 60%.
Offline dominiert gegenüber Online: Nach wie vor führen 60% der befragten Unternehmen ihre Buchhaltung auf einer lokal installierten Buchhaltungssoftware.
Buchhaltung intern ist Standard: Besonders kleine KMU mit bis zu 10 Mitarbeitern und grosse KMU ab 51 Mitarbeitern führen die Buchhaltung bevorzugt intern. Outsourcing ist bei den mittleren KMU verbreitet.
Verbucht wird selber, aber komplexe Tätigkeiten werden ausgelagert: Je komplexer und formeller die Tätigkeit in der Buchhaltung, desto eher werden Treuhandexperten hinzugezogen, z.B. bei Mehrwertsteuer (33%), Jahresabschluss (42%) oder Steuern (45%).


Die Umfrage zeigt: Schweizer KMU müssen die Vorteile einer digitalen Buchführung erst noch erkennen. Statt der Buchhaltung nutzen sie das KMU-Bankkonto, um unternehmerische Entscheidungen zu fällen. Dieses ist im Gegensatz zur Buchhaltung nicht aussagekräftig genug: Nur eine saubere Buchführung erkennt und vermeidet Liquiditätsengpässe und Konkurse auf lange Sicht.
The post Digitale Buchhaltung? – Schweizer KMU&#8217;s sind weit davon entfernt appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digitale-buchhaltung-schweizer-kmus-sind-weit-davon-entfernt</link><guid>1566</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Im-klassischen-KMU-ist-der-Geschäftsführer-der-Buchhalter.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Digitale Buchhaltung? – Schweizer KMU’s sind weit davon entfernt</dc:text></item><item><title>Laurent Decrue wird neuer CEO von Bexio – Gründer verlässt Firma</title><description><![CDATA[Per 1.11.2020 übernimmt Laurent Decrue die Rolle des Managing Directors von bexio. Er folgt auf Jeremias Meier, der das Unternehmen seit seiner Gründung führte.
Vor seinem Start bei bexio war Laurent Decrue CEO der Umzugsplattform Movu. Er hat diese von der Gründung bis zur Integration in die Baloise Versicherung geführt. Laurent verfügt über viel Erfahrung in der Software- und Produktentwicklung und gründete auch eine Softwareentwicklungsfirma.
Jeremias Meier
Jeremias Meier wird als Gründer und Geschäftsführer das Unternehmen per 1. November 2020 auf eigenen Wunsch verlassen:
&#8220;Als Gründer und Unternehmer ist es schwierig, den richtigen Moment für so einen Schritt zu finden, da die emotionale Verbundenheit sehr gross ist. Die Kombination aus starkem Wachstum, einer gut aufgestellten Firma und einem passenden Nachfolger sind für mich ein guter Moment.&#8221;
sagt Thomas Trachsler, COO der Mobiliar und Präsident des Verwaltungsrats von bexio
Das Business-Software-Unternehmen bexio wurde 2013 gegründet und ist seit zwei Jahren eine Tochter der Mobiliar. bexio bietet Schweizer Kleinunternehmen, Selbstständigen und Startups cloudbasierte Business-Software an. Das Unternehmen verringert die administrative Last für KMU, damit sie sich auf das Kerngeschäft konzentrieren können. Das ehemalige Startup mit Sitz in Rapperswil SG wächst stark, bedient gemäss eigenen Angaben über 30&#8217;000 Kunden und beschäftigt derzeit über 100 Mitarbeitende.
The post Laurent Decrue wird neuer CEO von Bexio &#8211; Gründer verlässt Firma appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/laurent-decrue-wird-neuer-ceo-von-bexio-grunder-verlasst-firma</link><guid>1565</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Laurent Decrue wird neuer CEO von Bexio – Gründer verlässt Firma</dc:text></item><item><title>The First Venture Funding Map in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[The Bern based FundTech startup Leva today published Switzerland&#8217;s first “Venture Funding Map”.
The map showcases 123 investors and business angel organizations that have offices in Switzerland. It is noticeable that 68 of the 85 venture capital firms are early stage investors, but there are only a few that have the financial means to lead follow-on and growth rounds.
Switzerland has a high density of established corporates which actively invest in startups. Corporate venture capital investments contribute significantly to the growth of the Swiss startup scene. The Venture Funding Map includes over 20 corporate venture capital funds which actively invest in innovative Swiss startups.
To create the first Swiss Venture Funding Map, Leva analyzed over 250 venture capital investors based in Switzerland. 123 of the most active investors have been selected for the map. Family offices and investor clubs of private banks were not taken into account.
Cosimo Donati
Cosimo Donati (CEO and founder of Leva) describes the motivation behind the Swiss Venture Funding Map as follows:
“There are various startup maps of the Swiss startup community, but none that represent the investor scene. We created the &#8220;Swiss Venture Funding Map&#8221; to help startups find the right investors faster.&#8221;
 
 
Swiss Venture Funding Map 2020

 
The post The First Venture Funding Map in Switzerland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-first-venture-funding-map-in-switzerland</link><guid>1564</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Swiss-Venture-Funding-Map-.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>The First Venture Funding Map in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Volante Technologies Ties up With Goldman Sachs’ for Its Cloud Banking Platform</title><description><![CDATA[US based Volante Technologies, cloud payments and financial messaging solution, announced a collaboration with Goldman Sachs for the Goldman Sachs Transaction Banking Platform.
Voltane will provide the payment technology underpinning the bank’s recently launched digital transaction banking service built entirely from scratch in the cloud.
The platform is fully API-enabled and incorporates analytics, liquidity management, virtual accounts, and payments. At the core of this platform is Volante’s cloud-native VolPay, providing unified end-to-end processing of domestic and international payments, including foreign exchange/FX, across U.S. wires, ACH, SWIFT cross-border payments, and other payment rails.
Uday Thakur, Co-founder &amp; CTO, Volante Technologies said,
Uday Thakur
“Our payments solutions and know-how have enabled Goldman Sachs to rapidly launch a superior cloud transaction banking service, while they worked closely with us in the certification process with US domestic and cross-border payment networks.We look forward to extending our collaboration in both directions, helping Goldman Sachs evolve their transaction banking roadmap, while we benefit from their advanced payments, FX, and cash management services.”
The post Volante Technologies Ties up With Goldman Sachs&#8217; for Its Cloud Banking Platform appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/volante-technologies-ties-up-with-goldman-sachs-for-its-cloud-banking-platform</link><guid>1563</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Volante Technologies Ties up With Goldman Sachs’ for Its Cloud Banking Platform</dc:text></item><item><title>Digital Asset Expert Daniel Diemers Joins Board of Directors of Incore Bank</title><description><![CDATA[InCore has appointed Dr. Daniel Diemers to its Board of Directors for his expertise in banking and digital assets.
Daniel Diemers
Daniel Diemers has been working as a strategy consultant for over 20 years and supports financial companies on their way into the digital business world. As an independent strategy consultant in the financial services sector, he has been active in Europe and the Middle East and supports companies in developing and implementing successful growth and innovation strategies.
Prior to that, he was a partner at the international management consultancy PwC Strategy&amp; in Dubai and Zurich.
Diemers has already advised InCore Bank in strategic projects for the introduction of new digital services in the past months.
Mark Dambacher
&#8220;The appointment of Daniel Diemers to the Board of Directors of InCore Bank emphasizes our ambitions to position InCore Bank as the first traditional Swiss business-to-business bank in the new digital asset class, enabling our clients to safely enter the world of digital assets,&#8221;
said CEO Mark Dambacher.
Diemers&#8217; appointment comes at the heels of the bank&#8217;s announcement that the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) had authorised it to expand its range of services with to include brokerage, custody, transfer and generation of digital assets.
 
 
The post Digital Asset Expert Daniel Diemers Joins Board of Directors of Incore Bank appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digital-asset-expert-daniel-diemers-joins-board-of-directors-of-incore-bank</link><guid>1561</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Digital Asset Expert Daniel Diemers Joins Board of Directors of Incore Bank</dc:text></item><item><title>Study: In-Vehicle Payment Spend To Exceed $86 Billion in 2025</title><description><![CDATA[A new study from Juniper Research has found that the value of in-vehicle payments, where a payment is made via embedded vehicle systems, will reach $86 billion in 2025, up from just $543 million in 2020.
In-vehicle payments automate and simplify several existing payment processes via the vehicle’s onboard systems; providing increased convenience for drivers. This dramatic growth will be driven by increased partnerships which are improving the availability of services, particularly in the fuel and smart parking segments.

The report recommended that, in order to support this rapid growth, established payments vendors must be included within collaborative ecosystems, to ensure that requirements such as security via tokenisation and integration with digital wallets are achieved effectively. These elements will be critical in establishing in-vehicle payments as a viable channel and, if ignored, will likely see initiatives fail to achieve widespread adoption.
Fuel &amp; Charging Payments Dominating Market
The new research, In-vehicle Payments: Adoption, Vendor Positioning &amp; Market Forecasts 2020-2025 Report, found that fuel and electric vehicle charging payments will be the leading area for in-vehicle payments adoption; accounting for 77% of payments by value in 2025. This will be largely due to the high number of anticipated future partnerships in this area, as well as the ease of migrating existing mobile payment solutions into in-vehicle systems.
Research co-author Nick Maynard notes: ‘Fuel and charging can be the compelling use case that accelerates the adoption of in-vehicle payments, but to achieve this, industry participants must focus on building collaborative frameworks that boost integration and improve availability.’
Voice Commerce Driving Wider In-car Commerce Uses
The research found that voice commerce will be a major supporting factor in the in-vehicle payments market. The increasing integration of voice assistants within the vehicle’s systems, not just via smartphone mirroring, will enable drivers to make eCommerce purchases from behind the wheel in a seamless way. This will drive other in-vehicle payments, including eCommerce, food and drinks to over $11 billion in 2025, from just $12 million in 2020.
The post Study: In-Vehicle Payment Spend To Exceed $86 Billion in 2025 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/study-in-vehicle-payment-spend-to-exceed-86-billion-in-2025</link><guid>1560</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Global-In–vehicle-Payment-Spend-in-2025-86-Billion-1024x851.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Study: In-Vehicle Payment Spend To Exceed $86 Billion in 2025</dc:text></item><item><title>The Current State and the Future of the Swiss Billing Industry</title><description><![CDATA[SIX Group has released a white paper on the Future of Billing. The white paper emerged from a joint project conducted by SIX and Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU).
It examines the current state of the Swiss billing industry and provides strategic insights into potential future developments in the area of billing for both invoice recipients and invoice issuers, based on current tendencies and trends.
Billing in Switzerland
Switzerland is a country of payment slips, but those days are numbered with QR-bill and eBill emerging as its successors. The way in which invoices are issued is also changing dramatically for which the white paper provides guidance.
Looking back, the payment slip (ESR) was introduced in 1909, and even now 65% of the Swiss attribute a higher importance to invoices than to other daily payments according to a survey by Intrum in 2019.
However, billing practices has changed dramatically in the recent years. Information is therefore urgently needed, particularly in response to questions like: What approaches will shape payments in the future? To what extent are digital solutions accepted, and what are the factors driving their success? How much does each type of billing cost? How reliable is it and how user-friendly?
The SIX white paper “Future of Billing” aims to give answers to these and many other related questions. The study provides guidelines and food for thought for companies that issue and receive invoices as well as for billing service providers, banks, fintechs and other payments enthusiasts.
The white paper is divided into two parts; the first of which examines the current billing practice and illustrates the high relevance of billing for the population and the economy. Four business-to-consumer (B2C) payment methods (direct debit, eBill, QR-bill and e-mail invoice) are analysed in detail and assessed. The assessment indicated that eBill offers the greatest benefits overall and many advantages for both invoice issuers and recipients.
The second part of the white paper offers an overview of future trends and developments as well as uses specific examples to show how we will issue and pay invoices in the future.


The post The Current State and the Future of the Swiss Billing Industry appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-current-state-and-the-future-of-the-swiss-billing-industry</link><guid>1562</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Billing-in-Switzerland.png</dc:content ><dc:text>The Current State and the Future of the Swiss Billing Industry</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Germany Award Announces Its Winners for 2020</title><description><![CDATA[The Fintech Germany Award has announced its list of winners for the year 2020 where outstanding fintechs from various categories are recognized and honored by their peers.
The award was organized by Frankfurt Main Finance, TechFluence and the WM Group/Börsen-Zeitung since the year 2015.
The categories that were up for grabs were; Seed Stage, Early Stage, Late Stage, Growth Stage, Best foreign fintech in the German market, Insurtech, Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain.
For the selection process the jury evaluated the finalists in their individual company phases, both of fintech and insurtech categories, according to various criteria.
The following are the winners of Fintech Germany awards 2020:
Seed Stage: Tangany
Tangany is a white-label blockchain custody provider. Your reliable solution for digital assets &amp; tokenization projects.
Early Stage: Myos
Myos offers merchants a radically new form of fast and easy working capital financing: Focused on trading goods, AI- and data-driven, without annuities or personal guarantees.
Late Stage: Penta
Penta is the digital platform for business banking aimed at SMEs and startups.
Growth Stage: Raisin
Raisin is the leading pan-European wealth management platform, connecting retail customers with financial institutions looking to expand or diversify their deposit reach.
Foreign New Entrant to Germany: Qonto
Qonto is a French neobank for freelancers and SMEs.
Insurtech: Getsafe
Getsafe is a fully digital insurance company that helps people cover themselves and their universe simply from their smartphone.
Artificial Intelligence: Hawk AI
HAWK:AI brings a fresh approach to fighting financial crime by focusing on transaction and consumer monitoring in real-time, bringing together best data sources and recommending operator actions with a self learning system in a cost efficient cloud delivery model.
Blockchain: Cashlink
With its blockchain-based infrastructure, Cashlink enables the issuing of digital securities. For professional investors, the company creates flexible, easily transferable corporate shares regulated under German law in the form of a profit participation right.
 
Featured image credit: FintechGermany Twitter
The post Fintech Germany Award Announces Its Winners for 2020 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-germany-award-announces-its-winners-for-2020</link><guid>1559</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech Germany Award Announces Its Winners for 2020</dc:text></item><item><title>Huawei’s Finance Apps Spiked by 160% on the Back of Urgent Need for Digital Financial Inclusion</title><description><![CDATA[At the 2020 Huawei Developer Conference held earlier this week, fintech influencer, best-selling author, and entrepreneur Brett King joined the finance tech.session to talk about the role of technology to improve financial inclusion and shared his views on how banking will look like in the years to come.
In light of this, AppGallery has been growing rapidly as it pushes to onboard more financial partners and attract banking apps from different regions. In particular, the app marketplace is seeing strong demand coming from users looking for apps that allow users to manage their finances with their local banks and financial institutions. The goal, it said, is to establish a wide catalogue of apps that caters to the varied needs of its global audience.
In the past three months alone, AppGallery has seen a growth rate of financial apps of around 160%.
Huawei is allocating resources to help accelerate this growth, including the US$10 million Finance Partnership Growth &amp; Innovation Fund that will go towards partnerships with financial apps developers and innovation projects, and its US$1 billion developer incentive program Shining-Star.
Speaking with Siri Borsum, global vice president of the finance vertical for Huawei Mobile Services, at Huawei Consumer Business Group, King said that mobile phones have dramatically helped improve financial inclusion over the past decade, allowing for innovative services like M-Pesa to emerge.
“Prior to the introduction of mobile phones in Africa, only about 24% of the African adult population had a bank account,” King said. “Within a span of 6 years [after the introduction of M-Pesa], about 98% of the adult population [had] a basic bank account through their phone.
“We’ve essentially seen the fastest ever shift in financial inclusion that we’ve ever seen in history … The mobile phone has done more for financial inclusion than … the banks have done in more than a hundred years.”
Launched in 2007 by Vodafone Group and Safaricom, M-Pesa is a mobile phone-based banking service that allows users to deposit, withdraw, transfer money, pay for goods and services, access credit and savings, all with a mobile device.
The service lets users to deposit money into an account stored on their cell phones, to send balances using PIN-secured SMS text messages to other users, including sellers of goods and services, and to redeem deposits for regular money.
Since its debut in Kenya, M-Pesa has expanded to Tanzania, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Ghana, Egypt, Afghanistan and South Africa, and now claims over 42 million active customers.
Services like M-Pesa have become so successful in serving the unbanked because they’ve managed to leverage technology to build innovative products. These solutions are accessible to the masses and address the challenges consumers typically face when dealing with traditional financial institutions.
“If we look at the traditional mechanisms for how we would get these [unbanked] people into a bank in the past, we have a number of problems,” King said. “First of all, they have to physically get to a bank branch, and secondly they need to come in with the identity requirements to open a bank account.
“If you take sub-Saharan Africa, for example, about 70% of those people would have to spend an entire month salary to get to the nearest bank branch. That’s just the cost of transportation. And when they get there, they wouldn’t qualify for a bank account because they wouldn’t have an ID document. This is really what technology has been tackling over the last decade or so.”
Financial inclusion isn’t a problem that’s limited to emerging markets, King said, noting that in the USA, about 25% of households still don’t have a bank account or a credit relationship with a bank.
To enable developers to build these apps that can serve emerging markets, Huawei has developed fully open Chip-Device-Cloud capabilities that help to accelerate app experience innovation, and includes functions directly related to financial services such as identity authorisation and secure payments, as well as state-of-the-art technology such as artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Banking 4.0
On the future of banking, King said the industry was heading towards what he refers to as the Bank 4.0 era, where banking becomes embedded, ubiquitous and frictionless.
“The biggest shift between Bank 3.0 [which revolves around mobile], and 4.0 is that we move from a world of product design that we put on multiple channels … to the 4.0 world, where it’s now about software-based experiences,” King said. “So we strip away the product features that are unnecessary and we just get into the core utility of the bank [which are]: the ability to safely store money, the ability to pay for things or safely move money, and the ability to access credit when you need it.”
Banking 4.0 is also about leveraging data to deliver the right service to the right customer at the right time, King said, noting that technological advances and hyper-connectivity will allow financial companies to better understand their customers and offer them the right product when that product is needed.
“In the past, we had all kinds of products, for example, in credit, there are credit cards, car loans, travel loans, mortgages,” King said. “In the future, it will be like ‘what do you need the credit for? What is the context of your request? What can you afford?’ and now I can give you access to credit in real-time.
“Lowering friction… is the number one goal developers should have. How do they take friction out of the customer experience. How do they make the end result for the customer easier, better and safer.”
Featured image credit: Screengrab from Youtube
The post Huawei&#8217;s Finance Apps Spiked by 160% on the Back of Urgent Need for Digital Financial Inclusion appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/huaweis-finance-apps-spiked-by-160-on-the-back-of-urgent-need-for-digital-financial-inclusion</link><guid>1557</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Huawei’s Finance Apps Spiked by 160% on the Back of Urgent Need for Digital Financial Inclusion</dc:text></item><item><title>Huawei Developer Conference: Brett King Talks Financial Inclusion, Banking 4.0, and More</title><description><![CDATA[At the 2020 Huawei Developer Conference held earlier this week, fintech influencer, best-selling author, and entrepreneur Brett King joined the finance tech.session to talk about the role of technology to improve financial inclusion and shared his views on how banking will look like in the years to come.
In light of this, AppGallery has been growing rapidly as it pushes to onboard more financial partners and attract banking apps from different regions. In particular, the app marketplace is seeing strong demand coming from users looking for apps that allow users to manage their finances with their local banks and financial institutions. The goal, it said, is to establish a wide catalogue of apps that caters to the varied needs of its global audience.
In the past three months alone, AppGallery has seen a growth rate of financial apps of around 160%.
Huawei is allocating resources to help accelerate this growth, including the US$10 million Finance Partnership Growth &amp; Innovation Fund that will go towards partnerships with financial apps developers and innovation projects, and its US$1 billion developer incentive program Shining-Star.
Speaking with Siri Borsum, global vice president of the finance vertical for Huawei Mobile Services, at Huawei Consumer Business Group, King said that mobile phones have dramatically helped improve financial inclusion over the past decade, allowing for innovative services like M-Pesa to emerge.
“Prior to the introduction of mobile phones in Africa, only about 24% of the African adult population had a bank account,” King said. “Within a span of 6 years [after the introduction of M-Pesa], about 98% of the adult population [had] a basic bank account through their phone.
“We’ve essentially seen the fastest ever shift in financial inclusion that we’ve ever seen in history … The mobile phone has done more for financial inclusion than … the banks have done in more than a hundred years.”
Launched in 2007 by Vodafone Group and Safaricom, M-Pesa is a mobile phone-based banking service that allows users to deposit, withdraw, transfer money, pay for goods and services, access credit and savings, all with a mobile device.
The service lets users to deposit money into an account stored on their cell phones, to send balances using PIN-secured SMS text messages to other users, including sellers of goods and services, and to redeem deposits for regular money.
Since its debut in Kenya, M-Pesa has expanded to Tanzania, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Ghana, Egypt, Afghanistan and South Africa, and now claims over 42 million active customers.
Services like M-Pesa have become so successful in serving the unbanked because they’ve managed to leverage technology to build innovative products. These solutions are accessible to the masses and address the challenges consumers typically face when dealing with traditional financial institutions.
“If we look at the traditional mechanisms for how we would get these [unbanked] people into a bank in the past, we have a number of problems,” King said. “First of all, they have to physically get to a bank branch, and secondly they need to come in with the identity requirements to open a bank account.
“If you take sub-Saharan Africa, for example, about 70% of those people would have to spend an entire month salary to get to the nearest bank branch. That’s just the cost of transportation. And when they get there, they wouldn’t qualify for a bank account because they wouldn’t have an ID document. This is really what technology has been tackling over the last decade or so.”
Financial inclusion isn’t a problem that’s limited to emerging markets, King said, noting that in the USA, about 25% of households still don’t have a bank account or a credit relationship with a bank.
To enable developers to build these apps that can serve emerging markets, Huawei has developed fully open Chip-Device-Cloud capabilities that help to accelerate app experience innovation, and includes functions directly related to financial services such as identity authorisation and secure payments, as well as state-of-the-art technology such as artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Banking 4.0
On the future of banking, King said the industry was heading towards what he refers to as the Bank 4.0 era, where banking becomes embedded, ubiquitous and frictionless.
“The biggest shift between Bank 3.0 [which revolves around mobile], and 4.0 is that we move from a world of product design that we put on multiple channels … to the 4.0 world, where it’s now about software-based experiences,” King said. “So we strip away the product features that are unnecessary and we just get into the core utility of the bank [which are]: the ability to safely store money, the ability to pay for things or safely move money, and the ability to access credit when you need it.”
Banking 4.0 is also about leveraging data to deliver the right service to the right customer at the right time, King said, noting that technological advances and hyper-connectivity will allow financial companies to better understand their customers and offer them the right product when that product is needed.
“In the past, we had all kinds of products, for example, in credit, there are credit cards, car loans, travel loans, mortgages,” King said. “In the future, it will be like ‘what do you need the credit for? What is the context of your request? What can you afford?’ and now I can give you access to credit in real-time.
“Lowering friction… is the number one goal developers should have. How do they take friction out of the customer experience. How do they make the end result for the customer easier, better and safer.”
Featured image credit: Screengrab from Youtube
The post Huawei Developer Conference: Brett King Talks Financial Inclusion, Banking 4.0, and More appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/huawei-developer-conference-brett-king-talks-financial-inclusion-banking-40-and-more</link><guid>1558</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Huawei Developer Conference: Brett King Talks Financial Inclusion, Banking 4.0, and More</dc:text></item><item><title>5 Key Highlights From Huawei’s Developer Conference</title><description><![CDATA[From September 10 to 12, 2020, Huawei Consumer Business Group (BG) held the annual Huawei Developer Conference. Themed HDC.Together, the event saw multiple announcements being made, including the launch of new products, as well as updates on the Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) ecosystem.
Huawei’s developer community and app ecosystem
The HMS ecosystem has grown to now counting some 1.8 million developers worldwide, doubling that of last year’s Huawei Developer Conference. This figure makes the HMS ecosystem the third largest mobile ecosystem in the world, Zhang Ping’an, president of consumer cloud service at the Huawei Consumer Business Group, said during his keynote speech.
Within a year, the number of apps integrated with HMS Core, the hub for HMS, jumped 123% to reach 96,000. On the HMS App Gallery, Huawei’s equivalent of the Google Play Store on Android, the number of overseas apps rose 10-fold to 73,000.
Soaring global developer enrollment in the HMS ecosystem, Huawei Developer Conference 2020 (Together), September 2020
The HMS App Gallery now counts 700 million users worldwide, and 490 million monthly active users. Within the first eight months of 2020, the app store saw 261 billion app downloads.
New features and services for developers
The HDC.Together event also saw the introduction of five basic service engines for developers, including payment, search, map, browser and ads.
The HMS payment engine provides developers with global and localized mobile payment capabilities. Meanwhile, the HMS search engine covers over 20 vertical industries including app, sports, finance and more, and supports more than 50 languages. And the HMS map engine offers more than 180 million pieces of point of interest (POI) information and comes with capabilities such as route planning, drag-and-drop 3D scene layout, full-scene spatial computing capabilities and precise augmented reality (AR) walking navigation.
Five HMS basic service engines nurture global developer innovation, Huawei Developer Conference 2020 (Together), September 2020
Moving forward, Huawei said it will continue to expand its developer services offering. It added it is currently working on building three “ecosystem cooperation labs” in Russia, Poland and Germany. These locations will be providing enablement, testing, and certification services, the company said. Five global developer service centers will also be established in Romania, Malaysia, Egypt, Mexico, and Russia.
Southeast Asian push
Huawei has been working towards expanding its footprint across Southeast Asia.
In the Philippines, Huawei partnered with Kumu, a livestreaming app, to launch a mother’s day-themed campaign in May. The two-week campaign saw the livestream videos broadcasted reach more than a million users, and generate a 220% increase in Kumu’s premium users as well as a 40x growth in in-app purchases.
In Thailand, Huawei onboarded the likes of Wongnai, one of the leading lifestyle apps focusing on the food and beverage industry, and LINE MAN, an on-demand delivery service app covering taxi-hailing, messenger, parcel delivery and more, onto its ecosystem earlier this year.
And in Malaysia, multi-channel media group Star Media Group (SMG) added all of its six apps, namely The Star, Star ePaper, Star Property, Kuali, 988, and Dimsum Entertainment, onto AppGallery in October 2019.
But Huawei has much bigger global ambitions as it intends to act as a bridge between China and the rest of the world. The company said that since last year, it has helped over 700 partners enter the Chinese market.
Launch of HMS Core 5.0
The HDC.Together event also saw the launch of the HMS Core 5.0, which comes with open capabilities in seven main areas including App Services, Graphics, Media, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Smart Device, Security and Systems.
In AI, HMS Core 5.0 comes with the ML Kit, which provides text, speech, language, images, as well as face and body detection service to help developers build AI apps easily and efficiently. In Graphics, the Computer Graphics Kit offers open capabilities centered around GPU technology to support game developers with a high-performance rendering framework and a series of rendering plug-ins to improve game screen rendering efficiency.
HMS Core 5.0 opens 56 kits and 12,981 APIs, spanning 7 service categories, Huawei Developer Conference 2020 (Together), September 2020

Product launches
During the Huawei Seamless AI Life New Products Global Launch event on September 10, Huawei Consumer BG officially launched six new products, including two new earphones products, two smartwatches, and two PCs.
In the earphones product line, Huawei introduced the Huawei FreeBuds Pro and the Huawei FreeLace Pro, new pro-variants of its highly acclaimed audio products featuring improved active noise cancellation, new designs and user-centric features.
Huawei also unveiled the two new additions to its Huawei Watch family: the Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro and the Huawei Watch Fit. The two new smartwatches are the latest entries to Huawei’s wearable product line-up with new fitness data tracking features and workout modes.
Finally, Huawei introduced the Huawei MateBook X and the Huawei MateBook 14, two new lightweight notebooks with compact form factors and advanced features and capabilities including Multi-screen Collaboration, Wi-Fi 6 support, multi-touch, as well as a 2K/3K Infinite FullView Display.
Richard Yu, Executive Director and CEO of Huawei Consumer BG, keynote speech at the Huawei Seamless AI Life New Products Global Launch event, September 10, 2020
﻿
 
Featured image: Wang Yanmin, President of Global Partnerships and Eco-Development at Huawei Consumer Business Group, Huawei Developer Conference 2020 (Together) keynote speech, September 2020, via Huawei.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/5-key-highlights-from-huaweis-developer-conference</link><guid>1555</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Soaring-global-developer-enrollment-in-the-HMS-ecosystem-Huawei-Developer-Conference-2020-Together-September-2020.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>5 Key Highlights From Huawei’s Developer Conference</dc:text></item><item><title>area2invest und Finoa: Neue Wege bei der Kryptoverwahrung</title><description><![CDATA[area2invest und Finoa haben eine Kooperation zur Verwahrung von tokenisierten Vermögenswerten in Form von Security Tokens abgeschlossen.
Die Krypto-Verwahrlösung der Finoa bietet die höchsten Sicherheitsstandards basierend auf Warm-Storage fähigen Hardware-Security-Modulen (HSM) sowie biometrischer Zweifaktor-Authentifizierung. Investoren auf area2invest können dabei in einem ersten Schritt für ausgewählte Tokens direkt im Zeichnungsprozess eine Finoa Wallet eröffnen.
Vollautomatisierte Walleteröffnung auf area2invest
Künftig sollen Anleger auf area2invest vollautomatisiert Wallets bei Finoa eröffnen können und tokenisierte Produkte darauf ausliefern. Komplizierte Eigenverwahrung oder erneute Identifizierungsmaßnahmen werden dadurch überflüssig. Anleger können ihre bei Finoa verwahrten Vermögenswerte sowohl auf dem area2invest-Portal als auch auf ihrem Finoa-Konto einsehen.
Henrik Gebbing
„Bei der Gestaltung und Bereitstellung von Investitions- und Finanzierungsprozessen für Multi-Asset- und Produktklassen ist der innovative Einsatz von Technologie unumgänglich und nur sehr wenige Fintech-Unternehmen können das Kompetenzniveau bieten, mit dem area2invest ausgestattet ist. Ich bin froh, dass wir aufgrund unserer engen Partnerschaft gemeinsam einen wichtigen Beitrag leisten können, um die Art und Weise des Investierens zu disruptieren.“
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/area2invest-und-finoa-neue-wege-bei-der-kryptoverwahrung</link><guid>1556</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>area2invest und Finoa: Neue Wege bei der Kryptoverwahrung</dc:text></item><item><title>European Fintech Report Forecasts Decline in Fintech Funding Over the Next Year</title><description><![CDATA[Finch Capital, an early stage venture capital firm focusing on the fintech sector in Europe and South East Asia, issued its annual State of European FinTech report for 2020.
The report covers a range of topics impacting the fintech industry which includes where we are today (European fintech landscape), the impact of CV-19, the M&amp;A conundrum and trends the Finch Capital team anticipates will shape the European fintech landscape in 2021.
Key findings from the report
Overall, fintech is a resilient European tech growth engine for now. European fintech funding by VCs and PE firms in H1 2020 is reported to be down by around 10%, but when corrected for government funding it is up 20%.
This is because the funding databases only record publicly announced equity rounds, while most government funding went in as a convertible debt note and so was not disclosed.
Source: Dealroom
Impact of the lockdown on the fintech sectors was in line with our predictions, except for payments and mortgages that both went up, contrary to what we predicted. For payments, travel rebounded faster than expected and e-commerce skyrocketed 210% as brick and mortar shops closed and people were stuck at home.
Source: Dealroom
Analysis of the top 50 European fintech hiring and firing, showed startups took this chance to reevaluate cost inefficiencies. Coupled with government support programs, they reduced headcount on sales teams given limited in person sales meetings and increased customer support and lived to fight another day.
We expect the next 12 months to be dynamic as fundraising becomes more selective and drops in Q4 and 2021 which will be a harsh reality for the many shake out and down round candidates whose runway got extended into 2021.
European fintech M&amp;A momentum hindered by lack of big bold buyers and fragmentation. Despite the M&amp;A boom in the US, Europe lacks big ticket M&amp;A buyers for fintechs, and challenger banks in particular.
Source: FT Partners, 2020
Some of the big trends that will shape 2021 &#8211; cracking the exit path of the challenger banks to the rise of global privacy and consolidation of fragmented players there will be a lot of opportunity in the sector with a new focus on profitability.




The post European Fintech Report Forecasts Decline in Fintech Funding Over the Next Year appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/european-fintech-report-forecasts-decline-in-fintech-funding-over-the-next-year</link><guid>1554</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Capture.png</dc:content ><dc:text>European Fintech Report Forecasts Decline in Fintech Funding Over the Next Year</dc:text></item><item><title>Accenture Cloud Launches With $3 Billion Investment</title><description><![CDATA[Accenture aims to propel its clients across all industries to rapidly become “cloud first” with an investment of US$3 billion over 3 years with the formation of its aptly-named Accenture Cloud First.
Karthik Narain will lead Accenture Cloud First and join the Global Management Committee, effective October 1 onwards.
A technology industry veteran based in Silicon Valley, Narain most recently served as the lead for Accenture Technology in North America. Over his 20-year career, he has led many innovative technology programs for clients across a variety of industry sectors, including Software &amp; Platforms, Financial Services and High Tech. Karthik also previously led Technology services for Accenture’s Communications, Media and High Tech industry segments.
Karthik Narain
Accenture Cloud First is a new multi-service group of 70,000 cloud professionals that brings together its industry and technology capabilities, ecosystem partnerships, and deep commitment to learning and upskilling clients’ employees and to responsible business.
Their main focus is to enable organisations to move to the cloud with greater speed and achieve greater value for all their stakeholders at this critical time.
Accenture’s $3 billion investment will be used to drive lower unit cost and innovation research and development in edge computing and related cloud technologies.
 
The post Accenture Cloud Launches With $3 Billion Investment appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/accenture-cloud-launches-with-3-billion-investment</link><guid>1552</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Karthik-Narain.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Accenture Cloud Launches With $3 Billion Investment</dc:text></item><item><title>Digital Investing: Bank Vontobel holt Fintech-Experten für den Ausbau</title><description><![CDATA[Die BankVontobel verstärkt sich mit dem Finanzmarkt- und FinTech-Experten Toby Triebel. Triebel wird zum 5. Oktober die Leitung der globalen Client Unit «Digital Investing» übernehmen und Mitglied des Operating Committee.
Über die Challenger-Einheit «Digital Investing» stellt Vontobel die globale Investment- und Produktexpertise direkt oder über Partnerschaften und Ecosysteme breiteren Kundengruppen über primär digitale Kanäle zur Verfügung. Dabei setzt dieser Bereich auf dem erfolgreichen Endkundengeschäft mit Zertifikaten und Hebelprodukten auf und ergänzt dieses mit einer breiteren Investment-Perspektive. Die Client Unit «Digital Investing», bislang unter der Leitung von Zeno Staub, wurde zu Beginn des Jahres im Zuge der Weiterentwicklung von Vontobel zu einem reinen kundenzentrierten Investmenthaus geschaffen.
Toby Triebel
Toby Triebel stösst von dem internationalen FinTech-Unternehmen Wealthsimple zu Vontobel, bei dem er in den vergangenen vier Jahren als CEO Europe and Head International für den Start und das Wachstum des digitalen Investment Managers in Europa und den USA verantwortlich zeichnete. Zuvor sammelte Triebel als Mitgründer und CEO des Berliner FinTech-Unternehmens Spotcap erfolgreich Erfahrungen in der Entwicklung neuer digitaler Geschäftsmodelle. Die Investmentwelt kennt Triebel aus den ersten zehn Jahren seiner beruflichen Karriere, unter anderem im Financing-Team bei Goldman Sachs International in London.
Der gebürtige Düsseldorfer hat nach seinem Studium an der London School of Economics and Political Sience erfolgreich einen Master of Philosophy in Economics an der University of Cambridge und einen Master of Business Research an der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München abgeschlossen.
Zeno Staub
«Mit Toby Triebel haben wir einen Experten für Vontobel gewonnen, der sowohl die internationale Welt der FinTech- Geschäftsmodelle kennt wie auch unsere Kernaufgabe als Investmenthaus. Er hat in der Vergangenheit bewiesen, dass er die Chancen beider Welten zum Nutzen der Kunden zusammenführen kann. Als kundenzentriertes Investmenthaus, das moderne Technologie für massgeschneiderte, individuelle Kundenlösungen gezielt einsetzt, wollen wir seine grosse Expertise für künftiges Wachstum in unserem Geschäft mit Anlegern, die über digitale Kanäle agieren, nutzen. Mit unseren erfolgreichen Plattformen wie «derinet», über die private Kunden im Heimmarkt Schweiz, in Europa und in Hongkong heute schon unter mehr als 200’000 Lösungen aus dem Bereich der Strukturierten Produkte auswählen können, haben wir eine sehr gute Basis für künftiges Wachstum und neue rein digitale sowie hybride Kundenangebote»,
so Zeno Staub, CEO Vontobel.
The post Digital Investing: Bank Vontobel holt Fintech-Experten für den Ausbau appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digital-investing-bank-vontobel-holt-fintech-experten-fur-den-ausbau</link><guid>1553</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Digital Investing: Bank Vontobel holt Fintech-Experten für den Ausbau</dc:text></item><item><title>25 Years With HSBC, Now Libra’s New Managing Director</title><description><![CDATA[Geneva based Libra Association, an independent group organised by Facebook to manage its Libra stablecoin project, announced the appointment of former HSBC head James Emmett, as the Managing Director of Libra Networks.
James Emmett said of his appointment that will take effect from 1 October 2020,
James Emmett
“As someone who is passionate about the opportunities for financial services and technology to make a real difference, I am delighted to be joining Libra Networks with a mission to enhance financial innovation and inclusion and to deliver the operationalization of the network.”
Mr. Emmett is a highly experienced financial services leader with a wealth of global experience in business, strategy, technology, and operations, gained through his 25 years with HSBC.
He previously held the Chief Executive role of HSBC Bank plc and Europe, where he was responsible for HSBC&#8217;s UK Wholesale Bank and operations across Continental Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Bermuda.
Before his CEO role, Mr. Emmett served as Chief Operating Officer of HSBC Bank plc, where he oversaw technology and operations across the firm. Previous roles at the company include serving as the CEO of Turkey, Global Head of Trade and Receivables Finance, Regional President for Metro New York Retail and Small Business banking, and senior roles in Strategy and Business Management.
Mr. Emmett’s appointment is the latest in a series of major progress updates this year, including the recent appointments of Steve Bunnell as Chief Legal Officer, Sterling Daines as Chief Compliance Officer, and Stuart Levey as Chief Executive Officer, as well as the addition of new members.
In April this year, the association announced that it had initiated the application for payment system license with Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA).

 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/25-years-with-hsbc-now-libras-new-managing-director</link><guid>1550</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>25 Years With HSBC, Now Libra’s New Managing Director</dc:text></item><item><title>“BORN IN SWITZERLAND” Swiss Original Fintech Overview Map Update: 172 Companies</title><description><![CDATA[Luc Schuurmans, Head Private Banking, Executive Management at Bank Linth LLB AG,  put together an updated overview map of Fintech Companies “Born in Switzerland”.
Since his last update, he collected 11 more Swiss Fintechs- Legartis, Yoordi, Yoordi, blockimmo, Scripts, immozins, invemo, algotrade, altcoinomy, hypotheke and tresio.
Here are the descriptions of all the startups listed in Luc’s map:
Funding
Verve Capital Partners Ltd. operates investiere.ch, a disruptive early-stage and equity gap financier. Based in Zug, Switzerland, Verve Capital Partners was launched in December 2007, with the aim to develop and implement innovative financing concepts for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) while connecting private investors directly to SME investments.
 
 
 
With the aim of giving both borrowers and lenders more freedom and control over their loans, 3circlefunding allows fwealborrowers to set loan interest rates and investors to sell loan parts in its secondary market. This makes 3circlefunding one of the few secondary market providers in Switzerland.
 
 
 
Foxstone is a Swiss real estate crowdfunding platform. The platform proposes institutional-grade real estate deals in Switzerland through three types of investments: co-ownership, co-investment and mezzanine debt with a minimum investment amount of CHF 25’000.
 
 
 

 
Bricks &amp; Bytes AG provides with crowdhouse.ch the first real estate crowd funding platform in Switzerland. By democratizing the way of being a real estate owner it makes everyone a happy landlord.
 
 

 
wemakeit.com was founded in Switzerland in February 2012 by the communication consultant Rea Eggli, the artist Johannes Gees and the interaction designer Jürg Lehni and within very short time grew into one of the largest crowdfunding platforms in Europe.
 
 
Beedoo is a platform proposing investment solutions to invest directly in the real economy, in startups &amp; SME&#8217;s, Real Estate and Impact Investing.
 
 
 
Projektstarter ist eine Crowdfunding-Plattform mit Sitz in Solothurn, welche seit dem Jahr 2011 tollen Ideen und ihren Machern eine Möglichkeit zur Finanzierung bietet. Sie ist in Besitz der Designatelier GmbH. ProjektStarter bietet den Menschen im Raum Schweiz die Möglichkeit ihre Idee oder ihr Projekt zu finanzieren.
 
 
On the platform crowdify.net Initiators present their projects and leave them there for 100 days to be funded by Boosters.
 
 
 
 
Drooms is the leading provider of data rooms in Europe, connecting professionals and information in the worlds´ real capital markets.
 
 
 
 
Go Beyond Investing brings together a group of private accredited investors dedicated to providing early-stage capital with entrepreneurs seeking investment capital. Go Beyond Investing enables novice &amp; experienced, small &amp; large investors, to access angel investing as an asset class through its unique platform, tools, training and expert angels.
 
 

 
SoSense is a pioneer in digital social innovation with offices in Zürich (Switzerland) and Berlin (Germany). They design creative and engaging concepts, implement innovative and empowering solutions and help run impactful campaigns with leverage.
 
 

 
CreditGate24 connects borrowers with private and institutional investors and offers an efficient and scalable settlement of loans. CreditGate24 operates exclusively online, with no branches or high administrative expenses in order not to diminish the yields on investment and to minimize the cost for borrowers.
 
 
Advanon is an authorized financial intermediary that is directly subordinated to FINMA (Directly Subordinated Financial Intermediary, DSFI) according to the Anti Money Laundering Act (AMLA).
 
 
 

Splendit matches students and investor in an auction process, issue documentation and manages payments through the lifetime of the loans.
 
 
 
 

swisspeers  ist eine unabhängige Crowdlending Plattform, die es Unternehmen erlaubt, bei Investoren direkt – also ohne Zwischen­schaltung eines Finanzinstituts – Fremdkapital zu beschaffen.
 
 
 
 

c-crowd represents a new way of financing entrepreneurs while democratising the concept of business angels, brings together innovative entrepreneurs and investors.
 
 
 

Loanboox is the independent money and capital market platform for public-sector borrowers and institutional investors. In contrast to conventional brokering, financing and investing through Loanboox is simple, transparent, safe and low cost, benefiting both borrowers and lenders alike.
 
 
 

creditworld verbindet Schweizer KMUs mit privaten sowie professionellen Investoren. KMUs profitieren von attraktiven Konditionen und fairen Vertragsbedingungen. Investoren erhalten Zugang zu einer neuen Anlageklasse mit interessanten Renditen und unterstützen dabei das Rückgrat der Schweizer Volkswirtschaft.
 
 
 
Bloomio is a digital investment platform connecting startups with individual investors. The platform allows startup founders to raise capital by tokenizing equity and gives investors the possibility to trade startup stakes through a secure blockchain-based marketplace.
 
 
 
Swiss Crowdlending FinTech for private persons and SME. Crowd Solutions is the provider of Crowd4Cash.ch the innovative Crowdlending platform. Crowd4Cash brings investors and borrower together. For better returns for the investors and lower interest rates for borrower. 100% online, easy and simply fair!
 
 
 

Acredius is an online platform that makes investors’ and borrowers’ needs meet in an unconventional, digital, intuitive and safe environment. Investors can diversify their portfolios and enjoy interesting yields. Borrowers get access to fair financing using their traditional and non-traditional data.
 
 
Lendora is a Swiss crowdlending startup. Our platform connects borrowers and investors online to make credit more accessible and investing more rewarding.
 
 
 
 
bob verbindet zuverlässige Finanzlösungen mit technischem Komfort und macht Ihnen mit seinen Online-Produkten das Leben so einfach wie möglich.
 
 
 
 
Führend in Immobilienfinanzierungen in der Schweiz Wir schaffen eine Verbindung zwischen Hypothekarkunden und institutionellen Kreditgebern und erreichen dadurch den besten Zins in Echtzeit. Dabei stehen wir für Integrität, Neutralität, Transparenz und die Sicherheit des Hypothekarmarktes. Unsere Partner zählen zu den Besten auf ihrem Gebiet, teilen unsere Werte und stehen für unternehmerisches Wachstum.
 
 
Greenmatch combines the perspectives of all market participants on one single platform and allows for an efficient interaction. Thanks to the independent, certified financial model, discussions regarding deviations between the financial models of the buyer and the seller do no longer occur. Detailed risk analysis strengthen the trust of banks and accelerate the closure of the project financing. Thus, each market participant saves valuable time and can focus more on his key competences.
 
Tradeplus24 specialises in providing Swiss KMUs with state of the art Insurance and Receivables Finance solutions. Unlike factoring, our innovative solution offers SMEs the opportunity to get a flexible credit line against their accounts receivable whilst offering them the option to insure their global accounts receivables against default. This way Swiss KMU&#8217;s can grow their export business in a financially sound and safe way, even when their buyers demand longer payment terms and want to trade own open account basis.
 
 
Systemcredit is a service provider to the lending industry. As the external rating agency, it helps SME to get suitable financing faster, at lower cost. And it enables lenders to grow their loan portfolios at reduced risk and lower process cost.
 
 
 
Cashare was founded in January 2008 as a public limited company under Swiss law, has its registered office in Hünenberg (ZG) and is registered in the commercial register of the Canton Zug. They are an approved financial intermediary pursuant to Art. 2, para. 3 of the Swiss Money Laundering Act and are audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers AG.
 
 
LEND matches investors with borrowers. Investors earn substantial returns and borrowers benefit from low interest rates. From person to person. Without a bank in the middle.
 
 
 
 
Advice

moneyguru.ch ist der digitale Assistent für private Finanzen in der Schweiz. Der Moneyguru ist von den Gründern von moneyland.ch ins Leben gerufen worden. Die unabhängige Vergleichsseite moneyland.ch ist sozusagen die Mutter, die Datenlieferantin und der Rechner von Moneyguru.
 
 
 

Crowd Trading‘s objective is to bring a revolution to the world wide online financial services being the first on the market to offer a social trading platform to collectively manage portfolios of financial assets through a decision-making system for public groups of investors (herein “crowd”) and an automated trades replication within the crowd.
 
 

adviceonline.ch, the complete and regulatory conform Onboarding, Profiling, Opening Document Management, Advisory and Consolidation Suite for EAM and Banks.
 
 
 
 

Investment Navigator is operated by Investment Navigator AG based in Zurich. Investment Navigator AG works closely with fundinfo, the leading platform for information and mandatory disclosures in the fund sector.
 
 
 

InvestGlass is a 24/7 financial markets platform built with Swiss banking know-how and a predictive algorithm. Their goal is to deliver smart financial information investors need at the right time and in the right format. Equities, Bonds, Forex, ETF, Futures, News and much more…
 
 
 

FLYNT reinvents platforms, services and experiences that put clients in control of their wealth. We see wealth as a means to follow life’s dreams, ambitions and aspirations. Wealth is a gateway to opportunity. Our mission is to transform how our clients realise these opportunities – in the most fluid, dynamic and rewarding way possible.
 
 

Sentifi is a leading Crowd-Intelligence platform for financial markets globally, receiving Swiss FinTech Award 2016. Their unique approach is to structure unstructured financial data from news, blogs and social media, identify and rank the sources for their relevance and apply self-learning algorithms and a financial expert system to extract insights from the content.
 
 

Qumram enables every digital interaction – web, social and mobile – to be recorded and replayed, at any time, providing a complete digital audit trail for financial services organisations, in accordance with key global regulatory requirements (MIFID-II, SEC, FINRA and more).
 
 
 

SwissMetrics is a dynamic startup from Switzerland that has a mission to enhance the way companies monitor their credit risk. As finance professionals, they have developed a SaaS platform with the aim of promoting smarter collaboration within companies to work for a common goal – saving money through risk minimization.
 
 
 

With diverse academic backgrounds ranging from information technology, mathematics, business administration, political sciences and philosophy, economics, design, linguistics and psychology, Adviscent‘s team of experts brings solid domain expertise on board in the banking, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and food industries.
 
 

MeetInvest seeks to democratize stock market investment with a free service that combines a social media platform and an investor toolkit, bringing in one place all the necessary resources for people to start trading like pros.
 
 
 

By leveraging technology, Dein-Anlageberater.ch provides users with personalized investment advisory services and recommendations for asset allocation at a much lower price than traditional investment advisers.
 
 
 
 

CrowdInvest.ch ist die erste Plattform der Schweiz, bei der jedermann die Kursentwicklung von Aktien prognostizieren kann. Denn wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zeigen, dass kollektives Wissen besser ist als einzelne Expertenmeinungen. Werde jetzt Teil von crowdinvest.ch und miss dich mit den Finanzexperten.
 
 

Nectar Financial, formerly Etops, is a Swiss fintech company specializing in wealth and asset management. It provides middle and back office services for more than 30 family offices, independent asset managers and banks and supports them in managing assets in excess of CHF 35 billion.
 
 
 

Riskifier makes investment risk profiling simple, fun and insightful for everyone. Our solution uses latest advances of artificial intelligence to fulfill the requirements of MiFID II/FIDLEG investor risk profiling and KYC data collection, while digitalizing &amp; gamifying user experience as well unleashing advantages of behavior based personalized investment risk profiles.
 
 

Pricehubble a Swiss based company, focusing on international real estate markets. We integrate top academic and industry experience in machine learning, computer science, econometrics, mathematics, statistics, financial services and consulting. We develop innovative solutions to support real estate decision making.
 
 
EdgeLab is a fintech company providing an investment intelligence web platform to help financial institutions taking smarter decisions.
 
 
 

Apiax is a compliance digitally mastered. We transform complex regulations into easy-to-use digital compliance rules.
 
 
 



theScreener is the market leader for independent valuations of financial securities, equities, sectors and markets, and new funds.
 
 

 
Alethena is the first Swiss ICO and Blockchain-Asset Rating Agency and Due Diligence Service Provider.
With deep technical insight, vast financial market experience, and a conclusive rating methodology, Alethena bridges the gap between blockchain and established investors. As a Swiss company neutrality is a core of our culture.
 
 

Crypto Finance AG is a financial technology holding company founded in June 2017. The Group provides blockchain-related services through its three subsidiaries: Crypto Fund AG (Asset Management), Crypto Broker AG (Brokerage), and Crypto Storage AG (Storage).
 
 
 
The Swiss Real Estate sector is one of the most economically and politically stable in the world. It is very popular with institutional investors and remains difficult to access for private investors.
In fact, the heterogeneity of properties, their acquisition values, the complexity of financing them and the retention of information signifies that this market still remains relatively inefficient.
Based on these observations, Crowdpark SA, established on December 1st 2017 in Geneva, is an independent company specialized in Swiss Real Estate Crowd-Investing.
 
Leva sets the new standard for investment syndicates. At the intersection of finance and technology, Leva has developed a novel technology to bring investment syndicates into the 21st century. Our platform allows a fully automated syndicate creation. With Leva, syndicate leaders can conveniently onboard new investors, manage the investor base, and raise capital efficiently.
 
 
Der erste Robo Advisor für die Immobilienwirtschaft. propmatch ist die einfache Lösung zur Analyse, Bewertung und Vermittlung von Standorten, Renditeimmobilien und Grundstücken in der Schweiz.
 
 
 
Smolio ist dein Finanzbuddy. Wir begleiten dich und verkaufen keine Finanzprodukte. Anders als andere profitieren wir nicht versteckt von unseren Empfehlungen. Was du bezahlst finanziert die künftige Entwicklung von Smolio. Eben unabhängig.
 
 
 
ex indiciis believe that customer relationship is at the core of the wealth management industry. As a consequence we provide wealth managers with the necessary tools to deliver personalized content to any user interacting with the company through any digital channel.
 
 
 
Imvesters offers you concrete investments in performance real estate that will supplement your income every month.
 
 
 
 
Legartis is developing an AI-based legal document life cycle solution provided as a SaaS system. It aids companies&#8217;​ legal and compliance departments, HR and procurement to review, analyze, amend and manage all legal documents throughout their entire life cycle.
 
 

 
Integration
 
Performace Watcher Evaluating and comparing the result of one&#8217;s investment portfolio must be accessible to everyone. Our aim is to popularize and demystify a traditionally opaque field. We believe in explanations that are simple, clear and understandable to everyone. With the disappearance of Swiss banking secrecy, increased competition, the Internet and a new generation of customers the transparency of results is born.
 
 
Onedot is a Swiss company making data consumable across sources and boundaries. Onedot&#8217;s artificial intelligence (AI)-driven software helps businesses reduce manual work in data management by 8x, speed up time-to-market by 90% and increase revenue up to 10%. Onedot makes this possible by radically improving data quality–automating the data integration, cleaning and categorisation process.
 
 
 

Additiv develops and implements digital innovations and business models for financial services companies – tailor-made and turnkey.
 
 
 

Qedos designs beautiful &amp; innovative solutions for wealth managers. Their solutions revolutionise the way wealth managers and their client interact. They help wealth managers provide tailored advice, provide a better client experience, achieve superior investment performance, comply with regulations and work more efficiently.
 
 

Founded in 2007, NetGuardians was the first company to emerge from the innovation incubator Y-Parc, in Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland. The company now enjoys a solid international presence with a steadily growing clientele in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
 
 
 
FundBase is a cloud-based platform to ultimately host the complete investment process for high-conviction alternative investments. Fundbase delivers to qualified investors a seamlessly integrated platform to discover, execute and monitor complex investments such as hedge funds, private equity and other high-conviction investments.
 
 

Pure Value Metrics provides active investors with a unique combination of Global Equity Portfolio Selection, Market Insight, Online Trading and discretionary Voice Execution.
 
 
 

ADDFIN is a business solution for professional investors who seek to benefit and leverage on the full potential offered by digitalization and information technology in order to standardize the workflow, processes and procedures.
 
 
 

Centralway Numbrs is a customer-centric financial services company. It enables its customers to manage their existing bank accounts and personal finances and to buy any financial product from every provider at the best possible price.
 
 
 
 

Monetas develops technologies that empower people to live and do business with greater freedom than ever before, and that make financial inclusion a reality.
 
 
 
 

Interaction Partners is a Swiss-based Investor Relations Services firm with a focus on facilitating broker-independent trust-building, live interactions (roadshows) between listed corporates and institutional investors in Zurich, Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lugano, Milan and London.
 
 
 
We believe that great decision makers are the ones that ask the right questions. Veezoo empowers them to find the answers efficiently by themselves. We make complex information easy to understand by answering any question with a clean visualization.
 
 
 
Lykke is a Swiss Fintech company building a global marketplace based on blockchain. It builds on decades of thought and research by company founder Richard Olsen, a pioneer in the field of high-frequency finance. Richard served as co-founder and CEO of OANDA, a leading foreign exchange company. Lykke received initial seed funding in 2015.
 
 
 
Oyoba is a finance-as-a-service platform, providing its users access to a wide range of fintech and blockchain services, including bank accounts, Bitcoin wallets, robo advisory, lending, P2P payments and debit cards. Oyoba’s vision is to turn consumer banking into a modern information service by using personal, financial and other data to create new, personalized and better services.
 
 
Spitch is a Swiss provider of solutions based on Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) and voice biometrics, Voice User Interfaces (VUI), and natural language voice data analytics.
 
 
 
Moneygrid is born out of the vision that currency systems should be as diverse as possible and that they should connected to each other if it does make sense.
 

 
 

Altoo has developed its wealth platform in co-creatorship with its clients. Our independence and diversity enables us to connect people, wealth and processes by technology in a unique way.
 
 

 
AlgoTrader is an algorithmic trading software system. The company was founded by the CEO Andy Flury in Zurich Switzerland.
 
 

 
Yapeal building a new digital bank and we’ll redefine the way people bank.
 
 
 
 
Instimatch Global was founded in 2017. The inspiration for doing so, stemmed from the liquidity crisis in 2007/2008. Our founder witnessed first-hand how the interbank lending and borrowing system broke down and trust between financial institutions disappeared within a matter of days.
 
 
Appway builds software for today, and innovates for the technology of the future. With over 15 years of industry experience, Appway guides the leading financial institutions, both big and small, as they build sustainable and scalable solutions that quickly adapt to changing conditions.
 
 
 
Unblu helps the world&#8217;s leading banks deliver an in-person experience online. We provide highly secure engagement and collaboration software, enabling banks to enrich the digital experience of their clients.
 
 
 
 
Tindeco VISION is our award-winning fully integrated investment management platform. VISION is used by Banks, Family Offices and Fund Managers. VISION CORE Technologies provides Portfolio Administration, Portfolio Management, Risk Management, Order Management and Client Relationship Management &#8211; making it a comprehensive solution for Asset Managers.
 
 
 
Sygnum is a technology-driven company that empowers financial services for the digital asset economy. It develops an integrated solution to securely issue, store, trade and manage digital assets.
 
 
 
 
At SEBA, we want to build a gateway that facilitates movement of assets between the crypto and traditional financial markets for major financial investors. Our ambition is to be one of the world&#8217;s first universal, fully licensed and supervised crypto banks, offering industry leading crypto-asset financial products and services.
 
 
 

IODD is the solution that allows you to have all the cards in hand to make informed decisions and manage your company efficiently
 
 
 
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/born-in-switzerland-swiss-original-fintech-overview-map-update-172-companies</link><guid>1551</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/born-in-switzerland-fintech-Sept-2020.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>“BORN IN SWITZERLAND” Swiss Original Fintech Overview Map Update: 172 Companies</dc:text></item><item><title>Wealth Managers Need to ‘Democratise’ Their Services If They Want to Survive</title><description><![CDATA[Wealth managers and private banks need to ‘democratise’ their service and product offerings to a wider audience to compete and grow in the new hyper-digital world according to a report by Avaloq.
If firms do not democratise their proposition, they risk losing market share according to findings comes from the report &#8220;Democratization of Wealth Management – a Unique Business Opportunity&#8221;.
According to the report, the wealth management sector faces deep structural margin and transformation pressures, rooted in a mix of rapidly changing client demands, tighter regulations and new, fiercer competition from a combination of fintechs, neo-banks and ‘big tech’ all trying to gain a foothold in the market.
For Avaloq, these challenges can be traced back to four megatrends: wealth shifts, socio-behavioural changes, technological evolution and economic &amp; monetary turmoil.
Martin Greweldinger
“A new generation of tech-savvy, wealthy clients, with a high demand for seamless digital services, is behind the unstoppable nature of these megatrends. But rather than be an obstacle to growth, we see a significant opportunity for wealth managers that bring high-end wealth management services to the affluent segment. This democratisation requires wealth managers to deliver personalised advice at scale while addressing the specific needs of this new affluent clientele through a balance of industrialization, innovation and individualisation,”
says Martin Greweldinger, Group Chief Product Officer at Avaloq.
Avaloq warns that ‘plain-vanilla’ value propositions are no longer acceptable for a diverse clientele that ranges from an evolving, tech-savvy ultra high-net-worth individual segment to affluent high-earning millennials. Used to superior, digital-first experiences from ‘big techs’, these clients take bespoke, holistic, and impactful advice for granted.
To satisfy their demand for hyper-personalised services, traditional financial data needs to be combined with datapoints like client lifegoals. Conversational banking, portfolio modelling tools, behaviour-based risk assessments and virtual assistants have become the key tools needed to support such value propositions.
In its report, Avaloq lists a five-step agenda, balancing industrialisation, innovation and individualisation efforts to successfully democratise wealth management:
Avaloq’s five-step recipe to take advantage of the democratization of wealth management
 
The post Wealth Managers Need to ‘Democratise’ Their Services If They Want to Survive appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/wealth-managers-need-to-democratise-their-services-if-they-want-to-survive</link><guid>1549</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Avaloq’s-five-step-recipe-to.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Wealth Managers Need to ‘Democratise’ Their Services If They Want to Survive</dc:text></item><item><title>Singapore, Helsinki and Zurich Named World’s Smartest Cities</title><description><![CDATA[Singapore, Helsinki and Zurich have been named as the world&#8217;s smartest cities this year knocking off many European cities according to the Smart City Index Report this year.
It is also worth noting that in addition to Zurich, another Swiss city that made the cut for the top 10 smart cities is Geneva, ranking at seventh.
The report released is a collaboration between the Institute for Management Development (IMD) and Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD).
The 2020 index ranked 109 cities, 7 more than in last year’s inaugural edition, by using both economic and technological data, taken together with citizens’ perceptions of how “smart” their cities were. It is published under the supervision of the IMD Smart City Observatory (SCO).
This year’s results offer key insights into how technology is playing a role in the COVID-19 era in a way that is likely to continue as there is a correlation between smarter cities and those handling the pandemic better.
In each city ranked, 120 citizens were asked questions in April and May 2020 on the technological provisions of their city across five key areas: health and safety, mobility, activities, opportunities and governance.
The final score for each city was computed using the perceptions of the last two years of the survey.
Smart City 2020 Index Ranking
The top 3 cities this year represent a reshuffling of 2019’s scenario, which saw Singapore come in first, Zurich second and Oslo third. Some of the biggest changes and most significant findings in this year’s index, by contrast, were in underdeveloped cities.
The report explained how if you add free WiFi to a city such as Medellin (up 19 places in the ranking this year), citizens’ perceptions of a change in their quality of life though technology will be sizeable.
However, in an already highly developed city such as previous silver medalist Zurich, there is little to improve, so a lot has to be done to change perceptions.
Featured image credit: image from Pexels and Unsplash
The post Singapore, Helsinki and Zurich Named World&#8217;s Smartest Cities appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/singapore-helsinki-and-zurich-named-worlds-smartest-cities</link><guid>1546</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Top-10-Smart-City-Index-2020.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Singapore, Helsinki and Zurich Named World’s Smartest Cities</dc:text></item><item><title>Rapyd Expands Card Acquiring Capabilities in Europe</title><description><![CDATA[Rapyd, a fintech-as-a-service company, announced a major expansion of its European platform, adding end-to-end card acquiring capabilities to its payments capabilities.
Rapyd now offers a full stack payment acceptance capabilities in Europe including card acceptance through Mastercard and Visa, and support for local Alternative Payment Methods (APM’s) in over 100 countries, all accessible from a single platform and managed from one contract reconciliation process.
The Rapyd platform offers an easy way for European businesses to expand globally online. This also gives merchants the ability to extend their existing point-of-sale (POS) systems to deliver an integrated omni-channel commerce experience as business models change and consumer shopping preferences evolve.
Sarel Tal
Sarel Tal, Rapyd Vice President and General Manager for Europe, Middle East, and Africa, noted,

“European merchants are at a crossroads and need to fully embrace digital commerce to thrive as consumer shopping and payment preferences are changing rapidly. Compensating for the loss of in-store business, merchants need to quickly expand into global markets to pursue cross-border sales opportunities, significantly improve conversion rates and reduce cart abandonment. Rapyd solves the complexity of payments and can even eliminate the number of payment providers merchants must work with as they implement global expansion plans.”

In the past year the company has launched full stack payment capabilities in several of the world’s largest consumer markets including the United Kingdom, India, Brazil, Mexico and Singapore.
Featured image credit: Pexel
The post Rapyd Expands Card Acquiring Capabilities in Europe appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/rapyd-expands-card-acquiring-capabilities-in-europe</link><guid>1547</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Rapyd Expands Card Acquiring Capabilities in Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>Open Banking: Schweizer aufgeschlossen gegenüber digitalen Finanzangeboten</title><description><![CDATA[Hinter dem Versprechen von Open Banking verbirgt sich eine Welt neuer Bezahlmöglichkeiten und digitaler Finanzdienstleistungen.
Doch auf europäischer Ebene sind die Vorbehalte gegenüber Open Banking-Angeboten noch immer gross: Lediglich 20% der Europäer sind dazu bereit, ihre Finanzdaten mit Banken oder Drittanbietern zu teilen. Schweizer Verbraucher sind hingegen bereits deutlich aufgeschlossener und würden zu 28% ihre Daten freigeben.
Am ehesten liessen sich die Schweizer Befragten mit einer automatisierten Steuererklärung (12%), Einkaufsrabatten (11%) oder der kostenlosen Nutzung von Bankdienstleistungen (8%) davon überzeugen, ihre Bankdaten zu teilen, wie die neue Ausgabe der «European Payments»-Studie von Strategy&amp;, der Strategieberatung von PwC, zeigt.
Dabei vertrauen die Schweizer Konsumenten nach wie vor am meisten traditionellen Banken und Kartenanbietern, um ihnen persönliche Informationen zu überlassen (25%). Zahlungsdienstleister (11%) und Einzelhändler (9%) konnten sich vor Internetgiganten (7%) und Neobanken und FinTechs (5%) behaupten. Im Vergleich zur vergangenen Umfrage konnten vor allem Zahlungsdienstleister Vertrauen hinzugewinnen (2018: 9%).

Neben der Weitergabe persönlicher Daten, die eine der Grundlagen für Open Banking darstellt, zeigen sich an einer anderen Front ebenfalls Fortschritte: Der Anteil der Schweizer Verbraucher, die aktuell bereits am liebsten mittels Apps oder Wallets von Banken oder Drittanbietern bezahlen, hat sich deutlich von 9% (2018) auf 15% (2020) erhöht (Europa: 14%). Debitkarten steigen ebenfalls weiter in der Beliebtheit und werden von 23% der Schweizer Befragten präferiert (2018: 19%).
Auch Kreditkarten können von diesem Trend profitieren, ihr Anteil bei den beliebtesten Zahlungsmitteln wuchs von 12% (2018) auf 16% (2020). Europaweit liegen Debitkarten mit 31% (2018: 27%) bei den bargeldlosen Bezahlmethoden ebenfalls vorne. Zudem stehen Kreditkarten mit 19% (2018: 19%) auf europäischer Ebene höher im Kurs als in der Schweiz.
Die COVID-19-Pandemie führt zu einem zusätzlichen Anstieg bei bargeldlosen Zahlungen: 37% der Schweizer Befragten geben an, momentan häufiger mit der Karte zu bezahlen als vor der Krise (Europa: 44%). Zusätzlich gibt die Mehrheit der Verbraucher in der Schweiz (55%) an, ihr geändertes Bezahlverhalten auch nach der Krise ganz oder grösstenteils beibehalten zu wollen (Europa: 47%).
Daniel Ettlin
«Im europäischen Vergleich wird deutlich, dass der Weg zum Open Banking noch weit ist. Doch vor allem in der Schweiz geht die Entwicklung beim Teilen von Daten in die richtige Richtung. Auch die COVID-19-Pandemie hat offensichtlich dazu beigetragen, das Zahlungsverhalten zugunsten digitaler Alternativen zu verändern – eine der weiteren Voraussetzungen für eine funktionierende Open Banking-Infrastruktur. Banken und FinTechs sollten das aktuelle Momentum zum Anlass nehmen, um weiter in attraktive und integrierende Services zu investieren und so noch skeptische Verbraucher vom Mehrwert durch Datenaustausch zu überzeugen»,
kommentiert Daniel Ettlin, Director bei Strategy&amp; Schweiz.
In anderen Lebensbereichen sind Konsumenten in der Schweiz mittlerweile ebenfalls bereit, für bestimmte Services ihre Daten zu teilen. Weit verbreitete Messenger (46%) oder Bonussysteme von Einzelhändlern (46%) werden häufig genutzt, ebenso wie Social Media-Apps (29%). «Die Beispiele für erfolgreiche datenintensive Anwendungen ausserhalb der Finanzwelt zeigen, welches Potential in Open Banking schlummert. Dieses muss nun über entsprechende Angebote weiter geweckt werden: Banken und FinTechs können ihren Kunden beispielsweise mit der übergreifenden Kontrolle über sämtliche Konten, Abbuchungen und Verträge die Vorteile von Open Banking aufzeigen», ergänzt Andreas Pratz, Co-Autor der Studie und Partner bei Strategy&amp; Schweiz.
Gleichzeitig scheint die Abkehr vom Bargeld nun auch immer mehr in der Schweiz anzukommen: Bevorzugten hierzulande 2018 noch 60% der Befragten Scheine und Münzen als Zahlungsmittel, verringert sich ihre Zahl auf nunmehr 45%. In Europa liegt dieser Wert allerdings nur noch bei 36% (2018: 43%). Die Beweggründe hinter der Bargeldnutzung in der Schweiz haben sich in den letzten beiden Jahren ebenfalls geändert.
Während vor zwei Jahren 42% der Befragten angaben, Bargeld sei oft die einzig akzeptierte Zahlmethode, sagen dies aktuell lediglich noch 38%. Auch Bequemlichkeit (2020: 21%; 2018: 25%) oder die leichtere Kontrolle über Ausgaben (2020: 21%; 2018: 25%) spielen eine immer geringere Rolle, genauso wie Sicherheitsbedenken (2020: 20%; 2018: 15%).
The post Open Banking: Schweizer aufgeschlossen gegenüber digitalen Finanzangeboten appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/open-banking-schweizer-aufgeschlossen-gegenuber-digitalen-finanzangeboten</link><guid>1545</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Attractive-benefits-needed-to-make-Open-Banking-a-success--1024x474.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Open Banking: Schweizer aufgeschlossen gegenüber digitalen Finanzangeboten</dc:text></item><item><title>3 Swiss Fintech Startups Targeting the South Africa Market</title><description><![CDATA[3 Swiss fintech startups namely 4bridges, AgFlow and e-traid (e-commerce) were among the startups chosen to be a part of the Swiss Venture Leaders South Africa team.
The selection process for this year was so competitive that the programme included a total of 11 Swiss startups for the first time. The selection comprises of sciencepreneurs active in fintech, medtech, cleantech, and agritech.
The Swiss Venture Leaders South Africa programme aims to boost the entrepreneurial know-how, growth potential, and exposure of Swiss sciencepreneurs by offering a unique online experience that connects entrepreneurs with the innovation hotspots of South Africa.
From September 28 to October 2, the entrepreneurs will join an online market discovery programme that includes workshops with local business experts and sessions with South African startups to support each other in defining local market entry in their respective markets.
The Swiss and South African startups will also have the opportunity to pitch during the SA Innovation Summit which claims to be the largest startup event in Africa.
The programme takes place parallel to the advanced entrepreneurship training for the South African startups, a workshop culminating with the selection of the South African startup team 2020, which will attend an intense business development programme in Switzerland early next year.
The programme is supported by the Swiss government and Swiss Universities.
The following are the 11 new chosen for Venture Leaders South Africa with the first 3 being the &#8220;fintech&#8221; startups:
4bridges: Our product 4cash boosts micropayments using cryptocurrencies. For B2B relations, 4bridges offers an API to enable retail customers to pay bitcoin while retail receive Swiss Francs or Euros. For B2C, 4cash provides access via 4cash.io where users can start to make payments.
AgFlow: Founded in Geneva in September 2013 by James Dunsterville, AgFlow SA has relaunched under new management in 2019. The company is democratising access to agricultural market data and information for players across the value chain such as brokers, traders, FMCG companies, and agricultural producers (starting 2021).

e-traid: Enable the world’s SMEs to connect to global trade through e-commerce e-traid services. e-traid helps SMEs build their e-commerce export strategy and launch into global markets via e-commerce marketplaces.
MEDICUD: Nonpowered vacuum-assisted closure device. We develop and commercialise a mechanically powered pump to be used in negative-pressure wound healing.
XIMMA: We develop sustainable information modeling solutions through local parametric investigation of microclimate, social, cultural, aesthetic, and vernacular contexts of participative spatial design.
HR Tech Ventures: HR business management tool that uses persona. The HR software is designed on blockchain technology. This analytics tool is built on top of existing databases and is located between business, marketing, and HR strategy.
SWOXID: The technology is based on an innovative nanoporous aerogel composite filter which &#8211; upon solar irradiation &#8211; is able to render contaminated water safe by removing and inactivating infectious disease-causing biological agents.
Evodrop: We want to shape the water market sustainably with optimal water and a sustainable corporate philosophy. We ensure clean and optimal water. Whether for people, animals or plants. Whether as drinking or consumption water. Whether at home, at work, in gastronomy, in industry or in agriculture.
Risklick: We aim to develop a first-of-the-kind data-driven tool to allow end users (biopharma companies, CROs, hospitals, etc.) to identify similar clinical trials and assess risks in early steps of the protocol design.

Securaxis: Geneva-based startup specialising on privacy through sounds analytics. By combining deep AI and acoustic, the company’s product SONAL can analyse specific traffic sounds in any environment, classify them, locate and report them accurately. The sensor provides real-time data, and is particularly interesting for communities that refrain from placing cameras in public spaces.
SmartBreed: We offer insect breeders a local and complete breeding solution. We want to make the advantages of insects industrially usable and accessible for everyone. To reduce the breeding time and optimise breeding we work together with universities in fields such as optimal insect food (under consideration of ecological footprint), perfect light and optimal temperature and humidity. Our box is full of sensors, with which we can track and optimise breeding.
Featured image credit: Unsplash
The post 3 Swiss Fintech Startups Targeting the South Africa Market appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/3-swiss-fintech-startups-targeting-the-south-africa-market</link><guid>1544</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/cropped-swoxid-logo-1-300x136.png</dc:content ><dc:text>3 Swiss Fintech Startups Targeting the South Africa Market</dc:text></item><item><title>3 Swiss Fintech Startups Targeting South Africa</title><description><![CDATA[3 Swiss fintech startups namely 4bridges, AgFlow and e-traid (e-commerce) were among the startups chosen to be a part of the Swiss Venture Leaders South Africa team.
The selection process for this year was so competitive that the programme included a total of 11 Swiss startups for the first time. The selection comprises of sciencepreneurs active in fintech, medtech, cleantech, and agritech.
The Swiss Venture Leaders South Africa programme aims to boost the entrepreneurial know-how, growth potential, and exposure of Swiss sciencepreneurs by offering a unique online experience that connects entrepreneurs with the innovation hotspots of South Africa.
From September 28 to October 2, the entrepreneurs will join an online market discovery programme that includes workshops with local business experts and sessions with South African startups to support each other in defining local market entry in their respective markets.
The Swiss and South African startups will also have the opportunity to pitch during the SA Innovation Summit which claims to be the largest startup event in Africa.
The programme takes place parallel to the advanced entrepreneurship training for the South African startups, a workshop culminating with the selection of the South African startup team 2020, which will attend an intense business development programme in Switzerland early next year.
The programme is supported by the Swiss government and Swiss Universities.
The following are the 11 new chosen for Venture Leaders South Africa with the first 3 being the &#8220;fintech&#8221; startups:
4bridges: Our product 4cash boosts micropayments using cryptocurrencies. For B2B relations, 4bridges offers an API to enable retail customers to pay bitcoin while retail receive Swiss Francs or Euros. For B2C, 4cash provides access via 4cash.io where users can start to make payments.
AgFlow: Founded in Geneva in September 2013 by James Dunsterville, AgFlow SA has relaunched under new management in 2019. The company is democratising access to agricultural market data and information for players across the value chain such as brokers, traders, FMCG companies, and agricultural producers (starting 2021).

e-traid: Enable the world’s SMEs to connect to global trade through e-commerce e-traid services. e-traid helps SMEs build their e-commerce export strategy and launch into global markets via e-commerce marketplaces.
MEDICUD: Nonpowered vacuum-assisted closure device. We develop and commercialise a mechanically powered pump to be used in negative-pressure wound healing.
XIMMA: We develop sustainable information modeling solutions through local parametric investigation of microclimate, social, cultural, aesthetic, and vernacular contexts of participative spatial design.
HR Tech Ventures: HR business management tool that uses persona. The HR software is designed on blockchain technology. This analytics tool is built on top of existing databases and is located between business, marketing, and HR strategy.
SWOXID: The technology is based on an innovative nanoporous aerogel composite filter which &#8211; upon solar irradiation &#8211; is able to render contaminated water safe by removing and inactivating infectious disease-causing biological agents.
Evodrop: We want to shape the water market sustainably with optimal water and a sustainable corporate philosophy. We ensure clean and optimal water. Whether for people, animals or plants. Whether as drinking or consumption water. Whether at home, at work, in gastronomy, in industry or in agriculture.
Risklick: We aim to develop a first-of-the-kind data-driven tool to allow end users (biopharma companies, CROs, hospitals, etc.) to identify similar clinical trials and assess risks in early steps of the protocol design.

Securaxis: Geneva-based startup specialising on privacy through sounds analytics. By combining deep AI and acoustic, the company’s product SONAL can analyse specific traffic sounds in any environment, classify them, locate and report them accurately. The sensor provides real-time data, and is particularly interesting for communities that refrain from placing cameras in public spaces.
SmartBreed: We offer insect breeders a local and complete breeding solution. We want to make the advantages of insects industrially usable and accessible for everyone. To reduce the breeding time and optimise breeding we work together with universities in fields such as optimal insect food (under consideration of ecological footprint), perfect light and optimal temperature and humidity. Our box is full of sensors, with which we can track and optimise breeding.
Featured image credit: Unsplash
The post 3 Swiss Fintech Startups Targeting South Africa appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/3-swiss-fintech-startups-targeting-south-africa</link><guid>1548</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/cropped-swoxid-logo-1-300x136.png</dc:content ><dc:text>3 Swiss Fintech Startups Targeting South Africa</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 50 Swiss Blockchain Companies H1 2020</title><description><![CDATA[Crypto Valley has further matured and added substance in the first half of 2020. Despite challenging circumstances because of COVID-19, the number of firms in Crypto Valley has increased to 919, and employment reached over 4700 in Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
Growth and funding have been driven across all areas, including protocols, financial services, and other applications. The big story has been the funding of companies by investors. The flows of money from VCs and investors are confirming the view that the clear regulatory framework will enable companies to execute on their business plans and become very valuable. As such, Crypto Valley’s first non-protocol layer unicorn may not be too far away.
Companies which raised substantial amounts include: Bitcoin Suisse AG ($48M), 4ART Technologies AG ($45M), METACO SA ($20M), Crypto Finance AG ($14M), Near Protocol ($12.1M), Taurus Group SA (undisclosed amount), Sygnum Bank AG (undisclosed amount in second round).
Financial services continue to push ahead with a broader adoption of cryptocurrencies and DLT infrastructure (storage, settlement), as evidenced by a number of successful funding rounds among Switzerland’s main crypto players and the work of established players such as InCore Bank AG to provide key infrastructure to other banks.
The valuation of protocols that count Crypto Valley as their home has increased significantly. All 6 Unicorns are protocol layer projects of which the listed ones saw their network value increase significantly. The markets are rewarding higher degrees of decentralization, technical milestone achievements, well-performing testnets and mainnets with increased valuations.
Outside of financial services, the protection of intellectual property and the tracking of IP transactions is attracting large investments and valuations. 4ARTechnologies AG, which provides application infrastructure for the art market, has raised $45M at a valuation of $250M. In addition, its utility coin for use in its ecosystem has an implied valuation of $250M. Utopia Music AG, which is tracking the use of music, is nearing a triple-digit valuation as it is engaging in pilot projects with large royalty collection agencies.

CV VC’s research reveals eight crypto hotspots in Crypto Valley: Zug, Zurich, Liechtenstein, Geneva, Ticino, Neuchatel, Vaud, Lucerne and Bern. The largest number of companies is in Zug with 439, as it remains the heart of Crypto Valley.
The regulatory framework in Switzerland keeps evolving rapidly and its regulatory clarity is now being enhanced with significant functionalities for digital assets, including securities. Switzerland opted to modify a number of existing laws, introducing changes only where necessary. The result is the world’s leading regulatory framework and legal basis for the issuance, trading, and ownership of digital assets, including securities. The DLT Act is expected to go into effect in the first quarter of 2021.
Top 50 Crypto Valley Companies 




	Company NameDescription




	Sygnum Sygnum is the world’s first digital asset bank. Sygnum is the first digital asset specialist to be regulated in Switzerland as a bank, and in Singapore as an asset manager


	HDAC Backed by Hyundai BSandC, Hdac’s new technology allows fast, secure and e¦ective communication between IoT devices.


	EtheriscEtherisc‘s mission is to build decentralized insurance applications, making the purchase and sale of insurance more efficient, enabling lower operational costs, increase transparency of insurance compared to traditional operations, and democratize access to reinsurance investments.


	ICON The ICON project is building one of the largest decentralized networks in the world. Promotion and development of new technologies and applications, especially in the areas of new open and decentralized software architectures. In the foreground - but not exclusively - is the promotion and development of the so-called ICON protocol and the corresponding technologies, as well as the promotion and support of applications using the ICON protocol.


	4ARTechnologies 4ARTechnologies sets a new standard for the global art world. Combining patented and cutting-edge technologies, 4ART brings together all art market stakeholders. 


	ModumModum.io sensor devices record environmental conditions while physical products are in transit. When a change in ownership occurs, the collected data is checked against a specific smart contract in the blockchain. This contract validates that the transaction meets all of the standards set out by the sender, their clients, or the regulator and triggers various actions: notifications to sender and receiver, release of goods, payment, etc


	Smart ContainersSmart Containers develops, builds and rents out airfreight containers for medicine &amp; food transports. We combine cutting-edge technology and IoT sensors in a logistics ecosystem on blockchain.


	Nexo Nexo is the leading crypto lending provider, that has built its reputation in the blockchain world with its signature Instant Crypto Credit Lines and Earn Interest product, which is accessible via the Nexo Platform or Nexo’s Mobile Banking Solution. 


	Mt. Pelerin Unlike traditional banks, MtPelerin won‘t use your money to invest for our own profit. Instead, 100% of the currencies deposited on our accounts will be kept in reserve at all time. This reserve and its movements are recorded on Ethereum blockchain, and are therefore completely transparent in a permanent and immutable way. Their reserves are visible to all in real-time, while the state of individual accounts remain confidential.


	Deon DigitalDeon Digital has developed a programming language and operating system to create and manage truly digital contracts, which you can use to build digitized enterprise processes and future business ecosystems. We aim to “tear down walls” not only within, but also between organizations: letting information, ideas and transactions flow freely — and exactly where, when and how they should.


	GolemDeon Digital leverages more than 10 years of academic research, a world class R&amp;D team, and the power of distributed ledger technology to turn any form of contracts into automatically managed digital contracts.Contracts are at the core of a company covering all its operational aspects: sales/purchase, production, salaries, loans, insurance, pensions, transportation, mobility, logistics, energy, etc


	Shift CryptosecurityDigital Bitbox is a minimalist bitcoin hardware wallet packed with security and privacy. Safely hold and spend your coins with peace of mind.


	 Near Protocol(New)NEAR is a decentralized storage and compute platform that is secure enough to manage high value assets like money or identity and performant enough to make them useful for everyday people, putting the power of the Open Web in their hands.


	Aeternityæternity is a new blockchain technology, designed to deliver unmatched e©ciency, transparent governance and global scalability. æternity is a scalable blockchain platform that enables high bandwidth transacting, purely-functional smart contracts, and decentralized oracles.


	AragonCreate value without borders or intermediaries. Aragon is being built because so that decentralized organizations can solve the world’s worst problems. Aragon is a project that aims to disintermediate the creation and maintenance of organizational structures by using blockchain technology. 


	BancorBancor allows you to convert between any two tokens on their network, with no counterparty, at an automatically calculated price. Thanks to built-in liquidity, the future of user-generated tokens is here.


	CardanoCardano is a decentralised public blockchain and cryptocurrency project and is fully open source. Cardano is developing a smart contract platform which seeks to deliver more advanced features than any protocol previously developed.


	Dfinity FoundationDfinity is a blockchain based world computer network that is powerful enough to host business applications at scale. The network features a variety of innovations in the blockchain space. The Dfinity network is self-governing through the use of an adaptive network called the Blockchain Nervous System (BNS). The network is also capable of achieving transaction finality at an average speed of 7.5 seconds due to advancements in random number generation and selection. The Dfinity protocol uses Verifiable Random Functions (VRFs), BLS Cryptography and the Threshold Relay technique (powered by a random beacon) to achieve these speeds. 


	EthereumEthereum is a decentralized platform that runs smart contracts: applications that run exactly as programmed without any possibility of downtime, censorship, fraud or third-party interference. These apps run on a custom built blockchain, an enormously powerful shared global infrastructure that can move value around and represent the ownership of property. This enables developers to create markets, store registries of debts or promises, move funds in accordance with instructions given long in the past (like a will or a futures contract) and many other things that have not been invented yet, all without a middleman or counterparty risk


	Utopia Music Utopia Music creates platforms so everyone can understand, use and benefit from the power of data.


	LiskDevelop and publish blockchain applications with your own sidechains on the open-source Lisk Platform. Promotion of new technology developments and applications, in particular promotion and maintenance of new open decentralized software architectures. In the foreground - but not exclusively - is the promotion and development of the so-called Lisk protocol and the corresponding technology as well as the promotion and support of applications using the Lisk protocol


	StatusStatus is an interface to access Ethereum, built for Android and iOS. Enjoy encrypted messaging, a cryptocurrency wallet, and seamless access to DApps.


	TezosThe Tezos Foundation is a Swiss foundation, supervised by the Swiss Federal Foundation Supervisory Authority which is part of the Swiss Federal Department of Home A¦airs. Its purpose is the promotion and development of new technologies and applications, especially in the fields of new open and decentralized software architectures including the promotion and development of the Tezos protocol and related technologies


	WavesThey create the economics of free, perfect and instant. The Waves Platform is a global public blockchain platform, founded in 2016. Waves Platform’s mission is to reinvent the DNA of entrepreneurship around the world by providing a shared infrastructure, offering easy-touse, highly functional tools to make blockchain available to every person or organisation that can benefit from it.


	Santiment Santiment creates tools to help analyze the crypto market and find data-driven investment opportunities. The project provides clean and reliable on-chain, social media and development information on over 1000 crypto assets, and develops unique metrics, signals, strategies and reports on top of their custom datasets.


	Bitcoin SuisseFounded in 2013, Bitcoin Suisse AG (BTCS) has been a pioneer in providing crypto-financial services. It has helped to shape the crypto- and blockchain ecosystem in Switzerland and has been a driving force in the development of the ‘Crypto Valley’ and ‘Crypto Nation Switzerland’


	BityThe Swiss gateway to convert money into cryptocurrencies and digital assets. Buy - sell bitcoins and ethers. Introducing Bity Kiosks, the easiest way to acquire or sell bitcoins with cash. Only a phone number is required. Bitcoin ATMs are currently located in Geneva, Lausanne, Montreux, Neuchâtel, Zürich Hauptbahnhof and Zürich Hardbrücke.


	CoreledgerThe CoreLedger infrastructure creates a simple and secure platform from which to use blockchain technology. It allows users to digitize goods and services without programming effort. Thanks to blockchain technology, these assets can be securely and irrevocably transferred with immutable and unfalsifiable proof of ownership. Transactions using digitized assets decrease costs and integrate seamlessly with existing goods and services


	Crypto FinanceThe Crypto Finance Group provides institutional and professional investors products and services with a level of quality, reliability, and security that are unique in the digital asset space today. 


	LykkeLykke takes advantage of breakthroughs in crypto-technology to build a global Internet exchange with immediate settlement for all asset classes and types of financial instruments. The banking architecture is outdated and needs to be replaced. They propose an Internet exchange that uses blockchain to trade all types of financial instruments. The benefits are immediate settlement, low transaction fees, the absence of a single point of failure, and strategic independence. Immediate settlement and highly competitive pricing will lead to rapid volume growth and establish the exchange as the Internet marketplace.


	SEBA BankSEBA is a FINMA licensed bank and pioneer in the financial industry, building a progressive technological bridge between the digital and traditional asset worlds. Founded in April 2018 and headquartered in Zug, the bank enables clients to invest, safely keep, trade and borrow against traditional and digital assets, as well as issue tokens all in one place


	Smart ValorSmart Valor is building the blockchain-based Valor-Network: a decentralized community-based marketplace for tokenized alternative investments. It enables asset issuers to create and distribute tokenized alternative investment solutions.


	Velas (New)VELAS AG headquartered in Crypto Valley Zug,
Switzerland is the first AI-operated delegated proof of stake blockchain, that allows to build
decentralised applications and smart contracts
on its mainnet, and ables scalability of the transactions, being able to validate 30 000 transactions per second thanks to Schnorr signatures.


	Zulu RepublicThe Zulu Republic aims to mitigate the adoption problem, leveraging blockchain technology to create a sustainable cryptotoken ecosystem composed of individuals, merchants, and larger businesses, bolstered by enterprise-level activity and product “exports”—creating a place where people can not only make use of blockchain technology in their daily lives but thrive in the process of doing so.


	EidooEidoo, a Ticino based blockchain startup, has officially launched the ICO Engine to allow Crypto companies and startups host and manage their token sales safely and with ease via the Eidoo mobile app. 


	Aave (New)Aave is an open source and non custodial protocol enabling the creation of money markets. Users can earn interest on deposits and borrow ass


	SecurosysTechnology company dedicated to securing data and communications. We develop, produce, and distribute hardware, software and services that protect and verify data and their transmission.


	ConcordiumWhen launched in 2020, the Concordium blockchain will be a Level-1, Proof-of-stake, regulatory-compliant, enterprise-grade blockchain with verified identity of users built-in at the protocol level and with application of zero-knowledge proofs. Technological innovations will enhance its performance and allow the blockchain to be fast without compromising security, be scalable, o¦er interoperability and it’s partial synchronicity adjust to the speed of the internet and ensure that Concordium won´t break under any circumstances.


	CosmosInterchain Foundation, a Swiss non-profit, which is responsible for coordinating fundraising and allocating funds to get the network o¦ the ground. The foundation will suggest a distribution of Atoms according to the results of the fundraiser. Users will ultimately decide the distribution for themselves when they run the software. The Interchain Foundation will suggest that 5% of the Atoms go to its initial donors, 10% go to the Interchain Foundation, 10% go to the company developing most of the software, and the remaining 75% to be distributed according to the results of the private and public fundraisers.


	Casper LabsCasper Labs presents the design for a new Turing-complete smart contract platform, backed by a proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus algorithm, and WebAssembly (wasm). The intent is for this design to be implemented as a new permissionless, decentralized, public blockchain. The consensus protocol is built on correct-by-construction (CBC) Casper work.


	PolkadotPolkadot empowers blockchain networks to work together under the protection of shared security.


	Cysec SystemsARCATrust aims at providing valuable hardware and software platform solution for storing and managing dynamically digital assets.


	Algo TraderAvailable on-premise or in the cloud, AlgoTrader is an institutional-grade quantitative trading and trade execution solution for conducting quantitative research, trading strategy development, strategy back-testing and automated trading for both traditional finance and crypto finance. 


	BittrexBittrex Global provides a proven and secure platform for its customers to access the opportunities of digital asset trading. Built on Bittrex’s cutting-edge technology, Bittrex Global provides an institutional grade experience for professional and novice customers alike.


	Taurus GroupTaurus is a Swiss-based company specialized in digital assets and distributed ledger technology. Taurus aims at building one of the first regulated digital asset exchanges for securities. 


	Cryptix The Cryptix Group is a full-service provider that realises digital payment and exchange solutions that make life simpler for consumers and businesses.


	CustoDigitCustoDigit’s asset platform is a one-stop-shop developed entirely for regulated financial services institutions


	Flovtecflovtec is an award-winning leader in the field of liquidity provision for digital assets (d@ssets). As a key player in the Blockchain ecosystem flovtec fosters price stability and reduces transaction costs, for the benefit of all market participants. 


	MetacoMetaco is a Swiss-based company with international presence. It brings together industry experts and most talented engineers to fulfill the requirements of financial corporations


	Libra Libra is built on a secure, scalable, and reliable blockchain and is designed to help bring people everywhere equal access to financial services. Libra is backed by a reserve of assets so that its value stays stable.




The post Top 50 Swiss Blockchain Companies H1 2020 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-50-swiss-blockchain-companies-h1-2020</link><guid>1543</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/CRYPTO-VALLEY-TOP-50-COMPANIES-EMPLOYMENT-LEVELS.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 50 Swiss Blockchain Companies H1 2020</dc:text></item><item><title>Temenos’ Core Banking Software Now Available on Alibaba Cloud</title><description><![CDATA[Temenos and Alibaba Cloud announced that Temenos Transact, its core banking product is now certified on the public cloud offering.
The two companies will jointly help banks go to market faster, open up new business models, and achieve industry leading cost/income ratios. The two companies are already engaged in proof of concepts with banks and have joint customers in APAC.
Financial institutions will be able to run Temenos&#8217; core banking applications on Alibaba Cloud and benefit from elastic scalability, cost and operational efficiencies.
The growing demand for cloud-based and SaaS models is being accelerated by the coronavirus pandemic as banks require more resilient and agile technology propositions. Cloud has become the established method of software deployment for smaller banks and neobanks that need to launch quickly with minimal IT infrastructure cost.
However, incumbent banks increasingly require cloud-native software to future-proof their business, gain greater speed to market as well as reduce IT complexity and costs.
Philip Barnett, Director, Strategic Growth, Temenos, said:
&#8220;We are delighted to extend our leadership in the cloud and be the first to certify with Alibaba Cloud, a tech giant and a source of innovation widely recognised for its leadership in e-commerce and mobile payments.
Working with Alibaba Cloud we will help banks to elastically scale based on demand and remove operational complexities. Together we can help new entrants launch faster with lower costs as well as large banks break down silos and collaborate internally and externally, and provide outstanding customer experiences.&#8221;
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/temenos-core-banking-software-now-available-on-alibaba-cloud</link><guid>1542</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Temenos’ Core Banking Software Now Available on Alibaba Cloud</dc:text></item><item><title>From Security Tokens to Native Digital Securities</title><description><![CDATA[Though blockchain-based security tokens hold many potentials, they also have their own limitations and must evolve to address several key challenges, according to a new paper by academics at the Rotterdam School of Management.
In a paper titled Security Token Offerings, the scholars from Erasmus University of Rotterdam (Daniel Liebau, Thomas Lambert and Peter Roosenboom) look at the nascent security token market and delve into the numerous challenges current offerings present, arguing that security tokens must now morph into so-called native digital securities to reach their full potential.
Native digital securities: the next generation of securities
According to the paper, security tokens have three major limitations. Firstly, they are only a digital presentation of an investment and not the product itself, implying that legally, the primary record in many jurisdictions is still paper-based or stored in a government-owned centralized database.
Secondly, since most security tokens are developed on the ERC-20 protocol, the full lifecycle of a security cannot be depicted off the shelf, and the comprehensive financial-product term sheets cannot be represented.
Finally, forks represent an important technical challenge, posing important cybersecurity risks.
In light of these limitations, the paper claims that the next generation of securities won’t just be digital representations of existing paper securities, like security tokens, but instead, will be programmable securities that are digital natives on the blockchain.
The paper refers these as native digital securities and defines them as “a legally accepted primary record of securities, created as smart contract on a distributed ledger.”
With native digital securities, on-chain amendments can be easily and cheaply executed and viewed by stakeholders, increasing thus transparency. Native digital securities can also come with a description language depicting all possible features and variants of an investment product. This description language would enable both digital creation of investment products with any combination of corporate actions and securities product features that could all be executed cheaply on-chain.
Additional potential benefits of programmable securities include the potential for barter-trade equity of one company against another, the ability to display features that reduce legal disputes, as well as the possibility to develop smart contract-based stock-option plans for employees that automatically exercise when agreed objectives are achieved.
The security token market
The security token market truly emerged after the end of the initial coin offering (ICO) market bubble in the second half of 2018. Though still nascent, the industry is growing steadily, and although dispersed geographically, security token offering (STO) activity is concentrated in jurisdictions with accommodating securities laws.
The study, which analyzed more than a hundred STOs, found that the USA was the preferred location to issue a security token, followed by the Cayman Islands, the UK, Switzerland and Singapore.
In the future, jurisdictions that enact new laws to govern STOs such as Liechtenstein are expected to become fertile ground for native digital securities, the report says.
Liechtenstein’s Blockchain Act, which came into force in January 2020, aims to be a “comprehensive regulation of the token economy.” It contains provisions on registration and disclosure requirements for those that generate or issue tokens.
Trading volume of security tokens almost reached US$22 million in August 2020, a 163.24% increase compared to July 2020, according to Security Token Group’s monthly market report. Market capitalization surpassed US$486 million in August 2020, up 18.15% from July 2020.
tZERO was the biggest security token by market capitalization (US$427 million), followed by Overstock Digital Voting Series A-1 Preferred Stock (US$272 million) and tZERO Preferred Equity (US$131 million).
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/from-security-tokens-to-native-digital-securities</link><guid>1541</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>From Security Tokens to Native Digital Securities</dc:text></item><item><title>Venture Leader: Swiss National Fintech Team 2020</title><description><![CDATA[Venturelab introduced the new team of Swiss fintech startups that are ready to advance their international presence and growth.
Following in the footsteps of successful alumni, the 10 startups will kick off their Venture Leaders experience in November and participate in the virtual edition of the Hong Kong Fintech Week.
Venturelab has been organizing international roadshows for the Swiss National Startup Team for 16 years. The ambitious entrepreneurs and their startups are introduced to investors and potential customers in technology hubs in Silicon Valley, Boston, New York, China, and Barcelona.
Swiss fintech startups raised more than CHF 133 million last year, and the sector’s leaders plan to keep growing and going global.
Venture Leaders Fintech winners 2020
Curio Capital AG (CurioInvest) | Rey Fernando Verboonen | www.curioinvest.com | Zug
Collectibles as an alternative investment have historically outperformed established indexes, yet it remains extraordinarily challenging to invest in them. CurioInvest provides a gateway to purchasing fully assessed and exclusively secured ultra-rare cars─or invest in profit-sharing digital assets that trade like stocks.
Cybera Global AG | Nicola Staub | www.cybera.io | Zurich
cybera. global combines unique industry knowledge and professional insights with the latest technology to build a fintech platform that prevents financially motivated cybercrime for financial institutions and governments.
eCollect AG | Marc Schillinger | www.ecollect.org | Baar
eCollect is a fintech-driven startup with an end-to-end, cross-border receivables management platform that was developed in-house. eCollect make use of best-in-class AI solutions to turn traditional invoicing, dunning, and debt collection into an innovative, fully digitalized experience for all industry sectors and their clients.
flov technologies AG | Anton Golub | www.flovtec.com | Zug
flovtec is a Swiss technology company specializing in providing liquidity to tokens and exchanges in the growing digital asset space. The flovtec platform and algorithms deliver highly scalable liquidity solutions, making digital assets attractive to investors while complying with the Swiss regulatory framework.
SIBEX AG | Daniel Haudenschild | www.sibex.io | Zug
SIBEX is the most intuitive and straightforward way for users to trade between a network or chat group. The SIBEX Personal Server is a cloud trading desk that allows users to trade immediately, and without a middleman, on the public blockchains of BTC and Ethereum and access their server from anywhere.
SwissBorg Invest SA | Cyrus Fazel | www.swissborg.com | Lausanne
SwissBorg is decentralizing wealth management by making it fun, fair, and community centric. Their showcase product, the Wealth App, allows users to buy, sell, and exchange digital assets -with features like AI-powered asset analysis and portfolio analytics to help them make smart investment decisions.
Teylor AG | Patrick Stäuble | www.teylor.io | Zurich
Teylor brings small business lending into the 21st century by automating and digitalizing the entire commercial credit process. The company uses its technology to provide one of the fastest business loans and offers banks a SaaS solution to digitalize their own lending processes.
Vima Link SA | Raphaël Héraïef | www.vima.swiss | Martigny
Based on 10 years of research at the Idiap, Vima Behavioural AI can improve credit score systems from a short 1-3 minutes video presentation of borrower applicants. The AI platform can replicate expert assessments to understand traits such as conscientiousness, which correlate to financial risk-taking and capabilities to plan and repay. The system is transparent, minimizes bias, and improves risk-taking balance.
Wecan Tokenize SA | Mathieu Saint-Cyr | www.wecantokenize.com | Geneva
Wecan Tokenize (WCT) is the first end-to-end institutional tokenization solution. It aims to use the power of blockchain to digitize assets, making them more liquid and easier to transfer. WCT is focusing on offering the best service for institutional clients so that they can include digital tokens as part of their investment options.
Yova AG | Tillmann Lang | www.yova.ch | Zurich
Yova is a digital platform for investing with a sustainability impact. Yova customers invest directly into companies that help solve global problems, e.g., by fighting climate change or by promoting human rights. All investments are professionally diversified portfolios that are designed to deliver an attractive financial return.
 

The post Venture Leader: Swiss National Fintech Team 2020 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/venture-leader-swiss-national-fintech-team-2020</link><guid>1540</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/CurioInvest_0-300x234.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Venture Leader: Swiss National Fintech Team 2020</dc:text></item><item><title>CB Insights Acquires European Blockchain Data Platform</title><description><![CDATA[Data provider CB Insights has acquired Blockdata, a Netherlands-based market intelligence platform for blockchain and other distributed ledger technology.
As a result of the acquisition, CB Insights will also be opening an office in Amsterdam. Meanwhile, Blockdata will remain a stand-alone product with its own team and will be available on its own as well as to CB Insights clients. The conversation between the companies was kicked off by a cold email and came together fully virtually in less than 3 months.
This is CB Insights&#8217; second acquisition following soon after their July 2020 acquisition of the assets of Dow Jones VentureSource. Both M&amp;A transactions provide CB Insights&#8217; clients with proprietary data and intelligence that will purportedly allow them to not just understand but ultimately make better decisions about technology.
Anand Sanwal
said Anand Sanwal, CEO and co-founder of CB Insights.
&#8220;We are incredibly happy to have the Blockdata team join us at this turning point for the DLT space.  In the last 8 months,  we have seen customer activity around the blockchain accelerate dramatically.  It&#8217;s gone from something that was considered possible or probable to something that is now practical.  As clients think about how to employ blockchain technology to drive growth or improve operations, we&#8217;re excited to equip them with the intelligence they need to make decisions more quickly and confidently,&#8221;

said Jonathan Knegtel, co-founder of Blockdata.
&#8220;We believe that distributed ledger technology lays the foundation for a truly digital economy, and we want to help people enter and navigate this complex space. We&#8217;ve admired CB Insights for a long time and this acquisition allows us to grow our team here in Amsterdam and continue to build out next gen tools that will help people track the development of this technology,&#8221;
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/cb-insights-acquires-european-blockchain-data-platform</link><guid>1539</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>CB Insights Acquires European Blockchain Data Platform</dc:text></item><item><title>SIX Group Joins Forces With Luxhub for Open Banking Offering</title><description><![CDATA[SIX Group has partnered with Luxembourg-based open banking startup Luxhub to utilize its Open Banking technology.
This collaboration with Luxhub is an extension of its Swiss open banking suite following the launch of SIX&#8217;s b.Link platform which offers standardised sharing of data among financial institutions and third-party providers.
Having initially supported multiple financial institutions throughout the PSD2 compliance process, LUXHUB One was launched 12 months later, in September 2019, to act as a single integration layer, and is said to provide secure and efficient connectivity to PSD2 APIs and a fast route to account aggregation and payment initiation services which will soon be available in Luxembourg.
Marco Menotti
Marco Menotti, Head Banking Services and Member of the Executive Board at SIX Group said,
“The partnership underlines our commitment to Open Banking in Switzerland. Together with Luxhub we will be able to accelerate our offering, but more importantly test and learn from each other with the goal of bringing innovations to our clients.”
 
 
Featured image: (From Upper Left to Right) SIX Group’s Head of Connectivity, Sven Siat, and Marco Menotti, Head Banking Services and Member of the Executive Board at SIX Group, (Lower Left to Right) LUXHUB’s CEO Jacques Pütz, and Claude Meurisse, LUXHUB’s COO.
 
 
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/six-group-joins-forces-with-luxhub-for-open-banking-offering</link><guid>1537</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>SIX Group Joins Forces With Luxhub for Open Banking Offering</dc:text></item><item><title>CREALOGIX Backed by IBM Cloud for Products and Services Offering</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss banking software provider CREALOGIX has partnered with IBM to offer financial institutions consulting services and tools to help banks implement and operate digital financial services.
Backed by the IBM Cloud, CREALOGIX will deliver standardised SaaS solutions tailored to regulated requirements and is said to help ensure that new technologies can be integrated into digital banking at any time, regardless of the provider, with its open interfaces.
As a next step, CREALOGIX intends to join the Financial Services Cloud of IBM in order to integrate better into the customer&#8217;s IT and offer added value to processes.
Thomas Hager, Vice President Banking and Financial Markets EMEA from IBM explained,
Thomas Hager
&#8220;This is more than just a partnership. We are positioning financial service providers into the digital banking of the future, and we will leverage CREALOGIX&#8217;s many years of expertise in digital and mobile banking to offer our customers added value with our Global Business Services. Our IBM Financial Service Cloud is built for financial services industries with a sophisticated policy framework. We are now rolling out the joint proposition globally.”
 
 

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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crealogix-backed-by-ibm-cloud-for-products-and-services-offering</link><guid>1538</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>CREALOGIX Backed by IBM Cloud for Products and Services Offering</dc:text></item><item><title>Eine Digitale 100 Millionen Franken Swisscom Obligation</title><description><![CDATA[Swisscom AG emittiert erstmals über eine digitale Kapitalmarktplattform eine Anleihe und profitiert von den Vorteilen der Digitalisierung im Schweizer Kapitalmarkt.
Über die Plattform von Valyo AG emittiert Swisscom AG eine Anleihe über 100 Millionen Franken mit einer Laufzeit von elf Jahren und einem Coupon von 0,13 Prozent. Die Kotierung der Anleihe an der SIX Swiss Exchange AG ist für den 16. September 2020 vorgesehen.
Die Anleihe wurde bei Asset Managern, Banken, Pensionskassen und Versicherungen platziert.
Auf der Kapitalmarktplattform Valyo stehen sich Emittenten und Investoren ohne Intermediär direkt gegenüber und wickeln die Emission von der Erfassung der Transaktionsdaten, über das Bookbuilding bis hin zum Settlement und Veranlassung der Kotierung der Anleihe online über die Plattform ab.
Daniel Schwab
CEO Daniel Schwab von Valyo:
«Wir freuen uns, dass Emittenten und Investoren die Digitalisierung im Schweizer Kapitalmarkt begrüssen und sich neu über eine Kapitalmarktplattform direkt treffen. Als ehemaliger Treasurer war ich immer überzeugt, dass der Emissionsprozess effizienter und transparenter gestaltet werden kann. Ein Bookbuilding live und in Echtzeit mitzuerleben, ist ein deutlicher Mehrwert.»
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/eine-digitale-100-millionen-franken-swisscom-obligation</link><guid>1535</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Eine Digitale 100 Millionen Franken Swisscom Obligation</dc:text></item><item><title>How the Crypto Nation Switzerland Dealt with Covid</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss blockchain industry appears to be in rude health despite the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic. The number of new companies and jobs produced by the sector increased in the first six months of the year. Is this trend set to last?
The number of Crypto Nation (including Liechtenstein) blockchain ventures expanded from 842 at the end of 2019 to 919 in the second half of this year, according to a biannual industry survey. The number of people they hire also increased – from 4,400 to nearly 4,800. There has also been no shortage of private equity funding flowing into companies.
These are the findings of the latest “Top 50” blockchain industry report from Crypto Valley Venture Capital (CV VC), Inacta and PwC Strategy&amp;.
The figures fly in the face warnings in the summer that Covid-19 could seriously damage the sector. The fear was that companies in other sectors would shelve or scrap collaborations with blockchain firms and that venture capitalists would pull up the drawbridge and avoid investing in risky ventures.
Above all, many blockchain start-ups looked certain to fall through the gaps of emergency state bail-out loans because they were not yet generating revenues. Zug, the epicentre of the Swiss blockchain scene, even touted a public-private fund for ailing start-ups, but it never got off the ground.
Has Crypto Nation defied the odds and beaten coronavirus? It’s too early to tell. Far fewer firms have gone bust across all industries so far this year compared to 2019. But this is an artificial state of affairs. The state has provided interest free loans, relief from paying bills, short-time working insurance and has given extra time for firms to sort out their difficulties before declaring insolvency.
The Swiss Creditor Association (debt collection union) predicts the dam to burst in the next few months, leading to an increase of up to 60% in the number of bankruptcies by the end of the year. There is some reason to believe that the blockchain sector will be less affected than the likes of tourism and events management.
Fintech and blockchain are being hailed as the solution to some pandemic induced problems. Digital is tipped to fill the social distancing void. Blockchain could reduce wealth inequality. Bitcoin says is the antidote to central banks debasing currencies with their printing machines.
Some investors have retained faith in blockchain during the crisis. Bitcoin Suisse raised $48 million, 4ART Technologies $45 million, METACO $20 million, Crypto Finance $14 million, Near Protocol $12.1 million and Taurus $8 million. The trick now is converting those millions into a return for investors.
The industry continues to attract former political heavyweights to its ranks. CV VC, which doubles as an incubator for blockchain start-ups, has recruited former German government minister Philipp Rössler to its ranks as advisor, alongside ex-Swiss Economics Minister Johann Schneider-Ammann and former Finnish minister Anne Berner.
Blockchain has been in development for more than a decade but it has yet to break through to mass consumers. There are hopes that law changes approved by Swiss parliament in the last few days will help kickstart the transition from niche alternative to mainstream standard.
Switzerland has become the first major global economy to enact a comprehensive set of legal reforms to smooth the path for blockchain adoption. This could help the country import blockchain projects and companies seeking blockchain solutions. Exporting such services around the world may take more time. Although inroads have been made in Asia and the Middle East, the industry is still waiting for Europe and the US to work out how it will regulate blockchain and crypto assets.

 
 
The post How the Crypto Nation Switzerland Dealt with Covid appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/how-the-crypto-nation-switzerland-dealt-with-covid</link><guid>1536</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/SIGN-UP-4.png</dc:content ><dc:text>How the Crypto Nation Switzerland Dealt with Covid</dc:text></item><item><title>The Swiss Fintech Startup Map Welcomes 8 Newcomers in September</title><description><![CDATA[The Swisscom Fintech Startup Map released the new Swiss Fintech Startup Map for September 2020.
Eight new Swiss Fintech Startups have made their way onto the map.

WISEDUP
WISEDUP and its partners operate an ecosystem for real estate (investment) solutions.

ImmoZins
ImmoZins offers property investors three different investment models. Common to all of them is the high level of transparency, for which the start-up company developed its own software, and the assumption of risk. ImmoZins invests in the projects and is 50% co-owner.

aXedras Group
The Bullion Integrity Ledger is the trusted digital network for product and data integrity in the bullion market

Fidectus
Fidectus is a Swiss-based company founded for the purpose of solving the specific problem of electronic settlement matching (eSM) together with and for the European OTC energy trading industry.

Privatam
The Privatam Structured Product Managed Portfolio Service adopts a portfolio approach, as opposed to the traditional ad hoc selection of individual structured notes to provide investors with an efficient and effective way to invest in structured products.

Scrypt Asset Management
Scrypt is a Swiss asset management company with a focus on technology and quantitative investment strategies in Digital Assets. 

PSS AG

Platform Pillar Switzerland (PSS) is an online platform which for the first time enables lenders and every other private investor to benefit from the professional possibilities of a pension fund. For this purpose, PSS offer so-called pension fund strategy funds, which for the first time enable private investors to invest like a pension fund.

radynamics

Founded in 2020, the radynamics falls under the technology cluster for process digitisation /automatisation /robotics in the map. Not much details are available on this startup.
 

It is worth noting that as of now, there is a grand total of 362 Swiss Fintech Startups on Swisscom’s map.
 

The post The Swiss Fintech Startup Map Welcomes 8 Newcomers in September appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-swiss-fintech-startup-map-welcomes-8-newcomers-in-september</link><guid>1534</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Swiss-Fintech-Startup-Map-September-2020.png</dc:content ><dc:text>The Swiss Fintech Startup Map Welcomes 8 Newcomers in September</dc:text></item><item><title>Hypothekarmarkt der Zukunft: WIR Bank kooperiert mit CredEx</title><description><![CDATA[Die WIR Bank setzt ihre Diversifikationsstrategie fort und kooperiert mit der Credit Exchange AG (CredEx). Über das Schweizer Fintech betritt die rein schweizerische Genossenschaftsbank eine digitale Plattform im Hypothekarmarkt der Zukunft.
Claudio Gisler
«Durch die Zusammenarbeit mit CredEx packen wir die Chance, unseren Kunden Finanzierungen zu Konditionen anbieten zu können, die sonst nur Pensionskassen und Versicherungen bieten»,
sagt Claudio Gisler, Leiter Marketing und Produkte der WIR Bank.
Der Schweizer Hypothekarmarkt steht mitten in einer fundamentalen Transformation von analog und digital – die Kooperation zwischen der WIR Bank und CredEx ermöglicht diesen Brückenschlag und schafft für die Kunden unter anderem auch einen finanziellen Mehrwert. Die Verknüpfung von Endkunden, Vertrieb und Kreditgeber bringt für alle mehr Effizienz und Transparenz. «Die WIR Bank etabliert sich mit diesem Schritt als eine Pionierin in der digitalen Gestaltung des zukünftigen Schweizer Hypo-Marktes», erklärt CredEx-Gründer Hanspeter Ackermann.
Das Fintech wurde 2018 als Auktionsplattform lanciert, die Angebot und Nachfrage verknüpft.  Auch die Glarner Kantonalbank arbeitet mit Credex.
Die WIR Bank setzt damit – nach VIAC (digitales Wertschriften-Vorsorgesparen) und Amnis (günstiger Online-Devisenhandel für KMU) – im Bereich der Digitalisierung und Innovation ihre Strategie mit Fintech Beteiligungen und Partnerschaften fort. Weitere Kooperationen mit Schweizer Fintechs seien gemäss WIR Bank in der Pipeline.
The post Hypothekarmarkt der Zukunft: WIR Bank kooperiert mit CredEx appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/hypothekarmarkt-der-zukunft-wir-bank-kooperiert-mit-credex</link><guid>1532</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Hypothekarmarkt der Zukunft: WIR Bank kooperiert mit CredEx</dc:text></item><item><title>Blockchain Nation Switzerland: Verband erhält Innovations-Mandat von Innosuisse</title><description><![CDATA[Die Swiss Blockchain Federation fördert ab 2021 Blockchain-Innovationen. Die schweizerische Agentur für Innovationsförderung Innosuisse hat den sogenannten Innobooster «Blockchain Nation Switzerland» bewilligt. Das Förderprogramm läuft über vier Jahre und involviert Wissenschaft, Grossunternehmen, Startups und Investoren aus der ganzen Schweiz. Damit sollen aus Ideen konkrete Projekte und Unternehmen entstehen, die neue Arbeitsplätze in der Schweiz schaffen.
Aus 64 eingereichten Gesuchen hat Innosuisse zwölf Projekte zur Innovationsförderung bewilligt. Das Gesuch der Swiss Blockchain Federation „Blockchain Nation Switzerland“ fokussiert als einziges auf Blockchain. Das Projekt verfolgt einen neuartigen Ansatz, indem es nicht nur die Kreierung von Ideen fördert. Es hat zum Ziel, direkt Jungunternehmen sowie konkrete Projekte hervorzubringen, die neue Arbeitsplätze schaffen.
Die Swiss Blockchain Federation hat hierfür eine Methodik entwickelt, die überzeugte. Der SBF Innovation Cycle umfasst vier Phasen – Ideation, Hackathon, Incubation und Corporate Innovation &amp; Events – und bindet externe Partner systematisch ein. Das Neuartige am Förderprogramm der Swiss Blockchain Federation ist, dass aus den besten Ideen nach Absolvierung aller Phasen ein Jungunternehmen entsteht oder ein konkretes Projekt, das auf der Blockchain-Technologie basiert und von einem Unternehmen übernommen oder weiterentwickelt wird.
Das Innovationsförderungsprogramm baut einerseits auf dem bestehenden Mitgliedernetzwerk der Swiss Blockchain Federation auf. Zudem setzt es von Anfang an auf eine konsequente Zusammenarbeit mit externem Partner aus der Wissenschaft und Wirtschaft aus allen Landesteilen.
Heinz Tännler
«Wir freuen uns über das uns entgegengebrachte Vertrauen. Der Entscheid von Innosuisse zugunsten unseres Projekts „Blockchain Nation Switzerland“ ist für uns ein weiterer Beweis dafür, wie wichtig die Blockchain-Technologie für die zukünftige Standortattraktivität der Schweiz ist. Nachdem sich die Swiss Blockchain Federation in den letzten beiden Jahren stark für gute Rahmenbedingungen und die zukunftsweisende Blockchain-Gesetzgebung einsetzte, die nächstes Jahr umgesetzt wird, fördern wir nun die Blockchain-Innovationen und sorgen für neue Arbeitsplätze»,
sagt Heinz Tännler, Präsident der Swiss Blockchain Federation und Regierungsrat des Kantons Zug.
Mathias Ruch
«Durch unsere neuartige Methodik, den SBF Innovation Cycle, werden in den kommenden vier Jahre zahlreiche neue Ideen, Projekte und Startups entstehen, die das Blockchain-Ökosystem in der Schweiz und damit das Crypto Valley bereichern»,
meint Mathias Ruch, Vorsitzender des Expert Councils und Board-Member der Swiss Blockchain Federation.
Die Dachorganisation des Schweizer Blockchain-Ökosystems erweitert mit dem Innovationsförderungsmandat von Innosuisse ihren derzeitigen Wirkungsbereich. Dem ursprünglichen Auftrag bleibt sie weiterhin treu. Die Swiss Blockchain Federation setzt sich ungebrochen für die bestmöglichen Rahmenbedingungen des Blockchain-Standorts Schweiz ein, um so die Attraktivität und die Konkurrenzfähigkeit zu erhalten und auszubauen. Ein besonderer Fokus liegt dabei auf der Begleitung des Bundesgesetzes zur Verbesserung der Rahmenbedingungen für Blockchain/DLT.
The post Blockchain Nation Switzerland: Verband erhält Innovations-Mandat von Innosuisse appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/blockchain-nation-switzerland-verband-erhalt-innovations-mandat-von-innosuisse</link><guid>1533</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Blockchain Nation Switzerland: Verband erhält Innovations-Mandat von Innosuisse</dc:text></item><item><title>Wealthtech Spending to Reach US$24B Annually by 2023</title><description><![CDATA[With COVID-19 accelerating digital transformation, wealth managers are expected to increase tech spending to reach approximately US$24 billion annually by 2023, according to a new research by Celent, the tech advisory arm of Oliver Wyman.
By the end of 2020, the wealth management industry is projected to spend US$21.4 billion on tech, and the figure is set to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5% year-over-year (YoY) until 2023.
But before wealth management firms ramp up tech spending, they will need to recover from decreased revenues induced by COVID-19, meaning that accelerated tech spending won’t kick in before mid-2021, the report says.
Among the top priorities areas of investment, the report names hybrid advice experiences, digital onboarding, cybersecurity, robotic process automation (RPA) and workflow management, biometric authentication, chatbots, and cloud migration.
COVID-19 is Redefining the Tech Investment Roadmap, Source: Wealth Management Technology Forecast 2020-2023, Celent, August 2020
Wirehouses, full-service broker-dealers ranging from small regional brokerages to large institutions, will continue to be the biggest spenders when it comes to tech spending, accounting for 37% of overall IT spending by 2023. After wirehouses, independents will account for 17%, a 5.5% increase compared with 2020, the report says. Out of the total IT budgets by 2023, 58% will go towards external software and services.
Impact on COVID-19 on wealth management
COVID-19 and social distancing measures are substantially transforming how investors and financial advisors collaborate.
According to a recent survey by fintech firm Broadridge Financial Solutions, over half (57%) of investors said communications with their advisor had changed in some way in light of new stay-at-home mandates. 62% of those who reported a change in mode of communication said they would entirely or partially maintain their new methods after the pandemic ends, implying that the consumer behavior changes instigated by COVID-19 are here to stay.
A key finding from the study was that social media has become key to connecting with younger generations. 86% of Gen Z and 87% and Millennials said they were comfortable having advisor follow them on social media to offer a more customized experience.
Facebook was found to be the most popular social media platform for Millennials (66%), Gen X (46%) and Baby Boomers (15%) to interact with their financial advisors through social media. Meanwhile, Gen Z said they preferred Instagram (53%).
Interacting with wealth customers through social media, Source: Broadridge Financial Solutions survey, July 2020
Many experts and industry observers believe that COVID-19 will bring hybrid robo-advisory services to the mainstream. Though wealthtech startups like Betterment and Wealthfront have gained notable traction over the past years, the market volatility and uncertainty brought in by COVID-19 have shown that investors still want relationships with human advisors.
A new survey by fintech management company Diaman Partners found that since the beginning of COVID-19, investors have lost trust in using robo-advisors. The study, which surveyed more than 1,000 investors in the UK, found that the preferred solution was actually a hybrid advice model (40%).
The post Wealthtech Spending to Reach US$24B Annually by 2023 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/wealthtech-spending-to-reach-us24b-annually-by-2023</link><guid>1531</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/COVID-19-is-Redefining-the-Tech-Investment-Roadmap-Source-Wealth-Management-Technology-Forecast-2020-2023-Celent-August-2020.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Wealthtech Spending to Reach US$24B Annually by 2023</dc:text></item><item><title>Ingnorieren auf eigene Gefahr… Bitcoin und Blockchain wirklich verstehen</title><description><![CDATA[Wir haben uns bei swisspeers seit 2017 mit dem Thema Blockchain im Kreditgeschäft auseinandergesetzt. Für das Peer-to-Peer Lending birgt die Technologie Chancen. Kredite lassen sich tokenisieren und hoch automatisiert abwickeln und handeln. Wir haben erste Kreditgeschäfte 2018 über die Ethereum-Blockchain verwalten lassen. Noch steckt die blockchain-basierte Kreditabwicklung in den Kinderschuhen, doch dürfte sie in Zukunft zum Standard gehören.
Der Grund, dass wir von dieser Zukunft noch immer weit entfernt sind: Das Wissen zur Blockchain-Technologie und all ihren Facetten ist noch nicht weit verbreitet.

Ein Buch, das diese Lücke meines Erachtens einfach verständlich schliesst, trägt den süffigen Titel «Ignorieren auf eigene Gefahr – die neue dezentrale Welt von Bitcoin und Blockchain».
Verständliche Beleuchtung aus verschiedensten Winkeln
Das Buch wird der Komplexität des Themas sehr ausgewogen gerecht, und ist dabei verständlich geschrieben, ohne in technische Details oder Fachjargon abzugleiten. Die Autoren haben es verstanden, die Idee, das Wesen sowie die Perspektiven dieser neuen dezentralen Welt in all ihren Facetten auszuleuchten:

Ökonomik
Informatik
Philosophie oder
Psychologie

werden tangiert und mit dem Kryptothema in Relation gesetzt. Diese Interdisziplinarität erschliesst neue Zusammenhänge und befruchtet den Geist.
Blockchain, Bitcoin und die Kryptowelt aus verschiedensten Winkeln beleuchtet
Auf dem Weg zu einem besseren Verständnis der Thematik führt einem das Werk:

durch die Geldgeschichte,
entziffert kryptisch anmutendes Wissen aus dem Bereich der Kryptografie,
skizziert Anreizstrukturen aus dem Gebiet der Spieltheorie,
stellt Gedanken zur Institutionsökonomie an oder
behandelt rechtsphilosophische Aspekte der Vertragstheorie.

Als Mutter aller Kryptowährungen nimmt Bitcoin den grössten Teil ein. Doch auch andere Konzepte wie Ethereum, Stablecoins, Libra, Tokenisierung, Blockchain, Smart Contracts oder Privacycoins werden erläutert. In diesem Sinne ist das Buch für Bitcoiner, Altcoiner, Kryptoskeptiker sowie Blockchain-Neulinge gleichermassen geeignet.
Antworten auf brennende Fragen
Als sachliche und ideologiefreie Abhandlung fördert das Buch die Erkenntnis zu einer Reihe relevanter Fragen:

Wie soll eine Sache als Geld funktionieren können, wo diese Sache doch in ihrem Angebot beschränkt ist und daher deflationär wirkt?
Kann nicht-staatlich verordnetes Privatgeld überhaupt existieren?
Warum sollen vertrauenswürdige Institutionen ein Sicherheitsrisiko darstellen?
Sind die Geburtsfehler unseres heutigen Internets zu beheben?
Erleben wir gerade den Aufstieg des souveränen Individuums?
Weshalb soll unser heutiges Finanzsystem sozial zu wenig skalierbar sein?
Und kann eine nicht physisch greifbare Sache, die in keinerlei industrielle Verwendung findet, überhaupt einen realen Wert haben?
Ist Bitcoin gar die Grundstruktur für ein neues Finanzsystem?

In all diesen Fragen liefert die Lektüre zwar keine pfannenfertigen Antworten, dafür aber spannende Voten, Gedanken und Perspektiven.
Kryptocomic inklusive
Die Lektüre ist in vielerlei Hinsicht eine augenöffnende Angelegenheit. Neben intellektueller Neugier verlangt sie eine Offenheit im Denken ab. Dafür wird man auch mit spassigen Comics belohnt, die in Fortsetzung vor jedem Kapitel erscheinen und die Entstehung der Kryptowelt auf eine ganz eigene Weise interpretieren.
Abbildung: Innovativ &#8211; Buch mit Comicbegleitung
So erzählt der Comics die fiktive Geschichte vom Journalisten Kali und Entwickler Jay, die mithilfe des digitalen Orakels Eva in die dezentrale Kryptowelt eintauchen. Auf ihrer Reise begegnen ihnen bekannte Persönlichkeiten der Szene. Diese erklären ihnen die neue Technologie, deren Vorzüge und Tücken. Je länger sich Kali und Jay mit Bitcoin, Ethereum und der Blockchain herumschlagen, desto begeisterter sind sie. Sehr zum Verdruss von Lord IB von Kratz und Herbert, die die aufstrebende Kryptobewegung mit allen Mitteln bekämpfen. Bis es zum Showdown kommt&#8230;
Warum also sollten Sie dieses Buch auf keinen Fall ignorieren?
Wie die Autoren zeigen, stellt die neue dezentrale Welt eine ernstzunehmende Entwicklung dar. So verdichtet sich beim Lesen der Eindruck, dass wer dem Thema Bitcoin, Blockchain und Kryptoassets bislang keine Beachtung geschenkt hat und sie auch weiterhin ignoriert, Gefahr läuft, eine der wohl spannendsten Entwicklungen unserer Zeit zu verpassen.
Noch steht die Entwicklung von Kryptoassets und dezentralen Blockchains ganz am Anfang. Um den Zug also nicht zu verpassen, sollte man jetzt einsteigen. Die Lektüre dieses Buches dürfte einem dabei eine grosse Hilfe sein.
 
Dieser Artikel erschien zuerst auf  dem blog.swisspeers.ch
The post Ingnorieren auf eigene Gefahr&#8230; Bitcoin und Blockchain wirklich verstehen appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ingnorieren-auf-eigene-gefahr-bitcoin-und-blockchain-wirklich-verstehen</link><guid>1530</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/blockchain_swisspeers-1024x696.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Ingnorieren auf eigene Gefahr… Bitcoin und Blockchain wirklich verstehen</dc:text></item><item><title>Credit Suisse Tries to Challenge Neobanks</title><description><![CDATA[Credit Suisse has entered the challenger banking race with its plans to launch CSX and CSX Young, a digital banking offering at the end of October 2020.
CSX claims to combine the flexibility and cost effectiveness of a digital bank with a range of services and expertise offered by Credit Suisse as an established full-service bank with Swiss roots.
New CSX banking service for digitally savvy clients
The new banking offering includes a private account in CHF, a Debit Mastercard for online use that waives foreign transaction fees, and an app with various self-service functions. Even the onboarding process can supposedly be completed swiftly and easily right from the app.
For Credit Suisse clients who want to complete all of their banking business digitally, the CSX and CSX Young services are available free of charge. Clients who regularly withdraw cash from Credit Suisse ATMs can select the &#8220;Premium Black Debit Mastercard&#8221; option for CHF 3.95 per month to keep costs low.
The CSX app will gradually be expanded in the next few months to include new features, including those relating to investments, pensions and mortgages.
There will also be a digital financial planner to help clients gain an overview of their financial situation and identify any gaps in their pension, among other functions.
From mid-November, a fully digital investment solution will be part of the services available on the CSX app. Mortgage clients will be able to obtain new financing directly in the app, together with features such as extensions of existing mortgage tranches.
Anke Bridge Haux
Anke Bridge Haux, Head of Digital Banking Credit Suisse (Switzerland) explained,
&#8220;CSX combines Credit Suisse offering and quality in an app. CSX is intended for all private clients in Switzerland who want to complete their banking business swiftly and easily and who value digital, professional financial advice. Of course, we are still available to serve our clients in person. CSX clients can decide for themselves how they want to interact with us, depending on their individual needs.&#8221;
Reimagined branch concept &#8211; Digital Bar
Credit Suisse has created a new branch concept called the &#8220;Digital Bar,&#8221; which is to be rolled out at all locations in the future. Branch employees offer clients an introduction to the digital world of banking and provide an individual, interactive form of personal advice.
For more complex topics, specialists can take part in personal client consultations directly via video-conferencing. The new branch concept will also feature co-working spaces, multimedia group rooms and an event zone at certain locations.
Credit Suisse will not only use these spaces itself but will also allow third parties to book them for meetings and will, for example, make them available for start-up events. The new modular concept in the branches can be tailored to local requirements, allowing the bank to flexibly meet client needs in each location.
With the launch of this new digital offering and new branch concept, Credit Suisse has enhanced its range of services and attempt to meet its clients&#8217; need for straightforward banking solutions combined with reliable, personal advice.
The post Credit Suisse Tries to Challenge Neobanks appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/credit-suisse-tries-to-challenge-neobanks</link><guid>1529</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Credit Suisse Tries to Challenge Neobanks</dc:text></item><item><title>New BIS Working Paper Looks at State of Central Bank Digital Currency Projects Around the World</title><description><![CDATA[A new working paper by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) looks at the state of central bank digital currency (CBDC) projects around the world.
According to the study, as of mid-July 2020, at least 36 central banks had published retail or wholesale CBDC work.
At least three countries, namely Ecuador, Ukraine and Uruguay, had completed a retail CBDC pilot, and six retail CBDC pilots were ongoing in the Bahamas, Cambodia, China, the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union, South Korea, and Sweden, the research found.
Meanwhile, 18 central banks had published research on retail CBDCs, and another 13 had announced research or development work on a wholesale CBDC, the paper says.
CBDC projects status, Source: Rise of the central bank digital currencies: drivers, approaches and technologies, Bank for International Settlements, August 2020
The research found that retail CBDC projects were more advanced in jurisdictions with high innovation capacity and larger informal economies.
Wholesale CBDC projects, on the other hand, are more advanced in economies that have higher financial development, which could reflect the focus of most of them being on increasing the efficiency of wholesale settlement.
Wholesale CBDCs are restricted to serve a limited circle, mostly financial institutions, while retail CBDCs are to be widely available to the general public.
But what all CBDC projects have in common is that none of the initiatives studied intends to replace cash but rather complement it.
In China, a highly digitized economy with widespread use of private digital payment services, the planned CBDC aims to provide a convenient complement to cash for use in online transactions.
It also seeks to bring more diversity to the current mobile payments duopoly of Alipay and WeChat Pay, which collectively control 94% of the local mobile payments market. China’s Digital Currency and Electronic Payment (DC/EP) project is currently the most advanced CBDC project right now, the report says.
Another advanced CBDC project is the e-krona project in Sweden. Sweden, another highly digitized economy where cash use has been on the decline for years, is currently developing a proof-of-concept of the e-krona project, which is intended as a complement to cash as well.
Accelerating CBDC development
The COVID-19 pandemic and the social distancing measures put in place to prevent the spread of the virus have sped up the shift toward digital payments and accelerated the development of CBDC.
Most recently, the Bank of Korea moved to a more technical phase in its push to develop a CBDC. It is now seeking a consulting partnership to bring the second phase of its CBDC plan to fruition, the Korea Times reported in late-August 2020.
In Brazil, the central bank is aiming to develop a CBDC by 2022. And in Europe, the European Central Bank (ECB) formed a taskforce in early 2020 to explore what a digital euro would look like.
To tap into the CBDC frenzy, MasterCard announced earlier this week the launch a new CBDC testing platform for central banks to assess and explore national digital currencies. The platform enables the simulation of issuance, distribution and exchange of CBDCs between banks, financial service providers and consumers.
The post New BIS Working Paper Looks at State of Central Bank Digital Currency Projects Around the World appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-bis-working-paper-looks-at-state-of-central-bank-digital-currency-projects-around-the-world</link><guid>1528</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/CBDC-projects-status-Source-Rise-of-the-central-bank-digital-currencies-drivers-approaches-and-technologies.png</dc:content ><dc:text>New BIS Working Paper Looks at State of Central Bank Digital Currency Projects Around the World</dc:text></item><item><title>ETH Zürich Professors Release Proposal For Swiss Digital Currency Called eFranc</title><description><![CDATA[Professors from ETH Zürich are proposing the formation of a non-interest-bearing central bank digital currency (CBDC) called &#8220;eFranc&#8221;.
Hans Gersbach (Professor for Macroeconomics &#8211; Innovation and Policy) and Roger Wattenhofer (Professor at the Distributed Computing Group) suggested amending the current monetary system in Switzerland by creating a CBDC that is accessible to the public.
The eFranc will be a digital form of banknotes, a currency that would be held and traded on a distributed ledger for decentralised transaction validation. It would be an accepted form of legal tender and would be introduced as follows &#8211; the eFranc to be created by the Swiss National Bank (SNB) and commercial banks could obtain it from the SNB against eligible collateral or banknotes.
After an introductory period, there would be free conversion of eFrancs to bank deposits and banknotes and vice versa, subject to the commercial bank’s ability to acquire the corresponding amount of eFrancs from the SNB.
Advantages of eFranc
Hans Gersbach and Roger Wattenhofer see several advantages in the introduction of eFranc where it would complement the Swiss monetary system by a digital form of legal tender for the public that is safe and default-free.
Also, an eFranc that is solely controlled by SNB would thus enhance money creation discipline and help to keep the Swiss currency stable when the use of banknotes as a medium of exchange declines.
It would also reduce the costs associated with printing, storing, distributing, and protecting physical banknotes.
In addition to that, it could ensure high levels of anonymity, close to the level provided by banknotes, as tracing transactions back would only be possible in very few, legally well-defined circumstances dictated by money-laundering laws.
Lastly, its transaction system could be entirely separate from the existing payment system, representing a secure parallel payment infrastructure if the present infrastructure should defaulting. The so-called &#8220;smart contracts&#8221; feasible with a blockchain would permit the automatic execution of contract clauses.
With regard to technical implementation, the professors suggest a two-layer system. The first (base) layer should be a permissioned asynchronous blockchain without consensus providing a secure environment for validating transactions.
The second (top) layer would provide a peer-to-peer payment network. Together, these two layers would sustain an eFranc that complies with the principles of security, throughput, accessibility, low cost, and programmability.
Establishing a functioning blockchain infrastructure takes time. Moreover, concern for financial stability necessitates a step-by-step integration of the eFranc into the monetary system.
But the introduction of the eFranc will ensure that the Swiss monetary system can continue to function well at the cutting edge of technological and economic developments in the 21st century.
This suggestion is based on Hans Gersbach&#8217;s and Roger Wattenhofer&#8217;s corresponding policy paper.
 
Featured image: Edited from Unsplash
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/eth-zurich-professors-release-proposal-for-swiss-digital-currency-called-efranc</link><guid>1527</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/efranc-1-1024x483.png</dc:content ><dc:text>ETH Zürich Professors Release Proposal For Swiss Digital Currency Called eFranc</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Document Processing Startup Turicode Raises CHF 2.2 Million in Seed Round</title><description><![CDATA[Winterthur based Document processing startup turicode has secured CHF 2.2 million during a seed investment round to fund the company’s growth plans.
Swiss Startup Group, SeedX, BackBone Ventures, Gentian Investments and experienced business angels participated in the financing round.. turicode is a Software-as-a-Service provider in the field of document processing solutions based on machine learning and deep learning.
turicode’s software MINT.extract helps companies and their employees to digitise document-intensive business processes. Founded in 2016, the Winterthur-based tech startup has developed a software technology that reads and understands documents such as PDFs, scans or emails like humans do.
Martin Keller
“After bootstrapping turicode to a company with 20 employees and building up a trusted customer base, we achieved a level where customers are able to save costs and time instantly. The focus is therefore now on accelerating growth. Hence, we will use the funds for market expansion and further invest into product development and customer success,”
said Martin Keller, Co-Founder and CEO of turicode.

 
 
Featured image: (From Left to Right) Martin Keller (CEO), Benjamin von Deschwanden (COO), Aaron Richiger (Head Machine Learning), Patrick Emmisberger (CTO)
The post Swiss Document Processing Startup Turicode Raises CHF 2.2 Million in Seed Round appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-document-processing-startup-turicode-raises-chf-22-million-in-seed-round</link><guid>1525</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Document Processing Startup Turicode Raises CHF 2.2 Million in Seed Round</dc:text></item><item><title>Zurich Emerges as Data Center Hotspot in Europe</title><description><![CDATA[Zurich is emerging as a hotpot for data center development in Europe. The city is on track to becoming one of Europe’s top ten largest data center markets within the next five to ten years, according to a new study by consulting firm Cushman &amp; Wakefield.
In its European Secondary Markets: The Growth Story for the Next Decade report, Cushman &amp; Wakefield looks at data center development across Europe and identifies new locations foreseen to join in as the region’s biggest data center hubs.
According to the study, the computing capacity of all data centers in the greater Zurich area currently stands at 62 megawatts but is expected to nearly double to 117 megawatts within the next decade, presenting a 89% increase.
A major financial center and the largest city in Switzerland, Zurich has a thriving data center market with a mix of global operators (Equinix, Colt), pan-European firms (Interxion, NTT’s e-shelter) and local firms (three locations for Green Datacenter, among others), the report says.
Last year, both Google Cloud and Microsoft opened the doors to their data center regions in Switzerland – the former in Zurich, the ladder in both Zurich and Geneva. US computer technology firm Oracle has been ramping up its global data centers capabilities, launching in 2019 new facilities in Zurich, but also Sydney, Sao Paolo, and Mumbai.
US pure-play wholesale data center leader Vantage Data Centers has embarked into a US$2 billion expansion push into Europe with plans to develop hyperscale data center campuses in Berlin (64 megawatts), Frankfurt (55 megawatts), Milan (32 megawatts), Warsaw (64 megawatts) and Zurich (40 megawatts).
According to the Cushman &amp; Wakefield research, Zurich will be recording the fifth strongest growth among the secondary data center markets in Europe after Berlin (+342%), Reykjavik (+308%), Olso (+150%) and Warsaw (+100%).
Europe’s data center market
In Europe, data center development had been centered around the so-called FLAP markets: Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam and Paris, before expanding to FLAP-D with the addition of Dublin. These five locations currently lead the market and over 500 megawatts of construction is still underway, the Cushman &amp; Wakefield research says.
The emergence of the five new locations comes at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is accelerating companies’ digital transformation and changing working patterns.
In Europe, the data center market is forecast to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 15% between 2020 and 2024 to reach US$70.95 billion, fueled by increasing adoption of cloud-based storage services, according to research by Technavio.
The International Data Corporation (IDC) estimates that investment in infrastructure as a service (IaaS) across European organizations will grow by 21.4% year on year in 2020 on the back of rising demand for cloud computing.
 
Featured image credit: Unsplash
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/zurich-emerges-as-data-center-hotspot-in-europe</link><guid>1526</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Zurich Emerges as Data Center Hotspot in Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 17 Swiss Fintech Startups 2020</title><description><![CDATA[The 10th-anniversary edition of Venturelab&#8217;s Top 100 Swiss Startup Award has been released where the award show was live-streamed for the first time.
The 100 most innovative and promising Swiss startups are picked by a panel of 100 leading investors and startup experts. Each one nominates 10 Swiss startups that are less than five years old and show the greatest commercial potential.
Among the 17 fintech companies that made the list this year, seven of them are new additions while the rest had already been named last year.
Here are the fintechs that made the Top 100 Swiss Startups 2020 list:
#11 – Ledgy
 

Description from Top100startups.swiss and Crunchbase:
Ledgy is an online share register platform that can manage companies’ employees incentive plans, model the next financing round, and send reports to their investors. The platform brings together all stakeholders of a cap table. Employees can see how many shares they have already vested, investors can track their portfolio performance. Consistency-checks guarantee that a company’s cap table is error-free, at any time in the company’s history.
#16 – Crypto Finance

Description from Top100startups.swiss:
Crypto Finance provides blockchain-related services through its three subsidiaries:

Crypto Fund AG (Asset Management), a FINMA-regulated asset manager in Switzerland for crypto asset funds;
Crypto Broker AG, which provides crypto prime and agency brokerage and compliance services to qualified and institutional investors, offering professional, 24/7 crypto trading services; and
Crypto Storage AG, which offers proprietary infrastructure solutions for financial intermediaries and professional entities to enable top-tier storage for digital assets.

#19 – Skribble

Description from Skribble:
Skribble, founded in March 2018, is a Swiss provider of electronic signatures with offices in Zurich (CH) and Karlsruhe (DE). The startup enables electronic documents to be signed simply and legally. The basis is the “qualified electronic signature” (QES) – the only form of electronic signature equivalent to a handwritten signature before the law. Swisscom supplies the state-approved certification technology for QES. Existing customers include the Canton of Fribourg. Skribble has 14 employees.
#23 – Loanboox
Description from Top100startups.swiss:
Loanboox, the Swiss Fintech Award winner of 2018, is an independent debt capital market platform. Loanboox offers the leading online platform for big ticket loans, with the mission to make financing and investing simpler, more transparent, more secure and reduces costs. Its clients are public-sector authorities, banks, large corporations and institutional investors.
Loanboox is active in four countries, Switzerland, Germany, Austria and France, and has recorded more than 26 billion Swiss francs being requested through its platform since going live in 2016, 1,500 active borrowers and 400 lenders.
#24 – PriceHubble
Description from Top100startups.swiss:
PriceHubble is a proptech company set to radically improve the understanding and transparency of real estate markets based on data-driven insights. PriveHubble aims to enable smarter real estate decisions by bringing the latest in machine learning, big data analytics and ultra-convenient data visualization to market participants along the entire real estate value chain.
#28 – PXL Vision

Description from Top100startups.swiss:
PXL Vision provides a technology platform for secure identity verification and the creation and management of trustable digital identities.
In the US$20 billion identity verification market, PXL offers highest security, full automation and a customizable, yet highly scalable SaaS solution, based on machine learning and computer vision.
The company was founded by former key people of Dacuda AG after the exit to Magic Leap. Within just two years of foundation, PXL has created a significant footprint in the industry and won 10+ significant customers, including Sunrise and SwissSign with the SwissID.
#33 – Neon

Description from Top100startups.swiss and Neon:
Neon is an app-based mobile banking solution, in which users can open a bank account and get a free Mastercard.
In September last year, Neon had closed its Series A funding round with by raising 5 million CHF where lead investor Tamedia, also Zurich-based Backbone Ventures and several existing investors increased their engagement in Neon.
More recently in August this year, the Helvetia Venture Fund invested and holds a stake in neon, its first fintech investment, following a past partnership between the two entities.
#35 – Yova

Description from Top100startups.swiss:
Yova is a digital platform for investing with a sustainability impact. Their customers can invest directly into companies that help to solve global problems, eg by fighting climate change or by promoting human rights. All investments are professionally diversified portfolios that are designed for an attractive financial return.
#39 – Yokoy

 
Description from Yokoy Linkedin:
Yokoy enables companies to automate their expense and credit card processes using artificial intelligence. The entire process from the photo to the correct booking and payment to the employees is thus possible in a few clicks.
#45 – Apiax
Description from Top100startups.swiss:
Apiax is a regtech pioneer, headquartered in Zurich. The company’s vision is to become a digital lighthouse in a regulated world by making compliance lean, easy and efficient.
With the team’s in-depth understanding of the needs of the financial service industry and by combining comprehensive legal and compliance expertise with state-of-the-art technology, the company helps clients to transform complex regulations into easy-to-use digital compliance rules. This results in unfrozen resources that empower clients to focus on their core business and to always be at the forefront of the competition by delivering digital innovations.
#46 – Futurae Technologies

Description from Top100startups.swiss:
Futurae founded by Sandra Tobler, Claudio Marforio and Nikos Karapanos, provides a strong two-factor authentication (2FA) suite that offers a high level of security to businesses and individuals to protect their accounts and sensitive user data, while at the same time improving the customer experience.
The 2FA suite is developed by two PhDs from the System Security Group of ETH Zurich. The technology behind Futurae products has been tested and challenged by the best cybersecurity researchers of the world.
#58 – Archilyse
 

Description from Top100startups.swiss:
Archilyse makes architecture and real estate quality measurable, comparable and understandable for everybody. Our software-as-a-service solution processes real estate data into a variety of analytical results. Thus, Archilyse provides holistic, qualitative insights and support real estate decision-makers in digitising, evaluating and optimising properties and in simplifying processes in the planning and management of real estate. Unique simulations provide in-depth understanding of an object’s quality in terms of position (sun, views, location, noise) and functionality (floor plan quality). All digital, automated, saving cost, time and CO2-emissions.
#64 – Legartis

Description from Top100startups.swiss:
Legartis is a Swiss legaltech startup. The startup provides an artificial intelligence (AI)-based solution to make legal document analysis convenient and efficient by allowing companies to identify, classify and understand contracts within seconds.
#77 – Instimatch Global

Description from Top100startups.swiss:
Instimatch Global is a cash deposits trading platform that allows short-term liquidity to circulate more efficiently between institutional borrowers and lenders. The platform significantly increases transparency and the number of available counterparties for treasurers. Instimatch Global, as a result, provides crucial innovation in an important part of finance, which up to now has relied on outdated processes. With its offering, it is on an impressive global expansion and growth trajectory.
#86 – Sygnum

Description from Top100startups.swiss:
Sygnum is the world’s first digital asset bank. With its Swiss banking and securities dealer license, as well as its capital markets services license in Singapore
#87 – Taurus
Description from Top100startups.swiss:
Taurus is a Swiss-based company specialized in digital assets and distributed ledger technology. Taurus aims at building one of the first regulated digital asset exchanges for securities.
#95 – Sonect

Description from Top100startups.swiss:
Sonect provides a platform that makes financial services easily accessible from anywhere. Through Sonect, every cash register can become an ATM, and thanks to its mobile app, cash withdrawals are simpler, faster, and more cost-efficient.
The post Top 17 Swiss Fintech Startups 2020 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-17-swiss-fintech-startups-2020</link><guid>1524</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Top 17 Swiss Fintech Startups 2020</dc:text></item><item><title>BEKB Is Creating an Ecosystem for Tokenised Assets</title><description><![CDATA[In the coming months, Berner Kantonalbank (BEKB), together with daura and other ecosystem partners, will develop a technological infrastructure for the transaction and management of tokenised assets. Corresponding letters of intent were signed on September 9, 2020.
For over fifteen years, BEKB has operated the fully electronic trading platform OTC-X, in the field of unlisted securities from Swiss SMEs. Last December, the bank expressed its intention to integrate its knowledge and network as OTC-X operator into an ecosystem, thereby opening up corporate and investment clients with an innovative trading platform solution based on a blockchain technology. In autumn 2019, feasibility across the entire process chain was proven by means of digital asset tokens as part of a proof of concept in collaboration with partners BEKB, Sygnum Bank and daura.
Blockchain technology increases efficiency
In future, it will be possible to issue and transfer shares as digital asset rights (asset tokens) on a blockchain. This distributed ledger technology will bring about significant increases in efficiency in the processing of securities transactions and automated ledger management.
Through this project, BEKB intends to facilitate the trading of second-tier stocks in this new technological environment. Its focus continues to be on the trade of unlisted securities from Swiss SMEs.
To setting up this new system, Berner Kantonalbank chose daura as its partner to manage share registers on the blockchain and tokenise the shares. In addition, BEKB has signed a letter of intent with Hypothekarbank Lenzburg (HBL) to use the blockchain technology of the Finstar open banking platform developed by Hypothekarbank Lenzburg for the safekeeping of digital assets (see today&#8217;s HBL press release).
An important step forward for Switzerland’s digital asset ecosystem
Armin Brun
«The solution we are offering will map the entire process chain, from the issue and trade to the custody of tokenised assets, on blockchain technology. We are convinced that what we have created constitutes an integrated solution fit for the future»,
says Armin Brun, CEO of BEKB.
The modules are technically integrated via an open interface architecture. The organised trading system is scheduled for launch in the first half of 2021.
 
Featured image: edited from Unsplash
The post BEKB Is Creating an Ecosystem for Tokenised Assets appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bekb-is-creating-an-ecosystem-for-tokenised-assets</link><guid>1523</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>BEKB Is Creating an Ecosystem for Tokenised Assets</dc:text></item><item><title>German Security Company Giesecke+Devrient Invests in Netcetera</title><description><![CDATA[Munich-based security technology group Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) announced its investment in Netcetera, a Swiss software company that provides secure digital payments.
With this partnership, the two companies aim to use synergies in their portfolio to further strengthen their innovation and tap into the international growth potential.
Netcetera and G+D entered the strategic partnership in August 2020, where G+D will become a shareholder with its investment.
Details of the funding had not been disclosed and is subject to approval by the antitrust authorities. The funds are said to be used to accelerate Netcetera’s business growth and global expansion.
In addition, the Munich group expands its portfolio of solutions by deploying Netcetera&#8217;s software tools to secure transactions. By joining forces, both companies want to serve the growing demand for digital security together.
Ralf Wintergerst, Group CEO at G+D said,
Ralf Wintergerst
&#8220;Netcetera looks back on an impressive business development. We see many connecting factors in our respective portfolios. Therefore, we are convinced that both companies will benefit greatly from this involvement. Together with Netcetera we want to enhance our portfolio with supplemental innovative software products for digital payment.&#8221;
Mike Franz
Mike Franz, founder and member of Netcetera&#8217;s Board of Directors, added,
&#8220;As a founding member I am very pleased to have been involved in Netcetera&#8217;s positive development for over 24 years. The partnership with G+D is another milestone in this success story.&#8221;
 
 
Featured image: (Left) Andrej Vckovski President of the Board of Directors at Netcetera , (Right) Ralf Wintergerst, Group CEO at G+D
The post German Security Company Giesecke+Devrient Invests in Netcetera appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/german-security-company-gieseckedevrient-invests-in-netcetera</link><guid>1520</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>German Security Company Giesecke+Devrient Invests in Netcetera</dc:text></item><item><title>Key4 by UBS Launches at Swiss Fintech Fair 2020</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss Fintech Fair on the 7th and 8th September this year pivoted to have a fully digital gathering this year due to the COVID-19 situation.
The organizer claimed that approximately 1,000 attendees and 80 exhibitors tuned in to hear from more than 50 speakers during 20 web sessions and 18 keynote videos.
The fair&#8217;s main partner UBS had also actively participated with three of their representative speakers talking about bancassurance as well as multibanking. Furthermore they also presented the “Key4 by UBS” which is a new platform for mortgage, home and living.




In addition, the online event platform featured virtual booths, fully digital web sessions and video talks as well as professional networking thanks to an AI-based matchmaking solution. The concept was said to have been embraced by the international fintech community and generated great interest outside of Switzerland.
The fair participants scheduled an average of 5.4 virtual meetings per attendee on both event days. The record-holder is a visitor who chalked up a total of 28 one-on-one meetings. Altogether the platform recorded over 6,000 of such interactions claiming that there were minimal tech issues faced.
The post Key4 by UBS Launches at Swiss Fintech Fair 2020 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/key4-by-ubs-launches-at-swiss-fintech-fair-2020</link><guid>1521</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/SFFdigital-key4-by-UBS_-The-mortgage-game-changer-4-28-screenshot-1024x576.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Key4 by UBS Launches at Swiss Fintech Fair 2020</dc:text></item><item><title>Digitalisierung von KMU Geschäftsprozessen: GLKB Intergriert Swiss21 im E-Banking</title><description><![CDATA[Die Glarner Kantonalbank (GLKB) bindet die Business Software Swiss21 an das GLKB e-Banking an. Die Schnittstelle zu Swiss21 steht den Kundinnen und Kunden der GLKB ab sofort zur Verfügung. Mit der Software der Swiss21.org AG können KMU ihre Geschäftsprozesse digitalisieren.
Mit der Swiss21.org AG kann die Glarner Kantonalbank einen weiteren Business-Software-Anbieter an ihr e-Banking anbinden. Durch die Zusammenarbeit ermöglicht sie ihren Kundinnen und Kunden, den administrativen Aufwand zu reduzieren. Die Zahlungseingänge und -ausgänge können mit der Softwarelösung von Swiss21 automatisiert verbucht werden. Mit der Anbindung an das e-Banking wird eine Trennung von Erfassung und Freigabe der Zahlungsaufträge möglich. So kann die Effizienz deutlich erhöht werden und es bleibt mehr Zeit für das Kerngeschäft.
Banking und Buchhaltung mit Überblick
KMU-Kunden der Glarner Kantonalbank können ihre Konten ab sofort mit der Business Software von Swiss21 verbinden. Aus dem e-Banking werden Konten- und Zahlungsdaten per Knopfdruck in die Buchhaltungslösung von Swiss21 übernommen und mit den offenen Buchhaltungspositionen abgeglichen. Zahlungen werden direkt ins e-Banking übermittelt und können dort freigegeben werden. Zahlungseingänge von Kunden werden erkannt und automatisch verbucht. Durch den systemautomatischen Abgleich und die Verbuchung der Transaktionen erzielen die KMU einen wertvollen Effizienzgewinn.
Über Swiss21.org können nebst diversen Buchhaltungslösungen auch Offerten und Rechnungen erstellt werden, Marketing und Verkauf werden unterstützt und auch ein Online-Shop oder eine Point of Sale-Lösung mit Online-Kasse stehen zur Verfügung. Die Grundversion ist kostenlos und kann um Zusatzmodule für fortgeschrittene Bedürfnisse erweitert werden.
 
Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digitalisierung-von-kmu-geschaftsprozessen-glkb-intergriert-swiss21-im-e-banking</link><guid>1522</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Digitalisierung von KMU Geschäftsprozessen: GLKB Intergriert Swiss21 im E-Banking</dc:text></item><item><title>Schweizerische Post übernimmt Klara Business</title><description><![CDATA[Bereits seit Mai 2018 ist die Post an der Klara Business AG mit Sitz in Luzern beteiligt. Die Firma ist vor allem durch ihren digitalen Assistenten KLARA bekannt, mit welchem sie Schweizer KMU und Privathaushalte bei der Vereinfachung der Administration hilft.
KLARA automatisiert administrative Abläufe von KMU vollumfänglich und verknüpft sämtliche Unternehmensbereiche auf einer einheitlichen Datenbasis. KLARA ist seit 2017 am Markt. Nun erhöht die Post ihren Anteil von knapp 9 Prozent auf 50,1 Prozent und übernimmt damit die Aktienmehrheit. Die Post ist überzeugt von der Zusammenarbeit mit dem Luzerner Unternehmen für digitale Dienstleistungen und will die Synergien beider Partner mit einem Joint-Venture nutzen.
Die Post investiert in neue digitale Kommunikationsservices
Roberto Cirillo
«In der Wachstumsstrategie der ‹Post von morgen› ist die Kooperation mit der Klara Business AG ein weiterer Schritt. Wir erleichtern damit den Unternehmen und den Menschen in der Schweiz Schritt für Schritt den Alltag auch in der digitalen Welt»,
sagt Roberto Cirillo, Konzernleiter der Post. Die Post will die kleineren und mittleren Unternehmen bei der digitalen Transformation unterstützen und dadurch die Volkswirtschaft der Schweiz weiter stärken. Um dieses Ziel zu erreichen, werden die Post und die Klara Business AG neue digitale Services anbieten.
Peter Delfosse
«Dank cloudbasierten Lösungen im Ökosystem sollen so administrative Abläufe erleichtert und der Informationsaustausch mit Behörden sowie Partnerfirmen vereinfacht werden»,
erklärt Peter Delfosse, Präsident des Verwaltungsrates der Klara Business AG.
 
 
 
Featured image: Swiss Post
The post Schweizerische Post übernimmt Klara Business appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schweizerische-post-ubernimmt-klara-business</link><guid>1519</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Schweizerische Post übernimmt Klara Business</dc:text></item><item><title>Schweizer Versicherungen sind inaktiv in Soziale Medien</title><description><![CDATA[Viele Schweizer Versicherungsgesellschaften sind kaum auf Social-Media-Plattformen aktiv. Das zeigt eine Studie der Hochschule Luzern, welche die Technologie-Trends der Branche analysiert hat. Keines der untersuchten Unternehmen konnte mit einer überdurchschnittlichen Leistung auf sich aufmerksam machen. Im Ranking schneiden zwei bekannte Unternehmen am besten ab.
Für die eher traditionell geprägte Versicherungsbranche birgt die fortschreitende Digitalisierung eine Vielzahl an Herausforderungen – insbesondere im Umgang mit jüngeren Kundengruppen, die in der digitalisierten Welt aufgewachsen sind. Ihre Bedürfnisse weichen signifikant von denen des bestehenden Versichertenkreises ab. Ein wichtiger Aspekt ist dabei die Kommunikation auf sozialen Netzwerken. Mit dem IFZ Social-Media-Barometer zeigt ein Forschungsteam der Hochschule Luzern erstmals, wie gut die Schweizer Versicherer auf den Social-Media-Plattformen unterwegs sind. Das Social-Media-Barometer ist Teil der IFZ Versicherungsstudie 2020, die den Versicherungsmarkt in der Schweiz beleuchtet.
Verschiedene Plattformen werden genutzt
Durchschnittlich nutzen die untersuchten Versicherungsgesellschaften für ihre Social-Media-Aktivitäten vier Plattformen. Am meisten präsent sind sie auf Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube und Instagram. Gemessen an der Anzahl der Follower sind Facebook und LinkedIn für die Versicherer die wichtigsten Kanäle. Aus den Social-Media-Bestrebungen der Firmen resultieren im Schnitt über alle Plattformen hinweg 28 Beiträge pro Monat, welche 413 Likes generieren und 1.6 mal kommentiert werden. Der durchschnittliche Schweizer Versicherer hat 42&#8217;540 Follower.
Florian Schreiber
«Erstaunt hat uns, dass die meisten Unternehmen auf den unterschiedlichen Plattformen genau die gleichen Beiträge aufschalten»,
sagt Florian Schreiber, Studienautor und Dozent am Institut für Finanzdienstleistungen der Hochschule Luzern.
Um gerade auch die jüngeren Kundengruppen anzusprechen, sei laut Schreiber eine zielgruppenspezifische Kommunikation auf den verschiedenen Kanälen wichtig.
Weniger als die Hälfte aller Versicherer auf Social Media präsent
Die Auswertung der Social-Media-Aktivitäten hat gezeigt, dass es keiner Versicherungsgesellschaft gelungen ist, in allen untersuchten Kriterien überdurchschnittliche Leistungen zu erzielen.
Insgesamt sind 29 Versicherungsgruppen mit eigenen Profilen in den sozialen Medien präsent – das sind weniger als die Hälfte aller Unternehmen in der Branche. Und welche Versicherungen haben im Ranking am besten abgeschnitten? Vorne weg sind die Krankenversicherer.
«Durch ihre grosse Präsenz im Retailgeschäft haben sie die jüngeren Zielgruppen vermutlich stärker im Fokus als die Lebens- und Schadensversicherer»,
sagt Florian Schreiber.
Keinen nennenswerten Einfluss auf die Platzierung im Ranking hat hingegen die Grösse des Versicherers.
«Gesellschaften mit geringeren Prämieneinnahmen gelingt es tendenziell sogar besser, mit ihren Posts vergleichsweise hohe Reichweiten zu erzielen»,
so der Studienautor.
SWICA und Zurich schwingen oben aus
Im Bereich der Krankenversicherer schneidet SWICA am besten ab. Bei den Lebens- und Schadensversicherern hat im Untersuchungszeitraum Ende 2019 Zurich die beste Social-Media-Performance hingelegt.
Top-5 bei den Krankenversicherern:

SWICA Gesundheitsorganisation
Helsana AG
ÖKK Holding AG
Stiftung Sympany
Groupe Mutuel Holding AG

Top-5 bei den Lebens- und Schadensversicherern:

Zurich Insurance Group
Allianz Suisse
SC, Swisscaution SA
AXA Schweiz
Generali (Schweiz) Holding AG

 
Featured image credit: Edited from here and here
The post Schweizer Versicherungen sind inaktiv in Soziale Medien appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schweizer-versicherungen-sind-inaktiv-in-soziale-medien</link><guid>1518</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Schweizer Versicherungen sind inaktiv in Soziale Medien</dc:text></item><item><title>Huawei Developer Conference 2020 to Discuss HarmonyOS, HMS Core 5.0, EMUI 11, Fintech, and More</title><description><![CDATA[From September 10 to 12, 2020, Huawei will be hosting its annual developer conference, a multi-day event expected to bring together more than 400 industry veterans and over 500 tech firms to discuss the latest trends and technologies set to transform software and app development.
For this year, the Huawei Developer Conference 2020 (Together) will delve into some of the emerging technologies and how companies and developers must prepare for the new era of intelligence and interconnectivity. It will also include an exciting line-up of announcements, with Huawei set to share the latest on HMS Core 5.0, HarmonyOS, and EMUI 11.
The event will cover some of the hottest trends and topics, including gaming, e-commerce, travel and navigation, finance, augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR), privacy and security, fitness and health, wearables, smart cards, and more. Speakers will include representatives from Huawei, as well as fintech entrepreneur, author and influencer Brett King, among many others.
During the Huawei Conference, Huawei will also be giving the audience an update on some of its latest works, unveiling products such as the Huawei Watch Fit, a new stylish, smart watch and workout partner, as well as the Huawei FreeLace Pro, a new set of wireless headphones.
Huawei Watch Fit, Source: Huawei
Huawei FreeLace Pro, Source: Huawei
In the e-commerce session, industry experts and Huawei ecosystem partners will address how AI, AR/VR, and other visual search technologies are transforming the industry by giving it a new wave of growth. They will explain how companies and developers can seize these arising opportunities by upgrading user experience. They will also share the lessons they’ve learnt and challenges they’ve faced.
In the travel and navigation session, Huawei will delve into the work it’s been doing with global partners to provide users with a safe and easy travel experience using HMS Core capabilities and through its 360-degree campaign. HMS Core is a hub for Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) and serves as a toolkit for app development on Huawei devices.
And in the gaming session, Huawei will share the latest updates on AppGallery, and showcase how mobile gaming can be optimized using its improved Multi-Screen Collaboration feature. Guest speakers from gaming startups Cocos and TipsWorks will also be telling their experiences of being part of the Huawei ecosystem.
AppGallery’s finance push
Huawei says it thinks of the financial service industry as providers of some of the most important services in consumers’ daily lives and therefore wants to provide all individuals and businesses with access to useful, but also affordable, financial services and products.
It is important to provide the users with a choice that meets their needs – whether it’s transactions, payments, savings, credit, insurance, personal advice – and Huawei says it wants to do it in an accessible, responsible, and sustainable way.
In light of this, AppGallery has been growing rapidly as it pushes to onboard more financial partners and attract banking apps from different regions. In particular, the app marketplace is seeing strong demand coming from users looking for apps that allow users to manage their finances with their local banks and financial institutions. The goal, it said, is to establish a wide catalogue of apps that caters to the varied needs of its global audience
The Finance Partnership Growth &amp; Innovation Fund
Huawei is allocating resources to help accelerate this growth, including the US$10 million Finance Partnership Growth &amp; Innovation Fund that will go towards partnerships with financial apps developers and innovation projects, and its US$1 billion developer incentive program Shining-Star.
On top of that, the firm has added special capabilities to ensure that finance and banking apps are equipped with excellent privacy and security features.
AppGallery has seen a huge variety of different financial services onboard in different regions, supporting its direction of becoming a truly open and innovative app marketplace that aggregates quality and popular apps from around the world.
In the past three months alone, AppGallery has seen a growth rate of financial apps of around 160%.
AppGallery, one of the world’s top 3 app marketplaces globally, claims 460 million monthly active users. The distribution platform features mainstream apps and services in Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa and more.
One of its unique features is the Wishlist, which allows users to submit the apps they would like to see being added and let the community vote. Huawei said it has made more than 3 million wishes come true since January 2019, which led to over 580 apps being brought on-shelf.
On the developer side, the company said it has established a fast development cycle through simplified access and integration with HMS Core, allowing developers to have their apps up and running in the app store within just three days.
To learn more about AppGallery and explore the exciting ways Huawei is looking to collaborate with developers and partners in the future, visit this link to livestream Huawei&#8217;s Developer Conference 2020 (Together).

The post Huawei Developer Conference 2020 to Discuss HarmonyOS, HMS Core 5.0, EMUI 11, Fintech, and More appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/huawei-developer-conference-2020-to-discuss-harmonyos-hms-core-50-emui-11-fintech-and-more</link><guid>1517</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/WatchFit-1024x576.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Huawei Developer Conference 2020 to Discuss HarmonyOS, HMS Core 5.0, EMUI 11, Fintech, and More</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Accelerator F10 Starts in Spain</title><description><![CDATA[The Zurich and Singapore based Incubator and Accelerator F10 is opening offices in four Spanish cities this autumn .
SIX is partnering with the Spanish Stock Exchange to launch the renowned F10 Incubation Program. The move creates additional opportunities for the Swiss partners towards worldwide collaboration with tech startups.
F10 guides and supports startups in FinTech, RegTech, InsurTech and DeepTech on their journey to successful companies while stimulating collaboration with international organizations. F10 has ranked multiple times among the best European Incubators and Accelerators and was recently named &#8220;FinTech Influencer of the Year&#8221; by the jury of the Swiss FinTech awards due to the long-lasting and extensive contribution to FinTech innovation and the expansion to Singapore.
Andreas Iten
“More than 100 Startups already went through the F10 Incubation Program with a survival rate of more than 85 per cent&#8221;,
F10 co-founder Andreas Iten states.
After successful expansion to Asia earlier this year, F10’s next global target is Spain. F10 co-founder Andreas Iten said,
“We see great potential in the Spanish financial sector due to the recent growth in tech startup investment, an abundance of game-changing startups, and the innovation-oriented mindset of its established businesses. The progression of the Agenda España Digital and the increasing importance of digital business models in Spain offer ideal conditions for tech innovation.”
New logo and website to state the global reach
F10 will open in Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao und Valencia. Furthermore, F10 is unveiling a new look that reflects the increasing global ecosystem. With the rebranding and the new website, F10 aims to enter additional markets. The innovation hub in Spain sets the next milestone. With the Swiss Stock Exchange (SIX) and its recent acquisition, Spanish Stock Exchange Bolsas y Mercados Españoles (BME), F10 has a strong backbone of corporate partners. The global innovation hub is currently looking for more local corporations and investors to benefit from its ecosystem in Spain. The first Incubation Program will be launched in March 2021.
F10 already supports Spanish talent in the form of BlackGull, a FinTech startup in its current Incubation Program in Zurich.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-accelerator-f10-starts-in-spain</link><guid>1516</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/F10-new-logo-1-300x101.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Accelerator F10 Starts in Spain</dc:text></item><item><title>Mobiliar Invests 50 Million in Carvolution</title><description><![CDATA[Mobiliar is providing Carvolution, a Swiss car subscriptions startups, with 50 million Swiss francs to expand its fleet of vehicles.
Carvolution redesigns mobility and offers with its car subscription an alternative to buying and leasing a car since 2018. As a pioneer in the subscription market, the now 40 heads strong startup has secured the pole position. Several hundred subscription cars are already on the road in Switzerland.
While the classic automotive industry is struggling with plant closures and sluggish sales figures due to the global corona pandemic, the car subscription market is experiencing an upswing. Carvolution was able to record growth of over 210 % compared to the previous year and today sells seven times more car subscriptions in a single day than during the lockdown.
In uncertain times, customers appreciate the flexibility and cost transparency that a subscription car offers. This is precisely why Carvolution and the car subscription have become a popular alternative for buying or leasing a car.
Olivier Kofler
Olivier Kofler, CEO of Carvolution, says:
The expansion in the area of vehicle financing by Mobiliar confirms the great confidence in the existing cooperation. This important development step enables Carvolution to make vehicle procurement more flexible, strengthen existing cooperations with partners in this area and further increase the overall attractiveness of our offer.
Together with other institutional and private investors, Redalpine had already participated in a financing round of Carvolution AG in November 2019, in which the company was provided with a total of over 11 million Swiss francs.
The post Mobiliar Invests 50 Million in Carvolution appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mobiliar-invests-50-million-in-carvolution</link><guid>1515</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Mobiliar Invests 50 Million in Carvolution</dc:text></item><item><title>Interview: Blockchain Valley Ventures’ Expansion into Asia Pacific</title><description><![CDATA[Blockchain Valley Ventures recently welcomed Credit Suisse Private Banking’s former Global Head of Investments, Thomas Amstutz to the company as part of its growing presence in the Asia-Pacific region. Having both relocated from Switzerland to Singapore, Fintechnews.sg sat down with Leeor Groen, APAC Managing Director, and Thomas Amstutz, APAC Chairman, to learn more about their plans for the region.
Blockchain Valley Ventures (BVV) is a Swiss-based venture capital firm and corporate finance advisor fully dedicated to emerging financial technology and blockchain. It has offices in Zug, Zurich, and Singapore and partnerships in London, Frankfurt and Israel. A member of the Draper Venture Network (DVN), BVV is the only Swiss firm in the global alliance of leading venture investors collectively managing more than $2bn.
Interview Questions
What is the vision of BVV?
Leeor Groen
Leeor Groen (LG): Our mission is to be the most relevant investor and dealmaker in the industry. The core of the BVV team comes from the Swiss financial industry and moved into this space in order to deliver on the opportunity to bridge the traditional and emerging financial markets. In our backyard around Zug and Zurich, we saw the likes of Ethereum, Tezos, and Bancor emerge.
They all set up their foundations and raised considerable sums of capital to pursue their ambitions of new financial systems. We wanted to bridge these ecosystems and support the industry to deliver on this opportunity. This is why we engage with innovative companies in the space from an early stage through direct investments and support them throughout their journey with our corporate finance practice.
What are the opportunities that BVV is targeting and what separates it from other venture firms?
Thomas Amstutz
Thomas Amstutz (TA): Focus. We see ourselves as the natural partner for private wealth and family offices who are looking for alternative asset exposure in an emerging industry as we are 100% dedicated to it. Naturally, bitcoin and other digital assets are a key entry point but this represents just one avenue to participate in the rapidly emerging financial technology ecosystem.
In fact, we partner with leading infrastructure players in the industry who are offering crypto or digital asset exposure. We complement this with a more comprehensive alternative asset strategy which also covers private equity and venture capital opportunities that emerge as the entire industry evolves.
 
Could you walk us through your journey to be a bridge between Switzerland and Asia for both investors and tech companies?
LG: While most companies today operate in a digital world, there are clear trends that develop faster in certain regions compared to others. By having people on the ground in two of the most significant regions, we are able to capture market developments in a timely manner and offer them to our investors before they become mainstream on a global scale. This applies equally to the portfolio companies that we support; By having an extended network across continents, we are able to assist when it comes to geographical expansion and connect our startups to the most relevant counterparties in the region.
What are the biggest trends and opportunities that you see in the fintech space?
TA: In the blockchain universe, there is an explosion in the Decentralized Finance (DeFI) space and we consider this as part of the longer-term trend towards embedded finance; where every stakeholder is enabled to provide financial services. We see increased sophistication in emerging financial markets through the introduction of lending and investments and companies like Slice or Shopify that have nothing to do with fintech adding financial products to better serve their customers.
As technology companies continue to add financial services, they not only increase revenue per customer, but they make viable opportunities in markets previously deemed too small or not cost-efficient to acquire customers. As investors, we are excited to see the development of embedded finance help the next generation of technology companies realize their potential.
With Tim Draper and Gabe Turner driving the DVN out of the Bay Area, we complement this with our bases in Switzerland and Singapore.
BVV has made eight investments in the blockchain space so far, what other acquisitions are you potentially targeting? What is your normal investment size?
LG: We have so far backed eight companies and have approved two further investments which are to be announced shortly. Including our first few deals in the Asian market. We are very bullish on opportunities in the APAC region as large parts of the population have embraced digital technology in their daily lives. This opens the door to a more diverse set of financial infrastructure compared to developed markets, where disruptors have to face well-capitalized incumbents. As we target early-stage opportunities, we initially invest between USD 250 &#8211; 500k and play an active role in helping shape the strategic direction of a business.
How has the decision to join the Draper Venture Network (DVN) impacted BVV and its investment approach?
LG: Given our industry specialization, we look to back the emerging category leaders in the key segments we identify, irrespective of where they are geographically. This is why we employ a co-investment strategy and work alongside other leading investors to support selected portfolio companies. With Tim Draper, who is himself one of the most active investors in the blockchain ecosystem, and Gabe Turner driving the DVN out of the Bay Area, we complement this with our bases in Switzerland and Singapore. The DVN therefore gives us coverage of the North American market and global exposure to deals where there is obviously a huge pool of opportunities.
Due to the current crisis, most investors have opted to focus on more mature companies instead of early-stage startups? Would BVV be taking the same approach as well?
TA: The entire private equity industry has held up remarkably well for what is such a large economic disruption, and there has been record capital being deployed in Q2 2020 across Europe, North America, and Asia. That being said, the risk appetite among the investors has certainly been closely monitored with a focus on supporting existing companies rather than new. At BVV we believe the long-term winners and emerging category leaders in the financial industry already exist and we are working to support them and ensure they have every chance of success. Our commitment to the sector means we are interested in the entire growth stage of the industry and are focusing on opportunities across the entire spectrum.
 
This article first appeared on fintechnews.sg
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/interview-blockchain-valley-ventures-expansion-into-asia-pacific</link><guid>1514</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Interview: Blockchain Valley Ventures’ Expansion into Asia Pacific</dc:text></item><item><title>The Swiss FinTech Awards 2020 Winners</title><description><![CDATA[Since 2015 the Swiss FinTech Awards promote regional development while helping create the strongest possible Swiss fintech ecosystem.
This network, made up of selected partner organizations and fintech experts, awards Swiss fintech start-ups and influencers for the fifth time in 2020 in the categories «Early Stage Start-up of the Year», «Growth Stage Start-up of the Year» and «Fintech Influencer of the Year».
The «Early Stage Start-up of the Year» category is for start-ups which are currently working on a first demo, prototype or which are about to go-to-market with the first product or service.
Team Early Stage Start-up of the Year, Legartis: (from left) Yacine Benyaa, Caecilie Anker Nielsen, David Alain Bloch, Patrick Hunger, Andi Schoch, mentor Hasani, Philip Stark (from left) Sabrina Costa, Don Tuggener, Abhimanyu Sahai, Vivienne Clement, Julia Debatin, Tobi Ernst.
This year Legartis wins the category «Early Stage Start-up of the Year». Legartis offers a software solution to identify, classify and understand legal documents through artificial intelligence. Given increasing regulation, the Legartis solution is very interesting for the financial industry, as well as the automotive, pharmaceutical and manufacturing industries, as it promises significant efficiency gains when reviewing legal documents.

Start-ups which have a successful product on the market, a working business model and have clear signs of significant growth are judged in the «Growth Stage Start-up of the Year» category. Instimatch Global is the winner of 2020 in the category «Growth Stage Start-up of the Year».
Founder Hugh Macmillenand CEO Daniel Sandmeier of Instimatch Global
Instimatch Global is a cash deposits trading platform that allows short-term liquidity to circulate more efficiently between institutional borrowers and lenders. The platform significantly increases transparency and the number of available counterparties for treasurers. Instimatch Global, as a result, provides crucial innovation in an important part of finance, which up to now has relied on outdated processes. With its offering, it is on an impressive global expansion and growth trajectory.

The «Fintech Influencer of the Year» category was created for individuals or organisations who have positively shaped or influenced the Swiss fintech scene. The fintech accelerator and incubator F10 is named «Fintech Influencer of the Year» in 2020 due to its long-lasting and extensive contribution to fintech innovation in Switzerland and its expansion to Singapore. All start-ups were subject to a multi-tiered application process whereas the winner of the Influencer category was nominated directly by the jury.
F10 FinTech Influencer of the Year
The Finanz und Wirtschaft Forum acts as organiser of the Swiss FinTech Awards and their ecosystem which consists of knowledge partner Accenture, a jury of 21 designated fintech experts and several banks who provide the CHF 30,000 prize money and support the awards program. Further partners are drawn from industry associations, media and academia.
This winner-announcement follows an extensive selection process. 70 start-up applications were accepted to the awards program, the ten best rated fintech companies reached the Top 10 round. All ten companies passed through the FinTech Boot Camp organised by knowledge partner Accenture and given the opportunity to present to the assembled jury members and sponsors of the awards as part of a “speed dating session”. The four finalists were chosen based on assessments of their initial applications and their performance at the “speed dating session” and ultimately winners were selected within their respective
categories.
The 2020 Swiss FinTech Awards Top 10, finalists and winners
Below is a list of the top ten, top four (finalists) and the eventual winners of the 2020 Swiss FinTech Awards.




	Top 10 Fintech Start-upsFinalistsStart-up Winners




	AIDONIC (early stage)AIDONIC (early stage)Instimatch Global (growth stage)


	Instimatch Global (growth stage)Instimatch Global (growth stage)Legartis (early stage)


	Legartis (early stage)Legartis (early stage)Influencer of the Year


	Mt Pelerin (early stage)Securosys (growth stage)F10


	PriceHubble (growth stage)


	Securosys (growth stage)


	Sygnum (growth stage)


	TrustlessAI (early stage)


	Valk (early stage)


	Yova (growth stage)




 
Fintechnews Switzerland will publish an exclusive podcast with all the winners tomorrow.
FuW Fintech Forum and Swiss FinTech Awards Night Postponed Due To Corona

 

The post The Swiss FinTech Awards 2020 Winners appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-swiss-fintech-awards-2020-winners</link><guid>1513</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Legartis-Early-Stage-Start-up-of-the-Year-Siegesfoto-1024x683.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>The Swiss FinTech Awards 2020 Winners</dc:text></item><item><title>SwatchPAY! jetzt mit Visa verfügbar</title><description><![CDATA[SwatchPAY! erweitert sein Angebot durch eine neue Partnerschaft mit dem globalen Zahlungstechnologieanbieter Visa. Mit der Unterstützung von Cornèrcard und BonusCard, die den Weg für diese neue Partnerschaft zum kontaktlosen Bezahlen geebnet haben, wird SwatchPAY! nun nach und nach in der Schweiz eingeführt.
Dank des Zusammenschlusses von Cornèrcard, BonusCard und Swatch können sich Visa Karteninhaber nun über die einfache und kontaktlose neue Zahlungslösung freuen.
«Wir schätzen es sehr, Visa an Bord begrüssen zu dürfen und den Visa-Kunden in der Schweiz unsere einfache und sichere Zahlungslösung zur Verfügung stellen zu können – vor allem in einer Zeit, in der kontaktloses Bezahlen gefragter denn je ist»,
so Alain Villard, Brand Manager bei Swatch Schweiz.
Da immer häufiger kontaktlos bezahlt wird, spielt SwatchPAY! in der Schweiz eine wichtige und wachsende Rolle. Daten von Visa zeigen, dass der Anteil der kontaktlosen Zahlungen per Visa zwischen April 2019 und April 2020 um mehr als 50% gestiegen ist.
The post SwatchPAY! jetzt mit Visa verfügbar appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swatchpay-jetzt-mit-visa-verfugbar</link><guid>1512</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>SwatchPAY! jetzt mit Visa verfügbar</dc:text></item><item><title>Schweizer Krankenkasse akzeptiert Cryptos</title><description><![CDATA[Die Atupri Gesundheitsversicherung akzeptiert als erster Schweizer Versicherer Kryptowährungen. Wer Bitcoin oder Ethereum besitzt, erhält ab sofort die Möglichkeit, diese beiden digitalen Währungen als Zahlungsmittel einzusetzen. Die Gesundheitsversicherung nimmt damit schweizweit eine Vorreiterrolle ein und stärkt ihre Position als innovative Anbieterin digitaler Lösungen im Gesundheitsbereich. Unterstützt wird Atupri von Bitcoin Suisse, dem Schweizer Krypto-Pionier.
Caroline Meli
«Wir investieren konsequent in neue Technologien und nutzen die Chancen der Digitalisierung. So beschleunigen wir Prozesse zu Gunsten unserer Kundinnen und Kunden»,
sagt Caroline Meli, Leiterin Marketing und Vertrieb bei Atupri. Die Gesundheitsversicherung bekräftigt mit ihrem jüngsten Angebot den Anspruch, als führender Anbieter innovativer digitaler Lösungen im Gesundheitsbereich neue Wege zu gehen. Ab sofort akzeptiert die Atupri Gesundheitsversicherung die beiden Kryptowährungen Bitcoin und Ethereum als reguläres Zahlungsmittel für ihre Kundinnen und Kunden.
Caroline Meli betont:
«Unser Angebot zeichnet sich durch eine hohe Individualisierung aus. Es steht unseren Kundinnen und Kunden jederzeit frei, welche Zahlungsart sie wählen. Als digitale Pioniere im Gesundheitsbereich antizipieren wir gesellschaftliche Trends und bieten Versicherungslösungen mit langfristigen Perspektiven. Die Blockchain-Technologie und damit verbunden die Verwendung von Kryptowährungen wird zusehends an Bedeutung gewinnen. Entsprechend wollen wir für unsere Versicherten die dafür benötigten Strukturen bieten.»
Zusammenarbeit mit Schweizer Spezialisten Bitcoin Suisse
Die Atupri Gesundheitsversicherung bietet die neuartige Zahlungsmethode via Bitcoin und Ethereum zusammen mit dem Schweizer Spezialisten Bitcoin Suisse an, welcher bereits amtliche Stellen bei der Einführung von Kryptowährungen als Zahlungsmittel begleitet hat. Als Teil eines umfassenden und integrierten Angebots von Krypto-Finanzdienstleistungen hat sich die Technologie von Bitcoin Suisse bereits seit einigen Jahren im Markt bewährt und gehört weltweit zu den ausgereiftesten Zahlungslösungen für Kryptowährungen.
Armin Schmid
«Wir freuen uns über die Partnerschaft mit Atupri und garantieren sichere und unkomplizierte Zahlungsmöglichkeiten mit Kryptowährungen»,
sagt Armin Schmid, Zahlungsexperte und Leiter von Bitcoin Suisse Crypto Payments. Als regulierter Schweizer Finanzintermediär hält Bitcoin Suisse die gesetzlichen Anforderungen im Zahlungsverkehr ein.
Caroline Meli erklärt:
«Als Gesundheitsversicherung besitzen wir selbst keine Bitcoins. Unsere Versicherten erhalten beim Auslösen der Zahlung den aktuellen Umrechnungskurs, der uns durch Bitcoin Suisse in Schweizer Franken stets garantiert und entsprechend übermittelt wird. Wir unterliegen daher zu keinem Zeitpunkt einem Währungsrisiko.»
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schweizer-krankenkasse-akzeptiert-cryptos</link><guid>1511</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Schweizer Krankenkasse akzeptiert Cryptos</dc:text></item><item><title>Sygnum’s Digital Asset Trading Facility Gets Regulatory Clearance From FINMA</title><description><![CDATA[Sygnum, a Switzerland Singapore based digital asset bank, has received FINMA regulatory approval for its digital asset trading facility (OTF). This is a central element of Sygnum’s end-to-end tokenization offering, a regulated solution which covers the complete life-cycle of a security – from primary issuance, settlement, custody and now, secondary trading.
Using Sygnum’s digital asset trading facility, investors can broaden their investment opportunities and add diversification by trading previously non-accessible securities in a tokenized form, including equity, debt, and real estate. They also benefit from instant settlement via the Sygnum-issued digital CHF (DCHF), the flexibility of moving between fiat, DCHF and asset token positions in real-time, and bank-grade custody of their digital assets &#8211; all within one integrated platform.
Sygnum is already working with issuers to tokenize their shares, raise capital in a fully digital manner as well as listing their securities on the digital asset trading facility to enable liquidity.
Asset tokenization, a market forecast to be worth USD 24 trillion by 2027, has the disruptive potential to reshape the securitisation business model in the coming years. To date, however, tokenization solutions have predominantly been unregulated and often only provide partial solutions within the securitisation life-cycle. Sygnum’s regulated, end-to-end offering enables the significant benefits of asset tokenization to be realised by issuers, investors, and institutional partners.
Mathias Imbach
“Our DLT-based tokenization solution streamlines the securitisation process end-to-end, delivering greater transparency and efficiency as well as reducing transaction times and costs,”
says Mathias Imbach, Sygnum Co-Founder.
“Without regulated secondary trading venues with relevant liquidity, tokenization will not take off. Much more collaboration between digital asset specialists such as Sygnum and established exchanges and banks, as well as M&amp;A related service providers along the value chain, is needed. We are open to these partnerships to make Future Finance a reality,”
he adds.
Positioning for next phase of growth
Alongside this important development, in its first year of banking operations Sygnum has also made significant progress in scaling client operations, launching innovative new banking products and expanding ecosystem partnerships. To capitalise on this momentum and to enable the next phase of growth, Sygnum is establishing a Group structure with a Group Executive Board
Sygnum is also planning to set up two new entities in Switzerland to capture strategically important high-growth opportunities. The first is a digital solutions unit, focused on leveraging Sygnum’s Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) innovations into new market segments. The second is an Asset Management unit dedicated to launching new products and services, expanding the existing products developed by Sygnum’s CMS-licensed Singapore entity.
 
Featured image: Sygnum Co-founders Gerald Goh, Manuel Krieger and Mathias Imbach 
The post Sygnum’s Digital Asset Trading Facility Gets Regulatory Clearance From FINMA appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sygnums-digital-asset-trading-facility-gets-regulatory-clearance-from-finma</link><guid>1510</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Sygnum’s Digital Asset Trading Facility Gets Regulatory Clearance From FINMA</dc:text></item><item><title>IDnow Acquires Wirecard Communication Services</title><description><![CDATA[IDnow a Munich based provider of Identity Verification-as-a-Service solutions announced the signing of an agreement for the acquisition of Wirecard Communication Services . IDnow will retain the Leipzig location preserving the majority of the 150 employees.
With Wirecard Communication Services, IDnow will focus on providing identity services and continue to build additional capacity for the strong growth of IDnow identification processes. In light of organic growth in digital services as well as the added needs related to restrictons imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, IDnow is experiencing a sharp increase in demand for its digital verification procedures. The acquisition is intended to enhance the service quality of IDnow products and thus further increase the responsiveness for customers and cut waiting times.
Wirecard Communication Services GmbH was established on April 29, 2003, and is part of the Wirecard Group. In a structured investor process, Wirecard Communication Services GmbH was offered for sale by way of an asset deal. IDnow and Wirecard Communication Services have already been working together successfully for more than five years.
At a staff meeting on Monday afternoon, the insolvency administrator, attorney Dr. Nils Freudenberg from Tiefenbacher Insolvency Administration, announced the takeover to the staff of Wirecard Communications Services. The first step will be to provide the employees with appropriate qualifications and to adapt the technical infrastructure. Following this realignment, the Leipzig location will be expanded in a targeted way and integrated into the IDnow processes in order to enable even faster implementation of projects as well as further technical development of the Ident services.
Andreas Bodczek
&#8220;With the integration of Wirecard Communication Services into the IDnow Group, we are seizing the opportunity to further improve our range and service quality for our customers. We have worked in close collaboration with this division of the company for several years and greatly appreciate the qualifications and experience of its employees. We are on a strong growth path and will maintain and further develop the Leipzig location,&#8221;
says Andreas Bodczek, CEO of IDnow.
Amra Blume
&#8220;We are delighted to have found in IDnow a buyer who appreciates and knows our company and has such a friendly culture. Personally, I am very pleased to stay on board and work in the team at IDnow,&#8221;
says Amra Blume, Managing Director Wirecard Communications Services.
 
 
Featured image: IDnow founders (L-R) Dennis von Ferenczy, Sebastian Bärhold,Armin Bauer and Felix Haas
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/idnow-acquires-wirecard-communication-services</link><guid>1509</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>IDnow Acquires Wirecard Communication Services</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 5 Global Fintech Investors: From Q2 2019 to Q2 2020 and Where They Invested</title><description><![CDATA[Sequoia Capital, 500 Startups, Ribbit Capital, Accel and Global Founders Capital (GFC) were the five most active fintech venture capital (VC) investors in deal count from Q2 2019 to Q2 2020, according to an analysis by CB Insights.
Sequoia Capital
Sequoia Capital, which includes its US, China, and India funds, was the most active VC investor across this time period, inking deals to startups including online payment processing startup Stripe, which raised a US$600 million Series G in April, retail trading platform Robinhood, which raised US$280 million in a Series F funding round in May, and Brazil-based challenger bank NuBank, which raised US$300 million in June.
According to Dealroom, Sequoia Capital has a portfolio of 96 fintech companies, among which Klarna (Sweden), Prosper (USA), Lemonade (Israel), WeLab (Hong Kong), Pine Labs (India) and Funding Societies (Singapore).
500 Startups
Startup accelerator and VC firm 500 Startups was the second most active VC investor in fintech between Q2 2019 and Q2 2020, participating in Israeli CreditStacks’ US$10 million round in November 2019, UAE-based wealthtech startup Sarwa’s US$8.4 million Series A, and Vietnamese credit scoring startup Trusting Social’s US$25 million round.
According to Dealroom, 500 Startups has a portfolio of 244 fintech companies, including Chipper (Ghana), BeeCash (Indonesia), Kin Insurance (USA), and Magnetis (Brazil).
Ribbit Capital
Ribbit Capital, a fintech-focused VC firm, was the third most active VC during the period, having co-led Indian fintech startup Bharat’s US$75 million round in February, as well as DreamPlug Technologies’ US$101 million round in August 2019.
According to Dealroom, Ribbit Capital has a portfolio of 54 fintech companies, including Coinbase (USA), Credit Karma (USA), Raisin (Germany), Viva Republica (South Korea), Wealthfront (USA) and Revolut (UK).
Accel
American VC firm Accel was the fourth most active fintech investor between Q2 2019 and Q2 2020. Accel led a US$77 million funding round for fintech firm Galileo in October 2019 and a US$67 million Series B for German wealhtech startup Trade Republic in April 2020, and participated in Indian digital gold loans startup Rupeek’s US$60 million Series C in February 2020.
According to Dealroom, Accel has a portfolio of 61 fintech companies, including WorldRemit (UK), Monzo (UK), FalconX (USA) and Anyfin (Sweden).
Global Founders Capital (GFC)
Germany’s GFC, known as Rocket Internet’s VC arm, was the fifth most active fintech VC investor during the period, participating in French accounting startup Pennylane’s EUR 4 million round and Swedish home refinancing startup Anyfin’s US$30 million Series B in May 2020, and leading Indonesian student loan startup Pintek’s pre-Series A round in November 2019.
According to Dealroom, GFC has a portfolio of 59 fintech companies, among which Revolut (UK), Mamo Pay (India), Benepass (USA), Pixpay (France), Modifi (Germany) and TaxBit (USA).
The most active fintech VCs from Q2&#8217;19 &#8211; Q2&#8217;20, The State of Fintech Q2&#8217;20, CB Insights
Top early stage VCs for European fintech companies
In Europe, the most active early-stage (pre-seed, seed and Series A) VC investors come from the UK and Germany, two locations that also attract the most funding, according to an analysis by Sifted.
Between 2015 and 2019, Sweden’s NFT Ventures was the most active early-stage fintech VC investor, having participated in 49 rounds, including UK startup Credit Kudos’ GBP 2.2 million seed round in April 2019, Finnish Zervant’s EUR 6 million Series A in June 2019, and Swedish wealthtech startup BetterWealth’s US$980,000 funding round in November 2018. Other notable European fintech portfolio companies include payments startup Betalo (Sweden) and personal finance management app Bean (UK).
NFT Ventures is followed by Austria’s Speedinvest with 47 fintech deals, including Paris-based digital banking startup FairMoney’s EUR 10 million Series A funding round in September 2019, Madrid-based mobile-first neobank Bnext’s EUR 21 million Series A in October 2019, and French payments startup Lemon Way’s EUR 25 million Series A in October 2019. Other notable European fintech portfolio companies include insurtech unicorn WeFox (Germany) and payment card startup Curve (UK).
Seedcamp was the third most active early stage fintech VC investor between 2015 and 2019 with 46 rounds, including Madrid-based StudentFinance’s US$1.27 million seed round in December 2019 and Latvian financial data analytics startup Nordigen’s US$800,000 seed round in September 2018. Other notable portfolio fintech companies include UK-based TransferWise and Monese.
Top VCs for European fintech, seed and Series A, 2015 &#8211; 2019, Sifted, February 2020
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-5-global-fintech-investors-from-q2-2019-to-q2-2020-and-where-they-invested</link><guid>1508</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Most-active-fintech-vcs-q2-2020-CB-Insights.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 5 Global Fintech Investors: From Q2 2019 to Q2 2020 and Where They Invested</dc:text></item><item><title>Siemens gibt Startschuss für P2P-Service mit Pega-Plattform</title><description><![CDATA[Siemens, KPMG und Pegasystems haben in enger Zusammenarbeit einen neuen Purchase-to-Pay (P2P)-Service konzipiert. Er basiert auf der Pega-Plattform von Pegasystems und ging am 24. August live. Siemens wird den P2P-Service konzernweit einführen und künftig auch gemeinsam mit KMPG und Pegasystems vermarkten.
Wie bei vielen Unternehmen weist der Purchase-to-Pay-Prozess auch bei Siemens eine hohe Heterogenität und Komplexität auf. In die gesamte Prozesskette von der Bestellung über die Rechnungsprüfung bis zur Bezahlung sind konzernweit eine Vielzahl unterschiedlicher Systeme und Applikationen eingebunden. So sind etwa rund 80 Enterprise-Resource-Planning (ERP)- und 40 Sub-Systeme zu berücksichtigen.
Siemens startete 2019 ein umfassendes Projekt mit dem Ziel, den P2P-Prozess durch die Einführung einer zentralen Plattform zu harmonisieren und zu automatisieren. Nach einer detaillierten Marktanalyse und intensiven Evaluierung verschiedener Lösungen gemeinsam mit KPMG hat Siemens die Einführung der Pega-Plattform beschlossen. Ausschlaggebende Gründe waren die Flexibilität der Lösung sowie die Möglichkeit, komplexe Prozesse End-to-End abzubilden – eine Möglichkeit, die andere Lösungen nicht boten.
Ein wesentliches Element des neuen P2P-Prozesses ist die Pega-Plattform, eine vollständig integrierte Lösung, die unter anderem Business Process Management (BPM), Robotic Process Automation (RPA) und Low-Code-Entwicklung bietet. Die Plattform optimiert und automatisiert betriebliche Abläufe, senkt die Kosten und erhöht die Agilität eines Unternehmens.
Bei Siemens wird die Pega-Plattform als zentrale Integrations- und Orchestrierungsbasis für die Abbildung und Steuerung des P2P-Prozesses genutzt. So sind alle für den Prozess erforderlichen Systeme angebunden und Anforderungen abgedeckt: von der Berücksichtigung verschiedener Buchungslogiken bis hin zu unterschiedlichen Steuergesetzen. Die neue Lösung bildet alle P2P-Geschäftsprozesse, das heisst intelligenten Prozessketten ab. Auch nahezu alle notwendigen Business-Rules und Legal-Checks sind hinterlegt. Zudem besteht auch die Möglichkeit, Sonderfälle flexibel abzudecken – etwa eine Urgent-Payment-Anforderung, die bisher einen manuellen Prozess erforderte. Solche Anwendungsfälle können über ein Web-Interface und Templates einfach und schnell bearbeitet werden.
Die Vorteile der neuen Lösungsumgebung zeigen sich auf verschiedenen Ebenen. Zum einen führt die Nutzung einer einheitlichen Plattform mit hoher Flexibilität und Skalierbarkeit zu einer Kostenminimierung. Zum anderen beseitigt der hohe Automatisierungsgrad Prozessineffizienzen und reduziert manuelle Tätigkeiten – verbunden mit einer höheren Qualität und niedrigeren Fehlerrate. Durch die Zentralisierung des P2P-Prozesses können zudem erforderliche Änderungen schneller durchgeführt werden, etwa die Anpassung von Steuergesetzen oder Geschäftsregeln. Die Pega-Plattform bietet dabei auch die Möglichkeit, alle Änderungen auf Knopfdruck in unterschiedlichen Sprachen zur Verfügung zu stellen.
Generell unterstützt die neue Lösung für Siemens eine beschleunigte Umsetzung geänderter Anforderungen. Basis hierfür ist der Low-Code-Ansatz. Dadurch können etwa auch Experten aus den Fachabteilungen an der Softwareentwicklung mitarbeiten, selbst wenn sie über kein spezifisches Programmier-Know-how verfügen. Von Nutzen ist eine zentrale Lösungsumgebung für alle P2P-Prozesse und Funktionen überdies auch unter Compliance- und Audit-Gesichtspunkten.
Nicht zuletzt korrespondiert der neue P2P-Service auch perfekt mit der Shared-Service-Strategie von Siemens, das heisst der Bereitstellung einheitlicher Benutzeroberflächen und Tools für alle Mitarbeiter als Basis des modernen Arbeitsplatzes und einer „Flexible Workforce“.
Kai-Eberhard Lueg
„Siemens setzt bereits seit mehreren Jahren Tools von Pega erfolgreich ein. Und auch bei diesem Projekt hat uns die Pega-Lösung technologisch voll überzeugt. Trotz der hohen Komplexität liegt das Projekt in time und in budget“,
betont Kai-Eberhard Lueg, COO Siemens Global Business Services und Head of GBS P2P.
„Für uns ist die Etablierung dieses neuen P2P-Prozesses ein weiterer wichtiger Schritt im Hinblick auf die globale Umsetzung unserer Shared-Service-Strategie. Und der neue Service korrespondiert auch mit den zentralen Zielen von Siemens Global Business Services. Wir wollen Kunden die Möglichkeit geben, sich auf ihr Kerngeschäft zu konzentrieren, flexibel und reaktionsschnell zu sein, Chancen schnell zu nutzen – und so ihre Ziele zu erreichen. Damit sind wir der Partner der Wahl, um Unternehmen weiterhin erfolgreich zu machen.“
Harald Esch
„Wir freuen uns, dass sich Siemens auch bei diesem innovativen Projekt wieder für eine Lösung von Pega entschieden hat. Es zeigt, dass wir mit unserer integrierten Plattform hervorragend positioniert sind, um unterschiedlichste Unternehmensanforderungen hinsichtlich Prozessmanagement und -automatisierung zu erfüllen, und zwar nahtlos und kanalübergreifend End-to-End“,
sagt Harald Esch, Vice President und Managing Director DACH bei Pegasystems in München.
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/siemens-gibt-startschuss-fur-p2p-service-mit-pega-plattform</link><guid>1507</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Siemens gibt Startschuss für P2P-Service mit Pega-Plattform</dc:text></item><item><title>COVID-19 Fuels Global E-Commerce and Digital Payments</title><description><![CDATA[E-commerce platforms and digital payment services providers are enjoying explosive growth on the back of social distancing requirements put in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report by PPRO, a London-based business focused on cross-border payments for merchants.
In a report titled Payments in a Time of Social Distancing, PPRO says that COVID-19 has acted as a catalyst for digital transformation, stressing that these changes will likely be permanent.
According to the paper, e-commerce retailers have seen witnessed significant growth since the beginning of the crisis and new shopping habits are rapidly taking roots.
Across Europe’s three largest markets, namely France, Germany and the UK, up to 80% of shoppers are now making at least half of their purchases online, the report notes, while in the US, e-commerce sales are expected to climb 18% in 2020. PPRO says that between January and June 2020, it had seen a staggering 85% increase in online purchases of food and beverages.
The PPRO report echoes findings from a new MasterCard study which found that US e-commerce spending grew by a whopping 93% year-over-year in the month of May. In the UK, e-commerce as a share of total retail sales reached an all-time high of 33% in April and May.
Though COVID-19 and the measures put in place to control the spread of the virus have forced people to adopt new ways of shopping and spending, these changes will be long-lasting, the PPRO report says.
In the UK, 74% of consumers think they will continue to prefer online shopping even after the lockdown restrictions lift. Similarly, in the US, 40% of consumers said they will shop online more than in-store going forward.
Digital payments on the rise
The pandemic has also led to increased use of contactless, digital payments methods, including e-wallets, mobile wallets and bank transfers.
In Brazil, contactless payments have grown five times over one year, the PPRO report says. In Vietnam, domestic payment via bank cards jumped by 26.2% in volume and 15.7% in value in the first four months of 2020.
In Europe, cash usage is forecast to decline between 9 to 11% in 2020, according to Accenture. An analysis by Oliver Wyman of offline and online transactions across three European markets earlier this year shows a clear shift towards e/m-commerce payments. According to Oliver Wyman, these new payment modalities will continue to develop and gain market share after national lockdowns.
Lockdown significantly accelerated the shift from POS to E:M-commerce payment reaching up to 36 percent of all transactions in March 2020 in several countries, Source- Oliver Wyman, June 2020
According to a Mastercard weekly survey launched April 27, almost seven in ten consumers globally believe the shift to digital payments will likely be permanent. Nearly half of consumers plan to use cash less, even after the pandemic subsides.
 
Featured image credit:People photo created by prostooleh &#8211; www.freepik.com
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/covid-19-fuels-global-e-commerce-and-digital-payments</link><guid>1505</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Lockdown-significantly-accelerated-the-shift-from-POS-to-EM-commerce-payment-reaching-up-to-36-percent-of-all-transactions-in-March-2020-in-several-countries-Source-Oliver-Wyman-June-2020.png</dc:content ><dc:text>COVID-19 Fuels Global E-Commerce and Digital Payments</dc:text></item><item><title>Die Höhle der Löwen Schweiz geht in die 2te Runde: Zwei Fintechs mit dabei</title><description><![CDATA[Die zweite Staffel der erfolgreichen Unternehmershow die Höhle der Löwen Schweiz startet am 22. September.
Auf TV24 jeweils Dienstags um 20.15 Uhr buhlen während acht Folgen insgesamt 40 Unternehmen um Investoren-Gelder.
Während den Folgen kehren der Onlinehandel-Experte Roland Brack, die Business-ApartmentPionierin Anja Graf, die Technologieunternehmerin Bettina Hein und der Nachhaltigkeitsunternehmer Tobias Reichmuth als Fernseh-Löwen auf TV24 zurück. Dabei erhalten sie neu Unterstützung vom Musikhit-Produzenten und Unternehmer DJ Antoine.
Zwei Fintechs hoffen auf Unterstützung
In der ersten Folge werben fünf Startups, die unterschiedlicher nicht sein könnten, um ein Investment der Schweizer Löwen.
Auch ein Schweizer Fintech wird in Folge Fünf um Investoren-Geld buhlen. Zudem ist eine Schweizer Crypto Plattform in Folge Acht mit dabei.
 
 
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/die-hohle-der-lowen-schweiz-geht-in-die-2te-runde-zwei-fintechs-mit-dabei</link><guid>1506</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Die Höhle der Löwen Schweiz geht in die 2te Runde: Zwei Fintechs mit dabei</dc:text></item><item><title>Expense Robot bringt erste Revolut Style Firmen-Prepaid Mastercard für die Schweiz</title><description><![CDATA[Das Schweizer Fintech-Unternehmen Yokoy lanciert zusammen mit der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg die Yokoy Prepaid Business Mastercard. Es ist nach Angaben der Gesellschft die erste vollintegrierte und gebührenfreie Firmenbankkarte der Schweiz, die eine revolutionäre Lösung für das Ausgabenmanagement von Unternehmen bietet.
Neu für den Schweizer Markt ist, dass Unternehmen für Transaktionen mit der Yokoy Prepaid Business Mastercard keine Fremdwährungs- oder Kartengebühren bezahlen müssen. Entsprechende Angebote gab es bisher vor allem für Privatkunden. Neu ist auch, dass Unternehmen damit eine vollintegrierte Karte zur Verfügung haben. Die Yokoy Prepaid Business Mastercard ist nämlich mittels der Yokoy Plattform in den gesamten Abwicklungsprozess des Spesen- und Ausgabenmanagements eines Unternehmens integriert – vom Bezahlen bis zur Abbuchung auf dem Bankkonto und von der korrekten Verbuchung in der Finanzbuchhaltung bis zur konformen Archivierung.
Die Yokoy-Lösung für die automatische Spesen- und Firmenkreditkarten-Verarbeitung nutzt künstliche Intelligenz (KI). Die Unternehmen SIX und Swisscom haben sich früh als strategische Investoren beteiligt und Yokoy unterstützt. So haben sich in kurzer Zeit mehr als 100 Unternehmen für Yokoy entschieden, darunter bekannte Namen wie Swissquote oder Hero. Yokoy beschäftigt in Zürich ein eigenes Team aus Physikern und Mathematikern, das den Betrieb und die Weiterentwicklung des hauseigene KI-Modells sicherstellt.
In viele Systeme integriert
Yokoy ist bereits in allen wichtigen Finanz-, Personal- und Geschäftsreise-Tools integriert, wie etwa SAP, Abacus, SAGE, MS Dynamics, UBER, bta first travel oder TravelPerk. Die Integration erfolgt mehrheitlich über den Programmierstandard REST API, was einen sicheren Datenaustausch in Echtzeit erlaubt. Das Angebot umfasst auch eine aktive Betrugsprävention, die dem Kunden potenzielle Betrugsfälle automatisch anzeigt und sie einer manuellen Prüfung unterzieht.
«Revolut for Business für die Schweiz»
Philippe Sahli
«Wir sind überzeugt, dass das Firmenkartengeschäft eine Revolution nötig hat. Mit den Angeboten von Revolut, N26, Neon und Co. erwarten die Kunden heute eine vollintegrierte und gebührenfreie Karte, die komplett online verwaltet werden kann. Die Businesslösungen von den Neobanken fokussieren oft stark auf Bankendienstleistungen, bei denen das Prozessmanagement und Aspekte der Systemanbindungen zu kurz kommen. Als wir unseren Kunden von der revolutionären Firmenkarte ohne Gebühren erzählten, wurden wir oft gefragt, ob wir das neue Revolut for Business für die Schweiz seien. Man könnte uns so bezeichnen, jedoch decken wir zusätzliche Aspekte ab wie die Systemanbindungen, Mehrwertsteuerkonformität und flexible Genehmigungsflüsse»,
sagt Yokoy-CEO Philippe Sahli.
Expense Robot heisst neu Yokoy
Mit der Lancierung der Yokoy Business Mastercard ändern das Startup auch ihren Namen von Expense Robot in Yokoy.
Melanie Gabriel
«Nachdem wir unser Angebot um die Kartenoption erweitert haben, passte der alte Name nicht mehr zu uns, weil damit die Kartenoption und viele weitere Produkte, die noch in Entwicklung sind, nicht abgedeckt war. Deshalb haben wir uns für ein Rebranding unter dem Namen Yokoy entschieden. Es handelt sich um einen Fantasienamen, den wir nun mit unserer Vision eines zeitgemässen Ausgabenmanagements für Firmenkunden füllen können»,
sagt Melanie Gabriel, CMO und Mitgründerin von Yokoy.
 
The post Expense Robot bringt erste Revolut Style Firmen-Prepaid Mastercard für die Schweiz appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/expense-robot-bringt-erste-revolut-style-firmen-prepaid-mastercard-fur-die-schweiz</link><guid>1504</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Expense Robot bringt erste Revolut Style Firmen-Prepaid Mastercard für die Schweiz</dc:text></item><item><title>Digital Onboarding Becoming the Norm in Germany</title><description><![CDATA[New players on the financial market like neo-banks and fintechs are reshaping the landscape and accelerating digitalization of many services and processes. In this rapidly changing environment, customer experience (CX) has emerged as a major differentiator with digital onboarding being propelled to the center stage.
Digitalization has taken the world by storm, and today’s customers are demanding a seamless, digital-first onboarding experience. The advantages of digital customer onboarding are obvious: quick and easy operation from a home PC or mobile device, without the hassle of waiting or wasting time.
Yet, despite massive investment in digital transformation, banks and financial institutions in Europe are still struggling to get it right.
According to a research by Signicat released in June 2019, 38% of all financial services applications in Europe were abandoned before being complete over the prior year, with the main reason cited as the time it takes them to fill in the required details.
The rise of challengers
The urgency to offer a seamless digital customer onboarding experience is even more so at this time where challenger banks and fintechs are rapidly gaining ground and winning market share.
These new entrants have been focusing on making their offerings simple and user-friendly, and their efforts have paid off. Of the 30% of consumers who had used a “mobile-first” financial service, 70% say the service is better than what they had before, the Signicat research found.
With this rate of customer satisfaction, mobile-first services have a good chance of retaining customers once they are onboarded, the report says, putting further pressure on incumbents.
Digital onboarding in Germany
Germany was one of the first jurisdictions in the world to allow video verification back in 2014. Amid demands for more convenient onboarding processes, Germany’s Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) passed a directive that year, which was updated in 2017 to further tighten process security.
Today, digital client onboarding is firmly established in the German financial sector, with direct banks and private banks leading the way, according to a study by PwC.

The industry is now moving towards what PwC refers to “next-generation client onboarding,” where financial institutions are gradually developing their onboarding into a multichannel process that is accessible from all devices. The end goal here is to merge all customer interaction channels to form a single channel in order to provide an overall superior digital customer experience.
eKYC providers in Germany
With digital onboarding rapidly becoming the norm, the German market has seen the emergence of a thriving electronic know-your-customer (eKYC) industry.
eKYC refers to the digitalization and online conception of KYC processes, and constitutes a critical step in the digital onboarding journey.
In Germany, several startups operate in the field, with perhaps the most notable player being IDnow. Based in Munich, IDnow offers an identity-as-a-service platform that can verify in real time the identities of more than 7 billion people from 193 different countries. The startup’s patent-protected video identification and e-signing solutions are currently used by some of the world’s leading banks and fintechs including UBS, SolarisBank, Fidor Bank, N26, and Smava.
KYC Spider is another prominent startup serving European markets, including Germany and Austria. Headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, KYC Spider provides a digital platform designed to fulfil customers’ anti-money laundering/combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) and sanctions compliance requirements.
The startup’s comprehensive KYC solution suite offers all the necessary compliance services relevant not only for financial intermediaries and banks, but also fintechs and industrial corporations. KYC Spider serves the likes of Yapeal, Bitcoin Suisse and Lykke.
Other eKYC providers from Germany include Trust Fractal, a Berlin and Singapore-based identification management company providing a KYC/AML platform specifically built for finance 3.0 services including blockchain fintechs, and 4Stop, which has created a one-stop solution for enterprise level KYC, compliance and anti-fraud.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digital-onboarding-becoming-the-norm-in-germany</link><guid>1503</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/pwc-next-generation-client-onboarding-02.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Digital Onboarding Becoming the Norm in Germany</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Lendingtech Startup i2invest Raises 1.3 Mio. CHF in Seed and Launches First Investment Products</title><description><![CDATA[Marketplace lending offers stable and attractive returns in a low-interest environment. But accessing and managing many different lending platforms poses a challenge for investors.
i2 invest was founded in 2015 with the goal of developing a software solution that collects, standardises and evaluates investment data from marketplace lending platforms. The fintech startup now starts to offer innovative investment and software solutions for professional investors that want to invest in marketplace lending or implement their own investment strategy.
i2 invest has raised 1.3 Mio CHF in a Seed financing round backed by high-profile business angels with a financial background to support their growth and to extend the team. With this financing round Christopher Bödker joins the board of directors. He is known for establishing Akina, a Zurich based asset manager with 2.8 billion USD AuM, that specializes in private market investments, which was sold to Unigestion.
The financing round also supports the rapid growth of two fund projects, with 10.0 million seed money committed to each, which will launch this fall. One will focus on financing loans with recoverable collateral like car loans, agricultural loans or software development loans.In the second project, i2 will help a Liechtenstein asset manager to bundle the best SME loans from Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland available on marketplaces into one fund.
Gregor Stadelmann
“This project is a matter of the heart for us. We are pleased that we can make a positive impact on the domestic business environment”
says co-founder and CEO Gregor Stadelmann.
I2 invest has built a track record since 2017 investing in over 30 marketplaces worldwide. These two funds as well as further ones in development will be available for qualified investors from Europe.
 
 
Featured image: Founders of i2 invest (from left to right): Marco Müller, Gregor Stadelmann, Markus Benz, Dominik Hertig
 
 
The post Swiss Lendingtech Startup i2invest Raises 1.3 Mio. CHF in Seed and Launches First Investment Products appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-lendingtech-startup-i2invest-raises-13-mio-chf-in-seed-and-launches-first-investment-products</link><guid>1501</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Lendingtech Startup i2invest Raises 1.3 Mio. CHF in Seed and Launches First Investment Products</dc:text></item><item><title>CB Insights Report: Embedded Fintech Gaining Traction</title><description><![CDATA[Around the world, non-financial companies are increasingly integrating financial products into their service offerings. This emerging trend, referred to as embedded fintech, is becoming more and more apparent, according to a CB Insights report.
In its State of Fintech Q2’20 Report, the market intelligence firm shares findings from funding data from Q2, stating that the trend towards embedded fintech applications is rapidly gaining traction around the globe and across applications.
The report cites the examples of human resources (HR) platform Gusto, which offers Cashout, a service that grants employees paycheck advances, automakers like Toyota and Ford, which are using data to improve embedded insurance offerings, as well as real estate and rental marketplace Zillow, which has integrated fintech services within its services.
Further highlighting this trend is the number of deals and amount of funding in Q2’20 that went towards companies enabling embedded fintech. These include Airwallex, a business-to-business (B2B) payment services provider which raised US$160 million, Checkout.com, a paytech company serving merchants from London which raised US$150 million, and States Title, a proptech startup from the US facilitating mortgage closings which raised US$123 million.
The concept of embedded fintech is that financial services, rather than being offered as standalone products, will become part of the native user interface of other products, becoming thus embedded.
This trend has emerged over the past few years, with Apple, for example, launching the Apple Card in the US in August 2019. Amazon offers products and services in payments, lending, insurance, and more. Facebook provides payments services and has been working on its Libra stablecoin project.
Shopify, a leading e-commerce platform, launched a payment solution called Shopify Payments in August 2013. Since its introduction, Shopify’s payments revenue has grown tremendously, a clear proof that embedded fintech in e-commerce works and can be very lucrative.
Shopify&#8217;s payments revenue growth, The State of Fintech Q2&#8217;20 Report, CB Insights
Another key trend in Q2’20 was open banking. New banking tech providers, including open APIs provider Setu and open banking platform Yapily, received notable investments, and incumbents began providing open banking services, the report says.
Q2’20 also saw notable growth in the e-commerce sector amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as further consolidation in the retail wealth management sector with the acquisitions of Personal Capital, Folio Investing, and AdvisorEngine, the report says.
Multiple fintech companies filed to go public in Q2’20, possibly signaling a shift in attitudes towards initial public offerings (IPOs) among mature fintech companies, the report says.
Fintech companies that filed to go public in Q2 include Lemonade, a digital renter and homeowner insurance company, nCino, which offers cloud-based operating software to banks, SelectQuote, a 30-year old insurtech, and Shift4Payments, an online point of sale (POS) provider.
Fintech funding rebounded in Q2’20, increasing 17% quarter-over-quarter (QoQ) to US$9.3 billion.
Quarterly global VC-backed fintech financing, Q1’17 – Q2’20 ($M), The State of Fintech Q2&#8217;20 Report, CB Insights
Mega rounds of US$100 million and more hit a new quarter high of 28, with some of these possibly going towards companies with high cash-burn rates to help them get through the ongoing economic uncertainty induced by the COVID-19 pandemic, the report says.
Global number of fintech mega-rounds ($100M+), Q1’15 – Q2’20, The State of Fintech Q2&#8217;20 Report, CB Insights
Q2’20 saw the birth of one new fintech unicorn, Upgrade, a neobank. The addition brought the total number of VC-backed fintech unicorns to 66 that are worth a combined US$248 billion.
66 fintech unicorns as of June 6, 2020, The State of Fintech Q2&#8217;20 Report, CB Insights
The post CB Insights Report: Embedded Fintech Gaining Traction appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/cb-insights-report-embedded-fintech-gaining-traction</link><guid>1500</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Shopifys-payments-revenue-growth-The-State-of-Fintech-Q220-Report-CB-Insights.png</dc:content ><dc:text>CB Insights Report: Embedded Fintech Gaining Traction</dc:text></item><item><title>Was sind Cobots?</title><description><![CDATA[Seit dem 5. Dezember 2008 werden kollaborierende Roboter – die sogenannten „Cobots“ – in der Industrie eingesetzt und brachten bis heute eine nachhaltige Veränderung in der Produktion. Sowohl die Arbeitsprozesse als auch die Aufteilung der Arbeit zwischen Mensch und Maschine führte einen dauerhaften industriellen Wandel herbei.
Damit wurde eine Art der Automatisierung von Herstellungsprozessen geschaffen, die benutzerfreundlich, flexibel und kostengünstig ist. So können sogar kleine Unternehmen Cobots in ihren Herstellungsprozess integrieren.
Die Cobots, die von Universal Robots produziert werden, sollen hier genauer vorgestellt, um zu erkennen, welche Vorteile der Einsatz eines Cobots für das Unternehmen und seine Mitarbeiter mit sich bringt. Die Leichtbauroboter bieten den Unternehmen, die sie einsetzen, vor allem aufgrund der Automatisierung der Arbeitsgänge wesentliche Vorteile. Der Transport von schweren Lasten, die Palettierung, aber auch die einfache Maschinenbestückung lässt sich mit Cobots erledigen, wodurch die Anwendung selbst für technisch weniger geschultes Personal möglich ist.
Der Cobot – flexibel und einfach zu nutzen
Grundsätzlich setzt sich die Bezeichnung des Cobots aus den englischen Ausdrücken „Collaboration“ („Zusammenarbeit“) und „Robot“ („Roboter“). Diese Leichtbauroboter arbeiten eng mit den Menschen zusammen, sind leicht und transportabel, sodass sie sich im Unternehmen vielfach einsetzen lassen. In der Fertigung oder im Lager stemmt er verschiedene Aufgaben, mit deren Hilfe das Unternehmen die Produktion optimiert und Fehlhaltungen am Arbeitsplatz verhindert.
Die Cobots sind aufgrund ihres vielfältigen Nutzungs Spektrums an fast allen Bereichen der Produktion einsetzbar. Sie übernehmen Montagetätigkeiten und heben Lasten bei direkter Zusammenarbeit mit dem Menschen, denen sie nun monotone oder anstrengende Tätigkeiten wie das Schweißen oder Klebearbeiten abnehmen. Doch auch für das Palettieren, die Maschinenbestückung oder die Durchführung von Qualitätsprüfungen können sie eingesetzt werden. Cobots müssen jedoch nicht zwingend im industriellen Bereich zum Einsatz kommen. Leichtbauroboter unterstützen sowohl in der Industrie als auch Schwerbehinderter bei ihrer Arbeit.

Durch die kollaborierenden Roboter profitieren die Unternehmen und die Nutzer allgemein gleich in mehrfacher Hinsicht, da die Automatisierung die Produktion besonders flexibel gestaltet. Cobots helfen, Gefahren zu reduzieren, die gegebenenfalls zu Verletzungen führen, und steigern die Produktivität massgeblich. Da Roboter qualitativ hochwertige Arbeit abliefern, wird auch das Ergebnis überzeugen.
Welche Unternehmen und Anwendungen profitieren von Cobots?
Einer Umfrage zufolge werden den Jahren 2020 bis 2022 fast zwei Millionen Cobots in der Industrie installiert, da sie gleich mehrere Vorteile auszeichnen. Cobots sind besonders anwenderfreundlich entwickelt worden, lassen sich einfach programmieren und können schnell in die Produktion integriert werden. Vor allem kleinere und mittlere Handwerksbetriebe (KMU) profitieren von Cobots, da die Geräte vergleichsweise günstig sind. Nun können auch die kleinen Unternehmen und Handwerksbetriebe vom Einsatz eines Leichtbauroboters profitieren und eine Automatisierung der Betriebsabläufe durchführen, die früher zu teuer war.
Grundsätzlich arbeiten der Cobot und der Mensch Hand in Hand. Dabei teilen sie sich einen gemeinsamen Arbeitsraum. Da der Cobot auf eine flexible Art und Weise arbeiten kann, wäre dies ein denkbares Beispielszenario: Während der Mensch an einem Teil arbeitet, hält der Cobot es auf einer bestimmten Position, damit sich eine Fixierung nicht löst. Die häufigsten Anwendungen liegen allerdings in der Beladung und Entladung von Maschinen und in Montagearbeiten, um beim Kommissionieren zu unterstützen. Der größte Pluspunkt für den Cobot liegt hier darin, dass Cobots durch die Programmierung immer fehlerfrei arbeiten können.
Die Robotik und Automatisierung wird eingesetzt, um neue Trends unter den Verbrauchern aufzuspüren. Mithilfe des Einsatzes von Cobots können Produktionsbereiche zumindest teilweise automatisiert werden, sodass die Unternehmen wettbewerbsfähig und flexibel bleiben können. Die Installation, aber auch die Programmierung der Geräte und ihre Bedienung immer einfacher gestaltet ist. Da sie mit vielen Sensoren ausgestattet sind, sind sie in der Lage, sich besonders schnell an sich ändernde Bedingungen anzupassen. Um die Automatisierung an den KMUs weiter fortzuführen, muss die Kollaboration von Mensch und Maschine weiter fortgeführt und verbessert werden.
 
Featured image credit:Mobile photo created by vanitjan &#8211; www.freepik.com
The post Was sind Cobots? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/was-sind-cobots</link><guid>1502</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/cobots.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Was sind Cobots?</dc:text></item><item><title>Future Scenario: Pay with Sygnum’s Stablecoin when Ordering Online on Galaxus/Digitec</title><description><![CDATA[Sygnum Bank, Coinify and Galaxus announced their successful e-commerce transaction using a bank-issued stablecoin.
Sygnum’s DCHF stablecoin has been successfully used for an e-commerce payment transaction with Swiss online retailer, Galaxus. The transaction was enabled by the digital currency platform provider, Coinify.
The Sygnum DCHF, pegged 1:1 with the Swiss Franc, is said to eliminate the need for card systems, reduce cost and fraud, and processes transactions in real-time.
This connection between the digital and traditional economies has the potential to revolutionise the US$3.5 trillion e-commerce industry and forge direct connections between consumers and online retailers.
Over US$3.5 trillion per year, including US$11 billion in Switzerland, pass through a chain of payment service providers and card systems during e-commerce transactions. The multiple processes required to approve and facilitate payments provides opportunities for fraud and increase online retailers’ transaction costs and chargebacks.
Mark Højgaard
“With the DCHF and other digital currencies, the future of money is going back to its roots; exchanged between two parties, instantly and simply. This speaks volumes about the potential of trusted, price-stable digital currencies in the e-commerce space”,
said Mark Højgaard, Coinify’s CEO.
Unlike unaudited stablecoins issuers, Sygnum is a regulated bank that holds as collateral one Swiss Franc in the Swiss National Bank for every DCHF it generates in its client accounts. DCHF also facilitates Sygnum’s innovative tokenisation solution that generates digital versions of assets like company shares and real-estate on the blockchain that can be securely traded, paid for, and delivered instantly.

Martin Burgherr
“This transaction is a further proof-point of the value of Sygnum’s DCHF and its potential to drive digital transformation in major global industries like e-commerce and payments. We continue to innovate and foster partnerships such as this to accelerate the development of the global digital asset economy&#8221;.
says Martin Burgherr, Sygnum Bank’s Chief Client Officer.
 


 
﻿
The post Future Scenario: Pay with Sygnum&#8217;s Stablecoin when Ordering Online on Galaxus/Digitec appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/future-scenario-pay-with-sygnums-stablecoin-when-ordering-online-on-galaxusdigitec</link><guid>1499</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Future Scenario: Pay with Sygnum’s Stablecoin when Ordering Online on Galaxus/Digitec</dc:text></item><item><title>Gabathuler, Gutenberg und Osterwalder beteiligen sich an Skribble</title><description><![CDATA[Das E-Signing-Startup Skribble erhält weiteres Wachstumskapital. Es konnte drei prominente Privatinvestoren aus der Tech-Szene als Investoren gewinnen. Darunter Daniel Gutenberg, der sich durch frühe Investitionen in zahlreiche Unicorns einen Namen machte.
Verträge müssen nicht mehr den Umweg über Drucker und Papier nehmen, um rechtsgültig unterschrieben zu werden: Das geht schneller und sicherer auf digitalem Weg. Davon konnte das TrustTech-Startup Skribble ein weiteres Mal namhafte Investoren überzeugen: Neu investiert haben Daniel Gutenberg, Cyrill Osterwalder und Thomas Gabathuler.
Das sind prominente Namen in der Tech-Szene: Daniel Gutenberg war unter anderem als Early Stage Investor bei Facebook, Mobileye und SumUp dabei. Cyrill Osterwalder führte das Security &amp; Privacy Engineering bei Google und ist Direktor bei der Venture Capital Firma VI Partners. Thomas Gabathuler ist Serial Entrepreneur und gründete unter anderem den TV-Dienst Wilmaa.
Philipp Dick, CEO Skribble
Das Geld fliesst in die Marktexpansion nach Deutschland und weitere europäische Märkte. Philipp Dick, Mitgründer und CEO von Skribble, sagt:
“Wir dürfen die Bedeutung von Smart Capital ein weiteres Mal in seiner ganzen Tiefe erfahren. Es freut uns extrem, dass wir solch ausgewiesene Experten für Skribble gewinnen konnten.”
Bei der Investition handelt sich um ein Second Closing der zweiten Finanzierungsrunde von Skribble, die das Startup im vergangenen Mai im siebenstelligen Bereich abschloss. Lead-Investor war der Helvetia Venture Fund. Auch die Mobiliar, Zürcher Kantonalbank, die Venture-Capital-Gesellschaft btov Partners und Skribble-Mitarbeitende waren bei der Runde dabei.
 
 
The post Gabathuler, Gutenberg und Osterwalder beteiligen sich an Skribble appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/gabathuler-gutenberg-und-osterwalder-beteiligen-sich-an-skribble</link><guid>1498</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Gabathuler, Gutenberg und Osterwalder beteiligen sich an Skribble</dc:text></item><item><title>Tradeplus24 Lands Breakthrough Partnership for SME Loan Distribution in Australia</title><description><![CDATA[Credit Suisse-backed and SME focused fintech Tradeplus24, has joined the Australian Finance Group’s panel of finance providers to offer its loan product.
AFG is an Australian mortgage broking group, with 2,975 finance brokers that work with close to 7,500 Australians each month, many of whom will be able to offer said product.
Tradeplus24 model uses insurance to underwrite a pool of SME’s account receivables. This removes risk for funders, and is said to enable it to offer simpler, more streamlined, lower cost, and lower risk lending. This will enable SMEs gain access to a more convenient and affordable way to optimise their balance sheet.
Adam Lane
“We are delighted to be working with AFG and their introducer community in our mission to assist as many Australian SMEs as possible to access innovative finance solutions to manage their cash flow,”
said Adam Lane, Managing Director and ex-NAB exec of Tradeplus24.
“The distribution scale that AFG will provide will be instrumental in growing our business to become one of the fastest-growing business lending fintechs in Australia.”
Tradeplus24’s lines of credit range between US$500,000 and US$10 million and do not require property as collateral, making them well-positioning to support more than 2 million Australian SMEs producing US$577 billion of GDP, many of whom are struggling in the wake of COVID-19.
Credit of this size also allows Tradeplus24 to meet the need of a significantly underserviced part of the Australian market – alternative lenders typically cap loan sizes at US$250,000 but traditional lenders usually can’t structure cashflow finance under US$5 million without property security, leaving a big gap in the middle.
Chris Slater
Chris Slater, Head of Sales and Distribution at AFG, said that this is the type of quality and innovation in lending that they wish to continuously offer to their network of 2,975 brokers.
“Feedback from our team was that the Tradeplus24 product would bolster our offering in the receivables space. Helping our brokers access the most innovative products in the market is a core principle of AFG and I am confident our partnership with Tradeplus24 will give our brokers choice when finding cash flow solutions for their SME clients.”
 
This article first appeared on fintechnews.sg
The post Tradeplus24 Lands Breakthrough Partnership for SME Loan Distribution in Australia appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/tradeplus24-lands-breakthrough-partnership-for-sme-loan-distribution-in-australia</link><guid>1497</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Tradeplus24 Lands Breakthrough Partnership for SME Loan Distribution in Australia</dc:text></item><item><title>Helvetia Venture Fund Acquires Stake in Swiss Challenger Bank Neon</title><description><![CDATA[The Helvetia Venture Fund invested and holds a stake in neon, which offers app-based banking. This follows a previous partnership where Smile, a Swiss digital insurance solution from Helvetia, and neon offered a mobile bancassurance solution in Switzerland.
This round of investments includes the new investors QoQa SA and other private investors, as well as existing investors TX Group, Backbone Ventures, the Innovation Foundation of the Schwyz Cantonal Bank and Business Angels. The total funding round is according to neon a bit more as 5 million CHF.
neon provides an app-based Swiss banking solution, in which users can open a bank account and get a free Mastercard. neon is said to be convenient and offers low fees, particularly for international transactions, and attractive exchange rates.
Unlike foreign challenger banks, neon issues accounts with a Swiss IBAN, which are also covered by the Swiss deposit protection scheme due to a cooperation with Hypothekarbank Lenzburg. Just one year after its launch, it is alleged to have more than 30,000 customers are using the banking app.
First fintech investment by the Helvetia Venture Fund
The past partnership between the two entities was potentially the reason that prompted Helvetia Venture Fund to start investing in the fintech sector.
Martin Tschopp
&#8220;neon has an excellent product with impressive growth figures. The cooperation with neon gives Helvetia the opportunity to access new customers. We are also confident that neon will further develop the traditional Swiss banking market in the long term&#8221;,
explained Martin Tschopp, Chief Customer Officer at Helvetia Switzerland.
 
 
The post Helvetia Venture Fund Acquires Stake in Swiss Challenger Bank Neon appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/helvetia-venture-fund-acquires-stake-in-swiss-challenger-bank-neon</link><guid>1496</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Helvetia Venture Fund Acquires Stake in Swiss Challenger Bank Neon</dc:text></item><item><title>Erste Bonusmeilen E-Scooter Kreditkarte für Europa</title><description><![CDATA[Bonusmeilenprogramme von Kreditkarten sind üblicherweise an Flugmeilen gebunden – nicht unbedingt die klimafreundlichste Art der Fortbewegung. Jetzt setzt der schwedische E-Scooterverleiher Voi dagegen: Als weltweit erster Mikromobilitätsanbieter stellt das Unternehmen heute seine eigene Mastercard Kreditkarte vor, herausgegeben von der Advanzia Bank.
Mit einem integrierten Bonussystem sammeln Nutzer bei jeder Zahlung Meilen, die in E-Scooterfreifahrten eingelöst werden können. Beim Erhalt der Karte werden zudem 6000 Meilen zusätzlich gutgeschrieben – dies entspricht bereits sechs Freifahrten. Um das Mobilitätskonzept der Karte abzurunden, erhalten alle Nutzer außerdem ein umfangreiches Versicherungspaket sowie weitere Mastercard Gold Vorteile inklusive.
Claus Unterkircher
„E-Scooterfahrten statt Flugmeilen – Mit der gebührenfreien Voi Mastercard Gold wollen wir mehr Menschen von nachhaltiger Mobilität überzeugen, indem wir ihnen ein alternatives Bonusprogramm zusammen mit Top-Konditionen anbieten”,
erklärt Claus Unterkircher, Vois General Manager für den DACH-Raum.
„Wir freuen uns sehr, in der Advanzia Bank einen starken Partner gefunden zu haben, der unsere Ideale teilt und auf dem Gebiet der Zahlungsdienstleistungen zu den führenden Innovatoren gehört.”
Die gebührenfreie Voi Mastercard Gold
Die Karte wird in Kooperation mit der Advanzia Bank ausgegeben und bietet sowohl kontaktloses als auch mobiles Bezahlen. Kunden des schwedischen Mobilitätsunternehmens können die Voi Mastercard Gold ab sofort kostenlos online beantragen und erhalten diese nach Prüfung innerhalb weniger Werktage direkt zugeschickt. Für die Karte fallen keine Jahres- und Fremdwährungsgebühren an. Zahlungen am Kassenterminal werden per PIN geschützt – Transaktionen über iPhone oder Android-Mobilgeräte sind sowohl online als auch im Geschäft über Face bzw. Touch ID zuverlässig geschützt. Eine komplette Transaktionsübersicht kann jederzeit online oder in der Kreditkarten-App eingesehen werden.
Johannes Neander
Johannes Neander, Chief Commercial Officer der Advanzia Bank:
„Wir freuen uns mit der gebührenfreien Voi Mastercard Gold eine flexible Bezahllösung anbieten zu können, die perfekt zum Voi-Mobilitätskonzept passt. Wir sind stolz darauf, durch unsere starken Produktvorteile und die damit verbundene Kundenbindung einen Beitrag zur Mikromobilität zu leisten.”
Voi punktet mit individuellen Preisen
Mit der Einführung der Voi Mastercard Gold geht das schwedische Unternehmen Voi ausserdem einen weiteren Schritt bei der Diversifizierung seiner Bezahlmodelle. Als einziges Unternehmen berechnen die Schweden die Fahrpreise ihrer E-Scooter über ein adaptives Preissystem, bei dem Vielfahrer dauerhaft bis zu 40 Prozent günstiger fahren können. Alternativ ist auch eine Flatratezahlung via Monatsabo möglich.
Durch die individualisierte Anpassung der Zahlungsmodelle und die Einführung eines E-Scooters, der zum Laden nicht mehr eingesammelt werden muss, konnte das Unternehmen seine Effizienz in den letzten Monaten stark erhöhen; dies ermöglicht es Voi, sowohl die unvergünstigten Basispreise als auch die Flatratebuchung weiterhin unter gängigen Branchenstandards anzubieten.
The post Erste Bonusmeilen E-Scooter Kreditkarte für Europa appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/erste-bonusmeilen-e-scooter-kreditkarte-fur-europa</link><guid>1495</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Erste Bonusmeilen E-Scooter Kreditkarte für Europa</dc:text></item><item><title>Common API and b.Link Join Forces to Drive Swiss Open Banking</title><description><![CDATA[One key factor for the success of open banking is the standardisation of interfaces as banks and their customers need a common standard that they can trust.
Only then can the best possible conditions be established for implementing innovations cost-effectively. In the “Payments” and “Access to Account” business areas, this is now a reality.
The two initiatives Common API and b.Link have defined a compatible standard for both areas, which is already in use among the participating banks and third-party providers on the latter&#8217;s open banking platform. For example, corporate customers can use it to compare their online accounting against their bank account automatically.
The initiatives: Common API and b.Link
The two driving forces in Swiss open banking are platforms and standards. Via standardized interfaces, the b.Link platform from SIX connects banks with third-party providers of financial services, which may include fintechs, conventional software companies as well as banks. The interface opens up new business areas for all platform participants. With the b.Link platform, a fast connection requiring minimal effort is possible without neglecting security or data protection.
In addition to that, standards are required to simplify the connection in technical terms. For this reason, the Common API initiative was launched by the Swiss FinTech Innovations (SFTI). SFTI works in close coordination with Swiss financial institutions, providers of core banking software, fintechs, and other relevant players to standardise banking interfaces. Its API specifications for “Payments” and “Access to Account” are now modeled to be compatible with b.Link’s productive APIs.
New interface standards
Looking to the future, it will be essential to join forces when establishing further interfaces to ensure a single standard for each business area. In this context, the two initiatives are pursuing the shared goal of creating uniform Swiss standards for other business areas such as mortgages and securities. Banks and third-party providers should be able to build on these standards securely and provide optimal support for their customers’ financial transactions with innovative services.
The two initiatives intend to continue working closely together in the future, where existing standards and specialist expertise from the market are taken into account. In this way, they bolster trust in open banking and equipping the players in the Swiss financial institutions for an open and digital future.
 
Featured image credit: Unsplash
The post Common API and b.Link Join Forces to Drive Swiss Open Banking appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/common-api-and-blink-join-forces-to-drive-swiss-open-banking</link><guid>1493</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Common API and b.Link Join Forces to Drive Swiss Open Banking</dc:text></item><item><title>New Report Spotlights the Indonesian Fintech Opportunity for Swiss Firms</title><description><![CDATA[With a population of 267 million people, a large pool of financially underserved businesses and individuals, and high mobile and Internet penetration rates, Indonesia has seen its fintech industry rapidly expand over the past years, bringing huge opportunities for Swiss fintech startups and companies alike.
In a new Market Report, Swiss export and promotion agency Switzerland Global Enterprise gives an overview of the Indonesian fintech industry and shares arguments on why now is the right time for Swiss startups to consider entering the market.

The Indonesian fintech opportunity
In Indonesia, digital financial services revenues is projected to grow at a remarkable compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 34% to reach US$$8.6 billion by 2025.
The past couple of years have witnessed a surge in fintech adoption, with McKinsey estimating that between 2014 and 2017, digital banking penetration had increased by 1.6 times.
The payments sector, one of the key segments of the Indonesian fintech ecosystem, has witnessed strong growth over the past years. Today, the industry is dominated by a number of well-established players backed by leading Internet companies in the region and in Asia.
Fintech lending statistics in Indonesia, Market Report: Indonesia, Business Opportunities in Fintech, Switzerland Global Enterprise, Source: Bank Indonesia
The sector’s rapid growth is providing opportunities for fintech startups operating in fields related to payments security, customer authentication, detection/prevention of transaction fraud, consumer data privacy and cross-border regulatory compliance for fund transfers/payments, the report says.
In addition to that, there are many untapped opportunities in the cross-border payments space, notably when it comes to lowering costs and improving the efficiency. Indonesia is one of the world’s top recipients of global remittances, and yet the cost of sending money to the country still stands as a striking 6.12%, as of Q1 2020, the report notes.
Another booming fintech segment in Indonesia is peer-to-peer (P2P) lending. P2P lending is currently the country’s largest fintech segment, accounting 61.4% of all fintech firms. But the sector’s phenomenal success has brought with it a fair share of scandals and scams ranging from aggressive collection methods, to misuse of users’ data.
P2P lending in Indonesian fintech startup ecosystem, Market Report: Indonesia, Business Opportunities in Fintech, Switzerland Global Enterprise, Source: Fintech News Singapore
This, coupled with increasing concerns over defaults, makes it a good time for Swiss fintech startups offering solutions that address customer data verification, electronic know-your-customer (eKYC) procedures, as well as credit scoring/rating with non-traditional data sources, to enter Indonesia.
Investment and wealth management, a segment present in the Indonesian fintech industry though less developed than payments and P2P lending, is another sector highlighted in the report for its growth potential.
The sector has already seen rising demand and is poised for momentum as the number of riches is expected to significantly increase over the next few years.
Fintech lending statistics in Indonesia, Market Report: Indonesia, Business Opportunities in Fintech, Switzerland Global Enterprise, Source: Otoritas Jasa Keuangan (OJK)
This landscape is giving the opportunity for Swiss firms to provide not only local fintechs but also banks and traditional wealth management firms with the necessary backend technology for building innovative digital investment platforms, and robo-advisors.
With digitalization in the banking space expected to set to accelerate, Indonesia is an appealing market for Swiss business-to-business (B2B) fintech solution providers and fintech enablers.
Notably, the report highlights those offering solutions in the areas of modernization of legacy core banking systems and IT infrastructure, data cleansing, quality and accuracy, data analytics, data privacy and robotic process automation. Those operating in the areas of cloud accounting, software-as-a-service (SaaS), e-procurement and digital tax and compliance, will also benefit from the Indonesian banking sector’s digitalization race.
Fintech Indonesia Startup Map 2020, Market Report: Indonesia, Business Opportunities in Fintech, Switzerland Global Enterprise, Source: Fintech News Singapore
Fintech funding and M&amp;A activity in Indonesia
In 2019, Indonesia ranked third in fintech funding within ASEAN, accounting for 12% of the total, according to a report by United Overseas Bank (UOB), PwC and the Singapore Fintech Association. Unsurprisingly, most of that amount went towards companies in the payments (22%) and alternative lending spaces (56%).
Indonesia&#8217;s fintech sector has witnessed signs of consolidation over the past few years. Tech giant GoJek acquired no less than three Indonesian fintech startups in 2017, just a year after it launched its mobile wallet service GoPay.
Last year, Bank Rakyat Indonesia, the country’s largest lender by assets, purchased a fintech company as part of its expansion to become an integrated financial services company. The bank had already taken over insurance firm Bringin Sejahtera Artha Makmur that year, and had been a shareholder of Fintek Karya Nusantara (Finarya), the company behind mobile payments platform LinkAja.
M&amp;A deals are expected to accelerate as travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic continue to hamper players’ ability to enter the market in conventional ways. And as the health crisis continues to put a toll of many young, cash-strapped startups, a takeover could allow foreign players looking to pursuing the Indonesian fintech opportunity to easily and cheaply get ahold of an operating license and existing client base.
THE TEAM AND CONTACT DETAILS
Switzerland Global Enterprise | Headquarters
Stampfenbachstrasse 85 | CH-8006 Zurich | T +41 44 365 51 51 | s-ge.com

ANGELA DI ROSA
Senior Consultant South East Asia
adirosa@s-ge.com
T +41 44 365 54 73
M + 41 79 680 08 44

ALAIN GRAF
Senior Consultant Asia
S-GE Renens office
agraf@s-ge.com
T +41 21 545 94 97
M + 41 79 634 2057

MONICA ZURFLUH
Head S-GE Southern Switzerland
mzurfluh@s-ge.com
T +41 91 601 86 85
M +41 79 220 40 71

Swiss Business Hub Indonesia
c/o Embassy of Switzerland | Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said | Blok X 3/2 | Kuningan | Jakarta 12950 | Indonesia
WOLFGANG SCHANZENBACH
Head Swiss Business Hub Indonesia
wolfgang.schanzenbach@eda.admin.ch
T +41 58 480 38 55
M +62 811 870 9013
 
FERANICA SUSANTO
Senior Trade Officer
feranica.susanto@eda.admin.ch
T +41 58485 0466
M +62 812 953 7355
 
The post New Report Spotlights the Indonesian Fintech Opportunity for Swiss Firms appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-report-spotlights-the-indonesian-fintech-opportunity-for-swiss-firms</link><guid>1494</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://x2u3s3r4.stackpathcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Market-report-indonesia-business-opportunities.png?x27302</dc:content ><dc:text>New Report Spotlights the Indonesian Fintech Opportunity for Swiss Firms</dc:text></item><item><title>SwissBanking Outlines Success Factors for the Industry in the Age of Open Banking</title><description><![CDATA[In Switzerland, it is no longer a question of whether or not open banking is to stay, but rather in what form it will establish itself in the country, according to industry trade group the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA).
In a series of documents outlining its position on open banking and the steps forward for the industry, the SBA praises the market-driven approach that Switzerland has taken towards open banking implementation, noting that it was the best strategy to maintain trust in the financial center.
Unlike the European Union (EU) where regulators have introduced regulations like PSD2 (the revised Payment Services Directive), which ensures that banks create mechanisms to enable third party providers to work with their services and data, Switzerland does not currently have formal or compulsory open banking regimes to promote and accelerate the take-up of data sharing frameworks in banking.
Instead, the country has taken a market-driven approach where banks are free to decide for themselves who they work with and who is allowed access to their interfaces.
According to the SBA, this approach “ensures that the collaboration between bank and third party provider is based on market forces and specific use cases that add value for customers.” The organization said it considered “market-based solutions as key to maintaining the trust of customers.”
“Regulatory measures such as the forced opening of interfaces are not expedient,” the organization said.
“Free competition and customer needs in particular must and will decide whether open banking is implemented in Switzerland. It should remain the decision of the banks whether and with which third-party providers they wish to work … This is the only way that the Swiss financial centre will develop customer-orientated and non-government-ordered solutions in the area of open banking. Solutions that can also prevail in international competition.”
A comparison of international open banking frameworks, Open Banking- An overview for the Swiss financial centre, Swiss Bankers Associations, July 2020
The SBA said it was a believer in the many opportunities offered by open banking, noting that the global banking industry was moving towards this trend, including Switzerland.
Recognizing the potential of open banking for all market participants, the SBA said it was “actively contributing to the establishment of framework conditions that facilitate business models based on open banking” and working towards maintaining Switzerland’s competitiveness as a financial hub.
In a paper produced by a working group headed by the SBA and titled Open Banking: An overview for the Swiss financial centre, the organization outlines fundamental guidelines for the industry moving forward.
According to the trade group, banks must ensure that open banking fits in with their overall strategy, brand positioning and offering strategy. They must have a clear positioning and a precise idea of which offerings they want to combine with what specific added value.
Based on that strategic positioning, banks must then decide what role they will play in implementation. This role can be either as a supplier, where they supply products and services for distribution to third parties; an orchestrator, where they act as a third-party bringing manufacturers and distributors together; an aggregator, where they obtain products and services from third-parties and distributes them via their own channels; or if they want to have an integrated role, where they supply products and services for distribution via their own channels.
Possible roles of banks in an open banking ecosystem, Open Banking- An overview for the Swiss financial centre, Swiss Bankers Associations, July 2020, Source- SBA, based on Capgemini (2020), World Fintech Report
There is also the need for the banking industry to adopt a uniform, open API standard to allow market participants to dock seamlessly, without errors, as well as share and make use of data securely.
On this topic, the SBA argues that rather than adopting an existing standard, or designing a brand new one from scratch, the best strategy for Switzerland would be to develop a national standard based on and drawing from existing standards. This would not only allow for international interoperability but would also allow for these standards to meet the specificities of Switzerland’s payment services.
Several standardization initiatives are currently in the works, the SBA said, including Swiss Fintech Innovations’ (SFTI) Common API working group and the openbankingproject.ch initiative. There are also numerous API marketplaces and platforms available, such as SIX’s b.Link platform, the Swisscom Open Banking Hub and the inventx Open Finance Platform.
In Switzerland, SIX’s b.Link platform is the only initiative at the moment that covers all three key aspects: setting standards, building a platform and supporting third-party providers with the relevant technology, the SBA said.
Onepager Open Banking, Swiss Bankers Association, August 14, 2020:

The post SwissBanking Outlines Success Factors for the Industry in the Age of Open Banking appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swissbanking-outlines-success-factors-for-the-industry-in-the-age-of-open-banking</link><guid>1492</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/A-comparison-of-international-open-banking-frameworks-Open-Banking-An-overview-for-the-Swiss-financial-centre-Swiss-Bankers-Associations-July-2020.png</dc:content ><dc:text>SwissBanking Outlines Success Factors for the Industry in the Age of Open Banking</dc:text></item><item><title>PwC Blockchain Partner Joins FiCAS Board of Directors Following Crypto ETP Launch</title><description><![CDATA[FiCAS, a Switzerland based crypto investment management boutique, announced the appointment of Dr. Daniel Diemers,  as a new member of its Board of Directors.
It is worth noting that Dr. Diemers is a founding member of the Swiss Blockchain Federation, the Swiss Finance Technology Association, and the Crypto Valley Association, as well as a serial digital entrepreneur and investor.
He was formerly the Financial Services Partner at PwC Strategy&amp; and PwC Head of Blockchain for Europe, Middle East, and Africa.
This announcement follows FiCAS&#8217; recent launch of the Bitcoin Capital Active ETP, claimed to be the world’s first discretionary managed ETP with cryptocurrencies as the underlying asset, which is listed on SIX. Since its launch last month, FiCAS has increased its assets under management by over 50% to more than 3 million CHF, with inflows suggesting widespread retail adoption.
Daniel Diemers
Commenting on his appointment, Dr. Daniel Diemers said,
&#8220;I was impressed by FiCAS&#8217; innovative investment strategies, as well as the team’s determination to introduce new pioneering crypto-products to the market. I am proud to be joining the FiCAS Board of Directors and look forward to bringing my experience in finance and blockchain technology to propel forward change and growth in the financial markets.&#8221;
Mattia Rattaggi
Dr Mattia Rattaggi, Chairman of the FiCAS BoD, said,
&#8220;Daniel Diemers brings a wealth of experience and knowledge, as well as his industry reputation and network to FiCAS. His guidance will be instrumental to ensure continuous sustainable growth to an institutional-grade firm offering a first-of-its-kind product to professional and institutional investors seeking to add potential for exponential returns to their portfolios.&#8221;
 
 
This article first appeared on Finanzprodukt.ch
 
The post PwC Blockchain Partner Joins FiCAS Board of Directors Following Crypto ETP Launch appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/pwc-blockchain-partner-joins-ficas-board-of-directors-following-crypto-etp-launch</link><guid>1491</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>PwC Blockchain Partner Joins FiCAS Board of Directors Following Crypto ETP Launch</dc:text></item><item><title>Boerse Stuttgart Develops Blockchain Financing Method for Industrial Capital Goods</title><description><![CDATA[Boerse Stuttgart Group has developed a flexible method for financing industrial capital goods on a blockchain basis in a joint basic research project with the Bosch research team “Economy of Things”, Daimler Mobility and technology partner 51nodes.
In addition to technical feasibility, the project, which has been running since May 2019, also covered legal and regulatory aspects.
The new method allows for investment in industrial capital goods such as machinery, vehicle fleets or energy infrastructure via digital tokens. On the other hand, the issuer of the tokens has the advantage of linking its financing costs to the actual utilisation of the financed goods according to a pay-per-use model.
The provision of relevant usage data creates transparency and forms the basis for variable payouts to investors. The Ethereum blockchain has been selected as the technical basis for the project. The project partners have filed a patent application for a process that links the usage data to the token.

Dr Ulli Spankowski
‘The project shows what novel investments are possible with blockchain-based tokens for investors in the industrial sector. At the same time, companies gain greater flexibility for the financing of capital goods. With a view to this and further new markets we are creating an end-to-end ecosystem for the issuance, trading and custody of digital assets,’
says Dr Ulli Spankowski, Chief Digital Officer of Boerse Stuttgart GmbH.
 
Featured image credit: Börse Stuttgart
The post Boerse Stuttgart Develops Blockchain Financing Method for Industrial Capital Goods appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/boerse-stuttgart-develops-blockchain-financing-method-for-industrial-capital-goods</link><guid>1490</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Boerse Stuttgart Develops Blockchain Financing Method for Industrial Capital Goods</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Financial Intermediaries Successfully Complete First Automated and Compliant Bitcoin Transaction</title><description><![CDATA[The virtual asset technology software specialist 21 Analytics has enabled the first automated crypto asset transaction that is compliant with the Anti-Money Laundering Ordinance of the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA).
The successful bitcoin transaction took place between two financial intermediaries in Switzerland: Crypto Finance AG and Mt Pelerin.
The software just released by Zug-based start-up 21 Analytics AG enables financial intermediaries and other virtual asset service providers (VASPs) to implement the FATF Travel Rule in compliance with FINMA over the OpenVASP Protocol and the Travel Rule Protocol (TRP).
As with standard bank transfers, when making a crypto asset transaction with the software, financial intermediaries now exchange data that identify both the originator and the beneficiary of the transaction. This serves to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
Clients of Crypto Finance AG and Mt Pelerin, who are both pioneers in the field, can now carry out crypto asset transactions between financial intermediaries that are quick and legally compliant. By using 21 Analytics’ software and its support of decentralised protocols, both Crypto Finance AG and Mt Pelerin are demonstrating their support for a global open ecosystem, with the Swiss Crypto Valley at the centre of blockchain innovation.
21 Analytics CEO, Lucas Betschart, comments:
Lucas Betschart
“The speedy implementation of the FATF Travel Rule by financial intermediaries demonstrates the competence with which the Swiss Crypto Ecosystem is taking the lead.”
Crypto Finance CEO, Jan Brzezek, explains:
Jan Brzezek
“The global adoption of crypto assets requires an international standard as well as the technology and processes to comply with it. We are pleased that this could be implemented in record time. All players now have the legal certainty they need in order for crypto assets to become an important alternative asset class.”
 
Arnaud Salomon
“This live demonstration shows once again that crypto assets and regulatory compliance are compatible through practical solutions, which is one of the key focus of our tokenisation technology. As one of the first Swiss VASPs to be travel-rule compliant, we are proud to be part of this demonstration.”
says Arnaud Salomon, the CEO of Mt Pelerin.
 
The post Swiss Financial Intermediaries Successfully Complete First Automated and Compliant Bitcoin Transaction appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-financial-intermediaries-successfully-complete-first-automated-and-compliant-bitcoin-transaction</link><guid>1488</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Financial Intermediaries Successfully Complete First Automated and Compliant Bitcoin Transaction</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss 21 Analytics Completes First Automated and Compliant Bitcoin Transaction</title><description><![CDATA[The virtual asset technology software specialist 21 Analytics has enabled what they claim to be the first automated crypto asset transaction that is compliant with the Anti-Money Laundering Ordinance of the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA).
The successful bitcoin transaction took place between two financial intermediaries in Switzerland namely Crypto Finance and Mt Pelerin.
The software released recently by the Swiss startup enables financial intermediaries and other virtual asset service providers (VASPs) to implement the FATF Travel Rule in compliance with FINMA&#8217;s regulations over the OpenVASP Protocol and the Travel Rule Protocol (TRP).
As with standard bank transfers, when making a crypto asset transaction with the software, financial intermediaries now exchange data that identify both the originator and the beneficiary of the transaction. This serves to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
Jan Brzezek
Crypto Finance AG CEO, Jan Brzezek, explains,
“The global adoption of crypto assets requires an international standard as well as the technology and processes to comply with it. We are pleased that this could be implemented in record time. All players now have the legal certainty they need in order for crypto assets to become an important alternative asset class.”
Lucas Betschart
21 Analytics CEO, Lucas Betschart, comments:
“The speedy implementation of the FATF Travel Rule by financial intermediaries demonstrates the competence with which the Swiss Crypto Ecosystem is taking the lead.”
Earlier this month, 21 Analytics along with 3 other newcomers, were featured on the Swiss Fintech Startup Map that was updated and released in time for the Swiss National Day.
 
 
 
The post Swiss 21 Analytics Completes First Automated and Compliant Bitcoin Transaction appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-21-analytics-completes-first-automated-and-compliant-bitcoin-transaction</link><guid>1489</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss 21 Analytics Completes First Automated and Compliant Bitcoin Transaction</dc:text></item><item><title>Bekannter Fintech First Mover wird Digital Banking Chef der St.Galler Kantonalbank</title><description><![CDATA[Nils Reimelt wird per 1. Dezember 2020 als neuer Leiter Digital Banking in die St.Galler Kantonalbank eintreten. Er übernimmt diese Funktion von Falk Kohlmann, der per 1. Januar 2021 zum Leiter Service Center und Mitglied der Geschäftsleitung ernannt wurde. Inskünftig ist Nils Reimelt somit verantwortlich für die Umsetzung der Digitalisierungsstrategie und die Weiterentwicklung des digitalen Angebots der St.Galler Kantonalbank.
Vielen Fintech First Movern wird Nils noch von der ersten Schweizer Finance 2.0 Konferenz 2013 in Erinnerung sein, wo er  als einer der wenigen in Jeans eine der Keynotes hielt. Später war er dann Co-Founder beim Personal Finance Startup Qontis und war auch einer der ersten Investoren vom Insurtech Knip. Seit 2017 war er Digital Berater bei Capco, wo auch der Kontakt zur St.Galler KB zustande kam.
Langjährige Erfahrung im Bereich Digitalisierung
Nils Reimelt (48) verfügt über langjährige, profunde Erfahrung im Bereich Digitalisierung, insbesondere auch mit Bezug zu Bankdienstleistungen. Der studierte Informatiker mit Schwerpunkt Softwaretechnologie begleitete in den vergangenen Jahren die Entwicklung und Umsetzung zahlreicher digitaler Lösungen für verschiedene namhafte Schweizer Banken und Unternehmen in der Finanzbranche. Als Projektleiter und als Berater war er auch mehrmals an digitalen Innovationen der St.Galler Kantonalbank beteiligt.
Digitalisierung bei der St.Galler Kantonalbank
Nils Reimelt
Nils Reimelt übernimmt bei der St.Galler Kantonalbank ein innovatives, dynamisches Team, das für die Kundinnen und Kunden während der vergangenen Jahre über dreissig neue digitale Produkte und Lösungen bereitstellte. Einige Beispiele aus dem umfassenden digitalen Angebot der Bank sind die vielseitige SGKB App, die neuartige Sparlösung «#HäschCash» oder der digitale Finanzcoach «Wiitblick».
Als Leiter Digital Banking wird Nils Reimelt inskünftig für die Umsetzung der Digitalisierungsstrategie der St.Galler Kantonalbank verantwortlich sein.
The post Bekannter Fintech First Mover wird Digital Banking Chef der St.Galler Kantonalbank appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bekannter-fintech-first-mover-wird-digital-banking-chef-der-stgaller-kantonalbank</link><guid>1487</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Bekannter Fintech First Mover wird Digital Banking Chef der St.Galler Kantonalbank</dc:text></item><item><title>The 15 Selected Fintech Startups for the F10 Incubation Program in Zurich</title><description><![CDATA[After an intense selection process earlier this year, 15 promising FinTech, RegTech and InsurTech Startups made it into the renowned six-month F10 Fintech  program. Dedicated Coaches, Mentors and tailor-made Masterclasses await them. The F10 team supports the Startups accepted into the Incubation Program in developing their prototype into a product together with the extended global F10 ecosystem.
Kickoff for the new batch is on the 21st of August 2020.
James Sanders
&#8220;F10 is delighted to start working with the following FinTech Startups and looking forward to showing the F10 ecosystem how they transform their ideas into successful companies&#8221;
says James Sanders, Startup Coach at F10.




	Aisot Advancing data to real-time signals


	AvoodooPlatform for index calculation, index development and index management. Build better indices!


	BlackGullEmpowering SMEs for the Industry 4.0 Revolution


	FortoDigital Swiss business bank account for higher risk SMEs, built on proprietary compliance automation


	Galaxis NetworkA credible technology provider behind digital fund managers


	GoudUphold your freedom and Independence In your golden years. Enjoy! Live! Discover!


	Latent InsightProfiling web user's personality using machine learning


	Lyyna Bridge the Gap between Payment &amp; Insurance


	MeloncastAccelerating customer growth


	PlenitudeB2B values-led digital wealth and pensions manager. Saving for our future


	ResilientA business solution to a social problem. A social solution to a business problem


	RiskwolfThe platform that insures the digital economy


	StabletonNext-Generation Marketplace for Alternative Investments


	Things ProtocolEmpower your services around Internet Of Things - Private Communication, Public Trust


	Troc CircleA cost-effective netting platform that allows users to get paid and pay simultaneously. Pay without money




Who is the F10 Incubation Program for?
For international FinTech, RegTech and InsurTech Startups with, at minimum, a prototype and looking to develop their solution with the support of F10, its Coaches, Corporate Members and its extensive Mentor network.
As THE HOME OF FINTECH, F10 provides access to the vibrant FinTech ecosystem in Switzerland and Singapore. The Corporate Members are at the core of the program and a strong backbone on the path to success.
The post The 15 Selected Fintech Startups for the F10 Incubation Program in Zurich appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-15-selected-fintech-startups-for-the-f10-incubation-program-in-zurich</link><guid>1486</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/meloncast.png</dc:content ><dc:text>The 15 Selected Fintech Startups for the F10 Incubation Program in Zurich</dc:text></item><item><title>DSwiss Displays Strong Growth, Emerging as a Post-Covid-19 Winner</title><description><![CDATA[DSwiss , our former defender of our 2016 Swiss Fintech Football Team, has displayed strong growth in recent months as demand for digital services from the Swiss company has sharply increased.
Founded in 2008, the company is a provider of digital vaults for personal documents and passwords, while also offering eDelivery services and file sharing platforms for asset managers and clients alike.
The Zurich-based company has grown from 35 to 60 employees since 2019. Even during the pandemic, demand for the company&#8217;s digital safes has been unabated as the current situation has demonstrated the importance of location-independent digital solutions.
In addition to the demand for their product, the e-safe provider has almost doubled its number of employees since 2019 and expects to create up to 15 new Swiss-based positions by end of the year.

Tobias Christen
&#8220;During the Corona crisis, many companies made the decision to prioritise their digitisation projects in order to ensure communication and data exchange even in exceptional circumstances such as complete home office use.
New employees can look forward to exciting projects with renowned banks, state-of-the-art technologies and a company culture that values and appreciates every one of its human resources,&#8221;
said Tobias Christen, CEO of DSwiss.
In order to cope with the increased volume of customer inquiries, DSwiss is now looking for new talents in the areas of software development, system engineering, sales, project management and consulting. A total of up to 15 new positions are to be created in Zurich and Roveredo near Bellinzona in the second half of 2020.
In addition to developing SecureSafe &#8211; a file and password manager &#8211; DSwiss also focuses on the implementation of white label solutions for banks and insurance companies. On top of digital safes for end-users, the company is also developing digital mailboxes for the delivery of bank documents and exchange platforms for customer advisors.
 
The post DSwiss Displays Strong Growth, Emerging as a Post-Covid-19 Winner appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/dswiss-displays-strong-growth-emerging-as-a-post-covid-19-winner</link><guid>1485</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>DSwiss Displays Strong Growth, Emerging as a Post-Covid-19 Winner</dc:text></item><item><title>Covid Netherland Market-Report and Holand’s Top 20 Growth Fintech</title><description><![CDATA[In the Netherlands, the COVID-19 pandemic is spurring the need for more sophisticated and digitized financial products, according to a research conducted by industry trade group Holland Fintech, in collaboration with Fintech Aera.
In a new report titled The State of the Dutch Fintech Market 2020, the organizations share findings from a survey conducted earlier this year of companies in the European and Dutch fintech sector. The research found that 90% of respondents are planning to introduce new products in the market, a significant increase compared with the 76% figure pre-lockdown.
COVID-19 is also forcing fintech firms and banks to accelerate adoption of cutting-edge technology, with 71% planning to implement new techs into their offerings, compared with 59% pre-lockdown.
In these uncertain times, fintech vendors are focusing on maintaining their current market positions rather than expanding. Only 33% of respondents are planning to enter into new vertical markets, a considerable decrease compared with the pre-lockdown sentiment where 71% were planning to do so.
Respondents also indicated that higher emphasis on promotional and marketing will take a deep dive as well.
Fintech vendors survey, Source: The State of the Dutch Fintech Market 2020, Holland Fintech and Fintech Aera, June 2020
The Dutch fintech industry in 2019
Looking at the Dutch fintech sector’s growth over the past year, the research found that companies with a strong tech component outperformed in the market, with Factris, GeoPhy and Onegini ranking as the top three performers in terms of year-on-year (YoY) growth at 71%, 66% and 57% respectively.
Factris is an online invoice factoring platform targeted European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). GeoPhy is proptech startup that leverages artificial intelligence (AI). And Onegini designs and develops security software.
Holland Fintech’s Top 20 – by Growth, 2019, Source: The State of the Dutch Fintech Market 2020, Holland Fintech and Fintech Aera, June 2020
The report says that the top three is reflective of current fintech trends in the Netherlands, including increasing focus on alternative finance, continued growth in sub-segments such as regtech, legaltech, proptech and insurtech, as well as rising focus on identity solutions.
According to the research, the Dutch fintech market is characterized by a limited number of large, established companies, followed by a large number of smaller companies. Interesting, the Netherlands’ current fastest growing fintech providers are relatively young ventures, with 65% of the top 20 being founded after 2010.
Dutch fintech investments and M&amp;A activity
In 2019, Dutch fintech investment saw a minor decline to EUR 147 million, compared with 2018’s all-time high of EUR 155 million.
The slight decline is in line with the global trend, where pure fintech investments seem to have reached their peak, the report says. Nevertheless, fintech remains a major tech segment, representing 20% of all VC money invested in Europe.
Dutch Fintech Funding 2015-2019 (M Euro, number of deals), Source: The State of the Dutch Fintech Market 2020, Holland Fintech, June 2020
In 2019, 40 Dutch fintech companies received funding, with the three largest deals representing 54% of the total amount invested that year. In 2019, the ten largest deals made up 90% of all funding.
Dutch fintech VC deals by size in 2019, Source: The State of the Dutch Fintech Market 2020, Holland Fintech and Fintech Aera, June 2020
2019 saw six acquisition deals in the fintech space, combining a total of EUR 674 million. Major acquisitions in 2019 include SRXP, Secondfloor, BinckBank, Venn Hypotheken, DEGIRO, AIRS, and Binckbank.
Fintech acquisitions in 2019 by size, Source: The State of the Dutch Fintech Market 2020, Holland Fintech and Fintech Aera, June 2020
According to the report, the current economic conditions will spur merger and acquisition (M&amp;A) activity where players with cash reserves will aim to consolidate the market.
The survey’s results echo that, with respondents stating that while 2019 saw a limited number of acquisition deals, activity is expected to grow in 2020.
“The impact of COVID-19 on the fintech scene will spur acquisitions as smaller fintech will be challenged by changing business conditions,” the report says. “The larger ones will go on an acquisition quest to acquire smaller firms in distress, and to consolidate and grow their market share.”
The post Covid Netherland Market-Report and Holand&#8217;s Top 20 Growth Fintech appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/covid-netherland-market-report-and-holands-top-20-growth-fintech</link><guid>1483</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Fintech-vendors-survey-The-State-of-the-Dutch-Fintech-Market-2020-Holland-Fintech-and-Fintech-Aera-June-2020.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Covid Netherland Market-Report and Holand’s Top 20 Growth Fintech</dc:text></item><item><title>Covid Netherland Market-Report and Holland’s Top 20 Growth Fintech</title><description><![CDATA[In the Netherlands, the COVID-19 pandemic is spurring the need for more sophisticated and digitized financial products, according to a research conducted by industry trade group Holland Fintech, in collaboration with Fintech Aera.
In a new report titled The State of the Dutch Fintech Market 2020, the organizations share findings from a survey conducted earlier this year of companies in the European and Dutch fintech sector. The research found that 90% of respondents are planning to introduce new products in the market, a significant increase compared with the 76% figure pre-lockdown.
COVID-19 is also forcing fintech firms and banks to accelerate adoption of cutting-edge technology, with 71% planning to implement new techs into their offerings, compared with 59% pre-lockdown.
In these uncertain times, fintech vendors are focusing on maintaining their current market positions rather than expanding. Only 33% of respondents are planning to enter into new vertical markets, a considerable decrease compared with the pre-lockdown sentiment where 71% were planning to do so.
Respondents also indicated that higher emphasis on promotional and marketing will take a deep dive as well.
Fintech vendors survey, Source: The State of the Dutch Fintech Market 2020, Holland Fintech and Fintech Aera, June 2020
The Dutch fintech industry in 2019
Looking at the Dutch fintech sector’s growth over the past year, the research found that companies with a strong tech component outperformed in the market, with Factris, GeoPhy and Onegini ranking as the top three performers in terms of year-on-year (YoY) growth at 71%, 66% and 57% respectively.
Factris is an online invoice factoring platform targeted European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). GeoPhy is proptech startup that leverages artificial intelligence (AI). And Onegini designs and develops security software.
Holland Fintech’s Top 20 – by Growth, 2019, Source: The State of the Dutch Fintech Market 2020, Holland Fintech and Fintech Aera, June 2020
The report says that the top three is reflective of current fintech trends in the Netherlands, including increasing focus on alternative finance, continued growth in sub-segments such as regtech, legaltech, proptech and insurtech, as well as rising focus on identity solutions.
According to the research, the Dutch fintech market is characterized by a limited number of large, established companies, followed by a large number of smaller companies. Interesting, the Netherlands’ current fastest growing fintech providers are relatively young ventures, with 65% of the top 20 being founded after 2010.
Dutch fintech investments and M&amp;A activity
In 2019, Dutch fintech investment saw a minor decline to EUR 147 million, compared with 2018’s all-time high of EUR 155 million.
The slight decline is in line with the global trend, where pure fintech investments seem to have reached their peak, the report says. Nevertheless, fintech remains a major tech segment, representing 20% of all VC money invested in Europe.
Dutch Fintech Funding 2015-2019 (M Euro, number of deals), Source: The State of the Dutch Fintech Market 2020, Holland Fintech, June 2020
In 2019, 40 Dutch fintech companies received funding, with the three largest deals representing 54% of the total amount invested that year. In 2019, the ten largest deals made up 90% of all funding.
Dutch fintech VC deals by size in 2019, Source: The State of the Dutch Fintech Market 2020, Holland Fintech and Fintech Aera, June 2020
2019 saw six acquisition deals in the fintech space, combining a total of EUR 674 million. Major acquisitions in 2019 include SRXP, Secondfloor, BinckBank, Venn Hypotheken, DEGIRO, AIRS, and Binckbank.
Fintech acquisitions in 2019 by size, Source: The State of the Dutch Fintech Market 2020, Holland Fintech and Fintech Aera, June 2020
According to the report, the current economic conditions will spur merger and acquisition (M&amp;A) activity where players with cash reserves will aim to consolidate the market.
The survey’s results echo that, with respondents stating that while 2019 saw a limited number of acquisition deals, activity is expected to grow in 2020.
“The impact of COVID-19 on the fintech scene will spur acquisitions as smaller fintech will be challenged by changing business conditions,” the report says. “The larger ones will go on an acquisition quest to acquire smaller firms in distress, and to consolidate and grow their market share.”
The post Covid Netherland Market-Report and Holland&#8217;s Top 20 Growth Fintech appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/covid-netherland-market-report-and-hollands-top-20-growth-fintech</link><guid>1484</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Fintech-vendors-survey-The-State-of-the-Dutch-Fintech-Market-2020-Holland-Fintech-and-Fintech-Aera-June-2020.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Covid Netherland Market-Report and Holland’s Top 20 Growth Fintech</dc:text></item><item><title>Comparis Studie: Dank Corona boomt Cashless in der Schweiz</title><description><![CDATA[Die Pandemie verändert das Zahlungsverhalten der Schweizerinnen und Schweizer: 75 Prozent der Befragten nutzen kontaktloses Bezahlen &#8211; vor einem Jahr waren es knapp 60 Prozent. 68 Prozent begleichen ihre Einkäufe dabei meist mit Kredit- oder Debitkarte. Das zeigt eine repräsentative Umfrage des Onlinevergleichsdienstes comparis.ch.
Michael Kuhn
«Mit der Erhöhung der Limite für kontaktloses Bezahlen von 40 auf 80 Franken im April dieses Jahres haben die Schweizer Kartenherausgeber dem kontaktlosen Bezahlen mit Debit- und Kreditkarten einen deutlichen Schub gegeben»,
beobachtet Comparis-Consumer-Finance-Experte Michael Kuhn.
Deutliche Zunahme bei Mobile Payment
Bereits 7 Prozent der Bevölkerung zahlen inzwischen sogar meist mit dem Smartphone über Apple Pay, Samsung Pay und Twint. Im Vorjahr waren es erst 2 Prozent gewesen. Mindestens einmal wöchentlich hatten 27 Prozent der Befragten vor dem Lockdown mit dem Smartphone bezahlt. Seither sind es bereits 32 Prozent.
Bei einem direkten Vergleich zwischen dem Zahlungsverhalten im Frühjahr 2019 und ab dem Lockdown 2020 in der Schweiz zeigt sich ein starker Einbruch bei der Nutzung von Bargeld. Vor den Corona-Massnahmen wurden Münzen und Frankennoten von 39 Prozent der Befragten täglich gezückt. Seither hantieren nur noch 25 Prozent täglich mit Bargeld. Mindestens einmal wöchentlich greifen 74 Prozent zum Bargeld (vor Corona 86 Prozent).
Verzichten auf Barzahlungen aus Angst vor Corona-Ansteckung
Tatsächlich war Corona ein wichtiger Treiber für die Bargeldlos-Zahlungen. Auf die Frage, ob sie aus Angst vor einer möglichen Corona-Ansteckungsgefahr auf die Nutzung von Bargeld verzichten, antworten über 42 Prozent mit «trifft eher / voll zu». Knapp 25 Prozent der Befragten vermeiden die Benutzung von Kartenterminals. Jede vierte Person verzichtet aufgrund der Corona-Krise sogar komplett auf Bargeld in der Geldbörse. Und 44 Prozent stimmen der Aussage «Ich trage weniger Bargeld im Portemonnaie als vor der Corona-Krise» eher / voll zu.
Die Beliebtheit von Bargeld hat in der Folge nach dem jahrelangen Abstieg noch weiter abgenommen: nämlich von 36 Prozent 2019 auf knapp 29 Prozent. Zwei von fünf Schweizerinnen und Schweizern kaufen zudem vermehrt online ein.

Trotz Bargeldangst Skepsis vor digitalen Zahlungsmitteln
Dennoch sind die Bedenken gegenüber digitalen Zahlungsmitteln nach wie vor gross. So haben zwei von drei Schweizern Sicherheitsbedenken bei Kartenverlust und 55 Prozent vertrauen nicht darauf, dass die Systeme technisch immer einwandfrei funktionieren. 56 Prozent aller Befragten stimmen der Aussage «Ich finde Bargeld einfacher bzw. einfach genug» zu. Jeder sechste Schweizer weiss zudem nicht, wie kontaktloses Bezahlen funktioniert.
So ist denn auch der Anteil derer, die glauben, langfristig werde das Smartphone die klassischen Debit- und Kreditkarten ablösen, im Vorjahresvergleich unverändert geblieben (44 Prozent ggü. 43 Prozent).
Schweiz ohne Bargeld? Die Hälfte der Befragten kann sich das vorstellen
Die Skepsis spiegelt sich auch in der Frage «können Sie sich eine Schweiz ohne Bargeld vorstellen?». Eine Mehrheit von 54 Prozent sagt Nein. Sie befürchtet, der Zahlungsverkehr werde zu stark überwacht. Jede zweite Schweizerin lehnt die Abschaffung des Bargelds ab, weil sie keine digitalen Spuren hinterlassen wollen.
Die Hälfte der Befragten kann sich eine Schweiz ohne Bargeld dagegen vorstellen, vorausgesetzt, die Daten sind sicher.
«Die Umfrage-Ergebnisse zeigen, dass von Seiten der Anbieter und der Politik noch Aufklärungsarbeit geleistet werden muss, um die Akzeptanz und damit die Verbreitung von digitalen Zahlungsmitteln zu fördern»,
sagt Michael Kuhn. Die Corona-Krise wirke für die Branche derzeit wie ein Katalysator und sei eine gute Voraussetzung für weiteres
The post Comparis Studie: Dank Corona boomt Cashless in der Schweiz appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/comparis-studie-dank-corona-boomt-cashless-in-der-schweiz</link><guid>1480</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/So-viele-nutzen-kontakloses-bezahlen-in-der-schweiz.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Comparis Studie: Dank Corona boomt Cashless in der Schweiz</dc:text></item><item><title>Tokenised Shares in Switzerland. Dry Run Completed with Swissquote, Vontobel and other Fintech Banks</title><description><![CDATA[The Capital Markets and Technology Association (CMTA), an independent Swiss association, has successfully carried out a full-scale test of decentralised capital market infrastructures using the distributed ledger technology (DLT) for the issuance and trading of securities.
The banks involved in the dry run were SEBA Bank, Sygnum Bank, Arab Bank (Switzerland), Hypothekarbank Lenzburg and Vontobel.  The banks acquired tokenised shares issued by a Geneva-based corporation (société anonyme / Aktiengesellschaft) and traded these securities both over-the-counter (OTC) and on Swissquote Bank&#8217;s digital asset trading platform. The trades were settled either in Swiss francs or with DCHF, Sygnum&#8217;s CHF-pegged settlement token.
The relevant tokenised shares were recorded on the Ethereum blockchain using a so-called &#8220;CMTA-20&#8221; smart contract, an open-source code developed by CMTA and specifically designed for the tokenisation of equity securities.
The tokenisation and custody infrastructure was provided to the issuer, the banks mentioned above, and the test trading platform by Swissquote Bank. The CHF-pegged settlement token was provided by Sygnum Bank while Lenz &amp; Staehelin advised on the issuance of the shares and the legal steps of the tokenisation process.
PricewaterhouseCoopers Ltd established a report documenting the transactions that were carried out.
Marc Bürki
Marc Bürki, CEO at Swissquote Bank, explains:
&#8220;A number of Swiss banks successfully deposited, traded and withdrew security tokens, representing shares, on our new trading platform, using blockchain settlement. Swissquote Bank is thrilled to have played a key role in this ground-breaking development for the Swiss  blockchain world.&#8221;
Ariel Ben Hattar
Ariel Ben Hattar, Executive Committee Secretary at the CMTA and member of the capital markets practice of Lenz &amp; Staehelin, adds:
&#8220;Our dry run is proof that digital assets and traditional finance are compatible. Not only is it remarkably simple for a company to issue tokenised shares, but it is also possible today to hold and trade them through accounts held with professional custodians.&#8221;
 
 
 
 
The post Tokenised Shares in Switzerland. Dry Run Completed with Swissquote, Vontobel and other Fintech Banks appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/tokenised-shares-in-switzerland-dry-run-completed-with-swissquote-vontobel-and-other-fintech-banks</link><guid>1481</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Tokenised Shares in Switzerland. Dry Run Completed with Swissquote, Vontobel and other Fintech Banks</dc:text></item><item><title>Tokenised Shares: Dry Run Completed with Swissquote, Vontobel and other Crypto Banks</title><description><![CDATA[The Capital Markets and Technology Association (CMTA), an independent Swiss association, has successfully carried out a full-scale test of decentralised capital market infrastructures using the distributed ledger technology (DLT) for the issuance and trading of securities.
The banks involved in the dry run were SEBA Bank, Sygnum Bank, Arab Bank (Switzerland), Hypothekarbank Lenzburg and Vontobel.  The banks acquired tokenised shares issued by a Geneva-based corporation (société anonyme / Aktiengesellschaft) and traded these securities both over-the-counter (OTC) and on Swissquote Bank&#8217;s digital asset trading platform. The trades were settled either in Swiss francs or with DCHF, Sygnum&#8217;s CHF-pegged settlement token.
The relevant tokenised shares were recorded on the Ethereum blockchain using a so-called &#8220;CMTA-20&#8221; smart contract, an open-source code developed by CMTA and specifically designed for the tokenisation of equity securities.
The tokenisation and custody infrastructure was provided to the issuer, the banks mentioned above, by Taurus Group while Swissquote Bank provided the test trading platform. The CHF-pegged settlement token was provided by Sygnum Bank while Lenz &amp; Staehelin advised on the issuance of the shares and the legal steps of the tokenisation process.
PricewaterhouseCoopers Ltd established a report documenting the transactions that were carried out.
Marc Bürki
Marc Bürki, CEO at Swissquote Bank, explains:
&#8220;A number of Swiss banks successfully deposited, traded and withdrew security tokens, representing shares, on our new trading platform, using blockchain settlement. Swissquote Bank is thrilled to have played a key role in this ground-breaking development for the Swiss  blockchain world.&#8221;
Ariel Ben Hattar
Ariel Ben Hattar, Executive Committee Secretary at the CMTA and member of the capital markets practice of Lenz &amp; Staehelin, adds:
&#8220;Our dry run is proof that digital assets and traditional finance are compatible. Not only is it remarkably simple for a company to issue tokenised shares, but it is also possible today to hold and trade them through accounts held with professional custodians.&#8221;
 
 
 
 
The post Tokenised Shares: Dry Run Completed with Swissquote, Vontobel and other Crypto Banks appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/tokenised-shares-dry-run-completed-with-swissquote-vontobel-and-other-crypto-banks</link><guid>1482</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Tokenised Shares: Dry Run Completed with Swissquote, Vontobel and other Crypto Banks</dc:text></item><item><title>Säule 3a Fintech Startup VIAC verhilft WIR Bank zu gutem Halbjahres-Ergebnis</title><description><![CDATA[Die WIR Bank Genossenschaft hat im ersten Halbjahr 2020 einen Gewinn von 10,5 Millionen Franken erzielt. Zu diesem operativ sehr guten Ergebnis haben unter anderem ein verbessertes Zinsengeschäft, die digitale Vorsorgelösung VIAC sowie eine hohe Kostendisziplin beigetragen.
Die Bilanzsumme erhöht sich auf 5,57 Milliarden Franken. Die bereits zuvor sehr solide Eigenkapitalbasis wurde weiter gestärkt.
Bruno Stiegeler
«Per Ende Juni sind wir nicht nur auf Budgetkurs, sondern haben vor allem im Zinsengeschäft und durch die weiterhin hohe Kostendisziplin ein erfreuliches Ergebnis erzielen können»,
kommentiert CEO Bruno Stiegeler den Zwischenbericht nach sechs Monaten.
Bei den Kundeneinlagen erzielte die WIR Bank im ersten Semester 2020 mit 3,96 Milliarden CHF/CHW ein leichtes Wachstum von 0,7 Prozent.
«Trotz erodierender Marge im historischen Tiefzinsumfeld ist es nach wie vor unser Anspruch, mit den Spar- und Vorsorgeprodukten unseren Kundinnen und Kunden beste Konditionen anzubieten»,
erklärt Stiegeler.
Praktisch gehalten zeigen sich die Ausleihungen an Kunden mit 4,64 Milliarden CHF/CHW (-0,1 Prozent) – bei den Hypothekarkrediten resultiert nach sechs Monaten mit 3,84 Milliarden CHF/CHW ein leichter Rückgang von 1,9 Prozent. Die Bilanzsumme erhöht sich auf 5,57 Milliarden Franken (+0,8 Prozent).
An der Generalversammlung 2016 waren für geplantes Wachstum und Investitionen in die Digitalisierung 190 000 Stammanteile in einer ordentlichen sowie 60 000 Stammanteile in einer genehmigten Kapitalerhöhung geschaffen worden.
Komplementärwährung im KMU-Alltag: Mit WIR tanken
Zusätzliche Dynamik verspricht sich die WIR Bank von einer neuen Produktpartnerschaft: «Künftig werden KMU aus dem WIR-Netzwerk in einem der grössten Schweizer Tankstellennetze mit WIR tanken können», verrät Stiegeler. Details dazu sollen bereits kommende Woche publiziert werden. Zudem hat die Corona-Pandemie aufgezeigt, dass KMU mit nachhaltigen Lieferketten und Kundenbeziehungen krisenfester sind. Vor diesem Hintergrund zieht Stiegeler eine Parallele zur Entstehung der Komplementärwährung in der Wirtschaftskrise 1934: «Mit unserem Netzwerk verbinden wir KMU – und somit Menschen – und fördern und unterstützen nachhaltig das Rückgrat der Schweizer Wirtschaft.»
Erfolgreiche Fintech-Beteiligungen und -Partnerschaften
Wie bereits erwähnt verfolgt die WIR Bank im Bereich der Digitalisierung und Innovation eine erfolgreiche Strategie mit Beteiligungen und Partnerschaften. Insbesondere die im November 2017 lancierte erste volldigitale Wertschriften-Vorsorgelösung der Säule 3a befindet sich ungebremst auf der Überholspur: Per 30. Juni 2020 verzeichnete VIAC über 28 000 Kunden (Vorjahr: 12 000) und ein verwaltetes Vermögen von über 500 Millionen Franken (Vorjahr: 178 Millionen Franken). «Für das Gesamtjahr 2020 rechnen wir mit einem Gewinnbeitrag von über einer Million Franken», so Stiegeler.
Seit Ende Mai bietet VIAC zusätzlich Freizügigkeitslösungen an – auch dieser Start war sehr vielversprechend. Zum gleichen Zeitpunkt lanciert wurde FX-Trading: Die Zusammenarbeit mit dem Schweizer Fintech-Startup Amnis ist ein weiterer Beweis dafür, dass die WIR Bank gezielt in innovative und digitale Mehrwerte für ihre Kunden investiert – weitere Kooperationen sind in der Pipeline bereits in einem weit fortgeschrittenen Stadium.
The post Säule 3a Fintech Startup VIAC verhilft WIR Bank zu gutem Halbjahres-Ergebnis appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/saule-3a-fintech-startup-viac-verhilft-wir-bank-zu-gutem-halbjahres-ergebnis</link><guid>1479</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Säule 3a Fintech Startup VIAC verhilft WIR Bank zu gutem Halbjahres-Ergebnis</dc:text></item><item><title>E-KYC in Deutschland- Eine kurze Übersicht</title><description><![CDATA[Neue Akteure auf den Finanzmärkten, etwa Neo-Banken und Fintechs, verändern das Finanz-Ökosystem und beschleunigen die Digitalisierung vieler Dienste und Prozesse. In diesem dynamischen Umfeld hat sich die Kundenerfahrung (customer experience – CX) als ein wesentliches Unterscheidungsmerkmal herauskristallisiert. Dabei spielt das digitale Onboarding eine zentrale Rolle.
Die Digitalisierung hat die Welt im Sturm erobert &#8211; heute erwarten die Kunden ein nahtloses Onboarding, das selbstverständlich digital ausgelegt ist. Die Vorteile des digitalen Kunden-Onboarding liegen auf der Hand: Es geht schnell und bequem vom PC zuhause oder über ein Mobilgerät. Kein langes Warten, keine Zeitverschwendung mehr.
Und doch: Trotz massiver Investitionen in die digitale Transformation tun sich Banken und Finanzinstitutionen in Europa immer noch schwer damit.
Laut einer Studie von Signicat, die im Juni 2019 veröffentlicht wurde, wurden in Europa im vorangegangenen Jahr 38 % aller  aufgegeben. Der Hauptgrund? Es dauert zu lange, die erforderlichen Angaben zu machen.
Die Herausforderer bringen sich in Position
Banken mit innovativen Geschäftsmodellen und Fintechs nehmen den traditionellen Häusern zunehmend Marktanteile ab. Umso wichtiger wird eine nahtlose Onboarding-Erfahrung.
Die neuen Marktteilnehmer haben von Beginn an viel Wert darauf gelegt, ihr Produktportfolio einfach und benutzerfreundlich zu gestalten. Und diese Bemühungen zahlen sich aus.
Mit einer solch hohen Kundenzufriedenheit haben die Mobile-first-Services gute Chancen, ihre Kunden auch nach dem Onboarding zu halten, so der Bericht. Dadurch wird der Druck auf die Platzhirsche noch stärker.
Digitales Onboarding in Deutschland
2014 war Deutschland eines der ersten Länder weltweit, das Videoidentifizierung zuließ. Als die Forderungen nach praktischeren Onboarding-Prozessen immer lauter wurden, veröffentlichte die Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht (BaFin) 2014 ein Rundschreiben zu Videoidentifizierung, das 2017 aktualisiert wurde, um das Sicherheitsniveau noch weiter zu erhöhen.
Heute hat sich das digitale Kunden-Onboarding im Finanzsektor in Deutschland fest etabliert, und laut PwC sind Direktbanken und Privatbanken die Vorreiter.
Die Branche ist auf dem Weg zum Next-Generation Client Onboarding, wie PwC das nennt. Das bedeutet, dass die Finanzinstitute ihr Onboarding Schritt für Schritt in einen Mehrkanal-Prozess verwandeln, auf den von allen Endgeräten aus zugegriffen werden kann. Ziel ist hier, damit eine überzeugende digitale Kundenerfahrung entstehen kann.
eKYC-Anbieter in Deutschland
Parallel zur Etablierung des digitalen Onboarding in Deutschland hat sich eine eKYC-Branche entwickelt – das Know your Customer-Angebot.
eKYC bezieht sich auf die Digitalisierung und Online-Konzeptionierung der KYC-Prozesse und stellt einen kritischen Schritt im digitalen Onboarding dar.
In Deutschland tummeln sich mehrere Startups auf dem Feld, allen voran wahrscheinlich IDnow. IDnow, mit Sitz in München, bietet eine Identity-as-a-service-Plattform, über die in Echtzeit die Identität von mehr als 7 Milliarden Menschen in 193 Ländern verifiziert werden kann. Einige der weltweit führenden Banken und Fintechs, u. a. UBS, SolarisBank, Fidor Bank, N26 und Smava nutzen bereits die patentierte Videoidentifizierung und E-Signing-Lösung des Startups.
KYC Spider ist ein weiteres interessantes Startup-Unternehmen, das die europäischen Märkte, einschließlich Deutschland und Österreich bedient. KYC Spider mit Sitz in Zug in der Schweiz bietet eine digitale Plattform, die die Compliance mit Gesetzen und Sanktionen zur Bekämpfung der Geldwäsche und der Terrorismusfinanzierung (AML/CFT) gewährleisten soll.
Die umfassende KYC-Suite enthält alle Compliance-Dienstleistungen, die nicht nur für Finanzintermediäre und Banken sondern auch für Fintechs und Industrieunternehmen relevant sind. Zu den KYC Spider-Kunden gehören unter anderem auch Yapeal, neben Bitcoin Suisse und Lykke.
Weitere eKYC-Anbieter in Deutschland sind unter anderem Trust Fractal mit Sitz in Berlin und Singapur, ein Anbieter von Lösungen zum Identifizierungsmanagement. Trust Fractal bietet eine KYC/AML-Plattform, die speziell auf die Bedürfnisse von Finanzdienstleistern 3.0 ausgelegt ist, einschließlich Blockchain-Fintechs. Auch 4Stop hat für Unternehmen eine One-Stop-Lösung entwickelt, die KYC, Compliance und Betrugsbekämpfung umfasst.
Featured image credit: Edited from Technology photo created by pressfoto &#8211; www.freepik.com
 
 
The post E-KYC in Deutschland- Eine kurze Übersicht appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/e-kyc-in-deutschland-eine-kurze-ubersicht</link><guid>1478</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/pwc-next-generation-client-onboarding-01.png</dc:content ><dc:text>E-KYC in Deutschland- Eine kurze Übersicht</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Mt Pelerin Simplifies Crypto-Fiat Transfers</title><description><![CDATA[Mt Pelerin, a fintech company from Geneva, released its mobile app called Bridge Wallet to enable crypto-fiat transfers.
With its new app, Mt Pelerin said it brings an alternative for much easier transactions between crypto and fiat currencies, by combining the wallet functions with the buy and sell ones. Through Bridge Wallet, users can send fiat to the company’s bank accounts in Switzerland, then receive Ethers, DAIs or US-dollar backed stablecoins directly on the user’s Ethereum addresses with a conversion fee of 1.5%. Bitcoin will soon be added to that list, Mt Pelerin said in a statement.
Mt Pelerin also offers the possibility to cash-out the same four cryptocurrencies mentioned above in more than 20 fiat currencies, delivered to the user’s bank account.
Arnaud Salomon
“This first release of Bridge Wallet is only the first step in simplifying crypto-fiat transactions. Our ambition for the app’s future is to completely blur the lines between the crypto world and traditional ways to send and receive money.”
said Arnaud Salomon, the CEO of Mt Pelerin.
Beyond facilitated back and forth transactions between cryptocurrencies and fiats, Bridge Wallet is also a mobile tool that investors can use to manage the security tokens issued on Mt Pelerin&#8217;s tokenisation platform. Issuers using the company’s services to create and sell digital assets with a full-fledged onboarding and management interface that is accessible to any investor.
 
 

 
A live demo of what the Bridge Wallet could do with security tokens was made last month when Mt Pelerin held its first annual shareholders meeting through the app. Its shareholders could join the event in the wallet and follow the live streaming presentation of the company’s annual report. They were also able to vote for the items on the meeting’s agenda with their MPS tokens, the tokenised shares of Mt Pelerin.
 

 
The post Swiss Fintech Mt Pelerin Simplifies Crypto-Fiat Transfers appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-mt-pelerin-simplifies-crypto-fiat-transfers</link><guid>1474</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Mt Pelerin Simplifies Crypto-Fiat Transfers</dc:text></item><item><title>10% in Switzerland Use Already Neo and Challenger Banks</title><description><![CDATA[
Neobanks are on the rise in Switzerland. Every tenth person has already used these new online banking solutions, as the latest Swiss Payment Monitor shows. At the same time, the eradication of cash is not an option for the majority of the population.
One-tenth of Swiss residents have already used new online banking solutions provided by neobanks at least once. They are particularly common among males as well as younger and more educated people with higher incomes. In total, around two out of five people in this country are familiar with at least one of the better-known neobanks.
This is confirmed by the Swiss Payment Monitor – conducted for the third year running by the ZHAW School of Management and Law and the University of St. Gallen. More than 1,200 subjects throughout Switzerland were questioned for this survey at the end of 2019.
Used for Payments Abroad

 


Three-quarters of neobank users take advantage of these exclusively online banking services in addition to having a traditional banking service provider.
Tobias Trütsch
“At present, neobanks function primarily as niche products, especially for making payments when traveling abroad,”
explains Tobias Trütsch, payment economist at the University of St. Gallen.
Only around 10% of neobank users have canceled the services of a conventional provider in favor of these new digital-only services and another 10% intend to do so.
The main reasons for the popularity of neobanks are their practical and straightforward handling and competitive fee structure, particularly the favorable foreign exchange rates. The best-known neobank businesses in Switzerland are Revolut (26% awareness share) and Zak (16%). Revolut is most frequently used (7% usage share) together with Transferwise, a UK provider (3%). In terms of security perception, however, Swiss neobanks Zak and Neon lead the field.
No to the Cashless Society
Despite new digital solutions, the eradication of cash as a means of payment is not an option for around three-quarters of those surveyed, and half reject the idea altogether.
Sandro Graf
“This is a highly emotive topic for many people,”
says ZHAW payment expert Sandro Graf. Only about one-fifth are entirely in favor of a cashless Switzerland.
“The main arguments against the abolition of cash, in the view of the respondents, are the loss of the value of money, a lack of control over personal finances, dependence on technology, and various security concerns such as cyber attacks or technical breakdowns,”
explains Graf.
Other factors include the loss of anonymity, fears of monitoring by the state or financial institutions, and less flexibility regarding means of payment.
Freedom of Choice is Important

In general, respondents value freedom of choice. Around 75% of the subjects surveyed believe that it should always be possible to pay by cash, or electronically by card. The most popular means of payment is still the debit card. This is the method people use to spend the most money – namely 28 % of their outgoings – followed by cash (23 %) and credit card (21 %). Measured by the number of transactions, cash is the most frequently used payment instrument, accounting for 45 % of all transactions.
However, its use has declined by around three percentage points year-on-year in terms of both revenue and the number of transactions. On average, every Swiss resident still carries around 70 Swiss francs in cash on his or her person.
Most people, especially females and young people, are very mindful of others when choosing how to pay. For example, they assume that service staff in the hospitality sector prefer cash payments, especially for small amounts.
“This is due to the tipping effect,”
says Trütsch.
“The Corona crisis has led to a dilemma for many guests because businesses have been encouraging contactless payments.”

The post 10% in Switzerland Use Already Neo and Challenger Banks appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/10-in-switzerland-use-already-neo-and-challenger-banks</link><guid>1475</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/zhaw-swiss-payment-monitor-2020-neobanken-1024x930.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>10% in Switzerland Use Already Neo and Challenger Banks</dc:text></item><item><title>Die Corona Kredit-Hilfen in Deutschland kommen nicht bei den Richtigen an</title><description><![CDATA[In Deutschland gibt es rund 7,5 Millionen Unternehmer (KMU: 3,5  Millionen, Selbstständige: 4 Millionen). Sie bilden das Herzstück der deutschen Wirtschaft und  sind von der Corona-Krise am stärksten betroffen.
Die Bundesregierung hat mit den Krediten der  Corona-Hilfe, die über die bundeseigene Förderbank KfW ausgegeben werden, grosse Hilfsprogramme aufgelegt. Erstmals hat jetzt eine Studie die Corona-Kreditvergabe eingehend analysiert und kommt zu einem eindeutigen Ergebnis: Die Hilfe kommt nicht dort an, wo sie benötigt wird. Nur etwa jeder hundertste Unternehmer in Deutschland hat Corona-Kredite beantragt.
Knapp neun von zehn Unternehmer sind von den Schnellkrediten, die besonders unbürokratisch an den Mittelstand verteilt werden sollten, komplett ausgeschlossen. Das sind die ernüchternden, zentralen Ergebnisse einer Analyse von Barkow Consulting und FinCompare, der führenden digitalen Plattform für KMU-Finanzierung.
Für die Liquiditätssicherung von Unternehmern sind insbesondere die Corona-Kredite der KfW, die Mitte März von der Bundesregierung auf den Weg gebracht wurden, von entscheidender Bedeutung. Die KfW übernimmt hier einen Grossteil des Kreditrisikos, die Anträge laufen über die Geschäftsbanken.
Obwohl die absolute Anzahl von knapp 80.000 Corona-Kreditanträgen (Stichtag 31.7.) und mehr als 52 Milliarden Euro beantragtes Kreditvolumen in wenig mehr als vier Monaten auf den ersten Blick beeindruckt, relativiert sie sich jedoch schnell bei genauerer Analyse: So hat bundesweit mit 1,01 Prozent bislang nur jeder hundertste Unternehmer einen entsprechenden Antrag auf Kredite der Corona-Hilfe über die KfW gestellt.

Erkenntnis 1: Bedarf an Liquidität vorhanden, relative Zahl der Anträge verschwindend gering
Stephan Heller
„Die bürokratischen Hürden sind eine Katastrophe, sie sind der Grund, warum nur ein Prozent der Unternehmer die Corona-Kredite beantragt haben. Wir merken täglich in Gesprächen mit Unternehmern, dass der Bedarf an Fördermitteln massiv vorhanden ist, die Politik aber nicht gelernt hat, dem Mittelstand die richtigen Hilfen bereitzustellen“,
fasst Stephan Heller, Gründer und Geschäftsführer von FinCompare, das Ergebnis zusammen.
Anfang April hat die Bundesregierung das Corona-Kreditprogramm um ein weiteres Instrument ergänzt: Den KfW-Schnellkredit. Hier übernimmt die KfW das vollständige Ausfallrisiko und die Hausbank führt nur eine vereinfachte Prüfung durch. Begründet wurde die Einführung der Schnellkredite mit der Notwendigkeit, dem Mittelstand zu schneller Liquidität zu verhelfen.
Erkenntnis 2: Knapp neun von zehn Unternehmer sind von den Schnellkrediten ausgeschlossen
Peter Barkow
„Das uneingeschränkt sinnvolle Ziel, 99,5% der deutschen Unternehmer des Mittelstandes schnell und unbürokratisch zu unterstützen, läuft in der Praxis allerdings fast vollständig ins Leere“,
so Peter Barkow von Barkow Consulting.
„Dies lässt sich auf eine Begrenzung des Corona-Schnellkredits auf Unternehmen und Selbstständige mit mehr als zehn Arbeitnehmern zurückführen, denn knapp 90 Prozent der deutschen Unternehmen und Selbständigen erfüllen dieses Kriterium eben gerade nicht. Sie sind damit faktisch von dem Kreditprogramm ausgeschlossen, das genau für sie bestimmt sein sollte.“
Von den 7,5 Millionen Unternehmern in Deutschland haben 6,6 Millionen (88 Prozent) nicht mehr als zehn Mitarbeiter. Obwohl diese Kleinunternehmer von den Schnellkrediten ausgeschlossen sind, konnte hier die Anzahl der Kreditanträge innerhalb eines Monats (Juni auf Juli 2020) um 14 Prozent zulegen. Das Wachstum für kleinere Kredite (bis 800.000 Euro) betrug 15 Prozent, während sich die Wachstumsdynamik von größeren Krediten in diesem Zeitraum deutlich abschwächte.

 
Erkenntnis 3: Regionale Unterschiede sind bei der Zahl der Anträge ist gross
Die Nachfrage nach Corona-Krediten der KfW ist regional sehr unterschiedlich und zeigt ein OstWest-Gefälle: Die relativ höchste Nachfrage nach Corona-Krediten kommt aus Rheinland-Pfalz, wo 1,35 Prozent aller Unternehmer einen entsprechenden Antrag gestellt haben. Danach folgen Nordrhein-Westfalen (1,29 Prozent) und das Saarland (1,27 Prozent), die damit noch deutlich über dem Bundesdurchschnitt von 1,01 Prozent liegen. Die verhältnismäßig geringste Nachfrage kommt aktuell aus Sachsen, wo mit 0,50 Prozent nur jeder 200. Unternehmer einen Corona-Kredit beantragt hat. Danach folgen Brandenburg (0,66 Prozent) und Sachsen-Anhalt (0,76 Prozent).
“Wir appellieren an Peter Altmaier und Olaf Scholz, ihr Versprechen einzulösen: 99,5 Prozent der Unternehmer, die dem Mittelstand zuzurechnen sind, mit Schnellkrediten und weiteren Hilfsprogrammen unbürokratisch zu helfen. Werden diese Hilfen nicht sofort wirksam umgesetzt, wird es in diesem Jahr eine dramatische Insolvenzwelle in Deutschland geben”,
erklärt Heller.
The post Die Corona Kredit-Hilfen in Deutschland kommen nicht bei den Richtigen an appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/die-corona-kredit-hilfen-in-deutschland-kommen-nicht-bei-den-richtigen-an</link><guid>1476</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/covid19-loans-1024x979.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Die Corona Kredit-Hilfen in Deutschland kommen nicht bei den Richtigen an</dc:text></item><item><title>Intrum und Skribble gehen Strategische Partnerschaft ein</title><description><![CDATA[Finanzdienstleister, die ihre Prozesse nahtlos digital abwickeln, sparen Zeit und Geld. Dazu zählt auch das digitale Signieren von Verträgen, zum Beispiel beim Onboarding von Neukunden: Entfällt der Umweg über Papier und Postversand, sinken sowohl die Verarbeitungszeiten wie auch die Direktkosten.
Für das Signieren mit der qualifizierten elektronischen Signatur QES – der E-Signatur-Standard, der der handschriftlichen Unterschrift rechtlich gleichgestellt ist – verlangt das Gesetz die vorgängige Identitätsprüfung der Signierenden. Finanzdienstleister, die das Potenzial nahtlos digitaler Geschäftsabschlüsse für sich nutzen möchten, müssen also auch die Identifikation elektronisch durchführen.
Der Pionier im Bereich Digital Onboarding Intrum und der E-Signatur-Spezialist Skribble arbeiten nun zusammen, um diese beiden Schlüsselelemente zusammenzubringen.
Philipp Dick
Philipp Dick, Gründer und CEO von Skribble sagt:
“Es freut uns, mit Intrum einen starken Partner gefunden zu haben, der den Service von Skribble prächtig ergänzt. Gemeinsam lassen wir die nahtlose Digitalisierung von Geschäftsprozessen in der Finanzbranche schneller zur Realität werden.”
Thomas Hutter
Thomas Hutter, Managing Director Intrum AG sagt dazu:
&#8220;Skribble bietet Flexibilität bei der Integration und Einfachheit in der Anwendung, kombiniert mit höchsten Ansprüchen an Sicherheit und Datenschutz – der ideale Partner für unser Angebot.&#8221;
 
Featured image credit: intrum
 
 
The post Intrum und Skribble gehen Strategische Partnerschaft ein appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/intrum-und-skribble-gehen-strategische-partnerschaft-ein</link><guid>1477</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Intrum und Skribble gehen Strategische Partnerschaft ein</dc:text></item><item><title>Platform-Based Banks More Profitable, Agile than Traditional Financial Institutions</title><description><![CDATA[In the age of disruption and increased competition from tech players, the traditional banking model is rapidly becoming outdated. For banks and financial companies, platformification is emerging as the most fitting strategy to maximized results, enabling greater agility and personalization. According to the World Retail Banking Report 2020, platform-based banks can achieve twice as much operating profits, higher market value and more steady growth than traditional banks.
Capgemini, which conducted a survey of global retail banking executives as part of the research, found that platform-based banks are able to meet business priorities more efficiently than conventional banks.
According to the study, platform-based banks find it 2.2 times easier to unlock new sources of value creation, 2.1 times easier to maintain or increase business profitability, and 1.8 times easier to improve operational efficiencies.
It’s also much simpler for them to innovate and develop proofs-of-concept (POCs) (1.8x) and offer personalized, differentiated products and services (1.8x).
Platform-based banks meet business priorities more efficiently than traditional banks, Source: World Retail Banking Report 2020, Capgemini and Efma, June 2020
COVID-19 accelerates digital transformation
Advances in technology, as well as changing customer expectations, are forcing banks to evolve into platform-based models to remain competitive. But another key factor that has significantly accelerated customers’ shift to digital channels is COVID-19.
According to study, more than half (57%) of customers now prefer Internet banking, up from 49% pre-COVID-19. Customers are also favoring mobile banking apps in these times of social distancing, with the figure rising to 55%, compared with 47% previously.
The research also found that in these uncertain times, customers are more inclined to switch to bigtechs and fintechs, with 30% stating they would do so because of unsatisfactory experiences with their primary bank.
Navigating uncertain times: COVID-19 is driving customer behavior changes, Source: World Retail Banking Report 2020, Capgemini and Efma, June 2020
New entrants gaining ground
These findings show that incumbents must react quickly to this rapidly changing environment by embracing platform models and partnering with third-parties to complement product portfolios, enhance service delivery and boost revenue.
The research found that collaboration is a significant accelerant for banks’ digital success, with 58% of banking executives stating that it takes less than a year to launch a product in collaboration with fintechs/bigtech partners, compared to the usually one to two year timeline it would typically take when working alone.
With nearly 39 million users worldwide, challenger banks and neobanks are rapidly gaining ground, appealing to the general public thanks to their low-cost, hyper-personalized and customer-friendly offerings.
But though on paper it may seem that COVID-19 is providing these new entrants with an unprecedent opportunity to grow, the reality is more complex, especially for cash-strapped startups.
In Europe, popular London startup Monzo has been facing turbulences amid COVID-19. Following the shuttering of its Las Vegas-based customer support office and almost 300 staff being furloughed in the UK, Monzo announced internally in June that up to 120 UK staff would be made redundant. The startup also had to accept a 40% reduction in its previously GBP 2 billion valuation as part of its last funding round with a new valuation of GBP 1.24 billion.
Earlier this month, Finnish fintech Holvi, which offers banking services to sole traders and small businesses, announced that it was pulling out of the UK market, citing increased uncertainty due to the pandemic and Brexit.
The departure came after Germany’s N26 shut down its operations in the UK in February, also citing Brexit.
World Retail Banking Report 2020 infographic:
Infographic World Retail Banking Report 2020, Source: Capgemini, June 2020
The post Platform-Based Banks More Profitable, Agile than Traditional Financial Institutions appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/platform-based-banks-more-profitable-agile-than-traditional-financial-institutions</link><guid>1473</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Platform-based-banks-meet-business-priorities-more-efficiently-than-traditional-banks-Source-World-Retail-Banking-Report-2020-Capgemini-and-Efma-June-2020.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Platform-Based Banks More Profitable, Agile than Traditional Financial Institutions</dc:text></item><item><title>Hypi Lenzburg Startet mit Open Banking Digital Asset Plattform</title><description><![CDATA[Über die Open-Banking-Plattform Finstar können digitale Vermögenswerte neu tokenisiert und auf die sicherste Art
aufbewahrt werden. Die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg setzt dabei auf die Technologie der Taurus Group aus Genf.
Mit der Anbindung der Aufbewahrungslösung für digitale Vermögenswerte an die Open-Banking-Plattform Finstar vollzieht die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg den Brückenschlag zwischen der klassischen und digitalen Finanzwelt. Neu können mit Finstar auch digitale Vermögenswerte auf Basis von Distributed-Ledger-Technologien sicher aufbewahrt werden.
Mit der neuen Finstar Open Banking Digital Asset Plattform können sämtliche Vermögenswerte tokenisiert und die damit verbundenen kryptografischen Schlüssel für die Investoren sicher aufbewahrt werden – so sicher wie in einem klassischen Banktresorfach. Dafür setzt die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg auf die Technologie der Taurus Group, die in der Schweiz Marktführer ist.
Die Finstar Open Banking Digital Asset Plattform konnte im Rahmen eines von der Capital Markets and Technology Association (CMTA) durchgeführten Tests erfolgreich geprüft werden, wie die CMTA heute bekanntgegeben hat. Die CMTA ist eine unabhängige Vereinigung, welche den Handel mit tokenisierten Vermögenswerten in der Schweiz vorantreiben will.
Die verschiedenen Servicemodule werden über die offene Schnittstellenarchitektur an Finstar angebunden, was eine effiziente und sichere Kommunikation mit Systemen der Taurus Group erlaubt. Die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg betreibt die betreffenden Software-Komponenten in den eigenen Rechenzentren als Services. Diese werden über entsprechende Finstar-Module auch anderen Finanzdienstleistern angeboten und stehen somit der ganzen Finstar-Community offen.
Zudem können auch Nicht-Finstar-Banken, externe Vermögensverwalter, Family Offices oder Privatpersonen ab sofort das Angebot zur Verwahrung digitaler Vermögenswerte nutzen. Dank der offenen Schnittstellensystematik können die Komponenten relativ unkompliziert an andere Systeme angebunden werden. Auch die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg selbst plant, in Zukunft Produkte zur Aufbewahrung digitaler Vermögenswerte für ihre eigenen Kundinnen und Kunden ins Angebot aufzunehmen.
Marianne Wildi
«Wir erweitern damit unser Angebot im Zusammenhang mit der Finstar-Plattform um einen zukunftsweisenden Geschäftsbereich. Von verschiedenen Banken und Drittanbietern aus dem Finanzbereich spüren wir eine steigende Nachfrage nach dieser Art von Services. Der Schritt ist eine logische Konsequenz unserer Innovationsstrategie der vergangenen Jahre»,
sagt Marianne Wildi, CEO der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg.
 
The post Hypi Lenzburg Startet mit Open Banking Digital Asset Plattform appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/hypi-lenzburg-startet-mit-open-banking-digital-asset-plattform</link><guid>1472</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Hypi Lenzburg Startet mit Open Banking Digital Asset Plattform</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Romandy Sees Thriving Fintech Ecosystem Centered Around Geneva and Lausanne</title><description><![CDATA[Romandy, the French-speaking part of western Switzerland, is home to a burgeoning fintech community with several homegrown startups including NetGuardians and InvestGlass, rapidly emerging as regional leaders.
Geneva’s fintech ecosystem
Romandy combines unique banking expertise and first-rate technical skills, thanks to its close proximity to École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), one of the best tech universities in the world.
In the canton, the city of Geneva is emerging a fintech powerhouse, currently home to the third largest pool of fintech startups in Switzerland (37), after Zug (126) and Zurich (118), according to the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts’ 2020 IFZ Fintech Study.
Number of FinTech companies by region, and by product (left-hand graph) and technology area (right-hand graph) (n=382), IFZ Fintech Study 2020
The report ranks Geneva as the world’s third largest fintech hub, recognizing the city for its political stability and legal framework, and technological environment.
Fintech hub ranking, IFZ Fintech Study 2020
Today, Geneva is home to some of the country’s most successful and innovative fintech companies including InvestGlass, an integrated wealth advisor platform, and Mt Pelerin, an upcoming crypto bank built on blockchain that has applied for a Swiss fintech license.
Other notable fintech startups from Geneva include MoonX, a decentralized hybrid exchange platform that facilitates cross-border and cross-asset trading, Taurus Group, which is building a next generation platform to trade, invest, and protect digital assets, and Kiwi, a micro-payment solution for merchants.
Geneva is also the location where the Libra Association, a Facebook-led consortium of large companies with the aim of launching a global stablecoin, has chosen to be based.
Unveiled in June 2019, the Libra stablecoin project has faced criticism and opposition from central banks, following which several high-profile members including eBay, PayPal, Visa and MasterCard decided to step back from the project.
Industry trade groups are another key component of the Genevan fintech ecosystem. These include the Capital Markets and Technology Association (CMTA), an organization founded in 2018 by Lenz &amp; Staehlin, Swissquote and Temenos aimed at creating standards around facilitating the use of distributed ledger technology (DLT) in the field of capital markets. It focuses on creating standards for issuing, distributing, and trading tokenized securities.
There is also the Geneva Fintech Association, an organization founded in 2019 that aims to promote the development of new technologies, with a special focus on crowdfunding and DLT. The organization advocates and supports the education on new technologies and seeks to bring together stakeholders from the fintech ecosystem.
The Fongit Innovation Incubator is another active member in the Genevan fintech space. Founded in 1991, the incubator seeks to support tech ventures and currently hosts selected Swiss fintech companies such as InvestGlass, TokenEstate, Quantreex operated by Algoright System, Taurus Group, and Impaakt.
Vaud’s fintech ecosystem
After Geneva, the canton of Vaud in Romandy ranks as the fourth biggest fintech hub in Switzerland with 28 companies, according to the 2020 IFZ Fintech Study.
Lausanne, the capital city and the biggest town of Vaud, is home to some of the canton’s most notable fintech startups.
These include Global Impact Finance, which operates international money transfer services comparison platform Monito, Biowatch, a Bluetooth and near field communication (NFC)-enabled wearable watch for making payments and authentications, and Azqore, a provider of software solutions for private banks and wealth managers.
SwissPay.ch, a payment gateway serving e-commerce companies, NVISO, an artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning company, and CashSentinel, a payment services provider for marketplaces, are also fintechs from Lausanne.
Christian König, founder of the Fintech News Network, stays the next weeks close to the city of Montreux and would be more than happy to meet up with region’s players. Don’t hesitate to reach out!
The post Swiss Romandy Sees Thriving Fintech Ecosystem Centered Around Geneva and Lausanne appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-romandy-sees-thriving-fintech-ecosystem-centered-around-geneva-and-lausanne</link><guid>1471</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Number-of-FinTech-companies-by-region-and-by-product-left-hand-graph-and-technology-area-right-hand-graph-n382-IFZ-Fintech-Study-2020.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Romandy Sees Thriving Fintech Ecosystem Centered Around Geneva and Lausanne</dc:text></item><item><title>A Short Overview of Open Banking in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[Europe might reasonably claim to be the cradle of open banking, with regulations such as PSD2 across the European Union (EU) as well as the UK’s Open Banking Standard certainly pioneering the concept.
&#8220;This article was written to be part of the Swiss Banking Open Banking Blogparade&#8221;
But unlike in the EU where members are obliged to implement PSD2, a directive intended to opening up payment transactions to non-banks and promote competition, Switzerland has no such regulation in place.
Though many could argue that the lack of guidelines and government push would slow down adoption, the Swiss Bankers Association actually believes that the market-led approach that Switzerland has adopted has so far been beneficial, the organization said in a report released this month.
For financial institutions and market players, the lack of stringent rules gives them the possibility to design themselves the conditions for open banking, experiment as they go, and collectively establish the foundations on which open banking will thrive and benefit the whole industry.
Swiss open banking initiatives
In Switzerland, several initiatives and market-driven partnerships are currently underway to set the foundations for open banking and achieve harmonized standards.
Many of these initiatives, including Inventx’s Open Finance Platform, ti&amp;m’s Portal as a Service, and Aixigo’s Open API platform, revolve around enabling the development of these companies’ own respective ecosystem for collaboration.
Other firms have decided to join force with their peers to work towards uniform standards, a much talked about topic and a critical element in enabling the widespread adoption of open banking. Such consortia include for example the Swiss Fintech Innovations (SFTI) Common API, and the Open Banking Project, in which numerous banks and third-party providers alike have been working closely together to define uniform and open standards in areas such as payment services, lending and pensions, and promote their wider application.
But for Prof. Dr. Andreas Dietrich from the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, five major Swiss open banking initiatives are worth keeping in mind: Avaloq.one, the Finnova Open Platform, the Lenzburg/Finstar Open Banking platform, the Swisscom Open Banking Hub, and b.Link by SIX.
State-controlled telco giant Swisscom was perhaps one of the pioneers in the Swiss market, launching in late-2017 its Open Banking Hub.
Avaloq, a leading provider of software for core banking serving more than 150 banking and wealth management players around the world, introduced its Avaloq.one open banking marketplace in April 2019. Since its launch, more than 100 fintechs have been onboarded to Avaloq.one.
SIX is the latest large Swiss financial institution to join in, with the launch on May 19, of b.Link, a platform for the standardized sharing of data between financial institutions and third-party providers.
At launch, b.Link included two applications:

The Account Information Service for Accounting Solutions and Financial Institutions, which allows third-party providers to obtain detailed account and transaction information from banks for their customers and use it, for example, for reconciliation with accounting; and
The Payment Submission Service for Accounting Solutions and Financial Institutions, which allows third-party providers to automatically order their customers’ payments at their banks.

b.Link illustration, Source: SIX Group
b.Link is currently supported by Klara, Credit Suisse, Neue Aargauer Bank and UBS. Zürcher Kantonalbank plans to begin using b.Link as of September. SIX is now focused on bringing more banks and third-party providers in, and said it was in “intensive talks” with other banks to join the platform.
Despite the many recent developments, Prof. Dr. Dietrich believes that Switzerland is still “a few years behind” when it comes to open banking, especially when compared to the UK. One major limitation, he says, is that most current initiatives are focused on corporate customers, leaving private customers with a very limited product range to choose form. Additionally, the necessary standards and guidelines for operationalization are still missing, he notes.
In January 2018, a new ruling came into force in the UK, forcing the nine-biggest banks to allow licensed startups direct access to their data down to the level of transaction-account transactions, marking the debut of open banking. Since then, adoption has been rapid, with more than 240 regulated providers enrolled in open banking, as of May 2020.
 
Featured image credit: edited from www.slon.pics &#8211; www.freepik.com
The post A Short Overview of Open Banking in Switzerland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/a-short-overview-of-open-banking-in-switzerland</link><guid>1469</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/b.Link-illustration-Source-SIX-Group.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>A Short Overview of Open Banking in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>A Short 2020 Overview of Open Banking in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[Europe might reasonably claim to be the cradle of open banking, with regulations such as PSD2 across the European Union (EU) as well as the UK’s Open Banking Standard certainly pioneering the concept.
&#8220;This article was written to be part of the Swiss Banking Open Banking Blogparade&#8221;
But unlike in the EU where members are obliged to implement PSD2, a directive intended to opening up payment transactions to non-banks and promote competition, Switzerland has no such regulation in place.
Though many could argue that the lack of guidelines and government push would slow down adoption, the Swiss Bankers Association actually believes that the market-led approach that Switzerland has adopted has so far been beneficial, the organization said in a report released this month.
For financial institutions and market players, the lack of stringent rules gives them the possibility to design themselves the conditions for open banking, experiment as they go, and collectively establish the foundations on which open banking will thrive and benefit the whole industry.
Swiss open banking initiatives
In Switzerland, several initiatives and market-driven partnerships are currently underway to set the foundations for open banking and achieve harmonized standards.
Many of these initiatives, including Inventx’s Open Finance Platform, ti&amp;m’s Portal as a Service, and Aixigo’s Open API platform, revolve around enabling the development of these companies’ own respective ecosystem for collaboration.
Other firms have decided to join force with their peers to work towards uniform standards, a much talked about topic and a critical element in enabling the widespread adoption of open banking. Such consortia include for example the Swiss Fintech Innovations (SFTI) Common API, and the Open Banking Project, in which numerous banks and third-party providers alike have been working closely together to define uniform and open standards in areas such as payment services, lending and pensions, and promote their wider application.
But for Prof. Dr. Andreas Dietrich from the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, five major Swiss open banking initiatives are worth keeping in mind: Avaloq.one, the Finnova Open Platform, the Lenzburg/Finstar Open Banking platform, the Swisscom Open Banking Hub, and b.Link by SIX.
State-controlled telco giant Swisscom was perhaps one of the pioneers in the Swiss market, launching in late-2017 its Open Banking Hub.
Avaloq, a leading provider of software for core banking serving more than 150 banking and wealth management players around the world, introduced its Avaloq.one open banking marketplace in April 2019. Since its launch, more than 100 fintechs have been onboarded to Avaloq.one.
SIX is the latest large Swiss financial institution to join in, with the launch on May 19, of b.Link, a platform for the standardized sharing of data between financial institutions and third-party providers.
At launch, b.Link included two applications:

The Account Information Service for Accounting Solutions and Financial Institutions, which allows third-party providers to obtain detailed account and transaction information from banks for their customers and use it, for example, for reconciliation with accounting; and
The Payment Submission Service for Accounting Solutions and Financial Institutions, which allows third-party providers to automatically order their customers’ payments at their banks.

b.Link illustration, Source: SIX Group
b.Link is currently supported by Klara, Credit Suisse, Neue Aargauer Bank and UBS. Zürcher Kantonalbank plans to begin using b.Link as of September. SIX is now focused on bringing more banks and third-party providers in, and said it was in “intensive talks” with other banks to join the platform.
Despite the many recent developments, Prof. Dr. Dietrich believes that Switzerland is still “a few years behind” when it comes to open banking, especially when compared to the UK. One major limitation, he says, is that most current initiatives are focused on corporate customers, leaving private customers with a very limited product range to choose form. Additionally, the necessary standards and guidelines for operationalization are still missing, he notes.
In January 2018, a new ruling came into force in the UK, forcing the nine-biggest banks to allow licensed startups direct access to their data down to the level of transaction-account transactions, marking the debut of open banking. Since then, adoption has been rapid, with more than 240 regulated providers enrolled in open banking, as of May 2020.
 
Featured image credit: edited from www.slon.pics &#8211; www.freepik.com
The post A Short 2020 Overview of Open Banking in Switzerland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/a-short-2020-overview-of-open-banking-in-switzerland</link><guid>1470</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/b.Link-illustration-Source-SIX-Group.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>A Short 2020 Overview of Open Banking in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>German Ministry of Finance Calls for Blockchain-Based, Digital, Programmable Euro</title><description><![CDATA[At a time when China is trialing its own central bank digital currency (CBDC), European leaders must urgently come together and work collectively on the development of a digital, programmable euro, the Fintech Council of the German Federal Ministry of Finance has said.
In a paper released on July 23, the Fintech Council explains why a digital, programmable euro would be beneficial for the German and European economy as a whole, citing advantages and improvements in areas such as increased efficiency in cross-border payments, the enabling of payment automation, micropayments and tokenization, IT security and system resilience, as well as the possibility for integration of delivery versus payment (DvP) in one platform.
The paper, titled Der digital, programmierbase Euro (The digital, programmable euro), notes that while China has been leading the way in the development of its own digital currency, in Germany and Europe, progress has been slow.
The Fintech Council calls for efforts to intensify and is advising industrial companies, retailers, associations, commercial banks, the Deutsche Bundesbank (German Federal Bank) and the European Central Bank (ECB) to come together and discuss the development of a digital euro.
“The implementation and introduction of a digital, programmable euro have to be approached with similar ambitions in terms of scope and speed of implementation as the Libra project initiated by Facebook to give the programmable euro the appropriate significance,” the paper reads. “In this respect, efforts around the programmable euro and its application in Germany and Europe must be intensified considerably.”
This digital euro must be built on blockchain, the Fintech Council said, adding that only a blockchain-based system would allow it effectively be programmable and reach its full potential.
Reasons for a programmable euro, Source: Der digital, programmierbase Euro, Fintech Council, German Federal Ministry of Finance, June 2020
Among the numerous reasons why the European Union must introduce a blockchain-based digital, programmable euro, the Fintech Council cited more efficient cross-border payments, which would be done in just seconds, as well as instant settlements.
Blockchain would also allow for greater automation of all kinds of complex financial processes, including factoring, leasing, sales financing, loans as well as interest payments.
Another argument in favor of using blockchain technology in the context of a digital euro is that DvP can be organized on integrated platforms.
Other potential benefits include efficient micro-payments – since blockchain enables the transfer of even smaller amounts of money –, and a system that’s more resistant to hacker attacks, since it would be distributed, the report says.
Experts call for digital programmable euro
The paper released by the Fintech Council last month echoes statements formulated by the Association of German Private Banks back in October 2019. In a position paper, the organization, which represents more than 200 private commercial banks and eleven member associations, advocated the establishment of a European digital currency, calling for lawmakers and financial regulators to lay the foundations.
In July, academics of the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management and the University of Bayreuth, released findings of a research on the potential of a digital, programmable euro.
Out of the 51 experts surveyed, 76% demanded a digital, programmable euro, which they saw as an adequate solution that would address the inefficiencies of the current financial system and which would bring in greater automation due the programmable nature of this means of payments.
The majority of the respondents (62%) believed that distributed ledger technology (DLT) was the appropriate technology to implement a digital programmable euro.
Germany isn’t the only country in Europe that has shown interest in adopting a digital currency. In June, the Italian Banking Association, made up of over 700 Italian banking institutions, said its banks were willing to pilot a digital euro.
Earlier this year, the central bank of the Netherlands, De Nederlandsche Bank, released a statement outlining its position on the matter, noting that it was supportive of a CBDC. In France, the central bank sent out in March a call for proposals for CBDC experiments.
 
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The post German Ministry of Finance Calls for Blockchain-Based, Digital, Programmable Euro appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/german-ministry-of-finance-calls-for-blockchain-based-digital-programmable-euro</link><guid>1468</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Reasons-for-a-programmable-euro.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>German Ministry of Finance Calls for Blockchain-Based, Digital, Programmable Euro</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Funding Down Amid COVID-19</title><description><![CDATA[In the first half of 2020, fintech investment represented 10.4% of all funding going towards Swiss startups. As a comparison, fintech accounted for 15.7% of all invested capital in 2019, showcasing a notable shift in investment trends with investors preferring biotech, according to the Swiss Venture Capital Report Update H1 2020.
In terms of deal count, fintech accounted for 10.5% of all financing rounds, a decline compared to 2019’s 14.7%.
Share of funding rounds/invested capital by sector in H1 2020, Source: Swiss Venture Capital Report Update H1 2020, Startupticker.ch, July 2020
Swiss fintech funding takes a hit
Like other sectors, fintech funding has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic with investment down globally in the first months of 2020.
Early-stage fintech companies suffered the most as investors opted to double down on larger, more mature winners.
Despite the global economic turmoil ensued by COVID-19, several young Swiss startups successful managed to raise funding in H1 2020. Notable deals included challenger bank Alpian’s CHF 12.2 million Series A, AlgoTrader’s CHF 3.7 million round, and Crypto Finance’s CHF 14 million Series B.
H2 2020 has started well for the Swiss fintech sector with already some noteworthy funding rounds taking place. These include Bitcoin Suisse’s CHF 45 million round, digital asset infrastructure provider Metaco’s US$17 million Series A, and business lending startup Teylor’s CHF 8 million funding round.
Swiss financing remaining strong
Overall, Swiss companies raised a combined CHF 763 million through 105 financing rounds in H1 2020, and though the amount is more than a third lower that what was raised during the same period last year, it is actually a fairly good performance considering that no mega-rounds of CHF 100 million or more occurred in H1 2020, the Startupticker.ch report says.
Investments in Swiss startups in H1 2020, Source: Swiss Venture Capital Report Update H1 2020, Startupticker.ch, July 2020
Life sciences and biotech dominated the startup funding landscape in H1 2020 with some of the biggest investment rounds. Biotech accounted for 15.2% of financing rounds and 29.7% of invested capital over the period.
Information and communications technology (ICT), excluding fintech, made up of 39.9% of all funding rounds, while accounting for 21.7% of all invested capital during H1 2020.
In H1 2020, Swiss investors took a bigger role in funding their local startups. The share that Swiss investors contributed rose from about a quarter in the long-standing average to about half. Meanwhile, investment by US and European investors declined sharply, the research found.
Share of number of investments/invested amount by country of investor in H1 2020, Source: Swiss Venture Capital Report Update H1 2020, Startupticker.ch, July 2020
Swiss venture capital investors are optimist
As part of the study, Startupticker.ch conducted a survey of Swiss venture capital (VC) investors. The research found that COVID-19 has not stopped them from working with about 50% of the 29 Swiss VCs surveyed actively fundraising in H1 2020.
Overall, respondents shared optimism with the majority of them expecting to achieve the originally planned amount, and almost one third even showing confidence in exceeding their pre-coronavirus targets.
The pandemic, however, will likely cause a delay in fundraising, with two thirds of managers expecting between one to six months in delay to close their funds.
Unsurprisingly, a majority of Swiss VC investors observed a decline in valuation of startups in the first half of 2020, though the dip was relatively moderate, the research found.
For H2 2020, three quarters of fund managers expect lower valuations compared with pre-pandemic levels, but by 2021, startups valuations should return to their pre-COVID-19 levels.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-funding-down-amid-covid-19</link><guid>1467</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Share-of-funding-roundsinvested-capital-by-sector-in-H1-2020-July-2020-VC-Report-Update-2020-Startupticker.ch_.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Funding Down Amid COVID-19</dc:text></item><item><title>Regtech Platform Kompany Receives €6 Million Investment</title><description><![CDATA[Kompany, a F10 Alumni and Austria based Regtech platform for Business KYC (KYB), announced a new investment of almost €6 million, the company’s largest single investment round to date.
Last July the company already announced funding and strategic investment from Raiffeisbank International.
The funding round was led by Fairway Global Investment together with Global Brain, a major venture capital firm based in Japan. Both are global investors in RegTech, Fintech and payment sectors.  Existing shareholders, including the European Super Angels Club and the kompany management team also participated in this round.
It will use the new funding to accelerate growth and expand its new product lines, the AI-based shareholder analysis tool UBO discovery® and the DLT-based audit-trail solution KYC onchain.
Russell E. Perry
“The smart money understands that RegTech is about turning the burden of compliance into a competitive advantage by enabling customers to drastically reduce client onboarding time by 90% and by completely digitising the process and customer experience,”
stated kompany Founder &amp; CEO Russell E. Perry.
The kompany team has doubled in the last year to outpace the new regulatory realities of the highly enforced Anti-Money Laundering regulation in Europe (AMLD 4&amp;5) and the pending US AML regulation.
Additionally, in wake of the Covid-19 stimulus measures, governments are pumping trillions into the global economy. This has inadvertently caused a market rush to rapidly digitise and automate formerly manual compliance processes.
As a result, market interest has seen the value of kompany’s sales pipeline increase to an eight-figure number in the last twelve months.
 
Featured image: (L-R) Russell E. Perry (Founder &amp; CEO), Andrew Bunce (Chief Product Officer), Johanna Konrad (Chief Operating Officer) and Peter Bainbridge-Clayton (Founder &amp; CTO)
The post Regtech Platform Kompany Receives €6 Million Investment appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/regtech-platform-kompany-receives-6-million-investment</link><guid>1466</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Regtech Platform Kompany Receives €6 Million Investment</dc:text></item><item><title>Google Pay Plans to Offer Digital Bank Accounts</title><description><![CDATA[Google is expanding its plans to offer digital banking services in the United States (U.S.) by partnering with several banks to offer digital checking and savings accounts to Google Pay users which will be available in 2021.
The 8 banks in question are Citi, SFCU, Bank Mobile, BBVA USA, BMO Harris, Coastal Community Bank, First Independence Bank and SEFCU. It was reported that Google intends to form more partnerships with other financial institutions in the future.
The Wall Street Journal was the first to announce in November last year of Google&#8217;s plans to dive into the financial services via an initiative that was dubbed internally as “Project Cache”.
TechCruch reported that Google will provide the front-end, intuitive user experiences and financial insights that will be built on top of the partner banks&#8217; existing infrastructure.
One of its partners, BBVA, announced that this collaboration underscores its strategy to continue organically growing the bank throughout the U.S., even as it deepens its transformation and capitalises on the innovations that have changed the way it does business
For BBVA, the collaboration was made possible thanks to its open banking initiative, BBVA Open Platform, that enables the bank and its partners to acquire and engage customers by embedding financial products that create powerful consumer value propositions.
 
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/google-pay-plans-to-offer-digital-bank-accounts</link><guid>1465</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Google Pay Plans to Offer Digital Bank Accounts</dc:text></item><item><title>Cloud Computing as the Foundation for Platform Banking</title><description><![CDATA[Cloud computing doesn’t just allow banks and financial institutions to benefit from improved agility and costs savings, it also enables them to move closer to platformification, a model set to govern the banking landscape of the future, Tom Eck, global chief technology officer at IBM said in a conversation with fintech influencer Jim Marous.
During a Banking Transformed podcast hosted by Marous in July, Eck stressed the imperative for banks and financial institutions to embrace cloud technology and truly prepare themselves for the new era in banking.
“The cloud allows banks [and any financial institution] to reinvent themselves as platforms,” Eck said. “A platform to me is when an entity, an institution, a bank, makes its services, plus the services of its ecosystem partners, simple to consume.”
Tom Eck
“I’m a firm believer that the platformification of just about any industry makes sense, and that the cloud is the necessary … underlying platform.”
Advances in technology, changing consumer behavior, and new regulations aimed at stirring innovation in banking, have led to the rise of fintech. These tech-enabled players are now rapidly gaining ground and setting new standards in usability, championing digital-first customer experience. And with COVID-19 accelerating digital transformation, now is the time for banks and financial institutions to step up their game and rethink their business.
“[COVID-19] has made [digitalization] even more imperative,” Eck said. “I think that the gulf between the ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’, [when it comes to adopting cloud computing], will really [be determinant of their future success]. Doing nothing has a risk of its own.”
With COVID-19 forcing companies to adopt remote working, cloud providers have witnessed significant traction. Just a few weeks ago, Amazon Web Services struck a big new deal with HSBC, and Google announced partnerships with Goldman Sachs and Deutsche Bank.
The pandemic has also accelerated the trend towards digital banking with Dutch group ING stating in July that it would close a quarter of its branches.
Building ecosystems
For Eck, cloud computing will be the foundation for the ecosystem model, where banks and financial institutions will be required to partner with third-parties to provide a more holistic experience with services that extend beyond financial services.
Citing the example of mortgages, Eck explained the reasoning behind this emerging trend:
“Nobody wants to obtain mortgage. People want to buy a house. [A mortgage] is just a necessity, it’s just one piece of it. They also have to worry about turning on the utilities, getting a moving company, getting insurance, etc.
“So imagine if the bank became the hub for all those things, and the consumer would only need to onboard themselves once to the platform. All the know-your-customer (KYC), anti-money laundering/combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) checks would be done once and would be shared securely, with the consumer allowing it to happen… It would be a much more fluid user experience.”
“Banks need to transform from being a financial institution to being [an entity that] offers services. [After all], they are there to serve their clients. And money and the transfer of money [happen to be] behind everything. So let’s bring all these things into the mix and make it more convenient.”
Although the benefits of cloud computing might be obvious for many, some financial institutions are still reticent in moving some of their businesses onto the cloud.
“Banks are in the business of risk management. Moving to a completely new environment, especially public cloud, [gives rise to] many concerns. Some of those threats are real but some are just perceived,” Eck said.
“There must be education. Regardless of all the technology in the world … it still comes down to people. We still need to convince people so that decision-makers understand why if [they] go and move some of [their] sensitive network to [the] cloud, [they] will be able to sleep at night.”
Unlike incumbents, which have a deep ingrained legacy culture and which are highly risk averse, for fintech startups, cloud is the obvious choice since the technology allows them to be agile, scale quickly and develop sophisticated solutions for their customers, Spiros Margaris, a venture capitalist and the founder of margaris ventures, said during the podcast.
“Cloud is a beautiful offering for those startups to [access and] use cutting-edge technology and be able to scale and become more successful,”
Margaris said.
“For startups, it’s very clear that cloud is the way to go. [They] need to build things that make [them] unique. If someone offers something that does it better, why not use it? That’s the whole purpose of these companies: use the best services available to provide [their] customers with a better user experience and better services.”
 
﻿﻿
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/cloud-computing-as-the-foundation-for-platform-banking</link><guid>1464</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Cloud Computing as the Foundation for Platform Banking</dc:text></item><item><title>The Swiss Fintech Startup Map Welcomes 4 Newcomers in August</title><description><![CDATA[The Swisscom Fintech Startup Map has been updated and released on August 2020 in time for the Swiss National Day.
Four new Swiss Fintech Startups namely e-Potek SA, Yeldo SA, 21 Analytics and drion.ai AG have made their way onto the list of analytics startups.
It is worth noting that as of now, there is a grand total of 355 Swiss Fintech Startups on Swisscom&#8217;s map.

21 Analytics
21 Analytics develops a software solution for FATF’s travel rule.

e-Potek SA
e-Potek automates and simplifies mortgage loans.

Yeldo SA
Yeldo is an innovative real estate investment platform based in Zürich and Lugano.

drion.ai AG
With the Drion technology, financial service providers would be able to reduce their processing time down to a few minutes only.


 
The post The Swiss Fintech Startup Map Welcomes 4 Newcomers in August appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-swiss-fintech-startup-map-welcomes-4-newcomers-in-august</link><guid>1463</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/August_SwissFinTechStartupMap-scaled.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>The Swiss Fintech Startup Map Welcomes 4 Newcomers in August</dc:text></item><item><title>eKYC Landscape in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[Switzerland has one of the most regulatory heavy ecosystems in the world.
Every year, more advanced regulations and compliance are put in place, making it more expensive for financial institutions to meet requirements. Consumers, accustomed to seamless user experiences with larger online players, are now expecting the same level of service with their banks. As new technologies are introduced, sandboxes and startup competitions are set in place to encourage innovation.
As a result of these developments, financial services players and other industries are turning to eKYC in order to reduce costs, enhance customer experience and implement new technologies that distinguish them from competition.
The regulatory requirements in Switzerland
Switzerland not only has one of the strongest financial centres globally, but also the strongest privacy culture in the world: they were the first to issue a bank secrecy law back in 1713. This culture of regulation and privacy means Switzerland takes regulations very seriously, with financial institutions having to meet increasingly stringent requirements every year.
Currently, Switzerland has many AML (Anti-Money Laundering) laws in place in order to identify, trace and seize illegal assets. Swiss companies must also comply with the European GDPR, PSD2 and MiFIDII/MIFIR, all designed to protect consumer data. Most AML laws in Switzerland are focused on KYC rules, procedures and internal documentation, requiring banks and managers to verify identities with personal documents, previous addresses and more. These laws are overseen by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) and are regularly updated.
Traditionally, Swiss banks onboard their customers manually and in person. This is frustrating for both banks and customers: manual procedures are slow and frustrate customers, and are an expensive and time-consuming procedure for banks. For this reason, Swiss regulators introduced a new law in 2016 offering financial institutions the possibility to do their onboarding online &#8211; but 4 years later, only a few Swiss banks offer digital onboarding with video.
Recently, Swiss regulators have been setting new regulations in order to encourage institutions to offer digital alternatives, as traditional onboarding becomes less secure. In January 2019, the Swiss Parliament created a Fintech categorisation so all Fintechs were subject to AMLA laws. More recently, in January 2020, FINMA introduced a new law to make digital onboarding more secure than before: the Federal Act on Financial Services (FinSA) and the Federal Act of Financial Institutions (FinIA). Currently, only a few Swiss banks do digital onboarding through video; the objective of this law is to encourage more financial institutions to move away from cumbersome video onboarding processes as well as traditional practices and utilize more efficient KYC technologies.
Things are moving forward in the Swiss KYC landscape. According to a LexisNexis survey report, financial institutions in France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Switzerland are spending US$83.5 billion on compliance every year. Switzerland is also taking steps to encourage more financial technology, with a staggering increase in Fintech investment of 61.8% in 2018. The country is also garnering a reputation as a Fintech hub for blockchain and wealth management, attracting talent and investment from all around the world. Regulators are stepping in by organising sandboxes, startup competitions and accelerators to further encourage innovation.
credit: LexisNexis survey report
As banks look for ways to lower costs and meet demanding compliance, fintech solutions that focus on fixing one pain point, use advanced technology and enhance customer experience appear to be the best way forward.
The role of eKYC in Switzerland
Money laundering from narcotics-related activities is still a huge issue in Switzerland, causing regulatory compliance to become more stringent and complex every year. This is what makes identity verification expensive and time-consuming for financial institutions.
The new laws, increasing costs and rising customer demand means Swiss financial institutions are turning to eKYC as a way to solve all the issues in one go. Digital KYC is the best solution for banks to offer secure, regulatory and fast compliance requirements. With tech such as AI and APIs, the entire KYC process can be automated and all the data stored on the cloud, drastically lowering the cost of onboarding customers. In addition, a transparent and secure digital onboarding process increases trust with customers and improves the whole customer experience.
However, creating an eKYC system from the ground up can be costly and time-consuming for bank incumbents in Switzerland, which is why many are partnering up with Fintechs that focus solely on eKYC in order to help with digital onboarding, automation and risk management.
As costs are lowered, the financial services chain will reduce in size, encouraging more partnerships in the ecosystem and sharing of consenting user data &#8211; this is apparent already in Europe with the PSD2 directive. Combining regulation and technology is a big step towards increasing security, lowering costs and improving the relationship with the customer.
Switzerland’s regulatory landscape gives the country a reputation as a trustworthy and reliable centre for finances. The mix of banking experience, developed infrastructure and regulatory advancement means that it is a growing hub for innovation; the Swiss Federal Council and regulators are continuously introducing laws that encourage blockchain and other advanced technology.
In the past, intense regulatory requirements meant that banks and financial institutions were wary of innovating or introducing new initiatives. However, as traditional KYC becomes more expensive and cumbersome, financial services players are finally looking towards Fintech and digital solutions in order to help with the process as well as stand out. Those who won’t adopt run the imminent risk of becoming obsolete.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ekyc-landscape-in-switzerland</link><guid>1462</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/compliance-1024x384.png</dc:content ><dc:text>eKYC Landscape in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>UK Challenger Monzo Ranks Top in Social Media Mentions Amongst Neobanks</title><description><![CDATA[Between December 2019 and June 2020, UK digital challenger Monzo dominated the neobanking conversation across all media ahead of other regional leaders including Revolut and N26, according to a new research by Ten Bear Group and Rila Global Consulting.
The study, which analyzed social media data of 15 international neobanks to understand overall performance, providers’ consumer trends and social strategy, found that Monzo was the most talked about neobank during the period (43%), garnering the most mentions amongst all the neobanks analyzed. The majority of Monzo conversations were held on Twitter and forums on Monzo.com, and consisted of users reaching out to customer support.
The report notes Monzo’s #YearInMonzo campaign in January which gathered multiple mentions for the brand and proved to be a “smart engagement strategy with customers,” it says. It adds that Monzo has also been successfully cultivating an engaged community on its own forum where members regularly seek support services and draw comparisons between Monzo and competitors.
But mentions of Monzo don’t always come with a positive sentiment, and many users complained online about fraudulent calls. The company also saw a spike in June when tweets from staff members who were threatened with redundancy went viral.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Monzo has been facing turbulences. Following the shuttering of its Las Vegas-based customer support office and almost 300 staff being furloughed in UK, Monzo announced internally in June that up to 120 UK staff would be made redundant. The startup also had to accept a 40% reduction in its previously GBP 2 billion valuation as part of its last funding round with a new valuation of GBP 1.24 billion.
Neobank providers share of voice online, Neobanking- provider performance, consumer trends and audience segmentation, Ten Bear Group and Rila Global Consulting, July 2020
After Monzo, UK challenger Revolut was the close second, representing 37.3% of all mentions during the period. Topics mentioned included Revolut’s transparent no hidden fees policy and ease of use, the report says, while negative mentions were mostly driven by customer support-related inquiries from users locked out of their account.
Meanwhile, German digital bank N26 garnered a large portion of their mentions from users sharing referral codes. People also connected with N26 on social media to inquire when they will be available in various countries, implying that mentions of the digital bank during the period were mainly positive.
Of the 15 neobanks analyzed, Atom Bank, from the UK, was ranked the highest on Trustpilot, a popular online review platform, with a score of 4.7 out of 5. Atom Bank was followed by Varo Money, from the US, with a score of 4.6. Dutch digital bank Bunq and Simplii Financial, a division of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, were ranked the lowest with a score of 2.4 and 1.6, respectively.
In terms of customer service, Atom Bank, Starling Bank and Monzo were ranked the top three neobanks. At the other end of the spectrum, Simplii Financial, Revolut and N26 were rated the lowest in customer service.
Other key findings
The research also found that COVID-19 has so far proven to be “incredibly beneficial to the neobanking industry and providers.” Usage of banking and financial apps has increased since the beginning of the pandemic and users on social often cited factors such as traditional banks’ dated technology, slowness and lack of money management features as the main reasons to switch to a neobank.
During the period studied, international banking users accounted for 24% of neobanks’ customers and were found to be early adopters of digital banks. These users chose them for traveling and to send money to family overseas, the research found, and are part of a rapidly growing customer segment comprising expats and online business owners.
Besides global banking services, another key feature mentioned by users was trading capabilities. Cryptocurrency and stock-savvy customers are increasingly looking to neobanks for fast, online transactions and trading options, the report says.
Savings and money management features, low/no fees, security, and customer support, were also named amongst the features users of neobanks most cared about.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/uk-challenger-monzo-ranks-top-in-social-media-mentions-amongst-neobanks</link><guid>1461</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Neobank-providers-share-of-voice-online-Neobanking-provider-performance-consumer-trends-and-audience-segmentation-Ten-Bear-Group-and-Rila-Global-Consulting-July-2020.png</dc:content ><dc:text>UK Challenger Monzo Ranks Top in Social Media Mentions Amongst Neobanks</dc:text></item><item><title>UBS wird Hauptpartnerin der Digitalen Swiss Fintech Fair</title><description><![CDATA[Am 07. und 08. September findet auch in diesem Jahr wieder die grösste Fintech-Messe der Schweiz statt, die Swiss Fintech Fair.
Die Veranstalter des Fintech-Verbands Swiss Finance Startups konnten UBS als Hauptpartnerin für das Event gewinnen. Bereits in den vergangenen Jahren arbeiteten Swiss Finance Startups und UBS als verlässliche Partner erfolgreich zusammen und bauten die Messe geme
2020 wurde das Event-Konzept umgestaltet und sogar erweitert. An einem zusätzlichen digitalen Veranstaltungstag wird insam zur grössten und wichtigsten Zusammenkunft der Schweizer Fintechszene aus.das gesamte Messegeschehen auf einer Online-Eventplattform stattfinden. Die Plattform bietet virtuelle Messestände, ein komplett digitales Veranstaltungsprogramm mit Video-Auftritten und Webinars sowie professionelles Networking dankI-basiertem Match-Making.
Mit bereits jetzt schon rund 100 angemeldeten virtuellen Messeständen wird die Swiss Fintech Fair 2020 mindestens doppelt so gross wie die letztjährige Messe. Darüber hinaus erlaubt das digitale Konzept auch Ausstellern und Speakern aus dem Ausland eine unkomplizierte Teilnahme. So konnten bereits Teilnehmerinnen und Teilnehmer aus Singapur, dem Vereinigten Königreich, Deutschland sowie weiteren Ländern gewonnen werden.
Karin Oertli
”2020 hat die digitale Transformation der Schweizer Wirtschaft einen enormen Schub erhalten. Nun heisst es, diese Chance zu nutzen und mit neuen Impulsen den Finanzplatz von morgen zu gestalten,&#8221;
so Karin Oertli, COO UBS Personal &amp; Corporate Banking and Region Switzerland.
&#8220;Breites Know-how, innovative Ansätze und ein vielseitiges Netzwerk legen dabei die Basis und genau da setzt Swiss Finance Startups an. Es freut uns daher sehr, als Partnerin der digitalen Swiss Fintech Fair Teil dieser spannenden Reise zu sein.&#8221;
 
 
The post UBS wird Hauptpartnerin der Digitalen Swiss Fintech Fair appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ubs-wird-hauptpartnerin-der-digitalen-swiss-fintech-fair</link><guid>1460</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>UBS wird Hauptpartnerin der Digitalen Swiss Fintech Fair</dc:text></item><item><title>Remitly Announces $85 Million Round as Digital Remittances Surge Globally</title><description><![CDATA[Remitly, a mobile-first provider of remittances and financial services for immigrants announced a $85 million funding round to fuel the company’s growth as the global demand for digital remittances continues to surge during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding will enable Remitly to expand its suite of digital financial services products at a time its customers need them most.
Existing investor Prosus’s PayU led the round at a $1.5 billion valuation. They were joined by returning partners Generation Investment Management, Owl Rock Capital, Stripes, DN Capital, Top Tier, Princeville Global, and Threshold Ventures.
Matt Oppenheimer
“As the current health crisis continues to devastate the global economy and disproportionately impact developing countries, immigrants are increasingly turning to digital solutions to address their financial needs and ensure they are still able to send critical funds home to their loved ones,”
said Matt Oppenheimer, Remitly Co-founder and CEO.
“Remitly was born out of this necessity &#8211; to provide the underserved, underbanked and overlooked access to financial services anytime, anywhere. And our digital solutions have never been needed more than they are today. This latest round of funding will allow us to continue meeting our customers’ broad set of financial needs, and providing affordable, convenient and secure solutions as we navigate this uncertain time and beyond.”
While the World Bank forecast global remittances to decline by 20 percent in 2020 due to the economic crisis, Remitly has seen 200 percent new customer growth year-over-year. And customers who once relied on traditional remittance providers are now faced with quarantines, the shuttering of brick and mortar locations and limited access to traditional financial services. Faced with these challenges, customers are rapidly shifting to digital solutions to continue sending money to their loved ones across the world.
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/remitly-announces-85-million-round-as-digital-remittances-surge-globally</link><guid>1459</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Remitly Announces $85 Million Round as Digital Remittances Surge Globally</dc:text></item><item><title>Mastercard Collaborates With Microsoft to Accelerate Digital Commerce Startup Innovation</title><description><![CDATA[Mastercard and Microsoft announced a collaboration to drive innovation of digital commerce and startup ecosystems enabling financial inclusion.
The collaboration will accelerate Mastercard Labs’ cloud native research and development activities, enabled by Azure and AI, to advance its mission to de-risk and commercialise emerging technologies and platforms for digital commerce.
Through access to technical expertise and cutting-edge technologies, Mastercard’s partners will be able to build and securely scale new solutions.
Ken Moore
“This strategic collaboration will strengthen and extend our cloud services and capabilities for clients and fintech partners, sparking innovation and creativity for the ecosystem. It will enable us to explore opportunities focused on new client segments, technologies and trends as we continue to drive financial inclusion and build the future of commerce.”
said Ken Moore, Executive Vice President and Head of Mastercard Labs.
 
Judson Althoff
“Mastercard’s commitment to innovation and financial inclusion has accelerated digital commerce for individuals and businesses around the world. We look forward to building on our strong relationship and accelerating co-innovation to help connect and power a digital economy for everyone, everywhere.”
said Judson Althoff, Executive Vice President of Microsoft’s Worldwide Commercial Business.
 
Enabling financial inclusion
The collaboration will advance Mastercard’s vision to improve the lives of people by building pathways to financial security and access to critical services. The Azure cloud environment will serve as the native infrastructure for Mastercard Labs’ inclusion efforts and support Mastercard Community Pass — a platform that pulls together complex ecosystems and provides underserved communities with access to essential services, such as education, agriculture marketplaces and basic healthcare.
Microsoft Azure provides Mastercard — and the ecosystems they jointly serve — with a scalable and flexible platform imperative for establishing secure connections and protecting data, co-innovating with partners and delivering access to financial services
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mastercard-collaborates-with-microsoft-to-accelerate-digital-commerce-startup-innovation</link><guid>1458</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Mastercard Collaborates With Microsoft to Accelerate Digital Commerce Startup Innovation</dc:text></item><item><title>Wealth Managers Name Greenfield Digital Banking as Top Innovation Strategy</title><description><![CDATA[Greenfield business builds continue to be a top innovation strategy for the banking and wealth management industry, according to a new study by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) and Temenos.
In a report titled Forging new frontiers: Advanced technology will revolutionise banking, the EIU shares findings from a global survey of 305 banking executives it conducted in early 2020 on behalf of Temenos.
According to the study, building a greenfield digital bank was found to be the most prevalent innovation strategy amongst banks with 35% of global banking executives stating their financial institutions were doing so. The trend was shared by the wealth management industry where 52% said they believed this to be the best way to compete most cost effectively in this rapidly evolving landscape.
Building a greenfield fintech company ranked fourth, with about 17% of global banking executives pursuing the strategy.
What is your bank’s innovation strategy? Forging new frontiers: Advanced technologies will revolutionise banking, June 2020, Source: The Economist Intelligence Unit
Greenfield digital banks and fintech solutions
The greenfield approach revolves around building entirely new entity or service in a totally new environment without any constraints based on legal systems.
The concept has been adopted by the likes of HSBC with Serai, a standalone business focused on digitizing the import/export value chain, Goldman Sachs with Marcus, which offers personal loans and savings accounts, and National Australia Bank with QuickBiz, an automated unsecured lending platform.
In digital banking, the greenfield approach has led to projects and outfits like Openbank, the digital bank of Santander in Spain, Bank Leumi’s Pepper in Israel, and Equitable Bank’s EQ Bank in Canada.
Achieving greater agility
After greenfield digital banking, banking executives cited open bank hub initiatives (29%) and investing in fintech startups (26%) as the second and third most popular innovation strategies. Participating in sandboxes to collaborate with fintechs and other technology providers to test new propositions (25%) was also found to be a popular strategy.
These findings suggest that banks are increasingly turning to digital strategies that would allow them to move away from their current operating models and promote greater agility.
This trend is further shown by the survey’s results where banking executives named improving product agility and the ability to launch new products (26%) as the third most important strategy priority.
COVID-19 accelerating digitalization
The study, which focused on themes relating to the digitalization of banking, found that the COVID-19 pandemic has put sense of urgency to banks’ digital push.
45% of banking respondents said their strategic response to COVID-19 was to build a “true digital ecosystem” and integrate their self-built digital services and third-party offerings. Along the same lines, an overwhelming majority of respondents (83%) believe that platformization of banking will steer the market.
AI to play a key role
Artificial intelligence (AI) will play a critical role in accelerating this digital shift with over three-quarters (77%) of respondents agreeing that unlocking value from AI will be a key differentiator between winning and losing banks.
Amongst AI’s most valuable applications, banking executives cited improving user experience through greater personalization (28%) as the most impactful use case.
What do you believe will be the most valuable use of artificial intelligence for banks? Forging new frontiers: Advanced technologies will revolutionise banking, June 2020, Source: The Economist Intelligence Unit
32.5% of banking respondents said they were developing AI platforms such as digital advisors and voice assisted engagement channels, and 15.1% said they were working on improving back office productivity through AI platforms, showcasing that banks around the world are betting big on the technology.
Where is your company focusing its technology investment? Forging new frontiers: Advanced technologies will revolutionise banking, June 2020, Source: The Economist Intelligence Unit
According to Deloitte’s annual State of AI in the Enterprise report, 2020 will be the year that AI enters the enterprise mainstream adoption.
The consulting firm, which surveyed more than 2,700 IT and line-of-business executives, found that all respondents are currently using some form of AI in their companies.
The study also found 53% of these adopters have spent more than US$20 million over the past year on AI-related technology and talent, and 71% are planning to increase spending in the next fiscal year.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/wealth-managers-name-greenfield-digital-banking-as-top-innovation-strategy</link><guid>1457</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/What-is-your-bank’s-innovation-strategy-Forging-new-frontiers-Advanced-technologies-will-revolutionise-banking-June-2020-Source-The-Economist-Intelligence-Unit.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Wealth Managers Name Greenfield Digital Banking as Top Innovation Strategy</dc:text></item><item><title>Marc Bernegger Joins Gentwo Advisory Board</title><description><![CDATA[The well-known fintech entrepreneur Marc P. Bernegger is the newest member of GENTWO&#8216;s Advisory Board. As an experienced startup expert and fintech investor, he will support the company’s growth initiatives as well as providing valuable advice concerning its ongoing funding round.
“We are delighted to have convinced Marc P. Bernegger, an outstanding serial entrepreneur, to leverage his exceptional expertise and extensive network of contacts to support our upcoming growth initiatives and scaling-up,”
says Philippe A. Naegeli, CEO of GENTWO.
As a Swiss startup expert, Bernegger has a broad network and many years’ experience within a wide range of business ecosystems – both of which will benefit GENTWO&#8217;s further development. The concrete role that he will play is focused above all on identifying further sources of growth and accelerating the company’s scaling-up. Bernegger will also support GENTWO in running its current funding round.
GENTWO is currently in a financing round to raise capital that will underpin the company’s next phase of acceleration – in particular its internationalization, the expansion of its business activities, and new growth initiatives
&#8220;On the one hand, GENTWO already has an established business model and a broad customer base. On the other hand, only a fraction of its market
Marc P. Bernegger
potential has been tapped so far. We will soon be opening up countless exciting business areas together.”,
says Marc P.Bernegger.
 
Featured image: From Left &#8211; Philippe A. Naegeli Right and Marc P. Bernegger
 
 
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/marc-bernegger-joins-gentwo-advisory-board</link><guid>1456</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Marc Bernegger Joins Gentwo Advisory Board</dc:text></item><item><title>The Swiss National Cyber Security Centre, the Trust Valley and Autonomous Bubbles</title><description><![CDATA[Cybercrime is a growing menace, affecting one in seven people in Switzerland. Reported attacks have risen threefold since the onset of coronavirus.
The Swiss National Cyber Security Centre, officially born this month, has its work cut out even with the imminent arrival of 20 new staffing reinforcements. Universities and the private sector are also playing their part to secure digital infrastructure.
The Trust Valley network is a public-private initiative, co-ordinated by the cantons of Geneva and Vaud along with several universities, including the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), and cyber security companies. Announced last month, it will become operational in October.
The Lake Geneva region says it the highest concentration of cyber security enterprises in Switzerland. Trust Valley aims to harness more than 300 firms and organisations in the fight against hackers.
There are some interesting Swiss projects that focus on the pathways by which data is sent. Anapaya, a federal technology institute ETH Zurich spin-off, is working with the Swiss National Bank (SNB), the stock exchange and telecoms firms to better secure the flow of data between financial actors.
It uses SCION technology from ETH, which has been mentioned in glowing SNB dispatches in the past. As I discovered a couple of years back, SCION casts aside standard data routing protocols on the internet. Apparently, trusting random pathways to send your messages is akin to wandering down dark alleyways at night, hoping they don’t contain muggers.
SCION creates secure autonomous “bubbles” for users, allowing them to choose the most secure pathway for sending data packets between each other. A pilot project aims to create a “sovereign network jurisdiction” allowing members to define their own rules on how data is sent.
Other projects that have caught my eye employ “mixnet” technology that jumbles metadata &#8211; the footprints we leave on the internet that identify us and pinpoint where we are. The idea of mixnet – or “Mix Network” – arose in the 1980s. In the internet age it employs proxy servers to mix up the addresses of senders and receivers, so no-one can tell who sent data to whom.
Commercial spies learn a lot from knowing who has been sharing data with a particular company. Some governments might like to know who has been in contact with “dissidents”. Or as HOPR founder Sebastian Bürgel blogged:
Sebastian Bürgel
“Do you really want people to be able to tell when, where, and how often you’re communicating with your bank, your dating app, or your proctologist?”
HOPR uses blockchain technology, offering rewards to people who create nodes that do the jumbling. Senders of data can choose which nodes they want to “hop” to en route to the receiver.
This might sound like a recipe for money laundering and a golden opportunity for criminals, but mixnet comes with EU approval. In 2015, the EU’s Horizon 2020 research programme funded the Panoramix project to explore how mixnet could improve network privacy. This was not long after US whistleblower Edward Snowden had told the world about CIA snooping activities.
Swiss company Nym Technologies was born out of Panoramix.
Harry Halpin
“Privacy is not about hiding from everyone,”
Nym founder Harry Halpin told me.
“It’s selectively choosing who you want to disclose information to.”
Nym’s first use case is the cryptocurrency market, but mixnet could be used for a variety of sectors, including the financial industry, says Halpin.
“The lack of privacy is crazy considering the amount of money involved. The traditional financial sector wants privacy enhancing solutions that are legally compliant.”

 
 
 
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-swiss-national-cyber-security-centre-the-trust-valley-and-autonomous-bubbles</link><guid>1455</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/SIGN-UP-4.png</dc:content ><dc:text>The Swiss National Cyber Security Centre, the Trust Valley and Autonomous Bubbles</dc:text></item><item><title>Visa Announces Support for Cryptocurrencies</title><description><![CDATA[Visa has indicated its plan to turn its focus onto cryptocurrencies in a blog post titled &#8220;Advancing our approach to digital currency&#8221;. This push into cryptocurrencies is due to its belief that &#8220;digital currencies have the potential to extend the value of digital payments to a greater number of people and places&#8221;.
This news follows Mastercard&#8217;s recent announcement of a program that accelerates the issuance of payments cards for crypto firms, in this program they also announced that Wirex was the first partner onboarded.
Visa has been working closely with licensed and regulated digital currency platforms like Coinbase and Fold to provide a bridge between digital currencies and their existing global network of 61 million merchants.
In addition to that, Visa had invested in Anchorage, a company building security infrastructure for the digital currency ecosystem as well as conducting relevant research for the past few years now.
Visa explains that much of this work is happening through its FastTrack program, which helps fintechs, including those in the digital currency space, integrate quickly with Visa’s global network.
Noting ongoing regulatory concerns, Visa has been engaging with policy makers and global organisations to help shape the dialogue and understanding of digital currencies. It worked with the World Economic Forum and collaborated on a set of policy recommendations for central banks exploring the concept of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC).
The post also outlines its 3-pronged digital currency strategy where it will &#8220;focus on data protection, consumer privacy and fairness, and full compliance with all applicable laws&#8221;.
It also states that it will remain &#8220;currency- and network-agnostic&#8221; by supporting the digital currencies and blockchain networks in demand ensuring that it is in &#8220;alignment with Visa&#8217;s core capabilities&#8221;.
Featured image credit: VISA
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/visa-announces-support-for-cryptocurrencies</link><guid>1454</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Visa Announces Support for Cryptocurrencies</dc:text></item><item><title>Uzbekistan’s First Digital Bank TBC Goes Live</title><description><![CDATA[Capital Banking Solutions, a provider of integrated banking software, announced that TBC Bank first digital bank in Uzbekistan and the subsidiary of TBC banking group in Georgia goes live with its open platform solution.
The first digital bank in Uzbekistan will be supported by CapitalBanker and CapitalConnect suite as an open back-end API-based solution and Space’s digital retail platform. Space is the first fully digital bank in Georgia, powered by TBC and launched in 2018.
Lasha Gurgenidze
Lasha Gurgenidze, General Manager at Space commented:
“Space is an innovative digital banking laboratory, where experiments are made in terms of products, services and communication. Successful discoveries can already be used outside the country. Uzbekistan is the first case of geographic expansion for the Space team. Entering new markets is one of the key components in our strategic vision and we have several goals in this direction.”
Samer Hanna
Samer Hanna, CEO Capital Banking Solutions, said:
“We are excited to support TBC Bank in achieving their goal to become the best provider of digital financial services in the region with Capital Banking Solutions as their partner.
Our mission is to help banks innovate and expand. The flexible design of Capital Banking Solutions’ suite through open source API platform, offers a cutting-edge unique approach to banks adopting the new digital era.”
For its new implementation in Uzbekistan, TBC’s target was to deliver to its clients instant facilities for loans and deposits banking services.
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/uzbekistans-first-digital-bank-tbc-goes-live</link><guid>1453</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Uzbekistan’s First Digital Bank TBC Goes Live</dc:text></item><item><title>Spicehaus Partners Fund: 50 Million CHF for Digital Transformation Startups in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[The Spicehaus Swiss Venture Fund was launched in 2019 with a target size of CHF 50 million investing in start-ups that drive digital transformation. The latest investments of the Spicehaus Swiss Venture Fund are in the areas of fintech, robotics, and cybersecurity.
Teddy Amberg
One of the founders, Teddy Amberg helped to build the Swiss fintech start-up CreditGate24, a lending platform in Switzerland. His partner Daniel Andres co-founded the trading company dakuro. So far, the two partners have invested in 21 startups and were part of some of the largest exits in Switzerland: MOVU (bought by Baloise) and Bexio (bought by Mobiliar).
Spicehaus&#8217; investment strategy is characterised by its preference for real business models that have the potential to be self-sustaining in the long-term. They invest in early phases from &#8220;proof of concept&#8221;, i.e. finished products and first paying customers. Up to CHF 1.5 million is invested per start-up (CHF 250-500k in a first round and a possible follow-on of up to CHF 1 million).
Daniel Andres
The latest investments of the Spicehaus Swiss Venture Fund are in the areas of fintech, robotics and cybersecurity.
The fintech AMNIS offers SMEs an online platform for foreign currency hedging, risk management and international payments at very attractive conditions. AMNIS already has more than 400 corporate clients in Switzerland and is using the funding round to accelerate its international growth.
KEMARO has developed a fully automated cleaning robot for industrial dry cleaning. The robot uses algorithms and artificial intelligence to clean large industrial areas autonomously and without pre-installation. Well-known wholesalers and logistics providers are already among its customers.
The ETH spin-off xorlab proactively protects companies from e-mail attacks with the help of machine learning. Phishing is a rapidly increasing fraud attempt and has increased further since the launch of COVID-19. The proactive software detects attacks early on and prevents or reduces risks and damage. Financial institutions and large companies already use xorlab&#8217;s software.
From their own experience, Teddy Amberg and Daniel Andres know what it takes to build a company. Spicehaus therefore sees itself as an active investor and actively supports its investments.
The fund is still open to investors.
 
Featured image credit: Spicehaus
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/spicehaus-partners-fund-50-million-chf-for-digital-transformation-startups-in-switzerland</link><guid>1451</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Spicehaus Partners Fund: 50 Million CHF for Digital Transformation Startups in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Spicehaus Partners Fund: 50 Million CHF for Digital Transformation Startups</title><description><![CDATA[The Spicehaus Swiss Venture Fund was launched in 2019 with a target size of CHF 50 million investing in start-ups that drive digital transformation. The latest investments of the Spicehaus Swiss Venture Fund are in the areas of fintech, robotics, and cybersecurity.
Teddy Amberg
One of the founders, Teddy Amberg helped to build the Swiss fintech start-up CreditGate24, a lending platform in Switzerland. His partner Daniel Andres co-founded the trading company dakuro. So far, the two partners have invested in 21 startups and were part of some of the largest exits in Switzerland: MOVU (bought by Baloise) and Bexio (bought by Mobiliar).
Spicehaus&#8217; investment strategy is characterised by its preference for real business models that have the potential to be self-sustaining in the long-term. They invest in early phases from &#8220;proof of concept&#8221;, i.e. finished products and first paying customers. Up to CHF 1.5 million is invested per start-up (CHF 250-500k in a first round and a possible follow-on of up to CHF 1 million).
Daniel Andres
The latest investments of the Spicehaus Swiss Venture Fund are in the areas of fintech, robotics and cybersecurity.
The fintech AMNIS offers SMEs an online platform for foreign currency hedging, risk management and international payments at very attractive conditions. AMNIS already has more than 400 corporate clients in Switzerland and is using the funding round to accelerate its international growth.
KEMARO has developed a fully automated cleaning robot for industrial dry cleaning. The robot uses algorithms and artificial intelligence to clean large industrial areas autonomously and without pre-installation. Well-known wholesalers and logistics providers are already among its customers.
The ETH spin-off xorlab proactively protects companies from e-mail attacks with the help of machine learning. Phishing is a rapidly increasing fraud attempt and has increased further since the launch of COVID-19. The proactive software detects attacks early on and prevents or reduces risks and damage. Financial institutions and large companies already use xorlab&#8217;s software.
From their own experience, Teddy Amberg and Daniel Andres know what it takes to build a company. Spicehaus therefore sees itself as an active investor and actively supports its investments.
The fund is still open to investors.
 
Featured image credit: Spicehaus
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/spicehaus-partners-fund-50-million-chf-for-digital-transformation-startups</link><guid>1452</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Spicehaus Partners Fund: 50 Million CHF for Digital Transformation Startups</dc:text></item><item><title>Dutch Neobroker BUX Launched Its Investing App in France</title><description><![CDATA[BUX launched its zero-commission mobile investing app for its French users, making it the first neobroker of its kind in the market. This will be the third country launch for BUX in 2020, following the launch in Germany and Austria earlier in the year. The expansion had increased its overall user base to more than 300,000 users claim the company.
Nick Bortot
“We believe that anyone can become an investor and BUX Zero has created a humanised investing experience for a new generation of investors in Europe. Buying and selling shares should be simple and affordable, and we’re looking forward to making BUX Zero’s seamless experience available to French users.We look forward to bringing the benefits of BUX Zero to many more European markets.”
said Nick Bortot, Founder &amp; CEO of BUX.
Earlier in July, BUX released its newest feature in BUX Zero, Stories. This feature allows users to stay up-to-date with the latest market updates and follow what’s new on their app.
BUX is looking forward to continue its expansion across Europe, with further country roll-outs planned for the rest of 2020 and 2021.
Featured image credit: BUX
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/dutch-neobroker-bux-launched-its-investing-app-in-france</link><guid>1450</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Dutch Neobroker BUX Launched Its Investing App in France</dc:text></item><item><title>New Blockchain-Based Payment Systems Seek to Improve Cross-Border Trade Transactions</title><description><![CDATA[A new partnership between banking consortium Fnality International and software development firm Epam will seek to use blockchain technology to improve efficiency in cross-border trade transactions, enable faster trade settlement and reduce risk, Epam announced in a release on May 27, 2020.
The project aims to leverage blockchain to deliver “payment-on-chain” for wholesale banking. It will focus on building several national peer-to-peer Fnality Payment Systems (FPS) and facilitating these systems’ integration and interoperability within blockchain networks and legacy systems. To this end, Epam will provide Fnality with software development services.
Epam said the goal here is to improve efficiency in trade transactions, especially in cross-border commerce, by using blockchain to make processes instantaneous, peer-to-peer (P2P), and reduce the risk of error.
The company says the FPS systems will settle tokenized value transactions, and the distributed nature of the systems will eliminate negative system impact from individual participants or nodes, resulting thus in faster settlements and reduced systemic, operational and credit risks.
Fnality and Epam hope to demonstrate the successful operation of the first use case of the FPS system in 2021, after which more currencies will be added, in addition to legal entities from shareholders, participants and business applications.
Fnality Global Payments
Fnality’s national FPS payment systems will each be regulated in their home jurisdiction. These systems will be key components within the consortium’s grander Fnality Global Payments (FGP), an upcoming P2P payment system to settle tokenized transactions.
In each FPS payment system, a Fnality settlement asset will act as the settlement/payment asset for any Payment (P), Delivery v, Payment (DvP) or payment vs. payment (PvP) need.
Initially, FGP will focus on supporting five key currencies, USD, EUR, CAD, GBP and JPY, with balances fully pre-funded with fiat currency transfers. The settlement asset will be 100% back by fiat collateral held with a central bank.
Fnality Global Payments infographic, Source: Fnality.org
Fnality, which boasts 15 major institutions as shareholders including Barclays, Commerzbank, Credit Suisse and UBS, has set out to build a regulated payment system for wholesale banking to support the growing industry adoption of tokenized assets and marketplaces.
Over the past year, the consortium has established several new partnerships, which, besides Epam, include Adhara, Broadridge, and assurance partner EY. The organization is also working with central banks to “ensure that the current toolsets and policies support and allow what is needed,” according to a blog update.
Fnality celebrated its first birthday in June. The founding members of the organization reportedly invested around US$50 million at the start of the project.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-blockchain-based-payment-systems-seek-to-improve-cross-border-trade-transactions</link><guid>1449</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Fnality-Global-Payments-infographic-Fnality.org_.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>New Blockchain-Based Payment Systems Seek to Improve Cross-Border Trade Transactions</dc:text></item><item><title>Barcelona Stock Exchange Aims to Become a Fintech Hub</title><description><![CDATA[Bolsas y Mercados Españoles (BME) has joined Barcelona Tech City as a Global Partner. The alliance reinforces Barcelona Tech City&#8217;s commitment to the fintech sector through BME, which is one of the main financial players in the Spanish and European market, thereby showing its support for the sector’s innovative network.
Bolsas y Mercados Españoles was acquired by SIX Group last June.
The agreement includes the creation of Barcelona’s new technological and financial hub. The new Hub Fintech of Barcelona Tech City will initially occupy some 1,000 square meters in addition to communal space in the Passeig de Gràcia 19 building and will become Urban Tech Campus’s Pier 05.
The Hub Fintech will offer its facilities to host companies, entrepreneurs and investors linked to the financial and technology sector. It will be a working space for startups, investors, venture capital, traditional banking and insurance companies. The aim is to create an optimal environment to make the sector more dynamic and create synergies throughout its value chain.
The Hub also aims to provide startups with access to the different resources of the capital markets and thus consolidate their growth. BME will make its knowledge and experience available to companies in order to help them grow through its market infrastructures, such as the Stock Exchange, its SME Growth Market MAB or its Pre-Market Environment.
Due to the Covid-19 health crisis, the incorporation of the new space to the Urban Tech Campus is expected to be activated in 2021.
Javier Hernani
Javier Hernani, CEO of BME, stated:
&#8220;this alliance allows BME to be closer to companies deeply-rootedin trends and disruptive value-added services. This reality broadens BME&#8217;s options to increase the number of companies in its markets, participate in technological solutions useful for its business purposes and evaluate technologies that can be incorporated into its range of services. It perfectly complements our Pre-Market Environment initiative for startups. BME supports Barcelona to become a leading innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem worldwide. This is an initiative that is perfectly aligned with the innovative projects and technology hubs of the SIX group, of which we are now part&#8221;.
For Barcelona Tech City, having BME as a Global Partner is an important step to consolidate a fintech sector of reference and provide all companies in the ecosystem with access to better sources of financing.
To this end, Barcelona Tech City will make available to the ecosystem’s companies and startups tools to improve the financial culture necessary to access funding from capital markets. At the same time, it will facilitate interaction with agents of potential interest to BME within the scope of the association&#8217;s members.
Featured image credit: barcelonatechcity
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/barcelona-stock-exchange-aims-to-become-a-fintech-hub</link><guid>1447</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Barcelona Stock Exchange Aims to Become a Fintech Hub</dc:text></item><item><title>Central Bank of France Announces CBDC Partners Including Swiss Seba Bank</title><description><![CDATA[The Banque de France has finalised the 8 companies that were selected to test out the use of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) for interbank settlements over the next few months.
Firms selected by the central bank for the test phase are Accenture, Euroclear, HSBC, Iznes, LiquidShare, ProsperUS, Seba Bank and Société Générale.
The test phase will allow the central bank to explore new ways of exchanging financial instruments (excluding crypto-assets).
In addition to that, Banque de France will also test the settlements in the CBDC in order to improve executing conditions for cross-border payments and revise the arrangements for making the currency available.
The strong mobilisation around this call for applications testifies to the interest aiming to explore the potential contributions of a CBDC to improve the functioning of financial markets, in particular interbank settlements.
The lessons learnt from these experiments will be a direct contribution to the more global reflection conducted by the Eurosystem on the value of a central bank digital currency.
Featured image credit: Mbzt &#8211; Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/central-bank-of-france-announces-cbdc-partners-including-swiss-seba-bank</link><guid>1448</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Central Bank of France Announces CBDC Partners Including Swiss Seba Bank</dc:text></item><item><title>Bond180 Completes Strategic Funding Round and Forms Partnership with R3</title><description><![CDATA[Bond180, a London based provider of technology solutions for primary fixed income markets, announced the completion of a strategic funding round.
The round involved follow-on investment from Cambridge Enterprise, the commercialization arm of the University of Cambridge, Outlier Ventures, F10 FinTech Incubator and Accelerator, and its strategic investors and advisors.
They had partnered with R3, a distributed ledger technology provider, to deliver their service on the the Corda platform. The digital platform improves the ways that institutional investors engage with fixed income markets.
The company offers to its clients three core services with the first service, Demand Management System (DMS), which is a data and analytics product that helps institutional investors enhance their market-facing activity. This service will soon be brought to market via an exclusive pilot programme targeting the buy-side.
The second service, 180Match, is a reverse enquiry engine that streamlines communication with the sell-side. Lastly, the third one, the Issue Administration Network (IAN), offers bespoke digital asset issuance and administration services to the sell-side.
Phil Holbrook
“Our mission is to help optimise financial services by leveraging collective scale and intelligence for the benefit of all. We do this by making asset sourcing and placement faster, cheaper, and better.”
said Phil Holbrook, Founder of Bond180
Jonas Thurig
“At F10 – we look for leading FinTech Startups offering new and innovative technology solutions for our Corporate Members and Bond180 impressed us with their vision to bring nascent technology to support the capital markets. The response to their product and technology has been positive to date and we truly believe they can deliver.”
Jonas Thurig, Head of F10 Singapore

 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bond180-completes-strategic-funding-round-and-forms-partnership-with-r3</link><guid>1446</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Bond180 Completes Strategic Funding Round and Forms Partnership with R3</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Fair 2020 Goes Digital</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss Fintech Fair, Switzerland’s biggest fintech gathering, will be hosted on September 07-08 in 2020. This year will be all about its new digital approach: Swiss Fintech Fair DIGITAL (#SFFdigital). Due to the overall success of the past years, the organizers have expanded their fair concept by an extra virtual day and they focus on further increasing the international reach of the event.
On September 7th, 2020 the entire fair agenda will be run online. Thus, the first day is dedicated to the motto “digital &amp; global”. Exhibitors can showcase their companies and products at virtual booths where they digitally meet with visitors from all over the world by chatting or entering personal web meetings. At the same time, Swiss Fintech Fair DIGITAL features an interesting agenda on virtual stages packed with keynotes, innovative product presentations, webinars, pitches and more.
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On the digital fair platform, all visitors and exhibitors can opt-in for smart AI-driven match-making to generate new contacts and boost business development. The fair platform will be accessible via a web browser or mobile app for all devices.
Day two of Swiss Fintech Fair on September 8th, 2020 is dedicated to the idea “live &amp; local”. During this meet &amp; greet event at SIX ConventionPoint in Zurich, the local fintech community will be able to intensify the conversations and newly found connections of the previous day.
Christina Kehl
Christina Kehl, managing director Swiss Finance Startups and initiator of Swiss Fintech Fair DIGITAL:
“2020 puts us all in a special situation. With the help of digitization, we have the chance to better cope with the economic effects of the COVID-19 crisis. For the fintech industry, there are even new opportunities opening up. However, especially startups and small enterprises need support and a platform for business development to be able to seize these new growth opportunities. This is where Swiss Fintech Fair DIGITAL comes in. With the new digital-first fair concept, we offer this well-needed platform at the right time. We make the Swiss Fintech Fair 2020 bigger, more international and pandemic-proof.”
Just recently a member survey conducted by the organizers of Swiss Fintech Fair DIGITAL (Swiss Finance Startups), has shown that during the Corona crisis, the demand for digital solutions in the financial industry is growing even further. 83% of the interviewed members have stated that they consider the current crisis a chance for the fintech industry in general.
Already at the launch of the new fair concept already 70 exhibitors have registered for Swiss Fintech Fair DIGITAL with further 40 pre-registered exhibitors from Switzerland and the rest of the world.
All information can be found on www.SwissFintechFair.com
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-fair-2020-goes-digital</link><guid>1444</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Fair 2020 Goes Digital</dc:text></item><item><title>Vestr Closes Series A Led by Six Group</title><description><![CDATA[vestr, a Swiss startup which provides issuers of Actively Managed Certificates (AMCs) fast, flexible, and cost-efficient alternative to investment funds, has closed its Series A led by SIX Group. However, the amount invested has not been shared publicly.
The SIX Group, operator of the Swiss Exchange, led a group of professional investors, including Zuercher Kantonalbank, EquityPitcher, and the European Angels Fund, a sub-fund of the European Investment Fund (EIF). SIX has previously invested in vestr via its Fintech Ventures fund in 2018.
vestr is also a F10 alumni.
Stefan Wagner
The funding will be used to further develop the platform, onboard additional issuers, and become the de-facto market standard for AMC issuers.
Stefan Wagner, Head of Business Development at vestr said,
Bank Julius Baer is an early adaptor of the vestr platform.
 
Featured Image credit: Simon Hasenfratz, Co-Founder &amp; COO vestr
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/vestr-closes-series-a-led-by-six-group</link><guid>1445</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Vestr Closes Series A Led by Six Group</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintechs Get Creative at Raising Fresh Capital</title><description><![CDATA[Fintechs are finding it harder to attract funding this year compared to last. Venture capital fell by more than a third in the first six months of 2020 compared to 2019, with investors preferring medtech, biotech and cleantech projects over financial technology.
Early and growth stage funding hasn’t dried up completely, as evidenced by crypto storage firm Metaco this month attracting CHF17 million from a consortium of investors. Bank Vontobel recently invested a “small single digit million” sum into the newly created Yapeal fintech bank.
But despite some notable successes, the overall trend points to a tightening of belts in the fintech sector. Young companies might need to find funding from alternate sources. Crowdfunding and crowdlending are on the rise in Switzerland, reaching close to CHF600 million last year.
Gentwo, a rising Swiss star, is tapping into its own innovation to find other alternatives for raising funds. The fintech turns illiquid assets into bankable securities and builds digital platforms that allow companies to independently issue their own securities.
This has allowed Barry Films to widen the range of contributors to an investment fund to finance future movies. Gentwo has also securitised a digital token issued by the company Finka that links investors to the future profits of the Bolivian La Pradera cattle farm.
Now Gentwo is turning its own equity into tradable securities. It has already created a securities issuing platform for the asset manager Clarus Capital Group. This is now being used to create certificates that track Gentwo shares. Each certificate will be backed by a Gentwo share, giving investors indirect exposure to the fintech’s equity.
If Gentwo’s share price goes up, the certificate will gain in value – and vice versa. The financial product is designed for institutional investors, such as family offices, who want to incorporate a slice of the growing company into their managed portfolios.
Philippe Naegeli
Gentwo is looking to raise CHF10 million to finance growth into other countries. The conventional fundraising campaign ran straight into the coronavirus pandemic and a consequent dipping of risk appetite from venture capitalists.
“These are unprecedented times in the markets,”
says Gentwo CEO Philippe Naegeli.
“It’s more difficult than a year ago.”
On the positive side, Naegeli says business for Gentwo has been booming in the few months like never before. Digital financial solutions are in demand. The Gentwo share tracking certificate may therefore give the fundraise just the boost it needs.
Naegeli is hopeful that the certificate can raise around CHF3 million. Gentwo is valued at CHF40 million at the moment – a figure that would rise to CHF50 million if its overall fundraising campaign reaches its target.

 
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintechs-get-creative-at-raising-fresh-capital</link><guid>1443</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/SIGN-UP-4.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Fintechs Get Creative at Raising Fresh Capital</dc:text></item><item><title>Exclusive: Tradeplus24 Enters Into a Distribution Agreement with Postfinance</title><description><![CDATA[Tradeplus24, a leading provider of receivables-backed working capital facilities to Swiss SMEs and Mid Cap companies, has signed a distribution agreement with PostFinance.
The agreement gives Tradeplus24 access to the Postfinance’s vast client base in the SME market while allowing the government-controlled bank to widen its offering on the lending side.
Differentiated by offering long-term larger ticket working capital solutions at bank-level pricing, the offering is suitable for companies looking to strengthen their access to flexible funding post-COVID 19.
Ben James
“During these difficult times, it is great to see another forward looking bank supporting its customers in their liquidity needs by providing easy access to the latest innovation in receivables backed lending”
says Ben James, CEO of Tradeplus24.
Launched in late 2016 and partnered with leading banks such as Credit Suisse and Switzerland’s largest insurance advisor Kessler &amp; Co AG (Marsh Network), Tradeplus24 specialises in supporting SMEs and mid-market companies with solutions that makes raising funds simpler and more cost-effective.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/exclusive-tradeplus24-enters-into-a-distribution-agreement-with-postfinance</link><guid>1442</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Exclusive: Tradeplus24 Enters Into a Distribution Agreement with Postfinance</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Startup Map Welcomes 2 Newcomers in July</title><description><![CDATA[Swisscom released the new Swiss Fintech Startup Map for July 2020.
With Achiko and Fyooz, two new Swiss Fintech Startups joined the map. In total 350 Swiss Fintech Startups are now on the map.

ACHIKO
Established in 2018, Achiko is a platform company, with a presence in Indonesia and Switzerland, which owns and operates technologies globally that Enable consumers to Pay, offers consumers Things to Do, and provides Reasons to Stay through a range of engaging social features. Social and gaming features will be added to the platform beginning in Q3 and Q4 of 2020.

FYOOZ

Fyooz, a token market place which claims to provide a platform where stars, celebrities, idols, talents, causes and more can be tokenised. They managed to secure over USD$2 million from investors where the FYZ coin is the currency of the Fyooz platform. Their tokens are not qualified by FINMA as security or payment tokens which means that the operation of the Fyooz marketplace is not subject to licensing requirements under the Financial Market Infrastructure Act or qualification as an organised trading system. FYZ will be available from September 2020 from the Bibox cryptocurrency exchange.
 

The new Swiss fintech ecosystem map counts now in a total 350 Swiss Fintech Startups.

The post Swiss Fintech Startup Map Welcomes 2 Newcomers in July appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-startup-map-welcomes-2-newcomers-in-july</link><guid>1441</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Swiss-Fintech-Map-July-2020.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Startup Map Welcomes 2 Newcomers in July</dc:text></item><item><title>Axpo Holding platziert ersten Digitalen Green Bond über Loanboox</title><description><![CDATA[Als erste Emittentin platziert die Axpo Holding AG einen grünen Bond vollständig digital über die unabhängige Fremdkapitalmarkt-Plattform Loanboox.
Die grüne Anleihe über 133 Millionen Franken mit einer Laufzeit von 7 Jahren stiess am Kapitalmarkt auf grossen Anklang, 35 Aufträge erhielten eine Zuteilung. Der Energiekonzern finanziert mit dem eingenommen Kapital Projekte in den Bereichen Photovoltaik und Windenergie. Das starke Interesse auf Seiten der Investoren unterstreicht die Nachfrage nach nachhaltigen Investitionen und bestätigt Axpo in ihrer Strategie des profitablen Wachstums bei den Erneuerbaren Energien.
Erste vollständig digitale Unternehmensanleihe
Der grüne Bond wurde vollständig digital über die Fremdkapitalmarkt-Plattform Loanboox emittiert. Im dynamischen Live-Bookbuilding-Verfahren auf der Plattform haben die Investoren den Preis selbst gesetzt. Sämtliche Prozessschritte, Fristen und Gebühren waren für Investoren und Emittentin bereits im Voraus bekannt und jederzeit einsehbar. Die Entwicklung des Order Buchs konnte von beiden Seiten live mitverfolgt werden. Die Anleihe hat das Energieunternehmen schliesslich breit bei Asset Managern, Banken, Fonds, Pensionskassen und Versicherungen platziert.
Martin Denkinger, Head Financing &amp; Cash Management bei Axpo, zeigt sich sehr zufrieden mit der Premiere:
Die Transaktion über Loanboox hat reibungslos funktioniert und zusätzlich eine deutlich erhöhte Transparenz in Bezug auf die Investoren ermöglicht.
Wichtiger Schritt zur Digitalisierung des Kapitalmarkts
Philippe Cayrol
Nach der erfolgreichen Etablierung als führende Plattform im Bereich Gemeindefinanzierung digitalisiert Loanboox somit auch den Anleihenmarkt. Philippe Cayrol, CEO von Loanboox:
Diese erste Anleihe ist ein Beweis dafür, dass unser digitaler Prozess einen Mehrwert für alle Marktteilnehmer schafft. Wir sind stolz und freuen uns, zusammen mit innovativen Kunden und Partnern neue Standards in Sachen Transparenz, Preisbildung und Zuteilung im Primärmarkt zu schaffen – in der Schweiz und Europa.
Kompetente Partner stehen bei der Transaktion zur Seite
Der festverzinsliche Green Bond der Axpo Holding AG hat einen Coupon von 1.002 Prozent. Die Anleihe wird an der Schweizer Börse SIX Swiss Exchange kotiert. Als Partner standen Société Générale Paris, Zurich Branch als Zahlstelle und Kotierungspartner, Deutsche Bank (London) als Market Maker, First Advisory Bond Services AG als Anleihevertreterin sowie PwC Schweiz als Due Diligence Agent zur Seite. Loanboox wurde für die Transaktion zudem von Bär &amp; Karrer AG als Legal Advisor unterstützt.
 
Featured Image: Loanboox Team
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/axpo-holding-platziert-ersten-digitalen-green-bond-uber-loanboox</link><guid>1440</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Axpo Holding platziert ersten Digitalen Green Bond über Loanboox</dc:text></item><item><title>Mittels Anlagezertifikat in Schweizer Early-Stage Wealthtech Investieren</title><description><![CDATA[Gentwo wandelt sich zu einem bankfähigen Asset. Ein Anlageprodukt, lanciert über die Emissionsplattform von Clarus Capital Group, vereinfacht ein Early-Stage-Startup-Investment in den erfolgreichen Schweizer Verbriefungsspezialisten.
GENTWO befindet sich seit kurzem in einer «klassischen» Finanzierungsrunde über zehn Millionen Schweizer Franken. Begleitet wird der erfolgreiche Verbriefungsspezialist dabei von der Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft PWC. Die Mittelbeschaffung soll der nächsten Accelerierungsphase – insbesondere der Internationalisierung, der Ausweitung von Geschäftsaktivitäten sowie neuen Wachstumsinitiativen – dienen.
Gentwo wird zusätzlich zum Basiswert eines Tracker-Zertifikats Unabhängig von der konventionellen Form der Mittelbeschaffung beschreitet der Verbriefungsexperte diesen zusätzlichen Weg der Finanzierung: Die Gentwo-Aktie ist zum Basiswert eines Tracker-Zertifikats und somit «bankable» geworden. Professionelle Investoren können das Anlageprodukt wie jedes andere Zertifikat eines Bankenemittenten ausserbörslich erwerben. Das Early-Stage-Startup-Investment lässt sich in der Folge leicht in ein (diversifiziertes) Anlageportfolio implementieren.
Patrick Loepfe
«Indem wir uns selbst zum investierbaren und ‘portfolio-kompatiblen’ Asset machen, beschreiten wir einen modernen Weg der Mittelbeschaffung. Optimal ist, dass wir dabei unsere eigene Kernaktivität, die Verbriefung, nutzen können – die ja Grundlage unseres Geschäftserfolgs ist. Wir freuen uns, dass eine so kompetente Investmentboutique wie Clarus Capital das Tracker-Zertifikat auf GENTWO lanciert. Dass es sich bei ihnen gleichzeitig um einen unserer Kunden handelt, ist eine wertvolle Anerkennung unserer Leistungen.»,
sagt Patrick Loepfe, Chairman und Gründer von GENTWO.
Investmentboutique Clarus Capital stellt ihre Verbriefungsplattform zur Verfügung
GENTWO baut Verbriefungsplattformen für seine institutionelle Kundschaft. Letztere kann daraufhin selbständig Finanzprodukte (der nächsten Generation) ohne das Engagement eines Bankenemittenten emittieren. Das Tracker-Zertifikat mit Basiswert «GENTWO» wird über jene Emissionsplattform verbrieft, die GENTWO für den Assetmanager Clarus Capital errichtet hat. Der Vorschlag, nun auch GENTWO über genau diese Emissionsplattform investierbar zu machen, wurde vom Kunden unterbreitet. Dieser hatte dafür gleich mehrere gute Gründe: Der derzeit am schnellsten wachstende Assetmanager Zürichs will nicht nur einen Investmentzugang zu GENTWO als interessantes Early-Stage-Startup-Investment legen, sondern auch den Investmentprozess operationell vereinfachen und skalierbarer machen.
Roger Ganz
Roger Ganz, Head Asset Management bei Clarus Capital, erklärt:
«GENTWOs Business Case gefällt uns; die Erwartungen an das Unternehmenswachstum wurden seit Unternehmensgründung im Februar 2018 sogar übertroffen. Aus unserer Sicht kann ein Investment wie das in GENTWO eine interessante Beischmischung für ein diversifiziertes Private Equity Portfolio sein. Kunden schätzen es, wenn Asset Manager solch interessante Investmentthemen abseits des Mainstreams ‘herauspicken’. Die Anleger müssen daraufhin natürlich selbst entscheiden, ob die jeweilige ‘Story’ zu ihrem Portfolio passt.»
Das Anlageprodukt steht allen Professionellen Investoren zur Verfügung
Vom Potenzial des noch relativ jungen Unternehmens ist Clarus Capital auch deshalb überzeugt, weil der renommierte Assetmanager selbst schon seit Ende 2018 GENTWO-Kunde ist, die Qualität der angebotenen Verbriefungs-Services zu schätzen weiss, alle Details des Verbriefungs-Prozesses kennt und GENTWOs «Customer Experience» schon viele Male
durchlaufen hat.
Roger Ganz beschreibt sein eigenes GENTWO-Kundenerlebnis wie folgt:
«Wir geben einfach einen Verbriefungs-Auftrag an GENTWO. Um die weiteren Prozesse oder das Management müssen wir uns nicht weiter kümmern. Dies vereinfacht unseren Geschäftsalltag deutlich. GENTWO ist eine Art One-Stop-Shop für uns. Die Entscheidung, das Fintech als Anlagewert zu verbriefen, basierte aber nicht einfach nur auf unserer persönlichen Kundenerfahrung. Bevor wir Kunde von GENTWO wurden, haben wir uns selbstverständlich weitere infrage kommende Verbriefungslösungen des Markts angesehen. Als Full-Service-Provider mit Fintech-Approach hatte GENTWO (vor allem dank seiner Servicequalität) die Nase vorne.»
Das Tracker-Zertifikat steht allen professionellen Anlegern zur Verfügung. Dies betrifft auch jene Investoren, die keine Kunden von Clarus Capital sind. Interessierte Investoren richten sich für weitere Informationen an Clarus Capital oder seinen Investment Advisor.
The post Mittels Anlagezertifikat in Schweizer Early-Stage Wealthtech Investieren appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mittels-anlagezertifikat-in-schweizer-early-stage-wealthtech-investieren</link><guid>1439</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Mittels Anlagezertifikat in Schweizer Early-Stage Wealthtech Investieren</dc:text></item><item><title>Digital Asset Adds VMware As Investor in Series C Round</title><description><![CDATA[Digital Asset, the creators of the open-source DAML smart contract language, announced that VMware has joined the company’s Series C financing round, which was announced last December. With this investment, VMware joins Salesforce Ventures and Samsung Venture Investment Corp (Samsung) as investors and its growing ecosystem of DAML partners.
DAML is a framework for building connected applications that spans data silos and trust boundaries, changing how businesses collaborate across industries. Digital Asset partners with technology infrastructure providers to integrate DAML smart contracts with their blockchain, database or cloud technologies.
Yuval Rooz
“Digital Asset’s partnership with VMware provides a truly enterprise grade blockchain offering that meets the requirements of even the most demanding use cases across a range of markets.”
said Yuval Rooz, co-founder and CEO of Digital Asset.
 
Digital Asset’s partners provide commercial integrations with modern infrastructures, such as VMware Blockchain, to enable teams to build fundamentally new products.
Brendon Howe
&#8220;Digital Asset’s simple and powerful business logic approach helps customers build distributed multi-party applications much faster. The combination of DAML and VMware’s blockchain products is an exciting business opportunity for both of us, and we look forward to expanding our collaboration.”
said Brendon Howe, Vice President and General Manager, VMware Blockchain.
He joined VMware in September 2019 where he is currently a part of the company’s Board of Directors and is responsible for leading their blockchain business unit.
In April 2019, Digital Asset announced a partnership with VMware to integrate DAML with VMware Blockchain. Subsequently, further integrations were announced with Hyperledger Fabric, Sawtooth, and Besu, R3’s Corda, Chinese blockchain FISCO BCOS, Amazon’s QLDB and Aurora databases, as well as DAML cloud service making it the most widely supported smart contract language in the world.
 
Featured Image Credit: VMware Facebook
The post Digital Asset Adds VMware As Investor in Series C Round appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digital-asset-adds-vmware-as-investor-in-series-c-round</link><guid>1437</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Digital Asset Adds VMware As Investor in Series C Round</dc:text></item><item><title>METACO sichert sich CHF 17 Mio Serie-A-Finanzierungsrunde via Standard Chartered und ZKB</title><description><![CDATA[METACO, ein Anbieter von sicherheitskritischer Infrastruktur zur Verwaltung digitaler Vermögenswerte für Finanzinstitute, kündigte eine Serie-A-Finanzierungsrunde über CHF 17 Millionen an.
Das ursprüngliche Ziel der Finanzierungsrunde war aufgrund der grossen Nachfrage mehr als doppelt überzeichnet. Der Erfolg der Finanzierungsrunde ist Beweis für die anhaltende Unterstützung der bestehenden Investoren sowie für das Interesse von neuen strategischen Partnern aus den Bereichen Sicherheitstechnologie, Zentralbankinfrastruktur, wie auch von Schweizer und globalen Banken und Venture-Unternehmen mit Schwerpunkt Finanztechnologie.
Der deutsche Sicherheitstechnologiekonzern Giesecke+Devrient, einer der wichtigsten Partner für Zentralbankinfrastruktur, führte die Kapitalbeschaffungsrunde an. Die Standard Chartered Bank, die Zürcher Kantonalbank und das Venture-Capital-Unternehmen Investiere beteiligten sich ebenfalls an der Runde. Auch alle bestehenden strategischen Anteilseigner, Swisscom, SICPA, Avaloq und die Schweizerische Post erhöhten ihre Beteiligungen.
SILO, das 2018 von METACO eingeführte und auf institutionelle Benutzer ausgerichtete Betriebssystem für digitale Vermögenswerte, ermöglicht es grossen Finanzinstituten, Anwendungsfälle für Kryptowährungen wie Bitcoin und Token sowie Blockchain-Applikationen sicher in ihre Infrastruktur zu integrieren. Ihr einzigartiger Rahmen für die Verwahrung digitaler Vermögenswerte, das Trading und die Tokenisierung haben die Software zur bevorzugten Wahl von Banken und Börsen gemacht. Die Lösung von METACO wurde von zahlreichen Tier-1- und Tier-2-Banken implementiert, darunter von der FINMA, BaFin, Banco de España, ECB und der MAS regulierte Banken und Börsen.
Adrien Treccani
Adrien Treccani, CEO und Gründer von METACO sagt zur Kapitalerhöhung:
«Ich bin wirklich stolz auf unser Team. Diese Phase der Finanzierung wird es uns ermöglichen, neue ‘Dienstleistungshöhen’ zu erklimmen. METACO konnte nicht nur bedeutende Mittel einwerben, sondern auch viele zukünftige Partnerschaften und wichtige Integrationsmöglichkeiten sichern. Ich freue mich darauf, mit unseren neuen Anteilseignern zusammenzuarbeiten und ermutige Unternehmen dazu, mit uns in Kontakt zu treten, um mögliche Synergien auszuloten.»
Die Serie-A-Finanzierungsrunde wird die nächste Wachstumsphase von METACO im Bereich Umsatz, Produkt und Partnerschaften vorantreiben. Insbesondere wird METACO seine Präsenz in den USA, Südostasien und Westeuropa ausbauen. Da Forschung und Entwicklung ein zentraler Grundstein der Geschäftsstrategie von METACO ist, werden die Investitionen in diesem Bereich stark aufgestockt. Dieser Schritt wird METACO erlauben, sich bei der Entwicklung von Infrastruktur für digitale Vermögenswerte auch in Zukunft eine Führungsposition zu sichern. METACO wird seine Produkt- und Zielmärkte mit der Einführung seines neuen, vollständig gemanagten, sicheren und Cloud-basierten Angebots, SILO, erweitern, was die Lösung für den gesamten institutionellen Markt zugänglich machen wird.
Featured image: Adrien Treccani, CEO und Gründer von METACO, screengrab from Youtube
 
 
The post METACO sichert sich CHF 17 Mio Serie-A-Finanzierungsrunde via Standard Chartered und ZKB appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/metaco-sichert-sich-chf-17-mio-serie-a-finanzierungsrunde-via-standard-chartered-und-zkb</link><guid>1438</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>METACO sichert sich CHF 17 Mio Serie-A-Finanzierungsrunde via Standard Chartered und ZKB</dc:text></item><item><title>Baloise Bank SoBa bringt E-Banking Messenger</title><description><![CDATA[Warten vor dem Bankschalter oder in der Telefonleitung gehört der Vergangenheit an: Die Baloise Bank SoBa führt einen E-Banking Messenger ein, welcher Kunden via Chatfunktion einen direkten und gesicherten Draht zur Bank ermöglicht.
Adressänderungen, Vollmachtvergaben, ein Wechsel des Kontopakets – dies und vieles mehr ist für Kunden ab sofort digital möglich. Mit der Lancierung des in der E-Banking App integrierten Messengers macht die Baloise einen weiteren Schritt in der Umsetzung ihrer strategischen Ausrichtung «Simply Safe».
Neu steht den Kunden der Baloise Bank SoBa ein E-Banking Messenger zur Verfügung, der in die Baloise E-Banking App integriert ist. Der Messenger ermöglicht dank Verschlüsselung und E-Banking Login eine sichere Kommunikation zwischen Bank und Kunde. Um den E-Banking Messenger nutzen zu können, benötigen Kunden lediglich die aktuellste Version der Baloise E-Banking App auf ihrem Smartphone. Der Kundenservice betreut den Messenger zu den üblichen Büroöffnungszeiten. Anfragen ausserhalb der Öffnungszeiten werden am Folgetag beantwortet.
Der E-Banking Messenger ermöglicht einen modernen Dialog zwischen Kunde und Bank
Eine Transaktionsbestätigung via Push-Meldung erhalten, Beratungstermine vereinbaren, Fremdwährung bestellen oder eine Hypothek verlängern – mit dem E-Banking Messenger der Baloise Bank SoBa können Kunden administrative Bankanliegen einfach und digital erledigen. Kundenberater haben mit der Chatfunktion des Messengers zudem eine weitere Möglichkeit, ihre Kunden unkompliziert zu beraten, über wichtige Ereignisse zu informieren und auf allfällige Fragen einzugehen.
«Mit der Entwicklung des E-Banking Messengers trägt die Baloise Bank SoBa der fortschreitenden Digitalisierung Rechnung und bietet ihren Kunden einen einfach zu handhabenden Service. Dies ist ganz im Sinne unserer Strategie ‹Simply Safe›, die im Fokus hat, Kunden mit unkomplizierten Finanzlösungen zu begeistern»,
erklärt Urs Pfluger, Chief Market Officer der Baloise Bank SoBa.
Roger Sutter
«Die am häufigsten vorkommenden Anwendungen auf den Smartphones der Schweizer sind Messengerdienste wie Whatsapp. Das Bedürfnis der Menschen – einfach, sicher und mobil zu kommunizieren – haben wir als Möglichkeit begriffen, die Angebotspalette unserer Dienstleistungen weiterzuentwickeln und bieten unseren Kunden nun ein modernes Kommunikationsmittel»,
so Roger Sutter, Digital Officer bei der Baloise Bank SoBa, weiter.
Integriertes Newsmagazin mit spannenden Informationen rund um Finanzthemen
Nebst der Chatfunktion bietet der Messenger den Kunden auch die Möglichkeit, Artikel und Informationen rund um verschiedene Bankthemen zu erhalten. Ob Börsennews, Neuigkeiten zu Finanzprodukten, Informationen zum Baloise E-Banking – der Kunde entscheidet ob und zu welchen Themen er über neueste Entwicklungen und Trends auf dem Laufenden gehalten werden möchte. Dank der abonnierbaren Bankthemen ist eine kundenindividuelle Zusammenstellung der persönlichen Interessen möglich.
Der E-Banking Messenger und sein Zukunftspotenzial
Der Messenger wurde in einer Innovationspartnerschaft mit der Firma ubitec AG entwickelt und durch die CREALOGIX AG, dem langjährigen E-Banking Softwarepartner, ins Mobile Banking integriert. Die Anwendung bietet grosses Weiterentwicklungspotenzial. So erlaubt sie beispielsweise, künftig einen Chatbot zu integrieren oder Geschäftsvorfälle abzubilden, was die Interaktion zwischen Bank und Kunde deutlich verschnellert.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/baloise-bank-soba-bringt-e-banking-messenger</link><guid>1436</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Baloise Bank SoBa bringt E-Banking Messenger</dc:text></item><item><title>Web Browser Opera Accelerates Fintech Push in Europe with Fjord Bank Acquisition</title><description><![CDATA[Opera, a browser provider headquartered in Oslo, announced its intention to purchase Fjord Bank subject to regulatory approval. The acquisition will enable Opera to further accelerate its fintech operations in Europe by launching new services aimed at improving consumers’ personal finances.
With the acquisition of AB Fjord Bank, Opera will become the owner of a specialised bank, which will launch its first deposit and loan service in Lithuania during the summer of 2020.
Krystian Kolondra
“Opera has been making innovative browsers and apps for 25 years. Our browsers are the personal choice of millions of people who prefer them over those that come preinstalled on their devices,”
said Krystian Kolondra, EVP Opera.
“Looking at the fintech space in Europe, we believe it needs more and bigger challengers who should provide people with smarter and empowering solutions for their personal finances.”
Veiko Kandla
“We are looking forward to joining the Opera family, and accelerating its plans to grow its unique product offering. With the support of Opera, we are also excited to launch our first banking services in Lithuania this summer.&#8221;
said Veiko Kandla, CEO of AB Fjord Bank,
Opera and AB Fjord Bank entered into an investment and share purchase agreement on May 29th 2020. The former acquired a 9.9% interest in the bank via a share subscription which was completed on 3 July 2020. The completion of the acquisition is pending regulatory approval.
In January 2020, Opera ventured into the fintech space in Europe with the acquisition of the Estonian fintech company PocoSys, which enabled Opera to build on Pocosys’ unique digital wallet and payment technology. Opera is currently testing a new version of the Pocopay card and app ahead of the launch in its first European market.
 
Featured image credit: edited from freepik.com
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/web-browser-opera-accelerates-fintech-push-in-europe-with-fjord-bank-acquisition</link><guid>1435</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Web Browser Opera Accelerates Fintech Push in Europe with Fjord Bank Acquisition</dc:text></item><item><title>Raphael Polansky Joins Management Board of Boerse Stuttgart Digital Ventures</title><description><![CDATA[Raphael Polansky has become a member of the Management Board of Boerse Stuttgart Digital Ventures GmbH on 1 July 2020.
They invest in promising startups and enters into partnerships with selected partners to implement their digitisation strategy. Their wholly-owned subsidiaries are Sowa Labs GmbH and blocknox GmbH, where Raphael Polansky is also a member of the Management Board.
Raphael Polansky
He will join Dr Ulli Spankowski in the Management Board of the company, which was founded in 2017 and develops innovative business models for exchange and over-the-counter trading in fungible products.
Polansky joined in September 2018 and has since held various management positions in the IT department. Prior to that, he had been working for Deutsche Börse AG since 2009, among other things as Head of Trading, Clearing &amp; Data Controlling and as a Project Manager in the IT Executive Office.
&#8220;Boerse Stuttgart Digital Ventures plays an important role for our growing digital business areas. Our goal is to create a global, end-to-end ecosystem for digital assets based on blockchain technology. We are pleased that Raphael Polansky will now contribute to this endeavour as Managing Director,&#8221;
says Alexander Höptner, Chairman of the Management Board of Boerse Stuttgart GmbH.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/raphael-polansky-joins-management-board-of-boerse-stuttgart-digital-ventures</link><guid>1434</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Raphael Polansky Joins Management Board of Boerse Stuttgart Digital Ventures</dc:text></item><item><title>Bank Vontobel beteiligt sich an Yapeal (Technologie)</title><description><![CDATA[Yapeal ist das FinTech, das auf die Community setzt und diese Woche seine Konto-App im Markt lanciert hat. Eine App, welche mit starker Beteiligung der Nutzer, sprich der Community, laufend weiterentwickelt wird.
Das FinTech versteht sich als Teil eines wachsenden und dynamischen Ökosystems, das neben Technologie-Partnern auch Kunden aktiv mit einbezieht.
Mit der Bank Vontobel konnte Yapeal nun einen weiteren Investor gewinnen, der als global agierendes Investmenthaus gezielt innovative Technologielösungen für neue Wachstumsmöglichkeiten einsetzt.
Cyrill Steinebrunner, Leiter Solution Management im Bereich Digital Investing, zur Logik der Beteiligung:
«Yapeal zählt in der Schweiz zu den innovativsten Anbietern von digitalen Anwendungen rund um das normale Konto und Zahlungsverkehrsdienstleistungen. Wir wollen die Beteiligung nutzen, um Zugang zu Technologien für ein verbessertes Kundenerlebnis zu erhalten. Bereits heute nutzen wir gezielt und erfolgreich Yapeal Services und Technologie für die digitale Kontoeröffnung bei Vontobel im Bereich Wealth Management sowie im Bereich Digital Investing.»
Andy Waar, CMO bei Yapeal ist überzeugt davon, dass erstklassige Technologie und Innovation durch gelebte Werte und Nähe zu Nutzern und zur Community entscheidend verstärkt werden.
Andy Waar
Er sieht in Vontobel eine Partnerin, die den hohen Kundennutzen von neuen innovativen technologischen Lösungen wie Yapeal erkannt hat und sagt:
«Das aktuelle Engagement von Vontobel macht uns besonders stolz. Es hilft, unsere junge Marke zu stärken, weil Vontobel eine super Reputation im Finanzumfeld hat – mit Schweizer Wurzeln.»
Vontobel beteiligt sich im kleinen einstelligen Millionen Frankenbereich an dem Schweizer FinTech Unternehmen.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bank-vontobel-beteiligt-sich-an-yapeal-technologie</link><guid>1433</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Bank Vontobel beteiligt sich an Yapeal (Technologie)</dc:text></item><item><title>Switzerland’s Futurae and Investglass Amongst Winners of 2020 Financial NewTech Challenge</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss Startups Futurae and Investglass were named amongst this year’s winners of the Financial NewTech Challenge.
The Financial NewTech Challenge, organized by Capgemini and Efma, and hosted on the FintechVisor portal, is a competition that aims to recognize the most innovative financial newtechs and identify the most inspiring collaborative projects between newtechs and financial institutions.
This year, a total of 164 submissions were received from around the world and more than 2,700 votes were cast to select the winners across three categories – Retail Banking, Payments, and Wealth Management, Investment and Capital Markets – and two maturity stages – Startups and Scaleups –, as well as the most innovative project from a newtech/financial institution partnership.
2020 Financial NewTech Challenge winners
Futurae Technologies was named the winner in the Retail Banking, Startup category, and was recognized for its seamless and secure multi-factor authentication and transaction confirmation process.
Founded in 2016 by security researchers from ETH Zurich, Futurae Technologies offers a suite of multi-factor authentication tools that provide a high degree of security, improve the customer experience, and protect users’ privacy. The suite consists of a full range of authentication and transaction signing for web and mobile applications that give companies complete flexibility.
Futurae Technologies joins Flaminem, from France, which was selected as the winner in the Retail Banking, Scaleup category. Flaminem provides a cloud-based know-your-customer (KYC) solution that acts as a single window for digitizing the full KYC diligence process.
In the Payments category, Xaalys, from France, and Viafintech, from Germany, won in the Startup and Scaleup categories, respectively.
Xaalys offers personalized digital banking services as well as financial education content aimed at the teenage market, while Viafintech provides a bank-independent payment infrastructure that digitally connects retailers, corporations, and consumers all over Europe.
In the Wealth Management, Investment and Capital Markets category, Monuma, from France, and Raisin, from Germany, won in the Startup and Scaleup categories, respectively.
Monuma provides a global blockchain application dedicated to certifying and transporting goods securely, while Raisin offers a marketplace for term deposits from partner banks across Europe.
Finally, in the Financial NewTech Collaboration category, the partnership between MoEngage, from the US, and Mashreq Neo, from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to develop Sherpa was named this year’s winner. Sherpa is an intelligent customer engagement platform that enables Mashreq Neo, a mobile banking app, to understand customer behavior.
The Financial NewTech Watchlist 2020
The Financial NewTech Watchlist 2020, May 2020, Efma and Capgemini
Alongside announcing this year’s winners, Capgemini and Efma have also released a shortlist of 100 financial newtechs from across the world which they believe will help transform the financial services landscape.
In the Retail Banking category, fintechs that made the list include CredoLab, a credit scoring platform leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) from Singapore, Jumo, a mobile financial services platform from South Africa, and Tink, an open banking platform from Sweden.
In the Payments category, fintechs cited include Lemonway, a payment institution dedicated to e-commerce websites, crowdfunding platforms, and marketplaces from France, Riskified, a provider of fraud and chargeback prevention technology from Israel, and Nuggets, a decentralized, self-sovereign payments and identification platform from London.
Finally, in the Wealth Management category, Bambu, a business-to-business (B2B) robo-advisory platform from Singapore, InvestGlass, the provider of an integrated wealth advisor platform from Switzerland, and InvestSuite, a Belgian startup offering automated investment solutions, were named amongst the most promising wealthtech providers around the world.
Financial Newtech Challenge 2020 Hall Of Fame Winners:

 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/switzerlands-futurae-and-investglass-amongst-winners-of-2020-financial-newtech-challenge</link><guid>1432</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/The-Financial-NewTech-Watchlist-2020.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Switzerland’s Futurae and Investglass Amongst Winners of 2020 Financial NewTech Challenge</dc:text></item><item><title>European Innovation Council Awards €5 Million to Blockchain Solutions for Social Innovations</title><description><![CDATA[The European Innovation Council (EIC) Prize on Blockchains for Social Good has awarded €5 million to six winners selected in a call to identify scalable, deployable and high-impact blockchain solutions for societal challenges. The winning solutions propose blockchain applications for fair trade and circular economy, increasing transparency in production processes and quality information, improving accountability and contributing to financial inclusion as well as renewable energy.
Blockchains for Social Good
The goal of the prize on Blockchains for Social Good was to recognise and support the efforts made by developers and civil society in exploring the applications of blockchains in the area of social innovation. The prize proposed to cover areas such as: traceability and fair trade; financial inclusion; decentralised circular economy; transparency of public processes; participation in democratic decision-making; and management of public records.
The prize sought to award 1 million euros to the five innovators that come up with the most promising blockchain solutions in five different social innovation areas.
Maria Gabriel
Maria Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation Research, Culture, Education and Youth commended the projects,
&#8220;I warmly congratulate all the winners. The proposed solutions show how blockchain can create positive social change by supporting fair trade, increasing transparency in production processes and e-commerce and contributing to financial inclusion by exploring decentralised economic structures. I hope that this award can help upscale these outstanding ideas and inspire many others innovators.&#8221;
Thierry Breton
Thierry Breton, Commissioner for the Internal Market noted,
&#8220;Participation from 43 countries in the prize on Blockchains for Social Good has shown us the potential to address local and global challenges with blockchain technology that offers decentralised, trusted and transparent solutions. Europe has to fully recognise and support European technological innovations to address both industrial and sustainability challenges.&#8221;
The winning applications

Quality Content: WordProof (by Dutch SME WordProof B.V.) developed the WordProof Timestamp Ecosystem, a technology able to prove authenticity and to make information verifiable, which ultimately would be leading to more trust in internet content. With the timestamps, content owners can show that they did not tamper with their content, and the history of changes becomes verifiable for both humans and machines. It is proposed as a free browser plugin.
Traceability &amp; Fair Trade: PPP (by UK social enterprise Project Provenance Ltd) developed Proof Points to allow businesses to prove their social impact across the supply chains behind their business and products.
Financial Inclusion: GMeRitS (by Finnish university Aalto) is conducting wide scale experiments with alternative economic structures, to try and evaluate various anti-rival compensation and governance structures, contributing to financial inclusion.
Aid &amp; Philanthropy: the UnBlocked Cash Project OXBBU (by Irish Oxfam and French startup Sempo) pioneers a decentralized model to address the global challenge of delivering international aid to disaster-affected women and men in ways that are more efficient, transparent and sustainable.
Decentralised Circular Economy: CKH2020 (by French cooperative Kleros) is a platform for resolving consumer disputes in e-commerce or collaborative economy. Blockchain guarantees that no party can tamper with the evidence nor manipulate jury selection and that rulings are automatically enforced by smart contracts.
Energy: PROSUME (by Italian Prosume srl) is a DLT-based platform providing a decentralized and autonomous digital marketplace for peer-to-peer energy trading. Its goal is to integrate prosumers – consumers who are also producers of renewable energy- in the so far highly monopolised and fossils-based energy sector.

This list indicates six winning applications, instead of five as originally foreseen. This is because the last two applications finished ex-aequo, and the jury recommended funding both of them (by splitting equally the 5th prize), all the more as they belonged to 2 different areas. In this way, the final scope of the prize extends to six different areas.
It is worth pointing out that one of the requirements of the prize was to submit solutions developed in Open Source. This will enable more innovators to benefit from the advanced technological solutions developed by the prize winners and the other participants in the prize.
A successful prize
The call for the prize opened on 16 May 2018 and closed on 3 September 2019. 176 applications were received from 43 countries (19 of which outside the EU), which addressed fairly well all the six areas indicated in the call, and 13 additional areas proposed by the applicants themselves (as allowed by the Rules of Contest). As for the categories of applicants, 10% of the proposals originated from individuals, 10% from public institutions (mostly universities, but also Red Cross, Oxfam, foundations) and nearly 80% from start-ups and SMEs.
The evaluation was organised in two steps. Following a preselection in November 2019, the 23 best applications were invited to a final hearing with the Jury on 10 February 2020. It is interesting to note that nearly half of the areas covered by the selected applications (Quality Content, Aid &amp; Philanthropy, Energy, Health) are new areas related to Sustainable Development Goals (DGs), which were not foreseen of the prize in 2016.
In parallel to the hearing, the 23 finalists were invited to present and discuss their solutions at a public workshop, which attracted more than 170 participants. The event sought to give public visibility not only to the prize winners but also to all finalist applications, and to generate further community discussion on the potential of blockchains to support social innovation.
While the revolutionary potential of blockchains has been tested in the financial domain in particular, its possible applications in social domains and to address sustainability challenges have been explored far less.The results of this prize are very important for the development of the Next Generation Internet (NGI) initiative, which will continue to explore the potential of Blockchain in new application areas, in particular to address local and global sustainability challenges in relation to the SDGs.
The post European Innovation Council Awards €5 Million to Blockchain Solutions for Social Innovations appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/european-innovation-council-awards-5-million-to-blockchain-solutions-for-social-innovations</link><guid>1431</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>European Innovation Council Awards €5 Million to Blockchain Solutions for Social Innovations</dc:text></item><item><title>Covid-19 Sicherheitsstudie im Cyberbanking: Schweiz ist Top</title><description><![CDATA[Eine Studie von D-Rating zeigt Mängel und Ungleichheiten auf: Nicht alle europäischen Geschäftsbanken sind gleich gut gewappnet, um sich gegen Cyber-Angriffe zu verteidigen -DACH-Region punktet mit guten bis sehr guten Werten.
Für die globale Bankenbranche haben sich Cyberrisiken zum grössten Risiko überhaupt entwickelt. In Ausnahmesituationen, wie die der Covid 19-Krise, nehmen diese weiter zu. Vor diesem Hintergrund hat die Firma D-Rating eine Studie in 15 europäischen Ländern durchgeführt, die die in der Corona-Krise von 60 Banken ergriffenen Maßnahmen zur Cybersicherheit untersucht. In Deutschland und Österreich übertreffen fünf bewertete Banken die Durchschnittswerte. Das insgesamt beste Ergebnis unter allen bewerteten Marken wurde in der Schweiz erzielt.
D-Rating untersuchte das Sicherheitsniveau der wichtigsten europäischen Banken im Zeitraum vom 1. März bis zum 11. Mai 2020 &#8211; darunter große europäische Banken, Neo-Banken und andere, die als digitale Vorreiter gelten.
Das Studien-Design
Die D-Rating Cybersicherheits-Analyse erfasst Schwachstellen sowohl der Android-Anwendungen als auch der Webseiten der Banken. Dazu gehören beispielsweise die DNS-Integrität, IP-Reputation, Netzwerksicherheit, offengelegte Informationen oder die Patching-Kadenz. Es handelt sich um eine 100-prozentige Outside-In-Analyse, die auf den Diagnose-Tools von SecurityScorecard (für die IT-Sicherheit von Webseiten) und Quixxi (für die IT-Sicherheit von Android-Anwendungen) basiert.
Die Ergebnisse
Die Studie liefert vier zentrale Ergebnisse: Nicht alle europäischen Banken bieten das gleiche Maß an Sicherheitsstandards. Es gibt große Unterschiede von Land zu Land. So verzeichneten beispielsweise die in der Schweiz ansässigen Banken Spitzenwerte, während im Süden Europas die niedrigsten Durchschnittswerte erreicht wurden.
Die Studie ergab auch, dass Neo-Banken bei Web-Plattformen im Durchschnitt besser abschneiden als etablierte Banken, aber nicht bei Apps. Es werden drei Gruppen von Banken unterschieden; die Top-6 Banken in Gruppe A sind BPER Banca (IT), ING (NL), Keytrade Bank (B), Marcus by Goldman Sachs (UK), Raiffeisen (Schweiz), Santander UK (UK). Banken aus Deutschland und Österreich befinden sich laut Studie im oberen Mittelfeld.
1 Lösegeldangriff alle 11 Sekunden
Fabio Panetta, Mitglied des EZB-Direktoriums, erklärte während des Euro Cyber Resilience Board für gesamteuropäische Finanzmarktinfrastrukturen (ECRB):
„In finanzieller Hinsicht sind die Gesamtkosten von Cybervorfällen zwar schwer zu ermitteln, doch Schätzungen der Industrie reichen von 45 bis 654 Milliarden US-Dollar für die Weltwirtschaft im Jahr 2018. So sind die durchschnittlichen Kosten von Cybervorfällen in den letzten fünf Jahren um 72 Prozent gestiegen. Bis 2021 werden Unternehmen alle elf Sekunden Opfer eines Lösegeldangriffs werden&#8221;.
Die vollständige englischsprachige Studie finden Sie unter dem folgenden Link: D-Rating
The post Covid-19 Sicherheitsstudie im Cyberbanking: Schweiz ist Top appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/covid-19-sicherheitsstudie-im-cyberbanking-schweiz-ist-top</link><guid>1430</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/web-vs.-app-cyber-security-readiness-matrix-1024x673.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Covid-19 Sicherheitsstudie im Cyberbanking: Schweiz ist Top</dc:text></item><item><title>Apple und Google Pay: Schweizer Banken denken um</title><description><![CDATA[Die mobilen Bezahlmittel Apple Pay, Samsung Pay und Google Pay stiessen am Anfang Ihrer Lancierung bei der Mehrheit der Schweizer Kreditkarten-Herausgeber und Banken auf wenig Gegenliebe.
Anfängliche Zurückhaltung
Benjamin Manz
«Viele Schweizer Banken fürchten sich im Kampf um Kunden vor der Konkurrenz der digitalen Weltkonzerne»,
so Benjamin Manz, Geschäftsführer von moneyland.ch. Es ist deshalb aus Bankensicht verständlich, dass sie anfangs aufs Bremspedal drückten und sich in erster Linie auf die Schweizer Bezahllösung Twint fokussierten.
Beispiel Apple Pay: Obwohl Apple Pay in der Schweiz bereits im Jahr 2016 lanciert wurde, waren im Sommer 2016 nur die Karten von Cornèrcard, Bonuscard und Swiss Bankers kompatibel. Bis im April 2019 bot noch keine der acht grossen Schweizer Banken UBS, Credit Suisse, Raiffeisen, Zürcher Kantonalbank, PostFinance, Valiant Bank, Migros Bank und Bank Cler ihren Kunden Appl Pay, Google Pay und/oder Samsung Pay an.
Ab 2020 breite Akzeptanz von Apple Pay &amp; Co.
Mittlerweile hat sich das geändert:
«Die Kreditkarten und Prepaidkarten von fast allen Schweizer Banken unterstützen nun endlich die modernen Smartphone-Bezahlsysteme Apple Pay, Samsung Pay und Google Pay»,
Ausnahme ist PostFinance, die sich bislang gegen eine Einführung der internationalen mobilen Bezahlmittel ausgesprochen hat und nur auf Twint setzt. Offensichtlich hat bei Schweizer Banken ein Umdenken eingesetzt. Mittlerweile sind Schweizer Banken der Ansicht, dass sie ohne Apple, Google und Samsung Pay schlechter fahren als mit.
«Ausserdem machen den Schweizer Banken Neobanken wie Revolut, TransferWise und Neon zurzeit grösseres Bauchweh als digitale Riesen wie Apple»,
so Manz.
Apple Pay &amp; Co. bei Schweizer Gratis-Kreditkarten
Kreditkarten ohne Jahresgebühren, so genannte «Gratis-Kreditkarten», sind in der Schweiz besonders populär. Die Cashback-Karten von Swisscard waren im Jahr 2018 die ersten Gratis-Kreditkarten, die Apple Pay einführten. Erst seit diesem Jahr wird Apple Pay auch von der Migros Cumulus-Mastercard  von Cembra Money Bank und der Coop Supercard von TopCard (UBS) unterstützt. Auch Samsung Pay wird von allen drei Gratiskarten unterstützt, Google Pay von den Cashback-Karten von Swisscard und der Coop Supercard Kreditkarte.
Mobile Bezahldienste bei Smartphone-Banken
Neobanken mischen auch in der Schweiz den Markt auf. moneyland.ch hat analysiert, welche MobilePayment-Lösungen die wichtigsten in der Schweiz präsenten Smartphone-Banken anbieten. Zu den Neobanken gehören die Schweizer Anbieter Neon und Zak (Bank Cler) sowie die britischen Anbieter Revolut und TransferWise.
Als einzige der vier genannten Smartphone-Banken bietet Zak (mit den von Cornèrcard herausgegebenen Karten) sowohl Apple Pay, Google Pay als auch Samsung Pay an. Die beiden britischen Unternehmen Revolut und TransferWise ermöglichen ihren Kunden das Bezahlen mit Apple Pay und Google Pay, nicht jedoch mit Samsung Pay.
«Das Schweizer Startup Neon schliesslich bietet seinen Kunden neu auch Samsung Pay an»,
Bezahldienste mit Smartwatches
Neben Smartphones können mittlerweile auch Smartwatches und andere Wearables zum Zahlen verwendet werden. So ermöglicht die Schweizer Uhrenherstellerin Swatch das Bezahlen mit einigen ihrer Uhren. Mit Fitness-Tracker von Fitbit und Garmin können Sportbegeisterte ebenfalls zahlen.
Schliesslich sind Apple Watches mit Apple Pay kompatibel. Einige Schweizer Kreditkartenfirmen haben noch vor Apple Pay Fitbit und Garmin Pay unterstützt. Trotzdem werden diese in der Schweiz bislang kaum gebraucht, wie die Umfrage von moneyland.ch gezeigt hat.
Twint in der Schweizer häufiger gebraucht als Apple Pay
Die Schweizer Bezahllösung Twint funktioniert etwas anders als Apple Pay &amp; Co. So müssen Kunden beispielsweise keine Kreditkarte hinterlegen, sondern können Twint auch mit Prepaid-Guthaben nutzen oder mit einem Bankkonto verknüpfen.
Twint wird schon erstaunlich häufig gebraucht, wie eine diesjährige Umfrage von moneyland.ch ergeben hat. Bereits 38% der Befragten nutzen Twint in Geschäften (in unterschiedlicher Häufigkeit) als Zahlungsmittel. Zum Vergleich: Bei Apple Pay sind es erst 10%, bei Google Pay 9% und bei Samsung Pay 7%.
Wenn man nur die Nutzer berücksichtigt, welche die jeweiligen Bezahldienste häufig im Geschäf nutzen, ergeben sich folgende Zahlen: 7% nutzen Twint oft. Bei Apple Pay sind es hingegen nur 3%, bei Google und Samsung Pay je 2%.
 
Featured Image Credit: Unsplash
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/apple-und-google-pay-schweizer-banken-denken-um</link><guid>1429</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Apple und Google Pay: Schweizer Banken denken um</dc:text></item><item><title>Deutsche Bank and Google Form Strategic Financial Service Partnership</title><description><![CDATA[Deutsche Bank and Google Cloud have agreed to join forces and form a strategic partnership that aims to redefine how the bank develops and offers its financial services.
The partnership is unique in that it will not only deliver cutting edge cloud services to Deutsche Bank, but also enable co-innovation between the two companies to create the next generation of technology-based financial products for clients. Both parties have signed a Letter of Intent and plan to sign a multi-year contract within the next few months.
The partnership will enable Deutsche Bank to accelerate its cloud transition and build on the engineering capabilities of both companies. Together with Google Cloud, Deutsche Bank will transform its IT architecture and thus generate considerable value for its clients. The multi-year transformation and optimisation of the bank’s current systems will take place in a phased approach. Both parties are committed to compliance with privacy and data protection regulation to maintain the confidentiality, integrity and availability of customer data and Deutsche Bank’s information assets
With this partnership, Deutsche Bank will also gain direct access to world-class data science, artificial intelligence and machine learning to better serve customers. Potential use cases include helping treasury clients with day-to-day tasks such as cash flow forecasting, improved risk analytics, and advanced security solutions to protect clients’ accounts. For the private banking business, digital and intuitive solutions will be the focus, to simplify the interactions between customers and employees.
Sundar Pichai
“For more than 150 years, Deutsche Bank has been an industry pioneer, with a strong record of innovation in the financial services sector,“
said Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet.
&#8220;We’re excited about our strategic partnership and the opportunity for Google Cloud to be helpful to Deutsche Bank and its clients as they grow their business and shape the future of the financial services industry.&#8221;
Bernd Leukert
“This cooperation with Google Cloud is a significant step forward for our technology strategy, and will transform the way we produce and deliver our client services,”
added Bernd Leukert, Deutsche Bank’s Chief Technology, Data and Innovation Officer and Member of the Management Board.
“By bringing together the best of both cultures, we look forward to creating new business models leveraging artificial intelligence, data analytics, and more, with an established technology and innovation leader.”
The decision follows intensive discussions and due diligence over the past five months. In February 2020, Deutsche Bank invited a number of major cloud service providers to propose a partnership as part of its multi-vendor cloud strategy. As part of this strategy, the bank will continue to work closely with its existing technology partners.
 
Featured Image Credit: Unsplash
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/deutsche-bank-and-google-form-strategic-financial-service-partnership</link><guid>1428</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Deutsche Bank and Google Form Strategic Financial Service Partnership</dc:text></item><item><title>Avaloq Partners With Investsuite to Bring Automated Investment Storytelling to Its Open Banking Marketplace</title><description><![CDATA[The new fintech in the Avaloq.one Ecosystem offers a unique digital investment solution, StoryTeller, to extend the Avaloq offering and help financial institutions accelerate their digital wealth management transformation.
InvestSuite is a Belgium-based fintech with offices in Warsaw, London, Madrid, Copenhagen, Amsterdam and Sydney. The company provides automated investment solutions to help financial institutions retain their clients by addressing their rapidly-evolving digital needs and to defend their market positions against rising fintech disruptors.
The company provides distinct automated investment products for private banks and wealth managers. The StoryTeller explains historical performance of an investment portfolio in understandable language to investors. Benefits include increased customer satisfaction, financial knowledge and trust through personalized insights and higher engagement.
By partnering with InvestSuite, Avaloq is now able to extend its offering with the InvestSuite StoryTeller to its global list of clients comprising of more than 150 leading banking and wealth management players around the world. More than 100 fintechs have already been onboarded to the open banking marketplace Avaloq.one Ecosystem since its launch in 2019.
Founded in 2018 by an experienced team of bankers, computer scientists and product designers, InvestSuite has so far raised a total of EUR 6 million in funding as it is expanding its global market reach with a sales presence in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Australia.
Bart Vanhaeren
Bart Vanhaeren, CEO and co-founder of InvestSuite, said:
“We are thrilled to partner with Avaloq, a global leader in digital banking solutions and wealth management technology, to offer our distinguished product suite of modular wealthtech solutions to more clients in new markets. Our cost-effective investment solutions are targeting a broader client base than typical wealth management offerings since many next-generation investors are not willing to pay high advisory and management fees.”
Martin Greweldinger
Martin Greweldinger, Avaloq Group Chief Product Officer, said:
“We are excited to be able to connect Avaloq’s international banking and wealth management clients with InvestSuite’s innovative wealthtech-as-a-service solutions. As end-clients’ level of technological sophistication is rapidly evolving, the demand for digital investment products and superior user experiences is increasing as well. Amidst this trend, agile and personalized solutions such as InvestSuite’s StoryTeller are well placed to pave the way for the democratization of wealth management.”
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/avaloq-partners-with-investsuite-to-bring-automated-investment-storytelling-to-its-open-banking-marketplace</link><guid>1426</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Avaloq Partners With Investsuite to Bring Automated Investment Storytelling to Its Open Banking Marketplace</dc:text></item><item><title>Ex Paypal DACH Manager Joins Twint as Chief Marketing Officer</title><description><![CDATA[Jens Plath, responsible for establishing PayPal’s P2P business in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, has been appointed Chief Marketing Officer of TWINT and is also assuming responsibility for the End Customer segment. In addition, other business functions will also be consistently geared towards meeting customer needs.
Following the very strong growth recorded over the last few months, TWINT is laying the foundations for the further ramping up of its business with a new management structure. After the announcement of the new Core Executive Board, the composition of the extended Executive Board is now also being revealed.
Jens Plath
Jens Plath joins TWINT as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) after having previously worked as an advisor and a co-founder in the start-up environment, mainly in the Fintech sector. The experience that he has in the payment industry was predominantly obtained during his time working at PayPal from 2011 to 2018.
Here, he was initially appointed as the Head of Partnerships DACH and subsequently helped PayPal to expand and become the leading P2P payment service in the Germany, Austria and Switzerland region. In addition to his role as Chief Marketing Officer, Jens Plath is also directly responsible for heading the End Customer segment, i.e. the management of the 2.5 million TWINT users. He is also a member of the extended Executive Board. Plath will be joined there by Thomas Wicki, the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and successor to Anton Stadelmann, who is now working in the Core Executive Board as Chief Customer Officer and Deputy CEO. Wicki joined TWINT in 2018 after having worked as a financial specialist at Credit Suisse and THM Capital. Wicki reports to the CEO, Markus Kilb.
The consistent focus being placed on customers is also reflected in the newly defined responsibilities within the extended Executive Board: In his role as Chief Sales Officer (CSO), Adrian Plattner will now focus on and be responsible for the relationships with merchants, acquirers and integrators. Plattner joined TWINT in 2018, making the  move from the Aduno Group where he headed the Sales department as a Director.
A new function has been created in the form of the Chief Customer Operations Officer. Gökhan Filizer, who has been Head of Operations at TWINT since 2019, will take on the management of this new area, the aim of which is to improve the customer support for end customers, merchants and banks from a single source. The Client Support business area will act as the point of contact for all questions and complaints related to these customer segments. In so doing,
TWINT hopes to be able to resolve the concerns of its customers in a quicker and more efficient manner. René Hägeli, who had been responsible for the development of new product offerings in his role as Chief Product Officer (CPO) since 2018, will likewise take a seat on the extended Executive Board in his new role as Chief Banks Officer (CBO) and will be responsible for the relationships with the banks. Prior to joining TWINT, he headed the Digital Payments business area at Zürcher Kantonalbank in his role as Product Manager. Operational product management will remain the responsibility of Thomas Graf as Head of Product. Plath, Plattner, Filizer, Hägeli and Graf report to the new CCO.
Simon Wehrli began his career at TWINT as a Software Architect in 2017 and is now responsible for the Architecture and Technology business area in his function as Chief Technology Officer (CTO).He reports to the CIO Paul Kreis.
This means that the Chief Customer Officer (CCO) will oversee all customer and product-related functions on the Core Executive Board and the Chief Information Officer (CIO) is responsible for the entire technical operation and further development of Production.
Markus Kilb
“This new organisational structure will allow us to focus on all of our customer segments during the realisation of the anticipated further growth. The extended Executive Board represents the main business areas within the company and guarantees that our offering will be developed in line with the respective requirements of each of our fast-growing customer segments. With this new management team, I look forward to being better able to fulfil the expectations of our customers,”
stated Markus Kilb, CEO of TWINT.
 
Featured Image Credit: Copyright: fotodimatti
The post Ex Paypal DACH Manager Joins Twint as Chief Marketing Officer appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ex-paypal-dach-manager-joins-twint-as-chief-marketing-officer</link><guid>1427</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Ex Paypal DACH Manager Joins Twint as Chief Marketing Officer</dc:text></item><item><title>eKYC in Switzerland – An Overview</title><description><![CDATA[With finance and banking rapidly moving online, industry participants are increasingly adopting innovative solutions such as eKYC to provide customers with a seamless, digital-first onboarding experience.
What is eKYC?
eKYC (electronic know your customer) refers to the digitalization of the know your customer (KYC) process, which allows financial professionals to identify and verify a customer’s identity entirely remotely and digitally.
eKYC speeds up to verification process from a couple of days to just a few seconds, and ensures no more lengthy paperwork, no more queuing up at bank branches, and no more wasting time and effort in multiple follow-ups.
eKYC is particularly relevant today as customers demand improved, fully digital experiences. With the rise of digital banking and fintech, eKYC as part of an overall digital onboarding experience has become crucial for financial companies and startups alike.
According to a survey conducted by digital identity service provider Signicat, 72% of retail banking customers based in Europe want an all-digital onboarding system, and customers who onboard digitally are found to be more likely to remain loyal and tend to apply for more products and services.
Embracing digital onboarding
Around the world, regulators are passing new laws to establish legal frameworks more adapted to the rapidly changing banking sector.
In Switzerland, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) started allowing domestic financial institutions to use online identity verification in 2016, permitting banks to take on new customers through purely digital means. Previously, identification of customers could only be performed through face to face interviews at branch offices or by mail via officially-endorsed paper documents. Updated regulations took effect in January 2020 and include more stringent requirements.
Banks were quick to embrace the trend, with many partnering with fintech providers to accelerate adoption. Credit Suisse, for example, has been leveraging Appway’s onboarding platform since July 2017 to offer Swiss residents with the option to initiate a relationship with the bank through a completely digital onboarding process.
Appway’s client onboarding solution for retail banking allowing financial institutions to onboard customers in only 15 minutes with intuitive and frictionless data collection, and automated compliance checks.
Other financial institutions that have used Appway’s digital onboarding capabilities include Industrial Alliance Securities (iA Securities) from Canada, Investec from South Africa, as well as domestic banks Banque Cantonale de Valais (BCVS) and BSI.
Swiss eKYC providers
Appway is undoubtedly one of the most prominent Swiss players in the digital onboarding field, having earned many accolades for its solutions, but it’s certainly not the only one.
In eKYC, one of the key elements part of the digital onboarding process, KYC Spider, a company based in Zug, is another notable Swiss provider. Founded in 2003, KYC Spider offers all the necessary compliance services relevant not only for finance intermediaries and banks, but also for fintechs and industrial corporations, serving clients such as Yapeal, an upcoming Swiss neobank, Bitcoin Suisse, a regulated financial intermediary specializing in crypto-financial services, and Lykke, a blockchain-based exchange platform.
KYC Spider provides an online solution called KYC Toolbox, which allows organizations to automate their KYC compliance process. KYC Toolbox has a modular design with access to all the features needed for standard KYC processes, and allows users to easily and securely check and identify their business partners and customer base online, as well as create detailed Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) reports on potential customers.
Procivis is another noteworthy Swiss startup in the space. Founded in 2016, Procivis specializes in digital identity solutions and e-government applications and services.
Procivis’ eID+ is a smartphone-based digital identity platform which enables individuals to access digital services provided by the government and the private sector. eID+ is composed of three core features: e-Authentication, e-Signature, and e-Document, and serves as a foundation for a host of digital services which in the future will include e-Company, e-License, e-Health and e-KYC.
eID+ is currently being used in Schaffhausen where citizens can access over 100 e-government services through the Canton’s eGov portal.
Other Swiss eKYC services providers include Specitec, a software provider for the private banking and industry sectors that offers an array of solutions for digital client onboarding, eKYC, and more, and id4, a regtech developing a full-fledged client lifecycle management digital platform with best-in-class client experience for online ID check and e-signature.
The post eKYC in Switzerland &#8211; An Overview appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ekyc-in-switzerland-an-overview</link><guid>1425</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>eKYC in Switzerland – An Overview</dc:text></item><item><title>Mobile Bancassurance: Smile und neon starten strategische Zusammenarbeit</title><description><![CDATA[Die Digital-Versicherung Smile und die Konto-App neon lancieren gemeinsam eine Mobile Bancassurance-Lösung für die Schweiz. Die strategische Zusammenarbeit soll schrittweise ausgebaut werden, um die steigende Nachfrage nach einfachen Finance-Apps umfassender zu bedienen.
Die Vertriebszusammenarbeit startet per sofort mit Auto-, Bike- und Haushaltversicherungen, die zu den relevantesten Versicherungen in der Schweiz gehören. Ziel und Erfolgskriterium der neuen Mobile Bancassurance-Lösung ist es, den Nutzern die passenden Finanzprodukte dort anzubieten, wo gerade das Bedürfnis entsteht. Entsprechend sind die Finanzprodukte auch ganz flexibel auf dem Mobiltelefon aktivierbar.
Pierangelo Campopiano
&#8220;Bereits 54% der Schweizer Bevölkerung nutzen laut HSLU-Studie Mobile Banking. Vor drei Jahren waren es erst 13%. Aufgrund dieses Wachstums sind wir überzeugt, dass Mobile Bancassurance eine grosse Zukunft hat. Mit Smile wollen wir in der Rolle als First Mover agieren. &#8220;,
so Pierangelo Campopiano, CEO von Smile.
Jörg Sandrock
&#8220;Die strategische Zusammenarbeit mit Smile ist für uns die perfekte Weiterentwicklung des neon Angebots. Wir freuen uns über einen mutigen Partner, der sein Produkt genauso mobil und günstig im Sinne des Kunden denkt, und mit dem wir den Markt ein weiteres Stück verändern können.&#8221;,
so Jörg Sandrock, CEO und Co-Founder von neon.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mobile-bancassurance-smile-und-neon-starten-strategische-zusammenarbeit</link><guid>1422</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Mobile Bancassurance: Smile und neon starten strategische Zusammenarbeit</dc:text></item><item><title>The Booming Women-Focused Fintech Ecosystem in Europe and What It Means</title><description><![CDATA[Despite common perception, financial services are often designed with wealthier white men in mind, making them therefore not always appropriate to a woman’s needs and preferences. In this context, a new niche of women-focused fintech products has emerged to serve this demographic with innovative products and services especially designed with their requirements and goals in mind.
In a new report produced in partnership with Keen Innovation, the European Women Payments Network (EWPN) gives an overview of the ecosystem of fintech for women, outlining why women need their own financial services.
In its Female Finance: Digital, Mobile, Networked report, the EWPN argues that although it is well documented that around the world, women undertake most daily household economic activities, most traditional financial products and services are actually developed for middle-class to wealthy white males. And because men’s and women’s goals and priorities differ substantially, most financial products fail to deliver true, meaningful value to women.
Some facts about women&#8217;s lives and their use of financial services, Female Finance: Digital, Mobile, Networked, June 2020, Source: EWPN and Keen Innovation
The report outlines three key considerations to keep in mind when developing and delivering financial services targeting women:

The need for financial tools that help women develop and fulfil their social role like solutions that assist women who are primary domestic money managers with budget tracking, etc.;
Financial tools that help them overcome historical barriers. For example, men tend to do better in the area of investing because women are generally not trained in these kinds of financial skills, and may have different decision-making processes. Additionally, women looking for professional help will often be met by stereotypical expectations; and
Tools that meet women’s design and aesthetics preferences with features specifically for women rather than simply giving a product a feminized look.

Women-focused digital financial services
The EWPN report provides an overview of a new generation of digital financial services aimed at women, or used primarily by them, delving into five specific categories: payments and credit, financial management, insurance, investment, and funding sources for female entrepreneurs.
In the payments and credit vertical, the report cites the examples of Upwards, a fintech startup from India which offers a personal loan exclusively for working women professionals, Afterpay, a “buy-now-pay-later” platform used by a broad demographic but which largely targets women in their marketing, and Musoni Microfinance, a digital microfinance institution from Kenya that offers group lending, individual loans, agricultural loans, education loans and emergency loans. Around 63% of Musoni Microfinance’s clients are women and over 68% of the agri-business loans are to women smallholder farmers.
In financial management, several women-focused fintech solutions exist. Nav.it, for example, is a financial app helping women in the US pay down debt, automate savings, track spending and learn how to more optimistically navigate their financial future.
In Switzerland, traditional financial institution Bank Cler launched in 2001 Eva, an offering designed especially for women. Eva provides private female customers with consulting services and access to networking and events.
And in the UK, Smart Purse is a financial education platform that helps women become more savvy with money and give them the confidence to talk, understand and feel good about money.
In insurance, Jubilee Life Insurance provides an offering called Zaamin that’s specially designed to help women save and accumulate funds with the aim of providing financial security in old age and which also provides benefits in case of accidental death.
In the Philippines, Manulife’s Eve is a women’s health insurance policy that covers pregnancy complications and congenital anomalies of newborns, as well as cash benefits for seven days of hospital stay after childbirth. It also offers critical illness protection, cash support if the policy holder is diagnosed with female-specific cancer, coverage for surgery such as breast tumor removal, hysterectomy and reconstructive surgery, and includes life insurance.
In investment, FinMarie and Ellevest are two robo-advisory platforms especially designed for women. In the US, Women Investing Now (WIN) aims to empower women with the knowledge, skills and right-on-time decision guidance needed to reach good financial decisions and achieve financial goals.
Finally, the report outlines several funding sources specifically targeted at female entrepreneurs. These include for example Voulez Capital, a venture capital (VC) firm for female founders, and Neome, an investment club for women angel investors. Several women-focused crowdfunding platforms also exist including IFundWomen, Fund Dreamer and Women You Should Fund.
Female Fintech Ecosystem Europe
Female Fintech Ecosystem, Source: Female Finance: Digital, Mobile, Networked, June 2020
International management consulting firm Oliver Wyman estimates that financial services firms are missing at least a US$700 billion revenue opportunity each year by not fully meeting the needs of women customers.
These opportunities come from a combination of new clients, new products and services, and increased market share, the firm says in its Women in Financial Services 2020 report.
The post The Booming Women-Focused Fintech Ecosystem in Europe and What It Means appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-booming-women-focused-fintech-ecosystem-in-europe-and-what-it-means</link><guid>1424</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Some-facts-about-womens-lives-and-their-use-of-financial-services-June-2020-Source-EWPN-in-partnership-with-Keen-Innovation.png</dc:content ><dc:text>The Booming Women-Focused Fintech Ecosystem in Europe and What It Means</dc:text></item><item><title>Credit Suisse and Apiax Solution Win Wealthech Regtech Award</title><description><![CDATA[Professional Wealth Management (PWM) magazine has recognised Credit Suisse at this year’s Wealth Tech Awards. The award-winning Regtech solution is a collaboration between Credit Suisse and Apiax.
Every year, PWM hands out the Wealth Tech Awards to tech trailblazers in the wealth management industry. This year, Credit Suisse won the award for ‘Best Private Bank for Use of RegTech Globally’. The collaborative project between Credit Suisse and Apiax is designed to free up considerable time for relationship managers.
Ralf Huber
Ralf Huber, co-founder of Apiax, commented:
“We are more than proud of our collaboration with Credit Suisse and feel honored by this important recognition from the industry. This award shows that cooperation between industry leaders and start-up companies can create added value for both sides”.
This year&#8217;s awards featured high-profile companies such as UBS, BNP Paribas and HSBC. PWM evaluates the private banking groups using quantitative and qualitative information and presents awards to groups that have shown excellence in their use of technology.
Founded in 2017, Apiax’s technology provides easy access to compliance knowledge. It enables companies in an increasingly regulated economy to stay focused on their core business objectives: delivering high value and unique experiences to their customers.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/credit-suisse-and-apiax-solution-win-wealthech-regtech-award</link><guid>1423</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Credit Suisse and Apiax Solution Win Wealthech Regtech Award</dc:text></item><item><title>FINMA erteilt der BX Swiss die Zulassung als FIDLEG Registrierungsstelle</title><description><![CDATA[Die Eidgenössische Finanzmarktaufsicht FINMA hat der BX Swiss AG die Zulassung als Registrierungsstelle zur Führung des Beraterregisters gemäss Art. 31 Finanzdienstleistungsgesetz (FIDLEG) erteilt. Die Zulassung erfolgt per 20. Juli 2020. Ab diesem Datum können sich Kundenberaterinnen und Kundenberater über die Online Plattform der BX Swiss registrieren und Gesuche um Eintragung in das Beraterregister einreichen.
Eintragung bis 19. Januar 2021 obligatorisch
Mit Zulassung der BX Swiss AG als bisher einzige Registrierungsstelle beginnt die sechsmonatige Übergangsfrist nach Art. 107 FIDLEV: Demnach ist das Gesuch um Eintragung in das Beraterregister bis spätestens am 19. Januar 2021 einzureichen.
Regulatorische Bestimmungen
Informationen zum Verfahren der Eintragung, der Mutation und Löschung von Kundenberatern und Kundenberaterinnen im Beraterregister können dem Reglement der Registrierungsstelle entnommen werden. Übrige Bestimmungen sind in der Gebührenordnung sowie in weiteren Zusatzdokumenten geregelt: Regularien der Registrierungsstelle.
Vollständig digitalisierter und kosteneffizienter Gesuchsprozess
Die BX Swiss unterstützt voll digitale Gesuchsprozesse, die auf technologischen Plattformen und RegTech Lösungen der neusten Generation basieren. Benutzer können den Status Ihrer Gesuche über die Online-Plattform verfolgen und werden über Änderungen umgehend per E-Mail informiert. Die durchgehende Digitalisierung des Gesuchsprozesses erlaubt es der BX Swiss die Eintragung zu einer Gebühr im unteren Bereich der gesetzlichen Bandbreite vorzunehmen. Auf die Erhebung zusätzlicher jährlicher Gebühren i.S.v. Art. 42 Abs. 1 FIDLEV wird vollständig verzichtet.
Öffentliches Register
Eingetragene Kundenberater und Kundenberaterinnen können im öffentlichen Register entweder über ihren Vor- und Nachnamen oder ihre Registrierungs-ID gesucht werden. Veröffentlicht werden ausschliesslich die gemäss Art. 30 FIDLEG notwendigen Informationen.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finma-erteilt-der-bx-swiss-die-zulassung-als-fidleg-registrierungsstelle</link><guid>1420</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>FINMA erteilt der BX Swiss die Zulassung als FIDLEG Registrierungsstelle</dc:text></item><item><title>Crowdhouse Sponsors Racing Unleashed For a Virtual Experience</title><description><![CDATA[Racing Unleashed, a virtual racing experience simulator provider, has announced a partnership with Crowdhouse, a Swiss-based real estate crowdfunding company which focuses on the latest technical solutions.
Ardian Gjeloshi
Ardian Gjeloshi, Co-founder, Executive Chairman, Crowdhouse

We support Racing Unleashed because the basic idea connects us; to make something that was only possible for a few people accessible to everyone.
Monisha Kaltenborn
Monisha Kaltenborn (ex Sauber CEO), CEO Racing Unleashed
Crowdhouse not only connects us with &#8220;state-of-the-art&#8221; technology and the spirit of digitization, but also with data-based analysis and implementation in the further development of our business models. We also share access to our customers. Both with Crowdhouse and with us, the best way to get to know each other is through live events.

The post Crowdhouse Sponsors Racing Unleashed For a Virtual Experience appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crowdhouse-sponsors-racing-unleashed-for-a-virtual-experience</link><guid>1421</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Crowdhouse Sponsors Racing Unleashed For a Virtual Experience</dc:text></item><item><title>Maximilian von Wallenberg Joins Management Board of Boerse Stuttgart Digital Exchange GmbH</title><description><![CDATA[Maximilian von Wallenberg has become a member of the Management Board of Boerse Stuttgart Digital Exchange GmbH on 1 July 2020. He succeeds Dr Dirk Sturz, who has left the company at his own request to pursue a new career challenge. Boerse Stuttgart Digital Exchange GmbH is a joint venture of Boerse Stuttgart GmbH, Axel Springer SE, finanzen.net GmbH and SBI Crypto Investment.
Maximilian von Wallenberg
Maximilian von Wallenberg is described as a serial tech entrepreneur. As founder and CEO, he helped build a social trading platforms for CFDs and digital assets in Europe. Afterwards he was responsible for an AI-based asset manager for cryptocurrencies as Chief Product Officer at Quantumrock. Von Wallenberg studied economics at the London School of Economics and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Alexander Höptner
&#8220;After its initial phase, BSDEX is now set to become the leading European trading venue for digital assets. We are pleased that Maximilian von Wallenberg will shape this further development with his expertise in fintech, financial markets and the management of young companies,&#8221;
says Alexander Höptner, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Boerse Stuttgart Digital Exchange GmbH:
&#8220;We would like to thank Dr Dirk Sturz for many years of successful and trusting collaboration in various management positions at Boerse Stuttgart Group. He has made a significant contribution to building up BSDEX in a short time and successfully launching it on the market&#8221;.
he added with regard to von Wallenberg&#8217;s predecessor.
BSDEX is one of Germany’s first regulated trading venue for digital assets. They are in compliance with the regulatory requirements in accordance with section 2, paragraph 12 of the German Banking Act (Kreditwesengesetz) and operate as a multilateral trading facility by Baden-Wuerttembergische Wertpapierboerse GmbH, which is also the operating company for the public stock exchange in Stuttgart.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/maximilian-von-wallenberg-joins-management-board-of-boerse-stuttgart-digital-exchange-gmbh</link><guid>1418</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Maximilian von Wallenberg Joins Management Board of Boerse Stuttgart Digital Exchange GmbH</dc:text></item><item><title>Maximilian von Wallenberg Joins Management Board of Boerse Stuttgart Digital Exchange</title><description><![CDATA[Maximilian von Wallenberg has become a member of the Management Board of Boerse Stuttgart Digital Exchange GmbH on 1 July 2020. He succeeds Dr Dirk Sturz, who has left the company at his own request to pursue a new career challenge. Boerse Stuttgart Digital Exchange GmbH is a joint venture of Boerse Stuttgart GmbH, Axel Springer SE, finanzen.net GmbH and SBI Crypto Investment.
Maximilian von Wallenberg
Maximilian von Wallenberg is described as a serial tech entrepreneur. As founder and CEO, he helped build a social trading platforms for CFDs and digital assets in Europe. Afterwards he was responsible for an AI-based asset manager for cryptocurrencies as Chief Product Officer at Quantumrock. Von Wallenberg studied economics at the London School of Economics and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Alexander Höptner
&#8220;After its initial phase, BSDEX is now set to become the leading European trading venue for digital assets. We are pleased that Maximilian von Wallenberg will shape this further development with his expertise in fintech, financial markets and the management of young companies,&#8221;
says Alexander Höptner, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Boerse Stuttgart Digital Exchange GmbH:
&#8220;We would like to thank Dr Dirk Sturz for many years of successful and trusting collaboration in various management positions at Boerse Stuttgart Group. He has made a significant contribution to building up BSDEX in a short time and successfully launching it on the market&#8221;.
he added with regard to von Wallenberg&#8217;s predecessor.
BSDEX is one of Germany’s first regulated trading venue for digital assets. They are in compliance with the regulatory requirements in accordance with section 2, paragraph 12 of the German Banking Act (Kreditwesengesetz) and operate as a multilateral trading facility by Baden-Wuerttembergische Wertpapierboerse GmbH, which is also the operating company for the public stock exchange in Stuttgart.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/maximilian-von-wallenberg-joins-management-board-of-boerse-stuttgart-digital-exchange</link><guid>1419</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Maximilian von Wallenberg Joins Management Board of Boerse Stuttgart Digital Exchange</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Influencer Switzerland Interview Series: 7 Questions to Ralph Mogicato</title><description><![CDATA[In May 2020, Fintechnews.ch launched the Fintech Influencer Switzerland Interview series, which presents at least once a week a short interview we have conducted with a well-known, longtime Swiss Fintech Influencer to get his or her views on some of the industry’s most urging issues and hottest trends.
Today we speak in our last interview with  the Swiss Fintech investor Ralph Mogicato, Ralph was nominated by Marc Bernegger.
Hi Ralph, what has changed for you personally during this pandemic?
My business life hasn&#8217;t changed much during the Covid Crisis. Since many years I work as a digital nomad. Everything is in the cloud and I am a heavy user of communication tools like Skype, Webex or Zoom. I even like Teams as a tool.
Do you think COVID-19 is the digital accelerator that the industry has been missing so far?
The dramatic consequences of the lockdown and the containment measures showed in every business where the digital loop wholes still are. I don&#8217;t know any business person who is not realizing that more digital offerings and services are better than less. Hence I call Corona also a fire accelerator for all businesses.
What is your current focus?
In the first few weeks, I mainly was busy speaking in boards or as senior advisors about securing the liquidity and implement the recommendations of our federal health department. In the most board we did in the beginning weekly status meetings. Right now we concentrate on every startup to boost sales. The sales activity drop was to me (not surprisingly) the clearest negative impact of Corona.
You were often in Singapore and know the fintech trends there very well, what are we missing?
Both countries did an excellent job in creating a fintech startup hub. During the crisis we saw on both sides heavy governmental support and helping hands everywhere. Though the financial sector was not hit so hard by the Corona crisis as the travel industry, I look positively in both markets for fintech startups. The dynamics speak clearly for Asia, but this is true for many industries. But the reality check comes after the crisis. Who is able to secure more money from investors and who is able to accelerate growth.
What can Switzerland learn from Fintech in Singapore or vice versa?
Switzerland and Singaporean startups have one in common. The home market especially B2C is too small for a substantial business. I personally think the Swiss fintechs have realized this faster and a lot of them pivoted to B2B. But in general, I would say we can each learn a lot from each other, but the markets and customer needs are very different. Where in Asia the financial inclusion has more weight, the Swiss startups tend to concentrate more on innovation and process efficiency.
Which Swiss Fintech Startup should we have on our radar?
On my personal list are for my startups: APIAX, IMburse and Sonect, just to name a few!
Please nominate a Global Swiss Fintech Influencer for our Swiss Fintech Influencer Survey
I nominate Gian Reto à Porta.
Swiss Fintech Influencer Ralp Mogicato*
Ralph Mogicato
Ralph Mogicato has over 25 years of experience in the financial industry in Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Singapore. He is now an active investor, board member or advisor for startup companies in the technology field (e.g. Starmind, unblu, APIAX, Sonect, IMburse) and guest lecturer at several universities of applied sciences as well as a lecturer at the University of Zurich.
 
 
 
 
The post Fintech Influencer Switzerland Interview Series: 7 Questions to Ralph Mogicato appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-influencer-switzerland-interview-series-7-questions-to-ralph-mogicato</link><guid>1417</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech Influencer Switzerland Interview Series: 7 Questions to Ralph Mogicato</dc:text></item><item><title>Yapeal ist Live und lanciert erste Visa Debit-Karte der Schweiz</title><description><![CDATA[Yapeal, ein von FINMA lizenzierte Fintech Startup, lanciert heute ihr digitales Portemonnaie mit Visa. Dieses umfasst ein direkt angebundenes Bank konto, eine personalisierbare IBAN und eine App, die Buchungen und Zahlungen in Echtzeit verarbeitet.
Durch die Zusammenarbeit mit Visa bietet Yapeal seinen Kunden die erste Visa Debitkarte der Schweiz an, die für Online-Shopping, kontaktlose Zahlungen über Smartphone und Smartwatch oder im Geschäft sowie bei Zahlungen über Apps funktioniert. Somit können Nutzer von Yapeal nun eine Visa Debit beantragen, die weltweit in über 200 Ländern und Regionen, bei 61 Millionen Händlern und 2,7 Millionen Geldautomaten akzeptiert ist.
Mit der neuen FinTech-Lizenz der FINMA ist Yapeal Teil des Bankensystems und ermöglicht einen nahtlosen Betrieb ohne Partnerbank. Yapeal hat bereits eine starke Community aufgebaut («Yapsters»), die die Prioritäten der angebotenen Features mitbestimmt. Zu Beginn erhalten die Kunden von Yapeal ihre eigenen Konten mit einer personalisierbaren IBAN (wie z.B. CH3183019FORGOTMYIBAN) und Zugang zu einer Visa Debit. Mit dem Start der Yapeal App werden ausgewählte Kunden von Sunrise, dem grössten nicht staatlich kontrollierten Telekommunikationsunternehmen der Schweiz, die exklusive Möglichkeit haben, die Dienste von Yapeal sechs Monate lang ohne zusätzliche Kosten auf ihrem Mobiltelefon zu nutzen.
Dank der direkten Verbindung mit dem Bankkonto von Yapeal haben Visa Debit Karteninhaber einen sofortigen Überblick über ihre Transaktionen. Zahlungstransaktionen können innerhalb der Yapeal App in Echtzeit verfolgt und verwaltet werden. Das Bezahlen mit Visa Debit ist schnell, einfach und sicher. Visa Debit bietet zahlreiche Visa-Sicherheitsinnovationen, wie den Visa Token Service, der mobile und online Zahlungen ermöglicht.
Ute König-Stemmler
&#8220;Wir freuen uns sehr, die Einführung von Visa Debit in der Schweiz in Partnerschaft mit Yapeal bekannt zu geben. Wir unterstützen Yapeal dabei, ihre Wachstumsziele zu erreichen. Sowohl in Bezug auf die Geschwindigkeit der Umsetzung sowie Ausbau ihrer Kundenbasis. Als Teil unseres Fintech-Engagements geben wir Start-ups wie Yapeal Zugang zu unserem weltweiten Visa-Netzwerk, damit sie ihr Geschäft und ihr innovatives Kundenerlebnis ausbauen können&#8221;,
erklärt Ute König-Stemmler, Head of Business Development für Central Europe bei Visa.
Andy Waar
Andy Waar, Mitbegründer &amp; CMO Yapeal:
“Die Partnerschaft mit Visa hilft uns sehr dabei, Vertrauen und Glaubwürdigkeit aufzubauen und unsere junge Marke zu stärken. Wir sind enorm stolz darauf,die erste Visa Debit in der Schweiz herauszugeben und unserer Community eine Debitkarte anzubieten, die auf allen Kanälen einsetzbar ist &#8211; weltweit&#8221;.
Mit 2,3 Milliarden ausgegebenen Debitkarten ist Visa weltweit führend. In der Schweiz werden weitere kartenausgebende Banken folgen und Visa Debit anbieten. Die Starttermine werden zu gegebener Zeit bekannt gegeben.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/yapeal-ist-live-und-lanciert-erste-visa-debit-karte-der-schweiz</link><guid>1415</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Yapeal ist Live und lanciert erste Visa Debit-Karte der Schweiz</dc:text></item><item><title>Sunrise and YAPEAL Agree Partnership for Mobile Digital Swiss Financial Services App</title><description><![CDATA[YAPEAL is launching its product today. YAPEAL will be providing fully digitalized financial services without the need for a third-party bank: a Swiss bank account with a customizable IBAN, Switzerland&#8217;s first Visa Debit card, and a Mobile Pay payment option.
André Krause
“Sunrise and YAPEAL complement one another perfectly. Together they represent reliable, digital, real-time mobile payment and financial services. The joint promotional campaign for Digital Natives (young people up to age 30) is the first step. By developing joint business models, we want to provide innovation for digital financial services going forward,”
enthuses André Krause, CEO of Sunrise.
Thomas Hilgendorff
“This joint launch is an important first step. Our mid- and long-term objective together with Sunrise is to create new products that make handling money in the digital world even easier by integrating our services. As a digital fintech business, we are setting new standards when it comes to the convenience and efficiency of financial services. Collaborations with strong partners like Sunrise and Visa are clear votes of confidence in the best fintech team,”
emphasizes Thomas Hilgendorff, CEO and Co-Founder of YAPEAL.
YAPEAL is the first – and to date the only – business to have received a Swiss fintech license from the Swiss Financial Markets Supervisory Authority (FINMA). YAPEAL offers fully digitalized financial services without third-party bank involvement, from a single source and in real time: From account opening to payments in Switzerland, overseas, and while shopping online. Everything is processed and displayed instantly.
The account balance on the app is always up-to-date. YAPEAL offers the best exchange rates for foreign currency transactions and does not charge fees. What’s more, thanks to the fintech license, 100% of YAPEAL account balances are deposited with the Swiss National Bank as YAPEAL doesn’t work with customer money (no investments, credit transactions, or similar).
The starting offer includes a Swiss bank account with a customizable IBAN (e.g. CH5783019ILOVESUNRISE), Switzerland&#8217;s first Visa Debit card, and a Mobile Pay payment option. Coinciding with the YAPEAL launch, today a Sunrise promotion is starting for customers aged 18 to 30. They can test YAPEAL for 6 months without any account fees.
The post Sunrise and Yapeal Agree Partnership for Mobile Digital Swiss Financial Services App appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sunrise-and-yapeal-agree-partnership-for-mobile-digital-swiss-financial-services-app</link><guid>1416</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Sunrise and YAPEAL Agree Partnership for Mobile Digital Swiss Financial Services App</dc:text></item><item><title>A Week of Fintech Firsts in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[It’s been an interesting few days for digital payments, blockchain finance and cryptocurrencies in Switzerland, with several companies and projects announcing developments.
At the tail end of last month, budding crypto bank Mt Pelerin said was applying for a Swiss fintech license, aiming to join the only recipient of that category so far – Yapeal. But more interesting still, was that Mt Pelerin held its first shareholder meeting on the blockchain.
Mt Pelerin is one of the most interesting blockchain start-ups that I’ve been tracking for some time. In 2018, it claimed to be the first company in Switzerland to issue shares in the form of digital tokens that are recognizable under Swiss law. On June 26, shareholders were, for the first time, able to wield those tokens to good effect by voting on agenda items.
The company said the AGM went without hitch with shareholders able to follow the event on their smartphones via their Bridge Wallets &#8211; a technology that Mt Pelerin plans to develop into an industry standard for token creation, distribution and management.
The main drawback for tokenized securities at present is their lack of liquidity. Holders can trade them over the counter, but a secondary market of stock exchanges that can handle the likes of digital shares are still works in progress.
Mt Pelerin says ownership of its shares are recognised by Swiss law. But as I’ve pointed out in previous newsletters, the law is currently being updated to adapt to the new world of digital asset trading. Until that process is complete, by the start of 2021 at the earliest, there remains scope for doubting whether blockchain shares have the same legal footing as normal company stocks.
On the digital payments front, fintech firm Neon has announced a deal with British financial services company Transferwise to allow Neon account holders to transfer their funds abroad at a lower cost. Bridging the two fintech companies is Hypotherkarbank Lenzburg that will handle the transactions over its Finstar open banking platform.
Credit Suisse has announced it will onboard Google Pay for its Swiss credit card clients from mid-August while Switzerland this week switched to QR payments for household bills, concluding a process by SIX Group that has taken a few years to bring online.
It may be a bit premature to predict the death of cash payments in Switzerland but the coronavirus pandemic appears also to have given digital payment systems a boost. “Over the last 12 months, the proportion of contactless card payments in Switzerland has more than doubled, while cash withdrawals from ATMs have declined. This proportion of contactless card payments is likely to continue rising sharply compared to cash payments, not least because of the pandemic,” said Credit Suisse.
Finally, the transaction bank InCore said this week that it is now offering banking services for clients of the giant cryptocurrency exchange Kraken. InCore will act as a bridge for investors who want to get into crypto or expand their portfolio.
InCore had previously announced a partnership with Maerki Baumann bank, which is no surprise given that InCore is a spin-off from the Zurich private bank, which itself is making a play in the digital assets sector. The gap between the traditional financial world and crypto is narrowing all the time.
I’m told there were efforts to get some major crypto exchanges up and running in Switzerland a couple of years ago, but these efforts were stymied by the financial regulator. Partnerships like InCore/Kraken may prove a useful workaround.
 

 
 
The post A Week of Fintech Firsts in Switzerland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/a-week-of-fintech-firsts-in-switzerland</link><guid>1413</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/SIGN-UP-4.png</dc:content ><dc:text>A Week of Fintech Firsts in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Online Obligationen Platform führt erfolgreich erste Emission durch</title><description><![CDATA[Valyo AG hat erstmals eine Anleihensemission über ihre Kapitalmarktplattform durchgeführt. Raiffeisen Schweiz emittierte eine Anleihe über 112 Millionen Franken mit einer Laufzeit von zwei Jahren und einem Coupon von 0 Prozent.
Emittenten und Investoren stehen sich auf der Kapitalmarktplattform direkt gegenüber und wickeln die Emission von der Erfassung der Transaktionsdaten, über das Bookbuilding bis hin zum Settlement und Veranlassung der Kotierung der Anleihe online über die Plattform ab. Die Preisbildung und die Allokation sind für die Parteien transparent und nachvollziehbar und werden nicht von einem Intermediär gesteuert. Marktteilnehmer werden durch ausgewiesene Finanzmarktexperten der Valyo AG unterstützt.
Daniel Schwab, CEO der Valyo AG, freut sich über die erste Transaktion:
«Mit dieser Transaktion setzen wir einen Meilenstein in der Geschichte des Anleihensmarktes. Ich bin beeindruckt, wie es dem Team gelungen ist, die komplexen Prozesse bei Emissionen zu digitalisieren. Wir sind optimal aufgestellt, um die Plattform fortlaufend für weitere Produkte und Lösungen zu erweitern. Mit Valyo vereinfachen wir den Anleihenmarkt und machen ihn effizienter und transparenter.»
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/online-obligationen-platform-fuhrt-erfolgreich-erste-emission-durch</link><guid>1414</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Online Obligationen Platform führt erfolgreich erste Emission durch</dc:text></item><item><title>Mt.Pelerin Runs Its First Shareholders Meeting on the Blockchain</title><description><![CDATA[In October 2018, Mt Pelerin Group SA  incorporated its shares on the blockchain through the MPS, a freely transferable ERC20 token providing direct ownership of shares within the meaning of Swiss law. With that innovation, Mt Pelerin paved the way to asset tokenization with a simple and easily replicable model.
On Friday, June 26th 2020, Mt Pelerin held its first shareholders&#8217; meeting for its 2019 fiscal year. More than 630 shareholders scattered around the world were able to participate in the meeting, with their MPS tokens giving them access to the event and guaranteeing the correct number of votes on the blockchain.
They were able to follow the presentation of the board of directors given in video streaming, and voted the items of the meeting’s agenda in a fully secure way. The whole event took place on their smartphone through Bridge Wallet, the digital wallet app recently released by Mt Pelerin.
The mobile app was specifically designed by Mt Pelerin to provide a simple way for anyone to interact with digital securities issued on Bridge, its open source platform to issue and manage tokenized assets. Today, Bridge Wallet lets users buy, sell and manage security tokens, as well as acquire cryptocurrencies through bank transfer at a competitive rate.
With Bridge Wallet and the real-life demonstration that was its first shareholders meeting, Mt Pelerin complements its offering of tools to manage securities on the blockchain. With them, any company can create compliant tokenized shares or bonds and distribute them easily at a minimal cost. They manage the corporate actions of these assets (compliance, transfers, shareholders meetings, dividend payouts, etc.) through the management dashboard provided by Mt Pelerin, and investors can manage their investments through Bridge Wallet.
With these tools, Mt Pelerin brings a comprehensive alternative for the issuance, distribution, and management of securities at radically lower costs. If stock exchanges are the market for large corporations, the blockchain might very well become the market for all other companies.
Mt Pelerin’s development continues
During its shareholders meeting, Mt Pelerin also unveiled its plans for 2020 and beyond. The key point was its ambition to obtain the new fintech licence from FINMA, the Swiss financial authority, as an intermediary step toward a future full banking licence.
The fintech licence allows taking deposits from the public up to CHF 100 million, but forbids credit operations. This limitation, which could be a barrier for others, perfectly falls within Mt Pelerin’s business model for a full reserve financial institution, where deposits would always remain in liquid reserve.
With lighter requirements compared to a full banking licence, a fintech licence could enable Mt Pelerin to start offering its revolutionary banking ecosystem to the public much faster.
Featured image: Mt.Pelerin Team
The post Mt.Pelerin Runs Its First Shareholders Meeting on the Blockchain appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mtpelerin-runs-its-first-shareholders-meeting-on-the-blockchain</link><guid>1412</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Mt.Pelerin Runs Its First Shareholders Meeting on the Blockchain</dc:text></item><item><title>F10 Fintech Accelerator Graduate Oper Raises €500k in Funding</title><description><![CDATA[Fintech start-up Oper raises €500,000 in their pre-seed funding round. In addition to Barclays and early-stage funding group Pitchdrive, three angel investors also participated in the round. The capital raised serves to further scale the digital revolution of Europe’s home loan market.
Oper was among the 9 fintech startups to graduate from the F10 FinTech Incubator &amp; Accelerator in Zurich that helps startups in connecting with the other Swiss entrepreneurs, experts, mentors and investors for the early stage venture and late stage venture investing.
Oper offers lenders and credit brokers an out-of-the-box technology solution to provide consumers with digital home loans. The current COVID-19 crisis has reinforced the need for digital banking processes as consumers expect quick turnarounds and transparency in decision-making processes, all from the comfort of their own homes.
Banks have been looking for ways to accelerate digital capabilities and are increasingly adopting cloud-based SaaS solutions to meet changing consumer needs.
Expanded growth in Europe:
Since its inception in 2018, Oper has already digitized the mortgage processes of lenders in three European countries. Oper has also been nominated by tier 1 banks to participate in top fintech accelerators including Plug and Play as well as Barclays Techstars.
Early product testing has proved that well-thought-out digitization not only lowers transaction costs but also leads to increased sales. Implementation of Oper’s digital solution allowed an Austrian bank to reduce their credit decision processing time from days to minutes.
The investment will be used to build the team, further product development, and expand throughout Europe. In addition to capital, the investors also offer access to their extensive networks in the financial services sector and experience in scaling technology start-ups
 
Featured Image: from left &#8211; Geert Van Kerckhoven, CEO , Wouter Lachat, CPO and Nick Van Berckelaer, CTO of Oper
The post F10 Fintech Accelerator Graduate Oper Raises €500k in Funding appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/f10-fintech-accelerator-graduate-oper-raises-500k-in-funding</link><guid>1411</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>F10 Fintech Accelerator Graduate Oper Raises €500k in Funding</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss InCore Bank Integrates with Global Crypto Exchange Kraken</title><description><![CDATA[InCore Bank is now the first financial institution in Switzerland to offer banking services to Kraken clients.
Kraken is among the largest cryptocurrency exchange in Europe according to its euro-based volume. With this integration, Kraken is offering clients another simple and secure method to fund their account in four major currencies CAD, CHF, EUR and GBP.
Beginning today, clients located in Europe can fund their accounts in euro via SEPA deposits. Later in Q3, InCore Bank and Kraken will enable CHF, GBP and CAD deposits as well. Support for these major currencies will ensure that traders and investors can start trading against Kraken’s 30+ listed crypto assets with simplicity and ease.
Additionally, the timing for the integration is ideal given growing interest from individual traders and institutions around the world as they seek new sources of value in this uncertain macroeconomic climate. Since the financial market sell-off earlier this year, Bitcoin has outperformed leading market indices in Europe such as the continent-wide Stoxx 6000. Additionally, there are a number of exciting developments regarding other assets, such as Ethereum, that investors are seeking to include in their portfolios.
Mark Dambacher
&#8220;Private and institutional clients who want to diversify their portfolio in an intelligent and innovative way with Kraken can transfer fiat assets via InCore Bank to the crypto exchange,&#8221;
according to Mark Dambacher, CEO of InCore Bank.
 
&#8220;As digital assets, cryptocurrencies are a valuable addition to modern asset management and will be indispensable as a payment and investment value in the future. Therefore we are delighted to offer this service to Kraken clients.&#8221;
Maximilian Marenbach
&#8220;We are pleased to work with InCore Bank to further strengthen the links between the crypto industry and traditional financial institutions,&#8221;
said Maximilian Marenbach, Head of Banking and Payments, EMEA, Kraken.
&#8220;They deeply understand the potential of digital assets, making them an ideal funding partner for our clients. We are constantly working to offer our clients additional options for funding their accounts.&#8221;
he added.
The post Swiss InCore Bank Integrates with Global Crypto Exchange Kraken appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-incore-bank-integrates-with-global-crypto-exchange-kraken</link><guid>1409</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss InCore Bank Integrates with Global Crypto Exchange Kraken</dc:text></item><item><title>Ecosystem Influencer Interview: 7 Questions to Michael Lewrick</title><description><![CDATA[In May 2020, Fintechnews.ch launched the Fintech Influencer Switzerland Interview series, which presents at least once a week a short interview we have conducted with a well-known, longtime Swiss Fintech Influencer to get his or her views on some of the industry’s most urging issues and hottest trends.
In one of our last interviews we speak with Michael Lewrick book author of “The Design Thinking Playbook” and “Live from Crypto Valley“. He will speak also about his newest book related to “Business Ecosystem Design”.
Hi Michael, what has changed for you personally during this pandemic?
I&#8217;d say everything! From the established routines to the way meetings and workshops are run. In my daily work, space and interaction with others is an important element. Especially if you are working fast and iterative it is an advantage to have the teams close and physically together. Currently these interactions have shifted to the virtual space. Experience shows that many discussions and co-creation elements can be carried out well in virtual meetings, even if more preparation and planning is needed. Radical collaboration, which happens ad hoc and uses the momentum, is currently less common or usually only possible with well-rehearsed teams. It is important to adapt to the new situation as a team and to see the whole situation as an opportunity to accelerate or prioritize existing activities.
Do you think COVID-19 is the digital accelerator that the industry has been missing so far?
Covid-19 is definitely an accelerator for the digital transformation. Customer behavior and customer needs have changed massively. Currently, structures are adapting to this new situation. There will be no turning back in many areas, as the new normality will shape the coming years. But that does not mean that we will only have digital interactions in the future. The desire for personal and trustworthy contacts remains.
We will increasingly see hybrid models that provide the Optichannel for interaction to the customer. In addition, topics such as pension provision, security and (financial and mental) well-being are currently coming to the fore, whereby customers do not necessarily want to buy products, but rather a solid and convincing value proposition. The new needs can usually not be served by one market participant and in the future there will be new business ecosystems that link products, innovation and data, which together open up a unique value proposition for the customer.
What is your current focus?
My current focus is on the design of such business ecosystems. I see a growing interest of market players to become active in this field, especially banks and insurance companies are at the forefront. Either with own initiatives or with the motivation to get involved in a particular business ecosystem. I am currently working on a new book that shows and explains how business ecosystems can be designed. The mindset to design a business ecosystem needs a new way of thinking, which allows companies to open up to the outside world, to create transparency about capabilities and values, and finally to take on new market roles in new or existing ecosystems.
What kind of paradigm shift might be required in designing business ecosystems?
The two biggest paradigm shifts lie in the way money is earned, i.e. in the business model, and how exponential growth can be realized. I observe that decision-makers are currently still clinging too strongly to the known business models instead of allowing major changes in how to do business in the future. Companies that are already further in the digital transformation have already internalized many of these new ways of thinking and working, such as being customer-led or working iteratively on solutions. But business ecosystem design needs more, it has to allow symbiosis, coevolution and co-creation between the actors involved in such a system. It also needs new profiles in terms of business ecosystem leadership and a shift from &#8220;command and control&#8221; to &#8220;initiate &amp; orchestrate&#8221;.
What are the most relevant enabler technologies to create or participate in business ecosystems?
The respective technology components and capabilities must either be built-up or provided by other actors in a business ecosystem. Without APIs and data analytics, it will be difficult to connect and innovate data-driven in the future. Many business ecosystems generate valuable data that helps to understand customers better and expand the value proposition accordingly. In some cases, it makes sense to implement new ecosystem initiatives as a &#8220;greenfield approach&#8221; using the latest technology.
Legacy systems and rigid structures often make it difficult to successfully manage an ecosystem play from the core. Robotics and automation is often used for simple functions in such systems, more complex processes require artificial intelligence, machine and deep learning approaches. In the next decade, more game-changing technologies will help to accelerate this process faster than ever before. Blockchain will remain relevant for the appropriate cases, especially in the realization of decentralized systems.
What is your advice to Fintechs and traditional players?
Always start your business ecosystem considerations from the customer. Start with the design of the business ecosystem on the basis of a unique value proposition, which has been created with Design Thinking and found validation in a first Minimum Viable Product (MVP) or offering . Technical feasibility is of great importance throughout the design cycle, along with desirability and viability, but always start with desirability. It also requires openness and collaboration from the beginning. The era of centralized marketplaces is currently being increasingly replaced by ecosystem approaches.
Do you have example of well-designed ecosystems in the financial industry?
Most of the successful ecosystem initiatives are in Asia. The market is in many areas more advanced than in Europe. The best known examples in the area of payment are Alipay and WeChat Pay. They have established dominant roles through their ecosystems. Today, almost 90% of the transactions of these two cashless pay options are made by Alipay and WeChat Pay in China. In Europe, we see N26 with initiatives that allow exponential growth.
In the insurance sector, for example, we see initiatives by Helvetia Insurance Group in co-evolution with Moneypark to tackle everything related to &#8220;home&#8221;. Many financial service providers are currently seeking for ecosystems plays related to themes like &#8220;Home&#8221;, &#8220;Well-being&#8221; and &#8220;Mobility&#8221;. Some focus on enterprise customers and SMEs as well as a target segment in Switzerland.
Swiss Fintech Influencer Michael Lewrick:
Michael Lewric
Michael Lewrick is a passionate author and speaker on innovation, digital transformation and business ecosystems. He is the lead author of the international bestseller “The Design Thinking Playbook“. In his book “Live from Crypto Valley” he established the concept of the “Minimum Viable Ecosystem” (MVE) in the fast and agile realization of blockchain and crypto projects. His latest book “Business Ecosystem Design” will be published in German at the end of 2020. The English version will arrive at booksellers in spring 2021. Michael lives in Zurich and lectures data driven innovations, design thinking and business ecosystem design at various universities. He also leads the Innovation Labs of a Big 4 from the swiss office in Zurich.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ecosystem-influencer-interview-7-questions-to-michael-lewrick</link><guid>1410</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Ecosystem Influencer Interview: 7 Questions to Michael Lewrick</dc:text></item><item><title>COVID-19 Brings Both Opportunities and Challenges for Fintechs: BCG Paper</title><description><![CDATA[The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant changes in the ways consumers and businesses carry out their financial transactions, and though some cash-strapped fintechs might struggle in the short term, new opportunities will arise for those that manage to adapt their business models, according to a paper by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG).
In a white paper released in May titled Adapt, Interact, Collaborate: What the COVID-19 Crisis Means for Fintech, BCG examines the impact that COVID-19 has had on the fintech industry and shares how it believes the present crisis will likely to play out for different fintech verticals.
According to the paper, although COVID-19 has undeniably had an impact on all fintech players, those that have been around longer, with an established product market and higher cash reserves, are better positioned than those that are still in the exploration phase.
In the near term, fintechs that focus on international businesses and payments, alternative unsecured financing, and subscription-driven businesses, as well as those sensitive to the increased risk levels in financial activity, will be the most severely impacted.
On the other end of the spectrum, fintech players that primarily focus on business-to-business (B2B) models will be less exposed to an immediate downturn, the paper says.
Expected near term impact on fintech sub-clusters, May 2020, Source: Adapt, Interact, Collaborate: What the COVID-19 Crisis Means for Fintech, May 2020, Boston Consulting Group
Breaking down the different verticals, the report says that payment fintechs and point-of-sale (POS) providers will continue to face challenges from the reduction in consumer and business activity in the short term. Similarly, fintechs that specializes in trade finance will continue to see a steep decline in business due to supply chain challenges and fewer cross-border transactions. In the long term, however, payment service providers (PSPs) like Stripe and Adyen will have an important role to play in the post-COVID-19 world.
Fintech lenders will too face significant challenges in the short term, driven by heightened risk, the likely downturn in both private and institutional investor funding, and limited access to government programs.
Accounts and savings players, including neobanks, will struggle as consumers spend less and turn to traditional institutions which they view as more trustworthy. Neobanks will need to become ingenious and come up with new products and services in order to gain traction from their existing clients.
Trading and investment fintech providers have enjoyed the subsequent market volatility but in the long term will need to further develop their offering to meet rapidly changing expectations. Hybrid models that combine advanced digital offering with human support might emerge as the preferred choice, the paper says.
In the insurance sector, COVID-19 has showcased the need for greater digitalization of processes. A number of insurtech stand to benefit this trend. Similarly, fintech enablers and technology and support players will have a key role to play in the long term as the economy gradually pivots towards greater digitalization.
Industry shake-up
COVID-19 has put the brakes on fintech funding, with total deals and dollars to fintech companies down sharply since the end of 2019, according to CB Insights.
Numerous experts and industry observers expect a trend towards consolidation within the sector with CB Insights foreseeing a “fintech M&amp;A” spree in the second half of 2020.
According to BCG, this would provide established fintechs as well as incumbents with the opportunity to explore growth by accessing to new products and client segments, powering up their tech infrastructure, or strengthening their market position.
In the banking industry, COVID-19 will have a long-term effect on customer expectations and demand with findings from a survey conducted in April by BCG suggesting that the pandemic will most likely accelerate digital transformation in retail banking.
According to the survey, 24% of customers are planning to either use branches less or stop visiting branches altogether after the crisis. Millennial and Gen-Z consumers in particular have warmed up to digital channels during the crisis, with 44% of participants aged 18 to 34 enrolling in online or mobile banking for the first time, the research found.
 
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/covid-19-brings-both-opportunities-and-challenges-for-fintechs-bcg-paper</link><guid>1408</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Expected-near-term-impact-on-fintech-sub-clusters-May-2020-Source-Adapt-Interact-Collaborate-What-the-COVID-19-Crisis-Means-for-Fintech-May-2020-Boston-Consulting-Group.png</dc:content ><dc:text>COVID-19 Brings Both Opportunities and Challenges for Fintechs: BCG Paper</dc:text></item><item><title>Leonteq Forms Strategic Collaboration With Google Cloud</title><description><![CDATA[Leonteq AG  today announced a new collaboration with Google Cloud to support its platform scalability by extending its infrastructure to the cloud. Furthermore, Leonteq will adopt Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) which aims to deliver scalable and highly reliable software systems.
As part of its ongoing business transformation, Leonteq has entered into a collaboration with Google Cloud to augment its distributed (grid) computation capacities using infrastructure from Google Cloud.
Google Cloud offers Leonteq additional flexibility and performance at scale for its core grid computation processes, creating benefits throughout all business functions.
This initiative is part of the key strategic initiatives announced in mid-2018 to transform its business model with a focus on delivering enhanced scalability and further growth, achieving optimized capital usage, and completely renewing the investment experience for clients and partners based on a fully digitalised approach.
By leveraging Google Cloud infrastructure, Leonteq is able to increase its computation power by elasticising its grid capacity from two on-site data centres into the cloud, and thus meet the higher computation demand that accompanies business growth and increased demand for the pricing and trading of structured investment products from its clients and white-labelling partners.
This will particularly benefit the expansion of new modules and features on Leonteq’s digital marketplace (LynQs), the newly designed AMC gateway client portal as well as Leonteq’s Smart Hedging Issuance Platform (SHIP) as the latter moves to become fully operational by mid-2020. Leonteq’s issuance partners will additionally experience enhanced business continuity management, faster platform rollouts, and improved regulatory and risk management.
As Leonteq moves to expand its core processes into the cloud, it will also work closely with Google Cloud to implement Site Reliability Engineering (SRE), a practice that treats infrastructure and operational aspects as if they were software issues. With Google Cloud’s guidance, Leonteq will further improve its platform performance to ensure highest quality service. As a leading marketplace for structured investment solutions, Leonteq has made extensive investments in its digital marketplace LynQs and its structured products offering platform, and views implementing SRE practices as a natural step in remaining at the forefront of technological developments.
Lukas Ruflin
Lukas Ruflin, Chief Executive Officer at Leonteq stated:
“As we continue transforming our business model towards a higher degree of scalability by innovating our technology platform, it is of high importance that we work with a company also pushing the boundaries of what is and what is not possible. We are excited to be working closely with Google Cloud to bring our core computations to the cloud as well as to adopt the SRE method within our product organisation.”



Christian Sciullo
Christian Sciullo, Country Director Google Cloud Switzerland &amp; Austria, added:
“We are pleased to welcome Leonteq aboard Google Cloud and to partner with one of Switzerland’s most innovative players in the financial services industry to enhance their distributed computation capacities through our Google Cloud infrastructure. We look forward to contributing to the success of Leonteq’s innovative offering for structured products by providing flexibility and performance at scale through our cloud technology that will benefit their business functions altogether.”
 
Featured image credit: Freepik
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/leonteq-forms-strategic-collaboration-with-google-cloud</link><guid>1407</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Leonteq Forms Strategic Collaboration With Google Cloud</dc:text></item><item><title>Bitcoin Suisse Prepares for Growth with New Appointments of Seasoned Veterans</title><description><![CDATA[Bitcoin Suisse, a Swiss crypto financial firm, today announced further steps in its growth trajectory towards becoming the leading, publicly listed crypto and digital assets firm with the election of Roger Studer, former Head of Investment Banking at Vontobel, to the Board of Directors of Bitcoin Suisse.
The seasoned veteran of the Swiss finance industry brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new position. His expertise will be invaluable to the development of Bitcoin Suisse as it aims to become Europe’s leading, licensed financial institution for crypto and digital assets.
Studer is joined on the board of Bitcoin Suisse AG and Bitcoin Suisse Holding AG by Giles Keating, previously Global Chief Economist for Investment Banking and Private Banking at Credit Suisse, as announced earlier this year. Together Studer and Keating represent more than 65 years of experience in international financial services.
Roger Studer
On joining the Board of Directors, Roger Studer said:
“I am deeply impressed by the track record of Bitcoin Suisse in terms of innovation and building a high growth business. I am thrilled to join the board and I look forward to developing Bitcoin Suisse into the leading publicly listed company in the digital asset industry.”
In addition to an expanded Board of Directors, Bitcoin Suisse is also preparing for its next growth phase with the promotion of Philipp Vonmoos to the position of Head Corporate Development &amp; Strategy. As a member of the management team, he will oversee M&amp;A, strategy as well as partnerships. Vonmoos will help coordinate preparations for a public listing, including a Security Token Offering (STO) and an Initial Public Offering (IPO), working closely in coordination with Bitcoin Suisse CEO Dr. Arthur Vayloyan and CFO Rolf Gätzi. The new CEO of the Swiss Crypto Vault AG and Head Custody at Bitcoin Suisse has been selected and will be announced soon.
Vonmoos brings unique experience to his new role – before joining Bitcoin Suisse in December 2017, he was in charge of the M&amp;A activities of Falcon Private Bank, where he was also responsible for the bank’s business development activities in the fintech and crypto space. Prior to that, he spent several years in the Investment Banking Department of UBS, where he worked on M&amp;A, IPOs and other capital markets transactions.
Dr. Arthur Vayloyan
CEO Dr. Arthur Vayloyan commented on the changes:
“We will only achieve our ambitious goals, if we build a team of outstanding experts and leaders, driven by the desire to take crypto finance to the next level. With Roger on the board and Philipp in the management team, we now have an even stronger team to deliver on our promise. It will require resilience and dedication, but the foundations on which we can build are strong and our momentum continues to increase.”
With a strong financial track record and an experienced leadership team, Bitcoin Suisse is well-prepared to move from its current market-leading position into its next growth phase. The company can build on a strong capital base of 54 million CHF in retained earnings, which is now being augmented by the company’s first funding round since its founding in 2013. The ongoing Series A funding round is expected to close in the next weeks. The funds raised will be used to accelerate international expansion and to further grow the range of products and solutions upon receiving a Swiss banking license, as well as a banking license in Liechtenstein.
The election of Giles Keating to the Board of Directors of Bitcoin Suisse Holding AG follows his appointment to the board of Bitcoin Suisse AG in May of this year.
Featured Image: from left &#8211; Dr. Arthur Vayloyan, Roger Studer and Niklas Nikolajsen
The post Bitcoin Suisse Prepares for Growth with New Appointments of Seasoned Veterans appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bitcoin-suisse-prepares-for-growth-with-new-appointments-of-seasoned-veterans</link><guid>1405</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Bitcoin Suisse Prepares for Growth with New Appointments of Seasoned Veterans</dc:text></item><item><title>Swisscard erweitert mit Google Pay das Angebot für mobiles Zahlen</title><description><![CDATA[In der aktuellen Situation der COVID-19-Krise gewinnt mobiles Zahlen zusätzlich an Bedeutung. Ab Mitte August 2020 können die Kundinnen und Kunden von Swisscard mit Mastercard und Visa Karten neu auch mit Google Pay bezahlen – einfach, schnell und sicher. Swisscard erweitert damit das Angebot an international nutzbaren und wichtigen mobilen Bezahllösungen.
Das mobile Zahlen gewinnt laufend an Attraktivität: In den letzten zwölf Monaten hat sich der Anteil der mit mobilen Geräten ausgeführten Kartenzahlungen in der Schweiz fast verdreifacht. Die Nutzerinnen und Nutzer von Mobile Payment schätzen die Einfachheit, Schnelligkeit und Sicherheit des Zahlens mit einem Smartphone oder einer Smartwatch – in Geschäften, auf Websites oder in Apps. Als führendes Kreditkartenunternehmen bietet Swisscard innovative Lösungen für ihre Karteninhaber.
Enrico Salvadori
«Mit Google Pay können wir unser Angebot für mobiles Zahlen erweitern»,
betont Enrico Salvadori, Head of Consumer Business bei Swisscard.
«Für unsere Kartenprodukte bieten wir international nutzbare Mobile-Payment-Lösungen, die sicher und komfortabel sind und das Zahlen vereinfachen.»
Damit Karteninhaber mit Google Pay bezahlen können, benötigen sie ein «smartes» Gerät mit dem Betriebssystem Android (ab Version 5.0), das Near Field Communication (NFC) unterstützt.
Zahlen ohne Eingabe einer PIN am Terminal
Das digitale Zahlen hat in der Coronavirus-Krise weiter an Relevanz gewonnen: Wer seine Kreditkarten in Verbindung mit einem Smartphone oder einer Smartwatch nutzt, kann den physischen Kontakt mit dem Zahlterminal vollständig vermeiden. Denn bei Mobile-Payment-Lösungen wie Google Pay werden Kartentransaktionen auf dem eigenen Gerät freigegeben. Eine PIN-Eingabe am Terminal ist nicht mehr.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swisscard-erweitert-mit-google-pay-das-angebot-fur-mobiles-zahlen</link><guid>1406</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swisscard erweitert mit Google Pay das Angebot für mobiles Zahlen</dc:text></item><item><title>3 Barriers European Fintechs Face Around Working with Refugee Populations</title><description><![CDATA[Refugees in Europe are struggling to access basic financial services, and though this would have typically represented an opportunity for fintechs, companies in the space are facing major barriers that are hampering their ability to adequately serve these underbanked populations, according to a new research by Village Capital, a venture capital (VC) firm focusing on the sectors of financial inclusion, agriculture, education, energy and health.
In a report titled Breaking Down Barriers: Fintech Solutions for Refugees, the VC shares insights collected from dozens of entrepreneurs and startup ecosystem leaders on the main challenges they face when developing offerings and delivering financial services to refugees.
According to the study, European fintechs currently face three major obstacles. They cited the first challenge as being the difficulty in forming partnerships with institutions such as refugee outreach organizations, government agencies, services providers, and funders, to develop their products, ensure regulatory compliance and reach the refugee populations. The startups said they often struggle in connecting with the right people and lack the expertise to speak the “professional language” of potential partners, the report notes.
Another obstacle fintechs face is navigating regulations related to anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT), as well as know-your-customer (KYC) requirements. Obtaining proper licenses can also be challenging, especially when operating across multiple jurisdictions, the research found.
Finally, access to capital was found to be fintech entrepreneurs’ third biggest challenge when looking to serve refugee populations. Startups said they have trouble raising funding from angel investors, family offices, VCs or institutional donors, stating that investors often perceive refugee-focused ventures as high-risk and low-return investments.
Fintech to improve financial inclusion for refugees
As of the end of 2019, an unprecedented 79.5 million people were displaced, according to the UN Refugee Agency.
Of the 79.5 million, 45.7 million were people who had fled to other areas of their own countries. The rest were people displaced elsewhere, 4.2 million of them being people awaiting the outcome of asylum requests, while 29.6 million were refugees and others forcibly displaced outside their country.
For refugees, financial inclusion is an important element when it comes to their well-being and dignity, as it allows them to build strong social, economic and cultural ties with their host communities and rebuild their lives.
Yet, a large segment of these populations still lack access to proper banking and financial services, remaining largely overlooked by financial services providers.
In this context, fintechs are well positioned to help fill the void, the Village Capital report says. It highlights three key segments which it believe have the most relevance for this community:

Digital identity, because many refugees live without the basic identification needed for access to fundamental services, including financial services;
Digital banking, because such services can be tailored to this population’s specific needs and conditions such as the difficulty in producing the requisite identity documents; and
Alternative lending, because very few traditional banks actually offer credit or loan facilities to refugees. Such tools can help refugees get over the hurdles around KYC requirements and lack of credit history or collateral.

The report names three examples of startups operating in these fields: Gravity, a Kenyan venture providing digital identity services; Arcadia, an Estonian startup providing business-to-business-to-customer (B2B2C) financial services for NGOs and aid organizations; and Wajenzi, a Dutch crowd-investing platform that allows refugee and migrant entrepreneurs to submit investment opportunities to sell shares of their companies and access funding.
Featured image credit: Pixabay
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/3-barriers-european-fintechs-face-around-working-with-refugee-populations</link><guid>1404</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>3 Barriers European Fintechs Face Around Working with Refugee Populations</dc:text></item><item><title>7 Questions to Sandra Tobler about Covid and Cybersecurity</title><description><![CDATA[In May 2020, Fintechnews.ch launched the Fintech Influencer Switzerland Interview series, which presents at least once a week a short interview we have conducted with a well-known, longtime Swiss Fintech Influencer to get his or her views on some of the industry’s most urging issues and hottest trends.
Today we speak with Sandra Tobler, Sandra is CEO of Futurae and was nominated by Miki Vayloyan.
Hi Sandra, what has changed for you personally during this pandemic?
These are very special times for many of us on a personal level asking to cope with family, work, and uncertainty at the same time. Luckily, everyone around me is safe and healthy. Not super much changed for me in the business context except that I had more quality time for strategic thinking and in-depth discussions with peers and customers since many physical meetings and travels were translated to the virtual space. My company Futurae is used to working in a remote set up and our customers got more and more used to it too.
Do you think COVID-19 is the digital accelerator that the industry has been missing so far?
The skeptical decision-makers who saw in digitalization only a marketing gag finally understood that customers expect that they have access to services around the clock, from where they want (which translated to the sofa in-between Netflix shows), especially in the times of a pandemic. Consumers were forced to change service providers if their previous ones did not manage to offer services in time and when organizations that just paid lip service instead of acting.
The global pandemic crisis around Covid-19 definitely propelled much-debated concepts like Open Finance as decision-makers grasped the power of those approaches. Even the C-level suite understood how partnering with highly innovative Fintech companies is an asset to bring onboard state-of-the-art technology in a fast way.
We were also able to sign many new customers during the lockdown and went live with others. The record-holder is Frankfurter Bankgesellschaft that went live with an entire IAM and authentication solution within 6 weeks.
What is your current focus?
Let’s start with a simple message: where there is money, there is fraud. With my team at Futurae I am constantly working on optimizing security and usability for customer-facing applications like portals web or mobile banking. We always have to be faster than the fraudsters. At Futurae we currently see high demand for our PSD2 compliant strong customer authentication and transaction platform for retail and private banks and merchants across Europe.
Since the pandemic started, we were also able to serve new use cases (especially securing employee access within companies to applications like Office365, Citrix or VPNs) or services in the public space. Futurae security engineers constantly enhance the adaptive solutions that allow companies to authenticate users in all possible scenarios. Additionally, trends like Fido2 respectively Webauthn compliance and payment protection from so-called ‘Social Engineering Attacks’ are definitely more and more up-and-coming and in demand in the second half of 2020.
What are the hottest Cybersecurity Fintech Trends?
In the area of strong customer authentication, the most exciting area is adaptive authentication where risk-based engines can serve down-to-the-user tailor-made use cases. The beauty of novel ML-based approaches is that the user does not feel anything about the security and the secure authentication and transaction signing works in all possible circumstances. This is not only relevant for today’s use cases like online and mobile banking and wallets, but also where banking and financial services are done in the future: think smart homes, connected cars, and wearables.
Which country is ahead in terms of cybersecurity?
I do not see major differences from country to country. There are industries that have been exposed for a longer time to online fraud and historically have a better understanding of Cybersecurity. Financial services organizations understood how to partner with the best-of-breed Cybersecurity companies earlier, compared to other industries. A lot of organizations in other industries (to mention health, public, and higher education) still did not fully grasp that it is not in their interest to build Cybersecurity infrastructure in-house.
Banks understood where their core expertise is and where they better join forces with the local, accessible, highly trained, Cybersecurity ecosystem. Furthermore, in Europe financial organizations are a lot more careful designing IT architecture in a privacy-conserving manner. In the US I do not experience the same diligence. The (not so) popular GDPR regulation, which among other things forces organizations to report data breaches to consumers definitely brought more transparency in the continent about who is doing a diligent job with consumer data and who is not.
How does Switzerland stand in authentication and cybersecurity?
Swiss organizations in financial services always took a comparatively conservative stance: this is not necessarily bad. Switzerland critically analyzed upcoming technology trends in Cybersecurity, such as new digital identities and secure authentication, compared to for instance the Nordics that were a lot more aggressive with their rollouts across entire populations.
Fast-changing Cybersecurity threats, however, require organizations to be able to react quickly to exposures. If a bank builds a Cybersecurity product in-house, this is tremendously slowing the response time down and adds unnecessary risks, especially when Cybersecurity is not the core competency of an organization. The product might be old by the time it is in production and there is a huge risk in the case of turnover of key personnel that designed its security features in the first place. Financial services understand more and more that it is a big asset to work with local Cybersecurity startups that are agile and very knowledgeable in a specific field.
Typically, it would be tough to hire such talent from some of the best technical Universities like ETH Zurich. Working with a local Cybersecurity service is mutually beneficial since the financial institution can benefit from the collaboration at an attractive price tag and with an always up-to-date service tackling changing Cybersecurity threats. Find the Swiss Cybersecurity Startup Map initiative I co-initiated. We built an inventory for companies to find highly innovative home-grown Cybersecurity companies in Switzerland to partner with.
Of course, a certain degree of flexibility from the Incumbents is needed especially in an early phase: working with a Cybersecurity startup requires taking some risk, which is almost always guaranteed to pay off in the long run since ETH data shows that the large majority of local Cybersecurity startups is still around and thriving after more than 5 years.
Which Swiss Fintech Startup should we have on our radar?
What I love about the Swiss Fintech ecosystem is that many founders come from the industry and address problems they faced during their careers. This is a huge chance for local players in the financial services sector to have such knowhow you can engage to work with, in areas of wealthtech, cybersecurity or regtech. Other Fintech ecosystems brought up more radical technologies that tried to just compete with incumbent players.
At times these more radical approaches did not fully grasp the full extent of the inner technical or business complexities. For me, personally, the most interesting FinTech’s are not the ones most perceived but the ones working on innovating the complex backends where you can add more radical innovation over time without relying on legacy technology.
*Swiss Fintech Influencer Sandra Tobler:
Sandra Tobler
Sandra is a Co-founder and CEO of Futurae. She worked many years for IBM in international IT projects in financial services and other industries. Before joining Futurae, Sandra worked in San Francisco, responsible for the official economic representation (EDA) working with high-tech companies after some time at S-GE where she was responsible for the ICT industry and initiated the first Fintech trade missions and awareness initiatives back in the early 2010s.
Sandra is a passionate Fintech ecosystem builder from the early hour. She is also active in advocacy work between startups and the Swiss regulator and administration where she is creating awareness for better framework conditions for the local tech ecosystem. She is in the board of Startupticker and the Swiss Cybersecurity Startup map, ambassador for Swiss Finance Startups and was in the jury of the Swiss Fintech Awards.
 
 
The post 7 Questions to Sandra Tobler about Covid and Cybersecurity appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/7-questions-to-sandra-tobler-about-covid-and-cybersecurity</link><guid>1401</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Find-all-the-Swiss-Cyber-Security-Start-Ups-in-one-place-1024x576.png</dc:content ><dc:text>7 Questions to Sandra Tobler about Covid and Cybersecurity</dc:text></item><item><title>The Swiss Cybersecurity Startup Map Showcases Switzerland’s Leading Players</title><description><![CDATA[The continued growth of Swiss Cybersecurity startups is generating a hotbed of innovation in Switzerland. The Swiss Cybersecurity Start-Up Map 2020 showcases them all in one view and has the mission to give Swiss Cybersecurity Startups the visibility they deserve.
All the startups present on the current Swiss Cyber Security Startup Map were established in the last 10 years, are based in Switzerland and focus on technology innovation in the domain of Cyber Security.
Find all the Swiss Cyber Security Startups in one place here:

 
The post The Swiss Cybersecurity Startup Map Showcases Switzerland&#8217;s Leading Players appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-swiss-cybersecurity-startup-map-showcases-switzerlands-leading-players</link><guid>1402</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Find-all-the-Swiss-Cyber-Security-Start-Ups-in-one-place.png</dc:content ><dc:text>The Swiss Cybersecurity Startup Map Showcases Switzerland’s Leading Players</dc:text></item><item><title>Arbeiten in der Coronakrise: Homeoffice vor dem Durchbruch?</title><description><![CDATA[Ein Virus verändert die Arbeitswelt: Es ist noch gar nicht lange her, dass das Arbeiten daheim eine Option war, die nur von wenigen Mitarbeitenden genutzt wurde. Seit den Einschränkungen durch die Corona-Pandemie haben viele Unternehmen ihre Arbeitsweisen und Strukturen schnell aufs Homeoffice umgestellt. Eine aktuelle Studie zeigt: Den Arbeitnehmenden gefällts.
Über 70 Prozent arbeiten gern am heimischen Schreibtisch
Wie eine Studie der Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz (FHNW) und der Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften (ZHAW) ergeben hat, gehört das Homeoffice durch die Anti-Pandemie-Massnahmen zu den wenigen Gewinnern der Krise. Mehr als 70 Prozent der Befragten fühlen sich laut Studie im heimischen Büro «wohl oder sogar sehr wohl». Sie hätten nichts dagegen einzuwenden, wenn das Arbeiten daheim auch nach dem Ende der Pandemie weiterhin möglich wäre.
Manko bei der Heimarbeit ist laut Studie der mangelnde Austausch mit den Kollegen, der normalerweise zum Beispiel in der Büroküche an der Kaffeemaschine stattfindet. Nach der Coronakrise könnten Treffen im Büro deshalb als ein besonderes Zusammenkommen empfunden werden, um den Zusammenhalt im Team zu erhalten.
Unabhängiges Arbeiten ist beliebt
Weiterhin zeigt die Studie, dass besonders das autonome Arbeiten in den eigenen vier Wänden positiv bei den Mitarbeitenden ankommt. Allerdings braucht es dafür klare Voraussetzungen. Dazu gehören eine stringente Kommunikation der Vorgesetzten in Bezug auf Aufgaben und Umsetzung sowie eine enge Einbindung ins Team.
Homeoffice im Unternehmen: Online-Kundenkommunikation und Rotationsprinzip
Sofern es ihr Geschäft ermöglicht, haben viele Unternehmen aus den verschiedensten Branchen schnell auf die Coronakrise reagiert und das Arbeiten im Homeoffice ermöglicht. Eines von ihnen ist das Finanzdienstleistungsunternehmen Swiss Life Select. Die Berater der Konzerntochter von Swiss Life sind angewiesen, auf reale Treffen mit ihrer Klientel zu verzichten, um den geltenden Distanz- und Hygienevorschriften zu entsprechen. Auch bei seinen Niederlassungen zeigt sich Swiss Life Select konsequent: Sie bleiben während des Shutdowns bis auf weiteres geschlossen.
Stattdessen weichen die Berater im Homeoffice auf alternative Kommunikationskanäle wie das Telefon oder E-Mail aus oder organisieren Videokonferenzen, um eine möglichst reale Beratungssituation zu möglichen. Ausserdem können die Kunden den Mitarbeitenden von Swiss Life Select auf Linkedin folgen.
Auch Google hat seine 4.000 Mitarbeitenden im März am Standort Zürich ins Homeoffice geschickt. Bei der Bank Vontobel arbeiteten zu dem Zeitpunkt rund 600 Mitarbeiter von zu Hause aus. Dabei wurde eine Art Rotationsprinzip eingeführt: Fünfzig Prozent arbeiten eine Woche im Homeoffice, und in der kommenden Woche bleiben die anderen fünfzig Prozent daheim. Ausserdem wurden bestimmte Tätigkeiten auf mehrere Standorte verteilt.
Gibt es noch einen Weg zurück ins Office?
Beim Pharmariesen Roche wurde das Homeoffice in der Krise ebenfalls zur Option. Allerdings musste es zuvor mit dem Unternehmen abgestimmt werden. Als weitere Vorsichtsmassnahme empfahl Roche seinen Mitarbeitenden, flexible Arbeitszeiten zu nutzen und nicht zur Rush Hour zu reisen, wenn sie doch einmal unterwegs sein müssen.
Bei so viel Homeoffice dürfte der Weg zurück ins Büro vielen schwerfallen. Laut Studie könnten Frustration und Motivationsverlust die Folge sein. Insoweit steigt der Druck auf Unternehmen, nach der Coronakrise mehr Heimarbeit zuzulassen als je zuvor.
 
Bildnachweis: Pixabay, 5190614, VinzentWeinbeer
 
 
 
The post Arbeiten in der Coronakrise: Homeoffice vor dem Durchbruch? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/arbeiten-in-der-coronakrise-homeoffice-vor-dem-durchbruch</link><guid>1403</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Arbeiten in der Coronakrise: Homeoffice vor dem Durchbruch?</dc:text></item><item><title>Keen Innovation Launches Mortgage Calculator for English Speakers in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[Homeownership and the housing market in Switzerland are complex fields to navigate on the best of days, but as an English-speaking foreigner, it becomes even trickier.
Keen Innovation AG, the external innovation lab of Basler Kantonalbank Bank (BKB) and Bank Cler, tuned into this particular challenge and set out to find an optimal solution. The result: Hyppo.ch, the country’s first and only personalized mortgage calculator for English speakers in Switzerland.

Available as a web app that works on every device, Hyppo.ch is free to use and intuitively walks the user through a mortgage calculation while explaining every detail of the cost breakdown.
Ilya Shumilin
“Hyppo answers the most important questions that people ask themselves when it comes to buying property – what can they actually afford, and does it make sense to buy. We’ve taken it one step further by tailoring this innovation to foreign nationals and expats who have to jump extra hurdles in the homeownership process in Switzerland. The fact that this solution meets the needs of this specific target audience makes it both extremely unique and wonderfully helpful,”
says Ilya Shumilin, Open Innovation Manager at Keen Innovation AG.
Unlocking the door to home ownership
To develop this one-of-a-kind mortgage calculator solution, the team at Keen Innovation started with user research which involved speaking to foreign nationals living and working in Switzerland. After assessing their needs, concerns and pain points, the team built a prototype that was tested by users from the target group and beyond. Doing this ensured that Hyppo.ch functions in a way that makes sense for the user and answers the most common questions that come up during the process – as well as questions users didn’t even know they should ask.
Developed over the course of only two months, Hyppo.ch is the ideal starting point for English speakers considering buying a property in Switzerland.
Mortgage calculations made easy
In a matter of minutes, the user can find out what they can actually afford and also uncover hidden costs. They will also find out if it is smarter to continue renting or to buy. With just a few taps and clicks, they boost their financial savvy and can feel confident in taking the next steps. The overview generated after the necessary information added is completely personalized.
No matter where they are, users can use Hyppo.ch to see if they meet the legal requirements for homeownership in Switzerland. Whether they have a particular property in mind or not, they can see what they can afford based on their current income. Alternatively, it can also be used by real estate agents or property owners who are guiding potential buyers or who want specific insight into the profile of their ideal buyer.
 
 
 
 
The post Keen Innovation Launches Mortgage Calculator for English Speakers in Switzerland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/keen-innovation-launches-mortgage-calculator-for-english-speakers-in-switzerland</link><guid>1400</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/desktop-1024x728.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Keen Innovation Launches Mortgage Calculator for English Speakers in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Hypi Lenzburg und neon erweitern ihr Open-Banking-Angebot mit TransferWise</title><description><![CDATA[Fintech-Premiere auf dem Schweizer Finanzplatz: Die Konto-App neon bietet neu Auslandsüberweisungen von TransferWise an und wickelt sie über die offene Bankenplattform Finstar der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg ab. Es ist das erste Mal, dass die Technologie des britischen Fintech-Unternehmens bei einer Schweizer Bank zum Einsatz kommt.
Nutzerinnen und Nutzer des Schweizer neon-Konto-App können für Geldüberweisungen ins Ausland neu das Angebot von TransferWise nutzen. Das haben die beiden Unternehmen mit Sitz in Zürich und London heute bekanntgegeben. Die über 30&#8217;000 Nutzerinnen und Nutzer der günstigsten Konto-Lösung der Schweiz profitieren damit bei ihren Auslandsüberweisungen ab sofort von einem günstigen Wechselkurs und einer transparenten Gebührenstruktur.
Die Überweisungen ins Ausland über TransferWise basieren auf dem Devisenmittelkurs, der auch bei Google oder Reuters zu finden ist. Für die Abwicklung der Fremdwährungstransaktionen setzen neon und TransferWise auf Finstar, die offene Bankenplattform der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg. Die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg verarbeitet bereits alle Transaktionen von neon. Die Bankkonten der neon-Nutzerinnen und neon-Nutzer werden bei der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg geführt.
Um die Transaktionsdaten in der neon-App darzustellen, holt sich neon die Daten ihrer Nutzerinnen und Nutzer über eine offene Schnittstelle von der Finstar-Plattform. Für die TransferWise-Transaktionen wurde Finstar nun mit der offenen TransferWise-Schnittstelle ergänzt. So erhalten die neon-Nutzerinnen und Nutzer auch Zugriff auf die Daten ihrer TransferWise-Überweisungen. Es ist das erste Mal, dass die Technologie des britischen Fintech-Unternehmens TransferWise bei einer Schweizer Bank zum Einsatz kommt.
Marianne Wildi
«Die neue Partnerschaft zeigt, welchen Wandel der Schweizer Bankensektor derzeit durchmacht. Open-Banking-Netzwerke verschaffen den Kunden transparente und günstige Alternativen zum herkömmlichen Bankgeschäft. Dank der neuen Schnittstellentechnologie konnten wir die globale Infrastruktur von TransferWise im Finstar-Ökosystem relativ einfach integrieren. Wir freuen uns, die sich daraus ergebenden Kosteneinsparungen noch mehr Menschen in der Schweiz zugänglich zu machen»,
sagt Marianne Wildi, CEO der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg.
Kristo Käärmann
«Mit neon und der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg etablieren wir in der Schweiz einen neuen globalen Standard für internationale Geldtransfers. Für uns bei TransferWise ist entscheidend, wie viel Geld unsere Kundinnen und Kunden einsparen, wenn sie TransferWise nutzen. Heute sind es bereits eine Milliarde Pfund pro Jahr. Mit der neuen Partnerschaft in der Schweiz werden wir diese Zahl weiter erhöhen»,
sagt Kristo Käärmann, Mitbegründer und CEO von TransferWise.
 
The post Hypi Lenzburg und neon erweitern ihr Open-Banking-Angebot mit TransferWise appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/hypi-lenzburg-und-neon-erweitern-ihr-open-banking-angebot-mit-transferwise</link><guid>1398</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Hypi Lenzburg und neon erweitern ihr Open-Banking-Angebot mit TransferWise</dc:text></item><item><title>Hypi Lenzburg und neon erweitern Open-Banking-Angebot mit TransferWise</title><description><![CDATA[Fintech-Premiere auf dem Schweizer Finanzplatz: Die Konto-App neon bietet neu Auslandsüberweisungen von TransferWise an und wickelt sie über die offene Bankenplattform Finstar der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg ab. Es ist das erste Mal, dass die Technologie des britischen Fintech-Unternehmens bei einer Schweizer Bank zum Einsatz kommt.
Nutzerinnen und Nutzer des Schweizer neon-Konto-App können für Geldüberweisungen ins Ausland neu das Angebot von TransferWise nutzen. Das haben die beiden Unternehmen mit Sitz in Zürich und London heute bekanntgegeben. Die über 30&#8217;000 Nutzerinnen und Nutzer der günstigsten Konto-Lösung der Schweiz profitieren damit bei ihren Auslandsüberweisungen ab sofort von einem günstigen Wechselkurs und einer transparenten Gebührenstruktur.
Die Überweisungen ins Ausland über TransferWise basieren auf dem Devisenmittelkurs, der auch bei Google oder Reuters zu finden ist. Für die Abwicklung der Fremdwährungstransaktionen setzen neon und TransferWise auf Finstar, die offene Bankenplattform der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg. Die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg verarbeitet bereits alle Transaktionen von neon. Die Bankkonten der neon-Nutzerinnen und neon-Nutzer werden bei der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg geführt.
Um die Transaktionsdaten in der neon-App darzustellen, holt sich neon die Daten ihrer Nutzerinnen und Nutzer über eine offene Schnittstelle von der Finstar-Plattform. Für die TransferWise-Transaktionen wurde Finstar nun mit der offenen TransferWise-Schnittstelle ergänzt. So erhalten die neon-Nutzerinnen und Nutzer auch Zugriff auf die Daten ihrer TransferWise-Überweisungen. Es ist das erste Mal, dass die Technologie des britischen Fintech-Unternehmens TransferWise bei einer Schweizer Bank zum Einsatz kommt.
Marianne Wildi
«Die neue Partnerschaft zeigt, welchen Wandel der Schweizer Bankensektor derzeit durchmacht. Open-Banking-Netzwerke verschaffen den Kunden transparente und günstige Alternativen zum herkömmlichen Bankgeschäft. Dank der neuen Schnittstellentechnologie konnten wir die globale Infrastruktur von TransferWise im Finstar-Ökosystem relativ einfach integrieren. Wir freuen uns, die sich daraus ergebenden Kosteneinsparungen noch mehr Menschen in der Schweiz zugänglich zu machen»,
sagt Marianne Wildi, CEO der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg.
Kristo Käärmann
«Mit neon und der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg etablieren wir in der Schweiz einen neuen globalen Standard für internationale Geldtransfers. Für uns bei TransferWise ist entscheidend, wie viel Geld unsere Kundinnen und Kunden einsparen, wenn sie TransferWise nutzen. Heute sind es bereits eine Milliarde Pfund pro Jahr. Mit der neuen Partnerschaft in der Schweiz werden wir diese Zahl weiter erhöhen»,
sagt Kristo Käärmann, Mitbegründer und CEO von TransferWise.
 
The post Hypi Lenzburg und neon erweitern Open-Banking-Angebot mit TransferWise appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/hypi-lenzburg-und-neon-erweitern-open-banking-angebot-mit-transferwise</link><guid>1399</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Hypi Lenzburg und neon erweitern Open-Banking-Angebot mit TransferWise</dc:text></item><item><title>Transferwise Expanding Partnership With N26 for International Moneytransfers</title><description><![CDATA[Since 2016, TransferWise for Banks and N26 have partnered to offer fast, low-cost and transparent international transfers to customers, straight from within the N26 app.
Transferwise now expanded the partnership to allow N26 customers to send to even more countries &#8211; including Brazil, Mexico, Philippines, South Africa, Singapore and more.

Thanks to an API, TransferWise is seamlessly built into the N26 app, so customers can make international transfers right from their smartphone. There’s no separate app to download and customers won&#8217;t be redirected anywhere else to complete the transfer, so sending transfers directly from an N26 account is even easier than doing it through TransferWise.
 
 
The post Transferwise Expanding Partnership With N26 for International Moneytransfers appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/transferwise-expanding-partnership-with-n26-for-international-moneytransfers</link><guid>1396</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/transferwise-n26-partnership-1024x723.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Transferwise Expanding Partnership With N26 for International Moneytransfers</dc:text></item><item><title>Transferwise Expanding Partnership With N26 for International Money Transfers</title><description><![CDATA[Since 2016, TransferWise for Banks and N26 have partnered to offer fast, low-cost and transparent international transfers to customers, straight from within the N26 app.
Transferwise now expanded the partnership to allow N26 customers to send to even more countries &#8211; including Brazil, Mexico, Philippines, South Africa, Singapore and more.

Thanks to an API, TransferWise is seamlessly built into the N26 app, so customers can make international transfers right from their smartphone. There’s no separate app to download and customers won&#8217;t be redirected anywhere else to complete the transfer, so sending transfers directly from an N26 account is even easier than doing it through TransferWise.
 
 
The post Transferwise Expanding Partnership With N26 for International Money Transfers appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/transferwise-expanding-partnership-with-n26-for-international-money-transfers</link><guid>1397</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/transferwise-n26-partnership-1024x723.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Transferwise Expanding Partnership With N26 for International Money Transfers</dc:text></item><item><title>Hong Kong Insurtech Enters Austria</title><description><![CDATA[Hong Kong based insurtech company bolttech announced its expansion to Austria with the launch of its partnership with leading local telecommunications operator, Drei.
The partnership will bring bolttech’s device protection to Drei’s customers around the country, beginning with a mobile phone switch service “Drei Direkttausch”, the first non-insurance switch programme in the country.
bolttech’s Austria entry increases its presence to 12 markets across three continents, with its device protection offering now present in Austria, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
bolttech’s device protection is one of its four key capabilities in addition to its digital brokerage, technology and digital general insurance offerings – delivering fast and easy device protection through repair and delivery services, switch programmes, trade-ins and technical support to protect customers’ electronic devices for an uninterrupted digital lifestyle.
Rob Schimek
Rob Schimek, Group Chief Executive Officer of bolttech, said,
“I’m thrilled that the launch in Austria brings bolttech to 12 markets around the world. Our business is continuing to grow faster than ever with new partnerships forged as well as key product launches. This expansion comes as we look ahead to take our technology-enabled insurance and protection ecosystem into new markets with valued partners and to connect customers around the world with more ways to protect the things they value.”
Rudolf Schrefl
Rudolf Schrefl, Chief Commercial Officer at Drei said,
“We are excited to partner with bolttech to introduce Austria’s first flexible handset swap programme. Another step towards improving our customer experience and delivering easy solutions to meet their essential service requirements. Together we will provide Drei customers with new and innovative ways to protect their smartphones.”
Elsewhere in Europe, bolttech device protection brought its switch programme to WINDTRE customers in Italy in late 2019. bolttech will also launch its brokerage offering in Italy in the coming months, connecting insurance providers with individual and corporate customers to offer digital insurance products quickly and seamlessly.
 
Featured image credit: Unsplash
The post Hong Kong Insurtech Enters Austria appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/hong-kong-insurtech-enters-austria</link><guid>1393</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Hong Kong Insurtech Enters Austria</dc:text></item><item><title>Impact of COVID-19 Varies Across Proptech Verticals, Finds New Swiss Study</title><description><![CDATA[The negative fallout of COVID-19 and the resulting lockdown have spread to Swiss proptech companies, with those in the categories of asset management, construction, services, and, in some cases, marketplaces, being the most affected, according to a new study produced by industry trade group Swiss Proptech in partnership with Credit Suisse. By contrast, proptech companies in software/CRM/data management, finance, and flow-plans/augmented and virtual reality/3D (AR/VR/3R) were less affected, the study found.
Like other industries, proptech companies in Switzerland are not immune to the COVID-19 crisis, and the impact of the pandemic on the sector has been reflected on the measures taken by companies in the space.
Results from a survey conducted as part of the research found that 94% of Swiss proptech companies responded to the pandemic in one way or another. Only a tiny minority were forced to take drastic measures such as implementing redundancies (1%), while 5% resorted to freezing recruitment and 8% introduced short-time working. A similar number also initiated cost-cutting measures (8%).
In addition, several Swiss proptech companies turned to fundraising to help them weather the crisis, with 11% having applied for a federal guaranteed bank loan, 5% raising additional funding, and 10% strengthening communication with investors.
But the most widely resorted to of all measures were the intensification of selling activities (16%), intensified communication with employees (14%), and a greater focus on core clients (13%), the survey found.
Measures taken by Swiss proptech companies as a result of COVID-19 via Swiss Proptech Report 2020, June 2020, Source: Credit Suisse Proptech Survey 2020
With the sales of many proptech services and products slowing down and new projects being delayed, many young, cash-strapped proptech startups will not make it through, the report says, and unsurprisingly, the more matured ones with solid client base are likely to feel the repercussions of the pandemic less directly.
That being said, if there is one thing that the pandemic has made clear is that digitalization will be key for the Swiss real estate industry to remain relevant and stay competitive. Proptech companies are well-placed to benefit from this as incumbents will continue ramping up their digital capabilities, the research says.
Proptech companies that help real estate players work in a location-independent way are already directly benefiting from the lockdown, with fields that have gained traction recently including digital document managers, providers of digital access systems, and providers of digital communication solutions between landlords and tenants, the report says. Another area expected to witness growth is smart building technologies and AR/VR solutions.
Despite the initial shock and contraction inflicted by COVID-19, the surveyed proptech companies view the pandemic much more as an opportunity than as a risk, with not a single of them classifying COVID-19 as a major risk.
Evaluation of opportunities and risks after the coronavirus pandemic via Swiss Proptech Report 2020, June 2020, Source: Credit Suisse Proptech Survey 2020
The Swiss proptech ecosystem
Switzerland is currently home to about 175 proptech companies, with 44% of them located in Zurich, according to the Proptech Switzerland Innovation Index 2020, released earlier this month by Proptech Switzerland.
Geographic distribution of Swiss proptech companies, Source: Proptech Switzerland Innovation Index 2020
Construction, property management and marketplace are the three top verticals, with 54% of all Swiss proptech companies operating in these sectors.
Proptech Switzerland Ecosystem 2020, Source: Proptech Switzerland Innovation Index 2020
Notable deals that took place earlier this year include Locatee’s EUR 3.6 million Series A funding round, and Archilyse’s CHF 4 million Series A funding round.
Locatee is a workplace analytics solution that transforms complex data into space utilization insight, and Archilyse operates a service for holistically analyzing and evaluating urban and architectural situations.
The post Impact of COVID-19 Varies Across Proptech Verticals, Finds New Swiss Study appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/impact-of-covid-19-varies-across-proptech-verticals-finds-new-swiss-study</link><guid>1394</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Measures-taken-by-Swiss-proptech-companies-as-a-result-of-COVID-19-via-Swiss-Proptech-Report-2020-June-2020-Source-Credit-Suisse-Proptech-Survey-2020.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Impact of COVID-19 Varies Across Proptech Verticals, Finds New Swiss Study</dc:text></item><item><title>Deutsche Bank Secures and Compliant Whats App Client Messaging</title><description><![CDATA[In a drive to continuously simplify and improve its client interactions through secure and compliant channels, Deutsche Bank has become one of the first companies to enable the Symphony Connect Solution for secure chat and collaboration with its clients via WhatsApp.
Following the successful introduction of the WeChat functionality in November 2019, more than 3 billion users can now securely and safely communicate with Deutsche Bank employees, who are restricted in the platforms they can use due to regulatory requirements. Through Symphony, Deutsche Bank can communicate with clients anytime, anywhere via their preferred chat platform while meeting stringent security and compliance criteria, such as surveillance and data retention.
This latest development, co-innovated with Symphony, expands Deutsche Bank’s diversification of its client interaction platforms, in addition to traditional methods such as email and telephone calls. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has brought into sharp focus how important it is for banks to stay in close contact with clients to provide advice and expertise during this challenging period.
Bernd Leukert
“An important part of our technology strategy is to enable our people to securely meet our clients at a time and place of their choice, and bringing together Symphony and WhatsApp is a truly innovative way to do so,”
says Bernd Leukert, Chief Technology, Data and Innovation Officer at Deutsche Bank.
David Gurlé
“We are committed to providing technologies that are aligned with our customer’s strategy while addressing industry-wide challenges such as security and compliance. We are proud to have developed Symphony Connect Solutions that support Deutsche Bank’s digital offering,”
said David Gurlé, Symphony founder and CEO.
The integration of WhatsApp follows last year’s successful introduction of WeChat via the Symphony platform. Deutsche Bank backed a partnership between Symphony and Tencent to connect its internal Symphony users to the WeChat network. Deutsche Bank was the first financial institution to have the WeChat integration live in production. Today, it is helping colleagues across Deutsche Bank’s Corporate, Investment and Private Banks engage with customers using WeChat, a particularly useful tool to support customer-connectivity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The connectivity with Facebook’s WhatsApp is offered as part of the Symphony Connect Solutions suite, aimed at enabling customers to interact more easily with their clients, counterparties, and partners, which also includes an interoperability for WeChat, Community Connect and Customer Connect.
Deutsche Bank is a founding consortium member of Symphony and has participated in a number of funding rounds since its inception helping to grow and scale the platform.
The post Deutsche Bank Secures and Compliant Whats App Client Messaging appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/deutsche-bank-secures-and-compliant-whats-app-client-messaging</link><guid>1389</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Deutsche Bank Secures and Compliant Whats App Client Messaging</dc:text></item><item><title>Deutsche Bank Secures and Compliant WhatsApp Client Messaging</title><description><![CDATA[In a drive to continuously simplify and improve its client interactions through secure and compliant channels, Deutsche Bank has become one of the first companies to enable the Symphony Connect Solution for secure chat and collaboration with its clients via WhatsApp.
Following the successful introduction of the WeChat functionality in November 2019, more than 3 billion users can now securely and safely communicate with Deutsche Bank employees, who are restricted in the platforms they can use due to regulatory requirements. Through Symphony, Deutsche Bank can communicate with clients anytime, anywhere via their preferred chat platform while meeting stringent security and compliance criteria, such as surveillance and data retention.
This latest development, co-innovated with Symphony, expands Deutsche Bank’s diversification of its client interaction platforms, in addition to traditional methods such as email and telephone calls. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has brought into sharp focus how important it is for banks to stay in close contact with clients to provide advice and expertise during this challenging period.
Bernd Leukert
“An important part of our technology strategy is to enable our people to securely meet our clients at a time and place of their choice, and bringing together Symphony and WhatsApp is a truly innovative way to do so,”
says Bernd Leukert, Chief Technology, Data and Innovation Officer at Deutsche Bank.
David Gurlé
“We are committed to providing technologies that are aligned with our customer’s strategy while addressing industry-wide challenges such as security and compliance. We are proud to have developed Symphony Connect Solutions that support Deutsche Bank’s digital offering,”
said David Gurlé, Symphony founder and CEO.
The integration of WhatsApp follows last year’s successful introduction of WeChat via the Symphony platform. Deutsche Bank backed a partnership between Symphony and Tencent to connect its internal Symphony users to the WeChat network. Deutsche Bank was the first financial institution to have the WeChat integration live in production. Today, it is helping colleagues across Deutsche Bank’s Corporate, Investment and Private Banks engage with customers using WeChat, a particularly useful tool to support customer-connectivity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The connectivity with Facebook’s WhatsApp is offered as part of the Symphony Connect Solutions suite, aimed at enabling customers to interact more easily with their clients, counterparties, and partners, which also includes an interoperability for WeChat, Community Connect and Customer Connect.
Deutsche Bank is a founding consortium member of Symphony and has participated in a number of funding rounds since its inception helping to grow and scale the platform.
The post Deutsche Bank Secures and Compliant WhatsApp Client Messaging appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/deutsche-bank-secures-and-compliant-whatsapp-client-messaging</link><guid>1391</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Deutsche Bank Secures and Compliant WhatsApp Client Messaging</dc:text></item><item><title>Deutsche Bank Secures Compliant WhatsApp Client Messaging</title><description><![CDATA[In a drive to continuously simplify and improve its client interactions through secure and compliant channels, Deutsche Bank has become one of the first companies to enable the Symphony Connect Solution for secure chat and collaboration with its clients via WhatsApp.
Following the successful introduction of the WeChat functionality in November 2019, more than 3 billion users can now securely and safely communicate with Deutsche Bank employees, who are restricted in the platforms they can use due to regulatory requirements. Through Symphony, Deutsche Bank can communicate with clients anytime, anywhere via their preferred chat platform while meeting stringent security and compliance criteria, such as surveillance and data retention.
This latest development, co-innovated with Symphony, expands Deutsche Bank’s diversification of its client interaction platforms, in addition to traditional methods such as email and telephone calls. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has brought into sharp focus how important it is for banks to stay in close contact with clients to provide advice and expertise during this challenging period.
Bernd Leukert
“An important part of our technology strategy is to enable our people to securely meet our clients at a time and place of their choice, and bringing together Symphony and WhatsApp is a truly innovative way to do so,”
says Bernd Leukert, Chief Technology, Data and Innovation Officer at Deutsche Bank.
David Gurlé
“We are committed to providing technologies that are aligned with our customer’s strategy while addressing industry-wide challenges such as security and compliance. We are proud to have developed Symphony Connect Solutions that support Deutsche Bank’s digital offering,”
said David Gurlé, Symphony founder and CEO.
The integration of WhatsApp follows last year’s successful introduction of WeChat via the Symphony platform. Deutsche Bank backed a partnership between Symphony and Tencent to connect its internal Symphony users to the WeChat network. Deutsche Bank was the first financial institution to have the WeChat integration live in production. Today, it is helping colleagues across Deutsche Bank’s Corporate, Investment and Private Banks engage with customers using WeChat, a particularly useful tool to support customer-connectivity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The connectivity with Facebook’s WhatsApp is offered as part of the Symphony Connect Solutions suite, aimed at enabling customers to interact more easily with their clients, counterparties, and partners, which also includes an interoperability for WeChat, Community Connect and Customer Connect.
Deutsche Bank is a founding consortium member of Symphony and has participated in a number of funding rounds since its inception helping to grow and scale the platform.
The post Deutsche Bank Secures Compliant WhatsApp Client Messaging appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/deutsche-bank-secures-compliant-whatsapp-client-messaging</link><guid>1392</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Deutsche Bank Secures Compliant WhatsApp Client Messaging</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Banks Proven to be Innovative and Adaptable Amid COVID-19</title><description><![CDATA[Though often perceived by the general public as sluggish, slow and not very innovative, Swiss banks have shown that that are capable of reacting swiftly and flexibly in times of crisis, according to a new paper by industry trade group the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA).
In a new paper titled How does the COVID-19 pandemic accelerate digitalisation?, the SBA analyzes how Swiss banks have reacted to the crisis, highlighting how quick they were to switch internal structures and processes to guarantee the continuation of their services to customers at the usual level of quality at all times.
According to the paper, despite the pandemic and the resulting lockdown, Swiss banks have remained reliable in fulfilling their economic role and, through the SME loan program, have quickly and pragmatically provided the economy with liquidity.
By adopting digital processes and leveraging technologies and tools such software robots (RPAs), banks were able to process loan applications and grant credit in a swift and timely manner. Institutions such as Credit Suisse, for example, were able to offer their customers a digital workflow with increased control possibilities for the COVID-19 loans within four to five days, the paper notes.
Not only have these new methods and processes allowed Swiss banks to become more efficient and reduce the error rate, customers also appear to be enjoying the experience they’re having with the new digital financial services that were made inevitable in the wake of the crisis.
According to the paper, acceptance of such services significantly increased amid COVID-19, with digital account openings at UBS surging by 82% compared to the same period last year, and the number of e-banking logins jumping by an average of one quarter compared with the same period in the previous year.
Banking post-COVID-19: the new normal
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how important digitalization is for the Swiss economy, and will have a long-term impact on the banking industry, acting as a catalyst for digitalization, the paper says.
With awareness sharpened and acceptance increasing, digital channels and processes will become the new normal. In this new context, it is essential that banks and the authorities capitalize on the milestones achieved and take advantage of customers’ rising demand for digital products to further digitalize the financial sector, it says.
Though the long-term consequences of COVID-19 cannot yet be assessed conclusively, the SBA highlights six major trends rapidly emerging in the sector, which the organization believes will only accelerate in the near future.
In particular, the SBA forecasts that banks will further increase their speed and scope with regards to developing digital processes without media discontinuity (i.e. having to switch between different media within the same process of information processing or acquisition).
The SBA also predicts that customer demand for financial products and services delivered through digital channels will only increase in the near future, thanks to their positive experience during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The use of cash as a means of payment will continue to decline, and with e-commerce booming and demand for omnichannel experiences on the rise, new and innovative cashless payment methods will emerge and continue to gain traction.
The paper notes that since the start of the lockdown, contactless payments, especially online payments, have increased significantly with UBS recording a 32% jump in contactless payments for the stationary retail segment in March 2020.
Payment services provider Twint reported a large increase in users during the crisis, recording a 50% growth in the number of transactions and over 11,000 new merchants signing up since the beginning of the year.
Another trend the SBA believes will accelerate is “smart working.” Experience during the lockdown has shown that both operational efficiency and resilience can be improved by enabling people to work remotely, the paper says.
With the digitalization of the economy expected to accelerate, investments in high quality and secure digital infrastructures is therefore forecasted to increase.
Finally, public services will follow suit and greater digitalization of the government services (e-government) will take place. The Swiss Federal Council’s eGovernment Strategy Switzerland 2020-2023 kicked off in January this year, and will seek, among other goals, to make digital channels the first choice when contacting the public administration.
 
Featured image credit: Unsplash and Freepik
The post Swiss Banks Proven to be Innovative and Adaptable Amid COVID-19 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-banks-proven-to-be-innovative-and-adaptable-amid-covid-19</link><guid>1390</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Banks Proven to be Innovative and Adaptable Amid COVID-19</dc:text></item><item><title>Credit Suisse Introduces Debit Mastercard with no Abroad Transaction Fees</title><description><![CDATA[Credit Suisse is launching the next generation of debit card, replacing the Maestro card currently used by its clients. The new &#8220;Debit Mastercard&#8221; not only offers functions such as cash withdrawals and cashless payments but also makes it possible to pay in online stores worldwide without incurring fees.
Credit Suisse is phasing out its existing Maestro card and replacing it with the Debit Mastercard. The new card will be available from 7 July 2020, for clients ordering new or replacement cards. Credit Suisse clients with an existing Maestro card will receive the Debit Mastercard automatically and free of charge when their Maestro card expires. In contrast to the Maestro card, Credit Suisse clients can now use the Debit Mastercard to pay for online purchases made via the Internet and in apps. There are no charges when using the new debit card in both Swiss and foreign online stores. The associated 3D Secure authentication procedure that requires clients to confirm their payments by mobile phone offers additional security.
Clients can continue to make contactless purchases like they do with their Maestro card – in Switzerland, contactless transactions can be made for amounts of up to CHF 80 without entering a PIN. In addition, when shopping in Switzerland – and now also abroad – there are no transaction fees*. As is customary with a debit card, payments and cash withdrawals are immediately debited to the accounts of clients, giving them full control over their spending at all times.
In addition, Credit Suisse clients have the option to adjust the settings for their debit card at any time via online and mobile banking to suit their personal security needs. For example, they can conveniently activate or deactivate functions such as contactless payments and online payments, and block or unblock countries where the card can be used.
Anke Bridge Haux
Anke Bridge Haux, Head of Digitalization &amp; Products at Credit Suisse Switzerland stated:
&#8220;The Debit Mastercard is a modern and secure payment solution that combines the traditional functions of a debit card with the new feature of online payments. In offering our clients this new card, we are adapting our broad range of payment solutions to suit their needs and giving them complete flexibility when making payments. The fact that foreign transactions can now be completed without incurring fees makes the Debit Mastercard an attractive alternative to the offers from neo-banks.&#8221;
*
 
*(Editor Notes: Forex fees still will apply. A Credit Suisse spokesperson commented: &#8220;Therewill be no transaction fees for purchases abroad with the Debit Mastercard (normally CHF 1.50 per transaction with a Maestro card). We do not provide any further information on the calculation of the exchange rate.&#8221;











 
The post Credit Suisse Introduces Debit Mastercard with &#8220;no&#8221; Abroad Transaction Fees appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/credit-suisse-introduces-debit-mastercard-with-no-abroad-transaction-fees</link><guid>1388</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Credit Suisse Introduces Debit Mastercard with no Abroad Transaction Fees</dc:text></item><item><title>7 Questions to Efi Pylarinou about Wealthtech and Blockchain Trends</title><description><![CDATA[In May 2020, Fintechnews.ch launched the Fintech Influencer Switzerland Interview series, which presents at least once a week a short interview we have conducted with a well-known, longtime Swiss Fintech Influencer to get his or her views on some of the industry’s most urging issues and hottest trends.
Today we speak about Wealthtech and Blockchain trends in Switzerland with Efi Pylarinou, an independent Wealthtech&amp; Blockchain advisor. Efi was nominated by Oliver Bussmann and Urs Bolt.
Hi Efi, what has changed for you personally during this pandemic?
As a sole entrepreneur, I`ve been working remotely for over 5yrs and of course, traveling. This crisis has triggered a whole new set of perspectives regarding the execution of my business plans.
I thought I was mostly digital but now I realize that there was and is more to do digitally. This crisis made it clear that the value of digital is there is always room to try new things and experiment in creating new value.
Do you think COVID-19 is the digital accelerator that the industry has been missing so far?
This crisis that did not have a financial trigger like the subprime or the dot com crisis or the multiple Emerging markets crises of the 90s, has definitely a weird and penetrating quality to it. In a peculiar way, it freed up some C-suite professionals from the inhibitions that kept them from stepping out of their comfort zone.
It has allowed more of them to have conversations that they wouldn’t have before and to realize that there is a lot of value in open ecosystems and more collaborative processes.
And don’t get me wrong, I am not referring necessarily to open ecosystems in the pure sense (God forbid) where the notion of Intellectual Property (IP) maybe challenged. I am talking about realizing that the walls of the offices of your company, of your business unit, of your subsidiary, have marginal and diminishing value. A resilient and sustainable organization, business, has to restructure and reduce the Silos in a secure and adaptable way. This means reconfiguring operational processes within organizations, suppliers, customers, and the broader ecosystem.
For me, COVID-19 was an eye-opener in this respect and of course, technology is the enabler. This is a new perspective that is accelerating digitalization, for those that grabbed the opportunity and learnt from the experience.
You know `Opportunity` is a Greek deity that is depicted a shaved head and a long tail of hair hanging from her forehead. Once she knocks on your door, you need to swiftly grab her by her front hair. Otherwise, she turns and leaves. There is no 2nd chance.
COVID-19 was an opportunity in disguise, to recognize the value of openness in processes and in building architectures that enable secure digital flows.
What is your current focus?
I have always been focused on innovation in Financial markets, with a special focus in Capital markets and wealth management innovation. As business silos continue to blur, Fintech and the 4IR technologies, are becoming more pervasive in several sectors (commerce, advertising, health etc). The transformation of `any company` becoming a `tech company` has been accelerated.
As an independent thought leader and influencer, I am currently working with few select clients on designing and delivering customized thought leadership campaigns. There is an improved cultural shift towards more openness and a real business need to do things differently.
I am also working on a new annual Insight report `Blockchain`s impact on wealth management` in collaboration with The Wealth Mosaic (TWM), a UK based wealth management knowledge hub that has launched a series of Wealth reports and also an extensive landscape report on The Swiss Wealth Technology Landscape. This will bring a first global perspective in this nascent and promising area.
As a thought leader and influencer, I am continuously enriching my content strategy. Beyond my staple weekly blogging, I am also producing a weekly audio-video  and I am active and interactive on social media.
What are the hottest Wealthtech Trends?
WealthTech has lagged and is underfunded relative to the Digital banking vertical. One reason is was that wealth management in the broad sense, is no the low hanging fruit for non-financial entrepreneurs and the other reason is that a lot of VCs with herd mentality chased the neo-bank, challenger bank craze.
The penetration of Saas offerings &amp; API integrations is the most dominant WealthTech trend currently underway. There is a lot to be done still. The recent crisis has woken up this urgent need more. Tech vendors in the vertical are busy and reaping the benefits.
The AI `tool kit` for WealthTech is still not `smart`. It is stuck in the very low and narrow end of the artificial intelligence spectrum. Chatbots dominate and some Machin learning offerings for alpha discovery and trading. But nothing that is close to mass adoption by asset managers or financial advisors or other stakeholders.
The other interesting WealthTech trend in is in the alternative assets space, with the emerging digital assets out of the blockchain space, but also new technologies around securitization of a variety of fixed income assets (loans of all sorts, asset backed etc) and of non-bankable assets (art, forests, farms, cattle, brands etc.). And this for me is the next innovation wave that disintermediates and democratizes structuring as we know it from the 90s.
What can Wealthtech in Switzerland learn from London and USA or vice versa?
Switzerland lacks the Boldness and large-scale scope that the US tech hubs and London has.
The question that the Swiss WealthTech ecosystem should be asking itself is and working on collectively:
`If we were appointed the task to develop the technology suite to power up the next generation of global wealth management businesses, what would that look like?`
This should replace the current thinking which is around maintaining or improving the existing brand name and market share and competing amongst each other.
How does Switzerland stand in Blockchain?
Switzerland is an established Blockchain hub on the global landscape, by many metrics – both qualitatively and quantitatively. I must acknowledge the contribution and leadership of several individuals who over these past years (I am living in Switzerland for 7yrs now) have been instrumental in growing the ecosystem. As Mona El Isa, said recently at the Mainnet2020 virtual conference, decentralized and autonomous does not mean there is no leadership (“just because you’re a DAO doesn’t mean you don’t need leadership.”)
We all recognize the role of the regulator and the government and players (corporate, investors, associations) that are instrumental.
Just recently, on June 18, the Swiss National Council approved the DLT/ Blockchain legislation. The progress continues and the commitment is strong in a very Swiss way.
The irony is that the Blockchain space is moving fast and it is challenging to keep up with the innovations. Infrastructure development, Dapps, Apps, Defi and cross industry use cases.
Which Swiss Fintech Startup should we have on our radar?
Allow me to single out first the contribution of the Swiss Fintech incubator &amp; accelerator F10 who not only has several great alumni companies (e.g. NetGuardians, Sonect, Apiax), but has already expanded globally (Singapore and Latin America). NetGuardians and Sonect have already gone global.
 
*Swiss Fintech Influencer Efi Pylarinou:
Dr. Efi Pylarinou
Efi Pylarinou is an independent Fintech &amp; Blockchain advisor. She holds a Ph.D. in Finance and is a seasoned Wall Street professional. She has worked on Wall Street in NY at Salomon Brothers, Bankers Trust, and SG Cowen. She has also worked in the hedge fund industry and taught in academia in Canada.
She is the No.3 global influencer in the finance sector and No.1 woman influencer, by Refinitiv Global Social Media 2019 and she is included in several other rankings like 2020 Onalytica Top 100 Fintech Influencers &amp; 2019 Onalytica Top 100 Wealth Management Influencer list and more.
She is a contributing author to the upcoming book, 2020 Theories of Change, by Springer, the 2019 4IR AI Blockchain Fintech IOT book and the 2018 WealthTech book by Wiley.
 
 
The post 7 Questions to Efi Pylarinou about Wealthtech and Blockchain Trends appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/7-questions-to-efi-pylarinou-about-wealthtech-and-blockchain-trends</link><guid>1386</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>7 Questions to Efi Pylarinou about Wealthtech and Blockchain Trends</dc:text></item><item><title>Credit Suisse Secures 35% of a Digital Bank in Brazil</title><description><![CDATA[Credit Suisse and the controlling shareholders of modalmais have signed a strategic long-term agreement that allows Credit Suisse to purchase preferred shares equivalent to up to 35% of the total capital of modalmais.
Philipp Wehle
Philipp Wehle, CEO International Wealth Management at Credit Suisse, said:
“This announcement underlines our strong commitment to our Brazilian clients and our growth ambitions for this priority market. This transaction further enhances our ability to serve our clients digitally while getting access to additional client segments in a fast growing environment.&#8221;
modalmais will continue to be controlled by its founder, Diniz Ferreira Baptista, and by its principal executives, including co-CEOs Cristiano Ayres and Eduardo Centola.
Diniz Ferreira Baptista, founding partner of modalmais, noted:
&#8220;The agreement with Credit Suisse is the greatest stamp of approval that modalmais could achieve at this point in its trajectory. It is an honor to be associated with an institution whose history is intertwined with that of global financial markets. modalmais will continue its growth trajectory. Most importantly: the platform will be able to offer more solutions to its expanding client base with the experience and sophistication of Credit Suisse by its side.&#8221;
Both banks have complementary operations. Credit Suisse, one of the leading wealth managers in the world with strong investment banking capabilities, is joining forces with modalmais, a digital bank with an agile and modern platform that has become a leading digital platform in Brazil in less than five years and a reference point in the financial market.
Credit Suisse and modalmais are working together to explore synergies between their investment services and products. The possibilities to be analyzed together are:

Access by Credit Suisse to the state-of-the-art technology of the modalmais digital platform and all the functions and investment possibilities that a digital bank such as modalmais offers to serve its clients even better, especially those who prefer and have more affinity with fintechs.
Distribution of a selection of Credit Suisse&#8217;s products, such as structured notes, funds, debt transactions and share offerings to modalmais&#8217;s base of nearly one million clients.

 
 
The post Credit Suisse Secures 35% of a Digital Bank in Brazil appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/credit-suisse-secures-35-of-a-digital-bank-in-brazil</link><guid>1387</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Credit Suisse Secures 35% of a Digital Bank in Brazil</dc:text></item><item><title>&gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; Unveils 2020 Swiss Fintech and Insurtech Winners</title><description><![CDATA[&gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt;, a competition for up-and-coming entrepreneurs in Switzerland, has unveiled the 10 finalists and the winners for the 2020 finance and insurance category.
Established in 1997, &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; is an annual startup competition co-organized by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zurich), McKinsey &amp; Company, Knecht Holding, Innosuisse, and Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL).
With the purpose of empowering entrepreneurs and fostering innovation across Switzerland, the competition recognizes innovative startups across five verticals: health care and nutrition, industrials and engineering, retail and consumer services, information and communications technology (ICT), and finance and insurance, providing them with the opportunity to meet with investors and mentors, access free workshops, get media coverage, and win up to CHF 150,000.
Each year, startups can apply starting January under one of the five industry categories. A panel of jurors, composed of industry and startup experts, reviews all submissions and grade them according to a scale. Projects with the highest overall grades are selected to enter the next round.
For 2020’s finance and insurance category, the 10 finalists and the 3 winners are:

Aequitec AG

Aequitec is a digital share issuance and management platform that leverages distributed ledger technology (DLT) and which serves founders and investors. For registered shares, Aequitec assists clients in recording ownership unambiguously via automated processing of all relevant corporate actions.
CurioInvest

CurioInvest uses blockchain technology to create new digital asset class that opens the global alternative assets market to millions of investors around the world in a trustworthy and transparent environment. CurioInvest’s regulatory compliant framework turns collectables like rare cars into shares represented by stable tokens.
Delega

Delega is a new treasury management system that fully digitizes the signatory management process across relationship banks. The tool harnesses the most modern technologies, enabling users to manage signatory rights on a fully integrated basis. This means they can eliminate inefficient processes and free up resources. Using Delega, companies can store and manage a central list of current signatories. This can be shared with chosen banks, ensuring an up-to-date record of signatory information.
Fidectus AG
Fidectus optimizes the working capital of energy traders. Fidectus’ cutting-edge technology utilizes cloud and blockchain to allow clients to reduce operational risk and cost, improve collaborations and let them manage their liquidity and settlement risk. Its plug’n’play software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution connects energy market participants in no time.
Mt Pelerin

Mt Pelerin specializes in asset tokenization and digital compliance. The company is creating a new kind of financial institution using the advantages of blockchain technology to open and facilitate the access to funding and investment for individuals and businesses. The virtual bank is expected to launch this year and is set to offer access to unprecedented financing and investment possibilities, enabling clients to earn money in a safe way.
SIBEX

SIBEX is a non-custodial decentralized over-the-counter (OTC) marketplace (dark pool). SIBEX solves issues such as front-running and reduces the trading cost of capital by providing an institutional-grade dark venue for digital asset procurement and liquidation by enabling cross-chain transactions.
Stableton Financial AG 
(2nd place)

Stableton Financial is a marketplace for alternative investments providing qualified investors and financial advisors with access to world-class absolute return strategies and alternative investments such as hedge funds, startups, alternative lending, and real estate.
UrbanDataLab
Winner

 
UrbanDataLab is a proptech startup and research company with a focus on urban economics. UrbanDataLab leverages geoprocessing, big data and machine learning to evaluate millions of locations on their spatial structure and user-centered potential. By providing such new generation of decision support, the company assists players of the international real estate industry with scaling their business to new markets.
VALK

VALK is a white label technological solution that digitizes the issuance and investment processes of unlisted company shares. The company’s white-label solution, built on Corda, automates all of the tasks that are carried out manually today by financial institutions buying or selling unlisted shares. The solution, which is targeted at established and regulated financial institutions, helps them save costs and time, but also improve customer experience and increase deal and trade volume on the unlisted assets they manage and offer to investors.
Z22 Technologies AG
(3th place)

Z22 Technologies is a financial research and quantitative asset management company. Z22 Technologies applies the scientific method and uses cutting edge technology to find untapped potentials in a variety of markets.
The post &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; Unveils 2020 Swiss Fintech and Insurtech Winners appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/venture-unveils-2020-swiss-fintech-and-insurtech-winners</link><guid>1385</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/venture-winners-1024x401.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>&gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; Unveils 2020 Swiss Fintech and Insurtech Winners</dc:text></item><item><title>A Blockchain-Based COVID-19 Records App for Cyprus</title><description><![CDATA[With the pandemic putting healthcare systems under strain worldwide, Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems are also shifting requirements for data security and sharing. The public blockchain platform, VeChain furthers the collaboration with I-Dante to co-develop E-HCert App, which provides an archival solution for COVID-19 RT-PCR (real time-polymerase chain reaction) and antibodies tests (Rapid Test) records.
The success between VeChain and I-Dante previously on blockchain-enabled medical solution has led to the idea for the E-HCert App, which is now adopted by the Mediterranean Hospital of Cyprus. The new EHR system provides a secured method of on-chaining the COVID-19 related tests, giving the result of the health status of the individual, and allowing all concerning parties to access said health information at the discretion of the individual. With this set up, the individual can go about life as usual.

Compatible EHRs Should Compare Notes On The Pandemic
In the case of COVID-19, the testing results of citizens can be vital for public welfare and personal rights. Authorities worldwide are calling healthcare institutions to provide secure and legit access to health status information. Citizens themselves would also need trustworthy and reliable proof for their own health condition and full control over their privacy. However, current EHR systems are revealing serious deficiencies in terms of its interoperability, immutability, compliance, and the cost.
There is, therefore, an urgent need for the collection of trustworthy and standardized encrypted medical records that can be safely shared between multi parties. This is where blockchain technology comes in and becomes the de facto choice for such an implementation.
The Most Feasible Choice For EHR reform: The Public Blockchain
This public blockchain-based E-HCert App provides an archival solution for COVID-19 RT-PCR (real time-polymerase chain reaction) and antibodies tests (Rapid Test) records, which will be utilized to enhance the hospital&#8217;s COVID-19 management and response at the end of May 2020.
When a Cyprus citizen goes to the hospital and undergoes RT-PCR and antibodies tests, the testing records will be uploaded onto the VeChainThor Blockchain, and the immutably recorded results are then shown in the E-HCert Native App. As E-HCert fully complies with the GDPR, the App enables the owner to have complete control over their profiles, and use it to prove his or her health status when trying to return to work, take a flight abroad, and get authorized for other activities.
Enabling The Next Wave Of Digital Health Reform
COVID-19 has prompted an expansion of industrial power in healthcare. A recent report found that 33 of the 50 US-based hospitals examined were working with Amazon, Google, or Microsoft. The Wall Street Journal said the internet giants are also wrestling for control in health-care markets.
Compared with traditional technologies, blockchain provides better opportunities for companies to review their healthcare data systems, optimize the workflow design, while simultaneously enabling every patient to safely hold their records and share it immediately with any party in the world.
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/a-blockchain-based-covid-19-records-app-for-cyprus</link><guid>1383</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/New_E_HCert-1024x628.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>A Blockchain-Based COVID-19 Records App for Cyprus</dc:text></item><item><title>A COVID-19 Regulatory Guide for Financial Institutions in Europe</title><description><![CDATA[Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, regulators across Europe have put in place various measures to ensure continuity and sustainability of the financial sector.
In a new guide released earlier this month, international law firm Baker McKenzie provides information on key policies and risk areas financial institutions should watch out in jurisdictions affected by COVID-19, including Switzerland, Germany and France.
In Switzerland, the paper notes that Swiss Confederation, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) and the financial regulator, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA), have been proactively monitoring the evolving situation and taken various measures to reduce the consequences of the pandemic.

Some of the key measures and initiatives launched so far include regulatory reliefs and temporary exemptions to firms as well as supervised institutions by FINMA, as well as a loan program for Swiss small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) intended at ensuring that companies facing liquidity problems resulting from COVID-19 have access to bridging loans, it notes.
With more than 31,200 confirmed cases and over 1,950 deaths, as of June 22, Switzerland has been one of the hardest hit countries in Europe. On March 16, the Federal Council declared a national state of emergency, closing all shops, restaurants, bars and entertainment facilities and schools, prohibiting public gatherings of five people or more, and recommending that all citizens stay home.
The pandemic and restrictions put in place to limit the spread of the virus have put a serious toll on the economy. Switzerland’s gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to contract by around 6% this year in one of the strongest declines since the oil crisis in the 1970s, the SNB said on June 18. For the year as a whole, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) forecasts unemployment to hit 3.8% year-on-year, compared with 2.3% in 2019.
To help whether the COVID-19 storm, the government has introduced support packages, as well as monetary and macro-financial policies to address liquidity bottlenecks.
In this uncertain, rapidly changing landscape, the Baker McKenzie guide recommends financial institutions in Switzerland to monitor closely the announcement of any new governmental or regulatory policy that could lead to changes in the applicable law, the options for relief as well as the assessment of compensation and loans.
It’s also critical for financial institutions to make sure that in the case of remote work, company data are protected in a suitable manner, and that all employees receive instructions on how to handle company data appropriately, the guide says.
Referring to FINMA’s latest press releases, the document notes that despite the current crisis induced by the pandemic, financial institutions and financial market infrastructures have continued to work well at an operational level, and their services have remained available and unbroken, thanks to effective remote working methods.
It was also found that Swiss financial institutions and insurance companies handled the market turbulences aptly since they were well prepared financially and were equipped to deal with extreme stress scenarios.
In Germany, banks and financial services firms have extensive risk management obligations, but given the current circumstances, banks have been permitted to dispense with liquidity buffer requirements. Operational rules related at the general prohibition of “out of office trading” have also been relaxed, and more flexibility for the prudential treatment of loans backed by public support measures has been granted, the guide notes.
In Austria, the government has set up a EUR 38 billion support fund by establishing a financing company, called COVID-19 Finanzierungsagentur des Bundes, that has been tasked with the handling of financial aid packages consisting of emergency aid for hard-hit sectors, guarantees and warranties for current loans of affected companies, as well as tax deferrals.
In France, authorities have taken several measures touching up short selling, transparency, as well as the continuity of business for financial institutions in times of crisis. The government has also introduced State-guaranteed loans to make it easier for credit institutions and financial companies to grant loans to companies, the guides says.
The post A COVID-19 Regulatory Guide for Financial Institutions in Europe appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/a-covid-19-regulatory-guide-for-financial-institutions-in-europe</link><guid>1384</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Switzerland-1024x533.png</dc:content ><dc:text>A COVID-19 Regulatory Guide for Financial Institutions in Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>Schweizer eKYC Regtech Startup Spider holt ex Avaloq CEO als Investor</title><description><![CDATA[KYC Spider, ein Schweizer RegTech-Startup, gibt die Aufnahme von Tobias Unger als Investor und Verwaltungsratsmitglied bekannt
KYC Spider freut sich, die jüngste Ergänzung seiner hochkarätigen Liste von Unterstützern und Verwaltungsräten bekannt zu geben. Tobias Unger war zuletzt drei Jahre lang CEO von Avaloq in der Schweiz, wo er nach 15 Jahren im Bankgeschäft, sowohl als M&amp;A-Banker als auch als COO einer Privatbank, tätig war.
Der Vorstand besteht neu aus

Luka Müller-Studer, bekannter FinTech-Investor und Partner der Anwaltskanzlei MME
Peter Schäuble, Inhaber und CEO der IT-Firma Eurospider
Markus Gröninger, Digitaler Unternehmer
Tobias Unger, ehemaliger CEO Avaloq Schweiz und Banken COO

Tobias Unger
Die Ernennung folgt auf ein sehr erfolgreiches Jahr 2019 für KYC Spider, in dem der Umsatz nach der Einführung einer neuen Version der KYC-Toolbox um 70% gestiegen ist. Die Toolbox rationalisiert den KYCProzess für Finanzinstitute und Intermediäre, FinTechs und andere regulierte Unternehmen, und kann zu einer Reduzierung des Zeit- und Kostenaufwands für KYC um bis zu 80% führen. Die Toolbox stützt sich auf KI-unterstützte Dienstleistungen für KYC/AML und Reputations- Risikoprüfungen, sowie auf eine proprietäre und kuratierte Datenbank von Personen mit hohem Risiko.
Die Plattform ist sowohl als eigenständige SaaS als auch als White-Label-Lösung zur Integration oder über offene APIs für Institutionen mit proprietären Front-End-Lösungen erhältlich. Kürzlich gewonnene Kunden sind unter anderem die Zürich Versicherungen, Yapeal AG, Lykke, Kendris AG und Neocredit.ch.
Luka Müller-Studer
Luka Müller-Studer, Verwaltungsratspräsident, kommentiert:
&#8220;Wir sehen eine erhöhte Nachfrage von Kunden aufgrund der Covid-19-Pandemie, die den Digitalisierungs-Trend für das Client-On-Boarding und andere Compliance-Prozesse beschleunigt. Der jüngste Beitritt von Unterstützern wie Markus und Tobias ist ein Beweis für das Potenzial, das wir sehen, und für die Ambition, die führende KYC-Plattform in Europa zu werden.&#8221;
Miki Vayloyan
Miki Vayloyan, CEO KYC Spider, fügt hinzu:
&#8220;Es ist schön zu sehen, dass Institutionen wie die Zurich Versicherung auf unsere Lösungen vertrauen und freuen uns auf die künftige Zusammenarbeit. Wir arbeiten mit dem hochkarätigen Verwaltungsrat um KYC Spider weiter zu stärken sowie für zukünftiges Wachstum zu positionieren.”
 
 
 
 
The post Schweizer eKYC Regtech Startup Spider holt ex Avaloq CEO als Investor appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schweizer-ekyc-regtech-startup-spider-holt-ex-avaloq-ceo-als-investor</link><guid>1382</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Schweizer eKYC Regtech Startup Spider holt ex Avaloq CEO als Investor</dc:text></item><item><title>IBM and Verum Capital are Helping Businesses Leverage Blockchain</title><description><![CDATA[IBM and Verum Capital, a Swiss-based blockchain advisory boutique, are collaborating to help businesses accelerate their use of digital assets, by scaling and securing blockchain solutions.
The rise of the digital economy
According to Research and Markets, the global digital asset management market is growing at 16.5 percent to reach $8.5 billion by 2025. In Switzerland, two banks are now fully licensed to offer blockchain-based financial instruments and traditional banks are increasingly offering crypto services. In the DACH region, more than 50 banks have applied for a license to offer similar services.
More and more, leading financial institutions are bringing traditional investment products onto the blockchain. This shift toward decentralized finance is important for the future of the digital economy. By offering blockchain-based financial products, financial institutions can grow business through inclusion.
At the individual level, blockchain-based services can support the unbanked but also the micro-investor who can gain access to a rate of return typically reserved for institutional investors with large sums of money. At the organizational level, financial products that are built using the blockchain become affordable and flexible enough to serve the SME segment. Now small businesses too can benefit from bond issuance on the blockchain, for example.
Digitizing assets
Traditional company shares, bonds, loans or non-traditional and non-bankable assets such as artwork, real estate, private securities, and even gold &#8211; can be digitized, tokenized, and traded on a variety of platforms. An advantage of tokenizing physical assets is that fractional ownership schemes can be created; underlying assets can then be offered to a larger number of buyers, who benefit from increased liquidity on the secondary market. Tokenization allows the digital economy to become much more efficient, transparent, and liquid, as well as a more inclusive marketplace overall.
Key success factors
Storing and trading digital assets securely using the blockchain is an essential step toward unleashing the transformative potential of the digital economy. There are two key success factors for the widespread adoption of digital assets. The first is hypercritical availability and scalability and the second is simultaneous industry-leading security.
Until now, this trade-off has presented a significant obstacle. Users had to choose between availability and security when handling their digital assets. IBM is solving this trade-off for financial services providers through its recently launched Hyper Protect Digital Assets Platform, which was designed based on over 40 years of experience and making pioneering contributions to the field of cryptography.
Verum Capital and IBM – strong synergies
IBM’s Digital Asset Platform is the basis for its collaboration with Verum Capital. Together, IBM and Verum Capital can offer clients highly secure and scalable digital asset infrastructure solutions, as well as the essential advisory services that will enable them to develop new business opportunities that take advantage of the blockchain.
As the leading blockchain advisory based in Switzerland, Verum Capital is joining IBM’s unique ecosystem to ensure that their institutional-grade digital asset services can be used to their full potential in the financial services sector.
Based on our experience working on strategic blockchain projects within the financial sector, we know how incredibly valuable it is for clients to have the choice to deploy a solution on-premises, as part of a private cloud environment, or as a service that allows digital asset and blockchain firms to scale alongside growing demand.
The essential infrastructure that IBM continues to develop is a very valuable building block for Verum Capital’s team of blockchain consultants. According to Verum Capital Co-Founder and Board Member Jonathan LLamas: “When we advise our clients, develop pilot projects, and manage full-scale implementations of blockchain technology, we choose to work with IBM’s infrastructure and products because businesses are very comfortable relying on IBM.”
It’s time to take advantage of Blockchain
Are you interested in learning more about how your organization could leverage IBM’s cutting-edge infrastructure and create new, innovative opportunities for your business?
The team at Verum Capital is here to help. We believe in a sensible and stepwise approach to digital transformation and would love the opportunity to discuss your challenges.Contact us today and let us make the blockchain work for you.
 
Mainpicture Credit: via IBM
The post IBM and Verum Capital are Helping Businesses Leverage Blockchain appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ibm-and-verum-capital-are-helping-businesses-leverage-blockchain</link><guid>1381</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Contact-us-Verum-Capital-300x159.png</dc:content ><dc:text>IBM and Verum Capital are Helping Businesses Leverage Blockchain</dc:text></item><item><title>Blockchain and DLT: No Changes for Swiss Tax Law</title><description><![CDATA[During its meeting on 19 June 2020, the Federal Council took note of the report on the need to amend tax law with regard to blockchain. The report concluded that no special legislative amendments to tax law are necessary.
As regards income, profit, wealth and capital gains taxes, the existing legislation has proved its worth. Existing VAT law also covers arrangements based on distributed ledger technology (DLT) and blockchain. Therefore, no legislative action is necessary as regards special tax provisions for the new instruments.
Another area examined was the collection of withholding tax on income from equity and participation tokens. Due to the adverse effects for Switzerland as a business location, among other things, the report recommends that withholding tax coverage should not be expanded. As regards transfer stamp tax, it advises against legislative amendments at present, due to uncertainty about the type and scope of the future use of DLT trading facilities.
The report on the need to adapt tax law to developments in distributed ledger technology (DLT/blockchain) was prepared by the Federal Department of Finance on the instructions of the Federal Council. On 7 December 2018, the Federal Council had decided to examine the current situation and assess any need for amendments to tax law.
Featured image credit: Unsplash
The post Blockchain and DLT: No Changes for Swiss Tax Law appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/blockchain-and-dlt-no-changes-for-swiss-tax-law</link><guid>1379</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Blockchain and DLT: No Changes for Swiss Tax Law</dc:text></item><item><title>Blockchain-Gesetzgebung: Schweizer Blockchain Federation begrüsst Entscheid</title><description><![CDATA[


Der Nationalrat hat am 17. Juni 2020 einer innovationsfreundlichen Rechtsgrundlage für dezentrale Anwendungen und Geschäftsmodelle zugestimmt. Die Swiss Blockchain Federation freut sich über den Entscheid und ist zuversichtlich, dass die Gesetzesänderungen bald in Kraft treten werden.
Mit 192 zu 0 Stimmen und keiner Enthaltung hat der Nationalrat als Erstrat letzte Woche die neue Blockchain-Gesetzgebung verabschiedet. Er folgte damit seiner vorbereitenden Kommission, die sich einstimmig für die Vorlage ausgesprochen hatte. Damit stehen die Chancen gut, dass das Parlament die Vorlage in der Herbstsession verabschieden kann und die Gesetzesänderungen nächstes Jahr in Kraft treten.
Heinz Tännler
„Wir sind erfreut, dass der Nationalrat das Blockchain-Gesetz trotz der Corona-Krise zügig beraten hat. Die Vorlage ist eine wichtige Grundlage, damit die Schweiz ihre führende Position als Blockchain-Standort ausbauen kann. Das Crypto Valley braucht Rechtssicherheit und zugleich Spielraum für Innovationen“,
sagt Heinz Tännler, Präsident der Swiss Blockchain Federation und Regierungsrat des Kantons Zug.
„DLT und Blockchain sind bereits heute Teil der wirtschaftlichen Realität, und sie haben vor allem ein riesiges Innovationspotenzial“,
erklärte Nationalrat Beat Walti, Mitglied der Swiss Blockchain Federation, während der Ratsdebatte. Bundesrat Ueli Maurer zeigte sich zufrieden über das Gesetzesprojekt:
Beat Walti
„Es ist eine Vorlage, die für die Schweiz ausserordentlich wichtig ist und ihr im Bereich der neuen Technologien einen Spitzenplatz sichert. Es ist ja nicht selbstverständlich, dass die Schweiz mit einem relativ trägen Gesetzgebungssystem zu den ersten weltweit gehört, die hier klare Regelungen und klare Spielregeln vorgeben.“
Die Einführung eines Registerwertrechts im Obligationenrecht schafft eine robuste Rechtsgrundlage für die Digitalisierung von Vermögenswerten. Im Schuldbetreibungs- und Konkursrecht ist zudem die Möglichkeit zu einer Aussonderung von kryptobasierten Vermögenswerten vorgesehen. Dadurch wird verhindert, dass diese bei einer Sammelverwahrung in die Konkursmasse fallen. Verbessert werden auch die Rahmenbedingungen für Handelsplattformen für Registerwertrechte.
Die Swiss Blockchain Federation und ihre Mitglieder haben den Behörden bei der Erarbeitung der Vorlage ihre Expertise zur Verfügung gestellt und sich für eine international vorbildliche Gesetzgebung eingesetzt. Viele der Vorschläge wurden dabei aufgenommen und nun vom Nationalrat bestätigt.







The post Blockchain-Gesetzgebung: Schweizer Blockchain Federation begrüsst Entscheid appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/blockchain-gesetzgebung-schweizer-blockchain-federation-begrusst-entscheid</link><guid>1380</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Blockchain-Gesetzgebung: Schweizer Blockchain Federation begrüsst Entscheid</dc:text></item><item><title>b-sharpe: FX Transactions 5 to 10 Times Cheaper than a Bank</title><description><![CDATA[COVID-19 is impacting businesses of all sizes and from all industries. In Switzerland, gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to contract by around 6% this year in one of the strongest declines since the oil crisis in the 1970s, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) said on June 18. For the year as a whole, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) forecasts unemployment to hit 3.8% year-on-year, compared with 2.3% in 2019.
To limit the human and economic impact of the pandemic, the Swiss federal government and cantons have launched a package of measures worth more than CHF 60 million that’s intended at enabling the economy to recover in the second half of 2020 and eventual regain solid growth in 2021.
To support the fintech startup community in these turbulent times, the Fintech News Network has committed to covering each week a promising Swiss fintech startup that deserve the spotlight.
So far, startups including Gentwo Assets, a securitization specialist for bankable and unbankable assets, Vestr, an end-to-end digital platform for investment certificates, and Vlot, an insurtech startup providing holistic life risk assessment, have been part of the series with more to come.
For this week, we look at b-sharpe, a startup specializing in foreign exchange (FX) and international transfer services.
b-sharpe: FX transactions five to ten times cheaper than a bank
Based in Geneva, b-sharpe is an online currency exchange and international transfer services company that helps people and businesses manage their currency needs in a fast, fair and user-friendly manner.
The startup offers exchange rates to individuals and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) which banks normally reserve for large international groups and their largest customers, promising FX transactions that cost between five and ten times less than with a traditional bank.
b-sharpe illustration, Source: b-sharpe.com
b-sharpe is able to provide much cheaper forex transactions because the startup pools clients’ transactions, according to its website, and because its personnel is composed of forex market and web professionals with direct access to trading rooms, and therefore, the best available exchange rates.
Additionally, b-sharpe says it has developed a platform that allows the same manager to handle a client’s operations from start to finish, eliminating the need to rely on several departments and staff members like a bank would to conduct these transactions, thus reducing b-sharpe’s fixed costs and passing them on to customers.
For each of its transactions, b-sharpe uses the real-time interbank exchange rate at the time at which the company receives the funds. Customers can conduct their forex transactions using the startup’s multi-currency platform or by telephone.
b-sharpe currently supports over 20 currencies including CHF, EUR, USD, GBP and JPY. The startup charges a transfer fee of CHF 5 per transaction for transactions below CHF 5,000, or the equivalent. No fees are charged for transactions exceeding CHF 5,000.
b-sharpe also offers a quick and seamless onboarding experience that takes customers less than 10 minutes to register and get verified. This is done by leveraging Onfido’s award-winning global identity verification platform.
The process requires customers to take a selfie as well as a photo of an ID. Onfido then checks that the government ID is genuine and matches it to the user’s face to ensure the person is physically present.
Founded in 2006 as an institutional consultancy services provider specialized in exchange rate management, b-sharpe launched its FX platform in 2013.
Since then, the startup has conducted CHF 1.3 billion worth of transactions, helping its 16,000+ customers save more than CHF 8 million, it claims. b-sharpe raised an undisclosed funding in November 2019 from Migros Genève.
b-sharpe is one of the numerous startups in Switzerland transforming the FX landscape. Other players include Amnis Treasury Services, an online FX market platform, and Exchange Market, which specializes in the online exchange of CHF and EUR.
The post b-sharpe: FX Transactions 5 to 10 Times Cheaper than a Bank appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/b-sharpe-fx-transactions-5-to-10-times-cheaper-than-a-bank</link><guid>1378</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/b-sharpe-illustration-Source-b-sharpe.com_.png</dc:content ><dc:text>b-sharpe: FX Transactions 5 to 10 Times Cheaper than a Bank</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Influencer Switzerland Interview Series: 7 Fragen an Miki Vayloyan</title><description><![CDATA[Fintechnews.ch interviewt in einer Serie von Kurz-Interviews bekannte Schweizer Fintech Influenzer. Heute sprechen wir mit Miki Vayloyan.*
Miki ist CEO vom Zuger Regtech Startup KYC Spider und eine der Top Fintech CEOs der Schweiz .
Sie wurde von Oscar Neira nominiert.
Hallo Miki, was hat sich in der Corona Zeit für Dich persönlich verändert?
Die Home-Office Zeit hat mir mehr Raum für Kreativität und Projektideen geschaffen. Für mich war es auch eine Gelegenheit, sehr konzentriert und über längere Zeit an Projekten innerhalb von KYC zu arbeiten. Die Kombination aus Home Office und Büro ist für mich nichts Neues. Ich arbeitete bereits seit fast 10 Jahren in diesem Model und bin aber glücklich, dass wir nun auch wieder im Büro den persönlichen Austausch schätzen dürfen. Was mir gut gefällt, ist das nun auch Unternehmen und Branchen einen Vorteil für sich entdeckt haben, für welche ein solches Modell vorher undenkbar gewesen wäre. Und ich finde es gut, dass die Frage erneut aufkommt, ob es wirklich sinnstiftend ist, alle Mitarbeiter jederzeit und zur gleichen Zeit im Büro haben zu müssen.
Denkst Du Corona ist der Digital Beschleuniger welcher der Branche bisher fehlte?
Für unseren Tätigkeitsbereit war es ein Vorteil. Wenn wir lediglich über Fintechs sprechen würden, dann wäre das nicht ganz korrekt. Wir sind ein Anbieter für Finanzintermediäre aller Art, und hier haben sich durch die ungewohnte Situation neue Möglichkeiten ergeben. Die Zürich Versicherungen ist nur eines der Beispiele, welches wir kürzlich öffentlich kommunizieren durften, neben spannenden Use Cases von Kunden wie Yapeal, Neocredit oder Lykke
Mit was beschäftigst Du Dich derzeit?
Am liebsten mit dem Themen, die wir auch bei KYC bearbeiten; Daten, Auswertungen, Digitalisierung, Prozess-Automatisierung. Mit der Roadmap von KYC Spider und im Moment auch sehr intensiv mit der Suche nach einem geeigneten neuen Mitglied für unser KYC Team. Wir suchen nach einer mehrsprachigen Persönlichkeit mit einem grossen Flair für Kunden- und Produkt Management und freuen uns über Bewerbungen von RegTech Enthusiasten.
Du hast ja auch viele internationale Kunden und kennst die globalen Fintech Trends sehr gut, was verpassen wir in der Schweiz?
Den Mut, die Dinge anders zu tun. Und die Erwartungshaltung den Realitäten anzupassen, wenn wir von Startups sprechen. FinTech Startups brauchen einen flexibleren Setup und Vertrauen. Ich habe letztens einen Beitrag gelesen zur Payment App einer klassischen Bank die innerhalb ihrer bestehenden Infrastrukturen, ein Startup gebildet hat. Und dies genau in der Zeit, in welcher andere Betriebe ihre Innovationsprojekte komplett eingestellt haben. Hier wurde genau diese Problematik offen angesprochen, die Herausforderung das Management mit einem anderen Ansatz vertraut zu machen. Davon brauchen wir mehr.
Bitte nenne uns ein FinTech im Ausland was wir unbedingt verfolgen sollen und sag uns warum?
Ich nenne euch gerne ein RegTech. «Kompany», ein RegTech aus Österreich über welches ich kürzlich gestolpert bin. Mit dem Zugriff auf, nach eigenen Angaben, auf mehr als 110 Millionen Unternehmensdaten, könnte das Unternehmen eine interessante Bereicherung für KYC mit seinem «in Echtzeit digitalen Zugang zu Handelsregistern weltweit» bieten. Die machen noch vieles mehr, was für den Bereich KYB interessant ist.
Was kann die Schweiz von Fintech im Ausland lernen oder ist es umgekehrt?
Was FinTechs im Ausland von Schweizer FinTechs mitnehmen dürfen, aus meiner ganz persönlichen Sicht, ist die effiziente und sinnvolle Umsetzung von Anforderungen im Bereich der Regulierungen. Hier sehe ich Aufholbedarf für FinTech’s aus dem Ausland und dabei einige Schweizer Startups als Leitbilder.
Welches Schweizer Fintech Startup sollten wir neben KYC unbedingt auf dem Radar haben?
Da gibt es so viele spannende Projekte und Jungunternehmen. Für mich bildet Futurae einen spannenden Case. Ein Baustein, den wir unseren Kunden immer wieder gerne ans Herz legen im Zuge unserer Gespräche rund um Datenschutz und Datensicherheit.
Bitte nominiere einen anderen Schweizer Fintech Influencer mit internationalem Fokus für das Interview
Dann gerne Sandra Tobler, Co-Founder und CEO von Futurae.
Swiss Fintech Influencer Miki Vayloyan*
Miki Vayloyan
Miki Vayloyan ist CEO von KYC Spider. Die erfolgreiche Strategin ist ein fester Begriff in der Welt der regulierten Umfelder. Sie bringt neben ihrem internationalen Erfahrungsschatz mit Fokus auf digitale Innovations-Projekte, unter anderem im Bereich Compliance, zusätzlichen Schwung und Weitsicht in das Zuger RegTech. Mit ihrer langjährigen Erfahrung in der Unternehmensentwicklung und ihrem breiten Netzwerk treibt sie die strategischen Ziele des Unternehmens voran.
 
 
 
 
The post Fintech Influencer Switzerland Interview Series: 7 Fragen an Miki Vayloyan appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-influencer-switzerland-interview-series-7-fragen-an-miki-vayloyan</link><guid>1377</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech Influencer Switzerland Interview Series: 7 Fragen an Miki Vayloyan</dc:text></item><item><title>Luzerner Kantonalbank Implementiert PFM Lösung von Contovista</title><description><![CDATA[Positive Kundenerlebnisse gewinnen im Zuge der Digitalisierung weiterhin an Relevanz und bilden ein zentrales Differenzierungsmerkmal im Wettbewerb. Die Optimierung der Customer Experience, Steigerung des User Engagements und zeitgleiche Sicherung der digitalen Kundenschnittstellen sind daher primäre Ziele von vielen Finanzinstituten. Einen wichtigen Kanal stellt dabei das E-Banking dar und auch aktuelle Marktstudien belegen das steigende Potenzial.
So haben die IFZ der Hochschule Luzern und die auf Finanzdienstleister spezialisierte Unternehmensberatung zeb im April 2020 eine Umfrage bei führenden Schweizer Banken durchgeführt. Ziel war es, anhand von Echtdaten die veränderte Kanalnutzung der Kunden direkt nach dem Corona Lockdown zu analysieren. Herauskam unter anderem eine Steigerung von 25% der E-Banking Nutzung, gemessen an der Anzahl Logins, im Vorjahresvergleich. Schon zuvor belegte eine Studie der IFZ, die steigende E-Banking Akzeptanz und aktive Nutzung.
Luzerner Kantonalbank bindet Kunden in E-Banking Re-Design ein und erweitert das digitale Angebot für Privat- und Geschäftskunden
Genau auf diesen Trend setzt nun auch die Luzerner Kantonalbank AG (LUKB), um ihre Kundinnen und Kunden mit zusätzlichen Services bei der individuellen Finanzplanung zu unterstützen. So erscheint das E-Banking der LUKB seit Anfang dieses Jahres in modernem Design und mit verbesserter Navigation. Die Benutzerführung richtet sich dabei am heutigen Nutzerverhalten aus. Um dies sicherzustellen und eine praxistaugliche Lösung anzubieten, wurde der neue Auftritt gemeinsam mit Kunden entwickelt und verfeinert.
Im Zuge des E-Banking Re-Designs wurden zeitgleich Finance Management Lösungen für Privat- und Geschäftskunden eingeführt, welche nach einer Family &amp; Friends Phase inzwischen für alle LUKB-Kunden zur Verfügung stehen. Die Services wurden vom Schweizer Fintech Contovista entwickelt und in Funktionalität und Design auf die Bedürfnisse der LUKB abgestimmt.
Der integrierte Business Finance Manager von Contovista ist das zentrale Finanzcockpit für KMU und dient als weitreichende Lösung zur vorausschauenden Liquiditätsplanung. KI-gesteuert und Data-driven bietet der BFM umfangreiche Analytik-Tools und ermöglicht die Cashflows jederzeit im Griff zu haben. Damit gewinnen Geschäftskunden nicht nur mehr Sicherheit und uneingeschränkte Kontrolle über Ihre Finanzen, sondern sparen wertvolle Zeit, die auf das Kerngeschäft verwendet werden kann.
Der Personal Finance Manager erhöht die Relevanz von digitalem Banking im täglichen Leben der Privatkunden. Tagesaktuelle Kennzahlen zur Steuerung des Ausgabeverhaltens, wie z.B. «Left to Spend» (Frei verfügbar) und Algorithmen-gestützte, personalisierte Hinweise (Insights) helfen dabei die Finanzen besser zu verstehen und Finanzziele zu erreichen.
Stefan Lüthy
Stefan Lüthy, Leiter Multikanalmanagement &amp; Digitalisierung der Luzerner Kantonalbank, erklärt:
«Wir freuen uns, unseren Privatkunden mit dem Personal Finance Manager eine zeitgemässe Erweiterung im LUKB E-Banking sowie auf der E-Banking-App anbieten zu können. Speziell durch den Einfluss der Corona-Epidemie haben unsere Kunden mehr und mehr auf Bargeld verzichtet und die elektronischen Zahlungsmittel genutzt. Mit den detaillierten Transaktionsübersichten und den vorhanden Planungselementen haben die Kunden immer einen aktuellen Überblick über ihre Ausgaben und erhalten zudem wertvolle Zusatzinformationen zu den einzelnen Transaktionen.»
Dominik Wurzer
Dominik Wurzer, CEO der Contovista AG, ergänzt:
«Neben Privatkunden, die zum Teil durch Kurzarbeit in finanzielle Engpässe geraten, sind vor allem kleine und mittelständische Unternehmen mehr denn je darauf angewiesen, ihre Finanzdaten besser zu verstehen und den Cashflow im Überblick zu haben. Den meisten fehlen bisweilen jedoch, speziell im E-Banking, die geeigneten Lösungen und wir sind stolz diesen Kundenbedürfnissen nun auch mit der LUKB nachzukommen.»
The post Luzerner Kantonalbank Implementiert PFM Lösung von Contovista appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/luzerner-kantonalbank-implementiert-pfm-losung-von-contovista</link><guid>1375</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Luzerner Kantonalbank Implementiert PFM Lösung von Contovista</dc:text></item><item><title>BX Swiss Uses Blockchain to Protect Approved Securities Prospectuses Against Falsification</title><description><![CDATA[As part of its role as a prospectus review office under the Financial Services Act, BX Swiss reviews and deposits securities prospectuses. In order to ensure that prospectuses always correspond to the approved version, BX Swiss has integrated the certification solution from Certifaction. After verification, the documents are digitally signed and stored in an unalterable form via the Ethereum Blockchain.
Manuel Gall
&#8220;COVID-19 has exponentially accelerated the digital transformation,&#8221;
says Manuel Gall, Co-Founder at Certifaction.
&#8220;This has tremendously increased the need to protect digital documents such as prospectuses, diplomas, medical prescriptions or credit ratings against forgery or unauthorized manipulation.&#8221;

Matthias Müller
&#8220;The security procedure that we were able to implement with Certifaction allows us to register prospectuses on the block chain forgery-proof within a few minutes and to provide investors with a simple tool for checking the authenticity of a document,&#8221;
adds Matthias Müller, Managing Director at BX Swiss AG.
Every investor can check the authenticity of a prospectus with a simple drag &amp; drop via the BX Swiss website:
https://www.regservices.ch/en/prospectus-verification/
﻿
 
Featured image: Matthias Müller (BX Swiss AG) and Jerome Albert (Certifaction AG), screengrab from Youtube
The post BX Swiss Uses Blockchain to Protect Approved Securities Prospectuses Against Falsification appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bx-swiss-uses-blockchain-to-protect-approved-securities-prospectuses-against-falsification</link><guid>1373</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>BX Swiss Uses Blockchain to Protect Approved Securities Prospectuses Against Falsification</dc:text></item><item><title>New CEO for Privatam, the Customized Investments Fintech</title><description><![CDATA[Privatam announced the appointment of a new CEO, the Swiss-Italian Massimo Passamonti, co-founder of the Fintech offering its services to wealth managers.
Massimo Passamonti, a graduate nuclear engineer, started his career at the European Centre for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva. In 2005, he joined the investment banks Commerzbank then Medicobianca in London. In 2014, he co-founded Privatam with Stan Perromat, Arthur Bauch and Steve Price in Monaco. He is currently enrolled for the Global Executive MBA at the prestigious INSEAD Business School.
Massimo Passamonti
As the new CEO, M. Passamonti will take up his new position today and will also be responsible for coordinating the company’s strategy, succeeding a collegial management structure previously held by the four co-founders of the company.
“Our ambition is to streamline our internal organization to further strengthen our position with wealth managers around the world in the non-traditional investment market,&#8221;
says M. Passamonti.
After the start-up time comes the build-up time.
Since its foundation, Privatam has significantly improved the access and use of customized investments, especially in Latin America, Europe, and Middle East. With a now global operation, Privatam’s proprietary digital platform PARity serves over 500 wealth managers, helping them to make simpler, better and faster investment decisions.
Stan Perromat will represent Privatam and PARity externally and will be responsible for marketing, communication and philanthropic partnerships.
Arthur Bauch will be responsible for improving the content of the PARity platform and expanding its supplier base.
Steve Price will lead Privatam’s Technology Team and co-ordinate its PARity development program.
The post New CEO for Privatam, the Customized Investments Fintech appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-ceo-for-privatam-the-customized-investments-fintech</link><guid>1371</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>New CEO for Privatam, the Customized Investments Fintech</dc:text></item><item><title>St.Galler Kantonalbank baut Open Wealthtech API</title><description><![CDATA[Synpulse unterstützt die St.Galler Kantonalbank (SGKB) dabei, standardisierte Programmierschnittstellen (APIs) für ihre Depotbank-Services gegenüber ihren externen Vermögensverwaltern (eVV) zu entwerfen.

Die neuen OpenWealth APIs werden gemeinsam mit den Schweizer WealthTech-Unternehmen assetmax, Advice Online und Alphasys AG sowie den Vermögensverwaltern Consensus Partner und B&amp;M Wealth Management spezifiziert und definiert.
Laut einer Studie von Synpulse und der SGKB, bei der verschiedene WealthTech, eVVs und Depotbanken befragt wurden, bringt eine standardisierte Anbindung von eVV an ihre Depotbanken via REST-API ein besseres Nutzererlebnis für die eVV sowie eine Steigerung der Effizienz für alle beteiligten Parteien. Alle befragten WealthTech-Anbieter sind zudem der Meinung, dass standardisierte APIs die nächste Evolutionsstufe im Multi-Custody Setup sind und befürworten diese Initiative. Synpulse und die SGKB freuen sich daher, dass mit assetmax, Advice Online und Alphasys AG, drei namhafte Schweizer Portfolio-Management-System-Anbieter das Vorhaben in einer Pilot-Community tatkräftig unterstützen und die geplanten APIs zukünftig in ihren Systemen integrieren zu wollen.
Die OpenWealth APIs können sich nur zu einem Standard etablieren, wenn sie von einer grossen Community von Depotbanken und WealthTech-Unternehmen akzeptiert und implementiert werden. Synpulse mit langjähriger Expertise und entsprechendem Netzwerk im Wealth-Management strebt an die OpenWealth-API-Community aufzubauen  und mit anderen API-Standardisierungsinitiativen und Service-Providern zu koordinieren.
Raphael Bianchi
Raphael Bianchi, Head Schweiz und Partner bei Synpulse:
«Wir investieren in den Aufbau der OpenWealth-Community, da wir überzeugt sind, dass sich Open Banking im weiteren Sinne als strategische Stossrichtung für Banken etablieren wird. Dies erlaubt uns, alle unsere Stärken einzusetzen, um Banken von der Strategiedefinition über die Evaluation der passenden API-Plattform bis hin zur finalen Umsetzung zu begleiten»
Die SGKB verfolgt in der Digitalisierung der Kundenschnittstelle eine Strategie, wonach neben eigenen erstklassigen Applikationen und attraktiven Benutzeroberflächen wo sinnvoll auch APIs für die Anbindung von Drittparteien zur Verfügung gestellt werden sollen.
Falk Kohlmann, Leiter Digital Banking der SGKB:
«Die mögliche Bereitstellung unserer Depotbank-Services als API würde uns erlauben uns besser in verschiedene Portfoliomanagementsysteme zu integrieren und damit das Kundenerlebnis für unsere externen Vermögensverwaltungskunden zu steigern und Effizienzsteigerungen zu generieren. Wir sind überzeugt, dass eine breite Akzeptanz der API die Vorteile für alle Beteiligten nochmals vergrössert. Deshalb bauen wir auf Synpulse, um die geplanten OpenWealth APIs zu einem Standard zu entwickeln.»
Die OpenWealth API könnten neben Portfoliodaten und Wertschriftentransaktionen auch die Möglichkeit bieten, Kundendaten auszulesen und möglicherweise zu modifizieren. Dadurch könnten operative und regulatorische Risiken für Depotbanken und eVV weiter reduziert werden. Der Use Case für die Anbindung von externen Vermögensverwaltern ist einer von vielen Anwendungen der OpenWealth API.
 
 
 
Featured image credit: St.Galler Kantonalbank

The post St.Galler Kantonalbank baut Open Wealthtech API appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/stgaller-kantonalbank-baut-open-wealthtech-api</link><guid>1372</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>St.Galler Kantonalbank baut Open Wealthtech API</dc:text></item><item><title>COVID-19 Accelerates Digital Adoption in Real Estate: Proptech Ventures Report</title><description><![CDATA[The COVID-19 pandemic is forcing the real estate industry to accelerate its digital transformation, bringing both challenges and opportunities to the sector, according to a new report by independent European venture capital (VC) fund PropTech1 Ventures.
In a paper titled Proptech and the Corona Effect: Impact of COVID-19 on Digitalization Trends in the Real Estate Industry, the VC delves into the impact of the pandemic and resulting economic turmoil on the sector, and explores how the financing landscape for proptech startups and the market opportunities for their investors are expected to develop.

 
According to the report, in the aftermath of COVID-19, several subsegments of the proptech sector will experience a boost in relevance, while others will struggle to survive at least in the short term.
Changing requirements
Agile startups and those that address rapidly changing requirements and expectations induced by COVID-19 will prosper, the report says, citing for example startups with technical solutions that reduce the risk of infection in office and retail spaces, but also companies in former niche topics, such as decentralized care for the elderly.
German startup Thing Technologies (Thing-it), for example, has developed a new digital solution called Virus Guard that helps reduce the risk of infection. Virus Guard provides an easy-to-install and easy-to-operate solution to control the in and out flow/presence of people in a store or building using sensors.
Seniovo, a proptech startup providing a digital platform that connects local craftsmen with elderly and disabled people looking for age-appropriate and barrier-free reconstruction, is another company that should prosper post-COVID-19, the report says.
The new PropTech1 Ventures paper also comes back to the proptech trends the VC predicted in its February European Proptech Trends 2020 study, and gives a reassessment of these forecast trends that takes into account the possible short, medium and long term impact of COVID-19 on them.
According to the report, “GretaTech,” which refers to all proptech technologies that make the real estate industry more climate-friendly, will attract less attention in the short term, but will nevertheless remain relevant in the long term.
Prefabricated homes (prefabs) and related industries will continue to struggle amid movement restrictions and the after-effects of lock-down in the short term, but in the medium to long-term, these sector should experience growth as COVID-19 strengthens the existing trend towards cost reduction as well as the digitalization of all processes.
On consolidation and M&amp;A activity, COVID-19 will have a negative effect on the short term, but activity is expected to significantly pick up in medium and long term, the report says.
In the short and medium term housing and rental business, companies will see a sharp slump in the short term as global mobility comes to an halt. In the long term, however, the trend towards flexible living and working is expected to revive.
Finally, on all three timeframes, short, medium and long term, COVID-19 will continue to fuel digitalization in the real estate industry, a trend that will only accelerate over time, the report says.
Opportunity for VC investors
COVID-19 has put a toll on startup funding as VC investors shift to risk management mode and primarily focus on their existing portfolio. This will continue in the near future, the report says, making it more challenging for proptech startups to raise new capital.
But this difficult financing situation for startups will actually come to benefit the few dedicated VC investors who continue to actively invest. With startup valuations becoming less overheated due to competition and hype, investors will have the opportunity to get shares at a more attractive price.
And with the crisis likely to turn the digitalization of the real estate from optional to mandatory in the medium to long term, this could prove to represent an even greater opportunity for them.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/covid-19-accelerates-digital-adoption-in-real-estate-proptech-ventures-report</link><guid>1370</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Proptech-covid19-1024x511.png</dc:content ><dc:text>COVID-19 Accelerates Digital Adoption in Real Estate: Proptech Ventures Report</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Loanboox Appoints new CEO and CRO</title><description><![CDATA[The Zurich based debt capital market platform Loanboox is broadening its executive team: Philippe Cayrol joins the Fintech as its new CEO. The experienced start-up manager takes over from founder Stefan Muehlemann who will focus on his role as Executive Chairman. Alex Lawrence completes the executive team as Chief Revenue Officer.
Philippe Cayrol, new CEO
Philippe Cayrol
As Head of Corporate &amp; Business Development, Cayrol developed the start-up into the world’s largest carpooling marketplace at BlaBlacar. Previously, Cayrol co-founded an investment fund in London that focused on growth capital for early stage companies.
The digitalisation of the large debt markets is only getting started, so I am very excited to join an exceptional team who is passionate about bringing more efficiency, accessibility and transparency to the debt capital markets. I am impressed by the innovative features and the traction of the platform and look forward to contributing to the future success of all our users,
says Cayrol.
Alex Lawrence, new CRO
Alex Lawrence
Alex Lawrence will join as Chief Revenue Officer and will be responsible for business development and marketing across all countries. The experienced international finance and fintech specialist moved to Loanboox from the securitisation platform CrossLend, where he was Managing Director. Previous roles have included J.P. Morgan and the Royal Bank of Scotland.
Lawrence on his new challenge:
I am thrilled to join a company that puts its clients, technology and people at the epicentre of everything that it does, making a positive impact on all stakeholders. It’s clear to me that the future of our business is to partner with key institutions and play a pivotal role in driving their digitalisation initiatives in order to better serve the financing needs of their clients.
Strengthened executive team to support new growth phase
Stefan Mühlemann
With over CHF 40 billion of financing requests handled through the platform since the start and 2’500 organisations in six countries, I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved. As we now scale up our activities to the next level, including new products and target groups, it felt natural to strengthen the team. Whilst I was the right CEO for Loanboox’ inception and first years, it is now time to hand over operational responsibility to experts with relevant experiences. With Philippe and Alex, we have found talented executives with the right mix of entrepreneurial spirit and execution capabilities,
says Muehlemann.
In addition to Cayrol and Lawrence, the two previous members Dario Zogg (Co-Founder &amp; CTO) and Dominique Huegli (COO) complete Loanboox’ executive board. Co-Founder Andi Burri will continue his responsibilities as Country Head Switzerland and member of the Board of Directors, and will additionally focus on key customer relationships. Stefan Muehlemann, who founded Loanboox in 2015 and was CEO since then, will concentrate on his position as Executive Chairman.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-loanboox-appoints-new-ceo-and-cro</link><guid>1369</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Loanboox Appoints new CEO and CRO</dc:text></item><item><title>Which Fintech Sectors Will Gain From COVID-19?</title><description><![CDATA[Like other sectors, fintech funding has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic turmoil, with investment down during the first months of 2020. However, the long-term impact of COVID-19 will differ across segments, with sectors including payments, insurtech and hybrid robo-advisors expected to benefit from the crisis in the long run, according to a new report by CB Insights.
In a brief released earlier this month, the market and business intelligence company looks at the short- and long-term effects of COVID-19 on five fintech segments: payments, insurance, banking and lending, wealth and capital markets, and real estate.
Short-term and long-term effects of COVID-19 on Fintech, June 2020, Source: CB Insights
In the payments sector, the reports notes that while companies serving hard-hit verticals including travel, restaurants, and events and entertainment, will continue to struggle in the short term, payments companies serving e-commerce have seen payments volume explode and will continue to see traction.
This is because COVID-19 is contributing to an explosion in e-commerce at the expense of physical retail, a trend that will result in payments companies enabling online retailers taking more and more market share away from payments companies serving physical retailers, the report says.
In insurance, the current crisis has shown how static and outdated traditional insurance products are. In the aftermath of COVID-19, consumers will turn to more flexible and transparent products such as on-demand insurance, parametric insurance, and usage-based insurance, CB Insights predicts.
In the long run, the winners will be those that leverage digital capabilities and technology to digitize key value chain operations including underwriting and claims management, thus improving operational efficiency and cutting costs.
As a result, incumbents could end up having to rely more on business-to-business (B2B) insurtech startups to improve their digital capabilities, the report says.
In wealthtech and capital markets, startups in the space have raised significant cash amid COVID-19. There has also been several acquisition deals with likely more consolidation to come in the short term, the report says.
One fact that has become clear with COVID-19 is that investors still want relationships with human advisors. In fact, popular robo-advisors Betterment and Wealthfront experienced higher-than-average engagement with human advisors in Q1’20, the report says. Hence, in the long term, CB Insights believes hybrid robo-advisory services will become mainstream, a trend that could be beneficial for established players such as Fidelity and Charles Schwab, which offer more established hybrid advisory services alongside zero-commission models.
In real estate, the pandemic has crushed demand but also supply as owners hold out for more favorable conditions. This has put a toll on online real estate portals with players like Zillow and Realtor.com recording a significant reduction in web traffic.
On the financing side, traditional lenders have tightened up credit requirements and borrowers are now facing difficulties securing financing. This has put the spotlight on digital mortgage lenders, which will likely benefit from the pandemic in the short term, the report says.
In the long term, digital processes and technology will become stable stakes for the industry, with capabilities like virtual home tours and virtual neighborhood walks becoming the new normal.
Finally, in banking and lending, digital challenger banks will continue to struggle amid COVID-19 and limited spending. The more resilient will be those with lots of capital such as N26, Revolut and Chime, but also those with a loyal base of primary banking customers that link direct deposits such as Chime, as well as those with durable, multi-product offerings like Stash, MoneyLion, and Betterment, the report says.
In digital lending, players such as LendingClub, Kabbage and OnDesk have been hit the hardest as defaults rise and fewer loans are given out.
The long-term outlook is still uncertain for most of them as many will likely see insolvency while others get acquired by bigger players, the report says. Credit startups that white-label their lending technology to banks, like ODX, Amount and Powered by Upstart, are more likely to be sustainable.
So far, COVID-19 has acted as a catalyst for digitalization and though the current crisis will continue to accelerate digital banking and lending, it will also filter out businesses that lack a durable revenue model, CB Insights says.
The post Which Fintech Sectors Will Gain From COVID-19? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/which-fintech-sectors-will-gain-from-covid-19</link><guid>1368</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Short-term-and-long-term-effects-of-COVID-19-on-Fintech-Source-CB-Insights.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Which Fintech Sectors Will Gain From COVID-19?</dc:text></item><item><title>Introducing the TransferWise Debit Card and Borderless Account</title><description><![CDATA[UK fintech unicorn TransferWise quietly launched its Borderless account and linked debit card offering in early 2018 for customers located in the UK and European Union (EU), before adding support for those in the US, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore throughout 2019.
TransferWise first announced the Borderless account in May 2017 but hinted at plans to launch a debit card back in 2016, according to a Business Insider report, as the startup edges closer to banking.
A recent survey showed that Swiss users, are not yet really familiar with Transferwise accounts and debit cards, that&#8217;s why we thought it would be good to know more.
The TransferWise Borderless account and debit card
The TransferWise debit card is linked to the Borderless account, a multi-currency account that lets users keep money in more than 50 currencies, and convert between them at the real exchange rate whenever they need.
Account holders get personal account numbers and bank details for GBP, EUR, AUD, NZD, USD, and SGD (with more currencies on the way), allowing them to receive money from around the world for free.
The Borderless account is free to sign up and there isn’t any subscription fee.
TransferWise Borderless account and debit card illustration, Source: TransferWise
Once users have their borderless account, they must activate any of the 50+ currencies TransferWise offers and top up their account through bank transfer or debit/credit card. Through their dashboard, they can then request a TransferWise debit card that’s linked to the account.
Within two weeks, the card should arrive in the mailbox. Users then have to activate it in the TransferWise app or website by entering the 6-digit code that’s on the card.
Once activated, users can use the card to spend money around the world with low conversion fees and zero transaction fees. The card also supports contactless payments through Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.
Customers receive a notification on the mobile app every time a transaction occurs with the card and every time funds arrive in a Borderless account. The notification also says how much there is left in that particular currency account.
TransferWise debit card illustration, Source: TransferWise
In terms of fees, TransferWise doesn’t charge anything when customers pay with currencies in their account. The company does, however, take a 0.35% to 1% conversion fee, in addition to a fixed fee, when a user spends in a currency they do not hold.
Each month, card holders can withdraw the following amounts for free, depending on where their card was issued: 350 AUD/NZD/SGD for cards issued in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore; 200 GBP or equivalent for cards issued in the UK and all European cards; and 250 USD for cards issued in the US.
The TransferWise debit card is currently available for people and businesses with a multi-currency account in the UK, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and most of the EEA, as well as people with a multi-currency account in the US.
TransferWise’s banking partners are Barclays in Europe, and Wells Fargo in the US.
Recent developments
TransferWise has been busy expanding its offering this year, introducing earlier this month peer-to-peer transfers.
The new feature allows account holders to send domestic as well as cross-border transfers instantly to their phone contacts who also have a TransferWise multi-currency account, eliminating the archaic reliance on bank details and replacing them with just a simple phone number.
In terms of geographical expansion, the startup has been working on developing its business in Switzerland, with Handelszeitung reporting in May that it had founded a Swiss unit based in Baar.
The company has said that Switzerland was one of the most important markets in Europe with strong growth rates. Currently, TransferWise has a Swiss correspondent account at JP Morgan, according to newspaper Liechtensteiner Vaterland.
Besides its online money transfer services, Borderless account and debit card offerings, another revenue source for TransferWise has been its TransferWise for Banks offering, which allows financial institutions to plug into the startup’s system via API to offer their customers cheap exchange rates and money transfers.
Connecting to TransferWise’s API is free of charge but the startup charges a fee whenever an international transfer is made.
Fintechs and banks that have integrated with TransferWise include N26, Monzo, Stanford Federal Credit Union, and Up.
The post Introducing the TransferWise Debit Card and Borderless Account appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/introducing-the-transferwise-debit-card-and-borderless-account</link><guid>1376</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/TransferWise-Borderless-account-and-debit-card-Source-TransferWise.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Introducing the TransferWise Debit Card and Borderless Account</dc:text></item><item><title>Mason Privatbank in Liechtenstein Offers Digital Asset Custody Services for Their Asia-Based Clients</title><description><![CDATA[Hex Trust has announced that Mason Privatbank Liechtenstein AG, has selected them to provide digital asset custody services for their Asia-based clients.
The partnership enables Mason Privatbank Liechtenstein AG’s clients (high net worth individuals and institutions) to safely and securely hold, trade and access digital assets on Hex Trust’s custody platform — Hex Safe. The digital assets which are available on Hex Safe range from cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, to security tokens. The Hex Safe platform integrates third-party lending, staking, borrowing and trading platforms, which allows clients to access the digital asset ecosystem while their assets are held in secure custody. The partnership also extends the network for Hex Trust and allows their ecosystem of partners to access Mason Privatbank Liechtenstein AG’s clients.
Mason Privatbank Liechtenstein AG is developing the private banking sector’s adoption of digital assets and is offering this service for their clients. With a history of more than 20 years, they have successfully established themselves as a boutique private bank in Liechtenstein and now, since they have been taken over by the Mason Group, expanding their services with a focus on digital assets.
Hex Trust’s proprietary technology has been specifically designed to provide the leading digital asset custody services for the banking sector via its compliance-first framework and flexible deployment options. Hex Trust has a global partnership with IBM for digital asset custody services and provides the Hex Safe platform with market-leading security. Digital assets held on Hex Safe also have insurance coverage arranged by Aon.
Hubert Buechel, CMO of Mason Privatbank Liechtenstein AG, said:

“We see more and more demand from asset managers and investors who want to diversify their portfolios and invest in digital assets. A trend that has only been amplified in light of the current market turbulences. Our goal is to offer regulated, but frictionless banking-grade digital assets cold storage to our clients, and this is why we team up with Hex Trust. ”

The post Mason Privatbank in Liechtenstein Offers Digital Asset Custody Services for Their Asia-Based Clients appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mason-privatbank-in-liechtenstein-offers-digital-asset-custody-services-for-their-asia-based-clients</link><guid>1366</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Mason Privatbank in Liechtenstein Offers Digital Asset Custody Services for Their Asia-Based Clients</dc:text></item><item><title>Mason Privatbank in Liechtenstein Offers Digital Asset Custody Services for Asia-Based Clients</title><description><![CDATA[Hex Trust has announced that Mason Privatbank Liechtenstein AG, has selected them to provide digital asset custody services for their Asia-based clients.
The partnership enables Mason Privatbank Liechtenstein AG’s clients (high net worth individuals and institutions) to safely and securely hold, trade and access digital assets on Hex Trust’s custody platform — Hex Safe. The digital assets which are available on Hex Safe range from cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, to security tokens. The Hex Safe platform integrates third-party lending, staking, borrowing and trading platforms, which allows clients to access the digital asset ecosystem while their assets are held in secure custody. The partnership also extends the network for Hex Trust and allows their ecosystem of partners to access Mason Privatbank Liechtenstein AG’s clients.
Mason Privatbank Liechtenstein AG is developing the private banking sector’s adoption of digital assets and is offering this service for their clients. With a history of more than 20 years, they have successfully established themselves as a boutique private bank in Liechtenstein and now, since they have been taken over by the Mason Group, expanding their services with a focus on digital assets.
Hex Trust’s proprietary technology has been specifically designed to provide the leading digital asset custody services for the banking sector via its compliance-first framework and flexible deployment options. Hex Trust has a global partnership with IBM for digital asset custody services and provides the Hex Safe platform with market-leading security. Digital assets held on Hex Safe also have insurance coverage arranged by Aon.
Hubert Buechel, CMO of Mason Privatbank Liechtenstein AG, said:

“We see more and more demand from asset managers and investors who want to diversify their portfolios and invest in digital assets. A trend that has only been amplified in light of the current market turbulences. Our goal is to offer regulated, but frictionless banking-grade digital assets cold storage to our clients, and this is why we team up with Hex Trust. ”

The post Mason Privatbank in Liechtenstein Offers Digital Asset Custody Services for Asia-Based Clients appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mason-privatbank-in-liechtenstein-offers-digital-asset-custody-services-for-asia-based-clients</link><guid>1367</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Mason Privatbank in Liechtenstein Offers Digital Asset Custody Services for Asia-Based Clients</dc:text></item><item><title>Vanguard: Asset-Backed Securities Issuance via Blockchain</title><description><![CDATA[Vanguard, in partnership with technology provider Symbiont, announced the completion of the first phase of a blockchain pilot designed to digitize the issuance of asset-backed securities (ABS). In close collaboration with a large US ABS issuer, as well as BNY Mellon, Citi, and State Street, Vanguard successfully modeled the full lifecycle of an ABS settlement on distributed ledger technology (DLT) network by replicating end-to-end transaction flows.
Warren Pennington
“Vanguard is dedicated to providing innovative, world-class solutions that help advance the financial services industry,”
said Warren Pennington, principal and head of Vanguard’s Investment Management FinTech Strategies Group.
“By digitizing and streamlining the ABS issuance process, we will be able to increase the speed and transparency of transactions while reducing costs and minimizing exposure to risk, which ultimately leads to a more efficient business model for future generations of capital market activity.”
Vanguard and Symbiont have been working diligently with a large US ABS issuer and participants in the banking industry to improve the process of securitization of ABS issuances. The vision for pairing Symbiont’s Assembly DLT with smart contracts—self-executing contracts that are triggered when an agreed-upon event occurs—is to offer increased information flow, enhance price discovery and secondary market liquidity, and automate key corporate actions through the use of a common infrastructure that is open to all market participants.
Puneet Singhvi, FMI Head and Markets and Securities Services lead for Blockchain, DLT and Digital Assets, Citi, mentioned,
“We continue to assess new technologies, collaborating with our clients and partners, with a focus on making the risk transfer process across the industry more robust and efficient.”
Leveraging Symbiont’s DLT network, Vanguard is working to transform and automate the current capital markets infrastructure to deliver better outcomes and reduced costs for market participants. The pilot provides the technical and operational foundation critical to supporting an asset issuance on a distributed ledger network. Market dynamics, such as periods of sustained volatility and illiquidity, have highlighted the need for faster, increasingly transparent and more automated markets where digital capabilities can help alleviate liquidity and funding concerns.
Mark Smith
Mark Smith, CEO of Symbiont, said,
“There is considerable significance to the completion of the pilot program. The successful demonstration of an ABS issuance is a momentous step forward in fundamentally changing capital markets infrastructure through blockchain technology. 2020 may be the year that, for the first time, market participants will see a live ledger-based issuance.”
Vanguard and Symbiont have been leveraging blockchain technology to improve capital markets since December 2017, when the two joined forces to simplify the data distribution process. In 2019, Vanguard went live with Symbiont’s technology to consume data for $1.3 trillion worth of funds. The partnership has enabled index data to move instantly between index providers and market participants over one decentralized database, resulting in improved benchmark tracking and cost savings for clients.
Featured image credit: Vanguard Facebook
The post Vanguard: Asset-Backed Securities Issuance via Blockchain appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/vanguard-asset-backed-securities-issuance-via-blockchain</link><guid>1362</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Vanguard: Asset-Backed Securities Issuance via Blockchain</dc:text></item><item><title>Sparbatze bringt eigene Aktien auf die Blockchain</title><description><![CDATA[Sparbatze hat sich entschieden, sein Aktienregister digital auf der Blockchain Lösung von daura zu führen. Damit können die Aktien als Token zugänglich gemacht werden. daura basiert auf Schweizer Recht und läuft auf einer privaten, in der Schweiz durch Swisscom und die Schweizer Post betriebenen Blockchain-Lösung.
Ivan Sosio
«Damit können wir in Zukunft eine Kapitalerhöhung per Knopfdruck einfach und günstig durchführen»
sagt der Mitgründer von Sparbatze, Ivan Sosio.
Dank daura können nicht börsenkotierte Unternehmen neue Aktien digital emittieren. Die so geschaffenen Aktien sind ein digitaler Token. Dies ermöglicht KMUs via Internet neue Investoren an ihrem Unternehmen zu beteiligen.
 
The post Sparbatze bringt eigene Aktien auf die Blockchain appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sparbatze-bringt-eigene-aktien-auf-die-blockchain</link><guid>1363</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Sparbatze bringt eigene Aktien auf die Blockchain</dc:text></item><item><title>Holistic Life Risk Assessment and Tailored Coverage with Vlot</title><description><![CDATA[With rate of new COVID-19 cases slowing, Switzerland is gradually easing restrictions in a bid to avoid further damage to the economy.
As of June 12, Switzerland recorded more than 31,000 COVID-19 cases including over 1,600 deaths, according to data from the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH). Only 19 more cases were reported from the previous day.
In Switzerland, reports of new cases began declining nationally in early April after peaking in late-March, according to data compiled by Swissinfo.ch.
Given the positive metrics, several restrictions were lifted in June with more to come. The government plans to re-open its borders with Germany, Austria and France on June 15 but is holding off on opening borders to Italy, and on June 19, the “extraordinary situation” will be officially lifted.
The COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions put in place to contain contagion have put a toll on the economy with the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) estimating that Switzerland’s GDP could decline by 7-10% in 2020 due to the crisis.
According to a survey conducted in mid-April by Deloitte, 18% of self-employed individuals in Switzerland have had to close their business and 21% are still trading but have seen business drop to zero. A further 38% report a decrease in business.
To support the fintech startup community, the Fintech News Network is covering each week a promising Swiss fintech startup that deserve the spotlight.
For this week, we look at Vlot, an insurtech startup specialized in life insurance.
Life risk analysis and hyper-personalized coverage with Vlot
Vlot is a Zurich-based insurtech startup that provides a fully-fledged digital value chain combining a holistic life risk assessment with a tailored risk coverage solution as well as ongoing life-cycle triggered adjustments.
Vlot’s technology aggregates social security benefits, employer benefits, as well as relevant personal data to capture users’ situation holistically.
Based on a user’s information, the system calculates the disability benefits this user is entitled to in the event of both an accident and illness. It then calculates the benefits that would be paid to the user’s survivors should the person die after an accident or illness.
Once all benefits have been calculated, the system determines in which scenario (death or disability) which cause (accident or illness) creates the greatest income gap.
These parameters are then sent through a machine learning algorithm that calculates if and how high an insurance coverage is recommended. For this calculation, factors including age, level of education, civil status, number of children, and cost of living adjustments, are taken into account.
Finally, the user get three proposals: “Vlot minimum,” “Vlot optimum,” and “Vlot maximum,” and the current monthly premiums for each cover are provided.
Vlot’s technology is being offered to both individual customers, as well as businesses.
For individuals, the platform allows them to access a holistic assessment of their available state and employer related social security benefits. It further enables end-customers to seamlessly close an identified income and savings gap through a tailored product solution (life insurance).
For insurers, Vlog’s end-to-end white labelled solutions allow them to automate their underwriting process, tap into additional distribution channels and decrease their cost while increasing customer satisfaction and loyalty.
For corporates, Vlot can be integrated in human resource offering as an employee fringe benefit. This would give employees access to a free life risk analysis as well as to flexible, competitive insurance coverage.
And for banks, Vlot can be integrated into any banking software environment: mortgage advisory processes, e-banking portals, or as a self-service offering, through APIs.
Vlot for businesses, Source: Vlot.ch
Established in 2017, Vlot went live in early 2019. The startup is an alumnus of the Plug and Play and Kickstart Accelerator programs and has received several awards and accolades over the years. Vlot was among the Digital Insurance Agenda (DIA) Top 100 Insurtechs 2019, and has been named one of Switzerland’s top insurtech startups by numerous outlets.
Insurtech in Switzerland
The insurance industry is going through a major transformation as new technologies, evolving customer behaviors and increasingly volatile, uncertain and complex business environments bring unprecedented challenges and opportunities.
In Switzerland, though insurtech has remained a rather small market, the country has nevertheless been the birthplace of some of Europe’s most recognizable insurtech startups including Wefox Group, which reached unicorn status in late-2019.
Most recently, ten companies from the digital insurance industry including TONI Digital, Dextra Versicherungen, ELVIA (an affiliate of Allianz Suisse), and ONE (an affiliate of the Wefox Group) teamed up to form a new industry trade group called the Swiss Association of Digital Insurers.
The organization aims to promote an exchange between members, as well as cultivate relationships with other associations with similar goals in Switzerland and abroad, it said in February.
The Swiss Association of Digital Insurers joins the House of Insurtech Switzerland, an insurtech hub established in 2019 and based in Zurich.
The post Holistic Life Risk Assessment and Tailored Coverage with Vlot appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/holistic-life-risk-assessment-and-tailored-coverage-with-vlot</link><guid>1364</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Vlot-for-businesses-Source-Vlot.ch_-1024x955.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Holistic Life Risk Assessment and Tailored Coverage with Vlot</dc:text></item><item><title>Johann Schneider-Ammann Joins the Board of Directors of Crypto Valley Venture Capital</title><description><![CDATA[Former Swiss President and Federal CouncillorJohann Schneider-Ammann has joined the Board of Directors of Crypto Valley Venture Capital CV VC. With his entrepreneurial experience and his network, the former Minister of Economics and Science brings unique support to CV VC.
His commitment underscores the importance of Crypto Valley for Switzerland. It also heralds blockchain as one of the great technologies of the future, which inspired him during his eight years in the Federal Council. At the beginning of 2018, then-Federal CouncillorSchneider-Ammann proclaimed an internationally acclaimed goal: “Switzerland should become a crypto nation”.
Two former ministers and entrepreneurs as CV VC board members CV VCBoard will, in fact, benefit from the contributions of two members with substantial entrepreneurial and political acumen. Along with Schneider-Ammann, businesswoman Anne-Catherine Berner, who is also Finland’s former Minister for Transport and Communication, has also been named to the Board of Directors.
Anne-Catherine Berner
Anne-Catherine Berner is the former Finnish Minister for Communications and Transport. During that time, she was actively involved in promoting start-ups and new technologies. The Finnish entrepreneur with Swiss roots ran the family business Vallila Interior. Today she is a member of the Board of Directors of the SEB Group, a bank headquartered in Stockholm.
Crypto Valley supporter from the very beginning Schneider-Ammann recognized the potential of blockchain technology at an early stage. As head of the Swiss Federal Department of Economic Affairs, he was committed to creating sustainable framework conditions for technology-driven start-ups and thus made a significant contribution to the success of Crypto Valley. Together with Finance Minister Ueli Maurer, he launched the Blockchain Taskforce, which became the Swiss Blockchain Federation. This is a public-private partnership, unique in the world, consisting of representatives from politics, business, and science.
The Fintech industry awarded Schneider-Ammann the title of &#8220;Fintech Influencer of the Year&#8221; in 2018 for his achievements. It is therefore not surprising that one and a half years after his resignation from government, Schneider-Ammann has decided to take up a seat on the board of an innovative start-up.
Johann Schneider-Ammann
“As an ETH engineer, I am fascinated by new technologies like blockchain. As an entrepreneurial thinker, I am also always interested in sustainable solutions with great economic potential that create new jobs. That&#8217;s why I am happy to be involved with CV VC and Crypto Valley with its young, promising companies,”
explains Johann Schneider-Ammann.
The corona crisis and the lockdown have given a massive boost to digitization. New digital applications should now penetrate our professional and everyday lives and change our society even more quickly. Major trends include decentralized work, online business, cybersecurity, digital identity, and authentication. They require innovative solutions, business models, and technologies that have been developed in Crypto Valley for years.
 
The post Johann Schneider-Ammann Joins the Board of Directors of Crypto Valley Venture Capital appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/johann-schneider-ammann-joins-the-board-of-directors-of-crypto-valley-venture-capital</link><guid>1365</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Johann Schneider-Ammann Joins the Board of Directors of Crypto Valley Venture Capital</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Influencer Switzerland Interview Series: 7 Fragen an Daniel Diemers</title><description><![CDATA[Fintechnews.ch interviewt in einer Serie von Kurz-Interviews bekannte Schweizer Fintech Influenzer. Heute sprechen wir mit Daniel Diemers* über Fintech und Passporting im Nahen Osten und über Wealthtech.
 
Hallo Dani, was hat sich während der Pandemie für Dich persönlich verändert?
Nun, mein Ziel war, in diesem Jahr mehr Zeit mit der Familie zu verbringen, und dank Home Office Total ist dieses Ziel ja bereits nach kurzer Zeit erreicht.
Sehr spannend finde ich auch, wie ältere Konzepte aus den 90’er „Teleworking“, „Knowledgeworker“, „Telepresence“, etc. und neuere Ansätze wie dezentrale Organisationen oder ExO-Organisationen plötzlich live gehen und den Proof-of-Concept nun wirklich geschafft haben.
Ich habe im März z.B. an einem ExO-Hackathon – ExO steht für exponentielle Organisation, ein Ansatz von der Singularity University und gut erklärt von Salim Ismail – teilgenommen. Wir waren 400 Leute aus der ganzen Welt mit wirklich unterschiedlichen Fähigkeiten und Arbeitsfeldern. Was da in nur wenigen Tagen an Lösungen zusammengekommen war, hat mich persönlich beeindruckt.
Denkst Du Covid19 ist der Digital Beschleuniger welcher der Branche bisher fehlte?
Naja, „fehlte“ ist das falsche Wort aus meiner Sicht, ich glaube niemand sollte froh sein, dass wir diese Corona-Zeit erleben, aber wir alle merken ja, dass Home Office, Virtual Teams und dezentrale Arbeitsmethodik plötzlich wirklich funktioniert und zwar produktiv und effizient.
Für mich ist der Corona-Vektor eher einer Richtung Nachhaltigkeit: Vor Corona ist man ja locker für ein Business Meeting von 1h kurz nach London oder Berlin geflogen, was ja dann meistens einen halben bis ganzen Tag „kostete“, mit viel ineffizienter Zeit z.B. Warten am Flughafen, etc. Aber, viel wichtiger: die Ökobilanz von solchen Kurztrips ist schlecht.
In diesem Sinne sollen wir unsere Art zu arbeiten, aber auch zu Leben doch nochmal stark hinterfragen, bevor wir jetzt einfach wieder in unsere alten Gewohnheiten zurückkehren.
Mit was beschäftigst Du Dich derzeit?
Verschiedensten Dingen. Ich bin eng an Themen wie Wealthtech, Fintech dran, begleite ein paar Startups und mache wie immer einiges im Bereich Blockchain und Crypto.
Zudem übersetze ich mein 2001 erschienenes Buch „Die Virtuelle Triade“ (Paul Haupt Verlag) auf englisch. Ich habe das einigen Freunden schon lange versprochen, und jetzt habe ich gerade wirklich Lust darauf das zu tun. Das Buch handelt von der Transformation der Gesellschaft und der Arbeitswelt durch Digitalisierung, aber auch Cyborg-Technologien und künstlicher Intelligenz, Bionik, etc. – Diese Themen faszinieren mich auch 20 Jahre später noch genau so wie damals!
Du warst ja öfters auch im Nahen Osten und kennst die Fintech Trends dort sehr gut , was verpassen wir hier?
Wer nie im Nahen Osten gelebt und gearbeitet hat, tut sich sicher schwer diese Region zu verstehen. Ich bin dort seit ca. 2006 unterwegs und habe auch einige Jahre in Dubai gelebt und eigentlich fast jedes Land dort intensiv bereist und dort gearbeitet.
Die Region ist sehr Technologie-affin. Die typischen Europäischen Vorbehalte und politischen Diskurse gegenüber „zu viel“ Technik, findet man dort kaum. Zumindest nicht im Business Bereich. Das macht es natürlich einfach für Fintech, Wealthtech, Regtech, etc.
Was es dagegen wiederum schwer macht: die Regulierung. Ich war persönlich an einem Projekt beteiligt, ca. um 2010 herum, die Bankenregulierung über alle Golf-Staaten zu harmonisieren, um – im Zielzustand –ein Passporting zu haben.
Leider wurde das Projekt resp. die Gesetzesvorlagen zwar entscheidungsbereit abgeschlossen aber nie von den Staaten ratifiziert. Somit ist es immer noch sehr schwer als Fintech &#8211; egal ob local oder aus Europa &#8211; im Nahen Osten über mehrere Märkte zu operieren.
Bitte nenne uns ein Fintech im Nahen Osten was wir unbedingt verfolgen sollen und sag uns warum?
Da fallen mir natürlich einige ein, aber wenn ich nur eines nennen darf dann: RAIN in Bahrain – das ist quasi das „Bitcoin Suisse“ in Middle East, die erste erfolgreiche Crypto Exchange/ Broker dort. Was spannend ist, wie das Team zusammenkam: ein junger Entrepreneur und Bitcoin Maximalist aus Saudi traf auf einen Entrepreneur aus Ägypten. Dann kamen zwei Fintech &amp; Blockchain Experten aus San Francisco dazu, die eigentlich in San Francisco eine Bitcoin Exchange bauen wollten, aber Jesse Powell (der Gründer von Kraken) war halt schon vorher da ]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-influencer-switzerland-interview-series-7-fragen-an-daniel-diemers</link><guid>1361</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech Influencer Switzerland Interview Series: 7 Fragen an Daniel Diemers</dc:text></item><item><title>Revolut im Nacken der Schweizer Prepaidkarten-Anbieter / Transferwise Karte noch unbekannt</title><description><![CDATA[Der unabhängige Online-Vergleichsdienst moneyland.ch hat im Rahmen einer repräsentativen Online-Umfrage Anfang 2020 befragt, welche Kreditkarten und Prepaidkarten die Schweizer Bevölkerung nutzt und wie zufrieden sie mit diesen ist. Insgesamt sind 1500 Personen im Alter zwischen 18 und 74 Jahren in der Deutsch-und Westschweiz befragt worden.
Allgemein hohe Zufriedenheit
moneyland hat gefragt, wie zufrieden die Schweizer Bevölkerung mit ihren Kreditkarten und Prepaidkarten ist. Die Befragten konnten auf einer Skala von 1 («überhaupt nicht zufrieden») bis 10 («sehr zufrieden») antworten.
Ergebnis:«Die Schweizer Bevölkerung ist zufrieden mit ihren Kreditkarten», bilanziert Benjamin Manz, Geschäftsführer von moneyland.ch. Im Durchschnitt vergeben Schweizer Kreditkarten-und Prepaidkarten-Besitzer 8 von 10 Punkten, was der Note «sehr gut» entspricht.
Die allgemeine Zufriedenheit und Freundlichkeit der Mitarbeiter werden mit 8.1 Punkten bewertet, die Hilfsbereitschaft bei Problemen mit 8 Punkten, die Verständlichkeit der Unterlagen mit 7.9 Punkten und das Preis-Leistungsverhältnis mit 7.8 Punkten.
«Trotzdem müssen sich Schweizer Kreditkarten-Firmen warm anziehen. Ausländische Kartenanbieter wie Revolut gewinnen in der Schweiz rasant an Popularität»,
Zwar weist Revolut eine leicht unterdurchschnittliche Zufriedenheit aus –beim Faktor «Preis-Leistung» schneidet Revolut aber bei den Befragten am besten ab.
Die häufigsten Kreditkarten der Schweiz

Unter den 1500 Befragten 18-bis 74-jährigen Karteninhabern haben 17.1 Prozent angegeben, dass sie eine Migros-Cumulus-Mastercard von Cembra Money Bank besitzen. Damit handelt es sich um die häufigste Kreditkarte der Schweiz.
17.2% haben eine Kreditkarte oder Prepaidkarte von einer Kantonalbank (in der Regel eine Viseca-Karte), 16% eine Kreditkarte oder Prepaidkarte von PostFinance, 15.2% von der UBS, 9.9% von Raiffeisen (in der Regel von Viseca), 7.8% von Cornèrcard, 6.9% eine neue Karte von Coop Supercard (von TopCard). 6.1% geben an, dass sie gar keine Kreditkarte oder Prepaidkarte haben.
Ausländische Kartenanbieter gewinnen an Popularität
Bemerkenswert: Die britische Prepaidkarte von Revolut hat bereits eine Verbreitung von 3.7%. Revolut ist in der Deutschschweiz populärer als in der Westschweiz, bei Männern populärer als bei Frauen, bei der Stadtbevölkerung und Jungen verbreiteter als bei der Landbevölkerung und Älteren. TransferWise-Karten sind in der Schweiz noch wenig verbreitet.
Die Karten mit sehr guten Zufriedenheitsnoten
Am besten abgeschnitten haben die folgenden Kredit-und Prepaidkarten: Die Migros Cumulus-Mastercard von Cembra Money Bank mit einer gewichteten Gesamtpunktzahl von durchschnittlich 8.4 von 10 Punkten, gefolgt von den Viseca-Karten von Raiffeisen (8.3 Punkte), den Karten von Cornèrcard, Migros Bankundder UBS mit je 8.2 Punkten.
Ebenfalls sehr gut schnitten die Amex-Karten von Swisscard und die allgemeinen Karten von Cembra Money Bank mit je 8.1 Punkten sowie die allgemeinen Karten vonSwisscard mit 8 Punkten ab.
Die Karten mit guten Zufriedenheitsnoten
Eine gute Gesamtnote haben die Cashback-Karten von Swisscard, die Karten von PostFinance, Bank Cler und die britische Revolut-Karte mit je 7.9 Punkten erzielt. Es folgen die Karten der Credit Suisse, allgemein die Viseca-Karten mit je 7.8 Punkten und die Karten von Bonuscard sowie die Prepaid-Kartenvon Swiss Bankers mit je 7.7 Punkten.
Weniger Punkte erreicht hat die neue Coop Supercard, die von der UBS-Tochter TopCard herausgegeben wird: Sie hat eine durchschnittliche Bewertung von 7.5 Punkten erreicht.
 
Featured image credit: Pexels.com
The post Revolut im Nacken der Schweizer Prepaidkarten-Anbieter / Transferwise Karte noch unbekannt appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/revolut-im-nacken-der-schweizer-prepaidkarten-anbieter-transferwise-karte-noch-unbekannt</link><guid>1359</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/credit-cards-swiss-1024x384.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Revolut im Nacken der Schweizer Prepaidkarten-Anbieter / Transferwise Karte noch unbekannt</dc:text></item><item><title>N26 CPO on Digital Banking, Building Trust, and More: Spiros Margaris Interview</title><description><![CDATA[Switzerland based venture capitalist and fintech expert Spiros Margaris has released the first video interview of his new series @SpirosMargaris &amp; Friends.
For this interview, Margaris talked to Georgina Smallwood, chief product officer (CPO) at N26, and one of Europe’s top female tech leaders, to learn more about her background story, her role at the company, as well as hear her views on the current state of fintech, and more particularly digital banking.
With over 5 million customers in 25 markets, N26 is one of Europe’s leading digital banks and biggest consumer startups, providing a free basic current account, an accompanying debit MasterCard, as well as overdraft and investment products, among many other things.
N26’s primary mission, Smallwood told Margaris, is to create “the best everyday banking experience in the world” by providing an intuitive, seamless user experience for mundane operations such as paying for coffee, paying bills, and making transfers to relatives and loved ones. These features and functionalities are part of what she refers to as N26’s “first value” proposal. “Those are things we are very focused on,” she said.
And then, there is what Smallwood calls creating “secondary value,” and that refers to what else customers can get out of N26. “Traditional banks have had this in things like mortgage rates, and savings products, and we will look to go to some of these places, but we want to go there with the requirements of what people want in the future, not what people had in the past,” she said. “Flexibility is really important with these things but also rewards.”
Building trust
Traditional banks are N26’s biggest competitors, Smallwood said, noting that perhaps the biggest challenge neobanks and digital banking startups face is gaining consumers’ trust, all the while remaining innovative and providing an exceptional customer journey.
“You need to identify as a bank and bring in the identity of being a bank into the organization,” she said. “While we want the glory, the growth and the smoothness and simplicity of the Netflix’s and the TikTok’s … we also [are responsible with customers’ money].”
Striking the right balance there can be tricky, she said, noting that oftentimes, customers themselves don’t realize that their behaviors and expectations towards banking are substantially different from the digital products they consume on a daily basis.
“We say we want [the instantaneously of social media] … but we actually get quite uncomfortable when things happen too fast with certain things,” Smallwood said.
“It might be that they want login to be instantaneous, but then, when it happens, they are like ‘that’s too fast, that can’t be secure.’ So you need to build in the psychological safety into the consumer journey so they are like ‘that was instant, but not instant to the point that it is not secure,’” she explained.
“You really need to understand the psychology of users with banking. You want to push [users] to the point where they think ‘this is really cool. This is as cool as the new app I just downloaded.’ But then, you also need to understand where the safety point is.”
Global banking
Originally from Germany, N26 launched in the US in mid-2019 with an initial offering that includes an N26 account via Axos Bank and a Visa debit card.
“Being in 25 markets globally, most in Europe, there are a lot of similarities across these markets, but the US is completely different,” Smallwood said. “For example, rewards are a high attractiveness, and metal cards have been around for a little while now. When you go to a university, a lot of kids have metal cards with incredibly high interest rates, and great rewards.”
“Taking some of the things we’ve learnt while crafting our US product and bringing these back to Europe is really exciting.
“While the market might be slightly different in how you deliver value and functionality, what people want is the same. That’s why global banking can be a thing.”
An Australian native, Smallwood cumulates more than 12 years of experience in global digital and software companies such as Xero, News Ltd and Scout24. At N26, Smallwood leads the global product and design businesses, responsible for direction, strategy, and delivery.
Watch the full video interview:

 
The post N26 CPO on Digital Banking, Building Trust, and More: Spiros Margaris Interview appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/n26-cpo-on-digital-banking-building-trust-and-more-spiros-margaris-interview</link><guid>1358</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>N26 CPO on Digital Banking, Building Trust, and More: Spiros Margaris Interview</dc:text></item><item><title>Launch of the QR-Bill in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[The QR-bill will modernize Swiss payment transactions. From 30 June 2020, invoice recipients will be receiving their first QR-bills instead of the traditional payment slips. You can recognize the QR-bill by the Swiss QR Code, which contains all the information needed for easy, automatic and efficient payment.
Gradual replacement of the payment slips
The QR-bill will be replacing the current payment slips on a gradual basis, which means that consumers and companies can, until further notice, make payments using either the traditional payment slips or the new QR-bill. Like the payment slips, the QR-bill comprises a payment section and a receipt. The Swiss QR Code in the middle of the payment section contains the information that is also visible in text form on the invoice. As before, the perforation allows the payment section and receipt to be separated from the invoice.
QR-bill payment options
Invoice recipients have a range of options when it comes to paying a QR-bill:

Via e-banking:
Open your e-banking application, scan the Swiss QR Code with the QR reader or integrated camera and click to trigger payment. When paying with the QR-bill, you still have the option of typing in the payment information.
Via mobile banking:
Open the mobile banking app on your smartphone, scan the Swiss QR Code with the QR reader function and tap the screen to trigger payment.
By mail:
The QR-bill also functions as a payment slip (payment section and receipt) and can be paid at, for example, the post office counter or cash deposit machine or sent to the bank as a payment order in an envelope.
Alternatively, as a company using business software.

The QR-bill offers many benefits
Invoice recipients can scan the QR code quickly and easily. One click and payment is triggered automatically. You also no longer have to type the account and reference numbers, which makes payment faster and reduces the potential for error. Another benefit is the standardized format: Now there is only one document instead of seven different payment slips as before.
For invoice issuers (companies), too, the entire invoicing process will be faster, more efficient and, in the medium term, more cost-effective thanks to structured payment details, less manual work, the reduced potential for error and simplified debtor management. In addition, QR-bills can be created by the invoice issuers themselves and printed on white, perforated paper. QR-bills will offer a range of benefits for all market participants and the Swiss economy as a whole and make an important contribution to Switzerland’s digitalization strategy.
Invoice recipients have the choice
Invoice recipients can reap the benefits of QR-bills and pay digitally. But no one will be forced to change their payment habits because all the usual payment methods – whether by mail or at the bank – will still be possible. The traditional payment slips and QR-bill can be used in parallel until further notice.
Patrick Graf
Patrick Graf, Chair of the SIX Interbank Clearing Ltd Board of Directors and Member of the Executive Board of PostFinance:
“The payment slips have been around for decades. Phasing out a Swiss ‘cultural asset’ like this is something that the Swiss financial center would do only with due respect and caution. We’re not taking anything away from consumers, merely offering the QR-bill as an additional means of payment. So from 30 June 2020, people will also be able to make digital payments if they wish.”
The Swiss banks will update their mobile banking and e-banking solutions in time for 30 June 2020, to support QR-bill payments. This means that consumers don’t need to do anything except wait for further information from their bank. Companies with hardware and software solutions, however, will have to update their creditor and payment software as well as their reader devices and scanning platforms to enable the receipt and payment of QR-bills.
Foundation for the digitalization of payment transactions
By launching the QR-bill, the Swiss financial center – with the support of Swiss economy and society – is laying the foundation for end-to-end digital financial processes. The QR-bill bridges the gap between the paper-based and digital worlds and meets modern-day market requirements. It also fulfills increased regulatory requirements, with the expanded data content of the QR code ensuring long-term viability.
Joint development of the QR-bill
SIX operates, develops and digitalizes payment transactions for Switzerland as a financial center and is responsible for developing and launching the new QR-bill. The QR-bill was developed by SIX in collaboration with banks and software partners and in close consultation with representatives from the corporate world and private customers. The market launch, too, of the QR-bill is a joint endeavor of the financial center, business, state and consumer representatives.

 
The post Launch of the QR-Bill in Switzerland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/launch-of-the-qr-bill-in-switzerland</link><guid>1355</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Launch of the QR-Bill in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss SME Lending Startup Teylor Closes CHF 8 Million Funding / Expands to Germany</title><description><![CDATA[Teylor, a Swiss SME lending technology startup, successfully closed a financing round of CHF 8 million.
The significant increase in demand for digital banking solutions brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic accelerated Teylor’s growth and allowed the company to successfully close the financing round with existing and new investors in early May 2020. The company will use the funds to expand its lending and software business throughout Europe and to solidify its position as one of the leading technology providers in the SME banking segment.
Founded in 2018 in Zurich, Switzerland, by CEO Patrick Stäuble, Teylor develops fully digital credit solutions for small and medium-sized businesses and provides a licensed version of its technology to banks. Using Teylor’s Software-as-a-Service (“SaaS”) products allows banks to completely digitalise and automate every aspect of their SME lending business, from customer onboarding to anti-fraud to scoring.
The investors behind Teylor include institutional investors such as the Munich based VC WENVEST Capital and Steinbeis, a platform for company startups, well-known private investors, such as Patrick Zbinden, Global Co-Head and CEO Switzerland at EFGAM, as well as other angel investors, family offices, and institutional investors from Switzerland, Germany, and Israel. A team from Walder Wyss Ltd, led by Boris Räber, has advised Teylor on all legal aspects of the transaction.
Patrick Stäuble
Patrick Stäuble, Founder and CEO of Teylor AG, says:
&#8220;We believe that there is a massive opportunity in the SME lending market today for lenders and technology providers such as Teylor. The fact that we were able to successfully close the financing round in the middle of a pandemic and economic crisis shows that our investors firmly believe in this vision. Thanks to the hard work and outstanding performance of our team, we have been able to bring a product to market that is in high demand by both lenders and borrowers. I believe the changes in the market brought on by the COVID-crisis, combined with the new capital we now have available, will pave the way for us to become one of the leading players in the European SME lending market in the coming years.&#8221;
Teylor will use the additional funds to further expand its operations in Germany and Europe, onboard more banking clients to the Teylor SaaS product (Teylor Lending Cloud) and grow Teylor’s market share. In addition to loans financed by various bank partners, Teylor will use part of the funds to begin financing loans itself through its own debt vehicle.
To support its expansion, Teylor plans to open an office in Berlin this year and to launch in two other European countries. The company currently employs 20 staff and is looking for additional credit-, sales- and IT-experts to join its growing team.
 
Featured image: Patrick Stäuble, Founder and CEO of Teylor AG
The post Swiss SME Lending Startup Teylor Closes CHF 8 Million Funding / Expands to Germany appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-sme-lending-startup-teylor-closes-chf-8-million-funding-expands-to-germany</link><guid>1356</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss SME Lending Startup Teylor Closes CHF 8 Million Funding / Expands to Germany</dc:text></item><item><title>Institutional Adoption of Digital Assets Poised for Prime Time</title><description><![CDATA[Though institutional adoption of digital assets remains low, demand from traditional trading firms is growing rapidly, showcasing that the sector is poised for prime time, according to a research by management intelligence platform Acuiti.
In a special report titled Institutional Adoption of Digital Asset Trading, Acuiti shares the results of a survey of traditional trading firms and institutions, specialist crypto trading firms and sellside service providers, which sought to assess the current state of digital asset adoption across the sector and gauge industry participants’ willingness to embrace the emerging asset class.
The research found that the current adoption rates were still relatively low with less than a fifth of traditional trading firms (17%) trading digital asset such as bitcoin and ether.
Adoption rate of digital assets, Source: Institutional Adoption of Digital Asset Trading, Acuiti, March 2020
APAC had the highest adoption rates with 57% of APAC service providers surveyed providing execution or clearing services for digital assets, compared with about 40% in North America and 30% in Europe.
Adoption rate among service providers relative to demand from clients to enter or expand trading, Source: Institutional Adoption of Digital Asset Trading, Acuiti, March 2020
When asked about the main roadblocks preventing them from adopting digital assets, traditional trading firms cited the security of exchange/fear of hacking, concerns over custody, as well as the high margin requirements/pre-margining requirements.
For service providers, limited client demand, concerns over anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) of exchanges, and fear of reputational damage, were cited as the three main concerns holding them back in adopting digital assets.
Despite the current low adoption rates, the research identified growing demand from traditional institutions, with many looking to either enter the market or expand their coverage to trade more cryptocurrencies in the next future.
Out of the traditional trading firms that had made a decision not to trade digital assets, 97% said it will consider the opportunity again in the next two years or less. 45% said they were planning to revisit the idea within the next six months or less.
When respondents who decided not to trade digital assets will reconsider the decision, Source: Institutional Adoption of Digital Asset Trading, Acuiti, March 2020
A rapidly growing ecosystem
Over the past couple of years, the institutional digital assets capital markets industry has grown rapidly on the back of rising awareness of cryptocurrencies and favorable regulations.
According to a May 2020 map produced by Jonas M. Wenke, a senior associate at CommerzVentures, the ecosystem now includes a number of companies that cover the entire value chain. These include issuers and tokenization platforms, brokers and trade execution companies, liquidity providers, exchanges, custodians, investment funds and fund of funds, and data providers.
Several incumbents including Fidelity, State Street and Börse Stuttgart have also entered the institutional digital assets capital markets landscape, the map shows.
Institutional Digital Assets Capital Markets Landscape, Jonas M. Wenke, May 2020
According to Wenke, “2020 will be a defining year” in the development of the industry as startups continue to build the enterprise-grade infrastructure needed, as asset managers become more accustomed to cryptocurrencies, and as new digital assets continue to emerge with the rise of tokenization.
But institutional adoption will also greatly depend on the pace at which regulators will create legal certainty around digital assets, Wenke says, including establishing a clear definition of what constitutes digital assets and which regulations they are subject to.
Nevertheless, several progresses have been made in this regard, he notes. The Liechtenstein Blockchain Act came into effect on January 1, 2020, providing a legal framework for asset tokenization. In Germany, the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFi) has incorporated crypto custody business into the German Banking Act with a new law that came into effect on January 1, 2020 as well as. And Japan has had one of the most progressive regulatory climates for cryptocurrencies, passing a law in mid-2017 that recognizes cryptocurrencies as legal properties.
Crypto regulations by country map by VisualCapitalist, October 2019, Source: ComplyAdvantage
“From the developments I have seen in various startups throughout 2019, I am very optimistic that this momentum will continue and gather pace in 2020 that we will see the steady emergence of large and valuable companies in the digital assets space over time,” Wenke wrote in his blog post.
The post Institutional Adoption of Digital Assets Poised for Prime Time appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/institutional-adoption-of-digital-assets-poised-for-prime-time</link><guid>1357</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Adoption-rate-of-digital-assets-Source-Institutional-Adoption-of-Digital-Asset-Trading-Acuiti-March-2020.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Institutional Adoption of Digital Assets Poised for Prime Time</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Influencer Switzerland Interview Series: 7 Questions to Oliver Bussmann</title><description><![CDATA[In May 2020, Fintechnews.ch launched the Fintech Influencer Switzerland Interview series, which presents at least once a week a short interview we have conducted with a well-known, longtime Swiss Fintech Influencer to get his or her views on some of the industry’s most urging issues and hottest trends.
Today we speak with the former UBS CIO Oliver Bussmann* about Fintech in Switzerland and London.
Oliver was nominated by Andy Waar.
Hi Oliver, what has changed for you personally during this pandemic?
Before the pandemic I usually traveled 50% of my time in Europe and in the U.S. That has changed dramatically as I am now working from my home office and allows me to use my work time more efficiently in my advisory projects and with my family.
The coronavirus pandemic could forever change the way we work. With more people working remotely, companies may provide access to co-working spaces for meetings wherever their workers are concentrated rather than have the majority of their workforce at one central office. For team members who no longer work together in a central office, phone calls and meetings may move to video.
Do you think COVID-19 is the digital accelerator that the industry has been missing so far?
The last time there was a global crisis, banks were widely perceived to be a big part of the problem. This time around, banks are central to the solution.
Banks and FinTechs can play an immediate role in slowing the spread of COVID-19 by helping customers make better use of existing digital and remote channels. They can help limit the impact of the likely downturn by building new experiences to help their customers manage debt, adjust budgets, and make full use of new government programs.
Therefore, I am a strong believer COVID-19 will accelerate the speed of the digital transformation in the financial service industry in respect to customer channels, market infrastructure and working from home.
What is your current focus?
As part of Bussmann Advisory our current focus is to help C-suite executives and board of directors in the financial services industry and private equity business to stay ahead of the digital disruption curve especially in the COVID-19 crisis. We work with decision-makers to manage technological change and innovation – understanding market trends, devising new digital strategies and supporting implementation.
You were often in London and know the fintech trends there very well, what are we missing?
The UK banking market is continually undergoing transformations in response to new technology, regulation, intensified competition and operating models. An important recent change is the rise of banking as a service (BaaS), a new approach to delivering banking services and products, provided by white-label platform providers like 10X Banking and Though Machine and new digital banks like Monzo and Starling Bank. Offering BaaS became an attractive strategy thanks to cloud-native technologies, API-driven architectures, open banking, and agile business processes.
This transformation is accelerating the business model change in the UK market from traditional product-driven banking to a customer-centric e-commerce marketplace providing financial and non-financial products. A good example is the digital challenger Monzo with three million customers attracted the most current account switchers in the last quarter of 2019 bypassing high street rivals.
Please tell us a Fintech in London we should watch closely?
I have been following Form3 which is the leading ‘Payments as a Service’ (PaaS) technology provider. The cloud-native, real-time payment platform helps banks, FinTechs, financial institutions, e-commerce gateways and card providers process a wide range of payments quickly, simply and cost-effectively without committing resources to develop these offerings internally. Building in-house payments technology is associated with a heavy upfront investment, long development lead times, and execution risk.
What can Switzerland learn from Fintech in London or vice versa?
One of the critical success factors is the aspiration to become the leading global player in your defined niche to grow and scale outside the Swiss market. In the platform economy scale and global reach matters.
Which Swiss Fintech Startup should we have on our radar?
One of the biggest drivers of financial institutions’ interest in blockchain is the concept of smart contracts, which is probably the most discussed but least understood concept in blockchain. While the idea of smart contracts existed for many years before the arrival of blockchain, it has only gained mainstream attention over the past two to three years.
One of the leading smart contract platforms is Deon Digital based in Zurich. I am a big fan and supporter of the team around the co-founder and CTO Florian Herzog over multiple years.
Please nominate a Global Swiss Fintech Influencer for one of our next interviews:
I would like to nominate Efi Pylarinou.
 
*Swiss Fintech Influencer Spiros Margaris:
Oliver Bussmann
Oliver Bussmann is a globally recognized technology thought leader and driver of large-scale transformation at multinational organizations. The Founder and CEO of Bussmann Advisory AG, he advises enterprises and start-ups looking to stay ahead of the digital disruption curve. He also holds important mandates in industry associations, including as Co-founder and former President of the Swiss Crypto Valley Association, Global Ambassador for UK-based Innovate Finance and as a Board Member of Identity 2020. In addition, he is an Advisory Board member of the largest European Asset Manager Amundi and Advisor to the Board of Nationwide.
From 2013 to 2016 Bussmann was Group Chief Information Officer of UBS, where he successfully led a major IT transformation effort, instituted a new group-wide innovation framework and established UBS as a pioneer in the development of blockchain for use in financial services. Prior to joining UBS Bussmann was Global Chief Information Officer at SAP, where he also spearheaded significant technological transformation, and before that CIO for North America &amp; Mexico at Allianz. Previous roles have included executive positions at Deutsche Bank and IBM.
Bussmann&#8217;s achievements have been widely recognized. He was named COO/CTO of the year by Financial News/The Wall Street Journal, European CIO of the Year by INSEAD/CIONET, received the Elite 8 Award, which is given to the most innovative leaders in technology working in capital markets by Wall Street &amp; Technology Magazine, and has twice been included on the Financial News &#8220;FinTech 40&#8221; list of innovators shaping the future of finance.
Read more at www.bussmannadvisory.com and follow Oliver on LinkedIn and Twitter.
The post Fintech Influencer Switzerland Interview Series: 7 Questions to Oliver Bussmann appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-influencer-switzerland-interview-series-7-questions-to-oliver-bussmann</link><guid>1354</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech Influencer Switzerland Interview Series: 7 Questions to Oliver Bussmann</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Accelerator F10 Welcomes new Zurich Head</title><description><![CDATA[F10 announced the appointment of Gerrit Sindermann as new Head F10 Zurich. Gerrit will join F10 FinTech Incubator &amp; Accelerator mid of June 2020 to lead the mission of guiding Startups in transforming their ideas into successful companies while stimulating worldwide collaboration with international finance organizations.
Gerrit replaces Thomas Landis who was heading F10 the past years and is now the new CDO at Andermatt Swiss Alps.
In his role Gerrit will be responsible for the overall development of F10 Zurich, its programs as well as the service portfolio. Moreover, he will manage the relationship with F10’s Corporate Members and related business development, including fundraising, to support the team’s continued successful growth and evolution of F10.
Gerrit is a versatile leader with experience in international corporations (Swisscom, ABN AMRO Bank) and entrepreneurial ventures (Contovista, milliPay, Nexmo). Additionally, he is highly skilled in business development, strategy and identifying, building and managing partnerships. On top, he has in-depth industry knowledge in banking and FinTech. With an earlier Startup, he also participated in an accelerator program. Furthermore, Gerrit holds an MBA from IMD Business School in Lausanne and a bachelor’s degree from Frankfurt School of Finance &amp; Management.
Gerrit Sindermann
“I am thrilled about this new challenge and excited to work with such a great team on facilitating collaboration and driving the success of F10 Startups, Corporate Members and to support the whole ecosystem”,
says Gerrit Sindermann.
Andreas Iten
F10 co-founder and board member Andreas Iten says,
“I am very pleased to share the news. We are delighted to have Gerrit on board, and we are convinced that with his diverse background and entrepreneurial drive, he will complement the existing team ideally and help to take F10 to the next level.”
The post Swiss Fintech Accelerator F10 Welcomes new Zurich Head appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-accelerator-f10-welcomes-new-zurich-head</link><guid>1353</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Accelerator F10 Welcomes new Zurich Head</dc:text></item><item><title>Crowdfunding Schweiz: 29 aktive Plattformen – 600 Millionen vermittelt</title><description><![CDATA[Letzte Woche publizierte die Hochschule Luzern den Crowdfunding Monitor 2020 mit den Marktentwicklungen des Jahres 2019. 597 Millionen Franken wurden in 4&#8217;648 Kampagnen investiert von rund 180’000 Personen. Den grössten Wachstumsbeitrag liefert die Kategorie KMU Crowdlending. KMU Crowdlending wird hypothekenlastgier und institutioneller.
In diesem Blog Post finden sie einen Auszug aus den Resultaten der Studie, eine Liste der aktiven Plattformen und die Studie zum Download:

Die wichtigsten Resultate im Überblick
Die Resultate je Crowdfunding Kategorie zusammengefasst (Crowdsupporting und Crowddonating, Crowdinvesting, Crowdlending)
Die Geldgeber
Liste und Kontakte zu den aktiven Plattformen und ihre Eigenschaften (Stand 2020)

1. Die wichtigsten Resultat im Überblick
Die Volumen im Crowdfunding wachsen weiter und erreichen mit knapp CHF 600 Millionen einen neuen Höchststand. Seit dem Start der Aufzeichnungen sind jetzt CHF 1.68 Milliarden vermittelt worden. Das Wachstum hat sich 2019 verlangsamt. Die Gründe dafür sind je Kategorie auf Sonderereignisse im Jahr 2019 oder in den Vorjahren zurückzuführen. Details dazu weiter unten.
Die Kategorie Crowdlending wächst mit +60% am stärksten und dort insbesondere der Bereich KMU Crowdlending im hypothekarisch gesicherten Segment.
Abbildung: Finanzierungsvolumen von 2008 bis 2019
Resultate Crowdsupporting (reward based Crowdfunding) &#8211; 4%
1&#8217;769 Crowdfunding Projekte wurden finanziert über 12 Plattformen mit einem Volumen von CHF 25 Millionen. Das sind 4% weniger als im Vorjahr mit fast 8% mehr Kampagnen. Der Rückgang des Frankenbetrags wird in der Studie darauf zurückgeführt, dass einzelne Grossprojekte wie sie in den Vorjahren stattfanden, fehlten.
Resultate Crowdlending + 60%
2&#8217;781 Kreditprojekte wurden finanziert über 11 Plattformen mit einem Volumen von CHF 418 Millionen. Das sind 60% mehr als im Vorjahr und einem Rückgang der Anzahl Crowdlending Projekte um 15%. Letzteres ist darauf zurückzuführen, dass die Projekte der Plattform Advanon nichtmehr mitgezählt wurden, da Advanon das Geschäftsmodell angepasst hat.
Resultate Crowdinvesting &#8211; 25%
98 Kampagnen wurden finanziert über 6 Plattformen mit einem Volumen von CHF 154 Millionen. Das sind 25% weniger als im Vorjahr und einem Anstieg der Anzahl Crowdinvesting Projekte um 13%. Der grösste Teil des Volumens in Franken stammt aus dem Immobilienbereich und dort von Crowdhouse. Da Crowdhouse im 2019 vermehrt 1:1 Vermittlungen getätigt hat ist das Volumen in der 1:n Vermittlung zurückgeglitten. Der Bereich Crowdfunding für Startups, also Business &amp; Startup Investing, verzeichnet einen leichten Anstieg auf CHF 32 Millionen vermitteltes Eigenkapital.
Die 180&#8217;000 Geldgeber
Gemäss Report wurde das Crowdfunding-Volumen von CHF 597.1 Millionen im Jahr 2019 durch – kumuliert – etwa 180&#8217;000 Personen finanziert. Da einzelne Geldgeber mehrere Crowdfunding Projekte finanziert haben, liegt diese Zahl der Geldgeber ohne Doppelzählungen deutlich tiefer.
Die Anzahl Geldgeber und deren Engagement ist je nach Crowdfunding-Kategorie unterschiedlich:

Crowdsupporting- und Crowddonating-Kampagnen werden typischerweise mit einer grossen Anzahl Personen mit kleinen Geldbeiträgen finanziert.
Crowdlending- und Crowdinvesting-Projekte werden im Vergleich mit weniger Personen mit höheren finanziellen Beiträgen finanziert.

Zusätzlich werden im Crowdlending und Crowdinvesting immer mehr professionelle Investoren aktiv. Eine Umfrage bei den Schweizer Crowdlending-Plattformen vom letzten Jahr zeigte die steigende Relevanz solcher Investoren auf. Weitere Details dazu auf Seite 25 des Reports.
Crowdfunding Plattformen in der Schweiz seit 2008
Die Anzahl Plattformen liegt aktuell bei 39 wovon 29 aktiv sind gemäss Studie. Auf den anderen 10 sind 2019 keine Geschäfte abgewickelt worden. 2019 sind 3 Plattformen in den Markt eingetreten und vier sind aus dem Markt geschieden weil sie übernommen oder geschlossen wurden.
Abbildung: Markt Ein- und Austritte 2008 bis 2019
Die Neueintritte 2019

Neocredit: Joint Venture von Vaudoise Versicherungen und credit.fr.
Imvesters: Immobilieninvestitionen in der französischsprachigen Schweiz.
Yeldo: Immobilien-Miteigentümer-Plattform mit Sitz in Lugano. Hauptziel von Yeldo ist den Immobilieninvestitionsmarkt zu demokratisieren, indem er für eine wachsende Anzahl privater und institutioneller Investoren zugänglich gemacht wird.

Die Austritte 2019

Lendico: von Postfinance an lend.ch.
Crowdpark: aus dem Markt zurückgezogen.
ideenkicker (von Hypothekarbank Lenzburg), aus dem Markt zurückgezogen.
Advanon: Modellanpassung in 2019 und Übernahme durch Creditgate24 im Mai 2020.

Crowdfunding Anbieter in der Schweiz
Unten eine Liste der aktiven Crowdfunding Websites in der Schweiz &#8211; aufgeteilt auf die verschiedenen Crowdfunding Kategorien.
Die Liste soll einen Überblick verschaffen und bei der Auswahl der richtigen Plattform helfen. Die beste Crowdfunding Plattform für Kapitalgeber und Kapitalsuchende orientiert sich am Zweck der Finanzierung respektive der Intention der Investition.

Die Beschriebe der Plattformen stammen von den Plattformen selbst und wurden im Crowdfunding Monitor 2020 veröffentlicht. Die Zuteilung zu den Kategorien haben wir in Anlehnung an die Studie vorgenommen (Tabelle 1 Seite 7), dabei aber Plattform jeweils nur in einer Kategorie aufgezählt.
Crowdsupporting und Crowddonating: 12 aktive Plattformen 2019
Die Definition von Crowdsupporting und einige spannende Beispiele,haben wir in diesem Blog Artikel zusammengestellt: Reward-based Crowdfunding (Crowdsupporting).
Informationen zu Crowddonating und einige spektakuläre Beispiele aus dieser Kategorie haben wir in diesem Blog Artikel zusammengestellt: Donation based Crowdfunding (Crowddonating) in der Schweiz
Hier die Links zu den im Jahr 2019 aktiven Plattformen im Bereich Crowdsupporting:
Crowdify (ehemals 100days) Crowdsupporting
Crowdify ist Schweizer Crowdfunding Pionier und führend in Service &amp; Projekt-Campaigning in drei Sprachen D/E/F. Projektinitiatoren profitieren von einem einfach zugänglichen Projekt-Dashboard, Tools &amp; Widgets, einem exklusivem Handbuch, den meisten Zahlungskanälen und Zugang zu Ron Orp, der urbansten Community der Schweiz. Weitere Crowdify Dienstleistungen sind Basis- &amp; Projektworkshops sowie Campaigning-Konzepte.
Crowdfunding Kosten: all-or-nothing, 9% der Zielsumme bei Erfolg (11% bei Etappen-Projekten)
Die Schweizer Pioniere im Crowdfunding. Die Stärke der Plattform sind die geballte Marketingkompetenz, vermittelt und angebotenen via Workshops für Projektinitianten in Verbindung mit dem Internetportal RonOrp und seinem weit verbreiteten Newsletter.

Gründungsjahr: 2012
Geschäftsführer: Romano Strebel &amp; Christian Klinner
Mitarbeiter: 1.5 (Vollzeitäquivalente)
Eigentümer: Crowdify.net GmbH
Adresse: St. Jakobstrasse 54a 8004 Zürich
Kontakt: support@Crowdify.net

Crowdly Crowddonating Humanitäre &amp; soziale Zwecke
Crowdly macht kostenloses digitales Fundraising für humanitäre und soziale Zwecke und steigert die Spendeneinnahmen durch smartes Online Marketing. Mit digitalter Kommunikation steigern wir das Bewusstsein für soziale Nachhaltigkeit und machen Spender zu Botschafter und damit zu einem wichtigen Teil der Erfolgsgeschichten.
Per Juni 2020 inaktiv
Funders (Crowdsupporting)
Funders ist die Crowdfunding-Plattform für Crowdsupporting- und Crowdlending-Projekte. Starter, das sind Erfinder, Kreative, Start-ups, KMU, Vereine, Veranstalter und gemeinnützige Organisationen, können so mit der Hilfe von zahlreichen Funder (Unterstützer) Projekte realisieren. Crowdfunding &#8211; Innovationen, Träume und Projekte gemeinsam realisieren. Die Plattform gehört der Luzerner Kantonalbank.
Crowdfunding Kosten: 7 % inkl. Transaktionskosten beim Crowdsupporting. Crowlending: 0.8% für Kreditgeber, 0.8% für Kreditnehmer auf Gesamtsumme.

Gründungsjahr: 2016
Geschäftsführer: Guido Hauser &amp; Daniel Lütolf
Mitarbeiter: 2.5
Eigentümer: Luzerner Kantonalbank AG
Adresse: Pilatusstrasse 12 6003 Luzern
Kontakt: info@funders.ch

GivenGain -Crowddonating für Non-Profit Organisationen
GivenGain wurde im Juli 2001 von zwei Brüdern gegründet. Das Motto des Unternehmens lautet: &#8220;it is more blessed to give than to receive&#8221;. GivenGain erlaubt Non-Profit Organisationen eine bessere Geschäftsführung, den Aufbau und die Pflege des Netzwerks sowie Unterstützung für Ideen zu gewinnen, an welche man glaubt. Alle Spenden an Projekte auf GivenGain werden innerhalb einer geprüften &#8220;Non-Profit-Compliant Umgebung&#8221; verarbeitet.
Crowdfunding Kosten: 5%

Gründungsjahr: 2001
Geschäftsführer: Johannes van Eeden
Mitarbeiter: 5 Vollzeitäquivalent
Eigentümer: GivenGain Foundation
Adresse: Avenue Centrale 85 1884 Villars-sur-Ollon
Kontakt: marc@givengain.com

I believe in you Sportprojekte
I believe in you ist die erste Crowdfunding-Plattform, welche sich ganz auf die Finanzierung von Schweizer Sportprojekten spezialisiert. I believe in you steht allen offen. Einzelsportler, Mannschaften, Freizeit-, Breiten- oder Spitzensportler, Vereine oder Veranstalter können über die neue Plattform ihre Projekte bekannt machen und finanzieren.
Crowdfunding Kosten: 4% Paymentgebühren, 8% Beratungsgebühren. Gebühren fallen nur bei erfolgreichen Projekten an.

Gründungsjahr: 2013
Geschäftsführer: Philipp Furrer
Mitarbeiter: 12 Vollzeitäquivalente
Eigentümer: I believe in you AG
Adresse: Kramgasse 5 3011 Bern
Kontakt: info@ibelieveinyou.ch

I care for you soziale und humanitäre Projekte
Eine Schweizer Crowdfunding-Plattform für rein soziale und humanitäre Projekte. Hilfswerke, gemeinnützige Organisationen oder engagierte Privatpersonen können Beiträge von Spendern sammeln, indem sie ihr Projekt online mittels Video, Bildern und Text vorstellen. Das Team von I care for you bietet allen Projektstarter*innen eine individuelle Betreuung für eine erfolgreiche Finanzierung des Projektes.
Crowdfunding Kosten: 10% inkl. Transaktionsgebühren

Gründungsjahr: 2015
Geschäftsführer: Corinne Wissing
Mitarbeiter: 2.5 Vollzeitäquivalent
Eigentümer: Stiftung I care for you
Adresse: Eigerstrasse 12 3011 Bern
Kontakt: corinne.wissing@icareforyou.ch

Lokalhelden
Das Crowdfunding-Portal von Raiffeisen für Vereine, Institutionen und Privatpersonen mit gemeinnützigen Projekten. Einfach Geld, Material oder Helfereinsätze sammeln und spenden.
Crowdfunding Kosten: 0%, 1.5% bei Kreditkartenzahlung

Gründungsjahr: 2016
Geschäftsführer: Samuel Weibel
Mitarbeiter: 1.9 Vollzeitäquivalent
Eigentümer: Raiffeisen Schweiz
Adresse: Raiffeisenplatz 9000 St. Gallen
Kontakt: info@lokalhelden.ch

Progettiamo
Plattform der Regionalentwicklungsagenturen des Kantons Tessin. Projekte im Tessin werden unterstützt (traditionelles Fundraising &amp; Crowdfunding). Die Projekte werden durch regionale Projektmanager bis zur Realisation hin überwacht. Progettiamo wird von öffentlichen und privaten Sponsoren finanziert.
Crowdfunding Kosten: 0%

Gründungsjahr: 2014
Geschäftsführer: Igor Franchini, Daisy Albertella, Roberta Angotti, Nicolò Mandozzi und Alan Sisini
Mitarbeiter: 1 Vollzeitäquivalent
Eigentümer: Enti Regionali per lo Sviluppo del Canton Ticino (Locarnese e Vallemaggia, Bellinzonese e Valli, Luganese, Mendrisiotto e Basso Ceresio)
Adresse: c/o ERS-LVM C.P. 323 6600 Locarno
Kontakt: info@progettiamo.ch

ProjektStarter
Plattform zur Dokumentation und Finanzierung von kreativen Projekten. Ziel ist die Entwicklung, Förderung und Gestaltung von Produkt- und Projektideen.
Crowdfunding Kosten: 8% der Zielsumme, Junior Projekte 5%

Gründungsjahr: 2011
Geschäftsführer:  Lukas Wullimann
Mitarbeiter: 1.2 Vollzeitäquivalent
Eigentümer: Designatelier GmbH
Adresse: Weissensteinstr. 81 4500 Solothurn
Kontakt: mail@projektstarter.ch

SIG Impact Crowdsupporting, Energiewende in Genf
SIG Impact ist eine Plattform, die ausschliesslich Projekte aus Genf veröffentlicht, die auf die Förderung der Energiewende abzielen, wie z. B. Projekte zur Energieeffizienz, erneuerbaren Energien und Abfallreduzierung.
Crowdfunding Kosten: The SIG Impact platform is linked to our Demand side management program &#8220;éco21&#8221;, so there is no commission charged on projects published by our clients.

Gründungsjahr: 2018
Geschäftsführer: Christian Brunier, Jean-Marc Zgraggen Frédéric Godmer
Mitarbeiter: 1 Vollzeitäquivalent
Eigentümer: Services industriels de Genève (SIG)
Adresse: Chemin Château-Bloch 2 1219 Le Lignon
Kontakt: jean-marc.zgraggen@sig-ge.ch

Wemakeit
wemakeit wurde im Februar 2012 in der Schweiz gegründet und hat sich in kurzer Zeit zu einer der grössten Crowdfunding-Plattformen Europas entwickelt. Nebst dem kontinuierlichen Projekt-Wachstum sowie dem Ausbau von Partnerschaften und Beratungsangeboten begab sich wemakeit 2017 einen Schritt weiter in die digitale Zukunft und führte Bitcoin als Zahlungsmittel ein.
Crowdfunding Kosten: 10% (6% Provision, 4% Transaktionsgebühr)

Gründungsjahr: 2012
Geschäftsführer: Céline Fallet &amp; Leandro Davies
Mitarbeiter: 6 Vollzeitäquivalent
Eigentümer: Verein Wemakeit.ch
Adresse: Schöneggstrasse 5 8004 Zürich
Kontakt: hello@wemakeit.com

Yeswefarm Crowdsupporting für Projekte in der Landwirtschaft und Ernährung
Yes We Farm ist die erste Schweizer Crowdfunding-Plattform für Projekte in Landwirtschaft und Ernährung. Bauern, Imker, Käsehersteller, Winzer etc. können bei Yes We Farm ihr Projekt veröffentlichen, damit Freunde, Familie, Interessenten, Lokalprodukt-Liebhaber und Sponsoren finanzielle Unterstützung leisten können.
Crowdfunding Kosten: 12% vom erreichten Betrag für Service und Zahlungsgebühren

Gründungsjahr: 2018
Geschäftsführer: Nicolas Oppliger
Mitarbeiter: 5
Eigentümer: Yes We Farm Sàrl
Adresse: La Combe-Boudry 221, 2314 La Sagne
Kontakt: info@yeswefarm.ch

 
Crowdinvesting 6 aktive Plattformen
Die Definition von Crowdinvesting und einige Beispiele haben wir in diesem Blog Artikel zusammengestellt: Equity-based Crowdfunding (Crowdinvesting) in der Schweiz
Für Crowdfunding Startup und Business mit Eigenkapital
investiere
investiere.ch ist eine der führenden Online-Start-up-Investitionsplattformen in Europa. Die aktuell 13’000 Mitglieder umfassende investiere.ch-Community identifiziert selbst die vielversprechendsten Start-ups, welche dann von Branchenexperten und dem investiere-Team sorgfältig geprüft und ausgewählt werden.
Crowdfunding Kosten: 3-6% Kommission auf Investorenseite sowie carried interest von 15% bei einem annualisierten Return von mindestens 5%.

Gründungsjahr: 2010
Geschäftsführer:  Steffen Wagner &amp; Lukas Weber
Mitarbeiter: 24
Eigentümer: Verve Capital Partners AG
Adresse: Oberdorfstrasse 38 6340 Baar
Kontakt: info@investiere.ch

Raizers
Raizers ist eine Crowdfunding Startup Plattform, welche sich auf Eigenkapital (Link zu Definition Eigenkapital) spezialisiert hat. Raizers ist in allen Sektoren tätig, analysiert jedes Projekt und schätzt das Erfolgspotential für eine Finanzierung ein.
Crowdfunding Kosten: Geldnehmer: Abhängig vom Volumen, maximal 10%, Geldgeber: Maximal 5.5%

Gründungsjahr: 2015
Geschäftsführer: Maxime Pallain
Mitarbeiter: 12 Vollzeitäquivalente
Eigentümer: Maxime Pallain &amp; Grégoire Linder
Adresse: 41 avenue du Mont d&#8217;Or 1007 Lausanne
Kontakt: contact@raizers.com

Eigenkapital für Immobilien
Crowdhouse
Crowdhouse ist die erste Plattform auf welcher man online in bestehende Schweizer Rendite Liegenschaften investiert und im Grundbuch eingetragener Miteigentümer wird.
Crowdfunding Kosten: 3% des Immobilienkaufpreises einmalig, 5% der Nettomieteinnahmen für die Immobilienverwaltung

Gründungsjahr: 2015
Geschäftsführer: Robert Plantak und Ardian Gjeloshi
Mitarbeiter: 100 Vollzeitäquivalente
Eigentümer: Crowdhouse AG
Adresse: Lerchenstrasse 24 8045 Zürich
Kontakt: info@crowdhouse.ch

Crowdli
Crowdfunding um in Schweizer Immobilien zu investieren. CROWDLI vermittelt Miteigentumsanteile an direkt gehaltenen Renditeliegenschaften. CROWDLI wählt nur Objekte in geprüften Lagen, in bestem Zustand und guter Vermietbarkeit.
Crowdfunding Kosten: 3.0% Brokerage-Fee und 0.6% Transaction-Fee. 1.5% Net-Rent &#8211; Management-Fe

Gründungsjahr: 2017
Geschäftsführer: Felix Helling
Mitarbeiter: 2 Vollzeitäquivalente
Eigentümer: Crowdli AG
Adresse: Zürcherstrasse 310 8500 Frauenfeld
Kontakt: helling@crowdli.ch

Foxstone
Foxstone zielt darauf ab Immobilien-Investments zu demokratisieren. Foxstone ermöglicht solche Investments ab CHF 25‘000. Über Foxstone kann die Crowd nicht nur zusammen Häuser kaufen, sondern es ist auch möglich eine hybride Finanzierung (Mezzanine) über die Plattform aufzunehmen.
Crowdfunding Kosten: 3% commission on the asset gross amount and management fees between 0.10% and 0.50% annually

Gründungsjahr: 2017
Geschäftsführer: Dan Amar
Mitarbeiter: 14 Vollzeitäquivalente
Eigentümer: Dan Amar
Adresse: Rue des Bains 35 1205 Genève
Kontakt: info@foxstone.ch

Imvesters
Imvesters ist eine Crowdfunding-Plattform, die sich auf Immobiliengeschäfte konzentriert in der Romandie. Sie bringt Liquidität in den Immobilienmarkt und gibt jedem Einzelnen die Möglichkeit, Miteigentümer von Immobilien an Top-Standorten zu werden.
Crowdfunding Kosten: Brokerage Kommission 3% und Verwaltungsgebühren 3%

Gründungsjahr: 2019
Geschäftsführer: Gillian Nespolo
Mitarbeiter: 2 Vollzeitäquivalente
Eigentümer: S2I (Swiss Innovative Investment) AG
Adresse: Avenue du Théâtre 1 1005 Lausanne
Kontakt: info@imvesters.ch

 
Crowdlending 11 aktive Plattformen
Wie Crowdlending funktioniert und einige Beispiele haben wir hier zusammengstellt: Was ist Crowdlending und wie funktioniert es?
Die in der Schweiz aktiven Crowdlending Plattformen lassen sich nach ihren Kunden und angebotenen Finanzierungen aufteilen in verschiedene Bereiche.
Konsumkredite und Firmenkredite
Cashare
Cashare bietet eine Plattform für alternative Anlage- und Finanzierungsmöglichkeiten über die Crowd für Private und KMU. Cashare war die erste Schweizer Plattform, welche im Jahr 2008 in das Crowdfunding eingestiegen ist.
Crowdfunding Kosten: Gebühren nur im Erfolgsfall: 0.75% p.a. pro Partei mit min. Gebühr für Darlehensnehmer von CHF 50.- für Privatpersonen und CHF 300.- für KMU. Keine Gebühr bei vorzeitiger Rückzahlung sowie für Prüfung.

Gründungsjahr: 2008
Geschäftsführer: Michael Borter
Mitarbeiter: 11 Vollzeitäquivalente
Eigentümer: Cashare AG
Adresse: Bösch 65 6331 Hünenberg
Kontakt: support@cashare.ch

CreditGate24
CreditGate24 bringt Kreditnehmer mit privaten und institutionellen Anlegern auf der hochautomatisierten Marketplace-Lending Plattform zusammen. CreditGate24 bietet Finanzierungen für Private, KMU und Immobilien an.
Crowdfunding Kosten: 0.6-0.8% bei Kreditnehmern, 1% bei Anlegern

Gründungsjahr: 2015
Geschäftsführer: Christoph M. Müller
Mitarbeiter: 26
Eigentümer: CreditGate24 (Schweiz) AG
Adresse: Alemannenweg 6 8803 Rüschlikon
Kontakt: info@creditgate24.com

Crowd4Cash
Crowd4Cash bringt Kreditnehmer mit privaten und institutionellen Anlegern auf einer benutzerfreundlichen Crowdlending-Plattform zusammen. Crowd4Cash finanziert Schweizer Konsum- und KMU-Kredite bis zu CHF 250&#8217;000.-.
Crowdfunding Kosten: Gebühren nur im Erfolgsfall: 0.70% p.a. für den Kreditnehmer und 0.50% p.a. für den Kreditgeber

Gründungsjahr: 2017
Geschäftsführer: Roger Bossard
Mitarbeiter: 3
Eigentümer: Crowd Solutions AG
Adresse: Bellevueweg 42 6300 Zug
Kontakt: info@crowd4cash.ch

Lend
Peer-to-Peer Lender in der Schweiz.
Crowdfunding Kosten: Kreditnehmer: 0.75%p.a., Anleger: 1% des Anlagebetrags

Gründungsjahr: 2016
Geschäftsführer: Michel Lalive d’Epinay , Florian Kübler
Mitarbeiter: 8.4 Vollzeitäquivalente
Eigentümer: Switzerlend AG
Adresse: Hofackerstrasse 13 8031 Zürich
Kontakt: info@lend.ch

 Lendora
Lendora ist eine Crowdlending Plattform, welche die Technologie nutzt um Kredit zugänglicher zu machen und investieren attraktiver macht.
Crowdfunding Kosten: 0.7% p.a. für Kreditnehmer und 1% der monatlichen Rückzahlungen für Investoren

Gründungsjahr: 2016
Geschäftsführer: Simon Pelletier
Mitarbeiter: 3 Vollzeitäquivalente
Eigentümer: Lendora SA
Adresse: Chemain du Bocage 7 1066 Epalinges
Kontakt: info@lendora.ch

 
Fokus Firmenkredite
 Creditworld
creditworld verbindet Schweizer KMUs mit privaten sowie professionellen Investoren. Unternehmen profitieren von attraktiven Konditionen und fairen Vertragsbedingungen. Investoren erhalten Zugang zu einer neuen Anlageklasse mit interessanten Renditen und unterstützen dabei das Rückgrat der Schweizer Volkswirtschaft.
Crowdfunding Kosten: Je nach Kreditsumme unterschiedlich für den Kreditnehmer (zwischen 0.45-1.50%), jedoch mindestens CHF 1‘000. Keine Gebühren für die Investoren.

Gründungsjahr: 2016
Geschäftsführer: Kai Ren, Philipp Schneider &amp; Philipp Schnyder
Mitarbeiter: 8 Vollzeitäquivalente
Eigentümer: creditworld AG
Adresse: Selnaustrasse 5 8001 Zürich
Kontakt: info@creditworld.ch

Neocredit
Verbindet private und institutionelle Kreditgeber direkt mit Schweizer KMU. KMU können einfach, transparent und vollständig digital bis zu CHF 1’000’000 finanzieren. Anleger profitieren von attraktiven Renditen.
Crowdfunding Kosten: Einmalig 2% des Kreditvolumens, anschliessend 1% pro Jahr des ausstehenden Volumens.

Gründungsjahr: 2019
Geschäftsführer: Torsten Schittenhelm
Mitarbeiter: 4 Vollzeitäquivalente
Eigentümer: Neokredit.ch AG (Credit.fr und Vaudois Versicherung)
Adresse: Wankdorffeldstrasse 64, 3014 Bern
Kontakt: contact@neocredit.ch

 swisspeers
Swisspeers ist eine unabhängige Crowdlending Plattform, die es Unternehmen erlaubt, bei Investoren direkt Fremdkapital zu beschaffen. Diese Peer-to-peer-Finanzierung schafft eine einfache Alternative zum traditionellen Bankkredit und ist vollkommen transparent: Die Kreditbeurteilung erfolgt neutral durch swisspeers aufgrund nachvollziehbarer Kriterien, und der Preis wird im Rahmen eines Auktionsverfahrens im Anlegermarkt festgesetzt.
Crowdfunding Kosten: 0.5% p.a. Kreditnehmer, 0.25% p.a. Kreditgeber

Gründungsjahr: 2016
Geschäftsführer:  Alwin Meyer, Andreas Hug, Stefan Nägeli
Mitarbeiter: 6 Vollzeitäquivalente
Eigentümer: swisspeers AG
Adresse: Zürcherstrasse 12, 8400 Winterthur
Kontakt: info@swisspeers.ch, 052 511 50 80

 
Für private Zwecke
Creditfolio
Die Creditfolio AG hat das Ziel, Personen, die einen Kreditbedarf haben, mit Investoren zu verbinden. Zu diesem Zwecke hat die Creditfolio AG eine Internetplattform erstellt, auf der es für den Kreditnehmer möglich ist, ein Kreditgesuch zu stellen (Kreditprojekt). Potentielle Investoren können sich auf der Internetseite über die aktuellen Kreditprojekte informieren und sich mittels finanzieller Zusagen an den Kreditprojekten beteiligen. Für das eingegangene Risiko erhält der Kreditgeber vom Kreditnehmer einen Zins.
Crowdfunding Kosten: keine Angaben

Gründungsjahr: 2017
Geschäftsführer: Alex Hediger, Tobias Winkelmann
Mitarbeiter: 2
Eigentümer:  Creditfolio AG
Adresse: Solothurnerstrasse 72 4053 Basel
Kontakt: info@creditfolio.ch

 
Fokus Studentenkredite (Crowdfunding für Ausbildung)
 Splendit
Splendit ist eine Crowdlending-Plattform für Studierende. Splendit ist ein Crowdlending-Vermittler und Abwickler von Darlehen für Studierende.
Crowdfunding Kosten: Monatliche Gebühr von CHF 10 für Studierende während Laufzeit des Kredites. Investoren bezahlen einmalig 2% zu Beginn der Kreditvergabe.

Gründungsjahr: 2014
Geschäftsführer: Michel Lalive d’Epinay und Florian Kübler
Mitarbeiter: 0.5 Vollzeitäquivalente
Eigentümer: Switzerlend AG
Adresse: Hofackerstrasse 13 8031 Zürich
Kontakt: info@splendit.ch

 
Fokus Hypotheken
Swisslending
SwissLending ist eine Crowdfunding-Plattform mit dem Fokus auf Real Estate Crowdlending. SwissLending verbindet Immobilienentwickler mit Investoren.
Crowdfunding Kosten: 5%für den Kreditnehmer, bei Kreditgebern wird keine Gebühr erhoben.

Gründungsjahr: 2016
Geschäftsführer: Dominique Goy
Mitarbeiter: 1
Eigentümer: swisslending SA
Adresse: Rue du Général-Dufour 20 1204 Genève
Kontakt: contact@swisslending.ch

 
Crowdfunding Monitor 2020 Download
die Studie hier downloaden
Dieser Artikel erschien in leicht abgeänderter Form zuerst auf dem SwisspeersBlog.
The post Crowdfunding Schweiz: 29 aktive Plattformen &#8211; 600 Millionen vermittelt appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crowdfunding-schweiz-29-aktive-plattformen-600-millionen-vermittelt</link><guid>1352</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Crowdfunding-Zahlen-2008-bis-2019-1024x472.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Crowdfunding Schweiz: 29 aktive Plattformen – 600 Millionen vermittelt</dc:text></item><item><title>Nach Corona: Wird das Arbeiten im Home-Office bleiben?</title><description><![CDATA[Die Schweizer Arbeitnehmer wünschten sich bereits vor Corona flexiblere Arbeitsweisen. In der Pandemie haben sowohl sie als auch ihre Chefs erkannt, dass sich Home-Office bewährt. Mit den allmählichen Lockerungen der Verordnungen zur Kontaktbeschränkung steht in den Firmen so langsam die Rückkehr in die Büros an. Ist dies auch eine Rückkehr zum „Business as usual“?
Derzeit werden die Massnahmen zum Social Distancing gelockert und Angestellte können teilweise in ihr Büro zurückkehren. Das dürfte im Sinne vieler Arbeitnehmer sein, die nach langen Wochen im Home-Office gerne wieder ihre Kollegen sehen möchten. Doch war es das jetzt schon mit der „neuen Normalität“ und digitalen Arbeitsweisen? Immerhin fühlen sich laut einer Studie der FHNW und ZHAW mehr als 70 Prozent im Home-Office wohl und möchten diese Art der Arbeitsform auch nach der Coronakrise beibehalten.
Digitalisierung wirkt sich auf künftige Arbeitsformen aus
Die Frage nach der „neuen Normalität“ sei nicht so leicht zu beantworten, sagt Zerrin Azeri, Associate Director bei Robert Half. 
Zerrin Azeri, Associate Director bei Robert Half (© Robert Half)
„Die Corona-Krise hat bewirkt, dass die Arbeitsformen in vielen Unternehmen jetzt diskutiert werden. Home-Office hat sich trotz der vorherigen Skepsis vieler Unternehmen bewährt. Zudem legt der Blick auf die Kosten Änderungen nahe.“ 
Manche Chefs haben bereits angekündigt, dem Wunsch nach Home-Office künftig offener gegenüber zu stehen. 
„Viele Arbeitnehmer sehnen sich nach dem Büro, vor allem der Kollegen wegen, haben aber auch die Autonomie im Home-Office zu schätzen gelernt“, 
so Azeri.
Die künftige Arbeitswelt wird anders sein
Hinter diesem zwiegespaltenen Wunsch verbergen sich vermutlich mehrere Gründe. Viele Arbeitnehmer sorgen sich aufgrund der wirtschaftlichen Folgen der Corona-Krise um ihren Arbeitsplatz oder fürchten zumindest aufgrund von Kurzarbeit finanzielle Engpässe.
Andererseits haben viele Arbeitnehmer in den vergangenen Wochen aber die zeitliche Flexibilität und eine Zeitersparnis durch das Wegfallen des Arbeitsweges zu schätzen gelernt.
Arbeiten wie vorher ist derzeit noch kein Thema
Wer lieber schnell an seinen Arbeitsplatz zurückkehren möchte und darauf hofft, dass alles wie vorher ist, wird enttäuscht sein: Unternehmen müssen zahlreiche zusätzliche Auflagen zum Arbeitsschutz erfüllen. Entsprechend sind Social Distancing und Hygiene- und Abstandsregeln zu beachten. Das heisst: In vielen Fällen können nicht alle Mitarbeiter gleichzeitig zurück ins Büro. Eine Lösung ist, dass in festen Teams gearbeitet wird. Wenn nicht genügend Abstand gehalten werden kann, fallen auch der sonst übliche Plausch an der Kaffeemaschine oder grosse Meeting-Runden aus. Dafür werden Kontaktprotokolle und regelmässige Desinfektion noch eine Weile zum Alltag aller Angestellten gehören.
Damit flexiblere Arbeitsformen für Arbeitnehmer sinnvoll gestaltet werden können, sollten Unternehmen sich bereits jetzt Gedanken über mögliche Modelle machen.
 
Featured image credit: Photo by Anastasiia Chepinska on Unsplash
The post Nach Corona: Wird das Arbeiten im Home-Office bleiben? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/nach-corona-wird-das-arbeiten-im-home-office-bleiben</link><guid>1350</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Nach Corona: Wird das Arbeiten im Home-Office bleiben?</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Startup Map June 2020 Welcomes 2 Newcomers</title><description><![CDATA[Swisscom released the new Swiss Fintech Startup Map for June 2020.
With DCM and cybera two new Swiss Fintech Startups joined the map. In total 361 Swiss Fintech Startups are now on the map.

DCM Systematic Advisors SA
DCM Systematic is using an innovative strategy combining about 20 uncorrelated quantitative models, focusing on behavioural and relative value approaches

Cybera Global AG
cybera. global provides a FinTech platform against financially motivated cybercrime to Financial Institutions and Governments.

The new Swiss Fintech ecosystem map counts now in a total 361 Swiss Fintech Startups.
 
 

The post Swiss Fintech Startup Map June 2020 Welcomes 2 Newcomers appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-startup-map-june-2020-welcomes-2-newcomers</link><guid>1351</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Swiss-Fintech-Startup-Map-for-June-2020-1024x779.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Startup Map June 2020 Welcomes 2 Newcomers</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Influencer Switzerland Interview Series: 7 Fragen an Cornelia Stengel</title><description><![CDATA[Fintechnews.ch interviewt in einer Serie von Kurz-Interviews seit Jahren bekannte Schweizer Fintech Influenzer. Heute sprechen wir mit Prof. Dr. Cornelia Stengel, Partnerin bei Kellerhals Carrard. Cornelia zeigt uns wo die Schweiz führend ist bei der Blockchain und Fintech Regulierung und erzählt uns mehr über ihr neues Projekt &#8220;FinTank&#8221;.
Cornelia wurde von Oscar Neira nominiert.
Hallo Cornelia, was hat sich während der Covid-19 Pandemie für Dich persönlich verändert?
In der Corona Zeit hat sich beruflich für mich und mein Team nicht viel verändert. Wir beraten weiterhin Unternehmen aus der Finanzbranche bei der Entwicklung und Umsetzung von Innovationen, Projekten rund um Digitalisierung und neue Technologien, aber auch zu neuen Geschäftsmodellen, beispielsweise in Zusammenhang mit Open Banking. Die grösste Veränderung betrifft wohl meinen Arbeitsplatz: ich arbeite jetzt öfter im Homeoffice.
Denkst Du Covid ist der Digital Beschleuniger welcher der Branche bisher fehlte?
Ich kann mir gut vorstellen, dass das eine oder andere Digitalisierungsprojekt schneller vorangetrieben wird. Allerdings ist meines Erachtens mehr als „nur“ Digitalisierung gefragt. Die (Finanz-)Welt entwickelt sich. Neue Technologien, neue Geschäftsmodelle und neue gesetzliche Rahmenbedingungen führen zu tiefgreifenden Veränderungen in der gesamten Finanzbranche und stellen Finanzdienstleister vor grosse Herausforderungen. Denn mit den neuen technologischen Möglichkeiten steigen auch die Ansprüche und die Erwartungshaltung der Kunden.
Um diese weiterhin mindestens zu erfüllen und bestenfalls zu übertreffen, ist unternehmerische Innovation gefragt. Innovation ist allerdings nur dann möglich, wenn eine kontinuierliche, intensive und versierte Auseinandersetzung mit der Zukunft, insbesondere der Entwicklung der Kundenbedürfnisse und der Rahmenbedingungen, stattfindet, die zu Ideen und Visionen für neuartige Geschäftsmodelle führen kann. Diese müssen mit Blick auf ihre wirtschaftliche, technische und rechtliche Umsetzbarkeit analysiert und geprüft werden.
Mit was beschäftigst Du Dich derzeit?
Neben der rechtlichen Beratung von Finanzmarktteilnehmern in meiner Funktion als Partnerin der Wirtschaftskanzlei Kellerhals Carrard engagiere ich mich im Rahmen von Verbänden und Projekten zu meinen Tätigkeitsbereichen, namentlich als Geschäftsführerin des Schweizerischen Leasingverbands, als Co-Director von Swiss FinTech Innovations (SFTI) oder auch als Mitglied von Expertengruppen der Bundesverwaltung und ständiger Gast der Fachkommission Digitalisierung der Schweizerischen Bankiervereinigung (SBVg).
Mein neuestes Projekt ist der #FinTank an der Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz. Die Schaffung von Innovation ist in der Finanzbranche eine besonders grosse Herausforderung, weil dabei die unterschiedlichsten Bedürfnisse und Anforderungen von Kunden, Geschäftspartnern, Aktionären, Mitarbeitern, Behörden, ja des gesamten Finanzplatzes, zu berücksichtigen sind. Es sind neben ökonomischen und technologischen Aspekten immer auch regulatorische Rahmenbedingungen relevant, deren Verständnis spezifisches Fachwissen voraussetzt.
So stellen sich bei der Entwicklung von innovativen Geschäftsmodellen im Finanzbereich regelmässig grundsätzliche Fragen etwa im Bereich des nationalen und internationalen Finanzmarkt- bzw. Finanzdienstleistungsrechts sowie der Datenschutz- und Geldwäschereigesetzgebungen. Häufig sind die geltenden Bestimmungen schlicht nicht auf die neuartigen Geschäftsmodelle zugeschnitten, was eine rechtssichere Umsetzung zusätzlich erschwert. Im Rahmen des #FinTanks können diese vielfältigen Fragen rund um Innovation in der Finanzbranche mit einem interdisziplinären und unabhängigen Team angegangen werden.
Du beschäftigst Dich ja intensiv mit den rechtlichen Voraussetzungen von Fintech, wie stehen wir hier in der Schweiz?
Ich bin überzeugt, dass sich die Schweiz mit ihren meist prinzipienbasierten regulatorischen Grundlagen und dem von Wirtschaft und Politik, aber eben auch von Behörden und Gesetzgeber bewiesenen Interesse an deren Weiterentwicklung, als führender, innovativer und nachhaltiger Standort für FinTech- und Blockchain-Unternehmen etablieren und weiterentwickeln wird.
Wie kommt ein Fintech Startup in Zürich an Unterstützung in der Covid Zeit? Hier ist Zürich ja (bisher) explizit ausgeschlossen: https://covid19.easygov.swiss/kantone/
Zu Fragen aus verschiedensten Rechtsgebieten in Zusammenhang mit der Corona Pandemie hat meine Kanzlei Informationsmaterial bereitgestellt: vgl. hier.
Was diskutiert ihr in der Expertengruppe der Bundesverwaltung &#8220;Distributed Ledger Technology &#8220;?
In dieser Expertengruppe werden insbesondere die Eckpfeiler der neuen Regelungen zur digitalen Übertragung von Vermögenswerten und deren Handel diskutiert. Diese Vorlage wird im Juni im Nationalrat behandelt.
Gibt es was, welches wir in diesem Hinblick von anderen Ländern lernen könnten?
Die Schweiz gehört mit dieser DLT-Vorlage zu den Pionieren. Es werden verschiedene Bundesgesetze (insbesondere das Zivil- und Finanzmarktrecht) punktuell angepasst. Ziel ist die Erhöhung der Rechtssicherheit, die Beseitigung von Hürden für Anwendungen, die auf Distributed Ledger Technology basieren, sowie die Begrenzung von Missbrauchsrisiken.
Welches Schweizer Fintech Startup sollten wir unbebdingt auf dem Radar haben?
Yapeal natürlich – ich bin Aktionärin.
Bitte nominiere einen anderen Globalen Schweizer Fintech Influenzer für das Interview
Ich nominiere Anja Vujovic.
 
Swiss Fintech Influencer Cornelia Stengel
Cornelia Stengel
Cornelia Stengel ist Rechtsanwältin für Finanzmarktrecht (insbesondere in Zusammenhang mit Leasing-, Konsumkredit- und Kreditkartengeschäft) sowie Datenschutzrecht. Sie hat spezielle Erfahrung in der rechtlichen Analyse neuer Produkte, Systeme und Technologien auf dem Finanzmarkt (FinTech) und berät in interdisziplinären Teams in allen Phasen eines Projektes von der Prüfung und Umsetzung betriebswirtschaftlicher und regulatorischer Anforderungen über die vertragliche Ausgestaltung bis hin zur Gestaltung interner Prozesse.
Ihre praktische Erfahrung bringt Cornelia Stengel als Gastprofessorin und Leiterin des interdisziplinären #FinTank an der FHNW und Dozentin an verschiedenen Hochschulen in die Wissenschaft ein.
Daneben engagiert sich Cornelia Stengel in Arbeitsgruppen und Verbänden zu ihren Tätigkeitsbereichen, beispielsweise in ihrer Funktion als Geschäftsführerin des Schweizerischen Leasingverbands (SLV), als Co-Director von Swiss Fintech Innovations (SFTI), als Mitglied der Arbeitsgruppen Finanzmarktpolitik, Datenschutz und Datenpolitik der economiesuisse oder auch als Mitglied der Blockchain Taskforce. Sie unterstützt als Expertin die Bundesverwaltung in Zusammenhang mit der Ausarbeitung der DLT-Gesetzesvorlage und ist gewählt als ständiger Gast der Fachkommission Digitalisierung der Schweizerischen Bankiervereinigung (SBVg).
The post Fintech Influencer Switzerland Interview Series: 7 Fragen an Cornelia Stengel appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-influencer-switzerland-interview-series-7-fragen-an-cornelia-stengel</link><guid>1349</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech Influencer Switzerland Interview Series: 7 Fragen an Cornelia Stengel</dc:text></item><item><title>Digital Asset Data and Infrastructure Sector Poised for Further Maturation and Growth</title><description><![CDATA[Healthy competition and institutionalization of the industry, combined with COVID-19 related pressures on funding, will lead to further maturation of the digital asset data and infrastructure sector, with M&amp;A deals expected to multiply in the near future, according to a new report by The Block.
In research paper titled The State of the Digital Asset Data and Infrastructure Landscape, The Block looks at the digital asset data and infrastructure sector by analyzing a sample 51 firms in the sector and interviewing 35 participants.
Industry sample, Source: The State of the Digital Asset Data and Infrastructure Landscape, The Block, April 2020
According to the study, more than half of the surveyed companies were launched in either 2017 or 2018. These years coincide with the crypto bubble of 2017 as well as with the entrance of institutional firms including the International Continental Exchange (ICE), CME Group and Fidelity, in the space, the research notes.
Number of firms by inception, Source: The State of the Digital Asset Data and Infrastructure Landscape, The Block, April 2020
46% of these companies are headquartered in the US, followed by the European Union (EU) (22%), and the UK (13%). According to the report, this showcases that these companies strategically chose to set up shop at locations that host major financial and business hubs to get easy access to clients such as institutional investors, digital asset businesses, and developers.
Venture funding and acquisitions
From 2014 to 2019, companies in the digital asset data and infrastructure sector raised over US$286 million in venture funding through 44 deals, implying that sector is still nascent. These numbers are relatively small when compared with the broader blockchain and digital assets industry which saw US$16.2 billion raised in venture funding across 2,775 deals over the same time frame, the report notes.
Venture funding activity however started surging in 2017, with the sector recording a 1,183% year-on-year increase by the end of 2017. Between 2017 and 2019, the digital asset data and infrastructure space saw a remarkable 33% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), the report says.
Venture funding into digital asset data and infrastructure companies, Source: The State of the Digital Asset Data and Infrastructure Landscape, The Block, April 2020
2017 also saw the industry’s first acquisitions take place, it notes. For example, digital asset exchange Kraken acquired charting and trading data platform Cryptowatch in March, and blockchain media leader CoinDesk purchased market data and investment tool Lawnmower in January.
But it’s actually in 2020 that the digital asset data and infrastructure sector saw its first major acquisition with Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by market volume, purchasing popular digital asset data site CoinMarketCap for a reported US$400 million.
Selected acquisitions in the digital asset data and infrastructure sector, Source: The State of the Digital Asset Data and Infrastructure Landscape, The Block, April 2020
For the research, The Block segmented the 51 companies it studied into three main verticals: infrastructure providers, which offer blockchain node infrastructure services and developer tools (e.g. Alchemy and Infura); on-chain metrics providers, which offer services that change raw and unorganized public blockchain data into user-friendly and digestible data (e.g. Etherscan and TradeBlock); and market data providers serving retail customers and/or enterprises (e.g. Kaiko and CryptoCompare).
Among the trends to watch out for, the report notes that the institutionalization of the digital asset space, a trend that began in 2019, will further push demand for enterprise-quality market data.
In the retail space, the growth of futures and options markets will force market data providers to fully integrate derivatives data and become more sophisticated. Diversified revenues will continue to grow in popularity, the report says, and more retail-facing providers will explore serving an enterprise clientele as well.
The post Digital Asset Data and Infrastructure Sector Poised for Further Maturation and Growth appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digital-asset-data-and-infrastructure-sector-poised-for-further-maturation-and-growth</link><guid>1347</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Industry-sample-Source-The-State-of-the-Digital-Asset-Data-and-Infrastructure-Landscape-The-Block-April-2020-1024x523.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Digital Asset Data and Infrastructure Sector Poised for Further Maturation and Growth</dc:text></item><item><title>Crowdfunding-Schweiz-Studie 2020: Wachstum lässt nach</title><description><![CDATA[Im Jahr 2019 wurden in der Schweiz knapp 600 Millionen Franken über CrowdfundingPlattformen vermittelt. Damit ist der Markt weiter gewachsen – wenn auch nicht mehr so stark wie in den Vorjahren. Das zeigt eine Studie der Hochschule Luzern. Durch die COVID19-Krise dürften einzelne Modelle des Crowdfundings weiter an Relevanz gewinnen.
Im Jahr 2019 erreichte das Volumen im Crowdfunding-Markt ein weiteres Mal einen Rekordwert, wie der siebte Crowdfunding-Monitor der Hochschule Luzern zeigt. So wurden über Schweizer Crowdfunding-Plattformen Projekte im Umfang von 597.1 Millionen Franken finanziert. Gegenüber dem Vorjahr stieg das Volumen um 15.6 Prozent. Mittlerweile gibt es in der Schweiz 39 aktive Plattformen.
rowdfunding volume in Switzerland (successfully funded campaigns), 2008-2019
Wachstum hat an Geschwindigkeit eingebüsst
Im Vergleich zu den beiden Vorjahren nahm im Jahr 2019 die Wachstumsgeschwindigkeit der Crowdfunding-Volumen in der Schweiz ab. Abhängig von der einzelnen Form des Crowdfundings waren die Entwicklungen aber sehr unterschiedlich. Im Bereich Crowdlending wurden Kredite im Umfang von 418.4 Millionen Franken (+59.8%) finanziert. Vor allem hypothekarisch gedeckte Kredite haben zu diesem erfreulichen Wachstum beigetragen. Im Crowdinvesting erreichten die
Investitionen hingegen nur noch 154.1 Millionen Franken (-24.8%). Beim Crowdsupporting/Crowddonating wurden Projekte mit über 24.6 Millionen Franken unterstützt (-4.0%, siehe Grafik).
Von der Crowd zu den Profis
Die ursprüngliche Idee von Crowdfunding war es, durch die Mobilisierung einer grossen Anzahl von Personen ein Projekt zu finanzieren. Im Crowdlending und Real Estate Crowdinvesting finanzieren aber verstärkt professionelle Investoren gewisse Kredite oder Immobilien direkt. Privatpersonen werden dadurch in diesen Bereichen relativ gesehen an Bedeutung verlieren. Im Bereich Crowdsupporting und Crowddonating hingegen wird die Crowd weiterhin zentral sein.
COVID-19: Viele neue Initiativen
Neuen Schwung in den Unterstützungsgedanken des Crowdfundings könnte die COVID-19- Krise bringen. Besonders beim Crowdsupporting und Crowddonating ist in der aktuellen Situation viel Bewegung im Markt festzustellen. Einerseits haben bestehende CrowdfundingPlattformen spezielle Initiativen gestartet, um KMU und selbstständig Erwerbende zu unterstützen. Andererseits sind in den letzten Monaten auch über 40 temporäre OnlinePlattformen entstanden, über die vor allem Gutscheine für lokale KMU verkauft wurden.
Simon Amrein
«Es ist denkbar, dass unter den Geldgebern auf solchen Plattformen auch viele Personen sind, die zum ersten Mal ein Unternehmen oder ein Projekt online unterstützen. Das könnte langfristig positive Effekte haben»,
sagt Simon Amrein, Studienautor und Dozent an der Hochschule Luzern Staatlich abgesicherte Kredite statt Crowdlending Etwas anders sieht es während der Coronakrise bei der Finanzierung von KMU über Kredite, dem sogenannten Crowdlending, aus. Vor allem im Bereich des Business-Crowdlendings ist ein temporärer Rückgang bei der Nachfrage nach Krediten unter einem Volumen von 500&#8217;000 Franken feststellbar.
Andreas Dietrich
«Hintergrund dieser Entwicklung ist unter anderem wohl auch, dass KMU seit Ende März bei Banken einen vom Bund abgesicherten COVID-19-Kredit bis 500&#8217;000 Franken zinslos und praktisch ohne Prüfung von den Banken erhalten»,
sagt Andreas Dietrich, Studienautor und Professor an der Hochschule Luzern. Insgesamt erwarten die Studienautoren aber, dass Crowdlending-Plattformen in der zweiten Jahreshälfte wieder stärker zum Zug kommen werden, weil einige KMU wohl bald zusätzliche Mittel benötigen, wenn die Krise länger anhält.
Wachstum wird weiter anhalten
Die Wachstumsquoten des Schweizer Crowdfunding-Markts im Jahr 2019 waren positiv, lagen aber etwas unter den Erwartungen. Für das Jahr 2020 gehen die Studienautoren davon aus, dass das Gesamtvolumen erneut im eher tiefen zweistelligen Prozentbereich wachsen wird.
Insgesamt rechnen sie mit einem Volumen zwischen CHF 700 und 900 Millionen für den Crowdfunding-Markt Schweiz 2020. Das Wachstum wird in erster Linie getrieben vom RealEstate-Crowdinvesting und vom Crowdlending.
Die Studie kann hier heruntergeladen werden.
The post Crowdfunding-Schweiz-Studie 2020: Wachstum lässt nach appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crowdfunding-schweiz-studie-2020-wachstum-lasst-nach</link><guid>1346</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Abb1-Volumen-Crowdfunding-Schweiz.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Crowdfunding-Schweiz-Studie 2020: Wachstum lässt nach</dc:text></item><item><title>Switzerland Based Appway Raises $37 Million Investment from Summit Partners</title><description><![CDATA[Appway, a Swiss based global provider of business process automation software today announced a $37 million minority investment from global growth equity firm Summit Partners.
This partnership represents Appway’s first external capital raise and will help the company to further expand its product portfolio and accelerate international growth while maintaining the entrepreneurial spirit that has driven the company’s continuous advancement since 2003.
Headquartered in Switzerland with eight offices around the globe, Appway provides software designed to support the digital transformation of customer-focused organizations across the financial services industry.
Appway will use this new funding to support expansion initiatives in core markets around the world, including Europe, the APAC region and focusing on North
Hans Peter Wolf
America. Additionally, Appway will continue to invest in its software, leveraging cloud economics and flexibility to support real-time innovation for its customers and partners.
“Since its very first day, the Appway team has been driven by our mission to connect people, systems and data to automate workflows across teams and touchpoints,”
said Hans Peter Wolf, Appway’s founder and CEO.
Matthias Allgaier
“We believe the company has delivered impressive, consistent capital efficient growth, and we are thrilled to partner with Hans Peter Wolf, his co-founder Oliver Brupbacher and the entire Appway team.”
The post Switzerland Based Appway Raises $37 Million Investment from Summit Partners appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/switzerland-based-appway-raises-37-million-investment-from-summit-partners</link><guid>1345</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Switzerland Based Appway Raises $37 Million Investment from Summit Partners</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Influencer Switzerland Interview Series: 7 Questions to Oscar Neira</title><description><![CDATA[In May 2020, Fintechnews.ch launched the Fintech Influencer Switzerland Interview series, which presents at least once a week a short interview we have conducted with a well-known, longtime Swiss fintech influencer to get his or her views on some of the industry’s most urging issues and hottest trends.
For this interview, Fintechnews.ch has talked to Oscar Neira* of Codd &amp; Date Suisse to catch up with him, hear his opinion on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the fintech sector, learn more about the Italian fintech landscape, and more.
Oscar was nominated by Marc Lussy.
Hi Oscar, what has changed for you personally during this pandemic?
A lot has changed.
Not so much in terms of working from home, though, because I was already doing that before the pandemic, but more regarding basic things. For example, if you asked me three months ago if I would ever have my own little garden, I would have said: “No! Are you a fool?” Well, now I have one. It’s a hell of work and I love it.
The reason for that was mainly to get out of the lethargy, and move and strengthen my body. But also to learn how to grow my own food.
Do you think COVID-19 is the digital accelerator that the industry has been missing so far?
I believe so. The COVID-19 pandemic has been an accelerator for remote working, among many other things.
On the other hand, there have been articles from psychologists who have said that after COVID-19, people will fall back into their old habits and behaviors. I don’t believe this will happen.
What is your current focus?
During the confinement, I studied a lot about cybersecurity and secure customer authentication (SCA).
I learnt that this was more than just installing a firewall and antivirus software, or not opening suspicious emails from alleged bank insiders who found unclaimed inheritance.
This is actually a very important topic and multifaceted issue that start with basic things like an asset (equipment) inventory.
You were often in Italy and know the fintech trends there very well. What are we missing?
I don’t know why but it seems that all the countries or regions start their fintech journey with payments. Everybody thinks that payment is easy. Well, it’s not.
Italy passed this stage and now has three major trends and segments: payments, microcredits/crowdlending, and insurtech.
Looking back at Italy’s history, there are surely some connections which could explain why these segments have such prominence in Italy right now: in the 13th century, the Lombards were giving credits all over Europe; in the 14th century, the Florentines with the Medici dynasty were already making foreign money exchange and payments; and the world’s first known insurance broker emerged out of Pisa in 1319.
Historically, Italians have a lot of knowledge and expertise when it comes to banking and insurance. Whether they are as good with tech is another story, but I do believe Italy’s fintech industry has a bright future ahead.
I mean, the world’s oldest bank, Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena, stated in 1472 and is still in operation today. This implies that throughout the centuries, they’ve remained innovative and successfully re-invented themselves to stay relevant.
Please tell us a fintech in Italy we should watch closely?
I like the Fabrick.com open banking platform very much. They are connecting banks with fintechs through a marketplace platform.
Not only does Fabrick help banks with open APIs, the platform also helps fintechs connect directly to all Italian banks (and hopefully international banks later on) and manage all the different SCA models from every bank, reducing complexity and costs for fintechs.
What can Switzerland learn from fintech in Italy or vice versa?
Italian fintechs need to learn from their Swiss peers how to build more business-to-business (B2B) solutions and use cases. Italian fintechs should also focus more on scaling internationally.
As of Swiss fintechs, they could definitely learn more about successful bank/fintech partnerships from their Italian peers. I have the feeling that collaborations between banks and fintechs in Italy are much more fruitful than in Switzerland.
Which Swiss fintech startup should we have on our radar?
There are a lot of them. I think Sonect has great potential. There are also some very good wealthtech platforms for asset managers and family offices which are poised for great success. If you ask me about regtech, my actual favorite is KYC Spider.
Please nominate a Global Swiss Fintech Influencer for one of our next interviews:
I nominate financial market and data protection lawyer Cornelia Stengel and/or Miki Vayloyan, CEO of KYC Spider.
 
*Bio Swiss Fintech Influencer Oscar Neira:
Oscar Neira
Oscar Neira is a senior consultant at Codd &amp; Date Suisse, an IT and business consultancy firm specialized in ISO20022 payments, cybersecurity, data analytics and machine learning, and business continuity management.
He is also a correspondent for finance platform moneytoday.ch where he regularly writes as an expert on subjects including open banking, PSD2, instant payments, SWIFT gpi, and related topics.
Neira is advisor to numerous Swiss fintech startup‘s as well as a popular speaker on different international events.
The post Fintech Influencer Switzerland Interview Series: 7 Questions to Oscar Neira appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-influencer-switzerland-interview-series-7-questions-to-oscar-neira</link><guid>1344</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech Influencer Switzerland Interview Series: 7 Questions to Oscar Neira</dc:text></item><item><title>Kanton Zug unterstützt zukunftsfähige Startups mit 5 Millionen Franken</title><description><![CDATA[Der Regierungsrat des Kanton Zugs hat sich dazu entschlossen, zukunftsfähige Startups zu unterstützen, die durch die Corona-Pandemie in ihrer Existenz bedroht sind. Deshalb nimmt der Kanton ab dem 27. Mai 2020 am Bundesprogramm zur Erweiterung des Bürgschaftswesens teil und verbürgt bis fünf Millionen Franken. Im Rahmen dieses Programms können Startups bis am 31. August 2020 einen Antrag stellen, um von Bürgschaften des Bundes und des Kantons zu profitieren.
Die Auswirkungen der Corona-Pandemie treffen auch viele Startups. Was diese jungen Unternehmen jetzt brauchen, ist Kapital. Die bisherigen Hilfsprogramme von Bund und Kanton, insbesondere das Bundesprogramm für die COVID-19-Bürgschaftskredite, haben bei den meist umsatzschwachen Startups nicht gegriffen. Deshalb hat der Bundesrat am 22. April 2020 ein ergänzendes Bürgschaftsprogramm für Startups angekündigt, welches die Kantone ihren Startups zur Verfügung stellen können.
Kanton Zug verbürgt bis fünf Millionen Franken
Der Regierungsrat hat beschlossen, am Bundesprogramm zur Unterstützung der Startups teilzunehmen und sich für fünf Millionen Franken zu verbürgen.
Heinz Tännler
«Eine Umfrage der Swiss Blockchain Federation (SBF) im April 2020 hat gezeigt, dass mehr als zwei Drittel derjenigen Startups, die einen COVID-19-Bürgschaftskredit beantragt haben, diesen nicht erhalten haben»,
erklärt Finanzdirektor Heinz Tännler und ergänzt:
«Uns ist klar, dass wir jetzt handeln müssen, da der Kanton Zug mit dem Crypto Valley über eines der weltweit grössten Ökosysteme für Blockchain-Startups verfügt.»
Das neue Bürgschaftsprogramm ist grundsätzlich gleich strukturiert, wie jenes der COVID-19-Bürgschaftskredite. Startups können bei einer beliebigen Bank (in der Regel bei ihrer Hausbank) einen Kredit beantragen, der unmittelbar durch eine Bürgschaftsgenossenschaft und mittelbar durch den Bund (65 Prozent) und den Kanton Zug (35 Prozent) verbürgt ist. Die Bürgschaftsgarantie für Zuger Startups umfasst insgesamt knapp 15 Millionen Franken, wovon 5 Millionen durch den Kanton und 10 Millionen Franken durch den Bund getragen werden.
Anspruchsberechtigte Startups
Die Auswahl der Startups für dieses Programm obliegt den Kantonen. Der Regierungsrat hat sich dazu entschlossen, nur zukunftsfähige Startups zu unterstützen. Allerdings haben Startups grundsätzlich ein hohes Ausfallrisiko zu verzeichnen.
«Im Voraus zu bestimmen, wer die Gewinner von morgen sind, ist äusserst anspruchsvoll»,
gibt Finanzdirektor Heinz Tännler zu bedenken. Die Selektion der Startups erfolgt daher in Zusammenarbeit mit verwaltungsexternen Experten, welche zuhanden der Finanzdirektion die Gesuche vorprüfen und die Entscheidgrundlagen aufbereiten werden. Eine Antragstellung ist ab dem 27. Mai 2020 bis zum 31. August 2020 über die Plattform des Bundes möglich (https://covid19.easygov.swiss/fuer-startups/).
Startups wegen Corona-Pandemie in Existenznot
Startups sind junge Unternehmen, die Geschäftsmodelle entwickeln, welche innovativ, wissens- oder technologiebasiert sowie skalierbar sind. Es haben sich vielerorts Geldgeber, die im Frühstadium Entwicklungen bis zur Marktreife finanzieren, zurückgezogen oder auf die Unterstützung von Startup-Unternehmen beschränkt, in denen sie bereits investiert haben.
«Da viele dieser jungen Unternehmen derzeit noch keine Einnahmen aus dem Verkauf von Produkten oder Dienstleistungen haben, sind sie ohne Geldgeber unmittelbar in ihrer Existenz bedroht»,
sagt Finanzdirektor Heinz Tännler.
«Die bereits genannte Umfrage der SBF hat gezeigt, dass drei von vier Unternehmen mit einer Insolvenz innerhalb der nächsten sechs Monate rechnen.»
Kanton Zug als Startup-Hotspot

Der Kanton Zug gehört zusammen mit Zürich, Basel-Stadt, Genf, Waadt und Bern zu den Kantonen mit den meisten Startups. Dies ist umso bemerkenswerter, als dass Zug kein Universitätskanton ist. Finanzdirektor Heinz Tännler zeigt sich erfreut:
«Die Wirtschaftsfreundlichkeit, globale Vernetzung und konstruktive Offenheit gegenüber Innovationen haben dazu geführt, dass sich in Zug erstklassige Clusters gebildet haben wie Spitzentechnologie, Life Sciences, Finanzdienstleistungen, Rohstoff oder Blockchain-Technologie».
Das Crypto Valley, ein weltweit führender Blockchain Hub, ist Sinnbild für die Innovationskraft Zugs.
Featured image credit: Unsplash
The post Kanton Zug unterstützt zukunftsfähige Startups mit 5 Millionen Franken appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/kanton-zug-unterstutzt-zukunftsfahige-startups-mit-5-millionen-franken</link><guid>1343</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Kanton Zug unterstützt zukunftsfähige Startups mit 5 Millionen Franken</dc:text></item><item><title>InCore Bank Launches Access to Digital Assets</title><description><![CDATA[
The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA has authorized the transaction bank InCore Bank to trade, hold, transfer and generate (tokenize) digital assets. This makes InCore Bank the first Swiss business-to-business bank to offer financial service providers and institutions worldwide easy and secure access to a new and forward-looking asset class. Maerki Baumann is the first customer bank to be ready for launch.


The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA has authorized InCore Bank AG, headquartered in Zurich-Schlieren, to expand its range of services with immediate effect to include brokerage, custody, transfer and generation of digital assets. InCore Bank is thus the first traditional Swiss business-to-business bank positioned in this new digital asset class. Financial service providers and institutions worldwide can rely on InCore Bank without concerns about possible conflicts of interest, as the renowned service organization does not provide services to end customers.
Digital assets
As digital assets, crypto-currencies are a valuable extension of modern asset management and will become an indispensable payment and investment value in the future. In addition, other, previously &#8220;non-bankable&#8221; assets can also be represented as digital assets by means of security tokens.
As an established transaction bank in Switzerland, InCore Bank benefits from long-term experience in banking and in-depth knowledge of applicable regulations and processes. It thus offers financial service providers and institutions a secure access to the world of digital assets.
Mark Dambacher
«Our clients benefit from the expansion into this new asset class at a stroke, without the need to invest in infrastructure and new processes themselves. This while maintaining our customary safety standards. This is how we bridge to traditional asset classes »,
states Mark Dambacher, CEO of InCore Bank.

 

Uniting the old and the new world
InCore Bank has a well-established team of banking and compliance experts who are able to serve both worlds &#8211; traditional and digital asset classes &#8211; and offer their clients a full range of services from one source. «Since the digital assets are entirely integrated into the core banking system, the end customers benefit from a user experience ranging from e-banking to asset reporting, as they are used to in the traditional banking world», explains Mark Dambacher.
In recent months, the newly formed «Digital Services» division of InCore Bank has built up the strategic project to introduce these new services.
Maerki Baumann &amp; Co. AG is the first client
As its first client in the area of digital asset classes, InCore Bank was able to acquire the long-standing client bank Maerki Baumann &amp; Co. AG, whose parent company holds a stake in InCore Bank.
The new digital asset classes are accessible to all financial service providers and institutions – even to those who are not on the InCore banking platform as outsourcing or transaction banking clients.
Creating digital assets
After launching services in the area of crypto currencies, Following the launch of services in the field of crypto currencies, InCore Bank will expand the brokerage, custody and transfer services to security tokens in a next step. In cooperation with its partner inacta AG, an independent Swiss IT consulting firm for information management and crypto assets, it is developing further services in the area of tokenization of assets. With the Security Token Services from InCore Bank, companies will be able to manage their securities more easily and cost-effectively and raise new capital. Here too, InCore Bank offers the full range of services from issuance, distribution, brokerage and storage.
 
Featured image: Mark Dambacher, CEO of InCore Bank

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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/incore-bank-launches-access-to-digital-assets</link><guid>1342</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>InCore Bank Launches Access to Digital Assets</dc:text></item><item><title>SIX VC Arm Looks for Switzerland’s Next Fintech Rockstars</title><description><![CDATA[SIX Fintech Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of SIX Group, is seeking high-potential global fintech startups looking to become leaders in their fields and conquer the Swiss financial sector.
Maximilian Spelmeyer
The CHF 50 million investment arm, which currently counts six fintech companies in its portfolio, is looking to invest in 20 to 30 early-stage fintech startups with a participation that typically ranges between CHF 300,000 to CHF 2 million in the first round, Maximilian Spelmeyer, senior investment manager, told Fintech News Switzerland.
In particular, SIX Fintech Ventures is interested in highly scalable, early-stage (Seed to Series A) startups relevant for the Swiss financial center in a mid- to long-term perspective that make use of cutting-edge technologies, with new business models and solutions and which offer a “superb customer experience.”
SIX Fintech Ventures considers startups across all verticals of the financial industry though it does focus on retail banking, corporate and investment banking, asset management and private banking. The team invests along three thematic layers. First, solutions in daily commerce and transactions, which allow seamless invisible transactions embedded into everyday digital life ecosystem journeys.
Second, along the layer of insights and relationships, enabling perfect personalized digital advice and unique insights from data. Finally, low-touch B2B infrastructure solutions, which are heavily automated and efficient with low costs. Tech-wise, the fund is particularly interested in applications that leverage artificial intelligence (AI), big data, the Internet-of-Things (IoT), as well as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR).
The fund mainly focuses on two regions, Switzerland and Western Europe, though it would consider other geographics if opportunities arise.
SIX Fintech Ventures distinguishes itself from other VCs in that the fund provides the value-added of an international firm in addition to financial support. Portfolio companies receive active support and also get to leverage the group’s extensive network comprising SIX’s various business units and 122 shareholders, as well as direct linkage to the Swiss financial center and access to experts from the F10 Fintech Incubator and Accelerator, a project initially started in 2014 by SIX and which the firm has remained actively involved in since then.
Investment into 30 early-stage fintech startups planed
SIX Fintech Ventures’ current portfolio companies include six Fintech Startups, that means we will hear from SIX Venture more news soon as they aim to invest into up to 30 Fintechs.
Vestr
Vestr operates in the structured investment market, providing independent white-labeled business-to-business (B2B) software that facilitates the creation and lifecycle management of actively managed certificates (AMCs). Vestr graduated from the F10 Fintech Accelerator in 2017, and signed up Julius Baer as client in 2019, helping the bank develop a platform for the management of AMCs.
Expense Robot
 
Expense Robot uses AI to automate all expenses and company credit card processes, prevent fraud, increase employee satisfaction and allow for valuable data insights. Founded in 2019, Expense Robot went live with a first wave of customers in September of the same year. Since then, the startup has landed renowned global customers including Swissquote, Kägi, Ameropa and SkyCell.
Tradeplus24
 
Zurich-based Tradeplus24 is a finech specialist lender providing flexible, easy funding to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) looking to improve their liquidity position by leveraging their domestic and international receivables. Founded in 2016, Tradeplus24 boasts Credit Suisse as a major investor, along with names such as SIX Fintech Ventures, Berliner Volksbank Ventures (BVBV), and Credit Suisse Entrepreneur Capital. The startup expanded to Australia in 2019.
PXL Vision
 
PXL Vision, a spin-off of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), develop software solutions for digital identity authentication and customer onboarding powered by latest computer vision, AI and VR/AR algorithms. PXL Vision is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, with R&amp;D centers in Novi Sad, Serbia, and Yerevan, Armenia.
Archilyse

Founded in 2017, Archilyse is a proptech startup that offers holistic numeric architecture analysis as an easy to use software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution. Archilyse measures data-based architectural characteristics of real estate properties and provides these to project developers, architects, and asset owners, allowing them to optimize a variety of processes in the real estate value chain.
Value3
 
Value3 is a B2B fintech company offering a capital market AI-platform for independent, predictive and fully automated credit ratings, research, ESG and analytics. The platform is used by buy-side investment and risk managers in capital markets, and combines financial data with unstructured online digital footprints, news, events, trends and patterns of the companies from diverse sources to transform data overload into actionable insights.
The post SIX VC Arm Looks for Switzerland’s Next Fintech Rockstars appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/six-vc-arm-looks-for-switzerlands-next-fintech-rockstars</link><guid>1340</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>SIX VC Arm Looks for Switzerland’s Next Fintech Rockstars</dc:text></item><item><title>Europäische Finanzinstitute investieren mit voller Kraft in Open Banking</title><description><![CDATA[Eine neue Untersuchung der führenden europäischen Open-Banking-Plattform Tink zeigt, dass Finanzinstitute europaweit ihre Investitionen in Open Banking erhöhen. Ursache ist ein Bewusstseinswandel in der Branche weg vom reinen Pflichtprogramm der PSD2 hin zur Wertschöpfung am Kunden durch Steigerung des Kundenerlebnis und erhöhte Kosteneffizienz entlang aller Facetten des Open Bankings.
Portugal, Frankreich und Deutschland investieren besonders viel
Den Daten zufolge liegt der Median der Open-Banking-Investitionsbudgets für europäische Finanzinstitute in der Regel zwischen 50 und 100 Millionen Euro, wobei fast die Hälfte (45%) der befragten Finanzinstitute mehr als 100 Millionen Euro ausgibt. Deutschland belegt im Rennen der besonders grosszügigen Geldgeber den dritten Platz: Hierzulande investieren 56,7% der Finanzinstitute mehr als 100 Millionen Euro in die Zukunft des Open Banking. Mehr investieren nur noch Frankreich (2. Platz) und Portugal (1. Platz).
Deutschland ist zwar der Geburtsort vieler Open-Banking-Innovationen, die vor der PSD2-Richtlinie entstanden sind. Heute ist der deutsche Markt jedoch in Sachen Open Banking noch wenig standardisiert und die meisten Finanzinstitute nähern sich PSD2 auf ihre ganz eigene Weise und mit grossen Budgets für Open Banking.
Abbildung 1: Ausgaben für Open Banking im Ländervergleich

Zwei Drittel der Finanzinstitute (63%) geben an, dass ihre jährlichen Open-Banking-Budgets seit dem letzten Jahr um 20%-29% gestiegen sind. Nur 10% der Institutionen haben ihre Investitionen in diesem Bereich reduziert.
Für Open-Banking-Investitionen gibt es gute Gründe, aber noch einige Hürden
Open Banking wird aktuell vor allem durch gestiegene Erwartungen an das Kundenerlebnis vorangetreiben. 44% der befragten Finanzinstitute gaben an, in Open Banking zu investieren, um Kunden besser zu umsorgen. 39% gaben die Modernisierung der eigenen IT und 34% die Prozessoptimierung als größte Triebfeder ihres Engagements an.
Dennoch gibt es nach wie vor Barrieren. Veraltete IT wurde von jedem dritten Befragten (33%) als Haupthindernis für Investitionen angesehen. Währenddessen nannten 32% andere Geschäftsprioritäten als Blockierer und 31% glaubten, dass regulatorische Einschränkungen die Ausgaben drosseln.

Amortisationszeit: Die Früchte des Open Banking lassen sich zeitnah ernten
Nichtsdestotrotz sind die Finanzinstitute beim ROI von Open Banking optimistisch. 50% erwarten eine Amortisationsdauer von weniger als vier Jahren und mehr als zwei Drittel (69%) erwarten, dass der Nutzen die Kosten in weniger als fünf Jahren aufwiegt. Nur 1% der Befragten sind der Ansicht, dass es überhaupt keine Amortisation gibt.
Die Finanzinstitute erkennen eindeutig die enormen kommerziellen Möglichkeiten, die das offene Bankwesen in naher Zukunft bietet. Das Ertragswachstum durch neue Kunden erwies sich für 44% der Befragten als wichtigster Erfolgsmaßstab für offene Bankinvestitionen. Es folgten steigende Umsätze durch neue Produkte und Dienstleistungen (39%) und die Monetarisierung von Daten durch das Angebot von Developer Services oder APIs (37%).
 
The post Europäische Finanzinstitute investieren mit voller Kraft in Open Banking appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/europaische-finanzinstitute-investieren-mit-voller-kraft-in-open-banking</link><guid>1337</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Spending-on-open-banking-objectives.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Europäische Finanzinstitute investieren mit voller Kraft in Open Banking</dc:text></item><item><title>Report: Consumers Turn to Non-Traditional Players, Bigtechs Amid COVID-19 Crisis</title><description><![CDATA[Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers are increasingly turning to non-traditional players including bigtechs and product manufacturers such as Tesla for innovative, personalized insurance offerings, and enhanced customer experience, according to the Capgemini and Efma’s newly released World Insurance Report 2020.
The appetite for bigtech insurance is accelerating fast, with consumers rapidly warming up to the idea of buying insurance products from agile, tech companies. While in 2016 only 17% of World Insurance Report  survey respondents said they would consider purchasing insurance from a bigtech, the 2020 number has doubled to 36%.
Customers willingness to purchase insurance from bigtech firms is rising fast, Source: Capgemini Financial Services Analysis, 2020; Capgemini Voice of the Customer Survey, 2016, 2018, 2020
Behind these rapidly changing customer behaviors is the reality that digital adoption is no longer a function of age but is now mainstream across generations. The research found in 2020, the number of Gen X and older customers (born in 1980 or earlier) making daily online and mobile transactions such as shopping or bill payments has doubled, rising from 30% of Gen X and older respondents in 2018 to 64%.
Customers frequently doing transactions online or via mobile app (%), 2018-2020, Source: Capgemini Financial Services Analysis, 2020; Capgemini Voice of the Customer Survey, 2018, 2019, 2020
According to the report, the COVID-19 lockdown will further fuel this trend as consumers are forced to use digital channels for day-to-day transactions.
Demand for hyper-personalized products on the rise
Today’s customers want a hyper-personalized offering delivered through unique consumer experience. The 2020 survey found that demand for usage-based insurance has skyrocketed over the past year, with now more than 50% of customers requesting it, compared to only 35% in 2019.
The 2020 survey respondents across segments said they liked usage-based insurance because it is the best expression of a hyper-personalized approach and offers a sense of value for money.
In this rapidly evolving landscape, the report cites three key pillars incumbents must focus on when developing an engagement strategy: offering products that suite evolving customer needs and preferences across the lifecycle; reaching out to customers during the time they are likely to perceive insurance coverage to be the most valuable; and interacting with customers via the channels that they prefer and access the most.
Experience-led engagement model, Source: Capgemini Financial Services Analysis, 2020
Additionally, since customer preferences are evolving more quickly than ever, insurers must remain alert and agile, with continuous assessment through substantial, real-time data management, so that their initiatives can be modified on the fly.
New entrants making waves
Over the past couple of years, bigtechs including Amazon, Apple, Google, Alibaba and Tencent have entered the insurance market and attracted a massive customer base.
In China, Tencent launched insurance platform WeSure in November 2017 and by the end of 2019 had insured more than 25 million customers. Xiang Hu Bao, an online mutual-aid platform owned by Alibaba affiliate Ant Financial, attracted 100 million users within its first year of operation.
In the US, Amazon started making significant strides in the insurance business back in 2018, partnering with Berkshire Hathaway and JP Morgan to create a healthcare company with the aim of cutting healthcare costs and improving services for their US employees. In 2019, Amazon received a corporate agent’s license from the Insurance Regulatory Development Authority of India to sell third-party products, and is now reportedly working with local insurtech startup Acko to offer a wider range of products.
But besides the bigtechs, a new group of market entrants are poised to make waves. Product manufacturers such as Tesla have begun dipping their toes into insurance, and with their sharp understanding of their own products and customers, they may very well make a critical juncture for the industry, the report says.
These companies have access to a plethora of real-time customers data they collect using Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices or mobile apps, allowing them to aggressively price insurance offerings.
Tesla, for example, leverages the advanced technology of its electric cars including camera recordings and sensor readings to develop highly personalized pricing and value-added services that traditional insurers cannot offer. In August 2019, the firm launched an insurance offering in California which promises Tesla owners up to 20% lower rates, and in some cases as much as 30%.
The post Report: Consumers Turn to Non-Traditional Players, Bigtechs Amid COVID-19 Crisis appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/report-consumers-turn-to-non-traditional-players-bigtechs-amid-covid-19-crisis</link><guid>1338</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Customers-willingness-to-purchase-insurance-from-bigtech-firms-is-rising-fast-Source-Capgemini-Financial-Services-Analysis-2020-Capgemini-Voice-of-the-Customer-Survey-2016-2018-2020-1024x308.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Report: Consumers Turn to Non-Traditional Players, Bigtechs Amid COVID-19 Crisis</dc:text></item><item><title>Insurance Report: Consumers Turn to Non-Traditional Players, Bigtechs Amid COVID-19 Crisis</title><description><![CDATA[Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers are increasingly turning to non-traditional players including bigtechs and product manufacturers such as Tesla for innovative, personalized insurance offerings, and enhanced customer experience, according to the Capgemini and Efma’s newly released World Insurance Report 2020.
The appetite for bigtech insurance is accelerating fast, with consumers rapidly warming up to the idea of buying insurance products from agile, tech companies. While in 2016 only 17% of World Insurance Report  survey respondents said they would consider purchasing insurance from a bigtech, the 2020 number has doubled to 36%.
Customers willingness to purchase insurance from bigtech firms is rising fast, Source: Capgemini Financial Services Analysis, 2020; Capgemini Voice of the Customer Survey, 2016, 2018, 2020
Behind these rapidly changing customer behaviors is the reality that digital adoption is no longer a function of age but is now mainstream across generations. The research found in 2020, the number of Gen X and older customers (born in 1980 or earlier) making daily online and mobile transactions such as shopping or bill payments has doubled, rising from 30% of Gen X and older respondents in 2018 to 64%.
Customers frequently doing transactions online or via mobile app (%), 2018-2020, Source: Capgemini Financial Services Analysis, 2020; Capgemini Voice of the Customer Survey, 2018, 2019, 2020
According to the report, the COVID-19 lockdown will further fuel this trend as consumers are forced to use digital channels for day-to-day transactions.
Demand for hyper-personalized products on the rise
Today’s customers want a hyper-personalized offering delivered through unique consumer experience. The 2020 survey found that demand for usage-based insurance has skyrocketed over the past year, with now more than 50% of customers requesting it, compared to only 35% in 2019.
The 2020 survey respondents across segments said they liked usage-based insurance because it is the best expression of a hyper-personalized approach and offers a sense of value for money.
In this rapidly evolving landscape, the report cites three key pillars incumbents must focus on when developing an engagement strategy: offering products that suite evolving customer needs and preferences across the lifecycle; reaching out to customers during the time they are likely to perceive insurance coverage to be the most valuable; and interacting with customers via the channels that they prefer and access the most.
Experience-led engagement model, Source: Capgemini Financial Services Analysis, 2020
Additionally, since customer preferences are evolving more quickly than ever, insurers must remain alert and agile, with continuous assessment through substantial, real-time data management, so that their initiatives can be modified on the fly.
New entrants making waves
Over the past couple of years, bigtechs including Amazon, Apple, Google, Alibaba and Tencent have entered the insurance market and attracted a massive customer base.
In China, Tencent launched insurance platform WeSure in November 2017 and by the end of 2019 had insured more than 25 million customers. Xiang Hu Bao, an online mutual-aid platform owned by Alibaba affiliate Ant Financial, attracted 100 million users within its first year of operation.
In the US, Amazon started making significant strides in the insurance business back in 2018, partnering with Berkshire Hathaway and JP Morgan to create a healthcare company with the aim of cutting healthcare costs and improving services for their US employees. In 2019, Amazon received a corporate agent’s license from the Insurance Regulatory Development Authority of India to sell third-party products, and is now reportedly working with local insurtech startup Acko to offer a wider range of products.
But besides the bigtechs, a new group of market entrants are poised to make waves. Product manufacturers such as Tesla have begun dipping their toes into insurance, and with their sharp understanding of their own products and customers, they may very well make a critical juncture for the industry, the report says.
These companies have access to a plethora of real-time customers data they collect using Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices or mobile apps, allowing them to aggressively price insurance offerings.
Tesla, for example, leverages the advanced technology of its electric cars including camera recordings and sensor readings to develop highly personalized pricing and value-added services that traditional insurers cannot offer. In August 2019, the firm launched an insurance offering in California which promises Tesla owners up to 20% lower rates, and in some cases as much as 30%.
The post Insurance Report: Consumers Turn to Non-Traditional Players, Bigtechs Amid COVID-19 Crisis appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/insurance-report-consumers-turn-to-non-traditional-players-bigtechs-amid-covid-19-crisis</link><guid>1341</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Customers-willingness-to-purchase-insurance-from-bigtech-firms-is-rising-fast-Source-Capgemini-Financial-Services-Analysis-2020-Capgemini-Voice-of-the-Customer-Survey-2016-2018-2020-1024x308.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Insurance Report: Consumers Turn to Non-Traditional Players, Bigtechs Amid COVID-19 Crisis</dc:text></item><item><title>No Fee Samsung Money Card Starts This Summer</title><description><![CDATA[Samsung Electronics America, unveiled Samsung Money by SoFi, a new mobile-first money management experience that brings a cash management account and accompanying Mastercard debit card along with exclusive benefits to Samsung Pay, in partnership with innovative fintech company SoFi.
The service will be available to U.S. consumers later this summer, but users can register for the waiting list already.

The account is secure, with no account fees and rewards users for saving—earning higher interest relative to the national average of transactional accounts.1 At a time when people are turning to their technology to take care of essential tasks without leaving home, Samsung Money by SoFi makes it easier for them to manage more of their financial life in the Samsung Pay app.2
Sang Ahn
“Samsung’s goal is to make everyday life better by putting powerful tools in the hands of Galaxy users,”
said Sang Ahn, Vice President and GM of Samsung Pay, North America Service Business, Samsung Electronics.
“Samsung Money by SoFi is our biggest move yet to help users do more with their money. Samsung Pay is already the most rewarding shopping and payments experience driven by numerous innovations over the years. Now, users can access mobile-first financial services and earn exclusive Samsung benefits. We’re excited to help our users reach their financial dreams by allowing them to spend, save and grow their money and access it easily and securely.”
Launching later this summer, Samsung Money by SoFi marks the beginning of a new partnership between Samsung and SoFi. As leaders in mobile and financial technology, Samsung and SoFi share a vision to make it more convenient for people to take more control of their financial lives.
Anthony Noto
“At SoFi, we’re committed to helping people achieve financial independence both directly through the SoFi brand, as well as indirectly, through partnering with leading brands like Samsung to help the world get their money right,”
said Anthony Noto, CEO of SoFi.
“We’re excited to partner with Samsung, a world-class technology company, to help power this next-generation financial experience, while expanding the impact of SoFi exponentially.”
More Convenience, More Control
Now more than ever, people are counting on their technology to help them pay, shop, and manage their finances. At the same time, many people prefer payment methods that can earn interest instead of paying it. Samsung Money by SoFi offers the best of both: no account fees, higher-interest earning, money management experience that combines the convenience of mobile payments and the control of a debit card.

Samsung Money by SoFi puts Galaxy smartphone users in charge of their spending and saving. Users can choose between opening an individual or joint cash management account. What’s more, users enjoy in-network ATM fee reimbursement at more than 55,000 locations in the United States3.
Setting up an account in the Samsung Pay app will take almost no time at all. The virtual card will appear instantly within Samsung Pay upon approval. And as soon as users receive their physical debit card in the mail, there’s no need to call a 1-800 number; the card is ready to use in a snap—just open Samsung Pay and activate the card with a tap.
To help people manage their finances from anywhere, Samsung Money by SoFi will put essential financial tools at users’ fingertips. With just a tap in the Samsung Pay app, users can check their balance, review past statements, and search transactions. They can flag suspicious activity, pause or restart spending, freeze or unfreeze their card, change their pin, and assign their trusted contact—all without ever having to leave home or call a representative.
Exclusive Benefits &amp; Peace of Mind
To help users make their money go further, Samsung Money by SoFi offers exclusive benefits. Users can enroll in the Samsung Rewards program to earn points for every purchase they make using Samsung Pay. As an added bonus, loyal Samsung Pay users with 1,000 or more Samsung Rewards Points will be able to redeem their points for cash that will be deposited directly into their Samsung Money by SoFi account.4
Samsung, SoFi, and payments technology provider Mastercard are working to deliver consumers added peace of mind. A Samsung Money by SoFi account is FDIC insured for up to $1.5 million (six times that of a normal bank account)5. Samsung Money by SoFi account holders get the benefit of defense-grade security from Samsung Knox. The physical debit card will not display the card number, expiration date, or CVC. Should users need that information, they can easily find it within the “Money” tab of the Samsung Pay app, which is further protected by biometric or PIN authentication. Users assume zero liability should an unauthorized transaction occur.
 
The post No Fee Samsung Money Card Starts This Summer appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/no-fee-samsung-money-card-starts-this-summer</link><guid>1339</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Samsung-Pay-Money-Tab-1024x670.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>No Fee Samsung Money Card Starts This Summer</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Influencer Switzerland Interview Series: 7 Fragen an Andreas Iten</title><description><![CDATA[Fintechnews.ch interviewt in einer Serie von Kurz-Interviews bekannte Schweizer Fintech Influenzer. Dieses Mal sprechen wir mit Andreas Iten über die Fintech Szenen in Singapur und der Schweiz.
Was hat sich in der Pandemie für Dich persönlich verändert?
Auf der einen Seite hat sich mein Leben etwas «entschleunigt», da beispielsweise keine Abendveranstaltungen (Paneldiskussionen, Investoren-Dinner, Meetups etc.) mehr stattfinden und man sich nicht mehr entscheiden muss wohin man geht und wo nicht. Auch das Reisen war offensichtlich kein Thema mehr. Das alles gibt mehr Zeit für die Familie und natürlich erfordert die Situation auch mehr Engagement in der Kinderbetreuung. Auf der anderen Seite ist die Effizienz der geschäftlichen Interaktionen fast erschreckend gestiegen, da viele meiner Geschäftspartner zwangsläufig auch digital arbeiten müssen und sich physische Meetings ersetzen lassen. Ich arbeite seit ca. 5 Jahren völlig papierlos und vollständig digital und daher spielt der Arbeitsort eine untergeordnete Rolle. Homeoffice ist bei mir und meinem Team schon lange «normal».
Ist Deiner Meinung nach Corona der Beschleuniger für digitale Transformation, welcher der Branche bisher fehlte?
Ich glaube nicht, dass die Corona-Pandemie einen unmittelbaren Beschleunigungseffekt auf die Digitalisierung in der Finanzbranche haben wird. Sicherlich hat die Krise vor allem dem Endkunden aufgezeigt, wo es Bedarf gibt. Sämtliche Transformationen sind aber mit erheblichen Investitionen verbunden und ich bin eher skeptisch ob die Banken und Versicherungen in der angespannten wirtschaftlichen Situation aggressiv investieren werden. Gestartete Aktivitäten dürften weitergeführt werden, aber ich bin unsicher wie es sich mit neuen Themen verhalten wird. Diese Entwicklung ist natürlich sehr schlecht für die Endkunden und den Schweizer Finanzplatz, jedoch leider ein bekanntes Muster in einer kurzfristig orientierten Branche. Mein Aufruf an die gesamte Branche lautet demnach: Schiebt geplante und sinnvolle Investitionen in Digitalisierung, Transformation und Innovation nicht auf. Jetzt ist es wichtig, die Opportunitäten der aktuellen Situation zu nutzen und in die Zukunft zu investieren.
Mit was beschäftigst Du Dich derzeit?
Neben einigen operativen Themen beschäftige ich mich zurzeit vor allem mit unserer F10 Strategie. Wir wollen F10 – THE HOME OF FINTECH – weltweit zu einem relevanten Netzwerk entwickeln, verschiedene Hubs in unterschiedlichen Märkten mit Partnern etablieren, den Startup Deal Flow mit der weltweit besten Qualität in der Branche erzeugen und die Kollaboration zwischen etablierten Firmen und Startups sicherstellen. Hier werden wir nun aufgrund der aktuellen Situation ausgebremst, aber ich sehe jedoch auch Chancen gewisse Märkte noch etwas genauer zu studieren. Ein grosses Anliegen ist es mir auch die richtigen Firmen (Banken, Versicherungen, Beraterfirmen und Technologie-Konzerne) als F10 Partner zu gewinnen.
Ihr betreibt neben Zürich auch einen FinTech Incubator &amp; Accelerator in Singapur. Dein Team kennt daher die Fintech Szene in Asien sehr gut. Was verpassen wir in der Schweiz?
Asien ist viel dynamischer als die Schweiz und hat grosse und interessante Heimmärkte. Es ist dort einfacher einen Quantensprung bei der Nutzung von neuen Technologien zu vollziehen. Auch sind die Endkunden digitaler unterwegs und die Adaption geht schneller als bei uns. Davon können wir viel lernen. Was die Qualität und Zuverlässigkeit der Lösungen betrifft, haben wir immer noch einen Vorsprung und ich denke, das ist es was wir beispielsweise nach Asien exportieren können.
Bitte nenne uns ein Fintech in Singapur, das wir unbedingt verfolgen sollen und sag uns warum?
Ich empfehle allen Interessierten einen Blick auf die aktuelle Kohorte des F10 Singapore Incubation Program zu werfen: https://www.f10.ch/p2-selection-information-singapore/ . Dort hat es einige vielversprechende Geschäftsmodelle und Technologieanwendungen dabei und ich bin sicher, dass man von ihnen in Zukunft noch viel hören und sehen wird.
Welches Schweizer Fintech Startup sollten wir neben den F10 Fintechs unbedingt auf dem Radar haben?
Ich finde die Firma Archilyse extrem spannend. Es kein klassisches Fintech mit Bankengeschäftsmodell. Archilyse ist der einzige Anbieter, der die Qualität von Architektur und Immobilien digital und objektiv messbar, vergleichbar und für jedermann verständlich macht. Auf diese Weise unterstützt es Immobilienentscheider bei der Digitalisierung, Bewertung und Optimierung ihrer Objekte sowie bei der Vereinfachung von Prozessen bei der Planung und Verwaltung von Immobilien. Ich glaube, dass die durch Archilyse erhobenen Daten in Zukunft für Banken und Versicherungen von enormer Bedeutung sein werden, um beispielweise Hypotheken auf Knopfdruck anzubieten zu können.
Bitte nominiere einen Schweizer Fintech Influencer mit internationalem Fokus für das Interview.
Ich nominiere Marc Lussy und Spiros Margaris.
 
*Bio Swiss Fintech Influencer Andreas Iten
Andreas Iten
Andreas Iten is a highly experienced innovation &amp; entrepreneurship strategist, with proven leadership in high-level innovation, open-innovation, information technology management and entrepreneurship.
Andreas has been working for over 20 years within leading institutions in the IT service, airline &amp; transportation and the financial industry. Since 2015 Andreas was leading technology innovation, and he was the Chief Information Officer for the division Financial Information within SIX. Today he is responsible for the SIX FinTech venture fund.
His specific areas of expertise focus on end-to-end innovation frameworks, innovation ecosystems, entrepreneurial spillovers, emerging technologies, digital innovation, business transformation and Fintech.
Andreas is co-founder of the SIXHackathon (Europe&#8217;s largest Fintech coding contest) as well as co-founder and board member of the Zurich based F10 FinTech Incubator &amp; Accelerator.
He is a public speaker and active communicator on social media.
The post Fintech Influencer Switzerland Interview Series: 7 Fragen an Andreas Iten appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-influencer-switzerland-interview-series-7-fragen-an-andreas-iten</link><guid>1335</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech Influencer Switzerland Interview Series: 7 Fragen an Andreas Iten</dc:text></item><item><title>Meniga Closes a €8.5m Strategic Investment Round</title><description><![CDATA[Meniga, a provider of digital banking technology for banks, has closed a €8.5m strategic investment led by customers Groupe BPCE, the second-largest banking group in France and lead investor in this round, Portugal’s Grupo Crédito Agrícola and long-standing strategic partner UniCredit. Other participants in the round include current institutional investors Velocity Capital, Industrifonden &amp; Frumtak Ventures.
The funding will be used for continued investment in Meniga’s R&amp;D activities, as well as for strengthening the sales &amp; service teams to meet growing demand.
Georg Ludviksson
“We are very pleased to welcome Groupe BPCE and Crédito Agrícola to our growing group of strategic investors. Partnering closely with our customers is a key part of our strategy to be the preferred digital innovation partner to our clients. An equity relationship is an excellent way to strengthen such partnerships”,
said Georg Ludviksson, CEO and Co-founder of Meniga.
“We appreciate the continued vote of confidence and growing business we have with our impressive global client base“.
Meniga’s digital banking platform helps banks and fintechs use personal finance data to innovate in their online and mobile channels. Meniga‘s product offering includes data aggregation technologies, personal and business finance management solutions, cashback rewards and transaction-based carbon insights.
With the Open Banking movement spreading rapidly across the globe, Meniga is facing growing demand for its products and services which are already being used by more than 90 million banking customers across 30 countries. Responding to increasing market needs, Meniga opened new office locations in Barcelona and Singapore in 2019, adding to its existing physical presence in London &#8211; where the company is headquartered &#8211; Reykjavik, Stockholm, Helsinki and Warsaw.
Groupe BPCE – one of Meniga’s largest customers &#8211; first partnered with Meniga back in 2018 and is now joining the group of strategic investors based on the positive experience collaborating with Meniga on digital channel innovation over the past two years.
Yves Tyrode
“Our partnership with Meniga has been extremely positive to date. Together, we have laid the groundwork for continued digital innovation at Groupe BPCE to better serve our customers in a very dynamic banking market. We look forward to continue transforming our digital customer experience and contribute to building the future of digital banking together with Meniga “,
said Yves Tyrode, Chief Digital &amp; Data Officer, member of the Management Board of Groupe BPCE.
UniCredit has been a strategic partner to Meniga since 2018 and this is the second time the leading pan-European commercial bank is participating in a strategic investment round with Meniga.
 
The post Meniga Closes a €8.5m Strategic Investment Round appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/meniga-closes-a-85m-strategic-investment-round</link><guid>1334</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Meniga Closes a €8.5m Strategic Investment Round</dc:text></item><item><title>Finanzierung für Schweizer E-ID Startup: Helvetia und Mobiliar Investieren Millionen</title><description><![CDATA[Das Schweizer TrustTech-Start-up Skribble schliesst seine zweite Finanzierungsrunde ab. Der Anbieter für elektronische Signaturen hat Kapital im siebenstelligen Bereich mobilisiert. Angeführt wird die Runde vom Helvetia Venture Fund als Lead-Investor, auch die Mobiliar ist beteiligt.
Verträge müssen nicht mehr den Umweg über Drucker und Papier nehmen, um rechtsgültig unterschrieben zu werden: Das geht schneller und sicherer auf digitalem Weg. Davon konnte das TrustTech-Startup Skribble ein weiteres Mal namhafte Investoren überzeugen: Skribble schliesst seine zweite Finanzierungsrunde ab und sammelt Kapital im siebenstelligen Franken-Bereich. Lead-Investor ist der Helvetia Venture Fund. Auch die Mobiliar beteiligt sich. Das Geld fliesst in die Marktexpansion nach Deutschland und weitere europäische Märkte.
Philipp Dick
Philipp Dick, Mitgründer und CEO von Skribble, sagt:
“Skribble steht für Vertrauen, Sicherheit und Einfachheit. Mit Helvetia und Mobiliar haben wir Investoren gewonnen, die diese Werte teilen und gemeinsam mit uns in den europäischen Markt hinaustragen.”
Die erste Investitionsrunde schloss Skribble im Mai 2019 ab. Beteiligte aus der ersten Runde, darunter die Zürcher Kantonalbank und die Venture-Capital-Gesellschaft btov Partners, investierten auch in der aktuellen Runde wieder.
 
Doppelter Vertrauensbeweis
Helvetia äussert ihr Vertrauen gegenüber Skribble nicht nur durch das Investment, sondern auch als Kunde. Die Gruppe entschied sich Ende 2019, das Angebot von Skribble zu nutzen. Ein erster Use Case ist per Anfang Mai umgesetzt worden und ermöglicht es ersten Kunden im Bereich Berufliche Vorsorge elektronisch zu signieren. Weitere Anwendungsfelder sollen folgen.
Martin Tschopp
«Bei Helvetia sind in vielen Bereichen ‹nasse› Unterschriften nötig, zum Beispiel in der Lebensversicherung, aber auch in internen Prozessen. Mit Skribble können wir diese Prozesse komplett digitalisieren»,
erklärt Martin Tschopp, Chief Customer Officer von Helvetia Schweiz.
Die Mobiliar wird das Angebot von Skribble ebenfalls nutzen: Eine erste Anwendung für die digitale Unterschrift von Dienstleistungsverträgen wird bis im Herbst umgesetzt.
Integration von E-IDs
Skribble bietet als Teil der e-Signatur-Lösung einen vollständig digitalen Identitätsprüfungsprozess, indem E-IDs von E-ID-Anbietern und Brokern aus ganz Europa zusammengeführt werden.
Mit den Geldern der aktuellen Investitionsrunde integriert Skribble weitere E-IDs in die eigene Dienstleistung. Dazu zählt auch die SwissID. Die Mobiliar war Gründungspartnerin der SwissSign Group AG.
Auch Skribbles Mitarbeitende beteiligten sich an der Investitionsrunde.
 
The post Finanzierung für Schweizer E-ID Startup: Helvetia und Mobiliar Investieren Millionen appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finanzierung-fur-schweizer-e-id-startup-helvetia-und-mobiliar-investieren-millionen</link><guid>1333</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Finanzierung für Schweizer E-ID Startup: Helvetia und Mobiliar Investieren Millionen</dc:text></item><item><title>Bx Swiss Receives Approval From FINMA as a Prospectus Review Office</title><description><![CDATA[At the beginning of May 2020, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA granted BX Swiss AG approval as a Swiss Prospectus Review Office pursuant to Art. 52 of the Financial Services Act (FinSA).
Admission will take effect on 1st June 2020, from this date on, registered applicants will be able to submit applications for the examination and/or deposit of prospectuses via the BX Swiss online platform.
The Prospectus Review Office performs important public-law tasks for the Swiss financial market. Such tasks are usually performed by financial supervisory authorities in the EU and elsewhere. In addition to the examination of prospectuses, it determines, among other things, which foreign prospectuses are eligible for passporting or which foreign accounting standards can be used for the prospectus documentation of public offerings in Switzerland.
BX Swiss supports fully digital application processes based on the latest generation of technological platforms and RegTech solutions.
Further information on the Prospectus Review Office of BX Swiss can be found at: www.regservices.ch.
The post Bx Swiss Receives Approval From FINMA as a Prospectus Review Office appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bx-swiss-receives-approval-from-finma-as-a-prospectus-review-office</link><guid>1332</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Bx Swiss Receives Approval From FINMA as a Prospectus Review Office</dc:text></item><item><title>Vestr, an End-to-End Digital Platform for Investment Certificates</title><description><![CDATA[The COVID-19 health crisis continues to claim more victims with now more than 5 million people infected, and over 330,000 deaths, according to the latest data from the Johns Hopkins University of Medicine.
With many countries still remaining on lockdown and most jurisdictions imposing strict restrictions to social and economic life, the COVID-19 pandemic has left small businesses and startups around the world struggling to survive.
According to a Startup Genome study released in April, 74% of startup globally have had to terminate full-time employees since the beginning of the crisis, and 16% saw their revenue drop by more than 80%. Nearly half (41%) said they had three months or less of cash runway left.
In Switzerland, given the growing importance of startups in the local economy, the Federal Council introduced in May a new program aimed at supporting the community. The scheme, based on the existing loan guarantee scheme, supports Swiss startups with scalable and innovative business models, with a loan of up to CHF 1 million.
But besides the economic responses the government has taken to limit the human and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Swiss startups too have been actively supporting their community by developing new products and services, and providing discounts and free services.
To do our part in supporting the fintech startup community, the Fintech News Network is covering bi-weekly a promising Swiss fintech startup that deserve the spotlight.
For this week, we look at Vestr, a Swiss fintech that makes it easy for asset managers to create and manage actively managed certificates (AMCs).
Vestr: AMCs creation and lifecycle management made easy
Founded by experienced traders and quants, Vestr provides an independent white-labeled business-to-business (B2B) software that facilitates the creation and lifecycle management of AMCs.
AMCs are structured products offering participation in an underlying portfolio of assets. The composition of the underlying asset or index changes over the time at the discretion of the investment manager. These tailor-made certificates might include liquid securities, bonds, funds, shares, derivatives, currencies, etc.
Compared with other investment vehicles, AMCs give asset managers great flexibility for tailoring investment strategies, and enables them to develop, engineer and test their strategies in a very cost-effective manner.
AMCs are set up within a few weeks and offer ongoing cost advantages due to their efficient administration. In addition, the certificates are issued with an ISIN number, making them transferable securities which may be booked at various custodians.
AMCs are a booming class of structured products, but because of their dynamism, they can be difficult for banks to manage and scale. To respond to this, Vestr has developed a platform that allows banks and asset managers to set up and manage their own certificates online in a few clicks.
For asset managers, Vestr allows them to create an AMC from millions of global financial instruments, rebalance their products conveniently and at any time through a digital interface, track their product performance, and generate customized reports.
For issuing banks, the solution provides them with automated lifecycle management, unlimited rebalancings, compliance checks, pre-trade analysis, order execution, and an audit trail.
Founded in 2017 and based in Zug, Vestr is a successful graduate of the 2017 F10 Fintech Accelerator program, and the winner of the 2017 Venture Kick. The startup acquired its first customers in 2018 and signed top-tier private bank Julius Baer as client in 2019.
Vestr’s work with Julius Baer involved developing a platform that allows the bank’s intermediary clients to run AMCs more efficiently. The platform has also enabled Julius Baer to reduce the threshold for setting up AMCs to as little as US$5 million.
Vestr is now setting its sight on the Asian certificates market, which according to co-founder Simon Hasenfratz, has grown by 20% each year to become the biggest certificates market in the world, with over US$250 billion in assets under management.
Vestr counts amongst its backers SIX Group, a top-5 Swiss bank, DI Ventures, and EquityPitcher.
The post Vestr, an End-to-End Digital Platform for Investment Certificates appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/vestr-an-end-to-end-digital-platform-for-investment-certificates</link><guid>1331</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Vestr, an End-to-End Digital Platform for Investment Certificates</dc:text></item><item><title>Finastra-Studie zeigt: Banken in Deutschland riskieren Rückstand im Open Banking</title><description><![CDATA[Eine Studie von Finastra zeigt, dass 75 Prozent der Banken in Deutschland offene Programmierschnittstellen (APIs) in den kommenden zwölf Monaten einsetzen wollen, um Open Banking zu ermöglichen – im Vergleich zu durchschnittlich 88 Prozent in anderen Ländern.
Zudem ist Open Banking für 64 Prozent der Banken in anderen Ländern ein Must-have im Vergleich zu 40 Prozent in Deutschland, was ein geringeres Tempo bei hiesigen Instituten offenbart.
Die Ergebnisse stammen aus der Studie „Open Banking and Collaboration: State of the nation survey 2020“ von Finastra. Die Umfrage fand vor dem Ausbruch des Coronavirus unter 774 Finanzinstituten in Deutschland, Frankreich, Hongkong, Singapur, den USA, den Vereinigten Arabischen Emiraten sowie dem Vereinigten Königreich statt. In Deutschland nahmen 119 Banken an der Umfrage teil.

Verbesserte Effizienz und Kosteneinsparungen liegen im Fokus der deutschen Banken
Der Fokus der Banken in Deutschland liegt aktuell auf verbesserter Effizienz und Kosteneinsparung. Der Einsatz neuer Technologien wird vor allem mit höherer Wettbewerbsfähigkeit (46 Prozent) sowie der Reduzierung von Kosten (44 Prozent) begründet. Etwas weniger wichtig, aber immer noch Priorität für rund ein Drittel der deutschen Banken sind Unternehmenswachstum (35 Prozent) und die Erfüllung von Kundenerwartungen (34 Prozent). Entsprechend wird auch der Einsatz innovativer Technologien priorisiert: Künstliche Intelligenz (39 Prozent) und Mobile Banking (37 Prozent) werden von mehr als einem Drittel der Institute in Deutschland in den kommenden zwölf Monaten implementiert oder weiter verbessert. Cloud Computing (32 Prozent) und APIs (31 Prozent) haben insgesamt eine etwas geringere Priorität.
Regulation wird als Hürde für Kollaboration und Innovation gesehen
Deutsche Banken nehmen in erster Linie die fehlende Unterstützung der Branche und der Regierung als Hürde für Innovation wahr (44 Prozent). Dieser Eindruck hat sich seit 20192 sogar verstärkt (38 Prozent). Meistgenannte Herausforderung für die Kollaboration ist für die hiesigen Banken die Regulierung (34 Prozent), die auch in anderen Ländern häufig genannt wird.

USA und Hongkong sind führend bei Kollaboration mit Fintechs
Der weltweite Durchschnitt zeigt, dass Open Banking und Kollaboration insgesamt einen hohen Stellenwert einnehmen. So haben 89 Prozent aller Befragten Kollaboration als wichtigen Treiber für Unternehmenserfolg identifiziert und für 84 Prozent hat dies ihr Geschäft effizienter gemacht.
Im Ländervergleich zeigt sich, dass die USA und Hong Kong den europäischen Ländern bei der Zusammenarbeit mit Fintechs voraus sind: 97 Prozent der Finanzinstitute in den USA und 95 Prozent in Hongkong sehen Kollaboration als wichtigen Faktor für Unternehmenserfolg.

Achim Thiene
Achim Thienel, Geschäftsführer Deutschland bei Finastra sagt:
„Dass Open Banking rund um den Globus an Zuspruch gewinnt, ist eine vielversprechende Entwicklung. Dennoch halten viele das Konzept für noch nicht ausgereift, sehen aber enormes Potenzial darin. In Zeiten sinkender Kundenbindung im Finanzsektor und der Möglichkeit, den Bankanbieter mit wenigen Klicks zu wechseln, müssen auch die Banken in Deutschland die Vorteile von Kollaboration und offenen Schnittstellen einsetzen, um ihren Service zu verbessern und wettbewerbsfähig zu bleiben.“
 
The post Finastra-Studie zeigt: Banken in Deutschland riskieren Rückstand im Open Banking appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finastra-studie-zeigt-banken-in-deutschland-riskieren-ruckstand-im-open-banking</link><guid>1329</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/adoption-of-technology.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Finastra-Studie zeigt: Banken in Deutschland riskieren Rückstand im Open Banking</dc:text></item><item><title>Studie: Banken in Deutschland riskieren Rückstand im Open Banking</title><description><![CDATA[Eine Studie von Finastra zeigt, dass 75 Prozent der Banken in Deutschland offene Programmierschnittstellen (APIs) in den kommenden zwölf Monaten einsetzen wollen, um Open Banking zu ermöglichen – im Vergleich zu durchschnittlich 88 Prozent in anderen Ländern.
Zudem ist Open Banking für 64 Prozent der Banken in anderen Ländern ein Must-have im Vergleich zu 40 Prozent in Deutschland, was ein geringeres Tempo bei hiesigen Instituten offenbart.
Die Ergebnisse stammen aus der Studie „Open Banking and Collaboration: State of the nation survey 2020“ von Finastra. Die Umfrage fand vor dem Ausbruch des Coronavirus unter 774 Finanzinstituten in Deutschland, Frankreich, Hongkong, Singapur, den USA, den Vereinigten Arabischen Emiraten sowie dem Vereinigten Königreich statt. In Deutschland nahmen 119 Banken an der Umfrage teil.

Verbesserte Effizienz und Kosteneinsparungen liegen im Fokus der deutschen Banken
Der Fokus der Banken in Deutschland liegt aktuell auf verbesserter Effizienz und Kosteneinsparung. Der Einsatz neuer Technologien wird vor allem mit höherer Wettbewerbsfähigkeit (46 Prozent) sowie der Reduzierung von Kosten (44 Prozent) begründet. Etwas weniger wichtig, aber immer noch Priorität für rund ein Drittel der deutschen Banken sind Unternehmenswachstum (35 Prozent) und die Erfüllung von Kundenerwartungen (34 Prozent). Entsprechend wird auch der Einsatz innovativer Technologien priorisiert: Künstliche Intelligenz (39 Prozent) und Mobile Banking (37 Prozent) werden von mehr als einem Drittel der Institute in Deutschland in den kommenden zwölf Monaten implementiert oder weiter verbessert. Cloud Computing (32 Prozent) und APIs (31 Prozent) haben insgesamt eine etwas geringere Priorität.
Regulation wird als Hürde für Kollaboration und Innovation gesehen
Deutsche Banken nehmen in erster Linie die fehlende Unterstützung der Branche und der Regierung als Hürde für Innovation wahr (44 Prozent). Dieser Eindruck hat sich seit 20192 sogar verstärkt (38 Prozent). Meistgenannte Herausforderung für die Kollaboration ist für die hiesigen Banken die Regulierung (34 Prozent), die auch in anderen Ländern häufig genannt wird.

USA und Hongkong sind führend bei Kollaboration mit Fintechs
Der weltweite Durchschnitt zeigt, dass Open Banking und Kollaboration insgesamt einen hohen Stellenwert einnehmen. So haben 89 Prozent aller Befragten Kollaboration als wichtigen Treiber für Unternehmenserfolg identifiziert und für 84 Prozent hat dies ihr Geschäft effizienter gemacht.
Im Ländervergleich zeigt sich, dass die USA und Hong Kong den europäischen Ländern bei der Zusammenarbeit mit Fintechs voraus sind: 97 Prozent der Finanzinstitute in den USA und 95 Prozent in Hongkong sehen Kollaboration als wichtigen Faktor für Unternehmenserfolg.

Achim Thiene
Achim Thienel, Geschäftsführer Deutschland bei Finastra sagt:
„Dass Open Banking rund um den Globus an Zuspruch gewinnt, ist eine vielversprechende Entwicklung. Dennoch halten viele das Konzept für noch nicht ausgereift, sehen aber enormes Potenzial darin. In Zeiten sinkender Kundenbindung im Finanzsektor und der Möglichkeit, den Bankanbieter mit wenigen Klicks zu wechseln, müssen auch die Banken in Deutschland die Vorteile von Kollaboration und offenen Schnittstellen einsetzen, um ihren Service zu verbessern und wettbewerbsfähig zu bleiben.“
 
The post Studie: Banken in Deutschland riskieren Rückstand im Open Banking appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/studie-banken-in-deutschland-riskieren-ruckstand-im-open-banking</link><guid>1330</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/adoption-of-technology.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Studie: Banken in Deutschland riskieren Rückstand im Open Banking</dc:text></item><item><title>Elvi Revolutioniert die Kontaktlinsen-Branche: in 5 Minuten zum eigenen Kontaktlinsen-Webshop</title><description><![CDATA[Die Digitalisierung ist auch in der Optiker-Branche auf dem Vormarsch.
Mit der Lancierung von Elvi bietet sich der Schweizer Optiker-Branche eine innovative und schnell umsetzbare Möglichkeit, dem digitalen Wandel zu folgen. Mit Elvi kann jedes Optikergeschäft ab sofort online Kontaktlinsen verkaufen.
Elvi ist schnell und einfach eingerichtet! Optiker können für ihre Kunden innerhalb von fünf Minuten einen Kontaktlinsen-Webshop in ihrem Design lancieren. Alle im Markt verfügbaren Kontaktlinsen, Pflegemittel und Benetzungstropfen stehen bereits im Webshop für den Optiker zur Verfügung. Zusätzlich steht für die Kunden des Optikers eine Web App für‘s Handy bereit, die den direkten Zugang zum Webshop ermöglicht.
Für Kontaktlinsenträger bietet Elvi den Vorteil, dass sie Nachbestellungen direkt bei ihrem Optiker in einem Klick erledigen können. Zudem werden die Kunden vom System zum richtigen Zeitpunkt an den Nachkauf erinnert, sei es per SMS oder E-Mail. So können sie direkt im Webshop schnell und unkompliziert nachbestellen. Dank diesem Erinnerungssystem erreicht der Optiker sämtliche Kunden, auch wenn sie die Web App von Elvi nicht installiert haben.
Simon Virlis
Simon Virlis (Geschäftsführer) sagt:
„Um Elvi einzusetzen, braucht der Optiker keinerlei technisches Wissen: Mit Elvi bekommt er einen weiteren Verkaufskanal und integrierte Kundenbindungsprozesse. Dies steigert den Umsatz auf einen Schlag.»
 
 
 
Demo-Video:

The post Elvi revolutioniert die Kontaktlinsen-Branche: in 5 Minuten zum eigenen Kontaktlinsen-Webshop appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/elvi-revolutioniert-die-kontaktlinsen-branche-in-5-minuten-zum-eigenen-kontaktlinsen-webshop</link><guid>1326</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Elvi Revolutioniert die Kontaktlinsen-Branche: in 5 Minuten zum eigenen Kontaktlinsen-Webshop</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Influencer Switzerland Interview Series: 7 Questions to Spiros Margaris</title><description><![CDATA[Fintechnews.ch conducts a series of short interviews around well known longtime Swiss Fintech Influencers.
Today we speak with THE Fintech Influencer.  Spiros Margaris* was ranked number one Global Social Media Fintech Influencer in quite a few lists. Spiros tells us what we should learn from Fintechs in the US and why Swiss Fintechs should watch a certain video from Muhammad Ali.
Hi Spiros , what has changed for you personally during this pandemic?
I travel less and do more video conference calls, but I guess I am not alone ;-).
There has been a slow-down for all of us. I have used the extra time to assess my work and businesses and, of course, to focus and appreciate the essential things in my personal life.
Although my keynote speaking has abruptly stopped—it’s only a small part of my overall business—the COVID-19 crisis has actually increased my business advisory work. There seems to be a stronger appreciation in a crisis for an independent and experienced coach to provide a sounding board to startup founders who can also, of course, benefit from my strong global fintech brand, knowhow, and network.
Do you think COVID-19  is the digital accelerator that was missing in the industry so far?
As much as the coronavirus has had a negative economic impact on global growth and, of course, on the startup world as a whole, I strongly believe and deeply hope it will produce many fantastic new opportunities.
The COVID-19 pandemic is forcing consumers and businesses to adapt faster to digital technology changes, just as many grandparents have learned to take advantage of video chat services such as FaceTime to connect with their families during the lock-down period.
That means that great fintech or insurtech companies will gain new customers more easily and market share with their solutions since the resistance to new technologies is falling. I believe that this is an excellent environment to distinguish your startup from your competitors.
It is important to try with all we have not to let the coronavirus define our—startup or personal—future.
“The optimist always wins.” I am a strong believer in this statement.
What are you currently working on?
Most of my time is spent talking to the startup founders where I am involved. We try to figure out strategies to succeed in the pandemci and post-COVID-19 environments that will inevitably change many business models—whether we want the change or not. Every startup has different needs and offerings, so it never gets boring. Besides, I have to fit in interview requests which prove challenging timewise but often provide beautiful diversity to the daily routine of my work.
You have been to the USA several times and know the fintech trends there very well. What are we missing here?
I have spent more than twenty years in the USA and travel there frequently. I obviously follow the fintech market closely due to its importance and my passion.
I think sometimes it is hard to look at specific strong trends in the USA and apply them one-to-one to Switzerland, Europe, or Asia, and vice versa. It is clear that all countries are looking at each other’s trends and regulations, and this has an impact on each other’s fintech strategy.
As I said before, kitchens in many households or restaurants have many of the same ingredients, but the way each cook prepares a meal is very different, as is how good the meal will taste. That is not unlike the situation startups have been facing. We all have, more or less, access to the same technologies. We can use technology ingredients such as AI, big data, IoT, etc. But, we must figure out the best way to mix the technology to make it a desirable proposition for our customers. The better we mix the technology ingredients, the more likely a startup will succeed, not unlike a restaurant chef.
Please name a fintech in the USA that we should follow and tell us why.
I’ve been following the US fintech unicorn, Brex, for a while. In a nutshell, they provide charge cards with almost instant approval to startup entrepreneurs and require no personal guarantees from them. Within a short period of three years, they have become a huge success story and continue adapting their business model with new services like cash and expense management. It is remarkable and speaks volumes that they just raised $150 million during this challenging COVID-19 funding environment.
What can Switzerland learn from Fintech in the USA, or is it the other way around?
It is not only technology that will make or break a fintech. I think it is very much about understanding clients’ (B2C or B2B) needs and having the courage to authentically stand out with your brand. A great brand inspires trust and helps drive business growth.
Something we all seem to know but find hard to overcome is the Swiss risk-averse and “not wanting to stick-out” mentality. There is a stigma that comes with failure and its economic and personal consequences. Failure is a very realistic outcome for any startup and proves difficult to ignore for a Swiss-educated and trained entrepreneur. But, there have always been great exceptions in Switzerland, and that makes us hope that regardless of the coronavirus crisis or Swiss mentality, Switzerland will produce some great global startups.
What I miss from many Swiss startups is the entrepreneurial courage to shout, “We are the greatest!” and, of course, to keep delivering on that statement. Maybe as inspiration, watch Muhammad Ali’s speech “I am the Greatest,” from February 1964.
I guess it is very Un-Swiss to build that courage and state it aloud; however, it’s the key to succeeding—but only in combination with hard work, an open mind to new opportunities, and the courage to fall and get up again. Not unlike Muhammad Ali.
﻿
 
Which Swiss Fintech Startup should we have on our radar?
I don’t want to mention any specific Swiss startups now—so I don’t exclude or miss potential great names. However, I think we have great fintech companies in Switzerland with excellent technologies and brilliant people behind them who want to expand beyond its borders and already have. A good example is the insurtech unicorn, wefox Group (where I am on the advisory board). It’s the biggest insurtech company in Europe—that started in Switzerland but has expanded successfully in Europe and keeps expanding in global markets.
Please nominate a Global Swiss Fintech Influencer for one of our next interviews:
I nominate Urs Bolt.
 
*Swiss Fintech Influencer Spiros Margaris:
Spiros Margaris
Spiros Margaris is a venture capitalist, futurist, keynote speaker, and senior advisor to wefox Group, SparkLabs Global, Mediastalker, Yield Growth, and F10 Accelerator.
He is the first international influencer to achieve “The Triple Crown” ranking. He was ranked the № 1 international FinTech, Blockchain, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) influencer (MAY 2018) by Onalytica. Spiros once again was ranked the № 1 global FinTech influencer (FEB 2020) by Onalytica. He regularly appears in the top three positions of established global industry influencer rankings.
He is a keynote speaker at international FinTech and InsurTech conferences. He also gave a TEDxAcademy Talk. He published an AI white paper, “Machine learning in financial services: Changing the rules of the game,” for the enterprise software vendor SAP. He was the first non-IBM keynote speaker at the largest IBM event in Europe (Oct 2019), “2019 IBM Systems Technical University”.
For more information about Spiros and his latest projects, you can check: www.margarisventures.com
And we highly recommend following him on Twitter.
The post Fintech Influencer Switzerland Interview Series: 7 Questions to Spiros Margaris appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-influencer-switzerland-interview-series-7-questions-to-spiros-margaris</link><guid>1322</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech Influencer Switzerland Interview Series: 7 Questions to Spiros Margaris</dc:text></item><item><title>TWINT Hopes to Reach the Level of Swiss Debit Cards</title><description><![CDATA[After TWINT enjoyed growth that was much faster than envisaged over recent months and in doing so surpassed the set targets, the Board of Directors has approved an adapted strategy that should lay the foundations for a further pick-up in growth.
A key component of this strategy is the consistent focus on customers. As a result, the Executive Board will be reorganised. All customer- and product-related functions will now be grouped under a Chief Customer Officer (CCO), while all technical operations and the further development of production will be headed by the Chief Information Officer (CIO).
TWINT hopes that the new organisational structure and additional products and functions will allow it to become the new payment standard in Switzerland and that its service will be used to the same extent as debit cards are today.
Søren Mose
&#8216;Our shareholders are very satisfied with the performance of TWINT and have given the Board of Directors the green light for a further accelerated growth strategy. In order to achieve our goal of becoming the new payment standard in Switzerland, we have decided to focus our organisation on two strong pillars – the customers and guaranteeing a technological base&#8217;,
explained the Chairman of the TWINT Board of Directors, Søren Mose.
The new strategy will see the Core Executive Board being made up of Markus Kilb as CEO, Anton Stadelmann as the new Chief Customer Officer (CCO) and Paul Kreis as the Chief Information Officer (CIO). The CCO will oversee all customer-related functions, from sales, marketing and products to customer support and relationships with the banks, and the CIO will manage all of the units that are responsible for technical operations and the development of software and services.
The new management structure will result in an extended Executive Board being formed in addition to the Core Executive Board, with some functions being enhanced through an internal promotion to this body.
Markus Kilb
&#8216;This new organisational structure will allow us to focus on all of our customer segments during the implementation of the anticipated further growth. I am looking forward to attempting to achieve the ambitious goals together with our competent employees&#8217;,
stated Markus Kilb, CEO of TWINT.
Since January of this year alone, TWINT has enjoyed a 50% increase in the number of transactions made and has been able to integrate more than 11,000 new merchants into the TWINT system in recent weeks.
In parallel to this, the number of new registrations has doubled since the outset of the coronavirus crisis, as TWINT is meeting a major need due to it being a completely contactless payment system. Every week, 45,000 new users register with us, which has seen TWINT surpass 2.5 million users.
&#8216;Despite this enormous growth, our system is very stable. We have a system availability of some 99.9%. This shows that our system is able to deal with major challenges&#8217;,
added Markus Kilb.
The post TWINT Hopes to Reach the Level of Swiss Debit Cards appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/twint-hopes-to-reach-the-level-of-swiss-debit-cards</link><guid>1323</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>TWINT Hopes to Reach the Level of Swiss Debit Cards</dc:text></item><item><title>Devisenhandel für KMU: WIR Bank greift zusammen mit Schweizer Fintech an</title><description><![CDATA[Mehrwert für KMU – auch im Devisenhandel: Die WIR Bank Genossenschaft lanciert in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Schweizer Fintech AMNIS Treasury Service AG eine Online-Plattform, auf der KMU Devisengeschäfte professionell und unkompliziert abwickeln können – und das rein digital. Die Devisen können – Spot oder auf Termin – rund um die Uhr online gehandelt werden.
Matthias Pfeifer
«Besonders interessant ist bei uns, dass die zur Anwendung kommende Devisenmarge nicht abhängig von der Transaktionshöhe ist»,
erklärt Matthias Pfeifer, Leiter Privat- und Firmenkunden bei der WIR Bank,
«bereits bei kleinen Transaktionen handeln unsere Kundinnen und Kunden zu Kursen, wie sie bei anderen Anbietern erst bei Transaktionen ab 250&#8217;000 Franken zur Anwendung kommen.» Mit «FX Trading» erhält die Kundschaft zudem flexible Absicherungsmöglichkeiten: Bei Termingeschäften können sowohl Teilbezüge getätigt als auch die Valuta nachträglich mit wenigen Klicks angepasst werden. «Ein Tool, das von Devisen-Profis für KMU entwickelt wurde»,
sagt Pfeifer.
Nach der Erfolgsgeschichte von VIAC präsentiert die WIR Bank im Rahmen ihrer Diversifikationsstrategie mit «FX Trading» eine weitere vielversprechende Fintech-Partnerschaft.
«AMNIS und die WIR Bank teilen die Vision, dass KMU in der Schweiz möglichst einfach und günstig Devisen handeln können»,
sagt Pfeifer,
«so bleibt noch mehr Wertschöpfung in der Schweiz.» Zusammen mit AMNIS sagt die WIR Bank der branchenüblichen opportunistischen Preispolitik den Kampf an und bietet den Zugang zum Devisenmarkt mit transparenten und fairen Konditionen – «von KMU für KMU»,
wie Pfeifer ergänzt.
Die AMNIS Treasury Service AG wurde 2014 durch Philippe Christen, Robert Bloch und Michael Wüst gegründet. Die Gründer verfügen über langjährige Treasury-Erfahrung bei Grosskonzernen. Das mit KMU-Kunden abgewickelte Währungsvolumen betrug im vergangenen Jahr 488 Millionen Franken, was einem Wachstum von 115 Prozent gegenüber dem Vorjahr entsprach. Für 2020 ist ein ähnliches Wachstum geplant.
Man ist davon überzeugt, in dieser Konstellation den Umgang mit Fremdwährungen für noch mehr KMU in der Schweiz vereinfachen zu können.
The post Devisenhandel für KMU: WIR Bank greift zusammen mit Schweizer Fintech an appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/devisenhandel-fur-kmu-wir-bank-greift-zusammen-mit-schweizer-fintech-an</link><guid>1324</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Devisenhandel für KMU: WIR Bank greift zusammen mit Schweizer Fintech an</dc:text></item><item><title>VIAC Lancierte eine Freizügigkeitslösung</title><description><![CDATA[VIAC ist vor gut zweieinhalb Jahren mit der Mission für eine bessere Vorsorge gestartet. Das schnelle Wachstum hat eindrücklich gezeigt, dass hier ein echtes Problem gelöst wurde. Mit der Lancierung der Freizügigkeitslösung nimmt VIAC nun das nächste Feld in Angriff.
Mit zuletzt mehr als 27‘000 aktiven Kunden und mehr als 450 Millionen Franken an verwaltetem Vorsorgevermögen dominiert VIAC mittlerweile den Markt der digitalen Anlagelösungen in der Schweiz. Auch im Vergleich mit den grossen amerikanischen und europäischen Vorbildern muss man sich nicht verstecken. Dies wohlgemerkt bei einem Angebot, das sich aktuell auf eine Vorsorgelösung für die Säule 3a in der Schweiz beschränkt.
Daniel Peter und Christian Mathis, Mitgründer der VIAC-Plattform, zeigen sich zuversichtlich, dass man auch hier den Markt bewegen kann. So sind seit der Lancierung des 3a-Angebots bereits andere Anbieter dem Vorbild von VIAC gefolgt und bieten mittlerweile günstigere Lösungen an als früher.
«Wir hoffen, dass wir in der Freizügigkeit Ähnliches bewirken können wie in der Säule 3a. Mit durchschnittlichen Kosten von 0,38 Prozent ist VIAC einmal mehr der Preisbrecher im Markt. Die verglichene Konkurrenz liegt bei durchschnittlich 1,29 Prozent – also bei mehr als dreimal so viel wie bei uns!»
Dank des sehr erfreulichen Wachstums können auch weitere Ausbauschritte der Plattform ungebremst vorangetrieben werden. Mit der Lancierung der Freizügigkeitslösung nimmt sich VIAC erneut dem Thema Vorsorge an. Der Schweizer Arbeitsmarkt hat sich in den vergangenen Jahren vermehrt international ausgerichtet.
Daniel Peter
«Gerade für ausländische Arbeitskräfte, die nach einigen Jahren die Schweiz verlassen, bietet sich eine digitale Verwaltungsplattform für ihre ehemaligen Pensionskassengelder an»
erklärt Daniel Peter zu einem der Gründe für die Lancierung des 2.-Säule-Angebots.
Auch für eine optimale Verwaltung der Freizügigkeitsgelder ist gesorgt: So ist VIAC der einzige Anbieter, der es Kunden ermöglicht, die beiden Segmente «Obligatorium» und «Überobligatorium» mit unterschiedlichen Strategien zu verwalten.
 
The post VIAC Lancierte eine Freizügigkeitslösung appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/viac-lancierte-eine-freizugigkeitslosung</link><guid>1325</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>VIAC Lancierte eine Freizügigkeitslösung</dc:text></item><item><title>VIAC Lanciert eine Freizügigkeitslösung</title><description><![CDATA[VIAC ist vor gut zweieinhalb Jahren mit der Mission für eine bessere Vorsorge gestartet. Das schnelle Wachstum hat eindrücklich gezeigt, dass hier ein echtes Problem gelöst wurde. Mit der Lancierung der Freizügigkeitslösung nimmt VIAC nun das nächste Feld in Angriff.
Mit zuletzt mehr als 27‘000 aktiven Kunden und mehr als 450 Millionen Franken an verwaltetem Vorsorgevermögen dominiert VIAC mittlerweile den Markt der digitalen Anlagelösungen in der Schweiz. Auch im Vergleich mit den grossen amerikanischen und europäischen Vorbildern muss man sich nicht verstecken. Dies wohlgemerkt bei einem Angebot, das sich aktuell auf eine Vorsorgelösung für die Säule 3a in der Schweiz beschränkt.
Daniel Peter und Christian Mathis, Mitgründer der VIAC-Plattform, zeigen sich zuversichtlich, dass man auch hier den Markt bewegen kann. So sind seit der Lancierung des 3a-Angebots bereits andere Anbieter dem Vorbild von VIAC gefolgt und bieten mittlerweile günstigere Lösungen an als früher.
«Wir hoffen, dass wir in der Freizügigkeit Ähnliches bewirken können wie in der Säule 3a. Mit durchschnittlichen Kosten von 0,38 Prozent ist VIAC einmal mehr der Preisbrecher im Markt. Die verglichene Konkurrenz liegt bei durchschnittlich 1,29 Prozent – also bei mehr als dreimal so viel wie bei uns!»
Dank des sehr erfreulichen Wachstums können auch weitere Ausbauschritte der Plattform ungebremst vorangetrieben werden. Mit der Lancierung der Freizügigkeitslösung nimmt sich VIAC erneut dem Thema Vorsorge an. Der Schweizer Arbeitsmarkt hat sich in den vergangenen Jahren vermehrt international ausgerichtet.
Daniel Peter
«Gerade für ausländische Arbeitskräfte, die nach einigen Jahren die Schweiz verlassen, bietet sich eine digitale Verwaltungsplattform für ihre ehemaligen Pensionskassengelder an»
erklärt Daniel Peter zu einem der Gründe für die Lancierung des 2.-Säule-Angebots.
Auch für eine optimale Verwaltung der Freizügigkeitsgelder ist gesorgt: So ist VIAC der einzige Anbieter, der es Kunden ermöglicht, die beiden Segmente «Obligatorium» und «Überobligatorium» mit unterschiedlichen Strategien zu verwalten.
 
The post VIAC Lanciert eine Freizügigkeitslösung appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/viac-lanciert-eine-freizugigkeitslosung</link><guid>1327</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>VIAC Lanciert eine Freizügigkeitslösung</dc:text></item><item><title>Call Center in der Cloud oder warum virtuelle Telefonie heute das relevanteste Produkt ist</title><description><![CDATA[Sprachmenüs und Anrufbearbeitungsszenarien sind neue, kostenlose Funktionen.
Die „virtuelle“ Telefonie bringt die Kommunikation von Kunden mit den Unternehmen auf ein neues Niveau, &#8211; sie hilft, schnell und bequem mit dem richtigen Mitarbeiter oder der richtigen Abteilung zu kommunizieren. Um eine Cloud-basierte Telefonanlage einzurichten, benötigen Sie weder spezielle Ausrüstung noch zusätzliches Personal. Im Gegenteil. Die Anlage spart Ihnen Zeit, systematisiert Ihre Arbeit und erhöht die Kundenbindung.
Welche Vorteile bietet unsere Telefonanlage?
Virtuelle Telefonie ist die Alternative zu einer stationären, automatischen Telefonzentrale (PBX). Nur die Hardware- und Serverseite befinden sich auf der Anbieterseite, sodass Sie Ihr Unternehmen drahtlos telefonisch ausstatten können. Die Kosten hierfür sind relativ gering.
Eine Cloud-basierte Telefonanlage ist besonders nützlich, wenn sich Mitarbeiter in verschiedenen Städten oder Ländern befinden. In diesem Fall aktivieren Sie virtuelle Nummern an bestimmten Orten der Welt und definieren für jede Nummer spezifisch Sprachmenü und Skriptkalender nach Wochentag oder Tageszeit. Zadarma bietet diese Nummern weltweit in 80 Ländern an. Damit können Anrufe über App auf Smartphone, Computer oder mithilfe von IP-Telefonen empfangen werden.
Schauen wir uns ein Beispiel an
Ihr Unternehmen hat ein Büro in Berlin und Niederlassungen in Moskau und London. Wir müssen sie sowohl mit Kunden als auch miteinander verbinden.
Zunächst kaufen Sie in diesen 3 Städten eine virtuelle Nummer und in Ihrem Zadarma Profil die „PBX aktivieren“.
Anschließend konfigurieren Sie ein Sprachmenü für jede Stadt, so, dass Ihr gesamtes Unternehmen in Kontakt ist: Die gewünschte Abteilung oder der gewünschte Spezialist kann sich überall auf der Welt befinden, ein Kunde aus Deutschland, Großbritannien oder Russland muss dies jedoch nicht wissen.Sprachansagen können in Form von Audiodateien hochgeladen oder als Text eingegeben werden werden, &#8211; dann liest unser Roboter den Text einfach vor.
Das Anrufbearbeitungsszenario ist die Weiterleitung des Anrufs an eine gewünschte Abteilung oder an einen speziellen Mitarbeiter: Klicken Sie auf Eins, um die Vertriebsabteilung zu kontaktieren, oder auf Zwei für die Finanzabteilung. Auch ist es wichtig, das Szenario &#8220;Ohne Tastendruck&#8221; zu erstellen, dann wird der Anruf standardmäßig weitergeleitet, wenn Ihr Kunde keine Eingabe getätigt hat.
Sie können die Reihenfolge der Weiterleitung festlegen. Zum Beispiel rufen wir als erstes Michael an, aber wenn er nicht innerhalb von 15 Sekunden antwortet, geht der Anruf an Hans. Ist Hans nicht verfügbar, geht der Anruf weiter an Jessica. Kann auch Jessica den Anruf nicht entgegennehmen, so wird er auf Johns Handy weitergeleitet ( John ist beispielsweise der Abteilungsleiter oder Dienstleister).
Zum Schluss konfigurieren Sie die Arbeitszeiten für jedes Sprachmenü, zum Beispiel ein Szenario von 9 bis 18 Uhr, und ein anderes von 18 bis 9 Uhr. Sie können auch eine Anrufweiterleitung an einen Anrufbeantworter, eine rund um die Uhr diensthabende Sekretärin oder eine andere Stadt einstellen.
Es ist wichtig, eine Historie der Kundenbeziehungen zu führen und einen bestehenden Kunden direkt mit dem zuständigen Mitarbeiter zu verbinden. Hierzu aktivieren Sie das kostenlose ZCRM-System  , das in der Zadarma Telefonanlage bereits integriert ist. Dank ZCRM können Sie:

Anrufe mit dem integrierten Web-Telefon über jeden beliebigen Browser tätigen und empfangen,
Anrufe direkt an den verantwortlichen Mitarbeiter weiterleiten ohne zusätzliche Tasten- oder Spracheingabe.
Automatische Lead-Erstellung für eingehende oder ausgehende Anrufe, vollständiger Verlauf der Kundenbeziehungen: Sie können alle wichtigen Kundeninformationen in der Kundenkarte eingeben und jederzeit zusätzliche Kommentare und Daten ergänzen.
Aufgabenerstellung für sich und Ihre Kollegen
Kalender mit allen wichtigen Ereignissen und Terminerstellung
Wenn Sie bereits einen Kundenstamm haben, können Sie diesen problemlos in ZCRM importieren. Wenn Sie bereits ein CRM verwenden, bietet die Zadarma-PBX eine völlig kostenlose offizielle Integration in alle gängigen CRM- und HelpDesk-Systeme sowie eine offene API um Ihre eigenen Systeme mit Telefonie zu verknüpfen.

Cloud-Telefonie mit zusätzlichen kostenlosen Tools wie CRM, CallTracking und Videokonferenzen ist der sicherste Weg im Jahr 2020 zu kommunizieren. Zum Einen ist es Zeit, sich von Kabeln zu verabschieden, korrekt mit Kunden zu kommunizieren und Anrufe zu analysieren. Virtuelle Telefonie ermöglicht dies. Zum Andern können Sie mit einer Cloud-basierten Telefonanlage die Telefonie innerhalb von 5 Minuten sicher vom Büro in ein Home Office übertragen und ebenso schnell zurück.

The post Call Center in der Cloud oder warum virtuelle Telefonie heute das relevanteste Produkt ist appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/call-center-in-der-cloud-oder-warum-virtuelle-telefonie-heute-das-relevanteste-produkt-ist</link><guid>1328</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/zadarma-1024x1024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Call Center in der Cloud oder warum virtuelle Telefonie heute das relevanteste Produkt ist</dc:text></item><item><title>Schweizer Fintech-Unternehmen Suchen Mitarbeiter auch in der Covid-Krise</title><description><![CDATA[In einer aktuellen Umfrage des Branchenverbands Swiss Finance Startups gaben 83% der befragten Mitglieder an, dass sie gerade in der Krise grosse bis sehr grosse Chancen für die Fintech-Industrie sehen.
Die Umfrage zeigt auch, dass Fintech-Startups in der Schweiz die Corona-Zeit nutzen, um neue Opportunitäten zu identifizieren und ihr digitales Angebot auszubauen. Nur wenige Befragte gaben an, in der Krise auf Sparmassnahmen zu setzen. Die allermeisten wollen gerade jetzt investieren und Personal aufstocken.
Die dabei aktuell geltenden Hygiene- und Abstandsregelungen scheinen zumindest in der Fintech-Branche wenig Schwierigkeiten zu bereiten. Knapp 90% befragten Mitgliedsunternehmen gaben an, dass ein grosser Teil oder gar alle Mitarbeiter remote, also aus dem Homeoffice heraus, arbeiten.

„Die Schweizer Fintech-Unternehmen treiben schon seit Jahren die Digitalisierung in der Finanzbranche voran. Die COVID19-Pandemie hat einen sowieso wachsenden Bedarf an digitalen Lösungen noch einmal drastisch vorangetrieben. Schweizer Fintechs erkennen in der Krise eine grosse Wachstumschance, die es zu nutzen gilt”
so Christina Kehl, Geschäftsführerin und Vorstandsmitglied Swiss Finance Startups.
Die Ergebnisse der Swiss Finance Startups-Mitgliederbefragung zusammengefasst:

Bei knapp 90% der befragten SFS-Mitgliedsunternehmen arbeitet ein grosser Teil (oder sogar alle) der Mitarbeiter*innen im Homeoffice
69% der befragten SFS-Mitglieder muss keine staatliche Hilfe in Anspruch nehmen.
65.5% der befragten SFS-Mitglieder gab an, dass sie (kräftiges) Wachstum verzeichnen.
Die Hälfte der befragten SFS-Mitglieder baut in der Krise ihr Business aus (Kunden, Partner, Investoren).
Nur 6,9% gab an Sparmassnahmen einleiten zu müssen.
Über 55% der Befragten gab an, weiteres Personal einstellen zu wollen, wohingegen nur 6.9% angab Mitarbeiter*innen entlassen zu müssen.
83% der befragten Mitglieder gab an, dass sie die Krise als grosse bis sehr grosse Chance für Fintech sehen.

Stimmen aus den Mitgliedsunternehmen von Swiss Finance Startups:
Michael Wychowaniec
„Wir verzeichneten einen Nachfragezuwachs im Währungsumtausch, da der Schweizer Franken in den letzten Monaten sogar noch an Stärke gewonnen hat. Im Resultat hatten wir mit ExchangeMarket.ch nicht nur das stärkste erste Quartal seit Bestehen, wir erzielten ausserdem in drei von vier Monaten Rekordumsätze. Was die tägliche Arbeitsroutine betrifft, so mussten wir nicht viel umstellen, da unser Team sowieso bereits teilweise remote arbeitet. Daher stand alle notwendige Infrastruktur bereit, um den Vor-Ort-Betrieb kurzerhand komplett ins Homeoffice zu verlegen.“
Michael Wychowaniec, Co-Founder ExchangeMarket.ch
Sandro Matter
„In diesen herausfordernden COVID19-Zeiten konnten wir einige Erfolge erzielen. Besonders freut uns, dass wir unsere Partnerschaft mit Generali Schweiz lancieren und ausserdem erfolgreich die erste wandelbare Tranche unserer Finanzierungsaktivitäten für 2020 sichern konnten.“
Sandro Matter, CEO vlot
Patrik Schär
„Trotz der Krise wurden in diesem Jahr bei Selma bereits über 1’000 neue Konten eröffnet und wir hatten nahezu keinen Kapitalabfluss zu verzeichnen. Im Gegenteil, mehr als die Hälfte unserer Kunden haben ihr Anlagevermögen erhöht.“
Patrik Schär, CEO Selma Finance
Sandipan Chakraborty
„Wir denken, dass COVID19 den Grossteil der Banken dazu zwingen wird, operative Abläufe zu optimieren und Kosten zu senken. Dadurch entstehen neue Chancen für Fintech-Unternehmen, ihre Services breiter anzubieten. Unsere erst kürzlich geschlossene umfangreiche Kooperation mit einer Bank in der EU unterstützt diese Annahme.“
Sandipan Chakraborty, Founder &amp; CEO SONECT
Christian Egli
„Ausser dass wir neue Verträge schliessen und neue Leads generieren konnten, hat sich unserer Daily Business in den letzten Wochen kaum verändert. Wir konnten beweisen, dass wir in unserem Kern-Business nicht auf physische Standorte oder direkten Vor-Ort-Kontakt angewiesen sind. Die veränderte Situation hat uns inspiriert, alte Muster zu verlassen und neue Ansätze auszuprobieren, die zwar immer bereits im Raum standen, aber wir ansonsten vermutlich nicht unbedingt weiter verfolgt hätten.“
Christian Egli, CEO ONE PM
 
The post Schweizer Fintech-Unternehmen Suchen Mitarbeiter auch in der Covid-Krise appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schweizer-fintech-unternehmen-suchen-mitarbeiter-auch-in-der-covid-krise</link><guid>1320</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Umfrage-SFS-May2020-2-1024x607.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Schweizer Fintech-Unternehmen Suchen Mitarbeiter auch in der Covid-Krise</dc:text></item><item><title>PXL Vision Secures CHF 4.6 Million Seed Financing Led by SIX Fintech Ventures</title><description><![CDATA[ETH spin-off PXL Vision has developed an AI-based software platform to deliver secure, automated identity verification. The company has now received CHF 4.6 million in a seed financing round to expand its technology and grow internationally.
The financing round was led by SIX Fintech Ventures. Other investors include ZKB, High-Tech Gründerfonds, Arab Bank and the experienced business angels Beat Schillig and David Studer.
Billions of personal datasets are stolen every year and are frequently used for fraudulent purposes. Trust in digital interactions is therefore crucial. More and more companies are now moving towards verifying their customers’ identities beyond any doubt. They need digital solutions that are secure, cost-effective, easy to use and compliant with regulatory requirements.
Flexible identity verification in real-time
PXL Vision has developed a digital KYC verification platform that offers a great deal of flexibility to its business customers and is highly modular compared to competitor products. The platform uses Artificial Intelligence in order to verify an identity document in real-time using the smartphone camera, and to confirm the user identity via a liveness check and a face comparison with a video selfie, all with minimal user interaction. Alongside SwissID, the leading Swiss identity provider, several large companies such as Sunrise, Salt, UPC and ZKB rely on PXL Vision’s technology. There are many application fields: from closing a mobile phone contract online, regardless of location, to opening bank accounts electronically within a few minutes, such as with ZKB’s Frankly app for pension savings.
Growth financing completed
Since its foundation three years ago, PXL Vision has established itself on the Swiss market. The team has grown from four to over forty and PXL Vision has been recognized with important entrepreneurial prizes such as the Swiss Economic Award 2019, the W.A. De Vigier Award 2019, and the Swisscom Startup Challenge Award 2019. The company has also successfully completed both the SAP.iO and the F10 Fintech Incubator &amp; Accelerator programs.
Michael Born
“Having demonstrated that we can compete against large and established suppliers in a very competitive market, it is now time to expand beyond national borders,”
says PXL Vision CEO Michael Born.
Together with Nevena Shamoska, Roxana Porada, Lucas Sommer and Karim Nemr, Born founded PXL Vision in 2017. The experienced interdisciplinary management team had already worked together for several years at Dacuda AG and successfully sold Dacuda assets to Florida-based Magic Leap in February 2017 before founding PXL Vision.
In order to be able to grow even more quickly, PXL Vision has raised CHF 4.6 Million (USD 4.7 million) in seed funding. The financing round was led by SIX Fintech Ventures, the Swiss Stock Exchange VC. The other investors are ZKB, High Tech Gründerfonds and Arab Bank, as well as the experienced Business Angels Beat Schillig (IfJ) and David Studer (Xovis).
Andreas Iten
“PXL Vision’s unique AI technology and innovation pipeline, its flexible and modular product portfolio and the impressive track record of its experienced management team convinced us. We fully expect PXL Vision to become one of the leading providers of digital identity solutions worldwide,”
says Andreas Iten, Head of SIX Fintech Ventures, who will support PXL Vision in the coming growth phase as a member of the management board.
The access to growth capital will enable PXL Vision to further expand its product portfolio and enter new markets and industries. The financing is intended to help PXL Vision move forward rapidly:
 
Featured image: PXL Vision Team
The post PXL Vision Secures CHF 4.6 Million Seed Financing Led by SIX Fintech Ventures appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/pxl-vision-secures-chf-46-million-seed-financing-led-by-six-fintech-ventures</link><guid>1321</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>PXL Vision Secures CHF 4.6 Million Seed Financing Led by SIX Fintech Ventures</dc:text></item><item><title>Vorsorge-Fintech Sparbatze Gewinnt GL Mitglied von Bank Cler als Partner</title><description><![CDATA[Mit Peter Schnellmann stösst ein erfahrener Banker und Vertriebsexperte zur Sparbatze AG. Er wird beim Zürcher Fintech-Startup die Distribution und das Partnergeschäft aufbauen. Die neue unabhängige digitale Vorsorgeplattform, die von Oliver Steeg und Ivan Sosio gegründet wurde, geht im Juli 2020 an den Markt.
Der neue Sparbatze-Partner Peter Schnellmann war bis 2019 Mitglied der Geschäftsleitung der Bank Cler und der Konzernleitung der Basler Kantonalbank. Nach Stationen bei UBS und Holcim leitete er ab 2005 bei der Cembra Money Bank (vormals GE Money Bank) verschiedene Abteilungen. Parallel amtete er als Stiftungsrat und Leiter Anlagekommission der Pensionskasse GE Schweiz/Cembra. Während mehrerer Jahre präsidierte er überdies den Verband Konsumfinanzierung Schweiz und sass im Steuerungsausschuss Retail Banking der Schweizerischen Bankiervereinigung. Heute ist Peter Schnellmann Unternehmer, Verwaltungsrat und aktiver Investor bei verschiedenen Startups.
«Wir freuen uns, dass wir mit Peter Schnellmann ein bekanntes Gesicht aus dem Schweizer Banking als Partner gewinnen konnten und gemeinsam mit ihm im Juni die Sparbatze-Plattform starten können»,
führen die Gründungspartner Oliver Steeg und Ivan Sosio aus. Die Vision des Sparbatze-Teams ist es, Vorsorge zu revolutionieren.
Peter Schnellmann
«Mit Sparbatze.ch tragen wir den Trends Digitalisierung, Individualisierung und Emotionalisierung in der Vorsorge Rechnung»,
erläutert Peter Schnellmann. Er ist überzeugt:
«Die Zukunft ist, mit wenigen Klicks Anlagethemen zu wählen, in günstige, transparente und einfach verständliche Anlagefonds zu investieren und so seine Vorsorge nach den eigenen Vorstellungen zu gestalten.»
The post Vorsorge-Fintech Sparbatze Gewinnt GL Mitglied von Bank Cler als Partner appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/vorsorge-fintech-sparbatze-gewinnt-gl-mitglied-von-bank-cler-als-partner</link><guid>1319</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Vorsorge-Fintech Sparbatze Gewinnt GL Mitglied von Bank Cler als Partner</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Influencer Switzerland Interview Series: 7 Fragen an Andy Waar</title><description><![CDATA[Fintechnews.ch interviewt in einer Serie von Kurz-Interviews bekannte Schweizer Fintech Influenzer. Dieses Mal sprechen wir mit Andy Waar, dem Fintechrocker Gründer und CMO von Yapeal.
Hallo Andy, was hat sich in der Covid-19 Pandemie  für Dich persönlich verändert?
Ich arbeite noch mehr hahaha… Spass bei Seite. Von der Arbeit her hat sich praktisch nichts geändert. Wir waren vorher schon komplett remote aufgestellt. Was neu ist, dass wirklich alle gleichzeitig 100% remote arbeiten &#8211; that’s it.
Positives: Es wird noch effizienter gearbeitet. Ich habe nun endlich auch mein 2. Büro (home office) auf das nächste Level gebracht mit Stehpult und zusätzlichen Screen. Und nicht zu vergessen und das Wichtigste: Privat kriege ich auch mehr mit von meiner Familie – das ist super!
Negatives: Der soziale Kontakt (in Persona, nicht online) fehlt mir extrem. Wir haben so ein tolles Team, die kleinen Spässchen zwischendurch und das zusammen „Tränen“-Lachen im Büro etc. – das kommt im Moment wirklich zu kurz.
Denkst Du Corona ist der Digital Beschleuniger welcher der Branche bisher fehlte?
Ich weiss nicht, ob es DER Beschleuniger ist – ich denke, dass der Lockdown viele dazu bewegt hat, die bestehenden (alten) „modi operandi“ zu überdenken.
Es wird sich mittel und langfristig zeigen, mein Gefühl sagt mir, dass sich diese Zeit grundsätzlich positiv auf den Umgang mit den digitalen Kanälen auswirken wird.
Mit was beschäftigst Du Dich derzeit?
Ah, das ist einfach und schnell zu beantworten: Das &#8220;go public“ mit YAPEAL auf die Beine zu stellen. Wir wollen vor dem Sommer unser Angebot allen in der Schweiz wohnhaften Personen zugänglich machen.
Du bist ja öfters auch im Ausland und kennst die Fintech Trends dort sehr gut , was verpassen wir hier?
Ich denke nicht, dass wir was „verpassen“. Wir haben eine andere Herangehensweise und unsere Regulierungen sind auch strikter. Mit YAPEAL wollen wir hier unseren Beitrag leisten, damit der Finanzplatz Schweiz auch in Zukunft ein interessanter Finanzplatz bleibt.
Bitte nenne uns ein globals Fintech was wir unbedingt verfolgen sollen und sag uns warum?
Global ist ein sehr dehnbarer Begriff. Checkt mal Bidroom– mehr sage ich nicht dazu, sonst googled ihr das ja nicht :).
Als digital marketing monkey muss ich ja so antworten hahaha..
PS; to bidroom.com: You guys owe me a beer!
Was kann die Schweiz von Fintech im Ausland lernen oder ist es umgekehrt?
Ich denke grundsätzlich können alle voneinander lernen – unabhängig vom Standort. Wenn du die damit verbundenen Regulationen meinst, dann darf man schon behaupten, dass wenn etwas &#8220;Swiss compliant&#8221; ist, man grundsätzlich eine sehr gute Ausgangslage hat – auch um zu expandieren (statt umgekehrt).
Welches Schweizer Fintech Startup sollten wir (neben Yapeal) unbebdingt auf dem Radar haben?
Da gibt es viele gute Initiativen/Projekte.
Meine persönliche Wahl und auch bewusst etwas ausserhalb der Finanzindustrie: Annanow . Tolle Idee, sehr gut umgesetzt mit einem fantastischen Team. Absolut erfolgsversprechend.

PS an Annanow: Nicht noch mehr Bier – lieber Schoggi hahaha…
Bitte nominiere einen anderen Schweizer Fintech Influenzer für das Interview
Da gibt es auch einige – auch hier ganz bewusst jemanden der nicht über den Fintechrockers Club oder sonstigen Projekten mit mir verknüpft ist: Oliver Bussmann.
 
Swiss Fintech Influencer Andy Waar
Andy Waar
Andy Waar ist Jurist mit Zusatzausbildung Executive MBA, CAS Digital Finance. Als Agenturinhaber und Marketing Pro berät er seit über 20 Jahren Firmen und setzt (digitale) Projekte um.
Als Mehrfachgründer ist Andy Co-Founder und CMO der Digital-Bank Yapeal, Boardmember (FinTech) bei Wirz &amp; Partners, Advisor bei Crowdlitoken, Founder von TheScent und Gründer vom Fintechrockers Club und Inhaber von waar.ch.
In seiner Freizeit spielt Andy Schlagzeug in Rockbands.

The post Fintech Influencer Switzerland Interview Series: 7 Fragen an Andy Waar appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-influencer-switzerland-interview-series-7-fragen-an-andy-waar</link><guid>1316</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech Influencer Switzerland Interview Series: 7 Fragen an Andy Waar</dc:text></item><item><title>Baloise Expands its Home Ecosystem with Investment in Online Cleaning Intermediary Platform</title><description><![CDATA[Baloise is extending its ‘Home’ ecosystem with an investment in Batmaid, a digital platform for domestic cleaning services. Batmaid.ch is a solution that enables its customers to find hand-picked and insured cleaners online within the space of a minute.
As part of its Simply Safe strategic phase, Baloise is purchasing a minority stake in Swiss company Batmaid, a platform that supplies domestic cleaners on demand. Baloise sees the strategic partnership as an opportunity to further strengthen its position as a provider of home and living services.
Yannick Hasler
“Cleaning is a core pillar of the ‘Home’ ecosystem that Baloise is seeking to develop, and the equity investment in Batmaid allows us to strengthen our offering in this area. The Batmaid concept gives customers a service that is easy to use and taps into the growing trend towards digitalisation – which is what our Simply Safe strategy is all about,”
explains Yannick Hasler, Head of Private Customers at Baloise.
A convenient way to find pre-screened home cleaning staff online
Batmaid is a platform that enables customers to find hand-picked, insured cleaners either for a one-off cleaning job or for regular visits – within just 60 seconds. The customer enters their postal code and selects the service required, and Batmaid will suggest a list of available domestic helpers. The company’s integrated trust service registers workers and takes care of payroll taxes on behalf of its customers. The cleaning staff have the benefit of declared work and social insurance cover.
Potential for synergies within the ‘Home’ ecosystem
The investment in Batmaid is the fourth addition to the Baloise ‘Home’ ecosystem, following the acquisition of stakes in Devis.ch, Bubble Box and MOVU. B
 
 
Featured image credit: Batmaid Team
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/baloise-expands-its-home-ecosystem-with-investment-in-online-cleaning-intermediary-platform</link><guid>1315</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Baloise Expands its Home Ecosystem with Investment in Online Cleaning Intermediary Platform</dc:text></item><item><title>Baloise Invests in Online Cleaning Intermediary Platform</title><description><![CDATA[Baloise is extending its ‘Home’ ecosystem with an investment in Batmaid, a digital platform for domestic cleaning services. Batmaid.ch is a solution that enables its customers to find hand-picked and insured cleaners online within the space of a minute.
As part of its Simply Safe strategic phase, Baloise is purchasing a minority stake in Swiss company Batmaid, a platform that supplies domestic cleaners on demand. Baloise sees the strategic partnership as an opportunity to further strengthen its position as a provider of home and living services.
Yannick Hasler
“Cleaning is a core pillar of the ‘Home’ ecosystem that Baloise is seeking to develop, and the equity investment in Batmaid allows us to strengthen our offering in this area. The Batmaid concept gives customers a service that is easy to use and taps into the growing trend towards digitalisation – which is what our Simply Safe strategy is all about,”
explains Yannick Hasler, Head of Private Customers at Baloise.
A convenient way to find pre-screened home cleaning staff online
Batmaid is a platform that enables customers to find hand-picked, insured cleaners either for a one-off cleaning job or for regular visits – within just 60 seconds. The customer enters their postal code and selects the service required, and Batmaid will suggest a list of available domestic helpers. The company’s integrated trust service registers workers and takes care of payroll taxes on behalf of its customers. The cleaning staff have the benefit of declared work and social insurance cover.
Potential for synergies within the ‘Home’ ecosystem
The investment in Batmaid is the fourth addition to the Baloise ‘Home’ ecosystem, following the acquisition of stakes in Devis.ch, Bubble Box and MOVU. B
 
 
Featured image credit: Batmaid Team
The post Baloise Invests in Online Cleaning Intermediary Platform appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/baloise-invests-in-online-cleaning-intermediary-platform</link><guid>1317</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Baloise Invests in Online Cleaning Intermediary Platform</dc:text></item><item><title>Baloise Invests in Online Cleaning Service Intermediary Platform</title><description><![CDATA[Baloise is extending its ‘Home’ ecosystem with an investment in Batmaid, a digital platform for domestic cleaning services. Batmaid.ch is a solution that enables its customers to find hand-picked and insured cleaners online within the space of a minute.
As part of its Simply Safe strategic phase, Baloise is purchasing a minority stake in Swiss company Batmaid, a platform that supplies domestic cleaners on demand. Baloise sees the strategic partnership as an opportunity to further strengthen its position as a provider of home and living services.
Yannick Hasler
“Cleaning is a core pillar of the ‘Home’ ecosystem that Baloise is seeking to develop, and the equity investment in Batmaid allows us to strengthen our offering in this area. The Batmaid concept gives customers a service that is easy to use and taps into the growing trend towards digitalisation – which is what our Simply Safe strategy is all about,”
explains Yannick Hasler, Head of Private Customers at Baloise.
A convenient way to find pre-screened home cleaning staff online
Batmaid is a platform that enables customers to find hand-picked, insured cleaners either for a one-off cleaning job or for regular visits – within just 60 seconds. The customer enters their postal code and selects the service required, and Batmaid will suggest a list of available domestic helpers. The company’s integrated trust service registers workers and takes care of payroll taxes on behalf of its customers. The cleaning staff have the benefit of declared work and social insurance cover.
Potential for synergies within the ‘Home’ ecosystem
The investment in Batmaid is the fourth addition to the Baloise ‘Home’ ecosystem, following the acquisition of stakes in Devis.ch, Bubble Box and MOVU. B
 
 
Featured image credit: Batmaid Team
The post Baloise Invests in Online Cleaning Service Intermediary Platform appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/baloise-invests-in-online-cleaning-service-intermediary-platform</link><guid>1318</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Baloise Invests in Online Cleaning Service Intermediary Platform</dc:text></item><item><title>PayPal Rolls Out Touch Free QR Code Payments in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[Paypal rolled out the ability to use QR Codes to buy and sell goods in 28 markets around the globe. From farmers markets to selling secondhand goods &#8211; the rollout of the QR code functionality in the PayPal app allows customers to buy or sell in-person, safely and securely, and touch free.
John Kunze
&#8220;We know that in the current environment, buying and selling goods in a health-conscious, safe and secure way is front of mind for many people around the world. As the coronavirus pandemic has evolved, we have seen a surge in demand for digital payments to transition to include new and safe solutions for in-person environments and situations,&#8221;
said John Kunze, Senior Vice President of Branded Experiences, PayPal.
&#8220;Our rollout of QR codes for buyers and sellers incorporates the safety, security and convenience of using PayPal in person and enables ongoing social distancing requirements and safety preferences for in-person commerce.&#8221;
Additionally, to continue PayPal&#8217;s efforts in assisting our customers during this difficult period, for a limited time, we are waiving our standard seller transaction fees incurred on sales conducted using a QR Code.
Safely buying and selling touch free &#8211; from the farmer&#8217;s market to selling secondhand goods:
Using the QR code functionality in the PayPal app is a quick and safe way to complete a transaction in-person utilizing a PayPal wallet, eliminating the need to handle cash. For example, customers who are selling items in-person at a farmer&#8217;s market can print a QR code, place it on their table and have their consumers simply scan, enter the amount they&#8217;re paying and send money immediately. This allows the seller to minimize physical interactions with the customer, while also limiting the customer&#8217;s interaction with checkout technology. There is no technology to touch or purchase – just aim a smartphone camera at a QR Code that is printed or present on another screen.
For a buyer looking to pay, customers can go to the PayPal app, click &#8216;Send&#8217; and tap the QR code symbol in the top right-hand corner. The camera will open, and customers can scan a seller&#8217;s QR code and follow the prompts to complete the transaction. Sellers can create a PayPal-generated QR code for by following the steps outlined here.
PayPal is rolling this functionality out to 28 markets around the globe including: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, United Kingdom, and United States.
The post PayPal Rolls Out Touch Free QR Code Payments in Switzerland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/paypal-rolls-out-touch-free-qr-code-payments-in-switzerland</link><guid>1314</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/paypal-QR-payment.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>PayPal Rolls Out Touch Free QR Code Payments in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>&gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; Unveils 2020 Swiss Fintech and Insurtech Finalists</title><description><![CDATA[&gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt;, a competition for up-and-coming entrepreneurs in Switzerland, has unveiled the 10 finalists for the 2020 finance and insurance category.
Established in 1997, &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; is an annual startup competition co-organized by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zurich), McKinsey &amp; Company, Knecht Holding, Innosuisse, and Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL).
With the purpose of empowering entrepreneurs and fostering innovation across Switzerland, the competition recognizes innovative startups across five verticals: health care and nutrition, industrials and engineering, retail and consumer services, information and communications technology (ICT), and finance and insurance, providing them with the opportunity to meet with investors and mentors, access free workshops, get media coverage, and win up to CHF 150,000.
Each year, startups can apply starting January under one of the five industry categories. A panel of jurors, composed of industry and startup experts, reviews all submissions and grade them according to a scale. Projects with the highest overall grades are selected to enter the next round.
For 2020’s finance and insurance category, the 10 finalists are:
Aequitec AG

Aequitec is a digital share issuance and management platform that leverages distributed ledger technology (DLT) and which serves founders and investors. For registered shares, Aequitec assists clients in recording ownership unambiguously via automated processing of all relevant corporate actions.
CurioInvest

CurioInvest uses blockchain technology to create new digital asset class that opens the global alternative assets market to millions of investors around the world in a trustworthy and transparent environment. CurioInvest’s regulatory compliant framework turns collectables like rare cars into shares represented by stable tokens.
Delega

Delega is a new treasury management system that fully digitizes the signatory management process across relationship banks. The tool harnesses the most modern technologies, enabling users to manage signatory rights on a fully integrated basis. This means they can eliminate inefficient processes and free up resources. Using Delega, companies can store and manage a central list of current signatories. This can be shared with chosen banks, ensuring an up-to-date record of signatory information.
Fidectus AG
Fidectus optimizes the working capital of energy traders. Fidectus’ cutting-edge technology utilizes cloud and blockchain to allow clients to reduce operational risk and cost, improve collaborations and let them manage their liquidity and settlement risk. Its plug’n’play software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution connects energy market participants in no time.
Mt Pelerin

Mt Pelerin specializes in asset tokenization and digital compliance. The company is creating a new kind of financial institution using the advantages of blockchain technology to open and facilitate the access to funding and investment for individuals and businesses. The virtual bank is expected to launch this year and is set to offer access to unprecedented financing and investment possibilities, enabling clients to earn money in a safe way.
SIBEX

SIBEX is a non-custodial decentralized over-the-counter (OTC) marketplace (dark pool). SIBEX solves issues such as front-running and reduces the trading cost of capital by providing an institutional-grade dark venue for digital asset procurement and liquidation by enabling cross-chain transactions.
Stableton Financial AG

Stableton Financial is a marketplace for alternative investments providing qualified investors and financial advisors with access to world-class absolute return strategies and alternative investments such as hedge funds, startups, alternative lending, and real estate.
UrbanDataLab

UrbanDataLab is a proptech startup and research company with a focus on urban economics. UrbanDataLab leverages geoprocessing, big data and machine learning to evaluate millions of locations on their spatial structure and user-centered potential. By providing such new generation of decision support, the company assists players of the international real estate industry with scaling their business to new markets.
VALK

VALK is a white label technological solution that digitizes the issuance and investment processes of unlisted company shares. The company’s white-label solution, built on Corda, automates all of the tasks that are carried out manually today by financial institutions buying or selling unlisted shares. The solution, which is targeted at established and regulated financial institutions, helps them save costs and time, but also improve customer experience and increase deal and trade volume on the unlisted assets they manage and offer to investors.
Z22 Technologies AG

Z22 Technologies is a financial research and quantitative asset management company. Z22 Technologies applies the scientific method and uses cutting edge technology to find untapped potentials in a variety of markets.
The post &gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; Unveils 2020 Swiss Fintech and Insurtech Finalists appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/venture-unveils-2020-swiss-fintech-and-insurtech-finalists</link><guid>1313</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Aequitec_2.png</dc:content ><dc:text>&gt;&gt;venture&gt;&gt; Unveils 2020 Swiss Fintech and Insurtech Finalists</dc:text></item><item><title>The Open Initiative by Lykke Provides a min. of CHF 50,000 for Each Proposal</title><description><![CDATA[Lykke is funding 4 initiatives which aim at addressing the consequences of the current pandemic.
The initiative aims to provide financial means for innovative individuals, teams and companies to deliver transformative solutions addressing the crisis. It also empowers governments and institutions to directly support, access and benefit from these solutions.
Today more than ever, governments and industries are challenged by the impact of the current crisis and need to be prepared for any future occurrences. It is both a necessity and a unique opportunity to utilize technology and decentralization to build resilient infrastructures and mechanisms for our economy.
To help to advance the Open Initiative by Lykke the company announced that J. Christopher Giancarlo, former Chairman of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), will serve as a strategic advisor.
Christopher Giancarlo
“As the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis reveals inefficiencies and limitations in global financial and supply chain systems, I am pleased to support the Open Initiative to bring sophisticated digital services within reach by leveraging blockchain technology and the expertise of Lykke’s Digital Engineering Team.”
The Open Initiative aims to provide a minimum of CHF 50,000 for each selected proposal by individuals, teams, and companies that are working to create solutions that address the crisis, while offering direct access and support for governments to benefit from newly developed solutions.
The Open Initiative is accepting proposals for four categories:

Digital Vouchers Platform: Digitizing government initiatives for SMEs, the labor force, and more.
Supply Chain Platform: Leveraging the efficiency of financial market mechanisms to solve supply chain problems.
Real-Time Economic Information System: Aggregating and verifying relevant information for economic forecasts.
Research Initiatives: Contributing new approaches and ideas to the management of the current crisis and the development of useful solutions.


The process for submitting proposals will be open until July 3, 2020. Selected entries will be evaluated by a jury of government and industry leaders, and winners will be considered for future initiatives eligible for additional funding.
Richard Olsen
“New technologies will accelerate the recovery of society in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the blockchain offers feasible solutions for necessary government and private sector initiatives,”
said Lykke CEO Richard Olsen.
Learn more about Lykke’s Open Initiative here.
The post The Open Initiative by Lykke Provides a min. of CHF 50,000 for Each Proposal appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-open-initiative-by-lykke-provides-a-min-of-chf-50000-for-each-proposal</link><guid>1312</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/The-Open-Initiative-Lykke-1024x423.png</dc:content ><dc:text>The Open Initiative by Lykke Provides a min. of CHF 50,000 for Each Proposal</dc:text></item><item><title>Bank Frick Launches Stablecoin as a Service Solution</title><description><![CDATA[Together with the Dutch technology provider Quantoz, Bank Frick is launching a StableCoin as a Service (SCaaS) solution. Audit partner is BDO a leading auditor in Switzerland.
The service is fully PSD2-compliant and enables its issuers to issue their own stablecoin and to integrate it easily into their existing systems. As a result, the issuer&#8217;s merchants and end customers benefit from a secure and stable token-based payment ecosystem.
Bank Frick is now offering intermediaries and enterprises an innovative SCaaS solution, which was developed with the help of the expertise of the Dutch Quantoz N.V. The offer is a Software as a service solution based on Quantoz&#8217; established NEXUS technology. It enables issuers to issue their own stablecoin in a closed ecosystem.
Julien Hawle
&#8220;Our SCaaS solution is particularly suitable for issuers who process large volumes of payments on a daily basis, such as merchants and their end customers,&#8221;
says Julien Hawle, Head Blockchain Lab at Bank Frick.
&#8220;With our SCaaS solution, the participants in such an ecosystem benefit from lower transaction costs and fees as well as a ready-made setup that can be seamlessly integrated without the need for technical expertise. “
Quick integration into existing processes
The integration of the SCaaS solution into existing business processes and systems is carried out in compliance with regulatory requirements. Enterprises thus become issuers of their own stablecoin and provide their trading partners and their end customers with a closed and token-based payment ecosystem. The stablecoin is linked to a fiat currency such as the Euro or Swiss franc at a guaranteed exchange rate and deposited at a ratio of 1:1, thus ensuring price stability.
Lower transaction costs and enhanced customer retention
EU issuers do not need an e-money license for SCaaS as it is a closed system. Moreover, the use of a Software as a Service solution that has been tested in practice means that no internal development costs are incurred. For their part, merchants within the SCaaS ecosystem benefit from lower transaction fees and attractive customer lock-in effects – e.g. through the integration of loyalty programs.
In addition to its smooth implementation, the SCaaS solution enables fully auditable accounting of all fiat and token payments – transactions are always traceable. BDO, one of the leading auditing, trust and consulting firms in Switzerland, is responsible for auditing. The intuitive user interface also requires no technical expertise and minimizes operational risks.
Quantoz provides the technical infrastructure for the SCaaS solution and takes over all technical clarifications and individual adjustments for the issuer in advance. Bank Frick offers the necessary banking services and keeps the deposited fiat currencies in safe custody.
The provision of a closed ecosystem for token-based transactions, which can be seamlessly integrated into business, compliance and accounting processes, is unique in this form.
Featured image credit: Bank Frick
The post Bank Frick Launches Stablecoin as a Service Solution appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bank-frick-launches-stablecoin-as-a-service-solution</link><guid>1311</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Bank Frick Launches Stablecoin as a Service Solution</dc:text></item><item><title>Blockchain to Tackle Supply Chain Failures Exposed by COVID-19</title><description><![CDATA[
The pressure created by the COVID-19 outbreak on global trade systems highlights an urgent need for global cooperation to maintain and strengthen the resilience of international supply chains.


To help organizations improve future pandemic preparedness and accelerate an economic rebound post COVID-19, the World Economic Forum has released the Redesigning Trust: Blockchain Deployment Toolkit which enables leaders to maximize the benefits and minimize the risks of the technology. Resilience in supply chains depends on trust, transparency and integrity, which can be improved through the responsible deployment of blockchain technologies that offer a “shared truth”.


The current pandemic underscores the need for businesses and governments to improve the integrity and provenance of pharmaceutical products and medical supplies, as well as food, goods and industrial and consumer products.


The first of its kind toolkit is the culmination of more than a year of efforts to capture best practices from blockchain deployment across industries. Drawing on the global expertise of more than 100 organizations – including governments, companies, start-ups, academic institutions, civil society, international organizations and technology and supply chain experts – the toolkit helps companies manage the complexities of deploying this new technology and will accelerate its positive impact.


Nadia Hewett
“The blockchain deployment toolkit is essential for designing solutions that work for a multitude of actors, including smaller players who may not have access to the resources required to unlock the value of blockchain technology. For this reason, the toolkit can level the playing field for small and medium-sized enterprises. There are many lessons to learn from the current pandemic and this toolkit is a starting point for improving long-term pandemic preparedness and accelerating an economic recovery led by public-private cooperation,”
said Nadia Hewett, Blockchain and Digital Currency Project Lead, World Economic Forum.


The toolkit has been piloted in a variety of different contexts by organizations developing blockchain solutions within their supply chains, including the Abu Dhabi Digital Authority, Hitachi, Saudi Aramco as well as a number of SMEs.

Featured image credit: Unsplash
The post Blockchain to Tackle Supply Chain Failures Exposed by COVID-19 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/blockchain-to-tackle-supply-chain-failures-exposed-by-covid-19</link><guid>1309</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Blockchain to Tackle Supply Chain Failures Exposed by COVID-19</dc:text></item><item><title>SIX Launches b.Link – the Central Platform for the Standardized Sharing of Financial Data</title><description><![CDATA[Open banking is currently a much-discussed topic. Open banking seeks to establish permanent links between financial institutions and solution providers (third-party providers, TPPs), allowing customers’ data to be shared, subject to their consent, and new offers and services to be created for them.
b.Link is an enabler of new partnerships
Those participating on the b.Link platform can exchange data securely via modern, standardized interfaces (application programming interfaces, APIs). Before a participant is connected to the platform, SIX conducts the b.Link admission test to verify that the partner ensures the secure handling of sensitive financial data. The legal framework is defined by SIX by means of a uniform contract for each participant, which makes time-consuming bilateral negotiations unnecessary.
In this way, b.Link is opening up new possibilities. TPPs and financial institutions can focus more on developing services and products for their end customers, while SIX provides the necessary infrastructure and rules and regulations.
Marco Menotti
“With b.Link, SIX is creating the foundation for innovative products for participants and strengthening the Swiss financial center. We are guided by the needs of the market and our customers, and will continue to add new use cases.”
Marco Menotti, Head Business Unit Banking Services, SIX
First accounting and multibanking applications for corporate customers
SIX will initially provide two applications via b.Link.

The “Account Information Service for Accounting Solutions and Financial Institutions” allows third-party providers to ob
tain detailed account and transaction information from banks for their customers and use it, for example, for reconciliation with accounting. This is always subject to the consent of their customers.
Third-party providers can use the “Payment Submission Service for Accounting Solutions and Financial Institutions” to automatically order their customers’ payments at their banks. Then the customer only has to approve the payment in their e-banking application.

SIX will evaluate and implement additional applications for other target groups together with interested participants according to market needs.
Leading financial institutions and innovative third-party providers support b.Link
After a pilot phase, SIX is now launching the b.Link solution on the market together with KLARA as well as Credit Suisse, Neue Aargauer Bank and UBS. The focus will then be on bringing more banks and TPPs onto the platform. Zürcher Kantonalbank plans to begin using b.Link as of September. Intensive talks are currently being conducted with other banks and third-party providers. Interested parties are invited to contact SIX directly for further information.
 
The post SIX Launches b.Link – the Central Platform for the Standardized Sharing of Financial Data appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/six-launches-blink-the-central-platform-for-the-standardized-sharing-of-financial-data</link><guid>1308</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/b-link-en.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>SIX Launches b.Link – the Central Platform for the Standardized Sharing of Financial Data</dc:text></item><item><title>SIX Launches b.Link – a Central Platform for Standardized Sharing of Financial Data</title><description><![CDATA[Open banking is currently a much-discussed topic. Open banking seeks to establish permanent links between financial institutions and solution providers (third-party providers, TPPs), allowing customers’ data to be shared, subject to their consent, and new offers and services to be created for them.
b.Link is an enabler of new partnerships
Those participating on the b.Link platform can exchange data securely via modern, standardized interfaces (application programming interfaces, APIs). Before a participant is connected to the platform, SIX conducts the b.Link admission test to verify that the partner ensures the secure handling of sensitive financial data. The legal framework is defined by SIX by means of a uniform contract for each participant, which makes time-consuming bilateral negotiations unnecessary.
In this way, b.Link is opening up new possibilities. TPPs and financial institutions can focus more on developing services and products for their end customers, while SIX provides the necessary infrastructure and rules and regulations.
Marco Menotti
“With b.Link, SIX is creating the foundation for innovative products for participants and strengthening the Swiss financial center. We are guided by the needs of the market and our customers, and will continue to add new use cases.”
Marco Menotti, Head Business Unit Banking Services, SIX
First accounting and multibanking applications for corporate customers
SIX will initially provide two applications via b.Link.

The “Account Information Service for Accounting Solutions and Financial Institutions” allows third-party providers to ob
tain detailed account and transaction information from banks for their customers and use it, for example, for reconciliation with accounting. This is always subject to the consent of their customers.
Third-party providers can use the “Payment Submission Service for Accounting Solutions and Financial Institutions” to automatically order their customers’ payments at their banks. Then the customer only has to approve the payment in their e-banking application.

SIX will evaluate and implement additional applications for other target groups together with interested participants according to market needs.
Leading financial institutions and innovative third-party providers support b.Link
After a pilot phase, SIX is now launching the b.Link solution on the market together with KLARA as well as Credit Suisse, Neue Aargauer Bank and UBS. The focus will then be on bringing more banks and TPPs onto the platform. Zürcher Kantonalbank plans to begin using b.Link as of September. Intensive talks are currently being conducted with other banks and third-party providers. Interested parties are invited to contact SIX directly for further information.
 
A very good blog post about that platform can be read here: (in German)
Open Banking in der Schweiz: SIX Group lanciert b.Link

 
 
The post SIX Launches b.Link – a Central Platform for Standardized Sharing of Financial Data appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/six-launches-blink-a-central-platform-for-standardized-sharing-of-financial-data</link><guid>1310</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/b-link-en.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>SIX Launches b.Link – a Central Platform for Standardized Sharing of Financial Data</dc:text></item><item><title>COVID-19 Accelerates Adoption of Contactless Payments</title><description><![CDATA[Consumers around the world are switching to contactless to help with social distancing, accelerating the adoption of contactless payments that was already under way
With 15% penetration, contactless still has potential for further growth
RBR’s Global Payment Cards Data and Forecasts to 2024 report reveals how increased contactless card issuance and acceptance combined with changes in consumer behaviour are driving growth in contactless payments. In 2018, the number of contactless payments worldwide increased by 72% to reach 70 billion. This accounted for 15% of the world’s card payments, a share which will increase significantly over the next few years, with COVID-19 accelerating the pace of change.
Not all countries are at the same stage in their contactless journeys
Although contactless payments are increasing worldwide, different countries are at various stages on the path towards contactless adoption. Despite the first contactless cards appearing in the UK as far back as 2007, they are relatively new in countries such as Indonesia and Japan.
As well as reducing the need for consumers to touch payment terminals, there is the added advantage of shorter transaction times – particularly useful for payment on public transport. In countries such as the UK and Australia where contactless can be used on public transport, such payments make up a significant proportion of card payments.
North America is interesting in that there are notable differences between Canada and the USA; whereas Canadians are amongst the most enthusiastic adopters of contactless globally, consumers in the USA have been slower to embrace it. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic has spread and consumers and merchants seek quick and low contact ways of paying, the number of contactless payments in the USA is surging. Such changes in consumer behaviour are likely to become permanent.
Increased contactless spending limits as a result of COVID-19
In order to prevent fraud on stolen cards, contactless payments are subject to a spending limit, although contactless mobile payments often have higher limits than those made with cards, as they involve a fingerprint, facial scan or PIN keyed into the device. Contactless payments are typically used for low value payments such as drinks and snacks, and as a result have been displacing cash at the point of sale. According to RBR, the average payment on a contactless card in 2018 was just US$18, much lower than US$66 for cards in general.
As security concerns begin to dissipate, consumers are using their contactless cards for higher value payments. Furthermore, the COVID-19 crisis has seen the raising of the contactless limit in a number of countries to facilitate quicker and easier payments, for example from £30 to £45 in the UK; consumers will not want to see a return to the relative inconvenience of lower spending limits in the future.
Increased merchant and consumer demand drives contactless acceptance and issuance
RBR’s research shows that contactless acceptance is also growing, with the number of EFTPOS terminals which allow contactless payments rising by 60% in 2018 to reach 66 million, equivalent to two thirds of terminals globally. China saw the number of EFTPOS terminals which can accept contactless payments more than double, and the government’s mandate for terminal upgrades and contactless card issuance drove a 97% increase in contactless payments. Although the number of contactless cards globally increased by 23%, they still only accounted for 40% of the total number of payment cards. The COVID-19 crisis will accelerate the issuance of contactless-enabled cards and the upgrading of EFTPOS terminals in response to increasing demand from both consumers and merchants alike.
Featured image credit: www.freepik.com
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/covid-19-accelerates-adoption-of-contactless-payments</link><guid>1307</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>COVID-19 Accelerates Adoption of Contactless Payments</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Influencer Switzerland Interview Series: 7 Fragen an Marc Lussy</title><description><![CDATA[Fintechnews.ch interviewt in einer Serie von Kurz-Interviews seit Jahren bekannte Schweizer Fintech Influenzer. Diese Woche erklärt uns Marc Lussy* warum man Fintech in Brasilien unbedingt verfolgen sollte. Zudem erklärt er die Einflüsse der Pandemie auf die Banken und stellt ein uns bisher eher unbekanntes Schweizer Wealthtech Startups vor. Zum Schluss nominiert er einen weiteren Schweizer Fintech Influenzer.
Hallo Marc, was hat sich während der Covid19-Pandemie für Dich persönlich verändert?
Gefühlt wirklich nicht viel. Ich bin schon seit 20 Jahren sehr viel unterwegs. Entsprechend war schon da mein Notebook mit dem Modem mein Büro. Zudem habe ich viele Projekte mit Stakeholdern in verschiedenen Ländern geleitet und bin es seit dann gewohnt via Conf-Call oder Video zu arbeiten. Auch habe auf der ganzen Welt verteilt Freunde, mit welchen ich viel auf Social Media die Beziehung pflege.
Neu war einzig, dass ich im Vergleich zur Zeit vor Corona mehr zu Hause bin. Das geniesse ich ausserordentlich, freue mich aber natürlich auch darauf die internationalen Geschäfte bald wieder vor Ort voranzutreiben. Bestätigt hat sich in dieser Zeit auch, dass die digitale Kommunikation zwar ausserordentlich bereichernd ist, aber nicht alles ersetzen kann. Kurz ich bin und bleibe eine der digitalsten aber gleichzeitig auch einer der analogsten Menschen.
Dank Corona ist der Widerstand zur Veränderung gesunken
Denkst Du Corona ist der Digital Beschleuniger welcher der Branche bisher fehlte?
Ja aber…..Es wird ein Beschleuniger sein, kurz-/mittelfristig jedoch viel weniger als wir erwarten, längerfristig jedoch viel stärker als wir es voraussehen. Auch werden die Haupttreiber andere sein als die Mehrheit erwartet und tendenziell nicht die Offensichtlichsten. So lange z.B. ein Roboadvisor schlicht einfach den gleichen Prozess abbildet, wie man es von den Bankenwelt schon seit zwei Dekaden kennt oder so lange das Bezahlen mit dem Mobile nur einen marginalen Vorteil bietet, wird es hier auch in den nächsten Jahren kein Erdbeben geben. Es ist aber ganz klar so, dass Banken viel stärker auf Home-Office setzen werden. Weiter bin ich überzeugt, dass unser Widerstand zur Veränderung durch die Krise stark gesunken ist. Viele Leute mussten aufgrund der vom Bund verordneten Massnahmen ihren täglichen Ablauf stark ändern.
Im Vergleich dazu wird jede zukünftige Änderung aufgrund der digitalen Transformation wie ein laues Lüftchen empfunden werden. Weiter ist ein zentrales Element für das Wirtschaftswachstum, die gesteigerte Produktivität. Um diese zwingende Produktivität zu erzielen, speziell in Europa, ist die Digitalisierung absolut zentral. Falls wir hier trotzdem nicht vorwärts machen, China wird sich bewegen, und zwar noch viel stärker als in Vergangenheit und wir werden einfach folgen müssen. Bis alle diese positiven Faktoren zum Tragen kommen, braucht es aber Zeit. Wir werden zuerst wahrscheinlich enttäuscht sein, danach jedoch sehr positiv überrascht.
Mit was beschäftigst Du Dich derzeit?
In den letzten Wochen war ich aktiv im Austausch mit Fintech Startups , dem Bund und dem Kanton Zürich und versuchte mitzuhelfen, dass das Hilfsprogramm für CH-Startups möglichst zielführend ist. Weiter kommuniziere ich ziemlich intensiv mit Acceleratoren, Bildungsstätten und weiteren Organisationen in Brasilien, China und im Mittleren Osten die an Zusammenarbeit mit Fintechs in der Schweiz interessiert sind. Ich versuche so auch hier die Kontakte, die ich im Rahmen der Bundesratsreisen knüpfen konnte, zu leveragen und Dinge, die im Rahmen dieser Finanzdelegation initiiert wurden voranzutreiben.
Challenger Banken in Brasilien: Es bewerben sich 20 bis 30 zukünftige Digitalbanken um eine Lizenz
Du bist ja öfters in Brasilien und kennst die Fintech Trends dort sehr gut , was verpassen wir hier?
Ich denke wir unterschätzen Brasilien grundsätzlich. In der Breite ist die Bevölkerung schlecht ausgebildet und entsprechend nimmt der 08/15 Brasilienreisende vor allem dies war und vergisst, dass es absolut gesehen viele Brasilianer gibt, die unglaublich smart sind und zudem tolle, kreative Unternehmer sind. Die brasiliansiche Fintech Welle hat ca. ein bis zwei Jahre nach jener in der Schweiz begonnen ist aber trotz der schwachen Wirtschaft der letzten Jahre dynamisch gewachsen.
Das Augenmerk, sollten wir auf die Challenger bzw. in Zukunft auf Crypto-Banken richten. Brasilien ist hier prädestiniert für eine gewaltige Disruption. Aktuell ist ca. 80% des Banking Business in Brasilien in der Hand von fünf Banken. Dies ist ein Grund warum die Qualität der Bankdienstleistungen nicht ausgesprochen gut ist. Für Challenger Banken ist es somit schwierig ein Teil vom Kuchen abzuschneiden. Die Regierung ist jedoch daran interessiert, diese Bastion aufzuweichen. So hat z.B. die Regierung Bolsonaro dafür gesorgt, dass es jetzt viel einfacher ist eine Bankenlizenz zu erlangen. Aktuell bewerben sich 20 bis 30 zukünftige Digitalbanken um eine Lizenz.
Bitte nenne uns ein Fintech in Brasilien was wir unbedingt verfolgen sollen und sag uns warum?
Ganz klar Nubank. Viele Schweizer Fintech Aficionados werden dieses Fintech bereits kennen. Diese Challenger Bank ist z.B. vergleichbar mit Revolut. Nebst einem Konto und Kreditkarten bieten sie auch Kredite an. Nubank ist die grösste Fintech Firma in Lateinamerika und eines der wertvollsten Fintech Startup der Welt. Das Potenzial ist aufgrund der Grösse des Landes und der digitalen Affinität der Brasilianer enorm. Weiter sehr spannend, Tencent/WeChat halten seit 2018 ca. 5% von Nubank.
Brasilianischer Innovationsgeist gegebenenfalls gepaart mit Chinesischer Tech-Expertise, da kann noch viel entstehen. Kurz erwähnen möchte ich auch noch Veezoo, ein Siri für Banken und Versicherungen. Die Firma wurde für gut vier Jahren in Zürich von zwei Brüdern aus Rio und einem Schweizer gegründet. Es ist ein perfektes Beispiel für Brazilian Power. Die Brüder, die aus einer Unternehmerfamilie kommen, haben ihr Master mit Bestnote abgeschlossen und sind typisch brasiliansisch «gnadenlos optimistisch», so ist es z.B. das erklärte Ziel des CEO’s grösser zu werden als Google.
Fintech in Brasilien und Schweiz: Die perfekt Symbiose
Was kann die Schweiz von Fintech in Brasilien lernen oder ist es umgekehrt?
Ganz generell gesagt ist es die perfekte Symbiose. Brasilianer strotzen vor Optimismus und selbst der grösste IT Nerd ist immer noch ein bessere Networker als ein Schweizer Relationship Manager. Die Jungs und Mädels aus dem Land des Samba’s haben ihre Stärken nicht in der Planung, sie können aber ausgesprochen gut auf ungeplante Ereignisse reagieren. Bevor wir Schweizer etwas starten, fragen wir uns zuerst im Detail was alles schief gehen könnte und wir verpassen je nachdem tolle Opportunitäten, weil wir zu stark auf unsere Strategie und die Planung fokussiert sind. Kombiniert man die Stärken beider Nationen und eliminiert so die Schwächen, dann ist der Griff nach den Fintech-Sternen absehbar. Etwas konkreter, aus meiner Sicht ist das Schweizer B2B Fintech Modell ein Konzept, dass sehr gut nach Brasilien exportiert werden kann.
Welches Schweizer Fintech Startup sollten wir unbedingt auf dem Radar haben?
Auf dem Radar haben, sollte man Advaisor. Das noch junge ETH-Spinoff ist seit der Gründung äussert dynamisch unterwegs. Konzeptionell einfach verständlich machen sie die Corporate Culture messbar und so auch die Leistung der Führungspersonen. Mit dem gleichen Ansatz kann auch evaluiert werden, wie stark eine Firma wirklich auf den Kunden fokussiert. Die Lösung dieses Startups ist nicht nur im Finanzsektor einsetzbar.
Bitte nominiere einen Schweizer Fintech Influenzer der sich auch international auskennt?
Ich nominiere Osci Neira
 
 
*Bio Swiss Fintech Influencer Marc Lussy:
Marc Lussy
Marc hat über drei Dekaden für verschiedene Banken als Händler, Vermögensverwalter und Projektleiter für strategische IT-Projekte gearbeitet. Als selbständiger Berater unterstützt er seit 2010 Startups und verschiedene Organisationen im In- und Ausland mit seiner Expertise im Bereich Banking und Fintech. Marc ist zudem Senior Advisor beim F10 Fintech Incubator &amp; Accelerator und Partner bei einer Wealthtech Firma.
The post Fintech Influencer Switzerland Interview Series: 7 Fragen an Marc Lussy appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-influencer-switzerland-interview-series-7-fragen-an-marc-lussy</link><guid>1306</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech Influencer Switzerland Interview Series: 7 Fragen an Marc Lussy</dc:text></item><item><title>Penta Opens Its Digital Business Banking Platform for Self-Employed People</title><description><![CDATA[Digital business banking for everyone &#8211; as of today, Penta also offers its product and services to solo self-employed people. The digital platform for business banking is thus expanding its target group and taking a broader positioning in the market .
Up until now, Penta&#8217;s 20,000 customers have mainly been small and medium-sized enterprises with 2 to 50 employees, as well as founders. As a first step in December 2019, Penta also started onboarding freelancers with at least one employee such as doctors, notaries, lawyers and sole proprietors such as craft businesses in its range of services for the first time.
Marko Wenthin
Marko Wenthin, CEO Penta:
&#8220;By opening up to the so-called liberal professions and sole traders, we have realized the great demand for good digital solutions within those segments. As a result, we are now opening up our platform to solo self-employed people as well. Our goal at Penta has always been to provide an excellent service to all those who are looking for more than just banking &#8211; and that includes a lot of self-employed people.&#8221;
Just like small and medium-sized businesses, freelancers and self-employed professionals can now benefit from Penta&#8217;s full banking service, which includes features such as multi-user access for the accountant, integrated accounting software or multi-account aggregation. Future services such as cash flow forecast and the possibility to open sub-accounts with your own IBAN are also important for the self-employed as well as for entrepreneurs in order to manage their business in the best possible way.
Wenthin:
&#8220;With the broader positioning and expansion of our target and customer audience, Penta becomes the platform for all entrepreneurs, whether with or without employees, in foundation or already active on the market for years, whether doctor, pharmacist, online shop, translator or carpenter. Anyone who wants to manage their finances quickly, easily and digitally and who is looking for a direct interface to accounting or for their own tax advisor can benefit from our platform.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/penta-opens-its-digital-business-banking-platform-for-self-employed-people</link><guid>1305</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Penta Opens Its Digital Business Banking Platform for Self-Employed People</dc:text></item><item><title>Schweizer Blockchain-Vorlage wird dem Nationalrat vorgelegt.</title><description><![CDATA[Die Kommissionen für Wirtschaft und Abgaben (WAK) genehmigt die Blokchain Vorlage und bringt das Schweizer Blockchain Gesetz nun diesen Sommer vor den Nationlrat.
Nachdem sie an ihrer Sitzung vom 24. Februar 2020 auf die Vorlage 19.074, mit der die rechtlichen Rahmenbedingungen für die Technik verteilter elektronischer Register (Distributed-Ledger-Technologie, DLT) verbessert werden sollen, eingetreten war, hat die Kommission nun die Detailberatung dieses Geschäfts vorgenommen.
In ihren Augen ist es – namentlich angesichts der aktuellen Wirtschaftskrise – für die Schweizer Start-ups sehr wichtig, dass die Rechtssicherheit im Bereich der DLT-Anwendungen erhöht wird.
Die Kommission hat an der Vorlage des Bundesrates nur wenig geändert. Die beiden wichtigsten Änderungen betreffen den Datenzugang und die Ombudsstellen. Sie hat einstimmig einen Antrag auf eine neue Bestimmung im Bundesgesetz über Schuldbetreibung und Konkurs (SchKG) angenommen, gemäss welcher jeder Dritte, der eine entsprechende gesetzliche oder vertragliche Berechtigung an den Daten nachweist, den Zugang zu diesen Daten oder deren Herausgabe verlangen kann (Art. 242b SchKG). Diese Anpassung, welche der WAK-N von der Kommission für Rechtsfragen des Nationalrates vorgeschlagen wurde, trägt dem Anliegen der Initiative 17.410 Rechnung.
DLT-Handelsysteme Offenlegungen wird abgelehnt
In Sachen Ombudsstellen hat sich die WAK-N mit 18 zu 5 Stimmen dafür entschieden, das Finanzdienstleistungsgesetz (FIDLEG) so anzupassen, dass sich Finanzdienstleister, die ausschliesslich institutionellen oder professionellen Kundinnen und Kunden Finanzdienstleistungen erbringen, keiner Ombudsstelle anschliessen müssen (Art. 77 FIDLEG). Die Kommissionsmehrheit ist der Ansicht, dass die kleinen DLT-Handelssysteme so administrativ erheblich entlastet werden könnten. Keine Mehrheit hat hingegen ein Antrag gefunden, im Interesse des Konsumentenschutzes von DLT-Handelssystemen zusätzliche Offenlegungen zu verlangen (Art. 73e FinfraG). Die Kommission hat diesen Antrag mit 14 zu 10 Stimmen abgelehnt, weil dieser Aspekt aus ihrer Sicht privatrechtlich hinreichend geregelt ist.
In der Schlussabstimmung hat die Kommission die so geänderte Vorlage einstimmig angenommen. Der Nationalrat als Erstrat wird dieses Geschäft voraussichtlich in der Sommersession 2020 behandeln.
Featured image credit: Pixabay
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schweizer-blockchain-vorlage-wird-dem-nationalrat-vorgelegt</link><guid>1302</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Schweizer Blockchain-Vorlage wird dem Nationalrat vorgelegt.</dc:text></item><item><title>Chris Thomas is the New Head of Digital Assets at Swissquote</title><description><![CDATA[Swissquote announced the hire of a dedicated Head of Digital Assets.
Chris Thomas
Since July 2017, it has been possible for the firm’s private clients to invest in cryptocurrencies. Now, Swissquote is also offering institutional clients the opportunity to enter into professional crypto-trading and custody, to drive its digital business forward.
Chris Thomas will take on this task as Head of Digital Assets. He will focus on expanding the institutional product range, mainly offering services to asset managers, hedge funds, private banks and family offices.
Chris has over 20 years of professional experience in the financial industry, having previously worked in Sales and Trading for European investment banks in London as well as running European Innovation for Fidelity Investments and building some successful startups.
Chris also co-founded 2013  Monito, a Lausanne based comparison page for international money transfer services
The post Chris Thomas is the New Head of Digital Assets at Swissquote appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/chris-thomas-is-the-new-head-of-digital-assets-at-swissquote</link><guid>1303</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Chris Thomas is the New Head of Digital Assets at Swissquote</dc:text></item><item><title>Blockchain Valley Ventures Launches Virtual Deal Marketplace for Startup Funding</title><description><![CDATA[Blockchain Valley Ventures, a blockchain technology-focused venture capital firm, in collaboration with Delio, a provider of private markets investment technology, has launched the BVV Dealroom &#8211; a virtual deal marketplace for blockchain startups and investors. The new platform &#8211; one of the first of its kind in the blockchain space &#8211; will offer a solution to the current funding bottleneck that has beset many startups, owing to the COVID-19 related restrictions imposed across the world.
Heinrich Zetlmayer
Heinrich Zetlmayer, Founder and General Partner of BVV, said,

“We are on a mission to provide the essential support that startups require during these uncertain and challenging times. We all need to adapt to new ways of working. Traditional email or conference based pitching to multiple VC investors simply does not work efficiently enough anymore, especially for the blockchain industry which is still not well understood. The BVV Dealroom is designed to provide a helping hand to the innovative and talented teams of the blockchain startup and tech world, by offering free and targeted investor access — something that hasn’t really been done before, as the VC community was previously not really ready for platforms or marketplaces..”

The BVV Dealroom will facilitate the entire communications and deal-making process of the funding life cycle for participating companies in a regulatory-compliant way. As a measure to support the startup industry during the current Coivd19-related restrictions, startups and investors will be exempted from paying any signup fees. Startups will only pay a success fee if a financing commitment from an investor is achieved. BVV will leverage Delio’s digital infrastructure technology, which is used by over 200 financial institutions, including top-tier global banks, to launch the BVV Dealroom.
Gareth Lewis
Gareth Lewis, Chief Executive, at Delio, said,

“Our technology enables investors to navigate the private market space more efficiently and discover high-quality deal opportunities. By working alongside BVV, we hope to empower companies and investors by helping them to overcome the challenges typically faced across the financial and start-up communities. Through this approach, we hope to equip entrepreneurs with the relevant resources to move their business forward amid a time of economic uncertainty.”

The virtual deal marketplace will be limited to 100 active investors at any given time, to ensure targeted and appropriate funding is available to participating companies. BVV approves all pitches and projects of participating blockchain companies upon submission. Investors need to sign specific regulatory declarations, which allows them to browse deals and get in contact with startups. The BVV Dealroom was born out of extensive market research and feedback gathered at tech and VC related conferences.
Zetlmayer concluded,

“Helping startups to overcome funding difficulties is a top priority for BVV. In particular, ways to overcome funding restrictions for blockchain-based startups have always been on our radar. The breakdown of the ICO market has made it more difficult for blockchain companies to raise funds. This, coupled with the new strain on the market caused by the current pandemic, may spell trouble for startups, particularly in the blockchain space, if we don’t rise to the challenge. We believe that the BVV Dealroom offers a solution to such obstacles.”

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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/blockchain-valley-ventures-launches-virtual-deal-marketplace-for-startup-funding</link><guid>1297</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Blockchain Valley Ventures Launches Virtual Deal Marketplace for Startup Funding</dc:text></item><item><title>Bitcoin Suisse Announces Series A Capital Raise. Roger Studer Acts as Lead Investor</title><description><![CDATA[Bitcoin Suisse announced its Series A and first-ever capital raise.
A total of 20% of shares in BTCS Holding AG, the holding company owning and controlling all Bitcoin Suisse subsidiaries, with full voting and dividend rights, are offered for sale at a CHF 275m pre-money valuation, to qualified, accredited and professional investors. The funds raised will bolster the company’s current equity capital of CHF 54m, further accelerating the potential for profitable growth of the company and its cross-border licensing efforts. In the Series A, “friends &amp; family” subscribed and committed around CHF 20m to date.
Series A subscription will continue from May 11th until mid-June 2020 and is open for participation from qualified, accredited, and professional investors, with a CHF 250’000 minimum participation.
Bitcoin Suisse is also proud to announce that the renowned Swiss banker Roger Studer and the Studer Family Office will act as lead investor and opened the Series A “friends &amp; family” phase, which started in April 2020.
Roger Studer
Roger Studer of the Studer Family Office, states:
“Bitcoin Suisse has a high-quality offer, based on a proven and solid business with state-of-the-art technology, and stands as a market leader in the Swiss crypto-financial space, poised to grow rapidly. For these reasons, the Studer Family Office is most excited and pleased to take part in the Series A offering”.
Niklas Nikolajsen
The Founder and President of the Board, Niklas Nikolajsen, sets forth:
“Bitcoin Suisse is my life’s work, and this Series A constitute our first-ever capital raise. With the CHF 54m of company capital gathered through many years of retained earnings, we have come a long way. But looking forward, we could face limitations as to the speed of our growth, as we see great demand for collateralized loans, liquidity provision – and an ever increasing need to secure our on-balance client deposits through Swiss bank guarantees. With the Series A and the capital raised, we will be able to continue our exponential growth, as well as expand with cross border licenses.”
The Bitcoin Suisse Series A is expected to be finalized mid-June 2020.
 
The post Bitcoin Suisse Announces Series A Capital Raise. Roger Studer Acts as Lead Investor appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bitcoin-suisse-announces-series-a-capital-raise-roger-studer-acts-as-lead-investor</link><guid>1298</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Bitcoin Suisse Announces Series A Capital Raise. Roger Studer Acts as Lead Investor</dc:text></item><item><title>An ECB Digital Currency – a Flight of Fancy?</title><description><![CDATA[A recent survey among 66 central banks by the Bank for International Settlements shows that more than 80% are working on central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).
Yves Mersch
*Speech by Yves Mersch, Member of the Executive Board of the ECB and Vice-Chair of the Supervisory Board of the ECB, at the Consensus 2020 virtual conference, 11 May 2020*
The European Central Bank is one of them.
Not because we want to keep up with fashionable trends, but because we have to be ready. Ready to embrace financial technological innovation which has the potential to transform payments and money faster, and in more disruptive ways, than ever before.
We are technology neutral. But if our customers, the people of Europe signalled a change in payments behaviour, we would want to preserve their direct link to the ultimate owner of our currency by maintaining their access to central bank liabilities in euro. Although cash often gets a bad press, demand is not receding. We currently see no indication that the public at large is willing to abandon the valued and trusted advantages of cash. But we are preparing to be ready should things change.
Part of ECB mandate to be ready for change
One implication of financial technological innovation could be an increasingly cashless economy in which people may no longer be able to hold risk-free central bank money. Reliable access to money would then hinge on the stability and efficiency of private retail infrastructures. And trust in money itself would rely on trust in the intermediaries that issue private money.
This is one reason why central banks keep fully up to speed on financial technological developments. After all, providing safe money and a reliable means of payment have been an integral part of the mandate and core business of central banks since their very inception. The ECB is no exception.
So we should be looking ahead and consider whether, in the future, central banks will need to provide the public with some form of digital currency. While electronic payments are already crowding out the use of cash in some countries, whose currencies seem less attractive than the euro, there is no such trend away from cash in the euro area. Some 76% of all transactions in the euro area are carried out in cash, amounting to more than half of the total value of all payments. The demand for cash in the euro area currently outstrips the rate of nominal GDP growth. In crisis times, the demand for cash surges even higher. At mid-March this year, the weekly increase in the value of banknotes in circulation almost reached the historical peak of €19 billion.
The ECB’s debate on CBDCs is therefore mainly analytical. Whether and when it becomes more of a policy debate will largely depend on the preferences of households. We are always willing to innovate in the form of money and payment services that we provide. If, for instance, people voiced a preference tomorrow for plastic or polymer banknotes rather than the traditional paper ones, we would happily accommodate them. In the same vein, we closely follow technological developments and reflect on the type of money and payments that are best suited to the needs of an increasingly digital economy.
The lack of a concrete “business case” for a CBDC at present should and does not stop us from seriously exploring the optimal design of a CBDC so that we will be well prepared should we ever take a policy decision to issue a digital currency. To this end, we have set up a task force on a CBDC within the Eurosystem.
Let me give you a preview of our deliberations, starting with different design options.
Legally solid despite fancy design?
Most of the money issued by central banks is in fact already digital, albeit not called CBDC. This is true for the bulk of the money issued through our wholesale credit operations with our counterparties. At present, access to the central bank balance sheet offers the possibility to access digital central bank money.
What could change in the future is the scope of the parties eligible to access our central bank balance sheets. Indeed, this lies at the heart of the discussion on CBDCs.
A wholesale CBDC, restricted to a limited group of financial counterparties, would be largely business as usual. However, a retail CBDC, accessible to all, would be a game changer. So a retail CBDC is now our main focus.
Setting up a CBDC would require a solid legal basis, in line with the principle of conferral under EU law. One key consideration here is whether a retail CBDC could and should have the same legal tender status as banknotes and coins. In practice, legal tender status implies that a CBDC would have to be usable at any location and under any condition, possibly even offline. Without legal tender status, the legal basis would need to be clarified, as would the relationship between a CBDC and euro banknotes and coins, along with the process by which one could be exchanged for the other. Should it not be acknowledged that the ECB’s exclusive right to authorise issuance in euro would also be applicable to a digital issuance?
A retail CBDC could be based on digital tokens, which would circulate in a decentralised manner – that is without a central ledger – and allow for anonymity towards the central bank, similar to cash. Some argue that a token-based digital currency might not guarantee complete anonymity. If that proved to be the case, it would inevitably raise social, political and legal issues. We are currently looking into the legal questions raised by the potential use of intermediaries to facilitate the circulation of a CBDC and also the processing of transactions in a CBDC. To what extent are we permitted to outsource public law tasks to private entities? And what would be the appropriate extent of supervision over such entities?
Alternatively, a retail CBDC could be based on deposit accounts with the central bank. Though involving vast numbers of accounts, it would not be a particularly innovative option from a technological viewpoint. For the euro area, it would basically mean increasing the number of current deposit accounts offered from around ten thousand to between 300 and 500 million. A CBDC of this nature would enable the central bank to register transfers between users, thereby providing protection against money laundering and other illicit uses (or those considered illicit by the rulers of the day), depending on the degree of privacy granted to users.
These are just two of the many ways to design a CBDC. We are currently scrutinising the various options to assess their potential impact – both positive and negative – on the financial system and on our ability to honour our mandate.
Disintermediation – economically inefficient and legally untenable
You may wonder why central banks have not chosen to provide retail access to central bank money, despite the technology for an account-based CBDC already being largely available. The main reason is that introducing a retail CBDC could have major consequences for the financial system.
If households were able to convert commercial bank deposits into a CBDC at a rate of 1 to 1, they may find it far more attractive to hold a risk-free CBDC rather than bank deposits. During a systemic banking crisis, this could trigger digital bank runs of unprecedented speed and scale, magnifying the effects of such a crisis.
Banks might manage to render their deposits more attractive than central bank ones. They could, for instance, provide additional services to those offered by central banks. Such services could include paying bills, or cross-selling financial insurance products. Otherwise – even in the absence of a crisis – a readily convertible CBDC could crowd out bank deposits, leading to the disintermediation of the banking sector. This could have far-reaching implications for the structure of the financial system and for the ability of central banks to perform their core tasks and ensure that their monetary policy is transmitted to the real economy.
If the central bank were to take retail deposits, it might also have to provide loans, with all the ensuing consequences. The central bank would need to launch customer-facing business lines. Deposit and lending facilities would also require the central bank to take on the burden of regulatory compliance in areas such as anti-money laundering, consumer protection and confidentiality.
Some argue that this may reinforce monetary sovereignty, as disintermediation would make the financial system safer and reduce the moral hazard of banks by diminishing their role in money creation.
But disintermediation would be economically inefficient and legally untenable. The EU Treaty provides for the ECB to operate in an open market economy, essentially reflecting a policy choice in favour of decentralised market decisions on the optimal allocation of resources. Historical cases of economy-wide resource allocation by central banks are hardly models of efficiency or good service. Furthermore, a retail CBDC would create a disproportionate concentration of power in the central bank.
These potentially highly adverse effects on the financial system would appear to outweigh the benefits envisaged by the introduction of a retail CBDC.
What, then, could be done to mitigate the impact of a CBDC on the financial system?
One option could be to remunerate CBDC at below-market rates in order to create incentives for non-banks to rely more on market-based alternatives rather than on central bank deposits. The drawback would be that, in times of crisis, it may become necessary to apply highly negative rates, which could generate criticism from the public and substantially undermine public confidence in the central bank as well as in the basic values of saving which underlie our societies.
Another option is a tiered remuneration system. In line with the functions of money, the first tier could serve as a means of payment. The central bank would have to refrain from setting a lower or a negative interest rate in order to keep a CBDC attractive to the public as a means of payment. While the second tier could serve as a store of value, the central banks could discourage people from using it as such by setting unattractive interest rates. However, such schemes should draw from the experience of multiple exchange rate regimes. And the repercussions of the intentional use of such schemes need to be subjected to an additional comprehensive investigation.
So we have plenty of questions on CBDC to discuss. I am nearing the end of my speech but look forward to exchanging views with you during our virtual Q&amp;A session.
Conclusion
In monitoring the evolution and uses of technology, the ECB respects technological neutrality. We do not serve technology – technology serves us. We will only introduce a digital currency if we become firmly convinced that it is both necessary and proportionate to fulfil our tasks in ensuring the stability of our currency.
In the meantime, we take a keen interest in digital innovation and in the changing expectations of money users, and we are refining our thinking on CBDC – both within the ECB, the Eurosystem and in the international central banking community. CBDC design choices are not merely technical questions. They have policy and legal implications. This is why we are devoting so much attention to every detail.
If and when the time comes, we want to be ready – and we will be ready.
 
The post An ECB Digital Currency – a Flight of Fancy? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/an-ecb-digital-currency-a-flight-of-fancy</link><guid>1299</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>An ECB Digital Currency – a Flight of Fancy?</dc:text></item><item><title>Bank Frick Offers Crypto Trading via Online Banking</title><description><![CDATA[Bank Frick&#8217;s online banking now allows trading with cryptocurrencies. In addition, with Bank Frick&#8217;s online banking, financial intermediaries benefit from mass subscription for all their customer bases and the execution of block orders when trading securities.
Bank Frick is the first financial institution from Liechtenstein to enable trading in nine leading cryptocurrencies conveniently via its online banking. Trading takes place within the fully regulated framework of the bank.
The bank&#8217;s offering is aimed specifically at financial intermediaries such as fiduciaries, asset managers and institutional clients. For these clients, crypto trading in Bank Frick&#8217;s online banking offers the opportunity to make the new crypto-asset class accessible to their end customers in a simple and convenient way, thereby setting themselves apart from their competitors.
Stefan Rauti
&#8220;Our intuitive user interface simplifies trading with cryptocurrencies and enables intermediaries to diversify their client portfolios quickly and easily,&#8221;
says Stefan Rauti, Head Private Clients and EAM at Bank Frick.
&#8220;Classic and Blockchain Banking will thus continue to grow together.&#8221;
 
 
Mass subscription und block orders for intermediaries
In Bank Frick&#8217;s online banking, asset managers can now release payment orders in an extremely time-saving manner using the mass subscription function – i.e. the one-off subscription across all customer bases. The online banking function enables all subscription rights to be displayed – from individual to collective subscription.
In addition, Bank Frick&#8217;s online banking now enables the processing of block orders when trading in securities, which can then be distributed to the individual client accounts. The new functions and process optimisations enable more efficient processing and thus save time for intermediaries, who will be able to concentrate even more on their core business in future.

The post Bank Frick Offers Crypto Trading via Online Banking appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bank-frick-offers-crypto-trading-via-online-banking</link><guid>1300</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Bank Frick Offers Crypto Trading via Online Banking</dc:text></item><item><title>Interest in Central Bank Digital Currency Surging</title><description><![CDATA[Around the world, interest around central bank digital currency (CBDC) is surging, with an increasing number of central banks looking to issuing their own digital currencies to wholesale networks of banks, corporates, fintechs, but also the general public, according to a new report by R3.
In a paper titled Central Bank Digital Currency: an innovation in payments, the blockchain enterprise company examines the increasing interest around CBDC, focusing on progress made so far.
Wholesale CBDC projects
Amongst the two main types of CBDC, wholesale CBDC has been the major area of focus, with several central banks around the world launching initiatives as part of an effort to modernize their payments systems.
These wholesale CBDCs are restricted-access digital tokens for wholesale settlements such as interbank payments or securities settlement, and are meant to be used by commercial banks, clearing institutions or other entities that have traditionally had access to central bank reserves. Experiments in this field generally focus on replacing current technologies with the aim of realizing efficiency gains.
The report cites two wholesale CBDC projects: Bank of Canada’s Project Jasper, and Bank of Thailand’s Project Inthanon.
Project Jasper is a collaborative research initiative between the public and private sectors aimed at understanding how distributed ledger technology (DLT) could transform the wholesale payments system. The project is currently in its 4th phase where the Canadian central bank is working with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Bank of England on a cross-border, cross-currency settlement system.
Project Inthanon is a collaborative project led by the Bank of Thailand that involves several commercial banks. The project aims to explore potential benefits of DLT in enhancing Thailand’s financial infrastructure as well as to develop an ecosystem that would support technological learning and advancement. Project Inthanon’s Part III started in mid-2019 and involves a partnership with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority to explore interoperability among ledgers to achieve cross-border funds transfer.
Other notable wholesale CBDC initiatives that exist include Project Ubin led by MAS, and Project Stella by the European Central Bank (ECB) and Bank of Japan.
Retail CBDC projects
Retail CBDC, while not currently existing in production, have witnessed increased interest, the R3 report says, noting that a growing number of central banks were currently conducting research and embarking on proofs of concept (PoCs).
In Sweden, for example, Riksbank began testing its e-krona digital currency meant for retail use in February. If the e-krona comes into circulation, it would be used to simulate everyday banking activities such as payments, as well as deposits and withdrawals from a digital wallet. The pilot project will run until the end of February 2021, though more tests could be conducted after that.
In China, the country’s central bank has been working on a retail CBDC that would act as an alternative to cash and coins for retail use. Earlier this month, the People’s Bank of China started trialing the state-run digital currency in several cities including Shenzhen, Suzhou, and Chengdu, as well as a new area south of Beijing, Xiong’an, and areas that will host some of the events for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, reports the Guardian.
Other countries and regions that are currently piloting a retail CBDC project include the Bahamas, Ecuador, the Eastern Caribbean, Cambodia, Ukraine, and Uruguay, according to a March 2020 research paper by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS).
A 2020 survey among 66 central banks by the BIS found that a large number of central banks around the world are actively developing retail CBDCs, with a third stating that issuing a retail CBDC was a medium-term possibility.
More than 80% are currently working on a CBDC project, whether wholesale or retail, the study found.
 
Ongoing retail CBDC projects (1/2), Source: Bank for International Settlements, BIS Quarterly Review: The technology of retail central bank digital currency, March 2020
Ongoing retail CBDC projects (122), Source: Bank for International Settlements, BIS Quarterly Review: The technology of retail central bank digital currency, March 2020
The post Interest in Central Bank Digital Currency Surging appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/interest-in-central-bank-digital-currency-surging</link><guid>1296</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Ongoing-retail-CBDC-projects-12.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Interest in Central Bank Digital Currency Surging</dc:text></item><item><title>Redstone/SBI: Ein Neuer 200 Mio. Euro Fonds für Industry 4.0 Startups</title><description><![CDATA[Redstone initiiert gemeinsam mit der japanischen SBI-Group den Future Industry Ventures Fonds (FIV). Mit dem Joint Venture starten die Partner einen Fonds, der sich an Start-Ups aus dem Sektor Industry 4.0 richtet. Das Zielvolumen des Fonds liegt bei 200 Millionen Euro.
Der FIV-Fonds will europäische Champions aufbauen, die mit innovativen Technologielösungen in den nächsten Jahren die Industrieproduktion nachhaltig verändern werden. Europäische Unternehmen setzen bis heute Maßstäbe in der Industrieproduktion. Um diesen Innovationsvorsprung zu halten, werden Lösungen in Bereichen wie Smart Factory, Internet of Things (IoT) oder Robotics, immer wichtiger. Start-Ups spielen hier bei der Forschung und Entwicklungen eine Schlüsselrolle. Der FIV-Fonds wird dabei helfen, aus den besten Ideen erfolgreiche Produkte und Geschäftsmodelle am Markt zu etablieren und zu skalieren.
Das Zielvolumen des Fonds liegt bei 200 Millionen Euro, wobei Einzelinvestments bis zu zehn Millionen in erfolgreiche Start-Ups in den späteren Wachstumsphasen möglich sind.
Neben den Initiatoren werden sich weitere namhafte Investoren am FIV-Fonds beteiligen. Dazu zählen sowohl institutionelle Investoren als auch Corporates aus der europäischen Industrie, die mit ihrer Markt- und Branchenexpertise den Start-Ups dabei helfen werden, Netzwerke zu Industriepartnern aufzubauen und deren Bedürfnisse besser zu verstehen.
Samuli Sirén
Samuli Sirén, Managing Director und Gründer von Redstone, sagt zum Start des neuen Fonds:
“International steht “Made in Germany” weiterhin für Qualität, Präzision und Effizienz in der Industrie. Damit das auch in Zukunft so bleibt, brauchen die Unternehmen konstante Innovationen. Start-Ups spielen dabei eine immer wichtigere Rolle, denn sie sind schnell, agil und häufig sehr eng mit der Spitzenforschung verzahnt. Egal ob Robotik, Machine Learning oder Internet of Things &#8211; wir sehen hierzulande viele grossartige Lösungen in den Schlüsseltechnologien für die Industry 4.0. Zusammen mit der jahrzehntelangen Erfahrung und der hervorragenden Marktpositionierung der hiesigen Unternehmen haben wir die perfekte Mischung für nachhaltige Erfolgsgeschichten.
Mit dem FIV-Fond wollen wir deshalb die finanziellen Mittel bereitstellen, um die komplexe Entwicklung von Business to Business Lösungen für die Industrie voranzutreiben. Und wir wollen mit unserem starken Netzwerk dazu beitragen, Kooperationen von Start-Ups und etablierten Industrieunternehmen voranzubringen. Mit der SBI Group haben wir dabei einen starken Partner an der Seite, der dabei helfen wird, auch die Internationalisierung speziell auf dem asiatischen Markt zu beschleunigen.“
Yoshitaka Kitao
Yoshitaka Kitao, CEO der SBI Group ergänzt:
„Wir haben die Entscheidung für das Joint Venture aus der Überzeugung heraus getroffen, dass in Europa die Innovationskraft und die technologische Expertise für zukunftsfähige Industrielösungen bis heute ihresgleichen sucht. Gerade für klassische Industrienationen wie Japan werden solche Technologien zukünftig immer wichtiger für den nachhaltigen wirtschaftlichen Erfolg werden. Mit Redstone haben wir einen Partner gefunden, der dank seiner einzigartigen, datengestützten Analysefähigkeiten in der Lage ist, die vielversprechendsten Investitionsziele hier punktgenau und objektiv zu identifizieren.“
The post Redstone/SBI: Ein Neuer 200 Mio. Euro Fonds für Industry 4.0 Startups appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/redstonesbi-ein-neuer-200-mio-euro-fonds-fur-industry-40-startups</link><guid>1295</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Redstone/SBI: Ein Neuer 200 Mio. Euro Fonds für Industry 4.0 Startups</dc:text></item><item><title>White Paper Outlines Need for Smaller Lenders to Collaborate with Fintechs</title><description><![CDATA[Community banks and credit unions are struggling to keep up with the pace of innovation due to limited capacity, lack of skills, and limited budget. Given these limitations, smaller lenders must collaborate with fintech companies to meet fast-changing customer demands and rapidly adopt fintech innovation, according to a new white paper by financial software provider Finastra.
Customers, especially younger, digital-savvy ones, are demanding seamless digital experiences, and personalized services delivered at their fingertips. According to a ABA/Morning Consult survey released in November 2019, nearly three quarters of Americans (73%) most often access their bank accounts via online and mobile channels, with mobile being the preferred method for younger generations.
But for regional and community banks, innovating has been harder than it seems as these smaller lenders often lack the resources and capital of larger financial institutions to develop innovation internally. Instead, an increasing number of them are turning to fintechs to accelerate digitalization, serve customers better and reduce their costs.
A 2017 Manatt and Mergermarket study found that 81% of regional and community bank executives said they were collaborating with fintechs, with 86% of respondents stating that working with fintechs was “absolutely essential” or “very important” for their institution’s success.
These banks have even began launching their own fintech programs, with for example, Kansas City-based nbkc bank introducing its Fountain City Fintech accelerator in 2018 to help foster partnerships with fintech companies.
Challenges in fintech/bank collaborations
But fintech/incumbent collaboration doesn’t come without its challenges, according to the Finastra white paper.
Fintechs’ market reach is limited, their ability to scale is poor and the effort per potential customer is significant, resulting oftentimes to lengthy, costly sales cycles with limited success, the paper says.
And since most implementations are unique and customer-specific, these projects often consume key resources from the fintech which lacks the scale enabled by a partner network and a services organization of a larger software vendor.
To address collaboration issues in the financial services sector, Finastra launched in 2018 an open platform called FusionFabric.cloud.
FusionFabric.cloud enables fintech companies and other creators of financial applications, including banks, system integrators, and individual developers, to build, deploy and operate cloud applications through open APIs to Finastra’s core banking infrastructure.
For fintechs, the platform not only provides a solid ‘go to market’ process that reduces friction at each phase of the journey, but also enables easy collaboration with financial institutions.
FusionFabric.cloud illustration, Source: Finastra.com
Prior to going live with the platform in mid-2018, Finastra had run an early adopter program since July 2017, which saw over 60 fintech firms and software providers sign up. And since the official launch of FusionFabric.cloud, a number of leading fintechs including NetGuardians and Allied Payment Network, have used it to facilitate their collaboration efforts with financial institutions, developing applications that range from bill payments to artificial intelligence (AI)-based personal savings products.
While the need for incumbent financial institutions to innovate and keep with technological advances have been widely discussed over the past couple of years, the urgency is even more pressing today as the COVID-19 pandemic is accelerating the shift to digital.
A recent report from venture capital (VC) firm Finch Capital suggests that the current crisis could end up benefiting the fintech industry by accelerating the rush to digitization, with demand for AI, Internet-of-Things (IoT), software, and other companies helping financials becoming digital expected to surge.
The report notes that so-called fintech enablers are now in high demand, especially those that use AI to automate customer support, as well as account-opening and loan procedures, in addition to companies in the area of digital know-your-customer (eKYC).
Featured image credit: Unsplash
The post White Paper Outlines Need for Smaller Lenders to Collaborate with Fintechs appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/white-paper-outlines-need-for-smaller-lenders-to-collaborate-with-fintechs</link><guid>1293</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/FusionFabric.cloud-illustration-Finastra.com_.png</dc:content ><dc:text>White Paper Outlines Need for Smaller Lenders to Collaborate with Fintechs</dc:text></item><item><title>COVID-19 Crisis to Give Fintech Enablers a Boost</title><description><![CDATA[The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to a head the importance of a digital economy. In this context, competition is set to accelerate in the fintech sector as the digital shift will make stakeholders fight for market share, according to tech advisory and investment firm GP Bullhound.
In its latest market report on the fintech space, the firm gives insights on COVID-19’s impact on fintech, exploring which sub sectors are likely to be impacted more than others.
According to the report, though COVID-19 has and will continue to be a challenge for all fintech participants, some sub-sectors, including banking software-as-a-service (SaaS), know-your-customer (KYC)/anti-money laundering (AML) technologies, and machine learning (ML)/artificial intelligence (AI), will likely benefit from the increased shift to a digital economy.
So-called fintech enablers could witness a spike as the urgency of digitalization becomes more evident.
The impact of COVID-19 on the fintech sector, Q1 2020 Sector Update Fintech, GP Bullhound, April 2020
This trend will be noticeable on share prices with verticals that include financial data and analytics, as well as some payments players, expected to trade relatively well throughout this period, the report says.
A toll on fintech markets
Overall, the COVID-19 crisis and the resulting consequences have put a toll on fintech markets, with valuations currently below the three-year average, the report says.
Fintech valuations are currently below the 3-year average, Q1 2020 Sector Update Fintech, GP Bullhound, April 2020
GP Bullhound’s fintech index, which includes 13 top public fintech companies such as PayPal, Square, Adyen, Lending Club and Funding Circle, dropped by ~US$24 billion throughout Q1 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The firm expects volatility to continue during the lockdown period.
GP Bullhound’s fintech index dropped by ~US$24bn over Q1 2020, Q1 2020 Sector Update Fintech, GP Bullhound, April 2020
Fintech transactions slowing down
Fintech M&amp;A and funding activity continued slowing down in Q1 2020, a trend that began in Q4 2019.
Fintech transactions, Q1 2020 Sector Update Fintech, GP Bullhound, April 2020
Further consolidation in the payments market took place with the two biggest deals being the acquisition of Plaid by Visa and the acquisition of Ingenico by Worldline.

The quarter also saw five challenger banks, including Tandem, Revolut, Starling Bank and Qonto, raise capital, showcasing that investors are still bullish and looking to gain exposure to startups in the space.
In these dire times, investors will increasingly focus on “quality of unit economics rather than growth at all cost,” the report says, and will favor those are able to demonstrate user growth through organic channels and highlight their capabilities monetizing users.
Fintech trends in Q1 2020
The study, which also examines private placements trends in Q1 2020, notes that in the past quarter, challenger banks renewed their focus in business banking with Monzo, Startling and Revolut all ramping up their free and paid plans to gain market share from traditional lenders in the past quarter.
In the AI/ML fintech space, software for KYC/AML processes, fraud detection, credit scoring and sentiment analysis, remained under the spotlight in Q1 2020 as the COVID-19 crisis provided players in the field with the chance to prove themselves.
Moving forward, the report says that leading companies such as AI-based ID verification platform Onfido, credit checking and credit product marketplace ClearScore, credit assessment services provider Aire, and client onboarding specialist Hooyu, could very well start winning significant market share from traditional players and come into 2021 as the new standard for AI/ML applications.
Q1 2020 also saw continued M&amp;A activity in open banking with the acquisition of Plaid by Visa and more recently the acquisition of Strands by CRI. According to GP Bullhound, this is signaling the beginning of an M&amp;A wave in this sector as incumbents look to enhance their capabilities in account aggregation, personal finance management and faster payments.
The post COVID-19 Crisis to Give Fintech Enablers a Boost appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/covid-19-crisis-to-give-fintech-enablers-a-boost</link><guid>1294</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/The-impact-of-COVID-19-on-the-fintech-sector-Q1-2020-Sector-Update-Fintech-GP-Bullhound-April-2020-1.png</dc:content ><dc:text>COVID-19 Crisis to Give Fintech Enablers a Boost</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Influencer Switzerland Interview Series: 7 Fragen an Urs Bolt</title><description><![CDATA[Fintechnews.ch interviewt in einer Serie von Kurz-Interviews seit Jahren bekannte Schweizer Fintech Influenzer. Diese Woche erzählt uns der Wealthtech Experte Urs Bolt* warum er sich so sehr mit Fintech in China beschäftigt. Zudem werden wie gewohnt Top Schweizer Fintech Startups und ein(e) Influenzer(in) nominiert.
Hallo Urs, was hat sich während der Covid19-Pandemie  für Dich persönlich verändert?
Von der Arbeitsweise hat sich nicht viel verändert, ich habe schon vorher zumeist von zuhause gearbeitet. Allerdings hat sich meine Reisetätigkeit auf einen Schlag auf null reduziert, das war aber auch mal schön, weil ich mehr Zeit habe für längere Wanderungen und Läufe. So kenne ich jetzt fast jeden Hügelzug in der Umgebung und die meisten Aussichtstürme.
Ab Mitte März bis Ende April ist praktisch alles Berufliche zum Stillstand gekommen, aber seit Anfang Mai spüre ich wieder Aufbruchstimmung im Netzwerk. Nun hoffe ich, dass wieder Schwung in meine Aktivitäten kommen und ich bald ein neues grosses Mandat in Angriff nehmen kann.
Ist ja nun schon mehr als 2 Jahre her seit Du nicht mehr Banker bist. Hast Du das Gefühl das Banking hat sich seither verändert und ist mehr Digital geworden? Denkst Du Corona ist der Digital Beschleuniger für die Branche der bisher fehlte?
Banking verändert sich auf jeden Fall, nur dauert es einfach aus meiner Sicht viel zu lange bis wir endlich digitale Kundenerlebnisse haben die rundum Spass machen.
Mit der Corona-Krise sind viele Banker zwangsläufig und praktisch über Nacht auf Online-Kanäle umgestiegen. Viele haben wahrscheinlich gemerkt, dass es auch so geht. Was jetzt kommen muss ist die Integration des neu Gelernten in die Standardprozesse und eine nachhaltige Digitalisierung. Dazu gehören professionell gestaltete Kunden- und Abwicklungsprozesse, die Integration von externen Services. So entstehen neue Plattformen und Ecosysteme die reibungslos miteinander funktionieren.
Mit was beschäftigst Du Dich derzeit?
Derzeit habe ich den Fokus auf digitales Wealth Management und Ökosysteme. Ich glaube, dass die führenden Private Bankers nur zum vertrauenswürdigen Kundenberater werden indem sie den ganzen Lebenszyklus und das Umfeld des Kunden verstehen. Mit einer Produktorientierung allein geht das nicht. Es braucht deshalb neue Wege und Möglichkeiten zur Zusammenarbeit mit Experten und Dienstleistern. Diese können aber nicht einfach auf eine Kernbankenplattform mit Wurzeln in den 70er- oder 80er-Jahren integriert werden. Der Wandel Richtung Ökosysteme findet statt, mit oder ohne Privatbanken. Mir ist es ein Anliegen, dass der Schweizer Finanzplatz auch in Zukunft zu den führenden der Welt gehört.
Du warst ja schon mehrmals in China und kennst die Fintech Trends dort sehr gut , was verpassen wir hier?
Das stimmt, leider konnte ich in den letzten Monaten aufgrund der COVID19-Pandemie nicht nach China. Aber ich verfolge das Geschehen auf anderen Kanälen sehr eng.
Was mich in China insbesondere beeindruckt ist die Geschwindigkeit des digitalen Wandels, kein Vergleich mit der Schweiz. Und das in einem Land mit 1.4 Milliarden Menschen! Das ganze wirkt auf mich wie ein gigantisches Orchester, in dem der Staat, die Provinzen, Städte und die Privatwirtschaft gemeinsam eine Vision Schritt für Schritt in die Realität umsetzen.
Bitte nenne uns ein Fintech in China was wir verfolgen sollen und sag uns warum?
WeBank aus Shenzhen ist einer meiner Favoriten. Ein hervorragendes Beispiel für eine volldigitale Bank, Leadership in Management, Kundenorientierung und Technologie sowie für Kollaboration mit BigTech.
Was kann die Schweiz von Fintech in China lernen?
Wir sollten im Westen insbesondere von den Innovationen lernen und verstehen, wie wir davon profitieren können. Das kann durch Zusammenarbeit oder simples &#8220;Kopieren&#8221; sein. Natürlich können wir nicht die gleiche Governance wie in China kopieren. Von aussen denken viele, dass das alles von der Regierung kommt. Das kann ich so nicht bestätigen, es braucht jedes Element damit das auch in der Praxis funktioniert. Meine Erkenntnis ist, dass die Entscheidungen in China nicht aus einem Elfenbeinturm kommen, sondern das Resultat von komplexen Meinungsbildungs- und Entscheidungsprozessen sind. Deshalb sollten wir uns intensiv damit befassen.
Welches Schweizer Fintech Startup sollten wir unbedingt auf dem Radar haben?
Oh das fällt mir schwer, Aber evtl. Apiax (RegTech), Futurae (Cybersecurity) oder SonectMe (basic banking redefined)?
Bitte nominiere einen Schweizer Fintech Influenzer der sich auch international auskennt?
Efi Pylarinou würde doch gut passen?
 
*Bio Swiss Fintech Influencer Urs Bolt:
Urs Bolt
Urs Bolt  hat über 30 Jahre Erfahrung im Banking.  Er ist spezialisiert auf die Entwicklung und Einführung von neuen Digitalen Business Plattformen.  Derzeit konzentriert er sich darauf Finanzdienstleistern und Technologieunternehmen dabei zu helfen, Geschäftsstrategien zu überprüfen /neu auszurichten oder diese bei strategischen Projekten zu beraten. 
The post Fintech Influencer Switzerland Interview Series: 7 Fragen an Urs Bolt appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-influencer-switzerland-interview-series-7-fragen-an-urs-bolt</link><guid>1292</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech Influencer Switzerland Interview Series: 7 Fragen an Urs Bolt</dc:text></item><item><title>SEBA Bank and Tokensoft to Enter Strategic Partnership for Asset Tokenization</title><description><![CDATA[SEBA Bank  and Tokensoft announced their strategic partnership in asset tokenization. Tokensoft’s tokenization platform will become an integral component of SEBA’s asset tokenization services. US-based Tokensoft Inc. provides the technology to Tokensoft for the provision of tokenization solutions and blockchain software services in Switzerland and Europe.
SEBA and Tokensoft have been collaborating closely on a range of digital client solutions and technologies and are pleased these will be made available as part of this strategic partnership with the primary goal of:

Broadening SEBA’s tailored asset tokenization technology and advisory solutions for institutions and qualified private individuals, allowing clients to design, structure, issue and manage digital assets on SEBA’s platform,
Combining Tokensoft’s deep technology expertise as well as critical market infrastructure utilities with SEBA’s profound financial market knowledge and enterprise grade tokenization capabilities to offer it to a wider range of clients, and
Promoting common tokenization standards to ensure interoperability between blockchain and traditional financial systems, bridging traditional fiat-banking with both existing and emerging digital banking processes and technology.

Matthew Alexander
Matthew Alexander, Head Asset Tokenization at SEBA:
“We are convinced that this strategic partnership will enable us to provide our clients with enhanced tokenization technology and solutions to suit existing and emerging demands. As one of the leading security token issuance and asset servicing platforms, Tokensoft’s core competencies perfectly complement our existing asset tokenization capabilities. Our Asset Tokenization division offers enterprise grade solutions, with our Swiss banking license assuring the highest standards in security and stability”.
Mason Borda
Mason Borda, CEO of Tokensoft Inc.:
“Switzerland has been at the forefront of digital asset development – SEBA is globally one of the first banks with a focus on digital assets, which received a banking and securities dealer license from the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA). We believe that such partnerships are the kind of careful, detailed groundwork that will lay the foundations for a robust Digital Asset Economy in the years to come.”
The post SEBA Bank and Tokensoft to Enter Strategic Partnership for Asset Tokenization appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/seba-bank-and-tokensoft-to-enter-strategic-partnership-for-asset-tokenization</link><guid>1301</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>SEBA Bank and Tokensoft to Enter Strategic Partnership for Asset Tokenization</dc:text></item><item><title>Umfrage: Schweizer Digitalversicherer Kommen Gestärkt aus der Coronakrise</title><description><![CDATA[Laut einer Umfrage des Verbandes Digitalversicherung Schweiz (VDVS) konnten 84% der Mitglieder trotz Lockdown das Kunden- und Prämienvolumen stabil halten oder weiter steigern. Eine Mehrheit der Mitglieder ist zudem überzeugt, dass die Coronakrise die Nachfrage nach digitalen Versicherungslösungen weiter beschleunigen wird.
Credits: Stephen Dawson / Unsplash
In einer Umfrage zeigt sich die digitale Versicherungsindustrie der Schweiz als krisenresistent und zuversichtlich. Die VDVS-Mitglieder gehen insgesamt davon aus, dass die Pandemie das Nutzerverhalten und damit verbunden die Gewohnheiten und Ansprüche an digitale Versicherungslösungen generationenübergreifend verändern wird.
Die detaillierten Resultate der Umfrage sind wie folgt:

84% der Mitglieder konnten in den Lockdown-Monaten März und April das Kunden- und Prämienvolumen weiter steigern oder stabil halten.
84% der Mitglieder gehen davon aus, dass die Pandemie die Nachfrage nach digitalen Versicherungslösungen beschleunigen wird.
33% der Mitglieder planen derzeit die Anzahl Mitarbeiter über die nächsten 12 Monate zu erhöhen.
84% der Mitglieder verfügen über eine digitalisierte Abschlussstrecke (u.a. ohne Nassunterschrift).
67% setzen auf eine komplett papierlose Kundenkommunikation.
92% bieten die Möglichkeit von digitalen Zahlungsmitteln wie Kreditkarten, E-Bill, E-Rechnung, o.ä.

Die Umfrage wurde im Zeitraum vom 5. bis 10. Mai 2020 anonymisiert unter allen VDVS-Mitgliedern durchgeführt.
 
Featured image credit: Unsplash
The post Umfrage: Schweizer Digitalversicherer Kommen Gestärkt aus der Coronakrise appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/umfrage-schweizer-digitalversicherer-kommen-gestarkt-aus-der-coronakrise</link><guid>1291</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/swiss-insurtech-1024x737.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Umfrage: Schweizer Digitalversicherer Kommen Gestärkt aus der Coronakrise</dc:text></item><item><title>Neue PropTech Map für die Schweiz</title><description><![CDATA[Die PropTech Map Switzerland ist ab sofort komplett neu, getreu nach dem Motto: Alles neu macht der Mai. Die PropTech Map Switzerland hat schon viele Gesichter gehabt. Jetzt kommt sie neu und noch umfangreicher daher.
Noch nie so viele Firmen auf der PropTech Map
Die erste Map hatte 2017 gerade mal 110 Logo. Noch nie waren so viele Firmen auf der neuen PropTech Map Switzerland. Über 250 Startups und PropTechs sind in 11 Kategorien aufgeteilt. Die Zuteilung ist nicht immer einfach. Als Verantwortlicher behalte ich mir das Recht der Einteilung vor. Services weist die meisten Logos auf, was nicht verwunderlich ist. Noch jung ist die Kategorie „Construction“ mit 17 PropTechs.
Blockchain stagniert
Nach der ersten Euphorie um Blockchain ist wieder etwas Ruhe eingekehrt. Mit nur gerade vier Firmen hat die Kategorie noch Potenzial nach oben. Bewegung ist auch bei den Immobilienmarktplätzen entstanden. Einige Marktplätze sind verschwunden, die Bereinigung schreitet voran. Auf der alten Map habe ich noch die Kategorie „Cemetery“ geführt. Aktuell sind bald 20 Firmen zu finden. Einige sind gescheitert, andere haben fusioniert. Ich gehe davon aus, dass die Konsolidierung bei den PropTechs noch lange nicht zu Ende ist.
Mehr ausländische PropTechs
Unter den PropTechs auf der aktuellen PropTech Map Switzerland sind mehr Startups aus der DACH-Region zu finden als zuvor. Hier drei Neuzugänge aus den drei Ländern:

Schweiz: ImmoDigi verspricht eine einfachere Bewirtschaftung dank Digitalisierung. In Zeichen von Covid-19 lassen sich beispielsweise mit der ImmoApp virtuelle Eigentümerversammlungen durchführen.
Deutschland: Mit Simplifa aus Berlin ist das Aufzugsmanagement so einfach wie nie zuvor. Simplifa hat gerade 2 Millionen Euro frisches Kapital erhalten.
Österreich: ARIOT bietet Augmented Reality für den ganzen Immobilien-Lifecycle. Basierend auf BIM entwickeln sie den Digitalen Twin in der Cloud.

Die PropTech Map Switzerland lebt von dein Neuzugängen. Nur so kann sie dem Anspruch gerecht werden, die komplette Übersicht über die Schweizer PropTech-Szene zu sein. Sollte ein Unternehmen fehlen, bitte mir melden unter heinz.m.schwyter@proptechnews.ch.

 
Dieser Artikel erschien zuerat auf dem proptechnews.ch
The post Neue PropTech Map für die Schweiz appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/neue-proptech-map-fur-die-schweiz</link><guid>1289</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/PropTech-Map-Switzerland.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Neue PropTech Map für die Schweiz</dc:text></item><item><title>8 Key Trends Changing the Banking Landscape</title><description><![CDATA[To remain relevant, banks will have to embrace emerging technologies, become flexible to adopt evolving business models, and put customers at the center of every strategy, according to Deloitte.
In a Perspectives piece, the consultancy firm outlines eight main tech trends it believes will shape how banks will look like by 2030.
Eight key trends changing the banking landscape
These trends are arising from technological advances including blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI), and are driven by increasing demand for hyper-personalization from digital-savvy Millennials, as well as and the rise of platformification in banking, among other things.
According to Deloitte, banks must react quickly and “transform boldly” in order to be successful in this evolving landscape.
New cyber risks and financial crimes (CyFi)
Traditional prevention methods are no longer protecting consumers from complex and sophisticated financial crimes. Hence, financial institutions need to embrace advanced technologies such as analytics and AI to improve threat visibility and detect fraud effectively, Deloitte says.
Findings from a 2019 study by Accenture found almost eight out of 10 business leaders believe that they are adopting new technologies faster than they can address related security issues, and estimates that nearly US$350 billion of value could be lost by the banking sector to cybercrime in the next five years.
Data integrity and analytics
Trends such as open banking will force banks to open up customer transaction data to third parties. This will likely have profound effects on traditional retail banking and will require organizations to make strategic choices around business-model impacts and customer retention.
Leveraging cutting edge technologies
New technologies including AI, automation, blockchain and the cloud, are drastically changing the industry in the front, middle, and back office. Banks will need to embrace these emerging technologies and keep up with the rapid pace at which the sector is transforming.
According to UBS, blockchain and AI will be at the heart of the fintech evolution, bringing both opportunities and challenges to the financial sector. The bank estimates that blockchain could generate annual economic value worth US$300–400 billion globally by 2027.
As for AI, Autonomous Next projects that AI applications could help banks save an aggregated US$447 billion by 2023, with the front and middle office accounting for US$416 billion of that total.
Becoming digital
Moving forward, technology will continue to be the driver of business growth and will remain key to delivering a wide range of services through excellent customer experience.
A 2019 Bain &amp; Company survey found that consumers are increasingly willing to use tech firms for simpler banking products if a traditional provider makes it hard to find out about or purchase products on a mobile device or online. This is especially true for younger, digital-savvy populations as 75% of consumers between 18 and 24 said they would use a banking product offered by an “established” tech company.
But while digital transformation has become an imperative for incumbents, real changes have been slow and many have yet to make consistent, sustained, and bold moves toward thorough, technology-enabled transformation, Deloitte says.
Results from a 2019 Digital Banking Report research echo that as only a very modest 12% of financial institutions said they considered themselves digital transformation leaders.
Speed and agility
The accelerated pace of technological innovation has given birth to new business models at an even faster speed. In this rapidly changing landscape, the competitive advantage will come from being fast and nimble, and banks must embrace digital forces to innovate in smaller, bolder cycles, Deloitte says.
Future of work
Technologies advances such as automation and AI will replace human thinking, and trends such as the gig economy and crowdsourcing will continue to change the way work is done. Hence, banks will need to rethink their talent landscape and the skills required to stay ahead of the curve.
Already, 71% of AI adopters are reporting that AI technologies have changed their company’s job roles and necessary skills, according to 2020 Deloitte survey. 82% believe AI will lead to moderate or substantial changes to job roles and skills over the next three years.
Leveraging platforms and monetizing data
Data will be key for institutions to improve customer experience, and banks will need to figure out how they want to utilize platforms, and the data behind them, in order to grow.
Orchestrating across the ecosystem
The financial services ecosystem is growing, and as we move towards 2030, regulators, fintechs, big techs, banks, and other industry participants will need to work together to better serve customers.
In this context, the importance of a deliberate ecosystem strategy and the effective orchestration will be critical, and banks will need to select how and where to partner, Deloitte warns.
The post 8 Key Trends Changing the Banking Landscape appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/8-key-trends-changing-the-banking-landscape</link><guid>1290</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>8 Key Trends Changing the Banking Landscape</dc:text></item><item><title>Microsoft Announces $1.5 Billion Investment Plan to Accelerate Digital Transformation in Italy</title><description><![CDATA[Microsoft announced a $1.5 billion, five-year investment plan in Italy, marking a significant commitment to support local innovation and growth, including the intent to bring Microsoft’s first datacenter region to the country.
The plan “Ambizione Italia #DigitalRestart” builds on the strategic initiative “Ambizione Italia“ launched in 2018 and will create new opportunities by empowering people and organizations and supporting economic growth. Microsoft will deliver access to local cloud services, expand its partnership with Poste Italiane, launch digital skilling and smart-working programs, accelerate business’ restart by providing access to AI Hubs and programs for SMBs, as well as support the country by launching a Sustainability Alliance.
Microsoft’s investments in Italy span a 35-plus-year history with more than 10,000 partners and 350,000 professionals. The plan marks a major milestone toward delivering its enterprise-grade cloud services globally, totalling 61 regions announced, with Microsoft Azure available in over 140 countries.
Jean-Philippe Courtois
“I am proud to announce our $1.5 billion investment plan for Italy. This plan will support those working across the country to sustain and rebuild businesses, to explore new entrepreneurial opportunities and help solve some of the country’s most difficult challenges, all while meeting critical security and compliance needs. We see enormous potential to accelerate innovation within the national ecosystem through cloud services, AI and digital skilling. Our mission is to empower the people and organizations of Italy to achieve more,”
said Jean-Philippe Courtois, executive vice president and president, Microsoft Global Sales, Marketing and Operations.
Giuseppe Conte
“Once again, Italy is confirmed to be a hub for attracting investment, innovation and development. The ‘Ambizione Italia #DigitalRestart’ plan will help accelerate the digital transformation of our country. Microsoft’s initiative, with cloud services and digital smart-working programs dedicated to small and medium-sized enterprises, will certainly help Italy move even faster in this direction. The new Sustainability Alliance that Microsoft aims to bring is also of utmost importance to the national Green New Deal,”
said Giuseppe Conte, prime minister of Italy.
Paola Pisano
“We need to orient the country toward digital and technological transformation by addressing three challenges: digitalization, innovation and ethical and sustainable development,”
stated Paola Pisano, minister, Technological Innovation and Digitalization.
“Artificial Intelligence presents a real and tangible opportunity to revolutionize our country, and we have a duty to invest and play a leading role in its development, to ensure we don’t fall behind. This means designing, developing and experimenting with artificial intelligence solutions and applying them to administrative processes and production processes, to assess and correctly address their potential impact on society.”
Expanding technology partnership with Poste Italiane and bringing Microsoft’s cloud to Italy
Microsoft and Poste Italiane, the largest service distribution network in Italy, are extending their partnership to foster innovation among developers, startups, enterprises and public administration. The two companies will launch a joint plan to develop a new digital skilling project for the Poste Italiane workforce and a joint initiative for skilling in the country. Poste Italiane will also accelerate its own digital transformation with the latest Microsoft solutions.
Matteo Del Fante
“We’re going to play an important role in Italy’s digital transformation and future development. The strengthened collaboration with Microsoft is aligned with our Deliver 2022 strategic plan. By leveraging advanced cloud services, we can empower public and private companies to innovate, providing greater opportunity for the country’s growth,”
said Matteo Del Fante, CEO and GM, Poste Italiane.
The new datacenter region in Milan will provide companies with access to Microsoft’s enterprise-grade cloud services.
 
 
Featured image credit: Unsplash
The post Microsoft Announces $1.5 Billion Investment Plan to Accelerate Digital Transformation in Italy appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/microsoft-announces-15-billion-investment-plan-to-accelerate-digital-transformation-in-italy</link><guid>1287</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Microsoft Announces $1.5 Billion Investment Plan to Accelerate Digital Transformation in Italy</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 30 Fintechs from Portugal</title><description><![CDATA[The Portuguese fintech industry is growing at an accelerated pace, with now over 100 companies operating locally, including regional leaders Revolut and Monese, according to Portugal Fintech’s 2019 industry report.
The report, which presents an overview of the industry’s progress and main trends of 2019, also includes a selection of the year’s “top 30 Portuguese fintechs.”
Out of the 30 companies, 70% are headquartered in Portugal, while the remaining are either double-based or based outside national territory. Insurtech, and lending and credit are the most popular segments, representing a combined 34% of the 30 companies.
Almost 80% of these companies operate under a business-to-business (B2B) business model, the research found, and 16 of them were founded over the past 3 years, showcasing that the sector has just begun taken off within the last few years.
These 30 companies have raised a combined of more than EUR 210 million from both national and international venture capital (VC) firms. 67% of them are early stage (pre-seed to Series A) ventures, with 37% of them having raised less than EUR 500,000, and 33% more than EUR 2 million in funding.
Portugal fintech funding, Portugal Fintech Report 2019, Portugal Fintech
According to the report, fintech companies within the regtech and cybersecurity segment have raised the highest amounts of funding (40.7%), followed by blockchain and crypto (37.9%).
Top verticals by amount by funding, Portugal Fintech Report 2019, Portugal Fintech
Top 30 Fintechs in Portugal in 2019
Top 30 Portuguese Fintechs, Portugal Fintech Report 2019, Portugal Fintech
According to the report, the top 30 Portuguese fintech companies of 2019 consist of:

Three payments and money transfers startups: Switch, Ifthenpay, and EasyPay, all headquartered in Portugal;
Three regtech and cybersecurity companies: Feedzai (HQ: USA), Loqr (Portugal) and Fyde (USA);
Five insurtechs: Coverflex (Portugal), Drivit (Portugal), Habit Analytics (USA), Lovys (France) and Keep Warranty (Portugal);
Two capital markets and wealth management companies: Advicefront (UK) and Pass (Portugal);
Three personal finance companies: ComparaJá.pt (Portugal), Doutor Financas (Portugal) and Hapi (Portugal);
Three alternative financing companies: GoParity (Portugal), Raize (Portugal) and Seedrs (UK).
Five companies in lending and credit: Hold (Portugal), Itscredit (Portugal), Parcela (Portugal), Prazo.pt (Portugal) and StudentFinance (Spain);
Three banking infrastructure and accounting companies: Fact.pt (Portugal), InvoiceXpress (Portugal) and Netinvoice (Portugal); and
Three blockchain and crypto startups: Anchorage (USA), Coinvision (Portugal), and Utrust (Switzerland).

As part of the research, the trade group surveyed the 30 companies to better understand the state of the industry and the biggest challenges they faced in 2019.
Respondents cited player cooperation and talent as the greatest hardships faced in 2019, and, as for 2018, they cited regulation as the main ecosystem challenge in 2019.
Greatest hardships and challenges, Portugal Fintech Report 2019, Source: 2019 Portugal Fintech survey to the top 30 Portuguese Fintechs
Nevertheless, efforts have been made in these regards with 50% stating that they saw improvements in 2019 in the accessibility of Portuguese regulatory institutions, and 46% agreeing that it had become easier to work with incumbents in 2019.
Working with incumbents, Portugal Fintech Report 2019, Source: 2019 Portugal Fintech survey to the top 30 Portuguese Fintechs
Policy and regulation, Portugal Fintech Report 2019, Source: 2019 Portugal Fintech survey to the top 30 Portuguese Fintechs
Key fintech trends in Portugal
According to Ricardo Macieira, country manager of Portugal at Revolut, the country is rapidly emerging as a “key fintech hub in Europe” with major tech events such Web Summit taking place annually, in addition to a being home to a “very tech savvy” population that’s keen on adopting new products and services.
Revolut, which opened its Portugal office in late-2019, says it now has more than 270,000 users in the country. Today, Portugal represents its 7th biggest market in Europe for its retail business, and the 5th biggest for its business offering.
Team Genesis, a specialized team part of law firm Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva, which focuses on directing legal advice to emerging companies and founders, notes that an increasing number of international fintech scaleups like Revolut have been setting up shop in Portugal, citing the country’s clear legislative framework and the favorable passporting rules in the European Union (EU).
Meanwhile, consultancy firm Accenture says it has been working collaboratively with industry participants including innovative startups and entrepreneurs, as well as banks, insurance companies, and organizations like Associação Portugal Fintech and Nova School of Business and Economic, to build a leading fintech and insurtech ecosystem in Portugal with a particular focus on artificial intelligence (AI).
“Portugal is more than ever well suited to be a key player in this new revolution and drive the future of AI in financial services, today,” the firm claims.
The post Top 30 Fintechs from Portugal appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-30-fintechs-from-portugal</link><guid>1286</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Fintech-funding-Portugal-Fintech-Report-2019-Portugal-Fintech.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 30 Fintechs from Portugal</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 30 Fintechs in Portugal</title><description><![CDATA[The Portuguese fintech industry is growing at an accelerated pace, with now over 100 companies operating locally, including regional leaders Revolut and Monese, according to Portugal Fintech’s 2019 industry report.
The report, which presents an overview of the industry’s progress and main trends of 2019, also includes a selection of the year’s “top 30 Portuguese fintechs.”
Out of the 30 companies, 70% are headquartered in Portugal, while the remaining are either double-based or based outside national territory. Insurtech, and lending and credit are the most popular segments, representing a combined 34% of the 30 companies.
Almost 80% of these companies operate under a business-to-business (B2B) business model, the research found, and 16 of them were founded over the past 3 years, showcasing that the sector has just begun taken off within the last few years.
These 30 companies have raised a combined of more than EUR 210 million from both national and international venture capital (VC) firms. 67% of them are early stage (pre-seed to Series A) ventures, with 37% of them having raised less than EUR 500,000, and 33% more than EUR 2 million in funding.
Portugal fintech funding, Portugal Fintech Report 2019, Portugal Fintech
According to the report, fintech companies within the regtech and cybersecurity segment have raised the highest amounts of funding (40.7%), followed by blockchain and crypto (37.9%).
Top verticals by amount by funding, Portugal Fintech Report 2019, Portugal Fintech
Top 30 Fintechs in Portugal in 2019
Top 30 Portuguese Fintechs, Portugal Fintech Report 2019, Portugal Fintech
According to the report, the top 30 Portuguese fintech companies of 2019 consist of:

Three payments and money transfers startups: Switch, Ifthenpay, and EasyPay, all headquartered in Portugal;
Three regtech and cybersecurity companies: Feedzai (HQ: USA), Loqr (Portugal) and Fyde (USA);
Five insurtechs: Coverflex (Portugal), Drivit (Portugal), Habit Analytics (USA), Lovys (France) and Keep Warranty (Portugal);
Two capital markets and wealth management companies: Advicefront (UK) and Pass (Portugal);
Three personal finance companies: ComparaJá.pt (Portugal), Doutor Financas (Portugal) and Hapi (Portugal);
Three alternative financing companies: GoParity (Portugal), Raize (Portugal) and Seedrs (UK).
Five companies in lending and credit: Hold (Portugal), Itscredit (Portugal), Parcela (Portugal), Prazo.pt (Portugal) and StudentFinance (Spain);
Three banking infrastructure and accounting companies: Fact.pt (Portugal), InvoiceXpress (Portugal) and Netinvoice (Portugal); and
Three blockchain and crypto startups: Anchorage (USA), Coinvision (Portugal), and Utrust (Switzerland).

As part of the research, the trade group surveyed the 30 companies to better understand the state of the industry and the biggest challenges they faced in 2019.
Respondents cited player cooperation and talent as the greatest hardships faced in 2019, and, as for 2018, they cited regulation as the main ecosystem challenge in 2019.
Greatest hardships and challenges, Portugal Fintech Report 2019, Source: 2019 Portugal Fintech survey to the top 30 Portuguese Fintechs
Nevertheless, efforts have been made in these regards with 50% stating that they saw improvements in 2019 in the accessibility of Portuguese regulatory institutions, and 46% agreeing that it had become easier to work with incumbents in 2019.
Working with incumbents, Portugal Fintech Report 2019, Source: 2019 Portugal Fintech survey to the top 30 Portuguese Fintechs
Policy and regulation, Portugal Fintech Report 2019, Source: 2019 Portugal Fintech survey to the top 30 Portuguese Fintechs
Key fintech trends in Portugal
According to Ricardo Macieira, country manager of Portugal at Revolut, the country is rapidly emerging as a “key fintech hub in Europe” with major tech events such Web Summit taking place annually, in addition to a being home to a “very tech savvy” population that’s keen on adopting new products and services.
Revolut, which opened its Portugal office in late-2019, says it now has more than 270,000 users in the country. Today, Portugal represents its 7th biggest market in Europe for its retail business, and the 5th biggest for its business offering.
Team Genesis, a specialized team part of law firm Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva, which focuses on directing legal advice to emerging companies and founders, notes that an increasing number of international fintech scaleups like Revolut have been setting up shop in Portugal, citing the country’s clear legislative framework and the favorable passporting rules in the European Union (EU).
Meanwhile, consultancy firm Accenture says it has been working collaboratively with industry participants including innovative startups and entrepreneurs, as well as banks, insurance companies, and organizations like Associação Portugal Fintech and Nova School of Business and Economic, to build a leading fintech and insurtech ecosystem in Portugal with a particular focus on artificial intelligence (AI).
“Portugal is more than ever well suited to be a key player in this new revolution and drive the future of AI in financial services, today,” the firm claims.
The post Top 30 Fintechs in Portugal appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-30-fintechs-in-portugal</link><guid>1288</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Fintech-funding-Portugal-Fintech-Report-2019-Portugal-Fintech.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 30 Fintechs in Portugal</dc:text></item><item><title>Alternative Finance ist ein 304 Milliarden Markt: Wo steht die Schweiz?</title><description><![CDATA[Das Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance erstellt jährlich einen Report zur Entwicklung der alternativen Finanzbranche weltweit. Sie haben die Ergebnisse von 1’227 Einzelunternehmen zusammengetragen und erstmals ein globales Bild erstellt.
2018 wurden über alternative Finanzierungsformen global USD 304,5 Milliarden finanziert. Die Highlights aus dem Report und ein Vergleich mit den Resultaten aus dem Schweizer Crowdfunding Monitor 2019 im heutigen Blog Post.
Letztmals zu dem Thema Online Alternative Finance berichteten wir im Juli 2018. Damals durften wir bei CNN Money zum Thema als Experten teilnehmen in der Sendung Big Picture. Heute vertiefen wir das Thema aus Anlass des im April erschienen umfassenden globalen Reports. Den Start machen wir mit der Einordung der Modelltypen.
14 Modelle werden zum Alternative Finance Markt gezählt
Der Report definiert den Markt in 14 Kategorien und 4 grundlegenden Geschäftsmodellen. Dabei handelt es sich um alternative Finanzierungsmodelle, die sich auf Kapitalbeschaffungs- Aktivitäten beziehen.
Der Begriff &#8220;Alternative Finance“ umfasst im Kern Aktivitäten, die außerhalb der etablierten Bankensysteme und der traditionellen Kapitalmärkte entstanden sind.
Sie charakterisieren sich durch Kredit-, Investitions- und &#8220;non investment based&#8221; Modelle, mit denen Einzelpersonen und Unternehmen über einen Online-Marktplatz Mittel beschaffen. Die Mittel kommen aus einer „Crowd“, einem Netzwerk von Privatanlegern und / oder professionellen Anlegern. Mit der Reifung des Marktes entstehen Modelltypen die sich immer klarer voneinander abgrenzen.




	Geschäfts- ModellKategorieStake holdersBeispiele Schweiz




	Peer to Peer (P2P)/ Marketplace LendingKonsumkredit (Consumer Lending)Einzelpersonen / institutionelle Geldgeber gewähren einem Privaten KreditCashare, Lend, Cg24


	Firmenkredit (Business Lending)Einzelpersonen / institutionelle Geldgeber gewähren einem Unternehmen Kreditswisspeers


	Immoblienkredite (Property Lending)Einzelpersonen / institutionelle Geldgeber gewähren eine HypothekHyposcout, CredEx


	Balance Sheet LendingKonsumkredit (Consumer Lending)Die Plattform stellt einem Privaten einen Kredit direkt zur Verfügung. 


	Firmenkredit (Business Lending)Die Plattform stellt einem Unternehmen den Kredit direkt zur Verfügung


	Immoblienkredite (Property Lending)Die Plattform stellt die Hypothek direkt zur Verfügung


	Invoice TradingFactoring (Invoice Trading)Einzelpersonen / institutionelle Geldgeber kaufen Rechnungen oder Forderungen von einem Unternehmen mit einem Rabatt.Advanon


	SecuritiesSchuldtitel (Debt based securities)Einzelpersonen / institutionelle Geldgeber kaufen Wertpapiere, z.B. eine Anleihe oder eine Schuldverschreibung, zu einem festen Zinssatz(Creditworld)


	Mini BondsEinzelpersonen / Institutionelle Geldgeber kaufen Wertpapiere von Unternehmen in Form einer ungesicherten Anleihe


	Investment-basedEquity-based CrowdfundingEinzelpersonen / institutionelle Geldgeber kaufen von einem Unternehmen ausgegebenes Eigenkapitalinvestiere.ch, Raizers, c-crowd


	Real Estate CrowdfundingEinzelpersonen / institutionelle Geldgeber stellen Eigenkapital- oder nachrangige Fremdfinanzierungen für Immobilien bereitCrowdhouse, Crowdli


	Profit SharingEinzelpersonen / institutionelle Geldgeber kaufen Wertpapiere von einem Unternehmen, wie z. B. Aktien, und beteiligen sich an den Gewinnen oder Lizenzgebühren des Unternehmens


	Non Investment-basedReward-based CrowdfundingUnterstützer finanzieren Einzelpersonen, Projekte oder Unternehmen im Austausch für nicht monetäre Belohnungen oder ProdukteCrowdify, wemakeit


	Donation-based CrowdfundingUnterstützer finanzieren Einzelpersonen, Projekte oder Unternehmen auf der Grundlage philanthropischer MotivationCausedirect




Weitere Modelle werden im Report unter &#8220;other&#8221; zusammengefasst dargestellt und beinhalten u.a. Gemeinschaftsaktien.
USD 306 Mia weltweit &#8211; 525 Mio. in der Schweiz
Die Schweizer Volumen entsprechen rund 0.6% der weltweit getätigten Umsätze verglichen mit den Werten ohne China.
Schweiz auf Platz 10 im globalen Ranking
Um die Zahlen zwischen den Märkten vergleichbar zu machen, bietet sich an, die Volumen mit den Einwohnern ins Verhältnis zu setzten. Da der Report die Schweizer Zahlen nicht separat ausweist, haben wir die Ergebnisse des Crowdfunding Monitor 2019 der Hochschule Luzern verwendet.
Abbildung: Investitionen pro Kopf (Schweizer Daten aus Crowdfunding Monitor 2019)
Auf Pro-Kopf-Basis waren die USA, Grossbritannien, Lettland, Estland und die Niederlande auf den vordersten Plätzen. Es ist bemerkenswert, dass Lettland und Estland von relativ niedrigen Basen aus die Positionen 3 und 4 erreichten (Platz 24 und 29 in Bezug auf das Gesamtvolumen). Das zeigt, dass selbst Länder mit einem absolut gesehen geringeren Volumen an alternativen Online-Finanzierungen trotzdem eine größere Marktdurchdringung, eine höhere Akzeptanz und Nutzung dieser Modelle aufweisen können. Die meisten Länder mit einem relativ hohen Pro-Kopf-Volumen sind überwiegend europäisch. Aussereuropäisch zählen Singapur, Neuseeland, Australien, Israel und Kanada zu den Ländern mit der höchsten Durchdringung.
Weitere globale Figures &amp; Trends:
China -28% und global + 48% (ohne China)
Im Jahr 2018 wurden alternative Finanzierungen mit einem Transaktionsvolumen von 304,5 Mrd. USD abgeschlossen. Das Volumen ist gegenüber dem Vorjahr um 27% gesunken. Dieser Rückgang ist auf einen starken Rückgang in China zurückzuführen. Ohne den chinesischen Markt stieg das weltweite Marktvolumen für alternative Finanzierungen gegenüber dem Vorjahr um 48% von 60 Mrd. USD im Jahr 2017 auf 89 Mrd. USD im Jahr 2018.
Europa um 52% gewachsen
Der europäische Markt für alternative Finanzierungen (einschließlich Großbritannien) wuchs von 11,9 Mrd. USD im Jahr 2017 auf 18 Mrd. USD im Jahr 2018 &#8211; eine Steigerung von 52% gegenüber dem Vorjahr.

Wie in den Vorjahren leistete Großbritannien mit einem Anteil von 57% am gesamten europäischen Markt und einem Anteil von 10,4 Mrd. USD im Jahr 2018 den volumenmässig größten Beitrag. Der relative Anteil des britischen Marktes am europäischen Volumen hat sich von 68% im Jahr 2017 auf 57% reduziert.
Das Volumen der Plattformen in ganz Europa (ohne UK) stieg gegenüber dem Vorjahr um 103% von 3,8 Mrd. USD im Jahr 2017 auf 7,7 Mrd. USD im Jahr 2018.
Zu den führenden alternativen Finanzierungsmodellen auf dem europäischen Festland gehören P2P Marketplace Consumer Lending (2,9 Mrd. USD), Balance Sheet Property Lending (1,4 Mrd. USD) und P2P Marketplace Business Lending (997 Mio. USD).

Schweiz + 38%
Im selben Zeitraum verzeichnet die Schweiz einen Anstieg um 38% auf USD 525 Millionen. Gemäss Crowdfunding Monitor 2019 überschritt die Schweiz damit erstmals die Schwelle einer halben Milliarde Schweizer Franken.
Das grösste Wachstum von 2017 auf 2018 verzeichnete der Bereich Crowdinvesting (+52%, auf CHF 204.9 Mio.), getrieben durch Immobilien Crowdinvesting (Crowdhouse). An zweiter Stelle positioniert sich das Crowdlending (+40%, auf CHF 261.9 Mio.). Invoice Trading (+3% auf CHF 24.3 Mio.) und Crowdsupporting/Crowddonating (-12%, auf CHF 25.6 Mio.).  Über 130‘000 Personen haben im Jahr 2018 in der Schweiz ein Crowdfunding-Projekt unterstützt. (Daten aus Crowdfunding Monitor 2019).
China mit Abstand der grösste Markt mit USD 215 Mrd.
In Bezug auf die einzelnen Märkte hatte China immer noch das größte alternative Finanzierungsvolumen nach Ländern und erwirtschaftete 2018 ein Transaktionsvolumen von insgesamt 215,37 Mrd. USD, hauptsächlich aus kreditbasierten Finanzierungsmodellen.

China 215 Mrd.
USA 61 Mrd.
UK 10,4 Mrd.

Fünf weitere Länder haben die Schwelle von 1 Milliarde US-Dollar überschritten:

Niederlande USD 1,8 Mrd.
Indonesien USD 1,45 Mrd.
Deutschland USD 1,27 Mrd.
Australien USD 1,16 Mrd.
Japan USD 1,07 Mrd.

Konsumkredit immer noch die grösste Kategorie
Im Jahr 2018 war Peer to Peer Lending (P2P Lending) / Marketplace Consumer Lending das größte alternative Online-Finanzierungsmodell nach Marktsegmentierung und machte 195,29 Mrd. USD aus &#8211; das sind 64% des gesamten globalen Volumens.
P2P / Marketplace Business Lending war das zweitgrößte Marktsegment mit einem Marktvolumen von 50,3 Mrd. USD im Jahr 2018.
China war der größte Markt für P2P / Marketplace-Konsumenten- und Geschäftskredite, während die USA die höchsten Volumina für Balance Sheet Lending bei Immobilien- und Konsumkrediten verzeichneten. In Europa ansässige Plattformen meldeten im globalen Kontext die höchsten Volumina für Debt Based Securities, Invoice Trading und P2P / Marketplace Property Lending.
Unternehmensfinanzierungen bei 82 Mrd. USD
Im Jahr 2018 belief sich das Volumen der alternativen Finanzierung für Unternehmensfinanzierungen auf 82 Mrd. USD. Das war ein Rückgang von fast der Hälfte gegenüber dem Höchststand von 153 Mrd. USD im Jahr 2017.
Der Rückgang der alternativen Unternehmensfinanzierung kommt primär aus China. Ohne China stieg die Unternehmensfinanzierung von 21 Mrd. USD im Jahr 2017 auf 31 Mrd. USD im Jahr 2018. Wie in den Vorjahren bleibt China der führende Markt mit einem Volumen von knapp 50 Mrd. USD, gefolgt von den USA und Großbritannien mit 16,81 Mrd. USD bzw. 5,96 Mrd. USD.
Finanzierung Private vs. Institutionelle: 50:50
162 Mrd. USD wurden durch institutionelle Anleger wie Banken, Pensionsfonds, Investmentfonds und Family Offices finanziert. Die Zunahme institutioneller Investoren war regional relativ gleichmässig aufgeteilt.
Ausreißer sind die USA mit einem Finanzierungsanteil institutioneller Investoren von 85%. Am anderen Ende der Skala rangieren der Nahe Osten und Afrika mit 12% bzw. 17% Anteil institutioneller Investoren. Die zunehmende Institutionalisierung zeigt sich insbesondere durch das Aufkommen der Balance Sheet Lending Modelle. Hier schlisst sich der Kreis praktisch vollständig zu den traditionellen Finanzierungsmodellen von Investmentgesellschaften und Banken.
Alternative Finance Report 2020 Download
Download Link: Global Alternative Finance Markt Benchmarking Report 2020
 
Dieser Artikel erschien zuerst auf dem Swisspeers Blog
The post Alternative Finance ist ein 304 Milliarden Markt: Wo steht die Schweiz? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/alternative-finance-ist-ein-304-milliarden-markt-wo-steht-die-schweiz</link><guid>1285</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Alternative-Finance-Volumen-1.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Alternative Finance ist ein 304 Milliarden Markt: Wo steht die Schweiz?</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 10 Facts You Need to Know About The Upcoming Bitcoin Halving</title><description><![CDATA[All you need to know about the upcoming Bitcoin Halving.
1. What is bitcoin halving?
Bitcoin’s halving is the name for the reduction of issuance of new Bitcoins. It happens approximately every 4 years. In simplified terms, the creation of new bitcoins is tied to the number of Bitcoin transactions. New transactions are packed in blocks. Currently, the creation of a new block automatically produces 12,5 new Bitcoins. On 12 May 2020, this number will be halved to 6,25 &#8211; hence the name halving event. Essentially this event represents quantitative tightening (reduction of supply), which is the opposite of what is referred to as quantitative easing (increase of supply) we experience in national currencies.
2. Who is producing Bitcoin?
Newly generated Bitcoins are the product of a process called mining. Miners are operators of server infrastructure that records transfers of Bitcoin between users. For this work, which demands intensive computing power, they are paid in newly issued Bitcoins, called mining rewards. For each block of new transactions, the so-called miners have to solve a mathematical puzzle and the first one who is able to solve it gets the mining rewards plus the transaction fees of all the transactions that are included in one block.
3. Who controls Bitcoin’s supply?
The supply of Bitcoin is defined by the program, the Bitcoin protocol. This program describes a mathematical function which divides new Bitcoin production number by two, approximately every 4 years or every 210.000 blocks. The initial reward for creating a block of transactions in 2009 was 50 Bitcoins. During the first four years, 10.500.000 Bitcoins were created. Four years later, the reward dropped to 25 and 5.250.000 Bitcoins were created. In the third wave 2.625.000 Bitcoins were created which leads to 18.375.000 Bitcoins in circulation. In total there will never be more than 21,000,000 Bitcoins in existence, thanks to this endless division of new issuance number every four years. In the next 100 years, the remaining 2.638.700 Bitcoins will be created.
Source: Coindesk
Note: Block subsidy refers here to mining reward
4. What drives the value of Bitcoin between halving events?
From a long-term perspective, it is this diminishing issuance of newly created Bitcoins that is driving the value of Bitcoin. The quantitative tightening and limited total supply mechanism is one of the unique characteristics of this new form of digital money. Halving makes Bitcoin anti-inflationary, in addition to being free of control by any national bank or central entity. It operates on the massive network of independent operators who individually have no influence on the underlying Bitcoin protocol and the network’s functionality. Short term there are a lot of factors influencing the Bitcoin price such as regulatory development in different countries infrastructure development (new exchanges, new websites accepting Bitcoins for payment, hacked wallets, etc.).
5. How much is the Bitcoin supply going to drop?
On approximately 12 May, Bitcoin mining rewards are going to drop from 12.5 to 6.25 per block. Bitcoin network operators who get the newly created Bitcoin normally sell them through exchanges in the market. This means that starting on 12 May, there will be fewer new Bitcoins available to the market participants. Market participants and Bitcoin owners feel the dwindling supply over time, which in turn leads to a gradual increase in the price of Bitcoin.
6. What impact did previous halvings have on price?
Decreased supply has affected the market differently at different times. After the first halving on 12. November 2012 Bitcoin rose from 12 to 270 $/BTC in April of the following year, giving investors jucy ~2050%. After the second halving on the 16th June 2016 it took 524 days to reach the all time high from 696 to nearly 20.000 $/BTC resulting in ~3.200% increase. It is possible that the cycle peak takes longer to materialize during the upcoming four-year period.

7. What impact will Bitcoin’s production drop have on price this time?
In general, it’s reasonable to expect Bitcoin’s price rise to all-time highs of $50.000 within next several years. A $50.000 price tag means a modest 450% above today’s price of 8800 $/BTC. Looking at earlier gains of 2050% in the 1st and 3200% in the 2nd halving, this looks like quite a conservative scenario. Some famous investors such as Tim Draper predicted 250.000 by 2022, while the Founder and CEO of SMART VALOR Olga Feldmeier referred to as Bitcoin Queen by Forbes was repeatedly cited in the press expecting 100.000 $/BTC in 2020/21.
8. How is the halving different this time around?
This halving event is different from previous in the understanding and perception of what Bitcoin is. During the first half of Bitcoin’s existence 2009 – 2015, the major narrative was around digital cash, with its major use case being as a means of payment. Starting in 2016, as alternative blockchain-based payment networks began to emerge, the narrative shifted in the direction of storage of value — digital gold. By that time, empirical evidence had emerged of Bitcoin’s negative correlation to stock markets. Recently, the perception has developed further, with many seeing Bitcoin as a financial instrument suitable for hedging against recession and protecting against massive money printing and quantitative easing policies enacted to save the economy, most recently from the coronavirus-based collapse.
9. When should I buy Bitcoin to benefit from quantitative tightening?
It is difficult to estimate when the ultimate price rally to new all-time highs will kick off. The only thing we can say with enough confidence, looking at previous trends is that the price of Bitcoin is certain to reach new highs during three years following the current halving event. For new investors, the ideal time to step in is hard to predict. The possibility of a drop in the Bitcoin price in the next several months is clearly there. Whether and when it will happen depends on overall market sentiment but also on events in the real economy.
10. How can traditional investors benefit from the halving?
For traditional investors unfamiliar with the details of Bitcoin and not following market development on a daily basis, the best approach is the buy and hold. Looking at the four-year-cycle of Bitcoin issuance and price dynamics connected to it, today is one of the best times to get some exposure to this new financial instrument. The lowest entry price is almost impossible to time without following markets and diving deep into daily technical analysis. If you are in Europe, you can start off using one of the leading European digital asset exchanges such as SMART VALOR, which enables purchase with bank wire or credit card in most European currencies. Other good alternatives are US-based Coinbase or the world’s largest Chinese exchange Binance.
 
About SMART VALOR:
SMART VALOR is the first full-service digital asset exchange operated by a Swiss company offering a fully compliant and secure access to trading and custody of digital assets. Holding a Financial Intermediary licence in Switzerland today, the company has started its journey at the Thomson Reuters Incubator in 2017. The company is supported by leading venture capital funds in Asia and US. In Switzerland it became the first and the only blockchain technology company in the portfolio of VI Partners, a VC fund financed by Credit Suisse, Nestle and other leading Swiss companies.
The post Top 10 Facts You Need to Know About The Upcoming Bitcoin Halving appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-10-facts-you-need-to-know-about-the-upcoming-bitcoin-halving</link><guid>1284</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/block-subsidy.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 10 Facts You Need to Know About The Upcoming Bitcoin Halving</dc:text></item><item><title>A Look at PostFinance’s Fintech Portfolio, Strategic Partnerships and Joint Ventures</title><description><![CDATA[In our new VC Fintech Switzerland series, Fintechnews.ch introduces different portfolios of investors and venture capitalists.
If you are Fintech Venture capitalist and would like us to feature your Swiss fintech portfolio contact us: (editorial@fintechnews.ch).
To start the series we chose PostFinance&#8217;s fintech portfolio.
PostFinance, the financial services unit of Swiss Post, has been actively involved in the fintech space over the past couple of years, investing in young startups, forging strategic partnerships with innovative companies, and taking part in acceleration programs such as F10 and Kickstart.
Through its corporate venture capital (CVC) program, PostFinance has invested in several fintech and insurtech startups, which has allowed it to identify emerging products, services, technologies and business models at an early stage.
“Besides acting as a financial investor, PostFinance CVC strives to create win-win situations between portfolio startups and PostFinance, leveraging its customer base, skills and technology”
explains Tobias Bassi, head of PostFinance CVC.
Its current fintech VC portfolio comprises eight startups, half of which from Switzerland. These companies cover a wide range of segments including payments, insurance, personal finance, and more. They are:
 
BetterTradeOff (Singapore), a fintech and insurtech startup that has developed a holistic life-planning solution to reflect a user’s unique lifestyle. BetterTradeOff is active in Asia, Europe and Middle East.
Getsurance (Germany), an insurtech startup specializing in digital insurance that allows users to buy insurance products online in just five minutes.
Imburse (Switzerland), a cloud-based “payments-as-a-service” platform. Imburse simplifies the integration of payment technologies into IT systems via a single connection, enabling companies to seamlessly collect or pay out money in any market, any technology, any provider, and for any amount.
­Moneymeets (Germany), a provider of robo-advisor solutions for the financial industry. Moneymeets offers two main products: an insurance robo-advisor and a robo-advisor for professional investment strategies.
RaiseNow (Switzerland), a provider of digital fundraising solutions. RaiseNow offers solutions for all digital touch points – from SMS donations and mobile phone apps right up to peer-to-peer (P2P) event fundraising and donation forms.
Sentifi (Switzerland), a provider of alternative data analytics. Sentifi’s crowd-intelligence platform for financial markets provides institutional and private investors with unique insights on traded companies, currencies, commodities and the events that impact them.
Sonect (Switzerland), which provides a platform that makes financial services easily accessible from anywhere. Through Sonect, every cash register can become an ATM, and thanks to its mobile app, cash withdrawals are simpler, faster, and more cost-efficient.

Wikifolio (Austria), a social trading platform. Wikifolio allows experienced investors to implement and publish their trading ideas into so-called wikifolios, offering less-experienced investors the chance to benefit from their expertise.
Strategic partnerships and fintech joint ventures
But PostFinance’s involvement in fintech isn’t limited to financial participation and investment. The company has also inked several strategic partnerships and collaborations with innovative players that have enabled it to expand its reach and tap into new opportunities.
In 2016, PostFinance formed a joint venture with Axon Ivy to launch Finform. Finform is a Swiss fintech software and services provider that specializes in digital compliance.
Most recently, PostFinance teamed up with Energie Wasser Bern to establish a new startup called Ormera. Ormera provides a cloud-based platform for measuring and billing self-generated electricity. The solution combines smart electricity meters as Internet of things components, with a blockchain infrastructure operated jointly by Swiss Post and Swisscom.
Additionally, PostFinance is the sales partner of insurtech startup TONI Digital Insurance Solutions, which PostFinance acted as seed investor and participated invested in the follow-on round earlier this year.
PostFinance also has ties with Tilbago, a provider of software for processing debt collection proceedings. In addition to having acquired a minority stake in Tilbago, PostFinance has integrated the startup’s solution into its accounts receivable management tool, PostFinance Smart Business.
 
Featured image credit: © PostFinance Ltd 2017, all rights reserved
The post A Look at Postfinance’s Fintech Portfolio, Strategic Partnerships and Joint Ventures appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/a-look-at-postfinances-fintech-portfolio-strategic-partnerships-and-joint-ventures</link><guid>1283</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>A Look at PostFinance’s Fintech Portfolio, Strategic Partnerships and Joint Ventures</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Influencer Switzerland Interview Series: 7 Questions to Marc Bernegger</title><description><![CDATA[Fintechnews.ch will conduct a series of short interviews around well known longtime Swiss Fintech Influencers.
We begin the series with Marc P. Bernegger*. Marc tells us what we should learn from Fintech Startups in Berlin and nominates a Swiss Fintech to watch and a Fintech Influencer to be interviewed.
Hi Marc, what has changed for you personally during this pandemic?
Businesswise there were not that many changes besides moving all interactions completely online. But as a father of two small kids the daily structure of me and my wife changed quite dramatically ]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-influencer-switzerland-interview-series-7-questions-to-marc-bernegger</link><guid>1282</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech Influencer Switzerland Interview Series: 7 Questions to Marc Bernegger</dc:text></item><item><title>Facebook’s Libra Appoints ex Secretary for Terrorism&amp;Financial Intelligence as its First CEO</title><description><![CDATA[The Libra Association, an independent membership organization, announced the appointment of Stuart Levey as its first CEO.
Mr. Levey brings to the Association a wealth of leadership experience in the public and private sectors cutting across banking, regulatory policy and national security issues. He is currently serving as Chief Legal Officer of HSBC, one of the world’s leading financial institutions with a presence in 64 countries and territories. Prior to joining HSBC, Mr. Levey served as the first Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence during the Bush and Obama Administrations. During his tenure, Mr. Levey was instrumental in setting U.S. and international policy to combat illicit finance.
First announced on June 18, 2019, the Libra Association’s mission is to enable a simple global payment system and financial infrastructure that empowers billions of people. Mr. Levey will serve as the overall strategic leader for the project, bringing his extensive expertise to combine technology innovation with a robust compliance and regulatory framework. Mr. Levey will step down from his role at HSBC and join the Libra Association later this summer.
With the recent initiation of a payment system license under the regulatory supervision of Switzerland’s Financial Markets Supervisory Authority, FINMA, Mr. Levey’s leadership will help ensure our vision for innovation, inclusion, compliance and competition can be realized.
Stuart Levey
“I am honored to join the Libra Association as it charts a bold path forward to harness the power of technology to transform the global payments landscape. Technology provides us with the opportunity to make it easier for individuals and businesses to send and receive money, and to empower more than a billion people who have been left on the sidelines of the financial system, all with robust controls to detect and deter illicit financial activity. I look forward to working closely with governments, regulators, and all of our stakeholders to realize this vision,”
said Mr. Levey, the Libra Association’s incoming CEO.
Katie Haun
&#8220;Stuart brings to the Libra Association the rare combination of an accomplished leader in both the government, where he enjoyed bipartisan respect and influence, and the private sector where he managed teams spread across the globe. This unique experience allows him to bring a wealth of knowledge in banking, finance, regulatory policy and national security to the Association and strike the right balance between innovation and regulation,”
said Katie Haun, General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz and Libra Association board member who led the CEO search committee.
“Stuart shares our vision for using blockchain technology to deliver a more open, inclusive and high-functioning payment system that puts crypto in the hands of billions around the world.”
On April 16, 2020 the Libra Association, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, formally initiated the payment system licensing process with FINMA, an important milestone as the Libra Association moves to a more operational phase of the project. In addition to initiating the payment system licensing process, the Libra Association released an updated white paper and announced that the near-term operating expenses of the Libra Association have now been funded by its members. The Libra Association membership is comprised of geographically distributed and diverse businesses and nonprofit organizations working to create a blockchain-based payment system supporting financial inclusion and responsible financial services innovation.
Mr. Levey will join the Libra Association as its first CEO this summer after stepping down as Chief Legal Officer for HSBC Holdings. Mr. Levey brings years of leadership in the public and private sectors and deep experience in banking, finance, regulatory policy and national security to the Libra Association. He will be based in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Levey is currently the Chief Legal Officer for HSBC Holdings. He also sits on the Group Executive Committee responsible for executive oversight of the entire firm. Prior to joining HSBC, Mr. Levey served in the U.S. Department of the Treasury as the first Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence under Presidents Bush and Obama. During his tenure, Mr. Levey led financial strategies to counter threats to U.S. national security and protect the integrity of the financial system. He oversaw the implementation and enforcement of U.S. sanctions by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and he was responsible for the implementation and enforcement of all U.S. civil anti-money laundering and counter terrorist financing laws by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).
Prior to his Treasury appointment, Mr. Levey served in several senior roles at the U.S. Department of Justice, including as the Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General. He joined the Justice Department in 2001 after 11 years in private practice.
Featured Image: Stuart Levey , CEO of Libra Association
The post Facebook&#8217;s Libra Appoints ex Secretary for Terrorism&#038;Financial Intelligence as its First CEO appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/facebooks-libra-appoints-ex-secretary-for-terrorismfinancial-intelligence-as-its-first-ceo</link><guid>1281</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Facebook’s Libra Appoints ex Secretary for Terrorism&amp;Financial Intelligence as its First CEO</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Revenues to Reach US$500B by 2030: UBS Research</title><description><![CDATA[Fintech revenues are projected to grow from US$150 billion in 2018 to US$500 billion in 2030 at an average annual growth rate that’s around three times faster than the broader financial sector’s revenue growth, according to estimates by UBS.
Fintech revenues expected to post 10.5% CAGR during 2018–30, Source: UBS estimates, as of September 2019
With annual double-digit earnings growth expected over the next eight years, fintech is set to be one of the fastest-growing industries globally, the bank says, with key growth segments that include payments, insurtech, wealthtech, capital markets tech, and online lending.
Blockchain and AI at the heart of the fintech disruption
At the heart of these growth verticals will be two technologies, blockchain and AI, which will bring both opportunities and threats to existing financial companies, the report says.
For blockchain, UBS estimates that the technology could generate annual economic value worth US$300–400 billion globally by 2027 across six major industries led by financials, namely financial services, manufacturing, healthcare, public services, utilities and the sharing economy.
Blockchain could generate an annual economic value of US$300–400bn globally by 2027, Source: World bank, Bloomberg, UBS estimates, as of October 2017
The bank identifies six main areas in the financial industry where the technology is expected to have the most impact through disintermediation and automation, resulting in improved efficiency and cost-savings. These areas are post-trade services, compliance, trade finance, foreign exchange (FX) transfers, insurance claims, and digital currencies.
For AI, the technology can be used to a plethora of applications ranging from virtual assistants, chatbots and speech recognition software for regular customer interactions, but also automated wealth management advice, or robo-advisors, as well as risk management and anti-money laundering programs. And in insurance, AI can elevate the industry through better products and pricing, underwriting, target marketing and sales, claims management, and overall data mining.
The report notes that investments in AI have surged in recent years and will increase even further in the future. It cites UBS and IDC’s Worldwide Semi-annual Cognitive/Artificial Intelligence Systems Spending Guide, which predicts that the global banking sector will be spending over US$47 billion in AI by 2020, or more than three times what was spent in 2010 at US$11 billion.
5 fintech segments to watch
In payments, UBS cites several technological trends expected to fuel growth of digital payments. These include declining use of checks and cash, rising demand for real-time digital payments, the ongoing transformation of the traditional brick-and-mortar bank branch, the rise of omni-channel, and rising demand for additional, adjacent services such as loyalty solutions, data analytics and funding flexibility.
In insurtech, technologies including AI, machine learning, the Internet-of-Things (IoT) and blockchain will help modernize the entire value chain, resulting in a myriad of benefits that range from more accurate risk assessment and pricing and more efficient operations and processes, to hyper-personalized solutions and improved customer experiences.
Meanwhile, in capital markets tech, online trading platforms, algorithm trading and crowdfunding platforms, will continue to gain traction and grow, further putting pressure on commission and fees in favor of clients. Similarly, in wealthtech, the rise of robo-advisors will enhance competition in the wealth management business, ultimately benefiting customers through lower prices.
And in online lending, which, according to the report, currently generally accounts for less than 1% of total bank lending in the countries where the platforms operate, the disruption will likely take place just in niche segments including consumer credit and mortgage businesses.
Driving the growth of fintech
Fintech is at an inflection point, the report says, and the industry is set to take off thanks to strong drivers on both the demand and supply sides.
On the demand side, factors including rapid urbanization, the development of technology infrastructure, and the rise of the app economy, will push banking and financial transactions towards digitalization, driving thus demand for fintech services in the forms of digital payments capabilities, crowdfunding platforms, and robo-advisors, among others.
The rise of fintech will also be driven by demand from digital-native millennials, which will be requesting a wider range of digital goods that are conveniently delivered and which meet their varied affinities and needs.
The report cites the case of Asia where millennials have been behind the high e-wallet payments penetration rate.
Millennials drive Asia&#8217;s high e-wallet payment penetration, Source: Global Payments Report, Bloomberg Intelligence, UBS as of November, 2018
In addition to strong demand coming from consumers, regulators across the world have supported fintech companies and will continue to do so as they bring much-needed competition to incumbents, resulting in better pricing and innovation in the banking sector, as well as for their potential to facilitate financial inclusion.
Meanwhile, on the supply side, the need for cost savings, and the potential of new revenue streams and increased efficiency, will continue to push incumbent financials to launch fintech services and adopt partnership approaches with startups.
The post Fintech Revenues to Reach US$500B by 2030: UBS Research appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-revenues-to-reach-us500b-by-2030-ubs-research</link><guid>1279</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Fintech-revenues-expected-to-post-10.5-CAGR-during-2018–30-Source-UBS-estimates-as-of-September-2019-300x254.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech Revenues to Reach US$500B by 2030: UBS Research</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Startup Map May 2020 Welcomes 4 Newcomers</title><description><![CDATA[Swisscom released the new Swiss Fintech Startup Map for May 2020.
Four new Swiss Fintech Startups joined the map. In total 359 Swiss Fintech Startups are now on the list.

INDAGIA
Fully integrated platform powered by artificial intelligence for external audit.

DECENTAGE
Decentage AG has 5 years of blockchain know-how and more than 20 years of experience in the implementation of complex business systems.

KORE TECHNOLOGIES
Kore Technologies AG enables issuers to tokenize, manage and trade digital assets in the most secure and regulatory compliant way. The company is based in Crypto Valley Zug and implements blockchain projects for clients in multiple countries on varied blockchain protocols.

HONESTO AG
honesto AG is a Swiss-based crypto asset ecosystem company bringing the entire crypto value chain together, from token issuance through trading up to and including everyday transactions through a single user-friendly program and platform.

The new Swiss Fintech ecosystem map counts now in a total 359 Swiss Fintech Startups.

The post Swiss Fintech Startup Map May 2020 Welcomes 4 Newcomers appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-startup-map-may-2020-welcomes-4-newcomers</link><guid>1280</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Swiss-Fintech-Startup-Map-May.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Startup Map May 2020 Welcomes 4 Newcomers</dc:text></item><item><title>Alpian: A New Swiss Digital First Bank For Mass Affluent Clients</title><description><![CDATA[New digital financial services company, Alpia  incubated by the Swiss banking group REYL today announces a successful Series A funding round worth CHF 12.2 million. The funds will enable Alpian to accelerate its growth plans and pursue its ambitions to receive a full banking license from the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA), launching as a fully licensed digital affluent bank in 2021.
Alpian aims to create an innovative new banking offering, tailored to the mass affluent population (those with investible assets of between CHF 100k – 1 million) in Switzerland, worth an estimated CHF 660 billion. Independent market research, which informed Alpian’s core business model, demonstrates how existing retail and private banking providers do not fully address the fundamental needs of this segment. Amongst the affluent demographic, the research found that 40% are looking for a new bank and 70% would be open to using a bank with no branches at all.
Alpian’s core offerings will include tailored investment boutique products, secure digital face-to-face access to experienced financial advisors, and simplified transparent everyday banking services. Through a modernistic digital interface, Alpian will leverage proprietary and disruptive technology to develop scalable, personalized private banking. Benefiting from REYL’s 40+ years of banking and wealth management experience, and a team of forward-thinking innovators at Alpian, the company aims to compete on an equal footing with other established banks.
Schuyler Weiss
Speaking on Alpian’s strategy Schuyler Weiss, Alpian CEO, said:
“With Alpian, we will introduce a new way for affluent clients to bank that is attuned to how they want to manage their wealth. Our approach is client-centric first and foremost, with technology and innovation underpinning everything we do. As we develop our technology, we will be able to scale operations swiftly while maintaining the exceptional service standards set for each and every client interaction.”
“The genesis of Alpian comes from the clear vision of our experienced and well-diversified team. This brings with it an ability to execute our vision, unimpeded. Securing the Series A funding is a testament to our business fundamentals and our ability to execute. Furthermore, it is a big step towards reaching full technological and operational readiness over the coming months.”
Pasha Bakhtiar
Speaking on the launch of Alpian, REYL partner Pasha Bakhtiar said:
“Alpian started as an incubation project at REYL but we soon realised the full potential of this unique, ground-breaking value proposition. The fact that Alpian has secured such an impressive Series A round demonstrates the confidence investors also have in the blue ocean space we have identified. My Partners and I are immensely trusting in the quality of the Alpian team and we are excited to accompany them on the next stages of the journey.”
The post Alpian: A New Swiss Digital First Bank For Mass Affluent Clients appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/alpian-a-new-swiss-digital-first-bank-for-mass-affluent-clients</link><guid>1278</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Alpian: A New Swiss Digital First Bank For Mass Affluent Clients</dc:text></item><item><title>Red Herring’s Top 14 Fintech Europe Winners 2020</title><description><![CDATA[As a celebration of innovation and new technology, Red Herring each year highlights companies from all over the world who are well-positioned to see explosive growth in their respective industries.
With Apiax also one Swiss Fintech made it on the list. Penta Fintech was the selection for Germany.
Here are the 14 European Fintech Winners:
 
AlgoDynamix (United Kingdom)
AlgoDynamix risk analytics provide advance warning of major directional market movements.
Apiax (Switzerland)

Founded in 2017, Apiax is an award-winning Swiss regtech startup that builds and offers tools transforming complex written financial regulations into binary, machine-readable digital compliance rules.
B2B Pay ( Finland)
Offer non-residents a business virtual bank account in Europe.
EstateGuru ( Estonia)
EstateGuru is the leading European marketplace for short-term, property-backed loans.
etoshi ( Spain)
next generation blockchain platform that enables the whole ecosystem to work under one frictionless product.
Kaiko (France)
Kaiko is a market data provider in the blockchain-based digital assets space, providing institutional investors and market participants with enterprise-grade data infrastructure.
Leveris ( Ireland)
A cloud-native, real-time, non-legacy core banking system built for better banking and smarter lending
Meilleurtaux (France)
Meilleurtaux.com has established itself as one of the leaders in internet brokerage.
Papaya Global (Israel)
Papaya Global is reinventing global payroll, payments, and workforce management.
Penta Fintech ( Germany)
Penta is the digital platform for business banking aimed at SMEs and startups.
Qvalia (Sweden)
Qvalia helps companies take control of their data and automate their business.
TradeIX (Ireland)
TradeIX is rewiring trade finance by providing the most connected and secure platform infrastructure for corporates, banks, asset managers, B2B networks and value added service providers.
TransferGo (United Kingdom)
TransferGo is a digital remittance solution for migrant workers launched in September 2012.
Trezeo (Ireland)
Trezeo membership provides a unique range of financial services and protection for independent workers, giving them financial peace of mind and reducing their work-related stress while increasing their financial stability and supporting their future aspirations.
 
The post Red Herring&#8217;s Top 14 Fintech Europe Winners 2020 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/red-herrings-top-14-fintech-europe-winners-2020</link><guid>1277</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/AlgoDynamix.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Red Herring’s Top 14 Fintech Europe Winners 2020</dc:text></item><item><title>N26 Raises More Than $100m in Extension of Its Series D Funding</title><description><![CDATA[N26 has today announced an extension of its Series D funding round to $570M, with a further increase of more than $100M coming from all of the company’s major investors. To date, N26 has raised close to $800M, keeping its valuation at $3.5B. N26 is today one of the highest valued and most well-funded FinTech companies globally.
The funds will be used to accelerate N26’s product development and strengthen its footprint in its core markets, where the demand for mobile banking is higher than ever before.
Valentin Stalf
“The adoption of digital banking is accelerating as the world adjusts to a new normal. As one of the world’s leading challenger banks, N26 is front and center in this shift, driving global innovation from our base in Europe. With banking from home now more important than ever, we want to make sure that everyone can open a bank account in minutes to explore the freedom and safety of mobile banking,”
said Valentin Stalf, co-founder and CEO of N26.
The extension underscores the strong commitment from N26’s investor base to its long-term vision of building a bank the world loves to use.
James Fitzgerald
“In these turbulent times, digital banking is no longer a thing of the future, but a part of everyday reality. With 5 million customers today, N26 is just at the beginning of their journey to transform the face of banking globally. This funding extension will help an already well-funded and successful business take the lead at a time when people are embracing digital banking more than ever,”
said James Fitzgerald from New York-based venture capital fund, Valar Ventures.
With changes in consumer spending, banking habits and attitudes towards saving in the wake of the COVID19 crisis, The Mobile Bank is expecting a long-term shift in digital banking adoption overall.
Maximilian Tayenthal
“The last month has already seen many people embrace banking from home, move away from cash, and towards contactless payments and e-commerce. We’ve even seen unprecedented growth in online spending amongst customers above the age of 65 &#8211; an important sign that digital banking is becoming increasingly relevant for everyone. Our product teams have responded to this by accelerating new features to market, and will continue to build still more innovative products to help people bank seamlessly and safely on their mobile phones, no matter where they are,”
added Maximilian Tayenthal, co-founder of N26, highlighting N26’s new instant banking feature that allows customers to add a digital version of a new card to their mobile wallet giving them immediate access to contactless payments, even without a physical card.
In the coming months, N26 will continue to invest in growing its presence across its 24 European markets and the US, where it is the most successful European challenger bank. The Mobile Bank is also laying the groundwork for its next market entry, and is in the process of applying for a local FinTech license in Brazil.
The post N26 Raises More Than $100m in Extension of Its Series D Funding appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/n26-raises-more-than-100m-in-extension-of-its-series-d-funding</link><guid>1275</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>N26 Raises More Than $100m in Extension of Its Series D Funding</dc:text></item><item><title>COVID19: Liquidity Support for Startups up and Running</title><description><![CDATA[On 22 April 2020, the Federal Council agreed a guarantee scheme to support promising startups encountering liquidity problems caused by the coronavirus. The government-accredited loan guarantee organisations facilitate access to bank loans for startups. The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO has thus set out the practical criteria for this in consultation with interested cantons and the loan guarantee organisations. Loan guarantee applications can be submitted from 7 May up to 31 August 2020.
Based on the existing loan guarantee scheme, a special guarantee procedure was created to secure bank loans for eligible startup companies. 65% of the loan guarantee is provided by the federal government and 35% is provided by the canton or third parties appointed by the canton. In this way, the federal government and the canton (or third party) jointly guarantee 100% of an amount of up to CHF 1 million per startup company. The total amount guaranteed may not exceed one third of the startup’s 2019 running costs. In justified cases, the canton may deviate from this in its evaluation.
Startups submit a loan guarantee application via the website https://covid19.easygov.swiss/en/for-startups. The loan guarantee application is sent to the participating canton together with all the required documents from EasyGov. A body appointed by the canton reviews the criteria and forwards its evaluation of the loan guarantee application to the responsible loan guarantee organisation. The loan guarantee organisation makes the final decision on the loan guarantee taking into account the evaluation by the body appointed by the canton. On that basis, the company can apply for a guaranteed loan from any bank. Loan guarantee applications which were submitted in full from 7 May up to 31 August 2020 using the above-mentioned platform are taken into consideration.

The cantons of Vaud and Neuchâtel were the first to have confirmed their participation in the support measures for startups. The list of participating cantons is updated on an ongoing basis and the responsible bodies and all information about the procedure is published at https://covid19.easygov.swiss/en/for-startups.
The responsible cantonal bodies can make use of an expert group which is coordinated by Innosuisse – the Swiss Innovation Agency – during the evaluation if required. This group submits an assessment of whether the companies applying meet the requirement as science- or technology-based startups.
The following 13 organisations in the Swiss startup ecosystem with a national focus participate pro bono in the expert group:
Business Angels Switzerland, Digital Switzerland, Gebert Rüf Stiftung, Impact Hub, Innosuisse, Mass Challenge, SEF4KMU, SICTIC, Swiss Entrepreneurs Foundation, Swiss Startup Group, &gt;&gt;Venture&gt;&gt;, VentureLab (IFJ), W.A. de Vigier Foundation.
Which companies are eligible?

Startups based in a participating canton and founded after 1 January 2010 but before 1 March 2020
Companies limited by shares (AG) and companies with limited liability (GmbH) based in Switzerland.
Startups that are not part of the agricultural sector.
The startup is not in bankruptcy or composition proceedings or in liquidation
Startups that are suffering significant financial and liquidity problems due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

What information is required?

Current expenses. In particular, current expenses comprise wages, investment that is not eligible for capitalisation, rents, costs of patent applications and patent lawyers as well as costs for internal or outsourced research and development processes.
Annual financial statements as evidence of current expenses in 2019 or, if not available, in 2018
Business plans
Company details, including contact details of a contact at the company.
Details of the lending bank.
Loan agreement and/or loan applications for any loans received in accordance with the COVID-19 Joint and Several Loan Guarantee Ordinance (COVID-19-Solidarbürgschaftsverordnung) of 25 March 2020

Additional requirements

The startup will confirm that it is not insolvent pursuant to Art. 725 CO at the date it submits the application.
The business model is scalable, science- or technology-based and innovative.
Any loans pursuant to the COVID-19 Joint and Several Loan Guarantee Ordinance (COVID-19 Solidarbürgschaftsverordnung) of 25 March 2020 will be included.
The loan guarantee organisation will decide on the guarantee, taking account of the canton’s assessment. On this basis, the company can apply for a loan with any bank.

 
Comment Fintechnews.ch: So far only the cantons Neuchatel and Vaud are participating, we really hope other cantons such as Zurich, Geneva and Zug will be joining soon!
Featured image credit: Unsplash
The post COVID19: Liquidity Support for Startups up and Running appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/covid19-liquidity-support-for-startups-up-and-running</link><guid>1276</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/process-startup-en-796x1024.png</dc:content ><dc:text>COVID19: Liquidity Support for Startups up and Running</dc:text></item><item><title>Gentwo Digital, a Securitization Specialist for Bankable and Unbankable Assets</title><description><![CDATA[Startups have been amongst the hardest hit companies as the COVID-19 pandemic shuts down economies.
In Switzerland, four of five blockchain companies located in the so-called Crypto Valley are looking at bankruptcy within the next six months, and 88% believe they won’t survive without state aid, according to a survey conducted between March 31 and April 3 by industry group the Swiss Blockchain Federation.
To do our part in supporting the fintech startup community, the Fintech News Network will be covering each week a promising Swiss Fintech Startups that deserve the spotlight.
This week, we look at Gentwo Digital, a Zug-based startup that aims to build a bridge between the traditional finance world and the crypto market.
Gentwo Digital: bridging traditional finance and the crypto world
Founded in 2018, Gentwo Digital is a business-to-business (B2B) service provider specialized in securitizing both bankable and unbankable assets.
With the mission to act as a bridge between the traditional financial market and the new emerging crypto market, Gentwo Digital claims it has created the world’s first issuing platform for financial products in the crypto space.
Through the platform, customers can make any ICO, token and crypto asset investable and bankable through a conventional Swiss-compliant tracker certificate complete with Swiss ISIN (International Securities Identification Number). ISIN is an international numbering system for specific securities, such as stocks (equity and preference shares), bonds, options and futures.
Gentwo Digital has worked with numerous companies and built securitization platforms for partners which include banks, brokers, asset managers, and family offices, enabling them to issue new kinds of assets. These include asset manager Clarus Capital, token issuer Finka, blockchain-powered exchange platform Lykke, and even Hollywood film producer Barry Films.
Gentwo Digital is a joint venture between Gentwo, which specializes in independent securitization of financial products, inacta, a blockchain service provider, and the Crypto Valley ecosystem.
Most recently, the startup expanded to Geneva, establishing a presence in French-speaking Switzerland. It also teamed up with integrated, regulated bank SEBA Bank in February to develop a sophisticated offering for institutional investors.
Crypto Valley
Gentwo Digital is part of Zug’s ever growing crypto and blockchain startup community. Nicknamed Crypto Valley due to the large number of companies engaged in the space, Zug is currently home to 425 registered crypto and blockchain companies, representing more than 50% of all crypto companies located in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, according to the CV VC Top 50 Report H2/2019.
Number of startups per canton, CV VC Top 50 Report H2 2019, CV VC, January 23 2020
Released in January, the report provides an overview of the crypto industry in the second half of 2019, highlighting growth and further maturation of the sector. In particularly, it notes strong development of the finance cluster with the introduction of crypto banks, and active involvement of Swiss private banks and traditional financial services companies in the field.
The report cites the example of SIX Group, the operator of the Swiss Stock Exchange, which launched a pilot version of SDX, its exchange and central securities depository (CSD) for digital assets, in September 2019.
Real estate security tokens were another noteworthy trend in H2 2019, which saw, for example, Emaar Properties, one of the world’s largest property developers, launch a reward token for its ecosystem through Emaar Suisse.
As of early 2020, Switzerland and Liechtenstein were home to five crypto unicorns: Ethereum ($14.4B), Dfinity (US$2 billion), Polkadot (US$1.2 billion), Bitmain (US$1 billion), Libra (US$1 billion). Unicorn contenders included Tezos (US$924 million), Cardano (US$869 million), and Cosmos (US$818 million).
The post Gentwo Digital, a Securitization Specialist for Bankable and Unbankable Assets appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/gentwo-digital-a-securitization-specialist-for-bankable-and-unbankable-assets</link><guid>1272</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Number-of-startups-per-canton-CV-VC-Top-50-Report-H22019-CV-VC-January-23-2020.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Gentwo Digital, a Securitization Specialist for Bankable and Unbankable Assets</dc:text></item><item><title>Google Pay und Samsung Pay neu bei UBS Verfügbar</title><description><![CDATA[Derzeit sind kontaktlose und mobile Zahlungslösungen gefragter denn je. Ab heute haben auch Schweizer Visa Karteninhaber der UBS die Möglichkeit mit Google Pay und Samsung Pay mobil zu bezahlen. Damit ist das Mobile Payment Angebot in der Schweiz fast flächendeckend verfügbar.
Volker Koppe
«Wir freuen uns über den Start von Google Pay und Samsung Pay bei UBS. Dies ist aktuell ein wichtiger Schritt, um schnelle und sichere digitale Zahlungen weiter zu ermöglichen»,
so Volker Koppe, Head of Digital bei Visa in Zentraleuropa.
«Beim kontaktlosen mobilen Bezahlen mit Smartphone oder Smartwatch können Zahlungen ohne PIN-Eingabe beglichen werden. Die Authentifizierung erfolgt auf Basis biometrischer Merkmale wie Fingerprint oder Gesichtserkennung – diese beiden Authentifizierungsmethoden geniessen bei den Schweizern laut einer aktuellen Visa-Studie ein noch grösseres Vertrauen als die Eingabe des PINs. Zudem muss das Smartphone oder die Smartwatch zu keiner Zeit aus der Hand gegeben werden»,
sagt Volker Koppe weiter.
Schutz durch Visa Technologie
Da die Visa Karte einfach in das Smartphone wandert, geniessen Konsumenten denselben Schutz wie beim Bezahlen mit ihrer physischen Visa Karte. Visa Transaktionen mit Google Pay oder Samsung Pay werden durch mehrere Sicherheitsebenen geschützt, unter anderem durch den Visa Token Service (VTS). Er ersetzt die klassische Kartennummer durch einen speziellen digitalen Token. Beim Bezahlen wird anstelle der eigentlichen Kartendaten nur der Token an den Händler übertragen, um die Zahlung zu autorisieren. So helfen Tokens, Betrug bei E-Commerce- und M-Commerce-Transaktionen zu verhindern, indem sie sensible Kartendaten aus dem Bezahlprozess fernhalten.
Tokens sind unter anderem auf Transaktionen mit einem bestimmten mobilen Gerät beschränkt. Wird das Smartphone gestohlen oder geht verloren, kann Visa auf Basis der Meldung der Bank den darauf gespeicherten Token sofort deaktivieren. Die hinterlegte Visa Karte muss nicht gesperrt und ausgetauscht werden.
«Schnelligkeit und Benutzerfreundlichkeit sind die Hauptvorteile von Mobile Payments. Eine ebenso wichtige Rolle spielt dabei die Sicherheit. Mit unserem Token Service machen wir jede Transaktion via Smartphone oder Smartwatch genauso sicher wie eine übliche Zahlung mit Visa Karte»,
erklärt Volker Koppe weiter.
The post Google Pay und Samsung Pay neu bei UBS Verfügbar appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/google-pay-und-samsung-pay-neu-bei-ubs-verfugbar</link><guid>1273</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Google Pay und Samsung Pay neu bei UBS Verfügbar</dc:text></item><item><title>Additiv Digital Investment Management Solution Goes Live at Postfinance</title><description><![CDATA[PostFinance, one of the leading retail financial institutions in Switzerland, and additiv, a leading SaaS provider to the wealth management industry, today announce the successful implementation of a new, 100% digital investment platform for PostFinance customers.
The platform supports four PostFinance investment solutions, which range from advisory and discretionary mandates to execution-only solutions. Utilising additiv’s market-leading Hybrid Wealth solution, the brand-new offering supports both self-service management as well as advisor-assisted interactions &#8211; all with a rich, immersive user experience.
The self-service element enables PostFinance clients to oversee and control their full investment portfolio, including ETFs and funds, through an intuitive tool. The feature rich functions include automated investing informed by PostFinance’s investment committee views, automated daily portfolio monitoring, automated rebalancing, investment proposals triggered through portfolio monitoring, as well as model scenarios using extensive data.
Where advisor-assisted, the solution has features that allow for strong engagement while also giving the advisor the tools to operate as efficiently and effectively as possible, such as instant proposal generation and ‘one-click’ consent management.
Daniel Mewes
Daniel Mewes, Head of Investment Solutions of PostFinance said
“We are very pleased to offer our customers four digital investment solutions that support them in targeted, long-term asset accumulation. Thanks to innovative financial software from additiv, our customers benefit from simple, user-friendly access to the new services. Accounts can be opened simply in under 10 minutes, after which customers are free to manage their investments anywhere and anytime. This is an important step for PostFinance on its way to becoming a leader in digital investment management.”
Michael Stemmle
Michael Stemmle, CEO of additiv said
“It has never been more important for wealth managers to offer a totally digital experience. This new digital offering from PostFinance provides the best digital servicing, allowing clients anytime, anywhere to access and control their investments themselves or in close collaboration with advisors. But it also combines this with comprehensive engagement and fulfillment capabilities, such as data-rich, interactive views of the positions and performance, personalized idea generation as well as one-click consent management for proposals. We are confident this solution will see strong uptake from the PostFinance customers and deliver massive customer success.”
 
Featured image: © PostFinance Ltd 2017, all rights reserved
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/additiv-digital-investment-management-solution-goes-live-at-postfinance</link><guid>1274</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Additiv Digital Investment Management Solution Goes Live at Postfinance</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 9 Global Crypto News and Crypto Data Websites in 2020</title><description><![CDATA[Since Bitcoin was released back in 2009, a whole industry has emerged, with now over 6,000 so-called altcoins and a plethora of exchanges, wallets, and other services providers to choose from.
With so many websites available out there, we look today at the top 10 crypto news and data websites to get all your critical metrics and breaking news from this year.
CoinDesk
Founded in May 2013, CoinDesk is a leading news site specializing in cryptocurrencies and digital assets.
The company created the original price reference rate known as the Bitcoin Price Index in 2013 which is now widely sourced in the media including The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, CNBC, and many others.
It also hosts the annual Consensus summit each May, one of the largest blockchain technology gatherings of stakeholders in the global blockchain ecosystem from around the world, and is the anchor event and co-host of Blockchain Week NYC.
CoinDesk was acquired by Digital Currency Group in January 2016 for an estimated amount of US$500K-600K.
 
The Block
Founded in 2018, The Block is an American research, analysis and news brand in the digital asset space. Through its website, newsletter, the Genesis research brand, The Scoop podcast, as well as live events and community participation, The Block claims it interacts daily with tens of thousands of crypto natives, financial market participants, Fortune 500 professionals, global service providers, government leaders and more.
The Block has raised US$3.5 million in funding so far, according to Crunchbase. It is backed by Fenbushi Capital and Pantera Capital, among other investors.
TechCrunch

Founded in 2005, TechCrunch is a leading American online publisher focusing on the tech industry that regularly reports on blockchain and cryptocurrency.
TechCrunch specifically reports on the business related to tech, technology news, analysis of emerging trends in tech, and profiling of new tech businesses and products. It was one of the earliest publications to report extensively on tech startups and funding.
TechCrunch hosts the annual tech conference, TechCrunch Disrupt, and used to operate Crunchbase, a database of the startup ecosystem, before it spun out to become a private entity in 2015. TechCrunch is owned by AOL.
Bloomberg Crypto

Bloomberg is a leading financial, software, data, and media company that delivers business and markets news, data, analysis, and video to the world, featuring stories from Businessweek and Bloomberg News, its international news agency division.
Bloomberg News frequently covers cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology under the Bloomberg Crypto brand, and publishes The Bloomberg Crypto Outlook, a monthly publication that brings readers the latest fundamental and technical analysis, data, and insight on the broad market, Bitcoin and top cryptos.
Forbes Crypto
Forbes is an American business magazine published bi-weekly. It features original articles on finance, industry, investing, and marketing topics, and also reports on related subjects such as technology, communications, science, politics, and law.
Forbes.com, part of the company’s Forbes Digital division, covers a variety of topics, including crypto assets, blockchain technology, Bitcoin, Ethereum, ICOs and tokens.
Forbes is also well known for its lists and rankings, among which Blockchain 50, an annual list featuring the top 50 billion-dollar companies and organizations that are leading the blockchain revolution.
South China Morning Post

The South China Morning Post (SCMP), with its Sunday edition, the Sunday Morning Post, is an English-language newspaper founded in 1903, and Hong Kong’s newspaper of record.
Apart from its flagship newspaper, SCMP publishes news 24/7 on SCMP.com, its online service. SCMP.com often reports on blockchain and cryptocurrencies, two topics that have been widely talked about in mainland China and Hong Kong over the past couple of years. SCMP also runs Abacus, a digital news brand focused on China’s tech industry.
CoinMarketCap

Founded in 2013, CoinMarketCap is a popular website for tracking the price of cryptocurrencies. The platform provides users with various data about exchanges and listed coins, such as their price, available supply, trade volume over last 24 hours, and market capitalization.
CoinMarketCap claims it is the world’s most-referenced price-tracking website for crypto assets, and is commonly cited by CNBC, Bloomberg, and other major news outlets.
CoinMarketCap is owned by Binance Capital Mgmt.
CoinGecko
Behind CoinMarketCap is CoinGecko, a Malaysia-based and run crypto data aggregator and market data platform. Founded in 2014, CoinGecko allows users to track cryptocurrency prices, volume and market capitalization. The company also follows community growth, open-source code development, major events and on-chain metrics.
CoinGecko currently tracks nearly 7,140 tokens from more than 418 cryptocurrency exchanges. The company produces regular reports covering the state of the crypto market.
CryptoCompare
Founded in 2014, CryptoCompare is a global cryptocurrency market data provider, giving l investors access to real-time market and pricing data on 5,300+ coins and 240,000+ currency pairs.
By aggregating and analyzing tick data from globally recognized exchanges, and integrating different datasets in the cryptocurrency price, CryptoCompare aims to offer a comprehensive, holistic overview of the market. At a granular level, CryptoCompare produces cryptocurrency trade data, order book data, blockchain and historical data, social data, reports and a suite of cryptocurrency indices.
Companies including Refinitiv, a provider of financial software and risk solutions, and Quandl, the largest provider of alternative data for financial professionals, currently use CryptoCompare’s data and solutions.
The post Top 9 Global Crypto News and Crypto Data Websites in 2020 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-9-global-crypto-news-and-crypto-data-websites-in-2020</link><guid>1271</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/CoinDesk.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 9 Global Crypto News and Crypto Data Websites in 2020</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 10 Regtech Startups in Europe</title><description><![CDATA[Regtech, which refers to the use of technology to help financial services firms deal with regulation, is one of the fastest-growing fintech segments. KPMG forecasts that regtech spending by 2022 will reach US$76 billion from only US$10.6 billion in 2017.
According to XAnge, a Franco-German venture capital firm, Europe is home to about 140 regtech startups. 30% of those startups specialize in compliance management, 27% focus on know your customer (KYC) and anti-money laundering (AML) automation, and 26% leverage technology and data to provide risk management tools.
To keep up with this rapidly growing community, we look today at ten of Europe’s most successful regtech startups. These serve some of the world’s largest financial institutions and fintechs, and have attracted the interest of notable investors.
Onfido (London, UK)

Founded in 2012 by three former students at Oxford University, Onfido is an award-winning software company that helps businesses verify people’s identities using a photo-based identity document, a selfie and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms.
Onfido provides identity verification through its online platform. The company uses manual and automated machine learning (ML) technologies, including optical character recognition and face detection, to compare and cross-reference a person’s facial biometrics with their identity document to prevent fraud.
Onfido powers over 1,500 fintech, banking and marketplace clients globally, including Revolut, Remitly, and Bitstamp.
The company has raised £180 million in funding. It is headquartered in London and has more than 400 employees in offices across San Francisco, New York, Lisbon, Paris, New Delhi and Singapore.
ComplyAdvantage (London, UK)

Founded in 2014 and headquartered in London, ComplyAdvantage is an award-winning regtech company that uses AI and ML to help firms manage compliance obligations. The company provides data intelligence to help firms understand the risk of who they’re doing business with, while automating compliance and risk processes.
ComplyAdvantage works with over 500 enterprise clients across 75 countries, including Earthport, a publicly-listed payments company, Azimo, an international money transfer services provider, and Lemon Way, a pan-European payments institution.
The company is backed by notable investors including Index Ventures and Balderton Capital, and has four global hubs in London, New York, Cluj-Napoca and Singapore.
Quantexa (London, UK)

Founded in 2016 and headquartered in London, Quantexa is an enterprise intelligence company which enables organizations to make better decisions from their data. Using the latest advancements in big data and AI, Quantexa uncovers hidden customer connections and behaviors to solve major challenges in financial crime, customer insight and data analytics.
Quantexa is led by a team of experts in advanced analytics and data focused solutions, and operates globally with offices in London, New York, Boston, Canada, Belgium and Sydney.
The company has raised US$23.3 million in funding, and is due to open a £50 million funding round later this year.
Quantexa boasts a range of high profile clients including HSBC and Standard Chartered.
NorthRow (Abingdon, UK)

Launched in 2011, NorthRow (formerly Contego) is a regtech company helping regulated firms remove manual processes to improve operational efficiency and customer experience, whilst reducing compliance risk.
NorthRow delivers a unique combination of automated and managed identity verification (IDV) and know your customer (KYC) checks via a single API, helping to make onboarding as frictionless as possible and helping to meet anti-money laundering (AML) and other compliance requirements, including client suitability and appropriateness under MiFID II. NorthRow also offers a fully managed service when enhanced due diligence is required.
NorthRow has raised £5.3 million in funding, and is the official tech provider of the UK’s Open Banking Implementation Entity (OBIE), for which it has been verifying international users since 2018.
Encompass (Glasgow, UK)

Founded in 2012, Encompass has created an innovative KYC automation software that enables better, faster commercial decisions.
The software robotically searches structured and unstructured information sources to automate KYC, AML and EDD policies. Key elements including UBOs, PEPs, sanctions and adverse media are all identified, visualized and verified in seconds.
Encompass has raised £6.2 million in funding and serves major financial and professional service firms globally, including Santander, IHS Markit and Murgitroyd.
Fenergo (Dublin, Ireland)

Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, Fenergo is a provider of client onboarding lifecycle management software for corporate, investment and private banks.
Fenergo’s onboarding technologies span front and middle office operations to provide banking clients with an end-to-end client lifecycle management solution that includes compliance and banking process management such as onboarding compliance, legal entity data management, product onboarding, collateral management, client servicing, and credit mitigants and collateral management.
The company has raised more than US$120 million in funding, the latest round being a US$80 million venture round in February 2020 at a US$800 million valuation. Fenergo serves clients that include BNP Paribas, Bank of China, Scotiabank, BNY Mellon, BBVA and UBS.
Corlytics (Dublin, Ireland)

Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Dublin, Corlytics is a regulatory risk intelligence company that works with global regulators, financial institutions and their advisors to provide data and analytics to inform future risk management.
Corlytics uses analytics to assess the impact of each piece of regulation. It breaks each enforcement action into 160 different data points to allow machine readable insights and comparisons across regulators. Its services include regulatory monitoring, taxonomy mapping and regulatory advisory services.
Corlytics has raised EUR 24 million in funding and has received numerous awards and accolades.
DataGuard (Munich, Germany)

Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Munich, DataGuard is a privacy and compliance software-as-a-service company.
DataGuard’s “privacy-as-a-service” solution enables more than 1,000 customers ranging from small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to multinational enterprises, to become and remain compliant with national and international privacy regulation.
Via its proprietary software platform, DataGuard audits customers’ personal data flows, creates process documentation, processes and documents data breaches, third party audits and data subject requests, and trains customers’ workforces.
DataGuard operates across a broad range of industry verticals such as industrials, technology, professional services, healthcare, finance, and government.
Apiax (Zurich, Switzerland)

Founded in 2017, Apiax is an award-winning Swiss regtech startup that builds and offers tools transforming complex written financial regulations into binary, machine-readable digital compliance rules. The rules, which are constantly up-to-date and verified, are consumable via an app or can be integrated directly into banking processes through an easy-to-use API.
Apiax has raised US$8.1 million in funding, the latest round being its US$6.6 million Series A in October 2019. The company’s team is comprised of legal, technology, and product experts. It has offices in Zurich, Lisbon, and London.
NetGuardians (Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland)

Established in 2007, NetGuardians is an award-winning Swiss regtech startup that has developed an AI solution for banks to proactively prevent fraud.
NetGuardians’ fraud-mitigation software uses the latest technology, including ML, big data, and user-behavior analytics to prevent fraud in real time across a number of banking areas. The software monitors all activities and transactions and raise an alert for any suspicious activity.
NetGuardians serves over 50 Tier 1 to Tier 3 banks worldwide, including Aargauische Kantonalbank, HFC Bank Ghana, and Acleda Bank.
Besides Switzerland, the company has offices in Poland, Kenya and Singapore.
The post Top 10 Regtech Startups in Europe appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-10-regtech-startups-in-europe</link><guid>1267</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ONFIDO-300x113.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 10 Regtech Startups in Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Digital Assset Infrastructure Provider Raises Series A from Arab Bank Switzerland and Lombard Odier</title><description><![CDATA[Taurus Group, a Swiss B2B digital asset infrastructure provider, announced it has secured a CHF 8-digit series A funding round. The financing round is composed of existing investors as well as new strategic institutional, and private investors that include Arab Bank Switzerland (lead investor), stock listed real-estate group Investis Group, Lombard Odier, and Swiss Blockchain foundation Tezos.
Sebastien Dessimoz
Co-founder Sebastien Dessimoz said:
 “We want to thank our existing and new investors for their trust in Taurus’ vision. We see significant opportunities, shared by many of our clients, in digitizing the private markets&#8217; value chain which is mostly paper based today. We believe we have built one of the most powerful platforms in the world to do so, from issuance to custody to transfer, leveraging distributed ledger and smart contracts technologies. We look forward to accelerating our innovation pipeline that will further open new business opportunities to our clients and partners in Switzerland and abroad.”
In less than two years, Taurus claims to have established itself as the category leader in enterprise-grade digital asset infrastructure for regulated financial institutions.
Since the foundation of Taurus in April 2018, institutional investors in all major financial centers have increasingly entered the digital asset space thanks to clearer regulatory frameworks and more mature infrastructure such as that of Taurus. Taurus’ vision is that the world of traditional assets and digital assets are converging. Although the industry is still nascent, Taurus sees tremendous potential and efficiency gains for issuers, investors and financial institutions in digitizing the private markets value chain by leveraging digital assets capabilities.
Featured image: Taurus Team via Taurus Linkedin
The post Swiss Digital Assset Infrastructure Provider Raises Series A from Arab Bank Switzerland and Lombard Odier appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-digital-assset-infrastructure-provider-raises-series-a-from-arab-bank-switzerland-and-lombard-odier</link><guid>1265</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Digital Assset Infrastructure Provider Raises Series A from Arab Bank Switzerland and Lombard Odier</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Digital Asset Infrastructure Provider Raises Series A from Arab Bank Switzerland and Lombard Odier</title><description><![CDATA[Taurus Group, a Swiss B2B digital asset infrastructure provider, announced it has secured a CHF 8-digit series A funding round. The financing round is composed of existing investors as well as new strategic institutional, and private investors that include Arab Bank Switzerland (lead investor), stock listed real-estate group Investis Group, Lombard Odier, and Swiss Blockchain foundation Tezos.
Sebastien Dessimoz
Co-founder Sebastien Dessimoz said:
 “We want to thank our existing and new investors for their trust in Taurus’ vision. We see significant opportunities, shared by many of our clients, in digitizing the private markets&#8217; value chain which is mostly paper based today. We believe we have built one of the most powerful platforms in the world to do so, from issuance to custody to transfer, leveraging distributed ledger and smart contracts technologies. We look forward to accelerating our innovation pipeline that will further open new business opportunities to our clients and partners in Switzerland and abroad.”
In less than two years, Taurus claims to have established itself as the category leader in enterprise-grade digital asset infrastructure for regulated financial institutions.
Since the foundation of Taurus in April 2018, institutional investors in all major financial centers have increasingly entered the digital asset space thanks to clearer regulatory frameworks and more mature infrastructure such as that of Taurus. Taurus’ vision is that the world of traditional assets and digital assets are converging. Although the industry is still nascent, Taurus sees tremendous potential and efficiency gains for issuers, investors and financial institutions in digitizing the private markets value chain by leveraging digital assets capabilities.
Featured image: Taurus Team via Taurus Linkedin
The post Swiss Digital Asset Infrastructure Provider Raises Series A from Arab Bank Switzerland and Lombard Odier appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-digital-asset-infrastructure-provider-raises-series-a-from-arab-bank-switzerland-and-lombard-odier</link><guid>1268</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Digital Asset Infrastructure Provider Raises Series A from Arab Bank Switzerland and Lombard Odier</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Assocation Issues Industry Standards for Custody and Management of Digital Assets</title><description><![CDATA[First initiative by the Swiss financial industry to agree on a common standard in the path to digitalization.
The Capital Markets and Technology Association (CMTA), an independent Swiss association bringing together actors from the financial, technological and legal sectors, releases the “Digital Assets Custody Standard” (DACS), a set of requirements and recommendations for technology solutions enabling the custody and management of digital assets. This document aims to fill in a gap, as digital asset custody is not yet subject to clear minimum security and operational requirements, contrary to traditional asset custody.
Fedor Poskriakov
Fedor Poskriakov, General Secretary at the CMTA and Partner at Lenz &amp; Staehelin, explains:
 “The digitalization of the capital markets infrastructures is accelerating. In that context, the launch of the “Digital Assets Custody Standard” represents a key milestone, as it is the first initiative of the Swiss financial industry to agree on a common standard for custody and management of digital assets. This will greatly contribute to the emergence of fully digital capital market infrastructures, including integrated custody and secondary trading venues. The benefits of the digitalization of the financial industry are such that the evolution towards decentralized infrastructures seems inevitable.”
Filling in a void in custody standards of digital assets
The CMTA enables the Swiss financial industry to adopt common principles that facilitate the use of digital assets. The proposed standard addresses the manner in which custodians control clients&#8217; digital assets on a distributed ledger. It also provides baseline requirements and recommendations for the procedures in which the private keys can be generated, stored and recovered in a secure manner.
Securing private keys is essential for investors interested in digital assets
Control of digital assets is secured by private keys, i.e. digital information used to cryptographically protect and validate transactions issued on the relevant distributed ledger infrastructure. Storage of such private keys is particularly sensitive, as storage devices can be lost, stolen or even hacked. For investors, the availability of high-assurance safekeeping solutions for private keys is essential. Those solutions significantly differ from those used for traditional financial assets, for which systems are heavily centralized and do not rely on cryptographic mechanisms. Digital assets are not kept at a single place, but are recorded on distributed ledgers maintained by a community of participants.
A simplified access to capital markets
The distributed ledger technology contributes to simplifying the financing of companies and democratizing their access to financial markets, which was before essentially reserved for large companies. It notably enables smaller companies, including SMEs, to issue and trade securities on decentralized platforms, leveraging benefits of digitalization and disintermediation. At a time where the balance sheets of SMEs are under heavy pressure, allowing them to broaden their investor base may be more important than ever.
Jean-Philippe Aumasson
Dr. Jean-Philippe Aumasson, Tech Committee Chair at the CMTA and co-Founder at Taurus Group, concludes:
“The DACS will contribute to a greater maturity in the technological and procedural aspects of digital assets custody. Leading auditing firms, custody solutions suppliers, and regulated financial firms have joined forces to accelerate the evolution of the financial industry towards decentralized infrastructures.”
The CMTA’s standard for the safe custody of digital assets has been published after consulting members, including Lenz &amp; Staehelin, Swissquote Bank, Temenos Group, Altcoinomy, AtonRâ Partners, Bank Vontobel, Banque Lombard Odier &amp; Cie, Banque Pâris Bertrand, Banque Pictet, ChainSecurity, Chambre Vaudoise du Commerce et de l&#8217;Industrie, Crypto Finance, Diginex, Eidoo, HDC, Hermance Capital Partners, Jacquemoud Stanislas, Lonza, Mt Pelerin, Niederer Kraft Frey, Ochsner &amp; Associés, PKB Privatbank, REYL &amp; Cie, SEBA Bank, Sygnum Bank, Taurus Group, Tavernier Tschanz, Tokenestate and UBP.
The post Swiss Assocation Issues Industry Standards for Custody and Management of Digital Assets appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-assocation-issues-industry-standards-for-custody-and-management-of-digital-assets</link><guid>1266</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Assocation Issues Industry Standards for Custody and Management of Digital Assets</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Association Issues Industry Standards for Custody and Management of Digital Assets</title><description><![CDATA[First initiative by the Swiss financial industry to agree on a common standard in the path to digitalization.
The Capital Markets and Technology Association (CMTA), an independent Swiss association bringing together actors from the financial, technological and legal sectors, releases the “Digital Assets Custody Standard” (DACS), a set of requirements and recommendations for technology solutions enabling the custody and management of digital assets. This document aims to fill in a gap, as digital asset custody is not yet subject to clear minimum security and operational requirements, contrary to traditional asset custody.
Fedor Poskriakov
Fedor Poskriakov, General Secretary at the CMTA and Partner at Lenz &amp; Staehelin, explains:
 “The digitalization of the capital markets infrastructures is accelerating. In that context, the launch of the “Digital Assets Custody Standard” represents a key milestone, as it is the first initiative of the Swiss financial industry to agree on a common standard for custody and management of digital assets. This will greatly contribute to the emergence of fully digital capital market infrastructures, including integrated custody and secondary trading venues. The benefits of the digitalization of the financial industry are such that the evolution towards decentralized infrastructures seems inevitable.”
Filling in a void in custody standards of digital assets
The CMTA enables the Swiss financial industry to adopt common principles that facilitate the use of digital assets. The proposed standard addresses the manner in which custodians control clients&#8217; digital assets on a distributed ledger. It also provides baseline requirements and recommendations for the procedures in which the private keys can be generated, stored and recovered in a secure manner.
Securing private keys is essential for investors interested in digital assets
Control of digital assets is secured by private keys, i.e. digital information used to cryptographically protect and validate transactions issued on the relevant distributed ledger infrastructure. Storage of such private keys is particularly sensitive, as storage devices can be lost, stolen or even hacked. For investors, the availability of high-assurance safekeeping solutions for private keys is essential. Those solutions significantly differ from those used for traditional financial assets, for which systems are heavily centralized and do not rely on cryptographic mechanisms. Digital assets are not kept at a single place, but are recorded on distributed ledgers maintained by a community of participants.
A simplified access to capital markets
The distributed ledger technology contributes to simplifying the financing of companies and democratizing their access to financial markets, which was before essentially reserved for large companies. It notably enables smaller companies, including SMEs, to issue and trade securities on decentralized platforms, leveraging benefits of digitalization and disintermediation. At a time where the balance sheets of SMEs are under heavy pressure, allowing them to broaden their investor base may be more important than ever.
Jean-Philippe Aumasson
Dr. Jean-Philippe Aumasson, Tech Committee Chair at the CMTA and co-Founder at Taurus Group, concludes:
“The DACS will contribute to a greater maturity in the technological and procedural aspects of digital assets custody. Leading auditing firms, custody solutions suppliers, and regulated financial firms have joined forces to accelerate the evolution of the financial industry towards decentralized infrastructures.”
The CMTA’s standard for the safe custody of digital assets has been published after consulting members, including Lenz &amp; Staehelin, Swissquote Bank, Temenos Group, Altcoinomy, AtonRâ Partners, Bank Vontobel, Banque Lombard Odier &amp; Cie, Banque Pâris Bertrand, Banque Pictet, ChainSecurity, Chambre Vaudoise du Commerce et de l&#8217;Industrie, Crypto Finance, Diginex, Eidoo, HDC, Hermance Capital Partners, Jacquemoud Stanislas, Lonza, Mt Pelerin, Niederer Kraft Frey, Ochsner &amp; Associés, PKB Privatbank, REYL &amp; Cie, SEBA Bank, Sygnum Bank, Taurus Group, Tavernier Tschanz, Tokenestate and UBP.
The post Swiss Association Issues Industry Standards for Custody and Management of Digital Assets appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-association-issues-industry-standards-for-custody-and-management-of-digital-assets</link><guid>1269</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Association Issues Industry Standards for Custody and Management of Digital Assets</dc:text></item><item><title>COVID-19 Crisis to Substantially Transform the Payments Landscape: McKinsey</title><description><![CDATA[COVID-19 will have a long-lasting impact on all industries, and the payments sector will be no exception, according to a report by McKinsey &amp; Company.
The use of cash and other paper payment methods is already rapidly declining with withdrawals at ATMs being down by more than 50% in many European countries. Meanwhile, contactless payments are rising strongly. These new consumer habits will become more and more ingrained and companies in the space should prepare themselves for some fundamental changes, the consultancy firm said in a paper released in March.
Digital wallet solutions will expand beyond just payments to include features such as digital IDs and transaction monitoring and reporting, and physical means of payments will continue to decline, putting pressure on companies to develop innovative solutions that ensure universal access for unbanked populations, it said.
Meanwhile, online commerce will continue to grow as an increasing number of offline businesses seek a digital future. This will require industry participants to rapidly build out omnichannel capabilities that bridge payments in any environment, physical or digital.
But it is not just payments, McKinsey said, as the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to shake up the fintech industry as a whole, eliminating initiatives that lack clear long-term economic viability, and pushing for greater market consolidation.
According to CB Insights, fintech funding has been down since December 2019, showcasing the impact that the COVID-19 outbreak has had on startup funding. Fintech companies in the space are projected to raise about US$6 billion in Q1’20, a level not seen since 2017.
COVID-19 takes a toll on payments revenues
Revenue growth in global payments is expected to turn negative instead of growing 6% as initially projected. Activity could drop by as much as 8 to 10% of total revenues, or a reduction of US$165 billion to US$210 billion, McKinsey projects.
The economic impact of COVID-19 is comparable to that of the 2008 financial crisis. Source: Global Payments Map, Panorama by McKinsey
In a relatively optimistic scenario where the virus would be contained after an economic lockdown of two to three months in Europe and the US, payments revenues would decline, at most, US$165 billion as global GDP would drop 1.5%, the firm projects.
In a more pessimistic scenario characterized by a muted recovery, resurgence of the virus in China, and continued spread in the US and Europe, global payments revenues would decline in excess of US$210 billion while global GDP would contract by 4.7%.
Slowing global payment-revenue growth is expected to cost the payment industry US$165 billion to US$210 billion in 2020 revenue. Source: McKinsey
Breaking down the different components behind the projected decline in global payments revenues, McKinsey predicts a drop by 25 to 30% in cross border consumer-to-business (C2B) transactions driven by the disruption of travel and tourism. Meanwhile, classic point-of-sale (POS) payments volumes could decline by as much as 30 to 40% in the short term.
The firm also forecasts a drop in cross border business-to-business (B2B) transactions with border closure substantially impacting global commerce.
The post COVID-19 Crisis to Substantially Transform the Payments Landscape: McKinsey appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/covid-19-crisis-to-substantially-transform-the-payments-landscape-mckinsey</link><guid>1264</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/The-economic-impact-of-COVID-19-is-comparable-to-that-of-the-2008-financial-crisis.-Source-Global-Payments-Map-Panorama-by-McKinsey.png</dc:content ><dc:text>COVID-19 Crisis to Substantially Transform the Payments Landscape: McKinsey</dc:text></item><item><title>Insurtech Bietet Versicherungen Für ICT-Unternehmen an</title><description><![CDATA[swissICT und esurance lancieren eine Versicherungslösung für ICT-Unternehmen. Angesprochen sind KMU und insbesondere auch Startups.
Der ICT-Fachverband swissICT, der digitale Versicherungsbroker esurance und das Label swiss made software gehen eine strategische Partnerschaft ein. Ziel der neuen Partnerschaft ist es, den swissICT-Mitgliedern über die digitale Versicherungsplattform www.esurance.ch/it branchenspezifische und kostengünstige Versicherungslösungen im Bereich Haftpflicht, Inventar, Unfall (UVG), Krankheit (KTG) und Vorsorge (BVG) anzubieten.
Kleine KMU zahlen zu viel (und bekommen vieles nicht)

Jährlich werden in der Schweiz 2000 Unternehmen im Bereich ICT gegründet. Die Unternehmerinnen und Unternehmer stossen zwar auf einen bunten Strauss an Versicherungsanbietern und Lösungen, die Situation ist dennoch unbefriedigend.
Christian Hunziker
«Gute Lösungen sind teuer, oft zu teuer»,
hat Christian Hunziker, Geschäftsführer von swissICT, von Mitgliedern vernommen.
«Deshalb leisten sich viele KMU nur das Minimum und gehen bewusst Risiken ein.»
Zudem seien verschiedene Versicherungsdeckungen für Start-ups und Kleinunternehmen gar nicht erst erhältlich.
Nun liegt eine neue Option auf dem Tisch.
«Dank der kollektiven Einkaufskraft konnten wir als Verband in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Broker esurance attraktive Bedingungen bei den Versicherern herausholen. Diese sind auf die spezifischen Bedürfnisse der ICT Unternehmer zugeschnitten. Die KMU und Startups erhalten Zugang zu Lösungen, zu welchen sie als einzelne Firma keinen Zugang hätten.»
Einfach abschliessen, Aufwand minimal halten
Der Versicherungsschutz kann einfach und mit ein paar wenigen Klicks online abgeschlossen werden. Der Kunde profitiert von einer umfassenden und einfachen Rundum-Lösung, die dazu beiträgt, den administrativen Aufwand und die Prämien zu reduzieren. Die Versicherungslösungen kommen von den Versicherungspartnern Allianz, Swica und Chubb. Das Angebot gilt exklusiv für swissICT-Mitglieder.
Andri Mengiardi
«Versicherungen müssen einfach sein. Auf jeder Ebene und über verschiedene Prozesse hinweg. Unbürokratisch und verständlich in der Administration und zuverlässig im Schadenfall. Das setzen wir mit dieser neuen Lösung um»,
freut sich Andri Mengiardi, CEO von esurance, über die Zusammenarbeit.
swiss made software unterstützt die Lösung
Aktiv unterstützt wird die neue Lösung auch von swiss made software. Das Label der Schweizer Softwarehersteller, dem auch esurance angehört, hat das Projekt mitinitiiert. «Die neue Lösung bietet einen wirklichen Mehrwert – nicht nur für unsere 650 Label-Träger, sondern für die ganze Schweizer ICT-Branche», sagt Christian Walter, Managing Partner von swiss made software.
Featured image: (L)Christian Hunziker, Geschäftsführer von swissICT, (R) Andri Mengiardi, CEO von esurance
The post Insurtech Bietet Versicherungen Für ICT-Unternehmen an appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/insurtech-bietet-versicherungen-fur-ict-unternehmen-an</link><guid>1262</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Insurtech Bietet Versicherungen Für ICT-Unternehmen an</dc:text></item><item><title>13 Swiss Companies Make up 2020 WealthTech 100 List</title><description><![CDATA[Specialist research firm Fintech Global has released its annual WealthTech100 list, which recognizes the 100 most innovative wealthtech companies in the world. This year, 13 Swiss companies made the list.
Over the past four years, the global wealthtech industry has witnessed significant growth with funding going towards companies in the space skyrocketing from US$2.8 billion in 2016 to over US$7.8 billion in 2019, according to Fintech Global.
In Switzerland, given the country’s long history in wealth, the sector has boomed, with now more than 300 tech providers serving the Swiss and Liechtenstein wealth and asset management sector, among which more than 170 Swiss companies, according to a report released earlier this month by the Wealth Mosaic. The figure showcases that the Swiss wealthtech and related sectors are growing healthily.
The 100 wealthtech companies that made the 2020 WealthTech100 list were selected by a panel of analysts and industry experts from a list of over 1,200 companies produced by Fintech Global. These 100 companies are recognized for their innovative use of technology to solve industry problems, generate cost savings, or improve efficiency.
The 13 Swiss wealthtech companies that made the 2020 WealthTech100 list are:
3rd-eyes Analytics, which provides banks, insurance companies, and asset and wealth managers with fully automated wealth planning and goal-based investing software;
Aaaccell, which applies artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) for risk and asset management;Additiv , a provider in the field of digitalization of wealth managers;
Adviscent , the provider of NaviPlan, a leading software-as-a-service (SaaS) financial planning platform;

AlgoTrader, which provides institutional quantitative trading solutions including the newly launched Wireswarm order and execution management platform for digital and tokenized assets;

Appway, the creator of an award-winning software suite that covers the entire client lifecycle management: prospecting, onboarding, KYC and customer due diligence, client update and maintenance, and regulatory and periodic reviews, and more;Avaloq , a recognized leader in core banking, digital banking and digital wealth management software and services;

Expersoft Systems, the developer of the award-winning PM1 solution designed to digitally transform the end-to-end operations of customers with a modular, configurable approach spanning portfolio management, regulations and compliance, order management, client management, report production, digital banking, and much more;

Finhorizon, which provides an investment platform called fairvalues that enables financial service providers to individually serve clients, independent from their assets under management (AUM);

Integration Alpha, which builds platforms that leverage big data and containerization technology for data-driven insights for the financial services industry;

ONE PM, which offers cloud based, API-driven holistic financial services, including comprehensive asset and Portfolio management solutions;

Sanostro, a provider of quantitative investment insights;

Taxdone, which allows users to declare their Swiss taxes online in 20 minutes.
The post 13 Swiss Companies Make up 2020 WealthTech 100 List appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/13-swiss-companies-make-up-2020-wealthtech-100-list</link><guid>1215</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/additiv-1.png</dc:content ><dc:text>13 Swiss Companies Make up 2020 WealthTech 100 List</dc:text></item><item><title>14 Swiss Companies Make up 2020 WealthTech 100 List</title><description><![CDATA[Specialist research firm Fintech Global has released its annual WealthTech100 list, which recognizes the 100 most innovative wealthtech companies in the world. This year, 14 Swiss companies made the list.
Over the past four years, the global wealthtech industry has witnessed significant growth with funding going towards companies in the space skyrocketing from US$2.8 billion in 2016 to over US$7.8 billion in 2019, according to Fintech Global.
In Switzerland, given the country’s long history in wealth, the sector has boomed, with now more than 300 tech providers serving the Swiss and Liechtenstein wealth and asset management sector, among which more than 170 Swiss companies, according to a report released earlier this month by the Wealth Mosaic. The figure showcases that the Swiss wealthtech and related sectors are growing healthily.
The 100 wealthtech companies that made the 2020 WealthTech100 list were selected by a panel of analysts and industry experts from a list of over 1,200 companies produced by Fintech Global. These 100 companies are recognized for their innovative use of technology to solve industry problems, generate cost savings, or improve efficiency.
The 13 Swiss wealthtech companies that made the 2020 WealthTech100 list are:
3rd-eyes Analytics, which provides banks, insurance companies, and asset and wealth managers with fully automated wealth planning and goal-based investing software;
Aaaccell, which applies artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) for risk and asset management;Additiv , a provider in the field of digitalization of wealth managers;
Adviscent is the producer of Interactive Advisor. Interactive Advisor enables banks to successfully engage clients throughout the advisory process with the right content at the right time in the right format.

AlgoTrader, which provides institutional quantitative trading solutions including the newly launched Wireswarm order and execution management platform for digital and tokenized assets;

Appway, the creator of an award-winning software suite that covers the entire client lifecycle management: prospecting, onboarding, KYC and customer due diligence, client update and maintenance, and regulatory and periodic reviews, and more;Avaloq , a recognized leader in core banking, digital banking and digital wealth management software and services;

Expersoft Systems, the developer of the award-winning PM1 solution designed to digitally transform the end-to-end operations of customers with a modular, configurable approach spanning portfolio management, regulations and compliance, order management, client management, report production, digital banking, and much more;

Finhorizon, which provides an investment platform called fairvalues that enables financial service providers to individually serve clients, independent from their assets under management (AUM);

Integration Alpha, which builds platforms that leverage big data and containerization technology for data-driven insights for the financial services industry;

ONE PM, which offers cloud based, API-driven holistic financial services, including comprehensive asset and Portfolio management solutions;

Sanostro, a provider of quantitative investment insights;

Taxdone, which allows users to declare their Swiss taxes online in 20 minutes.
 
Tindeco VISION is a fully integrated investment management platform.
 
The post 14 Swiss Companies Make up 2020 WealthTech 100 List appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/14-swiss-companies-make-up-2020-wealthtech-100-list</link><guid>1263</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/additiv-1.png</dc:content ><dc:text>14 Swiss Companies Make up 2020 WealthTech 100 List</dc:text></item><item><title>Stripe Launches Card Issuing Services for Businesses in the US</title><description><![CDATA[Payments company Stripe has rolled out a new card issuing product in the US, allowing businesses to create, manage and distribute tailored virtual and physical cards to their customers and employees, the company announced on April 23.
Stripe Issuing is an API that allows businesses to issue cards “on a self-serving basis,” a first in the sector, John Collison, Stripe’s co-founder and president, said in an interview. These “programmatic cards” can be set up quickly and come packed with capabilities to give maximum flexibility and cater to different needs.
Zipcard, Stripe’s first customer for this offering, will be using Stripe Issuing to create credit cards that will be placed in each of its vehicles to allow renters to fill up the gas tank without having to use their personal cards.
Postmates will be creating cards for its fleet of couriers. The cards will be programmed with custom spend controls that only approve transactions at the courier’s assigned merchant.
And Clearbanc, a venture capital firm, will be using Stripe Issuing to extend growth capital to startups by generating one-time virtual cards that can be used instantly—and exclusively—on online ad spend.
Other customers include NexTravel, a business travel platform, Emburse, an expense management and accounts payable automation solution, and Carrot, a digital health startup.
Cards, Stripe Issuing, via stripe.com
Stripe Issuing: how it works and how much it costs
Customers activate Stripe Issuing right from their dashboard and can launch a card program instantly. Through the dashboard, they can easily create and customize their cards, set spending limits, and more. Stripe handles the card production, printing and shipping, and says it only takes two business days for customers to receive their customized card.
Card branding, Stripe Issuing, via stripe.com
In terms of pricing, Stripe is charging US$0.1 for a virtual card. A branded, physical card costs US$3 (shipping included). Stripe is waiving transaction fees for the first US$500,000 in transaction volume, and after that, each card transaction will cost 0.2% + US$0.20. Custom economics are available for companies with large volume.
Stripe Issuing is currently only available to businesses in the US, but the company plans to roll out the service to other locations.
Other updates
The announcement of the new card issuing product was made simultaneously with two other major updates to Stripe’s core payments platform: worldwide direct integration with six major card networks, namely Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, JCB, and China Union Pay, as well as the launch of a “revenue optimization” feature, which uses machine learning technology to minimize false card declines for businesses.
These releases were announced just a few days after Stripe announced an extension of its Series G round, raising an additional US$600 million from investors including Andreessen Horowitz, General Catalyst, GV, and Sequoia, at a US$35 billion valuation.
Moving forward, the company said it will invest further in growing its platform with additional hirings, and strategic initiatives or acquisitions. It will also deepen its stack of software functionality, and accelerate its geographic expansion with upcoming launches in Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Malta, and Romania.
Stripe has gained notable traction this year, adding industry leading firms including Caviar, Coupa, Just Eat, Keap, Lightspeed, Mattel, NBC, Paid, and most recently Zoom, as customers.
The post Stripe Launches Card Issuing Services for Businesses in the US appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/stripe-launches-card-issuing-services-for-businesses-in-the-us</link><guid>1216</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Cards-Stripe-Issuing-via-stripe.com_.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Stripe Launches Card Issuing Services for Businesses in the US</dc:text></item><item><title>Credit Suisse Entrepreneurship Fonds Investiert Millionen in Neues Schweizer Insurtech</title><description><![CDATA[Das Zürcher Insurtech Startup Toni Digital versucht den Versicherungsmarkt mit einem innovativen Geschäftsmodell einfacher, digitaler und günstiger zu machen.
Jetzt sicherte sich das Unternehmen rund 6 Millionen CHF in der aktuellen Finanzierungsrunde. Neben dem bisherigen Investor PostFinance beteiligt sich neu die Credit Suisse mit ihrem Investitionsgefäss ‘Credit Suisse Entrepreneur Capital AG’ an Toni Digital.
Mit dem Engagement unterstreichen die Investoren das Potenzial des Geschäftsmodells. Die jüngste Finanzierung will Toni Digital nutzen, um die Weiterentwicklung voranzutreiben und neue strategische Partner zu gewinnen, um den Vertrieb ihrer Dienstleistung weiter auszubauen.
Bernard El Hage
«Wir freuen uns, neben der PostFinance mit der Credit Suisse Entrepreneur Capital AG einen neuen starken Investor an Bord zu haben»,
sagt Bernard El Hage, CEO von Toni Digital.
«Sie teilen unsere Vision einer flexiblen White-Label-Versicherungs-Plattform».
Didier Denat
Didier Denat, Chairman von Credit Suisse Entrepreneur Capital und Leiter Corporate Banking bei der Credit Suisse, erklärt:
«Immer mehr Konsumenten suchen online nach Versicherungslösungen mit besserem Preis-Leistungs-Verhältnis von vertrauenswürdigen Marken. Toni Digital kann genau dies in Zusammenarbeit mit ihren Partnern bieten. Wir sind vom Ansatz und der Skalierbarkeit des Geschäftsmodells von Toni Digital überzeugt.»
Toni Digital entwickelt White-Label-Versicherungslösungen für starke Marken. So zum Beispiel die Online-Lösung «PostFinance Autoversicherung», die seit März 2019 erfolgreich am Markt ist. Der Kunde hat dort die Möglichkeit, innert wenigen Minuten seine individuelle Autoversicherung abzuschliessen und später digital jederzeit an seine veränderten Bedürfnisse anzupassen. Mit klaren Vorteilen: nebst hoher Convenience ist der Preis attraktiv und auf ein Bonus-Malus-System wird verzichtet.
Toni Digital arbeitet mit renommierten Versicherern wie Great Lakes Insurance SE (Teil der Munich Re Group) und Assista Rechtsschutz AG als Risikoträger zusammen.
 
 
Featured image credit: TONI Digital
The post Credit Suisse Entrepreneurship Fonds Investiert Millionen in Neues Schweizer Insurtech appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/credit-suisse-entrepreneurship-fonds-investiert-millionen-in-neues-schweizer-insurtech</link><guid>1217</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Credit Suisse Entrepreneurship Fonds Investiert Millionen in Neues Schweizer Insurtech</dc:text></item><item><title>Research: 6 Million Downloaded Their Bank’s App for the First Time During Corona Lockdown</title><description><![CDATA[New research from Nucoro, reveals that between 14th March and 14th April, because of the Coronavirus lockdown, around 12% of the adult population in the UK – some six million people &#8211; downloaded their bank’s App for the first time. Some 21% of those aged 35 – 34 did this, as did just over 5% of people aged 55 or more.
Nucoro estimates that between 14th March and 14th April, around 200,000 people downloaded their bank’s app for the first time every day.
The rate of new downloads is now slowing down. One in three (33%) of these new downloads happened between 14th and 21st March compared to around 17% between 7th and 14th April. A further 6% of people who don’t yet have their bank’s app plan to download it over the next three months.
In terms of the level at which people are using their bank’s app overall, Nucoro’s research found that 22% are using them more, compared to 5% who have seen their use of them fall. Of those people who are using them more, 62% have seen usage increase by over 10% since the Coronavirus crisis, and 11% are using them by over 50% more.
Nikolai Hack
Nikolai Hack, COO Nucoro said:
“A combination of people going out less because of Coronavirus and their finances coming under growing pressure means many people are more worried about bills and money. This has clearly led to a surge in people downloading their bank’s app for the first time and people generally using them more to keep a closer eye on their finances.
“However, once the Coronavirus crisis passes, for many people the way they interact with their banks will have changed permanently. Many are increasingly happy to use apps, so there will be much more digital interaction. This will represent a strong opportunity for banks to improve customer service, reduce costs and cross sell more products and services such as investments and savings to their core banking clients.”
 
The post Research: 6 Million Downloaded Their Bank’s App for the First Time During Corona Lockdown appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/research-6-million-downloaded-their-banks-app-for-the-first-time-during-corona-lockdown</link><guid>1218</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Research: 6 Million Downloaded Their Bank’s App for the First Time During Corona Lockdown</dc:text></item><item><title>Banks Still Falling Short in Improving Customer Experience: World Fintech Report 2020</title><description><![CDATA[Despite having invested heavily in front-end IT infrastructure to improve customer experience, traditional banks are still falling short behind bigtechs and challenger banks, according to new report by Capgemini and Efma.
In their annual World Fintech Report, the two organizations highlight that bigtechs and challenger banks have demonstrated their ability to win customers over by providing data-fueled, hyper-personalized experience in real-time.
Capitalizing on the growing demand for improved services, these players are leveraging the wealth of data they’ve gathered over the years through open and evolving platforms to offer customers a convenient, personalized experience.
These tech players, which oftentimes began with a single offering, have since evolved to now providing a wide portfolio of products ranging from lending, savings, wealth management, and more, and are rapidly growing and scaling their financial services capabilities. With fintech funding continuing to increase, bigtechs and challenger banks are now posing a tangible threat to established banks, the report says.
BigTechs and challenger banks leverage high-impact capabilities, World Fintech Report 2020, Capgemini and Efma, April 2020
Despite all the efforts, traditional banks are struggling to keep up, and still fall behind in terms of customer experience, it says.
According to a study conducted last year by Capgemimi, customers are particularly frustrated with the narrow ranges of products and services their primary bank offers. The lack of personalization and inability to match needs or preference was named as another major drawback, in addition to the fact that their banks were found to be not well integrated with other platforms and apps customers use daily.
Customers cited low-cost offerings (70%), ease of use (68%) and faster services (54%) as the top three reasons why they would adopt banking services from non-traditional players.
Impact of BigTechs and challenger banks on the banking industry, World Fintech Report 2020, Capgemini and Efma, April 2020
Embracing Open X
To catch up with new-age players and remain relevant, the report says that traditional banks must transform into agile and customer-centric Inventive Banks and embrace Open X.
Open X refers to an open platform approach in which participants of all sizes and from across industries work together.
It cites the example of Uber, a non-financial player which has used the full potential of the Open X ecosystem: Uber’s flagship ride-sharing offering was built on a partnership model with car owners and relies on a plethora of third-party providers and services for navigation, digital payments, and other capabilities. For its food delivering offering, Uber Eats, the company created a three-sided marketplace with customers, restaurant partners, and delivery partners. It also partnered with Visa and Barclays to launch a credit card in the US in 2017.
In this new ecosystem, banks must focus on what they do best and take on a specialized role, rather than a universal one, such as supplier or aggregator, the report says.
Banking evolution: from open banking integrated bank to Open X inventive bank, with role specialization, World Fintech Report 2020, Capgemini and Efma, April 2020
It notes that around the world, banks have begun adopting this strategy, citing the examples of Goldman Sachs, which has been using Amazon’s lending platform to extend loans to small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), as well as Spanish banking group BBVA, which started exploring product sales via Amazon earlier this year.
Improving middle- and back-office operations
According to the report, one topic banks should begin prioritizing is middle- and back-end transformation. Though essential for customer satisfaction, middle- and back-office operations are often neglected, resulting in many banks failing to deliver seamless and personalized customer experiences despite substantial front-end investment, the report says.
To do this, banks must partner with fintechs and form effective, structured collaborations, it says, citing the example of Santander UK, which collaborated with several companies including Quadient, Comply Advantage, DocuSign, DueDil, TransUnion and nCino, to improve processes and optimize its end-to-end customer onboarding journey.
“Fintechs have moved from disruption to maturity to become serious, globally expanding players that are acquiring millions of customers and heading towards profitability,” the report says. “It’s time to consider them as tangible competitors or enabling partners.”
World Fintech Report 2020 infographic:

The post Banks Still Falling Short in Improving Customer Experience: World Fintech Report 2020 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/banks-still-falling-short-in-improving-customer-experience-world-fintech-report-2020</link><guid>1219</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/BigTechs-and-challenger-banks-leverage-high-impact-capabilities-World-Fintech-Report-2020-Capgemini-and-Efma-April-2020.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Banks Still Falling Short in Improving Customer Experience: World Fintech Report 2020</dc:text></item><item><title>Impact of COVID-19 Crisis: Insights From Global Startup Survey</title><description><![CDATA[To better understand the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on startups globally and equip governments with tools and actionable insights to support their innovation ecosystems, Startup Genome launched a  global startup survey on the topic.
Key findings from this initial analysis are:
Capital

41% of startups globally are threatened in what we call “red zone”: they have three months or less of cash runway left. Many very young startups live with only a few months in cash—29% were in that situation already before the crisis—but the crisis put 40% more of them in that precarious position. Focusing on startups that have raised Series A, B, or later rounds, 34% have less than 6 months worth of cash — a danger zone in the current situation where fundraising is difficult.
Of startups that had a term sheet before the onset of the crisis, nearly 20% have had the term sheet pulled by the investor, and 53% have seen the process slow down significantly or have faced an unresponsive lead investor. Only 28% have either had the process continue normally or secured the funds.

Talent and Jobs

 

Since the beginning of the crisis 74% of startups have had to terminate full-time employees. 39% of all startups had to lay off 20% or more of their staff, and 26% had to let go 60% of employees or more. When we break down the share of startups that had to terminate full-time employees by the top three continents for startup activity, North America is the place with the biggest share of companies reducing headcount (84%), followed by Europe (67%) and Asia (59%).


Market


74% of startups saw their revenues decline since the beginning of the crisis. The most common type of change in revenue is a relatively modest decline. However, a sizable share of companies were very heavily hit: 16% of startups saw their revenue drop by more than 80%. A major reason for the drops in revenue come from the effect of the crisis on industries those startups serve. Three out of every four startups work in industries severely affected by the COVID-19 crisis.


At the same time, a small minority of companies are actually experiencing growth. 12% of startups have seen their revenue increase by 10 percent or more since the beginning of the crisis, and one out of every 10 startups are in industries actually experiencing growth. Every crisis creates opportunities. For instance, over half of Fortune 500 companies started during a contraction, and over 50 unicorns were created in the Great Recession alone, as Startup Genome data shows. The COVID-19 crisis is no exception.


The hurt and the growth are not evenly distributed. On the positive side, B2C startups are about three times more likely to be in industries experiencing growth in the face of the COVID-19 crisis when compared to B2B startups. On the negative side, B2B startups serving Large Enterprise clients are more likely to be in industries adversely affected by the crisis than both B2B startups serving Small and Medium Enterprises and B2C startups; and are the least likely to be experiencing an increase in sales.

Operations and Management

Over two thirds of startups have reduced their expenses since December 2019, with the lion’s share of those doing relatively small cuts. Some companies, however, cut costs very aggressively, with more than one out of every 10 companies cutting costs by over 60%. Out of those startups cutting costs, 76% started doing it since the beginning of March—indicating most of the cost-cutting is directly related to the COVID-19 crisis.


Nonetheless, tech startups are uniquely situated to continue operating even in lockdown scenarios. Unlike many traditional businesses, 96% of startups responded that they have continued working during the crisis, even if there is significant disruption.

Policy

38% of startups have not received assistance and do not expect to be helped by policy relief measures related to the crisis. At the same time, 16% are not currently supported but expect to be helped by a policy measure soon. The remaining 46% of startups are currently receiving assistance.


According to founders and startup executives, the top four most helpful policy responses for their businesses would be, in order: #1 Grants to preserve company liquidity (29%); #2 Instruments to boost investment (18%); #3 Support to protect employees, like payroll supplementation grants (17%); and #4 Loans to preserve company liquidity (12%).

Download the full white paper &#8220;The Impact of COVID-19 on Global Startup Ecosystems: Global Startup Survey&#8221; 
 
Featured image credit: Unsplash
The post Impact of COVID-19 Crisis: Insights From Global Startup Survey appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/impact-of-covid-19-crisis-insights-from-global-startup-survey</link><guid>1220</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/labor-cost-1024x655.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Impact of COVID-19 Crisis: Insights From Global Startup Survey</dc:text></item><item><title>Liquiditätsmanagement: Schweizer KMU in Zeiten von COVID-19</title><description><![CDATA[Die wirtschaftlichen Folgen des Coronavirus (COVID-19) sind erheblich. In dieser ausserordentlichen Zeit können selbst finanziell gesunde Unternehmen unverschuldet in eine Liquiditätskrise geraten.
In vielen Branchen brechen die Umsätze ein, die kurzfristigen Ausgaben können jedoch nicht im selben Ausmass reduziert werden. Es gilt die Devise «Cash is King». Obwohl der Bundesrat am 16. April 2020 eine schrittweise Lockerung der beschlossenen Massnahmen verkündet hat, werden die finanziellen Folgen der Krise für mehrere Branchen voraussichtlich noch länger andauern
. Aus der Erfahrung früherer Krisen gehen wir davon aus, dass es «Nachbeben» geben wird, die vor allem hinsichtlich Liquidität negative Effekte haben können. Nachfolgend haben wir konkrete Sofortmassnahmen für Schweizer KMU zusammengestellt, um auftretende Liquiditätsengpässe erfolgreich zu überwinden.

Liquiditätsplanung erstellen

Zum jetzigen Zeitpunkt sind das finanzielle Ausmass und die Dauer der COVID-19-Krise schwer einzuschätzen. Während dieser Zeit der Unsicherheit ist die Sicherstellung von ausreichender Liquidität von entscheidender Bedeutung. Wir empfehlen folgende Massnahmen:

Aktuelle Liquiditätssituation beurteilen und vorhandene Liquiditätsreserven eruieren;
Grob- und Detailplanung von zukünftigen Ein- und Ausgaben erstellen;
Gespräch mit Lieferanten und anderen Kreditoren suchen: Verlängerung von Zahlungszielen erreichen;
Reduktion von offenen Debitoren: Kunden könnten kurz- und mittelfristig in Not geraten. Deshalb empfehlen wir, schon heute mit ihnen über ausstehende Rechnungen zu sprechen, deren Situation zu verstehen und offene Debitoren zu reduzieren.


Unmittelbare Kosten reduzieren

Striktes Kostenmanagement hilft nicht nur während der COVID-19-Krise. Die Reduktion von nicht zwingend notwendigen Ausgaben macht Ihre Unternehmung auch fit für die Zeit nach der Krise und ist ein geeignetes Mittel, die angespannte Liquiditätssituation zu schonen. Wir empfehlen folgende Massnahmen:

Fixkosten so schnell wie möglich reduzieren;
Vermieter für temporäre Mietzinsstundungen oder -reduktionen anfragen;
Kostenaufstellung erstellen und Zahlungen priorisieren;
Keine zusätzliche (wiederkehrenden) Kosten entstehen lassen;
Nicht unmittelbar notwendige Investitionsausgaben stoppen;
Rechnungen von und Ausgaben an Bundesbehörden analysieren und Gespräch mit der entsprechenden Behörde bzgl. einer möglichen Stundung oder einem Abzahlungsplan suchen.


Kurzarbeit beantragen

Falls die Mitarbeitenden aufgrund von Umsatzeinbrüchen nicht mehr ausgelastet werden können, ist zu prüfen, ob Kurzarbeit beantragt werden soll. Diese Lösung bietet den Arbeitgebern eine gute Alternative zu drohenden Entlassungen. Als Folge der COVID-19-Krise hat der Bundesrat verschiedene Massnahmen getroffen, um eine schnelle Abwicklung der Kurzarbeitsentschädigung zu ermöglichen.

Löhne sind neben der Miete oftmals der grösste Fixkostenblock
Die Arbeitslosenversicherung übernimmt bis zu 80% der Lohnkosten der Mitarbeitenden
Zusätzlich Ferien- und Überzeitensalden abbauen
Grosser Vorteil im Vergleich zu Entlassungen, da die Mitarbeitenden bei einem Aufschwung sofort wieder einsatzfähig sind


Überbrückungskredit (COVID-19-Kredit) beantragen

Der Bundesrat stellt Unternehmen in der Schweiz aufgrund der wirtschaftlichen Folgen des Coronavirus Liquiditätshilfen im Umfang von insgesamt CHF 20 Milliarden zur Verfügung. Mit Überbrückungskrediten werden betroffene Unternehmen möglichst unbürokratisch, gezielt und rasch unterstützt. Bis zu CHF 500&#8217;000 werden Kredite innert kurzer Frist ausbezahlt und zu 100% über Bundesbürgschaften abgesichert. Der Zinssatz auf diesen Überbrückungskrediten beträgt aktuell 0%. Mehr Informationen erhalten Sie auf www.covid19.easygov.swiss.

Notfallfinanzierung für KMU durch CreditGate24 beantragen

CreditGate24 bietet während der COVID-19-Krise zusätzliche Notfallfinanzierungen für KMU an:

Passende kurzfristige Finanzierung von CreditGate24 hilft zusätzlich, Liquiditätsengpässe bis CHF 100&#8217;000 zu überbrücken
Die Rückzahlung beginnt frühestens nach 6 Monaten
Geeignet für Unternehmen mit stabiler und profitabler Ertragslage bis zur virusbedingten Beeinträchtigung

The post Liquiditätsmanagement: Schweizer KMU in Zeiten von COVID-19 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/liquiditatsmanagement-schweizer-kmu-in-zeiten-von-covid-19</link><guid>1221</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Liquiditätsmanagement: Schweizer KMU in Zeiten von COVID-19</dc:text></item><item><title>Digitale Anwaltskanzlei – aus digitalCounsels wird GetYourLawyer</title><description><![CDATA[GetYourLawyer digitalisiert die Rechtsbranche: Die Onlineplattform verbindet Privatpersonen und KMU mit passenden Anwältinnen und Anwälten, ermöglicht eine digitale Zusammenarbeit und übernimmt zugleich deren administrative Abwicklung. In Partnerschaft mit dem Beobachter wird das frisch umgetaufte Portal so zur umfassenden, digitalen Anwaltskanzlei der Schweiz.
Vor drei Jahren mit dem Konzept der Dokumentenautomatisierung für Kanzleien gestartet, wurde das Angebot von digitalCounsels laufend erweitert und wird neu unter dem Namen GetYourLawyer zur kompletten Rechtsplattform. Privatpersonen und Unternehmen finden per Mausklick die passenden Anwälte – und diese wiederum können ihre Dienste bequem online anbieten. Von der Offerte über den Austausch von Dokumenten bis zur Zahlungsabwicklung läuft die Zusammenarbeit komplett digital, transparent und absolut vertraulich.
Plötzlich entsteht ein Streit ums Sorgerecht, man will die Kündigung anfechten oder ein Unternehmen gründen. Doch die wenigsten Menschen kennen einen passenden Rechtsbeistand, wenn man dringend einen braucht. Der Matching-Algorithmus von GetYourLawyer ordnet eine solche Anfrage den bestqualifizierten und passenden Juristen zu und diese werden automatisch eingeladen, eine Offerte zu unterbreiten. Die Anwältinnen und Anwälte wählen zwischen einer Offerte mit Fixpreis, Kostendach oder offener Abrechnung.
Dominic Rogger
Für die Rechtsuchenden schafft dies eine ungewohnte Transparenz, ist GetYourLawyer-Mitgründer und CEO Dominic Rogger überzeugt:
«Diese Einfachheit ist für die Rechtsbranche eine kleine Revolution. Wir sind stolz darauf, mit unserer Lösung alles digital und aus einem Guss anbieten zu können.»
Die Anwälte und Kanzleien können dank der Plattform ihre Administration und Mandatsakquise vereinfachen und damit auf die juristische Arbeit fokussieren. Zeiterfassung, Rechnungserstellung und Dokumentenmanagement funktionieren über die eigens programmierte Legal Software – egal ob im Büro am Computer oder unterwegs auf dem Smartphone. Auf GetYourLawyer werden alle Daten vollständig verschlüsselt ausgetauscht; das Anwaltsgeheimnis bleibt zu jedem Zeitpunkt konsequent gewahrt. Sämtliche Abläufe auf der Plattform sind zudem unter enger Aufsicht von Rechtsexperten in Einklang mit den Berufs- und Standesregeln entwickelt worden.
«GetYourLawyer ist eine Plattform von Anwälten für Anwälte und ihre Kunden»,
erklärt CEO Rogger.
«Wir bringen alle Beteiligten unkompliziert und digital zusammen – davon profitieren beide Seiten.»
Über die grosse Medienreichweite der Muttergesellschaft Ringier Axel Springer Schweiz AG erreicht die Plattform rund 80% der Deutschschweizer Haushalte und Unternehmen. Die enge Zusammenarbeit mit dem Beratungszentrum des Beobachters bietet Rechtsuchenden einen nahtlosen Übergang von der Beobachter-Beratung zur Anwaltsberatung. Der Beobachter baut mit GetYourLawyer sein Angebot in der digitalen Rechtsberatung weiter aus.
The post Digitale Anwaltskanzlei – aus digitalCounsels wird GetYourLawyer appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digitale-anwaltskanzlei-aus-digitalcounsels-wird-getyourlawyer</link><guid>1222</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Digitale Anwaltskanzlei – aus digitalCounsels wird GetYourLawyer</dc:text></item><item><title>Crowdlitoken: Mittels Digitaler Immobilienanleihen 16 Mio. CHF Platziert</title><description><![CDATA[Crowdlitoken AG lanciert eines der grössten digitalen Finanzprodukte und schliesst die erste Finanzierungsrunde mit 16 Mio. CHF im April 2020 erfolgreich ab. Das Liechtensteiner Fintech-Unternehmen ist Herausgeber digitaler Anleihen, mit der sich Investoren individuelle Immobilienportfolios zusammenstellen können.
Nachdem die Finanzmarktaufsicht Liechtenstein (FMA) im April 2019 das digitale Immobilienanlageprodukt gebilligt hat, startete Crowdlitoken in mehreren europäischen Ländern inkl. der Schweiz mit der Ausgabe von Immobilienanleihen via Digital Product Offering (DPO). Das DPO wurde kürzlich mit 16 Millionen verkaufter Tokens erfolgreich abgeschlossen.
Das Immobilieninvestment der Zukunft
Crowdlitoken  bietet eine Alternative zu Immobilienfonds und klassischen Immobilienanlageprodukten und konnte bereits 454 Investoren für sich gewinnen. Über 300 Interessenten befinden sich momentan in der Pipeline für die nächste Finanzierungsrunde.
Das erfahrene Immobilienteam der CROWDLITOKEN AG beginnt nun mit dem Aufbau des Immobilienportfolios in der Schweiz und in Deutschland. Zusammen mit den Investorengeldern wird ein Portfolio im Wert von rund 30 Millionen CHF zusammengestellt. Zwei Liegenschaften in der Schweiz wurden bereits reserviert.
Die nächste Anleihen-Tranche ist bereits geplant
Damit das Portfolio laufend wachsen kann und das Ziel eines europäischen Portfolios erreicht wird, lanciert das Fintech voraussichtlich im zweiten Quartal dieses Jahres eine weitere Finanzierungsrunde resp. Ausgabe von Anleihen.
The post Crowdlitoken: Mittels Digitaler Immobilienanleihen 16 Mio. CHF Platziert appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crowdlitoken-mittels-digitaler-immobilienanleihen-16-mio-chf-platziert</link><guid>1223</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Crowdlitoken: Mittels Digitaler Immobilienanleihen 16 Mio. CHF Platziert</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 6 Fintech Webinars and Virtual Events to Attend if You are in Europe</title><description><![CDATA[With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a growing number of webinars and virtual events are being hosted to provide industry participants with networking opportunities as more and more offline conferences and gatherings are being canceled or postponed.
For those stuck at home but who still want to keep up with the rapidly changing fintech landscape, we’ve compiled a list of the top 6 fintech webinars and virtual events to attend if you are located in a mainland European time zone.
UK Fintech Week 2020
April 14, 2020 12:00 CET – May 1, 2020 &#8211; 15:00 CET 

 
 
The annual UK Fintech Week 2020 is currently taking place, but with the COVID-19 outbreak, Innovate Finance, the organizer of the week-long event, is offering a digital program from April 14 to May 1, composed of webinars, virtual roundtables and podcasts.
These cover some of the industry’s most urging issues and topics including the future of payments, fintech M&amp;A and exits, the impact of COVID-19 on the industry, open finance, digital assets, and artificial intelligence (AI).
Check out all the sessions here.
Fintech in the age of uncertainty: Open Banking’s next chapter
April 23, 2020, 12:00 CET

On April 23, AltFi will be hosting the first in a series of live discussions, entitled Fintech in the age of uncertainty.
For this first live discussion, Imran Gulamhuseinwala, implementation trustee for Open Banking in the UK and AltFi Powerlist 50 member, will be discussing the evolution of Open Banking and how this might expand in terms of a broader Open Finance agenda in the coming years.
Coronavirus and its challenges and what it will mean for Fintech might well come up also and participants will have a chance to field questions too.
Global impact, digital response: a new tomorrow after the coronavirus
April 27, 2020, 17:00 CET 

The current pandemic is deeply changing society, transforming the way we live, work, socialize and even pay. As individuals increasingly welcome online experiences, digital transformation has become vital for businesses of all sizes — especially for small merchants.
For this webinar, Joern Leogrande, executive vice president of Wirecard Labs, will bring his expert point of view to a live chat hosted by social and digital influencer Evan Kirstel.
In this chat, participants will learn more about the effects of the current pandemic on the payment sector, explore the increasing demand for online platforms and the changing face of retail, understand changing consumer behavior, and discover the future trends to watch out for in the post-coronavirus world.
DEF@Home
May 12, 2020, 11:55 CET

On May 12, the Digital Economic Forum will be hosting DEF@Home, a virtual event which will focus on the COVID-19 pandemic and the world post-Coronavirus.
Speakers will include thought-leader and futurologist Matthias Horx; Prof. Gian-Luca Bona of Empa, ETH and EPFL; Marianne Wildi, director of Hypothekarbank Lenzburg; Prof. Jan-Egbert Sturm of KOF ETH; Dr. Klaus Hoffgen, chief digital officer of Rheinland Klinikum Neuss; and more.
Open Banking World Congress 2020
May 12 – 13, 2020 18:00 CET

In response to the concern and uncertainty over COVID-19, the Open Banking World Congress will run this year’s speaking agenda as a free of charge virtual event available live with real-time Q&amp;A and polls, and subsequently on demand.
The Open Banking World Congress is considered one of the most important on the open banking scene with more than 400 attendees and 60 exhibitors. This year’s agenda will include topics such as consumer data right, digital banking, payment innovation, the impact of COVID-19 on the sector, and more.
Collision from Home/MoneyConf 2020
June 23 – 25, 2020

This year’s Collision event will take place from June 23 to 25, 2020, and will happen online as Collision from Home.
Collision from Home will include 21 content tracks, among which the MoneyConf fintech conference, which will tackle topics including new trends like hyper-personalization and regtech, the future of transactions, the rise of bigtechs, cryptocurrencies, and insurtech.
Speakers will include experts representing the likes of PayPal, Plaid, Airwallex, Kabbage, OakNorth, PolicyBazaar and Klarna.
 

The post Top 6 Fintech Webinars and Virtual Events to Attend if You are in Europe appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-6-fintech-webinars-and-virtual-events-to-attend-if-you-are-in-europe</link><guid>1224</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/UK-fintech-week-2020-1.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 6 Fintech Webinars and Virtual Events to Attend if You are in Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>Online Invoicing and Accounting Solutions for Self-Employed and SMEs in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[In the traditional business model, invoices are created at the end of each billing period, then printed, put in an envelope and mailed to the customers. However, there are several problems and drawbacks with this method including the fact that it is time-consuming, subject to human error and highly inefficient. Not to mention the risk of your invoice getting lost in the mail.
Electronic invoice, or e-invoicing, solves these problems, making it much faster and easier to send out invoices and track them. Furthermore, online billing can significantly reduce costs and speed up payments.
The online invoicing and accounting industry already counts a number of success stories. Xero, a leading cloud accounting company based in New Zealand, has recently passed its million-customer milestone. Founded in 2006, the firm develops accounting software for small and medium-sized enterprises, and is listed on both the New Zealand Exchange and Australian Securities Exchange.
In Switzerland, several companies have emerged in recent years to provide freelancers, self-employed and smaller businesses with affordable and efficient online invoicing and accounting software. Today, we look at some of the solutions and providers in Switzerland.
 
Abrechnungen.ch
Abrechnungen.ch offers affordable accounting and fiduciary services to self-employed and small and medium-sized enterprises with up to 20 employees.
Customers simply need to send their supporting documents every month including all their receipts, invoices, expenses receipts, etc by mail or by email. The company then carries out the accounting and sends back a monthly analysis as well as balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement. At the beginning of the year, clients receive the complete bookkeeping for tax return.
Accounto
Accounto Technology operates a new and innovative online accounting platform that leverages machine learning, self-recognition and advanced accounting processes to enable a high level automation.
The platform processes paper-based and PDF documents which are then handled by the Machine Learning application.
Accounto focuses on providing customers with a simple, intuitive and all-inclusive solution to businesses.
 
bexio
Founded in 2013, bexio is a Zurich-based startup that develops and sells software for small and medium-sized companies. In particular, bexio offers cloud-based business and accounting software solutions, allowing companies to manage their customers, write quotes and invoice, and more.
bexio serves over 8,000 businesses, startups and self-employed individuals. Packages start at CHF 29/month and can do up to CHF 54/month.
The company was named the Best Software Startup in 2016, as well as the SFS Startup of the Month in August 2016.
 
CashCtrl
CashCtrl is an online business management and accounting software for small and medium-sized enterprises, accountants and freelancers developed and operated by Swiss company Repix Ltd.
The solution aims to provide a clear, intuitive, well-arranged and tidy user interface that is easy to use. Clients can create invoices with their own logo and articles from the inventory. The platform allows double-entry bookkeeping and comes with an address book. It also provides real-time reports.
CashCtrl offers a free package and a pro (premium) option with additional features and functionalities. The pro version costs CHF 290 a year.
Run my Accounts
Founded in 2008, Run my Accounts focuses on providing simple, efficient and comprehensive accounting software to small and medium-sized businesses and startups in Switzerland.
It offers customers a very simple process to manage their accounts. They simply need to scan documents and trigger the payment the next day in e-banking. Its online accounting system gives daily insights into their figures. Packages start at CHF 9.90 per user per month for its online software. Run my Accounts also provides accounting, bookkeepping and other related services.
Run my accounts claims to serve 10 of the top 100 Swiss startups.
 
Smallinvoice
Smallinvoice, a service of Lourens Systems, is an online software for invoicing, payables, project management and time reporting. It was specifically designed for optimal use in Switzerland.
Smallinvoice offers integration with services such as Postfinance PSP, E-Invoice, Paypal, and more. It requires no installation or maintenance and works completely inside the browser. Customers can customize layouts using their logo and branding and create documents in four different languages: French, Italian, German and English.
Packages start at CHF 0 per month for occasional invoicing and for one user only, and go up to CHF 45/month for up to five users and additional functionalities.
 
Z-Rechnung
Z-Rechnung provides automated invoice processing for small and medium-sized enterprises, freelancers and startups. The solution can be used online or in combination with an existing ERP.
Z-Rechnung lets customers create, send, receive and process structured electronic invoices. The platform integrates several payments options including SEPA, credit card and Paypal. The basic package is free of charge. The monthly plan can go up to 1,500 EUR for larger scale businesses.
 
Featured Picture via Xero.com
The post Online Invoicing and Accounting Solutions for Self-Employed and SMEs in Switzerland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/online-invoicing-and-accounting-solutions-for-self-employed-and-smes-in-switzerland</link><guid>1214</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Abrechnungen.ch_-e1491834597805.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Online Invoicing and Accounting Solutions for Self-Employed and SMEs in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Regtech in Europe: Regtech 3.0 Solutions and more</title><description><![CDATA[Regtech, a term that refers to the use of technology such as advanced analytics, robotic process automation, cognitive computing and cloud computing, to help financial services firms get better at dealing with regulation, is one of the fastest-growing segments of fintech and financial innovation.
In our recent report, we forecast that regtech spending by 2022 will reach US$76 billion from US$10.6 billion in 2017 and that by 2020 RegTech is expected to make up 34% of all regulatory spendings.
KPMG Study: &#8220;By 2020 RegTech is expected to make up 34% of all regulatory spending.”
In recent years, regtech has emerged as a key element of financial institutions’ drive towards digital transformation. And there are many reasons why European financial institutions are flocking into regtech.
First, European banks are operating in a very dense, fast-changing and highly complex regulatory environment. With the numerous new and impending regulations in Europe, including the Revised Payments Services Directive (PSD2), the revised Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II), and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), among others, it comes with little surprise that the region has been quick to emerge as a hotbed for regtech innovation.
New Regulation needs Regtech 3.0
Second, dealing with regulation and compliance is very expensive. The last ten years have seen a 500% increase in regulatory changes in developed markets. A BBVA research estimates financial institutions now allocate around 10-15% of their total workforce to governance, risk management and compliance, and a research report published in 2017 claimed that regulators in the US and Europe have imposed US$342 billion of fines on banks since 2009 for misconduct. This number is likely to top US$400 billion by 2020.
from Regtech 1.0 to Regtech 3.0
For financial institutions, regtech promises to strengthen compliance and mitigate risk, reduce the fixed cost of compliance, increase efficiency and improve protection for customers. And through direct improvements and freeing resources, regtech has also the potential to provide valuable business insight, provide customers with better and faster service and drive new products and services.
In Europe today, regtech companies are already using artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), cloud technologies and blockchain. They operate across various subcategories such as identity management and control, regulatory reporting, risk data management (RDM), compliance management, and automation, just to name a few.


Notable European Regtech players/solutions (Examples)
I was able to select some regtech solution providers with the help of matchmaking experts in KPMG&#8217;s Matchi: a global platform that connects financial institutions (and other large companies) with emerging technology solutions and innovators worldwide.
Suade (UK)- Reporting
Launched in 2014 and based in London, Suade provides a “regulation-as-a-service” open platform that automates the process for banks around the world to meet their reporting requirements, making it much more efficient and cost-effective.
The Suade platform helps banks analyze their own practices, then modifies them to comply with complex and changing regulatory requirements.
 
Privitar (UK)- Privacy protection
Established in 2014, Privitar provides data-privacy software to companies and public sector organizations around the world to protect sensitive data and enable ethical data analysis. Privitar’s software accelerates and automates the provision of privacy-preserving data, helping customers extract more business value from their data, generate data-driven insights, and drive innovation.
Privitar is headquartered in London and offices in New York, Boston, Singapore and Paris. The company is backed by Partech Ventures, Salesforce Ventures, IQ Capital, 24Haymarket, Illuminate Financial, and Citi.
 
ComplyAdvantage (UK) &#8211; AML Compliance
Founded in 2014, ComplyAdvantage provides firms with data intelligence, helping them understand the risk of who they’re doing business with, while automating compliance and risk processes.
ComplyAdvantage take a new approach to building financial crime data by providing real-time insight into the risk of people and companies globally. The company’s technology allows them to spot tens of thousands of risk events from within millions of structured and unstructured data sources, every day.
ComplyAdvantage serves more than 350 clients across 45 countries and with a team of 160 people across regional hubs in London, New York, Singapore and Cluj.
 
Onfido (UK) &#8211; KYC, Document verification
Founded in 2012, Onfido is building the new identity standard for the Internet. The company’s AI-based technology assesses whether a user’s government-issued ID is genuine or fraudulent, and then compares it against their facial biometrics. The solution is used by the likes of Revolut, Zipcar and Bitstamp.
Onfido is backed by Salesforce Ventures, SBI Investment, M12 (formerly Microsoft Ventures), as well as angels including Brent Hoberman, co-founder of lastminute.com, Taavet Hinrikus, co-founder of Transferwise, and Nicolas Brusson, co-founder of BlaBlaCar. The company has offices in London, San Francisco, New York, Lisbon, Paris, New Delhi and Singapore.
 
AQmetrics (UK)- Risk Management/Reporting
Established in Ireland in 2012, AQMetrics offers a full risk management and regulatory reporting platform. The company leverages the latest cloud computing and big data analytics technology to deliver an ultra-fast, high quality cloud-based platform that saves its clients time and money. AQMetrics serves billion-dollar hedge funds, alternative investment managers, MiFID firms, asset servicing providers, fund administrators, and banks.
 
Governance.com (Luxembourg)- Data and Process Mgt
Governance.com is a Luxembourg-based regtech created in 2011. The startup provides a platform that helps regulated companies with data, document and process management.
The platform connects data and documents across the organization and presents it in simple report, automated processes and understandable dashboards. The solution gives a transparent view on complex data structures and ensures that controls and decisions are taken appropriately.
 
NetGuardians (Switzerland)- AI Fraud protection
NetGuardians is an award-winning Swiss regtech established in 2007. NetGuardians has developed an AI solution for banks to proactively prevent fraud. The solution integrates an organization’s existing network security programs and operating systems, and collects its data in real-time, correlates, and filters the data into a central control console to discover attacks, policy violations and strange behaviors on IT infrastructure.
The company serves more than 50 Tier 1 to Tier 3 banks worldwide fight financial crime.
 
Apiax (Switzerland)- Digital transaction tools
Apiax is a Swiss regtech startup headquartered in Zurich with offices in Lisbon and London. The company builds tools to master complex financial regulations digitally. It focuses on giving financial institutions access to machine-readable rules on the most pressing regulatory topics and allow them to customize, manage and deploy these rules effortlessly.
The company’s technology provides full transparency and control over rules in action and empowers financial institutions to serve their clients more efficiently.
 
Finform (Switzerland) &#8211; Compliance Solution
Swiss regtech company Finform specializes in standardizing, industrializing and digitalizing compliance formalities.
Finform’s solution can be used on all sales channels, whether that’s front end, mobile or online. A standardized and digitalized process across all sales channels allows for an accelerated on-boarding process, opening up new sales opportunities. Technical progress and new regulatory requirements are implemented automatically.
 
ClauseMatch (UK) &#8211; Regulatory Change Mgt
ClauseMatch enables financial institutions to streamline regulatory change management through effective organization of internal policies, standards, procedures, and controls.
The company is actively applying AI and ML capabilities allowing financial institutions to evidence compliance with regulatory obligations and apply them within governance documents with full audit trail and real-time collaboration. ClauseMatch headquarters is located at Canary Wharf, London’s financial district and serves clients such as Barclays or Revolut.
 

Source: KPMG Study
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
The post Regtech in Europe: Regtech 3.0 Solutions and more appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/regtech-in-europe-regtech-30-solutions-and-more</link><guid>1213</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/regtech-europe.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Regtech in Europe: Regtech 3.0 Solutions and more</dc:text></item><item><title>PwC Launches Solution Supporting Audit of Cryptocurrencies</title><description><![CDATA[PwC launches a new software tool to provide audit and other assurance services to clients holding or transacting in cryptocurrency.
In an environment where robust controls have been proven effective throughout a business’ cryptocurrency activities, PWC&#8217;s Halo solution can:

provide independent, substantive evidence of the “private key and public address pairing” which is one of the pieces needed to establish ownership of cryptocurrency
securely interrogate the blockchain to independently and reliably gather corroborating information about blockchain transactions and balances.

PwC has started leveraging its new Halo solution to support audits of clients engaged in cryptocurrency activities. We are also working with companies, for whom we are not the auditor, to help them address the new opportunities and challenges of blockchain and cryptocurrency, including helping them to implement the processes and controls they will require in order to obtain assurance reports from their auditors.
Our ability to audit an entity engaged in cryptocurrency activities is very much influenced by our client’s control environment, and at this stage, by the breadth of tokens supported by our Halo software. These considerations will be key when determining whether we are comfortable to accept an audit engagement.
PwC can currently use this tool to provide assurance services to clients transacting in Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin Gold, Bitcoin Diamond, LiteCoin, Ethereum, ERC20 &#8211; OAX token, and Ripple (XRP).
James Chalmers
James Chalmers,  PWC&#8217;s Global Assurance Leader, says:
“It is important as companies continue to digitise we, as auditors, keep up with technology changes in the market, continue to develop audit tools that meet the needs of emerging technologies and serve the changing and developing demands of our stakeholders.”
The post PwC Launches Solution Supporting Audit of Cryptocurrencies appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/pwc-launches-solution-supporting-audit-of-cryptocurrencies</link><guid>1211</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>PwC Launches Solution Supporting Audit of Cryptocurrencies</dc:text></item><item><title>3 Startups Joined Up to Launch a Swiss Crypto Asset Management Ecosystem</title><description><![CDATA[METACO, AlgoTrader and Cysec (formerly ArcaTrust) have banded together to offer an asset management ecosystem specifically for all Swiss-made crypto assets.
The ecosystem allows financial institutions to manage these assets across an asset&#8217;s entire life-cycle, from secure storage and management to automated trading and execution.
The trio wants to build on what they believe to be complementary core competencies of their specific niches—hardware security by Cysec, METACO&#8217;s crypto asset storage and management, and finally, AlgoTrader&#8217;s automated institutional-grade trading solution, SILO.
The idea is to offer a seamless way to adopt an emerging asset class, and to bridge their traditional and crypto portfolios.
The announcement comes at a time of rapidly increasing institutional interest in digital assets. Financial intermediaries, such as banks, asset managers, and brokers are searching for technology solutions that allow them to safe-keep crypto assets with maximum security. They need to manage them with familiar workflows and front-to-back office functionalities through their current service providers and within their existing systems infrastructure.
Adrien Treccani CEO and Founder of METACO said:
Adrien Treccani
“We are heading towards the tokenization of our economy; ensuring that its foundations are secure and integrated is not an option, it is imperative. &#8220;
 
 
 
 
Andy Flury CEO and Founder of AlgoTrader added:
Andy Flury
”The basis of a great ecosystem is a large opportunity that pushes partners together to pursue the same long-term goals to help institutionalizing the crypto asset industry.&#8221;
 
 
 
 
 
Featured image credit: Photo (from left to right): Yacine Felk, COO &amp; Co-Founder (Cysec SA), Patrick Trinkler, CEO &amp; Founder (Cysec SA), Patrick Mehrhoff, CMO (AlgoTrader AG), Seamus Donoghue, VP Business Development (METACO SA), Andy Flury, CEO &amp; Founder (AlgoTrader AG), Lourdes Monso, Marketing Manager (METACO SA), Olivier von Schulthess, Head of Sales EMEA (AlgoTrader AG)
The post 3 Startups Joined Up to Launch a Swiss Crypto Asset Management Ecosystem appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/3-startups-joined-up-to-launch-a-swiss-crypto-asset-management-ecosystem</link><guid>1212</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>3 Startups Joined Up to Launch a Swiss Crypto Asset Management Ecosystem</dc:text></item><item><title>New Swiss RegTech Startup Map</title><description><![CDATA[RegTech is a shorthand for regulatory tech, a subset of fintech that focuses on technologies that could help facilitate the delivery of regulatory requirements in a comprehensive and cost-effective way.
The rise of RegTech was only a matter of time, following the traditional difficulty that fintechs have had over the years to stay compliant while remaining fluid and agile in their businesses. After all, compliance is not an option—not after the 2008 financial crisis.
Each quarter, Swisscom teams up with e-foresight to publish a market overview of Swiss RegTech startups with a categorization based on areas of activity.
This quarter two new Regtech Startups joined the map. Skribble and Infinity AG are new on the map since the February update.

Authentication
Fidentity
fidentity provides digital identification with seamless user experience. An API enables integration in 3rd party websites, mobile sites, apps or even messengers. Its ease of use leads to minimal acquisition costs.
 
 
 
Biowatch
Biowatch transforms the user’s wristwatch into a means of identification. A module, which fits  into the strap of any watch, identifies the user  from their unique vein pattern.Watches could  therefore replace passwords, badges and car keys. Biowatch completed a financing round at the beginning of this year and demonstrated a fully functional prototype for the first time in June.
 
 
Futurae
Creating fast, simple and hands-off two-factor user authentication for online applications that require additional security by pairing mobile devices with computers in the vicinity of each other.
 
 
 
Procivis
 

PROCIVIS is a Swiss based start-up offering digital identity solutions and e-government applications and services. Founded in October 2016 by a team of experts in blockchain technology, e-government infrastructure, investment banking as well as by influential academicians, the company aims to spearhead the transition to e-governance in Switzerland and abroad.
 
 
 
OneVisage
OneVisage is a Swiss cyber-security company founded in 2013 with the vision to bring secure and convenient authentication services to mass-markets using standard mobile devices (BYOD).
 
 
 
Synacts
We solve the problem of an increasing amount of data that is created and used by people. Today, this data is locked into silos at companies which leads to unacceptable risks as seen with Equifax and many others but also denies the user to control over what happens with their data.
 
 
Signatys
Signatys is a Swiss company focusing on the quality and security of digital relationships. Signatys offers a new way of exchanging and signing documents based on a level of trust equivalent to an identification made by a bank.
 
 
 
Spitch
Spitch is a Swiss provider of solutions based on Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) and voice biometrics, Voice User Interfaces (VUI), and natural language voice data analytics.
 
 
 
Skribble
Skribble allows you to legally sign PDFs based on the e-signature “QES” &#8211; the digital equivalent to the handwritten signature under Swiss and EU law.
 
 
 
 
AML / KYC
FinForm
Finform, a joint venture of Axon Ivy and PostFinance, was founded in June 2016. The company specializes in standardizing, industrializing and digitalizing compliance formalities.
 
 
 
Polixis
Polixis is known to the market as a boutique, best-in-class advisory firm, specializing in the emerging markets Risk &amp; Compliance. With ARDIS that stands for Applied Risk &amp; Data Intelligence Solution, we take this expertise to the next level by blending human expertise with machine intelligence and big data. The result is a unique technological solution that aims to change the way Risk &amp; Compliance teams work on client and transactional due diligence, political and country risk analysis.
 
Chaordic
Chaordic specialise in Client Due Diligence technology which helps financial institutions with AML, CRS &amp; FATCA compliance throughout the client lifecycle.
 
 
 
 
Background Check
SwissMetrics
SwissMetrics provides a collaborative credit risk monitoring platform allowing for companies to monitor the financial health of their customers, suppliers and potential acquisitions.
Christian KönigChristian Koenig
 
 
Crossborder &amp; Tax Solutions
TaxLevel
TaxLevel &#8220;THE NEXT LEVEL IN TAX REPORTING&#8221; With TaxLevel we offer professional services for companies and individuals in the field of tax reporting. Our end products support taxable legal or natural persons abroad.
 
 
 
Indigita
indigita is a RegTech company providing banks with digitized regulatory smart data for cross-border banking. It takes the best from its parent companies, BRP and Orbium, experts in regulatory and IT consultancy, to develop the perfect solution to meet the ever-changing cross-border regulatory challenges.
 
 
 
Confinale
Confinale is a consultancy and software development company that specializes in digitalization projects for the banking sector. We find solutions for current and future challenges either by implementing new functionalities in existing bank software or by developing totally new applications.
 
 
 
Enterprise Risk Management / Fraud Detection
RegData
RegData clears you through regulatory and technical borders, especially during the aggregation of data from any source and when it is shared. Its transparent, unintrusive integration, no matter the languages and protocols, allows you to lead innovative strategies for your company’s data.
 
 
 
Swiss Finlab
New solutions are needed for managing personal data and personal wealth &#8211; We explore &amp; build them. We believe that the successful company of the future will have access to customer data, the ability to analyze it and use it for intuitive applications. We at SWISS FIN LAB can help you with exactly that. We are really good at investments, managing and analyzing data and making beautiful and intuitive applications.
 
Dathena
Dathena is the First Data Governance Platform Developed by Real Users for Real Users
 
 
 
Ifinity AG
IFINITY AG (founded 2015) is an independent service provider committed to strengthening the operational efficiency and regulatory compliance of independent asset managers (IAMs). Thanks to IFINITY’s unique service offering IAMs are able to focus on client interaction as their core „USP“.
 
 
 
Investment Risk Management / Quantitative Analytics
Lumrisk
LumRisk is an independent company that provides state-of-the-art risk consolidation, analysis and reporting services to institutional clients. LumRisk provides risk analysis and reporting, based on full transparency into underlying instruments, on many types of investment programs, such as funds-of-hedge-funds, multi-asset programs, alternative risk premia programs and traditional long-only investments.
 
 
FinHorizon AG
finhorizon’s portal translates complex investment research results to intuitive decision indicators. This novel approach allows all investors to easily find assets that exactly match their risk tolerance and return goals out of all instruments world-wide. They can automatically compile and manage their own optimal personalized portfolios.
 
 
InvestGlass
Founded in 2014, InvestGlass provides a white-labeled, client and prospect management platform for bankers, wealth managers and advisors. The platform is designed to facilitate more efficient prospecting and onboarding of new clients, as well as the management relationships with existing clients. Components include a content management system, CRM, and client portal.
 
 
AAAccell
AAAccell a leading innovation company in asset-and risk management developing cutting-edge high-tech solutions for the financial service market.
 
 
 
 
Riskifier
Riskifier makes investment risk profiling simple, fun and insightful for everyone. Our solution uses latest advances of artificial intelligence to fulfill the requirements of MiFID II/FIDLEG investor risk profiling and KYC data collection, while digitalizing &amp; gamifying user experience as well unleashing advantages of behavior based personalized investment risk profiles.
 
 
Integration Alpha
We are a boutique data strategy consulting firm with a focus on guiding organizations on their journey towards data-driven business and industry models. More than ever before, success at doing business, at keeping clients engaged and at maintaining an edge over competitors is dependent on the intelligent use (and exploitation) of data. Not in the form most businesses are accustomed to today but as continuous streams of specific intelligence.
 
Regulatory Mapping
Apiax
Apiax is an early-stage startup that aims at generating better access to compliance regulations. It provides easily integrated public programming interfaces (APIs) that facilitate access to always up-to-date and verified compliance rules.
 
 
 
Capnovum
Capnovum introduces a new chapter by empowering clients to manage change self-sufficiently.  Asset based services help our clients stay informed and in control of ever more complex regulatory requirements. Our clients, investing in their own resources; mitigate risk, drive down cost of change, and reduce dependence on management consultants for execution.
 
 
Lari
LARI helps businesses to keep track of legal and regulatory changes. Our mission is to promote collaboration and increase workflow productivity of corporate legal departments. LARI is an intelligent issue management platform for legal and compliance departments. It automatically discovers the latest updates in laws and regulations impacting a company. It helps teams to understand those changes and translate them into actionable and auditable items.
 
 
Indagia
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The post New Swiss RegTech Startup Map appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-swiss-regtech-startup-map</link><guid>1209</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/swiss-regtech-map-may-2019-1-1024x576.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>New Swiss RegTech Startup Map</dc:text></item><item><title>KMU Digitalisierungs Studie: Ein digitaler Vorsprung ist immer noch möglich</title><description><![CDATA[Wie schon im Jahr 2017 widmet sich der diesjährige KMU-Spiegel dem Thema «Digitalisierung». 
Es sei unbestritten, dass die Digitalisierung eines der wichtigsten und umfassendsten Themen sei, mit denen Unternehmen heute konfrontiert sind, begründen die Autoren das Wiederaufnehmen des Themas. 
Der KMU-Spiegel betrachtet die Entwicklung und formuliert konkrete Lösungsansätze für Herausforderungen, die sich aus der digitalen Transformation heraus ergeben. Die Autoren bezeichnen die Digitalisierung als einen Prozess der sowohl unausweichlich wie kontinuierlich sei. Oder wie dies der für die Studie interviewte Peter Kancsar von Milani formulierte: 
«Es gibt keinen Moment, in dem wir sagen können, wir haben es erreicht und wir können uns zurücklehnen. Wir verändern uns kontinuierlich und passen uns an.»
Prof. Dr. Rigo Tietz
Die Digitalisierung führe zu grundlegenden Veränderungen, zum Beispiel in der Wettbewerbssituation von Organisationen, wenn Konkurrenten effizientere und innovative Geschäftskonzepte entwickeln, erklärt Prof. Dr. Rigo Tietz, Projektleiter des KMU-Spiegels und Leiter des Kompetenzzentrums Strategie und Management am Institut für Unternehmensführung IFU-FHS an der Fachhochschule St.Gallen und ergänzt: 
«Die Digitalisierung verändert grundlegend das Verhalten einzelner Personen und damit schlussendlich der ganzen Gesellschaft.»
 
Digitalisierung verstehen und glaubwürdig vorantreiben können
Es zeigt sich, dass es gerade die besondere Situation der KMU ist, welche diese zwingt, über neue und kreative Lösungen nachzudenken. Aufgrund der oft begrenzten Ressourcenausstattung gelten für KMU im Vergleich zu Grossunternehmen oft andere Grenzen und Möglichkeiten. 
Mit dem genauen Blick auf acht Unternehmen aus acht Branchen identifiziert der KMU-Spiegel «Best Practices», welche diese Unternehmen im Umgang mit der Digitalisierung entwickelt haben. Somit stellt die Studie nicht nur die Frage nach den Herausforderungen und den eigenen Lösungsansätzen, sondern beschreibt, was andere Unternehmen in der gleichen oder auch in einer anderen Branche von diesem Lösungsansatz lernen können.
Technologischer Wandel als Treiber für Veränderungen in wichtigen Schweizer Branchen
Im Umgang mit Digitalisierung lässt sich gemäss Rigo Tietz feststellen, dass die Digitalisierung oft von operativen Herausforderungen verdrängt wird. Sie ist aber ein strategisches Thema, das die Geschäftsführung angemessen priorisieren und ausreichend Zeit dafür einplanen muss. 
Gemäss den Studienautoren braucht es in der Geschäftsführung von KMU, «digital affine» Personen, die das Thema Digitalisierung verstehen und glaubwürdig vorantreiben können. Diese können die positiven Aspekte der sich zwingend einstellenden Veränderung glaubhaft vorleben und damit Ängste der Mitarbeitenden abfangen. Ivo Steiner, Geschäftsführer Landi Zola AG untermauert diese Feststellung: 
«Wenn du als Geschäftsführer nicht dahinterstehst, es nicht mitträgst und dich nicht damit identifizieren kannst, dann funktioniert es sicher nicht.» 
Digital näher zum Kunden und enger zusammenarbeiten
Vor allem jungen Unternehmen und Start-ups gelingt es, ihr Geschäftsmodell und ihre Funktionsweise gezielt auf den neuen Technologien wie Robotik, Internet der Dinge, Blockchain oder künstliche Intelligenz aufzubauen. Etablierte Unternehmen tun sich teilweise eher schwer damit, solche neuen Technologien mit dem bestehenden Geschäft zu verknüpfen oder ganz neue Optionen anzustossen, so der Vergleich der Studienautoren.
Automatisierung findet sich aber auch in traditionellen Branchen wie der Landwirtschaft: Auf dem Hof Hinterburg werden Roboter eingesetzt und Roman Moser und Adrian Haggenmacher bestätigen, dass durch die Abgabe von Aufgaben an Roboter zeitliche Freiräume geschafft werden – dies eine oft geäusserte Hoffnung oder oft erwähnter Nutzen der Digitalisierung.
Als weitere Chancen der Digitalisierung bezeichnen die interviewten Unternehmerinnen und Unternehmer Effizienzsteigerungen. Dabei könne die Verbesserung der Effizienz ganz unterschiedliche Aspekte umfassen, sagt Rigo Tietz. 
«Oftmals geht es um die Digitalisierung der Kundenschnittstelle, um beispielsweise den Bestellprozess zu beschleunigen oder Standardprodukte zu vertreiben.» 
Oder sogar Nischenprodukte, wie im Falle von Ergoswiss. 
Selbst wenn digitale Tools die Interaktion mit dem Kunden verändern, die Zusammenarbeit erleichtern und somit die Kundenbeziehung intensivieren, erwähnen viele der befragten Unternehmerinnen und Unternehmer immer wieder, dass im Laufe der Digitalisierung die persönliche Kommunikation an Bedeutung gewinne, sei das nun auf der Baustelle wie bei Schlangenhauf oder auch im Hofladen. 
Jeder Schritt ins digitale Neuland ist ein Risiko
«Bei den Investitionen geht es nicht nur um die Investitionshöhe, die für KMU mit begrenzten finanziellen Ressourcen eine Herausforderung darstellen kann.»
Vielmehr gebe es eine Vielzahl an digitalen Möglichkeiten. Die dadurch resultierende Gefahr formulierte Marco Zeller von der Bever Lodge im Engadin: Er nennt als Digitalisierungs-Risiken den Zeit- und Geldaufwand sowie die Verzettelung von Ressourcen. Man müsse nicht jeden Trend mitmachen.
 
 
Featured image credit: Freepik
The post KMU Digitalisierungs Studie: Ein digitaler Vorsprung ist immer noch möglich appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/kmu-digitalisierungs-studie-ein-digitaler-vorsprung-ist-immer-noch-moglich</link><guid>1208</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Technologischer-Wandel-als-Treiber-für-Veränderungen-in-wichtigen-Schweizer-Branchen.png</dc:content ><dc:text>KMU Digitalisierungs Studie: Ein digitaler Vorsprung ist immer noch möglich</dc:text></item><item><title>The Next Generation Wealth Manager</title><description><![CDATA[Wealth managers are confident that technology will be a key enabler in achieving efficiency, delivering highly personalized services, and enhancing customer experience, according to a new survey by Temenos and Forbes Insights.
In a report titled The Next Generation Wealth Manager: Advancing Services and Personalization with Technology, Temenos and Forbes share findings of a survey of 305 high-level executives to understand the value of technology from the perspectives of both wealth managers and clients.
Technologies including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, process automation and blockchain are considerably transforming the wealth management experience for advisors at private banks and the high net worth individuals (HNWIs) they serve. It is now imperative for the industry to leverage these technologies to provide customers with the level of customization and experience that’s now requested.
Wealth managers are confident that technology will play a key part in the future of their industry, with almost every wealth manager (92%) believing that digitalization of wealth management services is either a good thing or essential, and 84% of the executives surveyed stating that being adept at technology will be key to become a successful wealth manager in the future.
Almost seven in 10 wealth managers said that a virtual platform is an essential way to enhance the client experience, and 64% think that digitalization is essential for communication and service enhancement.

AI and blockchain in particular, are perceived as two of the most disruptive technologies for wealth management. 86% of wealth managers believe AI is important in data analysis and personalized insights, and 83% perceive blockchain as a powerful technology to wealth management for its ability to bring more powerful security (47%) and greater transparency and trust in transactions (43%).


The study also found that high net worth individuals (HNWIs) are rapidly warming up to technology. Over the past three years, acceptance of technology among HNWIs has significantly expanded, with now 87% of respondents stating they accept technology in their investment experience.
In fact, HNWIs and mass-affluent investors want technology to play an even greater role in their advisor relationships, underscoring the imperative at investment banks and private banks to continue digital transformation, the report says.
“Both HNWIs and mass affluent investors want to enhance their relationships with wealth managers through more personalized services,” said Pierre Bouquieaux, Product Director Wealth at Temenos.
“Technology from the client perspective, should facilitate more active portfolio management, unlock new insights through predictive analytics and reveal opportunities that may exists in alternative investments.
“Delivering personalized customer experiences will become the key differentiator for wealth managers.”
According to the report, “the key to [wealth managers’] success will be understanding and using technology effectively to advance client services in line with the goals and needs of new investors.”
“The modern client-advisor relationship is powered by mobile platforms and digitization — and AI technologies like machine learning — but it remains at its core a very human one,” the research says. “Technologies should be seen as a means to a business end, with the goal being increased client satisfaction from understanding the three pathways to success covered in this report.”
The report highlights three pathways to success that will define the next generation wealth manager:
Customer experience enhanced by digital client services and personalization: Personalization is the ultimate goal for wealth managers as it is at the heart of the customer experience. As wealth managers use technology in more sophisticated ways, a key differentiator will be their ability to segment clients at an even more refined level than today.
Insight gained through AI and analytics: AI technologies are the foundation of advanced wealth management analytics that can power more accurate and predictive guidance and returns.
New markets defined by the mass affluent and alternative investments: Being adept at technology and personalizing service around goal-based investor will be the future of the industry. Such skills will also provide an entry into the mass affluent segment.
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
The post The Next Generation Wealth Manager appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-next-generation-wealth-manager</link><guid>1207</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Successful-wealth-manager-of-the-future-1024x629.png</dc:content ><dc:text>The Next Generation Wealth Manager</dc:text></item><item><title>PostFinance Joins Fintech Accelerator F10</title><description><![CDATA[F10 is happy to welcome PostFinance as new Corporate Member.
With PostFinance, F10 offers the Startups in the Incubator and Accelerator Programs an even greater range of expertise and the opportunity of fostering meaningful collaboration with a new Corporate Member to innovate the finance industry together. PostFinance has more than 3700 employees in Switzerland.
The new Corporate Member is investing in future banking with business models extending beyond the traditional financial sector. F10 aims to create synergies with PostFinance in this area to solve the challenges the banking sector is currently facing, to provide added value to existing customers and fulfill the needs of the next generations of banking clients.
PostFinance benefits as Corporate Member from direct access to promising Startups in financial technology from all over the world, trends and fruitful exchange with the other members SIX (the Swiss Stock Exchange), the Baloise Group, Julius Bär, Generali Group Switzerland, PwC Switzerland, Raiffeisen, Zürcher Kantonalbank, eny Finance, ERI Bancaire, Capgemini and Tamedia.
The F10 Startups provide inspiration with their ideas and innovation in various stages. The Corporate Member and the FinTech entrepreneurs in the programs regularly come together at The Home of FinTech for inspiring discussions and feedback sessions during events or in the newly opened F10 FinTech Co-Working Space located in the headquarters in Zurich.
Thomas Landis
«We strongly believe that corporations with decades of experience and more agile Startups with disruptive ideas need to collaborate to innovate the finance industry and meet the expectations of the banking customers of tomorrow»,
Head of F10 Thomas Landis explains.
«F10 is excited to welcome PostFinance with their open-mindedness towards digitalization and strong customer focus as a new Corporate Member to further innovation in the banking sector together. Their experience and expertise are highly beneficial for the Startups of our programs and we are looking forward to integrating PostFinance into our ecosystem»,
Landis continues.
The F10 portfolio covers three programs: international FinTech Hackathons, the P2 «Prototype to Product» program for Startups with first prototypes in FinTech, RegTech or InsurTech and the P3 «Product to Market» program for Startups with market traction and revenue generation looking for strong partners. The value chain starts with the F10 FinTech Hackathons by working on real-life challenges the finance industry is facing, developing innovative ideas for more innovation in the financial world and forming potential Startups.
It continues with the P2 program where the early stage Startups go through a six-month program in Zurich to develop their prototype &#8211; with the support of the F10 coaches, mentors and experts from the industry &#8211; to the extent to get investment ready. The P3 one-day workshop aims to open doors for mature Startups to collaborate with the Corporate Members.
 
Featured image credit: F10
The post PostFinance Joins Fintech Accelerator F10 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/postfinance-joins-fintech-accelerator-f10</link><guid>1205</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>PostFinance Joins Fintech Accelerator F10</dc:text></item><item><title>World Fintech Report 2019: Financial Industry To Enter New Phase of Innovation – “Open X”</title><description><![CDATA[The financial services industry is on the verge of transitioning from open banking to a new phase of innovation which Capgemini and Efma refer to as Open X.
With an emphasis on deeper collaboration and specialization, Open X will require banks and fintechs to re-evaluate their strategy for innovation and serving customers, according to the World Fintech Report (WFTR) 2019 published earlier this month.
According to Anirban Bose, CEO of Capgemini’s financial services and member of the group’s executive board, while open banking has long been regarded as transformational for financial services, it is just one part of a much bigger picture.
“The industry is on the verge of a more comprehensive evolution, where there is opportunity to leapfrog into an integrated marketplace that we are calling Open X,” Bose said. “In Open X, there will be seamless sharing of data, and ecosystem partners will be able to collaborate in a far more comprehensive way. Our research suggests that banks and fintechs need to prepare themselves for a more radical change than many previously anticipated.”
For Vincent Bastid, secretary general of Efma, collaboration will be the foundation of the future of financial services.
“In the era of Open X, ecosystem players will have to work together more effectively than they have previously,” Bastid said. “Only by embracing collaboration and new, specialist roles can both banks and fintechs thrive and best serve their customers.”
 
Open X
Open X refers to a new operational age where the financial services industry is moved onto a shared ecosystem or marketplace. In this new paradigm, players leverage data extensively and collaborate with other players to provide customers with a seamless experience.
According to the report, Open X reflects a four-pillar market shift that values experience over products, sharing over resource ownership, data versus traditional assets, and evolution through partnerships instead of buying or building new solutions.

In this new landscape, application program interfaces (APIs) will play a critical role, the report says.
APIs are already significant open banking enablers as they allow third parties to access bank systems and data in a controlled environment. Nearly 89% of banks leverage APIs to collaborate with fintech firms as part of their business strategy, according to a Capgemini and Efma survey of banking executives.
But as API acceptance expands, ecosystem players will have to embrace the use of standardized APIs. Standardization will be needed to help reduce fraud, improve interoperability, increase speed to market, and enhance scalability, the report says.
Findings from the survey suggest that industry players are looking at two potential monetization models for APIs: revenue-sharing, which 60% of banks and 70% of fintechs think is feasible, and API access fees, a model supported by 46% of banks and 55% of fintechs.
 
Adopting new roles
In this evolving financial services ecosystem, three new specialist roles will emerge, the report says. These are the suppliers, or entities focusing on developing products and services; aggregators, or companies that delegate product and service creation to third parties or external players but use its internal channels for distribution; and orchestrators, or central entities that coalesce ecosystem players by connecting and coordinating their interactions.
Tencent’s WeBank, China’s first Internet-only bank, for instance, already acts as a supplier by offering payment services to smaller banks that can’t afford to build real-time payment services.
By working with consumers, banks and fintech to help end users find the most suitable financial products, London-based fintech Bud acts as an orchestrator.
And Banco Santander, which has reinvigorated its online Openbank by integrating with Moneybox, allowing customers to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar and invest spare pennies, acts as an aggregator. The bank has also integrated robo-advisory fintech Scalable Capital into Openbank, enabling customers to create goal-based investment portfolios.

Within the Open X ecosystem, banks will need to identity and build their role as a supplier or aggregator. Aside from internal capabilities, they will also need to develop their future strategies based on current market scenarios, whether regulators choose to regulate, supervise, or just offer basic open banking guidelines.
The post World Fintech Report 2019: Financial Industry To Enter New Phase of Innovation – “Open X” appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/world-fintech-report-2019-financial-industry-to-enter-new-phase-of-innovation-open-x</link><guid>1206</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Modern-banking-maturity-levels-1024x840.png</dc:content ><dc:text>World Fintech Report 2019: Financial Industry To Enter New Phase of Innovation – “Open X”</dc:text></item><item><title>Panalpina and Blockchain: Moving from Hype to Tangible Benefits for Supply Chains</title><description><![CDATA[The initial glitter of blockchain may have taken a beating, but concrete steps are underway to turn its promise into tangible business applications.
A keen mover of digital technologies in freight forwarding and logistics, Panalpina has narrowed the use cases for this industry and started a pilot to play the benefits of blockchain to make supply chains more efficient.
Blockchain could well be the next blockbuster technology to truly optimize supply chains. A system where transactions are recorded and maintained across linked computer networks, blockchain is built on trust. It lends itself to sectors where transactions and data transfers are involved, such as finance, insurance, healthcare or supply chains, promising the decentralized, transparent and secure exchange of data.
Beyond the hype
However, blockchain has thus far fallen short of its potential. About 90 percent of all supply chain related blockchain projects will remain proof-of-concept pilots through to 2020, according to Gartner Research.
Alongside several start-up efforts, there have been at least five blockchain initiatives aimed at the ocean freight industry. Two of the more prominent are:

The TradeLens global trade platform jointly developed by IBM and Maersk, which started in January 2018, has over 100 participating organizations, only recently started to sign on carriers such as CMA CGM and MSC, and will now be launched at the port of St. Petersburg under an agreement with the Russian government, and
The Global Shipping Business Network (GSBN), which started in November 2018 to rival the Maersk consortium and is backed by several terminal operators and ocean carriers including COSCO, Evergreen Marine and OOCL.

While almost all platforms sing the tune of ‘open source collaboration’, blockchain often stumbles on the lack of trust and community onboarding that it is supposed to be built on. It did seem unlikely, for example, that CMA CGM would join TradeLens, back in October 2018. Concerns over data ownership and control have led players to go separate ways with blockchain.
Another hurdle to broader acceptance and implementation appears to be missing standards, either within a distributed ledger solution or between different distributed ledger architectures. A keen mover of digital technologies in freight forwarding and logistics, Panalpina joined the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA) in May 2018 to engage with standard setting and collaboration in the industry.
Luca Graf
“Panalpina is not a blockchain evangelist, but we have a rational and realistic approach towards the technology,”
says Luca Graf, head of Digital Innovation at Panalpina.
“Blockchain is only one part of a larger vision that requires the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart contracts to exploit the full potential for end-to-end supply chains, with beneficial effects on costs and time.”
Practical use cases
Panalpina takes a practical approach to blockchain, seeing its promise in optimizing supply chains and making them more efficient. In its ongoing journey to realize the tangible benefits of blockchain, Panalpina has defined eight supply chain use cases for blockchain grouped into four fields of work:
(I) Workflow efficiency
1. Ocean freight core processes: Fully digitize ocean freight order and execution processes. Share documents in blockchain and apply smart contracts.
2. Ocean freight electronic bill of lading (eB/L): Digitize parts of ocean freight order and execution processes. Start with eB/L. Similar to the above but smaller in scope.
3. Captives: Standardize (re)insurance processes between the entities of a company and apply smart contracts in blockchain.
(II) Provenance and authenticity
4. Perishables: Digitize data flow in perishables chain and store product (provenance) and transport information (cold chain) in blockchain. Apply smart contracts.
5. Pharmaceuticals: Store product (authenticity) and transport information (cold chain) in blockchain. Offer full audit trail showing compliance with Good Distribution Practice (GDP).
6. Spare parts: Store spare part serial numbers in blockchain and provide transparency for spare part users (aviation, military, automotive).
(III) Cargo insurance
7. Insurance: Have trusted information on where cargo containers are located. Allow insurance companies to better calculate the risks (e.g. theft or hazard) and offer tailored insurance coverage to shippers.
(IV) Visibility
8. Tracking: Store tracking data of shipments in blockchain and enhance visibility for shippers.
Panalpina blockchain pilots in Air and Ocean Freight: digitize, store, share and optimize
Of these eight use cases, Panalpina has, after considering business value and implementation complexity, zoomed in on one: the ocean freight electronic bill of lading (eB/L). It has started two blockchain projects with selected customers: one dealing with high-tech industrial goods and the other dealing with office supplies. The aims are similar: to digitize trade documents such as the packing list and the bill of lading, store these documents in a cloud, and use blockchain to realize process improvements and cost savings in the long run.
In both projects, blockchains document the flow of imported goods from Asia to Europe, running in parallel to real shipments, but not interfering with current processes. Running the blockchain projects in parallel to live shipments allows Panalpina and its partners to make in-depth comparisons of current standards and processes, versus what they could be in the near future.
Panalpina has also started a third blockchain project with an IT multinational company, aimed at optimizing air freight shipments from North to South America.
“These early-stage projects are 85 percent about digitization and 15 percent about blockchain – we are starting to see clear benefits in cost savings through simplified and speedier processes, and lower document courier costs,”
explains Cedric Rutishauser, senior venture development manager at the Panalpina Digital Hub.
“But the real advantage of blockchain lies in the ‘single source of truth’. Improved data sharing between trade partners creates more transparency, with clear ownership and responsibility for each documented step in the supply chain.”
In the next phase, Panalpina expects to pick up on three other use cases – pharmaceuticals, spare parts and ocean freight core processes – to exploit the potential there in the long run.
Cautious pragmatism
Blockchain’s time is still to come. A recent study published in the International Journal of Production Economics shows that senior supply chain managers have mixed perceptions about blockchain, with some skeptical about its benefits and others convinced that it will improve security and transparency in supply chains, and ultimately bring efficiencies and customer benefits.
This study focused on three core areas:

The perceived benefits of blockchain to supply chains,
where disruptions are most likely to occur, and
the challenges to further blockchain diffusion.

The researchers from Cardiff University, together with Panalpina’s global logistics optimization and analytics manager Mihaela Rit, conducted interviews with 14 supply chain experts and used the so-called sense-making approach to gain a deeper understanding of their assumptions, expectations and knowledge about blockchain and its impact on supply chains.
As the blockchain hype wears off, a more sober, cautiously optimistic pragmatism is taking hold. Blockchain will win over its skeptics not with spectacular leaps and bounds, but small, concrete steps that deliver tangible benefits in terms of lower costs and higher efficiency.
One step in this direction is next week’s Swiss Blockchain Hackathon, where Panalpina’s IT developer team will join other hackers in advancing real-world blockchain solutions.
 
Featured image credit: Illustration by Panalpina
The post Panalpina and Blockchain: Moving from Hype to Tangible Benefits for Supply Chains appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/panalpina-and-blockchain-moving-from-hype-to-tangible-benefits-for-supply-chains</link><guid>1202</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Panalpina and Blockchain: Moving from Hype to Tangible Benefits for Supply Chains</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Proptech Sees Rapid Growth- Credit Suisse Report</title><description><![CDATA[Proptech, a term referred to startups offering technologically innovative products or new business models for the real estate industry, has witnessed tremendous growth in the last years, with now more than 200 companies in Switzerland, according to a new report by Credit Suisse.
In recent years, proptechs have sprung up. Leveraging technologies including artificial intelligence (AI), smart homes and the Internet-of-Things, these companies are providing digitally based products and services aimed at various parts of the real estate value chain, promising the real estate industry not only efficiency gains but also improved information flows and transparency.
Excitement for proptech shows in the growth in funding in the sector. In 2017, US$12.6 billion in funding went into proptech startups, three times more than in 2016 with US$4.2 billion, according to MetaProp.
 
The Swiss proptech industry
In Switzerland, half of proptech companies are in the scaling phase in which the main objective is to increase revenue, according to Credit Suisse’s Swiss Proptech Report 2019, released in May. These company’s products or services are being rolled out broadly to the market and offered to as many customers as possible.

Credit Suisse, which surveyed 58 proptech companies that are active in Switzerland and the “100 heads of the real estate industry,” found that Swiss proptechs are primarily active in the business-to-business (B2B) business and mostly target the investment areas consisting of asset management and portfolio management, as well as the sales and transaction area.
The industry is largely self-funded with three quarters of the capital of proptech companies coming from founders and their partners.
Among the main challenges faced by proptechs, these companies cited increasing sales figures, followed by raising capital and hiring additional personnel. Companies cited low level of brand recognition or limited marketing resources, unclear value-add provided for buyers by their products/services, weak product market fit, and communication problems as the top barrier in the development of proptech.

Nevertheless, the proptech industry has shown respectable success, the report says, with all respondents either maintaining or increasing their sales figures in 2018. Yet the road is still long and Credit Suisse estimates that only a fifth of the proptech companies are profitable.
Another key characteristic of Swiss proptech is the strong drive for international expansion. Approximately one-third are already internationally positioned and about 20% plan to take this step within a year. All in all, over 80% of respondents are aiming for international expansion sooner or later.
 
Real estate industry keen on leveraging technology
Overall, proptechs have been welcomed well by the real estate industry. The large number of events, awards, pitches, and accelerator workshops indicates the interest of the real estate industry in these young companies.
86% of real estate companies currently have partnerships with proptechs or purchase one or more products or processes from them. 42% of real estate companies even stated that they have business relationships with three or more proptechs.
The real estate industry is not only interested in the services provided by proptechs but is also seeking financial stakes or takeovers. 11% of the companies surveyed have acquired at least one proptech company and 26% report that they have taken a financial stake in one or more proptech players.
Although the real estate industry has been keen on partnering with these tech-enabled new entrants, incumbents showed mixed feeling about the results that ensued.
Only 18% of the real estate industry participants are completely satisfied with the joint projects, and only slightly more than half of the real estate companies already working with proptechs are planning additional cooperation in 2019.

 
Featured image credit: Unsplash
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-proptech-sees-rapid-growth-credit-suisse-report</link><guid>1203</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Life-cycle-phase-of-the-companies.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Proptech Sees Rapid Growth- Credit Suisse Report</dc:text></item><item><title>Govtech In Europe: An Overview</title><description><![CDATA[While technology is transforming every area of the economy, govtech, which focuses on optimizing the efficiency of governments’ operations, promises to change the nature of European societies even more profoundly.
Govtech, or public sector software, refers to solutions designed for use by government institutions. These leverage technologies such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain to digitize public services, helping governments cut costs and gain greater efficiency.
For citizens, govtech promises to improve the quality of public sector delivery across areas including healthcare, transport, decision making and citizen engagement. For policymakers, govtech presents a unique opportunity to accelerate productivity and create jobs.
The UK govtech market is estimated to be worth US$26 billion by 2025 with a global valuation of US$400 billion.
 
Govtech in Europe
In 2016, the European Union (EU) published the eGovernment Action Plan 2016-2020, an initiative aimed at making public administration and institutions open, efficient and inclusive, and providing borderless, personalized, user-friendly, end-to-end digital public services to all citizens and businesses in the EU.
Image: European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium on 08.03.2015 by Wiktor Dabkowski, via Flickr
Across Europe, governments have stepped up to the challenge, and since mid-2018 in particular, govtech schemes have appeared across the continent, offering startups new ways to work with the public sector. Government sponsored initiatives include Govtech Polska in Poland, the annual Govtech Summit in Paris backed by French President Emmanuel Macron, the UK’s Govtech Catalyst competition, as well as programs such as the GovStart accelerator.
Denmark has been providing NemKonto, a citizen’s account for handling payments to and from government, and in March, the government announced its Govtech Program, an open call competition for startups to solve public sector challenges.
e-Estonia by the government of Estonia is perhaps the most significant govtech initiative in Europe. The movement aims to facilitate citizen interactions with the state through the use of electronic solutions and has given rise to e-services including i-Voting, e-Tax Board, e-Business, e-Banking, e-Ticket, e-School, University via internet, the e-Governance Academy, as well as several mobile applications.
In Switzerland, govtech adoption falls short compared to its European counterparts, according to certain rankings. For instance, the IMD Digital Competitiveness Report positions Switzerland behind when it comes to e-voting for example.
Nevertheless, several developments have been made in recent years. In 2008, the E-Government Switzerland Suisse Svizzera (E-Government Switzerland) program was launched and by 2015, 59 projects had been advanced within the framework, 26 of which had been completed as of December 2018.
In 2016, Zug, also known as Crypto Valley, began accepting Bitcoin as payment for government services on a trial basis. Last year, the city completed its first blockchain-based municipal vote.
 
Govtech startups in Europe
According to UK startup venture firm Public, there are over 2,000 govtech startups across Europe seeking to disrupt traditional models for delivering public services.
One notable startup is Novoville. The company provides a citizen engagement platform that allows users to apply for services, report problems and share opinions with their local council. More than 45 cities in Europe are using Novoville.
Novoville dashboard
Other leading govtech startups in Europe include Ada Health, an AI-powered mobile health app that allows users to report their symptoms and receive automated diagnoses and medical reports, Citymapper, a smart mapping platform for cities, using real-time citizen data to optimize public transport routes and journey planning, and Manty, which collects and visualizes data to help public officials to model and measure public policy initiatives, and benchmark against cities and administrations internationally.
In Switzerland, Procivis has developed a secure electronic identity platform, called eID+, to enable trusted e-government services. The eID+-based electronic citizen ID for the Swiss Canton of Schaffhausen was successfully launched in June 2018.
 
Also read: How Fintech Could Shape Govtech in Europe
How Fintech Could Shape Govtech in Europe

 
 
 
Featured image: Edited from Freepik
The post Govtech In Europe: An Overview appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/govtech-in-europe-an-overview</link><guid>1204</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image-European-Union-headquarters-in-Brussels-by-Bankenverband-Flickr-1024x682.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Govtech In Europe: An Overview</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Startup Map Juni- Neues Design und neue Kategorien</title><description><![CDATA[Die Swiss Finech Startup Map von Juni zählt neu 333 Fintechs und wurde soeben publiziert.
Swisscom hat gemeinsam mit dem IFZ und dem norwegischen Startup Fintechdb aufgeräumt, neu kategorisiert, digitalisiert und graphisch aufbereitet.
Was ist inhaltlich neu?
Primär: 4 Business Areas (Fin):

Investment Management
Deposit &amp; Lending
Payment
Banking Infrastructure

 
Sekundär: 3 Technologien (Tech):

Analytics, Big Data, Artificial Intelligence
Process Digitisation, Automatisation, Robotics
Distributed Ledger Technology

Fünf neue Swiss Fintech Startups haben es zudem auf die brandneue Map geschafft:

ARANEUM TECHNOLOGIES
Araneum Technologies is a Zurich based machine learning and artificial intelligence company with its origins at ETH and HSG.

AXIMETRIA
Aximetria provides an opportunity to invest in a variety of blockchain assets so each customer could strike the right balance between investment risks and returns.

NIMBO
Wir sind die Anlaufstelle für Firmeninhaber von KMUS zum Thema Inhaberstrategie und bilden ein Netzwerk der besten Experten im deutschsprachigen Raum.

PXL VISION
PXL Vision AG is a Swiss high-tech spin-off of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH). It was founded by former key employees of Dacuda AG, an award-winning computer vision company that sold its 3D division to Magic Leap at the beginning of 2017.

Sparbatze

Digitale Vorsorge


 
The post Swiss Fintech Startup Map Juni- Neues Design und neue Kategorien appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-startup-map-juni-neues-design-und-neue-kategorien</link><guid>1200</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/New_Map_June.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Startup Map Juni- Neues Design und neue Kategorien</dc:text></item><item><title>CFO von Additiv und Manager von Crowdhouse Wechseln zum Robo Advisor True Wealth</title><description><![CDATA[Birgit Wohlfahrt wird als CFO die Leitung der Bereiche Finanzen und Legal &amp; Compliance bei der True Wealth AG übernehmen. Nach Ihrem Studium absolvierte sie verschiedene Weiterbildungen, zuletzt an der Harvard Universität.
Birgit Wohlfahrt
Birgit Wohlfahrt stösst vom Fintech-Unternehmen additiv zu True Wealth, bei welchem Sie als Chief Financial Officer tätig war.
Bei True Wealth wird sie im Rahmen der weiteren Wachstumspläne die beiden Bereiche Finanzen und Legal &amp; Compliance mit ihrer Expertise weiterentwickeln.
Marcos Gonçalves übernimmt die Produktverantwortung für das Direktkunden-Geschäft (B2C) von True Wealth. Nach seinem Studium in Wirtschaftswissenschaften an der Universität Zürich war er mehrere Jahre in verschiedenen Positionen bei der Notenstein La Roche Privatbank AG tätig. Als Mitglied des Managements des Fintech-Unternehmens Crowdhouse war er für das Business Development und das Distribution Management zuständig.
Marcos Gonçalves
Marcos Gonçalves wird bei True Wealth insbesondere durch Weiterentwicklungen des Produkts sowie der Nutzerinteraktion das Kundenerlebnis weiter verbessern und somit das Wachstum der Kundenvermögen zusätzlich beschleunigen.
Mit diesen neuen dezidierten Führungspositionen verstärken die Neuzugänge True Wealth bei der Umsetzung der strategischen Vorhaben. Bereits im März 2018 hat True Wealth mit Christoph Erb eine erfahrene Führungspersönlichkeit gewinnen können. Christoph Erb war über zehn Jahre Geschäftsleitungsmitglied der Finnova AG Bankware.
Christoph Erb
Bei True Wealth betreut er als Verantwortlicher für das B2B-Geschäft die Software as a Service-Partnerschaften und baut diese erfolgreich aus. Auf die Technologie von True Wealth setzen bereits die Basellandschaftliche Kantonalbank und die Regiobank Solothurn. Zwei weitere Banken befinden sich in der Projektumsetzung.
The post CFO von Additiv und Manager von Crowdhouse Wechseln zum Robo Advisor True Wealth appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/cfo-von-additiv-und-manager-von-crowdhouse-wechseln-zum-robo-advisor-true-wealth</link><guid>1201</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>CFO von Additiv und Manager von Crowdhouse Wechseln zum Robo Advisor True Wealth</dc:text></item><item><title>Neuer CEO Bei Basler Insurtech</title><description><![CDATA[Nach langer Tätigkeit als CEO der Creadi AG in Basel tritt Désirée Mettraux im Juli eine frische Herausforderung bei Oldie Car Cover in Lübeck an.
An ihrer Stelle übernehmen neu die Startup-Experten Oliver Johnson und Clemens Bachmair die Leitung des erfolgreichen Basler InsurTechs.
Oliver Johnson
Wenn sich einem Türen auftun, dann sollte man diese Gelegenheit nutzen. Daher zieht unsere CEO Désirée Mettraux mit ihrer Familie ins schöne Hamburg, um eine neue Herausforderung anzutreten.
Ab Juli 2019 übernimmt sie den Vorsitz der Geschäftsführung der Firma OCC (Oldie Car Cover) in Lübeck. Wir wünschen ihr und ihrer Familie nur das Beste für diesen spannenden neuen Lebensabschnitt.
Im Auftrag der Pax Holding hat Désirée Mettraux die Creadi AG über die letzten Jahre zu einem erfolgreichen InsurTechs der Schweiz aufgebaut. Seit unserer Gründung im Jahr 2016 haben wir viele Meilensteine verzeichnen können: Der Launch der Versicherungsplattform Simpego und des Fahrzeugausweis-Scanners Simpego Snap zählen zu den Meilensteinen.
Clemens Bachmair
Ab sofort wird die Creadi AG von einem erfahrenen Zweierteam in die Zukunft geführt. CMO Oliver Johnson und unser CTO Clemens Bachmair übernehmen nun die Verantwortung von Frau Mettraux.
 
 
Featured image credit: Creadi AG
The post Neuer CEO Bei Basler Insurtech appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/neuer-ceo-bei-basler-insurtech</link><guid>1198</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Neuer CEO Bei Basler Insurtech</dc:text></item><item><title>Studie zur Finanzierung Durch Private Debt in der Schweiz</title><description><![CDATA[Das Volumen des Schweizer Private Debt-Marktes beträgt etwa 3 Milliarden Franken.
Insbesondere neue plattform-basierte Geschäftsmodelle, welche eine Vielzahl verschiedener Investoren einbeziehen, bieten Potenzial für Wachstum. Zum ersten Mal beleuchtet eine Studie der Hochschule Luzern im Auftrag der Schwyzer Kantonalbank und von Remaco diesen bisher wenig bekannten Markt in der Schweiz.
Anteil verschiedener Finanzierungsinstrumente weltweit, 2009-2018 (Preqin, 2019)
Der Markt für nicht-öffentlich gehandelte Fremdkapitalfinanzierungen hat in den letzten Jahren vermehrt an Aufmerksamkeit gewonnen. Die Hochschule Luzern untersuchte zum ersten Mal umfassend und systematisch die Bedeutung sowie das Potenzial von Private Debt in der Schweiz. Für Geldnehmende stellt Private Debt eine alternative Finanzierungsquelle zur klassischen Bankfinanzierung dar. Aus Sicht der Geldgebenden bietet sich Private Debt als interessante Anlageklasse an.
Marktvolumen in der Schweiz beträgt rund drei Milliarden Franken
Zahlenerhebungen in einem nicht-öffentlichen Markt sind schwierig. Basierend auf zahlreichen Interviews mit relevanten Marktakteuren entwickelten die Autoren eine Klassifizierung des Schweizer Marktes (vgl. Grafik). Das Volumen des Private Debt-Marktes beträgt schätzungsweise etwa drei Milliarden Franken.
Einzelne grössere Private-Equity-Transaktionen haben einen starken Einfluss auf die Volumina von Private Debt. Die Autoren beobachten aber auch zahlreiche kleine Transaktionen, zum Beispiel im Bereich Crowdlending, welche ebenfalls zum Anstieg beitragen. Auch international verzeichnet der Private Debt-Markt ein hohes Wachstum. Das aktuell weltweit in Private-Debt-Fonds angelegte Volumen wird auf über USD 750 Mrd. geschätzt. Allein im Jahr 2018 wurden schätzungsweise mehr als USD 100 Mrd. neues Kapital aufgenommen.
Private Debt: Nischenmarkt mit Potenzial
Anteil Fundraisingvolumen Private Debt, 2012- 2018 (Preqin, 2019)
Verglichen mit den Kreditvolumen von Banken oder öffentlichen Fremdkapitalmärkten bewegt sich der Private-Debt-Markt in der Schweiz weiterhin in einer Nische. Für Thomas K. Birrer, Professor an der Hochschule Luzern und Co-Autor der Studie, werden die Banken für Schweizer KMU weiterhin die klar wichtigsten Kreditanbieter bleiben: «Wir erwarten aber insbesondere bei Finanzierungen über digitale Plattformen weiter hohe Wachstumsraten».
Grosses Potenzial sehen die Autoren auch bei Geschäftsmodellen, welche die Vorteile von klassischen Bankfinanzierungen mit solchen von Online-Plattformen verbinden. Solche Plattformen werden auch den Einbezug von Fonds und institutionellen Investoren in die Finanzierung von Krediten für Unternehmen ermöglichen.
Thomas K. Birrer sagt dazu:
«Wir gehen davon aus, dass die Vielfalt des Kreditangebots für Unternehmen in der Schweiz zunehmen wird».
Bereitschaft für Investitionen in Private Debt ist vorhanden
Schätzung des Marktvolumens von Private Debt in der Schweiz
Institutionelle Investoren sind unterschiedlich stark in die Anlageklasse Private Debt investiert und erhoffen sich mit den Investitionen in entsprechende Anlagen erstens höhere Renditen zu erzielen, zweitens gute Anlagen im längeren Laufzeitensegment zu tätigen und drittens Diversifikationseffekte zu erwirken.
Die bisherigen guten Erfahrungen sind denn auch der Grund dafür, dass die Bereitschaft zu einer Erhöhung der Allokation in Private Debt vorhanden ist. Dennoch gilt es wie bei anderen Investitionen die jeweiligen Risiken zu bedenken und einen effizienten Zugang zu passenden Anlagemöglichkeiten aufzubauen.
 
Featured image credit:Business photo created by rawpixel.com &#8211; www.freepik.com
The post Studie zur Finanzierung Durch Private Debt in der Schweiz appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/studie-zur-finanzierung-durch-private-debt-in-der-schweiz</link><guid>1199</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Anteil-verschiedener-Finanzierungsinstrumente-weltweit.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Studie zur Finanzierung Durch Private Debt in der Schweiz</dc:text></item><item><title>Parashift Secures Series A from Well-Known Investirs</title><description><![CDATA[Parashift, a Basel-based Fintech startup in the field of artificial intelligence, has completed growth financing (Series A) with renowned entrepreneur investors from northwestern Switzerland after a research &amp; development period of around two years.
Baumann &amp; Cie, Banquiers, Jaquet Partners with Marc and Olivier Jaquet, as well as Fiba-Group with Kurt Strecker, participate in the financing round.
Parashift has received significant attention in the last 12 months. The portal Fintechnews named Parashift as one of the 10 most important start-ups in the field of artificial intelligence. Forbes also recently mentioned Parashift as one of the 30 most promising Fintech start-ups in Europe. First customers were acquired in Q1/2019.
With its first product &#8220;Document Center&#8221;, Parashift offers a machine learning based cloud solution for the data extraction of invoices and other accounting documents. This solution is particularly suitable for software vendors and business process outsourcers who want to integrate data extraction into their products. In addition, Parashift also offers post-validated extraction results via an API at low cost and completely EU-GDPR-compliant.

A second product &#8220;doXeo&#8221; is a document management system in the cloud and offers a whole range of new, innovative functions and benefits that greatly simplify daily life in medium-sized enterprises.
Alain Veuve
“With &#8220;doXeo&#8221;, mid-sized companies will finally benefit to the same extent from the advantages of digitization in the document area as large companies. &#8220;doXeo&#8221; is simply the easiest, fastest and cheapest way for these companies to digitize their document flow, document filing, invoice processing and invoice approval. This enables them to increase their efficiency, reduce their operational costs and at the same time massively improve the quick retrieval of their documents,&#8221;
says Alain Veuve, CEO and founder of Parashift.
The capital raised will accelerate the traction of the two products in Switzerland and Europe. The board of directors will also be restructured; Kurt Strecker, Olivier Jaquet and Daniel Burkhardt are new members of the board. Founder and CEO Alain Veuve remains Chairman of the Board.
Olivier Jaquet
Olivier Jaquet of Jaquet Partners:
&#8220;We are convinced that in many companies the complete automation of previously manual data entry and accounting work meets a strong need and therefore believe in the great growth potential of Parashift&#8221;.
 
 
 
Featured image credit: Leadership Parashift: Thilo Rossa (Document Center), Manuela Rohr (Customer Success), Andre Bieler (Head AI), Jan-Hendrik Heuing (CTO &amp; Co-Founder), Alain Veuve (CEO &amp; Founder)
The post Parashift Secures Series A from Well-Known Investirs appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/parashift-secures-series-a-from-well-known-investirs</link><guid>1195</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Parashift Secures Series A from Well-Known Investirs</dc:text></item><item><title>Parashift Secures Series A from Well-Known Investors</title><description><![CDATA[Parashift, a Basel-based Fintech startup in the field of artificial intelligence, has completed growth financing (Series A) with renowned entrepreneur investors from northwestern Switzerland after a research &amp; development period of around two years.
Baumann &amp; Cie, Banquiers, Jaquet Partners with Marc and Olivier Jaquet, as well as Fiba-Group with Kurt Strecker, participate in the financing round.
Parashift has received significant attention in the last 12 months. The portal Fintechnews named Parashift as one of the 10 most important start-ups in the field of artificial intelligence. Forbes also recently mentioned Parashift as one of the 30 most promising Fintech start-ups in Europe. First customers were acquired in Q1/2019.
With its first product &#8220;Document Center&#8221;, Parashift offers a machine learning based cloud solution for the data extraction of invoices and other accounting documents. This solution is particularly suitable for software vendors and business process outsourcers who want to integrate data extraction into their products. In addition, Parashift also offers post-validated extraction results via an API at low cost and completely EU-GDPR-compliant.

A second product &#8220;doXeo&#8221; is a document management system in the cloud and offers a whole range of new, innovative functions and benefits that greatly simplify daily life in medium-sized enterprises.
Alain Veuve
“With &#8220;doXeo&#8221;, mid-sized companies will finally benefit to the same extent from the advantages of digitization in the document area as large companies. &#8220;doXeo&#8221; is simply the easiest, fastest and cheapest way for these companies to digitize their document flow, document filing, invoice processing and invoice approval. This enables them to increase their efficiency, reduce their operational costs and at the same time massively improve the quick retrieval of their documents,&#8221;
says Alain Veuve, CEO and founder of Parashift.
The capital raised will accelerate the traction of the two products in Switzerland and Europe. The board of directors will also be restructured; Kurt Strecker, Olivier Jaquet and Daniel Burkhardt are new members of the board. Founder and CEO Alain Veuve remains Chairman of the Board.
Olivier Jaquet
Olivier Jaquet of Jaquet Partners:
&#8220;We are convinced that in many companies the complete automation of previously manual data entry and accounting work meets a strong need and therefore believe in the great growth potential of Parashift&#8221;.
 
 
 
Featured image credit: Leadership Parashift: Thilo Rossa (Document Center), Manuela Rohr (Customer Success), Andre Bieler (Head AI), Jan-Hendrik Heuing (CTO &amp; Co-Founder), Alain Veuve (CEO &amp; Founder)
The post Parashift Secures Series A from Well-Known Investors appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/parashift-secures-series-a-from-well-known-investors</link><guid>1196</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Parashift Secures Series A from Well-Known Investors</dc:text></item><item><title>PwC Blockchain-Experte Roman Schnider wird CFO und Head of Operations der Tezos-Stiftung</title><description><![CDATA[Roman Schnider, Assurance Director von PwC Schweiz, übernimmt in diesem Sommer das Amt des Chief Financial Officers und Head of Operations bei der Tezos Stiftung in Zug.
Schnider ist seit rund 15 Jahren bei der PwC in verschiedenen Funktionen tätig, insbesondere im Bereich Investment Banking. Ab 2016 baute er für PwC Schweiz die Abteilung Prüfung für Blockchain und Kryptowährung auf.
Roman Schnider
Mit der Tezos Stiftung ist Roman Schnider bereits gut vertraut, da PwC seit einem Jahr den Finanz- und Geschäftsbetrieb der Stiftung prüft. Die Tezos Stiftung ist das erste grosse Blockchain-Projekt, das einen der «Big Four» als Wirtschaftsprüfer sichern konnte.
«Ich freue mich sehr, zur Tezos-Stiftung zu stossen», sagt Schnider. «Zusammen werden die Stiftung noch effizienter und transparenter machen und die Tezos Community unterstützten.» Schnider folgt als CFO auf Eelco Fiole.
Ryan Jesperson

«Die Stiftung stellt dem wachsenden Tezos-Ökosystem Ressourcen zur Verfügung. Daher ist der CFO und die Operations-Leitung ein wichtiger Erfolgsfaktor»,

hält Ryan Jesperson, Präsident der Tezos-Stiftung, fest.

«Mit seiner Erfahrung ist Roman Schnider eine ideale Besetzung, da er gut vertraut ist mit den Opportunitäten und Herausforderungen der Blockchain-Projekte. Zudem kennt er die Tezos Stiftung bereits aus seiner Zeit bei der PwC».


The post PwC Blockchain-Experte Roman Schnider wird CFO und Head of Operations der Tezos-Stiftung appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/pwc-blockchain-experte-roman-schnider-wird-cfo-und-head-of-operations-der-tezos-stiftung</link><guid>1194</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>PwC Blockchain-Experte Roman Schnider wird CFO und Head of Operations der Tezos-Stiftung</dc:text></item><item><title>First Indonesian Fintech at the SIX Swiss Exchange</title><description><![CDATA[Achiko Limited, a leading fintech provider in Indonesia, announced today that it plans to submit an application for a direct listing on the SIX Swiss Exchange, Switzerland’s principal stock exchange.
Achiko’s primary business is Mimopay. Founded in 2012, Mimopay has grown quickly to become a leading provider of payment services in Indonesia for people who do not have a bank account or credit card. People can pay for digital gaming content and services via a range of payment channels, such as telecom billing, game vouchers, and at over 10,000 convenience stores and over 100,000 ATMs.
Allen Wu
“We’re excited about the future and the opportunities that financial and digital inclusion can bring to the 1.7 billion unbanked adults around the world,”
said Allen Wu, Chairman of Achiko.
“We’re inspired by the success of platforms such as WeChat and Kakao, that combine payments with a wide- range of services, and believe that model provides a roadmap for our own global ambitions. We’ve started with Indonesia and we’re expanding our system&#8217;s digital and physical footprints by accelerating partnerships and diversifying revenue beyond payments.”
The Company includes an experienced management team which has worked on and delivered multi billion US dollar projects at globally-recognized digital businesses for companies such as Disney, Time-Warner, today named WarnerMedia, Samsung, Kakao and Leon Entertainment. With backing from MNC Corporation, Indonesia’s largest media group, and MOX, the Mobile Only Accelerator of SOSV the first accelerator group in Asia, Achiko is redefining mobile based social commerce in one of the world’s most vibrant consumer markets.
Building on Mimopay’s 2 million end-user customers in Indonesia, Achiko intends to expand its payments platform through strategic partnerships in Myanmar, The Philippines and Vietnam, in the next 18 months.
“There are many developing countries across the world like Indonesia that have high mobile penetration, yet a large population of unbanked who cannot pay for online services through traditional payment channels,”
said Kenneth Ting, the CEO of Achiko.
“These markets represent tremendous growth opportunities for us.&#8221;
The company plans to list 100 million shares. Achiko’s last round of financing was at a USD $0.70 per share.
 
Featured image credit: SIX Swiss Exchange
The post First Indonesian Fintech at the SIX Swiss Exchange appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/first-indonesian-fintech-at-the-six-swiss-exchange</link><guid>1192</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>First Indonesian Fintech at the SIX Swiss Exchange</dc:text></item><item><title>What is Stellar Blockhain, and Why it Matters</title><description><![CDATA[Since the launch of the Bitcoin protocol over ten years ago, a horde of blockchain projects have emerged to solve various problems in the financial services industry, and in the remittances and cross-border payments area, perhaps one of the most notable of these platforms is Stellar.
Despite its rise to fame, many may have only heard of it without really knowing what Stellar is or what it does. So it thought it might be worthwhile to give our readers a quick guide.
 
What is Stellar?

Stellar is an open source, decentralized protocol that allows cross-border transactions between any pair of currencies.
With a focus on fast transaction time and low transaction fees, the protocol intends to assist in remittances, especially in developing economies, by providing a global network capable of hosting thousands of exchanges between currencies and tokens per second.
Stellar has a native cryptocurrency called lumens (XLM), which powers the network and all of its operations, similarly to how ether (ETH) powers the Ethereum network.
The cryptocurrency serves two purposes. First, it plays a small anti-spam role. Stellar Lumens are needed for transaction fees (0.00001 lumens per transaction) and a minimum balance of 0.5 lumens on accounts on the Stellar network is required. The transaction fee prevents users with malicious intentions from flooding the network and the minimum balance incentivizes users to declutter the ledger by eliminating abandoned accounts.
Second,  Stellar Lumens can be used to facilitate multi-currency transactions. This function is possible when there is a liquid market between the lumen and each currency involved.
Transactions that take place on the Stellar network are added to a shared, distributed, public ledger, a database accessible by anyone worldwide, also called a blockchain. The ledger records every transaction in the system for people and companies alike. A complete copy of the global ledger exists on each Stellar server.
Stellar was launched in 2014 by Jed McCaleb, founder of MtGox and co-founder of Ripple, a competing protocol, with former lawyer Joyce Kim, and raised US$3 million in seed from Stripe the same year. Stellar has also received donations from organizations like BlackRock, Google.org and FastForward.
The Stellar protocol is supported by a nonprofit called the Stellar Development Foundation, which contributes to the development of tools and social good initiatives around the network and financial inclusion.
Lightyear Corp., a for-profit entity of Stellar, was launched in May 2017 as the commercial arm of the company. Last year, it acquired Chain, Inc., a blockchain infrastructure company, and the combined company was named Interstellar.
 
What Is the Use of Stellar?
Since 2015, Stellar has amassed a considerable number of supporters and has been integrated into services such as Vumi, an open source messaging platform, which uses the protocol to provide a savings account feature on mobile, and Oradian, a cloud-based banking software companies, which uses Stellar to provide microfinance services in Nigeria.
Image: Remittances, by www.monito.com, via Flickr
In 2016, Deloitte announced its integration with Stellar to build a cross-border payments application, Deloitte Digital Bank, and by the end of that year, it was announced that the Stellar payments network had expanded to include Coins.ph, a mobile wallet startup in the Philippines, ICICI Bank in India, one of the largest private banks in India, African mobile payments firm Flutterwave, and French remittances company Tempo Money Transfer.
In 2018, Stellar signed a deal with TransferTo for cross-border payments to more than 70 countries and Nigeria-based SureRemit for a remittance-focused token, and became the first distributed technology ledger (DLT) to obtain a Sharia compliance certification.
In March this year, IBM announced the launch of World Wire, a real-time global payments system built on the Stellar network that links financial institutions. Out of the gate, World Wire supports 47 currencies in 72 countries. Six international banks have already signed letters of intent to issue stablecoins, or tokens backed by fiat currency, on World Wide.
Featured Image Via: Stellar&#8217;s Facebook Page
The post What is Stellar Blockhain, and Why it Matters appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/what-is-stellar-blockhain-and-why-it-matters</link><guid>1189</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/stellar-logo-1024x316.png</dc:content ><dc:text>What is Stellar Blockhain, and Why it Matters</dc:text></item><item><title>6 Key Takeaways from Money 20/20 Europe</title><description><![CDATA[Once again this year, Money 20/20 Europe hosted one of the largest fintech events in the region, gathering the global fintech and financial services industry to discuss the future of banking and address the industry’s most urgent topics.
This year’s event brought together more than 6,000 attendees from over 2,000 companies and 82 countries to cover hot topics including open banking and cybersecurity.



At the Swiss Pavilion, exhibitors included SIX, the financial services provider of Switzerland’s financial center, ARCATrust, a data security company, CustoDigit, which provides a solution for the custody of digital assets, OneVisage, a cybersecurity company, Tradeplus24, an alternative finance startup, and Vlot, an insurtech startup.
SIX booth, Money20/20 Europe 2019, June 2019, via Linkedin
Open banking
This year, open banking was one of the main topics as it remains at the top of the agenda for fintech firms across the globe. With initiatives sprouting across Europe, US regulators are looking to catch up and planning on ways to get ahead of competition.
But open banking and open data raise serious concerns over cybersecurity. On this issue, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are most likely to be the solution and these technologies are being increasingly applied to fraud and financial crime, among other areas.
This narrative seems to echo a recent report by Refinitiv, which indicated that 82% of investment into AI and ML are geared towards risk avoidance.
Improved customer experience
Asia, a fragmented market, has surpassed Europe’s innovation forecasts. In particular, as online and offline commerce are converging, Asia is leading the way.
“Cards and phones are taking over payments and non-cash transactions are growing at a faster rate than ever before,” Peggy Alford, senior vice president of core markets at PayPal, quoted by Finextra. Alford added that customer experience is now the lifeblood of the sector with even peer-to-peer becoming a new form of social commerce. “Social platforms are monetizing shopping and Asian giants are leveraging social presence,” she said.
PayPal booth at Money20/20 Europe 2019, Money2020, Facebook
In Europe, tailored apps and features are increasing in number, with users’ favorite brands all offering an app where they can browse, check orders and availability, while keeping a profile that holds data on their orders and behaviors.
For Pritesh Kotecha, senior vice president for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at SmartStream, a software and managed services provider, payments are not just a product, or technology, they are also behaviors by the user, particularly in the consumer world.
According to him, offering the most convenient products and services around consumer behavior, integrating payments within the users’ life, is the goal.
“Look at the Chinese model,” Kotecha said, quoted by Fintech Futures. “It’s about integrating financial services in those apps and products people already use: chats, games and so on.”
Among payment providers too, the key topic was front-end experiences and implementations of consumer experiences. In this field, Temenos is one of the enablers.
“We have seen a lot of banks approaching us – I’ve met with most of the big ones here, which is great,” Dharmesh Mistry, Temenos’ chief digital officer, told Fintech Futures. “I think word has spread, about our work with banks recently, and how we have helped them develop digital banking solutions that have proved agile and efficient.”
Kam Chana, senior digital strategist at Temenos, mentioned Praxia in Greece, Varo Money in the US, and Volt Bank in Australia.
 
The future of banking
For Mistry, the future of banking is indisputably digital, and those who specialize will have the best success.
Banks should focus on achieving the needed level of flexibility and adaptability to cater to a customer’s needs in real-time and concentrate on providing seamless services that support and enhance the customer’s life, Chana said. Most importantly, a bank should do so without the customer even realizing it, a concept referred to as “invisible banking.” AI and ML will play a big role in this, Chana said.
For Ralph Hamers, CEO at ING Group, the bank of the future is clearly purpose-driven. Hamers said that the primary need of customers is to buy groceries or to buy a house, and banks only support needs in a secondary way, offering customers a loan or telling them where to invest their money.
Hamers said that there are three crucial steps to creating the bank of the future: have your own platform, create independent platforms on top of that, and connect with other platforms.
Ralph Hamers, CEO at ING Group, at Money20/20 Europe 2019, Money2020, Facebook
 
A whole lot of buzzwords
David Brear, CEO of 11:FS, said that although financial institutions and fintech startups claim to be innovative, they are not delivering anything difference. “Digitization is being sold to people as the solution to fixing their problem,” Brear said. “Innovate is a dumb term. People do innovation for innovation’s sake. It is not about innovation, it’s about execution.”
Ruby Nimkar, principal at Greenhouse Capital, picked up on Brear’s point and said that innovation is quickly becoming an overused and distorted word as banks are rebranding themselves as technology company.
For Benoit Legrand, chief innovation officer at ING, “innovation is a mindset, not to promote yourself as an innovation manager but to bring value to the company by obsessing over the customer.”
“It’s important to connect to the environment, be open and put the customer at the center of everything,” Legrand said.
A panel of experts hosted by Ghela Boskovich, founder of FemTechGlobal and head of fintech and regtech partnerships at Rainmaking, a corporate innovation and venture development firm, discussed the many hyped up companies and technologies that have yet to yield returns.
They noted that the fintech industry may be too caught up with imagining eccentric solutions rather than actually finding plausible ways to execute it. In fact, innovation labs have proven repeatedly to not be as successful in coming up with real-world applications of technology.
The industry needs more people that are able to “get stuff done,” and fewer people buzzing out on technologies and ideas that are impossible to be put in practice, they said. The time to execute is now, the panel concluded.

“Innovation labs is an oxymoron” @prajitn is tasked with arguing why innovation labs should be banished. What do you think?#M2020EU #Money2020 pic.twitter.com/zYOCzPKLTz
— Money20/20 (@money2020) June 5, 2019
 
Watch out for the big techs
Brear warned banks that big techs are rapidly coming after them.
“Big techs continue to be a looming threat and never admit to being on the banking battlefield,” Brear said. “They have more customers and brands that people like. And it’s a killer when your customers don’t like you.”
Echoing Brear, Rishi Khosla, co-founder and CEO of UK-based digital bank OakNorth, told CNBC that big tech has always been a very strong contender to actually come in and now own parts of the financial services chain. He added that OakNorth is “in dialogue” with some tech companies over potential partnerships.
For fintech CEOs, big tech firms are well-positioned to win over users thanks to their already-massive platforms.
“We believe in the future whether it’s the bank of Facebook, bank of Amazon, bank of Google, they’re going to need to leverage that existing infrastructure,” said Jason Gardner, CEO of Marqeta, a US-based payments processor.
Some interesting examples of companies that presented at Money20/20 Europe this year included MyMy, a Shariah-compliant challenger bank for the Muslim populations in Indonesia and Malaysia, Pepper, the Israeli digital bank, and Danish Nets’ FacePay, a facial recognition payment technology.
Expo Hall and Catering, Money20:20 Europe 2019, Money2020, Facebook
 
Money20/20 Europe 2019 Day 1 highlights


Money20/20 Europe 2019 Day 2 highlights



Money20/20 Europe 2019 Day 3 highlights



 
Featured image: Money20/20 Europe 2019, Money2020, Facebook.
The post 6 Key Takeaways from Money 20/20 Europe appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/6-key-takeaways-from-money-2020-europe</link><guid>1190</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SIX-booth-Money2020-Europe-2019-June-2019-via-Linkedin-1024x768.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>6 Key Takeaways from Money 20/20 Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>“BORN IN SWITZERLAND” Swiss Original Fintech Overview Map Update: 164 Companies</title><description><![CDATA[Luc Schuurmans, Head Private Banking, Executive Management at Bank Linth LLB AG,  put together an updated overview map of Fintech Companies “Born in Switzerland”.
Since his last update, he collected 2 Fintech Startup more &#8211; systemcredit and GQF
Here are the descriptions of all the startups listed in Luc’s map:
Funding
Verve Capital Partners Ltd. operates investiere.ch, a disruptive early-stage and equity gap financier. Based in Zug, Switzerland, Verve Capital Partners was launched in December 2007, with the aim to develop and implement innovative financing concepts for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) while connecting private investors directly to SME investments.
 
 

 
WeCan.Fund connects investors to the best Swiss SMEs seeking crowdfunded loans. They provide a secure, user-friendly, transparent platform that will revolutionize SME financing.
 
 

 
Swiss Crowdfunding is The First Swiss Real Estate Crowdfunding Platform. They have the right of sale of real estate for a total value of over 2 billions Euros: this includes housing estate, for profit, accommodation facilities and many hotels in spread throughout 8 different countries in Europe.
 
 

 
Bricks &amp; Bytes AG provides with crowdhouse.ch the first real estate crowd funding platform in Switzerland. By democratizing the way of being a real estate owner it makes everyone a happy landlord.
 
 
 

 
wemakeit.com was founded in Switzerland in February 2012 by the communication consultant Rea Eggli, the artist Johannes Gees and the interaction designer Jürg Lehni and within very short time grew into one of the largest crowdfunding platforms in Europe.
 
 
 
Propmatch.ch We are a 2015 founded PropTech Startup from Basel. Our goal is to make B2B real estate transactions (investment properties and real estate) more efficient. We help real estate professionals with our open and free analytics platform to make better decisions. Through the combination of Big Data, GIS and Analytics, we enable intelligent matching between sellers, properties and buyers of all sizes throughout Switzerland.
 
 
Projektstarter ist eine Crowdfunding-Plattform mit Sitz in Solothurn, welche seit dem Jahr 2011 tollen Ideen und ihren Machern eine Möglichkeit zur Finanzierung bietet. Sie ist in Besitz der Designatelier GmbH. ProjektStarter bietet den Menschen im Raum Schweiz die Möglichkeit ihre Idee oder ihr Projekt zu finanzieren.
 
 

 
100-days.net (St. Jakobstrasse 54a, CH-8004 Zurich) is a limited company which is 100% owned by Ron Orp GmbH, based in Zurich. The site’s managers and founders are Romano Strebel, Christian Klinner and Ron Orp.
 
 
 
DealMarket is a global online platform for fundraising and deal flow management – a one‐stop shop for Private Equity &amp; Corporate Finance professionals. DealMarket counts more than 15,000 active private equity professionals from 159 countries and is growing fast. Global leading banks like UBS use DealMarket’s deal flow management tools like hundreds of Investors, Associations and Networks trust our comprehensive service offering for Private Equity.
 
Go Beyond Investing brings together a group of private accredited investors dedicated to providing early-stage capital with entrepreneurs seeking investment capital. Go Beyond Investing enables novice &amp; experienced, small &amp; large investors, to access angel investing as an asset class through its unique platform, tools, training and expert angels.
 
 

 
SoSense is a pioneer in digital social innovation with offices in Zürich (Switzerland) and Berlin (Germany). They design creative and engaging concepts, implement innovative and empowering solutions and help run impactful campaigns with leverage.
 
 

 
CreditGate24 connects borrowers with private and institutional investors and offers an efficient and scalable settlement of loans. CreditGate24 operates exclusively online, with no branches or high administrative expenses in order not to diminish the yields on investment and to minimize the cost for borrowers.
 
 
Advanon is an authorized financial intermediary that is directly subordinated to FINMA (Directly Subordinated Financial Intermediary, DSFI) according to the Anti Money Laundering Act (AMLA).
 
 
 

Suricate Solutions Sàrl a développé GoHeidi, une plateforme web de financement participatif basée sur la précommande d’un produit/service afin d’aider toute personne à réaliser son projet.
 
 
 

Veolis provides a Crowdfunding and Crowdinvesting Platform for sustainable projects in Switzerland, for example: Renewable Energy Projects, Cleantech Company; processes and legal contracts between Project Owner and Investor are simplified and standardized.
 
 
 

c-crowd represents a new way of financing entrepreneurs while democratising the concept of business angels, brings together innovative entrepreneurs and investors.
 
 
 

Loanboox is the independent money and capital market platform for public-sector borrowers and institutional investors. In contrast to conventional brokering, financing and investing through Loanboox is simple, transparent, safe and low cost, benefiting both borrowers and lenders alike.
 
 
 

SWISS STARTER the first equity crowdfunding platform in Ticino (Switzerland), wants to be a real support to help new startup that needed funds to start their project or to carry on existing projects in the critical steps.
 
 
 
Swiss Crowdlending FinTech for private persons and SME. Crowd Solutions is the provider of Crowd4Cash.ch the innovative Crowdlending platform. Crowd4Cash brings investors and borrower together. For better returns for the investors and lower interest rates for borrower. 100% online, easy and simply fair!
 
 
 

swisspeers  ist eine unabhängige Crowdlending Plattform, die es Unternehmen erlaubt, bei Investoren direkt – also ohne Zwischen­schaltung eines Finanzinstituts – Fremdkapital zu beschaffen.
 
 
 
 

creditworld verbindet Schweizer KMUs mit privaten sowie professionellen Investoren. KMUs profitieren von attraktiven Konditionen und fairen Vertragsbedingungen. Investoren erhalten Zugang zu einer neuen Anlageklasse mit interessanten Renditen und unterstützen dabei das Rückgrat der Schweizer Volkswirtschaft.
 
 

Splendit matches students and investor in an auction process, issue documentation and manages payments through the lifetime of the loans.
 
 
 

Acredius is an online platform that makes investors’ and borrowers’ needs meet in an unconventional, digital, intuitive and safe environment. Investors can diversify their portfolios and enjoy interesting yields. Borrowers get access to fair financing using their traditional and non-traditional data.
 
 
Lendora is a Swiss crowdlending startup. Our platform connects borrowers and investors online to make credit more accessible and investing more rewarding.
 
 
 
Foxstone is a Swiss real estate crowdfunding platform. The platform proposes institutional-grade real estate deals in Switzerland through three types of investments: co-ownership, co-investment and mezzanine debt with a minimum investment amount of CHF 25’000.
 
 
Führend in Immobilienfinanzierungen in der Schweiz Wir schaffen eine Verbindung zwischen Hypothekarkunden und institutionellen Kreditgebern und erreichen dadurch den besten Zins in Echtzeit. Dabei stehen wir für Integrität, Neutralität, Transparenz und die Sicherheit des Hypothekarmarktes. Unsere Partner zählen zu den Besten auf ihrem Gebiet, teilen unsere Werte und stehen für unternehmerisches Wachstum.
 
 
Greenmatch combines the perspectives of all market participants on one single platform and allows for an efficient interaction. Thanks to the independent, certified financial model, discussions regarding deviations between the financial models of the buyer and the seller do no longer occur. Detailed risk analysis strengthen the trust of banks and accelerate the closure of the project financing. Thus, each market participant saves valuable time and can focus more on his key competences.
 
Tradeplus24 specialises in providing Swiss KMUs with state of the art Insurance and Receivables Finance solutions. Unlike factoring, our innovative solution offers SMEs the opportunity to get a flexible credit line against their accounts receivable whilst offering them the option to insure their global accounts receivables against default. This way Swiss KMU&#8217;s can grow their export business in a financially sound and safe way, even when their buyers demand longer payment terms and want to trade own open account basis.
 
Systemcredit is a service provider to the lending industry. As the external rating agency, it helps SME to get suitable financing faster, at lower cost. And it enables lenders to grow their loan portfolios at reduced risk and lower process cost.
 
 

Advice

moneyguru.ch ist der digitale Assistent für private Finanzen in der Schweiz. Der Moneyguru ist von den Gründern von moneyland.ch ins Leben gerufen worden. Die unabhängige Vergleichsseite moneyland.ch ist sozusagen die Mutter, die Datenlieferantin und der Rechner von Moneyguru.
 
 
 

Crowd Trading‘s objective is to bring a revolution to the world wide online financial services being the first on the market to offer a social trading platform to collectively manage portfolios of financial assets through a decision-making system for public groups of investors (herein “crowd”) and an automated trades replication within the crowd.
 
 

adviceonline.ch, the complete and regulatory conform Onboarding, Profiling, Opening Document Management, Advisory and Consolidation Suite for EAM and Banks.
 
 
 
 

Investment Navigator is operated by Investment Navigator AG based in Zurich. Investment Navigator AG works closely with fundinfo, the leading platform for information and mandatory disclosures in the fund sector.
 
 
 

InvestGlass is a 24/7 financial markets platform built with Swiss banking know-how and a predictive algorithm. Their goal is to deliver smart financial information investors need at the right time and in the right format. Equities, Bonds, Forex, ETF, Futures, News and much more…
 
 
 

FLYNT reinvents platforms, services and experiences that put clients in control of their wealth. We see wealth as a means to follow life’s dreams, ambitions and aspirations. Wealth is a gateway to opportunity. Our mission is to transform how our clients realise these opportunities – in the most fluid, dynamic and rewarding way possible.
 
 

Sentifi is a leading Crowd-Intelligence platform for financial markets globally, receiving Swiss FinTech Award 2016. Their unique approach is to structure unstructured financial data from news, blogs and social media, identify and rank the sources for their relevance and apply self-learning algorithms and a financial expert system to extract insights from the content.
 
 

Qumram enables every digital interaction – web, social and mobile – to be recorded and replayed, at any time, providing a complete digital audit trail for financial services organisations, in accordance with key global regulatory requirements (MIFID-II, SEC, FINRA and more).
 
 
 

SwissMetrics is a dynamic startup from Switzerland that has a mission to enhance the way companies monitor their credit risk. As finance professionals, they have developed a SaaS platform with the aim of promoting smarter collaboration within companies to work for a common goal – saving money through risk minimization.
 
 
 

With diverse academic backgrounds ranging from information technology, mathematics, business administration, political sciences and philosophy, economics, design, linguistics and psychology, Adviscent‘s team of experts brings solid domain expertise on board in the banking, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and food industries.
 
 

MeetInvest seeks to democratize stock market investment with a free service that combines a social media platform and an investor toolkit, bringing in one place all the necessary resources for people to start trading like pros.
 
 
 

By leveraging technology, Dein-Anlageberater.ch provides users with personalized investment advisory services and recommendations for asset allocation at a much lower price than traditional investment advisers.
 
 
 
 

CrowdInvest.ch ist die erste Plattform der Schweiz, bei der jedermann die Kursentwicklung von Aktien prognostizieren kann. Denn wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zeigen, dass kollektives Wissen besser ist als einzelne Expertenmeinungen. Werde jetzt Teil von crowdinvest.ch und miss dich mit den Finanzexperten.
 
 

Nectar Financial, formerly Etops, is a Swiss fintech company specializing in wealth and asset management. It provides middle and back office services for more than 30 family offices, independent asset managers and banks and supports them in managing assets in excess of CHF 35 billion.
 
 
 

Riskifier makes investment risk profiling simple, fun and insightful for everyone. Our solution uses latest advances of artificial intelligence to fulfill the requirements of MiFID II/FIDLEG investor risk profiling and KYC data collection, while digitalizing &amp; gamifying user experience as well unleashing advantages of behavior based personalized investment risk profiles.
 
 

Pricehubble a Swiss based company, focusing on international real estate markets. We integrate top academic and industry experience in machine learning, computer science, econometrics, mathematics, statistics, financial services and consulting. We develop innovative solutions to support real estate decision making.
 
 
EdgeLab is a fintech company providing an investment intelligence web platform to help financial institutions taking smarter decisions.
 
 
 

Apiax is a compliance digitally mastered. We transform complex regulations into easy-to-use digital compliance rules.
 
 
 



theScreener is the market leader for independent valuations of financial securities, equities, sectors and markets, and new funds.
 
 

 
Alethena is the first Swiss ICO and Blockchain-Asset Rating Agency and Due Diligence Service Provider.
With deep technical insight, vast financial market experience, and a conclusive rating methodology, Alethena bridges the gap between blockchain and established investors. As a Swiss company neutrality is a core of our culture.
 
 

Crypto Finance AG is a financial technology holding company founded in June 2017. The Group provides blockchain-related services through its three subsidiaries: Crypto Fund AG (Asset Management), Crypto Broker AG (Brokerage), and Crypto Storage AG (Storage).
 
 
 
The Swiss Real Estate sector is one of the most economically and politically stable in the world. It is very popular with institutional investors and remains difficult to access for private investors.
In fact, the heterogeneity of properties, their acquisition values, the complexity of financing them and the retention of information signifies that this market still remains relatively inefficient.
Based on these observations, Crowdpark SA, established on December 1st 2017 in Geneva, is an independent company specialized in Swiss Real Estate Crowd-Investing.
 
Leva sets the new standard for investment syndicates. At the intersection of finance and technology, Leva has developed a novel technology to bring investment syndicates into the 21st century. Our platform allows a fully automated syndicate creation. With Leva, syndicate leaders can conveniently onboard new investors, manage the investor base, and raise capital efficiently.
 
 
Der erste Robo Advisor für die Immobilienwirtschaft. propmatch ist die einfache Lösung zur Analyse, Bewertung und Vermittlung von Standorten, Renditeimmobilien und Grundstücken in der Schweiz.
 
 
Smolio ist dein Finanzbuddy. Wir begleiten dich und verkaufen keine Finanzprodukte. Anders als andere profitieren wir nicht versteckt von unseren Empfehlungen. Was du bezahlst finanziert die künftige Entwicklung von Smolio. Eben unabhängig.
 
 
 
ex indiciis believe that customer relationship is at the core of the wealth management industry. As a consequence we provide wealth managers with the necessary tools to deliver personalized content to any user interacting with the company through any digital channel.
 
 
 
GQF is a Swiss FinTech disrupting traditional asset management through quantitative methods and artificial intelligence. Lead by a dynamic group of young minds, GQF’s mission is to democratise this disruptive concept at reasonable fees. GQF offers quantitative investment products as well as services to enhance traditional asset management.
 

Integration
 
Performace Watcher Evaluating and comparing the result of one&#8217;s investment portfolio must be accessible to everyone. Our aim is to popularize and demystify a traditionally opaque field. We believe in explanations that are simple, clear and understandable to everyone. With the disappearance of Swiss banking secrecy, increased competition, the Internet and a new generation of customers the transparency of results is born.
 
 
Onedot is a Swiss company making data consumable across sources and boundaries. Onedot&#8217;s artificial intelligence (AI)-driven software helps businesses reduce manual work in data management by 8x, speed up time-to-market by 90% and increase revenue up to 10%. Onedot makes this possible by radically improving data quality–automating the data integration, cleaning and categorisation process.
 
 
 

Additiv develops and implements digital innovations and business models for financial services companies – tailor-made and turnkey.
 
 
 

Qedos designs beautiful &amp; innovative solutions for wealth managers. Their solutions revolutionise the way wealth managers and their client interact. They help wealth managers provide tailored advice, provide a better client experience, achieve superior investment performance, comply with regulations and work more efficiently.
 
 

Founded in 2007, NetGuardians was the first company to emerge from the innovation incubator Y-Parc, in Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland. The company now enjoys a solid international presence with a steadily growing clientele in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
 
 
 
FundBase is a cloud-based platform to ultimately host the complete investment process for high-conviction alternative investments. Fundbase delivers to qualified investors a seamlessly integrated platform to discover, execute and monitor complex investments such as hedge funds, private equity and other high-conviction investments.
 
 

Pure Value Metrics provides active investors with a unique combination of Global Equity Portfolio Selection, Market Insight, Online Trading and discretionary Voice Execution.
 
 
 

ADDFIN is a business solution for professional investors who seek to benefit and leverage on the full potential offered by digitalization and information technology in order to standardize the workflow, processes and procedures.
 
 
 

Centralway Numbrs is a customer-centric financial services company. It enables its customers to manage their existing bank accounts and personal finances and to buy any financial product from every provider at the best possible price.
 
 
 
 

Monetas develops technologies that empower people to live and do business with greater freedom than ever before, and that make financial inclusion a reality.
 
 
 
 

Interaction Partners is a Swiss-based Investor Relations Services firm with a focus on facilitating broker-independent trust-building, live interactions (roadshows) between listed corporates and institutional investors in Zurich, Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lugano, Milan and London.
 
 
 
We believe that great decision makers are the ones that ask the right questions. Veezoo empowers them to find the answers efficiently by themselves. We make complex information easy to understand by answering any question with a clean visualization.
 
 
 
Lykke is a Swiss Fintech company building a global marketplace based on blockchain. It builds on decades of thought and research by company founder Richard Olsen, a pioneer in the field of high-frequency finance. Richard served as co-founder and CEO of OANDA, a leading foreign exchange company. Lykke received initial seed funding in 2015.
 
 
 
Oyoba is a finance-as-a-service platform, providing its users access to a wide range of fintech and blockchain services, including bank accounts, Bitcoin wallets, robo advisory, lending, P2P payments and debit cards. Oyoba’s vision is to turn consumer banking into a modern information service by using personal, financial and other data to create new, personalized and better services.
 
 
Spitch is a Swiss provider of solutions based on Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) and voice biometrics, Voice User Interfaces (VUI), and natural language voice data analytics.
 
 
 
Moneygrid is born out of the vision that currency systems should be as diverse as possible and that they should connected to each other if it does make sense.
 

 
 

Altoo has developed its wealth platform in co-creatorship with its clients. Our independence and diversity enables us to connect people, wealth and processes by technology in a unique way.
 
 

 
AlgoTrader is an algorithmic trading software system. The company was founded by the CEO Andy Flury in Zurich Switzerland.
 
 

 
Yapeal building a new digital bank and we’ll redefine the way people bank.
 
 
 
 
Instimatch Global was founded in 2017. The inspiration for doing so, stemmed from the liquidity crisis in 2007/2008. Our founder witnessed first-hand how the interbank lending and borrowing system broke down and trust between financial institutions disappeared within a matter of days.
 
 
Appway builds software for today, and innovates for the technology of the future. With over 15 years of industry experience, Appway guides the leading financial institutions, both big and small, as they build sustainable and scalable solutions that quickly adapt to changing conditions.
 
 
Unblu helps the world&#8217;s leading banks deliver an in-person experience online. We provide highly secure engagement and collaboration software, enabling banks to enrich the digital experience of their clients.
 
 
 
Tindeco VISION is our award-winning fully integrated investment management platform. VISION is used by Banks, Family Offices and Fund Managers. VISION CORE Technologies provides Portfolio Administration, Portfolio Management, Risk Management, Order Management and Client Relationship Management &#8211; making it a comprehensive solution for Asset Managers.
 
 
Sygnum is a technology-driven company that empowers financial services for the digital asset economy. It develops an integrated solution to securely issue, store, trade and manage digital assets.
 
 
 
At SEBA, we want to build a gateway that facilitates movement of assets between the crypto and traditional financial markets for major financial investors. Our ambition is to be one of the world&#8217;s first universal, fully licensed and supervised crypto banks, offering industry leading crypto-asset financial products and services.
 
 
 
Learn/Compare
Anders als bei anderen Lernplattformen arbeitet fintool.ch bewusst mit Kurzvideos. Da auf der anderen Seite der zu behandelnde Stoff ausgesprochen vielfältig aber auch von immenser Breite ist, sind der Anzahl solcher Videos kaum Grenzen gesetzt. Der Stoff wird fintool.ch nicht ausgehen. Nach Erscheinen werden die einzelnen „Street-Videos“ in sogenannten Wissensgefässen „zusammengebunden“.
 
 
nViso provides the most scalable, robust, and accurate cloud service to measure instantaneous emotional reactions of consumers in online environments. We provide real-time and highly actionable information for Market Research, Brands, Creative Agencies and R&amp;D Product Development. Using award winning and proprietary 3D Facial Imaging technology, compatible with ordinary webcams, we uncover the why and how of customer behaviour in real-time, letting brands make smarter business decisions and build more engaging consumer experiences.
 

moneyland.ch is a Swiss comparison service site helping you with your financial needs. On moneyland.ch, you can use independent comparison tools for insurance, loans, credit cards, bank accounts, con]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/born-in-switzerland-swiss-original-fintech-overview-map-update-164-companies</link><guid>1191</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Futurae.png</dc:content ><dc:text>“BORN IN SWITZERLAND” Swiss Original Fintech Overview Map Update: 164 Companies</dc:text></item><item><title>Here Are The Best Robo Advisors According to Nummo</title><description><![CDATA[Robo advisors are all the rage the these days, promising access to wealth management tools to the masses that was previously only available to an elite few.
With so many robo advisors out there in the market answer the question &#8220;which is the best robo-advisor in the market&#8221; can be quite difficult.
Nummo, a financial management platform that claims to be the only one to provide actual performance of over 300 robo-advisors, has released its 2019 ranking of which is the best robo advisor.
All portfolio categories – Conservative, Income, Balanced, Growth and Value &#8211; have seen remarkable moves during one of the most volatile markets in more than a decade.
The results show some of the biggest names underperforming what has been a challenging period for any investor, human or machine.
Best Robo Advisor- Nummo Releases 2019 YTD Robo-Advisor Ranking
Only a few firms topped the year-to-date performance of the S&amp;P 500 Index, which was up 14.06% as of May 17. The majority of robo-advisors, including those from Charles Schwab, Betterment, SigFig, Morgan Stanley, AssetBuilder and SoFi Wealth did not make the top three ranking in any portfolio category.




	PORTFOLIO
CATEGORIESVALUEGROWTHBALANCEDINCOMECONSERVATIVE




	First PlaceStash Invest
(Clean &amp; Green)
M1 Finance
(Moderately Aggressive)
Acorns
(Moderate)Sogo Marketriders
(Moderate Income – Starter)
Sogo Marketriders
(Diversified Income – Starter)



	Second Place
M1 Finance
(Responsible Investing)Fidelity
(Growth)
Fidelity
(Growth with Income)
Acorns
(Moderately Conservative)
Sogo Marketriders
(High Income – Starter)



	Third PlaceStash Invest
(Blue Chips)TIAA
(Moderately Aggressive)Sogo Marketriders
(Balanced Growth – Starter)Wealthfront
(Risk Score 2.0)
TIAA
(Conservative)




2019 has seen the appearance of many new names among better known ones atop the five portfolio categories. Looking at just performance, without factoring in cost or any qualitative factors as Nummo does in its annual survey, results show names like Sogo Marketriders, Stash Investments, M1 Finance, Fidelity, Acorns and Wealthfront leading the industry year-to-date.
 
TIAA, one of the largest investment managers ranked within the top 5 in the Growth, Balanced and Conservative categories. 
Roi Tavor
“2019 has been such a remarkable story in terms of volatility that we wanted to see how robo-advisors had performed YTD. The results give us a very interesting picture and show how challenging such shifting market conditions can be,” 
said Roi Tavor, CEO and co-founder of Nummo.
 
 
 
Download a full copy of Nummo’s comprehensive annual 2018 Robo-Advisor Ranking Report here: www.nummo.com/robo-ranking/robo-ranking-01-2019.pdf.
The post Here Are The Best Robo Advisors According to Nummo appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/here-are-the-best-robo-advisors-according-to-nummo</link><guid>1186</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Best-Robo-Advisors.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Here Are The Best Robo Advisors According to Nummo</dc:text></item><item><title>Here Are The Best Global Robo Advisors 2019</title><description><![CDATA[Robo advisors are all the rage the these days, promising access to wealth management tools to the masses that was previously only available to an elite few.
With so many robo advisors out there in the market answer the question &#8220;which is the best robo-advisor in the market&#8221; can be quite difficult.
Nummo, a financial management platform that claims to be the only one to provide actual performance of over 300 robo-advisors, has released its 2019 ranking of which is the best robo advisor.
All portfolio categories – Conservative, Income, Balanced, Growth and Value &#8211; have seen remarkable moves during one of the most volatile markets in more than a decade.
The results show some of the biggest names underperforming what has been a challenging period for any investor, human or machine.
Best Robo Advisor- Nummo Releases 2019 YTD Robo-Advisor Ranking
Only a few firms topped the year-to-date performance of the S&amp;P 500 Index, which was up 14.06% as of May 17. The majority of robo-advisors, including those from Charles Schwab, Betterment, SigFig, Morgan Stanley, AssetBuilder and SoFi Wealth did not make the top three ranking in any portfolio category.




	PORTFOLIO
CATEGORIESVALUEGROWTHBALANCEDINCOMECONSERVATIVE




	First PlaceStash Invest
(Clean &amp; Green)
M1 Finance
(Moderately Aggressive)
Acorns
(Moderate)Sogo Marketriders
(Moderate Income – Starter)
Sogo Marketriders
(Diversified Income – Starter)



	Second Place
M1 Finance
(Responsible Investing)Fidelity
(Growth)
Fidelity
(Growth with Income)
Acorns
(Moderately Conservative)
Sogo Marketriders
(High Income – Starter)



	Third PlaceStash Invest
(Blue Chips)TIAA
(Moderately Aggressive)Sogo Marketriders
(Balanced Growth – Starter)Wealthfront
(Risk Score 2.0)
TIAA
(Conservative)




2019 has seen the appearance of many new names among better known ones atop the five portfolio categories. Looking at just performance, without factoring in cost or any qualitative factors as Nummo does in its annual survey, results show names like Sogo Marketriders, Stash Investments, M1 Finance, Fidelity, Acorns and Wealthfront leading the industry year-to-date.
 
TIAA, one of the largest investment managers ranked within the top 5 in the Growth, Balanced and Conservative categories. 
Roi Tavor
“2019 has been such a remarkable story in terms of volatility that we wanted to see how robo-advisors had performed YTD. The results give us a very interesting picture and show how challenging such shifting market conditions can be,” 
said Roi Tavor, CEO and co-founder of Nummo.
 
 
 
Download a full copy of Nummo’s comprehensive annual 2018 Robo-Advisor Ranking Report here: www.nummo.com/robo-ranking/robo-ranking-01-2019.pdf.
The post Here Are The Best Global Robo Advisors 2019 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/here-are-the-best-global-robo-advisors-2019</link><guid>1188</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Best-Robo-Advisors.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Here Are The Best Global Robo Advisors 2019</dc:text></item><item><title>10 Things We Know About Facebook’s GlobalCoin Launching Next Week</title><description><![CDATA[Following the wind-down of the bull market of 2017, crypto is still undergoing some fascinating developments. A key one that grabbed even mainstream headlines? Facebook&#8217;s announcement that they too, want to foray into issuing coins.
The crypto, part of something Facebook calls Project Libra, and is slated to launch on  June 18.
Facebook has a rumoured 50 engineers working on this project, according to some sources familiar with the project if flurry of job listings is any sign.
Facebook is not alone in this, as messaging platform Telegram and Signal have announced intentions to roll out cryptocurrencies over the next year too.
This time around, Facebook is keeping its cards so close to its chest that it&#8217;s said that even employees working in the same building don&#8217;t know what&#8217;s going on—the team in-the-know about the blockchain project has a separate key-card access.
Despite its hush-hush nature, there has been quite a bit of information that&#8217;s trickled out about the Facebook coin, such as:
 
1. A Stablecoin Named GlobalCoin
It&#8217;s official: Facebook&#8217;s coin will be called GlobalCoin.
While ostensibly a crypto, the upcoming coin will veer quite far from Bitcoin&#8217;s modus operandi. It&#8217;s a stablecoin; a type of cryptocurrency pegged to a real-world asset. Stablecoins have gotten more in vogue lately as a response to the high volatility that plagued the crypto scene since its  inception.
2. No, it Won&#8217;t be Tied to the USD

Contrary to earlier rumours though, GlobalCoin won&#8217;t be tied to any one fiat currency, but a basket of currencies as a way to minimise risks of currency fluctuations.
Some existing examples of currency baskets include the US dollar index (USDX), a basket of six currencies &#8211; the Euro, Japanese Yen, British Pound, Canadian Dollar, Swedish Krona and Swiss Franc. Asia is also in the midst of developing a basket, which would include currencies from China, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.
GlobalCoin has been compared to internal blockchain-based payments systems like JP Morgan&#8217;s JPM Coin, Signature Bank&#8217;s Signet system, and the Blockchain World Wire program by IBM—some of these operating in the same field as:
3. The Crypto is Likely To Be Used For Money Transfer

According to Bloomberg, Facebook is working on creating a cryptocurrency that will let users transfer money on the Facebook-owned WhatsApp messaging app, focusing firstly on tackling the remittance market in India.
WhatsApp is a valuable market for the messaging platform. As of February last year, India recorded 200 million active users on the platform, and for a while, was the only recipient to the WhatsApp Business function.
India also leads the world in remittances, with its diaspora sending a staggering US$80 billion back home last year.
The idea would be that users could send money to friends and family instantly using the crypto instead, though for now, and considering that it&#8217;s in the midst of discussions with some regulators, it seems like Facebook intends to offer cashout options, (which would put it under some regulatory jurisdictions that have precluded many incumbents from offering the same).
It&#8217;s been said that Facebook may face difficulties selling this concept to India, as the government is gung ho about banning cryptocurrencies. However, there may be a possibility for Facebook to sell the concept to the nation&#8217;s regulators, if it is able to make a strong case for the overall service as a remittance service—diminishing its association to the cryptocurrency world.
4. A Potential for Cross-App Transfers in Facebook&#8217;s Messaging Platforms

The crypto is designed to operate within the company&#8217;s existing messaging infrastructure, which includes Instagram Facebook Messenger as well with potential for cross-platform transfers.
The company is in the midst of a year-long overhaul of its messaging infrastructure to connect three of its properties—Messenger, WhatsApp and Instagram.
5. There&#8217;s Talk of Facebook Becoming a Bank

Right now, Mark Zuckerberg and team have been meeting with financial regulators, including those in the USA and the UK as well as Western Union to discuss operational and regulatory issues relating to GlobalCoin—and understand how to comply since they are not a bank. Yet?
There&#8217;s been talk about Facebook potentially becoming a bank, as value for the coin will probably be stored in Facebook&#8217;s bank accounts.
Whether this is in Facebook&#8217;s plans will remain to be seen, but we can safely say that if successful, Facebook will be storing tonnes of money—more than it does currently.
6. It Wants Funding From VC to Help It Build Credibility
Venture Capitalist Tim Draper (Image Credit: JD Lasica)
Facebook is not poor by any means, and is likely able to finance the production of the coin in-house out of their own pocket, and yet the social media network is famously seeking to raise as much as US$1 billion for the initiative.
Instead, Facebook seeks VCs more for their influence; their involvement in the project could help Facebook present the coin project as more decentralised, and less like Facebook is in total control.
Venture Capitalist Tim Draper has at least expressed interest in hearing Facebook out, according to Bloomberg. Hedge funds, VCs and other wealthy individuals are likely to invest as well.
7. Not Facebook&#8217;s First Virtual Currency Foray
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Astute followers of Facebook&#8217;s progress will probably recall the company&#8217;s 2011 effort to launch a digital currency—Facebook Credits.
It&#8217;s said that the profitability of this early scheme had been questionable, which ultimately led to the project&#8217;s sunset two years later. Cynics also bring up the Facebook Gifts scheme launched in 2012 and put down two years after that. 
According to TechCrunch&#8217;s Editor-at-Large, Josh Constine, &#8220;Facebook never found a way solve distance and localization problems to make Gifts work internationally.&#8221;
Facebook Messenger also has its own version of Payments, launched in the USA in 2015 and expanded into Europe later.
Therefore to many, this new try by Facebook runs the risk of hitting the same brick walls. While this new project may incorporate the latest tech darling, blockchain, its results may not stray too far from its track record so far.
8. It Will Be Ran by Former PayPal President
Image Credit: Loic Le Meur
The cryptocurrency is currently spearheaded by David Marcus, formerly president of PayPal. In fact, observers into the space had been waiting for Facebook to move into finance when David Marcus had been tapped to run the Messenger app in 2014.
David became the head of Facebook&#8217;s blockchain initiatives, though the team is keeping mum about what that may entail.
Some other high-profile hires for what has been called Project Libra include MIT&#8217;s Christian Catalini as &#8220;chief economist&#8220;, and Swiss-based foundation manager Sunita Parasuraman, who leads the token project.
Facebook also earlier acqu-hired a British blockchain company, Chainspace, opting to absorb its team into the company without actually buying its technology.
9. Facebook Could Be Charging US$10 Mil Licensing Fees to Third Parties

Facebook is discussing levying a US$10 million licensing fee for the priviledge of operating a node. The social media giant reportedly reached out to dozens of tech companies and financial institutions to create an independent foundation that would operate GlobalCoin, and if they take the offer, each node operator will be given a slot for one representative at the foundation.
GlobalCoin plans to launch 100 nodes, which is probably the logic behind the US$1 billion value offered to investors. It&#8217;s likely that the fees will be used to back the digital asset, rather than pure revenue.
Facebook may also be setting up physical portals for people to purchase GlobalCoin.
10. Globalcoin Helped Zuck and The Winklevoss Twins Make Up
Image Credit: SXSW
 
In February, it was reported that Facebook was reaching out to cryptocurrency exchanges about selling the Facebook coin, and one of the exchanges that could begin listing GlobalCoin is Gemini—owned by the Winklevoss twins.
Thanks to the movie, &#8220;The Social Media&#8221;, the feud and subsequent falling out between Mark Zuckerberg and the Winklevoss Twins is well-known. However, Zuckerberg and the Winklevoss twins are in meetings to potentially put Facebook&#8217;s crypto into Gemini&#8217;s network.
According to Forbes, Facebook needs GlobalCoin to be tradeable in and out of their positions, which the Winklevoss&#8217; exchange, Gemini, could cater standing as one of &#8220;the most stringent and compliant operations in the world&#8221;—and an in with global regulators is cherry on top for Facebook.
Meanwhile the sheer size of GlobalCoin is probably a big pull for Gemini, and could help boost the platform&#8217;s position in the market amidst stiff competition.
Editor&#8217;s Note: This piece was first written on 11th April 2019 and has been updated on 10th June 2019 to reflect some new information that has come to light. This piece will be updated as more information comes out. 
 
Featured Image Credit: Via Wikimedia
The post 10 Things We Know About Facebook&#8217;s GlobalCoin Launching Next Week appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/10-things-we-know-about-facebooks-globalcoin-launching-next-week</link><guid>1187</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/facebook-cryptocurrency-stablecoin-whatsapp-1-1024x567.png</dc:content ><dc:text>10 Things We Know About Facebook’s GlobalCoin Launching Next Week</dc:text></item><item><title>Deutsches Insurtech Getsafe erhält 15 Millionen Euro Series-A-Finanzierung und Will Mitarbeiter Verdoppeln</title><description><![CDATA[Getsafe hat unter Führung von Earlybird 15 Millionen Euro in einer Serie-A-Finanzierungsrunde eingesammelt. An der Runde beteiligten sich auch CommerzVentures und weitere bereits bestehende Investoren.
Getsafe nutzt die Finanzierung einerseits für die Expansion nach Großbritannien, die für Ende des Jahres geplant ist. Andererseits soll das Team von derzeit über 50 Mitarbeitern auf über 100 verdoppelt werden, wobei der Fokus auf den Bereichen Kundenbetreuung, Softwareentwicklung und Data Science liegen soll. Die Wachstumsambitionen des Insurtechs sind ungebrochen: Bis 2021 will Getsafe in mehreren europäischen Märkten aktiv sein. Dazu sollen in den kommenden zwölf Monaten weitere Finanzmittel eingesammelt werden.
Getsafe hat es sich zum Ziel gesetzt, Europas erster mobiler, AI-gestützter Versicherer zu werden.
Christian Wiens
&#8220;Wir wollen die beliebteste Versicherungsmarke für junge, noch unversicherte Kunden in ganz Europa werden&#8221;,
sagt Mitgründer und CEO Christian Wiens und fährt fort:
&#8220;Dazu setzen wir auf technologische Lösungen, die das Leben unserer Kunden vereinfachen. Wir haben hierzu eine der leistungsfähigsten Versicherungsplattformen der Welt aufgebaut. Jetzt geht es darum, unsere Aktivitäten im In- und Ausland auszuweiten.”
So ermöglicht Getsafe eine völlig neue Versicherungserfahrung auf dem Smartphone: Per App können Kunden digitale Versicherungsprodukte in Echtzeit kaufen und verwalten, ihre Daten und ihren Versicherungsschutz aktualisieren oder einen Schaden melden.
Kernprodukte sind eine Haftpflicht- und eine Hausratversicherung inklusive Fahrradschutz; ausserdem bietet Getsafe eine Rechtsschutz- sowie eine Zahnzusatzversicherung an. Mit seinem technologischen Ansatz trifft Getsafe im Kern die Bedürfnisse der “Digital Natives”: Die Kunden sind im Durchschnitt 29 Jahre alt, und 75 Prozent von ihnen schließen zum ersten Mal eine Versicherung ab.
Im Unterschied zu anderen Unternehmen in der Branche verfügt Getsafe über eine eigene, AI-gestützte Infrastruktur, die intern entwickelt wurde und es dem Insurtech erlaubt, mit einem Kernsystem in allen Sparten und in alle Märkte zu expandieren. Mitbegründer und CEO Christian Wiens erklärt:
&#8220;Während US-Startups oft dazu neigen, eine saubere Infrastruktur erst später zu entwickeln und auf ein stabiles Fundament zu stellen, machen wir Deutschen es gerne umgekehrt&#8221;.
Die Plattform unterstützt bereits mehrere Versicherungsprodukte, ist vom ersten Tag an sparten-, währungs- und steuerunabhängig gebaut und bildet damit die Grundlage, um ein außergewöhnlich effizientes Geschäftsmodell zu betreiben.
Seit dem Markteintritt Ende 2017 ist das Insurtech Getsafe deutlich gewachsen und hat im vergangenen Jahr 50.000 Policen verkauft. Damit ist Getsafe die Nummer eins unter Versicherungseinsteigern in Deutschland – gefolgt von Versicherungsgiganten wie Allianz und Axa.
Bis Ende dieses Jahres will Getsafe 180.000 Policen verkaufen und seinen Marktanteil in der Zielgruppe der 20- bis 35-Jährigen von knapp 10 Prozent erfolgreich verteidigen.
The post Deutsches Insurtech Getsafe erhält 15 Millionen Euro Series-A-Finanzierung und Will Mitarbeiter Verdoppeln appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/deutsches-insurtech-getsafe-erhalt-15-millionen-euro-series-a-finanzierung-und-will-mitarbeiter-verdoppeln</link><guid>1184</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Deutsches Insurtech Getsafe erhält 15 Millionen Euro Series-A-Finanzierung und Will Mitarbeiter Verdoppeln</dc:text></item><item><title>Sentifi Wins Finance-IT Innovation Award from University of St.Gallen</title><description><![CDATA[At this year’s Business Engineering Forum, Sentifi Intelligence won the Finance IT-Innovation Award in the category “Innovative Technologies”. This prize is awarded by the University of St.Gallen and Leipzig University for the best application of innovative technology in Finance across Switzerland, Germany and Austria.
Christian Dietzmann
«Sentifi Intelligence convinced the jury of the Finance-IT Innovation Award 2019 because it delivers an AI-based, logically thought-through approach to analyzing the views of the market based on various data sources. Sentifi addresses the AI black box with the help of Influencer Scores and decision-relevant events which makes decision taking logical»,
says Christian Dietzmann, Research Associate at the Business Engineering Institute St.Gallen and Jury Member.
The jury, which examined more than 50 entries for the 2 categories “ecosystems” and “innovative technology”, consisted of representatives from the Universities of St.Gallen and Leipzig and industry practitioners. The three best applications in both categories were presented to the Business Engineering Forum audience.
In addition to the Finance IT-Innovation Award, Sentifi Intelligence also won the audience prize, which was awarded to the solution the audience perceived to be the most innovative. For Lucas Bruggeman, Managing Director at Sentifi, presenting at the Business Engineering Forum, this award confirms the added value Sentifi Intelligence provides for clients: “It’s rewarding to receive so much positive feedback. This tells us that there is a real market need for alternative data and making sense of it.”
Featured image credit: Sentifi represented by Lucas Bruggeman via BEI
The post Sentifi Wins Finance-IT Innovation Award from University of St.Gallen appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sentifi-wins-finance-it-innovation-award-from-university-of-stgallen</link><guid>1185</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Sentifi Wins Finance-IT Innovation Award from University of St.Gallen</dc:text></item><item><title>Sentifi Wins Finance-IT Innovation Award</title><description><![CDATA[At this year’s Business Engineering Forum, Sentifi Intelligence won the Finance IT-Innovation Award in the category “Innovative Technologies”. This prize is awarded by the University of St.Gallen and Leipzig University for the best application of innovative technology in Finance across Switzerland, Germany and Austria.
Christian Dietzmann
«Sentifi Intelligence convinced the jury of the Finance-IT Innovation Award 2019 because it delivers an AI-based, logically thought-through approach to analyzing the views of the market based on various data sources. Sentifi addresses the AI black box with the help of Influencer Scores and decision-relevant events which makes decision taking logical»,
says Christian Dietzmann, Research Associate at the Business Engineering Institute St.Gallen and Jury Member.
The jury, which examined more than 50 entries for the 2 categories “ecosystems” and “innovative technology”, consisted of representatives from the Universities of St.Gallen and Leipzig and industry practitioners. The three best applications in both categories were presented to the Business Engineering Forum audience.
In addition to the Finance IT-Innovation Award, Sentifi Intelligence also won the audience prize, which was awarded to the solution the audience perceived to be the most innovative. For Lucas Bruggeman, Managing Director at Sentifi, presenting at the Business Engineering Forum, this award confirms the added value Sentifi Intelligence provides for clients: “It’s rewarding to receive so much positive feedback. This tells us that there is a real market need for alternative data and making sense of it.”
Featured image credit: Sentifi represented by Lucas Bruggeman via BEI
The post Sentifi Wins Finance-IT Innovation Award appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sentifi-wins-finance-it-innovation-award</link><guid>1193</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Sentifi Wins Finance-IT Innovation Award</dc:text></item><item><title>Bank Frick Acquires Liechtenstein Based Trade Finance Startup Tradico</title><description><![CDATA[Bank Frick continues to strengthen its fintech capabilities and acquires a majority holding in Tradico AG. The Liechtenstein company offers finance for goods purchasing to companies.
Tradico, a Liechtenstein start-up, has already achieved turnover of over EUR 60 million since it was founded in 2015. The successful start-up is already operating profitably.
Tradico offers trade financing to SME companies. The core of its business activities lies in Germany. Tradico GmbH in Munich is a subsidiary of Tradico AG. Since its foundation in 2015, the online trade-financing organisation Tradico has relied on Bank Frick’s support as its refinancing partner.
Strategic expansion for Bank Frick
Melanie Mündle
 
“Tradico offers a highly efficient alternative to the traditional bank loan”,
explains Melanie Mündle, the CFO of Bank Frick.
“By acquiring the fintech company we are gaining access to an innovative technological solution that enables us to expand the Bank’s financing business strategically.”
 
Melanie Mündle, Rolf Jermann, member of Bank Frick’s Board of Directors, and the fintech entrepreneur Marcel Vaschauner are joining the Board of Directors of the startup. Meanwhile, Tradico&#8217;s co-founder Manuel Hehle is leaving the Board of Directors and will continue to be the CEO.
Tradico’s experienced management team under the leadership of Manuel Hehle will guide the company into the future:
Manuel Hehle
“Bank Frick’s acquisition of Tradico confirms the Bank’s belief in our business model’s potential. With it as our owner, and with new capital, we can focus on growing and scaling our business”,
he says, delighted with the new prospects.
“Alongside our existing target market Germany, we will now be able to expand our market presence in Switzerland and provide companies there with straightforward, fast access to liquidity. This will revolutionise liquidity management for SMEs.”
Tradico’s trade financing allows the financing of purchases and sales of tradable goods to be arranged without turning to a bank. This financing is typically possible without any additional collateral or documentation. Purchasing volumes are between EUR 20,000 and EUR 1.5 million.
Tradico AG is trading profitably and is the third subsidiary of the Bank. This year, Bank Frick successfully founded Distributed Ventures AG and The DLT Markets AG.
 
Featured image: Manuel Hehle, Tradico CEO and co-founder.
The post Bank Frick Acquires Liechtenstein Based Trade Finance Startup Tradico appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bank-frick-acquires-liechtenstein-based-trade-finance-startup-tradico</link><guid>1182</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Bank Frick Acquires Liechtenstein Based Trade Finance Startup Tradico</dc:text></item><item><title>Gut Gebrüllt neon – Gleich 4 Löwen Investieren in die Schweizer Konto-App</title><description><![CDATA[Das Zürcher FinTech-Unternehmen neon hat weitere namhafte Investoren gewinnen können.
Nach dem sehr erfolgreichen Launch Ende März haben die vier Gründer des kostenlosen mobilen Kontos gestern erfolgreich an der Gründershow «Die Höhle der Löwen Schweiz» teilgenommen. Gleich vier Löwen konnten die Start-up-Lenker zu einem Investment überzeugen. Zudem wird eine strategische Zusammenarbeit mit brack.ch angestrebt.
Der unabhängige Schweizer Banken-Herausforderer neon konnte gestern Abend in der Auftakt-Staffel von «Die Höhle der Löwen Schweiz» auf TV24 auf voller Linie überzeugen. Den vier Gründern des Start-ups ist es direkt in der Sendung gelungen, den Schweizer E-Commerce-Unternehmer Roland Brack und die Tech-Entrepreneurin Bettina Hein vom neuartigen Bank-Produkt bzw. dem neon-Geschäftsmodell zu überzeugen.
Im Nachgang zur Sendung haben sich dann sogar noch zwei weitere Löwen ins Potenzial der gratis Finanz-App «verbissen». Neben Roland Brack und Bettina Hein werden in Zukunft auch Nachhaltigkeitsunternehmer Tobias Reichmuth und Verleger-Mogul Jürg Marquard an neon beteiligt sein und das Unternehmen mit Rat und Tat unterstützen.
Hoehle der Loewen Deal Handshake Bettina Hein Julius Kirscheneder
Den Pitch der neon-Gründer gestern Abend in der Höhle der Löwen finden Sie hier. «Im Gegensatz zu anderen solchen Formaten, waren die Löwen schweizerisch konstruktiv und sehr an unserem Produkt interessiert. Das hat wirklich Spass gemacht», beschreibt Mitgründer Julius Kirscheneder die Höhlen-Erfahrung.
Mit dem neuen Partner brack.ch gibt es bereits direkt am heutigen Mittwoch die ersten sichtbaren Ergebnisse der Zusammenarbeit in Form eines exklusiven Angebots auf www.daydeal.ch. Auf dem Schnäppchenportal von brack.ch können sich neon-Neukunden nur heute einen Gutschein für ein 45-Franken-Start-Guthaben sichern.  Weitere Kooperationen sind angedacht, beispielsweise in Form einer Integration von neon als einfache und sichere Zahlart beim Online-Shop von Brack.
neon setzt somit den Ausbau seines erfolgreichen Partner-Netzwerkes fort. Neben seinem Bank-Partner Hypi Lenzburg hat neon bereits weitere erfolgreiche Partnerschaften im Produktbereich etabliert, unter anderem mit Elvia e-invest (einem Unternehmen der Allianz), dem Schweizer FinTech Sonect oder Google.
Im Retailbereich gibt es Partnerschaften beispielsweise mit dem Zürich Openair, yallo und jetzt brack.ch. Damit untermauert neon die Strategie, eine offene Partnerplattform mit den besten Produkten gleichdenkender Unternehmen zu etablieren und nicht dem klassischen Bankprodukt- und Vertriebsansatz zu folgen.
Karte und App in Händen quer
neon bietet eine einfache und sehr schnelle Konto-Lösung als App für alle Smartphones an. Nach einem unkomplizierten und papierlosen Registrationsprozess in weniger als zehn Minuten erhalten die Nutzer Zugriff auf ein Bank-Konto ganz ohne Grundgebühr. Gratis dazu gibt es eine kostenlose Mastercard. Damit können die Kundinnen und Kunden von neon weltweit Geld abheben und überall Dienstleistungen und Produkte bezahlen, off- und online.
Die neon-Mastercard verbindet die Vorteile einer Kreditkarte mit den Vorteilen einer Debitkarte. Das Konto wird bei der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg eröffnet und bietet damit eine Einlagensicherung bis 100&#8217;000 Franken pro Kunde. Hinter neon stecken die vier Gründer Jörg Sandrock, Simon Youssef, Julius Kirscheneder und Michael Noorlander, die zusammen über 50 Jahre Erfahrung im Banking bzw. im Bereich der digitalen Geschäftsmodelle mitbringen. Das Unternehmen, das 2017 gegründet wurde, beschäftigt insgesamt 15 Mitarbeitende in Zürich und München.
The post Gut Gebrüllt neon – Gleich 4 Löwen Investieren in die Schweizer Konto-App appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/gut-gebrullt-neon-gleich-4-lowen-investieren-in-die-schweizer-konto-app</link><guid>1181</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Hoehle_der_Loewen_Deal-Handshake-Bettina-Hein_Julius-Kirscheneder-1024x683.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Gut Gebrüllt neon – Gleich 4 Löwen Investieren in die Schweizer Konto-App</dc:text></item><item><title>It is Time to get Your Swiss Personal Financial Fitness Coach</title><description><![CDATA[Smartwatches, fitness apps and equipment are enabling us to monitor our physical fitness in real time and are providing us with personalized plans, suggesting recommendations in terms of diet, exercise and sleep by putting a personal trainer in our pocket.
With the horde of tools made available today, we’ve never been so engaged with physical fitness. But what about financial fitness? Are there any tools available out there that allow us to monitor our financial health? What exactly is financial fitness anyway?
For GOKONG, a Zurich-based fintech startup, financial fitness is the company’s core focus as it strives to offer each and everyone in Switzerland with a complete financial fitness coach right in their pocket.
“We at GOKONG believe that financial fitness is about informing you, inspiring you, and sharpening your financial fitness skills across the three pillars of money management, consumerism and financial planning,” GOKONG’s CEO Rahul Kaushik said during his presentation at the Finance 2.0 conference in Zurich on May 28.
“What we do at GOKONG is essentially that, we bring all these things into one app, and we want to make financial fitness available to everybody. This is the model we stand by and this is the vision we have for everybody here in Switzerland.”
Founded in 2017 and backed by Bank Vontobel, GOKONG is a Swiss fintech startup offering a personal finance management platform that helps users better track their finances with 360° view.
GOKONG platform
The read-only smartphone application aggregates all bank, insurance, credit cards and physical assets data, and stores them in an encrypted vault on a user’s phone. GOKONG not only allows users to monitor their finances on a day-to-day basis, the platform also delivers insights and tailored recommendations based on a user’s financial footprint, income, spending habits, and more.
“We aggregate your financial institutions: Credit Suisse, UBS, Postfinance … What’s interesting and important is that we are institution-agnostic,” Kaushik said. “You can put insurance data, credit card data, non-banking assets: if you have a fancy car, you can take a picture and put it in there.”
Budget Overview: Do you spend more than the average Swiss household?
One particular feature Kaushik highlighted is the budget, which offers recommendations based on spending patterns of households in Switzerland and allows users to compare themselves to others in their community.
“At the press of a button, it tells us a category of transactions or budgets across 50 different categories and that’s based on actual data from Swiss households. There is a lot of machine learning going on there,” he said.
Another interesting feature is the activity feed, a scrollable feed located on the main page of the app which currently displays financial fitness relevant blog posts and notifications.
“In the near future, we will be delivering more customized content, as well as customized suggestions to help you achieve your goals and make you more financially fit,” Jeremy Callner, chief product officer at GOKONG, said in a blog post.
All your data in one secure place
“We’re not here to replace the banks… We’re simply here to put all your data in one place so you can actually get a sense of what’s going on” Kaushik said.
GOKONG is already speaking with a few partners and moving forward, Kaushik said, the startup will be looking to partner up with additional banks, insurances and other financial institutions “in a way that’s very organic.”
 
Featured image: GOKONG’s CEO Rahul Kaushik speaks at the Finance 2.0 conference in Zurich on May 28, 2019.
The post It is Time to get Your Swiss Personal Financial Fitness Coach appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/it-is-time-to-get-your-swiss-personal-financial-fitness-coach</link><guid>1180</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Gokong-Platform.png</dc:content ><dc:text>It is Time to get Your Swiss Personal Financial Fitness Coach</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Investors Still Too Risk Averse Toward Fintech Startup Investment</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss VCs and institutional investors are largely still shy about investing huge sums into fintechs, a fact that is hardly a secret to those who are familiar with the scene.
This fact is made clearer when you contrast the recent massive fundraising round by 10 year old travel startup GetYourGuide who raised US$ 484 million, which granted the startup a ticket to the unicorn club.
Undeniably, investment into Swiss fintech companies has experienced steady growth in the past years, recording a record of CHF 187.9 million (15%) out of the nearly CHF 1.24 billion that flew into tech startups in 2018.
However, the figure is still small compared to international counterparts and considering the size of the Swiss fintech industry, which counted more than 310 fintech companies as of February 2019, according to Swisscom’s monthly Fintech Startup Map.
Last year’s largest funding round went towards fintech startup SEBA Crypto, which &#8220;raised&#8221; CHF 100 million in September from investors including Swiss-based BlackRiver Asset Management and Hong Kong-based Summer Capital, among other backers from Switzerland, Singapore, Malaysia, China and Hong Kong. However, in reality, even this funding round is bound on some success conditions and should not fully be counted into the Swiss fintech fundings stats.
Switzerland is late to the VC game
Until just a few years ago, Swiss institutional investors had not been interested in VC investment, and it was financiers from the US and elsewhere that bridged the funding gap for Swiss startups.
But in recent years, growth stage financing has become all the rage with a horde of funds being launched to invest in domestic startups and entrepreneurs.
Swisscanto, which belongs to Zurich Cantonal Bank, the country’s largest cantonal bank and the fourth largest bank in Switzerland, raised CHF 150 million for its growth fund last year. Swisscanto participated in GetYourGuide’s US$484 million funding round.
UBS and Credit Suisse have the Swiss Entrepreneurs Fund, which has a target size of CHF 500 million. The fund already has CHF 100 million in committed capital. Credit Suisse Asset Management’s fintech fund NEXT Investors closed US$261 million of capital commitments in July 2018. Zukunftsfonds, another fund, is looking to raise at least CHF 500 million.
According to Investiere, an online startup financing platform, investment volume rose from CHF 300 million in 2012 to CHF 1.24 billion in 2018, an average yearly growth of 27%. The reasons for this growth include the low-rate investment environment and the growing Swiss startup ecosystem.
Investiere says it has seeing numerous successful entrepreneurs turn into startup investors on the platform after selling their firm. In addition, a growing number of foreign investors are discovering Swiss tech startups as an interesting target.
Though the 27% annual growth rate may seem too good to last, Investiere says there is still plenty of room for growth. It cites the case of Israel, a country with about the same population size as Switzerland that had seen its VC market increase from CHF 1.3 billion in 2010, to over CHF 5 billion in 2018, a growth rate of 25% annually.
 
Featured image credit: Photo by Louis from Pexels
The post Swiss Investors Still Too Risk Averse Toward Fintech Startup Investment appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-investors-still-too-risk-averse-toward-fintech-startup-investment</link><guid>1179</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Investors Still Too Risk Averse Toward Fintech Startup Investment</dc:text></item><item><title>Vontobel Launches Digital Wealth Management Tool</title><description><![CDATA[Vontobel announced the launch Vontobel Volt, a platform to provide wealthy clients digital access to the investment expertise of a global active wealth and asset manager.
Complementing the traditional active wealth management offering, Volt enables clients to experience and benefit from Vontobel’s comprehensive value proposition in a new way.
Georg Schubiger, Head of Wealth Management, stated,
Georg Schubiger
“Vontobel Volt adds a new digital dimension to our successful active wealth management offering. The new technology allows our wealthy clients to make direct, individual use of our investment expertise from any location at any time and to customize their portfolio. Volt complements our successful range of wealth management products and services and will create additional growth potential. Our clients can have confidence that every aspect of Volt – from the service offering and investment expertise to security – is 100% Vontobel,”
 
Vontobel Volt informs clients about current market events, attractive new investment themes and changes in their portfolio. It also provides full transparency about individual investment products and their performance at all times.
Portfolio risk monitoring is performed by a new digital risk management and monitoring system developed by Vontobel. Experts at Vontobel have the ability to make adjustments to portfolios at any time based on market conditions. For the execution of transactions and the safe custody of assets, clients benefit from Vontobel’s guarantee of quality and its stability as an established Swiss wealth and asset manager.
Volt is now available to existing Vontobel clients in Switzerland in addition to the current wealth management offering. Volt is also aimed at new portfolio management clients in Switzerland.
Raiffeisen Switzerland will be the first partner to offer its own digital wealth management solution based on Vontobel’s Digital Investment Solution Platform. Raiffeisen’s solution will be specially tailored to the needs of more than 3.5 million Raiffeisen clients and Swiss retail clients with a lower volume of assets.
In future, they should be able to invest via digital channels in a broadly diversified investment portfolio that is aligned to their individual risk profile, as well as having the option of defining their own individual investment priorities. The offering is due to be launched in spring 2020.
 
The post Vontobel Launches Digital Wealth Management Tool appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/vontobel-launches-digital-wealth-management-tool</link><guid>1178</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Vontobel Launches Digital Wealth Management Tool</dc:text></item><item><title>F10 Just Gained Its First Partner from Outside the Traditional Finance Industry, Tamedia</title><description><![CDATA[Tamedia, one of the biggest Swiss media groups, has just joined up with fintech accelerator F10.
The media house will be contributing their broad experience with Internet services, product development, marketing and B2C know-how to F10&#8217;s accelerates, typically consisting of startups operating in fintech, insurtech and regtech.
F10 is a nonprofit incubator and accelerator that helps its startups grow, and in particular, navigate the dicey regulatory minefields of their ecosystems. The accelerator was set up by the Swiss Stock Exchange, though they also forge partnerships with a variety of companies to support their accelerated startups.
Tamedia has been listed on the Swiss Stock Exchange since 2000.
Thomas Landis, Head of F10 said:

Thomas Landis
“We are delighted to welcome Tamedia as a new member. The media group in Switzerland is the first member from outside the traditional financial industry. Both industries are undergoing major changes as a result of digitalisation.&#8221;
&#8220;Tamedia closes the connection between fintech and start-ups and its expertise has a lasting effect on the transformation of the financial industry. We are excited about working with Tamedia.”
 
While Tamedia is ostensibly a media company, their entry into F10 is just a the latest move into their bullish fintech streak. In fact, the company said as much last September as it invested into Lykke, a global blockchain-based marketplace for digital asset management.
Since then, Tamedia has also invested into Monito, a comparison platform for money transfers, and most recently Neon, a mobile-focused neo-bank.
Samuel Hügli, Head of Technology and Ventures of Tamedia said:

Samuel Hügli
“Our engagement with the F10 incubator and accelerator provides us with new ideas and insight into exciting technologies, future trends and disruptive business models in the area of fintech.&#8221;
&#8220;In addition, we also benefit from a specific international startup screening, because we intend to further expand our existing fintech portfolio.&#8221;
 
 
Tamedia&#8217;s group of publications include free daily newspapers under the 20 Minuten brand, and Sunday prints under the SonntagsZeitung and Le Matin Dimanche brands. Daily print newspapers, its listed publications fall under the Der Landbote, BZ Berner Zeitung, Der Bund, 24 heures, Le Matin, Tagesanzeiger and Tribune de Genève brand. The company also publishes magazines under the Schweizer Familie, Annabelle, and Das Magazin brands.
F10 is currently in accepting applications for Batch 5 of its P2 Accelerator program, closing on June 2 2019. The P2 Accelerator looks for startups with at least a prototype of a product. Application criteria and submission can be found here.
Featured image via Wikimedia Commons
The post F10 Just Gained Its First Partner from Outside the Traditional Finance Industry, Tamedia appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/f10-just-gained-its-first-partner-from-outside-the-traditional-finance-industry-tamedia</link><guid>1176</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>F10 Just Gained Its First Partner from Outside the Traditional Finance Industry, Tamedia</dc:text></item><item><title>Parashift Lanciert KI-Basierte Dokumenten-Erkennungs-Lösung</title><description><![CDATA[Parashift lanciert «Parashift Document Center», die KI-und cloudbasierte Dokumentenextraktionslösung für BPOs, Softwarehersteller und Grossunternehmen.
«Parashift Document Center» bietet Unternehmen durch eine tiefe monatliche Subscription Zugriff auf drei Verarbeitungsmöglichkeiten in der Dokumentenextraktion. Alle Ergebnisse werden über eine standardisierte API ausgeliefert.
Extraktionsergebnisse werden vom Kunden, sofern notwendig, direkt in «Parashift Document Center» nachvalidiert. Alternativ dazu können Extraktionsergebnisse auch bereits validiert von Parashift bezogen werden. Damit fällt die manuelle Arbeit beim Kunden komplett weg und Dokumentenprozesse können vollständig automatisiert und digitalisiert werden. Die Lösung ist vollumfänglich EU-DSGVO-konform.



Entscheidender Vorteil von «Parashift Document Center» ist die Aggregation sämtlicher maschineller Learnings aus allen Dokumenten, welche über die Plattform verarbeitet werden. Durch das Parashift eigene «Document Network» ist eine sehr hohe Genauigkeit der Extraktionsergebnissen auch bei Dokumenten möglich, welche noch nie von Parashift verarbeitet wurden.
Als Ergebnis fallen auch sämtliche Anlernphasen oder Vorlagearbeiten weg. Im Moment ist das System auf Buchhaltungsbelege fokussiert, in den nächsten Monaten kommen weitere 50 Dokumenttypen dazu.
Alain Veuve, CEO von Parashift, sagt
Alain Veuve
«Nach etwas mehr als 2 Jahren forschungsnaher Entwicklung freuen wir uns, ein erstes, umfassendes Produkt für den B2B/B2B Bereich zu lancieren. Wir sehen es als weiteren Schritt, unserem Ziel &#8211; sämtliche Businessdokumente flexibel zu tieferen Kosten als 1ct pro Dokument, sekundenschnell und in übermenschlicher Qualität zu verarbeiten &#8211; perspektivisch näher zu kommen.»
«Parashift Document Center» ist als Cloud-Lösung zu 549.00 EUR pro Monat verfügbar. Ein monatliches Kontingent von 2&#8217;000 Dokumenten ist bereits enthalten. Weitere Dokumente werden zu einem tiefen, gestaffelten Volumenpreisen berechnet. Weitere Kosten fallen nicht an – Anwendersupport ist inklusive.
 
The post Parashift Lanciert KI-Basierte Dokumenten-Erkennungs-Lösung appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/parashift-lanciert-ki-basierte-dokumenten-erkennungs-losung</link><guid>1174</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Parashift Lanciert KI-Basierte Dokumenten-Erkennungs-Lösung</dc:text></item><item><title>9 Fintech Startup Graduate from F10 Accelerator Program in Zurich</title><description><![CDATA[Twelve Fintech Startups with the potential to disrupt the finance industry pitched at the SIX ConventionPoint in front of the F10 FinTech ecosystem.
F10 FinTech Incubator and Accelerator – The Home of FinTech – celebrated last weeek its Demo Day with Batch IV. 9 out of 12 Startups graduated. The SIX ConventionPoint in Zurich was filled to capacity with FinTech enthusiasts to watch high-potential Startups from seven countries pitch their products and services for the last time during the P2 «Prototype to Product» program.
Demo Day marks the final milestone of the comprehensive six-month Startup Accelerator Program. The journey was an emotional rollercoaster for the F10 Startups. A lot of passion, dedication and sweat was invested on the way while contributing to the ongoing revolution in the finance industry. In six months, young companies often make enormous progress.
They learn to run a business from scratch including doing market research to solve actual problems of the finance sector, working out a unique selling proposition which distinguishes companies from competitors, finding the ideal team structure, draft business plans and develop investment strategies. The program contains hard milestones to maintain a high-quality standard. On the way, the innovative entrepreneurs were encouraged and supported by FinTech experts from leading institutions to develop their Prototype to a market-ready Product and innovate finance.
“We are proud of our promising Startups and how they excelled during the program with the support of and in close collaboration with their Startup Coaches. We are grateful for the time they have spent with us on their journey and curious to watch their individual success stories develop further,”
Thomas Landis, Head of F10.
“With the momentum of graduating such a strong class of FinTech Startups, we are excited to kick off the selection process for Batch 5 and see what new exciting business models are in store for the Swiss financial industry. The F10 coaches look forward to working closely with the new teams and I implore any Startup looking to work with the coaches, the corporates and to be a part of the F10 ecosystem to apply by June 2nd”,
F10 Startup Coach James Sanders says.
The Startup Acceleration Program is tailored for international teams with first Prototypes in FinTech, RegTech or InsurTech. F10 guides and supports the Startups on their journey to successful companies.
Applications for the next batch of the P2 “Prototype to Product” program are being accepted until 2nd of June 2019. Successful applicants will join the comprehensive six-month P2 «Prototype to Product» Program in Zürich between October and April 2020.
The following fintech startups were part of Batch IV.

Bambus

InterlockLedger

Blocknify

ibex

Jacob

Oper

PXL Vision

Reportix

BlockState

advAIsor

ex indiciis

Finteum

The post 9 Fintech Startup Graduate from F10 Accelerator Program in Zurich appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/9-fintech-startup-graduate-from-f10-accelerator-program-in-zurich</link><guid>1175</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>9 Fintech Startup Graduate from F10 Accelerator Program in Zurich</dc:text></item><item><title>P2P Lending: LEND Acquires Lendico and Gets Postfinance Funding</title><description><![CDATA[PostFinance and Switzerlend AG − the parent company of the crowdlending platform LEND.ch − have agreed to enter into a close partnership.
LEND will take over 100% of the PostFinance subsidiary Lendico Schweiz AG. In return, the financial service provider will acquire a participation in LEND and will bring its strong brand to the relationship. The parties have agreed to maintain confidentiality over the purchase price and the ownership structure.
By acquiring the SME credit marketplace Lendico, LEND is starting the consolidation of the Swiss crowdlending market. In addition, the fastest growing crowdlending provider and PostFinance are entering into a close partnership, initially with a focus on SME businesses.
A strong company in a new market
This acquisition is the first of its kind in the fledgling Swiss peer-to-peer lending market. Florian Kübler, founder and CEO of LEND:
Michel Lalive
“We look forward to making our alternative financing services even better known and accessible to Swiss people together with a strong partner.”
Michel Lalive, also a founder of LEND, adds:
“The last few years have shown that crowdlending is a genuine alternative to traditional bank loans. It is now time for strong businesses to emerge and for us to scale services appropriately.”
 
The best of both worlds
In its cooperation with LEND, PostFinance will focus even more on crowdlending. Hansruedi Köng, PostFinance CEO:
Hansruedi Köng
“We recognized the trend towards platform-based banking and crowdlending early on and are convinced of its potential. To ensure we can bring crowdfunding to the mass market, the different players have to join forces and pool their strengths. In this regard, LEND, an established fintech company, and PostFinance with its strength on the sales side complement each other perfectly.”
The takeover will take place on 28 May 2019. The integration will be fully completed a few weeks later.
 
Featured image credit: LEND
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/p2p-lending-lend-acquires-lendico-and-gets-postfinance-funding</link><guid>1173</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>P2P Lending: LEND Acquires Lendico and Gets Postfinance Funding</dc:text></item><item><title>Digital Customer Onboarding: Den Nutzern nicht wichtig und bei den Banken nicht richtig?</title><description><![CDATA[Schweizer Banken tun sich schwer mit dem Digital Customer Onboarding. Doch noch überraschender ist der Befund, dass die befragten Schweizer Digital Natives zu einem Drittel nicht wissen, dass es Digital Customer Onboarding überhaupt gibt.
Dies konstatiert eine von der Projektagentur andrion in Auftrag gegebene und am Department für Wirtschaftsinformatik der Universität Fribourg durchgeführte Studie. Die Analyse von Nutzererwartungen und Prozessen bei den untersuchten Banken fördern noch weitere interessante Details zutage.
Seit 2016 ist es FINMA-konform, dass Kunde und Bank ihre Beziehung online eingehen können. Die Schweizer Banken investieren seither in das digitale Kundenerlebnis und werben aktiv auf ihren Websites für den Service, der komfortabel für den Nutzer und effizient für die Bank zu sein verspricht.
Doch eine von der Projektagentur andrion in Auftrag gegebene Studie, die von Professor Markus Melching am Department für Wirtschaftsinformatik an der Universität Fribourg geleitet wurde, kommt zu überraschenden Ergebnissen:
Warum nicht online eröffnen?
Die für die Studie befragte online-affine Zielgruppe der 18-30-jährigen Schweizer Digital Natives hat in ihrer Mehrheit (59 Prozent) noch nie ein Bankkonto online eröffnet. Für zwei Fünftel liegt der Grund darin, dass sie ihr Jugendkonto nahtlos weiterführen. Doch ein Drittel (31 Prozent) weiss gar nicht, dass es Digital Customer Onboarding überhaupt gibt.
Warum hast Du Dein Konto nicht online eröffnet?
Befragt zu den Anforderungen, die die Digital Natives an ein Digital Customer Onboarding stellen, nennen 96 Prozent den Faktor «Sicherheit», gefolgt von «Einfachheit der Darstellung» mit 76 Prozent. Nur der Hälfte der Befragten ist es wichtig, dass sie das Konto rund um die Uhr eröffnen können. Ein Drittel der Befragten schätzt, wenn der Prozess auf verschiedenen Devices von Web über Smartphone bis Tablet durchgeführt und bei einem Unterbruch an gleicher Stelle wieder aufgenommen werden kann.
Diesem Omni-Channel-Anspruch entspricht, dass fast die Hälfte (47.5 Prozent) der 18-30-jährigen eine telefonische Unterstützung bei Fragen erwartet. Chats sind für mehr als ein Viertel (26.8 Prozent) eine Alternative dazu. Weit abgeschlagen mit 8.5 Prozent liegen so genannte FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions mit den häufigsten Fragen der Nutzer und den Antworten darauf).
Die 5 Wichtigsten Kriterien zhur Beurteilung der Online Bank-Konto Eröffnung
Doch anders als erwartet, ist eine komplett papierlose Durchführung nur für weniger als ein Drittel (26 Prozent) wichtig. Und nur etwas mehr als jeder Zehnte (13 Prozent) legt Wert darauf, die Dokumente direkt online unterschreiben zu können.
Wähle die fünf wichtigsten Kriterien zur Beurteilungder online Bankkonto Eröffnung
Abschluss des vollständigen Onboardings dauert je nach Bank zwischen fünf und zwanzig Tagen Im Hauptteil der Studie wurde anhand des aus der Umfrage entstandenen Kriterienkatalogs, der durch Research und Expertenbefragungen erweitert und methodisch validiert worden war, das Digital Customer Onboarding führender Schweizer Banken bewertet. In die Analyse in den Dimensionen Sicherheit, Verfügbarkeit, Stabilität sowie funktionale und ästhetische Aspekte wurden 17 Schweizer Finanzinstitute einbezogen, die von Branchenexperten als digital führend bezeichnet wurden und die Digital Customer Onboarding auf ihrer Website als Service anbieten.
Das Fazit vorweg: Das Digital Customer Onboarding für das einfachste Szenario – die Erfassung der Kundenstammdaten bis und mit Eröffnung eines Kontos und Bezug einer Kredit-/Debitkarte – birgt gemäss dem definierten Kriterienkatalog bei allen untersuchten Schweizer Banken grosses Verbesserungspotenzial.
Von den 17 untersuchten Schweizer Banken beschränkt sich bei vier von diesen das Digital Customer Onboarding auf die Abfrage der Kontaktangaben und den Verweis an eine Filiale resp. die Zusendung von Papierverträgen. Von den verbliebenen 13 Banken bieten nur vier ein echtes, durchgängig digitales Customer Onboarding bis und mit Bezug Kredit-/Debitkarte ohne jegliche physische Interaktion. Bei den übrigen Finanzinstituten ist entweder der Kreditkartenbezug nicht in den Online-Prozess integriert und/oder ändert sich der Kommunikationskanal hin zu analog.
Aber nicht nur die qualitativen, auch die quantitativen Unterschiede sind hoch: Die Anzahl der Prozessschritte variiert zwischen vier und neun, die Prozessdauer zwischen 12 und 32 Minuten und die Anzahl Klicks zwischen 35 und 140. Die Durchlaufzeit bis zum Abschluss des vollständigen Onboardings – also bis die Kredit-/Debitkarte im Briefkasten liegt – bewegt sich zwischen fünf und 20 Tagen.
Alle Banken bieten einen telefonischen Kundendienst für das Onboarding an. Die grössten Unterschiede im Vergleich der ausgewählten Banken liegen in der Kompetenz der Mitarbeitenden und in der erforderlichen Beantwortungszeit. Weniger fortschrittlich geben sich die Banken bei der Chatfunktion: Nur fünf der siebzehn untersuchten Banken bieten einen Chatsupport an. Von denen waren zwei in mehreren Anläufen nie erreichbar.
 
The post Digital Customer Onboarding: Den Nutzern nicht wichtig und bei den Banken nicht richtig? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digital-customer-onboarding-den-nutzern-nicht-wichtig-und-bei-den-banken-nicht-richtig</link><guid>1171</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Warum-hast-Du-Dein-Konto-nicht-online-eröffnet.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Digital Customer Onboarding: Den Nutzern nicht wichtig und bei den Banken nicht richtig?</dc:text></item><item><title>Inspired by Silicon Valley, Ledgy Wants to Help Others Give Equity to Employees</title><description><![CDATA[The fintech startup Ledgy and the law firms Kellerhals Carrard, Wenger &amp; Vieli and LEXR partner up to help Swiss startups give out equity to their employees.
According to a recent study by Index Ventures, European startup employees own half of the amount US employees own of their companies in terms of equity. This could be one of the main reasons why Europe has not yet seen any tech giant on the scale of Google or Amazon. 
To change that, Ledgy already supports startups with the management of employee equity and today, together with Kellerhals Carrard as the main partner, Ledgy introduced free downloadable templates for an employee stock option plan (ESOP) and for a phantom stock option plan (PSOP) to their users. 
Furthermore, Ledgy helps founders understand the necessary steps and decisions to take to set up such a plan with educational resources on its website and guidance in the documents. Unlike in the past, founders can now access high-quality templates from law firms with many years of experience in the start-up sector quickly and free of charge.
As Yoko Spirig, Ledgy’s co-founder, says, 
“We are convinced that the templates will be a great help for a lot of founders and we are very proud that already hundreds of startups are using our service. However, a founder might still want to consult an expert on key questions since the plan will stick with your company for several years and no template is tailored to your specific needs.” 
This is where the law firms jump in. Based on their experience with different plans and startups, they are ideally placed to help founders navigate this area. 
Karim Maizar
Karim Maizar, partner and head of Kellerhals Carrard’s startup desk adds, 
“Participation plans are a key feature that investors ultimately expect from growth-oriented startups. Setting the incentives in the right way, can greatly add to the overall value of the startup.” 
Ledgy sees this topic as a great symbiosis between its software and lawyers. Thanks to the partners Kellerhals Carrard, Wenger &amp; Vieli and Lexr, Ledgy can boost the success of the Swiss startup ecosystem even more.
Every founder can create a free company account on Ledgy.com to start learning about how to best make their employees part of their success. To participate in a webinar about the topic co-hosted by Ledgy and Kellerhals Carrard on June 4  2019, you can sign up here.
 
Featured image credit:Screenshot via Kellerhals Carrard&#8217;s Youtube
The post Inspired by Silicon Valley, Ledgy Wants to Help Others Give Equity to Employees appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/inspired-by-silicon-valley-ledgy-wants-to-help-others-give-equity-to-employees</link><guid>1172</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Inspired by Silicon Valley, Ledgy Wants to Help Others Give Equity to Employees</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Crowdfunding Volume Exceeds Half a Billion Swiss Francs for the First Time</title><description><![CDATA[CHF 516.6 million were raised via Swiss crowdfunding platforms in 2018. Compared to the previous year, the volume increased by a further 38 per cent. Switzerland has thus developed into one of the largest crowdfunding markets in continental Europe. This is shown by the results of the latest crowdfunding monitor from the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts.
The Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts’ annual Crowdfunding Monitor has been published for the sixth time. The market volume rose to new record levels in 2018: 516.6 million Swiss francs were raised via Swiss crowdfunding platforms in 2018. In the previous year, the figure lay at CHF 374.5 million. Since the establishment of the first crowdfunding platform in Switzerland, projects worth almost CHF 1.1 billion have been financed with this alternative form of financing.
Growth remains high
In 2017 large growth of 192% was still recorded. With an increase of 38%, though the expansion in 2018 is still high, it has declined significantly. The biggest growth drivers in 2018 were the financing of SMEs through marketplace lending and investments in real estate through equity-based crowdfunding.
Crowdfunding in Switzerland can be divided into four areas: reward- and donation-based crowdfunding, equity-based crowdfunding, invoice trading, and marketplace lending (crowdlending, see box for details). In the marketplace lending segment, loans amounting to 261.9 million Swiss francs (+40%) were financed. In equity-based crowdfunding, investments reached 204.9 million Swiss francs (+52%). In reward- and donation-based crowdfunding, projects were supported with over 25.6 million Swiss francs (-12%, see figure).

Crowdfunding is moving away from its original concept
The original idea of crowdfunding was to fund a project by mobilising large numbers of people. The author of the study, Prof. Dr. Andreas Dietrich, points out that especially in marketplace lending many loans are no longer financed by a large number of investors but by a single professional investor. 
&#8220;This reduces the importance of private individuals. We can also see similar developments in the financing of start-ups in equity based crowdfunding.&#8221; The importance of professional investors will continue to grow in the future and can help the market as a whole to achieve further growth. 
In the area of reward  and donation based crowdfunding, the mobilisation of private individuals continues to be central. The projects are still predominantly financed by various private persons. &#8220;We expect, however, that more and more companies and foundations will cooperate with platforms in this sector in the future,&#8221; says Dietrich.
Crowdsupporting is important for the sports and cultural sector
The volume of reward and donation based crowdfunding declined slightly compared to the previous year. However, the number of campaigns grew by seven percent. The sports category is particularly popular, with a total of 568 projects financed by a total of 5.4 million Swiss francs. 
Social projects were supported with 3.1 million Swiss francs and music with 2.3 million Swiss francs. Projects with a commercial focus, in which crowdfunding is used as an advance sales channel for products, were also very successful. The volume in this area amounted to 5.3 million Swiss francs.
Switzerland is one of the larger crowdfunding markets
Looking at crowdfunding volumes per capita in an international comparison, Switzerland is one of the more relevant markets worldwide. Even in absolute numbers, the Swiss market despite its comparatively small domestic market  has reached a considerable volume. It will be difficult to catch up with the leading markets in Great Britain and the USA. In continental Europe, however, 
Switzerland will continue to show comparatively high volumes. The crowdfunding volume per inhabitant in Switzerland is 61 francs (2017: 45 francs). In relative terms, this makes the Swiss market much larger than that of its neighbouring countries.

Outlook: Crowdfunding continues to grow
For the year 2019, the study authors assume that the total volume will see continued growth in the double-digit percentage range. A total volume between CHF 700 and 900 million is expected. This volume will be distributed primarily among the existing platforms. At the moment, new platforms seem unlikely to enter the market. 
The &#8220;Crowdfunding Monitor Switzerland&#8221; is conducted annually by the Institute for Financial Services Zug IFZ of the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts with the support of the Swiss crowdfunding platforms.
Similarly, a recent report indicated a growing interest in crowdlending in Switzerland.
Swiss Crowdfunding platforms
Entries and exits of crowdfunding platforms in the Swiss market 2008-2018 via hslu
Switzerland witnessed a decline in the number of crowdfunding platforms for the first time: Fengarion, bee Invested, moboo and letshelp.ch withdrew from the market in 2018. Only two platforms entered the market in 2018, Crowdpark and SIG Impact.
In March 2019, the real estate crowdinvesting platform Yeldo went online. The graphic shows the number of entries and departures of platforms in the Swiss market since 2008. 16 platforms have left the market in recent years, for example GoHeidi.
The post Swiss Crowdfunding Volume Exceeds Half a Billion Swiss Francs for the First Time appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-crowdfunding-volume-exceeds-half-a-billion-swiss-francs-for-the-first-time</link><guid>1170</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Crowdfunding-volume-in-Switzerland-.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Crowdfunding Volume Exceeds Half a Billion Swiss Francs for the First Time</dc:text></item><item><title>Deutsche Banken: Vollständige Digitale Abwicklung von Schuldscheinen via Blockchain</title><description><![CDATA[Einem institutsübergreifenden Team von DekaBank, dwpbank, DZ BANK und Helaba ist es erstmals gelungen, die Abwicklung der Emission von Schuldscheindarlehen ausschliesslich digital durchzuführen.
In einem Pilotgeschäft haben die vier Kreditinstitute die Emission eines Schuldscheindarlehens erfolgreich über die neu geschaffene Blockchain-Plattform finledger abgewickelt.
Nach Abschluss der Pilotphase wird diese auch anderen Instituten zur Verfügung stehen. Damit etablieren die vier Banken erstmals einen Marktstandard für die digitale Abwicklung von Schuldscheindarlehen und stellen eine institutsübergreifende Plattform zur Verfügung, die die Ansprache einer breiten Kundengruppe ermöglicht.
Während bestehende Lösungen bereits die Strukturierung und Platzierung von Schuldscheindarlehen auf digitalen Plattformen abbilden können, digitalisiert finledger erstmals die dahinterliegenden Abwicklungsprozesse.
Die Blockchain-basierte Plattform bietet somit die Möglichkeit, alle Stufen der Emissionsabwicklung einschliesslich Geschäftsbestätigung und Urkundenerstellung digital durchzuführen. Perspektivisch werden die Funktionen von finledger auch die vollständig digitalisierte Abtretung und Kündigung von Schuldscheindarlehen miteinschliessen.
Die finledger-Plattform reduziert die Einzelschritte im Vergleich zum bisherigen mehrstufigen Abwicklungsprozess um mehr als 50%. Die hochgradig manuell und zeitintensive Abwicklung wird damit signifikant vereinfacht und beschleunigt. So ist es für die Abwicklung der Emission von Schuldscheindarlehen nicht länger nötig, Dokumente physisch zu verwahren oder Wertsendungen zu verschicken. Einzelne Prozessschritte können über finledger nun in Sekundenschnelle ausgeführt werden.
Durch die Nutzung der Blockchain-Technologie werden zudem Prozessrisiken und –kosten reduziert. Die automatische Echtheitsprüfung sichert Transaktionen zusätzlich und über die elektronische Signatur können Urkunden digital erstellt werden.
Eine Übersicht der einzelnen Transaktionen mit dem aktuellen Bearbeitungsstand wird über die Plattform lückenlos dokumentiert und transparent dargestellt. Das Pilotgeschäft ist der erste Schritt des zweistufigen Go-Live von finledger. Im nächsten Schritt wird dann ein Geschäft mit einem projektunabhängigen Partner durchgeführt. Die technische Umsetzung erfolgt mithilfe des IT-Dienstleisters adesso.
 
 
Featured image credit: Dr. Jürgen Wiedmann, Marion Spielmann, Peter Tenbohlen, and Markus Neukirch via Helaba Linkedin
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/deutsche-banken-vollstandige-digitale-abwicklung-von-schuldscheinen-via-blockchain</link><guid>1169</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Deutsche Banken: Vollständige Digitale Abwicklung von Schuldscheinen via Blockchain</dc:text></item><item><title>Wealthtech aus Erlenbach Kooperiert mit Wealthtech in Vaduz</title><description><![CDATA[Die beiden Unternehmen ONE PM AG aus Erlenbach ZH und die CSL Corporate Services Ltd. aus Vaduz, welche unter anderem digitale Lösungen für Vermögensverwalter anbieten, gehen ab sofort eine strategische Partnerschaft ein.
ONE PM AG fokussiert sich auf digitale Portfolio- und Asset-Management Lösungen, die CSL Corporate Services Ltd. auf applikatorische Gesamtlösungen für Finanzdienstleister.
Im Zeitalter der Digitalisierung sind speziell Finanzdienstleistungsunternehmen gefordert, ihre Strukturen, Prozesse und Arbeitsmittel grundlegend zu hinterfragen und unter Berücksichtigung neuer Möglichkeiten anzupassen. Durch den Einsatz geeigneter IT-Lösungen können Prozesse automatisiert werden, was zu einer Effizienzsteigerung,
Kostensenkung sowie Entlastung von Fachkräften bei Routineaufgaben führt und ultimativ entscheidend ist, um Wachstum und Profitabilität auch in Zukunft gewährleisten zu können.
Die CSL wird die Services von ONE PM in den Bereichen Bankschnittstellen-Management sowie Konsolidierung und Abstimmung von Finanzdaten in Ihren Lösungen einsetzen. Damit kann die Digitalisierung und Automatisierung in den Kundenlösungen stark erhöht werden. Gleichzeitig profitieren Kunden von ONE PM von ausgewählten Dienstleistungen aus dem CSL-Lösungsportfolio, wie beispielsweise der Möglichkeit elektronischer Bankbeleg-Archivlösungen. Ebenfalls können durch die Zusammenarbeit gezielt Synergien in Backoffice-Prozessen genutzt werden.
 
Featured image credit: created by freepik &#8211; www.freepik.com 
The post Wealthtech aus Erlenbach Kooperiert mit Wealthtech in Vaduz appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/wealthtech-aus-erlenbach-kooperiert-mit-wealthtech-in-vaduz</link><guid>1165</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Wealthtech aus Erlenbach Kooperiert mit Wealthtech in Vaduz</dc:text></item><item><title>Contovista Gründer unter den Investoren bei Finanzierungrunde bei Skribble</title><description><![CDATA[Das Schweizer Startup Skribble schliesst seine erste Finanzierungsrunde ab.
Der Anbieter für elektronische Signaturen  hat Kapital im siebenstelligen Bereich mobilisiert. Investiert haben unter anderem umantis-Gründerin Nicole Herzog, Doodle-Gründer Myke Näf, Contovista-Gründer Gian Reto à Porta und die Venture-Capital-Gesellschaft btov Partners.
Verträge müssen bald nicht mehr den Umweg über Drucker und Papier nehmen, um rechtsgültig unterschrieben zu werden: In Zukunft geht das schnell und einfach auf digitalem Weg. Davon ist nicht nur das Schweizer e-Signing-Startup Skribble überzeugt, sondern auch bekannte Grössen aus der Technologiebranche.
Skribble schliesst eine Investitionsrunde im siebenstelligen Franken-Bereich ab, angeführt von umantis-Mitgründerin Nicole Herzog, Doodle-Gründer Myke Näf und Contovista Mitgründer Gian Reto à Porta. Mit von der Partie ist ausserdem die Venture-Capital-Gesellschaft btov Partners, die unter anderem durch Beteiligungen an DeepL, Blacklane und Xing bekannt ist.
Mit dem Geld will Skribble die elektronische Signatur Millionen von Menschen zugänglich machen: Das erhaltene Kapital fliesst in den Ausbau der e-Signing-Plattform sowie die Marktexpansion nach Deutschland und weitere europäische Länder. Dabei spielt die Anbindung elektronischer Identitäten (E IDs) eine Schlüsselrolle.
Philipp Dick, Mitgründer und CEO von Skribble, sagt dazu:
Philipp Dick
“Wir setzen auf den Standard der Qualifizierten Elektronischen Signatur (QES). Das ist die einzige Form der E-Signatur, die der handschriftlichen Unterschrift vor dem Gesetz gleichgestellt ist. Voraussetzung für das Signieren mit QES ist eine E-ID. Um die QES möglichst vielen Menschen auf einfache Weise zugänglich zu machen, binden wir alle relevanten E-IDs mit ausreichendem Sicherheitslevel an. Das ist auch ein Investitionsschutz für Firmen: Wenn sie mit Skribble arbeiten, können sie nicht auf die falsche E-ID setzen.”
In einem ersten Schritt bindet Skribble die SwissID und die Schaffhausner eID+ an.
Gian Reto à Porta
Gian Reto à Porta von Contovista meint:
“Das Team hat mich überzeugt: Skribble vereint absolute Branchenkenner mit hervorragenden Entwicklern. Das ist eine erfolgsversprechende Zusammensetzung.”
The post Contovista Gründer unter den Investoren bei Finanzierungrunde bei Skribble appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/contovista-grunder-unter-den-investoren-bei-finanzierungrunde-bei-skribble</link><guid>1166</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Contovista Gründer unter den Investoren bei Finanzierungrunde bei Skribble</dc:text></item><item><title>Salesforce Ventures Lanciert Neuen 125 Millionen Dollar Trailblazer Fund für Europa</title><description><![CDATA[Salesforce Ventures, die globale Investmentgruppe des Anbieters von CRM Lösungen, hat ein neues 125 Millionen Dollar umfassendes Investment-Programm aufgelegt.
Ziel des Europe Trailblazer Fund ist es, europäische Cloud Start-ups zu unterstützen. Salesforce Ventures war im vergangenen Jahr das aktivste Corporate VC in Europa und hat in Unternehmen investiert, die bei digitalen Zahlungen, Bilderkennung, künstlicher Intelligenz, Blockchain und APIs Pionierarbeit leisten.
John Somorjai
«Europa gehört heute zu den führenden Regionen im Bereich der Cloud-Technologie, und wir freuen uns, unsere Investitionen in der Region zu erweitern»,
sagte John Somorjai, EVP von Corporate Development und Salesforce Ventures.
«Unser Engagement für europäische Start-ups spiegelt das Wachstum der Innovationen, unser Vertrauen in die lokalen Unternehmer und unseren Fokus auf die Erschaffung des weltweit grössten Ökosystems an Enterprise Cloud Unternehmen wider, mit der wir den Kundenerfolg steigern können.»
Im vergangenen Jahr wurden insgesamt über 28 Milliarden Euro in europäische und israelische Start ups investiert, was einem mehr als dreifachen Wachstum gegenüber 2013 entspricht. Von der Gesamtförderung erhielten SaaS-Unternehmen mehr als 35 Prozent.
Der globale Wechsel zur Cloud hat neue, wegweisende Technologien hervorgebracht, die den Kundenerfolg in allen Branchen gesteigert haben. IDC prognostiziert, dass sich der Markt für Public Cloud Services in EMEA zwischen 2018 und 2023 mehr als verdoppeln wird und 2023 bei über 105,3 Milliarden US-Dollar liegen wird.
Mit dem neuen Fund wird Salesforce Ventures weiterhin in Unternehmen in verschiedenen Wachstumsphasen investieren und Unterstützung bieten, bei der Produktausrichtung beraten und die passende Finanzierung für ihr Wachstum geben. Zu den bisherigen Investitionen gehören innovative Unternehmen aus verschiedenen Branchen, darunter Einzelhandel, Finanzdienstleistungen, Konsumgüter (CPG) und öffentlicher Sektor:

Deutschland: Wefox, Contentful und EMPAUAA
Frankreich: FinalCAD, Akeneo und SigFox
UK: GoCardless, Privitar und Onfido
Israel: Bringg, Forter und TechSee
andere europäische Länder: 4C, Unbabel und Carto

Seitdem hat Salesforce Ventures diesen ersten Fund vollständig eingesetzt und damit über 50 Startups in 13 europäischen Ländern gefördert. Als aktivster Corporate VC in Europa wird Salesforce Ventures weiterhin strategische Investitionen tätigen, um Unternehmensentwicklungen zu unterstützen.
 
 
 
Featured image credit: Salesforce
The post Salesforce Ventures Lanciert Neuen 125 Millionen Dollar Trailblazer Fund für Europa appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/salesforce-ventures-lanciert-neuen-125-millionen-dollar-trailblazer-fund-fur-europa</link><guid>1167</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Salesforce Ventures Lanciert Neuen 125 Millionen Dollar Trailblazer Fund für Europa</dc:text></item><item><title>Finastra Hackathon: Innovative App für Devisenhandel zur Urlaubsfinanzierung Gewinnt</title><description><![CDATA[Finastra hat den Gewinner seines ersten öffentlichen Hackathons bekannt gegeben, bei dem innovative Apps auf Basis der offenen Plattform FusionFabric.cloud entwickelt wurden.
Das Team ‚HYBER‘ erhielt den Preis für eine App, mit der Nutzer ihr Urlaubsbudget durch Devisenhandel aufbessern können. Die Teammitglieder präsentierten ihre Anwendung vor mehr als 450 Fintech-Managern, Banken, Entwicklern, Analysten sowie einer renommierten Jury auf der FusionONE-Konferenz in London und wurden dort zum Sieger gekürt. Die App wurde mit Hilfe von offenen APIs auf der FusionFabric.cloud-Entwicklerplattform von Finastra erstellt, die auf Microsoft Azure läuft.
HYBER ist eines von insgesamt 25 Teams, die am FusionONE Hackathon teilgenommen haben und dabei von Microsoft, Accenture und VC Innovations betreut und unterstützt wurden. Die Teams kreierten ihre Anwendungen auf Basis offener APIs in der Sandbox-Umgebung von Finastra. Das Gewinnerteam will mit seiner App Nutzer dabei unterstützen, ihr Urlaubsbudget vor einer Reise zu erhöhen.
Eli Rosner, Chief Product and Technology Officer von Finastra
„Die Dynamik und Kreativität während unseres ersten öffentlichen Hackathons auf FusionFabric.cloud waren bemerkenswert“,
sagt Eli Rosner, Chief Product and Technology Officer von Finastra.
„So viele verschiedene Teams aus 16 Ländern, die gemeinsam Innovationen entwickeln – das ist unglaublich inspirierend. Im Gewinnerteam hat sogar ein Programmier-Ass teilgenommen, das erst 15 Jahre alt ist. Aufgrund seiner vielen grossartigen Ideen, dem guten Teamwork und einer schnellen Entwicklungsumgebung konnte HYBER das Gewinnerkonzept innerhalb von nur 48 Stunden entwickeln.“
Die Nutzer der Gewinner-App können ihr Geld mehrere Monate vor ihrem Urlaub auf ein Konto einzahlen. Die App analysiert dann automatisch die Trends am Devisenmarkt und Interaktionen in sozialen Netzwerken und sorgt mit Hilfe von künstlicher Intelligenz dafür, dass Devisen an optimalen Zeitpunkten gehandelt werden. Dadurch können Anwender ihre Rendite maximieren und ihre Urlaubskasse aufbessern.
Im Live-Finale des Hackathons stellten darüber hinaus auch weitere hervorragende Teams ihre Apps dem FusionONE-Publikum vor. Mit dabei waren Lösungen, die Abstimmungsprozesse im Backoffice reduzieren, Echtzeitzahlungen über Ländergrenzen hinweg ermöglichen oder mithilfe von intelligentem Risikomanagement mehr kleinen und mittelständischen Unternehmen zu Krediten verhelfen.
Die Highlight-Videos des #FusionONEhack finden Sie hier.
 
The post Finastra Hackathon: Innovative App für Devisenhandel zur Urlaubsfinanzierung Gewinnt appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finastra-hackathon-innovative-app-fur-devisenhandel-zur-urlaubsfinanzierung-gewinnt</link><guid>1168</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Finastra Hackathon: Innovative App für Devisenhandel zur Urlaubsfinanzierung Gewinnt</dc:text></item><item><title>The Multitrillion Dollar Opportunities Switzerland Missed while it was Asleep</title><description><![CDATA[While the world is moving rapidly to cash in on the rapid changes and opportunities that technology brings, Switzerland may have slept through it all. 
McKinsey recently released a report, urging the Swiss to “wake up” from its slumber that saw multitrillion dollar business opportunities pass them by. Although the report focuses on the losses sustained by the country in the tech scene, it suggests some serious implications for fintech development within the country. 
In fact, according to numbers from EY, Switzerland’s progress in adopting fintech is in fact below the global average. Figures show that investments in fintech in the country has slowed down last year, both in value and in number of deals, due to the lack of later-stage deals, as reported by FinTech Global. 
PwC similarly noted Switzerland’s sleepy attitude towards the risk of fintech towards its core business, with only 40 percent of Swiss respondents feeling that their core business is at risk. In contrast, globally about 80 percent of companies believe their core business could be made redundant in the next five years.
Multinationals are the backbones of the country
McKinsey’s report noted that Switzerland’s economy is highly reliant on both local and foreign multinationals, accounting for over a third of the country’s GDP. In the past decade, these corporations have contributed CHF 3.5 billion per year to the GDP, and generated CHF 500 million per year in tax revenue upon relocation. 
Multinationals are responsible for creating jobs in high-productivity sectors, providing 1.3 million jobs. Multinationals relocating to Switzerland have also for the past decade pay for close to half of the Swiss federal corporate tax revenues. 
This is especially relevant, considering that most of the fintech unicorns across the globe are concentrated within Asia, China and India especially. If Switzerland wants a piece of that pie, it needs to appeal to foreign based fintechs, in hopes that they would choose Switzerland as its headquarters for Europe. 
Losing the international headquarters charm
However, as noted in the McKinsey report, Switzerland has been losing that charm. Where it once was the top choice for headquarter locations, it has gradually slipped down the ranks, losing relevance to prominent cities in other markets, such as Singapore and Dubai. 
According to the report, of multinationals relocating to European headquarter hubs, Switzerland’s market share decreased from 27 percent in 2009-2013 to 19 percent in 2014- 2018, even though relocation activity has increased overall. 
Of all tech companies relocation, only 3 percent chose Switzerland. Similarly, only 5 percent of Chinese companies have chosen Switzerland for their relocation plan, with many opting to set up shop elsewhere, most favouring Germany and the UK. 
So far, Luxembourg attracted all major Chinese banks (e.g., Agricultural Bank of China, China Merchant Bank) and payment providers (e.g., Alipay). This is despite Switzerland’s neutrality and reputation in China. Considering that China is leading the way for global fintech development, it may be a step too late for Switzerland to draw on Chinese expertise. 
Losing the headquarters, as mentioned earlier on in the article, isn’t just about business. It also directly impacts on job creation and tax payments, and Switzerland may have just lost a huge chunk of potential due to that. 
Lacking talents
Right now one of the largest drawback for many companies to choose Switzerland is the lack of available talent, especially in technology. A research by Eurostat also highlighted that compared to other European markets, the absolute number of STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) graduates in Switzerland is low. 
McKinsey suggest that while Switzerland has some of the most prestigious schools globally, it does not seem to provide sufficient talent to attract resource-intense multinational headquarters. 
This is partially due to policies stating that international students who graduate from STEM programs in Switzerland only have six months to find employment before they have to leave Switzerland. On top of that, executives have expressed that it is difficult to compensate for the insufficient Swiss talent supply with people from outside Europe, mainly because of the restrictive immigration policy with non-EU countries.
Compounded with this issue, some executives believe that women have difficulty working in Switzerland due in part to high childcare costs, which further shrinks the available pool of talent. This is bad news for fintech, considering that the kind of skills and knowledge required in fintech is even more specialised than what is offered on general STEM programs. 
Wobbly regulations
Even areas where the Swiss were traditionally perceived as strong in, namely regulatory reliability and tax environment, are facing a lot of uncertainty. Businesses are getting increasingly antsy with the country’s loose ends in international agreements and domestic reforms. 
For example, Switzerland’s relationship with the EU and transatlantic free trade agreements, the reform of the Swiss Code of Obligations, and the Corporate Responsibility Initiative. Additionally, the Swiss government have proposed a tax reform, and the upcoming referendum will set the course for Switzerland’s tax regime. It is currently a period of high uncertainty, which is also affecting the confidence of multinational corporations. 
Next steps
It’s not the end of the road for Switzerland however. McKinsey has listed some suggestions that could help boost the country’s appeal to foreign multinationals, which can in turn help development of technology, including fintech, within the country.
One of the biggest roadblock right now is talent shortage. McKinsey suggests the government review immigration regime for qualified, critical talent and expanding capacity at Swiss universities for sought after subject matters.
Also, there is a lot of anxiety revolving the uncertainty of Switzerland’s position in the international regulatory, economic, and tax context. To ease the worries, the government needs to clarify their position and establish the country as a powerhouse in open markets, while providing a favorable, reliable and predictable regulatory environment. 
Finally, Switzerland needs to take a proactive approach to compete with its neighbours, and countries in other markets, including Netherlands, Ireland, or Singapore. Targeting high-potential, value-creating sectors such as artificial intelligence or robotics can have a positive impact on fintech development as well. 
Many of the technologies that would drive the next industrial revolution are key components on a fintech platform. By marketing the country as a location that would be driving this change will in turn help draw in the companies that can help develop the fintech landscape in Switzerland.  
 
Featured image credit: Unsplash
The post The Multitrillion Dollar Opportunities Switzerland Missed while it was Asleep appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-multitrillion-dollar-opportunities-switzerland-missed-while-it-was-asleep</link><guid>1164</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/fintech-investment-in-Switzerland.png</dc:content ><dc:text>The Multitrillion Dollar Opportunities Switzerland Missed while it was Asleep</dc:text></item><item><title>6 Reasons Why Swiss Fintechs Should Apply for the F10 Accelerator Programme This Year</title><description><![CDATA[If you are interested in Switzerland&#8217;s fintech scene, then you are probably already familiar with F10, a startup incubator and accelerator sponsored by SIX, the company behind the Switzerland Stock Exchange.
F10 is a startup cultivator focused on fintech, insurtech and regtech. The organisation&#8217;s magnum opus are six-month accelerators held twice a year, aiming to transform startups from lofty ideas into successful growing companies with customers.
F10&#8217;s overall goal however, is to foster collaboration between startups and big international financial players—particularly between fintechs and banks, insurances, as well as SIX.
With a recent demo day over and done with, the Startup Acceleration Program has opened its doors for the next batch of fintechs, regtechs and insurtechs to join THE HOME OF FINTECH for the next batch of the P2 &#8220;Protoype to Product&#8221; program running from October 2019 to April 2020. The program is open to startups with a prototype; meaning that they have identified and validated a real problem the finance industry is currently facing and that needs solving to address the needs of potential customers.
The F10 team together with the Fintech experts from the ecosystem will help startups grow their validated ideas into viable MVPs.
Applicants interested to join Batch 5 can submit their applications until 2nd of June 2019. Teams or startups do not need to be incorporated to participate.
Joining an accelerator can be hard work, time consuming, and very, very rushed, so any reticence to try one&#8217;s luck in an accelerator is understandable. For all the cons that one has to consider though, accelerators can provide some valuable input into a startup&#8217;s story.
1. Free Office Space &amp; CHF 15,000 of reimbursement
Image Credit: F10
Even if your startup is not based in Zurich, F10 will be offering free office space, during the program and up to CHF 15,000 of reimbursement for expenses, as long as startups meet all the required milestones.
The allowance will be doled out in 3 batches, depending on whether the milestones mentioned above are fullfilled.
Meanwhile, F10 will endeavour to help with marketing by putting these startups in the spotlight for six months, while facilitating connections with relevant corporate partners or potential stakeholders.
2. Gain Legal and Regulatory Help
The F10 Fintech Accelerator program is specifically tailored for fintech, regtech and insurtech startups—traditionally very regulated sectors (with obvious reference to regtech). Therefore, it could be invaluable for startups to gain the legal and regulatory support, especially with collaboration from some of Switzerland&#8217;s strongest organisations in the F10 network.
Operating with knowledge on how to navigate these factors could allow a startup the ability to build their business with compliance in mind from the get-go, which could grant the speed needed in these often competitive sectors, and potentially help avoid costly pivots in the future.
 
3. Getting Up Close and Personal with Established Mentors
Some mentors on the F10 network.
F10 is sponsored by SIX, the company behind Switzerland&#8217;s stock market. The affiliation grants participants access to mentorship from SIX, as well as potential tutelage from the Baloise Group, Julius Bär, Generali Group Switzerland, PwC Switzerland, Capgemini, Raiffeisen, Zürcher Kantonalbank, Eny Finance and ERI Bancaire.
4. Gain Access to Funding
An F10-held Investor Day (Image Credit: F10)
While F10 does not invest in startups directly, their corporate partners listed above do. F10 also works together with venture capital and Angel networks, who are invited to the organisation&#8217;s Investor Day and Demo Day—in which fintechs will be getting up on stage to make their case.
5. Become fintech success stories like Apiax or Sonect
Image Credit: Apiax
The F10&#8217;s alumni have gone on to make a name for themselves in fintech. One of these is Apiax, which has recently been named Early Stage Startup of the Year at the Swiss Fintech Awards 2019. Apiax is a Zurich-based regtech that offers digital tools to help companies navigate through the complex world of financial regulations.  Apiax’s vision is to become a digital lighthouse in a regulated world by making compliance lean, easy and efficient via an app, or integrated into banking processes via API.
Apiax, and another F10 alumni Sonect were also named in our very own list of the top 19 fintechs in Switzerland this year. Sonect is a P2P matchmaking platform that utilises location to connect those who want to withdraw cash with those who want to deposit it. The platform wants to turn an area’s shops into virtual ATMs using just a smartphone or its POS-system, in a bid to reduce the &#8220;cost of cash&#8221;.
6. Avoid Common Startup Pitfalls
It is a common rhetoric that 90% of startups fail. There are the typical issues that could have led to this trend, like difficulties with funding, stiff competition, timing and difficulties in customer acquisition. Then there are factors that could uniquely impact early stage startups: trying to do too many things at once, legal issues, and even burnout.
Accelerator programs, with its systematic procedures and clear milestones could help startups turn their goals into valid stepping stones, and more importantly, help to shift focus onto the important groundwork to get their business up, instead of stretching themselves thin.
The F10 program teaches startups on how to run a business from scratch including doing market research, working out a unique selling proposition which
distinguishes companies from competitors, finding the ideal team structure, draft business plans and develop investment strategies.
Startups interested in joining F10&#8217;s 5th batch for its P2 &#8220;Prototype to Product&#8221; program running from October 2019 to April 2020 can apply here. The application period will close on June 2.

 
Featured image via advaisor AG on LinkedIn
 
The post 6 Reasons Why Swiss Fintechs Should Apply for the F10 Accelerator Programme This Year appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/6-reasons-why-swiss-fintechs-should-apply-for-the-f10-accelerator-programme-this-year</link><guid>1162</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/F10-Fintech-Coworking-Space.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>6 Reasons Why Swiss Fintechs Should Apply for the F10 Accelerator Programme This Year</dc:text></item><item><title>Vorsorge Fintech Startup VIAC nun mit 11’000 Kunden- Starkes Wachstum</title><description><![CDATA[VIAC verzeichnet auch eineinhalb Jahre nach der Lancierung ein ungebremstes Wachstum. Im ersten Trimester 2019 wurde ein drei Mal höherer Neugeldzuwachs im Vergleich zur Vorjahresperiode verzeichnet.
Mit mehr als 11‘000 aktiven Kunden und 160 Millionen Franken verwaltetem Vorsorgevermögen zählt VIAC zu den am schnellsten wachsenden Fintechs der Schweiz. Auch im Vergleich mit den grossen amerikanischen und europäischen Vorbildern muss man sich nicht verstecken. Dies wohlgemerkt bei einem Angebot, das sich aktuell auf eine rein Smartphone-basierte Vorsorgelösung für die Säule 3a in der Schweiz beschränkt.
Nicht zuletzt aufgrund des erfreulichen Wachstums wird das Angebot weiter ausgebaut. Ab dem 22.05.2019 kann man nicht nur per App, sondern auch am PC oder Tablet mit VIAC vorsorgen. Mit diesem Schritt wird zum einen ein neues Kundensegment erschlossen und zum anderen das Fundament für zukünftige Ausbauschritte gelegt. So ist es das Ziel, gegen Ende Jahr auch eine Freizügigkeitslösung anzubieten, mit der man den Kreis potenzieller Kunden im Bereich Vorsorgen gezielt ausweiten will.
Daniel Peter
«Die Vermögen in der Freizügigkeit sind deutlich grösser als in der Säule 3a – die vielen Nullen hätten auf dem Smartphone keinen Platz mehr gehabt»,
meint Daniel Peter scherzhaft zu den Gründen der Lancierung der Webversion.
Zu Beginn wurde die Idee einer Smartphone-basierten Säule 3a von einigen Markteilnehmern belächelt. Nachvollziehbar, ist doch der Weg ausgehend von einer App gefolgt von der Web-version nach wie vor unüblich. Daniel Peter, Kopf hinter VIAC, beantwortet diese Frage nach dem Wieso wie folgt:
«Wir haben bewusst den umgekehrten Weg gewählt. Die Grösse eines Smartphone-Bildschirms ist eine grosse Herausforderung, um ein solch komplexes Thema wie die Vorsorge in der Säule 3a einfach und verständlich darzustellen.»
Denn der Inhalt muss auf die wichtigsten Informationen reduziert und bequem via Smartphone bedient werden können, erklärte Daniel Peter weiter.
«Hier gingen wir bewusst Risiken ein, waren aber überzeugt, dass Mobilebanking die Zukunft sein wird.»
Aktuell ist der VIAC-Durchschnittkunde männlich, 38 Jahre alt und verwaltet 14‘000 Franken über die App. Dieser Betrag ist im Vergleich zu anderen Angeboten am unteren Ende, wobei die Eintrittsschwelle mit lediglich einem Franken bei VIAC auch um einen Faktor 5000 tiefer ist.
Aber auch bei älteren Semestern ist VIAC beliebt. Die „reifste“ Kundin befindet sich im 69. Lebensjahr! So war es stets das Ziel des Gründerteams, Hürden abzubauen und eine Vorsorgelösung für Jung und Alt zu schaffen. Sehr erfreulich ist auch, dass der Anteil weiblicher Kunden gerade in den letzten Monaten stärker zugenommen hat. Er beläuft sich aktuell auf 23 Prozent und hat weiteres Potenzial nach oben.
 
Anmerkung der Redakton: VIAC ist für Fintechnews.ch aktuell eines der Top 19 Fintech Startups in der Schweiz.
 
The post Vorsorge Fintech Startup VIAC nun mit 11&#8217;000 Kunden- Starkes Wachstum appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/vorsorge-fintech-startup-viac-nun-mit-11000-kunden-starkes-wachstum</link><guid>1159</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Vorsorge Fintech Startup VIAC nun mit 11’000 Kunden- Starkes Wachstum</dc:text></item><item><title>Baloise Bank SoBA Introduces Google Pay</title><description><![CDATA[Baloise Bank SoBa is one of the first banks in Switzerland to introduce Google Pay as a payment option.
The addition expands the bank’s range of mobile payment options, which already includes Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Fitbit Pay, TWINT and Garmin Pay. The mobile payment options have been introduced as part of the bank’s Simply Safe strategy, which aims to make life simpler and more secure for customers.
Baloise Bank SoBa now offers payment options for customers with Android smartphones. Customers register their Baloise credit card and can then pay by smartphone anywhere they see the contactless symbol – simply by holding the phone to the terminal.
Reto Misteli
“Our mobile payment options make it simple and easy to pay on the go; they also remove the need to type in long credit card numbers online. Using a card remains confidential and secure, as the credit card number is never revealed,”
says Reto Misteli, product manager at Baloise Bank SoBa.
Baloise Bank SoBa customers can access Google Pay in two simple steps. First, install the Google Pay app, then take a photo of the credit card to add it to the app and Google Pay is ready to go. For payments of up to CHF 40 you do not even have to unlock your phone – simply hold it to the terminal. The days of searching for change are over.
By introducing mobile payment methods, Baloise Bank SoBa is meeting customer demand for simpler and more secure payment options.
“We are very proud to be one of the first banks in Switzerland to offer our customers such a wide range of payment methods,”
Misteli adds.
 
Featured image credit: Baloise Group
The post Baloise Bank SoBA Introduces Google Pay appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/baloise-bank-soba-introduces-google-pay</link><guid>1158</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Baloise Bank SoBA Introduces Google Pay</dc:text></item><item><title>Banken vernachlässigen Kleinunternehmen / Kredit-Milliardenmarkt wird Fintechs überlassen</title><description><![CDATA[Die Kreditvergabe für Privatkunden konnten Banken erfolgreich standardisieren und vereinfachen. Gewerbetreibende und Freiberufler hingegen kämpfen weiterhin mit komplizierten Formularen und intransparenten Prozessen.
Hochwertige digitale Lösungen finden sie bislang nur bei den Fintechs. Dabei steigt der Zahl der Selbstständigen in freien Berufen beständig und liegt schon bei über 1,4 Million. Die Folge: Die grossen Finanzhäuser drohen in diesem Zukunftsmarkt den Anschluss zu verlieren und Newcomern das Feld zu überlassen.
&#8220;In der Digitalisierung des Gewerbekredits steckt noch viel Potenzial für die Banken&#8221;,
ist sich Sven Dost, Senior Consultant bei der auf Finanzdienstleister spezialisierten Unternehmensberatung Cofinpro sicher. Fintechs sowie amerikanische IT-Unternehmen und Zahlungsdienstleister nutzen die Schwäche der traditionellen Institute bereits aus und &#8220;punkten mit Schnelligkeit, einfachen Antragsstrecken und neuen Formen der Bonitätsprüfung.&#8221;
Dabei können sie auf einen grossen Markt zugreifen: Freiberufler und kleinere Unternehmen mit bis zu fünf Mitarbeitern beantragen jährlich Kredite in Höhe von über 16 Milliarden Euro.
Gewerbetreibende und Freiberufler tragen mit 32 Prozent bereits jetzt den grössten Anteil des Volumens langfristiger Investitionskredite im KMU-Segment. Und in Zukunft könnten es noch mehr werden, da der Arbeitsmarkt im Wandel ist. So stieg die Zahl der Selbstständigen in freien Berufen in Deutschland von 2008 bis 2018 von rund 1 Million auf 1,407 Millionen.
Im Gegensatz zu Privatkunden müssen sich Selbstständige bei ihrer Bank auf einen langen Prozess einstellen, wenn sie einen Kredit beantragen: Neben wirtschaftlichen Zahlen des Unternehmens, Einkommensteuerbescheid und Selbstauskunft ist meist auch ein persönliches Berater-Gespräch &#8220;Pflicht&#8221;.
Dass Gewerbetreibende und Freiberufler aufgrund dieser hohen Anforderungspflichten gegenüber Angestellten schlechter gestellt werden, ist nach Ansicht des Cofinpro-Kreditexperten nicht gerechtfertigt. Meist genüge ein Blick auf Kontoumsätze, persönliche Daten sowie ein &#8220;Verhaltens-Scoring&#8221; zum Kunden und seiner Vergleichsgruppe, um eine schnelle Bonitätsentscheidung treffen zu können.
&#8220;Nehmen wir zum Beispiel einen freiberuflichen IT-Berater&#8221;,
erklärt Sven Dost:
&#8220;Über Vergleichsdaten mit der Peergroup &#8211; die der Bank aus eigenen Daten bekannt sind &#8211; lassen sich laufende Ausgaben leicht ermitteln. Die wichtigsten Informationen für eine Entscheidung liegen dank der Digitalisierung auf Knopfdruck vor.&#8221;
Von einer Vereinfachung und Standardisierung des Antragsprozesses könnten Kunden wie Banken gleichermassen profitieren:
&#8220;Jeder Gewerbekunde sollte den Prozess in wenigen Minuten fehlerfrei durchklicken können und sofort eine Zu- bzw. Absage bekommen&#8221;, so der Cofinpro-Berater.
Wichtig dabei: Banken sollten komplizierte Formulierungen und eine Informationsflut vermeiden, da Kleinunternehmen nicht immer über das notwendige Finanz- beziehungsweise Buchhaltungswissen verfügen. Anträge müssten so gestaltet sein, dass jeder Kunde in der Lage dazu ist, den Kredit selbständig abzuschliessen. Dadurch steigt die Attraktivität für den Kunden und kostspielige manuelle Prozesse werden für die Bank überflüssig.
Der digitalisierte Antragsprozess erhöht nicht nur die Effizienz und verringert die Fehlerquote in der Kreditantragsbearbeitung. Dank objektiver und transparenter Vergaberichtlinien könne die Bank zudem ihr Risiko besser steuern und kontrollieren.
Der Anbieter kann sein Produktportfolio optimal an einzelne Kundengruppen anpassen und darüber auch neue Features anbieten, zum Beispiel innovative Rückzahlungsmodalitäten oder eine Anbindung an Vergleichs- bzw. Vermittlerplattformen im Internet.
Featured image credit: Pixabay
The post Banken vernachlässigen Kleinunternehmen / Kredit-Milliardenmarkt wird Fintechs überlassen appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/banken-vernachlassigen-kleinunternehmen-kredit-milliardenmarkt-wird-fintechs-uberlassen</link><guid>1156</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Banken vernachlässigen Kleinunternehmen / Kredit-Milliardenmarkt wird Fintechs überlassen</dc:text></item><item><title>Tokenisierung von Private Equity für Frühinvestoren von Blockimmo</title><description><![CDATA[Das Zuger Blockchain-Unternehmen blockimmo, eine Plattform für Immobilien-Tokenisierung und Technologieanbieter für Asset-Tokenisierung, hat seine erste Finanzierungsrunde mit Familie, Freunden und ausgewählten Frühphaseninvestoren erfolgreich abgeschlossen.
Einzigartig in dieser Art erhielten die Investoren ihre Unternehmensanteile in Form von digitale Vermögenswerte (Token) anstelle von regulären Unternehmensanteilen.
In der Vorbereitung auf die Seed-Money-Runde hatte blockimmo Ende letzten Jahres 20 Prozent des Eigenkapitals tokenisiert. Dabei wurde der Security-Token &#8211; IMMO genannt &#8211; mit einem Globalzertifikat synchronisiert, welche das Kapital in Form von Partizipationsscheinen hält. Die Globalurkunde wird von der Bank Frick sicher verwahrt. Die Einzelheiten wie z.B. die Übertragung des Eigentums sind in den Bedingungen des Prospekts und der Token-Terms enthalten.
Raphael Haldner, Director of Funds &amp; Products bei der Bank Frick, erläutert:
Raphael Haldner
«Als Spezialisten für die Herstellung von massgeschneiderten Fonds- und Kapitalmarktprodukten beschäftigen wir uns seit längerer Zeit damit, das Potenzial der Blockchain bestmöglich in unsere Lösungen zu integrieren. Wir messen insbesondere der Tokenisierung von Finanzinstrumenten künftig eine sehr hohe Bedeutung zu und sind überzeugt, dass gegenüber der traditionellen Verbriefung eine deutliche Effizienzsteigerung möglich ist. Entsprechend freuen wir uns sehr, blockimmo bei dieser Innovation unterstützen zu können».
24 Stunden nach Ausschüttung handelbar
Normalerweise sind Private Equity und somit noch nicht handelbare Aktien von Start-up-Unternehmen hochgradig illiquide Investitionen. So hat es beispielsweise das Taxiunternehmen Uber zehn Jahre von den ersten Investitionen bis zur Handelbarkeit an der Börse gebraucht. Im Gegensatz dazu waren die IMMO-Token innerhalb von 24 Stunden nach ihrer Ausschüttung an die Aktionäre handelbar. Die IMMO-Token werden an der komplett dezentralen Börse für digitale Vermögenswerte STX.SWISS gehandelt. Alle rechtlichen Funktionen der Partizipationsscheine sind in einem Smart Contract abgebildet. Das digitale Register befindet sich somit auf der öffentliche Ethereum-Blockchain und wird automatisch bei jeder formlosen Übertragung aktualisiert.
Bastiaan Don
«Unsere Technologie kann auf jede Anlageklasse angewendet werden, wie wir es erneut durch die Tokenisierung unserer eigenen Unternehmensanteile demonstrieren»,
erklärt Bastiaan Don, Gründer und Geschäftsführer von blockimmo.
«Dass unsere Start-up-Anteile sofort an einem dezentralen Sekundärmarkt handelbar sind und Liquidität vorhanden ist, zeigt, dass das enorme Potenzial der zugrunde liegenden Technologie.»
Die Blockimmo-Lösung hat das Interesse von verschiedenen Parteien aus dem Immobilienmarkt geweckt. Jetzt hat die Lösung auch Zuspruch von anderen Asset-Märkten wie Private Equity und Kunst erhalten. Innerhalb der Tokenisierungslösung müssen die potenziellen Investoren einen einfachen On-Boarding-Prozess durchlaufen, bei dem ihre Identität und ihre Beitragssumme mit ihrer Wallet verknüpft sind, um die Einhaltung der Überprüfung und Identifizierung von Geschäftsbeziehungen gemäss «Know Your Customer/Anti-money Laundering» (KYC/AML) durchzusetzen. In naher Zukunft können vor diesem Hintergrund die ersten spannenden Projekte und Partnerschaften bekannt gegeben werden.
 
Featured image credit: Pixabay
The post Tokenisierung von Private Equity für Frühinvestoren von Blockimmo appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/tokenisierung-von-private-equity-fur-fruhinvestoren-von-blockimmo</link><guid>1157</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Tokenisierung von Private Equity für Frühinvestoren von Blockimmo</dc:text></item><item><title>Ein neues Schweizer KMU Lending Fintech Startup Gewinnt Platz an MassChallenge Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[Letzte Woche gab MassChallenge Switzerland bekannt, dass Systemcredit einen Platz in seinem Accelerator Programm 2019 gewonnen hat.
76 internationle early stage Startups wurden ausgewählt. Wir zählten unter den 76 Startups gerade mal 3 Fintech Startups. BC Remit, ein Remittance Anbieter aus London, MyChoice2Pay, ein Spanischer Payment Gateway und Systemcredit, ein Schweizer Vermittler von Kredit-Daten und KMU Krediten.
Ebenfalls ins Programm geschafft hat es Entreprise Bot, ein Schweizer AI Startup welches Mitglied des Fintech National Teams im 2018 bei Venturelab war.
Systemcredit bewarb sich mit 900 anderen Startups beim Accelerator in Renens bei Lausanne, wo weniger als 10% der Bewerbungen ausgewählt werden.
Daniel Christen
“Wir sind sehr stolz, dass Systemcredit in eines der weltweit besten Startup Förderprogramme aufgenommen wurde.”,
sagte Dr. Daniel Christen, CEO und Mitgründer von Systemcredit.
Gegründet in 2016, ist MassChallenge Switzerland rasch zu einem führenden Treiber von Innovation und Unternehmertum in Europa geworden, wo Startups mit für ihr Wachstum benötigten Expertenwissen und Ressourcen zusammengebracht werden. Die zum Programm zugelassenen Startups profitieren von exklusivem Zugang zu besten Unternehmenspartnern, Mentoring durch Experten, sowie massgeschneiderten Programmen und Vorlesungen. Zudem können sie ohne Verpflichtungen einzugehen bis zu 1 Million Schweizerfranken Preisgeld und mehrere Sachpreisen gewinnen.
Systemcredit will Geschäftskredite für kleinere und mittlere Unternehmen (“KMU”) zu einer Massenware machen. Der Marktplatz von Systemcredit zeigt KMU einfache Wege zu passenden Krediten mit fairen Bedingungen. Und Kreditgeber können ihr Kreditportfolio bei geringerem Risiko und tieferen Prozesskosten ausbauen. Systemcredit wurde im September 2018 gegründet, lancierte seinen Marktplatz und gewann seinen ersten zahlenden Kunden am ersten Tag.
Die Firma sagt, dass sie innerhalb der ersten hundert Tage achthundert Anfragen erhielt, 11 Firmen zur Kreditaufnahme zuliess und erfolgreich den ersten Kredit vermittelte.
Nach Abschluss einer ersten externen Finanzierungsrunde sucht Systemcredit derzeit neue, zusätzliche Talente, um Marktplatz und Produktepalette auszubauen.
Die Firma erwartet, dass sie durch Teilnahme am MassChallenge Accelerator Programm 2019 ihren unabhängigen Marktplatz und ihre innovativen Lösungen weiter verbessern kann, damit inskünftig noch besser sicherstellt ist, dass kleine und mittlere Unternehmen effizienten Zugang zu passenden Krediten mit fairen Bedingungen erhalten.
The post Ein neues Schweizer KMU Lending Fintech Startup Gewinnt Platz an MassChallenge Switzerland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ein-neues-schweizer-kmu-lending-fintech-startup-gewinnt-platz-an-masschallenge-switzerland</link><guid>1154</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Ein neues Schweizer KMU Lending Fintech Startup Gewinnt Platz an MassChallenge Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>What Wikipedia Can Teach us About Blockchain Technology</title><description><![CDATA[Almost a decade after the introduction of Bitcoin, there is a lot of hype about the blockchain technology on which cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin are based.
Some claim the technology will revolutionise commerce; others are more critical in their predictions. But the technology behind blockchain remains a mystery to many people.
A blockchain is a decentralised, distributed and open public ledger made up of a sequence of “blocks” that are “chained” via a cryptographic hash.
If that still sounds like gibberish to you, there is a popular application that shares the philosophy of the blockchain technology that can help you understand how it works: Wikipedia.
A decentralised, open public ledger
Wikipedia is a free online encyclopedia that depends on the collaborative effort of decentralised volunteer writers called “Wikipedians” who add to this constantly increasing repository of information.
Despite being based on a central database, Wikipedia is decentralised in the sense that the ability to add information is completely open and public. This freedom to add information to the database, or ledger, and the freedom to access the full history of all previous changes, is similar to a blockchain.
While traditional encyclopedias rely on scholars to provide information, Wikipedia gives this role to the public, bypassing trusted authorities.
Similarly, Bitcoin gives the role of the intermediary to the public, bypassing traditional central intermediaries such as banks.
Other common features
Consensus
Wikipedians contribute information with the aim of improving the quality of the existing information. If an edit on Wikipedia is not accepted by other contributors it will be changed until a consensus is reached.
If no consensus can be reached, the “edit war” is settled by an appointed authority.
The consensus in Bitcoin follows the greatest amount of work expended by the Bitcoin network consisting of “miners”, and is represented by the longest blockchain.
Miners verify transactions and expend resources to complete the “proof-of-work”. Once the work is complete the network will show their acceptance by linking new blocks to the existing one.
Transparency
Contributions made by Wikipedians are transparent, similar to the open and publicly accessible transaction history of any user’s Bitcoin wallet stored on the blockchain.
The time-stamped history of all edits made to the Wikipedia page is visible through the “View History”. Just as each Bitcoin can be traced to its inception, all prior versions and iterations of a Wikipedia entry are publicly available and show the path towards the current consensus.
The dynamic evolution of content within Wikipedia is a major difference from traditional encyclopedias, which offer a more centralised and more static repository of information.
Trust and incentive
Both Wikipedians and bitcoin miners replace the necessity for trusted central authorities.
Interestingly, the incentive to contribute to the network differs. Wikipedians are not financially rewarded, whereas Bitcoin miners receive Bitcoin for their contributions to the blockchain.
If a miner included an invalid transaction in their block, then the cost to complete the proof-of-work would go unrewarded as honest miners would not link new blocks to the chain.
Although the opportunity to vandalise and provide inaccurate information on Wikipedia exists, the transparency of edits makes it straightforward for honest writers to identify and rectify changes.
This discourages devious attempts to discredit the information on Wikipedia since any attempt will be recorded as a time-stamped, unalterable chain of edits. A long chain of edits represents the amount of work Wikipedians have put into developing the topic. Longer chains can signal a higher quality of information.
Points of difference
A feature that Wikipedia does not share with the classical blockchain is encryption. Because ownership and anonymity is an important feature on the Bitcoin blockchain, encryption of information is needed so that coins cannot be stolen or duplicated.
On Wikipedia there is no ownership of information, making encryption redundant.
Another key difference is synchronised, simultaneous distribution. Wikipedia is not distributed because the participants of the network do not update and store the information on their computers. If they did, it would be very costly and thus very inefficient – a major drawback of distributed systems.
Decentralisation is also inefficient as it generally takes longer to reach a consensus. But the final outcome may be better compared to a centralised system.
In other words, Wikipedia may be less efficient than a traditional encyclopedia but the final edition may be much better.
 
Authors: Dirk Baur, Professor of Finance, University of Western Australia; Daniel Cahill, Associate lecturer, University of Western Australia, and Zhangxin (Frank) Liu, Assistant Professor of Finance, University of Western Australia
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Featured image credit: Pixabay
The post What Wikipedia Can Teach us About Blockchain Technology appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/what-wikipedia-can-teach-us-about-blockchain-technology</link><guid>1152</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>What Wikipedia Can Teach us About Blockchain Technology</dc:text></item><item><title>10 Interesting Proptech Startups and Companies in Switzerland to Follow</title><description><![CDATA[Proptech has been something of a buzzword in startup circles of recent years, where companies use tech to improve the traditionally opaque and confusing real estate industry. With a clear need for industry disruption, proptech has grown significantly in the past few years.
In 2018, a total of US$9.6 billion was invested into real estate tech companies according to CREtech. A study by tech accelerrator MetaProp in NYC also found that investor confidence in proptech was at an all-time high by the end of last year, as the real estate sector slowly embraces innovation, proptech is expected to continue its momentum this year.
A need for proptech also becomes clear in Switzerland when last year, the government took concentrated efforts to cool down what was characterised as an overheated property market, and finally stopped a 15-year period of uninterrupted housing price rise. Authorities warn that banks could be exposed when interest rates rise from the &#8220;abnormally low levels&#8221; used by the central bank to rein in the Swiss franc. 
Nevertheless, according to a survey conducted by EY, the overwhelming majority of its participants (94%) still consider Switzerland an attractive location for real estate investments in 2019.
Therefore, any transparency and operational cost-cutting that can be introduced by the right proptechs might be valuable in keeping Switzerland&#8217;s market away from any dreaded real estate bubble.
With over 200 companies as of January 2019, the Swiss proptech industry has witnessed strong traction. Today, the sector includes startups and tech companies covering a wide range of areas from asset management and financing, to property rental, sale, and smart building.
Proptech Map Switzerland September 2018, by Swiss Proptech
Out of companies on the above list, we have selected ten interesting proptech companies in Switzerland to follow closely.
 
Crowdhouse

Zurich-based Crowdhouse was founded in 2015 as a real estate crowdfunding platform before evolving into Switzerland’s largest digital real estate ecosystem.
In collaboration with several partners and the Luzerner Kantonalbank as a strategic shareholder, Crowdhouse uses the latest technologies and innovative business models to provide services in the areas of property participation, financing, management and transactions.
As of April 2019, Crowdhouse had brokered over 100 real estate properties worth a total of CHF 800 million. The company is currently considering an initial public offering (IPO).
 
PriceHubble

PriceHubble develops application program interface (API) and software for the real estate industry. The company provides tools that use machine learning to offer various data-based real estate services, such as online real estate valuations and value predictions.
The company serves lenders, mortgage intermediaries, and real estate brokers, helping them to generate leads, offer advise, and create lasting engagements. It also serves real estate investors and private investors, helping them take investment decisions, forecast the future performance of their asset, and identify potential investment opportunities. It also caters to other parties in the real estate value chain, such as real estate portals, banks, asset managers, insurance companies.
 
Hegias

Zurich- based Hegias has developed the world’s first browser-based, automated virtual reality content management system, VR CMS, for the construction and real estate industries.
Hegias’ latest innovation promises to transform parts of the real estate business and a solution that’s up to 100 times cheaper than other high-end visualizations utilizing VR. The solution can prevent misunderstandings during planning and construction, and its software also supports the sales and rental process of real estate.
Hegias is currently raising a Series A funding round and already has EUR 900,000 in committed capital.
 
Archilyse

A spin-off of ETH Zurich founded in 2017, Archilyse develops software for numeric architectural analysis. It develops an API which allows users to run simulations and analyze and provide architecture information. Archilyse caters to portfolio managers, real estate developers and real estate valuers.
The solution can be used for multiple applications. For example, the Archilyse software enables an automated compliance check with local construction standards. Real estate companies and asset managers can digitalize their portfolio and use data enhancement to conduct more precise property evaluations, and development planners, interior designers and consultants can access visualizations and room utilization analysis.
Archilyse is backed by Ringier Digital Ventures, PropTech1 Ventures, Zürcher Kantonalbank and Dr Stefan Heitmann, the founder of MoneyPark and PriceHubble.
 
Immoledo

Immoledo is a proptech based in the canton of Thurgau. The company digitizes and simplifies the analysis of the status of buildings, enabling an individual analysis of a building’s structural fabric without the need to involve an expensive expert as well as the creation of the related investment plan.
Immoledo determines the best time for renovating the building and calculates the corresponding investment costs, broken down by structural elements. The building status can be projected dynamically during the utilization phases of the building, making it possible to determine when the different building components should ideally be replaced.
In December 2018, Immoledo received funding from Helvetia Venture Fund.
 
Neho

Founded in 2017, Proptech Partners is the operator of Neho, the first commission-free real estate agency in Switzerland. The company offers a unique real estate sales service by combining its experienced local agents with a digital platform that ensures transparency, honesty and optimization. Since 2018, Neho has served more than 170 customers.
A spin-off of Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Neho is currently present in the cantons of Vaud, Geneva, Neuchâtel, Fribourg, Zürich, Winterthur, Schaffhausen, Basel and St. Gallen. The company is now part of the Investis real estate group, the second largest real estate group in Switzerland listed on the Zurich Stock Exchange which owns Privera and Régie du Rhône.
 
Allthings

Founded in 2013 in Basel as a spin-off of ETH Zurich, Allthings provides a platform that connects tenants, property owners and service providers. Tenants use the app for direct communication and to access a variety of digital services that simplify everyday life.
Property owners add a new service layer to their buildings and benefit from data-driven insights. Service providers like property managers, local commerce or concierge companies offer their services digitally to the tenants. Beyond that, third-party solution providers can be flexibly integrated into the modular and open Allthings platform, much like an app store for buildings.
Allthings has offices in Basel, London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Frankfurt am Main, and Freiburg, and has won numerous prizes. The company boasts a clientele that includes over 200 of Europe’s leading real estate companies and real estate service providers. It raised a CHF 13.7 million Series A funding round last year.
 
eSMART

Founded in 2011 as a spin-off of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) in Lausanne, eSMART develops intelligent control systems for homes and workplaces. The company’s systems can be used locally or remotely and show users where, when and how they are consuming energy. It all happens with a distributed automation system made of modules that are plugged directly into the home’s existing electric grid and connected to a touch-screen, smart phones and computers.
eSMART has provided more than 300 apartments with its building automation system in the city Gland. Other new projects are currently underway.
 
blockimmo

blockimmo is a property transaction platform based on blockchain technology. It aims to be the global marketplace for tokenization of real estate.
The company uses blockchain technology to enable fractional property investments and ownership. On blockimmo, properties are officially and legally represented as security tokens on the Ethereum blockchain. The platform allows for joint property investments through crowdsales, enabling easier access to the investment class. Investors can start investing in properties starting at roughly CHF 1,000.
The company partners with financial institutions and other strategic partners in different countries to enable and grow the cross-border market.
 
eeproperty

Founded in 2015, eeproperty designs and develops solutions to enhance real estate services. The company offers an automated solution allowing the complete management of buildings’ shared spaces from payments to the access and uses of the infrastructures. It started with Vesta, the first automated and fully digitalized payment and management system for laundry rooms.
The post 10 Interesting Proptech Startups and Companies in Switzerland to Follow appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/10-interesting-proptech-startups-and-companies-in-switzerland-to-follow</link><guid>1155</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Proptech-Map-Switzerland-September-2018-Swiss-Proptech.png</dc:content ><dc:text>10 Interesting Proptech Startups and Companies in Switzerland to Follow</dc:text></item><item><title>UK Maintains Its Position As A Leading Fintech Hub</title><description><![CDATA[The UK, a renowned fintech hub with a thriving ecosystem and an international talent pool spanning the whole country, continues to maintain its leading position on the global fintech scene.
Today, the UK is home to more than 1,600 fintech firms which raised US$3.3 billion in 2018, representing more than 68% of the US$4.8 billion recorded across Europe, according to this year’s UK Fintech State of the Nation report.
Released earlier this month by Her Majesty’s Treasury (HM Treasury), the Department for International Trade and Innovate Finance, the report provides an overview of the UK’s fintech industry. According Peter Estlin, the Lord Mayor of the city of London, the UK fintech sector now employs over 76,500 people and generates a revenue of GBP 6.6 billion.
“As we reflect on the last then years, the face of financial and professional services in the UK has transformed,” Estlin said.
“Innovation is now firmly at the heart of the sector and the UK has emerged to become the global hub for fintech.”
UK Fintech Overview
In 2018, insurtech and fintech were the biggest employers among high-growth digital tech firms, employing 24% and 18% of the high-growth workforce respectively. The country now leads the rest of the world in fintech with investment in high-growth fintechs achieving GBP 4.5 billion between 2015 and 2018.
One of last year’s most notable investments is Revolut’s US$250 million Series C funding. The round was one of the world’s top 10 largest venture capital funding rounds in 2018. Last year also saw the first initial public offering (IPO) for a UK fintech with Funding Circle obtaining a GBP 1.5 billion valuation and raising GBP 300 million in September 2018.
UK Fintech Overview
According to the report, challenger banks took most of 2018’s fintech funding in the UK, raising US$461 million. Other fintech sub-sectors that showed sharp increase in activity include personal finance and wealth management (US$333.6 million), alternative lending and finance (US$306.6 million), blockchain and digital currencies (US$174.7 million), insurtech (US$103.1 million), and payments (US$102.5 million).
“Increasing levels of investment into the UK’s fintech industry show that the industry is going from strength to strength,” said Alastair Lukies CBE, a member of the Prime Minister’s Business Council, and a founding partner at Motive Partners.
“The UK remains Europe’s best destination for fintech investment and the increasing levels of later stage growth capital being deployed suggest the industry is maturing at an unprecedented rate globally.”
The UK’s position as “the undisputed fintech capital of the world” has been built on three key factors: the strength of the UK in financial services, the nature of UK consumers and the UK regulatory environment, the report summarizes.
Fintech companies in the UK benefit from its skills in financial services and its draw as a place for international investment and capital raising, it says, and UK consumers are some of the most digitally savvy in the world. The country’s robust regulatory regimes including peer-to-peer (P2P) lending regulations and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)’s regulatory sandbox, are providing a favorable environment for innovation in financial services.
“The UK is a global fintech leader, building on the commanding role London holds as a financial services hub. Investors put more money into UK fintech than any other European country in 2018,” said Charlotte Crosswell, CEO at Innovate Finance.
“The UK’s deep pools of entrepreneurial and tech talent, progressive regulators and policy makers, capital and professional expertise, and its vibrant startups are driving the digital economy.”
While the report puts the UK fintech industry in a good light, praising its strong growth, experts and industry observers are warning of the possible negative impact of Brexit on the industry. A report released earlier this year claims that leaving the European Union (EU) is making it harder for fintech firms in Britain to recruit top talents, threatening to slam the brakes on the sector’s growth.
Up to a fifth of the skills needed in recent years has come from EU countries and UK recruiters are now seeing a net migration of tech graduates back to the bloc. Companies are struggling to fill roles in coding, cloud computing, machine learning, software development, cyber, artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain, the report says.
 
Featured image: London, England, PxHere.
The post UK Maintains Its Position As A Leading Fintech Hub appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/uk-maintains-its-position-as-a-leading-fintech-hub</link><guid>1151</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/UK-Fintech-Overview-924x1024.png</dc:content ><dc:text>UK Maintains Its Position As A Leading Fintech Hub</dc:text></item><item><title>Google Pay Rolls Out In Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[Google Pay, Google’s digital wallet platform and online payment system, has launched in Switzerland.
Google Pay’s support documents reveal a rollout for customers of Cornèrcard, Bonuscard, Swiss Bankers, Revolut, and boon, Wirecard’s mobile payment solution. Only credit or debit cards are supported as payment methods.
UBS and Viseca, which are behind the Twint payment app, aren’t onboard. Credit Suisse is also reluctant, and Swisscard does not work with Google Pay either.
Google Pay platform, via Google
Google Pay joins Apple Pay and Samsung Pay. Samsung Pay has been available in Switzerland for a year now while Apple Pay has been in the country since 2016.
Tech players including Apple and Samsung have faced an uphill battle in Switzerland as local banks have been recalcitrant in adopting foreign third party mobile payment services.
Last year, Switzerland’s competition watchdog WEKO began an investigation on some of the country’s biggest financial firms for a suspected boycott of mobile payment solutions including Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.
Local media reports suggested that the investigation was aimed at clarifying whether Swiss financial institutions, including Aduno Holding, Postfinance, Swisscard and Swiss units of Credit Suisse and UBS, had reached an agreement to boycott mobile payment solutions from international providers.
Authorities suspected that these institutions had jointly agreed not to release their credit card details for use with Apple Pay and Samsung Pay in favor of Twint, a joint venture launched in 2016 by Switzerland’s biggest banks to create a digital payment system.
In April, news broke that Credit Suisse had finally reached a payment deal with Apple and would begin supporting Apple Pay with its credit cards in the following weeks. The bank said it would also support Samsung Pay.
Meanwhile, UBS had not yet managed to reach an agreement with Apple, as of the end of March. The two had been reportedly discussing adopting Apple Pay for three years but failed to agree on terms.
Initially released in 2015 as Android Pay, Google Pay is a digital wallet that powers in-app and tap-to-pay purchases on mobile devices, enabling users to make payments with Android phones, tablets or watches.
The service allows users to use the payment cards they have on file with Google Play, and provides an API that allows merchants to add the payment system to websites, apps, Stripe, Braintree, and Google Assistant.
Google Pay uses near field communication (NFC) to transmit card information facilitating funds transfer to brick-and-mortar retailers, replacing the credit or debit card chip and PIN or magnetic stripe transaction at point-of-sale terminals.
In May 2018, the Google Pay app added support for boarding passes and event tickets.
In Switzerland, payments below 40 francs through Google Pay can be made without entering a code or activating the fingerprint. Compared to Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and even Twint, Google Pay for small amounts should be significantly faster.
Google Pay also supports loyalty cards with Manor, Ikea and Migros with Cumulus mentioned as partners.
Online, Google Pay is already integrated to Digitex/Galaxus and Ricardo, as well as various international dealers.
The Google Pay rollout makes Switzerland the 29th country the service is available in, and follows the recent expansion of the payment service to Scandinavia and France.
 
Featured image: Google Pay, via Google.
The post Google Pay Rolls Out In Switzerland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/google-pay-rolls-out-in-switzerland</link><guid>1148</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Google-Pay-platform-via-Google-1024x559.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Google Pay Rolls Out In Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>40% of Business Leaders Willing to Invest More Than US$5M on Blockchain, Said Deloitte Study</title><description><![CDATA[The blockchain industry is maturing and beginning a new chapter as executives move from experimentation and research to active adoption and implementation, according to a new study by Deloitte.
Deloitte’s 2019 Global Blockchain Survey, released earlier this month, points to signs of blockchain’s increased maturity with surveyed senior executives showing deeper understanding of the technology and its potentials.
The research also shows increasing diversification of potential use cases for blockchain across multiple industries beyond financial services including technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and health care, and government.
“What we’re seeing in 2019 is the continuing evolution of blockchain from a capable yet underdeveloped technology into a more refined and mature solution poised to deliver on its initial promise to disrupt,” the firm says. “The question for executives is no longer, ‘Will blockchain work?’ but, ‘How can we make blockchain work for us?’”
Deloitte, which polled a sample of 1,386 senior executives in a dozen countries, found that momentum has shifted from “blockchain tourism” and exploration toward the creation of practical business applications.
Results reveal continued strong investment with 40% of respondents willing to invest US$5 million or more in new blockchain initiatives over the next 12 months.
53% of respondents said blockchain has become a critical priority for their organizations in 2019, a 10-point increase compared to last year, and 83% see compelling use cases for the technology, up from 74% in 2018.

The research also explores the sentiment of executives towards blockchain consortia, which have grown in number and importance in recent years. R3, one of the most prominent blockchain consortia, now counts more than 300 companies and financial institutions.
The overwhelming majority (92%) of survey respondents either belong to a consortium or plan to join one in the next 12 months. Respondents cited cost savings (57%), accelerate learning (55%) and sharing risk (47%) as the top three benefits expected from consortia participation. They named the main criteria used in selecting and joining a consortium as aligned objectives (41%), the quality/stature of other members (37%) and evidence that it is influential (36%).

The Deloitte survey results echo findings from research conducted by other consultancy firms. KPMG released a study earlier this year which found that out of 740 global leaders surveyed, 41% said their organization will very likely or likely implement blockchain technology in the next three years. 48% said they are confident blockchain will very likely or likely change the way their company does business in the next three years.
According to the survey, the areas set to be the most disrupted by blockchain over the next three years will be Internet-of-Things (IoT) processes (27%), trading (22%), reduced cyber risk (20%) and contracts (18%). Respondents cited improved business efficiencies (23%), product and/or service differentiation (12%), cost reductions (9%) and new business insights from incremental data (9%) as the top benefits expected with adopting blockchain technology.

Some of the most promising blockchain trends to watch in 2019 according to market research firm CB Insights include fiat-crypto exchanges, which will be looking for additional revenue streams as they face increased competition from larger, more traditional financial services players; decentralized exchanges, which use blockchain technology to enable exchange without a centralized middleman; stablecoins, which are likely to witness broader adoption and new use cases emerging; security tokens, or “tokenized” assets on a blockchain platform; as well as non-fungible tokens, which use the technology to issue unique, non-transferrable tokens for use in gaming and more.
 
Featured image: Blockchain cryptocurrency, PxHere.com.
The post 40% of Business Leaders Willing to Invest More Than US$5M on Blockchain, Said Deloitte Study appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/40-of-business-leaders-willing-to-invest-more-than-us5m-on-blockchain-said-deloitte-study</link><guid>1149</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Blockchains-relevance-within-organizations-2018-vs-2019-Deloitte.png</dc:content ><dc:text>40% of Business Leaders Willing to Invest More Than US$5M on Blockchain, Said Deloitte Study</dc:text></item><item><title>Interest in Crowdlending Continues to Rise in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[Interest in crowdlending continues to increase in Switzerland with professional investors growing in importance in the sector, according to a new study by the Institute of Financial Services Zug IFZ of the Lucerne School of Business, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and the Swiss Marketplace Lending Association.
The Crowdlending Survey 2019, released earlier this month, found that crowdfunded loans totaling CHF 261.9 million were brokered in 2018, an increase of 40% year-over-year. Of the total volume of CHF 261.9 million, CHF 134.4 million was in the business crowdlending segment (SME loans), CHF 57 million in the consumer segment, and CHF 70.5 million in real estate.
Crowdlending volume and the number of loans in Switzerland, 2012–2018, The Crowdlending Survey 2019
In 2018, the average loan amount was about CHF 30,000 in consumer crowdlending, CHF 300,000 in SME lending, and CHF 650,000 in real estate crowdlending. Lenders invested an average of CHF 4,000 in consumer loans, and CHF 17,000 in SME loans, the research found.
 
Growing interest from institutional investors
Switzerland had 15 active platforms as of the end of 2018. Last year, only one new crowdlending platform, Funders, entered the Swiss market, showing that the pace of growth of the number of new platforms has decreased significantly, the report says.
Active crowdlending platforms by segment as of end 2018, The Crowdlending Survey 2019
The study notes the emergence of a number of new platforms geared primarily to institutional investors in the past two to three years.
Bank Vontobel, for instance, launched the Cosmofunding platform in September 2018, which is aimed at entities governed by public law (ÖRK) and private companies. The platform works in collaboration with the Swiss rating agency fedafin and only professional investors are admitted. Since its launch, Cosmofunding has recorded CHF 1 billion worth of credit applications.
Loanboox is another platform active on the ÖRK market. Launched in 2016, Loanboox had brokered loans amounting to CHF 6.5 billion, as of September 2018. Like Cosmofunding, Loanboox accepts only institutional and professional investors. On the borrower side, it is open to municipalities, cities, towns and cantons to finance loans between CHF 500,000 and CHF 500 million. Loanboox expanded to Germany in 2017, followed by Austria and France in 2018, and was valued at CHF 122 million after raising CHF 22 million in January 2019.
Remaco, a direct lending platform that matches companies with qualified investors, is another example, as well as Instimatch, which focuses on short-term transactions, and Systemcredit, a marketplace for SME loans targeted primarily at banks, institutional investors and crowdlending platforms or their investors.
“We anticipate that the market could provide a further boost to growth again when annual growth reaches around CHF 1 billion, since the interest of institutional investors will revive when volumes hit this level,” the report says.
 
Market concentration is more pronounced
As of the end of 2018, Switzerland’s five largest platforms held a combined 87% market share and the trend could become even more pronounced as larger platforms benefit from better access to institutional investors.
The research predicts numerous partnerships and mergers between individual platforms to take place in 2019.
According to the survey results, 82% of all platforms are seeking a strategic partnership. All the participating platforms seeking a strategic partnership but one state they would like to enter into such a partnership with a bank.
Approximately half the platforms seeking a partnership also indicated they would be interested in working with other crowdlending platforms or startups.
Though the Swiss crowdlending market recorded respectable growth in 2018, Switzerland is still lagging behind well-developed crowdlending markets such as the UK, the US, or China.
In 2017, China was the largest crowdlending market worldwide with an equivalent of CHF 345.1 billion in total loans brokered via crowdlending platforms, up 48% on the previous year. In the US, the volume in 2017 was CHF 38.7 billion (+21.4%), while in the UK, it was CHF 5.9 billion (+25%).
In comparison, volume reached CHF 186.7 million in Switzerland in 2017.
The post Interest in Crowdlending Continues to Rise in Switzerland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/interest-in-crowdlending-continues-to-rise-in-switzerland</link><guid>1147</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Crowdlending-volume-and-the-number-of-loans-in-Switzerland-2012–2018-Crowdlending-Survey-2019-1024x790.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Interest in Crowdlending Continues to Rise in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Brett King Predicts Ant Financial Will be The Largest Financial Institution by 2030</title><description><![CDATA[At the DWS Digital Convention last year, Australian banking futurist, best-selling author and co-founder of mobile banking startup Moven, Brett King spoke about how technology is killing traditional banking and requiring the industry to entirely redefine how the financial services business should work.
As the world is digitizing, seeking low friction and immediacy, banking and financial services are too on the verge of a major shift, a shift that will not just require about inserting technology into banking but rather completely rethink how we approach banking and finance.
Today, most of the financial industry’s major innovations are being led by Chinese tech giants and new fintech startups, King said. Taking the example of Tencent’s WeChat, he said:
“WeChat didn’t try to create a credit card or debit card that you signed up for at a branch and you use a traditional point-of-sale network. They just use a simple QR code. [That’s] first principles thinking around payments. It wasn’t a payment product; it was enabling the utility of a payment experience.”
In China, 98% of mobile payments go through two technology platforms: Ant Financial’s Alipay and Tencent’s WeChat. Last year, that amounted to US$12 trillion worth of mobile transactions. This year, China’s mobile payments transaction traffic is set to surpass all of the card traffic in the world, he said.
Brett King at the DWS Digital Convention 2018, Berlin, Germany, April 2018
One of the major shifts happening in the sector right now is the way consumers think of a basic bank account or value store.
“Already, since the creation of the smartphone, 1.4 billion people have come into the financial services ecosystem without ever visiting a bank branch. […] So the bank account itself in the next decade will be considered an artifact that’s in the cloud or on your phone, not a physical artifact you got from a bank,” King said.
“By 2025, […] more people will use digital access to financial services on a daily basis than will visit all the branches and all the human advisors in the world on an annual basis. So if you want to grow your business in the future, it has to be based on digital onboarding, digital relationships and digital engagement. You cannot scale your business of the future based on humans.”
King predicts that the biggest financial services organization in the world by 2030 will be Ant Financial as a result of being entirely digital and being able to scale rapidly.
“[Ant Financial is] going to be worth twice what ICBC is worth by the end of the next decade, they’re going to have about three billion customers, and they’re going to be doing lending, investment, and all of these things powered by the fact that they have three billion people connected on a super wallet architecture over 100 countries,” King said.
“And they’re well on their way to this already. […] Jack Ma has a very simple principle behind the future of banking. He says that ‘you should be able to send money from one person to another person anywhere in the world immediately, regardless of what bank account you’re with or what artifact you use. It should just happen instantly.’ […] He’s trying to create that architecture and so far, we’ve seen he’s been extremely successful at it.”
To survive this digital transition, King said it is imperative for banks to “start from scratch,” rethink their business, and become cloud-based in order to take advantage of frameworks like digital identity, cryptography and security.
“The only way you’ll survive this transition intact is if you’re prepared to start all over again, rethinking the role of your business in your customers’ lives based on the fact that you’ll always be there embedded in the world around them. That’s first principles thinking of financial services and what I like to call Bank 4.0.”
King explained the need to evolve from iterative thinking, where we take technology and gradually improve on it, to first principles design thinking, where a new piece of technology that comes along is so different from the way it was done before that it requires everyone to reset their thinking and change the way they behave.
With Hong Kong recently granting Ant Financial virtual banking license, Brett King prediction might just come true sooner than we&#8217;d think
 
Featured image: Brett King at the DWS Digital Convention 2018, Berlin, Germany, April 2018.
The post Brett King Predicts Ant Financial Will be The Largest Financial Institution by 2030 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/brett-king-predicts-ant-financial-will-be-the-largest-financial-institution-by-2030</link><guid>1145</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Brett-King-at-the-DWS-Digital-Convention-2018-Berlin-Germany-April-2018-1-1024x669.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Brett King Predicts Ant Financial Will be The Largest Financial Institution by 2030</dc:text></item><item><title>“BORN IN SWITZERLAND” Swiss Original Fintech Overview Map Update: 162 Companies</title><description><![CDATA[Luc Schuurmans, Head Private Banking, Executive Management at Bank Linth LLB AG,  put together an updated overview map of Fintech Companies “Born in Switzerland”.
Since his last update, he collected 22 Fintech Startup more &#8211; nummo, TokenSuisse, Lapo Blockchain, GENTWO, creditfolio, Lendity, ImmoYou, Guruvest, Byjuno AG, OpenMetrics Solutions LLC, SEBA Crypto AG, Sygnum, Tindeco, unblu, Appway, ex indiciis,  smolio, propmatch, Leva, tradeplus24, GreenMatch and Credit Exchange AG.
Here are the descriptions of all the startups listed in Luc’s map:
Funding
Verve Capital Partners Ltd. operates investiere.ch, a disruptive early-stage and equity gap financier. Based in Zug, Switzerland, Verve Capital Partners was launched in December 2007, with the aim to develop and implement innovative financing concepts for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) while connecting private investors directly to SME investments.
 
 

 
WeCan.Fund connects investors to the best Swiss SMEs seeking crowdfunded loans. They provide a secure, user-friendly, transparent platform that will revolutionize SME financing.
 
 

 
Swiss Crowdfunding is The First Swiss Real Estate Crowdfunding Platform. They have the right of sale of real estate for a total value of over 2 billions Euros: this includes housing estate, for profit, accommodation facilities and many hotels in spread throughout 8 different countries in Europe.
 
 

 
Bricks &amp; Bytes AG provides with crowdhouse.ch the first real estate crowd funding platform in Switzerland. By democratizing the way of being a real estate owner it makes everyone a happy landlord.
 
 
 

 
wemakeit.com was founded in Switzerland in February 2012 by the communication consultant Rea Eggli, the artist Johannes Gees and the interaction designer Jürg Lehni and within very short time grew into one of the largest crowdfunding platforms in Europe.
 
 
 
Propmatch.ch We are a 2015 founded PropTech Startup from Basel. Our goal is to make B2B real estate transactions (investment properties and real estate) more efficient. We help real estate professionals with our open and free analytics platform to make better decisions. Through the combination of Big Data, GIS and Analytics, we enable intelligent matching between sellers, properties and buyers of all sizes throughout Switzerland.
 
 
Projektstarter ist eine Crowdfunding-Plattform mit Sitz in Solothurn, welche seit dem Jahr 2011 tollen Ideen und ihren Machern eine Möglichkeit zur Finanzierung bietet. Sie ist in Besitz der Designatelier GmbH. ProjektStarter bietet den Menschen im Raum Schweiz die Möglichkeit ihre Idee oder ihr Projekt zu finanzieren.
 
 

 
100-days.net (St. Jakobstrasse 54a, CH-8004 Zurich) is a limited company which is 100% owned by Ron Orp GmbH, based in Zurich. The site’s managers and founders are Romano Strebel, Christian Klinner and Ron Orp.
 
 
 
DealMarket is a global online platform for fundraising and deal flow management – a one‐stop shop for Private Equity &amp; Corporate Finance professionals. DealMarket counts more than 15,000 active private equity professionals from 159 countries and is growing fast. Global leading banks like UBS use DealMarket’s deal flow management tools like hundreds of Investors, Associations and Networks trust our comprehensive service offering for Private Equity.
 
Go Beyond Investing brings together a group of private accredited investors dedicated to providing early-stage capital with entrepreneurs seeking investment capital. Go Beyond Investing enables novice &amp; experienced, small &amp; large investors, to access angel investing as an asset class through its unique platform, tools, training and expert angels.
 
 

 
SoSense is a pioneer in digital social innovation with offices in Zürich (Switzerland) and Berlin (Germany). They design creative and engaging concepts, implement innovative and empowering solutions and help run impactful campaigns with leverage.
 
 

 
CreditGate24 connects borrowers with private and institutional investors and offers an efficient and scalable settlement of loans. CreditGate24 operates exclusively online, with no branches or high administrative expenses in order not to diminish the yields on investment and to minimize the cost for borrowers.
 
 
Advanon is an authorized financial intermediary that is directly subordinated to FINMA (Directly Subordinated Financial Intermediary, DSFI) according to the Anti Money Laundering Act (AMLA).
 
 
 

Suricate Solutions Sàrl a développé GoHeidi, une plateforme web de financement participatif basée sur la précommande d’un produit/service afin d’aider toute personne à réaliser son projet.
 
 
 

Veolis provides a Crowdfunding and Crowdinvesting Platform for sustainable projects in Switzerland, for example: Renewable Energy Projects, Cleantech Company; processes and legal contracts between Project Owner and Investor are simplified and standardized.
 
 
 

c-crowd represents a new way of financing entrepreneurs while democratising the concept of business angels, brings together innovative entrepreneurs and investors.
 
 
 

Loanboox is the independent money and capital market platform for public-sector borrowers and institutional investors. In contrast to conventional brokering, financing and investing through Loanboox is simple, transparent, safe and low cost, benefiting both borrowers and lenders alike.
 
 
 

SWISS STARTER the first equity crowdfunding platform in Ticino (Switzerland), wants to be a real support to help new startup that needed funds to start their project or to carry on existing projects in the critical steps.
 
 
 
Swiss Crowdlending FinTech for private persons and SME. Crowd Solutions is the provider of Crowd4Cash.ch the innovative Crowdlending platform. Crowd4Cash brings investors and borrower together. For better returns for the investors and lower interest rates for borrower. 100% online, easy and simply fair!
 
 
 

swisspeers  ist eine unabhängige Crowdlending Plattform, die es Unternehmen erlaubt, bei Investoren direkt – also ohne Zwischen­schaltung eines Finanzinstituts – Fremdkapital zu beschaffen.
 
 
 
 

creditworld verbindet Schweizer KMUs mit privaten sowie professionellen Investoren. KMUs profitieren von attraktiven Konditionen und fairen Vertragsbedingungen. Investoren erhalten Zugang zu einer neuen Anlageklasse mit interessanten Renditen und unterstützen dabei das Rückgrat der Schweizer Volkswirtschaft.
 
 

Splendit matches students and investor in an auction process, issue documentation and manages payments through the lifetime of the loans.
 
 
 

Acredius is an online platform that makes investors’ and borrowers’ needs meet in an unconventional, digital, intuitive and safe environment. Investors can diversify their portfolios and enjoy interesting yields. Borrowers get access to fair financing using their traditional and non-traditional data.
 
 
Lendora is a Swiss crowdlending startup. Our platform connects borrowers and investors online to make credit more accessible and investing more rewarding.
 
 
 
Foxstone is a Swiss real estate crowdfunding platform. The platform proposes institutional-grade real estate deals in Switzerland through three types of investments: co-ownership, co-investment and mezzanine debt with a minimum investment amount of CHF 25’000.
 
 
Führend in Immobilienfinanzierungen in der Schweiz Wir schaffen eine Verbindung zwischen Hypothekarkunden und institutionellen Kreditgebern und erreichen dadurch den besten Zins in Echtzeit. Dabei stehen wir für Integrität, Neutralität, Transparenz und die Sicherheit des Hypothekarmarktes. Unsere Partner zählen zu den Besten auf ihrem Gebiet, teilen unsere Werte und stehen für unternehmerisches Wachstum.
 
 
Greenmatch combines the perspectives of all market participants on one single platform and allows for an efficient interaction. Thanks to the independent, certified financial model, discussions regarding deviations between the financial models of the buyer and the seller do no longer occur. Detailed risk analysis strengthen the trust of banks and accelerate the closure of the project financing. Thus, each market participant saves valuable time and can focus more on his key competences.
 
Tradeplus24 specialises in providing Swiss KMUs with state of the art Insurance and Receivables Finance solutions. Unlike factoring, our innovative solution offers SMEs the opportunity to get a flexible credit line against their accounts receivable whilst offering them the option to insure their global accounts receivables against default. This way Swiss KMU&#8217;s can grow their export business in a financially sound and safe way, even when their buyers demand longer payment terms and want to trade own open account basis.
 
 
Advice

moneyguru.ch ist der digitale Assistent für private Finanzen in der Schweiz. Der Moneyguru ist von den Gründern von moneyland.ch ins Leben gerufen worden. Die unabhängige Vergleichsseite moneyland.ch ist sozusagen die Mutter, die Datenlieferantin und der Rechner von Moneyguru.
 
 
 

Crowd Trading‘s objective is to bring a revolution to the world wide online financial services being the first on the market to offer a social trading platform to collectively manage portfolios of financial assets through a decision-making system for public groups of investors (herein “crowd”) and an automated trades replication within the crowd.
 
 

adviceonline.ch, the complete and regulatory conform Onboarding, Profiling, Opening Document Management, Advisory and Consolidation Suite for EAM and Banks.
 
 
 
 

Investment Navigator is operated by Investment Navigator AG based in Zurich. Investment Navigator AG works closely with fundinfo, the leading platform for information and mandatory disclosures in the fund sector.
 
 
 

InvestGlass is a 24/7 financial markets platform built with Swiss banking know-how and a predictive algorithm. Their goal is to deliver smart financial information investors need at the right time and in the right format. Equities, Bonds, Forex, ETF, Futures, News and much more…
 
 
 

FLYNT reinvents platforms, services and experiences that put clients in control of their wealth. We see wealth as a means to follow life’s dreams, ambitions and aspirations. Wealth is a gateway to opportunity. Our mission is to transform how our clients realise these opportunities – in the most fluid, dynamic and rewarding way possible.
 
 

Sentifi is a leading Crowd-Intelligence platform for financial markets globally, receiving Swiss FinTech Award 2016. Their unique approach is to structure unstructured financial data from news, blogs and social media, identify and rank the sources for their relevance and apply self-learning algorithms and a financial expert system to extract insights from the content.
 
 

Qumram enables every digital interaction – web, social and mobile – to be recorded and replayed, at any time, providing a complete digital audit trail for financial services organisations, in accordance with key global regulatory requirements (MIFID-II, SEC, FINRA and more).
 
 
 

SwissMetrics is a dynamic startup from Switzerland that has a mission to enhance the way companies monitor their credit risk. As finance professionals, they have developed a SaaS platform with the aim of promoting smarter collaboration within companies to work for a common goal – saving money through risk minimization.
 
 
 

With diverse academic backgrounds ranging from information technology, mathematics, business administration, political sciences and philosophy, economics, design, linguistics and psychology, Adviscent‘s team of experts brings solid domain expertise on board in the banking, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and food industries.
 
 

MeetInvest seeks to democratize stock market investment with a free service that combines a social media platform and an investor toolkit, bringing in one place all the necessary resources for people to start trading like pros.
 
 
 

By leveraging technology, Dein-Anlageberater.ch provides users with personalized investment advisory services and recommendations for asset allocation at a much lower price than traditional investment advisers.
 
 
 
 

CrowdInvest.ch ist die erste Plattform der Schweiz, bei der jedermann die Kursentwicklung von Aktien prognostizieren kann. Denn wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zeigen, dass kollektives Wissen besser ist als einzelne Expertenmeinungen. Werde jetzt Teil von crowdinvest.ch und miss dich mit den Finanzexperten.
 
 

Nectar Financial, formerly Etops, is a Swiss fintech company specializing in wealth and asset management. It provides middle and back office services for more than 30 family offices, independent asset managers and banks and supports them in managing assets in excess of CHF 35 billion.
 
 
 

Riskifier makes investment risk profiling simple, fun and insightful for everyone. Our solution uses latest advances of artificial intelligence to fulfill the requirements of MiFID II/FIDLEG investor risk profiling and KYC data collection, while digitalizing &amp; gamifying user experience as well unleashing advantages of behavior based personalized investment risk profiles.
 
 

Pricehubble a Swiss based company, focusing on international real estate markets. We integrate top academic and industry experience in machine learning, computer science, econometrics, mathematics, statistics, financial services and consulting. We develop innovative solutions to support real estate decision making.
 
 
EdgeLab is a fintech company providing an investment intelligence web platform to help financial institutions taking smarter decisions.
 
 
 

Apiax is a compliance digitally mastered. We transform complex regulations into easy-to-use digital compliance rules.
 
 
 



theScreener is the market leader for independent valuations of financial securities, equities, sectors and markets, and new funds.
 
 

 
Alethena is the first Swiss ICO and Blockchain-Asset Rating Agency and Due Diligence Service Provider.
With deep technical insight, vast financial market experience, and a conclusive rating methodology, Alethena bridges the gap between blockchain and established investors. As a Swiss company neutrality is a core of our culture.
 
 

Crypto Finance AG is a financial technology holding company founded in June 2017. The Group provides blockchain-related services through its three subsidiaries: Crypto Fund AG (Asset Management), Crypto Broker AG (Brokerage), and Crypto Storage AG (Storage).
 
 
 
The Swiss Real Estate sector is one of the most economically and politically stable in the world. It is very popular with institutional investors and remains difficult to access for private investors.
In fact, the heterogeneity of properties, their acquisition values, the complexity of financing them and the retention of information signifies that this market still remains relatively inefficient.
Based on these observations, Crowdpark SA, established on December 1st 2017 in Geneva, is an independent company specialized in Swiss Real Estate Crowd-Investing.
Leva sets the new standard for investment syndicates. At the intersection of finance and technology, Leva has developed a novel technology to bring investment syndicates into the 21st century. Our platform allows a fully automated syndicate creation. With Leva, syndicate leaders can conveniently onboard new investors, manage the investor base, and raise capital efficiently.
 
 
Der erste Robo Advisor für die Immobilienwirtschaft. propmatch ist die einfache Lösung zur Analyse, Bewertung und Vermittlung von Standorten, Renditeimmobilien und Grundstücken in der Schweiz.
 
 
Smolio ist dein Finanzbuddy. Wir begleiten dich und verkaufen keine Finanzprodukte. Anders als andere profitieren wir nicht versteckt von unseren Empfehlungen. Was du bezahlst finanziert die künftige Entwicklung von Smolio. Eben unabhängig.
 
 
 
ex indiciis believe that customer relationship is at the core of the wealth management industry. As a consequence we provide wealth managers with the necessary tools to deliver personalized content to any user interacting with the company through any digital channel.
 

Integration
 
Performace Watcher Evaluating and comparing the result of one&#8217;s investment portfolio must be accessible to everyone. Our aim is to popularize and demystify a traditionally opaque field. We believe in explanations that are simple, clear and understandable to everyone. With the disappearance of Swiss banking secrecy, increased competition, the Internet and a new generation of customers the transparency of results is born.
 
 
Onedot is a Swiss company making data consumable across sources and boundaries. Onedot&#8217;s artificial intelligence (AI)-driven software helps businesses reduce manual work in data management by 8x, speed up time-to-market by 90% and increase revenue up to 10%. Onedot makes this possible by radically improving data quality–automating the data integration, cleaning and categorisation process.
 
 
 

Additiv develops and implements digital innovations and business models for financial services companies – tailor-made and turnkey.
 
 
 

Qedos designs beautiful &amp; innovative solutions for wealth managers. Their solutions revolutionise the way wealth managers and their client interact. They help wealth managers provide tailored advice, provide a better client experience, achieve superior investment performance, comply with regulations and work more efficiently.
 
 

Founded in 2007, NetGuardians was the first company to emerge from the innovation incubator Y-Parc, in Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland. The company now enjoys a solid international presence with a steadily growing clientele in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
 
 
 
FundBase is a cloud-based platform to ultimately host the complete investment process for high-conviction alternative investments. Fundbase delivers to qualified investors a seamlessly integrated platform to discover, execute and monitor complex investments such as hedge funds, private equity and other high-conviction investments.
 
 

Pure Value Metrics provides active investors with a unique combination of Global Equity Portfolio Selection, Market Insight, Online Trading and discretionary Voice Execution.
 
 
 

ADDFIN is a business solution for professional investors who seek to benefit and leverage on the full potential offered by digitalization and information technology in order to standardize the workflow, processes and procedures.
 
 
 

Centralway Numbrs is a customer-centric financial services company. It enables its customers to manage their existing bank accounts and personal finances and to buy any financial product from every provider at the best possible price.
 
 
 
 

Monetas develops technologies that empower people to live and do business with greater freedom than ever before, and that make financial inclusion a reality.
 
 
 
 

Interaction Partners is a Swiss-based Investor Relations Services firm with a focus on facilitating broker-independent trust-building, live interactions (roadshows) between listed corporates and institutional investors in Zurich, Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lugano, Milan and London.
 
 
 
We believe that great decision makers are the ones that ask the right questions. Veezoo empowers them to find the answers efficiently by themselves. We make complex information easy to understand by answering any question with a clean visualization.
 
 
 
Lykke is a Swiss Fintech company building a global marketplace based on blockchain. It builds on decades of thought and research by company founder Richard Olsen, a pioneer in the field of high-frequency finance. Richard served as co-founder and CEO of OANDA, a leading foreign exchange company. Lykke received initial seed funding in 2015.
 
 
 
Oyoba is a finance-as-a-service platform, providing its users access to a wide range of fintech and blockchain services, including bank accounts, Bitcoin wallets, robo advisory, lending, P2P payments and debit cards. Oyoba’s vision is to turn consumer banking into a modern information service by using personal, financial and other data to create new, personalized and better services.
 
 
Spitch is a Swiss provider of solutions based on Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) and voice biometrics, Voice User Interfaces (VUI), and natural language voice data analytics.
 
 
 
Moneygrid is born out of the vision that currency systems should be as diverse as possible and that they should connected to each other if it does make sense.
 

 
 

Altoo has developed its wealth platform in co-creatorship with its clients. Our independence and diversity enables us to connect people, wealth and processes by technology in a unique way.
 
 

 
AlgoTrader is an algorithmic trading software system. The company was founded by the CEO Andy Flury in Zurich Switzerland.
 
 

 
Yapeal building a new digital bank and we’ll redefine the way people bank.
 
 
 
 
Instimatch Global was founded in 2017. The inspiration for doing so, stemmed from the liquidity crisis in 2007/2008. Our founder witnessed first-hand how the interbank lending and borrowing system broke down and trust between financial institutions disappeared within a matter of days.
 
 
Appway builds software for today, and innovates for the technology of the future. With over 15 years of industry experience, Appway guides the leading financial institutions, both big and small, as they build sustainable and scalable solutions that quickly adapt to changing conditions.
 
 
Unblu helps the world&#8217;s leading banks deliver an in-person experience online. We provide highly secure engagement and collaboration software, enabling banks to enrich the digital experience of their clients.
 
 
 
Tindeco VISION is our award-winning fully integrated investment management platform. VISION is used by Banks, Family Offices and Fund Managers. VISION CORE Technologies provides Portfolio Administration, Portfolio Management, Risk Management, Order Management and Client Relationship Management &#8211; making it a comprehensive solution for Asset Managers.
 
 
Sygnum is a technology-driven company that empowers financial services for the digital asset economy. It develops an integrated solution to securely issue, store, trade and manage digital assets.
 
 
 
At SEBA, we want to build a gateway that facilitates movement of assets between the crypto and traditional financial markets for major financial investors. Our ambition is to be one of the world&#8217;s first universal, fully licensed and supervised crypto banks, offering industry leading crypto-asset financial products and services.
 
 
 
Learn/Compare
Anders als bei anderen Lernplattformen arbeitet fintool.ch bewusst mit Kurzvideos. Da auf der anderen Seite der zu behandelnde Stoff ausgesprochen vielfältig aber auch von immenser Breite ist, sind der Anzahl solcher Videos kaum Grenzen gesetzt. Der Stoff wird fintool.ch nicht ausgehen. Nach Erscheinen werden die einzelnen „Street-Videos“ in sogenannten Wissensgefässen „zusammengebunden“.
 
 
nViso provides the most scalable, robust, and accurate cloud service to measure instantaneous emotional reactions of consumers in online environments. We provide real-time and highly actionable information for Market Research, Brands, Creative Agencies and R&amp;D Product Development. Using award winning and proprietary 3D Facial Imaging technology, compatible with ordinary webcams, we uncover the why and how of customer behaviour in real-time, letting brands make smarter business decisions and build more engaging consumer experiences.
 

moneyland.ch is a Swiss comparison service site helping you with your financial needs. On moneyland.ch, you can use independent comparison tools for insurance, loans, credit cards, bank accounts, consumer credits, interest rates, trading and much more.
 
 
 

123vergleich &#8211; the portal for free insurance comparisons, offers and expert advice. 3 steps to the best offer: Compare &#8211; Request an offer &#8211; Save premiums!
 
 
 
 

Comparis is a Swiss Internet comparison service. On comparis.ch, consumers can compare rates and services of health insurances, other insurances, banks, telecom providers, property, vehicles and special offers from retailers – quickly and easily.
 
 
 
Ein ]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/born-in-switzerland-swiss-original-fintech-overview-map-update-162-companies</link><guid>1146</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Futurae.png</dc:content ><dc:text>“BORN IN SWITZERLAND” Swiss Original Fintech Overview Map Update: 162 Companies</dc:text></item><item><title>7 Wealthtechs in Switzerland Offering More Than Just Your Average Robo-Advisory</title><description><![CDATA[Wealthtech is a lesser known little brother to fintech that has slowly been gaining a strong footing in Switzerland.
The term refers to companies that use tech like robo-advisors and automation to digitise the wealth and asset management sector. Today, the market for net investable assets exceeds US$55,000 billion, and projected to reach US$69,607 billion by 2021.
According to Investsuite, the global robo-advisory market is estimated to grow up to 6–13 trillion US$ by 2025.
With big money involved, it&#8217;s no surprise that wealthtech is one of the fastest growing verticals in fintech, attracting US$4.6 billion in funding since 2014.
In Switzerland in particular, the industry is hitting critical mass, now housing some 75 companies according to Swisscom’s monthly Fintech Startup Map.
Volumes bear well for the industry, but may be confusing for a beginner to navigate. Therefore, we present a glimpse into seven of Switzerland&#8217;s more interesting wealthtechs, that either offer a bigger variety of wealthtech services than average, or tackling the industry with an innovative zeal.
Investsuite

Investsuite is a wealthtech that operates a suite of B2B products in the space, including modular API-based robo-advisory, a white-labelled online retail trading platform, and a humanised portfolio storyteller. The company&#8217;s algorithmic robo-advisory framework was built around a fourth generation approach to risk, which the company claims is two steps above a VaR based approach and three above a Volatility based approach.
The company is based in Belgium and Poland, with presences in Denmark, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Switzerland and the UK—with aspirations towards the Middle East and Asia.
Investsuite&#8217;s target market include retail banks, private banks, wealth managers, brokers, insurers and pension funds.
AAAccell

Founded in 2014, AAAccell, which stands for Academic excellence, Artificial intelligence, and Algorithmic power, is a leading quantitative fintech specialized in risk and asset management, and a spin-off company of the University of Zurich. The company develops and provides quant-solutions helping financial institutions, banks, insurances, and asset managers including UBS, Zurich or Rothschild to stay ahead of their competition.
Currently, AAAccell’s solutions cover risk and asset management, data provisioning, fund management, alternative investments and forex hedging. The company has developed an AI robo-solution, called Portfolio Selection and Active Risk Monitoring (PSARM), which operates at a so-called risk fear portfolio strategy, combining portfolio optimization respectively selection with active risk monitoring.
AAAccell has two offices in Zurich and one office in South Korea.
 
AlgoTrader

Based in Zurich and founded in 2014, AlgoTrader is a company providing a fully-integrated algorithmic trading software solution for conducting quantitative research, trading strategy development, strategy back-testing and automated trading deployment.
The system allows trading firms full automation of their trading strategies and provides everything a typical quantitative hedge fund needs on a daily basis to run their operation. It handles all the tedious aspects of quant modelling and strategy development: strategy wizards, embedded valuation and technical analysis libraries, all common trading methods, configurable back-testing framework, reference data starters, inbound FIX adapters, public REST endpoints, historical data services and market data/broker/exchange adapters.
AlgoTrader has offices in Zurich and New Jersey. The company serves hedge funds, proprietary traders, banks, crypto funds and brokers and has over 50 paying clients including AegisCo Asset Management, Custodigit, Bitcoin Suisse and Quantum Rock.
 
NVISO

NVISO is a Swiss fintech company providing software that can sense, comprehend and act upon human behavior using emotion analytics.
NVISO has developed a technology that detects human emotions from facial micro-expressions and interprets thinking styles, revealing how investors truly feel about financial topics, financial choices and financial markets.
Using an ordinary webcam or smartphone, the emotion recognition software analyzes the clients while they watch a short video of various life scenarios to reveal their true feelings about their financial priorities.
The solution then delivers a personalized report that allows clients and their advisors to make better financial decisions based on how they feel about their finances.
Besides wealth management, NVISO’s technology is also used in other fields and industries including healthcare and vehicle driver monitoring.
NVISO was founded in 2009 and is headquartered at the Innovation Park of the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland.
 
Additiv

Established in 1998, Additiv is a leading provider in the field of digitalisation of wealth management. The company develops and implements digital innovations and business models for financial services providers.
It offers digital solutions based on its Digital Finance Suite (DFS), a software platform for the creation and operation of digital offerings, including services and products with various business models for different customer segments and target groups.
Additiv’s new Digital Finance Software-as-a-Service is based on the fourth generation of its DFS platform and allows financial institutions to deploy client advisory, servicing and expert tools in wealth and asset management for the digitalization of new and existing business segments.
Additiv has offices in Switzerland and Singapore and development centers in Romania, Ukraine and Vietnam. The company serves clients including PT. Bank Commonwealth (PTBC), the Indonesian subsidiary of Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), Credit Exchange AG (CredEx), a provider in the Swiss mortgage market, and Orange Business Services, the B2B branch of the Orange Group.
 
Finhorizon

Finhorizon is a finance information firm founded in 2014 and based in Zurich. The company offers two main solutions.
Fairvalues provides the basis for a consistent client advisory process which fulfills the regulatory requirements and allows the ongoing testing of investments regarding clients’ suitability and appropriateness. Fairvalues ensures a stringent and clear communication of investment information and monitoring of investment portfolios across the client base.
Fairforecasts is a quantitative approach to analyze big data and render smart data to assess the potential of investment alternatives. The applied scientific algorithm merges all sources of predictions, including the users’ view, to a unique risk-return forecast landscape. This research approach ensures insights with higher levels of prediction accuracy. All research results are presented by self-evident visualized performance indicators. Finhorizon provides Fairforecasts as an internal investment research platform or a service.
 
Clevercircles

Clevercircles is a next generation robo-advisor launched by Bank CIC. Developed in partnership with Swiss IT services provider ti&amp;m, Clevercircles combines collective intelligence with financial investments.
Clevercircles allows clients to have an influence at the asset allocation level by combining human intelligence and machine efficiency, and can be used as a white-label solution. The solution enables users to manage their own tactical asset allocation, while comparing their opinions against others of their choosing or against the “crowd.”
This makes Clevercircles the first asset management platform to combine the intelligence of people with the efficiency of machines.
Clevercircles also offers a version of its technology known as “crowd advice” to B2B clients such as other banks, insurers and asset managers.
The post 7 Wealthtechs in Switzerland Offering More Than Just Your Average Robo-Advisory appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/7-wealthtechs-in-switzerland-offering-more-than-just-your-average-robo-advisory</link><guid>1144</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Investsuite-300x52.png</dc:content ><dc:text>7 Wealthtechs in Switzerland Offering More Than Just Your Average Robo-Advisory</dc:text></item><item><title>Liechtenstein Passes New Blockchain Regulation</title><description><![CDATA[The government of Liechtenstein has adopted what has been called the &#8220;Blockchain Act&#8221;, or more specifically the Report and Motion on the creation of a Law on Tokens and Trustworthy Technology Service Providers (Token and TT Service Provider Act; TVTG).
Because of the rapid pace of development of blockchain technology and its areas of application, the government opines that it is important to draft a law abstract enough that it remains applicable for subsequent technology generations. That is why the term &#8220;transaction systems based on trustworthy technologies (TT systems)&#8221; is used for blockchain systems in this law.
Due to the enormous potential of blockchain as a basic technology, the government has decided to create a legal basis for the areas of application of the token economy.
The goal is to ensure that a new law does not have to be created for every case of application, but also to create legal certainty for the many cases which are only just beginning to emerge in practice and are likely to develop in the near future.
This means that the law will not just exist to regulate current applications, in particular crypto-currencies or initial coin offerings (ICOs).
However, the Government is leaving open the option of regulating applications close to the financial market in a further step.
Countering Risks with Clear Regulation
As blockchain technology is already being actively used in Liechtenstein, the government aims for the law to clarify on applicable requirements for important activities on the TT systems.
The increasing spreading of blockchain applications has already raised questions regarding money laundering, use in criminal purposes, or just general customer protection.  To the government, these risks should be countered with clear regulation.
The government aims to clarify with this law the applicable requirements for important activities on TT systems. This should clarify open questions in the application of laws currently in force – especially in the area of due diligence.
The possibility of representing rights in tokens raises fundamental legal questions which must be clarified. The main focus is on the fundamental aspects of a token economy, such as the creation of tokens and their safe custody. Another example is the legal effect of a token transfer in relation to the right represented. The TVTG is therefore introducing a new legal object in the form of the &#8220;token&#8221; to enable the representation of the &#8220;real&#8221; world via tokens with legal certainty on TT systems.
To clarify how securities can be represented and transferred purely digitally, e.g. in a token on a TT system, the legal concept of &#8220;uncertificated right&#8221; is also being introduced in Liechtenstein law. Simultaneously, a connection is being created between securities law and the TVTG. Uncertificated rights are dematerialised securities in which the functions of the certificate are replaced by an entry in the book-entry register.
Providing Clarity in By Clear Division Between Civil and Public Law
The consultation process showed a great deal of national and international interest. Many of the substantive submissions concerned issues under civil law and the envisaged registration and supervision system. As a result, the structure of the proposal has now been adjusted by creating a clear division between the civil and public law parts and by further detailing and explaining the definitions. The registration and supervision system has been strengthened and specified in more detail.
The government is convinced that this will create an adequate regulatory system that effectively addresses the risks, creates the necessary legal certainty, and at the same time facilitates the positive development of the token economy.
Featured image credit: Pixabay
The post Liechtenstein Passes New Blockchain Regulation appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/liechtenstein-passes-new-blockchain-regulation</link><guid>1143</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Liechtenstein Passes New Blockchain Regulation</dc:text></item><item><title>Orange Digital Ventures Invests in Raisin’s €100m Series D Round</title><description><![CDATA[Orange Digital Ventures announces its latest investment with Raisin, an innovative Berlin-based fintech making strides in the European savings marketplace.
Orange has joined the €100m Series D fundraising round of Raisin alongside existing investors Index Ventures, PayPal, Ribbit Capital and Thrive Capital.
The new round allows Raisin, one of the fastest growing European start-ups, to expand its core service in at least two additional European markets this year and extend its line of investment products.
Through its partnerships with over 75 banks from 24 countries, and with over 175,000 users in 31 countries and €12 billion brokered deposits, Raisin has a leading pan-European marketplace in retail banking, removing barriers to profitable and easy savings for consumers as well as creating access to liquidity for banks.
Raisin’s solution aligns with Orange’s strategic objectives, particularly in mobile financial services, where the group has two key strong initiatives with Orange Bank in Europe and Orange Money in Africa.
These both aim at serving the customer with the best products and a differentiated customer experience, to improve customers’ management of their financial affairs. Orange has a strong open innovation DNA, which leads the company to connect with cutting-edge start-ups, in order to make the most of new technologies and business models.
Marc Rennard
“Orange Digital Ventures has been impressed by Raisin’s team, vision and achievements and is now pleased to participate in Raisin’s quest to become the leading global financial marketplace for savings and investment products. ODV will bring all its support to Raisin’s expansion into new markets and product development,”
said Marc Rennard, Chairman of Orange Digital Ventures.
 
Tamaz Georgadze
 
Dr. Tamaz Georgadze, co-founder and CEO of Raisin, added:
“We are delighted to welcome Orange Digital Ventures as one of our investors. It’s particularly exciting for us because Orange has a proven track record, as both a successful international mobile operator and an accomplished financial technology provider. In addition to the investment, we do see potential synergies and concrete partnership opportunities with Orange Bank.”
The post Orange Digital Ventures Invests in Raisin&#8217;s €100m Series D Round appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/orange-digital-ventures-invests-in-raisins-100m-series-d-round</link><guid>1142</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Orange Digital Ventures Invests in Raisin’s €100m Series D Round</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Kooperation Zwischen Bankiervereinigung und Swiss Fintech Innovations</title><description><![CDATA[Die vielfältige Kooperation zwischen Banken und Fintech-Unternehmen sowie das wettbewerbsintensive Umfeld sind wichtige Erfolgsfaktoren für den Schweizer Finanzplatz.
Mit einem gemeinsamen Memorandum of Understanding stärken die Schweizerische Bankiervereinigung (SBVg) und der Verband „Swiss Fintech Innovations“ (SFTI) die Zusammenarbeit im Interesse möglichst attraktiver Rahmenbedingungen für digitale Entwicklungen.
Die SBVg und SFTI haben ein gemeinsames Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) unterzeichnet, dessen Ziel die enge Zusammenarbeit und der strukturierte Informationsaustausch zwischen den beiden Verbände ist.
Dadurch soll die Innovationskraft des Schweizer Finanzplatzes gefördert werden. So sollen beispielsweise die Rahmenbedingungen für digitale Entwicklungen so ausgestaltet werden, dass die Schweiz ihre globale Spitzenposition verteidigen kann. Damit wird ein wichtiger Beitrag geleistet, um die internationale Wettbewerbsfähigkeit des Schweizer Finanzplatzes beizubehalten.
Die SBVg und SFTI arbeiten seit längerem sehr gut zusammen. Zukünftig werden auf Basis des vereinbarten MoU nun Themen im Innovationsbereich noch besser abgestimmt und strukturiert vorangebracht.
Schon heute geben zwei Drittel der Finanzdienstleister in der Schweiz an, bereits eine Partnerschaft mit einem Fintech-Unternehmen eingegangen zu sein, über 80 Prozent planen eine solche Kooperation. Die gegenseitige Absichtserklärung ebnet den Weg für die weitere enge Verzahnung der Finanzplatzakteure.
 
Featured image credit: Unsplash
The post Fintech Kooperation Zwischen Bankiervereinigung und Swiss Fintech Innovations appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-kooperation-zwischen-bankiervereinigung-und-swiss-fintech-innovations</link><guid>1141</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech Kooperation Zwischen Bankiervereinigung und Swiss Fintech Innovations</dc:text></item><item><title>BMW is the Latest Automotive Company Jumping the Blockchain Bandwagon</title><description><![CDATA[German car manufacturer BMW is exploring the use of blockchain in numerous applications, including mobility services, supply chain and customer services.
This news follows a streak of automotive manufacturers like Porsche and Mercedes Benz announcing their foray into blockchain.
Speaking at the VeChain Summit 2019 in April, Cihan Albay, leader at BMW Group Asia’s IT Tech Office in Singapore, shared his firm’s ongoing digital initiatives, notably in the area of blockchain.
He shares that his team has been hard at work in developing the VerifyCar app with blockchain startup VeChain. VerifyCar provides each vehicle with a “digital passport,” allowing customers to verify the odometer and maintenance history of a vehicle.
Cihan Albay, leader at BMW Group Asia’s IT Tech Office in Singapore, speaks at VeChain Summit 2019, April 18, 2019, by @vechainofficial, via Twitter
All the data related a vehicle is stored on the BMW Digital Ledger, which was built using the VeChainThor blockchain. By storing all the data on a single immutable ledger, each party can get access to information about the vehicle they can trust.
Albay said the solution aims to address odometer fraud. In Germany, 33% of secondhand cards have manipulated odometers, resulting in a total damage of around 6 billion EUR yearly.
With a successful trial, BMW is now looking at how to roll it out commercially.
Other areas BMW is currently adopting blockchain include mobility services where solutions such as DriveNow, BMW’s carsharing service, and ParkNow, an app that allow drivers to find and book parking spots in advance, can implement the technology to allow users to share cars more efficiently and transparently, Albay said.
The firm is also using blockchain in supply chain for part traceability and document management, as well as consumer products including financial services and loyalty programs, he said.
BMW Group Asia recently became a corporate partner of the Singapore government-supported blockchain accelerator Tribe. The firm has committed to provide “masterclasses” and mentoring sessions on how blockchain solutions can be implemented in a mass market situation.
 
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bmw-is-the-latest-automotive-company-jumping-the-blockchain-bandwagon</link><guid>1139</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Cihan-Albay-leader-at-BMW-Group-Asia’s-IT-Tech-Office-in-Singapore-VeChain-Summit-2019-April-18-2019-by-@vechainofficial-via-Twitter-1-1024x682.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>BMW is the Latest Automotive Company Jumping the Blockchain Bandwagon</dc:text></item><item><title>EU Report Looks Into Innovation Hubs And Regulatory Sandboxes</title><description><![CDATA[In recent years, governments in the European Union (EU) have launched numerous initiatives to facilitate financial innovation, including establishing so-called “innovation facilitators.” These typically take the form of innovation hubs and regulatory sandboxes.
As of January 2019, 21 EU Member States and three countries in the European Economic Area (EEA) had established innovation hubs and five EU member states have regulatory sandboxes in operation, according to a report by the European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs).
The research was mandated by the European Commission (EC) in its March 2018 Fintech Action Plan. In the report, the ESAs, which are responsible for microprudential oversight at the EU level and comprise the European Banking Authority (EBA) in London, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) in Paris, and the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) in Frankfurt, provide a comparative analysis of the existing innovation facilitators in the EU and identifies best practices for the design and operation of innovation facilitators.
 
Innovation hubs
The paper first delves into the case of innovation hubs. These provide a dedicated point of contact for companies to raise enquiries with competent authorities on fintech-related issues.
The main purpose of innovation hubs is to enhance firms’ understanding of the regulatory and supervisory expectations regarding innovative business models, products and services.
Innovation hubs in the EU include the Fintech Contact Point in Belgium, the Innovation Hub in Cyprus, the RegLab in Liechtenstein, and the Insurtech Hub in Romania.
According to the report, titled Fintech: Regulatory Sandboxes and Innovation Hubs, the first innovation hubs were established in 2014 but the majority became operational in 2016 and 2017.
Surveys conducted by the ESAs revealed three main categories of participants using the services provided by authorities through innovation hubs.
These are startups, or unlicensed entities considering entering the market for financial services, regulated entities such as credit institutions, insurance companies and payment institutions that are already supervised and considering innovative products or services, and technology providers offering technical solutions to institutions active in the financial market.
 
Regulatory sandboxes
The paper then moves on to regulatory sandboxes. A regulatory sandbox is a scheme that provides regulated and unregulated entities with the opportunity to test innovative products or services, business models, or delivery mechanisms, related to financial services.
The aim of a regulatory sandbox is to offer a monitored space in which authorities and firms can better understand the opportunities and risks presented by innovations and their regulatory treatment through a testing phase. It also allows regulators to assess the viability of innovative propositions, in particular in terms of their application of and their compliance with regulatory and supervisory requirements.
Jurisdictions offering regulatory sandboxes in the EU include Denmark, the Netherlands, Poland and the UK.
The ESAs then conclude with proposing several recommendations. In particular, they advise for greater cooperation and coordination between EU innovation facilitators notably through the creation of an EU network to bridge innovation facilitators established at the member state level.
An EU network of innovation facilitators could promote greater convergence and support scaling-up by providing a platform for practitioners and experts to support authorities in reaching common approaches to questions and issues on regulatory and supervisory issues.
The network could also serve as a forum among competent authorities and the ESAs to enhance financial innovation technical capacity while sharing knowledge as to the operation of innovation facilitators.
The post EU Report Looks Into Innovation Hubs And Regulatory Sandboxes appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/eu-report-looks-into-innovation-hubs-and-regulatory-sandboxes</link><guid>1136</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>EU Report Looks Into Innovation Hubs And Regulatory Sandboxes</dc:text></item><item><title>Finanzen.net Gründer Lancieren Kinder Online ETF-Sparlösung in Deutschland</title><description><![CDATA[Sparen für die ganze Familie, einfach und transparent in einer App – mit Oskar ist das ab sofort möglich in unserem Nachbarland.
Der einfache ETF-Sparplan von Oskar bietet eine automatisierte und professionelle Geldanlage, mit der Eltern, Verwandte und Freunde nicht nur für die eigene Zukunft, sondern auch für die der Kinder finanziell vorsorgen können.
Per App können Kunden für sich und die Kinder individuelle ETF-Sparpläne mit unterschiedlichen Zielen anlegen und so Geld für das Studium, das erste Auto oder einen anderen Wunsch ansparen.
Verwandte und Freunde können mit Einmalzahlungen in beliebiger Höhe dabei unterstützen – zum Beispiel zu Anlässen wie Weihnachten oder an Geburtstagen. Ist das Sparziel erreicht oder soll ein Wunsch erfüllt werden, bestimmen die Eltern den Auszahlplan.
Entweder enthält das Kind das angesparte Geld in einer Summe oder in Raten über mehrere Monate oder Jahre verteilt. Eine Besonderheit von Oskar: Künftig ist auch eine sogenannte View-Only-Version der Webseite und App geplant. Kinder können dann während der Ansparphase die Geldanlage verfolgen und beim Sparen zusehen.

„Mit Oskar kann man für jedes Familienmitglied individuell Geld ansparen. Folglich hilft Oskar dabei, sich selbst abzusichern und den eigenen Kindern den finanziellen Start ins Leben zu vereinfachen. Das Beste daran ist, dass alle Depots in einer App einsehbar sind“,
sagt Jens Ohr, Mitgründer und Geschäftsführer von Oskar.
Oskar investiert in Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) und Exchange Traded Commodities (ETCs) mit weltweiter Abdeckung. Anleger können je nach Risikoneigung zwischen fünf unterschiedlichen Strategien wählen und einen Sparplan ab 25 Euro pro Monat einrichten. Alternativ ist Oskar auch ab einer Mindestanlagesumme von 1.000 Euro nutzbar.
Für Anlagesummen unter 10.000 Euro fallen bei Oskar Gebühren in Höhe von 1 Prozent pro Jahr an. Liegt das investierte Kapital über 10.000 Euro, zahlen Kunden jährlich 0,8 Prozent.
Oskar ist für Jens Ohr und Peter Schille bereits das zweite gemeinsame Gründungsprojekt. Während des gemeinsamen Studiums gründeten sie finanzen.net, das heute grösste Finanzportal in Deutschland.
Mit Oskar wollen die Finanzexperten nun eine sinnvolle und familienfreundliche Alternative auf den Markt bringen, um Geld für den Nachwuchs und die gesamte Familie gewinnbringend anzulegen.
Diese Pressemitteilung erschien zuerst auf Finanzprodukt.ch
The post Finanzen.net Gründer Lancieren Kinder Online ETF-Sparlösung in Deutschland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finanzennet-grunder-lancieren-kinder-online-etf-sparlosung-in-deutschland</link><guid>1137</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://www.finanzprodukt.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Der-intelligente-und-einfache-ETF-Sparplan-für-die-ganze-Familie-1-1024x567.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Finanzen.net Gründer Lancieren Kinder Online ETF-Sparlösung in Deutschland</dc:text></item><item><title>Will Amazon Find the Same Success With Blockchain as They Did With Cloud?</title><description><![CDATA[After carving out their dominance in the cloud computing space, Amazon Web Services (AWS) has seemingly set their sights on blockchain with Amazon Managed Blockchain
According to AWS, the fully managed service makes it easier for companies to create and manage blockchain networks, and scales to support thousands of applications and millions of transactions using popular open source frameworks like Hyperledger Fabric.
Amazon office in Minneapolis, via blog.aboutamazon.com
Amazon Managed Blockchain is available in US East (N. Virginia) but will expand to additional regions in the coming year. Support for Ethereum is still in the works and is expected to be made available later in 2019, the company said.
“Customers want to use blockchain frameworks like Hyperledger Fabric and Ethereum to create blockchain networks so they can conduct business quickly, with an immutable record of transactions, but without the need for a centralized authority. However, they find these frameworks difficult to install, configure, and manage,” said Rahul Pathak, general manager of Amazon Managed Blockchain at AWS.
Amazon Managed Blockchain allows customers to easily set up a blockchain network spanning multiple AWS accounts with a few clicks in the AWS Management Console.
In addition to making it easy to set up and manage blockchain networks, the service also provides simple APIs that allow customers to vote on memberships in their networks and to scale up or down conveniently.


Amazon said the service is already being used by the likes of AT&amp;T, Nestlé and Singapore Exchange (SGX).
Nestlé, a global food and beverage company with more than 2,000 brands and global distribution across 189 countries worldwide, is using blockchain to improve food supply chain.
Andrew Koay, head of blockchain technology at SGX, said the launch of Amazon Managed Blockchain is giving SGX the opportunity to remove some of the complexity in delivering a scalable platform for delivery to market participants.
“SGX sees blockchain technology as a way to bring innovation to our distributed financial marketplace, and we have developed DvP capabilities for the settlement of tokenized assets across different blockchain platforms. We are working with AWS to move our existing investments in Hyperledger Fabric to Amazon Managed Blockchain,” Koay said. “Amazon Managed Blockchain offers businesses the opportunity to eliminate the heavy-lifting typically required in infrastructure setup. This allows us to focus on adding business value and not worry about managing or scaling the underlying platform.”
Amazon Managed Blockchain was initially announced in November 2018, six months after the firm unveiled a partnership with Kaleido, a startup born out of blockchain incubator Consensys, to make it easier for customers to put their services on blockchain.
In China, AWS has partnered with public blockchain project Qtum to develop blockchain-as-a-service (BaaS) solutions for local enterprises and developers.
With the launch of Amazon Managed Blockchain, Amazon is joining other big enterprise players, including Azure from Microsoft and IBM, in the BaaS game.
Last week, Microsoft launched a fully managed blockchain service similar to Amazon Managed Blockchain called Azure Blockchain Services. The service allows for the formation, management and governance of consortium blockchain networks. In 2015, Microsoft was the first to bring blockchain to the cloud.
Network solutions provider Cisco has been involved with blockchain since 2017, co-founding the Trusted IoT Alliance in September to establish a blockchain-based, open source, IoT protocol and set standards.
 
Featured image: Amazon logo, via ir.aboutamazon.com.
The post Will Amazon Find the Same Success With Blockchain as They Did With Cloud? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/will-amazon-find-the-same-success-with-blockchain-as-they-did-with-cloud</link><guid>1135</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Amazon-office-in-Minneapolis-via-blog.aboutamazon.com_.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>Will Amazon Find the Same Success With Blockchain as They Did With Cloud?</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 11 Wealthtech Companies in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[Wealthtech, a segment of fintech referring to digital solutions transforming the investment and asset management, is thriving in Switzerland.
With 75 companies, wealthtech is currently the second most crowded fintech segment in Switzerland, after cryptocurrency and blockchain with 105 companies, according to Swisscom’s latest Swiss Fintech Startup Map.
Swiss banks have been at the forefront of digitalization of wealth management, but in recent years, several startups have emerged to offer digital wealth management solutions, serving either commercial or retail clients, or in several cases both.
The following 11 companies are some of Switzerland’s most notable wealthtechs:
AAAccell

AAAccell, a spin-off company of the University of Zurich, specializes in risk and asset management. AAAccell’s quantitative finance and artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning solutions are based on the latest research from several international elite universities professors as well as leaders from the industry.
The company serves financial institutions, banks, insurances, and asset managers like UBS, Zurich and Rothschild, and has won several accolades and awards. Among other titles, AAAccell was named one of the top 10 AI Google companies, a top 5 European and Swiss Fintech and a global top 100 Regtech.
Additiv

Founded in 1998, Additiv develops and implements digital solutions and business models for financial services providers. It offers digital solutions based on its Digital Finance Suite (DFS), a software platform for the creation and operation of digital offerings, including services and products with various business models for different customer segments and target groups.
The company provides its solutions in the areas of wealth, banking products, lending, credit cards, insurance, mortgage, savings accounts, and more, serving banks, asset managers, credit institutions, and insurance companies around the world.
Additiv has offices in Switzerland and Singapore and development centers in Romania, Ukraine and Vietnam.
AlgoTrader

AlgoTrader provides a fully-integrated algorithmic trading software solution for quantitative hedge funds. The solution allows for the automation of complex, quantitative trading strategies in equity, forex and derivative markets. AlgoTrader is the very first and only algorithmic trading software product to allow automated trading of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, serving companies including Bitcoin Suisse and Sygnum.
The company is headquartered in Zurich with additional offices in 4 different countries including New York and Singapore. It is considered to be one of Switzerland’s leading global players in the crypto assets community.
 
Bitcoin Suisse

Founded in August 2013, Bitcoin Suisse is a pioneer in crypto-financial services.
Bitcoin Suisse provides private and institutional clients with a wide-range of crypto-related services such as Brokerage (high volume trading), Hyper-Secure storage of crypto-assets, bespoke ICO-Services and other crypto-financial services.
Clevercircles

Clevercircles is a robo-advisor launched by Bank CIC that promises more possibilities for investors and which brings a social aspect into online wealth management.
In addition to providing an affordable and simple digital solution for asset management, Clevercircles allows investors to tactically adjust their portfolio on a regular basis and provides them with the option of joining forces with other participating individuals, groups and even professionals in “circles” to compare their market expectations.
Clevercircles was developed in partnership with Swiss IT services provider ti&amp;m.
 
Crypto Finance

Crypto Finance is a fintech holding company founded in June 2017. The group provides blockchain-related services through its three subsidiaries: Crypto Fund AG, the first regulated asset manager for crypto assets authorized by FINMA under the Swiss Collective Investment Schemes Act; Crypto Broker AG, active in crypto asset trading; and Crypto Storage AG, providing crypto asset storage infrastructure solutions.
Crypto Finance has offices in Zurich, and is based in Zug.
Descartes Finance

Descartes Finance is a leading Swiss digital wealth manager, serving individuals, family offices, charitable organizations, banks, and asset managers.
Descartes Finance provides a digital investment platform that uses client information to generate a personal investor profile and offer an investment proposal matching their needs. The portfolio proposal is based on many individual factors, including risk tolerance, expected investment horizon and financial situation.
NVISO

NVISO is an artificial intelligence (AI) company providing solutions that detect and predict human behaviors using visual intelligence. NVISO’s products and services consist of applications, software development kits (SDKs), and data services.
These are used by customers to measure and increase productivity, and to accurately perform specific business functions, such as the automation of customer-facing operations.
NVISO focuses on several key industries including finance, automotive, healthcare and media.
Simplewealth

Simplewealth is an automated investment management company from Zurich. The company aims to make investment easy with secure online banking services and tailored plans.
Based on a customer’s background and risk profile, the platform creates a personalized investment platform. Simplewealth invests clients’ money in ETF tracking indices and periodically rebalances customers’ portfolio when necessary.
Simplewealth charges an annual advisory fee 0.5% of a customer’s total investment.
Selma Finance

Selma Finance is a new kind of “we’ll-do-it-for-you” online investment service. Selma Finance acts as a personal investment assistant who looks into all aspects of a client’s life and puts together an individual investment plan that fits their goals and future.
Based on customers’ financial life, Selma creates and updates their unique investment mix. The platform also trades and rebalances customers’ portfolios when needed.
Selma Finance is regulated as an independent financial advisor in Switzerland. The company charges a fee of 0.72% per year.
Viac

Viac offers the first-ever 100% digital solution for retirement planning via a mobile app in Switzerland. The Viac 3a solution can be opened in less than eight minutes and users can start with just one Swiss franc.
Money invested via Viac is stored in the WIR bank and customers get full protection of up to 100,000 CHF. Viac offers three sets of strategies: Global, which invests in the entire world; Switzerland, which focuses on Swiss stocks; and Global Sustainable, which invests globally but omits investments in gold, as well as companies in the fields of alcohol, gambling, tobacco, pornography, nuclear energy and weapons.
The post Top 11 Wealthtech Companies in Switzerland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-11-wealthtech-companies-in-switzerland</link><guid>1132</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/additiv-300x113.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 11 Wealthtech Companies in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Österreich: “Regulatory Sandbox” für FinTechs geht in Begutachtung</title><description><![CDATA[Die Digitalisierung des Finanzdienstleistungssektors schreitet mit grossen Schritten voran. Um dieser Entwicklung Rechnung zu tragen, hat das österreichische Finanzministerium bereits im letzten Jahr den FinTech Beirat ins Leben gerufen, der aus engagierten Experten, Aufsehern und Praktikern besteht.
Hartwig Löger

„Mit Hilfe des Beirats sollen Spielregeln festgelegt werden, um den jungen Finanzmarkt rund um digitalisierte Finanzdienstleistungen sowie ICOs und Kryptowährungen in geordnete Bahnen zu lenken und zu Wachstum zu verhelfen. Erst vor zwei Wochen haben wir das WiEReG Compliance Package – das Digitale Kundenprofil – in Begutachtung geschickt, das Österreichs Finanzplatz noch einfacher und schneller macht. Nun – nur 14 Tage danach – folgt die nächste Massnahme zur Stärkung des Innovationsstandortes, die ‚Regulatory Sandbox‘“,

hält Finanzminister Hartwig Löger fest.
Hubert Fuchs

„Für einige Unternehmen aus der FinTech-Branche ist es besonders schwierig, von Anfang an alle aufsichtsrechtlichen Regelungen und Entwicklungen im Blick zu behalten. Viele von ihnen geben auf und verwerfen ihre Geschäftsmodelle. Dem wollen wir nun gegensteuern“,

so Finanzstaatssekretär Hubert Fuchs.
In einer „Regulatory Sandbox“ können FinTechs künftig ihre innovativen Geschäftsmodelle für einen begrenzten Zeitraum unter der Aufsicht der FMA testen und trainieren. Es handelt sich dabei um einen ausgewogenen Ansatz, der einerseits die nötige aufsichtliche Kontrolle gewährleistet und andererseits Innovationen und Wachstum nicht im Wege steht. Das Konzept wurde bei der Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in Grossbritannien entwickelt. Ein Experte der FCA war daher auch an der Entwicklung der österreichischen „Regulatory Sandbox“ federführend beteiligt.

„Durch die Einrichtung einer ‚Regulatory Sandbox‘ schaffen wir für innovative Unternehmen mit neuen Technologien einen geschützten Entwicklungsrahmen. Durch diese Maßnahme stärken wir die Innovationskraft des Finanzsektors und des Standorts Österreich weiter“,

betont der Finanzminister.
Um Teilnehmer dieser Sandbox zu werden, muss ein Unternehmen bestimmte Voraussetzungen erfüllen: So ist es etwa erforderlich, dass das Geschäftsmodell auf Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologie (z.B. Blockchain) basiert und einen erhöhten Innovationswert aufweist, der im Interesse eines innovativen Finanzplatzes Österreich ist. Der Entwurf bietet aber auch etablierten Finanzunternehmen Zugang, wenn sie beispielsweise gemeinsam mit Start-ups ein neues Geschäftsmodell erproben wollen.

„Die Digitalisierung des Finanzdienstleistungssektors ist einer der entscheidendsten Bereiche für die Zukunft Österreichs. Künftig können FinTechs ihre innovativen Geschäftsmodelle in einer Sandbox testen. Der Innovationsstandort Österreich wird dadurch noch attraktiver“,

unterstreicht der Finanzminister.
Nach einer Zulassung in die Sandbox können für das Geschäftsmodell erforderliche Konzessionen gesondert beantragt werden – die FMA unterstützt die FinTech-Startups dabei. Damit ist die Sicherstellung der Einhaltung höchster aufsichtsrechtlicher Standards bei gleichzeitiger Stärkung des österreichischen Finanzsektors gewährleistet.
 
Featured image credit: screengrab from Youtube
The post Österreich: “Regulatory Sandbox” für FinTechs geht in Begutachtung appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/osterreich-regulatory-sandbox-fur-fintechs-geht-in-begutachtung</link><guid>1130</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Österreich: “Regulatory Sandbox” für FinTechs geht in Begutachtung</dc:text></item><item><title>Tamedia is Acquiring an Interest in the Banking Startup Neon</title><description><![CDATA[Tamedia continues to invest in fintech (Lykke, Monito) and is now acquiring an interest in the Swiss Fintech startup Neon.
This company offers an easy and very fast banking method in the form of an app for smartphones. After a paperless registration process with personal identification, the user is able to access a bank account without a base fee and additionally receives a free Mastercard.
The account is opened at Hypothekarbank Lenzburg and provides deposit insurance. Neon was established by four co-founders with extensive experience in the world of banking. The company employs a staff of 10 located in Zurich and Munich.
Samuel Hügli
Samuel Hügli, Member of the Management Board and Head of Technology &amp; Ventures of Tamedia:
“Neon applies a very simple and mobile approach to banking. Although it is easy to use, it provides high security protection. We believe in this concept and decided to support the team and its future developments. Therefore, we are acquiring a financial interest in the company and thus continue to expand our fintech portfolio.”
Jörg Sandrock
Jörg Sandrock, Co-founder of Neon:
“Switzerland still has a lot of potential for pure mobile banking and this is our opportunity. Neon is an independent bank account designed for everyday needs and used with a smartphone. We very much look forward to working with Tamedia and the company’s expertise in the establishment and development of digital platforms.”
Editorial note: Neon and Monito were recently named the 19 hottest Swiss Fintech Startups in 2019 by Fintechnews.ch. Lykke was on that the same list back in 2016.
Featured image credit: Neon
The post Tamedia is Acquiring an Interest in the Banking Startup Neon appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/tamedia-is-acquiring-an-interest-in-the-banking-startup-neon</link><guid>1131</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Tamedia is Acquiring an Interest in the Banking Startup Neon</dc:text></item><item><title>Tamedia is Acquiring a Stake the Banking Startup Neon</title><description><![CDATA[Having recently invested in the likes of Lykke and Monito, Tamedia continues their streak of fintech investments. The latest addition to their portfolio is Swiss fintech startup Neon.
This string of investment seems to validate our picks for the hottest fintech startups with all three of the companies that Tamedia invested in having appeared at least once in our annual list.
According to Neon their value proposition is in their ability to offer fast and easy banking through smartphones. The digital-only comes with Mastercard and provides a bank account to its users with a base fee.
Neon was established by four co-founders with extensive experience in the world of banking. The company employs a staff of 10 located in Zurich and Munich.
Samuel Hügli
Samuel Hügli, Member of the Management Board and Head of Technology &amp; Ventures of Tamedia:
“Neon applies a very simple and mobile approach to banking. Although it is easy to use, it provides high security protection. We believe in this concept and decided to support the team and its future developments. Therefore, we are acquiring a financial interest in the company and thus continue to expand our fintech portfolio.”
Jörg Sandrock
 
Jörg Sandrock, Co-founder of Neon:
“Switzerland still has a lot of potential for pure mobile banking and this is our opportunity. Neon is an independent bank account designed for everyday needs and used with a smartphone. We very much look forward to working with Tamedia and the company’s expertise in the establishment and development of digital platforms.”
 
Featured image credit: Neon
The post Tamedia is Acquiring a Stake the Banking Startup Neon appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/tamedia-is-acquiring-a-stake-the-banking-startup-neon</link><guid>1134</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Tamedia is Acquiring a Stake the Banking Startup Neon</dc:text></item><item><title>Prince Michael of Liechtenstein was the First Subscriber of the Very First Swiss Bond on Blockchain</title><description><![CDATA[Prince Michael of Liechtenstein was the first holder of what is deemed a historic blockchain bond emission last Friday—the first of its kind, issued by a fintech looking to make a little splash in the often saturated blockchain scene.
The bond was developed by SwissWide, which has issued the nation&#8217;s first symbolic blockchain bond with a face value of 300 CHF. At the event held at Hyatt, the company showcased how its blockchainbond.io platform works to create, issue and sell or purchase a bond.
Blockchainbond.io is a new marketplace for corporate fixed income debt products. It eliminates the need for third-party middlemen, so that companies and institutions can create and issue their bonds within minutes and at much lower costs.
The platform is open to both institutional and private investors. Blockchainbond.io also incorporates AI and smart contracts that enable Know Your Customer (eKYC), Anti Money Laundering (AML). The bonds issued on the platform can be subscribed with both crypto and fiat currencies.
After the presentation, all participants received a physical, hard-copy certificate of the issued SwissWide Blockchain Bond, thus becoming real owners.
The SwissWide event was held to reach out to major institutions like BlackRock, Bendura Bank, Bank Frick, and various family offices and angel investors. Of those, at least BlackRock has confirmed an interest in SwissWide&#8217;s financial products.
The post Prince Michael of Liechtenstein was the First Subscriber of the Very First Swiss Bond on Blockchain appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/prince-michael-of-liechtenstein-was-the-first-subscriber-of-the-very-first-swiss-bond-on-blockchain</link><guid>1129</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Prince Michael of Liechtenstein was the First Subscriber of the Very First Swiss Bond on Blockchain</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Startup Map May: 8 New Swiss Fintech Join the Ecosystem</title><description><![CDATA[Swisscom just released the new Swiss Fintech Startup Map May. The new Swiss Fintech map counts now 327 Startups.
8 new Swiss Fintech &#8220;Startups&#8221; joined the map:

AM-One AG 


AM-One is an asset manager solution that provides all the core customer relationship and portfolio management functionality relevant to day-to-day operations.



Anova Partners AG

Anova Partners AG provides a platform where investors and manufacturers meet to achieve better investment decisions facilitated through technologically enabled investment, risk and product management as well as execution services.

BlockState AG

 

BlockState’s modular infrastructure reduces operational costs and streamlines processes for financial institutions, by providing a technological and legal bridge between blockchain technology and financial markets.

Datatrans AG

Datatrans AG is an online payment expert for companies who demand the maximum from their payment solution.

Etops AG

Etops is an independent operational service provider focusing on middle office outsourcing, reporting and system solutions, data management and business projects. Our clients are multi managers, managers of fund of hedge funds and single hedge funds, family offices, sophisticated wealth managers and banks. The headquarter is based in Altendorf/Switzerland with offices in Bratislava/Slovakia and in the US.

OpenMetrics Solutions LLC

Software technology firm with a strong focus on financial engineering. OpenMetrics Solution&#8217;s core technologies are based on solid academic research at the Institute for Theoretical Physics at ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich).

STABLETON FINANCIAL AG

Stableton Financial AG is a smart financial technology company. Stableton Financials’ alternative investment Fintech platform is Europe’s gateway for qualified investors and financial advisors seeking access to world-class absolute return strategies and alternative investments such as hedge funds, startups, alternative lending, and real estate.

SILEX Investment Partners SA

 
S I L E X is an independent group whose core business is Asset Management. Stands out from the rest because we offer a high level of human skills and expertise combined with our unique technology — the S P A R K platform developed by our own research department, S I L E X Technologies. They have close relationship with academic research hubs and the Ecole Polytechnique.


The post Swiss Fintech Startup Map May: 8 New Swiss Fintech Join the Ecosystem appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-startup-map-may-8-new-swiss-fintech-join-the-ecosystem</link><guid>1128</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/sw_fintechmap_may_2019-1-1024x702.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Startup Map May: 8 New Swiss Fintech Join the Ecosystem</dc:text></item><item><title>New Blockchain Incubation Program in Switzerland: 12 Startups Selected</title><description><![CDATA[This week, the first edition of the CV Labs Incubation Program has started in the heart of the Crypto Valley in Zug, Switzerland.
CV VC invests up to $125k in seed funding into the 12 participating early stage blockchain companies in return for 10% equity.
The program is based on five pillars: “Strategy &amp; Team”, “Pitch Deck &amp; Pitch Training”, “Blockchain &amp; Tokenomics”, “Agile Business Excellence” and “Investor-Room Ready”. The startups receive coaching on topics such as finalizing business plans, recruiting the right team, fundraising, marketing and communication strategies and much more.
The list of the over 70 mentors/experts includes some of the most renowned blockchain pioneers, crypto finance specialists, crypto lawyers and investors, such as Mona El Isa (Melonport), Lili Zhao (Neo Global), Morgan Pierce (Seba Crypto AG), Guenther Dobrauz (PwC Legal) and Sara Simeone (Digital Oracles). All mentors are dedicating time for in-person sessions, workshops and other activities with the incubatees.
12 Startups from all around the world
Out of over 500 applications from all around the world, 12 were selected. They moved to Zug from India, the US, South Africa and various European countries. The program will finish on July 5th.


AdHash, Bulgaria
The AdHash protocol cuts the dead weight from the digital ad ecosystem to bring efficiency and trust. AdHash rebuilds a real-time bidding framework from ground up, combining first-party ad hosting and unique hash IDs to eliminate majority of ad fraud vectors and deliver transparency &amp; control to advertisers, publishers, users.

Assembl, USA
Democratizing Science – solving problems that inhibit the advancement of scientific research. Assembl is improving quality and accessibility of scientific data by interconnecting disparate data sources and positively incentivizing data interchange with simple and scalablesoftware solutions.

Sprinter, USA
Sprinter is a decentralized platform connecting a distributed network with the solutions and resources needed to build, grow, and scale technology businesses and accelerate innovation.

CryptoPolice, Latvia
A community-based scam identification platform. CryptoPolice is creating a decentralized, scam verification system/application, where people can share identified scams and check the verification process and legitimacy of an approved scam, which regular internet users and company employees are facing in real time.

Orvium, Estonia
Social Network for scientific collaboration, funding and publication management. Orvium aligns goals and incentives for all stakeholders in the process.

BHander, Ukraine
Wireless, stand-alone usable multicurrency crypto wallet with payment capabilities combines both wallet and payment solutions, thereby helping to drive adoption of fast and instantly-settled crypto payments in daily life.

Tezsure, USA
Insurance marketplace, where users can create new insurance policies &amp; products as a group. Tezsure simplifies and aligns goals for participants in the insurance market with the use of AI and smart contracts.

BitFreezer, Ukraine
Worry less, protect your crypto with BitFreezer. BitFreezer makes your smart phone the most secure tool out there to secure your crypto. You can turn your smart fridge into a storage device for keys.

PocketJam, South Africa
A platform that incentivizes children to solve (math) problems to earn pocket money. It improves critical thinking, pattern recognition, and problem-solving skills, which were identified by the WEF as the most important skills for kidsto develop.

Ptolemy, USA
Crowdsourced encyclopedia that rewards contributors. Crowdsourced encyclopedia platform based on innovative fractional page ownership with revenue share.

Bytes, Switzerland
Blockchain-based last mile Internet connectivity. A platform that enables machines to trade internet access with one another in a distributed fashion.

Kimeo, India
A video platform where everyone gets rewarded.

The post New Blockchain Incubation Program in Switzerland: 12 Startups Selected appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-blockchain-incubation-program-in-switzerland-12-startups-selected</link><guid>1127</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>New Blockchain Incubation Program in Switzerland: 12 Startups Selected</dc:text></item><item><title>New Research Finds Proliferation Of “Flash Boys” Trades On Crypto Exchanges</title><description><![CDATA[A new study by researchers at Cornell Tech and several other universities has discovered that “Flash Boys”-like trading manipulation is rampant on certain cryptocurrency exchanges, especially decentralized exchanges (DEXes).
The study, titled Flash Boys 2.0: Frontunning, Transaction Reordering, and Consensus Instability in Decentralized Exchanges, documents and quantifies the “widespread and rising deployment” of arbitrage bots in blockchain systems.
The report’s authors tracked six DEXes since October 2018 and found over 500 bots generating as much as US$20,000 daily. They also built their own autonomous trading program to get a deeper insight into how these trades are executed and even received a few buyout offers.
Like high-frequency traders on Wall Street, these bots anticipate and exploit ordinary users’ trades, allowing market manipulators to profit off of them. They capitalize on inefficiencies in DEXes, paying higher transaction fees to get priority ordering, and optimizing network latency to frontrun, a practice in which traders can see orders from others and mange to place their own first.
The research points out the large, complex risks created by transaction-ordering dependencies in smart contracts, and the ways in which traditional forms of financial-market exploitation are adapting to and penetrating blockchain economies.
DEXes, which operate in a decentralized way and allow for the peer-to-peer trading of cryptocurrencies, are an emerging trend in the industry. Although they still account for a small fraction of the overall crypto trading volume, their usage is expected to grow as companies and platforms like Binance and Bancor are putting efforts to push the concept.
But according to Ari Juels, a professor at Cornell Tech, trading manipulation and similar practices are also likely rampant on centralized crypto exchanges too.
“We have no idea what the extent of the malfeasance is on centralized exchanges,” Juels said in a presentation in April during a blockchain conference at Cornell Tech’s New York City campus. “If we extrapolate from what we’ve seen on DEXes, it could well be on the order of billions of dollars.”
The report’s title is a reference to Flash Boys: A Wall Street Revolt, a book by Michael Lewis published in 2014 that explores the phenomenon of high-frequency trading in the US equity market, examining the manipulative behavior of individual market participants to win trades ahead of slow rivals.
It is the latest red flag in the crypto market which has been plagued by allegations of manipulation, as well as bloated, faked and bot-generated orders on centralized crypto exchanges.
A recent report claims that nearly 90% of the top 100 crypto exchanges’ reported trading volume is suspect, and 75% of the exchanges reported trading volume is more than double expected.
Last year, two US Congressmen introduced bipartisan bills to prevent crypto price manipulation and boost acceptance of the tech.
The two bills, The Virtual Currency Consumer Protection Act of 2018 and the US Virtual Currency Market and Regulatory Competitiveness Act of 2018, are aimed at making the US a “leader in the cryptocurrency industry,” and essentially ask the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and other US financial regulators to develop a roadmap to better regulate cryptocurrencies in order to protect individuals and businesses.
In South Korea, one of the country’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, UpBit, is facing criminal charges after top executives were formally indicted by the country&#8217;s legal prosecutors on charges of fraud.
Three senior exchange executives were arrested in December 2018 after complaints were filed by investors who claimed that the company used corporate accounts to make bogus orders to inflate trading volumes to attract customers to use the exchange.
 
Featured image: Bitcoin, cryptocurrency trading, Pexels.
The post New Research Finds Proliferation Of “Flash Boys” Trades On Crypto Exchanges appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-research-finds-proliferation-of-flash-boys-trades-on-crypto-exchanges</link><guid>1125</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>New Research Finds Proliferation Of “Flash Boys” Trades On Crypto Exchanges</dc:text></item><item><title>First Swiss FinTech Company Obains e-Money Licence in Lithuania for European Expansion</title><description><![CDATA[Sonect, a location-based P2P matchmaking platform that connects those who want to withdraw cash with those who want to deposit it, has obtained its Electronic Money Institution licence from the Bank of Lithuania, which enables the company to operate in all EEA countries.
EEA countries consists of the 28 member countries of the European Union (EU) combined with Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. This marks a starting point for pan-European expansion for the Swiss fintech. 
It took a relatively short 18 months for Sonect to curate the largest single cash withdrawal network in its Switzerland home town. In fact, we even named them as one of the top fintech startups in Switzerland, and it was also a finalist for the Swiss Fintech Awards 2019.
In Switzerland Sonect got its network by building a community around local businesses and helps them generate physical leads. The company thinks it can do the same in Europe—and seemingly expecting to do so within the coming months.
There&#8217;s a global trend of banks phasing out their ATMs. The total number of bank branches has declined continuously since 2002 from around 54,000 to 32,000 in the EU, which makes it harder for regular people to access cash. Sonect seeks to solve this issue by allowing customers to withdraw, deposit and transfer cash at participating nearby stores instead—be it a café, a pharmacy, or other businesses that handle physical cash.
Lithuania will serve as the European headquarters for Sonect, where the firm aims to build a team of 20 people in the next few years to furnish their existing 30 current team members.
 
This article first appeared on Fintech Baltic; Featured image credit: Sonect
The post First Swiss FinTech Company Obains e-Money Licence in Lithuania for European Expansion appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/first-swiss-fintech-company-obains-e-money-licence-in-lithuania-for-european-expansion</link><guid>1123</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>First Swiss FinTech Company Obains e-Money Licence in Lithuania for European Expansion</dc:text></item><item><title>First Swiss Fintech Obains e-Money Licence in Lithuania for European Expansion</title><description><![CDATA[Sonect, a location-based P2P matchmaking platform that connects those who want to withdraw cash with those who want to deposit it, has obtained its Electronic Money Institution licence from the Bank of Lithuania, which enables the company to operate in all EEA countries.
EEA countries consists of the 28 member countries of the European Union (EU) combined with Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. This marks a starting point for pan-European expansion for the Swiss fintech. 
It took a relatively short 18 months for Sonect to curate the largest single cash withdrawal network in its Switzerland home town. In fact, we even named them as one of the top fintech startups in Switzerland, and it was also a finalist for the Swiss Fintech Awards 2019.
In Switzerland Sonect got its network by building a community around local businesses and helps them generate physical leads. The company thinks it can do the same in Europe—and seemingly expecting to do so within the coming months.
There&#8217;s a global trend of banks phasing out their ATMs. The total number of bank branches has declined continuously since 2002 from around 54,000 to 32,000 in the EU, which makes it harder for regular people to access cash. Sonect seeks to solve this issue by allowing customers to withdraw, deposit and transfer cash at participating nearby stores instead—be it a café, a pharmacy, or other businesses that handle physical cash.
Lithuania will serve as the European headquarters for Sonect, where the firm aims to build a team of 20 people in the next few years to furnish their existing 30 current team members.
 
This article first appeared on Fintech Baltic; Featured image credit: Sonect
The post First Swiss Fintech Obains e-Money Licence in Lithuania for European Expansion appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/first-swiss-fintech-obains-e-money-licence-in-lithuania-for-european-expansion</link><guid>1124</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>First Swiss Fintech Obains e-Money Licence in Lithuania for European Expansion</dc:text></item><item><title>First Swiss Fintech Obtains e-Money Licence in Lithuania for European Expansion</title><description><![CDATA[Sonect, a location-based P2P matchmaking platform that connects those who want to withdraw cash with those who want to deposit it, has obtained its Electronic Money Institution licence from the Bank of Lithuania, which enables the company to operate in all EEA countries.
EEA countries consists of the 28 member countries of the European Union (EU) combined with Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. This marks a starting point for pan-European expansion for the Swiss fintech. 
It took a relatively short 18 months for Sonect to curate the largest single cash withdrawal network in its Switzerland home town. In fact, we even named them as one of the top fintech startups in Switzerland, and it was also a finalist for the Swiss Fintech Awards 2019.
In Switzerland Sonect got its network by building a community around local businesses and helps them generate physical leads. The company thinks it can do the same in Europe—and seemingly expecting to do so within the coming months.
There&#8217;s a global trend of banks phasing out their ATMs. The total number of bank branches has declined continuously since 2002 from around 54,000 to 32,000 in the EU, which makes it harder for regular people to access cash. Sonect seeks to solve this issue by allowing customers to withdraw, deposit and transfer cash at participating nearby stores instead—be it a café, a pharmacy, or other businesses that handle physical cash.
Lithuania will serve as the European headquarters for Sonect, where the firm aims to build a team of 20 people in the next few years to furnish their existing 30 current team members.
 
This article first appeared on Fintech Baltic; Featured image credit: Sonect
The post First Swiss Fintech Obtains e-Money Licence in Lithuania for European Expansion appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/first-swiss-fintech-obtains-e-money-licence-in-lithuania-for-european-expansion</link><guid>1133</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>First Swiss Fintech Obtains e-Money Licence in Lithuania for European Expansion</dc:text></item><item><title>Schweizer Können nun Google Pay Weltweit Nutzen</title><description><![CDATA[Mit dem Start von Google Pay können Schweizer Visa Karteninhaber ab sofort mit allen Android basierten Smartphones– egal von welchem Anbieter – weltweit mobil bezahlen.
Die Tokenisation-Technologie von Visa ermöglicht Visa Karteninhabern das sichere Bezahlen mit Smartphones und verschiedenen Smart Devices an praktisch allen Zahlterminals. Für Visa Karteninhaber in der Schweiz ist Google Pay über die Kartenherausgeber Cornèrcard und BonusCard verfügbar.
Da die Visa Karte einfach in das Smartphone wandert, geniessen Konsumenten denselben Schutz wie beim Bezahlen mit ihrer physischen Visa Karte. Visa Transaktionen mit Google Pay werden durch mehrere Sicherheitsebenen geschützt, unter anderem durch den Visa Token Service (VTS).
Er ersetzt die klassische Kartennummer durch einen speziellen digitalen Token. Beim Bezahlen wird anstelle der eigentlichen Kartendaten nur der Token an den Händler übertragen, um die Zahlung zu autorisieren. So helfen Tokens, Betrug bei E-Commerce- und M-Commerce-Transaktionen zu verhindern, indem sie sensible Kartendaten aus dem Bezahlprozess fernhalten.
Source: Google Pay mit Visa
Tokens sind unter anderem auf Transaktionen mit einem bestimmten mobilen Gerät beschränkt. Wird das Smartphone gestohlen oder geht verloren, kann Visa auf Basis der Meldung der Bank den darauf gespeicherten Token sofort deaktivieren. Die hinterlegte Visa Karte muss nicht gesperrt und ausgetauscht werden.
Um den neuen Service zu nutzen, können Android-Nutzer mit NFC-fähigen Geräten mit dem Betriebssystem 5.0 oder höher die Google Pay-App aus dem Google Play Store herunterladen. Konsumenten mit Karten der teilnehmenden Banken können dann ganz einfach ihre Kreditkarten in der Wallet hinterlegen.
 
Featured image credit: Visa
The post Schweizer Können nun Google Pay Weltweit Nutzen appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schweizer-konnen-nun-google-pay-weltweit-nutzen</link><guid>1122</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Google-Pay_Visa.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Schweizer Können nun Google Pay Weltweit Nutzen</dc:text></item><item><title>Meet the 8 Shortlisted Fintechs for the UK-Led Global Fintech Sandbox, GFIN</title><description><![CDATA[Last year, the UK&#8217;s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) expressed intentions about launching a global sandbox, and just a few months later, announced a collaboration with regulators around the world to create that sandbox for innovative fintech firms to interact with regulators. Fintechs across the globe face key issue at a point in their growth: scaling. Or specifically, expanding into other jurisdictions with vastly differing laws and ensuring compliance.
The programme, christened the Global Financial Innovation Network (GFIN), aims to mitigate those issues, and saw the participation of 17 regulators.
Since the announcement, 44 unique applications came to GFIN&#8217;s network of regulators. Each regulator apparently had at least one hopeful to consider against their unique screening criteria.
Of those, only 8 made the cut. Now, the firms are developing testing plans for their cross-border trial, and only the ones that develop satisfactory plans for each jurisdiction&#8217;s criteria will actually enter the pilot testing phase.
The 8 hopefuls for the GFIN sandbox are:
Alphapoint

Alphapoint is a software company offering products built on public and private blockchains that support the requirements for issuance, custody and trading of digital assets with liquidity across multiple exchanges. Alphapoint claims to be the only enterprise-grade software that enables both tokenisation and illiquidisation of assets, and for trade of those assets on an exchange.
Regulators affected:

Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA)
Bank of Lithuania (LB)

 
Ascent RegTech

 
Ascent operates a cloud-based AI-driven Regtech solution that automatically maps a customer’s specific regulatory obligations and ongoing rule changes, while also enabling end-to-end compliance management. The product helps firms see similarities and differences in regulatory obligations across regulators and countries.
Regulators affected:

Australian Securities &amp; Investments Commission (ASIC)
Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF Québec)
Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA)
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA)
Ontario Securities Commission (OSC)

 
Atlant

Atlant is a London-based company known generally as a real estate-related decentralised blockchain platform, offering tokenised ownership and global P2P rentals.
On the GFIN front, Atlant wants to run digital securities platform offering primary issuance of digital shares &amp; debentures, secondary trading and optimized post-trade, with automatic clearing, settlement and custody.
Regulators affected:

Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB)
Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)
Jersey Financial Services Commission (JFSC)
Bank of Lithuania (LB)

Coinvestion

Based Vancouver, Canada, Coinvestion is a platform that uses blockchain to allow users to invest in real estate shares as securities and develops fractional ownership schemes. Their goal is to allow an easier avenue for people to invest into real estate.
Regulators affected: 

British Columbia Securities Commission (BCSC)
Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA)
Jersey Financial Services Commission (JFSC)
Bank of Lithuania (LB)
Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)

DACX

DACX is an exchange platform that uses DLT, AI, and high performance computing to offer a secure and compliant marketplace. One of its offerings, and what DACX is planning to put on the global sandbox utilises DLT and machine learning to facilitate cross-border transactions of multi-currency payments, assets and commodities via tokenisation, smart contracts and escrows.
Regulators affected: 

Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA)
And others to be confirmed​​​​​​​

Onfido
​​​​​​​
Onfido is a software company that helps businesses verify user identities using a selfie and a photo-based ID.
Its preposition in the GFIN sandbox is for consumers to securely control their digital ID, and share or transfer that identity across financial services organisations for KYC checks.
Regulators affected:

Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA)
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
Bank of Lithuania (LB)
Ontario Securities Commission (OSC)

Starling Trust

Starling trust is an applied behavioural sciences technology company that has developed a predictive behaviourial analytics platform using machine learning and electronic communications data to allow users to measure, manage and mitigate culture and conduct risks. They will be partnering with a select group of global banks, with an initial focus on the three lines of defense risk framework.
Regulators affected: 

Australian Securities &amp; Investments Commission (ASIC)
Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA)
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA)

Tradle

Tradle is a blockchain-based KYC and onboarding platform that uses AI, IoT and cloud to help financial institutions meet regulatory obligations for SMEs, Corporates, Capital markets, Wealth Management, Retail and Unbanked customers and helps regulators provide guidance and supervision for their markets. They will work with GFIN on self-executing cross-border KYC policies.
Regulators affected: 

Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)

 
 
 
The post Meet the 8 Shortlisted Fintechs for the UK-Led Global Fintech Sandbox, GFIN appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/meet-the-8-shortlisted-fintechs-for-the-uk-led-global-fintech-sandbox-gfin</link><guid>1121</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/alphapoint-gfin-fca-blockchain-300x80.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Meet the 8 Shortlisted Fintechs for the UK-Led Global Fintech Sandbox, GFIN</dc:text></item><item><title>How Fintech Could Shape Govtech in Europe</title><description><![CDATA[Conversations around the fintech revolution often revolve around the consumer and corporate space. A quick glance at the most valuable fintechs in Europe or anywhere in the world will more often support this narrative.
Yet one of the often overlooked segment is the role of fintech in government digital transformation, or govtech, a term that is being bandied about more often of late. A study previously conducted by the European Central Bank documented in detail a statistically important impact of delayed payments on the economy.
The Role of Fintech in Govtech
From taxes to pensions, payments is one of the most common ways citizens interact with their government.
Governments in Europe have largely enabled a reasonably robust payments system. A recent study analysing the adoption of government e-payments shows that European countries like Norway, France and Denmark lead the way ahead of China, a poster boy for cashless QR payments.

Perhaps it is precisely because of the leadership in embracing e-payments that the role of fintech in govtech is not discussed as it often ought to be.
A World Bank study which examined &#8220;Brazil&#8217;s Bolsa Familia&#8221; a social safety net programme, shows that the government has saved up to 75% of administrative costs by making the shift to digital.
Brazil, is of course hardly alone in this case, there are a plethora of case studies illustrating fintech&#8217;s role in bolstering government efficiency and financial inclusion.
A Digital Currency Future?
Many European nations have moved beyond the hygiene factors of embracing government e-payments to evaluating the role of digital currencies and cryptocurrencies in govtech and various government services.
Take Sweden for example, a country that is widely accepted as the most cashless society in the world, they are currently investigating the feasibility of central bank back digital currency &#8220;e-krona&#8221;
Source: Sveriges Riksbank
As cash continues to decline in Sweden, its central bank imagines a future where cash may be so marginalised that it becomes a difficult means of payment. The idea is that with e-krona the general public still has access to a state-guaranteed means of payment.
IMF&#8217;s Managing Director, Christine Lagarde even called out to nations around the world to consider exploring central bank backed digital currencies and it would appear that they have responded, more than 40 central banks around the world are working in some capacity with blockchain technology and distributed ledgers.
Meanwhile, going a slightly different route, Zug in Switzerland, became the first city the the world to accept bitcoin for government services. Ohio, United States quickly followed suit by enabling businesses to pay for taxes in bitcoin.
Interestingly, American politicians like Andrew Yang are even beginning to accept bitcoin for political donations.
Endless Possibilities
From digitising payment systems to the various models of adopting digital currencies, the potential for transformation are endless.
e-Estonia by the government of Estonia is perhaps the most significant govtech initiative in Europe. The movement aims to facilitate citizen interactions with the state through the use of electronic solutions and has given rise to e-services including  e-Tax, e-Business or e-Banking.
Governments should continue to seek out new ways to utilise fintech within govtech in their quest to improve efficiency and the lives of their citizens.
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
The post How Fintech Could Shape Govtech in Europe appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/how-fintech-could-shape-govtech-in-europe</link><guid>1119</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Govtech-Fintech-Europe-G2C-Payment.png</dc:content ><dc:text>How Fintech Could Shape Govtech in Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>Kaspersky Eyes Security Offerings to ICOs and Crypto Exchanges</title><description><![CDATA[Once hailed as unhackable, nowadays blockchain&#8217;s vulnerabilities are a widely discussed topic.
Coin Central has even done a painstaking piece about the many varieties of ways blockchain can vulnerable, including examples like the Backlog Blues, where formerly fraudulent DDoS spam transactions are not purged from the backlog, and one year after the &#8220;stress test&#8221;, major mining pools at the time began accepting these spam transactions into blocks, reducing the throughput of legitimate transaction.
The article also names the 51% majority attack, though this is more likely to impact blockchain that is not decentralised enough. If an attacker gains control over a majority of the hash power of the network, then they would be able to mine blocks faster than the rest of the network, creating an opportunity for &#8216;double-spending&#8217;.
Enter Kaspersky in this Wary Blockchain Climate
General tech-based business wisdom dictates that a security measures should be put in place to protect against attacks, and the same is true for blockchain. To that end, famous antivirus company Kaspersky is now trying to eke a stronger presence into the blockchain space, especially now that the climate is more wary.
Kaspersky Lab announces service packages it says considers the specifics of how blockchain-related business models work, and the life cycle of token offerings and crypto exchanges in its security solutions.
Some of its specialised offerings include the Smart Contract Code Review which it touts to identify flaws and undeclared features, as well as finds discrepancies between stated in the supporting documentations and smart-contract business logic.
There&#8217;s also the Application Security Assessment, which claims to help teams analyse the security of applications developed by startups. and for exchanges, detect any bugs and address them before they cause any damage.
Kaspersky Lab also claims to offer crypto exchanges with fraud and money laundering prevention, and targeted attack detection.
The company hopes capitalise on the digital token scene touting an estimated total market capitalisation of US$362 billion, and according to PwC, an ICO scene which collected more than US$19.7 billion in 2018, which is interesting as it is popularly considered the year of ICO slowdown.
Vitaly Mzokov, Head of Verification at Kaspersky Lab said:
Vitaly Mzokov
&#8220;Blockchain services are not always secure enough to be worth investing into. We’ve been growing our expertise in this field and already conducted several projects for ICOs.&#8221;
&#8220;We see a growing demand for cybersecurity from blockchain startups that are looking for both protection from cyberthreats and additional evidence that they can be trusted by investors.&#8221;
 
Featured image is a screenshot of a video by Stilt Creative on Vimeo
 
The post Kaspersky Eyes Security Offerings to ICOs and Crypto Exchanges appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/kaspersky-eyes-security-offerings-to-icos-and-crypto-exchanges</link><guid>1120</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Kaspersky Eyes Security Offerings to ICOs and Crypto Exchanges</dc:text></item><item><title>AdNovum Joins FIDO Alliance in its Battle Against Outdated Username and Password Authentications</title><description><![CDATA[Identity theft is no small web to untangle, and could adversely impact one&#8217;s ability to live their lives normally for years to come. That is why many data experts recommend that people do not repeat usernames and passwords for access into important accounts or files, but realistically, that is not something most humans are want to do.
In fact, according to the Digital Identity Survey conducted by AdNovum, the number of people who have experienced identity theft has doubled between 2016 to 2018.
Usernames and passwords are difficult to generate and remember if they are to be reasonably secure, and on top of that, runs the extra risk of being misused or stolen.
On top of that, username and password authentications are just unwieldy, for both consumers and platform operators. Only 15% of the respondents in a survey reported to have less than 10 digital identities, while 22% of the users report they have over 80 digital identities.
Founded in 2012, the FIDO Alliance wants to create a standard for authentication to improve interoperability. They would also like to address the problems caused by the multitudes of usernames and passwords on websites and apps by advocating for fingerprints or facial recognition. 
The Swiss software company AdNovum is a new sponsoring member of the FIDO Alliance, and their first order of business is to remove the need for usernames and passwords.
Beyond just operating on the FIDO guidelines, AdNovum wants to establish FIDO as a standard for banking, insurance and government solutions in the DACH region and in Singapore and thus, making an active contribution to the FIDO Alliance.
The goal of AdNovum is to provide user-friendly mobile authentication that meets the security requirements of banking, insurance and government solutions.
AdNovum&#8217;s argument is that mobile devices are near universal: about 92% of all device owners surveyed by AdNovum apparently features some sort of biometric authentication support.  Therefore, gravitating towards biometric authentication should be the new approach to account security.
The NEVIS Security Suite by AdNovum has therefore been integrating mobile authentication based on the FIDO standard since autumn 2018.Reportedly, NEVIS protects over 80% of all e-banking transactions.
NEVIS has been used to protect the portals of banks, insurances and authorities for more than 20  years now, and is considered Switzerland&#8217;s market leader for identity and access management. Now, it seems like the company is strengthening its push against usernames and passwords.
Featured image via Glassdoor
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/adnovum-joins-fido-alliance-in-its-battle-against-outdated-username-and-password-authentications</link><guid>1118</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>AdNovum Joins FIDO Alliance in its Battle Against Outdated Username and Password Authentications</dc:text></item><item><title>First Covered Bond Issued as a Security Token, 100m EUR on a Public Blockchain</title><description><![CDATA[On 18 April 2019 Societe Generale SFH, issued EUR 100m of covered bonds as a security token, directly registered on the Ethereum blockchain.
OFH Tokens have been rated Aaa / AAA by Moody’s and Fitch and have been fully subscribed by Societe Generale.
This operation is the first pilot project developed by Societe Generale and Societe Generale FORGE, one of the 60 internal startups launched via the Internal Startup Call, the Group’s intrapreneurial programme. This startup experiments disruptive business solutions using blockchain technology to develop new digital capital market activities.
This live transaction explores a more efficient process for bond issuances. Many areas of added value are predicted, among which, product scalability and reduced time to market, computer code automation structuring, thus better transparency, faster transferability and settlement. It proposes a new standard for issuances and secondary market bond trading and reduces cost and the number of intermediaries.
 
Featured image credit: Societe Generale
The post First Covered Bond Issued as a Security Token, 100m EUR on a Public Blockchain appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/first-covered-bond-issued-as-a-security-token-100m-eur-on-a-public-blockchain</link><guid>1115</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>First Covered Bond Issued as a Security Token, 100m EUR on a Public Blockchain</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Company Tangem Returns to Crypto Valley After Raising $US 15 Million</title><description><![CDATA[Fresh out of its funding round of funding, Tangem a Swiss-born startup is now moving their headquarter back to Zug, famously known as the Crypto Valley. Tangem received funding to the tune of US$ 15 million from renowned Japanese investor SBI Group.
Tangem produces physical smart cards that functions like the hardware wallet version of banknotes. Each of these smart cards carries a fixed amount of cryptocurrency. The company intends for these smart cards to be used for daily crypto payments by the masses.

The startup has already previously started distributing their smart cards in Singapore earlier last year.
Andrey Kurennykh CEO, Tangem, commented
Andrey Kurennykh
“It is the big mission of Tangem to bring the application of blockchain technology to people’s everyday lives. Our technology can help many industries really benefit from blockchain tech and make life of individuals safer and better through financial inclusion and access to the decentralized payment solutions.”
As part of the Crypto Valley community as well as through local resources and partnerships, Tangem is getting one step closer to that goal.
 
 
Mathias Ruch
Mathias Ruch, CEO of CV VC recognizes the added value that Tangem is adding to the Crypto Valley ecosystem:
“Tangem is a globally operating company and is bringing an impressive network from Asia to Zug, which can also be seen in the contribution from SBI.”
The post Swiss Company Tangem Returns to Crypto Valley After Raising $US 15 Million appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-company-tangem-returns-to-crypto-valley-after-raising-us-15-million</link><guid>1114</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Company Tangem Returns to Crypto Valley After Raising $US 15 Million</dc:text></item><item><title>3 Lessons European Insurance Giants can Learn from Ping An</title><description><![CDATA[Insurance companies have been slow to adapt to a digital-first approach. In an increasingly digital world, many insurers are put in a tough spot as they struggle to keep up with the demands of a new generation of consumers.
Taking advantage of the incumbents’ inability to meet these needs, we are seeing a surge of insurtech startups stepping in to seize the market. Fighting off these agile startups have proved to be difficult with the shackles of bureaucracy and legacy systems.
Ping An, however, is one of the few outliers in this scenario.
Source: Ping An
A relatively young player with just over three decades of experience, this insurer has managed to squeeze past all the incumbents to take the crown in the 2018 Forbes’ world largest insurers list and as of January 2018, the company is worth US$ 217 billion.
This is quite a feat, as most companies who made it in the top 20 list typically have over a century of history and nearly half of them established in Europe.
With such a track record, it is no surprise that Ping An is frequently featured as a poster boy of insurers successfully embracing the new digital world. Which incidentally, is something that we covered at great length in our Insurtech Tech 10: Trends for 2019 report.
European insurers seeking remain competitive would benefit from examining Ping An’s playbook and adopting several lessons for themselves.
From our observation and extensive studies, here are 3 key lessons we believe European insurers can learn from Ping An.
1. Looking beyond insurance, and developing an ecosystem
For Ping An, it’s not just about insurance, it’s about bringing in fringe services that gave them an advantage. In China, the new social+ business models have been impacting various industries from e-commerce all the way to insurance. Social+ brings a social element to connect users to businesses and strengthens their ecosystem play.
Source: PingAn Annual Report 2018
Ping An’s expansive ecosystem is nothing to be scoffed at. Today, the group offers services including finance (Ping An Bank), peer-to-peer (P2P) lending (Lufax), healthcare consultations (Ping An Good Doctor), real estate and auto listings (Pinganfang and Autohome respectively), and entertainment (Huayi Brothers) to its 500 million+ digital user base via its One Account customer portal.
2. Embedding yourself in your customer’s journey
Merely providing services in no longer sufficient today’s world, to build customer loyalty insurers need to embed themselves into their customer’s lifecycle.
One way that Ping An is doing is by playing an active role in their customer’s well-being. Through Ping An’s Good Doctor the company able to create brand stickiness to over 54 million users that are actively using the app monthly.
Source: Ping An
While being digital-first is crucial, being in the real world with your customers are equally important as well. Leveraging on AI-Powered unstaffed mobile clinics, Ping An is able to provide instant diagnosis or provide referrals to human doctors.
It is also equipped with an automated medicine medicine dispenser that will be stocked with over 100 types of common medicine.
3. Harnessing the power of data and AI
Data is king.
A statement that is as true as it is cliché. To no one’s surprise data is a huge part of Ping An’s play. That play is once again supported by Ping An’s far-reaching ecosystem.
With over 265 Million users registered on Ping An Good Doctor, it serves as a huge pool of data that the Ping An can tap into for various commercial reasons &#8212; from risks assessments to building better products.
Source: Ping An
Ping An’s deep focus into artificial intelligence also gave birth to their AI-powered medical imaging technology which boasts 95% accuracy for imaging 2 categories of lung cancer. They further developed that technology to cover 35  different type of illnesses.
As a result of that Shanghai’s Ministry of Health signed an agreement with them to ensure that all hospitals in Shanghai must connect with them in real time.
Taking Inspiration from the East
The time for insurers to reinvent themselves is long overdue, the world as we know it has been lifted from the ground beneath us.
Many would point to 6 years ago when Ping An shifted all the systems on the cloud as the beginning of their transformation journey that eventually lead to them being the most valuable insurance company in the world today.
It’s not too late for insurers in Europe to take a page out of Ping An’s playbook and start their own version of a transformation journey.
 
The post 3 Lessons European Insurance Giants can Learn from Ping An appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/3-lessons-european-insurance-giants-can-learn-from-ping-an</link><guid>1113</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Ping-An-HQ-e1556006319792-1024x522.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>3 Lessons European Insurance Giants can Learn from Ping An</dc:text></item><item><title>3 Lessons European Insurance Giants can Learn from China’s Ping An</title><description><![CDATA[Insurance companies have been slow to adapt to a digital-first approach. In an increasingly digital world, many insurers are put in a tough spot as they struggle to keep up with the demands of a new generation of consumers.
Taking advantage of the incumbents’ inability to meet these needs, we are seeing a surge of insurtech startups stepping in to seize the market. Fighting off these agile startups have proved to be difficult with the shackles of bureaucracy and legacy systems.
Ping An, however, is one of the few outliers in this scenario.
Source: Ping An
A relatively young player with just over three decades of experience, this insurer has managed to squeeze past all the incumbents to take the crown in the 2018 Forbes’ world largest insurers list and as of January 2018, the company is worth US$ 217 billion.
This is quite a feat, as most companies who made it in the top 20 list typically have over a century of history and nearly half of them established in Europe.
With such a track record, it is no surprise that Ping An is frequently featured as a poster boy of insurers successfully embracing the new digital world. Which incidentally, is something that we covered at great length in our Insurtech Tech 10: Trends for 2019 report.
European insurers seeking remain competitive would benefit from examining Ping An’s playbook and adopting several lessons for themselves.
From our observation and extensive studies, here are 3 key lessons we believe European insurers can learn from Ping An.
1. Looking beyond insurance, and developing an ecosystem
For Ping An, it’s not just about insurance, it’s about bringing in fringe services that gave them an advantage. In China, the new social+ business models have been impacting various industries from e-commerce all the way to insurance. Social+ brings a social element to connect users to businesses and strengthens their ecosystem play.
Source: PingAn Annual Report 2018
Ping An’s expansive ecosystem is nothing to be scoffed at. Today, the group offers services including finance (Ping An Bank), peer-to-peer (P2P) lending (Lufax), healthcare consultations (Ping An Good Doctor), real estate and auto listings (Pinganfang and Autohome respectively), and entertainment (Huayi Brothers) to its 500 million+ digital user base via its One Account customer portal.
2. Embedding yourself in your customer’s journey
Merely providing services in no longer sufficient today’s world, to build customer loyalty insurers need to embed themselves into their customer’s lifecycle.
One way that Ping An is doing is by playing an active role in their customer’s well-being. Through Ping An’s Good Doctor the company able to create brand stickiness to over 54 million users that are actively using the app monthly.
Source: Ping An
While being digital-first is crucial, being in the real world with your customers are equally important as well. Leveraging on AI-Powered unstaffed mobile clinics, Ping An is able to provide instant diagnosis or provide referrals to human doctors.
It is also equipped with an automated medicine medicine dispenser that will be stocked with over 100 types of common medicine.
3. Harnessing the power of data and AI
Data is king.
A statement that is as true as it is cliché. To no one’s surprise data is a huge part of Ping An’s play. That play is once again supported by Ping An’s far-reaching ecosystem.
With over 265 Million users registered on Ping An Good Doctor, it serves as a huge pool of data that the Ping An can tap into for various commercial reasons &#8212; from risks assessments to building better products.
Source: Ping An
Ping An’s deep focus into artificial intelligence also gave birth to their AI-powered medical imaging technology which boasts 95% accuracy for imaging 2 categories of lung cancer. They further developed that technology to cover 35  different type of illnesses.
As a result of that Shanghai’s Ministry of Health signed an agreement with them to ensure that all hospitals in Shanghai must connect with them in real time.
Taking Inspiration from the East
The time for insurers to reinvent themselves is long overdue, the world as we know it has been lifted from the ground beneath us.
Many would point to 6 years ago when Ping An shifted all the systems on the cloud as the beginning of their transformation journey that eventually lead to them being the most valuable insurance company in the world today.
It’s not too late for insurers in Europe to take a page out of Ping An’s playbook and start their own version of a transformation journey.
 
The post 3 Lessons European Insurance Giants can Learn from China&#8217;s Ping An appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/3-lessons-european-insurance-giants-can-learn-from-chinas-ping-an</link><guid>1117</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Ping-An-HQ-e1556006319792-1024x522.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>3 Lessons European Insurance Giants can Learn from China’s Ping An</dc:text></item><item><title>4 Coworking Spaces in Switzerland Made for Fintech and Blockchain Entrepreneurs</title><description><![CDATA[Whether you are a budding fintech entrepreneur or foreign fintech startup seeking to enter Switzerland&#8217;s vibrant fintech scene, coworking spaces are becoming an increasingly popular option.
Home to over 50 coworking spaces, entrepreneurs are spoiled for choice. Having so many options to pick from is often a good thing but it can also lead to choice paralysis.
Top help narrow the choices, we thought it would be useful to list out to our readers the co-working spaces in Switzerland that was built with fintech and blockchain entrepreneurs in mind.
F10 Fintech Coworking Space
F10 Fintech Coworking Space
F10, an incubator and accelerator based in Zurich for fintech, regtech and insurtech startups, opened its coworking space in April 2018
Located in F10’s headquarters in Zurich, the F10 Fintech Coworking Space aims to become the “home of fintech” and extend the vibrant Swiss fintech ecosystem. The coworking space offers work and collaboration space for fintech enthusiasts and counts 60 workplaces on 500 square meters.
F10 regularly host events, inviting key players, enthusiasts and experts from within the Swiss fintech ecosystem.
 
Trust Square
Trust Square meeting room
Located in the heart of Zurich, Trust Square offers a space for blockchain entrepreneurs, startups, businesses, investors as well as academics and researchers.
Today, more than 350 workstations are located on four floors, spanning 3,500 square meters on Zurich’s Bahnhofstrasse.
Trust Square is privately funded and run by a team of five founders. The center works closely with ETH Zurich, the Universities of Zurich and Basel, the Universities of Applied Sciences Rapperswil HSR and Lucerne, and the Business and Economic Development Division of the Canton of Zurich.
In June, Trust Square will be hosting the Swiss Blockchain Hackathon which promises to attract some 200 developers, creators and inventors from Switzerland and abroad.
 
Chainwork
Chainwork
Chainwork is a new center for innovation, creation and collaboration located in the center of Zurich. The coworking and event space, as well as accelerator, aim to facilitate innovation and networking between startups, entrepreneurs, investors and corporates.
The coworking offers customizable office solutions in a supportive environment, providing companies and entrepreneurs a space to work as well as the possibility to connect to each other.
The hub also includes Chainwork Prime, a private members club and an accelerator offering full support for startups on their journey from idea to product.
 
CV Labs
CV Labs Coworking Space
Located in the town center of Zug, next to the train station, CV Labs provides flexible offices and coworking space where blockchain companies, startups and teams can brainstorm, collaborate and debate.
CV Labs features a total of 210 desks and provides members with 24/7 access, access to CV Labs ecosystem and community, events and meetups, full office services and discounter meeting room rental.
CV Labs also operates a ten-week incubation program which provides selected startups with up to US$125K in investment and mentorship from the most successful and visionary entrepreneurs and experts in the blockchain space.
Honorable Mentions
Impact Hub
Though Impact Hub is not targeted specifically at fintech startups, it is home to Advanon, a popular invoice financing platform.
Bluelion 
Bluelion operates both as an accelerator and a co-working space, Deposit Solutions Switzerland was an alumni of its incubation programme.
Featured image credit: Coworking space in Chainwork 
 
 
The post 4 Coworking Spaces in Switzerland Made for Fintech and Blockchain Entrepreneurs appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/4-coworking-spaces-in-switzerland-made-for-fintech-and-blockchain-entrepreneurs</link><guid>1112</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/F10-Fintech-Coworking-Space-1024x768.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>4 Coworking Spaces in Switzerland Made for Fintech and Blockchain Entrepreneurs</dc:text></item><item><title>Finally: You can Pay your SBB Ticket with Twint</title><description><![CDATA[Effective immediately, SBB customers can pay with TWINT.
It is now possible to purchase tickets and services with Switzerland’s leading payment app on the SBB Mobile app as well as at SBB ticket machines and online. TWINT will thus become the preferred payment method for almost all forms of mobility.
In addition to the SBB, TWINT payments can be made with BLS, Lezzgo and Fairtiq and now also at many parking meters.

TWINT is now also saved as a payment method for SBB Mobile, the number one mobility app. ‘The SBB is thus meeting this growing customer need,’ writes the SBB. It is also possible to make TWINT payments at SBB ticket machines and online at sbb.ch.
From mid-2019, it is planned that the SBB travel centres will also be equipped for the acceptance of TWINT payments. Many customers prefer to make use of the possibility to have payments debited directly to their bank account.
TWINT can therefore not only be used at the majority of retail businesses, in many restaurants and cafés as well as with most e-commerce merchants, but is now also a popular payment method in the area of mobility.
 
The post Finally: You can Pay your SBB Ticket with Twint appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finally-you-can-pay-your-sbb-ticket-with-twint</link><guid>1110</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/TWINT_und_SBB-1024x684.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Finally: You can Pay your SBB Ticket with Twint</dc:text></item><item><title>Finally: You can Pay your SBB Ticket with Twint, but still not with Bitcoins ;)</title><description><![CDATA[Effective immediately, SBB customers can pay with TWINT.
It is now possible to purchase tickets and services with Switzerland’s leading payment app on the SBB Mobile app as well as at SBB ticket machines and online. TWINT will thus become the preferred payment method for almost all forms of mobility.
In addition to the SBB, TWINT payments can be made with BLS, Lezzgo and Fairtiq and now also at many parking meters.

TWINT is now also saved as a payment method for SBB Mobile.  It is also possible to make TWINT payments at SBB ticket machines and online at sbb.ch.
From mid-2019, it is planned that the SBB travel centres will also be equipped for the acceptance of TWINT payments. Many customers prefer to make use of the possibility to have payments debited directly to their bank account.
 
 
The post Finally You Can Pay Your SBB Ticket with Twint, but Still Not with Bitcoins ;) appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finally-you-can-pay-your-sbb-ticket-with-twint-but-still-not-with-bitcoins</link><guid>1111</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/TWINT_und_SBB-1024x684.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Finally: You can Pay your SBB Ticket with Twint, but still not with Bitcoins ;)</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Unicorn Raisin Teams up with Commerzbank to Launch New Financial Product</title><description><![CDATA[Raisin announced that its savings platform Weltzsparen will be teaming up with Commerzbank to access its wide base of corporate clients and offer special conditions on fixed-term deposits.
In addition to Commerzbank’s own products, corporate clients can now benefit from 3-month to 4-year term deposit offers from select German partner banks.
To start with, the cooperation is focused on limited liability corporations (known in Germany as GmbH’s) and will be gradually expanded to include further legal entities.

Lukas Schramm Fotografie &#8211; Eventfotograf &#8211; Berlin
“Just as interest rates have fallen for retail savings products, rates on corporate deposits have also decreased and in some cases are yielding negative returns. With this collaboration Commerzbank’s corporate clients will be able to invest beyond the bank, securing rates well above the current market level in Germany,”
explained Dr. Daniel Berndt, Raisin’s Chief Client Officer.

 
 
 

The partnership will start by featuring fixed-term deposits from German credit institutions such as GRENKE BANK, NIBC BANK, and GEFA BANK. Commerzbank selected all the cooperating banks from Raisin’s more than 70 current partner banks, and will regularly review further partnership options as the cooperation unfolds.
Raisin is among the most well funded fintech companies in Germany, it recently made international headlines when it acquired MHB a Berlin-based bank

The post Fintech Unicorn Raisin Teams up with Commerzbank to Launch New Financial Product appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-unicorn-raisin-teams-up-with-commerzbank-to-launch-new-financial-product</link><guid>1108</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech Unicorn Raisin Teams up with Commerzbank to Launch New Financial Product</dc:text></item><item><title>Blockchain VC blufolio Invests in Digital Banking Startup YAPEAL</title><description><![CDATA[blufolio a blockchain VC fund recently announced its first investment into Zurich Based YAPEAL. The sum of the investment was not disclosed.
Yapeal is an upcoming neo-bank in Switzerland that aims to redefine banking. The YapApp would be based on blockchain-inspired technology, and some features include a fully-digital onboarding process, AI to figure out one’s lifestyle and habits, a digital budget advisor called the Financial Amigo, among others.
It is listed among our selection of the top 19 Swiss Fintech Startups to Watch in 2019.
Balazs Klemm
“We are delighted to support the growth of YAPEAL, which targets a clear gap in the Swiss banking market. We see great opportunities for YAPEAL’s world-class management team to scale the company’s offering via partnerships in the Swiss and broader European market”,
says Balazs Klemm, blufolio founding partner.
 
 
James Dougall, blufolio founding partner, describes how YAPEAL fits into blufolio’s investment philosophy:
James Dougall
“Switzerland and Fintech are blufolio’s absolute cornerstone investment themes. YAPEAL fits perfectly into both. We always look for a clearly defined target market and ability to execute, which must both be given, in addition to a strong blockchain-related product and tech stack. YAPEAL delivers on all fronts. We look forward to accompanying them on their growth path.”
 
 
Featured image credit: blufolio
The post Blockchain VC blufolio Invests in Digital Banking Startup YAPEAL appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/blockchain-vc-blufolio-invests-in-digital-banking-startup-yapeal</link><guid>1107</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Blockchain VC blufolio Invests in Digital Banking Startup YAPEAL</dc:text></item><item><title>Credit Suisse Adds Samsung Pay to its Mobile Payments Offering</title><description><![CDATA[Credit Suisse announced that by 30th April, its Swiss customers will be able to make payments using their Swisscard-issued credit cards.
With this recent addition, Credit Suisse is expanding its mobile payment offering – which already encompasses TWINT, SwatchPAY and most recently Apple Pay.
Once Samsung Pay is made available to Credit Suisse&#8217;s customers, they will be able to use it to make payments abroad.
Much like its counterpart ApplePay, the relationship between Samsung Pay and banks were a subject of much controversy.
The Swiss Competition Commission previously opened a probe to investigate whether institutions like Credit Suisse colluded to favour TWINT over Samsung Pay &#8212; an allegation which Credit Suisse refuted.
 
Featured image credit: Credit Suisse
The post Credit Suisse Adds Samsung Pay to its Mobile Payments Offering appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/credit-suisse-adds-samsung-pay-to-its-mobile-payments-offering</link><guid>1105</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Credit Suisse Adds Samsung Pay to its Mobile Payments Offering</dc:text></item><item><title>Hypotheken Vermittler HypoPlus Baut aus</title><description><![CDATA[HypoPlus, der unabhängige Hypothekenvermittler und Partner-Service des Online-Vergleichsdienstes comparis.ch, baut seine Expertise im Bereich Hypothekarberatung mit zusätzlichen Fachkräften aus.
Seit Jahresbeginn sind 9 zusätzliche Hypothekarberaterinnen und -berater dazugestossen. Zudem wurden das Partnermanagement und die IT weiter gestärkt.

Zusätzlich zum Ausbau der Aktivitäten im Deutschschweizer Markt forciert HypoPlus auch die Präsenz in der Romandie und im Tessin.
«In beiden Regionen beobachten wir einerseits einen zunehmenden Bedarf an Online-Hypothekarvermittlung. Andererseits suchen Hypothekaranbieter nach zusätzlichen kosteneffizienten Vertriebskanälen»,
erklärt der HypoPlus CEO Vlad Ciocan.
Die HypoPlus AG wurde 2013 ins Leben gerufen und ist auf die massgeschneiderte Beratung und Vermittlung von Hypotheken spezialisiert. Das Unternehmen mit Sitz in Zürich ist eine 100-prozentige Tochter der Decisis Holding AG, zu der auch die comparis.ch AG gehört.
HypoPlus startete bereits 2011 mit der Vermittlung von Hypotheken.
 
Featured image credit: Pixabay
The post Hypotheken Vermittler HypoPlus Baut aus appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/hypotheken-vermittler-hypoplus-baut-aus</link><guid>1106</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Hypotheken Vermittler HypoPlus Baut aus</dc:text></item><item><title>New CEO for Swisscom Blockchain AG</title><description><![CDATA[Swisscom’s Blockchain subsidiary will be managed by Lukas Hohl from 1 May 2019.
The 41-year-old Swiss citizen is returning to Switzerland for his new assignment from the US East Coast, where he has helped build up the consultancy firm Synpulse’s US business. He replaces Davide Haudenschild who left the company recently.



Swisscom Blockchain AG offers blockchain technology consulting and project services to companies across all industries. Since January 2019, the Swisscom subsidiary has been managed on an interim basis by Roger Wüthrich-Hasenböhler, Chief Digital Officer of Swisscom.






Experienced entrepreneur to take over
With Lukas Hohl, an experienced leader and entrepreneur is now taking over the management of Swisscom Blockchain AG. Over the past 15 years, the 41-year-old ETH engineer and Harvard Business School alumnus has held various roles at BearingPoint, Swisscom, Sofgen and Synpulse, advising numerous financial companies on business and IT topics in Asia, the USA and Switzerland and leading various consulting teams. In addition to this, Lukas Hohl has helped set up an offshore development team in Manila (Philippines) for Sofgen and the US business for Synpulse.






Roger Wüthrich-Hasenböhler is happy about the appointment.
“In the past, Lukas Hohl has built up and managed companies, managed complex large-scale projects, is well connected in Switzerland and internationally, and fits excellently into the young team of Swisscom Blockchain AG.&#8221;
Lukas Hohl currently still lives in Boston (USA). He will take over the CEO position as of 1 May 2019, and will be moving to Switzerland within the first two months. Along with the existing team, he will continue to pursue the previous blockchain technology strategy and drive the further expansion of Swisscom Blockchain AG.
Lukas Hohl
Talking about his new role, Lukas Hohl says:
“Technology that fundamentally revolutionises existing systems, a young, talented team and an agile environment with our customers and within Swisscom – what more could you ask for?”
Ongoing projects and an ecosystem for digital assets
Swisscom Blockchain AG currently supports around a dozen companies in developing possible blockchain applications and implementing solutions. Examples include solutions for vial tracking for a large pharmaceutical company, digitising a cantonal commercial register or illustrating bills of lading and freight tracking on the blockchain. In addition, Swisscom Blockchain AG also supports other Swisscom initiatives in the context of blockchain technology.
In particular, the private blockchain, which Swisscom is developing in collaboration with Swiss Post based on Swisscom’s blockchain infrastructure “Hyperledger Fabric”, and the ecosystem for digital assets, which Swisscom is creating in partnership with Sygnum and Deutsche Börse. In addition to the blockchain infrastructure mentioned above, the digital shares of daura AG, as well as Custodigit’s solution for the secure storage of digital assets also form part of this ecosystem.



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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-ceo-for-swisscom-blockchain-ag</link><guid>1104</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>New CEO for Swisscom Blockchain AG</dc:text></item><item><title>Porsche Explores Blockchain Deployment for Driverless Cars</title><description><![CDATA[In collaboration with the Berlin-based start-up XAIN, Porsche is currently testing blockchain applications directly in vehicles.
This is not the first instance of a luxury automotive company turning to blockchain to solve its problems. Mercerdes-Benz also announced earlier this year a project to drive sustainable supply chain using blockchain.
According a Porcshe spokesperson the objective behind them deploying blockchain is to enable data to transfer more securely and quickly.
Some of the specific applications tested include locking and unlocking the vehicle via an app, temporary access authorisations and new business models based on encrypted data logging. Porsche claims with blockchain opening and closing the car only takes 1.6 seconds &#8212; which is up to 6 times faster than before.
Autonomous Vehicles and Blockchain
Porsche is also exploring the use of blockchain for for driverless cars. With blockchain, the company claims that vehicle owners can make use of swarm data. What this means is that driverless cars can work, communicate and learn collectively rather than as individual units.
A network of driverless cars using swarm intelligence takes inspiration from nature and could for example replicate how a large colony of ants can maneuver around each other without causing any congestion.
A researcher from MIT working on this very area suggested that the use of blockchain could make the deployment of swarm intelligence more secure, autonomous, flexible and even profitable.
 
Featured image credit: Porsche
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/porsche-explores-blockchain-deployment-for-driverless-cars</link><guid>1103</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Porsche Explores Blockchain Deployment for Driverless Cars</dc:text></item><item><title>Neues Führungsteam für eny Finance</title><description><![CDATA[Der Verwaltungsrat der eny Finance AG hat den 49-jährigen Andy Siemers zum ad interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) der eny Finance AG gewählt.
Der FinTech- und Finanzierungsmarkt- Spezialist kennt das Geschäft von eny Finance bereits aus seiner Beratungstätigkeit und übernimmt ab sofort die Verantwortung von Bonart Mati, der sich nach 8-jähriger Aufbauarbeit neuen Herausforderungen widmen will.
Andy Siemers
Vor seinem Engagement bei eny Finance hat Andy Siemers als Unternehmer die erfolgreichen Start-ups Credix.ch und LEND.ch als Mitgründer aufgebaut und im Markt etabliert. Zuvor war Andy Siemers auch über 7 Jahre bei GE Money Bank (heute Cembra Money Bank) tätig, zuletzt als Chief Marketing Officer in der Geschäftsleitung.
Gleichzeitig mit dem CEO-Wechsel wird mit Daniel Mohler auch ein neuer CFO Einzug in die Geschäftsleitung der eny Finance AG nehmen. Daniel Mohler hielt bereits CFO Positionen bei verschiedenen Schweizer KMUs und war zuletzt bei Hilti Schweiz AG als Leiter Finanzbuchhaltung tätig.
Michel Destraz, Präsident des Verwaltungsrats von eny Finance AG:
«Wir sind äusserst erfreut mit Andy Siemers und Daniel Mohler zwei ausgewiesene Experten für eny Finance gewonnen zu haben und freuen uns mit ihnen zusammen die nächsten grossen Schritte in die Zukunft zu unternehmen.»
«Nach dem erfolgreichen Aufbau und einer imposanten Wachstumsphase kann sich eny Finance nun dem nächsten Kapitel der Erfolgsgeschichte widmen»,
meint Destraz weiter. Dank der erreichten Grösse wird sich Eny Finance nun vermehrt dem Aufbau von Effizienzen und dem Ausbau von Produkte-Innovationen widmen und so einen massgeblichen Beitrag zur Weiterentwicklung kundenfokussierter Finanzdienstleistungen im Schweizer Markt leisten.
 
Featured image credit: eny Finance AG
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/neues-fuhrungsteam-fur-eny-finance</link><guid>1102</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Neues Führungsteam für eny Finance</dc:text></item><item><title>Weg Mit Dem Passwort – Her Mit Neuen Authentisierungsmöglichkeiten</title><description><![CDATA[Passwörter sind für Nutzer nach wie vor ein notwendiges Übel und Identitätsdiebstähle mehren sich – höchste Zeit, die Authentisierung zugleich einfacher und sicherer zu gestalten.
Waren Sie schon einmal von Datendiebstahl betroffen? Hat Sie ein Dienstleistungsanbieter über einen unbefugten Zugriff auf seine Nutzerdatenbank informiert? Wenn ja, sind Sie nicht allein, wie die Umfrage zeigt, die AdNovum 2018 zum Thema digitale Identitäten durchgeführt hat. In den zwei Jahren seit AdNovums letzter Umfrage hat sich die Zahl der von Identitätsdiebstahl betroffenen Personen verdoppelt.
Für Angreifer ist es offenbar unverändert einfach, digitale Identitäten zu manipulieren oder zu stehlen. Ein Grund: Nutzerkonten werden auf breiter Front mit einfachen Passwörtern geschützt und lassen sich deshalb leichter hacken als solche mit biometrischer oder zusätzlicher Sicherheitsprüfung. Für die Nutzer sind Passwörter offenbar ein notwendiges Übel.
85% der Befragten geben an, sie seien zu bequem, um ihr Passwort regelmässig zu ändern, und 33% verwenden für die meisten Konten dasselbe Passwort. 40% der Nutzer können wiederum nicht einloggen, wann sie wollen, weil sie das Token oder den Kartenleser nicht dabei haben.
All diese Faktoren zusammen bilden einen starken Anreiz, Authentisierungslösungen bereitzustellen, die sich nicht allein auf Passwörter verlassen. Die Ergebnisse der Umfrage von 2018 liefern einen klaren Hinweis darauf, wo man einer besseren Lösung bieten sollte: 99% der Umfrageteilnehmer nutzen ihre digitalen Identitäten neben dem Desktop Computer auf ihrem mobilen Gerät.
Hinzu kommt, dass nur 8% sagen, ihr mobiles Gerät unterstütze keinerlei biometrische Authentisierung wie Fingerabdruck oder Gesichtserkennung. Angesichts der praktisch universellen Nutzung solcher Geräte und der Tatsache, dass diese fast ausnahmslos eine Form biometrischer Authentisierung unterstützen, liegt es nahe, zur besseren Sicherheit der Konten auf Biometrie zu setzen. Was ebenfalls dafür spricht: 2016 gaben noch 33% der Befragten an, biometrische Features zu nutzen, 2018 waren es bereits 66.

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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/weg-mit-dem-passwort-her-mit-neuen-authentisierungsmoglichkeiten</link><guid>1101</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/digital-identity_4-1024x536.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Weg Mit Dem Passwort – Her Mit Neuen Authentisierungsmöglichkeiten</dc:text></item><item><title>IFZ Study: Swiss Fintech Industry Continues To Grow And Mature</title><description><![CDATA[The Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts has conducted its fourth review of the Swiss fintech market and released its annual IFZ Fintech Study, which provides an overview of the state and the developments in the Swiss fintech sector.
Results of this year’s study indicate strong growth and the increasing importance of the Swiss fintech sector. In 2018, the Swiss fintech sector grew significantly, not only in terms of the total number of companies but also in terms of the venture capital invested.
The research estimates that as of the end of 2018, there were a total of 356 fintech companies in Switzerland, corresponding to a growth rate of 62% compared to the year 2017. Additionally, judging by the increasing number of employees and capitalizations of the companies, the Swiss fintech sector is also maturing.
The significant growth of the Swiss fintech sector last year was largely driven by companies in the field of distributed ledger technology (DLT) and blockchain, whose number more than tripled in 2018 to reach 122 companies. These represented over one third of all Swiss fintech companies.
After blockchain and DLT, investment management was the second most crowded segment with 66 active companies, followed by banking infrastructure with 56, deposit and lending with 42, payments with 36, and analytics with 34.

2018 was a record year in terms of venture capital investment volumes into the Swiss fintech sector. Over the course of the year, a total of 68 publicly available funding rounds were conducted raising a total amount of CHF 324 million.
Though the number of funding rounds remained unchanged, the total investment amount more than doubled (+149%). 2018’s largest funding round was SEBA Crypto AG, which raised a total of CHF 100 million.

Besides venture capital, there were also multiple initial coin offerings (ICOs) in the Swiss fintech sector in 2018. ICOs conducted by Swiss fintech companies raised a total of US$386 million last year through 15 campaigns. The figures represent a decrease in both the number of ICOs and the total volume raised.
The largest ICO in 2018 was conducted by cryptocurrency mining firm Envion, which raised over CHF 90 million. Last month, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) said that the ICO of Envion was held illegally and “seriously violated supervisory law.” Envion is currently in liquidation.

2018 witnessed the launch of several new incubator and accelerator programs, as well as initiatives aimed at supporting the Swiss fintech sector. Examples include the CV Labs blockchain incubator, the Salesforce Accelerate program for the EMEA region by Salesforce, and the Venture Leaders Fintech roadshow organized by Venturelab.
Another development was the creation of new co-working spaces. The most notable examples are CV Labs, located in Zug, and Trust Square located in Zurich, both providing co-working spaces to startups and established companies in the field of blockchain and DLT.
2018 also saw the establishment of three new associations related to fintech: two in the field of DLT, the Capital Markets and Technology Association (CMTA) and the Swiss Blockchain Association, and one in the field of crowdfunding, the Swiss Marketplace Lending Association.
Switzerland now counts a shocking amount of 16 fintech-related associations. These include Swiss Finance + Technology Association (SFTA), Swiss Finance Startups, Swiss Fintech Innovations, and the Crypto Valley Association.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ifz-study-swiss-fintech-industry-continues-to-grow-and-mature</link><guid>1098</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Number-of-fintech-companies-in-Switzerland.png</dc:content ><dc:text>IFZ Study: Swiss Fintech Industry Continues To Grow And Mature</dc:text></item><item><title>Procivis and Skribble Partner to Close Crucial Gap in High-Trust Online Processes</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss e-government specialist Procivis and electronic signature provider Skribble have announced a partnership to combine digital identity with legally binding electronic signatures. The collaboration will help close a crucial gap in the digitisation of public services and further strengthen trust in online transactions.

Based on Procivis’ government-verified “eID+” electronic identity, citizens will be able to issue qualified electronic signatures on the Skribble platform and legally sign documents directly on the eID+smartphone app.
The collaboration announced today includes a reciprocal integration of the two partners’ core technologies. In the first step, Skribble will allow users to log on to its platform with the help of their eID+.
Users will be able to share government-attested identity attributes stored in their eID+ with Skribble, removing the need for additional in-person verification by Swisscom or another approved entity. In a second step, Skribble’s legally binding signature service will be made available in the eID+ smartphone app.
This will allow users to import documents, such as rental agreements or insurance policies, into their eID+ app and sign them electronically on their mobile phone with only two clicks.
While most transactions in everyday life, such as banking, shopping or using public services, can be done online, entering legal contracts still often requires for documents to be printed and physically signed.
Skribble closes this gap and allows the end-to-end digitisation of high-trust processes by providing a “Qualified Electronic Signature (QES)”. A QES is the only type of electronic signature that is equivalent to a hand-written signature according to Swiss and EU law.
The two partners expect the integration of their solutions to be implemented and available to customers by the middle of 2019.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/procivis-and-skribble-partner-to-close-crucial-gap-in-high-trust-online-processes</link><guid>1099</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Procivis-and-Skribble-Partner-to-Close-Crucial-Gap-in-High-Trust-Online-Processes--1024x567.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Procivis and Skribble Partner to Close Crucial Gap in High-Trust Online Processes</dc:text></item><item><title>7 Things We Know About Facebook’s $1 Billion Cryptocurrency Project</title><description><![CDATA[Following the wind-down of the bull market of 2017, cyrpto is still undergoing some fascinating developments. A key one that grabbed even mainstream headlines? Facebook&#8217;s announcement that they too, want to foray into issuing coins.
The results of this project is slated for a launch before the year ends.
Facebook has a rumoured 50 engineers working on this project, according to some sources familiar with the project, if its flow of job listings is any sign.
Facebook is not alone in this, as messaging platform Telegram and Signal have announced intentions to roll out cryptocurrencies over the next year too. The timing and nature of these businesses seem to hint at the next phase of crypto-wars, but as of now it&#8217;s still too soon to say.
This time around, Facebook is keeping its cards so close to its chest that it&#8217;s said that even employees working in the same building don&#8217;t know what&#8217;s going on—to the point where the team in-the-know about the blockchain project has a separate key-card access.
Despite its hush-hush nature, there has been quite a bit of information that&#8217;s trickled out about the Facebook coin, such as:
1. The Facebook Coin will be a Stablecoin

According to Bloomberg&#8217;s initial report, some five people who have been briefed on the Facebook coin have said that the coin would likely be pegged to the value of traditional currencies to minimise volatility.
Facebook is interested in the stability of the coin&#8217;s value because:
2. The Crypto Should Be Used to Transfer Money via WhatsApp

According to Bloomberg as one of the first few to report about the coin, Facebook is working on creating a cryptocurrency that will let users transfer money on the Facebook-owned WhatsApp messaging app, focusing firstly on tackling the remittance market in India.
WhatsApp is a valuable market for the messaging platform. As of February last year, India recorded 200 million active users on the platform, and for a while, was the only recipient to the WhatsApp Business function.
India also leads the world in remittances, with its diaspora sending a staggering US$80 billion back home last year.
The idea would be that users could send money to friends and family instantly using the crypto instead, though for now, it remains unclear whether Facebook intends to offer cashout options, (which would put it under some regulatory jurisdictions that have precluded many incumbents from offering the same) or whether the remitted coins would be usable in a Facebook ecosystem (which would perhaps reduce efficacy of the solution).
3. Potential Integration with Messenger and Instagram

While Facebook is working on all of this, it is also said that the company is in the midst of a year-long overhaul of its messaging infrastructure to connect three of its properties—Messenger, WhatsApp and Instagram.
The move could and will serve other purposes, but since Facebook took pains to bring up that all three will be encrypted in the same way, it&#8217;s not a stretch to imagine that the cryptocurrency developed for WhatsApp remittances could find cross-platform use on other Facebook-owned properties as well.
4. Wants VC Funding to Help Build Credibility
Venture Capitalist Tim Draper (Image Credit: JD Lasica)
Facebook is not poor by any means, and is likely able to finance the production of the coin in-house out of their own pocket, and yet the social media network is famously seeking to raise as much as US$1 billion for the initiative.
Instead, Facebook seeks VCs more for their influence; their involvement in the project could help Facebook present the coin project as more decentralised, and less like Facebook is in total control.
Venture Capitalist Tim Draper has at least expressed interest in hearing Facebook out, according to Bloomberg. Hedge funds, VCs and other wealthy individuals are likely to invest as well.
5. Not Facebook&#8217;s First Virtual Currency Foray
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Astute followers of Facebook&#8217;s progress will probably recall the company&#8217;s 2011 effort to launch a digital currency—Facebook Credits.
It&#8217;s said that the profitability of this early scheme had been questionable, which ultimately led to the project&#8217;s sunset two years later. Cynics also bring up the Facebook Gifts scheme launched in 2012 and put down two years after that. 
According to TechCrunch&#8217;s Editor-at-Large, Josh Constine, &#8220;Facebook never found a way solve distance and localization problems to make Gifts work internationally.&#8221;
Facebook Messenger also has its own version of Payments, launched in the USA in 2015 and expanded into Europe later.
Therefore to many, this new try by Facebook runs the risk of hitting the same brick walls. While this new project may incorporate the latest tech darling, blockchain, its results may not stray too far from its track record so far.
6. Run by former PayPal president
Image Credit: Loic Le Meur
The cryptocurrency is currently spearheaded by David Marcus, formerly president of PayPal. In fact, observers into the space had been waiting for Facebook to move into finance when David Marcus had been tapped to run the Messenger app in 2014.
David became the head of Facebook&#8217;s blockchain initiatives, though the team is keeping mum about what that may entail.
7. Currently in Talks With Exchanges

Lending credence to the rumour that the project might launch before mid-2019, apparently the Facebook project is far enough along that the company is already reaching out to cryptocurrency exchanges about selling the Facebook coin by February this year.
The Facebook project is far enough along that the social networking giant has held conversations with cryptocurrency exchanges about selling the Facebook coin to consumers, said four people briefed on the negotiations.
The post 7 Things We Know About Facebook&#8217;s $1 Billion Cryptocurrency Project appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/7-things-we-know-about-facebooks-1-billion-cryptocurrency-project</link><guid>1097</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/facebook-coin-stablecoin-things-to-know-pegged-to-usd--1024x576.png</dc:content ><dc:text>7 Things We Know About Facebook’s $1 Billion Cryptocurrency Project</dc:text></item><item><title>Why Switzerland is Still Second to Singapore as a Global Fintech Hub</title><description><![CDATA[The fintech of 2016 is a universe away from the fintech of 2019. That&#8217;s just the song for any field encompassing tech these days. Yet, one thing that does not change year-on-year it seems, is Switzerland&#8217;s position as a global fintech hub—second place.
In a report titled the IFZ FinTech Study 2019 by the Institute of Financial Services Zug IFZ, despite rapid fintech development in various regions, the top 6 positions for fintech hub has not changed since last year. Therefore, yet again, Singapore ekes out a victory over Switzerland as a top global fintech hub.
Zurich and Geneva take the second and third place respectively on the rankings.
Image Credit: IFZ FinTech Study 2019
It should be noted that while Switzerland&#8217;s Zurich and Geneva may not be on top, the cities still present very promising circumstances for rapid fintech development. There is always room for development of course, but it is still accurate to say Switzerland&#8217;s cities are aspirational fintech hubs.
A clearer breakdown of how Switzerland performs on each individual marker are as below:
Image Credit: IFZ FinTech Study 2019
 
Political and Legal Environment
Zurich and Geneva are only slightly outperformed by Singapore in the political and legal environment area, and are tied at second place. All three present high political stability, high regulatory quality and relatively high government effectiveness—which translates to their fintech-related spheres.
Most recently Switzerland&#8217;s FINMA is paving the way for more relaxed licenses for fintechs specifically, requiring less extensive audits and simpler reporting procedures. While the regulator seems to encourage blockchain-related innovations, it remains vigilant of fake cryptocurrencies. Their deployment of course, is not perfect but enough to encourage higher trust.
Economy
This is the area where Zurich and Geneva lacks somewhat according to this report, as both cities are at seventh and eighth in rank, respectively; positions they continue to hold from last year&#8217;s report.
Their lower position here compared to other markers owes to their relatively small market size and high wage levels, precluding them from rising in the ranks.
The small market sizes explain themselves; while economic adversity lends well to fintech growth, as evidenced by various Southeast Asia regions with low banked populations leading to more unique fintech innovations catering to a real need in their respective markets. The meteoric growth of peer-to-peer lending in Indonesia proves this point.
Singapore may be in a similar boat here with Switzerland, but what is has is proximity to other Southeast Asian regions and relatively lower wages compared to Switzerland.
Social
The two Swiss cities performed admirably in this vector as well. Compared to last year&#8217;s ranking, Zurich retained its position while Geneva climbed from fourth to third place.
Switzerland&#8217;s cities showcase &#8220;exceptional talent environment&#8221;, owing to its universities, skills labour force and high quality of life.
Zurich and Geneva are only outperformed by Singapore which climbed ten positions in a year-to-year comparison. This strong increase is partially based on the ranking methodology, since Singapore was excluded in some social indicators in which it performed comparably bad in the last year.
Technology
Compared to its other markers, Switzerland&#8217;s cities performed the worst in  technology, which is unsurprisingly led by Tokyo, followed by Singapore and Seoul.
Zurich and Geneva apparently slightly climbed in the ranks compared to last year&#8217;s evaluation, but it is weakened due to low levels of government online services, and e-participation.
However, Zurich and Geneva are still strong in its high degree of university and industry collaboration, and intense ICT use by the Swiss population.
Yet, the report still characterises the Swiss fintech environment as in an &#8220;excellent condition&#8221;, giving it room to improve in the economic and technological dimension. Despite Switzerland&#8217;s relatively low performance in the technology dimension, its rise in ranking from last year, according to the report, marks that Switzerland is at least on the right track to expanding its role as a global fintech hub.
 
The post Why Switzerland is Still Second to Singapore as a Global Fintech Hub appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/why-switzerland-is-still-second-to-singapore-as-a-global-fintech-hub</link><guid>1096</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/switzerland-second-fintech-hub-singapore-ranking-overview.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Why Switzerland is Still Second to Singapore as a Global Fintech Hub</dc:text></item><item><title>From Bank Frick to Bitcoin Suisse – Mauro Casellini Takes on a New Role</title><description><![CDATA[Experienced head of blockchain banking at Bank Frick, Mauro Casellini, will be joining Bitcoin Suisse as of 1 July. He will be overseeing the expansion of the Liechtenstein subsidiary of Bitcoin Suisse as its new CEO.
Bank Frick and Bitcoin Suisse were among the first players to enter Europe’s crypto-financial services and blockchain banking sector.
In recent years, Mauro Casellini has successfully implemented a corporate strategy in the field of blockchain banking at Bank Frick, and also established the Blockchain and Payment Service Provider department, which is now 15 strong.
Close collaboration
Bitcoin Suisse is an important crypto broker for Bank Frick, while Bitcoin Suisse uses services provided by Bank Frick. The two companies also share many of the same clients.
With this move towards the Liechtenstein market, Bitcoin Suisse continues on its expansive trajectory, with the aim of serving further customer segments and markets across Europe.
Mauro Casellini
For Mauro Casellini, leaving Bank Frick
“is bittersweet. I was given the opportunity to introduce and expand blockchain banking at the Bank. Now I have been given another wonderful opportunity, which I will also relish,”
says Casellini.
In addition to his role as CEO of the Liechtenstein subsidiary of Bitcoin Suisse, Casellini will also play a key role within the company’s newly established ISP department (Institutional Services and Products), where he will be developing blockchain services for institutional clients more generally.
 
 
Featured image credit: Screengrab from Youtube
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/from-bank-frick-to-bitcoin-suisse-mauro-casellini-takes-on-a-new-role</link><guid>1095</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>From Bank Frick to Bitcoin Suisse – Mauro Casellini Takes on a New Role</dc:text></item><item><title>Transfermate Kauft Schweizer Devisen-Fintech Startup</title><description><![CDATA[TransferMate, einer der weltweit führenden Anbieter von grenzüberschreitenden B2B-Zahlungen, hat die Übernahme des Schweizer Devisen-Unternehmens Devisenwerk bekannt gegeben. Damit erhält TransferMate direkten Zugang zu einem der weltweit wichtigsten Finanzzentren.
Sinead Fitzmaurice, Mitbegründer und CFO von TransferMate, sagte:
Sinead Fitzmaurice
&#8220;Wir freuen uns, diese Übernahme bekannt zu geben. Dies ist ein wichtiger Schritt für das globale Wachstum von TransferMate. Devisenwerk ist ein spannendes und innovatives junges Unternehmen, das uns den sofortigen Markteintritt in der Schweiz ermöglicht, wodurch wir in einem sehr bedeutenden Markt für Unternehmen sowohl auszahlen als auch Zahlungen empfangen können. Nur wenige Zahlungsunternehmen haben direkten Clearing-Zugang zu Schweizer Banken, und diese Akquisition bietet uns dies.&#8221;
Devisenwerk-Mitbegründer Matthaus Jamroz sagte:
Matthäus Jamroz
„Wir freuen uns sehr, Teil von TransferMate zu werden. Durch die Kombination der Schweizer Zahlungslizenz von Devisenwerk mit der innovativen B2B-Technologie und dem umfassenden, weltweiten Regulierungsnetzwerk von TransferMate erhalten Schweizer Unternehmen eine überzeugende Echtzeit-Zahlungslösung, wenn sie Geld in die Schweiz und aus der Schweiz überweisen. &#8220;
Mit Transfermates umfassender globaler regulatorischer Präsenz und der Genehmigung für alle Staaten in den USA, ganz zu schweigen von der massgeschneiderten Zahlungstechnologie-Lösung, können Unternehmen problemlos neue Märkte erschliessen und grenzüberschreitende Zahlungen in mehreren Währungen vornehmen.
 
Featured image credit: Freepik
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/transfermate-kauft-schweizer-devisen-fintech-startup</link><guid>1094</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Transfermate Kauft Schweizer Devisen-Fintech Startup</dc:text></item><item><title>Noch ein Schweizer Fintech Verein: Geneva Fintech Association Startet</title><description><![CDATA[
Eine Gruppe von Genfer Organisationen hat sich unter dem Patronat des Kantons Genf zur Geneva Fintech Association zusammengeschlossen.
Die neue Vereinigung schreibt sich auf die Fahne, die Entwicklung wegweisender Technologien im Bereich Fintech zu fördern, insbesondere wenn es um Crowdfunding und Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT) geht.
Ziel ist es, Bildungsinitiativen rund um diese neuen Technologien zu entwickeln, Hauptakteure aus dem gesamten globalen Fintech-Ökosystem zu verbinden und die Diskussion über die aktuellen Entwicklungen zu fördern.
Zu den Gründungsmitgliedern des am 4. März 2019 ins Leben gerufenen Verbandes gehören der Finanzdienstleister Geneva Management Group (GMG), das digitale Bildungsinstitut CREA, die Anwaltskanzlei Ochsner &amp; Associés, der Blockchain-Lösungsanbieter We Can Group und die Fundraising-Experten der Swiss Crowdfunding Association.
Die Vernetzung von Interessensvertretern aus verschiedenen Berufsgruppen, die alle auf die Förderung der Fintech-Branche ausgerichtet sind, soll zu einer verbesserten Zusammenarbeit und einem Wissenstransfer mit globaler Ausstrahlung führen. Das gebündelte Know-how der beteiligten Unternehmen wird künftig ausgetauscht und erweitert, unter anderem durch regelmässige Veranstaltungen und Konferenzen.
Jedes Mitglied des Verbandes ist ein gleichberechtigter Akteur, wobei der Schwerpunkt auf kollektivem Wachstum und nicht auf individuellem Gewinn liegt. Ein Beispiel dafür ist die Tatsache, dass das Präsidium des Vereins jährlich wechselt.
Sébastien Flak
&#8220;Wir glauben an Bildung, Zusammenarbeit und gemeinsame Diskussionen&#8221;,
meint Sebastien Flak von GMG, erster Vorsitzender der Geneva Fintech Association.
&#8220;Bei allem, was wir tun, orientieren wir uns an diesen Werten, um der Fintech-Community am besten zu dienen und die Technologien, die sie antreiben, zu fördern.&#8221;
Das weitere Ziel des Verbandes ist es, das wachsende Genfer Fintech-Ökosystem von Einzelpersonen, Verbänden und Unternehmen unter seinem Dach zu vereinen, das in verschiedenen speziellen Körperschaften wie Wealthtech, AI usw. organisiert ist. Mehr Infos zum Verein gibt es hier:  genevafin.tech
Das Motto des neuen Vereins lauted: &#8220;Strenght in numbers. Knowledge is power&#8221;,
 

Featured image credit: Geneva Fintech Association
The post Noch ein Schweizer Fintech Verein: Geneva Fintech Association Startet appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/noch-ein-schweizer-fintech-verein-geneva-fintech-association-startet</link><guid>1089</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Noch ein Schweizer Fintech Verein: Geneva Fintech Association Startet</dc:text></item><item><title>German Challenger Bank And Fintech Unicorn N26 Gears Up For Swiss Launch</title><description><![CDATA[Germany’s challenger bank and fintech unicorn N26 is gearing up to launch in Switzerland. N26’s CEO and co-founder Valentin Stalf said at the Start Summit 2019 in St. Gallen last month that the startup’s entry into the Swiss market is expected to take place in two to three months.
N26 currently serves 24 European markets but not Switzerland. The company said more than 10,000 people from Switzerland had enlisted for an account as of the end of January.
Markus Gunter, CEO of N26’s banking arm, told Bloomberg in an interview earlier this week that the company is currently prioritizing international growth rather than product expansion, preferring to build up its international customer base first.
“Regional expansion will take precedence over product expansion,” Gunter told Bloomberg. “Some people claim you can’t make money from 20-year-olds, but you can if your costs are low.”

Image Credit: N26
Besides Switzerland, N26’s mid-term expansion plan includes entry into the US and Brazilian markets. The US launch is scheduled to happen mid-year, followed by Brazil. There are no plans to expand into Asia and the company hopes to reach over 100 million clients worldwide in the coming years.
N26 from Berlin was founded in 2013 and provides a free basic current account and debit MasterCard card to all its customers, as well as a Maestro card for their customers in certain markets. Additionally, customers can request overdraft, investment products and premium current accounts. Accounts are managed entirely online or through a mobile app, and N26 does not charge any fees for basic banking transactions.
Since launching its first product in January 2015, N26 claims it has processed more than EUR 20 billion in transaction volume. N26’s 2.5 million customers currently hold over EUR 1 billion in accounts. The company employs more than 800 people across three offices in Berlin, Barcelona and New York.

Image Credit: N26
Some German media outlets have reported that N26 has struggled to keep up with its rapid growth, notably in the areas of security and customer support. For example, N26 only uses a photo-identification procedure for account openings in some foreign markets rather than video technology.
“This approach has been reviewed and accepted by the regulator which is why we want to stick to the process, Gunter said, adding that the company has strengthened its photo identification process.
N26 raised more than US$300 million in venture capital at the beginning of the year, valuing the startup at US$2.7 billion. With its new valuation, N26 overtook Revolut as the most valuable mobile bank in Europe.
Separately, N26 also revealed plans for a US launch in March 2018 after raising US$123.2 million in a Series C funding round. In June, the company partnered with an undisclosed financial institution for a banking license instead of pursuing its own.
 
 
Featured image: N26 mobile app and MasterCard card.
The post German Challenger Bank And Fintech Unicorn N26 Gears Up For Swiss Launch appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/german-challenger-bank-and-fintech-unicorn-n26-gears-up-for-swiss-launch</link><guid>1088</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/n26-switzerland.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>German Challenger Bank And Fintech Unicorn N26 Gears Up For Swiss Launch</dc:text></item><item><title>Credit Suisse to Begin Apple Pay Support this Month</title><description><![CDATA[Credit Suisse has reportedly reached a payment deal with Apple and plans to begin supporting Apple Pay on its credit cards in April.
As of last summer, Credit Suisse could not find common ground with the tech giant, which was asking for a double-digit million figure marketing budget from Swiss banks looking to adopt its mobile payment system.
Apple Pay, via Apple
The support of Apple Pay will enable Credit Suisse clients to pay with their smartphones, not just in Switzerland but also abroad.
Hardly an exclusive agreement, Credit Suisse is also reportedly planning to link its cards with Samsung Pay and already links it credit cards to Swatch Pay
Swiss banks have been recalcitrant in adopting foreign third party mobile payment services. The Swiss Competition Commission (COMCO) opened a probe last year into whether major financial institutions including Credit Suisse, UBS, PostFinance, Swisscard AECS, a subsidiary of American Express, and Aduno Holding, a Zurich-based firm specializing in cashless payments, have agreed to collectively boycott mobile payment solutions of international providers in favor of a domestic provider.
There is a suspicion that these institution worked in concert to block their credit cards from working with Apple Pay and Samsung pay to benefit Twint.
Apple Pay entered Switzerland in 2016 as the first major competitor to Twint. Twint is a joint venture between Switzerland’s biggest banks to create a digital payments system launched in the same year.
On the flip side Twint had previously submitted a complaint against Apple over unfair competitive practices.
Credit Suisse’s deal with Apple does not halt the investigation, which focuses on alleged collusion in the past. The bank said its commitment to Twint remains unchanged.
 
 
Featured image via Credit Suisse.
The post Credit Suisse to Begin Apple Pay Support this Month appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/credit-suisse-to-begin-apple-pay-support-this-month</link><guid>1087</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Apple-Pay-1-1024x538.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Credit Suisse to Begin Apple Pay Support this Month</dc:text></item><item><title>Proxeus Technology Enables Shipment Tracking System Based on IOTA’s DLT</title><description><![CDATA[Proxeus a blockchain company that fashions itself as &#8220;WordPress for Blockchain&#8221; announced a successful use case of its technology to implement a decentralised shipment tracking system based on IOTA. Proxeus was also recognised by Fintech News Switzerland as the top 19 startups for 2019
The company said that this use case demonstrates the versatility of the Proxeus framework and &#8220;highlights the disruptive potential of blockchain technology in the Logistics and Trade Finance verticals.&#8221;
It&#8217;s common knowledge that supply chain processes rely heavily on paper, for example a full binder of documents is needed to send a shipment from Asia to Europe. Deploying blockchain in said situation could in theory reduce the manual paperwork and the costs associated with the inefficiencies.
Leveraging blockchain and IOT
By combining new technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) together with a decentralised ledger, it’s now possible to track shipments through the use of physical devices while registering the metadata associated with a particular shipment in a transaction on a ledger.
This way, it’s possible to instantaneously generate digital documents for the transit of goods from A to B, and thus issue shipment tracking which is both reliable and immutable.
A glimpse into the project
As part of a project by blockchain-development company BlockFactory in cooperation with logistics startup Sytrax, RFID chips were used to track palettes across connected terminals.
The tracking data (such as the consignment ID, the terminal name or even the signatory name) was directly sent to the IOTA ledger without any human intervention whatsoever.
Proxeus was then leveraged to automatically and instantaneously generate pre-templated documents (such as the Bill of Lading as well as various shipping receipts) based on the data retrieved from the IOTA ledger.
According to Proxeus the project was completed within the week.


 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/proxeus-technology-enables-shipment-tracking-system-based-on-iotas-dlt</link><guid>1086</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Proxeus Technology Enables Shipment Tracking System Based on IOTA’s DLT</dc:text></item><item><title>The Singularity Group Appoints Eric G. Sarasin as Chairman of the Board of Directors</title><description><![CDATA[The Board of Directors of the independent research and investment consultancy The Singularity Group AG, founded in October 2017 and based in Zug, has appointed Eric G. Sarasin as Chairman of the Board of Directors. As a member of the Board since August 2018, Sarasin will take over the chair as of 28 March.
In his new position, Sarasin is set to break new ground by developing innovation ambitions in forward-looking areas, such as new technologies, digitalisation or blockchain. The company managed by him aims to make innovations with exponential potential investable beyond the technology sector.
“We are proud to have enlisted Eric Sarasin as our new Chairman of the Board of Directors,”
says Evelyne Pflugi, CEO of The Singularity Group.
“Eric Sarasin has impressive expertise. His management experience and investment know-how will provide valuable inputs to the further development of our business model.”
Eric G. Sarasin
Commenting on his appointment Sarasin says:
“I am delighted to get the chance to play a bigger role in my position as Chairman. The more we focus on innovative technologies, the more resolutely we will tackle the big problems. Ultimately, this represents a direct investment in a better world.”
Investing in the future
Competition in the innovative field constantly brings forth new pioneering achievements. This trend opens up new investment opportunities and requires new investment strategies.
To date, investors often concentrate on technology funds and tech venture capital. The Singularity Group thinks outside the box by identifying innovative enterprises in various sectors and value chains with exponential growth potential. For this purpose, the company has defined a new equity classification system that allows it to pick out a series of listed enterprises from all countries and sectors that generate value through exponential technologies.
The universe of twelve defined sectors comprises, among others, 3D printing, blockchain, neuroscience, and nanotechnology. Since its establishment in October 2017, The Singularity Group has put this philosophy to good use and joined forces with FactSet and Nasdaq to create the Nasdaq Singularity IndexTM. The Singularity Fund was launched in October 2018. It provides a unique investment perspective that covers the entire spectrum of future investment subjects.
The post The Singularity Group Appoints Eric G. Sarasin as Chairman of the Board of Directors appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-singularity-group-appoints-eric-g-sarasin-as-chairman-of-the-board-of-directors</link><guid>1085</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>The Singularity Group Appoints Eric G. Sarasin as Chairman of the Board of Directors</dc:text></item><item><title>UBS’ New Open Banking Sandbox Allows Access The Interfaces of 3,000 Banks in EU</title><description><![CDATA[Beginning with a three-month test phase, third-party service providers can now access the interfaces of more than 3,000 banks across the EU.
UBS is providing this direct access to third-party providers as part of the European Revised Payment Service Directive (PSD2) open banking regulation.
The result UBS&#8217; open banking effort is a dedicated sandbox for third-party service providers, which allows them a testing entry into UBS&#8217; API functionality in accordance with PSD2 for Austria, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Luxembourg and UK.
The offering includes a rich developer portal, test environment and sandbox interfaces.
Working on these offerings with UBS is NDGIT, a Munich-based API-banking platform that allows full PSD2 compliance.
Its PSD2 standard software is used by more than twenty banks throughout Europe, using technologies such as REST (REpresentational State Transfer), SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) and OAuth2 (Open Authorization), the solution was designed to be integrated into the backend systems of the banks.
Featured image via Wikimedia Commons
The post UBS&#8217; New Open Banking Sandbox Allows Access The Interfaces of 3,000 Banks in EU appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ubs-new-open-banking-sandbox-allows-access-the-interfaces-of-3000-banks-in-eu</link><guid>1084</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>UBS’ New Open Banking Sandbox Allows Access The Interfaces of 3,000 Banks in EU</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Startup Map March: 4 New Swiss Fintech Join the Ecosystem</title><description><![CDATA[Swisscom just released the new Swiss Fintech Startup Map March.
The Swiss Fintech map counts now 319 Startups.
4 new Swiss Fintech Startups joined the map:

Kreditfabrik AG


The credit factory offers demanding clients a comprehensive service for the management and risk assessment of mortgages. 



blockimmo
blockimmo is a blockchain powered startup on the verge of becoming the go to marketplace for real estate tokenization. Our regulatory compliant ecosystem enables fractional property investments and ownership.

Teylor AG
Teylor is a Swiss technology company focused on building better financial products for small businesses in Europe.

Curio Capital AG
Curio is using blockchain technology to create new Digital Asset Class that opens the global collectors car market to millions of investors around the world in a trustworthy and transparent environment.


The post Swiss Fintech Startup Map March: 4 New Swiss Fintech Join the Ecosystem appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-startup-map-march-4-new-swiss-fintech-join-the-ecosystem</link><guid>1083</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/SW_fintechmap_apr_2019-1-1024x733.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Startup Map March: 4 New Swiss Fintech Join the Ecosystem</dc:text></item><item><title>Eine Digitale Identität Allein Reicht Nicht</title><description><![CDATA[Nutzer besitzen heute mehrere digitale Indentitäten. Einige davon verwenden sie häufig, andere selten.
Die Umfrage zur Verwendung digitaler Identitäten, die AdNovum im Oktober 2018 durchführte, zeigt, wie viele Zugangsdaten Nutzer haben.
Nur gerade 15% der Befragten haben weniger als 10 digitale Identitäten, 22% mehr als 80. Im Durchschnitt verwendet ein Nutzer rund 30 verschiedene Zugangsdaten. Dieser Wert entspricht etwa jenem der Umfrage, die AdNovum im Juni 2016 durchgeführt hatte.
Die Häufigkeit der Verwendung hat sich zwischen 2016 und 2018 ebenfalls nicht verändert: Rund 50% der Befragten nutzen zwischen einem und fünf Konten pro Tag, rund 35% zwischen sechs und zehn.  Auf die meisten dieser Konten greifen sie mittels automatischem Login zu, das heisst die Zugangsdaten sind typischerweise in einer mobilen App hinterlegt.
Die Anbieter scheinen die Sicherheit digitaler Identitäten langsam, aber sicher zu verbessern. Denn verglichen mit 2016 wurde 2018 bei mehr Konten eine starke Authentisierung verlangt. Trotzdem sind zahlreiche Konten nach wie vor nur durch Passwort geschützt. 99% der Befragten geben an, ihre digitalen Identitäten auf einem mobilen Gerät zu nutzen.
Es ist daher klar, dass sich digitale Identitäten nicht nur für die Verwendung auf mobilen Geräten eignen, sondern zugleich einen angemessenen Schutz vor Identitätsdiebstahl bieten müssen.
Eine Möglichkeit, die Anzahl digitaler Identitäten zu verringern, wäre, eine Identität für alles zu verwenden – sofern die betreffenden Dienste dies erlauben. Bei gewissen Diensten können sich Nutzer heute mit ihrem Facebook- oder Google-Konto einloggen, anstatt sich neu zu registrieren. Damit ist jedoch nur einem Teil der Nutzer geholfen. Denn nur rund ein Drittel der Befragten gab an, dass sie eine Mehrfachverwendung derselben Identität bevorzugen.
Anders gesagt: 75% der Befragten trauen Facebook, Google und anderen Diensten zu wenig, um für alles dieselbe digitale Identität zu verwenden. Diese Vorbehalte sind wohl bis zu einem gewissen Grad auf die jüngst bekannt gewordenen gross angelegten Identitätsdiebstähle und Datenlecks zurückzuführen. Fazit: Anbieter von Diensten sollten ihre Strategie für digitale Identitäten sorgfältig definieren &#8230; und dem Nutzer bei der Authentisierung idealerweise die Wahl lassen.

The post Eine Digitale Identität Allein Reicht Nicht appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/eine-digitale-identitat-allein-reicht-nicht</link><guid>1082</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/digital-identity_1-1024x536.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Eine Digitale Identität Allein Reicht Nicht</dc:text></item><item><title>What Are Germany’s Top Funded Fintech Startups Doing With Their Funds?</title><description><![CDATA[Fintech continues to thrive in Germany with the number of fintech companies and investment volume steadily growing.
Berlin in particular has emerged as one of Europe’s leading fintech hubs, hosting 27% of the country’s fintech companies. Frankfurt and the wider Rhine-Main-Neckar region is rapidly catching up, though, with 25% of the country’s fintechs.
In 2018, investments in German fintech companies reached a record, topping EUR 1 billion for the first time. The total invested reached 1.13 billion euros in 2018, according to calculations by Dusseldorf-based Barkow Consulting.
Year-on-year growth of 55% was the fastest pace since 2015, although the number of deals declined by 10% compared with 2017. According to Bloomberg, the figures outline the continued popularity of fintechs as an investment target.
While 2018’s fintech investments were already significant with several deals in the tens of millions, 2019 promises to surpass previous years and is already seeing numerous nine-digit mega-rounds.
What are exactly are these startups doing with all this money?
Editor&#8217;s Note: Funding amounts have been converted to USD and rounded up based on time of writing for an easier read.
N26 – US$300 million, January 2019
N26, a German direct bank headquartered in Berlin, announced a US$300 million Series C funding round in January, the largest private equity financing round for a fintech business in Europe so far. With a valuation of US$2.7 billion, this makes N26 one of the most valuable technology startups around the world.
The company said it would use the funding to support its growth strategy to offer a global solution to everyday banking challenges, bring N26 to new markets beyond Europe such as the US, expand its teams in Europe and around the world, as well as push advertising.
 
Wefox – US$ 120 million, March 2019
Insurtech startup Wefox announced a $US 110 million investment in March. The startup had been looking to raise a big round of financing throughout 2018 but had been delayed by a lawsuit by US competitor Lemonade.
Wefox said it would use the money to expand into nine new European markets. The startup is already active in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, as well as in Italy and Spain, and plans to expand into Japan and China. It will also use the money to increase the team of developers, further specialize data analysis, and develop its core technology which uses artificial intelligence.
An industry rumor also suggests that Wefox may be interested in the all-finance broker pool funds finance.
 
Raisin – US$114 million, February 2019
Raisin, a pan-European fintech marketplace for savings and investment products, announced a US$114 million Series D funding round in February, bringing the total amount raised so far to US$200 million.
The company said the new capital would be put toward strategic acquisitions and further internationalization. Following launches in the Netherlands and the UK last year, Raisin is planning to add at least two additional markets to its platform this year. It will also enlarge its international team and extend its line of investment products.
It also utilized the funds to purchase a Frankfurt-based bank.
As of February 2019, Raisin had brokered more than US$11 billion in deposits to 62 partner banks and earned savers US$90 million in earned interest, the company claims.
 
Deposit Solutions – US$100 million, August 2018
Deposit Solutions, an open banking platform for deposits, announced in August 2018 a US$100 million funding round, valuing the company at US$500 million.
The company said it would use the money to finance Deposit Solutions’ international expansion. It operates websites in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and launched in Switzerland in February 2019.
“We want to go into further European countries,” Tim Sievers, founder of Deposit Solutions, told the Financial Times, adding that the company saw “a lot room for growth” in countries such as France, Spain and Italy.
 
SolarisBank – $US 60 million, March 2018
SolarisBank, a “banking-as-a-service” platform with a full banking license, announced in March 2018 a EUR 56.6 million Series B funding round.
The company said the raised capital will help it support its growth, the continued development of its digital platform and product portfolio, as well as geographic expansion. Since the funding, SolarisBank has staffed up and launched several products including the Blockchain Factory, digital automated loan securitization, and new identification solutions for business.
 
Finleap – US$ 46 million, November 2018
Finleap, a European fintech company builder, announced in November 2018 a EUR 41.5 million investment round.
The company said it would use the capital to support its growth course, the development of new technologies and companies, as well as further geographic expansion. Since closing the deal, Finleap has invested in its existing portfolio and more precisely Finreach, which is set to merge with Hamburg API specialist Figo and expand into an open banking platform.
 
Smava – &gt; US$ 33 Million January 2018
Consumer loan portal Smava announced the closing of a US$65 million investment in January 2018.
The company said it would use the capital to better serve consumers, continue developing its scoring technology and expand into new market segments.
The Berlin-based comparison portal is reportedly aiming for the stock market and has been spending millions of euros in TV advertising.
 
Liqid – $US 37 million, September 2018
Digital wealth manager Liqid announced a EUR 33 million Series C finding round in September 2018.
The company said it would use the funding to expand its technology platform, the range of services offered in Germany and beyond, and staff up.
Liqid is reportedly looking to expand to Austria and Switzerland in the coming months, with Spain and Italy to follow after.
 
Mambu – US$ 33 million, February 2019
Mambu, a software-as-a-service banking engine, announced in February 2019 a EUR 30 million funding round.
The company said the funding will help it accelerate its momentum by stepping up investment in both the commercial teams as well as the product, platform, services, and growing its headcount.
 
Scalable Capital – $US 33 million, June 2017
Robo-advisor Scalable Capital announced in June 2017 a EUR 30 million funding round.
According to Finanz-szene.de, the capital has been so far used in marketing and for hiring new employees. Scalable Capital has recently expanded its investment universe with four factor ETFs covering the asset classes equities Europe and equities USA.
 
Clark – $US 27  million, April 2018
Insurance robo-advisor Clark announced in April 2018 a US$29 million Series B funding round.
The company recently made two acquisitions: insurance broker Malburg, and brokerage business Paetau Sports Versicherungsmakler.
Clark claims to have more than 150,000 customers for its digital insurance services.
The post What Are Germany&#8217;s Top Funded Fintech Startups Doing With Their Funds? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/what-are-germanys-top-funded-fintech-startups-doing-with-their-funds</link><guid>1081</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Top-Funded-Fintech-Germany-n26.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>What Are Germany’s Top Funded Fintech Startups Doing With Their Funds?</dc:text></item><item><title>Advisor Register Switzerland- Challenges for Client Advisors</title><description><![CDATA[The countdown to the entry into force of the new Swiss Financial Services Act (FinSA) is underway.
It will only take a few months and then certain client advisors operating in Switzerland &#8211; primarily those of foreign financial service providers &#8211; will be legally obliged to be entered in a register of advisors.
Based on the provisions currently provided for in the draft Financial Services Ordinance (FinSO), it can be assumed that a large number of client advisors will ultimately be affected by this obligation to be entered in an advisor register.
Expenses and costs for client advisors should not be underestimated- Advisor Register Switzerland
An entry in an advisor register (in Switzerland) is made by a registration office approved by the Swiss Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA). An application must be submitted by the client advisor to the registration office. If it were simply a matter of publishing the name and company name of the client advisor concerned in a public register, this would not be a significant legal novelty.
However, the central aspect of this new obligation is that a client advisor must provide certain evidence before it can even be entered in a Swiss advisor register. Among other things, the client advisor must prove that he or she has sufficient knowledge of the legal rules of conduct according to FinSA and of the specialist knowledge required for the specific activity. For this, appropriate solutions are needed to keep the effort and costs for client advisors and the registration office within reasonable limits.
Challenge for client advisors to prove the necessary knowledge
In Switzerland, certain financial training courses such as AZEK and CFA are well known and widespread. Some of the larger banks also offer their employees very comprehensive internal training seminars and documentation. If a client advisor has such a recognised diploma that matches his activity, it can be assumed that the client advisor will at least be able to demonstrate the necessary specialist knowledge to the registration office. But what about the rules of conduct and what about foreign client advisors who do not have any diplomas known in Switzerland?
Standardised online tests as a remedy
A personal inspection on site in a test center would cause high costs. Standardized online tests appear to be more suitable and cost less. In order to be able to use standardized online tests to prove the necessary knowledge for foreign client advisors, it should be possible to verify that:

the client advisor in question has taken the test himself/herself and has not had it done over or together with another person (authentication and authentication);
he or she is comprehensively tested in all necessary aspects;
a sufficient number of test questions is available; and
the test cannot be repeated as many times as required to ensure a certain level of quality.

Chatbots as a possible solution?
Here, chatbots combined with video identification could be used. The test would then be carried out live by a chatbot and questions would not have to be limited to multiple choice questions &#8211; as is usually the case with online tests. To ensure authentic registration by the relevant customer advisor, video identification would be an option, which is already used in the context of AML checks.
BX Swiss is looking for suitable Regtech services
Interested Regtech companies who have suitable services on offer can contact BX Swiss directly at regtech@regservices.ch. They should describe the company, which solutions is offered in the Regtech area and attach a short presentation.
More information can also be found at www.regservices.ch/en 
A brief summary of the regulations FinSa and FinIA can be found here.
Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/advisor-register-switzerland-challenges-for-client-advisors</link><guid>1078</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Advisor Register Switzerland- Challenges for Client Advisors</dc:text></item><item><title>Parkgebühren nun auch in der Stadt Zürich mit Twint Zahlbar</title><description><![CDATA[Nachdem schweizweit bereits über 50&#8217;000 Parkplätze für die Bezahlung mit der TWINT App ausgerüstet sind, folgt nun die Stadt Zürich.
Die Vorteile: Keine lästige Münzsuche und die Parkierenden bezahlen mit TWINT nur die tatsächliche Parkzeit. Ermöglicht wird dies durch die Zusammenarbeit mit «parkingpay», einem Angebot von Digitalparking.
Ab Mitte April kann die TWINT App auch in Zürich als Bezahlungsmittel an Parkuhren eingesetzt werden. Die Stadt lässt in den nächsten Wochen ihre 1350 Parkuhren im Stadtgebiet mit dem TWINT QR-Code bekleben. Er wird direkt neben dem Logo von «parkingpay» platziert.
Um das Angebot zu nutzen, öffnen die Autofahrerinnen und Autofahrer einfach die TWINT App, scannen den TWINT QR-Code auf der Parkuhr, geben einmalig ihr Autokennzeichen ein und wählen in der App die gewünschte Parkdauer. Die Gebühr wird via TWINT bezahlt und direkt vom hinterlegten Bankkonto oder der hinterlegten Kreditkarte abgezogen. Wer den Parkvorgang in der App vorzeitig beendet, bekommt den Restbetrag via TWINT App automatisch zurückerstattet. Man bezahlt also nur die tatsächliche Parkzeit.
Die Nutzerinnen und Nutzer zahlen keinen Rappen mehr, weil sie an der Parkuhr mit TWINT eine zusätzliche, einfachere und schnellere Bezahlmethode neben dem Bargeld erhalten. Die Nutzung der TWINT App ist komplett kostenlos und die Nutzerinnen und Nutzer benötigen nur eine App für alles. Mit der TWINT App können sie online und in Läden shoppen, ihre Restaurant Rechnung unter Freunden aufteilen und nun eben auch die Parkgebühren in Zürich bezahlen. Alles ganz bequem mit einer App – der TWINT App.



Möglich macht diese innovative Lösung die Zusammenarbeit von TWINT mit Digitalparking, dem Schweizer Kompetenzunternehmen für Parkplatzbewirtschaftung.
Nach dem Start in Zug im letzten Sommer bieten seither eine ganze Reihe von Schweizer Städten TWINT als Bezahlungsmittel für Parkplätze an. Schweizweit sind nun bereits über 50&#8217;000 Parkplätze mit dieser Möglichkeit ausgestattet. Eine Karte mit den Orten, wo mit TWINT der Parkplatz bezahlt werden kann, findet sich unter www.twint.ch/parking
Markus Kilb, Twint
Markus Kilb, CEO von TWINT:
«Dass nun auch in der grössten Schweizer Stadt Zürich beim Parkieren aufs Münz verzichtet werden kann, freut mich besonders. Gerade die einfache Bezahlform der Parkgebühr ohne lästige Münzsuche überzeugt.»
The post Parkgebühren nun auch in der Stadt Zürich mit Twint Zahlbar appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/parkgebuhren-nun-auch-in-der-stadt-zurich-mit-twint-zahlbar</link><guid>1077</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Parkgebühren nun auch in der Stadt Zürich mit Twint Zahlbar</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Government Mulling a More Relaxed Blockchain Regulation</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss Federal Council initiated consultation recently to adopt a more blockchain friendly federal law. They emphasized that they want to create the best possible framework to further cement Switzerland as a leading hub for fintech and blockchain companies.
The draft serves to further improve the regulatory framework for DLT in Switzerland, in particular in the financial sector. The consultation will last until the end of June 2019.
In the consultation draft the Federal Council proposes the following adjustments :

In the Swiss Code of Obligations, the possibility of electronic registration of rights that can guarantee the functions of negotiable securities is to be created. This is intended to increase legal certainty in the transfer of DLT-based assets.
In the Federal Law on Debt Collection and Bankruptcy, the segregation of cryptobased assets in the event of a bankruptcy is to be expressly regulated, also to increase legal certainty.
In financial market infrastructure law, a new authorisation category for so-called &#8220;DLT trading facilities&#8221; is to be created. These are intended to be able to offer regulated financial market players and private customers services in the areas of trading, clearing, settlement and custody with DLT-based assets.
Finally, it should also be possible in future to obtain a licence to operate an organised trading facility as a securities firm. This requires an adaptation of the future Financial Institutions Act.

 
Featured image credit: Pixabay
The post Swiss Government Mulling a More Relaxed Blockchain Regulation appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-government-mulling-a-more-relaxed-blockchain-regulation</link><guid>1076</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Government Mulling a More Relaxed Blockchain Regulation</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Startup Wants You to Record Your Pets on Blockchain to Stop Puppy Mills</title><description><![CDATA[In western countries, more than half of the population have at least one pet, especially dogs and cats. Not all suppliers in this market of millions focus on the welfare of animals, however.
&#8220;Adopt don&#8217;t shop&#8221; has been a mantra among pet enthusiasts to curb puppy mills that put animals in cruel, factory line-like conditions to produce volumes of &#8220;new products&#8221; for lowered costs. Naturally, this social movement would lump legitimate breeders in the same hole as the unscrupulous ones.
To provide more clarity in the field, Swiss startup CogniPet plans to store the identity of dogs and cats on blockchain, in a bid to reduce instances of misleading and fraudulent practices.
Transparency to Allow More Ethical Decisions
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
In a highly fragmented market, CogniPet uses digitisation to create transparency and, via a contact function, bring serious breeders together with responsible pet owners. The app also aims to help dogs and cats in shelters to find a new home.
Using AI-based image recognition, the CogniPet app will give the pets a digital ID and validated pet industry information, which would allow potential buyers and owners to check whether buying that cute new puppy would inadvertently support unsavoury practices.
Image Credit: CogniPet
Breeders can deposit certificates, pedigrees and medical documents on their dogs or cats in the CogniPet app which is open to potential buyers. A breeder rating is also listed to support decision-making.
Pet Photos with a Purpose
Image Credit: CogniPet
CogniPet would also like to validate that pet owner impulse to document every waking moment of their furkids, because the platform contains photo and social media functions. The platform argues that the image recognition capabilities should help to reunite missing or found animals to their owners more quickly.
As with much of these blockchain projects geared towards streamlining traditionally fragmented industries, its true value would only be felt if it can grow into an industry standard and household name. For now, CogniPet stands as a pet project with some potential, and a much better association between kitties and blockchain compared to some previous infamous projects.
Featured image via The Humane Society
The post Swiss Startup Wants You to Record Your Pets on Blockchain to Stop Puppy Mills appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-startup-wants-you-to-record-your-pets-on-blockchain-to-stop-puppy-mills</link><guid>1075</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/puppy-mill-cognipet-e1553163429370-1024x521.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Startup Wants You to Record Your Pets on Blockchain to Stop Puppy Mills</dc:text></item><item><title>Nationalrat Will Kryptowährungen in der Schweiz Regulieren</title><description><![CDATA[Der Bundesrat will noch im Frühjahr Vorschläge zur Regulierung von Kryptowährungen wie Bitcoin in die Vernehmlassung schicken.
Das sagte Finanzminister Ueli Maurer am Mittwoch im Nationalrat. Der Rat nahm dennoch einen Vorstoss dazu an.
Mit 99 zu 83 Stimmen bei 10 Enthaltungen hiess der Rat eine Motion von Giovanni Merlini (FDP/TI) gut. Dieser will den Bundesrat beauftragen, die Bestimmungen über verfahrensrechtliche Instrumente der Justiz- und Verwaltungsbehörden anzupassen, damit diese auch auf Kryptowährungen anwendbar sind.
Es gelte, Lücken beim Schutz gegen Missbrauch zu schliessen, argumentierte Merlini. Kryptowährungen könne jede Person herausgeben, die über ein dezentrales und auf kryptografischen Kriterien basierendes Peer-to-Peer-Datennetz verfüge. Ein grosser Teil der Kryptowährungen sei völlig anonym, was Erpressungen und Geldwäscherei begünstige.
Es gelte abzuklären, wie die Risiken eingedämmt werden könnten und ob die Verantwortlichen der Kryptowährungs-Handelsplattformen den Finanzintermediären gleichgestellt und der Finanzmarktaufsicht (Finma) unterstellt werden sollten. Über den Vorstoss muss noch der Ständerat befinden.
Maurer stellte fest, dieser gehe weiter als die geplante Regulierung.
 
Featured image credit: Edit from Parliament Building: the chamber of the national council and unsplash
The post Nationalrat Will Kryptowährungen in der Schweiz Regulieren appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/nationalrat-will-kryptowahrungen-in-der-schweiz-regulieren</link><guid>1074</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Nationalrat Will Kryptowährungen in der Schweiz Regulieren</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Regulators Paving the Way for New (And More Relaxed) Fintech Licensing</title><description><![CDATA[The introduction of a new fintech licence and a revision of the sandbox requirements means that certain adjustments to the regulations have to be made by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA.
When it comes to pass, companies with a fintech license will be able to operate with less extensive auditing. The requirements for fintech companies will be based on the established auditing of banks and securities dealers, but the audit is less extensive and the reporting process simpler, while focusing on the risks specific to fintech business models.
With effect from 1 April 2019, the Federal Council will be making changes to the provisions relating to the sandbox. It is possible to invest deposits received up to CHF 1 million within the sandbox.But operating in the so-called interest rate differential business is prohibited and remains the privilege of banks.
In its amendment to the “Public deposits with non-banks” circular, FINMA sets out its interpretation of the term “interest rate differential business”. By doing so, it is increasing the legal certainty for people who wish to make use of the sandbox in the future.
 
Featured image credit: Pixabay 
The post Swiss Regulators Paving the Way for New (And More Relaxed) Fintech Licensing appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-regulators-paving-the-way-for-new-and-more-relaxed-fintech-licensing</link><guid>1073</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Regulators Paving the Way for New (And More Relaxed) Fintech Licensing</dc:text></item><item><title>EU Calls for a European Blockchain Infrastructure</title><description><![CDATA[The blockchain ecosystem has been steadily maturing over the past several years and projects are getting both larger and closer to going live, or have already done so. 2019 is set to witness several large platforms attract significant user bases, according to a new report by the European Union (EU) Blockchain Observatory and Forum.
In a report titled Scalability, interoperability and sustainability of blockchains, the EU Blockchain Observatory and Forum, an initiative of the European Commission (EC) launched in early 2018 to accelerate blockchain innovation and the development of the blockchain ecosystem within the EU, explores where blockchain adoption is headed in the near future.
According to the paper, the first wave of blockchain adoption will be characterized by a large number of permissioned, purpose-built blockchain platforms developed by industry or other types of consortia and focused on a single sector and/or use case.
It notes three most prevalent consortia models: the multi-stakeholder-managed industry consortium such as Komgo, a commodity trade network that counts the likes of BNP Paribas, Citi and Shell as shareholders, the single stakeholder-managed, blockchain-based industry ecosystem such as IBM Food Trust, a platform for the food supply chain, and the geographically-based blockchain consortia such as Alastria in Spain, a national, multisectorial consortium and blockchain ecosystem.
 
Main challenges in blockchain
But in order for blockchain-based platforms and applications to become successful, the report says that the blockchain community must solve an array of challenges including scalability, interoperability and sustainability.
The Blockchain Trilemma, Scalability, interoperability and sustainability of blockchains, the EU Blockchain Observatory and Forum
The scalability issue is inherent to the way blockchain works, it says, noting that “if a blockchain is to be highly decentralized and highly secure, it will come at the cost of scalability. If it is highly performant and highly decentralized, it will not be secure.”
“As a result, designers of blockchain-based platforms need to consider the trade-offs between these three parameters that best fit their particular use case,” the report says.
Another key challenge of blockchain infrastructures is interoperability, which refers to their ability to communicate and share data among each other. Interoperability between blockchain platforms can be achieved in different ways including the use of trusted third-party authorities to validate transactions or information, or by sharing information directly between blockchains without the need for a third-party by employing other blockchains or smart contracts to supply the trust needed to carry out inter-chain transactions or exchange data.
Finally, successful blockchain projects will need to be sustainable, in the sense of being viable over a long period of time.
Updating and securing the Bitcoin blockchain, for instance, which makes use of proof-of-work consensus, requires a great deal of electricity. It is estimated that Bitcoin consumes the equivalent amount of electricity in a day as the country of Singapore.
There are different ways to address the environmental sustainability issues of blockchains, the most promising being moving to a different consensus mechanism such as proof-of-stake.
There’s also the issue of blockchain projects, protocols and ecosystems sustainability, considering that many significant blockchain protocols under development are open source, have raised funds through initial coin offerings (ICOs) or via sponsors, and are managed by a non-profit foundation. These are often dependent upon an ecosystem of developers and others for contributions to their ongoing development.
For such projects, sustainability can be measured using different parameters including the source and amount of funding, the quality of the governance structures, the size and cohesiveness of the development community, and so on.
 
The need for a European Blockchain Infrastructure
In order for blockchain to reach its full potential in Europe, the EU Blockchain Observatory and Forum calls for the establishment of a “European blockchain infrastructure” that includes technical hardware and software stacks, standards, the legal framework as well as governance best practices.
According to the organization, the government will have a major role to play in helping develop such an infrastructure through policy. The focus should be on creating an environment and a set of foundations conducive to the development of an innovative, world-class blockchain ecosystem in the EU, making it easier and cheaper for public and public/private initiatives to design, test and deploy projects based on blockchain technology, establishing interoperability standards while ensuring no leakage of sensitive data, and facilitating knowledge transfer between projects.
It advises for a “light-touch approach, allowing for experimentation” and encourages European governments to “be open to these changes” and explore the use of blockchain in government services where it makes sense.
 
Featured Image via Freepik
The post EU Calls for a European Blockchain Infrastructure appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/eu-calls-for-a-european-blockchain-infrastructure</link><guid>1071</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/EU-Blockchain-Observatory-and-Forum-1024x576.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>EU Calls for a European Blockchain Infrastructure</dc:text></item><item><title>A Glimpse into Ukraine’s Underrated Fintech Scene</title><description><![CDATA[In Ukraine, fintech only started to draw the attention of the financial sector players in 2017 after a series of related forums and events, but the industry is now beginning to take off with more than 60 companies at different stages of maturity, according to a 2018 report by UNIT.City, an innovation park in Ukraine.
Image: Kiev, Ukraine, Pixabay
Similar to the rest of the world, the emergence of the fintech in Ukraine started in part as a response to the banking crisis of 2008 – 2009, and more recently after the 2013 – 2014.
Most of the country’s fintech companies (58%) have been launched since 2015 and early fintech initiatives mainly focused on the areas of payments and money transfers.
Since then, fintech development has been actively supported by initiatives undertaken by its central bank, the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU), which approved the Comprehensive Program of the Ukrainian Financial Sector Development (Resolution No. 391 dated 18 June 2017).
The program includes initiatives such as the Cashless 2020 Strategy, transition to ISO 20022 standards, the introduction of electronic signatures, remote identification, support to improve financial literacy, and new rules to facilitate the licensing of payments services providers.
Besides governmental support, several factors including a rising Internet penetration rate, favorable regulations and easier access to capital and investment, have contributed to the development of fintech in the country.
In 2008, only 24% of the adult population had access to the Internet but this increased to 63% in 2017. Internet penetration and speed in Ukraine continue to grow steadily due in part to diminishing costs and the proliferation of smartphones.
Furthermore, the legal and regulatory environment to support fintech and other startups has significantly improved in the past years and is likely to continue to improve in the future, the report says, and initiatives such as acceleration programs and co-working spaces have helped fintech companies raise seed capital and grow.
 
Ukraine’s fintech players
Ukraine’s fintech industry is largely dominated by payments services providers and money transfers operators, which represent 31.6% of the fintech industry, the research found.
It is followed by infrastructure and enabling technologies at 19.3% and lending at 14%.
Though present in much smaller proportions, Ukraine is also home to fintech companies operating in the areas of insurtech, regtech, personal finance, marketplaces, digital and neo banks, mobile wallets, blockchain and cryptocurrency.

More than 60% of the country’s fintech startups were founded within the last four years, and about 84% of fintech companies have already launched services and products, while 16% are still in the startup phase.

In the blockchain and cryptocurrency segment, Attic Lab is a software development company focused on creating products that improve financial and accounting services. Kuna is a cryptocurrency exchange that position itself as the easiest way to buy and sell cryptocurrencies in Eastern Europe. Coinypay has developed a chatbot utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) and cryptocurrencies to enable one-click payments. The company also develops custom chatbots for websites and Facebook pages.
In payments, Easypay offers a multilateral platform that provides a comprehensive payment tool supported by offline (EasyPay-branded payment terminals) and online (easypay.ua, e-commerce tools, and mobile applications) infrastructure. Meanwhile, Electrum enables clients to quickly open an anonymous e-wallet to pay for goods and service sin real-time, while providing them with loyalty and counterfeit protection services.
In infrastructure and Saas, UnityBars focuses on the development and implementation of financial and banking software for corporate, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and individual clients. The company offers a full cycle of development and support for its IT products. YouControl is a company that provides an online service to check counterparties.
Other noteworthy fintech companies in Ukraine include Treeum, the operator of several platforms and services including Finance.ua, a tool for selecting and comparing financial products, and Bank Online, a communication platform for financial experts, EWA, a Saas insurance platform that connects insurers with intermediaries such as banks, agents, brokers and aggregator websites, MTAX Ukraine, which provides accounting services to SMEs through a mobile app and website, and Startup.Network, an investment platform for venture market participants.
 
Featured image: UNIT.City &amp; Free Vector Maps
The post A Glimpse into Ukraine&#8217;s Underrated Fintech Scene appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/a-glimpse-into-ukraines-underrated-fintech-scene</link><guid>1069</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Kiev-Ukraine-Pixabay.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>A Glimpse into Ukraine’s Underrated Fintech Scene</dc:text></item><item><title>Apiax Wins Swiss FinTech Awards 2019 and Announces Expansion into the UK</title><description><![CDATA[Apiax has been named &#8220;Early Stage Startup of the Year&#8221; at the Swiss FinTech Awards 2019. The startup is also announcing its expansion into the UK and has secured the services of a former FCA expert for this undertaking.
The Zurich-based regulatory technology (RegTech) startup helps banks and wealth managers to ensure their applications and processes are always compliant with financial market regulations. The startup transforms complex regulations into machine-readable rules, which can be integrated into an existing infrastructure via a standard programming interface.
Ralf Huber
Ralf Huber, co-founder of Apiax, stated:
&#8220;We are proud to have won this prestigious award. We would like to thank our fantastic team, our customers and our partners as well as the entire FinTech and RegTech ecosystems for their incredible support. We look forward to helping shape the future of compliance with our technology.&#8221;
 
 
Since the company was founded in May 2017, Apiax has grown to 19 employees today. The company&#8217;s success was built with the help of its seven major customers and six partnerships.
Apiax is currently preparing for its expansion into the UK. The startup has recruited Alan Blanchard, a RegTech expert from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), for this purpose.
Alan will be supported by additional staff in a new office in London. Apiax believes in the strong potential of the UK market, not only because it continues to hold an important share of the global wealth management and asset management market, but also because London is a rich source of exciting regulatory and technology talent.
 
Featured image credit: Apiax
The post Apiax Wins Swiss FinTech Awards 2019 and Announces Expansion into the UK appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/apiax-wins-swiss-fintech-awards-2019-and-announces-expansion-into-the-uk</link><guid>1067</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Apiax Wins Swiss FinTech Awards 2019 and Announces Expansion into the UK</dc:text></item><item><title>Zurich Based Regtech Apiax Expands into the UK</title><description><![CDATA[Apiax, a Zurich based regtech startup that helps ensure compliance for banks and wealth managers have announced their expansion into the UK.
This news comes fresh off the back of Apiax bagging the &#8220;Early Stage Startup of the Year&#8221; at the recent Swiss Fintech Awards 2019.
Apiax is best know for its ability to transform complex regulations into machine-readable rules, which can be integrated into an existing infrastructure via a standard programming interface.
To lead the charge into UK the startup has recruited Alan Blanchard, a RegTech expert from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Alan will be supported by additional staff in a new office in London.
Apiax is listed among Fintech News Switzerland&#8217;s top 19 Fintech Startups to Watch in 2019.
 
Featured image credit: Apiax
The post Zurich Based Regtech Apiax Expands into the UK appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/zurich-based-regtech-apiax-expands-into-the-uk</link><guid>1068</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Zurich Based Regtech Apiax Expands into the UK</dc:text></item><item><title>FIS Just Acquired a Forbes Top 100 Digital Company, Worldpay</title><description><![CDATA[

Fidelity National Information Services (FIS) has just announced a merger with e-commerce and payments player Worldpay. The combined entity, which would inherit the FIS name, will offer enterprise banking, payments, capital markets and global e-commerce capabilities for both financial institutions and businesses.
FIS stated in a press release that Worldpay as an enterprise, including stock and cash totals up to US$45 billion, including the assumption of Worldpay debt—which FIS will be refinancing.
The combined company will retain the name FIS and will be headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. FIS&#8217; shareholders will now own approximately 53% of the resulting company, while Worldpay&#8217;s investors will hold the other 47%.


The board of directors will then comprise 12 members, seven of which will come from FIS&#8217; board of directors and another five from Worldpay&#8217;s.
They decided the acquisition based on FIS and Worldpay&#8217;s complementary solutions, which encompasses financial institution issuer services, network and merchant services, and loyalty and fraud solutions.
Gary Norcross will remain as FIS chairman of the board, president and CEO. Charles Drucker, Worldpay’s current Executive Chairman and CEO, will serve as the Executive Vice Chairman of the Board.
FIS provides payment processing and banking software, services and outsourcing of the associated technology. Worldpay meanwhile, is not unfamiliar with an acquisition.
Formerly RBS WorldPay, the company was a payment processing company geared towards e-commerce, and was listed on the London Stock Exchange up until January last year, when Vantiv Inc acquired it.
Featured image via Worldpay


The post FIS Just Acquired a Forbes Top 100 Digital Company, Worldpay appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fis-just-acquired-a-forbes-top-100-digital-company-worldpay</link><guid>1064</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>FIS Just Acquired a Forbes Top 100 Digital Company, Worldpay</dc:text></item><item><title>Selma Finance Wins Geneva Swiss Wealthtech Startup Award</title><description><![CDATA[As one of the 3 finalists, Selma Finance was invited to pitch at Geneva WealthTech Forum. Together with the other two Swiss nominees: Aaaccell &amp; Gold Avenue.
During the pitch contest Patrik Schär, CEO of Selma, presented how Selma serves as the digital private banker for a new generation of investors and making truly customized investment services accessible to the masses.
Selma is an innovative fit for the mass market of Swiss residents who only have three options available to invest their money at the moment: Retail Banks, Private Bankers or the “D-I-Y way”.
None of those options caters to their budget or helps and educates them to invest their money the right way. This is where Selma comes in. You can get started with investing 100% online and with a minimum investment amount of only 2’000 CHF. Selma recently launched a fully digital account opening process and provides the fastest way to open investment accounts in Switzerland, in less than 7 Minutes.
Patrik Schär
Patrik Schär, CEO:
“The feedback at the Geneva Wealthtech Forum was amazing. Selma solves a major problem that has been postponed and ignored by the big players in the market.”
Selma was also recently selected as one of the Top 19 Fintech Startups 2019 by Fintechnews.ch.
The post Selma Finance Wins Geneva Swiss Wealthtech Startup Award appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/selma-finance-wins-geneva-swiss-wealthtech-startup-award</link><guid>1063</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Selma Finance Wins Geneva Swiss Wealthtech Startup Award</dc:text></item><item><title>Schweizer Beraterregister  – Wie Können Kundenberater Fachkenntnisse Nachweisen?</title><description><![CDATA[Der Countdown bis zur Inkraftsetzung des neuen Schweizer Finanzdienstleistungsgesetzes (FIDLEG) läuft.
Es dauert nur noch wenige Monate und dann werden bestimmte in der Schweiz tätige Kundenberater &#8211; primär solche von ausländischen Finanzdienstleistern &#8211; gesetzlich verpflichtet sein, sich in ein Beraterregister eintragen zu lassen.
Aufgrund der aktuell vorgesehenen Bestimmungen im Entwurf der Finanzdienstleistungsverordnung ist davon auszugehen, dass letztlich eine hohe Anzahl von Kundenberatern von dieser Eintragungspflicht in ein Beraterregister betroffen sein werden.
Aufwand und Kosten für Kundenberater Beraterregister Eintrag sind nicht zu unterschätzen
Der Eintrag in ein Beraterregister wird durch eine durch die FINMA zugelassene Registrierungsstelle vorgenommen. Dafür muss der Registrierungsstelle ein Gesuch eingereicht werden. Wenn es bloss darum ginge, den Namen und die Firma des betroffenen Kundenberaters in einem öffentlichen Register zu veröffentlichen, würde es sich um keine nennenswerte gesetzliche Neuerung handeln. Zentral an dieser neuen Pflicht ist jedoch, dass ein Kundenberater gewisse Nachweise erbringen muss, bevor er überhaupt in ein Beraterregister eingetragen werden kann.
Unter anderem muss der Kundenberater nachweisen, dass er oder sie über ausreichende Kenntnisse über die gesetzlichen Verhaltensregeln nach FIDLEG sowie über das für die Tätigkeit notwendige Fachwissen verfügt. Hierfür braucht es entsprechende Lösungen, um den Aufwand und die Kosten für Kundenberater und die Registrierungsstelle in einem vertretbaren Rahmen zu halten.
Herausforderung für Kundenberater das notwendige Wissen nachzuweisen
In der Schweiz sind im Finanzbereich bestimmte Lehrgänge und Ausbildungen wie AZEK und CFA weiterhum bekannt und verbreitet. Auch die grösseren Banken bieten ihren Mitarbeitern teils sehr umfassende interne Ausbildungsseminare und -unterlagen an. Sofern ein Kundenberater über ein anerkanntes Diplom verfügt, das zu seiner Tätigkeit passt, kann davon ausgegangen werden, dass der Kundenberater damit gegenüber der Registrierungsstelle zumindest das notwendige Fachwissen wird nachweisen können. Aber wie sieht es aus mit den Verhaltensregeln und was ist mit ausländischen Kundenberatern, die über keine in der Schweiz bekannte Diplome verfügen?
Standardisierte online Tests als Abhilfe zur Beraterprüfung
Eine persönliche Prüfung vor Ort in einem Testcenter/Prüflokal würde hohe Kosten verursachen. Standardisierte online Tests erscheinen dafür geeigneter und verursachen geringere Kosten. Damit zum Nachweis des notwendigen Wissens für ausländische Kundenberater standardisierte online Tests beigezogen werden können, sollte überprüft werden können, dass:

der betreffende Kundenberater den Test selber absolviert hat und nicht über oder zusammen mit einer anderen Person hat machen lassen (Authentisierung und Authentifizierung);
er oder sie umfassend in allen notwendigen Aspekten getestet wird;
eine ausreichende Anzahl an Testfragen vorhanden ist; und
der Test nicht beliebig viele Male wiederholt werden kann, um ein gewisses Qualitätsniveau zu gewährleisten.

Chatbots als mögliche Lösung?
Hier könnten Chatbots kombiniert mit Videoidentifikation zum Einsatz kommen. Der Test würde dann live durch einen Chatbot durchgeführt und Fragen müssten sich nicht &#8211; wie sonst bei online Tests üblich &#8211; nur auf multiple choice Fragen beschränken. Zur Sicherstellung einer authentischen Anmeldung durch den betreffenden Kundenberater würde sich eine Videoidentifikation anbieten, die bereits im Rahmen von AML-Checks verwendet wird.
BX Swiss sucht passende Regtech Dienstleistungen
Interessierte Regtech Firmen, die geeignete Dienstleistungen im Angebot haben können sich direkt an regtech@regservices.ch wenden. Bitte beschreibt eure Firma, welche Lösungen ihr im Regtech Bereich bietet und fügt eine kurze Präsentation bei.
Weitere Informationen auch unter www.regservices.ch 
Das wichtigste in Kürze zum Finanzdienstleistungsgesetz (FIDLEG) und zum Finanzinstitutsgesetz (FINIG) hier.
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Pixabay
The post Schweizer Beraterregister  – Wie Können Kundenberater Fachkenntnisse Nachweisen? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schweizer-beraterregister-wie-konnen-kundenberater-fachkenntnisse-nachweisen</link><guid>1062</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Schweizer Beraterregister  – Wie Können Kundenberater Fachkenntnisse Nachweisen?</dc:text></item><item><title>Was ist eine Blockchain for Business?</title><description><![CDATA[Vor rund 10 Jahren wurde die erste und bis heute bekannteste sogenannte Kryptowährung geschaffen: Bitcoin.
Die Basis von Bitcoin bildet eine Reihe von Technologiebausteinen, die später als Blockchain-Technologie bezeichnet wurden. Die Technologie und die Konzepte werden laufend weiterentwickelt und sind keineswegs einheitlich. Ebenso kommen laufend neue Einsatzgebiete hinzu: Blockchain lässt sich nicht nur für Kryptowährungen und die sogenannte Tokenisierung von Vermögenswerten nutzen, sondern auch für die Unterstützung von klassischen Geschäftsprozessen. Doch gerade bei den Geschäftsprozessen stellt sich die Frage, ob Blockchain überhaupt dafür geeignet ist. Und wenn ja, welche Art von Blockchain-Technologie?
Um Geschäftsprozesse und die damit verbundenen Daten zu unterstützen, kristallisiert sich eine Variante von Blockchain heraus, die oft als Blockchain for Business, teilweise auch als Distributed Ledger Technologie (DLT) bezeichnet wird. Eine Blockchain for Business basiert zwar auf ähnlichen Grundtechnologien wie eine Public Blockchain, die beispielsweise von Bitcoin und anderen Kryptowährungen verwendet wird. Sie hat aber einen leicht anderen Schwerpunkt und damit auch andere Eigenschaften. Insbesondere lassen sich die folgenden Unterschiede festmachen:

Die Corda-Blockchain-Technologie , die OpenSource entwickelt und bereitgestellt wird, ist aktuell vermutlich am besten auf die Bedürfnisse in einem geschäftlichen oder im Behördenumfeld ausgerichtet. Was spricht für den Einsatz einer Blockchain for Business? Der Hauptnutzen besteht aus unserer Sicht im sogenannten «Single Point of Truth» und der Möglichkeit, partnerübergreifende Prozesse elegant mittels Smart Contracts zu automatisieren.
Alle (autorisierten) Parteien sehen zu jeder Zeit dieselben Daten. Das schafft nicht nur Vertrauen, sondern auch die Basis für äusserst effiziente Geschäftsprozesse. Denn fehleranfällige und aufwändige Synchronisationsprozesse entfallen vollständig. Hinzu kommt, dass die Historie der Daten innerhalb der Blockchain vollständig nachvollziehbar und dokumentiert sowie der Erfasser der Daten bekannt ist. Die Daten sind also vertrauenswürdig, was wiederum ihren Wert erhöht.
Wo ist nun der Einsatz einer Blockchain for Business angebracht? Am ehesten in einem Geschäftsumfeld, in dem mehrere unabhängige Parteien aufeinandertreffen, die sich nicht zu 100% vertrauen, und in dem eine gemeinsame Sicht auf vertrauenswürdige Daten deshalb einen Mehrwert darstellt.
Mehr Informationen zum Thema finden Sie hier.
An English version of this text you can find here.
 
Featured image credit: Freepik
The post Was ist eine Blockchain for Business? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/was-ist-eine-blockchain-for-business</link><guid>1061</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/blockchain-difference.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Was ist eine Blockchain for Business?</dc:text></item><item><title>The Swiss Fintech Awards 2019 Go To ….</title><description><![CDATA[Since 2015 the Swiss FinTech Awards promote regional development while helping create the strongest possible Swiss FinTech ecosystem underpinned by international network links.
This network, made up of selected partner organisations and fintech experts, awards Swiss fintech start-ups and influencers for the fourth time in 2019 in the «Early Stage Start-up of the Year», «Growth Stage Start-up of the Year» and «Fintech Influencer of the Year» categories.
The «Early Stage Start-up of the Year» category consists of Swiss-based fintech start-ups set up less than two years ago or funded with less than CHF 2.5 million. This year Apiax wins the category «Early Stage Start-up of the Year». Start-ups exceeding these limits at the point of application are judged in the «Growth Stage Start-up of the Year» category.
Crypto Finance is the winner of 2019 in the category «Growth Stage Start-up of the Year». The «Fintech Influencer of the Year» category was created for individuals or organisations who have positively shaped or influenced the Swiss Fintech scene.
Johann N. Schneider-Ammann
Former Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann is named «Fintech Influencer of the Year» in 2019 due to his support of fintech during his time as Federal Councillor. All startups were subject to a multi-tiered application process whereas the winner of the Influencer category was nominated directly by the jury.
The Finanz und Wirtschaft Forum acts as organiser of the Swiss FinTech Awards and their ecosystem which consists of knowledge partner Accenture, a jury of 20 designated fintech experts and several banks who provide the CHF 18,000 prize money and support the event.
Further partners are drawn from the worlds of industry associations, media and academia.
The Swiss FinTech Awards Night, when the winners were announced, took place on 14.03.2019 following an extensive selection process. 70 start-up applications were accepted to the awards program, the ten best-rated fintech companies reached the Top 10 round.
All ten companies passed through the FinTech Boot Camp organised by Knowledge Partner Accenture and given the opportunity to make a presentation to the assembled jury members and sponsor banks as part of a “speed dating session”. The four finalists were chosen based on assessments of their initial online applications and their performance at the “speed dating session” and ultimately selected within their respective categories.
The 2019 Swiss FinTech Awards Top 10, finalists and winners:
Below is a list of the top ten, top four and the eventual winners of the 2019 Swiss FinTech Awards together with short video portraits of the start-ups.




	Top 10 FinTech Start-upsFinalistsStart-up-WinnersInfluencer of the Year




	ABC Platform (growth stage)Apiax (early stage)Apiax (early stage)Johann Schneider-Ammann


	Apiax (early stage)Crypto Finance (growth stage)Crypto Finance (growth stage)


	Crypto Finance (growth stage)Sonect (growth stage)


	neon (ealry stage)Traxia (early stage)


	Orion Vault (ealry stage)


	Payrexx (growth stage)


	Shift Cryptosecurity (growth stage)


	Sonect (growth stage)


	Traxia (early stage)


	Yova (early stage)




Start-up Video Portraits
• Apiax (Winner «Early Stage Start-up of the Year»):



• Crypto Finance (Winner «Growth Stage Start-up of the Year»):



The Winners of the previous years can be found here:
&#8211;Swiss Fintech Award Winners 2018
&#8211;Swiss Fintech Award Winners 2017
&#8211;Swiss Fintech Award Winners 2016
 
 
Featured image credit: Freepik
The post The Swiss Fintech Awards 2019 Go To &#8230;. appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-swiss-fintech-awards-2019-go-to</link><guid>1060</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>The Swiss Fintech Awards 2019 Go To ….</dc:text></item><item><title>The Swiss Fintech Awards 2019 Goes To ….</title><description><![CDATA[Since 2015 the Swiss FinTech Awards promote regional development while helping create the strongest possible Swiss FinTech ecosystem underpinned by international network links.
This network, made up of selected partner organisations and fintech experts, awards Swiss fintech start-ups and influencers for the fourth time in 2019 in the «Early Stage Start-up of the Year», «Growth Stage Start-up of the Year» and «Fintech Influencer of the Year» categories.
The «Early Stage Start-up of the Year» category consists of Swiss-based fintech start-ups set up less than two years ago or funded with less than CHF 2.5 million. This year Apiax wins the category «Early Stage Start-up of the Year». Start-ups exceeding these limits at the point of application are judged in the «Growth Stage Start-up of the Year» category.
Crypto Finance is the winner of 2019 in the category «Growth Stage Start-up of the Year». The «Fintech Influencer of the Year» category was created for individuals or organisations who have positively shaped or influenced the Swiss Fintech scene.
Johann N. Schneider-Ammann
Former Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann is named «Fintech Influencer of the Year» in 2019 due to his support of fintech during his time as Federal Councillor. All startups were subject to a multi-tiered application process whereas the winner of the Influencer category was nominated directly by the jury.
The Finanz und Wirtschaft Forum acts as organiser of the Swiss FinTech Awards and their ecosystem which consists of knowledge partner Accenture, a jury of 20 designated fintech experts and several banks who provide the CHF 18,000 prize money and support the event.
Further partners are drawn from the worlds of industry associations, media and academia.
The Swiss FinTech Awards Night, when the winners were announced, took place on 14.03.2019 following an extensive selection process. 70 start-up applications were accepted to the awards program, the ten best-rated fintech companies reached the Top 10 round.
All ten companies passed through the FinTech Boot Camp organised by Knowledge Partner Accenture and given the opportunity to make a presentation to the assembled jury members and sponsor banks as part of a “speed dating session”. The four finalists were chosen based on assessments of their initial online applications and their performance at the “speed dating session” and ultimately selected within their respective categories.
The 2019 Swiss FinTech Awards Top 10, finalists and winners:
Below is a list of the top ten, top four and the eventual winners of the 2019 Swiss FinTech Awards together with short video portraits of the start-ups.




	Top 10 FinTech Start-upsFinalistsStart-up-WinnersInfluencer of the Year




	ABC Platform (growth stage)Apiax (early stage)Apiax (early stage)Johann Schneider-Ammann


	Apiax (early stage)Crypto Finance (growth stage)Crypto Finance (growth stage)


	Crypto Finance (growth stage)Sonect (growth stage)


	neon (ealry stage)Traxia (early stage)


	Orion Vault (ealry stage)


	Payrexx (growth stage)


	Shift Cryptosecurity (growth stage)


	Sonect (growth stage)


	Traxia (early stage)


	Yova (early stage)




Start-up Video Portraits
• Apiax (Winner «Early Stage Start-up of the Year»):



• Crypto Finance (Winner «Growth Stage Start-up of the Year»):



The Winners of the previous years can be found here:
&#8211;Swiss Fintech Award Winners 2018
&#8211;Swiss Fintech Award Winners 2017
&#8211;Swiss Fintech Award Winners 2016
 
 
Featured image credit: Freepik
The post The Swiss Fintech Awards 2019 Goes To &#8230;. appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-swiss-fintech-awards-2019-goes-to</link><guid>1065</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>The Swiss Fintech Awards 2019 Goes To ….</dc:text></item><item><title>6 Notable Swiss Fintech Startups Seeking Investments in 2019</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss economic magazine Bilan in Lausanne held their 7th event to select 50 Swiss startups in which to invest. The list this year was curated from 145 startups that applied, where a team of experienced entreprneurs and investors were mandated to review the applications.
Six of the 50 startups named by Bilan this year are fintechs, and they are:
Altoo

Financing round: CHF 4,000,000
Altoo&#8217;s claim to fame is their wealth management platform, designed for the wealthy (and their families) to consolidate and interact with their money in a more intuitive and straightforward way. The technology is developed and hosted in Switzerland, kept operational by a team of 22 software engineers, investment specialists and digital customer experience experts. Altoo is based in Zug.
Commochain

Financing round: CHF 1,500,000
Based in Geneva, Commochain is a commodity trading platform which aims to enhance the security of financial transactions via blockchain and smart contracts. The goal is to help companies involved in international trading to increase their operational efficiency.
DynaMetrics

Financing round: CHF 1,300,000
DynaMetrics creates an automated credit scoring tool geared towards relationship managers, credit analysts, underwriters and risk managers. Utilising big data and AI, the Credit-bility platform is a &#8220;one-stop-shop&#8221; for information during the initial decision-making process, all the way to regular monitoring. The goal is to free up time that would otherwise be spent collecting audited financial statements, salary slips, answering non priority pop-up alerts, and checking that no important changes on the borrower&#8217;s side are missed.
Loanboox

Financing round: CHF 50,000.000
Loanboox is a P2P debt financing platform geared for public sector borrowers, institutional investors and banks. In contrast to conventional brokering,  Loanboox claims to offer simple, transparent, and more affordable services. It has expanded into the German market and is eyeing further expansion.
Sustema

Financing round: CHF 1,500,000
Sustema sets out to utilise publicly available data to better the insurance underwriting process for commercial insurers. The rationale is that underwriting as it is today with its more intuitive approach is fundamentally flawed, as it&#8217;s shaped by selective supply and analysis of information, and thus, subject to self-reinforcing biases. By analysing the behavior of over 17,000 listed companies, Sustema aims to provide an objective and consistent behavioral analysis.
WealthInitiative

Financing round: CHF 1,000,000
WealthInitiative is a secure platform that allows wealth management institutions to share deals on behalf of their high net work clients in the field of real estate, art, passion investments and business deals. The goal is to facilitate transactions for a client base within wealth management institutions&#8217; care, thus providing an avenue for more efficient matching of buyers and sellers.
The post 6 Notable Swiss Fintech Startups Seeking Investments in 2019 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/6-notable-swiss-fintech-startups-seeking-investments-in-2019</link><guid>1066</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Altoo-1.png</dc:content ><dc:text>6 Notable Swiss Fintech Startups Seeking Investments in 2019</dc:text></item><item><title>Personal Finance Startup GOKONG Is Ready for Swiss B2C Market: Interview With CEO Rahul Kaushik</title><description><![CDATA[GOKONG, a Swiss fintech startup backed by Bank Vontobel, has recently launched its personal finance management platform aimed at helping consumers better track their finances. The platform aggregates and consolidates all of a user’s financial accounts, whether that’s a banking account or from an insurer, to provide “a 360° view of the financial footprint,” Rahul Kaushik, CEO of GOKONG, told Fintechnews.
“We are about making financial fitness available to everyone, a personal financial fitness coach in your pocket,” Kaushik explained. “We offer spending analysis, budgets, goals, financial analytics just like most e-banking apps out there; However, unlike all the apps, we do that across all accounts.”
GOKONG is a read-only app that allows customers to track all of their finances in one place. The platform is not just a personal finance management software, but also “a live coach” that tracks goals and also serves a spending management tool. It lets users see their account balances, transactions, investments accounts, retirements accounts, credit cards, non-financial assets and insurance policies.
GOKONG platform
Fintechnews caught up with Kaushik to learn more about the story behind GOKONG, what makes the platform so unique, the company’s plans for the future, and what it will be focusing on for the year ahead.
 
Fintechnews (FN): In your own words, what is GOKONG and what does your company do?
Rahul Kaushik, CEO of GOKONG
Rahul Kaushik (R.K.): GOKONG is a mobile first platform that enables you, me, everyone, to aggregate all our financial information in one place. Users can aggregate any institution for free and would switch to the pro version of the app for more institutions.
Many of us have a relationship with our banks/institutions across different products. For example, a UBS banking customer might not just have a checking account with UBS but also savings, Pillar3a, investment accounts, etc. So, when we say that a user can aggregate an institution, say UBS here, basically all the associated products also get added for free! So, essentially one aggregation – all information!
We are about making financial fitness available to everyone, a personal financial fitness coach in your pocket! And that starts with data aggregation, a 360° view of your financial footprint, which is what we specialize in.
 
FN: What is the story behind your company? What problem did you set out to solve when you launched your venture?
R.K.: GOKONG, as a company, came into existence in Q4 2017. And the idea itself has its roots in frustration around how our financial data is fragmented and in most cases doesn’t actually talk with each other.  
Most banks have amazing apps that provide cool features to users; however, not unlike our own situation many users don’t actually do all their banking with just one bank. We noticed that for example people who had a Credit Suisse account also had a Swissquote account. Or, ZKB users also had a Postfinance account. Add to that insurances that most of us here in Switzerland have. Information in all those silos isn’t actually interacting. If it did, we could answer simple questions like your net worth on any given day, your financial health at any given time, status of your budget for the whole family, etc. So those are some of the questions that we sought to answer. 
The core issue to target there is really about getting data from all these institutions, cleaning them and aligning them to present one consistent view of the entire financial footprint.
 
FN: What are the main hurdles you had to face when starting GOKONG?
R.K.: GOKONG is an innovator in an industry that demands integrity, trust and zero tolerance. We knew that before we developed a single feature we needed to ensure that we were aligned with the industry, its principles and base expectations. So, we had to ensure that all our IT infrastructure stayed in Switzerland, we are a read only service, i.e., no financial transactions of any type could be executed on our platform, we had to be as safe as any Swiss banking app, we should support two-factor authentication amongst others. We even engaged a Swiss cyber security company to vet our platform and came out with flying colors. This is one of the same companies that also vets other e-banking apps. These were just some of the many core issues/hurdles that we had to deal with before we could even start thinking about product concepts, features, etc.  
Getting all those proof points checked took us longer than expected to get to market but we are grateful for the support and patience we have received from our investor.
 
FN: Let&#8217;s talk about the GOKONG platform. How does this product differentiate itself from competitors? What is unique about it?
R.K.: We offer spending analysis, budgets, goals, financial analytics just like most e-banking apps out there. However, unlike all the apps, we do that across all accounts, i.e., we do a spending analysis across all accounts in one place! 
Let’s take an example: suppose you want to analyze and categorize your transactions across two accounts, say Credit Suisse and UBS. Then how would you do it? Excel? Well, with GOKONG, you simply select all the accounts you want to use in your analysis and boom out comes the result.
 
FN: What about your userbase? What are your growth figures?
R.K.: Well, we are only getting to the launch now. We had put up the app in the appstore to ease the on-boarding process for our friends and family program. But, it has obviously found its way to niche audience outside of our direct networks. And this has been a blessing because we could get more feedback, further validate the proof of concept, and also get a better sense of how users are interacting with our app. So, far we’ve been lucky to have a very loyal, open and expressive userbase who continue to give us great feedback and we’re getting better because of it!
On the adoption and usage side, we’ve seen that, on average, users who have more than one banking relationship tend to spend anything between 12-30 minutes per visit in the app. These are very encouraging numbers.
Additionally, the concept itself has gained traction, we’ve observed appstore rankings in the top 100 here in Switzerland.
We are aiming to welcome 45-60K users this year.
 
FN: How you plan to get more users onto the platform?
R.K.: We believe we have a great value proposition: a financial fitness coach in our pocket&#8230; and there isn’t anything better than peer-to-peer (P2P) marketing to promote that.
Of course we will be engaging with some of the usual marketing activities. But for us to grow meaningfully in the future, it would be vital for us to leverage the network effects that we can leverage through P2P relationships. So, we’re going to be incentivizing our users to share the app in their communities.
For example, a GOKONG user that would onboard a few of his peers onto GOKONG would have his annual subscription for free!
 
FN: For the year ahead, what will your company be focusing on? What are the GOKONG&#8217;s priorities right now?
R.K.: We are focused on user growth this year and we believe that the best way to achieve that successfully is to offer exceptional value and experience to the end user. Of course, it is also a business and that is always the context; however, all that we do and are focusing on is about putting the users and their needs first.  
For this year, we want to become the preferred financial fitness platform.
 
FN: Is there any new feature or product currently in development? Something coming up which we should be excited about?
R.K.: We think of finances in a very different way. We think of it as an enabler of our experiences. 
We are building a financial fitness coach that is experience-driven and one that grows with you. Each transaction isn’t just a negative or positive on your bank account, it is an important piece that helps us put together a slow moving and meaningful picture of your spending/savings pattern that becomes more accurate, relevant as the usage grows. So we’re constantly working on bringing more insights to the user. 
For the savvy financial planners amongst us, there are many cool and exciting features too. The one I like the most is the automated budget. I can define my budget, pick the accounts I want the budget on and at the press of a button, I’m served an automated budget across many categories all at once instantly and it does that after accounting for fixed expenses such as rent and insurance etc. What’s more, is that this budget is based on actual Swiss households’ data. So, it&#8217;s really, really relevant for all of us here in Switzerland and especially families.
 
FN: In 2014, the Swiss personal finance management market was not ready for B2C and participants changed their business model to B2B. What changed in the past years?
R.K.: That’s a really good question! We see that the market is just ripe for B2C offering in this space. I think there are quite a few things that have contributed for us to be here, however, if I had to broadly classify some of the things that have really driven this, then the following come to mind:
First would essentially be a wider adoption of the SaaS business model. We went from paying for owning a music CD to paying for SaaS services like Apple music and Spotify. We see the same with fitness apps, accounting apps etc. The SaaS model is the de-facto standard now across many B2C apps and is well received.
The second factor that I think has contributed immensely for us to be here is the painful and slow realization that nothing is actually free in this digital era. It has become clear as daylight that as we go along using “free” services like Gmail, or Youtube, etc., we see in very clear ways that even though we aren’t paying for the service, our mindshare is being monetized for ad dollars.
And third, financial data, still, sit across data silos across financial institutions. Even though financial institutions have been innovating a breathtaking pace in the last few years. The consumers’ expectation of what financial data should be able to do for them has largely outpaced the level of innovation. This widened gap is exactly the market opportunity we are addressing. 
All these factors combined give us good reason to believe that the market is just right for a subscription based financial fitness coach in your pocket where your financial credentials never leave your device.
 
Featured image:
The post Personal Finance Startup GOKONG Is Ready for Swiss B2C Market: Interview With CEO Rahul Kaushik appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/personal-finance-startup-gokong-is-ready-for-swiss-b2c-market-interview-with-ceo-rahul-kaushik</link><guid>1056</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Gokong-Personal-Finance-App-Switzerland-1024x447.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Personal Finance Startup GOKONG Is Ready for Swiss B2C Market: Interview With CEO Rahul Kaushik</dc:text></item><item><title>Deutschland: Eck­punk­te für die Re­gu­la­to­ri­sche Be­hand­lung von Kryp­to-To­ken und Elektronischen Wertpapieren</title><description><![CDATA[Der Koalitionsvertrag vom 12. März 2018 sieht vor, die Rolle der Bundesrepublik Deutschland als einen der führenden Digitalisierungs- und FinTech-Standorte zu stärken sowie eine Blockchain-Strategie zu entwickeln.
Mit dem nun vorliegenden Eckpunktepapier soll ein Beitrag geleistet werden, diese Ziele zu erreichen. Dazu stellt es die Einführung von elektronischen Wertpapieren und die Regulierung der Emission von Krypto-Token zur Diskussion.
Einführung elektronischer Schuldverschreibungen
Das deutsche Recht soll generell für elektronische Wertpapiere geöffnet werden, d.h. die derzeit zwingende urkundliche Verkörperung von Wertpapieren (Papierform) soll nicht mehr uneingeschränkt gelten. Die Regulierung elektronischer Wertpapiere soll technologieneutral erfolgen, d.h. die Begebung elektronischer Wertpapiere soll auch auf einer Blockchain/ Distributed Ledger Technologie (DLT) möglich sein.
Die Öffnung soll sich dabei zunächst auf elektronische Schuldverschreibungen beschränken. Die Einführung der elektronischen Aktie soll zum jetzigen Zeitpunkt noch nicht behandelt werden. Der Regelungsaufwand, der dazu notwendig wäre, stünde einer zeitnahen Einführung des elektronischen Wertpapiers entgegen.
Regulierung des öffentlichen Angebotes von Krypto-Token
Im Rahmen des öffentlichen Angebotes von Krypto-Token (Initial Coin Offering – ICO) wurden in den letzten Jahren in erheblichem Umfang Krypto-Token angeboten, die in der Regel keine Wertpapiere, Vermögensanlagen oder andere Finanzinstrumente im Sinne des Wertpapierhandelsgesetzes darstellen. Damit unterfällt die Emission dieser Token &#8211; anders als die zukünftige Emission von elektronischen Schuldverschreibungen &#8211; nicht den bestehenden kapitalmarktrechtlichen Vorschriften.
Gleichzeitig birgt die Investition in Krypto-Token Risiken für Anleger. Vor diesem Hintergrund wird im Eckpunktepapier die Regulierung des öffentlichen Angebots dieser Token zur Diskussion gestellt.
Der nationale Regulierungsbedarf bei Krypto-Token im Bereich der Prävention von Geldwäsche, der sich aus der Änderungsrichtlinie zur 4. Geldwäscherichtlinie (EU) 2018/843 vom 30. Mai 2018 ergibt, ist nicht Gegenstand dieses Konsultationspapiers, sondern wird im Rahmen eines Umsetzungsgesetzes zur Geldwäscherichtlinie gesondert adressiert.
Das Bundesministerium der Justiz und für Verbraucherschutz und das Bundesministerium der Finanzen möchten sich ein umfassendes Bild zu den im Eckpunktepapier dargelegten Maßnahmen verschaffen, um auf dieser Grundlage einen Referentenentwurf zu erarbeiten.
Verbände und interessierte Fachkreise haben bis Freitag, den 12. April 2019 Gelegenheit zur schriftlichen Stellungnahme per E-Mail an IIIA5@bmjv.bund.de und Eckpunktepapier@bmf.bund.de.
Nach Beschluss der Bundesregierung werden zur Erhöhung der Transparenz Stellungnahmen von Verbänden zu Gesetzgebungsverfahren im Internet veröffentlicht. Stellungnahmen sollen frei von personenbezogenen Daten abgegeben werden, etwa als Anlage zum Anschreiben oder alternativ durch Schwärzen etwaiger personenbezogener Daten in der Stellungnahme.
Sofern Stellungnahmen personenbezogene Daten enthalten, sollte der Nachweis über die erteilte Einwilligung der betroffenen Personen zur Veröffentlichung ihrer in der Stellungnahme enthaltenen personenbezogenen Daten mit übermittelt werden.
Sollten Verbände mit einer Veröffentlichung ihrer Stellungnahme nicht einverstanden sein, müssten sie bei der Übermittlung ihrer Stellungnahme deren Veröffentlichung widersprechen. In diesem Fall wird im Rahmen der Veröffentlichung lediglich vermerkt, dass eine Stellungnahme des jeweiligen Verbandes eingereicht wurde.
 
Featured image credit: Edited from here and here
The post Deutschland: Eck­punk­te für die Re­gu­la­to­ri­sche Be­hand­lung von Kryp­to-To­ken und Elektronischen Wertpapieren appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/deutschland-eckpunkte-fur-die-regulatorische-behandlung-von-krypto-token-und-elektronischen-wertpapieren</link><guid>1057</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Deutschland: Eck­punk­te für die Re­gu­la­to­ri­sche Be­hand­lung von Kryp­to-To­ken und Elektronischen Wertpapieren</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Exchange Seeks Regtech Solutions For Swiss Prospectus Review</title><description><![CDATA[New legal requirements in Switzerland will make Regtech services in financial services a very hot topic. The Berne Stock Exchange wants to be at the forefront of this and is now looking for Regtech partners.
The new Financial Services Act (FinSA) is expected to enter into force in Switzerland on 1 January 2020.
The law obliges financial service providers to provide customers with appropriate information and advice and introduces a uniform regulation on the obligation to publish a prospectus for all financial instruments offered to the public in Switzerland or from Switzerland. A prospectus summarises the relevant information for investors on the type, object and risks of a financial instrument.
New legal requirements in Switzerland as of 2020, What new services does this create?
Prospectuses must be reviewed by a prospectus inspection office that has obtained a license by the Swiss Financial Market Authority (FINMA) before the financial instruments are offered to the public. As one of the two Swiss stock exchanges, the BX Swiss (Berne Stock Exchange) will apply to FINMA as an inspection office / review body for prospectuses. Regtech solutions in this area are of interest both for the preparation of prospectuses and to support the review process by the prospectus inspection office.
What are the tasks of the Inspection Office?
The review of prospectuses is limited to completeness, coherence and comprehensibility. The completeness check is carried out in accordance with the legal requirements in so-called prospectus schemes (checklists) in the Annex to the Financial Services Ordinance (FinSO). These include, for example:

Information on the issuer, it&#8217;s business activities and composition of its staff
Annual and interim financial statements of the issuer
Information on the financial instrument (incl. risks)
Further trading relevant parameters

Why is a software-supported review process useful?
It is essential for the market that the prospectus review in Switzerland can be carried out as cost-effectively and efficiently as possible. For its services, the inspection office must charge fees that cover its costs. It is therefore important that the examination can be carried out as efficiently and digitally as possible so that costs can be kept low.
Requirements for Regtech solutions in Swiss Prospectus Review
In the area of prospectus review, Regtech solutions are interesting which enable a contextual interpretation of text documents according to given criteria and subject areas. The results of the legally required completeness check must be prepared in such a way that a person can then check and confirm them efficiently.
In addition, the prospectus inspection office must inform the applicant of its decisions. Legally signed documents are required for this. In this area, we are looking for Regtech document management solutions that enable the simple integration of a qualified electronic signature as per Swiss legal requirements.
Do you have a suitable Regtech solution ready? 
Interested Regtech companies that offer suitable services can contact Berne exchange directly at regtech@regservices.ch. They need to describe the company, the offered solutions in the Regtech area and attach a short presentation.
More information about the topic can be found also at www.regservices.ch
Featured image credit: Freepik
The post Swiss Exchange Seeks Regtech Solutions For Swiss Prospectus Review appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-exchange-seeks-regtech-solutions-for-swiss-prospectus-review</link><guid>1058</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Exchange Seeks Regtech Solutions For Swiss Prospectus Review</dc:text></item><item><title>How Estonia is Secretly Rising to Be Europe’s Startup Nation</title><description><![CDATA[With one of the highest rates of startups per capita in Europe, Estonia is considered by many as a startup paradise, a status it earned thanks to the numerous governmental initiatives focusing on supporting technology and small businesses.

Image Credit: Skype&#8217;s Facebook Page
The country’s startup success started in 2003 with Skype, which was built and developed in Estonia. The success of Skype had an enormous impact on the local startup ecosystem as it represented the first time that a truly global multinational startup was being created and nurtured from this relatively small country. Fast forward 16 years and Estonia is now one of the world’s top startup nations.
On the fintech front, Estonia was also known for being home to the fintech unicorn Transferwise who is currently valued at US$ 1.6 billion.
Among the key figures illustrating Estonia’s thriving startup ecosystem, which currently counts about 550 ventures, is startup funding. Startups in Estonia raised a record of nearly EUR 328 million in investments in 2018, a considerable increase compared to the previous year at EUR 272 million. Another key indicator is startup employment, which has also been on the rise, demonstrating Estonia’s insatiable demand for tech workers.
“Estonian tech sector is going through the ride of the lifetime,” said Sten Tamkivi, president of the Startup Leaders Club, a startup community formed in 2009. “Total employments in our startups passed 5,000 in 2018, and is projected to continue the +30% annual growth seen in the last years.”
 
The Estonian Startup Visa
Image: Startup Company, by Free For Commercial Use (FFC), Flickr
One undeniable driver of Estonia’s emergence into a world renowned startup hub is the Estonian Startup Visa, a program launched in early 2017 to attract non-EU talents and entrepreneurs.
Tamkivi said Startup Visa has significantly helped in the last years for Estonian high growth companies to cope with the need of talented new people to work with.
The Startup Visa, which celebrated its two-year anniversary earlier this year, has received 1,108 applications from companies from over 80 countries since its launch.
In 2017, 167 employees and 107 founders relocated to Estonia. In 2018, the numbers grew significantly larger: 483 employees and 174 founders, or a 236% growth in a year.
“In 2019, our goal is to grow even more – we are expecting at least 1,000 additional people to join our lively startup ecosystem in Estonia,” said Startup Estonia, a governmental initiative aimed at developing the local startup ecosystem.
According to Allan Martinson, CEO of LeapIN, seasoned entrepreneur and investor, competition for talent will only increase in 2019 as Estonian startups continue to grow and will need to staff up.
“What we are seeing now is just the beginning,” Martinson said. “The key question will be the sector’s ability to hire from abroad. Already today, every 4th or 5th person is a foreigner. If this trend continues, half the workforce will be from abroad in a couple of years.”
Currently, the range of industries is very wide for the Startup Visa applications coming in, but there are some areas where the amount of applications exceeds others, including fintech, business software/software as a service (Saas), medtech, consumer goods and hospitality, according to Startup Estonia. Agritech, edtech and the energy sector are expected to experience significant traction in 2019.
“We see similar keywords apply also to the Estonian startup sector as a whole. Looking at our success stories over the years we tend to be better in building business software/Saas products but are also strong in the fintech vertical, among others,” said Maarika Truu, head of Startup Estonia.
“However, the trends seem to be shifting and as the startup visa applications come from a variety of industries, we also see Estonian startups being successful in other sectors, like edtech, agritech, cybertech, medtech, etc.”
 
Digital nomad visa coming in 2019
Image: Digital nomad, PxHere
One of the government’s latest initiatives to attract more tech workers is the digital nomad visa, an initiative still in preparation that’s expected to launch later this year.
The new visa would allow young entrepreneurs and workers who temporarily live in Estonia to have the right to reside in the country for 365 days, and be entitled to a Schengen visa, allowing them to visit member countries for up to 90 days.
The idea is not necessarily to require nomad residents to pay tax, but to verify that they are a registered tax payer in their country of origin or permanent residence. Later on, the nation may explore “packages” nomads can buy, which will entitle them to public services like healthcare during their stay.
According to Killu Vantsi, adviser at the Citizenship and Migration Policy Department of the Ministry of the Interior, the new digital nomad visa could bring 1,400 people every year to Estonia.
Estonia wouldn’t be the first country to introduce a visa that fits with the digital nomad lifestyle. Thailand, a nomad favorite destination, recently rolled out new visa policies that suit some tech-centered workers.
 
Featured image: Tallinn, Estonia, Pixabay.
The post How Estonia is Secretly Rising to Be Europe&#8217;s Startup Nation appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/how-estonia-is-secretly-rising-to-be-europes-startup-nation</link><guid>1055</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Estonia-Skype.png</dc:content ><dc:text>How Estonia is Secretly Rising to Be Europe’s Startup Nation</dc:text></item><item><title>Consumers Want Technology to Complement, Not Replace Human Financial Advisors</title><description><![CDATA[A new study examining what consumers think of technology in financial services finds the majority of Americans (88 percent) want technology to complement, not replace, the assistance of a human financial advisor.
Only five percent state financial planning should be managed entirely by technology-based tools. The study was commissioned by MDRT and conducted online by The Harris Poll among over 2,000 U.S. adults.
Ross Vanderwolf
“Due to their experienced insight, expertise and personal touch, human financial advisors are still in high demand amidst the growth of robo technologies,”
said Ross Vanderwolf, CFP, MDRT President.
“Despite that consistent demand, this study shows that it behooves advisors to continue to integrate innovative technology into their practice for continued growth and success.”
While 83 percent of Americans would trust a human financial advisor to effectively manage their financial plans, only 36 percent would trust the job to a robo advisor. Moreover, 85 percent say they prefer working with a human financial advisor rather than a robo advisor. In addition, 36 percent strongly disagree that robo advisors could completely replace the role of human financial advisors in financial planning.
The Human Advantage
The top benefit Americans cite for working with a human financial advisor over a robo advisor is the opportunity to build a trusting relationship (65 percent), followed closely by the high level of human interaction (58 percent) and ease of communication (52 percent). The main concerns of working with a human financial advisor are cost (47 percent), response time (32 percent) and accuracy of assessments (31 percent).
The top benefit of working with a robo advisor over a human advisor, according to Americans, is minimized risk of human error (49 percent). The main concerns are lack of two-way conversational communication (58 percent), minimal human interaction (48 percent) and breach of data, including personal (46 percent) and financial (44 percent).
Generational Preferences
When it comes to hiring a financial professional or using technology, millennials (ages 18-34) are split. About half (52 percent) would trust a robo advisor to effectively manage their financial plans, while the remaining 48 percent would not. Millennials are also twice as likely as some of their older counterparts (ages 45+) to agree that robo advisors could completely replace the role of human advisors in financial planning (38 percent vs. 17 percent).
Of millennials who currently use a human financial advisor, the majority prefer their advisor utilize various technology-based tools to manage their business. An internet platform for scheduling appointments is important to 84 percent of millennials with an advisor and 78 percent state a platform to host virtual meetings is a priority.

Older Americans (age 45+) are far less likely than millennials to trust a robo advisor to effectively manage their financial plans (24 percent vs. 52 percent). Only 17 percent of Americans age 45+ agree that robo advisors could completely replace the role of human advisors, and 44 percent of those age 65+ say there is no benefit of working with a robo advisor over a human advisor.
Older Americans (age 55-64) who work with a human advisor also value their advisor utilizing various updated technology-based tools to manage their finances. More than three out of four consider cloud technology for storing/accessing client plans (80 percent) and an internet platform for scheduling appointments (77 percent) valuable tools for their advisors to incorporate.
 
Featured image credit: MDTR
The post Consumers Want Technology to Complement, Not Replace Human Financial Advisors appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/consumers-want-technology-to-complement-not-replace-human-financial-advisors</link><guid>1053</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/limitation-of-technology-1024x609.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Consumers Want Technology to Complement, Not Replace Human Financial Advisors</dc:text></item><item><title>Wie hat sich der Schweizer FinTech Markt 2018 entwickelt?</title><description><![CDATA[Die Hochschule Luzern hat zum vierten Mal eine umfassende Bestandsaufnahme des Schweizer FinTech-Markts vorgenommen.
Die Studie zeigt, dass der hiesige FinTech-Sektor erneut stark gewachsen ist und weiter an Bedeutung gewonnen hat. Die Studie geht auch der Frage nach, wie traditionelle Banken mit der digitalen Evolution umgehen.
Die heute erscheinende «IFZ FinTech-Studie 2019» der Hochschule Luzern gibt einen umfassenden Überblick über den Zustand und Entwicklungen im Schweizer FinTech-Sektor. Analog zur letztjährigen Studie zeigt sich, dass der Schweizer FinTech-Sektor gute Rahmenbedingungen geniesst. Im weltweiten FinTech-Hub-Ranking stehen die Städte Zürich und Genf weiterhin auf Platz 2, respektive 3. Durch die exzellenten Bedingungen können die Schweizer FinTech-Unternehmen dem Rückgang der traditionellen Finanzinstitutionen entgegenwirken.
FinTech ist wichtig für die Schweiz
Der FinTech-Sektor ist im Jahr 2018 stark gewachsen. Ende des Jahres zählte die Schweiz 356 FinTech-Unternehmen was einer Wachstumsrate vom 62 Prozent gegenüber dem Vorjahr entspricht. Wie sich anhand der steigenden Anzahl Mitarbeitenden und der Kapitalisierung der Unternehmen zeigt, ist der Sektor auch reifer geworden.
Konträr ist hingegen die Entwicklung im traditionellen Finanzsektor, wo die Anzahl Institutionen und Mitarbeiter abnehmen. Das Jahr 2018 war auch ein Rekordjahr in Bezug auf das Venture-Capital-Investitionsvolumen im Schweizer FinTech-Sektor. Im Laufe des Jahres wurden insgesamt 68 öffentlich bekannte Finanzierungsrunden durchgeführt, mit einem Gesamtbetrag von CHF 324 Mio (vgl. Abbildung 1).
Abbildung 1: Venture Capital Investitionen in Schweizer FinTechs
Die Anzahl der Finanzierungsrunden blieb zwar stabil. Die durchschnittlich investierten Volumen haben sich aber mehr als verdoppelt. Insbesondere das Seed-Kapital, d.h. die für die Gründung eines neuen Unternehmens benötigten Startgelder, stiegen 2018 bei 30 Finanzierungsrunden um insgesamt 177 Millionen Franken. Den grössten Anteil am Seed-Kapital hat die SEBA Crypto AG, die wie am 27. September 2018 angekündigt insgesamt CHF 100 Mio. aufgenommen hat.
Neben diesen Venture-Capital-Investitionsrunden gab es 2018 im Schweizer FinTech-Sektor auch mehrere von Schweizer FinTech Unternehmen durchgeführte ICO. Insgesamt wurden im vergangenen Jahr bei 15 ICOs insgesamt 386 Mio. USD aufgenommen, was einem Rückgang sowohl in Bezug auf die Anzahl als auch im Volumen dieser Finanzierungsform entspricht. Das grösste ICO im Jahr 2018 wurde von Envion durchgeführt, das rund USD 100 Millionen einnahm, gefolgt von Nexo und SwissBorg mit USD 52.5 bzw. USD 50 Millionen.
Abbildung 2: ICO im Schweizer FinTech Sektor
Nach zwei Jahren stetigen Wachstums ist der Schweizer FinTech-Sektor im vergangenen Jahr deutlich gewachsen. Ende 2018 gab es insgesamt 356 Schweizer FinTech-Unternehmen, was einem Anstieg von 62 Prozent gegenüber 220 Unternehmen im Vorjahr entspricht. Dieses signifikante Wachstum wurde hauptsächlich von FinTech-Unternehmen im Bereich der Distributed Ledger Technology getragen, deren Zahl sich mehr als verdreifacht hat.
Die jährlichen Wachstumsraten der anderen fünf Produktbereiche liegen zwischen 17 Prozent (Banking Infrastructure) und 38 Prozent (Payment). Von den insgesamt 356 Unternehmen sind 122 im Bereich Distributed Ledger Technology tätig, 66 im Bereich Investment Management, 56 im Bereich Banking Infrastructure, 42 im Bereich Deposit &amp; Lending, 36 im Bereich Payment und 34 im Bereich Analytics (siehe Abbildung 3).
Abbildung 3: Anzahl der FinTech-Unternehmen in der Schweiz (n=356)
Fin ist lokal, Tech ist global
Eine der wichtigsten Erkenntnisse der FinTech-Studie 2019 ist, dass globale Innovation FinTech-Unternehmen vorantreibt. In den FinTech-Geschäftsbereichen lässt sich ein gewisses Muster erkennen. Die Tech-getriebenen FinTech-Unternehmen, namentlich in den Bereichen Distributed Ledger Technology (z. B. Blockchain) und Analytics, sind hauptsächlich international orientiert. Die Finanz-getriebenen FinTech-Unternehmen wie die aus den Bereichen Deposit &amp; Lending oder Payment, fokussieren sich hingegen verstärkt auf den Binnenmarkt. Dieses Muster lässt sich bei den hiesigen, sowie auch bei den internationalen FinTech-Unternehmen erkennen.
Die Ziele der technologischen Innovation in der Finanzindustrie sollten die höheren Volumen, tiefere Kosten und/oder tiefere Risiken für die Unternehmung und einen höheren Nutzen und/oder tiefere Kosten für den Kunden sein. Dabei sind gut durchdachte Geschäftsmodelle und die sinnvolle Implementierung weitaus wichtiger als der Einsatz aussergewöhnlicher Technologien. Die Finanzindustrie brauch Lösungen, welche nachvollziehbar und akkurat sind. Hier ergeben sich Chancen für den Innovationsstandort Schweiz.
Traditionelle Banken müssen sich positionieren oder sie werden irrelevant
Die Resultate der letztjährigen Studie liessen den Weg des FinTech-Sektors vom Hype zur Realität erkennen. Bestätigt wird diese Aussage in diesem Jahr durch eine weitere Reifung und grössere Venture Capital Transaktionen. Der Markt für Kryptowährungen hingegen erlitt eine starke Korrektur. Der FinTech-Markt bot alles, je nach Segment und Unternehmen.
Es wird zwar nicht erwartet, dass die Banken von FinTech-Unternehmen verdrängt werden. Die neuen Technologien werden aber einen Teil der Dienstleistungen und Prozesse von traditionellen Banken übernehmen, sofern sich die Banken nicht rechtzeitig dagegen wappnen. Die Gewinner der technologischen Innovation sind Unternehmen, welche die richtigen Teams und die passende Kultur haben, um neue Technologien schneller und konsequenter implementieren zu können.
 
Artikel von Prof. Dr. Thomas Ankenbrand , Prof. Dr Andreas Dietrich and Denis Bieri
Die gesamte Studie kann unter ifz@hslu.ch vorbestellt werden.
 
Der Artikel erschien zuerst auf blog.hslu.ch
The post Wie hat sich der Schweizer FinTech Markt 2018 entwickelt? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/wie-hat-sich-der-schweizer-fintech-markt-2018-entwickelt</link><guid>1054</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Abb-1-FinTech-2019.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Wie hat sich der Schweizer FinTech Markt 2018 entwickelt?</dc:text></item><item><title>GOKONG Mobile App Gives Users A 360˚View Of All Their Finances</title><description><![CDATA[Zurich-based fintech venture GOKONG is looking to put a personal financial fitness coach in everyone’s pocket.
GOKONG believes financial fitness should be available to everyone. At GOKONG they can monitor and control the financial health just like your physical health. The Swiss personal finance startup, a company owned by Bank Vontobel, has developed a mobile platform designed from the ground up to consolidate users’ financial footprint into a 360° view, aggregating all of their finances data in one place.
We at GOKONG believe financial fitness should be available to everyone. We can know, monitor, and control our financial health just like our physical health. So shouldn’t we?
The company intends to address the data fragmentation issue in personal finance by bringing all of a user’s assets under one umbrella. This includes both bankable assets from as many different accounts as they have, and non-bankable assets, such as jewelry and other valuable items.
The mobile app aims to be engaging, straightforward and easy to use, not only to allow users to keep track of all their finances on a day-to-day basis, but also to derive insights that allow them to make wise financial decisions on the spot.
Explaining how he got the idea to develop GOKONG, Rahul Kaushik, CEO of the company, wrote in a blog post:
“In this day and age, when companies put together so many datasets about me to provide me with meaningful material, why wasn’t it possible to put all my financial data in one place so that I could extract meaningful insights on how to manage my spending and saving?
“So, I started wondering if there was a way of importing all my data from all my accounts into my banking app, so that I would get a 360˚view of all my finances in one app and a daily update on the current state of my finances.
“That was how I was inspired to develop GOKONG, an app that brings all your finances together under one roof.”
The GOKONG app downloads, cleans and aligns all financial data from all sources in just a few seconds. Through the platform, users can easily keep track of not only their transactions and progress towards their financial goals in real time, but also insurance coverages and get an accurate overview of the general state of their finances on an hourly, daily, weekly or monthly basis.
In addition to the data pulled from personal accounts at financial institutions, users can also add assets manually such as real estate, cars, art objects and jewelry.
Revolut support coming soon
GOKONG currently supports eight banks, Credit Suisse, UBS, Postfinance, Raiffeisen, Vontobel, BCV, ZKB and BCGE, insurers AXA, mobiliar, Swiss Life and Allianz Suisse, as well as independent credit card provider Swisscard, investment platform Swissquote, financial information provider Finanzen.ch &#8211; with support for Revolut coming soon. More banks are also planned to onboard by end of year.
GOKONG platform
The platform features a recommender engine which helps users save money by pushing relevant reminders and recommendations based on their preferences and spending patterns. Using GOKONG on a regular basis will allow the engine to gradually be able to generate better suggestions and recommendations based on their transaction and other data.
GOKONG’s budget recommendations are based on spending patterns of households in Switzerland. Users can compare themselves to other households in their community.
In terms of security and data privacy, GOKONG is read only and users’ personal details never leave their smartphone. The company claims in its FAQ it does not share any of users’ information with other financial institutions.
The company offers a basic, free version which allows users to get insights based on data from one institution. The pro version gives customers access to unlimited institutions and automatic stock updates, in addition to basic features including Smart Budgets, Spending Analysis, Goals and Savings recommendations and Asset Liability view. The pro version costs CHF 10/month or CHF 108/Year.  Goking is running a promotion until the end of April 2019, where they offer a discounted annual fee and have sweetened the pot by making the first four institutions free.
The company aims to reach 500,000 users by 2021. In particular, the company is targeting 40+ years old professionals who are unable to do financial planning due to time and knowledge constraints. In 2019, GOKONG will focus on user acquisition and growth, the company says.
GOKONG is one of the numerous personal finance platforms and startups in Switzerland. Competitors include Numbrs, a fintech company offering an app that aggregates bank account and credit card information and facilitates mobile banking and personal financial planning and Qontis, an online personal finance management platform.
&#8220;Compared to competitors, user credentials never leave the device&#8221;, claims GOKONG.
The post GOKONG Mobile App Gives Users A 360˚View Of All Their Finances appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/gokong-mobile-app-gives-users-a-360view-of-all-their-finances</link><guid>1052</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Gokong-platform-1.png</dc:content ><dc:text>GOKONG Mobile App Gives Users A 360˚View Of All Their Finances</dc:text></item><item><title>15 Most Valuable Fintech Startups and Companies in Europe</title><description><![CDATA[The fintech ecosystem in Europe is steadily maturing with adoption of digital financial services continuing to grow and key enablers, including consumer acceptance, number of information and communication technologies (ICT) specialists and easiness to start new businesses, evolving positively, according to a newly released B-Hive report on the European landscape report.
The following 15 firms are Europe’s most valuable fintech statups and companies in Europe, according to data from Invyo, CB Insights and the Booster Labs:
Adyen – US$8.3B (Netherlands)

Adyen is a global payment company that allows businesses to accept e-commerce, mobile, and point-of-sale (POS) payments. The company offers merchants online services for accepting electronic payments by payment methods including credit cards, bank based payments such as debit cards, bank transfer, and real-time bank transfers based on online banking.
Adyen is listed on the stock exchange Euronext.
 
BGL Group – US$3B (UK)

BGL Group is a financial services company based in Orton Southgate, Peterborough, England. Its main lines of business are vehicle and home insurance, with a range of supplementary products such as breakdown cover, legal protection and personal accident cover.
BGL Group’s brands include Comparethemarket.com, LesFurets.com and online life insurer BeagleStreet.com.
Circle – Nearly US$2.9b (Ireland)

Circle began in Dublin and formally licensed in the UK is a wallet-based service to transfer funds digitally via a mobile app. Circle later expanded its services into crypto-investments with Circle Invest and Circle Trade. After closing its Series E to develop its own USD-backed stablecoin named USDC.
OakNorth – US$2.8B (UK)

OakNorth is a UK-based fintech company providing property financing and loans to small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) using its online platform, Acorn, which leverages machine learning to make lending decisions.
In its most recent round in February 2019 led by SoftBank Vision Fund, OakNorth was valued at US$2.8 billion.
 
N26 – US$2.7B (Germany)

N26 is a German direct bank, headquartered in Berlin, Germany, that offers its services throughout most of the Eurozone and in the UK. Since launching its first product in January 2015, N26 has processed more than EUR 20 billion in transaction volume. Customers currently hold over EUR 1 billion in N26 accounts. In January, N26 announced a US$300 million Series D funding round.
N26 now plans to launch in Brazil.
 
Klarna – US$2.5B (Sweden)

Klarna is a Swedish bank that provides online financial services such as payment solutions for online storefronts, direct payments, post purchase payments and more. The company’s core service is to assume stores’ claims for payments and handle customer payments.
In 2017, the company handled about US$21 billion in online sales. About 40% of all e-commerce sales in Sweden goes through Klarna.
 
Funding Circle – US$2.4B (UK)

Funding Circle is a peer-to-peer (P2P) lending marketplace that allows investors to lend money directly to SMEs. Funding Circle was the first website to use the process of P2P lending for business funding in the UK, and now operates in the UK, US, Germany, and the Netherlands. As of June 2018, the platform had facilitated over GBP 5 billion in loans to SMEs.
The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.
 
iZettle – US$2.2B (Sweden)

iZettle is a Swedish fintech company that offers a range of financial products including payments, POS, funding and partners applications. The company was the first to develop chip-card reader and app for smartphone-based mobile commerce which meets international security requirements.
iZettle was acquired in 2018 by PayPal for approximately US$2.2 billion.
 
Revolut – US$1.7B (UK)

Revolut is a UK fintech company that offers banking services including a pre-paid debit card, currency exchange, cryptocurrency exchange and P2P payments. The Revolut mobile app supports spending in 150 currencies at the interbank exchange rate and unlimited exchange in 24 fiat currencies with no monthly limit.
Revolut raised US$250 million in April 2018 and reached a total valuation of US$1.7 billion.
 
TransferWise – US$1.6B (UK)

TransferWise is a London-based money transfer company. TransferWise supports more than 750 currency routes across the world including GBP, USD, EUR, AUD and CAD, and provides multi-currency accounts.
The company boasts over 4 million customers who collectively transfer around US$4 billion per month, and investors that include Richard Branson, Max Levchin, and Peter Thiel. TransferWise raised US$280 million in November 2017 at a US$1.6 billion valuation.
 
Monzo – US$1.3B (UK)

Monzo is a digital, mobile-only bank based in the UK. Originally operating through a mobile app and a prepaid debit card, in April 2017, the company’s UK banking license restrictions were lifted, enabling it to offer a current account. Monzo was one of the earliest of a number of new app-based challenger banks in the UK and now serves more than a million users.
Monzo is currently looking to launch business accounts and expand to the US.
 
Atom Bank – US$1.2B (UK)

Atom Bank is a UK-based challenger bank that provides banking services through a smartphone app. The company has no physical outposts. Atom Bank first secured its banking license in June 2015. It joined BACS in January 2019, allowing the company to offer the Direct Debit payment method.
 
Radius Payments Solutions – US$1.1B (UK)

Radius Payment Solutions is a payment and fleet services company headquartered in Crewe, Cheshire. The company provides fuel card management programs including, assisting major oil companies and fueling network owners with managing and marketing their fuel card programs to running its own multi-branded fuel payment networks.
Radius Payment Solutions operates a technology center in Manchester, which was established in March 2016, and has more than 21 offices in 14 countries.
 
Avaloq – US$1B (Switzerland)

Based in Switzerland, Avaloq develops and provides software for core banking. The Avaloq Banking Suite consists of a fully integrated, modular banking solution that includes back, middle and front office functionalities. The software system is used by more than 150 banks worldwide.
Avaloq is rapidly expanding worldwide. The company raised US$300 million in 2017 at a US$1 billion valuation.
 
SumUp – US$1B (UK)

SumUp is a mobile payments company headquartered in London with offices in Berlin, London, Boulder (CO), Sofia, Amsterdam and São Paulo. The company allows businesses of all sizes to receive payments quickly and simply, both in-store and online. It claims it has over 2,000 companies joining every day internationally and processes more than 100,000 transactions day-by-day.
SumUp merged with competitor Payleven, a Berlin-based mobile payments provider by Rocket Internet in 2016. SumUp reached the unicorn status earlier this year.
Image Credit: Freepik
The post 15 Most Valuable Fintech Startups and Companies in Europe appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/15-most-valuable-fintech-startups-and-companies-in-europe</link><guid>1051</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/15-Most-Valuable-Fintech-Chart3-1024x689.png</dc:content ><dc:text>15 Most Valuable Fintech Startups and Companies in Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>Lykke will Power the ICO of Burj Khalifa’s Owners</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss-based Lykke AG powering Emaar&#8217;s community based token on the Ethereum blockchain and the ERC20 token framework. Emaar group is best known for being the developers behind the iconic Burj Khalifa building in Dubai.
It plans to offer the Emaar community token for customers and partners by end of this year.According to the press release the token will allow Emaar’s customers and stakeholders to reap the value of a full referral and loyalty system across the entire group.
The token will be transferable across the entire global Emaar ecosystem, including real estate, malls, hospitality, entertainment, facilities management and online shopping.
Richard Olsen, Founder and CEO of Lykke, said:
“We have developed cutting edge technology infrastructure with mass-market usability to support our core belief that all mobile and internet users should be able to participate in economic activity, regardless of size of contribution. We are thrilled to leverage our experience and expertise to support Emaar’s mission to bring value and utility to millions of users globally.”
 
Interested in more stories from the Middle East? Follow our site here for the latest insights

The post Lykke will Power the ICO of Burj Khalifa&#8217;s Owners appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/lykke-will-power-the-ico-of-burj-khalifas-owners</link><guid>1050</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Follow-Fintech-News-Middle-East-1024x341.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Lykke will Power the ICO of Burj Khalifa’s Owners</dc:text></item><item><title>Schweizer Buch Premiere: Blockchain für die Praxis</title><description><![CDATA[Verstehen Sie die Blockchain-Technologie? Erkennen Sie die vielfältigen Chancen und Potenziale dieser bahnbrechenden Technologie?
Das komplexe Thema Blockchain wird in diesem Nachschlagewerk auf verständliche und praxisorientierte Weise vermittelt.
Dank klarer Strukturierung, zahlreichen Illustrationen, Praxisbeispielen und zugehörigem Website-Zugang ermöglicht «Blockchain» für die Praxis einen fundierten Einblick in die Funktionsweise und Anwendungsfelder der Blockchain-Technologie. In zugänglicher Weise werden vielfältige Erkenntnisse für Einsteigerinnen und Einsteiger sowie für Fortgeschrittene vermittelt.
Das Fachbuch richtet sich an Anlegerinnen und Anleger im Bereich Kryptowährungen und Tokens, Studierende in höheren Aus- und Weiterbildungen und alle Interessierten, die sich mit dem Potenzial und der Funktionsweise der Blockchain-Technologie vertieft auseinandersetzen möchten.

«Blockchain für die Praxis» ist ab sofort auf allen gängigen Handelsplattformen sowie im Buchhandel erhältlich.
Weitere Fintech und Blockchain-Bücher findet man hier
http://fintechnews.ch/tag/fintech-bucher/

Informationen zu den Autoren
Pascal Egloff
Pascal Egloff ist Dozent und Projektmanager an der FHS St. Gallen. Im Kompetenzzentrum für Banking und Finance leitet er Forschungs- und Dienstleistungsprojekte und unterrichtet im Rahmen von Aus- und Weiterbildungen.
 
 
 
 
Ernesto Turnes
Ernesto Turnes (M. A. in Banking and Finance HSG et M. A. in Volkswirtschaftslehre HSG) ist seit 2006 als vollamtlicher Professor an der Fachhochschule St. Gallen am Institut für Unternehmensführung tätig. Er leitet das Kompetenzzentrum für Banking und Finance und ist Studienleiter des MAS in Swiss Finance.
Featured image credit: Unsplash
The post Schweizer Buch Premiere: Blockchain für die Praxis appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schweizer-buch-premiere-blockchain-fur-die-praxis</link><guid>1048</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Schweizer Buch Premiere: Blockchain für die Praxis</dc:text></item><item><title>Deutsche Unternehmen setzen bei Künstlicher Intelligenz Lösungen “von der Stange”</title><description><![CDATA[Künstliche Intelligenz ist das vielleicht spannendste technologische Entwicklungsfeld unserer Zeit. Doch in Deutschland scheint das Thema eng verbunden mit einer gehörigen Portion „German Angst“.
War die öffentliche Debatte vor ein paar Monaten noch hauptsächlich von Befürchtungen geprägt, KI würde massenweise Arbeitsplätze vernichten, geht es nun um die Angst, den Anschluss an Länder wie China oder die USA verloren zu haben. Doch wie steht es wirklich um Künstliche Intelligenz am Wirtschaftsstandort Deutschland?
Deloitte hat für den „State of AI in the Enterprise Survey“ die Fakten zusammengetragen und KI-Verantwortliche weltweit befragt, darunter auch 100 Entscheider aus deutschen Unternehmen. Die gute Nachricht vorweg: Deutschlands Firmen beschäftigen sich mit Künstlicher Intelligenz und sind bei gewissen KI-Technologien im internationalen Vergleich vorne mit dabei. Die fünf Schlüsselergebnisse im Überblick:
1. KI-Technologien: Von allem etwas und eine Extraportion Process Robotics
Milan Sallaba
 „Es ist erfreulich, dass es bei der Anwendung von AI-Technologien in deutschen Unternehmen keine generellen Lücken gibt“,
sagt Milan Sallaba, Partner und Technology Sector Lead bei Deloitte.
„Alle Varianten Künstlicher Intelligenz kommen zum Einsatz. Auffällig ist allerdings die starke Verbreitung von Process Robotics in Deutschland. 67 Prozent der befragten deutschen Unternehmen nutzen robotergesteuerte Prozessautomatisierung.“
In den internationalen Vergleichsmärkten USA, China, UK, Frankreich, Kanada und Australien setzen derzeit nur 49 Prozent diese Technologie ein. Bei keiner anderen AI-Variante weichen deutsche Unternehmen so stark vom internationalen Durchschnitt ab
2. KI-Strategien: Die grossen Visionen fehlen noch
Aufholbedarf im internationalen Vergleich gibt es allerdings beim Thema Strategie. So verfügen erst ein Viertel (26 Prozent) der befragten Unternehmen eine umfassende, unternehmensweite KI-Strategie. In allen sechs Vergleichsmärkten ist man bereits weiter: Im Durchschnitt haben dort bereits 35 Prozent der Unternehmen eine übergreifende KI-Strategie.
KI wird hierzulande überwiegend auf Abteilungsebene umgesetzt. Will Deutschland nicht als AI-Anwendungsmarkt abgehängt zu werden gilt es, diese Lücke schnellstmöglich zu schließen. Die KI-Entwicklung verlagert sich derzeit von der Implementierung einzelner Anwendungen hin zu einem umfassenden KI-Einsatz in der gesamten Wertschöpfungskette – dazu braucht es umfassende Strategien.
Strategischer Ansatz zur Umsetzung von AI
3. Herausforderungen und Risiken: Eine Frage des Vertrauens
Die Zurückhaltung bei der Entwicklung übergreifender KI-Strategien ist vielleicht auch auf das noch immer ausbaufähige Vertrauen deutscher Unternehmen in Künstliche Intelligenz zurückzuführen. Intern werden KI-Initiativen häufig eher mit Sorge begleitet. Die Angst, falsche Entscheidungen basierend auf KI zu treffen, ist verhältnismäßig groß. 46 Prozent der deutschen Unternehmen haben entsprechende Bedenken geäußert. Unsicherheit herrscht aber vor allem beim Thema Cyber-Sicherheit. Hier fürchten deutsche Unternehmen vor allem den Diebstahl sensibler Daten und Algorithmen.
4. AI-Skills: Fachkräftemangel als Bremse
Die größte Herausforderung für die Unternehmen ist allerdings der Mensch. Es fehlen Fachkräfte. 62 Prozent der Befragten beklagen fehlende KI-Kompetenzen, mehr als jedes fünfte Unternehmen spricht sogar von großen Schwächen in diesem Bereich. Bemerkenswert ist, dass sich der Mangel nicht primär auf IT- und Tech-Spezialisten erstreckt. Viele Unternehmen suchen händeringend nach Change-Managern, die die digitale Transformation im Unternehmen organisieren und behutsam umsetzen.
Anteil der Unternehmen, die fehlende Kompetenzen als eine der drei wichtigsten Herausforderungen im AI-Kontext betrachten
5. Implementierung: Nicht immer das Rad neu erfinden
Ein Mittel im Kampf gegen den Fachkräftemangel erfreut sich bei deutschen Unternehmen bereits großer Beliebtheit und prägt damit maßgeblich die Implementierung von Künstlicher Intelligenz in den Firmen: „AI as service“ (AIas) oder salopp gesagt: „KI-Lösungen von der Stange“. Nur 15 der befragten Unternehmen implementieren KI hauptsächlich mit firmeneigenen Kräften.
Stattdessen setzen 65 Prozent der Studienteilnehmer auf fertige KI-Bausteine für die eigenen Produkte und Dienstleistungen. In den internationalen Vergleichsmärkten nutzen nur 49 Prozent diese Möglichkeit. Die Offenheit deutscher Unternehmen ist potenziell vorteilhaft, denn cloud-basierte „off the shelf“-Lösungen versprechen einen schnellen und relativ kostengünstigen Zugang zu intelligenten Produkten, Services und Geschäftsmodellen.
Für die Verbreitung und nicht zuletzt die Demokratisierung von Künstlicher Intelligenz sind diese fertigen KI-Lösungen essenziell, da so auch kleinere Unternehmen mit KI arbeiten können, die weder den Anspruch noch die Ressourcen haben, die Technologie von der Pike auf selbst für die eigenen Zwecke zu entwickeln.
Künstliche Intelligenz ganzheitlich denken
„Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass der KI-Standort Deutschland eindeutig noch nicht ‚abgehängt‘ ist“,
bilanziert Milan Sallaba.
 
 
The post Deutsche Unternehmen setzen bei Künstlicher Intelligenz Lösungen &#8220;von der Stange&#8221; appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/deutsche-unternehmen-setzen-bei-kunstlicher-intelligenz-losungen-von-der-stange</link><guid>1047</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Anteil-der-Unternehmen-die-Process-Robotics-einsetzen.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Deutsche Unternehmen setzen bei Künstlicher Intelligenz Lösungen “von der Stange”</dc:text></item><item><title>Deutsche Unternehmen setzen bei Künstlicher Intelligenz auf Lösungen “von der Stange”</title><description><![CDATA[Künstliche Intelligenz ist das vielleicht spannendste technologische Entwicklungsfeld unserer Zeit. Doch in Deutschland scheint das Thema eng verbunden mit einer gehörigen Portion „German Angst“.
War die öffentliche Debatte vor ein paar Monaten noch hauptsächlich von Befürchtungen geprägt, KI würde massenweise Arbeitsplätze vernichten, geht es nun um die Angst, den Anschluss an Länder wie China oder die USA verloren zu haben. Doch wie steht es wirklich um Künstliche Intelligenz am Wirtschaftsstandort Deutschland?
Deloitte hat für den „State of AI in the Enterprise Survey“ die Fakten zusammengetragen und KI-Verantwortliche weltweit befragt, darunter auch 100 Entscheider aus deutschen Unternehmen. Die gute Nachricht vorweg: Deutschlands Firmen beschäftigen sich mit Künstlicher Intelligenz und sind bei gewissen KI-Technologien im internationalen Vergleich vorne mit dabei. Die fünf Schlüsselergebnisse im Überblick:
1. KI-Technologien: Von allem etwas und eine Extraportion Process Robotics
Milan Sallaba
 „Es ist erfreulich, dass es bei der Anwendung von AI-Technologien in deutschen Unternehmen keine generellen Lücken gibt“,
sagt Milan Sallaba, Partner und Technology Sector Lead bei Deloitte.
„Alle Varianten Künstlicher Intelligenz kommen zum Einsatz. Auffällig ist allerdings die starke Verbreitung von Process Robotics in Deutschland. 67 Prozent der befragten deutschen Unternehmen nutzen robotergesteuerte Prozessautomatisierung.“
In den internationalen Vergleichsmärkten USA, China, UK, Frankreich, Kanada und Australien setzen derzeit nur 49 Prozent diese Technologie ein. Bei keiner anderen AI-Variante weichen deutsche Unternehmen so stark vom internationalen Durchschnitt ab
2. KI-Strategien: Die grossen Visionen fehlen noch
Aufholbedarf im internationalen Vergleich gibt es allerdings beim Thema Strategie. So verfügen erst ein Viertel (26 Prozent) der befragten Unternehmen eine umfassende, unternehmensweite KI-Strategie. In allen sechs Vergleichsmärkten ist man bereits weiter: Im Durchschnitt haben dort bereits 35 Prozent der Unternehmen eine übergreifende KI-Strategie.
KI wird hierzulande überwiegend auf Abteilungsebene umgesetzt. Will Deutschland nicht als AI-Anwendungsmarkt abgehängt zu werden gilt es, diese Lücke schnellstmöglich zu schließen. Die KI-Entwicklung verlagert sich derzeit von der Implementierung einzelner Anwendungen hin zu einem umfassenden KI-Einsatz in der gesamten Wertschöpfungskette – dazu braucht es umfassende Strategien.
Strategischer Ansatz zur Umsetzung von AI
3. Herausforderungen und Risiken: Eine Frage des Vertrauens
Die Zurückhaltung bei der Entwicklung übergreifender KI-Strategien ist vielleicht auch auf das noch immer ausbaufähige Vertrauen deutscher Unternehmen in Künstliche Intelligenz zurückzuführen. Intern werden KI-Initiativen häufig eher mit Sorge begleitet. Die Angst, falsche Entscheidungen basierend auf KI zu treffen, ist verhältnismäßig groß. 46 Prozent der deutschen Unternehmen haben entsprechende Bedenken geäußert. Unsicherheit herrscht aber vor allem beim Thema Cyber-Sicherheit. Hier fürchten deutsche Unternehmen vor allem den Diebstahl sensibler Daten und Algorithmen.
4. AI-Skills: Fachkräftemangel als Bremse
Die größte Herausforderung für die Unternehmen ist allerdings der Mensch. Es fehlen Fachkräfte. 62 Prozent der Befragten beklagen fehlende KI-Kompetenzen, mehr als jedes fünfte Unternehmen spricht sogar von großen Schwächen in diesem Bereich. Bemerkenswert ist, dass sich der Mangel nicht primär auf IT- und Tech-Spezialisten erstreckt. Viele Unternehmen suchen händeringend nach Change-Managern, die die digitale Transformation im Unternehmen organisieren und behutsam umsetzen.
Anteil der Unternehmen, die fehlende Kompetenzen als eine der drei wichtigsten Herausforderungen im AI-Kontext betrachten
5. Implementierung: Nicht immer das Rad neu erfinden
Ein Mittel im Kampf gegen den Fachkräftemangel erfreut sich bei deutschen Unternehmen bereits großer Beliebtheit und prägt damit maßgeblich die Implementierung von Künstlicher Intelligenz in den Firmen: „AI as service“ (AIas) oder salopp gesagt: „KI-Lösungen von der Stange“. Nur 15 der befragten Unternehmen implementieren KI hauptsächlich mit firmeneigenen Kräften.
Stattdessen setzen 65 Prozent der Studienteilnehmer auf fertige KI-Bausteine für die eigenen Produkte und Dienstleistungen. In den internationalen Vergleichsmärkten nutzen nur 49 Prozent diese Möglichkeit. Die Offenheit deutscher Unternehmen ist potenziell vorteilhaft, denn cloud-basierte „off the shelf“-Lösungen versprechen einen schnellen und relativ kostengünstigen Zugang zu intelligenten Produkten, Services und Geschäftsmodellen.
Für die Verbreitung und nicht zuletzt die Demokratisierung von Künstlicher Intelligenz sind diese fertigen KI-Lösungen essenziell, da so auch kleinere Unternehmen mit KI arbeiten können, die weder den Anspruch noch die Ressourcen haben, die Technologie von der Pike auf selbst für die eigenen Zwecke zu entwickeln.
Künstliche Intelligenz ganzheitlich denken
„Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass der KI-Standort Deutschland eindeutig noch nicht ‚abgehängt‘ ist“,
bilanziert Milan Sallaba.
 
 
The post Deutsche Unternehmen setzen bei Künstlicher Intelligenz auf Lösungen &#8220;von der Stange&#8221; appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/deutsche-unternehmen-setzen-bei-kunstlicher-intelligenz-auf-losungen-von-der-stange</link><guid>1049</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Anteil-der-Unternehmen-die-Process-Robotics-einsetzen.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Deutsche Unternehmen setzen bei Künstlicher Intelligenz auf Lösungen “von der Stange”</dc:text></item><item><title>Deutsche Börse, Swisscom and Sygnum Enter Strategic Partnership to Build a Trusted Digital Asset Ecosystem</title><description><![CDATA[Deutsche Börse Group, Swisscom and Sygnum, a Swiss and Singapore-based fintech company in the regulatory process to obtain a Swiss banking and securities dealer license, have entered into a strategic partnership.
The aim of this cooperation is to jointly build out and grow a trusted and regulatory compliant financial market infrastructure for digital assets.
Potential of digital assets hindered by lack of trust in infrastructure:

The tokenization of assets, the next major phase of asset digitization, has the potential to reshape global financial markets. In order to fully unfold its potential, the emerging tokenized economy needs a trusted, comprehensive and regulatory compliant ecosystem.
This integrated ecosystem around digital assets, developed by strong and experienced partners, will enable investors to tap into these new asset classes and accommodate to future client needs. The core elements of the solution will include issuance, custody, access to liquidity, and banking services – all leveraging Distributed-Ledger-Technology (DLT) in a regulatory compliant environment. The strategic partners will jointly grow and enhance these foundational elements of the digital asset ecosystem in alignment with the requirements of market participants.
The strategic partnership includes an investment by Deutsche Börse in Custodigit AG. The company was founded in 2018 as a joint venture by Swisscom and Sygnum. Custodigit AG provides a technical solution for the custody of digital assets for regulated financial services institutions. The integrated platform allows bank customers to manage the entire life cycle of their digital assets. As one of the main shareholders, Deutsche Börse will actively support the growth journey of Custodigit AG and its service offering.
Partnership for an integrated digital assets ecosystem – trust, compliance, innovation:

Furthermore, Deutsche Börse and Sygnum will become shareholders of daura AG. The company has developed a platform that uses Distributed Ledger Technologies to issue, securely transfer and register Swiss SME-shares, enabling non-listed companies to access the capital markets. As investors, Deutsche Börse and Sygnum will be actively involved in the companies’ future development.
Moreover, Deutsche Börse and Sygnum are currently conceptualizing the establishment of a further building block of the ecosystem – a listing and trading venue for digital assets in the Swiss market. Access to liquidity via an open, regulatory compliant marketplace is considered a critical element for building a scalable digital assets ecosystem.
Following obtaining a Swiss banking and securities dealer license from the Swiss regulator FINMA, Sygnum will provide comprehensive banking services such as custody, deposits, credit &amp; lending, capital issuance via tokenization, brokerage and asset management within the digital asset ecosystem. The ecosystem established by the partners is based on Decentralized Ledger Infrastructure developed and operated by Swisscom, meeting security requirements of financial services institutions and allowing for scalability.
The first products and services provided by the new ecosystem for digital assets are expected to be launched in the course of 2019.
The transaction is subject to merger control clearance.
An overview of the digital asset ecosystem can be found here.
The post Deutsche Börse, Swisscom and Sygnum Enter Strategic Partnership to Build a Trusted Digital Asset Ecosystem appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/deutsche-borse-swisscom-and-sygnum-enter-strategic-partnership-to-build-a-trusted-digital-asset-ecosystem</link><guid>1046</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Potential-of-digital-assets-hindered-by-lack-of-trust-in-infrastructure-1024x460.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Deutsche Börse, Swisscom and Sygnum Enter Strategic Partnership to Build a Trusted Digital Asset Ecosystem</dc:text></item><item><title>Deutsche Börse: Wertpapierabwicklung über Distributed-Ledger-Technologie</title><description><![CDATA[

Die Commerzbank und die Deutsche Börse haben erstmals eine rechtsverbindliche Abwicklung eines Repogeschäfts auf Basis der Distributed-Ledger-Technologie erfolgreich durchgeführt.
Die prototypische Transaktion mittels Lieferung-gegen-Zahlung wurde im Rahmen einer gemeinsamen Machbarkeitsstudie (Proof-of-Concept) durchgeführt, die die Möglichkeiten der Blockchain-Technologie im Bereich der Wertpapierabwicklung untersucht.




Für die Transaktion wurden zunächst digitale Tokens in Form von Buchgeld (Cash Token) sowie von Wertpapieren (Securities Token) generiert. Anschließend wurde der zeitgleiche Austausch der Tokens auf Basis der Distributed-Ledger-Technologie rechtsverbindlich abgewickelt. Die Deutsche Börse trat in der Rolle des Geldgebers auf, die Commerzbank als Wertpapiergeber sowie Geldnehmer und über ihre Forschungs- und Entwicklungseinheit main incubator als Blockchain-Plattform-Betreiber. Die eingesetzte Technologie und das zugrundeliegende Rechtskonzept wurden gemeinsam von den Partnern entwickelt.




Die erfolgreiche Transaktion zeigt, dass eine rechtssichere, effiziente und transparente Abwicklung mittels Lieferung-gegen-Zahlung von tokenisierten Wertpapieren und Geld-Tokens über die Blockchain möglich ist. Die unmittelbare und gleichzeitige Wertstellung über Distributed-Ledger-Technologie ermöglicht eine Abbildung in Echtzeit. Die wesentlichen Vorteile der so verkürzten Abwicklungsdauer liegen in der Senkung des Kontrahenten-Risikos und entsprechender Reduktion von Kapitalkosten. Auch kann mit dieser Technologie die unmittelbare und transparente Einbindung von Regulatoren und Aufsehern erfolgen.




Das Repogeschäft basiert auf einer Schuldverschreibung der KfW Bankengruppe (ISIN DE000A2LQSP7) in Höhe von 10 Millionen EUR und einer Laufzeit von sieben Tagen mit einem negativen Zins von -0,5%. Repos sind besicherte Geldmarktinstrumente, mittels derer Banken ihren kurzfristigen Liquiditätsbedarf durch die Hinterlegung von Wertpapieren decken.




Michael F. Spitz
„Mit der konsequenten Weiterentwicklung der Blockchain-Technologie gewinnt DLT immer mehr an Bedeutung für einen wachsenden Markt. Nachdem wir uns mit den vergangenen Piloten vor allem Neuemissionsprojekten gewidmet haben, konnten wir mit der Transaktion zwischen der Deutschen Börse und Commerzbank nun erstmals auch bestehende Wertpapiere in digitale Token umwandeln. Es freut uns, die Transaktion als Plattform-Betreiber begleitet und gemeinsam mit der Deutschen Börse einen so wichtigen Meilenstein für die Adaptation dieser Zukunftstechnologie für den Kapitalmarkt erreicht zu haben“,
so Michael F. Spitz, CEO des main incubators, der F&amp;E-Einheit der Commerzbank Gruppe.




Jens Hachmeister
„Die gelungene Abwicklung im Rahmen des gemeinsamen Projekts motiviert uns, die Leistungsfähigkeit der Distributed-Ledger-Technologie weiter auszuloten. Unser besonderer Fokus gilt dabei der integrierten Zahlungsfunktion- Cash on Ledger &#8211; die wir hier erfolgreich bewiesen haben. Unterschiedliche Blockchain-Anwendungen voranzutreiben und neue Standards zu setzen hat für die Gruppe Deutsche Börse hohe Priorität, dieser Prozess wird in engem Austausch mit Partnern, Aufsichtsbehörden und Zentralbanken erfolgen“,
sagte Jens Hachmeister, bei der Deutschen Börse verantwortlich für den Bereich DLT, Crypto Assets and New Market Structures.




Die Ergebnisse der prototypischen Abwicklung können als Basis für weiterführende Entwicklungen dienen. Nächste Schritte sind eng an die Schaffung rechtlicher Rahmenbedingungen geknüpft, die Voraussetzung für eine verbindliche Einschätzung der Vertragsverhältnisse sind. Die beteiligten Parteien verstehen sich als Vorreiter in dieser jungen Technologie und möchten Grundsteine für die Finanzmarktinfrastruktur schaffen.

 
Featured image credit: Commerzbank AG

The post Deutsche Börse: Wertpapierabwicklung über Distributed-Ledger-Technologie appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/deutsche-borse-wertpapierabwicklung-uber-distributed-ledger-technologie</link><guid>1044</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Deutsche Börse: Wertpapierabwicklung über Distributed-Ledger-Technologie</dc:text></item><item><title>Marcel Ospel and Others will Invest CHF 10m into Swiss Wealthtech Evolute</title><description><![CDATA[At an extraordinary general meeting last week, a new financing round was announced. A consortium of renowned investors will invest over the next three years a total of up to CHF 10 million in the further development of the digital Swiss wealth management platform Evolute.
Finews reports that Marcel Ospel (former UBS CEO) and Urs Wietlisbach (Founder Partners Group) are among the investors.
The new investments will provide certainty about Evolute&#8217;s long-term development and allow Evolute to implement its successful strategy step by step and expand its range of services and attractive business model.
For 2018, Evolute claims to have reached a revenue grew by over 600%, reaching a CHF 1.5 million run-rate revenue. This growth is driven by its existing and new clients, among them Finaport, VT Wealth Management and LimmatWealth. Evolute currently runs a total of CHF 9 billion in assets on its platform for its 17 clients.
The Evolute team plans major platform updates in 2019 with innovations such as a mobile advisory solution, managing and reporting non-bankable and crypto assets in one single portfolio view and integration of the product marketplace.
The Board of Directors remains unchanged with Michael Hartweg (Chairman and CEO ad interim), Patrick Barnert and Kathleen DeRose.
 
The post Marcel Ospel and Others will Invest CHF 10m into Swiss Wealthtech Evolute appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/marcel-ospel-and-others-will-invest-chf-10m-into-swiss-wealthtech-evolute</link><guid>1045</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Marcel Ospel and Others will Invest CHF 10m into Swiss Wealthtech Evolute</dc:text></item><item><title>Ostschweizer Acrevis Bank geht Fintech Partnerschaft ein</title><description><![CDATA[Auf ihrem Digitalisierungsweg ist die acrevis Bank AG eine weitere Partnerschaft eingegangen. Zusammen mit dem Fintech-Unternehmen 3rd-eyes AG will die Ostschweizer Regionalbank mit der Entwicklung eines toolunterstützten Beratungsprozesses ein weiteres Zeichen setzen.
Dank der innovativen Lösung von 3rd-eyes soll acrevis ihre Kunden zukünftig zielbasierter beraten können.
Sandro Schibli
«Der Bereich Private Banking ist in den letzten Jahren zu einem wichtigen Standbein für acrevis geworden. Wir haben Ambitionen, in diesem Bereich weiter zu wachsen»,
so Sandro Schibli, Bereichsleiter Private Banking.
Mit der Entwicklung dieses Beratungstools will acrevis, die mit Niederlassungen vom Bodensee bis zum Zürichsee vertreten ist, ihre Bestrebungen verdeutlichen. Der neue Beratungsansatz soll bereits gut funktionierende Prozesse optimieren, um den immer individuelleren Vorstellungen und Wünschen der Kunden gerecht zu werden.
Stephanie Feigt
Stephanie Feigt, CEO von 3rd-eyes, ergänzt:
«Wir freuen uns, mit acrevis eng zusammenzuarbeiten, da acrevis ein Vorreiter bezüglich zielbasierter Beratungsprozesse im Private Banking ist. Wir teilen die Vision, dass Vermögensempfehlungen auf die holistische, individuelle Situation der Kunden abgestimmt sein sollten.»
 
 
Featured image credit: Pixabay
The post Ostschweizer Acrevis Bank geht Fintech Partnerschaft ein appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ostschweizer-acrevis-bank-geht-fintech-partnerschaft-ein</link><guid>1042</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Ostschweizer Acrevis Bank geht Fintech Partnerschaft ein</dc:text></item><item><title>Report: 1132 ICO and STO’s in 2018 Completed</title><description><![CDATA[In 2018, 1’132 Initial Coin Offerings (ICO) and Security Token Offerings (STOs) were successfully completed, twice as many as in 2017 (552 in total) – as shown in the fourth ICO / STO report by PwC Strategy  in collaboration with Crypto Valley Association (CVA).
After crypto-crowdfunding continued its growth course in early 2018 and reached the total volume of the previous year in March 2018, the number and volume declined considerably in the second half of the year. Two startups, EOS and Telegram, have generated a combined 5.8 billion as so-called “unicorns”.
New token models are gaining momentum

The continued decline in value of digital currencies by the end of the year has led to a state of so-called “crypto-winter” in the global crypto community. However, the declining investment volumes were not only caused by the valuation of digital currencies.
STOs are gaining popularity in the cryptocurrency industry. Although, STOs as token offerings for securities and rights in rem are not fundamentally different from ICOs, they are a more regulated version of it. STOs combine many features of ICO such as low entry barriers for investors as well as traditional VC/PE fundraising characteristics, e.g. regulations based on local security laws including KYC/AML.
In addition to securities, there is a trend towards tokenization of assets like commodities (gold, oil, etc.) and the tokenization of intangible goods (e.g., music rights).
The regulatory landscape and infrastructure must “level up”
Swiss FINMA has addressed the topic of tokenization early on and differentiates between payment, use and investment tokens.
In addition to increased protection, market participants demand new services such as flexible custody solutions, market data services, reliable rating services and research. With the increasing expectations and the increased regulatory requirements of STOs, the existing infrastructure, for example for trade and custody, must also develop further. This opportunity has been recognized by established stock exchanges and financial institutions and is expanding its services in the crypto sector.
For example, the Swiss stock exchange operator SIX announced in the summer of 2018 a platform for the issuance, trading, settlement and custody of digital assets. Another Swiss bank was authorized in January 2019 to become the first global crypto custodian bank.
15 Biggest ICOs since 2016
Featured image credit: Unsplash
The post Report: 1132 ICO and STO&#8217;s in 2018 Completed appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/report-1132-ico-and-stos-in-2018-completed</link><guid>1043</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/STO-Overview.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Report: 1132 ICO and STO’s in 2018 Completed</dc:text></item><item><title>6th Nextgen Payments Forum – Cyprus: Innovation in a Disruptive Digital Economy</title><description><![CDATA[The Nextgen Payments Forum Cyprus, taking place on 04-05 April 2019 is the 6th consecutive Forum within the Global Payments Series. Set to address the online payment ecosystem, upcoming regulatory reform (PSD2) pushing for Open Banking, TPPS &amp; Fintech/Traditional Banking collaboration, Cyber Security &amp; Resilience and all-new AI &amp; Data-driven innovations.

The 6th NPF is inviting its international network of industry influencers to Cyprus &#8211; one of the Mediterranean’s most popular investment business trade routes, strategically located to be the perfect back door for innovative digital businesses wanting to passport into Europe, Asia-Middle East, and Africa markets. This exclusive payments Forum will bring together policymakers, leading solution providers, regulators, institutional representatives, as well as senior executives from the Banking, e-Merchant, Retail, Insurance, Investment, Trading and Gaming industries from across the globe.
Keynotes, interactive panel discussions, and challenger sessions will tackle vital industry challenges, explore current trends and introduce new market innovations as well as highlight business success projects/schemes – set to disrupt the industry. Participants will get the unique chance to hear high-caliber expert insights from such renowned industry shapers as the Forums’ chairs Peter Oakes, Founder, Fintech Ireland, Board Director, TransferMate &amp; Susquehanna International and Tony Craddock, Director General, EPA.
It’s worth mentioning that Jason Lane, EVP, Market Development Europe from Mastercard will be providing his insight on how the payments industry was affected by the recent Directive introductions of PSD2 and GDPR. 
Where Maria Teresa Arráez, Deputy Head of Division &#8211; Market Integration from the European Central Bank, will be sharing the EU’s Instant Payments Scheme (TIPS) – set to revolutionize the payments infrastructure within the SEPA. 
Furthermore, Christopher Singh, Head of Regulatory Compliance, Revolut and Ajwad Hashim, Vice President, Innovation and Emerging Technology, Barclays will be presenting the legal side of tech, the business case for AI and ML as well as a respective policy response to tech.
A brief sample of the companies that will be present include: Deloitte, SEPAGA, Ecommbx, Bank of Israel, National Bank of Belgium, Starling Bank, AXA Group, Central Bank of Cyprus, Huawei, IBM, European Banking Federation, Bank of Cyprus, Oropay, ePayments, ConnectPay, ProFee, Lewben, Marlow Navigation and many others.
For online registration check out this page and use code FinNews06 for an exclusive 15% discount.
 
Featured image credit: Freepik
The post 6th Nextgen Payments Forum &#8211; Cyprus: Innovation in a Disruptive Digital Economy appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/6th-nextgen-payments-forum-cyprus-innovation-in-a-disruptive-digital-economy</link><guid>1041</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/6th-Nextgen-payments-Forum.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>6th Nextgen Payments Forum – Cyprus: Innovation in a Disruptive Digital Economy</dc:text></item><item><title>FRIDAY Secures €39 Mio Investment from SevenVentures and German Media Pool</title><description><![CDATA[

FRIDAY, a Berlin-based insurance company, has completed a round of financing. SevenVentures, the financial investor of ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE and the media investor German Media Pool are both investing up to €39 million.




The Baloise Group (FRIDAY’s founder and majority shareholder) is also investing €75 million euros. The investment round will stimulate future growth and support further product development.
Equipped with a European insurance license, FRIDAY offers innovative insurance products. The Berlin-based team has acquired over 45,000 new customers for its car coverage since it was founded in 2017.
SevenVentures&#8217; involvement allows FRIDAY to ramp up publicising its insurance products, while the involvement of ProSiebenSat.1 Group. German Media Pool allows them to target group-specific advertising environments of the brings together media companies in the television, radio, out-of-home and print categories for FRIDAY.


The digital insurer has been working together with the ProSiebenSat.1 media group and media companies that part of the German Media Pool for two years.


Gert De Winter
Baloise Group CEO Gert De Winter said:
&#8220;The Media-for-Equity Investment from new investors shows that, at FRIDAY we are connecting with the spirit of the times.&#8221;
Gert opines that customers want simpler insurance products, and the new investments will allow FRIDAY to offer a wide range of these simplified products.


 


 




Aljoscha Kaplan
Aljoscha Kaplan, Managing Director German Media Pool:
“The time is right to get in. Digitalization is currently changing consumer behavior in insurance, and offers unique opportunities for new insurance products. The FRIDAY team has shown that it can create innovative products and successfully place them on the market.”
&#8220;Features like kilometer accurate billing, monthly terminability, and completely paperless administration make the product stand out. This was acknowledged by the Warentest Foundation, Auto Zeitung and Autobild with the Testsieger 2018 award,&#8221; he concluded.



Featured image credit: FRIDAY

The post FRIDAY Secures €39 Mio Investment from SevenVentures and German Media Pool appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/friday-secures-39-mio-investment-from-sevenventures-and-german-media-pool</link><guid>1038</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>FRIDAY Secures €39 Mio Investment from SevenVentures and German Media Pool</dc:text></item><item><title>Baloise’s Insurtech Startup Friday Completes €114 Mio Funding Round</title><description><![CDATA[FRIDAY, a Berlin-based insurance company, has completed a round of financing. SevenVentures, the financial investor of ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE and the media investor German Media Pool are both investing up to €39 million.
The Baloise Group (FRIDAY’s founder and majority shareholder) is also investing €75 million euros. The investment round will stimulate future growth and support further product development.
Equipped with a European insurance license, FRIDAY offers innovative insurance products. The Berlin-based team has acquired over 45,000 new customers for its car coverage since it was founded in 2017.
SevenVentures&#8217; involvement allows FRIDAY to ramp up publicising its insurance products, while the involvement of ProSiebenSat.1 Group. German Media Pool allows them to target group-specific advertising environments of the brings together media companies in the television, radio, out-of-home and print categories for FRIDAY.
The digital insurer has been working together with the ProSiebenSat.1 media group and media companies that part of the German Media Pool for two years.
Gert De Winter
Baloise Group CEO Gert De Winter said:
&#8220;The Media-for-Equity Investment from new investors shows that, at FRIDAY we are connecting with the spirit of the times.&#8221;
Gert opines that customers want simpler insurance products, and the new investments will allow FRIDAY to offer a wide range of these simplified products.
Aljoscha Kaplan
Aljoscha Kaplan, Managing Director German Media Pool:
“The time is right to get in. Digitalization is currently changing consumer behavior in insurance, and offers unique opportunities for new insurance products. The FRIDAY team has shown that it can create innovative products and successfully place them on the market.”
&#8220;Features like kilometer accurate billing, monthly terminability, and completely paperless administration make the product stand out. This was acknowledged by the Warentest Foundation, Auto Zeitung and Autobild with the Testsieger 2018 award,&#8221; he concluded.
Featured image credit: FRIDAY
The post Baloise&#8217;s Insurtech Startup Friday Completes €114 Mio Funding Round appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/baloises-insurtech-startup-friday-completes-114-mio-funding-round</link><guid>1040</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Baloise’s Insurtech Startup Friday Completes €114 Mio Funding Round</dc:text></item><item><title>Regtech Lösungen zur Prospekt Prüfung Gesucht- Börse mit neuer Initiative</title><description><![CDATA[Neue gesetzliche Anforderungen in der Schweiz ab 2020, werden Regtech Dienstleitungen in den Finanzdienstleistungen zu einem sehr grossen Thema machen. Die Berner Börse will hier ganz vorne mitmischen und sucht dazu nun auch Regtech Partner.
Voraussichtlich am 1. Januar 2020 wird in der Schweiz das neue Finanzdienstleistungsgesetz (FIDLEG) in Kraft treten. Das Gesetz verpflichtet Finanzdienstleister zur angemessenen Information und Beratung der Kunden und führt eine einheitliche Regelung zur Pflicht zur Veröffentlichung eines Prospekts ein für alle in der Schweiz oder von der Schweiz aus öffentlich angebotenen Finanzinstrumenten.
Ein Prospekt fasst für die Anleger die Informationen über die Art, Gegenstand und Risiken eines Finanzinstruments zusammen.
Welche neuen Dienstleistungen entstehen dadurch im Prospektbereich?
Die Prospekte müssen vor dem öffentlichen Angebot durch eine Prüfstelle genehmigt werden, die von der Finanzmarktaufsicht (FINMA) zugelassen wurde. Als eine der beiden Schweizer Börsen wird sich die BX Swiss (Berner Börse) bei der FINMA als Prüfstelle für Prospekte bewerben. Regtech Lösungen sind in diesem Bereich sowohl bei der Erstellung der Prospekte als auch bei der nachträglichen Prospektprüfung interessant.
Was sind die Aufgaben der Prospekt Prüfstelle?
Die Prospektprüfung beschränkt sich auf Vollständigkeit, Kohärenz und Verständlichkeit. Die Vollständigkeitsprüfung richtet sich nach den gesetzlichen Vorgaben in sogenannten Prospekt Schemata (Checklisten) im Anhang zur Finanzdienstleistungsverordnung (FIDLEV). Dazu gehören beispielsweise:

Angaben über den Emittenten, seine Geschäftstätigkeit und personelle Zusammensetzung
Jahres- und Zwischenabschlüsse des Emittenten
Angaben zum Finanzinstrument (inkl. Risiken und Bedingungen)
Details zur Handelszulassung

Weshalb ist eine software-unterstützte Prospekt Prüfung sinnvoll?
Für den Markt ist es wesentlich, dass die Prospekt Prüfung möglichst kostengünstig und effizient abgewickelt werden kann. Für ihre Dienstleistungen muss die Prüfstelle kostendeckende Gebühren erheben. Es ist daher wichtig, dass die Prospektprüfung möglichst effizient und digitalisiert vorgenommen werden kann, so dass die Kosten tief gehalten werden können.
Anforderungen an Regtech Lösungen in Prospektprüfung
Im Bereich der Prospektprüfung sind Regtech Lösungen für uns interessant, die eine kontextuelle Interpretation von Textdokumenten nach vorgegebenen Kriterien und Themenbereichen ermöglichen. Die Resultate der gesetzlich erforderlichen Vollständigkeitsprüfung müssen so aufbereitet werden, dass ein Sachbearbeiter sie anschliessend effizient überprüfen und bestätigen kann.
Des Weiteren muss die Prüfstelle ihre Verfügungen dem Gesuchsteller mitteilen. Dafür sind rechtsgültig unterzeichnete Dokumente notwendig. In diesem Bereich suchen wir nach Regtech Lösungen im Dokumentmanagement, die auf einfache Art und Weise die Einbindung einer qualifizierten elektronische Signatur ermöglichen.
 Regtech Lösungen Gesucht!
Interessierte Regtech Firmen, die geeignete Dienstleistungen im Angebot haben können sich direkt an regtech@regservices.ch wenden. Bitte beschreibt Eure Firma, welche Lösungen ihr im Regtech Bereich bietet und fügt eine kurze Präsentation bei.
Mehr Informationen zum Thema auch unter: www.regservices.ch
 
Featured image credit: Freepik
The post Regtech Lösungen zur Prospekt Prüfung Gesucht- Börse mit neuer Initiative appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/regtech-losungen-zur-prospekt-prufung-gesucht-borse-mit-neuer-initiative</link><guid>1037</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Regtech Lösungen zur Prospekt Prüfung Gesucht- Börse mit neuer Initiative</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss RegTech Startup Map February 2019: Who is missing?</title><description><![CDATA[RegTech is a shorthand for regulatory tech, a subset of fintech that focuses on technologies that could help facilitate the delivery of regulatory requirements in a comprehensive and cost-effective way.
The rise of RegTech was only a matter of time, following the traditional difficulty that fintechs have had over the years to stay compliant while remaining fluid and agile in their businesses. After all, compliance is not an option—not after the 2008 financial crisis.
Each quarter, Swisscom teams up with e-foresight to publish a market overview of Swiss RegTech startups with a categorization based on areas of activity.
Since the last update on November two new Swiss Regtech Startups were added (Dathena and Lumrisk), but also two were removed (KYCxNET and edgelab ), which brings the total count back to 29.
Who is missing on the map?
 
 

Authentication
Fidentity
fidentity provides digital identification with seamless user experience. An API enables integration in 3rd party websites, mobile sites, apps or even messengers. Its ease of use leads to minimal acquisition costs.
 
 
 
Biowatch
Biowatch transforms the user’s wristwatch into a means of identification. A module, which fits  into the strap of any watch, identifies the user  from their unique vein pattern.Watches could  therefore replace passwords, badges and car keys. Biowatch completed a financing round at the beginning of this year and demonstrated a fully functional prototype for the first time in June.
 
 
Futurae
Creating fast, simple and hands-off two-factor user authentication for online applications that require additional security by pairing mobile devices with computers in the vicinity of each other.
 
 
 
Procivis
 

PROCIVIS is a Swiss based start-up offering digital identity solutions and e-government applications and services. Founded in October 2016 by a team of experts in blockchain technology, e-government infrastructure, investment banking as well as by influential academicians, the company aims to spearhead the transition to e-governance in Switzerland and abroad.
 
 
 
OneVisage
OneVisage is a Swiss cyber-security company founded in 2013 with the vision to bring secure and convenient authentication services to mass-markets using standard mobile devices (BYOD).
 
 
 
Synacts
We solve the problem of an increasing amount of data that is created and used by people. Today, this data is locked into silos at companies which leads to unacceptable risks as seen with Equifax and many others but also denies the user to control over what happens with their data.
 
 
Signatys
Signatys is a Swiss company focusing on the quality and security of digital relationships. Signatys offers a new way of exchanging and signing documents based on a level of trust equivalent to an identification made by a bank.
 
 
 
Spitch
Spitch is a Swiss provider of solutions based on Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) and voice biometrics, Voice User Interfaces (VUI), and natural language voice data analytics.
 
 
 
AML / KYC
FinForm
Finform, a joint venture of Axon Ivy and PostFinance, was founded in June 2016. The company specializes in standardizing, industrializing and digitalizing compliance formalities.
 
 
 
Polixis
Polixis is known to the market as a boutique, best-in-class advisory firm, specializing in the emerging markets Risk &amp; Compliance. With ARDIS that stands for Applied Risk &amp; Data Intelligence Solution, we take this expertise to the next level by blending human expertise with machine intelligence and big data. The result is a unique technological solution that aims to change the way Risk &amp; Compliance teams work on client and transactional due diligence, political and country risk analysis.
 
Chaordic
Chaordic specialise in Client Due Diligence technology which helps financial institutions with AML, CRS &amp; FATCA compliance throughout the client lifecycle.
 
 
 
 
Background Check
SwissMetrics
SwissMetrics provides a collaborative credit risk monitoring platform allowing for companies to monitor the financial health of their customers, suppliers and potential acquisitions.
Christian KönigChristian Koenig
 
 
Crossborder &amp; Tax Solutions
TaxLevel
TaxLevel &#8220;THE NEXT LEVEL IN TAX REPORTING&#8221; With TaxLevel we offer professional services for companies and individuals in the field of tax reporting. Our end products support taxable legal or natural persons abroad.
 
 
 
Indigita
indigita is a RegTech company providing banks with digitized regulatory smart data for cross-border banking. It takes the best from its parent companies, BRP and Orbium, experts in regulatory and IT consultancy, to develop the perfect solution to meet the ever-changing cross-border regulatory challenges.
 
 
 
Confinale
Confinale is a consultancy and software development company that specializes in digitalization projects for the banking sector. We find solutions for current and future challenges either by implementing new functionalities in existing bank software or by developing totally new applications.
 
 
 
Enterprise Risk Management / Fraud Detection
RegData
RegData clears you through regulatory and technical borders, especially during the aggregation of data from any source and when it is shared. Its transparent, unintrusive integration, no matter the languages and protocols, allows you to lead innovative strategies for your company’s data.
 
 
 
Swiss Finlab
New solutions are needed for managing personal data and personal wealth &#8211; We explore &amp; build them. We believe that the successful company of the future will have access to customer data, the ability to analyze it and use it for intuitive applications. We at SWISS FIN LAB can help you with exactly that. We are really good at investments, managing and analyzing data and making beautiful and intuitive applications.
 
Dathena
Dathena is the First Data Governance Platform Developed by Real Users for Real Users
 
 
 
 
Investment Risk Management / Quantitative Analytics
Lumrisk
LumRisk is an independent company that provides state-of-the-art risk consolidation, analysis and reporting services to institutional clients. LumRisk provides risk analysis and reporting, based on full transparency into underlying instruments, on many types of investment programs, such as funds-of-hedge-funds, multi-asset programs, alternative risk premia programs and traditional long-only investments.
 
 
FinHorizon AG
finhorizon’s portal translates complex investment research results to intuitive decision indicators. This novel approach allows all investors to easily find assets that exactly match their risk tolerance and return goals out of all instruments world-wide. They can automatically compile and manage their own optimal personalized portfolios.
 
 
InvestGlass
Founded in 2014, InvestGlass provides a white-labeled, client and prospect management platform for bankers, wealth managers and advisors. The platform is designed to facilitate more efficient prospecting and onboarding of new clients, as well as the management relationships with existing clients. Components include a content management system, CRM, and client portal.
 
 
AAAccell
AAAccell a leading innovation company in asset-and risk management developing cutting-edge high-tech solutions for the financial service market.
 
 
 
 
Riskifier
Riskifier makes investment risk profiling simple, fun and insightful for everyone. Our solution uses latest advances of artificial intelligence to fulfill the requirements of MiFID II/FIDLEG investor risk profiling and KYC data collection, while digitalizing &amp; gamifying user experience as well unleashing advantages of behavior based personalized investment risk profiles.
 
 
Integration Alpha
We are a boutique data strategy consulting firm with a focus on guiding organizations on their journey towards data-driven business and industry models. More than ever before, success at doing business, at keeping clients engaged and at maintaining an edge over competitors is dependent on the intelligent use (and exploitation) of data. Not in the form most businesses are accustomed to today but as continuous streams of specific intelligence.
 
Regulatory Mapping
Apiax
Apiax is an early-stage startup that aims at generating better access to compliance regulations. It provides easily integrated public programming interfaces (APIs) that facilitate access to always up-to-date and verified compliance rules.
 
 
 
Capnovum
Capnovum introduces a new chapter by empowering clients to manage change self-sufficiently.  Asset based services help our clients stay informed and in control of ever more complex regulatory requirements. Our clients, investing in their own resources; mitigate risk, drive down cost of change, and reduce dependence on management consultants for execution.
 
 
Lari
LARI helps businesses to keep track of legal and regulatory changes. Our mission is to promote collaboration and increase workflow productivity of corporate legal departments. LARI is an intelligent issue management platform for legal and compliance departments. It automatically discovers the latest updates in laws and regulations impacting a company. It helps teams to understand those changes and translate them into actionable and auditable items.
 
 
Indagia
The world’s first and only fully integrated platform powered by artificial intelligence for external audit. Thanks to artificial intelligence indagia can greatly increase the efficiency and accuracy of a financial audit, by analyzing up to 100% of all transactions. In addition, our software can perform automatic risk assessments and propose tailormade audit procedures. With the help of RPA analytical procedures and test of details are perform in minutes!
 
Investment Navigator
Investment Navigator AG (IMN) is a web-based information platform for banks and asset managers that supports the internal advisory process with regards to financial services, products and portfolio management in their cross-border and product suitability management.
 
 
 
The post Swiss RegTech Startup Map February 2019: Who is Missing? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-regtech-startup-map-february-2019-who-is-missing</link><guid>1036</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Swiss-RegTech-Map-Februar2019-1024x576.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss RegTech Startup Map February 2019: Who is missing?</dc:text></item><item><title>Ready for the Future? – The Banker’s Skill Set in a Digital World</title><description><![CDATA[The following article is a short overview of the skills which bankers will need in the future. Of course, you can stay where you are, but I recommend that you improve or learn new skills and I don&#8217;t mean traditional banking skills.
Author: Fabian P. Lehner via Linkedin
Fintech, which is derived from FINancial and TECHnology, is nothing new. In 2017, the ATM turned 50 years old, that means the first ATM was installed in 1967 and was giving out money and taking deposits from customers without having to speak to a bank teller. Consider the first online-only bank, Security First Network Bank launched the first pure internet bank in 1995. Furthermore, Capital One, which started in 1988, was already working with customer data to reduce risk and increase revenue per client in their credit card business.
How much Bankers Know about Tech?
I assume that every banker knows his business concerning finance. What about technology? As I mentioned, Fintech is nothing new. It just became more popular in the last ten years, and this is just the beginning. Therefore, it is extremely important to know and understand what is happening outside your office.
There is a lot of information about this topic on the internet and from self proclaimed experts. It is essential to determine which information is crucial, starting with the different subcategories and ecosystems in Fintech and researching some of the great startups from the last ten years. The internet provides all this information free, but a little due diligence is important.
There is also a lot of tech in Fintech. Therefore you should understand and use the technology as well as understand the concept behind the ideas. The best way to do that is to use wearables to pay, transfer money by phone, open an account online or buy cryptocurrencies by using a cryptocurrency exchange and then try to trace the transaction on the blockchain.
Banker or Entrepreneur?
To stay ahead of the disruption in banking, I recommend sacrificing your free time to attend events and spend some money on books or courses to accelerate your knowledge gap in the area of Fintech. The best way is to get involved. There are different ways to do this. To improve your CV and knowledge, you could go and work for a Fintech startup. I know, your salary won’t be as high as at the bank, but remember, it&#8217;s not your first salary, but your last that is essential. Also, you will pick up additional skills that are critical &#8211; ENTREPRENEURSHIP.
image credit: Unsplash
By using the tools which startups provide, you will start working more with and understanding data. I know many people, even my friends, who still pay for everything with cash because they are concerned about their personal and transactional data. I agree this is a tricky situation. You can avoid all technologies by assuming you’re protecting your data or you can start to understand the basics about the use of data.
As a traditional banker, you should know how to use data to find and monetize opportunities. Banks have a vast database with their customer&#8217;s information, which a Fintech startup wishes they had. Once they start to acquire and use that data, they will need your skills to be able to explain how to use that information to help the customer and offer better services.
AI in Trading and Chatbots?
As it relates to bank investment officers and traders, more and more of them are using algorithms for their investment decisions. Therefore, the investment process needs less human intervention. The computer allows them to program almost everything including buying and selling investments. With new technologies in artificial intelligence, they can learn new processes and procedures on their own. By collecting the specified data from a human, the computer can follow the instructions from the investor or trader and execute the trades more efficiently and without assistance.
Another area where computers are using algorithms and artificial intelligence is in the payment&#8217;s department. A machine can investigate missing payments by collecting data from the system. Chatbots using artificial intelligence interact with clients to resolve any issues. You have probably gotten an answer from a robot and didn&#8217;t even notice.
The last topic to think about and probably the most important is your mindset. Before starting to study additional skills and going the extra mile, you should be open to the new digital world of banking possibilities and how that might change your career and the way you do things today. It is not enough to be informed, you need to be proactive and embrace the speed of changes around you.
Remember, don’t expect a seat, if you bring nothing to the table. It is as simple as that!
 
Author: Fabian P. Lehner via Linkedin
This article first appeared on linkedin.com, 
Featured image credit: Photo by rawpixel.com from Pexels
The post Ready for the Future? &#8211; The Banker&#8217;s Skill Set in a Digital World appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ready-for-the-future-the-bankers-skill-set-in-a-digital-world</link><guid>1039</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/innovation-1024x683.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>Ready for the Future? – The Banker’s Skill Set in a Digital World</dc:text></item><item><title>In an Industry Twist, Paypal-Backed Fintech Raisin Just Bought a Bank</title><description><![CDATA[At a time when many banks are looking to invest in fintech companies, open banking fintech Raisin is taking the road less travelled by buying MHB Bank of Frankfurt, its longtime service bank. Raisin operates an online marketplace for savings and investments across Europe hoping to grant wider access to its customers and better interest rates.
With a full banking license secured thanks to the acquisition, the Berlin-based fintech can expand into more European markets, and finally offer deposit services to retail customers. Much of its outsourced operations can be brought in-house, and expansion of various financial services into different markets are made easier.
The acquisition of the shares in MHB by Raisin is still subject to final approval by German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) and the European Central Bank (ECB).
Raisin CEO and co-founder Dr. Tamaz Georgadze explained:
Dr. Tamaz Georgadze
“Together with MHB, we can continue to develop — and seamlessly integrate — the services we offer customers, partner banks and distribution partners.”
 
&#8221; With the changes this takeover makes possible, we will be able to offer better services more sustainably to our customers and partners. We want to grow ‘deposits as a service’ into a widely-accepted market standard for banks across Europe.&#8221;
 
The acquisition comes just a month after Raisin&#8217;s Series D fundraising round, netting them €100 million from investors like PayPal, Thrive Capital, Ribbit Capital and Index Ventures.
Raisin was founded in 2013 by Tamaz Georgadze, Frank Freund and Michael Stephan.
Raisin’s marketplace offers a one-stop access at no charge to products from all over Europe, as well as globally diversified, cost-effective ETF portfolios—all under one account and platform. Since launch in 2013, Raisin claims to have brokered €11 billion for over 165,000 customers in 31 European countries and more than 65 partner banks.
Featured image via Raisin
 
The post In an Industry Twist, Paypal-Backed Fintech Raisin Just Bought a Bank appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/in-an-industry-twist-paypal-backed-fintech-raisin-just-bought-a-bank</link><guid>1035</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>In an Industry Twist, Paypal-Backed Fintech Raisin Just Bought a Bank</dc:text></item><item><title>Switzerland Sees First Real Estate Transaction on The Blockchain Worth CHF 3 Million</title><description><![CDATA[The first Swiss property is now “live” on the blockchain. In Baar, in the canton of Zug, the first property was tokenized via the transaction platform of blockimmo.
The trade volume amounts to around CHF 3 million. This transaction was made possible by the combined efforts of three Zug companies blockimmo, Elea Labs and Swiss Crypto Tokens.
Elea Labs supplied the complete, validated data for the property and Swiss Crypto Tokens enabled the transaction with the ‘CryptoFranc’, a stablecoin linked directly to the Swiss franc.
Bastiaan Don
‘I am delighted that we were able to pull off this premiere, the first property transaction through blockimmo. The platform is the first secure blockchain product for both private and professional investors,’
explains Bastiaan Don, founder and Managing Director of blockimmo.
Tokenizing is the process by which the real asset value of the property is represented digitally on the Ethereum blockchain in token form. This new financing and investment method is a product of blockimmo. It aims to be the global marketplace for tokenizing property.
Around CHF 3 million, or 20 percent of the property value, was tokenized before being sold to four investors in a club deal. The tokenized property is located at Grabenstrasse 3 in Baar, in the canton of Zug, and consists of 18 apartments and the ‘Hello World’ restaurant.

 
This makes Baar the site of the first property in Switzerland that also has a ‘digital twin’ on the blockchain. The four transactions were carried out on the Ethereum blockchain and can be verified on the blockimmo platform.
The transaction was supported by Elea Labs, which provided the real estate data of the property. Elea Labs aims to ensure that each building has its own identity or &#8220;Property DNA&#8221;. This makes the property real &#8211; all data about a property is backed up and stored decentralized.
 
 
Featured image credit: https://mp.b-public.ch/
The post Switzerland Sees First Real Estate Transaction on The Blockchain Worth CHF 3 Million appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/switzerland-sees-first-real-estate-transaction-on-the-blockchain-worth-chf-3-million</link><guid>1034</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Hello-world_Grabenstrasse-3_Baar.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Switzerland Sees First Real Estate Transaction on The Blockchain Worth CHF 3 Million</dc:text></item><item><title>Wefox Group: 125 Mio Us-Dollar In Series-B-Runde</title><description><![CDATA[Die wefox Group, ein in der Schweiz gegründetes und in Berlin ansässiges InsurTech, hat erfolgreich die Rekordsumme von 125 Millionen US-Dollar in seiner Series-B-Runde erzielt. Die Investitionsrunde wurde von der Mubadala Investment Company und deren neu aufgelegtem European Ventures Fund angeführt.
Das 125 Millionen-Dollar-Investment ist die grösste Series-B-Runde eines InsurTechs. Damit bestätigt die wefox Group, eines der am schnellsten wachsenden FinTechs Europas zu sein. Das Ziel der Gruppe ist es, Versicherungen völlig neu zu erfinden.
Die wefox Group ist das erste Investment des Mubadala European Ventures Funds. Dieses Engagement steht auch in Zusammenhang mit der Ankündigung der wefox Group, in den asiatischen Markt zu expandieren. Dabei wird die Gruppe durch die Partnerschaft mit SBI (einem ehemaligen Softbank-Investment) unterstützt.
Das im Jahr 2014 gegründete InsurTech konnte seine Umsätze auf rund 40 Millionen USDollar steigern. Mehr als 1500 Versicherungsmakler und über 400000 Kunden machen die wefox Group zur Nummer eins unter den europäischen InsurTech-Plattformen.
Die Versicherungswirtschaft ist bereit für einen Paradigmenwechsel
Das Investment, welches zur ersten Tranche der Series-B-Runde gehört, unterstützt das Unternehmen massgeblich bei der Expansion in den europäischen Versicherungsmaklermarkt. Zudem ebnet es der wefox Group den Weg, um ihr Wachstum weiterhin zu beschleunigen. Darüber hinaus wird das Investment genutzt, um das weltweit innovativste Produktportfolio und ein Team von hervorragenden Entwicklern aufzustellen. Zukunftsweisende Datenanalysen werden genutzt, um eine All-In-OneVersicherungsplattform mit durchgängig personalisierten Interaktionen zu entwickeln.
wefox Group-Gründer und CEO, Julian Teicke:
„Die Versicherungsbranche ist bereit für einen radikalen Wandel. Wir haben damit die Gelegenheit, alle Versicherer weltweit in unsere Plattform zu integrieren und die grösste Versicherungsgesellschaft der Welt zu werden. Daher ist Mubadala der perfekte Partner für uns, denn sie verstehen ganz genau, dass der Versicherungsmarkt von Grund auf neu erfunden werden muss. Das haben wir bereits mit ONE Insurance bewiesen. Wir sind im Begriff Europas führender Anbieter von All-In-One-Versicherungslösungen zu werden, die für die Kunden jederzeit und überall zugänglich sind.“
„Dieses Investment ermöglicht es uns, unsere Kerntechnologie weiterzuentwickeln, die unter anderem KI (Künstliche Intelligenz) nutzt, um Kunden mit den richtigen Versicherungen zusammenzubringen. Die Schadensabwicklung erfolgt automatisch und fast in Echtzeit. Dadurch wird der gesamte Prozess für den Kunden einfacher und sicherer”,
fügt Teicke hinzu.
Ibrahim Ajami, Head of Mubadala Ventures, sagt:
„Wir sind erfreut, unsere europäische Plattform mit unserem ersten Investment zu starten. Die wefox Group löst ein grundlegendes Branchenthema auf innovative und elegante Weise, indem die zentralen Stellen in der Wertschöpfungskette optimiert werden. Wir freuen uns darauf, mit dem aussergewöhnlichen Team der wefox Group, den Gründern, dem Management-Team und den Mitarbeitern zusammenzuarbeiten.”
Goldmann-Sachs International begleitet den Investmentprozess namhafter internationaler Investoren Unter den neuen Investoren der wefox Group befindet sich auch die chinesische Investmentgesellschaft Creditease. Dieses Engagement steht in Zusammenhang mit der Absicht der wefox Group, nach China zu expandieren. Zu den bisherigen weltweit führenden Lead-Investoren gehören unter anderem Horizons Ventures, idinvest Partners, Mountain Partners, SpeedInvest,Seedcamp, Salesforce Ventures und Sound Ventures, das VC des Hollywood-Schauspielers Ashton Kutcher.
Die wefox Group hat Goldman Sachs International als Berater für die Transaktion beauftragt. Im Dezember 2018 hatte die wefox Group eine Partnerschaft mit Marsh bekanntgegeben, einem weltweit führenden Versicherungsmakler und Anbieter von Beratungsleistungen im Bereich Risikomanagement. Die wefox Group und Marsh planen, eine breite Palette maßgeschneiderter Versicherungsprodukte für KMUs, inklusive Sharing Economy, Gewerbetreibende, unabhängige Einzelhändler, Selbstständige und gemeinnützige Organisationen, anzubieten.
 
Featured image credit: Wefox Group
The post Wefox Group: 125 Mio Us-Dollar In Series-B-Runde appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/wefox-group-125-mio-us-dollar-in-series-b-runde</link><guid>1030</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Wefox Group: 125 Mio Us-Dollar In Series-B-Runde</dc:text></item><item><title>Im Volg Bargeld Beziehen via Fintech Startup</title><description><![CDATA[Die neue Partnerschaft zwischen dem Schweizer Retailer Volg und des Zürcher FinTech Startups Sonect bringt die Bargeldbezüge zurück.
Dank dem Service von Sonect, welcher den Bargeldbezug per App erlaubt, haben etliche Schweizer Dörfer wieder einen bequemen und kostenlosen Zugang zu Bargeld – auch ohne Geldautomat. Mit knapp 600 Filialen in der ganzen Schweiz, vor allem in ländlichen Gebieten, ist Volg ein führender Retailer der Schweiz und damit ein optimaler Partner für das innovative Start-up Sonect.
Mit dem Rückzug der Banken aus vielen Schweizer Gemeinden verschwinden nicht nur deren Filialen, sondern oft gleich auch noch die dazugehörigen Geldautomaten. Und dies, obwohl die neusten Zahlen belegen: Bei rund der Hälfte ihrer Einkäufe greifen Herr und Frau Schweizer noch immer zum Bargeld. Diesem Konsumentenverhalten trägt Sonect Rechnung und bringt seine digitalen Geldautomaten überall und ganz speziell dorthin, wo Regionen von einem Abbau an Bargeldquellen betroffen sind. So kehren beispielsweise durch die Partnerschaft von Sonect und Volg auf einen Schlag über 580 Möglichkeiten zum Bargeldbezug in viele Dörfer zurück oder dringen gar neu bis in die entlegensten Täler vor.
Sonect&#8217;s virtuelles Geldautomatennetz wächst weiter
Volg steht für die Nähe zum Kunden und gute Dienstleistungen. Diese Werte sind auch bei Sonect von besonderer Wichtigkeit, weshalb die Zusammenarbeit zwischen Volg und Sonect nur folgerichtig ist. Das Angebot des Sonect Services bei Volg macht das Einkaufserlebnis noch bequemer als zuvor.
Sonect hat seinen Ursprung in der Stadt Zürich und hat das erklärte Ziel, in der ganzen Schweiz präsent zu sein. Aus diesem Grund ergänzt das Verkaufsstellennetz von Volg das bisherige Netzwerk von Sonect perfekt und ermöglicht es an noch mehr Orten zu sein, an welchen die Kunden den Service von Sonect brauchen und wünschen. Beispielsweise im Dorf Dachsen im Kanton Zürich, in welchem es dank dem Volg und Sonect jetzt eine Möglichkeit gibt, Bargeld zu beziehen.
Rik Krieger
«Wir freuen uns, dass wir mit Volg einen starken Partner gewinnen konnten und sind stolz, dass Volg sich entschieden hat, sich dem grössten Geldautomaten-Netzwerk der Schweiz anzuschliessen. Durch die Zusammenarbeit ist es uns möglich, unseren Kunden den Zugang zu Bargeld dort zu ermöglichen, wo dieser durch traditionelle Geldautomaten nicht gewährleistet werden kann»,
Rik Krieger, Co-Founder Sonect AG.
«Besonders in kleineren Dörfern werden immer weniger Bancomaten betrieben. Volg denkt und handelt aus Liebe zum Dorf. Deshalb ist es für uns naheliegend, unseren Kunden mit dem Bargeldbezug einen weiteren Mehrwert zu bieten. Ganz im Sinne: Im Dorf, für&#8217;s Dorf»,
führt Ferdinand Hirsig, Vorsitzender der Geschäftsleitung der Volg-Gruppe, aus.
The post Im Volg Bargeld Beziehen via Fintech Startup appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/im-volg-bargeld-beziehen-via-fintech-startup</link><guid>1031</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Im Volg Bargeld Beziehen via Fintech Startup</dc:text></item><item><title>Blockchain für die Automobilbranche: Auch dafür gibts in der Schweiz nun einen Verein</title><description><![CDATA[Namhafte Schweizer Unternehmen, Universitäten und Behörden haben gestern den Verein cardossier gegründet.
Der Verein entwickelt, orchestriert und betreibt die cardossier-Plattform, die den Lebenszyklus eines Fahrzeugs auf einer Blockchain digital abbildet. Er will sie als schweizweiten Standard für den Datenaustausch und die Abwicklung unternehmensübergreifender Prozesse in der Automobilindustrie etablieren und damit Vertrauen, Nachvollziehbarkeit und Effizienz im Ökosystem rund um Fahrzeuge fördern.
Am 5. März wurde in Zürich der Verein cardossier gegründet. Die Gründung unterstreicht den Erfolg des Forschungsprojekts Car Dossier, das die Entwicklung einer Blockchain-basierten Plattform zur digitalen Abbildung des Lebenszyklus eines Fahrzeugs zum Ziel hat. Der Non-Profit-Verein ist die rechtliche Körperschaft, in der sich die Community der Nutzer des cardossier organisiert. Er gewährleistet die Weiterentwicklung und den Betrieb der cardossier-Plattform sowie deren Pflege und Überwachung. Die Vereinsmitglieder sind zugleich Anbieter (via Verein) und Kunden des cardossier.
Gründungsmitglieder des Vereins cardossier sind die ursprünglichen Projektpartner des Car-Dossier- Innovationsprojekts – AdNovum, die Universität Zürich, die Hochschule Luzern – Informatik, die Industriepartner AMAG, AXA und Mobility und das Strassenverkehrsamt Aargau – sowie die neuen Projektpartner AMAG Leasing, Audatex, auto-i-dat, AutoScout24, PostFinance und der Schweizerische Leasingverband.
Präsidiert wird der Verein cardossier von Dr. Martin Sprenger vom Strassenverkehrsamt Aargau. Vizepräsident ist Matthias Loepfe, Leiter des Innovationslabs AdNovum Incubator. Die Universität Zürich und die Hochschule Luzern engagieren sich weiterhin als Forschungspartner und AdNovum als Technologiepartner des Vereins.
Hohe Resonanz
Martin Sprenger
Dr. Martin Sprenger, Präsident des Vereins cardossier:
«Mit der Gründung des Vereins cardossier haben wir einen Meilenstein erreicht. Ermöglicht hat dies die hohe Resonanz bei den Industrie-Partnern und involvierten Regulatoren bezüglich des Potenzials der Plattform. Wir freuen uns insbesondere über unsere neuen Partner AMAG Leasing, Audatex, auto-i-dat, AutoScout24, PostFinance sowie den Schweizerischen Leasingverband.»
Matthias Loepfe
Matthias Loepfe, Vizepräsident des Vereins cardossier:
«Mit dem Verein cardossier wollen wir Vertrauen und Transparenz bei allen Beteiligten entlang der Automobil-Wertschöpfungskette schaffen. Der Verein hat das Ziel, das im Innovationsprojekt Car Dossier identifizierte Potenzial eines Blockchain-Ecosystems rund um Fahrzeuge für die Industrie, die Behörden und die Fahrzeugbesitzer produktiv nutzbar zu machen.»
Aktivitäten und Wachstumspläne
Nach der Vereinsgründung steht die Weiterentwicklung von Plattform und Community an. Der Verein wird ein Test-Ökosystem in Betrieb nehmen, auf dem die Mitglieder ihre Use Cases implementieren und testen können. Für Use Cases wie etwa den digitalen Fahrzeugausweis, die mehrere Teilnehmer des Ökosystems involvieren, werden im Verein Arbeitsgruppen gebildet. Parallel dazu wird die produktive Plattform für das Go-live im Jahr 2020 vorbereitet. Der Verein cardossier erweitert sein Ökosystem laufend.
cardossier ist ein digitales Dossier auf Blockchain-Basis, in dem alle relevanten Informationen über den gesamten Lebenszyklus eines Fahrzeugs nachvollziehbar und sicher abgelegt werden können. cardossier ist aus einem Innosuisse-Forschungsprojekt «Car Dossier» entstanden, das 2017 durch AdNovum in Zusammenarbeit mit der Universität Zürich, der Hochschule Luzern – Informatik, den Industriepartnern AMAG, AXA und Mobility sowie dem Strassenverkehrsamt Aargau lanciert wurde. Für die Bewirtschaftung von cardossier haben sich namhafte Schweizer Unternehmen, Universitäten und Behörden im März 2019 im Non-Profit-Verein cardossier zusammengeschlossen.
Die Informationen in cardossier können von verschiedenen Stakeholdern angeboten und genutzt werden, wie etwa von Importeuren, Versicherungen, Garagen und Strassenverkehrsämtern. Das cardossier wird auf Basis einer Permissioned Blockchain mit Community Approach in Kombination mit Smart-Contracts umgesetzt. So kann durch Transparenz, Unveränderbarkeit und dezentralen Betrieb das Vertrauen unter den verschiedenen Stakeholdern etabliert werden.
cardossier soll gemäss Leitbild die schweizweite Standardplattform für den Datenaustausch und die Abwicklung unternehmensübergreifender Prozesse in der Automobilindustrie werden. Die Plattform definiert sich als offen, nicht gewinnorientiert und wird von allen Beteiligten gemeinsam entwickelt. Sie ist neutral, demokratisiert den Zugang zu Daten und wird zu einem Katalysator für die Digitalisierung der gesamten Branche.
Featured image credit: www.cardossier.ch
The post Blockchain für die Automobilbranche: Auch dafür gibts in der Schweiz nun einen Verein appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/blockchain-fur-die-automobilbranche-auch-dafur-gibts-in-der-schweiz-nun-einen-verein</link><guid>1032</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Blockchain für die Automobilbranche: Auch dafür gibts in der Schweiz nun einen Verein</dc:text></item><item><title>InsurTech-Studie 2018: 173 Millionen USD für Deutsche Insurtech Startups</title><description><![CDATA[Deutsche InsurTech-Unternehmen waren 2018 bei Investoren so beliebt wie noch nie: Mehr als 173 Millionen US-Dollar flossen in Start-ups der digitalen Versicherungswirtschaft, so das Ergebnis einer InsurTech-Funding Studie von Finanzchef24.
 

 
Digitale Direktversicherer erhielten die meisten Investitionen
Besonders digitale Direktversicherer weckten das Interesse der Investoren in Deutschland. Fünf der insgesamt zwölf Finanzierungen mit einer Gesamtsumme von mindestens 92 Millionen US-Dollar gingen an Startups mit dem Geschäftsmodell „Direct Insurer/Tied Agent“.

Damit setzte sich der Trend aus dem Jahr 2017 fort, in dem bereits 64 Millionen US-Dollar in diesen Sektor flossen. Die höchste öffentlich bekannte Einzelfinanzierung mit guten 30 Millionen US-Dollar erhielt dabei das Unternehmen Coya. Das InsurTech, das erst im Juni 2018 die Bafin-Lizenz erhalten hatte, bietet den Abschluss einer Hausratversicherung per Smartphone-App an.
Vergleichsplattformen und Technologie-Anbieter unverändert im Trend
Die Euphorie über digitale Versicherungsordner zeigte sich 2018 im Vergleich zum Vorjahr merklich abgeschwächt. Nur jene Unternehmen aus dem Bereich Insurance Management, die es verstanden haben, ihr Geschäftsmodell nachhaltig anzupassen, konnten sich im Markt behaupten. Ihre Zukunft sehen diese InsurTechs in der Entwicklung innovativer Technologien wie Vergleichsplattformen oder Software für Makler und Versicherer.
Auch international hohe Volumina für digitale Versicherer und Anbieter neuer technologischer Produkte
Dieser Trend zeichnet sich auch ausserhalb Deutschlands ab, wobei speziell in den USA weitaus höhere Investitionen in InsurTechs fliessen. So lagen die US-amerikanischen Start-ups Oscar und Cambridge mit Fundings von 500 US-Dollar und mehr weit vorne im internationalen Ranking. Oscar bietet Krankenversicherungen für Privatpersonen sowie Unternehmen an. Cambridge entwickelt Softwarelösungen zur Erhebung verkehrstelematischer Daten.
Mit 200 und 83 Millionen US-Dollar Investitionssumme ebenfalls beliebt bei Kapitalgebern waren die digitalen Versicherungsmakler Policy Bazaar aus Indien sowie Next Insurance aus den USA. Letzterer ist auf die Absicherung von Unternehmen und Selbstständigen spezialisiert, ein spannendes Wachstumssegment für Investoren.
 
 
The post InsurTech-Studie 2018: 173 Millionen USD für Deutsche Insurtech Startups appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/insurtech-studie-2018-173-millionen-usd-fur-deutsche-insurtech-startups</link><guid>1028</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/insurtech-landscape-1024x934.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>InsurTech-Studie 2018: 173 Millionen USD für Deutsche Insurtech Startups</dc:text></item><item><title>Here The 5 Most Active Fintech Investors in 2018</title><description><![CDATA[VC-backed fintech companies raised more than US$39 billion across 1,707 deals in 2018, according to a report by CB Insights.
The number of deals was up 15% compared to 2017, while the funding amount surged 120%. Driving these trends were 52 mega-rounds of more than US$100 million worth a combined total of almost US$25 billion.
Fintech Investment 2018, CB Insights
According to CB Insights, the most active fintech VCs in 2018 were:


500 Startups

Notable Investments: Grab, Flywire, Finaccel
500 Startups is a seed stage venture capital, since its inception in Silicon Valley, 500 Startups has invested in over 2,000 companies via 4 global funds.

Ribbit Capital

Notable Investments: Revolut, Coinbase, Revolut, Toss
Ribbit Capital is a global investment organization, the company states that they have one single, relentless mission: to change the world of finance.


Bain Capital Ventures

Notable Investments: Acorns, Flywire
Bain Capital Ventures is a venture who primarily focuses on growth and seed stage companies. It is an affiliate of Bain Capital.

a16z

Notable Investments: Stripe, Coinbase, Cryptokitties
Andreessen Horowitz is a private American venture capital firm, founded in 2009 by Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz.

Omidyar Network

Notable Investments: Chime, Tandem Bank
Omidyar Network describes itself as philanthropic investment firm. Within the world of finance Omidyar Network is active in verticals such as Financial Inclusion, Emerging Tech, and Digital Identity
 
The post Here The 5 Most Active Fintech Investors in 2018 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/here-the-5-most-active-fintech-investors-in-2018</link><guid>1026</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Briefing-2019-Fintech-Trends-Annual-Deals-and-Funding-CB-Insights-1024x576.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Here The 5 Most Active Fintech Investors in 2018</dc:text></item><item><title>Here’s The 5 Most Active Fintech Investors in 2018</title><description><![CDATA[VC-backed fintech companies raised more than US$39 billion across 1,707 deals in 2018, according to a report by CB Insights.
The number of deals was up 15% compared to 2017, while the funding amount surged 120%. Driving these trends were 52 mega-rounds of more than US$100 million worth a combined total of almost US$25 billion.
Fintech Investment 2018, CB Insights
According to CB Insights, the most active fintech VCs in 2018 were:


500 Startups

Notable Investments: Grab, Flywire, Finaccel
500 Startups is a seed stage venture capital, since its inception in Silicon Valley, 500 Startups has invested in over 2,000 companies via 4 global funds.

Ribbit Capital

Notable Investments: Revolut, Coinbase, Revolut, Toss
Ribbit Capital is a global investment organization, the company states that they have one single, relentless mission: to change the world of finance.


Bain Capital Ventures

Notable Investments: Acorns, Flywire
Bain Capital Ventures is a venture who primarily focuses on growth and seed stage companies. It is an affiliate of Bain Capital.

a16z

Notable Investments: Stripe, Coinbase, Cryptokitties
Andreessen Horowitz is a private American venture capital firm, founded in 2009 by Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz.

Omidyar Network

Notable Investments: Chime, Tandem Bank
Omidyar Network describes itself as philanthropic investment firm. Within the world of finance Omidyar Network is active in verticals such as Financial Inclusion, Emerging Tech, and Digital Identity
 
The post Here&#8217;s The 5 Most Active Fintech Investors in 2018 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/heres-the-5-most-active-fintech-investors-in-2018</link><guid>1027</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Briefing-2019-Fintech-Trends-Annual-Deals-and-Funding-CB-Insights-1024x576.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Here’s The 5 Most Active Fintech Investors in 2018</dc:text></item><item><title>5 Most Active Fintech Investors in 2018</title><description><![CDATA[VC-backed fintech companies raised more than US$39 billion across 1,707 deals in 2018, according to a report by CB Insights.
The number of deals was up 15% compared to 2017, while the funding amount surged 120%. Driving these trends were 52 mega-rounds of more than US$100 million worth a combined total of almost US$25 billion.
Fintech Investment 2018, CB Insights
According to CB Insights, the most active fintech VCs in 2018 were:


500 Startups

Notable Investments: Grab, Flywire, Finaccel
500 Startups is a seed stage venture capital, since its inception in Silicon Valley, 500 Startups has invested in over 2,000 companies via 4 global funds.

Ribbit Capital

Notable Investments: Revolut, Coinbase, Revolut, Toss
Ribbit Capital is a global investment organization, the company states that they have one single, relentless mission: to change the world of finance.


Bain Capital Ventures

Notable Investments: Acorns, Flywire
Bain Capital Ventures is a venture who primarily focuses on growth and seed stage companies. It is an affiliate of Bain Capital.

a16z

Notable Investments: Stripe, Coinbase, Cryptokitties
Andreessen Horowitz is a private American venture capital firm, founded in 2009 by Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz.

Omidyar Network

Notable Investments: Chime, Tandem Bank
Omidyar Network describes itself as philanthropic investment firm. Within the world of finance Omidyar Network is active in verticals such as Financial Inclusion, Emerging Tech, and Digital Identity
 
The post 5 Most Active Fintech Investors in 2018 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/5-most-active-fintech-investors-in-2018</link><guid>1029</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Briefing-2019-Fintech-Trends-Annual-Deals-and-Funding-CB-Insights-1024x576.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>5 Most Active Fintech Investors in 2018</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Cybersecurity Technology Startup Map</title><description><![CDATA[Does Switzerland have the potential to become a leading player for Cybersecurity Technologies?
Datastore is impressed how many Cybersecurity startups and innovators we have in Switzerland and collected them in the first Cybersecurity Startup Map. Below Fintechnews listed for your convenience the startups within the blockchain and Identity/Access Management sector.
On a quarterly basis Datastore publishes a market overview of Swiss Cybersecurity Technology startups. Categorization is based on fields of action within Cybersecurity focusing on the following domains:
Blockchain
Arca Trust

ARCATrust is a cyber-security company which aims to provide a secure environment for multi-applications execution in the form of a physically enterprise-grade server appliance. As a first use-case it targets Blockchain applications that require a secure wallet system for crypto-assets management.
 
 
ChainSecurity
 

ChainSecurity brings the first formal audit platform for smart contracts. The ChainSecurity platform is based on Swiss technology developed at ETH Zurich, one of the top universities in the world.
Based on its platform, ChainSecurity provides, for the first time in the blockchain space, automated formal smart contract audits, which offer the highest level of assurance. The goal of ChainSecurity is to bring its platform worldwide to all blockchain projects, teams, and corporations, thereby taking the security of blockchain products to the next level.
 
Shift Cryptosecurity

Founded in 2015 as an ETH Zurich spin-off, Shift Cryptosecurity is a fast growing Swiss fintech company. We are now a team of 20 specialists on a mission to develop security and platform solutions for cryptocurrencies and blockchains. We target both individuals and businesses with our flagship product, the BitBox, now sold and enjoyed by customers in over 100 countries.
 
 
Securosys

Securosys is a technology company headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, and dedicated to securing data and communications. Securosys design, produce and distribute hardware, software and services that protect and verify data and their transmission. Securosys&#8217; products are built and developed in Switzerland alongside our vetted partners in Europe. Securosys put great importance to our secure supply chain. As such, there are no possibilities for back doors.

 
Identity &amp; Access Management
3db

3db Access is an ETH spin-off company. It aims to provide secure solutions for proximity-based access control. Proximity verification determines how close two wireless devices are from each other in terms of physical distance. It is used by numerous systems as an enabling condition to provide access to valuable assets. Prominent examples include access to vehicles, buildings, and systems for mobile payments.
 
Biowatch

The Biowatch concept, like many great inventions, was born from a misadventure in the life of co-founder Joe Rice. Back in 1985, one of Joe’s acquaintance, with a gambling problem, stole Joe’s bank card and check book. At that time, Joe happened to be working on a barcode reader for photographic products at Kodak and asked himself if he could also read through the skin – the answer was yes! These two events were the trigger to file a patent on vein recognition.
 
Futurae

Futurae was created in 2016 from the Systems Security Group of ETH Zurich.
Futurae has the goal to make the authentication process easier and safer for users and companies. Futurae offers companies an authentication suite with AI-based authentication and regulatory-compliant products (e.g. PSD2). These products provide increased productivity and improved user experience for both employees and customers.
 
Global ID

Global ID&#8217;s main goal is to bring to market an innovative new technology to reliably identify people using biometric 3D vein finger data. The new technology addresses the major disadvantages of current technologies, namely reliability, robustness and high cost.
 
 
 
OneVisage

OneVisage is a leading Swiss cyber-security company that develops a disruptive digital identity platform called 3DAuth for Financial Services, Identity &amp; Access Management providers, Integrators and Mobile Operators.
 
 
 
PrYv

Pryv makes essential software for data-driven healthcare innovation. Our purpose-built middleware helps organizations manage personal data from creation to use, sharing and disposal. We accelerate time to market, cut IT development costs and speed up connectivity to all data sources. Pryv addresses the enhanced citizen’s right under GDPR and turns privacy compliance into a competitive advantage.
 
 
SnowHaze

The first and only VPN offering Zero-Knowledge Auth. Browse more private and secure with the free and open source iOS browser SnowHaze.
 
 
 
 
Synacts

Synacts GmbH is a spin-off from ETH Zurich and was in the second batch of the F10 Fintech Incubator &amp; Accelerator. Its clients include SIX Group and Procivis.
 
 
 
 
Featured image credit: Datastore.ch
The post Swiss Cybersecurity Technology Startup Map appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-cybersecurity-technology-startup-map</link><guid>1025</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Swiss-Cybersecurity-Technology-Start-ups.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Cybersecurity Technology Startup Map</dc:text></item><item><title>P2P Lending Cashare-Team mit neuem CFO</title><description><![CDATA[Der Zuger Crowdlending Pionier Cashare hat einen neuen CFO.
Michael Bge, ist ehemalige COO Private Banking der Notenstein La Roche Privatbank ist als neuer CFO zuständig für die Unternehmensentwicklung und Ausbau des Geschäftes mit Institutionellen Anlegern.
Michael Boge
In seiner bald 20-jährigen Laufbahn in der Finanzindustrie hat Michael Boge Erfahrungen im Kreditgeschäft, Private Banking, Asset Management, Operations sowie auch Risk Controling erworben.
Nach dem Biologie-Studium an der ETH und einem Doktorat an der Universität in Lausanne stieg er bei der Credit Suisse als Unternehmensberater ein. Nach einem Wechsel zur UBS, wo er als Produktmanager für Lombardkredite tätig war, wurde Michael Boge Investment Controller und stellvertretender Leiter Operations bei der Bank Wegelin &amp; Co. Anschliessend war der Deutsch-Schweizerische Doppelbürger Leiter der Fondsleitung von 1741 Asset Management und so auch verantwortlich für die Standorte Luxemburg und Liechtenstein. Im Private Banking der Notenstein La Roche Privatbank war Michael im Anschluss COO des Marktleiters.
 
Featured image credit: Freepik
The post P2P Lending Cashare-Team mit neuem CFO appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/p2p-lending-cashare-team-mit-neuem-cfo</link><guid>1024</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>P2P Lending Cashare-Team mit neuem CFO</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss FinTech Awards 2019: Die 4 Finalisten stehen fest</title><description><![CDATA[Nach dem Speed Dating der Swiss FinTech Awards, wo die Jury-Mitglieder die Top 10 Fintech Startups persönlich kennengelernt haben, hat die Swiss Fintech Award Jury die Finalisten bestimmt.
Drei der vier Finalisten findet man auch auf der Hottest 19 Swiss Fintech Startup Liste.
Zudem möchten wir hiermit Apiax bereits zum Sieg in der Katgorie Fintech Early Stage Startup of they Year gratulieren, da bei Traxia ausser der Postadresse der Stiftung nicht viel Swissness zu finden ist. (falls wir uns hier irren, korrigieren wir das gerne ]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-awards-2019-die-4-finalisten-stehen-fest</link><guid>1022</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss FinTech Awards 2019: Die 4 Finalisten stehen fest</dc:text></item><item><title>10 New Fintech Startups for F10 Accelerator in Zurich</title><description><![CDATA[
F10 Incubator and Accelerator goes into its second round with the P3 «Product to Market Program».
The one-day matchmaking event taking place on Thursday, 7th of March, complements the existing F10 portfolio of international hackathons and the Accelerator program. Its aim is to open doors for mature Startups to find their way into the Swiss F10 ecosystem with the goal of driving innovation towards the FinTech of tomorrow.


With the P3 program, F10 provides a mechanism for fostering meaningful collaboration between Startups and the prestigious F10 corporate members – namely, SIX (the Swiss Stock Exchange), the Baloise Group, Julius Bär, Generali Group Switzerland, PwC Switzerland, Raiffeisen, Zürcher Kantonalbank, eny Finance and ERI Bancaire. The day is intended for international Startups with market traction and revenue generation in FinTech, RegTech, or InsurTech.


James Sanders
«The first installment last September was a success for the Startups and corporate members resulting in a number of projects either launched or in the pipeline. This year, the amount and quality of applications exceeded our expectations. More than 130 Startups from all over the world expressed interest in joining the P3 program with aspirations of benefiting from the strong F10 network in Switzerland.
The capacity is limited, and we had to narrow the applications down to a qualifier shortlist of ten Startups attending the one-day workshop on Thursday, 7th of March. We are looking forward to hosting the P3 program at the F10 and bringing the FinTech ecosystem together to enhance fruitful collaboration.»
James Sanders, Project Manager and Startup Coach at the F10.
The announcement of the Ten Startups

3rd-eyes AG (Zurich, Switzerland)
A solution that enables wealth managers to offer superior investment advice.

ABAKA Holdings Limited (London, United Kingdom)
Providing financial institutions with AI-powered software so they can thrive in the digital savings age.

Azakaw (Dubai, UAE)
A one-stop shop that covers compliance requirements from onboarding to monitoring to regulatory reporting.

Wallee (Winterthur, Switzerland)
Ensuring that companies can sell their products digitally and entirely automatically.

Digital Claim (Vienna, Austria)
The automation of claim recovery for travel and health insurance.

NDGIT GmbH (Munich, Germany)
Offering PSD2 and Open Banking solutions like a Digital Credit process.

Multisense (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Multibiometric platform to verify and authenticate users with a combination of voice and facial recognition, patented liveliness check, and fingerprint signature.

Qwil Messenger (London, United Kingdom)
Instant messaging that responds to an urgent need for businesses to ensure the privacy and confidentiality of their clients’ data.

SensePass (Ness Ziona, Israel)
A solution that bridges the gap between the physical and the digital world.

ZEROONE AI (Toronto, Canada)
AI-powered investing.


 
Featured image credit: Edited from Pixabay
The post 10 New Fintech Startups for F10 Accelerator in Zurich appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/10-new-fintech-startups-for-f10-accelerator-in-zurich</link><guid>1021</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>10 New Fintech Startups for F10 Accelerator in Zurich</dc:text></item><item><title>With US$40 Trillion Transfers in 2018, SWIFT Gpi is Working on New Features</title><description><![CDATA[SWIFT announced that more than US$40 trillion has been transferred over the SWIFT gpi service in 2018. Rapid adoption saw the share of cross-border messages using gpi soar from 15% at the start of 2018, to 56% by the end of the year. That&#8217;s a 270% year-on-year increase.
SWIFT gpi, or Global Payments Innovation, is a standard that aims to improve on the SWIFT system. Some of its efforts are to cultivate faster transactions, more transparent fees and end-to-end payment tracking in international transfers.
More than 3,500 banks accounting for 85% of SWIFT’s total payments traffic have adopted gpi, which to SWIFT showcases its impact on cross-border payments.
 
Emma Loftus, head of global payments for J.P. Morgan’s Treasury Services, said:

Emma Loftus
“SWIFT gpi delivered on the promise of greater payment transparency and predictability, highlighting how banks and industry collaboration can quickly deliver innovation. For years, clients have asked their banks for end-to-end transparency which is easy to use, understand, and implement.&#8221;
&#8220;With 76% of our payments now being executed via gpi, we are experiencing direct benefits in our ability to respond to client enquiries. Processes that have taken days are being now completed within seconds.”
 
SWIFT claims that the gpi is carrying over US$300 billion a day in 148 currencies across more than 1,100 country corridors.
40% of SWIFT gpi payments are credited to end beneficiaries within five minutes, according to SWIFT; while half are credited within 30 minutes. Three quarters within six hours; and almost 100% within 24 hours.
Next, SWIFT is Developing gpi Complements
Seemingly satisfied with the number of adopters, SWIFT would move to complement its core gpi services with additional functionalities, and to integrate gpi into a more diverse range of applications.
For instance, SWIFT is working on an integrated and interactive API-based service facilitating real-time bank-to-bank interaction to improve the predictability and efficiency of international payments.
SWIFT is also working on a gateway that would enable e-commerce and trading platforms to plug into the SWIFT gpi directly. Upon completion, the gateway would ideally connect multiple trade platforms to gpi members in a seamless way. Hence, gpi payment initiation, end-to-end payment tracking, payer authentication and credit confirmation can be done directly, from a multitude of platforms.
The post With US$40 Trillion Transfers in 2018, SWIFT Gpi is Working on New Features appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/with-us40-trillion-transfers-in-2018-swift-gpi-is-working-on-new-features</link><guid>1020</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>With US$40 Trillion Transfers in 2018, SWIFT Gpi is Working on New Features</dc:text></item><item><title>10 Most Active VCs in the European Fintech Sector</title><description><![CDATA[2018 witnessed an explosion of high-profile venture capital (VC) deals in the European fintech space, surpassing the US by nearly EUR 100 million, according to PitchBook.
Just a few weeks ago, UK banking startup OakNorth raised US$440 million from SoftBank’s Vision Fund and Clermont, in the continent’s biggest-ever fintech VC deal, beating the previous record of US$300 million set by German digital bank N26 only a month before in its Series D.
Only less than two months into 2019, VC fintech fundraising is already approaching the EUR 1 billion mark as startups have already secured nearly EUR 921 million across 33 deals.
According to PitchBook data, the following are the ten most active VC investors (excluding accelerator and incubator rounds) in the European fintech sector since the beginning of 2014:


Speedinvest

No. of Deals: 36
Notable Investments: Cashpresso, FinCompare, Holvi, Iyzico, Lemonway, WeFox and Wikifolio.
Speedinvest is an Austrian VC fund for early-stage tech startups. It partners with a global network, that includes operations in Silicon Valley, to become a key investment and development hub for Europe’s start-up community.

Index Ventures

No of Deals: 35
Notable Investments: Auxmoney, BitPay, Funding Circle, iZettle, Adyen, Raisin, Revolut and Robinhood.
Index Ventures is an international venture capital firm with dual headquarters in San Francisco and London, investing in technology-enabled companies with a focus on e-commerce, fintech, mobility, gaming, infrastructure/artificial intelligence, and security.
 


NFT Ventures

No of deals: 27
Notable Investments: CashMarket, Lendify, Fundment, Leasify and Pensionskraft.
Established in Stockholm in 2014, NFT Ventures is a VC firm focusing on fintech, covering verticals including payments, lending and personal finance, but also sectors where fintech is part of the product solution such as e-commerce, insurtech, proptech and regtech.
 

Passion Capital

No of deals: 25
Notable Investments: Coinfloor, Fundstack and Monzo.
Passion Capital is a VC and incubator fund specializing in seed/startups, growth capital and early-stage companies. It focuses on investments in digital media, mobile, Internet, and technology sectors.
 


Anthemis Group

No of deals: 25
Notable Investments: eToro, Betterment, Qover, Vericash and Bento.
Anthemis Group is a London-based venture investment and advisory firm focused on financial services companies across the world.
 

HV Holtzbrinck Ventures

No of deals: 23
Notable Investments: Scalable Capital, Spotcap, Lendico and Upvest.
HV Holtzbrinck Ventures is a Munich- and Berlin-based VC firm that supports founders in developing their internet companies.
 


Balderton Capital

No of deals: 23
Notable Investments: Cleo, Luno, Nutmeg, Revolut and Zopa.
Balderton Capital is a European early-stage VC investor focused exclusively on European founded technology companies at Series A.
 

Kima Ventures

No of Deals: 20
Notable Investments: Ledger, TransferWise, Payfit, Assurup, BlueVine and Curve.
Kima Ventures is a VC firm specializing in seed stage, startups, and early stage companies. It invests in first round, focusing on sectors including Internet, video games, mobile, software, fintech, and telecommunications applications.
 


Accel

No of deals: 20
Notable Investments: Anyfin, Braintree, Cardspring, Check24, and Coverfox.
Accel, formerly known as Accel Partners, is an American venture capital firm. Accel works with startups in seed, early and growth-stage investments, focusing primarly on tech sectors that include consumer, infrastructure, media, mobile, SaaS, security and customer care services.
 

Point Nine Capital

No of deals: 18
Notable Investments: Bitbond, Finiata, Mambu and Revolut.
Point Nine Capital is an early-stage VC firm primarily focused on SaaS, online marketplaces, AI and crypto. It is based in Berlin but invests all over the world.
 

 
The post 10 Most Active VCs in the European Fintech Sector appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/10-most-active-vcs-in-the-european-fintech-sector</link><guid>1019</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Top-Fintech-Investors-in-Europe-Hi-res-1024x568.png</dc:content ><dc:text>10 Most Active VCs in the European Fintech Sector</dc:text></item><item><title>Innovative Fintech Tools and Solutions for Financial Markets Insights</title><description><![CDATA[Evolving needs and investors behaviors, combined with the advancement of technology, have created opportunities for traditional players and new disruptors to reshaping the wealth management industry.
In recent years, companies have arrived on the scene offering wealth management solutions leveraging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data and cloud computing.
This breed of fintech companies, referred to as wealthtechs, is on the rise around the world. The following are 11 wealthtech tools and solution providers for financial markets insights:
 
European providers
 
Sentifi (Switzerland)
Switzerland’s Sentifi was founded in 2012 with the goal of improving the information people all over the world use to make investment decisions. Sentifi uses AI and machine learning to analyze alternative data, classify it, rank the sources and link the results to over 50,000 global companies, commodities and currencies. The technology also detects risk events, including political, societal, environmental, economic, and corporate events that impact global financial markets and assets, and customers’ portfolios.
Sentifi illustration
 
StockPulse (Germany)
StockPulse is a German fintech startup that uses AI-driven technology to analyze sentiment and mood data on more than 35,000 stocks, indices, forex, commodities, industries and cryptocurrencies. The company’s ESG methodology incorporates both positive and negative factors flagged by a variety of carefully selected sources that are calculated in real-time, thus providing investors with more timely, actionable information in their investment decisions.
InteractiveBrokers, one of the world’s largest online brokers, began offering StockPulse’s sentiment data and sentiment report to its customers in December 2018.
StockPulse Dashboard: Key Features
 
Guidants (Germany)
Guidants, a product of Germany’s BörseGo, is a platform that gives customers an overview of developments in the stock market, providing real-time market data in the form of prices, charts and news as well as innovative tools and evaluations, the possibility to network with other users and experts, as well as the ability to individually design their own desktop. It allows users to monitor, analyze, discuss and trade the markets in a timely manner.
Guidants platform interface
 
Yukka Lab (Germany)
Berlin-based Yukka Lab detects market sentiments and transforms them into innovative tools for the finance and communications industry. Yukka Lab‘s software reads and understands financial news within seconds and provides asset managers and financial advisors with an information advantage at a considerably smaller expenditure of time. The company’s text analysis technology allows users to reliably anticipate market moods, opinions and trends and adjust strategies accordingly.
Clients and partners of Yukka Labs include UBS, Falcon Private Bank, Additiv, Avaloq, M.M.Warburg &amp; CO, and Banque Cramer.
Yukka platform
 
RavenPack (Spain)
Spanish firm RavenPack is a big data analytics provider for financial services, offering professionals quick and accurate analysis of large amounts of unstructured content. The company’s products aim to allow clients to enhance returns, reduce risk and increase efficiency by incorporating the effects of public information in their models or workflows.
Clients of RavenPack include leading hedge funds, banks, and asset managers from across the world.
RavenPack platform
 
Asian providers
 
Smartkarma (Singapore)
Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Singapore, Smartkarma is a collaborative marketplace for Asian investment research and analysis. Smartkarma’s proprietary online platform facilitates the distribution of investment related content created by independent research providers to professional, accredited and/or institutional investors via paid subscriptions. The company aims to “unite the fragmented research industry, empowering world&#8217;s leading investors, analysts and corporates to collectively achieve their full potential.”
Smartkarma platform
 
Heckyl (India)
Heckyl is an analytical platform for Investors, traders and researchers. The company provides real-time financial information, news analytics and heatmaps of markets, companies and businesses.
The platform covers millions of news sources and aims to keep customers updated constantly on government moves, hedge funds or private equity investments, venture capital deals, economic announcements and more. It also provides market analysis, sentiment analysis, global market trends and predictive data analytics.
Heckyl was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Mumbai.
Heckyl platform
 
American providers
 
Dataminr
Founded in 2009 and headquartered in New York, Dataminr is a real-time information discovery company that transforms real-time data from various public sources into actionable signals, identifying the information in real-time for clients in finance, public sector, news, security and crisis management. The company’s technology analyzes all public tweets and posts, and delivers the earliest warning for breaking news, real-world events, off-the-radar content and emerging trends.
Dataminr for finance
 
Accern
Accern is a data design company headquartered in New York City. Founded in 2014, the company provides an AI-powered text analytics platform which produces structured insights based on real-time data analysis of online material and premium data feeds. The platform monitors an estimated one billion websites, including news articles, blogs, and social media content, and is used primarily by financial institutions including Credit Suisse, Moody’s and Norges Bank, to support trading, investment, and research.
Accern Pitch Deck by Kumesh Aroomoogan, Co-Founder and CEO, via issuu.com
 
AlphaSense
AlphaSense is a tech company offering AI-powered business insights via a specialized search engine for financial services professionals. AlphaSense’s search engine utilizes natural language processing to search through all major filings, earnings calls, conference transcripts and other related documents. Users can set alerts on saved searches and receive instant notification when research, news, press announcements or new data points are available on companies, industries or any keywords of interest.
AlphaSense platform
 
Selerity
Selerity uses proprietary AI to deliver content and data solutions designed to automate inefficient workflows in finance. The company’s flagship product, Selerity Context, offers contextual search solutions for the capital markets and digital wealth industries. It also offers the Private Context Engine (PCE), which analyzes digital communications to power workflow automation for finance professionals.
Selerity’s clients range from sophisticated asset management firms and banks on Wall Street, to media and technology companies serving retail investors.
Selerity Context platform
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Pixabay
The post Innovative Fintech Tools and Solutions for Financial Markets Insights appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/innovative-fintech-tools-and-solutions-for-financial-markets-insights</link><guid>1018</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Sentifi-illustration-1024x640.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Innovative Fintech Tools and Solutions for Financial Markets Insights</dc:text></item><item><title>Hochschule Winterthur Entwicklet Elektronische Unterschrift für Blockchain</title><description><![CDATA[Bisher verhinderte die fehlende Unterschriftsmöglichkeit sichere Transaktionen mit der Blockchain-Technologie.
Deshalb haben die ZHAW und Swisscom erstmals eine Anwendung entwickelt, um die qualifizierte elektronische Signatur auf der Blockchain einzusetzen. Damit lassen sich rechtsgültig Verträge abschliessen und Vermögenswerte übertragen.
Die Blockchain-Technologie verändert den Güteraustausch über das Internet. Denn sie ermöglicht, dass Transaktionen ohne zentrale Instanz und vollkommen transparent abgewickelt werden können. Bislang liess sich aber eine qualifizierte elektronische Signatur nicht direkt auf einer Blockchain einsetzen.
Die qualifizierte elektronische Signatur ist anstelle der eigenhändigen Unterschrift nötig. Denn Verträge und andere Rechtsgeschäfte müssen häufig schriftlich abgeschlossen, somit von allen Parteien unterschrieben werden. Diese Schriftform dient als Beweis, schützt vor übereiltem Handeln oder gewährt Informationen für die andere Vertragspartei.
Smart Contract macht Unterschrift überflüssig
Die fehlende Schriftform galt bisher in vielen Bereichen als Hindernis für den rechtssicheren Einsatz einer Blockchain. Im Rahmen eines gemeinsamen Forschungsprojekts hat nun ein interdisziplinäres Team aus Juristen und Ingenieuren der ZHAW zusammen mit Swisscom einen Prototyp eines Smart Contract entwickelt, mit dem sich das Schriftformerfordernis auf der Blockchain erfüllen lässt.
Smart Contracts sind Computerprogramme, mit denen die Übertragung von Vermögenswerten gesteuert werden kann. Der auf der Ethereum-Blockchain basierende Smart Contract enthält eine Schnittstelle zum Unterschrifts-Service von Swisscom. Dadurch können Transaktionen auf der Blockchain rechtsgültig mit einer qualifizierten elektronischen Signatur versehen werden. Nach erfolgreicher Prüfung der Signatur wird direkt die gewünschte Wirkung auf der Blockchain ausgelöst, etwa die Übertragung des Vermögenswerts oder der Abschluss eines Vertrags.
Harald Bärtschi
Laut dem ZHAW-Experten Harald Bärtschi werden dadurch die bis jetzt bestehenden rechtlichen Unsicherheiten beseitigt.
«Für die Schweiz ist dies besonders wichtig, weil es bei uns ein Schriftformerfordernis gibt für die Übertragung von Forderungs &#8211; und ähnlichen Rechten. Bisher war es oft zweifelhaft, ob Übertragungen auf der Blockchain rechtlich wirksam sind.»
 
 
Einfach in Blockchain-Systeme integrierbar
Mit dem entwickelten Smart Contract lassen sich so auf der Blockchain rechtsgültig Verträge abschliessen und Vermögenswerte übertragen.
«Die vorliegende Lösung kombiniert die Vorteile der dezentralen Blockchain-Infrastruktur mit der hohen Sicherheit und Vertrauenswürdigkeit der zertifizierten Signatur»,
so Bärtschi.
Sie lässt sich vergleichsweise einfach in bestehende Blockchain-Systeme wie die Ethereum-, Hyperledger- oder Corda-Blockchain integrieren. Unterstützt werden nicht nur Signaturen gemäss schweizerischen Anforderungen, sondern auch solche nach der eIDAS-Verordnung der Europäischen Union.
 
Featured image credit: Pixabay
The post Hochschule Winterthur Entwicklet Elektronische Unterschrift für Blockchain appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/hochschule-winterthur-entwicklet-elektronische-unterschrift-fur-blockchain</link><guid>1016</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Hochschule Winterthur Entwicklet Elektronische Unterschrift für Blockchain</dc:text></item><item><title>Mercedes-Benz Wants to Drive Sustainable Supply Chains with Blockchain</title><description><![CDATA[Mercedes-Benz Cars and Icertis, a provider of enterprise contract management solutions in the cloud, teamed up for a strategic partnership in a bid to push for a more sustainable supply chain using blockchain.
The automotive group requires its direct suppliers to vigorously pass on and control standards and contractual obligations with regard to working conditions, human rights, environmental protection, safety, business ethics and compliance within the supply chain.
The blockchain prototype allows a transparent mapping and understanding of this transmission across the entire supply chain. Should one of the sub-suppliers deviate from the contractual obligations, this becomes visible in the blockchain.
Another application is the traceability of components and raw materials. Complex supply chains can be disclosed, the origin of which can be traced across the partners involved. The effectiveness of a Blockchain depends on the quality of the data and the level of digitisation. For this purpose, Mercedes-Benz Cars will cooperate in partnership with its suppliers.
Daimler has already been using Blockchain technology in other domains. Since 2017 Daimler has been a member of Hyperledger, a project of the Linux Foundation for the development of technologies and applications based on Blockchain.
Featured image credit: Daimler
The post Mercedes-Benz Wants to Drive Sustainable Supply Chains with Blockchain appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mercedes-benz-wants-to-drive-sustainable-supply-chains-with-blockchain</link><guid>1014</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Mercedes-Benz Wants to Drive Sustainable Supply Chains with Blockchain</dc:text></item><item><title>With Julius Baer’s Vote of Confidence is SEBA Closer to Becoming a Crypto-Bank?</title><description><![CDATA[Following an early-stage minority equity investment in 2018, Julius Baer has agreed on a close collaboration with Switzerland-based SEBA Crypto AG.
Founded in April 2018 and headquartered in Zug, SEBA is building a progressive technological bridge between the traditional and the digital asset worlds. SEBA has ambitions to be one of the first start-ups in the crypto space to close the regulatory gap between conventional and digital assets.
Julius Baer will enter into a partnership with SEBA to take advantage of their innovative platform and capabilities in order to provide Julius Baer clients with leading-edge solutions in the area of digital assets to meet increasing demand.
Through this partnership, which will come into effect upon the granting of the FINMA banking and securities dealer license to SEBA, Julius Baer plans to extend its service range providing storage, transaction and investment solutions for digital assets.
According to SEBA&#8217;s roadmap, they aim for their crypto-bank go live in the second quarter of this year.
Peter Gerlach
Peter Gerlach, Head Markets at Julius Baer and proposed member to the Board of Directors of SEBA, said:
“At Julius Baer, we are convinced that digital assets will become a legitimate sustainable asset class of an investor’s portfolio. The investment into SEBA as well as our strong partnership are proof of Julius Baer’s engagement in the area of digital assets and our dedication to make pioneering innovation available to the benefit of our clients.”
Guido Buehler
Guido Buehler, CEO SEBA, added:
“We are very proud to have Julius Baer as an investor. SEBA will enable easy and safe access to the crypto world in a fully regulated environment. The cooperation between SEBA and Julius Baer will undoubtedly create value for the mutual benefit and to the clients.”
The post With Julius Baer&#8217;s Vote of Confidence is SEBA Closer to Becoming a Crypto-Bank? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/with-julius-baers-vote-of-confidence-is-seba-closer-to-becoming-a-crypto-bank</link><guid>1012</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>With Julius Baer’s Vote of Confidence is SEBA Closer to Becoming a Crypto-Bank?</dc:text></item><item><title>Baloise Invites Us to Imagine Insurtech in The Year 2163—With a Board Game</title><description><![CDATA[Baloise, one of Switzerland&#8217;s biggest insurance companies has just launched an interesting team-building exercise—a board game, which would challenge players with problem-solving while sneakily advocating for insurtech advancements.
In the board game Sarah&#8217;s Vision, the year is 2163, and the services provided by insurance companies have shifted away from settling claims and now geared towards prevention, safety and security.
However, the period of peace and advanced technology is marred by a &#8220;mysterious threat&#8221; that holds humanity back from reaching its next step in development, and wants to return humanity back into the old world order. The players are agents of an insurance company that are trying to stop the destructive forces and safeguard the future of humanity.
So Why a Board Game, and Not a Digital Game? 

According to Marc Kaiser, Head of Corporate Communications &amp; Investor Relations, the rationale was:

“In the corporate setting, gamification is a tried-and-tested way of communicating a message in a fun way.&#8221;
&#8220;Because we wanted to make a game that was as multi-sensory and varied as possible, we deliberately avoided creating a digital game and instead focused on the traditional board game format.&#8221;
The game is designed for employees from different teams to come together and identify ways of solving various problems presented during the game with limited resources. Players will have to reach a consensus on how these resources can be used; meaning that teamwork is a key skill to victory.
Playing Games in The Office
On a more pragmatic note, with communication breakdowns and bureaucracy as known issues in large corporate settings, Marc hopes that the game would help with cooperation and decisiveness within the company.
The multi-player game is part of an internal communications campaign that is taking a more experimental storytelling approach. It is integrated into a strategy workshop in which interdisciplinary teams participate. The workshops are led by 100-plus specially trained employees who volunteered for this cultural change project and by corporate development specialists.
Image Credit: Screenshot from a video by The Rules Girl
“The objective is to reflect the group dynamic experienced in Sarah’s Vision, hone employees’ strategic understanding, devise different working methods and, not least, have fun playing a game with a group of colleagues who you would not normally meet in your day-to-day work,”
With the game geared towards 1-4 players though, it would be interesting to be a fly on the wall in the Baloise offices to observe exactly how a game with a small amount of players could lead to company-wide shifts. Perhaps the key is to get senior management of various departments in a round of Sarah&#8217;s Vision, rather than the lowest rung of employees?
While they had lofty corporate goals in mind, the team wanted to ensure that the game was still, well, fun. So Baloise did not include their corporate branding, and during its development, worked together with prominent service providers within the industry. This is also perhaps in a bid to sell the game to interested parties outside of the Baloise sphere of influence.

Featured image via Baloise
 

The post Baloise Invites Us to Imagine Insurtech in The Year 2163—With a Board Game appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/baloise-invites-us-to-imagine-insurtech-in-the-year-2163with-a-board-game</link><guid>1013</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/sarahs-vision_380.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Baloise Invites Us to Imagine Insurtech in The Year 2163—With a Board Game</dc:text></item><item><title>Smart Home in der Schweiz: Bekannt, aber kaum genutzt</title><description><![CDATA[Ein Zuhause, das den Alltag erleichtert. Dies wäre mit Smart Home möglich. Doch in der Schweiz steckt die digitale Vernetzung von Haushaltsgeräten noch in den Kinderschuhen.
Erst 57 Prozent kennen Smart Home und nur zwei von zehn Personen nutzen ein Smart-Home-Gerät in ihrem Haushalt. Am verbreitetsten sind smarte Beleuchtungssysteme und Musikanlagen. Die Prognose für Alexa &amp; Co. sieht düster aus. Nur 13 Prozent der Schweizer beabsichtigen in den nächsten Monaten ein Smart-Home-Gerät zu kaufen.
Türen, die sich beim Verlassen des Hauses automatisch verriegeln und Heizungen, die sich an die Aussentemperatur anpassen. Smart Home ist in Amerika bereits Bestandteil vieler Haushalte. Gemäss einer Umfrage des amerikanischen Unternehmens Traqline nutzen 69 Prozent der Amerikaner ein Smart-Home-Gerät. Die Schweiz ist noch weit entfernt von dieser Verbreitung. Die Handwerkerplattform Ofri befragte im Januar und Februar 201 Deutschschweizer zur Integration von Smart Home in ihrem Zuhause.
Erst 57 Prozent kennen Smart Home
Ende der Nullerjahre nahm Smart Home seine Anfänge in der Schweiz. Experten sagten dem intelligenten Wohnen grosses Wachstumspotenzial voraus. Doch den Durchbruch zur breiten Masse hat die digitale Vernetzung der Haushaltsgeräte gemäss der Umfrage von Ofri noch nicht geschafft. Nur 57 Prozent der von Ofri befragten Personen kennen Smart Home. Eigenheim-Besitzer sind affiner für das Thema. 69 Prozent sind mit dem Thema bekannt, bei den Mietern hingegen sind es nur 41 Prozent.
Licht an! Smartes Beleuchtungssystem am beliebtesten
Zwei von zehn Schweizern nutzen heute ein Smart-Home-Produkt in ihrem Haushalt. Am meisten nutzen die Schweizer vernetzte Beleuchtungssysteme, Musikanlagen und Fernseher. Während smarte Rauchmelder, Staubsauger und Waschmaschinen kaum verbreitet sind. Bei den Nutzern steht die Steigerung der Wohn- und Lebensqualität im Vordergrund. Nur je sieben Befragte haben ein Smart-Home-Produkt um die Sicherheit zu erhöhen oder Energie zu sparen.

Apple Home Kit am beliebtesten
Das beliebteste System unter den Befragten ist Apple HomeKit, gefolgt von Alexa von Amazon. Nur fünf befragte Personen nutzen Google Home. Oft kombinieren die Smart-Home-Nutzer die Systeme.
Verbraucher sehen keinen Nutzen
Auch in der nahen Zukunft stehen die Verbraucher Smart Home kritisch gegenüber. Nur 13 Prozent der Befragten planen in den nächsten zwölf Monaten ein Smart-Home-Produkt anzuschaffen. 47 Prozent sehen den Nutzen der Produkte nicht.
Ein Befragter meint: «Warum soll alles automatisiert werden? Für mich ist es ein morgendliches Ritual, von Hand den Orangensaft zuzubereiten. Es muss nicht alles per Smartphone geregelt werden!» Dies geht einher mit den 23 Prozent, welche Smart Home technisch zu komplex finden. Der dritthäufigste Grund ist die Angst um die Privatsphäre (22 Prozent).
 
Featured image credit: https://www.ofri.ch/
The post Smart Home in der Schweiz: Bekannt, aber kaum genutzt appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/smart-home-in-der-schweiz-bekannt-aber-kaum-genutzt</link><guid>1011</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/balkengrafik-smart-home-feburar-2019-ofri-mm-1024x576.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>Smart Home in der Schweiz: Bekannt, aber kaum genutzt</dc:text></item><item><title>Upcoming Fintech Events in Germany</title><description><![CDATA[Germany is a key fintech market in Europe and one of the largest in the world with more than 700 companies, including some of the region’s up-and-coming fintech leaders like N26, solarisBank, Raisin and Clark.
With the German fintech industry continuing its momentum, a number of fintech events and conferences are scheduled to take place this year to showcase the country’s rising sector.
 
Open Banking Roadshow with Red Hat
March 7, 2019
Frankfurt

Open Banking Roadshow with Red Hat is a strategic overview, and technical hands-on workshop focusing on how open banking is revolutionizing how banking products are created, distributed, and serviced.
Participants will learn why open banking is critical to an organization’s digital strategy, what will make open banking truly valuable for businesses, and how to move the beyond commercial benefits of open banking to drive new innovation.
 
fin:CODE
March 17 – 19, 2019
The Westin Grand Frankfurt, Frankfurt

fin:CODE is Europe&#8217;s unique event mainly focused on addressing the challenges that banks, asset management firms and insurance companies are experiencing when adopting and scaling DevOps at an enterprise level.
During it’s 3rd edition, 100 software development experts and DevOps geeks representing Europe&#8217;s
 
financial services firms will unveil their journey to continuous delivery and microservices with precise insights into best practices and tooling strategies.
The event will address topics such as DevOps, organizational cultural change, CI/CD, containers, cloud, edge, serverless computing, DevSecOps, automation/testing, APIs, artificial intelligence and machine learning, Kubernetes, and much more.
 
Blockchain Summit Frankfurt
March 26, 2019
Kap Europa, Frankfurt

Blockchain Summit Frankfurt is a blockchain for business event in Europe connecting over 1,500 industry leaders, business decision makers and tech innovators.
The one-day conference and exhibition is dedicated to the business of blockchain and distributed ledger technology (DLT) and will feature 80 visionary speakers and unique networking opportunities.
 
Finanzdienstleister der nächsten Generation
March 27, 2019
Frankfurt School of Finance &amp; Management

The banking sector has been facing a variety of complex challenges for several years now. The digital transformation of the financial services industry is in full swing. The entire financial sector must look at business models, services, products and processes, and look for optimization approaches through new technologies.
Finanzdienstleister der nächsten Generation will discuss new business models and adaptation processes that emerge as part of digitization. In addition to professionals and executives from the financial sector, the conference is aimed at (institutional) investors who are aware of developments in the financial services markets, innovative business models and new providers.
 
Mobile and Digital Banking Forum
March 27 – 28, 2019
Holiday Inn Berlin City East-Landsberger, Berlin

The Mobile and Digital Banking Forum will focus on the future of the commercial banking industry across Europe and influential banking experts will come together in Berlin to discuss the challenges banks are facing in efforts to satisfy growing customer demand.
The key topics of discussion will include reducing or increasing transaction costs, how banks can use AI and ML to enhance customer experience, improve process automation and reduce operational costs, banks and fintech companies as partners, how financial institutions can be fully prepared for PSD2, and much more.
 
Blockchain-Technologie
March 28, 2019
Frankfurt School of Finance &amp; Management

Blockchain has the potential to dramatically change the financial markets. Companies in the financial services industry must address this potential and not let the opportunities of the new technology go unused if they do not want to risk being driven out of future markets.
Experts from innovative companies, banks, consulting firms and academia will discussed the role and impact of blockchain technology for the financial sector at the Blockchain-Technologie conference.
The focus will be on the trends in the blockchain ecosystem, the challenges related to blockchain implementation, infrastructure changes, blockchain for digital identity, blockchai in financial markets, and more.
 
Digitalization in Finance Summit
April 3 – 4, 2019
Estrel Berlin, Berlin

The Digitalization in Finance Summit, scheduled on April 3 and 4, 2019 in Berlin, Germany, will enable participants to learn about the latest innovations and important practices. The summit will be focusing on the current state of play and the future, policy and regulations, how to optimize digital and mobile strategies, best practices in mobile payments and open banking, innovation challenges, technology latest developments and trends, blockchain, AI in finance, big data and privacy, and more.
 
Rethinking Corporate Banking
April 4 – 5, 2019
Innside Frankfurt Ostend

The digital revolution has reached corporate banking. Corporate clients expect fast, digital services. At the same time, competitive pressure is increasing. But which trends and technologies are future-relevant and which ones can one forget confidently? How to pave the way for a sustainable revenue model? We bring banks and fintechs together and offer lots of valuable contacts besides inspiration and best practice.
Participants of the Rethinking Corporate Banking conference will learn about best practice from major banks, future technologies from fintechs, and new solutions for more convenience and efficiency. They will also have the opportunity to meet industry insiders and fintechs.
 
EXECfintech
April 10 – 11, 2019
Tatcraft, Frankfurt am Main

EXECfintech aims to provide participants with the opportunity to network, learn from top speakers and from each other and find new partners, clients and investors.
The full day event, which will be limited to 300 participants, is set to be filled with an exciting and interactive agenda including networking sessions, discussion table sessions, masterclasses, as well as an expo floor and a startup stage.
 
INNOVATIONSforBANKS 2019
May 14 – 15, 2019
Cologne

Speakers at the INNOVATIONSforBANKS will present concepts, methods and current trends in innovation management. In addition, they will report on the strategies pursued by their own companies, providing practical insights into completed and ongoing projects. The event will also feature a startup competition.
 
Digital Finance Conference
May 22 – 23, 2019
Berlin

On May 22 and 23, 2019, Germany’s digital association Bitkom will host the Digital Finance Conference in Berlin. International experts and decision-makers from the banking and insurance industry, politics and supervisory authorities will gather in Berlin to discuss opportunities and challenges for the future of the European financial market.
 
Global Smart Payments Forum
May 28 – 29, 2019
The Westin Grand, Berlin

The Corporate Parity’s Global Smart Payments Forum will provide participants with a platform to understand smart payment methods, e-commerce and m-commerce payment innovations, how AI can amplify the payment option competencies, what has been done so far and what can be expected. The event will include keynotes, discussions, track sessions and networking opportunities.
 
Unchain
June 14 – 15, 2019
Berlin

The two-day Unchain conference will feature some of the world’s leading cryptocurrency and blockchain entrepreneurs with the goal to connect these experts with leading industrial players from all over the globe.
The event will include an exhibition space and an intimate networking area for business initiation. It will cover topics such as science and technology, cryptocurrencies and blockchain, emerging blockchain use cases and business models across industries, blockchain investments, and more.
 
Open Banking
July 3 – 4, 2019
Frankfurt am Main

The Open Banking conference, taking place on July 3 and 4, 2019 in Frankfurt, will focus on some of the industry’s most urging topics including emerging business models, the customer journey, the emergence of platforms and the ecosystem mindset, cultural changes, governance and data, and more.
 
Fintech Week
November 4 – 8, 2019
Hamburg

The Fintech Week will take place for the fourth time in Hamburg in 2019 as a roof for the most diverse events from the network breakfast over the classic conference to the barcamp. More than 1,000 players from the fintech and banking sectors are expected to meet to discuss forward-looking trends and concepts, develop solutions and make contacts for a week.
 
Fintech Forum
November 21, 2019
Airport Club for International Executives GmbH, Hugo-Eckener-Ring, 60549 Frankfurt am Main

Fintech Forum, launched 2013 in Frankfurt am Main, is the first and largest hub for fintech in Continental Europe, with a network of 12,000+. The communit’s 18+ events have brought together 285+ startups on stage in front of 1,100+ investors and financial institutions. Alumni have gone on to raise US$310 million + in funding and resulted in exits worth US$300 million + as of end-2017.
The 11th Fintech Forum will seek to identify innovators, disruptors and “hidden champions” in the financial services sector, and bring them together with investors and financial institutions.
The post Upcoming Fintech Events in Germany appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/upcoming-fintech-events-in-germany</link><guid>1009</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Open-Banking-Roadshow-with-Red-Hat-1024x299.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Upcoming Fintech Events in Germany</dc:text></item><item><title>Blockchain Technology on Money Market Tested</title><description><![CDATA[For the first time, Continental, Commerzbank and Siemens have carried out a test transaction as part of a pilot project to process a money market security between the companies using blockchain technology.
The transaction took place in January. It had a volume of €100,000 and a term of three days. Continental was the issuer of the money market security, which was in the form of a euro-denominated electronic commercial paper according to legal requirements stipulated in the Luxembourg law.
Commerzbank provided the Corda-based blockchain platform through its research and development unit, Main Incubator, and acted as a service partner. Siemens subscribed to the money market security as an investor. Corporate law firm GSK Stockmann provided legal advice on the transaction.
The main motivating factor for Continental and Siemens to carry out this project was to experiment with blockchain technology in practice with a view to using it in the medium to long term for regular financial transactions as well. In this pilot project, the transaction was initiated and settled directly between the two companies. A regular securities transaction between two companies was used as a starting point.
The companies not only generated the money market security, but also processed the trade (including payment processing) in a legally binding manner using blockchain. The documents and funds were exchanged in a matter of minutes rather than days using this process. Unlike with conventional transactions, Commerzbank was no longer acting as a broker between contracting parties for this particular transaction, but as a platform operator and service partner. It provided the platform and all the technical requirements for blockchain trading, the legal structure and the digital money for direct trading of the money market security (based on e-money as financial collateral, “cash on ledger”).
Stefan Scholz, head of Finance &amp; Treasury at Continental, was pleased with the successful outcome of the project, and commented,
Stefan Scholz
“Blockchain made the process even quicker and more effective. Working with our project partners, Siemens and Commerzbank, we tested the feasibility of using blockchain in the Finance department and it proved to be a success. I’m proud of this pioneering achievement. We gained some new experience across various areas of our companies in both a technical and legal respect and also in terms of interlinking between the specialist departments.”
Direct contact (including with investors in short-term bonds), considerable flexibility and efficiency combined with increased security, as well as enhanced transparency, are some of the advantages that Continental sees in using blockchain technology in the Finance department.
Roman Schmidt
“While markets and technologies are constantly changing, established relationships with customers remain an important asset. We are pleased to be assisting our customers with the process of digital transformation through transactions like these. Blockchain technology has tremendous potential in making capital market transactions quicker, more straightforward and more efficient for our customers,”
said Roman Schmidt, Commerzbank’s divisional board member for capital markets.
Processing money market securities usually takes up to two days
Money market securities are used to satisfy companies’ short-term financing requirements. Traditional aspects such as affordable financing costs and flexibility are particularly important with this form of short-term liquidity management. Blockchain will change aspects such as transparency, direct contact with investors and prompt settlement of transactions. The latter will change particularly with regard to the very short terms typically seen for money market securities. Payment and payment processing normally take two days. This is because of clearing systems, which are used to settle payments between accounts and involve a certain time lag.
Blockchain technology enables direct contact and more efficient processing
Blockchain is a special form of distributed ledger technology (DLT). It involves a local database that is used to store replicated, shared and synchronized digital data. All users of a DLT network have access to the same data at the same time. They also have shared write and read rights to the data and shared transparency. This causes a shift in the role of central broker – which is usually performed by banks in the context of financial transactions. State-of-the-art encryption and signature processes based on asymmetric cryptography are used, and are now considered to be practically tamper-proof.
The first dematerialized transaction of money-market securities
For the first time a digital money market security transaction was processed in a legally binding manner. This also made the transaction a lot faster and more efficient to process than before. It was possible because unlike similar blockchain transactions that have been processed previously, this transaction involved a security displayed entirely in blockchain form. The money market security was issued purely in digital form, with the purchase price amount in euros converted by Commerzbank – which has an e-money license – into digital money, so that payment could be made using blockchain. All requirements relating to this transaction were handled by digital and legally binding means using blockchain technology. Immediate value dating and real-time settlement were also possible. This is being regarded as the first step toward technical scaling of automated securities issues.
In the pilot transaction, the security was issued in accordance with Luxembourg law. Consequently, the security was issued, signed and traded digitally using a qualified electronic signature. In addition, for the security trade to be displayed directly and digitally as a delivery vs. payment transaction, the e-money held as financial collateral by Commerzbank was furnished digitally via blockchain, enabling the companies to exchange the security instantly for e-money.
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik 
The post Blockchain Technology on Money Market Tested appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/blockchain-technology-on-money-market-tested</link><guid>1010</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Blockchain Technology on Money Market Tested</dc:text></item><item><title>Lokaler Strommarkt in Walenstadt wird über Blockchain Vermarktet</title><description><![CDATA[Seit Anfang Januar wird in einem Quartier in Walenstadt lokal erzeugter Solarstrom über eine Blockchain in der Nachbarschaft vermarktet.
In den ersten zwei Februarwochen konnten die Produzenten 82 Prozent des Stroms innerhalb der Quartierstromgemeinschaft absetzen. Zu 25 Prozent versorgte sich das Quartier selbst. Im Rahmen des Projekts soll ein praxistaugliches Konzept entwickelt werden, um möglichst viel Solarstrom lokal vermarkten zu können und die dezentrale Energie von der Sonne für Konsumenten und Produzenten attraktiver zu machen.
37 Haushalte und ein Alterszentrum haben sich in Walenstadt zum ersten lokalen Strommarkt der Schweiz zusammengeschlossen. Das Pilotprojekt «Quartierstrom» wird von Hochschulen und Unternehmen getragen und vom Bundesamt für Energie BFE im Rahmen des Pilot-, Demonstrations- und Leuchtturmprogramms unterstützt. Ein Grossteil der Teilnehmer haben bereits eine Photovoltaikanlage installiert und können nun seit Anfang Januar ihren überschüssigen Strom innerhalb der Gemeinschaft verkaufen.
Wer keinen eigenen Solarstrom produziert, kann lokal erzeugte Energie vom Nachbarn beziehen. Die Preislimits für Kauf und Verkauf können die Teilnehmer über ein Portal einstellen, der Handel wird automatisch über eine Blockchain abgewickelt.
«Das System läuft stabil und der Markt funktioniert»,
freut sich Arne Meeuw vom Bosch IoT-Lab der Universität St. Gallen, der zusammen mit Forschern des Bits-to-Energy-Labs der ETH Zürich das System entwickelt. In den ersten zwei Februarwochen wurde 82 Prozent des lokal produzierten Stroms innerhalb der Gemeinschaft konsumiert.
«Überrascht hat uns, wie oft sich die Teilnehmenden ins Portal eingeloggt haben, um ihre Preislimits anzupassen oder ihre Handelsdaten abzurufen»,
so Meeuw. Einige fragen ihre Daten sogar mehrmals täglich ab. Nur wenige haben sich nach der erstmaligen Anmeldung nicht mehr um das Geschehen im lokalen Strommarkt gekümmert.
Witterung beeinflusst Handel
In der ersten Zeit wurde noch nicht allzu viel Strom tatsächlich gehandelt.
Christian Dürr
«Anfang Jahr hatten wir eine sehr tiefe Stromproduktion, weil sich die Sonne wenig zeigte oder Schnee die Solaranlagen bedeckte»,
erzählt Christian Dürr vom Wasser- und Elektrizitätswerk Walenstadt (WEW). Den wenigen Strom, der produziert wurde, haben die Prosumenten meist im eigenen Haushalt verbraucht. Erst wenn Überschüsse produziert werden, kommt es zum Handel über die Blockchain.
Dies zeigt sich in den Daten der ersten beiden Februarwochen: Gut 32 Prozent der Gesamtproduktion wurde in der Nachbarschaft gehandelt – knapp 50 Prozent wanderte von den Solaranlagen direkt in den zugehörigen Haushalt. Nur 18 Prozent ging an den Energieversorger. Vom gesamten Stromverbrauch konnte die Quartierstromgemeinschaft 25 Prozent mit lokalem Solarstrom decken. An sonnigen Tagen stieg dieser Anteil auf bis zu 37 Prozent.
Die Prosumenten erzielten mit dem Verkauf ihres Stroms im Quartier höhere Einnahmen als bei einer Netzeinspeisung, bei der sie einen Marktpreis von 4 Rappen pro Kilowattstunde erhalten. Und auch für die Konsumenten ist der Handel attraktiv: Sie berappten weniger für den Strom aus dem Quartier als für den Strom vom WEW.
Auslöser für private Investitionen
Christian Dürr hofft weiter auf gute Verhältnisse für die Solarstromproduktion und auf einen regen Handel.
«Spannend finden die Beteiligten, dass sie im Portal ihre Daten in Echtzeit abrufen können und auch beobachten können, was die Quartierstrom-Gemeinschaft als Ganzes macht»,
erzählt er.
Das Projekt habe bereits im Vorfeld einiges ausgelöst. Zwei Teilnehmer haben ihre Solarstromanlage ausgebaut und drei haben eine Batterie installiert. Die Stromspeicher im Quartier werden nun in den nächsten Monaten als flexible Lasten in das System eingebunden. Damit sollten der Eigenverbrauch der Quartierstrom-Gemeinschaft und ihre Unabhängigkeit vom Netzstrom noch weiter steigen.





Antworten auf viele Fragen erwartet Im einjährigen Pilotprojekt werden Erfahrungen mit der eigens für das Projekt entwickelten Blockchain gesammelt, weitere innovative technische Anwendungen erprobt und erforscht, wie sich die Nutzerinnen und Nutzer im lokalen Strommarkt verhalten. Eine der wichtigsten Fragen aber ist, wie weit der lokale Strommarkt den Absatz dezentral erzeugter erneuerbarer Energie steigert und so einen Beitrag Richtung Ziele der Energiestrategie 2050 zu leisten vermag.
 
Featured image source: Walenstadt Water and Electricity Company (WEW)
The post Lokaler Strommarkt in Walenstadt wird über Blockchain Vermarktet appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/lokaler-strommarkt-in-walenstadt-wird-uber-blockchain-vermarktet</link><guid>1007</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Woher-kam-der-Strom-300x172.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Lokaler Strommarkt in Walenstadt wird über Blockchain Vermarktet</dc:text></item><item><title>Akzeptanz von AI in der Finanz und Versicherung-Industrie</title><description><![CDATA[
Auch wenn Künstliche Intelligenz (KI) in aller Munde ist und als der Zukunftstrend im digitalen Business und Online-Marketing gilt: Bisher sind nur vereinzelt KI-gestützte Produkte und Services auf dem Schweizer Markt zu finden.
Erstaunlich, bietet diese Technologie doch einschlägige Wettbewerbsvorteile und Potenzial für zahlreiche Innovationen. Grundvoraussetzung, damit der Einsatz von KI für Unternehmen zum Erfolg wird, ist die Akzeptanz der Kunden. Die Digitalberatung elaboratum suisse hat deshalb eine Studie zur Akzeptanz von Künstlicher Intelligenz am Beispiel KI-gestützter Online-Services in der Finanzdienstleistungs- und Versicherungsbranche durchgeführt.
Dabei ist eines deutlich geworden: Um die Akzeptanz zu steigern, sollten Unternehmen die Erstnutzung von KI möglichst einfach gestalten und die Kunden strategisch begleiten. Denn ihre positive Einstellung gegenüber KI steigt signifikant, sobald sie diese schon einmal genutzt haben.

Wie kann man die positive Einstellung der Online-Kunden steigern, damit sie KI-gestützten Services offener gegenüber stehen? elaboratum suisse hat eine Untersuchung durchgeführt, um mehr über Erwartungen, Nutzen und Akzeptanzkriterien von Künstlicher Intelligenz zu erfahren.
Dazu hat die Unternehmensberatung insgesamt 633 Schweizer und Schweizerinnen über ein Online-Panel repräsentativ nach Alter und Geschlecht befragt. Neben allgemeinen Fragen zur Nutzung von Künstlicher Intelligenz und Erfahrungen damit wurden die Studienteilnehmer auch zu ganz konkreten Anwendungsfällen mit Künstlicher Intelligenz befragt, beispielsweise einem Chatbot zur Produktberatung oder Kundenanfragen, die mit Hilfe von Natural Language Processing (NLP) bearbeitet werden.

Erfahrene Nutzer sind aufgeschlossener
Interessant: Über die Hälfte der Konsumenten weiss gar nicht, ob sie schon einmal mit Künstlicher Intelligenz zu tun hatte. Für die Probanden scheint es schwierig zu sein, Künstliche Intelligenz auf Webseiten überhaupt zu erkennen. Wie die Studie zeigt, sind nur 28 Prozent aller Probanden, die noch keinerlei Berührungspunkte mit KI hatten, KI gegenüber positiv eingestellt.
Ganz anders der Wert bei den erfahrenen Nutzern: Von ihnen sagten 49 Prozent aus, Künstlicher Intelligenz gegenüber aufgeschlossen zu sein. Aber wer sind diese Nutzer, die bereits KI verwenden und ihr positiv gegenüber eingestellt sind? Die Studie zeigt, dass Verantwortliche von KI-Services sich auf jüngere, männliche oder einkommensstarke Kundensegmente konzentrieren sollten.
Wichtigste Akzeptanzkriterien für KI: Qualität und Datenschutz
Doch welche Faktoren steigern die Akzeptanz von Künstlicher Intelligenz? Laut Studie sind Qualität und Datenschutz die wichtigsten Akzeptanzkriterien bei Online-Services mit Künstlicher Intelligenz. Auch auf einfache Bedienung und Nutzerfreundlichkeit legen die Befragten grossen Wert. In der Umsetzung können Unternehmen entsprechend z. B. bei einem Chatbot eine gute Nutzerführung durch vorgegebene Antwortoptionen etablieren, um nicht ausschliesslich über aufwändigere Freitexteingaben zu interagieren.
Ausserdem wichtig: Da aktuell nur wenige Nutzer einer KI eher als einem Menschen vertrauen, sollten Unternehmen der Skepsis der Nutzer mit Erläuterungen und der Kombination der Services mit einem menschlichen Ansprechpartner als Fallback-Lösung begegnen. Dennoch ist die KI in der Vertrauensfrage nicht als absolut abgeschlagen zu erachten. Auch wenn die Mehrheit der Nutzer klar einem Menschen mehr Vertrauen schenkt, ist erstaunlich, dass bereits über ein Drittel KI und Menschen gleichermassen vertraut.
 
Fünf Tipps zur erfolgreichen Einführung von Services mit Künstlicher Intelligenz
Was können Schweizer Unternehmen aus den Studienergebnissen lernen? Und was sollten sie beachten, wenn sie Künstliche Intelligenz einführen wollen? elaboratum gibt fünf Tipps, wie die Einführung gelingen kann:

Ohne Nutzen keine Nutzung: Unternehmen sollten keinen KI-Service anbieten, nur um der KI willen. Der Kunde nutzt einen Service nicht, nur weil KI darüber steht. Im Mittelpunkt muss also der Nutzen des Services für den Kunden stehen! Das kann eine schnellere Bearbeitung seiner Anfrage oder die sofortige, passende Antwort eines Service-Chatbots nachts um 23 Uhr sein.
Mensch und Maschine – gemeinsam geht es besser: Kunden vertrauen einem menschlichen Ansprechpartner deutlich mehr als Künstlicher Intelligenz. E-Commerce-Unternehmen sollten daher dem Kunden vermitteln, dass am Ende des Services ein Mitarbeiter sitzt, der ein auffälliges Ergebnis nochmals prüft oder zu dem der Chatbot einen verfahrenen Dialog rechtzeitig ausleitet. Co-Studienautorin Claudia Brinkmann, Senior Consultant bei elaboratum, rät: „Den Wunsch vieler Probanden, neben der Interaktion mit der KI auch die Möglichkeit zu haben, einen zusätzlichen menschlichen Ansprechpartner kontaktieren zu können, sollten Unternehmen bereits bei der Anforderungsanalyse und Planung von KI-gestützten Services berücksichtigen.“
KI ersetzt nicht die User Experience (UX): Auch bei Services, in die KI integriert ist, gilt wie für andere Online-Services und Funktionen: Kundenzentriert konzipieren und implementieren. Um hochwertige KI-Services zu entwickeln, ist eine Verknüpfung von sinnvoller KI-Integration, ganzheitlichem Denken in Customer Journeys und guter User Experience entscheidend. Diese Kombination gestaltet sich dabei oftmals nicht trivial, da schon die Disziplinen einzeln betrachtet ausreichend komplex sind.
Qualität und Datenschutz – Dreamteam für mehr Akzeptanz: Wie die oben vorgestellte Studie zeigt, sind Qualität und Datenschutz die wichtigsten Akzeptanzkriterien bei Online-Services mit KI für den Kunden. Obwohl dies auch für Services ohne KI der Fall ist, sollten Unternehmen die Bedenken ihrer Kunden ernst nehmen: So reagieren Kunden beispielsweise eher überrascht und verunsichert, wenn ein Chatbot im Kundenportal auf bestehende Verträge oder bereits getätigte Käufe anspricht. Auch wenn diese Informationen über Kunden im Kundenportal verfügbar sind, sollten Unternehmen sorgfältig prüfen, ob im ersten Schritt wirklich alle technischen Umsetzungsmöglichkeiten bezüglich personenbezogener Daten zwingend notwendig sind.
Dieses Produkt kann Spuren von KI enthalten: Habe ich es jetzt eigentlich mit KI zu tun? Fast die Hälfte aller Befragten hat in der Untersuchung angegeben, dass sie häufig nicht weiss, ob sie bereits einen Service mit KI genutzt hat, oder nicht. Daher sollten Unternehmen beispielsweise beim Einsatz eines Chatbots den Kunden am Anfang der Kommunikation darüber informieren, dass er mit diesem Tool Künstliche Intelligenz nutzt. Weiss der Kunde, dass es sich bei seinem Gegenüber lediglich um eine Maschine handelt, sieht er ihr eher nach, wenn eine Antwort etwas unhöflich oder sperrig klingt. Auch eine falsch verstandene Frage wird er einem Bot eher nachsehen. Aber Achtung: Allein der Hinweis berechtigt das E-Commerce-Unternehmen noch lange nicht, die Geduld des Kunden überzustrapazieren. Wiederholt ein Kunde seine Frage, sollte der Chatbot die Wiederholung erkennen und dann entweder sein begrenztes Wissen eingestehen oder die Konversation an einen Service-Mitarbeiter übergeben.

Die Studie zeigt, dass Kunden oft eine falsche Vorstellung von Künstlicher Intelligenz und ihren Einsatzmöglichkeiten haben. Wer seine Kunden aufklärt und bei der Erstnutzung begleitet, kann die Akzeptanz für seine KI-Services erheblich steigern. Das ist ein wichtiger erster Schritt, um in Zukunft das Potenzial von KI nutzen zu können.





The post Akzeptanz von AI in der Finanz und Versicherung-Industrie appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/akzeptanz-von-ai-in-der-finanz-und-versicherung-industrie</link><guid>1008</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/intelligenz.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Akzeptanz von AI in der Finanz und Versicherung-Industrie</dc:text></item><item><title>Digitalisierung Braucht Neue Fähigkeiten- Neue Ausbildungs-Intitiative für Führungskräfte</title><description><![CDATA[Unternehmen stehen heute im Personalmanagement vor einer doppelten Herausforderung: Sie müssen neue Fachkräfte gewinnen und gleichzeitig die bestehenden Mitarbeitenden auf die neuen Rahmenbedürfnisse der digitalen Arbeitswelt vorbereiten.
Microsoft Schweiz engagiert sich seit Jahren für eine Modernisierung des Schweizer Bildungswesens und bietet gemeinsam mit Partnern ein breites Angebot an Aus und Weiterbildungen an. Am WEF in Davos wurde jetzt eine weitere Initiative vorgestellt: FU.SE, eine mit Adecco Group, BCG, Zürich Insurance, ABB und anderen renommierten Unternehmen gegründete Plattform, die Führungskräfte und Experten aus Wirtschaft, Politik und Wissenschaft zusammenbringt, um gemeinsam konkrete Lösungen für die Zukunft der Arbeit zu entwickeln.
Die Transformation der Arbeit hat längst begonnen. Neue Technologien und kundenzentrierte Geschäftsmodelle verändern die zukünftig gefragten Berufsbilder, Arbeitsabläufe und Prozesse tiefgreifend. Gemäss einer Studie des McKinsey Global Institute wird bis 2030 der Anteil der Arbeit, die technisches Wissen voraussetzt, um mehr als 50 Prozent steigen, gleichzeitig gewinnen aber auch soziale und emotionale Kompetenzen an Bedeutung.
Digitale Expertise wird zum entscheidenden Wettbewerbsfaktor
Schon bald wird es für viele Mitarbeiter nicht mehr ausreichen, ein Spezialgebiet zu beherrschen. In Zukunft werden Arbeitskräfte das gesamte System verstehen, vernetzt denken und arbeiten müssen. Der Aufbau von digitaler Expertise ist heute schon operative Notwendigkeit und wird morgen zum entscheidenden Wettbewerbsfaktor.
Marianne Janik
«Wir stellen in der Schweiz seit mittlerweile 30 Jahren sicher, dass Unternehmen und Privatpersonen Zugang zu modernsten Technologien haben und diese auch zu ihrem Vorteil nutzen können»,
sagt Marianne Janik, CEO von Microsoft Schweiz. Deshalb bietet Microsoft Schweiz in Zusammenarbeit mit ihren Partnern gezielte Aus- und Weiterbildungsprogramme an. Das breitgefächerte Angebot bietet neben produktspezifischen Kursen für Profis auch generelle Einstiegskurse in relevante Themen wie Cloud Computing oder Künstliche Intelligenz.
«Wenn wir wollen, dass Menschen moderne Technologien nutzen, müssen wir sicherstellen, dass sie diese Technologien besser verstehen»,
ist Marianne Janik überzeugt.
«Nur so können die Menschen ihre Ängste abbauen und das Potenzial erkennen und für sich nutzen.»
Auch die Unternehmen sind gefordert
Die Aus- und Weiterbildung der Beschäftigten wird sowohl für Grossunternehmen als auch für KMUs zunehmend zum entscheidenden Wettbewerbsfaktor. Obwohl viele Wirtschaftsführer befürchten, dass die fehlenden Digital-Fähigkeiten der Mitarbeitenden direkte negative Auswirkungen auf den Geschäftserfolg haben, bekunden viele Unternehmen Mühe, die Mitarbeiter schnell genug mit den relevanten Fähigkeiten für die Zukunft auszustatten. Hier sieht Marianne Janik nicht nur eine grosse Chance für die Unternehmen, sich im Wettbewerb zu differenzieren, sondern auch eine grosse Verantwortung:
«Mit einem kontinuierlichen Aus- und Weiterbildungsprogramm stellen die Unternehmen sicher, dass die Mitarbeitenden über die richtigen Fähigkeiten verfügen, um die Kunden zu begeistern. Zudem sichert eine kontinuierliche Weiterbildung am Arbeitsplatz auch die Arbeitsmarktfähigkeit von denjenigen Mitarbeitenden, die aufgrund von Veränderungsprozessen das Unternehmen verlassen müssen.»
FU.SE als Plattform für gemeinsame Lösungen
Am WEF in Davon hat Microsoft gemeinsam mit der Adecco Group und BCG eine neue Initiative angekündigt, die von renommierten Schweizer Unternehmen wie ABB und Zurich Insurance unterstützt wird. FU.SE, das Future of Work Summit, ist eine Plattform, die Führungskräfte und Experten aus Wirtschaft, Politik und Wissenschaft zusammenbringt, um gemeinsam konkrete Lösungen für die Zukunft der Arbeit zu entwickeln.
Jean-Philippe Courtois
Jean-Philippe Courtois, Executive Vice President and President, Microsoft Global Sales, Marketing and Operations:
«Wir fühlen uns verantwortlich, die Menschen zu befähigen, Teil der digitalen Transformation zu sein. Zudem wollen wir sicherstellen, dass wir in diesem Wandel niemenden zurücklassen.»
Neben Jean-Philippe Courtois nahmen auch Alain Dehaze, CEO Adecco Group, Hans-Paul Bürkner, Chairman BCG, und David Henderson, Group Chief HR Officer Zurich Insurance Group, am Launchevent im Microsoft Café in Davos teil.
Der offizielle Startschuss von FU.SE war am 13. Februar 2019 in Mailand, wo sich an einem zweitägigen Workshop im Microsoft House Vertreterinnen und Vertreter von weltweit führenden Unternehmen, Organisationen und Institutionen austauschen und konkrete Ansätze zur Zukunft der Arbeit entwickelt wurden. Neben einer Delegation aus der Schweiz nam auch Brad Smith, President and Chief Legal Officer von Microsoft, am Event teil.
 
Featured image credit: Freepik
The post Digitalisierung Braucht Neue Fähigkeiten- Neue Ausbildungs-Intitiative für Führungskräfte appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digitalisierung-braucht-neue-fahigkeiten-neue-ausbildungs-intitiative-fur-fuhrungskrafte</link><guid>1006</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Digitalisierung Braucht Neue Fähigkeiten- Neue Ausbildungs-Intitiative für Führungskräfte</dc:text></item><item><title>Most Anticipated Fintech Events in the US Taking Place in H1 2019</title><description><![CDATA[As fintech continues to disrupt the financial landscape, a multitude of fintech conferences are scheduled to take place this year to help industry participants keep up with the rapidly evolving space.
Today, we&#8217;ve compiled some of the most anticipated fintech events and conferences in the US to attend in the first half of 2019:
 
DC Blockchain Summit 2019
March 6 – 7, 2019
Georgetown University, Rafik B. Hariri Building, Lohrfink Auditorium, 37th and O Street, Washington, DC

The 4th annual DC Blockchain Summit, the Chamber of Digital Commerce’s annual in-person gathering held in partnership with Georgetown University’s Center for Financial Markets and Policy, will take place on March 6 and 7, 2019 in Washington, DC, and will feature speakers representing the US Congressional Blockchain Caucus, the US Department of Treasury, FINRA, Ripple, Fidelity, Cisco, and more.
The summit will tackle topics such as token regulation in the US, blockchain adoption, the state of decentralization benchmarks, the token economy, assets tokenization, the future of finance, and more.
 
MIT Fintech Conference 2019
March 8, 2019
Boston Aloft Seaport, 401-403 D Street, Boston, MA

On Friday, March 8, 2019, the 5th annual MIT Fintech Conference in Boston’s Seaport Aloft Hotel will bring the public one of the nation’s largest student-run fintech events. A world-class slate of keynote speakers and panelist will discuss the latest trends and innovations shaping the fintech industry.
The conference aims to serve as a forum to promote the exchange of ideas by attracting technologists, entrepreneurs, investors, academics, financial professionals, and university students. The event will also feature a startup pitch competition.
Conference speakers will include representatives of the likes of Fidelity, the Vanguard Group, the MIT Digital Currency Initiative, NYC Fintech Innovation Lab, N26, Barclays, State Street, Payoneer, Betterment, Revolut, and more.
 
MIT Bitcoin Expo 2019
March 9 – 10, 2019
Cambridge

The MIT Bitcoin Club, a student and blockchain-enthusiasts run club at MIT, has organized the MIT Bitcoin Expo every year since 2014, a two day conference focused on all things blockchain.
The 6th Annual Expo will be held on March 9 and 10, 2019 at MIT, and will focus on the challenges that face the Bitcoin and blockchain industry today and how we can augment the development of this still-maturing ecosystem.
 
Payments Summit 2019
March 11 – 14, 2019
Hyatt Regency Phoenix, Phoenix

The Payments Summit is the premier industry event covering all things payments, including fintech, EMV chip technology, mobile wallets, NFC, contactless, open transit systems and more. The 12th annual Payments Summit will present the latest on all of these exciting technologies and the many business opportunities they can unlock.
2019 will mark the second year that the Secure Technology Alliance and the US Payments Forum are combining the Payments Summit with the US Payments Forum All-Member Meeting, resulting in the most comprehensive gathering of card and payments professionals than ever before.
 
2019 Five Star Fintech Summit
March 13 – 14, 2019
The Guest House at Graceland, Memphis

At the 2019 Five Star Fintech Summit, subject-matter experts representing leading mortgage and tech companies will discuss the latest advances in fintech and how these innovations are being implemented to streamline processes, increase transparency, and reduce costs across the financial services sector. Participants will be invited to be part of the conversation and discover actionable solutions and processes for their organization.
Key discussion topics will include automation, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the new digital environment.
 
Artificial Intelligence and Data Science in Trading
March 19 – 20, 2019
Metropolitan Pavilion, New York

Artificial Intelligence and Data Science in Trading is the event for senior management from hedge funds and investment banks to discover how to maximize these technological opportunities.
Participants will learn from 95 world-class speakers, from leading asset management companies, academia and technology providers. In addition to the individual speaker sessions and panel debates, the many networking opportunities will allow attendees to meet with peers and international experts.
Key topics will include risk management and regulation, quant for fundamentals, quantitative methods, the use of alternative data, artificial intelligence and technology, infrastructure and innovation.
 
Blockchain West
March 19 – 21, 2019
Anaheim Marriott, Anaheim, CA

The Blockchain West Summit and Trade Show will allow participants to explore the business of enterprise blockchain and distributed ledger technologies (DLT). Attendees will learn from those with in depth experience in applying blockchain technology to a full range of forward thinking applications in a diverse range of verticals including government, defense, energy, real estate, banking, insurance, supply chain, and much more.
 
X-Tech 2019: Financial Services and Technology Convention
April 2 – 3, 2019
Las Vegas

The X-Tech 2019 Convention, organized by the Center for Financial Professionals (CeFPro), will take place in Las Vegas, on April 2 and 3, 2019. The two-day convention will feature multiple streams, presentations, panel discussions, demo speed dating, debate forums and much more.
It will feature 500+ industry experts and will provide an educational and networking platform for participants to discover the future of financial services and the advances in innovative technology.
 
CryptoBlockCon, Los Angeles
April 3 – 4, 2019
Los Angeles, CA 

CryptoBlockCon convenes hundreds of cryptocurrency and blockchain industry participants to discuss the future benefits and possibilities of blockchain technology and crypto assets.
CryptoBlockCon’s traveling events showcase companies who are using blockchain to improve industries with increased efficiency, security, and transparency, educate current and future industry participants on blockchain technology, and ultimately serve as a platform to connect industry participants to assist in the adoption and implementation of blockchain technology.
Upcoming CryptoBlockCon events to take place in the US include Los Angeles in April 2019, New York in August 2019, Las Vegas in December 2019.
 
IEEE DAPPCON 2019
April 5 – 9, 2019
East Bay, San Francisco, California

The 2019 IEEE International Conference on Decentralized Applications and Infrastructures Blockchain (DAPPCON 2019) aims to facilitate the exchange between researchers and practitioners in the area of decentralized applications based on DLT, blockchain, and related technologies.
DAPPCON 2019 will provide a high-quality forum for participants from research and industry. The conference will discuss key theories, algorithms, infrastructures, and significant applications for decentralized applications and infrastructures, as well as emerging research topics including the token economy and blockchain applications in areas such as the Internet-of-Things (IoT), logistics, health, and more.
 
OUR TIP:
LendIt Fintech USA 2019
April 8 – 9, 2019
Moscone Center, San Francisco

LendIt Fintech USA 2019 returns to San Francisco to host one of the world’s leading event in financial services innovation at the Moscone Center. The year’s event is set to bring together 5,000+ attendees, 1,000+ bankers and 800+ investors from major fintech, blockchain, digital banking and lending companies for two action-packed days of networking, learning and doing business. Topics covered will include fintech, digital banking, blockchain and lending.
Register here and enter code FNG15% to get 15% off.
 
PAYMENTSfn 2019
April 16 – 18, 2019
Carolina Theatre, 309 W Morgan Street, Durham, NC

PAYMENTSfn is a conference built for payments professionals. Organizers designed this event so engineers, product pros and others that build and work with payments technology can learn from—and connect with—industry peers.
Participants will immerse in practical real-world sessions and learn from experts.
 
Synchronize 2019: DLT for Financial Institutions
April 17, 2019
Conrad, New York

Synchronize is a leading conference dedicated to enterprise and institutional applications of DLT, blockchain technology and smart contracts within financial services.
Delegates at Synchronize 2019 will learn the most effective ways to evaluate and deploy DLT for their business, how it fits into the existing market structure and what the business requirements of the technology actually are, the challenges that have been overcome, from roles and governance, scalability and confidentiality, to interoperability and integration, and how it fits in within larger technology trends, such as cloud, machine learning, and focus on enabling developer productivity.
New to Synchronize 2019 is the addition of a track dedicated to the institutional applications of custody, trading, and servicing cryptoassets, such as bitcoin.
 
Fintech South 2019
April 22 – 23, 2019
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

Fintech South aims to provide a platform for global exchange of insights, innovations and trends fueling tomorrow’s financial tech industry.
The event is set to attract international companies and speakers across multiple industries, and offer participants the opportunity to engage with more than 1,300 fintech executives from 450 companies generating US$72 billion in revenues and processing over 118 billion transactions annually.
 
3rd Annual Fintech and Emerging Payment Systems
April 30 – May 1, 2019
Park Lane Hotel New York, 36 Central Park S, New York

The 3rd Annual Fintech and Emerging Payments Systems conference will provide participants with key insights, proven strategies and best practices necessary to navigate the legal, compliance and technical hurdles arising from the new fintech and emerging payments world.
Attendees will get the change to be in the same room with major stakeholders in the fintech and payments systems communities, exchange information and learn how others are tackling the challenges of unprecedented growth, rapid technological advancements and current and evolving regulations.
Featured topics for 2019 include the future of banking, payments and lending, federal regulatory and compliance initiatives, the changing landscape in state money transmitter licensing requirements, consumer privacy and personal data, initial coin offerings (ICOs), and more.
 
TRANSACT 2019
April 30 – May 2, 2019
Madalay Bay, Las Vegas

TRANSACT is the one show focused solely on the business of payments technology. Powered by Electronic Transactions Association (ETA), the world’s largest payments industry trade group, TRANSACT is the place where financial institutions, networks, payments companies, fintech and technology innovators gather to make the deals that shape the industry.
This year’s event will feature extensive networking events, education and a robust exhibit hall filled with more than 200 companies.
 
FinovateSpring 2019
May 7 – 10, 2019
Hilton San Francisco Union Square, San Francisco

FinovateSpring 2019 will take place from May 7 to 10, 2019 in San Francisco. The conference agenda will include an exploration of artificial intelligence and customer service on the summit day, two demo days with 60+ financial services products, and a final day to bring everything together with a series of keynotes, panels and sessions.
 
Fintech Exchange Chicago
May 9, 2019
Venue SIX10, 610 S Michigan Ave, Chicago

Designed to highlight the latest innovations within financial markets and trading, Fintech Exchange (FTX) aims to connect leaders within our industry. Since its inception in 2015, this one-of-a-kind event brings together over 500 attendees and world-class presenters.
This year’s event will take place at Venue SIX10, 610 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605.
 
BCI Summit
May 10 – 12, 2019
New York

BCI Summit, a multi-day investment summit, will explore investment trends, opportunities and risks in global disruptive technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, quantum computing and cybersecurity.
Participants of the event will include representatives of NASA, Qualcomm Ventures, GE Ventures, Techstars, RRE Ventures, 500 Startups, Barclays, HSBC, IBM, UBS, and more.
 
Blockchain Week NYC
May 10 – 17, 2019
New York

Blockchain Week NYC is a one-week series of conferences, events, meetups and gatherings – formal and informal. Stakeholders in the industry will travel to NYC from over 100 countries to meet and collaborate in what is the de facto annual industry summit.
Blockchain Week NYC will feature a series of events, including Ethereal Summit, and Consensus.
 
The Digital Wealth Conference
May 14 – 15, 2019
The Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Digital Wealth will bring together wealth and asset managers to tackle digital transformation and emerging technologies that help better serve their high net worth clients.
Participants will get meaningful insights and use cases from some of the most innovative wealth and asset management firms, and will have the opportunity to ask their most pressing questions during interactive sessions and make valuable connections along the way.
 
COMPLY 2019: The Regtech and Compliance Conference
May 14 – 15, 2019
10 Desbrosses Street, New York

COMPLY is one of the world’s largest regtech and compliance event, bringing together the most comprehensive gathering of innovators, investors, legal and compliance professionals and regulators from across the globe.
COMPLY2019 will tackle the industry’s most pressing topics, such as insights from national, state and international regulators on fintechs, regulations, consumer protection, blockchain, AI, and more.
 
Digital Asset Summit
May 15, 2019
Cipriani, 25 Broadway, New York City

Digital Asset Summit (DAS) is a conference for institutional participants in the digital asset space. On May 15, the most influential family offices, CIOs, fund managers and regulators are set to gather in New York City to discuss developments in market infrastructure and regulatory hurdles in the crypto ecosystem.
 
Card Forum 2019
May 21 – 23, 2019
New Orleans

Card Forum is built exclusively for card and payment executives at the industry’s leading issuers, networks, retailers and innovators. The program includes cutting edge insight from the industry’s most admired and innovative institutions.
Card Forum 2019 is designed to help participants increase program performance to offset downward pressure on interchange, create loyalty campaigns that grow customer spend and engagement, and stay well ahead of technological innovation. The event aims to help industry participants prepare for the changes ahead to ensure they make the most of emerging opportunities.
 
Fintech Americas 2019
May 30 – 31, 2019
Miami Beach

The Fintech Americas Conference is the Latin Americas and the Caribbean banking industry’s premier event for C-suite leaders, covering the opportunities and challenges of disruptive technologies in the region’s financial sector.
This year’s agenda will include presentations on actionable strategies, insightful trends and cutting edge technologies to accelerate innovation and transform efforts. It will feature a roster of global thought leaders, industry titans and the innovators at the forefront of banking disruption who will share their knowledge and insights of best practices transforming the industry.
 
Tulip Conference &amp; SF Tech Week
June 3 – 7, 2019
San Francisco

Tulip Conference &amp; SF Tech Week is a two-day conference followed by three days of summits in San Francisco, this June 2019. This year’s event will tackle topics including blockchain, stablecoins, automation and more. Industry leaders will share their thoughts on emerging trends, innovative products, as well as the new tools, platforms and technologies of emerging industries.
 
2019 International Conference on Blockchain
June 25 – 30, 2019
San Diego

The 2019 International Conference on Blockchain (ICBC 2019) is organized to promote research and application innovations around the world.
The conference will cover state-of-the-art technologies and best practices of blockchain, as well as emerging standards and research topics which would define the future of blockchain. Topics covered will include blockchain platforms, blockchain and cloud computing, big data, the Internet of Things, blockchain applications in financial services, blockchain in supply chain management, and more.
 
Featured image credit: Unsplash
The post Most Anticipated Fintech Events in the US Taking Place in H1 2019 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/most-anticipated-fintech-events-in-the-us-taking-place-in-h1-2019</link><guid>1005</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/DC-Blockchain-Summit-2019.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Most Anticipated Fintech Events in the US Taking Place in H1 2019</dc:text></item><item><title>Bexio geht nach Lausanne: Bereits 20’000 Kunden in der Schweiz</title><description><![CDATA[Dank einem nochmaligen Wachstumsschub arbeiten mittlerweile über 20’000 Unternehmen mit der cloudbasierten Business-Software bexio des Schweizer Fintech Startups.
Um weiter schnell und nachhaltig zu wachsen, rückt das Team hinter bexio ihre Kunden noch stärker ins Zentrum: ob mit einem neuen Standort in der Romandie, erweitertem Support-Angebot oder einem Ideen-Portal.
Über 20’000 Unternehmen arbeiten mittlerweile mit der Business-Software bexio.
Rouven Mayer
«Ein sehr gutes Produkt allein reicht nicht aus, die persönliche Beratung ist zentral. Wir unterstützen unsere Kunden nicht nur in der Testphase, sondern selbstverständlich die ganze Zeit. Zudem arbeiten wir aktiv mit unseren über 1500 Treuhand-Partnern zusammen.»
«Trotz des enormen monatlichen Wachstums von bis zu 1000 Neukunden ist es für uns essenziell,nachhaltig zu wachsen»,
erklärt Rouven Mayer weiter.
Um näher an ihren Kunden in der Romandie zu sein, hat bexio einen Standort in Lausanne eröffnet.
Das Team hinter bexio investiert zudem noch stärker in den persönlichen Support, um Kundenanfragen «weiterhin kostenlos, schnell und kompetent zu beantworten – inzwischen sogar rund um die Uhr, sieben Tage die Woche.» Auch das kostenlose Schulungsangebot wird erweitert – ob vor Ort oder neu in Form von Online-Seminaren.
Über ein Ideen-Portal gestalten Kunden die Weiterentwicklung aktiv mit, in dem sie Wünsche direkt beim Produktmanagement platzieren können.
Bexio kann kostenlos hier getestet werden.
Featured image credit: Freepik
The post Bexio geht nach Lausanne: Bereits 20’000 Kunden in der Schweiz appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bexio-geht-nach-lausanne-bereits-20000-kunden-in-der-schweiz</link><guid>1004</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Bexio geht nach Lausanne: Bereits 20’000 Kunden in der Schweiz</dc:text></item><item><title>Bank Fricks Aims to Target Institutional Investors With Its New Subsidiary, DLT Markets</title><description><![CDATA[Having recently launched their blockchain incubator, Bank Frick seems to be deepening their foray into all things cryptocurrency and blockchain related with the launch of DLT Markets AG.
The subsidiary is looking to grant institutional investors with the ability to invest in digital assets with an automated, multi-exchange access without having to give up on the familiar regulated environment of the traditional securities business.
The EU serves as the central custodian, and Bank Frick is involved as a European representative in blockchain banking.
DLT markets utilises a software and a globally positioned platform structure to minimise risks, and to strive towards security and a smooth payments flow.
The CEO of DLT Markets is Roger Wurzel, who previously worked in Business Development at Bank Frick and experienced in trading cryptocurrencies. Before joining.
According to Roger:
Roger Wurzel
“We are creating a unique market offering for institutional investors in the area of the new digital token asset class. With our fully regulated platform, we are driving professionalism with regard to the trading of digital tokens and cryptocurrencies.”
 
 
 
The post Bank Fricks Aims to Target Institutional Investors With Its New Subsidiary, DLT Markets appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bank-fricks-aims-to-target-institutional-investors-with-its-new-subsidiary-dlt-markets</link><guid>1002</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Bank Fricks Aims to Target Institutional Investors With Its New Subsidiary, DLT Markets</dc:text></item><item><title>Allianz X Increases Fund Size to €1 Billion, Eyeing to Invest in Digital Business</title><description><![CDATA[Allianz X, the digital investment unit of the Allianz Group, announced today it has received additional investment from Allianz SE, increasing its fund size to €1 billion.
The increase is the result of Allianz X’s investment track record, successful collaborations with growth companies as well as the contribution towards the Group’s overall digital transformation strategy.
The funds will be used to make additional direct investments in digital companies globally that are strategically relevant for the Allianz Group. Allianz X becomes one of the largest European firms dedicated to digital investment by fund size, uniquely leveraging the world’s leading insurer and asset manager.
To date, Allianz X has made more than 15 direct investments in digital businesses related to insurance around the world. Notably, Allianz X invested $96.6 million in leading microinsurer BIMA that utilizes mobile technology to serve low-income customers in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Additionally, Allianz X invested $30 million in Kansas City-headquartered working capital marketplace C2FO in February 2018 and $35 million in leading Southeast Asian mobile platform Go-Jek in April 2018. Recently, Allianz X participated in N26’s Series D funding round after co-leading N26’s $160 million Series C round last year.
Iván de la Sota
“We are very pleased with the progress Allianz X has made thus far and are committed to further invest and develop the next generation of digital growth companies related to Allianz’s core business,”
said Iván de la Sota, Chief Business Transformation Officer of Allianz SE.
&#8220;Our digitalization approach is multifaceted; Allianz X is a valuable addition &#8212; not only in meeting the changing expectations of our customers.&#8221;
 
In addition to committing capital to promising tech companies, Allianz X focuses on developing strategic partnerships between the portfolio company and one or more Allianz operating entities or global business lines, leveraging expertise on both sides.
For example, Go-Jek has a partnership in place with Allianz Indonesia in which Go-Jek customers and drivers are offered Allianz insurance products and services. Similarly, Allianz Ghana issued a product in which BIMA’s customers receive digital insurance offerings underwritten by Allianz.
Furthermore, the working capital marketplace C2FO launched a single-invoice credit insurance product together with Euler Hermes. Each investment has a dedicated team that assists the company with joint corporate development initiatives and implements them alongside the Allianz business unit(s).
Nazim Cetin
“Since shifting our strategy, we have built a great portfolio in which many companies have
already developed successful partnerships with Allianz’s business units,”
says Dr. Nazim Cetin, CEO of Allianz X.
“We are very excited about raising our investment budget to €1 billion and will use the funds entrusted to us to both strengthen our portfolio and build strong, global platforms that create new businesses for Allianz.”
 
Featured image credit: Allianz.com
The post Allianz X Increases Fund Size to €1 Billion, Eyeing to Invest in Digital Business appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/allianz-x-increases-fund-size-to-1-billion-eyeing-to-invest-in-digital-business</link><guid>1000</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Allianz X Increases Fund Size to €1 Billion, Eyeing to Invest in Digital Business</dc:text></item><item><title>Re-Thinking Transactions: The 2019 European Payment Summit</title><description><![CDATA[Now in its 17th edition, The European Payment Summit (EPS) will gather key policymakers, decision
makers in the FSI, top-experts in payments and the transaction space and key stakeholders in the
Hague (25 – 26 April).
Regulation continues to play a vital role in determining the evolution of payments. New technology
and new schemes enable us to by-pass regulated models. New payments techniques require new
rules as we need to protect users (businesses and consumers). This fast-changing landscape opens
the door to instant payments, optimization of processes and logistics but also presents new security
risks.
GDPR continues to force us to rethink responsibilities and customer centric obligations. AI and IoT
have the potential to enable smarter payments and a more secure environment. In our data economy
“identity” will be crucial. Not static but in layers, de-centralised and dependent on the context of
use. EPS 2019 will discuss all key trends and developments as we secure a top program for payments
professionals to navigate the ever-changing payments ecosystem.
EPS offers a unique 2-day dual program featuring key developments in the payments/transaction
space combined with key sessions on Open Banking, the latest developments in the regulatory
landscape and advances in technology. Key topics include:

The digital transformation in payments and how FinTech is driving this agenda
The ever-changing European regulatory landscape: is regulation aligned or conflicting?
Open Banking and the continued implications of PSD2 on incumbents, opportunities for
challenger/neo banks, PSPs and tech providers
New technologies such as AI, RegTech, Blockchain, Crypto and their integration and
interoperability to address issues such as KYC, AML and ID verification
Financial inclusion: how regions such as Asia and sub-Saharan Africa are managing this
and enhancing the lives of their unbanked citizens

Next to plenary introductions, delegates can create a meaningful program in order to gain best
insights on industry developments, debate on key issues, learn best practice initiatives and look for
key trends/solutions that are really best in class and secure a profitable and meaningful addition to
the financial services industry and beyond.
Join EPS 2019  and enjoy one of Europe’s best expert meeting! Register now and get 10% off with code FINCH

Register now and get 10% off with code FINCH
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Pexels
The post Re-Thinking Transactions: The 2019 European Payment Summit appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/re-thinking-transactions-the-2019-european-payment-summit</link><guid>1001</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/europe-payment-summit-19.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Re-Thinking Transactions: The 2019 European Payment Summit</dc:text></item><item><title>Is Blockchain all Hype? A Financier and Supply Chain Professor Discuss</title><description><![CDATA[This is an article from The Conversations&#8217;s Head to Head, a series in which academics from different disciplines chew over current debates. Today Prof Arturo Bris and Prof Carlos Cordon discuss Blockchain, both are professors at IMD Business School.
Arturo Bris: Have you ever watched footage from the early 1980s of people trying to explain the internet? They’re skeptical and confused and have no idea how to say “@”, which is comical given what we now take for granted. But that’s where we are with blockchain now. People don’t believe in it because they don’t understand it.
Blockchain is a technology with two ingredients: the first is a distributed ledger, meaning a database with identical copies held by everyone in a network. There is no intermediary, no central data depository. The second is a consensus algorithm (and this is the true innovation in the technology): the ability to digitally agree on any change in the data. It is the set of decision rules by which any new entry in the database is accepted and then shared by everyone.
The consensus algorithm will be different for every blockchain – some work on a simple majority rule, some (such as Bitcoin) have a subset of members paid to fulfil that role, and others have much more complicated arrangements. The structure of the database is also particular, because it is structure as a sequence of entries (a ledger), not a deposit.
If you don’t understand blockchain, get educated, because it’s an amazing new technology that’s going to revolutionise the world. It’s going to monetise and unlock value that today is hidden. The social impact is going to be massive. It’s going to permit new avenues for human interaction that didn’t exist before.

Carlos Cordon: I’m not sure about that, Arturo. I, for instance, understand what blockchain is, but I don’t believe that it’s going to have the impact you describe.
Blockchain requires having a lot of copies of the same data. This means that you are required to multiply the data storage by, let’s say, 100 times. The same data is stored in 100 places. That might work for something as standard and simple as money: Bitcoin works, for example, because there is just one Bitcoin, not thousands of different products.
But if you think about supply chains, for example, you’re talking about thousands of products. For each product, a lot of information is required, like weight, format, expiry date, composition, etc. This means that blockchain is extremely impractical for many of the applications that its evangelists are proposing.
Amazon isn’t using blockchain. Google isn’t. In fact, none of the top digital giants are, although Amazon has said it’s happy to provide cloud storage for it. The Nobel prize-winning economist Paul Krugman has said that Bitcoin will “set the monetary system back 300 years”.
AB: Krugman also said in 2011 that the Euro would soon disappear, and look where we are today. And, with respect to Google and Amazon, that’s exactly what disruptive technologies are: they are not usually adopted by the established players, because they disrupt their own – established – business models.
And by the way, more and more companies are using blockchain for applications beyond cryptocurrencies. These include music streaming, social networking, commodities trading, property registries – the list goes on. Blockchain is a technology that guarantees full security (it cannot be hacked) because data are already shared by the members of the network, so there is nothing to hack. We are already seeing the transformation moving extremely fast, and that’s why you need to embrace it.
CC: The way blockchain works makes it secure and trustworthy, that much is true. But if we introduce blockchain into supply chains, for example, we’re firstly trying to solve a problem that isn’t there – and, secondly, we’re possibly creating further problems for ourselves.

Could blockchain really revolutionise supply chains, as some claim? Travel mania/Shutterstock.com      
This is because trust in supply chains generally isn’t an issue. Let’s imagine I’m Unilever or Procter &amp; Gamble. Am I going to try to cheat Walmart or Carrefour? No. We have a certain level of trust. We may disagree, but we don’t cheat. But with blockchain comes complete transparency. And we don’t want that. Not because we don’t trust the other partner, but because we use information to negotiate. Besides, in supply chains we’ve been working on sharing information and data for years. We don’t need new data technologies. It’s already complicated enough.
AB: I have no problem with that. If trust does not need to be formalised, there is no need for blockchain. I don’t think we will use blockchain to manufacture cookware or to design new means of transportation either. But what makes blockchain revolutionary is the transformation of physical assets into digital ones. This is known as tokenization. Cryptocurrencies, for example, are the tokenization of money, but that is only one example. You can tokenize stocks and financial assets, property, music, services – the list goes on. By replicating assets with a digital token, we can facilitate transactions without physical delivery.
CC: Then there’s the challenge of a potential mismatch between the virtual value chain and the physical value chain. You can tokenize assets, but what happens if someone changes the physical product? Blockchain couldn’t have prevented the UK horsemeat scandal, for example, where horsemeat was found in products that supposedly contained only beef.
Meanwhile, the need for storage is going to multiply by an order of magnitude as copies of all these ledgers are held by each individual in a blockchain. And the only people who are going to benefit from that are companies like Amazon, selling cloud storage.

Data storage. Oleksiy Mark/Shutterstock.com
AB: This is a fallacy. In fact, the structure of a blockchain allows us to store the whole database by storing just a small part of it. I know this is difficult to understand. In fact what happens is that, through encryption, we will be able to drastically reduce the size of the entries. Second, because of the sequential nature of the database, and since all entries are linked both to the previous and the next one, we will need to store just the last block(s) of the database.
Overall, I think that we need to think beyond the storage of data and contracts as the main uses of blockchain. Tokenization will transform our transactions. Besides, the lack of need for intermediaries will also transform organisations. We can develop a new type of organisation that is democratic, not in the sense that it doesn’t need a CEO but in the sense of a decentralised autonomous organisation that is super efficient. This is going to be the future.
By monetising assets that we currently do not monetise – such as our social capital, our fitness data, our attention to advertisers – we will add value. And that is only possible through a technology so new and complex that we’re still struggling to explain to each other how it works.
CC: OK. But so far, I have seen no evidence of blockchain being used for truly revolutionary purposes. Walmart is using it to track vegetables. I saw a headline recently: “IBM joins efforts to create the blockchain equivalent of Yellow Pages” – Yellow Pages died 20 years ago, why are they trying to resuscitate that concept? Blockchain is certainly one of the top strategic tech trends at the moment but from looking at what companies are actually doing with it, I don’t think it’s going to change the world.
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

*Authors:
Carlos Cordon
Carlos Cordon, Professor of Strategy and Supply Chain Management, IMD Business School
Professor Cordon’s areas of interest are digital value chains, supply and demand chain management, digital lean and process management.
Carlos Cordon is currently developing research and cases in the following areas: the digital journey of traditional companies, digital innovation in value chains, industry 4.0, digital lean, applications of big data in different spaces (healthcare, transportation and FMCG). He is the author of numerous articles and case studies in these fields, and over the past few years has won various prizes for his cases and articles on supply chain management, outsourcing, and process management.
Arturo Bris
Arturo Bris, Professor of Finance, IMD Business School
Arturo Bris is Professor of Finance at IMD. Since January 2014 he is also leading the world-renowned IMD World Competitiveness Center.
At IMD he directed the Advanced Strategic Management from 2009-2014. He has directed programs for senior executives in several industries and continents. Prior to joining IMD, Professor Bris was the Robert B &amp; Candice J. Haas Associate Professor of Corporate Finance at the Yale School of Management (USA). A Research Associate of the European Corporate Governance Institute, and a member of the Yale International Institute for Corporate Governance, he has worked extensively on issues of Corporate Governance, Financial Regulation, and International Valuation.
 
Featured image via Pixabay

The post Is Blockchain all Hype? A Financier and Supply Chain Professor Discuss appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/is-blockchain-all-hype-a-financier-and-supply-chain-professor-discuss</link><guid>999</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://images.theconversation.com/files/254787/original/file-20190121-100270-jk3bh0.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;amp;q=45&amp;amp;auto=format&amp;amp;w=754&amp;amp;fit=clip</dc:content ><dc:text>Is Blockchain all Hype? A Financier and Supply Chain Professor Discuss</dc:text></item><item><title>Fidor Offers a New AI-Powered Chatbot for Banks</title><description><![CDATA[Fidor is announcing its new banking chatbot, designed  in collaboration with Finn AI, an AI-powered conversational banking technology provider.
Having an embedded virtual assistant within its technology stack gives Fidor a competitive advantage. It enables their customers to benefit from a pre-integrated conversational AI with their digital banking platform.
According to the company,having the chatbot pre-integrated is part of Fidor’s strategy to accelerate the adoption of AI, Machine Learning and Robotisation in banking when relevant to the customer.
The chatbot is available on web and mobile banking platforms. It addresses general customer queries and the fast routing of complex conversations to the appropriate human for response.
Fidor claims that the chatbot has been designed to detect sophisticated language nuances with a comprehensive understanding of most user requests. It incorporates deep machine learning and natural language processing so it can continually optimise and refine its performance every time it interacts with a customer, providing a truly personalised experience.
Next, the chatbot will assist with transactional services.
Matthias Kröner, Founder &amp; CEO of Fidor, commented:
Matthias Kröner
“Fidor was first to create deep customer engagement with consumers before they even become customers through our community! The expansion of our platform today reinforces our strong belief in chatbots as a new way to interact with customers. AI and machine learning are opening up a whole new world creating real bot/customer discussion that continuously improve.
As customer expectations are constantly evolving, it’s crucial for banks to stay ahead of the digital curve and adopt technology processes that respond to customer needs. I am glad that banks that are powered by fidorOS will have a ready to use chatbot that also benefit from the learnings of our own bank. With today’s integration of AI and machine-learning services on the fidorOS platform, we’re building on our already cutting-edge technology infrastructure and improving user-experiences, for all of our customers.”
Jake Tyler, CEO of Finn AI, added:
Jake Tyler
“Finn AI is proud to collaborate with Fidor Solutions and all banks that are powered by fidorOS. Our conversational AI platform is designed exclusively for banks. By working closely with financial institutions around the world, Finn AI has been able to build an impressive and proprietary platform that will perfectly serve Fidor Solutions customers. Our partnership with Fidor reflects our mutual commitment to continually innovate within the financial sector.”
 
 
Featured image credit: Freepik
The post Fidor Offers a New AI-Powered Chatbot for Banks appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fidor-offers-a-new-ai-powered-chatbot-for-banks</link><guid>997</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fidor Offers a New AI-Powered Chatbot for Banks</dc:text></item><item><title>Switzerland’s Booming Fintech Startup Industry in 2019</title><description><![CDATA[Famous for its banking sector and ranked the most innovative country in the world by the Global Innovation Index , Switzerland has been leading transformative developments emerging from the digitalization of its banking and financial sector. Even the Swiss Board of Advisors name now digitization as the most important topic. 
An estimated 10% of all European fintech businesses are now based in Switzerland, mainly in the city of Zurich.
According to the IFZ Fintech Study 2018, 2017 was the year that the Swiss fintech industry matured, with the sector becoming widely acknowledged as an important innovation driver and startups penetrating the financial system on different levels.
There were 220 fintech companies in Switzerland by the end of 2017, with 32 new companies being incorporated throughout the year. Two segments in particular have been witnessing significant growth: crypto and blockchain, and investment management.
Click here to know more
A booming crypto industry
With over a hundred companies, the crypto and blockchain industry is Switzerland’s most developed fintech segment with ventures tackling multiple topics from cryptocurrencies and crypto-assets, to asset management and decentralized applications.
                                                                   Click here to know more
The willingness of political decision-makers to maintain and enhance Switzerland’s attractiveness for new technologies and companies, and the government’s desire to promote a sustainable crypto and blockchain economy, have largely contributed to the expansion of the Swiss blockchain sector.
The Federal Council issued a report in December 2018, providing a legal framework for blockchain, stating that Switzerland’s existing rules are well suited to dealing with such new technologies but there is still a need for some amendments.
According to the IFZ Fintech Study 2018, more than half of the new fintech ventures incorporated in Switzerland in 2017 operated in the blockchain and crypto space. The majority of these companies were founded in Zug, also known as Crypto Valley for the high concentration of blockchain startups located in the municipality.
Some of the hottest crypto and blockchain startups in Switzerland right now include Bitcoin Suisse, a company providing private and institutional clients with a wide-range of crypto-related services such as brokerage, crypto-assets storage, bespoke ICO services, and other crypto-financial services, Crypto Finance (Top Funded), which offers blockchain-related services through three subsidiaries: Crypto Fund, Crypto Broker and Crypto Storage, Melonport, a startup building the Melon Protocol, a decentralized asset management protocol which allows anyone to set up, manage and/or invest in an investment fund of digital assets, and Proxeus, a company providing a tool that enables the creation of blockchain applications that can be integrated into existing systems.

                                                                                        Click here to know more
Investing and asset management
Second to blockchain and crypto is the investing and asset management field, unsurprisingly. With over 75 companies, it is the second most crowded fintech segment in Switzerland.
These companies, also called wealthtechs, offer an alternative to traditional wealth management firms, providing customers with technology-enabled tools including full-service brokerage alternatives, automated and semi-automated robo-advisors, self-service investment platforms, asset class specific marketplaces, and tools to keep up with the changing dynamics in wealth management.
Three new wealthtech companies were incorporated in Switzerland in 2017: GlaDIS, a company providing a technology software to build robo-advisory structures, VIAC, which offers a digital pensions solution, and Vision&amp;, which offer qualified investors the opportunity to allocate funds to crypto assets.
Besides these new markets entries, there are multiple fintech companies in the field of investment management and wealth in Switzerland including Selma, a robo-advisor serving as a “personal assistant,” Simplewealth, an automated investment management service, and True Wealth, an online management platform.
 
Click here to read more
Other Swiss fintech startups to keep an eye on
After wealthtech, crowdfunding is another top fintech segment in Switzerland. Companies and platforms in the field include Cashare, CreditGate24, Lend and Crowd4Cash, which provide loans for both private persons and companies, Splendit, which focuses solely on student loans, Creditworld, Swisspeers, and Lendico (in cooperation with PostFinance), which focus exclusively on small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) loans, Loanboox, a peer-to-peer (P2P) debt financing platform for public sector borrowers, and Instimatch, a P2P lending platform for institutional lenders and borrowers.
Other noteworthy startups in Switzerland include Amnis Treasury Services, which provides services in the fields of international payments, treasury and risk management, Apiax, a regtech startup, Monito, a comparison website for international money transfer services, NetGuardians (top funded), a cybersecurity startup, Neon, a provider of digital accounts, PriceHubble, a proptech company, Parashift, an artificial intelligence (AI) based accounting document management platform, and Yapeal, an upcoming neo-back.
 
Check out our selection of Switzerland’s hottest 19 Fintech Startups here.

The post Switzerland&#8217;s Booming Fintech Startup Industry in 2019 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/switzerlands-booming-fintech-startup-industry-in-2019</link><guid>996</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Swiss-FinTech-Startup-Map-February-2019-1024x733.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Switzerland’s Booming Fintech Startup Industry in 2019</dc:text></item><item><title>FSB Report: Fintech Developments and Potential Financial Stability Implications</title><description><![CDATA[The Financial Stability Board (FSB) published a report on FinTech and market structure in financial services.
The publication is part of the FSB’s ongoing work to monitor FinTech market developments and their potential implications for financial stability. The FSB defines FinTech as technology-enabled innovation in financial services that could result in new business models, applications, processes or products with an associated material effect on the provision of financial services.
Technological innovation holds great promise for the provision of financial services, with the potential to increase market access, the range of product offerings, and convenience while also lowering costs to clients. At the same time, new entrants into the financial services space, including FinTech firms and large, established technology companies (‘BigTech’), could materially alter the universe of financial services providers.
Greater competition and diversity in lending, payments, insurance, trading, and other areas of financial services can create a more efficient and resilient financial system. However, heightened competition could also put pressure on financial institutions’ profitability and this could lead to additional risk taking among incumbents in order to maintain margins. Moreover, there could be new implications for financial stability from BigTech in finance and greater third-party dependencies, e.g. in cloud computing services.
Some key considerations from the FSB’s analysis of the link between technological innovation and market structure are the following:

To date, the relationship between incumbent financial institutions and FinTech firms appears to be largely complementary and cooperative in nature.
The competitive impact of BigTech may be greater than that of FinTech firms. BigTech firms typically have large, established customer networks and enjoy name recognition and trust.
Reliance by financial institutions on third-party data service providers (e.g. data provision, cloud storage and analytics, and physical connectivity) for core operations is estimated to be low at present. However, this warrants ongoing attention from authorities.

 
Featured image credit: Unsplash
The post FSB Report: Fintech Developments and Potential Financial Stability Implications appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fsb-report-fintech-developments-and-potential-financial-stability-implications</link><guid>994</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>FSB Report: Fintech Developments and Potential Financial Stability Implications</dc:text></item><item><title>Kryptowährungen am Post-Schalter Kaufen</title><description><![CDATA[Ab dem 15. Februar 2019 bietet die Liechtensteinische Post AG den Wechsel von Kryptowährungen am Schalter an. In einer ersten Phase wird der Wechsel in Bitcoin am Schalter der Postfiliale in Vaduz möglich sein.
Auf der Suche nach neuen Geschäftsmöglichkeiten hat sich die Liechtensteinische Post AG entschieden, neu den Wechsel von Kryptowährungen in ihren Postfilialen anzubieten. Grundsätzlich unterscheidet sich dabei nichts vom herkömmlichen Geldwechselgeschäft, das schon seit jeher ein Teil des Dienstleistungsangebots der Post ist.
Zusammen mit der Firma Värdex Suisse AG konnte ein kompetenter Partner gefunden werden, um das innovative Geschäftsmodell aufzubauen. Der Kunde erhält in diesem Zwei-Parteien-Geschäft nach der Durchführung des Wechselgeschäfts ein physisches Kryptowallet ausgehändigt, welches ihm mittels Public- und Private-Key die Aktivierung des Kryptogelds im Netz ermöglicht.
Nach einer Einführungsphase wird das Angebot auf weitere Postfilialen ausgedehnt und um den Wechsel von weiteren Kryptowährungen erweitert. Dann wird es auch möglich sein neben Bitcoin (BTC) auch Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH) und Ripple (XRP) zu wechseln. Die Firma Värdex Suisse AG aus Zug wurde Ende 2017 von der Bitcoin Suisse AG in eine eigenständige Gesellschaft ausgegliedert, um der steigenden Nachfrage an POS Lösungen gerecht zu werden.
Die Värdex Suisse AG ist der grösste Blockchain Payment Service Provider für die Entwicklung und den Betrieb von Enterprise POS Blockchain Lösungen in der Schweiz und ist Mitglied im Verein zur Qualitätssicherung von Finanzdienstleistungen (VQF) und Teil der Crypto Valley Zug Community.
 
Featured image credit: https://www.post.li
The post Kryptowährungen am Post-Schalter Kaufen appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/kryptowahrungen-am-post-schalter-kaufen</link><guid>995</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Kryptowährungen am Post-Schalter Kaufen</dc:text></item><item><title>Who Will Win the Swiss Fintech Startup Award 2019? – 5 Free Tickets for our Readers</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss Fintech Awards 2019 has just released a series of videos featuring the 10 selected hopefuls competing in two categories: the Early Stage Startup of the Year and the Growth-Stage Startup of the Year—in which the startups talk about their mission, and make a case for why they should win the trophy.
These startups were considered the cream of the crop among the over 70 startups that applied this year, as chosen by a jury of influential partner organizations and fintech experts.
The winners of last year&#8217;s awards you can find here.
Win Free Tickets
To catch the 2019 winners in real life, we are giving away 5 exclusive tickets that would grant you free entry to the awards ceremony and the Fintech 2019 Beyond Banking conference; both happening on the 14 March 2019 at The Dolder Grand.
Email us at editorial@fintechnews.ch until 23 February and make a case (max 2 sentences) for why you deserve a free-ride, and we will give out tickets to the best 5 answers. Good luck!
Top 5 Swiss Growth Fintech Startups
ABC Platform:
“Infrastructure and Market Network to tokenize Natural Resources”



Crypto Finance AG:
“Your Gateway to the crypto world.”



Payrexx:
“All-in-one platform for online payments”



Shift Cryptosecurity:
“Swiss made hardware to securely generate, store and use cryptographic keys”



Sonect:
“Converting shops or individuals into “Virtual ATM” – reducing cost of cash”



Top 5 Swiss Early Stage Fintech Startups
Apiax
“We build powerful tools to master complex financial regulations digitally”



Neon Switzerland
“Mobile banking in Switzerland: free | fast, cheap &amp; independent”



Orion Vault AG
“Platform for digital fine art investment and donations”



Traxia
“A decentralized solution to improve SMEs short-term cash flow problems.”



Yova AG
“Sustainable, socially responsible investments that don’t sacrifice returns.”



The post Who Will Win the Swiss Fintech Startup Award 2019? &#8211; 5 Free Tickets for our Readers appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/who-will-win-the-swiss-fintech-startup-award-2019-5-free-tickets-for-our-readers</link><guid>992</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Who Will Win the Swiss Fintech Startup Award 2019? – 5 Free Tickets for our Readers</dc:text></item><item><title>Swift Offers now Global Know Your Customer Platform to Corporates</title><description><![CDATA[SWIFT announces that it is to open its Know Your Customer platform, the KYC Registry, to corporates.
In a first step, from Q4 2019, all 2,000 SWIFT-connected corporate groups will be able to join The KYC Registry, and use it to upload, maintain and share their KYC information with their banks.
Enabling corporates to join The KYC Registry will be transformational both for multi-banked corporates and for their banks, who already benefit from access to the 5,100 bank strong registry and can see the huge advantage of adding corporates.
Major corporations use a range of banks in different jurisdictions around the world, with whom they need to exchange information to enable KYC checks. Data is held in different places and is often incomplete or out of date, making the process time consuming for both corporates and their banks.
The absence of uniformity, differing jurisdictional requirements and the lack of standardised data across the corporate KYC space increases these inefficiencies further. The KYC Registry is an online portal for financial institutions to exchange institutional KYC Due Diligence information.
The platform allows banks to share KYC data and documents with their correspondents in a secure, standardised and controlled way, as well to get access to their correspondents’ complete and validated KYC profiles, resulting in efficiency and cost savings in KYC processes.



The introduction of corporates will enable corporates to upload standard information to The KYC Registry as well as to exchange other KYC-relevant documents that are requested by their banks, thereby ensuring the highest level of usability of the platform. Banks will benefit by having access to corporates’ information through the same central repository they use for their correspondent KYC checks, thereby enabling efficient data sharing through a secure central utility, eliminating duplication and inefficiency.
 
Featured image credit: SWIFT, Taken at SOFA in midtown Manhattan
The post Swift Offers now Global Know Your Customer Platform to Corporates appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swift-offers-now-global-know-your-customer-platform-to-corporates</link><guid>989</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/KYC-Registry-1024x664.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Swift Offers now Global Know Your Customer Platform to Corporates</dc:text></item><item><title>Swift Now Offers Global Know Your Customer Platform to Corporates</title><description><![CDATA[SWIFT announced that it will be opening its Know Your Customer platform, the KYC Registry, to corporates.
In a first step, from Q4 2019, all 2,000 SWIFT-connected corporate groups will be able to join The KYC Registry, and use it to upload, maintain and share their KYC information with their banks.
Enabling corporates to join The KYC Registry will be transformational both for multi-banked corporates and for their banks, who already benefit from access to the 5,100 bank strong registry and can see the huge advantage of adding corporates.
Major corporations use a range of banks in different jurisdictions around the world, with whom they need to exchange information to enable KYC checks. Data is held in different places and is often incomplete or out of date, making the process time consuming for both corporates and their banks.
The absence of uniformity, differing jurisdictional requirements and the lack of standardised data across the corporate KYC space increases these inefficiencies further. The KYC Registry is an online portal for financial institutions to exchange institutional KYC Due Diligence information.
The platform allows banks to share KYC data and documents with their correspondents in a secure, standardised and controlled way, as well to get access to their correspondents’ complete and validated KYC profiles, resulting in efficiency and cost savings in KYC processes.



The introduction of corporates will enable corporates to upload standard information to The KYC Registry as well as to exchange other KYC-relevant documents that are requested by their banks, thereby ensuring the highest level of usability of the platform. Banks will benefit by having access to corporates’ information through the same central repository they use for their correspondent KYC checks, thereby enabling efficient data sharing through a secure central utility, eliminating duplication and inefficiency.
 
Featured image credit: SWIFT, Taken at SOFA in midtown Manhattan
The post Swift Now Offers Global Know Your Customer Platform to Corporates appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swift-now-offers-global-know-your-customer-platform-to-corporates</link><guid>991</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swift Now Offers Global Know Your Customer Platform to Corporates</dc:text></item><item><title>Avaloq Manager wird COO von MoneyPark</title><description><![CDATA[Der unabhängige Hypothekenvermittler MoneyPark hat Michael Rogenmoser als COO &amp; Head of Business Development gewonnen.
Rogenmoser kommt von Avaloq, dem schweizerischen Pionier für Bankensoftware, wo er mehrere Jahre lang die Länderverantwortung für die Schweiz und Liechtenstein innehatte. Mit dem erfolgreichen Vertriebsmanager und Investmentbanker stärkt MoneyPark per 1. April seine Geschäftsleitung und unterstreicht einmal mehr seine forcierte Wachstumsstrategie.
Michael Rogenmoser ist ein ausgewiesener Finanzspezialist und Top-Vertriebsmanager, der den Ausbau der Marktposition von Avaloq in der Schweiz und Liechtenstein massgeblich vorantrieb. Zuvor war Rogenmoser Junior Partner bei McKinsey und leitete zahlreiche strategische Beratungsprojekte mit starkem Fokus auf der europäischen Finanzdienstleistungsbranche und deren Digitalisierung. Weitere Stationen bildeten die UBS und MilleniumAssociates, wo er als Managing Director im M&amp;A-Team tätig war.
Stefan A. Heitmann
«Mit Michael Rogenmoser engagieren wir einen hervorragenden und breit vernetzten Kenner der Digitalisierung des Bankgeschäftes»,
erklärt Dr. Stefan Heitmann, Gründer und CEO von MoneyPark.
«Wir sind überzeugt, mit Michaels Know-how in der technisch unterstützten Vertriebswelt des Bankings einen Kollegen in der Geschäftsleitung willkommen zu heissen, mit dem wir unsere Wachstumsstrategie in den kommenden Jahren noch erfolgreicher vorantreiben werden.»
 
Michael Rogenmoser
«Kunden wollen heute echten Mehrwert von ihrem Finanzpartner. Zeitgleich öffnen sich die Finanzsysteme der digitalen Welt, um agiler zu werden und Innovation mehr Raum zu geben. MoneyPark hat beides sehr früh erkannt und in eine beeindruckende Erfolgsstory umgemünzt»,
erklärt Rogenmoser seinen Schritt.
«Ich bin überzeugt, dass das Potenzial des Geschäftsmodells von MoneyPark mit der konsequenten Ausrichtung auf eine hybride Vertriebswelt äusserst vielversprechend ist».
 
 
Featured image credit: MoneyPark
The post Avaloq Manager wird COO von MoneyPark appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/avaloq-manager-wird-coo-von-moneypark</link><guid>990</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Avaloq Manager wird COO von MoneyPark</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Startup Map February: 9 “New” Swiss Fintech Join</title><description><![CDATA[Swisscom just released the new Swiss Fintech Startup Map. The Swiss Fintech map counts now 316 Startups.
9 new Swiss Fintech Startups joined the map:

Acatis
ACATIS Investment Kapitalverwaltungsgesellschaft mbH is an independent boutique asset manager that specializes in value investing. The company was established in 1994 in Frankfurt/Main. Today, ACATIS manages several global and regional investment funds and mandates, including equity, balanced and bond strategies. Four of the funds also pursue a sustainability strategy.
&#8220;So far Fintechnews could not find out what is connected here with Fintech?&#8221;

ABC Platform

A decentralized, token-based, participant-owned market network ensuring open access to Earth&#8217;s resources with Asset-Based Cryptocurrencies (ABCs)

AgAu.io
AgAu: The Peer-to-Peer, Electronic Money System backed by Ag(Silver) and Au(Gold).
“In the spirit of the initial Blockchain community we want to create a true alternative to fiat and crypto-fiat currencies ”
Our mission is to “Create an open and ethical, fair and reliable  Electronic, peer to peer money system based on Gold and Silver”

Alvalor
Alvalor is a blockchain ecosystem built on the idea of natural selection. Rather than offering a singular platform, many blockchains can compete and cooperate.

Bitc
BITC is the largest Bitcoin ATM network in Switzerland. Founded in 2014, the Tavannes-based company gives anyone the ability to buy and sell bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies with Swiss Francs and Euro at physical kiosks (BTM) located around the country.

ECOFIN
Ecofin offers advice for institutional and private clients- mainly pension funds, discerning private investors and family offices, trusts and grant-making foundations – on aspects of investment management.
&#8220;So far Fintechnews could not find out what is connected here with Fintech?&#8221;

LEVA

Leva is a blockchain based investment platform for private markets. We leverage the technology of distributed ledgers to make off-chain assets accessible to everybody. Our two-sided platform is a central hub for the funding of, investing in, and trading of formerly illiquid private assets.

NEXO
Nexo &#8211; The World&#8217;s First Instant Crypto-backed Loans. Powered by Credissimo &#8211; A Leading European FinTech Group for over 10 years.

Pintail

Pintail is the newest wallet that is both connected to your loved ones and the everyday life of your community

 

The post Swiss Fintech Startup Map February: 9 &#8220;New&#8221; Swiss Fintech Join appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-startup-map-february-9-new-swiss-fintech-join</link><guid>988</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Swiss-FinTech-Startup-Map-February.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Startup Map February: 9 “New” Swiss Fintech Join</dc:text></item><item><title>Baloise Invests in London Insurtech Startup</title><description><![CDATA[Through Anthemis Baloise Strategic Ventures, Baloise is investing in Stable, a London-based startup.
Stable has created an index insurance product for food and farming businesses around the world that automatically reimburses lost income caused by volatile prices. There are 500 million farmers worldwide and price volatility is one of the biggest problems they face. Agricultural commodities are often volatile, both on the demand and on the supply side, but current financial tools that could help are often complex, expensive and risky for smaller businesses.
Stable’s data science platform enables the company to democratise access to ‘hedging’ for businesses of every sector and every size. The scalable platform is already working with 50 commodity indices that range from coffee to cow’s milk and in over 10 countries. In contrast to traditional insurance, the highly automated index-based solution means the business owner can get a quote in less than 2 minutes and any claims due are paid in less than 48 hours.
With an insurance policy from Stable, farmers and food manufacturers can insure a defined amount of a product over a defined period for a specified price. For example, a farmer chooses a policy that protects 100 tonnes of wheat from March to November 2019 from an average price falling below £150/t. If the average index price for the agreed period is below the agreed value of £150, the farmer receives an automatic payout. If the market price is above the originally agreed price, there is no payout.
The investment in Stable is a further investment by Baloise via Anthemis Baloise Strategic Ventures. The Baloise Group entered into an investment partnership with the investment and consulting firm Anthemis Group in 2017. Baloise is making CHF 50 million available for investing in European and US-based start-ups that have the potential to advance Baloise’s digital development.
 
Featured image credit: Unsplash
The post Baloise Invests in London Insurtech Startup appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/baloise-invests-in-london-insurtech-startup</link><guid>986</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Baloise Invests in London Insurtech Startup</dc:text></item><item><title>Bitcoin Kaufen – in Österreich nun auf der Post möglich via Automat</title><description><![CDATA[Kryptowährungen kommen immer mehr im Alltag der österreichischen Bevölkerung an.
Das aktuellste Beispiel für diese Entwicklung ist die Kooperation des marktältesten Betreibers von Bitcoin-Automaten in Österreich, der Kurant GmbH, und der Österreichischen Post. Die beiden Unternehmen starteten Anfang 2019 ein Pilotprojekt, das es Postkunden möglich macht, in zunächst drei Filialen Bitcoin-Automaten vorzufinden.
Diese Automaten sollen es jedem Interessierten möglich machen, über eine leicht bedienbare Oberfläche Bitcoin sowie andere Kryptowährungen sicher und seriös zu kaufen und zu
verkaufen.
Stefan Grill
„Die Kooperation mit der Österreichischen Post ist nicht nur ein grosser unternehmerischer Schritt für uns, sondern auch ein Zeichen für das Vertrauen in die Seriosität der Kurant GmbH, sowie in die Zukunft von Kryptowährungen“,
kommentiert Stefan Grill, CEO der Kurant GmbH, die neue Zusammenarbeit. Insbesondere die bereits etablierte Verlässlichkeit der beiden Unternehmen stellt einen Vorteil für die Kunden dar. Die Kooperation stellt die sichere und seriöse Abwicklung der Transaktionen sicher und damit auch eine größtmögliche Zufriedenheit der Käufer und Verkäufer.
Die Kurant GmbH entstand 2017 als Ausgliederung der im Jahr 2014 gestarteten Automaten- Aktivitäten der Coinfinity GmbH und hat ihren Hauptsitz in Wien. Kurant betreibt Bitcoin-Automaten, die es den Kunden ermöglichen, Kryptowährungen zu kaufen oder auch zu verkaufen. Damit wird angeboten, dass jeder Interessent komfortabel und schnell am Kryptowährungsmarkt teilnehmen kann, ohne umfangreiche Vorkenntnisse zu besitzen. Zu den Versprechen des Unternehmens gehören neben uneingeschränkter Seriosität und Transparenz auch ein telefonisch erreichbarer und speziell geschulter Kundenservice.

„Mit der Kurant GmbH zusammenzuarbeiten hatte für unser Unternehmen zweierlei Gründe. Zum einen war es uns ausgesprochen wichtig, einen Partner zu finden, der schon lange erfolgreich am Markt etabliert ist. Zum anderen ist bei einem solch innovativen Thema wichtig, jemanden an seiner Seite zu wissen, der bei seinen bisherigen Kunden als seriös und glaubwürdig gilt.“,
erklärt Stefan Nemeth, Leitung Produktmanagement Filialen und Produktmanagement SB, über die Motivation der Österreichischen Post, mit der Kurant GmbH zusammenzuarbeiten.
The post Bitcoin Kaufen &#8211; in Österreich nun auf der Post möglich via Automat appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bitcoin-kaufen-in-osterreich-nun-auf-der-post-moglich-via-automat</link><guid>984</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Kurant-Automat-Postfiliale.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Bitcoin Kaufen – in Österreich nun auf der Post möglich via Automat</dc:text></item><item><title>Redalpine Backs Carvolution</title><description><![CDATA[With its fully digital car subscription service, Carvolution reshapes car ownership and access, focusing on flexibility and convenience. The round was led by Redalpine and joined by renowned Swiss business angels.
Out of Bannwil, Switzerland, Carvolution is redesigning mobility and thus challenging traditional concepts such as car purchase and leasing. Similar to what other industries have experienced before, the demand for convenience and flexibility also leads the mobility industry away from traditional ownership towards mobility as a service.
Carvolution Team in their HQ garage in Bannwil, Switzerland
Carvolution’s customers simply select their car online, have it delivered to their doorstep and pay a fixed monthly price that includes all costs except refueling. Their digitally-powered one-stop shop streamlines everything from insurance to maintenance: saving customers time and money while enabling efficiencies for all connected parties.
Carvolution is a pioneer in this growing market.
Peter Niederhauser
&#8220;We are convinced that after the music industry, telecommunications and other sectors, the automotive market is ready for a business model that replaces traditional car purchase or leasing,&#8221;
says Peter Niederhauser, founding partner of Redalpine.
Carvolution was founded in 2018. The team around the founders Léa Miggiano, Adrian Boss, Christian Räber, Luis Wittwer and Bernhard Drüner currently counts eleven employees.
We are very excited to empower Carvolution’s mission and are looking forward to working with the team to bring the car flat rate to the mass market.
 
Featured image credit: Carvolution Facebook Page
The post Redalpine Backs Carvolution appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/redalpine-backs-carvolution</link><guid>985</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Carvolution-Team-in-their-HQ-garage-in-Bannwil-Switzerland.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Redalpine Backs Carvolution</dc:text></item><item><title>vlot will die Lebensversicherung in der Schweiz revolotunieren</title><description><![CDATA[Das Zürcher InsurTech Start-up vlot geht neue Wege bei den Lebensversicherungen und vereinfacht den Zugang zum Schweizer Vorsorgesystem.
Vlot verfolgt einen ganzheitlichen Ansatz und berücksichtigt bereits bestehende Risiko-Leistungen (für Tod und Invalidität) aus der 1., 2. und der 3. Säule. Verträge lassen sich dynamisch anpassen, sobald sich die Lebenssituation der versicherten Person massgeblich ändert. Dazu betreibt vlot eine verständliche und einfach zu bedienende Online-Plattform. Die Verträge und die Leistungen laufen über die elipsLife AG, eine Tochter der Swiss Re Gruppe.
Mit vlot werden Lebensversicherungen verständlich, individuell und dynamisch. Über eine Online Plattform kann die eigene Vorsorgesituation anschaulich, kostenlos und anonym analysiert werden. Vlot berechnet dabei, welche Leistungen aus der 1., 2. und, falls vorhanden, aus der 3. Säule einer Person und ihrer Familie bei Tod oder Invalidität zustehen.
Vlot zeigt mögliche Lücken auf und unterbreitet massgeschneiderte Absicherungs-Vorschläge, die der betroffenen Person oder deren Hinterbliebenen den Erhalt eines bestimmten Lebensstandards ermöglichen. Einmal abgeschlossene Lebensversicherungen lassen sich ferner flexibel anpassen, sobald sich die Lebensumstände ändern.
Ganzheitlich und dynamisch
Vlot berechnet die Prämien für Lebensversicherungen individuell und dynamisch, d.h. entsprechend der jeweiligen Lebenssituation: Wer jung ist zahlt weniger Prämie (u.a. geringeres Sterbe- / Invaliditätsrisiko) und wer etwas älter ist braucht weniger Deckung (u.a. grössere Absicherung aus AHV und der beruflichen Vorsorge). Die sonst über eine längere Vertragsdauer starren Prämien entfallen. Zudem verzichtet vlot auf die in der Branche üblichen Vertriebsprovisionen.
Mit vlot werden Lebensversicherungen auch für jüngere Menschen und junge Familien attraktiv. Die Plattform ist jetzt für Privatkunden in der Schweiz online.
The post vlot will die Lebensversicherung in der Schweiz revolotunieren appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/vlot-will-die-lebensversicherung-in-der-schweiz-revolotunieren</link><guid>983</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/vlot.png</dc:content ><dc:text>vlot will die Lebensversicherung in der Schweiz revolotunieren</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Fair 2019: Die Schweizer Fintech-Messe findet im September in Zürich statt</title><description><![CDATA[Die SWISS FINTECH FAIR wird am 17. September 2019 in den Hallen des Kraftwerks im Zentrum von Zürich stattfinden.
Initiator und Ausrichter der Messe ist Swiss Finance Startups, die Interessenvertretung der Fintech-Startups in der Schweiz.
Nach einem erfolgreichen Auftakt im letzten Jahr wird die diesjährige Messe noch grösser und authentischer. Christina Kehl, Managing Director von Swiss Finance Startups erklärt:
Christina Kehl
“Im letzten Jahr waren wir überwältigt ob des grossen Interesses an der Messe und Ausstellerfläche, sodass wir am Ende leider viele Anfragen nicht mehr annehmen konnten. In enger Abstimmung mit unseren Mitgliedern haben wir das Messe-Konzept weiterentwickelt, sodass man sagen kann, die diesjährige Messe kommt direkt aus dem Herzen der Schweizer Fintech-Szene. Als Non-Profit-Organisation sind wir zudem vorrangig inhaltlich und nicht kommerziell ausgerichtet, was unser Publikum sehr zu schätzen weiss.”
Mit Zürich Tourismus hat Swiss Finance Startups einen engagierten Partner gefunden, um die Swiss Fintech Fair 2019 auf das nächste Level zu bringen. Erfahrene Eventprofis stehen der Startup-Vereinigung zur Seite und durch eine enge Zusammenarbeit soll die Fintech-Messe ein voller Erfolg für die Startup- und Fintech-Szene wie auch den Standort Zürich werden.
Vanessa Reis
Vanessa Reis, Relationship Manager Zürich Tourismus:
“Zürich und die Finanzbranche gehören untrennbar zusammen und gerade Fintech ist eine tragende Säule unseres Finanzplatzes geworden. Mit der Swiss Fintech Fair haben wir die einmalige Chance, Zürich im Eventkalender der internationalen Fintech-Industrie zu verankern.”
Direkt nach Live-Schaltung der Website sind bereits die ersten Buchungen für die Swiss Fintech Fair 2019 eingegangen. Neben Fintech-Startups sind auch etablierte Banken, Versicherungsgesellschaften und andere innovative Finance- sowie Tech-Unternehmen eingeladen sich der interessierten Öffentlichkeit zu präsentieren und das Programm der Fintech-Messe aktiv mitzugestalten.
The post Swiss Fintech Fair 2019: Die Schweizer Fintech-Messe findet im September in Zürich statt appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-fair-2019-die-schweizer-fintech-messe-findet-im-september-in-zurich-statt</link><guid>982</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Fair 2019: Die Schweizer Fintech-Messe findet im September in Zürich statt</dc:text></item><item><title>24 Fintech Events in London to Attend in 2019</title><description><![CDATA[London is Europe’s leading fintech hub, home to some of the world’s hottest fintech companies including TransferWise, Revolut and Funding Circle.
The city’s emergence as a world fintech pioneer was supported by its position as a global financial center, world-class technology hub and a strong desire from the government to develop a thriving fintech industry.
Today, some of Europe’s biggest fintech events are being held in London. The following 24 events are amongst the most anticipated fintech conferences that will take place in London in 2019:
 
London Blockchain Week 2019
February 8, 2019 – February 14, 2019

London Blockchain Week is a blockchain festival of multiple events promising to bring together 3,000 participants. For 2019, London Blockchain Week will kickoff with the Blockchain Hackathon followed by a two-day conference/expo. The main conference will be held at the Grange Tower Bridge in the heart of London. The event will also feature have evening receptions and workshops.
 
FinovateEurope 2019
February 12, 2019 – February 14, 2019
Wapping Ln, St Katharine&#8217;s &amp; Wapping

FinovateEurope returns to London in February 2019, bringing the targeted fintech insight and focused networking needed.
Finovate’s unique demo format puts the latest fintech innovation on stage, showing participants the transformative solutions being built. Across the first two days, 65+ innovative fintech companies will have just seven minutes to demo their latest solutions live (no slides or video allowed).
Participants will also hear expert insights on the latest regional trends and macro issues affecting fintech.
 
1st Middle East Fintech Investor Summit in the City of London
February 13, 2019, 8:00 – 18:10
City Law Firm in the City of London, LONDON EC2

The 1st Middle East Fintech Investor Summit in the City of London is set to bring the Middle Eastern investors and practitioners in the fintech arena to create, develop collaborations, joint ventures, partnerships and most importantly raise funding.
The event aims to shine a light on the financial services industry, examining why and how firms across the globe, from both the Middle Eastern and conventional finance industries, can and should collaborate with fintech organizations to drive their own evolution in the years to come, and to secure their future role and position in the fast-evolving financial services ecosystem.
 
Fintech Funding at the Business Funding Show 2019
February 21, 2019, 10:00 – 20:00
East Wintergarden, Bank Street

Fintech Funding, part of the Business Funding Show 2019, is primarily aimed at fintech startups and entrepreneurs seeking funding. These will get to exhibit among top UK funders and fast-growing fintech businesses, pitch their businesses from the main stage to selected panel of investors, discuss their businesses with pre-vetted and most relevant investors in 121 settings, and benefit from a number of pre- and post-event marketing and media opportunities we secured for you.
The Business Funding Show is a 70,000 strong network of entrepreneurs and funders recognized for bringing top quality audience of key decision makers and leading industry experts representing funding and growth support organizations. At the event, participants will get to attend funders expo, learn from notable speakers who are industry leaders, and discuss their businesses with the best-fit funders within 1-to-1 Investment Clinics.
 
Global Business Banking Summit 2019 – UK Edition
February 27, 2019, 8:30 – 18:00
etc.venues Fenchurch Street, 8 Fenchurch Place

The Global Business Banking Summit, organized by RFi Group, promises to bring together the best thought leaders across the business banking industry including bankers, fintechs, regulators and business owners themselves to examine the latest insights and case studies in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and business banking innovation.
The event will feature presentations, panel discussions and workshops crafted around the most important topics, as decided by the business banking community. Key themes to be covered include virtual marketplaces, e-commerce, payments, open banking and PSD2, and more.
 
Fintech and Financial Inclusion – Opportunities and innovation
February 27, 2019, 18:00 – 21:00
Cannon Street, London

The Fintech and Financial Inclusion – Opportunities and Innovation event will discuss how untapped markets like Africa can be reached and how newcomers and innovators can begin to think way early in the development of their digital products to serve the people and businesses currently without access to financial services.
 
IFT Summit 2019
March 6, 2019, 8:30 – 12:30
Pewterers’ Hall London

The IFT Summit 2019 will bring together business leaders from insurance, finance and tech, providing a platform for collaboration amongst a variety of industry leaders to build the foundations of a new ecosystem in the space. This event will look at the emerging opportunities created by new ecosystems and in the developing global markets.
Ecosystems will account for 30% of global revenues by 2025 and this event aims to provide an essential platform for collaboration around topics of shared interest, as well as nurture and develop relationships in the space.
 
After the Bell: 2 Panels: Blockchain as the Foundation of Finance &amp; Stablecoin – An Investor’s Perspective
March 12, 2019, 17:30 – 20:30
Rise London, 41 Luke Street

This After the Bell event will feature two panels about blockchain technology and cryptocurrency. The first panel, called Blockchain as the Foundation of Finance, will explore the role of blockchain as a disruptor in global markets, as well as the impact of blockchain on payments, lending and peer-to-peer (P2P) lending.
The second panel, called Stablecoin – An Investor’s Perspective, will explain what stablecoins and security tokens are and how they are differentiated from other digital currencies, regulatory issues as well as liquidity issues related to these tokens.
The event is set to gather investors, banks, investment firms, venture capital firms, hedge funds, insurance traders, cryptocurrency firms and exchanges, as well as regulators.
 
AltFi London Summit 2019
March 18, 2019, 8:30 – 17:30
etc. venues, 155 Bishopsgate

The AltFi London Summit, is a well established conference for fintech and alternative finance insiders, is returning for its sixth iteration at etc.venues.
The event will showcase the best of the UK&#8217;s digital banking, online lending and digital wealth sectors through a series of uniquely in-depth discussions and presentations. Open banking will be in full flight, just over a year on from its launch, and will be a central theme at the event.
 
Insurtech Insights Europe 2019
March 19, 2019 – March 20, 2019
Royal Lancaster

Insurtech Insights is a global ecosystem aiming to connect industry leaders and decision makers with innovative startups who are challenging the insurance market, in order to create mutual business opportunities and accelerate growth.
The event is set to bring together attendees from established insurtech companies, C-level executives from leading insurance carriers, reinsurers, investors and innovating startup businesses.
 
London Fintech Conference 2019
March 20, 2019, 12:30 – 18:00
University College London – Logan Hall, London, 20 Bedford Way, Bloomsbury

The London Fintech Conference is back again this year with bold new ideas, high profile speakers and a bigger venue. The event will be taking place on March 20, 2019 at University College London and will have key players in the fintech space coming to discuss the latest trends in the industry ranging from the hottest new startups to the fastest growing unicorns disrupting the industry, to key policymakers and investors.
This conference will not only allow attendees to hear from these professionals, but also to connect with and build relationships with potential mentors, investors, clients, developers, as well as hundreds of students, budding young entrepreneurs and technologists.
Last year, the London Fintech Conference brought together more than 500 of the brightest minds from all across Europe and top executives from companies such as Revolut, Coinbase and OakNorth.
 
RBI Digital Banking Conference EU 2019
April 1, 2019 – April 3, 2019

The RBI Digital Banking Conference EU is a leading digital banking conference and exhibition in Europe. The event is back this year on April 1 – 3 in London.
In 2018, RBI EU brought together 41 banks from 20 countries and 297 delegates.  With the continued focus of banks on digital transformation, driven by open banking and PSD2, it is set to experience significant growth in 2019, creating an invaluable platform to also advertise our partners.
Register now and get 10% off with the code FSG10.
 
Crypto Capital World 2019
April 3, 2019, 8:00 – April 4, 2019, 15:00
Warren Weir at Luton Hoo

Crypto Capital World 2019, an exclusive event in London with hand-picked high profile speakers, will focus on building an open industry dialogue between the major stakeholders including high level government officials, the most important existing industry players, and the layer of the most promising fintech disruptors.
From compliance to opportunities, the event will cover some of the most important issues in the crypto space right now. It will include an exclusive networking session over gold playing, as well as representative discussions on future regulatory trends and fintech innovation.
 
Fintech Design Summit 2019
April 12, 2019, 9:00 – 17:30
Cavendish Conference Center, 22 Duchess Mews, Marylebone

After last year’s success, the 2nd annual Fintech Design Summit will take place on Friday April 12, 2019. The summit promises to be a full day of thought-provoking discussions providing participants with valuable insights and will discuss the rapidly transforming landscape of financial services.
This year, the Fintech Design Summit will be a one track event, with ten speakers and two panel discussions all in the main auditorium. The summit will focus on fintech design, UX, product and strategy. It is targeted exclusively at senior product and design professionals, as well as business and fintech startup leaders.
 
London Tech Conference
April 18, 2019, 8:00 – 17:00

The A Tech Alliance London Tech Conference will bring together leaders to share thought leadership, insights, predictions, and more. The agenda will include keynotes, panel discussions, and workshops where attendees from a variety of backgrounds will discuss the current issues, opportunities, and predictions for the future within multiple tech sectors.
Topics to be covered include fintech innovation, the future of banking, robo-banking, payments, blocktech and blockchain, cryptocurrency, compliance, regtech, wealthtech, insurtech, autonomous and self-driving tech, and startup strategies.
The conference will bring together leading brands, in-house teams, professionals and individuals working with technology from around the globe.
 
Lemon.Connect Fintech Conference
Apr 23, 2019, 8:30 – April 26, 2019, 18:30
NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator, 5th Floor, Regents House, 40-42 Islington High Street

Lemon Advisors UK will hold Lemon.Connect, a four-day fintech event on April 23 – 26, 2019 that promises to bring 100 fintech companies from over 13 countries to London.
The program will provide the visiting fintech companies with an opportunity to meet investors, raise funds and meet with potential customers and partners. They’ll also have a chance to explore additional opportunities in the UK through meetings with Tech Nation officials for talent visas, Global Entrepreneurship Programme , DIT officials as well as senior officials from UK government, in addition to a host of representatives from the banking and financial sector.
Partners of Lemon.Connect include Natwest Accelerator, techUK, BDO LLP, London &amp; Partners, Barclays RISE Accelerator, and WeWork.
 
IFGS 2019
April 29, 2019 – April 30, 2019
Guildhall, Gresham St

Now in its 5th year, the annual Innovate Finance Global Summit (IFGS) will once again take over London and the historic Guildhall for two days on April 29 and 30, 2019.
IFGS will convene the global fintech community to the fintech capital of the world: the UK. By showcasing the very best of industry and the global and cross-sector nature of financial innovation, it will be the definitive event for fintech in 2019. IFGS will feature an exhibition space and new networking areas providing participants with more opportunities to spend quality time with the people and businesses they want to engage with.
 
UK Fintech Week 2019
April 29, 2019 – May 3, 2019

UK Fintech Week (UKFW) will launch across the country from April 29 to May 3, 2019. The week-long series of events will showcase the UK as an epicenter of innovation. By taking a think-tank and collaborative approach, the events will explore, debate and solve some of the most important issues of our time; sharing insights, fostering collaboration, and celebrating the UK’s position as a global capital of fintech.
Topics will include: UK post Brexit, AI, blockchain and DLT, cybersecurity, financial inclusion, investment, insurtech, regtech, talent, big data, fintech and the buy side and regional investment.
UKFW partners include HM Treasury, Innovate Finance, The Department for International Trade, the Financial Conduct Authority, the London Stock Exchange, London &amp; Partners and The City of London.
 
Fintech World Forum 2019
May 21, 2019, 9:00 – May 22, 2019, 17:30
The Great Hall Kensington Conference and Events Centre, Hornton St, Kensington

Fintech World Congress and Banking Summit Forum 2019 (Fintech Conference) is set to be one of the leading fintech events in Europe this year, targeted at professionals in the global financial services and finance and banking technology industry.
The event will focus on mobile payments, lending, insurance, blockchain, bitcoin, money, crypto, digital innovation, wallet, pensions, funds, payment, technology, wealth management, and more.
Fintech World Forum 2019 will feature keynotes and presentations delivered by representatives of the likes of MasterCard, ING Bank, Microsoft, IBM, Citi Bank, Oracle, Credit Suisse and more.
 
Fin-k Tank Seminar | Boring Money
May 2, 2019, 13:00 – 19:00
Aviva Saint Helen’s, 1 Undershaft

Delving into all things fintech, this year’s event will include speakers from both inside and outside of the financial industry.
Providing insight and inspiration on how technology can be successfully deployed to disrupt analogue industries, our core theme this year will be ‘Advice’.
Boring Money’s 2019 half day Fin-k Tank seminar will be hosted at Aviva’s London HQ on May 2, 2019, and will cover digital financial advising, how tech can be used to enhance strategies, propositions and customers services in financial services, and more.
 
Silicon Roundabout: The Future of Regtech
May 3, 2019, 14:00 – 21:00

Silicon Roundabout: The Future of Regtech will feature regtech solutions showcases, startup pitches and presentations covering the future of regtech, data governance, blockchain, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and more.
Participants will get the opportunity to network with 30+ top software developers, meet five of the most disruptive startups in the field, connect with leading corporates and stay up to date with the most recent technology developments.
Silicon Roundabout is the biggest tech community in Europe. The online hub enables the best of UK and European startups to showcase their products, connect, and find support.
 
Blockchain World Forum – London
November 21, 2019, 8:00 – November 22, 2019, 18:00

Blockchain World Forum will explore the opportunities and challenges associated with blockchain. The event aims to create an interactive platform for the leading technologists, entrepreneurs, regulators, investors, academics and financial institutions in the emerging blockchain industry.
Presented in a series of top-level keynotes, interactive panel discussions and solution-based case studies with a focus on learning and building partnerships in the emerging blockchain space, Blockchain World Forum will explore the industries that are set to be disrupted the most by this new technology, including legal sectors, financial services, insurance, energy, music, government, real estate and more.
The event will also feature an exhibition and blockchain awards ceremonies.
 
Fintech Connect
December 3, 2019 – December 4, 2019
ExCeL London

Fintech Connect is the leading event which large teams from major banks, insurers, capital market firms and investors attend to assess and make informed buying decisions on the latest innovations that are changing the face of the sector.
Playing host to 6 strategic conference sessions with inspirational case studies from around the world, an interactive exhibition of 200 fintechs, the renowned Start Up Launch Pad with a tech demo theater at its heart, over 50 product demos, and 10 strategic workshops tackling typical fast growth challenges, Fintech Connect promises to be the “must have ticket” for stakeholders from across the full fintech ecosystem.
 
INCORME – IV Conference
December 5, 2019, 9:30 AM – December 6, 2019, 20:00
London, Brunel Campus

The INCORME – IV Conference will explore the disruptive technologies’ landscape and their role into business dynamics. Participants will get to exchange and discover how strategic decision making and changes work whilst consolidating disruptors and disruptions, as well as learn from and debate with CEOs about future of business dynamics amid these new technology waves.
The event will cover topics including artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing, digitization, fintech, virtual reality, blockchain, big data, cloud computing, and more.
The post 24 Fintech Events in London to Attend in 2019 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/24-fintech-events-in-london-to-attend-in-2019</link><guid>981</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/London-Blockchain-Week-2019-1024x404.png</dc:content ><dc:text>24 Fintech Events in London to Attend in 2019</dc:text></item><item><title>Zurich Based Fintech Bags CHF 120 Mio in Series A Funding Round</title><description><![CDATA[Zurich based Fintech Tradeplus24 has completed their Series A financing round, raising over CHF 120m in a mix of equity and debt, lead by SIX Fintech Ventures, Berliner Volksbank Ventures (BVBV) and Credit Suisse via its investment vehicle “Credit Suisse Entrepreneur Capital Ltd“.
Tradeplus24, a B2B structured lender that provides working capital facilities to SMEs and Mid Cap companies has diversified its investor pool further by adding two prominent large financial institutions to complement its existing key investor Credit Suisse.
SIX Fintech Ventures, BVBV supported by Redstone, Credit Suisse Entrepreneur Capital Ltd and several well- known angel investors participated in the Series A, further bolstered by increased debt facilities from both Credit Suisse and Ruvercap to support the growth plans. The transaction counsel was Alex Nikitine, Walder Wyss, who has supported TP24 since inception.
Launched in late 2016 and exclusively partnered with Credit Suisse and one Switzerland’s largest insurance advisor Kessler &amp; Co AG (Marsh Network), Tradeplus24 specializes in supporting SMEs &amp; Mid-Market companies with their working capital financing needs by providing an innovative worldwide receivable backed lending solutions that makes raising funds simpler and more cost effective.
The solution is part of Credit Suisse’s product portfolio for SME clients in Switzerland who are looking for flexibility when it comes to open receivables. Client feedback has been very positive.
Ben James
“Adding SIX and Berliner Volksbank to our investor family is a truly great step for TP24, this additional growth capital will allow us to double down on our commitment to the Swiss market and also start our global expansion plan. We are also very pleased that both Credit Suisse and Ruvercap will provide additional debt capital to support this growth”
Ben James (CEO, Tradeplus24)
 
 
Featured image credit: Tradeplus24
The post Zurich Based Fintech Bags CHF 120 Mio in Series A Funding Round appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/zurich-based-fintech-bags-chf-120-mio-in-series-a-funding-round</link><guid>979</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Zurich Based Fintech Bags CHF 120 Mio in Series A Funding Round</dc:text></item><item><title>What Happened to Fintech News Switzerland’s Previous Pick of Hottest Fintech Startups?</title><description><![CDATA[In mid 2016, after sifting through copious amounts of reports, studies and our own internal evaluations we&#8217;ve come up with a definitive list of the 30 hottest fintech startups in Switzerland. (an updated list for 2019 is also available here)
2 years laters, we thought it&#8217;d be an interesting experiment to see what has happened to them and how accurate our pick were.
Here&#8217;s what they&#8217;ve been up to :
Crowdhouse

Founded in 2015, Crowdhouse is a real estate crowdfunding platform operated by Bricks &amp; Bytes that aims to democratize real estate ownership and investment. The platform allows individuals to acquire shares of rental buildings and had processed around CHF 20 million worth of transactions, as of December 2018.
Crowdhouse has been reportedly considering an initial public offering (IPO).
 
Go Beyond

Founded in 2008, Go Beyond provides a platform that lets novice and experienced investors support startups passionate about making a difference. Go Beyond currently focuses on the Swiss and EU markets, with experience in the US.
Go Beyond curates connections between likeminded investors and highly-vetted entrepreneurs at the forefront of innovation with the talent, drive and determination to succeed. It also offers educational training modules for angel investors in 11 categories.
 
CreditGate24

CreditGate24 provides an automated platform connecting borrowers with private and institutional investors and offering an efficient and scalable settlement of loans.
The startup has reminded rather quiet lately, the last updates being in 2017 with the appointment of new CEO and CFO Stefan Benkert. Former CEO and founder Christoph Muller was transitioned to a role focused on strategic issues and internationalization. In November 2017, CreditGate24 began operating in Germany.
 
Splendit

Splendit is a crowdfunding platform connecting students and private investors, providing students with access to a quick and fair to finance their education.
In June 2017, the startup partnered with blockchain startup Lykke. Thanks to the deal with Lykke, Splendit has been able to finance foreign students by sending them their loans via the Lykke Wallet. At the time, the company said it had seen a growth rate of 200% from a year earlier.
 
Investiere

Investiere is an early-stage and equity gap financier operated by Verve Capital Partners. The platform offers private and institutional investors direct and professional access to startup investments. With over 70 investments, Investiere is one of the most active startup investors in Switzerland.
Investiere launched in October 2018 a new traineeship program allowing young talents to obtain a 360° view on venture capital, corporate innovation and entrepreneurship. Over the course of one year, trainees work for a leading venture capital firm, a disruptive startup and in the innovation unit of an industry-leading large corporation.
 
DealMarket

DealMarket is an online platform for private equity buyers, sellers, and advisors. DealMarket’s offering includes a global marketplace for fundraising and deal sourcing, a browser-based deal flow management and deal exchange tool helping professional investors, investment clubs and associations to receive, store, manage and syndicate their proprietary deal flow more efficiently and secure, and an affordable access to industry‐leading third‐party Due Diligence Services &amp; M&amp;A Databases on demand.
DealMarket was acquired in 2017 by Droom.
 
Ethereum Switzerland

Ethereum Switzerland operates a decentralized platform that runs applications without any possibility of downtime, censorship, fraud, and third party interference. The company offers Ethereum Wallet, a gateway to decentralized applications on the Ethereum blockchain that allows users to hold and secure ether and other crypto-assets built on Ethereum, as well as write, deploy, and use smart contracts.
Ethereum is one of the world’s most successful blockchain project. The team has been working on the impending Constantinople update.
 
Monetas
Monetas, a startup founded in 2012 specializing in blockchain payments, shut its doors and was put into liquidation proceeds in late 2017 after spending the CHF 10 million ploughed in by investors and running out of liquidity.
In April 2018, Swissinfo.ch reported that the troubled Swiss startup had found a new mystery buyer after a proposed buyout by American investment group Artillery One collapsed in February.
 
Xapo

Xapo is a Bitcoin security startup that has built a network of underground vaults on five continents, including one in a decommissioned Swiss military bunker. Two Xapo clients said the company houses roughly US$10 billion of Bitcoin, or more “deposits” than 98% of the roughly 5,679 banks in the US, according to a May 2018 report by Bloomberg.
Xapo is backed by billionaire investors including LinkedIn Corp. co-founder Reid Hoffman and former Wall Street trader Mike Novogratz.
 
iProtus

iProtus is a blockchain specialist helping clients implement new business models leveraing the technology. iProtus also acts as a blockchain competence center in domains like cryptocurrencies, healthcare, smart contracts, automotive, M2M, the Internet-of-Things (IoT), marketing and customer care, and more.
iProtus has remained rather quite lately but appears to still be operating.
 
Metaco

Metaco is a blockchain startup that develops and markets smart contract trading solutions helping banks and financial institutions, including national banks, capitalize on the latest blockchain technologies and systems.
The company launched SILO in January 2018, a solution that allows banks to take safe custody of their clients’ cryptocurrency assets. In April, it secured an undisclosed investment with new shareholders. Later this year, a new cryptocurrency platform developed by Metaco in partnership with Avaloq and Gazprombank Switzerland is due to go live.
 
Safe Swiss Cloud

Safe Swiss Cloud is a cloud infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) pioneer, providing computing power (CPU, RAM, data storage), object storage and managed services. The company offers white label and branded services.
Safe Swiss Cloud has remained quiet in the past years, the last update being in late 2017 when Swiss IT services company Everyware acquired a controlling stake in Safe Swiss Cloud.
 
Qumram
Qumram, a startup that had developed a technology enabling every digital interaction – web, social and mobile – to be recorded and replayed, at any time, was acquired in 2017 by Dynatrace, a digital performance management provider.
Qumram’s technology and intellectual property were integrated into Dynatrace, expanding the firm’s digital experience capabilities. Dynatrace specializes in software intelligence and offers an all-in-one platform that allows enterprises to know the performance of applications, the underlying infrastructure and the experience of users.
 
SecureSafe

SecureSafe is an award-winning online storage solution for companies and individuals. The cloud safe simplifies online file sharing and protects documents and passwords, offering a level of security comparable to a Swiss bank.
SecureSafe released a revised version of its desktop application in October 2018 that includes a security feature enabling users to encrypt locally stored data for synchronization purposes.
 
Run My Accounts

Run My Accounts is an online accounting platform. Using state-of-the-art technologies, the company offers clients a simple process to keep their accounts: scan receipts and initiate payment in e-banking the next day. The online accounting system provides customers with up-to-the-minute insight.
Run My Accounts appointed Jean-Jacques Suter, former head for Switzerland of the British developer of accounting software Sage, as its new chairman in August 2018.
 
Sentifi

Sentifi is a crowd intelligence platform for financial markets which uses artificial intelligence (AI) and big data to make crowd intelligence accessible to investors and analyze it. The platform evaluates more than 14 million influencers then links to events which affect wealth assets globally.
Sentifi won prominent Swiss banker Walter Berchtold as an advisor in May 2018. The former boss of Credit Suisse’s private bank and CEO of troubled Falcon Private Bank until last year is responsible for supporting the growth strategy of Sentifi, which has offices in Zurich, London, Mumbai and Ho Chi Minh City.
 
Onedot

Onedot, formerly Wealthport, specializes in data integration, transformation and categorization, commonly known as data preparation activities. Initially focused on financial services and wealth management, Onedot today has a strategic focus on e-commerce, retail and online marketplaces.
The company rebranded in 2017 and introduced a new visual identity.
 
Wefox Group

Wefox Group, formerly FinanceFox, is the insurtech group that owns Wefox, a digital insurance marketplace, and ONE, Europe’s first fully digital insurer. Wefox Group began operating in Switzerland in September 2015, in Germany in October 2015 and in Austria in March 2017.
The company entered the micro small and medium-sized (SME) businesses market in late 2018 through a collaboration with Marsh, a global leader in insurance broking and innovative risk management solutions. In August 2018, it launched in Italy by partnering with Mansutti, a local family-run brokerage company.
 
Knip

Knip is a digital insurance broker and the developer of the Knip app, a mobile insurance manager. The platform allows customers to monitor and manage all of their insurance policies, from over 100 providers, in one app, using machine learning to identify gaps and provide on-demand products that meet consumers’ individual insurance needs.
Knip was acquired by Digital Insurance Group in June 2017 for an undisclosed amount. Knip merged with Netherlands-based comparison software provider Komparu.
 
InvestGlass

InvestGlass offers a white-labeled, client and prospect management platform for bankers, wealth managers and advisors. The platform is designed to facilitate more efficient prospecting and onboarding of new clients, as well as the management relationships with existing clients. Components include a content management system, CRM, and client portal.
The company has recently signed up to Salesforce Accelerate’s accelerator program.
 
Fundbase

Fundbase specializes in alternative investment technology offering a behavior-based approach to sourcing top alternative investment funds through its community of active managers and qualified investors. The company’s flagship product, Alpha, is specially geared towards automating the alternative investments selection process.
In 2017, the company launched Fundbase Mobile, an application for qualified investors to source alternative investment products. Fundbase was one of the finalists of the Benzinga Global Fintech Awards for the Best Alternative Investments Platform category in May 2018.
 
True Wealth

True Wealth provides an online wealth management platform that is easy to use and offers investors full transparency. True Wealth is an independent asset manager and a member of the Swiss Association of Asset Managers (SAAM).
The company inked several partnerships in 2018 including with Contovista, a startup specializing in “data-driven banking” and Finnova, a software provider in the Swiss financial industry.
 
Advanon

Advanon is an invoice financing platform in Switzerland and Germany offering a simple and flexible way for businesses to get invoices financed by numerous investors.
Advanon founded the AdvaSpace coworking hub in February 2018  Zurich-Altstetten, inviting like-minded companies to join the space. In August 2018, the company announced that it had been hit by a million-dollar fraud scheme where a Swiss trading firm sold fake invoices worth CHF 2.4 million to investors on Advanon&#8217;s platform. As many as 78 investors had been hit by the scheme.
 
MoneyPark

MoneyPark, a financial intermediary, provides financial advisory services for mortgages and investments. It offers technology-based advisory platform for financial products specializing in the independent brokerage of mortgages and pension products, as well as asset management.
Helvetia Insurance acquired over 70% of the shares of MoneyPark in December 2016. In July 2017, the Swiss mortgage broker took over rival DL Conseils en financement immobilier.
 
Amnis Treasury Services

Amnis Treasury Services specializes in international payments, currency exchange, risk management and related advice for SMEs. The company provides an electronic platform that gives SMEs access to fair terms for currency exchange and foreign currency payments.
In December 2018, Amnis Treasury Services began offering its white-label platform to banks, and partnered with Futurae Technologies to offer users of the Amnis platform a new, secure, and user-friendly login process.
 
Lykke

Lykke is a blockchain startup developing a global marketplace for the free exchange of financial assets. The company operates the Lykke Wallet, a mobile app that allows users to trade currencies and cryptocurrencies, and Lykke Trade, a web application allowing users to trade on the Lykke Exchange.
In November 2018, Lykke launched the Lykke Crypto Index (LyCI), which tracks the biggest crypto projects by market capitalization in a single consolidated and continually re-balanced weighted bundle, and announced a partnership with Dutch securities exchange platform to launch a tokenized securities exchange.
 
Monito

Monito, formerly TawiPay, is a comparison website for international money transfer services. The platform compares and reviews more than 350 money transfer operators to help users find the best options.
Monito raised US$2.5 million in a Series A funding round in December 2018 which it planned to use to extend its international audience and hire new software engineers, designers and digital marketing. The company recently won several awards including the Best Swiss Startup 2018 – Prix Strategis, and the Best Swiss Fintech Pitch 2017 – Venture Leaders Fintech, New York.
 
CashSentinel

CashSentinel has developed an innovative payment solution, which sits at the crossroads of escrow agents and mobile wallets, to facilitate vehicle transactions.
CashSentinel is available in most of Europe and Switzerland, both for private and professional customers, and works primarily with clients and partners of the e-commerce, banking, payment and insurance industries. The platform now facilitates hundreds of transactions worth millions of euros every month.
 
Paymit
Paymit, a mobile payments service by SIX, UBS, Zürcher Kantonalbank and Swisscom partner network, was launched in May 2015, initially enabling peer-to-peer (P2P) payments before being extended to cover a number of retail solutions. Paymit merged with Twint in 2016.
 
Twint
 

Twint is a digital wallet service launched in 2014 by PostFinance, the banking arm of the Swiss post office. The service is backed by Switzerland’s biggest banks and SIX.
Twint has become very familiar with the Swiss and the word-creation of “twinting” is the most obvious sign of this trend. Swiss skiing ace Beat Feuz acts as ambassador for the Swiss payment solution and has an important role to play in making Twint popular. In December 2018, Worldline completed the acquisition of 20% of Twint.
 
Contovista

Contovista provides a white-label software and data analytics services allowing financial institutions to optimize their digital banking experience and gain actionable customer insights.
In 2018, Contovista inked partnerships with Finnova and True Wealth. The startup began expanding overseas in 2017, hiring Gerrit Sindermann, a fintech expert who previously worked for Swisscom, to help it launch its products abroad.
 
Qontis

Qontis is an online personal finance management (PFM) platform, providing users with the ability to document and organize data from all instances of private income and expenditures. The service is part of a commercial enterprise between the Neue Zürcher Zeitung media property and e-banking solutions provider Crealogix.
Qontis has remained quiet since 2016 when it helped Hypothekarbank Lenzburg develop a mobile financial management tool.
 
Numbrs Personal Finance

Numbrs Personal Finance, formerly Centralway Numbrs, is a fintech company offering a mobile banking app that aggregates bank account and credit card information and facilitates mobile banking and personal financial planning.
Last year, Numbrs Personal Finance raised US$27 million and inked a distribution deal with Axa Germany.
The post What Happened to Fintech News Switzerland&#8217;s Previous Pick of Hottest Fintech Startups? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/what-happened-to-fintech-news-switzerlands-previous-pick-of-hottest-fintech-startups</link><guid>977</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/TOP-30-Swiss-Fintech-startups.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>What Happened to Fintech News Switzerland’s Previous Pick of Hottest Fintech Startups?</dc:text></item><item><title>What Happened to Fintech Switzerland’s Previous Pick of Hottest Fintech Startups?</title><description><![CDATA[In mid 2016, after sifting through copious amounts of reports, studies and our own internal evaluations we&#8217;ve come up with a definitive list of the 30 hottest fintech startups in Switzerland.
(an updated list for 2019 is also available here)
2 years laters, We thought it&#8217;d be an interesting experiment to see what has happened to them and how accurate our picks were.
Here&#8217;s what they&#8217;ve been up to :
Crowdhouse

Founded in 2015, Crowdhouse is a real estate crowdfunding platform operated by Bricks &amp; Bytes that aims to democratize real estate ownership and investment. The platform allows individuals to acquire shares of rental buildings and had processed around CHF 20 million worth of transactions, as of December 2018.
Crowdhouse has been reportedly considering an initial public offering (IPO).
 
Go Beyond

Founded in 2008, Go Beyond provides a platform that lets novice and experienced investors support startups passionate about making a difference. Go Beyond currently focuses on the Swiss and EU markets, with experience in the US.
Go Beyond curates connections between likeminded investors and highly-vetted entrepreneurs at the forefront of innovation with the talent, drive and determination to succeed. It also offers educational training modules for angel investors in 11 categories.
 
CreditGate24

CreditGate24 provides an automated platform connecting borrowers with private and institutional investors and offering an efficient and scalable settlement of loans.
The startup has reminded rather quiet lately, the last updates being in 2017 with the appointment of new CEO and CFO Stefan Benkert. Former CEO and founder Christoph Muller was transitioned to a role focused on strategic issues and internationalization. In November 2017, CreditGate24 began operating in Germany.
 
Splendit

Splendit is a crowdfunding platform connecting students and private investors, providing students with access to a quick and fair to finance their education.
In June 2017, the startup partnered with blockchain startup Lykke. Thanks to the deal with Lykke, Splendit has been able to finance foreign students by sending them their loans via the Lykke Wallet. At the time, the company said it had seen a growth rate of 200% from a year earlier.
 
Investiere

Investiere is an early-stage and equity gap financier operated by Verve Capital Partners. The platform offers private and institutional investors direct and professional access to startup investments. With over 70 investments, Investiere is one of the most active startup investors in Switzerland.
Investiere launched in October 2018 a new traineeship program allowing young talents to obtain a 360° view on venture capital, corporate innovation and entrepreneurship. Over the course of one year, trainees work for a leading venture capital firm, a disruptive startup and in the innovation unit of an industry-leading large corporation.
 
DealMarket

DealMarket is an online platform for private equity buyers, sellers, and advisors. DealMarket’s offering includes a global marketplace for fundraising and deal sourcing, a browser-based deal flow management and deal exchange tool helping professional investors, investment clubs and associations to receive, store, manage and syndicate their proprietary deal flow more efficiently and secure, and an affordable access to industry‐leading third‐party Due Diligence Services &amp; M&amp;A Databases on demand.
DealMarket was acquired in 2017 by Droom.
 
Ethereum Switzerland

Ethereum Switzerland operates a decentralized platform that runs applications without any possibility of downtime, censorship, fraud, and third party interference. The company offers Ethereum Wallet, a gateway to decentralized applications on the Ethereum blockchain that allows users to hold and secure ether and other crypto-assets built on Ethereum, as well as write, deploy, and use smart contracts.
Ethereum is one of the world’s most successful blockchain project. The team has been working on the impending Constantinople update.
 
Monetas
Monetas, a startup founded in 2012 specializing in blockchain payments, shut its doors and was put into liquidation proceeds in late 2017 after spending the CHF 10 million ploughed in by investors and running out of liquidity.
In April 2018, Swissinfo.ch reported that the troubled Swiss startup had found a new mystery buyer after a proposed buyout by American investment group Artillery One collapsed in February.
 
Xapo

Xapo is a Bitcoin security startup that has built a network of underground vaults on five continents, including one in a decommissioned Swiss military bunker. Two Xapo clients said the company houses roughly US$10 billion of Bitcoin, or more “deposits” than 98% of the roughly 5,679 banks in the US, according to a May 2018 report by Bloomberg.
Xapo is backed by billionaire investors including LinkedIn Corp. co-founder Reid Hoffman and former Wall Street trader Mike Novogratz.
 
iProtus

iProtus is a blockchain specialist helping clients implement new business models leveraing the technology. iProtus also acts as a blockchain competence center in domains like cryptocurrencies, healthcare, smart contracts, automotive, M2M, the Internet-of-Things (IoT), marketing and customer care, and more.
iProtus has remained rather quite lately but appears to still be operating.
 
Metaco

Metaco is a blockchain startup that develops and markets smart contract trading solutions helping banks and financial institutions, including national banks, capitalize on the latest blockchain technologies and systems.
The company launched SILO in January 2018, a solution that allows banks to take safe custody of their clients’ cryptocurrency assets. In April, it secured an undisclosed investment with new shareholders. Later this year, a new cryptocurrency platform developed by Metaco in partnership with Avaloq and Gazprombank Switzerland is due to go live.
 
Safe Swiss Cloud

Safe Swiss Cloud is a cloud infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) pioneer, providing computing power (CPU, RAM, data storage), object storage and managed services. The company offers white label and branded services.
Safe Swiss Cloud has remained quiet in the past years, the last update being in late 2017 when Swiss IT services company Everyware acquired a controlling stake in Safe Swiss Cloud.
 
Qumram
Qumram, a startup that had developed a technology enabling every digital interaction – web, social and mobile – to be recorded and replayed, at any time, was acquired in 2017 by Dynatrace, a digital performance management provider.
Qumram’s technology and intellectual property were integrated into Dynatrace, expanding the firm’s digital experience capabilities. Dynatrace specializes in software intelligence and offers an all-in-one platform that allows enterprises to know the performance of applications, the underlying infrastructure and the experience of users.
 
SecureSafe

SecureSafe is an award-winning online storage solution for companies and individuals. The cloud safe simplifies online file sharing and protects documents and passwords, offering a level of security comparable to a Swiss bank.
SecureSafe released a revised version of its desktop application in October 2018 that includes a security feature enabling users to encrypt locally stored data for synchronization purposes.
 
Run My Accounts

Run My Accounts is an online accounting platform. Using state-of-the-art technologies, the company offers clients a simple process to keep their accounts: scan receipts and initiate payment in e-banking the next day. The online accounting system provides customers with up-to-the-minute insight.
Run My Accounts appointed Jean-Jacques Suter, former head for Switzerland of the British developer of accounting software Sage, as its new chairman in August 2018.
 
Sentifi

Sentifi is a crowd intelligence platform for financial markets which uses artificial intelligence (AI) and big data to make crowd intelligence accessible to investors and analyze it. The platform evaluates more than 14 million influencers then links to events which affect wealth assets globally.
Sentifi won prominent Swiss banker Walter Berchtold as an advisor in May 2018. The former boss of Credit Suisse’s private bank and CEO of troubled Falcon Private Bank until last year is responsible for supporting the growth strategy of Sentifi, which has offices in Zurich, London, Mumbai and Ho Chi Minh City.
 
Onedot

Onedot, formerly Wealthport, specializes in data integration, transformation and categorization, commonly known as data preparation activities. Initially focused on financial services and wealth management, Onedot today has a strategic focus on e-commerce, retail and online marketplaces.
The company rebranded in 2017 and introduced a new visual identity.
 
Wefox Group

Wefox Group, formerly FinanceFox, is the insurtech group that owns Wefox, a digital insurance marketplace, and ONE, Europe’s first fully digital insurer. Wefox Group began operating in Switzerland in September 2015, in Germany in October 2015 and in Austria in March 2017.
The company entered the micro small and medium-sized (SME) businesses market in late 2018 through a collaboration with Marsh, a global leader in insurance broking and innovative risk management solutions. In August 2018, it launched in Italy by partnering with Mansutti, a local family-run brokerage company.
 
Knip

Knip is a digital insurance broker and the developer of the Knip app, a mobile insurance manager. The platform allows customers to monitor and manage all of their insurance policies, from over 100 providers, in one app, using machine learning to identify gaps and provide on-demand products that meet consumers’ individual insurance needs.
Knip was acquired by Digital Insurance Group in June 2017 for an undisclosed amount. Knip merged with Netherlands-based comparison software provider Komparu.
 
InvestGlass

InvestGlass offers a white-labeled, client and prospect management platform for bankers, wealth managers and advisors. The platform is designed to facilitate more efficient prospecting and onboarding of new clients, as well as the management relationships with existing clients. Components include a content management system, CRM, and client portal.
The company has recently signed up to Salesforce Accelerate’s accelerator program.
 
Fundbase

Fundbase specializes in alternative investment technology offering a behavior-based approach to sourcing top alternative investment funds through its community of active managers and qualified investors. The company’s flagship product, Alpha, is specially geared towards automating the alternative investments selection process.
In 2017, the company launched Fundbase Mobile, an application for qualified investors to source alternative investment products. Fundbase was one of the finalists of the Benzinga Global Fintech Awards for the Best Alternative Investments Platform category in May 2018.
 
True Wealth

True Wealth provides an online wealth management platform that is easy to use and offers investors full transparency. True Wealth is an independent asset manager and a member of the Swiss Association of Asset Managers (SAAM).
The company inked several partnerships in 2018 including with Contovista, a startup specializing in “data-driven banking” and Finnova, a software provider in the Swiss financial industry.
 
Advanon

Advanon is an invoice financing platform in Switzerland and Germany offering a simple and flexible way for businesses to get invoices financed by numerous investors.
Advanon founded the AdvaSpace coworking hub in February 2018  Zurich-Altstetten, inviting like-minded companies to join the space. In August 2018, the company announced that it had been hit by a million-dollar fraud scheme where a Swiss trading firm sold fake invoices worth CHF 2.4 million to investors on Advanon&#8217;s platform. As many as 78 investors had been hit by the scheme.
 
MoneyPark

MoneyPark, a financial intermediary, provides financial advisory services for mortgages and investments. It offers technology-based advisory platform for financial products specializing in the independent brokerage of mortgages and pension products, as well as asset management.
Helvetia Insurance acquired over 70% of the shares of MoneyPark in December 2016. In July 2017, the Swiss mortgage broker took over rival DL Conseils en financement immobilier.
 
Amnis Treasury Services

Amnis Treasury Services specializes in international payments, currency exchange, risk management and related advice for SMEs. The company provides an electronic platform that gives SMEs access to fair terms for currency exchange and foreign currency payments.
In December 2018, Amnis Treasury Services began offering its white-label platform to banks, and partnered with Futurae Technologies to offer users of the Amnis platform a new, secure, and user-friendly login process.
 
Lykke

Lykke is a blockchain startup developing a global marketplace for the free exchange of financial assets. The company operates the Lykke Wallet, a mobile app that allows users to trade currencies and cryptocurrencies, and Lykke Trade, a web application allowing users to trade on the Lykke Exchange.
In November 2018, Lykke launched the Lykke Crypto Index (LyCI), which tracks the biggest crypto projects by market capitalization in a single consolidated and continually re-balanced weighted bundle, and announced a partnership with Dutch securities exchange platform to launch a tokenized securities exchange.
 
Monito

Monito, formerly TawiPay, is a comparison website for international money transfer services. The platform compares and reviews more than 350 money transfer operators to help users find the best options.
Monito raised US$2.5 million in a Series A funding round in December 2018 which it planned to use to extend its international audience and hire new software engineers, designers and digital marketing. The company recently won several awards including the Best Swiss Startup 2018 – Prix Strategis, and the Best Swiss Fintech Pitch 2017 – Venture Leaders Fintech, New York.
 
CashSentinel

CashSentinel has developed an innovative payment solution, which sits at the crossroads of escrow agents and mobile wallets, to facilitate vehicle transactions.
CashSentinel is available in most of Europe and Switzerland, both for private and professional customers, and works primarily with clients and partners of the e-commerce, banking, payment and insurance industries. The platform now facilitates hundreds of transactions worth millions of euros every month.
 
Paymit
Paymit, a mobile payments service by SIX, UBS, Zürcher Kantonalbank and Swisscom partner network, was launched in May 2015, initially enabling peer-to-peer (P2P) payments before being extended to cover a number of retail solutions. Paymit merged with Twint in 2016.
 
Twint
 

Twint is a digital wallet service launched in 2014 by PostFinance, the banking arm of the Swiss post office. The service is backed by Switzerland’s biggest banks and SIX.
Twint has become very familiar with the Swiss and the word-creation of “twinting” is the most obvious sign of this trend. Swiss skiing ace Beat Feuz acts as ambassador for the Swiss payment solution and has an important role to play in making Twint popular. In December 2018, Worldline completed the acquisition of 20% of Twint.
 
Contovista

Contovista provides a white-label software and data analytics services allowing financial institutions to optimize their digital banking experience and gain actionable customer insights.
In 2018, Contovista inked partnerships with Finnova and True Wealth. The startup began expanding overseas in 2017, hiring Gerrit Sindermann, a fintech expert who previously worked for Swisscom, to help it launch its products abroad.
 
Qontis

Qontis is an online personal finance management (PFM) platform, providing users with the ability to document and organize data from all instances of private income and expenditures. The service is part of a commercial enterprise between the Neue Zürcher Zeitung media property and e-banking solutions provider Crealogix.
Qontis has remained quiet since 2016 when it helped Hypothekarbank Lenzburg develop a mobile financial management tool.
 
Numbrs Personal Finance

Numbrs Personal Finance, formerly Centralway Numbrs, is a fintech company offering a mobile banking app that aggregates bank account and credit card information and facilitates mobile banking and personal financial planning.
Last year, Numbrs Personal Finance raised US$27 million and inked a distribution deal with Axa Germany.
The post What Happened to Fintech Switzerland&#8217;s Previous Pick of Hottest Fintech Startups? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/what-happened-to-fintech-switzerlands-previous-pick-of-hottest-fintech-startups</link><guid>978</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/TOP-30-Swiss-Fintech-startups.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>What Happened to Fintech Switzerland’s Previous Pick of Hottest Fintech Startups?</dc:text></item><item><title>Liechtenstein Joins European Blockchain Partnership</title><description><![CDATA[On 1 February 2019, the Principality of Liechtenstein signed the Declaration joining the European Blockchain Partnership, thus becoming the 28th country in the Partnership. The declaration was signed by Sabine Monauni, Ambassador of Liechtenstein, in the presence of Gerard de Graaf, Director for Digital Single Market at the European Commission.

Gerard de Graaf
Blockchain is a key technology for the digital economy. It has great potential for the benefit of citizens, society and economy. In order to provide legal security throughout Europe we need a common approach. Liechtenstein is ready to work on this closely with its European partners.
Gerard de Graaf added:
Liechtenstein has been a close economic and political partner of the European Union in the context of the European Economic Area. Cooperation between public authorities in the EU and Liechtenstein extends to many areas. We are delighted that Liechtenstein is joining the European Blockchain Partnership and working together with the Commission and EU Member States to develop a trusted European Blockchain Services Infrastructure that will improve cross-border digital public services.
The European Blockchain Partnership (EBP) was created on 10 April 2018 through a joint declaration agreed between 21 Member States and Norway. The signatories have also agreed to cooperate in the establishment of a European Blockchain Services Infrastructure (EBSI) that will support the delivery of cross-border digital public services, with the highest standards of security and privacy. Since then five other EU Member States have joined the Partnership, most recently Italy. All members of the Partnership, including Liechtenstein, have pledged to help overcome obstacles for spreading the use of innovative digital solutions across the Union and beyond.
EBSI at the heart of a new generation of public services
According to the declaration, the European Blockchain Partnership identifies cross-border digital public sector services that could be deployed through a common European Blockchain Services Infrastructure, with a shared governance model. The implementation of EBSI for an initial set of cross-border digital public services will start in 2019, supported through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF Telecom). These services include EU customs and tax data, audit documents by EU-funded projects, cross-border certification of diplomas and qualifications, and a European self-sovereign identity initiative building on eIDAS.
Digital public services will increasingly use blockchain and distributed ledger technology. Blockchain is a great opportunity for Europe and Member States to rethink their information systems, to promote user trust and the protection of personal data, to help create new business opportunities and to establish new areas of leadership, benefiting citizens, public services and companies. The Partnership launched in April 2018 enables its members to work together with the European Commission to turn the enormous potential of blockchain technology into better services for citizens.
The post Liechtenstein Joins European Blockchain Partnership appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/liechtenstein-joins-european-blockchain-partnership</link><guid>976</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Liechtenstein Joins European Blockchain Partnership</dc:text></item><item><title>Bank Frick’s Spinoff to Accelerate Fintech and Blockchain</title><description><![CDATA[Bank Frick has established its own subsidiary in order to promote and finance blockchain and fintech start-ups.
From the birth of an idea to the reaching of market maturity – Distributed Ventures AG supports founders every step of the way and offers help in implementing future-oriented business models for the financial sector.
As a pioneer in the area of blockchain banking, Bank Frick is thus underlining its goal of promoting the development of the financial ecosystem. At the same time, the Bank gains access to promising business ideas.
Future-oriented financial ecosystem
Prospective founders receive support from Distributed Ventures from the seed phase all the way through to a possible exit. Through Bank Frick, they also gain uncomplicated access to a regulated universal bank and its links to the financial system, enabling them to quickly test and implement their ideas.
Edi Wögerer
“We view Distributed Ventures as an important strategic addition that provides us with the opportunity to build on and consolidate our advantage as a fintech bank. For us, Distributed Ventures will play an important part in the development of a forward-looking financial ecosystem, enabling us to retain existing client groups and tap into new target segments,”
says Edi Wögerer, CEO of Bank Frick.
 
 
Distributed Ventures will be headed up by Dr Marco Schmitz, who until now has served as Head of Blockchain Compliance at Bank Frick. Amongst other former roles, he worked for five years as a Governance, Risk and Compliance Technology Manager for PwC.
Dr. Marco Schmitz
Prior to this, Marco Schmitz was employed by Commerzbank in Frankfurt:
“Every day, we are seeing new business ideas, projects and fintechs with enormous potential. We want to help the founders and support them in a manner that allows both sides to benefit from one another. Liechtenstein, with its short distances and the planned Law on Transaction Systems Based on Trustworthy Technologies (Blockchain Act), offers us the perfect conditions for this.”
Thanks to the proximity to Bank Frick, founders benefit from its network and experience as a fintech- and blockchain-savvy financial institution and receive support from the Bank in matters relating to financing.
Conversely, Bank Frick gains access to promising business ideas and business plans and thus has the opportunity to utilise their potential for itself in order to expand its business field. “With its structure, Distributed Ventures is unique in Liechtenstein and ahead of other labs with its services,” says Dr Marco Schmitz.
Incubator and accelerator under one roof
Distributed Ventures provides projects in the incubation phase with intensive support during the development of their business idea and business plan. A prototype is subsequently created and the financial planning is drawn up. During the accelerator phase, the founders work together with Distributed Ventures on their demo version and the pitch deck for external investors. The founders initially present their idea in front of a committee. This then makes a decision with regard to seed financing and supports the start-ups in searching for further financing partners in order to provide the companies with the resources to quickly assert themselves on the market.
 
Featured image credit: Bank Frick
The post Bank Frick&#8217;s Spinoff to Accelerate Fintech and Blockchain appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bank-fricks-spinoff-to-accelerate-fintech-and-blockchain</link><guid>973</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Bank Frick’s Spinoff to Accelerate Fintech and Blockchain</dc:text></item><item><title>Ein 500 Millionen Startup Fonds für die Schweiz</title><description><![CDATA[Die Schweiz gehört zu den weltweit führenden Volkswirtschaften. Es gelingt ihr immer wieder, mit Neugierde, Offenheit und Erfolg auf neue ökonomische und technologische Entwicklungen zu reagieren.
Daraus resultieren eine florierende KMU-Landschaft, globale Konzerne, erstklassige Forschungseinrichtungen und ein hoher Wohlstand. Das Innovations- und Startup-Ökosystem, einer der wesentlichen Treiber für den Fortschritt des Wirtschaftsstandorts und die Schaffung neuer Arbeitsplätze, steht jedoch vor grossen Herausforderungen. So wandern Schweizer Technologien und Jungunternehmen nach der Gründungsphase zu oft ins Ausland ab. Gleichzeitig steht die Wirtschaft unter anderem durch die zunehmende Digitalisierung vor grossen Veränderungen, die nur mit guten Rahmenbedingungen bewältigt werden können.
Wirtschaftsstandort Schweiz stärken, Arbeitsplätze schaffen
Eine Reihe bekannter Schweizer Firmen, Unternehmer und Politiker wollen diese Entwicklung stoppen. Sie haben im Sommer 2017 unter dem Patronat des ehemaligen Bundesrats Johann N. Schneider-Ammann eine Initiative ins Leben gerufen, um diese Herausforderungen zu adressieren. Daraufhin wurde im Dezember 2017 die Swiss Entrepreneurs Foundation (SwissEF) gegründet.
Zu den Initianten gehören Mobiliar, UBS, Credit Suisse, die Gebert Rüf Stiftung, Wenger &amp; Vieli und der Zürcher Ständerat Ruedi Noser. Die private, gemeinnützige und unabhängige Stiftung mit Sitz in Bern steht seit Anfang 2019 unter dem Patronat von Bundesrat und WBF-Vorsteher Guy Parmelin. Johann N. Schneider-Ammann bleibt der SwissEF als Ehrenpräsident verbunden.
Die Stiftung fördert Schweizer Startups und innovative KMUs in der Wachstumsphase. Die Schweiz soll ihre führende Stellung als Wirtschafts- und Innovationsstandort ausbauen und neue Arbeitsplätze schaffen. Um dieses Ziel zu erreichen, verfolgt die SwissEF einen für die Schweiz einmaligen Doppelansatz. Zum einen realisiert die Stiftung konkrete Projekte, welche die Rahmenbedingungen für Unternehmertum und innovative Technologien verbessern.
Zudem lanciert sie gemeinsam mit UBS, Credit Suisse und der Mobiliar einen Fonds mit Zielgrösse 500 Millionen Franken.Die beiden Banken übernehmen den Vertrieb und das Portfoliomanagement, die Stiftung bringt Know-how für die Wachstumsunternehmen und die Mobiliar Kapital ein. Nebst der Mobiliar, die mit 100 Millionen Franken die erste Ankerinvestorin ist, richtet sich der Fonds an institutionelle Anleger wie Pensionskassen, vermögende Privatpersonen und Family Offices. Der Fonds agiert rechtlich unabhängig von der SwissEF.
Konkrete Projekte zur Förderung des Unternehmertums Die Swiss Entrepreneurs Foundation versteht sich als Brückenbauerin. Sie vernetzt erstmals die verschiedenen Akteure des Innovations- und Startup-Ökosystems direkt mit den Entscheidungsträgern aus Regierung und Parlament, und zwar auf Bundes- wie auf Kantonsebene. Die Stiftung hat im vergangenen Jahr bereits zwei konkrete Projekte gestartet:

Das Programm SwissEF UpScaler:Unternehmer, die sich in der Wachstumsphase befinden und ihr Geschäftsmodell auf den internationalen Märkten skalieren wollen, sogenannte Scaleups, erhalten ein massgeschneidertes Förderprogramm. Ein Team aus einem Pool von 50 erfahrenen Topunternehmern und Experten mit internationaler Erfahrung hilft dem Startup oder dem innovativen KMU, schneller zu skalieren und die Internationalisierung effizient und erfolgreich voranzutreiben. Dank dieser neuen Methode wird die nächste unternehmerische Wachstumsstufe mit einer höheren Erfolgsquote erreicht.
Das Programm SwissEF Shaper:Startup-Unternehmer und Exponenten aus dem Innovations- und Startup-Ökosystem stehen in politischen Hearings direkt in Kontakt mit Vertretern aus der nationalen Politik und sensibilisieren sie für zentrale Anliegen. Ende 2018 fanden zwei Treffen statt, darunter ein Workshop mit Johann N. Schneider-Ammann, zu den Themen Steuern und Zuwanderung von Spezialisten aus Drittstaaten.

Risiko- und Wachstumskapital für Startups und innovative KMUs
Der gemeinsam von der SwissEF, Mobiliar, UBS und Credit Suisse lancierte Swiss Entrepreneurs Fund investiert in Schweizer Startups und innovative KMUs in der Wachstumsphase, die bereits Produkte am Markt haben und über einen Kundenstamm verfügen. Es ist bisher einmalig, dass sich die beiden Grossbanken gemeinsam in einem derartigen Anlagegefäss engagieren. Die erste Kapitalgeberin ist die Mobiliar, die sich mit 100 Millionen Franken am Fonds beteiligt und als Ankerinvestorin des Fonds massgebend an der strategischen Ausrichtung der Stiftung mitwirkt. Nachdem die eidgenössische Finanzmarktaufsicht FINMA Ende Januar 2019 die Bewilligung für den Swiss Entrepreneurs Fund erteilt hat, kann der Fonds nun in den nächsten Monaten geäufnet werden.
Der Fonds investiert direkt und via Drittfonds in innovative Unternehmen mit Wachstumspotenzial, wobei die Mehrheit der Investitionen in Firmen getätigt wird, die ihren Hauptsitz oder einen signifikanten Anteil ihrer Wertschöpfung in der Schweiz haben.UBS bringt ihre weltweite, über viele Jahre etablierte Venture Capital und Private-Equity-Fonds-Expertise ein und investiert auf der einen Seite in etablierte Investment Manager, fördert selektiv aber auch die Neubildung von Private-Equity-Fonds, insbesondere im Venture und Growth-Capital-Bereich. Die Credit Suisse wird für die Direktinvestitionen in Startups und innovative KMU verantwortlich sein. Sie baut dabei auf ihre langjährige Erfahrung mit ihrem eigenen Gefäss für Direktinvestitionen, der Credit Suisse Entrepreneur Capital AG (vormals SVC AG für KMU Risikokapital), bei dem seit 2010 über 50 Investitionen getätigt wurden.
Der Swiss Entrepreneurs Fund ist auf einmalige Art und Weise mit der Stiftung verbunden, die wiederum mit bestehenden Initiativen und anderen Eckpfeilern des Schweizer Innovations- und Startup-Ökosystems verlinkt ist. Der Fonds profitiert von den Projekten der Stiftung wie dem Förderprojekt SwissEF UpScaler, das die Qualität und das Wachstum der ausgewählten Firmen fördert, was auch im Interesse des Fonds ist. Hierfür unterstützt dieser die Stiftung mit einem jährlichen Beitrag aus den Gebühren des Fonds. Diese enge Verzahnung unterscheidet den Swiss Entrepreneurs Fund deutlich von ähnlichen Anlagegefässen.
Lukas Gähwiler, Stiftungsrat der Swiss Entrepreneurs Foundation und Verwaltungsratspräsident UBS Switzerland AG kommentiert den Start folgedermassen;
«In der Schweiz gibt es eine Finanzierungslücke für innovative Wachstumsfirmen, also für KMUs in der Phase zwischen Startup und etabliertem Unternehmen. Diese Lücke schliessen wir mit dem Swiss Entrepreneurs Fund.»
 
Featured image credit: Freepik
The post Ein 500 Millionen Startup Fonds für die Schweiz appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ein-500-millionen-startup-fonds-fur-die-schweiz</link><guid>971</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Ein 500 Millionen Startup Fonds für die Schweiz</dc:text></item><item><title>Ein 500 Millionen Startup Fonds für die Schweiz; UBS, Credit Suisse und Mobiliar an Board</title><description><![CDATA[Die Schweiz gehört zu den weltweit führenden Volkswirtschaften. Es gelingt ihr immer wieder, mit Neugierde, Offenheit und Erfolg auf neue ökonomische und technologische Entwicklungen zu reagieren.
Daraus resultieren eine florierende KMU-Landschaft, globale Konzerne, erstklassige Forschungseinrichtungen und ein hoher Wohlstand. Das Innovations- und Startup-Ökosystem, einer der wesentlichen Treiber für den Fortschritt des Wirtschaftsstandorts und die Schaffung neuer Arbeitsplätze, steht jedoch vor grossen Herausforderungen. So wandern Schweizer Technologien und Jungunternehmen nach der Gründungsphase zu oft ins Ausland ab. Gleichzeitig steht die Wirtschaft unter anderem durch die zunehmende Digitalisierung vor grossen Veränderungen, die nur mit guten Rahmenbedingungen bewältigt werden können.
Wirtschaftsstandort Schweiz stärken, Arbeitsplätze schaffen
Eine Reihe bekannter Schweizer Firmen, Unternehmer und Politiker wollen diese Entwicklung stoppen. Sie haben im Sommer 2017 unter dem Patronat des ehemaligen Bundesrats Johann N. Schneider-Ammann eine Initiative ins Leben gerufen, um diese Herausforderungen zu adressieren. Daraufhin wurde im Dezember 2017 die Swiss Entrepreneurs Foundation (SwissEF) gegründet.
Zu den Initianten gehören Mobiliar, UBS, Credit Suisse, die Gebert Rüf Stiftung, Wenger &amp; Vieli und der Zürcher Ständerat Ruedi Noser. Die private, gemeinnützige und unabhängige Stiftung mit Sitz in Bern steht seit Anfang 2019 unter dem Patronat von Bundesrat und WBF-Vorsteher Guy Parmelin. Johann N. Schneider-Ammann bleibt der SwissEF als Ehrenpräsident verbunden.
Die Stiftung fördert Schweizer Startups und innovative KMUs in der Wachstumsphase. Die Schweiz soll ihre führende Stellung als Wirtschafts- und Innovationsstandort ausbauen und neue Arbeitsplätze schaffen. Um dieses Ziel zu erreichen, verfolgt die SwissEF einen für die Schweiz einmaligen Doppelansatz. Zum einen realisiert die Stiftung konkrete Projekte, welche die Rahmenbedingungen für Unternehmertum und innovative Technologien verbessern.
Zudem lanciert sie gemeinsam mit UBS, Credit Suisse und der Mobiliar einen Fonds mit Zielgrösse 500 Millionen Franken.Die beiden Banken übernehmen den Vertrieb und das Portfoliomanagement, die Stiftung bringt Know-how für die Wachstumsunternehmen und die Mobiliar Kapital ein. Nebst der Mobiliar, die mit 100 Millionen Franken die erste Ankerinvestorin ist, richtet sich der Fonds an institutionelle Anleger wie Pensionskassen, vermögende Privatpersonen und Family Offices. Der Fonds agiert rechtlich unabhängig von der SwissEF.
Konkrete Projekte zur Förderung des Unternehmertums Die Swiss Entrepreneurs Foundation versteht sich als Brückenbauerin. Sie vernetzt erstmals die verschiedenen Akteure des Innovations- und Startup-Ökosystems direkt mit den Entscheidungsträgern aus Regierung und Parlament, und zwar auf Bundes- wie auf Kantonsebene. Die Stiftung hat im vergangenen Jahr bereits zwei konkrete Projekte gestartet:

Das Programm SwissEF UpScaler: Unternehmer, die sich in der Wachstumsphase befinden und ihr Geschäftsmodell auf den internationalen Märkten skalieren wollen, sogenannte Scaleups, erhalten ein massgeschneidertes Förderprogramm. Ein Team aus einem Pool von 50 erfahrenen Topunternehmern und Experten mit internationaler Erfahrung hilft dem Startup oder dem innovativen KMU, schneller zu skalieren und die Internationalisierung effizient und erfolgreich voranzutreiben. Dank dieser neuen Methode wird die nächste unternehmerische Wachstumsstufe mit einer höheren Erfolgsquote erreicht.
Das Programm SwissEF Shaper: Startup-Unternehmer und Exponenten aus dem Innovations- und Startup-Ökosystem stehen in politischen Hearings direkt in Kontakt mit Vertretern aus der nationalen Politik und sensibilisieren sie für zentrale Anliegen. Ende 2018 fanden zwei Treffen statt, darunter ein Workshop mit Johann N. Schneider-Ammann, zu den Themen Steuern und Zuwanderung von Spezialisten aus Drittstaaten.

Risiko- und Wachstumskapital für Startups und innovative KMUs
Der gemeinsam von der SwissEF, Mobiliar, UBS und Credit Suisse lancierte Swiss Entrepreneurs Fund investiert in Schweizer Startups und innovative KMUs in der Wachstumsphase, die bereits Produkte am Markt haben und über einen Kundenstamm verfügen. Es ist bisher einmalig, dass sich die beiden Grossbanken gemeinsam in einem derartigen Anlagegefäss engagieren. Die erste Kapitalgeberin ist die Mobiliar, die sich mit 100 Millionen Franken am Fonds beteiligt und als Ankerinvestorin des Fonds massgebend an der strategischen Ausrichtung der Stiftung mitwirkt. Nachdem die eidgenössische Finanzmarktaufsicht FINMA Ende Januar 2019 die Bewilligung für den Swiss Entrepreneurs Fund erteilt hat, kann der Fonds nun in den nächsten Monaten geäufnet werden.
Der Fonds investiert direkt und via Drittfonds in innovative Unternehmen mit Wachstumspotenzial, wobei die Mehrheit der Investitionen in Firmen getätigt wird, die ihren Hauptsitz oder einen signifikanten Anteil ihrer Wertschöpfung in der Schweiz haben.UBS bringt ihre weltweite, über viele Jahre etablierte Venture Capital und Private-Equity-Fonds-Expertise ein und investiert auf der einen Seite in etablierte Investment Manager, fördert selektiv aber auch die Neubildung von Private-Equity-Fonds, insbesondere im Venture und Growth-Capital-Bereich. Die Credit Suisse wird für die Direktinvestitionen in Startups und innovative KMU verantwortlich sein. Sie baut dabei auf ihre langjährige Erfahrung mit ihrem eigenen Gefäss für Direktinvestitionen, der Credit Suisse Entrepreneur Capital AG, bei dem seit 2010 über 50 Investitionen getätigt wurden.
Der Swiss Entrepreneurs Fund ist auf einmalige Art und Weise mit der Stiftung verbunden, die wiederum mit bestehenden Initiativen und anderen Eckpfeilern des Schweizer Innovations- und Startup-Ökosystems verlinkt ist. Der Fonds profitiert von den Projekten der Stiftung wie dem Förderprojekt SwissEF UpScaler, das die Qualität und das Wachstum der ausgewählten Firmen fördert, was auch im Interesse des Fonds ist. Hierfür unterstützt dieser die Stiftung mit einem jährlichen Beitrag aus den Gebühren des Fonds. Diese enge Verzahnung unterscheidet den Swiss Entrepreneurs Fund deutlich von ähnlichen Anlagegefässen.
Luke Gähwiler
Lukas Gähwiler, Stiftungsrat der Swiss Entrepreneurs Foundation und Verwaltungsratspräsident UBS Switzerland AG meint zum Fonds-Start;
«In der Schweiz gibt es eine Finanzierungslücke für innovative Wachstumsfirmen, also für KMUs in der Phase zwischen Startup und etabliertem Unternehmen. Diese Lücke schliessen wir mit dem Swiss Entrepreneurs Fund.»
 
Featured image credit: Freepik
The post Ein 500 Millionen Startup Fonds für die Schweiz; UBS, Credit Suisse und Mobiliar an Board appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ein-500-millionen-startup-fonds-fur-die-schweiz-ubs-credit-suisse-und-mobiliar-an-board</link><guid>972</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Ein 500 Millionen Startup Fonds für die Schweiz; UBS, Credit Suisse und Mobiliar an Board</dc:text></item><item><title>New SIX Paper Outlines Tech Trends Shaping the Future of Securities Value Chain</title><description><![CDATA[SIX, the financial services provider best known for operating the Swiss stock exchange, has released a new whitepaper that explores possible scenarios for the future of the stock exchange over the next five to ten years.
Titled Future of the Securities Value Chain, the paper is part of a series focusing on assessing the potential impact of the many complex and concurrent developments that are affecting the financial landscape today, including emerging technologies.
“It is vital to have a clear understanding of the challenges that lie ahead in order to be able to prepare for them today,” said Jos Dijsselhof, CEO of SIX.
“The white paper therefore aims to promote discussion and to inspire reflection on new business opportunities, especially in the interaction between startups and traditional players. It is important that we keep the debate on progress open and ongoing.”
According to SIX, new technologies including artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, big data and cloud computing will play a major role in the securities value chain. Distributed ledger technology (DLT), which have long been praised for its disruptive potential in the field, will likely not replace central ledgers but rather co-exist with traditional infrastructures.
“The big question remains whether DLT can replace central ledgers,” the report says.
“What is certain is that both models can be successful only in a regulated environment with registered (permissioned) users. In all cases, however, the different ledgers communicate with each other and are therefore fully synchronized and up-to-date at all times. In addition, the ledgers do more than just record transactions, they can also contain lines of code that represent voting rights, for example.”
Worldwide, three quarters of the financial market infrastructure (FMI) operators are working on DLT pilots of already using the technology, according to a Financial Times report.
The Australian Securities Exchange is the first major stock exchange to commit to replacing part of its settlement infrastructure with DLT with a roll out scheduled for March 2021. Other exchanges currently considering DLT include the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, and the Shanghai Stock Exchange, the world’s fourth largest, which announced plans to use DLT in July 2018.
According to the SIX research, the most likely scenario for the future of the securities value chain is that listings will continue in the future but thanks to automation and digitalization, the direct costs of listing will fall sharply.
SIX sees direct-access, platform-based primary markets becoming dominant and disrupt traditional broker and middleman functions for listed financial products.
It also predicts that global tech companies will emerge as new competitors as they set up issuing venues to support activities in their ecosystems. They will become important retail investor-focused investing gateways by leveraging their global client bases, their analytics-as-a-service infrastructure, and proprietary data of their retail customers.
The report cites the case of Amazon, which launched Amazon Lending in 2011 to provide loans to sellers on Amazon’s e-commerce marketplace but also Amazon Consumer Lending, which provides loans to consumers. Launching an issuing venue would be a natural extension for Amazon’s lending services to access a broader supply of capital and avoid fees by taking out intermediaries, the research says.
SIX also expects the number and variety of digitalized assets (digital representation of rights to real assets) to increase exponentially, as it facilitates the trading, financing, sharing, lending, collateralization, and pricing of assets.
Crypto-assets will retain some popularity as investment assets due to their potential for diversification, high volatility promising rapid/high returns, and due to governments around the world having clarified the regulatory framework.
But the wide adoption of new technology will lead to increased cyber-risks as cyber-attacks become more sophisticated and quantum computing become a reality.
Most-Likely Scenario: Listed Investment Classes Remain Dominant Amid Disintermediation and Explosion of Digitized Assets, SIX
The second most-likely scenario, according to SIX, is that listing will no longer be viewed as an indicator of quality by many investors and non-listed financial investments classes will become highly popular as a result.
Open issuing marketplaces, or issuing venues on which only non-listed financial products can be issued such as AngelList, Lending Club and Seedrs, will displace traditional exchanges as the dominant issuing venues as investors become overserved in terms of protection and underserved in terms of choice on listing venues.
The post New SIX Paper Outlines Tech Trends Shaping the Future of Securities Value Chain appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-six-paper-outlines-tech-trends-shaping-the-future-of-securities-value-chain</link><guid>970</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Blockchain-Securities-e1549526959711.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>New SIX Paper Outlines Tech Trends Shaping the Future of Securities Value Chain</dc:text></item><item><title>Berlin Based Fintech Raisin Secures $114 Million in Series D Funding</title><description><![CDATA[Today Raisin (Weltsparen), the pan-European fintech marketplace for savings and investment products, announced that it closed a Series D funding round of $114 million, bringing the total amount raised to $200 million.
Existing investors Index Ventures, PayPal, Ribbit Capital and Thrive Ventures all participated in the round. The new capital will be put toward strategic acquisitions and further internationalization.
Following launches in the Netherlands and the UK last year, Raisin is planning to add at least two additional markets to its platform this year. The Berlin-based fintech with a subsidiary in Manchester will also enlarge its international team and extend its line of investment products.
Through a partnership with 62 banks, Raisin has created the leading pan-European marketplace in retail banking. With Raisin, customers can choose savings and investment products from banks across the continent, and banks can easily attract deposits from customers abroad.
Raisin’s seven platforms connect partner banks – including Belgium&#8217;s biggest bank KBC, ICICI Bank UK, and the German digital banking as a service platform solarisBank – with more than 160,000 Raisin customers from 31 different European countries.
Raisin also announced that it has brokered more than $11 billion in deposits to 62 partner banks and earned savers $90 million in earned interest.
Raisin/Weltsparen was part of our 2017 selection of the Top Fintech Startups in the DACH Region.
The post Berlin Based Fintech Raisin Secures $114 Million in Series D Funding appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/berlin-based-fintech-raisin-secures-114-million-in-series-d-funding</link><guid>966</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Berlin Based Fintech Raisin Secures $114 Million in Series D Funding</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 20 Fintech Organizations On Social Media</title><description><![CDATA[Social advisory firm Jay Palter recently published their list of fintech influencer as means to help the community stay abreast with the latest developments in fintech.
Extracted from that full list are fintech organisation which includes; media, consultancy firms and community organisation that you should be following on social media.
 
TechCrunch
@TechCrunch  | San Francisco, CA
TechCrunch, is a news website dedicated to the tech scene. Techcrunch provides breaking technology news, opinions, and analysis on tech companies from around the world. From publicly traded tech companies to emerging startups and venture capital funding rounds, TechCrunch is your number one guide for all things technology.
FINTECH Circle
 @FINTECHCircle | London based, Global passion!
FINTECH Circle members focus on (1) investing into fintech firms, (2) enterprise innovation to help established companies work with the best fintech companies and fintech education via the FINTECH Circle Institute.
Finextra
 @Finextra |  Everything fintech, worldwide
Finextra Research provides an independent membership community – www.finextra.com – which serves the information and networking needs of fintech professionals worldwide. Finextra engages over 300,000 industry participants every month, covering senior executives in established banks and financial institutions, through to founders of new fintech startups.
Innovate Finance
 @InnFin | London
Innovate Finance (IF) is the industry body for FinTech in the UK. IF&#8217;s primary aim is to accelerate the UK&#8217;s leading position in the global FinTech sector &#8211; we serve as a single-access point to the FinTech ecosystem, and through our own innovation and partnership programmes, we strive to connect our members to customers, investors, policymakers, educators, talent and key commercial partners &#8211; all those operating within this ever-growing sector.
Finovate
@Finovate |  Seattle, WA
The Finovate Group is a research and events firm focused on innovation in financial and banking technology. Our team runs the Finovate and FinDEVr conference series and authors the associated blogs.
Bank Innovation
@BankInnovation | New York
Bank Innovation, launched in 2009, is produced by Royal Media, a media company that has served the financial services industry since 1995. The site offers industry professionals unique intelligence on innovation in financial services and technology.
FinTechInsider
 @FinTechInsiders | London, England
The Fintech and Digital Banking podcast from 11:FS
The FinTech 50
 @TheFinTech50 |Europe … and beyond
The FinTech50 is an annual list of the 50 hottest FinTech companies in Europe selected by some of the biggest names in the sector.
Fintech Switzerland
 @FintechCH | Switzerland
Fintech News Switzerland covers stories about the Fintech Ecosystem – i.e. Mobile Payment, Personal Finance, Bitcoin, Blockchain, Robo Advisor and Lending &#8211; and Startups in Switzerland, UK and Europe. Fintechnews.ch also provides a bi-weekly newsletter with the most important information about the Fintech industry in UK &amp; Europe.
Sbootcamp FinTech
 @sbcFinTech | LDN, NY, SG, MUM, MX, MEL
Startupbootcamp is a global network of industry focused accelerators. We take startups global by giving them direct access to an international network of the most relevant partners, investors, and mentors in their sector.
FinTech Futures
 @FinTech_Futures | London UK
FinTech Futures is the definitive source of news and analysis of the global fintech sector; as of January 2018 incorporating the Banking Technology and Paybefore brands.
Paris Fintech Forum
 @ParisFinForum | Paris, Ile-de-France
Major annual European fintech event organized by Altéir
CoinDesk
 @coindesk | New York, USA
CoinDesk provides the latest Bitcoin and digital currency news, features, prices and analysis. We are part of a rapidly evolving industry and what we believe is one of the biggest developments in internet history in the making.
FINTECH Innovate
 @FTCInnovate |  London
FINTECH Circle connects established financial services firms and FinTech companies igniting collaboration in innovation.
Money20/20
 @money2020 | New York &amp; London
Money20/20 organizes the largest global events enabling payments and financial services innovation for connected commerce at the intersection of mobile, retail, marketing services, data and technology.
FinTech HK
 @FinTechHK | Hong Kong
Founded in July 2014, FinTech HK and its associated twitter account @FinTechHk were created to catalyse the fast-growing FinTech start-up scene in Hong Kong. This is achieved by keeping the sector informed with brief and impactful news which are posted and updated daily. We are now supporting Hong Kong&#8217;s FinTech eco-system by focusing on human capital development. We produced the first local FinTech report for Hong Kong, co-organised events as well as co-created the world&#8217;s first FinTech Book.
FinTechInnovationLab
 @FinTechLabLDN | London
The FinTech Innovation Lab London is an annual accelerator program run by Accenture and the market’s top financial institutions. The Lab accepts applications from the UK, Europe and elsewhere from early and growth stage companies that have developed cutting edge technology products targeted at financial services customers.
11:FS
 @11FSTeam | Worldwide
11:FS is a challenger consultancy that builds and launches next generation digital propositions for some of the biggest banks in the world.
Next Money
 @nextmoney_ |Global
Next Bank the global media/events company has changed its name to Next Money to better reflect its expanded focus across the entire financial services industry.
Level39
 @Level39CW | Canary Wharf, London
Level39 is the world&#8217;s most connected tech community, with over 200 tech startups and scaleups based onsite. We support fast-growth businesses in three clear ways &#8211; giving access to world-class customers, talent and infrastructure.

 
Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
The post Top 20 Fintech Organizations On Social Media appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-20-fintech-organizations-on-social-media</link><guid>965</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/2019-Organizations-Fintech-Influencers.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 20 Fintech Organizations On Social Media</dc:text></item><item><title>A Snapshot of the Europe’s Fintech Unicorns</title><description><![CDATA[Fintech has been on the upward momentum ever since the term has been entered into our lexicon. A report by CB Insights indicates that investments in fintech has been steadily on the rise since 2014

Image Credit: CB Insights
The very same report shares that there are 39 fintech unicorns globally valued in aggregate at $145.37 Billion

Image Credit: CB Insights
Europe is seeing slow growth in fintech funding with only 24% year-on-year increase. Out of the 5 unicorns operating in Europe only Revolut and Monzo was added to the list in 2017.
Source: CB Insights; Featured Image Edited from: Freepik
Snapshot of the Fintech Unicorns in Europe
N26
Valuation: $2.7 Billion | Founded: 2015
N26 is a neo-bank that functions like a full banking account that company claims you can open an account in 8 minutes. N26 claims to be serving over 2.6 million customers across 24 European markets.
KLARNA

Valuation: $2-2.5 Billion | Founded: 2005
Klarna claims to be providing payment solutions for 60 million consumers across 100,000 merchants in 14 countries. Klarna offers direct payments, pay after delivery options and instalment plans.
REVOLUT

Valuation: $1.7 Billion | Founded: 2015
Revolut offers financial services like pre-paid debit card, currency exchange, cryptocurrency exchange and peer to peer payments. The company claims to have over 3 Million customers, with over 250 transactions valued above $25 Billion transacted over the years.
TRANSFERWISE

Valuation: $1.6 Billion | Founded: 2011
Transferwise was founded with the simple idea of making money transfer transparent and cheaper.  With over 11 offices and 1,300 employees around the globe the company claims to serve over 4 million customers.
MONZO
Valuation: $1.27 Billion | Founded: 2015
Monzo is a neo-bank which functions like a full bank account that the company claims you can open in minutes. Eyeing expansion into the US, Monzo is currently serving over 1.4 million customers
The post A Snapshot of the Europe&#8217;s Fintech Unicorns appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/a-snapshot-of-the-europes-fintech-unicorns</link><guid>964</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Fintech-Unicorn-Europe-1024x565.png</dc:content ><dc:text>A Snapshot of the Europe’s Fintech Unicorns</dc:text></item><item><title>Management-Buyout von Nectar Financial AG und Umbenennung in Etops AG</title><description><![CDATA[Vor neun Jahren war die frühere Etops AG mit dem Fokus Operations Outsourcing an den Start gegangen.
2016 erfolgte die Umbenennung in Nectar Financial AG. Seit der Gründung sind der Kundenkreis und das Team kontinuierlich gewachsen. Zuletzt umfasste der Bereich 36 Mitarbeitende, die an den Standorten Altendorf/Schweiz und Bratislava/Slowakei Dienstleistungen für verwaltete Vermögen im Umfang von rund CHF 30 Mrd. erbringen. Nun hat Pius Stucki, Co-Gründer der Nectar Group AG, das angestammte Geschäft und das Team der Nectar Financial AG im Rahmen eines Management-Buyouts übernommen und in Etops AG umbenannt.
Rückkehr zum ursprünglichen Firmennamen als Zeichen der Kontinuität
Das Kerngeschäft von Etops bleibt Operations und Technologie. Die Schwerpunkte liegen auf dem gesamten Spektrum an FINMA-konformen Operations-Outsourcing-Lösungen, auf der Entwicklung und Umsetzung spezifischer Technologieprojekte sowie auf der Implementierung von Reporting-Projekten.
Eine Kernkompetenz von Etops ist das Aggregieren und Verarbeiten von Vermögensdaten aus den unterschiedlichsten Custodian-Quellen. Die bislang problematische Datenkompatibilität hat Etops mit der Entwicklung eines auf künstlicher Intelligenz basierenden Parsing-Systems gelöst.
Künstliche Intelligenz löst quellenunabhängige Konsolidierung von Vermögensdaten
Das System ermöglicht erstmals das Konsolidieren der Daten von liquiden ebenso wie von illiquiden Vermögenswerten auf einer einzigen Plattform respektive ein Multibanking-Reporting über Dashboards und eine Mobile App. Damit entspricht Etops einem wachsenden Bedürfnis von Family Offices, Vermögensverwaltern, Asset Managers und Banken.
Pius Stucki
«Der Management-Buyout ist zum einen ein klares Bekenntnis zu unserem Kerngeschäft»,
erläutert Pius Stucki, CEO von Etops AG, den Hintergrund der Transaktion und ergänzt
«Auf dieser Basis können wir nun gezielt den Ausbau unserer Kernkompetenz, dem Aggregieren und Konsolidieren von Vermögensdaten vorantreiben.»
 
Featured image credit: Etops AG
The post Management-Buyout von Nectar Financial AG und Umbenennung in Etops AG appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/management-buyout-von-nectar-financial-ag-und-umbenennung-in-etops-ag</link><guid>962</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Management-Buyout von Nectar Financial AG und Umbenennung in Etops AG</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Highlights of the Swiss Venture Report 2019</title><description><![CDATA[For the first time, Swiss information and community technology (ICT) and fintech startups raised more money than life sciences companies, with nearly 60% (131) of all financing rounds in 2018 being completed in ICT and fintech, showcasing strong interest from investors in the two sectors, according to the annual Swiss Venture Capital Report 2019.
In 2018, a total of CHF 685 million was invested in ICT and fintech startups. This is more than half of the total invested capital (or 55%) into Swiss startups. ICT startups raised CHF 497.1 million (40% of the total invested capital into Swiss startups) and fintech startups raised CHF 187.9 million (15%).
Swiss Venture Capital Report 2019
The largest funding round of 2018 went towards fintech startup SEBA Crypto, which raised CHF 100 million in September. Zug-based SEBA Crypto is building a regulated Swiss bank offering cryptocurrency services to companies and investors including crypto trading and investments, initial coin offering (ICO) advising services, corporate financing, and more.
Another fintech startup that got into the top 20 largest funding rounds of 2018 is Numbrs, formerly Centralway Numbrs, which raised CHF 26.7 million. Numbrs offers an app called that aggregates bank account and credit card information and facilitates mobile banking and personal financial planning.
Swiss Venture Capital Report 2019
Other fintech deals that took place last year include Advanon, Algotrader, Bloomio, Carbon Delta, LEND, Lykke, Metaco, Monito, Mt Pelerin Group, neon, Smart Valor and Taurus Group.
Startups from the canton of Zurich took most of the total amount of funding raised in 2018 by Swiss startups with CHF 515.2 million (43% of total investment), an increase in volume of 88.7%. Nine of the 20 largest financing rounds were raised by startups based in Zurich. These come mainly from four sectors: ICT, fintech, biotech and healthcare IT.
Swiss Venture Capital Report 2019
Zug and Basel-Stadt are the two other cantons where investment in 2018 rose strongly. Zug saw a volume increase of 143% (to CHF 171.8 million) and Basel-Stadt an increase of 72.7% (to CHF 142.1 million).
Fintech companies generated 60% of risk capital in Zug, also known as the Crypto Valley for the high concentration of cryptocurrency and blockchain startups.
Swiss Venture Capital Report 2019
The report also mentions the most important trade sales of 2018. In fintech, these are Bexio, a business software provider acquired in July by insurance group Mobiliar, finovo, a platform that makes it easier for pension funds to manage their mortgages acquired by mortgage broker Moneypark in February, and Innoveo, an insurtech provider acquired by Servion Global Solutions in March.
 
The rising token economy
The Swiss Venture Capital Report 2019 features a special segment on the crypto space and the token economy, which has been growing rapidly in Switzerland supported by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA)’s intelligent guidelines on crypto and ICOs, the research says.
“The high level of transparency and legal certainty in international comparison benefits all blockchain companies, not just startups that want to raise money through an ICO,” it says. “The reason being that only those who own a token can use a blockchain.”
It mentions the case of German serial entrepreneur Paul Claudius who founded Blockstate in Zug in April and has been gradually transferring the operational focus to Switzerland where the market entry will take place.
The report also notes the changing landscape with the number and volume of ICOs in Switzerland shrinking massively compared to previous years, hinting at the end of a speculative period and the start of “a period of normalization and professionalization.”
Swiss ICOs raised only CHF 233.5 million in 2018 compared to CHF 728.2 million in 2017. Last year’s largest token sales were Nexo with CHF 52.5 million, Swissbord with CHF 52 million and Trade.io with CHF 31.2 million.
Swiss Venture Capital Report 2019
 
Swiss startup funding exceeds CHF 1 billion
In 2018, Swiss startups received significantly more funds compared to previous years as investors and business angel clubs became more active. Investment in Swiss startups hit the billion mark with nearly CHF 1.24 billion flowing into domestic startups, up 31.8% since the previous year.
The rise is due mainly to the upswing of the ICT sector, including fintech.
“Overall, Switzerland can be proud: in terms of creation of technological disruption – deep tech – it appears to be well prepared in comparison with European competitors,” the report says. “However, the number of high-tech startups from abroad in the fields of blockchain, artificial intelligence and virtual reality is also rapidly increasing.”
Swiss startup funding fell behind its European neighbors. By far the most capital was raised by startups in the UK and Germany with US$2.6 billion and US$2.3 billion respectively last year. This was followed by France and Israel, each with more than CHF 1 billion, while financing volumes in Switzerland, Sweden and the Netherlands were between US$500 million and US$700 million.
In fintech, the UK and the Netherlands were the leaders in 2018. UK fintech startups raised more than CHF 1 billion in 2018 while Dutch fintech startups raised CHF 163 million.
Swiss Venture Capital Report 2019
The post Fintech Highlights of the Swiss Venture Report 2019 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-highlights-of-the-swiss-venture-report-2019</link><guid>961</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Invested-capital-by-sector-2018-1024x601.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech Highlights of the Swiss Venture Report 2019</dc:text></item><item><title>Nestle Bets on Blockchain for Food Traceability</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss transnational food and drink company Nestle is looking to use blockchain to provide consumers with increased traceability of food products.
Food market, Pixabay
“There is a demand from consumers for more transparency and trust,” Benjamin Dubois, digital transformation manager of global supply chain at Nestle, told 24 Heures. “Blockchain has been identified as one of the technologies capable of responding to this demand.”
The firm is part of the IBM Food Trust initiative which counts major global retailers such as Walmart and Unilever as members. The collaborative solution, built on IBM Blockchain, allows to efficiently and securely trace food, reduce waste, digitize records, and increase visibility during each step of the food supply chain.
The blockchain-based food traceability platform provides participants with a permission-based, shared view of food ecosystem information, allowing convenient data publishing and controlled sharing of information.
Authorized users can get immediate access to actionable food supply chain data – from farm to store and ultimately the consumer. The complete history and current location of any food item along with its accompanying information (i.e. certifications, test data, temperature data) can be readily available in seconds.
After 18 months of testing, IBM Food Trust went live for global use by retailers, wholesalers and suppliers across the food ecosystem in October 2018.
IBM Food Trust via IBM
For Nestle, the idea is to enable consumers to access information about ingredients composing products. QR codes is one of the options being considered to achieve this.
A QR code would be affixed on a product’s label, providing consumers with the ability to scan it using their smartphone prior to purchasing it, Dubois said. He explained:
“The buyer could hence know not only the origin and the composition of a product but also which farmer participated in the harvest, when the harvest was done, the date at which the ingredients were transformed, the name of the factory in which this process was done; even the number of employees the enterprise employs and which ethical and safety certificates the producers possess.”
“For 2019, we plan to expand the initiative by including more suppliers and consumers,” he added.
Food plays a central role in human societies yet the complex food supply chains create many efficiencies: nearly one-third of global food production is wasted or lost in the supply, yet more than 800 million people are chronically undernourished. Additionally, food systems are responsible for 29% of global greenhouse-gas emissions.
According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), technologies including blockchain, food-sensing, and the Internet-of-Things (IoT), have the potential to support positive food system transformation by enabling an unprecedented level of traceability.
In a report developed in collaboration with McKinsey &amp; Company, WEF argues that these technologies, if scaled, could reduce the environmental footprint of agriculture, support small-scale producers and support healthier and more nutritious food systems.
“Ensuring traceability is vital to providing transparency and building consumer trust in the content, quality and sustainability of the end-to-end food supply chain,” commented Paul Bulcke , chairman of the board at Nestle, Switzerland.
“New technologies, such as blockchain and satellite imaging, can strengthen traceability programs and lead to better transparency and value across the supply chain.”
 
Featured image: Blockchain, Pixabay.
The post Nestle Bets on Blockchain for Food Traceability appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/nestle-bets-on-blockchain-for-food-traceability</link><guid>959</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Food-market-Pixabay-300x200.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Nestle Bets on Blockchain for Food Traceability</dc:text></item><item><title>13 Fintech Events in Switzerland to Attend in 2019</title><description><![CDATA[Fintech has taken the world by storm with Switzerland emerging as a leader, establishing itself as a catalyst for financial innovation on a global level.
According to Michael Page, 10% of all global European fintech enterprises are located in Switzerland, with 46% of them located in Zurich, one of the new fintech hubs in Europe.
In light of Switzerland’s emergence as a front-runner in the space, an increasing number of events are being held in the country to showcase Swiss fintech innovation and as a means for stakeholders to connect and create synergies. Here are 13 fintech events taking place in Switzerland to attend this year:
Blockchain Summit: Blockchain Technology for Business &amp; Commerce
February 14, 2019, 8:00 – 17:00
Radisson Blu Hotel, Zurich Airport

The Blockchain Summit promises to be an exclusive, curated, high-impact, informative and thought-provoking summit presented by some of the world’s foremost innovators, change makers and prominent leaders in the blockchain and crypto ecosystem. This summit is set to bring the latest developments in the blockchain sector, with an in-depth focus on crowd token sales.
Topics to be covered include blockchain technologies and markets, digital exchanges, cryptocurrencies, smart contracts, legal and fiscal aspects of investing in cryptocurrencies, blockchain for banks, blockchain and the supply chain, and more.
The primary focus of this event is to unite the brightest minds of these developing industries. Also, letting the most promising projects and startups learn about entering and changing the market and see how businesses and individuals would change the world around us by implementing blockchain and accepting crypto in their cashflows.
 
IFZ Fintech Konferenz
February 27, 2019, 13:15 – 18:00
Lucerne University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Financial Services, Zug

Fintech is regarded as an innovative solution to the problems of the financial industry and is recording high growth rates. In addition to the presentation of the results of the annual IFZ Fintech Study, high-caliber speakers from companies such as Swisscom, Squirro, SEBA Crypto and Acrevis Bank will provide information on developments in the fintech sector.
The presentations are in English or German, without simultaneous translation.
 
Finance World Expo
March 6, 2019 – March 7, 2019
Zug

The Finance World Expo will take place on March 6 and 7, 2019 in Zug, Switzerland, supported by the canton of Zug. The event aims to provide a platform for industry leaders, emerging new companies and private investors to meet, discuss the current global economic climate, financial trends, the most exciting new innovations and create networks to reach their collective financial goals.
A big part of the expo will be dedicated to blockchain technology and security tokens, how these technologies change certain segments of the business, financial activities, and demands of the clients. In addition to that, the event will feature round table discussions, keynotes and speaking sessions covering exciting topics.
Tickets are on sale now with early bird prices. Register now and get 10% off with the code FinTech10.
 
Swiss Fintech Awards 2019
March 14, 2019
The Dolder Grand, Zurich

The purpose of the Swiss Fintech Awards is to promote regional development while helping create the strongest possible Swiss fintech ecosystem underpinned by international network links.
The awards recognize outstanding fintech startups and influencers with categories including Early Stage Startup of the Year, Growth Stage Startup of the Year and Fintech Influencer of the Year. The winners are chosen by a renowned jury consisting of a network of influential partner organizations and fintech experts.
 
Geneva Wealthtech Forum
March 14, 2019
Campus Biotech, Geneva

The Geneva WealthTech Forum (GWF) was created in 2017 on the basis of a private initiative. Quickly, this recurrent event received the full support of the State of Geneva (DG-DERI).
The forum aims to showcase an emerging ecosystem called to gather in Geneva all stakeholders of wealth management and new technologies, namely banks, asset managers, family offices, investors, VCs, incubators, mentors and startups.
 
START Summit 2019
March 21, 2019 – March 22, 2019
St. Gallen
START Summit is one of Switzerland’s leading conferences for entrepreneurship and technology. The conference focuses on creating an environment of inspiration and idea sharing for a brighter, more innovative future.
START Summit 2019 is set to gather 2,500 leaders, visionaries and young minds for a thought-provoking event. Topics covered will include artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, blockchain and the Internet-of-Things (IoT). Confirmed speakers include representatives of the likes of Scalable Capital, Proxeus, Dfinity and Accenture.
 
Blockchain in Financial Services 2019
March 26, 2019
Swiss Re Centre for Global Dialogue, Rüschlikon

On March 26, 2019, the first finance and industry forum &#8220;Blockchain in Financial Services&#8221; will take place at the Swiss Re Center for Global Dialogue in Rüschlikon. The conference will show how financial services providers can harness this disruptive technology and integrate it into their day-to-day business. Concrete application examples from various industries are presented.
Find out how Blockchain can help you gain a competitive edge and secure your participation at www.fuw-forum.ch/blockchainfs
CV Summit – Crypto Valley
March 27, 2019
Casino Theater, Zug

Twice a year the blockchain community comes together at the CV Summit, formerly known as the Blockchain Summit – Crypto Valley. On March 17, 2019, the 4th gathering will take place at the Casino Theater in Zug.
Held in the heart of the Crypto Valley, the CV Summit will be a full day conference filled with panels and keynotes and fireside chats focused on the intersection of enterprise and startup approaches to building new things with distributed ledger technology (DLT). It will bring together innovative startups and cutting-edge corporations using DLT in a multi-industry themed event highlighting the synergies of the rapidly evolving landscape.
The CV Summit will also be the culmination of the CV Competition for Real Estate. Decentralization, disruption and development of the real estate sector through blockchain technology will be at the center of the event.
The CV Summit is part of the CV VC ecosystem.
 
Startup Days 2019
May 28, 2019
Kursaal Bern, Kornhausstrasse 3

Startup Days 2019 will take place on May 28, 2019 and will bring together startups, investors, corporates and academia to explore deep tech. The event will also feature a pitching battle with five areas of focus: fintech, autonomous systems, healthtech, sustainable tech, and content and channels.
 
Swiss Digital Finance Conference 2019
May 23, 2019
Lucerne University of Applied Sciences, Computer Science, Suurstoffi 12, Room 12.003

The Swiss Digital Finance Conference 2019 aims to serve as a network and exchange platform where players from the Swiss financial sector discuss the future of their industry.
The conference will bring together the classic financial world and the new challengers from the digital age. It will give the audience an overview of the latest technology trends and how they affect the financial sector. Participants will get to know the digital possibilities and tools of the next generation.
Topics to be covered include mobile payments, cryptocurrencies, robo-advisors, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, e-commerce, and more.
Swiss Fintech Fair 2019
17. September 2019
Zurich

On October 16, 2018, Swiss Finance Startups organized Switzerland’s first ever fintech fair in Zurich. The event was a great success and exceeded expectations. The Swiss Fintech Fair will be coming back this year.
Swiss Payment Forum
November 11, 2019 – November 12, 2019
Zurich Marriott Hotel

The Swiss Payment Forum will take place for the 7th time on November 11 and 12, 2019. The event will feature exciting presentations and targeted networking sessions with an expected number of 150 decision-makers from the payment industry, commerce and science.
Experts will discuss the latest national and international trends and developments in the payments space. Topics to be covered include digital identities, wearable payments, retail, digital payments, APIs, and more.
 
Swiss Fintech Investor Day 2019
December 4, 2019
SIX ConventionPoint, Zurich

The Swiss Fintech Investor Day is a matchmaking event where fintech startups selected by a jury pitch to find experienced smart money investors. It is set to be the largest fintech investor event in Switzerland, gathering over 250 attendees from all over the world.
The event is intended primarily for angel investors, family offices, venture capitalists and corporate ventures that want to invest in fintech startups and also for aspiring angel investors that can learn from the sessions provided before the pitching sessions.
 

The post 13 Fintech Events in Switzerland to Attend in 2019 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/13-fintech-events-in-switzerland-to-attend-in-2019</link><guid>958</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Blockchain-Summit-Blockchain-Technology-for-Business-and-Commerce-1024x478.png</dc:content ><dc:text>13 Fintech Events in Switzerland to Attend in 2019</dc:text></item><item><title>Managementwechsel bei der Swisscom Blockchain AG</title><description><![CDATA[Die Swisscom Blockchain AG wurde 2017 gegründet, um im Kontext der Blockchain-Technologie Beratungs- und Projektleistungen anzubieten, sowie die Entwicklung von Blockchain-Anwendungen voranzutreiben.
Der Marktstart verlief erfolgreich: die Swisscom Blockchain AG zählt heute namhafte Unternehmen wie zum Beispiel die Bank Raiffeisen, den Kanton Glarus oder die Falcon Bank zu ihrem Kundenkreis. Damit konnte sie auch den Personalstand auf rund 30 Mitarbeitende ausbauen. Im Verlauf 2018 wurde das Angebot unter anderem um folgende Produkte erweitert: das Tokenization Launchpad – eine Applikation zur Token-Generierung oder die Blockchain Academy, welche Know-how aus der Praxis vermittelt.
Wechsel im Management der Swisscom Blockchain AG
Daniel Haudenschild
Der bisherige CEO und Minderheitsaktionär, Daniel Haudenschild*, verlässt das Unternehmen. Per sofort übernimmt Roger Wüthrich-Hasenböhler, Chief Digital Officer und Leiter Digital Business von Swisscom, ad interim die operative Leitung des Unternehmens. Er wird dabei vom bestehenden Management-Team der Swisscom Blockchain unterstützt. Gemeinsam wird die bestehende Strategie konsequent weiter umgesetzt.
 
 
Roger Wüthrich-Hasenböhler
Roger Wüthrich-Hasenböhler dankt Daniel Haudenschild für die geleistete Aufbauarbeit:
&#8220;Seit der Gründung hat er mit seinem Team den Grundstein der Swisscom Blockchain AG gelegt. Dank seinem umfassenden Verständnis der Technologie hat er blockchainbasierte Lösungen anderen Unternehmen zugänglich gemacht.&#8221;
 
 
Umfassendes Lösungsangebot für den Transfer digitaler Vermögenswerte im Aufbau
Die Swisscom Blockchain AG ist ein zentraler Pfeiler des umfassenden Lösungsangebots von Swisscom für digitale Innovationen. Das Tochterunternehmen von Swisscom bietet Lösungen zur schnellen und erfolgreichen Implementierung der Blockchain Technologie. Die Infrastruktur wird in der Schweiz gehostet und basiert auf der Software &#8220;Hyperledger Fabric&#8221;. Künftig bietet Swisscom in Zusammenarbeit mit der Schweizerischen Post auch eine sogenannte &#8220;Private Blockchain&#8220;. Die Markteinführung für erste Pilotanwendungen ist für das zweite Quartal 2019 geplant.
Mit dem Tochterunternehmen daura AG arbeitet Swisscom zudem an einer digitalen Aktie auf Basis der Blockchain-Technologie. Die Custodigit AG wiederum, ein weiteres Tochterunternehmen, entwickelt eine Lösung für regulierte Finanzdienstleister, welche das Speichern von digitalen Vermögenswerten ermöglicht.
In einer weiteren Initiative hat Swisscom in Zusammenarbeit mit der &#8220;Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften&#8221; (ZHAW) einen Prototyp eines Smart Contract entwickelt, um die qualifizierte elektronische Signatur auf der Blockchain einsetzen zu können. Dadurch lassen sich auf der Blockchain Verträge mit Schriftformerfordernis abschliessen sowie Vermögenswerte rechtsgültig übertragen.
 
*Amerkung der Redaktion: Daniel Haudenschild wurde letzten Freitag in das Board der Crypto Valley Assocation gewählt.
The post Managementwechsel bei der Swisscom Blockchain AG appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/managementwechsel-bei-der-swisscom-blockchain-ag</link><guid>957</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Managementwechsel bei der Swisscom Blockchain AG</dc:text></item><item><title>Rechnungen am SBB Automaten Bezahlen- Barzahlen</title><description><![CDATA[Dank einer Zusammenarbeit der Schweizerischen Bundesbahnen SBB mit dem deutschen Fintech-Unternehmen Cash Payment Solutions wird es möglich, seine Rechnungen an allen SBB Automaten und anderen Transportunternehmen in der Schweiz rund um die Uhr zu bezahlen. Diese Innovation beruht auf der Zahlungsart „Barzahlen“, die in Deutschland und in Österreich bereits erfolgreich ist.
„Barzahlen“ kann an den SBB Billettautomaten zur Zahlung von Online-Einkäufen und Rechnungen aller Art für Telefon, Miete, Versicherungen, Reisen oder Strom genutzt werden. Dafür erhalten Kundinnen und Kunden zusammen mit der jeweiligen Rechnung per Post, SMS oder E-Mail einen Einzahlungsschein mit einem Barcode sowie der zu begleichenden Summe. Der Code wird am Automaten gescannt. Dann kann der Rechnungsbetrag in bar oder auch mit der Bankomatkarte einbezahlt werden. Akzeptiert werden Zahlungen in Schweizerfranken oder in Euro.
Menschen, die dem Bargeld zugeneigt sind
„Barzahlen“ richtet sich an Menschen, die dem Bargeld zugeneigt sind und die ihre sensiblen Daten nicht überall freigeben wollen. Ihnen kommt diese Zahlungsart entgegen, weil sie für ihre Zahlungen nicht mehr auf die üblichen Zahlstellen und deren Öffnungszeiten angewiesen sind. In der Schweiz ist Bargeld nach wie vor beliebt und die neuen Zahlungsarten beispielsweise über das Smartphone breiten sich nur schleppend aus.
Deutschland, Österreich und jetzt auch die Schweiz
Achim Bönsch
Achim Bönsch, Mitgründer und Geschäftsführer von Cash Payment Solutions, Berlin, unterstreicht:
„Der Markteintritt in der Schweiz vollendet die Expansion von ‚Barzahlen‘ in der Region Deutschland, Österreich, Schweiz DACH. Dank der SBB Billettautomaten ist unsere Dienstleistung in der Schweiz auf Anhieb rund um die Uhr verfügbar.“
 
 
Hypothekar Bank Lenzburg als Zwischenglied
„Barzahlen“ ist in der Schweiz gemäss Artikel 2 der Geldwäschereiverordnung nur zu Kassageschäften befugt. Deshalb braucht es ein Zwischenglied mit der Schweizer Banklizenz. Diese Rolle erfüllt die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg AG. Sie transferiert den jeweiligen Betrag von der „Barzahlen“-Akzeptanzstelle &#8211; das sind in der Schweiz die SBB Billettautomaten &#8211; zum Rechnungsaussteller, beispielsweise einem Onlineshop, einem Energieversorger oder einer Versicherung. Bei dieser Transaktion bleibt der Rechnungszahlende gegenüber der Bank und „Barzahlen“ vollkommen anonym. „Barzahlen“ erhält und übermittelt jeweils nur das Signal, dass ein Barcode eingelöst wurde.
Das ist „Barzahlen“
„Barzahlen“ bietet in Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz eine bankunabhängige Infrastruktur für Ein- und Auszahlungen an über 15.000 Akzeptanzstellen an. So können Kunden ihre Online-Einkäufe und Rechnungen ganz ohne Mindesteinkauf bar bezahlen oder Geld vom Konto abheben und darauf einzahlen. Hierfür erhalten Kunden einen für jede Transaktion individuell erstellten Barcode per E-Mail, SMS oder Post, der an einer Kasse oder einem Automaten gescannt wird und eine Ein- oder Auszahlung möglich macht.
Die Dienstleistung von Barzahlen wird in den Partnerfilialen von REWE, PENNY, real,-, dm-drogerie markt, Rossmann, BILLA, mobilcom-debitel und den Automaten der SBB sowie vielen weiteren angeboten. Barzahlen kooperiert mit grossen Energieversorgern wie E.ON, Shops wie Rakuten.de und Banken wie der DKB.
Hinter Barzahlen steht die Cash Payment Solutions GmbH mit Sitz in Berlin. Sie wurde 2011 gegründet, wird von Achim Bönsch, Sebastian Seifert und Andreas Veller geführt sowie von namhaften Investoren wie Alstin, BTH und Rewe Digital unterstützt. Der Zahlungsdienst wird in Deutschland und Österreich durch die Grenke Bank AG erbracht. In der Schweiz nimmt die SBB den Rechnungsbetrag für Barzahlen im Namen und auf Rechnung der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg AG entgegen.
 
Featured image credit: sbb.ch
The post Rechnungen am SBB Automaten Bezahlen- Barzahlen appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/rechnungen-am-sbb-automaten-bezahlen-barzahlen</link><guid>956</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Rechnungen am SBB Automaten Bezahlen- Barzahlen</dc:text></item><item><title>EO.Finance Launches Highest Paying Crypto Referral Program of 2019</title><description><![CDATA[The EO Referral Program, already touted to be a significant addition to the ecosystem has been launched, and more details can finally be revealed. Offering 30% of transaction fees for each referral, it is expected to be the highest paying crypto referral program of 2019.
Each user will receive their own unique invite link, which can be shared with friends or via social media, in order to start earning 30% of the companies fees for every transaction made by someone who registered using their unique link.
Furthermore, receive 5% of the fees for each new referral introduced by your own referral, increasing earning potential and adding even more benefits to an already feature packed ecosystem. The fact the ecosystem supports credit and debit card transactions, as well as more than 40 cryptocurrencies means it will be even easier for you to start earning from your referrals.
The EO Referral Program will also extend to EO.Trade following launch, meaning it will be possible to earn from a single referrals transactions across multiple products within the EO ecosystem. It is important to note that the figure of 30% is significantly more than most competitors offer.
Payment will be made in the same currency as was purchased or exchanged. Withdrawal of the profits earned via the program can be made instantly, meaning you can earn immediately from your referral. The profits can also be exchanged into any available currency as desired.
Many will also be pleased to hear that the program also extends to those referred during the crowdsale. Meaning if you referred someone during the crowdsale, to earn from the bounty program on offer &#8211; those same referrals will still be active, allowing you to earn the 30% from fees on EO.Finance and EO.Trade.
For website owners and traffic managers, promotional materials can be provided, including: banners and videos in different sizes and languages.
EO is European licensed company, those who wish to join the referral program can do so by registering at EO.Finance and following this link: https://app.eo.finance/referral
 
Disclaimer: this is an article written by EO Finance, Fintechnews does not endorse and is not responsible for or liable for any content, accuracy, quality, advertising, products or other materials on this page. Readers should do their own research before taking any actions related to the company. Fintechnews is not responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in the press release.
Please note this is no investment advice.
The post EO.Finance Launches Highest Paying Crypto Referral Program of 2019 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/eofinance-launches-highest-paying-crypto-referral-program-of-2019</link><guid>955</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/EO-finance-card-300x285.png</dc:content ><dc:text>EO.Finance Launches Highest Paying Crypto Referral Program of 2019</dc:text></item><item><title>What is EO.Finance?</title><description><![CDATA[EO.Finance is a licensed Crypto &amp; Fiat wallet providing support for more than 40 currencies, as well as transaction by bank card, or even wire transfers for deposit and withdrawal. It forms just one of many products within the EO ecosystem, which work together to create a hub for the entire crypto community.
The enormous number of functions available ensures EO.Finance assumes an advantageous position in the fintech market, providing an excellent option for crypto newcomers and veterans alike, searching for a quick and reliable wallet. Available to download on iOS and Android, EO.Finance is also accessible through browsers, as well as Chrome and Firefox extensions. The interface is also noteworthy and has been designed to maximize the user experience, for those in need of assistance, the company provides support 24/7.



EO.Finance has a number of key features which place it ahead of competitors, the integrated exchange options add increased usability as well as being a real timer saver, EO.Finance supports the exchange of numerous currencies including; EO coin, Bitcoin, XRP, Ethereum and Litecoin. The ability to store fiat currencies is also something of a revelation, as it is now possible to store your digital and fiat currencies together, another significant feature has been the introduction of crypto purchases with debit or credit card, a much-demanded addition which provides ease of access to the crypto market for new and experienced traders alike.
Storage of fiat currencies has also been a popular addition, allowing users to store their fiat and digital currencies together. Perhaps most significant of all has been the introduction of crypto purchases with debit or credit card, which provides a convenient method for users to buy their cryptocurrencies.
Following registration users are provided with a unique address for each of the supported currencies, combined with options to send, receive and buy. Depending on the chosen option, easy to understand on-screen instructions provide guidance. Purchases can be made with ease from the portfolio, click the ‘buy crypto’ button and you will be presented with a drop down list of available currencies, simply enter the desired purchase amount and payment information to complete the transaction.
The process of exchanging is similar to that of purchasing, and can be done easily via the portfolio screen, choose the currency pairs you wish to exchange and enter the desired amount, then click ‘exchange’ to complete. This simple process would see your currencies instantly exchanged directly within the wallet!
EO coin powers the entire ecosystem, and this includes being used for the payment of commissions on transactions, which will come with significant discounts on EO.Finance, the referral program also plays a pivotal role in the growth of the ecosystem, and the EO community as a whole,
EO.Finance which is operated by EOtradex OÜ, holds European licenses for crypto wallet #FVR000161 and crypto-fiat exchange #FRK000193. These licenses provide increased trust and belief in the product and ecosystem as a whole.
It would appear that the future of EO.Finance is not only bright, but as the heart of the EO ecosystem it has every potential to flourish and lead the future of digital currency.
How to buy cryptos with EO.Finance:



 
Website: https://eo.finance
iOS app: https://itunes.apple.com/app/eo-finance-crypto-fiat-wallet/id1415386724
Android app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.eofinance
Firefox Extension: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/eo-finance-crypto-fiat-wallet/
Chrome Extension: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/eofinance-crypto-fiat-wal/hoighigmnhgkkdaenafgnefkcmipfjon?hl=en
 
Disclaimer: this is a press release written by EO Finance, Fintechnews does not endorse and is not responsible for or liable for any content, accuracy, quality, advertising, products or other materials on this page. Readers should do their own research before taking any actions related to the company. Fintechnews is not responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in the press release. Please note this is no investment advice.
The post What is EO.Finance? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/what-is-eofinance</link><guid>960</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>What is EO.Finance?</dc:text></item><item><title>Malta’s New Vision: A Fintech Strategy</title><description><![CDATA[The Malta Financial Services Authority has today launched its mission and vision for the next three years.
During a press conference held this afternoon, Chief Executive Officer Joseph Cuschieri unveiled MFSA’s Vision 2021, setting out the Authority’s mission and strategic vision underpinned by a set of goals and objectives aimed at establishing the MFSA as one of the leading financial services regulators in Europe.

Through Vision 2021, the MFSA has set the blueprint for its mission to enhance its position as a forward-looking, proactive and trustworthy supervisory authority with one clear purpose &#8211; safeguarding the integrity of markets and maintaining stability within the financial sector
In keeping with its new Vision, the MFSA has also published a Consultation Document outlining its FinTech Strategy which is underpinned by six strategic pillars. Some of the key elements of the Strategy include the introduction of a ‘FinTech Regulatory Sandbox’ and a FinTech Innovation Hub.
The Sandbox is aimed at providing a platform where start-ups and firms may explore and test their business concepts in a specially designed environment.
MFSA’s CEO, Joseph Cuschieri noted that:
“the MFSA is looking forward to continue working with and providing legal and regulatory certainty to industry players, whilst ensuring effective investor protection, market integrity and financial soundness in the FinTech environment”.
Reflecting the MFSA’s Vision, the Authority has also unveiled its corporate branding, including a new website which provides an enhanced user experience.
The post Malta&#8217;s New Vision: A Fintech Strategy appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/maltas-new-vision-a-fintech-strategy</link><guid>954</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/MFSA-1-1024x611.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Malta’s New Vision: A Fintech Strategy</dc:text></item><item><title>15 Crypto Companies in Switzerland to Watch Closely in 2019</title><description><![CDATA[The canton of Zug, located in the heart of Switzerland, has become famous in the cryptocurrency industry for becoming the hottest destination in the world for blockchain businesses. Zug, or Crypto Valley, offers a powerful platform for global growth due to its pro-business philosophy, the openness and easy accessibility of its local government, low-tax, and great quality of life.
Zug, Switzerland
In just a few years, the location has attracted hundreds of blockchain startups and projects including Ethereum, Bitmain and Tezos, which have all set offices in Zug.
Investment company CV VC, in collaboration with PwC Strategy &amp; and IT partner inacta, published recently a report naming the top 50 blockchain companies in “Switzerland and Liechtenstein’s Crypto Valley.”
According to the firms, the following 15 startups from Switzerland have a good chance of making it into this year’s top 50 list:
 
Ambrpay

Ambrpay provides a B2B backend solution which enables users of subscription services to pay for subscription services with cryptocurrencies. The company offers an easy to integrate solution solving this problem by using smart contracts, allowing payments in any cryptocurrency and theirs tokens, and offering merchant an automatic conversion into USD/EUR without ever having to touch cryptocurrency removing all volatility risk for the merchant. Ambrpay is based in Zurich.
 
ARCATrust

ARCATrust aims at providing valuable hardware and software platform solution for storing and managing dynamically digital assets. ARCATrust’s solution and technology relies on state-of-the art hardware components compliant with banking, defence and security sectors certifications. ARCATrust’s design approach consists in strongly binding its HW system with business-oriented SW to build a secure and easy-to-use solution. The ARCATrust solution is available either for ‘on premise’ or ‘as a service’ implementations. The company is based in Lausanne.
 
Blockimmo

Based in Zug, Blockimmo is a blockchain startup providing a marketplace for real estate tokenization. Its regulatory compliant ecosystem enables fractional property investments and ownership. Properties are officially and legally represented as security tokens on the Ethereum blockchain. Blockimmo partners with financial institutions and other strategic partners in different countries to enable and grow the cross-border market.
 
Cosmos Network

The Cosmos Network is a network of heterogeneous blockchains, blockchains which are each connected to one another via the Cosmos Hub and a standard communication layer called Interblockchain Communication protocol. The Cosmos Network is the first project being funded by the Interchain Foundation, a non-profit based in Baar.
 
Datum

Datum is a decentralized and distributed high performance NoSQL database backed by a blockchain ledger. This technology allows anyone to securely and anonymously backup structured data from social networks, wearables, smart homes, and other Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices. Datum provides a marketplace where users can share or sell data on their own terms. Datum is based in Zug.
 
Friendz

Based in Chiasso, Friendz aims to connect brands with their target audience, taking advantage of word of mouth on social media. The company has developed a tool that lets multinational companies involve a community of users on social networks for marketing purposes. Users get rewarded for creating contents for brands and sharing these contents on their personal social network profile. Friendz has an already working product, EUR 1.2 million in revenues, 200 clients and a community of 200,000 users.
 
Grain

Based in Chiasso, Grain processes work agreements on the blockchain and has an instant payment mechanism. The technology helps companies save billions of euros/dollars annually in middleman services and payment processing costs.
 
Metaco

Based in Lausanne, Metaco develops specialist, high-grade blockchain and cryptographic solutions for banks and financial institutions. In particular, the company provides Silo, a multi-account wallet management system. Silo uses military-grade hardware to provide the highest level of cyber and physical custody to allow institutions to store cryptocurrency keys and process transactions securely.
 
Orion Vault

Based in Zug, Orion Vault aims to transform the art market using crypocurrencies and blockchain technology. The company provides an end-to-end platform allowing users to buy renown art with bitcoin or ether, that are insured and stored safely and privately in Switzerland.
 
Pigzbe

Pigzbe, originally from London, is a fintech company that enables micro-financing for families worldwide by giving parents and children access to products and services that accelerate financial literacy. Pigzbe is a financial assistant that uses digital pocket money and gamification to create valuable tangible learning experiences. It is comprised of a hand-held “piggy-wallet,” an educational app and a new digital currency called Wollo. Pigzbe has an office in Chiasso.
 
PikcioChain

PikcioChain is a secure and distributed permission-based platform specialized in the collection, certification, verification and exchange of personal data. PikcioChain lets businesses trade and exchange personal data in complete security and with confidence whilst simultaneously empowering individuals by giving them control of their personal data and enabling them to realize its financial value. PikcioChain is based in Lausanne.
 
Qiibee

Qiibee is a decentralized loyalty ecosystem. The Qiibee Protocol enables businesses to issue real valued loyalty tokens that can be combined and traded. Reward and redemption transactions are stored on the blockchain and remove the central data authority. The company is based in Zug.
 
Request Network

Request Network is a decentralized platform that enables anyone to request peer-to-peer (P2P) payments. The purpose of Request Network is to establish a standard for blockchain transactions, shaping the future of financial transactions (i.e. invoices, loans, payments, salary, donations) and their compliance for accounting, tax and audit integration). The company is based in Zug.
 
Taurus Group

Taurus Group is a Geneva-based company building a platform to trade, invest, and protect customers’ digital assets. Taurus aims at delivering institutional-grade solutions in full compliance with the Swiss regulatory standards. The company was founded by experts from the banking, asset management and hedge funds, regulatory, as well as blockchain and cybersecurity fields.
 
Utrust

Utrust is a cryptocurrency payment solution offering instant transactions, buyer protection and crypto-to-cash settlements. It uses a dynamic holding system where it holds the funds and release them to a seller, adjusted on a performance-based timeframe. The company was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in Zug.
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik here and here
The post 15 Crypto Companies in Switzerland to Watch Closely in 2019 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/15-crypto-companies-in-switzerland-to-watch-closely-in-2019</link><guid>953</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Zug-Switzerland-300x225.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>15 Crypto Companies in Switzerland to Watch Closely in 2019</dc:text></item><item><title>Die angehende Schweizer Krypto-Bank SEBA nutzt Finstar als Banking-Plattform</title><description><![CDATA[Die SEBA Crypto AG will eine der ersten Krypto-Banken der Schweiz werden und hat zu diesem Zweck bei der Eidgenössischen Finanzmarktaufsicht (FINMA) eine Banklizenz beantragt.
Für den operativen Betrieb wird SEBA die Open-Banking-Plattform Finstar als Kernbankensystem verwenden. Eine entsprechende Vereinbarung haben die SEBA Crypto AG und die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg AG, welche Finstar  entwickelt und vertreibt, unterzeichnet.
In der Projektphase wird die Finstar-Plattform für die von SEBA genutzte offene und dezentralisierte Softwarearchitektur optimiert. Das bestehende Kernbankensystem wird zu diesem Zweck mit den diversen Schnittstellen versehen, um SEBA neben der Nutzung herkömmlicher Finstar-Services auch die Abwicklung von Emissions-, Handels- und Aufbewahrungsgeschäften mit Krypto-Währungen und Blockchain-Produkten zu ermöglichen. Die Projektphase wird im zweiten Quartal 2019 abgeschlossen werden.
In der darauffolgenden Betriebsphase wird die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg das Applikationsmanagement und den Rechenzentrumsbetrieb bewerkstelligen. Zudem wird SEBA Dienstleistungen und Betriebsprozesse im Backoffice-Bereich von der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg implementieren, etwa in der Wertschriftenverwaltung oder in der Zahlungsverkehrsabwicklung. Die krypto- und blockchainspezifischen Komponenten im Abwicklungsprozess wird SEBA dagegen selbständig managen.
Marianne Wildi
«Wir sind stolz darauf, mit der SEBA Crypto AG einer der ersten Krypto-Banken der Schweiz willkommen zu heissen. Die Erweiterung unseres Systems zu einer Plattform für Transaktionen mit Krypto-Währungen ist ein Quantensprung. Wir betreten damit im Kernbankenbereich Neuland und freuen uns auf die strategische Zusammenarbeit mit SEBA»,
sagt Marianne Wildi, Vorsitzende der Geschäftsleitung der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg AG.
Guido Bühler
«Wir freuen uns, mit dem Kernbankensystem Finstar® der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg eine stabile und effiziente Plattform für unsere Transaktionen mit Krypto-Währungen und Blockchain-Produkten gefunden zu haben. Die heutige Ankündigung ist ein Zeichen für die neue Realität in der Finanzwelt, in der wir als reguliertes Institut eine Brücke zwischen traditionellem Banking und dem digitalen Ökosystem schlagen wollen»,
sagt Guido Bühler, CEO von SEBA.
 
Featured image credit: https://www.seba.swiss/
The post Die angehende Schweizer Krypto-Bank SEBA nutzt Finstar als Banking-Plattform appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/die-angehende-schweizer-krypto-bank-seba-nutzt-finstar-als-banking-plattform</link><guid>952</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Die angehende Schweizer Krypto-Bank SEBA nutzt Finstar als Banking-Plattform</dc:text></item><item><title>Kudelski Launches a New Blockchain Security Center</title><description><![CDATA[Kudelski Security, the cybersecurity division of the Kudelski Group, today launched its Blockchain Security Center (BSC), making available its cryptography expertise into the rapidly evolving blockchain developer community.
Expanding upon the company’s security services, the BSC will provide new offerings and has a concrete roadmap to develop foundational technologies that help integrate security into and around blockchain solutions for enterprises and within public/private sectors.
Blockchain has the potential to revolutionize business capabilities, creating new avenues of efficiency and supercharge technology applications across all industries and sectors. As applications for this technology accelerate, Gartner predicts blockchain-enabled business to reach $3.1 trillion by 2030.
Speaking on the launch of the BSC, Rich Fennessy, CEO of Kudelski Security said
Rich Fennessy
 
“Enterprises are exploring the technology in earnest, and new blockchain-based solutions are being developed every day. Leveraging our cryptography expertise and experience in blockchain security consulting, we have made it our mission to improve blockchain security so that emerging solutions enhance overall enterprise cybersecurity, rather than generate new vulnerabilities.”
 
 
Additionally, the Kudelski BSC will develop a suite of expanded cryptographic solutions, full-stack enterprise blockchain security recommendations, and developer tools to support the entire blockchain ecosystem. This will give greater confidence to officers, investors, engineers, and blockchain developers to design, build and run secure applications using this exciting new technology.
“It’s a myth that blockchain is inherently secure,”
said Scott Carlson – former director of systems security strategy at PayPal and CISO of blockchain-based financial system Sweetbridge, now responsible for spearheading Kudelski Security’s security efforts in the blockchain space.
Scott Carlson
“While transactions on a blockchain are protected by proven mathematics, security is quite often forgotten and not necessarily integrated into the associated applications, processes, systems and technology. This is where we come in.
We help companies operating in the digital finance, communications and IoT space secure their products using tested methodologies and common sense approaches, to deliver better performance and greater trust to the end user. We do not simply look at the code; we work with the entire set of components present with an ecosystem of manufacturers, end-users, enterprises, and code-creators.”
 
Featured image credit: Freepik
The post Kudelski Launches a New Blockchain Security Center appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/kudelski-launches-a-new-blockchain-security-center</link><guid>951</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Kudelski Launches a New Blockchain Security Center</dc:text></item><item><title>Blockchain Powered Securities Lending Gains Traction with Deutsche Börse Group</title><description><![CDATA[

The development of the HQLAX target operating model, a blockchain solution for collateral swaps in the securities lending market by Deutsche Börse Group and HQLAX, is showing significant progress.
In March 2018, Deutsche Börse Group and HQLAX announced cooperation for a securities lending offering based on R3’s Corda blockchain solution. It aims to facilitate more efficient collateral management of high-quality liquid assets (HQLAs), which are in heightened demand due to increased clearing and margin requirements under Basel III regulations.




Following extensive testing during deployment over the past months, the technical set-up is close to final, as is the legal and regulatory framework.
Six banks already confirmed that they have started their onboarding processes and will join the platform at launch date, which is expected in the first half of 2019.




Unlike in traditional settlement, there will be no actual movement of securities between custody accounts on the HQLAX target operating model.
Instead, tokens will be transferred while the underlying securities will be kept off-blockchain and remain static. This helps market participants to redistribute liquidity more efficiently by providing collateral mobility across systems and locations.
The platform will be accessed via Deutsche Börse’s Eurex Repo trading system. A trusted third party layer will be the interface between the distributed ledger technology (DLT) and legacy securities infrastructure leveraging well-established triparty collateral management services.




In December 2018, Deutsche Börse acquired a second tranche of shares in HQLAX to further strengthen its ties with the company. Deutsche Börse had acquired a first minority stake in the company in August 2018.




Guido Stroemer
Guido Stroemer, CEO of HQLAX, comments:
“The interest and commitment shown by the market prove that blockchain can bring tangible benefit to our industry. In Deutsche Börse we found the perfect partner to exploit this potential. The increased shareholdings confirm their strong commitment to our business and the joint solution.”


 
Jens Hachmeister
Jens Hachmeister, in charge of blockchain initiatives across Deutsche Börse Group, comments:

“This blockchain use case reveals the significance and potential of the technology. This creates higher liquidity, transparency and efficiency for financial markets in general and securities financing in particular. We look forward to applying DLT for further solutions along the whole value chain.”



Clearstream, Deutsche Börse Group’s post-trading services provider, will act as custodian. Additionally, Deutsche Börse is in advanced discussions with further custodians to participate.




Philippe Seyll
Philippe Seyll, CEO of Clearstream Banking S.A., comments:
“We are thrilled to see the progress of the platform. It shows the technology’s potential to enhance collateral liquidity management by lowering obstacles between different systems and locations.”


 
 
 
Featured image credit:Deutsche Börse Group&#8217;s Facebook Page
The post Blockchain Powered Securities Lending Gains Traction with Deutsche Börse Group appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/blockchain-powered-securities-lending-gains-traction-with-deutsche-borse-group</link><guid>950</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Deutsche-Börse-and-HQLAᵡ-target-operating-model-1024x724.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Blockchain Powered Securities Lending Gains Traction with Deutsche Börse Group</dc:text></item><item><title>SWIFT’s Network Gains a Blockchain Boost from R3’s Corda</title><description><![CDATA[The SWIFT messaging network—an entrenched establishment mainly known for cross-border interbank transfers— is integrating blockchain from R3 into its processes. This is the corporation&#8217;s bid to speed up its processes, create more ubiquity, and bring in the general trade certainty that comes from being on distributed ledger technology.
R3, made up of a consortium of financial institutions with an eye on blockchain, built an open-source blockchain named Corda, designed to grease costly business transactions by helping instutions transact directly using smart contracts, and was always built with businesses in mind. R3 has over 300 partners to date for collaboration on Corda.
With this partnership, SWIFT will be incorporating a &#8216;gateway&#8217; of sorts for its Global Payments Innovation (gpi) standard for cross-border payments. The gateway, called the gpi Link, and aims to connect gpi memebers to multiple trade platforms.
The gpi Link is for now a proof of concept going through trials for connecting e-commerce and trading platforms, where corporations can utilise it to authorise and settle payments, thereby recording the resulting credit confirmation on the blockchain platforms upon completion. Eventually, the proof of concept will extend beyond R3&#8217;s blockchain-based trade environment into supporting other platforms.
SWIFT touts the gateway as an enabler for monitoring and control of payment flows, and also any movement of goods by those trade platforms.
Luc Meurant, SWIFT’s CMO, said:
Luc Meurant
“All trade platforms require tight linkages with trusted, fast and secure cross-border payments mechanisms such as gpi. While DLT (blockchain)-enabled trade is taking off, there is still little appetite for settlement in crypto-currencies and a pressing need for fast and safe settlement in fiat currencies.&#8221;
&#8220;Given the adoption of the Corda platform by trade ecosystems, it was a natural choice to run this proof of concept with R3.”
David E. Rutter, CEO of R3 said:
David E. Rutter
“SWIFT gpi has rapidly become the new standard to settle payments right across the world. All the blockchain applications running on Corda will thus benefit from the fast, secure and transparent settlement provided through the SWIFT gpi banks.”
 
SWIFT gpi, supported by more than 50 banks across the globe, is making big strides in innovating their cross-border payment offering. In fact, SWIFT claims that cross-border payments can now be typically made within minutes or even seconds, with over 50 per cent of SWIFT gpi payments credited to end beneficiaries within 30 minutes.
Time will tell if their efforts will be fruitful enough for them to retain their position, with Ripple ready to pounce with its decentralised platform at the slightest opportunity.
SWIFT&#8217;s proof of concept will include banks and corporate participants. A prototype will be demonstrated at Sibos in London in September 2019.
 
Featured image edited from Unsplash
The post SWIFT&#8217;s Network Gains a Blockchain Boost from R3&#8217;s Corda appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swifts-network-gains-a-blockchain-boost-from-r3s-corda</link><guid>948</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>SWIFT’s Network Gains a Blockchain Boost from R3’s Corda</dc:text></item><item><title>Zurich Announces Winners Of Global Insurtech Competition</title><description><![CDATA[Zurich Insurance announced that Chisel AI is the Gold winner in the first Zurich Innovation World Championship.
Chisel was awarded for its work that aims to improve processing of unstructured data sources using artificial intelligence technology. Zesty.ai was the Silver winner, and LifeNome and Soldier.ly were named shared Bronze winners.
The companies were honored during an awards ceremony at Zurich’s headquarters in Switzerland. Each winner now has the opportunity to develop pilot programs in the local businesses to make their products and services available to the Group’s customers in selected countries and regions.
Group Chief Executive Officer Mario Greco said:
Mario Greco
“The Zurich Innovation World Championship underlines our ongoing quest to attract and retain the best and most innovative talent across the globe. We received applications from Argentina to Australia, demonstrating the breadth of talent, ideas and people who recognize the opportunity to work with and learn from Zurich. We are very excited to be working with our winners to develop cutting-edge new services, approaches and capabilities that will help us better meet the evolving needs of our customers, employees and other stakeholders globally.”
The global round of the Zurich Innovation World Championship was judged by Zurich’s executive committee, who together decided on the four winners. Group Chief Strategy, Innovation and Business Development Officer Giovanni Giuliani said:
Giovanni Giuliani
“We are pleased that Chisel AI, zesty.ai, LifeNome and Soldier.ly are the winners of the first Zurich Innovation World Championship. Each of these insurtech startups demonstrated they can fully support Zurich and its customers with pioneering ideas and products. We are committed to drive transformation and innovation in the insurance industry and I am excited to see what our winners’ pilot programs will deliver for Zurich and the industry.”
 
Chisel AI
 Chisel AI has developed a natural language, AI processing tool that allows commercial insurers and brokers to extract, identify and classify unstructured data sources, such as insurance documents, 400 times faster and much more accurately than a human, the company claims.
 
 
Zesty.ai
Zesty.ai has developed an AI-based solution that can provide insurers and other users with detailed and accurate property evaluations to improve underwriting, pricing and post-event response. Using satellite and drone imagery, combined with information collected by aircraft and weather data, zesty.ai has analyzed more than 115 billion data points on 140 million structures.
 
 
LifeNome
LifeNome has created an XHealth platform that combines precision health and wellness underwriting with the aim of making customers healthier and saving money for insurers. 70% of the company’s staff hold PhDs. Soldier.ly has developed the world’s first smartwatch stress detection app that provides users with real-time assistance.
 
 
Soldier.ly
Soldier.ly’s FDA-approved app detects stress and intervenes when stress signs are detected. Worldwide, mental health problems now affect an estimated 700 million people.
The Zurich Innovation World Championship, Zurich’s first global insurtech competition, attracted more than 450 startups from around the globe. During the past five months, they competed in five categories: Smart Homes and Buildings, Digital Health, Financial Planning, Mobility and a Wildcard option.
 
The eight global round finalists were: Chisel AI, Habit Analytics, LifeNome, Nubihome, Shayp, Soldier.ly, Vymo and zesty.ai. In previous rounds, 22 local winners were selected and Zurich will also start working with many of these companies on a local basis and share their expertise globally.

The post Zurich Announces Winners Of Global Insurtech Competition appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/zurich-announces-winners-of-global-insurtech-competition</link><guid>947</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/8-finalist-zurich.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Zurich Announces Winners Of Global Insurtech Competition</dc:text></item><item><title>Series B: Loanboox Sammelt 22 Millionen Franken ein für Europa Expansion</title><description><![CDATA[Das Schweizer Fintech Unternehmen Loanboox sammelt CHF 22 Millionen  in der Series B Finanzierungsrunde ein.
Zu den Investoren gehören unter anderem die Deutsche Kreditbank AG (DKB), die LGT Gruppe und weitere namhafte Kapitalanleger aus Europa und Übersee. Die Unternehmensbewertung steigt auf CHF 122 Millionen (110 Mio. Euro).
Loanboox startete Ende 2016 in der Schweiz. Mittlerweile beschäftigt der Gewinner des letztjährigen Swiss Fintech Awards 40 Mitarbeitende in der Schweiz, Deutschland, Frankreich und Österreich. Grundlage des Geschäfts ist die einfache, transparente, sichere und günstige Vermittlung von Finanzierungen und Investitionen über eine digitale Plattform. Kunden von Loanboox sind öffentlich-rechtliche Körperschaften, Banken, Grossunternehmen und institutionelle Anleger. In der Schweiz können über Loanboox auch verbriefte und börsengehandelte Papiere wie Anleihen gezeichnet werden. Seit Go-Live Ende 2016 wurde ein Finanzierungsvolumen von zwanzig Milliarden Franken (17.5 Mrd. Euro) über Loanboox angefragt, über 1000 Kunden sind aktiv auf Loanboox.
Runde war überzeichnet
Um das weitere Wachstum zu sichern, hat Loanboox eine Series B Finanzierungsrunde durchgeführt. Gründer und CEO Stefan Mühlemann zeigt sich sehr erfreut über den grossen Zuspruch internationaler Kapitalgeber:
Stefan Mühlemann
Tatsächlich hatten wir die Möglichkeit, die neuen Geldgeber auszuwählen, die Loanboox auch inhaltlich den meisten Mehrwert bieten können, da wir signifikant überzeichnet waren. Zudem haben alle bisherigen Aktionäre auch in dieser Runde wieder investiert, ein besonderes Zeichen des Vertrauens. Beides nehmen wir als grosses Kompliment, aber auch als Ansporn für die weitere Expansion in Europa und die Erweiterung unseres Produktsortiments, wofür wir nun bestens gerüstet sind
Auch nach der Series B verbleibt die Mehrheit der Aktien in den Händen der Gründer und Mitarbeitenden. Die aktuelle Bewertung von CHF 122 Millionen (110 Mio. Euro) verdeutlicht sehr eindrucksvoll den bisherigen Erfolg aber auch das enorme Potenzial von Loanboox. Profitabilität wird bis Ende 2021 angestrebt.
Erstes Fintech-Investment der DKB
Mit der Deutschen Kreditbank und der LGT Gruppe als weitere Institution im Finanzbereich hat Loanboox zwei renommierte Investoren gewonnen, die wie die anderen Investoren zusätzlich auch Expertise einbringen. Mühlemann: «Dies ist ein deutliches Zeichen für unsere Offenheit gegenüber traditionellen Marktteilnehmern. Wir sind stolz, mit der DKB einen digitalen Vorreiter im Bankenumfeld und mit der LGT Gruppe eine global tätige Finanzgruppe als Investoren gewonnen zu haben». Da sich die Beteiligungen beider Unternehmen im niedrigen einstelligen Prozentbereich bewegen, ist die Unabhängigkeit von Loanboox weiter vollständig gewährleistet. Thomas Jebsen, Vorstandsmitglied der DKB:
H.S.H. Prince Max von und zu Liechtenstein
Die Plattformökonomie wird in Zukunft auch das traditionelle Finanzierungsgeschäft mit der Öffentlichen Hand in Europa verändern und daran wollen wir frühzeitig partizipieren
Auch Prinz Max von und zu Liechtenstein, CEO der LGT Gruppe, freut sich über das Investment:
Loanboox ist zukunftsweisend im Bereich grosse Fremdfinanzierungen. Davon sind wir überzeugt
Zahlreiche weitere namhafte Business Angels
Neben diesen beiden weithin bekannten Adressen haben zahlreiche Family Offices und sehr gut vernetzte Business Angels investiert. Darunter Emmanuel Roth (Co-Managing Partner bei Five Arrows Principal Investments), Luzius Meisser (Mitgründer Bitcoin Association Switzerland und VR bei diversen Schweizer Start-ups), Gerd Häusler (Aufsichtsrat bei mehreren deutschen Gesellschaften), die Mutschler Ventures (mit erfolgreicher Mehrfachinvestorin Sylvie Mutschler), die Delphen SARL (mit ex-BCG Europa Chairman und amtierendem Loanboox Frankreich Präsident René Abate) und Prof. Roland Berger (Gründer, Partner und Ehrenvorsitzender der internationalen Strategieberatung Roland Berger), der sich wie folgt über Loanboox äussert:
Für mich ist die Technologie von Loanboox ein wichtiger Katalysator für eine Steigerung der Transparenz, Effizienz und Sicherheit im Finanzierungssektor durch die Schaffung erheblicher und nachhaltiger Vorteile für alle Marktteilnehmer. Die weiteren Anwendungsmöglichkeiten der Technologie und der Plattform sind enorm
 
Featured image credit: Unsplash
The post Series B: Loanboox Sammelt 22 Millionen Franken ein für Europa Expansion appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/series-b-loanboox-sammelt-22-millionen-franken-ein-fur-europa-expansion</link><guid>945</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Series B: Loanboox Sammelt 22 Millionen Franken ein für Europa Expansion</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 15 Most Well-Funded Blockchain Startups in Zug’s Crypto Valley</title><description><![CDATA[In just a few years, the canton of Zug has emerged as a major blockchain hub with now over 380 blockchain companies domiciled in the canton.
Today, Zug, nicknamed Crypto Valley for the large number of blockchain startups there, hosts some of the world’s most notable and successful ventures in the space including Ethereum, Lisk, ConsenSys, and Blockhaus.
Some of them have raised hundreds of millions in funding and received backing from prominent investors. The following 15 companies are among the most well-funded blockchain startups based in Zug according to data from Crunchbase.
 
Bitmain – US$764.7M

Bitmain is a company headquartered in Beijing that designed application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chips and software for bitcoin mining. Bitmain serves customers globally with industry-defining technology – blockchain securitization, AI machine learning and more. Bitmain’s fintech hub including a decentralized exchange is located in Switzerland. The company has raised US$764.7 million according to Crunchbase and is preparing for an initial public offering (IPO) in Hong Kong.
 
Hdac Technology – US$258M

Hdac Technology is developing a blockchain-based platform for the Internet-of-Things (IoT) backed by Hyundai BS&amp;C. The IoT contract platform based on blockchain not only exchanges but also restricts the usage of connected devices. It allows IoT devices to quickly and effectively communicate, handling identity, authentication, data storage and micro-payments. Hdac Technology has raised US$258 million in its initial coin offering (ICO).
 
Tezos – US$232M

Tezos is a new platform for smart contracts and decentralized applications. The Tezos blockchain can evolve by upgrading itself. Token holders vote on amendments to the protocol, including amendments to the governance mechanism itself, to reach social consensus on proposals. Tezos was designed to facilitate formal verification to improve the security of smart contracts and decentralized applications. The technology is overseen by the Tezos Foundation based in Zug. Tezos has raised US$232 million in its ICO, according to Crunchbase.
 
Dfinity – US$195M

Dfinity is a blockchain-based cloud computing project that aims to develop a decentralized “Internet computer that will become the cloud 3.0” and reduce the costs of cloud services. The Dfinity network is self-governing through the use of an adaptive network called the Blockchain Nervous System (BNS) and is also capable of achieving transaction finality at an average speed of 7.5 seconds due to advancements in random number generation and selection. The Dfinity protocol uses Verifiable Random Functions (VRFs), BLS Cryptography and the Threshold Relay technique (powered by a random beacon) to achieve these speeds. Dfinity has raised US$195 million in funding.
 
Bancor – US$152.3M

Bancor is a blockchain protocol that allows users to convert between different tokens directly as opposed to exchanging them on cryptocurrency markets. The Bancor Protocol is a standard for the creation of Smart Tokens, cryptocurrencies with built-in convertibility directly through their smart contracts. Bancor utilizes an innovative token Connector method to enable formulaic price calculation and continuous liquidity for all compliant tokens, without needing to match two parties in an exchange. Smart Tokens interconnect to form token liquidity networks, allowing user-generated cryptocurrencies to thrive. Bancor has raised US$152.3 million in funding, according to Crunchbase.
 
Waves Platform – US$142M
 

The Waves Platform is a global public blockchain platform, founded in 2016. It offers a shared infrastructure, as well as easy-to-use, highly functional tools to make blockchain available to every person or organization. Waves focuses on custom blockchain tokens operations. National currencies transfer is maintained on the Waves blockchain through compliant gateway operators. Waves has raised US$142 million in funding, according to Crunchbase.
 
SEBA Crypto – US$103M

SEBA Crypto is building a bank offering cryptocurrencies services to companies and investors. It is seeking a banking and securities dealer license to manage cryptocurrency trading and investments for banks and qualified investors and also aims to provide corporate financing, including advising on ICOs, and other cryptocurrency and banking services to traditional corporate clients and cryptocurrency groups. The company is headed by former UBS managers Guido Buehler as chief executive and Andreas Amschwand as chairman and raised US$103 million in funding in September 2018.
 
Status – US$100M

Status is an open source, Ethereum-based app that allows users to chat, transact, and access the world of decentralized apps (DApps) on the decentralized web. Status is also an encrypted private messenger that allows users to send payments and smart contracts to friends from within chats, using a peer-to-peer protocol that doesn’t rely on centralized servers. Status raised US$100 million in its ICO.
 
Cardano – US$62.2M

Cardano is an open source, decentralized public blockchain and cryptocurrency project. Cardano is developing a smart contract platform which seeks to deliver more advanced features than any protocol previously developed. The project is overseen by the the Cardano Foundation based in Switzerland. Cardano has raised US$62.2 million in funding, according to Crunchbase.
 
Nexo – US$52.5M

Nexo is a fintech application designed to give instant crypto-backed loans to users. The platform is powered by Credissimo, a leading fintech group that has been serving millions of customers across Europe for the past decade. Nexo has raised US$52.5 million in funding, according to Crunchbase.
 
ICON – US$45M

The ICON project is building one of the largest decentralized networks in the world. The purpose is to provide a platform where players from financial, security, insurance, healthcare, educational, and commerce industries and beyond can coexist and transact on a single network. ICON raised US$45 million in its ICO in 2017.
 
Xapo – US$40M

Xapo offers a secure bitcoin wallet and cold storage vault. The Xapo Vault consists of physical servers located around the globe that the company says is protected by biometric scanner access, 24-7 video surveillance, and armed guards. The servers are in undisclosed locations underground, according to CEO and entrepreneur Wences Casares. Xapo has raised US$40 million in funding.
 
Ambrosus – US$32.5M

Combining high-tech sensors, blockchain protocol and smart contracts, Ambrosus is building a universally verifiable, community-driven ecosystem to assure the quality, safety and origins of products. The company seeks to enable a more secure and autonomous supply chain, improve distribution processes and allow consumers to easily see where their products come from and what is really in them. Ambrosus raised US$32.5 million in its ICO.
 
Saga – US$30M

Saga is a stablecoin project overseen by the Saga Foundation. Saga is designed to address legitimate concerns expressed by policy makers, regulators and market participants regarding cryptocurrencies, mainly their anonymity, lack of underlying value and high volatility. It aims to promote a low-volatility environment, combining the virtues of blockchain technologies with algorithmic representations of financial tools. Saga raised US$30 million in funding last year.
 
Aragon – US$25M

Aragon is a project that aims to disintermediate the creation and maintenance of organizational structures by using blockchain technology. It provides the tools for anyone to become an entrepreneur and run their own organization. Aragon requires only the Internet to function, implementing basic features such as governance, fundraising, payroll and accounting. Aragon raised US$25 million in its ICO.
 
Featured image credit: Pixabay
The post Top 15 Most Well-Funded Blockchain Startups in Zug’s Crypto Valley appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-15-most-well-funded-blockchain-startups-in-zugs-crypto-valley</link><guid>944</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bitmain-300x106.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 15 Most Well-Funded Blockchain Startups in Zug’s Crypto Valley</dc:text></item><item><title>Successful 1st Anniversary of Crypto Finance Conference during Crypto Winter</title><description><![CDATA[From January 16th to 18th, right before the World Economic Forum, 260 guests attended the highly anticipated Crypto Finance Conference St. Moritz 2019. Despite the arrival of the crypto winter in the scene, the conference was completely sold out at the end of the first day.
The CFC is the world’s most exclusive investor conference on cryptocurrencies and blockchain investments and took place in St. Moritz in the Swiss mountains for the second time. The three-day event, previously hosted in St. Moritz and Geneva, Switzerland,  as well as in Half Moon Bay, CA, USA, brought together top-notch speakers and carefully selected participants at the prestigious Suvretta House in St. Moritz. Special guest at the conference was Ryan Zinke, former US Secretary of the Interior.
Tobias Reichmuth, President of the Board of the CFC says:
Tobias Reichmuth
“We are very happy with the high number and outstanding quality of the participants. In discussions on and off stage, it became once again clear that the whole industry is becoming more professional and that we can expect many interesting and promising investment opportunities to come up in 2019.”
“Over the last few months, the industry and many blockchain events truly felt the negative impact of the crypto winter. But with the Crypto Finance Conference, we’ve created an event of such high quality by bringing together the  right people in one place, that many chose it as one of only a few conferences they still want to attend”,
reflects Nicolo Stoehr, CEO of the CFC.

Participants and speakers at last week’s event—who were all hand-picked by the conference
board—expressed their continued bullishness on the crypto industry. Special focus was put on regulatory topics. Mentionable quotes from speakers include:
Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg:
“The international harmonization of Blockchain regulation won&#8217;t come that quickly.&#8221;
While the US does too little and Europe isn&#8217;t able, the Chinese had understood that the Blockchain technology had created the precondition to achieve economic and therefore geopolitical dominance. So the Crypto and Blockchain community have to get ready for huge risks: Regulation of Blockchain based businesses and artificial intelligence as a battlefield of global powers. Zu Guttenberg is a former Minister of Economics &amp; Technology and former Minister of Defense of Germany and founder of Spitzberg Partners.
Sterling Witzke, Partner at Winklevoss Capital, said that people tend to think the space moves at lightning-speed because of how 2017 ended. She predicts that the next big rise in crypto will come, but most likely not in 2019: “The space lacks regulatory clarity, and many investors and institutions still have concerns regarding security.”
Philipp Roesler, former Vice-Chancellor of Germany, stated:
“If you don‘t care [about regulations], the politicians will take care of it”
and encouraged Blockchain industry leaders to actively work with regulators to build the right framework.
Ruedi Noser: On a panel discussing The regulation maze &#8211; comparing global perspectives and the challenges in achieving international alignment, the member of the Swiss Parliament noted that “Winners don’t have the time to be talking to politicians. So there is a risk that politicians are listening  to losers” to stress the importance of continuous dialogue between the right people in politics and the industry.
 
The post Successful 1st Anniversary of Crypto Finance Conference during Crypto Winter appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/successful-1st-anniversary-of-crypto-finance-conference-during-crypto-winter</link><guid>943</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Crypto-Finance-Conference-1024x683.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Successful 1st Anniversary of Crypto Finance Conference during Crypto Winter</dc:text></item><item><title>Trust Square Blockchain Hub Appoints General Manager</title><description><![CDATA[Zurich-based Trust Square blockchain hub has appointed Thomas Meister as its general manager.
The move follows the hub’s recent expansion to become the world’s largest centre for blockchain startups and research, and represents another important step in Trust Square’s mission to establish a sustainable ecosystem. At the same time, Trust Square is broadening its focus by adding cyber security as a complementary core topic to its concept.
Thomas Meister
In the newly created role of general manager, Thomas Meister is responsible for the overall management of Zurich’s Trust Square and will be driving the hub’s further buildup. In addition to the development and implementation of a sustainable location strategy for Zurich, this will include the evaluation of Trust Square projects outside of Switzerland. Along with the recently completed expansion of the hub to a total of 3,500 square metres at Zurich’s Bahnhofstrasse, Trust Square is broadening its focus by adding cyber and information security to its core topics.
Thomas Meister joined Trust Square from electronics retailer Mediamarkt, where he was a member of the board of directors of Mediamarkt Zurich AG and general manager of the Mediamarkt Sihlcity branch. Prior to this, he worked as a project and location lead at Swiss retailer Migros, where he was responsible for the implementation of strategic projects and branch development. Thomas Meister has earned degrees as a certified marketing leader and business manager and attended the Swiss hotel management school in Lucerne. He started his position at Trust Square at the beginning of this year.
Marc Degen
Trust Square co-founder Marc Degen said:
“Thomas Meister is a proven leader with a first-class track record in implementing complex projects, and we are very pleased to have him on the team. The rapid growth of our hub since its start in the previous year has shown the vast potential of our idea. Thomas will act as a driving force to help us further exploit this potential.”
With its recent expansion, Trust Square’s capacity at Zurich’s Bahnhofstrasse 3 has increased significantly. At the moment, there are still a limited number of desks in a shared office environment as well as separate offices available to startups working in the fields of blockchain and cyber security. In addition, Trust Square is now offering established corporations additional ways to get engaged in the hub by becoming a corporate partner.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/trust-square-blockchain-hub-appoints-general-manager</link><guid>941</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Trust Square Blockchain Hub Appoints General Manager</dc:text></item><item><title>Poor Understanding of Blockchain Amongst Senior Business Executives</title><description><![CDATA[New research amongst institutional investors from the Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC) &#8211; a blockchain ecosystem assocation &#8211; reveals 63% believe senior executives at large established businesses have a poor understanding of blockchain.  Only 7% described their understanding as ‘good’, with the remainder describing it as ‘average’.
According to the research, 76% of professional investors interviewed don’t feel senior executives at large established businesses are particularly committed to blockchain, but overall they expect global spend on blockchain technology to increase by 108% this year. Over one in 20 (6%) anticipate spend in this area will increase by more than 200% during this time period.
When it comes to which sectors professional investors believe blockchain will have the biggest impact on over the next five years, 69% cited financial services and banking, followed by 45% who said digital identity, and 34% who said healthcare.
Building on this, when asked which sectors will see the biggest increase in the usage of blockchain over the next two years as opposed to just exploring and researching its potential, 33% of institutional investors expect to see a ‘dramatic’ increase in the use of this technology over this time period within financial services and banking, with a further 41% anticipating a slight increase.
The corresponding figures for digital identity &#8211; the sector investors expect to see the second largest impact &#8211; are 20% and 38%, and for healthcare, which is expected to see the third biggest impact, they are 16% and 37%.
How investors see the level of application of blockchain technology within organisations in the following sectors changing over the next two years




	SectorIncrease dramaticallyIncrease slightlyStay the same/decreaseDon’t know




	Financial services/Banking33%41%15%11%


	Digital identity20%38%23%20%


	Healthcare16%37%32%15%


	Retail/shopping16%33%35%16%


	Travel/transport15%29%39%18%


	Energy/utilities13%33%39%15%


	Manufacturing13%17%52%17%


	Government services11%33%37%19%


	Entertainment/media8%26%47%18%


	Voting		
7%31%39%23%


	Education2%20%58%20%




 
Featured image credit: Pexels
 
The post Poor Understanding of Blockchain Amongst Senior Business Executives appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/poor-understanding-of-blockchain-amongst-senior-business-executives</link><guid>940</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Poor Understanding of Blockchain Amongst Senior Business Executives</dc:text></item><item><title>PostFinance Launches Digital Mortgage Brokerage Platform Valuu</title><description><![CDATA[With the Valuu app, PostFinance has launched the first fully digital mortgage brokerage platform. It provides users with easy, fast access to a suitable mortgage from various providers, regardless of time or location – whether it be a new purchase or replacement. The app is now available in German for iOS and Android.
With Valuu, PostFinance has brought a brokerage, comparison and conclusion platform for mortgage holders and lenders onto the market. Using the app is child’s play: as a first step, users enter the details of the desired property for the conclusion or replacement of a mortgage. They can check their financial options, receive suitable offers from lenders such as banks, pension funds and insurance companies, and then apply for a loan.
Up until the conclusion of the contract with the lender, users can go through all the steps independently and conveniently in the app without a consultation appointment. This makes Valuu the first platform which enables the entire process end-to-end, including the option of taking out mortgages online. At every step in the app, users have the option of calling the Valuu competence center for technical assistance or specialist information.
Independent platform
Valuu is an independent brand and has also been registered as such. It has a fresh and dynamic appearance and is aligned with the familiar PostFinance brand identity. Any interested mortgage seekers can use the Valuu app regardless of whether they are a PostFinance customer or not. To ensure its
independence as the platform operator, Valuu does not broker any mortgages from PostFinance.
Diversification of income structure
The current negative interest rate environment and ongoing digitization are influencing PostFinance’s traditional business model. This is why PostFinance is focusing its strategy more heavily on digitization, promoting innovation and transforming itself from a traditional financial service provider into a digital
powerhouse. PostFinance is tapping new, interest-free sources of income by strengthening its existing core business and building up additional business. The launching of Valuu is an important part of this strategy.
Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
The post PostFinance Launches Digital Mortgage Brokerage Platform Valuu appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/postfinance-launches-digital-mortgage-brokerage-platform-valuu</link><guid>937</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>PostFinance Launches Digital Mortgage Brokerage Platform Valuu</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintegration: Telefonica Germany Partners with Weltsparen</title><description><![CDATA[Beginning today, o2 Banking customers in Germany will gain access to WeltSparen’s wide range of savings and investment products directly through their mobile o2 Banking app.
In Germany’s ongoing low-interest environment, o2 Banking customers looking for new options to save or invest can enjoy significant benefits from Raisin’s higher interest rates and cost-effective, globally-diversified ETF portfolios.
Markus von Böhlen
“Particularly given this period of low interest rates, we are glad to be offering our customers attractive investment opportunities together with WeltSparen,”
said Markus von Böhlen, Director of Devices, Trading &amp; Digital Life for Telefónica Deutschland and in charge of o2 Banking.
The WeltSparen products now available in the o2 Banking app include term deposits and overnight accounts from more than 60 partner banks across the EU, as well as transparent and cost-effective ETF portfolios in four asset classes, which are offered in cooperation with Vanguard and DAB BNP Paribas. All deposits invested through Raisin are protected by the respective national deposit guarantee schemes up to 100,000 EUR per bank per customer, as specified by EU guidelines.
A simple and secure banking experience
The partnership with WeltSparen delivers the first external offers on the o2 Banking app and thereby represents a significant expansion into the area of open banking. Weltsparen (Raisin) offers a simple and secure online banking experience together with its deposit and investment products, making it an ideal partner for o2 Banking.
The mobile o2 Banking account is a full-featured checking account with a mobile-optimized user experience and has already received multiple awards. The bank account, including a debit Mastercard, is free of charge and available to all. It offers electronic transfers via mobile phone number along with comprehensive security features such as push notifications. o2 customers also receive an additional monthly high-speed data volume according to their use of o2 Banking. o2 Banking is implemented in cooperation with the Munich-based Fidor Bank AG.

The post Fintegration: Telefonica Germany Partners with Weltsparen appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintegration-telefonica-germany-partners-with-weltsparen</link><guid>938</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintegration: Telefonica Germany Partners with Weltsparen</dc:text></item><item><title>New Top 50 Crypto Valley Swiss Blockchain List  – the Largest and Most Important Companies</title><description><![CDATA[Investment company CV VC, in collaboration with PwC Strategy &amp; and IT partner inacta, has published its new quarterly list of the largest and most important companies in Switzerland and Liechtenstein’s Crypto Valley Blockchain cluster.
The survey finds that, at the end of December 2018, the cluster contained 750 companies using the distributed ledger technology that defines Blockchain. This corresponds to a growth of 121 companies, or almost 20% compared to the last count at the end of September 2018.

The data comes from CV Maps, an online directory of blockchain companies in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, which is maintained by CV VC.
20% of the global market in Switzerland and Liechtenstein
‘Crypto winter’, as 2018’s severe market reversal has been nicknamed, has affected the valuation of participating companies but not their number. The market capitalization of the top 50 dropped from $44 billion to $20 billion in Q4 2018, a decrease of 55%. Most cryptocurrencies worldwide lost value during this period. The global crypto market according to Coinmarketcap was valued at the end of 2018 at $130 billion. The Crypto Valley Top 50 accounts for nearly 20% of this market.
On average, the top 50 companies are valued at $400 million each. Excluding the five largest, the average figure is still $365million; a sign that concentration is relatively low. The average valuation of all 750 companies was estimated at $27 million. Four unicorns – startups valued at over $1billion – are present in Crypto Valley: Ethereum, Bitmain, Dfinity and Cardano.
Around 420 people work in Switzerland and Liechtenstein in the 50 largest blockchain companies. Overall, the industry employs more than 3,300 people, most of them in the area between Zug and Zurich. The survey finds that it is business as usual for many companies despite the collapse in value on the crypto exchanges.
While over half of Blockchain companies are based in the canton of Zug, Crypto Valley extends to many other Swiss cantons: 42 are now in Geneva and 39 in Ticino. Switzerland’s neighbouring microstate of Liechtenstein registers 38 crypto companies according to CV Maps. There are no entries in the blockchain register yet from Appenzell, Innerrhoden, Glarus, Jura and Obwalden.


15 new companies in the Top 50
Compared to the previous quarter, 15 companies entered the top 50 in the fourth quarter:
Sygnum, HDAC, ICON, 4ARTechnologies, WPP Energy, Nexo, ODEM, Mt. Pelerin, Saga, Boscoin, Utopiamusic, Santiment, Quant Network, TokenPay Swiss und Zulu Republic.
The second report on the Crypto Valley’s Top 50 contains a challenger list. According to CV VC, inacta and PwC Strategy&amp;, the 10 startups have a good chance of making it into the top 50: ambrpay, Arca Trust, Blockimmo, Cosmos Network, Datum, Friendz, Grain, Metaco, Orion Vault, Pigzbe, PikcioChain, Qiibee, Request Network, Taurus Group, UTRUST.
In addition to CV Map&#8217;s database, sources for the quarterly Top 50 survey include company registers, crypto exchanges, media reports and LinkedIn. In cooperation with PwC Strategy &amp; Switzerland, various valuation criteria and data were established as the basis of the survey: funding, market capitalization, number of employees, and age of company, all weighted on a scale of 1 to 10. Where no data was available, estimates were made and declared as such.
Top 50 Crypto Valley Companies 




	Company NameDescription




	Sygnum (New)Sygnum is a technology-driven company that empowers financial services for the digital
asset economy. It develops an integrated solution to securely issue, store, trade and manage digital assets. The company was founded by an experienced, interdisciplinary team of experts and is backed by a distinguished group of individuals and institutions. Sygnum is rooted in two of the world‘s leading financial hubs – Singapore and Switzerland.


	VetriVETRI is the next iteration of the Procivis digital identity platform, which draws on the e-government platform eID+, also developed by Procivis. While the idea of anonymously matching the owners and buyers of high-quality data is not new, what is new is that VETRI delivers a solution that does not require a central business intermediary that needs to be paid for matching two parties: VETRI is a not-for-profit, open-source platform. 


	HDAC (New)Hdac is a blockchain based platform backed by Hyundai BS&amp;C. The platform allows IoT
devices to quickly and effectively communicate, handling identity, authentication, data storage and micro-payments. Hdac will develop a new blockchain based on multichain capable of handling the scale and contract functionality required for an IoT platform, as well as bridges to Bitcoin and Ethereum to facilitate payments. IoT devices powered by Hdac will mean more actionable data to improve lives, businesses and governments. It differs from other IoT offerings by the convergence of the private blockchain and the public blockchain which creates a faster transaction speed.


	EtheriscEtherisc‘s mission is to build decentralized insurance applications, making the purchase and sale of insurance more efficient, enabling lower operational costs, increase transparency of insurance compared to traditional operations, and democratize access to reinsurance investments.


	ICON (New)The ICON project is building one of the largest decentralized networks in the world. Promotion and development of new technologies and applications, especially in the areas of new open and decentralized software architectures. In the foreground - but not exclusively - is the promotion and development of the so-called ICON protocol and the corresponding technologies, as well as the promotion and support of applications using the ICON protocol.


	4ARTechnologies (New)Hundreds of million dollars are lost to art fraud each year. With our powerful image-capturing software, we render artworks forgery-proof. This new authentication standard logs an
artwork’s unique fingerprint, its history and provenance on the blockchain – balancing the
industry’s need for greater transparency with state-of-the-art security.


	AmbrosusCombining high-tech sensors, blockchain protocol and smart contracts, we are building a universally verifiable, community-driven ecosystem to assure the quality, safety and origins of products. At the Ambrosus project we aim to radically improve the global supply chains by creating a trusted ecosystem where we can reliably record the entire history of products and execute commercial transactions accordingly. We seek to enable a more secure and autonomous supply chain, improve distribution processes and allow consumers to easily see where their products come from and what is really in them.


	ModumModum.io sensor devices record environmental conditions while physical products are in transit. When a change in ownership occurs, the collected data is checked against a specific smart contract in the blockchain. This contract validates that the transaction meets all of the standards set out by the sender, their clients, or the regulator and triggers various actions: notifications to sender and receiver, release of goods, payment, etc


	Smart ContainersSmart Containers develops, builds and rents out airfreight containers for medicine &amp; food transports. We combine cutting-edge technology and IoT sensors in a logistics ecosystem on blockchain.


	WPP Energy (New)This platform is being created to reduce the cost of green energy to most parts of the
world by transmitting power production data from wholesale renewable energy producers
around the world into the platform. WPP Energy‘s own surplus global energy production
will also be captured in the platform and made available for purchase.


	Nexo (New)Over the past 10 years, nexo has been providing instant loans to millions of people across
Europe. We believe that the expanding digital world helps improve our lives. They would
like to contribute by providing the World‘s First Instant Crypto-backed Loans. Nexo - enjoy
your crypto wealth today without selling your crypto assets!


	ODEM (New)ODEM is an On-Demand Education Marketplace built on the Ethereum blockchain. The
platform connects students, educators, and service providers where, together, they develop and engage in personal and group, in-person educational programs. The platform reduces costs and improves access to premium education by directly connecting educators with students and eliminating inefficient and costly intermediaries.


	Mt. Pelerin (New)Unlike traditional banks, MtPelerin won‘t use your money to invest for our own profit. Instead, 100% of the currencies deposited on our accounts will be kept in reserve at all time.
This reserve and its movements are recorded on Ethereum blockchain, and are therefore
completely transparent in a permanent and immutable way. Their reserves are visible to all
in real-time, while the state of individual accounts remain confidential.


	Saga (New)Money is changing. Digital currencies present both promise and challenges: Who can issue
this new money? How will it be regulated? What is the underlying logic and value? Saga addresses public policy concerns raised by these developments. Non-anonymous and reserve
backed, Saga is supported by global subject-matter leaders. Saga sees itself as complementary to the existing financial system.


	Boscoin (New)Self-evolvig cryptocurrency platform. The Modified Federated Byzantine Agreement algorithm will allow for low latency transactions while being more energy efficient. BOScoin
aims to overcome the technical and operational issues inherent in many cryptocurrencies.


	Deon DigitalDeon Digital has developed a programming language and operating system to create and manage truly digital contracts, which you can use to build digitized enterprise processes and future business ecosystems. We aim to “tear down walls” not only within, but also between organizations: letting information, ideas and transactions flow freely — and exactly where, when and how they should.


	GolemGolem is a global, open source, decentralized supercomputer that anyone can access. It is made up of the combined power of users machines, from PCs to entire data centers.


	ProxeusThey are blockchain entrepreneurs with over a decade experience in building successful digital businesses. They have developed their own technology allowing them to industrialize the creation of blockchain applications, powered by XES, their own cryptocurrency


	Shift CryptosecurityDigital Bitbox is a minimalist bitcoin hardware wallet packed with security and privacy. Safely hold and spend your coins with peace of mind.


	Sirin LabsThe current generation of smart devices compromises on user security. The focus is overwhelmingly on user experience, at a huge cost in fraud and cybercrime. They believe the digital economy of the future cannot tolerate this trade-off: device architecture demands a
paradigm shift that enables true security, while maintaining excellent user experience. FINNEY devices are the first cyber-protected, blockchain-enabled mobile phone and PC. They enjoy the functionality of Android OS, plus a suite of cyber security technologies, giving users safe, reliable access to the blockchain.


	BitmainBitmain is a blockchain and semiconductor company, dedicated to the design and manufacture of high performance computing chips and software. They serve their customers globally with industry-defining technology – blockchain securitization, AI machine learning and
more. Bitmain’s Fintech hub including a decentralized exchange is located in Switzerland.


	Aeternityæternity is a new blockchain technology, designed to deliver unmatched efficiency, transparent governance and global scalability. æternity is a scalable blockchain platform that enables high bandwidth transacting, purely-functional smart contracts, and decentralized
oracles.


	AragonCreate value without borders or intermediaries. They are building Aragon because they believe decentralized organizations can solve the world’s worst problems. Aragon is a project that aims to disintermediate the creation and maintenance of organizational structures by using blockchain technology. They want to empower people across the world to easily and securely manage their organizations


	BancorBancor allows you to convert between any two tokens on their network, with no counterparty, at an automatically calculated price. Thanks to built-in liquidity, the future of user-generated tokens is here.


	CardanoCardano is a decentralised public blockchain and cryptocurrency project and is fully open source. Cardano is developing a smart contract platform which seeks to deliver more advanced features than any protocol previously developed.


	Dfinity NetworkDfinity is a blockchain based world computer network that is powerful enough to host business applications at scale. The network features a variety of innovations in the blockchain space. The Dfinity network is self-governing through the use of an adaptive network called the Blockchain Nervous System (BNS). The network is also capable of achieving transaction finality at an average speed of 7.5 seconds due to advancements in random number generation and selection. The Dfinity protocol uses Verifiable Random Functions (VRFs), BLS Cryptography and the Threshold Relay technique (powered by a random beacon) to achieve these speeds. 


	EthereumEthereum is a decentralized platform that runs smart contracts: applications that run exactly as programmed without any possibility of downtime, censorship, fraud or third-party interference. These apps run on a custom built blockchain, an enormously powerful shared
global infrastructure that can move value around and represent the ownership of property. This enables developers to create markets, store registries of debts or promises, move funds in accordance with instructions given long in the past (like a will or a futures contract) and many other things that have not been invented yet, all without a middleman or counterparty risk


	Utopia Music (New)Utopias mission is to reclaim the creative and economic value of the music industry. At
Utopia, they setting out to transform the entire industry. To create new revenue streams,
consolidate the data and declutter the admin - unlocking the industry’s full potential by
unifying it all in one truly holistic space.


	LiskDevelop and publish blockchain applications with your own sidechains on the open-source Lisk Platform. Promotion of new technology developments and applications, in particular promotion and maintenance of new open decentralized software architectures. In the
foreground - but not exclusively - is the promotion and development of the so-called Lisk protocol and the corresponding technology as well as the promotion and support of applications using the Lisk protocol


	StatusStatus is an interface to access Ethereum, built for Android and iOS. Enjoy encrypted messaging, a cryptocurrency wallet, and seamless access to DApps.


	TezosTezos is a new decentralized blockchain that governs itself by establishing a true digital commonwealth. It facilitates formal verification, a technique which mathematically proves the correctness of the code governing transactions and boosts the security of the most sensitive or financially weighted smart contracts.


	WavesThey create the economics of free, perfect and instant. The Waves Platform is a global public blockchain platform, founded in 2016. Waves Platform’s mission is to reinvent the DNA of entrepreneurship around the world by providing a shared infrastructure, offering easy-touse, highly functional tools to make blockchain available to every person or organisation that can benefit from it.


	Santiment (New)Santiment is a one-stop source for cryptocurrency data sets, real-time market signals
and fresh industry insights. We are dedicated to promoting clarity, transparency and trust
across blockchain economies in an effort to demystify crypto and create a better future
society for all.


	MelonportMelonport is the private company building the open-source Melon Protocol. The Melon protocol is a blockchain protocol for digital asset management built on the Ethereum platform. It enables participants to set up, manage and invest in digital asset management strategies
in an open, competitive and decentralised manner. Read the Melon Protocol Green Paper for a full detailed description of how it will empower its users and evolve digital asset management.


	TendTEND is a blockchain company that creates a new investment world driven by passion, purpose and meaning. It‘s for all forward-thinking, like-minded people who desire to invest their money more purposefully


	Bitcoin SuisseThey have a long-term and ambitious vision for Bitcoin Suisse AG. To realize these goals they are building a team of highly talented people who share their vision and who are passionate about creating world-changing financial products and services.


	BityThe Swiss gateway to convert money into cryptocurrencies and digital assets. Buy - sell bitcoins and ethers. Introducing Bity Kiosks, the easiest way to acquire or sell bitcoins with cash. Only a phone number is required. Bitcoin ATMs are currently located in Geneva, Lausanne, Montreux, Neuchâtel, Zürich Hauptbahnhof and Zürich Hardbrücke.


	CoreledgerThe CoreLedger infrastructure creates a simple and secure platform from which to use blockchain technology. It allows users to digitize goods and services without programming effort. Thanks to blockchain technology, these assets can be securely and irrevocably transferred with immutable and unfalsifiable proof of ownership. Transactions using digitized assets decrease costs and integrate seamlessly with existing goods and services


	Crypto FinanceCrypto Finance AG is a financial technology company founded in June 2017. The company provides blockchain-related services through its three divisions Asset Management, Brokerage and Storage. The aim of Crypto Finance AG is to facilitate the implementation
of blockchain technology in the global economy through a range of high quality financial services.


	LykkeLykke takes advantage of breakthroughs in crypto-technology to build a global Internet exchange with immediate settlement for all asset classes and types of financial instruments.

The banking architecture is outdated and needs to be replaced. They propose an Internet exchange that uses blockchain to trade all types of financial instruments. The benefits are immediate settlement, low transaction fees, the absence of a single point of failure, and
strategic independence. Immediate settlement and highly competitive pricing will lead to rapid volume growth and establish the exchange as the Internet marketplace.


	SEBA CryptoSEBA’s ambition is to become the world‘s first universal, fully licensed and supervised crypto bank, offering industry leading crypto-asset financial products and services. SEBA’s team is comprised of global leaders and experts in banking, financial markets, FinTech and
Blockchain.


	ShapeShiftShapeShift is a crucial piece of infrastructure in the world of Bitcoin. From start to finish, users can exchange blockchain tokens in seconds, with no account required. No emails or passwords. No lengthy signup process. No accounts. No bid and ask orders. No friction. ShapeShift’s goal is the fastest, safest, and most convenient way to swap digital assets.


	Smart ValorSmart Valor is building the blockchain-based Valor-Network: a decentralized community-based marketplace for tokenized alternative investments. It enables asset issuers to create and distribute tokenized alternative investment solutions.


	Token SuisseAs leading European provider for Crypto Asset Investment Solutions, TokenSuisse is at the forefront of financial innovation. Whether Coin Brokerage, Crypto Asset Advisory or Analytics and Consulting Solutions, their inhouse capabilities allow them to help with any
question regarding Blockchain Technologies and Crypto Assets. Most importantly, through differentiation between and critical analysis of emerging blockchain technologies, their team is able to derive the implications for different Crypto Assets and as well as affected
companies


	Quant Network (New)Quant Network is set to revolutionise blockchain technology with the development of their blockchain operating system Overledger. Overledger is not another blockchain. It‘s the‚over ledger‘ that sits on top of blockchains providing a meta-gateway. Overledger will address the major limitations of current blockchain technology and unlock its true potential. Overledger is set to disrupt industries.


	TokenPay Swiss  (New)TokenPay has incorporated a peer-to-peer encrypted instant messaging system using
algorithms to maintain private conversations when using the TokenPay wallets. All of the messages sent and received are encrypted by the proven AES-256-CBC algorithm and distributed between nodes in such a way as to prevent the recipient‘s messages from being hacked or viewed by anyone that it was not intended to, even if the hacker can view the
entire network and/or run nodes of the network.


	Crypto.comCrypto.com, the pioneering payments and cryptocurrency platform, seeks to accelerate the world’s transition to cryptocurrency. Crypto.com is headquartered in Hong Kong.


	Zulu Republic (New)The Zulu Republic aims to mitigate the adoption problem, leveraging blockchain technology to create a sustainable cryptotoken ecosystem composed of individuals, merchants, and larger businesses, bolstered by enterprise-level activity and product “exports”—creating a place where people can not only make use of blockchain technology in their daily lives but thrive in the process of doing so.


	EidooEidoo, a Ticino based blockchain startup, has officially launched the ICO Engine to allow Crypto companies and startups host and manage their token sales safely and with ease via the Eidoo mobile app. 


	XapoXapo has been described by The Wall Street Journal as the Fort Knox of bitcoin storage. So if you’re looking to secure your bitcoins, then look no further than the Xapo Vault. They have developed a new standard of bitcoin security and protect your assets in the Vault so that you are rest assured that your money is safe and sound.




You can download the complete report on the Crypto Valley’s Top 50 here.
 
Watchlist: 15 Upcoming Crypto Valley Companies 

The post New Top 50 Crypto Valley Swiss Blockchain List  &#8211; the Largest and Most Important Companies appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-top-50-crypto-valley-swiss-blockchain-list-the-largest-and-most-important-companies</link><guid>936</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Crypto-Valley-Top-50-Shows-Swiss-Blockchain-Industry.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>New Top 50 Crypto Valley Swiss Blockchain List  – the Largest and Most Important Companies</dc:text></item><item><title>Ledger’s New Crypto Hardware Wallet Nano X Comes with Bluetooth Support for Mobile Access</title><description><![CDATA[Cryptocurrency hardware wallet manufacturer Ledger has unveiled a new signature product, the Ledger Nano X, a Bluetooth-enabled hardware wallet with enhanced security and an improved user experience and design.
Ledger Nano X device and the Ledger Live Mobile app
Just like the Ledger Nano S cryptocurrency hardware wallet, the Ledger Nano X is a USD stick, but with Bluetooth connectivity, users will be able to connect with their smartphone wirelessly, and thanks to the new Ledger Live Mobile app, scheduled to be released on the App Store and Google Play on January 28, they will be able to manage secure transactions and check their real-time balances on the go, enabling for increased mobility without sacrificing security.
A hardware wallet is a special type of cryptocurrency wallet which stores the user’s private keys in a secure hardware device. They have major advantages over standards software wallets such as being immune to computer viruses, they can be used securely and interactively, and private keys are often stored in a protected area of a microcontroller and never need to touch potentially vulnerable software.
Beside Ledger, which has sold over 1.5 million Ledger Nano S devices, other popular manufacturers include Satoshi Labs, the developer behind the TREZOR wallet, and KeepKey.
Speaking to Mashable, Eric Larchevêque, CEO at Ledger, assured that Bluetooth connectivity doesn’t compromise the Ledger Nano X’s security. Larchevêque said:
“The private keys don&#8217;t leave the device, whether you connect via Bluetooth or via USB cable. And even if someone could somehow hack your Bluetooth connection, you still see which address you&#8217;re sending coins to on the device&#8217;s screen itself.”
Even if the Bluetooth connection would be hacked, the Ledger Nano X would still request users’ consent for any action. Additionally, if users are not comfortable using the device with a wireless connection, they can disable the Bluetooth and use the USB type-C cable.
The Ledger Nano X was unveiled earlier this month at the Consumer Electronic Show (CES), an annual trade show held in Las Vegas that hosts presentations of new products and technologies in the consumer electronics industry.
At the event, the Ledger Nano X was awarded the CES Innovation Award in Cyber Security and Personal Privacy for 2019. The CES Innovation Awards recognize outstanding design and engineering in consumer technology products that protect and enhance digital security.
“The Ledger Nano X includes all of what you loved about your Nano S, but with new and improved major features,” Larchevêque said in a statement. “With its Bluetooth connectivity and increased capacity, the Ledger Nano X provides an enhanced user experience while delivering the mobility and state-of-the-art security that customers expect from Ledger. It is exciting to be recognized by CES as the go-to leader for securing crypto assets.”
The Ledger Nano X can store up to 100 crypto assets, or six times more than the Ledger Nano S, and supports over 1,100 different cryptocurrencies. The device includes an improved interface with a larger screen and features Ledger’s cutting-edge security which isolates private keys from owner’s computer or smartphone, which are easily hackable.
“As global data-ization continues to change people&#8217;s lives, users are looking for trusted partners to protect their critical digital assets,” said Pascal Gauthier, president of Ledger. “At Ledger, we offer customers a way to secure these assets, through our state-of-the-art technology. With the Ledger Nano X, we are delivering increased security, along with improved access through the new Ledger Live mobile app.”
The Ledger Nano X costs US$119 in the US and 119 euros in Europe and will be available in March 2019. Pre-orders started on January 7. The Ledger Nano S costs US$69.99 and will remain a part of the company’s lineup.
Founded in 2014, Ledger is a cryptocurrency hardware wallet manufacturer headquartered in Paris and San Francisco.
The post Ledger&#8217;s New Crypto Hardware Wallet Nano X Comes with Bluetooth Support for Mobile Access appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ledgers-new-crypto-hardware-wallet-nano-x-comes-with-bluetooth-support-for-mobile-access</link><guid>934</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Ledger-Nano-X-1-238x300.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Ledger’s New Crypto Hardware Wallet Nano X Comes with Bluetooth Support for Mobile Access</dc:text></item><item><title>Ledger’s New Crypto Hardware Wallet Nano X Comes with Mobile Bluetooth Support</title><description><![CDATA[Cryptocurrency hardware wallet manufacturer Ledger has unveiled a new signature product, the Ledger Nano X, a Bluetooth-enabled hardware wallet with enhanced security and an improved user experience and design.
Ledger Nano X device and the Ledger Live Mobile app
Just like the Ledger Nano S cryptocurrency hardware wallet, the Ledger Nano X is a USD stick, but with Bluetooth connectivity, users will be able to connect with their smartphone wirelessly, and thanks to the new Ledger Live Mobile app, scheduled to be released on the App Store and Google Play on January 28, they will be able to manage secure transactions and check their real-time balances on the go, enabling for increased mobility without sacrificing security.
A hardware wallet is a special type of cryptocurrency wallet which stores the user’s private keys in a secure hardware device. They have major advantages over standards software wallets such as being immune to computer viruses, they can be used securely and interactively, and private keys are often stored in a protected area of a microcontroller and never need to touch potentially vulnerable software.
Beside Ledger, which has sold over 1.5 million Ledger Nano S devices, other popular manufacturers include Satoshi Labs, the developer behind the TREZOR wallet, and KeepKey.
Speaking to Mashable, Eric Larchevêque, CEO at Ledger, assured that Bluetooth connectivity doesn’t compromise the Ledger Nano X’s security. Larchevêque said:
“The private keys don&#8217;t leave the device, whether you connect via Bluetooth or via USB cable. And even if someone could somehow hack your Bluetooth connection, you still see which address you&#8217;re sending coins to on the device&#8217;s screen itself.”
Even if the Bluetooth connection would be hacked, the Ledger Nano X would still request users’ consent for any action. Additionally, if users are not comfortable using the device with a wireless connection, they can disable the Bluetooth and use the USB type-C cable.
The Ledger Nano X was unveiled earlier this month at the Consumer Electronic Show (CES), an annual trade show held in Las Vegas that hosts presentations of new products and technologies in the consumer electronics industry.
At the event, the Ledger Nano X was awarded the CES Innovation Award in Cyber Security and Personal Privacy for 2019. The CES Innovation Awards recognize outstanding design and engineering in consumer technology products that protect and enhance digital security.
“The Ledger Nano X includes all of what you loved about your Nano S, but with new and improved major features,” Larchevêque said in a statement. “With its Bluetooth connectivity and increased capacity, the Ledger Nano X provides an enhanced user experience while delivering the mobility and state-of-the-art security that customers expect from Ledger. It is exciting to be recognized by CES as the go-to leader for securing crypto assets.”
The Ledger Nano X can store up to 100 crypto assets, or six times more than the Ledger Nano S, and supports over 1,100 different cryptocurrencies. The device includes an improved interface with a larger screen and features Ledger’s cutting-edge security which isolates private keys from owner’s computer or smartphone, which are easily hackable.
“As global data-ization continues to change people&#8217;s lives, users are looking for trusted partners to protect their critical digital assets,” said Pascal Gauthier, president of Ledger. “At Ledger, we offer customers a way to secure these assets, through our state-of-the-art technology. With the Ledger Nano X, we are delivering increased security, along with improved access through the new Ledger Live mobile app.”
The Ledger Nano X costs US$119 in the US and 119 euros in Europe and will be available in March 2019. Pre-orders started on January 7. The Ledger Nano S costs US$69.99 and will remain a part of the company’s lineup.
Founded in 2014, Ledger is a cryptocurrency hardware wallet manufacturer headquartered in Paris and San Francisco.
The post Ledger&#8217;s New Crypto Hardware Wallet Nano X Comes with Mobile Bluetooth Support appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ledgers-new-crypto-hardware-wallet-nano-x-comes-with-mobile-bluetooth-support</link><guid>935</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Ledger-Nano-X-1-238x300.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Ledger’s New Crypto Hardware Wallet Nano X Comes with Mobile Bluetooth Support</dc:text></item><item><title>Alipay Accelerates EU Expansion with New Luxembourg E-Money License</title><description><![CDATA[Alipay, the mobile and digital payments platform of Ant Financial, Alibaba’s financial affiliate, has been granted an electronic money license in Luxembourg as the service accelerates its expansion across Europe.
The launch of the new Luxembourg licensed entity, Alipay (Europe) Limited S.A., was officially announced by Luxembourg Minister of Finance Pierre Gramegna on January 14, 2019 during his visit in Hong Kong.
Commenting on the launch, Gramegna said:
“Alipay’s presence is a welcome addition to Luxembourg’s financial ecosystem and will further consolidate its position as a leading European hub for fintech and e-commerce. It will considerably contribute to the strengthening ties between Europe and China.”
Tweet by Luxembourg Ministry of Finance, @MinFinLux, Twitter
With more than one billon users globally, Alipay is the number one mobile payments service organization and the second largest mobile payment service organization in the world.
Alipay started in 2004 as a digital payments platform for online purchases but has since evolved into a lifestyle platform. The system now processes millions of virtual and physical payments daily, and is one of the “super apps” in China used by hundreds of millions of consumers on a regular basis.
It is considered a super app due to the many other ancillary services that it supports with payments providing the initial platform on which these are built. From within the Alipay wallet, users can book a car, buy movie or plane tickets, invest in wealth management products, and buy insurance products, among many other things.
Alipay mobile transaction, by Alipay Global, via Facebook
Prior to being granted regulatory approval in Luxembourg, Alipay already had a licensed entity in London but its new PSD2 license in Luxembourg will allow the group to leverage the EU passport to serve its customers across Europe and connect Chinese users with merchants in EU countries.
According to experts, Alipay could expand its business model with the license in two directions: either provide its payments functions to European consumers, or expand its service to more merchants. Both should dramatically expand the group’s footprint in the European payments market.
Additionally, Alipay could highly benefit from PSD2, an EU directive to regulate the activities of payment services providers with a focus on improving customers’ security and lowering barriers to fostering innovation.
PSD2 is the revision of the first Payment Services Directive (PSD) that the European Commission adopted in 2007. The rules, which took effect in January 2018, set in motion the revolution of the banking industry by giving businesses and payment services providers access to the golden pot: the bank account.
All regulated institutions will be able to access the bank account given that the consumer authorizes that specific action that PSD2 regulates. All payment transactions within the EU and all payment-providing services have to, or will be, compliant.
PSD2 is a real gold mine for fintech companies and tech firms like Alibaba which now have the chance to capture even more of the banks’ traditional territory, and revolutionize the banking experience for customers.
Hakan Eroglu, a consultant to Accenture, believes it is not unlikely that Alipay will open its payment function for European customers and set up its own payment system. “Thanks to PSD2, it could access its customers’ accounts directly,” Eroglu told Handelsblatt.
Eroglu said that the EU’s 500 million people population represented an enormous opportunity for Ant Financial, in particular since mobile payments has not yet taken off in Europe.
“The Chinese market is indeed very large, but it is already largely saturated,” he said.
Alipay began expanding into Europe in 2016 when it signed a deal with four financial groups in Europe to allow its Chinese customers to pay for more goods in the region.
“120 million Chinese travelers went abroad in 2015 and that’s growing at 18% a year. The vast majority of whom use Alipay,” Doug Feagin, president of international business at Ant Financial, told the Financial Times after signing deals with BNP Paribas in France, Barclays in the UK, UniCredit in Italy and SIX Group in Switzerland.
“The first part of our international mission is enabling them to buy things with Alipay.”
 
Featured image: Chen Leiming, General Counsel of Ant Financial Services Group, and Luxembourg Minister of Finance Pierre Gramegna, in Hong Kong, January, 2019, via Twitter.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/alipay-accelerates-eu-expansion-with-new-luxembourg-e-money-license</link><guid>933</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Tweet-by-Luxembourg-Ministry-of-Finance-Alipay-launch-735x1024.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Alipay Accelerates EU Expansion with New Luxembourg E-Money License</dc:text></item><item><title>SwatchPay Comes to Switzerland, Enabled by Mastercard</title><description><![CDATA[Following a 2017 China launch, Swatch brings its NFC payments watch, stylised as SwatchPay to Swiss shores. In a collaboration with Mastercard, the &#8220;credit card watch&#8221; comes with an NFC radio chip hidden underneath the watch dial. Customers would be able to place their watches next to a contactless payment terminal during payments.
This move by Swatch seems to tally with their cooperation agreement with Wirecard earlier this month, culminating in a contactless payment app in Switzerland for use with watches.
The company expressed the intention of expanding throughout Europe.
The boon by Wirecard solution is a mobile payment solution that works independently of banks and network operators, and with this partnership, users would be able to add their digital boon cards to SwatchPay.
According to Swatch, the payment terminal apparently supplies the energy needed for this process, meaning that the SwatchPay doesn&#8217;t technically require batteries for payments—which the company hopes will put it a leg ahead of smartphone equivalents where payments are dependent on battery.
Swatch claims that the watch should be usable at more than 75% of all electronic point of sale systems in Switzerland, with most major domestic banks in Switzerland a part of the SwatchPay system as well (Swisscard, UBS, Viseca, Cembra Money Bank, Cornèrcard, and Swiss Bankers, etc.).

Featured image via Screenshot of Giesecke l Devrient video on YouTube

 
The post SwatchPay Comes to Switzerland, Enabled by Mastercard appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swatchpay-comes-to-switzerland-enabled-by-mastercard</link><guid>932</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>SwatchPay Comes to Switzerland, Enabled by Mastercard</dc:text></item><item><title>Falcon Private Bank Adds Cryptocurrency to Its List of Storable Assets</title><description><![CDATA[Falcon Private Bank, a Zurich-based wealth manager now allows its clients to transfer a limited variety of cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ether and Litecoin) to segregated Falcon wallets. According to the website, the cryptocurrencies are stored by Falcon&#8217;s cold storage, and can be exchanged for fiat money or transferred out to a client&#8217;s private wallet.
The bank would also allow clients to purchase additional or new cryptocurrencies. This means that the bank accepts wealth originating from crypto assets that were subsequently converted into fiat. They would also allow for custody, selling and reporting of any managed blockchain assets.
The storage of these assets applies specific tools to analyse the transaction history based on blockchain, so that the wealth manager complies with anti-money laundering (AML), and know your client (KYC) laws and regulations—audited by PwC.
Martin Keller, CEO Falcon Private Bank, said:

“With this initiative, we anticipate an increase in client demand for Falcon’s blockchain asset management services. Considering the latest developments of crypto assets, the launch of this innovative new offering is timely.”
 
 
 
Featured image via Wikimedia Commons
The post Falcon Private Bank Adds Cryptocurrency to Its List of Storable Assets appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/falcon-private-bank-adds-cryptocurrency-to-its-list-of-storable-assets</link><guid>931</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Falcon Private Bank Adds Cryptocurrency to Its List of Storable Assets</dc:text></item><item><title>Digitalisierung: AZEK Lanciert Lehrgang Zum «Chartered Financial Data Scientist»</title><description><![CDATA[Wer fit ist im Umgang mit komplexen Datenstrukturen und programmieren kann, ist gefragt auf dem Arbeitsmarkt.
Finanzfachleute in der Schweiz können sich jetzt diese Kompetenzen gezielt mit dem neuen Lehrgang von AZEK zum Chartered Financial Data Scientist (CFDS) aneignen. Die im Rahmen der Digitalisierung geschaffenen Stellen erfordern im Allgemeinen ein höheres Bildungsniveau. Dies spiegelt sich auch im Finanzbereich.
So werben Finanzinstitute zunehmend Mathematiker, Physiker und Informatiker an. Entscheidend bei diesen neuen Jobprofilen sind das Interesse und die Affinität für die digitale Transformation und deren Umsetzung in einer Organisation. Immer grössere Datenmengen und komplexere Datenstrukturen müssen verarbeitet werden. Ob in der Datenanalyse, -verarbeitung oder für Prognosen, Finanzfachleute müssen mit grossen Datenmengen umgehen und zunehmend auch Kenntnisse in den gängigen Programmiersprachen vorweisen.
Andreas Jacobs
«Wer diese technischen und analytischen Kompetenzen mitbringt, ist auf dem Markt sehr gefragt»,
betont Andreas Jacobs, CEO des Ausbildungszentrums AZEK, das eine massgeschneiderte Weiterbildung zum Chartered Financial Data Scientist lanciert. Angesprochen sind dabei nicht nur junge technikaffine Mitarbeitende. Auch auf höheren Hierarchiestufen müssen sich die Finanzfachleute zunehmend mit der Digitalisierung auseinandersetzen, um die technologische Transformation professionell anzugehen und umzusetzen.
Angesichts der raschen Weiterentwicklung, beispielsweise im Bereich Artificial Intelligence mit lernenden Algorithmen, muss das Wissen laufend auf den neusten Stand gebracht werden. Der Lehrgang wird in Kooperation mit dem Deutschen Finanzanalystenverband DVFA (Deutsche Vereinigung für Finanzanalyse und Asset Management durchgeführt. Lehrgangsverantwortliche sind Dr. Damian Borth, Director of Deep Learning Competence Center &amp; Head of Multimedia Analysis &amp; Data Mining at German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI), sowie Dr. Andreas Hoepner, Professor of Operational Risk, Banking &amp; Finance at the Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School and the Lochlann Quinn School of Business of University College Dublin (UCD).
Der Lehrgang wird in Zürich und Frankfurt durchgeführt, umfasst diverse Präsenz-, Online- und Workshop-Module und beginnt Mitte März 2019. Die Prüfungen finden im Juni statt. Abgeschlossen wird der Lehrgang mit der Präsentation der individuellen Projektarbeiten im Oktober. Wer früh bucht, profitiert von markanten Rabatten.
 
Featured image credit: Unsplash
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digitalisierung-azek-lanciert-lehrgang-zum-chartered-financial-data-scientist</link><guid>930</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Digitalisierung: AZEK Lanciert Lehrgang Zum «Chartered Financial Data Scientist»</dc:text></item><item><title>Surprisingly, Only 4% of UK’s Insurance Industry’s Payments is Fully Automated</title><description><![CDATA[A new white paper published by Banking Circle, has identified the stealth effect outdated payments processes are having on the insurance sector.
The white paper reveals that out-dated and manually intensive collection and reconciliation systems are seriously undermining customer experience and profitability targets.
Anders la Cour, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Banking Circle commented:
Anders la Cour
 
“In the highly competitive insurance market, providers are increasingly investing in automated systems and digitisation strategies for their front-end processes.  But back-office functions, such as payments processes, appear to have not kept pace with innovation. Today, out-dated payment architecture has a stranglehold on the insurance industry, holding it back from providing policyholders with the most efficient service.”
 
Insurance firms reliant on legacy systems, sometimes developed decades ago, and the intensive M&amp;A that has occurred in the sector in recent years means that the opportunity to design systems based on today’s digital advances is limited.
The Banking Circle commissioned research found that nearly a third (28%) of respondents use manual reconciliation methods. And whilst 68% use some automated systems, they also still rely on some level of human intervention.  Just 4% said they use fully automated reconciliation solutions.
As a result, payment delays due to issues with reconciliation of payment reference numbers ranked as the biggest issue faced by insurers in the payments arena. According to the research, payment reconciliation processes in the insurance sector are currently highly inefficient, with matching rates lower than 90% for 57% of insurance providers. Anything less than 100% can impact cash flow, draining operational and financial resources as well as results.
The research also found that there were four key areas that impacted bottom-line profitability for insurers:

Collection of the insurance premium where direct debit is not used or has failed
Delays caused by the omission of payment reference details from banks
Delays caused by inaccurate manual keying of reference data
Collection of payments from brokers and intermediaries

Only 19% of respondents rated their premium collection capability as excellent.  And less than a third (28%) ranked their speed of claims payment as excellent.  Against the backdrop that 52% of insurers see compliance with operating in the digital space as the biggest threat to their business, the research  suggests that insurers need help from external specialists.
How effective would you rate your existing payment infrastructure in terms of:
Anders La Cour continued:

“With so much focus on pricing and the front-end customer experience in the insurance sector it’s not realistic to expect insurance providers to devote resource and investment to building their own payment solutions in-house.  There is, therefore, a clear opportunity for the burgeoning InsurTech sector to step in, working in partnership with financial utilities like Banking Circle.”

According to Banking Circle their solution is able to address this very issue.
Featured image credit: Freepik
The post Surprisingly, Only 4% of UK&#8217;s Insurance Industry&#8217;s Payments is Fully Automated appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/surprisingly-only-4-of-uks-insurance-industrys-payments-is-fully-automated</link><guid>929</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/reconciliation-process.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Surprisingly, Only 4% of UK’s Insurance Industry’s Payments is Fully Automated</dc:text></item><item><title>40% of Global Financial Institutions Cite Security as Their Biggest Challenge</title><description><![CDATA[The Regtech: Beyond Compliance report by Frost&amp;Sullivan was commissioned by Enterprise Ireland to analyse key trends in the global regtech market. In it, they refer to a 2017 Frost &amp; Sullivan end-user survey of banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) companies that may have found it difficult to meet the demands of an evolving marketplace.
Researchers conducted 1934 interviews in total, surveying decision makers for an organisation&#8217;s IT &amp; communications-related services in regions spanning North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America. What this entails is that the sample size is quite large, and encompasses a variety of markets, though the exact percentage of participants from each region could impact the results somewhat.
Through that report, The Irish Advantage was able to derive the following information:
Edited from The Irish Advantage
Unsurprisingly, more financial institutions (40%) cite security and privacy concerns as more concerning compared to the 32% average recorded by IT professionals altogether.
This is no surprise. After all, nearly a quarter of all cyber attacks are directed at them.
Ensuring that security on finance-related information not only for their own bottom line, but also their customers&#8217; monies is crucial to the survival of a financial institution today. While in the days of yore, this effort was simply to store valuables in a vault, today&#8217;s increasingly digital world does not lend well to similar one-stop procedures.
Therefore, financial institutions come up with or hire someone to come up with solutions to combat digital thieves, and come up with procedures to ensure that all of this sensitive information stays in-house and in the right hands. This effort is often, costly.
 The Rapidly Shifting Fintech Scene Poses a Problem
For many of the more traditional financial institutions, agility was not a major concern when it comes to providing technology services. As consumer demand shifts and ebbs along with quickly shifting technology trends, a financial institution could be exposing themselves to breaches of data or theft if they carelessly extend their offerings without considering how to keep the new additions secure.
This concern tallies into the second-highest concern as highlighted by financial institutions (28%), which is managing multi-vendor solutions.
On top of that, baseline protections for their normal operations would also continue to require tweaks and upgrades to keep up with the threats to new and coming cyber security threats.
A financial institution&#8217;s need for agile, inexpensive and secure cybersecurity offering is real, and bonus points for those that are able to offer plugin services that can integrate into existing infrastructure.
Regardless of whether these solutions are developed in-house or from third-party firms, the need for robust and agile cybersecurity tallies with an incumbent&#8217;s need to keep up with current fintech trends to satisfy the global appetite.
In security, failure is not an option.
Two employees were sacked and five senior management executives, including the CEO, were leveled with hefty fines due to the SingHealth security breach, which saw the company&#8217;s failure to protect the personal data of 1.5 million SingHealth patients.
Keeping Up With Regulations
Beyond protecting themselves, banks also have to beef up security  to meet regulatory requirements, as three-quarters of jurisdictions worldwide are mapping out updated cybersecurity regulations, guidance or supervisory pratcies for the financial sector within 2019.
Some of these include the ISO 27k series of standards, published jointly by the International Organization for Standardization and the International Electrotechnical Commission to provide a globally recognised framework for best-practice information security management. This standard sets out the requirements that an organisation’s information security management system (ISMS) can be audited and certified against.
Other challenges cited by financial institutions include aligning IT with business strategies (27%), improving their digital presence (27%), and ensuring network stability (24%) among others.
 
The post 40% of Global Financial Institutions Cite Security as Their Biggest Challenge appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/40-of-global-financial-institutions-cite-security-as-their-biggest-challenge</link><guid>927</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/bank-security-biggest-challenge-banking-financial-services.png</dc:content ><dc:text>40% of Global Financial Institutions Cite Security as Their Biggest Challenge</dc:text></item><item><title>Digitalisation in the Banking Sector – Switzerland 1, Europe 0 ?</title><description><![CDATA[Ten years after the global banking crisis, the Swiss financial industry faces its next crucial challenge.
Once again, it must fundamentally renew itself, and perhaps even selectively reinvent itself. The driving force behind this new evolution is the growing digitalisation of the banking sector.
The stakes are high for the established players in the field, who ultimately fight for their own survival. Small agile fintech companies, as well as large innovative tech giants, are lurking ominously, ready to jump at the opportunity to serve the digital needs of a new generation of consumers with forward-looking digital solutions.
The issue of digitalisation is of crucial significance to Switzerland, and its implications for one of the country’s most important – if not the most important – economic sector are not to be underestimated. 
In light of this, the Swiss Finance Institute has partnered with zeb to examine, through a representative study, the current status of digitalisation within the Swiss banking sector. The main objective of the study is to determine the level of digital maturity of Swiss banks compared with the rest of Europe.
Overview of bank survey’s participant structure
Swiss banks are well-positioned, however it is too early to claim victory
The study findings show that the financial sector has recognized that it risks being relegated to second place by new market players if it does not combat them with effective countermeasures and does not consider digitalisation as an opportunity to be seized upon.
The digitalisation of the financial sector is turning out to be a truly Herculean task for individual bank institutions. Although all market players grapple with the topic of digital banking, they are following different solution approaches and tackling individual challenges.
Digitalisation strategy
This much can be said: in comparison with the rest of Europe, Swiss banks are well-positioned in terms of knowledge, however they still lag behind in terms of implementing those insights into concrete measures. 
The specific characteristics of the Swiss banking landscape, including the importance of private banking as well as the relatively small size of the Swiss market on the European scale, explain the fact that the digitalisation of the banking business is tackled at a slower, more collected pace.
In light of these and other specificities of the Swiss banking sector, the study results can be summarized around three essential findings
3 Essential Findings from the Study
In the process of digitalization, Swiss banks follow an intelligent “fast follower” approach. 
As mentioned above, Swiss banks in general are strategically well-positioned to successfully master the upcoming digitalisation of their business. 
The study clearly shows that. The greatest threat lies in the infamous “Kodak effect.” Ultimately, companies need to pick the right time to launch a digital offering whose scope and outcome are defined by their own customers’ needs. 
Like the former American leader in conventional photography, Swiss banks have also recognized early on the disruptive potential of the digitalisation of their business activities. 
Until now, however, due to a lack of strategic necessity and to relatively weak competition, Swiss banks have failed to uncompromisingly implement and launch their digital concepts. 
Hopefully, the Swiss banking sector, unlike Kodak, will not miss the right moment to implement its existing strategies and concepts and to catch up with its leading international competitors as well as with new contenders. 
Banks need to actively embark their employees on the journey towards digitalisation
The digitalisation of the financial sector begins in people’s minds, as does the corresponding fundamental change of the whole industry. 
Only when banks succeed in preparing and motivating their employees can digitalisation be successful for all involved. The anxieties of many bank employees concerning the digital future remain a huge obstacle.
 Concerns about job security are tangible and stand in the way of constructive debate on the topic. The ball is not in the court of the employees as much as in the court of management. A digital business model certainly requires employees to gain new skills and competencies. Job requirements will of course change. 
However, it would be wrong to assume that the human factor will become less important in a digital world. On the contrary, the capacity to innovate and be creative cannot be outsourced to machines. 
The same is true of individual, customized client advice in the segment of private banking. It is apparent, however, that many banks suffer from a lack of digital leadership. 
Banks need prominent, assertive leaders, who will be entrusted with the task of implementing digitalisation and will be widely supported in the day-to-day business. 
Individual figureheads are still considered as “eccentrics”, although it is precisely these creative minds who have the power to move things ahead and to spark enthusiasm within their company’s own ranks. 
A strict separation of IT and business expertise is not conducive to achieving objectives
Traditionally, banks are hierarchical structures and follow well-established rules that leave employees very little room for maneuver within the narrow scope of their areas of responsibility. 
Consequently, interdepartmental projects often fail due to disputes over respective areas of responsibility or particular interests. This issue could be tackled by implementing an agile organizational model, made of small flexible teams who could, independently of conventional structures, think and act cross-functionally. 
IT and business experts, however, still often work separately on the topic of digitalisation, although a dynamic network encompassing and combining the expertise of all areas involved could deploy much more creative power. 
While many bank managers express their enthusiasm at the innovative capacity that is the hallmark of tech companies, for the time being no Swiss bank has made the decision to move away from the traditional top-down organizational model to a more modern network organization. 
In summary, it should be noted that the focus of the Swiss banking sector should not be as much on digitalising the banking business, as on developing a digital Swiss banking, which will bring the unique features of the Swiss banking system in line with the unavoidable digital evolution. 
DPI of Swiss vs. European banks
DPI of Swiss vs. European banksThe “Digital Pulse Check 3.0 &#8211; Switzerland vs. Europe” report is available online: www.sfi.ch/DigitalPulseCheckEN
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik here, here and here
The post Digitalisation in the Banking Sector – Switzerland 1, Europe 0 ? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digitalisation-in-the-banking-sector-switzerland-1-europe-0</link><guid>925</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Overview-of-bank-survey’s-participant-structure-.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Digitalisation in the Banking Sector – Switzerland 1, Europe 0 ?</dc:text></item><item><title>European Regulators Call for Common EU-Wide Regulatory Approach for ICOs</title><description><![CDATA[The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has published its advice to the European Union (EU) institutions on crypto-assets and initial coin offerings (ICOs) regulation, calling for a common EU-wide regulatory approach.
In its advice paper, ESMA notes that some member states have or are considering introducing crypto-assets related rules at the national level.
Though the financial regulator understands the desire to bring to the topic both a protective and supportive approach, ESMA is concerned that this does not provide for a level playing field across the EU. It believes that an EU-wide approach is relevant considering the cross-border nature of crypto-assets.
“Some crypto-assets may qualify as MiFID (Markets in Financial Instruments Directive) financial instruments, in which case the full set of EU financial rules would apply.
However, because the existing rules were not designed with these instruments in mind, National Competent Authorities (NCAs) face challenges in interpreting the existing requirements and certain requirements are not adapted to the specific characteristics of crypto-assets,” explained Steven Maijoor, chair of ESMA.
“Meanwhile, a number of crypto-assets fall outside the current financial regulatory framework. This poses substantial risks to investors who have limited or no protection when investing in those crypto-assets. In order to have a level playing field and to ensure adequate investor protection across the EU, we consider that the gaps and issues identified would best be addressed at the European level.”
 
Working with NCAs, ESMA analyzed the different business models of crypto-assets, the risks and potential benefits that they may introduce, and how they fit within the existing regulatory framework.
In the paper, the regulator gives its position on the gaps and issues in the current EU financial regulatory framework for consideration by EU policymakers. It classifies these in two categories:

Though some crypto-assets may qualify as financial instruments under MiFID, there are still areas that require potential interpretation or re-consideration of specific requirements to allow for an effective application of existing regulations; and
For crypto-assets that do not qualify as financial instruments, the absence of applicable financial rules leaves investors exposed to substantial risks. At a minimum, anti money laundering (AML) requirements should apply to all crypto-assets and activities involving crypto-assets. There should also be appropriate risk disclosure in place, so that consumers can be made aware of the potential risks prior to committing funds to crypto-assets.

Risks and issues
In the paper, ESMA outlines the risks and issues related to crypto-assets which it encourages regulators to consider meticulously. These include whether investors understand the risks they may be exposed to prior to investment, the early stage of development of most blockchain projects raising money through ICOs and the likelihood of failure, as well as fraudulent ICOs.
ESMA also notes the cybersecurity risks related to cryptocurrency exchange platforms and the increasing number of hacks occurring.
According to Eric Larcheveque, CEO of cryptocurrency hardware wallet manufacturer Ledger, the amount of stolen cryptocurrency from exchanges in 2018 increased 13 times compared to 2017. This amounts to US$2.7 million in crypto-assets being stolen every day, or US$1,860 each minute.
2018’s largest heists include Japanese Coincheck’s US$530 million hack, South Korean Bithumb’s US$31 million hack, and Bancor’s US$23.5 million hack.
Additionally, distributed ledger technology (DLT) poses very specific problems, notably due to the nascent nature of the technology. These include issues around governance, privacy and territoriality attached to the distributed character of DLT.
 
Potential benefits of ICOs and crypto-assets
 Cryptocurrency, MaxPixel
Though ICOs and crypto-assets pose numerous risks, these also have many potential benefits. ICOs for instance can provide a useful alternative funding source for blockchain startups and other innovative businesses that would find it difficult or costly to raise capital through traditional funding channels.
More generally, the tokenization of assets has the potential to create beneficial outcomes for both market participants and investors, including enhanced liquidity of certain financial assets such as unlisted shares or syndicated loans, disintermediation and the use of smart contracts to automate the execution of contract obligations.
Research and Markets predicts the global tokenization market will hit US$2.25 billion by 2020 with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 22.4%.
 
Featured image: European Union flag, by Håkan Dahlström, via Flickr.
The post European Regulators Call for Common EU-Wide Regulatory Approach for ICOs appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/european-regulators-call-for-common-eu-wide-regulatory-approach-for-icos</link><guid>926</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blockchain-Cryptocurrency-MaxPixel-e1547545150291-1024x468.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>European Regulators Call for Common EU-Wide Regulatory Approach for ICOs</dc:text></item><item><title>Vontobel Now Offers Financial Intermediaries – ‘Digital Asset Vault’</title><description><![CDATA[Through a simple connection, wealth managers in Switzerland, banks and asset managers can now provide their clients with an end-to-end service offering for digital assets with Vontobel’s new solution ‘Digital Asset Vault’.
As a result, clients can issue instructions for the purchase, custody and transfer of digital assets easily and securely within the banking infrastructure – like with traditional asset classes.
Financial intermediaries are increasingly seeking to supply digital products and services for their clients. Until now, no traditional custodian in the market offered a solution that met the security standards required by financial intermediaries for the custody of digital assets and provided end-to-end services.
Vontobel has now combined its proven experience in the custody of digital products with a solution that is based on Hardware Security Mode (HSM) technology and is integrated into its own banking infrastructure. With the new business solution ‘Digital Asset Vault’, Vontobel is therefore the first bank in the world to offer the usual industry standards of quality within the established and regulated environment.
Through a simple connection to Vontobel, financial intermediaries such as wealth managers in Switzerland, banks and asset managers can  – without any significant investment in their own infrastructure – offer their clients an integrated solution for digital assets:

Digital Asset Vault is an alternative for personally registering with providers of digital assets and the custody of the same. The holding of private keys is no longer required.
Clients can buy, sell or transfer digital assets by issuing instructions to their regular bank, with global and best execution.
A consolidated overview of traditional and digital assets and asset classes is included in the client’s statement of assets, thus providing a clearer list for tax purposes.

&#8220;Digital Asset Vault represents the logical next step in the development of our range of services for digital assets. With our innovative strength and experience, we have thus closed the gap between existing and digital assets. By incorporating digital assets into our own banking infrastructure, we have also become the first provider to already meet the high standards required by financial intermediaries and their regulators,&#8221;
stated Roger Studer, Head of Vontobel Investment Banking.
 
 
Featured image credit: Freepik
The post Vontobel Now Offers Financial Intermediaries – &#8216;Digital Asset Vault&#8217; appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/vontobel-now-offers-financial-intermediaries-digital-asset-vault</link><guid>924</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Vontobel Now Offers Financial Intermediaries – ‘Digital Asset Vault’</dc:text></item><item><title>26 Regulatory Initiatives that Will Shape Fintech in Europe and Beyond</title><description><![CDATA[In the banking industry&#8217;s quest towards open banking, standardisation has now become the name of the game towards global applicability. There is a consistent push and pull between whether these standards should come from regulators or industry players. On one hand, regulators can future-proof standards in that they could design the standards based on principles that ensure safety in the ecosystem. On the other hand, industry players may be better suited to producing standards or platforms that could better encourage innovation and growth of the industry as they are often instrumental in making it happen.

Many of the standards listed below only apply to one region or another, but as the interchange fee regulation in the EU being implemented in Australia shows, there is something to be said about the ripple effect of regulations, particularly when regulators attempt to implement what works in other countries. The following is a list of initiatives, regulations and standards that have been listed in the World Payments Report 2018, by Capgemini and BNP Paribas.
1. AML Regulations
Set up by America&#8217;s FINRA, (FINRA is a not-for-profit organization authorised by Congress to oversee that the broker-dealer industry operates fairly) the purpose of the AML rules are to help detect and report suspicious activity including the predicate offenses to money laundering and terrorist financing, such as securities fraud and market manipulation.
2. Bank Payment Obligation
Bank Payment Obligation is a new payment method developed based on data matching, for purposes of risk mitigation and financing payment obligations. It is considered a class of settlement solution in the international supply chain finance.
BPO is an irrevocable undertaking given by an obligator bank to a recipient bank to pay at a specific date and amount, under successful data matching conditions based on rules by the International Chamber of Commerce.
3. Intraday Liquidity Standards
Perhaps one of the more contentious introductions as many banks seem to struggle with compliance, the norms and regulations were introduced following the 2008 financial crisis. These standards began when the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) published a set of monitoring tools that set out for banks to assemble the data to enable sufficient supervision.
4. P2P Lending Regulations
The peer-to-peer lending industry is now regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, with a regulatory framework designed for additional consumer protection, promote effective competition, among others. There is a strong emphasis on transparency and availability of information in a bid for consumer protection.
5. Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) under Basel III
The LCR are highly liquid assets held by financial institutions as a safeguard for meeting short-term obligations. The ratio serves as a stress test that should anticipate any market-wide shocks. The LCR aims to assure that financial institutions have necessary assets to ride out any short-term liquidity disruptions. The LCR was an important part of the aforementioned Basel Accord.
6. FCA&#8217;s Credit Card Rules
The FCA published a final policy statement last year on brand new rules for the credit card market, which they estimate would save consumers between £310 million and £1.3 billion a year in lower interest charges. The goal is to provide more protection for credit card customers in persistent debt or at risk of financial difficulties.
7. Distributed Ledger Regulations
The World Payments Report puts distributed ledger regulations, or blockchain under one label to identify the varying blockchain regulations that have been popping up across the world as blockchain gains traction beyond just cryptocurrencies. As is with cryptocurrency, it seems like different regulators are eschewing global trends to tackle blockchain in their own unique ways, and not necessarily by equivalent regulatory bodies either.
8. Electronic Identification and trusted Services
Also known as eIDAS, the electronic identification and trusted services is an EU set of regulatory standards for electronic identification and trust services for digital transactions in the European Single market, and repeals directive 1999/93/EC from 13 December 1999. eIDAS regulates electronic signatures, electronic transactions, involved bodies, and their embedding processes in order to grant a safer way for users to conduct business online—inclusive of electronic funds transfer or transactions with public services.
9. Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard
The PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) is an open global forum, which developed the information security standard for organizations that handle branded credit cards from the major card scheme. The rapid development of payment-acceptance applications using mobile technologies has led PCI SSC to consider its approach to provide guidance to secure all implementations.
10. Cybersecurity
The FCA declared cybersecurity as a regulatory priority in 2016, and later issued a guide, in the form of a fact sheet titled &#8220;Good cyber security &#8211; the foundation&#8221; in which the regulator set out to protect sensitive information held by regulated firms. These include a call to understand what information is held, why, and who has access to the most sensitive data, and protection, backups, regular capability testing for disaster recovery systems, and prompt application of updates and patches to systems.
11. OECD&#8217;s Base Erosion and Profit Shifting Plan
With involvement from 116 countries, the OECD&#8217;s base erosion and profit shifting planThe OECD G20 Base Erosion and Profit Shifting Project (or BEPS Project) is a project by OECD to combat tax avoidance by multinational corporations in the context of financial crisis and tax affairs via offshore leaks.
12. Bank Charters for Fintech Firms
In 2018, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) in USA announced that it would accept proposals from fintech firms to charter special purpose national banks (SPNBs), which came following a white paper proposing similar charters under Presiden Obama&#8217;s Comptroller, Thomas Curry to answer the trend of ballooning startup numbers. The OCC expects any charter proposal to have a comprehensive business plan covering at a minimum three years.
13. Cash-use Reduction Initiatives
The initiative by the European Commission in 2016 is an action plan to embolden other efforts in place to fight against the financing of terrorism. One element of said action plan called payments in cash as widely used in the financing of terrorist activities due to its anonymity, and considers applying upper limits to cash payments as a potential solution.
14. Australian Payment Plan
The Australian Payments Council opines that having access to convenient and secure digital services is important, and designed the payments plan to help provide a strategic direction for the industry to work collaboratively on. Part of the Australian Payment Plan also aims to address some gaps not covered by existing initiatives, like understanding opportunities presented by digital identity management, managing Australia&#8217;s payment mix, and enabling the next wave of digital innovation.
15. Virtual Account Management Services for SEPA
The Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) proposed by the EU has a goal of enabling more efficient cash management infrastructures for the euro. Despite reticence from certain players, it&#8217;s been said that one of the areas of potential is the virtual account management (VAM), which should deliver on SEPA&#8217;s goal of reducing up to 9 million bank accounts, by facilitating greater client control over payments and improving how transaction data is brought together and utilised under one bank account.
16. ISO 2022
ISO 20022, a name familiar to open banking advocates, is a methodology that financial institutions can follow when creating financial messaging standards, and is not controlled by or the sole purview of any single interest. Many open banking advocates recognise ISO 20022 as a standard. It is a metadata repository containing descriptions of messages, business processes and maintenance processes for repository content.
17. Payment Account Directive
Implemented in 2014 by the European Union, the Payment Accounts Directive aims to improve the transparency and comparability of fee information about payment accounts, help people switch payment accounts, and ensure every EU resident has access to a basic bank account. It would also in part, introduce a requirement to standardise terms and definitions to describe key services linked to payment accounts, and subject to a fee. 
18. Cross-Border Low-Value Payments Processing
Another EU initiative is the European Commission&#8217;s proposed a new regulation that requires better disclosure of credit card foreign exchange fees and that charges on intra-EU cross-border euro and domestic non-euro payments be equalised. It imposed price controls on payments to address any perceived problems, notwithstanding attendant market distortions and shortages, while the Payment Services Directive 2 mandated banks provide payments for free.
19. Canada&#8217;s Retail Payments Oversight Framework
To account for an increasingly outdated payments oversight system falling behind fintech innovations, Canada will apply a framework to payment services providers performing at least one of the identified core functions in electronic funds transfers. he Framework would cover a wide-range of transactions, including credit card transactions, online payments, debit transactions, peer-to-peer money transfers, pre-authorised
payments, and pay deposits.
20. Regulatory Framework for Fintechs
In July last year, The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) announced it will begin accepting applications for national bank charters from nondepository financial technology (fintech) companies engaged in the business of banking. Since there is no singular regulatory framework for fintechs in USA, fintechs are generally subject to State laws which may vary across different state lines. A bank charter could serve to unify regulations for fintechs.
21. Instant Payments
With the EU working on SEPA, advocating for instant payments falls under similar goals. The European Central Bank is encouraging payment service providers to make instant payment solutions for the euro available to customers as of November 2017, though efforts are currently ongoing. The programme is run with the belief that instantaneous and around-the-clock instant payments services should be available in every European country.
22. eInvoicing and eVat
In 2013, the EU implemented a directive that hoped to create a level playing field between paper and electronic invoicing. However, the EU now wants to facilitate digital transformation, and eInvoicing is making a lot of ground throughout the European Union. With 2018 set as a key date, the EU set up Directive 2014/55/UE, a a standard that aims to facilitate cross-border commercial relations with the creation of interoperable common standards. Systems such as electronic VAT returns or e-accounting through SAF-T have also been on the rise among European businesses.
23. Electronic Bank Account Management
Also known as eBam, these refer to softwares that provide automation of activities between banks and corporate customers,. The term was defined by SWIFT and is considered part of the ISO 20022 Standard for Financial Services Messaging. Today&#8217;s financial institutions are evolving towards an extensive eBAM solution where electronic and automated workflows also used for the external communication with banks.
24. Interchange Fees
In the European Union, interchange fees are applied to 0.3% of the transaction for credit cards and to 0.2% for debit cards. Applicable since 2015, the goal is to simplify fee structures for card-based payments, as well as stepping towards the creation of an EU payments market. The revision was initially applied in EU, but has begun to appear in other markets like Australia. 
25. PSD2
PSD2, an EU directive, should enable a bank&#8217;s customers to use third-party providers to manage their finances, which requires banks to provide third-party providers access to customers&#8217; accounts. This is where open banking API platforms come in, usually set up by key industry players.  Thepurpose is to increase pan-European competition and participation in the payments industry even among non-banks, while also providing a level playing field for them by harmonising customer protections, and right and obligations of payment providers and users.
26. Global Payments Innovation (GPI) by SWIFT
With a goal of bringing transparency to application providers and their customers, SWIFT launched the Approved GPI Label Programme, where providers can use them to demonstrate that their applications are GPI-ready. GPI here is an effort towards delivering much-needed improvement on international transactions. The goal is to improve transaction speeds, create predictable settlement times and clear statuses, provide additional information on remittances, and transparency on exchange rates applied throughout the payment cycle.
 





If you&#8217;re interested to find out more about the regulatory landscape in Asia check out this post here from our sister site Fintech News Singapore




Image Credit: Freepik








The post 26 Regulatory Initiatives that Will Shape Fintech in Europe and Beyond appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/26-regulatory-initiatives-that-will-shape-fintech-in-europe-and-beyond</link><guid>923</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Fintech-Regulation-Europe-1.png</dc:content ><dc:text>26 Regulatory Initiatives that Will Shape Fintech in Europe and Beyond</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss FinTech Startup Map January</title><description><![CDATA[The new Swiss Fintech Startup Map counts now 308 members.
19 new Swiss Fintech Startups joined the map:

Craider Technologies GmbH
Mimic GmbH
noku AG
Tiberius Technology Ventures AG
Token Estate SA
RevenYou GmbH
MyBit Foundation
Oakura Ventures AG
A $ H &#8211; Midas Technologies AG
Lamassu Industries AG
Lumrisk
Liquineq AG
Acredius
Canopy
Time statement
ex indiciis GmbH
SBC Swiss Capital AG
Impaakt
Darico


The post Swiss FinTech Startup Map January appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-startup-map-january</link><guid>922</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/swiss-fintech-startups-1024x734.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss FinTech Startup Map January</dc:text></item><item><title>Report: Cisco is Building a Blockchain Ecosystem and Platform</title><description><![CDATA[Referred to as the “tech breakthrough megatrend” by PwC, blockchain is poised to change the rules by automating trust, increasing transparency and simplifying business processes. However, to unleash its full potential, several challenges must be addressed, according to a Cisco report.
Bitcoin Blockchain, Pexels.com
Blockchain technology has come a long way since its debut as just the technology behind cryptocurrencies. Today, all major firms are either exploring or piloting blockchain applications, which promise increased efficiency and costs savings. According to IDC, global spending on the technology is expected to reach US$2.1 billion in 2018.
Blockchain adoption and the transformation toward an era of a programmable economy is expected to deliver efficiencies and new business value in excess of US$3 trillion by 2030. This will be driven primarily by improved cash flow, asset provenance, and native asset creation, as well as new trust-based business models, according to the Blockchain by Cisco report.
Though blockchain has the potential to transform the business landscape, important challenges to wider adoption remain, says Cisco, which outlines three key challenges.
First, the firm notes the need to establish platform standards that meet the complex needs of the enterprise. In addition, today’s organizations are seeking industry-specific solutions to transform their business processes. Finally, interconnectivity of multiple independent blockchain networks is needed to unlock the true value of blockchain.
The report cites several areas that would benefit greatly from blockchain adoption. These include supply chain where blockchain can enable manufacturers to improve track and trace of components and finished goods. Blockchain can enable new applications around anti-counterfeiting, supplier and purchaser financing, or management of supply chain disruptions and recalls.
Another area is the Internet-of-Things (IoT) where the decentralized and autonomous model of the blockchain can be used as a foundation. Finally, smart cities can use blockchain to create a secure and common ledger to manage real-time data around transportation, energy, and utilities.
 
Cisco is building a blockchain platform
Cisco is currently developing a blockchain platform aimed at meeting desired use case requirements across different industries. The platform core consists of multiple layers, each including multiple subservices, with many customizable using pluggable interfaces.
It features a communications layer and distributed ledger, a pluggable smart contract engine that supports familiar developer languages such as JavaScript, GoLang and Python, an identity and policy layer responsible for tasks such as authentication, authorization and identity management, and an orchestration layer that ties all the other service levels together as part of a “service mesh.”
The blockchain framework is completed with end-to-end security and analytics spanning the infrastructure layer through the interface layer.
Cisco blockchain framework
Beyond its blockchain platform, Cisco says it is building an ecosystem that would bring together service providers, independent software vendors (ISVs), and startups, as well as key consulting partners to create end-to-end industry solutions for the enterprise.
A primary focus for this “true Internet-scale trust network” is interoperability. Cisco says it is creating a common data model for digitized physical assets that can be deployed on any existing blockchain network, including well-known platforms in the Hyperledger project and Enterprise Ethereum.
The firm is working with several industry partners including the Trusted IoT Alliance, the Hyperledger project, the Enterprise Ethereum Alliance and the Chamber of Digital Commerce to develop standards and tools.
The post Report: Cisco is Building a Blockchain Ecosystem and Platform appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/report-cisco-is-building-a-blockchain-ecosystem-and-platform</link><guid>912</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Bitcoin-Blockchain-300x225.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>Report: Cisco is Building a Blockchain Ecosystem and Platform</dc:text></item><item><title>Ripple is Now Listed on Gibraltar’s Stock Exchange Group</title><description><![CDATA[The Gibraltar Blockchain Exchange (GBX), an institutional-grade, regulated digital asset exchange, has  added Ripple (XRP) to its Digital Asset Exchange (GBX-DAX). The GBX is part of is part of the Gibraltar Stock Exchange (GSX) Group.
Nick Cowan, Managing Director and Founder of GSX, said, “Ripple is a major player within the blockchain industry. In ways similar to our work at the GSX Group, it aims to re-shape the old methods of finance and banking, transforming payments through blockchain technology. XRP is a globally traded token and by joining the GBX-DAX it further extends its liquidity and reach.”
GBX-DAX was granted a full license by Gilbraltar Financial Services Commission November last year and has positioned itself to be friendly with crypto traders which is part of the government&#8217;s ambition in being a leader in the crypto and blockchain space. Ripple is among the first few digital assets listed on its exchange.

The post Ripple is Now Listed on Gibraltar&#8217;s Stock Exchange Group appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ripple-is-now-listed-on-gibraltars-stock-exchange-group</link><guid>910</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Ripple is Now Listed on Gibraltar’s Stock Exchange Group</dc:text></item><item><title>Cisco Report: Blockchain to Transform the Business Landscape but Challenges Remain</title><description><![CDATA[Referred to as the “tech breakthrough megatrend” by PwC, blockchain is poised to change the rules by automating trust, increasing transparency and simplifying business processes. However, to unleash its full potential, several challenges must be addressed, according to a Cisco report.
Bitcoin Blockchain, Pexels.com
Blockchain technology has come a long way since its debut as just the technology behind cryptocurrencies. Today, all major firms are either exploring or piloting blockchain applications, which promise increased efficiency and costs savings. According to IDC, global spending on the technology is expected to reach US$2.1 billion in 2018.
Blockchain adoption and the transformation toward an era of a programmable economy is expected to deliver efficiencies and new business value in excess of US$3 trillion by 2030. This will be driven primarily by improved cash flow, asset provenance, and native asset creation, as well as new trust-based business models, according to the Blockchain by Cisco report.
Though blockchain has the potential to transform the business landscape, important challenges to wider adoption remain, says Cisco, which outlines three key challenges.
First, the firm notes the need to establish platform standards that meet the complex needs of the enterprise. In addition, today’s organizations are seeking industry-specific solutions to transform their business processes. Finally, interconnectivity of multiple independent blockchain networks is needed to unlock the true value of blockchain.
The report cites several areas that would benefit greatly from blockchain adoption. These include supply chain where blockchain can enable manufacturers to improve track and trace of components and finished goods. Blockchain can enable new applications around anti-counterfeiting, supplier and purchaser financing, or management of supply chain disruptions and recalls.
Another area is the Internet-of-Things (IoT) where the decentralized and autonomous model of the blockchain can be used as a foundation. Finally, smart cities can use blockchain to create a secure and common ledger to manage real-time data around transportation, energy, and utilities.
 
Cisco building blockchain platform
Cisco is currently developing a blockchain platform aimed at meeting desired use case requirements across different industries. The platform core consists of multiple layers, each including multiple subservices, with many customizable using pluggable interfaces.
It features a communications layer and distributed ledger, a pluggable smart contract engine that supports familiar developer languages such as JavaScript, GoLang and Python, an identity and policy layer responsible for tasks such as authentication, authorization and identity management, and an orchestration layer that ties all the other service levels together as part of a “service mesh.”
The blockchain framework is completed with end-to-end security and analytics spanning the infrastructure layer through the interface layer.
Cisco blockchain framework
Beyond its blockchain platform, Cisco says it is building an ecosystem that would bring together service providers, independent software vendors (ISVs), and startups, as well as key consulting partners to create end-to-end industry solutions for the enterprise.
A primary focus for this “true Internet-scale trust network” is interoperability. Cisco says it is creating a common data model for digitized physical assets that can be deployed on any existing blockchain network, including well-known platforms in the Hyperledger project and Enterprise Ethereum.
The firm is working with several industry partners including the Trusted IoT Alliance, the Hyperledger project, the Enterprise Ethereum Alliance and the Chamber of Digital Commerce to develop standards and tools.
The post Cisco Report: Blockchain to Transform the Business Landscape but Challenges Remain appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/cisco-report-blockchain-to-transform-the-business-landscape-but-challenges-remain</link><guid>908</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Bitcoin-Blockchain-300x225.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>Cisco Report: Blockchain to Transform the Business Landscape but Challenges Remain</dc:text></item><item><title>10 Fintech Startups Selected for the Swiss Fintech Awards 2019</title><description><![CDATA[More then 70 Fintech Startups applied for the Swiss Fintech Awards 2019.
The jury has pre-selected a very interesting mix of five Swiss Early Stage Fintech Startups and five Growth Stage Swiss Fintech Startups.
The winners will be announced during the Swiss FinTech Awards Night – which will take place in March.
Last year winners were: Viac, Proxeus, Price Hubble and Loanboox .
Good Luck to all selected startups.
Top 5 “Early Stage Start-up of the Year” (in alphabetical order):

Apiax

“We build powerful tools to master complex financial regulations digitally”

Neon Switzerland
“Mobile banking in Switzerland: free | fast, cheap &amp; independent”

Orion Vault AG
“Platform for digital fine art investment and donations”

Traxia
“A decentralized solution to improve SMEs short-term cash flow problems.”

Yova AG
“Sustainable, socially responsible investments that don&#8217;t sacrifice returns.”

Top 5 “Growth Stage Start-up of the Year” (in alphabetical order):

ABC Platform
“Infrastructure and Market Network to tokenize Natural Resources”

Crypto Finance AG
“Your Gateway to the crypto world.”

Payrexx
“All-in-one platform for online payments”

Shift Cryptosecurity
“Swiss made hardware to securely generate, store and use cryptographic keys”

Sonect
“Converting shops or individuals into &#8220;Virtual ATM&#8221; &#8211; reducing cost of cash”

The post 10 Fintech Startups Selected for the Swiss Fintech Awards 2019 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/10-fintech-startups-selected-for-the-swiss-fintech-awards-2019</link><guid>906</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>10 Fintech Startups Selected for the Swiss Fintech Awards 2019</dc:text></item><item><title>Debt Obligations Top Monetary Concern for Swiss in 2019: Nummo Survey</title><description><![CDATA[A recent customer survey carried by leading finance management portal Nummo has brought forward monetary concerns among the citizens in the upcoming year. Conducted in the month of October, the survey has revealed that debt obligation is the numero uno financial concern for the Swiss in 2019.
The recent Nummo survey was primarily focused on gauging the major money concerns in 2019. Based on the result, 66% of respondents noted that the foremost concern for them is paying down their debts. 23% has mentioned concerns about funding children’s education.
The other concerns were retirement savings as well as caring for the elderly parent. 6% of respondents have stated they are worried about their retirement savings while 5% have noted about their concerns about caring for aged parents. The rest seemed worried about ability to meet car loans, medical bills and mortgage. While asked, some also noted about the inability to stay within budget, saving for the rainy day or unforeseen emergencies. Student loans were another chief monetary concern for some of the respondents in the survey as well.
It’s a tragic irony that although the Swiss people are the wealthiest in the whole world on the basis of per capita- they also hold the highest debt (per capita) in the entire world. In fact, Switzerland holds the #1 position in the list of most indebted countries. To manipulate its currency, the national central bank has already imposed a steep negative rate of interest of late.
But this very zero &amp;amp; negative-interest-rate policy has only abetted the debt quotient for the residents here. At present, the ratio of household debt: GDP has soared to a whopping 127%.
Roi Tavor
“If we check the Quarterly Report from Federal Reserve, the household customer debt in the country has risen to an alarming $13.51 trillion”,
noted Mr. Roi Tavor, the CEO and co-founder of Nummo.
“Hence, it’s not exactly surprising that the different recurring expenses like auto loans, debt from a credit card or the mortgages stand as the prime monetary burden for the Nummo users”,
he added in.
“The moot point here is to get a clear and effective idea of paying down the debts yet without getting too bogged down by them. The most important thing here is to find the ideal tools to draft a budget and follow it, save adequate money &amp;amp; make informed decisions regarding judicious management of financial wellness. And this is where Nummo comes to your help. Nummo’s mission is to help people overcome debt as well as be in total control of the finances.”
Market experts are also stressing on the importance of creating a budget to ensure an effective control of finances. There are different personal finance management tools here that guide the users about the effective management of finances. An even simpler way is to create a budget on MS Excel. The budget will have categories for income and for the primary, secondary and luxury expense areas. When one is in debt, it’s better to offset the luxury expenses and secondary ones as much as possible and focus on only the indispensable ones.
But creating a budget is never enough. One must be careful to follow it sincerely. Experts have also suggested to scrutiny every budget end of the month to compare the actual expenses on that month with that chalked out in the budget. One should also check the progress of his budget-based lifestyle over a period of time, say 6 months. It would be better to make a PDF document of the budget lists from these six months to ensure a coherent and easy study.
There are PDF editor programs that will help one to manage the PDF document. Movavi PDF Editor for Mac is one of the most reputed names here. The PDF editing tool allows users to merge files from various formats- like MS Excel, MS Word etc.- into one single PDF document.
The state of the art editor tool is a breeze to use and is able to perform all major and minor editing works on your PDF document. It allows users to rotate, crop, insert as well as scale images straight on the PDF page. The editor can also convert popular image files into PDF formats.
 
Featured image credit: Freepik
The post Debt Obligations Top Monetary Concern for Swiss in 2019: Nummo Survey appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/debt-obligations-top-monetary-concern-for-swiss-in-2019-nummo-survey</link><guid>907</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/promisory-note.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>Debt Obligations Top Monetary Concern for Swiss in 2019: Nummo Survey</dc:text></item><item><title>Top Crypto Trend Predictions for 2019</title><description><![CDATA[2018 was a disastrous year for cryptocurrencies, which saw their value plunge by 80% between January and September. But as we begin 2019, industry participants remain overall confident on the future of cryptocurrencies and their underlying technology, the blockchain.
Many predict the industry will further mature this year, with several applications to debut in 2019, delivering on their 2017 promises, while others expect several of 2018’s trends, including stablecoins and tokenization, to continue their momentum.
The followings are what top crypto experts and industry participants predict will happen this year in the space:
Expect “a new bullish phase in crypto”
Fred Wilson via Wikipedia
Prominent venture capitalist and Union Square Ventures co-founder Fred Wilson has released his annual predictions blog post in which he forecasts “a new bullish phase in crypto” fueled by the many blockchain projects set to come to fruition in 2019.
“I expect we will see some bullish runs, followed by selling pressures taking us back to retest the lows,” he writes. “I think this bottoming out process will end sometime in 2019 and we will slowly enter a new bullish phase in crypto.”
“I think we will see some big name projects ship, like the Filecoin project from our portfolio company Protocol Labs, and the Algorand project from our portfolio company Algorand. I think we will see a number of ‘next gen’ smart contract platforms ship and challenge Ethereum for leadership in this super important area of the crypto sector. I also expect the Ethereum open source community to ship a number of important improvements to its system in 2019 and defend their leadership in the smart contract space.”
The making or breaking of cryptocurrencies
Arup Sen, a support lawyer at Taylor Wessing who worked for the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for five years, believes that 2019 will be the making or breaking of bitcoin, other cryptocurrencies and its underlying blockchain technology.
“After first grabbing the headlines back in 2011 with the advent of bitcoin, blockchain and cryptoassets have progressed significantly, with over 1,500 cryptocurrencies now vying for attention alongside various other cryptoasset types,” Sen told The Independent.
“But as the market and technology have grown, so has the volume of criticism and the strength of opposition. Payment specialists decry the slow processing times and high transaction costs associated with cryptocurrencies, law enforcement looks at initial coin offerings [fundraising through cryptocurrencies] as another way of scamming the public. And now the regulators are circling.”
Year of tokenization
The past years have witnessed a lot of hype around bitcoin and blockchain technologies, but in the background, a new economic infrastructure is forming, Kristjan Kangro, founder and CEO of Estonian blockchain firm Change, told The Independent. He cited the tokenization of assets which has already been changing how people invest, spend and raise capital around the world.
Echoing Kangro, Bruce Fenton, founder and managing director of Atlantic Financial, board member of the Bitcoin Foundation and co-founder of the Bitcoin Association, believes the main trend in 2019 will be securities tokens.
“The combination of the power of a distributed ledger with more standardized securities will open lots of doors in capital creation,” Fenton told Forbes. “Privacy will continue to be important. There will be an increasing gap between those with solid technology and those with weak, captive networks.”
Brock Pierce, an American entrepreneur, venture capitalist, chairman of the Bitcoin Foundation and co-founder of EOS Alliance, agrees, stating:
“A quadrillion dollar market is unfolding, driven by the emergence of security tokens. As currencies are tokenized, as bonds are tokenized, as equities are tokenized, as currencies and real estate and energy are tokenized. We are watching the birth of a quadrillion-dollar market.”
2019, a big year for stablecoins
Bitcoin Cryptocurrency, Pixabay
According to Tory Reiss, co-founder and head of partnerships at stablecoin platform TrustToken, the next wave of the crypto market will be driven by real-world value and real-world use cases.
“This is the true excitement that traders are feeling around stablecoins in 2018: the promise of trillions of dollars of value being easily accessed and traded by anyone with a smartphone, anywhere in the world,” Reiss told Inverse.
Echoing Reiss, Phillippe Bekhazi, CEO of XBTO Group, predicts that 2019 will be the year of stablecoins.
“They can also be used as a mechanism to move value around in stable terms, and technically even for payments, although the speed of the underlying blockchain may be a limiting factor for time-sensitive transactions, for the time being,” he writes in a CoinDesk post.
Blockchain will further mature
2019 should witness further consolidation in the blockchain industry, which is set to enter the next phase of maturity, according to Arianna Simpson, a venture capital and managing director at Autonomous Partners.
For Justin Sun, CEO and founder of Tron, companies with differentiated business models will begin to separate themselves from the pack in 2019. Sun told Forbes:
“For the industry to mature and gain legitimacy, the 2018 shakeout had to happen. As you’ve seen with the rise of the internet, e-commerce and just about every other big-thought thing that’s happened in the last 50 years, the gold rush days come to an end, rules get created and people settle down to do real business.”
For Malta, 2019 will be “a historic year” as the country is set to issue the first licenses, enabling blockchain and crypto operators to operate in a regulated environment, Silvio Schembri, Malta’s Junior Minister for Financial Services, Digital Economy and Innovation, told Forbes.
“2019 will see the materialization of ‘the Blockchain Island,’ firmly putting Malta at the epicenter of this industry,” Schembri said.
“We are aware where the compass is pointing, which is why blockchain technology will be incorporated into our ecosystem. In turn, we will soon start witnessing change in the landscape of how sectors as we know today operate. In fact, as a Government, we’re looking at using blockchain technology in the public sector to better the experience of our citizens.”
Blockchain in supply chain
Containers, Pixabay
One area in particular that will likely see further adoption of blockchain technology is supply chain management. Jonathan Johnson, president of Medici Ventures and a board member of Overstock.com, expects a lot of supply chain applications to debut in 2019, providing more surety by both sellers and purchasers of the providence of goods.
“What VinX is doing in the wine business and GrainChain in the grain business, others will do in variety of industries,” Johnson told Forbes.
“And watch out Wall Street. Fintech will continue to be a major focus for blockchain use cases. Some will finally get into production and begin to revolutionize the ways securities trade.
“Blockchain will continue to be hyped as a panacea. Companies caught in this hype will waste money trying to use blockchain, where a good old-fashioned database does just fine.”
 
Featured image credit: Unsplash
The post Top Crypto Trend Predictions for 2019 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-crypto-trend-predictions-for-2019</link><guid>896</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Fred-Wilson-wikipedia-300x200.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Top Crypto Trend Predictions for 2019</dc:text></item><item><title>Technische Uinversität Darmstadt forscht an Blockchain in Echtzeit</title><description><![CDATA[Blockchains versprechen grossangelegte offene Internetanwendungen, die voll­ständig dezentral organisiert sind.
Der Preis dafür ist eine zähe Geschwindigkeit bei jeder Transaktion, die von dem System verarbeitet wird. Professor Sebastian Faust, Kryptographie-Forscher an der TU Darmstadt, und sein Team erzielen weltweit Aufmerksamkeit mit ihren Ansätzen, Echtzeit-Transaktionen über Blockchains wie beispielsweise Ethereum zu ermöglichen.
Mit Kreditkarte geht das Bezahlen schnell: Sobald ein Kunde die Karte in ein Lesegerät steckt oder im Internet seine Daten eingegeben hat, ist die Zahlung in wenigen Sekunden erledigt. Eine zentral organisierte Firma wie Visa kann so in Stosszeiten beispielsweise mehr als 50.000 Transaktionen pro Sekunde bewältigen.
Bei Kryptowährungen wie Bitcoin, die dezentral über eine Blockchain abgewickelt werden, sind derzeit maximal sieben Transaktionen pro Sekunde möglich – ein immenser Unterschied, der die Nutzbarkeit der Technologie stark einschränkt.
Zudem kann die Verarbeitung einer einzelnen Transaktion mehrere Minuten in Anspruch nehmen. Dies gilt nicht nur für Bitcoin. Auch komplexere Anwendungsfälle, die über intelligente Verträge – so genannte Smart Contracts – abgewickelt werden, sind kostenintensiv und langsam.
Dabei ist die Blockchain für genau solche Fälle gedacht: Jeder Nutzer kann etwas hochladen und darüber vertreiben, und jeder kann selbst Teil der Blockchain werden. Sie ist dezentral, neutral und sozusagen ideale Mischung aus Vermittler und Richter, aber sie ist eben auch langsam. Mit ihr kostengünstig und in Echtzeit zu interagieren – das ist die Vision von Sebastian Faust, Professor für Angewandte Kryptographie, und seines Teams.
Die Herausforderung dabei ist, dass der Gewinn an Geschwindigkeit nicht auf Kosten der Sicherheit gehen darf. Die Forschungen sind Teil des von der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft geförderten Sonderforschungsbereichs CROSSING.
Eine Blockchain besteht aus einer Kette von Blöcken, die den Zustand des dezentralen Systems enthält. Im Falle einer Währung wie Bitcoin wären dies zum Beispiel Transaktionsdaten – wer also wie viel an wen bezahlt. Jeder Block enthält zudem einen sogenannten Hash aller darin enthaltenen Daten, eine Art Fingerabdruck. Dies führt bei einer Modifizierung der Daten zu einem geänderten Hashwert. Zudem verweist jeder Block auf den Hash des vorigen Blocks.Dadurch entsteht eine zusammenhängende Kette. Im Durchschnitt wird alle zehn Minuten ein neuer Bitcoin Block von einem der Teilnehmer des Netzwerkes – einem sogenannten Miner – erstellt.
Dieser Block wird dann von allen anderen Teilnehmern geprüft und als neuer Block der Kette akzeptiert, wenn alle Transaktionen und Berechnungen korrekt sind. Damit wird der Block Teil der Blockchain, auf der aufbauend alle Miner versuchen, den nächsten Block zu finden. Sollte der Block inkorrekt sein, wird er ignoriert.
Eine Transaktion in einem Block wird nur akzeptiert, wenn sie in der Blockchain veröffentlicht und idealerweise von mehreren Blöcken – meist sechs – bestätigt wurde. Dies verhindert, dass ein Angreifer falsche Transaktionen oder Blöcke publizieren kann. Der Nachteil ist, dass ein Nutzer bis zu 60 Minuten auf die Bestätigung der Transaktion warten muss.
Komplexere Transaktionen mittels Smart Contracts
Smart Contracts ermöglichen es, neben einfachen Bezahlungen auch komplexere Transaktionen auszuführen. Dabei können ähnlich zu Computerprogrammen komplexe Regeln beschrieben werden, nach denen Zahlungen erfolgen müssen.
Professor Sebastian Faust, Experte für Kryptografieverfahren. Bild: Katrin Binner
„Hierbei handelt es sich um Verträge, die über die Blockchain abgewickelt werden“,
sagt Sebastian Faust.
„Smart bedeutet, dass die Verträge logische Bedingungen enthalten. Will zum Beispiel jemand einen Film als Datei online verkaufen, enthält der Smart Contract die Bedingung: Erst wenn die richtige Datei geliefert wird, wird das Geld ausgezahlt.“
Dies geschieht automatisch, was für beide Seiten sicher ist. Das Geld bleibt dabei in der Blockchain, solange der Kunde die Datei nicht sendet, es kann aber auch nicht vom Käufer anderweitig ausgegeben werden.
Ein weiterer Anwendungsfall ist die Kommunikation zwischen autonomen Fahrzeugen. Es gibt Lastwagen, die auf der Straße autonom fahren können. Aber sie sind teuer, weil sie viel Sensorik benötigen. Ein teilautonomer Lastwagen könnte nicht alleine fahren, aber von dem autonomen mitgesteuert werden.
Dafür muss der Fahrer des teilautonomen Lkws einen Vertrag mit dem autonomen eingehen. Der Fahrer kann in dieser Zeit schlafen und muss nicht eigens dafür anhalten. Ein Smart Contract könnte dies alles regeln, wäre da nicht das Problem, dass die Blockchain derzeit zu langsam für rasche Verhandlungen auf der Strasse ist.
„Unsere Idee ist, nicht alles in die Blockchain zu verlagern“,
sagt Faust.
„Um zum Beispiel einen Vertrag abzuwickeln, braucht es keine Blockchain – die ist erst relevant, wenn es zum Streitfall kommt.“
Die Verträge werden also direkt zwischen den Parteien ausgeführt – „offchain“. Nur wenn eine Partei die Vertragsbedingungen bricht, wird der Vertrag „onchain“ ausgewertet. Hier werden die Bedingungen transparent überprüft und abgerechnet.
„Man kann es mit einem Gericht vergleichen“, sagt Faust.
„Da Prozesse aufwändig und teuer sind, gehen die Parteien dort nur hin, wenn sie sich nicht einig sind.“
Der Vorteil dieses Ansatzes ist die Skalierbarkeit. Da im Alltag Streitfälle die Ausnahme sind, können Tausende Verträge in Echtzeit ausgeführt werden. Die Blockchain ist weniger belastet.
Komplexe Computerprogramme können jedoch auch fatale Sicherheitsprobleme enthalten. „Es kommt immer wieder vor, dass die Smart Contracts fehlerhaft implementiert werden und die korrekte Funktionsweise der Contracts nicht mehr garantiert werden kann“, sagt Sebastian Faust.
So konnte beispielsweise im Smart Contract von „The DAO“ ein Hacker einen Programmierfehler ausnutzen und Kryptowährung im Wert von 50 Millionen Dollar stehlen. Das Ziel der Forschungen an der TU ist, die Effizienz von Blockchain-Systemen zu verbessern und gleichzeitig das Auftreten solcher Schwachstellen zu minimieren.
Die kryptographischen Protokolle für diese Prozesse zu entwickeln, ist aufwendig. Es muss genau definiert werden, wann die offchain-Algorithmen mit der Blockchain reden und welche möglichst minimalen Informationen ausgetauscht werden. Die Forscher konnten in formalen Modellen belegen, dass ihre Protokolle sicher sind. Sie sind Open Source und zudem unabhängig von der Blockchain-Technologie – man kann sie auch in anderen Systemen einsetzen, um Konflikte automatisiert und transparent zu lösen.
Die Protokolle heissen Perun – nach dem slawischen Gott für Gewitter. Und eingeschlagen haben sie: Die Ergebnisse stiessen auf hohe Resonanz sowohl auf den wichtigsten Konferenzen der IT Security als auch bei Firmen wie Bosch oder der Ethereum Foundation, deren Blockchain Smart Contracts unterstützt.
 
Featured image credit: Freepik
Dieser PR-Artikel erschien zuerst auf TU Darmstadt
The post Technische Uinversität Darmstadt forscht an Blockchain in Echtzeit appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/technische-uinversitat-darmstadt-forscht-an-blockchain-in-echtzeit</link><guid>897</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Professor-Sebastian-Faust-200x300.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Technische Uinversität Darmstadt forscht an Blockchain in Echtzeit</dc:text></item><item><title>Crypto Fund AG verstärkt Management Team</title><description><![CDATA[Die Crypto Fund AG, eine Tochtergesellschaft der Crypto Finance AG, gibt die Ernennung von Christoph Steiger als Head of Sales bekannt.
Christoph verstärkt das Team und übernimmt die Verantwortung für den Vertrieb sowie das Kundenbeziehungsmanagement, da das Interesse traditioneller Investoren wächst und sich auf regulatorischer Ebene in der Schweiz und weltweit Klarheit abzeichnet.
Jan Brzezek
«Christoph Steiger bringt genau die wertvolle Erfahrung im Relationship Management und das Vertrauen aus der traditionellen Vermögensverwaltung mit, das wir unseren Investoren entgegenbringen wollen. Unsere Diskussionen über die Entwicklung dieser neuen Anlageklasse und das Interesse traditioneller Investoren führten zu seiner Ernennung während einer bedeutsamen Entwicklungsphase für die Crypto Fund AG»,
sagte CEO und Mitbegründer Jan Brzezek.
Christoph tritt in das Crypto Fund Team ein und bringt Erfahrung im Handel, Verkauf und Fondsvertrieb für verschiedene Banken und Vermögensverwalter, darunter Credit Suisse, SAM Sustainable Asset Management und Vontobel mit. Zuletzt war er bei Vontobel Asset Management für den Fondsvertrieb in der Schweiz und den nordischen Märkten verantwortlich. Christoph hat einen Bachelor-Abschluss in Business Administration der Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften, ist Certified International Investment Analyst (CIIA) und verfügt über einen MAS in Corporate Finance des Instituts für Finanzdienstleistungen Zug (IFZ).

 
 
The post Crypto Fund AG verstärkt Management Team appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crypto-fund-ag-verstarkt-management-team</link><guid>898</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Crypto Fund AG verstärkt Management Team</dc:text></item><item><title>Debt Obligations Top Monetary Concern in 2019: Nummo Survey</title><description><![CDATA[A recent customer survey carried by leading finance management portal Nummo has brought forward monetary concerns among US citizens in the upcoming year. Conducted in the month of October, the survey has revealed that debt obligation is the number one financial concern in 2019.
The recent Nummo survey was primarily focused on gauging the major money concerns in 2019. Based on the result, 66% of respondents noted that the foremost concern for them is paying down their debts. 23% has mentioned concerns about funding children’s education.
The other concerns were retirement savings as well as caring for the elderly parent. 6% of respondents have stated they are worried about their retirement savings while 5% have noted about their concerns about caring for aged parents. The rest seemed worried about ability to meet car loans, medical bills and mortgage. While asked, some also noted about the inability to stay within budget, saving for the rainy day or unforeseen emergencies. Student loans were another chief monetary concern for some of the respondents in the survey as well.
It’s a tragic irony that although the people are the wealthiest in the whole world on the basis of per capita- they also hold the highest debt (per capita) in the entire world. In fact, Switzerland holds the #1 position in the list of most indebted countries. To manipulate its currency, the national central bank has already imposed a steep negative rate of interest of late.
But this very zero &amp;amp; negative-interest-rate policy has only abetted the debt quotient for the residents here. At present, the ratio of household debt: GDP has soared to a whopping 127%.
Roi Tavor
“If we check the Quarterly Report from Federal Reserve, the household customer debt in the country has risen to an alarming $13.51 trillion”,
noted Mr. Roi Tavor, the CEO and co-founder of Nummo.
“Hence, it’s not exactly surprising that the different recurring expenses like auto loans, debt from a credit card or the mortgages stand as the prime monetary burden for the Nummo users”,
he added in.
“The moot point here is to get a clear and effective idea of paying down the debts yet without getting too bogged down by them. The most important thing here is to find the ideal tools to draft a budget and follow it, save adequate money &amp;amp; make informed decisions regarding judicious management of financial wellness. And this is where Nummo comes to your help. Nummo’s mission is to help people overcome debt as well as be in total control of the finances.”
Market experts are also stressing on the importance of creating a budget to ensure an effective control of finances. There are different personal finance management tools here that guide the users about the effective management of finances. An even simpler way is to create a budget on MS Excel. The budget will have categories for income and for the primary, secondary and luxury expense areas. When one is in debt, it’s better to offset the luxury expenses and secondary ones as much as possible and focus on only the indispensable ones.
But creating a budget is never enough. One must be careful to follow it sincerely. Experts have also suggested to scrutiny every budget end of the month to compare the actual expenses on that month with that chalked out in the budget. One should also check the progress of his budget-based lifestyle over a period of time, say 6 months. It would be better to make a PDF document of the budget lists from these six months to ensure a coherent and easy study.
There are PDF editor programs that will help one to manage the PDF document. Movavi PDF Editor for Mac is one of the most reputed names here. The PDF editing tool allows users to merge files from various formats- like MS Excel, MS Word etc.- into one single PDF document.
The state of the art editor tool is a breeze to use and is able to perform all major and minor editing works on your PDF document. It allows users to rotate, crop, insert as well as scale images straight on the PDF page. The editor can also convert popular image files into PDF formats.
 
Featured image credit: Freepik
The post Debt Obligations Top Monetary Concern in 2019: Nummo Survey appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/debt-obligations-top-monetary-concern-in-2019-nummo-survey</link><guid>909</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/promisory-note.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>Debt Obligations Top Monetary Concern in 2019: Nummo Survey</dc:text></item><item><title>How Switzerland Ranks in the State of European Tech Hub Study</title><description><![CDATA[With a pool of over 147,000 professional developers and US$788 million raised in 2018, Switzerland’s tech industry ranks tenth among its European counterparts. Zurich, Geneve and Lausanne have been found to be Switzerland’s three largest tech communities, according to the State of European Tech 2018 report.
 
Switzerland figures, The State of European Tech 2018
The fourth edition of the State of European tech report, by Atomico in partnership with Slush and Orrich, draws on data from partners and a survey of 5,000 members of the tech ecosystem, from founders to students, investors to researchers, to provide a comprehensive data-driven overview of European technology today.
According to the research, Europe is home to a thrive tech ecosystem with at least 30 different hubs with 50,000 or more professional developers. Its three largest hubs for developers are London, Paris and Amsterdam which together are home to about 15% of the region’s total developers.
With nearly 100,000 professional developers in 2018, Zurich is the tenth largest tech hub in Europe.
Top European cities by # professional developers in 2018, The State of European Tech 2018
The UK is the number one destination for all international movers into the European tech ecosystem with 20.9%. Switzerland ranks seventh at 4%.
Top European destinations for all international movers into European tech in 2018, The State of European Tech 2018
The report notes huge geographic diversity amongst the top 20 fastest-growing tech hubs in Europe, as measured by the annual growth in attendees to tech-related Meetup events in those cities.
Zug in Switzerland, home to a growing crypto community, ranks number one as the fastest-growing community overall at 177%.
Top 20 fastest-growing tech hubs in Europe by year-on-year growth of attendees to tech-related Meetup events per city, The State of European Tech 2018
In recent years, Switzerland has emerged as a fintech powerhouse with Zug its blockchain hub. The city has been nicknamed Crypto Valley for the high concentration of blockchain and cryptocurrency startups which include the Ethereum Foundation, Tezos, Xapo, ShapeShift, and Proxeus.
A research paper by Speedinvest X and Frontline released in September 2018 ranked Zug the third city in the world in terms of startup funding volume in H1 2018, driven primarily by its rapidly expanding crypto-community.
A record year for European tech
In 2018, European tech companies raised a record of US$23 billion, up from just US$5 billion in 2013 and four tech IPOs or direct listings of European tech companies reached valuations of more than US$5 billion on opening day, including Europe’s largest ever venture-backed publicly-listed tech company Spotify, fintech firm Adyen, luxury online marketplace Farfetch, and software company Elastic. In total, Europe contributed three of the top 10 largest tech IPOs globally of 2018.
The State of European Tech 2018
According to the report, Europe’s tech industry is growing 5x faster than the rest of the European economy in terms of gross value added, a pace that has accelerated in recent years. The European tech industry contributes around US$400 billion to the European economy today.
Tech industry contribution to the European economy by total GVA and % of total, The State of European Tech 2018
One of European tech’s greatest strengths is its deep talent pool, the report notes, which is more distributed and more interconnected than ever with some 5.7 million professional developers, up by 200,000 on 2017. This compared to the 4.4 million in the US, a number that stayed flat year-on-year.
Europe&#8217;s professional developer talent pool, The State of European Tech 2018
Germany is home to the region’s largest single market for professional developer talent, followed closely by the UK with 830,500 professional developers, and then France with 491,800 professional developers.
Moving forward, the report predicts that more European tech hubs will emerge with cities such as Cologne, Warsaw and Vienna poised to make a name for themselves. These have larger developer populations than Stockholm and active local tech communities, but have yet to attract as much investment. The report notes that there are 15 European cities with professional developer populations of 50,000+ that have seen less than US$1 billion in total capital investment since 2013.
The post How Switzerland Ranks in the State of European Tech Hub Study appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/how-switzerland-ranks-in-the-state-of-european-tech-hub-study</link><guid>899</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Switzerland-figures-The-State-of-European-Tech-2018-1024x499.png</dc:content ><dc:text>How Switzerland Ranks in the State of European Tech Hub Study</dc:text></item><item><title>Revolut Gets Swiss IBAN</title><description><![CDATA[UK mobile-only bank Revolut has reportedly gotten a Swiss IBAN number by opening a correspondence account with Credit Suisse, according to a report by Handelszeitung. The move allows Revolut’s 50,000+ Swiss customers to transfer money to their accounts via Swiss domestic transfers, saving both money and time.
Handelszeitung however notes that Revolut does not hold a Swiss banking license, thus does not offer its own Swiss bank account numbers. This would require an account with the Swiss National Bank, which as a rule is only provided to banks that are registered in Switzerland.
 
Revolut expands globally
Revolut office in London, via Facebook
This comes at a time when Revolut is actively expanding worldwide. The company announced on December 13 that it has been granted a European banking license, enabling it to offer services typically provided by traditional banks including full current accounts, direct debits, consumer and business lending, and overdrafts. Right now, Revolut is more of a digital wallet that lets users top up in many different ways.
The Bank of Lithuania granted Revolut the regulatory approval, giving the London-based company permission to operate throughout the European Union (EU).
Chad West, a Revolut spokesman, told Bloomberg that the company chose Lithuania because the country’s “regulatory environment is incredibly fintech friendly.” He also said it was faster to get licensed in Lithuania than many other European jurisdictions. Revolut has 150,000 customers in Lithuania.
London has been a hotbed for fintech startups but the impending withdrawal of the UK from the EU has pushed many of these companies to seek licenses from other European jurisdictions. Once the UK leaves the EU, British financial companies will no longer have the right to “passport” their regulatory approvals to other European jurisdictions.
CEO Nikolay Storonsky told CNBC the company plans to apply for a UK banking license as well, in part because of uncertainty around Brexit. “If we feel a &#8216;hard Brexit&#8217; happens, we&#8217;ll definitely need to have a license here,” he said.
Revolut expects to roll out new features in the UK, France, Germany and Poland. The company has said it will offer commission-free equity trading in the UK and Europe within the next year.
Revolut announced in November it has been granted licenses to operate in Singapore and Japan, marking the beginning of its expansion into Asia. The company plans to launch in Q1 2019 and already more than 50,000 people have signed to the waitlist.
Storonsky said he hopes to launch in the US in 2019, as well as Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Founded in 2015, Revolut offers digital banking services including prepaid debit card, current account, cryptocurrency trading, and foreign exchange transactions. The company serves more than 3 million customers and claims it is opening between 8,000 and 10,000 current accounts every day. Users generate $4 billion in monthly transaction volume.
In April 2018, Revolut closed a US$250 million funding round that brought its valuation to US$1.7 billion. According to the Times of London, the company is in talks with Japan’s SoftBank to raise a fresh round of funding worth as much as US$500 million.
Revolut is part of a growing list of digital banks that have secured banking licenses as fintech startups take on incumbents in the financial services sector. These include UK’s Monzo and Starling which have both secured banking licenses in the UK, Germany’s N26, which received its European license in 2016, Swedish payments company Klarna, which won a full banking license from Finansinspektionen, the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority, in 2017, and Dutch payments firm Adyen, which was awarded a European banking license in 2017 by the Dutch Central Bank.
 

The post Revolut Gets Swiss IBAN appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/revolut-gets-swiss-iban</link><guid>900</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Revolut-office-via-Facebook-300x195.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Revolut Gets Swiss IBAN</dc:text></item><item><title>Interview with SIX Digital Exchange; “We will offer Digital IPOs”</title><description><![CDATA[SIX has announced that it is developing a fully integrated trading, settlement, and custody platform for digital assets. Thomas Zeeb, Head Securities &amp; Exchanges at SIX, explains how SIX Digital Exchange (SDX) is building a bridge between existing and new infrastructure and gives interesting insides on an interview published on the SIX Blog.
In 1995, Switzerland’s stock exchange became the world’s first securities exchange to introduce electronic trading. Now SIX has founded a company called SDX – a digital securities exchange. Electronic, digital: What’s the difference?

It is not so much the terms electronic and digital that constitute the difference. The word electronic, for example, in electronic trading really only refers to the act of trading. What comes after that is clearing, settlement, and custody – all parts of the Swiss value chain. SDX, in contrast, executes all of those steps simultaneously. That’s a big difference. Millions of francs that are tied up today as collateral will be freed as we execute a genuine, instant, transfer of title to a property. Distributed ledger technology makes that possible. In other words, we’re building the world’s first end-to-end trading, settlement, and custody platform for tokenized assets that will operate in a regulated environment.
SDX will offer digital IPOs.
Tokenized assets? What does that mean exactly?

Tokenized assets are a form of digital assets that can be traded on SDX. There are almost no limitations to the types of assets that can be tokenized. The realm of conceivable tokenized assets includes digital currencies and securities, and perhaps someday even non-bankable assets such as paintings and real estate. But the first assets that we would like to tokenize as part of a minimum viable product (MVP), an early version of SDX, are securities that are already traded today on our exchange. We plan to take that step in mid-2019.



The competition in the form of digital currency exchanges has it tougher than we do.






What advantages does this bring?

Tokenization brings significant advantages, especially for our clients, in creating new products for their clients. Anyone who lacks a lavish budget but would nonetheless like to diversify the portfolio gets options beyond mutual funds. A token can be almost infinitely fractionalized. I could then, for instance, get a fraction of a share – 0.00173 Nestlé, for example. Cryptocurrencies have already made us familiar with this principle. Imagine the services that banks could offer their clients in the future. Tokenization will give all assets a new digital quality. They will become intelligent in a way because we’ll be able to do almost anything with them via smart contracts. Will SDX also host initial coin offerings, ICOs? SDX will offer digital IPOs.
In the future we must be able, to verify that the actual asset underlying the digital asset is not of criminal origin.
But whether or when we start to use the respective technology depends on a number of different factors including a regulatory infrastructure that exploits the potential of digitalization. The lack of such a regulatory infrastructure, of course, is exactly why cryptocurrencies don’t always enjoy the best reputation and why ICOs have come under fire on occasion. It’s a serious issue because there are currently no controls in place. All the more important is a transparent, straightforward process. In the future we must be able, for instance, to verify that the actual asset underlying the digital asset is not of criminal origin.
If we can do that, institutional investors, for example, will be among the first to want to take advantage of such offerings. The same goes for ICOs, which currently proceed in a decentralized and unregulated manner and thus give rise to a large number of fraud cases. What we’re striving for is a white ICO. Starting in spring of next year, we will meet with banks and the Swiss regulator FINMA to swap ideas on how ICO services from our side might look. We need to define standards, perhaps not as high as those for a traditional IPO, but not much lower either.
Speaking of standards, how mature are the regulations for a platform like SDX?
The regulations are just starting to take shape, which is an advantage for us. Part of the regulatory regime will probably develop continuously with the buildup of SDX. Our ICO services, for example, will set a precedent. Given the experience and status of SIX as an operator in a regulated environment, we are working closely with FINMA to define the needs for the future.
That sounds like a key element to success.
It is indeed. The competition in the form of digital currency exchanges has it tougher than we do. Our path going from traditional to digital asset classes is a more credible one than their path transitioning from an unregulated to a regulated structure. And again, on top of that, there’s our unique starting position as an established supplier of end-to-end trading, settlement, and custody services all under one roof. We are well-positioned to build the bridge between existing and new infrastructure. We find ourselves presented with a tremendous first-mover opportunity to capitalize on, and further strengthen, the brand value of SIX as well as Switzerland’s brand value. SDX has the potential to position Switzerland at the center of the global financial industry’s digital future.
 
Thomas Zeeb
As Head Securities &amp; Exchanges at SIX and a member of the Executive Board, Thomas Zeeb is responsible for all of Switzerland’s stock exchange capabilities. This includes listing and trading services as well as all post-trade services with clearing, custody, and securities finance. In addition to this Exchange Services remit, Thomas Zeeb is also the driving force behind the newly launched SIX Digital Exchange (SDX). He is accountable for the vision, scope, and delivery of what has been referred to as the future of exchanges. Prior to SIX, Thomas Zeeb held a number of positions in New York, London and Luxembourg for Bank of New York and Clearstream Banking respectively. The Canadian national speaks fluent German and is passionate about all things that represent excellence – particularly in the realm of client service.
The post Interview with SIX Digital Exchange; &#8220;We will offer Digital IPOs&#8221; appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/interview-with-six-digital-exchange-we-will-offer-digital-ipos</link><guid>901</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Thomas-Zeeb-300x155.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Interview with SIX Digital Exchange; “We will offer Digital IPOs”</dc:text></item><item><title>10 Interview Fragen an Neon: Schweizer “Challenger Bank” ohne Grundgebühren</title><description><![CDATA[Das Banking Startup Neon im Interview mit Startupszene.ch.
Was ist die Geschäftsidee?

Wir mischen das alltägliche Banking in der Schweiz auf. Mit konsequenter Ausrichtung auf das Smartphone und Nutzerfreundlichkeit ist neon eine Alternative für diejenigen, die sich über veraltete Banking-Apps, umständliche Abläufe und unverständlich hohe Gebühren ärgern. Unser Angebot ist einfach, bietet aber alles, was für den Alltag notwendig ist: ein Konto, eine Karte und eine App, mit der Zahlungen gemacht und die eigenen Finanzen ausgewertet werden können. Ohne jegliche Grundgebühren.
Wie ist die Geschäftsidee entstanden?
In unseren Nachbarländern ist günstiges und 100% mobiles Banking bereits seit Langem Normalität. In der Schweiz hingegen hat sich vor neon kaum etwas bewegt und das ärgerte uns – wir sind schliesslich auch selber Bankkunden. Wir sagten uns: wenn sich die Banken aus dem In- oder Ausland nicht bewegen, dann machen wir es eben selber. Das Geschäftsmodell hatten wir bereits im Kopf; wegweisend war, dass wir rasch starke Partner und motivierte Investoren finden konnten.
Woher stammt das Startkapital des Startups?
Von verschiedenen Schweizer Angel-Investoren sowie aus dem Family &amp; Friends-Umfeld. Dazu gehören unter anderem erfahrene Geldgeber und Unternehmer wie Adrian Bührer, Dominik Grolimund, Luzius Meisser oder die Innovationsstiftung der Schwyzer Kantonalbank.
Womit verdient das Startup Geld?
Ähnlich wie andere Kontoanbieter – mit Transaktionsgebühren sowie Gebühren für Value-Add-Dienstleistungen. Wir haben aber viel geringere Kosten als traditionelle Anbieter, weswegen wir unseren Kunden ein speziell attraktives Preismodell bieten können.
Wo liegt der USP (Alleinstellungsmerkmal) des Startups?
Das günstigste Konto- und Kartenangebot der Schweiz für Durchschnittsnutzer. Der schnellste Weg, deine täglichen Finanzen zu erledigen – dank einfachstem Design und tollen Features.
Was war die bisher grösste Herausforderung?
Möglichst rasch ein tolles Angebot zu bauen, das auch bei den ersten Beta-Nutzern Begeisterung und Engagement weckt, dem sie aber auch vertrauen. Das ist uns deutlich besser gelungen, als wir es erhofft hatten – wir haben viel und auch differenziertes Feedback bekommen.
Was war der bisher grösste Erfolg?
Trotz vieler Hürden und komplexen Partnerschaftsmodellen den Marktangang so schnell zu schaffen und mehrere hundert Beta-Nutzer zu motivieren, neon auszuprobieren.
Was sind die nächsten Schritte?
Wir möchten unsere Nutzerbasis vervielfachen und deswegen kontinuierlich das Produkt ausbauen – dank unserer Beta-Nutzer wissen wir auch, in welche Richtung das gehen soll. Speziell wichtig ist uns die Mastercard; auch Daueraufträge und E-Rechnungen kommen bald. Zudem wollen wir ein paar neuartige Features einbauen, wie z.B. eine Geld-Anfragen-Funktion oder einen IBAN-Scanner – IBANs abzutippen ist ja eher mühsam.
Die Schweiz ist ein guter Standort für Startups, weil
viel Fachwissen und gut ausgebildete Menschen vorhanden sind. Für gute Ideen findet sich hier typischerweise auch das notwendige Seed- und Venture-Kapital. Speziell freut uns, dass immer mehr junge Menschen motiviert sind, sich bei Startups einzubringen und die Erfahrung gegenüber Lohn und Stabilität zu priorisieren. Ohne die Einsatzbereitschaft unseres Teams wären wir nicht so schnell live gegangen und hätten keine so hohe Kundenzufriedenheit.
Was kann die Schweiz für Startups besser machen?
Es gibt Raum für regulatorische bzw. gesetzliche Erleichterungen. Die Einführung der FinTech-Lizenz hilft, eine PSD2-ähnliche Regelung würde weitere Innovation fördern. Auch beim Dienstleistungsaustausch mit dem Ausland könnten Hürden abgebaut werden – oft ist das nationale Angebot aufgrund des kleinen Binnenmarktes eingeschränkt und nicht state-of-the-art.
Über neon
neon bringt Leben in den Finanzalltag. Gemeinsam mit Bankpartner Hypothekarbank Lenzburg AG stellt neon ein einlagengesichertes Bankkonto, eine Maestro-Karte und eine App für den digitalen Alltag bereit – ohne Grundgebühren. Auf Schnelligkeit, Smartphones und Nutzerfreundlichkeit ausgerichtet, bietet neon eine Alternative für diejenigen, die sich über veraltete Banking-Apps, umständliche Prozesse und unverständlich hohe Gebühren ärgern.
Gegründet am: August 2017
Firmensitz: Zürich
Branche: Finanzdienstleistungen, Fintech
Die Gründer: Jörg Sandrock (45), Banking, Simon Youssef (39), UX/IT, Julius Kirscheneder (40), Marketing / Partner, Michael Noorlander (33), Customer Experience
Anzahl Mitarbeiter: 8
Website: www.neon-free.ch
 
Dieses Interview stammt von unserem Partner-Blog startupszene.ch
 startupszene.ch
The post 10 Interview Fragen an Neon: Schweizer &#8220;Challenger Bank&#8221; ohne Grundgebühren appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/10-interview-fragen-an-neon-schweizer-challenger-bank-ohne-grundgebuhren</link><guid>902</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>10 Interview Fragen an Neon: Schweizer “Challenger Bank” ohne Grundgebühren</dc:text></item><item><title>Avaloq Doubles Down on Open Banking with Its Latest Solutions</title><description><![CDATA[With the deadline looming for financial services firms to be fully compliant with the Payment Services Directive II by September 2019, Avaloq is gunning to capitalise on the rush with its latest solution.
According to its press release this new solution has a wide range of deployment options tailored to different configurations which comes already integrated with its existing core banking and digital banking software.
PSD2, which came into force in January 2018, regulates payment services and payment service providers throughout Europe. For the first time, it will allow with consent, third parties to access customer data to provide value-added payments and banking services.
Under the implementation process, institutions will have to offer their open Application Programming Interface (APIs) to third-party providers for testing and integration six months before the final implementation date of September 2019. This means that their APIs must be ready from March next year.
A study by Accenture estimated that by 2020, EUR61 billion of the total banking revenue pool in Europe (equivalent of 7 percent) will be associated with open banking-enabled activities.
A separate survey of 90 European banks by Deloitte found that about half are planning to use PSD2 to become an Account Information Service Provider, which lets customers see all of their account information from different bank accounts in one place online or in a mobile app.

 
Featured image credit: Avaloq
The post Avaloq Doubles Down on Open Banking with Its Latest Solutions appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/avaloq-doubles-down-on-open-banking-with-its-latest-solutions</link><guid>903</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Avaloq Doubles Down on Open Banking with Its Latest Solutions</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Money Transfer Comparision Page Monito Raises $2.5 Million Led by Tamedia</title><description><![CDATA[Monito, the Lausanne-based comparison website for international money transfer services, has raised US $2.5 million in Series A financing led by Tamedia, Switzerland’s leading private media group.
B&amp;Y Venture Partners, Silicon Valley-based serial fintech entrepreneur Alexandre Gonthier, as well as historic investors, also participated in this round.
Monito helps individuals and businesses find, compare and review the best money transfer provider for their needs out of the hundreds of available options across more than 190 countries. The comparison website has already been used by millions of people from all over the world and currently employs about 7 staff members.
François Briod, co-founder and CEO of Monito:
François Briod
“We’re extremely grateful and excited by the support received from historic investors, and are looking forward to welcoming new investors joining us on our journey to make the money transfer industry more transparent for the better. We’re very much looking forward to collaborating with Tamedia, and  – among other things – benefitting from their strong expertise in digital marketing and growing online marketplaces. ”
The company intends to use these funds to extend its international audience and raise more awareness regarding the huge potential savings of comparing money transfer fees. Monito will start hiring new software engineers, designers and digital marketers to complement its current team and boost its expansion.
Samuel Hügli
Samuel Hügli, Member of the Management Board and Head of the Technology &amp; Ventures Division at Tamedia:
“Following our investment in the blockchain-based Lykke marketplace, Monito is another addition to our fintech portfolio. As a company, we intend to learn more in this area, and I&#8217;m already looking forward to exchanging ideas with the highly experienced Monito start-up team.”
Tamedia recently also invested into Lykke. Both companies have been named by Fintechnews times several times as the top Fintech Startups to watch.
The post Swiss Money Transfer Comparision Page Monito Raises $2.5 Million Led by Tamedia appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-money-transfer-comparision-page-monito-raises-25-million-led-by-tamedia</link><guid>904</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Money Transfer Comparision Page Monito Raises $2.5 Million Led by Tamedia</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 5 Digital Banking Trends für 2019</title><description><![CDATA[Im kommenden Jahr werden sich im Banking die Trends der letzten Jahre forcieren und miteinander verzahnen: Open Banking und die Customer Experience bleiben die bestimmenden Themen, während Banken zunehmend das Potenzial von AI -Anwendungen nutzen werden, um Kunden individuell anzusprechen.
Die grösste Wirkung kann sich nur dann entfalten, wenn die Umsetzung der Trends aufeinander abgestimmt wird. Diese Verzahnung sorgt für eine deutliche Verbesserung der digitalen Angebote von Banken, die unter zunehmendem Veränderungsdruck stehen. Denn die Kunden sind aus anderen Branchen bereits deutlich mehr digitalen Komfort gewöhnt. Richard Dratva, Chief Strategy Officer bei CREALOGIX, erklärt fünf Trends, die sich im kommenden Jahr miteinander verzahnen werden:
1.Open is the new Banking
Open Banking ist längst kein First-Mover-Thema mehr. Auf Open Banking basierende finanzielle Ökosysteme treten in eine neue Phase ein: Banken, Drittanbieter und Technologieunternehmen entwickeln Anwendungen und verbinden diese zu einem nahtlos vernetzten, in die Lebenswelt des Kunden integrierten Banking. Noch sind wir am Anfang. Wer dazu in der Lage ist, beginnt, ein eigenes Ökosystem aufzubauen, wobei immer die Kundenperspektive als Massstab dienen muss.
Um die Geduld der Kunden nicht überzustrapazieren, wird es höchste Zeit, die unübersichtliche Vielzahl an Einzelanwendungen zu bündeln. Vielfach unterschätzen Banken die anspruchsvolle Aufgabe, Applikationen zu orchestrieren sowie attraktive digitale Services sicher auszuliefern und insbesondere auch, die Aggregation von Bankdaten vorzunehmen.

2.Convenience is the new Loyalty
Dieser neu geprägte Slogan aus der digitalen Welt setzt sich auch im Banking durch. Sogenannte «low-effort» experiences verhelfen zu höherer Nutzung bzw. höherem Umsatz pro Kunde, ganz im Gegenteil zu «high-effort» experiences, welche die Kunden immer mehr abschrecken und zum Wechsel der Bank motivieren. Regelmässige Aktivierung und Impulse seitens der Bank werden immer wichtiger, denn der Kunde will mit seiner Bank verbunden sein.
Es wie Amazon oder Alibaba dem Kunden so komfortabel und angenehm wie möglich zu machen, seine Bankgeschäfte abzuwickeln, bleibt eine der größten Baustellen der Branche. Dazu gilt es, den Kunden nicht mit der – technologisch unvermeidlichen – Komplexität des Zusammenspiels verschiedener Anwendungen zu belästigen: Das Front End darf die dahinterliegende ausdifferenzierte Architektur nicht erahnen lassen.
3.Smartness is the new Personalisation
AI-Technologien sind mittlerweile so ausgereift, dass sie die Banken dabei unterstützen, den einzelnen Kunden individuell zu bedienen – smarte statt schematische Personalisierung. Selbstlernende Algorithmen prognostizieren seine Bedürfnisse zu einem bestimmten Zeitpunkt, in einer konkreten Situation und schlagen die passenden Produkte vor. Über eine intelligente und proaktive Datennutzung vereinfachen die Finanzinstitute die Customer Journey.
Sie treffen den richtigen Ton und erleichtern – dank einer Kommunikation auf Augenhöhe – das Verständnis der Finanzprodukte. AI ermöglicht dies, ohne dass es zusätzlich durch persönliche Beratung abgefedert werden muss. Die persönliche Beratung bleibt den komplexen Situationen vorbehalten.
4.Digital is the new Revenue
Die Investitionen in die Digitalisierung müssen sich rechnen. Banken sind gefordert, über die Digitalisierung nicht nur die Kosten zu senken, sondern auch digitale Zusatzerträge im Rahmen ihrer Ökosysteme und ihrer neu gestalteten Customer Journeys zu generieren. Durch die Nutzung von APIs von und für Dritte erschliessen sich neue Potenziale der sogenannten «Platform Economy», die bisher kaum von Banken angezapft worden sind.
Wichtig für eine Bank ist dabei, einer neuen Philosophie zu folgen, nämlich der aktiven Zusammenarbeit mit Fintech-Partnern. Nur so kann das Finanzinstitut von den neuen Möglichkeiten profitieren, die sich ihm eröffnen, wenn es «banking as a platform» versteht statt einen Verteidigungswall gegen die digitale Welt zu bauen, wie dies in der Vergangenheit oft der Fall war.
5.Time to Market is the new All-you-can-eat
Lange Laufzeiten für riesige «Big Bang»-Digital-Projekte kann sich die Branche nicht leisten – schon rein aus finanziellen oder Risiko-Gründen, aber insbesondere aus Kundensicht. Denn die Kunden wollen nicht lange auf etwas Neues warten. Agile Vorgehensmodelle erlauben es, diese sichtbaren Verbesserungen im Rahmen von überschaubaren Aufwänden (Minimum Viable Products) binnen Wochen in einer frühen Entwicklungsphase auf den Markt zu bringen und die Akzeptanz zu testen. Ist etwas nicht erfolgreich, so kann man es auch ohne grosse Abschreibung durch neue Ideen ersetzen.
Dieses agile Vorgehen, das durchaus auch mit Ungewissheit verbunden ist, widerspricht herkömmlichen Vorstellungen vom grossen, bis ins Letzte planbaren Wurf. Wir empfehlen unseren Kunden eine Politik der kleinen Schritte: keine Hektik, sondern unermüdlich (von Sprint zu Sprint) und ohne zu zögern den Weg in die digitale Zukunft gehen – einen Schritt nach dem anderen. Praktiziert ein Finanzinstitut das eine Weile, wird das Management im regelmässigen Rückblick erstaunt sein, wie weit man es gebracht hat.
Neue Wettbewerbssituation
 
Richard Dratva
«Wer als Bank in 2019 weiterhin zögert oder abwartet, verliert den digitalen Anschluss und schränkt den eigenen Handlungsspielraum drastisch ein. Dass der „Late Follower“ das Feld von Hinten aufrollt, kommt in keinem uns bekannten Szenario der Bankendigitalisierung vor.»,
hält Richard Dratva, Chief Strategy Officer bei CREALOGIX abschliessend fest.
 
 
 
Featured image credit: Freepik
The post Top 5 Digital Banking Trends für 2019 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-5-digital-banking-trends-fur-2019</link><guid>905</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/CREALOGIX-Digital-Banking-Hub.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 5 Digital Banking Trends für 2019</dc:text></item><item><title>Switzerland wants to Improve Framework Conditions for Blockchain</title><description><![CDATA[During its meeting on 7 December 2018, the Federal Council adopted a report on the legal framework for blockchain and distributed ledger technology (DLT) in the financial sector.
The report shows that Switzerland&#8217;s legal framework is well suited to dealing with new technologies, including blockchain. Nevertheless, there is still a need for selective adjustments. The Federal Council also noted the analysis of an interdepartmental working group on the money laundering and terrorist financing risks posed by crypto assets.
It is predicted that distributed ledger technology and blockchain technology have considerable potential for innovation and enhanced efficiency both in the financial sector and in other sectors of the economy. The Federal Council wishes to exploit the opportunities offered by digitalisation for Switzerland. It wants to create the best possible framework conditions so that Switzerland can establish itself and evolve as a leading, innovative and sustainable location for fintech and blockchain companies. Moreover, it wants to consistently combat abuses and ensure the integrity and good reputation of Switzerland as a financial centre and business location.
image via Federal Council
The report provides an analysis of relevant framework conditions, clarifies the need for action and proposes concrete measures. It is based on the work of the blockchain/ICO working group, which was set up by the Federal Department of Finance (FDF) in January 2018 and which also consulted the fintech and financial sector as part of its work.
The analyses show that there is no need for fundamental adjustments to the Swiss legal framework, but that there is still a need for specific adjustments. The Federal Council has instructed the FDF and the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) to draw up a consultation draft in the first quarter of 2019 in a bid to:

in civil law, increase legal certainty for the transfer of rights by means of digital registers,
in insolvency law, further, clarify the segregation of cryptobased assets in the event of bankruptcy and examine the segregation of data with no asset value,
in financial market law, devise a new and flexible authorization category for blockchain-based financial market infrastructures,
in banking law, reconcile the bank insolvency law provisions with the adjustments in general insolvency law, and
in anti-money laundering law, more explicitly anchor the current practice of making decentralised trading platforms subject to the Anti-Money Laundering Act.

On 7 December 2018, the Federal Council also took note of a report by the interdepartmental coordinating group on combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism (CGMF) on the money laundering and terrorist financing risks posed by crypto assets and crowdfunding. The analysis shows that cryptobased assets pose a threat in the area of money laundering and terrorist financing.
Due to the small number of cases, however, the real risk in Switzerland cannot be estimated conclusively. Nevertheless, Switzerland has a comprehensive regulatory system in place, which is why further improvements need to be addressed with internationally coordinated measures. The Federal Council has also instructed the FDF to examine whether anti-money laundering law should be adapted with regard to certain forms of crowdfunding.
 
Featured image credit: Unsplash
The post Switzerland wants to Improve Framework Conditions for Blockchain appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/switzerland-wants-to-improve-framework-conditions-for-blockchain</link><guid>893</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/ICO-Design.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Switzerland wants to Improve Framework Conditions for Blockchain</dc:text></item><item><title>Tokenized Equity: A Revolution For Traditional And New Capital Markets</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss Startup Alethena is the first company to successfully tokenize its entire share capital on the Ethereum blockchain. The company’s shareholders will thus be holding tokenized shares endowed with claimable rights, i.e. dividend and voting rights.
While the trend towards increasing regulation and, as a result, a decreasing number of IPOs and listed stocks on global exchanges remains unchanged, in the recent past, many startup projects have successfully funded themselves by issuing tokens on the blockchain.
However, ever since the bursting of the Bitcoin Bubble in early 2018, the number of successful coin or token offerings has shrunken drastically. Apart from the stark price decreases, one of the main drivers for this development is reflected in the fact that an investment in said coins and tokens, in most cases, simply represents a donation (void of any legal claims for a potential investor). Furthermore, once invested, an investor cannot rely on any kind of fundamental data with respect to the development of the price.
tokenized equity
Project financing for startups has become increasingly complicated, insofar as that many companies seek funding by privately issuing equity for professional investors while publicly offering coins or tokens to the community, thus creating a dual funding structure with differing stakeholders, in particular with respect to associated legal rights. Alethena, a provider specialised on the provision of due diligence services in the cryptocurrency industry, has found itself in a similar situation in early 2018.
Having tried to seek funding by issuing a security token, the company was not able to successfully complete the round, given, due to the legal situation at the time, that it could not guarantee any form of claimable rights to professional investors.
Solving the aforementioned problem not only mandated a reasonable technical implementation but also demanded a reinterpretation of the legal position (see von der Crone, H., C., Kessler, F., J., Angstmann, L., 2018, Token in der Blockchain &#8211; privatrechtliche Aspekte der Distributed Ledger Technologie, SJZ 114/2018, p. 337). In a collective effort, together with Prof. Dr. Hans Caspar von der Crone and Christian Meisser’s law firm Lexr, a legal solution was developed which allows for the issuing of traditional registered shares as a standard ERC20 token on the Ethereum blockchain. In the process, for each share issued as an uncertified security, a given shareholder, instead of obtaining an entry on his bank deposit, receives a token on a so-called wallet.
To mitigate common risks with respect to ease of use, Alethena has implemented several technical features into its smart contract. Most noteworthy, a mechanism, allowing for a reclaim of shares in case of a loss of the associated private key, the password for the wallet (the substitute for the bank deposit). The legal implementation in the bylaws of the private limited company has been approved by both the cantonal as well as the national commercial register (EHRA). Lastly, to efficiently manage the company’s register of shareholders and capitalization table, a cooperation with startup Ledgy was initiated. This has led to the development of a solution, which allows for the monitoring of token transactions (and thus also share transactions) to subsequent holders.
The currently implemented solution, both from a technical and legal viewpoint, is a basic version that can be applied, almost without limit, to any kind of uncertified securities and allows for future expansion to cover additional features. The target group encompasses not only startups but also non-listed companies which are interested in enabling fast tradability of their shares. Hence, also small to medium enterprises are able to raise capital in the market, make employee shares tradable and therefore unlock the liquidity premium or outsource certain projects and profit-centers into independent private limited companies.
The post Tokenized Equity: A Revolution For Traditional And New Capital Markets appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/tokenized-equity-a-revolution-for-traditional-and-new-capital-markets</link><guid>892</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/tokenizedequity-300x269.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Tokenized Equity: A Revolution For Traditional And New Capital Markets</dc:text></item><item><title>A Blockchain Charity Foundation in Liechtenstein</title><description><![CDATA[





æternity, a Liechtenstein based blockchain platform has announced the launch of two foundations, in Liechtenstein and Bulgaria, that will provide grants and educational support to innovative blockchain projects.
The Bulgarian foundation will focus on supporting projects throughout the Balkans, while the Liechtenstein-based foundation will have an international focus. Welcoming applications from individuals, teams, and non-commercial projects, the foundations aim to boost the vibrant blockchain ecosystem by offering financial assistance to leading research and development efforts.








Based in Liechtenstein, the æternity Crypto Foundation will primarily focus on supporting research and development efforts in blockchain technology, cryptography, and mathematics. To this end, it will commence by providing grants up to one million CHF, paid in cryptocurrency, to innovative projects that are viewed as having significant potential to further explore and proliferate the benefits of blockchain. The Foundation also aims to further vitalize the overall blockchain ecosystem, lending resources to developing innovative ideas for decentralized applications, as well as promoting art and culture initiatives in the space. The grant program will expand on an ongoing basis in tandem with progress on the project’s core and applications development.
Peter Schnürer, æternity Crypto Foundation Board Member, a prominent figure in Liechtenstein blockchain space, and part of the expert group that architected the Liechtenstein Legal Blockchain Act, said:
Peter Schnürer

“The Foundation will offer research support, the driving force behind advancements in the industry, as well as assisting smart, unconventional thinkers as they explore this technology and we encourage all blockchain innovators to submit an application. It will also help startups expand the potential of their creative work in a collaborative, dynamic environment. We are committed to driving blockchain innovation by supporting a broad spectrum of the blockchain ecosystem and look forward to a variety of applications from disruptive projects in the space.”

Meanwhile, the æternity Foundation Bulgaria will work to implement partnerships with universities and other educational institutions in Bulgaria and in the Balkan region. The Foundation will offer scholarships to provide blockchain enthusiasts the opportunity to secure a recognized qualification related to the technology and embark on a career in the space. This level of collaboration will educate professionals outside the technology sector about the benefits and potential of blockchain, thereby driving continued growth in the industry. In addition, the Foundation will encourage the growth of the local blockchain ecosystem by showcasing the work conducted in the Balkans region with the global community.








Featured image credit: Edited from Pixabay and Pexels





The post A Blockchain Charity Foundation in Liechtenstein appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/a-blockchain-charity-foundation-in-liechtenstein</link><guid>891</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>A Blockchain Charity Foundation in Liechtenstein</dc:text></item><item><title>Schweizer Immobilien auf der Blockchain</title><description><![CDATA[Eine Innovation aus dem «Crypto Valley» in Zug lässt aufhorchen: blockimmo behauptet die erste auf Blockchain-Technologie basierende regulierte Immobilientransaktionsplattform zu haben.
Über Crowd Sales macht sie gemeinsame Immobilien-Investitionen möglich und senkt so die Eintrittshürden in diese attraktive Anlageklasse deutlich. Die Plattform bietet maximalen Anlegerschutz und ist sowohl von der FINMA als auch von der Finanzmarktaufsicht (FMA) in Liechtenstein bewilligt.
Seit Dezember 2018 ist die Immobilientransaktionsplattform blockimmo online. Anleger können bereits mit kleinen Beträgen ab rund CHF 1’000 in Liegenschaften investieren. Auf der anderen Seite können Immobilieneigentümer beim Verkauf ihrer Immobilien Bestpreise erzielen.
Bastiaan Don
«Ich bin sehr stolz, mit blockimmo das erste regulierte und sichere Blockchain-Produkt sowohl für private Konsumenten als auch für professionelle Investoren auf den Markt zu bringen»,
sagt Bastiaan Don, Managing Director von blockimmo, der die Plattform aus der Taufe gehoben hat.
Blockchain Investing via Wallet
Den Anlegern garantiert blockimmo ein einfaches Investment in einen lukrativen und exklusiven Markt. Zur Grundausstattung beim Blockchain Investing gehört ein Wallet: Bei blockimmo nimmt der Anleger über sein eigenes Wallet an einem Crowd Sale für eine Liegenschaft teil. Zurzeit unterstützt blockimmo MetaMask sowie die zwei bekannten Hardware-Wallet-Hersteller Ledger und Trezor.
Der Anleger kann selbst bestimmen, wie viel er in ein Objekt investieren will. Den Fortschritt des Crowd Sales kann er anschliessend live mitverfolgen. Direkt im Anschluss an die Verkaufsmodalitäten erhält der Anleger seine Anteile in Form von Tokens in sein Wallet. Die Tokens repräsentieren seinen Anteil an den zugrunde liegenden Immobilien.
Neben einer hohen Liquidität bietet diese auf Blockchain basierende Technologie auch eine hohe Flexibilität für die Anleger – ein weiterer Vorteil gegenüber bestehenden Immobilien-Transaktionsplattformen in der «herkömmlichen Welt». Dort müssen die Miteigentümer einer Immobilie in der Regel im Grundbuch eingetragen werden. Zudem haben die weiteren Miteigentümer ein gesetzliches Vorverkaufsrecht, das das Konfliktpotenzial stark erhöhen kann – ganz abgesehen von der hohen rechtlichen Komplexität und dem fehlenden Anlegerschutz.
Anlagefonds in Liechtenstein
blockimmo dagegen bietet höchstmöglichen Anlegerschutz. Erstens werden die Rechte an den Liegenschaften bei blockimmo durch Tokens repräsentiert. Zweitens sind die den Investments zugrunde liegenden Immobilien in einem Anlagefonds in Liechtenstein aufgelegt. Jede Immobilie ist mit einem eigenen, geschlossenen Teilfonds besichert. Drittens ist blockimmo in der Schweiz FINMA- und in Liechtenstein FMA-reguliert. Zu guter Letzt gibt es pro Immobilie eine einzige, unverwechselbare Token-Kategorie. Die verschiedenen Liegenschaften des blockimmo-Ökosystems werden so nicht miteinander vermischt.
Um grösstmögliche Sicherheit für Anleger wie auch für Verkäufer zu gewährleisten, wurde blockimmo darüber hinaus vor dem «go live» von den IT-Security-Firmen New Alchemy, Hosho sowie vom Public Bug Bounty Program via HackerOne auf Herz und Nieren geprüft. 
 



 
Featured image credit: Unsplash
The post Schweizer Immobilien auf der Blockchain appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schweizer-immobilien-auf-der-blockchain</link><guid>881</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Schweizer Immobilien auf der Blockchain</dc:text></item><item><title>Europe’s 1st Blockchain Bank</title><description><![CDATA[No bank has done this before claims Bitwala: Starting today, Germany’s cryptocurrency flagship company Bitwala is offering Europe’s first banking solution for early adopters and mainstream users of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin.
It is the first time ever, that users can manage both Bitcoin and Euro deposits in one place with the safety and convenience of a German bank account. Bitwala is now starting to onboard 40,000 customers who previously preregistered to open a German current account with a built-in Bitcoin wallet.
Jörg von Minckwitz
“This is a major moment for the banking and cryptocurrency industries. Money has always changed with time. As digitization spreads, the world is now entering a hybrid future where Blockchain-borne and state-backed currencies complement each other”,
said Jörg von Minckwitz, President and co-founder of Bitwala.
“Bitwala’s 30-strong team did a stellar job in developing a service within the confines of banking regulation as a bridge between the traditional and crypto economies. Over 40,000 customers, and counting, already signed up for the new Bitwala account.”
Europe&#8217;s first! Bitwala Blockchain Banking
Bitwala is now the easiest and safest way to manage cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin can be traded with just a few clicks drawing from the liquidity in the current account. At the same time, Bitwala’s blockchain banking solution is fully compliant with the regulators. As with any bank account in Germany, Euro deposits of up to 100,000 Euro will be protected by law. The accounts will be hosted by solarisBank, the Berlin-based tech- platform with a banking license and therefore supervised by BaFin and Bundesbank, Germany’s banking authorities.
Thanks to video verification, opening a Bitwala account takes just a few minutes. Customers will need to provide an ID and answer a few questions with the operator. This is a mandatory requirement for opening bank accounts known as Know Your Customer, or KYC.
New users along with the 40,000 pre-registered customers will be onboarded one after the other based on their waitlist place.
 
Featured image credit: Bitwala
The post Europe&#8217;s 1st Blockchain Bank appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/europes-1st-blockchain-bank</link><guid>882</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Europe’s 1st Blockchain Bank</dc:text></item><item><title>Global Thought Leaders and Blockchain Industry Experts Meet in St. Moritz</title><description><![CDATA[One year ago the first Crypto Finance Conference (CFC) in St. Moritz made an international impression with an outstanding speaker line-up and the “Switzerland will be Crypto Nation” statement by Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann.
Now, one year later, the exclusive conference is back in St. Moritz with another stellar speaker line-up and agenda. From January 16 to 18, 2019, only one week before the World Economic Forum in Davos, the CFC brings together the leading investors, experts and innovators of the blockchain space at the Suvretta House in St. Moritz.
As the industry is starting to grow up, the potential mass adoption of the technology becomes a more and more important topic, which will require a lot of work on a political level. Top speakers with political background include:

Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg
Former member of the German Bundestag, former Federal Minister for Economics and Technology and former Minister of Defense. Zu Guttenberg is the chairman and founder of Spitzberg Partners, an advisory and investment firm based in New York, USA. The company also invests venture capital in innovative blockchain and AI startups.

Philipp Roesler
Former German politician, who was the Federal Minister of Economics and Technology and Vice-Chancellor of Germany. Until recently he served as a member of the managing board of the World Economic Forum. In late 2017 he was appointed chief executive officer of the New York-based Hainan Cihang Charity Foundation.
 
Eva Kaili
Member of the European Parliament since 2014. In her capacity as the Chair of the European Parliament&#8217;s Science and Technology Options Assessment body (STOA) she has been working intensively on promoting innovation as a driving force of the establishment of the European Digital Single Market. She has been particularly active in the fields of blockchain technology, m/eHealth, big data, fintech, AI and cybersecurity. She will be joining the CFC as a speaker for the second time.

Brian Forde
Former Senior Advisor for Mobile and Data Innovation at the White House, where he wrote the first paper on Bitcoin to inform the president of this new technology. He is also known as former “Crypto Candidate” for US Congress, CA-45. He is a Senior Lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management and co-founded the Digital Currency Initiative, an academic research group on cryptocurrencies at the world-renown MIT Media Lab. He will be joining the CFC for the second time.

Besides the delegation with a political background, the CFC welcomes a great selection of international industry representatives with a technical and entrepreneurial background:
● Charles Hoskinson, CEO of IOHK and Co-Founder of Ethereum
● Maja Vujinovic, CEO of OGroup and member of the board of CoinDesk
● Helen Hai, Head of the Binance Blockchain Charity Foundation and Ambassador of the
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
● Bill Tai, Chairman and CEO of ACTAI Global and Venture Capitalist
● Jane Lippencott, Business Development at CoinFi and Origin X Capital
● Andy Bromberg, Co-Founder and President of Coinlist
● Flore-Anne Messy, Head of the Insurance and Private Pensions and Financial Market Division at OECD
● Ted Rogers, President of Xapo
● Loretta Joseph, Director of Paradym Global
● Bob McElrath, Blockchain Architect, Fidelity Digital Assets
Nicolo Stoehr
“A lot has happened since our first conference and it is very interesting to see how the industry is slowly starting to grow up. For our first anniversary conference here in St. Moritz, we have so many speaker inquiries that we could fill another 3 days with great content.
We bring together the right people from different backgrounds, who are all committed to do serious business in this emerging industry. I’m proud that we can organize an important event like this here in the Swiss mountains and contribute to the image of Switzerland as a global hub for blockchain developments.”
says Nicolo Stoehr, CEO of the Crypto Finance Conference.
The post Global Thought Leaders and Blockchain Industry Experts Meet in St. Moritz appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/global-thought-leaders-and-blockchain-industry-experts-meet-in-st-moritz</link><guid>883</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Global Thought Leaders and Blockchain Industry Experts Meet in St. Moritz</dc:text></item><item><title>Blockchain Germany Ecosystem Study: Rapidly Growing Blockchain Startup Scene</title><description><![CDATA[Germany is witnessing a rapidly growing blockchain startup ecosystem, with 34 new ventures being incorporated in 2017 and already 32 new companies this year, according to a new report by BTC-ECHO and BlockState.
Founding year, The German Blockchain Ecosystem – Study 2018
The German Blockchain Ecosystem – Study 2018, which comprises a research of 180 different companies and a survey of representatives of more than 100 German blockchain startups, found that nearly 50% of German blockchain startups are based in Berlin (89), followed by Munich (23), Frankfurt am Main (14) and Hamburg (10).
Cities where the companies are located, The German Blockchain Ecosystem – Study 2018
In Germany, Berlin in particular has emerged as a major center for blockchain development and a serious contender for the crown of Europe’s crypto capital. Jasmine Zhang, Berlin-based CEO of Longhash Germany, a blockchain accelerator, told DW at the Longhash Crypto Festival Berlin last month:
“Berlin is really attractive with a low cost of living and so many co-working spaces and also really good projects that can attract people to come here. Especially with Brexit, Germany is now attracting a lot of talent and funding from everywhere.”
According to Zhang, the diverse range of talent coming into Berlin has allowed for the emergence of a rich blockchain ecosystem and engendered a “very open ecosystem” during crypto and blockchain meetups during which people showcase a desire to “work together and partner with each other.”
She noted the increasing number of German developers and startups working on new applications of blockchain looking to work with big businesses and government agencies. “You actually see more of a willingness to work with government and authorities,” Zhang said.
One such example is IOTA, a distributed ledger for the Internet-of-Things (IoT) overseen by the IOTA Foundation in Berlin. IOTA has signed partnerships with notable players including Bosch, Volkswagen and Fujitsu. In July, it announced that it had been selected by the European Commission under the Smart Cities and Communities call. IOTA’s MIOTA token has a market capitalization of US$687.90 million.
According to the BTC-ECHO and BlockState study, the majority of Germany’s blockchain startups are active in the finance and crypto industry (41), followed by entertainment (13), identity (11), IoT (10), and public infrastructure (10). 67% of these startups claim they are already generating revenue.
Industries in which the companies are active, The German Blockchain Ecosystem – Study 2018
86 are financed through an initial coin offering (ICO) and 63 received private funding. Among those that raised funding through ICOs, most raised between EUR 10 and 20 million (10), followed by EUR 1 to 5 million (9), EUR 5 to 10 million and then less than EUR 1 million (both 7).
Raised amount by ICOs and Type of financing, The German Blockchain Ecosystem – Study 2018
Germany’s burgeoning blockchain sector has seen several notable developments in the past months. In November the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) unveiled plans to fight tax evasion schemes using blockchain technology, reports business news outlet WirtschaftsWoche. That same month, German cryptocurrency exchange Bitcoin Group SE announced that it has successfully acquired investment bank Tremmel Wertpapierhandelsbank GmbH. With the acquisition, Bitcoin Group SE has absorbed Tremmel’s Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) license, allowing the company to develop and sell cryptocurrency-based investment contracts.
A recent survey by the German Federal Association for Information Technology, Telecommunications and New Media (Bitkom) has found that over one third of big businesses consider blockchain as revolutionary as the Internet.
 
Featured image: Bundestag, Germany, Pixabay.
The post Blockchain Germany Ecosystem Study: Rapidly Growing Blockchain Startup Scene appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/blockchain-germany-ecosystem-study-rapidly-growing-blockchain-startup-scene</link><guid>884</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Founding-year-The-German-Blockchain-Ecosystem-–-Study-2018.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Blockchain Germany Ecosystem Study: Rapidly Growing Blockchain Startup Scene</dc:text></item><item><title>Ein 10Millionen Euro Insurtech Capital Fonds für Europa</title><description><![CDATA[Odysseus Alternative Ventures (OAV), der Private Equity- und Venture-Capital-Bereich der Reech Corporations Group, gibt eine Partnerschaft mit der APICIL Group, dem viertgrössten französischen Anbieter von Lösungen im Bereich Sozialschutz, bekannt, um Insurtech Capital I, seinen ersten Insurtech-Fonds, aufzulegen.
Der Fonds, der mit 10 Mio. Euro an Mittelzusagen ausgestattet ist, wird in eine Vielzahl von französischen und europäischen Startups investieren, die neue Technologien, neue Geschäftsmodelle und neue Formen der Bereitstellung für den Versicherungssektor entwickeln wollen.
Der Fonds zielt auf Investitionen in innovative Unternehmen der Versicherungsbranche ab, die sich in der Anfangsphase befinden (Seed und Serie A), und nutzt die OAV firmeneigene halbautomatische Sourcingplattform, um vielversprechende Kandidaten für Investitionen zu identifizieren und zu filtern. Die Datenbank von OAV umfasst aktuell mehrere tausend Unternehmen, von denen die meisten Lösungen für spezifische Probleme entwickeln, die sich im Zuge der Digitalisierung der Aktivitäten und der Identifizierung künftiger Wachstumsbereiche im Versicherungssektor ergeben.
Das Ziel des Insurtech Capital Fonds ist es, auch mit anderen europäischen Versicherungsunternehmen in Deutschland, der Schweiz, den Niederlanden und Grossbritannien zusammenzuarbeiten, die ein ähnliches Engagement in diesem schnell wachsenden Teilbereich der Versicherungsbranche anstreben
Minh Q. Tran, CEO von OAV, sagte:
Minh Q. Tran
„Wir sind fest davon überzeugt, dass unser einzigartiger Investmentansatz ein attraktiver Weg ist, um Investoren Zugang zu den überdurchschnittlichen Renditen zu ermöglichen, die Investoren zugänglich sind, die die zukünftigen Disruptoren in einer Reihe von Finanz- und Technologieunternehmen erfolgreich identifizieren können. Wir begrüssen APICIL als strategischen Partner in diesem Fonds, der wirklich ein innovatives VC-as-a-Service Konzept für die Versicherungsbranche ist.&#8221;
 
 
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
The post Ein 10Millionen Euro Insurtech Capital Fonds für Europa appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ein-10millionen-euro-insurtech-capital-fonds-fur-europa</link><guid>885</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Ein 10Millionen Euro Insurtech Capital Fonds für Europa</dc:text></item><item><title>“BORN IN SWITZERLAND” Swiss Original Fintech Overview Map Update: 140 Companies</title><description><![CDATA[Luc Schuurmans, Head Private Banking, Executive Management at Bank Linth LLB AG,  put together an updated overview map of Fintech Companies “Born in Switzerland”.
Since his last update, he collected 22 Fintech Startup more &#8211; nummo, TokenSuisse, Lapo Blockchain, GENTWO, creditfolio, Lendity, ImmoYou, Guruvest, Byjuno AG, OpenMetrics Solutions LLC, SEBA Crypto AG, Sygnum, Tindeco, unblu, Appway, ex indiciis,  smolio, propmatch, Leva, tradeplus24, GreenMatch and Credit Exchange AG.
Here are the descriptions of all the startups listed in Luc’s map:
Funding
Verve Capital Partners Ltd. operates investiere.ch, a disruptive early-stage and equity gap financier. Based in Zug, Switzerland, Verve Capital Partners was launched in December 2007, with the aim to develop and implement innovative financing concepts for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) while connecting private investors directly to SME investments.
 
 

 
WeCan.Fund connects investors to the best Swiss SMEs seeking crowdfunded loans. They provide a secure, user-friendly, transparent platform that will revolutionize SME financing.
 
 

 
Swiss Crowdfunding is The First Swiss Real Estate Crowdfunding Platform. They have the right of sale of real estate for a total value of over 2 billions Euros: this includes housing estate, for profit, accommodation facilities and many hotels in spread throughout 8 different countries in Europe.
 
 

 
Bricks &amp; Bytes AG provides with crowdhouse.ch the first real estate crowd funding platform in Switzerland. By democratizing the way of being a real estate owner it makes everyone a happy landlord.
 
 
 

 
wemakeit.com was founded in Switzerland in February 2012 by the communication consultant Rea Eggli, the artist Johannes Gees and the interaction designer Jürg Lehni and within very short time grew into one of the largest crowdfunding platforms in Europe.
 
 
 
Propmatch.ch We are a 2015 founded PropTech Startup from Basel. Our goal is to make B2B real estate transactions (investment properties and real estate) more efficient. We help real estate professionals with our open and free analytics platform to make better decisions. Through the combination of Big Data, GIS and Analytics, we enable intelligent matching between sellers, properties and buyers of all sizes throughout Switzerland.
 
 
Projektstarter ist eine Crowdfunding-Plattform mit Sitz in Solothurn, welche seit dem Jahr 2011 tollen Ideen und ihren Machern eine Möglichkeit zur Finanzierung bietet. Sie ist in Besitz der Designatelier GmbH. ProjektStarter bietet den Menschen im Raum Schweiz die Möglichkeit ihre Idee oder ihr Projekt zu finanzieren.
 
 

 
100-days.net (St. Jakobstrasse 54a, CH-8004 Zurich) is a limited company which is 100% owned by Ron Orp GmbH, based in Zurich. The site’s managers and founders are Romano Strebel, Christian Klinner and Ron Orp.
 
 
 
DealMarket is a global online platform for fundraising and deal flow management – a one‐stop shop for Private Equity &amp; Corporate Finance professionals. DealMarket counts more than 15,000 active private equity professionals from 159 countries and is growing fast. Global leading banks like UBS use DealMarket’s deal flow management tools like hundreds of Investors, Associations and Networks trust our comprehensive service offering for Private Equity.
 
Go Beyond Investing brings together a group of private accredited investors dedicated to providing early-stage capital with entrepreneurs seeking investment capital. Go Beyond Investing enables novice &amp; experienced, small &amp; large investors, to access angel investing as an asset class through its unique platform, tools, training and expert angels.
 
 

 
SoSense is a pioneer in digital social innovation with offices in Zürich (Switzerland) and Berlin (Germany). They design creative and engaging concepts, implement innovative and empowering solutions and help run impactful campaigns with leverage.
 
 

 
CreditGate24 connects borrowers with private and institutional investors and offers an efficient and scalable settlement of loans. CreditGate24 operates exclusively online, with no branches or high administrative expenses in order not to diminish the yields on investment and to minimize the cost for borrowers.
 
 
Advanon is an authorized financial intermediary that is directly subordinated to FINMA (Directly Subordinated Financial Intermediary, DSFI) according to the Anti Money Laundering Act (AMLA).
 
 
 

Suricate Solutions Sàrl a développé GoHeidi, une plateforme web de financement participatif basée sur la précommande d’un produit/service afin d’aider toute personne à réaliser son projet.
 
 
 

Veolis provides a Crowdfunding and Crowdinvesting Platform for sustainable projects in Switzerland, for example: Renewable Energy Projects, Cleantech Company; processes and legal contracts between Project Owner and Investor are simplified and standardized.
 
 
 

c-crowd represents a new way of financing entrepreneurs while democratising the concept of business angels, brings together innovative entrepreneurs and investors.
 
 
 

Loanboox is the independent money and capital market platform for public-sector borrowers and institutional investors. In contrast to conventional brokering, financing and investing through Loanboox is simple, transparent, safe and low cost, benefiting both borrowers and lenders alike.
 
 
 

SWISS STARTER the first equity crowdfunding platform in Ticino (Switzerland), wants to be a real support to help new startup that needed funds to start their project or to carry on existing projects in the critical steps.
 
 
 
Swiss Crowdlending FinTech for private persons and SME. Crowd Solutions is the provider of Crowd4Cash.ch the innovative Crowdlending platform. Crowd4Cash brings investors and borrower together. For better returns for the investors and lower interest rates for borrower. 100% online, easy and simply fair!
 
 
 

swisspeers  ist eine unabhängige Crowdlending Plattform, die es Unternehmen erlaubt, bei Investoren direkt – also ohne Zwischen­schaltung eines Finanzinstituts – Fremdkapital zu beschaffen.
 
 
 
 

creditworld verbindet Schweizer KMUs mit privaten sowie professionellen Investoren. KMUs profitieren von attraktiven Konditionen und fairen Vertragsbedingungen. Investoren erhalten Zugang zu einer neuen Anlageklasse mit interessanten Renditen und unterstützen dabei das Rückgrat der Schweizer Volkswirtschaft.
 
 

Splendit matches students and investor in an auction process, issue documentation and manages payments through the lifetime of the loans.
 
 
 

Acredius is an online platform that makes investors’ and borrowers’ needs meet in an unconventional, digital, intuitive and safe environment. Investors can diversify their portfolios and enjoy interesting yields. Borrowers get access to fair financing using their traditional and non-traditional data.
 
 
Lendora is a Swiss crowdlending startup. Our platform connects borrowers and investors online to make credit more accessible and investing more rewarding.
 
 
 
Foxstone is a Swiss real estate crowdfunding platform. The platform proposes institutional-grade real estate deals in Switzerland through three types of investments: co-ownership, co-investment and mezzanine debt with a minimum investment amount of CHF 25’000.
 
 
Führend in Immobilienfinanzierungen in der Schweiz Wir schaffen eine Verbindung zwischen Hypothekarkunden und institutionellen Kreditgebern und erreichen dadurch den besten Zins in Echtzeit. Dabei stehen wir für Integrität, Neutralität, Transparenz und die Sicherheit des Hypothekarmarktes. Unsere Partner zählen zu den Besten auf ihrem Gebiet, teilen unsere Werte und stehen für unternehmerisches Wachstum.
 
 
Greenmatch combines the perspectives of all market participants on one single platform and allows for an efficient interaction. Thanks to the independent, certified financial model, discussions regarding deviations between the financial models of the buyer and the seller do no longer occur. Detailed risk analysis strengthen the trust of banks and accelerate the closure of the project financing. Thus, each market participant saves valuable time and can focus more on his key competences.
 
Tradeplus24 specialises in providing Swiss KMUs with state of the art Insurance and Receivables Finance solutions. Unlike factoring, our innovative solution offers SMEs the opportunity to get a flexible credit line against their accounts receivable whilst offering them the option to insure their global accounts receivables against default. This way Swiss KMU&#8217;s can grow their export business in a financially sound and safe way, even when their buyers demand longer payment terms and want to trade own open account basis.
 
 
Advice

moneyguru.ch ist der digitale Assistent für private Finanzen in der Schweiz. Der Moneyguru ist von den Gründern von moneyland.ch ins Leben gerufen worden. Die unabhängige Vergleichsseite moneyland.ch ist sozusagen die Mutter, die Datenlieferantin und der Rechner von Moneyguru.
 
 
 

Crowd Trading‘s objective is to bring a revolution to the world wide online financial services being the first on the market to offer a social trading platform to collectively manage portfolios of financial assets through a decision-making system for public groups of investors (herein “crowd”) and an automated trades replication within the crowd.
 
 

adviceonline.ch, the complete and regulatory conform Onboarding, Profiling, Opening Document Management, Advisory and Consolidation Suite for EAM and Banks.
 
 
 
 

Investment Navigator is operated by Investment Navigator AG based in Zurich. Investment Navigator AG works closely with fundinfo, the leading platform for information and mandatory disclosures in the fund sector.
 
 
 

InvestGlass is a 24/7 financial markets platform built with Swiss banking know-how and a predictive algorithm. Their goal is to deliver smart financial information investors need at the right time and in the right format. Equities, Bonds, Forex, ETF, Futures, News and much more…
 
 
 

FLYNT reinvents platforms, services and experiences that put clients in control of their wealth. We see wealth as a means to follow life’s dreams, ambitions and aspirations. Wealth is a gateway to opportunity. Our mission is to transform how our clients realise these opportunities – in the most fluid, dynamic and rewarding way possible.
 
 

Sentifi is a leading Crowd-Intelligence platform for financial markets globally, receiving Swiss FinTech Award 2016. Their unique approach is to structure unstructured financial data from news, blogs and social media, identify and rank the sources for their relevance and apply self-learning algorithms and a financial expert system to extract insights from the content.
 
 

Qumram enables every digital interaction – web, social and mobile – to be recorded and replayed, at any time, providing a complete digital audit trail for financial services organisations, in accordance with key global regulatory requirements (MIFID-II, SEC, FINRA and more).
 
 
 

SwissMetrics is a dynamic startup from Switzerland that has a mission to enhance the way companies monitor their credit risk. As finance professionals, they have developed a SaaS platform with the aim of promoting smarter collaboration within companies to work for a common goal – saving money through risk minimization.
 
 
 

With diverse academic backgrounds ranging from information technology, mathematics, business administration, political sciences and philosophy, economics, design, linguistics and psychology, Adviscent‘s team of experts brings solid domain expertise on board in the banking, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and food industries.
 
 

MeetInvest seeks to democratize stock market investment with a free service that combines a social media platform and an investor toolkit, bringing in one place all the necessary resources for people to start trading like pros.
 
 
 

By leveraging technology, Dein-Anlageberater.ch provides users with personalized investment advisory services and recommendations for asset allocation at a much lower price than traditional investment advisers.
 
 
 
 

CrowdInvest.ch ist die erste Plattform der Schweiz, bei der jedermann die Kursentwicklung von Aktien prognostizieren kann. Denn wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zeigen, dass kollektives Wissen besser ist als einzelne Expertenmeinungen. Werde jetzt Teil von crowdinvest.ch und miss dich mit den Finanzexperten.
 
 

Nectar Financial, formerly Etops, is a Swiss fintech company specializing in wealth and asset management. It provides middle and back office services for more than 30 family offices, independent asset managers and banks and supports them in managing assets in excess of CHF 35 billion.
 
 
 

Riskifier makes investment risk profiling simple, fun and insightful for everyone. Our solution uses latest advances of artificial intelligence to fulfill the requirements of MiFID II/FIDLEG investor risk profiling and KYC data collection, while digitalizing &amp; gamifying user experience as well unleashing advantages of behavior based personalized investment risk profiles.
 
 

Pricehubble a Swiss based company, focusing on international real estate markets. We integrate top academic and industry experience in machine learning, computer science, econometrics, mathematics, statistics, financial services and consulting. We develop innovative solutions to support real estate decision making.
 
 
EdgeLab is a fintech company providing an investment intelligence web platform to help financial institutions taking smarter decisions.
 
 
 

Apiax is a compliance digitally mastered. We transform complex regulations into easy-to-use digital compliance rules.
 
 
 



theScreener is the market leader for independent valuations of financial securities, equities, sectors and markets, and new funds.
 
 

 
Alethena is the first Swiss ICO and Blockchain-Asset Rating Agency and Due Diligence Service Provider.
With deep technical insight, vast financial market experience, and a conclusive rating methodology, Alethena bridges the gap between blockchain and established investors. As a Swiss company neutrality is a core of our culture.
 
 

Crypto Finance AG is a financial technology holding company founded in June 2017. The Group provides blockchain-related services through its three subsidiaries: Crypto Fund AG (Asset Management), Crypto Broker AG (Brokerage), and Crypto Storage AG (Storage).
 
 
 
The Swiss Real Estate sector is one of the most economically and politically stable in the world. It is very popular with institutional investors and remains difficult to access for private investors.
In fact, the heterogeneity of properties, their acquisition values, the complexity of financing them and the retention of information signifies that this market still remains relatively inefficient.
Based on these observations, Crowdpark SA, established on December 1st 2017 in Geneva, is an independent company specialized in Swiss Real Estate Crowd-Investing.
Leva sets the new standard for investment syndicates. At the intersection of finance and technology, Leva has developed a novel technology to bring investment syndicates into the 21st century. Our platform allows a fully automated syndicate creation. With Leva, syndicate leaders can conveniently onboard new investors, manage the investor base, and raise capital efficiently.
 
 
Der erste Robo Advisor für die Immobilienwirtschaft. propmatch ist die einfache Lösung zur Analyse, Bewertung und Vermittlung von Standorten, Renditeimmobilien und Grundstücken in der Schweiz.
 
 
Smolio ist dein Finanzbuddy. Wir begleiten dich und verkaufen keine Finanzprodukte. Anders als andere profitieren wir nicht versteckt von unseren Empfehlungen. Was du bezahlst finanziert die künftige Entwicklung von Smolio. Eben unabhängig.
 
 
 
ex indiciis believe that customer relationship is at the core of the wealth management industry. As a consequence we provide wealth managers with the necessary tools to deliver personalized content to any user interacting with the company through any digital channel.
 

Integration
 
Performace Watcher Evaluating and comparing the result of one&#8217;s investment portfolio must be accessible to everyone. Our aim is to popularize and demystify a traditionally opaque field. We believe in explanations that are simple, clear and understandable to everyone. With the disappearance of Swiss banking secrecy, increased competition, the Internet and a new generation of customers the transparency of results is born.
 
 
Onedot is a Swiss company making data consumable across sources and boundaries. Onedot&#8217;s artificial intelligence (AI)-driven software helps businesses reduce manual work in data management by 8x, speed up time-to-market by 90% and increase revenue up to 10%. Onedot makes this possible by radically improving data quality–automating the data integration, cleaning and categorisation process.
 
 
 

Additiv develops and implements digital innovations and business models for financial services companies – tailor-made and turnkey.
 
 
 

Qedos designs beautiful &amp; innovative solutions for wealth managers. Their solutions revolutionise the way wealth managers and their client interact. They help wealth managers provide tailored advice, provide a better client experience, achieve superior investment performance, comply with regulations and work more efficiently.
 
 

Founded in 2007, NetGuardians was the first company to emerge from the innovation incubator Y-Parc, in Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland. The company now enjoys a solid international presence with a steadily growing clientele in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
 
 
 
FundBase is a cloud-based platform to ultimately host the complete investment process for high-conviction alternative investments. Fundbase delivers to qualified investors a seamlessly integrated platform to discover, execute and monitor complex investments such as hedge funds, private equity and other high-conviction investments.
 
 

Pure Value Metrics provides active investors with a unique combination of Global Equity Portfolio Selection, Market Insight, Online Trading and discretionary Voice Execution.
 
 
 

ADDFIN is a business solution for professional investors who seek to benefit and leverage on the full potential offered by digitalization and information technology in order to standardize the workflow, processes and procedures.
 
 
 

Centralway Numbrs is a customer-centric financial services company. It enables its customers to manage their existing bank accounts and personal finances and to buy any financial product from every provider at the best possible price.
 
 
 
 

Monetas develops technologies that empower people to live and do business with greater freedom than ever before, and that make financial inclusion a reality.
 
 
 
 

Interaction Partners is a Swiss-based Investor Relations Services firm with a focus on facilitating broker-independent trust-building, live interactions (roadshows) between listed corporates and institutional investors in Zurich, Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lugano, Milan and London.
 
 
 
We believe that great decision makers are the ones that ask the right questions. Veezoo empowers them to find the answers efficiently by themselves. We make complex information easy to understand by answering any question with a clean visualization.
 
 
 
Lykke is a Swiss Fintech company building a global marketplace based on blockchain. It builds on decades of thought and research by company founder Richard Olsen, a pioneer in the field of high-frequency finance. Richard served as co-founder and CEO of OANDA, a leading foreign exchange company. Lykke received initial seed funding in 2015.
 
 
 
Oyoba is a finance-as-a-service platform, providing its users access to a wide range of fintech and blockchain services, including bank accounts, Bitcoin wallets, robo advisory, lending, P2P payments and debit cards. Oyoba’s vision is to turn consumer banking into a modern information service by using personal, financial and other data to create new, personalized and better services.
 
 
Spitch is a Swiss provider of solutions based on Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) and voice biometrics, Voice User Interfaces (VUI), and natural language voice data analytics.
 
 
 
Moneygrid is born out of the vision that currency systems should be as diverse as possible and that they should connected to each other if it does make sense.
 

 
 

Altoo has developed its wealth platform in co-creatorship with its clients. Our independence and diversity enables us to connect people, wealth and processes by technology in a unique way.
 
 

 
AlgoTrader is an algorithmic trading software system. The company was founded by the CEO Andy Flury in Zurich Switzerland.
 
 

 
Yapeal building a new digital bank and we’ll redefine the way people bank.
 
 
 
 
Instimatch Global was founded in 2017. The inspiration for doing so, stemmed from the liquidity crisis in 2007/2008. Our founder witnessed first-hand how the interbank lending and borrowing system broke down and trust between financial institutions disappeared within a matter of days.
 
 
Appway builds software for today, and innovates for the technology of the future. With over 15 years of industry experience, Appway guides the leading financial institutions, both big and small, as they build sustainable and scalable solutions that quickly adapt to changing conditions.
 
 
Unblu helps the world&#8217;s leading banks deliver an in-person experience online. We provide highly secure engagement and collaboration software, enabling banks to enrich the digital experience of their clients.
 
 
 
Tindeco VISION is our award-winning fully integrated investment management platform. VISION is used by Banks, Family Offices and Fund Managers. VISION CORE Technologies provides Portfolio Administration, Portfolio Management, Risk Management, Order Management and Client Relationship Management &#8211; making it a comprehensive solution for Asset Managers.
 
 
Sygnum is a technology-driven company that empowers financial services for the digital asset economy. It develops an integrated solution to securely issue, store, trade and manage digital assets.
 
 
 
At SEBA, we want to build a gateway that facilitates movement of assets between the crypto and traditional financial markets for major financial investors. Our ambition is to be one of the world&#8217;s first universal, fully licensed and supervised crypto banks, offering industry leading crypto-asset financial products and services.
 
 
 
Learn/Compare
Anders als bei anderen Lernplattformen arbeitet fintool.ch bewusst mit Kurzvideos. Da auf der anderen Seite der zu behandelnde Stoff ausgesprochen vielfältig aber auch von immenser Breite ist, sind der Anzahl solcher Videos kaum Grenzen gesetzt. Der Stoff wird fintool.ch nicht ausgehen. Nach Erscheinen werden die einzelnen „Street-Videos“ in sogenannten Wissensgefässen „zusammengebunden“.
 
 
nViso provides the most scalable, robust, and accurate cloud service to measure instantaneous emotional reactions of consumers in online environments. We provide real-time and highly actionable information for Market Research, Brands, Creative Agencies and R&amp;D Product Development. Using award winning and proprietary 3D Facial Imaging technology, compatible with ordinary webcams, we uncover the why and how of customer behaviour in real-time, letting brands make smarter business decisions and build more engaging consumer experiences.
 

moneyland.ch is a Swiss comparison service site helping you with your financial needs. On moneyland.ch, you can use independent comparison tools for insurance, loans, credit cards, bank accounts, consumer credits, interest rates, trading and much more.
 
 
 

123vergleich &#8211; the portal for free insurance comparisons, offers and expert advice. 3 steps to the best offer: Compare &#8211; Request an offer &#8211; Save premiums!
 
 
 
 

Comparis is a Swiss Internet comparison service. On comparis.ch, consumers can compare rates and services of health insurances, other insurances, banks, telecom providers, property, vehicles and special offers from retailers – quickly and easily.
 
 
 
Ein ]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/born-in-switzerland-swiss-original-fintech-overview-map-update-140-companies</link><guid>886</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Futurae.png</dc:content ><dc:text>“BORN IN SWITZERLAND” Swiss Original Fintech Overview Map Update: 140 Companies</dc:text></item><item><title>Billte Announces CHF 450K Seed Investment from Synpulse Management Consulting</title><description><![CDATA[Billte, a FinTech startup specializing in digitizing the invoicing announces CHF 450K in seed investment.
The financing comes from Synpulse Management Consulting, an internationally established management consulting company.
The startup was kicked off in early 2017 as a part of the «F10 Fintech Incubator &amp; Accelerator program», Switzerland’s leading collaboration program for FinTech, focusing on innovation in the finance industry. Only twelve out of 300 startups graduated, including Billte, who won a CHF 15’000 sponsorship.
Billte is currently working on a minimum viable product in the insurance industry, which will be rolled-out by end of 2018. Synpulse, on the other hand, supports insurance companies and banks along the entire value chain.
Andrea Girasole
«The similarities in target groups and know-how make the two companies a great fit»,
says Andrea Girasole, Co-founder and CEO of Billte AG.
«We are very excited to start a tightly knit collaboration with Synpulse who will be able to offer us great support along the way»,
he continues.
Raphael Bianchi, Partner at Synpulse:
Raphael Bianchi
«Billte is a promising startup and a forerunner in digitizing the entire billing process. They are making invoicing easier and more enjoyable for businesses and consumers. We see great potential in Billte’s innovations. Our investment fits perfectly in our strategy to connecting to startups and being an innovation driver in order to satisfy our clients’ needs and make them fit for the future.»
A large part of the funds will be used to expand the development team and to speed up the further development of the software. Billte also plans to allocate some of the funds to business development, sales, and marketing efforts. With a well-rounded team of engineers as well as a sales and marketing team in place, Billte is now geared towards acquiring more large customers.
The focus for the time being lays on further development of the solution and on building a first proto type that can later be launched for small and medium sized companies.
 
Featured image credit: Freepik
The post Billte Announces CHF 450K Seed Investment from Synpulse Management Consulting appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/billte-announces-chf-450k-seed-investment-from-synpulse-management-consulting</link><guid>887</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Billte Announces CHF 450K Seed Investment from Synpulse Management Consulting</dc:text></item><item><title>Cyber security for FinTech: Central Security Baseline for Multi-Clouds and DevOps</title><description><![CDATA[Fintech is a digital native business and most of them have chosen to adopt the cloud with great success to win more banking customers.
Regulations such as the EU GDPR and financial market compliance requirements are becoming more and more restricting. Moving applications and services into cloud means also having applications in a multi-cloud or even hybrid environment.
This requires a solution that allows you to enforce and monitor a centralized security baseline – across all applications over whatever cloud-infrastructure they are operated.  Until recently, such a solution was missing on the market. The USP Secure Entry Server allows effective protection against cybersecurity threats – even in hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
Cybersecurity centrally managed in distributed application landscapes
With the USP Secure Entry Server now any number of Web Application Firewall instances can be run – in container form, on-premises or in the cloud. United Security Providers solution uniquely provides a centralized management solution that allows to verify and implement compliance requirements in DevOps and hybrid environments.
IT management and IT security have central control over the security of their web applications thanks to the security dashboard, comprehensive monitoring and reporting options and automated policy enforcement. This makes things far easier, particularly in hybrid and dynamically orchestrated container environments. The solution will also support to connect existing SIEM tools such as Splunk or ArcSight.
The way is clear for the hybrid multi-cloud environment
A service-oriented solution for integrated web access management that can uniformly meet compliance requirements even in DevOps and hybrid multi-cloud environments is something new.
Michael Liebi
“This solution approach is a real innovation. As far as we know, United Security Providers is the first company in the world to offer decentralised, containerised WAFs and Access Management with simultaneous monitoring, steering and control,”
says Michael Liebi, CEO of United Security Providers.
 
 
Innovative approach for DevOps environments
With the container-based version, United Security Providers is addressing an unresolved pain point of many innovative companies grappling with containerisation and security. According to Michael Liebi,
“The USP solution approach is proving to be a concept with enormous potential, and meets the growing need for flexibility, agility and security in equal measure.”
 
Featured image credit: Freepik
The post Cyber security for FinTech: Central Security Baseline for Multi-Clouds and DevOps appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/cyber-security-for-fintech-central-security-baseline-for-multi-clouds-and-devops</link><guid>888</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Cyber security for FinTech: Central Security Baseline for Multi-Clouds and DevOps</dc:text></item><item><title>Commerzbank Set Up Innovation Lab for the Future of International Export and Trade Financing</title><description><![CDATA[Commerzbank is the first financial institution to set up an Enterprise Lab at Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML in Dortmund, in an extension of the partnership that has been in place since July 2017.
In the Trade Finance Innovation-Lab, new payment and finance solutions will be developed for the Trade Finance business based on innovative technologies such as Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), Smart Contracts and the Internet of Things (IoT), and made ready for the market. At the same time, both institutions will play an active part in helping to establish a general framework and standards for the digitalisation of international supply chain management and the related financing tools.
Commerzbank claims to be the first bank to join the Enterprise Lab Center with its Trade Finance Innovation-Lab, which covers the field of financial services with a focus on trade finance business, i.e. processing and financing international trade transactions. From now on, user-oriented researchers at Fraunhofer IML from logistics, supply chain management and blockchain technology will work closely with trade finance specialists from Commerzbank and its research and development unit, main incubator.
The Enterprise Lab Center at Fraunhofer IML brings together science and business. It already hosts several subject-specific labs set up by well-known industrial companies in sensor technology, automotive, logistics, chemicals, pharma and telecommunications. These are places where company representatives and researchers work together to analyse current and future trends in logistics and supply chain management, and assess potential scenarios in order to develop innovations and forward-thinking business models.
Nikolaus Giesbert
“Since the collaboration with Fraunhofer IML began, potential practical applications for the trade finance business have been identified and prioritised in consultation with corporate clients of the Bank. Processes along physical supply chains can be linked much more closely to the financial supply chain using new technologies. In many parts of the supply chain, processes currently done manually are able to be automated and performed more efficiently. The Enterprise Lab Center provides exactly the right framework for us to step up our collaboration, which has been a success to date”,
said Nikolaus Giesbert, Divisional Board Member Fixed Income, Currencies &amp; Commodities and Trade Finance &amp; Cash Management, Commerzbank AG.
“From our Trade Finance Innovation-Lab, we will work on a cross-sector basis to make optimum use of the opportunities provided by digitalisation, both in physical and financial supply chains”,
he added.
 
The post Commerzbank Set Up Innovation Lab for the Future of International Export and Trade Financing appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/commerzbank-set-up-innovation-lab-for-the-future-of-international-export-and-trade-financing</link><guid>889</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Commerzbank Set Up Innovation Lab for the Future of International Export and Trade Financing</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Deutschland Hub Ranking: Frankfurt nur auf Rang 3, Hamburg holt auf</title><description><![CDATA[Trotz aller Bemühungen verliert Frankfurt als Fintech-Standort gegenüber Berlin und München an Boden.
Bei der Anzahl der Finanz-Startups liegt die Bankenmetropole auf Platz drei. Im vergangenen Jahr lag die Bankenmetropole noch gleichauf mit der bayrischen Landeshauptstadt. Bei der Vergabe von Wagniskapital rangiert die Stadt am Main sogar nur auf Platz vier, knapp vor Düsseldorf. Zu diesen Ergebnissen kommt die comdirect Fintech-Studie.
2017 und 2018 wurden in München 22 neue Finanz-Startups gegründet und damit fünf mehr als Frankfurt. Mit 100 ansässigen Fintechs liegt München damit auf Platz zwei. Auch bei der Anzahl der Finanzierungsrunden hat die Stadt an der Isar die Nase vorn: In 31 Runden sammelten die Münchener Fintechs in den Jahren 2017 und 2018 (Stand Ende September) insgesamt 174 Millionen Euro Wagniskapital ein. In Frankfurt waren es im selben Zeitraum 36 Millionen Euro, die in 18 Finanzierungsrunden an dortige Finanz-Startups verteilt wurden.
Arno Walter
„München überzeugt durch einen ausgewogenen Mix aus Gründern und Kapitalgebern. Frankfurt bleibt hingegen als Fintech-Standort hinter den eigenen Ansprüchen noch zurück. Die Zahl der Gründungen ist gegenüber unserer letzten Studie sogar von 25 auf jetzt 17 gesunken, “
sagt Arno Walter, Vorstandsvorsitzender von comdirect.
Berlin spielt in Sachen Fintech weiterhin in einer eigenen Liga: Die 249 in der Hauptstadt aktiven Finanz-Startups sammelten in den Jahren 2017 und 2018 insgesamt 854 Millionen Euro an Wagniskapital ein. Das ist mehr als jeder zweite Euro, der in diesem Zeitraum in ein deutsches Fintech geflossen ist. Es ist auch davon auszugehen, dass diese Vorreiterrolle auf absehbare Zeit bestehen bleibt: Mit 39 neuen Fintechs zog die Hauptstadt in den Jahren 2017 und 2018 so viele Gründer an wie München und Frankfurt zusammen.

Hamburg kann wie schon in den Vorjahren vor allem beim Wagniskapital überzeugen. Die 67 Fintechs in der Hansestadt sammelten 2017 und 2018 (Stand Ende September) 236 Millionen Euro ein – nur in Berlin floss mehr Geld an deutsche Finanz-Startups.
Einen deutlichen Abstand zu Hamburg haben die Fintech-Standorte Köln und Düsseldorf. Mit 28 aktiven Startups liegen die Kölner bei der Anzahl der Fintechs vor Düsseldorf (18). Die Fintechs in der nordrhein-westfälischen Landeshauptstadt konnten mit 30 Millionen Euro dafür etwas mehr Wagniskapital einsammeln als die Startups in der Domstadt (27 Millionen Euro).
The post Fintech Deutschland Hub Ranking: Frankfurt nur auf Rang 3, Hamburg holt auf appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-deutschland-hub-ranking-frankfurt-nur-auf-rang-3-hamburg-holt-auf</link><guid>890</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/comdirect_Fintech-Studie_Hub-Ranking-724x1024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech Deutschland Hub Ranking: Frankfurt nur auf Rang 3, Hamburg holt auf</dc:text></item><item><title>Hypothekarbank Lenzburg ist Partnerbank von Savedo Schweiz</title><description><![CDATA[Auf der neuen Plattform Savedo finden Privatanleger ein digitales Angebot für Festgeldanlagen mit attraktiven Zinsen. Betreiber der Plattform ist das globale Fintech-Unternehmen Deposit Solutions.
Die Transaktionsbank von Savedo ist die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg AG. Finstar, das Kernbankensystem der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg, dient als Abwicklungsplattform.
Die Kontoeröffnung erfolgt digital, die Kunden können sich in einer Postfiliale identifizieren.
Für Privatanleger, die sich auf Savedo anmelden, eröffnet die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg ein Konto, über das die Transaktionen für Savedo-Produkte abgewickelt werden. Für den Kauf und Verkauf der Anlageprodukte bündelt die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg die Gelder der einzelnen Kunden auf einem Transitkonto und überweist die gebündelte Summe von dort aus im Namen der Kunden auf ein Konto der jeweiligen Produktbank respektive Herausgeberin des Anlageprodukts.
Zudem bietet die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg auf Savedo selbst Produkte an: Je eine Festgeldanlage mit vierjähriger und siebenjähriger Laufzeit.
Marianne Wildi
«Da wir technisch gesehen bereits kompatibel mit dem europäischen Open-Banking-Standard sind, wie er von der Zahlungsdiensterichtlinie PSD2 gefordert wird, konnten wir die Plattform von Deposit Solutions relativ einfach in unser System integrieren und auf die schweizerischen Zahlungssysteme anpassen.
Das digitale Ökosystem um unsere offene Finstar®-Plattform ist damit um ein wertvolles Mitglied mit viel Erfahrung im Fintech-Bereich reicher geworden»,
sagt Marianne Wildi, CEO der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg.
Thomas von Hohenhau
«Dank unserer Open-Banking-Innovation wird der Schweizer Einlagenmarkt endlich wiederbelebt und eine Alternative für den Schweizer Privatanleger geschaffen. Wir freuen uns, mit der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg eine Partnerbank mit grossartiger digitaler Expertise gewonnen zu haben»,
sagt Thomas von Hohenhau, Chief Client Officer und Managing Director von Deposit Solutions Schweiz.
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
The post Hypothekarbank Lenzburg ist Partnerbank von Savedo Schweiz appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/hypothekarbank-lenzburg-ist-partnerbank-von-savedo-schweiz</link><guid>877</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Hypothekarbank Lenzburg ist Partnerbank von Savedo Schweiz</dc:text></item><item><title>Finnova und Robo Advisor True Wealth gehen Produktpartnerschaft ein</title><description><![CDATA[Finnova integriert die Robo-Advisor-Lösung von True Wealth in die Finnova Banking Software, um Banken im Bereich «Digitale Vermögensverwaltung» mit einer zukunftsorientierten Lösung einen Mehrwert zu bieten. Damit treibt Finnova die systematische Öffnung ihrer Software weiter voran und adressiert die Bedürfnisse der Banken in Zeiten der Digitalisierung.
Die nahtlose Integration der Lösung von True Wealth in die Finnova Banking Software ermöglicht es den 100 FinnovaBanken, ihren Bankkunden eine intuitive und funktionsreiche digitale Vermögensverwaltung als Erweiterung anzubieten.
Als erste Finnova-Bank wird die Regiobank Solothurn ihren Kunden die «Digitale Vermögensverwaltung» zur Verfügung stellen.
Die Banken bieten ihren Kunden damit folgende Vorteile:
• Intuitives und attraktives Anlageerlebnis direkt im Online-Banking
• Möglichkeit für die Einrichtung einer individuellen Anlagestrategie, um auch persönliche Anlagebedürfnisse umzusetzen
• Volle Kontrolle und Transparenz dank tagesaktueller Berichterstattung und der Möglichkeit, das Portfolio anzupassen und auf Knopfdruck jederzeit Ein- und Auszahlungen vorzunehmen
Die Banken selbst profitieren von folgenden Nutzen:
• Schnelle Markteinführung und tiefe Investitionskosten dank «Software as a Service» und Standardintegration
• Tiefe laufende Kosten dank «Straight Through Processing» und voller Automatisierung
• Erweitertes Angebot in der digitalen Vermögensverwaltung, so dass digital affine Kundensegmente mit einer professionellen und funktional attraktiven Anlagelösung angesprochen werden
• Raffinierte und trotzdem einfach einsetzbare Möglichkeit zur Individualisierung, so dass die Lösung mit innovativen Anlagemöglichkeiten neben klassischen Vermögensverwaltungskunden auch ein breites Kundenspektrum überzeugt.
Raphael Widmer
Raphael Widmer, Chief Customer Officer von Finnova, sagt:
«Wir freuen uns, dank der neuen Produktpartnerschaft mit True Wealth und dem Gewinn der Regiobank Solothurn das bereits grösste Banking-Ökosystem der Schweiz weiter auszubauen – mit dem Ziel, in Zukunft weitere Banken anzusprechen».
 
 
Christoph Erb
Christoph Erb, Leiter Business Development von True Wealth, ergänzt:
«Die Standardintegration der Lösung in die Finnova Banking Software erlaubt den Banken einen einfachen Einstieg in die digitale Vermögensverwaltung».
 
 
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Pixabay
The post Finnova und Robo Advisor True Wealth gehen Produktpartnerschaft ein appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finnova-und-robo-advisor-true-wealth-gehen-produktpartnerschaft-ein</link><guid>878</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Finnova und Robo Advisor True Wealth gehen Produktpartnerschaft ein</dc:text></item><item><title>Nicht Alle Unternehmen Brauchen Zwingend Blockchain</title><description><![CDATA[Über Blockchain wird viel diskutiert und das nicht nur in Fachkreisen. Immer mehr Unternehmen beschäftigen sich mit der digitalen Technologie und arbeiten an ersten Anwendungen.
Für Expertinnen und Experten hat die Blockchain-Technologie ein ähnlich revolutionäres Potenzial wie das Internet. Doch was genau ist Blockchain? Worauf muss ein Unternehmen bei der Umsetzung einer Blockchain-Anwendung achten und wie funktioniert die Finanzierung mittels Initial Coin Offering (ICO)?
Diese und andere Fragen standen im Zentrum des Forums Blockchain for Business (B4B) vom vergangenen Donnerstag, 22. November, in St. Gallen. Referenten aus Wissenschaft und Praxis berichteten den über 100 Teilnehmerinnen und Teilnehmern von ihren Erfahrungen mit der vielversprechenden «Technologie der Zukunft» und gaben Tipps für eine mögliche Umsetzung. Moderator war der Fernsehjournalist Reto Brennwald, organisiert wurde der Anlass vom Institut für Unternehmensführung der Fachhochschule St.Gallen IFU-FHS.
Eigenschaften können Vertrauen schaffen
«Blockchain kann als verteilte Transaktionsdatenbank bezeichnet werden»,
sagte Professor Ernesto Turnes, Leiter des Kompetenzzentrums für Banking und Finance der FHS, in seinen einleitenden Worten.
Er bezeichnete Verfügbarkeit, Eigentumssicherung, Unveränderbarkeit, Überprüfbarkeit und Skalierbarkeit als die fünf Anforderungen an ein Transaktionssystem. Über diese Anforderungen und wie sie erreicht werden, etwa durch Kryptografie oder Hashing, könne Vertrauen geschaffen werden. Bezüglich der Tokens, also der Wertmarken, die in ICOs verkauft werden, sieht Ernesto Turnes vor allem in den Anlage-Tokens respektive Asset oder Security Tokens «enormes Potenzial». Sie repräsentieren Vermögenswerte wie Aktien, Obligationen oder Immobilien.
Die gleiche Meinung vertrat auch Roger Bigger, Mitbegründer der Crowdli AG, einer Plattform für Immobilien-Crowd-Investments, und geschäftsführender Inhaber der Azemos Gruppe.
Roger Bigger
«Security Tokens können die Fondswelt grundlegend revolutionieren»,
sagte er.
«Sie erschaffen völlig neue Konzepte der Geldanlage: eine verbesserte Partizipation, höhere Flexibilität und geringere Kosten.»
Aber, fügte er hinzu, sie seien auch viel komplexer zu verstehen. Und hier sieht Roger Bigger die grosse Herausforderung:
«Dies einer breiten Masse zu erklären, ist schwierig.»
Rechtsanwalt Thomas Müller von Walder Wyss Rechtsanwälte in Zürich ordnete die rechtliche Qualifikation der Tokens ein, was ziemlich komplex und je nach Token etwas anders ist. Als grosses Problem bezeichnete er den Sekundär-Markt: Die Tokens könnten teils nur beschränkt gebraucht werden und die Nationalbank habe derzeit «null Interesse» an einem digitalen Franken.
Prozesse optimieren, Kosten sparen
Die n’cloud.swiss AG, ein Anbieter von Cloud-Computing-Lösungen, setzte Anfang 2018 auf  Blockchain und führte einen ICO durch. Bereits nächstes Jahrs soll der nächste ICO folgen&#8230; Gemäss Chief Marketing Officer Pascal Dossenbach eignet sich Blockchain für «jene Unternehmen, die ein Produkt oder eine Dienstleistung anbieten wollen, für die es auch einen Markt gibt». Wichtig sind für ihn eine «seriöse Planung mit realistischen Zielen» und ein «ICO Whitepaper, das wie ein Businessplan daherkommt, um Investoren zu überzeugen».
Eventorganisator und Buchautor Pascal Egloff von der FHS St.Gallen ordnet am Forum Blockchain for Business die Möglichkeiten von Blockchain ein.
Für Pascal Egloff, Dozent und Projekt Manager am Kompetenzzentrum für Banking und Finance der FHS, «braucht nicht jedes Unternehmen zwingend eine Blockchain, es ging ja bisher auch ohne». Aber fast jedes Unternehmen könne die Technologie nutzen. «Die Frage ist nur, ob es sich auch lohnt», sagte er. Blockchain diene oftmals als Katalysator, um sich Gedanken über die Digitalisierung zu machen. Ähnlich sieht es Ulrich Schimpel, CTO Europe Team &amp; IBM Research, Zürich: Die Blockchain-Lösung bringe nur dort etwas, wo sie besser sei als der bestehende Prozess. Werde die neue Technologie dann allerdings angewendet, könnten Prozesse optimiert und Kosten gespart werden. Heute wird Blockchain nicht nur im Bankwesen eingesetzt, sondern auch im Gesundheitswesen, bei Versicherungen und im Logistik- und Verkaufsbereich.
Eine unterschätzte Technologie
Vitus Ammann war jahrelang im Zuger Crypto Valley unterwegs und ist jetzt Berater Digitale Transformation der SBB. Im Experten-Panel sagte er: «Wir stehen mit der Blockchain-Technologie noch ganz am Anfang, etwa dort, wo wir mit dem Internet 1995 standen.» Er traut der Technologie einiges zu, mit vergleichbaren Auswirkungen auf Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft wie beim Internet. Ähnlich sehen es Nick Beglinger, CEO Stiftung Cleantech21, und Roman Schnider, Leiter Prüfung Blockchain-Kunden bei PwC Schweiz.
«Blockchain wird heute noch stark unterschätzt», sagte Nick Beglinger und Vitus Ammann glaubt, dass Wertschriften in zehn Jahren bereits grösstenteils über Tokens gehandelt werden und nicht mehr über die bestehenden Systeme. Wird es die Banken dann überhaupt noch geben?
«Ich denke schon», sagte Roman Schnider, «aber ihr Aufgabenbereich dürfte sich verschieben.» Für Stefan Jeker, Leiter des Innovations-Labors von Raiffeisen St.Gallen, ist eine der grossen Herausforderungen der Zukunft, in Ökosystemen und über die Prozesse hinaus zu denken. «Die Blockchain-Technologie wird unser Leben verändern, und wir können uns dadurch auf das konzentrieren, was unser Leben lebenswert macht.»
The post Nicht Alle Unternehmen Brauchen Zwingend Blockchain appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/nicht-alle-unternehmen-brauchen-zwingend-blockchain</link><guid>874</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Pascal-Egloff-1024x683.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Nicht Alle Unternehmen Brauchen Zwingend Blockchain</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Blockchain Startup Newcomers Map and Top 10 Project Selection</title><description><![CDATA[Blockchain investment research &amp; consulting firm BlockNovum just published its highly anticipated second issue of the Swiss Blockchain Startup Newcomer Map. The Zurich based company conducted one of the most in-depth analysis to date of startups in Switzerland that leverage the blockchain technology.
Over 100 new blockchain-related projects were identified and assessed. As selection criteria projects have to be based in Switzerland and need to be classified as “Newcomers” in 2018. Based on the assessment BlockNovum shortlisted the top 10 highest quality projects, which convinced with a great team, a promising business model, continuous progress &amp; traction, and relevance for early-stage investors.
The map comes with the accompanying research report, which includes in-depth assessments of the selected projects and provides more background on BlockNovum’s research methodology and due diligence framework.
Similar to first Newcomer Map and assessment report the aim of this market screening is to provide a thorough overview about Swiss newcomers in the blockchain space for investors and industry exponents alike. The map helps navigate the ever-growing crypto landscape in Switzerland by listing all relevant new startups in one place and classifying them in different categories. The in-depth assessments showcase BlockNovum’s due diligence services, available for VCs, Family Offices, and asset managers with an interest in allocating capital to cryptoassets or blockchain startups.

Highlights

106 new blockchain projects / startups were identified and screened.
With 52 projects, almost half are using blockchain in a Finance context. This confirms the observation from the first map that Switzerland has a strong tendency towards FinTech. 5 out of the top 10 are Finance-related startups: Ambrpay, A$h (former: Midas), Blockstate, Leva, and Oakura.
22 startups were classified in the Organizational category, which includes use cases that coordinate, store, track, and organize data and resources. E.g. projects in logistics, energy, or governance. Even though the selection included a handful of great startups, none made it to the top 10. However, some interesting projects worth mentioning in this category are Workonomix, Weeve Network, and Agora.
Projects in the Technology &amp; Infrastructure category came in third with 18 startups. BlockNovum selected 3 projects for the top 10: Nimiq, Sygnum, and Truebit.
Startups in the Retail &amp; Entertainment (including gaming, e-commerce, education) and Personal Use (e.g. personal wallet, digital identity, social networks) category came in last with 7 projects each. Even though it did not make the top 10, Odem deserves being mentioned in the Retail category.2 Projects in the Personal Use category made it to the top 10: AirGap and PassOn.
BlockNovum believes that the short-listed projects make great use of the blockchain technology and have the potential to disrupt their respective industries. To find out more, you can find in-depth assessments and portraits of the top 10 startups in the full report. Have a look.

Methodology
Based on BlockNovum’s dealflow and startup database, we considered projects for the map that met following criteria:

Blockchain focus: The project needs to make us of the blockchain technology, be a service provider for the blockchain ecosystem, or work on blockchain infrastructure / hardware.
Switzerland based: The company needs to be founded and operational in Switzerland, or have its headquarters / foundation in Switzerland.
Newcomers: The project was founded in 2018, secured initial funding (ICO, VC) in 2018, or showed visible initial traction in 2018 (e.g. release of beta).

These selection criteria yielded 106 projects that were not covered in the first issue of the startup map and met the requirements.
Next, the startups were categorized in five categories: Technical, Organizational, Financial, Retail &amp; Entertainment, and Personal. A full description of the categories can be found in the first issue. Often an allocation to one category was not easy. Therefore, some projects might well fit also into another category.
All 106 projects were high-level assessed by BlockNovum based on 4 assessment criteria:

Quality of founders and team: Professional background, relevant experience, academics, personal assessment.
Business model and product: Does the project have an innovative solution for which BlockNovum projects high market demand? Is there a promising business model to generate returns?
Eligibility for early stage investments: The company is looking to raise capital via Seed / VC funding or Token Sale.
Traction and continuous progress: Project shows trackable progress via Beta release, MVP, regular community updates. Wining of relevant partnerships, clients, or awards.

As a result of the assessment, the top 10 startups were identified.
The in-depth assessment of the shortlisted companies (in the report) is based on BlockNovum’s blockchain startup assessment framework, which consists of 10 categories that are analyzed and rated.
The same type of startup assessments &amp; due diligence reports are offered on-demand or project-based by BlockNovum as part of our services for institutional investors
Top 10 Swiss Blockchain Project
BlockNovum’s top 10 selection of high-quality startups are:

Ambrpay
Payment gateway solution that supports subscription payments via smart contracts. It enables subscription payment functionality for cryptocurrencies to be used for established services, such as Netflix or Spotify.

AirGap
Open source project that develops a new crypto wallet standard via a two-device approach to make secure key handling more accessible. Apps include AirGap Vault and AirGap Wallet for private users and Airgap Knox for institutional self-custody of crypto.
 
A$h
A$H is an investment app targeting millennial retail investors. It enables mobile investments in digital assets and offers gamification, as well as social features. The app runs on the Melon protocol, a decentralized fund management system.

BlockState
The BlockState infrastructure platform is a stack of software and legal modules that automate resource-intensive investment banking processes such as the issuance of products, valuation and custody of assets, clearing &amp; settlement.
 
Leva
Leva is reinventing private equity (PE) through automation. Their solution makes transactions more efficient and gives PE funds a simpler way to set-up smart investment syndicates and funds. Through Leva investors get unprecedented access to PE and can better diversify their portfolio.

Nimiq
Nimiq aims to be the easiest-to-use decentralized payment protocol &amp; ecosystem. It is browser-based and installation-free. Hence, Nimiq wants to bring the benefits of blockchain technology to the mainstream by developing a blockchain / payment protocol designed for the average user.
 
Oakura
Oakura supports early stage ventures through its decentralized access to capital and business expertise. With a marketplace built on the blockchain, Oakura uniquely aligns the incentives of startup ecosystem stakeholders by paying service providers with OAK, representing startup equity.

PassOn

 
PassOn builds a systemic infrastructure to bring inheritance into the digital age by leveraging blockchain and smart contract technologies. The infrastructure and standard allow to secure digital assets and directly transfer them to beneficiaries of inheritance.
 
Sygnum
Sygnum develops an integrated solution to securely issue, store, trade and manage digital assets, which meets the highest institutional standards. Sygnum is also building an integrated equity issuance system to help companies raise capital from investors by tokenizing shares.

Truebit
Open source protocol to increase scalability of Ethereum. The TrueBit protocol allows trustless, secure, scalable consensus on large computations orders of magnitude beyond what’s possible in Ethereum today.
 
 
This article first appeared on Linkedin
The post Swiss Blockchain Startup Newcomers Map and Top 10 Project Selection appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-blockchain-startup-newcomers-map-and-top-10-project-selection</link><guid>875</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Swiss-Blockchain-Startup-Newcomers-in-2018-–-Part-2.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Blockchain Startup Newcomers Map and Top 10 Project Selection</dc:text></item><item><title>Erstes Firmenübergreifendes Open-Banking-Projekt der Schweiz</title><description><![CDATA[Die Kunden vom Schweizer Challenger Bank-Startups neon sind nicht mehr an das klassische Geldautomaten-Netz gebunden.  Sie können künftig mit der App von Sonect in rund 1000 Läden in der ganzen Schweiz Geld beziehen.
Dank dem Bankensystem Finstar, das die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg entwickelt und vertreibt, wird ihnen der Geldbezug direkt auf dem Konto bei neon verbucht.
Die beiden Zürcher Fintech-Startups neon und Sonect nutzen die Bankenplattform Finstar der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg für ihre Dienstleistungsangebote. Finstar wurde 2017 mit einer offenen Schnittstelle (engl. Open Application Programming Interface, kurz: Open API) ausgestattet. Seither können Fintech-Unternehmen nach einer Zulassungsprüfung durch die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg an die Plattform andocken und auf sicherem Weg Bankdaten austauschen.
Sonect hat sich im vergangenen Januar an Finstar® angeschlossen. Die Kunden der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg können den Sonect-Service mit ihrem Konto bei der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg ebenfalls nutzen. Neon ist damit das zweite Schweizer Finanzunternehmen, das den mobilen Geldbezugsservice von Sonect ihren Kunden anbietet.
Die App für den gebührenfreien Bargeldbezug in Läden, Bars oder Restaurants wurde Mai 2017 lanciert. Vor kurzem ist die von Valora betriebene Kioskkette k kiosk zu diesem Netzwerk dazu gestossen. neon hat im vergangenen Mai an Finstar® angedockt. Die erste unabhängige Schweizer Konto-App ist seit August 2018 für Beta-Nutzer verfügbar.
Marianne Wildi
«Bei Finstar können wir Fintech-Startups schnell und günstig integrieren, was der grosse Wettbewerbsvorteil unserer Open-API-Plattform ist»,
sagt Marianne Wildi, CEO der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg AG.

«Wir kreieren so neue Synergien und ein neues Ökosystem, und vor allem zeigen wir, dass Kooperationen und Innovationen auf dem Schweizer Finanzmarkt auch firmenübergreifend funktionieren können»,

sagt Wildi weiter.
Julius Kirscheneder

«Wir glauben fest daran, dass moderne Schweizer und Schweizerinnen auch moderne Zahlungsdienstleistungen wollen und freuen uns über innovative Partner wie Sonect und die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg»,

sagt Julius Kirscheneder, Mitgründer von neon.

 
Featured image credit: Edited from Pexels
The post Erstes Firmenübergreifendes Open-Banking-Projekt der Schweiz appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/erstes-firmenubergreifendes-open-banking-projekt-der-schweiz</link><guid>872</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Erstes Firmenübergreifendes Open-Banking-Projekt der Schweiz</dc:text></item><item><title>Schweizer Startup will Studienberatung digitalisieren</title><description><![CDATA[Das Angebot an Schweizer Studiengängen ist unüberschaubar und wächst jährlich. Um jungen, bildungsinteressierten Menschen bei der Suche nach Studium oder Weiterbildung unter die Arme zu greifen, lanciert die Bildungsplattform Eduwo eine innovative Interaktionsmöglichkeit.
Suchende sollen neu mit aktuellen und ehemaligen Studierenden direkt in Kontakt treten können, um die passende Aus- oder Weiterbildung zu finden. Ziel ist es, die Schweizer Studienberatung in Zusammenarbeit mit Studien-, Laufbahn- und BerufsberaterInnen zu digitalisieren. Ein interdisziplinäres Advisory Board, unter anderem mit Heinz Karrer und Lukas Weder, soll dabei unterstützen.
Eduwo, die grösste unabhängige Erfahrungsplattform für Studiengänge in der Schweiz, setzt auf eine transparente und übersichtliche Bildungslandschaft. Seit der Lancierung hat Eduwo über 3&#8217;000 Erfahrungsberichte von aktuellen und ehemaligen Studierenden gesammelt und stellt diese online zur Verfügung.
Raphael Tobler
«In Gesprächen und Umfragen mit Studierenden, Schulen und Studienberatern hat sich aber gezeigt, dass mehr Interaktion gewünscht wird»,
erklärt Co-Gründer Raphael Tobler.
«Suchende haben auch Fragen und möchten diese online stellen können.»
Auf dieses Bedürfnis geht Eduwo nun ein und startet ein einzigartiges Projekt, um alle Beteiligten bei der Suche nach der Aus- oder Weiterbildung an einen gemeinsamen Ort zu bringen. Neu soll der Austausch zwischen Suchenden und erfahrenen Experten komplett auf Eduwo stattfinden. Dazu soll auch eng mit Studien-, Laufbahn- und BerufsberaterInnen zusammengearbeitet werden.
Kompetentes Advisory Board unterstützt bei der Lancierung
Für den Erfolg des Projekts soll neu neben dem operativen Team auch ein kompetentes Advisory Board sorgen, welches Mitglieder aus unterschiedlichen Bereichen enthält. Unter anderem sind Heinz Karrer (Präsident economiesuisse), Lukas Weder (Co-Founder eat.ch), David Klett (Managing Director Klett Lernen und Information) und Patrick Degen (Partner Swiss Founders Fund) als Beiräte involviert.
Auch werden Martin Ziltener (Leiter Berufs-,Studien- und Laufbahnberatung Kanton Aargau) sowie Alex Forrer (Leiter HR-Kompetenz Center Kanton Thurgau) sowie Vertreter der Union der Schweizerischen Schülerorganisationen (USO) und des Verbands der Schweizer Studierendenschaften (VSS) die strategische Zukunft von Eduwo mitprägen.
Vielzahl an Erfahrungen gesammelt
Neben den tausenden Erfahrungsberichten haben die vier Gründer und Master-Absolventen in den letzten Monaten in einer engen Zusammenarbeit mit Schulen, Studierenden-und Alumniorganisationen auch weitere Erfahrungen gesammelt.
Benjamin Vidas
«Wir haben gesehen, dass wir mit unserer Plattform jungen Menschen wirklich helfen und so die Abbruchrate bei Studium und Weiterbildung senken können»,
erklärt Benjamin Vidas, Co-Founder.
«Dies motiviert uns, das Angebot weiter auszubauen.»
Spannend sei auch, dass Erfahrungen aus dem persönlichen Umfeld einen hohen Einfluss auf die Hochschulwahl haben. Diese finde zudem zum Grossteil über das Internet statt. Eduwo bringt beides zusammen.
The post Schweizer Startup will Studienberatung digitalisieren appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schweizer-startup-will-studienberatung-digitalisieren</link><guid>873</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Schweizer Startup will Studienberatung digitalisieren</dc:text></item><item><title>Bank Frick is Sponsoring a Blockchain Programme at the University of Liechtenstein</title><description><![CDATA[Bank Frick is to cooperate in future with the University of Liechtenstein in the fields of blockchain and fintech.
The University of Liechtenstein will receive substantial financial resources from Bank Frick during a planned five-year cooperation. Partnership-based research projects, projects with students and a Certificate programme are the main aims of the collaboration. The programme will be offered from the beginning of 2019 for the first time.
Edi Wögerer, CEO of Bank Frick, and Dr Volker M. Rheinberger, President of the University Council of the University of Liechtenstein, seal the cooperation in the area of blockchain in finance | image via frick.ly/pressphotos
Social responsibility
Bank Frick is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2018. To mark this event and as part of its social responsibility, the Bank has chosen the University of Liechtenstein as its cooperation partner to provide Liechtenstein with a forward-looking gift. This includes the joint development of Liechtenstein as a location for blockchain technology and fintechs (companies that offer specialist financial services using modern technology).
The University of Liechtenstein and Bank Frick are also including students into this and encouraging knowledge transfer between university and practice. With these considerations in mind, a competence centre is being established for blockchain and fintech at the University of Liechtenstein’s Institute for Finance.
Certificate programme “Blockchain in finance and fintech”
Based on the university’s expertise in research, teaching and knowledge transfer regarding blockchain and fintech and with the help of Bank Frick’s practical experience, the Institute for Finance has developed a Certificate programme for practitioners in the financial sector run by project and study head Assistant Professor Dr Martin Angerer. The aim is to pass on the latest knowledge and expertise on dealing with technologies in the financial sector that are both disruptive yet potentially promising.
Bank Frick is sponsoring the development and implementation of the Certificate programme by providing a substantial sum over the next five years. During the period of cooperation, the Bank’s experts will also be in regular contact with the university to address technical questions.
University expertise
In signing the cooperation agreement, Edi Wögerer, CEO of Bank Frick, was confident about the University of Liechtenstein’s expertise, its academic excellence and high practical relevance of the new programme:
“The university is providing its blockchain expertise both in the financial and legal domain. Students will, therefore, benefit from a research-based approach and learn how the future of our sector is being shaped through innovation.”
For Dr Volker M. Rheinberger, President of the University Council, who thanked Bank Frick for the major financial support, the Bank’s commitment is also a sign of confidence in the University of Liechtenstein and Liechtenstein as a business location:
“It shows that it was right to focus on these new subjects in the financial sector and that it is very promising.”
The “Blockchain in finance and fintech” programme begins in February 2019 at the University of Liechtenstein. More information can be found at www.uni.li/blockchain-fintech.
The post Bank Frick is Sponsoring a Blockchain Programme at the University of Liechtenstein appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bank-frick-is-sponsoring-a-blockchain-programme-at-the-university-of-liechtenstein</link><guid>871</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/bank-frick.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Bank Frick is Sponsoring a Blockchain Programme at the University of Liechtenstein</dc:text></item><item><title>Am Kiosk nun Unkompliziert Bargeld Beziehen- Fintegration</title><description><![CDATA[Lässt sich in den über 900 Verkaufsstellen von k kiosk und Press &amp; Books in der Schweiz per App unkompliziert Bargeld beziehen. Möglich wird dies durch eine Partnerschaft zwischen Valora und dem Zürcher Fintech-Unternehmen Sonect.
Die Sonect App herunterladen, registrieren, Wunschbetrag eingeben und Barcode scannen lassen – so einfach kommen Kunden von k kiosk und Press &amp; Books neu zu Bargeld. Die Dienstleistung von Valora und Sonect ist ab dem 26. November 2018 in allen 900 Verkaufsstellen von k kiosk und Press &amp; Books verfügbar.
Bei der Transaktion in der Valora Verkaufsstelle entstehen für die Kundinnen und Kunden keinerlei Kosten oder Gebühren, der Betrag wird nach Auszahlung vom hinterlegten Bankkonto abgebucht. Im Moment ist die Nutzung für Kontoinhaber bei Vertragsbanken von Sonect möglich. Zudem ermöglicht Sonect den Nutzern, kostenlos mit einer Kreditkarte Bargeld zu beziehen.
«Dank der Partnerschaft mit Valora können wir unser Angebot auf die ganze Schweiz ausweiten und den Nutzern unserer App Bargeldbezüge an höchst attraktiven Standorten bieten», erklärt Rik Krieger, Co-Founder des Start-Ups Sonect. Am Sonect Angebot überzeugt Valora insbesondere, dass es den Kunden einen grossen Mehrwert bietet, für die Verkaufsstellen jedoch mit keinerlei Investitionskosten verbunden ist.
Win-win-Situation
Oliver Kneier
«Durch die Zusammenarbeit mit Sonect kommt Valora dem starken Kundenbedürfnis nach, neben der Möglichkeit des bargeldlosen Bezahlens auch überall Bargeld abheben zu können»,
sagt Oliver Kneier, Head of Retail Service Projects von Valora Schweiz. Valora positioniert sich mit dieser innovativen Lösung einmal mehr an der Schnittstelle zwischen der analogen und digitalen Welt. Valora wird die technischen Möglichkeiten der Digitalisierung weiter nutzen und innovative Dienstleistungen entwickeln.
 
Featured image via Valora Facebook
The post Am Kiosk nun Unkompliziert Bargeld Beziehen- Fintegration appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/am-kiosk-nun-unkompliziert-bargeld-beziehen-fintegration</link><guid>870</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Am Kiosk nun Unkompliziert Bargeld Beziehen- Fintegration</dc:text></item><item><title>5 Rising Wealthtech Stars from Singapore to Keep an Eye on</title><description><![CDATA[Singapore, a regional financial hub, has become a leading fintech hub in recent years, with wealthtech emerging as a top area of focus.
The city-state has witnessed many homegrown wealthtech startups emerge as regional and even global leaders, striking deals with leading banks and aggressively expanding across Asia. Some of them were showcased during this year’s Singapore Fintech Festival, which took place earlier this month and brought together close to 45,000 participants from almost 130 countries.
For those who could not make it to what’s believed to be the world’s biggest fintech event, the following five startups are amongst Singapore’s rising wealthtech stars they should be following very closely:
 
Bambu, Premier B2B Robo-Advisor
Bambu is a B2B digital wealth management firm providing automated, technology-augmented, and algorithm-based portfolio management services. The startup builds solutions that enable companies to make saving and investing simple and intelligent for their clients. Its cloud-based platform is powered by proprietary algorithms and machine learning tools. Bambu is also offering White Labe Robo solutions and provides an API Libary.
Year 2018 has been a marquee year for the two-year-old startup, which signed 14 clients in South East Asia, the Middle East and North and South America and opened offices in London and Kuala Lumpur. The startup also completed a US$3 million Series A funding round in July, led by Franklin Templeton Investments. It’s now focusing on further developing its proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) research and solutions and staffing up.
Bambu aims to &#8220;dominate the B2B robo-advisory market &#8221; , told us Ned Phillips, the experienced CEO in an interview.
Bambu is also alumni of the Geneva based Fintech accelerator Fusion 
White-label robo-advisor, Bambu
 
BetterTradeOff, Personal Finance Planning Solution
BetterTradeOff provides a holistic life-planning solution, Aardviser, that uses advanced statistical models and AI to allow users to make optimum decisions. Aardviser captures all details of a person’s life: salary, expenses, education costs, job progression, retirement, wedding, property, investments, insurance, and more, into a digital collaboration space where agents and their customers can plan together. The flexible, modular, white-label solution can efficiently and quickly capture a new prospect or existing client’s financial situation (KYC/FNA) to immediately engage him or her in relevant and exciting life solutions.
BetterTradeOff was one of the winners of the 2018 Global Fintech Hackelerator. Earlier this year, the startup won the DIAmond Awards at the Digital Insurance Agenda (DIA) Amsterdam 2018.

Canopy, Account Aggregation
Canopy, formerly Mesitis, is an anonymous account aggregation and analytics platform for financial institutions, wealth management professionals, and high net worth individuals. The technology allows banks like Credit Suisse, with which it has partnered, to give clients an aggregated, real-time view of their investments.
Canopy raised US$4.8 million in financing in September and recently opened a Swiss office in the city of Zug. The startup has been rapidly adding clients and has hired several high profile executives including Amit Gupta from Instarem to oversee technology and PwC veteran Michiel van Selm as operating chief.
Canopy, Credit Suisse partnership
 
Smartkarma, Investment Research 2.0
Smartkarma connects independent investment research analysts to finance professionals such as asset managers, hedge funds, boutiques investment and family offices. The cloud-based platform uses technology to provide a network for independent research analysts to curate and share research.
Smartkarma has demonstrated rapid growth since its launch in April 2016, with its top ten clients alone accounting for US$13.5 trillion of assets under management. In January, it announced the opening of its New York City office, headed by 30-year industry veteran Warren Yeh, after raising a Series B funding round which brought the company’s total funding to US$21 million. Smartkarma also has offices in London and Frankfurt.
Smartkarma
 
StashAway, B2C Robo Advisor
StashAway is an investment advisory platform that makes it easy for customers to grow and protect their wealth in the long term regardless of how much they choose to invest. Customers can open an account online or through the app in 15 minutes. StashAway has already begun expanding across the Southeast Asian region, entering the Malaysian market in late-October.
StashAway was the first, and currently the only robo-advisory platform to obtain a license from the Securities Commission Malaysia to operate in the country. It had already garnered more than 5,000 people on the waiting list prior to the launch.
StashAway
 
 
Featured image credit: edited from Freepik
The post 5 Rising Wealthtech Stars from Singapore to Keep an Eye on appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/5-rising-wealthtech-stars-from-singapore-to-keep-an-eye-on</link><guid>869</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/White-label-robo-advisor-Bambu.png</dc:content ><dc:text>5 Rising Wealthtech Stars from Singapore to Keep an Eye on</dc:text></item><item><title>Europe’s Blockchain Intermediary Bank: “Why Blockchain no longer has to be like the Wild West”</title><description><![CDATA[Bank Frick is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Chairman of the Board of Directors Mario Frick and CEO Edi Wögerer look back at two decades of entrepreneurial banking.gar
They explain why a company’s vision cannot simply be tokenism, how they generate added value for financial intermediaries, and why blockchain no longer has to be like the Wild West.
Bank Frick CEO, Edi Wögerer (left), and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bank Frick, Mario Frick: “We quickly tackle projects without them having to pass through seven hierarchical levels, leaving them watered down beyond recognition.”
In the industry, Bank Frick is seen as Europe’s leading bank when it comes to blockchain technology, yet you are somewhat displeased when blockchain is all that people associate Bank Frick with. Why is this?
Edi Wögerer: Because we are so much more than just a blockchain bank. We are a successful custodian bank for funds, and our Funds and Issues department supports our clients with bespoke products for raising equity and debt capital. We are extremely strong in the area of payment processing. We are also the only bank in Liechtenstein with so-called acquiring licences from Mastercard and Visa, for both payment service providers and their affiliated shops. We also offer a full range of traditional banking services, which enable our clients to benefit from practical one-stop banking. So you can see why we’re a little displeased with this reputation [laughs].
We quickly tackle projects without them having to pass through seven hierarchical levels, leaving them watered down beyond recognition.”
Bank Frick sees itself that it is an intermediary bank. Why do you focus on intermediaries instead of dealing directly with end clients?
Mario Frick: As is the case for all other banks in Liechtenstein, we have been seen as a “private bank” in the past, but in reality, we have always been an intermediary bank. It goes without saying that we have always wanted to attract as many good clients as possible; however, we did not do this via our own advertising or sales channels, but by focusing on cooperation with other financial intermediaries. Thus, the founders of Bank Frick in 1998 included various companies from the financial sector.
And so we provided financial services for other financial intermediaries, such as trust companies, insurers or asset managers, which then further refined these services for their clients. A year ago, we sharpened our vision and mission by underlining that our aim is to support financial intermediaries in successfully differentiating themselves from their competitors. This was all brought together into our strategy, which succinctly summarises our vision, mission and guiding principle.
Edi Wögerer: I would like to mention that we were recently visited by some external experts, who studied our strategy paper with great interest. According to them, it is extremely rare for a bank to formulate such a clear mission. We don’t see this as mere tokenism, but as a clear strategic direction. Our strategy permeates the entire Bank, and all our employees – including Mario Frick and myself – have to look at our activities and projects to check whether they contribute towards our strategy. If they don’t, then we will discontinue them.
A recognised provider of modular digital banking services for intermediaries
Why did you go to the trouble of defining a vision and mission for the Bank?
Mario Frick: We are an extremely entrepreneurial bank and tend to quickly tackle projects without them having to pass through seven hierarchical levels, leaving them watered down beyond recognition. This makes us extremely fast. One disadvantage of this, however, is that sometimes we can get up and running too quickly and then only later realise that we are heading in the wrong direction. By having a clear vision in which we position ourselves as a recognised provider of modular digital banking services for intermediaries, we can quickly ascertain whether a business idea is merely opportunistic or whether it is in line with our strategy.
Even though Bank Frick is much more than blockchain, we have to return to this topic. After all, you are known in the industry for being &#8220;the&#8221; blockchain bank. How did you get this reputation?
Read more on this topic here and find out how Bank Frick enables financial intermediaries to differentiate themselves from their competitors in the market. We’ve also got the low-down on why Mario Frick faced political opposition from some quarters when the Bank was founded and why Edi Wögerer was once banished to the basement.

Bank Frick was founded in 1998 as a four-person operation in Balzers, Liechtenstein. In 2007, the Bank moved into its new headquarters. The building has been too small for the currently 125 employees of the Bank for some time now, meaning it was necessary to rent office space in the immediate vicinity.
The post Europe&#8217;s Blockchain Intermediary Bank: &#8220;Why Blockchain no longer has to be like the Wild West&#8221; appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/europes-blockchain-intermediary-bank-why-blockchain-no-longer-has-to-be-like-the-wild-west</link><guid>868</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/bank-frick-interview.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Europe’s Blockchain Intermediary Bank: “Why Blockchain no longer has to be like the Wild West”</dc:text></item><item><title>Security Token Offerings – the next Multi-Billion Dollar Market in 2019?</title><description><![CDATA[Initial coin offerings (ICOs) were all the rage in 2017, raising a massive US$5.6 billion, but this year saw the emergence of the security token offerings (STOs), a market that’s predicted to be worth some US$10 trillion by 2020.
Image: Cryptocurrency, Pexels.com
In opposition to tokens offered in an ICO which do not give any rights or obligations and instead provide access to a specific network, platform or service, tokens offered in a STO are actual financial securities that are backed by something tangible like the assets, profits, or revenue of the company, and which offer legal rights such as voting or revenue distribution.
A security token performs the same function as a conventional security, except that it confirms ownership through blockchain transactions.
One of their appeals is that unlike utility tokens, which remain in unregulated territories in most jurisdictions, security tokens are subject to federal laws that govern securities, protecting investors on some levels.
At a breakfast briefing earlier this month, a panel of financial services veteran and crypto entrepreneurs suggested that a multi-billion dollar STO market would begin in 2019 with the first sales beginning in as little as six months, according to a Crypto Briefing report.
Daniel Masters, a former JP Morgan trader now the chairman of crypto investment provider CoinShares, said that STOs will gain serious traction in 2019 as many projects have been encouraged by the success of Overstock’s tZERO security sale, which concluded back in August.
Based on current predictions, the STO market could be worth as much as US$3 billion by the end of next year. “The market can expect well over a billion, and anywhere up to US$2-3 billion in issuance in 2019,” Masters said.
However, an industry standard is unlikely to emerge in the next few years, he noted.
Connor Cantwell, a partner at deep tech venture capital fund Cosimo Ventures, told Crypto Briefing in October that he anticipates a “tsunami of security tokens” in the near future as awareness and expertise gradually increase.
Among the pioneers in the field, Spice VC was one of the first fully tokenized venture capital funds to issue a digital security. Carlos Domingo, co-founder of Spice VC and CEO and co-founder of Securitize, a compliance platform for issuing and managing digital securities on the blockchain, shared:
“We saw the insane amount of money being raised on the Ethereum blockchain, but we also knew that raising capital for a business was, and always will be, considered issuing a security.
“We also immediately saw the potential for digital securities due to their numerous advantages over traditional securities, so it was very obvious for us what we should do.”
Prior to Spice VC, in March 2017, Blockchain Capital launched a similar venture capital fund called Blockchain III, a combination of traditional limited partnership and the Ethereum-based BCAP digital token.
According to Brock Pierce, former managing partner at Blockchain Capital, blockchain technology can help democratize access to an asset class traditionally only available to elite institutional investors by providing investors with the opportunity to invest into a fund via a liquid, tradable, digital token. Security tokens also make fractional ownership possible.
Another company that’s been tapping into the STO craze is Polymath which has been positioning itself as the Ethereum of security tokens. The firm has created a platform that aims to simplify the process of conducting STOs – the same way Ethereum has simplified ICOs.
Prior to releasing their STO on the Polymath platform, companies are guided through the legal and technological processes before issuance. The tokens released are intended to be compliant with KYC/AML requirements and securities laws in whatever jurisdictions they touch.
 

The post Security Token Offerings &#8211; the next Multi-Billion Dollar Market in 2019? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/security-token-offerings-the-next-multi-billion-dollar-market-in-2019</link><guid>858</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/cryptocurrency-pexels.com_-300x187.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Security Token Offerings – the next Multi-Billion Dollar Market in 2019?</dc:text></item><item><title>FundTech – die nächste Herausforderung für das Asset Management</title><description><![CDATA[Die möglichen Auswirkungen von Blockchain und künstlicher Intelligenz auf die Fonds- und Asset Management Branche standen im Zentrum des Swiss Fund Day 2018. Die neuen Technologien bergen grosses Potenzial in den Bereichen Wertschöpfung und Kostenreduktion.
Die 13. Ausgabe des Swiss Fund Day wurde am 22. November 2018 von Quartal Financial Solutions, der Swiss Funds &amp; Asset Management Association SFAMA und State Street in Zürich durchgeführt. Wie bereits bei den früheren Veranstaltungen lag der Fokus auf technischen, prozessualen und operativen Aspekten.
2018 &#8211; FundTech via swissfundday.ch
Der Swiss Fund Day 2018 stand ganz im Zeichen der sogenannten vierten industriellen Revolution. Die neuen Technologien wie Blockchain und künstliche Intelligenz können die Wertschöpfungskette im Asset Management nachhaltig verändern und die Kosten markant reduzieren. Gemäss aktuellen Studien sind bislang nur 10% der FinTech-Startup-Investitionen ins Asset Management geflossen.
Während 73% der Gelder im Retail- und KMU-Banking investiert wurden – mehrheitlich in Projekte rund um den Zahlungsverkehr. Ausgewiesene Referenten zeigten auf, welche Auswirkungen die neuen Technologien im Asset Management haben und wie sie neue Wege in den Bereichen Prozesse, IT und Backoffice eröffnen können.
Kostenreduktion, Investitionsbedarf
Nach der Begrüssung durch Damian Tobler, Partner, Kendris AG, kam Markus Fuchs, Geschäftsführer, SFAMA, in seiner Einführung auf die Ambiguität gegenüber FinTech, RegTech und Blockchain zu sprechen. Auf der einen Seite bestehen Ängste, obsolet zu werden. Zudem können die neuen Technologien eine Gefahr für den Finanzmarkt als Ganzes darstellen. Auf der anderen Seite gibt es die Hoffnung, damit die Kosten senken und so die Margen halten zu können. Joseph Pinto, Global Chief Operating Officer, AXA Investment Managers, zeigte auf, wie die neuen Technologien die Strategie eines global tätigen Asset Managers beeinflussen.
Um neue Wertschöpfungsquellen zu erschliessen, braucht es nebst dem Aufbau einer Technologieplattform vor allem die Schaffung einer digitalen Kultur. Dabei gilt es, neue Verhaltensweisen zu lernen und alte Gewohnheiten loszulassen. Auf das Investment von State Street in neue Technologien fokussierte Kirk Wylie, Principal Risk Architect und Senior Vice President, State Street.
Das Unternehmen befindet sich in der Anfangsphase einer mehrjährigen Technologietransformation. Diese verlangt signifikante Investitionen und neue Ansätze in Bereichen, die bis jetzt ausserhalb des traditionellen Asset Managements lagen (z.B.Big Data, Micro-Services und Hybrid Clouds).
Neue Möglichkeiten, Risikomanagement
David Wright, EMEA Head of Product Strategy for the Systematic Active Equity, BlackRock, erläuterte die Möglichkeiten von Big Data und Machine Learning bei Aktieninvestitionen. Die Art und Weise, wie Menschen heute interagieren, handeln, arbeiten und konsumieren, war noch vor einem Jahrzehnt kaum vorstellbar. Technologie und die Explosion von Big Data prägen die Anlagestrategien der Zukunft. Das Management der Risiken und der Komplexität bei Investmentsystemen war das Thema von Tom Howat, Chief Technology Officer, GAM Systematic | Cantab.
Investmentsysteme können sehr komplex sein, was wiederum ein Risiko für das Unternehmen darstellt. Dieses kann durch Grundprinzipien der Software-Entwicklung – wie beispielsweise Audit, Testing und Rollback – reduziert werden. Zabrina Smith, Vice President Market Advocacy &amp; Innovation Research, Northern Trust, zeigte die Innovationen von Blockchain und künstlicher Intelligenz für die Fonds- und Asset Management Industrie auf.
Anhand einer praktischen Fallstudie über eine kommerzielle Blockchain-Live-Implementierung wurde der Ansatz von Northern Trust zur Erforschung und Entwicklung von Prototypen und Piloten erklärt. Auch ethische Überlegungen zur Nutzung künstlicher Intelligenz kamen dabei zur Sprache.
Anschliessend fand unter der Leitung von Anke Dembowski, Co-Founder &amp; Geschäftsführerin, Fondsfrauen GmbH, eine Diskussion statt zum Thema „Millenials vs Dinosaurier – Haben die Asset Manager den Anschluss verpasst?
 
Featured image credit:swissfundday.ch
The post FundTech – die nächste Herausforderung für das Asset Management appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fundtech-die-nachste-herausforderung-fur-das-asset-management</link><guid>859</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/sfd-2018.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>FundTech – die nächste Herausforderung für das Asset Management</dc:text></item><item><title>F10 Presents the Startups for the Accelerator Program in December</title><description><![CDATA[The Zurich Based accelerator F10 selected 15 Fintech Startups to to start the six-month «Prototype to Product» Program in Zurich.
Batch IV will kick-off on the 3rd of December 2018 and will finish with the Demo Day on the 16th of May. Over 350 applicants from all over the world were interested in getting a spot in the program.
After 60 online interviews and the Speed Dating of the selected Top 25, the F10 team and their Corporate Members made a final decision. The following FinTech, RegTech and InsurTech Startups achieved the first milestone to transform their ideas into successful companies. F10 is excited to spend productive and inspiring hours with Batch IV.

0per
Revolutionizing the credit industry with “credit operations-as-a-service”

advAIsor.io
We help corporates understanding emotions of their clients and employees
 
ambrpay
Subscription payments with cryptocurrency

Bambus
Bringing professional investing to homeowners
 
Blocknify
Sign and create approval processes with trust and privacy built-in

BlockState
Blockchain Infrastructure for Financial Institutions
 
Daego
The Dægo Network is a globally scalable framework for decentralized, self-sovereign identity

Ex indiciis
We bring banks closer to their clients
 
Finteum
Finteum aims to create a global financial market for institutional intraday borrowing

iBEx Insured
Lean P2P insurance with an innovative premium calculation offering more affordable insurance
 
Interlockledger
Truly distributed blockchain. No coin, no mining, just trust

Jacob
We support our clients to excel with fast-changing regulations through the use of modern technology
 
Reportix GmbH
Human-friendly complex data management and contract automation optionally for blockchain-based distributed ledgers

ShareMy
A B2B “On-Demand” micro insurance platform, for the P2P Economy. Based on a shared ledger
 
VerilCO
VeriICO builds AI tools for venture investors to safer smarter investment
 
Who is the program for?
For international FinTech, RegTech and InsurTech Startups with, at minimum, a prototype and looking to develop their solution with the support of F10, its Coaches, Corporate Members and its extensive Mentor network.
As THE HOME OF FINTECH, F10 provides access to the vibrant FinTech ecosystem in Switzerland. The Corporate Members are at the core of the program and a strong backbone on the path to success.
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Unsplash
 
The post F10 Presents the Startups for the Accelerator Program in December appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/f10-presents-the-startups-for-the-accelerator-program-in-december</link><guid>860</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/0per-300x101.png</dc:content ><dc:text>F10 Presents the Startups for the Accelerator Program in December</dc:text></item><item><title>Blockchain Forum Switzerland 2019: Vom Franken zum Bitcoin</title><description><![CDATA[Distributed ledger technology gewinnt weltweit an Bedeutung. Unzählige Projekte wurden bereits auf den Weg gebracht und etablieren sich schrittweise in den verschiedensten Branchen.
Dabei sind die Anwendungsbereiche vielfältig: angefangen mit Cryptocurrencies über Supply Chain, Wahlen oder Energieversorgung.
Am 21. Januar 2019 kommen beim dritten Blockchain Forum Experten der Distributed Ledger Technology in Zürich zusammen. In einer Vielzahl hochkarätiger Vorträge und Diskussionen werden die unterschiedlichen Anwendungsbereiche beleuchtet und aus verschiedenen Perspektiven diskutiert.
Dabei werden die finanzmarktrechtlichen Rahmenbedingen in der Schweiz ebenso wie die internationalen finanzmarktrechtlichen Regulierungen vorgestellt. Da Cryptocurrencies eine häufig nicht gewünschte Volatilität aufweisen, wird eine Möglichkeit aufgezeigt, diese zu reduzieren. Darüberhinaus stellen verschiedene Experten wegweisende Blockchain-Projekte und Use Cases auch für Unternehmensanwendungen vor.
Ob visionär angedacht oder bereits implementiert, ein besonderes Augenmerk wird jeweils darauf gerichtet, in welchen Fällen die Blockchain das richtige Tool zum Erreichen der unternehmerischen Ziele ist. Ein besonderes Highlight ist die Keynote von Prof. Dr. Aleksander Berentsen, der Universität Basel mit dem Titel: “Vom Franken zum Bitcoin &#8211; Hat unsere Währung ausgedient?”
Jetzt registieren und 10% Discount sichern mit Code: BCF10FNS

 
Featured image credit: Pixabay
The post Blockchain Forum Switzerland 2019: Vom Franken zum Bitcoin appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/blockchain-forum-switzerland-2019-vom-franken-zum-bitcoin</link><guid>861</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/blockchain-forum.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Blockchain Forum Switzerland 2019: Vom Franken zum Bitcoin</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss RegTech Startup Map (Q3)</title><description><![CDATA[RegTech is a shorthand for regulatory tech, a subset of fintech that focuses on technologies that could help facilitate the delivery of regulatory requirements in a comprehensive and cost-effective way.
The rise of RegTech was only a matter of time, following the traditional difficulty that fintechs have had over the years to stay compliant while remaining fluid and agile in their businesses. After all, compliance is not an option—not after the 2008 financial crisis.
And there could be real money in RegTech. The global RegTech market revenue is estimated to be at US$2,321.5 million this year, and is expected to reach US$7,207.6 million by 2023.
Each quarter, Swisscom teams up with e-foresight to publish a market overview of Swiss RegTech start-ups with a categorisation based on areas of activity.
The focus is on the following areas:

 
Authentication
Fidentity
fidentity provides digital identification with seamless user experience. An API enables integration in 3rd party websites, mobile sites, apps or even messengers. Its ease of use leads to minimal acquisition costs.
 
 
 
Biowatch
Biowatch transforms the user’s wristwatch into a means of identification. A module, which fits  into the strap of any watch, identifies the user  from their unique vein pattern.Watches could  therefore replace passwords, badges and car keys. Biowatch completed a financing round at the beginning of this year and demonstrated a fully functional prototype for the first time in June.
 
 
Futurae
Creating fast, simple and hands-off two-factor user authentication for online applications that require additional security by pairing mobile devices with computers in the vicinity of each other.
 
 
 
Procivis
 

PROCIVIS is a Swiss based start-up offering digital identity solutions and e-government applications and services. Founded in October 2016 by a team of experts in blockchain technology, e-government infrastructure, investment banking as well as by influential academicians, the company aims to spearhead the transition to e-governance in Switzerland and abroad.
 
 
 
OneVisage
OneVisage is a Swiss cyber-security company founded in 2013 with the vision to bring secure and convenient authentication services to mass-markets using standard mobile devices (BYOD).
 
 
 
Synacts
We solve the problem of an increasing amount of data that is created and used by people. Today, this data is locked into silos at companies which leads to unacceptable risks as seen with Equifax and many others but also denies the user to control over what happens with their data.
 
 
Signatys
Signatys is a Swiss company focusing on the quality and security of digital relationships. Signatys offers a new way of exchanging and signing documents based on a level of trust equivalent to an identification made by a bank.
 
 
 
Spitch
Spitch is a Swiss provider of solutions based on Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) and voice biometrics, Voice User Interfaces (VUI), and natural language voice data analytics.
 
 
 
AML / KYC
KYC Exchange Net AG
KYC Exchange Net provides financial institutions with a secure communication platform, called KEN, for know-your-customer and customer due diligence (KYC/CDD) purposes.
 
 
 
FinForm
Finform, a joint venture of Axon Ivy and PostFinance, was founded in June 2016. The company specializes in standardizing, industrializing and digitalizing compliance formalities.
 
 
 
Polixis
Polixis is known to the market as a boutique, best-in-class advisory firm, specializing in the emerging markets Risk &amp; Compliance. With ARDIS that stands for Applied Risk &amp; Data Intelligence Solution, we take this expertise to the next level by blending human expertise with machine intelligence and big data. The result is a unique technological solution that aims to change the way Risk &amp; Compliance teams work on client and transactional due diligence, political and country risk analysis.
 
Chaordic
Chaordic specialise in Client Due Diligence technology which helps financial institutions with AML, CRS &amp; FATCA compliance throughout the client lifecycle.
 
 
 
 
Background Check
SwissMetrics
SwissMetrics provides a collaborative credit risk monitoring platform allowing for companies to monitor the financial health of their customers, suppliers and potential acquisitions.
 
 
 
Crossborder &amp; Tax Solutions
TaxLevel
TaxLevel &#8220;THE NEXT LEVEL IN TAX REPORTING&#8221; With TaxLevel we offer professional services for companies and individuals in the field of tax reporting. Our end products support taxable legal or natural persons abroad.
 
 
 
Indigita
indigita is a RegTech company providing banks with digitized regulatory smart data for cross-border banking. It takes the best from its parent companies, BRP and Orbium, experts in regulatory and IT consultancy, to develop the perfect solution to meet the ever-changing cross-border regulatory challenges.
 
 
 
Confinale
Confinale is a consultancy and software development company that specializes in digitalization projects for the banking sector. We find solutions for current and future challenges either by implementing new functionalities in existing bank software or by developing totally new applications.
 
 
 
Enterprise Risk Management / Fraud Detection
RegData
RegData clears you through regulatory and technical borders, especially during the aggregation of data from any source and when it is shared. Its transparent, unintrusive integration, no matter the languages and protocols, allows you to lead innovative strategies for your company’s data.
 
 
 
Swiss Finlab
New solutions are needed for managing personal data and personal wealth &#8211; We explore &amp; build them. We believe that the successful company of the future will have access to customer data, the ability to analyze it and use it for intuitive applications. We at SWISS FIN LAB can help you with exactly that. We are really good at investments, managing and analyzing data and making beautiful and intuitive applications.
 
 
 
Investment Risk Management / Quantitative Analytics
Investment Navigator
Investment Navigator is operated by Investment Navigator AG based in Zurich. Investment Navigator AG works closely with fundinfo, the leading platform for information and mandatory disclosures in the fund sector.
 
 
 
FinHorizon AG
finhorizon’s portal translates complex investment research results to intuitive decision indicators. This novel approach allows all investors to easily find assets that exactly match their risk tolerance and return goals out of all instruments world-wide. They can automatically compile and manage their own optimal personalized portfolios.
 
 
InvestGlass
Founded in 2014, InvestGlass provides a white-labeled, client and prospect management platform for bankers, wealth managers and advisors. The platform is designed to facilitate more efficient prospecting and onboarding of new clients, as well as the management relationships with existing clients. Components include a content management system, CRM, and client portal.
 
 
EdgeLab
EdgeLab is a fintech company providing an investment intelligence web platform to help financial institutions taking smarter decisions.
 
 
 
 
AAAccell
AAAccell a leading innovation company in asset-and risk management developing cutting-edge high-tech solutions for the financial service market.
 
 
 
 
Riskifier
Riskifier makes investment risk profiling simple, fun and insightful for everyone. Our solution uses latest advances of artificial intelligence to fulfill the requirements of MiFID II/FIDLEG investor risk profiling and KYC data collection, while digitalizing &amp; gamifying user experience as well unleashing advantages of behavior based personalized investment risk profiles.
 
 
Integration Alpha
We are a boutique data strategy consulting firm with a focus on guiding organizations on their journey towards data-driven business and industry models. More than ever before, success at doing business, at keeping clients engaged and at maintaining an edge over competitors is dependent on the intelligent use (and exploitation) of data. Not in the form most businesses are accustomed to today but as continuous streams of specific intelligence.
 
Regulatory Mapping
Apiax
Apiax is an early-stage startup that aims at generating better access to compliance regulations. It provides easily integrated public programming interfaces (APIs) that facilitate access to always up-to-date and verified compliance rules.
 
 
 
Capnovum
Capnovum introduces a new chapter by empowering clients to manage change self-sufficiently.  Asset based services help our clients stay informed and in control of ever more complex regulatory requirements. Our clients, investing in their own resources; mitigate risk, drive down cost of change, and reduce dependence on management consultants for execution.
 
 
Lari
LARI helps businesses to keep track of legal and regulatory changes. Our mission is to promote collaboration and increase workflow productivity of corporate legal departments. LARI is an intelligent issue management platform for legal and compliance departments. It automatically discovers the latest updates in laws and regulations impacting a company. It helps teams to understand those changes and translate them into actionable and auditable items.
 
 
Indagia
The world’s first and only fully integrated platform powered by artificial intelligence for external audit. Thanks to artificial intelligence indagia can greatly increase the efficiency and accuracy of a financial audit, by analyzing up to 100% of all transactions. In addition, our software can perform automatic risk assessments and propose tailormade audit procedures. With the help of RPA analytical procedures and test of details are perform in minutes!
 
 
 
The post Swiss RegTech Startup Map (Q3) appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-regtech-startup-map-q3</link><guid>862</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Swiss-RegTech-Map-November.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss RegTech Startup Map (Q3)</dc:text></item><item><title>10 Interview Fragen an LoyaltyCoin: Treueprogramme auf der Blockchain</title><description><![CDATA[Das Treueprogramm Blockchain Startup LoyaltyCoin stellt sich im Interview der Redaktion von Startupszene.
Was ist die Geschäftsidee?
LoyaltyCoin entwickelt digitale Treueprogramme und macht Punkte tauschbar (zw. Kunden, peer-to-peer). Dank Blockchain verbinden wir individuelle Geschäfte miteinander und bieten den Unternehmen steigende Netzwerkvorteile bei fixen Kosten (kein Kostentransfer) und ohne Bedarf von Verträge untereinander (dezentral). Der Verbund macht jedes Programm attraktiv insb. für Wechsel- und Neukunden.
Wie ist die Geschäftsidee entstanden?
Blockchain Technologie ermöglicht die Digitalisierung und den effizienten Tausch (dezentralen, d.h. ohne zentrale Kontrollinstanz, mit effizienter Marktpreisfindung sowie globaler Liquidität) von bisher illiquiden Gütern. Wir identifizierten 2016 die bisher stark fragmentierten Treueprogramme als ideales Anwendungsfeld um die Vorteile der Blockchain Technologie zu nutzen.
Woher stammt das Startkapital des Startups?
Gründungskapital 2017, Friends &amp; Family im 2018 und aktuell bereiten wir unsere nächste Finanzierungsrunde vor um 2019 bis 2020 die Plattform in der Schweiz zu pushen (B2B Sales Push &amp; weitere Anwendungsbereiche der Kommerzialisierung lokaler Netzwerke durch digitalisierte Rewards zu entwickeln) und erste Pilot der globalen Plattform vorzubereiten (D, US &amp; Dubai).
Womit verdient das Startup Geld?
Mit dem Entwickeln und Betreiben digitaler Kundenbindungs- und Treueprogrammen. Mit dem Anbieten von zusätzlichem Marketing-Support (Sales Kampagnen zur Aktivierung von Mehrumsatz). Mit dem Anbieten von Kundendatenanalysen zum Bessern Verständnis der Kaufverhalten (Kundensegmentierung, etc.) und mit dem Betreiben der Blockchain (kleine Gebühr bei jedem Tausch an Punkten).
Wo liegt der USP (Alleinstellungsmerkmal) des Startups?
Wir machen Treueprogramme tauschbar und verbinden diese digital via dezentralem Marktplatz. So ermöglichen wir den Kunden Wahlmöglichkeit und Einfachheit und den Treueprogrammen mehr Umsatzaktivierung und Neukundengewinnung durch steigende Plattformeffekte mit fixen Kosten und ohne Verträge mit restlichen Netzwerkpartnern.
Was war die bisher grösste Herausforderung?
Reorganisation des Gründer-Teams zu einem schlagkräftigen operativen Kernteam mit dem Exit von einzelnen Gründern und dem Finden und Onboarden neuer, motivierter Mitarbeiter zur Verstärkung des bisherigen Teams.
Was war der bisher grösste Erfolg?
Im September 2017 gingen wir als weltweit eines der ersten Blockchain Start-ups und Pionier des CryptoValleys live mit unserem effektiven Use-Case. In den ersten 12 Monaten konnten wir dank unseren fünf digitalen Treueprogrammen direkt messbare Beiträge von bis zu &gt;10% Mehrumsatz für unsere Partner aktivieren und steigende Plattformvorteile aufzeigen (&gt;5% Neukundengewinnung).
Was sind die nächsten Schritte?
Finanzierung des B2B Sales Push in der CH, globale Piloten in D, US, Dsowie Ausbau von Anwendungsmöglichkeiten (Kommerzialisierung lokaler Communities, Direktkontakt von Produzent zu Endkonsumenten via QR-Code auf Produkt, Tourismus-Hub, etc.)
Die Schweiz ist ein guter Standort für Startups, weil
das CryptoValley als weltweit führend gilt und somit interessierte potenzielle Mitarbeiter, Investoren und Partner zu uns bringen kann.
Was kann die Schweiz für Startups besser machen?
Mehr Risiko-Akzeptanz und Risiko-Kapital mit höheren Tickets in potenzielle Unicorns (high potential with high risk of failure). Spezifisch für die Blockchain Szene sollten Schweizer Banken Blockchain Unternehmen als Chance und nicht als Gefahr sehen (seit Feb-18 gab es nur noch eine limitierte Anzahl Banken in der Schweiz, welche Blockchain Unternehmen unterstützten – mit neuer Richtlinie des CH Bankierverbands erhofft sich die Szene mehr Unterstützung).
 
Dieses Interview stammt von unserem Partner-Blog startupszene.ch
The post 10 Interview Fragen an LoyaltyCoin: Treueprogramme auf der Blockchain appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/10-interview-fragen-an-loyaltycoin-treueprogramme-auf-der-blockchain</link><guid>863</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>10 Interview Fragen an LoyaltyCoin: Treueprogramme auf der Blockchain</dc:text></item><item><title>Die erste Open Banking Konferenz in der Schweiz (seit 2017)</title><description><![CDATA[Heute stehen Banken, begünstigt durch den technologischen Wandel, verschiedenen Trends gegenüber.
Dabei rangiert Open Banking unter den wichtigsten Trends in der Finanzindustrie. Open Banking bietet sowohl den traditionellen als auch den neuen Playern in der Finanzindustrie ganz neue Möglichkeiten bei der Gestaltung ihres Produktportfolios und der Ausgestaltung der Unternehmensstrategie.
Aufgrund der strengen gesetzlichen Regulierung, einer Vielzahl verschiedener APIs und strengen Datenschutzrichtlinien, um nur wenige Herausforderungen zu nennen, ist es nicht einfach, die richtige Strategie zu finden und daraus sinnvolle Handlungsoptionen abzuleiten.
Die entscheidende Frage ist, welche Rolle die Finanzinstitute in der sich neu entwickelnden Konstellation spielen möchten und welche Ziele die neuen Player anstreben. Das Open Banking Forum, das am 22. Januar 2019 zum dritten Mal in Zürich stattfinden wird, bringt Experten, Vordenker und Fachleute rund um Innovationen im Banking zusammen.
Mit einer grossen Anzahl an hochkarätigen Referenten und vielfältigen Präsentationen, zahlreichen Diskussionen und genug Zeit zum persönlichen Austausch mit den Referenten und Teilnehmern, bietet es eine Plattform zur Erweiterung des Wissens und Erfahrungsaustausch rund um das Thema Open Banking.
Thematisiert werden weltweite Open Banking Projekte, ein Überblick der unterschiedlichen APIs und den entsprechenden Handlungsoptionen, Use cases zu Access-to-account, FinTech Innovationen hierzulande und in den baltischen Ländern sowie die Notwendigkeit von Veränderungen im Mindset der Mitarbeiter und der Unternehmensführung für die erfolgreiche Umsetzung von Open Banking Projekten.
Jetzt registieren und 10% Discount sichern mit Code: OBF10FNS
Jetzt registieren und 10% Discount sichern mit Code: OBF10FNS
 
Featured image credit: Unsplash
The post Die erste Open Banking Konferenz in der Schweiz (seit 2017) appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/die-erste-open-banking-konferenz-in-der-schweiz-seit-2017</link><guid>864</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/open-banking-forum.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Die erste Open Banking Konferenz in der Schweiz (seit 2017)</dc:text></item><item><title>New Advisor for Evolute</title><description><![CDATA[Florian Herzog joined Evolute Group AG’s Advisory Board on 1 November 2018.
After the addition of Patrick Barnert to the Board of Directors, Herzog’s role sees another established expert in the start-up field ccommits themselves to one of the most innovative wealthtech companies of the future.
As co-founder of the software provider SwissQuant, Herzog is no newcomer to the Swiss financial market. Evolute will be able to benefit from his valuable experience in the development of fintech companies. The keen yachtsman will also support the Zurich-based start-up with his extensive technical expertise:
Florian Herzog
‘The future of asset managers lies in technological support and the automation of various tasks, ideally provided via a platform. Evolute’s integrated asset management software puts it in an excellent position. With my knowledge of mathematics and IT paired with my practical business experience, I will be able to continue driving forward the development of Evolute’s hybrid wealth management model,’
says Herzog.
In addition to his involvement with wealthtech, the father of two is also a lecturer at ETH Zurich, member of the management team at Deon Digital AG, and member of the Investment Committee of the Vita Joint Foundation (CHF 12 billion AUM).
‘With Florian, we have gained an innovative academic with a wealth of practical experience in the financial sector. We are very much looking forward to the future with him,’
comments Michael Hartweg, Chairman of Evolute Group AG’s Board of Directors.
 
Featured image credit: Edited from EvoluteAG
The post New Advisor for Evolute appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-advisor-for-evolute</link><guid>865</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>New Advisor for Evolute</dc:text></item><item><title>Cryptobikes: Zug Residents Can Now Ride e-Bikes Using Their Zug Digital IDs</title><description><![CDATA[


Last November, the Swiss city of Zug officially launched its Zug eID, an opportunity for its residents to register for a decentralized, digital identity powered by uPort.
Since then, Zug residents have been able to adopt e-services such as online voting and proof of residency. Building on this momentum, and with visions of powering a smart city and sharing economy enabled by self-sovereign identity, AirBie, a bike sharing service that uses uPort, launched today a pilot in the city of Zug.
Over the past year, we heard from our community that it was critical to facilitate on-boarding and deliver a more scalable solution. So, we embarked on a major revamp of our architecture and released it recently, to make identity creation instantaneous and power more scalable projects. Because we believe in human-centricity and having our products be made simple to use by anyone, we are excited to partner with startups like AirBie that are focused on bringing Ethereum-based services into the smart mobility space.
This is a major milestone for the residents of Zug. Not only can they use their uPort-enabled Zug ID for online government services, but they can now also start using it for their everyday mobility needs. As verified residents of Zug, they get free access to use AirBie Cryptobikes for 20 hours — a perk that non-residents currently do not have access to.
With this use case, we see that digital citizenship has not only enabled more trust between citizens and the local government, but it also opens up a wider range of opportunities for “verified” citizens (or residents) to access services from the private sector.
At uPort, we are excited to see this pilot as a first step of using self sovereign identity to power smart urban mobility. This is a great example of the types of ecosystems that we can enable using user-centric decentralized identity.






Now let’s learn more about this e-bike sharing service!
AirBie was founded in Switzerland by Christian Raemy and Philipp Zollinger in 2018 with the aim of enabling the Internet of Things (IoT) using blockchain technology. They believe it is of utmost importance to build real-life blockchain applications that demonstrate the advantages of this powerful new technology to a wider range of users. Their first device is the smart lock used on the Zug e-bikes. On the topic of why they chose this use case, Philipp said “Renting a bike by identifying yourself with a blockchain based digital ID and paying a deposit and the rent with cryptocurrency is a very simple real-life use-case that combines two blockchain applications (identification and paying/depositing).”
The team behind AirBie are big advocates of personal data protection. They believe in returning the control of personal data to the user using a decentralized identity service. With uPort, users are able to not only verify that the individuals accessing their bikes are relatively trustworthy individuals (“Zug residents”) but also can return data control back to the individuals. Christian says, “This is an exciting blockchain use-case empowering the sharing economy with a decentralized digital identity.”
How does a Zug resident with a uPort-verified ID use AirBie bikes?
The process is fairly seamless.


If the Zug resident does not have a Zug eID using uPort, he or she can follow the process outlined on the city website or on our medium post to receive an eID.
The resident then downloads the AirBie app. To log in, he or she is redirected to uPort to share the credential “Digitalid” attested by the city of Zug (i.e. verifiable claim issued by the city government of Zug).
Once verified, the resident is now logged in and can find a bike nearby on the map to unlock it.
Once the journey is completed, the resident can park the bike anywhere and lock it using the app to end the trip.

 
What’s next for AirBie?
The above flow is made possible with the uPort Connect Library (see Github for more information on this library and more). In their next implementation of the flow for AirBie bikes, the team will improve the solution built by integrating additional uPort features such as credential issuance for reward, programs among other things.
Additionally, they are looking to continue innovating the ways that the blockchain can power IoT devices and the sharing economy. In their roadmap, they plan to enable anyone who owns a bike to use the AirBie smart lock to rent or offer their bikes to others. “Owners” will be able to issue credentials, and only those with the “owner”-verified credentials will be able to rent the bike. This feature is not only interesting for cities, but also for apartment communities, hotels, or within friends and family.
 

This article first appeared on medium.com


The post Cryptobikes: Zug Residents Can Now Ride e-Bikes Using Their Zug Digital IDs appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/cryptobikes-zug-residents-can-now-ride-e-bikes-using-their-zug-digital-ids</link><guid>866</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Airbie-Ebike-1024x768.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>Cryptobikes: Zug Residents Can Now Ride e-Bikes Using Their Zug Digital IDs</dc:text></item><item><title>Partnerschaft: PwC Schweiz und Crypto Finance Conference</title><description><![CDATA[Im Verlauf des letzten Jahres hat sich die Crypto Finance Conference (CFC) zu einer wichtigen Plattform und Anlass für seriöse Investoren und Blockchain Interessenten etabliert.
Kurz nach dem überwältigenden Erfolg der ersten Konferenz in St. Moritz im Januar 2018 wurde vom achtköpfigen Verwaltungsrat beschlossen noch im gleichen Jahr mit der Konferenz zuerst nach Genf und dann nach Kalifornien, USA zu expandieren. Bevor es im Frühling 2019 nach Tokio, Japan geht, kehrt die exklusive Konferenz noch einmal da ein wo alles angefangen hat: Im Suvretta House in St. Moritz –nur eine Woche vor dem WEF in Davos.
Dr. Guenther Dobrauz-Saldapenna, Partner and Leader PwC Legal Switzerland, sowie auch weitere PwC Experten haben die Crypto Finance Conference seit der ersten Stunde mit wertvollen Auftritten und Inhalten unterstützt. Mit der Expansion der Konferenz in neue Märkte, wird die Zusammenarbeit mit etablierten Industrie-Experten essentiell um die bereits hohe Qualität der CFC zu halten und zu steigern sowie den Erwartungen des exklusiven Klientels gerecht zu werden. Nach der erfolgreichen Zusammenarbeit zwischen PwC und CFC im letzten Jahr sind beide Firmen kürzlich eine offizielle Partnerschaft für zukünftige Konferenzen eingegangen.
Nicolo Stoehr
“Durch informative und inspirierende Auftritte hat Dr. Günther Dobrauz-Saldapenna sehr viel zu unseren ersten drei Konferenzen beigetragen. Wir sind hocherfreut diese Zusammenarbeit nun auszubauen und PwC als offiziellen Partner an der CFC begrüssen zu dürfen. Wir freuen uns zudem sehr auf den Wissenstransfer, der zukünftig verstärkt an unseren Konferenzen stattfinden wird durch Auftritte und Beiträge von PwC Experten. Dies wird vor allem den internationalen Teilnehmern unserer Konferenzen zu Gute kommen.”
sagt Nicolo Stoehr, CEO der Crypto Finance Conference.
Dieter Wirth
“Blockchain ist eine der revolutionärsten Technologien unserer Zeit, die grossen Einfluss auf unser Leben nehmen wird.
Somit steht die Technologie natürlich ganz oben auf unserer Agenda und wir sind stolz darauf, ein diverses Team von Experten aus verschiedenen Gebieten zur Verfügung stellen zu können, um unseren Kunden bei der Lösung von Problemen und dem Aufbau von Vertrauen in Technologie –und somit auch in die Gesellschaft– helfen zu können.
Die CFC hat sich zu einem der wichtigsten Anlässe für Industrie Experten und Leaders entwickelt und wir freuen uns im Rahmen der Partnerschaft dazu beitragen zu können.”
sagt Dieter Wirth, Mitglied der Geschäftsleitung PwC Schweiz und Executive Team PwC Europe.
The post Partnerschaft: PwC Schweiz und Crypto Finance Conference appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/partnerschaft-pwc-schweiz-und-crypto-finance-conference</link><guid>867</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Partnerschaft: PwC Schweiz und Crypto Finance Conference</dc:text></item><item><title>19 Influential Fintech Founders in Germany, Austria and Switzerland (DACH)</title><description><![CDATA[With 100 million Internet users, a developed tech community and a large pool of investors, the DACH region, which comprises Germany, Austria and Switzerland, is one of the fastest growing EU economic regions with a booming fintech sector.
DACH is home to some of Europe’s most successful fintech firms and hottest rising stars, from mobile-first bank N26 and banking platform provider solarisBank, to insurtech firm Wefox Group and blockchain hub Trust Square.
With the emergence of fintech, the region has witnessed the surge of up-and-coming entrepreneurs who have been rapidly making a name for themselves on the global fintech scene. The following fintech founders are some of the most influential in the DACH region:
Valentin Stalf (Germany)
Co-Founder and CEO, N26
Linkedin | Twitter

Valentin Stalf is the co-founder and CEO of N26, a mobile-first bank in Germany. Stalf has been a member of advisory board at N26 Bank since July 20, 2016. Before N26, Stalf was an Entrepreneur in Residence for Rocket Internet, an incubator and investor in online startups. There, he helped to develop several companies in the mobile payments industry, including payleven and Paymill. Stalf has also worked in a number of fields including strategy consulting and investment banking/mergers and acquisition.
Alexander Graubner-Müller (Germany)
Co-Founder and CEO, Kreditech
Linkedin | Twitter

Alexander Graubner-Müller is the founder and CEO of Kreditech, a German online lender offering loans to individuals. Having led the tech-side of Kreditech as CTO for three years, he took over the CEO position in November 2015. Prior to founding Kreditech, Graubner-Müller co-founded and sold the prediction-market engine PredictX. Before this, he managed engineering and product development at Rocket Internet in Asia, and worked as a financial engineer with the research team at LGT Capital Management.
André M. Bajorat (Germany)
Co-Founder and CEO, Figo
Linkedin | Twitter

André M. Bajorat is the co-founder and CEO of Figo, a banking-as-a-service platform, as well as a member of the advisory board at FinLeap and Cringle. He is a specialist in fintech and publisher of the Fintech Blog. Before his work at Figo, he was the CEO at NumberFour, a technology startup, the director of Giropay, a German online payment system, and the director at Star Finanz, a provider of online banking solutions.
Matthias Kröner (Germany)
Founder and CEO, Fidor
Linkedin | Twitter

Matthias Kröner is the co-founder and CEO of Fidor Bank, a leading neobank most recently acquired by the group BPCE. Prior to founding Fidor Bank, Kröner co-developed the first continental European online broker known as DAB Bank. In 1997, he was recognized as the youngest CEO of Direkt Anlage Bank at the age of 32.
Tamaz Georgadze (Germany)
Co-Founder and CEO, Raisin
Linkedin | Twitter

Tamaz Georgadze is the co-founder and CEO of Raisin, a marketplace for term deposits from partner banks across Europe. Prior to Raisin, Georgadze held a 10-year career at McKinsey &amp; Company in Berlin, where he served as partner and provided consultation services for retail banks in Germany, Switzerland, Russia, Georgia and Vietnam. Prior to that, he served as aide to the President of Georgia in the foreign relations department and is currently an independent non-executive director at both Bank of Georgia Group PLC and JSC Bank of Georgia.
Marko Wenthin (Germany)
Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer, solarisBank
Linkedin

Marko Wenthin is the co-founder and chief commercial officer of solarisBank, a banking platform. Before co-founding solarisBank, Wenthin was the managing director of Deutsche Handelsbank specializing in lending to Internet companies and providing payment solutions to both on and offline businesses. He was also the CEO and founder of GroupPlatina where he created Sofort Bank, the banking sister of sofortueberweisung.de, Germany’s largest e-commerce payment provider.
Julian Teicke (Germany)
Founder and CEO, Wefox Group
Linkedin | Twitter

Julian Teicke is the founder and CEO of the Wefox Group, formerly FinanceFox, an online insurance management platform that facilitates communication between insurance brokers, insurance companies, and customers. Teicke is also the co-founder of DeinDeal Home&amp;Living, a leading e-commerce company in Switzerland, which was sold in 2015.
Christopher Oster (Germany)
Co-Founder and CEO, Clark
Linkedin | Twitter

Christopher Oster is an entrepreneur and strategic leader with a proven track record in different industries and a focus on fintech, online marketplaces and e-commerce. He is the co-founder and CEO of Clark, a digital insurance platform, and the co-founder of Wimdu, an online platform for private accommodation. Beforehand, he worked several years as a business consultant for The Boston Consulting Group in Germany, the Middle East and Australia where he advised financial institutions and retail companies.
Jens Woloszczak (Germany)
Founder and CEO, Spotcap
Linkedin | Twitter

Jens Woloszczak is the founder and CEO of Spotcap, a leading online lending platform for SMEs. Woloszczak is a fintech entrepreneur and ex-management consultant at McKinsey &amp; Company specializing in the financial services industry. He holds a degree in industrial engineering from the Technical University of Berlin and studied finance at Cass Business School.
Felix Haas (Germany)
Co-Founder and Executive Chairman, IDnow
Linkedin | Twitter

Felix Haas is the co-founder and executive chairman of IDnow, an online solution for online identification of government IDs in Europe. He is also the co-founder of several other startups and ventures including UnicornPitch, a pitch desk design and business consulting service for startups, and a founding partner of 10x Group, a group of serial entrepreneur investing in founders of digital startups in Europe and the US. He is the co-host of Bits &amp; Pretzels, a founders festival in Germany, and a business angel in more than 90 European and US startups including Kreditech, Käuferportal, Delivery Hero, RecargaPay, Properly and Iwoca. Haas was named a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer 2010, and is a NYC Venture Fellow by NYC Mayor Bloomberg and an advisor to the German Vice Chancellor for the Young Digital Industry.
Joël Winteregg (Switzerland)
Co-Founder and CEO, NetGuardians 
Linkedin | Twitter

Joël Winteregg is the co-founder and CEO of NetGuardians where he both guides innovation of the company’s core solutions and drives business development, with a focus on Europe and Africa. Winteregg has almost 10 years as an entrepreneurial business leader and a solid experience in R&amp;D and in software engineering, including as a security specialist.
Ralf Huber (Switzerland)
Co-Founder, Apiax
Linkedin | Twitter

Ralf Huber is the co-founder of Apiax, a leading regtech startup from Switzerland. Huber has over 16 years of legal and compliance experience within the financial industry, starting his compliance career at Zürcher Kantonalbank then Credit Suisse both in Switzerland and abroad. He is also the founding member of the International Regtech Association and president of the IRTA&#8217;s Swiss chapter.
Mathias Wegmüller (Switzerland)
Co-Founder, Qumram
Linkedin

Mathias Wegmüller is the co-founder of Qumram, a software for cross-channel intelligence and compliance. Wegmüller led the company in different roles including CEO, head of business development and sales, until its successful exit and trade-sale in November 2017 to Dynatrace. He is an accomplished entrepreneur and digital transformation advisor. He has specialist experience working with mid- to large-sized businesses, facilitating the effective execution of digital engagement initiatives.
Daniel Gasteiger (Switzerland)
Founder and CEO, Procivis; Co-Founder, Trust Square AG; Co-Founder, Verum Capital; Co-Founder of Nexussquared
Linkedin | Twitter

Daniel Gasteiger is the founder and CEO of Procivis, and the co-founder of Trust Square, Verum Capital and Nexussquared. Nexussquared is a Swiss blockchain business and startup platform, Procivis is developing a digital identity and e-government product leveraging smart phone and blockchain technology, Trust Square is a blockchain startup and research hub located in Zurich, and his latest venture, Verum Capital, is a blockchain and ICO advisory boutique in Zurich. Gasteiger is an entrepreneur with over 20 years of practical managing director level banking experience at Credit Suisse and UBS.
Marc P. Bernegger (Switzerland)
Founder and Partner, Bernegger Ventures; Co-Founder and Chairman, CryptAdvise
Linkedin | Twitter

Marc P. Bernegger is the founder and partner of Bernegger Ventures, a private investment company, and the co-founder and chairman of CryptAdvice, a firm helping companies conduct compliant Swiss ICOs&#x200d;. The Swiss-based web entrepreneur and fintech investor, is known for founding usgang.ch as well as Amiando and for promoting entrepreneurship and fintech in Switzerland. Bernegger has been an active investor in several startups and serves on the board of multiple companies including FinLeap, Falcon Private Bank and Crypto Finance Group. In 2013, he co-founded Finance 2.0, the first fintech conference in Switzerland. Bernegger was named one of the 100 most successful people under 40 in Switzerland by BILANZ., and one of The 100 most influential technology investors in Europe by Telegraph.
Olga Feldmeier (Switzerland)
Founder and CEO, Smart Valor
Linkedin | Twitter

Olga Feldmeier is the founder and CEO of Smart Valor, a Swiss blockchain company building a decentralized marketplace for tokenized alternative investments. Feldmeier is a founding member of the Crypto Valley community, and is the producer of several blockchain conferences in Switzerland. She is also a mentor at Kickstart Accelerator, and regularly delivers talks at conferences and universities about bitcoin and blockchain. Feldmeier was named one of the Top 100 Digital Shapers by Bilanz, and one of the top 100 Women in Fintech Powerlist (UK).
Andreas Kern (Austria)
Founder and CEO, Wikifolio
Linkedin

Andreas Kern is the founder and CEO of Wikifolio, a leading social trading platform from Austria. Kern is also the co-founder of payolution, an online platform that provides payment solutions for retail and travel businesses. Prior to Wikifolio and payolution, Kern worked at paybox Austria and One Bank.
Harald Meinl (Austria)
Co-Founder and CEO, Baningo 
Linkedin | Twitter

Harald Meinl is the co-founder and CEO of Baningo, a Vienna-based fintech startup that offers a browser for finding online banking advisors. Meinl was named one of the Top 30 Fintech Influencers in Austria 2017. He holds a Master of Law and Economics (Salzburg, Amsterdam) and has over five years of experience in banking and financial services.
Daniel Strieder (Austria)
Co-Founder and CEO, Credi2
Linkedin

Daniel Strieder is the co-founder and CEO of Credi2, the fintech startup that operates cashpresso, an all-in-one consumer financing platform. Prior to Credi2, Strieder was the financial director of payolution, and worked at Raiffeisen Investment and Bedminster Capital Management.
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
The post 19 Influential Fintech Founders in Germany, Austria and Switzerland (DACH) appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/19-influential-fintech-founders-in-germany-austria-and-switzerland-dach</link><guid>855</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>19 Influential Fintech Founders in Germany, Austria and Switzerland (DACH)</dc:text></item><item><title>AmbrPay Wins 100’000 USD at CV Competition for Finance in Zug</title><description><![CDATA[The USD 100,000 cash prize of the CV Competition for Finance goes to ambrpay, a startup founded by Andreas Hauri, a neuroscientist who used to grow brains in a lab before he turned tech entrepreneur.
Hauri conceived a new idea this summer &#8211; a B2B backend solution which enables users of subscription services to pay for subscription services with crypto currencies. Since then Andreas Hauri has developed the blockchain technology in the backend and won first customers for pilots.
Daniel Rutishauser
Several financial institutions, universities and industry leaders partnered with the CV Competition for Finance. “The space is growing up. The startups solve real problems and create tangible products to drive blockchain adoption further. We are very proud that ambrpay has won this year’s competition and welcome the team to the Crypto Valley ecosystem“, said Mathias Ruch, Founder and CEO CV VC.
With 70 speakers and around 900 attendees, the CV Summit in Zug is the premier gathering of the blockchain community in Crypto Valley. Organized by inacta and the blockchain investment company CV VC, the Summit reunites startups, corporates, thought leaders and service providers in the blockchain space.
Ralf Glabischnig
“We are delighted that in this edition of the CV Summit, we could bring together outstanding players from the financial industry with innovators working with the blockchain technology”,
says Ralf Glabischnig, Founder and Managing Partner of Inacta and Founder of CV VC. One of the most prominent corporates at the Summit expanding into the crypto space is SIX Digital Exchange.
Another highlight was the presentation of new projects of the Swiss Blockchain Taskforce that was developed into Swiss Blockchain Federation. Half a year after the publication of the Whitepaper that was handed over to Federal Councillor Johann N. Schneider-Ammann at the last summit, the Taskforce is now organized as Private Public Partnership.
Its new president Heinz Tännler, Minister of Finance of the Canton of Zug, said that the industry in the crypto valley needs a smart regulation and legal certainty. Tännler promised that the Federation will shape the blockchain regulation coming up next year.
 
Featured image credit via CV Summit Twitter
The post AmbrPay Wins 100&#8217;000 USD at CV Competition for Finance in Zug appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ambrpay-wins-100000-usd-at-cv-competition-for-finance-in-zug</link><guid>854</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>AmbrPay Wins 100’000 USD at CV Competition for Finance in Zug</dc:text></item><item><title>LUKB beteiligt sich an der SwissSign Group AG</title><description><![CDATA[Die SwissSign Group AG ist ein von staatsnahen Unternehmen (SBB, Schweizerische Post, Swisscom) und führenden Unternehmen aus der Banken-, Versicherungs- und Krankenkassenbranche gegründetes Gemeinschaftsunternehmen.
Die SwissSign Group AG verfolgt das Ziel, eine einfache, sichere und offene digitale Identifikationslösung («SwissID») anzubieten, die alle Anforderungen der Datenschutzgesetzgebung erfüllt und damit zum Schweizer Standard für die E-ID wird.
Die SwissID soll es den Nutzern ermöglichen, mit einer einzigen digitalen Identität benutzerfreundlich und sicher mit verschiedenen Anbietern wie Finanzdienstleistern, Versicherungen, Detailhandel oder Behörden zu interagieren oder Online-Transaktionen durchzuführen.
Die LUKB wird nun auf ihrer Crowdplattform «funders.ch» ab Anfang 2019 das Login mit SwissID ermöglichen. Die Bank prüft aktuell weitere Anwendungen der SwissID und plant, diese sukzessive einzuführen.
Mit ihrer Beteiligung an der SwissSign Group AG setzt die LUKB einen weiteren Schritt ihrer Digitalstrategie im Rahmen von «2020@LUKB» um. Dazu LUKB-CEO Daniel Salzmann:

Daniel Salzmann
«Wir sind überzeugt, dass eine sichere und benutzerfreundliche digitale Identität eine zentrale Voraussetzung für die Digitalisierung des Werk- und Finanzplatzes Schweiz darstellt. Als Aktionärin und Partnerin der SwissSign Group AG sind wir am Puls dieses national wichtigen Projekts und können unter anderem die Bedürfnisse unserer Privat- und KMU-Kunden einbringen.»
 
 
Markus Naef
Markus Naef, CEO der SwissSign Group AG, ergänzt:
«Es freut uns, dass wir mit der Luzerner Kantonalbank die Trägerschaft der SwissID noch breiter abstützen können. Das Engagement der LUKB unterstreicht das grosse Interesse der Schweizer Wirtschaft an einer effizienten und sicheren digitalen Identität.»
 
Featured image credit: swissid.ch
The post LUKB beteiligt sich an der SwissSign Group AG appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/lukb-beteiligt-sich-an-der-swisssign-group-ag</link><guid>852</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>LUKB beteiligt sich an der SwissSign Group AG</dc:text></item><item><title>10 Interview Fragen an VIAC: “Eröffnung der 3. Säule in 8 Minuten”</title><description><![CDATA[Das Säule 3a Startup Viac im Interview mit Startupszene.ch.
Was ist die Geschäftsidee?
Hinter VIAC verbirgt sich die erste 100% digitale Vorsorgelösung für die Säule 3a. Dank effizienten Prozessen wird ein kostengünstiges Vorsorgesparprodukt ermöglicht, das einen Mehrwert für die Kunden und nicht nur für die Banken schafft.
Wie ist die Geschäftsidee entstanden?
Die Idee entstand aus dem eigenen Bedürfnis nach einer einfachen, flexiblen und vor allem kostengünstigen Lösung. Alle drei Gründer waren früher in der Finanzbranche tätig und wissen welche Stellschrauben es zu optimieren galt.
Woher stammt das Startkapital des Startups?
Privatvermögen der Gründer sowie einem Investor.
Womit verdient das Startup Geld?
Mit dem Betrieb von VIAC sowie Beratungsdienstleistungen.
Wo liegt der USP (Alleinstellungsmerkmal) des Startups?


100% Digital: Eröffnung der 3. Säule in 8 Minuten per App
Konkurrenzlos günstig: rund 65% günstigere Anlagelösung als bei verglichenen Banken
Hohe Flexibilität: Bis zu 97% Aktien
Keine Einstiegshürde: Bereits ab 1 CHF geht’s los
Einfache Nutzung: Und sollten doch einmal Fragen auftauchen ist der Support nur 1 Klick entfernt

Was war die bisher grösste Herausforderung?
Die grösste Herausforderung war es, einen Bankpartner zu finden, welcher die Idee einer kostengünstigen Lösung für die 3. Säule unterstützt und dafür seine Vorsorgestiftung zur Verfügung stellt. Mit der WIR Bank Genossenschaft haben wir den idealen Partner und Investor gefunden.
Was war der bisher grösste Erfolg?
Das schnelle Wachstum. Nach 10 Monaten hat VIAC bereits über 4‘900 aktive Kunden – damit haben wir unser eigenes Ziel für das 1. Jahr um das 10x übertroffen.
Was sind die nächsten Schritte?
Bereits im November lanciert VIAC das „attraktivste Kontoprodukt“ für die 3. Säule. Im Januar folgt die Webversion für PC, Tablet &amp; Co – für alle die es etwas grösser mögen. Im Frühling 2019 wir das Angebot von VIAC auf die 2. Säule (Freizügigkeit) ausgedehnt. Im nächsten Jahr sind auch noch weitere Produktlancierungen geplant.
Die Schweiz ist ein guter Standort für Startups, weil
das haben sie jetzt gesagt – gerade im Fintechbereich wäre ein europäischer Standort sicher vorteilhafter um international zu wachsen. Wir fokussieren uns aber auf den Schweizer Markt. Aus der Schweiz für die Schweiz ist unsere Devise. Wir schätzen die hohe Qualität der Arbeit – was nicht zuletzt auch mit dem hohen Bildungsniveau einhergeht.
Was kann die Schweiz für Startups besser machen?
Die Medienaufmerksamkeit ist für Start-Ups von grosser Bedeutung. In dieser Hinsicht könnten innovative Ideen noch mehr unterstützt werden – beispielsweise vom öffentlich-rechtlichen Fernsehen.
 
Dieser Artikel stammt von unserem Partner-Blog startupszene.ch
 
Featured image credit: http://startupszene.ch/
The post 10 Interview Fragen an VIAC: &#8220;Eröffnung der 3. Säule in 8 Minuten&#8221; appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/10-interview-fragen-an-viac-eroffnung-der-3-saule-in-8-minuten</link><guid>853</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>10 Interview Fragen an VIAC: “Eröffnung der 3. Säule in 8 Minuten”</dc:text></item><item><title>10 Fintech Blogs and Newspages in Asia to Follow</title><description><![CDATA[Fintech continues to be one of the most hyped sectors, notably in Asia where the large population of unbanked, high smartphone and Internet penetration rates and supportive governments are providing fertile for fintech innovation.
For many, Asia is the number 1 growth market for fintech and investors are betting big on the region’s startups. Fintech ventures in Asia raised US$3.85 billion in 2017, behind the US with US$15.2 billion and Europe with US$7.44 billion.
With so much happening in the burgeoning Asian fintech landscape on a regular basis, it can be hard to keep up of the overwhelming number of news and announcements. The following 10 blogs will keep you updated with high quality content on the region’s key developments:
Fintech News (Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia)
 
Fintech News provides a source of deep insights and local news about digital finance and the world of fintech. The Fintech News team has been delivering fintech-centric content of various types since 2015, serving an audience looking for updates on fintech events, experts’ opinions, analysis, breaking news, and more. In Asia, Fintech News operates three dedicated portals:
 
Fintech News Hong Kong, Fintech News Singapore , and Fintech News Malaysia.
The Fintech Asia Network has in total over 300&#8217;000 monthly page impressions, more then 30&#8217;000 Social Media Fans and more then 15&#8217;000 newsletter subscription.
 
Fintech Innovation (Hong Kong)
 
Fintech Innovation, a targeted new channel under Enterprise Innovation, provides a platform for the banking, finance and insurance industry across Asia to come together to get informed, educated, as well as exchange ideas, trends and learnings. Fintech Innovation focuses on how technology can be used to accelerate the creation of innovative products and services, and features independent editorial views, and a weekly fintech newsletter.
8btc News (China)
 
8btc News is one of China’s top blockchain and cryptocurrency online portals, providing breaking news, reviews from opinion leaders and experts, and studies focusing on the country’s cryptocurrency and blockchain industry. The company also operates the 8btc Forum, one of the biggest blockchain, cryptocurrency communities in China where blockchain developers, users and investors exchange opinions and ideas.
DigFin (Hong Kong)
 
Based in Hong Kong, DigFin is an online media covering the digital transformation of financial services. DigFin provides breaking news, experts’ opinions, interviews and analysis on the region’s fintech landscape. It also operates a podcast featuring industry participants and thought leaders who share their thoughts on the latest trends in fintech.
Tech in Asia – Fintech (Singapore)
 
Tech in Asia is one of the largest English language technology media focusing on Asia. Tech in Asia covers tech trends, startups, and big tech titans in the region. The platform has a dedicated fintech section featuring the latest news from the region’s fintech industry. Beyond content, Tech in Asia also organizes tech conferences and events across the region, and operates a startup and technology jobs marketplace.
China Money Network (China)
 
Founded in 2011 in Shanghai, China Money Network is an artificial intelligence-based platform tracking China’s smart investments and technology innovation. The bilingual platform follows China’s private equity, venture capital and technology sectors to deliver actionable intelligence. China Money Network covers key announcements, investment deals, and the latest trends in the tech world, including fintech.
Livemint (India)
 
Livemint is the online platform of Mint, an Indian financial daily newspaper published by HT Media, a Delhi-based media group, and one of India&#8217;s premium business news publications. Livemint provides daily national, international and business news, tracks market movements and detailed coverage of significant events. The site has evolved to also offer multimedia features like videos, podcasts and slideshows, and features a fintech section with breaking news on the India fintech industry.
The Straits Times – Fintech (Singapore)
 
The Straits Times is an English language daily broadsheet newspaper based in Singapore currently owned by Singapore Press Holdings. Its online platform features news stories, regular podcasts, vodcasts and twice-daily, radio-news bulletins. The Straits Times has a dedicated fintech section where it covers the latest news in Singapore and the broader Asian fintech space.
The South China Morning Post – Fintech (China)
 
The South China Morning Post is a Hong Kong-based English language newspaper and Hong Kong&#8217;s newspaper of record, owned by Alibaba Group. Like the Straits Times, the South China Morning Post has a fintech section featuring stories about how technology is used to enhance financial services, covering banking and securities.
Caixin Global – Fintech/Internet Finance (China)
 
Caixin Global is part of China’s most influential financial media group, Caixin Media, and the group’s English language news portal. The platform offers a Fintech/Internet Finance section that reports on the latest news related to China’s fintech industry. Caixin also organizes high-level summits, roundtables and dialogues that bring together political, business and academic leaders from across China and around the world.
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
The post 10 Fintech Blogs and Newspages in Asia to Follow appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/10-fintech-blogs-and-newspages-in-asia-to-follow</link><guid>850</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Fintech-News-Singapore-300x111-300x111.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>10 Fintech Blogs and Newspages in Asia to Follow</dc:text></item><item><title>Immer mehr Schweizer zahlen per Smartphone</title><description><![CDATA[Ob an der Kasse, unter Freunden oder im Online-Shop: Mobiles Bezahlen mittels Smartphone und Bezahl-App ist heute vielerorts möglich, wurde bisher aber noch eher wenig genutzt.
Mobile Payment ist mit monatlich etwa 1.75 Millionen Transaktionen (davon 1.02 Millionen über Twint) und einem Marktanteil von 0.5 Prozent (davon 0.3 Prozent Twint) zwar noch immer eine Nische, holt aber auf. Dies zeigt die Mobile Payment Studie Schweiz 2018 des Instituts für Finanzdienstleistungen Zug IFZ der Hochschule Luzern.
Für diese Studie wurden Daten der Schweizerischen Nationalbank, des Bundesamtes für Statistik und anonymisierte Daten der Schweizer Bezahl-App Twint ausgewertet. Studienautor Andreas Dietrich von der Hochschule Luzern ist überzeugt: «Mobile Payment hat nun einen gewissen Reifegrad erreicht und dürfte zukünftig stark an Bedeutung gewinnen.»
Nutzerzahlen verdoppelt
Im Markt für Mobile Payment sind eindrückliche Wachstumszahlen feststellbar: So sind mittlerweile über eine Million Personen beim Markführer Twint registriert (August 2017: 500`000 Personen). Zieht man in der Schweizer Bevölkerung von den gut 8.4 Millionen Einwohnern die rund 1.4 Millionen Personen ab, die derzeit unter 15 Jahre alt sind, nutzen 13 Prozent der Schweizerinnen und Schweizer die Bezahl-App. Allerdings gilt es zu berücksichtigen, dass ein Drittel aller Bestandskunden in den ersten zehn Monaten 2018 noch keine Transaktion getätigt hat.
Von jenen die Twint genutzt haben, hat knapp ein Fünftel in den ersten zehn Monaten 2018 erst eine Transaktion ausgelöst. Am häufigsten waren die gelegentlichen Nutzer mit zwei bis fünf Transaktionen (31%). Ein Drittel aller Nutzer hat im 2018 mehr als einmal monatlich die App genutzt.
Im Oktober 2018 wurden über eine Million Transaktionen mit einem Volumen von CHF 65 Mio. über Twint getätigt. Gegenüber diesem Vorjahresmonat hat sich die Anzahl Transaktionen um 134
Prozent erhöht und das Volumen nahezu verdreifacht (siehe Abbildung 1).

Besonders häufig wird Geld von einem Nutzer zum Anderen übertragen (Peer-to-Peer; P2P), nämlich in 47 Prozent der Fälle. 39 Prozent der Transaktionen waren Zahlungen vor Ort an der Ladenkasse (Point of Sale; POS), 14 Prozent können dem Onlinehandel zugeordnet werden. Die durchschnittlichen Beträge variieren dabei in Abhängigkeit des Anwendungsfalles sehr stark. Während an der Ladenkasse im Schnitt Transaktionen in der Höhe von CHF 28 getätigt werden, liegen sie im Bereich der Peer-to-Peer-Überweisungen (CHF 78) respektive im Bereich E-Commerce deutlich höher (CHF 117) (siehe Abbildung 2).
Beliebt bei Männern zwischen 20 und 40
Die Kundenanalyse zeigt, dass Mobile Payment derzeit überproportional stark von Männern genutzt wird. «Dies ist ein typisches Phänomen des Adoptions-Verhaltens bei technologischen Innovationen», sagt Andreas Dietrich. Nur gerade 34 Prozent aller Mobile Payment-Nutzer sind weiblich. In Bezug auf das Alter zeigt sich, dass Mobile Payment nicht ausschliesslich ein Thema für junge Nutzer ist (siehe Abbildung 3). Die derzeit wichtigste Nutzergruppe ist zwischen 30 und 40 Jahre alt (Anteil von 26 Prozent). Die Gruppe der 20 bis 30-Jährigen ist mit einem Anteil von 24 Prozent vertreten und rund 7 Prozent der registrierten Twint-Nutzer sind über 60 Jahre alt.
Erwartungsgemäss ist die Anzahl der Verkaufsstellen, welche Twint anbieten, in den bevölkerungsreichen Kantonen wie Zürich (11`000 Verkaufsstellen), Bern (6`400) und Waadt (4`155) am höchsten. Im Verhältnis zur Bevölkerungszahl (Anzahl Twint-Transaktionen pro Einwohner) liegen jedoch neben den Städten Zürich und Bern die Bündner Regionen Davos und Chur vorne (siehe Abbildung 4). «Ein möglicher Grund für dieses Phänomen könnte die Graubündner Kantonalbank sein, welche als Marktführerin in der Region ihre Twint-Version bei ihren Kunden stark forciert hat», sagt Andreas Dietrich.

5.7 Millionen Transaktionen im Monat erwartet
Die Adoption von Innovationen im Bereich des Bezahlens verläuft vor allem in der Anfangsphase immer sehr langsam. «Dass die Marktentwicklung von Mobile Payment in der Schweiz teilweise belächelt wurde, hängt primär mit überhöhten Erwartungen zusammen», so Dietrich. Über die weitere Entwicklung von Mobile Payment würden nun die Konsumenten sowie die Händler als Anbieter an der Verkaufsstelle entscheiden. Wird die vergangene Entwicklung von kontaktlosen Kartenzahlungen im Vergleich zu den gesamten Debit- und Kreditkartenzahlungen am POS auf den Mobile Payment-Markt übertragen, würden im Jahr 2020 monatlich etwa 5.7 Mio. Transaktionen via Smartphone getätigt. Dies entspricht in Bezug auf die Anzahl der Gesamttransaktionen einem «Marktanteil» von rund 1.6 Prozent.
Wichtig sei, dass es den Anbietern gelinge, Kunden und Händlern den Mehrwert gegenüber traditionellen Lösungen aufzuzeigen. Unterstützt etwa durch neue und weitere Anwendungsmöglichkeiten wie das Bezahlen an der Parkuhr, beim Pizzakurier oder ein Sofortkauf-Button im E-Commerce. Andreas Dietrich ergänzt: «Je schneller und besser die Produkte weiterentwickelt werden und je höher der Mehrwert für die Nutzer ist, desto schneller erreicht Mobile Payment den Durchbruch».



Mobile Payment Studie Schweiz 2018
Das Institut für Finanzdienstleistungen Zug IFZ der Hochschule Luzern hat die Nutzung von Mobile Payment in der Schweiz in einer Studie analysiert. Neben verschiedenen Daten der Schweizerischen Nationalbank und dem Bundesamt für Statistik konnte mittels anonymisierten Daten der Schweizer Bezahl-App Twint ein vertieftes Bild über die Nutzung von Mobile Payment in den verschiedenen Anwendungsbereichen und Landesteilen gemacht werden.In der Studie wird die aktuelle Verbreitung sowie die Entwicklung der Nutzung über die vergangenen Monate analysiert. Die Mobile Payment Studie Schweiz 2018 steht hier zur Verfügung.



Featured image credit: Freepik
The post Immer mehr Schweizer zahlen per Smartphone appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/immer-mehr-schweizer-zahlen-per-smartphone</link><guid>848</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Prozent-erhöht-und-das-Volumen-nahezu-verdreifacht.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Immer mehr Schweizer zahlen per Smartphone</dc:text></item><item><title>German FinTech Overview and Map 2018, October Update</title><description><![CDATA[German Fintech Overview and Map 2018 and link collection provided by our German blogging friends from paymentbanking.

German FinTech Overview Link collection:
Payment
https://www.payleven.de
https://www.sumup.de
https://www.izettle.com/de
http://www.go4q.mobi
http://www.ipayst.com/de/
http://www.kesh.de (nur noch bis 30.11)
https://www.paycash.eu
https://sicherbezahlen.de/
www.umt.ag/de/
SQWallet
http://www.payworksmobile.com
https://www.billpay.de
https://www.laterpay.net
http://www.paywithatweet.com
https://www.payorshare.de
https://www.paylax.de
http://www.optiopay.com/de/
https://www.spendit.de
https://payment.billingmaker.com/
http://www.dimoco.at
https://www.transferwise.com/de
https://www.circle.com/de 
https://www.easycarpay.com
 
Bitcoins
https://www.bitbond.com
https://www.bitcoin.de
https://www.satoshipay.io
https://www.draglet.com/en
www.coinify.com (Acquisition)
http://www.dogecoin.com
https://www.pey.de
https://www.coinsnap.eu/de/public/
https://www.btcexpress.net/DE
https://www.cointed.com/
E-Commerce
https://www.paymill.com/de = http://klikandpay.com/de/ (Acquistion)
https://www.barzahlen.de/de/
https://www.ratepay.com
https://www.payever.de
https://www.betterpayment.de
http://www.allpago.com
https://www.sepaone.com
http://www.fashioncheque.com/de/
http://klikandpay.com/de/
http.//getgrover.con/de-de
 Accounting
https://www.smoice.com
http://www.billomat.com
https://www.weclapp.com/de/
https://www.debitoor.de
Pactas = https://www.billwerk.com (Rebranding)
https://www.fastbill.com/
https://www.zeitgold.com
http://www.smacc.io
https://www.albuswhite.com
http://www.candis.io/de/
http://www.isaac10.com (Insolvency)
http://www.monsum.com (Rebranding)
https://www.salesking.eu/
https://monsum.com/
https://www.buchhaltungsbutler.de
Factoring / Collection
https://www.billfront.com
http://www.rechnung48.de
https://www.pagido.de
https://www.decimo.de
https://www.ecollect.de
https://www.flexpayment.de
https://www.pairfinance.com
http://www.trustbills.com
https://www.collect.ai/
https://www.innolend.de/ 
http://www.factoringbörse.de
https://www.fundflow.de/
https://www.bezahlt.de/
https://www.bilendo.de/
Donations
https://www.elefunds.de/start/
http://www.twingle.de
http://www.helpingcents.info
http://www.fundraisingbox.com
http://www.altruja.de
Order/Cash
https://www.orderbird.com/de/
Pepperbill  = https://www.orderbird.com/de/(Acquisition)
http://www.9cookies.com/de/
http://www.gastrofix.com/de/
http://www.opentabs.de
http://www.roc-kasse.de
https://www.quandoo.de
http://www.qnips.com
https://www.gastronovi.de
https://www.inventorum.com/de/
https://www.pepperkorn.com/
www.ready2order.com
https://getpenta.com/
Credit
www.compeon.de
https://www.kreditech.com
https://www.auxmoney.com
https://www.bankless24.de/de
https://www.smava.de
https://www.lendico.de
https://www.vexcash.com
https://www.companisto.com/de/
https://www.seedmatch.de
https://www.fundingcircle.com/de/ (Acquisition)
https://www.giromatch.com
https://www.spotcap.com
https://www.ferratumgroup.com/de
https://www.finanzcheck.de
https://www.ipfand.de
https://www.valendo.de
https://www.debitos.de
https://www.fundsters.de
http://www.crxmarkets.com/de/
https://www.crosslend.com
https://www.kapilendo.de
https://www.creditshelf.com
https://www.compeon.de/
http://www.tradi.co
https://www.valendo.de/
www.finnest.com/
https://www.giromatch.com
https://www.cashpresso.com
https://www.entrafin.de
https://moneyfellows.com
https://cashcape.com/
https://www.loanboox.com/
https://www.commnex.de/
Banking
http://www.traxpay.com
http://www.mambu.com
https://www.fidor.de
https://n26.com/
http://www.ementexx.com
https://www.tullius-walden.com
https://www.mamooble.com
https://www.holvi.com/de/
http://www.finreach.de
http://www.fino.digital
http://www.bancalis.de
https://www.tis.biz
http://www.bringcashnow.com
https://www.baningo.com
http://www.dwins.de
http://www.treasuryview.com
http://www.compraga.de
http://www.getpenta.com
https://www.uphold.com/
https://www.kontist.com/
https://www.xware42.com/
https://finanzguru.de/
Tools
https://www.gini.net
https://www.xpenditure.com/de/
https://edgewonk.com/
https://www.finleap.com
PFM
https://www.kontoalarm.de
https://www.centralway.com/de/
http://www.qontis.ch
http://www.myfeelix.de
https://www.moneygarden.de
https://www.treefin.com
https://www.rentablo.de/
https://de.getzuper.com/
API Banking
https://www.figo.io
https://www.fidor.com  (Rebranding)
http://www.openbankproject.com
https://www.fintecsystems.com
http://www.ebicsbox.com
http://www.finapi.io
https://www.solarisbank.de
https://banksapi.de/
https://nextdigitalbanking.com
https://www.yukkalab.com/
Savings
https://www.yukkalab.de (Rebranding)
https://www.vaamo.de
https://www.bergfuerst.com
https://www.moneymeets.com/
https://www.stockpulse.de/de/
https://www.wikifolio.com/de/de/home
https://www.voola.de
https://www.sharewise.com/de/
https://www.quirion.de
http://www.ayondo.com/de/home
https://www.liqid.de/de (Acquisition)
http://www.modelogiq.com
https://www.bettervest.com/home
comonea = Deposit Solutions https://www.comonea.de (Rebranding)
https://www.zinspilot.de/
https://www.weltsparen.de
https://www.easyfolio.de
https://www.twindepot.de
https://www.united-signals.com
https://www.fairr.de
https://www.justetf.com/de/
http://www.boersenampel.com
https://www.truewealth.ch
https://www.savedo.de
https://www.fintura.de
https://www.ginmon.de
http://www.damantis.com
https://www.greenxmoney.com
http://www.minveo.de
https://www.smartdepot.de
http://www.anyonecan.de
https://www.simplefinance.de
https://www.liqid.de/de
https://www.swipestox.com/de/
https://www.scalable.capital
https://www.swanest.com
https://www.guidants.com
http://www.niiio.de
https://www.toptradeapp.com
https://www.savedroid.de
https://www.venture.kapilendo.de (Acqusition)
http://www.wertios.com
https://www.finatra.de/start/
https://www.whitebox.eu
https://www.investify.de
http://www.clincapp.com
https://www.ir-system.com
http://www.aktienassistent.de
https://www.nextmarkets.com/de/home
https://www.growney.de/
https://www.zinsgold.de/
https://www.visualvest.de/ 
https://www.fintego.de/
https://www.werthstein.com/ 
https://elinvar.de/
https://www.weltsparen.de/
https://www.wiwin.de/
https://www.aktienassistent.de/
niiio.finance/?lang=de
https://www.fincite.de
Ident
https://www.idnow.de/
https://www.webid-solutions.de
https://www.liveident.com
https://www.verify-U AG.de
https://www.identity.tm (Acquisition)
https://www.authada.de
P2P
https://www.lendstar.io
https://www.cringle.net
https://www.cashcloud.com/de/
https://www.number26.eu (Rebranding)
https://www.payfriendz.com
https://www.kittysplit.com/de/
http://www.tabbt.com
https://www.azimo.com/de/
https://www.payza.com
https://www.elopay.com/
http://www.colleqt.com
Insurance
https://www.schutzklick.de
https://www.friendsurance.de
https://www.appsichern.de
https://www.onlineversicherung.de
https://www.finanzchef24.de
https://www.vertragium.de
http://www.safeme.hamburg
https://www.passt24.de
https://www.knip.ch
https://www.virado.de
https://www.getsafe.de
https://www.communitylife.de/de/
https://www.yoursurance.de
https://www.clark.de/de
https://www.kasko.io
http://www.massup.de
https://www.asuro.de
https://www.wefox.de
https://www.ted-versicherung.de/
http://www.finanzritter.com
http://www.versicherix.ch
http://www.fanage.de/
http://www.mypension.de
https://getsurance.de
https://prio-app.de/ 
http://www.simplr.de/ 
http://www.schadenhelfer.de/
https://haftpflichthelden.de/ 
https://www.fin-klick.de/ 
http://www.myfeelix.de/ 
https://www.covomo.de/ 
http://www.allesmeins.de/
https://mylucy.com/ 
https://etherisc.com/
Immo
Imcheck24 = https://www.maklaro.de (Rebranding)
https://www.zinsland.de
https://www.brickvest.com/en/
https://www.exporo.de
http://www.deutsche-kautionspartner.de/
https://www.ifunded.de
https://www.zinsbaustein.de 
https://www.mezzany.com/ 
https://www.fundernation.eu/ 
https://www.homerocket.com/ 
https://www.immorocks.com 
https://www.groupestate.de/ 
https://www.ev-capital.de/
Risk/Rating
http://www.bonify.de
https://www.scorekompass.de
The post German FinTech Overview and Map 2018, October Update appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/german-fintech-overview-and-map-2018-october-update</link><guid>849</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/German-FinTech-Overview-Oct-2018.png</dc:content ><dc:text>German FinTech Overview and Map 2018, October Update</dc:text></item><item><title>Podcast Review: How to Get The Public Interested in Your Blockchain Project</title><description><![CDATA[In an episode of the Blockchain and Us podcast hosted by Manuel Stagars, Tom Lyons, the Executive Director of Research and Advisory at ConsenSys, as well as Chairman of the Communications Working Group at the Crypto Valley Association in Zug, enters the booth to discuss blockchain—or specifically how to discuss blockchain.
Among a few topics spoken about during the podcast, Tom delves into one of the key pain points facing blockchain-based companies—how to communicate your blockchain business to a world that doesn&#8217;t quite understand what that means.
Disclaimer: Some of the quotes have been shortened or edited to better suit the written format. 
It&#8217;s Not Just About Sending Press Releases, Emails or Writing Medium Posts

&#8220;The heart of communications is simple—storytelling. And it depends on storytelling in different contexts for different reasons,&#8221; said Tom.  &#8220;Any good communications will tell a story of some kind, and that&#8217;s really the skill you need to be the most in touch with.&#8221;
Finding the Right Narrative for the Stories.
During Tom&#8217;s time in corporate communications, which is basically telling the story of a company, he opined that the narrative depends on who you&#8217;re talking to, and what you&#8217;re trying to say.
&#8220;I think that what people have to do is to set the context—a lot of people tend to forget that,&#8221; said Tom. &#8220;Think about: who are we talking to, what do they know, what do they not know, and try to find a way to make this relevant and important to them.&#8221;
&#8220;A lot of people who don&#8217;t come from that way of thinking or that experience tend to jump into the middle of what they&#8217;re trying to say and throw it at you.&#8221;
Tom thinks that the best example is blockchain technology itself. Once you know what that means, you can understand how it can impact the world—but, it&#8217;s &#8220;basically solving a lot of problems people don&#8217;t know they have&#8221;.
&#8220;When you start talking about blockchain, you start talking about theories of money, of exchanges of value, transactions, even the plumbing of the financial system. All fascinating stuff, but not stuff that most people have ever really thought about, or really cared about.&#8221;
&#8220;You talk to developers and technology types sometimes, and ask, &#8216;So what does your app do?&#8217; and you start getting all this techno-speak back. So I try to get it back to talking about the function and purpose.
Tom added that &#8220;there are plenty of technologists who are extremely eloquent at what they do, but sometimes with projects and startups, it&#8217;s hard to take that step back, and look at the purpose. It&#8217;s a more difficult process than people think.&#8221;
Often, good communications are boiling things down to just a single page.

&#8220;When I was a communications consultant, I&#8217;d go in and talk to people, in which I&#8217;d say: you&#8217;re about to pay me a whole bunch of money for me to write you one page.&#8221;
The goal in many of Tom&#8217;s sessions is to get just one sentence, one paragraph (which could serve as an elevator pitch) or just a one-page description. This is something like a mission statement, and &#8220;one that covers everything you want to do or you want to say and all the audiences you&#8217;re talking to&#8221;.
&#8220;If you get stuck and we can&#8217;t get to the heart of it then tell me, what are important themes in your work? What are the subjects that surround this thing you&#8217;re doing that you find important?&#8221;
&#8220;Or can we can talk about—say if they&#8217;re really product-orientated—well what&#8217;s your product, and why did you make it? There&#8217;s different ways in, but you&#8217;re trying to get to some basic messages that somebody from the outside will understand.&#8221;
Differentiating Your Offering Is Important, but It May Not Be Easy
With the popularity of blockchain in the tech spheres right now, there are so many startups, people and projects that deal with the same use case.
&#8220;Sometimes I feel sorry because someone will say that [they] came up with this amazing idea for this use case, and [they] have to keep it to [themselves] because there are ten others doing it.&#8221;
Just as it is outside of blockchain though, it is how you differentiate that&#8217;s really important, and one of the things you should concentrate on when communicating blockchain.
But it might not be so easy. There will always be cases when you cannot differentiate the offering, for a variety of reasons.
&#8220;Then we won&#8217;t differentiate on the offering,&#8221; said Tom. &#8220;We&#8217;ll differentiate on the way you present it, [or] on being trustworthy. It&#8217;s one thing to say that five companies are doing it, but whose doing it well? Or in a way [that] somebody would be interested in?&#8221;
&#8220;Let&#8217;s just be straightforward, believable and honest about what we believe in, and maybe that will differentiate us.&#8221;
Once your company or product is more mature, with a more mature blockchain product, how would you take it to the next level in communications?
You Don&#8217;t Have to Tell Consumers That You&#8217;re Using Blockchain

When it comes to consumer-facing products that already have a viable product and goal, communications &#8220;should actually be no different than any other product in marketing because theoretically, you don&#8217;t necessarily need to know that there&#8217;s a blockchain behind it. In fact, if we do our job well, nobody would know—but they see the difference.&#8221;
Does blockchain make the service cheaper, for example?
Tom&#8217;s example was a P2P marketplace. Blockchain could enable this marketplace with a reputation system that actually works, or where transactions are frictionless.
&#8220;That&#8217;s a story that will resonate. So that&#8217;s what you&#8217;re touting, that&#8217;s what you&#8217;re talking about,&#8221; said Tom, who thinks this is better than confusing your customers with talk about blockchain they may not understand.
Tom realises that there is a bit of a paradox in what he&#8217;s saying. After all, &#8220;when any kind of new technology comes in, people want to talk about it. Whether it&#8217;s the telephone, or whether it&#8217;s electric lighting in houses—how does it work? Is it dangerous?&#8221;
&#8220;When Edison invented the phonograph, the famous story is that he couldn&#8217;t find a use case for it. The music use case for vinyl records came towards the end, at first, he thought he&#8217;d use it for transcribing speeches and it would bring transparency&#8221; and accountability to the government.
&#8220;You have to do that part. You have to get the story out that there&#8217;s something new going on and this is how it works. That&#8217;s laying a foundation. That&#8217;s the part I&#8217;m involved in, and the part I personally care about,&#8221; said Tom.
So if your blockchain project or startup builds the network, or builds the apps or products on top of it, Tom concludes that &#8220;the methods of [communicating] won&#8217;t be much different than what we have now, but hopefully your decentralised application will have properties that an equivalent application that is not decentralised doesn&#8217;t. And that&#8217;s going to be your story.&#8221;
For the full discussion about storytelling in blockchain, particularly what the future holds for blockchain, how to deal with negative press thanks to ICOs and Bitcoin, or just more information about Tom or ConsenSys, you can listen here:

Featured Image via Manuel Stagars of Blockchain And Us
The post Podcast Review: How to Get The Public Interested in Your Blockchain Project appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/podcast-review-how-to-get-the-public-interested-in-your-blockchain-project</link><guid>847</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/communications-blockchain-storytelling--1024x683.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Podcast Review: How to Get The Public Interested in Your Blockchain Project</dc:text></item><item><title>Switzerland Works on Possible Blockchain/ICO Regulation</title><description><![CDATA[With blockchain and cryptocurrency gaining more traction day after day, the Swiss government is now exploring the possibility of introducing legal amendments to current legislative instruments to facilitate the development of blockchain technology.
Image: Bitcoin, cryptocurrency, Pixabay
The blockchain/initial coin offering (ICO) working group was appointed at the start of 2018 to review the legal framework and point out any need for action. A consultation period was held during the month of September that invited financial and fintech associations to express their concerns, providing the industry an opportunity for the financial sector as a whole and all interested parties to comment on the potential for action.
The working group is responsible for examined whether and to what extent amendments are appropriate. The focus here is not only on ICOs but on all applications of distributed ledger technology (DLT) in the financial sector. It is set to report to the Federal Council by the end of 2018, which will then decide on the introduction of any legal amendments based on the findings.
Switzerland currently has no regulations regarding the buying and selling of cryptocurrencies or their use as a means of paying for goods and services.
The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) has however published ICO Guidelines which define the information FINMA requires to deal with ICO enquiries and the principles upon which it will base its responses.
Swiss Fintech Innovations releases statement on blockchain regulation
Last month, Swiss Fintech Innovations (SFTI), an independent association of Swiss financial institutions, released its statement regarding the consultation on the work of the blockchain/ICO working group from the Federal Department of Finance on regulation.
The organization argues that today’s regulation does not meet the requirements of the digital world everywhere.
“The digital world is characterized by the fact that it is constantly evolving, thus very dynamic, that this development takes place in a strongly international network and, moreover, that numerous essential technical possibilities such as ‘tokens’ are initially perceived as ‘phenomena’ rather than can be clearly integrated into the existing legal system due to a lack of clear legal qualifications,” the SFTI says.
The organization advises for regulations only where necessary and appropriate (e.g. to create legal certainty, integrated into existing regulation without contradiction, etc.). These should be principle-based and technology-neutral, competition-neutral, focus on the preservation of a uniform or coherent legal system, and legislative processes should involve the consistent and early involvement of business and supervisory authorities.
It also remains that new technological possibilities do not necessarily require new regulation. “The decision as to whether regulation is necessary at all only emerges from [a comprehensive analysis from an economic, technical and legal point of view],” it says.
Switzerland collaborates with Israel
The topic of blockchain and ICO regulation has been a key area of focus for Swiss regulators. In September, Swiss officials visited Israel to gain bank access to Israeli markets, and discuss financial cooperation, including on the topic of blockchain technology.
Joerg Gasser, State Secretary for International Finance at the Federal Department of Finance, via sif.admin.ch
Joerg Gasser, head of Switzerland’s state secretariat for international financial matters, and finance minister Ueli Maurer made the trip and opened a dialogue on how best to regulate ICOs and the wider blockchain and cryptocurrency spaces.
Both countries agreed to exchange notes on regulating blockchain technology. Gasser said he was preparing a report on how to regulate blockchain and would submit recommendations by the end of the year, aiming for approval by parliament in 2019 so they could go into effect by early 2020.
Switzerland has long been at the forefront of blockchain innovation, welcoming foreign startups and entrepreneurs with open arms. Zug, a municipality and small town located just outside of Zurich in Switzerland, has earned itself a reputation for being known as Crypto Valley due to its establishment of a global hub for blockchain and crypto startups.
In September, regulated bank Dukascopy announced that it will be utilizing Ethereum’s public blockchain for an ICO currently pending regulatory approval from FINMA. The Swiss online bank says they will issue 20 billion Dukascoins to fund the expansion of its mobile banking operations.
Furthermore Swissquote now offers also their infrastructure to ICOs.
 
Featured image: Bitcoin, Cryptocurrency, via Pixabay.
The post Switzerland Works on Possible Blockchain/ICO Regulation appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/switzerland-works-on-possible-blockchainico-regulation</link><guid>846</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/bitcoin-cryptocurrency-Pixabay-2-300x200.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Switzerland Works on Possible Blockchain/ICO Regulation</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Map November Counts Now 308 Swiss Fintech Startups</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss FinTech Start-up Map November from Swisscom counts now 308 FinTechs, 11 more than in October.

The post Swiss Fintech Map November Counts Now 308 Swiss Fintech Startups appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-map-november-counts-now-308-swiss-fintech-startups</link><guid>845</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Swiss-FinTech-Map-Nov-2018.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Map November Counts Now 308 Swiss Fintech Startups</dc:text></item><item><title>Deutsche Bank Whitepaper Explores Open APIs, Cloud, Blockchain and AI Regulations</title><description><![CDATA[The emergence of new technology solutions leveraging open APIs, cloud, blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) has driven increasing volumes of digital data, as well as new market players, business models and evolving client expectations.
Given the disruptive potential of these cutting-edge technologies on the banking sector, regulators around the world have taken a closer look into the opportunities and risks these may bring to the market.
In a new whitepaper titled Regulation driving banking transformation, Deutsche Bank provides an overview of applicable regulations around the world with respect to banks’ and their clients’ use of open APIs, cloud, blockchain and AI, and formulates recommendations to move forward.
Open banking and open APIs
Regulators have broadly acknowledged the benefits of both open banking (as a means of providing a more competitive and innovative financial services landscape) and open APIs, as an enabler of this.
Hence, open banking regulatory initiatives have, and will to continue to act as a catalyst for the development of open APIs. However, open banking regulation varies globally and the lack of standardization could potentially jeopardize the security and efficiency of solutions, ultimately undermining the experience banking clients receive, the report claims.
In Europe, PSD2 has been a major driver of the move towards open banking. From September 2019, the regulation will oblige banks to give third-party providers access to customer accounts, with their explicit consent, through a new interface.
In Asia, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has been proactive in encouraging financial institutions to develop and share their APIs openly. Similar support for open banking has been witnessed in Hong Kong.

Cloud
By providing near-unlimited hardware and software resources on a global and pay-as-you-go basis, cloud computing drives down costs, enables innovation and creates the flexibility to respond to change.
Cloud computing allows banks to scale-up and scale-down their IT infrastructure as required, escape the encumbrances of their legacy IT systems and avoid regular and expensive upgrade work. And with respect to cyber security, cloud service providers can provide more up-to-date security, reliably and on a cost-effective utility-based model.
With regards to regulation, financial institutions’ cloud arrangements are subject to both cybersecurity and data protection regulations, as well as banking-specific outsourcing rules.

Blockchain
Blockchain technology, which works by creating blocks of records, enables for faster end-to-end processing, improved transparency, enhanced assessment of operational and financial risks, and reduced costs.
Corporations and financial institutions have poured billions into blockchain startups and solutions. Global spending is forecast to reach US$11.7 billion in 2022, according to the International Data Corporation.
In Asia-Pacific, the regulatory landscape is dominated by the progress made towards integrating the technology into innovative solutions while mitigating the risks of cybercrime.
As an inherently global technology, blockchain requires cross-border regulatory solutions, something that remains highly challenging to achieve due to the need to unite authorities from numerous jurisdictions behind a single policy, the report says. It also stresses the need for technology-neutrality and focus on regulating the applications and outcomes of blockchain, rather than the technology itself.

AI
AI offers a range of benefits to market participants including improved client experience, efficient risk management and compliance, and operational efficiency. For banks, AI provides them with the opportunity to offer a better, more tailored service to clients, but also recommend other products in the the bank’s catalogue that can add value.
AI falls under current regulations including data privacy regulations but major regulators around the world are diving deeper into the subject and assessing the key risks associated with AI, its control principles and the question of ethics.
In November 2017, the Financial Stability Board called for monitoring the uses of AI in order to maintain financial stability, outlining the importance of assessing the implementation of relevant data privacy, conduct risk and cybersecurity protocols.
The US has established an AI congress advisory committee to assess the technology, while the EC’s European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies (EGE) has put ethics at the center of the debate, calling for the launch of a common, internationally recognized ethical and legal framework for the design, production, use and governance of AI.
In Asia, MAS announced in April 2018 that it was working with key stakeholders to develop a guide for promoting the responsible and ethical use of AI and data analytics by financial institutions.

The report concludes that regulation has proven to be both an enabler and a challenger to transformation in global transaction banking. But in order for regulations to become a catalyst for a thriving and innovative banking industry, the regulatory approach should be globally aligned, technology-neutral, digitally relevant, embracing of new solutions, and industry-led.
The post Deutsche Bank Whitepaper Explores Open APIs, Cloud, Blockchain and AI Regulations appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/deutsche-bank-whitepaper-explores-open-apis-cloud-blockchain-and-ai-regulations</link><guid>844</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Region-by-region-regulatory-progress-for-open-APIs-and-open-banking.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Deutsche Bank Whitepaper Explores Open APIs, Cloud, Blockchain and AI Regulations</dc:text></item><item><title>Top Blockchain Podcasts to Follow in 2019</title><description><![CDATA[Podcasts are great to gain accelerated learning and keep up with industry news and developments. Thankfully, the crypto space is filled with top-notch shows to keep you updated on the hottest projects, up-and-coming entrepreneurs, and latest technology trends.
Here is a list of some of the best podcasts out there focusing on blockchain technology and the crypto world:
 
The Blockchain and Us
The Blockchain and Us podcast, by Manuel Stagars, features personal stories and experiences in conversations with global pioneers, innovators and entrepreneurs in the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry. The podcast aims to make the ground-breaking technology better accessible to the masses and inspire critical thinking with stimulating views from around the world.
Manuel is also known for the Swiss fintech and the Swiss Blockchain documentaries.
 
Unchained Podcast
Hosted by Laura Shin, a crypto and blockchain journalist, the Unchained Podcast is a must for anyone interested in blockchain. Shin interviews big name entrepreneurs, technologists, investors and thinkers. The main topics of discussion in her show are how blockchain can help solve many problems that are facing various sectors. The Unchained Podcast aims to “educate people on how blockchains will change the way we earn, spend and invest our money.” The show airs only once every two weeks.
 
Unconfirmed Podcast
The Unconfirmed Podcast is another podcast hosted by Shin. The weekly crypto podcast focuses on how the marquee names in crypto are reacting to the week’s top headlines. Guests also discuss what they’re thinking about these days and reveal what they believe is on the horizon in crypto.
 
Epicenter
Epicenter is one of the leading blockchain podcasts. The weekly podcast, hosted by Sebastian Couture, Meher Roy and Brian Fabian Crain, provides a platform for industry people to have in-depth discussions about blockchain projects, new developments, ideas, and stories. The show features conversations with some of the brightest minds in this emerging ecosystem of startups and open source projects.
 
Let’s Talk Bitcoin!
The Let’s Talk Bitcoin! show has been around since 2013, covering almost every topic imaginable in its catalog. Andreas Antonopoulos, prominent bitcoin advocate and author, is a host on the Let&#8217;s Talk Bitcoin! podcast. Let’s Talk Bitcoin! is part of the LTB Network, a publishing platform created for content providers to present the ideas and people involved with cryptocurrency — through podcasts, articles, and discussion forums. Participation is rewarded with LTBCoin tokens, which can be used on the platform.
 
The Bitcoin Podcast Network
The Bitcoin Podcast is one of the original podcasts and one of the best sources of information on the crypto market available online. The weekly show was originally a standalone entity but has since shifted into its current form: a wider network of podcasts, media, and related crypto content known as The Bitcoin Podcast Network. Topics covered tend to focus on the more technical side of crypto and blockchain.
 
Venture Stories by Village Global

Venture Stories by Village Global takes auditors inside the world of venture capital and technology, featuring enlightening interviews with entrepreneurs, investors and tech industry leaders. The podcast is hosted by Village Global partner and co-founder Erik Torenberg. The podcasts dive deep into areas of expertise — either functional or sector specific.
 
The Bad Crypto Podcast
The Bad Crypto Podcast aims to demystify the world of bitcoin, blockchain, litecoin, ethereum, altcoins, token generation events, and initial coin offerings (ICOs) for cryptocurrency newbies. The podcast is hosted by technologists and crypto-enthusiasts Joel Comm and Travis Wright. It features a weekly Crypto Spotlight that covers interesting, trending crypto companies and ICO companies pitching their offerings.
 
Blockchain Insider
Blockchain Insider, hosted by Simon Taylor and Colin G Platt, is a dedicated podcast specializing in bitcoin, blockchain and distributed ledger technology (DLT). The hosts break down the week’s news with expertise and enthusiasm for the blockchain and digital currency sector. The podcast targets both cryptocurrency experts and newcomers.
 
The Boost VC Podcast
The Boost VC Podcast bills itself as a place to “learn about emerging technology from the tech leaders of today.” Hosted by Boost VC’s founder and managing director Adam Draper, the show covers entrepreneurship, venture capital, and awesome technology, like bitcoin, virtual reality, AI, robotics, drones, and space. The Boost VC Podcast tends to run about 20–30 minutes, meaning the most important details are streamlined into bite-sized increments.
 
The Blockchain Show

The Blockchain Show is a weekly podcast that aims to simplify blockchain for the masses and promote widespread adoption of cryptocurrencies, blockchain and DLT. The podcast is hosted by Steve Anderson, Ethan Kinderknecht, Mark Beauchamp, Ian Collins, and Sarah Hempfling, and covers new projects, technologies and other developments in the crypto space.
 
Coin Mastery
Hosted by investor and marketer Carter Thomas, Coin Mastery seeks to be a place for anyone interested in profiting from the digital cryptocurrency world of bitcoin, ethereum, litecoin, ripple, monero and more. Coin Mastery releases episodes focused on current events and shares tips and strategies to help auditors leverage market movements.
 
Featured image credit: Unsplash
The post Top Blockchain Podcasts to Follow in 2019 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-blockchain-podcasts-to-follow-in-2019</link><guid>841</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/The-Blockchain-and-Us.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Top Blockchain Podcasts to Follow in 2019</dc:text></item><item><title>SBB Mobile, Migros und Nespresso Go Twint</title><description><![CDATA[TWINT bietet seinen mittlerweile über eine Million Nutzerinnen und Nutzern ab Herbst 2018 Tausende zusätzlicher Akzeptanzstellen an: Die Migros-Gruppe hat die Schweizer Bezahl-App in allen ihren Supermärkten und in sechs ihrer Fachmärkte an der Kasse und online integriert.
Die SBB startet mit TWINT zunächst auf SBB Mobile und SBB.ch. Auch Nespresso setzt auf TWINT. In den letzten Monaten haben sich zudem viele weitere national bedeutende Anbieter für TWINT entschieden. Seit März 2018 wird TWINT in der M-App eingesetzt.
Per 1. November kann in über 800 Migros Filialen und über 10&#8217;000 Kassen zusätzlich via QR-Code am Zahlterminal mit TWINT bezahlt werden. Damit erweitert Migros den Einsatz der Mobile-Payment-Lösung TWINT. Neben den Supermärkten der Migros wurde die Bezahllösung auch in den Fachmärkten Melectronics, SportXX, Do it + Garden, Micasa, Bikeworld und Interio* an der Kasse und online integriert.
Ab 5. Januar 2019 können auch die täglich über 1,26 Millionen Kundinnen und Kunden der SBB per TWINT bezahlen. Anfänglich steht den Fahrgästen dieser Service auf SBB Mobile und SBB.ch zur Verfügung. Die Billettautomaten und Reisezentren folgen bis Mitte 2019.
 
Featured image credit: TWINT
The post SBB Mobile, Migros und Nespresso Go Twint appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sbb-mobile-migros-und-nespresso-go-twint</link><guid>842</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>SBB Mobile, Migros und Nespresso Go Twint</dc:text></item><item><title>Online Vermögensverwaltung Elvia e-Invest im Interview zu ETF Risiken</title><description><![CDATA[ETFs gewinnen aufgrund ihrer vielseitigen Vorteile zunehmend an Beliebtheit. Doch mit der Beliebtheit wächst auch die Kritik. Wir sprachen mit Klaus Thaler, CEO der Online Vermögensverwaltung ELVIA e-invest, über die Risiken von ETFs.
Klaus Thaler ist seit Mitte 2017 CEO der ELVIA e-invest. Zuvor war bei der Baloise Group im Risikomanagement tätig und ab 2013 bei der Allianz Suisse für verschiedene Projekte zuständig.
Klaus Thaler
Online Vermögensverwaltungen werden unter Anlegern immer beliebter. Auch die Allianz hat mit ELVIA e-invest eine solche Lösung auf den Markt gebracht. Was können Kunden erwarten, wenn sie mit einem ETF-Portfolio bei ELVIA e-invest investiert sind?
Klaus Thaler: Mit ELVIA e-invest erhalten unsere Kunden eine ETF-basierte Vermögensverwaltung, die bereits ab 5000 Franken startend eine hohe Diversifikation erlaubt. Und das mit deutlich niedrigeren Verwaltungskosten (0.55% p.a.) als andere Lösungen. Unsere Dienstleistung eignet sich perfekt für Anleger mit einer langfristigen Anlagestrategie, um von makroökonomischen Trends zu profitieren anstelle auf kurzfristige Gewinne (und Risiken) des täglichen Börsengeschehens zu setzen.
Warum nutzen Sie nur ETFs in Ihren Portfolios?
Klaus Thaler: Für den Aufbau unserer Portfolios verwenden wir ETFs, die den Anforderungen unserer Anlagestrategien entsprechen. Wir entschieden uns für ETFs aufgrund ihrer inhärenten Vorteile. Sie bieten gegenüber Investitionen in Einzeltitel insbesondere grössere und genauere Diversifikationsmöglichkeiten &#8211; und das schon bei kleinen Anlagebeträgen. Gegenüber traditionellen Investmentfonds haben ETFs niedrigere Verwaltungsgebühren und sehr tiefe Einstiegsschwellen. Daneben sind sie auch liquider und damit leichter zu kaufen oder zu verkaufen, da sie täglich an der Börse gehandelt werden.
Wie bei jedem neuen Trend wachsen mit dem Boom auch die Kritiken. Die Deutsche Bundesbank untersuchte an der Börse beispielsweise Tage, die von besonderem Stress gekennzeichnet waren. Insbesondere die Rolle von ETFs wurde unter die Lupe genommen. Dabei verglich sie die Liquidität zwischen ETFs und direkten Anlagen. Das Ergebnis war, dass ETFs „besonders turbulente Phasen an den Finanzmärkten durchaus kurzfristig verstärken können“. Ignorieren Anleger dieses Risiko? 
Klaus Thaler: Zuerst einmal möchte ich betonen, dass die Deutsche Bundesbank in besagter Untersuchung zum Schluss kommt, dass die von ETFs „ausgehenden spezifischen Risiken für das gesamte Finanzsystem derzeit – auch wegen der noch vergleichsweise geringen Grösse des Sektors – begrenzt“ sind. In der Tat liegt der Anteil von ETFs am weltweit verwalteten Fondsvermögen gemäss Deutscher Bundesbank bei geringen 14 Prozent. Da müssten ETFs schon magische Kräfte besitzen, um der Auslöser höherer Kursschwankungen zu sein.
Zusätzlich muss man bedenken, dass ein Grossteil des ETF-Handels am Sekundärmarkt abgewickelt wird. ETF-Anteile wechseln also den Besitzer, ohne dass die zugrundeliegenden Wertschriften gehandelt werden. Dies geschieht am Primärmarkt. Daher ist das angesprochene Risiko eher gering.
 
Wir setzten aktuell nur auf physisch replizierende ETFs
Kritiker zitieren dann den so genannten „Flash Crash“ vom 24. August 2015, wo der Handel mit bestimmten ETFs wegen hoher Kurseinbrüche eingestellt wurde. Kommen ETFs bei Marktverwerfungen unter Druck?
Klaus Thaler:  ETF spiegeln &#8211; wie andere Instrumente auch &#8211; aktuelle Marktbedingungen wider. Am Ende ist es immer noch Angebot und Nachfrage, welche den Preis eines Wertpapiers bestimmt. Gibt es Marktverwerfungen und rauschen Aktienpreise in den Keller, überträgt sich das auch auf ETF-Preise, genauso wie bei anderen traditionellen Fonds.
In Krisenzeiten ist vor allem auf einen Punkt zu achten: Liquidität. Und diese wird bei ETFs durch so genannte „Autorisierte Marktteilnehmer“ sichergestellt. Sie bringen die ETF-Anteile in den Börsenhandel und sorgen für einen fortlaufenden Handel. Durch ihre spezielle Anreizstruktur sorgen sie dafür, dass ETF-Preise nie stark vom zugrundeliegenden Index abweichen.
Im Worst Case Szenario &#8211; wenn kein Autorisierter Marktteilnehmer seine Aufgaben erfüllen kann oder möchte &#8211; kann diese Diskrepanz theoretisch aus dem Ruder laufen. Dann greifen aber in der Regel die Schutzmechanismen der Börse und der Handel mit den betreffenden ETFs wird ausgesetzt.
 
Etwa 80% meines Portfolios ist passiv angelegt
Es gibt aber auch Situationen, wo keine Schutzmechanismen greifen. Beispielsweise kann ja hinter einem ETF auch ein Tauschgeschäft, ein sogenannter Swap stecken (die ETF-Anbieter besitzen die Aktien oder Wertpapiere also gar nicht). Das Risiko, dass die Gegenpartei in Krisenzeiten nicht ihren Verpflichtungen nachkommen kann, ist real. Wie gehen Sie mit diesen Risiken um?
Klaus Thaler: Aus diesem Grund setzen wir aktuell nur auf physisch replizierende ETFs. Das bedeutet: Um dieselbe Rendite, wie der zugrundeliegende Index zu erzielen, werden alle oder ein Grossteil der im Index enthaltenen Wertpapiere gekauft. Damit ist das drin, was auch draufsteht. Es ist für Anleger transparent und leicht verständlich und zudem mit weniger Risiken verbunden.
Es kann aber für gewisse Märkte und Anlageklassen sinnvoll sein, eine so genannte synthetische Replikation mittels Tauschgeschäft zu wählen. Insbesondere Rohstoffe lassen sich nicht einfach direkt kaufen, ohne dabei an Transport oder Lagerung zu denken. Anleger müssen sich dann aber immer der zusätzlichen Risiken solcher ETFs bewusst sein.
Aber auch physisch replizierende ETFs haben ihre Schwächen. Vielleicht nicht für die Anleger, aber für den Markt im Gesamten. Einige Beobachter sind beispielsweise skeptisch gegenüber ETFs, weil automatisch Aktien aller im Index gelisteten Unternehmen gekauft werden. Werden diese Aktien damit nicht „hochgekauft“ und generieren eine überdimensionale Verzerrung des wahren Werts?
Klaus Thaler: Am Ende sind es immer Anleger, die Aktien kaufen wollen oder nicht. Täten sie es nicht mit ETFs, dann vielleicht als Direktanlage oder über einen traditionellen Fonds. Gäbe es aber in der Tat Verzerrungen, könnten Arbitrageure dies ausnützen und z.B. auf fallende Kurse wetten. 
Investieren Sie persönlich auch in ETFs?
Klaus Thaler: Ja, klar! Es wäre schon komisch, wenn ich persönlich nicht an das Anlageinstrument glaube, das wir bei ELVIA e-invest nutzen. Etwa 80% meines Portfolios ist passiv angelegt, da muss ich mich nicht gross darum kümmern und profitiere von den Wachstumstrends der Aktienmärkte. Die restlichen 20% sind für kurzfristige und risikoreiche Spekulationen.




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Eröffnen Sie ein Depot bei der Online-Vermögensverwaltung ELVIA e-invest und erhalten Sie 250 Franken als Startguthaben. Das Angebot gilt bis zum 30. November 2018.



 
Featured image credit: www.e-invest.ch
The post Online Vermögensverwaltung ELVIA e-invest im Interview zu ETF Risiken appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/online-vermogensverwaltung-elvia-e-invest-im-interview-zu-etf-risiken</link><guid>840</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/e-invest-300x150.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Online Vermögensverwaltung Elvia e-Invest im Interview zu ETF Risiken</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Blockchain Federation Gegründet</title><description><![CDATA[
In Zürich wurde die Swiss Blockchain Federation gegründet. Ihr Ziel ist die Förderung der Standortattraktivität und die Schaffung von Rechtssicherheit für Blockchain-basierte Aktivitäten in der Schweiz.
Die Swiss Blockchain Federation vereint als Public Private Partnership Akteure aus der Blockchain-Branche, aus Politik, Wirtschaft, Wissenschaft und Gesellschaft. Sie löst die «Blockchain Taskforce» ab, die im Dezember 2017 ins Leben gerufen wurde und stellt deren Aktivitäten auf eine langfristige, professionelle Basis. Als erster Präsident der Swiss Blockchain Federation wurde Regierungsrat Heinz Tännler, Finanzdirektor des Kantons Zug, gewählt.


Die Schweiz hat sich in den letzten Jahren zu einem der weltweit wichtigsten Standorte für Blockchain-Firmen und -Geschäftsmodelle entwickelt. Diese Firmen und Initiativen brauchen Perspektiven – und vor allem Rechtssicherheit. Startups kommen in erster Linie wegen der günstigen Rahmenbedingungen und des zunehmend starken Blockchain-Ökosystems in die Schweiz, das insbesondere zwischen Zug und Zürich sowie im Kanton Tessin entstanden ist und sich mehr und mehr gesamtschweizerisch etabliert. Im regulatorischen Bereich gibt es jedoch Unsicherheiten, die auch bezüglich der Infrastruktur zu Lücken geführt haben.
Deshalb wurde im Dezember 2017 die «Blockchain Taskforce» ins Leben gerufen. Die Taskforce schlug eine Brücke aus dem «Crypto Valley» nach Bundesbern und in die breite Öffentlichkeit. In verschiedenen Bereichen wurden Arbeitsgruppen gebildet, so z.B. ICO/Token, Banking sowie Cybersecurity. Im Frühjahr 2018 wurde dem Bundesrat ein erstes White Paper  mit Empfehlungen überreicht.
Verein löst bisherige Taskforce ab
Um die Aktivitäten der Taskforce auf eine langfristige Basis zu stellen, wurde nun ein Verein mit dem Namen «Swiss Blockchain Federation» gegründet. Das oberste Ziel bleibt auch in der neuen Organisation der Erhalt und Ausbau der Attraktivität des Blockchain-Standorts Schweiz. Der Verein ist als Public Private Partnership konzipiert. Er leistet damit einen wichtigen Beitrag, indem er Akteure von Bund, Kantonen, Wirtschaft, Wissenschaft und Gesellschaft vernetzt und selbst als volkswirtschaftlicher und gesellschaftlicher Inkubator für die Idee Blockchain-basierter Anwendungen und Tätigkeiten wirkt.
Heinz Tännler erster Präsident
Als erster Präsident des Vereins wurde am 30. Oktober 2018 in Zürich Heinz Tännler, Finanzdirektor des Kantons Zug, gewählt. Für ihn ist klar:
«Immer mehr qualitativ hochwertige Start-ups und Blockchain-Firmen siedeln sich in der Schweiz an. Um die Spitzenposition der Schweiz im internationalen Wettbewerb um die besten Unternehmen und Ideen weiter auszubauen, sind gemeinsame Anstrengungen von Blockchain-Branche, Politik, Wirtschaft und Wissenschaft notwendig. Dies betrifft den rechtlichen Rahmen ebenso wie die Verankerung des Potentials der technologischen Entwicklung in der Gesellschaft.»
Vizepräsident Lorenz Furrer, Mitbegründer der Blockchain-Taskforce, fasst die Funktion des Vereins folgendermassen zusammen:
«Die Swiss Blockchain Federation besteht in erster Linie aus einem Panel von Experten und Persönlichkeiten unterschiedlichster Herkunft und übernimmt eine Dachfunktion für die bestehenden Akteure und Initiativen, die sich der Förderung der Blockchain-Technologie verschrieben haben.»


 

 
Featured image credit: blockchainfederation.ch
The post Swiss Blockchain Federation Gegründet appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-blockchain-federation-gegrundet</link><guid>839</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/swiss-blockchain-federation-300x87.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Blockchain Federation Gegründet</dc:text></item><item><title>Deutsche Bundesbank and Deutsche Börse Complete Tests for Blockchain Prototypes</title><description><![CDATA[Deutsche Bundesbank and Deutsche Börse have successfully completed the performance tests of their jointly specified prototypes for securities settlement based on blockchain technology.
The prototypes support the settlement of securities transactions, payments, interest payments and repayments at the maturity of a bond. It was developed on both Hyperledger Fabric (version 1.0) and the Digital Asset Platform and subjected to demanding performance tests.
The tests showed that both prototypes are suitable for the productive operation of a realistic financial market infrastructure and can serve as a basis for further development. Both the Digital Asset Platform and the Hyperledger Fabric have had subsequent releases which may even improve the performance.
Burkhard Balz
&#8220;During this project, Deutsche Bundesbank and Deutsche Börse learned a lot about the usage of this technology and its concrete implementation. We expect the rapid development to continue, and also see the potential in using it for high-volume applications. The approach of a permissioned architecture, which takes into account the requirements of the financial sector from the outset, has proven to be right,&#8221;
said Burkhard Balz, Member of the Executive Board of Deutsche Bundesbank.
Berthold Kracke, CEO of Clearstream Banking AG and Head of Clearstream Global Operations at Deutsche Börse Group, said
Berthold Kracke
&#8220;We are very happy with the results of the project. The tests have shown that blockchain technology is a suitable basis for applications in the field of settlement and other financial infrastructures. Thanks to the cooperation with Deutsche Bundesbank and the expertise of Digital Asset, we were able to tailor the product to the needs of the industry.”
The blockchain-based prototypes are a result of a collaborative research project between Deutsche Börse and the Deutsche Bundesbank to undertake blockchain based settlement technology research (in short: BLOCKBASTER).
You can find the essential results of the project in the joint publication &#8220;BLOCKBASTER, Final Report“.
The post Deutsche Bundesbank and Deutsche Börse Complete Tests for Blockchain Prototypes appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/deutsche-bundesbank-and-deutsche-borse-complete-tests-for-blockchain-prototypes</link><guid>838</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/hyperledger.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Deutsche Bundesbank and Deutsche Börse Complete Tests for Blockchain Prototypes</dc:text></item><item><title>3 Proven Monetisation Models For Fintech</title><description><![CDATA[A report indicates that more than 70% of Americans struggle financially. At the same time, these same households pay roughly $175 billion annually in fees and interest for financial products and services, yet most of such instances don&#8217;t improve their financial situation.
While the situation in Switzerland is better with only one fifth of households struggling financially, the fees structures are not drastically different. There&#8217;s some observable lessons that Swiss Fintech companies can learn from this study
Fintech solutions that could help them might already exist in the market, yet consumers that were surveyed in this report reveals that they mistrust fintech solutions.
According to the report, revenue models are foundational to establishing and retaining trust in consumers—nothing erodes trust in a financial service company more than lack of product and cost transparency.
This is because the same research reveals that the most popular revenue model is to charge consumers directly.
Fintech Monetisation Models
How to monetise fintech? That&#8217;s a question that you&#8217;ll find budding entrepreneurs asking themselves
Of course, there are an infinite amount of ways to monetise one&#8217;s fintech platform, but Omidyar Network discovered that these are the three basic ways that fintech players monetises:
Consumers: the obvious choice and the most straightforward monetisation model.
Third-party sellers: they usually pay for advertising and referrals on the fintech platform.
Third-party beneficiaries: They themselves gain value when consumers use the financial health tool—like money, or more indirect value like employee wellness, reducing turnover or promotes productivity.
Image Credit: Omyidar Network and Oliver Wyman
How Payments Should Be Structured
In addition to who forks out the cash, fintech players also need to figure out how the payments should be structured. Out of all the fintech companies observed, the report lists the following as the categories that most payment types fall into:
Image Credit: Omyidar Network and Oliver Wyman
To date, consumer pay approaches are by far the most commonly used revenue model, with 65% of fintechs reviewed using this approach. Third-party seller models (33% percent) and third-party beneficiary models (26%) are also used by a notable minority of startups.
Most fintechs start from a single revenue source early on, but they diversify over time. Three-quarters of financial health solutions in the market though, today, rely on a single source of material revenue.
Companies with multiple material sources of revenue have raised twice as much funding from investors, though they also tend to be slightly older startups.
Experts and entrepreneurs pointed to a simple explanation for this trend: Building a revenue model is hard work. It takes trial and error, executive focus, and incremental effort outside of product design. Most entrepreneurs narrow the aperture and choose a single payer source to focus on first.
Usually, as fintechs mature, they have more resources to add new features and complex solutions, which diversifies their revenue models. Therefore, it is often strategic for fintechs to not only determine which revenue model works best for them at this juncture, but what revenue streams could become viable over time.
Rampant Mistrust Among Consumers
Image Credit: Omyidar Network and Oliver Wyman
Since most fintechs do use the directly charging consumers method,be it directly to the public or sellers, monetisation strategies could affect consumers&#8217; perceptions in a profound way. The right one could make them feel like their financial providers are looking out for their best interests, whereas hidden fees and excessive rates could leave them feeling taken advantage of.
Some of the key concerns that users have pointed out regarding mistrusting fintech are:

How to directly tackle user mistrust
Image Credit: Omyidar Network and Oliver Wyman
 
In this report, Omidyar Network and Oliver Wyman investigate current revenue practices among financial health entrepreneurs, highlighting trends from data collected from surveys with 350 fintechs, 11 case studies from firms in the space, as well as advice from founders and investors collected during interviews and workshops with more than 50 entrepreneurs and sector leaders, and focus groups and digital diaries with dozens of consumers across income ranges and geographies.
The research distills approaches on how to embed commitment to financial health into the company’s core strategy and how to mitigate the risks of its revenue model to customers.
The idea is to inspire entrepreneurs serving the mass market and provide them with a framework that opens up the possibility of doing well by doing good.
The full report on how to monetise fintech and more can be downloaded here.
The post 3 Proven Monetisation Models For Fintech appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/3-proven-monetisation-models-for-fintech</link><guid>837</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/fintech-solutions-monetise-models.png</dc:content ><dc:text>3 Proven Monetisation Models For Fintech</dc:text></item><item><title>Swissquote Allows Investors to Join ICOs Without a Cryptocurrency Wallet</title><description><![CDATA[Swissquote announced that it is &#8220;the first bank worldwide&#8221; to enable its clients the opportunity to participate in various ICOs without needing a cryptocurrency wallet.
The holding company specialises in the provision of online financial and trading services, and have been able to capitalise on the rising interest in cryptocurrencies and ICO. The company is also involved in providing robo-advisory, e-forex and e-mortgages.
This should enable Swissquote customers to more easily join a startup or scaleup company&#8217;s journey, while also diversifying their assets.
According to Swissquote, up to now, in order to participate in an ICO, investors usually needed to understand blockchain technology and own a blockchain wallet. The new Swissquote wallet issued by the company instead allows clients to purchase tokens against Swiss francs using their trading accounts. Swissquote then takes up the brunt of the work for execution, and custody of tokens.
To get things rolling, Swissquote is working together with LakeDiamond to bring on board the first ICO on its platform. The spin-off of the EPFL (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne) produces artificial diamonds in laboratories with specialised reactors, for use in demanding industrial application such as watch movements, lasers or transistors.
The startup is issuing its ICO to sell machine production minutes in the form of tokens. A virtual token corresponds to actual machine time. The tokens are issued following technical standard used for smart contracts on Ethereum. LakeDiamond is issuing tokens worth 60.5 million Swiss francs in total, and the company plans on using the money raised to ramp up production capabilities, and buying more reactors.
For the collaboration between Swissquote and LakeDiamond, minimum purchase is 60 LakeDiamond tokens (KLD), equivalent to 33 francs.
Featured image via Wikimedia Commons
 
The post Swissquote Allows Investors to Join ICOs Without a Cryptocurrency Wallet appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swissquote-allows-investors-to-join-icos-without-a-cryptocurrency-wallet</link><guid>835</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swissquote Allows Investors to Join ICOs Without a Cryptocurrency Wallet</dc:text></item><item><title>Deutsche Handelsbank finanziert Deutsches Insurtech Startup</title><description><![CDATA[Die Deutsche Handelsbank stellt die Finanzierung des steilen Wachstums des digitalen Versicherungsmanagers CLARK sicher.
Der Start-up-Finanzierer aus München erweitert damit sein Kundenportfolio um einen der zentralen Akteure aus dem Wachstumsmarkt Insurtech.
Das Frankfurter Versicherungs-Start-up CLARK gehört derzeit zu den deutschen Marktführern auf dem Gebiet des digitalen Versicherungsmanagements und strebt an, seinen Marktanteil weiter systematisch auszubauen.
Zu diesem Zweck hat CLARK mit der auf Start-up- und Wachstumsfinanzierung spezialisierten Deutschen Handelsbank eine Working-Capital-Finanzierung vereinbart. Unter anderem verwendet CLARK die Finanzierung für die im Juli 2018 abgeschlossene Akquisition des saarländischen Versicherungsmaklers Malburg GmbH.
Die Deutsche Handelsbank fokussiert sich auf schnell wachsende Unternehmen mit vielversprechenden Geschäftsmodellen. Diese werden von einem Analyseteam hinsichtlich ihrer Zukunftsfähigkeit überprüft sowie mit relevanten Kennzahlen bewertet, bevor eine Finanzierungszusage getroffen wird. Erweist sich ein Start-up-Unternehmen als finanzierungswürdig, unterliegt es einem ständigen Monitoring-Prozess, so dass eine langfristige Zusammenarbeit gewährleistet werden kann.
Daniel Kreis, CEO der Deutschen Handelsbank sagt:
Daniel Kreis
„Das Ziel der Deutschen Handelsbank ist es, den neuen deutschen Mittelstand zu finanzieren. Das bedeutet disruptive Geschäftsmodelle auf ihre Nachhaltigkeit hin zu bewerten und im Schulterschluss mit den Venture-Capital-Gebern mit Fremdkapital zu finanzieren, so dass eine Verwässerung der Gründer möglichst minimal gehalten wird und das Unternehmen mit unserer Hilfe noch starker wachsen kann.“
 
 
Featured image credit: https://www.clark.de/
The post Deutsche Handelsbank finanziert Deutsches Insurtech Startup appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/deutsche-handelsbank-finanziert-deutsches-insurtech-startup</link><guid>834</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Deutsche Handelsbank finanziert Deutsches Insurtech Startup</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Now Takes Up 33% of Revenue Share in Financial Services</title><description><![CDATA[New entrants to the banking market — including challenger banks, non-bank payments institutions and big tech companies — are amassing up to one-third of new revenue, which is challenging the competitiveness of traditional banks, according to new research from Accenture.
Accenture analyzed more than 20,000 banking and payments institutions across seven markets to quantify the level of change and disruption in the global banking industry. The study found that the number of banking and payments institutions decreased by nearly 20 percent over a 12-year period — from 24,000 in 2005 to less than 19,300 in 2017.
However, nearly one in six (17 percent) current institutions are what Accenture considers new entrants — i.e., companies entering the market after 2005. While few of these new players have raised alarm bells among traditional banks, the threat of reduced future revenue growth opportunities is real and growing.
Two new reports from Accenture quantify the level of disruption in the banking industry: “Beyond North Star Gazing” discusses how industry change is shaping the strategic priorities for banks, and “Star Shifting: Rapid Evolution Required” outlines what banks can do to take advantage of these changes to maintain customer relevance and ensure future revenue growth.
Alan McIntyre
“Most banks are struggling to find the right mix of investments in traditional and digital capabilities as they balance meeting the needs of digital customers with maintaining legacy systems that protect customer data,”
said Alan McIntyre, a senior managing director at Accenture and head of its global Banking practice.
 
Industry disruption
Many incumbent banks continue to dismiss the threat of new entrants, claiming that fintech players are not innovative, and that they are not generating revenue nor profit.
However, the reports analyzed where revenue is shifting to new entrants and identifies examples of true innovation happening around the world that can no longer be dismissed. Accenture predicts that the shift in revenue to new entrants will continue and will start to have a material impact on incumbent banks’ profits.


Fintech Disruption: Breakdown By Region
U.S.: Nineteen percent of financial institutions in the U.S. are new entrants and have captured 3.5 percent of total banking and payments revenues. Over the past dozen years, the number of financial institutions in the U.S. has decreased by nearly one-quarter, largely due to the financial crisis and subsequent regulatory hurdles imposed to obtain a banking license.
These factors have made the U.S. a difficult market for new entrants and a stable environment for incumbents. More than half of new current accounts opened in the U.S. have been captured by three large banks that are making material investments in digital, while regional banks focus on cost reduction and struggle to grow their balance sheets.
UK: With regulation increasing competition in the financial services industry and reducing the dominance of established banks, 63 percent of players in the UK are new entrants. This is eye-popping compared with other markets and the 17 percent global average. New entrants have captured 14 percent of total banking revenues, with the clear majority (12 percent) going to non-bank payments institutions.
While they have only taken around 14 percent of revenues, the reports suggest that they are taking over one third of new revenue indicating a higher level of disruption in the future. The reports also suggest that incumbent banks will therefore likely start to see a significant impact on revenues as leading challenger banks are surpassing the 1 million customer threshold and 15 fintechs have been granted full banking licenses.
Canada: Investors have backed new entrants in Canada with the intention of disrupting the banking industry. While nearly half (47 percent) of banking and payments institutions are new entrants, they have captured less than 2 percent of total banking and payments revenue, making Canada one of the least disrupted major banking markets.
Europe: In Europe (including the UK), 20 percent of the banking and payments institutions are new entrants and have captured nearly 7 percent of total banking revenue — and one-third (33 percent) of all new revenue since 2005.
The post Fintech Now Takes Up 33% of Revenue Share in Financial Services appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-now-takes-up-33-of-revenue-share-in-financial-services</link><guid>824</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Revenues_Graphic.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech Now Takes Up 33% of Revenue Share in Financial Services</dc:text></item><item><title>Insurtech Award in Munich: A Swiss Insurtech Newcomer Wins</title><description><![CDATA[
Around 1,000  decision makers representing 50 countries attended last week the Digital Insurance conference in Munich.
The insurtech event featured more than 50 insurtechs startups. Technologies on stage varied from blockchain and bots to connected devices and conversational commerce.
The event also presented the first Insurtech Award &#8220;DIAmond&#8221;.
Insurers and insurtech investors in the audience awarded six insurtechs the DIAmond Award for insurtech with most strategic impact. One new and so far relative unknown Swiss Insurtech (Creadi) made into the top 6 Insurtech awarded Startups.
DIAmond Award winners
 


DataRobot (USA): Accelerating the path to AI &amp; Machine Learning competence for insurers of all sizes.


Creadi (Switzerland): AI driven insurance platform which allows customers to easily find individual solutions they need.


Somnox (Netherlands): On a mission to improve people’s lifes by sleeping with a robot.

e-Bot7 (Germany): Integrating an AI layer into CRM systems to increase the efficiency of customer service operations.
Codafication (Australia): Empowering insurers by augmenting existing infrastructure and allowing mobile first, omni-channel experiences.

Kryon (Israel): Innovative, intelligent Robotic Process Automation solutions to enable true digital transformation.
Special IHM powered DIA Award
Furthermore, HiNounou was awarded the special DIA Award powered by Insurtech Hub Munich for insurtech with most transformative power.

HiNounou (China/Singapore): Wellness ecosystem and platform, providing Seniors and their families with a one stop home wellness solution.
The post Insurtech Award in Munich: A Swiss Insurtech Newcomer Wins appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/insurtech-award-in-munich-a-swiss-insurtech-newcomer-wins</link><guid>825</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Insurtech Award in Munich: A Swiss Insurtech Newcomer Wins</dc:text></item><item><title>SEC Launches New Strategic Hub for Innovation and Fintech- Finhub</title><description><![CDATA[The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission  announced last week the launch of the agency&#8217;s Strategic Hub for Innovation and Financial Technology (FinHub).
The FinHub will serve as a resource for public engagement on the SEC&#8217;s FinTech-related issues and initiatives, such as distributed ledger technology (including digital assets), automated investment advice, digital marketplace financing, and artificial intelligence/machine learning. The FinHub also replaces and builds on the work of several internal working groups at the SEC that have focused on similar issues.
The FinHub will:

Provide a portal for industry and the public to engage directly with SEC staff on innovative ideas and technological developments;
Publicize information regarding the SEC&#8217;s activities and initiatives involving FinTech on the FinHub page;
Engage with the public through publications and events, including a FinTech Forum focusing on distributed ledger technology and digital assets planned for 2019;
Act as a platform and clearinghouse for SEC staff to acquire and disseminate information and FinTech-related knowledge within the agency; and
Serve as a liaison to other domestic and international regulators regarding emerging technologies in financial, regulatory, and supervisory systems.

The SEC&#8217;s FinHub will be led by Valerie A. Szczepanik, Senior Advisor for Digital Assets and Innovation and Associate Director in the SEC&#8217;s Division of Corporation Finance, and staffed by representatives from the SEC&#8217;s divisions and offices who have expertise and involvement in FinTech-related issues.
Jay Clayton
&#8220;The SEC is committed to working with investors and market participants on new approaches to capital formation, market structure, and financial services, with an eye toward enhancing, and in no way reducing investor protection,&#8221;
said SEC Chairman Jay Clayton.
&#8220;The FinHub provides a central point of focus for our efforts to monitor and engage on innovations in the securities markets that hold promise, but which also require a flexible, prompt regulatory response to execute our mission.&#8221;
&#8220;SEC staff across the agency have been engaged for some time in efforts to understand emerging technologies, communicate the agency&#8217;s stance on new issues, and facilitate beneficial innovations in the securities industry,&#8221;
said Ms. Szczepanik.
&#8220;By launching FinHub, we hope to provide a clear path for entrepreneurs, developers, and their advisers to engage with SEC staff, seek input, and test ideas.&#8221;
 
Featured Image credit: https://www.sec.gov/
The post SEC Launches New Strategic Hub for Innovation and Fintech- Finhub appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sec-launches-new-strategic-hub-for-innovation-and-fintech-finhub</link><guid>826</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>SEC Launches New Strategic Hub for Innovation and Fintech- Finhub</dc:text></item><item><title>Schweizer “Challenger” Bank Neon Testet noch bis ende Jahr</title><description><![CDATA[Das Zürcher FinTech neon hat im August 2018 die Beta-Version seiner Konto-App lanciert, mehrere hundert Beta Nutzer testen derzeit kostenlos den Dienst.
Die Kontoeröffnung erfolgt jetzt völlig papierlos über die App und dauert weniger als 10 Minuten. Damit ist neon gemäss eigenen Angaben der erste unabhängige Anbieter einer kostengünstigen, rein auf das Smartphone ausgerichteten Kontolösung in der Schweiz.
neon hat im August 2018 die Beta-Version seiner App lanciert und schon mehrere hundert Nutzer. Das Angebot umfasst neben der App ein Privatkonto, welches bei der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg AG liegt, sowie eine Maestro-Karte zum Einkaufen und Abheben im In- und Ausland. neon ist ausschliesslich auf das Smartphone ausgerichtet und verzichtet damit als erster Kontoanbieter in der Schweiz komplett auf Filialen.
Den Kostenvorteil gibt neon an seine Kunden zurück: es gibt keine Grundgebühren für das Konto und für die Maestro-Karte.
Kostenloses Konto inkl. Maestro Karte
Per Anfang Oktober hat neon weitere Meilensteine erreicht. Zum einen ist die Kontoeröffnung, die weniger als 10 Minuten dauert, jetzt komplett papierlos. Zum anderen sind nun neben den gängigen Zahlungsmöglichkeiten auch SEPA Überweisungen in Euro und per Click Direktzahlungen an andere neon-Nutzer möglich.
Damit bietet neon eine Alternative für digital affine und kostenbewusste Kunden, die eine günstige, schnelle und unabhängige Kontolösung für ihren Alltag suchen.
Mit der Beta-Version möchte neon möglichst rasch Nutzer gewinnen und wertvolles frühes Feedback erhalten, auch wenn einzelne Angebotsbestandteile wie eine Mastercard noch nicht bereit sind. Das Kundenfeedback wird laufend aufgenommen und wurde in bisher drei App-Updates seit Start der Beta Phase umgesetzt. Als Dankeschön an die Nutzer sind bis Ende 2018 Abhebungen gebührenfrei.
Julius Kirscheneder
Julius Kirscheneder, Mitgründer von neon, sagt:
„Mit neon wollen wir ein sehr günstiges und schnelles Konto für den Alltag bieten. Wir möchten zeigen, dass mit einer zeitgemässen App die alltäglichen Finanzen sogar Spass machen können. Wichtig für uns ist es, durch die Einbindung von Kunden die App in der Beta-Phase zielgerichtet zu testen und weiter zu entwickeln.
Wir wissen, dass wir noch nicht bei 100% sind. Umso gespannter schauen wir täglich auf die Erfahrung der Beta-Nutzer, haben schon viel gelernt und bei der Entwicklung berücksichtigt.“
The post Schweizer &#8220;Challenger&#8221; Bank Neon Testet noch bis ende Jahr appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schweizer-challenger-bank-neon-testet-noch-bis-ende-jahr</link><guid>827</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Schweizer “Challenger” Bank Neon Testet noch bis ende Jahr</dc:text></item><item><title>2 Schweizer Proptech Startups unter den Gewinnern an Immobilien Expo in München</title><description><![CDATA[Im diesjährigen Wettbewerb an der internationalen Immobilienmesse Expo Real in München haben sich mit PriceHubble und Tower360 zwei Startups in den Kategorien «Invest» und «Market» durchsetzen können, die Mitglieder im Schweizer Netzwerk SwissPropTech sind.
Mario Facchinetti
«Diese beiden Siege freuen uns ganz besonders. Zeigen sie doch, dass das ImmobilienKnowhow hoch und ihre Geschäftsideen überzeugend sind»,
kommentiert Netzwerkleiter Mario Facchinetti den erfolgreichen Abschluss des internationalen Startup-Contests in der bayrischen Landeshauptstadt.
Der Wettbewerb vom Real Estate Innovation Network , der 2018 zum zweiten Mal ausgetragen wurde, erstreckte sich über alle drei Messetage und umfasste neben den Kategorien «Invest» und «Market» auch «Plan &amp; Build», «Manage &amp; Operate» sowie «Smart Cities &amp; Work».
Insgesamt kamen mit fünf von 25 Teilnehmenden allein ein Fünftel der Startups aus der Schweiz. Gewinner PriceHubble stammt aus Zürich und war Ende 2015 von Stefan Heitmann gegründet worden. Geschäftsinhalt von PriceHubble ist, mit Hilfe von Machine Learning Immobilienanalysen, -bewertungen und -prognosen unter Nutzung grosser Datenmengen zu automatisieren.
Tower360 als weiteres Mitglied von SwissPropTech setzte sich gegen die Konkurrenz aus Grossbritannien, Irland, Israel und Österreich durch. Das Deutsch-Schweizerische
Jungunternehmen stellt mit seiner Lösung grosse Datenmengen rund um die Immobilienverwaltung für kommerzielle Anbieter und Entwickler zur Verfügung. Aus Schweizer Sicht erfolgreich im Wettbewerb vertreten waren zudem die Zürcher Carbon Delta AG (klimafreundliche Investitionsportfolios), das ETH-Spin off Archilyse (fortgeschrittene Architektur-Analyse) und die Loriot AG (cloudbasierte IoT-Infrastrukturlösungen für die Immobilienbranche). Auch diese Unternehmungen konnten sich an der Messe in München einem internationalen Publikum präsentieren.
«Das Forum vom Real Estate Innovation Network an der EXPO REAL in München war dieses Jahr noch grösser und noch besser besucht»,
sagt Mario Facchinetti, der mit dem seinem Netzwerk SwissPropTech auch Schweizer Partner des Forums war.
«Das Interesse an der Digitalisierung der Immobilienwirtschaft ist breit und über alle Grenzen festzustellen.»
«Mit dem Schweizer Sieg in der wichtigen Invest-Kategorie und der beachtlichen Präsenz von gesamthaft 13 Swiss PropTech-Mitgliedern hat die eidgenössische PropTech-Szene auf internationaler Bühne gezeigt, was sie kann und was in ihr steckt. Eine Ausgangslage, auf der wir aufbauen»,
fasst Mario Facchinetti eine sehr erfolgreiche Expo Real 2018 zusammen.
 
Featured image credit: Copyright 2018, Messe München GmbH, all rights reserved; Author Thomas Plettenberg / Messe München GmbH
The post 2 Schweizer Proptech Startups unter den Gewinnern an Immobilien Expo in München appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/2-schweizer-proptech-startups-unter-den-gewinnern-an-immobilien-expo-in-munchen</link><guid>828</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>2 Schweizer Proptech Startups unter den Gewinnern an Immobilien Expo in München</dc:text></item><item><title>Erste Fintech Messe der Schweiz</title><description><![CDATA[Die Startup-Vereinigung Swiss Finance Startups hat am 16. Oktober 2018 im Zürcher Grünenhof die erste Fintech-Messe der Schweiz lanciert. Das Event ist gemäss dem Veranstalter ein Erfolg auf der ganzen Linie und hat deren Erwartungen deutlich übertroffen.
Es ist viel los im Schweizer Fintech. Die Branche ist den Kinderschuhen längst entwachsen und ist vom Schweizer Finanzplatz nicht mehr wegzudenken. Eine eigene Messe fehlte den Fintech-Treibern bislang noch &#8211; wie sehr, das zeigte die grosse Nachfrage.
Die verfügbare Ausstellerfläche war nach wenigen Stunden ausgebucht. Dank der UBS Schweiz, dem Hauptsponsor der Veranstaltung, durfte zusätzliche Stellfläche genutzt werden, sodass am Ende 46 Ausstellern die Möglichkeit zur Präsentation geboten werden konnte.

In Kooperation mit der Singpore Fintech Association wurde Singapore als Partnerland der ersten Schweizer Fintech-Messe ausgerufen und schickte eine offizielle Delegation.
Christina Kehl, Geschäftsführerin und Vorstand von Swiss Finance Startups kommentier:
&#8220;Wir zählen heute über 500 Besucher und haben damit unser Kontingent vollständig ausgereizt. Wir sind sehr stolz auf unsere tollen Startups, sehr dankbar für die Unterstützung seitens unserer Partner und freuen uns riesig über das grosse Interesse an #fintech #theSwissway. Wir haben grossartiges Feedback seitens der Mitwirkenden und der Besucher erhalten, das zeigt, dass wir mit dem Messekonzept ins Schwarze getroffen haben.&#8221;
Der Swiss Fintech Day wird heute bereits zum dritten Mal begangen. Mit jedem Jahr ist die Veranstaltung gewachsen und das neue Konzept der Fintech Messe Schweiz hat den Nerv des Schweizer Fintech Ökosystems getroffen.
The post Erste Fintech Messe der Schweiz appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/erste-fintech-messe-der-schweiz</link><guid>829</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/SFS-FintechFair.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Erste Fintech Messe der Schweiz</dc:text></item><item><title>Iuvo – The P2P Investment Platform Celebrates 2nd Birthday With €29 M Turnover</title><description><![CDATA[The Estonian platform iuvo is one of the fastest developing P2P platforms in Europe.
Мore and more people choose to entrust their savings to peer-2-peer platforms, rather than deposit them in banks. In 2 years iuvo has attracted over 7000 investors from 113 countries. Just for 2018 the number of investors grew by 126%.
More stats
Statistics show that the highest interest comes from Germany, UK, Spain, Scandinavian and Baltic countries, where P2P is known as one of the safest alternative investment instruments.For the last year investors from Germany have grown 45 times, from UK &#8211; 4 times and from CEE &#8211; 2 times.
The average yearly yield is 8.9% for 2017 and can go up to 15% for those with the best strategies. The average deposit on the platform is €5 000 and 10% of the investors have deposits over €10 000. The total investments on the platform until October 2018 are over €29 million with a growth of 468% compared to last year.
The growth scopes
Since its launch in 2016 the company has shown sustainable growth, aiming to ensure the comfort of both loan originators and investors. In 2018 iuvo listed two new lending companies on its market (bringing the count to five) and expanded the list of types of offerings with personal, business, car and mortgage loans. Most popular among the investors are the mortgage loans that are secured with property of the borrower.
Iuvo Buy-back
An important note is that all the listed credits in iuvo have Buy-back guarantee, meaning that in case of default the loan originator pays back the invested amount to the investors. This significantly reduces the risk for the users. Another of the marketplace’s benefits is that 95% of the listed credits come from EU regulated companies.
The iuvo platform is popular among both experienced investors and those who are making their first steps in the world of investments.  The company expects even more from the upcoming year and plans to offer better customer experience on the platform with new functionalities and investment opportunities.
 
Featured image credit via iuvo-group.com
The post Iuvo – The P2P Investment Platform Celebrates 2nd Birthday With €29 M Turnover appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/iuvo-the-p2p-investment-platform-celebrates-2nd-birthday-with-29-m-turnover</link><guid>830</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/iuvo-buy-back-300x182.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Iuvo – The P2P Investment Platform Celebrates 2nd Birthday With €29 M Turnover</dc:text></item><item><title>Switzerland Is an Early Adopter to a Trend That Could Change the Face of Banks Forever</title><description><![CDATA[Before 2015, the idea of banks actively working together and sharing information with each other seemed like a pipe dream, or end results of corporate espionage.
This is, until the UK embarked on their Open API banking initiative, which has since been adopted by the EU. The goal is to create a more integrated, innovative and competitive banking and payments system by, in parts, compelling banks to foster integration amongst each other and with the extended fintech scene.
Open Banking could be a boon to any local finance scene, which is why bank in 2016, an ambitious project called the Swiss Open Finance API (SOFA) hit the public consciousness, with the goal of creating a common API and a new standard for Swiss financial services.
After all, it was said that if Switzerland didn&#8217;t attempt to disrupt their own payments scene, something from the EU would take up that role instead.
With multiple major fintech hubs across the globe undertaking their own open banking initiatives, it&#8217;s &#8220;do or die&#8221; for Swiss banks.
What Open Banking is About
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Driving the whole open banking movement are APIs, or application programming interfaces, which should enable financial institutions to share access to their data seamlessly and securely.
By promoting openly-published API specifications, open banking generates the types of innovation possible through collaboration across a variety of enterprises.
Banks are focused on account information access and payment initiation for their consumers.
It is said that similar APIs have already been used in lending for credit checks, and could relatively easily expand into loans on simple products, as well as repayment automation.
Everyone Wins in Open API
Image Credit: LendIt
Consumers in a region could gain more financial freedom to compare between financial products, while still keeping their hard-earned cash in established banks. Open information sharing could also allow consumers to see real-time data of all of their finances in a single platform, which could help them keep better tabs on their finances.
Meanwhile fintechs will be able to reach the banks&#8217; customer base much easier—which could be valuable in the country of bankers. They could form their business around aggregating data, or construct their business around analytics and personalisation.
And cycling back to banks, they&#8217;ll be able to adopt solutions that are created based on the data they&#8217;ve put out, instead of having to build their own interfaces ad hoc. They would also be able to share information with other banks, and uplift the finance services in their region with technology to compete in an increasingly tech-reliant world.
Open Banking Initiatives
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
 
Considering its origins as a global trend, it makes sense that some of the more prominent banks participating in open banking hail from the UK.
HSBC was said to become on of the first big banks int eh UK to launch a standalone open banking app called Connected Money, which allows customers to access other bank accounts, credit cards and loans. Other names participating include Barclays and Royal Bank of Scotland.
However, the true innovation with banks lies in specialist banks, that provide alternative solutions that are presented to consumers through aggregators. Through partnerships with other financial service providers, they are broadening their reach in a bid to ensure that financial services can be access by the underserved.
There are also the growing numbers of digital-only banks that are either branchless, or even mobile banks. These banks come into the world with already establishe dmodular systems and API-based from the get-go.
Some digital banks are offering APIs to other banks and fintech companies to grow their own businesses.
19 Starling bank in the UK is a notable example, a lender that has offered its API, with documentation and sandbox testing environment.
Of Course, There Are Risks
The radical shifts that open banking can bring are putting traditional financial institutions at somewhat of a crossroads—what should they keep in-house, and what should they pay other companies to do?
Payments service companies like Visa, PayPal and MasterCard are also feeling the open banking pinch. They are currently responding to the issue by playing the role of facilitator in open banking transformations, forging partnerships across the value chain.
They will not die under the new ecosystem, but their power could be diminished to give room for companies like VibePay to rise.
But one of the biggest issues in open banking is the risk for hacks.
Banks have over their many years of existence, slowly upgraded its securities to protect consumer information. With open banking, sensitive data are extended outside of their corporate premises into third-party provider infrastructures that may not have the proper securities in place.
There is also a higher risk of frauds from the increasingly automated processes that open banking would offer, especially if a malicious player figured out how to turn automated processes to their favour.
With consumers&#8217; money and sensitive data on the line, financial institutions and its open banking constitutents will have to continuously upgrade their systems and securities and keep on their toes.





 
The above information was a summary of the LendIt White Paper on open banking, discussing the state of open banking globally. 
The company will also be hosting their LendIt Fintech Europe, an essential event in the continent for those interested in innovations in financial services. 2018&#8217;s event hopes to attract more than 1,200 fintech companies, banks, and investors from Europe&#8217;s most influential companies. 
Hot topics will include: lending innovation, financial inclusion, digital banking, blockchain and AI.
Register now and get 15% off with code FintechNewsCH15%
 




Featured image credit: Switzerland flag, via Pixabay. 
The post Switzerland Is an Early Adopter to a Trend That Could Change the Face of Banks Forever appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/switzerland-is-an-early-adopter-to-a-trend-that-could-change-the-face-of-banks-forever</link><guid>831</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/switzerland-open-banking-credit-suisse.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Switzerland Is an Early Adopter to a Trend That Could Change the Face of Banks Forever</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Artificial Intelligence Startup Map and Link to Fintech Q3/ 2018</title><description><![CDATA[Swisscom published the 3rd Swiss Artificial Intelligence Startup Map.
Out of this list, we have listed again below for your convenience all the Startups out of the Fintech/Insurtech and the Virtual Assistants/Chatbots Categories. Click on the Logo to get to the Startup Webpage.

Fintech &amp; InsurTech































 
Virtual Assistants/Chatbots












Swiss Artificial Intelligence Startup Map March 2018
The post Swiss Artificial Intelligence Startup Map and Link to Fintech Q3/ 2018 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-artificial-intelligence-startup-map-and-link-to-fintech-q3-2018</link><guid>832</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Artificial-Intelligence-Startup-Map-Q3-2018-1.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Artificial Intelligence Startup Map and Link to Fintech Q3/ 2018</dc:text></item><item><title>LEND Schliesst CHF 6 Millionen Series A Finanzierungsrunde Ab</title><description><![CDATA[Das Zürcher P2P Lending Platform LEND schliesst die Series A Finanzierungsrunde ab. Insgesamt CHF 6 Millionen wurden eingesamelt, 3.5 Millionen im April 2017 und nun weitere 2.5 Millionen CHF von Venture Capital Fund Alpana Venture sowie den bisherigen Angel Investoren.

“Unser erfolgreicher Track Record überzeugt weiterhin. Neben bestehenden Investoren, die uns seit den Anfängen unterstützt haben, konnten wir Neue dazugewinnen. “
sagt Florian Kübler, CEO und Mitgründer von LEND:
 
 
Pascal Widmer
„Das LEND Team arbeitet in beeindruckender Weise und überzeugt mit einer ausgezeichneten Performance. LEND wird in der Schweiz den Markt weiterhin verändern und wir freuen uns, der Firma zu weiterem Wachstum zu verhelfen, um damit die Führungsrolle konsolidieren zu können.“
ergänzt Pascal H. Widmer, Managing Partner bei Alpana Ventures.
Erweiterung der Produktepalette
Das Unternehmen verfügt bei der Vermittlung von Privatkrediten bereits über einen soliden Track Record und bietet seit Juni auch Finanzierungslösungen für KMUs und Zweithypotheken an. Die neuen Produktlinien entwickeln sich ausserordentlich gut und LEND treibt die Expansion mittels bestehenden Partnerschaften und direkten Akquisitionskanälen voran.
Sorgfältige Risikoprüfung
Eine ausreichende Bonität spielt für LEND bei der Kreditvergabe weiterhin die Hauptrolle. KMU Kredite werden nur gegen ausreichende Garantien vergeben. Die stringente Kreditvergabepolitik widerspiegelt sich in der tiefen Ausfallrate (weniger als 0.5%). Die Anleger erwirtschaften jährlich im Durchschnitt eine Rendite von 5.5%.
Institutionelle Anleger
In Ländern wie Grossbritannien bereits Mainstream, ist Marketplace Lending auch in der Schweiz angekommen. LEND arbeitet mit mehreren Pensionskassen, Family Offices und Banken zusammen, die in zunehmender Grösse in Kreditprojekte investieren. Kleinanleger bleiben aber ein wichtiger Bestandteil und LEND wird diesen offenstehen.
Team Mitglieder mit Track Record
Neu zu LEND stossen Roman Mebert (Head KMU) und Christian Huber (Head Sales), die beide auf 25+ Jahre Erfahrung in ihren Bereichen zurückblicken können. Risikomanagement ist für sie nicht nur ein grauer Theoriebegriff.
Verwendung der Mittel
Mit den neu aufgenommenen Mitteln wird LEND die Digitalisierung der Plattform weiter vorantreiben, neue Geschäftsfelder professionalisieren und institutionelle Kreditfazilitäten zur Finanzierung der Kreditprojekte sicherstellen.
 
Featured image credit: Lend Facebook page
The post LEND Schliesst CHF 6 Millionen Series A Finanzierungsrunde Ab appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/lend-schliesst-chf-6-millionen-series-a-finanzierungsrunde-ab</link><guid>833</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>LEND Schliesst CHF 6 Millionen Series A Finanzierungsrunde Ab</dc:text></item><item><title>Wefox Group Aims to Become the “New Insurance Standard Worldwide”</title><description><![CDATA[Wefox Group, a Swiss/German insurtech that operates digital platforms that connect insurers, brokers and consumers, is one of the fastest growing insutech startups in Europe and has been expanding aggressively in the past year.
 
Expansion plans
Wefox mobile app
After Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, the firm entered a strategic partnership with Mansutti S.p.A, one of the largest family-run brokerage companies to enter the Italian market. Based in Milan, Mansutti employs more than 300 people and has an extensive network in the insurance industry. The brokerage company focuses on the automotive industry, and will use this connection to drive business via the Wefox platform.
“We want to become the new insurance standard worldwide,” Julian Teicke, CEO and founder of Wefox Group, said in August. “Italy is the next important step for us [because] the market there is at a turning point, shifting from product-centric to a more customer-focused orientation.”
Next year, Wefox plans to incorporate its own company in Italy and expand its cooperation with other brokers. Expansion into other European countries is also anticipated.
Wefox Group currently has two businesses in its portfolio: Wefox, formerly known as FinanceFox, and ONE. Wefox is an independent service platform for insurance founded in Switzerland in November 2014.The marketplace allows customers, brokers and insurance companies, to manage their insurance and financial products and services more efficiently.
Wefox claims it has secured more than 250,000 policyholders since its launch. The company cooperates with more than 1000 insurance brokers, 300 insurance companies, and has been continuously expanding its network.
Meanwhile, ONE, a digital insurance carrier reinsured by Munich Re, was acquired and integrated into Wefox Group last year. The platform allows users to buy monthly, cancellable insurance policies via their smartphone within a few minutes. Damage is reported directly via the app and paid on the same day in 60% of cases. With no claims, the customer receives money back – or the opportunity to donate for a good cause.
ONE, Wefox Group
ONE recently partnered with Munich Re to offer personalized insurance programs using sensor data.
The ONE Coach platform, which underlies the products, assesses risk and suggests insurance packages based on an individual’s lifestyle. Using encryption technology and motion sensors from a user’s mobile phone’s GPS module as the data source, customers monitor in real time how their habits and lifestyle choices impact their risk assessment score.
The first product will be for vacations and will take into account data such as the trip’s duration and then automatically deliver an offer via push notification. It will first launch in Germany focusing on the younger market. The company plans to expand the coverage to Austria, Switzerland and Spain.
Wefox Group has offices in Berlin, Zurich, Vienna and Barcelona and has raised more than EUR 50 million in funding so far. The company is reportedly close to settling on a new “triple-digit million” euro funding round, with Softbank’s Vision Fund among the suitors, three sources familiar with the negotiations told Reuters in August. One of the sources said Softbank would lead the new round by taking a substantial stake, while two others said there was competition from other lead investors.
But a copyright lawsuit by Lemonade against Wefox Group had been holding the funding round and had put investment discussions on hold.
Lemonade, the New York-based peer-to-peer (P2P) insurance company, filed a complain against ONE, Wefox Group, and founder Teicke earlier this year, alleging that Wefox Group reverse engineered Lemonade to create ONE, infringing Lemonade’s intellectual property, violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, and breaching its contractual obligations to Lemonade. The two companies eventually reached a resolution and Lemonade dropped the lawsuit in August.
 
Spiros Margaris joins global advisory board
Spiros Margaris, Global Advisor, Wefox Group, via Twitter
Wefox Group recently added fintech influencer and expert Spiros Margaris into its global advisory board. Margaris, a venture capitalist, senior advisor and frequent speaker at international fintech and insurtech conferences, recently delivered a TEDx talk on how fintech can – and is – positively impacting the world as well as the keynote at EIOPA&#8217;s 2017 annual conference. As of May 2018, he was the only person who reached “the Triple Crown” of influencer rankings by being ranked the global No. 1 Fintech, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Blockchain influencer by Onlaytica.
“I have looked at the Wefox Group insurtech business model from every angle and I believe they have the highest potential to disrupt global insurance industry,” Margaris said.
“Not only am I truly impressed by their execution in providing a win-win customer solution, but their approach incredibly scalable, which makes the future for Wefox Group unlimited. It is a great honor to be part of such an accomplished team and I am looking forward to working together with the best insurtech company out there.”
Teicke said Margaris’ expertise with AI and fintech will help the company grow its position as “a proactive insurance company helping brokers better understand risk in real-time and giving customers easy-to-use insurance products that fit their needs.”
 
Featured image: Julian Teicke, CEO and founder of Wefox Group, at the DIAmond Award 2017, @TheDIACommunity, Twitter.
The post Wefox Group Aims to Become the “New Insurance Standard Worldwide” appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/wefox-group-aims-to-become-the-new-insurance-standard-worldwide</link><guid>813</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/ONE-Insurance.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Wefox Group Aims to Become the “New Insurance Standard Worldwide”</dc:text></item><item><title>Common API macht die Schweiz zu “DEM” Fintech Standort- Exclusives Interview</title><description><![CDATA[Vor kurzem hat eine Swiss Fintech Innovation (SFTI) Arbeitsgruppe unter Leitung von Jürgen Petry erste Details der Schweizer Common API Spezifikation publiziert.
Die Initiative wurde bereits vor 2 Jahren gestartet, und SFTI hat es hier geschafft, wichtige Player mit an Bord zu haben. Dazu zählt auch die SIX, die zukünftig unter dem Dach des SFTI die Fortentwicklung der Common API Spezifikation koordinieren wird.
Im exklusiven Interview erläutert uns Jürgen Petry, warum diese Common APIs so wichtig sind für die Schweiz. Ergänzt wird dieses Interview durch ein Open API/Banking Glossar.
1) Warum braucht die Schweiz  Common API und kann die Schweiz sich so als DER Fintech Standort positionieren?
Jürgen F. Petry
Wenn in der Schweiz als Top-Bankenplatz unsere Banken nicht auf Regulierung warten, sondern Kundenbedürfnisse aufgreifen und durch standardisierte Schnittstellen Innovationen beschleunigen, dann wird im Ergebnis eine Schweiz als Top Fintech Standort in nicht allzu weiter Ferne liegen.
Als Fachverband mit hohem Innovationsfokus sind wir bestrebt, zusammen mit den übrigen relevanten Playern am Markt alle nötigen Energien zu mobilisieren, um dieses Ziel schnell und nachhaltig zu realisieren.
 
&#8220;Über eine einzige Schnittstellen- Implementierung können zukünftig über 200 Banken erreicht werden&#8221;.
2) Für wen eignen sich die Schnittstellen am ehesten, und wer wird diese noch im 2018 nutzen?
Zu Beginn des Wirkens unserer Arbeitsgruppe haben wir uns intensiv mit der Identifikation der potentiellen Stakeholder-Gruppen beschäftigt. Neben den Fintechs sind es in erster Linie die Banken selbst, die von der &#8220;Common API&#8221; profitieren. Hier wird beispielsweise die Umsystem-Integration bei den Banken-Backends und die Entwicklung bzw. Integration innovativer Frontend-Anwendungen tangiert, um nur zwei Einsatzgebiete zu nennen.
Für die Anbieter von Standardsoftware ist die &#8220;Common API&#8221;-Ansatz ebenfalls von Vorteil: Aufwände für Release-Management sinken, und die Akquisition von Neukunden wird vereinfacht. Ein signifikanter Mehrwert ergibt sich auch für klassische Drittanbieter, etwa von eBanking-Lösungen: Über eine einzige Schnittstellen- Implementierung können sie zukünftig über 200 Banken erreichen.
Welche dieser Stakeholder-Gruppen zuerst Lösungen implementiert, die auf den &#8220;Common API&#8221;-Konzepten basieren, wird die Zukunft zeigen. Allerdings ist eine breite Nutzung noch im laufenden Jahr eher nicht zu erwarten, denn auf die Spezifikation der APIs muss erst noch ihre Implementierung folgen, und ein effektives Vorgehen wird hier sicher seine Zeit brauchen.
&#8220;Durch den Einbezug von Avaloq, Finnova, Finstar und Temenos kann das &#8220;Common API&#8221;-Konzept auch jenen Banken zugänglich gemacht werden, die Kunden dieser Softwarehäuser sind&#8221;
3) Wie versucht der SFTI die Grossbanken bei Common API zum Mitmachen zu überreden? 
Im SFTI selbst sind fast alle systemrelevanten Banken vertreten. Bei diesen Instituten erübrigt sich daher ein &#8220;Überreden&#8221;, sind sie doch als Mitgliedsunternehmen dieses Branchenverbands auch die Auftraggeber der &#8220;Common API&#8221;-Arbeitsgruppe. Zudem pflegt unser Verband eine enge Zusammenarbeit mit der Schweizerischen Bankiervereinigung SBVg mit dem Ziel sicherzustellen, dass wir uns dadurch breiter in der Finanzbranche abgleichen.
Durch den Einbezug von Avaloq, Finnova, Finstar und Temenos kann das &#8220;Common API&#8221;-Konzept auch jenen Banken zugänglich gemacht werden, die Kunden dieser Softwarehäuser, aber noch keine Mitglieder des SFTI sind. Damit decken wir ca. 3/4 aller FIs des Schweizer Bankenplatzes ab.
Schliesslich wird durch das jüngst beschlossene Zusammenlegen der Aktivitäten von SFTI und SIX die Reichweite des &#8220;Common API&#8221;-Ansatzes weiter erhöht. Das sollte auch die Unentschlossene(n) unter den Grossen überzeugen.
4) Die Swisscom hat ebenfalls eine Open Banking Initiative gestartet. Wie hängt das zusammen?
Bei dieser Initiative handelt es sich meiner Kenntnis nach um einen Ansatz, der in erster Linie auf der bestehenden Hosting-bzw. SaaS-Infrastruktur der Swisscom aufbaut. Hier soll ein bereits verfügbarer Kommunikations-Layer um API-Funktionalitäten ergänzt werden, die dann jenen Banken zur Verfügung stehen, die den Betrieb ihrer IT-Systeme an die Swisscom ausgelagert haben.
Der SFTI-Ansatz ist grundlegender: Wir streben eine Vereinheitlichung der Schnittstellen-Spezifikationen auf den Backend-Systemen der Banken selbst an. Dies ermöglicht es den Banken dann frei zu wählen, welchem Dienstleister sie sich anschliessen wollen, bzw. welche Services sie selbst &#8211; sei es als Eigenentwicklungen oder als zugekaufte White-Label-Lösungen &#8211; anbieten.
Die Common API Arbeitsgruppe ist damit auch ein Paradebeispiel für die eigentliche Mission des SFTI, den Finanzplatz Schweiz zu innovieren.
API and Open Banking Glossar:

Open Banking ist eine UK-basierte API-Initiative, der wegen ihres innovativen Ansatzes auch ausserhalb Grossbritanniens eine gewisse Aufmerksamkeit zuteilwird.
Die im EU-Raum momentan am weitesten verbreitete API-Spezifikation im Banking ist jene der „Berlin Group“ zu Payments und Access to Account.
Gemäss „Berlin Group“ beginnen sich ihre Konzepte auch in Grossbritannien durchzusetzen: Momentan sollen 12 UK-Banken die APIs gemäss den „Open Banking“- Konzepten implementieren, aber auch bereits 6 UK-Banken die Spezifikation der „Berlin Group“.
In der Schweiz wird „Open API“ oft mit PSD2 gleichgesetzt, was verkürzend und unrichtig ist. Zu PSD2 wiederum hat die Schweizerische Bankiervereinigung (SBVg) eine ablehnende Position formuliert. Um hier jegliche Missverständnisse auszschliessen, hat sich SFTI dazu entschlossen, im vorliegenden Kontext die Bezeichnung „Common API“ zu wählen.
Der Bezeichner „Common API“ ist auch in der Sache besser geeignet, denn besagte Spezifikation soll allgemein zugänglich sein. Ob und wenn ja zu welchen Konditionen die einzelne Bank die Schnittstelle dann tatsächlich öffnet, liegt &#8211; im eindeutigen Gegensatz zu PSD2 &#8211; ganz in ihrem Ermessen.

 
Zur Person:
Neben seiner Tätigkeit im Innovationsmanagement der Raiffeisen-Gruppe engagiert sich Jürgen Petry als Co-Director in der Geschäftsleitung des Fachverbands SFTI, und darüber hinaus leitet er dort die Arbeitsgruppe &#8220;Common API&#8221; seit ihrer Gründung.
 
The post Common API macht die Schweiz zu &#8220;DEM&#8221; Fintech Standort- Exclusives Interview appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/common-api-macht-die-schweiz-zu-dem-fintech-standort-exclusives-interview</link><guid>814</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Jürgen-F.-Petry-200x300.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Common API macht die Schweiz zu “DEM” Fintech Standort- Exclusives Interview</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 50 Crypto Valley Companies in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[The number of companies in Crypto Valley working with blockchain technology is growing rapidly.
As of September 30, 2018, a total of over 600 blockchain related companies in Switzerland and Liechtenstein were registered on CV Maps. The number is nearly double that recorded in the spring of this year.
CV VC, a blockchain-focused investor and incubator in Zug, has worked with PwC Strategy&amp; Switzerland and the information management firm inacta to identify the top 50 Crypto Valley companies based on CV Maps data.

Strong capital base
Companies qualifying for this crypto super-league must meet three criteria:  Firstly, blockchain technology has to be part of the company’s core business, secondly, it must employ more than one person in Switzerland or Liechtenstein, and lastly, it should make some contribution to the blockchain ecosystem and the wider Crypto Valley community.
There are three additional criteria, at least one of which must be fulfilled: Funding in excess of US$10 million, a valuation of more than U$10 million or the provision of at least 10 full-time positions in Switzerland or Liechtenstein.
CV VC&#8217;s report sheds light on the various sub-sectors of the industry, their market capitalization and their headcount. Some highlights at a glance:

At the end of September 2018, CV Maps directory contained over 600 companies working with blockchain technology (directly, or as a service provider, such as specialized consultancies, law firms, blockchain organizations and academic institutions).
According to the database, Blockchain companies employ around 3000 people in Switzerland. The Top 50 alone counts 443 employees. Most companies employ many more people abroad.
The Top 50 companies together have a market capitalization of around US$ 44 billion, however the consolidated value of the sector overall can only be estimated, as many companies do not publish exact data.
The Top 50 companies have a very strong capital base, especially compared to other startups. Many of them have funding in the tens or hundreds of millions.
Five Blockchain Unicorns are either based in or have originated from the Crypto Valley: Bitmain, Cardano, Dfinity, Ethereum and Xapo.

Crypto Valley contains a large subset of the blockchain industry, from health tech to data analytics to e-government. Two secondary areas feature in the top 50 list: the first is broker, trade &amp; exchange and the second is platform &amp; protocol. Each is represented by 11 companies. Other sub-sectors that include many companies are hardware &amp; middleware as well as community, P2P &amp; loyalty.
In addition to CV Maps’ own databases, data used to compile the Top 50 was drawn from information provided by the companies themselves, from crypto exchanges, media reports and social media such as LinkedIn. Where no information was available, estimates were made and declared as such in the CV VC Report. Estimates of worth were rounded into four categories: $10 million, $25 million, $100 million and $1000 million ($1 billion).
Partnership with PwC
CV VC’s collaboration with PwC in developing the Top 50 report is part of a long-standing strategic partnership between the consulting firm and CV Labs, the CV VC’s co-working space in the center of Zug.
Daniel Diemers, PwC Strategy&amp; EMEA Blockchain Leader, said:
Daniel Diemers
&#8220;Crypto Valley has grown enormously in just three short years. Even two or three years ago, there were just 10 to 15 companies in the blockchain industry. PwC was quick to realize the potential of Blockchain and how it is important for companies to understand the technology and to get close to innovative startups in the field“.
 
 
 Top Crypto Valley 50 Companies




	Company NameDescription




	PikcioChainPikcioChain enables the collection, certification and exchange of personal data. It protects the individual‘s data while making data acquisition and management easy for businesses.

PikcioChain is providing the world’s first monetized personal data marketplace, and is revolutionary in its concept and idea.


	VetriVETRI is the next iteration of the Procivis digital identity platform, which draws on the e-government platform eID+, also developed by Procivis. While the idea of anonymously matching the owners and buyers of high-quality data is not new, what is new is that VETRI delivers a solution that does not require a central business intermediary that needs to be paid for matching two parties: VETRI is a not-for-profit, open-source platform. 


	MedicalChainMedicalchain uses blockchain technology to securely store health records and maintain a single version of the truth. The different organisations such as doctors, hospitals, laboratories, pharmacists and health insurers can request permission to access a patient’s record to serve their purpose and record transactions on the distributed ledger.


	EtheriscEtherisc‘s mission is to build decentralized insurance applications, making the purchase and sale of insurance more efficient, enabling lower operational costs, increase transparency of insurance compared to traditional operations, and democratize access to reinsurance investments.


	DecentDECENT is a Blockchain Content Distribution Platform that is Open-Source and utilizes Blockchain to ensure trust and security. Our intention is to revolutionize data distribution on the Internet.


	SingularDTVSingularDTV is a blockchain entertainment studio laying the foundation for a decentralized entertainment industry. Building the future of rights management, project funding, and peer-to-peer distribution, SingularDTV’s platform empowers artists and creators with powerful tools to manage projects from development to distribution.


	AmbrosusCombining high-tech sensors, blockchain protocol and smart contracts, we are building a universally verifiable, community-driven ecosystem to assure the quality, safety and origins of products. At the Ambrosus project we aim to radically improve the global supply chains by creating a trusted ecosystem where we can reliably record the entire history of products and execute commercial transactions accordingly. We seek to enable a more secure and autonomous supply chain, improve distribution processes and allow consumers to easily see where their products come from and what is really in them.


	ModumModum.io sensor devices record environmental conditions while physical products are in transit. When a change in ownership occurs, the collected data is checked against a specific smart contract in the blockchain. This contract validates that the transaction meets all of the standards set out by the sender, their clients, or the regulator and triggers various actions: notifications to sender and receiver, release of goods, payment, etc


	Smart ContainersSmart Containers develops, builds and rents out airfreight containers for medicine &amp; food transports. We combine cutting-edge technology and IoT sensors in a logistics ecosystem on blockchain.


	ORSORS optimization software makes use of artificial intelligence, machine learning and big data analytics to deliver immediate savings increased revenue and customer experience


	friendzFriendz is a fast-growing company whose main goal is to connect brands with their target audience, taking advantage of the most powerful marketing tool ever: the word of mouth on social media. Friendz is proud to have introduced in the digital marketing scenario a new way of doing advertising, based on peer-to-peer communication


	GrainTransparent contracts. Drastically reduced overhead costs. And instant payments. Facilitated by Grain’s blockchain solution.


	MatchpoolJoin and create communities you love. Search by interest for like-minded communities. Join pools by engage and privately chat with pool members ad create pools to start a community based around a specific interest. 


	DatumDatum is a decentralized and distributed high performance NoSQL database backed by a blockchain ledger. This technology allows anyone to securely and anonymously backup structured data from social networks, wearables, smart homes, and other IoT devices. Datum provides a marketplace where users can share or sell data on their own terms.


	StreamrStreamr provides a complete system to create unstoppable real-time data apps, even without writing code. Currently, the valuable data you produce is at the mercy of large corporations. In the Streamr network, it’s yours to use and sell as you wish, and travels through a
decentralised peer-to-peer network controlled by no one and incentivized by the DATAcoin token.


	Deon DigitalDeon Digital has developed a programming language and operating system to create and manage truly digital contracts, which you can use to build digitized enterprise processes and future business ecosystems. We aim to “tear down walls” not only within, but also between organizations: letting information, ideas and transactions flow freely — and exactly where, when and how they should.


	GolemGolem is a global, open source, decentralized supercomputer that anyone can access. It is made up of the combined power of users machines, from PCs to entire data centers.


	ProxeusThey are blockchain entrepreneurs with over a decade experience in building successful digital businesses. They have developed their own technology allowing them to industrialize the creation of blockchain applications, powered by XES, their own cryptocurrency


	Shift CryptosecurityDigital Bitbox is a minimalist bitcoin hardware wallet packed with security and privacy. Safely hold and spend your coins with peace of mind.


	Sirin LabsThe current generation of smart devices compromises on user security. The focus is overwhelmingly on user experience, at a huge cost in fraud and cybercrime. They believe the digital economy of the future cannot tolerate this trade-off: device architecture demands a
paradigm shift that enables true security, while maintaining excellent user experience. FINNEY devices are the first cyber-protected, blockchain-enabled mobile phone and PC. They enjoy the functionality of Android OS, plus a suite of cyber security technologies, giving users safe, reliable access to the blockchain.


	BitmainBitmain is a blockchain and semiconductor company, dedicated to the design and manufacture of high performance computing chips and software. They serve their customers globally with industry-defining technology – blockchain securitization, AI machine learning and
more. Bitmain’s Fintech hub including a decentralized exchange is located in Switzerland.


	Aeternityæternity is a new blockchain technology, designed to deliver unmatched efficiency, transparent governance and global scalability. æternity is a scalable blockchain platform that enables high bandwidth transacting, purely-functional smart contracts, and decentralized
oracles.


	AragonCreate value without borders or intermediaries. They are building Aragon because they believe decentralized organizations can solve the world’s worst problems. Aragon is a project that aims to disintermediate the creation and maintenance of organizational structures by using blockchain technology. They want to empower people across the world to easily and securely manage their organizations


	BancorBancor allows you to convert between any two tokens on their network, with no counterparty, at an automatically calculated price. Thanks to built-in liquidity, the future of user-generated tokens is here.


	CardanoCardano is a decentralised public blockchain and cryptocurrency project and is fully open source. Cardano is developing a smart contract platform which seeks to deliver more advanced features than any protocol previously developed.


	Dfinity NetworkDfinity is a blockchain based world computer network that is powerful enough to host business applications at scale. The network features a variety of innovations in the blockchain space. The Dfinity network is self-governing through the use of an adaptive network called the Blockchain Nervous System (BNS). The network is also capable of achieving transaction finality at an average speed of 7.5 seconds due to advancements in random number generation and selection. The Dfinity protocol uses Verifiable Random Functions (VRFs), BLS Cryptography and the Threshold Relay technique (powered by a random beacon) to achieve these speeds. 


	EthereumEthereum is a decentralized platform that runs smart contracts: applications that run exactly as programmed without any possibility of downtime, censorship, fraud or third-party interference. These apps run on a custom built blockchain, an enormously powerful shared
global infrastructure that can move value around and represent the ownership of property. This enables developers to create markets, store registries of debts or promises, move funds in accordance with instructions given long in the past (like a will or a futures contract) and many other things that have not been invented yet, all without a middleman or counterparty risk


	FeathercoinFeathercoin is an upgraded and customised version of Bitcoin. Feathercoin was born with the intent to expand, experiment, and build onto the blockchain technology in a manner open to all for participation. Feathercoin is a powerful open source digital currency with
monetary properties likened to Bitcoin, Litecoin and a myriad of countless alt coins, but under the hood is something very different.


	LiskDevelop and publish blockchain applications with your own sidechains on the open-source Lisk Platform. Promotion of new technology developments and applications, in particular promotion and maintenance of new open decentralized software architectures. In the
foreground - but not exclusively - is the promotion and development of the so-called Lisk protocol and the corresponding technology as well as the promotion and support of applications using the Lisk protocol


	StatusStatus is an interface to access Ethereum, built for Android and iOS. Enjoy encrypted messaging, a cryptocurrency wallet, and seamless access to DApps.


	TezosTezos is a new decentralized blockchain that governs itself by establishing a true digital commonwealth. It facilitates formal verification, a technique which mathematically proves the correctness of the code governing transactions and boosts the security of the most sensitive or financially weighted smart contracts.


	WavesThey create the economics of free, perfect and instant. The Waves Platform is a global public blockchain platform, founded in 2016. Waves Platform’s mission is to reinvent the DNA of entrepreneurship around the world by providing a shared infrastructure, offering easy-touse, highly functional tools to make blockchain available to every person or organisation that can benefit from it.


	MaecenasThe platform will be launched in 2018 and will be the first open blockchain platform that democratises access to Fine Art. A new online marketplace promises to give art lovers the chance to buy share in famous paintings. Keeping art safe but not hidden.


	MelonportMelonport is the private company building the open-source Melon Protocol. The Melon protocol is a blockchain protocol for digital asset management built on the Ethereum platform. It enables participants to set up, manage and invest in digital asset management strategies
in an open, competitive and decentralised manner. Read the Melon Protocol Green Paper for a full detailed description of how it will empower its users and evolve digital asset management.


	TendTEND is a blockchain company that creates a new investment world driven by passion, purpose and meaning. It‘s for all forward-thinking, like-minded people who desire to invest their money more purposefully


	Bitcoin SuisseThey have a long-term and ambitious vision for Bitcoin Suisse AG. To realize these goals they are building a team of highly talented people who share their vision and who are passionate about creating world-changing financial products and services.


	BityThe Swiss gateway to convert money into cryptocurrencies and digital assets. Buy - sell bitcoins and ethers. Introducing Bity Kiosks, the easiest way to acquire or sell bitcoins with cash. Only a phone number is required. Bitcoin ATMs are currently located in Geneva, Lausanne, Montreux, Neuchâtel, Zürich Hauptbahnhof and Zürich Hardbrücke.


	CoreledgerThe CoreLedger infrastructure creates a simple and secure platform from which to use blockchain technology. It allows users to digitize goods and services without programming effort. Thanks to blockchain technology, these assets can be securely and irrevocably transferred with immutable and unfalsifiable proof of ownership. Transactions using digitized assets decrease costs and integrate seamlessly with existing goods and services


	Crypto FinanceCrypto Finance AG is a financial technology company founded in June 2017. The company provides blockchain-related services through its three divisions Asset Management, Brokerage and Storage. The aim of Crypto Finance AG is to facilitate the implementation
of blockchain technology in the global economy through a range of high quality financial services.


	LykkeLykke takes advantage of breakthroughs in crypto-technology to build a global Internet exchange with immediate settlement for all asset classes and types of financial instruments.

The banking architecture is outdated and needs to be replaced. They propose an Internet exchange that uses blockchain to trade all types of financial instruments. The benefits are immediate settlement, low transaction fees, the absence of a single point of failure, and
strategic independence. Immediate settlement and highly competitive pricing will lead to rapid volume growth and establish the exchange as the Internet marketplace.


	SEBA CryptoSEBA’s ambition is to become the world‘s first universal, fully licensed and supervised crypto bank, offering industry leading crypto-asset financial products and services. SEBA’s team is comprised of global leaders and experts in banking, financial markets, FinTech and
Blockchain.


	ShapeShiftShapeShift is a crucial piece of infrastructure in the world of Bitcoin. From start to finish, users can exchange blockchain tokens in seconds, with no account required. No emails or passwords. No lengthy signup process. No accounts. No bid and ask orders. No friction. ShapeShift’s goal is the fastest, safest, and most convenient way to swap digital assets.


	Smart ValorSmart Valor is building the blockchain-based Valor-Network: a decentralized community-based marketplace for tokenized alternative investments. It enables asset issuers to create and distribute tokenized alternative investment solutions.


	Token SuisseAs leading European provider for Crypto Asset Investment Solutions, TokenSuisse is at the forefront of financial innovation. Whether Coin Brokerage, Crypto Asset Advisory or Analytics and Consulting Solutions, their inhouse capabilities allow them to help with any
question regarding Blockchain Technologies and Crypto Assets. Most importantly, through differentiation between and critical analysis of emerging blockchain technologies, their team is able to derive the implications for different Crypto Assets and as well as affected
companies


	AAVEAave (former ETHLend, a decentralized digital asset- backed lending platform), a new technology company focused on empowering people through innovation. Their technology-based venture intends to fill the gaps left by centralized fintech industry players such
as PayPal, Skrill and Coinbase, by introducing new products and services, such as Aave Pocket, Aave Lending (SaaS), Aave Gaming, Aave Custody and Aave Clearing. ETHLend becoming a subsidiary under Aave (Note: Category based on ETHLand)


	LapoLAPO Blockchain is building a revolutionary financial ecosystem empowering businesses, traders and consumers with a fast and easy payment solution integrated with a secure decentralized exchange powered by artificial intelligence. Thanks to this innovative technology
it will be possible to reduce transaction fees and complexity for business and increase access and usability for people. LAPO Coin is the core of the LAPO ecosystem, called the
LAPO ePlatform. 


	MCOMCO is a pioneering payments and cryptocurrency platform (MCO Visa card and mobile app). Their guiding principles are: Clarity and Simplicity; No fine print; Lead, don‘t follow. They strive to make their products simple to understand and easy to use. They take extra care to think and communicate with absolute clarity.


	UtrustAs a buyer, minimizes the risk of scams and fraud by providing a full payment protection and acting as a 3rd party mediator. We protect your purchase from the moment you pay until delivery! As a seller, you benefit from low fees and real time transactions. Say goodbye
to nasty chargebacks, credit card fraud and hacked account payments. With UTRUST you can accept multiple cryptocurrencies at once and all payments received will be converted to fiat currency to protect you from market price fluctuations.


	EidooEidoo, a Ticino based blockchain startup, has officially launched the ICO Engine to allow Crypto companies and startups host and manage their token sales safely and with ease via the Eidoo mobile app. 


	XapoXapo has been described by The Wall Street Journal as the Fort Knox of bitcoin storage. So if you’re looking to secure your bitcoins, then look no further than the Xapo Vault. They have developed a new standard of bitcoin security and protect your assets in the Vault so that you are rest assured that your money is safe and sound.




 
 
 
The post Top 50 Crypto Valley Companies in Switzerland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-50-crypto-valley-companies-in-switzerland</link><guid>815</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/CVVC-Top50.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 50 Crypto Valley Companies in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>4 Future Rockstar Personal Finance Management Tools and Startups in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[Personal finance management (PFM) solutions enable users to manage their finances easily by allowing them to keep track, making analysis of personal income, making plans about spending and income, automatically categorizing all transactions, and receiving financial help and recommendations.
Switzerland is home to several fintech startups operating in the PFM segment both in the B2B and B2C spaces. These include Contovista, eWise, Numbrs, and Qontis. The following four ventures are new entrants in the Swiss PFM scene to keep a close eye on:
 
GOKONG
Zurich-based GOKONG is a read-only app that allows users to track all of their finances in one place. The platform is not just a personal finance management software, but also “a live meter” that tracks goals and a spending management tool. It lets users see their account balances, transactions, investments accounts, retirements accounts, credit cards, non-financial assets and insurance policies.
“We’ve developed the Gokong platform around a few use cases,” Rahul Kaushik, CEO Gokong explains.
“For example, within Asset Liability management when users connect their accounts – investment accounts, checking accounts, Pillar 3a, pension accounts, Gokong could potentially provide a forecasted view of the next month based on recurring payments into Pillar 3a, investment accounts, savings, telecom, rent etc., we could gauge and quantify a recurring strain one cash.”
We’ve gotten some really valuable feedback and are now hard at work on some cool new features to help users make more informed choices,” Rahul claims
 
Yapeal

Headquartered in Zurich, Yapeal is a project that aims to build a new “neo-bank.” The YapApp mobile app opens access to sophisticated blockchain-inspired technology.
Some of the features include a fully digital onboarding process; Lifestyling Intelligence, which knows the lifestyle and habits of users; Financial Amigo to oversee the running budget, open and fill savings purses, monitor expenses while traveling, warn against overpayments, know when the tax bill arrives, and more; Yapster-to-all, which allows users to send money or request money, split and share bills, worldwide, in multiple currencies; Family Shizzle, a tool for managing kids’ pocket money; card control; contactless payments; and more.
The planned offer is set to include a Swiss bank account (multi-currency eligible), savings accounts, overdraft facilities, payment transactions, debit cards and mobile wallets for Google Pay, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and wearables.
Yapeal is not a bank yet and is not licensed as such by Swiss authorities.
 
Neon
Founded last year, Zurich-based fintech startup Neon offers what is claims to be the first independent basic account offering of Switzerland that’s 100% geared for smartphones.
Neon is a new account app for everyday banking, independent of existing banks, that’s accessible through a mobile app. It aims to provide an alternative for digitally minded and cost-conscious customers who are looking for a simple and mobile everyday account solution.
The app, which has been available as a beta version since August 2018, lets users open an account in less than ten minutes and receive a Maestro card, without any base fees. Neon’s banking partner is Hypothekarbank Lenzburg.
Neon recently partnered with Contovista, a Swiss provider of personal finance management solutions for banks. Contovista has become the technology partner for Neon’s payment data analysis.
 
Clear Minds

Founded by former UBS fund manager Adrian Schatzmann, Zurich-based Clear Minds is the latest digital asset manager to enter the Swiss financial services market.
The firm sees itself as a digital adviser and not a robo advisor, an important distinction according to Schatzmann.
“Most Swiss clients want advice,” he explained in an interview with finews. “They don’t however want to delegate decisions to an asset manager or robo advisor. At Clear Minds the client negotiates as he would with an advisory bank service, on the basis of a proposal with self responsibility.”
Clear Minds enables clients to decide the composition of their portfolio and preferred investment products at any time. Clients pay a flat rate of 39 CHF per month, regardless of the size of the investment. “The fees paid make a direct contribution to the long-term asset accumulation,” Schatzmann explained.
 
Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik here and here
The post 4 Future Rockstar Personal Finance Management Tools and Startups in Switzerland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/4-future-rockstar-personal-finance-management-tools-and-startups-in-switzerland</link><guid>816</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Gokong-206x300.png</dc:content ><dc:text>4 Future Rockstar Personal Finance Management Tools and Startups in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Overview Map – Unbundling Banks</title><description><![CDATA[Unsere Deutschen Blogging Kollegen von PaymentBanking haben sich dem Thema Fintech Schweiz angenommen und einen Überblick  der Schweizer FinTech Szene skiziert.
Sie folgern: &#8220;FinTechs machen den Grossbanken das Business strittig. Das Zusammenspiel von grossen und kleinen Playern auf dem Schweizer Finanzmarkt hat sich verändert und die Schweiz bietet den Neugründern gute Rahmenbedingungen.&#8221;
Total zählt die Map 163 Fintech Startups. Das sind 134 weniger als auf der neusten Swiss Fintech Map von Swisscom.
Wir warten gespannt auf einen Update und finden die untenstehende Link-Liste sehr hilfreich.

Linkliste:
Bitcoin

Crypto Cash
Ecurex
Koina
Monetas
Ethereum
Metaco
Xapo
Shape Shift
Swiss Mine
Lykke
Iprotus
Inpher
DigitalBitBox
Verso Solutions
Bity
Gatechain
Moneygrid
Swissquote
hedge

Data Management

Calfor
Sentifi
Qumram
Indigita
Quante SYS
Wealthport
Swiss Metrics
Net Guardians
Safe Swiss Cloud
Sapphire
Secure Safe
Veezoo
Squirro
ZOA
Apiax
Enterprise Bot

Personal Banking

Centralway
Qontis
Contovista
Wayerz
Financial Life Goals
Fin Guide
Taqanu
WB21
eHyve
GoKong
Neon

Insurance

Finpension
Anivo
Craolo
Tradeplus24
Versicherix
123Vergleich
Stonestep
Esurance.ch
Wefox
Knip
bfox
Innoveo Skye
Creadi
Vlot
First you 24
Dextra
Toni

Tools              

Fintool
TI&amp;M
Additiv
AdNovum
Appway
Fin Graphs
Investapedia
Z Rechnung
SwissQuant
KYC X Net
Netcetera
Small Invoice

Identification 

One Visage
IODD
Finform
Futurae
Procivis

Accounting

Accounto
Bexio
EZY Count
Kickshops
Run My Accounts

Online Wealth Management           

Addfin
eWise
Integration alpha
Werthstein
3rd Eyes
Finatris
evolute
Sanostro
Masttro
Viac
Leonteq
Selma
Meet Invest
Crowd Trading
Amnis Treasury Services
Algo Trader
Grydl
Flynt
Melonport
Samt AG
Edge Labs
Finhorizon
Dufour Capital
Sentifi
QuantFin
Descartes
Interaction Partners
Investment Navigator
Nectar
Kee System
Invest Glass
Money Guru
Investify
10×10
Wealth Initiative
One PM
True Wealth
Money park
Way2Wealth
Tindeco
WealthArc
ch
mydesq
Fundbase
Whitebox
meet Invest
Incube
Crowdhouse AG

Payment

tastier
Payrexx
Cash Sentinel
Avance Pay
Sellxed
millipay
Sonect
tilbago
Cashcloud
Securion Pay
Paymash
Mobino
Monito
Muume
IOU
Ikentoo
Twint
GetButik
SweePay
Payment 21
Powerpay
Swiss Pay
Transxion
Smartlink
Devisenwerk
Pointspay
Pintail
Ibani
Groosker

The post Swiss Fintech Overview Map – Unbundling Banks appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-overview-map-unbundling-banks</link><guid>817</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Swiss-FinTech-Overview-–-unbundling-banks.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Overview Map – Unbundling Banks</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Map October -27 New Swiss Fintech Startups</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss FinTech Start-up Map October from Swisscom counts now 297 FinTechs, 27 more then in August.
The new members are: Sygnum, Alprockz Ltd, trade.io, Yova, Guruvest, tenoris GmbH, Stairline AG, Blue Code international AG, ARCATrust SA, Parashift AG, trustwise.io AG, maecenas fine art (switzerland) SARL, TokenPay Swiss AG, Sirin Labs AG, Rigo Investment Sagl, Status Research &amp; Development GmbH, Värdex Suisse AG, UTRUST Switzerland AG, swissCrypOne GmbH, MineCrypt Group AG, Custodian Services Switzerland AG, cryptix AG, GoodX Finance Network AG, Pexapark AG, Seba Crypto AG, Timestatement and Signatys Sarl.

 
The post Swiss Fintech Map October -27 New Swiss Fintech Startups appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-map-october-27-new-swiss-fintech-startups</link><guid>818</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Swiss-FinTech-Map-Oct-1.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Map October -27 New Swiss Fintech Startups</dc:text></item><item><title>Jürgen Petry Discusses SFTI’s Common Swiss API Initiative</title><description><![CDATA[Open banking is a major shift in the retail banking industry to give customers greater control over their data and create a new connected ecosystem where banks, fintechs and other third parties collaborate to deliver seamless financial services.
In Switzerland, the Swiss Fintech Innovation Association (SFTI) has been vocal in supporting the concept. Nearly two years ago, it commissioned a working group to implement standardized APIs for the industry.
The aim was to stimulate the development of new, innovative products without compromising the security and self determination of both financial institutions and their customers. &#8211; the Swiss version of open banking, so to speak.
Jürgen Petry, New Business Innovator at Raiffeisen Schweiz, co-director of the Swiss Fintech Innovations and head of the SFTI’s Common API Working Group
Jürgen Petry, New Business Innovator at Raiffeisen Schweiz and co-director of the Swiss Fintech Innovations, has been managing SFTI’s Common API Working Group since its creation.
According to him, it is crucial for Switzerland to adopt so-called “common APIs” to foster fintech innovation.
Why Switzerland needs Common API?
“If you take Switzerland’s position as a top banking hub, and add to it Swiss banks as API-based drivers of innovation, then Switzerland becoming a prime location for fintech should not be too far off,” Petry told Fintechnews.
“As a trade association with a focus on innovation, we strive to collaborate with all other relevant market players to mobilize the necessary energies to achieve the stated goal quickly and sustainably.”
Last month, SFTI released the first components of its common API specification for banks which aims to take an existing layer of communication and supplement it with API functionalities.
“The SFTI approach is a fundamental one: we aim to standardize interface specifications within the banks’ own back-end systems. This allows banks to choose freely their own service providers, as well as the services they wish to offer themselves, whether as proprietary developments or as purchased white-label solutions.”
Petry said that the common API approach will benefit all stakeholders including fintech companies, banks and software vendors. It will have an effect on, for instance, the integration of peripheral systems into banks’ back-end systems, as well as the development and integration of innovative front-end apps.
For software vendors, the common API will reduce the effort required for release management and simplifying the acquisition of new customers. Traditional third party providers, such as providers of e-banking solutions, will be able to reach a large pool of banks via a single interface implementation.
“The future will show which of these stakeholder groups is the first to implement solutions based on ‘common API’ concepts,” Petry said. “However, widespread use in what remains of this year is unlikely, as API specifications have yet to be implemented, and an effective approach will undoubtedly take time.”
Most major Swiss banks are already represented in SFTI, Petry said, adding that the inclusion of Avaloq, Finnova, Finstar and Temenos in the Common API Working Group further extended the organization’s reach. Around three-quarters of the Swiss banking market for core banking software is covered by these four firms, the market leaders in this area.
“The common API concept can be made available to banks that are customers of these software houses but not yet members of the SFTI. In this way, we already cover the vast majority of all financial institutions in the Swiss banking industry,” Petry said.
“Finally, the recent decision by SFTI and SIX to merge their activities further enhances the scope of the ‘common API’ approach. This should also help to convince &#8211; the still undecided banks.”
 
Image by ScandinavianStock via Shutterstock.com and Freepik
The post Jürgen Petry Discusses SFTI&#8217;s Common Swiss API Initiative appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/jurgen-petry-discusses-sftis-common-swiss-api-initiative</link><guid>819</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/DSC6492_1411-200x300.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Jürgen Petry Discusses SFTI’s Common Swiss API Initiative</dc:text></item><item><title>FINMA Vergibt Erste Bewilligung an ein Crypto-Unternehmen</title><description><![CDATA[Die Crypto Fund AG, ein Tochterunternehmen der Crypto Finance AG, ist das erste und bisher einzige Schweizer Crypto-Unternehmen, das die Bewilligung der Eidgenössischen Finanzmarktaufsicht FINMA als Vermögensverwalter nach Kollektivanlagengesetz KAG erhält.
Die Crypto Fund AG hat somit innerhalb kürzester Zeit zu den etablierten Schweizer Fondsmanagern aufgeschlossen.
Jan Brzezek
«Die FINMA-Zulassung für die Crypto Fund AG ist ein wichtiger Schritt für unsere Kunden und Investoren, sowie für uns, um ein weltweit führender Anbieter von Dienstleistungen für Digital Assets zu werden»,
sagt Jan Brzezek, CEO und Gründer der Crypto Finance Gruppe.
 
 
 
Was bedeutet die Bewilligung der Crypto Fund AG als Vermögensverwalter für Investoren und für den Crypto-Asset-Markt?
Als Vermögensverwalter kollektiver Kapitalanlagen ist die Crypto Fund AG berechtigt, die Vermögensverwaltung und den Vertrieb von inländischen sowie ausländischen Fonds zu betreiben. Ebenso ist die Crypto Fund AG autorisiert, die Anlageberatung für institutionelle Kunden zu übernehmen.
Mathias Maurer
«Die Bewilligung repräsentiert unsere professionelle Arbeit innerhalb der letzten 12 Monate und ist ein grosser Meilenstein für uns. Dabei gilt unser Dank vor allem unseren Partnern, die diese wegweisende Bewilligung ermöglichten. Ebenfalls bedanken wir uns bei der FINMA für die gute Zusammenarbeit»,
freut sich Mathias Maurer, COO der Crypto Fund AG.
Die Bewilligung als Vermögensverwalter kollektiver Kapitalanlagen der FINMA für die Crypto Fund AG erhöht die Messlatte für alle Crypto-Unternehmen der Schweiz und im Ausland. Ohne eine solche Bewilligung sind die Aktivitäten von allen Marktteilnehmern, die sich mit digitalen Assets beschäftigen, beschränkt und unterliegen lediglich der Einhaltung der Geldwäschereivorschriften. Das umfasst nicht die prudentielle Überwachung aller Aktivitäten oder die operative Führung von Crypto-Unternehmen.
Mit dieser FINMA Bewilligung hat sich nun das Marktumfeld verändert, kommentiert Jan Brzezek:
«Die Bedeutung von Crypto Assets wächst und unser Ziel ist es, den Reifeprozess dieser aufstrebenden neuen Anlageklasse zu beschleunigen. Die regulatorische Anerkennung ist bei allen Marktteilnehmern das grosse Ziel, wie aus jüngsten Presse- und Unternehmensmeldungen hervorgeht».
Diese FINMA Bewilligung ist eine Würdigung der Crypto Fund AG, sowie der Legitimation von Crypto Assets weltweit, in einem Land, das untrennbar mit Bank- und Finanzdienstleistungen verbunden ist.
Der Verwaltungsrat der Crypto Fund AG wird durch die Ernennung von Professor Dr. Fabian Schär verstärkt.
Fabian Schär
Darüber hinaus freut sich die Crypto Fund AG, die Berufung von Professor Dr. Fabian Schär in den Verwaltungsrat der Crypto Fund AG bekannt zu geben. Professor Dr. Schär ist derzeit Direktor des Center for Innovative Finance CIF der Universität Basel an der Fakultät für Wirtschaftswissenschaften. Seine Forschungsgebiete umfassen Anwendungen auf Basis der Blockchain-Technologie. Er ist Autor des Buches &#8220;Bitcoin, Blockchain und Kryptoassets&#8220;.
 
 
 
Featured image credit: pixabay
The post FINMA Vergibt Erste Bewilligung an ein Crypto-Unternehmen appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finma-vergibt-erste-bewilligung-an-ein-crypto-unternehmen</link><guid>820</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>FINMA Vergibt Erste Bewilligung an ein Crypto-Unternehmen</dc:text></item><item><title>Bundesanleihen: Blockchain-Echtbetrieb bei Österreichischer Kontrollbank</title><description><![CDATA[Die Oesterreichische Kontrollbank AG (OeKB) startet erstmals mit einem Blockchain-Echtbetrieb.
Die neue Technologie wird ab sofort für Auktion von Bundesanleihen für die Daten-Notarisierung eingesetzt.

Ab sofort Daten-Notarisierung mittels Blockchain bei Begebung von Bundesanleihen
Logische technologische Weiterentwicklung in Zeiten der Digitalisierung
Weitere Blockchain-Tests bis Ende 2019, Roll-out für andere Services wird geprüft

Mit Hilfe dieses Notarisierungs-Services wird die Unverfälschtheit der Daten protokolliert und somit höchste Datenabsicherung gewährleistet. Die Notarisierung ist ein neuer, zusätzlicher Support-Prozess im Rahmen des Auktionsverfahrens. Die Blockchain-Technologie wird im konkreten Anwendungsfall unterstützend als weitere Sicherheitsebene eingesetzt.
Generell bietet die Blockchain-Technologie grosses Potenzial zur Effizienzsteigerung und Qualitätssicherung von Bank-Prozessen. Besonders in Bereichen der digitalen Wirtschaft und der öffentlichen Verwaltung entstehen zahlreiche Einsatzgebiete.
Angelika Sommer-Hemetsberger
&#8220;Die innovative Form der Daten-Notarisierung auf Blockchain-Basis sehen wir als eine logische technologische Weiterentwicklung in Zeiten der Digitalisierung. Wir freuen uns, unseren Kunden nun dieses neue Blockchain-Service zur Verfügung stellen zu können&#8221;,
so Angelika Sommer-Hemetsberger, im Vorstand der OeKB für IT- und Kapitalmarkt Services zuständig.
&#8220;Wir beschäftigen uns seit einiger Zeit intensiv mit der Blockchain-Thematik und haben bereits mehrere Prototypen evaluiert.
Der Start des Blockchain-Echtbetriebs ist ein erfreulicher nächster Schritt. Unser Ziel ist es, die Blockchain-Technologie im Laufe des Jahres 2019 weiterhin zu testen und eine mögliche Ausrollung auf weitere Servicebereiche der OeKB zu prüfen&#8221;,
erläutert Sommer-Hemetsberger.
Garantiert unverfälschte Daten
Bei der Daten-Notarisierung auf Blockchain-Basis wird mittels eines Verschlüsselungsverfahrens aus Dokumenten ein unverwechselbarer elektronischer Fingerprint, der sogenannte Hash-Wert, ermittelt. Dieser Hash-Wert ist eindeutig dem Ausgangsdokument zuordenbar, lässt aber umgekehrt keine Rückschlüsse auf konkrete Dateninhalte zu.
„Damit kann das Originaldokument in den Rechenzentren der OeKB sicher aufbewahrt und die Unverfälschtheit des Dokuments garantiert werden. Zusätzlich zu den bestehenden hohen Sicherheitsstandards gelingt es so, erstmals eine weitere Sicherheitsebene auf Blockchain-Basis zu integrieren“,
erklärt Sommer-Hemetsberger.
Start des Echtbetriebs am 2. Oktober
Die neue Technologie wurde in der OeKB umfassend getestet und kam nun heute am 2. Oktober 2018 erstmals bei der Auktion für die Begebung von Bundesanleihen im Auftrag der Österreichischen Bundesfinanzierungsagentur (OeBFA) im Echtbetrieb zum Einsatz. Die OeKB kann damit die Unversehrtheit der sensiblen Auktionsdaten, die nur lokal, von niemandem einsehbar und nicht manipulierbar gespeichert sind, zweifelsfrei nachweisen.
 
zur druckfähigen Grafik:
 
Weitere Stufe in der Qualitätssicherung
Markus Stix
&#8220;Dieses Mehr an Sicherheit trägt zu einem hohen Vertrauen in das Auktionsverfahren bei und stärkt das gute Standing Österreichs am Markt, was indirekt auch zu günstigen Finanzierungskosten beitragen kann&#8221;,
sagt Markus Stix, Geschäftsführer der OeBFA. Damit ist eine weitere Stufe in der Qualitätssicherung des Datenmanagements eingeführt und zusätzliche Transparenz in den digitalen Prozessen gegeben.
&#8220;Die Republik Österreich hat eine lange Tradition in Bezug auf innovative Kapitalmarktlösungen: 2012 war Österreich weltweit der erste Staat, welcher Dual-Syndizierungen bei Bundesanleihe-Neubegebungen eingeführt hat und 2017 wurde mit der 100-jährigen Bundesanleihe die längste Staatsanleihe der Welt emittiert. Wir freuen uns, zusammen mit der OeKB, eine weitere Vorreiterrolle, diesmal in Bezug auf Fintech einzunehmen&#8221;,
freut sich Stix.
So funktioniert eine Bundesanleihen-Auktion
Die OeKB führt im Auftrag der OeBFA das Auktionsverfahren für die Begebung von Bundesanleihen der Republik Österreich durch. Seit 1998 erfolgt dies voll-elektronisch über die von der OeKB betriebene ADAS-Plattform.
Während des Auktionsprozesses geben die Bieter-Banken ihre Gebote online in das elektronische Auktionssystem ein und können diese bis zum Ende der Gebotsabgabefrist ändern. Die Begebungsform der Auktion ist international üblich und wird deshalb gewählt, weil dadurch rasch der günstigste Preis für die Republik ermittelt werden kann.
Der Wettbewerb durch geheime Gebotsabgaben vieler Auktionsteilnehmer ist garantiert. Durch festgelegte Auktionsregeln findet eine rasche und transparente Zuteilung der besten Gebote – unter Einhaltung höchster sicherheitstechnischer Standards – statt. Das nun neu von der OeKB eingesetzte Notarisierungsservice auf Blockchain-Basis stellt einen zusätzlichen Supportservice dar.
The post Bundesanleihen: Blockchain-Echtbetrieb bei Österreichischer Kontrollbank appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bundesanleihen-blockchain-echtbetrieb-bei-osterreichischer-kontrollbank</link><guid>821</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/OeKB-Blockchain-Grafik-Druck-deutsch-1024x511.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Bundesanleihen: Blockchain-Echtbetrieb bei Österreichischer Kontrollbank</dc:text></item><item><title>12 Noteworthy Founders of Blockchain and Crypto Startups in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[Switzerland has emerged as a leading blockchain and cryptocurrency hub in recent years, thanks to supportive regulations and efforts from the government to make the country a pioneer in fintech.
According to Oliver Bussmann, president of the Crypto Valley Association, the Swiss blockchain startup ecosystem has more than 430 startups with labs, incubators and accelerators, among these very successful projects and startups like Ethereum, Lykke and Bancor.
The following 12 personalities are blockchain and crypto startup founders who are shaping the future of the industry out of Switzerland:
 
Vitalik Buterin, Co-Founder at Ethereum
Linkedin | Twitter

Vitalik Buterin is a co-founder and inventor of Ethereum, described as a “decentralized mining network and software development platform rolled into one” that facilitates the creation of new cryptocurrencies and programs that share a single blockchain. Ethereum, undeniably one of the most successful blockchain projects to date, is developed by a worldwide team of developers for the Ethereum Foundation, a Swiss non-profit organization. Buterin is also the co-founder of Bitcoin Magazine, one of the oldest and most established source of news, information and expert commentary on the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry.
 
Erik Voorhees, Founder and CEO at ShapeShift
Linkedin | Twitter
Erik Voorhees is the founder and CEO of ShapeShift, an instant cryptocurrency exchange platform which he founded and operated under the alias Beorn Gonthier, until revealing his true involvement with the company as part of a seed funding announcement in March 2015. Voorhees is the co-founder of the Coinapult, worked as director of marketing at BitInstant, and was founder and partial owner of the bitcoin gambling website Satoshi Dice (subsequently sold in July 2013 to an undisclosed buyer). He has been a Member of Cryptocurrency Advisory Board at MGT Capital Investments, Inc. since June 14, 2016.
 
 
Niklas Nikolajsen, Founder, Chairman of the Board and Co-CEO at Bitcoin Suisse
Linkedin | Twitter
Niklas Nikolajsen founded Bitcoin Suisse, a world leading crypto-financial broker and service provider, in mid-2013. Today, he serves as chairman of the board and co-CEO of the company. Before Bitcoin Suisse, Niklas had a background of more than 15 years as a professional software architect and software developer, primarily in the financial, manufacturing and public sectors. He also co-founded the Digital Finance Compliance Association in 2014 and joined its board, promoted the Zug-based Crypto Valley concept, and worked towards a friendly Swiss regulatory framework for digital finance with the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority. In 2016, 2017 and 2018, he was named a top 100 influential Swiss banker by the Swiss financial times BILANZ.
 
Richard Olsen, Founder and CEO at Lykke
Linkedin | Twitter
Richard Olsen is the founder and CEO of Lykke, a Swiss fintech company building a global blockchain-powered marketplace. He is also the chairman and CEO of Olsen Ltd, an investment manager, and visiting professor at the Centre for Computational Finance and Economic Agents at the University of Essex. Olsen was co-founder of OANDA, a currency information company and market maker in foreign exchange. Under his stewardship, OANDA launched the first fully automated FX trading platform offering second-by-second interest rate payments.
 
Daniel Gasteiger, Co-Founder at Trust Square, Verum Capital and Nexussquared, and Founder and CEO at Procivis
Linkedin
Daniel Gasteiger is an entrepreneur with over 20 years in the financial services industry. Starting out as an FX trader at Credit Suisse, he later joined UBS. Gasteiger co-founded nexussquared, Switzerland&#8217;s first dedicated blockchain business and startup platform, in 2015, and founded Procivis, a blockchain based business delivering secure identity and e-government services, in 2016. He also co-founded Trust Square, which operates Switzerland’s largest blockchain hub located in the Zurich, in March 2018, and his latest venture, called Verum Capital, is a blockchain and ICO advisory boutique in Zurich.
 
Jan Brzezek, Co-Founder and CEO at Crypto Finance
Linkedin | Twitter
Jan Brzezek is the co-founder and CEO of Crypto Finance, a fintech holding company founded in June 2017. The group provides blockchain-related services through its three subsidiaries: Crypto Fund AG (asset management), Crypto Broker AG (trading), and Crypto Storage AG (private key management). Crypto Finance has offices in Zurich, and is based in Zug in the Crypto Valley. The company aims to facilitate the implementation of blockchain technology into the global economy to solve complex problems encountered by investors and businesses alike.
 
Antoine Verdon, Co-Founder at Proxeus, and Co-Founder and CEO at BlockFactory
Linkedin | Twitter
Antoine is co-founder and CEO of BlockFactory, a company delivering advisory and development services in the blockchain space. He is also the co-founder of Proxeus, a set of open source blockchain standards for digitizing, registering, storing and managing assets, dubbed as the “Wordpress for the blockchain,” that raised US$25 million via a token sale in February 2018. In 2016, he co-founded the Swiss Legaltech Association and the Swiss Legaltech Conference in an effort to bring shape the emerging legaltech scene in Switzerland. In 2010 and in 2013, he was named in the top 100 Swiss personalities by the magazines L&#8217;Hebdo and Bilan.
 
Galia Benartzi, Co-Founder and Business Development at Bancor Network
Linkedin | Twitter

Galia Benartzi is a serial technology entrepreneur and the co-founder of the Bancor Protocol, a standard for the creation of Smart Tokens, cryptocurrencies with built-in convertibility directly through their smart contracts. The Bprotocol Foundation was established in 2017 in Switzerland to promote the development and adoption of the Bancor Protocol. Prior to Bancor, Benartzi was the CEO of Particle Code (acquired 2011) and one of its founders. Before Particle Code, she co-founded Mytopia, a leading social games business acquired by 888. She later became a venture partner for Founders Fund.
 
 
 
Max Kordek, Co-Founder and President at Lisk
Linkedin | Twitter
Max Kordek is the co-founder and president of Lisk, a blockchain application platform established early 2016. Based on its own blockchain network and token LSK, Lisk enables developers to build applications and deploy their own side-chain linked to the Lisk network, including a custom token. It aims to make blockchain technology more accessible with a SDK written in JavaScript, special focus on user experience, developer support and in-depth documentations. Kordek is also the co-founder and director of Lightcurve, a blockchain application studio based in Berlin that focuses on the Lisk ecosystem.
 
Angel Versetti, Co-Founder and Global CEO at Ambrosus
Linkedin | Twitter
Angel Versetti is the co-founder and global CEO of Ambrosus, the blockchain ecosystem that assures quality of products. Prior to Ambrosus, Versetti was the founder of Versetti Ventures a VC Advisory Firm that became one of the pioneers of cryptocurrency investing. His earlier career was at the United Nations, where he led projects and research. He also worked at Bloomberg, World Resources Forum and Google. Versetti is a regular speaker on technology, innovation and global development, having spoken at over 100 premier events.
 
Olga Feldmeier, Founder and CEO at Smart Valor
Linkedin | Twitter
Olga Feldmeier is the founder and CEO of Smart Valor, a Swiss-based blockchain company building a decentralized marketplace for tokenized alternative investments. Feldmeier is an acknowledged entrepreneur, speaker and global influencer, nominated as 100 digital shapers (CH), top 10 female blockchain founders, top 100 power women in fintech (UK), and has been nicknamed the “Bitcoin Queen” by media. She was formerly commercial managing partner at Xapo, and served as executive director at the wealth management division of UBS (Switzerland).
 
Dominic Williams, Founder, President and Chief Scientist at Dfinity
Linkedin | Twitter
Dominic Williams is the founder, president and chief scientist of Dfinity, a project aimed at creating an advanced blockchain computer network, the “Internet Computer,” with the speed, unbounded capacity and governance systems required to create Cloud 3.0. Dfinity has raised more than US$165 million in funding and is backed by the likes of Polychain and Andreessen Horowitz. Prior to Dfinity, Williams founded an MMO/social network directed at 8-12-year-old boys that grew to almost 3 million user accounts and was the fastest growing kids game in Europe for a while, and created various distributed technologies supporting it.
The post 12 Noteworthy Founders of Blockchain and Crypto Startups in Switzerland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/12-noteworthy-founders-of-blockchain-and-crypto-startups-in-switzerland</link><guid>822</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>12 Noteworthy Founders of Blockchain and Crypto Startups in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>SocGen, Santander &amp; 73 Banks Join JPMorgan’s Blockchain Battle Against Fintech</title><description><![CDATA[JP Morgan&#8217;s ambitious Ethereum-backed blockchain project, the Interbank Information Network (IIN) gains 70 additional banks, including France&#8217;s Société Générale and Spain&#8217;s Santander.
This brings the number of large banks on the network up to 75.
The IIN is a collaboration between JPMorgan, Royal Bank of Canada and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ}. The 11-month experiment looks into blockchain&#8217;s potential in obliterating the difficulties in cross-border payments—and speed up an otherwise error-prone process that would be bogged down by compliance checks.
Interbank blockchain projects have been all the rage lately. IBM and CLS are attempting to bring the disparate financial sector together under one unified blockchain, and just earlier this month, Kasikornbank, a major Thai bank has joined a blockchain-based Visa business-to-business (B2B) connect program for cross-border payments.
Once a disruptive platform for the renegades of the economy, global banks are now feverishly plugging blockchain into various aspects of their operations. In fact, the 75 banks now on board JPMorgan&#8217;s blockchain have been described as &#8216;hungry&#8217; for the blockchain that JPMorgan has to offer.
Desperately keeping ahead of fintech firms.
In an interview with Financial Times, JPMorgan banks analyst Jason Goldberg said that:

“Payment is one of the segments banks worry about most about in terms of ceding to non-bank competition. Blockchain is a way to keep more of that [business] in-house.”

Emma Loftus, Head of Global Payments and FX in JPMorgan opined that:
Emma Loftus
“IIN will enhance the client experience, decreasing the amount of time—from weeks to hours—and costs associated with resolving payment delays.&#8221;
&#8220;Blockchain capabilities have allowed us to rethink how critical information can be sourced and exchanged between global banks.”
The slow process and high fees of cross-border banking have been a fertile ground for fintech companies like Revolut, Ripple and TransferWise to rise and gain dominance in the fintech sphere. Processing global payments is usually a complex endeavour for banks, as multiple layers of communication occur amongst payment participants to verify and process transactions.
By bringing on board a plethora of large-scale banks, IIN hopes to significantly reduce the number of middlemen needed to respond to compliance and other data-related inquiries that delay payments.
According to JPMorgan, other correspondent banks are expected to join in the coming months.
If successful, this blockchain push by JPMorgan could put banks back on the future roadmap for payments and cross-border transfers. However, the question remains—will users return to the arms of banks, or do payment fintech firms have something more to offer them?
What is certain is that it&#8217;s not just the banks that are taking notice.
In other recent news, a federal agency in Australia called Red Belly Blockchain has just completed testing on a global blockchain network that they claim can process 30,000 cross-border transactions per second. The company thinks that this could solve scalability issues in blockchain, and is currently developing more features. Meanwhile, Switzerland and Israel are going to compare notes on blockchain regulation, with Switzerland gunning for implementation by 2020. 
Featured image via JP Morgan

 
The post SocGen, Santander &amp; 73 Banks Join JPMorgan&#8217;s Blockchain Battle Against Fintech appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/socgen-santander-73-banks-join-jpmorgans-blockchain-battle-against-fintech</link><guid>810</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>SocGen, Santander &amp; 73 Banks Join JPMorgan’s Blockchain Battle Against Fintech</dc:text></item><item><title>SEBA Crypto AG: 100 Millionen CHF  für den Aufbau einer FINMA-lizenzierten Bank</title><description><![CDATA[Die SEBA Crypto AG hat CHF 100 Millionen für die Realisierung ihrer Vision einer regulierten Bank beschafft, welche die Lücke zwischen der Krypto-Economy und dem traditionellen Finanzgeschäft schliessen soll.
SEBA mit Hauptsitz in Zug will es Institutionen, Unternehmen und Privatpersonen ermöglichen, vertrauensvoll beide Märkte zu nutzen und so neues Denken zu fördern, kreative Lösungen zu schaffen und digitalen Wohlstand effizient zu verwalten.
Die Akteure an den klassischen Finanzmärkten schliessen die Kryptomärkte weitgehend aus, da Kryptoinvestitionen als risikoreich und ohne anlagespezifischen regulatorischen Schutz wahrgenommen werden. Ebenso ist es für mit Kryptowährungen arbeitende Unternehmen und Anleger schwierig, Vermögenswerte aus den Kryptomärkten ins traditionelle regulierte Bankensystem zu überführen.
Team von Ex- Schweizer Bankern
SEBA will diese Herausforderungen lösen. Ein in der Schweiz ansässiges Team von globalen Experten arbeitet daran, eine Bank- und Effektenhändlerbewilligung der Eidgenössischen Finanzmarktaufsicht FINMA zu erhalten und will eine neue Plattform entwickeln, die mittels modernster FinTech und führender Servicepartner traditionelle und Krypto-Bankdienstleistungen mit militärischen Sicherheitsniveau ermöglicht.
Andreas Amschwand, designierter Verwaltungsratspräsident von SEBA und früherer UBS Global Head of Foreign Exchange and Money Market: „Das erklärte Ziel verschiedener Schweizer Behörden ist es, ein umfassendes regulatorisches Umfeld für die Entwicklung der Blockchain-Technologie und das nachhaltige, stabile Wachstum von Krypto-Vermögenswerten zu schaffen. Dies macht die Schweiz zum idealen Standort, um ein neues Musterbeispiel für Finanzdienstleistungen einzuführen. Ich freue mich sehr, einem Expertenteam anzugehören, das die Krypto-Economy weiter vorantreiben wird.“
Die Investitionen in Höhe von CHF 100 Millionen stammen von Schweizer und internationalen institutionellen und privaten Investoren, die damit die Vision von SEBA, die Neudefinition des Finanzwesens für die New Economy, unterstützen. Guy Schwarzenbach, CEO von BlackRiver Asset Management AG, Investor und designiertes Mitglied des SEBA-Verwaltungsrats: „SEBA ist ein extrem vielversprechendes Startup-Unternehmen mit ambitionierter Mission.
Unsere Investition in dieses Unternehmen basiert auf einer eingehenden Analyse der Dynamik des Marktes für kryptografische Anlagen. Sollten die Akzeptanz, die Verwendung und der Nutzen weiter mit gleicher Geschwindigkeit zunehmen, werden sich Krypto-Vermögenswerte zu einer legitimen und soliden Anlageklasse entwickeln und unverzichtbarer Bestandteil von Anlegerportfolios werden.“
Im Kontakt mit der Finma&#8230;
Das Ziel von SEBA ist es, Krypto- und Blockchain-Produkte und Dienstleistungen im Rahmen einer einfach zu verwendenden, umfassend bewilligten und überwachten One-Stop- Banking-Lösung auf den Markt zu bringen. Die betreffenden Produkte sollen sowohl Privatpersonen wie auch institutionellen Anlegern offenstehen.
Nach Erteilung der FINMA-Lizenz wird SEBA ein Online-Angebot und klassisches Endkundengeschäft zusammenführen, um sämtliche Benutzeranforderungen hinsichtlich Krypto- und traditionellem Banking zu erfüllen.
Asien Schweiz Verbindung
SEBA steht für die Beantragung einer Bank- und Effektenhändlerbewilligung bereits in Kontakt mit der FINMA. Die Bewilligung würde es SEBA ermöglichen, umfassende Dienstleistungen anzubieten, einschliesslich Lager- und Custody-Dienstleistungen, Handel und Liquiditätsmanagement, Corporate Finance Beratung sowie Anlage- und Vermögensverwaltungsdienste im Kryptobereich.
Jack Chung, Managing Director von Summer Capital, einem der Investoren von SEBA: „Wir nutzen mit unserer Investition in SEBA die bekannten Verbindungen zwischen der Schweiz und Asien. Sie verknüpft die historisch gewachsenen Finanzdienstleistungs- und Sicherheitsstandards der Schweiz mit dem beeindruckenden Wachstum und der Innovation, die Asien vorantreiben.“
Guido Bühler, CEO von SEBA, zum ambitiösen Projekt:
„Ein grundlegender Aspekt unserer Mission ist die Aufklärung. Wir möchten das Potenzial verdeutlichen, das Blockchain für weltweite wirtschaftliche Reformen und finanzielle Eingliederung hat. Unsere Kernwerte sind Sicherheit, Transparenz und Performance. Unsere Ambition ist es, Marktführer bei der Konvergenz zwischen traditionellem Finanzwesen und Krypto-Economy zu werden.“
The post SEBA Crypto AG: 100 Millionen CHF  für den Aufbau einer FINMA-lizenzierten Bank appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/seba-crypto-ag-100-millionen-chf-fur-den-aufbau-einer-finma-lizenzierten-bank</link><guid>809</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>SEBA Crypto AG: 100 Millionen CHF  für den Aufbau einer FINMA-lizenzierten Bank</dc:text></item><item><title>Switzerland and Israel Explores Possible Partnership on Blockchain</title><description><![CDATA[After signing their memorandum of understanding (MoU) Tel Aviv, Swiss delegates landed in Jerusalem to request that Israel opens its market for Swiss banks to trade in the region.
The Swiss Minister for Finance Ueli Maurer made the journey, along with State Secretary for International Matters Jörg Gasser, representatives of the Swiss authorities, as well as senior representatives from the banking and fintech sectors.
Both parties have expressed that they would cooperate on market access, fintech regulation, cryptocurrencies and especially combating money laundering and terrorist financing.
According to Reuters, discussions between Jörg Gasser and the Deputy Minister of Finance in Israel Yitzhak Cohen sees the possibility of Israel opening up trading opportunities to Swiss banks, which are not part of the EU and thus regulated differently.
Switzerland requests unfettered access to Israel&#8217;s market, and are expecting the latter to answer within the next year.
The pair also discussed issues like cross-border financial services, financial regulation, cryptocurrency, and combating money laundering and terrorist financing.
Both countries have also agreed to trade notes on blockchain regulation.
As a result of these discussions, Reuters reported that Jörg will be preparing a report on how to regulate blockchain, and will submit his recommendations before year&#8217;s end—with a goal of going live in early 2020.
While there, Swiss delegates were given an overview of the Israeli blockchain sector in the region.
Featured image via the Swiss Department of Finance 
 
The post Switzerland and Israel Explores Possible Partnership on Blockchain appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/switzerland-and-israel-explores-possible-partnership-on-blockchain</link><guid>807</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Switzerland and Israel Explores Possible Partnership on Blockchain</dc:text></item><item><title>Switzerland and Israel Explores Possible Partnership on Fintech and Blockchain</title><description><![CDATA[After signing their memorandum of understanding (MoU) Tel Aviv, Swiss delegates landed in Jerusalem to request that Israel opens its market for Swiss banks to trade in the region.
The Swiss Minister for Finance Ueli Maurer made the journey, along with State Secretary for International Matters Jörg Gasser, representatives of the Swiss authorities, as well as senior representatives from the banking and fintech sectors.
Both parties have expressed that they would cooperate on market access, fintech regulation, cryptocurrencies and especially combating money laundering and terrorist financing.
According to Reuters, discussions between Jörg Gasser and the Deputy Minister of Finance in Israel Yitzhak Cohen sees the possibility of Israel opening up trading opportunities to Swiss banks, which are not part of the EU and thus regulated differently.
Switzerland requests unfettered access to Israel&#8217;s market, and are expecting the latter to answer within the next year.
The pair also discussed issues like cross-border financial services, financial regulation, cryptocurrency, and combating money laundering and terrorist financing.
Both countries have also agreed to trade notes on blockchain regulation.
As a result of these discussions, Reuters reported that Jörg Gasser will be preparing a report on how to regulate blockchain, and will submit his recommendations before year&#8217;s end—with a goal of going live in early 2020.
While there, Swiss delegates were given an overview of the Israeli blockchain sector in the region.
 
Featured image via the Swiss Department of Finance 
 
The post Switzerland and Israel Explores Possible Partnership on Fintech and Blockchain appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/switzerland-and-israel-explores-possible-partnership-on-fintech-and-blockchain</link><guid>808</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Switzerland and Israel Explores Possible Partnership on Fintech and Blockchain</dc:text></item><item><title>Futurae Raises CHF 2 Mio to Expand its AI-Powered Two-Step Authentication Solution</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss-based cybersecurity startup Futurae Technologies founded by ETH Zurich security researchers and known for its artificial intelligence-powered, two-factor authentication suite, will be gunning for a market expansion now that they have closed a CHF 2 million financing round, led by AXA Venture Partners and DIventures, with participation from Zürcher Kantonalbank and Stefan Muehlemann, founder and CEO of Loanboox.
Futurae is primarily known for its &#8216;Zero-Touch&#8217; product, which offers two-factor authentication without the need for user interaction, instead uses a machine learning algorithm to  authenticate the user via ambient noise, ultra-sound and context information.
The company also offers complements to their leading product, like multi-factor authentication methods, transaction signing and IoT authentication in what the company strives towards becoming uncomplicated and secure.

Sandra Tobler, CEO of Futurae says “We see companies striving to continuously meet customers’ expectations, offer more personalized services, and improve the customer experience. IT security should not be a stumbling block but rather integrate seamlessly into the digital user journey.&#8221;
Futurae is currently working with major players in the identity and access management domain within the financial and insurance industry, as well as with fast-growing startups.
The post Futurae Raises CHF 2 Mio to Expand its AI-Powered Two-Step Authentication Solution appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/futurae-raises-chf-2-mio-to-expand-its-ai-powered-two-step-authentication-solution</link><guid>804</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Futurae Raises CHF 2 Mio to Expand its AI-Powered Two-Step Authentication Solution</dc:text></item><item><title>Bank Frick Takes 25% Stake in 21.finance Thanks to an Upcoming Blockchain Platform</title><description><![CDATA[
21.finance Scores Bank Frick&#8217;s Investment Thanks to Upcoming Blockchain Platform
A capital injection sees Bank Frick acquiring an approximately 25% stake into 21.finance AG, known for running the area2Invest crowdfunding platform which connects accredited issuers in the European Economic Area and Switzerland to investors.
The investment is seemingly tied to 21.finance&#8217;s blockchain-based tokenised financial instruments that will make a debut soon.

Raphael Haldner, Head of Funds and Issues at Bank Frick said that:

Raphael Haldner
“Bank Frick is intensively involved in blockchain banking. The transparent distribution of tokenised financial products is a strong argument for us taking a stake in 21.finance.&#8221;
“The issuer and investor portal is an ideal fit with our digitalisation strategy, which focuses on financial intermediaries. For those intermediaries that are our clients, we offer an attractive information and distribution channel for their financial products. Moreover, we have the option of presenting and distributing our own products there.”
Raphael Haldner was elected onto the Board of Directors of 21.finance following Bank Frick’s investment.
With care on compliance and regulations, 21.finance AG automates and digitalises the processes behind investments. Issuers that are featured on their platform have been registered and pre-identified, and the platform offers structured financing proposals on both public and private basis.
On the issuer&#8217;s side, 21.finance offers a variety of financing solutions and provides access to equity, mezzanine and debt capital.

The post Bank Frick Takes 25% Stake in 21.finance Thanks to an Upcoming Blockchain Platform appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bank-frick-takes-25-stake-in-21finance-thanks-to-an-upcoming-blockchain-platform</link><guid>803</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Bank Frick Takes 25% Stake in 21.finance Thanks to an Upcoming Blockchain Platform</dc:text></item><item><title>CHF 4.5 Mio in Hand, Bitwala Merges Conventional Banking with Cryptocurrencies</title><description><![CDATA[Despite decentralisation being a key point of interest for bitcoin, a slew of hacks and thefts have left a certain segment of the market hungry for regulations.
Bitwala, a German blockchain banking service, have raised about 4 million euros in funding in order to create a fully regulated blockchain bank account slated for launch in November—a multi-currency bank account that joins bitcoin and regular fiat currencies into one account.
The upcoming cryptocurrency wallet will incorporate both a more conventional German bank account—complete with SEPA transactions, management of recurring payments and a debit card—with a cryptocurrency wallet. Therefore, users would be abel to, more instataneously, liquidate their cryptocurrency assets.
With the new product offering, deposits in current accounts will be protected up to 100,000 Euros under the German deposit protection scheme and supervised by Germany’s banking supervisors BaFin and Bundesbank.
Bitwala already sees 30,000 early bird signups for their upcoming regulated accounts, which the company states will be combining features of everyday banking for both the more conventional, and the crypto world.
Venture capitalists Earlybird and coparion joined Bitwala as an investor for this project.
With the new investment, Bitwala and their banking partner will be executing on technical and regulatory setups to realise its launch that is coming soon. According to the press release, the funding round will be used for product development and growth, which may hint at a a more regional
Jörg von Minckwitz

“I’m very proud that with our new product we will close the gap between crypto and traditional banking and solve one of the biggest hurdles on the road to mainstream adoption,”

says Jörg von Minckwitz, President of Bitwala GmbH.

 
Christian Nagel
Christian Nagel, partner at Earlybird, comments:

“The background and experience of the team convinced us that Bitwala will allow everyone to engage with cryptocurrencies—seamlessly and in unprecedented simplicity, with all the comfort and security of their bank account.”

Bitwala has already dabbled in the nascent blockchain banking market. Until late 2017, Bitwala operated as a hub for worldwide money transfers using blockchain as a vehicle, though the service was suspended due to sudden license removal of their card issuing partner due to Visa&#8217;s new rules.
Featured image via bitwala
The post CHF 4.5 Mio in Hand, Bitwala Merges Conventional Banking with Cryptocurrencies appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/chf-45-mio-in-hand-bitwala-merges-conventional-banking-with-cryptocurrencies</link><guid>802</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>CHF 4.5 Mio in Hand, Bitwala Merges Conventional Banking with Cryptocurrencies</dc:text></item><item><title>EUR 4.0 Mio in Hand, Bitwala Merges Conventional Banking with Cryptocurrencies</title><description><![CDATA[Despite decentralisation being a key point of interest for bitcoin, a slew of hacks and thefts have left a certain segment of the market hungry for regulations.
Bitwala, a German blockchain banking service, have raised about 4 million euros in funding in order to create a fully regulated blockchain bank account slated for launch in November—a multi-currency bank account that joins bitcoin and regular fiat currencies into one account.
The upcoming cryptocurrency wallet will incorporate both a more conventional German bank account—complete with SEPA transactions, management of recurring payments and a debit card—with a cryptocurrency wallet. Therefore, users would be abel to, more instataneously, liquidate their cryptocurrency assets.
With the new product offering, deposits in current accounts will be protected up to 100,000 Euros under the German deposit protection scheme and supervised by Germany’s banking supervisors BaFin and Bundesbank.
Bitwala already sees 30,000 early bird signups for their upcoming regulated accounts, which the company states will be combining features of everyday banking for both the more conventional, and the crypto world.
Venture capitalists Earlybird and coparion joined Bitwala as an investor for this project.
With the new investment, Bitwala and their banking partner will be executing on technical and regulatory setups to realise its launch that is coming soon. According to the press release, the funding round will be used for product development and growth, which may hint at a a more regional
Jörg von Minckwitz

“I’m very proud that with our new product we will close the gap between crypto and traditional banking and solve one of the biggest hurdles on the road to mainstream adoption,”

says Jörg von Minckwitz, President of Bitwala GmbH.

 
Christian Nagel
Christian Nagel, partner at Earlybird, comments:

“The background and experience of the team convinced us that Bitwala will allow everyone to engage with cryptocurrencies—seamlessly and in unprecedented simplicity, with all the comfort and security of their bank account.”

Bitwala has already dabbled in the nascent blockchain banking market. Until late 2017, Bitwala operated as a hub for worldwide money transfers using blockchain as a vehicle, though the service was suspended due to sudden license removal of their card issuing partner due to Visa&#8217;s new rules.
Featured image via bitwala
The post EUR 4.0 Mio in Hand, Bitwala Merges Conventional Banking with Cryptocurrencies appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/eur-40-mio-in-hand-bitwala-merges-conventional-banking-with-cryptocurrencies</link><guid>805</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>EUR 4.0 Mio in Hand, Bitwala Merges Conventional Banking with Cryptocurrencies</dc:text></item><item><title>Euronext’s Techshare Programme, Expanding To Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[Euronext, the leading pan-European exchange in the Eurozone, launches its fourth session of TechShare, the only European programme for non-listed companies dedicated to IPOs. Now also 12 swiss companies are joining the program, at least one of them is a fintech company (see list at the end).
Benefitting from a cohort of fast-growing European tech companies, the programme is an educational network designed to help these high-potential businesses understand the role of capital markets and how they can help them reach the next stage of their growth.
For the first time, Euronext has decided to include companies from outside Euronext’s core markets, with participants from Germany, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland. This decision follows the opening of new representative offices in these countries 12 months ago and demonstrates the potential and dynamism of European companies in the tech sector.

The number of companies participating has also increased significantly with 135 companies in 2018 compared with 30 companies in 2015, representing a four-fold increase in only three years.

The companies taking part in the programme represent the vibrancy and diversity of the technology world, spanning a range of sectors driving the technology revolution, including biotech, software, MedTech, electronics, hardware, cleantech, e-commerce, and fintech.
On average, participants generate annual revenues of over €10 million and employ c.100 staff. They are also at an increasingly mature stage of growth as two-thirds are venture capital-backed and they have each raised around €15 million in capital.
Euronext will support participating companies through academic and practical expertise, including coaching. Two core sessions will be held: one in September in Paris at Europe’s leading business school HEC, and the second one in March 2019 aimed at supporting the long-term vision of the business.
In addition, tailor-made coaching sessions will be held in each country throughout the year. They will be led by around 80 expert partners recruited by Euronext from a wide range of areas to generate unique networking opportunities, including banking, law and audit, financial communications, technology, and research.
Stéphane Boujnah, CEO and Chairman of the Managing Board of Euronext, said:
Stéphane Boujnah
“Europe is brimming with highly innovative tech companies that have reached a critical stage in their growth. After several rounds of financing, they are now looking for better access to capital. To pursue their objectives, they also need focused support and the infrastructure that an efficient pan-European market can provide.
This is precisely what we are offering at Euronext through TechShare and our trading platform. Together with our partners, we are proud to bring together such a diverse and stellar range of participants – companies that I am confident will help power the European economy of tomorrow.”
Since launching in 2015, TechShare has helped four French companies access capital markets: Osmozis, Balyo, Theranexus, and Oxatis.
 
Switzerland Companies (Total 12)
 


abionic


beqom


Cellestia Biotech




loanboox


Tudor Tech


Sis Medical




video intelligence


*Note that only companies that have agreed to communicate their name are included in this list
 
The post Euronext’s Techshare Programme, Expanding To Switzerland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/euronexts-techshare-programme-expanding-to-switzerland</link><guid>801</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/PAN-EUROPEAN-INITIATIVE.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Euronext’s Techshare Programme, Expanding To Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Awards 2019 Returns — Here’s the Details and Why You Should Apply</title><description><![CDATA[The annual Swiss Fintech Awards has returned for its 2019 edition to recognise outstanding fintech start-ups and influencers. The award that&#8217;s been running since 2016 has seen many fintech entrepreneurs benefiting from taking part in this show.
According to 2016&#8217;s winners Sentifi, the award put them in a strong position to attract talent, in fact they received over 500 applications in 1 month which subsequently led to them hiring a top CTO from USA.
Qumran (now Dynatrace after successful exit) who won the last year&#8217;s award also shared that it did a great deal in speeding up their business and they were able to win many new clients after participating in Swiss Fintech Awards.
This edition of Swiss Fintech Awards will recognise the following 3 categories &#8212; Early Stage Startup of the Year, Growth Stage Startup of the Year and Fintech Influencer of the Year.
This year&#8217;s applications will be judged by a panel of renowned jury, many of which needs no introduction to us Swiss that are familiar with the scene.
A Snapshot of the Jury for Swiss Fintech Awards 2019
 
The applications are now open and startups can nominate themselves here. The winners of the top 5 startups will be announced on the 9th of January 2019 they will then undergo a bootcamp and a series speed dating leading up to the awards show.
Milestones for the Swiss Fintech Awards 2019
For our readers who wish to find out more info about the Swiss Fintech Awards 2019, this handy link should provide you with all you need to know about the award.
The post Swiss Fintech Awards 2019 Returns &#8212; Here&#8217;s the Details and Why You Should Apply appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-awards-2019-returns-heres-the-details-and-why-you-should-apply</link><guid>800</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Swiss-Fintech-Awards-2019-Judge-1024x636.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Awards 2019 Returns — Here’s the Details and Why You Should Apply</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Regtech Apiax on Digital Cross-Border Compliance and Tax Regulations</title><description><![CDATA[Apiax, a Swiss regtech company, has launched a new tax product that allows banks and asset managers to factor the tax impact of financial instruments into their investment recommendations, addressing key challenges in wealth management, such as the need to increase the quality and frequency of client interactions and the rising demand for tailored investment advice.
Ralf Huber, Co-Founder Apiax
“Together with our content partners, we’ve found a way to digitalize tax regulations on the ISIN- level so we know on the level of the financial instrument how it will be taxed in all possible scenarios,” Ralf Huber, co-founder and legal lead of Apiax, told Fintechnews. “Once you have all these variables factored into a regulatory rule set, you can extract tax information from it. More importantly, you can calculate the tax impact of financial instruments and of entire portfolios. We think that’s pretty exciting.”
The solution allows financial institutions to make use of tax calculations in their advisory processes, “the missing piece in the puzzle of value-added, personalized investment advice,” the company said in a blog post. Using the new tool, financial service providers can inform clients about tax-heavy financial instruments and offer them tax-efficient investment recommendations instead, enabling for tailored investment advice as well as new investment products and investment services.
Apiax at the Temenos Innovation Jam Finals, May 2018, @ApiaxCOM, via Twitter
“They can offer their clients better investment advice, superior portfolios and tailored investment products! It’s one of these rare opportunities where preferences align: financial service providers can approach their clients with something new, while clients get better investment performance. It’s a win-win situation,” Huber said. “And because our solution is so easy to integrate into core banking solutions and is even readily integrated in the Temenos WealthSuite, it’s really easy to make use of these benefits.”
The launch of Apiax’s new tax product demonstrates that regtech solutions aren’t only about cross-border compliance and managing regulations digitally. These can also be used to handle the increased complexity of tax regulations, improve investment performance and increase client satisfaction.
“At the very core of the regtech industry is the technology to transform complex regulations into digital, machine-readable regulatory rules and to manage these digital rules over their full lifecycle. This allows financial institutions to regain control over regulatory developments, to increase regulatory certainty and to become efficient and innovative again,” Huber explained. “In essence, regtech allows banks and asset managers to master financial regulations digitally. Whether or not this has a cross-border connotation is only of secondary importance.”
He continued:
“For our solution, there are countless use cases in the areas of digital wealth management, investment services and tax-efficient investing. Robo-advisors can use digital regulatory rules to expand their business reach, for instance. Banks can use digital tax rules to offer their clients tax-efficient investment products. We also find that the data generated by regtech solutions can be really valuable for governance, risk and compliance solutions. And this is still only a snapshot. We constantly discover new and exciting use cases together with our industry partners.”
Founded in 2017 and based in Zurich, Apiax is an award-winning regtech startup that builds tools to transform complex regulations into easy-to-use digital compliance rules that are always up-to-date and verified.
Apiax at the Swiss Startup Award 2018
The Apiax platform combines comprehensive legal expertise with state-of-the-art technology to provide financial institutions with machine-readable and dependable answers to complex regulatory questions. It covers key legal areas such as digital cross-border compliance and tax regulations, and can be deployed on premise or in the cloud.
“We offer our clients a platform on which they can transform regulations into digital regulatory rules themselves. But we also give them access to digital rules created by our premium content partners,” Huber said. “We find that different clients have different needs for these software-as-a-service (SaaS) and regulatory-as-a-service (RaaS) solutions depending on a number of factors such as their size or their business strategy.”
Apiax is part of the growing community of regtech startups that are using technology to enhance regulatory processes. Regtech holds significant promise for easing the regulatory burden at banks and allowing for cost-savings.
Thomson Reuters released its annual Cost of Compliance research paper in June and found that regulatory divergence costs financial institutions between 5 and 10% of their annual turnover on average. Since 2008, the financial sector has seen more than 50,000 new regulations being introduced.
“Regulatory compliance takes a huge toll on financial services providers so it seems only natural that more and more banks and wealth managers look to regtech to solve their regulatory headaches,” Huber said. “[Financial services providers] are starting to understand that they can tap into efficient regtech solutions to master their regulatory challenges and focus on business development again.”
In Switzerland, the regtech sector continues to grow now counting some 28 startups, according to Swisscom’s monthly Swiss Regtech Startup Map. These focus on various areas of activity including authentication, AML/KYC, background check, cross-border and tax solutions, enterprise risk management and fraud detection, and more.
The post Swiss Regtech Apiax on Digital Cross-Border Compliance and Tax Regulations appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-regtech-apiax-on-digital-cross-border-compliance-and-tax-regulations</link><guid>799</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Apiax-Temenos-Twitter-576x1024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Regtech Apiax on Digital Cross-Border Compliance and Tax Regulations</dc:text></item><item><title>Here are The 4 Top Fintech Companies in Switzerland According to IDC</title><description><![CDATA[The recently published IDC Fintech Rankings&#8217; Top 100 shows that Switzerland continues to be major fintech player within the global arena with 4 of its company making it into the list.
The IDC Fintech Rankings list, which is in its fourth year is intended to recognise IT providers that have enabled a genuine measurable change at a client financial institution. The ranking is measured based on annual revenues attributed to financial institutions.
With that said, here are the 4 top Fintech Companies companies in Switzerland that&#8217;s making us proud.

Temenos
Global Ranking: 25 (Up 3 spots from 2017)

Headquartered in Geneva, this Swiss company serves over 3,000 firms across the globe. 41 of the top 50 banks rely on Temenos to process daily transactions of more than 500 million banking customers.
While Temenos is known to provide a large suite of solutions, they are mostly know to bankers for their core banking solutions.

Avaloq
Global Ranking: 34 (Down 2 spots from 2017)

Much like Temenos, Avaloq dabbles quite heavily into core banking solution. Its illustrious clientele of 158 banks includes the likes of Barclays, BBVA, Deustche Bank, DBS Bank and Société Générale.
Avaloq&#8217;s software to date have helped their clients manage over CHF 4 trillion worth of assets.


SIX
Global Ranking: 59 (Unchanged from 2017)

SIX is most well known for operating SIX Swiss Exchange, but their services go beyond that. Their business comprises of 5 units &#8212; Securities &amp; Exchanges, Banking Services, Financial Information, Innovation &amp; Digital and Cards.
Perhaps less known by some, the company processes over 10 million card transactions and employs close to 4,000 employees worldwide.

Crealogix
Global Ranking: 78 (Up 6 spots from 2017)

 
Founded in 1996, this Zurich based company employs over 700 employees worldwide. To date Crealogix serves over 450 banks across markets like Germany, Austria, UK and Singapore.
Their suite of products ranges from API solutions, digital banking solutions all the way to softwares for relationship managers.

IDC has made the full list available here, for our readers who are keen to check out who else made it into the top 100
The post Here are The 4 Top Fintech Companies in Switzerland According to IDC appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/here-are-the-4-top-fintech-companies-in-switzerland-according-to-idc</link><guid>798</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Top-Fintech-Companies-in-Switzerland-Temenos-300x111.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Here are The 4 Top Fintech Companies in Switzerland According to IDC</dc:text></item><item><title>German FinTech Overview and Map 2018, September Update</title><description><![CDATA[German Fintech Overview and Map 2018 and link collection provided by our German blogging friends from paymentbanking.
 

German FinTech Overview Link collection:
Payment
https://www.payleven.de
https://www.sumup.de
https://www.izettle.com/de
http://www.go4q.mobi
http://www.ipayst.com/de/
http://www.kesh.de (nur noch bis 30.11)
https://www.paycash.eu
https://sicherbezahlen.de/
www.umt.ag/de/
SQWallet
http://www.payworksmobile.com
https://www.billpay.de
https://www.laterpay.net
http://www.paywithatweet.com
https://www.payorshare.de
https://www.paylax.de
http://www.optiopay.com/de/
https://www.spendit.de
https://payment.billingmaker.com/
http://www.dimoco.at
https://www.transferwise.com/de
https://www.circle.com/de 
https://www.easycarpay.com
 
Bitcoins
https://www.bitbond.com
https://www.bitcoin.de
https://www.satoshipay.io
https://www.draglet.com/en
www.coinify.com (Acquisition)
http://www.dogecoin.com
https://www.pey.de
https://www.coinsnap.eu/de/public/
https://www.btcexpress.net/DE
https://www.cointed.com/
E-Commerce
https://www.paymill.com/de = http://klikandpay.com/de/ (Acquistion)
https://www.barzahlen.de/de/
https://www.ratepay.com
https://www.payever.de
https://www.betterpayment.de
http://www.allpago.com
https://www.sepaone.com
http://www.fashioncheque.com/de/
http://klikandpay.com/de/
http.//getgrover.con/de-de
 Accounting
https://www.smoice.com
http://www.billomat.com
https://www.weclapp.com/de/
https://www.debitoor.de
Pactas = https://www.billwerk.com (Rebranding)
https://www.fastbill.com/
https://www.zeitgold.com
http://www.smacc.io
https://www.albuswhite.com
http://www.candis.io/de/
http://www.isaac10.com (Insolvency)
http://www.monsum.com (Rebranding)
https://www.salesking.eu/
https://monsum.com/
https://www.buchhaltungsbutler.de
Factoring / Collection
https://www.billfront.com
http://www.rechnung48.de
https://www.pagido.de
https://www.decimo.de
https://www.ecollect.de
https://www.flexpayment.de
https://www.pairfinance.com
http://www.trustbills.com
https://www.collect.ai/
https://www.innolend.de/ 
http://www.factoringbörse.de
https://www.fundflow.de/
https://www.bezahlt.de/
https://www.bilendo.de/
Donations
https://www.elefunds.de/start/
http://www.twingle.de
http://www.helpingcents.info
http://www.fundraisingbox.com
http://www.altruja.de
Order/Cash
https://www.orderbird.com/de/
Pepperbill  = https://www.orderbird.com/de/(Acquisition)
http://www.9cookies.com/de/
http://www.gastrofix.com/de/
http://www.opentabs.de
http://www.roc-kasse.de
https://www.quandoo.de
http://www.qnips.com
https://www.gastronovi.de
https://www.inventorum.com/de/
https://www.pepperkorn.com/
www.ready2order.com
https://getpenta.com/
Credit
www.compeon.de
https://www.kreditech.com
https://www.auxmoney.com
https://www.bankless24.de/de
https://www.smava.de
https://www.lendico.de
https://www.vexcash.com
https://www.companisto.com/de/
https://www.seedmatch.de
https://www.fundingcircle.com/de/ (Acquisition)
https://www.giromatch.com
https://www.spotcap.com
https://www.ferratumgroup.com/de
https://www.finanzcheck.de
https://www.ipfand.de
https://www.valendo.de
https://www.debitos.de
https://www.fundsters.de
http://www.crxmarkets.com/de/
https://www.crosslend.com
https://www.kapilendo.de
https://www.creditshelf.com
https://www.compeon.de/
http://www.tradi.co
https://www.valendo.de/
www.finnest.com/
https://www.giromatch.com
https://www.cashpresso.com
https://www.entrafin.de
https://moneyfellows.com
https://cashcape.com/
https://www.loanboox.com/
https://www.commnex.de/
Banking
http://www.traxpay.com
http://www.mambu.com
https://www.fidor.de
https://n26.com/
http://www.ementexx.com
https://www.tullius-walden.com
https://www.mamooble.com
https://www.holvi.com/de/
http://www.finreach.de
http://www.fino.digital
http://www.bancalis.de
https://www.tis.biz
http://www.bringcashnow.com
https://www.baningo.com
http://www.dwins.de
http://www.treasuryview.com
http://www.compraga.de
http://www.getpenta.com
https://www.uphold.com/
https://www.kontist.com/
https://www.xware42.com/
https://finanzguru.de/
Tools
https://www.gini.net
https://www.xpenditure.com/de/
https://edgewonk.com/
https://www.finleap.com
PFM
https://www.kontoalarm.de
https://www.centralway.com/de/
http://www.qontis.ch
http://www.myfeelix.de
https://www.moneygarden.de
https://www.treefin.com
https://www.rentablo.de/
https://de.getzuper.com/
API Banking
https://www.figo.io
https://www.fidor.com  (Rebranding)
http://www.openbankproject.com
https://www.fintecsystems.com
http://www.ebicsbox.com
http://www.finapi.io
https://www.solarisbank.de
https://banksapi.de/
https://nextdigitalbanking.com
https://www.yukkalab.com/
Savings
https://www.yukkalab.de (Rebranding)
https://www.vaamo.de
https://www.bergfuerst.com
https://www.moneymeets.com/
https://www.stockpulse.de/de/
https://www.wikifolio.com/de/de/home
https://www.voola.de
https://www.sharewise.com/de/
https://www.quirion.de
http://www.ayondo.com/de/home
https://www.liqid.de/de (Acquisition)
http://www.modelogiq.com
https://www.bettervest.com/home
comonea = Deposit Solutions https://www.comonea.de (Rebranding)
https://www.zinspilot.de/
https://www.weltsparen.de
https://www.easyfolio.de
https://www.twindepot.de
https://www.united-signals.com
https://www.fairr.de
https://www.justetf.com/de/
http://www.boersenampel.com
https://www.truewealth.ch
https://www.savedo.de
https://www.fintura.de
https://www.ginmon.de
http://www.damantis.com
https://www.greenxmoney.com
http://www.minveo.de
https://www.smartdepot.de
http://www.anyonecan.de
https://www.simplefinance.de
https://www.liqid.de/de
https://www.swipestox.com/de/
https://www.scalable.capital
https://www.swanest.com
https://www.guidants.com
http://www.niiio.de
https://www.toptradeapp.com
https://www.savedroid.de
https://www.venture.kapilendo.de (Acqusition)
http://www.wertios.com
https://www.finatra.de/start/
https://www.whitebox.eu
https://www.investify.de
http://www.clincapp.com
https://www.ir-system.com
http://www.aktienassistent.de
https://www.nextmarkets.com/de/home
https://www.growney.de/
https://www.zinsgold.de/
https://www.visualvest.de/ 
https://www.fintego.de/
https://www.werthstein.com/ 
https://elinvar.de/
https://www.weltsparen.de/
https://www.wiwin.de/
https://www.aktienassistent.de/
niiio.finance/?lang=de
https://www.fincite.de
Ident
https://www.idnow.de/
https://www.webid-solutions.de
https://www.liveident.com
https://www.verify-U AG.de
https://www.identity.tm (Acquisition)
https://www.authada.de
P2P
https://www.lendstar.io
https://www.cringle.net
https://www.cashcloud.com/de/
https://www.number26.eu (Rebranding)
https://www.payfriendz.com
https://www.kittysplit.com/de/
http://www.tabbt.com
https://www.azimo.com/de/
https://www.payza.com
https://www.elopay.com/
http://www.colleqt.com
Insurance
https://www.schutzklick.de
https://www.friendsurance.de
https://www.appsichern.de
https://www.onlineversicherung.de
https://www.finanzchef24.de
https://www.vertragium.de
http://www.safeme.hamburg
https://www.passt24.de
https://www.knip.ch
https://www.virado.de
https://www.getsafe.de
https://www.communitylife.de/de/
https://www.yoursurance.de
https://www.clark.de/de
https://www.kasko.io
http://www.massup.de
https://www.asuro.de
https://www.wefox.de
https://www.ted-versicherung.de/
http://www.finanzritter.com
http://www.versicherix.ch
http://www.fanage.de/
http://www.mypension.de
https://getsurance.de
https://prio-app.de/ 
http://www.simplr.de/ 
http://www.schadenhelfer.de/
https://haftpflichthelden.de/ 
https://www.fin-klick.de/ 
http://www.myfeelix.de/ 
https://www.covomo.de/ 
http://www.allesmeins.de/
https://mylucy.com/ 
https://etherisc.com/
Immo
Imcheck24 = https://www.maklaro.de (Rebranding)
https://www.zinsland.de
https://www.brickvest.com/en/
https://www.exporo.de
http://www.deutsche-kautionspartner.de/
https://www.ifunded.de
https://www.zinsbaustein.de 
https://www.mezzany.com/ 
https://www.fundernation.eu/ 
https://www.homerocket.com/ 
https://www.immorocks.com 
https://www.groupestate.de/ 
https://www.ev-capital.de/
Risk/Rating
http://www.bonify.de
https://www.scorekompass.de
The post German FinTech Overview and Map 2018, September Update appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/german-fintech-overview-and-map-2018-september-update</link><guid>797</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Landscape-Fintech-Germany-Stand-10-September-1024x614.png</dc:content ><dc:text>German FinTech Overview and Map 2018, September Update</dc:text></item><item><title>Tamedia Bullish on Fintech: Investment in Swiss Blockchain Marketplace Startup Lykke</title><description><![CDATA[Tamedia, one of the biggest Swiss media groups, defined Fintech as a new growth area in its ventures sector and is investing in Lykke, a global Blockchain based marketplace for easy management and trading of cryptocurrencies and other digitized assets.
The company, headquartered in Zug has approximately 25 employees located in Switzerland and about 80 employees and contractors worldwide. Tamedia is planning to support the start-up in its growth and further development of the global marketplace. Furthermore, Tamedia wants to make additional Fintech investments in the future.
Samuel Hügli, Member of the Management Board and Head of Technology &amp; Ventures at Tamedia:
Samuel Hügli
“With its marketplace for cryptocurrencies Lykke offers an exciting product with great potential. With our investment, we will benefit from Lykke’s know-how in Fintech and Blockchain and we will support the growth of the start-up specifically through our expertise in marketing, product development and B2C space.
This cooperation could also lead to the development of innovative offerings for our customers, such as new payment services for Tamedia products.”
Lykke has over 90,000 registered accounts and a total trading volume of over 1.5 billion US dollars has already been transferred via the marketplace.
Richard Olsen
Richard Olsen, Founder and CEO of Lykke:
“We are delighted to have Tamedia on board as a new investor and we welcome Samuel Hügli to our Board of Directors. Tamedia has successfully held its ground throughout the digital transformation and with this investment, the company shows confidence in Lykke’s vision. Our collaboration with Tamedia will allow us to successfully move our business forward.”
The post Tamedia Bullish on Fintech: Investment in Swiss Blockchain Marketplace Startup Lykke appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/tamedia-bullish-on-fintech-investment-in-swiss-blockchain-marketplace-startup-lykke</link><guid>796</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Tamedia Bullish on Fintech: Investment in Swiss Blockchain Marketplace Startup Lykke</dc:text></item><item><title>Switzerland Guidelines: Opening Corporate Accounts For Blockchain Companies</title><description><![CDATA[The number of blockchain companies in Switzerland has risen sharply.
The SBA welcomes this trend and takes a positive view of the high market momentum, as it boosts Switzerland’s attractiveness as a financial centre. Banks see blockchain technology as an opportunity opening up an array of possibilities for the country as a financial and technology location.
Within the context of its priorities, the SBA promotes and supports an innovation-friendly environment in the digitalisation arena. This also includes promoting conditions that support the sustainable growth of companies involved in blockchain technology.
With the growth of blockchain companies, their demand for corporate accounts with banks in Switzerland has also risen. Opening an account poses various challenges for banks, because the new blockchain technologies can also be associated with risks, especially in relation to money laundering. Switzerland has strict laws and due diligence requirements in place governing financial transactions. Banks must therefore carry out careful checks when opening an account.
The SBA had recognised the challenges of opening accounts for blockchain companies at an early stage and communicated its members&#8217; interests and unresolved questions to various authorities. In addition, the SBA set up an internal working group involving member banks and also Crypto Valley Association (CVA), to work in detail on requirements and conditions that might apply when opening accounts for companies with links to blockchain and ICOs. The guidelines published today are the fruits of this work.
Guidelines differentiate according to form of corporate financing
The published guidelines are intended to help banks take a differentiated approach to account opening, depending on the nature of the connections that the company has with blockchain technology. Companies are categorised in the guidelines based on these connections as they relate to token issuance (ICOs) and the nature of corporate financing. The most comprehensive requirements apply to the documentation for companies that finance an ICO via cryptocurrencies.

Blockchain companies without an ICO: Companies whose business model has links to blockchain technology but that do not use this for corporate financing should not be treated any differently to other SME customers wanting to open an account. The usual, strict legal regulations that govern account opening apply. Companies have a duty to cooperate in the opening of banking relationships. They need to be able to demonstrate that they are aware of and adhere to all regulations applicable to their business models. This includes being able to show a meaningful business plan and adequate processes and resources.
Blockchain companies with ICOs: Companies that raise capital for corporate purposes by issuing tokens using blockchain technology can do so in the form of fiat or cryptocurrencies. For companies whose ICOs are funded by cryptocurrencies, higher and additional requirements should be imposed, whether or not they are subject to the Anti-Money Laundering Act. The guidelines recommend that the ICO organiser should apply the relevant Swiss standards on the origin of funds (KYC) and money laundering (AML) when accepting cryptocurrencies under an ICO. It is also proposed that the acceptance of cryptocurrencies under ICOs should be treated as a minimum in the same way as a cash transaction.

Guidelines for practical implementation
The guidelines adopt the terminology and classification of tokens in accordance with FINMA&#8217;s ICO Guidelines of 16 February 2018 and build on the Agreement on the Swiss banks&#8217; code of conduct with regard to the exercise of due diligence (CDB), with additional blockchain-specific principles.
The guidelines do not define binding minimum standards. Institution-specific instructions issued by SBA members will take precedence. Each bank is responsible for its own business activities.
By producing these guidelines, the SBA is promoting the optimum operating environment to support a diverse fintech ecosystem. Corporate bank accounts are an important infrastructure service, and banks have an interest in doing business in this fast-growing area. At the same time, it should be stressed that the applicable due diligence obligations are binding, and there is no automatic right to open an account. The integrity and reputation of the Swiss financial centre must remain the top priority for all market participants.
 
Featured image via swissbankinginfo.blogspot.com
The post Switzerland Guidelines: Opening Corporate Accounts For Blockchain Companies appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/switzerland-guidelines-opening-corporate-accounts-for-blockchain-companies</link><guid>794</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/swissbanking-300x60.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Switzerland Guidelines: Opening Corporate Accounts For Blockchain Companies</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss’ Banking Guidelines for Blockchain Companies – Here’s What it Looks Like</title><description><![CDATA[The number of blockchain companies in Switzerland has risen sharply.
Opening an account for blockchain companies poses various challenges for banks, because the new blockchain technologies can also be associated with risks, especially in relation to money laundering.
Switzerland has strict laws and due diligence requirements in place governing financial transactions. Banks must therefore carry out careful checks when opening an account.
However completely disregarding this segment would also be remiss, the Swiss Banking Association said in a press release that they take a positive view of blockchain as it boosts Switzerland&#8217;s attractiveness as a financial centre.

In light of this, the Swiss Banking Association has taken an active step in issuing a guideline for blockchain companies in Switzerland.The published guidelines are intended to help banks take a differentiated approach to account opening. Companies are categorised in the guidelines based on whether or not their business is tied to an ICO.
In this guideline companies whose business models have links to blockchain technology but has no ICOs planned should be treated the same as any other customer wanting to open an account
However, those with an ICO tied to their business will be subject to more stringent standards, the guidelines recommend that the ICO organiser should apply the relevant Swiss standards on the origin of funds (KYC) and money laundering (AML) when accepting cryptocurrencies under an ICO.
It is also proposed that the acceptance of cryptocurrencies under ICOs should be treated as a minimum in the same way as a cash transaction.
Featured image via swissbankinginfo.blogspot.com
The post Swiss&#8217; Banking Guidelines for Blockchain Companies &#8211; Here&#8217;s What it Looks Like appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-banking-guidelines-for-blockchain-companies-heres-what-it-looks-like</link><guid>795</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/swissbanking-300x60.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss’ Banking Guidelines for Blockchain Companies – Here’s What it Looks Like</dc:text></item><item><title>Schweden vs Schweiz: Unterschiede im Mobile Payment; Swish vs Twint</title><description><![CDATA[Schweden gilt als eine Vorreiternation auf dem Weg in die bargeldlose Gesellschaft. In öffentlichen Verkehrsbetrieben und vielen Geschäften werden nur noch mobile Bezahl-Apps, Debit- oder Kreditkarten akzeptiert, während das Bargeld in der Schweiz noch immer das am häufigsten genutzte Zahlungsmittel ist.
Ist das Zahlungsverhalten in Schweden daher wirklich so anders wie in der Schweiz? Wo gibt es Gemeinsamkeiten und wo liegen die Unterschiede? Im heutigen Blog werden Umfragen zum Zahlungsverhalten der beiden Länder einander gegenübergestellt.
In der Schweiz ist das Bargeld noch immer das wichtigste Zahlungsmittel. Diverse Studien und Entwicklungen in verschiedenen europäischen Ländern stellen jedoch die (künftige) Relevanz des Bargelds als Zahlungsmittel zunehmend in Frage. Der technologische Fortschritt, der dadurch zumindest in einzelnen Geschäftsfeldern verstärkt auftretende Kostendruck im Bereich des Zahlungsverkehrs und ein intensivierter Wettbewerb haben in den letzten 15 Jahren zu neuen Dienstleistungen und einer erweiterten Zahlungsverkehrslandschaft geführt.
Beispiele dafür sind neue Verfahren wie das Mobile Payment oder Technologien wie die Near-Field-Communication, die das kontaktlose Bezahlen ermöglicht haben.
Im Rahmen ihrer Bachelorarbeit hat Admira Mustafic die von der schwedischen Zentralbank im Jahr 2018 durchgeführte Umfrage über das Bezahlverhalten auf die Schweiz übertragen. Dadurch versuchte sie, diese beiden Länder diesbezüglich zu vergleichen. Die Datenerhebung in der Schweiz erfolgte mittels einer quantitativen Umfrage, an der 620 Personen teilgenommen haben.
Die Ergebnisse sind zwar nicht ganz repräsentativ, da das Sample im Vergleich zum Schweizer Durchschnitt zu jung, zu «weiblich» und zu gut ausgebildet ist. Nichtsdestotrotz bieten die Ergebnisse gute Anhaltspunkte in Bezug auf Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschiede im Vergleich mit Schweden. Des Weiteren werden in diesem Blogartikel – wo vergleichbare Daten vorliegen – auch die Umfrage-Ergebnisse der SNB-Studie (Zahlungsmittelumfrage) verwendet.
Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschiede zwischen Schweden und der Schweiz
Grundsätzlich kann festgehalten werden, dass in Schweden eine beschleunigte Bargeldsubstitution stattfindet. Der Gebrauch bargeldloser Zahlungsmittel nimmt zu, während die Bargeldnutzung abnimmt. Des Weiteren kann festgestellt werden, dass das schwedische Twint-Pendant «Swish» innerhalb kurzer Zeit stark an Bedeutung gewonnen hat (vgl. Abbildung 1).
Abbildung 1: Verwendung der Zahlungsmittel in Schweden («Which means of payment have you used in the past month?») (Sveriges Riksbank, 2018)
Vergleicht man diese (und andere) Werte mit den Umfrageergebnissen in der Schweiz, kann man die folgenden Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschiede feststellen:
Gemeinsamkeiten

Debitkarten sind sowohl in Schweden als auch in der Schweiz ein sehr beliebtes Zahlungsmittel. Rund 80 Prozent der Schweden nutzen am Point of Sale (POS) am häufigsten die Debitkarte, während dieser Wert in der Schweiz bei 71 Prozent liegt.
Beträge über CHF 50 werden sowohl in Schweden als auch in der Schweiz überwiegend mit der Debitkarte bezahlt.
Nur 27 Prozent der befragten Schweden hat eine negative Meinung gegenüber der abnehmenden Bargeldnutzung. In der Schweiz liegt dieser Wert ähnlich hoch (25%).

Unterschiede

Kleinstbeträge bis zu CHF 12 werden in Schweden überwiegend mit der Debitkarte bezahlt (71%). Nur rund 20 Prozent der Befragten bezahlt diese kleinen Beträge in bar. Im Gegensatz zu Schweden bezahlen Schweizer Kleinstbeträge fast ausschliesslich in bar. Die Umfrage der SNB hat diesbezüglich ergeben, dass mit zunehmendem Betrag die Bargeldnutzung abnimmt und die Kartenzahlungen zunehmen (vgl. Abbildung 2).
Abbildung 2: Transaktionsanteile der Zahlungsmittel je Betragsbereich (SNB, 2018)


Die Frequenz der Bargeldbezüge am Geldautomaten sowie der durchschnittlich abgehobene Betrag sind in der Schweiz höher als in Schweden. So tätigen 58 Prozent der Befragten in der Schweiz ein bis dreimal pro Woche Bargeldbezüge am Geldautomaten (Schweden: 31%). Jeder fünfte der befragten Schweden gab gar an, niemals Bargeldbezüge zu tätigen (Schweiz: 1%).
Ein Schwede hat umgerechnet zwischen CHF 11 und 56 (resp. zwischen SEK 100 und 500) im Portemonnaie, während es bei einem Schweizer durchschnittlich CHF 133 sind.
62 Prozent der befragten Schweden gab an, im letzten Monat die mobile Bezahl-App Swish benutzt zu haben (2014 waren es erst 10%). In der Schweiz beläuft sich dieser Wert für Twint, Apple Pay und Samsung Pay auf 36 Prozent (da das Sample in der Schweiz aber tendenziell zu jung ist, kann davon ausgegangen werden, dass dieser Wert für die gesamte Schweiz tiefer ist).
Der häufigste Bargeldbezug eines Schweden beträgt rund CHF 56 (30% aller Bezüge). In der Schweiz heben hingegen mehr als die Hälfte der Personen durchschnittlich zwischen CHF 100 und CHF 250 ab.
7 von 10 Schweden geben an, unter den heutigen Umständen ohne Bargeld auszukommen. In der Schweiz behaupten rund 5 von 10 Personen, ohne Bargeld auskommen zu können.

Insgesamt kann festgestellt werden, dass sich die grössten Unterschiede im Zahlungsverhalten bei der Nutzung von Bargeld und von Apps mit Bezahlfunktion finden lassen. Bargeld ist in der Schweiz also tatsächlich viel beliebter ist als in Schweden.
Worauf können diese Unterschiede zurückgeführt werden?
Die oben erwähnten Unterschiede im Zahlungsverhalten können auf verschiedene Gründe zurückgeführt werden. So förderte beispielsweise eine schlechtere Bargeldversorgung in eher dünn besiedelten Gebieten in Schweden die Nutzung bargeldloser Zahlungsmittel, wohingegen die Schweiz noch immer über ein dichtes Filial- und Geldautomatennetz verfügt. Zudem müssen Händler in Schweden Bargeld nicht als Zahlungsmittel akzeptieren. In der Schweiz hingegen sind die Geschäfte von Gesetzes wegen dazu verpflichtet, Bargeld zu akzeptieren.
Eine weitere mögliche Erklärung könnten die Unterschiede in der Mentalität der beiden Gesellschaften sein. Die Werte, der Lebensstil und auch die individuellen Gewohnheiten und Präferenzen von Menschen sind stark ausschlaggebend für die Durchdringung und die Adaptionsgeschwindigkeit digitaler Technologien. Schweden gilt diesbezüglich generell als sehr technologie-affines Land. Schliesslich könnte das Aufkommen des E-Commerce ein weiterer Erklärungs-Faktor sein. Bei der Zahlungsabwicklung im Onlinehandel spielen unbare Zahlungsmittel eine zentrale Rolle. Auch in diesem Gebiet ist Schweden gegenüber der Schweiz im Vorsprung.
Vergleich mit Deutschland und Österreich
Vergleicht man die Ergebnisse aus Schweden und der Schweiz mit Studien aus Deutschland und Österreich wird rasch klar, dass unsere beiden Nachbarländer ähnlich unterwegs sind wie die Schweiz. Gemäss einer Studie der Deutschen Bundesbank zum Zahlungsverhalten der Deutschen Bevölkerung (2017) ist Bargeld immer noch das meistgenutzte Zahlungsmittel. Jedoch verzeichnen moderne Zahlungsmittel wie kontaktlose Kartenzahlungen, Internet- und mobile Bezahlverfahren hohe Wachstumsraten.
Auch laut der Zahlungsverhaltensstudie der Österreichischen Nationalbank (2016) spielt das Bargeld weiterhin eine dominante Rolle im Zahlungsverkehr, denn 82 Prozent der Zahlungen im Jahr 2016 wurden in bar getätigt. Die Studie hebt hervor, dass der Bargeldanteil seit 2011 zwar gesunken ist, aber bei kleineren Beträgen immer noch deutlich überwiegt. Beispielsweise werden 92 Prozent der Zahlungen unter EUR 10 in bar abgewickelt, obwohl es auch in Österreich valable Alternativen wie kontaktloses Bezahlen oder mobile Zahlungslösungen gibt.
Fazit
Anhand des obigen Vergleichs wird klar, dass sich das Zahlungsverhalten der schwedischen gegenüber der Schweizer Bevölkerung ziemlich stark unterscheidet. Auffällig ist vor allem, dass die Mobile App Swish deutlich stärker genutzt wird als Twint, Apple Pay oder Samsung Pay hierzulande. Ebenso fällt auf, dass Kleinstbeträge unter CHF 10 in Schweden überwiegend mit der Debitkarte bezahlt werden, derweil Schweizer diese Kleinstbeträge fast ausschliesslich in bar begleichen.
Wird sich die Schweiz bezüglich Bezahlverhalten in eine ähnliche Richtung entwickeln wie Schweden? Einige Indikatoren, wie zum Beispiel die Verlagerung zum eCommerce und mCommerce oder die zunehmend rasante Adaption der Kontaktlos-Bezahlfunktion, sprechen dafür. Gleichzeitig gibt es auch einige Beschleunigungs-Faktoren in Schweden – insbesondere die teilweise unbefriedigende Bancomat-Abdeckung – welche in der Schweiz so nicht gegeben sind. Insofern kann erwartet werden, dass die Entwicklungen hierzulande weiterhin langsamer ablaufen als in Schweden.
 
Der Artikel stammt vom IFZ Blog der Hochschule Luzern.
The post Schweden vs Schweiz: Unterschiede im Mobile Payment; Swish vs Twint appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schweden-vs-schweiz-unterschiede-im-mobile-payment-swish-vs-twint</link><guid>791</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Abb-1-schweden-vs-schweiz-payment.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Schweden vs Schweiz: Unterschiede im Mobile Payment; Swish vs Twint</dc:text></item><item><title>Erster Blockchain-Inkubator für das Crypto Valley</title><description><![CDATA[In wenigen Jahren ist die Region zwischen Zug und Zürich zum Epizentrum der Blockchain-Revolution geworden.
Heute beherbergt das Crypto Valley bereits über 600 Blockchain-Unternehmen.
Lakeside Partners hat diese rasante Entwicklung mitgeprägt und in Zug ein eigenes Blockchain-Ökosystem aufgebaut. Dazu gehören der Coworking Space CV Labs, Startup Competitions, Blockchain Summits und die mitgegründete Swiss Blockchain Taskforce. Als Startup-Berater und Investor hat Lakeside Partners in den letzten 18 Monaten über 1000 Blockchain-Startups geprüft.
CV VC – Crypto Valley Venture Capital – ist eine logische Weiterentwicklung dieser Aktivitäten.
Mathias Ruch
«Nach einer ersten Phase mit Pionieren entdecken jetzt auch traditionelle Investoren und grosse Player aus der Old Economy das Crypto Valley. Analysten sprechen von einem Erwachsenwerden der Branche – mit seriösen Unternehmen, seriösen Unternehmern und seriösem Geld.»
so Mathias Ruch, Gründer/Managing Partner von Lakeside Partners sowie Gründer und CEO von CV VC.
 

Finanzierung, Ausbildung, Mentoring, 125&#8217;000 USD
CV VC wird alle Stufen im Wachstumszyklus der Krypto- und Blockchain-Firmen abdecken, von der Inkubation bis zu later stage investments. Im ersten Bereich investiert das Unternehmen einen fixen Betrag (125&#8217;000 Dollar) in eine grosse Zahl vielversprechender Blockchain-Unternehmen und erhält von diesen im Gegenzug Aktien oder Token.
Die ausgewählten Startups durchlaufen während drei Monaten ein Top-Level-Inkubationsprogram im Herzen des Crypto Valley, in dem erfolgreiche Startup-Unternehmer die Gründer von morgen coachen. Die ersten 20 Firmen beginnen im kommenden Winter, eine Voranmeldung ist ab sofort möglich.
Die Teilnehmer des CV Labs Inkubationsprogramms erhalten nebst der Seed-Finanzierung eine massgeschneiderte Ausbildung und ein Coaching auf Augenhöhe (Unternehmer unterrichten Unternehmer). Sie profitieren vom Netzwerk und der Infrastruktur im CV Labs sowie Großveranstaltungen im Herzen des Crypto Valley.
Als Mentoren konnten einige der renommiertesten Blockchain-Pioniere, Krypto-Finanzspezialisten und Investoren im Crypto Valley gewonnen werden. Dazu zählen Nicole Anderson (Redsand), Ramon Recuero (ex-Ycombinator), Mona El Isa (Melonport), Stephan Karpischek (Etherisk), Daniel Qin (wecash) und Guenther Dobrauz (Lawyer, VC Investor).
Die drei Gründer von Lakeside Partners und von CV VC werden im neuen Unternehmen aktiv sein: Mathias Ruch (CEO, Verwaltungsrat), Marco Bumbacher (Verwaltungsratspräsident) und Ralf Glabischnig (Verwaltungsrat). Olaf Hannemann, ein Experte im Bereich Corporate Finance mit 20 Jahren Erfahrung bei JPMorgan, ist Chief Investment Officer und Mitgründer von CV VC.
Heinz Tännler: Meilenstein für Zug und das Crypto Valley
Zu den Co-Foundern gehören zudem eine Gruppe erfahrener Investoren: Daniel Grossen (Scout 24, Grossen Invest AG), Christian Jaag (Swiss Economics, Center for Crypto Economics) und Alex Wassmer (Kibag, Club zum Rennweg) und Lorenz Furrer (furrerhugi, Swiss Blockchain Taskforce).
«Als Unternehmer bin ich tief in der Old Economy verwurzelt. CV VC ist für mich die ideale Plattform, um in die Blockchain-Technologie zu investieren»,
sagte Co-Founder Alex Wassmer.
Das Investment-Konzept von CV VC besteht aus drei Säulen, die verschiedene Phasen im Wachstumszyklus der Blockchain-Unternehmen abbilden: Frühphase, Pre-ICO und Post-ICO.
In einem nächsten Schritt will das Unternehmen ins Ausland zu expandieren. Dabei will es die Vorteile der jeweiligen Jurisdiktionen nutzen und mehrere spezialisierte Inkubationsprogramme lancieren. Die Schweiz wird als «Genesis Hub» der Heimatstandort bleiben. «CV VC ist ein weiterer Meilenstein für unseren Kanton und für das Crypto Valley», sagte der Zuger Fianzdirektor an der Medienkonferenz.
 
Featured image via www.cvvc.com
The post Erster Blockchain-Inkubator für das Crypto Valley appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/erster-blockchain-inkubator-fur-das-crypto-valley</link><guid>792</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Erster Blockchain-Inkubator für das Crypto Valley</dc:text></item><item><title>Digitalisierung bei Geschäftskunden; Wie stehts mit der Customer Experience?</title><description><![CDATA[Positive Kundenerlebnisse gewinnen im Zuge der Digitalisierung immer mehr an Relevanz und bilden eines der zentralen Differenzierungsmerkmale im Wettbewerb.
Die Optimierung der Customer Experience, insbesondere für Geschäftskunden, ist daher primäres Ziel von vielen Finanzinstituten und auch aktuelle Marktstudien belegen das grosse Potenzial der Digitalisierung von Firmenkunden.
So gaben 65% der Befragten einer KMU-Studie an, einen Business Finance Manager (BFM) online nutzen zu wollen. Als Hauptmerkmale für den Wunsch nach einem BFM wurden Zeitersparnis, rund um die Uhr Zugang zu sämtlichen Finanzinformationen und Beratung, sowie allgemeine Aufwertung des E-Banking genannt. 28% der Befragten wären laut Umfrage bereit, für eine solche Lösung CHF 15 pro Monat zu investieren.
(Quelle: FehrAdvice online Studie mit 806 Schweizer KMU, Juli 2018)
Genau hier setzt nun die Aargauische Kantonalbank (AKB) an und bietet ab sofort einen Business Finance Manager für KMUs an. Der Service wurde vom Schweizer Fintech Contovista entwickelt und in Funktionalität und Design auf die Bedürfnisse der AKB abgestimmt. Ein Jahr nach der erfolgreichen Lancierung des persönlichen Finanzassistenten für Privatkunden im AKB Portal profitieren damit nun auch Firmenkunden der AKB von einem kostenfreien, digitalen Finanzassistenten.
Als weitreichende Lösung dient der Business Finance Manager zur vorausschauenden Liquiditätsplanung, auf deren Basis zielgerichtete Empfehlungen oder massgeschneiderte Produkte angeboten werden. Der BFM stellt zudem eine Ergänzung zu Buchhaltungstools dar: die angereicherten Daten können exportiert und weiterverwendet werden, beispielsweise für die Buchung von Geschäftsvorgängen. Damit gewinnen Geschäftskunden nicht nur mehr Sicherheit und uneingeschränkte Kontrolle über Ihre Finanzen, sondern sparen wertvolle Zeit, die auf das Kerngeschäft verwendet werden kann.
Dass der Kundenwunsch nach derartigen digitalen Lösungen ernstgenommen wird, zeigt auch die aktuelle Entwicklung der SIX Corporate API. Die für Frühjahr 2019 geplante Schnittstelle soll hier neue Massstäbe setzen, in dem sie über ein Modul u.a. die Integration von Fremdbanken ermöglicht. Geschäftskunden können dadurch im Kundenportal Ihrer Hausbank zusätzliche Konten von Drittbanken einsehen.
Fabian Marti, Leiter Digital Solutions der Aargauischen Kantonalbank, erklärt:
«Unseren Geschäftskunden können wir mit dem AKB Finanzassistent eine zeitgemässe Erweiterung im AKB Portal anbieten. Damit lassen sich Cashflow-Analysen direkt im Portal erstellen. Als besonderes Feature für KMU kann der Finanzassistent sowohl die aktuelle Liquiditätssituation darstellen als auch die Entwicklung ihrer voraussichtlichen Liquidität projizieren.»
Gian Reto à Porta
Gian Reto à Porta, CEO und Mitgründer der Contovista AG, ergänzt:
«Wir haben am Markt vermehrt das Bedürfnis nach einer individuellen Lösung für Geschäftskunden festgestellt und sind stolz unsere Lösung nun bei einer weiteren Schweizer Bank integrieren zu dürfen.»
The post Digitalisierung bei Geschäftskunden; Wie stehts mit der Customer Experience? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digitalisierung-bei-geschaftskunden-wie-stehts-mit-der-customer-experience</link><guid>793</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Business_Finance_Manager-1024x708.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Digitalisierung bei Geschäftskunden; Wie stehts mit der Customer Experience?</dc:text></item><item><title>An Inside Look into Swisscom and CA Technologies’ Open Banking Hub</title><description><![CDATA[Switzerland is stepping up its open banking game, with the Swiss Fintech Innovations Association recently publishing their API standard and Swisscom&#8217;s latest partnership with NASDAQ listed software house CA Technologies.
Not wanting to be left behind the nation&#8217;s telecom giant, Swisscom announced its strategic alliance to create an Open Banking Hub with CA Technologies.
Commenting on the Open Banking Hub, André Durrer, Head of Digital Business Platforms at Swisscom said,
André Durrer
&#8220;Traditional banks and new, nimble Fintechs are no longer working against each other, but rather in tandem to create exciting and compelling new financial solutions, the Swisscom Open Banking Hub provides banks, Fintechs and other third-party providers with a secure and agile platform upon which they can grow business.&#8221;
 
 
 
The Open Banking Hub Will Be Built on CA Technologies&#8217; Platform
In this partnership both parties will be standardising on the CA Technologies API Management portfolio &#8212; through the partnership both companies intend to create a simple and secure interface to connect financial institutions with 3rd parties.
Built to Connect Financial Institutions to More Than Just Fintech
The concept of the Hub is not limited to the financial services sector and fintech. The solution&#8217;s framework, be applied to other industry sectors. With this in mind, Swisscom and CA Technologies plan to extend the initiative to start-ups in other sectors, such as Medtechs, Insurtechs, Govtechs, and Regtechs.
Built to Deliver Security Without Sacrificing User Experience
Both company claims that with their platform, financial institutions and 3rd parties need not worry about challenges relating to security, performance, availability and transparency.
According to them security is managed centrally, traffic can be prioritized to help ensure APIs remain available and responsive, and a variety of deployment models ensure support for a wide range of platforms, including Docker, AWS and Azure.
Operates On Two Levels


The Open Banking Hub can be used on two levels: The API Sandbox, as it is known, allows users to try out the services of the providers, simply and with no obligations. The live usage of the third-party solutions happens in the secure zone of Swisscom’s bank IT infrastructure, in which the core banking systems of around 80 financial services providers are already operating. It fulfils the high requirements for compliance and security.




 
The post An Inside Look into Swisscom and CA Technologies&#8217; Open Banking Hub appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/an-inside-look-into-swisscom-and-ca-technologies-open-banking-hub</link><guid>790</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>An Inside Look into Swisscom and CA Technologies’ Open Banking Hub</dc:text></item><item><title>The Swiss Fintech APIs Standards – A Game Changer for Open Banking in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[With the world of finance moving into open banking, API has quickly become the poster child for innovation for the financial sector.
Beyond Europe&#8217;s well-known PSD2 initiative, Asian countries including but not limited to Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia are also making serious strides towards open banking.
2 Years in The Making&#8211; SFTI&#8217;s Initiative to Develop API Standards
In keeping with global trends, the Swiss Fintech Innovation Association (SFTI) has been very vocal in supporting this development. Walking the talk, the association commissioned working group to implement standardised APIs for the industry two years ago. (The api specifications can be found on their website here)
SFTI told Fintech News Switzerland that the aim of this was to stimulate the development of new, innovative products without compromising the security and self determination of both financial institutions and their customers.
The cross-industry unified interface specification is designed to be as compatible as possible with international standards and to enable the widest possible portfolio of financial services for the benefit of consumers and commercial customers.
 
Industry-Wide Support for Open Banking in Switzerland
The Swiss financial institution is largely serviced by several key players namely; Avaloq, Finnova, Hypothekarbank Lenzburg, Temenos and SIX. Combined, these players serves 3 quarters of all the banks in Switzerland.
According to the The Swiss Fintech Innovation Association, this is precisely why the felt it was crucial to have them as part of the working group.
In a statement issued to us, Avaloq, Finnova and Temenos all concurred that STFI&#8217;s role was integral to the success of this project.
In addition to that the believe that open banking presents one of the biggest opportunities for banks and fintechs to build an ecosystem of partnerships to deliver never before seen services and products to the end consumers.
Marianne Wild CEO of Hypotherkarbank Lenzburg who recently connected their APIs to enable virtual ATM withdrawals with Sonect said,
Marianne Wildi
 
&#8220;It was immediately clear to us that the SFTI concept would give our bank, but also the Swiss financial centre as a whole, an enormous boost,&#8221;
 
Why Open Banking Matters in Switzerland?
&#8220;API banking&#8221; is more than just a &#8220;nice to have&#8221; for the Swiss financial centre. Customers will very soon demand the new opportunities associated with it from their banks and insurance companies in Switzerland as well.
The basis for open banking is interfaces (APIs), the more uniformly these APIs are designed among financial institutions and the more widespread they are, the sooner business models with innovative services can be built on them.
SIX has also been addressing the API issue. Among other things, solutions for payment transactions for banks and software houses in the corporate customer segment are currently being developed, and the focus is primarily on the implementation of banking use cases  In this context its no conisdience that SIX is also a  SFTI member from the very beginning. Both SIX and SFTI have therefore recently agreed to bundle their other activities.
In theory when open banking is implemented personal wealth data aggregation services could tap into the APIs of all participating banks seamlessly providing a single-view of their users finances.
The possibility are endless for open banking and SFTI&#8217;s initiatives will help the industry dig deeper on what they can achieve together.
The post The Swiss Fintech APIs Standards – A Game Changer for Open Banking in Switzerland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-swiss-fintech-apis-standards-a-game-changer-for-open-banking-in-switzerland</link><guid>788</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>The Swiss Fintech APIs Standards – A Game Changer for Open Banking in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Crypto Valley Zug Ranks Third in Startup Funding Report</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss city of Zug, also referred to as Crypto Valley, was ranked the third city in the world in terms of startup funding volume in H1 2018, primarily driven by its growing crypto-community, according to a report by Speedinvest X and Frontline.
Among the top ten cities by deal volume, three are located in the DACH region, which comprises Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Berlin came in fourth position and Zurich in seventh.
Deal volume by city, Startup and Venture Capital Landscape in DACH 2018, by Speedinvestx and Frontline
In recent years, Switzerland has emerged a fintech powerhouse with Zug its blockchain hub. The city has been nicknamed Crypto Valley for the high concentration of blockchain and cryptocurrency startups which include the Ethereum Foundation, Tezos, Xapo, ShapeShift, and Proxeus.
In 2017, Swiss fintech and cryptocurrency ventures raised CHF 76 million through 30 rounds, doubled 2016, according to the Startup and Venture Capital Landscape in DACH 2018 report.
Notable Swiss fintech and cryptocurrency startups include Advanon, an online platform that allows businesses to sell their open invoices directly to financial investors, Bexio, a cloud-based business and accounting software, and ShapeShift, a web and API platform to provide instant bitcoin and cryptocurrency conversion.
 
Venture Capital Landscape in DACH
Home to 100 million affluent Internet users, the DACH region is a highly attractive economic region for startups to address and is one of the fastest growing EU economic regions with strong economic indicators. This makes DACH attractive for international venture capital (VC) firms to dedicate resources, the report says.
DACH 2017 Data
The DACH region has witnessed rapid growth of its tech industry in the past years. In the last 18 months, more than 10 debut funds have been launched in DACH. These are fueling upstream funding for DACH startups and contributing the growing startup ecosystem.
DACH Startup Ecosystem
DACH is home to an increasing number of unicorns and unicorn-investors, including Auto1 Group, a car trading platform from Germany valued at EUR 3 billion, Biontech, a biotech company from Germany valued at EUR 2.3 billion, and Roivant Sciences, a biopharmaceutical company from Switzerland valued at EUR 2 billion.
DACH Unicorns
The region also saw several successful exits and IPOs over the past months. These include German food delivery service Delivery Hero, which raised US$1.1 billion in its IPO at a US$4.8 billion valuation, German meal-kit company HelloFresh, which raised US$352 million in its IPO at a US$1.9 billion valuation, the acquisition of Swiss digital insurance broker Knip by Digital Insurance Group from the Netherlands, and the acquisition of German online payment company Billpay by Klarna, the Swedish payment company.
DACH Startups Exits
 
Berlin: an established global tech hub
The Berlin startup ecosystem, which is currently valued at US$31 billion, has attracted a lot of foreign VC capital and witnessed high interest from corporates compared to European counterparts, according to the report.
In 2017, Berlin drew 70% of total VC volume in Germany and 32% of total VC volume in the DACH region.
Four sectors in particular where German startups have succeeded are food, flying cars and air taxis, blockchain and cryptocurrency and fintech.
Fintech is big in Berlin with top players that include solarisBank, a banking platform with a full banking license that allows companies to offer their own financial products, and N26, a European mobile-only online bank. These are amongst the most well-funded fintech startups in Germany with SolarisBank raising US$112.76 million in funding from investors that include Visa, BBVA and ABN-AMRO, and N26 US$216 million from the likes of Allianz, Tencent, and Horizon Ventures.
Berlin Blockhain Startups
Berlin is also one of the largest crypto communities in the world with notable startups that include Neufund, a blockchain-based and investor-directed equity crowdfunding platform, and the IOTA Foundation, which provides blockchain technology for the Internet-of-Things (IoT) space.
Berlin blockchain startups, March 2018, by Innogy Innovation Hub
In Austria, the fintech industry keeps growing, aided by the increasing number of incubators and accelerators focusing on nurturing early-stage startups.
Notable fintech startups in Austria include Cashpresso, a digital overdraft not connected to its clients’ banking account and designed for smartphones, and Wikifolio, an online platform for investment strategies of traders and asset managers.
 
Featured image: Zug, Switzerland, Wikimedia
The post Crypto Valley Zug Ranks Third in Startup Funding Report appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crypto-valley-zug-ranks-third-in-startup-funding-report</link><guid>786</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Deal-volume-startup-funding-1024x569.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Crypto Valley Zug Ranks Third in Startup Funding Report</dc:text></item><item><title>Loanboox: 15 Milliarden Anfragevolumen nach 2 Jahren</title><description><![CDATA[Loanboox setzt sein kräftiges Wachstum fort: Knapp zwei Jahre nach dem Start wurde jetzt die 1000. Finanzierungsanfrage auf der Plattform für öffentlich-rechtliche Körperschaften, Grossunternehmen, institutionelle Investoren und Banken gestellt.
Insgesamt hat das Schweizer Fintech ein Anfragevolumen von knapp 15 Milliarden gestemmt, mehr als 6.5 Milliarden davon wurden erfolgreich abgeschlossen.
Das Wachstum von Loanboox hat sich zuletzt stark beschleunigt. Allein im ersten Halbjahr 2018 stellten Städte, Gemeinden und kommunale Unternehmen aus der Schweiz und Deutschland etwa 380 Kreditanfragen. Im Vergleich zum Vorjahreszeitraum entspricht das einer Steigerung im Anfragevolumen von 150 Prozent.
Stefan Mühlemann
Stefan Mühlemann, Gründer &amp; CEO von Loanboox:
Wir bewegen uns auf einem sehr hohen Niveau. Sowohl die Anfrage- als auch die Abschlusszahlen steigen rasant. Das verdeutlicht, dass Loanboox verstärkt als bevorzugte Alternative zur herkömmlichen Kreditbeschaffung angesehen und genutzt wird.
Das durchschnittlich angefragte Kreditvolumen beträgt 10 bis 15 Millionen Franken, die grössten Transaktionen lagen bei CHF 200 Millionen. Laufzeiten bewegen sich zwischen wenigen Wochen bis zu über 40 Jahre, im Durchschnitt bei 2.5 Jahren.
90 Prozent wiederkehrende Kunden
Mittlerweile sind 300 Investoren und mehr als 900 Kreditnehmer an die Loanboox-Plattform angeschlossen. Seit dieser Woche ist die Plattform auch in Österreich und Frankreich live.
«Unsere Kunden sind sehr zufrieden – und das länderübergreifend. Fast 90 Prozent der auslaufenden Kredite werden wieder über Loanboox erneuert»,
verrät Mühlemann
 
 
The post Loanboox: 15 Milliarden Anfragevolumen nach 2 Jahren appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/loanboox-15-milliarden-anfragevolumen-nach-2-jahren</link><guid>787</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Loanboox: 15 Milliarden Anfragevolumen nach 2 Jahren</dc:text></item><item><title>Neu: Digitales Parken in Kreuzlingen, Sion und Lugano</title><description><![CDATA[Nachdem Zug kürzlich zusammen mit Twint das mobile Zahlen der Parkuhren eingeführt hat, kommt diese diese Bewegung nun auch in die Städte Stadt Kreuzlingen, Sion und Lugano.  Künftig kann dort dank Parkingpay auf den Gang zur Parkuhr verzichtet werden.
Seit Einführung von Parkgebühren auf Strassenparkplätzen in Schweizer Städten Mitte der sechziger Jahre ist das Thema ein Ärgernis für die Automobilisten und eine Herausforderung für die Behörden.
Die Benutzer wollen möglichst einfach und schnell bezahlen können während die Betreiber von Parkplätzen Wert auf Zuverlässigkeit, Langlebigkeit und Effizienz bei der Kontrolle setzen.
Zwei Jahrzehnte lang erfüllte die Sammelparkuhr TOM von Taxomex diese Anforderungen am besten. Mit nur einem Knopfdruck und dem Einwurf von Münzen war die Pflicht erledigt. Diese Lösung hat sich in der Schweiz durchgesetzt und ist im Strassenbild nicht mehr wegzudenken. Im Zeitalter der Smartphones ist es Zeit, die Art Parkgebühren zu bezahlen wieder anzupassen und weiter zu verbessern.
Mobiles Bezahlen stark im Vormarsch
 

Die jahrzehntelange Erfahrung im Geschäft der Parkgebührenerhebung konnte die Firma Digitalparking AG nutzen und in der App Parkingpay einfliessen lassen. Nach einmaliger Registrierung, welche weniger als eine halbe Minute dauert, kann danach die Parkgebühr einfach und schnell mit dem Mobiltelefon bezahlt werden.
Durch die Zusammenarbeit mit Twint brauchen sehr viele Automobilisten nicht einmal ein zusätzliches App zu installieren, um in den Genuss der bequemen Bezahlart zu kommen. Auch die Sammelparkuhr wurde den modernen Möglichkeiten angepasst, sodass für beide Bezahlarten die gleiche effiziente Kontrollmöglichkeit besteht.
Komplettlösungen der Zukunft
Damit steht eine Komplettlösung zur Verfügung, die sowohl unterschiedlichen Benutzergewohnheiten wie auch den Ansprüchen der Gemeinden gerecht wird.
Die Bezahlung mit dem Smartphone und Parkingpay ist an über 200 Orten der Schweiz möglich und wöchentlich kommen mehrere neue Orte dazu.
The post Neu: Digitales Parken in Kreuzlingen, Sion und Lugano appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/neu-digitales-parken-in-kreuzlingen-sion-und-lugano</link><guid>785</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Onstreet_parkingpay2-1024x684.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Neu: Digitales Parken in Kreuzlingen, Sion und Lugano</dc:text></item><item><title>ETHLend Announces Launch of New Parent Company ‘Aave’</title><description><![CDATA[Founders behind popular Swiss-based decentralized digital asset-backed lending platform ETHLend, today announced the launch of Aave, a new technology company focused on empowering people through innovation.
The name Aave, which comes from the Finnish word for “ghost,” was chosen because the brand continues to intrigue users through its evolving and imaginative technology.
The technology-based venture intends to fill the gaps left by centralized fintech industry players such as PayPal, Skrill and Coinbase, by introducing new products and services, such as Aave Pocket, Aave Lending (SaaS), Aave Gaming, Aave Custody and Aave Clearing.
The executive roles will remain the same with ETHLend becoming a subsidiary brand under Aave. Stani Kulechov will stay on as CEO, Jordan Lazaro Gustave as COO, and Nolvia Serrano as CMO. Mika Söyring will join as CFO and Ville Valkonen as CCO.
Mika previously served as the CFO of health technology company Revenio Group Corporation (formerly Done Solutions Corporation), and has extensive experience as an entrepreneur and a financial specialist.
Ville previously operated a legal consulting firm that focused on start-ups in Finland, and also worked for law firms, focusing heavily on SMEs and providing counseling on contract matters.
Stani Kulechov, CEO of Aave said,
Stani Kulechov
“By integrating our innovative technology into the services already offered by traditional institutions, we can transform the way people interact and provide new products and services that will help them seamlessly achieve their goals at a lower cost, ultimately giving them access to new opportunities that have not been possible before.”
&#8220;Aave is a pioneer in the lending industry. As ETHLend, Aave was the first in the space to provide a solution to those in need of liquidity and unlock what was previously viewed as unassailable funds,”
said Andrew Karos, CEO and Founder of BlueFire Capital and an Aave customer.
&#8220;It’s very satisfying to watch them evolve. As a U.S.-based market maker, I can confirm that they understand the level of importance in policy, procedure and safety, and look ahead with much enthusiasm for the future of our working relationship.”
Aave’s portfolio of products range across several industries, including technology, finance and games. The company will continue to power its existing products in addition to new ones aimed at Millennials and Generation Z.  Several products under Aave’s line include:

Aave Pocket is an ambient account innovation, and one of the first products developed by Aave to serve the gig economy and micropayments industry, removing the need for credit cards and bank-to-bank fees between online merchants/developer entrepreneurs, and their end-user customers. All transactions stay where the user is earning and spending, contained within an application, enabling true peer-to-peer payment, even across international borders.
ETHLend is a decentralized financial marketplace for peer-to-peer digital asset-backed loans operating on the Ethereum blockchain using smart contracts. ETHLend solves the liquidity challenge of being cash-poor, but crypto-asset rich. Borrowers can request secure loans by pledging their cryptocurrency assets as collateral to receive spendable funds. This enables borrowers to retain their exposure on cryptocurrency without the need for selling the assets when the borrower has sudden expenses.
Aave Lending, inspired by ETHLend, is a turnkey solution for the digital asset-backed lending market. Aave Lending solves the issues that follow digital asset storing and digital asset-backed loan management for creditors. As a SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) solution, creditors can easily start a digital asset-backed lending business while Aave takes care of secure collateral storage, notifications and liquidation upon margin calls.
Aave Custody, currently available for use, is designed for institutional or private investors and serves as a custodian for storing digital assets. Aave stores private keys by following the highest and most innovative security standards. Funds can be moved in and out of custody on a daily basis.
Aave Clearing is an over-the-counter (OTC) cryptocurrency clearing service for institutional investors and businesses who need to convert large amounts of cryptocurrency with speed and efficiency. The platform provides users with an easy-to-use interface and an API connection, giving them the ability to generate quote requests for cryptocurrencies as well as exchange their cryptocurrency for traditional currencies.
Aave Gaming is an innovative game studio focused on creating a new gaming experience using Blockchain, Smart Contracts and mixed reality.

Jordan Lazaro Gustave
“In the last decade, legacy industries have experienced a major change. Banking is no longer limited to traditional institutions,”
said Jordan Lazaro Gustave, COO of Aave.
“As a team of developers and creative thinkers, Aave is no stranger to these market forces. By integrating emerging technologies we will continue to offer secure and transparent applications, with reduced costs, to instill trust and confidence within our users, while delivering an experience they can enjoy.”
The post ETHLend Announces Launch of New Parent Company &#8216;Aave&#8217; appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ethlend-announces-launch-of-new-parent-company-aave</link><guid>783</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>ETHLend Announces Launch of New Parent Company ‘Aave’</dc:text></item><item><title>Thomson Reuters and Squirros Partnership Aimed at Breaking Down Data Silos Using AI</title><description><![CDATA[Thomson Reuters, a Canadian mass media and information firm struck a partnership with Squirro to channel its extensive data and insights via artificial intelligence provide customer intelligence platform.
Instead of having a vast amount of data scattered across unconnected siloes, Thomson Reuters and Squirro’s combined technology allows the co-mingling of customer’s own proprietary data with third-party content. Thomson Reuters has offered up data like company overviews, Institutional Brokers&#8217; Estimate System (IBES) and financial statements.
The partnership&#8217;s solution is said to also use AI to offer predictive analytics to facilitate cross-selling across what would have been unconnected information, and providing talking points and material to back up client interactions.
The collaboration hopes to provide its customers a flexible user interface that should allow them to build on predictive insights, which the team suggests could enhance customer relationships, help with idea generation and increased ROI.
Leon Saunders-Calvert, global head of capital markets &amp; advisory at the Financial &amp; Risk division of Thomson Reuters said:
Leon Saunders-Calvert
“Banks are operating multiple platforms containing customer information, with significant time being spent searching for and compiling relevant information, and not making the most of unstructured data sources.”
&#8220;Finance professionals are demanding more from their data and financial institutions are driving digitization strategies to spot new opportunities faster. Our partnership with Squirro allows customers to increase productivity through trusted, timely, insightful and actionable content through a singular customer intelligence solution.”
 
Dr. Dorian Selz, CEO, Squirro added that:
Dorian Selz
“The fact that every leading financial services firm in the world uses Thomson Reuters speaks highly for the value of its data and the insight it offers,”
“But that insight is even greater when viewed in the context of a company’s own data with the right tools applied. Our combined technology will strengthen the power of financial firms and create opportunities to generate new revenue.”
Featured image via Pixabay
The post Thomson Reuters and Squirros Partnership Aimed at Breaking Down Data Silos Using AI appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/thomson-reuters-and-squirros-partnership-aimed-at-breaking-down-data-silos-using-ai</link><guid>782</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Thomson Reuters and Squirros Partnership Aimed at Breaking Down Data Silos Using AI</dc:text></item><item><title>Thomson Reuters and Squirro Partnership Aimed at Breaking Down Data Silos Using AI</title><description><![CDATA[Thomson Reuters, a Canadian mass media and information firm struck a partnership with Squirro (Swiss) to channel its extensive data and insights via artificial intelligence provide customer intelligence platform.
Instead of having a vast amount of data scattered across unconnected siloes, Thomson Reuters and Squirro’s combined technology allows the co-mingling of customer’s own proprietary data with third-party content. Thomson Reuters has offered up data like company overviews, Institutional Brokers&#8217; Estimate System (IBES) and financial statements.
The partnership&#8217;s solution is said to also use AI to offer predictive analytics to facilitate cross-selling across what would have been unconnected information, and providing talking points and material to back up client interactions.
The collaboration hopes to provide its customers a flexible user interface that should allow them to build on predictive insights, which the team suggests could enhance customer relationships, help with idea generation and increased ROI.
Leon Saunders-Calvert, global head of capital markets &amp; advisory at the Financial &amp; Risk division of Thomson Reuters said:
Leon Saunders-Calvert
“Banks are operating multiple platforms containing customer information, with significant time being spent searching for and compiling relevant information, and not making the most of unstructured data sources.”
&#8220;Finance professionals are demanding more from their data and financial institutions are driving digitization strategies to spot new opportunities faster. Our partnership with Squirro allows customers to increase productivity through trusted, timely, insightful and actionable content through a singular customer intelligence solution.”
 
Dr. Dorian Selz, CEO, Squirro added that:
Dorian Selz
“The fact that every leading financial services firm in the world uses Thomson Reuters speaks highly for the value of its data and the insight it offers,”
“But that insight is even greater when viewed in the context of a company’s own data with the right tools applied. Our combined technology will strengthen the power of financial firms and create opportunities to generate new revenue.”
Featured image via Pixabay
The post Thomson Reuters and Squirro Partnership Aimed at Breaking Down Data Silos Using AI appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/thomson-reuters-and-squirro-partnership-aimed-at-breaking-down-data-silos-using-ai</link><guid>784</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Thomson Reuters and Squirro Partnership Aimed at Breaking Down Data Silos Using AI</dc:text></item><item><title>Revolut Lands on Malta’s Shores, Targets to Have 60,000 Users by Year End</title><description><![CDATA[Following a series of expansions in countries like Singapore and US, the European fintech unicorn has announced its debut into the Maltese market.
According to Revolut, it has already signed up over 25,000 Maltese customers, around 6% of the population, and they are confident that they can reach 60,000 Maltese customers by the end of the year.
Nikolay Storonsky, Founder &amp; CEO of Revolut said:
Nikolay Storonsky
&#8220;The big banks in Malta have been taking advantage of their customers for years with endless banking fees and crappy technology. Revolut is here to end the party for the bankers and provide the Maltese people with aninnovative, technology-first banking alternative.
In addition to shaking up traditional financial services, we&#8217;ve put technology at the heart of our service with instant spending notifications, spending categorisation, budgeting tools and enhanced security measures such as the ability to freeze your card and enable location-based security.&#8221;
 
Revolut claims that customers are able set up an app-based current account in 60 seconds, spend abroad in over 150 currencies with no fees, hold and exchange 25 currencies in-app and send free domestic and international money transfers with the real exchange rate.
 
The post Revolut Lands on Malta&#8217;s Shores, Targets to Have 60,000 Users by Year End appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/revolut-lands-on-maltas-shores-targets-to-have-60000-users-by-year-end</link><guid>781</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Revolut Lands on Malta’s Shores, Targets to Have 60,000 Users by Year End</dc:text></item><item><title>P2P Lending Faces Challenges Ahead</title><description><![CDATA[The emergence of fintech has driven the introduction of new business models, including peer-to-peer (P2P) lending, a sector that’s grown in popularity around the world for its ability to fill the void left by traditional lenders.
Image via Pexels
Alternative marketplace lending or P2P lending refers to a non-traditional form of lending money. It is in contrast with the traditional lending method, where the bank or other financial institution offer loans to individuals or small and medium businesses (SME). Instead, P2P operates through an online platform that matches lenders with borrowers, promising lenders higher returns than a savings account or other investments, and borrowers, lower interest rates than at a traditional financial institution.
According to a ResearchandMarkets report, the global P2P lending market was worth US$26 billion in 2015 and is projected to reach US$460 billion by 2022, growing at a CAGR of 51.5% from 2016 to 2022.
 
More fintech-financial institution collaborations
Image via Pexels
The Capgemini World Fintech Report 2018, released earlier this year, highlights the importance of collaboration between fintechs and traditional financial services firms and notes this growing trend across all segments of fintech, including P2P lending.
US-based P2P lending platform Kabbage, for instance, has partnered with a few incumbents such as Scotiabank (for streamlining online lending), MasterCard (for providing business loans through MasterCard’s network of acquirers), ING (to provide capital to small businesses), and Santander (for offering loans to SMEs).
Another example is Lending Club which partnered with Google to provide low-interest financing to eligible Google partners. The partnership leverages Lending Club’s ability to cost-effectively provide access to credit in a highly automated manner and allows Google to purchase the loans, thus investing its own capital in its partner network to drive business growth.
Lending Club has also partnered with Alliance Partners to offer co-branded personal loans to customers through the Lending Club platform. With more than 200 community banks on board, customers received access to Lending Club platform’s low cost of operations paired with the banks’ low cost of capital to help drive down the cost of credit.
The World Fintech Report 2018 argues that in the long run, collaboration will be essential to foster success for both fintechs and traditional financial firms. By partnering with traditional financial services firms, fintechs can provide their offerings to a broader customer base, while financial institutions gain access to more efficient solutions that better suit changing consumer expectations.
 
Regulatory challenges
Technology is truly changing the financial landscape and while P2P lending is often praised for bridging gaps in credit systems, the practice is now facing increased criticism, notably in China.
Image via Pexels
China is the world’s largest market for P2P lending, valued at an astonishing US$190 billion but over the past months, a wave of defaults has swept across the industry, causing investors to withdraw funds and leading platforms to collapse.
Numerous owners of failed platforms have just disappeared into thin air while owning millions of yuan to investors. Several platforms have also been found to be straight-out scams.
The rapid rise and fall of China’s P2P lending industry demonstrates that regulations are not following the speed of developments to properly protect investors.
Many who lost money feel like regulators could have done more to protect investors, questioning why these platforms were allowed to portray themselves as government-approved in the first place.
In August, China’s financial regulators announced ten measures to address risks inherent in the industry.
On the other side of the world, in the UK, the planned initial public offering (IPO) of Funding Circle on the London Stock Exchange has been met with both optimism – for enabling the sector to gain wider recognition and validation – and also criticism – because of its infancy and often misunderstood risks.
The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority took responsibility for oversight of loan-based crowdfunding platform in 2014, limiting the ability of ordinary investors to plough more than 10% of their net investable assets into crowdfunding campaigns.
Today, the financial regulator is concerned that investors might take on more risk than they realize and has recently suggested a ban on P2P lenders directly marketing to less sophisticated investors. A consultation with the industry will close at the end of October 2018.
 
Rise of the bigtechs
But perhaps one of the most intriguing trend that’s likely to disrupt not only P2P lending but the whole lending sector is the coming of bigtechs – the large, multinational technology firms with a huge retail customer base such as Amazon, Google and Facebook.
These are jumping into the financial services business and come with great strengths: financial muscle on one side, and tech experience augmented with first-hand experience of dealing with a large retail customer base on the other.
Amazon is already present in the lending space, while Alphabet’s Google recently partnered with four Indian banks to grant consumer loans online.
Alibaba, by hinglisnotes, Flickr
One of the most impressive tech-powered success stories is Alibaba and its financial services affiliate Ant Financial.
Founded in 1999, China’s e-commerce giant Alibaba was quick to realize that it needed to leverage innovation and technology to fuel growth. In 2003, it started Taobao as a consumer e-commerce platform and added Alipay to it in 2004 as a third-party online payment platform.
Since then, Alipay, which was later renamed Ant Financial, has played a vital role in Alibaba success and has successfully built its standalone presence with a wide range of financial offerings, including payments services, wealth management services, insurance products, and lending services.
Ant Financial’s online bank, MYbank, provides micro loans to SMEs. MYbank’s outstanding loans had reached US$17.31 billion through the first half of 2017. Its Zhao Cai Bao marketplace allows third-party financial institutions to offer loans to SMEs, individuals, universal insurance and structured funds. Ant Credit Pay, Alipay’s consumer credit product, has reportedly 100 million active users.
 
Featured image via Pexels.
The post P2P Lending Faces Challenges Ahead appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/p2p-lending-faces-challenges-ahead</link><guid>780</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/P2P-lending-300x194.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>P2P Lending Faces Challenges Ahead</dc:text></item><item><title>Zurich’s Trust Square Expands. Biggest Blockchain Hub in the World: Co-Founder Interview</title><description><![CDATA[Zurich-based blockchain hub Trust Square is expanding its Bahnhofstrasse location to cover more than 3,000 square meters, offering 300 workstations to startups and researchers. The move is set to turn Trust Square into the world’s largest blockchain hub.
An open day will take place on September 20, 2018.
Trust Square blockchain hub, Zurich
In the fourth quarter of this year, Trust Square will increase its capacity by renting additional office space at its current location. Additionally, it has renewed its lease at Bahnhofstrasse until the end of 2019 and is currently in discussions about a further extension. In parallel, Trust Square is assessing options for a longer-term location.
“There’s a huge demand for a place like Trust Square. We’re particularly pleased about the diversity and quality of companies and projects that have taken up residence at our hub,” said Trust Square co-founder Daniel Gasteiger.
“Turning Trust Square into the world’s largest blockchain hub will further increase its appeal to blockchain experts from around the globe.”
Launched in April 2018, Trust Square currently provides 220 desks that are fully booked. Some 40 startups and research projects are currently working at the hub on various blockchain use-cases. These include Nexussquared, ConsenSys, and Procivis. NEO and Circle will be joining the hub this month.
The hub, which aims to bring together startups, researchers and industry players to showcase Swiss-made blockchains technology, works closely with public agencies and partner universities including ETH Zurich, the Universities of Zurich and Basel, the Universities of Applied Sciences Rapperswil HSR and Lucerne, and the Business and Economic Development Division of the Canton of Zurich.
“The highly dynamic development underscores the importance of Zurich as an international blockchain location,” said Carmen Walker Späh, head of the department for economic affairs of the Canton of Zurich.
“The combination of startups, established players, research institutions and conducive framework conditions seems to be the ideal recipe for success.”
In an interview with Fintechnews, Trust Square’s co-founder Semih Kaçan shared his ambition for Trust Square, his views on the future of blockchain in Zurich, and the importance of government support in improving adoption of the technology.
You have just announced an expansion of Trust Square, calling it the world’s biggest blockchain hub. What was the motivation for this step?
Semih Kacan, Trust Square co-founder
Since its launch in April of this year, the concept of Trust Square, which is based on partnerships with leading universities and corporations and close collaboration with the local government, has shown itself to be a big success. We managed to build up a local and rapidly growing blockchain community with members who appreciate this type of work environment.
Since all our desks have been fully booked since the start, we didn’t hesitate when we were presented with the opportunity to rent additional office space. The expansion will allow us to serve more of the huge demand we’re facing.
What sets Trust Square apart from other co-working spaces that focus on blockchain technology?
I believe Trust Square has a truly unique DNA. We may appear somewhat limited as we exclusively focus on blockchain. At the same time, we’re extremely broad and open as we allow for the entire spectrum of this technology to be explored at our hub. We care a lot about the community and the ecosystem we’re building, and we provide as many opportunities as possible for our residents to interact and exchange knowledge, be it in the form of workshops, meetups or just a round of drinks on our rooftop terrace. This has led to a number of high-profile names taking up residence at Trust Square, such as NEO, Circle, B3i, Bitmain or Lykke.
How do you collaborate with other blockchain locations in Switzerland?
Collaboration between the different blockchain locations is crucial and benefits everyone involved. We work closely with Crypto Valley Labs Zug and share a number of desks with them to let our residents work from different locations. We also maintain a partnership with Liechtenstein-based THE HUS.institute and interact with other blockchain locations on a more informal basis.
Why do you think Switzerland and Zurich in particular are perfect places for blockchain?
Switzerland is known for its political and economic stability, paired with a high level of know-how in finance and technology. Add to this a strong regulatory framework and you have an environment that has attracted blockchain startups since the very beginning of this technology.
For Zurich as Switzerland’s main commercial center, the close proximity to potential clients and strategic partners is a huge advantage. But equally important are the strong local government support to create a lively blockchain ecosystem and the exceptional quality of life you find here.
How is the Canton Zurich involved in the project and do you feel that blockchain is now definitely on the political agenda?
With the head of the department for economic affairs of the Canton of Zurich, Carmen Walker Späh, and member of the national council, Doris Fiala, we have two leading politicians who understand the future potential of blockchain and strongly support our efforts.
The Canton of Zurich has been very supportive in the buildup of Trust Square. Blockchain has definitely made its way onto the political agenda and members of our community get involved regularly when it comes to representing Switzerland’s interest in blockchain-related discussions with delegations from other countries.
Zurich sunrise, by lukas schlagenhauf, Flickr
How can blockchain companies apply for working space at Trust Square? Are there any fixed criteria?
Applying for office space is straight forward, either get in touch with us via our homepage or simply drop in at Trust Square and talk to our office manager. In terms of criteria, your company’s business model must be based on blockchain technology, your business must be a Swiss legal entity, and there must be staff working at Trust Square. We have no interest in accommodating letterbox companies.
What’s the typical type of company or project that takes up residence at Trust Square?
There’s a wide range of companies at Trust Square, from fintech to blockchain infrastructure and e-government services. It’s this diversity that adds a lot to the attractiveness of our hub. We really welcome projects and companies from all areas of blockchain. And as we grow our list of residents, the diversity will further increase.
You are also a resident at Trust Square with your own company KACO. Can you give us examples of the projects and blockchain use cases you are currently working on?
KACO is a strategy advisor and blockchain boutique with a focus on asset management and football. The latter is an area you may not instantly connect to blockchain. But blockchain in football offers huge potential not only for football clubs, players and fans but also for football associations.
Applications like a fan ID, fan voting and automated loyalty programs foster fan engagement, smart contracts increase operational efficiency, while blockchain-secured financial history and fee breakdown will strengthen financial transparency, preventing money laundering, bribery and corruption.
Can you tell us how the application of blockchain in football would look like in the eyes of a football fan?
When I arrive at the stadium, I identify myself with my electronic fan ID stored on my mobile phone. Connected to this ID is my personal and unique ticket, safely stored and easily verifiable on the blockchain. This way, the club can prevent fake tickets from being sold and identify violent hooligans to deny them access. Maybe my club wants to know who I vote for in a “man of the match” competition, or even ask me which is my favorite jersey design for next season. Both of these questions could easily be asked to fans on the fan ID platform.
Finally, I believe tokenization of players and clubs will take the digital fan experience to an entirely new level.
What are your goals for Trust Square until the end of 2019?
Trust Square’s overarching goal is to build trust in society. That’s also why we have launched the Building Trust in Society event series together with PwC Switzerland. We want to continue educating people about blockchain in workshops and meetups, and foster a close link between academia and the residents here at our hub.
Building Trust in Society, PwC Trust Square
Beyond that, we are looking into opportunities to take our approach to other countries and replicate our successful model, while, at the same time, further strengthening Switzerland’s position as a blockchain location.
What are the biggest hurdles for Switzerland to unlock its full potential as a blockchain location?
There are a few things that make it harder for blockchain ventures to establish their presence in Switzerland. Limitations on work visas, for example, or the fact that it can be difficult for blockchain-related startups to open a bank account. Such hurdles could also be seen as opportunities, and we would be happy to work with banks, for instance, to help find ways to overcome them.
On September 20, you have an open day. Can you tell me who should join and what visitors should expect to see?
Our doors will be open for everybody who has an interest in blockchain, its future potential and the community that has formed around it. You don’t have to know anything about the technology. In fact, we’d love it if people came to visit us because they finally want to know what all this blockchain talk is about. Our residents will show the different projects they’re working on to provide visitors with an idea how blockchain applications can look like.
We hope to see you at Trust Square!
Trust Square Open Day
Location: Trust Square, Bahnhofstrasse 3, 8001 Zurich, Switzerland
Date: 20 September 2018
Time: 2pm &#8211; 6pm
More Infos here
Trust Square space
 
 
The post Zurich’s Trust Square Expands. Biggest Blockchain Hub in the World: Co-Founder Interview appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/zurichs-trust-square-expands-biggest-blockchain-hub-in-the-world-co-founder-interview</link><guid>779</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Trust-Square-building-Zurich-300x225.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Zurich’s Trust Square Expands. Biggest Blockchain Hub in the World: Co-Founder Interview</dc:text></item><item><title>Facebook Delves Deeper Into Banking and Financial Services</title><description><![CDATA[Facebook is delving deeper into the financial services business, now attempting to persuade large banks in the US to share detailed financial information about their customers including card transactions, shopping habits, and checking account balances, according to a report published last month by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
Facebook, www.thoughtcatalog.com, Flickr
Over the past year, Facebook has asked JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, Wells Fargo, and US Bancorp to discuss potential offerings it could host for bank customers on Facebook Messenger, anonymous sources told the WSJ, but concerns over data privacy have been a sticking point for the banks in their conversations with the social networking giant.
One US bank pulled away from the talks with Facebook, citing privacy concerns, according to the report. Facebook’s response has been to assure banks it won’t use data for targeted advertisements and will not share it with third parties.
In an emailed response to the report, Facebook denied that it is “actively asking financial services companies for financial transaction data.” Instead, the firm claimed it wanted to work with banks on bringing more services to the platform. Messenger counts some 1.3 billion monthly active users.
“Like many online companies with commerce businesses, we partner with banks and credit card companies to offer services like customer chat or account management,” Facebook said.
“The idea is that messaging with a bank can be better than waiting on hold over the phone — and it&#8217;s completely opt-in.”
Similar services already exist on Messenger with American Express, Mastercard, MoneyGram, and PayPal integrations, but Facebook is looking to expand its partnerships with more traditional banks.
Facebook started hinting its intentions to expand in financial services in 2014. In 2015, it launched a new payments feature  for Facebook Messenger that allows users in the US to connect their Visa or Mastercard debit card and send friends money on iOS, Android and desktop with zero fees. The feature was expanded to support group payments in April 2017.
In December 2016, the firm was granted an e-money license from Ireland, paving the way for Messenger payments in Europe.
Facebook’s expansion into financial services mirrors a broader trend among the world’s Internet giants, including Google and Amazon.
US e-commerce giant Amazon entered the financial services industry over a decade ago and now offer tools and services mostly focused on payments, cash deposits, and lending.
Apple launched Apple Pay in the US in 2014, before expanding to China, Australia, and Canada, among other countries. Later on, it introduced Apple Pay Cash, a peer-to-peer payments feature via iMessage.
In China, Internet giant such as Alibaba Group and Tencent Holdings have already emerged as serious competitors to banks in offering online financial services.
Tencent’s payments service was number one in China when measured by daily or monthly active users as of March 2018. Its Licaitong wealth management service had more than 300 billion yuan in assets as of January 2018, while Weilidai, its nascent lending business, had outstanding loans of more than 100-billion yuan at the end of 2017.
Ant Financial, the payments and financial services arm of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, runs Alipay, one of the world’s largest online payments platforms. Valued at US$150 billion, topping Goldman Sachs’ US$88 billion in market capitalization, the firm has played a big role in shaping the fintech landscape in an increasingly cashless world. In June, it expanded into the global remittance market by launching a cross-border remittance service powered by blockchain technology.
In August, Ant Financial unveiled plans to expand to Africa. In a partnership with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) along with the International Financial Corporation, the firm says it will promote digital financial inclusion in the continent through investments and technical assistance.
According to an Infosys Finacle survey of 300 bankers, almost half of banks and credit unions consider large tech companies to be a “significant threat.”
The post Facebook Delves Deeper Into Banking and Financial Services appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/facebook-delves-deeper-into-banking-and-financial-services</link><guid>769</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Facebook-300x200.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Facebook Delves Deeper Into Banking and Financial Services</dc:text></item><item><title>Global Executives Still Very Bullish on Blockchain</title><description><![CDATA[Although commercial use of blockchain technology remains limited, global executives are poised to make some major moves over the next year, according to a research by Deloitte.
A survey commissioned by Deloitte and conducted online between March and April 2018, polled more than 1,000 blockchain-savvy executives at companies with US$500 million or more in annual revenue across seven countries: Canada, China, France, Germany, Mexico, UK, and the US.
Overall, respondents are still extremely bullish on blockchain’s potential, namely its ability to broadly scale and reach mainstream adoption. A majority also agreed that blockchain technology will disrupt their industry, whether that’s financial services, automotive, energy, or healthcare.
Respondents cited greater speed, new business models and revenue sources, and greater security, as the most significant advantages of blockchain-enabled systems over existing systems.
Deloitte&#8217;s 2018 global blockchain survey
74% said that their organizations see a “compelling business case” for the use of blockchain; many of these companies are moving forward with the technology. 34% said their company already has some blockchain system in production, while another 41% of respondents say they expect their organizations to deploy a blockchain application within the next year.
“We are at an inflection point — momentum is shifting from a focus on ‘blockchain tourism’ and exploring the technology’s potential to building practical business applications,” said Linda Pawczuk, a principal with Deloitte Consulting LLP and the head of Deloitte&#8217;s US financial services blockchain group.
“As more organizations put their resources behind this emerging technology, we expect blockchain to gain significant traction as its potential for greater efficiency, support for new business models and revenue sources, and enhanced security are demonstrated in real-world situations.”
One proof that 2019 will likely see significant commercial blockchain activity is the investment amount that these large firms are willing to pour into developing blockchain solutions.
39% of respondents reported that their organization will invest US$5 million or more in blockchain technology in the coming year, and nearly 50% identified blockchain as one of their “top five strategic priorities.”
Deloitte&#8217;s 2018 global blockchain survey
While the financial services industry has been leading the way in using blockchain, there have been a growing number of emerging disruptors across each sector, challenging traditional business models with the use of blockchain, the report notes.
In particular, it cites the examples of Stori Labs, a distributed cloud storage provider, Rivertz Corp., which provides a store of value for devices to pay for, and control, cybersecurity services, and Filecoin, a decentralized file storage network and native token powered by blockchain technology.
 
Blockchain in Germany
In Germany, blockchain technology has been a primary digital focus area and was even included in the coalition agreement of the new government.
In the German corporate world, several firms from a variety of industries have gone public with their blockchain use cases, and two large global financial institutions, namely Munich Re and Allianz, are founding members of the Blockchain Insurance Industry Initiative (B3i) consortium, which aims to explore the potential of distributed ledger technologies to better serve clients through faster, more convenient and secure services.
Additionally, several key players behind Ethereum and IOTA are located in Germany.
In the European Union, the European Commission has supported the signing of a 27-country pact on blockchain, the European Blockchain Partnership, that will see EU-wide collaboration on regulatory and technical matters.
The EU will allocate EUR 300 million in blockchain investment over the next three years. It has also established the European Blockchain Observatory to undertake research on how blockchain can be applied.
The post Global Executives Still Very Bullish on Blockchain appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/global-executives-still-very-bullish-on-blockchain</link><guid>770</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Advantages-blockchain-1024x562.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Global Executives Still Very Bullish on Blockchain</dc:text></item><item><title>The Hottest Fintech, Insurtech Startups in Berlin</title><description><![CDATA[Berlin, Germany’s largest fintech hub, is rapidly making a name for itself in the European fintech space. Today, the city hosts some of the region’s most exciting, fast-growing fintech ventures. These cover all aspects of financial services, from banking and payments, to lending and insurance, and are quickly expanding across Europe.
The followings are ten of Berlin’s most exciting fintech startups right now:
 
N26
Launched in 2013, N26 is a German neo-bank and one of the fastest growing banks in Europe. It serves more than 1 million customers, both businesses and individuals, across 17 European markets, and intends to enter the UK market in 2018 and the US market in 2019.
The company partners with fintechs and traditional financial companies to offer its customers best-in-class products such as TransferWise (foreign exchange), Raisin (savings), Clark and Allianz (insurance), auxmoney (credit) and others.
N26 has raised US$215 million in funding so far, and is one of the most well-funded fintech companies in Germany.
 
Smava
Smava is a loan portal that aims to make personal loans transparent, fair and affordable for consumers. Based on digital processes, Smava provides a market overview of 70 loan offers from 25 banks. As of January 2018, Smava had originated over US$3 billion in loans through its platform since inception.
To date, the company has raised around US$135 million, and while the startup is not disclosing a valuation, according to sources, it is around US$300 million with its latest round in January. Smava has been profitable for the last year, and is said to be one of the largest fintech businesses in Germany.
 
Raisin
Raisin is a fintech startup providing savings and investments marketplaces across Europe. The company operates several localized platforms for the German, French, Spanish, and Austrian markets, and more. These allow savers to shop and compare rates European-wide. In February, it launched a dedicated UK site, enabling savers to access deposit accounts in GBP, and another platform dedicated to the Dutch market in August.
Raisin has more than 150,000 customers and has raised over EUR 60 million in funding from investors that include Index Ventures and Ribbit Capital.
 
SolarisBank
SolarisBank is a platform with a full banking license which enables companies to offer their own financial products. Through APIs, partners gain access to SolarisBank’s modular services including payments and e-money, lending, digital banking as well as services provided by integrated third party providers.
The Berlin-based company was founded in 2016 and has raised more than EUR 95 million from renowned investors, including BBVA, Visa, Lakestar, ABN AMRO’s Digital Impact Fund, Arvato Financial Solutions, SBI Group and Finleap.
 
Kontist
Kontist is a fintech startup that offers an automated business bank account with real-time tax calculation, automated bookkeeping and an expense management-minded Mastercard.
The account automatically sets aside income tax and value-added tax on revenues and stores them in virtual sub-accounts, to ensure business owners are never surprised by a tax payment. Kontist also integrates with accounting systems.
Officially founded in 2016, the Berlin-based startup already secured more than EUR 5 million in seed funding.
 
Penta
Penta is a Berlin-based startup founded in 2016 with the goal to make the lives of founders easier. The company offers a digital bank account targeted at startups and SMEs. The offering is designed to meet all of the banking needs of small businesses, and enables founders to open a free business bank account online in minutes. Penta runs on top of banking-as-a-platform SolarisBank.
In June, the company launched a new feature called “Team Access,” which lets business owners issue multiple Mastercards to employees who need to make purchases on a company’s behalf. Penta raised EUR 2 million in seed funding in February, according to Crunchbase.
 
CrossLend
Launched in 2014, CrossLend is a B2B marketplace lending platform that specializes in flexible refinancing via a capital market structure. CrossLend also offers cross-border credit intermediation through cooperation with a partner bank. The company aims to facilitate the borrowing, investing, and trading of money across the globe.
Recently, the company raised EUR 14 million in a funding round led by Earlybird Venture Capital and ABN AMRO’s Digital Impact Fund (DIF) to fuel growth. Besides the investment, CrossLend has also entered into strategic partnerships with SolarisBank and ABN AMRO.
 
Billie
Founded in 2016, Billie offers a fully automated invoice financing platform that aims to “revolutionize small business financing.” Based on big data analytics, fully digitalized processes and a highly scalable state of the art tech platform, the company offers a simple and fast way for small businesses to access capital.
Billie is licensed by BaFin, the German financial market regulator, and has been serving SMEs since June 2017. It raised a EUR 10 million Series A funding round in December 2017.
 
Clark
Clark is an insurtech startup founded in 2015 that offers an “insurance robo-advisor” designed to find the best suited insurance products for customers’ needs and manage their insurance portfolios digitally.
Utilizing its innovative robo-technology, customers receive an assessment of their contracts as well as personalized insurance optimizations. The company claims over 10 million bank customers in Germany now have access to the digital insurance services of Clark via partnerships.
Since its founding in July 2015, Clark has acquired close to 100,000 customers for its digital insurance services. Today, the company manages US$310 million in contract volume.
 
Coya
Founded in 2016 by startup veterans, Coya is a new insurtech player that aims to shake up the insurance world. Working directly with consumers and harnessing artificial intelligence to provide scalable, customizable cover, the company aims to fully digitize the insurance business.
Coya is expected to launch later this year when the firm receives approval from the German financial regulator. The company will start with a renter’s insurance service but plans to expand to insurance products across property, accident, personal liability and personal finance.
Coya has already raised a total of US$40 million for its service from investors including Valar Ventures, the Peter Thiel-backed investment firm, eVentures, La Famiglia and several angel investors.
 
Featured image via Pixabay
The post The Hottest Fintech, Insurtech Startups in Berlin appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-hottest-fintech-insurtech-startups-in-berlin</link><guid>771</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/n26-300x158.png</dc:content ><dc:text>The Hottest Fintech, Insurtech Startups in Berlin</dc:text></item><item><title>UBS Terminates UK Robo-Advisor Offering, Sells IP to Wealthtech Startup SigFig</title><description><![CDATA[UBS has decided to shut its robo-advisory offering in the UK, SmartWealth, and sell the intellectual property (IP) rights to San Francisco-based wealthtech company SigFig. As part of the transaction, a number of staff at SmartWealth will join SigFig.
Behind the reasoning, the bank said that although it was “satisfied” with the commercial progress of SmartWealth, “at this time, we believe the near-term potential is limited and have therefore decided to close our digital-only offering in the UK.”
In a memo seen by Reuters, Eva Lindholm, head of wealth management in the UK, and Reto Wangler, chief operating officer of global wealth management, said:
“We’re pleased to have entered into an agreement to sell the intellectual property relating to UBS SmartWealth to SigFig – a financial technology firm that we have an equity stake in and with whom we’ve been working for two years in the US.”
The SmartWealth technology was built entirely in-house and was sold to SigFig for an undisclosed amount. UBS invested in SigFig back in 2016 as part of a wider partnership. In addition to the funding, the pair launched a joint advice technology research and innovation lab to collaborate on the development of new wealth management technology tools.
Founded in 2007, SigFig develops and provides digital wealth management solutions. Through partnerships with financial institutions, the company’s solutions are now available to over 70 million consumers.
In November 2017, Wells Fargo launched a robo-advisor developed with technology from SigFig. Citizens Banks introduced its digital investment and advisory platform SpeciFi in September 2017. SpeciFi was developed in partnership with SigFig.
SigFig’s purchase of SmartWealth follows a US$50 million Series E funding round the startup raised in June.
“We are confident that SigFig is best placed to accelerate and broaden the commercial prospects of the IP behind UBS SmartWealth,” said UBS, as quoted by Finance Magnates:
“We believe the decision serves the best interests of the business and will allow us to invest further in other client-facing improvements, whilst sharing in the future success of the IP we have created via our equity holding and ongoing partnership with SigFig.”
UBS launched SmartWealth in Britain in 2017 to provide digital real-time advice to customers who don’t meet the 2 million GBP minimum of its traditional wealth management service. Customers could sign up to SmartWealth with a minimum of 15,000 GBP to invest.
The bank was considering a wider rollout of the service but eventually backed off following a wealth management reorganization and senior management changes that led it to choose to invest resources elsewhere, according to Reuters.
But according to private bank Brown Shipley, the termination of SmartWealth demonstrates that clients still value face-to-face advice despite the rise and hype surrounding robo-advisors and automated wealth management platforms.
“While the development of robo-advice has yielded benefits for a small demographic, the overwhelming majority of private clients continue to place significant value on, and a preference for, face-to-face interaction with their advisers,” said Guy Healey, head of private banking at Brown Shipley, commenting on the SmartWealth divestment.
“Technology certainly plays a critical role in supporting a human-delivered service by providing greater and easier access to information for clients. However, we are of the strong belief that the future is a ‘hybrid’ model, where a combination of face-to face advice supported by technology will deliver most value to clients.”
The post UBS Terminates UK Robo-Advisor Offering, Sells IP to Wealthtech Startup SigFig appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ubs-terminates-uk-robo-advisor-offering-sells-ip-to-wealthtech-startup-sigfig</link><guid>772</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/UBS-300x161.png</dc:content ><dc:text>UBS Terminates UK Robo-Advisor Offering, Sells IP to Wealthtech Startup SigFig</dc:text></item><item><title>The Top 12 Classed Swiss Fintech Startups 2018</title><description><![CDATA[Startup.ch publish every year a list of Top 100 Best Swiss Startups. Last year we counted 7  Swiss Fintech Startups, this year we already count 12.
Though only Advanon made it into the Top 10 and the Crypto Finance AG made it with 2 ventures into the Top 100 (Rank 25 and 73). Advanon and Crypto Finance aro both also in our list of the best funded Swiss Fintechs .
The best Newcomer Fintech Startup is Price Hubble which is ranked #40.  The Crowdfunding Real Estate Startup kicked out competitor Crowdhouse from the Top 100 List.
Other top fintech newcomers are Loanboox, Regtech Startup Apiax and Blockchain Startup Melonport.
Top Classed Fintech Startups 2018
#9 &#8211; Advanon
Advanon is an Online Platform for invoice financing for Small- and Medium Businesses. By selling invoices on our platform, companies can easily manage their cash flows in a quick and flexible way allowing them to focus on their core business.
 
 
 
#25 &#8211; Crypto Real Estate AG (Swiss Real Coin)
SwissRealCoin is a stable crypto token with an inner value that reduces volatility and allows you to diversify your crypto portfolio.SRC enables easy access to the Swiss real estate market, provides voting rights, and is far more efficient and transparent than direct real estate investments or classic real estate funds.
 
 
#37 &#8211; Biowatch SA
biowatch envisions a world with seamless transactions and an uncompromised level of security and privacy.” Your bracelet is a digital vault, and your wrist is the key. Feel like a 007 agent and save your precious time with our technology.
 
 
#40 &#8211; PriceHubble AG
PriceHubble is a PropTech company, set to radically improve the understanding and transparency of real estate markets based on data-driven insights. We want to enable smarter real estate decisions by bringing the latest in machine learning, big data analytics and ultra-convenient data visualization to market participants along the entire real estate value chain.
 
 
#57 &#8211; Loanboox GmbH
Loanboox is the independent Swiss money and capital market platform for public sector borrowers and institutional investors. More than 14 billion Swiss francs have been requested through Loanboox and more than 900 borrowers and 300 lenders are already active.
 
 
 
#65 &#8211; Apiax AG
Apiax is a RegTech pioneer, headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. Apiax&#8217;s vision is to become a digital lighthouse in a regulated world by making compliance lean, easy and efficient.
 
 
 
#66 &#8211; Melonport AG
Melonport is the private company building the open-source Melon Protocol. The Melon protocol is a blockchain protocol for digital asset management built on the Ethereum platform.
 
 
 
#73 &#8211; Crypto Fund AG
The Crypto Fund AG aims to offer investors safe and familiar access to the rapidly growing market for cryptocurrencies. The company was founded in Zug, Switzerland, by a team of successful banking professionals, entrepreneurs and investors.
 
 
 
#75 &#8211; SONECT AG
SONECT pioneers Virtual ATMs. It democratizes the process of cash distribution so that a significant portion of the value chain can be eliminated in order to make the process faster, cheaper and safer.
 
 
 
#85 &#8211; Futurae Technologies AG
Futurae founded by Sandra Tobler, Claudio Marforio and Nikos Karapanos provides a strong two-factor authentication (2FA) suite that offers a high level of security to businesses and individuals to protect their accounts and sensitive user data, while at the same time improving the customer experience.
 
 
#88 &#8211; Legal Technology Switzerland AG (Proxeus)
The blockchain and smart contract universe is currently only visible to parties that are running a node, use a client or have access to a blockchain-enabled service. Most of today’s systems rely on legacy infrastructure and are not yet able to interact directly with blockchains. New interfaces must be developed in order to give them access to the benefits provided by decentralised ledgers.
 
 
#93 &#8211; Monito
Monito is the Booking.com for the $600B international money transfer industry, comparing the rates of more than 456 money transfer operators and banks across 195 countries. We are building the world&#8217;s biggest database of live and historic international money transfer rates, helping both migrants and money transfer operators make the most out of their money with data intelligence and transparency.
 
 
The Full Top Startup List 2018 can be found here
Fintech Startup Ranking 2017 here
4. bexio AG, 10.Advanon AG, 26.CreditGate24 (Schweiz) AG, 38.Biowatch SA, 44.Contovista AG (acquired by Aduno Group), 83.Bricks &amp; Bytes AG (crowdhouse.ch), 93. Monito
Fintech Startup Ranking 2016 here
3.Knip, 7.Bexio, 25.Advanon, 47.Contovista, 70.I Believe in You, 80.Cashsentinel
Fintech Startup Ranking 2015 here
6.Knip, 53.Cashsentinel, 73.Contovista, 75.I Believe in You, 78.Investglass, 90.Dealmarket
The post The Top 12 Classed Swiss Fintech Startups 2018 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-top-12-classed-swiss-fintech-startups-2018</link><guid>773</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>The Top 12 Classed Swiss Fintech Startups 2018</dc:text></item><item><title>United Bank For Africa To Launch Chat Banking On Whatsapp In Nigeria</title><description><![CDATA[n a first for Nigeria, customers of United Bank for Africa can now conduct their favorite banking activities in a secure and convenient manner, by communicating with their bank in a verified WhatsApp chat.
This capability is made possible through Clickatell Transact’s Control platform integrated with the WhatsApp Business API.

The Control platform for Chat Banking allows banks to roll out commonly used banking activities like checking balances, money transfer and purchasing digital products and services across popular communication channels like USSD and now WhatsApp. The platform offers flexibility, reliability, fraud and risk management for banks and a convenient on-demand banking capability for consumers wherever they are.
Nigeria is recognized as ground zero for global financial inclusion with a rapid accelerating move from the informal economy to the formal sector. A Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) survey, “EFInA Access to Financial Services 2016 Survey”, assessed that 48.6%, or 46.9 million Nigerians, of the adult population are now formally served by banks or similar.
The introduction of Chat Banking from Clickatell is accelerating the banking adoption curve by eliminating the business and operational overhead required to roll out convenience banking across popular communication channels and in different countries.
Consumers will be able to conduct their banking activities on WhatsApp and USSD with additional channels slated for 2019.
 
The post United Bank For Africa To Launch Chat Banking On Whatsapp In Nigeria appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/united-bank-for-africa-to-launch-chat-banking-on-whatsapp-in-nigeria</link><guid>774</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/clickatell-wechat.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>United Bank For Africa To Launch Chat Banking On Whatsapp In Nigeria</dc:text></item><item><title>Standards Crucial To Unlocking Opportunities Of PSD2 And Open Banking</title><description><![CDATA[Application programming interfaces (APIs) seem set to usher in a new era of payments solutions, particularly with the advent of regulations such as the Second Payment Services Directive (PSD2) in Europe.
However, standardization of technical interfaces constitutes a crucial building block in enabling compliance with PSD2 and accessing the full benefits of API technology, says Deutsche Bank’s white paper, “Unlocking opportunities in the API economy”, produced in collaboration with payments consultancy Innopay.
Example of a push payment facilitated by a TPP using an API
From September 2019, PSD2 will see banks provide authorized payments to providers with access to client bank accounts, most likely through APIs. The directive is seen as one step on the journey towards Open Banking, which promises to bring new financial products and services, as well as new business models and revenue streams for banks and financial services companies.
Shahrokh Moinian
“Many corporates are only just beginning to wake up to the opportunities that European regulations such as PSD2 will open up to them in terms of streamlining and reducing the cost of their payments, while gaining access to exciting new services,”
says Shahrokh Moinian, Head of Cash Products at Deutsche Bank.
“Of course, there are also significant rewards on offer for the banks and fintechs that best provide this enhanced payments service.”
For corporates, banks and fintechs to unlock the opportunities, the paper recommends:

Becoming actively involved in the working groups on harmonisation and implementation of standards, as well as exploring potential collaborations, be it co-developing API standards or working to provide other essential services such as API testing;
Joining a central directory such as PRETA – which will be essential for the success of any API standardization initiative;
Smaller market players get involved through their local banking associations.

 
“Making PSD2 work in practice, and ensuring the implemented interfaces are interoperable, depends on a minimum level of harmonization and agreement of common standards,”
comments Christian Schaefer, Head of Payments, Corporate Cash Management, Deutsche Bank.
“A half-hearted, hesitant and fragmented introduction of providing access to accounts will jeopardize opportunities for all.”
To read “Unlocking opportunities in the API economy”, please click here.
 
Featured image via Freepik
The post Standards Crucial To Unlocking Opportunities Of PSD2 And Open Banking appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/standards-crucial-to-unlocking-opportunities-of-psd2-and-open-banking</link><guid>775</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Example-of-a-push-payment-facilitated-by-a-TPP-using-an-API.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Standards Crucial To Unlocking Opportunities Of PSD2 And Open Banking</dc:text></item><item><title>“Bank of Amazon” is Disrupting the Financial Landscape</title><description><![CDATA[Amazon is attacking the financial services industry, but rather than building the next-generation bank, the American e-commerce giant is focusing on building financial services that support its core strategic goal of increasing participation in the Amazon ecosystem, according to a report by CB Insights.
Amazon has built and launched tools and services mostly focused on payments, cash deposits and lending. These services aim at increasing the number of merchants and customers in its ecosystem by enabling them to sell and buy more, and reducing any buying/selling friction.
In parallel, Amazon has made several fintech investments, mostly focused on international markets, including India and Mexico, where partners can help serve Amazon’s core strategic goal.
Amazon currently has 310 million active customer accounts, 100 million Prime customers, and 5 million sellers, a considerable ecosystem. The firm currently has 12 marketplaces: USA, UK, Germany, France, Canada, Japan, India, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Brazil, and China. Amazon Australia and Singapore are launching soon.
“Amazon is not building a bank by the traditional definition,” said Lindsay Davis, tech industry analyst at CB Insights.
“Amazon is building financial services products to increase participation in the Amazon ecosystem. Amazon is building a bank for Amazon, and that may be even more compelling than launching a traditional deposit-holding bank.”
And according to CB Insights, the potential of the so-called &#8220;bank of Amazon&#8221; should have traditional incumbents worried.

 
Amazon’s financial services strategy
Amazon Pay
Amazon has aggressively invested in payments infrastructure and services over the last few years. Its flagship product, Amazon Pay, functions as a digital wallet for customers and a payments network for both online and brick-and-mortar merchants and shoppers. Amazon Pay had 33 million customers in 170 countries, as of 2016.
But Amazon has been experimenting with payments functionalities for over a decade, starting with the acquisition of peer-to-peer mobile service TextPayMe in 2006, and an investment into Bill Me Later and the launch of Amazon Pay, both in 2007. Webpay was relaunched as Amazon Webpay in 2011 but failed to gain user traction and was eventually terminated in 2014.
But before being a success, the firm has had missteps with Amazon Pay, including Amazon Local Register, a card reader for SMEs launched in August 2014, which it shut down in October 2015.
In reference to failed payments projects, Patrick Gauthier, an ex-PayPal employee now vice-president of Amazon Pay, said:
“What people never realize or truly understand about Amazon is that part of the recipe for success is daring to try things you have no idea whether will succeed or not, and if you think that you have a notion of how to succeed … you try again.”
Moving forward, the future of Amazon’s payment strategy will likely be centered on biometric and contactless payments. A new technology called Just Walk Out is being piloted within its Amazon Go grocery store. The technology uses computer vision, sensor fusion and advanced machine learning to enable a frictionless payments experience. Amazon is still only in beta with this technology.
Amazon Cash
Launched in April 2017, Amazon Cash allows customers to deposit cash, without a fee, to a digital account by showing a bar code at a partner brick-and-mortar retailer. The program aims to bridge the gap between online commerce using debit or credit cards as payment, and offline commerce that relies on “cash on delivery” options like cash and gift cards. It is targeted at underbanked and unbanked populations.
Another demographic Amazon wants to tap into is the younger generations. The firm launched Amazon Allowance in mid-2015, which enables kids, with parental consent, to set up their own Amazon accounts and make purchases. Parents can allocate recurring funds to their child’s account and get the added control of overseeing what their kids purchase.
Additionally, Amazon’s Alexa Fund is an investor in Greenlight Financial, an alternative debit card issuer aimed at young consumers. With the card, parents can manage spending limits and allocate funds for their children through a mobile app.
Lending
Amazon Lending initially launched in 2011 to help small businesses finance and sell more goods on Amazon. Since then, Amazon has expanded Lending to the UK, Japan, and India. From launch in 2011 to June 2017, Amazon reported it issued US$3 billion across 20,000 businesses in the US, Japan, and the UK.
In consumer lending, Amazon has been iterating with partner cards for Prime and non-Prime customers. The Amazon Prime Store Card, for instance, was launched in 2015 with partner Synchrony Bank, and was Amazon’s first card exclusively for Prime customers, offering unlimited 5% cash back on Amazon purchases. The Amazon Visa Credit Card, with partner Visa, offers non-Prime customers 3% cash back on Amazon purchases, 2% cash back at gas stations, restaurants, and drugstores, and 1% cash back on everything else.
Moving forward…
But besides payments, cash deposits, and lending, evidences suggest that Amazon is looking to further expand across the financial services ecosystem, including:
Checking accounts: Amazon is reportedly in talks with several banks to develop a product similar to a checking account, which would be pushed primarily through Amazon Cash. Amazon has also patented methods for linking bank account information and for prepaid cards as early as 2004.
Insurance: Amazon has not formally launched an insurance business but has been exploring the topic notably through Amazon Protect, a white-label service launched in April 2016 in the UK. Amazon Protect provides accidental and theft insurance on various consumer goods. Claims are underwritten through a partnership with The Warranty Group’s London General Insurance Company. Amazon Protect has since expanded to other EU countries including Spain, Italy, Germany, and France.
 
Emerging markets
Amazon is aggressively entering emerging markets where rapid mobile Internet adoption, a lack of legacy infrastructure, and a growing middle class, are offering huge opportunities for the e-commerce giant.
In India, Amazon has verbally committed to investing US$7 billion and has already launched several initiatives that coincide with its financial services strategy.

Amazon’s first entry point in India was in payments in October 2014. In early 2016, it acquired Emvantage Payments, which was quickly integrated into Amazon Pay and relaunched as a digital wallet later that year.
Similarly, Amazon integrated the services of Qwikcilver, a prepaid gift card company, after investing in it in 2015. It can now be used as a form of payment on Amazon’s India marketplace.
Earlier this year, Amazon made an investment into contactless payments hardware and software provider ToneTag. The ToneTag platform was integrated into Amazon Pay, expanding Amazon’s reach to ToneTag’s reported 50 million customers and 25,000 retail pods in India. The partnership also expanded Amazon Pay in India to offline commerce.
In January 2018, Amazon Pay rolled out the Doorstep feature, a cash pickup service that allows customers to load money into their Amazon Pay digital wallet using cash.
In lending, one of Amazon’s first equity investments in 2018 was Capital Float, an Indian platform that provides working capital finance to SMEs. The company also partnered with the Bank of Baroda to provide micro loans to Amazon’s e-sellers and help them expand their operations and finance inventory during seasonal spikes.
In June, Amazon launched a marketplace for lenders and sellers to obtain a competitive loan. Called Seller Lending Network, the platform has already onboarded several lenders.
In the insurance business, Amazon invested into India insurtech startup Acko. The firm has reportedly covered 10 million ride-hailing trips, and news suggest the two may partner to roll out a product insurance program similar to Amazon Protect in the UK.
In Mexico, Amazon’s financial services push began in 2017. Since then, it has launched Amazon Prime, Amazon Cash, and Amazon Cash debit cards in Mexico.
In March 2018, the company introduced  a debit card with partner Grupo Financiero Banorte, a Mexican bank, called Amazon Recargable (Rechargeable). Like Amazon Cash, customers can deposit cash on the debit card at convenience stores across the country.
 
Featured image via Freepik
The post “Bank of Amazon” is Disrupting the Financial Landscape appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bank-of-amazon-is-disrupting-the-financial-landscape</link><guid>776</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Bank-of-Amazon-1024x576.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>“Bank of Amazon” is Disrupting the Financial Landscape</dc:text></item><item><title>Mobile Payment: Ohne Goliath kein David</title><description><![CDATA[Seit über zwei Jahren ist in der Schweiz das Zahlen mit Apple Pay möglich – also theoretisch. Denn die meisten Schweizer Kreditkartenherausgeber haben Apple Pay nicht freigeschalten – um das eigene Produkt TWINT zu schützen. Das wäre aber gar nicht nötig!
Ja, ich gebe es zu: Ich habe in Blogartikel aufgezeigt, warum TWINT erfolgreich sein wird und TWINT verteidigt. Und grundsätzlich finde ich auch heute noch alles richtig, was ich damals geschrieben habe. Ein kleines, aber wichtiges „Aber“ möchte ich heute aber anfügen: Aber TWINT hat diesen Schutz gar nicht nötig! Denn der vermeintliche Goliath schwächelt.
TWINT hat gemäss eigenen Angaben über 930’000 registrierte Benutzerinnen und Benutzer. In einem Land mit rund 8.4 Millionen ist das ein Spitzenwert. Auch die Anzahl der Akzeptanzstellen scheint laufend zu wachsen. In über 1500 Online-Shops kann man bereits mit TWINT bezahlen. Auch in unzähligen Ladengeschäfte wie z.B. bei Coop, Spar, The Body Shop, Salt und SOCAR Tankstellen wird TWINT akzeptiert.
Insgesamt scheint TWINT also eine Erfolgsgeschichte zu sein. Und das gönne ich TWINT!
Alles in allem wird in der Schweiz das Smartphone nur sehr selten für das Zahlen benutzt, wie eine Umfrage von Comparis zeigt. Nur gerade 3 Prozent nutzt das Smartphone hin-und-wieder. Und das hauptsächlich, weil es den Nutzern zu kompliziert ist. Dass unklar ist, welches System nun wo und mit wem kompatibel ist, dürfte auch seinen Teil zur Verkomplizierung beitragen.
Und damit stehen die Schweizer nicht weit hinter den Zahlen aus den USA. Wie eine Umfrage von PYMNTS.com zeigt, ist da die Nutzung von Smartphones für den Zahlvorgang auch nicht wesentlich höher.
Und noch etwas fällt auf: Apple Pay ist nicht die Applikation mit der höchsten Adaptionskurve. Walmart Pay schlägt Apple Pay um Längen – und das, obwohl Walmart Pay nur gerade bei Walmart eingesetzt werden kann.
Diese Zahlen sprechen für sich: Auch wenn Apple Pay verfügbar ist, haben andere Payment-Lösungen eine Chance. Und erst noch gute Chancen.
Es ist „OK“, wenn man etwas nationalen Protektionismus betreibt, um inländischen Unternehmen einen Wettbewerbsvorteil zu verschaffen. Wenn der ursprünglich schier unbesiegbar erscheinende Goliath doch nicht so stark ist, sollte man die Abwehrmassnahmen beenden. Tun sie das nicht, kommen plötzlich neue Lösungen auf den Markt, um die Sperre zu umgehen. So wie zum Beispiel Boon.
Und gerne verliert man in solchen „David gegen Goliath“-Situationen die wahre „Bedrohung“ aus den Augen. Denn jeder zweite Schweizer zahlt mit seinen Kredit- oder Debitkarten bereits kontaktlos (siehe Comparis-Umfrage). Konkurrenz ist also vielmehr von dieser Seite zu erwarten. Aber Konkurrenz ist das ja gar nicht: Bei Apple Pay braucht man ja zwingend eine Debit- oder Kreditkarte…
Hiermit also mein Aufruf an UBS, Viseca und Swisscard: Stoppt den Apple Pay-Boykott! Jetzt! Nicht zuletzt zum Wohle von TWINT – denn Konkurrenz belebt ja bekanntlich das Geschäft.
 
Dieser Artikel stammt vom Blog von claudiogisler.ch
The post Mobile Payment: Ohne Goliath kein David appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mobile-payment-ohne-goliath-kein-david</link><guid>777</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Mobile Payment: Ohne Goliath kein David</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech-Bewilligung: FINMA eröffnet Anhörung zur GwV-FINMA</title><description><![CDATA[Zur Förderung von Innovation im Finanzmarktbereich hat der Gesetzgeber Mitte Juni 2018 eine neue Bewilligungskategorie geschaffen: die sogenannte Fintech-Bewilligung.
Diese neue Kategorie im Bankengesetz kommt künftig bei Instituten zur Anwendung, die Publikumseinlagen im Wert von bis zu 100 Millionen Schweizer Franken entgegennehmen, ohne diese anzulegen oder zu verzinsen. Solche Institute werden dem Geldwäschereigesetz und den entsprechenden Sorgfaltspflichten unterstehen. Zu diesem Zweck muss die Geldwäschereiverordnung-FINMA (GwV-FINMA) revidiert werden.
Das Parlament hat am 15. Juni 2018 mit Verabschiedung des Finanzinstitutsgesetzes (FINIG) Bestimmungen zur Innovationsförderung in das Bankengesetz aufgenommen und mit Art. 1b BankG eine neue Bewilligungskategorie – die sogenannte Fintech-Bewilligung – geschaffen. Für jene Institute, die künftig in diese neue Kategorie fallen, gilt es, die Sorgfaltspflichten nach Geldwäschereigesetz zu konkretisieren. Dies erfordert eine punktuelle Revision der Geldwäschereiverordnung-FINMA. Heute hat die Eidgenössische Finanzmarktaufsicht FINMA dazu eine Anhörung eröffnet.
Organisatorische Erleichterungen für kleine Institute
Bei der Bekämpfung der Geldwäscherei sollen grundsätzlich weiterhin für alle Finanzinstitute vergleichbare Sorgfaltspflichten gelten.
Da aber die Fintech-Bewilligung insbesondere von kleineren Instituten beansprucht werden dürfte, schlägt die FINMA vor, dass für solche Institute bestimmte organisatorische Erleichterungen gewährt werden. Die Grundlagen dazu werden nun in der Bankenverordnung gelegt.
Als konkrete Erleichterung im Sinne der Proportionalität schlägt die FINMA namentlich vor, das kleine Institute im Gegensatz zu Banken keine unabhängige Geldwäschereifachstelle mit Kontrollaufgaben einrichten müssen (Art. 25 GwV-FINMA). Als &#8220;klein&#8221; im Sinne des Verordnungsentwurfs gelten dabei jene Institute, deren Bruttoertrag unter dem Schwellenwert von 1,5 Millionen Schweizer Franken liegt.
Die Anhörung zur Geldwäschereiverordnung-FINMA dauert bis zum 26. Oktober 2018. Der Bundesrat beabsichtigt, das teilrevidierte Bankengesetz per 1. Januar 2019 in Kraft zu setzen. Die Anpassungen in der Geldwäschereiverordnung-FINMA sollen nach Möglichkeit zeitgleich in Kraft gesetzt werden.
 
Featured image via Pexels
 
The post Fintech-Bewilligung: FINMA eröffnet Anhörung zur GwV-FINMA appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-bewilligung-finma-eroffnet-anhorung-zur-gwv-finma</link><guid>778</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/finma-300x183.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech-Bewilligung: FINMA eröffnet Anhörung zur GwV-FINMA</dc:text></item><item><title>Arbeitsgruppe Blockchain/ICO Ruft Fintech Branche zur Teilnahme auf</title><description><![CDATA[Die Arbeitsgruppe Blockchain/ICO wurde Anfang 2018 eingesetzt, um die rechtlichen Rahmenbedingungen zu überprüfen und allfälligen Handlungsbedarf aufzuzeigen.
Mit der vorliegenden Konsultation bietet die Arbeitsgruppe der Branche Gelegenheit, zu den bisherigen Arbeiten und zur Stossrichtung der Empfehlungen Stellung zu nehmen.
Im Januar 2018 hat das Staatssekretariat für internationale Finanzfragen (SIF) mit Einbezug des Bundesamts für Justiz (BJ) und der Eidgenössischen Finanzmarktaufsicht (FINMA) eine Arbeitsgruppe zu Blockchain/ICO ins Leben gerufen.
Die Arbeitsgruppe überprüft die rechtlichen Rahmenbedingungen für finanzsektorspezifische Anwendungen der Blockchain-Technologie und wird konkreten Handlungsbedarf aufzeigen.
In den vergangenen Monaten hat sich die Arbeitsgruppe intensiv mit dem Zivil- und Finanzmarktrecht auseinandergesetzt und überprüft, ob und inwiefern aufgrund der Entwicklung der Blockchain-Technologie Anpassungen der heutigen Erlasse angezeigt sind. Dabei stehen nicht nur sogenannte Initial Coin Offerings, sondern sämtliche Anwendungen der Distributed Ledger Technologie im Finanzbereich im Fokus.
Es wurde insbesondere potentieller Handlungsbedarf bei der zivilrechtlichen Übertragung von Token, deren insolvenzrechtlicher Behandlung sowie bei der Schaffung neuer Möglichkeiten im Bereich der Finanzmarktinfrastrukturen identifiziert.
Im Verlauf des Prozesses kontaktierten verschiedene Mitglieder der Arbeitsgruppe auch gezielt Vertreter der Branche und analysierten deren Anliegen in Bezug auf ihre Arbeiten. Mit der vorliegenden Konsultation wird der gesamten Finanzbranche sowie allen interessierten Kreisen die Gelegenheit geboten, zum potentiellen Handlungsbedarf Stellung zu nehmen.
Die Arbeitsgruppe lädt Verbände des Finanz- und Fintech-Bereichs direkt ein, an der Konsultation teilzunehmen. Anliegen können jedoch von allen interessierten Kreisen bis am 20. September 2018 an fin@sif.admin.ch eingereicht werden.
Die Arbeitsgruppe wird dem Bundesrat bis Ende 2018 Bericht erstatten und dabei die Resultate der Konsultation angemessen berücksichtigen. Der Bundesrat wird gestützt auf diese Erkenntnisse über die Einleitung allfälliger rechtlicher Anpassungen entscheiden.
 
Featured image via Freepik
The post Arbeitsgruppe Blockchain/ICO Ruft Fintech Branche zur Teilnahme auf appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/arbeitsgruppe-blockchainico-ruft-fintech-branche-zur-teilnahme-auf</link><guid>767</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Arbeitsgruppe Blockchain/ICO Ruft Fintech Branche zur Teilnahme auf</dc:text></item><item><title>Berlin Blockchain Week Exposes a Vibrant Tech Community to the World</title><description><![CDATA[Completely community hosted and driven, the first annual event looks to open up one of the world’s most pivotal tech communities for the future of blockchain technology.
Berlin, with an incredible community of innovation that is built around a pool of the leading developers, entrepreneurs and academics in the space, has established itself as one of the most respectable ecosystems in the world for blockchain innovation and has emerged as a development hub for projects like the Ethereum Foundation, Gnosis, Parity and Ocean Protocol.
As described by Dr. Gavin Wood, Co-Founder and first CTO of Ethereum, Founder of Parity, Polkadot and Web3 Foundation, Berlin has a unique community mentality that has given rise to its robust blockchain community:
&#8220;Berlin: Come for the coffee, stay for the anarchy. Or is it the other way around? A Guardian article on Berlin&#8217;s fledgling cryptocurrency (then just called Bitcoin) community drew my attention to it focusing on a place called Room77, the centre point of a Bitcoin-economy. A combination of harsh circumstances over the last 30 years have drawn together people of all varieties (not just hipsters). Industrious
risk-takers with little to lose and an opportunity-driven outlook. The Berlin mentality is ready to try anything, distrustful of authority and success and yet warm to the unfamiliar and gritty. Google stay away: Berlin will not dance to any tune but its own.
This outlook is concordant with Blockchain and Web3&#8217;s own story, born from the ashes of centralised failure where we see past the fresh pressed suites running our society into the rot, incompetence and corruption at the heart of the establishment. Berlin, like Web3, puts the power &#8211; and responsibility &#8211; back in your hands to build something better.&#8221;
The Berlin blockchain community has announced the creation of Berlin Blockchain Week (BBW), a community organized event that will focus on driving communication and education between innovators in the blockchain space with a specific focus on how to responsibly usher in the inevitable mass adoption of blockchain technology. BBW will be held September 5-11 and is centered around a series of events that have brought technology leaders from around the world together in Berlin.
“Berlin has one of the strongest and most honest blockchain communities in the world,”
Lasse Clausen
said Lasse Clausen, co-founder of Berlin-based 1kx, regarded as one of the leading early-stage funding firms for blockchain technology in the world.
“Berlin Blockchain Week will be unique because it is entirely community driven. The Berlin blockchain community is essentially opening its doors to the world with an invitation for anyone who wants to engage in meaningful discussion.”
BWB is designed to be an open series of community driven educational events, hosted by local blockchain companies, that are anchored by three main conferences during the week:

September 5 – Zero Knowledge Summit – a sold out technical event about ‘zk-snark’ applications and blockchain privacy hosted by the ZeroKnowledge podcast
September 6 – Dezentral – A large blockchain conference that brings newcomers, builders and longtime hodlers from all over the world
September 7-9 – ETH Berlin – The 4th Hackathon of the ETH Global ETHBerlin is committed to inclusion, diversity, education, and above all, to the Ethereum Community improvement.

Additionally, Berlin Blockchain Week will feature a wide range of events, characterized by the diversity of topics and projects involved such as Rchain3 &#8211; the Rchain developers conference, a compelling Token Engineering workshop at the Ocean Protocol headquarters, the Ethereum Security Unconf at Full Node, Sustainable Everything &#8211; When blockchain, supply chain, and inclusive financing come together, and more. You will find all the events featured on the website.
“Berlin Blockchain Week was born during an ETHBerlin meeting where the collective organizing realised we needed to go out of the Ethereum bubble and connect with others in the industry,”
said María Paula Fernández, external relations at Golem and co-creator of ETHBerlin 
“We got immediately to action, connected with all the participants of the ecosystem in Berlin via a slack channel, and let the community self-organize. On the side, ETHBerlin is set to be one of the most ambitious projects and has evolved from being a hackathon to a real education platform aimed to build tools that will continue development after the event.
ETHBerlin has built a network of more than 7 dApps that will be used before, during and after the event by the participants. hence becoming also a source of new users for dApps in the ecosystem. We are committed to help not only the development of the Berlin Blockchain scene, but also help dApps get users, connect builders and grant initiatives and more.”
Berlin Blockchain Week Berlin was created to be a unique opportunity to connect with one of the world’s most vibrant tech development communities with the world. Most importantly, its goal is to create a forum for discussion that removes the ‘background noise’ in the industry and connects the people deep within the community, building the next wave of blockchain technology, with people from around the world coming to Berlin to genuinely learn.
To learn more visit: dezentral.io
The post Berlin Blockchain Week Exposes a Vibrant Tech Community to the World appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/berlin-blockchain-week-exposes-a-vibrant-tech-community-to-the-world</link><guid>766</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Berlin Blockchain Week Exposes a Vibrant Tech Community to the World</dc:text></item><item><title>Mobile Payments on the Rise in France</title><description><![CDATA[Non-cash payments are increasing in France, driven by the rise in e-money usage and the decline in the use of national payment instruments such as cheques and trade bills, according to the Banque de France.
In 2016, the total value of non-cash payments rose by 3% to EUR 27 billion with the most important increase coming from the use of e-money, which increased by 47% between 2015 and 2016, according to statistics from the institution. In particular, it is the rise in peer-to-peer payment service, including mobile payment apps, that’s fuelled the sharp increase in e-money transactions.

 
Mobile payment services in France
There are currently a number of different cashless payment instruments available in France, used for a wide variety of purposes but the past decade has seen the emergence of new means of payment, spurred by the rapid expansion of Internet and advances in digital technology.
These new services offer a range of innovative functions. They include contactless payment systems, or devices that allow users to make small payments rapidly simply by waving a card or smartphone over a payment terminal, and digital wallets, which work through digital platforms and mobile apps.
Lydia mobile app
Lydia is one of the leading mobile payment services providers in France. Launched in 2013, Lydia&#8217;s iPhone and Android apps allow users to pay anyone very easily and make online purchases. Lydia crossed the milestone of one million users at the end of 2017, and claims that more than 2,000 Lydia accounts are created daily. Lydia raised EUR 13 million in a funding round led by CNP Assurances in February, bringing the total amount raised by the startup to more than EUR 23 million.
Lemon Way is another key player in the French digital payments space. The startup provides a white-label B2B platform that offers payment processing, wallet management and third-party payment solutions for businesses involved in crowdfunding, e-commerce, mobile, and more. It claims to be serving about 1,400 marketplaces, including 200 crowdfunding platforms and processed EUR 1.4 billion worth of transactions in 2017.
Lemon Way is working with companies like CNP Assurances, the French National Football League, Yellow Pages (SoLocal Group), and many more. It has partnered with multiple banks including BNP Paribas, Barclays, Crédit Mutuel, and Banco Sabadell. Lemon Way raised EUR 10 million from Breega Capital and SpeedInvest in July to expand across Europe.
Lemon Way merchant dashboard
French startup Leetchi, which operates a crowdfunding platform and the Mangopay payment processing solution, was acquired by French bank Crédit Mutuel Arkéa in 2015. Les Échos reported that Crédit Mutuel Arkéa spent more than EUR 50 million to acquire 86% of the company.
Crédit Mutuel was also involved in several other projects including the Lyf Pay digital wallet. Lyf Pay was launched in May 2017 from the merger of the BNP Paribas-backed Wa! And Crédit Mutuel&#8217;s Fivory. The all-in-one mobile payment solution centralizes customers’ paymentscards, coupons and loyalty cards and allows for in-store, online, and peer-to-peer payments.
French multinational telecommunications corporation Orange entered the mobile payments market in 2015 with the launch of Orange Cash, a mobile wallet app. The app allows users with NFC-enabled smartphones to pay at any contactless Visa terminal across the country with just a tap.
Carrefour, a French multinational retailer and one of the largest hypermarket chains in the world, introduced its mobile payment app Carrefour Pay earlier this year. The mobile app will be linked to all bank cards by the end of 2018 and will allow for easy in-store payments at NFC-enabled terminals.
With the launch of its very own payment app, Carrefour is putting into practice its five-year transformation plan, launched in January and which plans to invest EUR 2.8 billion in developing the retail chain&#8217;s digital and omnichannel operations.
Meanwhile, the city of Dijon, France, and public transport operator Keolis, launched a new contactless payment system on the city’s trams network in March.
Contactless Payment, Dijon Tram, @WorldlineGlobal, Twitter
The technology has been supplied by Visa, Worldline and Natixis Payment Solutions, with the support of regional development bank Caisse d’Epargne de Bourgogne Franche-Comté. The technology is to be rolled out to the city’s buses later this year or next year.
 
Featured image: Paris, Pixabay
The post Mobile Payments on the Rise in France appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mobile-payments-on-the-rise-in-france</link><guid>765</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Breakdown-non-cash-payments-2016-Banque-de-France-1024x449.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Mobile Payments on the Rise in France</dc:text></item><item><title>Vernehmlassungs zum Blockchain-Gesetz in Liechtenstein verabschiedet</title><description><![CDATA[Die Regierung hat in ihrer Sitzung vom 28. August 2018 den Vernehmlassungsbericht zum Blockchain-Gesetz verabschiedet.
Eine Blockchain ist eine verteilte Datenbank, auf der Transaktionen oder Verträge verschlüsselt und damit fälschungssicher gespeichert werden. Die Blockchain-Technologie bildet nicht nur die Basis für Kryptowährungen wie Bitcoin, sondern auch für den Handel mit realen Werten wie Autos oder Immobilien.
Vor allem die geringen Kosten für digitale Transaktionen eröffnen neue Möglichkeiten insbesondere in den Bereichen Finanzdienstleistungen, Mobilität, Energiewirtschaft, Industrie und Medien. Diese Anwendungen werden gesamthaft unter dem Begriff «Token-Ökonomie» zusammengefasst.
Adrian Hasler
„Als Staat müssen wir ständig an unseren Rahmenbedingungen für Unternehmen arbeiten, um unseren Wohlstand und attraktive Arbeitsplätze für die nächste Generation zu sichern“,
so Regierungschef Adrian Hasler.
Die Regierung schätzt das Potential der Blockchain-Technologie als sehr hoch ein und erwartet, dass in Zukunft im Rahmen der «Token Ökonomie» eine Vielzahl von Rechten und damit auch hohe Vermögenswerte auf Blockchain-Systemen abgebildet werden, welche dann die Basis für weitere Dienstleistungen bilden. Damit steigt die Bedeutung der Rechtssicherheit im Umgang mit diesen digitalen Abbildungen von Vermögenswerten und der Beanspruchung von Dienstleistungen.
„Das Blockchain-Gesetz soll genau diese Rechtssicherheit schaffen“,
hält Regierungschef Adrian Hasler fest.
Die zunehmende Verbreitung der Blockchain-Anwendungen lassen heute schon Problemfelder erkennen, wie offene Fragestellungen in Zusammenhang mit Kunden- resp. Vermögensschutz sowie missbräuchlicher Verwendung. Dem soll mit einer klaren Regulierung entgegengewirkt werden. Da die Blockchain-Technologie auch in Liechtenstein aktiv genutzt wird, will die Regierung mit diesem Gesetz klären, welche Anforderungen für wichtige Tätigkeiten auf Blockchain-Systemen gelten, um einerseits den Kundenschutz zu verbessern, und andererseits mögliche Reputationsrisiken für Liechtenstein zu reduzieren.
Zudem besteht heute eine Rechtsunsicherheit bei Geschäftsmodellen auf Blockchain-Systemen, welche nicht von der Finanzmarktgesetzgebung erfasst werden, aber dennoch Tätigkeiten ausführen, welche eine grosse Nähe zum Finanzsektor haben. Mit dem Blockchain-Gesetz will die Regierung die Mindestanforderungen an diese Tätigkeiten auf Blockchain -Systemen definieren und sie von der FMA registrieren lassen.
Die rechtliche Einordnung von Elementen auf Blockchain-Systemen stellt einen weiteren Schwerpunkt dieser Vorlage dar. Das Blockchain-Gesetz führt mit dem «Token» ein neues Konstrukt ein, um die Transformation der „realen“ Welt auf Blockchain-Systeme rechtssicher zu ermöglichen und so das volle Anwendungspotential der Token-Ökonomie zu erschliessen. Die Einführung des Rechtskonstrukts des Token im liechtensteinischen Recht bedingt, dass die Rechtsfolgen, wie Eigentum, Besitz und Übertragung, ebenfalls rechtlich definiert werden müssen.
Aufgrund des hohen Potentials der «Token-Ökonomie» für breite Teile der Wirtschaft will die Regierung mit diesem Gesetz die Rechtssicherheit für Nutzer und Dienstleister stärken, um die positive Entwicklung der Token-Ökonomie in Liechtenstein zu unterstützen. Damit kommt die Regierung auch den Bedürfnissen der Marktteilnehmer nach mehr Rechtssicherheit im Zusammenhang mit Blockchain-Systemen nach.
Der Vernehmlassungsbericht kann bei der Regierungskanzlei oder über www.rk.llv.li (Vernehmlassungen) bezogen werden. Die Vernehmlassungsfrist endet am 16. November 2018.
 
Featured image via Pixabay
The post Vernehmlassungs zum Blockchain-Gesetz in Liechtenstein verabschiedet appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/vernehmlassungs-zum-blockchain-gesetz-in-liechtenstein-verabschiedet</link><guid>764</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Vernehmlassungs zum Blockchain-Gesetz in Liechtenstein verabschiedet</dc:text></item><item><title>Parkgebühren in Zug Mit Twint Bezahlen</title><description><![CDATA[In der Stadt Zug lässt sich bald via TWINT App die Parkgebühr bezahlen.
Der Vorteil: Parkierende benötigen nichts ausser TWINT und haben innert wenigen Sekunden bezahlt. Und zwar nur die effektive Parkdauer. Zusammen mit dem Partner Digitalparking soll diese Lösung bis Ende 2019 in weiteren grösseren Schweizer Städten eingeführt werden.
In der Stadt Zug können Autofahrerinnen und Autofahrer die Parkgebühren demnächst mit dem Smartphone bezahlen: Dazu öffnen sie einfach die TWINT App, scannen den QR-Code auf der Parkuhr, geben einmalig ihr Autokennzeichen an und wählen in der App die gewünschte Parkdauer. Die Gebühr wird via TWINT bezahlt und direkt vom hinterlegten Konto oder der hinterlegten Kreditkarte abgezogen. Wer den Parkplatz früher als geplant verlässt, kann sich den Restbetrag via TWINT App zurückerstatten lassen.


Video via https://www.20min.ch
Das Bezahlen der Parkgebühr mit TWINT wird in der Stadt Zug in den nächsten Wochen etappenweise eingeführt. Bereits jetzt können die Parkplätze vor der Zuger Kantonalbank mit TWINT bezahlt werden.
Nach dem Parkplatz Bundesplatz folgen die Standorte Allmendstrasse, Feldstrasse, Hafen Ost und Hafen West. Das flächendeckende Bezahlen der Parkgebühr mit TWINT in der Stadt Zug ist für das Jahr 2019 geplant.
Möglich macht diese innovative und schweizweit einmalige Lösung die Zusammenarbeit von TWINT mit Digitalparking, dem Schweizer Kompetenzunternehmen für Parkplatzbewirtschaftung.

Reto Schläpfer
«Mit TWINT haben wir einen starken Partner gefunden. Bis Ende 2019 wird Digitalparking die Lösung in der Hälfte der grösseren Schweizer  Städte eingeführt haben»,
sagt Reto Schläpfer, Geschäftsleiter von Digitalparking.
In den nächsten Monaten werden die Städte St.Gallen, Rapperswil, Frauenfeld und Yverdon-lesBains ausgerüstet.
Die Vorteile für die Kundinnen und Kunden: Einfach mit dem Smartphone die Parkgebühr bezahlen – ohne Münz und zusätzliche App. Ausser der TWINT App wird nichts weiter benötigt. Das Bezahlen der Gebühr dauert weniger lange, als Münz am Parkautomaten einzuwerfen. Und Restbeträge können einfach zurückerstattet werden.
Urs Raschle
Der Zuger Stadtrat Urs Raschle zur Lösung:
«Dieses Projekt passt zu unserer innovativen Stadt. Das einfache, bargeldlose Bezahlen der Parkgebühr ohne spezielle Parking-App ist ein Leuchtturmprojekt. Es freut uns, dass die Stadt Zug hier mitwirken kann.»
 
 
 
Featured image via https://twitter.com/TWINT_AG/
The post Parkgebühren in Zug Mit Twint Bezahlen appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/parkgebuhren-in-zug-mit-twint-bezahlen</link><guid>763</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Reto-Schläpfer.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Parkgebühren in Zug Mit Twint Bezahlen</dc:text></item><item><title>New Tax Product Addresses Key Challenges of Financial Industry</title><description><![CDATA[Zurich-based RegTech startup Apiax’ new product allows banks and asset managers to factor the tax impact of financial instruments into their investment recommendations. The product addresses key challenges in wealth management, such as the need to increase the quality and frequency of client interactions and the rising demand for tailored investment advice and new investment products.
Apiax’ new tax product allows to leverage digital tax rules for investment needs. Financial service providers can inform clients about tax-heavy financial instruments and offer them tax-efficient investment recommendations instead. The product allows financial service providers to increase the quality and frequency of client interactions, a pain point in the industry.
Ralf Huber
Ralf Huber, Legal Lead and Co-Founder of Apiax, says:
“Financial institutions can finally make use of tax calculations in their advisory processes. This is the missing piece in the puzzle of value-added, personalised investment advice.”
Apiax’ solution allows to activate clients with engaging investment proposals and to create a differentiating product offering in an increasingly competitive market environment. It addresses one of the main challenges in wealth management today: the rising demand for tailored investment advice and value-added investment products.
Philip Schoch
Philip Schoch, Product Lead and Co-Founder of Apiax, says:
“We wanted to create a product that allows financial service providers to focus on their customers without ever losing sight of investment performance. We’re proud to have achieved just that with our new tax product.”
Factoring tax regulations into investment recommendations allows to target tax-adjusted returns instead of cost-adjusted returns only (read more on the Apiax Blog). While the topic of tax-efficient investing has received limited attention so far, it is set to become more important with increasing transparency, ever more demanding customers, and the prospect of tax-suitability requirements looming on the horizon.
Apiax, a Swiss-based RegTech startup, boasts extensive industry experience. Former UBS Chairman Peter Kurer bought a stake in the company and helps the startup as an adviser . The startup acquired CHF 1.5 million in seed funding in September 2017 .
Featured Image via Apiax
The post New Tax Product Addresses Key Challenges of Financial Industry appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-tax-product-addresses-key-challenges-of-financial-industry</link><guid>762</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Ralf-Huber.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>New Tax Product Addresses Key Challenges of Financial Industry</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 15 Swiss Blockchain Newcomer Startups in 2018</title><description><![CDATA[BlockNovum just published its second public Blockchain research report, which provides a comprehensive market overview about Blockchain startups in Switzerland. The report specifically focuses on “Newcomers” in the Blockchain space.
This selection includes startups that did conduct an ICO in 2018 (or are planning to ICO later this year), that were newly founded in 2018, or that managed to get first measurable traction (through product release or media attention) in 2018.
The aim of the report is to provide a thorough overview about Swiss newcomers in the blockchain space for investors and industry exponents alike. The map helps navigate the ever-growing crypto landscape in Switzerland by listing all relevant new startups in one place and classifying them in different categories.

Research Focus:
BlockNovum categorized the screened projects in five categories: Technical, Organizational, Financial, Retail &amp; Entertainment, and Personal.

Technical: Projects that provide a technical solution or service related to the blockchain technology. This includes new protocols, blockchain layers, file storage, computation, cyber security, artificial intelligence (AI), technical platforms, and infrastructure solutions related to the blockchain.
Financial: Projects and services with a focus on financial applications and use cases. This category includes new cryptocurrencies, exchanges, payment systems, banking services, prediction markets, funds &amp; investment services, investment related data &amp; information platforms, tokenized assets, and others.
Organizational: Projects with an organizational focus that mainly tackle challenges related to coordinating, tracking, and organizing people, resources, or data. Hence, this category consists of use cases around governance, supply chain, internet of things (IoT), content distribution, energy etc.
Personal: This category includes startups that provide applications for personal use in daily life. Therefore, this section lists offerings around personal authentication, social networks, messaging, personal data &amp; monetization, advertising, or personal healthcare.
Retail &amp; Entertainment: The last category includes services with a retail focus or with entertainment purposes. Blockchain startups in this category offer services around marketplaces, gaming, virtual reality, music, sports, art, education, ticketing, and others.

Furthermore, the research focus was explicitly set on projects that were founded and are operational in Switzerland. Companies that have their headquarters in Switzerland and/or conduct an ICO according to Swiss regulations were also included.
Overall BlockNovum identified 78 blockchain-related projects that matched the selection criteria. Note that “older” and more established cryptoassets / startups that did an ICO in 2017, or earlier, were not included in the map. Therefore, you won’t find the likes of Ethereum, Ambrosus, Modum, Lykke, Cardano, Shapeshift etc. in this overview.
Findings &amp; Selection of 15 High Potential Startups:
In the report BlockNovum lists all 78 startups including a categorization and short description for each. Out of all screened startups, BlockNovum selected 15 projects which were assessed to have the highest investment potential. The selection was based on the expected product-market fit, viability of use cases, founding team and experience, stage of development, quality of website/whitepaper/MVP, and the token type &amp; usage.
It has to be noted that several startups in the map came out of stealth mode very recently or are at a very early stage of development. Therefore, these projects could not be properly assessed yet and stay on our watchlist. Consequently this list is not to be seen as final and will be updated for interested clients in the future.
To illustrate BlockNovum’s market research and investment screening offering, an example assessment of long-listed and short-listed startups is given as well in the report. The long-list analysis covers the selected &#8220;Technical&#8221; and &#8220;Financial&#8221; startups, whereas the &#8220;short-list&#8221; assessment example is performed for &#8220;Proxeus&#8221;. This type of research is primarily geared towards investors who require a high-level market overview and assessment of several startups that match their investment criteria. Subsequently, short-listed projects can then be properly analyzed and evaluated with BlockNovum’s in-depth investment research &amp; due diligence offering.
To see the selection of the top 15 blockchain startups, have a look at the full report here: BlockNovum_Market Screening_Switzerland-2018
Top 15 Swiss Blockchain Newcomer Startups in 2018

ESSENTIA.ONE
Essentia is a modular decentralized framework empowering users with full control over their own IDs, data and assets. Our mission is to offer the full control of decentralization in the hands of the users, by enabling both on-chain, off-chain and multichain interoperability, between users, machines and third parties.

MINDFIRE
Mindfire deploys a blockchain-based token, the Mindfire Token (MFT) incentivizing talents to collaborate beyond traditional labs and allowing them to be fairly and directly recognized for new ideas and concepts.
 

PROXEUS
Proxeus is a powerful tool that unlocks the next stage of digitization by easily integrating blockchain workflows in parallel with existing systems. Proxeus is a blockchain entrepreneur with over a decade experience in building successful digital businesses. Proxeus have developed their own technology allowing us to industrialize the creation of blockchain applications, powered by XES, their own cryptocurrency.

DFINITY
DFINITY is a blockchain based world computer network that is powerful enough to host business applications at scale. The network features a variety of innovations in the blockchain space. The DFINITY network is self-governing through the use of an adaptive network called the Blockchain Nervous System (BNS).
 

VETRI
VETRI’s value proposition constitutes a radical shift from the way we manage our personal data and how companies exploit it for monetary gains.

PIKCIOCHAIN
PikcioChain is a fully distributed information superhighway that brings individuals and organisations together to buy, sell and exchange data with confidence. Pikcio has been designed to store, secure, verify and certify data while ensuring the data source retains full control of their information at all times. Pikcio lets the user choose how to share their data, who to share it with, while also providing them with the opportunity to be paid for its use.
 

SGAME PRO
Sgame Pro is the first mobile games aggregator where players can “mine” crypto-tokens while simply playing the world’s most popular games.

ELOCATIONS
eLocations is an online PropTech MetaPlatform that does for the global retail property industry what Trivago has done for the travel industry. Our vision is to become the Retail Decision Maker for all retailers, landlords and brokers of properties in prime locations.
 

SWISSREALCOIN
The SwissRealCoin mechanism has been designed to create a crypto token with the full upside potential of crypto currencies, while protecting the downside through an inner value and sustainable growth.

SMARTVALOR
Based in the Swiss Crypto Valley, SMART VALOR is a blockchain startup set to enable borderless crypto finance. SMART VALOR aims to build a decentralized marketplace for tokenized alternative investments backed by secure custody for crypto assets.
 

TEND
TEND is a blockchain company that creates a new, life-enriching investment world driven by passion and meaning. A marketplace of investment-related experiences for forward-thinking, like-minded people who wish to invest their money more purposefully and live a fuller and enriched life. We provide to our customers amazing investments and related experiences, elevating and inspiring them to achieve the unexpected and explore new personal horizons.

ALETHENA
Alethena is the first Swiss Blockchain-Asset Rating Agency. Reliable due diligence and a resulting rating are established by providing a professional, transparent, and in-depth methodology. Proudly transferring the values of its Swiss heritage, Alethena sets itself the highest standards of neutrality and independence. A scalable and decentralised methodology is the definite goals to be achieved with A.I. and Machine Learning in the near future.
 

SWISSBORG
The SwissBorg Project aims to revolutionize asset management solutions with a community-centric approach powered by Ethereum. Members will be able to optimize their cryptocurrency holdings with the help of our Cyborg advisors and deep learning algorithms.

EUREKA 
EUREKA is an Ethereum-based token which will be integral to the enhancement of the existing ScienceMatters publishing platform.
 

METACO
Established in 2014 in Switzerland, Metaco has rapidly become an expert in helping banks and financial institutions, including national banks, capitalise on the latest blockchain technologies and systems. Its high-grade cryptographic solutions can be fully integrated into a bank’s core processes.

 
About the Study/Author:
&#8220;BlockNovum is a Swiss Blockchain and Cryptoasset investment research &amp; consulting firm. We provide professional assessments, fundamental valuations, and market research reports for the emerging asset class of cryptoassets &amp; blockchain startups. Our target client segment includes mainly institutional investors (VCs, family offices, [Crypto]-funds &amp; other asset managers) with an interest in allocating capital to cryptoassets or blockchain startups.&#8221;
 
This article first appeared on linkedin.com
The post Top 15 Swiss Blockchain Newcomer Startups in 2018 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-15-swiss-blockchain-newcomer-startups-in-2018</link><guid>761</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Swiss-Blockchain-Startup-1024x576.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 15 Swiss Blockchain Newcomer Startups in 2018</dc:text></item><item><title>10 Most Well-Funded Fintech Companies in Germany</title><description><![CDATA[Germany is quickly emerging as a fintech powerhouse, with Berlin and Hamburg in particular witnessing thriving fintech communities. According to EY, Germany hosts over 300 fintech companies which raised a record of US$655.4 million in 2017.
The followings are ten of Germany&#8217;s most well-funded fintech startups based on disclosed funding (Sources: crunchbase, funderbeam, company webpages)
 
Kreditech Holding – US$282M
Kreditech Holding uses machine-learning technologies and non-traditional data sources to provide access to better credit for the underbanked. The company’s product offerings include consumer loans, a digital wallet and a personal finance manager designed to help customers manage their credit score and plan their spending. Kreditech also offers a “lending as a service” model, allowing partners to integrate Kreditech’s credit products via an API into their own platform and services.
Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Hamburg, Kreditech covers more than five markets worldwide, amongst others Russia, Mexico, Spain and Poland. Up until now, the company has processed more than four million loan applications through its subsidiaries.
 
N26 – US$215M
Headquartered in Berlin, N26 provides mobile banking services for customers including making and handling of current accounts, fixed accounts, and other banking services, letting customers manage and control their banking details via a smartphone application easily.
N26 also partners with fintech and traditional financial companies to deliver best-in-class products such as TransferWise (foreign exchange), Raisin (savings), Clark and Allianz (insurance), auxmoney (credit), and others.
N26 has more than 1 million customers across 17 European markets. N26 currently operates in Austria, Belgium, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain, and it intends to enter the UK and US markets in 2018.
 
Deposit Solutions – US$143.6M
Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Hamburg, Deposit Solutions is a provider of the Open Banking platform for deposits connecting banks and depositors across Europe.
Its proprietary Open Banking technology provides an infrastructure for the global US$50 trillion deposit market that benefits banks and savers alike. Deposit Solutions is already connecting more than 70 banks from 16 countries and additionally operates proprietary B2C Points-of-Sale (ZINSPILOT and SAVEDO) that market selected deposit offers of its partners directly to savers.
 
Smava – US$135M
Founded in 2007 and based in Berlin, Smava is Germany’s loan portal making personal loans transparent, fair, and affordable for consumers. Based on digital processes, Smava provides a market overview of 70 loan offers from 25 banks, ranging in value from €1,000 to €120,000. In this way, borrowers can choose and conclude the deal most favorable to them. With an average loan value of more than €10,000, borrowers can save up to €2,000.
Smava arranges over €1 billion worth of loans per year.
 
Spotcap – US$132.92M
Spotcap is online lender for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) founded in 2014 and headquartered in Berlin. It operates as a direct lender to SMEs in the UK, the Netherlands, Spain, Australia and New Zealand where it offers promising businesses access to flexible finance.
Spotcap’s online application is straightforward and can be completed in as little as five minutes, either online or in collaboration with a financial advisor, broker or accountant. Leading institutions now collaborate with Spotcap to provide their SME clients with an efficient and straightforward lending experience.
 
solarisBank – US$112.76M
Founded in 2016 and based in Berlin, solarisBank is banking platform with a full banking license which enables companies to offer their own financial products. Through APIs, partners gain access to solarisBank’s modular services including payments and e-money, lending, digital banking as well as services provided by integrated third party providers.
solarisBank is currently live and serving partners in six European countries including Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, the United Kingdom, Belgium and Greece.
 
Raisin – €70M
Founded in 2013 and based in Berlin, Raisin, formerly SavingGlobal, is the a pan-European online marketplace for savings products. After launching the German platform WeltSparen.de in 2013, the company&#8217;s service is now available in English across Europe (Raisin.com). In addition, the company offers localized platforms for the German, French, Spanish and Austrian markets.
Raisin gives customers the possibility to open deposits at attractive interest rates across Europe free of charge. All deposits are 100% guaranteed up to €100,000 per saver and bank by each national Deposit Guarantee Scheme in accordance with EU directives.
Raisin is one of the best capitalized fintech companies in Europe, as it raised over €70 million from investors such as PayPal, Index Ventures, Ribbit Capital and Thrive Capital.
 
Simplesurance – US$57M
Founded in 2012 and based in Berlin, Simplesurance is an insurtech company that designs, develops, and provides cross-selling software solutions for e-commerce that integrate into the checkout process of online shops and allow the purchase of insurance at the point of sale.
It offers Simplesurance, a software solution that enables the customer to buy a product online and also purchase corresponding insurance. The company provides its products to e-commerce and electronic manufacturer. The company also offers digital broker services for customers to manage their insurance on their phones.
More than 2,000 partners including renowned companies such as OnePlus, Huawei Technologies, Rakuten, Revolut, check 24 and many more, use the company’s cross-selling platform.
 
Scalable Capital – US$45M
Scalable Capital is a digital investment service founded in 2014, with offices in Munich and London. It uses proprietary software to offer portfolios which are dynamically optimized with a primary focus on risk management. State-of-the-art technology enables the company to offer a first class investment service, previously only available to large institutional investors, to individuals at a fraction of the cost.
Scalable Capital is active in the UK, Germany, Switzerland and Austria. It is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, and the Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht (BaFin) in Germany. It manages over €1 billion of assets under management from more than 30,000 clients.
 
Clark – US$45M
Based in Berlin and founded in 2015, Clark is an insurance robo-advisory platform providing transparent, cheap and comprehensive insurance coverage.
Clark allows users to assess their insurance status through an app or website. Based on algorithms, the robo-advisor provides analysis on the customers’ insurance situation and automatically proposes optimization opportunities by searching for tariffs from more than 160 insurance companies. On request, experts are available to assist customers with specific questions.
The post 10 Most Well-Funded Fintech Companies in Germany appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/10-most-well-funded-fintech-companies-in-germany</link><guid>759</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Kreditech-Holding-300x46.png</dc:content ><dc:text>10 Most Well-Funded Fintech Companies in Germany</dc:text></item><item><title>This Swiss Based IOT Company Did a Double ICO and Raised More Than 15 CHF Mio</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss-based company Smart Containers, creators of airfreight containers made with the Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and blockchain, announced in a Medium post that they have concluded the public sales of their tokens with USD 15.42 million raised out of the intended USD 40 million.
&#8220;As larger investments take time, the private sale is still ongoing with bigger tickets to be closed soon,&#8221; said the company in their announcement.
The amount raised is a cumulative of an interesting move to run two tokens concurrently&#8211;a Smarc token and a Logi token.
The Smarc tokens are sold as a securities token, and based on the white paper,  the team will be using funds raised to scale their IoT-powered containers.
Meanwhile, the Logi Coin will be a utility token meant for creating the Logi Chain, a blockchain-based logistics network that the company will develop to streamline shipment organisation and administration. Smart Containers will be opening up the ecosystem to other logistics players, and charge them for smart contract transactions using the Logi Coins.
The company also intends to create a fully autonomous container that is able to invoice itself through cryptocurrency&#8211;specifically the Logi Chain.
Smart Containers combines IoT technology with blockchain to produce airfreight containers used to store and ship food and medicine. The containers are able to track and maintain temperatures for its cargo using blockchain, and is intended to help protect against product degradation.
Currently, Smart Containers rents out two types of containers: FoodContainers which is intended for shipping food and produce, while its SmartCell containers are intended for shipping medicine.
Globally, Statista estimates that the pharmaceutical industry rakes in USD1,105 billion worldwide, while the total value of food exports is estimated to be worth USD1,351.2 billion.
Featured image via Smart Containers on Medium. 
The post This Swiss Based IOT Company Did a Double ICO and Raised More Than 15 CHF Mio appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/this-swiss-based-iot-company-did-a-double-ico-and-raised-more-than-15-chf-mio</link><guid>758</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>This Swiss Based IOT Company Did a Double ICO and Raised More Than 15 CHF Mio</dc:text></item><item><title>Securosys Aims to Raise 16 CHF Mio Through ICO for Global Push</title><description><![CDATA[In its early days, data and communications securities company Securosys was able to score a huge client in the Swiss National Bank, and also close a successful seed funding round in 2015 to finance their data and communications security services. More recently the company notes that their services have been utilised by crypto-exchanges as well.
Now in 2018, the team is ready for a global expansion of their cybersecurity and encryption services, which has led Zurich-based company into following in the tech industry&#8217;s footsteps and issuing their own ICO to raise CHF 16 million, or approximtely US$16.4 million.
Securosys Issuing a Security Token
The Securosys ICO will be a security token, where investors should be able to convert their tokens into company shares or trade the tokens via stock exchanges or a secondary market.
According to Securosys, SET Token holders will collectively be entitled to an equivalent of 25% of all future dividends and potential exit gains, or be converted into shares for the company.
One of Securosys&#8217; key offerings is its Hardware Security Modules (HSM), which helps to securely store and generate private keys for encryption, authentication, signatures, certificates, and passwords—which can be appealing in the crypto world as well.
Currently, the company&#8217;s HSMs are utilised in the Swiss interbank clearing and settlement system operated by the SIX Group AG on behalf of the Swiss National Bank.
With the ICO, the company aims to target the fintech industry globally, both in and out of the crypto sphere.
The Growing Importance of Security in Fintech, Especially Cryptocurrency
A successful execution of their global expansion plans will depend on the company itself, but their decision to reach out to markets outside of Switzerland comes at an opportune time in the industry. Big data and crypto assets have come into prominence in recent years. Cybersecurity Ventures predicts that global cyber security spending will exceed $1 trillion from 2017 to 2021.
As for the crypto-sphere, it seems like we can&#8217;t even go through a week without hearing about one crypto-related hack or another.
As more of the world&#8217;s industry and life ports over online, it becomes even more crucial for data-based organisations to secure their assets against online threats, which is a gap that Securosys aims to fill.
More information about the ICO and white paper can be found on its dedicated website.
Featured image via Securosys
The post Securosys Aims to Raise 16 CHF Mio Through ICO for Global Push appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/securosys-aims-to-raise-16-chf-mio-through-ico-for-global-push</link><guid>757</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Securosys Aims to Raise 16 CHF Mio Through ICO for Global Push</dc:text></item><item><title>Liechtenstein Aspires to Become a Blockchain, Cryptocurrency Hub</title><description><![CDATA[Taking inspiration from nearby Crypto Valley in Zug, Switzerland, the tiny European principality of Liechtenstein is making every effort to become a hotbed for crypto and blockchain innovation.
Located between Switzerland, Austria, and Germany, Liechtenstein is known for its business-friendly legal framework, unique foundation law and low taxation. In the last decades, Liechtenstein has developed a very professional financial industry and is currently home to more than 700 licensed investment funds and 100 licensed asset management companies. The assets under management of Liechtenstein banks amounted to US$235 billion at the end of 2016.
The Liechtenstein financial marketplace is well known for its openness to innovative ideas and development, and these comprise cryptocurrency and blockchain-based products and companies. Liechtenstein is now going one step further and announced in March 2018 a comprehensive Blockchain Act.
Adrian Hasler, Prime Minister of Liechtenstein, Wikimedia
According to Liechtenstein’s prime minister Adrian Hasler, the new act will focus on integrating current business models in regulatory terms in order to give companies and their clients legal certainty. It is “intended to regulate all activities that are possible on technical systems such as distributed ledgers and blockchain systems,” Hasler said.
If and when implemented, the Blockchain Act would provide a legal basis for:

Security tokens
Ownership of digital assets
Transfer of ownership of digital assets
Security and storage of tokens
KYC/AML requirements
Several levels of licensing for business providers in the industry
Initial coin offerings (ICOs), token sales and token generation events (TGEs)

With the planned act, Liechtenstein would become one of the first countries in the world to regulate the blockchain topic to this extent and thus create the basis for extensive economic applications. The enactment is expected by fall 2018 and the law is intended to be put in force by beginning of 2019.
For Patrick Bont, executive board member, head of the banking division and practice leader for fintech at the Financial Market Authority (FMA) of Liechtenstein, it is the country’s small size that’s providing it with a considerable advantage over other jurisdictions.
“Because we are so small, blockchain companies can move a lot faster here than other countries,” Bont said. “You can call us for a meeting on Monday morning and we can meet you for lunch on Tuesday or Wednesday. Very few other places can do that consistently.”
 
Blockchain industry in Liechtenstein
Bitcoin Blockchain, Pexels.com
Compared to Switzerland or Germany, the cryptocurrency and blockchain space in Liechtenstein is still in early stages but a report by Tages Anzeiger suggests that an increasing number of companies rejected by Swiss banks are now tending towards neighboring Liechtenstein.
Liechtenstein now hosts more than 100 blockchain countries, according to Thomas Nägele, and financial institutions such as Bank Frick have been supporting them.
In recent years, Bank Frick has grown into a recognized leader in the space, and has helped over two dozen ICO projects establish traditional bank accounts with many more in the pipeline.
Today, the bank has approximately 200 clients in the crypto and blockchain space including corporate clients, such as cryptocurrency mining groups, brokers, exchanges, traders, and ICOs, as well as private clients engaged in the crypto and blockchain space.
Liechtenstein’s Union Bank announced earlier this month plans to issue its very own security tokens, and become “the first fully regulated bank” to do so.
In the future, Union Bank said it intended to become the world’s first “blockchain investment bank” and “a one-stop crypto and blockchain solution provider which embraces and integrates the new world of blockchain technology and crypto assets and the best practices of traditional banking.”
The move came just days after Liechtenstein Cryptoassets Exchange (LCX) and Binance, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trade volume, announced a new crypto-to-fiat exchange backed publicly by the prime minister. The new Liechtenstein-based exchange, dubbed Binance LCX, will support trading between the euro, Swiss franc and major cryptocurrency pairs, according to a press release.
Commenting on the launch, prime minister Hasler, said:
“Blockchain technologies are laying the basis for an entirely new industry. We are confident that Liechtenstein&#8217;s existing and future legal framework and practice provide a robust foundation for the Binance LCX and other blockchain companies to provide exceptional services here in Liechtenstein.”
 
Featured image: Liechtenstein, Pixabay.
The post Liechtenstein Aspires to Become a Blockchain, Cryptocurrency Hub appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/liechtenstein-aspires-to-become-a-blockchain-cryptocurrency-hub</link><guid>755</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Adrian_Hasler_Prime-Minister-Liechtenstein-219x300.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Liechtenstein Aspires to Become a Blockchain, Cryptocurrency Hub</dc:text></item><item><title>Using a Credit Card to Buy Bitcoin: Top 3 Exchanges</title><description><![CDATA[Buying Bitcoin has become easier over the years with more exchanges open for business and the existing ones fine-tuning their processes.
While it is now easier, many people continue to buy Bitcoin using bank accounts. This is actually an issue that many people find off-putting when purchasing Bitcoin because of the fear of hacking and fraud.
This is why you may be looking into buying Bitcoin using a credit card instead. In this situation, it is recommended that you learn how these credit card purchases will work and where it is possible to carry them out.
It Is Still A Rare Option
Using a credit card to get Bitcoin is just as simple and easy as doing so with a debit card or bank account.  The limited popularity of this method comes from the additional restrictions placed on these transactions. If you have a MasterCard or Visa card, you should not have any complications with purchasing Bitcoin. However, if the card is not with these companies but through another financial institution, you could have a problem.
You could have a card with Capital One and be unable to get Bitcoin due to the policies that Capital One sets in place. This institute, along with a number of others, has disallowed the purchase of Bitcoin using their credit cards.
Before you look at where credit card transactions for Bitcoin can be done, you should ensure that the card provider permits this. If not, the sale will be rejected and leave you with no Bitcoin to show for your efforts. These rejections are often caused by security measures which have already been put in place that flag Bitcoin transactions as fraudulent.
Where To Acquire Bitcoin With A Credit Card
To purchase Bitcoin, you have to work through an exchange. There are almost 500 exchanges operating right now and most will not accept credit cards. Fortunately, some exchanges will accept this payment method and you need to know what they are.
Coinmama
Coinmama is a cryptocurrency exchange that actually specializes in exchanging Bitcoin as well as Ethereum for fiat, and you can use a credit card for it. Only MasterCard and Visa credit cards will be accepted currently.  One of the issues with this exchange is the fact that it services only 40 states.
When purchasing Bitcoin, a transaction fee of approximately 6% is charged by this exchange. This is so high because of the high-risk nature Bitcoin transactions have and the associated processing of card transactions. The primary benefit of this exchange is that they have high purchase limits. You are able to buy $5,000 of Bitcoin per day and up to $30,000 per month.
BitPanda
You have to be a European resident to buy crypto at BitPanda. Many people find this annoying as BitPanda has some of the lowest transaction fees of between 3 to 4%. As the exchange has a European focus, it might be harder for residents of other countries to open accounts and buy Bitcoin. However, the exchange is able to provide selling options for people around the world.
Residents of European countries are able to easily use their Visa or MasterCard credit cards to get Bitcoin. Of course, you will have to go through account verification to limit the chances of fraud. BitPanda is a trusted as well as a reliable exchange that makes it easy for people in Europe to get Bitcoin with their credit card.
CEX.IO
CEX.IO is one of the oldest exchanges out there and it operates in many different countries from South America to Europe. They also offer a fairly low transaction fee when compared to other exchanges.
If you are a resident of the United States, you have to note that this Bitcoin exchange does not operate in every state. If you live in one of the states which are not supported, you will be unable to purchase Bitcoin here. Another problem that people have with this exchange is the extensive verification process that you need to complete to open an account.
The whole process can take around 30 minutes to do. This can be increased as the information they require includes personal information as well as a photograph. However, this is something that you will find with almost any reputable exchange that is to comply with anti-money laundering policies.
What About Coinbase?
If you are not completely new to Bitcoin or cryptocurrencies, you will know about Coinbase as it is the biggest exchange out there. However, it has not been covered in the list of places where Bitcoin can be acquired using credit cards. This is down to changes that have been made after the banks imposed restrictions on purchasing Bitcoin with a credit card.
Previously, Coinbase did support Bitcoin purchasing with credit cards, but this is no longer true. If you open a new account with Coinbase, you cannot add and verify a credit card anymore. This feature has been suspended and cards only work for people who were already using them. Even these people are being told by Coinbase that they should change their payment method to either a bank account or debit card.
Purchasing Bitcoin via credit card should be easy if you are working with the correct exchange and the correct card. MasterCard and Visa are accepted by some exchanges, and these companies allow for these transactions to be completed. The problem comes with the bank that issues the card as well as the exchange because they do not all accept credit cards.
Featured image via ShutterStock
The post Using a Credit Card to Buy Bitcoin: Top 3 Exchanges appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/using-a-credit-card-to-buy-bitcoin-top-3-exchanges</link><guid>754</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/BitPanda.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Using a Credit Card to Buy Bitcoin: Top 3 Exchanges</dc:text></item><item><title>ICO Rekord aus Österreich. Firma Holt 30 Millionen Dollar</title><description><![CDATA[Grapevine World, das international tätige IT-Startup mit Sitz in Wien, hat am Mittwoch, den 15. August 2018, den ICO  für sein gleichnamiges digitales Ökosystem erfolgreich abgeschlossen.
Mit Unterstützung der Krypto-Community und Investitionszusagen von Geschäftspartnern, institutionellen Investoren und Privatpersonen erreichte Grapevine World das anvisierte Finanzierungsziel von 30 Millionen Dollar.
Der ICO bestand aus einer privaten Runde im Februar 2018 und einer öffentlichen Runde vom 6. Juli bis 15. August 2018. In einem nächsten Schritt werden die GrapevineTokens (GVINE) bei verschiedenen Exchange-Plattformen gelistet.
Martin Tiani
„Wir freuen uns, dass wir einen der grössten österreichischen ICOs so erfolgreich abgeschlossen haben. Jetzt arbeiten wir weiter mit voller Kraft daran, den globalen Datenaustausch im Gesundheitsbereich voranzutreiben.
Durch eine weltweite Verfügbarkeit von Gesundheitsdaten kann Grapevine World die gesamte Gesundheitsbranche für alle Beteiligten – von Patienten über Ärzte bis zu Forschungseinrichtungen – revolutionieren“,
sagt Martin Tiani, CEO und Gründer von Grapevine World.
 
Pilotprojekt: Klinische Prüfung bei internationalem Pharmaunternehmen
In einem Pilotprojekt wird Folgendes in den kommenden Monaten erprobt: die Kombination aus markterprobten Interoperabilitäts-Standards im Austausch von Gesundheitsdaten (IHE) und innovativer Blockchain-Technologie für die Verfolgung und Bewertung der Herkunft von Gesundheitsdaten.
Dieser Pilot ist ein Testlauf, um das Potenzial der Lösung im Rahmen einer klinischen Studie bei einem Forbes-100-Pharmaunternehmen zu belegen. Dabei ermöglicht Grapevine World den Zugang zu anonymisierten Daten, unabhängig von ihrem Speicherort.
Um das anspruchsvolle globale Technologieprojekt zu realisieren, arbeitet GrapevineWorld mit einer Vielzahl von Partnerunternehmen, wie Microsoft und Telekom Deutschland, zusammen und erweitert laufend sein Experten- und Partnernetzwerk. In naher Zukunft sind weitere nationale und internationale Projekte sowie Testbetriebe geplant.
Featured Image via ShutterStock
The post ICO Rekord aus Österreich. Firma Holt 30 Millionen Dollar appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ico-rekord-aus-osterreich-firma-holt-30-millionen-dollar</link><guid>753</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Martin-Tiani.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>ICO Rekord aus Österreich. Firma Holt 30 Millionen Dollar</dc:text></item><item><title>AI to Transform the Finance Landscape: WEF Report</title><description><![CDATA[Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a critical aspect in financial services.
Financial institutions around the world are making large-scale investments in AI and the trend isn’t expected to slow down anytime soon. The World Economic Forum (WEF) projects this number to reach US$10 billion by 2020.
AI is enabling financial institutions to drive new efficiencies and deliver new kinds of value in all areas of insurance and finance, from deposits and lending, and payments, to market infrastructure, investment management and capital markets.
But to grasp the full potential of AI, all stakeholders including financial institutions and regulators, will need to collaborate to address new types of risks and prepare the labor force to new needs, according to a new report by WEF called the New Physics of Financial Services.
Diagram from the New Physics of Financial Services, World Economic Forum
Released earlier this month, the report explores the impact of AI on financial services and highlights the following keys findings and predictions:
Institutions will increasingly turn AI-enabled back-office operations into external services. Existing examples of software ‘as a service’ offerings and providers include Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, BlackRock and Ping An.
AI is enabling new ways to differentiate offerings and win clients. Financial institutions are seeking to differentiate themselves by using AI to build new products and data ecosystems. The Royal Bank of Canada for instance is piloting a forecasting tool for car dealers to predict demand for vehicle purchases based on customer data, and Lloyds Banking Group is looking to become an ecosystem provider and “trusted guardian of data.”
Artificial intelligence, Pixabay
AI can deliver a radically reimagined customer experience by allowing customers’ finances to run themselves. A growing number of financial institutions are applying AI to customer advice and interactions including Citi, which recently launched a mobile app that allows customers to link their accounts across providers, Bank of American, which launched a new AI-powered financial assistant in May, and services such as Clarity Money and MoneyLion are using AI to offer mass advice and customization to help improve customers’ financial positions.
Collaborative AI-driven tools, built on shared datasets, can enable a safer and more efficient financial system. Collective institutions such as SWIFT and EarlyWarning have started developing service offerings that will leverage AI and the collective power of data to address regulatory, fraud prevention and risk mitigation requirements.
The economics of AI will push market structures to extremes, favoring scale players and agile innovators at the expense of mid-sized firms.
Managing partnerships with competitors and potential competitors will be critical. Partnerships are already proliferating across the financial services ecosystem, but only time will tell if these relationships drive sustained value. These include for instance the partnership between JPMorgan Chase, Amazon and Berkshire Hathaway to build a health insurance alliance. In the EU, the result of open banking is enabling new entrants such as N26, Squirrel and Klarna to expand more quickly.
Regulations governing the privacy and portability of data will shape the ability of financial and non-financial institutions to deploy AI. Currently, global data regulations are undergoing a period of big change with the revised PSD2 of the EU, and open banking regulations in the UK, for instance.
Talent transformation will be the most challenging speed limit on institutions’ implementations of AI. Financial institutions will need help to conceptualize the union of talent and technology. Institutions such as Mizuho Financial Group for example is developing AI tools to increase efficiency across both the front and back office, which they say could replace 19,000 staff, or a third of its staff, and close 30 branches.
Mitigating the social and economic risks of AI in financial services will require multi-stakeholder collaboration.
In recent years, numerous fintech startups leveraging AI to better serve customers have been established around the world. Some of the most notable ventures are based in the US and include ZestFinance, a company that applies its unique credit-deaccessioning technology platform — based on data science and machine learning — to help lenders effectively predict credit risk so they can increase revenues, reduce risk and ensure compliance, Upstart, the first lending platform to leverage AI and machine learning to price credit and automate the borrowing process, Affirm, which has developed a point-of-sale consumer financing technology that uses AI algorithms to perform an almost instantaneous credit check on customers, Cape Analytics, which uses AI and geospatial imagery to provide instant property intelligence so insurers can more accurately assess a property&#8217;s risk and value, and Numerai, an AI-run, crowd-sourced hedge fund.
Switzerland is home to a growing AI startup community with ventures operating in fintech, insurtech, but also agriculture, e-commerce, and robotics.
Swiss fintech startups that uses AI include Accounto, an online invoicing and accounting solution, InvestGlass, a startup that provides an integrated wealth advisor platform, NetGuardians, a regtech startup that provides fraud and risk assurance solutions, and WealthArc, a cloud-based fintech platform.
The post AI to Transform the Finance Landscape: WEF Report appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ai-to-transform-the-finance-landscape-wef-report</link><guid>752</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/AI-in-financial-services-1024x870.png</dc:content ><dc:text>AI to Transform the Finance Landscape: WEF Report</dc:text></item><item><title>Liechtenstein’s Union Bank AG Becomes First Licensed Bank to Issue Its Own Stable Coin</title><description><![CDATA[Liechtenstein&#8217;s Union Bank AG  announced that it will be the world&#8217;s first fully licensed and regulated bank to issue its own security tokens &#8211; Union Bank Payment Coin.
According to them its Union Bank Payment Coin, is the first that is in alignment with Liechtenstein&#8217;s regulatory authority FMA. The Union Bank Payment Coin will be a stable coin that is fully backed by a fiat currencies like the Swiss Francs.
Operating in the blockchain-friendly environment of Liechtenstein, Union Bank AG already supports ICOs and clients by partnering with crypto-brokers and crypto-advisors to facilitate efficient and transparent conversions between crypto and fiat currencies.
Through the plans announced today, the bank will extend and improve its existing services and offerings. It will be taking the first steps to position itself as a full-service blockchain investment bank, eventually adopting the blockchain fully throughout its processes and supporting technology.
Union Bank AG will be working with Verum Capital AG on this initiative, a leading blockchain boutique based out of Switzerland.
Commenting on the move, M.H. Dastmaltchi, Chairman, Union Bank AG said their goal is to become the world&#8217;s first blockchain investment bank.

MH Dastmaltchi
 
Commenting on the move, M.H. Dastmaltchi, Chairman, Union Bank AG said their goal is to become the world&#8217;s first blockchain investment bank. In line with that, their aim is also to be a one-stop crypto and blockchain solution provider.
 
 
 
Featured image via ShutterStock
The post Liechtenstein&#8217;s Union Bank AG Becomes First Licensed Bank to Issue Its Own Stable Coin appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/liechtensteins-union-bank-ag-becomes-first-licensed-bank-to-issue-its-own-stable-coin</link><guid>751</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Liechtenstein’s Union Bank AG Becomes First Licensed Bank to Issue Its Own Stable Coin</dc:text></item><item><title>A List of Cryptocurrency Custody Solutions for Consumers and Institutions</title><description><![CDATA[Self-custody is an important and fundamentally native feature of cryptocurrency. A blockchain-based digital asset can be stored by its owner without the help of traditional financial intermediaries, such as banks, registered brokers/dealers or qualified custodians. But just because you can store all your coins yourself, should you?
The answer depends on many factors, for example, the variety of currencies, the frequency of transfer and the complexities and risks of self-custody which commensurate with the size of funds being stored. Moreover, your custody solution will differ depending on whether you are a typical consumer, a high net worth individual, an asset manager, a corporation, or a recently minted ICO project with cryptocurrency in your treasury.
While most consumers will often prefer the self-custody option, some will likely keep their deposits in hosted exchange accounts. ICO recipients will likely rely on self-custody methods, in addition to remote cold storage if the amounts are large enough and the team has long term hold requirements.
Cryptocurrency custody is more difficult to implement for investment managers. Due to the regulatory nature of their operations, funds require stringent custody methods that address risks such as security of the digital assets, counterparty risk and operational efficiency that comply with requirements of their regulator. Typically, these funds work with qualified (or licensed) custodians with audited control processes who exist to protect these assets and minimise the risk of their theft or loss, whether these are assets in physical or electronic forms.
From a technology perspective, blockchain technology could transform the role of the qualified custodian at many levels:

High levels of security can be achieved via strong encryption (which is at the base of blockchain technology).
Verification of funds can be granted to white-listed originators (e.g. auditors) via remote access of blockchain addresses that reveal transaction history via multiple levels of private keys access privileges.
The proof of existence and control element of a fund audit can be accomplished quickly and almost in real-time, because the integrity of every transaction is easily verifiable via the record immutability feature of the blockchain. “Proof of existence and control of funds” on the blockchain has the promise of being a very efficient process.
Digital assets can be quickly transferred to a broker, exchange, dealer, bank, or directly into a client-side relay for on-chain transaction processing.
Specific compliance rules can be embedded in smart contracts or via cryptographically secure multi-signature rules, and they could be automatically enacted upon.

However traditional compliance regulation has not yet caught up to the above mentioned blockchain advances because these new blockchain properties have not been incorporated into new compliance rules that could benefit from using them. For those same reasons, funds are creating their own custody strategies and methods by combining new tech with traditional compliance processes.
In an ideal world, everyone could practice self-custodianship while providing auditors and regulators the required transparency, protection and proofs. But the reality is different: while technology “can” do this, purely cryptographic institutional practices are not here yet.
For these reasons, custody of crypto assets presents a high barrier to entry into the crypto market for institutional players. While self-custody is the preferred method for individuals, institutional money needs institutional level custody, but it’s not yet clear what the best solution is. As new players (hedge funds, VCs, exchange-traded funds, mutual funds, asset managers) are entering the market, many are seeking out third party custodians rather than opting for self-custody.
After analysing dozens of market players, we have categorised them as follows:

The consumer side of the market can be divided into hardware or software-based solutions, each with their respective sub-segmentation: special device vs. PC / smartphone, or mobile vs. web / desktop. The institutional side cannot be as easily dissected into clearly demarcated boundaries because the lines of functionality are overlapping between them. That said, we have found the following segmentation characteristics to be useful:

Privately managed approach, via consumer-like options. Nothing prevents an institution from adopting the same methods as consumers, if they are satisfied with them.
Jointly managed solution as a service, where the set-up and activation are semi-private, requiring co-ordination and approvals to be co-managed according to a set of rules and processes that govern the customer-provider relationship.
Service-level approach equivalent to membership into a platform as a service, where the provider handles all requirements and the customer instructs them to conduct various actions.
Custom design of a proprietary solution that might include a combination of the above choices.

The third-party custody market is relatively new and evolving quickly. The market is not short of options, but some homework is required for each case in order to figure out what works and what doesn’t.
Third-party custodians looking to offer custody for institutions are still in the process of developing their products and services, while institutions seeking third party custodians are still figuring out what features they need, and how to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of these solutions, when compared to self-custody.
Most third-party custodians offer slight variations of a similar service as they approach the same problem from different angles. What this means is that we are now in an environment where some companies have regulatory status and others don’t, some companies offer more cryptocurrency choices than others, some offer fiat support, some have a prime brokerage service while others purely focus on custody. This is all to say that there is no obvious go-to institutional model yet.
Custody has been a popular topic here at JM3 Capital. The market is still developing and there isn’t one silver-bullet solution, so we believe a mix of custody solutions is the best option. As a result, our course of action has been to thoroughly investigate as many options as possible.
This process gave us a good understanding of the custody market, and we wanted to share our findings with the community. When researching third-party custodians, we considered key features including:

Jurisdiction — Politically stable jurisdiction with a long history of recognising the rights of ownership
Size of the organisation i.e. number of employees, clients and assets under custody
Experience of the team operating the custody solution
Regulatory status and Compliance– are they regulated? Relationship with regulators?
Customer Support — Easily accessible? 24/7?
Level of security — e.g. 2FA/Multi-sig. Operational process? Storage of assets?
Disaster recovery scenarios
Private key ownership/exclusivity
Cryptocurrencies/tokens offered
Fiat support
Minimum amounts required for custody/transactions
Pooling or segregation of digital assets
Configurability of process and custom workflows for transfers
Assessment of onboarding, setup, safekeeping, recovery and security procedures
Costs including: setup costs, custody fees (as a % of AUC), transaction fees
Liquidity: how long does it take to get access to your funds and/or make a transaction?
Prime brokerage services offered

As well as completing a due diligence questionnaire covering all the relevant areas, the work of our operations team includes meeting with the custodians, reviewing control reports, following up with reference calls and continuously monitoring the financial health of selected custodians. The research made clear that what one custodian might have another is missing, and there is a general tradeoff between security and operational efficiency.
After surveying the market in-depth, we decided to share the complete list of our findings via a public Google Sheet, accessible on this link, and here is where these solutions are on the map:

Third-party custody is an area that will keep changing and evolving, and the spreadsheet will continue to be updated as JM3 Capital works and grows with the market. We might not have seen everything yet, but we see this as a useful resource that the community can contribute to.
Looking forward, we can expect to see an increase of next generation custody solutions that will be introduced in late 2018 and during 2019 (we know of a few that are in stealth mode).
This is a guest post from Jean-Philippe. He is part of the investment team at JM3 Capital, a brand under Blockchain Technology Ventures. The latter formed a division under Jabre Capital Partners SA.

This article first appeared on Medium.com
The post A List of Cryptocurrency Custody Solutions for Consumers and Institutions appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/a-list-of-cryptocurrency-custody-solutions-for-consumers-and-institutions</link><guid>750</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1600/1*O951HxSUAEIFlv1ctf1e6A.png</dc:content ><dc:text>A List of Cryptocurrency Custody Solutions for Consumers and Institutions</dc:text></item><item><title>3 Reasons to Attend the Upcoming Blockchain for Finance 2018 in Ireland</title><description><![CDATA[The term blockchain has evolved tremendously since its infancy, we&#8217;d spend time talking about it&#8217;s transformational nature and disruptive potential, but we&#8217;re sure you&#8217;ve heard plenty of it from the blockchain experts that are suddenly coming up from the woodworks.
While there are varying opinions on blockchain from detractors arguing that blockchain is a crappy technology all the way to evangelists calling it the most disruptive technology in decades &#8211; there&#8217;s one thing we can all agree on is that the development in this space is dizzying.
Which is why we think events Blockchain For Finance 2018 EU can come in handy for blockchain professionals to keep themselves abreast with the latest developments and non-blockchain professionals to keep tabs on the industry.
We&#8217;ve check out the agenda and line-up and here are a few reasons we feel the event might be worth your time.
(If you&#8217;ve already made up your mind about attending, use our discount code FINSG10 to save 10%)
Get the Opportunity to Deep Dive into Ireland Blockchain Ecosystem

Image Credit: publicdomainpictures.net
Though when most people speak of countries where blockchain can thrive, places like Zug, Silicon Valley and Singapore often comes to mind, Ireland has really been stepping up their game to position themselves as a blockchain hub.
IDA Ireland an agency responsible for promoting investment recently led an initiative known as Blockchain Ireland which aims to foster innovation and position Ireland as an investment destination for blockchain related projects.
Not wanting to be left behind, the &#8220;Big Four&#8221; Irish banks has also enter into a blockchain pilot project for payments.
This subject will of course be explored in depth by top government officials from agencies like IDA, Enteprise Ireland&#8217;s Fintech team and the Ireland&#8217;s Department of Finance.
Explore if Quantum Computing Could Threaten Blockchain&#8217;s Existence
For the uninitiated computing today works in binaries either in 1&#8217;s or 0&#8217;s whereas quantum computing uses quantum-mechanical phenomena, such as superposition and entanglement to exist in both states. In plain English, it simply means a huge performance boost for computing like we&#8217;ve never seen before.
This is perhaps best explained by Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau whose eloquent answers surprised reporters at a press conference.

While this technology brings about exciting possibilities, some argue that the emergence of quantum computing could break the standard cryptography that blockchain relies on. Some even going as far as saying it would be child&#8217;s play for such technology to break blockchain&#8217;s cryptographic protection.
By attending BFC EU 2018, you&#8217;ll get to hear the thoughts of Dr. Lee Braine, Investment Bank CTO Office at Barclays who has been building their knowledge of quantum computing and find out what they&#8217;ve discovered about it.
Examine the Realities of Central Bank Backed Cryptocurrency

Although Venezuela is not exactly a great poster boy for a central bank backed cryptocurrency and many of the countries looking into this use case hails from authoritarian regimes, we still should not discount the possibility of a future with central bank backed cryptocurrencies.
Who better to shine light on this issue than the folks from BIS an organisation that is owned by 60 central banks to look at global financial stability. An organisation that we&#8217;re sure many Swiss are familiar with since it is headquarted in Basel.
They recently published study indicating that many forms of Central Bank Backed Cryptocurrency are possible and may enhance efficiency for international settlements among others
Attendees will be able to hear from Henry Holden, a committee member for Payments and Markets Infrasructure for BIS on this research and what the implications maybe for the global economy.
There are so many more compelling and thought provoking subjects curated by the folks a BFC EU, if you wish to check out the full agenda you can do so here. If like us you&#8217;re already convinced, you can register now and get 10% off with our code: FIN10

The brochure is now available to download at for anyone interested in finding out more: http://bit.ly/2MA52At
Featured Image via blockchain.fintecnet.com
The post 3 Reasons to Attend the Upcoming Blockchain for Finance 2018 in Ireland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/3-reasons-to-attend-the-upcoming-blockchain-for-finance-2018-in-ireland</link><guid>749</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/BFC-EU-Ireland-Blockchain-Ireland-e1535097305887-1024x309.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>3 Reasons to Attend the Upcoming Blockchain for Finance 2018 in Ireland</dc:text></item><item><title>In 9 Monaten 50 Mio AUM in Fintech Vorsorge; Robo Advisor Brauchten dafür 3 Jahre!</title><description><![CDATA[Seit der Lancierung von VIAC – der digitalen Säule 3a – sind bereits 9 Monate vergangen. In dieser kurzen Zeit wurde bereits die Marke von CHF 50 Mio. an verwalteten Vermögen überschritten.
Diese verteilen sich auf nicht weniger als 4‘300 Kunden. Damit zählt VIAC zu den schnellst wachsenden Fintech Start-Ups der Schweiz.
Pro Woche werden mehr als hundert 3a Beziehungen per VIAC-App eröffnet und weit über eine Million CHF investiert. Diese Zahlen erreicht das Unternehmen ohne gross Werbung zu machen.
«Wir haben uns entschieden, unsere finanziellen Ressourcen besser in unser Produkt zu stecken»,
erklärt Daniel Peter, Initiant hinter der VIAC App, und fügt an:
«Begeisterte Kunden empfehlen VIAC weiter – das ist die beste Werbung, die es gibt». (Amerkung der Redaktion: auch wir besitzen ein Viac Konto)
Daniel Peter, CEO Viac
Normalerweise ist die Säule 3a ein rein saisonales Geschäft, das nur in den Monaten November bis Februar floriert.
«Dank unserem konsequent auf den Nutzer ausgerichteten Angebot konnten wir aber auch während der Sommermonaten kräftig wachsen.»
sagt Daniel Peter und fügt augenzwinkernd an:
«Der schlechteste Tag war am Tag der Streetparade»
Hinter dem Angebot der VIAC App steht die Basler Terzo Vorsorgestiftung der WIR Bank, die bereits seit über 15 Jahren klassische 3a Konten anbietet. Mit dem Ausbau des digitalen Angebots wurde der Nerv der Zeit getroffen. Das Angebot überzeugt bei der Kundschaft durch die Einfachheit, die tiefen Gebühren und den guten Kundenservice.
«Oft wird bei rein digitalen Produkten am Kundenservice gespart. Wir sehen hier in der hohen Verfügbarkeit und der direkten Kundenansprache gerade das Potential, um sich von den Mitbewerbern zu distanzieren», sagt Christian Mathis, ebenfalls einer der Köpfe hinter VIAC, und fügt an «Wir setzen bewusst keinen Chatbot ein. Wenn ich als Kunde eine Frage habe, dann bevorzuge ich die Antwort eines Experten gegenüber der eines Roboters».
Kundenberatung per Chat
Bei VIAC werden Chatanfragen auch spät abends oder am Wochenende von den drei VIAC Initianten höchst persönlich beantwortet «So war das auch schon mal auf dem Skilift oder beim Baden am Vierwaldstättersee». Seit der Lancierung vor 9 Monaten gingen bereits mehrere tausend Chatanfragen bei VIAC ein.
Nicht nur das Interesse der Kunden scheint vorhanden zu sein – «Wir durften unser Produkte bereits bei diversen Banken und Versicherungen vorstellen», verrät Daniel Peter. Das Wachstumspotential scheint also noch lange nicht ausgeschöpft.
Dem neusten Geschäftsbericht der WIR Bank ist zudem zu entnehmen, dass VIAC bald auch in den Freizügigkeitslösungen wirbeln wird.
Viac bestätigt dies auf Anfrage von Fintechnews:
&#8220;Bis Ende Jahr lancieren wir eine Web-Version der 3a Lösung, im Frühling 2019 möchten wir dann den Freizügigkeits-Bereich angreifen.&#8221;
VIAC In Zahlen

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The post In 9 Monaten 50 Mio AUM in Fintech Vorsorge; Robo Advisor brauchten dafür 3 Jahre! appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/in-9-monaten-50-mio-aum-in-fintech-vorsorge-robo-advisor-brauchten-dafur-3-jahre</link><guid>746</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/viac-graphic.png</dc:content ><dc:text>In 9 Monaten 50 Mio AUM in Fintech Vorsorge; Robo Advisor Brauchten dafür 3 Jahre!</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Startups Increasingly Turn to ICOs</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss fintech startups raised a total of CHF 288 million through nine initial coin offerings (ICOs) in the first half of 2018, surpassing venture capital (VC) investments, according to a new report by e-foresight, the IFZ and Swisscom.

The rise of ICOs is real and considerable in Switzerland with the total amount raised by ICOs already surpassing the whole year 2017 with CHF 283 million and seven ICOs.
The nine ICOs in the first half of 2018 were Swissborg Invest AG, Tend Technologies AG, AidCoin, Proxeus, Envion AG, Traxia Stiftung, TokenPay Swiss AG, Odin Wealthmanagement AG, and Trade.io.

The trend towards the alternative financing method will continue this year, according to the report, but affairs such as the investigation of Envion, showcase that the market is still premature and highly risky.
The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) announced last month the launch of enforcement proceedings against Envion over a possible infringement of financial market law in relation to its ICO. FINMA replaced the company’s board with a law firm working for the regulator.
Nevertheless, startups are increasingly turning to ICOs to raise funding. Earlier this month, digital encryption startup Securosys unveiled plans for an unconventional ICO that combines the new fundraising style with elements of securities law.
Securosys will be looking to raise about US$16 million through the ICO. It has already approved 25% of its shares for the token conversion as conditional capital. ICO participants will receive a token; 100 tokens translate into one Securosys share.
The Zurich-based fintech startup has been profitable for two years and won a huge client in 2015, one year only after its founding: SIX interbank clearing.
Besides ICOs, VC investment is on the rise too this year. In the first half of 2018, the report states that Swiss fintech startups raised a total volume of CHF 101 million through 15 VC deals. 2018 is set to surpass 2017’s VC volume of CHF 151 million and 48 deals. According to the report, VC deals are growing larger in size on average from CHF 61 million in 2016 to CHF 151 million in 2017.
67% of overall volume of VC funding (CHF 67.2 million) in the first half of 2018 went to the crypto area of business, followed by payments (CHF 27.1 million), investing and asset management (CHF 4.6 million), and crowdfunding (CHF 1.4 million).
Switzerland is currently home to about 270 fintech startups, according to the lastest’ monthly Swiss Fintech Startup Map.
The most crowded segment is investing and asset management with 69 startups, crypto with 61 startups, and crowdfunding with 48 startups.
The post Swiss Fintech Startups Increasingly Turn to ICOs appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-startups-increasingly-turn-to-icos</link><guid>747</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/VC-ICOs-Switzerland-2018-Swisscom-1024x574.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Startups Increasingly Turn to ICOs</dc:text></item><item><title>Venture Leaders Fintech Interview: Meet Florian Kübler of Lend</title><description><![CDATA[Florian Kübler is co-founder and CEO of Switzerlend AG, which operates the platform lend.ch.  Lend is a fast growing marketplace lending platform in Switzerland, cutting out the middleman to pass the cost benefits on to both lenders and borrowers. The company has transacted more than 1,000 loans and is now scaling into additional business areas.
Venturelab brings this autumn 10 Swiss Fintech Startups to New York
This is the 10th and last part of the Fintech Startup Interview serial powered by Venturelab. Fintechnews wishes all of the startups success in NYC.
Florian Kübler
Where do you see the biggest opportunities in fintech over the next five years?
In data science, non-conventional underwriting methods will revolutionise lending. Scalable marketplace lending platforms will benefit the most, as they already have great user experiences compared with traditional players.
In institutional business,owing to the low-interest environment, institutional lenders are forced to invest into private debt. We already have some institutionals on our platform and we expect many more to join.
What is pushing you towards international expansion?
The power of our IT lies in scalability. Only applying it in a contained market like Switzerland would be a waste.
What do you see as the greatest obstacle to expansion into the global market?
Regulation. Europe is a very fragmented market that makes scaling of our platform difficult. Having a Europe-wide passport solution would be very helpful
What attracts you to New York as a business development destination?
New York is THE financial centre where financial innovation happens first. Trends emerge from here, and it is important to spot them early and see if they are adoptable in Switzerland and Europe. Connecting with investors will be very interesting, to understand more how they think and what priorities they have.
What do you hope to achieve on the trip? What are you most looking forward to?
I’m looking forward to networking with other Swiss startups, meeting US startups in p2p lending and connecting with US-based venture capitalists.
How is the Venture Leaders program beneficial for your startup?
The “final 10” headline already generated great publicity and the Venturelab network is highly beneficial for us to get ahead.
The post Venture Leaders Fintech Interview: Meet Florian Kübler of Lend appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/venture-leaders-fintech-interview-meet-florian-kubler-of-lend</link><guid>745</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Switzerlend-Florian-Kübler-180619-CU-polo-Jasmin-Frei-Pep-Shot-300x200.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Venture Leaders Fintech Interview: Meet Florian Kübler of Lend</dc:text></item><item><title>Bitcoin Suisse Celebrates Five-Year Anniversary</title><description><![CDATA[Since being founded in August 2013, Bitcoin Suisse has built a comprehensive brokerage and storage offer, facilitated and provided services for some of the world’s largest ICOs and attracted senior financial services executives to the crypto-finance industry.
Recently, the company announced the launch of the Swiss Crypto Vault, which offers hyper-secure storage of crypto-assets. Today, Bitcoin Suisse celebrates its five-year anniversary.
Founded in August 2013, Bitcoin Suisse was the first company in Switzerland to professionally offer crypto-assets and crypto-financial services at scale. At the time, there existed but a few cryptoassets, with Bitcoin being by far the dominant player in the market.
Today, there are over 1600 and more and more traditional securities and assets are expected to be issued in a decentralized manner moving forwards. Within its first year, the company joined a Swiss self-regulatory organisation, supervised by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA).
During that time, Bitcoin Suisse also started deploying Bitcoin ATMs in Switzerland to facilitate mainstream access to and adaption of crypto-currencies. In August 2014, the Ethereum crowd offering and the associated FINMA approval of the crowd-sale established the precedence and legality of selling crypto-tokens against currency (ICO). Bitcoin Suisse helped facilitate investment into the Ethereum crowd-sale, thus starting its multi-year relationship with both the ICO-topic and the Ethereum Foundation.
Bitcoin in Zug
In April 2016, Bitcoin Suisse opened up the first large scale crypto-mining facility in Switzerland. Soon afterwards the company took charge of software development in-house by founding BTCS Technologies ApS in Copenhagen. Proprietary software is a key in terms of product offerings, security and performance in the financial services industry. Today, 18 full-time employees work for BTCS Technologies.
When the Swiss town of Zug started accepting Bitcoin payments in July 2016, Bitcoin Suisse provided the necessary infrastructure. At that time, the town was the first public institution in the world to accept Bitcoin as payment for public services. Other institutions such as the Commercial Register Office of the Canton of Zug and the University of Lucerne soon followed the town’s example and chose Bitcoin Suisse as their service provider.
With the demand for exposure to crypto-assets as well  as for crypto-financial services having grown rapidly in the past 5 years, Bitcoin Suisse has expanded its client base to include family offices, funds, asset managers and banks. In July 2017 Falcon Private Bank selected Bitcoin Suisse as its service provider for the bank’s crypto-asset management solutions, thus becoming the first bank in the world to offer the buying, selling and storage of cryptoassets directly to its clients.
During 2017, Bitcoin Suisse facilitated a number of the world’s then largest ICOs, including projects such as Tezos, Bancor and Status. Bitcoin Suisse has over the past years helped dozens of ICOing entities with their offering and tens of thousands of contributors to find and contribute to some of the most successful Initial Coin Offerings and Token Generation Events on record.
Arthur Vayloyan,
After a career spanning more than 20 years at Credit Suisse, Dr. Arthur Vayloyan joined the company in November 2017 as CEO. Together with Urs Bigger and Luzius Meisser, Vayloyan was appointed to the Board of Directors.
Further seasoned financial services experts joined the management team including Stefan Lütolf as Head of Trading &amp; Brokerage, Rolf Gätzi as Head of Finance and Operations and David Riegelnig as Head of Risk Management. In this way Bitcoin Suisse has built a strong executive team and board, bringing together top-end knowledge, know-how and track record from both the crypto-financial scene with that of traditional finance.
At the end of 2017, Bitcoin Suisse became a main sponsor of the Danish hockey team Rungsted Seier Capital, being the first ever crypto-financial company to sponsor a national major league professional sports team.
65 Emploeyees and Sponsor of Danish Hockey Team
During 2018, Bitcoin Suisse extended its service offering continuously and expanded its team from about 20 people at the end of 2017 to over 65 highly skilled employees as of August 2018. Relentless efforts to further improve the service quality have resulted in high client satisfaction and continued growth of the company’s business lines.
For Bitcoin Suisse, the five-year anniversary provides an excellent opportunity to reflect on what has been achieved and to highlight the successes that have shaped our firm and our industry. Above all, it is an opportunity to thank everyone involved for their commitment, trust, visionary thinking and hard work.
Niklas Nikolajsen, Chairman and Founder of Bitcoin Suisse said:

Niklas Nikolajsen
“In recent weeks alone, the company expanded the management team, moved to new offices, launched new key services and announced the launch of the Swiss Crypto Vault, which offers hyper-secure storage of crypto-assets.
Moving forwards, we have international ambitions, as well as ambitions to move key existing and new business activities into regulated entities in Switzerland and/or abroad. I would like to thank everyone who has joined me on this extraordinary journey during the last five years, and who has helped turn Bitcoin Suisse into the great success story it is today.”
 
The post Bitcoin Suisse Celebrates Five-Year Anniversary appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bitcoin-suisse-celebrates-five-year-anniversary</link><guid>744</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Arthur-Vayloyan.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Bitcoin Suisse Celebrates Five-Year Anniversary</dc:text></item><item><title>Postfinance Garantiert 100’000CHF für Online Banking Schäden</title><description><![CDATA[12 % der Schweizer sind bisher noch nicht auf dem Online Banking und zahlen Rechnungen am Postschalter, meist aus Sicherheitsbedenken. Genau auf diese Kundengruppe hat es die Postfinance mit der neuen Aktion abgesehen.
Als erste Bank in der Schweiz verspricht PostFinance ihren Kundinnen und Kunden aktiv, dass sie finanzielle Schäden im Onlinebanking, die aus technischen Angriffen entstehen, bis zu einem Betrag von 100’000 Franken pro Fall vollständig übernimmt.
PostFinance ist heute Marktführerin im Online- und Mobile Banking in der Schweiz. Trotzdem erledigen viele ihrer Kundinnen und Kunden ihre Bankgeschäfte immer noch analog. Den Anteil dieser Kunden will PostFinance in den kommenden Monaten und Jahren deutlich senken, indem sie sie von der analogen in die digitale Welt begleitet. Das Ziel ist «Digitales Banking – einfach und für alle».
Bedrohungen durch technische Angriffe
Neben den zahlreichen Vorteilen gibt es auch Hürden, die die Kunden vom Wechsel ins Onlinebanking abhalten. Eine Umfrage von PostFinance zeigt, dass Bedrohungen wie Phishing (Beschaffung persönlicher Daten wie Zugangsdaten fürs Onlinebanking mit gefälschten E-Mails oder Websites) und Malware (Software, die in Computersysteme  eindringen und dort Störungen oder Schäden verursachen kann) und die damit verbundene Angst, Opfer eines solchen technischen Angriffs zu werden, zu den wichtigsten Gründen gehören, weshalb Kunden kein Onlinebanking nutzen. Genau hier setzt das neue Leistungsversprechen von PostFinance an.
PostFinance übernimmt den finanziellen Schaden
PostFinance will ihren Kundinnen und Kunden Sicherheit im Onlinebanking geben. Sie verspricht ihnen deshalb als erste Bank in der Schweiz aktiv, finanzielle Schäden im E-Finance und in der PostFinance App, die aus Phishing bzw. Malware-Angriffen entstehen, bis zu einem Betrag von 100’000 Franken pro Fall vollständig zu übernehmen. Nicht gedeckt sind dagegen Schadenfälle, die beispielsweise auf grobe Fahrlässigkeit des Kunden zurückzuführen sind.

Ausgewähltes Bild über Pixabay
The post Postfinance Garantiert 100&#8217;000CHF für Online Banking Schäden appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/postfinance-garantiert-100000chf-fur-online-banking-schaden</link><guid>739</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/PostFinance02.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Postfinance Garantiert 100’000CHF für Online Banking Schäden</dc:text></item><item><title>2 Millionen Franken für Personal Finance Startup Yova</title><description><![CDATA[Innerhalb von nur drei Monaten gelang es den Jungunternehmern des Fintech-Startups Yova, die Investoren von sich und ihrem Produkt zu überzeugen. Mit den zwei Millionen Schweizer Franken kann Yova die Präsenz in der Schweiz ausbauen und sich für die Internationalisierung rüsten.
Haben Grund zur Freude: Das Yova-Team (von links: Rafael Juri, Giulia Satiro, David Böckling, Erik Gloerfeld, Lenka Horakova, Tillmann Lang und Celeste Gorrell Anstiss).
Noch vor kurzem feierte Yova das einjährige Bestehen. Heute zählt das Unternehmen rund um das Gründer-Team Tillmann Lang (CEO), Erik Gloerfeld (Technologie &amp; Investment Management) und Christoph Birkholz (Finanzierung und Partnerschaften) acht ständige Mitarbeitende und einen festen, stetig wachsenden Kundenstamm.
Der erfolgreiche Abschluss der Finanzierungsrunde ist ein Meilenstein in der Geschichte des jungen Unternehmens:

Tillmann Lang
«Das Vertrauen, das unsere langjährig erfahrenen Investoren uns entgegenbringen, zeigt, dass Impact Investing kein vorübergehender Trend ist, sondern die wegweisende Strategie für die Zukunft. Wir sind überzeugt, dass nachhaltige und wertorientierte Geldanlagen die Welt des Investments radikal verändern und einen positiven Einfluss auf unser soziales und ökologisches Umfeld haben werden»,
so Tillmann Lang.
 
Starkes Netzwerk dank breitem Investoren-Kreis
Zu den Investoren von Yova zählen erfolgreiche Gründer, Branchengrössen aus dem TechBereich und erfahrenen Startup- und Impact-Investoren: Unter anderem Myke Naef (Gründer von Doodle), Eva Richterich (CEO Ricolab), Dominik Grolimund (Gründer von Wuala, Silp und Refind) und Roger Wüthrich-Hasenböhler (Mitglied der Konzernleitung bei Swisscom und Chief Digital Officer).
Ebenfalls im Boot ist die Alternative Bank Schweiz, die über ihren Verein Innovationsfonds in die Yova AG investiert hat. Der breite Mix an Investoren stärkt das Netzwerk des Startups und trägt entscheidend zum Ausbau der Tech- und Investment-Expertise sowie des Marktzugangs bei.
Vorbereiten auf die Internationalisierung
Mit den zwei Millionen Franken will Yova nicht nur das Team in Zürich ausbauen und seine Präsenz im Schweizer Markt stärken, sondern auch den Sprung in den internationalen Markt wagen.
«Der Schweizer Markt ist unsere Heimatbasis. Aber unsere Ambitionen sind klar international. Die Expansion in andere Länder ist natürlich eine ganz neue, spannende Herausforderung, auf die wir uns in den nächsten Monaten freuen»,
erklärt Tillmann Lang.
Ein hart umkämpfter Markt
Ein weiteres Startup auf dem umkämpften Finanzplatz Schweiz. Womit konnte Yova die Investoren überzeugen? Als weltweit einziger Anbieter bietet Yova personalisierte Aktienportfolios vollautomatisiert schon für kleine Anlagevolumen.
«Das kann weltweit sonst niemand. Mit Yova senken wir die Hürden und machen Impact Investing für alle zugänglich &#8211; auch für Finanz-Laien und Kleinanleger. Unser Ansatz ist zu 100% transparent und auf die individuellen Wertvorstellungen unserer Kunden angepasst. Aber wir profitieren auch vom Innovationsstandort Schweiz. Die Kernelemente von Yova wurden während unserer Zeit an der ETH Zürich entwickelt».
 
The post 2 Millionen Franken für Personal Finance Startup Yova appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/2-millionen-franken-fur-personal-finance-startup-yova</link><guid>740</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Das-Yova-Team-1024x768.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>2 Millionen Franken für Personal Finance Startup Yova</dc:text></item><item><title>Venture Leaders Fintech Interview: Meet Ben James of Tradeplus24</title><description><![CDATA[Tradeplus24 is on the Venture Leaders Fintech team heading to New York in September. The startup’s automated platform brings structured lending within reach of SMEs needing more funding than is usually available at their scale, thanks to reduced costs.
This is the 9th part of the Fintech Startup Interview serial powered by Venturelab.
Venturelab brings this autumn 10 Swiss Fintech Startups to New York.
Ben James
Who are you, and what’s your big idea?
Tradeplus24 has a founding team of four, bringing diverse experience at executive level in banking and insurance from companies such as GE, ABB, Credit Suisse, UBS and Marsh.
At amounts under CHF 250,000 credit lines are typically unsecured and available from many sources. But above this level there becomes a need to provide security. This is hard for smaller firms, which usually don’t have un-leveraged real estate or other assets.
Tradeplus24 offers structured secured lending solutions to SMEs andmid-market companies that would normally not be able to access such products,owing to their low ticket size (CHF 250,000-CHF 10million). Our competitive advantage is that we run our securitisation solution with an automated low-touch system, thereby heavily reducing costs for structuring and monitoring.
Unlike manyfintechs, we are focused on enabling banks, not working against them, as with our solution, the existing market players can offer their customers attractive solutions that would have not been financially viable before.
What is pushing you towards international expansion?
A natural need for our product. Banks across the world face the same cost issues when dealing with small tickets, and in the main have limited ability to evaluate receivables risk, meaning they cannot rely on it as security.
What do you see as the greatest obstacle to expansion into the global market?
Finding the right bank partner, one that looks at fintech as an enabling partner to move faster and leaner, not as competition.
What attracts you to New York as a business development destination?
The US in general is an attractive market, but also a very diverse one.Having an on-the-ground partner who can help us traverse that is critical to entering the market. New York is a natural hub for these type of partners.
How is the Venture Leaders program beneficial for your startup?
Venture Leaders offers us a first-class,world-recognised program to develop our international business. It also gives us access to experts in the field, previous alumni and many co-leaders in the program.
The post Venture Leaders Fintech Interview: Meet Ben James of Tradeplus24 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/venture-leaders-fintech-interview-meet-ben-james-of-tradeplus24</link><guid>738</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Tradeplus24-Ben-James-180619-CU-polo-Jasmin-Frei-Pep-Shot-300x200.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Venture Leaders Fintech Interview: Meet Ben James of Tradeplus24</dc:text></item><item><title>10 Exciting Fintech Startups Based in Geneva</title><description><![CDATA[Switzerland, a world renowned banking and financial hub, has witnessed a growing fintech ecosystem in the past years fueled by supportive regulations, a large pool of available tech and finance talent, and banks’ desire to innovate.
Geneva is one of Switzerland’s top fintech hubs, currently home to 22 fintech companies, behind only of Zurich with 88, and Zug with 45, according to the IFZ Fintech Study 2018.
In the Geneva fintech scene, here are ten existing startups to watch closely:
 
Foxstone
Founded in 2016, Foxstone is an online crowdfunding platform allowing potential investors and buyers to get in touch with property or real estate development projects owners. The company aims to democratize real estate investment by offering institutional quality opportunities to High Net Worth Individuals, Family Offices, Private Banks and Institutional Investors, promising increased transparency, lower minimum investment amount, and reduced fees.
 
SwissLending
Founded in 2015, SwissLending, member of the Swiss Crowdfunding Association, is a real estate crowdfunding platform located in Geneva.
SwissLending connects developers in need of funding with investors who seek advice in effectively investing their capital. The platform focuses on properties located in Switzerland, France, and Luxembourg.
 
Signatys
Founded in 2011, Signatys is specialized in digital signature and secured digital exchanges for financial institutions.
The company’s SignMit product is a mobile solution that allows secured verification between banks and clients by connecting documents to their smartphones. Using SignMit, financial institutions can digitalize any kind of workflow requiring a user validation that today requires a manual intervention such as callbacks, advisory, MiFID II / LSFin, documents signatures, and internal validations.
 
b-Sharpe
Founded in 2006, b-Sharpe is a fintech startup providing currency exchange services to small and medium-sized  companies (SMEs) as well as private individuals. It targets SMEs, migrants and frontier workers and expats in Switzerland who are seeking to exchange currencies at a better rate.
b-Sharpe is a financial intermediary regulated by the OAR-G which is itself affiliated with the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA).
 
InvestGlass
Founded in 2014, InvestGlass provides a sales automation solution that gathers a CRM, content management system, KYC, PMS, and artificial intelligence supporting wealth advisors daily activities. The platform is designed to facilitate more efficient prospecting and onboarding of new clients, as well as managing relationships with existing clients.
 
Grydl Analytics
Grydl Analytics is a startup specialized in blockchain technology, big data and artificial intelligence technologies.
The company offers a search engine for blockchain content that helps investors and enthusiasts find relevant information and statistics about a blockchain project. Grydl Analytics aggregates multiple blockchain websites, cryptocurrency exchanges and social media data from over 2,000 sources.
 
Smartlink
Smartlink is a mobile wallet services provider, offering white-label mobile transaction platform solutions, contactless transaction capabilities, KYC solutions, and prepaid program management.
The SmartPay mobile wallet features a fully customizable user interface, is capable of hosting multiple unique card programs, and provides access to a mobile digital wallet, contactless HCE payments, biometric KYC, and more.
 
EZYcount
EZYcount, a trademark of SuperVX, is an online accounting and invoicing platform for self-employed and Swiss SMEs. The platform allows users to streamline their administrative tasks in a quick and efficient manner online.
EZYcount focuses on offering a simple solution that requires no installation and which can be accessed anytime, anywhere, with any electronic device. Plans start at CHF 15.5 per month for a one-year subscription.
 
Smart Execution
Smart Execution (Smex) is a holding company specializing in blockchain technology.
It operates ibani.com, a money exchange and international transfer platform, and is developing MtPelerin.com, which aims to become a fully regulated blockchain bank in Switzerland. Smex also provides consulting services to banks and financial institutions.
 
Decent
Decent is a decentralized application ecosystem comprised of the DCore blockchain and DCT token. The ecosystem includes APIs, SDKs, and other core features to help businesses build blockchain solutions.
Currently, the DCore product specializes in digital media and entertainment such as audio, video, text, software or video games.
The project is overseen by the Decent non-profit foundation based in Geneva.
The post 10 Exciting Fintech Startups Based in Geneva appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/10-exciting-fintech-startups-based-in-geneva</link><guid>737</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Foxstone-300x105.png</dc:content ><dc:text>10 Exciting Fintech Startups Based in Geneva</dc:text></item><item><title>European Parliament’s Committee Drafts ICO Regulation Proposal</title><description><![CDATA[The European Parliament Committee on EMA (Economic and Monetary Affairs) published last week a draft proposal mentioning the possibility to include Initial Coin Offerings in new crowdfunding regulation.
ICOs in the European Parliament&#8217;s MEP radar
After a legislative proposal drawn in March, it is now the turn for ICOs to be at the center of the EMA debate. Few days ago, a British Member of the European Parliament, Ashley Fox, drafted a report falling under the umbrella of the act entitled Legislative Proposal for an EU framework on crowd and peer to peer finance.
Although ICOs were warmly welcome by several jurisdictions such as Switzerland, Gibraltar and Malta, a clear lack of regulations and frameworks is still going on. Nevertheless, the proposal conducted under the supervision of the European Parliament member should further allow for “a competitive Union framework.” In fact, it may “enable crowdfunding service providers to raise capital through their own platforms via cryptocurrencies”.
In the draft published on the European Parliament website, we can read that:
Ashley Fox MEP
“At present initial coin offerings are operating in an unregulated space and consumers are at risk from fraudulent activity taking place in this market. This Regulation gives the opportunity to ICOs that want to prove their legitimacy to comply with the requirements of this regulation.
Whilst this regulation may not provide the solution for regulating the ICO market, it takes a much-needed step towards imposing standards and protections in place for what is an excellent funding stream for tech start-ups”.
 
Need of token’s standards
These crowdfunding rules have been ongoing since 2017 and this amendment, including now ICOs alternatives, offer the opportunity to implement the first hint of tokens sales regulation at a European scale. Earlier this year in February, FINMA intended to apply financial market legislation in handling enquiries from ICO organisers. It seems now that regulation of this new financing mechanism reaches a higher sphere.
Obviously, the report does not forget to mention the potential risks of ICOs and cryptocurrencies as a whole. Even if the latter, “offer new and innovative ways of funding”, ICOs could also be used to &#8220;generate substantial market, fraud and cybersecurity risks to investors.”
In the Amendment 6 section, it can be noted that the regulation shall be applied to public sales raising an amount inferior than 8 million euros:
&#8220;&#8230;crowdfunding service providers that wish to offer an ICO through their platform, should comply with specific additional requirements under this Regulation. However, private placements, ICOs raising in excess of 8,000,000 [euros] or ICOs that do not use a counterparty do not fall within the scope of those requirements.&#8221;
These new signs of regulations should be warmly welcomed by the crypto community.
Indeed, few Swiss banks already closed the account of several crypto companies upon realizing that several key requirements were not applied. This improvement is vital in order to ensure that investments made by the general public and companies are not placed at risk.
 
Featured image via pixabay
The post European Parliament&#8217;s Committee Drafts ICO Regulation Proposal appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/european-parliaments-committee-drafts-ico-regulation-proposal</link><guid>735</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>European Parliament’s Committee Drafts ICO Regulation Proposal</dc:text></item><item><title>Liechtenstein Bank Issues own Security Token followed by a Union Bank Payment Coin</title><description><![CDATA[Liechtenstein Union Bank AG announced that it will issue its own security tokens &#8211; in coordination with the Liechtenstein supervisory authority FMA &#8211; as the world&#8217;s first fully licensed and regulated bank. 
Shortly thereafter, the Union Bank follows Payment Coin &#8211; a so-called &#8216;Stablecoin&#8217;, which is fully supported by a Fiat currency, for example the Swiss franc.
Union Bank AG is a fully licensed and regulated bank based in Liechtenstein. She works mainly for corporate clients from the DACH region and the Middle East. Based in Liechtenstein&#8217;s blockchain-friendly environment, it already supports ICOs and customers in the cryptocurrency and blockchain sector. Through its collaboration with crypto brokers and crypto advisers, Union Bank AG enables efficient and transparent exchange between crypto and fiat currencies.
With proven experience in international trade in goods and services, and the breadth of support from crypto and blockchain companies, Union Bank is able to develop and implement innovative solutions that can provide significant competitive advantages to its key customer segments.
Through the measures announced today, Union Bank AG will expand and improve its existing services and offerings and take the first steps to position itself as a full-service blockchain investment bank. The benefits of the blockchain will also be fully integrated into the bank&#8217;s processes and technologies. Union Bank AG will work with Verum Capital AG, a leading Swiss-based blockchain boutique, on this initiative.
In the future, Union Bank AG will establish itself as one-stop supplier of crypto and blockchain solutions, bringing together the new world of blockchain technology and crypto assets with the best practice apache of traditional banking.
MH Dastmaltchi, Chairman of the Board, says:

MH Dastmaltchi
&#8220;Our goal is to become the world&#8217;s first blockchain investment bank, providing tangible solutions to help our clients and intermediaries become more efficient, reduce their cost base, and generate new revenue opportunities. As a fully licensed and regulated bank, we are able to combine all the benefits of traditional banking with the capabilities of blockchain technology.
And our fiat-currency-backed Union Bank Payment Coin has the potential to disrupt international trade and international cross-border transactions as a disruptive catalyst. Our initiative is an investment in the future and an important step in becoming the world&#8217;s leading blockchain investment bank. &#8220;
Selected picture about UnionBank
The post Liechtenstein Bank Issues own Security Token followed by a Union Bank Payment Coin appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/liechtenstein-bank-issues-own-security-token-followed-by-a-union-bank-payment-coin</link><guid>734</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Liechtenstein Bank Issues own Security Token followed by a Union Bank Payment Coin</dc:text></item><item><title>Liechtensteinisch Bank Bringt Eigene Security Tokens, Gefolgt Von Union Bank Payment Coins</title><description><![CDATA[Die liechtensteinische Union Bank AG gab bekannt, dass sie &#8211; nach Abstimmung mit der liechtensteinischen Aufsichtsbehörde FMA &#8211; als weltweit erste vollkonzessionierte und regulierte Bank eigene Security Tokens herausgeben wird.
Kurz darauf folgt der Union Bank Payment Coin &#8211; ein sogenannter ‘Stablecoin’, der vollständig von einer Fiat-Währung gestützt wird, zum Beispiel dem Schweizer Franken.
Die Union Bank AG ist eine voll lizenzierte und regulierte Bank mit Sitz in Liechtenstein. Sie arbeitet vorwiegend für Firmenkunden aus der DACH-Region und dem Mittleren Osten. Beheimatet im Blockchainfreundlichen Umfeld Liechtensteins unterstützt sie bereits heute ICOs und Kunden aus der Cryptocurrency und Blockchain-Branche.
Durch ihre Zusammenarbeit mit Crypto-Brokern und Crypto-Beratern ermöglicht die Union Bank AG einen effizienten und transparenten Austausch zwischen Crypto- und Fiat-Währungen.
Dank ihrer ausgewiesenen Erfahrung im internationalen Waren- und Dienstleistungsverkehr, und bestens vertraut mit der Unterstützung von Crypto- und Blockchain-Unternehmen, ist die Union Bank in der Lage, innovative Lösungen zu entwickeln und umzusetzen, die ihren wichtigsten Kundensegmenten deutliche Wettbewerbsvorteile verschaffen können.
Durch die heute angekündigten Massnahmen wird die Union Bank AG ihre bestehenden Dienstleistungen und Angebote erweitern und verbessern und die ersten Schritte unternehmen, um sich als Full-Service Blockchain Investment Bank zu positionieren. Die Vorteile der Blockchain sollen zudem vollständig in die Prozesse und Technologien der Bank eingebunden werden. Die Union Bank AG wird bei dieser Initiative mit der Verum Capital AG zusammenarbeiten, einer in der Schweiz ansässigen Blockchain Boutique.
Die Union Bank AG wird sich in Zukunft als Anbieterin von Crypto- und Blockchain-Lösungen aus einer Hand etablieren, welche die neue Welt der Blockchain-Technologie und Crypto-Assets mit dem Best-PracticeApproach des traditionellen Bankings zusammenführt.
M.H. Dastmaltchi, Vorsitzender des Verwaltungsrates, sagt dazu:

MH Dastmaltchi
«Unser Ziel ist es, die erste BlockchainInvestmentbank der Welt zu werden und mit konkreten Lösungen unseren Kunden und Intermediären dabei zu helfen, effizienter zu werden, die Kostenbasis zu reduzieren und neue Ertragsmöglichkeiten zu eröffnen. Als voll lizenzierte und regulierte Bank sind wir in der Lage, alle Vorteile des traditionellen Bankwesens mit den Möglichkeiten der Blockchain-Technologie zu verbinden.
Und unser durch eine FiatWährung abgesicherter Union Bank Payment Coin hat das Potenzial, als disruptiver Katalysator den internationalen Handel und internationale Crossborder-Transaktionen neu zu gestalten. Unsere Initiative ist eine Investition in die Zukunft und ein wichtiger Schritt zur weltweit führenden BlockchainInvestmentbank.»
Ausgewähltes Bild über UnionBank
 
The post Liechtensteinisch Bank Bringt Eigene Security Tokens, Gefolgt Von Union Bank Payment Coins appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/liechtensteinisch-bank-bringt-eigene-security-tokens-gefolgt-von-union-bank-payment-coins</link><guid>736</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Liechtensteinisch Bank Bringt Eigene Security Tokens, Gefolgt Von Union Bank Payment Coins</dc:text></item><item><title>Die Zukunft der Kredite: P2P Kredite?</title><description><![CDATA[Die Welt befindet sich im Umbruch, die Digitalisierung schafft neue Geschäftsmodelle, alte Geschäftsmodelle verschwinden. Auch Banken sind von diesen Änderungen betroffen. Die Zukunft der Kredite liegt nicht mehr bei der Bank, sondern die Zukunft sind Privatkredite. Das Internet macht dies möglich und diese Form nennt sich in neudeutsch P2P Kredite.
Der Reihe nach: Die derzeitig vorherrschende Vergabe von Krediten beruht auf einer Einschätzung der Bank, die einen Zinssatz festlegt und eine Laufzeit vergibt. Dank neuer Technologien, Algorithmen und Computermodellen kann der Zinssatz &#8211; er beinhaltet das Risiko eines Kreditausfalles &#8211; auch ohne Bankbeamten errechnet werden.
Wenn nun viele Privatanleger Geld sammeln und gemeinsam verleihen, bekommt zum einen der Antragsteller den Kredit, zum anderen erhalten die Privatanleger Geld in Form von Zinsen. Gerade in der heutigen Niedrigzinsphase scheinen solche Investitionen ratsam. Die Banken werden dabei komplett umgangen, was deren Geschäftsmodell massiv beeinflusst.
Damit das Risiko gestreut wird, kann der Privatanleger bei mehreren Krediten gleichzeitig mit kleinen Beträgen teilhaben und verhindert damit, für einen einzigen Kredit das Risiko zu tragen. Die derzeitige Gesetzeslage in der Schweiz lässt allerdings nur Kredite von 20 Privatpersonen zu, womit das Risiko noch ungünstig verteilt ist. Eine Gesetzesänderung dürfte in den nächsten Jahren aber kommen.
Am weitesten verbreitet ist diese Art der Kreditvergabe in China. Dort sollen über 70 Milliarden Dollar umgesetzt werden und  unreguliertes P2p Lending hat dort bereits zu einem Exodus geführt . Das Potential ist aber nach wie vor im Rest der Welt riesig, zahlreiche Fintechs bemühen sich um diesen Markt, der in Europa noch vergleichsweise klein ist.
Es dauert im Moment lange bis P2P Kredite finanziert werden, denn es gibt noch zu wenige Investoren. Für die Ablöse eines existierenden Kredites, bei dem die Zeit nicht so wichtig ist, ist P2P jetzt schon ein guter Deal. 
Auch die Prüfung der Kreditkonditionen bei P2P ist laut Herr Aresta vom Basler Kreditvermittler Mutuo AG immens wichtig, da der Zins oft niedrig sei, die Gebühren dafür umso höher. 
Die Vorteile dieser Art der Kreditvergabe liegen auf der Hand: Es ist ein Investment für Kleinanleger, es sorgt für bessere Kreditkonditionen und das Risiko von Ausfällen liegt nicht mehr bei den Banken, was auch Finanzkrisen abfedern sollte, staatliche Eingriffe und teure Subventionen im Bankbereich verhindern sollte. 
Der Weg dahin ist noch weit: Regulierungen und gesetzliche Regelungen müssen angepasst werden, die Öffentlichkeit muss ein Bewusstsein für die neuen Kredite bekommen, um diese Chancen auch wahrzunehmen, und die StartUps müssen ihre Angebote noch verfeinern. So wird es eine Weile dauern, bis Banken als Kreditvergeber abgelöst werden.
The post Die Zukunft der Kredite: P2P Kredite? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/die-zukunft-der-kredite-p2p-kredite</link><guid>741</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/CHF-1-1024x386.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Die Zukunft der Kredite: P2P Kredite?</dc:text></item><item><title>Venture Leaders Fintech Interview: Meet Dario Duran of SHIFT Cryptosecurity</title><description><![CDATA[With cryptocurrencies entering the mainstream, storing and spending them require new easy-to-use solutions. ETH spin-off SHIFT Cryptosecurity has developed a sturdy, discreet and of course high-security hardware wallet for cryptocurrencies.
The appeal lies in the device’s specific security features (covering everything from physical strength to two-factor authentication, secondary wallets for plausible deniability and more) and its convenience.
This is the 8th part of the Fintech Startup Interview serial powered by Venturelab.
Venturelab brings this autumn 10 Swiss Fintech Startups to New York.
Dario Duran
Founder Dario Duran is on the Venture Leaders Fintech team heading to New York in September, and is ready to introduce his BitBoxto the world’s financial center.
Where do you see the biggest opportunities in Fintech over the next five years? What problems urgently need to be solved?
When asked what makes Bitcoin so special, I answer that it is the world’s first digital bearer asset. You have to let that sink in a bit before the opportunities present themselves. It is quite literally programmable money. The problems we are looking to solve are twofold:(i) securing the digital keys that make digital bearer assets possible and (ii) creating the infrastructure that equips users to secure their financial sovereignty.
What do you see as the greatest obstacle to expansion into the global market?
Hardware is a vital component of what we provide and who we are, but hardware, unlike software, needs supply chains to be established. This is a tremendous challenge for a small company based in the heart of Switzerland. Nonetheless, we feel up to the challenge of bringing our Swiss digital army knife, the BitBox, to the world.
What attracts you to New York as a business development destination?
There are many aspects of New York that appeal to SHIFT, but also to me personally. From a business perspective, New York is a special kind of finance-techMecca. Global fintech strategy for many financial institutions is defined in NYC. On a personal note, I grew up in New Jersey and spent some time at UBS Warburg back in the day. I’m looking forward to a bit of a homecoming.
What do you hope to achieve on the trip? What are you most looking forward to?
Meetings with top-tier investment banks. In particular, we would look forward to seeing the bankers overseeing anything related to Bitcoin, cryptocurrencies and crypto-custody. We understand Goldman Sachs is opening a cryptocurrency trading desk, so the timing seems to work very well. We see a strong opportunity to also open doors of leading VCs investing looking to get exposure to crypto-infrastructure.
There are few opportunities to invest into the “picks and shovels” side of cryptocurrencies, and a company like SHIFT offers a unique team and vision. Remember, we believe deeply in the Bitcoin promise of financial sovereignty. As engineers, we have understood that this requires people to hold their own keys and verify their own transactions with their own hardware; hopefully, Swiss-made hardware by Shift Cryptosecurity!
How is the Venture Leaders program beneficial for your startup?
Venture Leaders has established itself as a designation of excellence and it is an honor for our team to be on the Swiss National Startup Team. Secondly, we are in the middle of a friends and family funding round, receiving increased inbound interest from investors. This program helps us focus our energy on professionalising our investor pitch – the opportunities are exciting.
The post Venture Leaders Fintech Interview: Meet Dario Duran of SHIFT Cryptosecurity appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/venture-leaders-fintech-interview-meet-dario-duran-of-shift-cryptosecurity</link><guid>733</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Shift-Devices-Dario-Duran-180619-CU-polo-Jasmin-Frei-Pep-Shot-300x200.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Venture Leaders Fintech Interview: Meet Dario Duran of SHIFT Cryptosecurity</dc:text></item><item><title>Capco: Banks Must Embrace Digital Change</title><description><![CDATA[In the face of growing competition, changing consumer expectations and the broader digitalization of our economy, incumbent financial institutions must embrace digital change and welcome the idea of partnering with digital enablers and fintechs, according to global business and technology consultancy firm Capco.
In a new paper, Capco urges banks and financial institutions to not underestimate the tech giants that are progressively entering the financial services industry, and begin to formulate a digital strategy in order to remain relevant while serving their stakeholders even better.
Embrace digital change
Leading Internet firms such as Google, Amazon, Alibaba and Facebook have fundamentally changed the way customers shop and interact with each other. These are providing services that are problem-solving, connected and fully integrated into our daily lives, and are quickly entering the fintech space, threatening incumbents that do not respond to digitalization fast enough.
Ant Financial logo via Wikipedia
Alibaba’s financial services affiliate Ant Financial is already the world’s most valuable fintech company, providing customers with a large spectrum of services ranging from digital payments to loans.
Tech giant Google is offering the Google Pay digital wallet service, and its investment arm GV is one of the most active investors in the US fintech industry with a portfolio that focuses on authentication, security, banking APIs, cryptocurrency, lending, payments and more.
Like Google, Apple is getting into the fintech game with the Apple Pay digital wallet which lets users make online payments and pay in-store. A study by Mulesoft revealed that almost a third of respondents in the UK, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands would consider banking services from the so-called GAFA, or Google, Amazon, Facebook and Apple, and similar businesses, citing key criteria as simplicity, convenience and personalization.
Courage for partnerships
Image via Pxhere
These disruptors are entering the financial services industry either by leveraging big user communities or providing innovative end-to-end services. While the major platforms such as Alibaba, Google and Facebook may pose real threats to traditional banks, smaller fintech companies can be considered valuable strategic partnering opportunities.
As clients expect solution-centric, uncluttered service offering, being open to partnerships and exchanging data and services with other providers in the industry has become a competitive advantage. Many institutions have already understood this, and are moving away from a model where almost all products and services are created and distributed by the institution itself. Strategic partnerships are established and alliances with new partners are formed to outsource certain elements of the value chain.
On the other hand, more and more institutions are identifying best-in-class in-house services as white-labelling opportunities that can be provided to the wider industry. According to Capco, 59% of Swiss financial institutions have partnered with fintechs. Successful collaborations include for instance robo-advisory platform Digifolio, the result of a collaboration between Zurich-based fintech startup True Wealth and Basellandschaftliche Kantonalbank, Elvia eInvest, another robo-advisory created by Allianz Suisse using additiv’s SaaS platform, and most recently the partnership between Credit Suisse and Mesitis to provide the bank’s clients with the ability access Canopy, an automated account aggregation platform and reporting solution.
Pick your change drivers
Image via Pixabay
The digitalization of our economy is something we must not consider lightly, and those who look pass these emerging trends will be left out, according to the paper. It is crucial for incumbent financial institutions to set out a clear strategy on how they will tackle digitalization and differentiate themselves from competitors, whether that’s by disintermediation, cost transparency or by focusing on specific demographics.
One area in particular that must be a focus for bankers is improving the legacy infrastructure. Improving client experience, digitizing key processes front-to-back and using robotic process automation are the common pillars of this strategy. Technologies such as APIs enable banks with various level of technical sophistication to distribute data and services and connect to clients efficiently. Distributed ledger technology or blockchain is disrupting how information is stored and distributed. It can serve as a common banking ledger that provides banks with seamless access to a standard set of data and services with a real potential for cost optimization and efficiency gains.
 

 
Featured image via capco.com
The post Capco: Banks Must Embrace Digital Change appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/capco-banks-must-embrace-digital-change</link><guid>732</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Ant_Financial_logo-300x150.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Capco: Banks Must Embrace Digital Change</dc:text></item><item><title>F10 in Zurich: The 8 Fintechs Who made it into the Accelerator</title><description><![CDATA[F10 Incubator and Accelerator – The Home of FinTech – announces the final selection of eight Startups for the inaugural P3 «Product to Market Program».
The program complements the value chain for driving innovation towards the FinTech of tomorrow. F10 aims to add value by bringing innovative solutions to the Swiss financial system. The service portfolio so far included the hosting of international Hackathons and providing an Accelerator program in Zurich.
For the first time, P3 kicks off with a one-day workshop, together with the seven prestigious F10 platinum members, namely SIX (the Swiss Stock Exchange), the Baloise Group, Julius Bär, Generali Group Switzerland, PwC Switzerland, Raiffeisen and Zürcher Kantonalbank. Startups benefit from the strong F10 network by building partnerships with the platinum members to develop a launch plan to accelerate their growth into the Swiss market.

Thomas Landis
“With the F10 already established as a leader in FinTech innovation and incubation with our global Hackathon tour and our 6-month P2 «Prototype to Product Program», it was important that we augmented these two programs with our later stage P3 «Product to Market Program». The quality of applications we received for our first P3 program was remarkable, and that just goes to show how far the F10 has come, and how Startups want to collaborate with the F10 Corporate Members and F10 team.”
Thomas Landis, Head of the F10.
The eight Startup teams are:

WealthArc (Zurich, Switzerland) &#8211; First fully automated all-in-one platform for digital-age wealth managers.


TaxLevel (Zurich, Switzerland) &#8211; Providing financial institutions new tax opportunities regarding optimization and service offerings.
 


SkenarioLabs (Espoo, Finland) &#8211; We tell property owners, investors, and financial institutes, where to invest.


Neuroprofiler (Paris, France) &#8211; A behavioral finance game that assesses the investment profiles of retail investors.
 

CyNation (London, UK) &#8211; Securing a connected world.

Brixel (Zurich, Switzerland) &#8211; We buy your home – get an instant offer now.
 

Baningo-select (Vienna, Austria) &#8211; The most personal online sales tool for the finance industry.

360kompany AG (Vienna, Austria) &#8211; kompany provides real-time, audit-proof, primary company data for KYC/AML/EDD and business verification purposes.
 
 
Featured Image via Freepik
The post F10 in Zurich: The 8 Fintechs Who Made It into the Accelerator appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/f10-in-zurich-the-8-fintechs-who-made-it-into-the-accelerator</link><guid>731</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Thomas-Landis.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>F10 in Zurich: The 8 Fintechs Who made it into the Accelerator</dc:text></item><item><title>100m USD for German Fintech Deposit Solutions</title><description><![CDATA[Deposit Solutions, the Open Banking pioneer and international platform for savings deposits, announced the closing of a new funding round .
The round was led by private equity firm Vitruvian Partners. Vitruvian was joined by Kinnevik and existing shareholders including Deposit Solutions‘ first institutional shareholder e.ventures in a transaction worth a total of USD 100m, valuing the company at USD 500m.
Dr. Tim Sievers, CEO and founder of Deposit Solutions said:

Tim Sievers
“We are delighted to welcome Vitruvian and Kinnevik as new shareholders. They are experts in supporting high-growth companies, which makes them ideal partners for us. Their deep industry expertise and financial firepower will help us achieve our mission of making Open Banking the new standard for the global USD 50 trillion market for savings deposits.”
Deposit Solutions’ Open Banking platform transforms the value chain in the savings deposit market to the benefit of banks and savers alike. Banks seeking deposit funding benefit from Deposit Solutions’ unique Banking-as-a-Service model: they can easily connect to the platform and gain access to deposit funding from the clients of other Points-of-Sale in different markets without having to set up and operate their own deposit infrastructure for these customers.
As part of its service, Deposit Solutions also operates its own proprietary Points-of-Sale under the brands of ZINSPILOT and SAVEDO, which market the deposit offers of its partner banks directly to savers. On the other hand, banks and non-bank financial Point-of-Sale owners that want to offer their own customers an attractive choice of deposit products can integrate the platform into their own ecosystem to provide their customers with a selection of third-party deposit products under their existing client relationship.
A spokesperson from Vitruvian Partners said:
“As a pioneer of Open Banking Deposit Solutions has shown remarkable performance in rolling out a true innovation and enabling a marketplace for one of the most important product categories in banking. The company already operates the leading platform for savings deposits in Europe. With our expertise in scaling high growth technology companies we will help accelerate the growth of the business even further.”
Deposit Solutions now connects more than 70 banks from 16 countries to more than 30 million savers through a wide variety of Points-of-Sale including renowned financial institutions such as Deutsche Bank and Fidelity’s FFB. Deposit Solutions’ proprietary Points-of-Sale ZINSPILOT and SAVEDO have also continued to grow exponentially and more than doubled the total volume in transmitted deposits within the past nine months to more than EUR 9 billion. Their customer base has grown to over 155,000 customers in the same period.
 
Featured image via Freepik
The post 100m USD for German Fintech Deposit Solutions appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/100m-usd-for-german-fintech-deposit-solutions</link><guid>719</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.hk/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Tim-Sievers.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>100m USD for German Fintech Deposit Solutions</dc:text></item><item><title>Crypto Finance Conference to Feature Ripple Chairman Chris Larsen at First USA Event</title><description><![CDATA[After successful events in St. Moritz and Geneva, Switzerland, the Crypto Finance Conference—the world’s most exclusive investor conference on cryptocurrencies and blockchain investments—is hosting its first event in the United States.
The Crypto Finance Conference USA 2018 will take place from Sept. 5 to 7 in Half Moon Bay, California, and will feature Ripple executive chairman Chris Larsen , known as the richest person in crypto, as a keynote speaker, among other high-level industry leaders.
Larsen, who holds an M.B.A. from Stanford, co-founded Ripple in 2012. Ripple’s XRP token is meant to facilitate international bank payments via blockchain.Another notable speaker is venture capitalist Tim Draper , the founder of Draper Associates, DFJ, and Draper University. He has invested in over 50 crypto companies—including Coinbase, Ledger, and Tezos—and is a leading spokesperson for blockchain and Bitcoin. Former US Congress “crypto” candidate Brian Forde , who served as a White House Senior Advisor for Mobile and Data, is another impressive name on the agenda for the event.
Andrea-Franco Stöhr , co-founder and CEO of the Crypto Finance Conference says,

Andrea-Franco Stöhr​
“We are extremely excited to bring the Crypto Finance Conference to California. We are the most exclusive investor conference in the world and working with such outstanding  speakers is a great honor for us. It contributes to a unique experience for all attendants.
 
We always aim to focus on quality over quantity—in terms of participants, speakers, knowledge-sharing, and investment opportunities.”
Each speaker and attendant is approved directly by the conference board, which consists of eight crypto investors and industry experts including Crypto Finance AG founder Tobias Reichmuth, entrepreneur Marc Bernegger, and unicorn hunter and angel investor Daniel Gutenberg. The Crypto Conference USA 2018 is expected to have 150 to 200 participants attending—all investors reviewed and approved by the board.
Other speakers at Crypto Finance Conference USA 2018 include:

Bill Tai
Bill Tai, VC, board director (strategy chair) at Bitfury and board chairman of Hut8

Reese Jones
Reese Jones, associate founder of Singularity University &amp; biophysicist
 

Jalak Jobanbutra
Jalak Jobanbutra, founder and managing partner of FuturePerfect Ventures

Bobby Lee
Bobby Lee, co-founder of BTCC, board member at Bitcoin Foundation
 

Jennifer Zhu Scott
Jennifer Zhu Scott, co-founder and principal of Radian Partners

Eva Kaili
Eva Kaili, member of the European Parliament
 

Wences Casares
Wences Casares, founder and CEO of Xapo

Meltem Demirors
Meltem Demirors, chief strategy officer of CoinShares, investor and advisor
 

Steve Papermaster
Steve Papermaster, CEO of Nano Vision, former senior advisor to President George W. Bush
 
Notable panels and keynotes include:

Panel Discussion “Riding the crypto rollercoaster: Will the industry ever be stable?”
Panel Discussion “Token categories: Which ones will dominate in the future?”
Keynote: “The next big thing: How to find the next Airbnb and Uber in the crypto space”
Keynote: “Crypto newbie: How to identify a high potential ICO”

The full speaker-line up and agenda can be found online. To participate in the Crypto Finance Conference USA 2018, applicants can register here, though completing the application does not guarantee a seat at the conference. The final acceptance/rejection email will be sent after the screening process by the conference board. Early-bird registration is sold-out. The standard participation fee is $4,900.

 
Featured Image via Crypto Finance Conference
The post Crypto Finance Conference to Feature Ripple Chairman Chris Larsen at First USA Event appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crypto-finance-conference-to-feature-ripple-chairman-chris-larsen-at-first-usa-event</link><guid>716</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Andrea-Franco-Stöhr​.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Crypto Finance Conference to Feature Ripple Chairman Chris Larsen at First USA Event</dc:text></item><item><title>2 Fintech Startups Win Swisscom StartUp Challenge 2018</title><description><![CDATA[AAAccell, Dotphoton, Exeon Analytics, Sentifi and ROVENSO have been named as the winners of the sixth Swisscom StartUp Challenge. All gave a successful pitch to the panel at the Swisscom Braingym in Bern. The next stop is Silicon Valley for a one-week Business Acceleration Programme.
Since the launch of the StartUp Challenge in 2013, over 852 start-ups have applied to take part. This year, a record number of 238 applications were submitted for the event. Applicants come from the ICT, Cloud Services, Fintech, Artificial Intelligence, IOT, Robotics, Digital Marketing and Cyber Security sectors.
The top ten start-ups pitched to the panel of experts today, Tuesday, 14 August, 2018. The judging panel included Roger Wüthrich-Hasenböhler (Chief Digital Officer Swisscom), Carole Ackermann (Investor and President Business Angels Switzerland), Lukas Weder (Founder of EAT.ch) and Beat Schillig (CEO of programme partner venturelab).
Tailor-made mentoring programme in Silicon Valley
The five winners impressed the panel with their convincing business model, team spirit and determination: AAAccell, Dotphoton, Exeon Analytics, Sentifi and ROVENSO have secured their places on the one-week Business Acceleration Programme in Silicon Valley. Here, they will learn from the personal experiences of top entrepreneurs and venture capitalists and develop their marketing and sales skills. The young entrepreneurs also have the opportunity to win Swisscom&#8217;s backing in a collaboration or investment. The start-ups will set out on their journey on 21 October, 2018.
Roger Wüthrich-Hasenböhler
Roger Wüthrich-Hasenböhler:
“I am already looking forward to opening doors for these driven young entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley. Contacts with international partners and mentors will help them to unleash their innovative energy.”
 
 
 
Short descriptions of the winners:
AAAccell is a spin-off company of the University of Zurich. The team consists of two former bank CEO’s, 11 professors and several PhD’s/Master’s from University of Zurich, ETH, Columbia New York and others. AAAccell links together “academic excellence”, “artificial intelligence” and “algorithmic power” and develops high-tech software solutions for the finance industry in the field of asset- and risk management based on the newest breakthroughs in science.
 
Dotphoton is a quantum-inspired raw image compression solution for professional applications: it makes raw images up to 10 times smaller with a strong guarantee that quality is preserved, saving a corresponding amount of time and money and enabling the next generation of high-quality imaging and processing solutions in photography, cinema, AI, biomedical and aerospace.
 
 
Exeon Analytics fights advanced cyber attacks using award-winning algorithms. It often takes months, if not years, until data breaches are detected because they are well hidden among millions of regular user activities. Our ExeonTrace security analytics and visualization software allows companies to understand their network traffic and detect hidden cyber attacks and data breaches.
 
Sentifi is a provider of financially relevant Crowd Intelligence. Our solutions are viewed more than 180 million times per month and used by the world’s leading financial services organizations to gain unique insights on over 50 thousand traded companies, currencies and commodities and the events that impact them.
Sentifi uses machine learning to rank and listening to over 14 million financial influencers and connect them with events impacting global assets. Our customers use this insight to make better investment decisions, often ahead of the markets. Our solutions are also used by over 50 of the world’s leading financial publications across 9 countries to attract new customers, retain them and drive additional revenue.
 
An EPFL startup initiated in 2014 and incorporated in January 2016, ROVENSO makes agile sensing robots for challenging and harsh environments. Based in Switzerland, it also has workshops and offices in Shenzhen (China) in partnership with HAX Accelerator. It has pilot projects with paying customers in China and Switzerland in the fields of firefighting and security surveillance.
 
 
Featured Image via Pixabay
The post 2 Fintech Startups Win Swisscom StartUp Challenge 2018 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/2-fintech-startups-win-swisscom-startup-challenge-2018</link><guid>717</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Exeon-1.png</dc:content ><dc:text>2 Fintech Startups Win Swisscom StartUp Challenge 2018</dc:text></item><item><title>Instimatch Global Further Expands Leadership Team To Spur International Growth</title><description><![CDATA[Digital trading network Instimatch Global welcomes a new board member this month, following the previous appointments of a new CEO and Executive Chairman in July.
Daniel Sandmeier had been appointed as CEO and Michael Schmidt as Executive Chairman in July.
The incoming board member, Lamine Brahimi, is also Co-Founder and Managing Partner of the digital asset platform, Taurus Group SA.
Instimatch Global intends to leverage its current presence in four European countries to spur further international growth.
Founded in 2016 by Hugh Macmillen, Instimatch Global aims to change the way money markets work by digitalising voice brokerage and shifting operations from a traditionally local execution to global execution.
Hugh Macmillen
“Instimatch Global has been up and running with a growing client base for over a year now, and we’ve found the key people to accelerate our growth,” commented Hugh Macmillen.
The earlier appointments of Sandmeier and Schmidt, he said, was designed to bring the necessary breadth of institutional and fintech experience needed for Instimatch Global to scale effectively.
The company already has bases across Switzerland, Germany, Benelux and the UK.
Commenting on the interest shown in the market so far, Executive Chairman of Istimatch Global, Michael Schmidt said:
“New fintech solutions continue to enhance financial markets, but the potential for new technology has not yet been realised in money markets.”
Michael Schmidt
According to him, Instimatch Global delivered an alternative that provided better access to markets and pricing across borders, not just within them. His experience he said, would be instrumental in stimulating large institutions to make the leap to a more digitalized approach.
On top of his having previously headed Fixed Income trading and sales teams at Deutsche Bank and UBS, Schmidt also previously spearheaded the development of several leading electronic trading platforms.
He also co-founded Algomi in 2012 to create scalable software that enabled fixed income professionals to leverage data in making valuable financial connections.
Instimatch Global CEO Daniel Sandmeier noted how Brahimi’s joining would bring with him a rare combination of wealth management and technology expertise. Brahimi previously led Lombard Odier bank’s digital strategy in his capacity as Deputy COO and Chief Digital Officer of its wealth management unit.
“His advice will prove a valuable asset in growing our digital network across Europe. We have ambitious growth plans over the next 12 months and a board with significant experience scaling financial technology businesses in institutional markets to achieve these goals,” Sandmeier said
Lamine Brahimi
For his part Brahimi observed that Instimatch had already built traction was growing in both trading volumes and the number of banks, corporates and asset managers using the platform. Still, there was plenty more to build upon.
“The adoption of new technology in money markets that will significantly improve efficiency and allow counterparties to better manage risk, is still in its infancy,” he said.
Instimatch Global&#8217;s network of borrowers and lenders so far includes bank treasuries, corporate treasuries, pension funds, insurance companies, asset managers, family offices and municipalities.  
The post Instimatch Global Further Expands Leadership Team To Spur International Growth appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/instimatch-global-further-expands-leadership-team-to-spur-international-growth</link><guid>718</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Instimatch Global Further Expands Leadership Team To Spur International Growth</dc:text></item><item><title>9 Must-Read Personal Finance Rockstar Blogs in the US</title><description><![CDATA[On September 26-29, 2018, FinCon18 Orlando, the country’s premier conference for financial bloggers, will bring together more than 2,000 digital content creators and brands in personal finance and investing.
The four-day event will provide participants with a platform to connect and share. These will hear from some of the most successful bloggers in the industry and learn how to create better content, reach a wider audience, and make more money.
In light of the upcoming FinCon event, we have compiled a list of the nine most must-read personal finance blogs out there that will help you accomplish your financial goals and reach financial freedom.
 
Mr. Money Mustache
Mr. Money Mustache is the website and pseudonym of Canadian-born blogger Peter Adeney. Adeney retired from his job as a software engineer in 2005 at age 30 by spending only a small percentage of his annual salary and consistently investing the remainder, primarily in stock market index funds.
Adeney lives in Longmont, Colorado, and contends that most middle-class individuals can and should spend less money and own fewer physical possessions, and that they can live with increased financial freedom and happiness as well as a decreased environmental footprint as a result.
The blog has been featured and cited in various media outlets including Market Watch, CBS News, and The New Yorker, as well as others.
 
Visual Capitalist
Visual Capitalist creates and curates enriched visual content. It is a digital media brand that uses data, art, and storytelling to make complex issues more digestible for millions of investors around the world.
Focusing on topics such as markets, technology, energy, and the global economy, Visual Capitalist is currently one of the fastest growing online publishers in North America.
The company’s approach of fusing data, art, and storytelling has helped build an affluent millennial audience (&gt;50%) with a reach that is expanding rapidly. Visual Capitalist’s work can also often be found in Business Insider, Marketwatch, Zero Hedge, and other business-oriented publications.
 
Get Rich Slowly

Named Best Blog by Time magazine and Most Inspiring Money Blog by Money magazine, Get Rich Slowly is devoted to sensible personal finance.
Creator J.D. Roth&#8217;s philosophy is that building wealth takes time. He believes in setting goals, spending less than you earn and paying yourself first &#8212; and the posts on his blog reflect these beliefs.
Besides Get Rich Slowly, Roth is also the creator of Money Boss, a blog that focuses on helping readers master their money and life. The core idea is “manage your personal finances as if you were managing a small business.”
 
Money Crashers

Money Crashers is a personal finance resource with the mission of educating readers about how to improve their “financial fitness.” Topics covered include money management, budgeting, frugality, careers &amp; education, investing, retirement, and small business.
It strives to educate individuals in making wise choices and provides sensible advice to people of all ages and stages of life.
Money Crashers has been featured on national media outlets including CNN, The Wall Street Journal, US News &amp; World Report, Yahoo Finance, MSNBC, Business Insider, Forbes, and more.
 
Wise Bread
Wise Bread is a financial advice website that offers advice on personal finance, life hacks, and advice about buying goods and services.
This site is about being smart with your money and “Live Large on a Small Budget.” It covers a broad range of money-related topics, from opening a Roth IRA for your child to reusing detergent bottles.
Wise Bread has won several awards including About.com&#8217;s Personal Finance Blog of the Year, PC Magazine&#8217;s Top 100 Websites, and Kiplinger&#8217;s Top 10 Financial Blogs.
 
Consumerism Commentary

Consumerism Commentary is an online blog focusing on personal finance and consumer issues. The blog provides daily articles stemming from current events and events in the author&#8217;s own life.
Luke Landes is said to be the first blogger to share monthly financial updates, such as his net worth statement, with no restrictions.
Landes, who goes by Flexo on the site, has been blogging about personal finance and his own finances since 2003. He started the blog to hold himself accountable for his money decisions. Now the site covers all aspects of personal finance and provides reviews of financial products.
 
Modest Money
Modest Money provides insightful investment analysis from a diverse array of investment and financial minds. The site’s regular contributors investigate the cutting edge of investment opportunities, while helping readers steer clear of investing pitfalls.
Modest Money also provides breaking investment news, including stock market developments, currency trading reports, and the latest commodities events.
 
Financial Samurai

Financial Samurai claims to be one of the largest indy personal finance sites with 1 million organic page views a month. The blog delves deeper into investing, real estate, retirement planning, career strategies, money philosophy, and more, to achieve financial independence sooner, rather than later. It also gives honest and in-depth reviews of financial products. Every article is written based off first hand experience to provide the most helpful insights possible.
Financial Samurai has been highlighted in major publications such as Forbes, The Wall Street Journal Online, Business Insider, The Consumerist, The Sydney Herald, The Chicago Tribune and The Los Angeles Times. I’ve also done interviews with AARP, Newstalk Radio 910AM (KKSF San Francisco) and Bloomberg.
 
Budgets Are Sexy

Launched in 2008, Budgets Are Sexy is a personal finance blog that follows the author’s own adventures with income, debt, and savings. It aims to make personal finance and money management fun by avoiding the usual long in-depth instruction manual format, and instead provides a fun place to share and interact.
J. Money, the pseudonym of the site&#8217;s creator, is an award winning personal finance blogger and fintech consultant. With over a decade of building communities online, Jay’s projects have reached 30+ million views and have been featured numerous times in the media.
 
Featured image via Pixabay
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/9-must-read-personal-finance-rockstar-blogs-in-the-us</link><guid>715</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Mr-Money-Mustache-300x245.png</dc:content ><dc:text>9 Must-Read Personal Finance Rockstar Blogs in the US</dc:text></item><item><title>UBS: Bitcoin To Reach $ 200’000 Before Replacing Money</title><description><![CDATA[70% of changes in bitcoin price is mainly due to speculation. Bitcoin instability, structure, and its high volatility act as limitations to go mainstream analyst says.
&#8220;Bitcoin is still too unstable.”
A report sent to UBS clients underlines that crypto enthusiasts shall still wait for quite some time before Nakamoto money could potentially replace normal money supply, coins or even travelers’ checks. To be precise, the study conducted by the Swiss bank UBS(CHF 915 Bio of assets under management and valued at CHF 58,89 Bio in 2017) mentions that the price need to hit nearly $ 213’000…while BTC price today flirts with $ 6&#8217;320.
Apart from its price that needs to reach the moon, its network’s processing capabilities would need to drastically improve as well. As a brief reminder, VISA is able to process more than 20’000 transactions per seconds, although on average it handles 2’000 transactions per second. Bitcoin, on the other hand, faces a serious problem of scalability as its maximum capacity is estimated between 3.3 and 7 transactions per second.
Would it be then to early to categorize the three keys logo bank as a bitcoin detractor? Maybe yes, but it seems that the road ahead bitcoin is still long before it could thumb its nose at the US notes.
As per UBS, apart from the scalability problems and its high price fluctuations, there is a lack of clear regulations surrounding bitcoin which could be identified as a major drawback. For this reason, the Swiss bank highlights that “bitcoin falls short of criteria that need to be satisfied to be considered money.”
The 34-page report mentions:
“Our findings suggest that Bitcoin, in its current form, is too unstable and limited to become a viable means of payment for global transactions or a mainstream asset class,”
Joni Teves &#8211; UBS strategist.
UBS, Blockchain &amp; Bitcoin
It should be noted that the report does not mention at any time that Bitcoin will not be able to eventually make it. The group of analysts behind the study underlines that if this cryptocurrency improves its scalability and the regulation around it becomes clearer, it could one day be
&#8220;a viable payment mechanism and/or a legitimate asset class in which even the most conservative and traditional investors can participate.&#8221;
The goal of the report was mainly to provide answers from the banks’ clients requests. Indeed, an important number of investors started to be highly interested in this type of asset and several questions were raised. The bank’s analysis shall therefore provide eagerly awaited answers.
Publication&#8217;s authors mention in the paper:
&#8220;We have received many questions on the subject, which we hope to address in this educational piece.”
The results obtained were mostly based while comparing &#8220;macro variables and its [bitcoin]performance against various financial asset classes&#8220;. In the study, researchers draw parallels between bitcoin and one of the most online payment service, Paypal. They conclude that its “diffusion” shall follow the same trends as online payments.
This report on Bitcoin and Blockchain is not the first one conducted by UBS. Even if the bank CEO Sergio Ermotti, told CNBC last year to be ”not necessarily&#8221; a believer in cryptocurrencies, the bank published a report on Fintech and blockchain entitled “Global banks: Is Fintech a threat or an opportunity?” at the same time. In this report, the Swiss bank already mentioned the fact that the blockchain technology is expected to enable widespread cost reductions and revenue enhancement in the future.
 
Featured image via Pixabay
The post UBS: Bitcoin To Reach $ 200&#8217;000 Before Replacing Money appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ubs-bitcoin-to-reach-200000-before-replacing-money</link><guid>713</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>UBS: Bitcoin To Reach $ 200’000 Before Replacing Money</dc:text></item><item><title>EPFL and Cryptography</title><description><![CDATA[When one of the most prominent Swiss research institutes ( starts reflecting upon Blockchain technology and practical aspects, the plethora of opportunities seems infinite. EPFL’s goal is to establish a digital guarantee of trust among several partners through e-voting system.
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne &amp; Center for Digital Trust
Blockchain education has been a hot topic for the past few years but an important number of individuals still lack of resources in order to decipher the huge potential lying in this technology. To fill this gap, some of the most comprehensive courses in Switzerland are now available and include lectures and modules from top universities and Hochschule.
In the French-speaking canton of Vaud, nestled along the Leman Lake, the prestigious Swiss Federal Institute of Technology announced last year:

Martin Vetterli
“Digitalization is often compared to a huge wave surging across the earth. People need to know the basics if they want to ride that wave confidently and have trust in it” 
noted the President of the school, Martin Vetterli.
The successor of Patrick Aebischer, has deep knowledge of digitalization having conducted numerous research and contributions in the general area of digital signal processing. It is him who announced during a conference held in Lausanne in December 2017 the creation of Center for Digital Trust (C4DT) partnering with eight high institutional and industrial experts such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Lausanne University Hospital and companies like Swisscom, SwissRe, Swissquote.
EPFL &amp; C4DT &amp; Blockchain Technology
In July, only seven months after the announcement was made, the first e-voting system was tested at the EPFL. This is the first one of its kind guaranteeing both cryptographic anonymity and decentralized verification. EPFL’s laboratory named DEDIS standing for Decentralized and Distributed Systems Laboratory worked closely with the university to launch and test EPFL’s internal elections through e-voting method.
What this new system enables is the decentralization of voting and counting process through principles of distributed trust via blockchain technology. To make it simple: if previously, the system was run by one central service alone, the latter entirely changed. Indeed, several independent managed machines are now ensuring collective responsibility. The data collected remains entirely anonymous while the election outcome is transparent, guaranteed to be valid and readily verifiable as well.
Bryan Ford, DEDIS director, is proud of both the partnership established with EPFL and the contribution of the laboratory. He stated in the EPFL media blog:
“We were able to harness our expertise in decentralization technology in order to increase the appeal of e-voting and meet the legitimate needs of voters and electoral authorities.”
The Swiss Confederation is not at its first attempt at e-voting. As previously mentioned, the startup Procivis and the University of Zurich were developing a joint e-voting solution based on blockchain. The Zug canton as well launched in mid-November last year the eID system allowing its citizens&#8217; digital access to council services through the decentralized database from the Ethereum blockchain.
 
Featured image via Pixabay
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/epfl-and-cryptography</link><guid>714</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>EPFL and Cryptography</dc:text></item><item><title>Regulators Across the Globe Team-Up to Launch a Global Fintech Sandbox</title><description><![CDATA[As one of the most regulated industries in the world, fintech companies face one big obstacle in scaling: expanding into different regions. Each nation not only comes with its own quirks and market conditions, it also comes with a strict set of regulations that could break your entire business upon entry.
Usually, the best way to expand is to anticipate a regulator&#8217;s response to your business and adapt it accordingly.
This is why the the UK&#8217;s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) collaborated with regulators around the world to create an open network for innovative fintech firms to interact with regulators. Beyond just top-down interactions though, the hope is that the Global Financial Innovation Network (GFIN) becomes a framework for cooperation between distinct regulators as well on innovation-related topics, and for sharing different experiences and approaches.
Among some of the organisations that are already a part of GFIN include the Monetary Authority of Singapore, Australian Securities &amp; Investments Commission, Abu Dhabi Global Markets, Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), United States Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, and a few others covering a whole plethora of regulators across the globe.
The Answer to Calls for a Global Fintech Sandbox
The GFIN is the result of the idea of a &#8216;global sandbox&#8217; discussed in February 2018 which received 50 responses. A global sandbox could help reduce the time it takes to bring ideas to new international markets—as long as it&#8217;s transparent and fair to potential firms wishing to apply for cross-border testing.
Quite a few topics were highlighted in the feedback, like artificial intelligence, distributed ledger technology, data protection, regulation of securities and Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs), know your customer (KYC) and anti-money laundering (AML).
Therefore, the FCA wants the GFIN to fulfill 3 main functions:

Act as a network of regulators to collaborate and share experience of innovation in respective markets, including emerging technologies and business models;
Provide a forum for joint policy work and discussions; and
Provide firms with an environment in which to trial cross-border solutions.

Looking for Suggestions
While the consultancy has some lofty goals for the network, it is still in its very early stages. This is why FCA is looking for more opinions to help solidify a future mission statement for the GFIN, proposed functions, and where its priorities should lie.
The group is also keen to hear from other interested regulators or related organisations who wish to get involved.
Christopher Woolard, FCA Executive Director of Strategy and Competition and Board member commented:

Christopher Woolard
“The establishment of the GFIN can help share the experiences and knowledge from across different markets, while also providing a platform for innovative firms wishing to scale their propositions via testing in multiple countries.”
Now, FCA is seeking more feedback which can be sent in until the 14th of October 2018.
Current plans will hopefully see FCA engaging with interested parties across different jurisdictions, and in Autumn, assess feedback to decide on their next steps.
The working group is asking for feedback on the consultation questions by 14 October 2018. Over the course of the next two months, the group will engage with interested parties across the different jurisdictions involved in the project. In the Autumn, the working group will assess feedback and agree on next steps.
Featured Image via Pixabay
The post Regulators Across the Globe Team-Up to Launch a Global Fintech Sandbox appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/regulators-across-the-globe-team-up-to-launch-a-global-fintech-sandbox</link><guid>712</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Regulators Across the Globe Team-Up to Launch a Global Fintech Sandbox</dc:text></item><item><title>Venture Leaders Fintech: Meet Alberto Rama of Investment Navigator</title><description><![CDATA[New York is a big city, but for the Fintech Venture Leaders flying there on September 16th, there’s only one address that matters. Wall Street is synonymous with investment, and Alberto Rama will be taking his Investment Navigator to key players in the industry, hoping they will see the powerful advantages it confers in a complex global marketplace.
This is the 7th part of the Fintech Startup Interview serial powered by Venturelab.
Venturelab brings this autumn 10 Swiss Fintech Startups to New York.
Alberto Rama
Who are you, and what’s your big idea?
Before co-founding Investment Navigator in September 2014, I worked for over a decade within UBS in different product management positions and played a pivotal role for suitability as one of the key contributors to the bank’s rule engine.
Investment Navigator is a suitability platform that efficiently provides regulatory, tax and product-specific information for services, funds and structured products in the local and cross-border advisory process of any financial intermediary. The platform is already used by over 100 financial service providers in Switzerland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Liechtenstein, Singapore and Hong Kong. In parallel we offer a free version sponsored by over 20 fund companies in Switzerland and Hong Kong.
How is the Venture Leaders program beneficial for your startup?
Having officially launched our services in Asia,we will be able to explore further markets and networks through Venture Leaders. Additionally, the admission to the Venture Leaders program gave us the validation of being a leading fintech startup in Switzerland.
Where do you see the biggest opportunities in fintech over the next five years?
My guess is that automation of banking processes will be the next buzzword.
What problems urgently need to be solved?
Financial service providers need to increase their digital footprint, not only in the interaction with their clients, but even more urgently in their operations. An increase in efficiency and quality of their internal processes is the only way to remain competitive in a changing environment, with many aspiring challengers entering the market.
What is pushing you towards international expansion?
Our clients approached us to further develop our solution for their locations outside Switzerland. At the moment our solution is used by banks based in Switzerland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Liechtenstein, Austria, Singapore and Hong Kong.
What do you see as the greatest obstacle to expansion into the global market?
Gaining the trust of customers, especially if you do not have local representation. Further challenges are identifying and hiring local staff who share the same passion for your solution, and setting up internal procedures to ensure support for the local unit and its clients.
What attracts you to New York as a business development destination?
New York is the gateway to the financial sector in the US and home to renowned international banks, asset managers and market data providers, which have to ensure suitability checks in their sales processes.
What do you hope to achieve on the trip?
Access to international banks, asset managers and market data providers which have their headquarters in the US.
What are you most looking forward to?
Getting a better understanding of the local needs.
And what are you nervous about?
I’m not nervous – I’m proud of what we achieved over the last four years, since we started the idea of Investment Navigator on a white paper in a small coffee shop in Zurich. But of course, I am excited to get feedback from the US market.
The post Venture Leaders Fintech: Meet Alberto Rama of Investment Navigator appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/venture-leaders-fintech-meet-alberto-rama-of-investment-navigator</link><guid>711</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Investment-Navigator-Alberto-Rama-180619-CU-polo-Jasmin-Frei-Pep-Shot-300x200.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Venture Leaders Fintech: Meet Alberto Rama of Investment Navigator</dc:text></item><item><title>Venture Leaders Fintech Interview: Meet Oliver Werneyer of IMburse</title><description><![CDATA[Fintech Venture Leader Oliver Werneyer is the CEO of IMburse, a startup that simplifies the entire transaction technology space. It offers companies in industries from insurance to retail the chance to improve their customer relationships through personalised, streamlined payment processes – with little to no intervention in existing IT systems.
This is the 6th part of the Fintech Startup Interview serial powered by Venturelab.
Venturelab brings this autumn 10 Swiss Fintech Startups to New York.
Oliver Werneyer
Can you briefly introduce your project?
As a transaction orchestrator we bring the world of transactions (collect and payout in any market, any currency, via any technology with any partner) to companies to leverage via a single, simple integration. This way we minimize intervention into existing IT systems, enhance flexibility, reduce costs and unlock new features and capabilities.
Where do you see the biggest opportunities in fintech over the next five years? What problems urgently need to be solved?
The biggest opportunities we see are in the back-end enablement, automation and customer engagement areas.
Back-end Enablement: Incumbents are now opening up to the market to look for help updating their back-end. This needed a paradigm shift, as corporations previously guarded their systems from outside involvement. Fintechs will find a lot of interest and opportunity in this space.
Automation: The ever-increasing pressure to optimize and reduce costs and time spent on task puts the whole automation topic very high on the agenda. Fintech solutions that fit nicely into the IT landscape limits of companies but enhance automation are needed.
Customer engagement: This is not about distribution or apps. This is about how large companies can drive more value to the customer by becoming customer-centric. Having been mostly product-centric in the past, companies will need to make a shift in culture and mind-set. It will be a tough journey, and helping companies succeed in this will be very well received by the market.
What is pushing you towards international expansion?
We have an extremely scalable solution that thrives on volume and partnerships. We also see that the problem we are addressing – enhancement of transaction capabilities with minimal IT intervention – is a global topic and addresses all three of the above challenges: back-end enablement, automation and customer engagement. International expansion is a must for us to attain a size where we truly become the go-to building block for ecosystems, platforms and incumbents for anything related to transactions.
What do you see as the greatest obstacle to expansion into the global market?
Major obstacles include regulation, culture and investment. The multi-regulatory considerations that a global company faces increase adminand time to market.The complete difference in culture (especially on a business level) means that taking a company globally poses challenges to its belief and values, and how to maintain the culture that made it successful when it was smaller.
Investment is key because expanding globally really means having some local feet on the ground and a presence in the market, to show seriousness. This becomes extremely expensive for growing fintechs, and managing the burn rate is critical to achieving success in a sustainable way.
What attracts you to New York as a business development destination?
New York is well known to be home of powerhouse companies from the US, especially in the financial sector. These companies are our main targets, as we can save them hundreds of millions in annual costs. With their partners on the IT development side and some key retail group HQs, we see NY as an ideal starting point into the US.
What do you hope to achieve on the trip?
A core value of our company is to solve companies’ business pain points, as this is the only thing they will pay for. It will be critical for me to speak to people who can help us understand how our solution can solve specific problems in the US, or whether we are missing the mark and should be looking to deploy our platform slightly differently to really get traction.
We are also incredibly keen to meet with companies who are working on the topics of back-end upgrading, automation and customer engagement, and form connections that will lead to proofs of concept and deals down the line. A main goal is to meet investors with whom we can share our vision, and get them to buy into it and help us finance the growth of the company to the US.
And what are you nervous about?
That companies might believe themselves to be too large (or us too small, or too early) to even engage with. We want to learn, engage and evolve with partners to deliver truly market-changing solutions, and this requires open engagement and a willingness to try.
How is the Venture Leaders program beneficial for your startup?
The program puts a great structure around the whole event, which means we will be well prepared to make the most of the trip. It also lends us a certain credibility, which will do well to get the discussion going in earnest– we want to do business and sign deals! Going to NY with Venture Leaders gives me the confidence and comfort that we will get a lot for our company from that trip.
The post Venture Leaders Fintech Interview: Meet Oliver Werneyer of IMburse appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/venture-leaders-fintech-interview-meet-oliver-werneyer-of-imburse</link><guid>709</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/IMburse-Oliver-Werneyer-180619-CU-polo-Jasmin-Frei-Pep-Shot-300x200.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Venture Leaders Fintech Interview: Meet Oliver Werneyer of IMburse</dc:text></item><item><title>Blockchain Courses, Education in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[Developments in blockchain technology are transforming many industries including financial services, insurance, legal, and healthcare.
To better understand the opportunities and challenges that blockchain brings to businesses, and keep up with this rapidly evolving world, the following list combines some of the most comprehensive courses available in Switzerland covering blockchain technology, distributed ledger technology, cryptocurrencies, and initial coin offerings (ICOs):
 
Digital Finance IMD
October 17-19, 2018
IMD Switzerland, Ch. de Bellerive 23, P.O. Box 915, CH-1001 Lausanne

The Digital Finance program aims to help participants understand emerging financial technologies and see how they can create value and revenue. Participants will discover new opportunities from fintech, blockchain, big data, artificial intelligence and machine learning amongst other innovations.
The program will allow participants to identify the type of financial instruments emerging from technology their business can use, discover how they can monetize digital transformation, explore fintech&#8217;s major breakthroughs, and understand the role of cryptocurrencies in this new finance world.
 
Consensys Academy: Ethereum Smart Contract Development
October 24-26, 2018
ti&amp;m AG, Buckhauserstrasse 24, 8048 Zürich 

The Consensys Academy: Ethereum Smart Contract Development course aims to allow participants to master core skills for smart contracts development. After completion, they will understand the technology and the fundamentals of smart contracts programming enabling them to apply it and develop key use cases on Ethereum.
In particular, participants will be able to understand blockchain for the decentralization of Internet and a new paradigm for solution-enabling, setup the developer environment for smart contracts, both in testnet and production, understand Ethereum as the platform for developing top and key blockchain-based applications, and develop smart contracts for solving real-life problems through key use cases of Blockchain.
This course is open to anyone with no previous or minimum experience in Ethereum interested in becoming a top blockchain developer. Participants will learn and develop fundamental skills for using and understanding the technology. They will be able to design, code, deploy and call smart contracts.
 
CAS Blockchain Economy HWZ
Beginning in January 2019, duration: 1 semester (18 days including four-day study tour)
HWZ Hochschule für Wirtschaft Zürich Sihlhof, Lagerstrasse 5, 8004 Zürich

The  Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) Blockchain Economy course at the HWZ University of Applied Sciences Zurich aims to build a bridge between the established real economy and the potential of a dynamic future in blockchain.
This degree program, entirely in German, will enable participants to link the application areas of blockchain with commercial opportunities for your organization.
In addition to the 18-day course, participants will take part in a four-day study tour and will visit the emerging blockchain epicenter of Singapore and learn from global opinion leaders and thought leaders of the Swiss diaspora in Southeast Asia.
The CAS Blockchain Economy course is targeted at employees from the financial industry, their partners in the CFO offices on the client side, consultants, advisors and representatives from other corporate departments.
 
CAS Blockchain Luzern
Spring of 2019, duration: 6 months
Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Werftestrasse, 6002 Luzern

The CAS Blockchain course at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts covers the basics of the new digital world, the digital business models and the many possibilities (cryptocurrencies, smart contracts, etc.) in relation to blockchain technology. Students will gain insight into best practices from existing blockchain platforms.
Modules part of the CAS Blockchain course include Blockchain Business Models, Blockchain in the New Digital World, Blockchain Technology &amp; Crypto Currencies, Legal, Compliance &amp; Governance, Smart Contracts, and Blockchain Platforms &amp; Best Practices.
The director of studies of the CAS Blockchain course is Prof. Dr. Georges Grivas, a former financial services executive who worked at the likes of Credit Suisse, Swiss Life, Allianz Suisse, and Raiffeisen Switzerland.
 
CAS Blockchain ZHAW
February 22, 2019 – July 13, 2019
ZHAW School of Management and Law (SML), St.-Georgen-Platz 2, 8400 Winterthur

The CAS Blockchain course at the ZHAW School of Management and Law (SML) is aimed at graduates of universities with at least three years of professional experience, and professionals without a university degree with at least five years of professional experience and corresponding continuing education certificates.
Modules part of the course include Principles, including the structure of a peer-to-peer architecture, understand the nature of a public ledger, and initial coin offerings (ICOs), and Cases Studies.
 
CAS Blockchain Bern
Berner Fachhochschule BFH Holz, Falkenpl. 24, 3012 Bern

The CAS Blockchain course at the Bern University of Applied Sciences teaches students how to evaluate, plan and implement blockchain solutions as well as embed them in an overall IT architecture. Various areas of application are highlighted with focus topics and case studies.
In a focus section of the CAS, participants will immerse themselves in the topics of &#8220;general applications&#8221;, &#8220;technology and development&#8221; and &#8220;digital health&#8221;.
The course is aimed at those responsible for projects with high demands on data protection, security relevance, process traceability and compliance, and professionals who work in the realization of blockchain applications in IT companies.
Requirements to assist include previous experience in computer science and computer science projects.
 
Blockchain Technology for Executives

The Blockchain for Executives workshop aims to acquaint executives with the basics of the technology, enumerate the impact it can have on their business, and provide guidelines for the identification of good blockchain use cases.
The workshop is designed for executives who would like a quick overview of blockchain technology, its business potential and a tour of its current state.
Attendees are not required to have any prior knowledge about blockchain. A general interest in blockchain technology and some &#8216;back of the envelope&#8217; business improvement ideas are useful, but not needed.
 
Blockchain Specialist 1 BVS
BVS Business School Zurich, Militärstrasse 106, 8004 Zürich

The Blockchain Specialist 1 BVS course is designed for professionals who want to familiarize themselves with the modern tools of digital business management and use them.
The course content includes:

Blockchain Basics BCS 01: Blockchain in a generally understandable way. Students will be able to independently think about how blockchain can influence and transform their businesses.
Blockchain programming BCS 02: In this module, students will learn how to make a genesis block and how to build a blockchain.
Innovative Business Models BCS 03: Students will get an overview of the current possibilities to develop new business models based on blockchain technology, and concrete blockchain startup cases.
Ethereum &amp; Cryptocurrencies BCS 04: This module introduces the Ethereum platform and Smart Contract services. Apart from that, the dangers are dealt with by the case The DAO, in which millions of dollars were destroyed.

 
Courses at ETH Zurich
Rämistrasse 101, 8092 Zürich

BIOTS &#8211; Blockchain and the Internet of Things
The Blockchain and the Internet of Things (IoT) annual course explores the potential of these two technologies with a specific focus on sustainable development, and provides opportunities to gain fundamental understanding of promising new technologies as well as develop creative decentralized solutions for societal challenges using these technologies.
Participants will learn the fundamentals of blockchain technology, its mechanisms, design parameters and potential for decentralized solutions. A hackathon will allow participants to work in mixed teams on concrete challenges addressing some of the pressing global challenges our societies face, like climate change, financial instability, energy, or mass migration, etc. The aim is to develop decentralized approaches towards a sustainable, sharing circular economy using blockchain and IoT technologies.
Blockchain Security Seminar
The annual Blockchain Security Seminar introduces students to the latest research trends in the field of blockchain. The seminar covers the basics of blockchain technology, including motivation for decentralized currency, establishing trust between multiple parties using consensus algorithms, and smart contracts as a means to establish decentralized computation. It also covers security issues arising in blockchains and smart contracts as well as automated techniques for detecting vulnerabilities using programming language techniques.
The post Blockchain Courses, Education in Switzerland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/blockchain-courses-education-in-switzerland</link><guid>710</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Digital-Finance-IMD-1024x618.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Blockchain Courses, Education in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>5 Swiss Fintechs That Should Consider Expanding to Singapore &amp; Southeast Asia</title><description><![CDATA[Switzerland has a long history of doing business in Singapore. Today, over 400 Swiss companies, which mainly operate in the areas of banking, transport and logistics, biotech, insurance and professional services, are present in the city-state. According to the Business Times, these businesses are now employing approximately 28,000 people in Singapore.
Today, the business ties between Singapore and Switzerland are stronger than ever as the two countries look to excel in fintech development and adoption.
Raffles Place, Singapore
For Swiss fintech companies, Singapore acts as the key hub in and a gateway to Southeast Asia, and several of companies have already taken the plunge and entered the market. These include Netguardian, a regtech startup which established its Asia-Pacific (APAC) headquarters in Singapore in February, and Werthstein, a digital wealth management specialist originally from Germany but also operating in Switzerland, which entered the Singaporean market in March through a startup acceleration program.
Ayondo, a European company with offices in Switzerland, Germany, the UK, Spain and Singapore, became the first fintech company to list in Singapore back in March. Ayondo specializes in trading and investment solutions for retail and institutional customers.
Other Swiss fintech firms that recently established a presence in Singapore include Additiv, a robo-advisory services provider, Appway, a company that builds software for financial institutions’ digital transformation, Nektoon, the operator of Squirro, which offers a cloud solution for search-based data discovery and advanced analytics, and insurtech company Entsia.
Who should go Singapore?
But Switzerland also has many promising and fast-growing fintech ventures that have yet to expand to Southeast Asia and should consider doing so rapidly.
These ventures include Contovista, a Zurich-based company that provides banks with personal financial management solutions. The company’s portfolio includes a complete personal finance management solution, a finance management solution for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as a portfolio analytics solution. Contovista’s clients include Raiffeisen, Aargauische Kantonalbank, Zurcher Kantonalbank, and more.
Contovista platform
Another interesting venture is Apiax, a regtech startup. Apiax combines legal and compliance expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients, including banks and fintech companies, transform complex regulations into digital compliance rules and manage regulations digitally. The platform consists of up-to-date and verified digital rule sets, and a regulatory cockpit for legal and compliance teams to manage regulatory updates, review and deploy them.
One particular area that has a lot of potential in Singapore is services and solutions for SMEs. SMEs are at the heart of the Singapore economy, making up 99% of the city-state’s enterprises.
A player in this field that should consider entering the market is Bexio, a cloud-based business software that gives small businesses, startups and freelancers everything they need to run their enterprises effectively, covering customer management, order processing, bookkeeping, and integrated e-banking. Although recently acquired by Mobiliar, Bexio remains independent and is currently focused on further developing its platform.
Amnis Treasury Services is another interesting player. The company specializes in international payments and treasury services, currency exchange, risk management and related advice for SMEs. The company’s mission is to allow for SMEs to settle foreign exchange transactions on the the same terms as large companies, while being fully transparent regarding its fees.
Finally, as Singapore has set out to become a leader in blockchain and cryptocurrency technology, a new and innovative solution from Switzerland is Alethena, a platform that strives to become an initial coin offering (ICO) and blockchain asset rating agency.
Equility, the owner and operator of Alethena, is developing a due diligence methodology that allows evaluating and rating ICO and post-ICO projects based on the decisive technical, business, legal, and governance factors.
Alethena platform
 
Singapore: the gateway to Southeast Asia
From 2014 to 2016, Singapore had seen close to 200 foreign and local fintech companies commence domestic operations, registering the fastest growth rate in Asia.
The boom in Singapore’s fintech industry is attributed to several factors including the business-friendly environment, government support, light-touch regulation, and access to expertise and talent.
Since 2016, the city-state has been hosting one of the world’s largest annual fintech events in the world. The Singapore Fintech Festival, which attracted more than 25,000 participants last year, is coming back from November 12 to 16, 2018, and is set to, once more, bring together the world’s brightest minds in financial services and fintech.
This year again, the Swiss Pavilion will provide Swiss exhibitors with the opportunity to pitch their companies and products to relevant stakeholders, as well as to meet and network with potential clients, partners, end-users, and industry representatives. These will be able to gain a better understanding of what they will need to succeed in Asia’s fintech market.

Featured image via Publicdomainpictures.net.
The post 5 Swiss Fintechs That Should Consider Expanding to Singapore &#038; Southeast Asia appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/5-swiss-fintechs-that-should-consider-expanding-to-singapore-southeast-asia</link><guid>707</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Raffles-Place-Singapore-300x169.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>5 Swiss Fintechs That Should Consider Expanding to Singapore &amp; Southeast Asia</dc:text></item><item><title>New York Stock Exchange’s Owner Wants to Make Crypto Mainstream with Bakkt</title><description><![CDATA[Global exchanges operator Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), which owns the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), will in November launch a new digital asset platform. The new company will be called Bakkt, and will be launched in partnership with Microsoft, Starbucks and BCG Consulting.
According to Loeffler, the name ‘Bakkt’ is a play on the word ‘backed’, intended to convey a trustworthy investment instrument.
Bakkt&#8217;s investors are expected to include Eagle Seven, an affiliate of Fortress Investment Group, Horizons Ventures, Galaxy Digital, Alan Howard, Pantera Capital, Protocol Ventures and Susquehanna International Group, LLP.
At present, the launch remains subject to pending regulatory approval.
Elaborating on the new platform, Kelly Loeffler, CEO of Bakkt described Bakkt thus:

Kelly Loeffler
“Bakkt is designed to serve as a scalable on-ramp for institutional, merchant and consumer participation in digital assets by promoting greater efficiency, security and utility. We are collaborating to build an open platform that helps unlock the transformative potential of digital assets across global markets and commerce.”
Bakkt will leverage Microsoft’s cloud solutions to formulate an open and regulated global ecosystem for digital assets. Early use cases are expected to include the trading and conversion of Bitcoin versus fiat currencies, for one.
Yet the platform envisions a much wider application, including as a kind of network on which customers and institutions can buy, sell, store and expend digital assets across stores.
In the near future, the ecosystem is expected to also include federal-regulated markets, warehousing, merchant and consumer applications in its fold.
Buying Coffee with Bitcoin
Starbucks as a commercial partner also means that users will be able to purchase coffee using cryptocurrencies like bitcoin.
Maria Smith
“As the flagship retailer, Starbucks will play a pivotal role in developing practical, trusted and regulated applications for consumers to convert their digital assets into US dollars for use at Starbucks,” Maria Smith, Vice President, Partnerships and Payments for Starbucks was quoted as saying in a press release.
“As a leader in Mobile Pay to our more than 15 million Starbucks Rewards members, Starbucks is committed to innovation for expanding payment options for our customers,” she added.
Fostering Cryptocurrency Acceptance Through Market Regulation 
Bakkt’s launch as a regulated investments platform could turn the tide of traditional financial institutions’ thus far stubborn resistance of cryptocurrencies forming a new financial asset class.
Founder, Chairman and CEO of Intercontinental Exchange, Jeffrey C. Sprecher affirmed as much in stating the motivating factors behind Bakkt&#8217;s creation:

Jeffrey C. Sprecher
“In bringing regulated, connected infrastructure together with institutional and consumer applications for digital assets, we aim to build confidence in the asset class on a global scale, consistent with our track record of bringing transparency and trust to previously unregulated markets.”
Subject to CFTC (Commodity Futures Trading Commission) approval, ICE’s US-based futures exchange and clearing house is planning to launch a one-day only physically delivered Bitcoin contract and physical warehousing as an early component of the Bakkt offering in November.
The aim is to establish new protocols which cater to the specific security and settlement requirements of digital currencies.
Additionally, the clearing house expects to set up a separate guarantee fund to be funded by Bakkt itself.
Featured Image via Pixabay
The post New York Stock Exchange&#8217;s Owner Wants to Make Crypto Mainstream with Bakkt appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-york-stock-exchanges-owner-wants-to-make-crypto-mainstream-with-bakkt</link><guid>706</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>New York Stock Exchange’s Owner Wants to Make Crypto Mainstream with Bakkt</dc:text></item><item><title>Wefox Expandiert Weiter und Startet in Italien</title><description><![CDATA[Nur drei Jahre nach dem operativen Start in der Schweiz, in Deutschland und vor mehr als einem Jahr in Österreich gibt das Insurtech wefox den Markteintritt in Italien bekannt und setzt damit seine Internationalisierungsstrategie konsequent um.

Julian Teicke
«Wir wollen weltweit der neue Versicherungsstandard werden. Italien ist für uns ein nächster wichtiger Schritt»,
sagt Julian Teicke, CEO der wefox Group.
Das Insurtech verbindet persönliche Beratung mit modernster App-Technologie und liefert damit Antworten auf die veränderten Bedürfnisse von Kunden, Brokern und Versicherungsgesellschaften. Bislang hat wefox rund eine Viertelmillion Kunden, über 1000 Versicherungsbroker und über 300 Versicherungsgesellschaften gewonnen.
Auch in Italien strebt wefox an, der innovativste Marktplatz für Kunden, Broker und Versicherungen zu werden.
«Italien ist für uns vielversprechend, denn auch dort befindet sich der Markt an einem Wendepunkt von einer produktzentrierten zu einer kundenfokussierten Ausrichtung»,
sagt Julian Teicke. wefox will in Italien den Plattform-Gedanken etablieren und darüber die digitale Transformation für Kunden, Makler und Versicherer gestalten.
Strategische Kooperation
Der bewährten Strategie aus den DACH-Ländern folgend, wird wefox auch in Italien den klassischen Broker in sein Geschäftsmodell integrieren und Old- und New-Economy verbinden, also die Expertise und langjährige Erfahrung im Versicherungsmarkt mit den Möglichkeiten digitaler Technologien.
Aus diesem Grund ist wefox eine strategische Kooperation mit einem der grössten, familiengeführten Brokerunternehmen Mansutti S.p.A. in Italien eingegangen. Mansutti mit Sitz in Mailand beschäftigt mehr als 300 Mitarbeitende und verfügt über ein sehr gut ausgebautes Netzwerk in der Versicherungsbranche. Das Brokerunternehmen hat seinen Schwerpunkt in der Automotive-Branche. Diese Verbindung wird der Broker nutzen, um Cross-Selling-Effekte über die wefox-Plattform zu generieren.
Neue Versicherungsprodukte für den italienischen Markt

Tomaso Mansutti
«Als Partner von Europas führendem Insurtech können wir durch den Einsatz modernster Salesforce-Technologie Versicherungslösungen auf einem sehr hohen Service-Level anbieten. Damit stärken wir massgeblich unsere Position als international agierender Broker»,
sagt Tomaso Mansutti, CEO der Mansutti S.p.A. wefox unterstützt Mansutti im Sinne eines Software-Providers. Die Broker erhalten ein modernes CRM-System und können Backoffice-Arbeiten an wefox auslagern, sodass sie effizienter und kundenfokussierter arbeiten und sich stärker auf die Kundenbetreuung konzentrieren können.
Tomaso Mansutti:
«Unsere Kunden können ihre Versicherungen über die wefox-App jederzeit und überall einsehen, optimieren, neue Verträge abschliessen und Schäden melden – alles digital an einem Ort. Dadurch erwarten wir eine ausgezeichnete Kundenzufriedenheit und -bindung.»
Mansutti unterstützt wefox bei der Entwicklung von Versicherungsprodukten für den italienischen Markt.
Kooperationen werden ausgebaut in weitere Länder
Im nächsten Jahr plant wefox, eine eigene Gesellschaft in Italien zu gründen und die Kooperation mit weiteren Brokern auszubauen. Auch die Expansion in weitere europäische Länder wird vorbereitet.
 
Ausgewähltes Bild über Pixabay
 
The post Wefox Expandiert Weiter und Startet in Italien appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/wefox-expandiert-weiter-und-startet-in-italien</link><guid>705</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Julian-Teicke.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Wefox Expandiert Weiter und Startet in Italien</dc:text></item><item><title>Venture Leaders Fintech Interview: Meet Pranay Jain of Enterprise Bot</title><description><![CDATA[The Fintech Venture Leaders team are preparing for a roadshow that will take them to the heart of the global finance industry: New York City.
Team member Enterprise Bot will be hoping to sign up more customers for its natural language powered AI chatbot, already making waves with Swiss corporations.
This is the 5th part of the Fintech Startup Interview serial powered by Venturelab.
 
Pranay Jain
Who are you, and what’s your big idea?
I am Pranay Jain, CEO and co-founder of Enterprise Bot. At Enterprise Bot we are transforming the world of insurance and banking by using artificial intelligence and conversational commerce.
Where do you see the biggest opportunities in fintech over the next five years? What problems urgently need to be solved?
The biggest problem in fintech is that the cost of customer support and customer acquisition is significant and growing exponentially (upto $5 a call). This makes it very difficult to provide the required service to customers, and results in hundreds of millions in lost revenues and additional costs every year.
What is pushing you towards international expansion?
Our solution, in the first 12 months of activity in Switzerland, has gained amazing results, with clients like Generali, PWC, SWICA and SIX Securities (Swiss Stock Exchange). We believe we are ready to provide this same level of accuracy, speed and deep technology to the rest of the world.
What do you see as the greatest obstacle to expansion into the global market?
As a startup, our limited brand recognition is the biggest obstacle to global expansion. With the key accounts Generali, PwCand others under our belt, we hope to quickly reduce this obstacle.
What attracts you to New York as a business development destination?
The US is one of the largest markets, and New York is the launchpad for any financial service. We are confident that our trip to NY will help us embark on a successful journey and create deep relationships to will help us grow.
What do you hope to achieve on the trip? What are you most looking forward to?
I hope to connect with investors and clients who will help us expand and dominate the US market.
And what are you nervous about?
Not much! I enjoy being in the US, having spent my college years in Boston, and I am looking forward to making the most of my visit and helping our business achieve additional growth.
How is the Venture Leaders program beneficial for your startup?
Venture Leaders has provided us with the perfect platform to network and expand our business. We are confident that this relationship will allow our business to accelerate our growth and business expansion into new geographies.
The post Venture Leaders Fintech Interview: Meet Pranay Jain of Enterprise Bot appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/venture-leaders-fintech-interview-meet-pranay-jain-of-enterprise-bot</link><guid>703</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Enterprise-Bot-Pranay-Jain-180619-CU-polo-Jasmin-Frei-Pep-Shot-300x200.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Venture Leaders Fintech Interview: Meet Pranay Jain of Enterprise Bot</dc:text></item><item><title>“BORN IN SWITZERLAND” Swiss Original Fintech Overview Map Update: 119 Companies</title><description><![CDATA[Luc Schuurmans, Head Private Banking, Executive Management at Bank Linth LLB AG,  put together an updated overview map of Fintech Companies “Born in Switzerland”.
Since his last update he collected 3 Fintech Startups more &#8211; theScreener, Altoo and 3rd-eyes
Here are the descriptions of all the startup listed in Luc’s map:
Funding
Verve Capital Partners Ltd. operates investiere.ch, a disruptive early-stage and equity gap financier. Based in Zug, Switzerland, Verve Capital Partners was launched in December 2007, with the aim to develop and implement innovative financing concepts for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) while connecting private investors directly to SME investments.
 
 

 
WeCan.Fund connects investors to the best Swiss SMEs seeking crowdfunded loans. They provide a secure, user-friendly, transparent platform that will revolutionize SME financing.
 
 

 
Swiss Crowdfunding is The First Swiss Real Estate Crowdfunding Platform. They have the right of sale of real estate for a total value of over 2 billions Euros: this includes housing estate, for profit, accommodation facilities and many hotels in spread throughout 8 different countries in Europe.
 
 

 
Bricks &amp; Bytes AG provides with crowdhouse.ch the first real estate crowd funding platform in Switzerland. By democratizing the way of being a real estate owner it makes everyone a happy landlord.
 
 
 

 
wemakeit.com was founded in Switzerland in February 2012 by the communication consultant Rea Eggli, the artist Johannes Gees and the interaction designer Jürg Lehni and within very short time grew into one of the largest crowdfunding platforms in Europe.
 
 
 
Propmatch.ch We are a 2015 founded PropTech Startup from Basel. Our goal is to make B2B real estate transactions (investment properties and real estate) more efficient. We help real estate professionals with our open and free analytics platform to make better decisions. Through the combination of Big Data, GIS and Analytics, we enable intelligent matching between sellers, properties and buyers of all sizes throughout Switzerland.
 
 
Projektstarter ist eine Crowdfunding-Plattform mit Sitz in Solothurn, welche seit dem Jahr 2011 tollen Ideen und ihren Machern eine Möglichkeit zur Finanzierung bietet. Sie ist in Besitz der Designatelier GmbH. ProjektStarter bietet den Menschen im Raum Schweiz die Möglichkeit ihre Idee oder ihr Projekt zu finanzieren.
 
 

 
100-days.net (St. Jakobstrasse 54a, CH-8004 Zurich) is a limited company which is 100% owned by Ron Orp GmbH, based in Zurich. The site’s managers and founders are Romano Strebel, Christian Klinner and Ron Orp.
 
 
 
DealMarket is a global online platform for fundraising and deal flow management – a one‐stop shop for Private Equity &amp; Corporate Finance professionals. DealMarket counts more than 15,000 active private equity professionals from 159 countries and is growing fast. Global leading banks like UBS use DealMarket’s deal flow management tools like hundreds of Investors, Associations and Networks trust our comprehensive service offering for Private Equity.
 
Go Beyond Investing brings together a group of private accredited investors dedicated to providing early-stage capital with entrepreneurs seeking investment capital. Go Beyond Investing enables novice &amp; experienced, small &amp; large investors, to access angel investing as an asset class through its unique platform, tools, training and expert angels.
 
 

 
SoSense is a pioneer in digital social innovation with offices in Zürich (Switzerland) and Berlin (Germany). They design creative and engaging concepts, implement innovative and empowering solutions and help run impactful campaigns with leverage.
 
 

 
CreditGate24 connects borrowers with private and institutional investors and offers an efficient and scalable settlement of loans. CreditGate24 operates exclusively online, with no branches or high administrative expenses in order not to diminish the yields on investment and to minimize the cost for borrowers.
 
 
Advanon is an authorized financial intermediary that is directly subordinated to FINMA (Directly Subordinated Financial Intermediary, DSFI) according to the Anti Money Laundering Act (AMLA).
 
 
 

Suricate Solutions Sàrl a développé GoHeidi, une plateforme web de financement participatif basée sur la précommande d’un produit/service afin d’aider toute personne à réaliser son projet.
 
 
 

Veolis provides a Crowdfunding and Crowdinvesting Platform for sustainable projects in Switzerland, for example: Renewable Energy Projects, Cleantech Company; processes and legal contracts between Project Owner and Investor are simplified and standardized.
 
 
 

c-crowd represents a new way of financing entrepreneurs while democratising the concept of business angels, brings together innovative entrepreneurs and investors.
 
 
 

Loanboox is the independent money and capital market platform for public-sector borrowers and institutional investors. In contrast to conventional brokering, financing and investing through Loanboox is simple, transparent, safe and low cost, benefiting both borrowers and lenders alike.
 
 
 

SWISS STARTER the first equity crowdfunding platform in Ticino (Switzerland), wants to be a real support to help new startup that needed funds to start their project or to carry on existing projects in the critical steps.
 
 
 
Swiss Crowdlending FinTech for private persons and SME. Crowd Solutions is the provider of Crowd4Cash.ch the innovative Crowdlending platform. Crowd4Cash brings investors and borrower together. For better returns for the investors and lower interest rates for borrower. 100% online, easy and simply fair!
 
 
 

swisspeers  ist eine unabhängige Crowdlending Plattform, die es Unternehmen erlaubt, bei Investoren direkt – also ohne Zwischen­schaltung eines Finanzinstituts – Fremdkapital zu beschaffen.
 
 
 
 

creditworld verbindet Schweizer KMUs mit privaten sowie professionellen Investoren. KMUs profitieren von attraktiven Konditionen und fairen Vertragsbedingungen. Investoren erhalten Zugang zu einer neuen Anlageklasse mit interessanten Renditen und unterstützen dabei das Rückgrat der Schweizer Volkswirtschaft.
 
 

Splendit matches students and investor in an auction process, issue documentation and manages payments through the lifetime of the loans.
 
 
 
 
Advice

moneyguru.ch ist der digitale Assistent für private Finanzen in der Schweiz. Der Moneyguru ist von den Gründern von moneyland.ch ins Leben gerufen worden. Die unabhängige Vergleichsseite moneyland.ch ist sozusagen die Mutter, die Datenlieferantin und der Rechner von Moneyguru.
 
 
 

Crowd Trading‘s objective is to bring a revolution to the world wide online financial services being the first on the market to offer a social trading platform to collectively manage portfolios of financial assets through a decision-making system for public groups of investors (herein “crowd”) and an automated trades replication within the crowd.
 
 

adviceonline.ch, the complete and regulatory conform Onboarding, Profiling, Opening Document Management, Advisory and Consolidation Suite for EAM and Banks.
 
 
 
 

Investment Navigator is operated by Investment Navigator AG based in Zurich. Investment Navigator AG works closely with fundinfo, the leading platform for information and mandatory disclosures in the fund sector.
 
 
 

InvestGlass is a 24/7 financial markets platform built with Swiss banking know-how and a predictive algorithm. Their goal is to deliver smart financial information investors need at the right time and in the right format. Equities, Bonds, Forex, ETF, Futures, News and much more…
 
 
 

FLYNT reinvents platforms, services and experiences that put clients in control of their wealth. We see wealth as a means to follow life’s dreams, ambitions and aspirations. Wealth is a gateway to opportunity. Our mission is to transform how our clients realise these opportunities – in the most fluid, dynamic and rewarding way possible.
 
 

Sentifi is a leading Crowd-Intelligence platform for financial markets globally, receiving Swiss FinTech Award 2016. Their unique approach is to structure unstructured financial data from news, blogs and social media, identify and rank the sources for their relevance and apply self-learning algorithms and a financial expert system to extract insights from the content.
 
 

Qumram enables every digital interaction – web, social and mobile – to be recorded and replayed, at any time, providing a complete digital audit trail for financial services organisations, in accordance with key global regulatory requirements (MIFID-II, SEC, FINRA and more).
 
 
 

SwissMetrics is a dynamic startup from Switzerland that has a mission to enhance the way companies monitor their credit risk. As finance professionals, they have developed a SaaS platform with the aim of promoting smarter collaboration within companies to work for a common goal – saving money through risk minimization.
 
 
 

With diverse academic backgrounds ranging from information technology, mathematics, business administration, political sciences and philosophy, economics, design, linguistics and psychology, Adviscent‘s team of experts brings solid domain expertise on board in the banking, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and food industries.
 
 

MeetInvest seeks to democratize stock market investment with a free service that combines a social media platform and an investor toolkit, bringing in one place all the necessary resources for people to start trading like pros.
 
 
 

By leveraging technology, Dein-Anlageberater.ch provides users with personalized investment advisory services and recommendations for asset allocation at a much lower price than traditional investment advisers.
 
 
 
 

CrowdInvest.ch ist die erste Plattform der Schweiz, bei der jedermann die Kursentwicklung von Aktien prognostizieren kann. Denn wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zeigen, dass kollektives Wissen besser ist als einzelne Expertenmeinungen. Werde jetzt Teil von crowdinvest.ch und miss dich mit den Finanzexperten.
 
 

Nectar Financial, formerly Etops, is a Swiss fintech company specializing in wealth and asset management. It provides middle and back office services for more than 30 family offices, independent asset managers and banks and supports them in managing assets in excess of CHF 35 billion.
 
 
 

Riskifier makes investment risk profiling simple, fun and insightful for everyone. Our solution uses latest advances of artificial intelligence to fulfill the requirements of MiFID II/FIDLEG investor risk profiling and KYC data collection, while digitalizing &amp; gamifying user experience as well unleashing advantages of behavior based personalized investment risk profiles.
 
 

Pricehubble a Swiss based company, focusing on international real estate markets. We integrate top academic and industry experience in machine learning, computer science, econometrics, mathematics, statistics, financial services and consulting. We develop innovative solutions to support real estate decision making.
 
 
EdgeLab is a fintech company providing an investment intelligence web platform to help financial institutions taking smarter decisions.
 
 
 

Apiax is a compliance digitally mastered. We transform complex regulations into easy-to-use digital compliance rules.
 
 
 



theScreener is the market leader for independent valuations of financial securities, equities, sectors and markets, and new funds.
 
 




 
Integration
 
Performace Watcher Evaluating and comparing the result of one&#8217;s investment portfolio must be accessible to everyone. Our aim is to popularize and demystify a traditionally opaque field. We believe in explanations that are simple, clear and understandable to everyone. With the disappearance of Swiss banking secrecy, increased competition, the Internet and a new generation of customers the transparency of results is born.
 
 
WealthPort’s artificial intelligence (AI)-driven software helps businesses reduce manual work in product data management by 20x, speed up time-to-market by 90% and increase revenue up to 10%. Wealthport makes this possible by radically improving data quality–automating the data integration, cleaning and categorisation process.
 
 

Additiv develops and implements digital innovations and business models for financial services companies – tailor-made and turnkey.
 
 
 

Qedos designs beautiful &amp; innovative solutions for wealth managers. Their solutions revolutionise the way wealth managers and their client interact. They help wealth managers provide tailored advice, provide a better client experience, achieve superior investment performance, comply with regulations and work more efficiently.
 
 

Founded in 2007, NetGuardians was the first company to emerge from the innovation incubator Y-Parc, in Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland. The company now enjoys a solid international presence with a steadily growing clientele in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
 
 
 
FundBase is a cloud-based platform to ultimately host the complete investment process for high-conviction alternative investments. Fundbase delivers to qualified investors a seamlessly integrated platform to discover, execute and monitor complex investments such as hedge funds, private equity and other high-conviction investments.
 
 

Pure Value Metrics provides active investors with a unique combination of Global Equity Portfolio Selection, Market Insight, Online Trading and discretionary Voice Execution.
 
 
 

ADDFIN is a business solution for professional investors who seek to benefit and leverage on the full potential offered by digitalization and information technology in order to standardize the workflow, processes and procedures.
 
 
 

Centralway Numbrs is a customer-centric financial services company. It enables its customers to manage their existing bank accounts and personal finances and to buy any financial product from every provider at the best possible price.
 
 
 
 

Monetas develops technologies that empower people to live and do business with greater freedom than ever before, and that make financial inclusion a reality.
 
 
 
 

Interaction Partners is a Swiss-based Investor Relations Services firm with a focus on facilitating broker-independent trust-building, live interactions (roadshows) between listed corporates and institutional investors in Zurich, Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lugano, Milan and London.
 
 
 
We believe that great decision makers are the ones that ask the right questions. Veezoo empowers them to find the answers efficiently by themselves. We make complex information easy to understand by answering any question with a clean visualization.
 
 
 
Lykke is a Swiss Fintech company building a global marketplace based on blockchain. It builds on decades of thought and research by company founder Richard Olsen, a pioneer in the field of high-frequency finance. Richard served as co-founder and CEO of OANDA, a leading foreign exchange company. Lykke received initial seed funding in 2015.
 
 
 
Oyoba is a finance-as-a-service platform, providing its users access to a wide range of fintech and blockchain services, including bank accounts, Bitcoin wallets, robo advisory, lending, P2P payments and debit cards. Oyoba’s vision is to turn consumer banking into a modern information service by using personal, financial and other data to create new, personalized and better services.
 
 
Spitch is a Swiss provider of solutions based on Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) and voice biometrics, Voice User Interfaces (VUI), and natural language voice data analytics.
 
 
 
Moneygrid is born out of the vision that currency systems should be as diverse as possible and that they should connected to each other if it does make sense.
 

 
 

Altoo has developed its wealth platform in co-creatorship with its clients. Our independence and diversity enables us to connect people, wealth and processes by technology in a unique way.
 
 



 
Learn/Compare
Anders als bei anderen Lernplattformen arbeitet fintool.ch bewusst mit Kurzvideos. Da auf der anderen Seite der zu behandelnde Stoff ausgesprochen vielfältig aber auch von immenser Breite ist, sind der Anzahl solcher Videos kaum Grenzen gesetzt. Der Stoff wird fintool.ch nicht ausgehen. Nach Erscheinen werden die einzelnen „Street-Videos“ in sogenannten Wissensgefässen „zusammengebunden“.
 
 
nViso provides the most scalable, robust, and accurate cloud service to measure instantaneous emotional reactions of consumers in online environments. We provide real-time and highly actionable information for Market Research, Brands, Creative Agencies and R&amp;D Product Development. Using award winning and proprietary 3D Facial Imaging technology, compatible with ordinary webcams, we uncover the why and how of customer behaviour in real-time, letting brands make smarter business decisions and build more engaging consumer experiences.
 

moneyland.ch is a Swiss comparison service site helping you with your financial needs. On moneyland.ch, you can use independent comparison tools for insurance, loans, credit cards, bank accounts, consumer credits, interest rates, trading and much more.
 
 
 

123vergleich &#8211; the portal for free insurance comparisons, offers and expert advice. 3 steps to the best offer: Compare &#8211; Request an offer &#8211; Save premiums!
 
 
 
 

Comparis is a Swiss Internet comparison service. On comparis.ch, consumers can compare rates and services of health insurances, other insurances, banks, telecom providers, property, vehicles and special offers from retailers – quickly and easily.
 
 
 
Ein Financial Explainer ist ein computergenerierter Erklärungsvideo. Mit Hilfe von Ton, Bild und Bewegung werden komplexe Sachverhalte verständlich erklärt. Gerade in der Finanzbranche, wo die Komplexität der Produkte und Dienstleistungen einen hohen Erklärungsbedarf mit sich bringen, kann ein Financial Explainer durch seine “Step by Step” Erzählweise sein ganzes Potenzial entfalten.
 
 

Simple, Easy and Usefulness are the three pillars of everything that are innovated at Smartie. A team with impeccable entrepreneurship, courage to put a ding in the universe and humility are some of the characteristics of the team members.
 
 
 

bfox ist ein exklusiver Service der fragguido AG mit Sitz in Bergdietikon. Das 2013 gegründete Unternehmen ist 100% unabhängig und wird von einem Expertenteam geführt.
 
 
 
assetinum.com was founded with the goal of offering investors an independent and useful wealth management portal. Assetinum’s special focus is given to the search function for matching Swiss asset and wealth managers, investment consultants, banks and family offices. Users can easily arrange a meeting with experienced investment experts for free and then decide on a provider of their choice.
 
 
FinGuide offers a new service in Swiss Private Banking. So far, private banking customers have been directly acquired by providers, as investors you have been in a passive role. With FinGuide you can take control of yourself without having to spend a lot of effort. The approach: We record your individual needs in detail and show you which banks or asset managers suit you best. FinGuide is available to private individuals with assets available from 500,000 Swiss francs.
 
 
Payments
 

Monito is a comparison website for international money transfer services. We compare and review more than 450 money transfer operators, to help you find the best option for each of your international transaction.
 
 
 

CashSentinel is a fintech startup that developed an innovative payment solution, which is at the crossroads of escrow agents and mobile wallets, to facilitate vehicle transactions. CashSentinel’s service has opened in April 2014 in Switzerland.
 
 
 

Mobino is a Swiss company incorporated in Geneva in 2011. Their products are integrated with the existing banking infrastructure, for example through the SEPA system in Europe. A version with prepaid accounts is geared to countries where many citizens cannot access traditional banking services.
 
 
 

CashCloud is a mobile payment system, but relies on a system of stability and security. They aim to create transparency and ensure ease of use, in order not to give rise to the scepticism and distrust which has grown between the people and the banks in recent years regarding mobile payments.
 
 
 

milliPay is a Swiss online payment provider. With their patent-pending technology they firstly enable micropayments: their system is optimized for fast and easy access to paid content, and efficiently processes transaction amounts down to EUR 0.001.
 
 
 

After several years of development, the Run my Accounts AG AG was founded in 2008: the Easiest Accounting for SME. And meanwhile run my accounts in Stafa with 25 employees approximately 300 companies in the size of 1 to 220 employees.
 
 
 

SONECT Creating virtual ATMs where users can withdraw cash from any shop that joins the program at over 50% cheaper than the current ATM withdrawal costs.
 
 
 
 
SmartLink is a mobile wallet services provider, offering white-label mobile transaction platform solutions, contactless transaction capabilities, know-your-customer solutions, and prepaid program management.
 
 
 
 
billte digitalize paper invoices and to automate the billing chain for small and medium businesses. Since the deal does not end with a bill, we surround the invoices with a wide range of features that are beneficial for both, companies and their customers. By providing Value Added Services, such as bi-directional communication channel, awarding offers, analytics, forecasting, financial support, we help to maintain existing relationships and gain new customers.
 
SecurionPay, established in 2014 in Switzerland, is a cross-device payment platform that enables businesses accepting online payments in 160 currencies through the checkout translated into 23 languages.
 
 
 
Advantage Digital, Unlike web wallets and other apps acting as simple clients to web based processes, a true mobile wallet generates and keeps your sensitive data local and never shares/sends it over the internet.
 
 
 
 
Wealth Management

True Wealth AG was founded in 2013 as a Swiss corporation. An automated investment solution that is uncompromisingly cost-efficient so that our clients enjoy bigger returns.
 
 
 

With INVESTORY you can trade direct investments like stocks, etfs, futures, foreign currencies, precious metals, and commodities. Collective investments like mutual funds, structured products, and certificates are not available.
 
 
 

 
Investivity is a boutique investment company dedicated to delivering innovative solutions to the current challenges faced by wealth managers.
 
 
 
 
Leonteq is vertically integrated and is a leading B-2-B partner for digitisation solutions. They cover the entire value chain of structured investment products from structuring to pricing, documentation, issuance, listing, settlement, risk management, market-making, life-cycle management and distribution.
 
 

 
AMNIS provides small and medium enterprises via an electronic platform access on fair terms for currency exchange and foreign currency payments. Various automated systems and APIs (programming interfaces), it also allow the processes involved in dealing with foreign currency easier.
 
 
 

Blockchain software for asset management. Melonport is building multichain capable software for asset management.
 
 
 
 

 
Descartes is a digital Swiss investment advisor bringing together the latest insights in financial theory, leading technology, and successful investment specialists. An easy, low-cost access to strategies and methods of well-known, independent investment specialists, portfolio managers and economists.
 
 
 
mydesq is a swiss startup which provides innovative solutions to wealth managers. We provide a comprehensive workbench which allows wealth managers to do all their daily activities in a single application on their ipad. The application allows wealth managers to truly work from anywhere, anytime and even works fully if there is no internet connectivity. But besides being powerful, the mydesq application has a gorgeous design and can be customised as we believe that each wealth manager is unique.
 

 
 
clever circles is a platform for building and managing your assets. clever circles is a platform for building and managing your assets.
 ]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/born-in-switzerland-swiss-original-fintech-overview-map-update-119-companies</link><guid>704</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Futurae.png</dc:content ><dc:text>“BORN IN SWITZERLAND” Swiss Original Fintech Overview Map Update: 119 Companies</dc:text></item><item><title>Crypto in Switzerland: Early Signs of Exodus?</title><description><![CDATA[Does it look like the first sign of exodus for crypto companies in the Confederation? It may not be the exact case although Switzerland may not keep its competitive advantage it used to have for the past few years.
Crypto companies not entitled any more to open bank accounts
It seems that a certain panic rose in the quiet and peaceful canton of Zug. Indeed, financial regulators are gathering their efforts after two important banks, namely Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB) and another one have decided to stop their partnership with several companies active in the crypto industry last year.
From a global perspective, although the cryptocurrency space represents a tiny portion of services compared to the traditional financial services sector, this industry has literally boomed and experienced a massive growth: hundreds of persons are active on a daily basis in this sphere.
From a quantitative perspective let’s note that only in the Zug canton, the hub nicknamed “Crypto Valley”, it is approximately 200~300 entities that settled their headquarters/foundations in this specific region for the past few years.
Heinz Tännler, head of the canton’s finances, highlights that several companies would be ready to leave and find other jurisdictions outside Switzerland if the government would not take necessary actions. According to him, it is of paramount importance that the companies already established in Switzerland stay; better conditions are thus necessary and essential.
He declared to Reuters that:

Heinz Tännler
“All their banking relationships are going to Liechtenstein. These are hundreds of jobs that have been created, and every job is important.”
On the other side though, a member of the board of the Swiss National Bank (SNB), Thomas Moser, stated that several crypto related companies asked the local national bank to intervene. Unfortunately, the answer they got was not the one expected as he noted:
“These companies raised concerns about problems with opening bank accounts, which was a worry for them, and asked for help. I said this was not something the SNB dealt with, but they should speak with FINMA”.
Nevertheless, this piece of news feared by many start-ups, but also by the entire crypto sphere, could be highly appreciated by other crypto-friendly jurisdictions such as Malta, Gibraltar, Liechtenstein or the Cayman Islands where financial institutions welcome this industry with open arms.
Banks highly concerned with AML
Banks dealing with cryptocurrency companies in Switzerland urge local financial regulators like FINMA and self-regulatory organizations (SROs) to provide them clearer structures, rules and guidelines as these financial institutions claim that regulation on this hot topic is vague and unclear.
The fourth largest banks in Switzerland -and the first cantonal bank,(~ CHF 290 Bio of assets in 2017) but a second bank as well took the decision to cease partnerships with companies active in the crypto sphere.
Reuters advances a total of approximately 20 enterprises that had their account closed within these respective banks.
A spokesperson from ZKB declined to comment on the current partnership between the bank and cryptocurrencies companies although it had been claimed that the cantonal bank is not active in this industry anymore.
The start-up led by the famous women entrepreneur Olga Feldmeier, Smart Valor, planning to launch a decentralized, community-based platform in order to tokenized alternatives investments has been requested to close its account with the second bank, unknown to date.
Swiss banks remain vigilant with start-ups that conducted ICO as some companies did not keep up with AML compliance &amp; KYC rules. As a matter of fact, financial institutions in which those funds were deposited could also be exposed to this risk which could have severe consequences for them.
Nevertheless, there is also reason for hope in the Swiss crypto sphere. Indeed, two banks, namely Falcon Private Bank &amp; Maerki Baumann both headquartered in Zurich, decided a while ago to expand their services portfolios and provide cryptocurrency assets for their clients.
Stephan Zwahlen, Maerki Baumann CEO, declared in an interview: “We are in principal open for such funds”.
Featured Image via Pixabay
The post Crypto in Switzerland: Early Signs of Exodus? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crypto-in-switzerland-early-signs-of-exodus</link><guid>702</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Heinz-Tännler.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Crypto in Switzerland: Early Signs of Exodus?</dc:text></item><item><title>Boerse Stuttgart Group Plans ICO Trading Platform</title><description><![CDATA[After the start of cryptocurrency trading via BISON, there will soon be a platform for initial coin offerings (ICOs), a multilateral trading venue for cryptocurrencies as well as solutions for safe custody.
As an established market player, Boerse Stuttgart Group has extensive know-how in the fields of technology, regulation and trading models.

Alexander Höptner
&#8220;On this basis we can offer central services along the value chain for digital assets, all under one roof. Investors and market participants know that Boerse Stuttgart Group stands for quality, transparency and reliability. As a Germany-based provider we want to transpose this standard into the digital world. We will help to promote acceptance of digital assets,&#8221;
says Alexander Höptner, CEO at Boerse Stuttgart GmbH.
With BISON, a trading application is being developed that facilitates market access and allows the free, uncomplicated and secure trading of cryptocurrencies. After the launch of BISON in the autumn, Boerse Stuttgart Group will be extending its activities to the primary and secondary markets. An ICO platform will allow the issuance of digital tokens, for corporate financing or to represent rights and assets, for instance. The platform will also make it possible to carry out ICOs with standardised and transparent processes.
At the same time, Boerse Stuttgart Group is establishing a multilateral and regulated trading venue for cryptocurrencies.
&#8220;At the trading venue tokens issued via our ICO platform can be traded on the secondary market. This is an important success factor for ICOs. At the same time we are responding to demand from both retail and institutional investors for a regulated and reliable environment for trading with cryptocurrencies,&#8221;
explains Alexander Höptner.
Furthermore, established cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum will also be traded. ‘In designing the strategic projects we closely cooperate with all competent boards and committees, and especially with the supervisory authorities,’ says Höptner.
The infrastructure of Boerse Stuttgart Group for digital assets is complemented by solutions for safe custody. The services will include differentiated safety concepts for digital assets and will already be available for the start of BISON. Later on it will be possible to use the custody service along the entire value chain.
Featured Image via Pixabay
The post Boerse Stuttgart Group Plans ICO Trading Platform appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/boerse-stuttgart-group-plans-ico-trading-platform</link><guid>700</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Boerse Stuttgart Group Plans ICO Trading Platform</dc:text></item><item><title>How Blockchain Helps to Reduce Social and Gender Gaps</title><description><![CDATA[When it comes to disruptive technologies, nothing takes the centrestage more than Blockchain. It’s use has been talked about across sectors and industries. There can be no denying that Blockchain has its uses in the financial, governmental, legal, commercial, art and technological fields etc, but it is Blockchain’s social impact that may come to define it as one of the most important breakthroughs of our time. 
The United Nations has already demonstrated that Blockchain has the ability to tackle inequality, which is a plague that runs through our social fabric globally and takes various forms, whether it is gender, economic, class, caste or political inequality.
In this respect BlockShow has always been a leader. Equality is at the heart of our organisation, especially gender equality. As with the BlockShow Europe 2018 which voted on leading women in the Blockchain Space and provided them recognition, the platform that Blockshow creates is available to discuss the pressing social problems of our time. 
BlockShow Americas 2018, which will be held at Las Vegas between August 20-21, 2018 is the perfect opportunity to concentrate on the question of equality.
 An in-depth discussion on equality would be held at the  ‘How Blockchain affects the Americas’ Emerging Economies’ panel in the conference. The mandate of the panel is to discuss how Blockchain can contribute to the emerging economies on both the American continents in the North and South. The panelists will explore how the unbanked can be provided financial and banking services with the use of the latest blockchain technologies and breakthroughs.
Pilferage no more a barrier to equality
Corruption has a deep impact on governmental programmes, especially those in developing countries. In the Americas corruption is having a deep impact on the lives of people. According to Transparency International based on the estimated size of Latin American and Caribbean countries, nearly 90 million people paid bribes. Half of the people that Transparency International surveyed said that governments are failing to ‘address corruption’.  The OECD points out,
“The significant impact of corruption on income inequality and the negative effect of corruption on income growth for the poorest 20% of a country have been proven empirically (Gupta et al. 2002).” 
Delivery of services through Blockchain based cryptocurrencies can be an answer to this problem. These transactions will be low cost or no cost and can be delivered through mobile telephony. It is estimated that mobile phone users worldwide would reach 2.87 bln by 2020. The combination of powerful DAPPS and high phone usage can finally put an end to leakages in Official Development Assistance (ODA). 
Giving women their due
Gender equality can turn into a reality when women get their fair share. In the United States pay gap between the genders has persisted since the 1980s. According to Pew Research, the estimated 18-cent gender pay gap between all workers in 2017 narrowed from 36 cents in 1980s but it has still persisted. Pew also concludes that four in ten working women have experienced gender discrimination at work. These are serious issues that need to be addressed.
Blockchain based payroll solutions can be used to eliminate discrepancies such as gender based pay-gap. A private blockchain based solution can be deployed according to Ian Bond to remove gender based markers and bring more objectivity into payroll. Even though Blockchain is a male-dominated space itself, there are opportunities to change that.
Blockshow is a good example of that as it has managed to demonstrate how women can play a crucial role in community building, create engagement and devise inclusive processes. As there is a great demand for blockchain talent, there is also space and opportunity to bring more women into the fold. In that sense blockchain is not only empowering women by technological solutions but also by creating space for them.
The great societal equaliser
In the poverty statistics released in September 2017 by the US Census Bureau as reported by Federal Safety Net, a clear picture emerges that minorities are hard hit when it comes to poverty. 22 percent of Black Americans, 19 percent of Hispanics, 20 percent foreign born non-citizens are classified as poor. Better delivery of benefits and social security can cut down the suffering of individuals who live on the margins of society.
As an example The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which is better known as Food Stamps has seen fraud rise in the four years preceding 2016.
According to Forbes,
“It (fraud) jumped to $592.7 million in 2016, up a staggering 61% from $367.1 million in 2012.”
Fraud can be tackled easily by a Blockchain based system. In fact, volumes have already been written about Blockchain can help tackle diploma and degree fraud and extending this technology to social security in US could completely eliminate problems associated with giving the marginal sections their due share in society. In this respect, the panel Blockchain 4 Good: Making Every Voice Heard is an opportunity to come up with out of the box solutions for pressing social issues.
Members of this panel will discuss equality and the inclusion of communities and minorities in the blockchain ecosystem. The panel’s discussions will lead to ideas that allow for more participation of women, sexual minorities, people of diverse ethnicities etc., so that they too can reap the benefits of this emerging technology. 
Let us talk equality
At BlockShow, we encourage out of the box solutions that lead to using the technology in the real world. Adoption of Blockchain will only gather steam when there is a multifaceted effort to use it across financial, technological and social landscapes. At BlockShow America 2018, the world of Blockchain will come together and over the course of two days many solutions to the pressing problems of the world will be found.
At the conference experts who will shed their insights include Mike Butcher, Editor-at-large at Techcrunch, Nouriel Roubini, Founder and Chairman of Roubini Global Economics, Alex Mashinsky, Serial Entrepreneur, Venture Investor, Tech Innovator, Founder of Celsius Network, Johanna Maska, White House Director of Press Advance for President Barack Obama and other important Blockchain personalities. This is our chance to come together to create a more equal world and protecting the most vulnerable sections of humanity so that they have a shot at prosperity as well.  
Learn more and register for BlockShow Americas 2018.
Moreover, don’t forget to save 30% from your ticket purchase and get the most profitable deal right now with the code 30FINTECHNEWS

The post How Blockchain Helps to Reduce Social and Gender Gaps appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/how-blockchain-helps-to-reduce-social-and-gender-gaps</link><guid>701</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/blockshow-america.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>How Blockchain Helps to Reduce Social and Gender Gaps</dc:text></item><item><title>Die Schweiz hat nun auch eine Swiss Marketplace Lending Association</title><description><![CDATA[Diesen Frühling wurde die «Swiss Marketplace Lending Association» (SMLA) gegründet.
Der Verein ist eine gemeinsame Initiative von Marktplatz-Kreditgebern, Investoren in der Schweiz und der Hochschule Luzern. Wir stellen die SMLA, ihre Ziele und unsere Beweggründe für ein aktives Engagement vor.
Ziele der Swiss Marketplace Lending Association
Die Swiss Marketplace Lending Association soll die Anspruchsgruppen aus dem Schweizer Marketplace Lending Sektor zusammenbringen und die Kooperation fördern. Die Hochschule Luzern ist Gründungsmitglied und Prof. Dr. Andreas Dietrich vom Institut für Finanzdienstleistungen Zug IFZ, Autor des Crowdfunding Monitors, präsidiert den Verband.
Ein wichtiges Ziel der Organisation ist die Steigerung der Bekanntheit alternativer Finanzierungs- und Anlageformen bei Kreditnehmern und Investoren. Minimalstandards für die teilnehmenden Lending Plattformen und die Erhöhung der Transparenz in dieser noch jungen Anlageklasse soll die Investitionsmöglichkeit bei privaten und institutionellen Investoren etablieren. Zudem möchte die SMLA auf politischer Ebene dem Direct Lending eine Stimme verleihen, um bestehende gesetzliche Hindernisse auszuräumen.
Mitglieder verpflichten sich auf einen ‘Code of Conduct’, der vier Bereiche umfasst:

Robuste Risikomanagement Methoden
Verpflichtung auf die geltenden Gesetzgebungen insbesondere im Bereich der Geldwäscherei und der Konsumkreditgesetzgebung
Identifikation des Managements der Teilnehmer
Transparenz

Zum letzten Punkt  wurde ein Set von Kennzahlen definiert, welche von den Mitgliedern regelmässig an die SMLA gemeldet werden, basierend auf einer einheitlichen Definition. Bei den Kennzahlen handelt es sich beispielsweise um das Gesamtvolumen an Krediten, die Anzahl vergebener Kredite, die mittlere Restlaufzeit, prozentualer Anteil verspäteter Zahlungen und Ausfälle.
Diese Daten werden von der SMLA zusammengefasst, auf der Website publiziert und in einem regelmässig erscheinenden Bericht zur Lage des Swiss Marketplace Lending publiziert. Die ersten Zahlen werden von den Plattformen in diesem Herbst gemeldet. Die vollständige Liste der Kennzahlen sowie der Code of Conduct sind auf der Internetseite der SMLA einsehbar.
Die aktuellen Mitglieder
Aktuell sind folgende Unternehmen und Institutionen Mitglied der SMLA:

3circlefunding, Privat- und Geschäftskredite
Acredius, Geschäftskredite
CreditGate24, Privat-, Geschäfts- und Hypothekarkredite
Creditworld, Geschäftskredite
Crowd4Cash, Privat- und Geschäftskredite
Hyposcout AG, Hypothekarkredite
LEND, Privat- und Geschäftskredite
Lendico, Geschäftskredite
Splendit, Studentenkredite
Swisspeers, Geschäftskredite
Lendity, Investor
Hochschule Luzern – Institut für Finanzdienstleistungen ZUG IFZ, akademische Einrichtung

 
Verwaltungsrat SMLA
Das Board der SMLA setzt sich aktuell wie folgt zusammen:

Andreas Dietrich
Andreas Dietrich, Head of Institute, Institut für Finanzdienstleistungen Zug IFZ, Prädsident SMLA

Rafael Karamanian
Rafael Karamanian, Gründungspartner von Lendity, Vize-Präsident SMLA
 

Jean-Pierre Pfenninger
Jean-Pierre Pfenninger, CEO Hyposcout AG

Alwin Meyer
Alwin Meyer, Gründungspartner und CEO swisspeers
 

Florian Kübler
Florian Kübler, Gründer und CEO Lend und splendit
 
Dieser Beitrag erschien zuerst auf dem Blog vom Swisspeers
Ausgewähltes Bild über Swisspeers
The post Die Schweiz hat nun auch eine Swiss Marketplace Lending Association appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/die-schweiz-hat-nun-auch-eine-swiss-marketplace-lending-association</link><guid>699</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Andreas-Dietrich.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Die Schweiz hat nun auch eine Swiss Marketplace Lending Association</dc:text></item><item><title>Venture Leaders Fintech Interview: Meet Khaled Ouafi of ARCATrust</title><description><![CDATA[Blockchain gateway ARCATrust is one of the Venture Leaders taking their projects to New York in September for a whirlwind roadshow to accelerate their growth.
The company provides a highly secure and easy to use platform for managing digital assets – going beyond cryptocurrencies to databases in the insurance or healthcare industries, for example.
This is the 4th part of the Fintech Startup Interview serial powered by Venturelab.
Venturelab brings this autumn 10 Swiss Fintech Startups to New York
Khaled Ouafi
Who are you, and what’s your big idea?
I am Khaled Ouafi, cryptographer and CTO of ARCATrust. We’re building the most uncompromised, secure, yet user-friendly gateway solution to allow enterprises to make use of blockchain technology.
Where do you see the biggest opportunities in fintech over the next five years? What problems urgently need to be solved?
Cutting out the inefficient middleman has been the core of many successful businesses over the last years. Nowadays, processes are about optimisation, efficiency, and timely execution. The blockchain is the ultimate tool for achieving this efficiency, and the fintech industry has been the first to understand this potential. However, the risk in this technology is proportional to its advantages, and for that, easy-to-use solutions need to be provided.
What is pushing you towards international expansion?
With decentralization, the world has become like a small village. Entities from different continents communicate continuously and international networks are being put in place to address worldwide issues. To be part of that game, we need to expand to the international stage, get into these networks, and put in our name on it.
What do you see as the greatest obstacle to expansion into the global market?
While a lot of global players are teamingup, one big obstacle we see is the kickstart of a strong international partnership. Global players like global names, and for this reason, we are in discussion with well-known corporates to endorse our technology and support our solutions.
What attracts you to New York as a business development destination?
New York is one of the world’s biggest financial and fintech hubs and is the home of several of the big corporates we are targeting.Going there is a fantastic opportunity for us to get to know these corporates better as well as the larger corporate market.
What do you hope to achieve on the trip? What are you most looking forward to?
Europeans and Americans have different ways of doing business. While we tend to focus more on technology and offering, they tend to be more business- and market-oriented. This trip is a perfect chance to learn in person from their way of doing business.
And what are you nervous about?
As I tend to take my time unfolding our products and explaining their benefits, I have to get used to a much higher pace and more rapid decision making. This change of approach can be challenging, and this is what I am preparing for!
How is the Venture Leaders program beneficial for your startup?
Founding a company is a leap of faith. However, during the journey, you find partners who are here to guide you and provide advice on how to keep track of the most important things. This is what the Venture Leaders program has been so far for us: a series of enriching encounters and an opening to a much larger perspective!
The post Venture Leaders Fintech Interview: Meet Khaled Ouafi of ARCATrust appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/venture-leaders-fintech-interview-meet-khaled-ouafi-of-arcatrust</link><guid>698</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ARCATrust-Khaled-Ouafi-180619-CU-polo-Jasmin-Frei-Pep-Shot-300x200.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Venture Leaders Fintech Interview: Meet Khaled Ouafi of ARCATrust</dc:text></item><item><title>This Blockchain Network by IBM &amp; CLS Aims to Unify the Fragmented Financial Sector</title><description><![CDATA[The current capital market is saturated with multiple systems performing the same functions. Adding to the issue is they&#8217;re doing it with siloed pockets of data that require expensive reconciliation processes.
Therefore, it becomes increasingly crucial for the financial sector to be on blockhain to keep up with current trends, but this poses some potential issues.
After all, blockchain can help reduce these inefficiencies and improve the speed of doing business by providing a single, shared version of events and one implementation of common business functions.
But it can be costly and time-consuming for each vendor, bank, or consortium to create and operate its own unique blockchain infrastructure for multiple services.
The Fix Could Be a Unified Blockchain for All
IBM, in collaboration with CLS, a market infrastructure group, a proof of concept that they&#8217;ve christened LedgerConnect. This blockchain was designed to enable financial institutions like banks, fintech companies, software vendors among others to deploy, share and consume services all on a single blockchain host.
On top allowing financial institutions to focus on business, LedgerConnect also allows all the applications, networks and services to be available on a single blockchain, instead of in silos. This could increase interoperability, which could further help reduce cost and complexity.
Now They Need to Convince Institutions to Get on It
While IBM and CLS aim to create a universal network, if they play their cards wrong, they could simply be adding one more blockchain to  the already cluttered market.
But at the very least, LedgerConnect seems to be working to avoid the aforementioned pitfall.
Nine financial institutions, including Barclays and Citi, are participating in the PoC and have selected services from a number of vendors including Baton Systems, Calypso, Copp Clark, IBM, MPhasis, OpenRisk, SynSwap and Persistent Systems to participate in the LedgerConnect proof of concept.
The blockchain operates on a private permissioned network based on the IBM Blockchain Platform and Hyperledger Fabric technology. As such, LedgeerConnect will be designed for regulated and security-conscious enterprises and available across asset classes.
According to IBM, they may provide support for additional ledger or blockchain-based technologies in the future if there is market demand and significant market developments.
Commenting on LedgerConnect, Alan Marquard, Chief Strategy and Development Officer, CLS said,

Alan Marquard
&#8220;LedgerConnect is part of CLS&#8217;s strategy to explore how we can provide safe and robust solutions that create efficiencies and reduce risk for a diverse range of firms operating in the financial markets. We expect LedgerConnect to deliver enhanced efficiencies and economies of scale over single-purpose distributed ledger networks.&#8221;
 
 
 
Marie Wieck, general manager, IBM Blockchain said,

Marie Wieck
&#8220;Together IBM and CLS have been early pioneers in advancing blockchain solutions for the financial services space.
Building on the success of CLSNet and leveraging the strong relationship CLS has with the world&#8217;s leading financial institutions, LedgerConnect is uniquely positioned as a blockchain marketplace for the financial services industry, which will accelerate innovation across the ecosystem with value added services for blockchain networks.&#8221;
 
Pending a successful proof of concept, market demand and all of the necessary approvals from regulators, LedgerConnect should be made widely available across the financial sector.
Featured Image via Wikipedia Commons.
 
The post This Blockchain Network by IBM &#038; CLS Aims to Unify the Fragmented Financial Sector appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/this-blockchain-network-by-ibm-cls-aims-to-unify-the-fragmented-financial-sector</link><guid>697</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Marie-Wieck.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>This Blockchain Network by IBM &amp; CLS Aims to Unify the Fragmented Financial Sector</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Map August Counts Now 270 Swiss Fintech Startups</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss FinTech Start-up Map August counts now 270 FinTechs, 6 more then in in July.
The new members are: Assetmax, Cryptalgo Holdings AG, TokenPay Swiss AG, Swiss Crypto Vault AG, Invemo GmbH, Orion Vault AG and LAPO BC AG.

 
The post Swiss Fintech Map August Counts Now 270 Swiss Fintech Startups appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-map-august-counts-now-270-swiss-fintech-startups</link><guid>696</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/2018-August-Swiss-FinTech-Map.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Map August Counts Now 270 Swiss Fintech Startups</dc:text></item><item><title>European Parliament Releases Study on Competition Issues in Fintech</title><description><![CDATA[The European Parliament (EP) has published a new study on the competition challenges arisen from the increasing number of fintech services provided by newcomer startups, traditional financial institutions and Big Tech companies.
According to the paper, factors such as network effects derived from the use of online platforms, access to customer data, standardization, interoperability and the use of algorithms could potentially result in anticompetitive behaviors.
Competition Issues in the Area of Financial Technology (Fintech)
The study, titled Competition Issues in the Area of Financial Technology (Fintech) and provided by Policy Department A at the request of the European Parliament Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs  (ECON), analyzes these factors and their impact both in the fintech ecosystem and in the services categories.
It stresses that due to the fact that fintech platforms are not as regulated as incumbent financial trading platforms, challenges arisen from the generation of network effects that create barriers to entry. For instance, a multi-sided network effect can enable a large platform to be protected from competition from smaller platforms with fewer participants.
Interoperability is a potential critical anticompetitive factor related to platforms as an active pursuit of non-interoperability can act as a deterrence if access to the market is difficult or costly.
Standardization also plays a relevant role in the field of competition between fintech providers as it may result in an oligopoly where providers agree on features of the service to split the market between them. But on the other hand, if standardization lowers entry costs, and prices, and/or allows firms to compete on more core parts of the service, then it has a positive effect.
Access to data may become another competition issue in the fintech ecosystem. Control over unique data troves, can result in, for example, exclusionary conduct when not allowing competitors to access data, the conclusion of exclusive contracts that foreclose competition, and the tying and bundling of services.
In particular, the paper highlights specific competition issues for each fintech category:
Banking: Banking platform markets are primarily multi-home and do not have a high intensity of use, so potential anti-competitive factors might not have a real impact on competition at this stage.
Payments, transfers and forex: Relevant concerns include access to critical assets such as data and mobile near field communication (NFC) chips, and the use of an incumbency position gained offline to engage in exclusionary conduct towards competitors.
Digital currencies: The most relevant concerns are the presence of network effects, and the standardization of distributed ledger technology (DLT) and other technical protocols. Private or public consortia agreements in relation to technical standards may affect the market entry or have an impact on current costs.
Wealth and asset management: The potential competition challenges in this area involve the fee policies of different service providers, the blurring of boundaries between different types of services including information, advisory, and management, and the implications of the use of algorithms.
Personal finance management: Competition issues regarding digital Personal Finance management (PFM) services arise mainly in the field of customer data access.
Insurance: Access to customers’ data and the impact of algorithms on pricing strategies are the main factors that can lead to anticompetitive practices.
Enabling technologies and infrastructures: There are no specific competition concerns in technologies such as DLTs, artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics, apart from the common ones that are standardization, network effects, and access data.
 
Fintech in Europe
Fintech services offer many benefits to European consumers including cost reduction, efficiency improvements, better adaption to customers’ preferences, greater transparency and increased financial inclusion.
In Europe in particular, fintech services provide cross-border financial services between member states and extend financing and investment alternatives to European businesses and households, thus contributing to the achievement of some of the most relevant European Union objectives.
These include, for instance, the Digital Single Market, a policy that covers digital marketing, e-commerce and telecommunications announced in 2015, the Consumers Financial Services Action Plan, which seeks to harness the potential of digitalization and fintech to improve consumer access to financial services across the EU, and the Capital Markets Union, an action plan of the European Commission to mobilize capital in Europe by achieving a true single market for capital.
A segment of fintech that has grown rapidly in the past years in Europe is alternative finance. As of 2016, the total volume of online alternative finance in the EU reached EUR 7.67 billion, according to Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance, or 41% higher than in 2015.

The UK is the largest market, representing approximately 73% of the total European volume. Following the UK, the countries with the greatest volumes of online alternative finance in Europe are France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and Spain.
 
Featured image via Competition Issues In The Area Of Financial Technology (fintech), by Policy Department A, at the request of the ECON Committee, European Parliament
The post European Parliament Releases Study on Competition Issues in Fintech appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/european-parliament-releases-study-on-competition-issues-in-fintech</link><guid>695</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Competition-issues-in-the-Area-of-Financial-Technology-Fintech-EP-718x1024.png</dc:content ><dc:text>European Parliament Releases Study on Competition Issues in Fintech</dc:text></item><item><title>ING Invests 21Mio Euro in TransferMate</title><description><![CDATA[TransferMate cross-border B2B payments technology solution announces a €21 million investment from ING Group for a small minority equity stake in the Company.
TransferMate and ING have also agreed to a strategic partnership, where TransferMate services will be available to all SME and corporate clients of ING. Using TransferMate’s award-winning cross-border API technology and global payment licences, this partnership will reduce international payments costs and improve cash flow for ING business customers who send or collect funds cross-border.
The ING investment follows a recent €30 million investment from Allied Irish Banks to accelerate growth across the USA, Canada, Australia and Europe; and brings the total Series A investment into the Irish fintech firm to €51 million in the past 8 months alone.
Terry Clune, co-founder and CEO of TransferMate said:
&#8220;TransferMate partners with the leading banks, fintech and software providers across the globe. Working together, we make it cheaper, faster and easier for businesses to make or receive cross border payments. TransferMate has built a unique technology platform and we are delighted to welcome ING as an investor and partner to help eliminate costly friction points for business customers.”
Sinead Fitzmaurice, co-founder and CFO of TransferMate added:

Sinead Fitzmaurice
&#8220;TransferMate provides an integrated platform for importers and exporters to send and collect their funds across the globe.  This greatly improves working capital, and eliminates administration for companies.  ING is a frontrunner in innovation, and TransferMate is delighted to be working with one of the most innovative banks in the world. In addition to collaborating with ING, our investment will also focus on expansion of TransferMate into Asia Pacific and we look forward to continuing to execute on our global expansion plans.”
Evelien Witlox, Global Head of Payments and Cards of ING commented:

Evelien Witlox
&#8220;ING is dedicated to offering seamless payment solutions and freedom of choice to its customers. This investment and partnership with fintech TransferMate adds to ING’s capability to help customers by saving time and money for international payments. The solution will become available to all SME and corporate clients of ING. The partnership perfectly fits our innovation strategy and we look forward to offering this service together.”
TransferMate has built one of the financial industry’s most extensive networks of payment licences, and partners with banks, fintech and software providers. TransferMate integrates with 20 of the top 20 accounting software systems, providing an end-to-end payment solution for business customers.
Perella Weinberg Partners LP served as the exclusive strategic and financial advisor to TransferMate for this transaction, with A&amp;L Goodbody serving as legal counsel. Financial Technology Partners LP and ING FI Capital Structuring and Advisory team served as the exclusive strategic and financial advisor to ING for this transaction, with McCann FitzGerald serving as legal counsel.
This investment and partnership is subject to final documentation and is expected to be completed in 3Q 2018.
This article first appeared on blog.transferwise.com, Featured Image via TransferMate
The post ING Invests 21Mio Euro in TransferMate appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ing-invests-21mio-euro-in-transfermate</link><guid>693</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Sinead-Fitzmaurice.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>ING Invests 21Mio Euro in TransferMate</dc:text></item><item><title>Venture Leaders Fintech Interview: Meet Nicolas Blanchard of Swiss Regtech Apiax</title><description><![CDATA[The Venture Leaders heading to New York in September will be meeting major players in the finance industry – big banks and insurers, who have to deal with a tangle of red tape that only gets more complicated.
Nicolas Blanchard will be ready to convince them that he has the solution.
This is the 3rd part of the Fintech Startup Interview serial powered by Venturelab.
Venturelab brings this autumn 10 Swiss Fintech Startups to New York
Nicolas Blanchard
Who are you, and what’s your big idea?
Apiax is a regtech startup based in Zurich. We build powerful and flexible tools to master complex financial regulations digitally. Our idea developed in our previous roles, where we advised banks on business processes, and the banks kept asking us if we could help them keep the process uptodate when regulations change. That client need, in combination with increasing regulatory complexity and ever more open-banking initiatives, opened our eyes. That’s why we started to develop a solution that allows financial service providers to create digital regulatory rules that are always uptodate and verified, and that integrate into their environments effortlessly.
Where do you see the biggest opportunities in fintech over the next five years? What problems urgently need to be solved?
Financial services are increasingly digitized. This also means that regulatory compliance needs to become digital. In other words, digital regulatory rules are the missing piece in the puzzle of digital financial services. This is in our view one of the most urgent problems to be solved. Our vision is to allow financial institutions to master complex financial regulations efficiently,freeing them to focus on business development and giving their clients great brand experiences.
What is pushing you towards international expansion?
The topic of regulatory technology is international. Worldwide, financial institutions know that they have to change the way they handle regulations. The need for a solution that does not just allow to master regulatory complexity, but also empowers business development, is undisputed. Regulatory compliance is also international in substance. The most pressing topics that we can solve with our technology have a cross-border character. Thus international expansion comes very naturally to us.
What do you see as the greatest obstacle to expansion into the global market?
First, we would say that as a Swiss company, we have a very good starting point. Regulatory compliance is a core competence of financial institutions, and it helps that we are based in the heart of one of the biggest financial centers in the world and that our team brings together loads of first-hand experience in the industry. Other than that, we face the usual challenges: expansion always comes with increased complexity, from all kinds of perspectives, and we certainly will have to master these challenges.
What attracts you to New York as a business development destination?
New York is one of the main financial centers in the world. It hosts many of the most important financial institutions. Beyond that, it is also a symbol of opportunity. New York stands for the idea that with a good idea, but most of all with hard work and dedication, you can achieve something extraordinary. As a startup, we are certainly chasing the American dream. So New York for us is a logical step in business development.
How is the Venture Leaders program beneficial for your startup?
What we find most valuable is the idea of connecting founders with founders. There is nothing more valuable than honest feedback from someone who has themselves gone through the startup journey. That, and the customer and market validation we get, along with the networking we can do, makes the Venture Leaders program very valuable for us.
The post Venture Leaders Fintech Interview: Meet Nicolas Blanchard of Swiss Regtech Apiax appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/venture-leaders-fintech-interview-meet-nicolas-blanchard-of-swiss-regtech-apiax</link><guid>690</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Apiax-Nicolas-Blanchard-180619-CU-polo-Jasmin-Frei-Pep-Shot-300x200.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Venture Leaders Fintech Interview: Meet Nicolas Blanchard of Swiss Regtech Apiax</dc:text></item><item><title>Venture Leaders Interview: Meet Nicolas Blanchard of Swiss Regtech Apiax</title><description><![CDATA[The Venture Leaders heading to New York in September will be meeting major players in the finance industry – big banks and insurers, who have to deal with a tangle of red tape that only gets more complicated.
Nicolas Blanchard will be ready to convince them that he has the solution.
This is the 3rd part of the Fintech Startup Interview serial powered by Venturelab.
Venturelab brings this autumn 10 Swiss Fintech Startups to New York
Nicolas Blanchard
Who are you, and what’s your big idea?
Apiax is a regtech startup based in Zurich. We build powerful and flexible tools to master complex financial regulations digitally. Our idea developed in our previous roles, where we advised banks on business processes, and the banks kept asking us if we could help them keep the process uptodate when regulations change. That client need, in combination with increasing regulatory complexity and ever more open-banking initiatives, opened our eyes. That’s why we started to develop a solution that allows financial service providers to create digital regulatory rules that are always uptodate and verified, and that integrate into their environments effortlessly.
Where do you see the biggest opportunities in fintech over the next five years? What problems urgently need to be solved?
Financial services are increasingly digitized. This also means that regulatory compliance needs to become digital. In other words, digital regulatory rules are the missing piece in the puzzle of digital financial services. This is in our view one of the most urgent problems to be solved. Our vision is to allow financial institutions to master complex financial regulations efficiently,freeing them to focus on business development and giving their clients great brand experiences.
What is pushing you towards international expansion?
The topic of regulatory technology is international. Worldwide, financial institutions know that they have to change the way they handle regulations. The need for a solution that does not just allow to master regulatory complexity, but also empowers business development, is undisputed. Regulatory compliance is also international in substance. The most pressing topics that we can solve with our technology have a cross-border character. Thus international expansion comes very naturally to us.
What do you see as the greatest obstacle to expansion into the global market?
First, we would say that as a Swiss company, we have a very good starting point. Regulatory compliance is a core competence of financial institutions, and it helps that we are based in the heart of one of the biggest financial centers in the world and that our team brings together loads of first-hand experience in the industry. Other than that, we face the usual challenges: expansion always comes with increased complexity, from all kinds of perspectives, and we certainly will have to master these challenges.
What attracts you to New York as a business development destination?
New York is one of the main financial centers in the world. It hosts many of the most important financial institutions. Beyond that, it is also a symbol of opportunity. New York stands for the idea that with a good idea, but most of all with hard work and dedication, you can achieve something extraordinary. As a startup, we are certainly chasing the American dream. So New York for us is a logical step in business development.
How is the Venture Leaders program beneficial for your startup?
What we find most valuable is the idea of connecting founders with founders. There is nothing more valuable than honest feedback from someone who has themselves gone through the startup journey. That, and the customer and market validation we get, along with the networking we can do, makes the Venture Leaders program very valuable for us.
The post Venture Leaders Interview: Meet Nicolas Blanchard of Swiss Regtech Apiax appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/venture-leaders-interview-meet-nicolas-blanchard-of-swiss-regtech-apiax</link><guid>692</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Apiax-Nicolas-Blanchard-180619-CU-polo-Jasmin-Frei-Pep-Shot-300x200.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Venture Leaders Interview: Meet Nicolas Blanchard of Swiss Regtech Apiax</dc:text></item><item><title>Credit Suisse Asset Management’s NEXT Investors Closes Second Fund at USD 261 Million</title><description><![CDATA[Credit Suisse Asset Management&#8216;s NEXT Investors, an investor in the fintech space, announced the final closing of NEXT Investors II, L.P. (the &#8220;Fund&#8221;), with approximately USD 261 Million of capital commitments. The Fund will invest in growth-oriented technology and financial services businesses.
Alan Freudenstein, Co-Head and Portfolio Manager of NEXT Investors at Credit Suisse Asset Management, said,

Alan Freudenstein
&#8220;The team at NEXT Investors has been investing together for over 18 years, and by leveraging Credit Suisse&#8217;s broad banking and technology platform, we are uniquely positioned to source and evaluate investment opportunities in financial services technology and to create value for our portfolio companies.&#8221;
Greg Grimaldi, Co-Head and Portfolio Manager of NEXT Investors at Credit Suisse Asset Management, added,

Greg Grimaldi
&#8220;We are pleased to have the ongoing support of our expanding Limited Partner base, helping us exceed our fundraising target for the Fund, which is a testament to our investment strategy and approach.&#8221;
The Fund has a diverse group of investors, including financial institutions, ultra-high net worth individuals, fund of funds, and family offices, and represents a global investor base across the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific.
NEXT Investors identifies minority growth equity investment opportunities in private technology and services companies globally where the team has domain expertise and actionable edge.
The team&#8217;s portfolio comprises high-growth private businesses that interact with the financial services industry across sectors including Market Structure, Financial Technology, Enterprise Software, Data Analytics and Specialty Finance. The team has deployed USD 498 million in capital across 71 investments.
Featured Image via Freepik
The post Credit Suisse Asset Management&#8217;s NEXT Investors Closes Second Fund at USD 261 Million appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/credit-suisse-asset-managements-next-investors-closes-second-fund-at-usd-261-million</link><guid>689</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Alan-Freudenstein.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Credit Suisse Asset Management’s NEXT Investors Closes Second Fund at USD 261 Million</dc:text></item><item><title>Credit Suisse’s Fintech Investment Arm, NEXT Investors Raised $261 Million</title><description><![CDATA[Credit Suisse Asset Management&#8216;s NEXT Investors, an investor in the fintech space, announced the final closing of NEXT Investors II, L.P. (the &#8220;Fund&#8221;), with approximately USD 261 Million of capital commitments. The Fund will invest in growth-oriented technology and financial services businesses.
Alan Freudenstein, Co-Head and Portfolio Manager of NEXT Investors at Credit Suisse Asset Management, said,

Alan Freudenstein
&#8220;The team at NEXT Investors has been investing together for over 18 years, and by leveraging Credit Suisse&#8217;s broad banking and technology platform, we are uniquely positioned to source and evaluate investment opportunities in financial services technology and to create value for our portfolio companies.&#8221;
Greg Grimaldi, Co-Head and Portfolio Manager of NEXT Investors at Credit Suisse Asset Management, added,

Greg Grimaldi
&#8220;We are pleased to have the ongoing support of our expanding Limited Partner base, helping us exceed our fundraising target for the Fund, which is a testament to our investment strategy and approach.&#8221;
The Fund has a diverse group of investors, including financial institutions, ultra-high net worth individuals, fund of funds, and family offices, and represents a global investor base across the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific.
NEXT Investors identifies minority growth equity investment opportunities in private technology and services companies globally where the team has domain expertise and actionable edge.
The team&#8217;s portfolio comprises high-growth private businesses that interact with the financial services industry across sectors including Market Structure, Financial Technology, Enterprise Software, Data Analytics and Specialty Finance. The team has deployed USD 498 million in capital across 71 investments.
Featured Image via Freepik
The post Credit Suisse&#8217;s Fintech Investment Arm, NEXT Investors Raised $261 Million appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/credit-suisses-fintech-investment-arm-next-investors-raised-261-million</link><guid>691</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Alan-Freudenstein.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Credit Suisse’s Fintech Investment Arm, NEXT Investors Raised $261 Million</dc:text></item><item><title>Die 6 grössten Crowdfunding-Projekte der Schweiz</title><description><![CDATA[Im Jahr 2017 wurden in der Schweiz CHF 374.5 Million mittels Crowdfunding vermittelt.
Das sind 192% mehr als im Vorjahr (HSLU, 2018). Die grössten, respektive bekanntesten Crowdfunding-Projekte der letzten Jahre stellen wir kurz vor. Das reicht von einem neuen Magazin zu einer Uhr, der Finanzierung politischer Kampagnen bis zur Schliessung von Finanzierungslücken der öffentlichen Hand. Allen gemeinsam – Individuen die gemeinsam Spezifisches bewegen wollen – die Macht der Crowd!
Republik – die Crowd als Verlegerin
Gemäss der eigenen Website ist die Republik ein Magazin, welches sich mit politischen, wirtschaftlichen und gesellschaftlichen Themen auseinandersetzt. Das Medienprojekt wird ohne Werbung finanziert. Die Gründer lancierten eine Crowdfunding-Kampagne mit dem Ziel, 3&#8217;000 Abonnenten von ihrem Projekt zu überzeugen und CHF 750&#8217;000 zu sammeln.
Das Erreichen dieser Vorgaben war die Bedingung weiterer Investoren, um zusätzlich CHF 3.5 Millionen beizutragen. Das Ziel wurde schnell erreicht und weit übertroffen. Am Ende der Crowdfunding-Kampagne zählte das Magazin 13&#8217;845 Abonnenten und einen eingesammelten Betrag von CHF 3.4 Millionen. Damit konnte anfangs 2018 mit der ersten Ausgabe fulminant gestartet werden.

Projekt: Lancierung eines Magazins
Crowd: zukünftige Abonnenten
Reward: Abonnement des neu lancierten Magazins
Typ: Crowdsupporting
Finanzierter Betrag: CHF 3.5 Millionen

Saas-Fee – Ausgeklügelte Werbekampagne mit Crowdfunding-Charakter
Das Skigebiet Saas-Fee sorgte im Jahr 2016 erstmals für Aufsehen mit seiner bemerkenswerten Preispolitik und seiner einfallsreichen Werbekampagne. Damals bot das Skigebiet seine Saisonkarten für günstige CHF 222 anstatt CHF 1&#8217;050 an. Einzige Bedingung des Angebots: Es mussten sich mindestens 99&#8217;999 Personen dafür anmelden. Der Erfolg liess nicht lange auf sich warten und das Ziel wurde erreicht. Dieses Jahr geht das Angebot in die dritte Runde und die Saisonkarte wird für CHF 255 angeboten sofern 66&#8217;666 Interessenten zusammenkommen.

Projekt: Vermarktung eines Skigebiets
Crowd: Schneesportfans
Reward: vergünstigte Saisonkarte des Skigebiets
Typ: Verkaufskampagne für bestehendes Produkt (~Crowdsupporting)
Finanzierter Betrag (17/18): &gt; CHF 17 Mio. (77&#8217;777 Saisonabos à CHF 222.-)

Operation Libero – Crowdfunding in der Schweizer Politik
Operation Libero ist eine im Oktober 2014 gegründete politische Bewegung, welche sich unter anderem für Fortschritt, Rechtsstaatlichkeit und Freiheit einsetzt. Die Organisation finanziert sich durch Spenden bzw. durch Crowdfunding. Damit bringt sie sich mit ihren Zielen und Visionen in den politischen Diskurs ein und bezieht Stellung zu aktuellen politischen Fragen. Operation Libero hat sich als treibende Kraft gegen die am 28. Februar 2016 abgelehnte Durchsetzungsinitiative grosse Bekanntheit erlangt.

Projekt: Finanzierung politischer Kampagne
Crowd: Personen mit gleicher politischer Einstellung
Reward: Gutes Gefühl, die «richtige» Sache zu unterstützen
Typ: Crowddonating
Finanzierter Betrag: CHF 1.2 Mio. (Durchsetzungsinitiative)

Der Aaresteg – Crowdfunding für die öffentliche Hand
Die Finanzierung des Aarestegs ist das erste kommunale Infrastrukturprojekt, welches über eine Crowdfunding-Plattform ausgeschrieben und finanziert wurde. Im Jahr 2008 wurde der Sanierungsbedürftige Steg, welcher die Dörfer Veltheim (AG) und Holderbank (AG) verbindet, geschlossen.
Für eine Restauration standen nicht genügend finanzielle Mittel zur Verfügung, bis sich die Verantwortlichen entschieden haben, die ausstehenden CHF 20&#8217;000 über die Crowdfunding-Plattform ideenkicker.ch zu sammeln. Diese Idee erwies sich als grosser Erfolg, denn es kamen über diesen Weg mehr als CHF 40&#8217;000 zusammen. Der Aaresteg konnte darauf sogar etwas solider saniert werden und wurde am 14. Oktober 2017 wiedereröffnet.

Projekt: Finanzierung Infrastrukturprojekt
Crowd: Personen mit Bedürfnis für die entsprechende Infrastruktur
Reward: Einladung Eröffnungsfest / namentliche Erwähnung
Typ: Crowddonating
Finanzierter Betrag: CHF 42’000

MyKronoz – Hybrid Smartwatch durch Crowd finanziert
Für die Lancierung ihrer Hybrid Smartwatch ZeTime, welche zwar normale Zeiger besitzt und gleichzeitig die Funktionen einer Smartwatch besitzt, benötigte das Schweizer Unternehmen MyKronoz monetäre Starthilfe in Höhe von USD 50&#8217;000. Auf der Crowdfunding-Plattform kickstarter.com wurde deshalb eine entsprechende Kampagne gestartet. Das Ziel von USD 50&#8217;000 konnte mehr als nur erreicht werden, denn innerhalb von einem Jahr kamen USD 8 Millionen zusammen. Die Hybrid Smartwatch ist mittlerweile im Handel erhältlich.

Projekt: Finanzierung Uhrenprojekt
Crowd: Personen
Reward: Uhr
Typ: Crowdsupporting
Finanzierter Betrag: CHF 8 Mio.

Napoleonturm – Crowdfunding für eine atemberaubende Aussicht
Der Napoleonturm in Wäldi-Hohenrain (TG) wurde hauptsächlich durch Sponsoring finanziert. Neben grösseren Beiträgen, welche durch Unternehmen und Gemeinden finanziert wurden, konnten CHF 200&#8217;000 durch Crowdfunding gesammelt werden. Den Gönnern war es dabei ermöglicht, einen der 200 Tritte des Turmes für jeweils CHF 1&#8217;000 zu finanzieren. Um einen zusätzlichen Anreiz zu schaffen, wurde den Spendern versprochen, dass der von ihnen finanzierte Tritt mit ihrem Namen beschriftet wird. Dank ihnen können wir heute auf dem Seerücken im Kanton Thurgau eine schöne Aussicht auf den Bodensee und die Voralpen geniessen.

Projekt: Finanzierung Aussichtsturm
Crowd: Personen aus der Region mit Interesse an einem Turm
Reward: Namentliche Nennung
Typ: Crowddonating
Finanzierter Betrag: CHF 200’000

Detaillierte Informationen zum Thema Crowdfunding finden Sie auch dem E-Book, welches Sie hier kostenlos herunterladen können:
﻿
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E-BOOK HERUNTERLADEN
 
Dieser Artikel erschien zuerst im Swisspeers Blog
The post Die 6 Grössten Crowdfunding-Projekte der Schweiz appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/die-6-grossten-crowdfunding-projekte-der-schweiz</link><guid>688</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/republik.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Die 6 grössten Crowdfunding-Projekte der Schweiz</dc:text></item><item><title>Die 8 Grössten Crowdfunding-Projekte der Schweiz</title><description><![CDATA[Im Jahr 2017 wurden in der Schweiz CHF 374.5 Million mittels Crowdfunding vermittelt.
Das sind 192% mehr als im Vorjahr (HSLU, 2018). Die grössten, respektive bekanntesten Crowdfunding-Projekte der letzten Jahre stellen wir kurz vor. Das reicht von einem neuen Magazin zu einer Uhr, der Finanzierung politischer Kampagnen bis zur Schliessung von Finanzierungslücken der öffentlichen Hand. Allen gemeinsam – Individuen die gemeinsam Spezifisches bewegen wollen – die Macht der Crowd!
Republik – die Crowd als Verlegerin
Gemäss der eigenen Website ist die Republik ein Magazin, welches sich mit politischen, wirtschaftlichen und gesellschaftlichen Themen auseinandersetzt. Das Medienprojekt wird ohne Werbung finanziert. Die Gründer lancierten eine Crowdfunding-Kampagne mit dem Ziel, 3&#8217;000 Abonnenten von ihrem Projekt zu überzeugen und CHF 750&#8217;000 zu sammeln.
Das Erreichen dieser Vorgaben war die Bedingung weiterer Investoren, um zusätzlich CHF 3.5 Millionen beizutragen. Das Ziel wurde schnell erreicht und weit übertroffen. Am Ende der Crowdfunding-Kampagne zählte das Magazin 13&#8217;845 Abonnenten und einen eingesammelten Betrag von CHF 3.4 Millionen. Damit konnte anfangs 2018 mit der ersten Ausgabe fulminant gestartet werden.

Projekt: Lancierung eines Magazins
Crowd: zukünftige Abonnenten
Reward: Abonnement des neu lancierten Magazins
Typ: Crowdsupporting
Finanzierter Betrag: CHF 3.5 Millionen

Saas-Fee – Ausgeklügelte Werbekampagne mit Crowdfunding-Charakter
Das Skigebiet Saas-Fee sorgte im Jahr 2016 erstmals für Aufsehen mit seiner bemerkenswerten Preispolitik und seiner einfallsreichen Werbekampagne. Damals bot das Skigebiet seine Saisonkarten für günstige CHF 222 anstatt CHF 1&#8217;050 an. Einzige Bedingung des Angebots: Es mussten sich mindestens 99&#8217;999 Personen dafür anmelden. Der Erfolg liess nicht lange auf sich warten und das Ziel wurde erreicht. Dieses Jahr geht das Angebot in die dritte Runde und die Saisonkarte wird für CHF 255 angeboten sofern 66&#8217;666 Interessenten zusammenkommen.

Projekt: Vermarktung eines Skigebiets
Crowd: Schneesportfans
Reward: vergünstigte Saisonkarte des Skigebiets
Typ: Verkaufskampagne für bestehendes Produkt (~Crowdsupporting)
Finanzierter Betrag (17/18): &gt; CHF 17 Mio. (77&#8217;777 Saisonabos à CHF 222.-)

Operation Libero – Crowdfunding in der Schweizer Politik
Operation Libero ist eine im Oktober 2014 gegründete politische Bewegung, welche sich unter anderem für Fortschritt, Rechtsstaatlichkeit und Freiheit einsetzt. Die Organisation finanziert sich durch Spenden bzw. durch Crowdfunding. Damit bringt sie sich mit ihren Zielen und Visionen in den politischen Diskurs ein und bezieht Stellung zu aktuellen politischen Fragen. Operation Libero hat sich als treibende Kraft gegen die am 28. Februar 2016 abgelehnte Durchsetzungsinitiative grosse Bekanntheit erlangt.

Projekt: Finanzierung politischer Kampagne
Crowd: Personen mit gleicher politischer Einstellung
Reward: Gutes Gefühl, die «richtige» Sache zu unterstützen
Typ: Crowddonating
Finanzierter Betrag: CHF 1.2 Mio. (Durchsetzungsinitiative)

Der Aaresteg – Crowdfunding für die öffentliche Hand
Die Finanzierung des Aarestegs ist das erste kommunale Infrastrukturprojekt, welches über eine Crowdfunding-Plattform ausgeschrieben und finanziert wurde. Im Jahr 2008 wurde der Sanierungsbedürftige Steg, welcher die Dörfer Veltheim (AG) und Holderbank (AG) verbindet, geschlossen.
Für eine Restauration standen nicht genügend finanzielle Mittel zur Verfügung, bis sich die Verantwortlichen entschieden haben, die ausstehenden CHF 20&#8217;000 über die Crowdfunding-Plattform ideenkicker.ch zu sammeln. Diese Idee erwies sich als grosser Erfolg, denn es kamen über diesen Weg mehr als CHF 40&#8217;000 zusammen. Der Aaresteg konnte darauf sogar etwas solider saniert werden und wurde am 14. Oktober 2017 wiedereröffnet.

Projekt: Finanzierung Infrastrukturprojekt
Crowd: Personen mit Bedürfnis für die entsprechende Infrastruktur
Reward: Einladung Eröffnungsfest / namentliche Erwähnung
Typ: Crowddonating
Finanzierter Betrag: CHF 42’000

MyKronoz – Hybrid Smartwatch durch Crowd finanziert
Für die Lancierung ihrer Hybrid Smartwatch ZeTime, welche zwar normale Zeiger besitzt und gleichzeitig die Funktionen einer Smartwatch besitzt, benötigte das Schweizer Unternehmen MyKronoz monetäre Starthilfe in Höhe von USD 50&#8217;000. Auf der Crowdfunding-Plattform kickstarter.com wurde deshalb eine entsprechende Kampagne gestartet. Das Ziel von USD 50&#8217;000 konnte mehr als nur erreicht werden, denn innerhalb von einem Jahr kamen USD 8 Millionen zusammen. Die Hybrid Smartwatch ist mittlerweile im Handel erhältlich.

Projekt: Finanzierung Uhrenprojekt
Crowd: Personen
Reward: Uhr
Typ: Crowdsupporting
Finanzierter Betrag: CHF 8 Mio.

Napoleonturm – Crowdfunding für eine atemberaubende Aussicht
Der Napoleonturm in Wäldi-Hohenrain (TG) wurde hauptsächlich durch Sponsoring finanziert. Neben grösseren Beiträgen, welche durch Unternehmen und Gemeinden finanziert wurden, konnten CHF 200&#8217;000 durch Crowdfunding gesammelt werden. Den Gönnern war es dabei ermöglicht, einen der 200 Tritte des Turmes für jeweils CHF 1&#8217;000 zu finanzieren. Um einen zusätzlichen Anreiz zu schaffen, wurde den Spendern versprochen, dass der von ihnen finanzierte Tritt mit ihrem Namen beschriftet wird. Dank ihnen können wir heute auf dem Seerücken im Kanton Thurgau eine schöne Aussicht auf den Bodensee und die Voralpen geniessen.

Projekt: Finanzierung Aussichtsturm
Crowd: Personen aus der Region mit Interesse an einem Turm
Reward: Namentliche Nennung
Typ: Crowddonating
Finanzierter Betrag: CHF 200’000

Luzerner Sinfonie &#8211; Kulturfinanzierung durch Klassikfans und &#8216;Aeschbi&#8217;
Die Stiftung für das Luzerner Sinfonieorchester baut ein neues Probenhaus &amp; Zentrum für Kinder- und Jugendprogramme. Für die Deckung der Kosten für die Akustik im Probensaal und separate Proberäume für Schlagzeuger, Bläser und Streicher wird ein Crowdsupporting arrangiert auf der Plattform funders.ch mit Unterstützung von Kurt Aeschbacher. Falls mit Hilfe der Bevölkerung mindestens CHF 500&#8217;000 eingesammelt werden, tauscht das Luzerner Symponie Orchester die Instrumente gegen die Grillzange und lädt die Unterstützer zu einer Wurst vom Grill ein.

Projekt: Probenhaus Luzerner Sinfonieorchester
Crowd: 783 Klassikfans aus der Region
Reward: Je nach Grösse des Beitrags &#8211; von der Grillwurst bis zum Privatkonzert
Typ: Crowdsupporting
Finanzierter Betrag: CHF 578&#8217;392

Fussball &#8211; die eigene Crowd erfolgreich mobilisiert
Der 1944 gegründete Sportclub Kriens ist ein Fussballverein in der Challange Legue und zählt rund 50&#8217;000 Mitglieder. Für den Innenausbau des neuen Stadions wurde eine Crowdsupporiting Kampagne aufgesetzt. 1&#8217;013 Unterstützer haben Ende 2017 das Projekt möglich gemacht und sind jetzt als &#8220;Stadionbauer&#8221; mit entsprechendem T-Shirt ausgerüstet oder an der Stadionwand verewigt.

Projekt: Innenausbau neues Stadion
Crowd: 1013 Fussballfans und Vereinsmitglieder des SC Kriens
Reward: Je nach Grösse des Beitrags &#8211; von der Grillwurst bis zum Privatkonzert
Typ: Crowdsupporting
Finanzierter Betrag: CHF 281&#8217;944

Detaillierte Informationen zum Thema Crowdfunding finden Sie auch dem E-Book, welches Sie hier kostenlos herunterladen können:
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E-BOOK HERUNTERLADEN
 
Dieser Artikel erschien zuerst im Swisspeers Blog
The post Die 8 Grössten Crowdfunding-Projekte der Schweiz appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/die-8-grossten-crowdfunding-projekte-der-schweiz</link><guid>694</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/republik.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Die 8 Grössten Crowdfunding-Projekte der Schweiz</dc:text></item><item><title>Europe Now Hosts +100 Wealthtech Players</title><description><![CDATA[There are currently 100 wealthtech players in Europe spread across 12 countries, according to the newly released Mapping Wealthtech Europe by Invyo, Seed Founders and Odysseus Alternative Ventures.
Wealthtech refers to a segment of fintech that focuses on enhancing wealth management and the retail investment process using cutting-edge technologies including artificial intelligence (AI) and big data.
Wealthtech has been growing rapidly in the past few years, a trend driven by the numerous challenges that the traditional wealth management sector has been facing including intense competition, fee compression, stricter regulations and evolving customer needs.
 
Wealthtech in Europe
In Europe, wealthtech companies are operating in six segments:
Investments tools, which include software and services providing comparison tools, research, and access to a network of advice. Companies include Swiss TrueWealth and Selma, and German Liqid.
Data analytics for investment and market intelligence, among other areas. Providers include Italy’s WolfWay, and Switzerland’s Edge Laboratories and Fundbase.
Portfolio management solutions and software that help investors and advisors centralize investment portfolios in one platform, analyze and forecast portfolio performance, and make portfolio allocation decisions. Companies include Switzerland’s WealthArc and Meetinvest, and the UK’s Nutmeg.
Specialized software that supports adoption of a digital wealth management and investing strategy. Providers include Spain’s TechRules, and Switzerland’s InvestGlass and Tindeco.
Digital brokerage platforms for retail investors and software to implement a digital brokerage. Companies include Austria’s Wikifolio, the Netherlands’ Degiro, and Malta’s Novofina.
Robo-advisory, or automated investment platforms that leverage technology to lower account minimums and reduce advisory fees. The investments offered are tailored to the client’s goals and risk profile. Notable robo-advisory platform providers in Europe include Italy’s Moneyfarm, Germany’s Werthstein and Vaamo, and the UK’s Scalable Capital.
Mapping Wealthtech Europe 2018 by Invyo, Seed Founders and Odysseus Alternative Ventures
In June, the Wealth Tech Awards 2018 by Professional Wealth Management magazine, a publication of the Financial Times Group, awarded French private bank BNP Paribas Wealth Management the Best Private Bank, Use of Technology, Global, award for its key achievements in wealthtech. BNP Paribas Wealth Management manages EUR 362 billion in assets under management.
myAdvisory, BNP Paribas Wealth Management
“We are dealing with fundamental changes in our clients’ mindset, how they want to be served and considered,” Mariam Rassai, head of client experience at BNP Paribas Wealth Management, told Professional Wealth Management.
“At the heart of the client experience transformation, there is the will to create a new form of wealth management to adapt the banking services to every aspect of a client’s life. We want to develop both a digitalization strategy for our private clients and a strong culture of innovation.”
Since 2016, BNP Paribas has launched 20 new digital services. These include myAdvisory, an app which provides personalized financial advisory, myChat&amp;Trade, a trading app, and Leaders’ Connection, a platform that lets ultra high net worth individuals interact, share investment ideas and find co-investors.
myWealth is the bank’s new “one-stop digital platform” for international clients, offering customized investment advice, a chatroom, videoconferencing, an electronic safe, and biometric connection.
New features are currently being tested, such as myMeeting, a platform that would help clients prepare for meetings with their private banker, and myVirtualAssistant, a solution that uses AI to allow users to access the bank 24/7.
 
Featured image: Mapping Wealthtech Europe 2018, by Invyo, Seed Founders and Odysseus Alternative Ventures.
The post Europe Now Hosts +100 Wealthtech Players appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/europe-now-hosts-100-wealthtech-players</link><guid>687</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Mapping_wealthtech_europe_2018.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Europe Now Hosts +100 Wealthtech Players</dc:text></item><item><title>Cloud Computing and Insurance</title><description><![CDATA[The market for cloud services is expected to skyrocket in the next few years, and according to industry experts, there are many reasons to believe that insurers will be in the forefront of this growth.
But first: what is cloud computing?
Simply put, cloud computing is the delivery of computing services such as servers, storage, databases, networking, software and analytics, over the Internet, or the “cloud.” It is a big shift from the traditional way businesses think about IT resources and among the key advantages of opting for cloud computing services include cost, speed, the ability to scale elastically, productivity, performance, and reliability.
But perhaps the real promise of cloud computing lies in developing new markets and services. Cloud computing provides the capabilities businesses need on a flexible basis to respond quickly and cost-effectively to changing conditions. By combining virtualization and multi-tenant architectures with a pay-as-you go business model, cloud computing proposes a new model that impacts the way IT infrastructure, platform, application and business processes capabilities are procured, delivered and supported.
 
Cloud computing in the insurance business
Health, Pixabay
Cloud computing has transformed many industries with its ease of deployment, resourcefulness and flexibility, and the insurance industry is set to be no exception.
In particular, insurers are experimenting with cloud to drive revenue, improve collaboration, and gain customer insight. Among the key opportunities of cloud computing in the insurance business, Accenture cites:

Reduced costs of IT ownership and operation
Unified customer data, enabling customer-centricity
More effective customer engagement through new distribution models
Peaks in demand handled more easily and at lower cost
Reduced speed to market and new business opportunities
Shift to a service-oriented model and new innovation in systems design
Better management of intermediary relationships
Maximized renewals by customers
Possible integration of third party systems/agency management systems

Vincent Cohan, senior vice president and chief technology officer, and Sauro Nicli, global information officer, of AXA, have said in 2010:
“Cloud computing could materially change how we develop applications and apply technology to business, especially when it comes to cost structure, investment and agility.”
Cloud computing is also critical for the Internet-of-Things (IoT), a thriving industry. Having connected devices such as wearables provide insurers with a wealth of information to determine anything from driver behavior to the need for pre-emptive medical care. This is done by generating a significant amount of data, which need to be stored, managed and analyzed correctly and in real-time.
The cloud overcomes many of these challenges. Instead of having to rely on the capabilities of an on premise server room, insurers can utilize the cloud for both storage and real-time analytical modelling, without having internal processing or storage constraints. Data can be easily shared amongst stakeholders and decisions can be validated more quickly due to this ‘fingertip’ access to the analytics.
As the momentum of cloud computing continues, issues surrounding data protection, privacy, and regulation have arisen.
Swiss Fintech Innovations (SFTI), an independent association of banks and insurance firms launched in March 2016 to foster innovation in the Swiss financial industry, recently released its position paper on Cloud Rules and Regulations from the Perspective of Insurance Companies which it presented earlier this month to the Swiss Bankers Association and the Swiss Insurance Association.
Insurance members of SFTI formed the Cloud Rules and Regulations working group one and a half year ago to make the use of cloud servers for insurance companies legally feasible. The position paper is intended to initiate the regulations necessary for implementation of cloud technology in the insurance business. It also records what has already been learned in the process of going into the cloud with the data and what needs to be taken into account. One of the key pillars here is the need of complying with data security.
SFTI President Patrick Baumberger
Patrick Baumberger, President of SFTI told Fintechnews:

&#8220;Cloud Computing is one of the most important digital priorities for financial institutions in Switzerland, hence SFTI aims to address future data-driven business models. We welcome all banks and insurance companies to be part of it and join us in our working groups.&#8221;

Featured image: Cloud computing, by jane.boyko, Flickr
The post Cloud Computing and Insurance appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/cloud-computing-and-insurance</link><guid>677</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/cloud-computing-insurance-1-300x169.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Cloud Computing and Insurance</dc:text></item><item><title>Nintendo Brings Back NES Classic Edition Console</title><description><![CDATA[Japanese video game giant Nintendo brought back its retro NES Classic Edition console on June 29 and after much hype and success, it has announced that it will continue producing the console throughout 2018.
Nintendo of America tweeted the news on July 11:

The NES Classic Edition, a miniaturized version of the original Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), sold out quickly after its first release in November 2016, moving 2.3 million consoles, before oddly announcing in April 2017 that it was discontinuing the product.
Nintendo re-introduced the NES Classic Edition last month following high demand and the success of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) Classic Edition console, a successor to the NES Classic Edition, which the company re-released last year.
By its fiscal year 2017 report, ending March 31, 2018, the SNES Classic Edition had sold more than 5 million units.
The NES Classic Edition console comes with 30 built-in games, including classic like Super Mario Bros., the Legend of Zelda, Mega Man 2, Donkey Kong, and PAC-MAN.
The console connects to modern TVs through HDMI and allows multiplayer functionality on certain games with a second controller. One controller is included in the packaging. The NES Classic Edition costs US$59.99.
NES Classic Edition Box, you can oder here
During the original release of the NES Classic Edition in 2016, the very limited stock was one of its main criticisms, with some stores receiving fewer than ten units at a time.
This, coupled with the extremely high demand, prompted Internet scalpers to buy as many as they could so they could resell them with extreme price markups, frustrating fans. In the US, prices were commonly set between US$200 and US$500 but went as high as US$1,000.
Following the April 2017 discontinuation, several bootleg versions of the NES Classic Edition appeared on third party auction sites, typically produced by Chinese companies. These have been found to be near-identical in hardware and software.
Nintendo, a Japanese multinational consumer electronics and video game company headquartered in Kyoto, is one of the world&#8217;s largest video game companies by market capitalization, creating some of the best-known and top-selling video game franchises, such as Mario, the Legend of Zelda, and Pokémon. Of the top 50 best-selling video games, 19 were developed or published by Nintendo.
The NES, an 8-bit video game console, was initially released in Japan in 1983 and was the best-selling gaming console of its time.
You can oder the Nitendo Classic Mini via Amazon.
The post Nintendo Brings Back NES Classic Edition Console appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/nintendo-brings-back-nes-classic-edition-console</link><guid>678</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Nintendo-America-tweet-NES-Classic-Edition.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Nintendo Brings Back NES Classic Edition Console</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Regulator Takes Action Against ICO Issuer, 100 Mio CHF to be Returned to Investors</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA has launched enforcement proceedings against envion AG.
FINMA has evidence that the company may have breached financial market law in relation to an ICO.
FINMA launched enforcement proceedings against envion AG in July 2018.
The proceedings focus in particular on possible breaches of banking law resulting from the potentially unauthorised acceptance of public deposits in connection with the Initial Coin Offering (ICO) for the EVN token.

100 Mio CHF to be returned to 30&#8217;000 investors.
Investigations carried out by FINMA to date indicate that, in the context of its ICO, envion AG accepted funds amounting to approximately one hundred million francs from more than 30,000 investors in return for issuing EVN tokens in a bond-like form. FINMA will make no further comment on the proceedings until they are concluded.
Focus on ICOs
FINMA is committed to ensuring that serious innovators can launch their ICO projects lawfully and published guidelines to this effect in February 2018. However, it also consistently takes action against ICO business models, which violate or circumvent supervisory law. FINMA has also repeatedly drawn attention to the risks that ICOs pose for investors.
Featured Image via Pixabay
The post Swiss Regulator Takes Action Against ICO Issuer, 100 Mio CHF to be Returned to Investors appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-regulator-takes-action-against-ico-issuer-100-mio-chf-to-be-returned-to-investors</link><guid>679</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/finma.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Regulator Takes Action Against ICO Issuer, 100 Mio CHF to be Returned to Investors</dc:text></item><item><title>12 Upcoming Fintech, Digital Finance and Blockchain Events in Germany to Attend</title><description><![CDATA[Germany’s fintech landscape continues to grow with about 300 fintech companies as of late-2017 that raised a record of US$655.4 million last year.
Berlin retains the position of the country’s largest fintech hub, hosting 27% of its fintech companies, followed by the Rhine-Main-Neckar region with its center in Frankfurt with 25%, according to EY.
As Germany increasingly establishes its credentials in the European fintech scene, a number of regional events, startup competitions and hackathons are being held in key locations such as Frankfurt, Berlin and Hamburg.
Here are 12 upcoming fintech, digital finance and blockchain events in Germany to attend in the second quarter of 2018:
 
Co-Creation in Fintech: A Summer Get-Together by Visa &amp; solarisBank
August 2, 2018
Spielfeld Digital Hub, Entrance D, Skalitzer Straße 85/86, Berlin

The Co-Creation in Fintech event by Visa and solarisBank, hosted at Spielfeld Digital Hub, is set to be a casual summer get-together of Germany’s fintech key players. Whilst sharing insights of co-creation processes within their organizations, Visa and solarisBank will bring together fintech startups, corporates and innovators for an evening of casual networking, tunes and delicious food and drinks.
 
Dezentral Berlin
September 6, 2018
Cosmo Berlin

Dezentral aims to be an inclusive blockchain conference, while bringing newcomers, builders and longtime believers from all over the world together in the heart of Berlin.
The event is set to feature over 50 speakers from organizations such as Tezos, Nervos, Oasis Labs, FOAM, and Zilliqa, and 800 attendees, including founders of prime projects and partners of tier 1 funds divided between two tracks. It will cover most of the blockchain landscape for 2018 onwards, highlighting and showcasing what is most interesting and exciting in the community.
 
The Berlin HotPot Tours
September 10, 2018
Station Berlin

The Berlin HotPot Tours will guide participants to the “hot pots” of Berlin innovation chefs. These will include: the Berlin Mobility Tour, the Berlin Startup Tour, the Berlin Entrepreneurship Tour and the Berlin Financial Tour.
The Berlin Financial Tour will take participants to the top-level venture capital investors WestTech Ventures and Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB) as well as one of Berlin’s leading fintech hubs.
 
Visa&#8217;s Everywhere Initiative D/A/CH
September 19, 2018
Frankfurt

Visa&#8217;s Everywhere Initiative D/A/CH is launching for the first time with a focus on German-speaking countries (DACH region). The aim of the Visa Everywhere Initiative is to promote new digital payment methods beyond the plastic card and is part of Visa&#8217;s fintech program.
Participants can win prize money totaling 50,000 euros and the opportunity to become part of a funding program. Visa helps the winners to pilot new solutions and provides startups with access to mentorship and technologies, including the Visa APIs.
After the closing date for applications on 20 August 2018, Visa will select up to five finalists from both categories and invite the representatives of each company to present their ideas to a jury. The finals will take place on September 19, 2018 in Frankfurt, the winners will be announced the following day.
 
How Blockchain and Fintech Will Change the Financial Ecosystem
September 20, 2018
Frankfurt School of Finance &amp; Management

The How Blockchain and Fintech Will Change the Financial Ecosystem, organized by S&amp;P Global in cooperation with the Frankfurt School Blockchain Center, will bring together thought leaders from the areas of fintech, blockchain, crypto assets and ICO, to shed light on the current development and growth of these markets.
The focus will be laid on the perspective of how a global rating agency assesses the development of these technologies, and the implications of these new technologies on the financial ecosystem. The event will cover some of the hottest trends and topics in the sector including artificial intelligence, big data, regulation, and more.
 
HLAG &#8211; Fintech &amp; Blockchain Hackathon
October 5-7, 2018
Berlin

The annual Geek Girls Carrots two-day Fintech &amp; Blockchain Hackathon (HLAG 2018) aims to engage the participants in creating finech solutions – made by women – by competing in many different challenges provided by the organizer’s partners and participants themselves. At the end of the &#8220;Hack like a Girl&#8221; hackathon, created results and prototypes will be rewarded and introduced to all conference attendees.
The event is targeted at developers, graphic designers, programmers, application architects, social media specialists, system architects, and women with startup ideas.
 
FINTECH WEEK Hamburg 2018
October 15-20,2018
 betahaus Hamburg, Germany

A week in Germany’s northern metropolis, rich with the best in fintech thought and innovation: Started in 2016, Fintech Week is the annual event that brings together aspiring newcomers, fintech professionals, and established players from banking and insurance to discuss the future of finance.
From October 15 to 20, 2018, visitors from Germany and beyond will meet in more than 30 different set-ups, including conferences, barcamps, expert panels, guided feedback sessions, meet ups, and other networking settings.
 
Payment Summit 2018
October 29-30, 2018
Empire Riverside, Hamburg, Germany

The Payment Summit promises to be one of the largest payment business events for retailers and the financial sector. This year, the conference will focus on the many developments in the fintech sector, including mobile payments, real-time payments, bitcoin services, the Alipay ecosystem, and the PSD2 directive.
On the first day of the conference, retailers will learn about trends and strategies on how to optimize their payment processing and what innovations are worthwhile. The second conference day will feature lectures and discussion panels.
 
21st Euro Finance Week
November 12-16, 2018
Frankfurt

The Euro Finance Week 2018 is a multi-day event covering the latest developments in the European financial industry and the hottest trends in the space.
Key conferences and sessions will include the Visa Innovation Forum, the Award Ceremony for the European Banker of the year, the Cyber Risk, Regulation and Technology conference, the Euro Finance Tech conference, European-Chinese Banking Day, the Green Finance Forum, and more.
 
Blockchain Startups Summit 2018
November 15, 2018
Frankfurt School of Finance &amp; Management, Frankfurt

Blockchain Startups Summit 2018 is a jointly organized event by the Frankfurt School Blockchain Center and EU-Startups. The event is set to bring together more than 300 entrepreneurs, investors and blockchain technology service providers from across Europe.
The event will showcase a pitch battle for a selection of the hottest European blockchain-based startups with a prize package worth EUR 10,000. It will also count on the participation of high-profile entrepreneurs and investors among the speakers, and will feature panel discussions, talks, and presentations by startups that are active in the field of blockchain.
 
EBR – European Banking Regulation
November 19-21, 2018
Jumeirah, Frankfurt

The EBR – European Banking Regulation conference will cover the latest regulatory issues and feature renowned experts from the ECB, EBA, Deutsche Bundesbank, BaFin, SRB and representatives of the credit industry and various associations.
Among the key topics, the event will cover the different regulatory projects in the pipeline and what their implementation status is, the impact of regulation on business models, the emergence of regtech, regulation of fintech companies, and more.
 
10th Fintech Forum
November 22, 2018
Airport Club for International Executives, Frankfurt

The Fintech Forum, launched in 2013, is one of the first and largest hubs for fintech in Continental Europe, with a network of 12,000+ industry participants. The 17+ events have brought together 270+ startups on stage in front of 1,000+ investors and financial institutions. Alumni have gone on to raise US$310 million + in funding and resulted in exits worth US$300 million + as of end-2017.
The 10th Fintech Forum seeks to identify innovators, disruptors and “hidden champions” in the financial services sector, and bring them together with investors and financial institutions. Participating companies will include Bita, CrowdDesk, Earlybird Venture Capital, Forexfix, Growney, Miles &amp; More, Neon Banking, Imburse Payments, Innogy, InvestHK, Smava, and Yabeo (VC).
 
Featured image via Pixabay
The post 12 Upcoming Fintech, Digital Finance and Blockchain Events in Germany to Attend appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/12-upcoming-fintech-digital-finance-and-blockchain-events-in-germany-to-attend</link><guid>680</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Co-Creation-in-Fintech-A-Summer-Get-Together-by-Visa-solarisBank.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>12 Upcoming Fintech, Digital Finance and Blockchain Events in Germany to Attend</dc:text></item><item><title>AI Algorithm for Investment Management by AAAccell- CEO Venture Leader Interview</title><description><![CDATA[Sandro Schmid
University of Zurich spin-off AAAccell is offering a superior AI algorithm for investment management.
CEO Sandro Schmid founded the company alongside Prof. Dr. Walter Farkas, and the team also includes two former bank CEOs, 11 professors and several PhDs and Master’s graduates from University of Zurich, ETH, Columbia NY and others.
This is the second part of the Fintech Startup Interview serial powered by Venturelab.
Venturelab brings this autumn 10 Swiss Fintech Startups to New York
Can you briefly introduce your project?
AAAccell has developed a technology that is superior to the market standard. It is completely new and based on the highest level of mathematics and artificial intelligence/machine learning. It reduces the risk and increases returns of any investment portfolio, without changing the individual composition of the selected portfolio positions.
Where do you see the biggest opportunities in fintech over the next five years? What problems urgently need to be solved?
The banking industry must save costs through automation, but many processes can only be digitized if there is a smart algorithm underneath the process. We focus on asset and risk management, where there is still a large amount of manual work that can be automatized and enhanced in quality, output and efficiency. It can even offer new client services.
What is pushing you towards international expansion?
Switzerland is a great market, since it is the leading wealth management market worldwide with global champions. Nevertheless, we want to push abroad to grow faster and enhance our technology and client base.
What do you see as the greatest obstacle to expansion into the global market?
Expansion needs a very well-defined strategy, a strong network and a smart approach. Otherwise, one will just burn cash. To find the best approach, one needs to understand the local culture, market demands and competition, and above all how Swiss companies are valued and how they can play to their strengths.
What attracts you to New York as a business development destination?
It is a global hub of fintech – a huge market, a great place for co-operation, collaboration and technical IT expertise.
What do you hope to achieve on the trip? What are you most looking forward to?
Meeting the right people who share our vision and can support us on our way forward, whether through partnering, connections, or expertise.
And what are you nervous about?
Honestly, I am rarely nervous, but if I had to state something it would be managing my jetlag with the many deadlines and meetings.
How is the Venture Leaders program beneficial for your startup?
I think in Venture Leaders we have a great partner who can help us touch base in the US with our company and solution. It will be a fabulous opportunity to enter the US fintech market. I am thrilled to get there!
Featured image via www.venturelab.ch. Interview from venturelab.ch
The post AI Algorithm for Investment Management by AAAccell- CEO Venture Leader Interview appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ai-algorithm-for-investment-management-by-aaaccell-ceo-venture-leader-interview</link><guid>681</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://www.venturelab.ch/demandit/files/M_BB941CC4DCEF687AD98/dms//Image/AAAccell%20Sandro%20Schmid%20180619%20CU%20polo%20Jasmin%20Frei%20Pep%20Shot.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>AI Algorithm for Investment Management by AAAccell- CEO Venture Leader Interview</dc:text></item><item><title>Blockchain in Austria: An Overview</title><description><![CDATA[Austria has embarked on a digital transformation journey and has set out to become a hotspot for blockchain technology.
In 2017, the government of Austria presented its Digital Roadmap, a strategy that analyzes the country’s challenges and describes nearly 150 measures and activities that promote digitalization and digitization. The ambitious strategy is set to help citizens and businesses benefit from digitalization.
“For the first time, the activities of all ministries are bundled together in a joint strategy paper of the Federal Government,” the government writes.
“Because digitalization is rapidly changing our world, the digital roadmap is a moving target. The dynamic strategy paper is continuously adapted to the latest developments, to offer a reliable common guide towards the digital future.”
Image: Cryptocurrency, Pixabay
Among the key technologies and areas of focus, the paper cites 5G, the Internet-of-Things, big data, artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, open knowledge, 3D printing, and blockchain technology. In particular, blockchain is praised for eliminating the need for middlemen, its immutability, and transparency.
The paper reads:
“This technology can revolutionize the way in which we enter into contracts, trade on stock exchanges or carry out banking transactions. In future, for example, digital contracts could be made forgery-proof using blockchain technology.”
One initiative the Austrian government is backing is the Research Institute for Cryptoeconomy, a blockchain research effort headquartered at the University of Vienna. The government said in December 2017 that it would be supporting blockchain research projects through a EUR 8 million research fund, an initiative that will also be invested research to enhance different kinds of digital services.
Among the most recent blockchain advances and developments in Austria, the country’s largest energy supplier Wien Energie unveiled earlier this year that it was looking to market end-customer blockchain-based products after experimenting with blockchain applications in commodity trading.
Austrian bank Raiffeisen Bank International announced in April that it would be entering the blockchain space, first by joining the Blockchain Research Institute, a group of over 55 members who work to support blockchain-related progress in the fields of finance, retail, technology and media.
Besides blockchain technology, cryptocurrency adoption is on the rise in Austria as well. An ING Bank survey released in June found that Austria had the highest cryptocurrency awareness rate with 79%, compared to 57% for respondents in the US.
 
Austrian blockchain ecosystem
According to Conda, there are over 50 companies and organizations in Austria focusing on blockchain or cryptocurrency space. These convert a wide range of services from cryptocurrency mining, and exchanges, to blockchain infrastructure, lobbying and consulting.
The Blockchain Landscape Austria map, by EnliteAI and CryptoRobby, provides a broader view of the Austria blockchain ecosystem with over a hundred organizations including universities, accelerators and incubators, and public agencies.

One notable startup is Bitpanda. The Austrian cryptocurrency platform made headlines in February when it unveiled a new office in London as part of a strategic expansion. Bitpanda claims EUR 600 million (US$736 million) of transactions through its platform in 2017.
Other cryptocurrency companies include Coinfinity, which creates products and solutions around Bitcoin and operates Austria’s first bitcoin ATMs, and Blockpit, which provides online tracking of cryptocurrency trading on all popular exchanges, mining and staking income.
In the blockchain space, Conda is the startup behind the CRWD Network, a decentralized network protocol on the blockchain providing regulatory-compliant investment in small businesses, startups and real estate projects, Finnoq is a decentralized protocol for crowdsourced advice on financial products, instruments and services, and Avinoc, is a blockchain platform for the global aviation business,
Several organizations and communities also exist including Bitcoin Austria, which focuses on promoting cryptocurrencies, BlockchainHub, a network of independent Austria hubs, and City of Blockchain, a hub in Vienna for distributed ledger technology.
Fintech Austria Startup Map
Mapping Fintech Austria via INVYO
Featured image: Mapping Fintech Austria, Austria flag, Pixabay
The post Blockchain in Austria: An Overview appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/blockchain-in-austria-an-overview</link><guid>682</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/cryptocurrency-austria-300x193.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Blockchain in Austria: An Overview</dc:text></item><item><title>Digital Asset and Google Collaborate to Bring Blockchain Solutions to the Cloud</title><description><![CDATA[Digital Asset, a provider of distributed ledger solutions announced a new collaboration with Google Cloud to bring Digital Asset’s blockchain platform and developer tools to Google Cloud Platform.
Developers now have access to a comprehensive suite of tools and services to build, test and deploy distributed ledger applications on-demand and without having to configure the underlying platform.
Blythe Masters, CEO of Digital Asset said,

Blythe Masters
“We’re partnering with Google Cloud to provide developers with a full stack solution so they can unleash the potential for web-paced innovation in blockchain. This will reduce the technical barriers to DLT application development by delivering our advanced distributed ledger platform and modelling language to Google Cloud.”
Google Cloud also joined the private beta of Digital Asset’s developer program, which provides a select group of technology partners, software vendors and global financial institutions with access to the Software Development Kit (SDK) for DAML, the Digital Asset Modeling Language. Solution Architects across Google now have access to the DAML SDK Developer Preview to explore blockchain applications with their clients.
DAML is a powerful, intuitive smart contract language designed specifically for use in Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) applications that align business processes across organizations. It simplifies the task of writing smart contracts by treating agreements and the parties to them as native constructs and hiding ledger details from the developer, and contains guardrails to protect against delivering contracts that can produce unpredictable results.
In collaboration with Google Cloud, Digital Asset has expanded its developer program to include the DAML Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) on Google Cloud Platform. The DAML PaaS is a fully-managed solution that developers can use to test and deploy DLT applications, accessible through Google Cloud’s Orbitera application marketplace technologies. Combined with the DAML SDK, developers now have an end-to-end toolkit to build and deploy sophisticated distributed applications.
Leonard Law, Head of Financial Services Platform at Google Cloud said,
Leonard Law
“We are delighted to innovate with Digital Asset in the distributed ledger space. DLT has great potential to benefit customers not just in the financial services industry, but across many industries, and we’re excited to bring these developer tools to Google Cloud.”
Digital Asset will be speaking at Google Cloud Next and Leadership Circle events in San Francisco on July 24. Later this year, Google Cloud will host developer conferences for DAML in New York and London.
 
Featured Image via Freepik
The post Digital Asset and Google Collaborate to Bring Blockchain Solutions to the Cloud appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digital-asset-and-google-collaborate-to-bring-blockchain-solutions-to-the-cloud</link><guid>683</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Leonard-Law.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Digital Asset and Google Collaborate to Bring Blockchain Solutions to the Cloud</dc:text></item><item><title>European Blockchain Spending to Grow to $3.5 Billion by 2022</title><description><![CDATA[According to IDC&#8217;s new Worldwide Semiannual Blockchain Spending Guide, Europe will be the second-largest investor in blockchain technologies.
With a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 80.2% for 2017–2022, Europe will increase its spending from around $400 million in 2018 to $3.5 billion in 2022, helping it to close the gap with the U.S., the biggest blockchain investor.
2017 was a significant year for blockchain in Europe, with companies asking themselves how blockchain solutions can help simplify, improve, and secure their businesses. A recent IDC survey across Europe, however, revealed there is still some way to go in terms of understanding blockchain applicability and usefulness, especially among smaller European companies.
Carla La Croce, senior research analyst, Customer Insights and Analysis, IDC said,

Carla La Croce
&#8220;The European market is less flexible than other regions, and is also more fragmented in terms of business size. Nevertheless, as IDC has already highlighted, 2018 is still the year of blockchain, and European companies are showing increasing interest, supported by growing investments.
Companies recognize the importance of the technology and are starting to explore how it can be deployed in their business, going beyond pilots and identifying the best use cases.&#8221;
 
According to Mohamed Hefny, systems and infrastructure solutions program manager at IDC CEMA,

Mohamed Hefny
&#8220;Blockchain offers a huge opportunity for start-ups and in the emerging markets of the region where government support and advanced skills offer a fertile ground for things to really happen. The technology is about rapid progress and agility — and the tech giants&#8217; size and legacy are not an advantage here.&#8221;
The largest and fastest-growing industry for blockchain is the financial sector, with projected spending of $173 million this year (accounting for 42% of the total). Insurance and banking are also expected to grow above the average. Other fast-growing markets are supply-chain-related segments such as manufacturing and retail, at 82.7% and 82.5% CAGR respectively. Though the biggest industries are traditionally more inclined to invest in blockchain, sectors such as utilities, professional services, and government are also expected to see strong growth.
These sectors will use blockchain for transactions or to track goods and assets, with supply chain quality and provenance control among the key uses of blockchain across all regions. By 2022, IDC believes the top use cases will be trade finance and post-trade/transaction settlements, identity management, regulatory compliance, cross-border payments and settlements, and asset/goods management.

Growth will be driven by IT services, with the highest share devoted to project services and IT consulting. Services will account for more than two-thirds of growth in 2022, slightly increasing over time at the expense of software and hardware, with the latter representing only a very small share of the total. Software technologies will account for slightly less than a third in 2018, and this will decrease to a quarter in 2022. Software spending growth will be driven by security software.
IDC&#8217;s Worldwide Semiannual Blockchain Spending Guide quantifies the emerging blockchain market by providing spending data for 10 technologies across 19 industries and 16 use cases in nine geographic regions.
 
Featured Image via Freepik
The post European Blockchain Spending to Grow to $3.5 Billion by 2022 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/european-blockchain-spending-to-grow-to-35-billion-by-2022</link><guid>684</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Mohamed-Hefny.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>European Blockchain Spending to Grow to $3.5 Billion by 2022</dc:text></item><item><title>Swica startet Tests mit einem Chatbot</title><description><![CDATA[Bei der SWICA Gesundheitsorganisation können Kunden und Interessierte erstmals mit einem Chatbot austauschen. Dieser ist ein weiteres Puzzleteil in der Digitalisierung und der Erreichbarkeit rund um die Uhr.
Die Tests sollen Erkenntnisse bringen, wie der Chatbot genutzt wird und wo sein Wissen noch zu vertiefen ist.
SWICA testet erstmals einen Chatbot. Bereits seit Anfang 2016 steht der telefonische Kundenservice 7&#215;24 rund um die Uhr zur Verfügung. Seit Juni 2016 gibt es zudem eine Chat-Funktion, mit der Kunden und Interessierte auf der SWICA-Internetseite in Echtzeit online mit einem KundendienstMitarbeitenden kommunizieren können.
Um jederzeit eine hohe telefonische Erreichbarkeit sicherzustellen, wird der Chat bei überdurchschnittlichem Telefonaufkommen deaktiviert. Mit dem Chatbot, der den Namen IQ trägt und als digitaler Produkteassistent vorgestellt wird, soll die permanente Erreichbarkeit rund um die Uhr weiter ausgebaut werden.
Lückenlose Begleitung während der Testphase
Für CEO Reto Dahinden ist dieser Schritt der Digitalisierung eine der Massnahmen für höchste Kundenzufriedenheit.

Reto Dahinden
«IQ soll befähigt werden, auf zahlreiche Fragen die richtigen Antworten zu geben. So können sich unsere KundendienstMitarbeitenden mehr Zeit nehmen für Fragen, die ein vertieftes Know-how erfordern.»
Während der Tests, die zwischen 18.30 und 21.30 Uhr am 17., 19., 24. und 26. Juli 2018 stattfinden, wird jede Antwort von IQ durch Mitarbeitende des Kundenservices 7&#215;24 überwacht. Sollte sich IQ in der Antwort irren, übernimmt ein Mensch. Falls IQ eine Frage nicht beantworten kann, fragt er, ob er an einen Mitarbeitenden des Kundendiensts weiterleiten dürfe. Ist die Person einverstanden, wird die Chat-Funktion aktiviert.
Fragen willkommen
Während der Testphasen zwischen 18.30 und 21.30 Uhr sind Kunden und Interessierte willkommen, den Chatbot auf Deutsch zu verschiedenen Themen auf die Probe zu stellen; u.a. auf der Seite www.swica.ch/de-ch/fur-private/versicherungslosungen/test-versicherungsloesungen
IQ-Chatbot wurde mit Wissen aus den Bereichen Grund- und Zusatzversicherung, Abredeversicherung sowie Arzt- und Apothekensuche «gefüttert». Was er schon alles intus hat, wird sich zeigen. Reto Dahinden:
«Was für unsere Mitarbeitenden gilt, soll sich auch bei IQ bewähren. Er soll Fehler machen dürfen und in der Folge immer besser werden.»
Gekennzeichnetes Bild über Freepik
The post Swica startet Tests mit einem Chatbot appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swica-startet-tests-mit-einem-chatbot</link><guid>685</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/SWICA_Chatbot-201x300.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swica startet Tests mit einem Chatbot</dc:text></item><item><title>Baloise und Amag Investieren in Online Auto Reperatur Buchungsplatform</title><description><![CDATA[Carhelper.ch ist die grösste Schweizer Vergleichs- und Buchungsplattform für Autoservice- und Reparaturen.
Automobilisten können Garagen online vergleichen und buchen, erhalten automatisch kalkulierte Festpreise und müssen somit nicht auf Offerten der Garagisten warten. Jetzt wird bekannt, dass die Basler Versicherungen und AMAG aktive Investoren bei Carhelper sind.
Carhelper Desktop und Mobile Plattform
Die Erfolgsgeschichte vom jungen Zürcher Auto-Start-up geht weiter. Das Gründerteam um Matthias Gerber und Aleksander Stevanovic konnten diese Tage eine weitere Investitionsrunde abschliessen. Mit dabei ist der grosse Versicherungskonzern Baloise. Bereits seit zwei Jahren am Jungunternhemen beteiligt sind die AMAG und die Swiss Startup Factory.
Anfang 2018 kam die überarbeitete Plattform von Carhelper auf den Markt, welche Festpreise für Autoservice in wenigen Schritten selber kalkuliert, ohne dass Garagisten Offerten schreiben müssen. Mittlerweile sind schon über 450 Garagenpartner auf der Plattform zu finden. Dies trug wesentlich zum Erfolg von Carhelper bei und machte neu die Basler Versicherungen auf das Start-up aufmerksam.

Wolfgang Prasser, Basler
&#8220;Wir sehen die Zukunft der Versicherungsindustrie nicht in isolierten Versicherungsprodukten sondern in Dienstleistungen, die über eine kundenfreundliche digitale Plattform in ein Ökosystem integriert sind. Dank der strategischen Partnerschaft mit Carhelper erweitern wir unsere Kontaktpunkte für Kunden in sinnvoller Weise&#8221;
begründet Wolfgang Prasser, Geschäftsleitungsmitglied der Basler Schweiz, die Investition in Carhelper.
Mit dieser Investition baut Baloise zusammen mit den beiden neuen Versicherungsprodukten „Innenraum“ und „Neuwert“ ihr Dienstleistungsangebot für Mobilität weiter aus. Dadurch erschafft der Grosskonzern die Basis, um zukünftig ein reichhaltiges Dienstleistungsangebot rund um Mobilität anbieten zu können.
Mit der Baloise und AMAG haben wir nun zwei starke Partner an der Seite, die uns dabei unterstützen, im Markt schnell und nachhaltig zu wachsen. Dies ist ein tolles Zeichen, dass wir auf dem richtigen Weg sind“, so der CEO von Carhelper, Matthias Gerber.
Matthias Gerber ist gelernter Automechaniker und arbeitete vor Carhelper bei der AMAG im Bereich Digitalisierung. Dann folgte er dem Ruf, sich mit seiner Geschäftsidee selbständig zu machen. Der Kontakt zur AMAG brach aber nie ab und man prüfte, ob man in das neue Geschäftsmodell investieren soll.
Philipp Wetzel, Amag
Philipp Wetzel, CDO von der AMAG sagt:
„Als einer der ersten Sponsoren des Accelerators der Swiss Start up Factory ermöglichten wir einerseits, dass dieses Programm zustande kam und waren von Anfang an bereit, zu lernen und uns auch stets kritisch zu hinterfragen, was die aktuellen und neuen Geschäftsmodelle anbelangt.“
Die Idee von Carhelper brachte Matthias Gerber im Januar 2016 in die Swiss Start Up Factory nach Zürich, wo Jungunternehmer gecoacht, gefördert und zu erfolgreichen Start-Ups geformt werden.
Darüber hinaus wird Unternehmern auch Branchenexpertise sowie Zugang zu einem grossen Netzwerk von potenziellen Kunden, Partnern und Kapitalgebern angeboten. Dort schaffte es Carhelper ins Accelerator Programm und beendete dies erfolgreich im Mai 2016. Seitdem ist die Swiss Startup Factory über ihre Beteiligungsgesellschaft, die Swiss Startup Group AG, ein wichtiger Partner und Investor von Carhelper.
Matthias Gerber, carhelper
Was man in Zukunft von Carhelper erwarten kann, schildert Gerber folgendermassen:
„Wir arbeiten kontinuierlich an innovativen Lösungen, um die Plattform für die Automobilisten noch einfacher und bequemer zu machen. In den nächsten Monaten wird die Plattform den Usern direkte Online-Zahlung ermöglichen, Abhol- und Bring-Service anbieten und das Serviceangebot weiter ausbauen.“
 
Neben AMAG, den Basler Versicherungen und der Swiss Startup Group AG sind auch diverse Privatpersonen investiert. Über den Investitionsbetrag wurde Stillschweigen vereinbart.
The post Baloise und Amag Investieren in Online Auto Reperatur Buchungsplatform appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/baloise-und-amag-investieren-in-online-auto-reperatur-buchungsplatform</link><guid>686</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Carhelper_Desktop_Plattform-1024x482.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Baloise und Amag Investieren in Online Auto Reperatur Buchungsplatform</dc:text></item><item><title>Robo-Advisor Solution by 3rd-Eyes- CEO Venture Leader Interview Column</title><description><![CDATA[Fintech 3rd-eyes offers a robo-advisory solution with improved individualisation and reduced costs, enabling advisers to offer better value to their clients. Founder Rodrigo Amandi told Venturlab about their hopes for the New York roadshow in September.
This is the first part of the Fintech Startup Interview serial powered by Venturelab.
Venturlab brings this autumn 10 Swiss Fintech Startups to New York
Who are you, and what’s your big idea?
Rodrigo Amandi
My name is Rodrigo Amandi. I come originally from Madrid, Spain, but have lived in the UK and Switzerland for almost 20 years. I hold a PhD in chemistry and have worked in the financial industry for over 12 years. I am married and have three children.
Our big idea behind the foundation of 3rd-eyes was the democratisation of professional investment advice. There is a big gap between the methodologies used by highly professionalised investors, such as pension funds or insurance companies, and those of the wealth management industry. We have worked over the past two years on developing a solution that enables wealth managers to provide superior advice, based on those methodologies used by the big investors, at a fraction of the cost, thanks to the rapid technological developments of recent years.
Where do you see the biggest opportunities in fintech over the next five years? What problems urgently need to be solved?
There any many opportunities where fintech can create a great impact. The greatest focus so far has been on personal finance – concretely on savings, budgeting and connected products, such as savings accounts, credit cards and consumer loans. Yet little attention has been given to investment advice.
Sure, there are many robo-advisory solutions in the market, but none of them provide the degree of individualisation required by clients. We see a great of opportunities in this field, as robo-advisory solutions proliferate and the wealth management industry needs to provide extra value to their clients so they can retain them. This is where our solution plays a problem-solving role.
What attracts you to New York as a business development destination?
Global problems deserve global solutions! The USA is one of the top three wealth management hubs globally, with a market worth over $1.5 trillion (Deloitte Wealth Management Ranking 2017), and hence it is an important market for our company to explore. Understanding the dynamics of the market as well as the specific requirements of the US market is crucial. New York certainly can provide us with such insights.
What do you see as the greatest obstacle to expansion into the global market?
Local presence is a must when pursuing global expansion. This obviously requires a significant investment for a company of our size, and poses a greater challenge given the uncertainty of the return on capital invested.
What do you hope to achieve on the trip? What are you most looking forward to?
Market research, business development opportunities and meeting potential investors. I look forward to having the opportunity of talking to US investors and organisations, as well as exchanging ideas with other startups.
How is the Venture Leaders program beneficial for your startup?
Venture Leaders provides us with an excellent platform to benefit from the Venturelab team’s experience on how better to sell our company and the services we provide to potential investors and business partners. Additionally, it provides us with a unique experience to share knowledge and experience with other participating companies.
Featured image via www.venturelab.ch. Interview from venturelab.ch
The post Robo-Advisor Solution by 3rd-Eyes- CEO Venture Leader Interview Column appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/robo-advisor-solution-by-3rd-eyes-ceo-venture-leader-interview-column</link><guid>673</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Rodrigo-Amandi.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Robo-Advisor Solution by 3rd-Eyes- CEO Venture Leader Interview Column</dc:text></item><item><title>Credit Suisse Invests in Swiss Fintech Company</title><description><![CDATA[SVC Ltd. for Risk Capital for SMEs (SVC Ltd.), an investment vehicle of Credit Suisse in Switzerland, is investing in Assetmax AG, an asset management service provider based in Zurich and Lugano.
This is SVC Ltd.&#8217;s second investment in a fintech after providing Tradeplus 24 AG with growth capital in the fourth quarter of last year. SVC Ltd. has a total of 130 million Swiss francs available for investments in Swiss SMEs, 30 million of which is specifically for fintechs.
After Credit Suisse provided its subsidiary SVC Ltd. for Risk Capital for SMEs with CHF 30 million in additional investment funds for fintechs early this year, it has now made another investment in this area.
With operations in Zurich and Lugano, Assetmax AG (formerly Fimax Asset Management Solutions AG) has evolved to become one of the leading IT platforms for independent asset managers and banks since its founding in 2013. It enables them to unburden themselves of repetitive and select administrative tasks by consistently automating and outsourcing business processes, including in the areas of compliance and portfolio management.
Established specifically for fintech investments, SVC Ltd&#8217;s Investment Committee was particularly impressed with the innovative capacity and the sophisticated technology of Assetmax&#8217;s platform. This assessment was underscored by the fact that the company has only used very little money on active marketing of the platform, and has instead managed to amass their current client base primarily through referrals from existing users.
With the newly acquired capital, Assetmax AG will further develop its platform and implement measures to accelerate its client acquisition. Aside from SVC Ltd., Schwyzer Kantonalbank&#8217;s innovation foundation, as well as entrepreneur and doodle originator Paul E. Sevinç, took part in Assetmax&#8217;s first round of funding.
Didier Denat, Chairman of the Board of Directors of SVC Ltd. and Head of Corporate &amp; Investment Banking at Credit Suisse (Switzerland) Ltd., noted:

Didier Denat
&#8220;With its platform, Assetmax addresses the needs of many external asset managers and has done a convincing job of technically implementing the corresponding solution. It is precisely this combination of strategic flair and flawless implementation that is a decisive factor for a company&#8217;s success.
 
By participating in the first round of funding, we hope to help the company continue to advance its growth and to support its long-term success. We are pleased to be able to accompany Assetmax on this path as one of its financing partners.&#8221;
Assetmax is SVC Ltd&#8217;s second investment after having invested in Tradeplus24 AG in the fourth quarter of last year – a Zurich-based fintech company specialized in granting business loans for SMEs backed by global debtors.
Featured Image via Freepik
The post Credit Suisse Invests in Swiss Fintech Company appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/credit-suisse-invests-in-swiss-fintech-company</link><guid>674</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Didier-Denat.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Credit Suisse Invests in Swiss Fintech Company</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Revolution Book Chapter Abstract of the Eco vs Egosystem</title><description><![CDATA[Financial services are changing &#8211; changes are being driven by evolving customer behaviour, by the emergence of new types of financial services, and increasingly by novel technology and business models driving the fintech revolution.
These changes are happening against a backdrop of fundamental changes across all sectors as the way we work, communicate and live rapidly evolves, which means businesses, and especially banks, need to adapt to new ways of operating and new service paradigms.
Money and the nature of value are transforming, as different currency systems emerge, which don&#8217;t fit existing classifications, while central banks and commercial banks are starting to adopt new technology around their existing services, with differing degrees of success.
Sofie Blakstad and Rob Allen are embedded in driving this change, having moved from building international banks to building the financial trust platform hiveonline, and Allen&#8217;s blockchain platform nodl.
In the book, they describe how the evolving financial landscape can help the most disadvantaged people in the world &#8211; the 1.7 billion unbanked, in both developing and developed economies, and how new business models based on decentralised technologies like blockchain, can release capital into sustainable development, reduce corruption and build community wealth.
New currencies provide an opportunity both for central banks to manage money supply more effectively and for societies to capture and transact with natural wealth such as solar energy, produce or even cows.
Societal changes have led to the evolution of customer behaviour, meaning banks, like other businesses, must adapt to embrace the ecosystem, and think differently about products and services.
Boundaries around businesses are crumbling and the public&#8217;s perception of how services are delivered has moved from bricks through clicks to apps, which means rethinking not just how products are delivered, but how services are designed and consumed.
Blakstad and Allen examine some practical approaches to restructuring businesses in a more agile, customer focused way, that allows for the rapid evolutions that will be needed not just in the future, but now.
Ecosystem vs Egosystem and Revolution vs Evolution
This chapter considers the forces driving us from traditional financial services to the emerging financial ecosystem. The authors examine the way financial services organisations have been structured to date, and the binding forces that are keeping them that way, despite efforts to change.
Culture is at the root of this resistance, and by examining the mechanisms reinforcing that culture they start to expose opportunities to reverse that resistance.  Blakstad and Allen discuss the factors that have allowed the ecosystem economy to emerge, and how the transition is happening – with some examples of organisations that are successfully bridging the gap.
The change is radical, fundamental, holistic and impacts all aspects of technical financial services; the authors further consider the level of disruption that will be required, be necessary, or result from the transition, and ask whether relatively pain-free evolution will be overcome by a more compromising, dramatic and painful revolution.
They highlight some major innovations in finance in the last ten years, none of which have been driven by banks, and peek over the horizon of the emerging models which are starting to revolutionize financial services.
You can order the book here
Featured image via Pixabay
The post Fintech Revolution Book Chapter Abstract of the Eco vs Egosystem appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-revolution-book-chapter-abstract-of-the-eco-vs-egosystem</link><guid>675</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/unnamed-16-232x300.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech Revolution Book Chapter Abstract of the Eco vs Egosystem</dc:text></item><item><title>Scout24 übernimmt Finanzcheck.de für 285 Millionen Euro</title><description><![CDATA[Die Scout24 AG, ein Betreiber digitaler Marktplätze mit Fokus auf Immobilien und Automobile in Deutschland und anderen ausgewählten europäischen Ländern, hat eine Vereinbarung zum Erwerb sämtlicher Anteile an der FFG FINANZCHECK Finanzportale GmbH, einem deutschen Online-Vergleichsportal für Verbraucherkredite, unterzeichnet.
Scout24 übernimmt Finanzcheck.de von Acton Capital Partners, btov Partners, Highland Europe, HarbourVest Partners sowie von dem Gründer und CEO und anderen Investoren.
Das Closing steht unter dem Vorbehalt der kartellrechtlichen Genehmigung und wird in den nächsten vier bis sechs Wochen erwartet. Die Transaktion erfolgt auf Basis einer Gegenleistung in Höhe von 285 Millionen Euro, frei von Barmitteln und Schulden. Der Kaufpreis wird vollständig in bar bezahlt.
Finanzcheck.de betreibt eine Online-Plattform für Verbraucherfinanzierung und bietet Nutzern in Echtzeit einen schnellen und effizienten Vergleich von Verbraucherkrediten. Darüber hinaus kooperiert Finanzcheck.de über die eigene Technologieplattform für Verbraucherfinanzierung mit Affiliate-Webseiten, Point-of-Sale Finanzierungspartnern und Partnernetzwerken in Deutschland.
In Bezug auf Marktanteil und Marktpositionierung beim Online-Vergleich von Verbraucherkrediten zählt Finanzcheck.de zu einem der Top-drei-Portale in Deutschland. Über eine unkomplizierte Online-Abfrage können Kreditangebote und kreditnahe Produkte von allen wichtigen Anbietern am Markt innerhalb weniger Minuten miteinander verglichen werden. Für Kreditanfragen zu Ratenkrediten, Autokrediten und Umschuldungskrediten stehen neben der Online-Abfrage auf Wunsch auch Kreditberater zur Verfügung – sieben Tage die Woche und kostenfrei.
Der Markt für Online-Vergleiche von Konsumentenkrediten ist ein stark wachsender Markt, der sowohl von einer guten Gesamtentwicklung der mehr als 80 Milliarden Euro neu vergebener Verbraucherkredite in Deutschland als auch von einer fortschreitenden Verlagerung der Verbraucherkreditabschlüsse von Offline-Kanälen zu online profitiert. Im Zeitraum von 2015 bis 2022 soll sich der Marktanteil der durch Online-Vergleiche generierten Verbraucherkredite verdoppeln.
 
Ausgewähltes Bild über Pixabay
The post Scout24 übernimmt Finanzcheck.de für 285 Millionen Euro appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/scout24-ubernimmt-finanzcheckde-fur-285-millionen-euro</link><guid>676</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Immobilien-Scout-24-Logo-1-1-300x149.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Scout24 übernimmt Finanzcheck.de für 285 Millionen Euro</dc:text></item><item><title>Humans and AI Create Winning Teams for Wealth Advisory</title><description><![CDATA[For banks, the capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) have always been evident. The only question is when and how to implement them in a way that reaps the best returns.
Banks, for instance, have always had large volumes of data, over which it performs monitoring, analysis and insights-generating functions. Yet AI now presents banks with a future worth considering: what will it look like for banks to integrate advanced machine learning capabilities to help with all those processes?
Banking on Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI, with its wide spectrum of technologies could either remain a passing trend today or transform banking for ever. The key difference is the whether there is a strategy in place. At present, some banks have experimented with AI across the board, while others may have chosen to focus on specific areas.
Banks’ AI budgets have varied from anything below US$3 mil to US$15 mil. Meanwhile the fact that any likely success of any one strategy may only become evident in the long runs makes assessment difficult for now.
On the one end, banks don’t have much to lose from implementing AI. The long-term benefits are there: cost savings and higher revenue. Some say that they will keep their expectations within existing AI capabilities, but there is also a risk that some will over-invest in some areas while neglecting those with potentially higher gains.

http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ezgif.com-resize.mp4
 
The possibilities are being explored by banks in different ways, and in the case of UBS Group AG is being tried and tested through its innovation labs in Zurich, London and Singapore.
While these localised hubs are positioned to keep an eye out for local fintech trends, they also position banks to collaborate with local fintech ecosystems on a ground level whenever the opportunity arises.
As an incubator for co-ideation, the UBS Wealth Innovation Lab was first piloted in 2014, and seeks to bring different industries to brainstorm common solutions together. This in turn is key to developing cross-industry solutions which ultimately help expand its business scope.
Transforming wealth advisory models
Regardless of how this strategy is conceived and implemented, investing in AI is not just to revamp current processes, but to create added value for customers.
Three identifiable advisory models of wealth management are human advisory model, the purely automated advisory model, and the hybrid advisory model.
While it has artificial intelligence-based investing capabilities, the hybrid advisory model incorporates the human element that about 51% of 1,300 survey respondents interviewed by Accenture saw as the most reliable option for new investment ideas. Yet at the same time, many also cited the availability of computer-generated recommendations as the difference-maker.
In fact the idea that artificial intelligence is a construct completely independent from human intervention is at best, false. As Bethan Turner of Honeycomb points out, it is still human beings who create, then decide on how to clean the data collected. They are also the ones who decide how that data is to be used.
“AI is about the quality of the data that you have, but in my opinion, we are never going to be able to leave those decisions to an algorithm – we will still need a human being to be part of that,” UBS Investment Bank COO Bea Martin has noted before.
Hybrid model wealth management in practice
In terms of wealth management, the hybrid model can offer customers the rewards of a long-term relationship. The long-term view needs to be considered since clients may not need financial advice 24/7 but may instead may want the security of knowing where to seek advice as they grow their wealth.
“I think that’s one of our biggest challenges now. We’re not spending enough time building those relationships. This platform will help us do that and capture dollars moving forward,” commented UBS advisor Jennifer Susco, upon the launch of the UBS Advice Advantage hybrid advisory model in the US earlier this year.
Despite the arrival of artificial intelligence in wealth management, the human factor is still key in building customer relationships. Image credit: Pexels.
Hybrid advisory could also mean advisory solutions that transcend the physical borders of a banking establishment, and the availability of 24/7 access to banking advice, regardless of where in the world customers happen to be. This is a possibility with the use of voice-activated virtual assistants, for example. Amazon’s Alexa, who was pilot tested in 2017 to answer simply financial queries on demand, is simply one instance of financial advice infiltrating our private spaces in the future.
Even as current advisory roles evolve to accommodate digital advisory, banks will also need position their workforce accordingly. While UBS’ WM Innovation Maker Box aims to encourage current employees to pioneer innovations of their own, an AI-integrated future will also require a host of other skillsets, including advanced IT and programming skills, as well as basic digital skills, to name a few.
Featured image credit: Pixabay
The post Humans and AI Create Winning Teams for Wealth Advisory appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/humans-and-ai-create-winning-teams-for-wealth-advisory</link><guid>672</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/bow-tie-businessman-fashion-man-1024x682.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Humans and AI Create Winning Teams for Wealth Advisory</dc:text></item><item><title>Romania Ripe for Fintech Revolution</title><description><![CDATA[Although still in early stage compared to nearby countries such as Poland, the Czech Republic, and Austria, the Romanian fintech industry is poised to take off as consumer demand for fintech solutions and digital banking increases, according to experts and industry observers.
In countries like Romania, where bank commissions have been among the largest in the region, the prospects for fintechs and banks that offer cheaper alternative digital services for younger generations are very promising, says a Saxo Bank study.
“Romania is poised for deep fintech disruption due to the fundamental discrepancies between the old banking systems and the advanced fintech technologies being developed and adopted at a rapid pace,” stated Dea Wilson, founder of Lifograph, a search engine that allows users to scour profiles of Silicon Valley’s most prominent personalities.
“In addition, the cryptocurrency fever is sweeping up Romania, and more and more Romanians are switching to digital wallets,” she added.
“Given all this fervent activity in the region, it is easy to see how Romania could emerge at the forefront of the fintech revolution in Eastern Europe.”
 
Fintech and digital banking in Romania
Image: Stock Exchange Palace, Bucharest, Wikipedia
In the CEE, Romania has a relatively large domestic market and the second biggest population in the region. Romania also boasts a highly competitive labor force, a large pool of IT specialists, and the fastest broadband Internet in Europe.
Additionally, the Romanian government is actively supporting domestic companies and foreign investors through state aid schemes, tax incentives, super deductions (150%) for research and development investments and low corporate income tax.
According to the Fintech in CEE report by the UK Department for International Trade in partnership with Deloitte, fintech players providing technology solutions to banks are in demand in Romania. The report cites the most sought-after solutions as frameworks enabling the agile development of customer experience in all channels, the reduction of regulatory reporting burden, and the facilitation of various forms of cloud services.
As regulatory change opens access to banking systems (e.g. PSD2) and as e-commerce grows in popularity in Romania, fintech providers and solutions in the fields of online and mobile banking are likely to have a significant role to play in the Romanian financial landscape.
Local banks have recognized the need for greater digitalization. Banca Transilvania integrated Misys FusionBanking Essence Online and Mobile in 2010. The digital and mobile banking offering has enabled the bank to increase its market share from 5% to nearly 9% in just four years. Banca Transilvania has also integrated social media into its digital banking with unique services such as Facebook transfers.
In 2014, Banca Comerciala Romana launched the Financial Assistant application for mobile devices. The app is designed to help users stay on top of their budgets.
OTP Bank Romania made a similar move in 2015 when it launched MyMentor, designed to let users plan both personal expenses and incomes. It is accessible from the bank’s OTPdirekt Internet banking platform and its SmartBank mobile banking app.
 
Fintech startups in Romania
According to Deloitte, the Romanian fintech market was worth US$119 million in 2016, behind Poland with US$856 million, Austria with US$588 million, and Czech Republic with US$190 million.
CEE fintech market size, Deloitte 2016
While several prominent international banking IT solutions providers such as T24, Oracle, Misys and SAP are present in the Romanian market, the country also has a few homegrown vendors worth mentioning. Romsys, for instance, is a provider of business optimization solutions for the financial sector. Advantage Software Factory offers custom business software solutions for the Romanian banking and telecom industries.
Allevo is another provider of software solutions for financial institutions. Allevo solutions improve and automate the operation flows of financial institutions and ensure interoperability by aligning financial transaction systems to global industry standards, as well as regional and country specific regulations. The firm works with the majority of Romanian banks as well as financial services companies from other countries including Moldova.
Another Romanian software provider is Loxon, which specializes in solutions covering the entire lending lifecycle and risk management activities of financial services institutions. Loxon serves clients that include ING Bank, Raiffeisen Bank, and BRD Groupe Societe Generale.
Other fintech services providers in Romania include Smart Bill, which offers invoicing and inventory management solutions for small and medium-sized businesses, IFN Extra Finance, a company that provides individual and business loans, and Crestem Idei, a crowdfunding platform for projects and startups.
 
Featured image: Central University Library of Bucharest, Romania, Wikipedia
The post Romania Ripe for Fintech Revolution appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/romania-ripe-for-fintech-revolution</link><guid>671</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Bucharest-Stock-Exchange-Palace-Fintech-Romania-300x200.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Romania Ripe for Fintech Revolution</dc:text></item><item><title>Bayern Kapital beteiligt sich am Münchener FinTech wealthpilot</title><description><![CDATA[Bayern Kapital hat sich an der Münchener wealthpilot GmbH beteiligt. Das Finanztechnologie-Start-up hat eine zweite Finanzierungsrunde erfolgreich abgeschlossen. Angeführt wurde die Runde von erfahrenen Start-up-Unternehmern.
Neben dem Neuinvestor Bayern Kapital hatten sich aber auch die Altgesellschafter beteiligt. wealthpilot ist ein führender Anbieter von Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)-Lösungen für die Vermögensberatung. Mit den eingeworbenen Mitteln will wealthpilot vor allem neue Funktionen in die SaaS-Plattform integrieren, seine Vertriebsteams weiter ausbauen und den Wachstumskurs fortsetzen.
Mit der SaaS-Plattform von wealthpilot können Vermögensberater und -verwalter mehr Vermögenswerte und Anlageklassen von Neu- und Bestandskunden betreuen und durch Prozessautomatisierung deutliche Zeiteinsparungen erzielen. Insgesamt arbeiten derzeit mehr als 1500 Banken, Family Offices, Vermögensberatungen und Vermögende mit der Lösung von wealthpilot.

Georg Ried
„Die Digitalisierung des Finanzsektors liegt im Vergleich zu anderen Branchen weit zurück. Sie konzentriert sich meist auf die Anlage liquider Vermögenswerte.
 
Wichtig ist es aber auch für die Finanzbranche Lösungen zu entwickeln, mit denen Vermögensberater und -verwalter nicht nur effizienter arbeiten, sondern möglichst vielen Kunden eine qualitativ hochwertige Betreuung zu wesentlichen Vermögensfragen bieten können.
 
wealthpilot hat uns hier vollumfänglich überzeugt. Sowohl der SaaS-Ansatz als auch die Benutzerführung reduzieren die hinter der Lösung stehende Komplexität für die Anwender. Sie tragen dazu bei, dass sich Vermögensberater auf ihr Kerngeschäft – die persönliche Beratung – konzentrieren können“,
erläutert Bayern-Kapital-Geschäftsführer Dr. Georg Ried.

Stephan Schug
„Wir schätzen es besonders, dass wir die gute Zusammenarbeit mit den bisherigen Business Angels nun um Bayern Kapital sowie erfahrene Start-up-Entrepreneure erweitern konnten. Damit vereinen wir im Investorenkreis ausgeprägte Branchenkenntnisse im Finanzsektor sowie maßgebliche Unternehmerexpertise“,
erklärt Stephan Schug, Geschäftsführer von wealthpilot.
 
Ausgewähltes Bild über Pixabay
 
The post Bayern Kapital beteiligt sich am Münchener FinTech wealthpilot appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bayern-kapital-beteiligt-sich-am-munchener-fintech-wealthpilot</link><guid>669</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/georg-ried.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Bayern Kapital beteiligt sich am Münchener FinTech wealthpilot</dc:text></item><item><title>wikifolio Kooperiert mit Robo Advisor Werthstein</title><description><![CDATA[wikifolio.com, Europas Plattform für transparente Anlagestrategien, und der digitale Vermögensverwalter Werthstein kooperieren, um den direkten Zugang zur Geldanlage noch einfacher zu gestalten.
Werthstein setzt seine für die Vermögensverwaltung entwickelten Investmentthemen ab sofort auch in wikifolios um. Ausserdem werden wikifolio-Zertifikate Teil des Angebots der Vermögensverwaltung und stehen Werthstein-Kunden zur Diversifikation zur Verfügung.
Der von Werthstein entwickelte Investmentansatz bietet Kunden kostengünstig die Möglichkeit, ein breit diversifiziertes, individuelles Portfolio aufzubauen und mit der Anlage in aktuelle wirtschaftliche, technologische oder gesellschaftliche Trends höhere Renditen als der Gesamtmarkt zu erzielen. Die von internationalen Kapitalmarktexperten identifizierten Trends, so genannte „Zeitgeists”, setzt Werthstein ab sofort auch auf wikifolio.com um, sodass deren Wertentwicklung jederzeit und völlig transparent nachvollzogen werden kann.
Börse Stuttgart TV im Gespräch mit Felix Röscheisen von Werthstein und Andreas Kern von wikifolio.com zu den Inhalten der Kooperation



Mehr Informationen zu den handelbaren wikifolio-Zertifikaten finden Sie hier!
Themen, die Menschen begeistern
Anleger können Themen wie beispielsweise „Fahren ohne Fahrer“, “Der Kampf gegen den Zucker” oder „Weltraumtechnologie-Aktien“ über wikifolio-Zertifikate in ihr eigenes Depot aufnehmen. Die besicherten wikifolio-Zertifikate sind an der Börse Stuttgart gelistet und können bei nahezu jeder Bank gehandelt werden.
Andreas Kern
Andreas Kern, Gründer und CEO von wikifolio.com freut sich:
„Die Partnerschaft mit Werthstein passt perfekt zu unserem Vorhaben, mehr Menschen für Aktien zu begeistern. Die professionell zusammengestellten Zeitgeists bieten jetzt auch auf wikifolio.com all jenen, die ihre Geldanlage selbst in die Hand nehmen, eine weitere spannende Möglichkeit, Chancen am Kapitalmarkt für sich zu nutzen.”
 
Börse Stuttgart TV im Gespräch mit Giles Keating, Werthstein-Mitgründer, zu den ersten investierbaren Wikifolios



Mehr Informationen zu den handelbaren wikifolio-Zertifikaten finden Sie hier!
Diversifikation, auch mit wikifolio-Zertifikaten
Zudem wird Werthstein ausgewählte wikifolio-Zertifikate, die auf den Handelsideen der besten Trader der Social-Trading-Plattform basieren, in das eigene Angebot übernehmen und damit Werthstein-Kunden zur weiteren Diversifikation zur Verfügung stellen.
Felix Röscheisen, Generalbevollmächtigter von Werthstein:

Felix Röscheisen
„Wir wollen es Anlegern einfacher machen, ein Portfolio zu erstellen, das ihre persönlichen Interessen und Überzeugungen widerspiegelt und gleichzeitig nach professionellen Kriterien zusammengestellt ist. Wir freuen uns sehr, dass wir mit wikifolio.com einen starken Partner gefunden haben, um unsere erfolgreichen Zeitgeists noch breiteren Anlegergruppen als Zertifikat anbieten zu können.
 
wikifolio-Zertifikate haben sich mittlerweile als eine eigene Anlageklasse etabliert, die wir auch unseren Kunden in der Vermögensverwaltung zur Diversifikation nicht vorenthalten möchten.”
Die Anleger weiterbringen
Die Kooperation von Werthstein und wikifolio.com geht über die gemeinsamen Produkte hinaus. Beide Fintechs legen Wert darauf, Anleger mit hochwertigen Inhalten beim Thema Geldanlage zu unterstützen. So publizieren die Experten von Werthstein Analysen der Zeitgeists im Rahmen des wikifolio.com Medienhauses. Die Meinung der wikifolio-Trader wird wiederum in den Werthstein Index und die Beiträge des Online Vermögensverwalters integriert.
Eine Erweiterung der Kooperation ist bereits jetzt geplant: Ähnlich wie bei einem Dachfonds plant Werthstein, mehrere Trendthemen zu Dachwikifolios zu bündeln und die entsprechenden Produkte ihren Kunden je nach Risikobereitschaft anzubieten.
This article first appeared on werthstein.com
The post wikifolio Kooperiert mit Robo Advisor Werthstein appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/wikifolio-kooperiert-mit-robo-advisor-werthstein</link><guid>670</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Felix-Röscheisen.png</dc:content ><dc:text>wikifolio Kooperiert mit Robo Advisor Werthstein</dc:text></item><item><title>TokenPay Swiss Acquires 9.9% of a German Bank</title><description><![CDATA[Recently, TokenPay Swiss AG announced its partnership with WEG Bank in Germany. Under the terms of the previously announced deal, TokenPay acquired 9.9% of the bank along with options to purchase approximately 90% overall of the bank pending the customary regulatory approval.
Today, this 9.9% stake in WEGBank was further transacted to the benefit of Litecoin Foundation in exchange for a broad and comprehensive marketing and technology service agreement to benefit TokenPay and its related cryptocurrency and business operations. As a result of this partnership, TokenPay and Litecoin combine as a leading force in creating and delivering to the market modern consumer-driven crypto FinTech solutions.
Specifically, TokenPay will directly benefit from Litecoin&#8217;s high-level blockchain mechanization capabilities. The partnership will focus on several key areas that have been identified by analysts as critical to the success of the enterprise. This includes, but is not limited to, the TPAY cryptocurrency and its vital blockchain, eFin decentralized exchange (DEX) and the EFIN coin, TokenSuisse asset management and structured financial products, WEG Bank FinTech platform including high demand consumer debit cards and the TokenPay Multisignature Transaction Engine designed for processing fast and secure crypto e-commerce payments for merchants.
Furthermore, at the same time, TokenPay has acquired an additional 9.9% of WEG Bank. It is essential to understand that under German banking law no entity can own more than 9.9% of a bank without regulatory approval. Upon the granting of the approval, TokenPay plans to exercise its options to acquire the remaining shares of WEG Bank it is entitled to purchase.
With the prominent addition of Litecoin as a strategic marketing, blockchain technology, and logistics partner in WEG Bank and its long-standing partnership with Verge Currency, TokenPay conservatively anticipates adding several hundred thousand customers to its debit card solutions platform in the near term. Accordingly, the technical expertise provided by Litecoin will be a tremendous benefit to the establishment of comprehensive automation guidelines and standards employed by the bank as it explores new market opportunities.
Charlie Lee, Managing Director of the Litecoin Foundation, stated,

Charlie Lee
“This partnership is a huge win-win for both Litecoin and TokenPay. I’m looking forward to integrating Litecoin with the WEG Bank AG and all the various services it has to offer, to make it simple for anyone to buy and use Litecoin. I’m also excited about Litecoin’s support in TokenPay’s eFin decentralized exchange.”
Matthias von Hauff, founder, and CEO of WEG Bank AG added:
“The partnership with innovative institutions such as TokenPay and Litecoin might at first come unexpectedly for a very conservative institution like us. But we have thoroughly and diligently examined the prospects of a common future, and we became convinced that the future of banking will make adoption of such modern payment methods inevitable. We are therefore proud to have teamed up with the best in the field.”
Prof. Dr. Jorg E. Wilhelm, Head of Supervisory Board of TokenPay Swiss AG commented,

Dr. Jorg E. Wilhelm
“We are elated to be in the process of acquiring a large stake in a successful business bank based in Germany such as WEG. Our ecosystem consisting of the TPAY blockchain, WEG Bank, TokenSuisse and Litecoin Foundation provides us with a tremendous opportunity regarding merchant solutions, along with a strong and diverse customer base for our crypto debit card business. The tangible reality of bridging the gap between the old and new world is electrifying.”
 
Featured image via Freepik
The post TokenPay Swiss Acquires 9.9% of a German Bank appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/tokenpay-swiss-acquires-99-of-a-german-bank</link><guid>667</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Charlie-Lee.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>TokenPay Swiss Acquires 9.9% of a German Bank</dc:text></item><item><title>Vontobel Lanciert Digitale Plattform für Privat-platzierungen und Darlehen</title><description><![CDATA[Vontobel will den wachsenden Markt für Finanzierungen mit der ersten Online-Plattform revoloutineren, welche auch die Verbriefung als Wertpapier für massgeschneiderte Finanzierungen erlaubt.
Dies stellt einen entscheidenden Schritt in Richtung vollkommener Digitalisierung des Kapitalmarktes dar. Die langjährige Marktexpertise und Technologieführerschaft von Vontobel im Plattformgeschäft, zusammen mit der Expertise der FINMA-anerkannten Schweizer Ratingagentur fedafin AG, ermöglicht den Schuldnern und Kapitalgebern mittels cosmofunding einen substanziellen Mehrwert zu schaffen.
Der Markt für Finanzierungen von Unternehmungen und öffentlich-rechtlichen Körperschaften hat sich in den letzten Jahren stark verändert. Zunehmend wendet sich die öffentliche Hand kurzfristigeren und günstigeren Finanzierungen über institutionelle Investoren zu, die aufgrund des herrschenden Tiefzinsumfelds nach Anlagealternativen suchen. Die Folge daraus ist ein Wachstum im Segment der Privatplatzierungen.
Vontobel nutzt die Möglichkeiten der Digitalisierung, um die bisherigen Marktstrukturen und Prozesse zu revolutionieren und damit die Transparenz und Reichweite in diesem Bereich zu erhöhen. Online-Plattformen für Privatplatzierungen oder Darlehen sind ideal, weil damit die Interessen von professionellen Investoren und Kreditnehmern schnell, transparent und kostengünstig zusammengeführt werden:
Institutionelle Investoren haben somit Zugang zu interessanten Finanzierungs-Projekten von öffentlich-rechtlichen Körperschaften wie Städten und Gemeinden, die bisher nicht an den Kapitalmärkten präsent waren. Die öffentliche Hand &#8211; aber auch mittelgrosse KMU &#8211; erreichen durch Vontobels neue Online-Plattform einen grösseren Kreis von professionellen Anlegern und können damit ihre Finanzierung in Bezug auf Volumen, Laufzeit, Finanzierungsform und aufgrund der gestiegenen Transparenz auch die Preise individuell auf ihre Bedürfnisse massschneidern.
Vontobel hat mit cosmofunding die erste Online-Plattform für Privatplatzierungen in der Schweiz lanciert, die langjährige Marktexpertise mit der eigenen Technologieführerschaft kombiniert und damit einen Mehrwert für die Endkunden bietet.
Sagt Roger Studer, Leiter Vontobel Investment Banking,

Roger Studer
«Hinter cosmofunding steht Vontobel als grundsolider und umsichtiger Schweizer Finanzdienstleister mit der ausgewiesenen Fixed Income-Expertise und einer breiten Basis von institutionellen Anlegern aus unserer Advisory-Tätigkeit.
Aufgrund unserer langjährigen Erfahrung im Plattformgeschäft nehmen wir mit cosmofunding die Bedürfnisse der Endkunden wie zum Beispiel die automatisierte Verbriefung von Finanzierungen in allen gängigen Währungen vorweg und bieten damit einen vollautomatisierten und benutzerfreundlichen Prozess.»
Vontobel arbeitet in diesem Bereich exklusiv mit der unabhängigen, ersten und als einzige FINMA-anerkannte Schweizer Ratingagentur fedafin zusammen.
Ergänzt Dr. Adrian Oberlin, Geschäftsführer fedafin,

Dr. Adrian Oberlin
«Für viele institutionelle Anleger ist ein fedafin-Rating Voraussetzung für den Abschluss einer Privatplatzierung oder eines Darlehens, da sie sich damit bezüglich der Bonität von Emittent und Emission absichern. Neben derzeit über 320 Unternehmen verschiedener Grösse decken wir 2‘200 Schweizer Gemeinden und Kantone ab, was einer Abdeckung von 95 Prozent des Marktes entspricht.»
cosmofunding ist webbasiert und lizenzfrei. Marktteilnehmer erhalten mittels persönlichem Login unverbindlichen Zugang zur Plattform, die wie alle Vontobel-Plattformen die höchsten Sicherheitsstandards erfüllt. Schuldner und Kapitalgeber können sich ab jetzt auf www.cosmofunding.com registrieren lassen. Das go-live von cosmofunding erfolgt am 3. September 2018.
Gekennzeichnetes Bild über Freepik
The post Vontobel Lanciert Digitale Plattform für Privat-platzierungen und Darlehen appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/vontobel-lanciert-digitale-plattform-fur-privat-platzierungen-und-darlehen</link><guid>663</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Roger-Studer.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Vontobel Lanciert Digitale Plattform für Privat-platzierungen und Darlehen</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 10 Swiss Fintech Start-Ups – Summer Edition</title><description><![CDATA[Each quarter, Swisscom teams up with e-foresight to publish a Fintech Startup radar and to select 10 interesting Swiss Fintech Startups.
The criteria that the start-ups need to meet are as follows:

Transparent business case
Meets a clear customer requirement
Investors and/or management have a proven track record
Professional partners and current customers
Innovation and market potential

Here is the newest selection of Swisscoms Fintech Startup Radar.

Advanon
Advanon is an authorized financial intermediary that provides an online platform on which companies can receive liquidity from external investors on the basis of their accounts receivable invoices.
The invoice financing platform provides a simple and flexible way for businesses to get invoices financed by numerous investors. It is available in Switzerland and Germany.
 
Algo Trader
AlgoTrader is an algorithmic trading software system originally created by CEO Andy Flury . Prior to AlgoTrader, Andy Flury gained his extensive knowledge in real-time management of large data sets using Esper and CEP whilst employed as project manager and software architect for Siemens.
 
 
Apiax
Apiax is an early-stage startup that aims at generating better access to compliance regulations. It provides easily integrated public programming interfaces (APIs) that facilitate access to always up-to-date and verified compliance rules.
 
Bexio
bexio – the simple business software ideal for small businesses, the self-employed and startups. bexio helps small businesses better manage their administration, work more efficiently and sell more.
 
 
Crowdhouse
Crowdhouse AG is the undisputed market leader in the Swiss real estate co-ownership segment.
Since its launch in 2015, the company has already brokered over 60 properties with a total value of CHF 350 million to private investors, thereby turning them into co-owners of selected Swiss yield properties registered in the land register.
The Zurich-based company now employs more than 60 people.
 
Investiere
investiere.ch offers accredited private and institutional investors.
The Swiss innovation landscape. investiere.ch was founded in 2010 and has offices in Baar, Zurich and Geneva.
Together with its minority shareholder Zürcher Kantonalbank, investiere.ch is one of the leading startup investors in Switzerland and one of the most renowned Swiss fintech companies.
 
Loanboox
Loanboox is the independent money and capital market platform for public-sector borrowers and institutional investors.Loanboox is simple, transparent, safe and low cost, benefiting both borrowers and lenders alike.
 
Lykke
Lykke is a Swiss Fintech company building a global marketplace based on blockchain. Richard Olsen is a pioneer in the field of high-frequency finance. Richard served as co-founder and CEO of OANDA, a leading foreign exchange company. Lykke received initial seed funding in 2015.
 
PriceHubble
PriceHubble is a Swiss based company, focusing on international real estate markets. Computer science, econometrics, mathematics, statistics, financial services and consulting. We develop innovative solutions to support real estate decision making.
 
VIAC

VIAC  is a 3rd pillar solution that above all creates added value for the customer – not just for the bank.
 
 
The post Top 10 Swiss Fintech Start-Ups &#8211; Summer Edition appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-10-swiss-fintech-start-ups-summer-edition</link><guid>664</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Fintech-Radar-1-1024x576.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 10 Swiss Fintech Start-Ups – Summer Edition</dc:text></item><item><title>Patrick Barnert Joins Evolute</title><description><![CDATA[At an extraordinary General Meeting of Evolute Group AG, the shareholders elected Patrick Barnert to the Board of Directors.
Barnert has many years of experience as an entrepreneur and senior executive in the e-business and enterprise software market. He is particularly experienced in strategic planning, business development as well as sales and marketing.
Patrick Barnert
In the course of his career, Patrick Barnert has served as CEO and Chairman of various global technology companies, particularly in the areas of Fin- and RegTech. In 1996 he founded and built up an international digital agency and e-business company, where he is still a member of the board. Patrick sold was founder of the Regtech Startup Qumram which was acquired by US company Dynatrace last November.
&#8220;Not only his visionary leadership and expertise in the software market, but also his communicative and motivating manner represent valuable added value for our company. The entire Evolute staff is looking forward to working together.&#8221;
In addition, the restructuring plans of Evolute Group AG &#8211; Evolute announced on May 25, 2018 &#8211; were on the agenda.
They decided to separate Evolute AG and the pure consulting business of the former SwissComply AG.
 
Featured image via blog.evolute.community
The post Patrick Barnert Joins Evolute appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/patrick-barnert-joins-evolute</link><guid>665</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Michael-Hartweg.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Patrick Barnert Joins Evolute</dc:text></item><item><title>These 9 Fintech Startups Made It Into Kickstart Accelerator 2018</title><description><![CDATA[Kickstart Accelerator has chosen 30 technology startups and 5 intrapreneurship teams for its 2018 program.
The startups will come to Zurich for seven weeks this autumn, where they will meet with Swiss corporations, cities, universities and foundations aiming at initiating successful innovation partnerships and joint pilot projects.
Virtual learning labs, blockchain-based contracts and text-to-speech for hearing impaired people
The selected startups work on innovative solutions addressing a variety of challenges: The companies in the EdTech &amp; Learning Vertical have developed virtual learning labs (Labster) and learning solutions for the smartphone (Gnowbe) inter alia, while the Food &amp; Retail Tech startups focus on algae based vegan proteins (Alver Golden Chlorella) and fast testing for harmful bacteria in food (Yarok Microbio).
In the FinTech &amp; Crypto Vertical, it is about analysing the financial industry using Artificial Intelligence (YUKKA Lab AG) and blockchain-based smart contracts (Reportix and Trakti) next to others. Meanwhile, the Smart Cities &amp; Infrastructure startups work on AI-based software to manage energy consumption (The Energy Audit), on speech-to-text/ text-to-speech technology for hearing impaired people (Pedius) and many more. The following startups participate in Kickstart Accelerator 2018:




	EdTech &amp; Learning FinTech &amp; Crypto 
Food &amp; Retail Tech
Smart Cities &amp; Infrastructure





	CodeAll (Poland)
Altoo (Switzerland)
Alver Golden Chlorella (Switzerland)
AVUXI (UK)



	Differ (Norway)
Asteria (Sweden)
Besso (Germany)
Block Dox (UK)



	Gnowbe (Singapore) 
 Fintechdb (Germany) 
 Mondays (Switzerland) 
 Fleco Power AG (Switzerland) 



	 Labster (Denmark) 
 Gauss Algorithmic (Czech Republic) 
 LuckaBox (Switzerland) 
 Hivemind (Switzerland) 



	 Potential.ly (UK) 
 Reportix (Germany) 
 microPow (Switzerland) 
 Kido Dynamics (Switzerland) 



	 Sharing Academy (Spain) 
 ResonanceX Ltd. (UK) 
 Yarok Microbio (Israel)
 Pedius (Italy) 



	 TEACHY (Switzerland) 
 Trakti (UK) 
 The Energy Audit (Italy)



	 WriteReader (Denmark)
 vlot (Switzerland) 



	 YUKKA Lab AG (Germany)





Fintech/Crypto Vertical Startups
Altoo (Switzerland)
empowers wealthy individuals and their families to consolidate and interact with their total wealth in a simple and intuitive way, including crypto.
Asteria  (Sweden)
automates cash flow forecasting and give feedback to understand clients’ business cash flow and help make more data driven business decisions.
Fintechdb (Germany)
is a service that helps FinTech buyers to understand the FinTech market, so that they can make the right choices when it comes to finding partners, analyzing competition and trends, or just getting a broad overview.
Gauss Algorithmic (Czech Republic)
combines internal and external data to understand the motivation behind users purchasing financial products like loans and using advanced analytics methods like machine learning to find new “similar” customer.
Reportix (Germany)
helps businesses to bring real contracts into Blockchain technology – legally sound, for humans, machine processable.
ResonanceX Ltd. (UK)
is a digital platform enabling the end-to-end automation of the price discovery, issuance and administration of Structured Products.
Trakti (UK)
 is the first contract negotiation and management platform enabling the possibility to run deals/contracts negotiations using different protocols and interaction models on a self service base and automate the obligation management of the contract via smart contract and blockchain.
vlot (Switzerland)
is a B2B2C platform opening up an agile and integrated world of risk analysis, coverage and life planning.
YUKKA Lab AG (Germany)
is a technology leader in the field of Augmented Language Intelligence and context-based text analysis for the financial industry.
 
More information about the selected startups can be found here. In autumn, the selected startups will come to the innovative premises of Kraftwerk located in the centre of Zurich, where they will work on accelerating their projects.
Growing interest in intrapreneur teams
Next to the 30 startups, also 5 intrapreneur teams will participate in the program – more than ever before. Intrapreneurs are “entrepreneurs within a company”; although being integrated in a corporation, they act as autonomous teams on innovative projects – very similar to a startup. Credit Suisse, Migros and Swisscom are bringing intrapreneur teams into the program:




	Intrapreneur Team
Product





	Credit Suisse
Open banking project to enable efficient and secure payment processing for eand m-commerce.



	Menu Casa (Migros)
Home delivery service of healthy, varied and delicious food for people in the prime of life who are not able or willing to cook for themselves.



	Migros Klubschule
Online coaching platform for personal and professional development with more than 7’000 teachers and experts of Migros Klubschule



	OLIQ (Migros)
Innovative food supplement in spray form based on natural plant extracts, vitamins and minerals, e.g. for strengthening the immune system or boosting the energy level



	Robo VC (Swisscom)
Software as a Service based on Artificial Intelligence to support investors in the venture capital industry in planning and making their investments





Kickstart Accelerator is operated by Impact Hub Zurich, which is the largest local community within the global Impact Hub network worldwide. The program takes place from July to October, including a one-week Planning Sprint in September and a six-weeks Collaboration Sprint from October 1st to November 9th, during which the international teams will be on site in Zurich.
The post These 9 Fintech Startups Made It Into Kickstart Accelerator 2018 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/these-9-fintech-startups-made-it-into-kickstart-accelerator-2018</link><guid>666</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>These 9 Fintech Startups Made It Into Kickstart Accelerator 2018</dc:text></item><item><title>World’s Second Biggest Fintech Investor Launches Fund for Fintech Startups</title><description><![CDATA[Enterprise Ireland (EI) has launched a new fund that is designed to support promising fintech startup companies from all over the world.
The fund is based on an investment strategy that made EI the second biggest fintech backer in the world. The agency invested in over 23 companies in 2017, while its biggest competitor, US-based Y Combinator has backed 29 companies.
In total, EI has investments in over 200 fintech startups, with an estimated value of €1 billion as of 2016.
The new fund was revealed at the Future of Fintech event in Dublin. Each chosen startup will receive €50,000 in investments every year. The €50,000 funding is the same value that startups received from EI in previous years. Senior advisor Eoin Fitzgerald stated that the launching of the new fund will be helpful for startups seeking to advance in the fintech sector.
Fitzgerald said,

Eoin Fitzgerald
&#8220;The fund is designed to enable recipient companies working in areas including fintech, artificial intelligence, machine learning, augmented and virtual reality, the internet of things, blockchain, and cloud, to reach key technical and commercial milestones.
The launch of this new fund reflects the strategic importance of these sectors for Ireland, and their potential to deliver export and jobs growth.&#8221;
Switzerland is very important for venture capitalists like EI to further fintech. Swiss banks have long been a key industry for Switzerland’s economy because they are built on highly stable and competitive location factors. However, what’s now making Swiss banks extremely competitive today is its diverse fintech ecosystem.
Swiss banks are involved in a lot of collaborations that further its financial technology. This is having a positive impact on the country’s economy and banking industry. The economic calendar published on FXCM notes that the Swiss National Bank (SNB) is one of the key indicators that affects the prices of different assets in the country.
The bank holds two press conferences every year when the rates are announced, which in turn creates market volatility. If the outlook of Switzerland&#8217;s financial framework is solid, investors become bullish with the banking industry&#8217;s future. AltFi suggest that fintech plays a huge role in the future of banking, which is why venture capitalists like EI are constantly funding promising startups that develop financial machineries. Currently, Swiss banks are working to create innovative financial frameworks, and have prioritising developing Swiss cloud solutions as well as further integrating blockchain into their institutions.
The Future of Fintech in Dublin brought 100 international fintech influencers that could further fintech. These included Swiss banks, as well as EI-supported companies such as Cambrist, Governor Software, Touch Tech, and Know Your Customer. The event is tied with MoneyConf, which aims to bring together fintech and cryptocurrency experts. The event is expected to produce collaborations in the near future, as well as encourage potential venture capitalists like EI to put more money into fintech.
Fitzgerald asserts that Irish companies are growing in the financial space, and are dominating the industry by bringing groundbreaking solutions to current hurdles. These include launching technology that streamlines payments and revolutionises regulations.
Featured image via Pixabay
The post World&#8217;s Second Biggest Fintech Investor Launches Fund for Fintech Startups appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/worlds-second-biggest-fintech-investor-launches-fund-for-fintech-startups</link><guid>662</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>World’s Second Biggest Fintech Investor Launches Fund for Fintech Startups</dc:text></item><item><title>7 Major Cryptocurrency Exchanges You Should Know</title><description><![CDATA[Someone once said to me, &#8220;A cryptocurrency exchange could be the best exchange, until it isn&#8217;t.&#8221;
The question of &#8220;which is the best cryptocurrency exchange?&#8221; is a difficult one to answer. The best exchange today could be subject to a security breach tomorrow. The best exchange could be dethroned when a competitor comes up with a superior UI tweak.
Different investors will still prefer different exchanges, based on their trading habits and priorities. So what can be valuable to look at are an exchange&#8217;s sheer volume of transactions. With very notable exceptions, an exchange with a high volume of transactions usually equals to one that is tacitly endorsed by the crypto-community.
That being said, it bears repeating that one should exercise caution when transacting in the nascent and speculative cryptos.
In no particular order, some of the major platforms around the world to buy cryptocurrency include:
1. Coinbase Pro

Coinbase Pro has gone through a couple of rebrands in its time, formerly GDAX and before that, Coinbase Exchange. It is a US-based, regulated exchange affiliated with the well-known Coinbase.
Coinbase Pro offers the ability to exchange cryptos with fiat currencies USD and euro, or users can opt to pair their cryptos with bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. Coinbase Pro accepts bank transfers, withdrawals and deposits in euros, and wire transfers in USD.
Though Coinbase Pro does offer the ability to transfer from fiat to cryptocurrency, it&#8217;s not quite recommended for beginners, who should opt for Coinbase instead. Takers are subject to fees between 0.1% to 0.3%.
2. Bitfinex
Bitfinex
Bitfinex is another exchange that allows you to pair cryptos with fiat currencies—USD and euro once again. They are based in Hong Kong, and founded in 2012 by Raphael Nicolle.
However, the team has discontinued service to USA-based customers.
You&#8217;ll find popular coins like Ripple, EOS, NEO, Zcash, and quite a variety of coins to trade on Bitfinex, against the base currencies USD, euro, bitcoin, and ethereum.
Bitfinex is not recommended for beginners. The platform is intricate yet robust, with a customisable interface that is partly the secret behind its appeal to experienced traders. The platform will even allow users to trade with a leverage, up to 3.3x using Bitfinex&#8217;s peer-to-peer margin funding. Its high liquidity is also an appeal for users.
While Bitfinex has made strides to increase security after a huge hack in 2016, they were very recently hit with another hacker attack at the time of writing, so some caution is definitely warranted.
A full breakdown of Bitfinex&#8217;s fees can be found here.
3. Binance

Binance is a China-based exchange that shot up to popularity in less than a year.  Currently, the exchange offers trading pairs in bitcoin, BNB, ethereum, and Tether.
The platform offers two layouts: basic and advanced, which makes it friendly for relative beginners and for experts too.
Binance is probably one of the best-known cryptocurrency exchanges operating today. It has a huge variety of coins to choose from, so if you&#8217;re looking for an obscure altcoin, there&#8217;s a decent chance that Binance has it.
The caveat is that you can only trade crypto with crypto on Binance, as it doesn&#8217;t support fiat trading or fiat deposits.
The fees levied are 0.1% for each trade. The fees can be paid for using Binance&#8217;s in-house token BNB, and the tokens could translate to discounts.
4. BitMEX

Sorry USA users, without VPNs or a bypass, you&#8217;ll probably be unable to use BitMEX.
Besides being a cryptocurrency exchange, BitMEX is well-known for their research pieces about cryptocurrency, posted on the BitMEX blog.
This website is a peer-to-peer exchange that is denominated in Bitcoin, meaning that deposits, profits, and losses are all in Bitcoin, even if you&#8217;re buying and selling altcoin contracts. Similar to Binance, BitMEX doesn&#8217;t deal with fiat currencies.
One appeal of BitMEX is that there are no trading limits, as long as traders are above 18 years of age. This exchange is better utilised by more advanced traders with the skills to leverage on margin trading—where you &#8220;borrow&#8221; money from the exchange to have to hedge your bets on rapidly shifting cryptocurrency prices.
Do note that BitMEX only accepts deposits through bitcoin. Since this is a peer-to-peer site, the fees are levied based on maker fees and taker fees.
A breakdown of the platform&#8217;s fees can be found here. For example, for XBT, the Taker Fee is 0.075%. It has been noted however, that BitMEX&#8217;s withdrawal fees can be quite high.
5. OKEx

While many exchanges are friendly towards margin trading, OKex is notable for also facilitating futures trading. This refers to the risky act of buying or selling a particular contract at a set price, on a set date in the future, with a set quantity. It allows investors to predict the prices of cryptocurrencies, and attempt to use that to their advantage.
That being said, OKEx restricts access to futures trading with strict user guidelines.
OKEx also offers support for fiat-to-crypto transactions, but only against the Chinese Yuan, through a customer-to-customer marketplace which can be done between two OKEx users, who can set their own prices. The marketplace allows withdrawals as well.
The platform supports a wide variety of cryptocurrencies to trade.
One key appeal of OKEx is the relatively lower fees in the cryptocurrency market, as the platform tiers them based on 30-day trading volumes.
Beginners who just wants to buy and sell crypto sans the complications could instead opt for OKEx&#8217;s sister platform, OKCoin.
OKEx has faced accusations of falsifying their trade volumes.
6. Huobi
Image Credit: Bitcoin Kaufen Tipps
This Singapore-based exchange is more geared to Asian markets like Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, etc, but can be used in more places. Similar to many of the above listings though, Huobi isn&#8217;t available for USA registrants, though Huobi is linked to a USA-based exchange that has just launched named HBUS.
Huobi also offers a pro version, appropriately named Huobi Pro.
The platform&#8217;s appeal lies in a comprehensive trading screen that features a convenient trading pair &#8220;cheat sheet&#8221; on the left side of the screen, while the right side showcases an interactive chart with a range of tools for more technical analyses.
Huobi allows you to purchase cryptocurrency in USD, Chinese Yuan or the Singapore dollars through their over-the-counter service. It has a high number of bitcoin and ethereum pairings with different altcoins.
However, Huobi faces accusations that their trade volumes are falsified.
All fees, taker, and maker, are set at 0.2%.
7. CoinEx

This 50-strong company resides in Shenzen, Hong Kong and Singapore. CoinEx has risen from obscurity recently thanks to the introduction of its trade-driven mining concept, trans-mining.
It is a variant of the controversial model used by FCoin, and CoinEx characterises this with the terms &#8220;trade-driven mining&#8221;, and &#8216;dividend distribution&#8221;.
At the time of writing, CoinEx stands at second place among trans-mining exchanges in terms of volume, below FCoin which we have excluded due to their impression in the market.
Transaction fees on CoinEx are converted into the platform&#8217;s own CET tokens which are then distributed back to traders by transaction volumes. This means that users essentially are trading for free—think about it as a form of cashback.
It&#8217;s said that most of the trades are being made using Tether.
Similar to the controversy with FCoin though, some are concerned about the possibility of bots &#8220;mining&#8221; the CET coins.
That being said, CoinEx has certainly garnered interest in the trading circles due to its unusual concept, both positive and negative, and many are watching its movements closely. They&#8217;ve made an impact, but whether this impact is sustainable will be another matter entirely.
 
Featured image via Pexels
The post 7 Major Cryptocurrency Exchanges You Should Know appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/7-major-cryptocurrency-exchanges-you-should-know</link><guid>661</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/cyrptocurrency-buy-bitcoin-coinbase-pro.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>7 Major Cryptocurrency Exchanges You Should Know</dc:text></item><item><title>Lykke Receives a European Liscence</title><description><![CDATA[
Lykke receives a European Investment Firm Licence and will expand its regulated services into the European Markets.
On July 4, Lykke Cyprus Limited received approval from the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) to operate as a regulated Cyprus Investment Firm (CIF; license number 363/18).
As a firm that is regulated in accordance with the standards and laws of the European Economic Area, Lykke Cyprus Limited will adhere to the strictest financial standards and implement a regulatory framework that will include the segregation and protection of client funds, capital adequacy controls, and full transparency of its business operations.
Lykke is a Swiss-based financial technology firm that uses the latest technologies to build the future of financial markets — a global marketplace based on the principles of fairness, efficiency, and transparency.
Richard Olsen
Commenting on the news, the Founder of Lykke Richard Olsen said:
“The CySEC licence represents a significant milestone in Lykke’s history because it lays the foundation for us to commence regulated financial services while adhering to the highest standards set by the European Securities and Markets Authority.”

 
 

Dr. Demetrios Zamboglou
Dr. Demetrios Zamboglou, CEO of Lykke Cyprus Limited said,
“Lykke’s operational capability has been substantially enhanced with CySEC’s approval. As a company, we are a step closer to commencing regulated activities including new trading features for clients, expected in the coming months.”
 
 
Featured image via Pixabay

The post Lykke Receives a European Liscence appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/lykke-receives-a-european-liscence</link><guid>660</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Lykke Receives a European Liscence</dc:text></item><item><title>Crealogix implementiert Mobile Banking Platform bei der VZ Depotbank</title><description><![CDATA[Responsive All-in-one-Lösung für das mobile Banking geht in der Schweiz in Q4/2018 live – Roll-out in Deutschland für 2019 geplant.
Die VZ Depotbank, ein eigenständiges Unternehmen der VZ-Gruppe, hat den Digital-BankingSoftwareanbieter CREALOGIX mit der Implementierung der CREALOGIX Mobile Application Platform beauftragt. In der Schweiz geht die Lösung zum Jahresende live, für die VZ Depotbank Deutschland AG ist der Roll-out für das Jahr 2019 geplant.
Vor zwei Jahren hatte CREALOGIX bei der VZ Depotbank den CREALOGIX Digital Banking Hub implementiert und dabei für die Desktop-Nutzung das CREALOGIX Online Banking und das Finanzportal der VZ Depotbank zu einer umfassenden Lösung zusammengeführt. Die jetzige Implementierung wird es den Kunden der VZ Depotbank erlauben, sämtliche Banking-Funktionen und die umfangreichen Features des VZ Finanzportals – diese reichen von der Geldanlage über Vorsorgethemen bis zu Versicherungen und steuerrelevanten Informationen – auch mobil zu nutzen.
Erklärt Marcel Bopp, Projektleiter der CREALOGIX-Implementierung bei der VZ Depotbank,

Marcel Bopp
“Bei diesem Projekt verfolgen wir einen ‘Mobile-Only’-Ansatz, der den Kunden völlig neue Möglichkeiten eröffnet. Das Banking wird bei der VZ Depotbank damit künftig einfacher, vielfältiger und flexibler.&#8221;



Flexible Integration von Drittanbietern durch die CREALOGIX Mobile Application Platform
Möglich macht dies die CREALOGIX Mobile Application Platform, die verschiedenste Anwendungen in einer sicheren App zusammenführt. Bei der VZ Depotbank werden über die Mobile Application Platform zunächst neben dem VZ Finanzportal und verschiedenen CREALOGIX-Produkten wie dem Payment Scanner auch eine Finanznews-App der Web Financial Group als Third-Party-Komponente bereitgestellt.
Dank der flexibel erweiterbaren Mobile Application Plattform können die Kunden der VZ Depotbank künftig über eine einzige App alle gewünschten Transaktionen ausführen und auf alle Finanzinformationen und -services zugreifen, ohne die sichere Umgebung der Plattform verlassen zu müssen.
Sichere und komfortable Authentifizierung über PushTAN
Auch bei der Authentifizierung wird für die Kunden der VZ Depotbank einiges einfacher: Zusätzlich zum bisherigen FotoTAN-Verfahren wird künftig das PushTAN-Verfahren eingesetzt, bei dem Bankkunden nur noch eine Push-Nachricht auf ihrem Smartphone bestätigen müssen, um eine Transaktion auszulösen.
Die PushTAN-Authentifizierung kann zudem für das Desktop Banking verwendet werden und ist damit auch für Nutzer attraktiv, die ihre Bankgeschäfte weiterhin am PC erledigen möchten. Als Alternative zum Login mit Benutzername und Passwort haben die Nutzer künftig zudem die Möglichkeit, sich per Touch ID (Fingerabdruckerkennung) oder Face ID (Gesichtserkennung) anzumelden.
Ausgewähltes Bild über Pixabay
The post Crealogix implementiert Mobile Banking Platform bei der VZ Depotbank appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crealogix-implementiert-mobile-banking-platform-bei-der-vz-depotbank</link><guid>657</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Marcel-Bopp.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Crealogix implementiert Mobile Banking Platform bei der VZ Depotbank</dc:text></item><item><title>Jersey Issues ICO Guidance Notes</title><description><![CDATA[The Jersey Financial Services Commission (JFSC) has issued a guidance note containing information about Jersey&#8217;s approach to ICO activity.
ICOs are a digital way of raising funds from the public using distributed ledger technology. The guidance note details the JFSC’s approach to businesses that wish to launch an ICO in Jersey. The note sits alongside the risk warning for potential investors in ICOs issued by the JFSC in 2017.
The guidance note represents an innovative and balanced approach to the treatment of this activity, enabling ICOs to be launched in Jersey with a number of controls in place to help reduce some of the risks associated with them. Whilst, under this framework, the JFSC does not regulate the ICOs or the companies that issue them, it does require the companies to satisfy certain minimum standards and to appoint a regulated Trust and Company Service Provider to administer the company.
In developing this guidance note, the JFSC has consulted with Government of Jersey and industry.
Mike Jones, Director of Policy commented:

Mike Jones
“This represents an innovative and pragmatic approach to the treatment of ICOs in Jersey. It illustrates our commitment to fintech developments more generally, but at the same time reflecting our guiding principles of consumer protection, countering financial crime and protecting the reputation and best economic interests of the Island.”
Quote from Minister for External Relations, Senator Gorst:

Senator Gorst
“Jersey has been at the forefront of developing a framework for cryptocurrency regulation for some time and this guidance note marks a further step in our journey. We have worked with the JFSC to articulate a balanced regime: on the one hand, Jersey’s treatment of exchanges and ICOs is permissive and promotes innovation and new enterprise.
 
On the other hand, safeguards are in place to protect investors from harm and to mitigate some of the financial crime risks associated with cryptocurrencies. As things develop in this rapidly-moving industry we will monitor best practice and continue to update our regime in the future.”
Commenting on the guidance note Geoff Cook, Chief Executive, Jersey Finance Limited, said:

Geoff Cook
“This innovative and balanced approach to the treatment of ICO activity further demonstrates Jersey’s reputation as one of the most forward-thinking and coordinated jurisdictions for cryptocurrencies.
 
The Island’s developed digital infrastructure, robust regulatory framework, collaborative relationships and proactive approach, are what sets Jersey apart from other jurisdictions and clearly keep it at the forefront of digital and crypto developments.
 
As digital innovation forms a key part of our jurisdictional strategy, we will continue to work with Government, the regulator and industry, as well as developers, experts and innovators, in order to ensure Jersey is ready to play a vital role in such a rapidly evolving space.”
 
Links to documents:
JFSC ICO Guidance Note
http://www.jerseyfsc.org/media/1999/gn-ico-july-2018.pdf
Updated Sound Business Policy
http://www.jerseyfsc.org/media/2000/sbp-policy-july-2018.pdf
Updated Registry Processing Statement
http://www.jerseyfsc.org/media/2001/registry-processing-statement-july-2018.pdf
Reference information:
Risk warning issued by the JFSC regarding ICOs
https://www.jerseyfsc.org/media/1612/jfsc-warning-initial-coin-offerings.pdf
Government approach to ICO activity
https://www.gov.je/News/2017/pages/InitialCoinOfferings.aspx
FAQs
Will ICOs be regulated by the JFSC?
No. At this stage, we believe that the right balance is to impose some minimum standards and
require the issuer to be administered by a regulated TCSP. The JFSC does not regulate or supervise
ICO issuers.
Where does this position Jersey compared with other jurisdictions?
In many jurisdictions ICO activity is subject to very limited control or regulation, whilst in others the
existing regulatory regime in that jurisdiction is applied but it is not always a good match for the risks
and benefits associated with these types of products. In other jurisdictions the activity is banned
outright.
The regime set out in this guidance note positions Jersey as a leading jurisdiction in pursuing a
balanced and proportionate approach to this type of activity.
 
Featured image via Pixabay
The post Jersey Issues ICO Guidance Notes appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/jersey-issues-ico-guidance-notes</link><guid>658</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Mike-Jones.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Jersey Issues ICO Guidance Notes</dc:text></item><item><title>Krypto Platform Sponsored Englisches Premier League Fussballteam</title><description><![CDATA[Das ist eine schöne Nachricht über die erste Kooperation dieser Art &#8211; Kryptowährung-Platform engagiert sich im Fussball-Sponsoring .
CoinDeal, von den Polen Adam Bicz, Kajetan Maćkowiak und Filip Dzierżak, wurde offizieller Sponsor des Wolverhampton Wanderers Teams, das in diesem Jahr nach sechs Jahren Abwesenheit, in die englische Premier League zurückkehrt.
(Auf dem Foto: Laurie Dalrymple Wolverhampton Wanderers Geschäftsführer und einer der Gründer von CoinDeal &#8211; Kajetan Maćkowiak)
Es ist das erste Mal, dass das Logo des von den Polen gegründeten Unternehmens auf den T-Shirts der englischen Premier League erscheint. Das Logo wird im gesamten Molineux-Stadion gezeigt und auf Trainingshemden und Sportsitzen gedruckt. Die Höhe des Sponsorings wurde nicht bekannt gegeben. Inoffiziellen Quellen zufolge kostet der Auftritt in einer der führenden europäischen Ligen auf T-Shirts rund 20 Millionen Pfund.
Wolverhampton Wanderers ist ein englischer Fussballverein in der Stadt Wolverhampton, die in der Saison 2018/2019 in der Premier League aufstieg.
Der Club wurde 1877 als St. Lukes Club gegründet. Zwei Jahre später fusionierte das Team mit dem lokalen Cricket-Team und The Wanderers Fussball und seitdem heisst es Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Wolves war eines der zwölf Teams, die die Football League gründeten und ist viermaliger Gewinner des England Cups.
Die Marketingaktivitäten von CoinDeal konzentrieren sich nicht nur auf die Unterstützung von Sportteams, sondern auch Wohltätigkeitsaktivitäten . Im Juni dieses Jahres unterstützte CoinDeal die Breslauer Stiftung &#8220;Na ratunek dzieciom z chorobą nowotworową&#8221;. [Rettung von Kindern mit Krebs]
Das Team von CoinDeal hat noch weitere Ideen für viele aufregendere Aktionen, wie Kajetan Maćkowiak mitteilt:
Bei CoinDeal sind wir uns der Auswirkungen bewusst, die Fussball-Marketing auf unsere Marke haben kann. Wir glauben, dass dies uns helfen wird, Sport- und Handelsfans auf der ganzen Welt zu erreichen.
Laurie Dalrymple, Executive Director Wolverhampton ergänzt:
CoinDeal ist ein mutiges und schnell wachsendes Unternehmen und wir glauben, dass unsere Zusammenarbeit ausserordentlich erfolgreich sein wird. Wir freuen uns, dass CoinDeal in der ersten Saison nach der Rückkehr in die Premier League unser Sponsor sein wird.
Von links: Filip Dzierżak, Adam Bicz, Kajetan Maćkowiak &#8211; Gründer des CoinDeal
Das von den Polen gegründete Unternehmen ist ein internationales Unternehmen, an dem mehr als hundert Spezialisten aus aller Welt beteiligt sind. Das Unternehmen ist in Zypern registriert, wo sich auch der Hauptsitz von CoinDeal befindet. Die Kryptowährungsbörse will auch in den US-Markt einsteigen &#8211; derzeit arbeiten sie an einer offiziellen Lizenz.
Die Platform begann erst im März 2018 und war bereits sehr erfolgreich. Einer der wichtigsten Erfolge war, die die Aufnahme und gute Position im prestigeträchtigen Ranking von CoinMarketCap.
Die Gründer von CoinDeal präsentierten auch kürzlich ihre Marke während des Consensus 2018 in New York, dem grössten Blockchain-Event der Welt.
The post Krypto Platform Sponsored Englisches Premier League Fussballteam appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/krypto-platform-sponsored-englisches-premier-league-fussballteam</link><guid>659</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Coindeal-sponsors-Wolverhampton-Wanderers-1024x567.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Krypto Platform Sponsored Englisches Premier League Fussballteam</dc:text></item><item><title>Peter Schnürer wird CEO des MME/Swisscom Blockchain-Startups daura</title><description><![CDATA[Peter Schnürer übernimmt per 1. Oktober 2018 die Geschäftsführung des Blockchain-Startups daura ag, einem Gemeinschaftsunternehmen von Luka Müller, Partner der Anwaltskanzlei MME, und Swisscom.
Das Unternehmen daura wurde im Frühling 2018 mit dem Ziel gegründet, die Ausgabe von Aktien, insbesondere für kleine und mittlere Unternehmen, die nicht börsenkotiert sind, massiv zu vereinfachen. Heute ist dieser Prozess langwierig und mühsam – was gerade KMU oft davon abhält, neue Investoren an Bord zu holen. Dafür stellt daura eine Infrastruktur für die Herausgabe und den Transfer von Aktien auf der Blockchain zur Verfügung, welche das Führen von Aktionärsregistern und letztlich den Aktienhandel erleichtert.
Als CEO wird Schnürer die technische Weiterentwicklung des bisherigen Prototyps und den für 2018 geplanten Markteintritt vorantreiben. Bis Frühling 2019 will daura über ihre Plattform die Aktienregister von 20 KMUs verwalten und 10 Kapitalerhöhungen abwickeln. Darauf haben die Joint Venture Partner Swisscom und Luka Müller im Rahmen der digitalswitzerland Challenge 2018 gewettet.
Blockchain-affin und erfahren im digital Banking
Peter Schnürer (ex Inventx Chief Digital Officer)
Aufgrund seiner langjährigen Erfahrung an der Schnittstelle zwischen Finanz und IT ist Peter Schnürer für die neue Position bestens gerüstet. Bereits seit 2013 beschäftigt er sich mit der Auswirkung der Decentralized Ledger Technologie auf unsere Wirtschaftssysteme.
Als Mitglied der zuständigen Arbeitsgruppe berät er die Regierung in Liechtenstein hinsichtlich der neuen Blockchain-Gesetzgebung. Für die Rolle des CEO der daura kommen dem Wahlbündner mit deutschen Wurzeln nicht zuletzt seine umfangreichen Erfahrungen als Start-Up Gründer und Chief Digital Officer eines grossen Schweizer Service-Providers für Bank-IT zu Gute.
Luka Müller, Verwaltungsrat und Mitinitiator bei der daura ag, über den designierten CEO:
Luka Müller

„Mit Peter Schnürer haben wir die perfekte Besetzung für die CEO Position der daura gefunden. Er versteht es, seine visionäre Sicht auf die Token-Welt mit den pragmatischen Anforderungen eines KMU zu vereinen.


Zudem ist er mit den dynamischen Herausforderungen eines Start-ups bestens vertraut und kennt die Zusammenarbeit im Rahmen eines weitreichenden Partnernetzwerks genau.“

 
Ausgewähltes Bild über Pixabay
The post Peter Schnürer wird CEO des MME/Swisscom Blockchain-Startups daura appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/peter-schnurer-wird-ceo-des-mmeswisscom-blockchain-startups-daura</link><guid>655</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Peter Schnürer wird CEO des MME/Swisscom Blockchain-Startups daura</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech in Switzerland: 2018 Mid-Year Review</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss fintech industry has been growing steadily in the past years, supported by superior general conditions for fintech companies including the political stability and the progressive regulatory environment.
As of early July 2018, Switzerland counted 264 fintech startups, 14 more than in June. But one segment in particular that’s been thriving in Switzerland is blockchain and cryptocurrency which the country set out to become a leader in.
Among the key developments in the Swiss fintech industry, here are the highlights of the first half of 2018:
 
A “crypto nation”
Image via MaxPixel
Switzerland has become a hotbed for cryptocurrency and blockchain, and in many aspects, is now one of the world leaders in initial coin offerings (ICOs). So far this year, Swiss ICOs have raised US$507 million through 48 campaigns, according to a recent report by the Crypto Valley Association and PwC.
Johann Schneider-Ammann, economics minister even said in January that Switzerland wanted “to be the crypto nation.” The statement preceded the release of ICO guidelines in February by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) which detail the legal requirements for companies in Switzerland looking to issue and sell crypto tokens.
 
SIX to launch digital asset trading platform
SIX, the operator of Switzerland’s principal stock exchange, announced earlier this month plans to launch a trading platform for digital assets including cryptocurrencies, becoming one of the first established financial services providers in the world to offer a regulated trading platform for crypto tokens and assets.
Called SIX Digital Exchange, the blockchain-based platform will allow for the issuance, trading, settlement and custody of digital assets. The first services will be rolled out in the first half of 2019.
 
Crypto Fund granted license
In June, FINMA granted a license to a cryptocurrency fund provider. Crypto Fund, a subsidiary of by Zug-based company Crypto Finance, has been allowed to distribute collective investment schemes to qualified investors.
Crypto Fund said it was also seeking approval for a passive investment vehicle tracking a benchmarked index of up to 10 of the largest and most liquid cryptocurrency assets and tokens, as calculated and maintained by Swiss bourse SIX.
 
Crypto Valley trial blockchain voting
Image by sevenMaps7 via Shutterstock.com
Switzerland&#8217;s Crypto Valley, the city of Zug, completed its first blockchain-based municipal vote on July 2, 2018. The trial was deemed a “success” by local officials.
The vote was held using a trial digital ID system announced in June. City authorities, who have issued digital identities to residents since 2017, are currently evaluating different applications of blockchain technology for governance.
 
Fintech alliances
Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) and FINMA exchanged letters for cooperation on fintech in April. The agreement between the two aims to facilitate collaboration between FSA and FINMA on information sharing, fintech developments, regulatory issues, and help both regulators expand their respective fintech networks.
Switzerland also signed three Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with Hong Kong in January. These agreements focus on enhancing fintech collaboration, and promoting the development of private wealth management in Switzerland and Hong Kong, among other goals.
 
Credit Suisse commits CHF 30 million to Swiss fintech
In March, Credit Suisse injected an additional CHF 30 million into its SVC unit. SVC was set up by the bank in 2010 to provide venture capital to Swiss businesses. So far, SVC has pumped around CHF 110 million into 44 companies from various industries but now Credit Suisse wants to focus on fintech.
The CHF 30 million will go toward firms developing and commercializing digital innovations in finance. Investments will be made by a special fintech committee and will go to companies that are either domiciled in Switzerland or have a clear connection with the country.
 
New innovation lab
Innovation Garage, Generali
Generali Switzerland, the Swiss unit of the Italian insurer, opened an Innovation Garage in April at its country headquarters in Adliswil.
The new lab seeks to bring together insurance specialists and external partners to work on improving user experience and develop innovative solutions for the digital age. It includes Generali staff, members of the company startup Lings as well as five external startups from the fields of artificial intelligence, crypto security and insurtech. Partners of the innovation lab include fintech accelerator and incubator F10, the University of St. Gallen and companies such as Salesforce.
 
US investors bails out troubled Swiss blockchain startup Monetas
American company Artillery One took a controlling stake in troubled Swiss fintech startup Monetas, it was unveiled in January. Monetas, a blockchain payments startup, attracted some CHF 11 million from investors before running into severe financial difficulty in 2017.
Daniel Cannon, founder of Artillery One, was appointed co-CEO of Monetas alongside the startup’s founder Johann Gevers.
“We are putting together a strong executive team and welcome all former developers,” Cannon said. “We will be seeking the greatest minds from around the world, to achieve our goals and identify new applications and ventures consistent with the Monetas strategy.”
Tough times for Gevers who stepped down as the president of Tezos Foundation in February after months of tensions and public feud with the project’s founders Arthur and Kathleen Breitman.
 
Featured image: Bern, Switzerland, Max Pixel.
The post Fintech in Switzerland: 2018 Mid-Year Review appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-in-switzerland-2018-mid-year-review</link><guid>656</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Fintech-in-Switzerland-2018-Mid-Year-Review-1-300x200.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech in Switzerland: 2018 Mid-Year Review</dc:text></item><item><title>European Parliament: Cryptocurrencies Unlikely to Impact Central Bank Monetary Policy</title><description><![CDATA[Virtual currencies including cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin are unlikely to have an impact on monetary policy, according to a new report by the European Parliament.
Image: European Parliament, Strasbourg, Hemicycle, Wikipedia
The research paper, provided by Policy Department A at the request of the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee, explores the development of virtual currencies and their potential implications on sovereign currencies and central banks.
The findings echo those of a previous report by the German federal government that noted that cryptocurrencies were not a threat to the country’s financial stability due to their relatively small market capitalization.
Virtual currencies, and in particular cryptocurrencies, have surged in popularity in recent years, rising in value and attracting a growing number of investors. In April 2018, there were more than 1,500 cryptocurrencies.
Among the key advantages of cryptocurrencies, the European Parliament cites lower costs, higher speed of transactions, increased anonymity, and greater financial inclusion. But despite their technological advances and global reach, virtual currencies are far from being able to challenge the dominant position of sovereign currencies and the monetary policies of central banks, especially in major currency areas, the report argues.
“After almost a decade since [Bitcoin’s] creation, and notwithstanding its acceptance by some digital platforms and strong market value, its role remains marginal,” it says. “In April 2018, the total market capitalization of all virtual currencies was below US$300 billion, while broad money in the US approached US$14 trillion at the end of 2017. Differences in the number of transactions is even more strikingly in favor of sovereign currencies.”
But while the monetary dominance of major central banks and currencies are likely to remain unchallenged in the near future, the prospects look different in smaller monetary jurisdictions, especially in countries where the sovereign currency remains inconvertible or does not enjoy the trust of economic agents due to poor record of stability or due to political and economic uncertainty.
Citing the example of Venezuela, the report says:
“Such countries already struggle with the phenomenon of currency substitution in the form of spontaneous dollarisation or euroisation. In these countries, virtual currencies may offer another avenue for currency substitution.”
Venezuela launched the petro cryptocurrency in February 2018 which it claims is backed by the country’s oil and mineral reserves. The petro is intended to supplement the country’s plummeting bolivar fuerte currency, purportedly as a means of circumventing US sanctions and accessing international financing.
 
Cryptocurrencies are not to be dismissed
All in all, cryptocurrencies should not be denied, nor underestimated, as they respond to real market demand and are likely to remain with us for a while, the report says. It advises policy makers and regulators to not ignore virtual currencies, nor ban them.
“Both extreme approaches are incorrect. Virtual currencies should be treated by regulators as any other financial instrument, proportionally to their market importance, complexity, and associated risks,” it says. “Given their global, trans-border character, it is recommended to harmonies such regulations across jurisdictions.”
Cryptocurrencies have surged in value and popularity in recent years, attracting the attention of both investors and financial regulators.
So far, individuals countries have adopted different attitudes toward cryptocurrencies with China, for instance, explicitly banning initial coin offerings (ICOs), while others, such as Switzerland, trying to attract cryptocurrency scheme investors and operators.
Perceived as one of the friendliest jurisdictions towards cryptocurrencies and ICOs, Switzerland has hosted some of the world’s largest and most successful campaigns including HDAC (US$258 million), Tezos (US$238 million), Sirin Labs (US$157.9 million), and Bancor (US$156 million).
The city of Zug is often referred to as the Crypto Valley due to the large number of companies engaged in blockchain and cryptocurrency in the city. Johann Schneider-Ammann, economics minister even said in January that Switzerland wanted “to be the crypto nation.”
The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) issued guidelines for ICOs earlier this year. Companies issuing cryptocurrencies are required to obtain a license from FINMA, which is closely monitoring the sector for possible fraud.
 
Featured image via Goodfreephotos.com
The post European Parliament: Cryptocurrencies Unlikely to Impact Central Bank Monetary Policy appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/european-parliament-cryptocurrencies-unlikely-to-impact-central-bank-monetary-policy</link><guid>653</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/European_Parliament_Strasbourg_Hemicycle-Wikipedia-300x170.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>European Parliament: Cryptocurrencies Unlikely to Impact Central Bank Monetary Policy</dc:text></item><item><title>EU Parliament: Cryptocurrencies Unlikely to Impact Central Bank Monetary Policy</title><description><![CDATA[Virtual currencies including cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin are unlikely to have an impact on monetary policy, according to a new report by the European Parliament.
Image: European Parliament, Strasbourg, Hemicycle, Wikipedia
The research paper, provided by Policy Department A at the request of the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee, explores the development of virtual currencies and their potential implications on sovereign currencies and central banks.
The findings echo those of a previous report by the German federal government that noted that cryptocurrencies were not a threat to the country’s financial stability due to their relatively small market capitalization.
Virtual currencies, and in particular cryptocurrencies, have surged in popularity in recent years, rising in value and attracting a growing number of investors. In April 2018, there were more than 1,500 cryptocurrencies.
Among the key advantages of cryptocurrencies, the European Parliament cites lower costs, higher speed of transactions, increased anonymity, and greater financial inclusion. But despite their technological advances and global reach, virtual currencies are far from being able to challenge the dominant position of sovereign currencies and the monetary policies of central banks, especially in major currency areas, the report argues.
“After almost a decade since [Bitcoin’s] creation, and notwithstanding its acceptance by some digital platforms and strong market value, its role remains marginal,” it says. “In April 2018, the total market capitalization of all virtual currencies was below US$300 billion, while broad money in the US approached US$14 trillion at the end of 2017. Differences in the number of transactions is even more strikingly in favor of sovereign currencies.”
But while the monetary dominance of major central banks and currencies are likely to remain unchallenged in the near future, the prospects look different in smaller monetary jurisdictions, especially in countries where the sovereign currency remains inconvertible or does not enjoy the trust of economic agents due to poor record of stability or due to political and economic uncertainty.
Citing the example of Venezuela, the report says:
“Such countries already struggle with the phenomenon of currency substitution in the form of spontaneous dollarisation or euroisation. In these countries, virtual currencies may offer another avenue for currency substitution.”
Venezuela launched the petro cryptocurrency in February 2018 which it claims is backed by the country’s oil and mineral reserves. The petro is intended to supplement the country’s plummeting bolivar fuerte currency, purportedly as a means of circumventing US sanctions and accessing international financing.
 
Cryptocurrencies are not to be dismissed
All in all, cryptocurrencies should not be denied, nor underestimated, as they respond to real market demand and are likely to remain with us for a while, the report says. It advises policy makers and regulators to not ignore virtual currencies, nor ban them.
“Both extreme approaches are incorrect. Virtual currencies should be treated by regulators as any other financial instrument, proportionally to their market importance, complexity, and associated risks,” it says. “Given their global, trans-border character, it is recommended to harmonies such regulations across jurisdictions.”
Cryptocurrencies have surged in value and popularity in recent years, attracting the attention of both investors and financial regulators.
So far, individuals countries have adopted different attitudes toward cryptocurrencies with China, for instance, explicitly banning initial coin offerings (ICOs), while others, such as Switzerland, trying to attract cryptocurrency scheme investors and operators.
Perceived as one of the friendliest jurisdictions towards cryptocurrencies and ICOs, Switzerland has hosted some of the world’s largest and most successful campaigns including HDAC (US$258 million), Tezos (US$238 million), Sirin Labs (US$157.9 million), and Bancor (US$156 million).
The city of Zug is often referred to as the Crypto Valley due to the large number of companies engaged in blockchain and cryptocurrency in the city. Johann Schneider-Ammann, economics minister even said in January that Switzerland wanted “to be the crypto nation.”
The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) issued guidelines for ICOs earlier this year. Companies issuing cryptocurrencies are required to obtain a license from FINMA, which is closely monitoring the sector for possible fraud.
 
Featured image via Goodfreephotos.com
The post EU Parliament: Cryptocurrencies Unlikely to Impact Central Bank Monetary Policy appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/eu-parliament-cryptocurrencies-unlikely-to-impact-central-bank-monetary-policy</link><guid>654</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/European_Parliament_Strasbourg_Hemicycle-Wikipedia-300x170.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>EU Parliament: Cryptocurrencies Unlikely to Impact Central Bank Monetary Policy</dc:text></item><item><title>The Reality of Blockchain for CFOs and Auditors</title><description><![CDATA[Blockchain technology’s ability to record any form of data makes it malleable for use in many industries. Despite its vast potential for financial services, in particular, its adoption by that sector has taken on a more measured pace, hindered in many ways by the reality of implementation.
The reality is, long-term, successful implementation of blockchain for finance will require much clearer understanding of the technology, to begin with.
The benefits, after all, are specific to each industry. For financial reporting and accounting, for instance, these extend to enabling synchronisation, or data verification in real time.
Campbell Harvey
“What blockchain allows you to do is create a ledger maintained by the Internal audit team that receives immediate and secure data from the business lines, which can then be potentially validated by external auditors in real time,” explained Campbell Harvey, Professor of Finance at the Fuqua School of Business, Duke University.
He was quoted in the report, “Blockchain For Financial Leaders: Opportunity vs Reality” prepared by the Financial Executives Research Foundation, which interviewed stakeholders for their insights into how far adoption was underway.
“When you go into real time you actually eliminate all the negative incentives that exist at the end of the quarter to make the numbers look good, because there is no end of quarter.”
Standardisation of accounting processes is particularly valuable as a way to minimise error and therefore, risk. Yet as will be seen later, this is also a double-edged sword insofar as blockchain is concerned: use of a digital ledger enhances accountability but it simultaneously reduces flexibility.
Blockchain for Finance: The Switching Costs
Contrary to how blockchain for finance is often touted as a way to cut down on operational costs, switching will in fact first incur costs. Financial institutions would need to perform the switch at the right time, as well as with the right budgets in place in order to keep the switching cost manageable.
“I think organisational inertia, and the lack of budgets for hardware and software, are probably the biggest impediments,” notes David L. Yermack, who is Chairman of the Stern School of Business at the New York University.
Financial institutions may be reluctant to make a quick switch to the blockchain seeing as it presents its own set of unique hurdles to be reckoned with.
Integration with Existing Systems
For one thing, a switch of processes onto the blockchain entails entertaining a whole new set or risks, most of which have never been faced or successfully overcome. The blockchain technology, after all, has only been around for about ten years.
The challenge for accounting systems, however, pertains to whether blockchain is even suited for the field.
Experts argue, for instance, that blockchain, by confining accounting to the reality of holding down every transaction to what is recorded in the ledger, limits the idea behind financial reporting, which is to capture real world events alongside it.
Eventually, the constantly evolving nature of finance would also make total, blockchain-centered consensus difficult to pin down.
Image Credit: Pixabay
How would all participants on the blockchain, for instance, necessarily know if GAAP or IFRS accounting standards have been met?
“We (then) can’t have average retail investors participating in this network because they would throw up their hands and say, “Well, I don’t know accounting standards. I can’t tell you whether this was correct,” says Joshua Coyne, assistant professor at the University of Memphis School of Accounting.
Problems with Scaling Blockchain-based Processes
Scaleablity in the long run is also an issue posed by the inherent structure of blockchain, which relies on multiple nodes acting as entry points for new entrants to participate in the ledger.
“Keep in mind that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, which is equally true of blockchains. If one node has performance, scale or security problems, they can impact the other nodes,” tech consultant Bernard Golden, has warned before.
“A blockchain can be a powerful solution, but organisations should use it only when they have challenges that aren’t addressed well by existing technology,” he said.
The other scaleability issue pertains to how much information each party is in reality, comfortable with sharing, especially where the difference could often result in holding to, or giving away, a strategic advantage.
Jon Raphael
“The desire to make that information available for other parties to see is something companies will need to think through for each case,” opines Jon Raphael, Audit Chief Innovation Officer for Deloitte &amp; Touche LLP.
Bridging The Talent Gap
Blockchain talent shortages also poses a risk to any immediate implementation of blockchain in the field.
“The size of the blockchain talent pool is one of the biggest factors that will be important to scale its adoption,” comments Darhini Dalal, US Blockchain Lab Leader at Deloitte Consulting.
In Switzerland, this problem is caused by two main factors: the high cost of hiring experienced blockchain experts, and the high cost of living in Switzerland itself.
The average annual salary for a Swiss blockchain developers can range from anything between US$120,000 to US$180,000 according to Thomas Bertani, CEO of the Swiss multicurrency wallet Eidoo.
Additionally, with their expertise and experience, it simply makes better business sense for blockchain experts to offer consultations instead. Many, as it were, have been around in the industry long enough to reap financial independence, which frees them from the need to work under employment.
Job ads for blockchain experts grows at more than 40% each quarter, LinkedIn data suggests. Since growing a sustainable amount of talent is likely to happen only in the longer run, the additional risk this poses is to incur inflated hiring costs in the short run.
 
Interested to learn more about blockchain and its implications for financial professionals? Here&#8217;s an event you can check out:

. Get a 10% discount when you register with the code: FIN10.
The post The Reality of Blockchain for CFOs and Auditors appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-reality-of-blockchain-for-cfos-and-auditors</link><guid>652</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Accounting-Pixabay.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>The Reality of Blockchain for CFOs and Auditors</dc:text></item><item><title>SophiaTX and Biotron Partner Up to Launch Full Personal Data App</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss-based blockchain firm SophiaTX is partnering personal data analytics platform Biotron to release the full version of their personal data analytics app, Biotron Data, to the public.
The beta version of the app, was released in May, and has already been downloaded 20,000 times.
The Biotron Data app works by performing permissioned collections of a person’s personal data. Those who consent to share their data receive rewards in the form of BTRN token.
Biotron’s business model is based on saving the data collected and using it to perform a variety of analyses, which it then makes available for purchase by interested parties.
At present, only location data is collected, although with SophiaTX onboard, this is expected to expand to wider data sharing options that will also extend to suit industries like healthcare and transport.
SophiaTX’s blockchain infrastructure facilitates the creation of smart contracts between data users and providers. It also provides the secure, transparent platform that will allow for smoother and quicker transactions to happen.
Pavol Magic
According to Pavol Magic, CEO of Biotron Foundation, partnering SophiaTX will significantly enhance Biotron Data’s capabilities, empowering both data users and data providers alike. Speaking for Biotron, he noted how:
“Our mission is to empower users to decide what kind of data is harvested and in return, we reward them for each sale.”
“With SophiaTX’s immense capabilities to carry out large amounts of micro-transactions quickly and cost-effectively, coupled with its predefined smart contracts as well as mobile and web wallet accessibility, we believe our project is off to a great start to provide unprecedented user analytics that will help our clients make timely, well-informed decisions,” he added.
Featured Image Credit: SophiaTX
The post SophiaTX and Biotron Partner Up to Launch Full Personal Data App appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sophiatx-and-biotron-partner-up-to-launch-full-personal-data-app</link><guid>650</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Pavol-Magic-229x300.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>SophiaTX and Biotron Partner Up to Launch Full Personal Data App</dc:text></item><item><title>Twint Appoints New CEO</title><description><![CDATA[TWINT, Switzerland’y has now appointed Markus Kilb as its new CEO to replace Thierry Kneissler.
Markus Kilb, previously head of Unicredit Family Financing Bank in Germany, is an expert in customer-facing credit card business and in digital transformation within the fintech sector.
Thierry Kneissler, who since 2014 has turned TWINT from a start-up company into the most efficient and widely used payment app in Switzerland, will help with the change of leadership and then act as a freelance consultant. The change in leadership will take place during the fourth quarter of 2018.
The new CEO will take over management of the most widely used mobile payment app in Switzerland. A little over a year after its launch TWINT now has over 850,000 registered users, while the number TWINT transactions is rising constantly. TWINT expects this growth to continue and to sign up its millionth user this year.
Søren Mose, Chairman of TWINT says,

Soren Mose
“I’m very pleased that we’ve been able to appoint Markus Kilb as our new CEO; as a manager he has great experience in customer business with digital financial products. TWINT has come of age, is growing continuously in terms of both users and transactions, and is preparing for the next step up as Switzerland’s mobile payment system. We’re care-fully preparing some new areas of application and will introduce these to the market in line with customer needs.”
Markus Kilb has led the Munich-based Unicredit Family Financing Bank, which as part of the Unicredit Group is active all over Germany, since 2009. He has opened up new distribution channels for the bank and has great experience in digitalization within the fintech sector.
Kilb, 52, began working for Unicredit as Marketing Director in 2004. Prior to this, he was head of credit card business at Citibank in Düssel-dorf, Advance Bank in Munich and at BMW Financial Services.
Markus Kilb, TWINT’s new CEO says,

Markus Kilb
“TWINT is a very versatile mobile payment system that has a much wider range of applications than other systems and so can cover a wide variety of customer needs. I look forward to managing a company with such an exciting future ahead of it. One important job will be to highlight and expand benefits for users.”
Kilb replaces Thierry Kneissler, who co-founded TWINT in 2014 as a spin-off of PostFinance, merged it with Paymit in 2016, and since then has established it as the Swiss banks’ leading mobile payment system. He explains his reasons for leaving TWINT as follows:

Thierry Kneissler
“The last four years have been a once in a lifetime experience for me: developing complex systems, founding a company, merging it with Paymit and then re-launching with all the Swiss banks. I have loved working on this start-up phase, but the further development of the business requires other skills, which is why I’m pleased to be handing over the job to Markus Kilb.”
Thierry Kneissler is keen to keep sharing his experience and expertise as a consultant and board member. He will leave the company once the introduction of the new CEO is complete.
Søren Mose adds,
“I would like to thank Thierry Kneissler for all his hard work building up TWINT. The firm he started with four employees has grown into a company of 60 specialists. It is the number one mobile payment system in Switzerland and will soon have a million registered users. I’m pleased that we’ll still be able to count on Thierry’s know-how on a project-by-project basis.”
 
Featured image via Freepik
The post Twint Appoints New CEO appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/twint-appoints-new-ceo</link><guid>651</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Soren-Mose.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Twint Appoints New CEO</dc:text></item><item><title>Wirtschaftsfaktor Crowdlending: 75.000 Jobs und 4,4 Mrd. Euro Beitrag zur Globalwirtschaft durch KMU-Finanzierung</title><description><![CDATA[Eine aktuelle Studie von Oxford Economics zeigt erstmals die wachsende globale Bedeutung von Crowdlending für Volkswirtschaften auf – auch in Deutschland.
2017 sind durch die Kreditvergabe über Funding Circle, dem führenden Marktplatz für die Finanzierung von Kleinunternehmen, insgesamt 75.000 Arbeitsplätze in Großbritannien, Deutschland, den Niederlanden und den USA unterstützt worden.
Die Studie belegt die gesamtgesellschaftliche Relevanz des plattform-basierten KMU-Kredits: 2017 vermittelte Funding Circle über 2 Mrd. Euro in seinen vier Märkten. Kleine Unternehmen konnten dank des erhaltenen Kapitals allein im letzten Jahr einen Beitrag von 4,4 Mrd. Euro zur Globalwirtschaft leisten (Bruttowertschöpfung) –  das sind zwei Euro für jeden vergebenen Euro in den vier Ländern.
Die durch die Kredite finanzierten wirtschaftlichen Aktivitäten der KMUs generierten außerdem in den einzelnen Ländern Steuern in Höhe von 1,5 Mrd. Euro. Die zusätzlichen Steuereinnahmen trugen u. a. dazu bei, dass der Staat seiner öffentlichen Daseinsfürsorge vor Ort – etwa beim Bau von Schulen und Krankenhäusern – gerecht werden konnte.
Zugang zu Krediten für KMUs weiterhin unzureichend
Der Zugang zu Fremdkapital für kleine und Kleinstunternehmen hat sich in den letzten Jahren trotz des Wirtschaftswachstums erheblich verschlechtert. So liegt die Vergabe von Geschäftskrediten durch deutsche Banken real gesehen immer noch 8 Prozent hinter den Zahlen von 2008 zurück – also der Zeit vor der globalen Finanz- und Wirtschaftskrise. Im gleichen Zeitraum jedoch ist die Wirtschaftsleistung von Unternehmen um 15 Prozent gestiegen.
Die Niedrigzinsphase und die zunehmende Regulierung seit der Finanzkrise (z. B. Basel II &amp; III Standards) machen es für Banken deutlich unattraktiver und aufwendiger, Kredite an KMUs zu vergeben. Die Folge sind gestiegene Bankfinanzierungskosten wie Gebühren oder Provisionen, die den Effekt des erschwerten Kreditzugangs zusätzlich verstärken.
Crowdlending in Deutschland: Ein Aufwärtstrend
Funding Circle schliesst die entstandene Lücke mit einer Kombination aus Kreditmarktplatz, fortschrittlicher Datenanalyse sowie fundierter Risikokalkulation. 2010 gegründet, bringt die Online-Plattform kleine Unternehmen mit privaten und institutionellen Investoren zusammen.
Die Tatsache, dass Crowdlending weltweit für KMUs immer mehr zur attraktiven Alternative gegenüber dem herkömmlichen Bankkredit wird, spiegelt sich in der folgenden Entwicklung wider: Die Plattform steht in Großbritannien, wo Funding Circle am längsten operiert, bereits heute im direkten Wettbewerb mit den Geschäftsbanken. Die über Funding Circle abgewickelte Neufinanzierung hat dort Ende 2017 netto die des gesamten britischen Bankensystems übertroffen*.
Ein Blick auf Deutschland zeigt, dass auch hier die Bedeutung des Crowdlendings rapide zunimmt und die deutsche Wirtschaft von diesem Trend profitiert:

Obwohl die KMU-Finanzierung über Funding Circle in Deutschland erst seit 2015 möglich ist, leisteten die 2017 über die Plattform vergebenen Kredite einen Beitrag zur deutschen Wirtschaft in Höhe von 103 Mio. Euro (Bruttowertschöpfung). Außerdem generierten die vergebenen Kredite Steuereinnahmen in Höhe von 24 Mio. Euro.
Die Studie verdeutlicht zudem den Einfluss der crowdbasierten KMU-Finanzierung auf den deutschen Arbeitsmarkt: So konnten durch die über Funding Circle vermittelten Kredite rund 1.700 Arbeitsplätze erhalten werden.
Für deutsche KMUs wird es immer attraktiver, über die Online-Kreditplattform beispielsweise notwendige Investitionen zu finanzieren oder das Betriebskapital aufzustocken: So hat sich die Kreditvergabe über die Plattform 2017 mit 685 neuen Krediten gegenüber dem Vorjahr um 170 Prozent erhöht.
Das Volumen der vergebenen Kredite ist sogar noch schneller gewachsen: Das Neukreditvolumen, das 2017 vermittelt wurde, hat sich mit insgesamt 55 Mio. Euro gegenüber 2016 verdreifacht. Ende Dezember 2017 verwaltete Funding Circle in Deutschland fast 1.077 Kredite in einer Gesamthöhe von mehr als 65 Mio. Euro.

Thorsten Seeger
Thorsten Seeger, Geschäftsführer Funding Circle Deutschland:
„Die Bedeutung kleiner und mittlerer Unternehmen für die deutsche Wirtschaft ist alles andere als klein. Sie machen nicht nur 97 Prozent aller Unternehmen aus, sondern sind einer der Hauptarbeitgeber in Deutschland.
 
 
Ian Mulheirn, Abteilungsleiter Wirtschaftsberatung bei Oxford Economics:

Ian Mulheirn
„Diese Studie unterstreicht die wachsende Bedeutung von Funding Circle für kleine Unternehmen in Folge der Finanzkrise, die die traditionelle Bereitschaft und Befähigung klassischer Banken zur Kreditvergabe bis heute lähmt.
Als Ergebnis dessen zeigen kleine Unternehmen ein wachsendes Interesse an anderen Finanzierungsformen, mit Online-Finanzierung an der Spitze dieser Möglichkeiten. Funding Circle hat einen signifikanten Einfluss auf den Arbeitsmarkt in den vier Ländern und fördert die Wirtschaft in hohem Maße – ein Trend, der in Zukunft weiter rapide zunehmen wird.“
 
Featured image via Pexels
The post Wirtschaftsfaktor Crowdlending: 75.000 Jobs und 4,4 Mrd. Euro Beitrag zur Globalwirtschaft durch KMU-Finanzierung appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/wirtschaftsfaktor-crowdlending-75000-jobs-und-44-mrd-euro-beitrag-zur-globalwirtschaft-durch-kmu-finanzierung</link><guid>649</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Gesamtbeitrag-Funding-Circle-1-1018x1024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Wirtschaftsfaktor Crowdlending: 75.000 Jobs und 4,4 Mrd. Euro Beitrag zur Globalwirtschaft durch KMU-Finanzierung</dc:text></item><item><title>Brexit: How Will It Affect London as a Global Fintech Hub?</title><description><![CDATA[As the clock starts ticking closer and closer toward the inevitable Brexit, questions are being raised about London&#8217;s position as a global fintech hub.
Simon Briskman, partner at the international law firm, Fieldfisher was of the opinion that funding was growing at a healthy rate and that high-growth companies continued to innovate, in particular, in the fields of automation and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, trading platforms, software-as-a-service (SaaS), and regulatory technology (regtech).
He was commenting on the biggest issues threatening London&#8217;s global fintech hub status, in conjunction with the London Fintech Week, ongoing till July 13th.
The fears have been that talent and funding will leave the UK once the divorce happens for good.
A 2017 study by Early Metrics, a rating agency for startups and SMEs, which surveyed 1,500 startups concluded that even amidst the uncertainty, the UK&#8217;s positioning as a gateway between the US and Europe, as well as demonstrated expertise in fintech ventures, gave it the edge it needed to remain a successful fintech hub.
UK fintech firms were shown to have attracted a total of £1.34 billion in venture capital investment in 2017, out of which London alone accounted for over 90%.
TransferWise, which raised US$280 mil last year in funding, announced in 2017 that it would move its headquarters from London to mainland Europe by March 2019. Image credit: Glassdoor UK
The continued availability of talent might be another matter. London&#8217;s fintech sector currently employs a workforce of about 76,500 people.
This number is expected to balloon to 100,000 by 2030. Since 42% of this workforce is drawn from outside the UK, UK remains particularly susceptible to any changes in laws which will affect worker migration.
Transitioning from the old to the new
Notwithstanding talent availability, London’s relevance as a fintech hub also depends on whether it is able to foster the transition of traditional financial institutions to more disruptive fintech services.
Banks are already seeing the need to transition, and intend to partnering with fintech firms to harness change, yet a much sturdier bridge needs to close the gap between the two.
While financial institutions need to understand to new technologies in order to get on board, fintech innovation often requires funding to happen ahead of time.
Simon Briskman
“New products and services are generally coming from the SME/high-growth sector, fuelled by fintech entrepreneurs. What is difficult for these smaller companies is to survive the push from concept to product, then product to sales and revenue, and then through to continued investment in their product and product diversification,” Briskman notes.
“Companies need to seek funding at each stage of their growth. Often, this means encouraging a strategic stake or even a buy-out from a larger institution,” he further commented.
Depending on how these collaborations happen, traditional financial institutions could either be the best guardians of the burgeoning fintech galaxy, or they could be the ones slowing down the process.
Government Efforts 
The UK government has also ramped up initiatives. It had earlier this year launched the Fintech Sector Strategy, which launched a cryptoassets task force between the Bank of England, HM Treasury and Financial Conduct Authority. The task force aims to bring about the use of blockchain in the financial services.
Meanwhile the £2.5 bil Patient Capital Fund it launched in June will enable high-growth companies long-term access to funds. This includes fintech firms.
Ultimately as long as the UK is able to keep a steady flow of incoming investments into fintech, and foster a better dialogue between the more traditional outlets and fintech firms, it should be able to formulate an ecosystem that fintech firms can thrive in for all time.
That being said, this formula also needs to change as fintech progresses on, and Brexit becomes not so much a notion to be feared as a fact to be settled in.
Featured Image Credit: London Finance Commission
 
The post Brexit: How Will It Affect London as a Global Fintech Hub? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/brexit-how-will-it-affect-london-as-a-global-fintech-hub</link><guid>647</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Transferwise-London-office.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Brexit: How Will It Affect London as a Global Fintech Hub?</dc:text></item><item><title>Introducing Swiss Fintechpoly: a Monopoly but for Fintech Nerds</title><description><![CDATA[With more than 275 million sets sold in 43 languages and 111 countries, and more than one billion players, it is fair to say that Monopoly is one of the world’s favorite board games and part of international popular culture.
Derived from The Landlord&#8217;s Game, which was created by Elizabeth Magie in the US in 1903, the game was initially intended as a protest against the big monopolists of her time.
Magi created two sets of rules for The Landlord’s Game: an anti-monopolist set in which all were rewarded when wealth was created, and a monopolist set in which the goal was to create monopolies and crush opponents. The approach was aimed to demonstrate that the first set of rules was morally superior.
And yet it was the monopolist version of the game that caught on, with Charles Darrow claiming a version of it as his own and selling it to New England board game maker Parker Brothers. It made Darrow a millionaire, and saved Parker Brothers from the brink of destruction.
Monopoly quickly became a hit, selling 278,000 copies in its first year and more than 1.750 million the next. But the game lost its connection to Magie and her critique of American greed, and instead came to mean pretty much the opposite of what she’d hoped. It has taught generations to cheer when someone goes into bankruptcy. It has become a staple of pop culture.
Following the early years of success of Monopoly, several variants and versions have emerged to tap into specific countries and trends. Monopoly Empire, for instance, has uniquely branded tokens and places based on popular brands. Instead of buying properties, players buy popular brands one by one and slide their billboards onto their Empire towers. Monopoly: Ultimate Banking Edition has no cash and instead features an electronic ultimate banking piece with touch technology.
 
The Swiss Fintechpoly Ecosystem
And now, meet Swiss Fintechpoly, our very own version of the popular board game specifically for fintech nerds that focuses on the Swiss fintech ecosystem.
In Fintechpoly, you do not buy properties but instead – you guessed it – acquire Swiss fintech startups and even banks. These include some of Switzerland’s hottest startups such as wealthtech startup Additiv, mobile payment specialist Twint, crowdlending platform CreditGate24, online factoring platform Advanon, and bitcoin startup Bitcoin Suisse.
Banks present include some of the most active in the fintech and financial finance space including Hypothekarbank Lenzburg, Glarner Kantonalbank, Credit Suisse, and UBS.
The four railroads of the original Monopoly are replaced by fintech-focused organizations and communities: Swiss Finance Startups, Swiss Finance + Technology Association, Swiss Fintech Innovations and the Crypto Valley Association.
And finally, our Fintechpoly board also include notorious accelerators such as F10 and Fusion as well as the Fintech Conference Finance 2.0.
In case you forgot how the original Swiss Monopoly looks like, check it out here.
Enjoy!
The post Introducing Swiss Fintechpoly: a Monopoly but for Fintech Nerds appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/introducing-swiss-fintechpoly-a-monopoly-but-for-fintech-nerds</link><guid>646</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Swiss-Fintechpoly-1-1023x1024.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Introducing Swiss Fintechpoly: a Monopoly but for Fintech Nerds</dc:text></item><item><title>Schneider-Ammann: Switzerland Needs More Blockchain Experts</title><description><![CDATA[Although Switzerland has successfully pioneered the development of cryptocurrency in its economy, it may have yet to realise the full economic potential of new technologies in the field.
The Crypto Valley Conference held in Zug in June represented one of wider attempts by the ecosystem to gather all stakeholders for a discourse on new developments.
Zug, which currently counts the Ethereum Foundation, Shapeshift, Melonport and Tezos, among the crypto firms headquartered there has long been considered a comfortable hub for new cryptocurrency firms to grow up in.
Switzerland’s low tax rates and flexible regulatory frameworks generally present the lax environment for cryptocurrency firms to thrive. The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) made existing financial market regulation applicable to ICOs in just February of this year.
ICOs are in fact regulated differently according to whether they form payment tokens, utility tokens or asset tokens. Whereas payment tokens are subjected to existing anti-money laundering laws, utility tokens, which are classified as tokens to provide access to applications or services, continue to remain unregulated unless they also include an investment function.
On the other hand, asset tokens, which are akin in nature to more conventional asset forms, fall under securities regulation.
Regulators want to be encouraging of ICOs, but they are also wary of creating unnecessary loopholes that could threaten the integrity of existing financial markets.
For now, there is a Blockchain Task Force in place. It essentially works with the State Secretariat for International Financial Matters to look at the legal guidelines surrounding such blockchain and ICO firms.
216 Million CHF for Digitalisation
If Switzerland aims to keep up with similarly competitive crypto environments like Singapore and Malta it will need to remain conducive. The Swiss Banking Association (SBA)’s recent establishment of a working group to assist new blockchain companies with opening bank accounts locally is to be lauded.
Swiss Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann
As Swiss Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann says, the future would require further tech talent and education to play a role. He noted, during the Crypto Valley Conference that:
“For that we need to put even greater emphasis on digitalisation and technology in schools. We need more IT specialists (not to mention Blockchain experts.”
“We need more research projects and professorships in this field. We are working on that, step by step. The funding released by the Federal Council of 216 million CHF for the action plan on digitalisation in education, research and innovation 2019-2020 is only the start,” he added.
The post Schneider-Ammann: Switzerland Needs More Blockchain Experts appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schneider-ammann-switzerland-needs-more-blockchain-experts</link><guid>644</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Johann-Schneider-Amman-218x300.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Schneider-Ammann: Switzerland Needs More Blockchain Experts</dc:text></item><item><title>Swisscom Startup Challenge 2018 Gibt Finalisten Bekannt</title><description><![CDATA[Swisscom hat die 10 Finalisten der Swisscom Start-up Challenge bekannt gegeben.
Unter den 10 Finalisten sind auch 3 Fintech Startups.  (AAACell, Futurae und Sentifi).
Die fünf Sieger werden im Oktober ins Silicon Valley reisen. Das Public Voting beginnt ende Juli und die Startups werden von venturelab zum Pitch Training geladen.


Die Finalisten 2018 der Swisscom Startup Challenge



AAAccell






AAAccell ist ein Spin-off-Unternehmen der Universität Zürich. Das Team besteht aus zwei ehemaligen CEOs von Banken, elf Professoren und diversen Doktoranden/Master-Studenten u. a. von der Universität Zürich, der ETH und der Columbia University New York. AAAccell bringt akademische Spitzenleistungen, Künstliche Intelligenz und die Kraft der Algorithmen zusammen, um auf Basis neuester wissenschaftlicher Erkenntnisse Hightech-Softwarelösungen für die Finanzindustrie zu entwickeln, speziell für das Gebiet Asset- und Risikomanagement.




v-Labs






Das Schweizer Softwareunternehmen v-Labs hat eine spezielle Augmented-Reality-Applikation (AR) für Tiefbauarbeiten entwickelt. Seine innovative Lösung ermöglicht es Baggerführern, effizienter zu arbeiten und die Schäden an unterirdischen Infrastrukturen zu reduzieren. v-Labs kombiniert geografische Daten, High-Tech-Positionierungssysteme und AR und hat so die erste einsetzbare AR-Lösung für den Tiefbau entwickelt.



HumanAI







HumanAI ermöglicht es Smartphone-Nutzern, mithilfe Künstlicher Intelligenz ihre persönlichen Daten zu schützen, zu kontrollieren und zu monetarisieren. Dazu hat das Unternehmen ein Datenaustauschsystem kreiert, das die Privatsphäre bewahrt. Es verwendet Blockchain-Technologie und Edge Computing, um direkt auf dem Smartphone KI-Modelle laufen zu lassen. Dadurch profitieren Benutzer und Unternehmen gleichermassen von den entsperrten Daten und erfüllen gleichzeitig die neuen Datenschutzgesetze.




TeleRetail






TeleRetail ist ein Entwickler von Autopilot-Software und autonomen Transportsystemen. Das Unternehmen stellt Autopilot-Softwaresysteme für selbstfahrende Roboter her, mithilfe derer sich die industrielle, städtische und ländliche Logistik automatisieren lässt, während gleichzeitig der ökologische Fussabdruck des Transports minimiert wird. Sein preisgekröntes Autopilot-System «Aito» steuert autonom Roboter von nahezu jeder Grösse und vermeidet dadurch Emissionen und Staus. So werden der Energieverbrauch und der Platzbedarf von Transportmitteln um bis zu 90 % reduziert.









Dotphoton 






Dotphoton ist ein Quantum-inspiriertes Verfahren zur Komprimierung von Rohbilddaten für professionelle Anwendungen. Es macht Rohbilddaten bis zu 10-mal kleiner, während die Qualität erhalten bleibt. Das spart Zeit und Geld beim Speichern, Übertragen und Analysieren von Bildern. Dotphoton läutet die nächste Generation hochwertiger Bildverarbeitungs- und Verarbeitungslösungen ein, in den Bereichen Fotografie, Kino, KI, Biomedizin und Luft- und Raumfahrt.



Exeon Analytics






Exeon Analytics bekämpft mithilfe preisgekrönter Algorithmen fortgeschrittene Cyber-Angriffe. Oft dauert es Monate, wenn nicht Jahre, um Datenverstösse zu erkennen, weil sie sich zwischen Millionen regelmässiger Benutzeraktivitäten verstecken. Die ExetraTrace-Software für Sicherheitsanalyse und -visualisierung erlaubt es Unternehmen, ihren Netzwerkverkehr besser zu verstehen und versteckte Cyberangriffe und Datenverletzungen zu erkennen.



Technis






Technis verkauft intelligente Bodenbeläge für das Management und die Überwachung des Personenverkehrs in komplexen Umgebungen. Innovative Sensorik und Deep-Learning-Algorithmen erkennen die Bewegungsrichtung von Personen und bestimmte Ereignisse wie Stürze. Aktivitäten können in sensiblen Bereichen verfolgt werden, um präzise und in Echtzeit Bewegungen und Gebäudenutzung zu überwachen, mit verwertbaren Daten für die Ressourcenoptimierung und Sicherheit. Technis nennt das Smart Flooring as a Service (SFaaS).



ROVENSO






ROVENSO, ein 2016 gegründetes Unternehmen, das 2014 als Start-up an der EPFL begann, stellt agile Sensorroboter für besonders anspruchsvolle und raue Umgebungen her. Die in der Schweiz ansässige Firma hat in Kooperation mit dem HAX Accelerator bereits eine Niederlassung und Werkstätten in Shenzhen (China) eröffnet. Derzeit laufen Pilotprojekte mit zahlenden Kunden in China und der Schweiz, in den Bereichen Brandbekämpfung und Sicherheitsüberwachung.



Futurae Technologies






Futurae bietet ein Portfolio mit Lösungen für eine sichere Authentifizierung. Geräuschbasierte Sensorfusion und andere Technologien, die durch maschinelles Lernen miteinander kombiniert sind, werden für IdD-, Einzelgerät- und kontinuierliche Authentifizierung, Transaktions-Signierung und einfache Geräte-Migration verwendet. Futurae wurde von Spitzenforschern in Cybersicherheit an der ETH Zürich und führenden Persönlichkeiten aus der Wirtschaft gegründet und ist derzeit in erster Linie in der Finanz- und Versicherungsbranche tätig.



Sentifi






Sentifi ist ein führender Anbieter von finanziell relevanter Crowd Intelligence. Seine Lösungen verzeichnen über 180 Millionen Aufrufe pro Monat und werden von weltweit führenden Finanzdienstleistungsunternehmen genutzt, um einzigartige Einblicke in über 50.000 gehandelte Unternehmen, Währungen und Rohstoffe zu erhalten und über die Ereignisse, die sie betreffen, auf dem Laufenden zu bleiben. Sentifi nutzt maschinelles Lernen, um mehr als 14 Millionen Finanz-Influencer zu bewerten.

 





















The post Swisscom Startup Challenge 2018 Gibt Finalisten Bekannt appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swisscom-startup-challenge-2018-gibt-finalisten-bekannt</link><guid>640</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Ablauf-der-Swisscom-StartUp-Challenge-2018-671x1024.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Swisscom Startup Challenge 2018 Gibt Finalisten Bekannt</dc:text></item><item><title>Kreditfabrik der Glarner Kantonalbank Vermittelt nun Schweizweit</title><description><![CDATA[
Die Glarner Kantonalbank  teilte am 29. Mai 2018 mit, dass sie mit der CredEx über das Verwalten von Hypothekarkrediten verhandelt, die über deren Online-Plattform schweizweit vermittelt werden.
Die GLKB und CredEx haben die Zusammenarbeit vertraglich fixiert. Diese sieht vor, dass die Kreditfabrik der GLKB die Verwaltung der Hypotheken übernimmt, welche über die Online-Plattform von CredEx abgeschlossen werden.
Die Credit Exchange ist eine B2B-Börse für Hypothekarkredite, die eine Verbindung zwischen Angebot und Nachfrage in Echtzeit ermöglicht. Finanzinstitute können somit ihren Kunden ein umfassendes Produktspektrum anbieten und parallel ihr Hypothekarportfolio erweitern, ohne ihren eigenen Vertriebskanal ausbauen zu müssen.
 
Ausgewähltes Bild über Pixabay
The post Kreditfabrik der Glarner Kantonalbank Vermittelt nun Schweizweit appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/kreditfabrik-der-glarner-kantonalbank-vermittelt-nun-schweizweit</link><guid>641</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Glarner-Kantonalbank-logo-1024x215.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Kreditfabrik der Glarner Kantonalbank Vermittelt nun Schweizweit</dc:text></item><item><title>Kreditfabrik der Glarner Kantonalbank Vermittelt nun Schweizweit für CredEx</title><description><![CDATA[
Die Glarner Kantonalbank  teilte am 29. Mai 2018 mit, dass sie mit der CredEx über das Verwalten von Hypothekarkrediten verhandelt, die über deren Online-Plattform schweizweit vermittelt werden.
Die GLKB und CredEx haben die Zusammenarbeit vertraglich fixiert. Diese sieht vor, dass die Kreditfabrik der GLKB die Verwaltung der Hypotheken übernimmt, welche über die Online-Plattform von CredEx abgeschlossen werden.
Die Credit Exchange ist eine B2B-Börse für Hypothekarkredite, die eine Verbindung zwischen Angebot und Nachfrage in Echtzeit ermöglicht. Finanzinstitute können somit ihren Kunden ein umfassendes Produktspektrum anbieten und parallel ihr Hypothekarportfolio erweitern, ohne ihren eigenen Vertriebskanal ausbauen zu müssen.
 
Ausgewähltes Bild über Pixabay
The post Kreditfabrik der Glarner Kantonalbank Vermittelt nun Schweizweit für CredEx appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/kreditfabrik-der-glarner-kantonalbank-vermittelt-nun-schweizweit-fur-credex</link><guid>645</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Glarner-Kantonalbank-logo-1024x215.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Kreditfabrik der Glarner Kantonalbank Vermittelt nun Schweizweit für CredEx</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Startup Map July, 264 Swiss Fintech Startups</title><description><![CDATA[Swisscom released the Swiss Fintech Startup Map for July 2018 which now counts 264 Swiss Fintech Startups, 14 more than in June.

The post Swiss Fintech Startup Map July, 264 Swiss Fintech Startups appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-startup-map-july-264-swiss-fintech-startups</link><guid>642</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Swiss-Fintech-Startup-Map-July-264-Swiss-Fintech-Startups.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Startup Map July, 264 Swiss Fintech Startups</dc:text></item><item><title>The F1 Innovation Prize Prepares to Transform Fan’s Winning Technology Idea into Reality</title><description><![CDATA[Formula 1 Managing Director of Motorsports Ross Brawn and Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport driver Lewis Hamilton will mark a new milestone for Formula 1 by launching the first-ever crowd-sourcing competition in a global sport which will turn a fan’s idea from concept to reality.
Tata Communications’ F1 Innovation Prize is set to transform how fans watch, experience and engage with the sport by challenging them to present breakthrough ideas which will see one overall winner rewarded with USD $50,000 and the chance for their winning idea to be incubated and prototyped at Formula 1’s Media &amp; Technology Centre (MTC) in the UK.
Now in its fifth year, the competition is a joint innovation initiative by Tata Communications, Formula 1 and Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport.
For 2018, the “My F1” themed challenge seeks ideas that bring fans closer to the cockpit. It asks entrants to take the sport’s unique set of human, mechanical and technical data and combine them with the publishing and broadcast capabilities of Formula 1. The aim is to create the ultimate customised, immersive viewing experience for fans worldwide. This could be in the form of an app, a homepage or even a way of joining up interactive content across a dozen different devices.

 

The theme for this year supports the drive by Formula 1to ensure everyone &#8211; from trackside fans to the most casual armchair viewer &#8211; can engage with the sport through a level of customisation that breaks the barriers of language and technical know-how. It’s a push that is already changing the way people watch and engage with the sport with innovations such as the new halo graphics and live Twitter shows. The next step on this digital drive is for a fan’s idea from the F1Innovation Prize to be turned into a real technology solution at Formula 1®’s MTC.
Five finalists will be awarded a trip to the Formula 1 Pirelli 2018 United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas to present their solutions to the panel of judges. The Grand Prize winner will not only get a chance to work with Formula 1 to develop their idea, but also receive a cheque for USD $50,000.
Ross Brawn, Managing Director of Motorsports, Formula 1®, said:

Ross Brawn
“Tata Communications has been at the forefront of transforming the way fans experience the sport. One of the key elements of our partnership is the F1®Innovation Prize which, since its inception in 2014, has established itself as an unrivalled crowdsourcing platform in Formula 1®.
 
This continued evolution of the competition has taken us to a unique place where fans’ wishes are more than just an idea on paper. Myself and the team at Formula 1®’s MTC are looking forward to working with the winner to take their idea all the way from conception to prototype production.”
Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport Driver and four-time FIA Formula 1® Drivers’ World Champion, Lewis Hamilton, said:

Lewis Hamilton
“Nobody is better qualified to tell us what the fans want than the fans themselves. Bringing people closer to the sport is one thing, but asking them to help develop their sport is the next step. Finding new and more ways to engage with the fans is massively important to me, they make the sport what it is.
 
The more we interact with them, the more we engage with them, the better the sport will be. With this competition we are looking to give more access to information and data &#8211; some of which has never been shared beyond the garage and cockpit. The F1® Innovation Prize is a great opportunity for our fans to apply their imagination and creativity into designing the future of the sport, and credit to Tata Communications and Formula 1® for making this a reality.”
Mehul Kapadia, Managing Director of Tata Communications’ F1 business and the company’s Global Head of Marketing, said:

Mehul Kapadia
“We believe the new incorporation of incubation and prototyping at this level has never been done in any global sport before, and it’s great to be able to involve the fans in such an immersive way. We look forward to seeing how the entrants would utilise the vast amount of data readily available to them in real-time to heighten and individualise their experience of the sport.”
This year Lewis, Ross and Mehul will be joined on the judging panel by new judge Roberto Dalla, Managing Director of Broadcasting and Technical Operations, Formula 1®. Technical Director of Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport, James Allison and former F1® race driver and F1® commentator for Sky Sports F1®, Martin Brundle, will both be returning to judge the competition.
The post The F1 Innovation Prize Prepares to Transform Fan’s Winning Technology Idea into Reality appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-f1-innovation-prize-prepares-to-transform-fans-winning-technology-idea-into-reality</link><guid>643</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Mehul-Kapadia.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>The F1 Innovation Prize Prepares to Transform Fan’s Winning Technology Idea into Reality</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Stock Exchange Launches Crypto and ICO Trading</title><description><![CDATA[Switzerland’s stock exchange – owned and managed by SIX – today announced that it is building a fully integrated trading, settlement and custody infrastructure for digital assets.
SIX is regulated as an operator of Financial Market Infrastructure (FMI) by Swiss Authorities, FINMA and the Swiss National Bank, and intends that the planned ‘digital asset ecosystem’ – SIX Digital Exchange (“SDX”) – will enjoy the same standard of oversight and regulation.
It will be the first market infrastructure in the world to offer a fully integrated end to end trading, settlement and custody service for digital assets. The service will provide a safe environment for issuing and trading digital assets, and enable the tokenization of existing securities and non-bankable assets to make previously untradeable assets tradeable. Following an agile approach to meet the needs of today’s dynamic environment, the first services will be rolled out in mid-2019.
The service will be mainly based on Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT). The implementation approach will provide a bridge for clients from the traditional to the new world, in a timeframe which allows clients to choose for themselves how and when to avail themselves of the new opportunities the new ecosystem provides.
According to Thomas Zeeb, Head Securities &amp; Exchanges, SIX,

Thomas Zeeb
“The digital space currently faces a number of key challenges. These include the absence of regulation that ensures official safety, security, stability, transparency and accountability – all of which contribute to a lack of trust. The challenge is less in the trading of assets but rather in the custody and asset servicing, including asset safety.
 
Do you adopt a model with many sub-custodians, including inefficient interfaces and with inherent risks, or do you go with a recognised and regulated infrastructure provider who provides all steps of the chain in an integrated and secure model? We believe that the latter has significant value. As the stock exchange infrastructure for Switzerland, we know what it takes to build and run mission-critical and scalable, systemically important services.”
According to Jos Dijsselhof, CEO SIX,

Jos Dijsselhof
“This is the beginning of a new era for capital markets infrastructures. For us it is abundantly clear that much of what is going on in the digital space is here to stay and will define the future of our industry. The financial industry now needs to bridge the gap between traditional financial services and digital communities.
 
This is the role that we at SIX can play. SIX is in a unique position in that it runs the entire securities and payments value chain for Switzerland already, and is ideally positioned to create the digital ecosystem for the future, allowing existing and new market participants to develop their business models for the opportunities available in this new environment. These are strengths that we can bring to the digital space and contribute meaningfully to what is one of the most innovative and dynamic environments of our time.”
 
The post Swiss Stock Exchange Launches Crypto and ICO Trading appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-stock-exchange-launches-crypto-and-ico-trading</link><guid>639</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Thomas-Zeeb.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Stock Exchange Launches Crypto and ICO Trading</dc:text></item><item><title>Redalpine Exit: bexio Acquired by Mobiliar</title><description><![CDATA[Bexio – part of the Redalpine fund II – just got acquired by Mobiliar. With this acquisition Mobiliar aims to further strengthen their position in the SMB market. bexio, in turn, gets a strong boost in order to further develop their platform.
bexio gives SMBs everything they need to run their businesses effectively. With customer management, order processing, easy bookkeeping and integrated E-Banking, SMBs stay on top of things and save time for their core activities. bexio is growing fast. It has already more than 15’000 customers on their platform and a team of 80 employees. The Rapperswil (SG) based company was rewarded best Swiss Software Start Up in 2016 and 2017.
Under the ownership of Mobiliar, bexio will remain a largely independent company. It is important for the Swiss insurance group that bexio will keep their start-up- flair in order to fully focus on their own growth.
Jeremias Meier, CEO at Bexio:

Jeremias Meier
“With Mobiliar as our new owner we are now operating under a strong brand  This credibility is important for our clients who are entrusting us their core business processes. “

Peter Niederhauser, Partner at Redalpine summarizes:

Peter Niederhauser
”When we decided to invest in bexio in 2015, we were convinced by the founders and the market opportunity. We are delighted to have worked with such a great team and want to congratulate everyone at bexio on this fantastic achievement.&#8221;
 
The post Redalpine Exit: bexio Acquired by Mobiliar appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/redalpine-exit-bexio-acquired-by-mobiliar</link><guid>638</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Jeremias-Meier.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Redalpine Exit: bexio Acquired by Mobiliar</dc:text></item><item><title>Investor Guide to Smart ICO Investments</title><description><![CDATA[Over the past 2 years, the crypto space and blockchain projects have gained popularity across the globe.  As a result, many dubious players entered the market to get a piece of the crypto pie. It is increasingly difficult for investors to differentiate between legitimate projects and scams.
The Crypto Finance Conference addresses these issues. At all CFC events investment opportunities are being presented, but participants and speakers also discuss and address the risks of investing in crypto projects, how to find the right project and what future trends will bring.
Based on our experience, we created  a short guide to help you evaluate your next crypto investment:

Technology: Is the Blockchain really needed?
Once you find a project that seems interesting to you, read the Whitepaper and ask yourself: Does this project solve a problem or bring value to people’s lives? Does the blockchain technology serve that purpose, or could (and should) it easily be done without the blockchain? If the blockchain technology isn’t really needed, consider this a red flag.Additionally, check if the project has a Github account (or similar) where the code of the smart contract and  more is being shared. If there’s no account, no code or code identical with other projects, consider this another red flag.
ICO Rating Agencies
To ensure high quality and legitimacy of the ICOs presented at the CFC events, it was decided to work with a trusted ICO rating agency. And so should you. Many sites offer high-priced listing packages for ICOs, which will give them prominent placements, better ratings and in some cases even fake positive reviews. Read more about how easy it is to get a fake review here. The Swiss rating agency Alethena aims to change that, by conducting independent, transparent and neutral reviews in great detail.
Legal Setup
Check online registries for the legal registration of the company in their jurisdiction. Start-ups often underestimate the importance of a proper legal set up for an ICO. For instance, founders have to find the right legal form of the future company. As seen in the Tezos case, a foundation is most likely not the ideal legal structure for an ICO. But what is? An LLC or an LLP? A proper legal assessment will lead to the right decision.

Furthermore, the right legal setup requires that an experienced legal officer is on board in order to identify potential pitfalls. Examples include the qualification of the token (in most cases it is a security), compliance with AML-Regulations and conducting a proper KYC process.
All that comes at a cost. It is therefore important that a start-up allocates 20% &#8211; 30% of its budget for legal fees and services. This information is usually being shared on the website in the budget and token allocation.

Personal Due Diligence 
Reviews and analysis done by review platforms, crypto bloggers and rating agencies are informative. But to get a clear understanding of how legitimate and trustworthy a project is, personal due diligence is of the highest importance. Here are a few ways to better understand a project:

Telegram: Join the Telegram group, follow the conversations, ask questions and engage with the team behind the project. Are they open, honest and fast to answer? Do they address critical questions? Do they take feedback from the community seriously? Follower count isn’t as important anymore, so don’t shy away from a project with less than 10k Telegram group members. This might mean that they don’t participate in dubious marketing initiatives like (most) bounty programs or buying followers.
Social Media: Follow their social media accounts on major sites like Twitter, Facebook, Medium, Steemit or others. Do they post original content? Do they take the time to create content that adds value to the reader? Do they offer insights about the team and project beyond what’s listed on the website? Are their followers legit or did they get fake followers? (Easy to spot by analyzing follower to engagement ratio.)
Team: Check the team members backgrounds on LinkedIn or similar platforms. Do they have the right expertise? Are they the right fit for this project?
Direct Outreach: Get in touch with the founders and send them your questions via email or even jump on a call with them. Do they take the time to answer your questions? Do they seem genuinely excited about their project and vision?




Events
If the project is in your region, see if they organize events or meetups. Attend one or two, interact with the team and see what other people think about the project.
Community
Join a small or closed crypto community. Ask the group what their impression of the project is and discuss it with them. If you’re not a member of a private group – create one with your friends or join one of the many open ones.

Finding the right crypto projects to invest in is not easy. In addition to the existing volatility, there are scams and profiteurs that make it hard to identify the true gems amongst thousands of projects. In addition to following the steps above, the process of choosing your investments also requires trust and a good sense for promising concepts. Only invest what you can afford to lose.
Want to learn more about smart investments and connect with like-minded people? Apply for the world’s most exclusive investor conference to get industry insights and learn most about the recent developments and future trends. The next  Crypto Finance Conference at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, California, takes place from September 5-7 and  is an application-only conference in a beautiful, remote setting, which allows participants and speakers to connect in a private and relaxed setting. Apply on www.crypto-finance-conference.com.
 
Author: Andrea-Franco Stöhr, CEO Crypto Finance Conference
 
Featured image via Freepik
The post Investor Guide to Smart ICO Investments appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/investor-guide-to-smart-ico-investments</link><guid>637</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Alethena-300x97.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Investor Guide to Smart ICO Investments</dc:text></item><item><title>Additiv Teams up with Orange Business Services for Digital Wealth Management</title><description><![CDATA[Orange Business Services and Additiv, a digital solutions provider for the financial market, have teamed up to offer digital wealth management as-a-service products to financial institutions.
The cloud-based offerings will automate wealth management and address the strong growing demand for digital financial services from clients and the urgency to reduce operating costs by many financial institutions.
Additiv’s established wealth management products are now offered on a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform. This means that the SaaS products can be easily plugged into financial institutions’ existing systems.
Wealth management as-a-service products are based on Additiv’s fourth generation modular Digital Finance Suite (DFS 4.0), designed for the digitalization of new and existing business segments. The SaaS product offering contains out-of-the-box solutions, such as robo advisors, client and advisory dashboards and portfolio management solutions.
Automation: Wealth Management As A Service
The service addresses the financial industry’s requirements for hosting data off premise in the cloud, but onshore in the country of origin. This is achieved by leveraging Orange Business Services’ cloud, data storage, connectivity and cyberdefense capabilities at a global level.
Additiv’s wealth management as-a-service products offer a wide range of configuration possibilities to achieve a personalized experience. It will be rolled out in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific relying on dedicated Orange cloud platforms.
Michael Stemmle, founder and CEO of Zurich-headquartered Additiv said,
Michael Stemmle
“By partnering with Orange Business Services we can provide financial institutions with a fast and highly-secure way of tapping into this new market opportunity, while improving the end-client experience and reducing operating costs.
Through the joint platform, customers have access to Additiv’s Digital Finance Suite, including its global ecosystem partners, such as Saxo Bank that offers client administration, execution and custody services with access to 35,000 financial instruments across eight asset classes.”
 
Helmut Reisinger, CEO, Orange Business Services said,
Helmut Reisinger
“Our highly-secure cloud platform is providing Additiv with a smart and efficient way for financial institutions to plug in a game-changing range of products and map the entire data journey to provide valuable customer insight.
It will make digital wealth management easier and more convenient, which will undoubtedly broaden the appeal of wealth management.”
 
Orange Group is already an established player in the financial services market. Orange Money, launched in 2008, links a mobile account to an Orange mobile number to meet the needs of customers in the Middle East and Africa where transactions are carried out in cash. Orange was the first mobile operator to launch contactless cash payments in Europe. In 2017, Orange Bank was launched in France.
 
Featured image via Freepik
The post Additiv Teams up with Orange Business Services for Digital Wealth Management appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/additiv-teams-up-with-orange-business-services-for-digital-wealth-management</link><guid>631</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Additiv Teams up with Orange Business Services for Digital Wealth Management</dc:text></item><item><title>BlockShow is Debuting in Vegas with BlockShow Americas 2018</title><description><![CDATA[Shortly after a successful comeback to Germany with BlockShow Europe 2018, the team gets to work again and announces BlockShow Americas 2018 &#8211; the next 2-day show and the very first one to be held in USA. 
This time the conference will take place on August 20-21 at The Venetian, Las Vegas &#8211; the city known for the huge number of various FinTech &amp; Blockchain events happening there from year to year.

Better All the Time
This time, just like previous one, BlockShow will bring you the most interesting Blockchain applications, latest sensations, and lots of high-quality content. But there’s much more than that; each new conference is a perfect opportunity for the team to fine-tune those features that work perfectly and bring maximum value to the audience. BlockShow Americas 2018 is no exception to this: right now we can already expect to see such activities as all-day networking, the BlockShow Oscar startup competition, as well as the return of BlockShow Ratings and People Choice awards.

This May, BlockShow Europe was visited by more than 3 000 attendees; the conference exhibition included more than 90 projects, and over 100 organizations and companies provided their support for the event. The organizers claim the figures and scale of the upcoming BlockShow conference to be no less impressive.
The conference inspired tons of publications in the major global media, such as VentureBeat, Forbes, BuzzFeed, Daily Mail and others. With all the innovations, promising projects, stories and experts, BlockShow manages to keep the crowd excited, as well as having a blast organizing and experiencing the further events.
Worth the Waiting
 
Just like before, BlockShow Americas will introduce the audience to the most innovative releases from the promising Blockchain companies, the most successful projects, as well as in-depth proficient insights on the major Blockchain accomplishments in the global trending sectors, such as Voting &amp; Elections, E-Commerce, Supply Chains, and many others. 
However, the upcoming event will also become a platform for some brand new features that promise to bring even more value and fun to attendees and participants. Now, at the current stage of the process, the BlockShow team prefers to keep a secret around any further details, as well as who represents the first batch of officially confirmed speakers; it can be safely said, though, that some more news and updates will follow soon.
This August, BlockShow is bringing together over 100 internationally recognized speakers and experts from banks, governmental institutions and numerous global industries; during single speeches, discussions and panel sessions, all of them will deliver high-quality professional insights, knowledge and more. 
Moreover, BlockShow attendees can count on witnessing &#8211; and maybe even participating &#8211; the traditional Startup Competition dedicated to discovering and rewarding the most promising Blockchain-powered companies out there. All the previous editions of the competition rewarded 6 companies with roughly $90 000 in total, and doesn’t seem like BlockShow is going to quit on this!
Finally, the efficient BlockShow networking is not going anywhere, too. Last time, the attendees have held over 7000 private business meeting over both days of the conference, so this time the BlockShow team aimed at making this experience even more comfortable and valuable for the audience!
People talking about BlockShow
For more than a year of existence, BlockShow became a platform for nearly 200 Blockchain experts &#8211; even the celebrity ones &#8211; to express their opinions and predictions on many aspects of the global Blockchain scene. Some of them have already expressed their thoughts about the BlockShow events:
“I really enjoyed BlockShow Europe. It was great to see a lot of enthusiasm from the attendees and the organisers did a wonderful job. It was very professionally done and everything was on schedule. I think conferences are important to get the word out there, to educate people and help them learn about cryptocurrency and blockchain. This is how we get on-board the next billion people.”

Bobby Lee, Co-founder of BTCC

“l’m really impressed with the European crypto conference scene. This conference brought a lot of people together. Coming from San Francisco, it is really refreshing to see. It is exciting. ”

Rachel Wolfson, Forbes

“I think the special part of BlockShow is that it is one of the biggest shows l have been to in Europe in a place like Berlin, the biggest hub for blockchain. The second thing that i really liked about the show is the structure, the layout. There were two rooms for talks, a VIP room, a media room, a food room, and a networking room. That is not usually what happens at shows. We also had amazing speakers like Bobby Lee, Benny Giang and Jimmy Wales. ”

Ran Neuner, Host at CNBC Crypto Trader Show, the TOP 10 most Influential People in the Blockchain by Richtopia

Registration for BlockShow Americas 2018 is already open! 
Learn more and register for the conference at the official BlockShow Americas website. Also, don’t forget to save 30% off from your ticket purchase and the Super Early Bird offer with the code: 30FINTECHNEWS
Let’s rock Vegas together!
The post BlockShow is Debuting in Vegas with BlockShow Americas 2018 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/blockshow-is-debuting-in-vegas-with-blockshow-americas-2018</link><guid>632</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/800x313-new.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>BlockShow is Debuting in Vegas with BlockShow Americas 2018</dc:text></item><item><title>The 15 Biggest ICOs So Far</title><description><![CDATA[ICOs have gained further momentum this year, raising US$13.7 billion through 537 campaigns in the first five months of 2018 alone, according to a new report by PwC and Crypto Valley.
The US remains a leading ICO destination, raising more than US$1 billion this year so far. In Asia, it is Singapore that has emerged as the main ICO hub with US$1.1 billion, followed by Hong Kong with US$US$223 million.
In Europe, Switzerland stands out as the ICO capital, followed by the UK, the latter rapidly gaining terrain in terms of volume and numbers. Swiss ICOs have raised US$456 million.
But in recent months, tax havens such as the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands have emerged as leading ICO hubs as they hosted “unicorn ICOs” EOS and Telegram.
The following are the 15 biggest ICOs to have ever occurred so far:
 
EOS – US$4.1 billion

EOSIO is software that introduces a blockchain architecture designed to enable vertical and horizontal scaling of decentralized applications. The software provides accounts, authentication, databases, asynchronous communication and the scheduling of applications across multiple CPU cores and/or clusters. EOSIO is being developed by Cayman Islands software developer Block.one.
 
Telegram – US$1.7 billion

Messaging app Telegram is building the Telegram Open Network (TON), a fast, secure and scalable blockchain and network project. The TON blockchain will be capable of handling millions of transactions per second if necessary, and promises to be both user-friendly and service provider-friendly.
 
Dragon – US$320 million

Dragon Coin is a project by Macau based casino operator Dragon Corp. Dragon Coin, or DRG, is an Ethereum utility token used to participate in the Dragon blockchain ecosystem. DRG tokens are exchanged for DGC (Dragon Global Chips), a cryptocurrency gaming chip, at supporting casinos, which allows both players and casinos to take advantage of the added transparency and security of blockchain technology.
 
Huobi Token – US$300 million

Huobi, one of the leading cryptocurrency exchange by volume, has created its own native token, Huobi Token. Huobi Token is a point system based on blockchain distribution and management, running natively on the Ethereum blockchain. Huobi Tokens enable users to vote for their favorite projects to be listed on Huobi’s HADAX platform, and also allow them to receive free tokens from these projects. Users can also purchase special packages using Huobi Tokens that reduce their trading fees.
 
HDAC – U$258 million

HDAC, also known as Hyundai DAC, is an Internet-of-Things (IoT) platform supported by car manufacturer Hyundai. HDAC is a blockchain based platform that allows IoT devices to communicate with one another, while handling payments, data storage and identity authentication.
 
Filecoin – US$257 million

Filecoin is an open-source, public, cryptocurrency and digital payment system intended to be a blockchain-based digital storage and data retrieval method. It is made by Protocol Labs and builds on top of InterPlanetary File System (IPFS). Mining Filecoins entails letting other people store data on one’s hard drive.
 
Tezos – US$232 million

Tezos is a decentralized blockchain that promises to create a new digital commonwealth. Like Ethereum, Tezos is designed to make use of smart contracts. However, it claims to take the smart contract concept “one step further by letting participants directly control the rules of the network.”
 
Sirin Labs – US$57.9 million

Sirin Labs is a smartphone manufacturer that is currently developing the first cyber-protected, blockchain-enabled mobile phone and PC line. The Finney devices will run on Sirin Labs’s open-source operating system, Sirin OS, designed to support inherent blockchain applications, such as a crypto wallet, secure exchange access, encrypted communications, and a peer-to-peer resource sharing ecosystem for payment and apps, supported by the SRN token. The devices will form an independent blockchain network.
 
Bancor – US$153 million

Bancor is a blockchain protocol that allows users to convert between different tokens directly as opposed to exchanging them on cryptocurrency markets. The Bancor Protocol aims to be a new standard for Ethereum tokens. It lets smart contracts connect with a liquidity network for continuous liquidity on the chain throughout the network. Because of the protocol and this liquidity, there is no requirement to match sellers and buyers.
 
Bankera – US$150.9 million


Bankera is building “a digital bank for the blockchain era.” It will offer proper bank solutions such as IBAN accounts, payment cards and payment processing, not only for cryptocurrencies but also for cash, payment cards etc. The Bankera ecosystem will include a digital wallet, exchange platform, a debit card, and payment solutions for merchants.
 
Polkadot – US$145.2 million

Polkadot is a protocol that allows independent blockchains to exchange information. Polkadot is designed to enable applications and smart contracts on one blockchain to seamlessly transact with data and assets on other chains.
 
The DAO – US$142.5 million

The DAO was a digital decentralized autonomous organization and a form of investor-directed venture capital fund. The DAO had an objective to provide a new decentralized business model for organizing both commercial and non-profit enterprises. After raising US$142.5 million in a token sale, the DAO suffered a massive hack before completely collapsing.
 
Polymath – US$139.4 million

Polymath is a cryptocurrency project that wants to offer a method for traditional investment assets to be tokenized and tradable in a manner somewhat similar to other blockchain assets. It plans to do this through what it calls an “security token offering” (STO).
 
Basis – US$133 million

Basis, a project by American cryptocurrency startup Intangible Labs, is working on a “stable coin.” The company’s big idea is to develop a new token that people will actually use, instead of use to speculate. Basis is designed so that it can stabilize against anything it can source an exchange rate for, whether that the euro, yen, or even a global consumer price index (CPI).
 
Orbs – US$118million

Tel Aviv-based Orbs is developing a decentralized, open and transparent network providing a public blockchain infrastructure-as-a-service built for large scale consumer applications. The three primary infrastructure offerings of the Orbs platform include consensus-based decentralized compute services, consensus-based decentralized storage services and Consensus as a Service (CaaS).
The full PwC Strategy&amp; and Crypto Valley Association report can be viewed here
The post The 15 Biggest ICOs So Far appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-15-biggest-icos-so-far</link><guid>633</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/eos.png</dc:content ><dc:text>The 15 Biggest ICOs So Far</dc:text></item><item><title>Vorstellung des Blockchain Gesetzes Liechtenstein</title><description><![CDATA[Am Donnerstag, 21. Juni 2018 fand an der Universität Liechtenstein eine Information über das geplante &#8220;Blockchain-Gesetz&#8221; statt.
Im vollständig ausgebuchten Auditorium stellte Regierungschef Adrian Hasler nach einer Begrüssung von Nicolas Raschauer die politische Vision und die Zielsetzungen hinter dem Blockchain-Gesetz im Rahmen einer Key-Note vor:

Adrian Hasler
&#8220;Es ist mein Ziel, die Entwicklung der Blockchain-Ökonomie durch gute staatliche Rahmenbedingungen zu unterstützen.
Ich bin überzeugt, dass sich das volle Potential der Blockchain nur dann ausschöpfen lässt, wenn die Nutzer und die Dienstleister die nötige Rechtssicherheit erhalten, um Vermögensobjekte digital kaufen und verkaufen zu können.
Deshalb muss man die Regeln, auf denen unser Wirtschafts- und Rechtssystem aufbaut, auch auf die Token-Ökonomie übertragen.&#8221;
Danach führte Peter Schnürer in das Thema Blockchain und Token Ökonomie ein. Thomas Dünser informierte anschliessend über die Eckpunkte und die Zielsetzungen des geplanten Gesetzes welches im Sommer 2018 in die öffentliche Vernehmlassung geschickt wird.
Im Rahmen einer Panel-Diskussion &#8211; moderiert von Doris Quaderer &#8211; erörterten Vertreter von Finanzplatz und Blockchain-Ökosystem in Liechtenstein die Chancen und Risiken der Token Ökonomie. An der Diskussion nahmen Edi Wögerer, Thomas Nägele, Thomas Nigg und Yanislav Malahov teil. Abschliessend stellte Johann Gevers seine Vision der Token Ökonomie vor.


http://www.local-tv.org/news/sites/default/files/videos/42a7edf9a91e261ecf33e5c6b732eb06.mp4
 
 
 
 
Vorgestelltes Bild über Pixabay
The post Vorstellung des Blockchain Gesetzes Liechtenstein appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/vorstellung-des-blockchain-gesetzes-liechtenstein</link><guid>634</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Adrian-Hasler.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Vorstellung des Blockchain Gesetzes Liechtenstein</dc:text></item><item><title>Canadian Fintech Industry Set to Witness Strong Grow: Report</title><description><![CDATA[The Canadian fintech industry has seen tremendous growth in recent years and is expected to continue to expand exponentially as collaborations between fintechs and traditional financial institutions, new and improved regulations, and leadership in the financial services space continue to stimulate fintech innovation in Canada, according to a new report by Global Risk Institute.
This report, titled An Overview of Fintech in Canada, claims that although fintech adoption in Canada remains slow, it has reached the Early Majority Adoption phase and is expected to continue to grow.

Canada’s “big six” financial institutions, which are the National Bank of Canada (NBC), Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), the Bank of Montreal (BMO), Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), the Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank), and Toronto Dominion Bank (TD), are expected to greatly influence the fintech adoption rate as Canadians are found to be more reluctant to change their banking habits than in other economies.
 
Canadian financial institutions lead fintech revolution
Canada is home to one of the largest international financial hubs and has some of the world’s top technological talent.
Canadian financial institutions have so far welcomed innovative technologies and have collaborated with fintech firms to improve efficiencies and product offerings.
According to the report, the number of financial institution-fintech partnerships in Canada is much higher than in most other countries. 62% of financial institutions declared they are actively involved in partnerships with fintech companies, and 88% said they would increase partnerships going forward.

Canadian financial institutions have not only found it useful to collaborate with fintech firms, but also to invest in accelerators in order to gain access to top talent.
The birth of accelerators and incubators across the country are further aiding the development of fintech firms by providing fintech firms with services such as expert advice, networking opportunities, and direction within the regulatory landscape.
For the most part, incubators are focused on early-stage companies whereas accelerators are used by established firms looking to grow. These programs are generally run and funded by a combination of financial institutions, technology companies, consultants, and academics.
For instance, Ryerson University’s Digital Media Zone (DMZ) is partnered with BMO, TD, General Motors and the City of Toronto in the DMZ-BMO Fintech Accelerator initiative. Non-profit MaRs Discovery District claims to be the world’s largest urban innovation hub. The MaRS center, located in Toronto, supports over 1,000 startups with 62 being in the finance and commerce spaces. Partners of MaRS include CIBC, Manulife, Sun Life Financial and Canadian interbank network Interac.

 
Canadian fintech
Ontario is the largest fintech hub in Canada with Toronto, the capital city of the province, being one of the largest financial centers in the world and southern Ontario producing top tech talent from leading universities. British Columbia and Quebec, with access to talent and resources from Vancouver and Montreal, are expected to become leaders in the space as well.

Across the various types of fintech products found in Canada, money transfers and payments are the most-used at this time. Roughly a quarter of the fintechs in Canada provide money transfer and payment services.
Shopify is a leading payment services provider in Canada and one of the few Canadian fintech to have gone public, raising $1.27 billion from their IPO in mid-2015. Shopify offers merchants software to develop their own e-commerce platforms.
The second-largest category is saving and investment services, with 14% of the market. The sector of personal finance, wealth management and robo-advisory is seeing record funding, according to the report.
Wealthsimple, Canada’s largest robo-advisor, recently raised approximately $51 million in capital from Power Financial Corp. With roughly $1 billion in assets under management, Wealthsimple is currently the market leader.
Many of Canada’s major banks have also launched their own internal robo-advisors. BMO’s Smartfolio, for example, asks clients to fill out an online questionnaire before being assigned a portfolio manager who will then invest their money into BMO ETFs.

 
Featured image: Canadian flag, Pxhere.
The post Canadian Fintech Industry Set to Witness Strong Grow: Report appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/canadian-fintech-industry-set-to-witness-strong-grow-report</link><guid>635</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Fintech-adoption-697x1024.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Canadian Fintech Industry Set to Witness Strong Grow: Report</dc:text></item><item><title>Loanboox Digitalisiert Neu Auch Anleihen</title><description><![CDATA[Nach der erfolgreichen Etablierung als führende Plattform im Bereich Gemeindefinanzierung digitalisiert Loanboox nun auch den Schweizer Anleihen-Markt.
Damit bedient das mit dem Swiss Fintech Award 2018 ausgezeichnete Unternehmen nun auch das starke Bedürfnis von Emittenten und Investoren nach einfacher, transparenter, sicherer und günstiger Emission und Investition am Kapitalmarkt.
Nach der erfolgreichen Etablierung als führende Plattform im Bereich Gemeindefinanzierung digitalisiert Loanboox nun auch den Schweizer Anleihen-Markt. Damit bedient das mit dem Swiss Fintech Award 2018 ausgezeichnete Unternehmen nun auch das starke Bedürfnis von Emittenten und Investoren nach einfacher, transparenter, sicherer und günstiger Emission und Investition am Kapitalmarkt.
Schweizer Städte, Kantone, Grossunternehmen und Banken können künftig über die unabhängige Geld- und Kapitalmarkt-Plattform Loanboox Anleihen als Selbstemission emittieren. Was bisher meist über Emissionshäuser in einem intransparenten, kostspieligen und zeitintensiven Prozess erfolgte, ist neu mit wenigen Klicks über Loanboox möglich.
Stefan Mühlemann
So Stefan Mühlemann, Gründer &amp; CEO von Loanboox,
«Damit verbinden wir Emittent und Investor direkt miteinander. Der Intermediär wird überflüssig.»


Kundenbedürfnis umgesetzt
Seit 21 Monaten ist Loanboox in der Schweiz am Markt, seit einigen Monaten auch in Deutschland. 800 Kreditnehmer und 300 Kapitalgeber zählt Loanboox bereits.
«Dadurch stehen wir im ständigen Kontakt mit vielen smarten und innovativen Köpfen bei grossen Schuldnern wie Städten, Kantonen und Unternehmen. In den Gesprächen tauchte immer wieder die Frage auf, ob Loanboox nicht auch eine effiziente Lösung zur Emission von Anleihen anbieten könnte.»
so Mühlemann. Bislang übernimmt in der Regel eine Grossbank das Book-Building für Emittenten.
Stefan Feller
«Dies geschieht offline und mit viel Telefon-, Email- und sogar noch Briefkontakt. Der Emittent kennt weder die Investoren, noch hat er Transparenz über die verschiedenen Angebote im Book-Building.»
berichtet Stefan Feller, Director Capital Markets bei Loanboox, aus eigener Erfahrung als ehemaliger Head Financing beim Axpo Konzern.
«In der heutigen Zins- und Anlagesituation suchen auch institutionelle Investoren und Banken günstige und effiziente Wege, um ihr Geld am Kapitalmarkt zu platzieren»
so Feller weiter.
Dynamisches Book-Building sorgt für Transparenz
Loanboox erfüllt mit der digitalen Anleihe die Anforderungen der Emittenten wie der Investoren in vollem Umfang. Dank dem innovativen und dynamischen Live-Book-Building ist auf der Plattform hohe Transparenz gewährleistet. Die einzelnen Prozessschritte, Fristen und Gebühren sind verständlich und beiden Parteien bereits im Voraus bekannt.
Das Settlement erfolgt im Anschluss über eine Zahlstelle einer Schweizer Bank, inklusive Generierung und Verbuchung der Wertrechte bei der SIX SIS. In Zusammenarbeit mit einer Kapitalmarkt-erfahrenen Anwaltskanzlei als Listing Agent werden die Anleihen an der SIX kotiert.
Im Spätsommer wird schweizweit ausgerollt
«Als primäre Zielgruppe sprechen wir am Kapitalmarkt etablierte Schuldner wie Städte, Kantone aber auch grosse Unternehmen mit einer hohen Bonität an»
so Feller.
«Auf Investorenseite richtet sich unsere Plattform, wie bisher, an Versicherungen, Pensionskassen, Asset Manager aber auch Banken.» Im Spätsommer werden die ersten Emissionen in der Schweiz über Loanboox möglich sein. «Die Beta-Version steht. Das Kundenfeedback ist sehr positiv. Nun sind wir am Feinschliff und bereiten den Go-Live vor. Die nächsten Wochen werden intensiv.»
so Mühlemann.
 
Featured image via Pixabay
The post Loanboox Digitalisiert Neu Auch Anleihen appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/loanboox-digitalisiert-neu-auch-anleihen</link><guid>628</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Loanboox Digitalisiert Neu Auch Anleihen</dc:text></item><item><title>New Blockchain Marketing Agency Strengthens the Swiss Crypto Valley Scene</title><description><![CDATA[The Relevance House, a new Swiss-based full-service blockchain and Initial Coin Offering (ICO) marketing consulting agency, has joined the vibrant Zug Crypto Valley scene with a mission to help start-ups develop their strategy and grow their brand awareness with targeted marketing strategies, PR, content, community management and Storytelling.
The interest in blockchain technology is growing at staggering speed. In the past year, the nascent crypto community has seen a rising phenomenon that is fueling that growth: ICOs, targeted at raising enough capital to develop disruptive solutions based on blockchain technology. Based on Coinschedule, last year 210 ICOs took place worldwide. In the first quarter of 2018, 171 ICOs have already been conducted.
Despite this momentum, startups are still challenged to build their brands and share their stories effectively. This has given rise to a number of service providers, specialized in blockchain, such as THE RELEVANCE HOUSE.
Anna-Lena Stach, co-founder of THE RELEVANCE HOUSE and creative marketing veteran says,
“Investors are becoming more selective and demanding. They are keen to know more about these dynamic companies and find out what their story is.”
The agency‘s exclusive focus on the blockchain technology and ICOs as mechanism to fund up-and- coming players highlights both the potential of this emerging industry and of Switzerland as a major hub in the Crypto economy.
Founded under the premise that communicating a compelling brand and story to stakeholders will define the companies involved in this rapidly developing space, THE RELEVANCE HOUSE combines its solid in-house expertise in branding, strategy, written and visual communications with an intimate knowledge of the Crypto business and culture to create and execute powerful marketing strategies.
Everything, down to the pricing model, is tailored to the needs of blockchain start-ups. THE RELEVANCE HOUSE is invested in every project and only make profit if the project succeeds.
THE RELEVANCE HOUSE Co-founder, start-up entrepreneur, digital pioneer German Ramirez said,
German Ramirez
&#8220;We believe that only relevance has impact. For blockchain technology to reach mass adoption, it needs to become easier to understand and more relevant. Our marketing consulting agency acts as a facilitator for start-ups through the full ICO process – before, during and after – so that our clients can focus their attention on developing their products and solutions for the Crypto economy rather than on figuring out how to go to market. That‘s our job.&#8221;
The Zug-based agency boasts an entrepreneurial-minded staff of marketing and communications professionals, contributors and freelancers who have spent more than 20 years building brands and growing start-ups across channels, geographies and industries.
Says German Ramirez,
“At THE RELEVANCE HOUSE we believe the blockchain technology‘s disruptive nature is already generating an unprecedented wave of entrepreneurship in Switzerland and beyond.”
The marketing consulting agency is committed to playing an active role in this new era with its expertise, ideas and skillset.
Featured image via Pixabay
The post New Blockchain Marketing Agency Strengthens the Swiss Crypto Valley Scene appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-blockchain-marketing-agency-strengthens-the-swiss-crypto-valley-scene</link><guid>629</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>New Blockchain Marketing Agency Strengthens the Swiss Crypto Valley Scene</dc:text></item><item><title>ICOs 2018:  Verdoppelung in den ersten 5 Monaten</title><description><![CDATA[Nach einem leichten Rückgang zu Beginn des Jahres hat das durch Kryptowährungen ermöglichte Crowdfunding wieder rasant zugelegt.
Alleine von Januar bis Mai hat das Initial Coin Offering beinahe doppelt so viel Kapital abgeschöpft wie im gesamten Rekordjahr 2017. Das belegen die aktuellsten Analysen im Rahmen des ICO Reports von PwC Strategy&amp; und der Schweizerischen Crypto Valley Association (CVA).
Investitionsvolumen mit neuen Dimensionen
Insgesamt wurden seit Anfang Jahr 537 ICOs mit einem Gesamtvolumen von über 13.7 Mrd. USD durchgeführt. Zum Vergleich: 2017 gab es insgesamt 552 ICOs mit einem Volumen von etwas mehr als 7.0 Mrd. USD. Auch die durchschnittliche Grösse eines ICOs hat sich gegenüber dem letzten Jahr von ca. 12.8 Mio. USD auf über 25.5 Mio. USD beinahe verdoppelt.
Zwei Unternehmen knackten die Milliardengrenze, Telegram mit 1.7 Mrd. USD sowie EOS mit 4.1 Mrd. USD. Diese Dynamik spiegelt sich auch in der Rangliste der grössten ICOs wieder. Seit dem ersten Report von PwC Strategy&amp; und der CVA im Dezember 2017 sind zehn neue Projekte in die Top 15 eingestiegen. Davon sind gleich sechs in der Schweiz angesiedelt.

Schweiz behauptet sich als «Crypto Valley»
Die Schweiz ist neben den USA und Singapur einer der drei wichtigsten ICO-Hubs, nicht zuletzt dank Fortschritten bei der Regulierung. Daneben hat vor allem Grossbritannien stark an Terrain gewonnen. Kleinere Länder und Stadtstaaten wie Hongkong, Gibraltar, Malta oder Liechtenstein springen ebenfalls auf den Zug auf und kopieren die Krypto-freundlichen Modelle Singapurs sowie der Schweiz.
Weltweit lassen sich bis dato drei dominante Regulierungsmodelle identifizieren: Die USA setzt auf ein zentralisiertes System, in dem sämtliche durch ICO angebotene Tokens als Wertschriften gehandelt werden. In Europa setzt sich dagegen eine differenzierte Regulierung durch.
Die FINMA beispielsweise klassifiziert Tokens in drei Unterarten: Wertschriften, Zahlungsmittel oder sog. «Utility Tokens», die keine eigentliche Investition darstellen, sondern dem Käufer direkt Zugang zum Produkt oder Service des ICOs ermöglichen. In Asien schliesslich ist die Regulierung sehr heterogen und reicht vom strikten Verbot bis zur aktiven Förderung von ICO-Projekten.
Das grosse Buhlen um die Startups
Daniel Diemers, Leiter Blockchain EMEA bei PwC Strategy&amp; sagt,
Daniel Diemers
«Der Wettbewerbsdruck zwischen den Ländern ist gross.»
Die Startups sind im Vergleich zu traditionellen Unternehmen sehr mobil. Bietet ein Standort keine idealen Rahmenbedingungen mehr, kann er mit relativ geringem Aufwand gewechselt werden.
«Eine entscheidende Rolle werden diesbezüglich verstärkt auch die Banken spielen, wenn es darum geht, diesen Startups anhand von Firmenkonten Zugang zum normalen Zahlungsverkehr zu ermöglichen. In der Schweiz gibt es aktuell erst sehr wenige Finanzinstitutionen, die sich gegenüber Kryptowährungen und Blockchain-Startups öffnen»,
so Diemers.
Nach dem Hype 2017: Krypto-Branche wird erwachsen
Die verbesserte Regulierung schafft mehr Transparenz, schützt die Investoren und stärkt das Vertrauen. Allgemeingültige Compliance, z. B. in Bezug auf Geldwäschereigesetze oder die Legitimation von Neukunden, ist bereits heute Standard und wird an allen etablierten Standorten gefordert. Zwar fallen die Investitionsvolumina dadurch leicht geringer aus.
«Aus anlagestrategischer Sicht bleiben ICOs weiterhin attraktiv und behaupten sich erfolgreich entlang traditioneller Formen der Risikokapitalfinanzierung durch Venture Capital Fonds, Banken und spezialisierte Finanzgesellschaften. Hybride Modelle, bei denen die klassische Finanzierung durch eine Kryptowährung ergänzt wird, stellen eine ernstzunehmende Alternative zur Beschaffung liquider Mittel dar»,
betont Daniel Diemers. Die professionellen Risikokapitalgeber validieren dabei das Geschäftsmodell des ICOs, während die Krypto-Anleger wiederum die Idee sowie das Marktpotenzial bestätigen.
Diemers ergänzt:
«Technologie- und insbeson- dere Blockchain-Startups setzen vermehrt auf diese Finanzierungsmethodik, aber auch traditionelle Unternehmen steigen inzwischen in das Geschäft ein.»
 
The post ICOs 2018:  Verdoppelung in den ersten 5 Monaten appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/icos-2018-verdoppelung-in-den-ersten-5-monaten</link><guid>636</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Biggest-ICO-1024x653.png</dc:content ><dc:text>ICOs 2018:  Verdoppelung in den ersten 5 Monaten</dc:text></item><item><title>How To Trade Cryptocurrencies In Switzerland?</title><description><![CDATA[The advent of Bitcoin and its spectacular rise over the last few years has investors pouring their money into cryptocurrencies by the millions. But investing in cryptocurrencies comes with unique investment risks including regulatory risk, security risk, fraud risk and market risk. Keep in mind that cryptocurrencies are still in an early stage and are very volatile: while, the value of Bitcoin grew by more than 1,000% in 2017, it also has declined a substantial percentage  since the beginning of 2018.
But for those in Switzerland who are sure of what they’re doing and wish nevertheless to buy cryptocurrencies and are wondering to themselves &#8220;How do I trade cryptocurrencies in Switzerland?&#8221;, here are a few exchanges and trading platforms available out there.
Buying cryptocurrencies in Switzerland
Lykke mobile app
Swiss startup Lykke is the largest exchange platform for BTC/CHF trading. The exchange also supports trading for several cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, TIME, Bancor, as well as its very own crypto-token the Lykke coin.
Another popular platform in Switzerland  is LakeBTC, which supports a lot of cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, and Ripple, among many others.
Startups and institutions such as Falcon Private Bank, Bitcoin Suisse, Bity, and Crypto Finance provide cryptocurrency brokerage services.
Bitcoin Suisse, a regulated crypto-asset broker and infrastructure provider, specializes in large-scale transactions and customizes fees for large purchases.
Bity is another Switzerland-based broker supporting Bitcoin and Ethereum. The company also operates Bitcoin ATMs in Geneva, Lausanne, Montreux, Neuchatel and Zurich.
Crypto Finance, a startup based in Zug, provides blockchain-related services with asset management, trading and storage.
Last year, Falcon Private Bank, a Swiss private banking boutique, began to offer blockchain asset management services for Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin and Bitcoin Cash. The bank enables clients to exchange and hold the cryptocurrencies via Falcon by using their cash holdings. Additionally, a Bitcoin ATM was installed in the lobby of the bank’s headquarters in Zurich.
The logo of Swiss Falcon Private Bank, owned by Abu Dhabi&#8217;s International Petroleum Investment Co (IPIC), is seen at its headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland September 22, 2016. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann
A number of foreign online brokers and exchanges are also serving the Swiss market. These include US-based Coinbase and its exchange platform GDAX, which supports customers in over 30 countries and offers Bitcoin,  Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum and Litecoin trading, Coinmama, which allow customers from nearly all countries to buy Bitcoin with a credit or debit card, BitPanda, an Austrian broker that supports Bitcoin and Ethereum, and Bitcoin Deutschland, one of the largest Bitcoin marketplaces in Europe with over 725,000 and which supports Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash and Bitcoin Gold.
eToro, a European brokerage company with offices in Cyprus, Israel and the UK, allows customers to trade and invest in cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple, and Dash, along with ETFs and thousands of stocks.

For those who would rather buy cryptocurrencies with cash, platforms such as Localbitcoins.com and Localethereum.com are peer-to-peer marketplaces that connect sellers with buyers.
 
Trading platforms
To acquire smaller, lesser known cryptocurrencies and crypto-assets such as Enigma, Next or Civic, traders often have to buy them with bigger cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum.
Some of the world’s largest crypto-to-crypto trading platforms including US-based Bittrex and Poloniex, but also Chinese Binance and Bitfinex, South Korean Bithumb, and Singaporean Huobi.pro.
These platforms are accessible to nearly all customers around the world and since some of them only deal with crypto-to-crypto trading, occasional users aren’t even required to get verified for small trades.

 
Featured image: Cryptocurrencies, via Pixabay.
The post How To Trade Cryptocurrencies In Switzerland? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/how-to-trade-cryptocurrencies-in-switzerland</link><guid>627</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Lykke-exchange-app-300x300.png</dc:content ><dc:text>How To Trade Cryptocurrencies In Switzerland?</dc:text></item><item><title>SolarisBank Launches Blockchain Factory, Embraces Cryptocurrency</title><description><![CDATA[

solarisBank, the first banking platform with a full banking licence, recently announced the launch of the &#8220;solarisBank Blockchain Factory&#8221;.
With this move, the Berlin-based technology company is extending its range of services and will form a technological and regulatory bridge between the worlds of banking and blockchain.
This will make solarisBank the specialised infrastructure partner of choice for companies in the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry.
Roland Folz, CEO of solarisBank says,




Roland Folz, CEO, solarisBank
&#8220;For more than two years, solarisBank has made contextual banking possible – modern financial services are integrated via interfaces (APIs) in the existing range of services for companies and made available to customers whenever and wherever they are needed.
Services offered by the &#8216;solarisBank Blockchain Factory&#8217; in the field of blockchain and cryptocurrency are the next strategic step. There is high demand from the blockchain world for a licensed partner that forms the technological and regulatory bridge to traditional banking &#8211; as a technology company with a banking licence we are the natural partner.&#8221;


The Blockchain Factory will be used by solarisBank to offer banking services to companies whose business is directly or indirectly based on cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. One example of these services is the &#8216;Blockchain Company Account&#8217; for the banking business of blockchain companies.




Furthermore, services for global cryptocurrency marketplaces will be made available to make it easier to buy and sell fiat currencies; such as the solarisBank &#8216;Automated Trust Account&#8217;, an automated escrow account for cryptocurrency marketplaces.




The first cooperation in this field has already begun with vPE Bank. Together, solarisBank and vPE enable institutional trading of cryptocurrencies. Further services in the field of digital banking and debit cards for blockchain companies are currently being integrated by other corporate customers. Cryptocurrency wallets and bank accounts can thus be combined in an integrated service offer.




Peter Grosskopf, CTO of solarisBank, who will manage the Blockchain Factory says,
Roland Folz, CEO, solarisBank
&#8220;The fiat world is not about to dissolve. We are moving towards a hybrid future, in which the blockchain world still has to prove itself.
However, we see the disruptive power of these business models and we want to help shape the future of this industry.
 




It has always been the role of banks to safeguard customer assets in a trustworthy manner. Even in an age of decentralisation driven by blockchain technology, banks still need to take on this role. We provide the infrastructure which connects traditional banking with modern, digital services.&#8221;



When it was set up in March 2016, solarisBank was one of the first finance technology companies with a full banking licence. Since then, the company has established its &#8220;Banking as a Platform&#8221; concept at an international level. Services in the field of blockchain and cryptocurrencies provided via the &#8220;solarisBank Blockchain Factory&#8221; are the next strategic step. Alongside the cooperation with vPE Bank, other partnerships are already in the implementation process and are expected to be launched in the course of the year.

Featured image via Pixabay
 

The post SolarisBank Launches Blockchain Factory, Embraces Cryptocurrency appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/solarisbank-launches-blockchain-factory-embraces-cryptocurrency</link><guid>626</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://d21buns5ku92am.cloudfront.net/63801/images/274256-solarisBank%20CEO%20Dr.%20Roland%20Folz%20%C2%A9Max%20Threlfall-e638b4-large-1520360042.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>SolarisBank Launches Blockchain Factory, Embraces Cryptocurrency</dc:text></item><item><title>Latvia Pushes Fintech Innovation</title><description><![CDATA[Latvia is home to a nascent but rapidly growing startup scene. Though still trying to catch-up with neighboring Estonia, which benefited from the early successes of the likes of Skype and TransferWise, the country is starting to build a reputation for itself in sectors including fintech.
Latvia has much to boast about: it occupies the third position in the OECD in terms of providing access to fiber-optic broadband Internet, has a multilingual population and a highly talented labor pool, and the presence of several programs launched by the government is making Latvia attractive to entrepreneurs.
In 2017, the government introduced a startup visa for visiting entrepreneurs, along with a EUR 15 million accelerator fund for pre-seed and seed investments. Additionally, its capital Riga hosts several prominent startup conferences every year including the Digital Freedom Festival, iNovuus, and TechChill, the latter attracting startups from across the Baltic region and about 2,000 attendees.
In March 2018, Latvia hosted an international discussion between industry experts on the future of fintech in the Baltics and the overall EU, which featured the vice-president of the European Commission Valdis Dombrovskis as keynote speaker.
The thriving scene has also the benefit of a community organization called the Latvian Startup Association, and meetups include TechHub Riga and various Labs of Latvia events.
But with a population of under two million, the Latvian market is relatively small, and so, local entrepreneurs must set their sights on the global market.
Mintos P2P Lending Marketplace
Riga-based online lending marketplace Mintos, which just turned an annual profit for the first time, is now looking for global expansion.
Mintos currently has three offices in Riga, Warsaw and Mexico City, but plans to open others in the near future in Brazil, Russia and Southeast Asia. By the end of 2018, Mintos is planning to double the number of its employees.
The startup said that this year, it will be focusing on growing both sides of the marketplace by increasing investor demand, as well as loan supply from current and new locations by expanding its offering in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.
Mintos’ revenue increased more than four-fold in 2017 to over EUR 2.1 million and net profit for 2017 was EUR 197,000.
 
Fintech startups in Latvia
According to a research paper by B-Hive, a European fintech platform and community, fintech is the most developed technological field in Latvia’s economy. In 2017, the Latvian fintech startup industry was worth US$878 million. The country’s specialty in fintech lies in innovative payment and loan solutions, but also blockchain technology.
Alongside Mintos, some of Latvia’s most well-known fintech startups include peer-to-peer lending marketplace Twino, and micropayment app Monea.
Others that are lesser-known but which are growing rapidly include Nordigen, the creator of a software that helps banks analyze transactions within five seconds. Nordigen specializes in transaction categorization for better credit assessment.
Notakey is another Latvian fintech startup. The company has developed a secure way to notaries digital transactions and electronic documents, and share identity between services. It leverages blockchain technology to guarantee that each transaction is legally binding and compliant with PSD2 and GDPR.
Digipulse, which claims to be “the world’s first digital inheritance vault,” was established in 2017 to ensure that a user’s digital assets, including files, images and any other content, as well as cryptocurrencies stored in their wallets, are passed on/made available to the rightful inheritors in case of their demise. Headquartered in Riga, Digipulse service is set to be launched in July 2018.
 
Featured image: House of Blackheads, Riga, Latvia, Wikipedia.
The post Latvia Pushes Fintech Innovation appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/latvia-pushes-fintech-innovation</link><guid>625</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Mintos-P2P-Lending-Marketplace-1024x532.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Latvia Pushes Fintech Innovation</dc:text></item><item><title>Epic Hackathon on Blockchain Island</title><description><![CDATA[The Malta Blockchain Summit* taking place on 1-2 of November this year will launch a Blockchain Hackathon powered by CryptoFriends, which is expected to bring a horde of blockchain developers and students to the ‘Blockchain Island’, to compete for a prize in Bitcoin equivalent to 50,000 EUR.
The anticipated number of attendees at the summit will be no less than 5000 people, the largest blockchain event in Europe.
The Blockchain Hackathon set to take place at the Malta Blockchain Summit between the 31st of October to the 2nd of November is a unique opportunity for blockchain developers or students who are looking to get ahead. Apart from the 50,000 EUR prize awarded to the winning team of the coding competition, Hackathon teams will be provided with invaluable networking opportunities among the C-level delegates attending the conference.
With high-profile characters like the co-inventor of blockchain technology, W. Scott Stornetta, PhD, present at the summit, this Hackathon provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to network with the blockchain elite.
Participants can apply either as individuals or as teams. In the case of individual applications, the candidates will be grouped together with other individual applicants or with incomplete teams. Each team requires between 4-6 people and a team leader. Diverse capabilities are recommended, including Smart Contract Development, Web UX / UI Designer, Server &amp; Client side Web Development, and Project Management.
The 20 participating teams will be mentored by senior experts from within the blockchain community and the digital economy at large, including Mikhail Savchenko at Chronobank, Mihai Cimpoesu at Mattereum, Gege Gatt at Ebo, Dean Demellweek, and Joshua Ellul from the Department of Computer Science at the University of Malta.
To win the 50,000 EUR prize, the teams must develop a dApp, or other smart contract implementation on the chosen platform that satisfies the panel of judges. Both decentralized and distributed solutions will be considered.
The Hackathon powered by CryptoFriends is also organised in association with Blockchain Research Group, 135b.io and Major League Hacking. Located in the rising epicentre of the blockchain space, with one of the original co-inventors of the technology present, it is a once in-a-lifetime chance for every blockchain genius to make it big.
Apply here: https://maltablockchainsummit.com/blockchain-hackathon/

*Register now and get 25% off with code: 25MBSDCTM52832 
The post Epic Hackathon on Blockchain Island appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/epic-hackathon-on-blockchain-island</link><guid>622</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/malta-blockchain.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Epic Hackathon on Blockchain Island</dc:text></item><item><title>Schweizer Bankkonten für Blockchain-Unternehmen</title><description><![CDATA[In der Schweiz ansässige Blockchain-Unternehmen haben bei der Eröffnung eines Bankkontos häufig Schwierigkeiten.
Um diese Unternehmen von einer Abwanderung ins Ausland abzuhalten, sucht eine Arbeitsgruppe unter der Leitung der Schweizerischen Bankiervereinigung nun nach Lösungen. Dies im Auftrag von Bundesrat Ueli Maurer aufgrund der Initiative des Zuger Finanzdirektors Heinz Tännler.
Viele der in der Schweiz ansässigen Firmen im Blockchain-Bereich erhalten derzeit kein Konto bei einer Schweizer Bank.
Erklärt der Zuger Finanzdirektor Heinz Tännler,
Heinz Tännler
«Die Industrie in diesem Bereich ist sehr jung und es besteht noch keine spezifische Standortgebundenheit. Er gibt zu bedenken, dass die Blockchain-Startups ihre Konten deshalb vermehrt im Ausland eröffnen, was das Risiko einer gänzlichen Abwanderung erhöht. Es darf nicht sein, dass die Schweiz eine innovative Branche verliert, weil ihr der Zahlungsverkehr verunmöglicht wird»
 
 
Den Banken fehlt die Rechtssicherheit
Ihre Zurückhaltung gegenüber Blockchain-Unternehmen begründen die Banken mehrheitlich mit fehlender Rechtssicherheit. Sie haben sicherzustellen, dass alle finanzmarktrechtlichen Vorschriften – insbesondere zur Geldwäscherei – eingehalten werden. Es besteht ein hoher Abklärungs- und Überwachungsaufwand, da es sich um weitestgehend neue Geschäftsmodelle handelt. Erschwerend kommt hinzu, dass die derzeitige Finanzmarktregulierung nicht auf Blockchain zugeschnitten ist.
Finanzdirektorinnen und -direktoren machten auf Problem aufmerksam
Führt Heinz Tännler aus,
«Die Blockchain-Technologie bietet ein grosses Potenzial für den Standort Schweiz, weshalb einer Abwanderung der ansässigen Blockchain-Unternehmen entgegenzuwirken ist»
Zusammen mit dem Zürcher Finanzdirektor Ernst Stocker machte er deshalb Bundesrat Ueli Maurer auf die Problematik aufmerksam, welcher kurzerhand eine Besprechung mit Vertretern der Schweizerischen Nationalbank, des Staatssekretariats für internationale Finanzfragen, der eidgenössischen Finanzmarktaufsicht, der Bankiervereinigung, der Hypobank Lenzburg sowie der Kantone Zürich und Zug einberufen hat.
Arbeitsgruppe der Schweizerischen Bankiervereinigung
Heinz Tännler ist froh, dass an dieser Besprechung eine Arbeitsgruppe der Schweizerischen Bankiervereinigung lanciert wurde. Sie soll Empfehlungen für Banken erarbeiten, wie mit hier ansässigen Blockchain-Unternehmen bei der Kontoeröffnung umzugehen ist. Diese Empfehlungen sollen danach durch die eidgenössische Finanzmarktaufsicht konsolidiert werden, um die Rechtssicherheit einhalten zu können.
 
Ausgewähltes Bild über Pixabay
The post Schweizer Bankkonten für Blockchain-Unternehmen appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schweizer-bankkonten-fur-blockchain-unternehmen</link><guid>623</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Heinz-Tännler.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Schweizer Bankkonten für Blockchain-Unternehmen</dc:text></item><item><title>Oracles Starts European Fintech Innovation Program with B-Hive Europe</title><description><![CDATA[Oracle has chosen Brussels as a European gateway to roll out its Fintech Innovation Program to Europe.
Oracle plans to dedicate additional European staff and resources to set up mutually monetizable relationships with fintechs and digital banking innovators. Oracle plans to work with B-Hive Europe to accelerate enterprise readiness for participating fintechs and banks.
Brussels was chosen as Oracle’s European fintech hub because of its central location and the presence of leading institutions of the European Union. Oracle’s customers will benefit from a renewed focus on European affairs.
Johan Van Overtveldt, Belgium’s Minister of Finance, said,
Johan Van Overtveldt
“I wholeheartedly support the decision of Oracle to organize their European rollout from Brussels. Oracle is a global, reliable, technology company and B-Hive Europe is an important public and private sector collaboration.
 
I expect this relationship to create real momentum in the acceleration of financial innovation in Belgium and Europe. It further strengthens Brussels as a pan-European hub for fintech and thus contributes to our strategy to focus on attracting niche financial activities, such as fintech, insurance and market infrastructures.”
Rik De Deyn, senior innovation director, Oracle, who’ll be leading the European rollout said,

Rik De Deyn
“At Oracle, we realize that in Europe, results-driven digital innovation is thriving because of the historical roots of banking. We are choosing Brussels as our fintech center for mainland Europe because of its excellent location.
 
Brussels is easy to reach from most European financial hubs, close to the European Commission, and an ideal location to bring together fintech innovators and financial institutions. Our work with B-Hive Europe will inevitably result in a faster time to innovation value for banks and insurers, and accelerated monetization for fintechs.”
B-Hive Europe is a collaborative innovation fintech platform that brings together major banks, insurers and market infrastructure players to work on common innovation challenges and build bridges to the start-up and scale-up community.
Fabian Vandenreydt, Executive Chairman, B-Hive Europe said,
Fabian Vandenreydt
“Adding BigTech firms to our ecosystem is an important part of our strategy to grow and expand innovation for our start-ups, scale-ups and financial service partners. With Oracle, we share a focus on accelerated productization and monetization of fintech innovation for the benefits of the full ecosystem.
 
As our strategic cloud infrastructure collaborator, we welcome Oracle’s expertise to help our start-up and scale-up community reach higher levels of enterprise readiness, security and scalability. And this will benefit our bank, insurance and market infrastructure partners in the short term.”
The European fintech market is growing rapidly and banks have an appetite for tangible results. A number of fintech firms have previously worked with Oracle and B-Hive Europe, and welcome the collaboration.
Hanna Zubko, CEO and Co-Founder of IntellectEU Inc, a smart integration and development company focused on blockchain for financial services, explained:

Hanna Zubko
“IntellectEU is proud to be part of the unique ecosystem that Oracle and B-Hive Europe have created. This important work offers industry leading technology and strong business relations that our customers need.&#8221;
Alain Vansnick, Senior VP at TAS Group, a mature fintech running payments and credit card software, said,
 
Alain Vansnick
“Our collaboration with Oracle as a cloud technology provider has been transformational to our business over the past years, generating real revenue opportunities. We are now joining B-Hive Europe because we believe that a collaboration between big tech, fintech, banks and public sector can also transform the market.”
NGDATA, the Intelligent Customer Data Platform, has benefited from B-Hive Europe’s programs from the start, and runs on Oracle technologies.
Luc Burgelman, CEO, looks forward to this collaboration:

Luc Burgelman
“Oracle and B-Hive share a focus on enterprise-ready, scalable results. We believe in data-based innovation. Oracle and B-Hive Europe combining forces couldn’t have come at a better time.”
The fintech program is globally spearheaded by Mark Smedley, VP Financial Services Solutions; De Deyn will be leading the European effort.
 
 
Featured image via Pixabay
The post Oracles Starts European Fintech Innovation Program with B-Hive Europe appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/oracles-starts-european-fintech-innovation-program-with-b-hive-europe</link><guid>612</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Johan-Van-Overtveldt.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Oracles Starts European Fintech Innovation Program with B-Hive Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>Oracle Starts European Fintech Innovation Program with B-Hive Europe</title><description><![CDATA[Oracle has chosen Brussels as a European gateway to roll out its Fintech Innovation Program to Europe.
Oracle plans to dedicate additional European staff and resources to set up mutually monetizable relationships with fintechs and digital banking innovators. Oracle plans to work with B-Hive Europe to accelerate enterprise readiness for participating fintechs and banks.
Brussels was chosen as Oracle’s European fintech hub because of its central location and the presence of leading institutions of the European Union. Oracle’s customers will benefit from a renewed focus on European affairs.
Johan Van Overtveldt, Belgium’s Minister of Finance, said,
Johan Van Overtveldt
“I wholeheartedly support the decision of Oracle to organize their European rollout from Brussels. Oracle is a global, reliable, technology company and B-Hive Europe is an important public and private sector collaboration.
 
I expect this relationship to create real momentum in the acceleration of financial innovation in Belgium and Europe. It further strengthens Brussels as a pan-European hub for fintech and thus contributes to our strategy to focus on attracting niche financial activities, such as fintech, insurance and market infrastructures.”
Rik De Deyn, senior innovation director, Oracle, who’ll be leading the European rollout said,

Rik De Deyn
“At Oracle, we realize that in Europe, results-driven digital innovation is thriving because of the historical roots of banking. We are choosing Brussels as our fintech center for mainland Europe because of its excellent location.
 
Brussels is easy to reach from most European financial hubs, close to the European Commission, and an ideal location to bring together fintech innovators and financial institutions. Our work with B-Hive Europe will inevitably result in a faster time to innovation value for banks and insurers, and accelerated monetization for fintechs.”
B-Hive Europe is a collaborative innovation fintech platform that brings together major banks, insurers and market infrastructure players to work on common innovation challenges and build bridges to the start-up and scale-up community.
Fabian Vandenreydt, Executive Chairman, B-Hive Europe said,
Fabian Vandenreydt
“Adding BigTech firms to our ecosystem is an important part of our strategy to grow and expand innovation for our start-ups, scale-ups and financial service partners. With Oracle, we share a focus on accelerated productization and monetization of fintech innovation for the benefits of the full ecosystem.
 
As our strategic cloud infrastructure collaborator, we welcome Oracle’s expertise to help our start-up and scale-up community reach higher levels of enterprise readiness, security and scalability. And this will benefit our bank, insurance and market infrastructure partners in the short term.”
The European fintech market is growing rapidly and banks have an appetite for tangible results. A number of fintech firms have previously worked with Oracle and B-Hive Europe, and welcome the collaboration.
Hanna Zubko, CEO and Co-Founder of IntellectEU Inc, a smart integration and development company focused on blockchain for financial services, explained:

Hanna Zubko
“IntellectEU is proud to be part of the unique ecosystem that Oracle and B-Hive Europe have created. This important work offers industry leading technology and strong business relations that our customers need.&#8221;
Alain Vansnick, Senior VP at TAS Group, a mature fintech running payments and credit card software, said,
 
Alain Vansnick
“Our collaboration with Oracle as a cloud technology provider has been transformational to our business over the past years, generating real revenue opportunities. We are now joining B-Hive Europe because we believe that a collaboration between big tech, fintech, banks and public sector can also transform the market.”
NGDATA, the Intelligent Customer Data Platform, has benefited from B-Hive Europe’s programs from the start, and runs on Oracle technologies.
Luc Burgelman, CEO, looks forward to this collaboration:

Luc Burgelman
“Oracle and B-Hive share a focus on enterprise-ready, scalable results. We believe in data-based innovation. Oracle and B-Hive Europe combining forces couldn’t have come at a better time.”
The fintech program is globally spearheaded by Mark Smedley, VP Financial Services Solutions; De Deyn will be leading the European effort.
 
 
Featured image via Pixabay
The post Oracle Starts European Fintech Innovation Program with B-Hive Europe appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/oracle-starts-european-fintech-innovation-program-with-b-hive-europe</link><guid>624</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Johan-Van-Overtveldt.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Oracle Starts European Fintech Innovation Program with B-Hive Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>Token Fest Announces Second Highly-Anticipated Event in Boston</title><description><![CDATA[Token Fest has announced its second event in North America, taking place at the Seaport Hotel &amp; World Trade Center in Boston, September 13 &#8211; 14, 2018. The event will feature a new trifold conference format designed for VIP’s entitled: Institutional Strategy, Accredited Investors/Family Offices, and Enterprise Professionals.
The enhanced program reinforces Token Fest’s commitment to produce the highest caliber of educational and networking experiences for senior level executives exploring blockchain solutions.
Following on the heels of a successful flagship event in San Francisco, which had over 2,000 attendees, 129 exhibitors, and 60 sponsors, Token Fest 2018 expects to double in size, with over 4,000+ attendees, 200+ speakers, and 200+ exhibitors for its upcoming Boston event.
Ryan Colby, CEO of Token Fest said,
Ryan Colby
“The blockchain events market is currently oversaturated. An increasing number of conferences with heightened expectations for investors and executives have diluted the quality of blockchain’s corporate conference calendar, and the return for attendees.
 
We’ve decided to not only focus on an elite roster of speakers, but reverse the traditional conference model and invest in an executive VIP program to complement the show. This creates a win/win for delegates and sponsors by aligning only the most qualified attendees with the best solution providers.”
 
Notable industry speakers include:

Jeremy Allaire, CEO of Circle
Patrick Byrne, CEO of Overstock.com
Eric Ly, Co-Founder of LinkedIn
Ned Scott, CEO of Steemit
Michael Casey, Senior Advisor to the MIT Digital Currency Initiative at MIT’s Media Lab
Adam Draper, CEO of Boost VC
David Wachsman, CEO of Wachsman
Alex Mashinsky, Founder of Celsius Network
Nick Spanos, Co-Founder of Zap.org
Marshall Hayner, CEO of Metal
Olga Feldmeier, CEO of Smart Valor
Christine Mohan, Co-Founder of Civil
Andy Bromberg, CEO of Coinlist
Kain Warwick, Founder of Havven


 
Brinkley Warren, Co-Founder and Co-Producer of Token Fest said,

Brinkley Warren
“After the success of Token Fest San Francisco, we wanted to take the event to another city that embraces innovation in all its forms — making Boston the ideal choice.
As an emerging East Coast hub for blockchain enthusiasts, we are thrilled to bring Token Fest’s unique slate of programming to a city that prides itself on blending tradition with ingenuity.”
Exclusive networking experiences include a Black Tie Token Poker Tournament, an outdoor VIP party at Fenway Park during a Boston Red Sox game, and a closing party at Club Royale, Boston’s most exclusive night club.
The conference will include a series of keynotes, fireside chats, moderated panels, and an ICO Competition, with an exhibit floor showcasing the latest blockchain industry solutions. Featured sessions will offer expert insight into digital asset management and custody, security tokens, crypto exchange architecture, institutional investing strategies, regulation and compliance, and enterprise blockchain integrations.

You can register here: eventbrite.com
Featured image via Pixabay
The post Token Fest Announces Second Highly-Anticipated Event in Boston appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/token-fest-announces-second-highly-anticipated-event-in-boston</link><guid>613</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Ryan-Colby.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Token Fest Announces Second Highly-Anticipated Event in Boston</dc:text></item><item><title>The Next Big Thing: Cryptocurrency Donations</title><description><![CDATA[2017 was undeniably the year of cryptocurrencies, with the overall market capitalization reaching more than US$350 billion towards the end of that year.
While cryptocurrencies are often perceived as a way to make a quick buck for the average individual, these have also proved to be something donation-based associations and non-profits need to take seriously.
Cryptocurrency, Max Pixel
Donations in cryptocurrencies have surged in volume in recent months. A Fidelity Charitable report released in February found that donors contributed nearly US$70 million in bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies to their favorite causes through the organization.
This amounts to a nearly ten-fold increase from the US$7 million that people donated the previous year, says Fidelity Charitable, an independent charitable arm of the Fidelity investment bank that helps supports more than 255,000 non-profits.
Now even places of worship have begun accepting cryptocurrencies. In May, the Shacklewell Lane Mosque in Hackney, London became the first in the world to accept Bitcoin donations.
Recently, non-profit the Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF) began accepting cryptocurrency donations, supporting Bitcoin and four other cryptocurrencies. Founded in 2012, FPF funds and supports free speech and freedom of the press.
FPF is most famous for breaking the WikiLeaks financial blockade and developing SecureDrop, the open-source whistleblower submission system originally created by American computer programmer, entrepreneurs and Internet hacktivist Aaron Swartz.
Cryptocurrencies are digital assets designed to work as a medium of exchange that uses strong cryptography to secure financial transactions, control the creation of additional units and verify the transfer of assets. Cryptocurrencies use decentralized control as opposed to centralized electronic money and central banking systems. They are not linked to any government and have proved to be a good alternative to organizations such as WikiLeaks to bypass financial blockade.
“Decentralized technology has great potential to advance the ability of individuals to resist surveillance and censorship,” the organization said in a release.
Earlier this week, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) unveiled a partnership with Swiss blockchain startup Proxeus to put donations on the blockchain.
The project, which will start with a prototype blockchain-powered donation confirmation engine, seeks to develop a platform that would empower consumers to donate more easily all the while reducing administration costs associated with processing these donations.
Thomas Vellacott, CEO of WWF Switzerland, noted the potential of blockchain technology to improve efficiency and save on costs.
“[Blockchain technology] has considerable potential to streamline processes in fundraising and administration, and to scale up our conservation impact,” Vellacott said in a statement. “WWF is motivated to test real-life applications of blockchain in different areas of our work.”
Another leading non-profit that’s jumped on the cryptocurrency bandwagon is UNICEF. But unlike others, the organization has opted for another method than direct donations in cryptocurrencies. Instead, UNICEF allows people to donate to a cause by mining Monero cryptocurreny while they browse. The cryptocurrencies mined are then automatically donated to UNICEF.
The Hopepage, UNICEF Australia
Despite all the recent headlines, donations have actually been, since the very beginning, one of the key use cases for cryptocurrencies.
In 2013, non-profit the BitGive Foundation began helping other non-profits accept donations in Bitcoin and shortly after, a handful a major names announced they would trial the ideal.
 
Featured image via Pixabay.
The post The Next Big Thing: Cryptocurrency Donations appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-next-big-thing-cryptocurrency-donations</link><guid>614</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blockchain-Cryptocurrency-MaxPixel-300x198.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>The Next Big Thing: Cryptocurrency Donations</dc:text></item><item><title>Blockchain Abstimmung in Zug Erfolgreich Gestartet</title><description><![CDATA[Am 25. Juni um 10.00 Uhr hat Stadtpräsident Dolfi Müller mit seiner digitalen ID an der ersten blockchainbasierten Konsultativabstimmung in der Stadt Zug teilgenommen und diese damit eröffnet.
Die Abstimmung umfasst zwei Ja-/Nein-Fragen und eine Frage mit mehreren Antwortmöglichkeiten. Inhaberinnen und Inhaber einer digitalen ID der Stadt Zug können noch bis am 1. Juli 2018 an der Abstimmung teilnehmen.
Verschiedene andere E-Voting-Systeme werden auch in anderen Schweizer Kantonen getestet. Im Gegensatz zu diesen Systemen erfolgt der Prozess der Abstimmung in der Stadt Zug nicht über einen einzigen zentralen Server, sondern verteilt über eine Blockchain auf vielen Computern. Dies macht das E-Voting-System sicherer und weniger anfällig für unbemerkte Manipulationen.
Stadtpräsident Dolfi Müller zeigte sich nach seiner Abstimmung beeindruckt:
Dolfi Müller
«Beim dezentralen E-Voting sind die Datensouveränität und die Transparenz für die Abstimmenden am höchsten, weil eine individuelle Nachvollziehbarkeit besteht.»
Mit der blockchainbasierten Testabstimmung will die Stadt Zug zusammen mit den Projektpartnern verschiedene sicherheitsrelevante Aspekte überprüfen. Im Vordergrund stehen der Persönlichkeitsschutz, das Abstimmungsgeheimnis, die Unveränderbarkeit der Abstimmung sowie die Prüf- und Nachvollziehbarkeit der Ergebnisse.
Bei der Testabstimmung kommt eine innovative Verschlüsselungstechnologie zum Einsatz, welche einerseits die abgegebenen Stimmen anonymisiert und andererseits eine sichere Prüfung ermöglicht. Es handelt sich um eine Konsultativabstimmung, die dem Stadtrat wertvolle Hinweise aus der Bevölkerung gibt. Sie ist jedoch nicht rechtlich bindend wie eine ordentliche Volksabstimmung.
Das E-Voting-System wurde von der global tätigen, börsenkotierten IT-Unternehmung Luxoft in Zusammenarbeit mit der Stadt Zug und dem Departement Informatik der Hochschule Luzern entwickelt. Die E-Voting-Plattform der in Zug ansässigen Luxoft soll gemäss den Angaben des Unternehmens in Zukunft «Open Source» ausgestaltet werden: Mit dem Offenlegen des Quellcodes will Luxoft blockchainbasierten E-Voting-Lösungen weltweit zum Durchbruch verhelfen.
Vasily Suworow, Chief Technology Officer bei Luxoft, sagte dazu:
Vasily Suworow
«Es bestehen Bedenken hinsichtlich der elektronischen Stimmabgabe, da Abstimmungen ein grundlegender Mechanismus für die direkte.
Demokratie sind. Deshalb glauben wir, dass diese Technologie nicht einem einzigen Unternehmen gehören sollte. Wir werden die E-Voting-Plattform &#8216;Open Source&#8217; ausgestalten, damit die Menschen verstehen können, was die Technologie ausmacht und wie sie funktioniert.
Wir wollen mehr Menschen ermutigen, blockchainbasierte Anwendungen für Regierungen weltweit zu entwickeln.»
Das Team des Departements Informatik der Hochschule Luzern hat das Forschungsprojekt koordiniert, den Kontakt zwischen der Stadt Zug und Luxoft hergestellt, die E-Voting-Infrastruktur aufgesetzt und schliesslich die von Luxoft kreierte Blockchain-Software – quasi das Herz des E-Voting-Systems – in diese Infrastruktur eingefügt.
Dr. Alexander Denzler, Dozent für Blockchain und Big Data am Departement Informatik der Hochschule Luzern, sagte dazu:
Dr. Alexander Denzler
«Für uns ist dieses Projekt eine tolle Möglichkeit zu testen, was im Bereich E-Voting und Blockchain bereits funktioniert, und wo wir noch an den Schrauben drehen müssen. Bislang gibt es nämlich kaum blockchainbasierte E-Voting-Projekte, an denen wir uns orientieren könnten.»
Die Auswertung der blockchainbasierten Testabstimmung und die Analyse der daraus gewonnenen Erkenntnisse erfolgt in den nächsten zwei Monaten. Über die Resultate werden die Projektpartner nach den Sommerferien informieren.
Die digitale ID der Stadt Zug wurde am 15. November 2017 eingeführt und befindet sich in einer Pilotphase. Neben einer E-Voting-Lösung sind für die Inhaberinnen und Inhaber einer digitalen ID verschiedene andere Anwendungen in der Evaluation, darunter das Ausleihen von Stadtvelos an verschiedenen Orten oder von Büchern in der Bibliothek ohne Bücherausweis.
Interessierte haben weiterhin die Möglichkeit, über die Webseite der Stadt Zug und die Installation der «uPort»-App ihre digitale ID zu bekommen und an der Konsultativabstimmung teilzunehmen. Nach dem Abschluss der Registrierung über die Website der Stadt Zug und die «uPort»-App haben die Anwender zwei Wochen Zeit, um bei der Einwohnerkontrolle vorbeizugehen und ihre persönliche ID einmalig beglaubigen zu lassen.
Für diese Überprüfung haben sich die Anwenderinnen und Anwender mit ihrem Pass oder ihrer Identitätskarte auszuweisen. Mit einer Beglaubigung bis am 29. Juni besteht auch für Neuregistrierte die Möglichkeit, an der Abstimmung bis am 1. Juli um 23.59 Uhr teilzunehmen.
 
The post Blockchain Abstimmung in Zug Erfolgreich Gestartet appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/blockchain-abstimmung-in-zug-erfolgreich-gestartet</link><guid>615</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Dr.-Alexander-Denzler.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Blockchain Abstimmung in Zug Erfolgreich Gestartet</dc:text></item><item><title>London Fintech Week 2018 Announces the FCA, Royal Bank of Scotland, Bank of America and IBM as Event Headliners</title><description><![CDATA[London Fintech Week 2018 is pleased to announce the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Royal Bank of Scotland, Bank of America and IBM as event headliners, alongside Société Générale, Consensys, IOTA, Thomson Reuters and Oracle.
The event, sponsored by Census.xyz, returns for its fifth year and will bring together between 3,000-5,000 leading fintech thinkers throughout the week from around the globe to engage in one of the world&#8217;s leading financial services ecosystems.
With Brexit looming in the background, London Fintech Week offers the opportunity for attendees to come and hear from leading influencers and decision makers, and discuss the challenges and opportunities ahead for the city and beyond.
The conference will feature 40 international companies exhibiting over the course of the week, with each day dedicated to a different theme including; Fintech Disruptors, Capital Markets &amp; Wealthtech, Blockchain &amp; Crypto-Finance, and Investor, ICOs &amp; Start-ups.
The event will kick off with the Blockchain Hackathon Weekend at Cocoon Networks on Friday 6 July, sponsored by 5th Element Group &#8211; Decade Of Women #HackQuantum; an organisation dedicated in uniting women with universal frontier technologies.
Following the workshop, the event will culminate into a four-day exhibition and conference with networking drinks each evening starting on Monday 9 July, and then a series of workshops on Friday 13 July. The exhibition and conference will be taking place at London Queen Elizabeth II Centre (London QEII), Broad Sanctuary in Westminster.
Commenting on the announcement, founder of London Fintech Week and Census.xyz, Luis Carranza, said:

Luis Carranza
“In the five years since we first launched London Fintech Week, so much has changed in the fintech space, but the momentum and disruption in financial services continues.
It is exciting to be part of the history that is unfolding before our eyes, and London Fintech Week allows us the opportunity to get to know and work alongside the innovators that are driving these changes.”
He added:
“We are pleased that Census will announce an exciting project at the event that lets people earn value from the data they already create and allows them to take more control of their personal data.&#8221;
&#8220;We are also thrilled to continue our partnership with 5th Element Group and its Decade Of Women #HackQuantum series. As a former refugee and the seventh of nine children, I have personally seen how empowering women through the right tools and resources can have a lasting impact on families and the greater community.
This series is empowering more women to get into Blockchain not just for crypto, but to leverage the technology in a way that improves entire communities&#8221;
Amber Nystrom, Founding Principal, 5th Element Group and Fifth Element Fund, and Acting President, Decade Of Women said:
Amber Nystrom
&#8220;Together with partners from around the world, on March 8th, 2018 we elevated the International Day of Women into a full Decade Of Women to reject incrementalism and actuate a solutions pathway to deliver UN Sustainable Development Goal #5, gender equality and equity for women and girls worldwide.
For the first time in history, with blockchain, smart contracts and digital assets, we can do what no generation has been able to accomplish: to create an economy that values all human genius and ensures a sustainable future for people, planet and prosperity &#8211; with no one left behind.&#8221;
 “We are honoured to partner with Fintech Week London, Abt Associates, Global Partnerships Forum, Blockchain for Impact and the Blockchain Commission for Sustainable Development to bring forward our second Decade Of Women #HackQuantum, dedicated to true quantum leap solutions for women levering frontier tech to create a dignified, dignified, unified and decentralized world.
With the first Decade Of Women #HackQuantum launched in Nigeria, we look forward to see what London can bring to make the impossible &#8211; possible!This round, if there is a team that meets a new Quantum Leap SDG Prize level, they will be able to present to top impact investors from around the world on September 21st at UN global quarters in NY. Bring it on London!&#8221;

Register now and get 20% off with the code: FTN20
 
The post London Fintech Week 2018 Announces the FCA, Royal Bank of Scotland, Bank of America and IBM as Event Headliners appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/london-fintech-week-2018-announces-the-fca-royal-bank-of-scotland-bank-of-america-and-ibm-as-event-headliners</link><guid>616</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/london-fintech-week-3-300x152.png</dc:content ><dc:text>London Fintech Week 2018 Announces the FCA, Royal Bank of Scotland, Bank of America and IBM as Event Headliners</dc:text></item><item><title>Switzerland Fintech 2nd Place at FinTech Awards Luxembourg</title><description><![CDATA[New York-based fintech company, Hydrogen was announced as the winner of the third edition of the Fintech Awards Luxembourg on 20 June 2018 at KPMG Luxembourg’s headquarters in Kirchberg.
Lingua Custodia (France) and Apiax (Switzerland) were, respectively, the first and second rrunners-up A special inclusive finance prize was awarded to BitValley for its blockchain-based technology helping small farmers in developing countries.
Pierre Gramegna, Luxembourg’s Minister for Finance, presented the awards and congratulated the winners, lighlighting how integral the Awards are in the success of a wider government commitment to fintech:

Pierre Gramegna
“The Fintech Awards are special to me because the very fact that this is the third edition shows that the initiative the government took five years ago to push fintech is paying off, and that many companies from all over the world are ready to come to Luxembourg.”
He added that, when it comes to setting up in Luxembourg,
“Startups have access to the right infrastructure and the right people to talk to, and benefit from an openness to world trade.”
The winners were chosen from a pool of 192 applications from 40+ countries, narrowed down to 13 semi-finalists, a group that ranged widely by geography coming from the US, China or Israel. The finalists focused ona number of sector such as regtech, blockchain, deposits or financial translation, all with high relevance to the Luxembourg Finance Sector.
Pascal Denis, co-organiser of the Awards and Partner at KPMG Luxembourg, noted that this diversity is indicative of the current position of fintech as an industry, commenting that:
Pascal Denis
“The challenge we experienced bringing the 192 applications down to 8 finalists is representative of the rapid development and expansion of fintech as a sector.
From disruption in more traditional fields such as wealth management to using satellite technology paired with blockchain to calculate micro-insurance for farmers in developing nations, we were presented with ideas that showed the dynamic and transformative nature of fintech.”
Georges Bock, Partner at KPMG Luxembourg and co-founder of the Fintech Awards Luxembourg, continues,

Georges Bock
“The variety and standard of the competition is also reflective of the position Luxembourg is now occupying in the fintech space.
The track record of past winners has been so far impressive and we look forward to seeing how these finalists and applicants further develop and prosper, and how they will contribute to the fintech industry generally.”
Pascal Denis headed a jury of six members, namely Nasir Zubairi (co-organiser of the Awards and CEO of the Luxembourg House of Financial Technology, or LHoFT), François Thill (Director of Cybersecurity at the Ministry of the Economy), Bart Gramberg (Innovation expert, KPMG Innovation), Ghela Boskovich (Head of Fintech/Regtech Partnerships at Rainmaking Innovation), and Cristina Ferreira (Head of Regulatory Solutions &amp; Innovation at State Street).
Nasir Zubairi, co-organiser of the Awards and CEO of the Luxembourg House of Financial Technology, commented:

Nasir Zubairi
“The judging process was genuinely tough—we had by far the strongest line-up of fintech startups this year, which is a testimony to the continued growth of Luxembourg as an attractive fintech hub.
Fintech startups are looking for capital and customers to help grow their businesses —and both are very readily available in Luxembourg. The ecosystem here is so tightknit that getting access to senior decision makers and getting a contract with a large institution is significantly easier than in any other centre I know of in Europe.”
The jury considered several criteria including quality of offering, growth potential, and the team. The prizes, presented by Luxembourg’s Finance Minister Pierre Gramegna, were:
Fintech Startup of the Year: US-based Hydrogen, a modular financial API platform that helps developers quickly build and manage savings, investing, insurance, and wellness took home €50,000 in start-up money, a free LHoFT membership (+3 months’ hosting), and 10 hours’ free consulting from KPMG.
 
Runner-up – Fintech Startup of the Year: Lingua Custodia, a financial translation product from France, won 3 months’ hosting at the Technoport in Luxembourg.
 
Second Runner-up – Fintech Startup of the Year: Apiax, a Swiss regtech company, has been awarded with an advertisement in a publication by Maison Moderne.
 
Additionally, Luxembourg-based BitValley were the winners of the “Financial Inclusion Award” sponsored by the LHoFT, a new award honouring a commitment to sustainability. The objective of the Fintech Awards is to complement Luxembourg’s openness to innovation and hunger for new solutions particularly in financial technology.
The event showcases the accessibility of the local ecosystem to Fintech firms; in attendance were venture capitalists, government representatives, senior executives from the financial industry.
 
The post Switzerland Fintech 2nd Place at FinTech Awards Luxembourg appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/switzerland-fintech-2nd-place-at-fintech-awards-luxembourg</link><guid>617</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Pierre-Gramegna.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Switzerland Fintech 2nd Place at FinTech Awards Luxembourg</dc:text></item><item><title>Exchange Leftover Euros for Bitcoin or Ethereum at Amsterdam Airport</title><description><![CDATA[Starting now, passengers at Schiphol can exchange their leftover euros for Bitcoin or Ethereum at a ‘Bitcoin ATM’. The ATM is a trial and Schiphol is the first European airport to offer this service.

Tanja Dik, director of Consumer Products &amp; Services at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol said,
Tanja Dik
“Schiphol is constantly looking for ways to innovate and provide optimum service to passengers.
With the Bitcoin ATM, we hope to provide a useful service to passengers by allowing them to easily exchange ‘local’ euros for the ‘global’ cryptocurrencies Bitcoin and Ethereum. That can be beneficial if, for instance, it’s not possible to spend euros in their home country.”
For now, the Bitcoin ATM at Schiphol is a six-month trial aimed at exploring whether a demand for this service exists among passengers. The Bitcoin ATM, which is located in Arrival Hall 2, is also in the corridor to Departure Halls 1 and 2. Many departing passengers walk by this location. The placement additionally enables us to offer visitors to Schiphol Plaza the opportunity to exchange their euros for Bitcoin.
This trial is the result of cooperation between Schiphol and the Dutch company ByeleX Data Solutions BV.
Herman Vissia
According to ByeleX director Herman Vissia,
‘The Byecoin Company’. “We are excited that Schiphol is willing to join us in exploring ways to introduce passengers to the new cryptoreality.&#8221;
 
 
 
Featured image via Pixabay
The post Exchange Leftover Euros for Bitcoin or Ethereum at Amsterdam Airport appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/exchange-leftover-euros-for-bitcoin-or-ethereum-at-amsterdam-airport</link><guid>618</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/bitcoin-atm.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Exchange Leftover Euros for Bitcoin or Ethereum at Amsterdam Airport</dc:text></item><item><title>Digital Insurance Group Partners with Zurich Insurance &amp; Scores 15m EUR in Funding</title><description><![CDATA[Digital Insurance Group DIG (former Knip) just entered into a multi-year collaboration agreement with Zurich Insurance Group, adding another blue chip name to its customer list. The financing round complementing the commercial agreement amounts to EUR 15m and was led by Zurich Insurance Group and Finch Capital.

DIG will use its technology to support Zurich Insurance in developing innovative and mobile solutions, constantly optimized by deep customer data analytics The proceeds of the funding round will be used to further drive the global growth of the company.
Digital Insurance Group is a next generation technology partner to insurers, banks and brokers. Its data-driven insurance platform enables its customers to roll out fully customized mobile-first insurance experiences at record speed.
Ingo Weber
Ingo Weber, CEO and co-founder of DIG says:

“We are thrilled to support Zurich Insurance on a global scale and to bring new digital solutions to Zurich and its customers in a fast way.”

 
 
 
 
Featured image via Pixabay
The post Digital Insurance Group Partners with Zurich Insurance &#038; Scores 15m EUR in Funding appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digital-insurance-group-partners-with-zurich-insurance-scores-15m-eur-in-funding</link><guid>619</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Digital-Insurance-Group-partners-with-Zurich-Insurance-scores-15m-in-funding-300x200.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Digital Insurance Group Partners with Zurich Insurance &amp; Scores 15m EUR in Funding</dc:text></item><item><title>AdNovum Lanciert Secure Blockchain for Business</title><description><![CDATA[Mit ihrem neuen Angebot Secure Blockchain for Business stellt AdNovum Unternehmen und Organisationen eine sichere Plattform für den effizienten Aufbau und Betrieb digitaler Business-Ökosysteme auf der Basis von Blockchain zur Verfügung.
Unter dem Label Secure Blockchain for Business stellt das Schweizer Software-Unternehmen AdNovum Unternehmen und Organisationen eine Plattform zur Verfügung, die den effizienten Aufbau und Betrieb von Business-Ökosystemen auf der Basis von Blockchain-Technologie ermöglicht.
Solche Ökosysteme bilden eine Vertrauensbasis für die reibungslose Zusammenarbeit zwischen den unterschiedlichsten beteiligten Unternehmen, Privatpersonen und Akteuren der öffentlichen Hand.
Secure by Design
Mit dem neuen Angebot fokussiert AdNovum auf Ökosysteme mit Konsortium-Blockchains, d.h. durch ein Identity- and Access Management geschützte Blockchains. Die Lösung basiert auf dem Opensource-Blockchain-Framewor k Hyperledger Fabric und wird ergänzt mit von AdNovum entwickelten Sicherheitsmodulen und -mechanismen, so dass Schutz und Vertraulichkeit von Daten und Transaktionen jederzeit gewährleistet sind.
Rechtliches und Governance
Beim Bau und Betrieb eines Ökosystems auf der Basis von Blockchain stellen sich viele rechtliche Fragen sowie solche der Governance. AdNovum arbeitet dafür mit Suter Howald Rechtsanwälte zusammen, einer auf Wirtschaftsrecht spezialisierten Anwaltskanzlei mit Sitz in der Stadt Zürich.
Erfahrung aus dem Car Dossier
Die Lösung baut auf der Erfahrung aus dem Projekt Car Dossier auf, einem digitalen Dossier auf Blockchain-Basis, in dem alle relevanten Informationen über den gesamten Lebenszyklus eines Fahrzeugs nachvollziehbar und sicher abgelegt werden können und das AdNovum in Zusammenarbeit mit der Universität Zürich, der Hochschule Luzern – Informatik, AMAG, AXA, Mobility und dem Strassenverkehrsamt Aargau realisiert.
Tom Sprenger, CTO von AdNovum, zum neuen Angebot:
Tom Sprenger
«Blockchain eignet sich hervorragend für die Abwicklung unternehmensübergreifender Geschäftsprozesse. Sie schafft ein vertrauenswürdiges Umfeld für Transaktionen und bietet eine gemeinsame Sicht auf Daten innerhalb eines Ökosystems.
Blockchain-basierte Ökosysteme sind damit ein Katalysator für die Digitalisierung und haben das Potenzial, traditionelle Geschäftsmodelle und ganze Branchen umzuwälzen.»
Stéphane Mingot
Stéphane Mingot, Innovation Engineer und Product Owner:
«Unsere Plattform erlaubt eine schnelle und kostengünstige Implementierung von Blockchain-basierten Ökosystemen. Dadurch können sich die am Ökosystem beteiligten Partner auf Geschäftslogik konzentrieren und schneller Mehrwert generieren.»
 
 
Featured image via Pixabay
The post AdNovum Lanciert Secure Blockchain for Business appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/adnovum-lanciert-secure-blockchain-for-business</link><guid>620</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Tom-Sprenger.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>AdNovum Lanciert Secure Blockchain for Business</dc:text></item><item><title>Dukascopy Bank Welcomes Crypto Exchanges And Crypto Brokers</title><description><![CDATA[

Following its strategical decision of becoming a crypto friendly Swiss bank, Dukascopy Bank announced that it makes the second step in this direction, opening accounts for players of the crypto industry.
The first move has been to start offering CFD on Bitcoin since the first quarter 2018.
Now, at the second step, the Bank opens its doors for a new type of clients, who were not serviced before – crypto brokers and crypto exchanges.
In order to tackle risks related to the anonymity of crypto transactions, the Bank opens corporate accounts for companies and personal MCA accounts for clients of these companies. In this manner, any money transfer between the crypto company and its client will remain inside the Bank&#8217;s secure network and under control of the Bank.
For corporate accounts, the Bank will insure execution of regular administrative payments, settlements of company&#8217;s transactions with its counterparts, processing of company&#8217;s clients incoming and outgoing payments and other transparent transactions. Any company applying for an account should be incorporated and regulated in the EU, the UK or Switzerland; should follow high KYC and AML standards. The beneficiary, shareholders and top management of the company should have stainless reputation.
Concept of MCA account (Mobile Current Account) was introduced by the bank in the beginning of 2018. This retail bank account integrated into proprietary messenger (Dukascopy Connect 911) created the basic infrastructure for crypto fusion. MCA accounts offer free instant payments, unbeatable currency exchange conditions in 23 currencies, 24/7 support and user-friendly payment cards (plastic and virtual compatible with Apple Pay and Samsung Pay) among other advantages.
1000 daily account openings
The first three months of service of the Bank&#8217;s MCA accounts shows un-precedent high demand from individuals all around the World. Today the Bank opens MCA accounts 24 hours per day 7 days a week using its in-house developed Video Identification technology. The Bank is targeting 1000 daily openings by the end of 2018. This will demand significant development in Compliance infrastructure of the Bank.
The third step of crypto integration for the Bank will include the creation of a crypto gateway. With it, the clients will be able to deposit and withdraw funds in crypto currency on/from accounts with Dukascopy Bank. The introduction of this stage expected during September 2018.
The integration of the Bank to the crypto universe is handled as a top priority and goes fast. At the same time, the Bank insure the application of the highest AML, risk management and regulatory standards of the Swiss banking industry for the operations on the crypto currency market.

Featured image via Pexels

The post Dukascopy Bank Welcomes Crypto Exchanges And Crypto Brokers appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/dukascopy-bank-welcomes-crypto-exchanges-and-crypto-brokers</link><guid>621</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Dukascopy Bank Welcomes Crypto Exchanges And Crypto Brokers</dc:text></item><item><title>Industry Stakeholders Partner on Blockchain Based Margin and Collateral Solution</title><description><![CDATA[ABN AMRO Clearing, EuroCCP, Euroclear and Nasdaq have completed a joint proof of concept to make the use of securities more efficient when used to cover margin calls, including after business hours, using blockchain, or distributed ledger technology (DLT).
This solution addresses significant business challenges and inefficiencies related to the current provision of collateral to Central Counterparties (CCPs) and has demonstrated that a shared, resilient network can be built between collateral givers, collateral takers and intermediaries.
The inefficiencies of collateral processing have been heightened as a result of recent market changes such as extended trading hours by stock exchanges and the requirement to centrally clear derivatives traded bilaterally (OTC) under the European Market Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR). Today, a CCP margin call typically needs to be covered by euro collateral within a short time frame.
After the regular hours of central banks and central securities depositories, usually ending at 18:00 CET, options are limited. Several CCPs currently allow for the use of securities to cover intraday (evening) initial margin calls, but this method is rarely used due to inefficient and complex securities delivery processes.
As an increasing number of buy-side market participants centrally clear their derivatives trades, the need to provide an efficient securities collateral solution has become essential. Using the solution developed in the proof of concept, parties were able to handle the margin call, the securities collateral delivery and the return process within minutes. Clearing participants and CCPs were able to optimise their collateral positions through a collateral dashboard.
The underlying collateral transfers were processed by Euroclear’s Central Securities Depository, ensuring settlement finality and regulatory compliance.
Nasdaq developed the proof of concept for the DLT nodes while ABN AMRO Clearing, EuroCCP and Nasdaq Clearing developed a specific front-end and managed integration into their own environments.
Coen van Walbeek, Global Head of Treasury and SBL at ABN AMRO Clearing said,
Coen van Walbeek
“With a faster and more globalised market, it is essential to make the processing of collateral more efficient. Expanding the possibilities to use securities as collateral will make clearing through CCPs more attractive and cheaper for buy-side market participants. This is a breakthrough for the CCP model.”
 
 
Diana Chan, CEO at EuroCCP said,
Diana Chan
“We are excited to be partnering on a proof of concept  that is extremely useful for transactions that are not already well-served by market infrastructures. With a solution like this in place we will be able to efficiently provide counterparty risk protection of equity trades after hours while reducing operational complexities. Today we are limited by European banking hours or arrangements in other time zones.”
 
Walter Verbeke, Global Head of Business Model and Innovation at Euroclear added:
Walter Verbeke
“As a major collateral house, holding € 28.5 trillion worth of assets, we are pleased to participate in this initiative. It demonstrates that a smart combination of NewTech and the resilience of the Central Securities Depository can work effectively and in full compliance with regulatory requirements.”
 
 
Julia Haglind, CEO of Nasdaq Clearing said,

Julia Haglind
“As both a leading market technology provider and a CCP operator, Nasdaq is uniquely positioned to bring efficiencies to collateral management. We believe that blockchain technology brings with it a huge potential to transform markets everywhere, and this project is an excellent showcase of this.”
 
 
 Featured image via Pixabay
The post Industry Stakeholders Partner on Blockchain Based Margin and Collateral Solution appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/industry-stakeholders-partner-on-blockchain-based-margin-and-collateral-solution</link><guid>609</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Coen-van-Walbeek.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Industry Stakeholders Partner on Blockchain Based Margin and Collateral Solution</dc:text></item><item><title>Bexio meldet über 15’000 Kunden</title><description><![CDATA[Bereits über 15’000 Unternehmen arbeiten mit der Business Software bexio. Damit baut bexio seine Position als einer der führenden Anbieter cloudbasierter Business Software für Schweizer Kleinunternehmen weiter aus. Nun soll das Wachstum weiter beschleunigt werden.
Vergangenen Herbst konnte das Unternehmen aus Rapperswil bereits über 10’000 Unternehmen zu seinen Kunden zählen, seither konnte das Wachstum weiter vorangetrieben werden.
«In den vergangenen Monaten konnten wir bis 700 zahlende Kunden pro Monat gewinnen»,
freut sich Jeremias Meier, CEO und Mitgründer von bexio.
Der direkte Kundenkontakt ist einer der Schlüssel des Kundenwachstums von bexio, wie Jeremias Meier erklärt:

Jeremias Meier
«Nebst einem guten Produkt ist die persönliche Beratung unserer Kunden zentral. Unser Beratungsteam unterstützt unsere Kunden in der Testphase und hilft bei Fragen und bei der Einrichtung.
Auch arbeiten wir aktiv mit unseren über 1500 Treuhand-Partnern zusammen.»
Jeremias Meier blickt positive in die Zukunft:
«Unsere Kunden sind sehr zufrieden. Das zeigt mir, dass wir mit bexio auf dem richtigen Weg sind.»
Von Software zur Plattform
Image via bexio
«In den vergangen Jahren ist es uns gelungen, uns von einer Software zu einer Plattform zu entwickeln, welche Kleinunternehmen mit ihren wichtigsten Partnern verbindet. bexio sorgt für mehr Effizienz im gesamten Ökosystem.
So integrieren wir beispielsweise Banken, Treuhänder, Endkunden und Onlineshops sowie weitere Dienstleistungen direkt in die Prozesse eines Kleinunternehmens. Der daraus resultierende Mehrwert für KMU ist enorm»,
verdeutlicht Jeremias Meier.
«Nebst der laufenden Verbesserung unserer Produkte bauen wir auch unser Ökosystem weiter aus. In der Pipeline sind Kooperationen mit weiteren Schweizer Banken wie auch Integrationen zu weiteren Tools und Services»,
erklärt Jeremias Meier.
«Auch verstärken wir unsere Offline-Aktivitäten. So haben bereits letztes Jahr mehr als 2000 Unternehmer schweizweit an zahlreichen bexio-Veranstaltungen teilgenommen. Ich bin überzeugt, dass die Kombination von Online- und Offline-Angeboten den Mehrwert für unsere Kunden weiter steigern wird.»
 
Featured image via Freepik
The post Bexio meldet über 15&#8217;000 Kunden appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bexio-meldet-uber-15000-kunden</link><guid>610</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/bexio-platform-1024x321.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Bexio meldet über 15’000 Kunden</dc:text></item><item><title>LegalTech Too Enable Banks To Cut Costs And Boost Efficiency</title><description><![CDATA[Smart technologies are maturing and set to disrupt the traditional conservative legal market. Banks in particular can leverage these to dramatically reduce their costs and boost efficiency, according to a new report.
Pic Courtesy: ABA Law Student
Technology is expected to fundamentally change the legal industry, a space that is still attached to manual and paper-based processes. According to McKinsey, 22% of a lawyer’s job and 35% of a law clerk’s job can be automated.
“If I was the parent of a law student, I would be concerned a bit,” Todd Solomon, a partner at the law firm McDermott Will &amp; Emery, based in Chicago, told the MIT Technology Review. “There are fewer opportunities for young lawyers to get trained, and that’s the case outside of AI already. But if you add artificial intelligence (AI) onto that, there are ways that is advancement, and there are ways it is hurting us as well.”
Legal technology, also known as legal tech, refers to the use of technology and software to provide legal services. Traditional areas of legal tech include practice management, document storage, legal research but also billing and accounting.
But so far, artificial intelligence (AI) powered document discovery tools have had the biggest impact on the field. By training on millions of existing documents, case files and legal briefs, a machine-learning algorithm can learn to flag the appropriate sources a lawyer needs to craft a case, and in many cases, more successfully than a human.
 
The “artificial lawyer”
Capco predicts the emergence of the “artificial lawyer.” An example demonstrating this rising trend is the ROSS Intelligence, an expert system built on IBM Watson’s cognitive computing system, that can substitute a research lawyer in some fields of the profession.
IBM has also launched Outside Counsel Insights (OCI), a tool which “reads” the work carried out by external counsels and takes over almost the entire billing review process, significantly reducing the efforts and cutting costs for GC departments.
Last year, JP Morgan implemented Contract Intelligence, or COIN, a software that automates the interpretation of commercial loan agreements. COIN can in seconds perform document review tasks that would take legal aides 360,000 hours. It relies on machine learning algorithms, learning “by ingesting data to identify patterns and relationships.”
In recent years, several startups have emerged to tap into the thriving industry and raised over a billion dollars to automate the high-cost, white-collar profession.
CaseMine for instance, an Indian legal tech company, builds on document discovery software with what it calls its “virtual associate,” CaseIQ. The system takes an uploaded brief and suggests changes to make it more authoritative, while providing additional documents that can strengthen a lawyer’s arguments.
Another AI application is Linklaters’ Verifi program, which can sift through 14 UK and European regulatory registers to check client names for banks. Verifi processes thousands of names overnight while a junior lawyer would typically take an average of 12 minutes to search each customer name.
Allen &amp; Overy and Deloitte have created a service called MarginMatrix, a digital derivatives compliance system to help major banks deal with new regulatory requirements. MarginMatrix codifies the law in various jurisdictions and automates drafting of certain documents. A lawyer would take about three hours to draft a document, against just three minutes with MarginMatrix.
Singapore, Asia’s fintech leader, is now looking to shake up the region’s legal sector. The city state plans to host Southeast Asia’s first legal tech accelerator starting from this month. The initiative aims to groom legal tech startups as well as incubate new business models or services conceived by law firms.
 
Featured picture via pixabay
The post LegalTech Too Enable Banks To Cut Costs And Boost Efficiency appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/legaltech-too-enable-banks-to-cut-costs-and-boost-efficiency</link><guid>608</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Legal-Tech-300x169.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>LegalTech Too Enable Banks To Cut Costs And Boost Efficiency</dc:text></item><item><title>Proxeus and WWF Switzerland Put Donation On The Blockchain</title><description><![CDATA[Charitable donation is the lifeblood of global NGOs like WWF, yet the good intentions of donation come hand-in-hand with issues of their own.
Accountability for the donation, the transaction costs of processing so many individual contributions, and confirmation of the donation for tax purposes are just a few of the challenges that Proxeus and WWF aim to overcome with this test case.
Starting with a prototype blockchain-powered donation confirmation engine, this project aims to empower consumers to donate more easily while reducing administration costs associated with processing these donations, ensuring more of the donation goes to its intended purpose. For the prototype, no real donor data was used.

Antoine Verdon
“This is a real opportunity to use our technology for social good,”
said Antoine Verdon, co-founder of Proxeus.
“We are helping ensure that the donations go where they have to. By minimizing the system complexity we’ve maximized the benefit for WWF Switzerland’s projects.”
 
The first step in this process is the donation confirmation engine, which uses the Ethereum blockchain to confirm receipt of the donation(s) from the donor and issue a confirmation of donation at the end of the year for tax purposes, all while maintaining full GDPR-compliant privacy protection. The vision for this project goes much further, for example enabling donation targeting, micro-donations at points of sale, and aggregated cross-platform donation acknowledgement.
In real terms, this could allow donations to be made as micro-donations at points of sale – currently not efficient due to transaction cost – and at the end of the year have the full sum of the donations aggregated and acknowledged for tax purposes.

Thomas Vellacott
“Blockchain will affect many aspects of our life and work. Even though issues remain to be  resolved, the technology has considerable potential to streamline processes in fundraising and administration, and to scale up our conservation impact. Hence, WWF is motivated to test real-life applications of blockchain in different areas of our work,”
said Thomas Vellacott, CEO of WWF Switzerland.
“We are currently running several initiatives worldwide to test the application of blockchain. WWF Switzerland works with other WWF offices on these initiatives. We will analyze the results and decide how to use blockchain going forward.”
Despite fears to the contrary, blockchain-based donation processes will not lead to unsustainable use of resources. By replacing paper, blockchain not only consumes power at a comparable or lesser rate (7,000-14,000kWh/kg for paper, 70kWh/transaction for Ethereum, with that consumption rate diminishing significantly as the verification mechanism in the Ethereum network is switched from a “proof of work” to a “proof of stake” mechanism by an upgrade to the Casper protocol), blockchain does not have any of the undesirable impacts of paper production such as deforestation and pollution of water and air.
WWF Demo Frontend:



 
The post Proxeus and WWF Switzerland Put Donation On The Blockchain appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/proxeus-and-wwf-switzerland-put-donation-on-the-blockchain</link><guid>607</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Proxeus and WWF Switzerland Put Donation On The Blockchain</dc:text></item><item><title>Iot Zieht Investitionen Aus Fintech Und Insurtech An</title><description><![CDATA[Das Internet of Things (IoT) ist noch immer ein neuartiges Konzept in der Finanzdienstleistung, deren oftmals komplexes regulatorisches Umfeld die Einführung neuer Technologien mit grossen Ecosystemen verhindert.
Trotzdem hat sein disruptives Potenzial, Unternehmen mehr Einsicht in die Bedürfnisse ihrer Kunden zu geben und das zeitnahe Bereitstellen adäquater Produkte zu fördern, in der Branche bereits zu substanziellen Investitionen von Fintech und Insurtech geführt.
Image Credit: Global Iot Financial Service Market 2017 via go.frost.com
Die Frost &amp; Sullivan Studie Global IoT in Financial Services Market, 2017 bietet einen Überblick über die IoT-Trends bei Banken und Versicherungen.
Die Studie beschreibt Fallbeispiele, Faktoren und Herausforderungen, die die Einführung vorantreiben bzw. verhindern, die Rolle von Stakeholder im IoT-Ecosystem sowie Wege und Möglichkeiten, wie Versicherungsunternehmen ihre Geschäftsmodelle nach Einführung von IoT-Lösungen verändern.

Jean-Noël Georges
„Die zunehmende Akzeptanz des IoT bei Versicherungen und Bankdienstleistungen legt den Grundstein für neue datenzentrierte Geschäftsmodelle und innovative Prozesse, die es seinen Nutzern ermöglichen, neue Produkte und Dienstleistungen auf den Markt zu bringen,”
erklärt Frost &amp; Sullivan Digital Transformation Global Program Director Jean-Noël Georges. 
„Der zunehmende Erfolg von technik-affinen Startups übt zudem Druck auf die traditionellen Finanzunternehmen aus, deren Technologien zu aktualisieren bzw. aufzurüsten, um weiterhin wettbewerbsfähig zu bleiben. Die überzeugenden Vorteile des IoT hinsichtlich schnellerer Schadensabwicklung, eines effizienteren Versicherungsgeschäfts und einer verbesserten internen Effizienz zieht Investoren aus dem gesamten Spektrum an.”
Auch wenn sich die Finanzdienstleistungsunternehmen allmählich mit dem IoT anfreunden, hegen sie noch immer Bedenken, was die Migration sensibler Daten in Netzwerke mit unzähligen Endpunkten betrifft. Eine Sicherheitslücke kann kritische Kundendaten, wie beispielsweise Adressen, Kartendaten und persönliche Informationen, gefährden und zu einem Verlust des Markenwerts der Finanzorganisation führen.
Dienstleister, die eine überwachte Infrastruktur für vernetzte Smartphones, Wearables und On-Board-Diagnosegeräte bereitstellen können, werden in diesem sich entwickelnden Markt erfolgreich sein. Zudem wird die Allgemeine Datenschutzbestimmung (engl. General Data Protection Regulation, GPRD) die Finanzinstitutionen dazu drängen, die Datensicherheit für europäische Bürger zu erhöhen.
„Das IoT wird bei Finanzdienstleistern auf grössere Akzeptanz stossen, sobald Stakeholder mit Technologieanbietern entlang der Wertschöpfungskette kooperieren,”
glaubt Georges.
„Das ermöglicht umfangreiche und tiefergehende Tests zu Auswirkungen von IoT-Technologien und die Zahl relevanter Fallbeispiele wird steigen. Künstliche Intelligenz und Machine Learning werden zudem die Einführung des IoT in Banken ergänzen und die notwendige Transparenz sowie wichtige Einblicke in Echtzeitdaten bieten.”
Früher oder später werden Banken voraussichtlich die Anzahl ihrer physikalischen Geschäftsstellen reduzieren, die digitalen erhöhen und damit mehr Möglichkeiten für die Einführung des IoT schaffen.
 
Featured image via Pixabay
The post Iot Zieht Investitionen Aus Fintech Und Insurtech An appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/iot-zieht-investitionen-aus-fintech-und-insurtech-an</link><guid>604</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Global-Iot-Financial-Service-Market-2017-300x223.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Iot Zieht Investitionen Aus Fintech Und Insurtech An</dc:text></item><item><title>Fidor and IFC Partner To Expand Digital Financial Inclusion In Developing Markets</title><description><![CDATA[Fidor signed a Memorandum of UnderstandingInternational Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, to identify opportunities to expand digital banking services in Africa and Latin America to boost financial inclusion.

Some 2 billion working-age adults globally do not use formal financial services. Extending access to finance to them is the first building block to build a better life. Financial access facilitates day-to-day living and helps families and businesses plan for everything from long-term goals to unexpected emergencies. As account holders, people are more likely to use other financial services, such as credit and insurance, start and expand businesses, invest in education or health, manage risk, and whether financial shocks, all of which can improve the overall quality of their lives.
As part of the agreement, both IFC and Fidor will attempt to grow financial inclusion by identifying financial institutions and partners to introduce or expand digital bank joint ventures. Fidor will provide its own proprietary technology platform – the Fidor Operating System (fOS) – for API banking to deliver financial services in a cost-efficient manner, in addition, to share its knowledge in running a digital bank from the ground up.
Fidor operates by co-innovating with organizations that wish to launch digital banks by sharing both its banking expertise and cutting-edge technology. It does this by offering white-labeled bank solutions covering technology, compliance, risk management, go to market strategy and customer service. Digital technologies are essential to enable IFC and the World Bank Group meet its goal of Universal Finance Access – enabling 1Billion more people to have access to a transaction account by 2020.
With this MOU, Fidor will work with IFC to introduce similar innovations to both Africa and Latin America to help bridge the financial inclusion gap. This MOU leverages Fidor and IFC’s expertise, existing portfolio of investments, franchise, industry relationships, co-investors, and other relevant stakeholder relationships in these emerging markets.
Matthias Kröner, Founder &amp; CEO of Fidor, commented,
“Fidor’s business model is deeply rooted in providing fair banking in the most efficient fashion possible which aligns with financial inclusion agendas. Having access to financial services can improve people’s everyday lives in emerging markets.
However, the benefits of financial inclusion are not only limited to individuals, and can help emerging countries’ economic and social development, as well as playing a significant role in empowering people and societies. The MOU with IFC aims to roll out digital banks throughout emerging countries and give access to financial services in order to boost financial inclusion.&#8221;
 
Featured image via Pexels
The post Fidor and IFC Partner To Expand Digital Financial Inclusion In Developing Markets appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fidor-and-ifc-partner-to-expand-digital-financial-inclusion-in-developing-markets</link><guid>605</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/fidor-solutions-ifc.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Fidor and IFC Partner To Expand Digital Financial Inclusion In Developing Markets</dc:text></item><item><title>Yukka Lab Launches AI Platform for Market Sentiment</title><description><![CDATA[Yukka Lab, a Berlin-headquartered fintech startup, has launched a new product called Yukka News and Trend Lab that provides investors and traders with an organized and efficient way to view financial news in real-time and gain critical market insights.
Yukka News and Trend Lab is a web-based application designed to provide asset managers and financial advisors with a comprehensive overview of the topics and trends observed in the professional financial news, allowing for interpretation of complex contexts and relations between markets, companies and its stakeholders. The platform aims to provide financial professionals with an information advantage at a considerably smaller expenditure of time.
Yukka News and Trend Lab uses the company’s text analysis technology which automatically detects, interprets and evaluates news content in English and German in real time. The company claims the Yukka Lab engine can process up to three news stories per second each, up to 200,000 professional news from 20,000 sources, financial media and pro-feeds a day.
Yukka Lab currently counts among its partners established news agencies including dpa-AFX, The Guardian, Dow Jones Newswire, Nasdaq GlobeNewswire, Business Wire, awp and others.

More specifically, Yukka News and Trend Lab consists of two elements:

The News Lab, which focuses on the presentation of market events, stakeholders and interrelationships, including the sentiments.
The Trend Lab, which develops trends indicators and trading signals on the basis of self-developed financial models from the sentiments.

The platform includes several features such as:

The Yukka News Boards with aggregated news flow of all relevant market drivers, including positive, neutral or negative sentiments for indices, sectors and shares;
The Yukka News Networks which allows for the visualization of the interrelationships of events, trends, companies and stakeholders;
Multiple search and filter options for periods, languages, sources, etc.;
My Portfolio, a personalized user interface to create watchlists and alerts; and
Early warning system for trends and trend shifts at stock markets.

Yukka Lab is charging EUR 299 per month for News Lab, EUR 439 per month for Trend Lab, and EUR 549, for both, News and Trend Lab.
Founded in 2014, Yukka Lab specializes in augmented language intelligence and context-based text analysis for the financial services industry. Yukka Lab’s tools are available as SaaS and via APIs and although its technology is currently being used in the financial markets, Yukka Lab seeks to apply it beyond the field as well.
Yukka Lab has a client list that includes Consors Bank, UBS, and Belvoir Capital AG. The first Yukka Lab sentiment based fund, the Sentiment SICAV &#8211; Europe 600, went live over a year ago. Today, it manages EUR 20,5 million in assets and was able to yield a 9.61% return in 2017, Yukka Lab claims.
Yukka Lab is one of the many startups that have emerged in the past years to bring innovative solutions and approaches that leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to the financial market.
Quandl, for instance, is a platform for financial, economic, and alternative data serving investment professionals. Quandl’s platform is used by over 250,000 people, including analysts from the world’s top hedge funds, asset managers and investment banks.
Kavout is an AI-driven investment platform built for investors of all levels. Kavout uses AI, machine learning and big data to provide investors with better insights to make smarter decisions.
The post Yukka Lab Launches AI Platform for Market Sentiment appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/yukka-lab-launches-ai-platform-for-market-sentiment</link><guid>603</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/yukka-lab-macbook-market-network-1024x601.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Yukka Lab Launches AI Platform for Market Sentiment</dc:text></item><item><title>10 Schweizer Fintech Startups fliegen nach New York</title><description><![CDATA[Die Chefs von zehn Fintech-Startups aus der ganzen Schweiz reisen im Herbst nach New York. Organisiert wird die Roadshow von Venture Leaders.
Im vergangenen Jahr haben Schweizer Fintech-Startups bei Investoren insgesamt CHF 76 Millionen Risikokapital eingesammelt; die meisten von ihnen im einstelligen Millionenbereich. Das klingt nach viel Geld. Für eine internationale Expansion ist es jedoch zu wenig. Dafür sind die Startups auf globale Partnerschaften und Finanzierungen angewiesen.
Dafür hat Venture Leaders – eine Initiative von Venturelab unterstützt von Unternehmen und Hochschulen – auch dieses Jahr eine Roadshow ins Zentrum der internationalen Finanzwelt ausgeschrieben. Aus allen eingegangenen Bewerbungen wurden von einer Jury aus Investoren und Experten zehn Startups ausgewählt.
Auf den Spuren von Qumram
«Fintech-Projekte haben immer einen globalen Anspruch»,
sagte Jens Schulte, Leiter Innovation und Venture Capital bei PostFinance. Gleichzeitig lebt die Finanzindustrie wie keine andere vom wechselseitigen Vertrauen der Akteure. Deshalb ist für Jurymitglied Schulte klar:
«Der Weg zu kraftvollen Partnerschaften führt über persönliche Kontakte».
Entsprechend anspruchsvoll ist das Programm, welches die Startup-Vertreter in New York erwartet. Sie werden in einer knappen Woche eine ganze Reihe von namhaften Vertretern des weltgrössten Finanzplatzes treffen: Banken, Investoren und Anwälte.
«Sie haben die einmalige Möglichkeit, die ersten Pflöcke eines internationalen Netzwerkes einzuschlagen»,
sagt Schulte.
Einer, der die Chance genutzt hat, ist Patrick Barnert, Gründer des Zürcher Fintech-Startups Qumram. Er war auf der letzten Roadshow von Venture Leaders in New York dabei. Zwei Monate später verkaufte er sein Unternehmen an den amerikanischen Softwarekonzern Dynatrace.
Die Gewinner von Venture Leaders Fintech 2018 auf einen Blick
3rd-eyes | Rodrigo Amandi | 3rd-eyes-com | Zürich
3rd-eyes ist der Software-Partner für Banken, Versicherungen und Anlageberater. Die Software kombiniert ein Vermögensplanungsmodul mit einem stochastischen Prozess, der basierend auf den Zielen des Kunden die optimale Vermögensallokation berechnet. Der Algorithmus berücksichtigt individuelle Kriterien wie den Anlagestil und persönliche Werte, einschließlich Klimawandel und soziale Probleme.
AAAccell | Sandro Schmid | aaaccell.ch | Zürich
Das Unternehmen entwickelt innovative Lösungen im Asset- und Risikomanagement. PSARM (Portfolio Selection and Risk Monitoring) ist ein führendes Produkt von AAAccell das bestehende Portfolios von institutionellen oder privaten Kunden in Portfolios mit geringen Risikoprofil umschichtet und gleichzeitig die Rendite erhöht.
Apiax | Nicolas Blanchard | apiax.com | Zürich
Das Regtech-Startup entwickelt flexible Instrumente, um komplexe Vorschriften in digitale regulatorische Regeln zu überführen und den gesamten Lebenszyklus zu verwalten. Kontinuierlich überwacht, aktualisiert und überprüft, können diese Regeln direkt in jede Anwendung über eine einfach zu bedienende API integriert werden.
ArcaTrust | Khaled Ouafi | arcatrust.io | Lausanne
ArcaTrust zielt darauf ab, eine sichere Umgebung für Sicherheitsanwendungen in Form einer physisch sicheren Serveranwendung bereitzustellen. Eine seiner primären Anwendungsfälle ist eine Blockchain-Anwendungen für eine sichere elektronische Geldbörse.
Enterprise Bot | Pranay Jain | enterprisebot.ai | Zug
Das Tech Startup entwickelt mit künstlicher Intelligenz betriebene Chatbots. Diese dienen dazu, Kundeninteraktionen zu automatisieren und Unternehmen mit einem leicht zugänglichen digitalen Vertreter auszustatten, der das Kundenerlebnis verbessert und die Betriebskosten um bis zu 40% reduziert.
IMburse | Oliver Werneyer | Zürich
Die cloud-basierte Advanced Transaction Suite von IMburse ermöglicht es Unternehmen ihre Kunden durch personalisierte Transaktionen zu erreichen. Eine Integration von IMBurse reduziert die IT-Komplexität erheblich, minimiert die Auswirkungen auf interne Prozesse und senkt die Kosten im Zusammenhang mit umfassenden Zahlungs- und Partnerschaftsfunktionen, während die Zeitpläne für die Markteinführung erheblich beschleunigt werden.
Investment Navigator | Alberto Ram | www.investmentnavigator.com | Zürich
Das Unternehmen erweitert die Investment- und Beratungswertschöpfungskette von der Forschung bis zum Vertrieb mit Eignungsbewertungen und Lösungen für die grenzüberschreitenden, produkt- und steuerrechtlichen Angemessenheitsprobleme von Finanzdienstleistern. Eine Kombination aus Kundenkontext, Regeln und Daten führt zu einer automatisierten eindeutigen Lösung.
Shift Devices | Dario Duran | www.shiftcrypto.ch | Adliswil (ZH)
Das Start-up wurde 2015 von Douglas Bakkum und dem Bitcoin Core Unterstützer Jonas Schnelli gegründet und entwickelt sichere Produkte für Privatpersonen und Unternehmen im Cybersicherheits-Ökosystem auf der Basis angewandter Kryptographie und bewährter Blockchain Verfahren. Das Produkt BitBox wurde bereits in mehr als 90 Ländern verkauft.
Lend.ch | Florian Kübler | lend.ch | Zürich
Lend.ch ist die am schnellsten wachsende Peer-to-Peer-Kreditplattform der Schweiz für Verbraucher, Zweithypotheken, Studenten- und KMU-Kredite. Die Plattform Switzerlend schaltet den Zwischenhändler aus und gibt die Kostenvorteile an Kreditnehmer und Kreditgeber weiter.
Tradeplus24 | Ben James | www.tradeplus24.ch | Zürich
Das Startup unterstützt KMU und mittelständische Unternehmen bei der Finanzierung ihres Kapitalbedarfs mittels einer innovativen Lösung, welche die Verbriefung sämtlicher Debitoren ermöglicht. Dies vereinfacht und vergünstigt die Beschaffung von Finanzmitteln.
Treffen Sie die Teams und wählen Sie den Kapitän am 19. Juni am Startup Champions Event
Merken Sie sich den 19. Juni 2018 für die Auftaktveranstaltung in Zürich vor. Ab 18 Uhr werden die zehn Gewinner von Venture Leaders China und die zehn Gewinner von Venture Leaders Fintech (New York) vorgestellt. Das Publikum wird die jeweiligen Teamkapitäne wählen. Das vollständige Programm und die Anmeldung finden Sie hier.
Verfolgen Sie die Veranstaltung am 19. Juni und die Venture Leaders Fintech Roadshow vom 10. bis 21. September auf Twitter und Facebook mit dem Hashtag #vleadersFintech.
 
Featured image via Pixabay
The post 10 Schweizer Fintech Startups fliegen nach New York appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/10-schweizer-fintech-startups-fliegen-nach-new-york</link><guid>602</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Swiss-National-Fintech-Team-New-York-969x1024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>10 Schweizer Fintech Startups fliegen nach New York</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Worldcup Football Team</title><description><![CDATA[Wie vor 2 Jahren an der Fussball EM in Frankreich haben wir nun auch für die Fussball WM 2018 in Russland unser &#8220;Swiss Fintech Football Team&#8221; zusammengestellt. (just for fun)
Vor 2 Jahren hatte Finews unsere EM Fintech Fussball Nationalmannschaft gefeatured und schon dazumal von Zügen eines Fintech Hype gesprochen.
2 Jahre später ist das Thema Fintech nun wirklich schon fast mainstream (zumindest in gewissen Bereichen), aber wir denken es wird sich noch einiges mehr tun, insbesondere in der Vermögensverwaltung (Keyword: Wealthtech).
Egal ob nun Hype/Bubble oder nicht, wir geben zu, nach dem 1:1 gegen Brasilien ist auch die Fintechnews.ch Redaktion voll und ganz im Fussball-Hype, und das zählt nun die nächsten 4 Wochen.
Nächste Spiele:
22.6 Schweiz-Serbien
27.6 Schweiz-Costa Rica
und dann evlt. Achtelfinale gegen Deutschland oder evtl. dann halt Mexico ]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-worldcup-football-team</link><guid>600</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Football-Team-Swiss-Fintech.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Worldcup Football Team</dc:text></item><item><title>New Report Spotlights Nordic and Baltic Region Thriving Fintech Industry</title><description><![CDATA[The Nordic and Baltic region is increasingly becoming a hotspot for fintech innovation. Fintech success is not in short supply in the region, which has so far given birth to half of Europe’s six fintech unicorns, according to a new report by MagnaCarta, Fintech Mundi and Mastercard.
These startups are Swedish online payment platform Klarna, Swedish payment startup iZettle which was bought by PayPal in May, and international money transfer platform TransferWise, an Estonian startup that has since relocated to the UK. These have a cumulative valuation of US$6.3 billion, surpassing the rest of Europe’s fintech unicorns with US$5 billion.

 
Financial institutions seek collaborations with fintech companies
The Nordic Fintech Disruptors Report 2018 study, released earlier this month, also stresses that traditional players are increasingly seeking partnerships with fintech companies.
A survey conducted by the firms found that more than four fifths (84%) of traditional players are now actively seeking partnerships with fintech ventures to help them digitize and create digital services for customers. The figure is 10% higher than 2017 and 11% higher than among banks across the rest of Europe. Banks in the Nordic and Baltic region believe that collaborating with fintech companies will help them to achieve their goals faster and more cost effectively.

Mats Taraldsson, the head of digital business development and fintech partnerships of Mastercard Nordics and Baltics, said:
“Innovation by collaboration is at the heart of Mastercard and working together with startups and fintechs is essential to meet the future needs of consumers, merchants and governments. We have been committed to fintechs for many years, fostering partnerships with pioneers who have grown into global brands. One Nordic example is iZettle where we helped them in the early phase setting up their business, acting as an advisor.”
With this in mind, Mastercard launched a Nordic and Baltic fintech program called Lighthouse Development Program in partnership with NFT Ventures last month. The initiative seeks to find promising fintech companies for Mastercard and its partners to collaborate with as new consumer needs, the rapid development of new technologies and the EU’s PSD2 directive are posing challenges for incumbents.
 
Challenges remain
Despite the rapid growth of fintech in the Nordic and Baltic region, several challenges remain for fintech companies. These cited as the biggest drawback the direct or indirect result of limited regulatory coordination on fintech. 37% of respondents cited regulation directly, 67% find it difficult to achieve scale, and 33% find access to funding remains a challenge. Overall, 45% of respondents agree that Nordic and Baltic fintech companies need greater support from regulators and the wider ecosystem.
There are now over 500 fintech companies across the Baltic and Nordic countries and regardless of the vibrant ecosystem, supervision of financial services is still fragmented and managed at a local level, with little direct coordination between the region’s regulatory authorities, the report says.
“The Nordic and Baltic markets already have an incredible track record of building fintech companies having created regional successes that have gone on to become global winners, like Spotify and Zwipe,” said Susanne Hannestad, CEO of Fintech Mundi and co-author of the research.
“A more joined-up approach to fintech, and the factors that influence successful innovation between the markets governments and regulators, however, would create new opportunities for growth and productivity and ensure the region is the best place in Europe to build the next generation of fintech giants.”
The post New Report Spotlights Nordic and Baltic Region Thriving Fintech Industry appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-report-spotlights-nordic-and-baltic-region-thriving-fintech-industry</link><guid>599</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Europe-fintech-unicorns.png</dc:content ><dc:text>New Report Spotlights Nordic and Baltic Region Thriving Fintech Industry</dc:text></item><item><title>Zug: Abstimmung auf Blockchain-Basis startet in einer Woche</title><description><![CDATA[Am 25. Juni um 10.00 Uhr ist es soweit. Die Stadt Zug ermöglicht allen Inhaberinnen und Inhabern einer digitalen ID die erste Blockchain-basierte Konsultativabstimmung.
Die Abstimmung umfasst zwei Ja-/Nein-Fragen und eine Frage mit mehreren Antworten zur Auswahl. Die Umfrage läuft bis am 1. Juli 2018 um 23.59 Uhr.
Die Blockchain-basierte digitale ID der Stadt Zug wurde am 15. November 2017 eingeführt und befindet sich in einer Pilotphase. Verschiedene Anwendungen sind in der Evaluation, darunter auch eine e-Voting Lösung. Zwischen dem 25. Juni und 1. Juli können nun die Einwohnerinnen und Einwohner der Stadt Zug, die eine digitale ID haben, an einer Blockchain-basierten Testabstimmung teilnehmen.
Bei dieser Testabstimmung handelt es sich um ein komplexes Forschungsprojekt der Stadt Zug in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Team von Dr. Alexander Denzler, Dozent für Blockchain und Big Data am Departement Informatik der Hochschule Luzern. Die Umfrage basiert auf der Blockchain-Technologie und soll u.a. der Überprüfung sicherheitsrelevanter Aspekte dienen (Persönlichkeits-schutz, Abstimmungsgeheimnis, Unveränderbarkeit, Prüf- und Nachvollziehbarkeit).
Es handelt sich um eine Konsultativabstimmung, die dem Stadtrat wertvolle Hinweise aus der Bevölkerung gibt. Sie ist jedoch nicht rechtlich bindend wie eine ordentliche Volksabstimmung.
Folgende Fragen erwarten die Abstimmenden:
1. Finden Sie es gut, dass am Zuger Seefest alljährlich ein Feuerwerk den Himmel erhellt? (Ja/Nein)
2. Erleben Sie den Prozess dieser Abstimmung mittels Digital-ID als einfach? (Ja/Nein)
3. Aktuell werden verschiedene Anwendungsmöglichkeiten der digitalen ID evaluiert. Welche der nachfolgenden Anwendungsmöglichkeiten würden Sie weiter-verfolgen? (eine Antwort möglich):
a) Ausleihe von Büchern in der Bibliothek mittels digitaler ID
b) Bezahlung von Parkgebühren mittels digitaler ID bzw. Ein-/Ausfahrt in städtische Parkgaragen
c) Ausleihe von Stadtvelos an verschiedenen Orten der Stadt
d) Anbindung an ZUG-LOGIN bzw. Einreichung der elektronischen Steuererklärung
e) Regelmässige Volksbefragungen
Interessierte haben weiterhin die Möglichkeit, über die Webseite der Stadt Zug und die Installation der «uPort»-App ihre digitale ID zu bekommen und an der Konsultativabstimmung
teilzunehmen. Nach dem Abschluss der Registrierung über die Website der Stadt Zug und die «uPort»-App haben die Anwender zwei Wochen Zeit, um bei der Einwohnerkontrolle vorbeizugehen und ihre persönliche ID einmalig beglaubigen zu lassen.
Für diese Überprüfung haben sich die Anwenderinnen und Anwender mit ihrem Pass oder ihrer Identitätskarte auszuweisen. Bisher haben schon mehr als 200 Einwohnerinnen und Einwohner davon Gebrauch gemacht.
Mit einer Beglaubigung bis am 29. Juni besteht auch für Neuregistrierte die Möglichkeit, an der Abstimmung bis am 1. Juli um 23.59 Uhr teilzunehmen.
 
Featured image via Pixabay
The post Zug: Abstimmung auf Blockchain-Basis startet in einer Woche appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/zug-abstimmung-auf-blockchain-basis-startet-in-einer-woche</link><guid>598</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/YES-NO-300x300.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Zug: Abstimmung auf Blockchain-Basis startet in einer Woche</dc:text></item><item><title>Schweizer Crypto Fund AG Erhält Finma Bewilligung</title><description><![CDATA[Die Crypto Fund AG erhält die FINMA Bewilligung als Vertriebsträger für kollektive Kapitalanlagen und hat nun die Möglichkeit Fonds an qualifizierte Anleger zu vertreiben.
Die Crypto Fund AG freut sich, als erstes Crypto Fonds Unternehmen der Schweiz diese Bewilligung zu erhalten.
Mathias Maurer
 
« Alle Mitarbeiter der Crypto Fund AG verfügen über langjährige Erfahrung im Asset Management »,
sagt Mathias Maurer, COO der Crypto Fund AG. Die Bewilligung der FINMA als Vertriebsträger ermöglicht der Crypto Fund AG, qualifizierten Anlegern Fonds zu vertreiben.
 
Jan Brzezek
« Für uns bedeutet die Bewilligung der FINMA einen grossen Schritt in die richtige Richtung, um uns als der erste Ansprechpartner im Bereich Crypto Assets zu etablieren »,
schliesst Jan Brzezek, CEO und Gründer der Crypto Fund AG. Ebenfalls ist die Crypto Fund AG Mitglied des VQF – einer Selbstregulierungsorganisation (SRO) in der Schweiz.
 
 
Featured image via Pexels
The post Schweizer Crypto Fund AG Erhält Finma Bewilligung appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schweizer-crypto-fund-ag-erhalt-finma-bewilligung</link><guid>588</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Schweizer Crypto Fund AG Erhält Finma Bewilligung</dc:text></item><item><title>“BORN IN SWITZERLAND” Swiss Original Fintech Overview Map Update: 116 Companies</title><description><![CDATA[Luc Schuurmans, Head Private Banking, Executive Management at Bank Linth LLB AG,  put together an updated overview map of Fintech Companies “Born in Switzerland”.
Since his last update he collected 3 Fintech Startups more &#8211;Futurae, Forctis‘ and Mt Pelerin
Along with Swisscoms Fintech map (around 230 companies) and Fintechnews list of Top 30 Swiss Fintech Startups To Watch, we now have 3 good overviews of what presents the Fintech startup scene in Switzerland.
Here are the descriptions of all the startup listed in Luc’s map:
Funding
Verve Capital Partners Ltd. operates investiere.ch, a disruptive early-stage and equity gap financier. Based in Zug, Switzerland, Verve Capital Partners was launched in December 2007, with the aim to develop and implement innovative financing concepts for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) while connecting private investors directly to SME investments.
 
 

 
WeCan.Fund connects investors to the best Swiss SMEs seeking crowdfunded loans. They provide a secure, user-friendly, transparent platform that will revolutionize SME financing.
 
 

 
Swiss Crowdfunding is The First Swiss Real Estate Crowdfunding Platform. They have the right of sale of real estate for a total value of over 2 billions Euros: this includes housing estate, for profit, accommodation facilities and many hotels in spread throughout 8 different countries in Europe.
 
 

 
Bricks &amp; Bytes AG provides with crowdhouse.ch the first real estate crowd funding platform in Switzerland. By democratizing the way of being a real estate owner it makes everyone a happy landlord.
 
 
 

 
wemakeit.com was founded in Switzerland in February 2012 by the communication consultant Rea Eggli, the artist Johannes Gees and the interaction designer Jürg Lehni and within very short time grew into one of the largest crowdfunding platforms in Europe.
 
 
 
Propmatch.ch We are a 2015 founded PropTech Startup from Basel. Our goal is to make B2B real estate transactions (investment properties and real estate) more efficient. We help real estate professionals with our open and free analytics platform to make better decisions. Through the combination of Big Data, GIS and Analytics, we enable intelligent matching between sellers, properties and buyers of all sizes throughout Switzerland.
 
 
Projektstarter ist eine Crowdfunding-Plattform mit Sitz in Solothurn, welche seit dem Jahr 2011 tollen Ideen und ihren Machern eine Möglichkeit zur Finanzierung bietet. Sie ist in Besitz der Designatelier GmbH. ProjektStarter bietet den Menschen im Raum Schweiz die Möglichkeit ihre Idee oder ihr Projekt zu finanzieren.
 
 

 
100-days.net (St. Jakobstrasse 54a, CH-8004 Zurich) is a limited company which is 100% owned by Ron Orp GmbH, based in Zurich. The site’s managers and founders are Romano Strebel, Christian Klinner and Ron Orp.
 
 
 
DealMarket is a global online platform for fundraising and deal flow management – a one‐stop shop for Private Equity &amp; Corporate Finance professionals. DealMarket counts more than 15,000 active private equity professionals from 159 countries and is growing fast. Global leading banks like UBS use DealMarket’s deal flow management tools like hundreds of Investors, Associations and Networks trust our comprehensive service offering for Private Equity.
 
Go Beyond Investing brings together a group of private accredited investors dedicated to providing early-stage capital with entrepreneurs seeking investment capital. Go Beyond Investing enables novice &amp; experienced, small &amp; large investors, to access angel investing as an asset class through its unique platform, tools, training and expert angels.
 
 

 
SoSense is a pioneer in digital social innovation with offices in Zürich (Switzerland) and Berlin (Germany). They design creative and engaging concepts, implement innovative and empowering solutions and help run impactful campaigns with leverage.
 
 

 
CreditGate24 connects borrowers with private and institutional investors and offers an efficient and scalable settlement of loans. CreditGate24 operates exclusively online, with no branches or high administrative expenses in order not to diminish the yields on investment and to minimize the cost for borrowers.
 
 
Advanon is an authorized financial intermediary that is directly subordinated to FINMA (Directly Subordinated Financial Intermediary, DSFI) according to the Anti Money Laundering Act (AMLA).
 
 
 

Suricate Solutions Sàrl a développé GoHeidi, une plateforme web de financement participatif basée sur la précommande d’un produit/service afin d’aider toute personne à réaliser son projet.
 
 
 

Veolis provides a Crowdfunding and Crowdinvesting Platform for sustainable projects in Switzerland, for example: Renewable Energy Projects, Cleantech Company; processes and legal contracts between Project Owner and Investor are simplified and standardized.
 
 
 

c-crowd represents a new way of financing entrepreneurs while democratising the concept of business angels, brings together innovative entrepreneurs and investors.
 
 
 

Loanboox is the independent money and capital market platform for public-sector borrowers and institutional investors. In contrast to conventional brokering, financing and investing through Loanboox is simple, transparent, safe and low cost, benefiting both borrowers and lenders alike.
 
 
 

SWISS STARTER the first equity crowdfunding platform in Ticino (Switzerland), wants to be a real support to help new startup that needed funds to start their project or to carry on existing projects in the critical steps.
 
 
 
Swiss Crowdlending FinTech for private persons and SME. Crowd Solutions is the provider of Crowd4Cash.ch the innovative Crowdlending platform. Crowd4Cash brings investors and borrower together. For better returns for the investors and lower interest rates for borrower. 100% online, easy and simply fair!
 
 
 

swisspeers  ist eine unabhängige Crowdlending Plattform, die es Unternehmen erlaubt, bei Investoren direkt – also ohne Zwischen­schaltung eines Finanzinstituts – Fremdkapital zu beschaffen.
 
 
 
 

creditworld verbindet Schweizer KMUs mit privaten sowie professionellen Investoren. KMUs profitieren von attraktiven Konditionen und fairen Vertragsbedingungen. Investoren erhalten Zugang zu einer neuen Anlageklasse mit interessanten Renditen und unterstützen dabei das Rückgrat der Schweizer Volkswirtschaft.
 
 

Splendit matches students and investor in an auction process, issue documentation and manages payments through the lifetime of the loans.
 
 
 
 
Advice

moneyguru.ch ist der digitale Assistent für private Finanzen in der Schweiz. Der Moneyguru ist von den Gründern von moneyland.ch ins Leben gerufen worden. Die unabhängige Vergleichsseite moneyland.ch ist sozusagen die Mutter, die Datenlieferantin und der Rechner von Moneyguru.
 
 
 

Crowd Trading‘s objective is to bring a revolution to the world wide online financial services being the first on the market to offer a social trading platform to collectively manage portfolios of financial assets through a decision-making system for public groups of investors (herein “crowd”) and an automated trades replication within the crowd.
 
 

adviceonline.ch, the complete and regulatory conform Onboarding, Profiling, Opening Document Management, Advisory and Consolidation Suite for EAM and Banks.
 
 
 
 

Investment Navigator is operated by Investment Navigator AG based in Zurich. Investment Navigator AG works closely with fundinfo, the leading platform for information and mandatory disclosures in the fund sector.
 
 
 

InvestGlass is a 24/7 financial markets platform built with Swiss banking know-how and a predictive algorithm. Their goal is to deliver smart financial information investors need at the right time and in the right format. Equities, Bonds, Forex, ETF, Futures, News and much more…
 
 
 

FLYNT reinvents platforms, services and experiences that put clients in control of their wealth. We see wealth as a means to follow life’s dreams, ambitions and aspirations. Wealth is a gateway to opportunity. Our mission is to transform how our clients realise these opportunities – in the most fluid, dynamic and rewarding way possible.
 
 

Sentifi is a leading Crowd-Intelligence platform for financial markets globally, receiving Swiss FinTech Award 2016. Their unique approach is to structure unstructured financial data from news, blogs and social media, identify and rank the sources for their relevance and apply self-learning algorithms and a financial expert system to extract insights from the content.
 
 

Qumram enables every digital interaction – web, social and mobile – to be recorded and replayed, at any time, providing a complete digital audit trail for financial services organisations, in accordance with key global regulatory requirements (MIFID-II, SEC, FINRA and more).
 
 
 

SwissMetrics is a dynamic startup from Switzerland that has a mission to enhance the way companies monitor their credit risk. As finance professionals, they have developed a SaaS platform with the aim of promoting smarter collaboration within companies to work for a common goal – saving money through risk minimization.
 
 
 

With diverse academic backgrounds ranging from information technology, mathematics, business administration, political sciences and philosophy, economics, design, linguistics and psychology, Adviscent‘s team of experts brings solid domain expertise on board in the banking, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and food industries.
 
 

MeetInvest seeks to democratize stock market investment with a free service that combines a social media platform and an investor toolkit, bringing in one place all the necessary resources for people to start trading like pros.
 
 
 

By leveraging technology, Dein-Anlageberater.ch provides users with personalized investment advisory services and recommendations for asset allocation at a much lower price than traditional investment advisers.
 
 
 
 

CrowdInvest.ch ist die erste Plattform der Schweiz, bei der jedermann die Kursentwicklung von Aktien prognostizieren kann. Denn wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zeigen, dass kollektives Wissen besser ist als einzelne Expertenmeinungen. Werde jetzt Teil von crowdinvest.ch und miss dich mit den Finanzexperten.
 
 

Nectar Financial, formerly Etops, is a Swiss fintech company specializing in wealth and asset management. It provides middle and back office services for more than 30 family offices, independent asset managers and banks and supports them in managing assets in excess of CHF 35 billion.
 
 
 

Riskifier makes investment risk profiling simple, fun and insightful for everyone. Our solution uses latest advances of artificial intelligence to fulfill the requirements of MiFID II/FIDLEG investor risk profiling and KYC data collection, while digitalizing &amp; gamifying user experience as well unleashing advantages of behavior based personalized investment risk profiles.
 
 

Pricehubble a Swiss based company, focusing on international real estate markets. We integrate top academic and industry experience in machine learning, computer science, econometrics, mathematics, statistics, financial services and consulting. We develop innovative solutions to support real estate decision making.
 
 
EdgeLab is a fintech company providing an investment intelligence web platform to help financial institutions taking smarter decisions.
 
 
 

Apiax is a compliance digitally mastered. We transform complex regulations into easy-to-use digital compliance rules.
 


 
 
 
Integration
 
Performace Watcher Evaluating and comparing the result of one&#8217;s investment portfolio must be accessible to everyone. Our aim is to popularize and demystify a traditionally opaque field. We believe in explanations that are simple, clear and understandable to everyone. With the disappearance of Swiss banking secrecy, increased competition, the Internet and a new generation of customers the transparency of results is born.
 
 
WealthPort’s artificial intelligence (AI)-driven software helps businesses reduce manual work in product data management by 20x, speed up time-to-market by 90% and increase revenue up to 10%. Wealthport makes this possible by radically improving data quality–automating the data integration, cleaning and categorisation process.
 
 

Additiv develops and implements digital innovations and business models for financial services companies – tailor-made and turnkey.
 
 
 

Qedos designs beautiful &amp; innovative solutions for wealth managers. Their solutions revolutionise the way wealth managers and their client interact. They help wealth managers provide tailored advice, provide a better client experience, achieve superior investment performance, comply with regulations and work more efficiently.
 
 

Founded in 2007, NetGuardians was the first company to emerge from the innovation incubator Y-Parc, in Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland. The company now enjoys a solid international presence with a steadily growing clientele in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
 
 
 
FundBase is a cloud-based platform to ultimately host the complete investment process for high-conviction alternative investments. Fundbase delivers to qualified investors a seamlessly integrated platform to discover, execute and monitor complex investments such as hedge funds, private equity and other high-conviction investments.
 
 

Pure Value Metrics provides active investors with a unique combination of Global Equity Portfolio Selection, Market Insight, Online Trading and discretionary Voice Execution.
 
 
 

ADDFIN is a business solution for professional investors who seek to benefit and leverage on the full potential offered by digitalization and information technology in order to standardize the workflow, processes and procedures.
 
 
 

Centralway Numbrs is a customer-centric financial services company. It enables its customers to manage their existing bank accounts and personal finances and to buy any financial product from every provider at the best possible price.
 
 
 
 

Monetas develops technologies that empower people to live and do business with greater freedom than ever before, and that make financial inclusion a reality.
 
 
 
 

Interaction Partners is a Swiss-based Investor Relations Services firm with a focus on facilitating broker-independent trust-building, live interactions (roadshows) between listed corporates and institutional investors in Zurich, Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lugano, Milan and London.
 
 
 
We believe that great decision makers are the ones that ask the right questions. Veezoo empowers them to find the answers efficiently by themselves. We make complex information easy to understand by answering any question with a clean visualization.
 
 
 
Lykke is a Swiss Fintech company building a global marketplace based on blockchain. It builds on decades of thought and research by company founder Richard Olsen, a pioneer in the field of high-frequency finance. Richard served as co-founder and CEO of OANDA, a leading foreign exchange company. Lykke received initial seed funding in 2015.
 
 
 
Oyoba is a finance-as-a-service platform, providing its users access to a wide range of fintech and blockchain services, including bank accounts, Bitcoin wallets, robo advisory, lending, P2P payments and debit cards. Oyoba’s vision is to turn consumer banking into a modern information service by using personal, financial and other data to create new, personalized and better services.
 
 
Spitch is a Swiss provider of solutions based on Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) and voice biometrics, Voice User Interfaces (VUI), and natural language voice data analytics.
 
 
 
Moneygrid is born out of the vision that currency systems should be as diverse as possible and that they should connected to each other if it does make sense.

 
 
 
Learn/Compare
Anders als bei anderen Lernplattformen arbeitet fintool.ch bewusst mit Kurzvideos. Da auf der anderen Seite der zu behandelnde Stoff ausgesprochen vielfältig aber auch von immenser Breite ist, sind der Anzahl solcher Videos kaum Grenzen gesetzt. Der Stoff wird fintool.ch nicht ausgehen. Nach Erscheinen werden die einzelnen „Street-Videos“ in sogenannten Wissensgefässen „zusammengebunden“.
 
 
nViso provides the most scalable, robust, and accurate cloud service to measure instantaneous emotional reactions of consumers in online environments. We provide real-time and highly actionable information for Market Research, Brands, Creative Agencies and R&amp;D Product Development. Using award winning and proprietary 3D Facial Imaging technology, compatible with ordinary webcams, we uncover the why and how of customer behaviour in real-time, letting brands make smarter business decisions and build more engaging consumer experiences.
 

moneyland.ch is a Swiss comparison service site helping you with your financial needs. On moneyland.ch, you can use independent comparison tools for insurance, loans, credit cards, bank accounts, consumer credits, interest rates, trading and much more.
 
 
 

123vergleich &#8211; the portal for free insurance comparisons, offers and expert advice. 3 steps to the best offer: Compare &#8211; Request an offer &#8211; Save premiums!
 
 
 
 

Comparis is a Swiss Internet comparison service. On comparis.ch, consumers can compare rates and services of health insurances, other insurances, banks, telecom providers, property, vehicles and special offers from retailers – quickly and easily.
 
 
 
Ein Financial Explainer ist ein computergenerierter Erklärungsvideo. Mit Hilfe von Ton, Bild und Bewegung werden komplexe Sachverhalte verständlich erklärt. Gerade in der Finanzbranche, wo die Komplexität der Produkte und Dienstleistungen einen hohen Erklärungsbedarf mit sich bringen, kann ein Financial Explainer durch seine “Step by Step” Erzählweise sein ganzes Potenzial entfalten.
 
 

Simple, Easy and Usefulness are the three pillars of everything that are innovated at Smartie. A team with impeccable entrepreneurship, courage to put a ding in the universe and humility are some of the characteristics of the team members.
 
 
 

bfox ist ein exklusiver Service der fragguido AG mit Sitz in Bergdietikon. Das 2013 gegründete Unternehmen ist 100% unabhängig und wird von einem Expertenteam geführt.
 
 
 
assetinum.com was founded with the goal of offering investors an independent and useful wealth management portal. Assetinum’s special focus is given to the search function for matching Swiss asset and wealth managers, investment consultants, banks and family offices. Users can easily arrange a meeting with experienced investment experts for free and then decide on a provider of their choice.
 
 
FinGuide offers a new service in Swiss Private Banking. So far, private banking customers have been directly acquired by providers, as investors you have been in a passive role. With FinGuide you can take control of yourself without having to spend a lot of effort. The approach: We record your individual needs in detail and show you which banks or asset managers suit you best. FinGuide is available to private individuals with assets available from 500,000 Swiss francs.
 
 
Payments
 

Monito is a comparison website for international money transfer services. We compare and review more than 450 money transfer operators, to help you find the best option for each of your international transaction.
 
 
 

CashSentinel is a fintech startup that developed an innovative payment solution, which is at the crossroads of escrow agents and mobile wallets, to facilitate vehicle transactions. CashSentinel’s service has opened in April 2014 in Switzerland.
 
 
 

Mobino is a Swiss company incorporated in Geneva in 2011. Their products are integrated with the existing banking infrastructure, for example through the SEPA system in Europe. A version with prepaid accounts is geared to countries where many citizens cannot access traditional banking services.
 
 
 

CashCloud is a mobile payment system, but relies on a system of stability and security. They aim to create transparency and ensure ease of use, in order not to give rise to the scepticism and distrust which has grown between the people and the banks in recent years regarding mobile payments.
 
 
 

milliPay is a Swiss online payment provider. With their patent-pending technology they firstly enable micropayments: their system is optimized for fast and easy access to paid content, and efficiently processes transaction amounts down to EUR 0.001.
 
 
 

After several years of development, the Run my Accounts AG AG was founded in 2008: the Easiest Accounting for SME. And meanwhile run my accounts in Stafa with 25 employees approximately 300 companies in the size of 1 to 220 employees.
 
 
 

SONECT Creating virtual ATMs where users can withdraw cash from any shop that joins the program at over 50% cheaper than the current ATM withdrawal costs.
 
 
 
 
SmartLink is a mobile wallet services provider, offering white-label mobile transaction platform solutions, contactless transaction capabilities, know-your-customer solutions, and prepaid program management.
 
 
 
 
billte digitalize paper invoices and to automate the billing chain for small and medium businesses. Since the deal does not end with a bill, we surround the invoices with a wide range of features that are beneficial for both, companies and their customers. By providing Value Added Services, such as bi-directional communication channel, awarding offers, analytics, forecasting, financial support, we help to maintain existing relationships and gain new customers.
 
SecurionPay, established in 2014 in Switzerland, is a cross-device payment platform that enables businesses accepting online payments in 160 currencies through the checkout translated into 23 languages.
 
 
 
Advantage Digital, Unlike web wallets and other apps acting as simple clients to web based processes, a true mobile wallet generates and keeps your sensitive data local and never shares/sends it over the internet.
 
 
 
 
Wealth Management

True Wealth AG was founded in 2013 as a Swiss corporation. An automated investment solution that is uncompromisingly cost-efficient so that our clients enjoy bigger returns.
 
 
 

With INVESTORY you can trade direct investments like stocks, etfs, futures, foreign currencies, precious metals, and commodities. Collective investments like mutual funds, structured products, and certificates are not available.
 
 
 

 
Investivity is a boutique investment company dedicated to delivering innovative solutions to the current challenges faced by wealth managers.
 
 
 
 
Leonteq is vertically integrated and is a leading B-2-B partner for digitisation solutions. They cover the entire value chain of structured investment products from structuring to pricing, documentation, issuance, listing, settlement, risk management, market-making, life-cycle management and distribution.
 
 

 
AMNIS provides small and medium enterprises via an electronic platform access on fair terms for currency exchange and foreign currency payments. Various automated systems and APIs (programming interfaces), it also allow the processes involved in dealing with foreign currency easier.
 
 
 

Blockchain software for asset management. Melonport is building multichain capable software for asset management.
 
 
 
 

 
Descartes is a digital Swiss investment advisor bringing together the latest insights in financial theory, leading technology, and successful investment specialists. An easy, low-cost access to strategies and methods of well-known, independent investment specialists, portfolio managers and economists.
 
 
 
mydesq is a swiss startup which provides innovative solutions to wealth managers. We provide a comprehensive workbench which allows wealth managers to do all their daily activities in a single application on their ipad. The application allows wealth managers to truly work from anywhere, anytime and even works fully if there is no internet connectivity. But besides being powerful, the mydesq application has a gorgeous design and can be customised as we believe that each wealth manager is unique.
 

 
 
clever circles is a platform for building and managing your assets. clever circles is a platform for building and managing your assets.
 
 
VIAC  A 3rd pillar solution that above all creat]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/born-in-switzerland-swiss-original-fintech-overview-map-update-116-companies</link><guid>601</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Futurae.png</dc:content ><dc:text>“BORN IN SWITZERLAND” Swiss Original Fintech Overview Map Update: 116 Companies</dc:text></item><item><title>10 Main Fintech Sponsors From Money20/20 Europe Which You Probably Did Not Know?</title><description><![CDATA[Money20/20 is undeniably one of the largest event series in the world focusing on fintech, payments and the financial services industry.
Each year, the premier global event gathers thousands of C-level executives, renowned speakers, innovators and disruptors from across the world to discuss the future of banking and finance. The Money20/20 annual events take places every year in Europe, Asia and North America.
﻿
This year’s European edition, which took place earlier this month in Amsterdam, covered some of the industry’s most urging topics and hottest trends and featured industry leaders.
Among Money20/20 Europe 2018’s top sponsors, here are ten very interesting companies, some of them we never heard before even we cover Fintech daily since 2012.
 
Aevi International
Aevi International is a German company that develops an ecosystem and marketplace for payments, value added services, B2B apps, and more. The firm provides banks, acquirers, and merchants with payment solutions based on a centralized and white label platform. It also offers a global gateway for payment transactions together with a marketplace for value added apps and services offering new business opportunities beyond payments.
 
ACI Worldwide
ACI Worldwide is an American payments systems company headquartered in Florida. ACI develops a broad line of software products and solutions primarily focused on facilitating real-time electronic payments. The company’s products and services are used by banks, financial intermediaries, and a wide range of transaction-generating endpoints, including ATMs, merchant point of sale terminals, bank branches, mobile phones, tablet computers, corporations, and Internet commerce sites.
 
JCB
JCB is an international payment card company based in Tokyo, Japan. JCB cards are issued in 20 different countries and counts more than 100 million cardmembers worldwide. JCB cards are accepted at supported JCB merchants, but also, through strategic partnerships, Discover Network merchants in the US, UnionPay merchants in China, American Express merchants in Canada, and RuPay merchants in India.
 
Biocryptology
Biocryptology is a Spain-based biometric technology company. The company’s Biocryptology solution is a universal identification platform that allows its users to identify themselves unequivocally, both online (mobile and desktop devices) as well as in physical or in-person settings, using biometric data. The technology consists of identification mechanisms combined with a unique encryption algorithm.
 
Finastra
Finastra is a leading fintech company that builds and deploys next generation technology on an open software architecture the company developed and a cloud system. The firm offers financial services software capabilities globally, serving financial institutions, specialty lenders, community banks, credit unions, government and corporations. It was formed in 2017 through the combination of D+H and Misys.
 
Nets
Nets is a Nordic-based payment service provider serving banks, businesses, merchants and the public sector. Nets provides a choice of services covered by three main business segments: corporate services, merchants services, and financial and network services. It has a large product portfolio of solutions in the areas of invoice services, digital national identity, online payments, digital mailbox, direct debit solutions, and more.
 
PayU
PayU is a leading online payment service provider that deploys more than 300 payment methods and PCI certified platforms. The company also specializes in innovative consumer and small business products that improve access to credit and banking services in financially underserved markets. PayU currently processes approximately 1.2 million payments every single day and has operations spanning 16 markets across Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa.
 
Feedzai
Feedzai is a data science company that detects fraud in omnichannel commerce. The company uses real-time, machine learning to analyze big data to identify fraudulent payment transactions and minimize risk in the financial industry. Feedzai was founded by a team of aerospace engineers and data scientists and is the first startup to be created as a result of a program from Carnegie Mellon University.
 
Paysafe
Paysafe is an online payments company based in the Isle of Man and regulated in the UK. The company provides several products and services including Neteller, a digital wallet service, Skrill, a payments and money transfers platform, Payolution, an e-commerce payments solution, and Paysafecard, a prepaid payment method. Paysafe was listed on the London Stock Exchange and the FTSE 250 Index until it was acquired by a consortium of The Blackstone Group and CVC Capital Partners in December 2017.
 
TransferMate
TransferMate is an international payments company launched in 2010. It is headquartered in Ireland with offices in other cities across Europe and North America. Instead of using intermediary banks to make transfers, TransferMate set up its own accounts (200 accounts in 50 countries according to the company) to allow it to transfer funds through its own banking network. According to the company, as of late 2017, over US$10 billion had been transferred through TransferMate&#8217;s systems. Its called the Transferwise for B2B.
 
Featured image via https://www.facebook.com/Money2020/
The post 10 Main Fintech Sponsors From Money20/20 Europe Which You Probably Did Not Know? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/10-main-fintech-sponsors-from-money2020-europe-which-you-probably-did-not-know</link><guid>589</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Aevi-International-300x170.png</dc:content ><dc:text>10 Main Fintech Sponsors From Money20/20 Europe Which You Probably Did Not Know?</dc:text></item><item><title>Coinbase Index Fund is Open For Investment</title><description><![CDATA[Coinbase Index Fund is now open for investments of $250,000 to $20M.
&#8220;We’ve seen overwhelming interest from investors since we announced the fund earlier this year. At this stage, we have opened the fund to those who wish to invest $250,000 to $20M.&#8221;,
announced Coinbase on the company blog.
Coinbase Index Fund gives investors exposure to all assets listed on our exchange, weighted by market capitalization.
The fund will be rebalanced to include Ethereum Classic, and more assets when they are listed by Coinbase in the future.
At this stage, Coinbase Index Fund is only open to US-resident accredited investors.

&#8220;We’re working on launching more funds which are accessible to all investors and cover a broader range of digital assets.&#8221;

states Coinbase
 
 
The post Coinbase Index Fund is Open For Investment appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/coinbase-index-fund-is-open-for-investment</link><guid>590</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Coinbase Index Fund is Open For Investment</dc:text></item><item><title>Swissquote Lanciert die Multiwährungs- Kreditkarte für 12 Fremdwährungen</title><description><![CDATA[Swissquote, lanciert heute die Swissquote Multiwährungskreditkarte fürs Bezahlen in verschiedenen Währungen.
Die Inhaber eines Swissquote Trading-Kontos kommen in den Genuss eines einfachen, flexiblen und sicheren Zahlungsmittels für Transaktionen in der ganzen Welt.
Anders als mit einer klassischen Kreditkarte kann man mit der Swissquote Kreditkarte Einkäufe direkt in einer der zwölf verfügbaren Fremdwährungen bezahlen, ohne dass die Beträge in Schweizer Franken umgerechnet werden und eine Umrechnungs- oder Fremdwährungsgebühr anfällt.
Nutzt ein Kunde beispielsweise seine Karte für einen Einkauf in Grossbritannien oder Japan, wird der Betrag seinem Trading-Konto direkt in Pfund oder Yen belastet (am ersten Werktag des folgenden Monats), vorausgesetzt der Kunde verfügt über das nötige Guthaben.
Wenn der Kunde zu diesem Zeitpunkt nicht genügend Pfund oder Yen besitzt, so rechnet Swissquote automatisch in die Währung um, die das höchste Guthaben aufweist. Die Umrechnung erfolgt zum Swissquote-Wechselkurs, der häufig vorteilhafter ist als der anderer Schweizer Banken und ausländischer Institutionen.
Zwölf Währungen stehen dabei zur Verfügung: Schweizer Franken, Euro, Pfund, Yen, Dänische, Schwedische und Norwegische Kronen, Vereinigte Arabische Emirate (VAE) Dirham und US-Dollar sowie Kanadischer, Australischer und Hongkong-Dollar. Die Inhaber eines Trading-Kontos können ihre Einkäufe in all diesen Währungen erledigen, ohne zuvor ein Konto in der jeweiligen Währung eröffnen oder Devisen kaufen zu müssen.
„Mit der Einführung dieser Kreditkarte wollen wir unsere Expertise und Konditionen im internationalen Währungshandel an Kreditkartenkunden weitergeben. Kunden, die ein Trading-Konto bei uns haben, sind es bereits gewohnt, in verschiedenen Währungen zu handeln. Sie bekommen nun eine Kreditkarte, die Ihren Bedürfnissen entspricht“,
erläutert Lino Finini, Head Back Office &amp; Banking Applications und Mitglied der Geschäftsführung bei Swissquote.
Für die Multiwährungskreditkarte arbeitet Swissquote mit SIX Payment Services zusammen, die die Lizenz zur Ausstellung der Karte wie auch die technische Infrastruktur für die Transaktionsabwicklung zur Verfügung stellt.
Die Swissquote Multiwährungskreditkarte ist in den Versionen Silber und Gold erhältlich und im ersten Jahr gebührenfrei. Ab dem zweiten Jahr belaufen sich die Jahresgebühren auf 100 Franken für die Silberkarte und 200 Franken für die Goldkarte.
Bei Zahlungen, die in den zwölf Währungen getätigt werden, fallen keine Verarbeitungsgebühren an. Bei anderen Währungen wird eine Provision von 1,5% fällig. Auf Bargeldbezug wird eine Provision von 3,5% erhoben (mindestens 5 Franken oder gleichwertiger Betrag in den elf anderen Währungen).
 
Featured image via  www.swissquote.com/one-card
The post Swissquote Lanciert die Multiwährungs- Kreditkarte für 12 Fremdwährungen appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swissquote-lanciert-die-multiwahrungs-kreditkarte-fur-12-fremdwahrungen</link><guid>591</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/swissquote-card-300x203.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Swissquote Lanciert die Multiwährungs- Kreditkarte für 12 Fremdwährungen</dc:text></item><item><title>The Fintech and Proptech Fellows of Fusion Startup Accelerator</title><description><![CDATA[Fusion a Swiss Fintech Startup Accelerator, hosted their Annual Demoday at the Mobiliere’s Life Insurance HQ in Nyon.
With over 250 people in attendance, the startups from the Class of 2017 presented their achievements midway into the programme. Fusion presented the results of the 3 vertical global ecosystem accelerators and blockchain initiatives to boost Switzerland’s tech and startup scene.
After 6 months of intensive mentorship, insightful sprints, pivoting, hard work and acceleration, the startups were ready to pitch in a room full of Investors, senior corporate executives, Academia, Mentors &amp; members of the Press.
Fusion runs Acceleration, Incubation &amp; Venture building programs for corporate innovators &amp; founders, partnering with leading corporate &amp; strategic investors to drive venture growth &amp; breakthrough innovation.
Among Fusion’s corporate partners supporting the ecosystem are Investis Group, Notz Stucki, Temenos, FTI, Swisscard, and Mobiliere.
Fusion to be the Home of IMPACT-TECH. Together with the Hatch CoLab foundation, Fusion announces a Social Impact Entrepreneurship Accelerator in Geneva is supporting the Hach CoLab foundation to launch a Global Social Entrepreneurship Accelerator right in the heart of Geneva.
Hatch CoLab launches this year with applications opening officially today and will be hosted at Fusion with a dedicated team. Hatch will be powered by Fusion to capitalize on its network of mentors and partners, community, methodology and learnings.
“Geneva’s international pedigree and recognized hub for NGOs made it a perfect fit to foster social impact entrepreneurial startups
Sal Matteis
combining the key components of an accelerator with social impact objectives.”
Says Sal Matteis &#8211; CEO at FUSION
FINTECH FELLOWS 2017-2018
BAMBU
Bambu is a B2B Robo-Advisor firm offering financial and non-financial firms the ability to integrate and benefit from the shift in digital wealth. Based in Singapore, we market our services Asia and Europe wide.
 
 
DASHMOTE
Dashmote uses proprietary Artificial Intelligence and Computer Vision Stack for trend analytics through images. We process visual and textual data across multiple social platforms to help identify trends and other consumer insights, increasing brand performance in both product development and marketing.
 
 
FRED DE LA COMPTA
Fred is a web &amp; mobile application for accountants and entrepreneurs that automates their online accounting and put them in touch with a chartered accountant who knows their industry. It digitizes the administrative aspect of the company and also keeps documents in a safe place.
 
 
FIZI
Fizi helps self-directed investors to navigate the stock market world, by assisting them to find, monitor and learn about opportunities. With his technology, Fizi brings a personal &amp; accessible stock investing experience to our generation. Save time! Reduce your stress! Get Knowledge! Hire Fizi NOW&#8230;
 
 
SYSTEMCREDIT
Systemcredit is a service provider to the lending industry. As the external rating agency, it helps SME to get suitable financing faster, at lower cost. And it enables lenders to grow their loan portfolios at reduced risk and lower process cost.
 
 
WEALTHINITIATIVE
Marketplace and valuation tool for non-bankable assets. WealthInitiative is a platform used as a marketplace and automated valuation tool for non-bankable assets. It is aimed at private banks to create synergies among their client base.
 
 
YAWAVE
Yawave is a revolutionary cloud software that maximizes reach by activating employees, customers, fans, etc. -with unique and powerful tools for leveraging companies’ network communication power.
PROPTECH FELLOWS 2017-2018
1AIM
1aim is an engineering company with one goal: improving the way buildings work. Using next generation engineering and design, 1aim technology solves inefficiencies to revolutionize the way people interact with buildings.
 
 
ADVISAY
Advisay’s goal is to develop a new workforce to allow people to focus on what they do best. The chatbot technology is developed on top of a polyvalent CRM, allowing to automate most of the repetitive tasks employees have to deal with while talking with customers.
 
 
IS IT FRESH
Is it fresh digitalizes the world of packaging combining printed sensors with low-cost NFC tags. We develop printed freshtags, which is a combination of sensors for real-time measurement of freshness parameters in perishables and NFC chips for wireless read-out.
 
NEHO
Neho brings real estate brokerage into the digital era with its unique online platform. The company intends to disrupt outdated real estate brokerage practices by combining dedicated local experts with a unique online platform that will guide the seller from valuation to conclusion of the sale.
 
TWINGZ
Twingz provides predictive analytics services and solutions for energy data flows to detect anomalies, power predictive maintenance and prevent damage.
 
 
WEGAW
WeGaw is an Outdoors Adventure Platform helping Tourism Promotion Offices managing and better promoting their outdoors touristic destination. Thanks to Earth Observation Satellite monitoring
WeGaw is able to monitor a given outdoors touristic region.
 
YETIVISIT
YetiVisit allows teleportation for the real estate world and offers to create by yourself professional 360° virtual tours, without any technical knowledge, directly from your camera. Their algorithm allows to assemble the pictures into a high quality final result, that is simultaneously being improved.
 
LIFETECH FELLOWS 2017-2018
 
GERO
Gero is a longevity biotech company developing life-extending therapies and offering risk assessment models for life &amp; health insurance, healthcare and wellness providers. Our goal is to extend healthy lifespan and delay age-related health issues.
 
 
HEARTWATCH
HeartWatch turns conventional cameras into health monitors to enable non-invasive cardiorespiratory monitoring in homes and clinics. We allows people in Long Term Care settings to be easily monitored just by using common cameras. HeartWatch turns conventional cameras into health monitors to enable non-invasive cardiorespiratory monitoring in homes and clinics. We allows people in Long Term Care settings to be easily monitored just by using common cameras.
 
MEDICSEN
Medicsen develops a noninvasive artificial pancreas for diabetes which uses artificial intelligence, a chatbot app, and a needle-free smartwatch. Our learning algorithm in the cloud receives information from third party wearables that patients currently use.
 
 
NEUROSPHERE 
Neurosphere provides an automatised EEG Neurofeedback-based mindfulness brain-training system for individuals and teams who want to increase their mental and emotional well-being and performance.
 
 
NUTRILOG
Online and mobile nutrition applications for professionals in healthcare, sports, wellness and food services, transforming nutrition counseling with process digitization and highly individualized diet recommendations.
 
 
PRYV
Prvy is a software that enables innovation through privacy data management. Pryv.io – enables organizations to collect, store and use personal data to spark new and innovative projects, enhance existing services and improve consumers’ services.
 
 
STUWARD 
Stuward is a Digital Health company whose main goal is to support family members of people living with dementia. Using a combination of coaching, remote consultations, and monitoring, Stuward helps family members provide safe and effective care and keep the person with dementia in the comfort of their home for longer.
 
 
The post The Fintech and Proptech Fellows of Fusion Startup Accelerator appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-fintech-and-proptech-fellows-of-fusion-startup-accelerator</link><guid>592</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>The Fintech and Proptech Fellows of Fusion Startup Accelerator</dc:text></item><item><title>Improve Food Quality with Blockchain</title><description><![CDATA[Devery.io, a blockchain based startup focused on supply chain tracking, signed with the Tunisian Ministry of Education to implement a blockchain-based tracking system for its school meals programme.
The Tunisian government operates a school meal programme designed to offer one fresh meal a day to underprivileged students in its primary and secondary educational system.
In seeking to improve the system and to track the quality of the meals provided, the Ministry of Education is now exploring the utilization of blockchain-based tracking.
The implementation will involve an initial roll out to a scheme to feed 1500 primary school kids, with the goal of ultimately rolling out to the scheme to all 400,000 Tunisian school children currently receiving food assistance once successfully trialed.
The meal programme currently serves approximately 6000 schools. In recognizing the importance of nutrition as part of a broader goal to ensure and improve educational achievements, the Ministry of Education’s programme is aimed to ensure that children from underprivileged backgrounds meet their nutritional requirements.
The programme is currently managed by the United Nation’s World Food Programme to ensure that the programme is implemented appropriately and the schools have an adequate supply of meals for the students that require them. In achieving these goals, the ability to track the delivery of the meals as well as possible aspects on the best utilization of funds are key measures of success for the programme.

Maria Lukyanova
&#8220;This project is allowing us to explore how supporting innovation, through the introduction of solutions based on blockchain technology, can contribute to strengthening the effectiveness and efficiency of the Tunisian national school meals programme,”
said Maria Lukyanova, the United Nations World Food Programme Representative and Head of Country Office for the Republic of Tunisia
 
Devery.io will provide the technical advisory and development capability to build, train and utilise a transparent and more accountable system of tracking the meal deliveries as well as reporting issues direct to the Ministry in real time. Further, Devery will train personnel on the ground to utilise and maintain the technology for the foreseeable future.

Andrew Rasheed
 
“Blockchain technology has the potential to impact billions of people through bridging the gap between the physical and digital world. Ensuring the safe delivery of the food to children via blockchain technology is a cause we truly believe will impact the lives of many to come”
&#8211; Andrew Rasheed, founder and CEO of Devery.io.
 
The World Food Programme expects to use the technology developed for this programme to assist with the delivery of food in other missions around the world.
 
The post Improve Food Quality with Blockchain appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/improve-food-quality-with-blockchain</link><guid>593</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Improve Food Quality with Blockchain</dc:text></item><item><title>Gibraltar Eyes ICO Regulation In Bid To Become Leading Crypto, Blockchain Hub</title><description><![CDATA[The government of Gibraltar is to formulate a legal framework for tech startups and firms wanting to hold initial coin offerings (ICOs). The territory aims to become a leader in the fields of cryptocurrency and blockchain space.
An ICO is a means of raising finance by, typically, early stage startups whose products and services have not yet been significantly designed, built or tested. In an ICO, tokens are sold to early supporters of a project in exchange for cash or cryptocurrency, such as bitcoin or ether.
Tokens vary widely in design and purpose, and in some cases, they represent securities, such as shares in a company. More often, tokens serve some cryptocurrency or functional use that is unregulated, such as prepayment for access to a product or service that is to be developed using funds raised in the ICO.
ICOs proliferated during 2017 with over US$3.5 billion being raised through the method to date, exceeding the amount raised by traditional venture capital funding during the same period. The novel fundraising method is rising in popularity in the startup community and across the world, including in Gibraltar.
 
ICO regulation in Gibraltar
While being part of the European Union, the British overseas territory of Gibraltar has a separate jurisdiction from the UK and enjoys a different tax system. Often qualified as a tax haven, Gibraltar is a global center for offshore banking and for these unique specificities, a horde of startups has decided to set up in the territory.
Several popular startups have launched ICOs in the British territory. One such famous ICO was Globitex, an institutional class Bitcoin exchange which raised EUR 10 million in its ICO in February.
Globitex: Scaling the Bitcoin Economy (PRNewsfoto/Globitex)
Another startup based in Gibraltar called Covesting raised US$15 million in its token sale in December 2017. The startup is developing a versatile trading platform created to bring copy-trading professional asset management to the cryptocurrency landscape.
As with other forms of crowdfunding, raising finance by means of an ICO is unregulated in Gibraltar. But the government is looking to change that, releasing in March 2018 a whitepaper that hints on how it is planning to regulate the practice.
The paper states that “in many cases, [tokens] represent the advance sale of products that entitle holders to access future networks or consume future services. […] As such, these tokens represent commercial products (albeit reliant on future availability and utility) and are not caught by existing securities regulation in Gibraltar.”
The government proposes new legislation to regulate activities conducted in or from Gibraltar that involve the promotion, sale and distribution of tokens, operating secondary market platforms trading in tokens, and providing investment and support services relating to tokens.
The Gibraltar Financial Services Commission (GFSC) will be the authority responsible for supervising these activities.
But most particularly, the draft regulation introduces the concept of “authorized sponsors.” An authorized sponsor will need to be appointed for every public ICO and who will be “responsible for ensuring compliance with disclosure and financial crime rules.” The GFSC said it will establish and maintain a public register of authorized sponsors and their respective past and present codes of practices.
 
Pushing blockchain innovation
With this new legal framework, Gibraltar hopes to provide an environment of certainty that will attract more foreign startups and businesses.
Gibraltar’s Finance Centre Council stated:
“Well-funded businesses help Gibraltar&#8217;s economic development. Raising finance is vital to every business, especially to startups and small and medium-sized enterprises. Crowd financing is a perfectly legitimate method of raising finance as is seeking public subscription for new ventures. It is therefore desirable to establish a regulatory regime that helps firms in Gibraltar to develop new products and services and maintain competitiveness whilst, at the same time, protecting consumers and Gibraltar’s reputation.”
The move follows Gibraltar’s distributed ledger technology (DLT) regulatory framework, which came into effect on January 1, 2018, and is aimed at facilitating innovation in the field.
Already, domestic financial institutions including the Gibraltar Stock Exchange have began experimenting with and even deploying blockchain-based systems.
The stock exchange held a token sale for an utility token called RKT earlier this year, raising US$27 million in February 2018. The token will power the stock exchange’s latest initiative, the Gibraltar Blockchain Exchange (GBX), a new subsidiary that aims to build a “world-leading institutional-grade token sale platform and cryptocurrency exchange.”
GBX’s CEO Nick Cowan, who spent a career in conventional regulated capital markets, told Euromoney:
“We believe that the tokenization of financial markets and whole economies has only just started. At the start of 2018, we saw Kodak issue a token, and in the next three years, I think we will start to see Fortune 500 companies raising finance through token sales and even governments.”
 
Featured image: Ocean Village Marina in Gibraltar, Wikipedia.
The post Gibraltar Eyes ICO Regulation In Bid To Become Leading Crypto, Blockchain Hub appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/gibraltar-eyes-ico-regulation-in-bid-to-become-leading-crypto-blockchain-hub</link><guid>594</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Globitex-1.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>Gibraltar Eyes ICO Regulation In Bid To Become Leading Crypto, Blockchain Hub</dc:text></item><item><title>Tilbago Kooperiert Mit Electronic Payment Unternehmen Customweb</title><description><![CDATA[Rechnungen, die trotz Mahnungen unbezahlt bleiben, sind für den Kunden sowie das Unternehmen eine Last.
Der nächste Schritt: Das für beide Seiten aufwändige und unangenehme Betreibungsverfahren. Denn eine Betreibung durchzuführen und nicht mit leeren Drohungen über rechtliche Schritte dazustehen, benötigte bisher viele Ressourcen von Seiten des Unternehmens. Gerade bei Jungunternehmen ist die Priorisierung von Aufgaben essentiell und die Zeit knapp bemessen. Doch es gibt eine Lösung für dieses Dilemma – die Online-Betreibungslösung von tilbago.ch.
Das Fintech-Unternehmen tilbago kooperiert neu mit dem Electronic Payment Unternehmen customweb. Diese Kooperation ermöglicht Gläubigern die vollständige Digitalisierung und Automatisierung ihrer Mahn- und Betreibungsprozesse.
Auf diese Weise kann Zeit und Geld gespart werden. Insbesondere deshalb, weil die Betreibungsämter im nächsten Jahr zusätzliche Gebühren für jedes Begehren (Betreibung, Fortsetzung, Pfändung, Betreibungsauskunft) verlangen, das nicht auf elektronischem Weg eingereicht wurde.
wallee.com ist das neue Produkt der customweb, welches die Zahlungsakzeptanz online für Online Händler massiv vereinfacht. Mit wallee können sowohl Kreditkartenzahlungen verarbeitet, als auch Rechnungen mit Einzahlungsschein auf einfache Weise erzeugt und den Kunden zugestellt werden. Es besteht ebenso die Möglichkeit, das Mahnwesen zu automatisieren. Die Einbindung der Online-Betreibungslösung von tilbago in wallee.com setzt neu den Schlusspunkt im gesamten Invoice-to-Cash Prozess und vereinfacht die Abwicklung des rechtlichen Inkassos.
Die Integration für Kunden ist unkompliziert: wallee bietet bereits eine Vielzahl von fertigen Schnittstellen zu den führenden Shopsystemen. Für Eigenentwicklungen stehen SDKs für die gängigen Programmiersprachen inkl.
Baukasten für die Akzeptanz von Zahlungen in mobilen Apps zur Verfügung. Sobald der Kunde an wallee angebunden ist, kann er die Dienste von tilbago per Knopfdruck aktivieren und Forderungen übermitteln. Es sind keine weiteren technischen Kenntnisse nötig.
Durch die Kooperation von tilbago.ch und wallee.com wird der gesamte rechtliche Inkassoprozess von der Betreibungseinleitung bis hin zum Verlustschein auf Basis von digitalen Ansätzen und Methoden intelligent automatisiert (Robo-Inkasso). Jedes Unternehmen, unabhängig von der Anzahl jährlicher Betreibungsfälle und unabhängig von der technischen Infrastruktur erhält so Zugang zu einer zeitgemässen modernen Inkassolösung und kann auf diesem Weg Ausstände einfacher und rascher als bisher ressourcenschonend selbständig eintreiben.
tilbago führt den Sachbearbeiter intuitiv und verständlich durch die gesetzlichen Schritte, ohne Spezialwissen vorauszusetzen. Die Lösung überwacht den Fortschritt des Betreibungsprozesses und leitet die notwendigen Aktivitäten ein. tilbago hat modernste technische Möglichkeiten mit jahrelanger Erfahrung zu rechtlichem Inkasso in der Schweiz kombiniert und mit dem Hosting bei der PostFinance ein unschlagbares Gesamtpaket geschaffen.
 
 
The post Tilbago Kooperiert Mit Electronic Payment Unternehmen Customweb appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/tilbago-kooperiert-mit-electronic-payment-unternehmen-customweb</link><guid>595</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/tilbago-300x79.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Tilbago Kooperiert Mit Electronic Payment Unternehmen Customweb</dc:text></item><item><title>What is Legaltech? An Introduction</title><description><![CDATA[The legal industry, which is widely seen to be conservative and traditional, is currently entering a phase of deep transformation where technology promises to automatize basic tasks, simple services commoditized, and clients and professionals empowered with new innovative solutions.
The digitalization of the legal services industry has given birth to a new ecosystem composed of lawyers, entrepreneurs, investors, academics and professionals focusing on applying cutting edge technologies to transform the profession.
Image: Legaltech, by Maksim Kabakou, via Shutterstock.com
Legal technology, also known as legaltech, refers to the use of technology and software to help law firms with practice management, document storage, billing, accounting and electronic discovery. The term is often associated with technology startups providing access to tools and platforms that reduces or in some cases eliminates the need to consult a lawyer, or by connecting people with lawyers more efficiently through online marketplaces and lawyer-matching websites.
There are several factors that have contributed to the growth of legaltech, including the increasing cost and time pressure placed by clients on their lawyers, and the increasing incentives for lawyers to become technologically competent.
Additionally, the exponential growth in the volume of documents, and mostly emails, that must be reviewed for litigation cases has greatly accelerated the adoption of technology with elements of machine language and artificial intelligence (AI) being incorporated and cloud-based services being adopted by law firms.
Today, legaltech is rising all over the world and cover a wide range of services. Some are designed to help law firms acquire more clients. Others help them better serve current clients by helping them operate and provide legal services more efficiently.
Investment in legaltech is predominantly focused in the US with more than US$292 million invested in the US in 2015, according to CB Insights. Some of the country’s most notable legaltech companies include Relativity, formerly kCura, an e-discovery platform used by organizations to manage large volume of data and quickly identify key issues during litigation, internal investigations, and compliance projects, Rocket Lawyer, which provides individuals and small and medium-sized businesses with online legal services, and Axiom, an alternative legal services provider.
Now there are even legaltech companies specializing in divorces. US-based Wevorce, for instance, focuses on amicable divorces by providing a technology that speeds up the process while reducing the costs of divorce to between US$1,800 to US$10,000, or about one-third of the national average of a typical divorce.
 
Legaltech in Switzerland
Switzerland too has seen its own legaltech space rapidly expand in the past years. In 2016, the country welcomed the Swiss Legaltech Association to represent this thriving sector and help foster a proper ecosystem around legaltech.
The Swiss Legaltech Association was founded by Christoph Küng and Antoine Verdon, two startup entrepreneurs based in Zurich. Christoph Küng is the CEO of Skuani, a matching platform for experts in the legal industry, while Antoine Verdon is the founder of LegalHub, a legal document generator.
According to the organization, Switzerland has a rather developed legaltech ecosystem with companies providing anything from automated legal documents, law practice management software and predictive legal analytics, to online legal services, legaltech software, and lawyer search and marketplaces.
Swiss blockchain startup Proxeus has developed a platform that allows for many things, including legally register a company from start to finish.
DigitalCounsels is building a platform that automates legal services and makes them available for the consumer market. Legartis is developing an AI-based legal document life cycle solution.
Swisslex offers the most comprehensive legal database for Switzerland.
Switzeralnd Legaltech map, Swiss Legaltech Association
 
Featured image: Legal gavel, Wikipedia.
The post What is Legaltech? An Introduction appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/what-is-legaltech-an-introduction</link><guid>596</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/legaltech-shutterstock-300x185.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>What is Legaltech? An Introduction</dc:text></item><item><title>Government Pushes for Fintech Revolution in Estonia</title><description><![CDATA[Estonia is well-known in Europe for being a highly developed country in the tech space with approximately 30.6 startups per 100,000 inhabitants. The country is now poised to become a leading fintech hub.
Digital innovators like Skype and TransferWise, as well as initiatives such as e-Government and e-Residency, have earned Estonia such praise. Skype, the world’s largest peer-to-peer communications platform, was acquired by eBay for US$2.6 billion in 2005. Payment startup TransferWise, which has since relocated to London, raised US$396.4 million in funding and is now part of the unicorn club.
 
Government push
The Estonia government has been supporting the ecosystem and has helped it gain momentum. The e-Estonia initiative, for instance, is a movement by the public sector to facilitate citizen interactions with the state through the use of electronic solutions. E-services created under the initiative include i-Voting, e-Tax Board, e-Business, e-Banking, e-Ticket, e-School, University via internet, and the famous e-Residency program, which made Estonia the first country in the world to offer electronic residency to people from outside the country back in 2014.
Under the e-Residency program, non-residents can apply to have a smart ID card, providing the same access to Estonia&#8217;s various electronic services that a physical resident would be given. The e-Residency program had already attracted more than 24,000 global entrepreneurs, as of December 2017.
In May 2017, Finnish online-only business bank Holvi announced a partnership with the e-Residency program to enable business banking for e-residents without necessity to visit Estonia to set up an account. Holvi, which was acquired in 2016 by BBVA, provides entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises with a range of business services as well as traditional banking through its online platform.
Startup Estonia is another initiative by the government aimed to supporting the local startup ecosystem. Startup Estonia provides training programs for startups, works on educating local investors and attracting foreign investors, among other things. It is powered by financial institution KredEx and financed from the European Regional Development Fund with EUR 7 million.
Enterprise Estonia, a government agency, was one of the sponsors of the Money20/20 Europe 2018 conference that took place earlier this month. At the event, the Estonian Pavilion features several fintech startups representing the country include Mobi Lab, EveryPay and Funderbeam.
Money20/20 Europe 2018
 
Fintech startups in Estonia
Estonia currently has an estimated 450 startups with a little less than 20 in the fintech and insurtech spaces, according to data from Startup Estonia.
Fortumo, Facebook
One of the most notable ones is Fortumo, an international mobile technology company. The company has developed a platform for app stores and digital service providers for user acquisition, monetization and retention. Fortumo&#8217;s products allow digital merchants to manage the end-to-end customer lifecycle of mobile users on more than 350 mobile operator networks through bundling, carrier billing and messaging solutions. Fortumo has raised US$10 million in funding so far.
Another startup is Bondora, a Tallinn-based peer-to-peer lending platform connecting investors with borrowers. Bondora has a network of more than 36,000 investors and has facilitated more than EUR 129 million worth of loans. The company has raised US$8.8 million in funding so far.
Funderbeam is an Estonia startup providing a platform that allows investors to research, discover and trade startup companies. It is the world&#8217;s first primary and secondary marketplace for early-stage investments, secured by blockchain technology. Founded in 2013 by Kaidi Ruusalepp and Urmas Peiker, Funderbeam has raised US$10.5 million in funding to date from investors that include Jaan Tallinn, venture capitalist Tim Draper and Mistletoe’s Taizo Son.
The post Government Pushes for Fintech Revolution in Estonia appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/government-pushes-for-fintech-revolution-in-estonia</link><guid>597</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Estonia-fintech-1024x768.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>Government Pushes for Fintech Revolution in Estonia</dc:text></item><item><title>Schweizer Industrie Schafft Ein Gremium für Blockchain Kapitalmarkt Standards</title><description><![CDATA[Um die Verwendung der Blockchain-Technologie zu erleichtern, haben sich die führenden Akteure aus dem Finanz-, Technologie-, Wissenschafts- und Rechtsbereich der Schweiz zu einem neuen Verein, die Capital Markets and Technology Association (CMTA), zusammengeschlossen.
Jacques Iffland
&#8220;Die Blockchain-Technologie hat das Potenzial, die Komplexität des Kapitalmarktsystems zu verringern und den Zugang für Start-ups zu erleichtern. Der derzeitige Mangel an Rechtssicherheit verlangsamt die Entwicklung in diesem Bereich &#8211; und könnte sie gefährden.
Das Ziel von CMTA ist es, mit der Aufstellung einer Reihe, von der Industrie mitgetragener, offener Standards, den Zugang zu Unternehmensfinanzierungen zu erleichtern und schliesslich einen Beitrag zur Wertschöpfung der gesamten Wirtschaft zu leisten&#8221;,
sagt Jacques Iffland, Präsident der CMTA und Partner bei Lenz &amp; Staehelin.
Die CMTA wurde von Lenz &amp; Staehelin, der grössten Anwaltskanzlei der Schweiz, Swissquote Bank AG, dem Schweizer Marktführer im Online-Banking, und Temenos, dem führenden Schweizer Anbieter von Banksoftware, gegründet und hat ihren Sitz in Genf, Schweiz.
Marc Bürki
&#8220;Das Zusammenspiel der regulatorischen Rahmenbedingungen in der Schweiz mit dem Aufkommen neuer Technologien bietet die Möglichkeit die Art und Weise, wie Unternehmen ihre Wertpapiere vertreiben und Kapital aufnehmen können, und wie Investoren diese Vermögenswerte erwerben und handeln können, zu vereinfachen.
Wir freuen uns, an einem Projekt teilzunehmen, das Chancen für Unternehmen und den Markt eröffnet&#8221;,
kommentiert Marc Bürki, CEO von Swissquote.
Die CMTA will offene Standards und Arbeitsinstrumente erarbeiten, welche von neuen oder etablierten Gesellschaften, Unternehmen und Start-ups genutzt werden können, damit die sich auf sichere und effiziente Weise Kapital beschaffen können, indem die neuen Technologien genutzt und die Digitalisierung wirksam eingesetzt werden.
David Arnott
&#8220;Temenos engagiert sich, neue Technologien zur Verbesserung der Banktätigkeit einzusetzen. In der Distributed-Ledger-Technologie sehen wir die Möglichkeit, die Wertschöpfungsketten von Banken zu vereinfachen, die Wünsche der Kunden schneller zu erfüllen, die Kosten zu senken und die Finanzdienstleistungen zu demokratisieren.
Wir freuen uns auf die Herausforderung, diese Technologien sicher und zuverlässig in die Kapitalmärkte zu integrieren und Teil der CMTA zu sein&#8221;,
ergänzt David Arnott, CEO von Temenos.
James Larus
James Larus, Dekan der EPFL School of Computer and Communication Sciences, Mitglied des Vorstands des Vereins, kommentiert:
&#8220;Wir sind stolz darauf, Teil dieses spannenden interdisziplinären Vereins zu sein, der Fachwissen aus dem akademischen, technologischen, rechtlichen und finanziellen Bereich vereint.&#8221;
Die CMTA wurde als gemeinnütziger, nichtstaatlicher Verein gegründet, der in der Lage ist, unabhängig Standards zu setzen. Seine Mitglieder sind führende Unternehmen aus verschiedenen Branchen. Die Projekte werden von einem Beirat aus technischen Experten begleitet. Die Konzepte der CMTA wurden im Rahmen des Centers for Digital Trust an der EPFL (www.c4dt.org) diskutiert und weiterentwickelt.
 
Featured image via Pixabay
The post Schweizer Industrie Schafft Ein Gremium für Blockchain Kapitalmarkt Standards appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schweizer-industrie-schafft-ein-gremium-fur-blockchain-kapitalmarkt-standards</link><guid>584</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Schweizer Industrie Schafft Ein Gremium für Blockchain Kapitalmarkt Standards</dc:text></item><item><title>Luxembourg to Attract the Next Generation of Disrupters</title><description><![CDATA[The application window is closed for the third edition of the Fintech Awards Luxembourg, powered by KPMG Luxembourg and the LHoFT. An impressive array of startups in the financial technology sector has entered the competition in hopes of taking home one of the top prizes.
The joint organizers of the Awards report 192 applicants coming from 41 countries. This figure shows continuing interest from startups: last year’s competition drew when 167 entrants from 46 countries. The quality of the candidates continues to define Luxembourg as a leading fintech and innovation hub, and KPMG as an innovative and international company.
Georges Bock
“We’re extremely pleased with the success of the Awards,”
commented Georges Bock, founding partner of the event and Head of Tax with KPMG.
“This year, the international reach of the Awards continues to extend, with applicants from Korea (3), Singapore (7), and Israel (15) joining those from Luxembourg (27), France (18), and Germany (10).
With results like these, KPMG and the LHoFT can be proud of their hard work promoting the event in addition to being hugely thankful for the support of the partners who have helped us develop this project further and further.”
The diversity of the candidates’ origins matches that of their sectors, which include banking (16), big data/data analytics (17), lending (18), and investment management (19). Worth noting is the strong representation of payment (27) and regtech (25) applicants.
Pascal Denis, Head of Advisory at KPMG, will chair the panel of judges at the Awards, which take place on 20 June 2018.
Pascal Denis
“Regtech remains the most popular category of participants, likely because Luxembourg is where many compliance activities are centred due to its unique landscape of cross-border expertise.
Indeed, investment funds and banks have relays in several countries, which entails a rather high regulatory complexity. Other segments such as artificial intelligence and blockchain also stand out among the fintechs registered which is an encouraging sign for Luxembourg. We are able to attract the next generation of disrupters”
commented Mr Denis.
A new prize this year awards financial inclusion. It has been extremely well received within the startup community with many eligible applicants for it.
Nasir Zubairi
“I am incredibly impressed by the high calibre firms that have applied to be part of the awards this year; a testimony to the growing interest in the Fintech ecosystem in Luxembourg.
There are some really strong applications within the area of Regtech and Fundtech, and I am excited to see the quality of firms from the field of financial inclusion. The final will be even more exciting this year than ever, and I am confident that the Luxembourg community will be very interested to connect and hear from the finalists.”
Nasir Zubairi, CEO of the Luxembourg House of Financial Technology (the LHoFT).
The names of the jury members will be released soon, as will the names of the 15 candidates chosen to participate in the Grand Final on 20 June.
The LHoFT and KPMG Luxembourg extend warm thanks to gold sponsor, State Street, as well as to partners Digital Lëtzebuerg, the Luxembourg ICT Cluster, LuxInnovation, and Maison Moderne.
For more information, please visit the official site of the Awards at www.fintechawards.lu or contact Geneviève Feyt, press and media officer @KPMG Luxembourg (genevieve.feyt@kpmg.lu, +352 22 51 51 2903, +352 621 87 2903).
The post Luxembourg to Attract the Next Generation of Disrupters appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/luxembourg-to-attract-the-next-generation-of-disrupters</link><guid>583</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Luxembourg to Attract the Next Generation of Disrupters</dc:text></item><item><title>Crealogix integriert Kryptowährungen in Digital Banking Hub</title><description><![CDATA[Der Digital-Banking-Softwareanbieter Crealogix integriert ab jetzt Anlageprodukte in Kryptowährungen in seine Open-Banking-Architektur, den Digital Banking Hub. D
as CREALOGIX-Produkt Invest Crypto erlaubt es Bankkunden, Crypto Assets und konventionelle Anlageklassen über eine zentrale Plattform einzusehen und zu managen. Mit Amazon-Alexa-kompatiblen Endgeräten können Bankkunden Invest Crypto ausserdem einfach per Sprachsteuerung bedienen.
Der Open-Banking-Ansatz von Crealogix zielt darauf ab, Bankkunden eine Rundumsicht auf ihr Vermögen zu ermöglichen – unabhängig von ihrem Aufenthaltsort oder den Anlageklassen in ihrem Depot. Dank des neuen Produkts Invest Crypto umfasst diese Rundumsicht nun auch Anlagen in Kryptowährungen.
CREALOGIX Invest Crypto ermöglicht es Finanzinstitutionen erstmals, Crypto Assets und Blockchain-Daten in ihre Digital-Banking-Infrastruktur zu integrieren. Endanwender haben ausserdem die Möglichkeit, grundlegende Trading-Funktionen zu nutzen, falls das entsprechende Crypto Asset an einer Börse gehandelt wird.
Crypto Assets und konventionelle Anlageklassen werden in einer zentralen Plattform zusammengeführt
Maryam Danesh-Kajouri
«Kryptowährungen und die Blockchain-Technologie werden immer beliebter, bisher hatten Banken aber grosse Probleme, auf die entsprechenden Daten zuzugreifen und es ihren Kunden damit zu ermöglichen, verschiedene Crypto Assets auf einer einzigen Plattform einsehen zu können»,
erklärt Maryam Danesh-Kajouri, Global Head of Product Marketing bei CREALOGIX.
«CREALOGIX Invest Crypto erlaubt es Banken nun, Kryptowährungen und Blockchain-Daten auf eine einfache Art und Weise in ihre bestehende Plattform-Infrastruktur zu integrieren und damit den Bedürfnissen ihrer Kunden besser zu entsprechen.»
Mehrwerte durch die Einbindung von innovativen Drittanbieter-Lösungen schaffen
Der Ansatz, Kryptowährungen und Blockchain-Daten in die Digital-Banking-Infrastruktur zu integrieren, folgt der Open-Banking-Philosophie von Crealogix, durch die Einbindung innovativer Drittanbieter-Lösungen einen Mehrwert für Banken und Finanzdienstleister zu schaffen.
«Der Kerngedanke des Open Bankings ist, das ganzheitliche Management der persönlichen Finanzen für die Anwender einfacher zu machen»,
so Maryam Danesh-Kajouri.
«Es ist an der Zeit, dass dieser Ansatz auch Kryptowährungen und Token Assets umfasst.»
Für Invest Crypto ist zudem ein Alexa Skill verfügbar. Nutzer mit Amazon-Alexa-kompatiblen Endgeräten können damit künftig per Sprachsteuerung Preisinformationen oder Guthabenstände erfragen und grundlegende Trading-Funktionen für ihre Crypto Assets nutzen.
Nutzbar als integriertes Modul oder Stand-Alone-Lösung
Nutzt eine Bank bereits Crealogix-Software, fügt sich das Invest Crypto über eine Schnittstelle nahtlos in die bestehende Digital-Banking-Infrastruktur ein. Banken und Finanzdienstleister, die bisher noch keine Crealogix Digital Banking Software einsetzen, können Invest Crypto als Stand-Alone-Produkt nutzen.
 
Featured image via https://crealogix.com/
The post Crealogix integriert Kryptowährungen in Digital Banking Hub appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crealogix-integriert-kryptowahrungen-in-digital-banking-hub</link><guid>582</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Crealogix integriert Kryptowährungen in Digital Banking Hub</dc:text></item><item><title>12 Best-Funded Fintechs In Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[Switzerland is becoming a global fintech center with a total of 220 incorporated fintech companies in the country, as of December 2017.
These startups raised a total of CHF 130 million in venture capital and an astonishing CHF 271.3 million through initial coin offerings (ICOs) in 2017, bringing the total amount raised to CHF 401.3 million, according to the IFZ Fintech Study 2018.
What follows are 12 of the best-funded fintech companies in Switzerland to date.
 
Avaloq, CHF 350 million
Avaloq provides digital and core banking software and a provider of software as a service (SaaS) and business process as a service (BPaaS) solutions for banks and wealth managers. The firm raised CHF 350 million in March 2017 from Warburg Pincus, bringing its valuation to more than 1 billion CHF. Avaloq also owns 10% of the Swiss Blockchain venture Metaco.
 
Tezos, CHF 221 million
Tezos is a new decentralized blockchain that governs itself by establishing a true digital commonwealth. It facilitates formal verification, a technique which mathematically proves the correctness of the code governing transactions and boosts the security of the most sensitive or financially weighted smart contracts. In July 2017, it raised CHF 221 million in the largest ever ICO up to that point, and with the increasing value of ETH now probably worth more then 1bio CHF. Later on Tezos got troubles, read about the Tezos issues here.
 
Bancor, US$156.6 million (CHF 155.1 million)
The Bancor Protocol is a new standard for cryptocurrencies called Smart Tokens, which are autonomously and continuously convertible to other tokens in the network at algorithmically calculated rates. The protocol utilizes “connector” modules, which hold balances of other ERC20 tokens within a smart contract. The startup raised US$156.6 in one of the largest ICO in June 2017.
 
Status, US$95 million (CHF 94.1 million)
Status is an interface to access the Ethereum network built for Android and iOS devices. Status essentially combines a messenger and a browser that allows everyday smartphone users to use decentralized applications. Status raised US$95 million in its ICO in June 2017.
 
SwissBorg, CHF 50 million
SwissBorg is a wealthtech startup offering Swiss-made crypto investment solutions. The company is developing a computer dashboard, a cryptocurrency exchange and a robo-advisor platform for cryptocurrency investment. It raised CHF 50 million in its ICO in January 2018.
 
Centralway, CHF 50 million
Centralway develops and provides a mobile banking smartphone application called Numbrs. Numbrs is a mobile-first banking app which enables users to intelligently track and predict spending. The platform claims over 1.5 million bank accounts managed through the app. Centralway has raised CHF 50 million in funding so far, according to Boudkov.
 
Wefox, US$33.5 million (CHF 33.1 million)
Wefox Group, formerly FinanceFox, is an insurtech startup founded in Switzerland in 2014. The group operates two businesses: Wefox, a platform that connects insurance companies to brokers, and ONE, a fully digital European insurance company. Wefox has offices in Zurich, Berlin, Vienna and Barcelona, and has raised US$33.5 million in funding so far.
 
Additiv, CHF 21 million
Additiv is a Zurich-based fintech startup that offers systems to help with the digitalization of banks, asset managers and insurers. Additiv’s key software product is Digital Finance Suite (DFS). The company has offices in Switzerland, Hong Kong and Singapore, and has raised CHF 21 million in funding to date.
 
Ethereum, US$18.4 million (CHF 18.2 million)
Ethereum is an open-source, public, blockchain-based distributed computing platform and operating system featuring smart contract functionality. Ether is the cryptocurrency whose blockchain is generated by the Ethereum platform. Ethereum raised US$18.4 million in its ICO in 2014.
 
Crypto Finance, CHF 16 million
Crypto Finance is a blockchain asset investment startup dedicated to providing investors safe and easy access to the rapidly growing cryptocurrency market. The startup provides blockchain-related services through its three divisions: Crypto Fund, Crypto Broker and Crypto Storage. Crypto Finance raised CHF 16 million in funding in December 2017 from investors that include billionaire and hedge fund pioneer Rainer-Marc Frey.
 
NetGuardians, CHF 14 million
NetGuardians is a leading regtech startup serving the financial services industry. Using smart behavioral analysis methods, NetGuardians has designed a technology that quickly identifies atypical activity, effectively controls data leaks, and alerts clients to potential internal fraud. NetGuardians launched its Asia Pacific headquarters in February 2018. The startup has raised CHF 14 million in funding so far, according to Finovate.
 
Advanon, CHF 13.9 million
Advanon is a leading invoice financing platform in Switzerland and Germany offering a simple and flexible way for businesses to get invoices financed by numerous investors. Founded in 2015 and based in Zurich, Advanon is an authorized financial intermediary. Advanon has raised CHF 13.9 million in funding so far: CHF 400K in a seed funding round in 2015, and a CHF 13.5 million Series A in 2017.
 
Ps: please note its not that easy to get accurate funding information for Swiss Fintechs, so in case any number here is wrong or we missed out a major Swiss Fintech Funding, then stay calm and simple let us know.
 
Featured picture via pixabay
The post 12 Best-Funded Fintechs In Switzerland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/12-best-funded-fintechs-in-switzerland</link><guid>581</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Avaloq-300x105.png</dc:content ><dc:text>12 Best-Funded Fintechs In Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>10 Exciting Fintech Startups from Lithuania to Keep an Eye on</title><description><![CDATA[Lithuania, which have been promoting itself as gateway destination to the European market for fintech startups from across the world, has seen its digital finance and fintech sector grow rapidly in the past years. In 2017, the country saw no less than 35 new fintech companies being incorporated, according to the Lithuania Fintech Report 2017.
One of the prominent fintech startups that took the plunge include Singapore’s InstaRem. “We were looking for a perfect headquarter location in the EU,” said Prajit Nanu, co-founder and CEO at InstaReM.
“In Lithuania we found a fintech-friendly and fast regulator, as well as excellent international-grade talent. With all this, Lithuania is hands-down the best European base for cutting-edge fintechs.”
As Lithuania continues to attract some of the world’s top fintech startups, we look today at several of its very own homegrown fintech ventures. Here are ten exciting fintech startups from Lithuania to keep an eye on:
 
Savy
Savy is a peer-to-peer lending platform for consumer loans and the first to launch in Lithuania back in 2014. Since then, the company has relocated to the UK but still serves the Lithuanian market. The platform connects investors with borrowers across Europe. Unlike other lending platforms, Savy does not use deposit account to collect money or distribute payments. The platform connects investors and borrowers directly via their bank accounts.
 
CoinGate
CoinGate is a Lithuanian cryptocurrency startup. It provides exchange and merchant payment services. The company’s mission is to provide a simple way for any online or retail businesses to accept Bitcoin and other digital currencies. CoinGate offers payouts in Bitcoin as well as real-time settlements in euros. Integration tools it has developed include an API, 10+ shopping cart integrations (modules), payment buttons and Point-of-Sale apps for retail stores.
 
Debifo
Founded in 2015, Debifo offers an invoice finance solution for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Lithuania. The platform enables them to free up frozen working capital by providing funds based on outstanding invoices. Debifo’s invoice finance solution allows to shorten receivable payment terms from 30 &#8211; 120 days to only a few days. Debifo does not require long-term contracts or collateral, and has no hidden fees. After completing a short registration form, clients can raise invoices for financing and receive the funds they need within a few days.
 
Bankera
Bankera describes itself as a bank for the blockchain era. The company provides the services of a traditional bank, including payment services, loans, deposits, and investments, but caters its services to the blockchain community. Founded in 2017, Bankera raised US$100 million in its initial coin offering (ICO) from 80,000 contributors.
 
Caspero
Founded in 2016, Caspero is a payments startup providing users with a digital wallet that allows them to shop online conveniently and send money to their friends and families instantly. For online businesses, Caspero offers a payment platform that’s easy to integrate and which allows them to accept payments online. The platform has two-step verification and cross-site scripting for all users.
 
Vericents
Vericents is a regulated electronic money institution from Lithuania that operates a payment gateway for online businesses. The platform is fully PCI DSS Level 1 compliant, so all data and traffic are encrypted and protected, while access to customer data is severely monitored and restricted. Additionally, with Vericents, customers get pre-authorization and capture of transactions, recurrent billing, and the ability to message (email or SMS) a client about a payment.
 
Universa Blockchain
Universa Blockchain is a new generation blockchain protocol and platform, defined as a set of protocols and data formats, which enable smart contracts owned and controlled by organizations and natural persons through a decentralized notary cloud certifying each transaction. The platform was designed with a focus on scalability, speed and cost-efficiency. It describes itself as a fast and reliable blockchain protocol for businesses and apps. Universal Blockchain raised US$28.8 million in an ICO last December.
 
Debitum Network
Debitum Network is an hybrid ecosystem for small business financing that utilizes the Ethereum blockchain to secure and distribute fiat financing to SMEs. The platform is designed to unite borrowers and those who help them apply: investors (lenders), risk assessors, document validators, insurers, etc. Companies or individual professionals who work in the alternative finance space can connect-in to the network for free and immediately begin facilitating cross-border deals. Debitum Network raised US$16 million in its ICO earlier this year.
 
Etronika
Etronika develops smart solutions in the areas of payments, digital banking, lending, and digital identity for financial institutions and retail businesses. The company provides several solutions and platforms including Banktron, an omnichannel digital banking platform, the Etronika Retail Solution for businesses, a digital identity solution for enterprises, and Banktron Loans, a platform for financial institutions to enables transparent and flexible credit origination processes for all types of customers.
 
BeScouted
BeScouted, a visual content marketplace, is not a fintech startup per se but the platform uses blockchain technology to reward content creators for the quality content that they share. The marketplace connects hundreds of millions of freelance content creators and talents with the demand for implementation of visual content creation projects through our unique casting tool. It uses blockchain technology to allow fair value distribution back to the community, eliminate the need of paid business models, enable free and instant transactions between the parties, and cut out middlemen.
 
Featured image via Pixabay
The post 10 Exciting Fintech Startups from Lithuania to Keep an Eye on appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/10-exciting-fintech-startups-from-lithuania-to-keep-an-eye-on</link><guid>579</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/savy-300x96.png</dc:content ><dc:text>10 Exciting Fintech Startups from Lithuania to Keep an Eye on</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintegration: Volldigitale KMU Buchhaltungslösung für WIR Bank-Kunden</title><description><![CDATA[Mit einer neuen Produktpartnerschaft erleichtert die WIR Bank Genossenschaft ihren KMU-Kunden künftig die Buchhaltung.
Accounto ist auf die Bedürfnisse von KMU zugeschnitten, integriert WIR in die Buchhaltungsabläufe und bietet das Treuhandmodell der Zukunft. Die repetitive und oft lästige Arbeit wie das Sortieren von Belegen und Abstimmen von Konten entfällt, da Accounto diese Dienstleistungen digital zum günstigen monatlichen Fixpreis anbietet. 
Kunden senden Belege, Quittungen und Lieferantenrechnungen per E-Mail oder per Post an Accounto. Dort wird mit Hilfe von neuster Technologie gescannt und verbucht – der KMU-Kunde zahlt Rechnungen mit einem Klick, die Buchhaltung ist immer à jour.
«Wir lancieren digitale Produkte und Partnerschaften nicht, weil sie per se digital sind, sondern nur dann, wenn sie unsere Kundschaft zeitlich und finanziell entlasten»,
erklärt Germann Wiggli, Vorsitzender der Geschäftsleitung der WIR Bank, wie es zur Zusammenarbeit gekommen ist.
Und Accounto-CEO Alessandro Micera ergänzt:
«Der Schulterschluss ist für uns ein logischer Schritt; genau wie für uns steht bei der WIR Bank die Stärkung der KMU-Betriebe im Fokus. Dass wir die WIR Bank als Partner gewählt haben, ist auch Ausdruck dessen, dass sie für uns mittlerweile zu den innovativsten Bankplayern gehört.»

WIR-Kunden erhalten durch die Partnerschaft mit Accounto eine moderne Buchhaltungslösung, in die WIR – inklusive die Mobile-Payment-Lösung WIRpay – voll integriert ist.

Claudio Gisler
«Und das alles zu einem Spezialpreis und mit der Möglichkeit, einen Teil der Kosten in WIR zu begleichen»,
so Claudio Gisler, Leiter Marketing und Produkte bei der WIR Bank.
In Zahlen ausgedrückt: WIR-Kunden wird Accounto konstant mit einem 10-prozentigen Rabatt angeboten, auf diesen Fixpreis wurde – nach einem 100-Prozent-Angebot für «Early Birds» in der Einführungsphase – ein WIR-Annahmesatz von 10 Prozent vereinbart.
So überrascht es nicht, dass Gisler von einer «Win-Win-Win-Lösung» spricht:
«Nebst dem Preisvorteil für WIR-Kunden profitiert Accounto durch die Zusammenarbeit mit der WIR Bank von unserem starken KMU-Netzwerk – und wir im Gegenzug von einem echten Mehrwert, den wir unseren Kunden anbieten können.»
 
Featured image via Pexels
The post Swiss Fintegration: Volldigitale KMU Buchhaltungslösung für WIR Bank-Kunden appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintegration-volldigitale-kmu-buchhaltungslosung-fur-wir-bank-kunden</link><guid>575</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/accounto.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Fintegration: Volldigitale KMU Buchhaltungslösung für WIR Bank-Kunden</dc:text></item><item><title>Robeco FinTech-Strategie Fonds übersteigt in den Ersten 6 Monaten 250 Mio</title><description><![CDATA[Die FinTech-Strategie von Robeco ist auf grosses Interesse gestossen. Die Kunden haben in den ersten sechs Monaten seit Lancierung der Strategie mehr als 250 Millionen Euro investiert.
Der im November 2017 aufgelegte Fonds hat ausserdem in den ersten sechs Monaten seines Bestehens eine solide Performance von 15,77% gegenüber 4,44% des Referenzindex (MSCI All Country World) erzielt.
Robeco hat als einer der ersten Vermögensverwalter einen aktiv verwalteten Fonds aufgelegt, der ausschliesslich in börsenkotierte Fintech-Unternehmen investiert und für Gross- und Einzelhandelsinvestoren verfügbar ist.
Robeco Global FinTech Equities investiert weltweit in börsenkotierte Aktien, die von der zunehmenden Digitalisierung des Finanzsektors profitieren. Der Investmentprozess basiert auf fundamentaler und quantitativer Forschung, einschliesslich der Analyse von ESG-Faktoren.
Patrick Lemmens und Jeroen van Oerle, Portfoliomanager von Robeco Global FinTech Equities, sagten:

&#8220;Wir sind sehr stolz und dankbar, dass die Anleger das Potenzial eines erst vor sechs Monaten aufgelegten Fonds bereits erkennen. FinTech ist ein starker Wachstumstrend, der sich nicht nur in den nächsten Jahren, sondern auch in zehn Jahren fortsetzen wird. Wir sind auch stolz auf die Leistung, die wir für unsere Kunden erzielen konnten.
Das zeigt, dass FinTech aus börsenkotierter Sicht investierbar ist. Wir sehen weiterhin einige strukturelle Trends mit viel Potenzial im FinTech-Bereich.
Wir glauben beispielsweise, dass Online-Zahlungsmethoden zum Mainstream werden, dass Barzahlungen eine Ausnahme sein werden und dass die digitale Finanzierung den Weg  für zwei Milliarden Menschen bereiten wird, die derzeit ihre finanziellen Angelegenheiten nicht selbst verwalten. Es gibt weiterhin noch viel Potenzial, und wir freuen uns, diese Trends zu nutzen, um unseren Kunden weiterhin einen Mehrwert zu bieten&#8221;.
 
Featured image via https://www.robeco.com/en/
The post Robeco FinTech-Strategie Fonds übersteigt in den Ersten 6 Monaten 250 Mio appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/robeco-fintech-strategie-fonds-ubersteigt-in-den-ersten-6-monaten-250-mio</link><guid>576</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/robeco-300x240.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Robeco FinTech-Strategie Fonds übersteigt in den Ersten 6 Monaten 250 Mio</dc:text></item><item><title>Canton of Schaffhausen Officially Launches Electronic ID Solution</title><description><![CDATA[After a four-month pilot phase with the “Schaffhauser eID+” electronic identity solution, the project partners have drawn a positive assessment.
The system, which has been implemented jointly by Swiss e-government specialist Procivis and the IT services of the canton and town of Schaffhausen (KSD), has proven to deliver the expected added value and will now be formally launched.
With the official go-live of eID+, the Swiss Canton of Schaffhausen strengthens its pioneering role when it comes to e-government at the cantonal and municipal levels.
As part of a pilot project running since December of last year, the Schaffhauser eID+ has allowed citizens of the Swiss Canton of Schaffhausen to install an electronic identity on their mobile phones and have its data validated by the residents’ registration office. Once set up, the electronic identity provides safe and easy-to-use access to a range of electronic government services without the need for additional logins and passwords.
In addition, the eID+ app allows citizens to securely store digital documents on their mobile phones in order to have them available at any time.

As a result of the successful pilot phase, the canton’s e-government core team has decided to officially take the Schaffhauser eID+ live this June and make it available to all of the canton’s citizens. At the same time, the number of services accessible via the Schaffhauser eID+ is planned to be extended over the course of this year.
In addition to further government services, eID+ will also be available as a means of electronic identification to private businesses. Related requests have already been addressed to the KSD during the pilot phase. With regard to the draft for a national electronic ID legislation, which the Swiss Federal Council has recently presented, the official launch of the Schaffhauser eID+ will allow Procivis and the canton’s egovernment core team to gain further experience and build up expertise.
The Zurich University of Applied Sciences ZHAW has accompanied the Schaffhausen eID+ pilot phase with a study to determine the types of services users are most interested in and to assess the user-friendliness of the system. Both the citizens surveyed in the study as well as the administrative staff tasked with the validation of identity data have provided positive feedback.
On average, the initial installation and validation of the electronic identity took less than ten minutes. Government service areas that were of particular relevance to the study participants were tax administration, the residents’ registration office, passport office and road traffic department. Services in the fields of tax administration, employment office, child protective services, planning office and residents’ registration office can already be accessed with eID+.
Over the coming weeks, the list of services will be continuously expanded. In addition, the validation of personal data will be extended from Schaffhausen’s residents’ registration office to other locations throughout the canton.
To Procivis, the official go-live of the Schaffhauser eID+ represents the first regular implementation of the company’s eID+ technology in Switzerland. Said Procivis founder and CEO Daniel Gasteiger:

Daniel Gasteiger
“We’re excited about the Canton of Schaffhausen’s decision to launch eID+ as an official solution. Even after a few short months, our platform’s open architecture has already proven to be an important advantage as it will allow the Canton of Schaffhausen to use future developments in the field of digital identities for the benefit of its citizens.”
 
Member of Schaffhausen’s governing council and chair of the e-government core team Walter Vogelsanger said:
“The successful pilot phase has shown that the Schaffhauser eID+ can help us further extend our location and competitive advantage. I’m very pleased that we can now offer an electronic identity, which creates immediate value by providing access to a growing number of services, to all our citizens.”
 
This article first appeared on procivis.ch
The post Canton of Schaffhausen Officially Launches Electronic ID Solution appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/canton-of-schaffhausen-officially-launches-electronic-id-solution</link><guid>577</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Schaffhauser-eID.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Canton of Schaffhausen Officially Launches Electronic ID Solution</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Crowdlending Platform CreditGate24 Crosses CHF 100M Milestone</title><description><![CDATA[CreditGate24, a Swiss marketplace lending platform based in Rüschlikon, Switzerland, has crossed the CHF 100 million milestone of money that has been lent through the platform since its inception. According to the company, it now accounts for nearly half of the Swiss market which it claims still holds a lot of growth potential.
&#8220;Achieving the CHF 100 million mark in just three years and an average growth rate of 290% clearly shows that we were able to generate a stable base of trust. This number will continue to grow as institutional investors show more and more interest in our viable investment model,&#8221; said Stefan Benkert, CEO of CreditGate24.
According to Christoph M. Mueller, founder and chairman of CreditGate24, the Swiss crowdlending space is still nascent and while rapid growth has been witnessed in the past years, the space is still underdeveloped when compared with countries such as China, the UK and the US. There’s still place for growth, notably in the institutional investor segment.
&#8220;Crowdlending has revolutionized the financial market and the competition has finally arrived, providing customers with fairer prices. The growth potential of the crowdlending market is still underestimated by market participants. We need to make the shift to crowdlending even more confidently so that other clients recognize the opportunity of this investment,&#8221; said Christoph M. Mueller, founder and chairman of CreditGate24.
One of the main appeal of peer-to-peer lending for borrowers is the lower interest rates than traditional bank rates, and for lenders, higher returns than a savings account or other investments. This is made possible by removing expensive middlemen such as banks from the equation.
Alternative financing and investment platforms have proven to be an interesting option for investors in low-yield environment seeking out alternatives to low-return savings accounts and term deposits.
Established in 2015, CreditGate24 has provided loans to more than 1,400 private individuals and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Switzerland. The company operates an online platform that brings borrowers and private and institutional investors together, providing consumer and private loans and loans for SMEs and self-employed.
Customers of CreditGate24 have praised the solution as an “uncomplicated, transparent and lucrative alternative to banks or securities investments,” adding that on the investor side, “the risk is minimal and the yields very attractive.”
To celebrate its CHF 100 million milestone, the company has launched a special promotion for private customers, offering an immediate 10% discount on its service fee until the CHF 100 million mark of personal loans is reached.
The peer-to-peer lending market has experienced exceptional growth since 2010 globally and since 2012 in Switzerland. In the past few years in particular, Switzerland has witnessed a sharp increase in its crowdlending activity, but also in the overall crowdfunding space.
In 2017, crowdlending platforms like CreditGate24 allocated a volume of CHF 186.7 million in loans, a 239% increase from the previous year, according to Crowdfunding Monitoring Switzerland 2018. But it is the crowdinvesting segment that saw the biggest rise with an increase of 245% at a volume of CHF 135.2 million. Overall, the Swiss crowdfunding space grew by 192% to CHF 374.5 million in 2017, and a volume of CHF 900 million to CHF 1 billion is predicted for 2018.
Yet, the Swiss crowdfunding market remains relatively small and is “two to three years behind” countries with developed alternative financing industries. In comparison, China saw a volume of CHF 203 billion going through its crowdfunding platforms in 2016, the US CHF 25 billion, and the UK CHF 5.9 billion, while Switzerland only recorded a volume of CHF 128 million.
The post Swiss Crowdlending Platform CreditGate24 Crosses CHF 100M Milestone appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-crowdlending-platform-creditgate24-crosses-chf-100m-milestone</link><guid>578</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Crowdlending Platform CreditGate24 Crosses CHF 100M Milestone</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Startup Map June, 250 Swiss Fintech Startups</title><description><![CDATA[Swisscom released the Swiss Fintech Startup Map for June 2018 which now counts 250 Swiss Fintech Startups, 18 more then in May.
One of the new featured Asset management startups is Clear Mind.

The post Swiss Fintech Startup Map June, 250 Swiss Fintech Startups appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-startup-map-june-250-swiss-fintech-startups</link><guid>570</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Swiss-FinTech-Map-June-18.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Startup Map June, 250 Swiss Fintech Startups</dc:text></item><item><title>CNBC Exclusive Fintech and Bitcoin Interview with Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak</title><description><![CDATA[An exclusive CNBC interview with Steve Wozniak (SW), Apple Co-Founder, and CNBC’s Arjun Kharpal (AK) at Money 2020 in Amsterdam.
Fintechnews features here only the Fintech parts out of the interview and as expected Steve is a great businessman and also a great speaker, but honestly not really a Fintech expert as his answers are more or less general.
AK: Steve, thank you so much for joining. I want to kick off first with Fintech, since we are at Money2020, Fintech and money. What are the big trends for you in this space?
SW: You know the same trend’s being going on for kind of years, I mean you know companies came in like Square to make it easier for certain people to be involved with different procedures in the Fintech community – there was Android Pay then there was Apple Pay did it easy, Apple Pay is so wonderful, the most wonderful thing in my life.
Almost every single store I go to I just tap the watch and pay with a watch, no no hassle. And I think that’s changing how people want to do their retail purchasing use of money. When Apple Pay first came out I thought Apple oh my gosh was actually stepping into the banking area in a way, but I don’t understand that business as well to know what is a bank, what isn’t a bank. To me, a bank is protecting my assets and Apple doesn’t have that role. Apple, Apple Pay is more of a transition.
AK: And in line with that trend do you see companies like Apple and other large scaled technology firms actually starting to get more involved in financial services as we go through the years?
SW: Yes I do because we’re talking about huge companies that have huge savings wealth and all that. Ones like, you know, Google and Apple and many others you know absolutely want to find any way that they can extend their prowess, their monopolies into other markets even and becoming a bank rather than just a service centre for banks to operate is probably big and attractive financially, and you need something very huge for those companies.
Apple And Facebook Banking?
AK: And so companies like, for example, we’ve spoken about Amazon and Apple and Facebook, these are companies with millions, billions of users, and so do you see them actually getting into full-scale banking rather than just offering you know a payments system or something else?
SW: I I see them trying to get into full-scale banking. A little bit of me says I kind of prefer banking to go in a more of a decentralised fashion to where the users aren’t being at the mercy of the huge huge monopolies, since the way these companies often think, so I trust Apple the most. So there’s that whole idea of trust. Am I really getting service, you know, what I deserve out of these companies. You know you can even look to companies like Facebook and ask that question.
AK: You spoke about decentralisation, and that’s a key theme of course for bitcoin and cryptocurrencies, and as you look at bitcoin what kind of role do you see it playing in the future of finance, if any?
bitcoin image via Pexels.com
SW: Right, well I said decentralised and bitcoin is recognised for that. But I was intending my comment to be regarded to a lot of banks to choose from and not just, you know, two or three or four major major players like, the tech industry always kind of thinks that way.
As far as bitcoin I I think it’s kind of interesting – I’m I also believe so much strongly in mathematics and purity and science as defying the world, and when humans put their own little scales and say no this is how we want to think and not follow the math you get wrong answers in my mind.
So, bitcoin is mathematically defined, there’s a certain quantity of bitcoin, there’s a way that it’s distributed, that people who who keep copies of the ledger have a way to get paid a little. And it’s pure and there’s no no human running it. There’s no company running it and it’s just going and going and growing and growing and surviving. That to me says something about something that is natural and nature is more important than all our human conventions.
Worried about Bitcoin
AK: You previously mentioned that you bought bitcoin at around 700 hundred dollars and then then sold it all because you were kind of tired of watching the price movement. Have you bought any more bitcoin since then at a higher price?
SW: No, my point is I never invested in bitcoin. I was actually a little worried once – all of a sudden the price went up and I had a lot of money in bitcoin, I said wait a minute, I only wanted my bitcoin to experiment, to figure out how to buy things online, figure out how to go to other cities and find hotels and restaurants and places that would take bitcoin, even ATMs.
That was my purpose, so once, I sold all of my bitcoin except one, I kept one to experiment with now and I have two Ether and that’s it. So I am not an investor, I just, that was not my purpose at all and I don’t think oh I want to buy more I want to buy more. To some people I had recommended things based upon travels in the world over and over I see bitcoin, blockchain applications used in in Ethereum and sometimes I’ll recognise Ethereum. Ethereum you know is a platform and platforms tend to grow because they’ve got millions of people working on developing you know applications.
AK: Do you see bitcoin maintaining its dominance as you see the rise of these other platforms? The likes of Ether, or Ripple for example, and many of the other blockchain platforms that are coming to market.
SW: Yeah we’ve seen a hundred sort of bitcoin copies and some are faster, and some are a little-centralized control, some have other advantages. Only bitcoin is pure digital gold. And that’s the phrase that’s used and I totally buy into that. And all of the others tend to give up some of the aspects of bitcoin, for example, being totally decentralized and having no central control, that’s the first one to have to give up to try to have a business model. How the math on bitcoin was so correct that it still works.
I agree with Jack Dorsey
AK: So, so digital gold rather than currency because Jack Dorsey, the Twitter CEO, recently said he believes that bitcoin could become the global currency of the world in ten years. And so, is that something you buy in to or do you see it more as something people park their money into and leave rather than a transactional thing?
SW: I buy-in to what Jack Dorsey says – not that I necessarily believe it’s going to happen but because I want it to be that way. That is so pure thinking. Sometimes you wind up later on saying well I got sold, I could have been smarter.
AK: Do you have a view on, I know you said you’re kind of sick of watching the prices going up, but do you have a view on actually how much value you think bitcoin could have in the future in terms of price?
SW: Bitcoin is, because it’s regulated in its quantity, it’s down to supply and demand, and as more and more people want it and demand it. There was a hype going on for a period when it went up to twenty thousand and now it’s down to I don’t know where it is because I don’t ever track it, but so if the demand increases and it becomes more and more popular for more things and people start using it there is no extra supply. It’s limited. It’s fixed.
AK: And so, so for you…
 SW: So in terms of dollars, you know currency, fiat currency of a country, yes bitcoin could will go up and up over time and it won’t happen, it may be sloppy at first and things that change that much in life take a long time to change they tend to go slowly. You know, we had we had a crash in the internet age and I see that going on with a lot of blockchain things, including bitcoin itself right now.
Are we in a Bubble?
AK: And are you worried by some of the fundamentals at the moment and actually if there is this bubble and we’ve seen some of that air come out of the market that could actually hamper the development of the technology?
SW: Well, I kind of disagree with that because it is, blockchain in all forms is so popular and being studied by so many people and in demand by so many companies to look into changing their business in the future. It may be long term. I do see it, as you said, as a bubble in the sense that there’s a huge amount of interest in it right now but things aren’t going to change that rapidly – that’s what the internet bubble was about.
AK: And looking at the underlying technology, blockchain, we’ve seen a lot of banks experimenting with it. We saw a lot of companies starting to try and dip their toes into that. How long do you feel it is until this becomes a widespread technology?
SW: I’m going to give it about ten to fifteen years – I would say the same as…Here was the internet, and the internet had promises of oh my gosh all your purchases online and your bank reservations, your airplane reservations, your bank accounts, everything was going to be online and the trouble is we had a big crash of all the companies who started off to compete for that.
And yet, here it is in 2018 – all of our life, everything we do with these third-party apps to do this today, oh my gosh what this saved me, it’s so wonderful of world it was the world we talked about then but it just doesn’t happen instantly because people have to have their mindset changed, culture and tradition and status quo and all the way things are doesn’t change that instantly when it’s that huge.

The post CNBC Exclusive Fintech and Bitcoin Interview with Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/cnbc-exclusive-fintech-and-bitcoin-interview-with-apple-co-founder-steve-wozniak</link><guid>571</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/bitcoin--300x225.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>CNBC Exclusive Fintech and Bitcoin Interview with Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 10 Funded Fintech Startups in London</title><description><![CDATA[The UK, and in particular London, is an undeniable fintech leader, hosting some of the world’s top companies which has raised billions in investment.
London-based fintech startups raised over £800 million in 2017, doubling 2016’s figure. Some of the companies with the deepest pockets are operating in the segments of peer-to-peer lending, digital banking, and international money transfer.
Here are ten of London’s most well-funded fintech startups:
 
Acorn OakNorth Holdings – US$480.4 million
Acorn OakNorth is a fintech firm specializing in small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) lending using its data and technology platform, Acorn machine. The platform helps automate the way banks penetrate this underserved and underestimated market by leveraging process excellence, machine learning and technology to fuel data-driven decision making across the loan lifecycle. The Acorn machine platform has been embedded with banking partners across multiple countries. Acorn OakNorth has raised 360Mio GBP in funding so far, according to the company (Techrunch shows here much higher numbers).
TransferWise – US$396.4 million
TransferWise is an international money transfer platform that matches people looking to send currencies in different directions, cutting down on costs. TransferWise generates revenues from a modest flat commission charged on exchange values. The company raised US$280m in a 2017 Series E funding round led by Old Mutual Global Investors and IVP, bringing the total raised by the startup to US$396.3 million.
Funding Circle – US$375 million
Funding Circle provides an online platform that matches established and creditworthy businesses who want to borrow with investors who want to lend in the US, the UK, and Continental Europe. The platform allows savers to lend directly to small businesses, cutting out the banks and offering more favorable interest rates than traditional bank savings accounts. Funding Circle raised US$100 million in its Series F in January 2017, bringing the total raised to around US$375 million, according to TechCrunch.
 
 
Revolut – US$336.4 million
Revolut is a digital bank that includes a pre-paid debit card, currency exchange, cryptocurrency exchange, and peer-to-peer payments. Revolut currently charges no fees for the majority of its services for a capped usage, and uses interbank exchange rates for its currency exchange on weekdays, and charge a markup from 0.5% to 1.5% on weekends. Revolut raised US$250 million in its Series C funding round in April 2018, bringing the total raised by the company to US$336.4 million, according to Crunchbase.
 
WorldRemit – US$232.7 million
WorldRemit is an online service that lets people send money to friends and family living abroad. The platform aims to offer a convenient and low-cost alternative to traditional money transfer companies. Money can be received as a bank deposit, cash pick-up, mobile money, or mobile airtime top-up. WorldRemit’s service is available to senders in 50 countries and supports transfers to more than 140+ destinations across Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and the Americas. WorldRemit has raised US$232.7 million in funding so far, according to Crunchbase.
 
eToro – US$222.9 million
eToro is a social trading investment network that enables users to watch the financial trading activities of other users, copy them, and make their own trades. The platform allows traders to learn from each other, share live trading information, and capitalize on their collective power. Launched in 2007, the company has registered offices in the US, Cyprus and Israel. eToro has raised US$222.9 million in funding so far, according to Crunchbase, the latest being its US$150 million Series E funding round earlier this year.
 
Starling Bank – US$190.3 million
Starling Bank is a digital, mobile-only challenger bank operating Current Accounts, Business Accounts, and a Payments Services scheme for merchants. Starling Bank is a licensed bank and is creating an app that aims to replace the current account for a generation of mobile users, helping them to see their money from a new perspective. Starling Bank has raised US$190.3 million in funding so far, according to Crunchbase.
 
Iwoca – US$158.9 million
Iwoca is an online fintech company that offers credit facilities to small businesses trading in the UK, Germany, Spain and Poland via an automated lending platform. Since launch in March 2012 Iwoca has lent over £200 million to thousands of small businesses. Iwoca has raised US$158.9 million in funding so far, according to Crunchbase.
 
Tandem – US$145.2 million
Tandem is a challenger bank that currently offers a credit card and fixed term savings accounts. It has a banking license through its subsidiary Tandem Bank Limited, formerly Harrods Bank Limited, following its acquisition in January 2018. Tandem has raised US$145.2 million in funding so far, the latest being a US$103 million Series B in April 2017, according to Crunchbase.
 
Monzo – US$145 million
Monzo, formerly Mondo, is a digital, mobile-only bank. It was one of the earliest of a number of new app-based challenger banks in the UK. Monzo focuses on building the best current account in the world and ultimately working with a range of other providers so that it can be an intelligent hub for customers’ entire financial life. Monzo raised US$93 million in its latest round in November, bringing the total raised by the company to about US$145 million.
 
The Fintech Week event series by Fintech Worldwide is coming back to London from July 6 to 13, 2018 to bring together all of the industry’s stakeholders. The event is expected to welcome up to 1,000 conference delegates per day from over 50 countries and up to 5,000 participants throughout the week.
Fintech Week London 2018 will feature a series of conferences, exhibitions, workshops, hackathons, meetups and parties with each day focusing on a different topic including challenger banks, insurtech, wealthtech, AI, cryptocurrencies, and more.
Get 20% off using our promo code “FTN20”.
 
Featured image: London, England, Pixabay.
The post Top 10 Funded Fintech Startups in London appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-10-funded-fintech-startups-in-london</link><guid>567</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/OakNorth-300x114.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 10 Funded Fintech Startups in London</dc:text></item><item><title>Key Financial Companies Bank on Magnolia’s Integration Strengths</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss Re, Generali, Rabobank and Groupe Mutuel are among the most recent companies from the banking, financial services and insurance sector to choose Magnolia CMS for their digital transformation and customer experience initiatives.

Pascal Mangold
“Financial companies value Magnolia CMS for its ‘future-proofness’: its flexibility to customize and integrate with legacy technology, while keeping open for the future,”
said Magnolia’s CEO Pascal Mangold.
“The financial sector has traditionally built its operations on a wide range of bespoke, in-house developed applications that are now becoming legacies that sometimes get in the way of adopting new services. Magnolia’s ease of integration helps them to maintain their ecosystems while improving customer engagement and experience.”
Swiss Re recently chose Magnolia as a partner to build its new corporate website. The Fortune 500 insurance company with an annual turnover of more than $38.5 billion said:
“Magnolia is well-suited to address Swiss Re’s various communications and business needs as well as its regulatory requirements as a stock-listed company. It delivers timely publishing, a secure and scalable cloud infrastructure, connectivity to core business systems and a level of support that suits Swiss Re’s needs.”
Generali Group, the world’s third-largest insurance company, has won a number of industry awards for its smart, responsive site with Magnolia. This engaging platform allows Generali to offer visitors seamless experiences across multiple screens and devices.
Rabobank used Magnolia for the European rollout of its direct banking platform, RaboDirect. The publicly accessible sites for Belgium and for Germany went live in January and February respectively, with the secure client sites to follow in August.
Groupe Mutuel, ranked number two among health insurers in Switzerland, recently relaunched its corporate website using Magnolia. This is part of its strategy to offer high-quality user experiences, with interactive features in four languages, to over 1.4 million private and 17,000 corporate clients.
These companies join the more than 50 leading banks and insurers who use Magnolia CMS to create outstanding digital experiences around the world, including Alior Bank, Allianz, American Express, Baloise, Bank of Scotland, HSBC, Intesa Sanpaolo, Lloyds, National Bank of Kuwait, VHV-Versicherungen and Visana.
 
Featured image via https://www.magnolia-cms.com/
The post Key Financial Companies Bank on Magnolia’s Integration Strengths appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/key-financial-companies-bank-on-magnolias-integration-strengths</link><guid>568</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Key Financial Companies Bank on Magnolia’s Integration Strengths</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech On The Rise In Hamburg</title><description><![CDATA[While Frankfurt might be Germany’s financial center with a thriving fintech ecosystem, Hamburg is quickly witnessing the emergence of its very own fintech community with great prospects ahead.
Hamburg has a notable financial history, being the city where Commerzbank, the second largest bank in Germany, was born, and the home of Berenberg Bank, the oldest German private bank, and the Hamburger Sparkasse, the first and largest savings bank in Germany. The Hamburg Stock Exchange is the oldest German stock exchange and the Hamburger Feuerkasse is known for being the oldest insurance worldwide.
In addition to offering a high quality of life, Hamburg has a strong technology ecosystem with the presence of global leaders that include Google, Facebook, Twitter and Xing, to name a few, but also venture capital (VC) firms, business angels and incubators, making it fertile ground for fintech innovation.
 
Fintech startups in Hamburg
According to a report by German government-owned bank KfW, Hamburg is the capital of founders in Germany, beating out Berlin in 2017 in terms of the number of people who have started a business per capita.
Out of the 575 startups that currently operate in Hamburg, 42 in the fintech sector, according to Fintech Hamburg. Some of the biggest ones are Kreditech, a platform for short-term loans, Deposit Solutions, a provider of an Open Banking platform for deposits connecting banks and depositors across Europe, Finanzcheck, a credit comparison site and online insurance broker, and Figo, a banking service provider.
Fintech startups in Hamburg, Fintech-Hamburg.com
Deposit Solutions raised US$20 million in November 2017 to further accelerate its international expansion plans. The round was closed just a few months after it acquired rival Savedo, a Berlin startup in the same field.
Deposit Solutions has raised more than US$43 million in funding so far and is backed by Paypal co-founder Peter Thiel, Finlab and e-ventures, among other investors.
 
Hamburg’s fintech ecosystem
The fintech ecosystem in Hamburg is rapidly growing with a number of initiatives being launched in the past years to further support the development of the space.
Hamburg Invest launched its versatile Startup-Unit in early 2018 focusing on assisting startups with any issue they may have. The initiative aims to strengthen Hamburg’s start-up ecosystem and representing the scene nationally and internationally.
Fintech Hamburg, by Finanzplatz Hamburg, aims to strengthen the city’s digital finance community by bringing local fintech companies, experts an established financial companies under the same roof to create synergies and facilitate collaboration.
Fintech Week, Germany’s largest fintech event, takes place each year in Hamburg, gathering all of the industry’s stakeholders for a multi-day event dedicated to fintech and digital finance. This year, Fintech Week will take place from October 15 to 19.
In the autumn 2018, a new campus tower called finhaven in HafenCity is set to become home to Hamburg’s fintech scene. The tower will have around 1,000 square meters of space and some 100 workstations.
 
Featured image: Speicherstadt in Hamburg Germany.
The post Fintech On The Rise In Hamburg appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-on-the-rise-in-hamburg</link><guid>569</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Fintech-startups-Hamburg-1024x614.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech On The Rise In Hamburg</dc:text></item><item><title>“Blockchain Island”: Malta Aims To Become ICO, Cryptocurrency Hub</title><description><![CDATA[The small Mediterranean island of Malta is quickly emerging as a popular location for entrepreneurs to set up blockchain and cryptocurrency businesses, thanks to the country’s supportive government that sees the industry as an economic opportunity to create regulations favorable to the growth of the sector.
 
Blockchain regulation
Parliamentary Secretary for Financial Services, Digital Economy and Innovation Silvio Schembri launches a public consultation on DLTs
The Parliamentary secretary for financial services in Malta, Silvio Schembri, unveiled in February plans to establish the Malta Digital Innovation Authority and introduce three bills in relation to distributed ledger technology (DLT) and blockchain.
The proposed legislation is likely to make Malta the first country in the world to fully regulate companies operating in the blockchain industry.
“The document put forward for consultation is the base for the creation of a new economic sector that will be a great contribution to Malta’s economic growth,” said Schembri.
“A new industry, potentially as large as the iGaming industry, and capable of creating thousands of new jobs, will compliment and reinforce other sectors and act as a catalyst for the creation or development of new economic sectors such as supply chain management and fintech.”
The government is in the process of formalizing a Virtual Currency Act that will pave the way for an auditing framework made specifically to regulate blockchain-driven investment operations such as ICOs. It will include a so-called Financial Instrument Test to clearly define when assets derived from ICOs are securities.
Although the public consultation is still in process, many startups and token issuers have already chosen Malta to open up their business.
 
Cryptocurrency startups move to Malta
Binance, the operator of one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange platforms, announced its intention to set up operations in Malta in March.
Binance cited the country’s “existing pro-blockchain legislation and the stability that it offers financial technology companies through its regulatory framework” as the reasons for opting for Malta.
Zhao Changpeng, CEO and founder of Binance, said:
“After meeting with Parliamentary Secretary, Mr Silvio Schembri, […] and reviewing a proposal bill, we are convinced that Malta will be the next hotbed for innovative blockchain companies, and a center of the blockchain ecosystem in Europe. Binance is committed to lending our expertise to help shape a healthy regulatory framework as well as providing funds for other blockchain startups to grow the industry further in Malta.”
Similarly, Hong Kong-based cryptocurrency exchange platform OkEx said earlier this week that it will be expanding to Malta and working with the government to help establish the regulatory framework.
According to a research by Bloomberg, Binance makes nearly US$3.5 million in daily revenue, while OKEx generates about US$1.25 million per day.
Neufund, a German startup developing an equity fundraising platform on the blockchain, said in April that it will be establishing presence in Malta and help the government develop its regulatory framework.
Poland’s largest Bitcoin exchange BitBay is the latest startup in the space to unveil its upcoming relocation to the island stating earlier this week that after many months of research it has concluded that “the choice of Maltese jurisdiction is the best solution.”
Malta’s positive stance towards the cryptocurrency space began in 2013 when the MFSA approved the first ever Bitcoin hedge fund, Exante, to operate out of the country. In 2016, it created a Blockchain Committee to assess the merits of the technology before becoming a true hotbed for cryptocurrency startups.
The Malta Blockchain Summit, taking place on November 1 and 2, 2018, is set to bring together 4,000 delegates worldwide to the island. The event will feature discussions on some of the industry’s hottest trends, a hackathon and an ICO pitch.

Confirmed speakers include Schembri but also Joseph Muscat, the prime minister of Malta, Joseph Cuschieri, CEO of the MFSA, Eva Kaili, member of the European Parliament, Mike Butcher, editor-at-large at TechCrunch, Felix Petersen, managing director of Samsung Next Europe, and Jon Matonis, founder of the Bitcoin Foundation, to name a few.
Register now and get 25% off with code: 25MBSDCTM52832 

 
Featured image: Malta Harbor, Public Domain Pictures.
The post “Blockchain Island”: Malta Aims To Become ICO, Cryptocurrency Hub appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/blockchain-island-malta-aims-to-become-ico-cryptocurrency-hub</link><guid>564</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Malta-Blockchain-Regulation-300x215.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>“Blockchain Island”: Malta Aims To Become ICO, Cryptocurrency Hub</dc:text></item><item><title>Simpego: Ein neues Insurtech Startup in der Schweiz</title><description><![CDATA[Simpego macht es erstmals möglich, smarte Versicherungen online abzuschliessen.
Innert Sekunden liefert die Plattform personalisierte Versicherungspakete &#8211; perfekt auf den jeweiligen User zugeschnitten. Zum Start ist die flexible Reiseversicherung verfügbar.
Ziel von Simpego ist es, das Versichern so einfach wie möglich zu gestalten. Die Versicherungen auf der Plattform kommen komplett ohne Papier oder Fachlatein aus. Simpego bleibt jederzeit transparent und verzichtet auf Kleingedrucktes und Verträge, die sich automatisch verlängern. So bietet Simpego erstmals Versicherungen, die sich den Usern anpassen und nicht umgekehrt.
Als digitale Plattform bringt Simpego die Angebote verschiedener Schweizer Versicherungen wie der Baloise, Coop Rechtsschutz und ERV zusammen. Deren Produkte sind für die Plattform mitentwickelt oder nach den strengen Qualitätsansprüchen von Simpego ausgewählt. Neben der Reiseversicherung lassen sich bald auch die Hausrat-, Fahrzeug- oder eine Lebensversicherung mit ein paar Klicks online abschliessen.
Ab sofort ist die smarte Reiseversicherung verfügbar. Abhängig von Destination und Reisestil liefert Simpego sofort den massgeschneiderten Schutz für die Pläne des Reisenden. Durch den modularen Aufbau lassen sich Zusatzversicherungen ganz einfach an- oder abwählen. Auf der Simpego-App bleiben alle Vertragsdetails und Nummern für den Schadenfall jederzeit griffbereit.
Hinter Simpego steht ein Team von IT- und Versicherungsprofis. Sie legen Wert darauf, unkompliziert über verschiedene Kanäle erreichbar zu sein. Mit Simpego tragen sie dazu bei, die traditionelle Versicherungsbranche up to date zu bringen.
The post Simpego: Ein neues Insurtech Startup in der Schweiz appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/simpego-ein-neues-insurtech-startup-in-der-schweiz</link><guid>565</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/simpego-300x78.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>Simpego: Ein neues Insurtech Startup in der Schweiz</dc:text></item><item><title>MoneyPark lanciert „MEx“ will Schweizer Hypothekarmarkt Revolutionieren</title><description><![CDATA[MoneyPark, der grösste unabhängige Hypothekenvermittler der Schweiz, lanciert heute offiziell die MoneyPark Mortgage Exchange (MEx) – die schweizweit erste Hypothekenbörse für selbstgenutzte Liegenschaften.
Basierend auf der MoneyParkfinovo Technologieplattform schafft MEx sowohl für Hypothekennehmer als auch für Anleger völlig neue Angebote.
MEx verbreitert einerseits das Finanzierungsangebot und eröffnet andererseits bislang unerschlossene Zugänge zur Anlageklasse Hypotheken. Bereits seit 2012 ist MoneyPark als unabhängiger und transparenter Hypothekenvermittler am Markt aktiv und begleitet Kunden bei der Suche, Finanzierung und Refinanzierung ihrer Traumimmobilie.
Der Kunde kann dabei aus aktuell über 100 Anbietern wählen und spart nicht nur bei den Zinsaufwendungen (durchschnittliche Ersparnis von CHF 2‘500.- pro Laufzeitenjahr), sondern auch bei den Such- und Transaktionskosten. Mit einer schweizweiten Produktionssumme von jährlich weit über CHF 2 Mrd. und mehr als CHF 9 Mrd. Bestandshypotheken hat MoneyPark in den vergangenen Jahren bereits stark zur verbesserten Transparenz am Hypothekarmarkt beigetragen.
«Vielfalt und Transparenz können für Kunden nie hoch genug sein, daher machen wir mit MEx den nächsten Schritt»,
erläutert Stefan Heitmann, Gründer und CEO von MoneyPark.
Klassische Win-Win-Situation
Während Eigenheimbesitzer sich individuelle Hypothekarangebote und attraktive Zinssätze wünschen, sind institutionelle Anleger – erst recht in Zeiten von historisch tiefen Renditen von sicheren Obligationen – stets auf der Suche nach interessanten Investitionsmöglichkeiten. Mit MEx bringt MoneyPark als neutraler Dritter beide Seiten zusammen und ermöglicht einer breiten Basis von institutionellen Anlegern unkompliziert, kostengünstig und renditestark die Investition in die Anlageklasse Hypotheken, genauer in «selbstgenutzte Wohnimmobilien in der Schweiz».
Dadurch wird auf der anderen Seite die Auswahl an Hypothekenanbietern für den Eigenheimbesitzer noch breiter, transparenter und kompetitiver.
Administrative Herausforderungen hindern bisher viele institutionelle Investoren an der Umsetzung
Für viele institutionelle Anleger, beispielsweise Pensionskassen und Family Offices, lohnte sich bisher die direkte Vergabe von Hypotheken, sprich die Investition in ein Portfolio von selbstgenutzten Wohnimmobilien in der Schweiz, nicht. Risk Management, Reporting, Abwicklung und Bewirtschaftung der Portfolios waren mit zu viel Aufwand und Kosten verbunden. «Investoren äusserten immer wieder den Wunsch nach einer einfachen und flexiblen Lösung aus einer Hand», erklärt Heitmann.
Mit MEx reagiert MoneyPark auf diesen Wunsch und vermittelt nicht nur Hypothekarkunden an institutionelle Anleger, sondern übernimmt den gesamten Prozess. «Wir generieren über unser Endkundengeschäft die kritische Volumengrösse und können mit der Technologieplattform von MoneyPark und unserer Tochterfirma finovo Anlegern die Anlageklasse Hypotheken endlich breit und flexibel zugänglich machen», so Heitmann weiter.
Attraktive Investitionsmöglichkeit
Die Herausforderungen, mit denen sich Investoren im aktuellen Tiefzinsumfeld konfrontiert sehen, sind hinlänglich bekannt. Die von MoneyPark MEx offerierte Lösung kann bei einem vergleichbaren Risikoprofil substanziell höhere Renditen erwirtschaften als 10-jährige Bundesobligationen (0.123% per 22.05.2018). Um Stück- und Prozesskosten für Investoren zu reduzieren, bündelt MoneyPark, in einem ersten Schritt rein virtuell, einzelne Hypothekarfinanzierungen für selbstgenutzte Wohnimmobilien in der Schweiz und lanciert zwei 10-jährige Portfolios.
Die Laufzeiten beginnen im September/Oktober 2018 und die Zielrenditen liegen ca. zwischen 1.0% und 1.50% p.a. (netto). Portfolio 1 berücksichtigt ausschliesslich erstrangige Hypotheken, was in einer AAA-Qualität des Portfolios resultiert, während Portfolio 2 eine Zielbelehnung von 75% aufweist und damit auf eine durchschnittliche Ratingqualität von AA+ kommt. Die Zielgrösse für beide Portfolios liegt bei jeweils mindestens CHF 15-20 Mio. bei einer Minimalinvestition von CHF 10 Mio.
Die Zeichnungsfrist läuft ab sofort, und zukünftig sind regelmässige Emissionen geplant.
Dr. Stefan Heitmann
«MEx by MoneyPark ist nicht nur eine Bereicherung für Kunden und Anleger, MEx ist der erste ernstzunehmende Schritt, den CHF &gt;1&#8217;000 Mrd. grossen Schweizer Hypothekarmarkt um neue Angebote auch von Nicht-Banken und perspektivisch einen liquiden Sekundärmarkt zu bereichern.
Ich denke, hier kann mit Fug und Recht von einer Revolution im Schweizer Banken- und Anlagenmarkt gesprochen werden»,
kommentiert Heitmann den nächsten Schritt in der noch jungen Unternehmensgeschichte von MoneyPark.
 
GLKB in Verhandlung mit Online-Refinanzierungs Hypotheken-Platform
Konkurrenz könnte die Platform von der SCEx AG und der Glarner Kantonalbank bekommen, Die Glarner KB gab genau einen Tag vor der MEx Meldung bekannt, dass sie mit einer Kooperationspartnerin über das Verwalten von Hypothekarkrediten verhandle, die über eine Online-Plattform schweizweit Hypotheken vermittle. Verhandlungspartner der GLKB und Betreiber der Plattform ist die SCEx AG, Zürich.
Diese Online-Plattform führt die Nachfrage von Finanzinstituten nach Kapital und das Angebot an Kapital von Refinanzierern zusammen. Die GLKB bietet in dieser Partnerschaft die Dienstleistungen ihrer Kreditfabrik für die Verwaltung von Hypotheken an. Weitere Informationen gibt die GLKB bekannt, sobald die Verhandlungen abgeschlossen sind.
The post MoneyPark lanciert „MEx“ will Schweizer Hypothekarmarkt Revolutionieren appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/moneypark-lanciert-mex-will-schweizer-hypothekarmarkt-revolutionieren</link><guid>566</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/moneypark.png</dc:content ><dc:text>MoneyPark lanciert „MEx“ will Schweizer Hypothekarmarkt Revolutionieren</dc:text></item><item><title>Ringier Digital Ventures Beteiligt Sich an Schweizer Proptech Startup</title><description><![CDATA[Ringier Digital Ventures investiert im Rahmen der aktuellen Finanzierungsrunde zusammen mit der Investis-Gruppe und dem Helvetia Venture Fund in die flatfox AG, einem innovativen PropTech Start-up.
Propttech ist einer der aktuellen Investitionsschwerpunkte der Ringier Digital Ventures.

Das in Zürich ansässige Start-up Unternehmen flatfox AG stellt Privatpersonen und professionellen Verwaltungen eine Plattform für den voll digitalisierten Vermietungsprozess von Wohnimmobilien zur Verfügung. Der Wohnungsmarkt ist einer der letzten Sektoren, der noch nicht durch Technologie digitalisiert wurde.
Auf Inseratenseiten werden Besichtigungstermine, E-Mail-Adressen oder Telefonnummern öffentlich publiziert und für alle Beteiligten entsteht ein grosser administrativer Aufwand mit Formularen und Bewerbungsdossiers. flatfox löst diese Probleme. Interessenten, Makler und Verwalter können über flatfox einfach kommunizieren und alle nötigen Dokumente online austauschen.

Die gesamte Kommunikation findet an einem Ort statt. flatfox ist damit ein moderner Immobiliendienstleister, der seine Nutzer durch den Bewerbungsprozess führt. Dadurch wird eine effiziente Wohnungs- und Mietersuche ermöglicht. flatfox wurde 2012 von Bernhard Mäder, Fabian Stutz, Mattia Regi und Silvan Spross gegründet und gehört heute zu den führenden Anbietern im Bereich digitalisierter Wohnungsvermietungsprozesse.
Ringier Digital Ventures sieht das grosse Potenzial in der weiteren Digitalisierung des Immobilienmarktes.
David Hug
«Viele Bereiche in diesem Segment befindet sich in der digitalen Transformation, was grosse Chancen für junge Unternehmen wie flatfox bietet.
Die Gründer haben es verstanden, die Anliegen der etablierten Marktteilnehmer zu verstehen und sie in die digitale Welt zu übersetzen. Die Symbiose aus dem Team und den Co-Investoren ergibt einen erfolgsversprechenden Mix»,
sagt David Hug, Managing Director bei Ringier Digital Ventures über die Investition in flatfox.
flatfox wird mit dem neuen Kapital das Unternehmen produktseitig wie auch geografisch ausbauen. Zudem sollen die bestehenden Geschäftsbeziehungen weiter gestärkt, das Produkt weiterentwickelt und neue Kunden akquiriert werden.
The post Ringier Digital Ventures Beteiligt Sich an Schweizer Proptech Startup appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ringier-digital-ventures-beteiligt-sich-an-schweizer-proptech-startup</link><guid>563</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/ringier-digital-venture.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Ringier Digital Ventures Beteiligt Sich an Schweizer Proptech Startup</dc:text></item><item><title>Mikrokredite für Jungunternehmer in Winterthur</title><description><![CDATA[Der Verein «GO! Ziel selbstständig» bietet ab dem 12. Juni 2018 erstmals kostenlose Erstgespräche für Jungunternehmende und Startups in Winterthur sowohl Mikrokredite für Anschubsfinanzierungen an.
Voraussetzung für eine Anmeldung zum Erstgespräch ist eine konkrete Geschäftsidee für ein Produkt oder eine Dienstleistung.
Letztes Jahr konnte dank eines Mikrokredits von GO! fast wöchentlich eine Person mit der Selbstständigkeit starten oder einen wichtigen Schritt mit der bestehenden Firma weiterkommen. Das Modell wird nun nach Winterthur exportiert. In Zusammenarbeit mit House of Winterthur bietet GO! ab dem 12. Juni 2018 Erstberatungsgespräche in den Räumlichkeiten von House of Winterthur an.
«Neun Jahre nach dem ersten Beratungsgespräch in Zürich sind wir ab Juni 2018 auch in Winterthur präsent und werden Personen, die sich für die Selbstständigkeit interessieren sowie Jungunternehmende vor Ort beraten und ihnen bei Bedarf Zugang zu Mikrokrediten ermöglichen»,
sagen Nadine Caprez und Beni von Allmen, die beiden Co-Geschäftsführenden von GO!, über die Erweiterung ihres Standorts.
Bereits heute fördert House of Winterthur Startups und Jungunternehmende mit vielfältigen Angeboten und Massnahmen. Durch die neue Zusammenarbeit mit GO! soll das Dienstleistungsangebot in der Region Winterthur weiter ausgebaut werden.
Michael Domeisen
Michael Domeisen, Direktor von House of Winterthur:
«Der Verein GO! ergänzt das bereits bestehende, gute Netzwerk und die Rahmenbedingungen, die wir Winterthurer Jungunternehmen bieten, ideal».
 
 
 
Featured image via Pixabay
The post Mikrokredite für Jungunternehmer in Winterthur appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mikrokredite-fur-jungunternehmer-in-winterthur</link><guid>560</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Mikrokredite für Jungunternehmer in Winterthur</dc:text></item><item><title>NY, Silicon Valley Remain Top US Fintech Hubs But Others Are Emerging</title><description><![CDATA[The US is a market leader in the fintech space, accounting for 57% of the global fintech market. According to KPMG, fintech investment in the US accounted for almost two-thirds of global fintech investment in Q4’17.
New York and Silicon Valley are the indisputable top fintech hubs in the US and amongst the largest ones in the world. New York’s leading global financial hub and Silicon Valley’s world renowned technology hub have provided both locations with the right resources to lead the fintech revolution. But in the past years, several other locations including Chicago and Charlotte have witnessed the emergence of a thriving fintech ecosystem.
 
New York
New York Time Square, Wikipedia
New York is a leading global financial hub that has some of the largest and most established financial services institutions actively investing in, and collaborating with, a myriad of fintechs. With Wall Street having both the largest capital base and greatest need for fintech innovation, the best technology and engineering talent have come together to create a vibrant and well-funded ecosystem within walking distance of the market they serve.
Today, New York is home to some of the world’s leading fintech companies including online financial advisor Betterment, blockchain specialist Digital Asset, real-time mobile money platform Moven, insurtech company Oscar, and small business loans provider OnDeck.
It is also home to some of the country’s most active investors in the space, including Bain, Nyca, First Round, Bessemer Venture Partners, IA Ventures, Norwest Venture Partners, Canaan Ventures, Silver Lake, Lightyear Capital, and North Hill Ventures.
 
Silicon Valley
Google, Silicon Valley, PxHere
Silicon Valley is a global center for high technology, venture capital, innovation and social media, and is now aiming at fintech. The location holds a majority share of venture capital investment, executive leadership of global technology companies, and decades of demonstrated excellence in scaling companies from concept to global leadership, enabling it to consistently produce winners.
Some of Silicon Valley’s most notable fintech ventures include online payments leaders PayPal, Square and Stripe, but also cryptocurrency and blockchain startups Coinbase and Ripple, as well as alternative lenders LendUp and SoFi.
Silicon Valley is home to top venture capital (VC) firms including 500 Startups, Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia Capital, SV Angel, Ribbit Capital, Accel Partners, and Khosla Ventures, but also corporate VCs including Google Ventures, Propel Ventures (formerly BBVA), AMEX Ventures, Citi Ventures and Wells Fargo.
 
Emerging fintech hubs in the US
Chicago, Wikipedia
While New York and Silicon Valley continue to lead the US fintech industry, over the last years, a number of other hubs have emerged including Chicago, and Charlotte, North Carolina.
Chicago represents well over 20,000 financial institutions and currently acts as the epicenter for all fintech activity in the Midwest. It is home to two fifths of the top business universities in the US and over 6% of the Chicago workforce are focused on the financial ecosystem contributing to its already significant talent pool.
Chicago’s biggest fintech companies include Avant, an alternative lender, Envestnet, a provider of intelligence systems for the wealth management industry, and Morningstar, an investment research and management firm.Some of the city’s most active investors include Jump Capital, Pritzker Group Venture Capital, MATH Venture Partners, Chicago Ventures and CME Ventures.
Meanwhile, in Charlotte, North Carolina, homegrown companies such as LendingRree and AvidXchange have put the city on the map for fintech. Additionally, the launch of initiatives such as Carolina Fintech Hub and Queen City Fintech have contributed to Charlotte’s rapidly growing fintech sector.
In July and August, the Fintech Week event series will be coming to the US. New York Fintech Week 2018 will take place from July 31 to August 02, while Silicon Valley Fintech Week 2018 will take place from August 13 to 16, 2018.
Both events will feature conferences, exhibitions, workshops and meet up sessions, covering some of the industry hottest trends from blockchain and cryptocurrencies to wealthtech and insurtech. The events are set to bring together the entire fintech ecosystem including investors, banks, consultancies, startups, academics, government representatives and innovators.
For those interested in learning more about blockchain technology and its implications on business, the Blockchain Conference series by Fintech Worldwide will take place in Washington DC on July 26 and 27, and in Seattle on August 21.
The events will feature some of the industry’s top startups, regulators and financial institutions to discuss the state of the industry and the latest trends to watch closely.
Get 20% off on any of these events using our code “FTN20”.
 
Featured image: US Flag, Pexels.
The post NY, Silicon Valley Remain Top US Fintech Hubs But Others Are Emerging appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ny-silicon-valley-remain-top-us-fintech-hubs-but-others-are-emerging</link><guid>561</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/New-York-Time-Square-Wiki-300x200.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>NY, Silicon Valley Remain Top US Fintech Hubs But Others Are Emerging</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Startups in Asia Switzerland Should Watch Closely</title><description><![CDATA[Asia is witnessing a strong increase in fintech investment as overseas investors search for opportunities in emerging markets and as western banks look to bolster their presence in the region.
In the first quarter of 2018, investment into fintech companies in the region surged on the back of a quartet of US$100 million+ mega-round deals. The region saw more than US$2 billion being pumped into its fintech startups, nearly as much as North America during the same period, according to CB Insights.

The rapid growth of fintech funding in Asia can be partly explained by the increasing number of western investors turning their attention to emerging markets as fintech markets across the US and Europe become saturated with companies and capital, according to Michael Lints, venture partner at Singapore-based VC Golden Gate Ventures.
Furthermore, the enticing mix of booming middle-class populations and rocketing smartphone adoption offer the greatest opportunity for returns in fintech investments.
Several foreign banks and financial institutions have begun tapping into the Asian fintech industry for both investment and collaboration opportunities. Many of them are looking at fintech companies as potential partners that will help better serve their Asia-based clients through innovative solutions and become more efficient.
 
Swiss banks tap Asian market
One particular Swiss bank that’s been active in the Asian fintech ecosystem is UBS. The bank began setting up innovation labs around the world in 2014 and today has facilities in locations that include Zurich, London and Singapore. The UBS Centre for Design Thinking and Innovation in Singapore focuses on creating new innovative and user-centric products to meet the bank’s wealth management clients in Asia-Pacific and globally. The bank launched a digital hub in Hong Kong in late-2017 to link tech startups with its high-net-worth clients.
UBS has also turned to tech companies and startups to look for innovative and disruptive ideas to bolster its wealth management services. In Hong Kong, the bank has partnered with Hong Kong X-Tech Startup Platform to find new innovations and uncover real world business opportunities. In Singapore, it is collaborating with homegrown fintech startup FinChat Technology to develop an offering that allows secured social chat communication between clients and their advisors in Asia-Pacific.
Another Swiss bank that’s been active in Asia is Zurich-based Credit Suisse. In 2017, the bank entered into a partnership with Singapore fintech firm Canopy, formerly Mesitis. Canopy specializes in wealth management technology, and has developed an account aggregation and analytics platform for financial institutions, wealth management professionals, and high net worth individuals.
The partnership was aimed at providing Credit Suisse’s clients access to Canopy’s solution by integrating it into the bank’s digital private banking platform.
Later that year, Credit Suisse participated in Canopy’s US$3.4 million funding round alongside Hong Kong’s Lionrock Capital. The collaboration has allowed Credit Suisse to improve its digital offering in Asia, while ensured both the capital and support for Canopy’s expansion into key wealth markets including Zurich and Hong Kong.
 
Asian fintech startups eye expansion
Canopy is not the only Asian startup looking to expand overseas. 8 Securities, a stock trading and wealth management startup with offices in Hong Kong and Japan, recently raised US$25 million from Japan’s Nomura Asset Management to launch new digital wealth management services and expand into new geographics.
Bambu, a B2B robo-advisory services provider from Singapore, opened a new office in London in April. The company said the move was part of “Bambu’s long-term growth strategy to offer our services and expertise on a global scale.” Bambu is an alumnus of Switzerland’s Fintech Fusion.
Better Trade Off is another fintech startup in Asia that Switzerland should be watch for. The startup won the DIAmond Award 2018 in May which recognizes the most innovative ventures in the insurtech industry. Better Trade Off has developed a financial planning solution called Aardviser.
 
Featured image: Tokyo, Japan, by Sean Pavone, via Shutterstock.com.
The post Fintech Startups in Asia Switzerland Should Watch Closely appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-startups-in-asia-switzerland-should-watch-closely</link><guid>562</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Fintech-investment-region-CB-Insights-1024x574.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech Startups in Asia Switzerland Should Watch Closely</dc:text></item><item><title>Rekord im Schweizer Crowdfunding: 375 Millionen Franken vermittelt</title><description><![CDATA[Der Schweizer Crowdfunding-Markt verzeichnet Rekordwerte: 374.5 Mio. Franken wurden 2017 über Crowdfunding-Plattformen vermittelt, fast dreimal so viel wie im Vorjahr.
Dies zeigt das neuste Crowdfunding Monitoring der Hochschule Luzern. Besonders die Finanzierung von KMU und Investitionen in Immobilien tragen zum starken Wachstum bei.
Für das laufende Jahr erwarten die Studienautoren nochmals eine markante Steigerung sowie neue Möglichkeiten dank Blockchain. Bereits zum fünften Mal veröffentlicht die Hochschule Luzern – Wirtschaft das jährliche Crowdfunding Monitoring.
Grafik: Entwicklung Crowdfunding in der Schweiz 2008 bis 2017(erfolgreich finanzierte Kampagnen)
Die aktuelle Studie weist Rekordwerte aus: 374.5 Mio. Franken wurden im Jahr 2017 über Schweizer Crowdfunding-Plattformen vermittelt, fast dreimal so viel wie im Vorjahr (100 Mio. Franken, +192%). Innerhalb der vergangenen acht Jahre wurde über eine halbe Milliarde Franken über die schwarm-basierte Finanzierungsart gesammelt.
Grösste Wachstumstreiber waren in den letzten Jahren die Finanzierung von KMU mittels Crowdlending sowie Investitionen in Immobilien über Crowdinvesting.
«Professionelle Investoren nehmen Crowdfunding zunehmend als interessante Anlage wahr»,
sagt Studienautor Andreas Dietrich.
«Wir erwarten, dass der Schweizer Crowdfunding-Markt Ende Jahr erstmals die Milliarden-Grenze knackt».
Hohes Wachstum in allen Bereichen
Etwa 160’000 Personen haben im Jahr 2017 in der Schweiz ein Crowdfunding-Projekt unterstützt. Dabei lässt sich Crowdfunding in der Schweiz in vier Bereiche unterteilen: Crowdsupporting/Crowddonating, Crowdinvesting, Invoice Trading und Crowdlending (Details siehe Box). Das grösste Volumen verzeichnet Crowdlending mit 186.7 Mio.
Franken (+239% gegenüber Vorjahr),gefolgt von Crowdinvesting mit 135.2 Mio. Franken (+245%). Über Invoice Trading wurden 23.5 Mio. Franken abgewickelt (+38%), Crowdsupporting/Crowddonating erzielte ein Volumen von 29.1 Mio. Franken (+72%) (siehe Grafik).
Tabelle: Crowdfunding-Volumen und Kampagnen in der Schweiz 2008 bis 2017
Über 1500 kulturelle und kreative Projekte erfolgreich finanziert
«Die tieferen Volumen bei Crowdsupporting/Crowddonating dürfen nicht den Eindruck erwecken, dass dieser Bereich unwichtig ist»,
sagt Studienautor Andreas Dietrich.
Da es dabei vor allem um kreative und kulturelle Projekte geht, sind die Volumen der Kampagnen im Vergleich etwa zu Immobilienprojekten eher klein. Aber mit über 1500 erfolgreich finanzierten Kampagnen im Jahr 2017 (+15% zum Vorjahr) hat Crowdsupporting/Crowddonating als relevante Finanzierungsquelle weiter zugelegt. Die wohl bekannteste Kampagne in diesem Bereich war letztes Jahr das Magazin Republik (CHF 3.5 Mio.).
Schweiz liegt zwei bis drei Jahre zurück – holt aber auf
Im Vergleich zu den Nachbarländern ist der Schweizer Crowdfunding-Markt seit 2015 deutlich starker gewachsen (siehe Grafik). Mit einem investierten Volumen von 45 Franken pro Kopf (2016:CHF 15) liegt die Schweiz im Vergleich zu führenden Crowdfunding-Märkten wie den USA (2016:CHF 78) oder Grossbritannien (2016: CHF 90) noch zwei bis drei Jahre zurück.
«Die hohe Dynamik durch neue Plattformen und alternative Geschäftsmodelle lässt darauf schliessen, dass die Schweiz gegenüber stark entwickelten Crowdfunding-Ländern aufholt»,
ergänzt Andreas Dietrich.
Grafik: Crowdfunding im internationalen Vergleich (Volumen pro Einwohner)
Versteckte Konzentration im Crowdfunding Markt
Ende April 2018 gab es 43 Crowdfunding-Plattformen mit physischer Präsenz in der Schweiz. Dazu kommen noch zahlreiche weitere, international ausgerichtete Plattformen ohne Niederlassung in der Schweiz. Trotz der hohen Anzahl gibt es in allen Crowdfunding-Sektoren jeweils einige wenige grosse Plattformen, welche den Markt dominieren.
So verfügen beispielsweise im Crowdlending und Crowdsupporting/Crowddonating die jeweils grössten sechs Plattformen über einen Marktanteil von 96 Prozent, respektive 97 Prozent. Andreas Dietrich sagt:
«Wir erwarten, dass sich die Konzentration weiter fortsetzt. Insbesondere kleine, innovative Nischen-Player können aber auch künftig am Markt bestehen.»
Unternehmen und institutionelle Investoren entdecken Crowdfunding
Der Einbezug von grösseren Unternehmen und institutionellen Investoren wird in allen Bereichen von Crowdfunding wichtiger. Im Crowdsupporting/Crowddonating werden zum Beispiel immer häufiger Projekte mit Unterstützung von Unternehmen lanciert. In den für Investoren interessanten Bereichen Crowdlending, Crowdinvesting und Invoice Trading wird der Anteil institutioneller Investoren künftig markant steigen. Diese werden massgeblich zu einem weiterhin schnellen Volumen-Wachstum beitragen.
Grafik: Crowdfunding im internationalen Vergleich (Wachstum und Volumen pro Kopf)
Crowdfunding goes Blockchain
Im Jahr 2018 wurden von Schweizer Plattformen bereits zwei innovative Projekte angekündigt, die auf der Blockchain-Technologie aufbauen. Swisspeers beabsichtigt, ab Frühjahr 2018 erste Kredite zwischen Unternehmen und Investoren als «Smart Contracts» in der Ethereum-Blockchain zubewirtschaften und Gläubigeransprüche mittels Token abzubilden. Wemakeit plant die Lancierung einer neuen Crowdfunding Plattform, welche komplett Blockchain-basiert funktionieren wird. Die Studienautoren erwarten, dass die Blockchain-Technologie in den nächsten Jahren im Crowdfunding-Markt weitere Anwendungsgebiete finden wird.
Das Crowdfunding Monitoring Schweiz 2018 ist hier verfügbar.
Die Studie wird vom Institut für Finanzdienstleistungen Zug IFZ der Hochschule Luzern mit Unterstützung der Schweizer Crowdfunding Plattformen jährlich durchgeführt. Folgende Plattformen haben die Studie in Form von Daten unterstützt: 100-days, 3Circlefunding, acredius, Advanon, Beedoo, Cashare, Conda, Creditfolio, CreditGate24, creditworld, Crowd4Cash, Crowdhouse, crowdli, Foxstone, Funders, GivenGain, Hyposcout, I believe in you, I care for you, ideenkicker.ch, Immoyou, investiere, Lend, Lendico, Lendora, Lokalhelden, Progettiamo, ProjektStarter, Splendit, Swisslending, Swisspeers und wemakeit.
The post Rekord im Schweizer Crowdfunding: 375 Millionen Franken vermittelt appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/rekord-im-schweizer-crowdfunding-375-millionen-franken-vermittelt</link><guid>550</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Entwicklung-Crowdfunding-in-der-Schweiz-2008-bis-2017.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Rekord im Schweizer Crowdfunding: 375 Millionen Franken vermittelt</dc:text></item><item><title>Ehemaliges Geschäftsleitungsmitglied der Basler KB stösst zu P2P Lending Startup</title><description><![CDATA[




creditworld gibt bekannt, dass per Anfang MaiArmin Landererzum zum creditworld-Team gestossen ist. Zuletzt war Landerer in der Geschäftsleitung der Basler KB als Head des Firmenkundengeschäfts und davor in der Geschäftsleitung bei der Glarner KB tätig, wo er dem Privatkundengeschäft vorstand.










Strategien stärken
Armin Landerer
Seine Kernaufgaben im Fintech-Unternehmen beinhalten die Bereiche Business Development und Origination. Durch seinen langjährigen und wertvollen Erfahrungsschatz als Firmenkundenleiter verstärkt Landerer creditworld in der Weiterentwicklung und Umsetzung ihrer Strategie.
Der Schweizer Crowdlending-Markt wächst rasant und die Nachfrage nach KMU-Krediten ebenfalls.

 
Featured image via https://www.facebook.com/creditworldAG/




The post Ehemaliges Geschäftsleitungsmitglied der Basler KB stösst zu P2P Lending Startup appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ehemaliges-geschaftsleitungsmitglied-der-basler-kb-stosst-zu-p2p-lending-startup</link><guid>551</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Ehemaliges Geschäftsleitungsmitglied der Basler KB stösst zu P2P Lending Startup</dc:text></item><item><title>EUR 50M in Growth Capital for European Fintech Founders</title><description><![CDATA[In a partnership with Raiffeisen Bank International and UNIQA Insurance Group, Speedinvest f will provide EUR 50M in funding for Late-Seed and Series A companies.
Speedinvest f focuses on growth funding for European fintech companies in the areas of payments, alternative lending, insurance, investments, personal finance as well as data, compliance and infrastructure.
Typical ticket sizes for initial investments range from EUR 1M to 4M. Investors in Speedinvest f include a number of former Fintech founders and senior financial services experts from across the world, as well as NEA (New Enterprise Associates), one of the most renowned VC funds in the U.S.

Building upon a leading position in Fintech
Speedinvest has established itself as one of the major players in European Fintech over the last six years. Starting in 2012, Speedinvest was an early investor in companies such as Wikifolio (Social Trading), payworks (Mobile POS) and iyzico (Online payments). The success story continued with a successful exit of Holvi (SME banking) to BBVA in 2016.
During the past years, Stefan Klestil and his team have continued to provide seed capital and support to some of the most successful FinTech founders in the industry, ranking it as one of the most active VC funds in European Fintech. Currently, the active Fintech portfolio of Speedinvest comprises companies such as Wefox, Billie, Fincompare, Fraugster, Iyzico, Payworks, Curve, Cashpresso, Clausematch and Cyberwrite. Furthermore, Stefan Klestil has been actively supporting the founders of N26, the pan-European challenger bank, since their early days and is member of the Advisory Board.
Aside from funding, Speedinvest offers significant operational support to portfolio companies, such as advice and services for business development, corporate development, hiring, fundraising, and internationalisation. Former Fintech founders and financial services experts from the Speedinvest f network will operate as consultants and mentors to founders and help them achieve scale.
Speedinvest f is led by Stefan Klestil and Guzel Gumerova. Stefan Klestil has been Partner at Speedinvest since 2014 and led the establishment and development of the Fintech and Insurtech portfolio. Fintech expert Guzel Gumerova joined Speedinvest f as a new Partner and brings in her experience in lending, business development and investment banking.
RBI &amp; UNIQA as strong partners
Within the partnership, Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) and UNIQA are each planning to contribute EUR 15M for fintech investments. RBI intends to invest in startups through its CVC company Elevator Ventures and to focus on the fintech sector. In addition, RBI can potentially offer fintech founders access to its innovative network in 14 markets in Central and Eastern Europe and its 16.6M customers.
Since 2016 UNIQA, the leading insurance player in the CEE region, has become well-experienced in startup investments and through UNIQA Ventures offers access to the ecosystems of Fintech, Healthtech, Mobility and Smart Home. Startups will most of all benefit from the strong Insurtech expertise.
Johann Strobl
“For us, Elevator Ventures’ investments are the logic addition to our fintech accelerator Elevator Lab. We are looking forward to the cooperation with Speedinvest and the opportunity to intensify our fintech engagement through this partnership”
says Johann Strobl, CEO of RBI, about his company’s partnership with Speedinvest f.
 
Andreas Brandstetter
“UNIQA Ventures and the cooperation with Speedinvest are a significant part of UNIQA’s global strategy, which drives forward digital transformation, innovative technologies and future trends at the benefit of our customers. By pooling our forces, the best fintech startups can benefit from industry-related know-how and our CEE network”
says CEO of UNIQA, Andreas Brandstetter.
 
Stefan Klestil
“The Fintech revolution in Europe is entering its next stage of development. Our task now is to support the best teams in Europe with ‘smart growth capital’ in order for them to successfully scale across Europe, and as such drive the establishment of the ‘Single European Financial Market’.
During the past years, we successfully supported the founders of N26, Wefox, Iyzico, payworks, Billie, Fincompare, Cashpresso and many others — now we’re ready to back the next wave of champions!”,
says an excited Stefan Klestil.
 
This article first appeared on medium
The post EUR 50M in Growth Capital for European Fintech Founders appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/eur-50m-in-growth-capital-for-european-fintech-founders</link><guid>552</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Speedinvest-fintech.png</dc:content ><dc:text>EUR 50M in Growth Capital for European Fintech Founders</dc:text></item><item><title>P2P Lending is Being Taken Over by Millennials</title><description><![CDATA[Alternative lending observes a continuously increasing number of Millennials and Generation Z.
According to the Latvian P2P platform Robo.cash, this tendency is supported by the interest of young investors in a simple and comfortable source of additional income and the positive experience gained at the existing peer-to-peer platforms.
Against stagnating interest rates on deposits and cautious lending policies of banks, alternative lending is attracting a greater attention of investors and borrowers among the younger generation, who are used to digital technologies and consider P2P platforms as a profitable and comfortable financial tool.
The own data of Robo.cash show that Millennials are steadily taking over the leading position from the older generation of investors.
Six months ago, the average age of investors of the platform was 38 years, and the age groups were distributed as follows: Silent generation (73-90) — 0.8%; Baby boomers (54-72) — 9.5%; Generation X (38-53) — 38.6%; Millennials (22-37) — 50.3% and Generation Z (18-21) — 0.8%.
Today, the typical investor has grown younger to 37 years old due to the increased share of Millennials — 53.9% and Generation Z — 1.8%.
At the same time, tactics used by investors can be classified by several basic types having the same goal to maximize profit. For example, beginning investors usually allocate spare money less than 1.000 Euro, and experienced investors planning their budget willingly invest larger amounts. This is confirmed by the average size of investments in different age groups: 18-21 years — 670€, 22-37 years — 1.939€, 38-53 years — 3.488€, over 54 years — 4.907€.
Sergey Sedov
“The growing demand for P2P lending and the increased share of the younger generation prove the potential for alternative lending in Europe.
It is evident that the interest of investors, particularly young, in a simple and comfortable source of additional income and positive experience gained at the existing P2P platforms will have a significant impact on the future development of the industry,” —
commented Sergey Sedov, Founder and CEO of Robo.cash.
 
Featured image via Pixabay
The post P2P Lending is Being Taken Over by Millennials appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/p2p-lending-is-being-taken-over-by-millennials</link><guid>553</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/age-groups-of-investors-300x169.png</dc:content ><dc:text>P2P Lending is Being Taken Over by Millennials</dc:text></item><item><title>Neues Schweizer Fintech Startup startet mit Open-Banking-Projekt</title><description><![CDATA[Finstar, das Kernbankensystem der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg, wird für ein neues Open-Banking-Projekt genutzt.
Das Zürcher Fintech-Startup neon Switzerland und die Lenzburger Regionalbank haben eine entsprechende Vereinbarung unterzeichnet.
Die mobile Banking-App neon läuft derzeit in einer Testphase und wird planmässig im Sommer 2018 für Endkunden auf dem freien Markt erhältlich sein. Wer sich für die Nutzung der neon-App anmeldet, wird automatisch Kunde bei der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg und erhält ein speziell geschaffenes digitales Konto bei der Lenzburger Bank.
Für die Abwicklung der Finanztransaktionen auf der neon-App läuft der Datenaustausch zwischen der App und dem Kernbankensystem Finstar über eine sichere Schnittstelle. Diese hat die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg im Rahmen ihrer Open-API-Initiative im Sommer 2017 in Betrieb genommen hat. Ein erstes Open-Banking-Projekt hat die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg mit dem Fintech-Unternehmen Sonect realisiert, wie im vergangenen Januar bekanntgeben wurde.
Mit der neon-App wird der Leistungsumfang von Finstar mit einem zweiten Fintech-Angebot ausgebaut. Die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg hat das Kernbankensystem Finstar selber entwickelt und betreibt es heute für die eigene Bank und neun weitere Lizenznehmer, die Finstar für das operative Geschäft nutzen.
Marianne Wildi
«Wir beweisen damit, dass wir nicht umsonst als digitalste Bank der Schweiz ausgezeichnet worden sind. Die Kooperation mit neon Switzerland ist ein neuer Meilenstein für die Öffnung des Bankensystems für Fintech-Angebote und wir sind stolz, dass wir mit Finstar® in dieser Entwicklung eine Pionierrolle in der Schweiz einnehmen können.
Auch künftig werden wir unser Angebot mit Fintech-Applikationen ausbauen und noch kundenfreundlicher machen – dank unserer Open-API-Initiative geht das mit Finstar® relativ einfach»,
 
sagt Marianne Wildi, CEO der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg.
Jörg Sandrock
«Open Banking bedeutet für unsere Kunden, dass ihnen die besten Produkte und Services von Spezialisten wie der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg oder anderen Partnern gebündelt und in einem stimmigen Erscheinungsbild präsentiert werden.
So optimieren wir mit unserer neon-App die Wertschöpfung im Finanzbereich zusammen mit Partnern aus der traditionellen Bankenwelt»,
sagt Jörg Sandrock, Mitgründer von neon Switzerland.
 
Featured image via http://www.neonbanking.com/
The post Neues Schweizer Fintech Startup startet mit Open-Banking-Projekt appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/neues-schweizer-fintech-startup-startet-mit-open-banking-projekt</link><guid>554</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/neon-banking-300x241.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Neues Schweizer Fintech Startup startet mit Open-Banking-Projekt</dc:text></item><item><title>Interaktive Krypto Infografik</title><description><![CDATA[In einer interaktiven Grafik hat Smava, ein Deutsches P2P Lending Unternehmen,  die wichtigsten Informationen zum Thema Kryptowährungen kompakt und clever zusammengefasst.
Die Crypto-Infografik zeigt auch spannende Fakten, bspw. zum Stromverbrauch von Bitcoin Mining oder warum Bitcoin gekauft wird.
Zudem erklärt sie auch für Anfänger was bspw. ein Wallet, ein ICO oder was Blockchain ist.
Besonders gut gefällt uns die Einblicke in eine aktuelle Umfrage warum Bitcoin gekauft wird und ob Nutzer sich vorstellen können mittels Krypto-Währungen zu bezahlen.

 
 

The post Interaktive Krypto Infografik appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/interaktive-krypto-infografik</link><guid>555</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/zahlen-fakten-bitcoin.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Interaktive Krypto Infografik</dc:text></item><item><title>Frankfurt Sees Thriving Fintech Industry: Report</title><description><![CDATA[Frankfurt is on the path to become a world leading fintech hub, leveraging Germany’s economic strengths in the tech industry and the city’s position as the European Union’s financial center, according to Startup Genome’s annual startup ecosystem report.
Frankfurt currently employs over 70,000 people in the financial services industry and is home to five Forbes 2000 companies in the financial industry with a combined market capitalization of US$66.3 billion.
Based on these unique advantages and assets, the ecosystem is focusing on building a fintech cluster through targeted programs such as accelerators, corporate involvement initiatives and co-working spaces.
“The ecosystem’s focus on fintech is clear,” the report claims.
“Frankfurt has the highest concentration (tied with another ecosystem) of startups in a given sub-sector globally across the nearly 100 ecosystems we studied. In addition, more than 50% of local venture capital investment went into its fintech startups between 2012 and 2017.”
Nearly all major banks and financial institutions in the world have their German headquarters or global headquarters in the city. Today, Frankfurt hosts more than 300 banks as well as the largest stock exchange in Continental Europe, Deutsche Borse Group.
Most of these banks and financial institutions have launched programs specifically tailored towards the needs of fintechs and insurtechs. For instance, Deutsche Bank launched Digitalfabrik in September 2016, a program that supports the development for digital banking products. Commerzbank introduced the Main Incubator, the bank’s investment arm and incubator targeting fintech startups, in March 2014. Deutsche Borse unveiled Fintech Hub in 2016, an initiative aimed at supporting the fintech community in Frankfurt and in the Rhein/Main region.
In addition to bank-led initiatives, Frankfurt also boasts a large pool of accelerator programs such as Accelerator Frankfurt and Finlab. These were established to nurture the region’s most promising ventures in the areas of fintech, regtech, insurtech, and more.
One of the newest programs to arrive in the city is the iconic Silicon Valley accelerator program Plug and Play, which launched a new European fintech program in collaboration with TechQuartier earlier this year. Launched in 2016, TechQuartier is an international community, incubator and co-working place. It aims to serve as a focal point to the startup and fintech community in Frankfurt as well as a platform connecting all stakeholders in the financial services industry.
Omeed Mehrinfar, regional director of EMEA at Plug and Play, said the company was looking to establish “a centralized accelerator hub for our innovation activities in the fintech space across Europe” in Frankfurt.
Saeed Amidi, CEO and Founder of Plug and Play, noted that Frankfurt was a major financial capital and “on track to also become a global fintech hub.”
Alongside TechQuartier, The Spot is another fintech hub that was launched in 2017. Its main tenants are Commerzbank Group’s Main Incubator, startup companies such as robo-advisory services provider Ginmon and digital payment services provider Billwearl, as well as fintech-focused venture capital firm Digital+Partners.
One of Frankfurt’s most notable success stories is foreign exchange trading company 360T, which was acquired in October 2015 for nearly US$800 million by Deutsche Borse, which runs the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. The acquisition is still to date the largest fintech exit to ever take place in Germany.
Other notable fintech ventures in Frankfurt include insurance robo-advisor Clark, which raised US$29 million in its Series B funding round in April, and AI startup Arago, which raised US$55 million in 2014 from KKR &amp; Co.
Last year, Deloitte ranked Frankfurt as the third largest fintech hubs in Europe, behind only to London and Zurich.
Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2018
Along with pointing out Frankfurt&#8217;s rapidly growing fintech industry, the Startup Genome&#8217;s Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2018 also notes China&#8217;s continued dominance in the global fintech scene.
China is the largest market for digital payments with mobile payments reaching US$5.5 trillion in volume in 2017, or 50 times largest than the US market with US$112 billion.
China is also home the Ant Financial, the country&#8217;s largest fintech company with a valuation of about US$60 billion.
It also noted the growth of wealthtech and robo-advisors supported by advances in the fields of AI, Big Data and machine learning technologies, as well as increasing demand for security and better recognition infrastructure related with the rise of mobile payment systems and digital wallets.
Biometric authentication, which includes technologies like face recognition systems, iris detection and fingerprint recognition, will be increasingly used in a variety of bank and payment scenarios, such as withdrawing cash from ATMs, authenticating mobile bank apps.
 
Featured image: Frankfurt, Germany, Pixabay.
The post Frankfurt Sees Thriving Fintech Industry: Report appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/frankfurt-sees-thriving-fintech-industry-report</link><guid>556</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Startup-Genome-2018-300x187.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Frankfurt Sees Thriving Fintech Industry: Report</dc:text></item><item><title>St. Galler KB lanciert neue Spar-App; Sparen wenn Fussball Nati ein Tor schiesst</title><description><![CDATA[Mit der neuen App will die St.Galler KB (SGKB) Sparen spielend einfach machen.
Sie wurde gemeinsam mit Kunden entwickelt und ist eines von vielen digitalen Projekten, welche die St.Galler Kantonalbank im Rahmen ihrer Strategie vorantreibt.
Mit #HäschCash lanciert die SGKB eine App, die junge Menschen spielerisch beim Sparen unterstützt. Mit individuellen, witzigen Sparmethoden und nützlichen Hinweisen unterstützt die App beim Erreichen des persönlichen Sparziels.
So zum Beispiel mit der Methode «Fussballfieber»: jedes Mal, wenn der Lieblingsfussballclub ein Tor schiesst, wird ein bestimmter Betrag aufs Sparkonto überwiesen. #HäschCash ist in die SGKB-App integriert und steht allen Kundinnen und Kunden zur Verfügung.

Mit Kunden entwickelt
Um möglichst nahe an den Bedürfnissen der jugendlichen Zielgruppe zu bleiben, wurde die Entwicklung als agiles Projekt im Sinne eines internen Startups aufgezogen. Früh im Prozess wurden die Nutzer in die Entwicklung einbezogen, davon viele Kunden, die sich freiwillig gemeldet hatten.
Digitalisierung und persönliche Beratung als Strategie
Die SGKB treibt ihre Digitalisierungsstrategie erfolgreich voran. Alleine in den letzten 12 Monaten profitierten die Kunden von mehr als 10 Neuerungen wie der Online Hypothek, dem Lagecheck, Chat, einem neuen Mobile Banking oder dem Finanzassistenten. Parallel investiert die Bank in die persönliche Beratung – kein Widerspruch, wie CEO Roland Ledergerber betont:
«Unsere Kunden werden immer die Wahl haben, ob sie digital oder persönlich mit uns in Kontakt sein wollen».
The post St. Galler KB lanciert neue Spar-App; Sparen wenn Fussball Nati ein Tor schiesst appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/st-galler-kb-lanciert-neue-spar-app-sparen-wenn-fussball-nati-ein-tor-schiesst</link><guid>557</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/hashcash.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>St. Galler KB lanciert neue Spar-App; Sparen wenn Fussball Nati ein Tor schiesst</dc:text></item><item><title>Funding for Real World Asset Tokenizer</title><description><![CDATA[Brickblock announces successful €5 million capital raise and raised 10 Mio Euro in an ICO.
Brickblock is a fintech company providing a decentralized platform where asset providers can tokenize real-world assets. This technology allows users to invest in individual real estate assets as well as real estate funds (REFs), exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and coin funds.
The platform utilizes blockchain technology and smart contracts to allow real estate developers and asset managers to reach their investors more efficiently. The company’s mission is to make the world of investing easier, cheaper, and more transparent.
Through Brickblock, asset providers can issue unique tokens – called a Proof-of-Asset (PoA) token – that legally entitle the owner to the profits of the underlying asset. T­hese tokens are bought and traded through smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain.
Such smart contracts enable lower fees with greater transparency, and without the minimum amounts, geographic restrictions, and counterparty risks typically associated with traditional investment models. Brickblock offers a cutting-edge technological solution to enable asset managers to raise finance by granting access to a global market, a frictionless investment process, and quicker settlements.
The Gibraltar-headquartered business, founded in 2017 by Jakob Drzazga and Martin Mischke, has appointed Radboud Vlaar, Partner of Finch Capital, to its Board of Directors following this investment. Brickblock is keen to work in close partnership with an experienced international financial technology investor, and celebrates this important milestone.
The company, which also has operations in Berlin, Germany, employs 25 full-time staff from 17 different nationalities. Brickblock is with its partners – including Europe’s leading law firms in the blockchain space, DWF and ISOLAS – in the advanced stages of establishing a legal framework for tokenizing assets that allows Brickblock’s clients to connect legal contracts to their tokens. Its smart contracts were recently audited and approved by ConsenSys Diligence, a company at the forefront of the blockchain space.
Jakob Drzazga
Jakob Drzazga, Brickblock’s CEO and co-founder, commented:
“We are excited to welcome Finch Capital to the Brickblock family. Our mission is to revolutionize the way real-world assets are bought and traded, and we are confident that Finch Capital will play a vital role in helping us realize this vision through the firm’s contacts and resources in the financial industry.”
 
Radboud Vlaar, Partner at Finch Capital, said:
Radboud Vlaar
“The real estate sector is the biggest investable asset class in the world, with a value of $200 trillion USD. We have seen the mortgage and brokerage market being disrupted, and the time is now ripe to disrupt the investment and trading side.
Brickblock is well suited to lead this transformation, leveraging the blockchain to reduce costs for investors up to 80% and making it a frictionless and more liquid investment asset class.
We are excited to support Jakob and his team to build out Brickblock as it gets greater adoption in the months to come and establishes itself as the go-to platform for tokenized asset transactions.”
Brickblock is located in Wiesbaden, German. The company was also running an ICO  in Mid May and raised more than $10 million Euro.

 
Featured image via https://www.facebook.com/brickblock.io/
The post Funding for Real World Asset Tokenizer appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/funding-for-real-world-asset-tokenizer</link><guid>558</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Funding for Real World Asset Tokenizer</dc:text></item><item><title>AdNovum: Partnerschaft mit NetGuardians</title><description><![CDATA[AdNovum geht eine Partnerschaft mit dem Schweizer Spezialisten für Betrugsprävention NetGuardians ein und wird deren Machine-Learning-basierte Risikoerkennungsplattform in ihre Lösungen integrieren.
Durch die Partnerschaft stärkt AdNovum ihr Angebot in der Bekämpfung von Cyberkriminalität in der Finanzbranche.
Das Schweizer Software-Unternehmen AdNovum hat eine Partnerschaft mit NetGuardians etabliert. einem FinTech-Unternehmen, das für Betrugspräventions-Lösungen bekannt ist.
Auf diese Weise stärkt AdNovum ihr Angebot in der Bekämpfung von Cyberkriminalität in der Finanzbranche. Das Herzstück der Lösungen von NetGuardians ist eine Risikoerkennungsplattform auf der Basis von Machine Learning, die Finanzinstitutionen dabei unterstützt, betrügerische Transaktionen in Echtzeit zu erkennen und zu verhindern.
Mithilfe von Big-Data- und prädiktiven Analysen verbindet und standardisiert die Risikoerkennungsplattform von NetGuardians Daten aus dem gesamten Bankensystem.
Durch den Einsatz fortschrittlicher Analysen, dynamischer Profilerstellung und Machine Learning erkennt das System ungewöhnliche Verhaltensmuster und Finanztransaktionen und löst entsprechend Warnmeldungen aus oder blockiert Transaktionen in Echtzeit.
Die hochentwickelten Analysen ermöglichen es der Plattform von NetGuardians, potenzielle Betrugsfälle bereits im Vorfeld zu erkennen.
Die Risikoerkennungsplattform macht es möglich, ein Finanzinstitut automatisch und rund um die Uhr auf verschiedene Arten von Betrug, wie zum Beispiel betrügerische Transaktionen über SWIFT, Mobile- und E-Banking, internen Betrug und Zahlungsbetrug zu überwachen und effizient vor diesen zu schützen. Der Einsatz der Plattform erhöht die Anzahl der korrekt identifizierten betrügerischen Transaktionen deutlich und reduziert die Anzahl der False Positives, was zu einem besseren Benutzererlebnis und niedrigeren Betriebskosten führt.
Als Implementierungspartner bietet AdNovum umfassende Dienstleistungen, von der Beratung über das Projektmanagement, die Integration und das Customizing bis hin zum Betrieb der NetGuardians-Lösungen in der Schweiz und im Ausland.
AdNovums CCO, Peter Gassmann:
Peter Gassmann
«Wir freuen uns sehr, NetGuardians als neuen Lösungspartner gewonnen zu haben. Die Risikoerkennungsplattform von NetGuardians wird uns dabei unterstützen, unser Angebot in den Bereichen Betrugsprävention im Bankgeschäft, Compliance-Automatisierung sowie kognitive Lösungen zu stärken.
Der Erfolg von NetGuardians in der Schweiz, insbesondere im französischsprachigen Raum, spiegelt das Bewusstsein und Engagement der lokalen Banken für die Bekämpfung der Cyberkriminalität wider. Die Eröffnung einer Geschäftsstelle in Lausanne war daher die richtige Entscheidung für AdNovum als Sicherheitsdienstleisterin.»
Loïc Pfister
Loïc Pfister, Geschäftsleiter AdNovum Lausanne:
«NetGuardians Stärken bei der Aufdeckung und Bekämpfung betrügerischer Transaktionen in der Finanzbranche ergänzen unsere Implementierungs-, Integrations- und Sicherheitskompetenz ideal.
Unser erstes gemeinsames Projekt hat die volle Kundenzufriedenheit erreicht und wir freuen uns sehr auf die weitere Zusammenarbeit.»
 
Joël Winteregg
Joël Winteregg, CEO NetGuardians:
«AdNovum ist dank ihrer ausgezeichneten Unterstützung und Erfahrung im operativen Geschäft ein überaus vertrauenswürdiges Schweizer Software-Unternehmen.
Im Rahmen dieser Partnerschaft werden wir das gemeinsame Potential unserer Stärken und unseres Fachwissens ausschöpfen, um die Banken bei der Bekämpfung der Finanzkriminalität mit modernsten Lösungen zu unterstützen.»
 
Featured image via Pexels
The post AdNovum: Partnerschaft mit NetGuardians appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/adnovum-partnerschaft-mit-netguardians</link><guid>559</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/AdNovum-300x47.png</dc:content ><dc:text>AdNovum: Partnerschaft mit NetGuardians</dc:text></item><item><title>“BORN IN SWITZERLAND” Swiss Original Fintech Overview Map Update: 113 Companies</title><description><![CDATA[Luc Schuurmans, Head Private Banking, Executive Management at Bank Linth LLB AG,  put together an updated overview map of Fintech Companies “Born in Switzerland”.
Since his last update he collected 3 Fintech Startups more.
Along with Swisscoms Fintech map (around 230 companies) and Fintechnews list of Top 30 Swiss Fintech Startups To Watch, we now have 3 good overviews of what presents the Fintech startup scene in Switzerland.
Here are the descriptions of all the startup listed in Luc’s map:
Funding
Verve Capital Partners Ltd. operates investiere.ch, a disruptive early-stage and equity gap financier. Based in Zug, Switzerland, Verve Capital Partners was launched in December 2007, with the aim to develop and implement innovative financing concepts for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) while connecting private investors directly to SME investments.
 
 

 
WeCan.Fund connects investors to the best Swiss SMEs seeking crowdfunded loans. They provide a secure, user-friendly, transparent platform that will revolutionize SME financing.
 
 

 
Swiss Crowdfunding is The First Swiss Real Estate Crowdfunding Platform. They have the right of sale of real estate for a total value of over 2 billions Euros: this includes housing estate, for profit, accommodation facilities and many hotels in spread throughout 8 different countries in Europe.
 
 

 
Bricks &amp; Bytes AG provides with crowdhouse.ch the first real estate crowd funding platform in Switzerland. By democratizing the way of being a real estate owner it makes everyone a happy landlord.
 
 
 

 
wemakeit.com was founded in Switzerland in February 2012 by the communication consultant Rea Eggli, the artist Johannes Gees and the interaction designer Jürg Lehni and within very short time grew into one of the largest crowdfunding platforms in Europe.
 
 
 
Propmatch.ch We are a 2015 founded PropTech Startup from Basel. Our goal is to make B2B real estate transactions (investment properties and real estate) more efficient. We help real estate professionals with our open and free analytics platform to make better decisions. Through the combination of Big Data, GIS and Analytics, we enable intelligent matching between sellers, properties and buyers of all sizes throughout Switzerland.
 
 
Projektstarter ist eine Crowdfunding-Plattform mit Sitz in Solothurn, welche seit dem Jahr 2011 tollen Ideen und ihren Machern eine Möglichkeit zur Finanzierung bietet. Sie ist in Besitz der Designatelier GmbH. ProjektStarter bietet den Menschen im Raum Schweiz die Möglichkeit ihre Idee oder ihr Projekt zu finanzieren.
 
 

 
100-days.net (St. Jakobstrasse 54a, CH-8004 Zurich) is a limited company which is 100% owned by Ron Orp GmbH, based in Zurich. The site’s managers and founders are Romano Strebel, Christian Klinner and Ron Orp.
 
 
 
DealMarket is a global online platform for fundraising and deal flow management – a one‐stop shop for Private Equity &amp; Corporate Finance professionals. DealMarket counts more than 15,000 active private equity professionals from 159 countries and is growing fast. Global leading banks like UBS use DealMarket’s deal flow management tools like hundreds of Investors, Associations and Networks trust our comprehensive service offering for Private Equity.
 
Go Beyond Investing brings together a group of private accredited investors dedicated to providing early-stage capital with entrepreneurs seeking investment capital. Go Beyond Investing enables novice &amp; experienced, small &amp; large investors, to access angel investing as an asset class through its unique platform, tools, training and expert angels.
 
 

 
SoSense is a pioneer in digital social innovation with offices in Zürich (Switzerland) and Berlin (Germany). They design creative and engaging concepts, implement innovative and empowering solutions and help run impactful campaigns with leverage.
 
 

 
CreditGate24 connects borrowers with private and institutional investors and offers an efficient and scalable settlement of loans. CreditGate24 operates exclusively online, with no branches or high administrative expenses in order not to diminish the yields on investment and to minimize the cost for borrowers.
 
 
Advanon is an authorized financial intermediary that is directly subordinated to FINMA (Directly Subordinated Financial Intermediary, DSFI) according to the Anti Money Laundering Act (AMLA).
 
 
 

Suricate Solutions Sàrl a développé GoHeidi, une plateforme web de financement participatif basée sur la précommande d’un produit/service afin d’aider toute personne à réaliser son projet.
 
 
 

Veolis provides a Crowdfunding and Crowdinvesting Platform for sustainable projects in Switzerland, for example: Renewable Energy Projects, Cleantech Company; processes and legal contracts between Project Owner and Investor are simplified and standardized.
 
 
 

c-crowd represents a new way of financing entrepreneurs while democratising the concept of business angels, brings together innovative entrepreneurs and investors.
 
 
 

Loanboox is the independent money and capital market platform for public-sector borrowers and institutional investors. In contrast to conventional brokering, financing and investing through Loanboox is simple, transparent, safe and low cost, benefiting both borrowers and lenders alike.
 
 
 

SWISS STARTER the first equity crowdfunding platform in Ticino (Switzerland), wants to be a real support to help new startup that needed funds to start their project or to carry on existing projects in the critical steps.
 
 
 
Swiss Crowdlending FinTech for private persons and SME. Crowd Solutions is the provider of Crowd4Cash.ch the innovative Crowdlending platform. Crowd4Cash brings investors and borrower together. For better returns for the investors and lower interest rates for borrower. 100% online, easy and simply fair!
 
 
 

swisspeers  ist eine unabhängige Crowdlending Plattform, die es Unternehmen erlaubt, bei Investoren direkt – also ohne Zwischen­schaltung eines Finanzinstituts – Fremdkapital zu beschaffen.
 
 
 
 

creditworld verbindet Schweizer KMUs mit privaten sowie professionellen Investoren. KMUs profitieren von attraktiven Konditionen und fairen Vertragsbedingungen. Investoren erhalten Zugang zu einer neuen Anlageklasse mit interessanten Renditen und unterstützen dabei das Rückgrat der Schweizer Volkswirtschaft.
 
 

Splendit matches students and investor in an auction process, issue documentation and manages payments through the lifetime of the loans.
 
 
 
 
Advice

moneyguru.ch ist der digitale Assistent für private Finanzen in der Schweiz. Der Moneyguru ist von den Gründern von moneyland.ch ins Leben gerufen worden. Die unabhängige Vergleichsseite moneyland.ch ist sozusagen die Mutter, die Datenlieferantin und der Rechner von Moneyguru.
 
 
 

Crowd Trading‘s objective is to bring a revolution to the world wide online financial services being the first on the market to offer a social trading platform to collectively manage portfolios of financial assets through a decision-making system for public groups of investors (herein “crowd”) and an automated trades replication within the crowd.
 
 

adviceonline.ch, the complete and regulatory conform Onboarding, Profiling, Opening Document Management, Advisory and Consolidation Suite for EAM and Banks.
 
 
 
 

Investment Navigator is operated by Investment Navigator AG based in Zurich. Investment Navigator AG works closely with fundinfo, the leading platform for information and mandatory disclosures in the fund sector.
 
 
 

InvestGlass is a 24/7 financial markets platform built with Swiss banking know-how and a predictive algorithm. Their goal is to deliver smart financial information investors need at the right time and in the right format. Equities, Bonds, Forex, ETF, Futures, News and much more…
 
 
 

FLYNT reinvents platforms, services and experiences that put clients in control of their wealth. We see wealth as a means to follow life’s dreams, ambitions and aspirations. Wealth is a gateway to opportunity. Our mission is to transform how our clients realise these opportunities – in the most fluid, dynamic and rewarding way possible.
 
 

Sentifi is a leading Crowd-Intelligence platform for financial markets globally, receiving Swiss FinTech Award 2016. Their unique approach is to structure unstructured financial data from news, blogs and social media, identify and rank the sources for their relevance and apply self-learning algorithms and a financial expert system to extract insights from the content.
 
 

Qumram enables every digital interaction – web, social and mobile – to be recorded and replayed, at any time, providing a complete digital audit trail for financial services organisations, in accordance with key global regulatory requirements (MIFID-II, SEC, FINRA and more).
 
 
 

SwissMetrics is a dynamic startup from Switzerland that has a mission to enhance the way companies monitor their credit risk. As finance professionals, they have developed a SaaS platform with the aim of promoting smarter collaboration within companies to work for a common goal – saving money through risk minimization.
 
 
 

With diverse academic backgrounds ranging from information technology, mathematics, business administration, political sciences and philosophy, economics, design, linguistics and psychology, Adviscent‘s team of experts brings solid domain expertise on board in the banking, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and food industries.
 
 

MeetInvest seeks to democratize stock market investment with a free service that combines a social media platform and an investor toolkit, bringing in one place all the necessary resources for people to start trading like pros.
 
 
 

By leveraging technology, Dein-Anlageberater.ch provides users with personalized investment advisory services and recommendations for asset allocation at a much lower price than traditional investment advisers.
 
 
 
 

CrowdInvest.ch ist die erste Plattform der Schweiz, bei der jedermann die Kursentwicklung von Aktien prognostizieren kann. Denn wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zeigen, dass kollektives Wissen besser ist als einzelne Expertenmeinungen. Werde jetzt Teil von crowdinvest.ch und miss dich mit den Finanzexperten.
 
 

Nectar Financial, formerly Etops, is a Swiss fintech company specializing in wealth and asset management. It provides middle and back office services for more than 30 family offices, independent asset managers and banks and supports them in managing assets in excess of CHF 35 billion.
 
 
 

Riskifier makes investment risk profiling simple, fun and insightful for everyone. Our solution uses latest advances of artificial intelligence to fulfill the requirements of MiFID II/FIDLEG investor risk profiling and KYC data collection, while digitalizing &amp; gamifying user experience as well unleashing advantages of behavior based personalized investment risk profiles.
 
 

Pricehubble a Swiss based company, focusing on international real estate markets. We integrate top academic and industry experience in machine learning, computer science, econometrics, mathematics, statistics, financial services and consulting. We develop innovative solutions to support real estate decision making.
 
 
EdgeLab is a fintech company providing an investment intelligence web platform to help financial institutions taking smarter decisions.
 
 
 

Apiax is a compliance digitally mastered. We transform complex regulations into easy-to-use digital compliance rules.
 


 
 
 
Integration
 
Performace Watcher Evaluating and comparing the result of one&#8217;s investment portfolio must be accessible to everyone. Our aim is to popularize and demystify a traditionally opaque field. We believe in explanations that are simple, clear and understandable to everyone. With the disappearance of Swiss banking secrecy, increased competition, the Internet and a new generation of customers the transparency of results is born.
 
 
WealthPort’s artificial intelligence (AI)-driven software helps businesses reduce manual work in product data management by 20x, speed up time-to-market by 90% and increase revenue up to 10%. Wealthport makes this possible by radically improving data quality–automating the data integration, cleaning and categorisation process.
 
 

Additiv develops and implements digital innovations and business models for financial services companies – tailor-made and turnkey.
 
 
 

Qedos designs beautiful &amp; innovative solutions for wealth managers. Their solutions revolutionise the way wealth managers and their client interact. They help wealth managers provide tailored advice, provide a better client experience, achieve superior investment performance, comply with regulations and work more efficiently.
 
 

Founded in 2007, NetGuardians was the first company to emerge from the innovation incubator Y-Parc, in Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland. The company now enjoys a solid international presence with a steadily growing clientele in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
 
 
 
FundBase is a cloud-based platform to ultimately host the complete investment process for high-conviction alternative investments. Fundbase delivers to qualified investors a seamlessly integrated platform to discover, execute and monitor complex investments such as hedge funds, private equity and other high-conviction investments.
 
 

Pure Value Metrics provides active investors with a unique combination of Global Equity Portfolio Selection, Market Insight, Online Trading and discretionary Voice Execution.
 
 
 

ADDFIN is a business solution for professional investors who seek to benefit and leverage on the full potential offered by digitalization and information technology in order to standardize the workflow, processes and procedures.
 
 
 

Centralway Numbrs is a customer-centric financial services company. It enables its customers to manage their existing bank accounts and personal finances and to buy any financial product from every provider at the best possible price.
 
 
 
 

Monetas develops technologies that empower people to live and do business with greater freedom than ever before, and that make financial inclusion a reality.
 
 
 
 

Interaction Partners is a Swiss-based Investor Relations Services firm with a focus on facilitating broker-independent trust-building, live interactions (roadshows) between listed corporates and institutional investors in Zurich, Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lugano, Milan and London.
 
 
 
We believe that great decision makers are the ones that ask the right questions. Veezoo empowers them to find the answers efficiently by themselves. We make complex information easy to understand by answering any question with a clean visualization.
 
 
 
Lykke is a Swiss Fintech company building a global marketplace based on blockchain. It builds on decades of thought and research by company founder Richard Olsen, a pioneer in the field of high-frequency finance. Richard served as co-founder and CEO of OANDA, a leading foreign exchange company. Lykke received initial seed funding in 2015.
 
 
 
Oyoba is a finance-as-a-service platform, providing its users access to a wide range of fintech and blockchain services, including bank accounts, Bitcoin wallets, robo advisory, lending, P2P payments and debit cards. Oyoba’s vision is to turn consumer banking into a modern information service by using personal, financial and other data to create new, personalized and better services.
 
 
Spitch is a Swiss provider of solutions based on Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) and voice biometrics, Voice User Interfaces (VUI), and natural language voice data analytics.
 
 
 
Moneygrid is born out of the vision that currency systems should be as diverse as possible and that they should connected to each other if it does make sense.

 
 
 
Learn/Compare
Anders als bei anderen Lernplattformen arbeitet fintool.ch bewusst mit Kurzvideos. Da auf der anderen Seite der zu behandelnde Stoff ausgesprochen vielfältig aber auch von immenser Breite ist, sind der Anzahl solcher Videos kaum Grenzen gesetzt. Der Stoff wird fintool.ch nicht ausgehen. Nach Erscheinen werden die einzelnen „Street-Videos“ in sogenannten Wissensgefässen „zusammengebunden“.
 
 
nViso provides the most scalable, robust, and accurate cloud service to measure instantaneous emotional reactions of consumers in online environments. We provide real-time and highly actionable information for Market Research, Brands, Creative Agencies and R&amp;D Product Development. Using award winning and proprietary 3D Facial Imaging technology, compatible with ordinary webcams, we uncover the why and how of customer behaviour in real-time, letting brands make smarter business decisions and build more engaging consumer experiences.
 

moneyland.ch is a Swiss comparison service site helping you with your financial needs. On moneyland.ch, you can use independent comparison tools for insurance, loans, credit cards, bank accounts, consumer credits, interest rates, trading and much more.
 
 
 

123vergleich &#8211; the portal for free insurance comparisons, offers and expert advice. 3 steps to the best offer: Compare &#8211; Request an offer &#8211; Save premiums!
 
 
 
 

Comparis is a Swiss Internet comparison service. On comparis.ch, consumers can compare rates and services of health insurances, other insurances, banks, telecom providers, property, vehicles and special offers from retailers – quickly and easily.
 
 
 
Ein Financial Explainer ist ein computergenerierter Erklärungsvideo. Mit Hilfe von Ton, Bild und Bewegung werden komplexe Sachverhalte verständlich erklärt. Gerade in der Finanzbranche, wo die Komplexität der Produkte und Dienstleistungen einen hohen Erklärungsbedarf mit sich bringen, kann ein Financial Explainer durch seine “Step by Step” Erzählweise sein ganzes Potenzial entfalten.
 
 

Simple, Easy and Usefulness are the three pillars of everything that are innovated at Smartie. A team with impeccable entrepreneurship, courage to put a ding in the universe and humility are some of the characteristics of the team members.
 
 
 

bfox ist ein exklusiver Service der fragguido AG mit Sitz in Bergdietikon. Das 2013 gegründete Unternehmen ist 100% unabhängig und wird von einem Expertenteam geführt.
 
 
 
assetinum.com was founded with the goal of offering investors an independent and useful wealth management portal. Assetinum’s special focus is given to the search function for matching Swiss asset and wealth managers, investment consultants, banks and family offices. Users can easily arrange a meeting with experienced investment experts for free and then decide on a provider of their choice.
 
 
FinGuide offers a new service in Swiss Private Banking. So far, private banking customers have been directly acquired by providers, as investors you have been in a passive role. With FinGuide you can take control of yourself without having to spend a lot of effort. The approach: We record your individual needs in detail and show you which banks or asset managers suit you best. FinGuide is available to private individuals with assets available from 500,000 Swiss francs.
 
 
Payments
 

Monito is a comparison website for international money transfer services. We compare and review more than 450 money transfer operators, to help you find the best option for each of your international transaction.
 
 
 

CashSentinel is a fintech startup that developed an innovative payment solution, which is at the crossroads of escrow agents and mobile wallets, to facilitate vehicle transactions. CashSentinel’s service has opened in April 2014 in Switzerland.
 
 
 

Mobino is a Swiss company incorporated in Geneva in 2011. Their products are integrated with the existing banking infrastructure, for example through the SEPA system in Europe. A version with prepaid accounts is geared to countries where many citizens cannot access traditional banking services.
 
 
 

CashCloud is a mobile payment system, but relies on a system of stability and security. They aim to create transparency and ensure ease of use, in order not to give rise to the scepticism and distrust which has grown between the people and the banks in recent years regarding mobile payments.
 
 
 

milliPay is a Swiss online payment provider. With their patent-pending technology they firstly enable micropayments: their system is optimized for fast and easy access to paid content, and efficiently processes transaction amounts down to EUR 0.001.
 
 
 

After several years of development, the Run my Accounts AG AG was founded in 2008: the Easiest Accounting for SME. And meanwhile run my accounts in Stafa with 25 employees approximately 300 companies in the size of 1 to 220 employees.
 
 
 

SONECT Creating virtual ATMs where users can withdraw cash from any shop that joins the program at over 50% cheaper than the current ATM withdrawal costs.
 
 
 
 
SmartLink is a mobile wallet services provider, offering white-label mobile transaction platform solutions, contactless transaction capabilities, know-your-customer solutions, and prepaid program management.
 
 
 
 
billte digitalize paper invoices and to automate the billing chain for small and medium businesses. Since the deal does not end with a bill, we surround the invoices with a wide range of features that are beneficial for both, companies and their customers. By providing Value Added Services, such as bi-directional communication channel, awarding offers, analytics, forecasting, financial support, we help to maintain existing relationships and gain new customers.
 
SecurionPay, established in 2014 in Switzerland, is a cross-device payment platform that enables businesses accepting online payments in 160 currencies through the checkout translated into 23 languages.
 
 
 
Advantage Digital, Unlike web wallets and other apps acting as simple clients to web based processes, a true mobile wallet generates and keeps your sensitive data local and never shares/sends it over the internet.
 
 
 
 
Wealth Management

True Wealth AG was founded in 2013 as a Swiss corporation. An automated investment solution that is uncompromisingly cost-efficient so that our clients enjoy bigger returns.
 
 
 

With INVESTORY you can trade direct investments like stocks, etfs, futures, foreign currencies, precious metals, and commodities. Collective investments like mutual funds, structured products, and certificates are not available.
 
 
 

 
Investivity is a boutique investment company dedicated to delivering innovative solutions to the current challenges faced by wealth managers.
 
 
 
 
Leonteq is vertically integrated and is a leading B-2-B partner for digitisation solutions. They cover the entire value chain of structured investment products from structuring to pricing, documentation, issuance, listing, settlement, risk management, market-making, life-cycle management and distribution.
 
 

 
AMNIS provides small and medium enterprises via an electronic platform access on fair terms for currency exchange and foreign currency payments. Various automated systems and APIs (programming interfaces), it also allow the processes involved in dealing with foreign currency easier.
 
 
 

Blockchain software for asset management. Melonport is building multichain capable software for asset management.
 
 
 
 

 
Descartes is a digital Swiss investment advisor bringing together the latest insights in financial theory, leading technology, and successful investment specialists. An easy, low-cost access to strategies and methods of well-known, independent investment specialists, portfolio managers and economists.
 
 
 
mydesq is a swiss startup which provides innovative solutions to wealth managers. We provide a comprehensive workbench which allows wealth managers to do all their daily activities in a single application on their ipad. The application allows wealth managers to truly work from anywhere, anytime and even works fully if there is no internet connectivity. But besides being powerful, the mydesq application has a gorgeous design and can be customised as we believe that each wealth manager is unique.
 

 
 
clever circles is a platform for building and managing your assets. clever circles is a platform for building and managing your assets.
 
 
VIAC  A 3rd pillar solution that above all creates added value for the customer &#8211; not just for the bank.
 
 
 
 
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/born-in-switzerland-swiss-original-fintech-overview-map-update-113-companies</link><guid>546</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/swiss-fintech-map.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>“BORN IN SWITZERLAND” Swiss Original Fintech Overview Map Update: 113 Companies</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Startup Map, May 2018</title><description><![CDATA[Swisscom released the Swiss Fintech Startup Map for May 2018 which now counts 232 Swiss Fintech Startups.
In April it counted 224 companies.
One of the new Fintechs is Daura, a Swisscom venture for funding startups  and issuing sme shares on the blockchain.
﻿
 

The post Swiss Fintech Startup Map, May 2018 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-startup-map-may-2018</link><guid>543</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Swisscom-Swiss-Fintech-Startups-May-2018.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Startup Map, May 2018</dc:text></item><item><title>German Banks Ramp Up Fintech Startup Investment; Commerzbank Leads In Deals</title><description><![CDATA[German banks and financial institutions are ramping up fintech investment with Commerzbank, the fourth largest bank by total assets, emerging as the most active bank in terms of number of fintech deals.
Germany’s top 10 largest banks are pursuing a multi-response approach in dealing with the rise fintech. However, investment and collaboration remain by far the most preferred response models based on the number of reported cases.
Germany Fintech Landscape, September 2017, EY
Within collaborations, the country’s top 10 banks are most active in engaging with fintech companies that enable them to digitalize their service offering. Several banks have also launched or are co-supporting various development programs for fintech.
Cooperations between banks and fintechs in Germany, https://paymentandbanking.com/
 
Commerzbank leads the pack

According to a research by Finanz-szene.de, Commerzbank is by far the most active bank among Germany’s top 10 largest financial institutions in terms of fintech deals. Commerzbank is currently involved in 27 fintech startups. By comparison, the other 9 of Germany’s top banks combine just 20 holdings.
For some of these startups, Commerzbank is holding double-digit percentage of ownership, including Bilendo (12.9%), Gini (13.4%) and GetSafe (13%).
Bilendo is a B2B software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider that focuses on optimizing the liquidity of companies, and automatizing the entire dunning process. Bilendo’s service starts directly after the invoicing, imports all relevant data via an interface or recognition system, matches incoming payments of business accounts with outgoing invoices, sends out required documents such as reminder or dunning letters via e-mail or by post, and informs about current statuses through valuable reports.
Gini is a startup that provides a SaaS solution for extracting content from documents, and GetSafe is an insurtech startup that provides a platform of innovative, data-driven insurance products that users can subscribe to on demand.
Fintech companies in which Commerzbank holds minor shares include European brokerage company eToro, payment startup Marqeta, social payment platform PayKey, and digital commerce platform provider OmnyWay, among others.
In terms of fintech deals, Commerzbank is followed by Deutsche Bank with eight startups, namely TrustBills, WeTrade, R3, Acadia Soft, Vermietet.ed, Dwins, Neptune Networks and USC; and NordLB with seven startups, namely Entrafin, NDGIT, Tradico, Liqid, Cashpresso, SMACC, and Optiopay.
The other seven largest banks in Germany has been involved more or less in the fintech space. The Hypo-Vereinsbank has not disclosed any of its fintech investment but according to Finanz-szene.de, only holds shares in two startups, Finleap and MoneyMap. Similarly, DZ Bank too has invested in two startups, Trust Bills and architrave.
ING Diba has not invested in any fintech company, but the bank did recently acquire Berlin lending marketplace Lendico.
BayernLB has reportedly not invested in any fintech startup but has however partnered with several players through its online subsidiary DKB.
LBBW has so far been almost exclusively focused on in-house digitalization initiatives, such as its recent blockchain project for financial transactions with Daimler.
Hessische Landesbank (Helaba) has not been directly involved in any fintech companies so far, but recently established Helaba Digital, an investment company set up to invest in Internet companies.
 
Germany’s fintech ecosystem
Overall, the German fintech ecosystem remains on a healthy development path with deal flow growing, the average deal size increasing and investment volumes continuing to expand, according to EY.
In 1H’ 2017, fintech companies in Germany raised EUR 307 million with top deals that include Kreditech at EUR 110 million, Scalable Capital at EUR 30 million, and Raisin at EUR 30 million as well.
Germany’s fintech startup ecosystem now counts over 300 companies, many of which are focusing on B2B enabling processes and technology services, payments, and wealthtech.
The post German Banks Ramp Up Fintech Startup Investment; Commerzbank Leads In Deals appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/german-banks-ramp-up-fintech-startup-investment-commerzbank-leads-in-deals</link><guid>544</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/german-banks-response-to-fintech.png</dc:content ><dc:text>German Banks Ramp Up Fintech Startup Investment; Commerzbank Leads In Deals</dc:text></item><item><title>De Beers Successfully Tracks First Diamonds from Mine to Retail on Industry Blockchain</title><description><![CDATA[De Beers Group announced that it has successfully tracked 100 high-value diamonds along the value chain during the pilot of its industry blockchain platform, marking the first time a diamond’s journey has been digitally tracked from mine to retail.
An immutable and secure digital trail was created for a selection of rough diamonds mined by De Beers as they moved from the mine to cutter and polisher, then through to a jeweller.
The platform, called Tracr, is expected to launch later this year and will be open to the industry. When fully operational, Tracr will provide consumers with confidence that registered diamonds are natural and conflict-free, improve visibility and trust within the industry, and enhance efficiencies across the diamond value chain.
Five leading diamond manufacturers &#8211; Diacore, Diarough, KGK Group, Rosy Blue NV and Venus Jewel &#8211; have been working with De Beers during the development of Tracr and have played an integral role in creating the first blockchain platform to span the entire diamond value chain. The manufacturers have significant experience in the processing of large stones, which is the initial focus of the pilot, as well as broad coverage across the midstream of the industry.
Bruce Cleaver, CEO, De Beers Group, said:
Bruce Cleaver
“The Tracr project team has demonstrated that it can successfully track a diamond through the value chain, providing asset-traceability assurance in a way that was not possible before.  This is a significant breakthrough made achievable by the close engagement of the pilot participants who share our commitment to industry progress and innovation.
We look forward to sharing the platform with more partners in the coming months and capturing their insights before ultimately making this technology available to the broader industry.”
Sevantilal Shah, Chairman of Venus Jewel, said:
Sevantilal Shah
&#8220;Venus Jewel is proud to be one of the first partners in Tracr.  Proof of provenance is a key part of Venus&#8217; promise to its customers, and Tracr will be an integral part of that promise.
Participating in the pilot has been a successful experience and we look forward to continuing with the programme and supporting De Beers in raising the standard for the diamond industry.”
Amit Bhansali, Managing Director of Rosy Blue NV, said:
“Technology has already significantly contributed to improving transparency within the diamond industry. Initiatives that use blockchain can drive this process even further, as their implementation requires collaboration and trust creation among all industry stakeholders. We are excited to be contributing to this process through our participation in the Tracr platform.”
How Tracr works



As the diamonds travel along the value chain, a unique Global Diamond ID is automatically created on Tracr, which stores individual diamond attributes such as carat, colour and clarity through integration with the participants’ existing record-keeping systems.
This allows Tracr to consolidate the data into an immutable digital trail for each physical diamond, assuring its provenance and traceability from rough to polished.
To support this process-based tracking, Tracr will also be using stone images, planned outcome images and a diamond’s physical properties to verify authenticity through data science and physical identification techniques.
Tracr verifies the uploaded data at each key milestone of a diamond’s journey &#8211; ensuring its accuracy and continuity &#8211; while enabling users to be in full control of what they share with other participants through the use of privacy controls.
The pilot was announced in January, following months of research and industry consultation. De Beers is working with BCG Digital Ventures to build the platform and the underlying technology.
 
Featured image via https://www.tracr.com/
The post De Beers Successfully Tracks First Diamonds from Mine to Retail on Industry Blockchain appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/de-beers-successfully-tracks-first-diamonds-from-mine-to-retail-on-industry-blockchain</link><guid>545</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/tracr-300x45.png</dc:content ><dc:text>De Beers Successfully Tracks First Diamonds from Mine to Retail on Industry Blockchain</dc:text></item><item><title>Prime Minister of Liechtenstein Welcomes House of Blockchain in Vaduz</title><description><![CDATA[
Launch of the the House of Blockchain in Vaduz, Liechtenstein at an opening ceremony on Monday that featured a speech from Prime Minister of Liechtenstein, Adrian Hasler.
The House of Blockchain encapsulates a collaborative environment that the æternity establishment and NÄGELE Attorneys aim to foster worldwide, in order to bring the benefits of blockchain technology to the masses.


The House of Blockchain will support projects that share a vision for a future built on powerful, user-friendly decentralized applications.
Geschäftseröffnung Kanzlei Nägele Rechtsanwälte
Prime Minister of Liechtenstein, Adrian Hasler welcomed the House of Blockchain in a speech to the 160 attendees, explaining that he was pleased to see the blockchain ecosystem thriving in Liechtenstein, a country that supports the growth and innovative business models quickly emerging from the technology. He acknowledged that with flourishing innovation comes a need for strong support from all regulatory bodies and in Liechtenstein, the Government firmly believes in the potential and the many use cases that blockchain technology brings.
 
Currently, 10 projects have joined the House of Blockchain Coworking Space, which is part of the HoB initiative.
Geschäftseröffnung Kanzlei Nägele Rechtsanwälte
Projects such as Chainium, the equity network that allows business owners to sell equity in their business in return for capital from investors; Light 47, SmartToken, Upvest and Weeve, a global network that enables the commercialization of the IoT in the sharing and data economy; also TV-TWO, a blockchain-based open platform for a decentralized television ecosystem and DORIUM, a social-economic system creating, rewarding, and financing social and environmental impact.

The post Prime Minister of Liechtenstein Welcomes House of Blockchain in Vaduz appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/prime-minister-of-liechtenstein-welcomes-house-of-blockchain-in-vaduz</link><guid>533</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Adrian-Hasler-1024x683.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Prime Minister of Liechtenstein Welcomes House of Blockchain in Vaduz</dc:text></item><item><title>15 Millionen für Schweizer KI Tech Startup</title><description><![CDATA[Starmind International AG, das in Küsnacht ansässige KI Tech Unternehmen, das selbstlernende Netzwerke für den Zugang zum menschlichen Fachwissen aufbaut, hat den Abschluss einer grossen Wachstumsfinanzierungsrunde bekanntgegeben.
Digital+ Partners, ein Unternehmen, das sich auf schnell wachsende B2B-Software- und KI-Technologieunternehmen konzentriert, investiert 15 Millionen Dollar und unterstützt das Unternehmen aktiv durch den Zugang zu globalen Unternehmen und Technologieexperten.
Die Mittel sind für die Entwicklung von Algorithmen der nächsten Generation von Starmind und die Beschleunigung des Wachstums auf dem globalen Markt bestimmt.
 
Starmind investiert in Technologie und globales Wachstum
Pascal Kaufmann
Heute fusst Starmind auf einem kostendeckenden Geschäftsmodell.
„Nachdem wir bewiesen haben, dass unser Unternehmen in der Lage ist, auf dem hart umkämpften KI-Markt zu bestehen und zu wachsen, ist es nun an der Zeit, unser Wachstum zu beschleunigen und zu expandieren“,
sagte Pascal Kaufmann, einer der Gründer von Starmind.
 
 
Starmind hat bereits eine eindrucksvolle Kundenbasis in allen Branchen und auf der ganzen Welt aufgebaut und verzeichnete ein Rekordjahr mit mehreren Meilensteinen: Microsoft nominierte Starmind kürzlich als Technologiepartner im Bereich KI im Rahmen seines internationalen ScaleUp-Programms.
Das Internationale Komitee vom Roten Kreuz (IKRK) ist seit 2017 ein Kunde. Andere Kunden nutzen Starmind im Rahmen der UNO, und HR-Experten tauschen mithilfe der Starmind-Technologie über Unternehmensgrenzen hinweg Know-how aus.
Die Expansion über den B2B-Bereich hinaus eröffnet neue Geschäftsmöglichkeiten mit einem signifikanten Skalierungspotenzial zusätzlich zum noch ungenutzten Potenzial im bestehenden Kundenstamm.
Marc Vontobel
„Bis Ende 2017 haben wir deutlich gezeigt, dass unsere Technologie die weltweit führenden KI-Algorithmen bei verschiedenen Textklassifikationsaufgaben übertrifft“
sagte Marc Vontobel, CTO und ebenfalls Gründer von Starmind.
„Wir nutzen diesen positiven Impuls und investieren erheblich in die Intelligenz und die API-Fähigkeiten unserer Technologie.“
Investoren sind von enormem Wachstumspotenzial überzeugt
Der neue Investor Digital+ Partners ist ein erfahrener Wachstumskapitalgeber, der sich auf Investitionen in schnell wachsende Technologieunternehmen im Bereich SaaS-Technologie spezialisiert hat.
Thomas Jetter
„Starmind ist auf einem guten Weg zu einem Weltmarktführer im Bereich der künstlichen Intelligenz.
Besonders beeindruckt haben uns die hochkarätigen Kunden aus den unterschiedlichsten Branchen, ihre neuartige Technologie und ihre Innovationspipeline, der Wachstumskurs im Neu- und Bestandsgeschäft sowie das erhebliche Potenzial für Vernetzungssynergien im Geschäftsmodell“,
sagte Thomas Jetter, Partner bei Digital+ Partners.
„Der Ansatz von Starmind, die menschliche Intelligenz mittels der neuesten neurowissenschaftlich inspirierten KI-Technologie zu nutzen, führt zu einer starken kommerziellen Zugkraft in Europa und Nordamerika. Diese neue Finanzierung bietet eine solide Basis für weitere Technologieführerschaft und Umsatzwachstum“,
ergänzte Patrick Beitel, Partner bei Digital+ Partners.
 
Featured image via Starmind
The post 15 Millionen für Schweizer KI Tech Startup appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/15-millionen-fur-schweizer-ki-tech-startup</link><guid>534</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/starmind-300x80.png</dc:content ><dc:text>15 Millionen für Schweizer KI Tech Startup</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 15 Fintech Startups In Ireland</title><description><![CDATA[Fintech in booming in Ireland as the country shows itself to be a key industry hub in the wake of Brexit, with favorable government initiatives and strategies, a large network of accelerators and the all-important convergence of banks and disruptors to aid its financial dominance.
Deloitte&#8217;s Global Fintech Hub Report for 2017 named Dublin as one of Europe&#8217;s fintech hubs with the highest potential, citing the city&#8217;s large pool of fund managers, and its high concentration of startups working in regtech.
There are about 140 fintech companies in Ireland, according to Fintech Ireland, but here are 15 names you should know about.
Top 15 Fintech Startups In Ireland
Fenergo
Fenergo is a provider of client onboarding lifecycle management software for corporate, investment and private banks, serving 17 of the top 50 banks in the world.
Founded in 2009, the company’s solutions span front and middle offices operations to provide banking clients with an end-to-end lifecycle management solution.
Fenergo is one of the most well-funded fintech companies in Ireland, raising a total of US$80.4 million in funding so far.
 
Plynk
Founded in 2015, Plynk has developed a “money messenger” app that lets users make peer-to-peer payments to their friends and relatives instantly and for free. The virtual account is linked to a MasterCard through which users can withdraw their money in cash and make payments at merchants part of the network.
Like Fenergo, Plynk is also one of the most well-funded fintech startups in Ireland, raising last year €25 million in a Series A fundraising round – one of the largest Series A in Irish history. The fundraising brought Plynk’s total funding amount to date to €25.7 million.
 
TransferMate Global Payments
TransferMate Global Payments is an award-winning fintech startup specializing in global remittances and cross-border payments for businesses. To date, the platform has processed more than €10 billion worth of transactions for its clients.
TransferMate Global Payments raised €30 million in funding in November 2017.
 
CR2
CR2 is a banking software provider offering retail banking solutions. CR2’s BankWorld is a suite of banking solutions which provides a complete view of each customer’s entire banking relationship. It comprises of an omnichannel integrated platform that manages and personalizes all self-service channels: ATM, kiosk, Internet banking, mobile banking, POS and cards.
CR2 has raised US$15.1 million in total funding so far.
 
Corlytics
Corlytics is a risk focused financial intelligence technology company that works in partnership with regulators and financial institutions globally.
Corlytics analyzes enforcement data and other important regulatory information. This helps all stakeholders achieve better regulatory planning and execution, by providing evidence based intelligence.
Corlytics has raised €4 million in funding so far.
 
Flender
Flender is a peer-to-peer finance platform which helps people borrow and lend money via their social circles, while allowing businesses to raise funds through their own customers. Flender leverages existing connections in order to increase trust between borrowers and lenders, lowering default rates.
The Dublin-headquartered fintech startup, whose backer include former EY Entrepreneur of the Year award winner Mark Roden, announced a €50 million debt financing round to fund its expansion in March 2018, bringing its total funding amount to more than €51 million raised so far.
 
Moqom
Moqom provides secure customer identity solutions to the financial services industry. The company’s ConfIDent product suite enables frictionless, instant customer identity across any channel, be that face to face, via an App, web, SMS, phone call, or video phone call. ConfIDent can be seamlessly integrated alongside a banks&#8217; existing processes and risk management systems, with minimal to zero effort.
Moqom has raised US$3 million in funding so far.
 
Eagle Alpha
Eagle Alpha is a provider of a full service solution that enables asset managers to obtain alpha from alternative data. Eagle Alpha&#8217;s Research, Tools and Data are used by some of the world&#8217;s leading investment managers and investment banks to leverage non-traditional insights from the web. Clients also include family offices, corporates, online brokers and central banks. The company was founded in September 2012 by former Morgan Stanley investment banker, Emmett Kilduff.
Eagle Alpha has raised US$5.6 million in funding so far.
 
Linked Finance
Linked Finance is one of Ireland&#8217;s leading peer-to-peer lending platforms. It connects local businesses who need loans with a vibrant online lending community. The platform counts over 18,000 registered lenders who have lent more than €53 million to 1,400+ Irish businesses.
Linked Finance has raised €4.5 million in funding so far.
 
Gecko Governance
Gecko Governance is a regtech blockchain solution that allows fund manager and banks to easily monitor and manage their regulation and compliance requirements. The platform allows clients to schedule all their end-to-end compliance and regulatory tasks and provides a verifiable independent audit trail of compliance to satisfy global financial regulators.
 
Ding
Ding claims to be the world’s largest mobile top-up network, safely delivering a top-up every second of every day. The company is directly connected to over 400 operators in 130 countries with a reach of 4 billion phones. Top-up can be sent via www.ding.com, using the mobile app and in more than 600,000 retail locations globally.
 
CheckVentory Innovation
CheckVentory was established to give credit managers of capital asset floorplans the tools to quickly, accurately and easily conduct frequent audits of inventory located across multiple sites.
The platform is designed to collate data from multiple auditors on multiple asset types in one location. The dashboard management enables managers to easily identify and verify the locations of all funded capital assets under their control. They can quickly react to missing or sold assets to take the necessary steps for cash collection of recovery. Audits can be conducted far more frequently and accurately with better quality data at a lower cost than traditional field audits.
CheckVentory has raised €550,000 in funding so far.
 
ID-Pal
ID-Pal is a KYC solution for client onboarding. Through ID-Pal, businesses can verify the identity of clients quickly and easily. The ID-Pal smartphone app provides a simple, secure and convenient alternative to manually processing your client&#8217;s ID information, saving companies time and providing an enhanced onboarding experience.
 
Signatur
Signatur is a blockchain startup that specializes in financial solutions. Currently, Signatur provides cross-border money transfer services that leverage cryptocurrencies, the Signatur Card for in-store payments, and secure cold storage services for cryptocurrency users and investors.
 
Grid Finance
Grid Finance provides an online platform of modern financial products for both individuals and businesses. The Grid family includes Grid Business, a small business capital platform where Irish SMEs can undertake a financial health-check of their business and access finance for their working capital, growth and expansion needs, and Grid Wealth, an investment platform for individuals.
The post Top 15 Fintech Startups In Ireland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-15-fintech-startups-in-ireland</link><guid>535</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Fenergo-300x79.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 15 Fintech Startups In Ireland</dc:text></item><item><title>Cryptocurrencies, ICOs See Growth In Tax Haven Panama</title><description><![CDATA[Panama is an emerging player on the blockchain scene, attracting a growing number of entrepreneurs, teams and startups looking to conduct initial coin offerings (ICOs) in the tax haven.
Panama flag, Wikipedia
Panama is one of the oldest and best-known tax havens in the Caribbean, as well as one of the most established in the region. It has had a reputation for tax avoidance, and has been cited repeatedly in recent years as a jurisdiction which does not cooperate with international tax transparency initiatives.
In recent years, Panama’s economy has experienced a boom and has been among the faster growing and best managed in Latin American. Unsurprisingly, the banking sector is playing a fundamental role in the economy, representing 9.5% of the GDP and employing more than 24,000 people directly.
In particular, one industry that’s witnessed significant traction is the blockchain and cryptocurrency space, with more and more entrepreneurs and startups opting to establish base in the country to take advantage of the jurisdiction’s unique features.
 
Cryptocurrencies and ICOs in Panama
Bitcoin, cryptocurrency, Pixabay
In 2017, the country welcomed the Blockchain Embassy Panama, which intends to serve enthusiasts, entrepreneurs and developers in the blockchain ecosystem. With everything “crypto” and “blockchain” from clothing, to craft beers, this is the first place of its kind in the country.
Another notable initiative was led by Venezuelan company Cryptobuyer which set up two Bitcoin ATMs last year at two commercial banks in Panama City to enable people to buy and sell the cryptocurrency easily.
In 2016, UK-based startup Caricoin launched a Bitcoin wallet in the Caribbean targeting the unbanked populations. The wallet allows users to send and receive Bitcoin without fees and even top-up their mobile phones.
Panama has also seen an increasing number of foreign blockchain entrepreneurs and startups launching initial coin offerings (ICOs) in the country. Many token issuers and startups use a two company structure with one company in a low tax, low-cost country of operations such as Panama, and one in their country of issuance.
An example is SpringRole, a blockchain-based networking site similar to LinkedIn, that is located in Bengaluru, India, but which is preparing for a US$10-12 million ICO incorporated in Panama.
Other notable ICOs in Panama include Decent.bet, a blockchain-based online sports betting and casino platform, which raised more than US$14 million in its ICO in September 2017, Monster Byte, a cryptocurrency gaming platform, which raised more than US$1 million through in ICO in 2017, and Orocrypt, a blockchain company that aims to issue tokenized precious metals vault receipts, that is currently conducting its token sale.
 
Blockchain coming to the Caribbean
Blockchain concept Pixabay
Panama’s relatively small yet rapidly growing cryptocurrency and blockchain industry, illustrates a broader trend of entrepreneurs and startups choosing tax friendly jurisdictions to establish their businesses and conduct token sales as regulators around the world are increasingly cracking down on cryptocurrencies.
Close to Panama, countries in the Caribbean have also seen an increasing number of blockchain companies being incorporated within their borders.
Governments of Caribbean nations like Puerto Rico and members of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) have shown their eagerness to embrace and learn about cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.
Earlier this year, eight Caribbean islands unveiled plans to issue their own cryptocurrency called the Digital Eastern Caribbean dollar (DXCD). The DXCD would be a blockchain-based analog of the Eastern Caribbean dollar, a currency issued by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) on behalf of the eight island economies, namely Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
A memorandum of understanding was signed with Barbados-based fintech company Bitt to develop a pilot program, including a feasibility study designed to test the viability and functionality of the DXDC in the financial ecosystem.
In April 2018, the Caribbean Tourism Organization announced plans to introduce cryptocurrency payments for touristic services and products offered across the region. In partnership with Bitt, the organization is looking to implement cryptocurrency-based merchant applications in a bid to “foster broader economic participation in community-based tourism and related sectors” through the use of cryptocurrencies.
 
Featured image: Panama City financial district, Wikipedia
The post Cryptocurrencies, ICOs See Growth In Tax Haven Panama appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/cryptocurrencies-icos-see-growth-in-tax-haven-panama</link><guid>536</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Panama-ICO-cryptocurrencies-300x200.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Cryptocurrencies, ICOs See Growth In Tax Haven Panama</dc:text></item><item><title>Stripe Schliesst Partnerschaft mit Microsoft: Microsoft Pay über Outlook</title><description><![CDATA[Die Payment-Plattform Stripe hat auf der Microsoft Build Developer Conference 2018 bekannt gegeben, dass Stripe ab sofort mit Microsoft zusammenarbeitet, um neue Zahlungsfunktionen in Outlook zu integrieren.
Office-Kunden wird es dadurch ermöglicht, Rechnungen einfach und sicher zu verarbeiten und Zahlungen in Outlook durchzuführen. Mit Stripe können von nun an Millionen von Outlook-Anwendern Rechnungen mit nur wenigen Klicks in über 135 Währungen direkt in ihrem Posteingang bezahlen.
Richard Alfonsi
“Stripes Ziel ist es, das BIP des Internets zu steigern. Das tun wir, indem wir Tools und Infrastruktur bereitstellen, die es einfacher machen, von überall auf der Welt Geschäfte online abzuschließen&#8221;,
sagt Richard Alfonsi, Head of Global Revenue and Growth bei Stripe.
&#8220;Wir freuen uns auf die enge Zusammenarbeit mit Microsoft, um zukünftig Zahlungen in Outlook zu ermöglichen. So kann jeder Nutzer, der eine Rechnung per E-Mail oder per Outlook erhält, diese sofort mit ein paar einfachen Klicks bezahlen.
Durch die Beseitigung von Reibungsverlusten und die Verkürzung der Zeit, die für die Ausführung einer Zahlung benötigt wird, können Microsoft und Stripe Unternehmen auf der ganzen Welt dabei helfen, verpasste oder verspätete Zahlungen zu reduzieren und letztendlich ihren Umsatz zu steigern.”
Zahlungen in Outlook ermöglichen es Nutzern, Rechnungen, die sie per E-Mail erhalten, sofort zu bezahlen. Stripe schafft dadurch ein reibungsloses Erlebnis, das Kunden mit bereits bestehenden Microsoft-Pay-Konten eine Zahlung mit nur wenigen Klicks oder durch die Eingabe neuer Kartendetails abschließen lässt. Kunden können Zahlungen direkt in Outlook vornehmen, ohne dass sie auf weiterführende Links klicken, ein neues Browserfenster öffnen oder sich bei weiteren Konten anmelden müssen.
Payments in Outlook
Stripe Connect – Stripes Produkt für mehrseitige Marktplätze und Plattformen, genutzt von Unternehmen wie Shopify, Salesforce und Facebook – wickelt Zahlungen der Endkunden sicher ab. Dabei sorgt Stripe Connect dafür, dass Unternehmen, die eine Rechnung gestellt haben, die Zahlung auch rechtzeitig erhalten.
Peggy Johnson
&#8220;Unsere Partnerschaft mit Stripe eröffnet Entwicklern neue Möglichkeiten, auf Microsoft-Plattformen Geld zu verdienen&#8221;,
erklärt Peggy Johnson, Executive Vice President of Business Development, Microsoft.
&#8220;Beginnend mit Zahlungen in Outlook, kann jetzt jeder, der Stripe auf unseren Plattformen verwendet, Zahlungen mit minimalem Aufwand akzeptieren, was sowohl für unsere Partner als auch für unsere Kunden eine noch leistungsfähigere Erfahrung bedeutet.
Stripe kündigt ebenso die Unterstützung von Microsoft Pay an, einem digitalen Wallet-Service, mit dem Kunden ihre Zahlungs- und Versanddaten sicher in ihren Microsoft-Konten speichern können. Ohne zusätzlichen Aufwand können Hunderttausende Unternehmen, die auf Stripe laufen, jetzt Zahlungen in ihren Websites oder Anwendungen von diesen Kunden über Microsoft Pay akzeptieren.
Neben Microsoft Pay unterstützt Stripe auch andere digitale Zahlungsmethoden wie Apple Pay, Google Pay, Alipay und viele weitere.
 
Featured image via https://www.microsoft.com
The post Stripe Schliesst Partnerschaft mit Microsoft: Microsoft Pay über Outlook appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/stripe-schliesst-partnerschaft-mit-microsoft-microsoft-pay-uber-outlook</link><guid>537</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/stripe-microsoft-outlook-1024x576.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Stripe Schliesst Partnerschaft mit Microsoft: Microsoft Pay über Outlook</dc:text></item><item><title>3 Trends Driving Switzerland’s Wealthtech Industry</title><description><![CDATA[Fintech companies are penetrating nearly every financial services segment, driving both innovation and disruption. Subsegment focus areas of fintech include digital payments (paytech), fully-digital insurance (insurtech), banking (banktech), wealth management services (wealthtech), and the creation of marketplaces for selling financial products.
Unsurprisingly, in Switzerland, wealthtech is the most crowded segment. With 60 ventures, the sector is twice as large as the Swiss blockchain and cryptocurrency space with 30 companies, and is 3 times the size of the payments sector which counts about 20 companies, according to Swisscom’s monthly Swiss Fintech Startup Map.
The thriving Swiss wealthtech scene has been driven by Switzerland’s historical position as a leading wealth management center. According to Deloitte Wealth Management Centre Ranking 2015, Switzerland managed a total of US$2 trillion in assets at the end of 2014, ahead of the UK with US$1.7 trillion, the US with US$1.4 trillion and Panama and the Caribbean with US$0.9 trillion.
 
Incumbents driving innovation
Image by chanpipat via Shutterstock.com
Swiss banks and wealth management firms have been at the forefront of the wealthtech revolution, quickly understanding the importance of leveraging cutting edge technologies including AI and machine learning to better serve customers.
While a few financial institutions have opted to build in-house wealthtech solutions, a large proportion of wealth managers and banks have chosen to partner with wealthtech companies. Such partnerships include for instance digital wealth management provider True Wealth with Basellandschaftliche Kantonalbank, personal financial management platform Contovista with Raiffeisen Bank, and Descartes Finance with Deutsche Asset Management. Descartes Finance itself has built its entire platform on the additiv DFS platform.
Glarner Kantonalbank’s Investomat service was also developed on the additiv platform. In 2017, the bank unveiled plans to develop a new loan advisory solution in partnership with Swiss banking software provider Finnova.
 
Rise of the hybrid advisor
Image by Tatiana Shepeleva via Shutterstock.com
While the use of automated digital wealth managers are on the rise, with US$19 billion in asset managed through digital platforms in 2014 in the US, and an estimated 10% of managed assets worldwide to be managed through these by 2020, according to Business Insider, most people still value the expertise of a human investment advisor. For this reason, hybrid advisors, which combine the best of both human and machines are promising. In a hybrid model, customers have access to digital tools that facilitate self-investing, but also can tap into human advice on a periodic basis, or as necessary.
Wealth management platforms such as Evolute Group from Switzerland provides clients with the best of both worlds. The company offers an integrated platform for independent wealth managers and banks that covers the entire wealth management. Its wealth management core features include innovative modules such as portfolio construction and hybrid advisory functionality.
Evolute Group was born from a merger between regtech startup SwissComply and fintech startup Evolute. It aims to crack the wealthtech market with specialized knowledge through its regulatory and compliance arm.
Evolute&#8217;s advise for the Swiss Asset Managers and Banks: The focus have to shift more to THE clients. The Swiss Wealth Manager 2020 will look different. He should focus on less tasks, offers the right reporting tools, show the client individual products and have to be all the time compliant. This sounds easy but is (will be) a big challenge. Partnering our outsourcing to Wealthtech Startups can help Swiss Asset Managers to focus more on their clients.
Cryptocurrencies: a diversification tool
Bitcoin via MaxPixel
In the past years, Switzerland’s cryptocurrency and blockchain sector has been on the rise, driven by a broader desire by the government to make Switzerland an international blockchain hub.
The establishment of the Crypto Valley Association in Zug in 2017 cemented this ambition. But for many insiders, Switzerland should focus on becoming a wealthtech hotspot and eventually build up a specialty for crypto-token asset management, rather then becoming a pure cryptocurrency hub. Already, several startups have launched in recent months in Switzerland to provide such services.
An example is Swissborg, a crypto wealth management startup based in Lausanne. Swissborg raised CHF 50 million in an initial coin offering (ICO) earlier this year to fund the development of its suite of services which will include a computer dashboard, a cryptocurrency exchange and a robo-advisor platform for investment in cryptocurrencies.
Another notable venture is CryptoRealEstate, the company behind SwissRealCoin. CryptoRealEstate uses blockchain technology to facilitate investment in real estate by tokenizing properties.
 
Featured image by violetkaipa via Shutterstock.com.
The post 3 Trends Driving Switzerland’s Wealthtech Industry appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/3-trends-driving-switzerlands-wealthtech-industry</link><guid>538</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/wealthtech-banks-Switzerland-300x225.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>3 Trends Driving Switzerland’s Wealthtech Industry</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech In The Baltics: A Quick Overview</title><description><![CDATA[The Baltic states, which comprise Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, are seeking to create an environment favoring entrepreneurship, modern technologies and international talents.
Despite being a small market &#8211; these three countries comprise all together around 6 million inhabitants -, the high level of technology penetration and technology penetration have produced a disproportionally high number of tech hardware and software startups ever since the beginning of the digital revolution.
According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), the Baltic states are among the most innovative in the European Union when taking into account both startup creation as well as the creativity of employees in already existing enterprises. Among the 28 European countries, the three states were ranked in the top seven with Sweden.
The success of companies such as Skype and TransferWise, both born and developed in Estonia, have showed entrepreneurs from the Baltic states the scale of possibilities. But besides these internationally recognized brands, there are many other ventures in the Baltics that have been growing silently, yet, rapidly, notably in the fintech space, a sector perceived as critical to economic growth.
 
Fintech in Estonia
Estonia has created an accommodating environment for startups, and thanks to that, the country now ranks third in the number of startups per capita, according to a report by EstateGuru.
Fintech in the Innovation Hub of Estonia, EstateGuru
Government initiatives such as the e-Residency program have attracted many foreign startups and tech entrepreneurs. Launched in December 2014, the e-Residency program allows non-Estonians access to Estonian services such as company formation, banking, payment processing and taxation. The country aims to reach 10 million e-residents on board by the year 2025, and in this regard, it sees fintech and blockchain services as the way to achieve its ambitious goals.
Among the most notable fintech startups from Estonia, Funderbeam is the world’s first primary and secondary marketplace for early-stage investments, secured by blockchain technology.
Fortumo is an international mobile technology company that provides a platform for app stores and digital services providers for user acquisition, monetization and retention. Fortumo payments cover 100 markets and connect merchants to subscribers of more than 350 mobile operator networks.
Pocopay provides a current account application for Millennials and the tech-savvy population, allowing customers to open bank accounts in several European countries in a matter of minutes.
Bondora is a peer-to-peer lending platform for investing in European non-bank personal loans. EstateGuru is another online lending platform. EstateGuru focuses on secured property loans and has offices in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and the UK.
Inzmo is an insurtech company helping insurance companies to become more effective by reducing the costs of sales and administration and reducing the risk of insurance fraud.
Fintech in the Innovation Hub of Estonia, EstateGuru
 
Fintech in Latvia
Image: Riga, Latvia, Pixabay
In Latvia, fintech is seen as an industry with one of the biggest growth potentials with the Ministry of Economics defining financial technology as one of its top priorities.
Today, the country is rapidly growing as a center for fintech, particularly in the areas of consumer finance, peer-to-peer lending, crowdfunding, accounting and digital payments.
Some of the country’s top fintech companies include Twino, formerly known as Finabay, a marketplace lender operating across nine countries. The company started operations in 2009 in Latvia and has originated over EUR 380 million in unsecured consumer loans since then.
Mintos is another a peer-to-peer lending marketplace that connects investors with borrowers of various loan originators. Both retail and institutional investors can invest in fractions of mortgage loans, secured car loans, small business loans, and unsecured loans originated across Europe.
Mintos and Twino are among the largest marketplaces for consumer loans in Continental Europe.
Creamfinance is a consumer finance company offering a wide range of online credit products to lower and middle income borrowers primarily located in emerging markets. The company&#8217;s technology capitalizes on machine learning capabilities and advanced smart data algorithms to evaluate and score the credibility of its customers. Creamfinance was born in Latvia but moved its headquarters to Poland in 2015.
Monea is a micropayments mobile app that lets users send money to and receive money from their phonebook contacts within minutes at a minimal cost.
 
Fintech in Lithuania
Image: Vilnius, Lithuania, Wikipedia
Lithuania aims to become a fintech-friendly destination for startups across Europe. It has been actively promoting itself as a gateway destination to the European marketplace.
Lithuania launched its fintech regulatory sandbox in 2017 and now is looking to establish another sandbox but this time especially for blockchain-based solutions called LBChain.
Last year, the country welcomed 35 new fintech companies, bringing the total number of fintech companies to 120. Lithuania claims to have more than 1,870 employees working full-time in fintech related roles, according to the Lithuania Fintech Report 2017.
Some of Lithuania notable fintech companies include Savy, a peer-to-peer online lending marketplace in Lithuania connecting local borrowers with European investors, Moneta International, which provides payment services predominantly for the e-commerce sector through an online platform, and WoraPay, a mobile payments system.
SOSCredit is the operator of First Finance, a fast growing financing services platform offering alternative loan services in Lithuania since 2012. First Finance provides its customers with both classical leasing and leaseback leasing services.
A leading brand originally from Lithuania is TransferGo, which is now headquartered in London. TransferGo is a global money transfer company that supports migrant workers to send money back to their relatives without paying unnecessary bank fees.
Featured image: Riga pinned on a map of Europe by Dmitrijs Kaminskis via Shutterstock.com.
The post Fintech In The Baltics: A Quick Overview appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-in-the-baltics-a-quick-overview</link><guid>539</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Estonia-tech-startups.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech In The Baltics: A Quick Overview</dc:text></item><item><title>Noch ein Schweizer Mobile Payment Anbieter: SwissWallet erweitert Angebot</title><description><![CDATA[SwissWallet stellt innerhalb der VisecaOne App ihre erste Mobile Payment Lösung für Android Smartphones bereit.
Die Bezahlung am Kassenterminal erfolgt wie bei Kartenzahlungen über eine schnelle und sichere NFC-Funkverbindung – authentifiziert wird einfach über Fingerprint.
Es ist die erste unabhängige Lösung dieser Art in der Schweiz und eröffnet Kartenherausgebern die Möglichkeit, ihre eigenen Apps mit einem standardisierten und zertifizierten Mobile Payment Modul zu ergänzen.
Die NFC-Technologie punktet mit einer sehr schnellen Übertragungsgeschwindigkeit und einem verschlüsselten Datenaustausch. Im Schweizer Handel sind rund 85&#8217;000 NFC-Zahlterminals installiert und 40% der Kreditkartentransaktionen erfolgen bereits heute kontaktlos. Die weitere Entwicklung hin zu Mobile Payment über Smartphones oder Wearables wird den Trend zu kontaktlosem Bezahlen beschleunigen.
Für Kunden ist es einfach, sicher und äusserst schnell. Auf der anderen Seite ist der Aufbau und Unterhalt von digitalen Bezahllösungen für Banken und Händler mit hohen Investitionen verbunden. Genau hier setzt SwissWallet an und entwickelt auf der Basis von international anerkannten Standards Mobile Payment Module für den Schweizer Markt.
Kartenherausgeber können die standardisierten und zertifizierten SwissWallet Module für Kredit- und Debitkarten effizient in ihre eigenen Apps integrieren. Im Unterschied zu anderen kartenbasierten Mobile Payment Lösungen bleiben die Daten vollumfänglich in der Schweiz und sind dem schweizerischen Datenschutzgesetz unterstellt.
Mobil bezahlen mit der vertrauten App
Viseca VisecaOne Smartphone
Die Viseca Card Services SA hat als erste Kartenherausgeberin das SwissWallet Modul direkt in ihrer bestehenden VisecaOne App integriert. Den Viseca Kunden der Freiburger Kantonalbank und der jurassischen Kantonalbank stehen die Mobile Payment Funktionen seit Kurzem zur Verfügung. Beim Bezahlen müssen sie lediglich die VisecaOne App im Laden öffnen, sich mit dem Fingerprint authentifizieren und das Android Smartphone an das Terminal halten.
Eine PIN-Eingabe am Terminal ist nicht mehr notwendig. In Zukunft wird es möglich sein, kleinere Beträge unter 40 CHF ganz ohne Authentifizierung zu bezahlen. Das Smartphone muss dann lediglich zum Kassenterminal hingehalten werden.
Sicherheit geht über alles
Das kontaktlose Bezahlen mit dem Smartphone ist besonders sicher, unterliegt den hohen Anforderungen der Kreditkartenanbieter und wird laufend durch externe Zertifizierungsfirmen geprüft. Im SwissWallet Modul selbst ist nur ein Token und keine echten Kreditkartendaten gespeichert.
 
Featured image via Freepik
The post Noch ein Schweizer Mobile Payment Anbieter: SwissWallet erweitert Angebot appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/noch-ein-schweizer-mobile-payment-anbieter-swisswallet-erweitert-angebot</link><guid>540</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Viseca-VisecaOne-Smartphone-spendings-300x225.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Noch ein Schweizer Mobile Payment Anbieter: SwissWallet erweitert Angebot</dc:text></item><item><title>Netguardians Goes Germany</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss Regtech NetGuardians, announced plans to implement its growth strategy in Germany, Austria and Switzerland in partnership with digital solutions specialist the valantic group.
Valantic will serve as NetGuardians’ regional sales and implementation partner.
Cybercrime is a growing global problem, which is estimated to cost up to 6 trillion dollars by 2021. According to the German Federal Criminal Police Office, reported cybercrime in the country almost doubled in 2016, although the vast majority of cases went unreported. The total costs of cybercrime in Europe’s largest economy during 2016 are estimated at 22.4 billion euros.
Increasing digitalization and the emerging channels are creating new potential for fraud. New directives such as the PSD2 regulation introduced in January open up banks’ systems to other service providers, creating new business models and with them the potential for breaches and fraudulent activities.
Effective fraud prevention relies on machine learning algorithms which can independently identify new cases of fraud and take action in real time. Fraud detection before a transaction is made, along with user-friendliness to ensure efficient management of risk models achieve considerable cost savings for banks.
The NetGuardians platform uses cutting-edge technology including machine learning, big data, and user behavior analytics to prevent fraud in real time across a number of business areas, including mobile and e-banking, internal fraud, SWIFT hacking and anti-money laundering monitoring.
Institutions that have adopted NetGuardians’ solutions have achieved dramatically higher rates of accuracy in identifying fraudulent transactions, cutting the number of false positives by 80 percent. The benefits include a better customer experience and lower operational costs. Fraud investigation time has also been cut by 93 percent.
Jürgen Pfister, Director of valantic Financial Services, says:
Jürgen Pfister
“We are always looking for innovative partners to help us give our customers a competitive advantage. To date, combating banking fraud has been a complex challenge not least because of the ever-changing fraud landscape.
We believe NetGuardians brings effective and efficient solutions to this area and we look forward to working with them across the German-speaking market.”
 
 
Joël Winteregg, CEO of NetGuardians, says:
Joël Winteregg
“valantic is growing rapidly in German-speaking regions thanks to its excellent level of digital knowledge as well as its experience of complex, high-end transformation projects. It is the perfect partner to help us grow in this important market.”
valantic will primarily work with Horst-Jürgen Stark, NetGuardians Business Development Manager for Germany. Stark has over 15 years’ international experience of consulting and supporting financial institutions with leading software solutions, including meeting requirements to combat financial crime.
NetGuardians has a growing client base in more than 15 countries, including Canada and Switzerland as well as elsewhere in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
It was listed as a Chartis RiskTech100® Vendor in 2018, and has been a Gartner Cool Vendor since 2015.
 
Featured image via Pexels
The post Netguardians Goes Germany appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/netguardians-goes-germany</link><guid>541</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Netguardians Goes Germany</dc:text></item><item><title>BlockShow Conference in Berlin Welcomes Wikipedia Founder / Announces Blockchain Oscar</title><description><![CDATA[After an eventful two months of hosting blockchain meetups across Europe, Blockshow is bringing their journey to a close with the featured conference, BlockShow Europe 2018.
For the main conference in Berlin (May 28-29), over 80 blockchain experts will share insights from their expertise on a wide range of blockchain and crypto related topics.
The meetups that spanned across Europe were met with great success and featured many amazing keynote speakers and networking opportunities for attendees. In total, BlockShow held eight meetups in cities ranging from Paris to Rome and Zurich.
You can register here with 30% Discount (use code &#8220;30FINTECHNEWS&#8221;
Blockchain Oscar
During these meetups, the organizers also held Q&amp;A sessions with promising Blockchain startups. Voted on by the attendees, the winner of these sessions were invited to compete in the upcoming BlockShow Oscar, a startup competition being held at BlockShow 2018 for a grand prize of €50,000.
BlockShow Europe 2018 in Berlin will be attended by more than 3,000 blockchain influencers and enthusiasts. The conference will include more than 150 projects, with over 120 organizations and companies providing their support for the upcoming event.
Addy Crezee
“Among conferences, BlockShow is like the Cirque du Soleil of the circus &#8211; we stand out from the competitors. We are not your typical conference: we remove standard, official stuff from it and focus on a casual atmosphere where community feels like home and where people can network and sign contracts.
We disregard the word “official,” and like to replace it with “informal”. We are a show for blockchain business representatives to spend their time efficiently.”
&#8211; Addy Crezee, CEO at BlockShow.
BlockShow is delighted to welcome Jimmy Wales, founder of Wikipedia and one of Time’s “100 Most Influential People,” to the conference. Jimmy is a huge influence and proponent in the crypto sphere.

Jimmy first started toying with the digital currency back in 2014, when in March of that year he tweeted that he was “playing with BTC.” He also attached his wallet address to the following tweet, where he received 5 BTC worth of unsolicited donations. The rest, as they say, is history.
Since 2014, Wikipedia and the rest of The Wikimedia Foundation have accepted Bitcoin as a method of donation, helping drive usage of the digital currency.
The conference will include over 80 globally recognized speakers in total. Included in this list are experts such as:


Bobby Lee &#8211; Co-founder of BTCC, Board Member at Bitcoin Foundation


Benny Giang &#8211; Co-founder of CryptoKitties, Product Manager at Axiom Zen


Plamen Russev &#8211; Founder and Executive Chairman, Webit.Foundation &amp; Global Webit Congress




Mike Butcher &#8211; Writer, broadcaster &amp; blogger, Editor-At-Large at TechCrunch, Awarded an MBE in the Queen&#8217;s Birthday Honours list 2016


Llew Claasen &#8211; Bitcoin Evangelist, Venture Capitalist, Executive Director at Bitcoin Foundation since 2016


Notable panels and sessions include:

Panel Discussion “Governmental Blockchain Initiatives within the EU (and Beyond)”
Panel Discussion  “How Blockchain Changed the Concept of Privacy &amp; Where It Leads Us”
Solution Session “Blockchain and Cybersecurity”
Solution Session “Will Blockchain Drive the Evolution of the Game Industry?”

The conference has an App specifically designed for all the attendees to connect before and during BlockShow and have the most efficient networking experience possible. Users will be able to filter attendees based on their expertise and occupation (investor, startup, crypto fund, etc.) to organize and business meetings easily and effectively. It’s particularly convenient for investors who can use the app to analyze different projects before reaching out for a meeting.
According to statistics from the past BlockShow event, every participant who used the app has signed three contracts or partnerships on average during the two day conference.
Tickets for the event are now on sale! From April 26th to May 23rd, the price is €1988 per ticket, increasing up to €2488 as the date of the event draws closer. Get 30% Discount with Code &#8220;30FINTECHNEWS&#8221;.
The post BlockShow Conference in Berlin Welcomes Wikipedia Founder / Announces Blockchain Oscar appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/blockshow-conference-in-berlin-welcomes-wikipedia-founder-announces-blockchain-oscar</link><guid>542</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Blockshow-Europe-300x117.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>BlockShow Conference in Berlin Welcomes Wikipedia Founder / Announces Blockchain Oscar</dc:text></item><item><title>New Blockchain Hub “Trust Square” Opens in the Heart of Zurich</title><description><![CDATA[New Zurich blockchain hub “Trust Square” officially launches today with an opening ceremony chaired by the Head of the Department for Economic Affairs of the Canton of Zurich, Carmen Walker Späh. 
Located right opposite the Swiss National Bank, Trust Square emerges as a centre for research and development to facilitate the exploration of a broad spectrum of blockchain applications, the implementation of business models and the development of blockchain ventures.

2&#8217;300 square metres
On 2,300 square metres, spreading across three floors on Zurich’s famous Bahnhofstrasse, Trust Square offers space for 200 workstations, which are primarily meant for startups, researchers and investors, who deal with various applications of blockchain technology.
Ten desks are available to research projects from Trust Square’s academic partners ETH Zurich, University of Zurich, University of Basel and University of Applied Sciences Rapperswil as well as to its corporate partners Froriep AG and Rentsch Partner AG.
20 Ventures
Nearly all available desks have already been rented out to more than 20 ventures and projects as of the official start of the venue. Trust Square is a privately funded project and collaborates closely with the Canton of Zurich’s Business and Economic Development Division.
As part of today’s opening ceremony, a number of international experts share their views on blockchain technology, including Member of the European Parliament Eva Kaili, Fintech Coordinator of the European Central Bank Dirk Bullmann and Head of Banking Operations at the Swiss National Bank Sébastien Kraenzlin. In addition, Dr. Thomas Puschmann, Head of Swiss FinTech Innovation Lab at University of Zurich, will present an overview of current fields of research in blockchain.
In addition to renting out office space, Trust Square will organise internal as well as public events and seminars about blockchain topics. The new centre aims to create a lively ecosystem in the heart of Zurich to complement existing initiatives in other parts of Switzerland and to help strengthen Switzerland’s position as an international blockchain hub. To facilitate an exchange between the different regions, Trust Square maintains a partnership with Crypto Valley Labs (Zug), which includes the mutual use of working space.
Trust Square co-founder Daniel Gasteiger said:

Daniel Gasteiger
“The topic of trust will strongly gain importance, both from a societal as well as from an economic point of view. Blockchain represents the crucial technology innovation to ensure this trust in today’s digital world.
That’s why I’m thrilled to see our idea of a Zurich blockchain hub come to life today and to work with our partners to deliver vital stimulus for the future use of blockchain technology.”
 
Head of the Department for Economic Affairs of the Canton of Zurich Carmen Walker Späh said:

Carmen Walker Späh
“Trust Square further strengthens Zurich’s position as a centre for digital innovation and complements the diverse blockchain ecosystem in our region, consisting of university institutes and numerous startups.
Our canton’s Business and Economic Development Division is working closely with Trust Square and actively supports the efforts to develop the Zurich area into a leading blockchain industry hub.”
The post New Blockchain Hub “Trust Square” Opens in the Heart of Zurich appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-blockchain-hub-trust-square-opens-in-the-heart-of-zurich</link><guid>530</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/trust-square-300x72.png</dc:content ><dc:text>New Blockchain Hub “Trust Square” Opens in the Heart of Zurich</dc:text></item><item><title>Blockchain Specialist Metaco Secures Swisscom and Avaloq as New Shareholders</title><description><![CDATA[Lausanne-based blockchain and crypto-currency specialist Metaco has secured significant new shareholders and investment in a highly successful second round of funding. In an indication of the high esteem that Metaco holds in the market, the new investors include Avaloq, Swisscom, Swiss Post and SICPA.
The financial terms of the deal are not being disclosed. Established in 2014, Metaco has rapidly become an expert in helping banks and financial institutions, including national banks, capitalise on the latest blockchain technologies and systems.
It has developed specialist, high-grade cryptographic solutions that can be fully integrated into a bank’s core processes.
Metaco is also a provider of a highly secure custody solution for crypto assets called SILO, which was launched in January 2018. This platform, which is built on its own hardware developed with government and defense supplier Guardtime, delivers NIAP Certified storage and transaction processing to banks and other financial institutions.
Its proprietary offering has continued to differentiate Metaco in the blockchain sector and position the firm at the forefront of the market. With average daily trading volumes constantly increasing, cryptocurrencies and digital assets are beginning to rival some of the world’s most liquid assets as more investors diversify into this new asset class.
Where traditional banks, consultancies and other fintech do provide a blockchain management and advisory service, these are usually not integrated into digital banking channels and rely on third parties or high-risk manual systems that are expensive, inefficient and insecure. Zurich-based fintech Avaloq has acquired a 10% stake in Metaco, the highest amount by a new shareholder, in a move which will significantly enhance Avaloq’s own expertise and solutions with regards to blockchain technology.
Francisco Fernandez, Group Chairman and founder of Avaloq, will join Metaco’s Board of Directors with the aim to help Metaco grow and expand. As a result of the Metaco partnership, there will be no organisational changes within Metaco or Avaloq but there will be close cooperation going forward.

Adrien Treccani
“The enormous potential of distributed ledgers and crypto assets in the banking industry has remained largely unexploited due to the lack of integrated solutions and the radically innovative nature of such systems.
Metaco’s banking products, including our NIAP Certified crypto asset custody solution SILO, have been specifically engineered to remove barriers to entry and bring financial companies forward into this high-growth market.
I am extremely excited by the synergistic potential of our industry-leading investors, whose contribution to Metaco will allow us to specialize even further and accelerate growth in the banking sector.
The high calibre of these shareholders is an indication of the esteem that Metaco has in the market; the new shareholders will, along with Avaloq, also provide significant strategic synergies and business advantages to Metaco as it develops and invests for growth,”
said Adrien Treccani, Founder and CEO of Metaco.

Francisco Fernandez
“The aim of Metaco and Avaloq is to help the financial industry with the opportunities and challenges of blockchain technology by offering outstanding solutions in the field of distributed ledger, cryptocurrencies and digital assets.
We believe the world is heading towards accelerated digitalisation of further asset classes and processes. In just four years Metaco has developed into a fast-growth provider of cutting-edge technologies at the heart of the blockchain industry. It is a fantastic opportunity for Avaloq and I greatly look forward to working closely with the Metaco team,”
said Francisco Fernandez, Group Chairman of Avaloq.

Johannes Höhener
“As a trusted banking infrastructure provider and technology partner, Swisscom supports regulated financial companies in their transformation within the crypto currency and crypto asset world. We are convinced by Metaco’s solution and team and our goal is to integrate its leading crypto asset custody solutions into our blockchain crypto property services,”
said Johannes Höhener, Head of Swisscom FinTech.
 

Jean-Yves Ray
“Standing idle is not an option when your core business is security. Payments and banking are experiencing major developments and digitalization offers important new opportunities,”
stated Jean-Yves Ray, Marketing Director, SICPA.
“SICPA is proud to partner with and support Metaco because our goals converge around a common pillar – trust. The  projects in prospect are exciting and we are looking forward to providing an expanded portfolio of solutions, including distributed ledger and cryptographic technologies, to respond to our clients’ shifting needs.”
 
This article first appeared on https://web.tresorit.com, Featured image via Pexels
The post Blockchain Specialist Metaco Secures Swisscom and Avaloq as New Shareholders appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/blockchain-specialist-metaco-secures-swisscom-and-avaloq-as-new-shareholders</link><guid>529</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/metaco-1-300x196.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Blockchain Specialist Metaco Secures Swisscom and Avaloq as New Shareholders</dc:text></item><item><title>Avaloq erwirbt eine 10%-Beteiligung am Schweizer Blockchain Startup Metaco</title><description><![CDATA[Avaloq hat eine 10%-Beteiligung an Metaco, dem Blockchain- und Kryptowährungsexperten mit Sitz in Lausanne, erworben.
Infolge der Übernahme, die Teil von Metacos zweiter Finanzierungsrunde ist, wird Francisco Fernandez, Avaloqs Gründer und Group Chairman, Mitglied des Verwaltungsrats von Metaco.
Nach seiner Gründung 2014 spezialisierte sich Metaco schnell darauf, Banken und Finanzinstitute, einschliesslich Nationalbanken, dabei zu unterstützen, die neuesten Blockchain-Technologien und -Systeme für sich zu nutzen. Es hat spezialisierte hochwertige kryptografische Lösungen entwickelt, die vollumfänglich in die Kernprozesse von Banken integriert werden können.
Das Unternehmen, das seine Lösungen bereits auf Avaloq Software Exchange anbietet, ist ausserdem ein führender Anbieter äusserst sicherer Verwahrlösungen für Kryptovermögen. Durch die eigenen Angebote hebt sich Metaco weiterhin im Blockchain-Sektor ab und positioniert sich so an der Spitze des Marktes.
Angesichts des stetigen Anstiegs des durchschnittlichen täglichen Handelsvolumens konkurrieren Kryptowährungen und digitale Anlagevermögen inzwischen zunehmend mit einigen der global liquidesten Vermögenswerte, da immer mehr Anleger in diese neuen Anlageklassen diversifizieren.
Wenn traditionelle Banken, Beratungsfirmen und andere Fintech-Unternehmen Blockchain-Management und -Beratungsleistungen anbieten, sind diese in der Regel nicht in digitale Bankkanäle integriert und hängen von Drittparteien oder manuellen Systemen mit hohen Risiken ab, die teuer, ineffizient und unsicher sind.
Avaloq beteiligt sich an Metaco, um sein eigenes Know-how und seine eigenen Lösungen in Bezug auf die Blockchain-Technologie zu erweitern. Dieser Schritt entspricht dem tief verankerten Engagement des Unternehmens für Innovation, digitale Exzellenz und Investitionen in radikale Innovationstechnologien.
Francisco Fernandez, Group Chairman und Gründer von Avaloq, wird dem Verwaltungsrat von Metaco mit dem Ziel beitreten, das Wachstum und die Expansion des Unternehmens zu fördern. Infolge der Metaco-Partnerschaft wird es keine organisatorischen Veränderungen bei Metaco oder Avaloq geben. Die beiden Unternehmen werden künftig aber eng zusammenarbeiten.
Auch Swisscom, Post und SICPA betetiligen sich an Metaco
Die finanziellen Bedingungen der Transaktion werden nicht offengelegt. Neben Avaloq, dem grössten neuen Anteilseigner, hat Metaco weitere strategische Anteilseigner gewonnen, z.B. Swisscom, die Schweizerische Post und SICPA. Die Bekanntheit dieser Anteilseigner ist ein Hinweis auf das Ansehen, das Metaco am Markt geniesst.
Neben Avaloq werden die neuen Anteilseigner der Metaco zudem erhebliche strategische Synergien bieten und eröffnen ihr dadurch Geschäftsvorteile, während sich das Unternehmen weiterentwickelt und in Wachstum investiert.

Francisco Fernandez, Chairman von Avaloq
«Ziel von Metaco und Avaloq ist es, durch herausragende Lösungen in den Bereichen Distributed Ledger, Kryptowährungen und digitale Vermögenswerte die Finanzbranche bei den Chancen und Herausforderungen der Blockchain-Technologie zu unterstützen.
Wir erwarten für die Zukunft eine schnellere Digitalisierung weiterer Anlageklassen und Prozesse. In nur vier Jahren hat sich Metaco zu einem schnell wachsenden Anbieter hochmoderner Technologien im Mittelpunkt der Blockchain-Branche entwickelt.
Die Partnerschaft stellt eine grossartige Chance für Avaloq dar, und ich freue mich sehr auf die enge Zusammenarbeit mit dem Metaco-Team»,
so Francisco Fernandez, Chairman von Avaloq.

Adrien Treccani
«Das enorme Potenzial von Distributed Ledgers und digitalen Vermögenswerten in der Bankenbranche wurde aufgrund des Mangels an integrierten Lösungen und der radikal innovativen Natur solcher Systeme bislang kaum genutzt.
Daher bin ich hoch erfreut, nun noch stärker mit der Avaloq Community verbunden zu sein. Avaloq und die anderen neuen Anteilseigner geben uns die Möglichkeit, uns noch stärker zu spezialisieren und das Wachstum im Bankensektor voranzutreiben.
Ich freue mich auf die Interaktion mit Francisco Fernandez und dem Avaloq-Team»,
so Adrien Treccani, Gründer und CEO von Metaco.
 
Featured image via pexels.com
The post Avaloq erwirbt eine 10%-Beteiligung am Schweizer Blockchain Startup Metaco appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/avaloq-erwirbt-eine-10-beteiligung-am-schweizer-blockchain-startup-metaco</link><guid>528</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/metaco-300x196.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Avaloq erwirbt eine 10%-Beteiligung am Schweizer Blockchain Startup Metaco</dc:text></item><item><title>E-Rechnung wird eBill: Credit Suisse hat als erste Bank umgestellt</title><description><![CDATA[Am 19. April 2018 hat SIX ihre neue Infrastruktur für digitale Rechnungen lanciert. Diese ersetzt die bestehende Plattform für E-Rechnungen. Bis Ende 2019 dürften alle Banken in der Schweiz an die neue Plattform angeschlossen sein.
Bereits heute ist E-Rechnung mit über 1,2 Millionen registrierten Nutzern, über 1‘100 teilnehmenden Unternehmen und über 90 teilnehmen Banken in der Schweiz erfolgreich etabliert. Mit der Einführung der neuen Infrastruktur werden die Grundlagen für weiteres Wachstum und eine Vielzahl von Innovationen geschaffen.
Die neue Infrastruktur für digitale Rechnungen hat SIX in enger Zusammenarbeit mit den Schweizer Banken und der Finanzgemeinschaft entwickelt. Privatpersonen werden automatisch von ihrer Bank auf eBill umgestellt. Sie empfangen ihre Rechnungen wie gewohnt im E-Banking.
Alain Schmid, Head Payment Services bei der Credit Suisse (Schweiz) AG:

Alain Schmid
«Wir freuen uns, als erste Bank die neue eBill-Lösung von SIX Paynet erfolgreich einzusetzen und diesen Meilenstein in der Modernisierung des Zahlungsverkehrs erreicht zu haben.
Unsere Kunden profitieren dadurch gleich doppelt: Zum einen wird das Bezahlen ihrer digitalen Rechnungen noch einfacher, und gleichzeitig werden wir ihnen neue Dienstleistungen anbieten können.»
Marco Menotti
Marco Menotti, Head Payments bei SIX:
«eBill wird zum Schweizer Standard, wenn es um die Bezahlung von digitalen Rechnungen geht. Mit der neuen eBill-Infrastruktur lancieren wir erstmals eine zentrale Plattform für digitale Rechnung, an der alle Banken teilnehmen.»
The post E-Rechnung wird eBill: Credit Suisse hat als erste Bank umgestellt appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/e-rechnung-wird-ebill-credit-suisse-hat-als-erste-bank-umgestellt</link><guid>527</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>E-Rechnung wird eBill: Credit Suisse hat als erste Bank umgestellt</dc:text></item><item><title>Blockchain In Germany: A Quick Overview</title><description><![CDATA[Germany and especially its capital city are quickly turning into a development hub for cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology.
Today, Germany is home to some of the world’s most exciting blockchain projects and startups including IOTA, Lisk and Slock.it, which are all harnessing the country’s world-class blockchain coding community and aiming to serve the large pool of German firms looking to get into the blockchain bandwagon.
 
German firms look to integrate blockchain
Several German firms and banks are looking to integrate blockchain into their operations as the technology promises increased automation, speed and efficiency. Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank for instance have both joined R3, the banking consortium focusing on advancing blockchain and distributed ledger technologies for the banking and finance sector.
Thomas Nielsen, Deutsche Bank’s chief digital officer for transaction banking has qualified blockchain as “a fabulous enabling technology that will help optimize our existing business but more importantly will open up new revenue streams.”
Deutsche Börse Group has gone a step further, announcing in March 2018, that it had teamed up with financial management firm HQLAX, to develop a blockchain-based system for securities lending. The Germany-headquartered securities listing and trading exchange said it sought to use the technology to offer more efficient securities settlement.
Meanwhile, UBS is testing out a blockchain-based trade finance platform Batavia. Earlier this month, the bank said it successfully conducted its first live cross-border transactions involving corporate clients. Batavia was developed by the bank in partnership with IBM
Most recently, the fintech arm of Germany’s second largest stock exchange unveiled plans to launch a cryptocurrency trading app later this year. Sowa Labs, a subsidiary of Börse Stuttgart, said earlier this month that the new app, called Bison, will be available for use in September and will initially offer trading support for bitcoin, ether, XRP and litecoin.
But beyond the German banking and financial services industry, blockchain technology is also being used in areas that include healthcare and energy.
Pharmaceutical giant Merck is reportedly investigating the use of blockchain technology for healthcare, having stated in 2016 that blockchain could be deployed in the industry for myriad uses, including setting up vaccine registries and transactional histories for patients.
The application of blockchain in the area of energy is arguably the most popular advanced in Germany. Innogy, a subsidiary of RWE, one of Germany’s largest energy and gas provider, is involved in Share&amp;Charge and Conjoule. Share&amp;Charge is an open network enabling mobility companies to offer “smart charging” experience, and Conjoule focuses on peer-to-peer energy trading solutions using blockchain.
In October 2017, energy companies E.ON and Enel successfully traded electricity for the first time via a new marketplace based on blockchain technology. The first peer-to-peer contracts over the blockchain were executed via Enerchain, a software developed by Ponton. The German IT company has been working for years to develop the operating system for energy wholesale trade.
 
Blockchain Startups in Germany
As of 2017, Germany was home to about 30 blockchain startups. While the German blockchain startup ecosystem can seem relatively small when compared with the likes of London, which has some 80 blockchain companies, and New York with about 60 companies, there are nevertheless some recognizable names.
IOTA for instance, is a distributed ledger technology designed specifically for the Internet-of-Things (IoT). Several ventures have partnered with the IOTA Foundation, the German organization overseeing the project, to experiment with the technology including the International Transportation Innovation Center, a non-profit foundation specializing in developing open and close autonomous vehicle testbeds, and InnoEnergy, a European energy company.
Slock.it is another German blockchain startup that focuses on the IoT and the sharing economy. Slock.it enables anyone to rent, sell or share their property without middlemen.
Other notable German blockchain and cryptocurrency ventures include Bitwala, a service that lets users make bank transferts for goods and services with Bitcoin, Electrum, a popular Bitcoin wallet, and Ascribe, a startup that is using the Bitcoin blockchain to timestamp intellectual property and create a ownership structure for artwork and other digital media.

 
If you&#8217;re keen to find out more on Blockchain in Germany, why not take part in Blockshow Europe 2018 which will be held in Berlin from the 28th &#8211; 29th May. It is set to attract over 3000 guests, 120+ partners, over 70 globally recognized speakers and much more. Our readers get 30% off when you register with code: 30FINTECHNEWS
Learn more and register for BlockShow Europe 2018 here

The post Blockchain In Germany: A Quick Overview appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/blockchain-in-germany-a-quick-overview</link><guid>525</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Blockchain-in-Capital-Markets-300x186.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Blockchain In Germany: A Quick Overview</dc:text></item><item><title>Change is Inevitable …. Are your Ready?</title><description><![CDATA[Change is the only constant. Have you thought about the types of changes we are experiencing now? Is it evolutionary, transformational or even the coming of a revolution?

Author: Mad Meier, Fintechrocker
 
 

Evolution – the gradual development or formation of
Transformation – a dramatic change of state of being
Revolution – a dramatic and wide-reaching change in conditions, attitudes, or current establishment

Today many use the term ‘digital transformation‘ to mean the transformation of the current state into a state which is digital in its core. A state where information is continuously collected, exchanged and analyzed allowing to create smart and interconnected products which adapt and learn.
Some refer to the ‘4th industrial revolution‘ and mean a fundamental and wide reaching change affecting the life of all of us, the society and its values. What happens when smart machines perform the work and humans have time? Do we then focus on our intrinsic motivation? It is clear that many of the paradigms and trained thinking patterns we are used to immediately become invalid.
If you look around and open up your mind – enabling you to notice what you belief is possible – thus you then sense that we are probably quite close to a revolution where many things we consider as naturally given today will be replaced by a new normal.


image credit via Pixabay
Start by looking at a one example: self-driving electric cars and its implications. Soon we will transition from car ownership to co-sharing where you pay per use via a simply request which matches your current needs. There is no need for personal parking spaces or garages;
With connected self driving cars, there will be substantially transformation of current governance and road infrastructure, less cars and accidents; insurances business model will need to be different.
Other additional examples to ponder upon such as the increase in automation or the on-demand replication of goods and imagine how the implications of these scenarios interfere and influence each other.

The changes are combinatorial and the consequences are profound and complex. They will most likely happen much faster than expected once its trigger point is reached.
Are we really in a transformation or at the beginning of a revolution? Are you ready for the change? Are we ready for the change? Is your company making the future happen or busy running a red queen’s race?
 
Change happens …. change is happening …. progress in optional
 
This article first appeared on finthinkers.blog, Featured image via finthinkers.blog
 
The post Change is Inevitable &#8230;. Are your Ready? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/change-is-inevitable-are-your-ready</link><guid>520</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Change is Inevitable …. Are your Ready?</dc:text></item><item><title>Change is Inevitable …. Are You Ready?</title><description><![CDATA[Change is the only constant. Have you thought about the types of changes we are experiencing now? Is it evolutionary, transformational or even the coming of a revolution?

 
Author: Mad Meier, Fintechrocker
 
 

Evolution – the gradual development or formation of
Transformation – a dramatic change of state of being
Revolution – a dramatic and wide-reaching change in conditions, attitudes, or current establishment

Today many use the term ‘digital transformation‘ to mean the transformation of the current state into a state which is digital in its core. A state where information is continuously collected, exchanged and analyzed allowing to create smart and interconnected products which adapt and learn.
Some refer to the ‘4th industrial revolution‘ and mean a fundamental and wide reaching change affecting the life of all of us, the society and its values. What happens when smart machines perform the work and humans have time? Do we then focus on our intrinsic motivation? It is clear that many of the paradigms and trained thinking patterns we are used to immediately become invalid.
If you look around and open up your mind – enabling you to notice what you belief is possible – thus you then sense that we are probably quite close to a revolution where many things we consider as naturally given today will be replaced by a new normal.


image credit via Pixabay
Start by looking at a one example: self-driving electric cars and its implications. Soon we will transition from car ownership to co-sharing where you pay per use via a simply request which matches your current needs. There is no need for personal parking spaces or garages;
With connected self driving cars, there will be substantially transformation of current governance and road infrastructure, less cars and accidents; insurances business model will need to be different.
Other additional examples to ponder upon such as the increase in automation or the on-demand replication of goods and imagine how the implications of these scenarios interfere and influence each other.

The changes are combinatorial and the consequences are profound and complex. They will most likely happen much faster than expected once its trigger point is reached.
Are we really in a transformation or at the beginning of a revolution? Are you ready for the change? Are we ready for the change? Is your company making the future happen or busy running a red queen’s race?
 
Change happens …. change is happening …. progress in optional
 
This article first appeared on finthinkers.blog, Featured image via finthinkers.blog
 
The post Change is Inevitable &#8230;. Are You Ready? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/change-is-inevitable-are-you-ready</link><guid>524</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/electric-car-300x168.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Change is Inevitable …. Are You Ready?</dc:text></item><item><title>Lithuania to Introduce Blockchain Sandbox in 2019</title><description><![CDATA[Lithuania is looking to become the first ever country to offer entities from around the world the opportunity to register and manage companies using blockchain technology.
These Virtual Limited Liability Companies (VLLCs) would benefit from an innovation-friendly “sandbox” regulatory system that helps newcomers to set up operations.
VLLCs would give companies a range of advantages. These include the ability for the company to be remotely managed, and for all share transactions to be fully transparent, as they would be performed entirely on an immutable blockchain.
The Lithuanian Centre of Registers (the manager of the country’s Register of Legal Entities) has already started to draft a proposal on legal amendments needed to make VLLCs a reality next year.
Register a Virtual Fintech Company

Ieva Tarailiene
 
“Physical borders between countries are becoming a thing of the past. This ambitious project is the next logical step for Lithuania, given our track record in the field of financial technology (fintech),”
argues Ieva Tarailiene, Acting Director General of Centre of Registers.
 
 
“Yet regulatory roadblocks are still present in the procedures for expanding businesses abroad. We are striving to become the first country to offer companies the possibility to register and manage companies remotely using blockchain technology, thus ensuring transparency and security.,”
her colleague and blockchain enthusiast Jonas Udris concludes.
The plan has been endorsed by the Bank of Lithuania, the country’s regulator. The Bank is building a global reputation as a force for innovation, thanks to its positive stance on new ideas in fintech sector.
And Marius Jurgilas, a Member of the Board of the Bank of Lithuania, believes blockchain has huge potential.

Marius Jurgilas
“Bank of Lithuania is already building LBChain – blockchain-based solutions accelerator for fintechs. Initiative to create virtual companies on blockchain is a move towards even more ambitious goal – creating LTChain, i.e. moving relevant public services on blockchain,”
he says.
 
The ability to remotely establish and manage a company in the EU is on the wish-list of many fintech companies. Analysts from Invest Lithuania, a foreign direct investment and business development agency, believe companies from Singapore, the US, Israel and other non-EU locations would all be interested in such a service.

Mantas Katinas
“As the world is moving towards a paper- and bureaucracy-free future, jurisdictions that adapt to the increasing demand for instant solutions will win in the long run.
As of now, the country already offers fintech companies the ability to receive a payments institution (PI) or e-money institution (EMI) license in just three months, which is 2-3 faster than in other EU countries.
These draft proposals on the possibility of establishing a virtual company which can be managed remotely is another step in the right direction,”
explains Mantas Katinas, Managing Director of Invest Lithuania.
According to Jonas Udris, introducing blockchain-based VLLCs is essential for Lithuania to strengthen its leadership in technological progress in the financial sector. The most important innovation, says Udris, would be a legal framework and a technological infrastructure that allows shares in a corporate entity to be issued and traded on the blockchain.
“Blockchain-based VLLCs represent an entirely new level of transparency, security, and convenience. With them, information about a company’s shareholders and the entire history of share ownership would be easily accessible to anybody at any time.
Shareholders could manage their shares online, in real time, with far less paperwork. Shares could even be traded directly on the blockchain, without intermediaries,”
says Udris.
This new breed of VLLCs could range from small companies owned by a single individual to large corporations with publicly-traded shares and other securities. They would be fully-recognised corporate entities under Lithuanian law and would file financial statements and pay taxes in Lithuania.
If the necessary amendments to the legal framework are made, entities from around the world would be able to register virtual companies in Lithuania as early as 2019. Those eager to test out the new system should look out for a Hackathon event expected in the Autumn of 2018.
 
Featured image: Vilnius City via Pixabay
The post Lithuania to Introduce Blockchain Sandbox in 2019 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/lithuania-to-introduce-blockchain-sandbox-in-2019</link><guid>521</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Lithuania-blockchain-companies.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Lithuania to Introduce Blockchain Sandbox in 2019</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 10 Fintech Startups Quarterly Radar Swisscom</title><description><![CDATA[Each quarter, Swisscom teams up with e-foresight to publish a Fintech Startup radar.
The criteria that the start-ups need to meet are as follows:

Transparent business case
Meets a clear customer requirement
Investors and/or management have a proven track record
Professional partners and current customers
Innovation and market potential

Here is the newest selection of Swisscoms Fintech Startup Radar.

 
Advanon
Advanon is an authorized financial intermediary that provides an online platform on which companies can receive liquidity from external investors on the basis of their accounts receivable invoices.
The invoice financing platform provides a simple and flexible way for businesses to get invoices financed by numerous investors. It is available in Switzerland and Germany.
Apiax
Apiax is an early-stage startup that aims at generating better access to compliance regulations. It provides easily integrated public programming interfaces (APIs) that facilitate access to always up-to-date and verified compliance rules.
Bexio
bexio &#8211; the simple business software ideal for small businesses, the self-employed and startups. bexio helps small businesses better manage their administration, work more efficiently and sell more.
 
Crowdhouse
Crowdhouse AG is the undisputed market leader in the Swiss real estate co-ownership segment.
Since its launch in 2015, the company has already brokered over 60 properties with a total value of CHF 350 million to private investors, thereby turning them into co-owners of selected Swiss yield properties registered in the land register.
The Zurich-based company now employs more than 60 people.
Investiere
investiere.ch offers accredited private and institutional investors.
The Swiss innovation landscape. investiere.ch was founded in 2010 and has offices in Baar, Zurich and Geneva.
Together with its minority shareholder Zürcher Kantonalbank, investiere.ch is one of the leading startup investors in Switzerland and one of the most renowned Swiss fintech companies.
Loanboox
Loanboox is the independent money and capital market platform for public-sector borrowers and institutional investors.Loanboox is simple, transparent, safe and low cost, benefiting both borrowers and lenders alike.
Lykke
Lykke is a Swiss Fintech company building a global marketplace based on blockchain. Richard Olsen is a pioneer in the field of high-frequency finance. Richard served as co-founder and CEO of OANDA, a leading foreign exchange company. Lykke received initial seed funding in 2015.
PriceHubble
PriceHubble is a Swiss based company, focusing on international real estate markets. Computer science, econometrics, mathematics, statistics, financial services and consulting. We develop innovative solutions to support real estate decision making.
Run my Accounts
Run my Accounts is revolutionizing the bookkeeping of SMEs and startups. Using state-of-the-art technologies, we offer our customers an extremely simple process to keep their accounts: scan receipts and initiate payment in e-banking the next day.
 
VIAC

VIAC  is a 3rd pillar solution that above all creates added value for the customer – not just for the bank.
 
 
 
Featured image via Freepik
The post Top 10 Fintech Startups Quarterly Radar Swisscom appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-10-fintech-startups-quarterly-radar-swisscom</link><guid>522</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Fintech-Startup-Radar-1024x687.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 10 Fintech Startups Quarterly Radar Swisscom</dc:text></item><item><title>Neu Erfinden oder Verschwinden:  5 Szenarien für die Zukunft der Banken</title><description><![CDATA[Hat die Bank von heute eine Zukunft? Wie positionieren sich die bestehenden Institute in der digitalen Welt von morgen?
Diverse Zukunftsszenarien sind denkbar. Einige Entwürfe stellte kürzlich der Basler Ausschuss für Bankenaufsicht (Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, BCBS) in einem Whitepaper vor. Darin beschäftigt sich das BCBS primär mit dem Einfluss von FinTechs auf die Banken und die Bankenaufsicht. Entstanden sind insgesamt fünf Szenarien – von der digitalen Erneuerung der Banken bis hin zum völligen verschwinden.
Digitalisierung und neue Geschäftsmodelle – was die Banken bewegt
Im Fokus der entwickelten Szenarien stand die Einwirkung von drei technologische Entwicklungen (Big Data, Distributed Ledger, Cloud-Computing) sowie drei Fintech-Geschäftsmodellen (innovative Zahlungsdienste-Technologie, Kreditplattformen, Neo-Banken) auf die Bankenbranche.
Quelle: Kreditrechner.com
Betrachten wir die einzelnen Szenarien: Die Variante der „besseren Bank“ sieht vor, dass etablierte Marktteilnehmer digitale Technologien antizipieren und ihre Dienstleistungen bzw. Kundenbeziehungen entsprechend verändern. Gleichzeitig wandeln sich die Geschäftsmodelle. Die Banken investieren aktiv in ihren Wandel. Wie wahrscheinlich ist ein solches Modell? Zumindest nicht unwahrscheinlich. Erste Anzeichen gibt es laut BCBS bereits.
Im Szenario „neue Bank“ löst eine kommende Generation von Neo-Banken die etablierten Spieler ab. Diese „neuen Banken“ sind technologiegetrieben, kosteneffizient sowie flexibel aufgestellt. Je nach Bedarf werden sie Banklizenzen erwerben oder mit Bankenpartnern agieren. Ein Blick in den FinTech-Bereich zeigt Anbieter wie N26, die sich in dieser Weise entwickeln.
Die „verteilte Bank“ sieht eine modulare Finanzdienstleistungsstruktur vor. Eine Vielzahl an Anbietern stellt einzelne oder mehrere Dienste bereit, die sich der Nutzer zusammenstellt. Der Verbraucher entscheidet, wem er sein Vertrauen schenkt. Ein Beispiel für die Entwicklung „verteilter Banken“ ist beispielsweise ein Robo-Advice-Anbieter, der seine Dienste über eine Bank oder im Rahmen eines Joint Ventures anbietet.
Eine eher unwahrscheinliche Variante ist die „relegierte Bank“, d. h. die etablierten Banken werden zu einfachen Dienstleistern degradiert. Die Kundenbeziehung bestehen über FinTechs oder größeres Technologie-Unternehmen. Prinzipiell wird die Bank auf ihre rudimentären Leistungen reduziert.
Diese fünf Szenarien der Rollenverteilung zwischen FinTechs und Banken skizziert der Basler Ausschuss für Bankenaufsicht.
Sonderfall Whitelabel-Lösung: Fehlt den FinTechs eine eigene Banklizenz, nutzen sie jene einer etablierten Bank. Diese liefert die Bankprozesse und Schnittstellen. Das Start-up konzentriert sich hingegen auf seine Stärken und den Vertrieb. Ein weiterer Vorteil: Die Bank hinter der technischen Lösung kann sich ändern.
Am Beispiel einer Whitelabel-Plattform in Deutschland: Derzeit wird der dort angebotene Kredit in Zusammenarbeit mit der SKG Bank geschaffen. Demnächst besetzt, so unsere Information, die Fidor Bank den Platz des Bankenpartners.
Das letzte Szenario wird als „disintermediäre Bank“ beschrieben. In diesem Modell sind Banken gänzlich irrelevant und werden verdrängt. Alternative Plattformen und Technologien übernehmen deren Platz. Die Kunden interagieren direkt mit ihren Dienstleistern, erhalten ein besseres Kundenerlebnis, alternative Produkte und Leistungen.
Die Zeit läuft ab
Diese fünf Szenarien sind selbstverständlich nicht in Stein gemeißelt. Sie bieten lediglich Ausblicke künftiger Entwicklungen. Was die Szenarien indes verdeutlichen, ist der Umstand, dass die Banken einem umfassenden Wandel gegenüberstehen.
Speziell das Thema Digitalisierung macht den etablierten Banken zu schaffen. Die Umstellung auf moderne Systeme ist teuer und dauert bisweilen sehr lange. Gleiches gilt für Prozesse, um neue digitale Produkte zu integrieren. Die Uhr tickt.
 
Featured image via Freepik
The post Neu Erfinden oder Verschwinden:  5 Szenarien für die Zukunft der Banken appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/neu-erfinden-oder-verschwinden-5-szenarien-fur-die-zukunft-der-banken</link><guid>519</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/fintech-banken-technologien-und-geschaeftsmodelle-867x1024.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Neu Erfinden oder Verschwinden:  5 Szenarien für die Zukunft der Banken</dc:text></item><item><title>Blockchain-Forschungskooperation der Versicherungsbranche kommt nach Zürich</title><description><![CDATA[Das Konsortium «Blockchain Insurance Industry Initiative» (B3i) ist eine globale Forschungskooperation von weltweit führenden Versicherungskonzernen, die sich zusammengeschlossen haben, um die Anwendung der Blockchain-Technologie in der Versicherungswirtschaft voranzutreiben.
Ziel ist die Entwicklung einer Handelsplattform über die gesamte Wertschöpfungskette unter Verwendung der Blockchain-Technologie. Das Konsortium hat heute bekanntgegeben, in Zürich ein Startup mit dem Namen «B3i Services AG» zu gründen und die Aktivitäten in Zürich zu konzentrieren.
Regierungsrätin Carmen Walker Späh hat sich gemeinsam mit dem Amt für Wirtschaft und Arbeit für die Ansiedelung der Forschungskooperation in Zürich starkgemacht:
«Ich freue mich über die Standortwahl des Konsortiums. Dies stärkt die Bedeutung Zürichs als Versicherungsstandort und als Standort für digitale Innovation.»
An der Schnittstelle von Finance und ICT hat sich in den letzten Jahren im Wirtschaftsraum Zürich ein lebendiges Fintech-Innovations-Ökosystem entwickelt, das weltweit auf Beachtung stösst.
Der Kanton Zürich unterstützt aktiv die Bestrebungen, den Wirtschaftsraum Zürich zu einem führenden Hub für die Blockchain-Industrie zu entwickeln. Neben der heute bekanntgegebenen Gründung der «B3i Services AG» erhält Zürich im April 2018 ein Blockchain-Zentrum mit dem Namen «Trust Square».
Der Trust Square bietet rund 200 Arbeitsplätze für Start-ups, Vertreter der führenden Schweizer Hochschulen und Unternehmen, welche sich mit verschiedenen Anwendungsgebieten der Blockchain beschäftigen.
 
Featured image via Pixabay
The post Blockchain-Forschungskooperation der Versicherungsbranche kommt nach Zürich appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/blockchain-forschungskooperation-der-versicherungsbranche-kommt-nach-zurich</link><guid>517</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/B3i-300x185.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Blockchain-Forschungskooperation der Versicherungsbranche kommt nach Zürich</dc:text></item><item><title>YUKKA News Trend LAB – neues Tool für AI-basierte Analyse von Finanznachrichten</title><description><![CDATA[YUKKA Lab AG, das Berliner FinTech-Startup für angewandte Augmented Language Intelligence und kontext-basierte Sentimentanalyse für die  Finanzbranche, launcht das News &amp; Trend Lab.
Dies ist eine webbasierte Anwendung, mit der die Anwender einen umfassenden Überblick über Trends, Events und damit verbundene Sentiments auf dem Finanzmarkt in Echtzeit gewinnen können, und das darauf basierend Handelssignale generiert.
Mehr Insights mit Handlungsempfehlung dank aggregiertem Newsüberblick
Die für den europäischen Markt einzigartige Sentimenttechnolgie der YUKKA Lab AG analysiert und interpretiert Finanznachrichten in englischer und deutscher Sprache vollautomatisiert und bildet deren Einfluss auf die Entwicklung der Finanzmärkte ab. Das Produkt YUKKA News &amp; Trend Lab bietet dafür eine leicht verständliche visuelle Aufbereitung von komplexen Zusammenhängen zwischen Akteuren und Ereignissen am Markt und Sentiments.
Zahlreiche Such- und Filterfunktionen erleichtern zudem den Zugang zu den individuell relevanten Inhalten aus der immer größer werdenden Masse an Finanz- und Wirtschaftsnachrichten. YUKKA Lab aggregiert und analysiert mit ihrer Sentimenttechnologie täglich ca. 200 000 Nachrichten von mehr als 20 000 Quellen etablierter Nachrichtenagenturen (awp Finanznachrichten, dpa-AFX und andere) sowie zahlreicher Fachmagazine und Zeitungen.
Das YUKKA Trend Lab generiert auf Basis dieser Sentimentscores und mithilfe von arithmetischen und seit 2005 backgetesteten Finanzmodellen ein Früherkennungssystem für Trends und Trendwenden an Aktienmärkten.
Verständlich aufbereitete Prognosen für strategische Entscheidungen

Das YUKKA News &amp; Trend Lab setzt sich aus zwei Elementen zusammen: Das News Lab mit Fokus auf die Darstellung der Markteignisse, Akteure und Zusammenhänge inklusive der Sentiments. Sowie das Trend Lab, welches auf Basis selbstentwickelter Finanzmodelle aus den Sentiments Trendindikatoren und Handelssignale entwickelt. Folgend einige der wichtigsten Features:

YUKKA News Boards mit aggregiertem Newsflow der relevanten Markttreiber, inklusive der positiven, neutralen oder negativen Sentiments für Indices, Sektoren und Aktien
YUKKA News Networks mit der Visualisierung von Zusammenhängen von Events, Trends, Unternehmen und Personen. Wiedergabe von Entitäten (Unternehmen, Events, Personen) aus den Textdaten für relevante Ziele
Vielfältige Such- und Filterfunktionen unter anderem für Zeiträume, Sprachen, Quellen
My Portfolio: Personalisiertes User Interface, in dem eigene Watchlists und Alerts/Benachrichtigungen angelegt werden können
Früherkennungssystem für Trends und Trendwenden an Aktienmärkten

Preise starten ab 299, &#8211; EUR pro Monat für das News Lab. 439,- EUR pro Monat für das Trend Lab und 549,- EUR für das News &amp; Trend Lab. Preise für erweiterte Pakete und API-Lösungen auf Anfrage. Buchbar über https://shop.yukkalab.de/
The post YUKKA News Trend LAB – neues Tool für AI-basierte Analyse von Finanznachrichten appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/yukka-news-trend-lab-neues-tool-fur-ai-basierte-analyse-von-finanznachrichten</link><guid>516</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Yukka-Trend-Lab-300x92.png</dc:content ><dc:text>YUKKA News Trend LAB – neues Tool für AI-basierte Analyse von Finanznachrichten</dc:text></item><item><title>Despite ICO Frenzy Regulatory And Cybersecurity Concerns Remain</title><description><![CDATA[While initial coin offerings (ICOs) are growing in popularity amongst the startup community, challenges remain for token issuers notably in terms of regulation and cybersecurity, according to PwC.
ICO frenzy
An ICO is a form of fundraising that harnesses the power of cryptocurrencies and blockchain-based trading. Similar to a crowdfunding campaign, an ICO allocates tokens instead of shares to early investors in a business.
These tokens typically do not represent actual ownership in the company, but they often provide access to an ecosystem and can be traded on an aftermarket.
How are ICO usually structured? PWC
According to CB Insights, ICOs raised over US$5 billion in nearly 800 deals in 2017, surpassing early stage venture capital (VC) funding for blockchain startups. Unsurprisingly, many experts and industry observers expect ICOs to be the game changer for the fintech industry in the coming year.
Challenges remain
Despite the ICO frenzy, challenges remain for token issuers. A research published earlier this year by EY, found that out of 372 ICO projects analyzed, more than 10% of ICO proceeds (about US$400 million) were intercepted and stolen by hackers. There have also been instances of data leaks where hackers got access to investor information provided to token issuers.
“In the last one month alone, there have been three ICO hacks on consecutive days, resulting in a total loss of close to Rs 8 crore (US$1.2 million),” said Indrajeet Bhuyan, a tech blogger and security researcher. “Startups want to raise millions, but don’t want to spend on security.”
ICOs remain a largely unregulated practice in most jurisdictions. The fact that ICOs are not limited by geographic boundaries makes it difficult to regulate them. Also, there are no specific accounting standards for ICOs. These shortcomings make ICOs vulnerable to scams and frauds.
What are the key challenges of an ICO?, PwC
Some governments have been particularly critic over token sales. The People’s Bank of China was the first jurisdiction to ban ICOs in September 2017, calling them illegal and fraudulent. South Korea followed with a ban on raising funds through ICOs as well.
Meanwhile, countries such as Switzerland and Singapore have formulated guidelines for token issuers and ICO organizers, bringing clarity to how these are treated by financial regulators.
The governments of Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, Switzerland and others, in similar fashion to the US, have asserted that at least some coin offerings will be subject to securities laws. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) also echoed this sentiment.
Japan has taken a different tack entirely, recognizing Bitcoin as legal tender in May 2017.
The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) categorizes ICOs and cryptocurrencies into three groups, payment tokens, utility tokens and asset tokens. Hybrid forms are also possible.
Payment tokens and ICOs must comply with anti-money laundering regulations. Utility tokens that functions solely or partially as an investment in economic terms are treated as securities in the same way as asset tokens, which must comply with security law requirements for trading as well as civil law requirements.
Earlier this year, FINMA held a series of roundtables discussions across Switzerland to present and clarify the ICO guidelines.
PwC Global ICO Compass
The post Despite ICO Frenzy Regulatory And Cybersecurity Concerns Remain appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/despite-ico-frenzy-regulatory-and-cybersecurity-concerns-remain</link><guid>515</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/ICO-structure-PwC.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Despite ICO Frenzy Regulatory And Cybersecurity Concerns Remain</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Blockchain Taskforce Recommendations for Regulation and Development of the Crypto Valley</title><description><![CDATA[Switzerland is a pioneer in regulating and promoting blockchain technology.
This will be reflected in the programme of the next Blockchain Summit &#8211; Crypto Valley on April 26th in Zug. Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann will give the opening speech at the Theater Casino in Zug and receive a report from the Blockchain Task Force.
The recommendations for future regulation and development of the still young industry are interim results of the task force, which only started work in January.
The task force comprises 50 personalities from the blockchain industry, business, science and politics. They work under the patronage of Federal Councillors Ueli Maurer and Johann Schneider-Ammann as well as the Cantonal Government Councillors; Carmen Walker Späh, Ernst Stocker, Heinz Tännler, Matthias Michel and Christian Vitta. Four working groups (ICO/Token, Banking, Cybersecurity, other areas of application) and two support groups (politics and blockchain industry) have developed proposals which are summarised in a conceptual white paper.
Openness towards the technology of the future 
Representatives of the task force will explain the recommendations at the Blockchain Summit &#8211; Crypto Valley. They will be available for interviews with journalists.
Mathias Ruch
 
“Not only blockchain companies, but also the Swiss authorities have an open attitude towards new industries and technologies. I am proud of what the 50 task force members have achieved in a few months,&#8221;
says Mathias Ruch, co-initiator of the task force and founder of the consulting and investor group Lakeside Partners in Zug.
 
In various countries, authorities are skeptical about cryptocurrencies and initial coin offerings (ICO). Some countries have banned complementary currencies. In Switzerland, on the other hand, young companies generally encounter openness.
The liberal handling of cryptocurrencies and initial coin offerings (ICO) are attracting international attention. Almost every second relevant blockchain company planning an ICO is now located in the Crypto Valley between Zug and Zurich.

Lorenz Furrer
&#8220;Sooner or later, the Crypto Valley will have a similar dimension to the Silicon Valley. Switzerland needs an anticipatory policy to maintain its position,&#8221;
says Lorenz Furrer, co-initiator of the task force and founder of Narwal Blockchain PR.
Rendezvous in the heart of Crypto Valley 
The conference in Zug on April 26th is the most important meeting of the blockchain industry in the Crypto Valley. In addition to the presentation of the interim results of the Swiss task force, a high-class program with top representatives of the industry will be offered.
Speakers and panelists include Luis Cuende (Aragon) Paul Meeusen (B3i), Daniel Gasteiger (Nexussquared/Procivis), Maria Jones (CoinTelegraph), Eva Kaili (European Parliament) and Tadej Slapik (State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia).
The thematic focus will be the supposed or actual antagonism between established corporations and start-ups. In industry specific panels (banks, insurance companies, real estate), the &#8220;old&#8221; economy meets the &#8220;new&#8221; economy, the blockchain industry. Off the conference stage, 20 promising start-ups will present their teams and business models in the Casino Theater.
&#8220;The Blockchain Summit focuses on quality in the selection of the companies presented. We show projects that can also be implemented,&#8221;
says Ralf Glabischnig, co-founder of the Summit and Managing Partner at inacta
 
 
 
Featured image via pexels
The post Swiss Blockchain Taskforce Recommendations for Regulation and Development of the Crypto Valley appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-blockchain-taskforce-recommendations-for-regulation-and-development-of-the-crypto-valley</link><guid>511</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Blockchain Taskforce Recommendations for Regulation and Development of the Crypto Valley</dc:text></item><item><title>Japan Exchanges Letters for Fintech Cooperation Framework with Finma</title><description><![CDATA[The Japan Financial Services Agency (FSA) exchanged the Letters for Cooperation Framework on FinTech with the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) on April 4, 2018.
This Cooperation Framework recognises the global nature of innovation in financial services and intends to enhance the relationship with FINMA on FinTech.
The contents of the Letters include, but are not limited to, the following:

The Authorities intend to refer Financial Innovators each other and to provide support to them.
The Authorities intend to share information on FinTech.

Letters for Cooperation on Fintech
 
This article first appeared on https://www.fsa.go.jp 
The post Japan Exchanges Letters for Fintech Cooperation Framework with Finma appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/japan-exchanges-letters-for-fintech-cooperation-framework-with-finma</link><guid>512</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Japan Exchanges Letters for Fintech Cooperation Framework with Finma</dc:text></item><item><title>4 Upcoming Blockchain Events in North America</title><description><![CDATA[With all the talk on ICOs, it&#8217;s hard to ignore the underlying technology behind them which is Blockchain. If you still don&#8217;t have a clue on what Blockchain is about, check out An Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to BlockChain.
We have covered alot of Blockchain in Europe, but what&#8217;s really happening in North America? How do we differentiate ICOs among the good, bad and dangerous? And, what are the secrets of holding successful ICOs? Hear from the experts and leaders in their field in these upcoming Blockchain Conferences in North America.
Blockchain Conference Silicon Valley
April 17, 2018 &#8211; San Francisco

 
Featured Speakers include:

Alessandro Voto
West Coast Director , ConsenSys
Tim Swanson
Founder and Director of Research , Post Oak Labs
Adam Draper
Founder and Managing Director , Boost VC

 
Blockchain Conference New York
April 19, 2018 &#8211; Times Square

 
Featured Speakers include:

Erika Perez
Global Leader, Blockchain Strategy &amp; Ecosystem , IBM
Peter Sexton
Director, Global Financial Services Team , U.S. Department of Commerce
Anastasiia Morozova
Event Manager , Solve.Care Foundation
Abhy Singla
Founder and CTO , Invsta

Blockchain Conference Toronto
April 24, 2018 &#8211; MaRS Discovery District

 
Featured Speakers include:

Dinaro Ly
Director, Engagement, MaRS Discovery District
Jos Schmitt
President &amp; CEO , NEO
Amy ter Haar
President, Integra Ledger

Blockchain Conference Chicago
April 27, 2018 &#8211; Venue Six10

 
Featured Speakers include:

Ryan Sullivan
Managing Director, R2G Services
Paul Heirendt
Founder, BLOCK id
John Callahan
Chief Technology Officer, Veridium

 
About the organiser
This event series is part of Fintech Worldwide&#8216;s April ICO Roadshow: North America.
Fintech Worldwide Ltd. is a global innovation network with a focus on technology and transformation in finance and blockchain. The group hosts one of Europes largest tech meetups with over 12k+ members and a number of notable events including Blockchain Week and London Fintech Week, one of the worlds largest fintech conference.
 
Featured image via Pixabay
The post 4 Upcoming Blockchain Events in North America appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/4-upcoming-blockchain-events-in-north-america</link><guid>513</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>4 Upcoming Blockchain Events in North America</dc:text></item><item><title>iP2PGlobal is Re-Shaping The Global Personal Financing Landscape</title><description><![CDATA[Peer-to-Peer (P2P) lending is gaining momentum worldwide especially in Asia Pacific, Americas and Europe.
However, looking at the current limitations in the P2P lending landscape, one may conclude that there is no single platform that will be able to bring personal financing worldwide, has a fair global rate for borrowers, safety nets to protect lenders and a compensation fund.
All that is about to change with iP2PGlobal Personal Financing Platform (iP2PGlobal).

Whilst the current P2P lending has proven to be a good alternative for the unbanked and under-banked population in many situations, there are still areas that can be improved on. The main concern is that borrowers and lenders are primarily located in the same country and not worldwide, thus limiting the borrowers’ access to lenders. Secondly, financing details and payments are managed by a platform provider rather than on an open visible platform.
With the latest technology advancement in smart contracts development and the high security and transparency of de-centralised network due to blockchain technology, iP2PGlobal has been formed to cut through red tapes and time to reach a far wider market as well as improve the distribution of capital on a single worldwide platform.

James Loy
“After conducting meticulous research to study the current P2P lending landscape, we have identified several gaps in it that we strongly believe should be addressed to make personal financing accessible to all.
“This pressed the importance to us in creating iP2PGlobal to fill the void and to create a single platform that would be a game changer in personal financing,”
said James Loy, iP2PGlobal Management Team’s CEO.
 
Another unique highlight of iP2PGlobal is that the financing products offered are based on sharia principles.
Although sharia financing products are sought after by Muslims, non-Muslims will also be attracted to what the platform has to offer.
Sharia finance principles are closely related to ethical values of fairness, equality and morality in finance, which resonates with everyone, no matter their religion and creed.
According to an article in CNBC, Islamic financing was traditionally dominated by Muslim-majority countries in the Middle East and Southeast Asia but issuance of Islamic debt by non-Muslim countries was set to climb to a three-year high last year.
Two financing products, which are unsecured and secured personal financing products based on Tawarruq contracts, will be initially be offered at the platform.
“We are kick-starting the platform with two financing products, which are unsecured personal financing) and secured personal financing.
“Both are based on Tawarruq sharia finance principles,”
he said.
He explained that Tawarruq is the mode which most sharia banks worldwide provide personal financing, to facilitate the supply of cash to their customers.
It is a mode of finance that consists of two sale and purchase contracts.
The first involves the sale of an asset to a purchaser on a deferred basis and the subsequent sale involves sale of the asset to a third party on a cash basis.
As for secured personal financing, borrowers can provide additional security to a Tawarruq transaction through collaterals such as Bitcoin, ETH, Bitcoin Cash, Ripple, Dash and Litecoin.
TWQ Token Pre-ICO is ongoing 
iP2PGlobal Personal Financing Platform is offering a total 155,000,000 TWQ tokens for subscription for its pre-ICO, starting from 19th February, 2018 (OO:OO UTC) to 13th May, 2018  (23:59 UTC).
Different bonuses are offered at different stages of the pre-ICO, which is outlined in the whitepaper as set out in ip2pglobal.io
The TWQ (Tawarruq) is an ERC20 token that confer the right to the token holder to submit an application for a personal financing based on a Commodity Tawarruq Trading program, through the iP2PGlobal platform and have it listed in the platform for prospective lenders to view and choose to finance.
The TWQ Token is a pure utility token and does or will not provide any other rights and functions to its holders.
Meanwhile, the ICO crowdsale starts on 14 May, 2018 (00:00 UTC) and ends on 8 July, 2018 (23:59 UTC).
The price being offered for the tokens is 0.0002 ETH for 1 TWQ during pre-ICO and ICO crowdsales.
For even better perks, large purchase bonus for individual subscriptions above 50ETH will be entitled to a 10% additional TWQ tokens.
 
Disclaimer: this is an article written by iP2PGlobal, Fintechnews does not endorse and is not responsible for or liable for any content, accuracy, quality, advertising, products or other materials on this page. Readers should do their own research before taking any actions related to the company. Fintechnews is not responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in the press release.
Please note this is no investment advice.
The post iP2PGlobal is Re-Shaping The Global Personal Financing Landscape appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ip2pglobal-is-re-shaping-the-global-personal-financing-landscape</link><guid>514</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/how-ip2pglobal-works-1024x651.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>iP2PGlobal is Re-Shaping The Global Personal Financing Landscape</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Awards Luxembourg Open for Applications</title><description><![CDATA[The organising partners of the Fintech Awards Luxembourg have opened applications for the 2018 edition of the competition. Rising stars from the fintech startup universe are invited to apply for several prizes and the chance to build their networks and credibility with senior decision-makers and CEOs from the Luxembourg financial services community.
This represents real and tangible opportunities for them to acquire new clients for their solutions and businesses.
Georges Bock, a founding partner of the Awards and Head of Tax at KPMG Luxembourg, explained:

Georges Bock
“Judging by the buzz surrounding its third edition, the Fintech Awards have become a landmark event in the fintech sphere.
The competition attracts startups from Luxembourg, of course, but also drives interest from abroad—thanks largely to the prizes and business potential, the prominence of the jury, and the increasing media attention the Awards and its winners get.
Indeed, the first two editions have produced real success stories.”
“The driving theme of the Awards, at least for us,”
Mr Bock added,
“is to provide a meeting ground for disruptive, inventive technologists and established, experienced financial houses. This combination is the future of the industry.”
Nasir Zubairi, CEO of the LHoFT (Luxembourg House of Financial Technology), co-partner in the Awards initiative, commented:

Nasir Zubairi
“The Fintech Awards are an amazing opportunity for fintech firms from across the globe to connect with the vibrant Luxembourg ecosystem and build credibility with the financial institutions here.
In particular, the Luxembourg finance industry is hungry for solutions related to fund management, insurance, and private banking, as well as data science, AI, and regulatory and compliance technology (‘regtech’).”
 

Eugene Greenberg
“It was a pleasure to be part of the Fintech Awards Luxembourg!”
commented Eugene Greenberg, CEO of getmeIns, last year’s second runner-up.
“It was a great experience as its organisation was outstanding, I met amazing people, I had a chance to chat with the Prime Minister of Luxembourg and the Minister of Finance, and the level and competencies of the jury were extraordinary.”
Bernadette Wijnings, CFO and co-founder of Blanco Services, and winner of the Women in Fintech Award at least year’s competition, added:
“Definitely [would recommend the Fintech Awards]. It was the start of building our network in Luxembourg, it attracted investors, and it even helped us in hiring new talents for blanco. So I’m really grateful for winning the award.”
“The Fintech Awards provided us additional visibility outside Luxembourg,”
said Frédéric Stiernon, CEO of CarPay-Diem, which won the Jury’s Coup de Coeur last year.
“It is a great event because it involves actors both from Luxembourg and outside. It is a good way to see what other countries/start-ups do and it allows Luxembourg start-ups to be seen outside of the country. It is clearly one of the best start-up events of the place.”
Applications open until 1 May
Applications for the Awards opened on 1 March and will close on 1 May. Fifteen startups will then be selected to go through to Competition Day on 20 June, where they will be whittled down to seven finalists who will compete to be Fintech Startup of the Year. Prizes will also go to the first and second runner ups.
The winners will be announced during the awards ceremony and after-party on the KPMG Plage beach in Luxembourg on 20 June in the presence of the Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel and Luxembourg Finance Minister Pierre Gramegna.
€50,000 in prize money, sponsored by Digital Lëtzebuerg

The startups will be competing for prizes designed to help them grow and develop their company in Luxembourg. Prizes include €50,000; four months of hosting at the Technoport (coworking space in Luxembourg); 10 free consulting hours from KPMG; and a free LHoFT membership including six months of hosting at the LHoFT Fintech hub.
The Awards are organised by the LHoFT and KPMG Luxembourg, in collaboration with Digital Lëtzebuerg, the Luxembourg ICT Cluster, LuxInnovation, and Maison Moderne.
You can apply for the awards at www.fintechawards.lu
The post Fintech Awards Luxembourg Open for Applications appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-awards-luxembourg-open-for-applications</link><guid>510</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Awards-and-Prizes-Fintech-Awards-1024x382.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech Awards Luxembourg Open for Applications</dc:text></item><item><title>Digitalisierung der Deutschen Buchhaltung für KMU und Freelancer</title><description><![CDATA[Holvi, der Finnische digitale Banking-Service für Selbständige macht nun die Buchhaltung und Steuern in Deutschland einfacher. Dies dank einer Kooperation mit eifas, einem Full-Service-Provider für Finanzen und Administration
Ziel der Zusammenarbeit ist es, kleinen Unternehmen und Freelancern eine unkomplizierte und einfache All-In-One-Lösung für Banking- und Buchhaltungsprozesse anzubieten.

Konkret bedeutet dies: kein Papierkram, keine Excel-Tabellen, kein kontieren in diversen anderen Tools. Während etablierte Player noch nach entsprechenden Lösungen suchen oder “innovative” Startups die Papierbelege für den Kunden scannen, bringt Holvi zusammen mit eifas nordische Digitalisierung nach Deutschland: Buchhaltung 2.0.
Minimaler administrativer Aufwand bei maximaler steuerrechtlicher Sicherheit
Die vorbereitende Buchhaltung kann nun direkt über die Holvi-App erledigt werden. Die eifas-Steuerberater überprüfen den gesamten Vorbereitungsprozess im Hintergrund und garantieren dem Nutzer steuerrechtliche Sicherheit – alles konform mit den Grundsätzen zur ordnungsmässigen Führung und Aufbewahrung von Büchern, Aufzeichnungen und Unterlagen in elektronischer Form sowie zum Datenzugriff.
Rechnungen können ganz einfach vom Smartphone aus verschickt und automatisch nachverfolgt werden. Eingehende Rechnungen werden über die App hochgeladen und mit der entsprechenden Zahlung verknüpft. Echtzeit-Benachrichtigungen informieren die Nutzer über jede Kontobewegung.

Antti-Jussi Suominen
„In der klassischen Steuerberatung werden Belege häufig noch händisch sortiert und anschliessend gesammelt dem Steuerberater übergeben. Das ist nicht mehr zeitgemäß, da umständlich und kostenintensiv”,
erklärt Antti-Jussi Suominen, CEO von Holvi.
„Die Verlagerung der Buchhaltung in die Cloud und die direkte Anbindung an den Steuerberater durch unsere App beseitigt lästige Zettelwirtschaft und optimiert den Buchhaltungsprozess nachhaltig. Der Unternehmer kann sich wieder voll und ganz auf sein Business konzentrieren.”
Finanzmanagement in Echtzeit
Holvi gibt seinen Kunden die Möglichkeit, sich auf das Wesentliche zu konzentrieren – ihr Geschäft. Daher arbeitet das Fintech täglich daran, Europas Nummer 1-Anbieter von Entrepreneurship-as-a-Service für Freelancer, Selbstständige und Kleinunternehmer zu sein.
„Mit den Services von Holvi haben Unternehmer ihre Finanzen immer und überall im Blick. Dank unserer Partnerschaft mit eifas wickeln sie nun zusätzlich die komplette vorbereitende Buchhaltung auf unserer Plattform ab”,
so Suominen weiter.
 
Featured image via blog.holvi.com
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digitalisierung-der-deutschen-buchhaltung-fur-kmu-und-freelancer</link><guid>509</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/holvi-invoicing.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Digitalisierung der Deutschen Buchhaltung für KMU und Freelancer</dc:text></item><item><title>Boerse Stuttgart Subsidiary Brings Cryptocurrency Trading App for the Mass Market</title><description><![CDATA[Free, uncomplicated and secure trading in cryptocurrencies from your own smartphone: this is what BISON promises to make available to traders.
The new app from fintech Sowa Labs – a subsidiary of Boerse Stuttgart Digital Ventures – gives traders an easy entry into the world of cryptocurrencies.
Dr Ulli Spankowski, Managing Director at Sowa Labs, commented:
‘BISON makes trading in digital currencies easy. It is the first crypto app in the world to have a traditional stock exchange behind it.’
The startup will today present the prototype of the app at the finance and investment trade fair Invest in Stuttgart. BISON will be available free of charge from the autumn of this year.
Optimised for fast, easy trading in cryptocurrencies
Until now, it has been anything but easy to invest in bitcoin, ethereum or other cryptocurrencies. BISON is breaking down all the barriers: the app is simple to use, the user interface is available in German and will later also be offered in English.
Ulli Spankowski explained:

Ulli Spankowski
‘With BISON, also registering and providing proof of identity is less complicated.’ Previously, opening a user account normally took several days, but with BISON activation for trading only takes a few minutes. There is ‘no need for crypto wallets’,
and BISON does not charge any trading fees. Dr Spankowski added:
‘Users can trade cryptocurrencies free of charge with the app.’
 
Another innovative feature of the app is the Cryptoradar service, which uses artificial intelligence to filter the glut of news in social media: it gives a general view of the market in realtime and provides information on which cryptocurrencies are currently being discussed.
A survey of more than 1,000 participants recently published by Sowa Labs – entitled #thefutureofcrypto – showed that investors want easier access to the cryptocurrency market. Ulli Spankowski concluded:
‘This is exactly what BISON is optimised to provide.’
To find out more about the app, visit www.bisonapp.de
The post Boerse Stuttgart Subsidiary Brings Cryptocurrency Trading App for the Mass Market appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/boerse-stuttgart-subsidiary-brings-cryptocurrency-trading-app-for-the-mass-market</link><guid>508</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Boerse Stuttgart Subsidiary Brings Cryptocurrency Trading App for the Mass Market</dc:text></item><item><title>Regtech And Compliance In Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[Banks and firms are increasingly turning to regtech solutions that leverage software and automation to close compliance gaps, address new regulatory challenges and cut costs.
Regtech refers to technology and software created to address regulatory requirements and help companies stay compliant. Solutions range from software to automate workflow, to advanced technology like machine learning, natural language processing (NLP), and blockchain to replace old policies and procedures.
Regtech companies are saving firms billions in regulatory fines and as the regulatory landscape expands with regulators issuing record levels in non-compliances fines, and pending rulings such as GDPR, PSD2, and MiFIDII/MIFIR, regtech solutions are enabling firms to fill compliance gaps, get ahead of requirements before deadlines and detect enterprise risk.

Regtech has gained traction in recent years with companies in the space raising over US$6.2 billion across approximately 680 equity investments since 2013, according to CB Insights.
In Europe, the UK is leading the industry in terms of funding but also in terms of the number of regtech companies serving the financial services industry.
Nevertheless, the Swiss regtech industry is growing rapidly with now 30 ventures, according to Swisscom&#8217;s Swiss RegTech Map.

 
Regtech in Switzerland
Several Swiss regtech ventures have emerged as industry leaders. Apiax, for instance, offers a flexible technical solution that can be used for many different use cases.
Headquartered in Zurich, the company combines legal and compliance expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients transform complex regulations into machine-readable digital compliance rules and manage regulations digitally.
The platform consists of digital rule sets, which are kept up-to-date and verified by premium content providers, and of a regulatory cockpit for legal and compliance teams to manage regulatory updates, review and deploy them.
The rule engine is infrastructure independent, running in a private or public cloud. The rules can be easily integrated into any system or process over an API.
Apiax raised US$1.5 million in seed funding in September last year from Peter Kurer, DIventures, the Swiss ICT Investor Club (SICTIC), Zürcher Kantonalbank and Tugboat.  (a nice portrait written by Julius Baer about Apiax can be found here)
Another notable regtech firm in Switzerland is Qumram, an award-winning startup and a venturelab alumnus. Qumram captures digital activity and interactions, including web, social and mobile, to ensure compliance, prevent fraud and improve customer service. Digital activities and interactions are recorded and replayed in movie-like form, providing a transparent digital audit trail for financial services organizations. This allows them to comply with regulatory requirements for digital record-keeping.
Qumram also facilitates fraud detection by monitoring digital behavior of employees as well as interactions from external sources, and delivers actionable customer insights that improve customer experience.
Qumram was named the Best Regtech Company in the 2017 Fintech Breakthrough Awards and the Growth Stage Startup of the Year in the 2017 Swiss Fintech Awards. The startup also won the 2016 Swisscom Startup Challenge.
Qumram was acquired in November 2017 by Dynatrace.
NetGuardians is another regtech player, providing automated compliance management software and real-time human behavior analysis to detect fraud. The startup provides an enterprise platform that helps financial institutions prevent banking fraud and digitize regulatory compliance.
Founded in 2007, NetGuardians was the first company to emerge from the innovation incubator Y-Parc in Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland. Today, the company has offices across Europe, but also in Africa and Southeast Asia.
NetGuardians raised its CHF 8.5 million Series C funding round last year and serves more than 50 international clients.
Anybody interested about Regtech Switzerland should check out the Swiss Chapter of the International Regtech Assocation.
The Swiss Chapter of the International RegTech Association (IRTA CH) aims to:

fosters an open and innovative RegTech ecosystem across industries in Switzerland and abroad,
promotes the exchange of views and the collaboration between RegTech providers, regulators, industry organizations, science, professional advisors, service providers and consumers and
is open to private persons and legal entities as well as organizations under public law and represents the interests of its members.

 
The post Regtech And Compliance In Switzerland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/regtech-and-compliance-in-switzerland</link><guid>506</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Regtech_Concerns-CB-Insights.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Regtech And Compliance In Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Axel Springer Digital Ventures und Porsche Digital starten mit neuen Accelerator APX</title><description><![CDATA[Der Accelerator von Axel Springer Digital Ventures und Porsche Digital trägt den Namen APX und hat mittlerweile seinen Betrieb aufgenommen. Bereits im März sind die ersten Start-ups in die Räumlichkeiten in Berlin-Kreuzberg eingezogen.
Geschäftsführer von APX sind Jörg Rheinboldt (46) und Henric Hungerhoff (34). Rheinboldt, Alando-Gründer und ehemaliger Ebay Deutschland-Chef und seit Oktober 2013 als Geschäftsführer bei Axel Springer Plug and Play tätig, bleibt dem Accelerator weiterhin als Beirat verbunden.
Hungerhoff ist Rechtsanwalt und Musiker und wechselt aus dem Büro des Vorstandsvorsitzenden der Axel Springer SE, Mathias Döpfner, zu APX.
APX steht als Kürzel für die beiden Partnerunternehmen und ihr gemeinsames Ziel, Start-ups in der Frühphase ihrer Unternehmensgründung zu unterstützen und ihre Entwicklung zu beschleunigen. APX investiert branchen- und industrieübergreifend in digitale Geschäftsmodelle, vor allem aus den Feldern Lifestyle, Mobilität, Reisen, Finanzen- und Versicherungstechnologie, Medien und Gesundheit.
bis zu 100&#8217;000 EUR Finanzierung pro Startup
Start-ups erhalten eine Anschubfinanzierung in Höhe von EUR 25.000 (pre-seed) oder bis zu EUR 100.000, falls sie bereits externes Kapital aufgenommen haben (seed). Ausserdem bietet APX den Unternehmen ein intensives 100-tägiges Programm. In dieser Zeit werden die Gründer durch individuelle Betreuung und durch Workshops und Veranstaltungen systematisch auf weiteres Wachstum vorbereitet.
APX unterstützt die Start-ups bei der Gesellschaftsgründung, der Umsetzung der Marketing- und Finanzplanung, der Produktentwicklung sowie bei weiteren Finanzierungsrunden. APX hilft den Start-ups da rüber hinaus, mit Porsche, Axel Springer oder den mehr als 200 Netzwerkunternehmen gemeinsame Pilotprojekte in Angriff zu nehmen. Nach dem 100-tägigen Programm bietet APX den Portfoliounternehmen die Möglichkeit, Arbeitsplätze und Infrastruktur für weitere drei Monate kostenlos zu nutzen.
Jörg Rheinboldt
Jörg Rheinboldt, Geschäftsführer APX
„Wir investieren mit APX in digitale Geschäftsideen, die das Potenzial haben, Branchen zu verändern. Gründern wollen wir beim Aufbau ihrer Unternehmen nachhaltig helfen, indem wir Abkürzungen bieten, die den unternehmerischen Erfolg beschleunigen.“
 
 
 
Thilo Koslowski
Thilo Koslowski, Geschäftsführer Porsche Digital:
„Unser Ziel ist es, mit APX Start-ups zu finden, die über Industriegrenzen hinaus denken. Wir möchten ihnen die Möglichkeit geben, ihre Ideen zu erproben und mit uns gemeinsam zu verwirklichen.“
 
 
APX baut auf das 2013 gestartete Accelerator-Programm von Axel Springer Plug and Play auf, einem Joint Venture zwischen Axel Springer Digital Ventures und dem Plug and Play Tech Center, auf. Nach Beteiligungen an insgesamt 102 Start-ups wird sich das Axel Springer Plug and Play-Team auf das Wachstum der bestehenden Portfoliounternehmen, Investitionen in Folgerunden sowie die darauffolgenden Exits fokussieren.
Investitionen in neue Unternehmen wird APX tätigen. Geplant sind auch Kooperationen mit anderen Unternehmen und Partnern aus dem APX-Netzwerk, die den Start-ups Zugang zu Expertise und Tools in spezifischen Geschäftsfeldern ermöglichen.
Eine erste Kooperation wurde im Februar mit dem US-amerikanischen Social Media-Unternehmen Snap Inc. vereinbart.
Start-ups können sich unter www.apx.ac fortwährend bewerben – die Aufnahme erfolgt monatlich.
 
The post Axel Springer Digital Ventures und Porsche Digital starten mit neuen Accelerator APX appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/axel-springer-digital-ventures-und-porsche-digital-starten-mit-neuen-accelerator-apx</link><guid>505</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Axel Springer Digital Ventures und Porsche Digital starten mit neuen Accelerator APX</dc:text></item><item><title>Bringing P2P Lending to Mainstream Investors</title><description><![CDATA[Peer-to-peer lending is all the rage in the small-loans sector: for credits that are too small or non-traditional for banks, for borrowers who want to avoid high-interest credit cards and payday lenders.
But the same feature that has made P2P an initial hit – easy arrangement of loans amongst peers – is also limiting its size. While plenty of peers want to borrow, not as many want to lend. The answer, says the aptly-named Lendity, is the option of institution-to-peer.
Institutions are entering peer-to-peer lending
This makes sense. Pensions, mutuals, insurers, hedge funds and private equity have a lot more money than peers. They own some two-thirds of equity markets, and they also dominate the supply of credit. At the same time, institutions are reluctant to take on individual peer loans as such, because these are not broadly diversified and it requires specialised investment as well as risk management expertise.
Bundling loans across several P2P platforms
Lendity Note via Lendity
So here comes the Lendity Note.
“The Lendity Note is a registered security that bundles loans across a diversity of P2P platforms, loan types, grades and maturities,”
says Lendity co-founder Rafael Karamanian.
“It is highly diversified among platforms and loans, producing returns uncorrelated to traditional instruments.”
Fintech makes other economies possible as well. Through big-data analysis, Lendity monitors the stability and performance of P2P platforms and of the loans’ riskiness.
The Zurich-based firm has a strong local focus. Switzerland’s relevant consumer and small and medium (SME) sized-credit market is nearly CHF 300 billion, Karamanian says, with around one-third of all loans being renewed annually.
“Just 2% of that,” he adds, “or CHF 6 billion, would be a fantastic start.”
After graduating from the F10 FinTech Incubator and Accelerator, Lendity entered into a collaboration with Julius Baer, to develop the Lendity Note. This collaboration underscores Julius Baer’s commitment to supporting start-ups and fostering innovation.
 
This article first appeared on Juliusbaer.com
The post Bringing P2P Lending to Mainstream Investors appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bringing-p2p-lending-to-mainstream-investors</link><guid>499</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Lendity-Notes.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Bringing P2P Lending to Mainstream Investors</dc:text></item><item><title>Liechtenstein Has now a House of Blockchain Co-Working Space</title><description><![CDATA[æternity, a blockchain 3.0 platform , announced the launch of Liechtenstein’s House of Blockchain, a co-working space that supports projects developing decentralized applications with guidance and support from industry experts.
Commenting on the launch, æternity Founder Yanislav Malahov said,

Yanislav Malahov
“We are thrilled to officially launch Liechtenstein’s House of Blockchain and sincerely look forward to watching numerous projects come to life under the one roof. Today’s announcement is another important step in our mission to become the enablers of innovation, helping to extend the reach of blockchain technology both in Liechtenstein and on a global stage.”“A blockchain-friendly environment with swift and direct contact with regulators, Liechtenstein is an ideal location for our House of Blockchain and we hope this initiative attracts further blockchain-focused businesses that aim to scale a successful project without being hindered by administration or regulation,”

added Malahov.One of the first projects to move into the House of Blockchain is Chainium, the equity network that allows business owners to sell equity in their business in return for capital from investors.
With a variety of members, the House of Blockchain will be a hub for cross-sectoral collaboration, showcasing blockchain’s far-reaching potential to bring heightened efficiency and transparency to a wide variety of industries.Thomas Nägele, Attorney at Law at NÄGELE Attorneys at Law LLC said,

“The House ofBlockchain is the ideal place for our law firm. We strongly believe that being part of the blockchain ecosystem allows us to interact and understand the specific needs of the community.”

Sascha Ragtschaa, CEO and Co-Founder of Chainium said,

&#8220;We&#8217;re delighted to open our new HQ in the House of Blockchain and work closely with our friends at æternity. Chainium is reinventing the global equity market by building the world&#8217;s first dual blockchain equities network &#8211; directly connecting business owners and investors by cutting out the middlemen. So, working in close proximity with other blockchain businesses, like æternity, is incredibly beneficial.&#8221;

 
Featured image via Pixabay
The post Liechtenstein Has now a House of Blockchain Co-Working Space appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/liechtenstein-has-now-a-house-of-blockchain-co-working-space</link><guid>500</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/aeternity.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Liechtenstein Has now a House of Blockchain Co-Working Space</dc:text></item><item><title>European Countries join Blockchain Partnership</title><description><![CDATA[22 European countries signed this week a Declaration on the establishment of a European Blockchain Partnership. Switzerland is not yet in that list.
The Partnership will be a vehicle for cooperation amongst Member States to exchange experience and expertise in technical and regulatory fields and prepare for the launch of EU-wide blockchain applications across the Digital Single Market for the benefit of the public and private sectors.
This should ensure that Europe continues to play a leading role in the development and roll-out of blockchain technologies.

Blockchain is technology for promoting user trust. It makes it possible to share on-line information, agree on and record transactions in a verifiable, secure and permanent way. The technology is already being successfully tested, mostly in financial services, and will become more operational and integrated into increasing number of digital services, such as regulatory reporting, energy and logistics in the coming years.
Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society, welcomed the signature of the declaration:

Mariya Gabriel
&#8220;In the future, all public services will use blockchain technology. Blockchain is a great opportunity for Europe and Member States to rethink their information systems, to promote user trust and the protection of personal data, to help create new business opportunities and to establish new areas of leadership, benefiting citizens, public services and companies.
The Partnership launched today enables Member States to work together with the European Commission to turn the enormous potential of blockchain technology into better services for citizens&#8221;.
The decentralized and collaborative nature of blockchain and its applications allows exploiting the full scale of the Digital Single Market from the outset. Close cooperation between Member States can help avoiding fragmented approaches and can ensure interoperability and wider deployment of blockchain-based services.
The Partnership will contribute to the creation of an enabling environment, in full compliance with EU laws and with clear governance models that will help services using blockchain flourish across Europe.
The European Commission also launched the EU Blockchain Observatory and Forum in February 2018 and has already invested more than EUR 80 million in projects supporting the use of blockchain in technical and societal areas. Around EUR 300 million more are to be allocated to blockchain by 2020.
List of countries signatories of the Declaration: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, UK.
Other countries, Members of the EU and of the European Economic Area are invited to join the European Blockchain Partnership.
 
This article first appeared on ec.europa.eu
The post European Countries join Blockchain Partnership appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/european-countries-join-blockchain-partnership</link><guid>501</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/blockchain-partnership.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>European Countries join Blockchain Partnership</dc:text></item><item><title>When Innovation Meets Regulatory Compliance</title><description><![CDATA[Can relatively conservative regulatory bodies truly embrace and benefit from advanced technologies?
The truth is that the meeting of high tech and regulatory compliance is inevitable and those who recognize this potential are those who will be leading regulation into the 21st century.
That’s why Innohub is proud to partner with Swisscom and e-Foresight in bringing RegTech 2018 to the Swisscom Arena in Zurich on the 24th of April.

Top Swiss regulatory professionals will be presenting along with demonstrations of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other technology solutions from Switzerland, Israel and the UK, showcasing how technology is improving efficiency and accuracy in regulatory compliance today and in the future.
One of the main challenges for the regulatory community is “mindset”. It is not simple to take an industry based on strict well-defined rules and regulations and demand integration with technologies born of high-risk venture capital and pioneering entrepreneurs. While AI might seem like science fiction to some, the truth is that many cutting-edge technologies have developed to the point where they are now suitable for regulatory and compliance applications.
Regulation may be conservative by nature, but it is important to realize that compliance in today’s world requires innovation.  As a leader in the financial sector, Switzerland is already known as a country that plays by the rules and can be relied upon to preserve well-defined systems and processes.
That precision can be significantly enhanced by embracing innovation and the benefits that it can bring in terms of efficiency, improved compliance and cost savings. This is what makes Zurich an excellent candidate to lead the world in implementation of the latest applications in the worlds of finance, insurance and – of course – regulation.
Swiss “brand recognition” as a trusted partner and confidant in the financial world has been somewhat eroded by international enforcement of transparency laws which basically put most banks in North America and Europe on equal footing. It is now nearly impossible for one bank to have more confidentiality regarding the transactions of its customers than the next.
Switzerland needs to and is in the process of, defining new ways to leverage their expertise and reputation for stability in a volatile world into new sectors. Technologies associated with the financial industry, better known as Fintech, are a great example of how this is happening on the ground.
The unique combination of the world’s highest salaries, lowest unemployment and high standard-of-living causes little urgency for fast-moving innovation. The good news is that this attitude is changing and the awareness is growing. That means the time is right for Swiss companies to proactively harness innovation in order to keep traditional industries such as finance and insurance, competitive in the global marketplace.
Similar to the financial expertise that makes Zurich a hub for Fintech, the encouragement of automation by regulatory bodies and development of non-evasive compliance procedures represents a space where Switzerland can be a world leader in RegTech.  Interestingly,  the regulation of financial institutions is at least one area where FinTech and RegTech enjoy a true win-win relationship.  The Basel III capital requirements, international anti-money laundering laws, anti-tax evasion initiatives and enhanced customer protection rules are costing banks a significant amount of time and money.
Complying with these tougher financial regulations is costly with most of the expenses going to human resources.  As a response, a number of Swiss start-ups have developed solutions to find suspicious customers, detect cyber fraud and check credit histories.  This is a great real-life example of  how technological innovation is enabling better regulatory control while lowering the cost of compliance and its impact on business operations.
Crypto Valley Switzerland
Another interesting meeting point of FinTech and RegTech is crypto currency. The area between Zurich and Zug is the home to many Swiss high tech startups and is currently being promoted as “Crypto Valley” to emphasize the potential for Switzerland to be an important hub in this nascent, fast-growing yet volatile industry. In the short term, many crypto-currency startups set up shop in Zug due to the permissiveness of local regulations. In the long term, however, the ability to stabilize digital currency markets will require regulation.
Innovation is has definitely become more important to Swiss authorities as witnessed by initiatives to incentivize startups, launch incubators and sponsor accelerators. Still, a positive perception of entrepreneurship and innovation in the public eye – especially to young people choosing a career &#8211; can only be realized through changes in the Swiss education system where experts are calling for more entrepreneurship education programs on both the primary and secondary levels.
We may not be there yet, but the positive steps taken to encourage innovation must be expanded and accelerated to keep Swiss companies competitive in the world economy.
Innohub is a global ecosystem of advisors, talent, and funding to deliver innovation for corporate business challenges. Along with our partners, Swisscom and e-Foresight, we are bringing together top Swiss regulatory professionals with key technology leaders from Switzerland, the UK and Israel.  Regulators, compliance officers and technology leaders have been working independently of one another for too long &#8211; now is the time to come together and embrace innovation for the benefit of the entire regulatory compliance ecosystem.
We believe that attending events such as RegTech 2018 spur innovation and bring Switzerland one step closer to claiming its place as a global leader in finance, insurance and regulation entering the 21st century.
 
Featured image via Pixabay
The post When Innovation Meets Regulatory Compliance appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/when-innovation-meets-regulatory-compliance</link><guid>502</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Swiss-Regtech-Conference-2018.png</dc:content ><dc:text>When Innovation Meets Regulatory Compliance</dc:text></item><item><title>Fundraising As A Groundwork For Global Mission Projects And A New Conscious Community</title><description><![CDATA[Kasko2go is an auto insurance application based on cutting-edge technologies which is set to create the community of safe drivers. Token pre-sale is scheduled on April, 19.
Presumably, I will not surprise readers by saying that nowadays everything is about technology. It is woven into basic routine operations as well as in the concept of competitiveness: success in the market is directly proportional to the openness to dialogue with innovations.
The same applies to fundraising. If we take a glance at the startup investment ecosystem — it is a relationship-driven phenomenon rather than a quantitative and true market process.
The number of smartphone users is steadily increasing and is predicted to reach the level of 2.87 billion in 2020. Businesses reshape themselves in line with the life &#8216;on-the go&#8217;, and it goes far beyond automation itself: transformations refer to the philosophy standing behind the organization. Traditionally companies have tailored and broadcasted messages to inform and educate people. Now the vertical approach is upended — content is co-created with the public, so business is no longer the gatekeeper.
Number of smartphone users worldwide from 2014 to 2020 (in billions) via statista.com
Changing the mindset leads to constituents departing from the role of foot soldiers or check writers and turning into active partners. The culture of fundraising can help expand giving levels and donor retention, reinforce trust, consolidate collaboration and engagement, and align program goals and mission with revenue production. Projects with a view to improving social good can use fundraising for building the community with shared awareness and responsibility in addressing a specific problem.
Fundraising as a perspective
As the digital landscape is evolving rapidly it is changing the ways we communicate, work, and fundraise. Thus the traditional wisdom of resource development in the context of long-term sustainability is questioned. Transparency and interactivity in co-creation provide people with access to systems, where this control used to be in the hands of the experts and other gatekeepers.
Fundraising cannot be regarded as a standalone function that creates an organization of solicitors. Being both a highly valued and a mission-aligned component, it nurtures a group of people who believe in the organizational mission and embrace their work in it. The company receives a chance to simplify complex structures and firewalls between the departments. The fundraising culture equates fund development with engagement, where every participant — partners, staff, donors — have wide opportunities to approach the mission in meaningful and authentic ways.
The organizations have to be more open to some kind of fusion, otherwise, they can simply become a thing of the past. New generations want to see companies more democratized and relational, moving away from rigid hierarchy. There has to be an understanding that donors do not give to organizations just because of their work; they do it aspiring to the same goals. Donors give their talent, skills, networks, and time — which is much more valuable capital than bringing money to the table.
In the culture of fundraising, relationship building is the core of long-term sustainability. Fund development operates as a means to community change, where interests of the organization, donors, and the larger community are respected. As a result, an organization moves in the direction of stewardship to have an impact on the global problem beyond the institution. An organization is just a vehicle to have an impact.
Current trends
The ownership mindset and channel focus are successfully falling away with the growing demand in what I would call &#8216;real cooperation&#8217; across silos. The fundraising landscape has changed its face due to the emergence of online channels, growing video content usage, and the application of robust data management. Donors wish to create and adjust their own way of giving. DAFs or Donor Advised Funds, apart from their economic advantage, reflect the transfer to individual ownership in terms of giving decisions.
It is possible to predict fundraising: data analysis can provide one with quantitative information and behavioral science will give one a clear idea of where and why donors give. However, a Fidelity study states that eight out of ten donors are skeptical and have serious concerns about the further destiny of their donations. So being transparent about fundraising will always remain a timeless trend.
 
Fundraising in insurance 
The ideas about connecting technologies and the insurance industry have been floating around quite a while, but little has changed until very recently. The year 2017 was enthusiastically marked by the adoption of the term InsurTech, which led to the emergence of a new source of competitive advantage. The sense of disruptive potential and new revenue streams logically resulted in fundraising growth.
Due to a deficient regulatory atmosphere the insurance industry has been less open to tech innovations than other spheres. While some organizations prefer to stay at the forefront of innovation, the vast majority of companies remain ill-equipped, whether technologically, financially, or in terms of human capital. They are unable to be competitive and they cannot tackle the existing challenges, which is detrimental for the entire industry. Fraud is the most destructive issue. This is why InsurTech startups are of interest, and Kasko2go application can change insurance industry by providing new global standards.
It is past time for insurers to make digital transformation a continuous improvement process, not just a “priority”. The most important hot-button issues for insurance are: capitalizing on connectivity, enhancing customer engagement, accelerating globalization, and re-inventing obsolete business models. The unjustified conservatism of the industry, along with drowning in red-tape, economic unfairness, and being drenched in fraud evoke the necessity for a new insurance community with long-term customer relationships. Here fundraising is the key for building new global standards.
Fundamental steps for fundraising
As currently fundraising is more about the mission than the money, it is essential to raise money to something that really matters. Participation in building the new conscious community means engagement, and if people cannot associate themselves with the organizational goal and feel related — they have no reason or motivation to donate. This means a fundraising letter must be clear, transparent, and specific in explaining the work a company is doing as well as the way donors can make a difference.
Being relationship-centered means that fundraising implies collaboration with certain people, and as a result, with their own package of interests and expectations. Genuine interest in supporters helps with building long-term and meaningful relationships. And it is not just about official reporting (which is crucial) but for future fundraising planning. Speaking about reporting — being ethical and accountable helps donors to see tangible results of their participation.
The fundraising strategy has to be well-managed, as there is a common tendency to drift away from the initial one. Startups are characterized by volatility, and any emergency or change of responsibilities can add variables, distracting from the organizational goals. The fundraising plan must be prioritized above everything else as long as fundraising is the gold mine of opportunities.
 
 
Disclaimer: this is an article written by Kasko2go, Fintechnews does not endorse and is not responsible for or liable for any content, accuracy, quality, advertising, products or other materials on this page. Readers should do their own research before taking any actions related to the company. Fintechnews is not responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in the press release.
Please note this is no investment advice.
The post Fundraising As A Groundwork For Global Mission Projects And A New Conscious Community appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fundraising-as-a-groundwork-for-global-mission-projects-and-a-new-conscious-community</link><guid>503</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Number-of-smartphone-users-worldwide-from-2014-to-2020-in-billions.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Fundraising As A Groundwork For Global Mission Projects And A New Conscious Community</dc:text></item><item><title>Eligma: Disruption by Bringing Cryptocurrencies into Daily Shopping</title><description><![CDATA[Based on blockchain technology and artificial intelligence, the Slovenian project Eligma is set to develop ways to save time and make the purchase decision process easier for contemporary shoppers surrounded by an endless offer supply.
This week, Eligma successfully concluded its presale, with its supporters reaching the softcap. As a team of crypto believers, they decided to take on some of the risks that the current market has brought and locked the Ethereum price at 800 $ for their private and public presale as well as their crowdsale, which starts on April 17.
 Confidence in the future of commerce despite market uncertainty

Dejan Roljič
”We believe that artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies are bringing a lot of good to the world, and we are excited to utilize their advancements for the development of Eligma in the years to come.
Blockchain technology is disruptive by nature. It often encounters resistance as it represents an obstacle to the existing system; it namely brings business transparency and, most importantly, the consumer as an equal partner into the decision-making process. Both blockchain and AI are in their infancy.
This makes us pioneers of the economy of the future. The fruits of our labor will become visible in the years to come, which is why the support of blockchain communities and novelty embracers is crucial at this point. With a clear roadmap for our project, we trust that crypto community members will be our natural early adopters,”
said Dejan Roljič, Founder and CEO of Eligma, who thanked all the early contributors for making them reach the softcap mark in the presale, which ended today.
 Crowdsale to brave the current market conditions
Eligma’s contribution gathering campaign continues. The crowdsale of Eligma tokens starts on April 17. Due to the volatile market conditions, the team announced that they are locking the Ethereum price at 800 $, which is higher than the current market price. With this, they will offset the Ethereum exchange ratio drop that would hurt their early contributors by taking a part of the risk upon themselves.
A global growth on the crossroads of industry, business, the blockchain community and strategic partnerships
In the last two months, Eligma has released several announcements that show the confidence of the team in the product they are developing. Their advisory board is vast and experienced: from Andy Baynes, former Executive at Apple, Nest and Google, Prof. Dr. Herman Eul, former Intel Corporate Vice President, Herman Gyr, founding partner of Enterprise Development Group (EDG), and Peter M. Moricz, co-founder of ChainX, to the latest addition, the crypto advocate and founding partner of the Bitcoin Foundation Charlie Shrem, and many more. Their CEO Dejan Roljič also secured the team the Best Pitch Award on Crypto Summit in Zurich at the end of March.
Following the roadmap: pilot project, beta version and new business connections
The Eligma team presented their testing lab, which is set in the region’s well known BTC City, one of Europe’s largest and most diverse shopping centers – real-life Bitcoin City, where they plan to test their cryptocurrency transaction system, called Elipay, before they make it available globally. The beta version of Elipay is well underway, with a call for the first testers of the system in the upcoming days. Last week, they showcased the working alpha version of some of the AI elements integrated in their platform.
They also just published a team video, with the three co-founders explaining the vision behind Eligma





 
CEO Dejan Roljic says:
“Our crowdsale is just the start of a long journey into the future. The most important task of the Eligma team is to stay focused, follow the roadmap, meet the set objectives, make connections and – based on its extensive blockchain and AI knowledge – create a unique product that will truly be able to offer the consumer all the assets it aims to deliver.”
Building strong foundations
Eligma’s three pillars — AI-driven discovery, blockchain-based inventory and the ELI token-powered loyalty — will allow for a quick discovery of best offers, a safer inventory keeping and a unified loyalty program for all users and retailers on the platform. They are the foundation of the project, which is set to solve the issues faced by the overcrowded ecommerce industry of today.
Eligma’s AI module will take a plethora of product specifications into account to help consumers discover items quickly and efficiently —with a single click. Its discovery feature will be made possible by a large item database with data from online stores worldwide. By combining this data and the preferences set by the consumer, Eligma will be able to constantly personalize the discovery process.
To learn more about the AI-driven blockchain platform that is about to transform online and offline shopping, visit www.eligma.io.
 
Disclaimer: this is an article written by Eligma, Fintechnews does not endorse and is not responsible for or liable for any content, accuracy, quality, advertising, products or other materials on this page. Readers should do their own research before taking any actions related to the company. Fintechnews is not responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in the press release.
Please note this is no investment advice.
The post Eligma: Disruption by Bringing Cryptocurrencies into Daily Shopping appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/eligma-disruption-by-bringing-cryptocurrencies-into-daily-shopping</link><guid>504</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Eligma: Disruption by Bringing Cryptocurrencies into Daily Shopping</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Loanboox Breaks 10 Billion Barrier</title><description><![CDATA[The next milestone for Loanboox: Just 18 months after go-live, a financing volume of more than ten billion Swiss francs has been requested through the independent money and capital market platform for cities, municipalities and institutional lenders. M
easured by the number of inhabitants, the market coverage in terms of municipalities and cities in Switzerland is now close to 60 percent.

Stefan Muehlemann
«We are very proud that we surpassed the 10 billion mark within such a short time. This shows us that there is a lot of demand for an easy, transparent and secure solution in the area of municipal financing»,
explains Stefan Muehlemann, Founder and CEO of Loanboox.
Since go-live in September 2016, Loanboox has grown very fast. After just three months, the first billion mark has been cracked.
«Today, we sometimes even have financing requests of more than 200 million Swiss francs on one single day»,
states Muehlemann.
International success
Those 10 billion Swiss francs are not only requests from Swiss borrowers, but include German cities and municipalities as well. Loanboox started in Germany at the end of 2017.
«The demand on the German market develops very positively»,
says Muehlemann.
«More than 120 borrowers and about 50 lenders already use the platform in Germany. »
Worldwide, Loanboox counts more than 1,000 active users.
 
Featured image via Pixabay
The post Swiss Fintech Loanboox Breaks 10 Billion Barrier appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-loanboox-breaks-10-billion-barrier</link><guid>496</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Loanboox Breaks 10 Billion Barrier</dc:text></item><item><title>Grösste Bankengruppe Österreichs setzt auf Fintech Personal Finance made in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[Contovista ist im Schweizer Banking ein angesehener Name und der Ruf des Fintech-Startups reicht inzwischen über die Schweizer Grenzen hinaus.
So hat die Raiffeisen Bankengruppe in Österreich kürzlich ihr Finanzportal Mein ELBA eingeführt und setzt dabei auch auf Technologie aus Zürich.
Contovista arbeitet seit Jahren erfolgreich mit verschiedenen Bankhäusern bei deren Umsetzung einer Digitalstrategie zusammen. Viele Schweizer Banken vertrauen dabei auf White-Label-Software und Data-Analytics-Lösungen von Contovista. Zusammen mit der Raiffeisen Bankengruppe Österreich bringt Contovista nun sein Knowhow nicht nur erstmals in den internationalen Markt, sondern stellt seine Technologie der größten Bankengruppe Österreichs zur Verfügung.
Raiffeisen Österreich hält einen Marktanteil von rund 40%. Die Bankengruppe verzeichnet schon heute in ihrem Onlinebanking über 1 Million Logins täglich &#8211; die Onlinenutzung wird in den kommenden Jahren noch deutlich zunehmen.

Gian Reto à Porta
“Kundenakquise und Interaktionssteigerung sind wesentliche Aspekte der digitalen Transformation. Eine Software, die erfolgreich ist und vermehrt genutzt wird, soll diesem Erfolg schliesslich standhalten”,
sagt Contovista CEO Gian Reto à Porta,
“Daher ist unsere Architektur so konzipiert, dass das System bei steigenden Datenmengen und Nutzerzahlen problemlos skaliert werden kann.
Wir freuen uns über das Vertrauen seitens Raiffeisen Österreich, da mit Mein ELBA nun nahezu jeder zweite Österreicher sein persönliches Banking auf Basis von Contovista betreiben kann.”
Die gesamte Raiffeisengruppe umfasst 407 selbstständige Raiffeisenbanken und 8 Landesbanken. In die Lancierung des Finanzportals war die gesamte Bankengruppe samt assozierten Tochterunternehmen involviert. Dafür brauchte es eine Technologie, die sich weitgehend unkompliziert in bestehende Systemlandschaften integrieren lässt. Contovista erreicht zudem bei höchster Performance eine hohe Qualität der Datenkategorisierung.
Für Raiffeisen Österreich lieferten die Banking-Experten die sogenannte Enrichment Engine. Mithilfe dieser Engine werden Bezahldaten angereichert und kategorisiert, sodass der Finanzmanager im Finanzportal dem Kunden eine exakte Übersicht über die persönlichen Finanzen bietet.
So werden Ausgaben und Einkünfte automatisch verschiedenen Hauptkategorien wie Wohnen, Mobilität, Hobby &amp; Freizeit, Haushalt &amp; Leben, Versicherungen, und viele weitere sowie entsprechenden Unterkategorien zugewiesen. Die Engine ist selbstlernend, sodass auch der Finanzmanager immer weiter dazulernt und Ein- und Ausnahmen mit der Zeit immer exakter selbständig zuordnen kann.
The post Grösste Bankengruppe Österreichs setzt auf Fintech Personal Finance made in Switzerland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/grosste-bankengruppe-osterreichs-setzt-auf-fintech-personal-finance-made-in-switzerland</link><guid>497</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Gian-Reto-à-Porta-225x300.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Grösste Bankengruppe Österreichs setzt auf Fintech Personal Finance made in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Blockchain Company Foodcoin Ecosystem Starts Partnerships with Food Businesses</title><description><![CDATA[The idea of blockchain has huge potential to be implemented in real life, and one of the most promising areas is food and agriculture. There are a number of blockchain projects related to food, which are launching their own cryptocurrencies, and some of them are striving to attract food businesses and farmers. One of them, FoodCoin Ecosystem, is already collaborating with food producers to optimize the supply chains and offer tools for quality assurance.
FoodCoin Group AG is a blockchain company based in Lucerne, Switzerland, which started in 2017. Their development team is working on developing their own blockchain, which is going to be the base for several tools: the product origin identification system PRORID, the smart contract library Smaco, as well as cryptowallet Wallok and payment processing system DiPay.

In March, FoodCoin has started partnerships with UK Company The Turmeric Co. and German Company ALDIM GmbH. Both of them plan to open their online shops on FoodCoin’s early adopter 1000ecofarms.com, accepting FOOD for payment.

The founder and CEO of The Turmeric Company, Welsh football player Thomas Hal Robson Kanu, cares about the quality of his product and seeks to bring its production to a new level of technology.
“…a big issue within the food industry is food pretending to be something it is not. The system which FoodCoin is implementing will ensure that across the supply chain you can guarantee that whatever produce or supply you are receiving, you know exactly the history of where it has come from.”,
Hal explains.
German company ALDIM GmbH is a producer of canned food. Their products are sold across several countries of Europe, Asia, US, Australia and New Zealand. CEO of Company ALDIM GmbH, Mr. Alexander Schnekenhaus believes that new technologies must always be followed to achieve the best product quality, and blockchain today is the best opportunity for that.
Mr. Alexander Schnekenhaus
 
“[FoodCoin] platform links people, which you do not know personally with so-called “proven-trust”… That is what makes it convenient for us.
The second side is convenient for customers. The customers will know that the producer has passed all the checks and they do not have to bother and just use the product.”
 
The implementation of FoodCoin blockchain is an important step in the popularization of blockchain and revolutionizing the food industry. FoodCoin Ecosystem has experience working with small farmers as well. Russian farmer Yuri Smirnov started using FoodCoin platform to sell honey. In the nearest future, US farmers will also use this feature.
The founder and CEO of FoodCoin Ecosystem, Gregory Arzumanian believes that these tools will be attractive for farmers and food producers, and this successful experience should encourage other companies. Currently, FoodCoin is negotiating with several Swiss agricultural and food companies regarding the integration of their supply chains into the blockchain.
The next step for FoodCoin is to expand its integration with 1000ecofarms. This project is an early adopter of FoodCoin aimed to provide farmers a marketplace where they can find customers and market their products. They are launching a referral program to attract new farmers on this 1000ecofarms platform.
 
Disclaimer: this is an article written by Foodcoin, Fintechnews does not endorse and is not responsible for or liable for any content, accuracy, quality, advertising, products or other materials on this page. Readers should do their own research before taking any actions related to the company. Fintechnews is not responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in the press release.
Please note this is no investment advice.
The post Swiss Blockchain Company Foodcoin Ecosystem Starts Partnerships with Food Businesses appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-blockchain-company-foodcoin-ecosystem-starts-partnerships-with-food-businesses</link><guid>492</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/turmeric-300x300.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Blockchain Company Foodcoin Ecosystem Starts Partnerships with Food Businesses</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Blockchain Project Foodcoin Ecosystem Starts Partnerships with Food Businesses</title><description><![CDATA[The idea of blockchain has huge potential to be implemented in real life, and one of the most promising areas is food and agriculture. There are a number of blockchain projects related to food, which are launching their own cryptocurrencies, and some of them are striving to attract food businesses and farmers. One of them, FoodCoin Ecosystem, is already collaborating with food producers to optimize the supply chains and offer tools for quality assurance.
FoodCoin Group AG is a blockchain company based in Lucerne, Switzerland, which started in 2017. Their development team is working on developing their own blockchain, which is going to be the base for several tools: the product origin identification system PRORID, the smart contract library Smaco, as well as cryptowallet Wallok and payment processing system DiPay.

In March, FoodCoin has started partnerships with UK Company The Turmeric Co. and German Company ALDIM GmbH. Both of them plan to open their online shops on FoodCoin’s early adopter 1000ecofarms.com, accepting FOOD for payment.

The founder and CEO of The Turmeric Company, Welsh football player Thomas Hal Robson Kanu, cares about the quality of his product and seeks to bring its production to a new level of technology.
“…a big issue within the food industry is food pretending to be something it is not. The system which FoodCoin is implementing will ensure that across the supply chain you can guarantee that whatever produce or supply you are receiving, you know exactly the history of where it has come from.”,
Hal explains.
German company ALDIM GmbH is a producer of canned food. Their products are sold across several countries of Europe, Asia, US, Australia and New Zealand. CEO of Company ALDIM GmbH, Mr. Alexander Schnekenhaus believes that new technologies must always be followed to achieve the best product quality, and blockchain today is the best opportunity for that.
Mr. Alexander Schnekenhaus
 
“[FoodCoin] platform links people, which you do not know personally with so-called “proven-trust”… That is what makes it convenient for us.
The second side is convenient for customers. The customers will know that the producer has passed all the checks and they do not have to bother and just use the product.”
 
The implementation of FoodCoin blockchain is an important step in the popularization of blockchain and revolutionizing the food industry. FoodCoin Ecosystem has experience working with small farmers as well. Russian farmer Yuri Smirnov started using FoodCoin platform to sell honey. In the nearest future, US farmers will also use this feature.
The founder and CEO of FoodCoin Ecosystem, Gregory Arzumanian believes that these tools will be attractive for farmers and food producers, and this successful experience should encourage other companies. Currently, FoodCoin is negotiating with several Swiss agricultural and food companies regarding the integration of their supply chains into the blockchain.
The next step for FoodCoin is to expand its integration with 1000ecofarms. This project is an early adopter of FoodCoin aimed to provide farmers a marketplace where they can find customers and market their products. They are launching a referral program to attract new farmers on this 1000ecofarms platform.
 
Disclaimer: this is an article written by Foodcoin, Fintechnews does not endorse and is not responsible for or liable for any content, accuracy, quality, advertising, products or other materials on this page. Readers should do their own research before taking any actions related to the company. Fintechnews is not responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in the press release.
Please note this is no investment advice.
The post Swiss Blockchain Project Foodcoin Ecosystem Starts Partnerships with Food Businesses appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-blockchain-project-foodcoin-ecosystem-starts-partnerships-with-food-businesses</link><guid>493</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/turmeric-300x300.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Blockchain Project Foodcoin Ecosystem Starts Partnerships with Food Businesses</dc:text></item><item><title>Erste Schweizer On-Demand-Versicherung</title><description><![CDATA[Das Schweizer Insurtech Startup LINGS hat im November ein Versicherungsmodell entwickelt, das im digitalen Zeitalter angekommen ist und mit Benutzerfreundlichkeit und Flexibilität punktet. Gegenstände lassen sich mit nur einem Klick versichern, auch für nur einen Tag.
«Uns nervt es, wie kompliziert und unflexibel die meisten Versicherungen sind.»
Diese Gemeinsamkeit trieb vier Versicherungsexperten dazu, das Startup LINGS zu gründen und ein Versicherungsmodell zu lancieren, das Fotobegeisterten das Leben einfacher macht. Nach vier Monaten Entwicklungszeit ist das Produkt seit November 2017 lanciert.
Kundinnen und Kunden können seither ihr Fotoequipment und elektronische Geräte (Smartphone, Tablet, Notebook) gegen Diebstahl, Verlust, Beschädigung und Zerstörung schützen. Ohne Selbstbeteiligung und von A-Z online. Mit einem Klick kann der Versicherungsschutz genau dann aktiviert werden, wenn es Sinn macht.
Neben Flexibilität und Benutzerfreundlichkeit können sich die Nutzerinnen und Nutzer übrigens auch über Sicherheit und Fairness freuen. LINGS ist nämlich ein Startup der Generali Versicherung Schweiz. Falls wider erwarten das Versicherungsmodell nicht funktioniert, sind die Versicherten durch eine der grössten Versicherungsgesellschaften weltweit abgesichert.



Der Fairnessfaktor äussert sich Ende Jahr: Falls nach dem Abzug der fixen administrativen Kosten und der ausbezahlten Schadenfälle Geld übrigbleibt, spendet das Startup den übrig gebliebenen Betrag für einen wohltätigen Zweck. Zusätzlich wird die Versicherungsprämie monatlich dem aktuellen Neuwert der Objekte angepasst. Meistens wird sie also über die Zeit günstiger.
Die vier monatige Testphase im Schweizer Markt hat gezeigt, dass dieses Versicherungsmodel Anklang findet. Die Kunden lieben die Lösung. Aktuell sind weitere Bereiche in Planung, die neben Fotoausrüstung mit dem Versicherungsmodell geschützt werden können. Velobegeisterte können sich freuen, denn bald können auch Bikes genau so flexibel und schnell versichert werden.
LINGS Team
 
The post Erste Schweizer On-Demand-Versicherung appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/erste-schweizer-on-demand-versicherung</link><guid>482</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/LINGS_Team.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Erste Schweizer On-Demand-Versicherung</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Lykke Announces new Capital Raised</title><description><![CDATA[Lykke announces CHF 2M raised from a private investor to develop powerful go-to-market strategies and build a focused product line in the Exchange, Private Wallets, and Payments categories.
The attracted funds will help Lykke grow and scale. According to the Strategy Update, the company will concentrate the resources on developing its core products and providing the premium experience for Lykke users.
The tokens have been sold from the Lykke Corp Treasury reserve, so the total supply of 1,285,690,000 LKK remains unchanged.
Lykke Coins recently lost a lot of value and are traded at 0.07USD only

The post Swiss Lykke Announces new Capital Raised appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-lykke-announces-new-capital-raised</link><guid>483</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/lykke-chart-1024x484.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Lykke Announces new Capital Raised</dc:text></item><item><title>Swisscom verkürzt mit Blockchain Firmengründung auf 3 Stunden</title><description><![CDATA[Blockchain ist aktuell vor allem bekannt als die Technologie, auf deren Basis Kryptowährungen wie der Bitcoin basieren.
Doch Blockchain kann noch viel mehr, sie soll nämlich bislang mühsame und teure Prozesse massiv vereinfachen – und auch vollständig digitalisieren. Zwei davon hat Swisscom im Rahmen der «digitalswitzerland challenge» unter Beweis gestellt.
Das digitale Handelsregister
Zusammen mit dem Handelsregisteramt Zug gelang es, die Gründung einer AG von bislang zwei bis drei Wochen auf gerademal noch drei Stunden zu reduzieren. Statt sich mit Intermediären zu befassen, genügt ein einziger digitaler Vertrag – ein sogenannter «Smart Contract». Oder anders gesagt: Firmengründung per Mausklick. Eine Hürde gibt es dabei aber noch: Aktuell setzt das Gesetz für die Gründung einer AG eine analoge Unterschrift voraus. Um die einzuholen, arbeitet das Handelsregisteramt mit den regionalen Velokurierdiensten zusammen.
Das Aktenarchiv des Handelsregisteramts Zug im März 2018. Nicht zuletzt aufgrund der verlangten Papiere von Aktionären, Banken und Notaren dauert eine Firmengründung in der Schweiz bis zu drei Wochen. Foto: KEYSTONE/Christian Beutler
Die elektronische Aktie
In einem zweiten Projekt hat sich Swisscom zum Ziel gesetzt, die Ausgabe von Aktien auch für kleine und mittlere Unternehmen, die nicht börsenkotiert sind, massiv zu vereinfachen. Heute ist dieser Prozess langwierig und mühsam – was gerade KMU oft davon abhält, neue Investoren an Bord zu holen.
Das wiederum wirkt sich auf das Wachstum und die Innovation aus – beides Faktoren, die sich am Ende auf die Anzahl der Arbeitsplätze auswirken. Kurz: Eine Lösung kann hier viel bewirken – und sie ist gefunden. Gemeinsam mit MME entwickelte Swisscom eine elektronische Aktie, die sogenannte C-Share. Sie wird als Wertrecht resp. digitaler Token – ein unveränderbarer digitaler Schlüssel – direkt vom Unternehmen erstellt.
KMU ist es so möglich, via Internet neue Investoren an ihrem Unternehmen zu beteiligen. Einfach, schnell, günstig. Swisscom ist von der entwickelten Lösung derart überzeugt, dass sie mit der daura AG kurzerhand ein Gemeinschaftsunternehmen mit einem Partner des Beratungsunternehmens MME gründete, dass noch dieses Jahr eine digitale Aktienmaschine anbieten wird.
Die Firmengründung der daura AG erfolgte übrigens noch auf analogem Weg – denn im Bereich des Handelsregisters braucht es im Gegensatz zur digitalen Aktie zuerst noch die nötigen gesetzlichen Voraussetzungen.
 
 
The post Swisscom verkürzt mit Blockchain Firmengründung auf 3 Stunden appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swisscom-verkurzt-mit-blockchain-firmengrundung-auf-3-stunden</link><guid>484</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Das-Aktenarchiv-des-Handelsregisteramts-Zug-im-März-2018.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swisscom verkürzt mit Blockchain Firmengründung auf 3 Stunden</dc:text></item><item><title>Using Blockchain to Register a Swiss Company</title><description><![CDATA[In a bid to win the digitalSwitzerland challenge, Proxeus joined forces with small group of highly innovative partners to do something never done before – legally register a company from start to finish in record time using digitized workflows and smart contracts.
Answering the digitalSwitzerland challenge, blockchain innovators Proxeus, along with partners Canton Zug, the home of Switzerland’s Crypto Valley; Grunder Rechtsanwälte; IBM Switzerland; Kaiser Odermatt &amp; Partner; Swisscom; VermögensZentrum; and Zwicky Windlin &amp; Partner proved that the entire process for registering a Swiss startup in the commercial register can be completed in a fraction of the previous time required.
This speed record-setting achievement is a Swiss – and likely world’s – first, and was done by means of combining a digital workflow and Hyperledger Blockchain with the existing IT systems of the bank and the commercial registry.
“From our perspective as Swiss notaries, the process will speed-up the registration from a pushcart to a rocket, facilitate the drafting of legal documents and it will consolidate the various parties in a most effective way.”
Philippe J.A. Kaiser, Partner at Kaiser Odermatt &amp; Partner, Diego Benz, Partner at Zwicky Windlin &amp; Partner, and Rahel Merenda Partner at Grunder Rechtsanwälte.
Bringing Switzerland to the top 10
The competition that the partners are aiming to win comes from the digitalSwitzerland challenge, a joint initiative from leading Swiss businesses that is driving digitization efforts across the country. The problem they identified was that out of the WEF ranking of 138 countries’ efficiency and speed in starting a business, Switzerland ranked 54th and 56th in time and number of steps respectively.
This performance is primarily due to the number of involved parties, and the large volume of paper documents that need to be exchanged.

Ulrich Schimpel
“Defending the competitive advantage of Switzerland heavily depends on its power to innovate and build up its startup ecosystem,”
says Ulrich Schimpel, CTO Europe Team &amp; IBM Research, Cognitive Industry Solutions.
“It’s a matter of tomorrow’s success in eliminating any unnecessary complexity for our budding entrepreneurs. Our business ecosystem is rapidly evolving through open dialogue and collaboration among business partners and government entities – an ideal territory for embracing a digital transformation, which includes advancing and applying blockchain technology.
This a major reason why IBM has decided to play a key role in this challenge. In the big scheme of things, reducing the complexity and duration of all administrative interactions throughout the entire corporate life-cycle has the potential to strengthen Switzerland’s position as a world-leading business location.”
 

Antoine Verdon
“We joined this challenge because it offered a perfect proof of concept for Proxeus,”
said Antoine Verdon, cofounder of Proxeus.
“The existing system was slow and inefficient. We have proposed a solution that allowed us to radically speed up the registration process by creating a parallel blockchain track, while still producing all the paperwork necessary to document and formally incorporate the company.”
By shifting the entire registration process encompassing the entrepreneur, lawyer, bank, notary and commercial register to a digital workflow and Hyperledger blockchain and a utilizing smart contract, the key steps can be processed instantly, drastically reducing the time it takes to verify the multiple steps of registry.
The bank will state that the capital money has indeed been paid; the notary will confirm that the necessary documents have been provided, read over, and approved; and the commercial register does the final check that everything is lawful. If all of the conditions are met, then the filing, which up until that point will have been provisional, will be officially registered with the Commercial Register and Official Gazette of Commerce.
Thomas Fischer, Chief Credit Officer at VermögensZentrum said about the achievement.
“Due to the new technology, our business benefits from substantial efficiency gains which result in lower costs for our customers.”
 
What this means for the future
While reducing the time to register a business is an important first step down the path of digitizing all multi-partner processes throughout the full corporate lifecycle by means of blockchain, the most interesting impact stands to be the knock-on effects of shifting to smart contracts. While the current application is a simple smart contract – have the conditions been met to register a business – future iterations could be far more complex, including things like share restrictions, partnership agreements, powers of attorney, and more.
“This is what Proxeus has been working towards,”
said Verdon.
“What we demonstrated today is that without any legislative change, traditional paper-driven, highly iterative processes can be transferred to the blockchain securely and effectively, increasing efficiency and dramatically lowering costs. But incorporating a company is only the first step: by tokenizing company shares and connecting them with crypto-identities, we will be able to automate entire areas of corporate law and financing.”
 
The bigger ICO picture
The Proxeus team analyzed 477 successful ICOs that took place from March 21, 2016 to March 27, 2018. The ICOs were divided into product &amp; feature categories, such as “Data Storage,” “Payments,” etc. By comparing each to the functionality of the Proxeus platform, these categories analyzed to see if Proxeus could fully, or partially, be used to cover generic use cases in each category.
This data was then calculated for each projects in all categories, revealing that 68% of the analyzed blockchain-based projects could be partially or fully replicated directly on the Proxeus platform, and direct analogues of 39% of the analyzed projected could be fully replicated using XES token.
 
Article first appeared on proxeus.com
The post Using Blockchain to Register a Swiss Company appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/using-blockchain-to-register-a-swiss-company</link><guid>485</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Using Blockchain to Register a Swiss Company</dc:text></item><item><title>6 Bitcoin And Blockchain Startups You Have To Know in Austria</title><description><![CDATA[ 
In Austria, the city of Graz has become the epicenter of the blockchain ecosystem.
The establishment of BlockchainHub Graz in 2017, the launch of the associated Blockchain Startup Contest in early 2016, and the introduction of the country’s first blockchain cooperative lab10 collective last year, further demonstrated the rapid development of the Austrian blockchain scene.
The city of Vienna too has been actively supporting blockchain solutions, community and research, in particular the Open Government Data Initiative (OGD) on blockchain.
The Blockchain Landscape Austria infographic by EnliteAI and CryptoRobby provides an overview of the Austrian blockchain scene:

As the Austrian blockchain startup scene gets more and more crowded, here are six cryptocurrency and blockchain company names in Austria to know:
6 Bitcoin and Blockhain Startups in Austria
Coinfinity
Founded in 2014, Coinfinity is a Bitcoin and cryptocurrency startup based in Graz, Austria. Coinfinity creates products and solutions around Bitcoin and operates Austria’s first Bitcoin ATM devices.
With Bitcoinbon, Coinfinity provides a way to quickly and securely purchase Bitcoin in more than 4,000 retail outlets throughout Austria. Coinfinity also offers consulting services and helps merchants accept Bitcoin payments.
 
Blocklancer
Based in Innsbruck, Blocklancer is a Distributed Autonomous Job Marketplace (DAJ) on the Ethereum blockchain. The startup aims to provide a completely self-regulatory platform for finding jobs and getting projects done efficiently and fairly. This is being done by minimizing fees and introducing a decentralized tribunal system to guarantee every dispute case is settled fairly.
Blocklancer wants to become the biggest player in the freelancing market.
 
Bitpanda
Based in Vienna, Bitpanda is a startup that specializes in selling and buying Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies including Ethereum, Dash, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash and Ripple.
The company was founded in October 2014 after a development phase in coordination with the local authorities. Bitpanda offer a fully automated platform: as soon as payment is confirmed, the cryptocurrencies are automatically sent to the buyers.
 
Riddle&amp;Code
Founded in 2016, Riddle&amp;Code is a blockchain interface company that specializes in the Internet of Things (IoT) sector.
The Viennese startup offers both software and hardware and serves institutions, companies, and individuals for applications in the areas of machine identity, product provenance, online fraud, identity theft and more peculiar problems like cyber insurance, cyber risk assessment, token investment systems, supply chains, etc.
 
Coin Factory
Coin Factory is cryptocurrency mining startup. The company has data centers in Austria and offers customers different Cloud Mining and Hosted Mining Packages based on special mining hardware with first-class computing power. Coin Factory supports Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Litecoin, Litecoin Cash and Dash mining.
Cloud Mining Packages offer guaranteed computing power and can be rented to up to 48 months. Customers get access to a personal dashboard with display of all relevant information. The mining yield is displayed daily in the dashboard in the respective mined coin.
 
Blockpit
Blockpit provides online tracking of cryptocurrency trading on all popular exchanges, mining and staking income. It offers a real-time portfolio overview and automation of complicated calculations including realized and unrealized profits that can be exported and used to ease the effort for tax returns. The platform combines all trades, wallets, mining rewards and other incomes into one dashboard.
Blockpit focuses on improving the accessibility for the everyday user and investor in cryptocurrencies, ICOs and other blockchain-related products.
The post 6 Bitcoin And Blockchain Startups You Have To Know in Austria appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/6-bitcoin-and-blockchain-startups-you-have-to-know-in-austria</link><guid>486</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Blockchain_Landscape_Austria.png</dc:content ><dc:text>6 Bitcoin And Blockchain Startups You Have To Know in Austria</dc:text></item><item><title>Bank Frick ermöglicht Direktinvestments in Kryptowährungen</title><description><![CDATA[Professionelle Marktteilnehmer und Finanzintermediäre können seit anfang März auch bei der  Liechtensteinischen Bank Frick in die fünf führenden Kryptowährungen Bitcoin (BTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Litecoin (LTC), Ripple (XRP) und Ether (ETH) investieren.
Der Kauf von Kryptowerten kann gegen Euro, US-Dollar und Schweizer Franken abgewickelt werden. Der Handel findet einmal täglich statt.

 
Sicherer Schutz gegen Hacker und Diebe
Bank Frick bietet besonders hohen Schutz gegen den Verlust oder Diebstahl von Kryptoassets. Bei Bank Frick werden Kryptowährungen in sogenannten Cold-Storage-Wallets gehalten. Cold-Storage-Wallets sind physisch vom Internet getrennt und können deshalb nicht von aussen gehackt werden. Die Wallets und ihre Sicherungskopien werden georedundant sicher aufbewahrt.
 
Genauso strenge Regularien wie im klassischen Banking
Bei Investments in Kryptowährungen legt Bank Frick dieselben strengen gesetzlichen Massstäbe an wie bei klassischen Finanztransaktionen. Bank Frick ist eine nach liechtensteinischem und europäischem (EU-/EWR-)Recht voll regulierte Bank. Nur vollständig identifizierte und geprüfte Kunden erhalten die Möglichkeit, Investitionen in Kryptowährungen zu tätigen. Die Feststellung der Herkunft der Gelder ist ebenfalls Gegenstand dieses Prüfungs- und Identifikationsprozesses.
 
Europäische Topadresse für Kryptogeschäftsmodelle

Hubert Büchel
«Unsere Dienstleistungen werden von Unternehmen aus ganz Europa stark nachgefragt. Denn die Unternehmen wissen, dass wir sie zuverlässig dabei unterstützen, ihre Geschäftsmodelle mit Kryptowährungs- und Blockchainbezug im Einklang mit bestehenden europäischen Regularien umzusetzen»,
erklärt Chief Client Officer Hubert Büchel.
«Unser Ziel ist es, das Kryptobanking mindestens auf das Qualitätsniveau des klassischen Bankings zu bringen.»
 
Attraktives Produkt für Finanzintermediäre, das Mehrwert bietet
«Mit unserem neuen Angebot können sich Finanzintermediäre wie Vermögensverwalter und Treuhänder erfolgreich im Markt differenzieren und ihren Kunden einen Mehrwert bieten»,
unterstreicht Chief Client Officer Hubert Büchel.
«Intermediäre und deren Kunden können mit diesen Direktkäufen sehr einfach ein neues, spannendes Universum kennenlernen, diversifiziert und ohne Korrelation zu anderen Anlageklassen darin investieren. Anlagen in Kryptowährungen sind hoch spekulativ, weshalb nur eine geringe Beimischung im Portfolio ratsam ist.»
Unter dem Schirm ihrer zukunftsorientierten Digitalstrategie hat Bank Frick bereits im September 2017 als erste Bank im CHF-Raum ein Cryptocurrency-Basket-Tracker-Zertifikat, basierend auf Bitcoin und Ether aufgelegt.
 
Lesen Sie auch: 
Swiss Innovation: Schweizer Finanzprodukte auf Bitcoin und Co

The post Bank Frick ermöglicht Direktinvestments in Kryptowährungen appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bank-frick-ermoglicht-direktinvestments-in-kryptowahrungen</link><guid>487</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/bitcoincash.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Bank Frick ermöglicht Direktinvestments in Kryptowährungen</dc:text></item><item><title>Real Estate Meets Blockchain</title><description><![CDATA[Blockchain, the technology underlying cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, has entered many industries including real estate where it promises increased efficiency and transparency.
A blockchain is a digitized, distributed ledger that immutably records and shares information. By recording and combining transactions into a decentralized, secured ledger system, it creates a “chain” of chronological data that no one party can control or alter. The value of blockchain lies in the system’s ability to authenticate and track transactions in real time without the need of a third party.
In the real estate business, blockchain technology has been used for multiple applications.
 
Online real estate marketplace
Blockchain technology introduces a new way to trade real estate, enabling faster, more efficient and cost-efficient transactions. By tokenizing properties, these are turned into liquid assets and can be traded easily much like stocks on an exchange. Blockchain also allows for fractional ownership, enabling multiple investors to acquire a property and lowering the barriers to real estate investing.
For instance, ATLANT is developing a platform that uses blockchain technology to facilitate real estate and rental property transactions. ATLANT allows sellers to tokenize assets, essentially handling it like a stock sale, and liquidating that asset through a token sale using the platform. The collected tokens can be exchanged for conventional currency, with buyers owning a percentage stake of the property.
100Mio CHF Swiss ICO
Meanwhile, Swiss startup Crypto Real Estate is looking to put real estate assets onto the blockchain to bring transparency, data integrity and cost efficiency to real estate asset management and transaction.
The company is building a platform that will be powered by the so-called SwissRealCoin (SRC), a token backed by a portfolio of Swiss commercial property as well as other collateral including the firm’s technology platform. SRC is meant as a low-volatility and high-security token.
SwissRealCoin &#8211; How it works
Crypto Real Estate said it will not charge any management fees, taking its profits from the actual property management instead. The startups is looking to raise up to CHF 100 million in an initial coin offering (ICO) set to begin in the coming months.
 
Property management and land registry
Real estate property transfers can be registered on a blockchain, enabling auditability for external stakeholders and lowering bureaucracy times and costs. Blockchain can also be used to record land titles and facilitate connection between public administrations and private stakeholders for information and data sharing.
When a transaction is recorded on a blockchain, the identity of the seller and buyer, the unique identifier of the asset and the time stamp associated with the transaction are guaranteed and cannot be modified. In this particular scenario, blockchain allows to dramatically cut the traditionally lengthy process of recording and transferring titles, with the added benefit of full transparency.
The UK government has recently announced plans to move the country’s land registry to blockchain by 2022, under a project named Digital Street. Sweden, Ukraine, Dubai and the Republic of Georgia are all reportedly trialing blockchain.
Blockchain can also be used to help landlords and property managers manage their property portfolio much more easily. For instance, Smart Tenancy Contract is online software that uses a system of smart contracts to enable quicker reconciling cashflow transactions for rent payments and property expenses all the while providing full transparency and control for overseeing and approving property expenses.
Smart Tenancy Contract
In the system, a smart contract replaces the traditional tenancy agreement between a landlord and tenant. The smart contract features the key attributes of the tenancy such as property details, tenant details, rent amount and payment frequency. It is digitally signed by both parties and published on a blockchain. The smart contract can be programmed to automatically debit the tenant’s account every month to pay rent.
 
Featured image via Wikimedia.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/real-estate-meets-blockchain</link><guid>488</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/SwissRealCoin-1.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Real Estate Meets Blockchain</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Startup Map, April 2018, 10 new Swiss Fintech Startups</title><description><![CDATA[Swisscom released the Swiss Fintech Startup Map for April 2018 which now counts 224 Swiss Fintech Startups. 10 new Swiss Fintech Startups are in the map:

 
Here are 10 new Swiss Fintech Startups entries:
Imburse AG
IMburse has built an elegant transaction platform that allows any company to collect AND pay out money in ANY market, ANY currency and through ANY payment technology. Our main industry partners are form insurance, banking, rewards, loyalty, gaming and e-commerce.
 
 
BACE Exchange
BACE provides a fiat market and the simplest and most direct access to the best digital currency pairs available on the market.
 
 
 
CCBA &#8211; CryptoCurrency &amp; Blockchain Assets AG

Access to Digital Assets. We focus on your digital assets, you do not even need any wallet. Wealth Management incl. risk monitoring, wallet storage, constant &amp; active rebalancing, access to non-public tokens.
 
 
Digital Identity
Digital Identity SA is a swiss company with headquarters in Chiasso in Ticino, in southern Switzerland. In the recent year the rise of blockchain technology opened new opportunities in many sectors, including Fintech and Crypto currencies. Digital Identity has interests in companies that are developing leading crypto coin wallets, decentralized exchanges, consulting companies and other investments.
 
FeatherCoin

Feathercoin is a global payment network &amp; cryptocurrency independent of any central bank or institution. We are open source.
 
 
 
Pintail

Pintail aim to provide affordable, highly secure and convenient mobile financial services.
 
 
 
Procivis AG
PROCIVIS is a Swiss based start-up offering digital identity solutions and e-government applications and services. Founded in October 2016 by a team of experts in blockchain technology, e-government infrastructure, investment banking as well as by influential academicians, the company aims to spearhead the transition to e-governance in Switzerland and abroad.
 
TEND
TEND is a blockchain company that creates a new investment world driven by passion, purpose and meaning. It&#8217;s for all forward-thinking, like-minded people who desire to invest their money more purposefully.
 
 
 
Innoveo
Innoveo AG operates as an InsurTech Cloud software provider. Founded in 2007, Innoveo AG has offices in Zürich, Hong Kong and Budapest and services some of the world&#8217;s largest insurance companies with its product Innoveo Skye®.
 
 
Yes.com
Ohne einen neuen Account anlegen zu müssen, können sich Nutzer mit YES auf Basis ihres Online-Banking-Logins bei Drittanbietern anmelden, bezahlen oder Verträge abschließen. YES ist Für BANKEN. YES funktioniert out-of-the-box mit jeder Bank. Eine Integration ist nicht notwendig.
The post Swiss Fintech Startup Map, April 2018, 10 new Swiss Fintech Startups appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-startup-map-april-2018-10-new-swiss-fintech-startups</link><guid>489</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Swiss-Fintech-Map-April-2018.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Startup Map, April 2018, 10 new Swiss Fintech Startups</dc:text></item><item><title>Wealthtech In Switzerland: A short Overview</title><description><![CDATA[Overview of Wealthtech in Switzerland
Wealthtech, a sub-category of fintech which involves creating digital solutions to transform the investment and asset management industry, is thriving.
In 2016, wealthtech companies raised a record of US$796 million through 98 deals, according to CB Insights, and the sector is set to further grow in the years to come with digital wealth management sector expected to be worth some US$16 trillion by 2025, according to the Financial Times.
Wealthtech companies leverage cutting edge technologies including artificial intelligence (AI) and big data, to offer financial advice. Arguably, the most popular wealthtech product that’s been extensively talked about in recent years is robo-advisors (B2B and B2C), or digital platforms that provide automated, algorithm-driven financial planning services with little to no human supervision.
But wealthtech covers a much broader spectrum, ranging from micro-investment and robo-retirement platforms, to digital brokers and various investment tools for research, product comparison, and more.
Wealthtech In Switzerland
With a share of approximately 25% of global assets managed on a cross-border basis, amounting to US$10,000 billion, Switzerland is the global market leader in the wealth management business. The financial center manages around twice as many assets as its UK or Singapore counterparts, and three times as many as in Hong Kong, according to figures provided by the Association of Swiss Asset and Wealth Management Banks.
Given Switzerland’s world leading position in wealth management, it comes with little surprise to see that wealthtech is the most crowded segment of the Swiss fintech industry with 61 ventures. Wealthtech is followed by crowdfunding with 46 companies, cryptocurrency with 30 companies, and payments with 21 companies, according to Swisscom’s latest Swiss Fintech Startup Map.
Swiss Fintech Startup Map &#8211; March 2018, by Swisscom
Unsurprisingly, Swiss banks have been at the forefront of digitalization of wealth management. UBS launched its Smartwealth robo-advisor two years ago, Glarner Kantonalbank has been operating its Investomat platform since 2015, and Credit Suisse is reportedly working on its very own platform and recently acquired a 10% stake in Singapore-based Canopy, an account aggregation and analytics platform for financial institutions, wealth management profession and high net worth individuals. Canopy is said to be eyeing an expansion into the Swiss market.
Besides the banks, several startups have been set up in the past years to offer wealth management services, serving either commercial or retail clients, or in several cases both. One of the oldest platforms is True Wealth, which founded the first robo-advisor startup in Switzerland back in 2013. Meetinvest is another notable one that was established in 2014. The Meetinvest platform combines a social media platform with an investor toolkit. The company also provides a B2B2C investment platform for the wealth management industry.
Geneva-based InvestGlass was founded in 2014 and offers a white-labeled, client and prospect management platform for bankers and wealth managers.
Swiss Wealthtech meets Regtech
Evolute Zurich offices, via Evolute
One of the newest players is Evolute Group, a firm that offers an integrated platform for independent wealth managers and banks. The platform covers the entire wealth management and aims to be a one-stop-shop for asset managers. It is composed of numerous features like advisor tools, interaction, compliance, customer relationship management, portfolio solutions, documents management and interfacing.
Evolute Group is the result of a merger between with regtech startup SwissComply and fintech startup Evolute last year. The firm aims to crack the wealthtech market with specialized knowledge through its regulatory and compliance arm.
Earlier this years, the co-founder of derivatives boutique Leonteq Michael Hartweg took over as chairman of Evolute Group. Hartweg co-founded Evolute two years ago after leaving Leonteq in 2015.
 
 
The post Wealthtech In Switzerland: A short Overview appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/wealthtech-in-switzerland-a-short-overview</link><guid>490</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Swiss-Fintech-Startup-Map-March-2018-1024x576.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Wealthtech In Switzerland: A short Overview</dc:text></item><item><title>Schroders Launches Global in-Residence Programme for Tech Start-ups</title><description><![CDATA[Schroders announced he launch of its global in-residence programme for tech start-ups.
The Cobalt programme has been designed to help financial services-focused start-ups collaborate with Schroders to support their development.
Schroders is specifically targeting tech companies which have progressed beyond the conceptual or early-growth stage that offer solutions relevant to investment management.
Selected firms will benefit from direct access to appropriate business divisions within Schroders, resources and potential investment. Applications are now open for the Cobalt programme.
Peter Harrison, Group Chief Executive at Schroders, commented:

Peter Harrison
“Innovation is part of Schroders’ DNA. It has enabled us to evolve and grow our business for more than 200 years.
“The Cobalt programme demonstrates that we are a natural home for fintech start-ups and gives us direct access to a pipeline of innovators enabling us to harness tomorrow’s technology to better tackle today’s investment and industry challenges.”
 
The start-ups will be assessed against criteria which will look to ensure they are closely aligned with Schroders’ business priorities and culture, as well as identify innovative solutions which will deliver tangible benefits within 12 months.
A bespoke arrangement will be agreed between Schroders and participating start-ups, which will base themselves within Schroders, detailing the length and respective terms of the collaboration.
Graham Kellen, Chief Digital Officer, Schroders, commented:

Graham Kellen
“By collaborating with ground-breaking tech start-ups we can tackle legacy technology issues with problem-solving innovation for the benefit of our clients and our own productivity.
“In turn, the start-ups we choose to work with will also profit from our industry expertise and resources to fast-track their development. The Cobalt programme is our answer to how best to collaborate with tech start-ups.”
 
 
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schroders-launches-global-in-residence-programme-for-tech-start-ups</link><guid>491</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Schroders Launches Global in-Residence Programme for Tech Start-ups</dc:text></item><item><title>Entwicklung einer elektronischen Identität für Personen ohne anerkannte Ausweispapiere</title><description><![CDATA[Das Schweizer E-Government-Unternehmen Procivis und das NGO «Rohingya Project» haben ihre Zusammenarbeit zur Förderung der finanziellen und sozialen Integration der weltweit 3,5 Millionen Rohingya bekanntgegeben.

Procivis stellt im Rahmen der Partnerschaft seine eID+-Plattform zur Verfügung und kombiniert diese mit dem vom Rohingya Project entwickelten Verifizierungsprozess, um die staatenlose Rohingya-Bevölkerung mit einer vertrauenswürdigen, persönlichen Identität auszustatten.
Als Angehörige eines staatenlosen Volkes sind geschätzte 3,5 Millionen Rohingya in verschiedenen Teilen der Welt Ausgrenzung und Verfolgung ausgesetzt.
Da sie keine offiziellen Ausweispapiere besitzen, ist es für diese Menschen oft unmöglich, Zugang zu Behördendienstleistungen zu erhalten und sich in die Gesellschaft einzugliedern. Kern des Problems ist das Fehlen einer anerkannten Identität, die für den Zugang zu Finanz- und öffentlichen Dienstleistungen benötigt wird.
Um die Identität von Angehörigen der Rohingya zu überprüfen, hat das Rohingya Project einen einzigartigen und verlässlichen, fünfstufigen Identifikationsprozess entwickelt.
Im Rahmen der heute bekanntgegebenen Zusammenarbeit wird dieser Prozess in die von Procivis lancierte eID+-Plattform integriert, um so eine vertrauenswürdige, elektronische Identitätslösung für die Rohingya-Bevölkerung zu schaffen.
Für Procivis stellt die Partnerschaft mit dem Rohingya Project die erste Non-Profit-Initiative dar, mit der das Unternehmen seine Vision eines universellen Zugangs zu einer sicheren, digitalen Identität vorantreibt.
Das Rohingya Project arbeitet bereits an einer digitalen Finanzplattform, um der Rohingya-Gemeinschaft den Zugang zu Finanzdienstleistungen zu ermöglichen. Zudem bietet das Projekt berufliche Kurse an, um den Einstieg ins Erwerbsleben zu unterstützen und organisiert Workshops sowie gesellschaftliche Anlässe. Der elektronische Identitätsnachweis, den das Rohingya Project gemeinsam mit Procivis entwickelt, wird als Zugang für die meisten dieser Dienstleistungen dienen.
Procivis-Gründer und CEO Daniel Gasteiger sagt:

Daniel Gasteiger
“Es freut uns sehr zu sehen, wie unsere Technologie dabei helfen kann, einige der dringenden Probleme der Rohingya zu lösen. Ich habe grosse Achtung vor dem, was das Rohingya Project leistet.
Mit dem Einsatz unserer Lösung in diesem Kontext sammeln wir wichtige Erfahrungen in der Umsetzung von elektronischen Identitätslösungen für Bevölkerungen, die nicht auf eine vertrauenswürdige, staatliche Identität zählen können.»
 
Muhammad Noor, Mitgründer und Managing Director des Rohingya Project sagt:

Muhammad Noor
«Als Rohingya weiss ich aus eigener Erfahrung was es heisst, einer staatenlosen Gemeinschaft anzugehören. Für unser Volk ist eine sichere, digitale Identität nicht einfach eine Annehmlichkeit, sondern eine dringende Notwendigkeit.
Hätte es eine solche Identität bereits gegeben, als die Rohingya 1982 staatenlos wurden, so blieben unserer Gemeinschaft viele der heutigen Widrigkeiten erspart. Wir freuen uns sehr, dass Procivis unser Anliegen mit seiner Technologie unterstützt und mit uns zusammenarbeitet, um unsere Erfahrungen mit anderen humanitären Missionen zu teilen.»
 
The post Entwicklung einer elektronischen Identität für Personen ohne anerkannte Ausweispapiere appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/entwicklung-einer-elektronischen-identitat-fur-personen-ohne-anerkannte-ausweispapiere</link><guid>472</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/rohinya-project-278x300.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Entwicklung einer elektronischen Identität für Personen ohne anerkannte Ausweispapiere</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Innovation: Schweizer Finanzprodukte auf Bitcoin und Co</title><description><![CDATA[Machen Banken sich zu wenig Gedanken um Anlageoptionen bei Bitcoin?
Kunden fühlen sich bei Kryptowährungen von ihren Banken nicht ausreichend beraten, stellten Bilanz Autoren Erik Nolmans und Stefan Lüscher in der Februar Ausgabe des Bilanz Magazin fest.
Sie folgern, dies liege einerseits daran, dass viele Banken der rasanten technische Entwicklung hinterherhinken, andererseits sei es aber auch so, dass Privatanleger überzogene Vorstellungen vom schnellen Erfolg mit digitalen Währungen haben.
Die Schlagzeilen und vor allem Berichte in der Boulevardpresse zeigen gern junge Menschen, die Millionen gewannen nachdem sie frühzeitig auf Bitcoin setzten. Wer sich an diesen Berichten orientiert übersieht, dass Erfolgsstories gerne erzählt werden, während Verluste eher stillschweigend abgeschrieben werden.
Der Neid der Privatanleger, die bislang zögerten Kryptowährungen ernst zu nehmen, ist schnell geweckt, schildern die Autoren. Viele Anleger würden sich nun fragen: Wieso verpassen wir das?
Der Hype um Bitcoin und prominente Digitalwährungen steigt mit deren Kurs. Je höher die Kurse von Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, und Litecoin klettern, desto grösser die Bereitschaft der Anleger, noch auf den fahrenden Zug aufzuspringen, so die Bilanz.
Privatanleger, die seit der Finanzkrise nur zögerlich investiert haben, hoffen nun mit cleveren Krypto-Investments aufzuholen.
Doch an wen können sich Anleger wenden wenn es an Wissen und Erfahrung im Umgang mit Bitcoin und Co. fehlt, sie aber auch vermeiden wollen, von Falschinformationen in die Irre geführt zu werden?
Die meisten Banken jedenfalls scheinen nicht ausreichend darauf vorbereitet zu sein, diesem Kundenwunsch entgegen zu kommen.
Einige Banken wie UBS raten Kunden schlichtweg davon ab, in Bitcoin zu investieren, schreiben die Autoren. Credit Suisse und Raiffeisen seien auch eher zurückhaltend.
Es sei erstaunlich, dass Banken sich so langsam an die neue Realität angepasst haben, erklärte Arthur Vayloyan, CEO der Finanzdienstleister Bitcoin Schweiz der Bilanz.
 
Neue Anlage-Produkte auf Crypto-Currencies
Dabei erzielen diejenigen die sich Mühe geben gute Erfolge.
Swissquote  ist eines von wenigen Geldhäusern in der Schweiz die seit Mitte 2017 den Handel mit Bitcoin anbieten. Später kamen 5 weitere Digitalwährungen hinzu die einzeln gehandelt werden. Das Angebot wurde extrem gut angenommen. Mehrere tausend Anträge auf Kontoeröffnungen zählte Swissquote-Chef Marc Bürki laut  einer Aussage gegen der Bilanz.
Kryptowährungen haben ein hohes Risikopotenzial und stellen genau deswegen für viele Investoren noch immer eine Hürde dar.
Ganz neu wird darum im Zusammenarbeit mit Leonteq gar ein diversifiziertes Crypto Zertifikat angeboten. Das Produkt bietet gemäss Swissquote eine optimale Balance zwischen den vier meist gehandelten Kryptowährungen:Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Litecoin (LTC). Gehandelt wird das Produkt (Trading Symbol: SQCRTQ) an der Strukturierte Produkte Börse wo das Zertifikat in Zusammenarbeit mit Leonteq emittiert wurde. Somit kann das Produkt über jede Bank gekauft werden und nicht nur via Swissquote.
Dies können auch die kürzlich von Leonteq emittierten Einzel-Zertifikate auf die verschiedenen Crypto Währungen ETH , BCH und Litecoin.
Nach der erfolgreichen Einführung von Bitcoin-Zertifikaten und der erstmaligen Lancierung eines Short Tracker Zertifkates auf Bitcoin im Jahr 2017, bietet Leonteq somit erstmals einzelne Tracker Zertifikate auf Ether (ETH), Bitcoin Cash (BCH) und Litecoin (LTC) an. Gemessen an der Marktkapitalisierung gehören diese zu den fünf grössten Kryptowährungen.
Source: Coinmarketcap
Solche Lösungen stellt eine wichtige Alternative zu einer Direktinvestition in Kryptowährungen dar, da die Tracker Zertifikate den Investoren erlauben, an der Kursentwicklung von Ether, Bitcoin Cash und Litecoin zu partizipieren, ohne diese Kryptowährungen kaufen und digital speichern zu müssen. Investoren brauchen also weder Zugang zu unregulierten Börsenplätzen, noch sind sie mit intransparenten Abrechnungsprozessen konfrontiert.
Die Produkte werden an der Schweizer Börse gehandelt und werden sowohl in Schweizer Franken als auch in USD angeboten. Die Laufzeit ist auf 2 Jahre beschränkt, was absolut Sinn macht, da solche Coins keine Langfrist-Investments sind.



Bitcoin Cash
CHF
CHF 68.04
21.02.2020
BCHCTQ
37270391


Litecoin
CHF
CHF 12.20
21.02.2020
LTCCTQ
37270388


Ether
CHF
CHF 39.40
21.02.2020
ETHCTQ
37270385



 
Dies dürfte bei Schweizer Investoren gut ankommen und öffnet auch die Türen für Institutionelle Anleger, welche kaum direkt via eine Wallet Crypto Währungen kaufen dürfen.
Award für Bitcoin Zertifikat
Ebenfalls Rückwind bekommt Leonteq von den Swiss Derivative Awards die Ende März stattfanden. Eine Jury kürte dort  das Tracker-Zertifikat Short  auf Bitcoin von Leonteq zu einem der Sieger. Mit diesem Produkt wurde erstmals die Möglichkeit, auf fallende Bitcoin-Preis zu setzen, und zwar Wochen bevor Futures an den amerikanischen Börsen eingeführt wurden. Die Jury meinte dazu «Eine echte Innovation im Bereich der Kryptowährungen.»
Von mangenlende Innovation wie die Autoren der Bilanz schreiben, kann also keine Rede sein. Die folgende Tabelle zeigt einen Überblick (Stand Ende 2017) welche Schweizer Finanzprodukte für Privatanleger angeboten werden. So bietet auch die Bank Vontobel oder die Corner Bank Bitcoin Zertifikate and oder man kann diese auch via unregulierte CFDs kaufen, bspw. via IG Bank.
Quelle; Fintech Studie Hochschule Luzern
 
Bockchain und Crypto Private Banking
Die Zürcher Falcon ist eine weitere Ausnahme: Sie schaffte es letztes Jahr, das weltweit erste an eine Blockchain gekoppelte Private Banking Produkt anzubieten.
Laut der Bank brachte dies einige Neukunden, vor allem bei einer neuen Zielgruppe schlug das Angebot an: technikaffine Millennials, die sich für Kryptos interessieren, die aber auch nicht auf die Sicherheit des traditionellen Banksystems verzichten wollen.
Ähnliche Angebote sind seit Ende Februar auch von der Liechtensteinischen Bank Frick im Angebot. Allerdings auch hier nur für profesionelle Anleger.
Im 2018 hat sich im «Crypto» Land Schweiz also schon viel getan und im internatiolen Vergeich ist die Schweiz mit diesen innovation Angeboten von Swissquote, Leonteq, Falcon und Co. gar führend.
Wir folgern darum, dass die Bilanz-Autoren im Grunde Recht haben, aber für informierte Anleger stehen mittlerweile eine Fülle von Produkten im Angebot, die es erlauben Crypto Währungen bequem via das Online Banking zu kaufen ohne kompliziert eine Wallet bei ausländischen Anbietern wie Coinbase zu eröffnen.
 
Featured image via Pexels
The post Swiss Innovation: Schweizer Finanzprodukte auf Bitcoin und Co appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-innovation-schweizer-finanzprodukte-auf-bitcoin-und-co</link><guid>473</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/crypto.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Innovation: Schweizer Finanzprodukte auf Bitcoin und Co</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Regulator Meets With Crypto Industry To Clarify ICO Guidelines</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) is holding a series of roundtable discussions across Switzerland to present and clarify its recently released ICO guidelines. The regulator said the purpose is to provide first-hand information to market participants interested in conducting ICOs in the country, and facilitate a direct exchange between stakeholders and FINMA.
Among other topics, FINMA will present its assessment of ICOs under the guidelines, the categorization of tokens, and how ICOs are potentially impacted by financial market regulation.
Two first roundtables were held on March 14 in Zug and March 21 in Geneva. The last roundtable will take place in Lugano on April 10 at the USI University. These are being organized in cooperation with the non-profit industry association Crypto Valley Association.
Switzerland has been pushing for fintech innovation with FINMA playing a key role in the country’s journey into becoming a global fintech leader. The regulator has been introducing new rulings favorable to financial innovation and fintech development, amending the Swiss Federal Banking Ordinance in 2017 to ease the regulatory framework for providers of fintech products, launching a regulatory sandbox for startups to test innovative products, and offering a tailor-made fintech license.
ICO Switzerland Guidelines
As ICOs started becoming a world phenomenon last year, FINMA began investigating the practice and issued a first guidance in September 2017, stating that while it didn’t specifically regulate ICOs, depending on how an ICO was structured, some parts of the procedure might be covered by existing regulations.
FINMA also said it was investigating several ICOs and cryptocurrency projects for possible breaches of Swiss law.
The ICO guidelines published last month are intended to complement the 2017 release and set out how the regulator is looking to treat enquiries from ICO organizers.
In assessing ICOs, FINMA said it will focus on the economic function and purpose of the tokens issued. The key factors taken into consideration are the underlying purpose of the tokens and whether they are already tradable or transferable.
FINMA categorizes tokens into three types, but hybrid forms are also possible:
Payment tokens: These are intended to be used as a means of payment for acquiring good or services or as a means of money or value transfer. Payment tokens give rise to no claims on the issuer. For payment ICOs, FINMA will require compliance with anti-money laundering regulations (AMLA).
Utility tokens: These provide access digitally to an application or service by means of a blockchain-based infrastructure at the point of issue. If a utility token functions solely or partially as an investment in economic terms, FINMA will treat such tokens as securities in the same way as asset tokens.
Asset tokens: These represent assets such as debt, equity or other claim on the issuer, whether that’s a share in future company earnings or capital flows. Asset tokens are analogous to equities, bonds or derivatives, and are regarded as securities. This means that there are securities law requirements for trading in such tokens, as well as civil law requirements.
FINMA Roundtable on ICOs Presentation, March 2018
The Blockchain/ICO working group was established earlier this year by the State Secretariat for International Financial Matters (SIF) to review the legal framework and identify any potential need for action.
The work is being carried out in a steering committee consisting of the head of the SIF State Secretariat, Jörg Gasser, the director of the Federal Office of Justice (FOJ), Martin Dumermuth, and FINMA’s Branson. The committee will work closely with the sector and will report to the Federal Council by the end of the year.
In a recent interview with Swissinfo.ch, Gasser noted the need for appropriate regulation in order for the blockchain and broader fintech industry to thrive in Switzerland.
“If we put the right framework conditions into place, we will be able in the long term to attract innovative companies, which will create jobs and pay taxes,” Gasser said.
“Our goal is to ensure that Switzerland keeps a competitive edge in blockchain technologies in general without compromising the integrity of the Swiss financial sector.”
The post Swiss Regulator Meets With Crypto Industry To Clarify ICO Guidelines appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-regulator-meets-with-crypto-industry-to-clarify-ico-guidelines</link><guid>474</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/FINMA-roundtable-ICO-876x1024.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Regulator Meets With Crypto Industry To Clarify ICO Guidelines</dc:text></item><item><title>Iuvo, an Estonian Peer-to-Peer Lending Platform, Reaches €10M in Investments</title><description><![CDATA[The Estonian peer-to-peer lending platform iuvo reached a significant milestone – over 10M EUR invested by investors from more than 80 countries from around the world.
For the last year and a half, the platform is growing steadily with an average monthly growth rate of 34% of the invested funds.
The statistics show that the interest in the peer-to-peer lending industry is growing at a rapid pace across Europe. The most interest iuvo indicates from countries such as Germany, United Kingdom, Spain, and Austria, which means that the industry is getting more and more pan-European and we hope to see more investors across Europe to join the peer-to-peer lending hype.
At the beginning of March, iuvo became part of European Crowdfunding Network. Iuvo stands and works very hard to establish a transparent and trustworthy marketplace, providing the best investing service possible.
We are honored to be part of ECN, and we believe that the partnership will help us achieve our goals to help investors across Europe to have more control over their finances and gain high returns from their savings. ECN stands for promoting crowdfunding as a viable offering of job creation, social innovation and boost to entrepreneurship to the European public, policymakers and stakeholders.
The team behind iuvo expects 2018 to be an essential year for the company with many new features and offerings to the clients. The primary goal of the company is to diversify the loan portfolio by adding new loan originators and new loan products to the marketplace. Also, in the pipeline for the year stand numerous improvements and new features that aim to make the customer experience on the platform as effortless and pleasant as possible.
We are carefully selecting the base of our business offering. Each loan originator that we partner with goes through thorough checks and monitoring before being allowed on the platform. From our perspective, it’s extremely important to properly manage the transparency and risk exposure of our investors.

Ivaylo Ivanov
“We are also developing our user interface and customer support to answer to the specific needs of the different markets we operate in.
All in all, iuvo is growing strongly with double-digit percentages each month, and we are working to keep this trend going.Our clients can expect to see new investment opportunities soon.
Both short and long-term ones. We are also working on many user experience improvements that will make the marketplace more comfortable to use both manually and through the auto-invest features.
New functions and exciting partnerships are also coming later in the year. Such that can potentially launch our company even further to the top of the peer-to-peer lending business area, but I can’t say more at this point.”,
comments Ivaylo Ivanov, CEO of the company.
Along with the new loan originators and market features, iuvo is aiming to attract more and more investors not only from Europe but from around the world, creating a truly international market place and creating profit opportunities for investors all across the globe. For 2018 South East Asia is where the company will focus more marketing and business efforts to attract local investors.
The post Iuvo, an Estonian Peer-to-Peer Lending Platform, Reaches €10M in Investments appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/iuvo-an-estonian-peer-to-peer-lending-platform-reaches-10m-in-investments</link><guid>475</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/ECN.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Iuvo, an Estonian Peer-to-Peer Lending Platform, Reaches €10M in Investments</dc:text></item><item><title>Der Gang der Finanzindustrie in die Cloud: Die Frage ist nicht ob, sondern wie</title><description><![CDATA[Applikationsvielfalt, Legacy, Compliance. Man sollte meinen, die Cloud sei für die Finanzindustrie unter diesen Voraussetzungen nicht geeignet.
Doch mit der Cloud wird auch einiges an Innovation möglich, was ohne undenkbar wäre. Zwei Ingredienzen sind nötig: die richtige Cloudumgebung und das richtige Onboarding.
Eine typische Schweizer Retailbank setzt rund 70 verschiedene Applikationen ein &#8211; End-User-Software nicht eingerechnet. Betrieb und Wartung dieser integrierten Anwendungslandschaft verschlingt viel Zeit und Geld. Doch Investitionen in Innovation sind angesichts des rasanten Wandels hin zu mehr Digital‐Banking‐Services ein Muss und erfordern ein völlig neues Niveau an Flexibilität.
Zwei Treiber stehen dabei im Vordergrund: Reduktion von Kosten und Erhöhung der Agilität. Unter Berücksichtigung der regulatorischen Vorgaben, denen der Schweizer Finanzsektor unterliegt, und des beträchtlichen Anteils an Legacy‐Systemen, die in vielen Finanzinstituten historisch gewachsen sind, kommt für den Einsatz von Cloud-Computing nur das hybride Modell in Frage.
image via inventx.ch
Und zwar ein Hybridmodell, das das Beste aus drei Welten zusammenführt: On‐Premise‐IT genauso wie Services aus der Private‐ und der Public‐Cloud. So findet jede Anwendung ihre optimale Cloud-Umgebung, je nachdem wie hoch die Anforderungen an Performance, Skalierbarkeit, Kosten, Sicherheit und Kontrolle jeweils gewichtet werden.
Der Entscheid darüber wird in erster Instanz durch die zugrundeliegende Business- und Digitalisierungsstrategie des Finanzdienstleisters definiert.
 
Was wird mit der Cloud möglich, was ohne sie nicht denkbar wäre?
Time‐to‐market:
Entwicklungs‐ und Testumgebungen für neue Applikationen können dank der Hybrid-Cloud quasi auf Knopfdruck aufgesetzt werden. Developer‐Portale stellen in Sekundenschnelle integrierte Tool‐Baukästen bereit und liefern die Infrastruktur für die Entwicklung neuer Lösungen. So funktionieren Fintechs. Aber auch Banken können so rascher ihre Prozesse an der Front in der Interaktion mit den Kunden oder im Middle‐ und Backoffice optimieren.
Innovation:
Digitale Services revolutionieren die Art und Weise, wie Kunden und Bank interagieren. Neue Anwendungen punkten durch hohen Self‐Service‐Komfort, Personalisierung und flexible Abrechnungsmodelle. Roboadvisory oder Chatbots und die darunterliegenden Big‐Data‐ oder Artificial‐Intelligence‐Lösungen werden häufig bereits als Software-as-a-Service und damit cloudbasiert bereitgestellt.
Die Hybrid-Cloud ermöglicht damit die rasche Implementierung, Integration und den schnellen unternehmensweiten Rollout von innovativen Applikationen.
Agilität:
Die Businessanforderungen wandeln sich rasant. Die hausinterne IT-Infrastruktur kann die nötigen skalierbaren Kapazitäten nicht annähernd so dynamisch bereitstellen wie es die Hybrid-Cloud vermag. Kommt hinzu: Analytics‐Lösungen werden erst durch riesige Datenmengen wertvoll, was mit den limitierten Ressourcen im eigenen Rechenzentrum kaum zu machen ist.
Zudem ist der Bedarf teilweise nur temporär vorhanden. Banken, die in Bezug auf die Hybrid-Cloud untätig bleiben, verlieren rasch den Anschluss an wesentliche Treiber der Digitalisierung.
Compliance bei geringeren Kosten:
Die Swiss Financial Cloud von Inventx garantiert Datenhaltung in einem georedundanten und zertifizierten Rechenzentrumsverbund in der Schweiz. Finanzdienstleister und Fintechs profitieren gleichsam von den auf der Inventx-Cloud etablierten Sicherheits- und Compliance-Standards und können sich auf ihr Kerngeschäft konzentrieren.
Kommt hinzu, dass die Integration von Fintech-Anwendungen in die bestehende Anwendungslandschaft einer Bank damit massiv vereinfacht wird, was allen Parteien erhebliche Kosten einspart und das Go-to-market merklich beschleunigt.
 
Aber wie kommt ein Finanzdienstleister überhaupt in die Cloud?
Es gibt typische praxiserprobte Use Cases, wie die Hybrid-Cloud erfolgreich genutzt werden kann. Alle Adoptionsszenarien können je nach Cloud-Reife der Organisation schrittweise umgesetzt werden, was die Komplexität des Vorhabens drastisch reduziert. Die Nutzung von Hybrid-Cloud verändert nicht nur den IT-Servicekatalog, sondern auch das Betriebsmodell der IT und somit die Dimensionen Skills, Führung und Kultur.
Finanzinstitute, die sich für den Gang in die Inventx-Cloud entscheiden, durchlaufen einen erprobten, strukturierten «Onboarding»‐Prozess. Dreh- und Angelpunkt bilden die Cloud-Strategie und das bestehende und geplante Applikations‐Ökosystem, das einer profunden Analyse unterzogen wird. Auf Basis dieser Analyse werden die Architektur und das Cloud-Service-Portfolio abgeleitet; dann wird die Hybrid-Cloud unter Berücksichtigung der Vorgaben an Security &amp; Compliance umgesetzt sowie das dazugehörende Cloud-Operating-Modell (COM) etabliert.
Cloud kann also schrittweise adaptiert werden, bedeutet aber immer umfassende Veränderungen. Ein breit abgestütztes Cloud-Projekt ist definitiv kein IT-Projekt, sondern gehört auf die Agenda jeder Geschäftsleitung.
 
Featured image via Pixabay
The post Der Gang der Finanzindustrie in die Cloud: Die Frage ist nicht ob, sondern wie appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/der-gang-der-finanzindustrie-in-die-cloud-die-frage-ist-nicht-ob-sondern-wie</link><guid>476</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/hybrid-cloud-300x172.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Der Gang der Finanzindustrie in die Cloud: Die Frage ist nicht ob, sondern wie</dc:text></item><item><title>PriceHubble übernimmt Deutsches Proptech und expandiert damit in den Deutschen Markt</title><description><![CDATA[PriceHubble, das Schweizer Immobilien Big Data Start-up, gegründet 2016, mit dem Ziel die Bewertung von Immobilien dank modernster Machine Learning Ansätze zu revolutionieren, übernimmt per sofort 100 Prozent der deutschen YouVal GmbH, Betreiberin der Webseite immolyze.de.
PriceHubble, Finalistin des Swiss Fintech Awards 2018, beschleunigt damit den Ausbau seiner Geschäftstätigkeit weiter und ist damit neben dem Heimatmarkt Schweiz mit Frankreich und jetzt Deutschland in zwei weiteren europäischen Märkten operativ.
Das Hamburger Startup YouVal GmbH ist wie PriceHubble auf die Entwicklung von digitalen Immobilienbewertungslösungen spezialisiert und firmiert neu als PriceHubble Deutschland GmbH.
Das Zürcher Start-up Unternehmen PriceHubble fokussiert sich seit Gründung 2016 auf digitale, datenbasierte Produkte und Services rund um Immobilien, wie z.B. flächendeckende Online-Immobilienbewertungen, digitale visualisierte Portfolioauswertungen, und setzt stark auf die Analyse grosser Datenpools («big data») mittels modernster Machine Learning Methodik.
Das schnell wachsende Start-up ist knapp zwei Jahre nach Gründung aktuell mit über 20 Mitarbeitern an den Standorten Paris und Zürich operativ am Markt. Mit der gerade vollzogenen, hundertprozentigen Akquisition der YouVal GmbH hat PriceHubble das operative Geschäft der Gesellschaft übernommen und ist damit jetzt auch mit dem Standort Hamburg auf dem deutschen Markt präsent.
Durch die Übernahme der YouVal GmbH wird der Markteintritt von PriceHubble durch den Zusammenschluss aus Daten, Algorithmen und Team in Deutschland beschleunigt.

Markus Stadler
«Deutschland ist der grösste Immobilienmarkt Europas und steht noch am Anfang datenbasierter Digitalisierungslösungen. Wir sehen hier enormes Potenzial für PriceHubble»,
so Markus Stadler, CEO und Mitgründer von PriceHubble.
 
 
Stefan A. Heitmann
 
«Wir möchten PriceHubble zum global führenden Anbieter modernster digitaler Datenlösungen für die Immoblienwirtschaft machen»
ergänzt Dr. Stefan Heitmann, Gründer und Chairman von PriceHubble, den jüngsten Expansionsschritt.
 
Die Bewertungsprodukte &amp; Dienstleistungen der YouVal GmbH werden in die PriceHubble Technologie und Plattform integriert und entlang der gesamten Immobilienwertschöpfungskette analog dem jetzigen PriceHubble Angebot stark ausgebaut.
Die Produktlösungen werden sich damit perspektivisch auch in Deutschland an B2B2C Kunden (Immobilienportale, Makler, Banken, Finanzintermediäre etc.) ebenso richten wie an Immobilien Asset Manager, institutionelle Investoren und Immobilienbewirtschafter.

Nima Mehrasfhan
«PriceHubble und Immolyze verbindet dieselbe Vision und PriceHubble hat diese bereits sehr erfolgreich in zwei Märkten umgesetzt.
Für Immolyze/YouVal ergibt sich so die einmalige Chance, Teil eines global ausgerichteten Daten- Technologieunternehmens zu werden»
 
erläutert Dr. Nima Mehrasfhan, Mitgründer und Geschäftsführer der YouVal GmbH und jetzt Deutschland Geschäftsführer von PriceHubble, die Hintergründe des Verkaufs an PriceHubble.
Über den Kaufpreis der Transaktion wurde Stillschweigen vereinbart. Alle Mitarbeitenden und Kunden der YouVal werden von PriceHubble übernommen und die neue Gesellschaft wird als hundertprozentige Tochergesellschaft unter der neuen Firmierung PriceHubble Deutschland GmbH aus Hamburg heraus weitergeführt.
 
Featured image via pexels
The post PriceHubble übernimmt Deutsches Proptech und expandiert damit in den Deutschen Markt appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/pricehubble-ubernimmt-deutsches-proptech-und-expandiert-damit-in-den-deutschen-markt</link><guid>477</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>PriceHubble übernimmt Deutsches Proptech und expandiert damit in den Deutschen Markt</dc:text></item><item><title>ICO and Cyber Security</title><description><![CDATA[The era of cryptocurrencies has brought new threats from hackers.
Rapid development of the cryptocurrency market and the ICO market is accompanied by new ways of cyber attacks on user data. But unfortunately, many of the modern cyber security systems offer limited solutions.
Before the information about the new identified threat reaches all devices and antivirus databases are updated, it will take a long time while users&#8217; computers will be threatened.
Data Protection
Regular data protection technologies are updated to identify existing security threats. But they are not aimed at eliminating problems that may occur in the future. Modern cyber security systems must keep pace with the evolving cyber attack methods and be flexible enough so that their solutions can cope with new threats.
The LevelNet network became the first system which found a solution. Underlying LevelNet is a collective approach to cyber security, combining all available means of protecting information. LevelNet allows users to exchange data about identified cyber threats among themselves in real time.
This ensures the dynamism of the system, so users can instantly receive updates and be protected from cyber threats in real-time, without waiting for a solution from a particular antivirus system, regardless of the software used.
In this context, all users will share the available information protection tools and help each other improve the security of everyone. In addition to rapid updating of the virus database, LevelNet will regularly search for new solutions to effectively prevent future security threats.
Specialists of the LevelNet team are always ready to help the users solve their problems and provide constant support. LevelNet opens new prospects for effective information systems protection, as well as generates new business models that can change the current model of developing and promoting antivirus software.
We will be holding an ICO in the near future and invite everyone to join our community!
 
Disclaimer: this is an article written by LevelNet. Fintechnews does not endorse and is not responsible for or liable for any content, accuracy, quality, advertising, products or other materials on this page. Readers should do their own research before taking any actions related to the company. Fintechnews is not responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in the press release.
Please note this is no investment advice.
The post ICO and Cyber Security appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ico-and-cyber-security</link><guid>478</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>ICO and Cyber Security</dc:text></item><item><title>IoT Is Just A Technology. Unlock the Value Proposition for Connected Insurance</title><description><![CDATA[A few years ago, insurers were busy trying to figure out what IoT was and what it could do. But spotlighting the technology, all too often led to products and services with little customer appeal.
The lesson was clear – put customers front and center and develop services that build an exceptional experience around a device. To put it simply, the value is not in the technology itself, but in the service proposition that the technology enables.
 
Making the most of today’s technology, today
There are steps insurers can take to improve their connected relationships but it may involve dialing down the charge into new technologies and instead focusing on what functionalities already exist.

Yair Smith
AmTrust Financial Services’ VP of Strategic Development, Yair Smith.  Yair Smith suggests,
“Everyone is mobile. But the mobile people have adopted penetrates deeply in some elements of their life but not others.
Lots of people are Facebooking and emailing but how many are digital insuring? As an insurer you have to use the elements they are already used to.
Do you make the customer adopt yet another app or work with them through channels they have already adopted? Once you get them to buy into what you’re doing, then perhaps you can shift them little by little,”
 
CEO of Generali Vitality GmbH, Simon Guest agrees, speaking from personal experience:

Simon Guest
“I’m a big user of technology and the last place I’d expect my technology to come from is my insurance company. With children in their late teens who want to drive my car, I want them to be able to do it with the technology that I already have.
It’s the role of insurers to use the technology available and adapt services to it. How they go about doing that is the challenge.”
 
Gemma Watson, Theme Lead for AR / VR / MR, Drones and IoT, XL Catlin gives the commercial clients’ perspective:

Gemma Watson
“Insurance companies are not seen as technology consultants so the link is not an obvious one and there is a definite lack of trust around  sharing data.
Consumers need to be assured that the vast amount of new data coming from IoT devices is secure, especially given the rising prominence of cyber risk.”
 
 
To get more details on what it takes to develop a winning value proposition for connected insurance,
download the whitepaper “IoT Is Just A Technology!: Unlock The Value Proposition For Connected Insurance” now.
Connected Insurance Summit Europe
Yair Smith, Simon Guest and Gemma  Watson are are some of the Insurance Trailblazers, Executive Leaders and IoT Partners who will take the Stage at the Connected Insurance Summit Europe on the June 11-12 in London.
Over 2-days, join 300 of your peers to debate the future of connected insurance. Discover the new products and services that are delivering experiences worth paying for, and delve into the business case for developing a value proposition around connected technologies.
With focused workshops on the future of auto, home, health/life and commercial, plus a full 2-days of strategy and innovation sessions, you will leave with a roadmap for connected insurance that is ripe and ready for speedy implementation.
For more information, visit here: http://events.insurancenexus.com/connectedeurope/
 
The post IoT Is Just A Technology. Unlock the Value Proposition for Connected Insurance appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/iot-is-just-a-technology-unlock-the-value-proposition-for-connected-insurance</link><guid>479</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>IoT Is Just A Technology. Unlock the Value Proposition for Connected Insurance</dc:text></item><item><title>Eine Säule-3a-Lösung, die man mit gutem Gewissen empfehlen kann</title><description><![CDATA[Nach etwas mehr als zwei Monaten am Markt verzeichnet das Start-up-Unternehmen VIAC bereits über 2.200 begeisterte Kunden und insgesamt über 17 Millionen Schweizer Franken verwaltetes Vorsorgevermögen.
Sparen in der Säule 3a ist langweilig, kostspielig und unflexibel. Die Lösungen sind alles andere als kundenfreundlich. Das Start-up VIAC will dies von Grund auf ändern. Sein Erfolgsrezept: Anstelle von hohen Gebühren und zeitaufwendigen Strukturen bekommt der Kunde das komplette Produkt per App auf sein Smartphone – und das Ganze zu konkurrenzlos günstigen Tarifen.
 
Bestehende Vorsorgelösungen waren nicht zufriedenstellend


Die Idee für das Geschäftsmodell hatte Daniel Peter (30), einer der drei VIAC-Jungunternehmer, vor rund zweieinhalb Jahren. Umso mehr er sich mit den juristischen Grundlagen der Vorsorge auseinandersetzte, umso klarer wurde, wie im Vorsorgebereich ein System aussehen sollte, welches den Eröffnungsprozess und das Portfoliomanagement viel effizienter gestaltet, als dies traditionelle Banksysteme zulassen.
Er tat sich mit seinem früheren Arbeitskollegen Christian Mathis (31) zusammen, mit dem er bei einer Luzerner Privatbank gearbeitet hatte. Ebenfalls mit ins Boot stieg Jonas Gusset (30), der Daniel Peter aus seiner Zeit an der Universität Basel kannte, an welcher Jonas Gusset dann auch noch in Finanzmarktwissenschaften doktoriert hat.
Alle drei Gründer waren vor der Start-up-Gründung beruflich erfolgreich unterwegs. Sie haben eine gute Ausbildung und hatten einen vielversprechenden Job als Kundenberater oder Analyst in der Finanzbranche. Dabei lernten sie das Banken-Handwerk von der Pike auf, konnten viel Wissen aufbauen – auch solches zum aktiven Fondsmanagement.
Abbonieren Sie das Commerzbank Magazin hier
Dieses fanden sie zunehmend unbefriedigend, da man dabei dem Kunden »Wellbeing« zu hohen Kosten verkauft, statt eine ansprechende Rendite zu gewährleisten. Wenn sich also an der Performance nicht viel ändern lässt, dann aber sicherlich an den Gebühren, denn Gebühren sind ja bekanntlich ein Renditefresser, so ihre Idee.
 
Unterwegs mit der Mission, das System zu verändern

Die drei haben sich daraufhin zum Ziel gesetzt, die flexibelste und kostengünstigste Wertschriften-Lösung im Bereich der 3. Säule auf den Markt zu bringen. VIAC sollte eine Vorsorgelösung werden, die man dem besten Freund mit gutem Gewissen weiterempfehlen kann. Also genau jene Lösung, welche die Jungunternehmer zu diesem Zeitpunkt auf dem Vorsorgemarkt vermisst hatten.
In einer stillgelegten Schreinerei haben die drei ihr eigenes Büro eingerichtet und damit begonnen, das System bis ins kleinste Detail zu konzipieren, welches eine höchst kosteneffiziente Vorsorge ermöglichen soll. Mit einem klaren Konzept stellte es sich dann jedoch als äusserst schwierig heraus, einen Bankpartner zu finden, welcher bereit war, gemeinsam eine kostengünstige Säule 3a zu lancieren – »Kannibalisierung« war das grosse Thema.
Ein Jahr dauerte es, bis der geeignete Bankenpartner gefunden war: Mit den Pluspunkten Einfachheit, Transparenz und niedrigen Kosten sind die drei VIAC-Gründer an die WIR Bank herangetreten und dort auf Zuspruch gestossen. Gemeinsam wurde die komplett digitale VIAC-Vorsorgelösung entwickelt, welche das Wertschriftensparen in der Säule 3a umkrempelt.
 
Hürden abschaffen, eine wirklich einfache Lösung – für alle!


Das Ziel von VIAC war es, eine Vorsorgelösung zu schaffen, die so einfach ist, dass sie jeder versteht, mit der man bereits ab einem Schweizer Franken in tausende Aktien investiert sein kann, und das Ganze konkurrenzlos günstig. Das System benötigt dank des Selfservice-Modells keinen teuren Vertriebsapparat, der Kunde soll und kann seine Vorsorge selbst in die Hand nehmen und in weniger als acht Minuten bequem von zu Hause aus eröffnen.
Umgesetzt werden die 15 Basisstrategien mittels kostengünstiger Indexfonds und ETFs. In der 3a-Lösung von VIAC kann der Aktienanteil im Baustein-Prinzip bis zu 97 Prozent gewählt werden. VIAC ist so kostengünstig, dass sogar das private Investieren bei Onlinebrokern in der Schweiz teurer ist; mal ganz abgesehen von den Steuervorteilen, die die 3. Säule mit sich bringt.
 
VIAC entwickelt sich weiter

Mit dem Release 2.0 (Anfang Mai 2018) wird der Kunde die Möglichkeit haben, auf Indexebene seine eigene Strategie zusammenzustellen. Zudem wird es auch möglich sein, bis zu fünf Portfolios zu eröffnen, welche dann im Alter gestaffelt bezogen werden können. So dauert es keine zehn Sekunden, eine zusätzliche Beziehung anzulegen.
Die zahlreichen Kundenfeedbacks helfen den drei Jungunternehmern, das System VIAC laufend verbessern zu können. Insbesondere haben sie das Kundenbedürfnis nach einer Desktopversion aufgegriffen, welche sie noch für dieses Jahr eingeplant haben. Das Start-up wird auf verschiedenen Ebenen weiter wachsen, sei es durch Marktexpansion oder gezielte Partnerschaften. Es gibt im Bereich Vorsorge noch viele Bereiche, welche kundenfreundlicherer und vor allem kostengünstigerer Lösungen bedürfen.
 
Aus der Schweiz – für die Schweiz

Für das VIAC-Gründerteam aus Basel und Luzern war der Anspruch auf »Swissness« von Beginn an zentral. Schweizer Qualität, Topservice und dennoch günstig – das muss kein Widerspruch sein. Die gesamte Entwicklung der VIAC-Vorsorgelösung sowie das Design stammen aus Zürich.
Zum Vertrauensaufbau ist eine hohe Qualität nötig, dazu gehört auch eine 1a-Unterstützung von Helpline-Mitarbeitenden in drei Landessprachen aus Basel. Die überzeugende Softwarelösung macht das kosteneffiziente Servicemodell überhaupt möglich.
 



Mehr zum Thema






Ab sofort stellt das ideas-Magazin der Commerzbank in der Rubrik Company regelmässig Fintech-Start-ups aus der Schweiz vor.
Den Anfang macht in dieser Ausgabe VIAC – das Basler Unternehmen hat eine App entwickelt, mit der sich Vorsorgelösungen für die Säule 3a aufbauen lassen.
Weitere werden folgen:
Abonnieren Sie das Magazin hier.



Fintech: Digitalisierung hievt Bankenwelt in ein neues Zeitalter

 
 
Dieser Artikel erschien im  www.ideas-magazin.ch der Commerzbank
The post Eine Säule-3a-Lösung, die man mit gutem Gewissen empfehlen kann appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/eine-saule-3a-losung-die-man-mit-gutem-gewissen-empfehlen-kann</link><guid>480</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Viac-Team.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Eine Säule-3a-Lösung, die man mit gutem Gewissen empfehlen kann</dc:text></item><item><title>Roger Ver, Founder of Bitcoin.Com, and COO, Mate Tokay, Join MoneyToken Advisory Board – Bringing Benefits to the BCH Community</title><description><![CDATA[MoneyToken Financial Services welcomes the CEO and COO of Bitcoin.com onto the advisory board.
MoneyToken.Com is a blockchain-based financial services platform founded by US and UK FinTech experts whose background includes years of experience at Goldman Sachs, Prudential Financial, Citibank, Ernst &amp; Young, and Bloomberg.
The company has launched it&#8217;s Public Token Presale at 15.00UTC March 22 with a first day 30% bonus.
The platform, aimed at miners, projects that made their token sales, traders, investors and exchanges, will allow holders of crypto assets to gain access to loan-based financial services, using cryptocurrency as collateral
The partnership between MoneyToken and Bitcoin.com will bring new benefits to the Bitcoin Cash community; BCH will be available as accepted collateral on the MoneyToken lending platform.
Now Bitcoin Cash holders can enjoy the benefits MoneyToken offers &#8211; leveraging their assets and spending cash while continuing to hold their crypto positions.
As part of the cooperation with Bitcoin.com, MoneyToken will gain access to the vibrant Bitcoin.com community, and the financial experience and networking support of two of the leading experts in the crypto world.
“The Bitcoin Cash community is a unique and powerful force in cryptocurrency; adding our support to Bitcoin Cash and allowing our potential token buyers and future lenders and borrowers to operate in BCH, only adds to our portfolio and strengthens the value of MoneyToken as a product for all our users”
Jerome MacGillivray, Co-Founder of MoneyToken
Roger Ver, Founder of Bitcoin.com
Roger Ver, also known as “Bitcoin Jesus”, is an inspirer and advocate of Bitcoin Cash, and is well respected as key influencer in the crypto community; not just because he was one of the earliest supporter and adopter of bitcoin, but also because of his early investments in crypto-related startups including Ripple, Blockchain.info, Bitpay and Kraken. Roger Ver’s company, MemoryDealers, became the first company in the world to accept Bitcoin as a payment option for its services.
“MoneyToken is a bright example of the real use of blockchain technology, as well as offering a massive boost for crypto market liquidity for all market players, and especially for businesses.”
Roger Ver, Founder of Bitcoin.com
Mate Tokay, COO of Bitcoin.com
Mate Tokay has been involved in the cryptocurrency business as a miner since 2013; he co-founded Bitcoinist.net a cryptocurrency news magazine and he is now the Chief Operation Officer at Bitcoin.com &#8211; the premier source for everything Bitcoin related.  Mate focuses on a larger vision and communicating that vision to others while staying on top of the major trends in the industry.
“We are happy to be a part of this project since we can clearly see the strong team, disruptive and self-sustaining business model and, what is more important, the real value it can bring to the crypto community”
Mate Tokay, COO of Bitcoin.com
MoneyToken has already started to accept BCH for purchasing IMT during the Token Sale; and in order to completely reduce the risks for contributors, MoneyToken has announced their Fallen Market Protection Service, which provides proportional bonuses for token contributors if the value of ETH rises between the point they contribute and the end of the Token Sale.
 
MoneyToken has launched its Pre-Sale
After a successful $1.5 million Private Sale stage, MoneyToken has launched the Pre-Sale round with a $5 million cap.
The Main Sale will take place with a hard cap of $35 million.
To gain access to the ‘first day’ Pre-Sale 30% bonus (available on the March 22th , after which the bonus will drop to 25%), interested contributors should register and create an account at the Token Sale Dashboard &#8211;  https://moneytoken.com.
 
To find out more about the project you can join the MoneyToken telegram chat https://t.me/moneytoken.



 
 
Disclaimer: this is an article written by Moneytoken, Fintechnews does not endorse and is not responsible for or liable for any content, accuracy, quality, advertising, products or other materials on this page. Readers should do their own research before taking any actions related to the company. Fintechnewsis not responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in the press release.
Please note this is no investment advice.
The post Roger Ver, Founder of Bitcoin.Com, and COO, Mate Tokay, Join MoneyToken Advisory Board &#8211; Bringing Benefits to the BCH Community appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/roger-ver-founder-of-bitcoincom-and-coo-mate-tokay-join-moneytoken-advisory-board-bringing-benefits-to-the-bch-community</link><guid>466</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/moneytoken.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Roger Ver, Founder of Bitcoin.Com, and COO, Mate Tokay, Join MoneyToken Advisory Board – Bringing Benefits to the BCH Community</dc:text></item><item><title>Roger Ver, Founder of Bitcoin.Com, and COO, Mate Tokay, Join MoneyToken Advisory Board</title><description><![CDATA[MoneyToken Financial Services welcomes the CEO and COO of Bitcoin.com onto the advisory board.
MoneyToken.Com is a blockchain-based financial services platform founded by US and UK FinTech experts whose background includes years of experience at Goldman Sachs, Prudential Financial, Citibank, Ernst &amp; Young, and Bloomberg.
The company has launched it&#8217;s Public Token Presale at 15.00UTC March 22 with a first day 30% bonus.
The platform, aimed at miners, projects that made their token sales, traders, investors and exchanges, will allow holders of crypto assets to gain access to loan-based financial services, using cryptocurrency as collateral
The partnership between MoneyToken and Bitcoin.com will bring new benefits to the Bitcoin Cash community; BCH will be available as accepted collateral on the MoneyToken lending platform.
Now Bitcoin Cash holders can enjoy the benefits MoneyToken offers &#8211; leveraging their assets and spending cash while continuing to hold their crypto positions.
As part of the cooperation with Bitcoin.com, MoneyToken will gain access to the vibrant Bitcoin.com community, and the financial experience and networking support of two of the leading experts in the crypto world.
“The Bitcoin Cash community is a unique and powerful force in cryptocurrency; adding our support to Bitcoin Cash and allowing our potential token buyers and future lenders and borrowers to operate in BCH, only adds to our portfolio and strengthens the value of MoneyToken as a product for all our users”
Jerome MacGillivray, Co-Founder of MoneyToken
Roger Ver, Founder of Bitcoin.com
Roger Ver, also known as “Bitcoin Jesus”, is an inspirer and advocate of Bitcoin Cash, and is well respected as key influencer in the crypto community; not just because he was one of the earliest supporter and adopter of bitcoin, but also because of his early investments in crypto-related startups including Ripple, Blockchain.info, Bitpay and Kraken. Roger Ver’s company, MemoryDealers, became the first company in the world to accept Bitcoin as a payment option for its services.
“MoneyToken is a bright example of the real use of blockchain technology, as well as offering a massive boost for crypto market liquidity for all market players, and especially for businesses.”
Roger Ver, Founder of Bitcoin.com
Mate Tokay, COO of Bitcoin.com
Mate Tokay has been involved in the cryptocurrency business as a miner since 2013; he co-founded Bitcoinist.net a cryptocurrency news magazine and he is now the Chief Operation Officer at Bitcoin.com &#8211; the premier source for everything Bitcoin related.  Mate focuses on a larger vision and communicating that vision to others while staying on top of the major trends in the industry.
“We are happy to be a part of this project since we can clearly see the strong team, disruptive and self-sustaining business model and, what is more important, the real value it can bring to the crypto community”
Mate Tokay, COO of Bitcoin.com
MoneyToken has already started to accept BCH for purchasing IMT during the Token Sale; and in order to completely reduce the risks for contributors, MoneyToken has announced their Fallen Market Protection Service, which provides proportional bonuses for token contributors if the value of ETH rises between the point they contribute and the end of the Token Sale.
 
MoneyToken has launched its Pre-Sale
After a successful $1.5 million Private Sale stage, MoneyToken has launched the Pre-Sale round with a $5 million cap.
The Main Sale will take place with a hard cap of $35 million.
To gain access to the ‘first day’ Pre-Sale 30% bonus (available on the March 22th , after which the bonus will drop to 25%), interested contributors should register and create an account at the Token Sale Dashboard &#8211;  https://moneytoken.com.
 
To find out more about the project you can join the MoneyToken telegram chat https://t.me/moneytoken.



 
 
Disclaimer: this is an article written by Moneytoken, Fintechnews does not endorse and is not responsible for or liable for any content, accuracy, quality, advertising, products or other materials on this page. Readers should do their own research before taking any actions related to the company. Fintechnewsis not responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in the press release.
Please note this is no investment advice.
The post Roger Ver, Founder of Bitcoin.Com, and COO, Mate Tokay, Join MoneyToken Advisory Board appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/roger-ver-founder-of-bitcoincom-and-coo-mate-tokay-join-moneytoken-advisory-board</link><guid>467</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/moneytoken.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Roger Ver, Founder of Bitcoin.Com, and COO, Mate Tokay, Join MoneyToken Advisory Board</dc:text></item><item><title>Schweizer Crowdfunding steigt in französischen Markt ein</title><description><![CDATA[I believe in you, die Schweizer Crowdfunding-Plattform im Sportbereich, übernimmt ihr französisches Pendant Fosburit.
Mit dieser Übernahme führt I believe in you ihre Internationalisierungsstrategie weiter und ist nach eigenen Angabe neu nicht nur die grösste Sport-Crowdfunding-Plattform in Europa, sondern auch lokal in vier Ländern vertreten: In der Schweiz, Norwegen, Österreich und Frankreich.
Die französische Plattform fosburit.com konnte seit 2015 mehr als 1000 Sportprojekte erfolgreich finanzieren und über drei Millionen Euro an Sportlerinnen und Sportler auszahlen. Mit der Expertise von I believe in you soll nun das volle Potential des französischen Markts ausgeschöpft werden. Die Übernahme von Fosburit macht I believe in you zur klaren Nummer eins im europäischen Sport-Crowdfunding-Markt.
Nick Gast, CEO von I believe in you:

Nick Gast
«Dieser weitere Schritt in der Internationalisierung macht uns nicht nur stolz, sondern ermöglicht uns auch in Zukunft eine nachhaltige und glaubwürdige Förderung von Sporttalenten und Sportinfrastruktur sicher zu stellen. Getreu unserem Motto ‹von Sportlern für Sportler›.»
 
 
 
In enger Zusammenarbeit mit den Gründern von Fosburit, Guillaume Gibon und Charles Mahé, wird während der nächsten Monate der reibungslose Übergang aus französischen in Schweizer Hände sichergestellt.

Guillaume Gibon
«Wir sind hocherfreut, dass unsere Unternehmen auf den gleichen Werten aufbauen und I believe in you unsere Geschichte weiterschreiben wird.
Wie bei I believe in you standen auch bei Fosburit immer die Athletinnen und Athleten und deren Bedürfnisse im Zentrum»,
 
 
erklärt Guillaume Gibon. Mit dem Know-how von I believe in you biete sich Fosburit die einmalige Gelegenheit, die Unterstützung und Förderung französischer Sportler zu erweitern und zu professionalisieren.
Mit jeweils über 1000 erfolgreichen Sportprojekten in ihren Märkten haben beide Plattformen in den letzten Jahren den Grundstein als treibende Kraft im Sport-Crowdfunding gelegt. Die Übernahme ist ein klares Bekenntnis zum erfolgreichen System der Schwarmfinanzierung von I believe in you und dessen Wachstumsstrategie in die internationalen Märkte.

 
Featured image via pexels
The post Schweizer Crowdfunding steigt in französischen Markt ein appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schweizer-crowdfunding-steigt-in-franzosischen-markt-ein</link><guid>461</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Facts-and-Figures-zu-I-believe-in-you-1024x768.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Schweizer Crowdfunding steigt in französischen Markt ein</dc:text></item><item><title>N26 raises record $160m round from Tencent and Allianz</title><description><![CDATA[In one of the biggest Venture Capital rounds in European FinTech to date, N26 has just raised $160m from Allianz, Tencent and existing investors. N26 is one of the fastest growing banks and their cutting-edge mobile offering allows customers to run all banking activities conveniently from their smartphones.
Having Allianz and Tencent on board adds a wealth of expertise to help N26 to become a leader in mobile banking. Allianz is one of the world’s largest asset management and leading insurance firms, representing one of the most trusted financial brands.
Tencent is a digital powerhouse and market leader in social media, gaming, e-commerce, and mobile payments in China. Its flagship product WeChat now has over one billion active monthly users.

Together with the milestone of this substantial funding round, N26 also announced a record number of customers: N26 now has more than 850’000 customers, up from 500’000 in August 2017, just a few months ago.
The proceeds of the funding round will be used to fuel ambitious growth plans. A further international expansion is on the agenda, in particular, US and UK, where the company is planning to start later this year. In addition, true to the N26 mission, the new funding also means a big investment in the product. To make banking even smarter, easier and more personalized for all customers, more artificial intelligence will be used in the product.
Redalpine is a seed investor in N26.
 
this Press Releaese is from the Swiss VC Redalpine
The post N26 raises record $160m round from Tencent and Allianz appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/n26-raises-record-160m-round-from-tencent-and-allianz</link><guid>462</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/tencent.png</dc:content ><dc:text>N26 raises record $160m round from Tencent and Allianz</dc:text></item><item><title>Eligma, An AI-Based E-Commerce Platform, Launches Its Token Presale</title><description><![CDATA[Eligma, an AI-driven and blockchain-based cognitive commerce platform that is about to revolutionize the shopping experience by introducing the use of cryptocurrencies and the advantages of blockchain technology into general consumer practice, will open its token presale on March 20.
On April 17, this will be followed by the crowdsale with a hard cap of 24 million U.S. dollars. To attract supporters, users, and potential contributors, Eligma’s campaign has already showcased its EliPay cryptocurrency transaction system, with more novelties to be presented.
Last week saw a successful introduction of Bitcoin City, Eligma’s project in partnership with BTC d.d., a company running the renowned shopping, business and entertainment centre BTC City Ljubljana, Slovenia. BTC City, which hosts about 4,000 companies and 21 million yearly visitors, will function as a testing lab for Eligma’s transaction and other innovations.
The EliPay system, which enables transactions in cryptocurrencies, will be launched at selected BTC stores on April 15. The letters of intent have already been signed with the Big Bang tech and white goods store, the Dulcis Gourmet restaurant, the Atlantis water park complex, the Bijoux modni dodatki accessory store and the Sportina urban fashion shop.

Registration screen of the EliPay mobile app via Eligma Blog
The EliPay system aims to enhance the current BTC City shopping experience – in the convenient form of a mobile phone app. The shopping itself will be the same as before, consisting of the customer visiting the stores in person, browsing through their products and selecting the desired goods for purchase.
At the cash register, they will be asked if they wish to make a cryptocurrency transaction. If that is the case, the sum will be converted into cryptocurrencies and a QR-code generated. The customer will then scan the QR-code, confirm the store transaction on the app and the funds will be transferred to the store’s account from the user’s crypto wallet, run on the Eligma platform.
On the basis of the BTC City ecosystem, consisting of a wide variety of commercial establishments, Eligma plans on generating enough data to perfect its platform for a launch in the worldwide commerce arena.
Other advantages of the Eligma platform will include features aimed at transforming the discovery, inventory and loyalty aspects of online shopping. Through Eligma’s single log-in, online buyers will be able to access online stores anywhere in the world, with the best deal proposed by Eligma on the basis of the search criteria entered by the user.
All your online purchases will be entered into your own personal online inventory, with the Eligma system proposing the best time to sell an item and automatically generating a listing to that effect on multiple online sites, thus contributing to more effective used goods circulation. In this way, the need to register at different online sites in order to compare prices or try to find a buyer for your goods will no longer be necessary.
Eligma’s advantages are not only being presented online but also in a series of worldwide pitches and presentations. The presentation by Eligma CEO and founder Dejan Roljic at the Blockchain Innovation and Investment Summit in Dubai was met with considerable interest and enthusiasm.
At this opportunity, Roljic stated:
“The whole Eligma team and our renowned advisors are working very hard to bring the advantages of Eligma closer to the general public.
This is why I am very excited and honoured to be able to announce the launch of our presale.It is only with the help of our supporters and contributors that Eligma’s transformation of commerce can begin.”
 
Over the next two weeks, the Eligma platform will also be presented at similar events in Hong Kong, Berlin, Zurich, Paris and Kazan. The Eligma start-up will also collect contributions in a crowdsale, starting on 17 April and aiming for a hard cap of 24 million U.S. dollars.
 
Disclaimer: this is an article written by Eligma, Fintechnews does not endorse and is not responsible for or liable for any content, accuracy, quality, advertising, products or other materials on this page. Readers should do their own research before taking any actions related to the company. Fintechnews is not responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in the press release.
Please note this is no investment advice.
The post Eligma, An AI-Based E-Commerce Platform, Launches Its Token Presale appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/eligma-an-ai-based-e-commerce-platform-launches-its-token-presale</link><guid>460</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Registration-screen-of-the-EliPay-mobile-app.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Eligma, An AI-Based E-Commerce Platform, Launches Its Token Presale</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Events In Germany And Austria To Attend In 2018</title><description><![CDATA[The fintech ecosystem in Germany and Austria has grown rapidly in the past years. German fintech startups attracted EUR 307 million of venture capital funds in 1H’2017, surpassing the total amount raised for the whole year 2016 with EUR 400 million, according to EY’s Germany Fintech Landscape report. Statista estimates the transaction value in the German fintech market to be worth about US$131.3 billion, rising at an annual growth rate of 8.9% to reach US$184.3 billion in 2022.
Meanwhile, transaction value in the Austrian fintech market is estimated at about US$13.5 billion. Transaction value is expected to show an annual growth rate of 11.2%, resulting in a total amount of US$20.7 billion in 2022.
With the surge of fintech in Germany and Austria, an increasing number of events and conferences are being organized in the two countries to showcase the local startup scene.
Here are eight of the most anticipated fintech events and conferences taking place in the coming months in Germany and Austria:
 
EXECfintech
March 21-22, 2018
Berlin, Germany

This year’s EXECfintech conference is the fifth edition of the European event covering technology and innovation and the financial services industry.
On stage, participants will hear stories about practical experiences that companies and startups had and have with cutting-edge technology. Off stage, they will be able to experience masterclasses and discussion table sessions for deep dive into specific topics.
Speakers representing companies and banks like Deutsche Bank, figo, Raisin, Revolut, and solarisBank, will cover topics such as digital banking, insurtech, bank and fintech cooperation, digital identity, and more.
Register now and get 10% off with the code: CHFINTECH.
 
Cryptocurrency World Expo – Berlin Summit
March 21-22, 2018
Berlin Star Cubix UFA-PALAST, Berlin, Germany

The Cryptocurrency World Expo – Berlin Summit is set to bring under the same roof the whole cryptocurrency sector starting from the biggest exchanges to brokers, payments providers, fintech startups, miners, traders, ICO participants, crypto enthusiasts, blockchain developers, entrepreneurs and experts in tax and legislations.
The event is expected to attract over 1,600 delegates, 60 companies and institutions, and more than 45 speakers in the three-floor facility.
Topics covered will include cryptocurrency trading, tax and regulation, token sales, and more.
 
Crypto42 Token Investment Summit 2018
April 16, 2018
WU (Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien), Vienna, Austria

The Crypto42 Token Investment Summit 2018 is a networking event focused on the trading, valuing, accounting, auditing and tax issues around the new asset class of crypto-assets. Attendees will gain insights and information about the state of the token economy while networking with senior level thought leaders.
The event promises to bring together international business professionals from blockchain based enterprises including CEOs, auditors, accountants, venture capitalists, investors, regulators, attorneys and developers to network and collaborate.
The conference will cover and discuss topics that include the state of the token market, token regulation in Europe, including Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Gibraltar, Luxembourg and the EU, best practices in compliance, KYC/AML for Austrian crypto brokers, and more.
 
Fintech Summit AsiaBerlin @ Asia-Pacific Week Berlin
April 24, 2018
European School of Management and Technology, Berlin, Germany

Fintech Summit AsiaBerlin, part of the Asia-Pacific Week Berlin, will focus on the German fintech startups scene and what the sector can learn from its Asian counterparts. The event will also cover open infrastructure and ecosystems and customer experience and engagement, which will be covered by Ignite Speeches as well as panel discussions for each topic.
The panels will feature a wide array of experts on fintech from Europe to Asia including executives representing companies and organizations such as NexChange, Hong Kong Fintech Week, Fintech Association of Hong Kong, Fintech China, Fintech4Good and W Hub.
 
7th Annual Digital Banking &amp; Mobile Payments Summit
April 24-26, 2018
Vienna, Austria

The 7th Annual Digital Banking &amp; Mobile Payments Summit has been designed to provide participants with a unique opportunity to gain new insights into areas such as the new generation of mobile wallets, upcoming regulatory challenges in payment services such as PSD2, partnership with fintechs, digital customer experience and engagement, open banking, or the security and authentication in mobile banking.
Participants will access first-hand learnings from the senior-level experts representing the most influential banks on the market including Commerzbank, Danske Bank, Nordea, Atom Bank, among others.
 
Blockchain Summit Frankfurt
April 26, 2018
Kap Europa, Frankfurt, Germany

Blockchain Summit Frankfurt is a one-day conference and exhibition that promises to bring together more than 700 industry leaders, business decision makers, tech innovators and investors in “Europe’s largest dedicated blockchain event for business leaders.”
This year’s program will feature top executives and experts from financial institutions and companies such as Commerzbank, Allianz, UBS, Deutsche Bank, Accenture, IBM, but also the European Parliament, and the Smart Dubai Government.
Topics covered will include taking blockchain to the mainstream, delivering real cost savings and efficiency gains with blockchain, innovating with blockchain in the financial sector, and more.
 
BlockShow Europe 2018
May 28-29, 2018
Estrel Hotel &amp; Congress Center, Berlin, Germany

BlockShow, by CoinTelegraph, is a conference focusing on blockchain technology and the cryptocurrency space. The BlockShow Europe 2018 edition is expected to bring together the global community with an estimated 3,000 attendees and 80 speakers from 50 countries.
Confirmed speakers include executives representing companies such as Deloitte, UBS, Fenbushi Capital, and more. The event will cover the latest trends in the blockchain space including governmental blockchain initiatives within the EU, the emergence of crypto-assets, blockchain investments, and more, and will demonstrate multiple new cases for implementation and enhancement of blockchain technology.
Save 30% off from your ticket purchase with the code: 30FINTECHNEWS.
 
Payment Summit 2018
October 29-30, 2018
Empire Riverside, Hamburg, Germany

The Payment Summit is one of the leading payment business event for retailers and the financial sector. This year, the conference will focus on the many developments in the fintech sector, including mobile payments, real-time payments, bitcoin services, the Alipay ecosystem, and the PSD2 directive.
On the first day of the conference, retailers will learn about trends and strategies on how to optimize their payment processing and what innovations are worthwhile. The second conference day will feature lectures and discussion panels.
The post Fintech Events In Germany And Austria To Attend In 2018 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-events-in-germany-and-austria-to-attend-in-2018</link><guid>459</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/EXECfintech-2018.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech Events In Germany And Austria To Attend In 2018</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Safekee announces World’s first Secure Decentralized Cryptokeys Cold-Storage Service</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss Blockchain Technology, a hardware blockchain technology startup headquartered in Lugano, Switzerland, announces the development of safekee, an innovative decentralized solution created to push the security of crypto assets and the safety of cryptospace users to the maximum level.
safekee empowers cryptospace users by providing them the tools that are required to easily and securely generate, store and manage their own cryptographic private keys.
“safekee is the world’s first secure decentralized cryptokeys COLD–STORAGE service, made available to the masses via a multi-currency crypto wallet!”
safekee implements hardware-grade security on users’ private keys. safekee’s personnel does not have access to users’ keys.
With safekee, users’ keys are kept in a worldwide network of robust, remote and distributed secure hardware devices: i.e. not on software-based platforms affected by physical and digital vulnerabilities such as smartphones and IT servers.
With safekee, Swiss Blockchain Technology introduces the World’s First-ever Remote Decentralized Cold–Storage Keys Management Service.
Swiss Blockchain Technology’s team is excited for the additional prototypes that have been tested in the last few months and is looking forward to the upcoming implementation of the system.
safekee: bringing the benefits of the latest cutting-edge Cold–Storage security technology innovation to the masses.
 
Company Announcement from Medium
The post Swiss Safekee announces World’s first Secure Decentralized Cryptokeys Cold-Storage Service appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-safekee-announces-worlds-first-secure-decentralized-cryptokeys-cold-storage-service</link><guid>458</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/safekee-300x170.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Safekee announces World’s first Secure Decentralized Cryptokeys Cold-Storage Service</dc:text></item><item><title>Die Swiss FinTech Awards 2018 Gewinner sind …</title><description><![CDATA[Mit dem Ziel der Standortförderung wurde rund um die Swiss FinTech Awards das stärkste Schweizer Fintech-Ökosystem mit internationaler Vernetzung aufgebaut.
Dieses Netzwerk von zahlreichen Partnerorganisationen und Fintech-Experten (Fintechnews.ch ist Medienpartner) verleiht die Swiss FinTech Awards für Schweizer FinTech Start-ups und Influencer in den Kategorien «Early Stage Startup of the Year», «Growth Stage Startup of the Year» und «Fintech Influencer of the Year».
Die Kategorie «Early Stage Startup of the Year» umfasst Fintech Start-ups mit Schweiz-Bezug, die weniger als zwei Jahre alt sind oder weniger als CHF 2.5 Millionen an Funding aufweisen zum Zeitpunkt der Bewerbung. Die Kategorie «Growth Stage Startup of the Year» umfasst Start-ups, welche diese Grenzen überschreiten.
Die Kategorie «Fintech Influencer of the Year» wurde für Persönlichkeiten oder Organisationen geschaffen, die die Schweizer Fintech-Szene positiv prägen. Während die Start-ups einen mehrstufigen Bewerbungsprozess durchlaufen mussten, wurde der Gewinner in der Influencer-Kategorie direkt von der Jury nominiert und bestimmt.
Das Finanz und Wirtschaft Forum fungiert als Organisator der Swiss FinTech Awards und deren Ökosystem. Das Ökosystem besteht u.a. aus dem Knowledge-Partner Accenture, den 20 ausgewiesenen Fintech-Experten aus der Jury und den fünf «Gönnerbanken», die das diesjährige Preisgeld von CHF 38‘000.- beigesteuert haben.
Hinzu kommen diverse Netzwerk-, Kommunikations- und akademische Partner. Ausführliche Informationen zur Jury und zum Ökosystem finden Sie auf der Website www.swissfintechawards.ch. Der Swiss FinTech Awards Night vom 15.03.2018, an der die Gewinner gekürt wurden, war ein ausgedehnter Selektionsprozess vorausgegangen. Von den über 70 eingereichten Bewerbungen erreichten die zehn bestbewerteten Fintech-Unternehmen die Top-10-Runde.
In dieser Runde durchliefen alle zehn Fintech-Unternehmen das Fintech Bootcamp, organisiert vom Knowledge-Partner Accenture. Zudem haben sich die Top-10-Fintech-Unternehmen an einer «Speed-Dating-Session» den versammelten Jury-Mitgliedern und Gönnerbanken präsentiert.
Auf Basis der schriftlichen Bewertungen von der Online-Plattform und derjenigen der «Speed-Dating-Session» wurden die vier besten Fintech-Unternehmen ins Finale und schliesslich die Gewinner in den einzelnen Kategorien gewählt. Weitere Informationen hierzu finden Sie auf www.swissfintechawards.ch.
Proxeus hat in der Kategorie «Early Stage Startup of the Year» gewonnen. Loanboox sind Sieger in der «Growth Stage Startup of the Year» Kategorie und die Crypto Valley Association wurden zum «Fintech Influencer of the Year» gewählt.
 
Die Finalisten und die Gewinner der Swiss FinTech Awards 2018
An dieser Stelle finden Sie eine Übersicht der Top zehn, der Top vier (Finalisten) und der Gewinner der Swiss FinTech Awards 2018. Zudem sind kurze Portraits der vier Start-up-Finalisten sowie der Crypto Valley Association aufgeführt. Die Portraits wurden von den jeweiligen Organisationen zur Verfügung gestellt.
 



Top 10 FinTech Start-ups  
Finalisten
Start-up-Gewinner


Apiax (early stage)
Loanboox (growth stage)
 Loanboox (growth stage)


FinForm (early stage)
Price Hubble (growth stage)
 Proxeus (early stage)


FirstYou24 (growth stage)
Proxeus (early stage)
Influencer of the Year


Loanboox (growth stage)
 Viac (early stage)
Crypto Valley Association


NetGuardians (growth stage)




Price Hubble (growth stage)




Proxeus (early stage)




Sonect (early stage)




Stonestep (growth stage)




Viac (early stage)





 
Loanboox (Gewinner «Growth Stage Start-up of the Year»)
Loanboox ist die unabhängige Schweizer Geld- und Kapitalmarkt-Plattform für öffentlich-rechtliche Kreditnehmer und institutionelle Kapitalgeber. Zugriff auf die Plattform ist nur überprüften Organisationen möglich.
Die Finanzierung und Investition über Loanboox ist im Gegensatz zum konventionellen Geschäft einfacher, transparenter, günstiger und sicherer. Davon profitieren Kreditnehmer und Kapitalgeber gleichermassen.
 
Price Hubble
Treffen Sie schlauere Immobilien Entscheidungen: Immobilienbewertung, Wertprognose und Visualisierung einfach verfügbar gemacht &#8211; ermöglicht durch modernste Machine Learning Ansätze, angewendet auf umfassende Datenquellen.
 
 
Proxeus (Gewinner «Early Stage Startup of the Year»)
Proxeus is like WordPress for the blockchain, enabling anyone to program smart contracts.We have developed a visual programmation technology allowing anyone to program smart contracts and create their own blockchain applications. We help startups and traditional companies move to a blockchain-based business model.
 
Viac
Es ist Zeit den Vorsorgemarkt aufzumischen. Viel zu lange beherrschen Banken und Versicherungen mit teuren und intransparenten Produkten den Markt. Wir wollen dies mit der ersten 100% digitalen Vorsorgelösung der Schweiz ändern!
 
 
Crypto Valley Association (Gewinner «Fintech Influencer of the Year»)
Der im Januar 2017 gegründete Non-Profit-Verein Crypto Valley Association (CVA) bezweckt die Förderung der Entwicklung und Verbreitung von kryptographischen Technologien, Blockchain und anderen verteilten Ledger-Technologien mittels Unterstützung von Start-ups und anderen Unternehmen in Zug, in der Schweiz, sowie im internationalen Umfeld. Die CVA hat zum Ziel, eine offene, freie und florierende branchenübergreifende Wirtschaft zu entwickeln.
The post Die Swiss FinTech Awards 2018 Gewinner sind &#8230; appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/die-swiss-fintech-awards-2018-gewinner-sind</link><guid>456</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Die Swiss FinTech Awards 2018 Gewinner sind …</dc:text></item><item><title>Benefits and Risks of Big Data, ESA Report</title><description><![CDATA[The Joint Committee of the European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) published its final report on Big Data analyzing its impact on consumers and financial firms.
Overall, the ESAs have found that while the development of Big Data poses some potential risks to financial services consumers, the benefits of this innovation currently outweigh these. Many of the risks identified by the ESAs are mitigated by existing legislation.
The report concludes that Big Data brings many benefits for the financial industry and consumers, such as more tailored products and services, improved fraud analytics, or enhanced efficiency of organizational internal procedures. On the other hand, financial services consumers should be made particularly aware of some of the risks posed by Big Data.
The risks identified by the ESAs include the potential for errors in Big Data tools, which may lead to incorrect decisions being taken by financial service providers. Additionally, the increasing level of segmentation of customers, enabled by Big Data, may potentially influence the access and availability of certain financial services or products.
Weighing both the benefits and the risks associated with this innovation, the ESAs have concluded that any legislative intervention at this point would be premature, considering that the existing legislation should mitigate many of the risks identified. The ESAs will continue to monitor any developments in this area in the coming years and invite financial firms to develop and implement good practices on the use of Big Data.
 
The objectives of the report was to:

map the Big Data phenomenon and assess its potential benefits and risks;
raise awareness among consumers of their rights set in existing financial legislation and in other relevant areas; and
raise awareness of financial institutions of their obligations set in existing financial legislation and encourage the adaptation of good practices on Big Data.

The report results from a consultation conducted between December 2016 and March 2017.

 
Featured image via Pixabay
The post Benefits and Risks of Big Data, ESA Report appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/benefits-and-risks-of-big-data-esa-report</link><guid>454</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/European-Supervisory-Authorities.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Benefits and Risks of Big Data, ESA Report</dc:text></item><item><title>Take it or Leave it, Future Technological Challenges for Photo Stocks</title><description><![CDATA[Photo stocks were some kind of a revolution in the area of visual content exchange, but they have to change now. Major challenges come from smartphones, VR\AR and blockchain. We think they are threats – they are opportunities. 
What’s good for Instagram is good for everyone
In the XIXth century, taking a photo required bringing a lot of equipment and having models standing still for many minutes. Later, it became a bit easier and less expensive and much faster.
Phone with mobile application instagram via Freepik
In the middle and the end of the XXth century it was still laborious process as you needed taking a shot, then having your film developed and then pictures “printed” on paper.
It became also affordable for ordinary people to produce their family’s self-made photo albums but anyway kept them at a considerable distance from professionals.
Today anyone can make a professional-like photo with his smartphone.
While photo stocks continue to focus on professional photographers, there is a growing demand for pictures made by ordinary users. Well, it will not fit for a big advertising poster, but for other purposes, they will.
As platforms for selling users-made photo have started to appear, photo stocks should take it a signal for cooperation with non-professionals. That will undoubtedly require great resources for storage and powerful servers to edit the content. But inviting ordinary users to sell their works seems to be difficult to ignore.
 
From becoming user-friendly to mass media friendly
Stretching the trend of “smartphone-generated” content to the other end of the business process, we come to the press.
Viral videos shot by ordinary people are what draws huge traffic to websites, including the ones of traditional media. Just look at the specialized section with such video on the website of The Telegraph.
man taking a picture via Freepik
So we see now that even serious newspapers publish amusing, shocking, scandalous and other kinds of hot video to attract viewers. They may start soon buying it from people like some TV stations have started to.
With the number of smartphones on earth hitting 2.3 billion in 2017 and set to grow at a double-digit pace over coming years, that’s going to be a huge market.
The first stock to build a bridge between the user and the media will make good money, provided it manages to make this bridge fast and easy. What do we mean?
There should be user-friendly download interface and a tool of fast upload to a content management system of a media outlet. Let alone organizing the transaction process which guarantees quick and reliable payment to the creator. Again, it’s all about the technical reliability of service. Another issue is securing the exclusivity of content. There is a solution to these problems, we covered it down the post.
 
VR \ AR are GR which is “generating revenue” for stock
Virtual and augmented reality tools are spreading across business sectors, including those that were reluctant to jump on the new technologies bandwagon. As we see the demand growing, so the supply must comply with it.
Smartphone with youtube app on screen via Pixabay
With numerous agencies and individual artist being able to create VR products of high quality all over the world, that’s photo stocks to be first to become platforms for sharing it.
That’s exactly the same story what happened to the photo industry when stocks revolutionized the exchange of visual content with the help of the Internet and payment infrastructure.
What they have to do now is to establish solid platforms for not only sharing VR content, but also for the creation of it, education of consumers, i. e. brands, and possible creators. Helping people produce VR products and helping consumers better understand what’s all about and how it works for their businesses seems to be a logical way for stocks to choose to form and develop this market and eventually earn with it.
 
Blockchain: when everything is under control
Photo stocks face crucial problems deriving from the absence of the ability to navigate in an ocean of information and act across various jurisdictions. Just a few problems to mention here: an appropriate use of photos purchased through a stock by a consumer; violation of copyrights when a photo is simply stolen and used numerous times across the Internet; great expenses for content storage; the inability to prosecute violators of copyrights and make them pay, etc.
That’s where blockchain technology steps in to secure rights, payments and deal with legal issues. Blockchain will not resolve all the problems, but it’s a great step toward this aim. The technology stores
content on numerous computers making it impossible to alter it or steal it, and enables the creators to get instant payments for the use of their works through smart contracts.
IPStocks home page
For example, IPStock (a startup) developed a blockchain-based platform which reduces fees paid to the stock by dozen times in comparison to traditional stocks.
Blockchain guarantees securing copyrights and payments as well as the exclusivity of a work for the customers.  This approach will effectively tackle with all the challenges listed above thus converting them from threats into opportunities.
 
Featured image via Pixabay
The post Take it or Leave it, Future Technological Challenges for Photo Stocks appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/take-it-or-leave-it-future-technological-challenges-for-photo-stocks</link><guid>455</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/youtube-300x200.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Take it or Leave it, Future Technological Challenges for Photo Stocks</dc:text></item><item><title>BonusCard lanciert Garmin Pay und Fitbit Pay in der Schweiz</title><description><![CDATA[
Die BonusCard.ch AG, eine Anbieterin von Kredit- und Prepaidkarten, macht das innovative Bezahlen mit Garmin Pay™ und Fitbit Pay möglich.
Inhaber einer Visa Bonus Card oder Visa LibertyCard können unterwegs mit den Smartwatches der weltweit führenden Hersteller von Fitnesstrackern – der Garmin vívoactive 3 oder der Fitbit Ionic™ – einfach und bequem aus dem Handgelenk an allen kontaktlosfähigen Terminals bezahlen.

«Wir lancieren als einer der ersten Kartenanbieter weltweit Garmin Pay™ und Fitbit Pay. Wir bieten diese Bezahllösungen nun zusätzlich zu Apple Pay und Samsung Pay an und stellen unseren Kunden damit die innovativsten Bezahllösungen zur Verfügung, die weltweit und überall einsetzbar sind. In der Cornèr Bank Gruppe haben wir uns der Innovation verpflichtet und bieten unseren Kunden exklusiv die neuesten und bequemsten Zahlungsmethoden»,

erklärt Roberto De Nando, CEO der BonusCard.ch AG, und er ergänzt:

«Unsere Kunden sind viel unterwegs, und das Bezahlen mit der Smartwatch entspricht einem grossen Bedürfnis. Garmin Pay™ und Fitbit Pay sind die neuesten Beispiele dafür, wie wir die Dienstleistungen für unsere Kunden konsequent weiterentwickeln.»

Ob beim Shopping, beim Sport oder auf dem Wanderausflug, die Smartwatch begleitet unsere Kunden im Leben und bietet die Möglichkeit, bequem und ohne Portemonnaie unterwegs zu bezahlen. Garmin Pay™ und Fitbit Pay sind für Android- und iOS-Smartphones verfügbar und können in wenigen Schritten auf der jeweiligen App eingerichtet werden.

Anschliessend müssen noch die Kredit- und Prepaidkarten der BonusCard.ch AG im Wallet hinzugefügt werden, und das Bezahlen in den Geschäften geht im Handumdrehen. Einfach die Smartwatch ans Terminal halten und die Zahlung verifizieren. Bei erfolgreicher Zahlung erscheint eine Bestätigung auf dem Display.
Transaktionen via Garmin Pay™ und Fitbit Pay sind äusserst sicher. Dank der Nutzung der branchenüblichen Tokenisierungsplattform von Visa werden die Karteninformationen verschlüsselt und niemals angezeigt oder mit dem Händler, Garmin oder Fitbit geteilt. Zudem wird das Smartwatch-Wallet durch einen persönlichen PIN-Code zusätzlich geschützt.

Die BonusCard.ch AG ist seit vielen Jahren die führende Kartenherausgeberin, die Zahlungsdienstleistungen mit einzigartigen Bonusprogrammen im Bereich Shopping, Tourismus, Sport und Transport verbindet.
Kunden der BonusCard.ch AG können auch beim Bezahlen mit der Smartwatch von individuellen Angeboten profitieren, sammeln mit jeder Bezahlung Punkte für attraktive Angebote und werden durch umfassende Versicherungsleistungen geschützt.
 
Hier eine Liste von Garmin and Fitbit Uhren:

Garmin Fenix 5X Sapphire
Garmin vívoactive 3 GPS Smartwatch
Garmin vívoactive Black
Garmin Fenix 3 HR, Gray
Garmin Forerunner 35 Watch, Black
Fitbit Ionic Smartwatch
Fitbit Blaze Smart Fitness Watch

 
The post BonusCard lanciert Garmin Pay und Fitbit Pay in der Schweiz appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bonuscard-lanciert-garmin-pay-und-fitbit-pay-in-der-schweiz</link><guid>444</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/fitbit-ionic-smart-bonus-card-1024x203.png</dc:content ><dc:text>BonusCard lanciert Garmin Pay und Fitbit Pay in der Schweiz</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech ICOs In Switzerland: All You Have To Know</title><description><![CDATA[Switzerland has become a hotbed for cryptocurrency and blockchain, and in many aspects, is now one of the world leaders in initial coin offerings (ICOs).
According to a report by Funderbeam, ICOs in Switzerland account for about 13% of the total amount raised since 2014 behind the US, the world leader, with a staggering 38%.
ICO funding started gaining traction in 2016 and exploded in 2017 where funding increased from US$228 million to US$2.8 billion in total amount raised since 2014, according to the Initial Coin Offerings Funding Report 2017. The number of rounds has quadrupled and nearly reached 150 in 2017.

North America has the most funding out of all regions raised by ICOs with US$1.2 billion, almost twice as much as in Europe with US$637 million.

In Europe, Switzerland represents 58% of the region’s total funding raised with about US$370 million through 13 campaigns. The UK ranks second with eight ICOs and a total of US$71 million in ICO funding raised since 2014.

Looking at the industries that are raising funds through ICOs, it’s no surprise to see that the vast majority of the companies conducting ICOs are related to financial services and cryptocurrencies. Other industries present include gaming, Big Data and artificial intelligence, and news and media.

 
Switzerland, a hotbed for crypto and blockchain
According to a PwC report, Switzerland has hosted some of the world’s largest and most successful ICO campaigns. As of September 2017, four out of the six largest ICOs were in Switzerland: Tezos, which raised over US$238 million, Bancor, with US$156 million, The DAO, US$142 million, and Status, US$95 million.
In December 2017, Switzerland-based Singularity Net raised a record of US$36 million in its ICO in just over one minute, making it the fastest ICO campaign.
Earlier this year, Lausanne-based fintech startup SwissBorg raised CHF 50 million (US$54 million) in its ICO to fund the development of a computer dashboard, a cryptocurrency exchange and a robo-advisor platform for investment in cryptocurrencies. Over 20,000 subscribers took part in the token sale, according to the South China Morning Post.
Swiss crypto real estate startup Crypto Real Estate will be launching its ICO on April 1. The startup is looking to take in between CHF 80 million (US$84.5 million) and CHF 100 million (US$105.7 million), co-founder and CEO Brigitte Luginbuehl told Finews.com.
The startup plans to plow the ICO funds into a portfolio of Swiss commercial property to be managed with the help of blockchain technology. The Swiss Real Coin (SRC) token’s value will be backed by the property portfolio as well as other collateral including the firm’s technology platform, the startup claims.
The growth of ICOs has been fueled by the surge in value and popularity of cryptocurrencies in the past years. In 2017, Switzerland witnessed the emergence of the Crypto Valley in the city of Zug and the formation of the government-supported Crypto Valley Association to represent the thriving industry. The initiative further demonstrated Switzerland’s ambition to become a leader in all things blockchain and preceded statements made by the CEO of the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) Mark Branson who said in December 2017:
“Switzerland has positioned itself as a hub for blockchain related activities. This success will be maintained if Switzerland welcomes innovative and serious projects. […] Our work [at FINMA] consists in distinguishing the innovations that deserves to have a change for success from the ones that are fraudulent.”
 
Need for regulation
Image © Philipp Zinniker
Since Switzerland has risen to the preferred location for blockchain entrepreneurs to conduct their ICO, its financial regulator has been monitoring the sector very closely, cracking down on any activity it judges fraudulent.
In September 2017, it shut down the provider of an alleged fake cryptocurrency which had amassed funds of at least CHF 4 million (US$4.2 million) from several hundred users in exchange of so-called E-Coin. FINMA issued guidance on ICOs shortly after the event.
Most recently, a working group was established and tasked with investigating the possibility of regulating both ICOs and blockchain technology in the country. It will report back to the government by the end of 2018.
The newly-founded task force was established by the State Secretariat for International Financial Matters and includes FINMA and the Federal Office for Justice. The Swiss finance ministry stated in January:
“The aim of this work is to increase legal certainty, maintain the integrity of the financial center and ensure technology-neutral regulation. This clarification of the regulatory framework should help to ensure that Switzerland remains an attractive location in this area.”
While regulators around the world have taken an increasingly hostile stance toward cryptocurrencies with China and South Korea banning ICOs, the Swiss government believes they could offer an economic opportunity.
Johann Schneider-Ammann, economics minister said in January that Switzerland wanted “to be the crypto nation.”
Switzerland does not currently have any ICO-specific regulation, relevant case law or consistent legal doctrine. However, as set out in its previous September 2017 guidance, there are several areas in which ICOs are potentially impacted by financial market regulation. In particular, FINMA focuses on the function and transferability of tokens. The regulator categorizes these into three types: payment tokens, utility tokens and asset tokens.
 
Featured image: Crypto Virtual Money, Pixabay.
The post Fintech ICOs In Switzerland: All You Have To Know appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-icos-in-switzerland-all-you-have-to-know</link><guid>445</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Total-funding-ICO-1024x681.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech ICOs In Switzerland: All You Have To Know</dc:text></item><item><title>Erster P2P Lending Minuszins-Kredit</title><description><![CDATA[Das Fintech-Unternehmen CreditGate24 sorgt mit einem Kreditzins von -0.75% für Furore und ist somit der erste Schweizer Anbieter eines Konsumkredits mit Negativzinsen.
Pünktlich zum dreijährigen Firmenbestehen macht der Marketplace-Lender CreditGate24 mit einem aussergewöhnlichen Angebot auf sich aufmerksam. Zum ersten Mal in der Geschichte des schweizerischen Konsumkredits können Kreditnehmer mit einer sehr guten Bonität einen Kredit zu -0.75% Zins erhalten.
Dies bedeutet, dass Kreditnehmer CHF 5&#8217;000 aufnehmen und nur CHF 4962.50 zurückzahlen müssen – ein Gratiskredit ohne Gebühren und versteckte Kosten. Kreditnehmer müssten im Normalfall 5.5% effektiven Zins zahlen plus Gebühren, sie sparen also mit diesem Angebot über CHF 400.
 
Lockangebot?

Stefan Benkert 
«Wer die Anforderungen für einen Minuszins-Kredit erfüllt, erhält diesen auch. Das ist kein Lockangebot»
versichert Stefan Benkert, CEO von CreditGate24.
 
 
Das Angebot richtet sich an private Neukunden mit einer sehr guten Bonität. Jeder Kreditnehmer erhält dabei lediglich einen Kredit. Das Angebot gilt nur für Kredite mit einer Kreditsumme von CHF 5&#8217;000 und einer Laufzeit von 12 Monaten. Die Anzahl der ausbezahlten Kredite ist begrenzt.
Die Aktion startet am 15.3.2018 und endet am 31.03.2018.

Paul Baumgartner
«Wir fühlen uns dazu verpflichtet, zur Aufklärung beizutragen»
«Mit diesem Angebot wollen wir zum Nachdenken und insbesondere zum Vergleichen anregen und der Kreditnehmergemeinde etwas zurückgeben. Viele Kreditnehmer bezahlen immer noch zu viel Zins für Ihren Kredit.»
sagt Paul Baumgartner, Head Products bei CreditGate24.
 
Das trifft u.a. auch auf die älteren Konsumkredite zu. Diese durften vor der Konsumkreditgesetzesrevision noch mit über 10% verzinst werden. Paul Baumgartner gibt zu bedenken, dass
«viele der betroffenen Kreditnehmer nicht wissen, dass sie ohne Mehrkosten ihren teuren Konsumkredit ablösen und einen tieferen Kreditzins erhalten könnten. Wir fühlen uns dazu verpflichtet, zur Aufklärung beizutragen. Wir bieten allen Konsumkreditnehmern an, uns bei Fragen zu diesem Thema jederzeit anzurufen, eine E-Mail zu schreiben oder uns auf unserer Website anzuchatten.»
 
Featured image via Pixabay
 
The post Erster P2P Lending Minuszins-Kredit appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/erster-p2p-lending-minuszins-kredit</link><guid>446</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/CreditGate24-300x138.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Erster P2P Lending Minuszins-Kredit</dc:text></item><item><title>Blockchain-Based Diamond Exchange CEDEX Launches Token Pre-Sale</title><description><![CDATA[CEDEX promises to bridge the gap between the traditional diamond industry and innovative financial markets. For the first time, general investors could have the opportunity to confidently invest in diamonds as they would in other traditional assets.
Historically, diamonds have resembled gold and other precious metals as a steady store of value. That said, there are a few significant issues that continue to prevent diamonds from being an option for the average investor. Until recently, there weren’t any practical solutions to those issues, and it seemed that the massive potential of the diamond market would remain mostly untapped.
Now, that’s finally set to change. With the advent of cryptocurrencies and their recent surge in popularity, innovation is spreading to all kinds of other applications. CEDEX is one of those innovative projects &#8211; a blockchain-based diamond exchange with a novel approach to the diamond financial market.
First, it’s important to understand the issues that the diamond industry currently faces. Those are a lack of transparency, lack of liquidity, and lack of standardization.
The diamond business has a prevalent “closed shop mentality” that makes it just about impossible for anyone who’s not “in the know” to understand how a diamond is valued and to gauge its true worth. This results in a lack of clear and transparent pricing, hindering the ability of general investors to purchase diamonds with confidence.
There’s also a lack of liquidity that plagues sellers who try to get a fair market value for their stones. The problem is that diamonds are mainly sold to end consumers in a one-sided transaction. This skewed market automatically places anyone who owns a diamond at a severe disadvantage if they want to resell it. So much so, in fact, that most resales incur a loss of 30% &#8211; 50% of the market price.
And finally, it’s important to note that diamond pricing has a complete lack of standardization stemming from the fact that diamonds aren’t fungible. Each diamond is unique, and its value can’t be determined from any one metric on its own.
As a result, the average person who just wants to determine a diamond’s value needs to take it to a professional appraiser. The appraiser then subjectively assesses the value based on the 4Cs of diamond quality: color grade, clarity grade, cut grade, and carat weight.
Those are the three problems that have been holding the diamond market back for years. CEDEX addresses all three with an innovation and multi-faceted solution.

Part 1 of the solution is CEDEX.com &#8211; the exchange platform that brings together the two sides of the diamond market without a middleman. CEDEX uses Ethereum’s blockchain technology and smart contracts to trustlessly enforce the terms of transactions between diamond buyers and sellers.
On the supply side of the market, the exchange platform serves as a new distribution channel for existing diamond dealers, as well as a way for private diamond holders to resell their diamonds at fairer prices than they could hope to get today. On the demand side, CEDEX has appeal to general investors who could buy diamonds as a hedge against inflation and the stock market, as well as cryptocurrency investors who could invest in a less volatile crypto asset.
The second, completely novel part of the solution is the DEX. If diamonds are going to be as easy to invest in and trade as other traditional assets, there needs to be a way for anybody to efficiently and accurately appraise a diamond’s value. That’s the role played by the DEX. It’s a machine learning algorithm that was created as a means of transparently and coherently evaluating diamonds, with a pricing accuracy rate of over 99.5%.
The DEX appraises three main elements of each diamond. First, it analyzes data collected directly from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in order to assign diamonds with a gemological “score”, representing its gemological purity. Then it assesses the parallel composite, which indicates how rare the particular type of diamond is. Finally, it accounts for the diamond indices composite, using globally published indexes to provide investors with insights on the market’s direction.
For cryptocurrency enthusiasts and investors, transparency and trustlessness are absolutely critical. CEDEX establishes new standards for those factors in the diamond market, showing the benefits that are possible for tokenization of additional real-world assets like stock, real estate, and other commodities.
 
CEDEX Coin Token Pre-Sale
Investors who participate in the upcoming token pre-sale will capitalize on the best opportunity to get CEDEX Coins at a low price before the decentralized exchange goes live in Q3 and transforms the diamond market. Participants who buy the first 10% of available tokens will receive a 30% bonus. After that, buyers of the next 40% of available tokens will receive a 15% bonus.
The minimum contribution for the token pre-sale is 1 ETH. There will not be a minimum contribution for the subsequent general token sale.
To research more about the CEDEX project, you can read their whitepaper and look through the project website. There’s also a lightpaper if you’re short on time. Finally, you can get more involved in the CEDEX community on Telegram, Facebook and Twitter.
 
Disclaimer: this is an article written by CEDEX, Fintechnews does not endorse and is not responsible for or liable for any content, accuracy, quality, advertising, products or other materials on this page. Readers should do their own research before taking any actions related to the company. Fintechnews is not responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in the press release.
Please note this is no investment advice.
The post Blockchain-Based Diamond Exchange CEDEX Launches Token Pre-Sale appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/blockchain-based-diamond-exchange-cedex-launches-token-pre-sale</link><guid>447</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/cedex.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Blockchain-Based Diamond Exchange CEDEX Launches Token Pre-Sale</dc:text></item><item><title>Robo-Advisory Market In Germany</title><description><![CDATA[Robo-advisors are set to become more and more important in Germany, and by 2022, it is estimated that these will manage as much as US$14 billion in assets under management (AUM) at a annual growth rate of 42.2%, according to Statista.
This year, robo-advisors in Germany are expected to manage more than US$3 billion AUM, making the country the world’s fourth largest market, behind the US, the top leader with an estimated US$266 billion AUM, China with US$81 billion AUM, and the UK with US$6 billion AUM.
via Statista
In particular, Germany’s banks will keep on driving the trend, having widely recognized the potential of robo-advisors. According to the study “Die Zukunft des Privatkundengeschäfts von Banken” by consultancy group Horváth &amp; Partners, 85% of the 50 decision makers from banks in Germany, Austria and Switzerland surveyed said that robo-advisors will become increasingly important in the future.
 
The German robo-advisory market
The German robo-advisory industry is growing rapidly, and is by far the largest market in Europe with the highest number of robo-advisors, according to TechFluence.

As of December 2017, 41 robo-advisors were serving the German market in the retail and B2B space. Frankfurt hosts the biggest number of robo-advisors with 13 providers, followed by Munich with five and Berlin with four.
Between December 2016 and mid-2017, no less than eight robo-advisors were launched in Germany, including Bevestor, Deutsche Wertpapiertreuhand, Elinvar, Monviso or Solidvest. One thing these new entrants have in common is that they all have a corporate background and are either owned or run by a bank, insurance or a wealth management firm.

Some of the latest platforms to enter the German market include Cominvest, by listed Commerzbank subsidiary Comdirect, Werthstein, a Swiss startup that has partnered with Baader Bank, Robin, a robo-advisor for the retail market by Deutsche Bank, and WeltInvest, a platform by WeltSparen, the German portal of Europe’s leading online marketplace for savings products Raisin.
In terms of AUM, the market leader in Germany is Scalable Capital, which as of the end of 2017, accumulated more than €600 million, thanks to the recent partnership signed with ING Bank. This makes Scalable Capital the second largest player in Europe behind UK-based Nutmeg with and in front of Italy’s robo-advisor Moneyfarm. The second largest robo-advisor in Germany is Liqid, followed by Cominvest.

 
Investor reluctance
But while robo-advisors have convinced the traditional banking industry, German investors are still reluctant to the idea of relying a fully digital service to invest their money.
A YouGov research found that out of the 2,000 respondents surveyed, 60% said they could not imagine investing money digitally on the recommendation of a robo-advisor, and only 1.1% had used a robo-advisor in the past.
Despite the reluctance, the number of robo-advisors in Germany is expected to grow considerably in the near future, in addition to the number of partnerships between startups and banks, according to TechFluence.
 
Featured image by TechFluence.
The post Robo-Advisory Market In Germany appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/robo-advisory-market-in-germany</link><guid>448</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Statista-Robo-advisors-1024x389.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Robo-Advisory Market In Germany</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Startup Map, March 2018</title><description><![CDATA[Swisscom released the Swiss Fintech Startup Map for March 2018 which now counts 215 Swiss Fintech Startups.

The post Swiss Fintech Startup Map, March 2018 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-startup-map-march-2018</link><guid>449</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Swiss-Fintech-Startup-Map-March-2018.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Startup Map, March 2018</dc:text></item><item><title>Finance 2.0 mit Keynote Group CEO SIX</title><description><![CDATA[Finance 2.0, die schweizweit grösste Fintech-Konferenz, geht am 20. März in Zürich in die 6. Runde.
Ein Schwerpunkt der diesjährigen Ausgabe ist der Paradigmenwechsel, der derzeit stattfindet: Das klassische Customer Relation Management (CRM) wird abgelöst von Customer Managed Relationships (CMR). Eröffnet wird die Finance 2.0 mit einer Keynote des neuen Group-CEO der SIX.
Am 20. März 2018 trifft sich das Who is Who der Schweizer Digital-Finance-Szene erneut an der Finance 2.0 im Schiffbau Zürich. Dass die Digitalisierung von Banken und Versicherungen ein Umdenken erfordert, ist mittlerweile bekannt – doch was bedeutet das für die Kundenschnittstelle?
Open-Banking ist inzwischen Realität, doch wo steht die Schweiz? Und wie steht es um die bisher ungeklärten Sicherheits- und Datenschutzfragen?
 
Einige Programmpunkte der diesjährigen Ausgabe: www.finance20.ch/conference2018 (20% discount with code: FINENEWS-F20-20)

Die Finance 2.0 wird mit der Keynote des neuen Group-CEO der SIX eröffnet. Erstmals wird Jos Dijsselhof vor einem breiten Publikum Einblicke in die neue Strategie und die SIX Projektküche liefern.
ICO: Bubble oder Finanzierungsform der Zukunft? Ausgewiesene Experten diskutieren über Hype und Substanz dieser neuartigen Finanzierungsmöglichkeit.
Fintech Games: Am Wochenende vor der Finance 2.0 findet der SIX Hackathon statt. Im Rahmen der Fintech Games präsentieren die drei Finalisten ihre Prototypen an der Finance 2.0. Anschliessend findet ein Live Crowdfunding statt. Dem Gewinner lockt nichts weniger als die Finanzierung ihrer Firma.
An der letztjährigen Finance 2.0 hatte der Gründer von Revolut-Gründer Nikolay Storonsky seine Schweizer-Premiere. In diesem Jahr zeigt Benjamin Belais, General Manager Frankreich/Westschweiz, wie Revolut zu einem der schnellst-wachsenden Fintech-Startups der Welt wurde.
Allfinanz, ist gescheitert. Oder doch nicht? Ein neuartiges Konzept in Zusammenarbeit mit einer Bank und einem Versicherungs-Startup zeigt, wie vielleicht Allfinanz neu erfunden wird.
Wie jedes Jahr werden auch 2018 innovative Geschäftsmodelle live auf der Bühne präsentiert.

Die Pausen (Kaffee, Lunch, Apéro) sind bewusst grosszügig gestaltet, damit sich die Teilnehmer der Banken- und Fintech-Welt austauschen können. Zudem wird das Foyer des Schiffsbaus erlebbar, wie beispielsweise mit Microsoft-HoloLens oder Handwerkskunst verbunden mit 3D-Digital-Technologie.
Seit Lancierung (2013) wird Finance 2.0 von der UBS als Platin-Partner; seit 2016 auch von Accenture unterstützt. Die Zürcher Technologiefirma additiv AG ist ebenso seit 2013 als Gold-Partner dabei. Weitere Goldpartner sind SIX und Microsoft und AdNovum Informatik AG unterstützt die Finance 2.0 als Silberpartner. Neu in diesem Jahr ist auch Morningstar als Support-Partner dabei.
 
Register now and get 20% discount with code: FINENEWS-F20-20

The post Finance 2.0 mit Keynote Group CEO SIX appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finance-20-mit-keynote-group-ceo-six</link><guid>450</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Finance-2.0.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Finance 2.0 mit Keynote Group CEO SIX</dc:text></item><item><title>Credit Suisse Provides Venture Capital of CHF 30 million for Swiss Fintechs</title><description><![CDATA[Since &#8220;SVC – Ltd. for Risk Capital for SMEs&#8221; was founded in 2010, Credit Suisse has provided venture capital of approximately CHF 100 million to a total of 44 companies.
Credit Suisse has now decided to provide an additional CHF 30 million in venture capital, to be used specifically for investing in Swiss fintechs.
With this new area of investment for SVC Ltd., Credit Suisse aims to make a further contribution to promoting Switzerland as a fintech hub and strengthening the country&#8217;s position as a center for business and employment.
&#8220;SVC – Ltd. for Risk Capital for Swiss SMEs&#8221; was created by Credit Suisse eight years ago with a total venture capital of CHF 100 million with the aim of supporting Swiss SMEs as well as strengthening Switzerland&#8217;s role as a center for business and employment.
To date, around CHF 110 million has been invested in 44 companies – with some of these investments have already been successfully sold again at a profit.
While investing in SMEs from the financial services sector had not been envisaged until now, a new investment cluster for fintechs is to be created with the provision of an additional CHF 30 million in venture capital. Here, the focus is on companies that develop and commercialize digital innovations in finance.
Support is offered to fintechs that are either domiciled in Switzerland or have a clear connection with the country. Investments are decided by a specifically constituted Fintech Investment Committee.
Didier Denat, Chairman of the Board of Directors of SVC – Ltd. for Risk Capital for SMEs and Head of Corporate &amp; Investment Banking at Credit Suisse (Switzerland) Ltd.:
Didier Denat
&#8220;As the leading bank for entrepreneurs, one of our key objectives is to strengthen and promote Switzerland&#8217;s role as a center for business and employment through various measures. These measures include the provision of venture capital for SMEs with growth potential.
The additional CHF 30 million in investment capital is a clear signal of SVC Ltd.&#8217;s support for Switzerland as a fintech hub. At the same time, our commitment allows us to connect with innovative companies offering solutions that might be of interest to us as a bank or to our clients.&#8221;
 
Featured image via Credit Suisse Facebook page
The post Credit Suisse Provides Venture Capital of CHF 30 million for Swiss Fintechs appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/credit-suisse-provides-venture-capital-of-chf-30-million-for-swiss-fintechs</link><guid>451</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Logo-Credit_Suisse-300x158.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Credit Suisse Provides Venture Capital of CHF 30 million for Swiss Fintechs</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Banks Accelerate AI Adoption</title><description><![CDATA[Artificial intelligence (AI) in banking is a fast-developing reality as banks around the world are looking to leverage the technology to reduce costs and create better client experiences.
&#8220;Based on our UBS Evidence Lab survey of 86 banks, an optimal scenario of limited disruption suggests AI technology could potentially lead to a 3.4% revenue uplift and cost savings of 3.9% over the next three years,&#8221; UBS strategist Philip Finch wrote a recent note titled Is AI the next revolution in retail banking?
Goldman Sachs estimates a £26 billion (US$36.2 billion) to £33 billion (US$46 billion) in annual &#8220;cost savings and new revenue opportunities&#8221; within the financial sector by 2025, enabled by AI and machine learning.
Image via Max Pixel
One of the most basic objectives for AI at banks is a reduction in time &#8220;wasted&#8221; on any task that can be automated. These include rules-based tasks, such as entry, validation, and manipulation of data, as well as creation, uploading, and exporting of data files. Other examples of back-office activities to which AI can be applied include account reconciliation, report generation, mortgage approval, notification of delinquent loans and audit support.
But AI can also be used to recognize customers, offer personalized experiences, services, and build loyalty by offering suggestions based on customer behavior. AI can use transactional and other data sources to help banks understand customer behavior to improve their experience.
Organizations around the world are beginning to greatly simply processes through intelligent automation, according to Mitch Siegel, financial services strategy leader for KPMG. AI enables them to expose and actually make use of enterprise data that&#8217;s been traditionally trapped in complex core systems.
UBS has already invested US$11 billion into AI since 2010. That figure is set to rise to more than US$47 billion by 2020. The bank recently unveiled plans to expand a site in Manno, southern Switzerland, into a center for AI, analytics and innovation. The site is to focus on finding specific applications for USB&#8217;s information technology platform to use Big Data and AI.
UBS has already launched a robo-advisor that uses machine learning to offer automated investment advice based on customers&#8217; financial circumstances.
Earlier this month, Credit Suisse introduced Amelia, a virtual agent the bank has been developing in partnership with IPsoft, an AI technology provider. With Amelia, Credit Suisse aims to automate IT support.

Last year, the bank unveiled the Credit Suisse RavenPack Artificial Intelligence Sentiment (AIS) Index, a project initiated in partnership with RavenPack to create quantitative investment strategies from news analyses leveraging RavenPack&#8217;s artificial intelligence algorithms.
The AIS Index tracks the notional performance of an algorithmic US large-cap sector-rotation strategy, harnessing the power of big data analytics to make sector allocation decisions in a tradable and systematic way. The strategy is based on sentiment scoring extracted from news data by RavenPack&#8217;s artificial intelligence algorithms.
Meanwhile, Swisscom has taken two directions in its AI effort: at university research level, Swisscom has its own AI lab at the EPFL in Lausanne, and at startup level, Swisscom operates the Pirates Hub, a community and innovation platform for startups and experts.
Switzerland, an AI hotspot
AI startups are popping up all over the world, and in Switzerland in particular, the scene is growing rapidly. According to Swisscom, the thriving Swiss AI scene has been fueled by a supportive startup ecosystem and the vast amount of corporations looking to enter into development partnerships.
Metin Zerman, the open innovation manager of Swisscom&#8217;s Digital Business Unit, publishes the quarterly Swiss AI Startup Map, which presents an overview of around 100 of the most important Swiss AI startups.According to him:
&#8220;Everywhere, where companies have universities and research institutes as direct neighbors who attract talent from all over the world and where leading research in AI is performed, is in upheaval.
&#8220;A good 60% of all startups on the Swiss AI Startup Map are based in Zurich, while 16% are in Lausanne and the remaining 7% in Geneva, Berne or Basel. A high density of accelerators, incubators and investors can be found concentrated in these metropolitan areas. They are also close to Germany and France, both of which are excellent and growing markets for AI startups.&#8221;
 
Process Automation with AI
One of these startups is Parashift, a venture building company for the financial industry. Among other products, Parashift, successfully built Accounto.io, a Swiss based online bookkeeping and accounting service provider. The company is offering it’s Robo-Accounting API based services to large customers and ERP makers.
Parashift is focusing on the development of a few technologies which enables them to use them through a broad range of products such as the machine learning based robotic process automation engine used in Accounto. Furthermore by using similar methologies they are even able to solve complex process automation in banks and insurers.
 
 
Featured image: Artificial intelligence, Pixabay.
The post Swiss Banks Accelerate AI Adoption appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-banks-accelerate-ai-adoption</link><guid>452</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/AI-Max-Pixel-300x255.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Banks Accelerate AI Adoption</dc:text></item><item><title>Bewerbungsphase für den 3. Batch des Münchner InsurTech-Accelerators</title><description><![CDATA[Im WERK1, dem startup-freundlichsten Ort in München, startet die Bewerbungsphase für den 3. Batch des erfolgreichen InsurTech-Accelerators in Kooperation mit dem InsurTech Hub Munich.
Das WERK1 und der InsurTech Hub Munich starten heute gemeinsam die Bewerbungsphase für den Batch 3 des Forward InsurTech Accelerators.  Für vier Wochen können sich Startups aus allen Branchen direkt über die Webseite auf bis zu 10 Plätze im Programm bewerben &#8211; damit wächst das Programm auf mehr Teilnehmer als je zuvor!
Im Fokus stehen dieses Mal explizit &#8220;Early Stage&#8221; Startups, die mit Hilfe von passenden Mentoren und Branchenexperten aus der Konzeptphase hinaus begleitet und gefördert werden sollen. Außerdem erhalten alle Teilnehmenden direkten Zugang zum lokalen Netzwerk der Versicherer, der WERK1 Gründer-Community und zu lokalen Partnern wie Xpreneurs und dem LMU Entrepreneurship Center. Der Gesamtwert des Programms liegt bei ca. 50.000 für jedes teilnehmende Startup.

Dr. Florian Mann
„Wir freuen uns sehr über die Möglichkeit, unsere Mission fortzusetzen, die besten InsurTech-Startups mit einigen der weltweit führenden und lokalen Versicherer zu vernetzen und gemeinsam neue digitale Geschäftsmodelle zu entwickeln.“,
so Dr. Florian Mann, Geschäftsführer im WERK1.
 
 
Der Batch wird dann am 14. Mai im WERK1 vor Ort starten und in einer acht Wochen langen Intensiv-Phase werden alle Startups mit ihren Coaches und Mentoren an ihren Konzepten arbeiten. Im Anschluss können die Startups die Räumlichkeiten im WERK1 für weitere drei Monate kostenfrei nutzen und Kontakt zur lokalen Startup-Szene und dem Netzwerk der Versicherer aufbauen.
The post Bewerbungsphase für den 3. Batch des Münchner InsurTech-Accelerators appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bewerbungsphase-fur-den-3-batch-des-munchner-insurtech-accelerators</link><guid>453</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Bewerbungsphase für den 3. Batch des Münchner InsurTech-Accelerators</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Events in Switzerland, London and USA to Attend in 2018</title><description><![CDATA[Here are our picks for Fintech and Digital Finance Events in Switzerland, London and the US .
In case we missed an important event (there are so many out there) please let us know in the comments or send us an email.
For selected events we negotiated for our readers a discount code. Make sure you are using them when you register.
 



10
March
Crypto Investor Show
London
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10
March
MIT FinTech Conference 2018
Boston
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12-14
March
Moneylive: Retail Banking 2018
Amsterdam
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13
March
Going Beyond the Proof of Concept
Zurich
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14-15
March
European Payment Summit
Netherlands
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For 20% discount use code: FINCH



 



14-15
March
FINTECH 2018 Paradigmenwechsel Open Banking
Zurich
Read more

For 25% discount use code: 25FinTech18



 



14-16
March
Fin:Code – Defining the Dev in the Financial Industry
London
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20
March
Finance 2.0 Conference
Switzerland
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For 20% discount use code: FINENEWS-F20-20



 



21-22
March
EXEC FINTECH
Berlin
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For 10% discount use code: CHFINTECH



 



21-22
March
Impact Investing World Forum 2018
London
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09-10
April
Lendit USA
USA
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For 15% discount use code: FintechNews15%



 



17
April
2nd Annual London Fintech Security Summit
London
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18-19
April
Blockchain Expo Global 2018
London
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18
April
Empire Startups Fintech Conference
New York
Read more





 



19
April
4th Annual BlockChain Conference: New York 2018
New York
Read more





 



20
April
Fintech Design Summit 2018
London
Read more

Register here



 



25
April
Open Banking Summit 2018
London
Read more

Register here



 



25-26
April
Blockchain Summit – Crypto Valley
Zurich
Read more

Register here



 



29
April
Synchronize 2018
New York
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22
May
Global Regtech Summit
London
Read more

Register here



 



28-29
May
Block Europe Show 2018
Berlin
Read more

Register now and get 30% off with the code: 30FINTECHNEWS



 



30-31
May
Fintech World Forum 2018
London
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04-06
June
Money 20/20 Europe
Amsterdam
Read more





 



20-22
June
Crypto Valley Conference 2018
Zug, Switzerland
Read more





 



26-28
Sept
FinCon
Florida
Read more





 
The post Fintech Events in Switzerland, London and USA to Attend in 2018 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-events-in-switzerland-london-and-usa-to-attend-in-2018</link><guid>435</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech Events in Switzerland, London and USA to Attend in 2018</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Events in Switzerland, Germany, London and USA to Attend in 2018</title><description><![CDATA[Here are our picks for selected Fintech and Digital Finance Events in Switzerland, Germany, London and the US.
In case we missed an important event (there are so many out there) please let us know in the comments or send us an email.
For selected events we negotiated for our readers a discount code. Make sure you are using them when you register.
 



10
March
Crypto Investor Show
London
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10
March
MIT FinTech Conference 2018
Boston
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12-14
March
Moneylive: Retail Banking 2018
Amsterdam
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13
March
Going Beyond the Proof of Concept
Zurich
Read more





 



14-15
March
European Payment Summit
Netherlands
Read more

For 20% discount use code: FINCH



 



14-15
March
FINTECH 2018 Paradigmenwechsel Open Banking
Zurich
Read more

For 25% discount use code: 25FinTech18



 



14-16
March
Fin:Code – Defining the Dev in the Financial Industry
London
Read more





 



20
March
Finance 2.0 Conference
Switzerland
Read more

For 20% discount use code: FINENEWS-F20-20



 



21-22
March
EXEC FINTECH
Berlin
Read more

For 10% discount use code: CHFINTECH



 



21-22
March
Impact Investing World Forum 2018
London
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02-03
April
Global Blockchain Forum
California
Read more

For 30% discount use code: Fintech
news15



 



09-10
April
Lendit USA
USA
Read more

For 15% discount use code: Fintechnews15%



 



17
April
2nd Annual London Fintech Security Summit
London
Read more





 



18-19
April
Blockchain Expo Global 2018
London
Read more





 



18
April
Empire Startups Fintech Conference
New York
Read more





 



19
April
4th Annual BlockChain Conference: New York 2018
New York
Read more





 



20
April
Fintech Design Summit 2018
London
Read more

Register here



 



25
April
Open Banking Summit 2018
London
Read more

Register here



 



25-26
April
Blockchain Summit – Crypto Valley
Zurich
Read more

Register here



 



29
April
Synchronize 2018
New York
Read more





 



07
May
The Financial Brand Forum
Las Vegas
Read more





 



22
May
Global Regtech Summit
London
Read more

Register here



 



28-29
May
Block Europe Show 2018
Berlin
Read more

For 30% off use code: 30FINTECHNEWS



 



30-31
May
Fintech World Forum 2018
London
Read more





 



04-06
June
Money 20/20 Europe
Amsterdam
Read more





 



20-22
June
Crypto Valley Conference 2018
Zug, Switzerland
Read more





 



26-28
Sept
FinCon
Florida
Read more





 
The post Fintech Events in Switzerland, Germany, London and USA to Attend in 2018 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-events-in-switzerland-germany-london-and-usa-to-attend-in-2018</link><guid>436</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech Events in Switzerland, Germany, London and USA to Attend in 2018</dc:text></item><item><title>Leonteq Expands Offering On Crypto Currencies, First Swiss Tracker on Ether, Bitcoin Cash and Litecoin</title><description><![CDATA[Leonteq today expands its range of cryptocurrency products by offering tracker certificates on Ether, Bitcoin Cash and Litecoin listed on the Swiss stock exchange.
Following the successful introduction of Bitcoin certificates and the launch of a short tracker certificate on Bitcoin in 2017, Leonteq now offers tracker certificates on Ether (ETH), Bitcoin Cash (BCH) and Litecoin (LTC), which are among the five largest cryptocurrencies in terms of market capitalization.
Leonteq’s solution poses an important alternative to a direct investment in cryptocurrencies, as its tracker certificates enable investors to participate in the price performance of Ether, Bitcoin Cash, and Litecoin without purchasing and storing those cryptocurrencies digitally.
Hence, investors do not need to access unregulated exchanges, nor are they facing non-transparent settlement processes.
The first day of trading on the SIX Swiss Exchange will be 07 March 2018 and the issuer of the products is Leonteq Securities AG in Zurich. Tracker certificates with a two-year maturity are denominated in Swiss francs (SIX symbol: Ether ETHCTQ, Bitcoin Cash BCHCTQ, Litecoin LTCCTQ) and US dollars (SIX symbol: Ether ETHUTQ, Bitcoin Cash BCHUTQ, Litecoin LTCUTQ).

David Schmid
„Leonteq continues to provide its clients further diversification opportunities through new asset classes. We are very pleased to be the first provider in Switzerland to offer our customers a simple and transparent investment solution on Ether, Bitcoin Cash and Litecoin,”
said David Schmid, Head of Investment and Banking Solutions and member of the Executive Committee at Leonteq.
 
 
The post Leonteq Expands Offering On Crypto Currencies, First Swiss Tracker on Ether, Bitcoin Cash and Litecoin appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/leonteq-expands-offering-on-crypto-currencies-first-swiss-tracker-on-ether-bitcoin-cash-and-litecoin</link><guid>430</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/leonteq-300x93.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Leonteq Expands Offering On Crypto Currencies, First Swiss Tracker on Ether, Bitcoin Cash and Litecoin</dc:text></item><item><title>BlockShow 2018 to Disrupt Europe with Its Largest Conference Ever</title><description><![CDATA[Roughly two months after the big and successful event in Singapore, BlockShow team comes back to announce BlockShow Europe 2018 &#8211; the brand’s third big conference dedicated to discovering the hottest innovations, trends and sensations currently happening in both European and Global Blockchain scenes. 
This time the event will be held on May 28-29; organizing team decided not to move too far from the previous location, having chosen Berlin as a place for the upcoming conference.
Why this city exactly? Berlin was chosen as one of the main European centres for FinTech and Blockchain development; apart from that, large concentration of investments, startups and innovative businesses makes the city a capital for many trending industries.



Look How We’ve Grown!
This time, just like previous one, BlockShow will bring you the most interesting Blockchain applications, latest sensations, a lot of high-quality content and networking experience. With each new event, the BlockShow team keeps increasing the pace and extent of its activities.
This May, BlockShow Europe will be visited by more than 3 000 attendees; the conference exhibition will include more than 150 projects, and over 120 organizations and companies will provide their support for the upcoming event. These are twice as many values as were shown during the recent conference in November 2017 and on average 5 times bigger than it was in Munich last April. 
 
What’s the Focus?

BlockShow Europe will reveal the most innovative releases from the promising Blockchain companies, the most successful projects, as well as rich and versatile insights on how Blockchain disrupts major global industries, such as IoT, AI, Cybersecurity, Voting &amp; Elections and many others. At the same time, we will be honored to welcome representatives of Central Banks and European governments who will share their vision and current experience of harnessing the Blockchain technology.

Top Blockchain experts around the globe claim 2018 to be the year of global Blockchain regulations, so there is no way BlockShow won’t raise this question at the main stage of the upcoming event. Our greatest aspiration is to reach balance and fairness for the global Blockchain law, and this is our way to contribute to one of the main Blockchain topics of 2018.
BlockShow Europe 2018 is going to bring together over 70 internationally recognized speakers and experts from banks, institutions and numerous global industries; during single speeches, discussions and panel sessions, all of them will deliver high-quality professional insights, knowledge and more. We are happy to introduce the first of them:

Llew Claasen &#8211; Venture Capitalist &amp; Executive Director at Bitcoin Foundation
Milan Sallaba &#8211; Partner at Deloitte Consulting
Ahmed Syed &#8211; Lead, Innovation Office at SAP
Ivan Liljeqvist &#8211; Speaker, Blockchain Influencer at Ivan On Tech
David Lee &#8211; Professor, Entrepreneur, Director and Advisor at LeftCoast
Dr. Julian Hosp &#8211; Co-Founder &amp; President at TenX
Joern Leogrande &#8211; Executive VP, Innovation Labs at Wirecard AG
Ildar Fazulyanov &#8211; CEO and Founder at Well Inc.
Eugéne Etsebeth &#8211; Business Unit Head, Payments and ACH / Central Banks at Sybrin

And yet this is a very small part of what the team is preparing. Each year we’re striving to bring more show to the whole concept of BlockShow, so there is no doubt this time our event will be packed with even bigger exhibition, expanded networking opportunities and other entertaining activities.
Both of our Startup Competitions were a truly exciting and fun experience for us and our contestants; this year, we will proceed with this great tradition of discovering and rewarding the most promising Blockchain-powered companies out there, so if you are a Blockchain entrepreneur &#8211; don’t miss out on this chance!
Register now and get 30% off with the code: 30FINTECHNEWS

Experts’ Opinion
For the whole time of its existence, BlockShow became a platform for over 100 worldwide Blockchain experts, as well as 400+ companies from around the globe. Some of them have already expressed their thoughts about the BlockShow events:
 

Charlie Shrem
“BlockShow is really great. I’ve been to a bunch of events in the US and this was my first trip outside of the US in the last four years and had to pick a good event. Cointelegraph is not new to the industry, you guys have been around for many years.
So it’s not like there are a few events funded by these new entities that do not really understand what the vision was. Of course, you have to know where you came from to know where you are going. So it is a great choice for you guys to organize the BlockShow. It was super awesome and exciting”.

&#8211; Charlie Shrem, Founder of the Bitcoin Foundation, Founder at CryptoIQ

Sheree Ip
“We thought it was a well put together event! The BlockShow Team accommodated us very well with our special requirements of moving our Lamborghini in. Presentation stage gave us a fantastic opportunity to explain our product to attendees.
Network opportunities were great there, with dedicated spaces to allow for this and after parties organized by Blockshow. We were very impressed with all the extra effort put in with the artwork, CT and Blockshow style. Overall we had a fantastic three days and would be keen to be a part of the next event BlockShow event! Well done”.

Sheree Ip, Legal &amp; Blockchain Development at BitCar

Starting today, registration for BlockShow Europe 2018 is officially open! Learn more and register for the conference at the official BlockShow Europe website. Also, don’t forget to save 30% from your ticket purchase and get the most profitable deal right now with the code: 30FINTECHNEWS
See you in Berlin!

The post BlockShow 2018 to Disrupt Europe with Its Largest Conference Ever appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/blockshow-2018-to-disrupt-europe-with-its-largest-conference-ever</link><guid>431</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Blockshow-Europe-2018.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>BlockShow 2018 to Disrupt Europe with Its Largest Conference Ever</dc:text></item><item><title>F10 Accelerator And Incubator Celebrates Successful P2 Launch</title><description><![CDATA[F10 FinTech Incubator and Accelerator today revealed that its Program Grand Opening had been a resounding success.
15 of the world’s most promising startups in the innovative FinTech, InsurTech, and RegTech space pitched their pioneering ideas in front of a prestigious audience in Zürich’s Limmat Hall.
The event officially marked the launch Batch III of its P2 (Prototype to Product) Program, in which each of the fifteen is participating.
To get to this stage, the startups went through a demanding selection process, proving themselves over hundreds of other impressive applying candidates. The grand opening event was attended by investors, corporate members of F10, and industry journalists, many of whom expressed approval of the innovative ideas on show.
Today the startups begin the masterclass sessions. Masterclass I will give the startups deep insight and the toolkit required to speed up the transformation of an idea into a market-ready product.

Thomas Landis, F10
“We are very excited to finally be embarking on Batch III after this successful grand opening – the startups who have made it to this point have already achieved a lot, and we are thrilled that we are now a part of their journey.
Now they have unveiled their ideas to an audience, it’s time to make these ideas a reality,”
said Thomas Landis, startup coach and head of F10.
The quality of these applicants was exceptionally high and choosing these fifteen was not easy. Over the next six months, startups will work closely with our coaches and board of corporate members.
The fifteen successful P2 Batch III startups are Anansi, Baasis ID, BDEO, Borderless, C2SEC, Dynametrics, eHyve, Qard, Luminant, Monday, Safeside, SIX IoT, Susfinteq, Target, and Vestberry.
As participants in P2, each startup will enjoy their own office space in F10’s Zürich office, while also enjoying close collaboration with some of Switzerland’s leading financial brands, including SIX, ERI Bancaire, Julius Bär, PwC, Baloise Group, eny Finance, Generali, ZKB, and Raiffeisen.
The post F10 Accelerator And Incubator Celebrates Successful P2 Launch appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/f10-accelerator-and-incubator-celebrates-successful-p2-launch</link><guid>421</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>F10 Accelerator And Incubator Celebrates Successful P2 Launch</dc:text></item><item><title>New Research Paper Examines ICO Regulation Across 25 Jurisdictions</title><description><![CDATA[A new research paper by University of St. Thomas School of Law professor Wulf A. Kaal examines how governments around the world are regulating the fast-evolving initial coin offering (ICO) market.
The paper, called &#8220;Initial Coin Offerings: The Top 25 Jurisdictions and Their Comparative Regulatory Responses,&#8221; evaluates data of the top 25 jurisdictions by market capitalization and provides an analysis of their respective regulatory actions.
ICOs have surged in popularity in recent years with an increasing number of startups turning to the novel fundraising method to raise capital. But while ICOs display clear core beneficial characteristics such as their cost-effectiveness and low barriers to entry for a diverse body of investors, they have also raised regulatory concerns.
According to a paper, only a very small minority of the countries examined has banned ICOs and cryptocurrencies altogether. For the most part, the general view has been to use existing laws to regulate cryptocurrencies. Others such as Russia, Ukraine and Costa Rica, have decided to stay silent.

So far, regulatory efforts have taken several forms but mainly involve some of the following approaches: regulating ICOs, regulating cryptocurrencies, regulating distributed ledger technology, mandating compliance programs, regulating exchanges, securities regulation, prohibition of exposed financial institutions, and government suggestions to consumers not to participate.

China has had the strictest stance on ICOs, banning them entirely last year and arguing that ICOs hurt the market because of potential deception and fraud. Countries like Serbia on the other hand, have not strictly forbidden ICOs but rather banned financial institutions to participate in token sales or other cryptocurrency investment.
The UK&#8217;s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has taken the position that ICOs may be regulated as securities depending on the different aspects and rights the coin holder obtains through holding the coin. The FCA has also taken steps to regulate distributed ledger technology.
The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority, which oversees all financial matters within Switzerland, has said that current ICO activity is covered by money laundering, banking, security and collective investment law.
Singapore&#8217;s central bank and financial regulator the Monetary Authority of Singapore, released guidance on how it plans to approach cryptocurrency regulation, stating in August 2017 that it will regulate cryptocurrencies if they fall under the Securities and Futures Act.
ICO Regulation in Germany
Germany&#8217;s Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) has stated that under the current law, cryptocurrencies are financial instruments. The regulation being applied to a certain cryptocurrency depends on the rights the cryptocurrency holds. If ownership rights apply, then it will trigger securities.
BaFin has also stated that it will decide on a case-by-case basis whether any of this new technology is in violation of the Banking Act, Investment Code, Payment Service Supervision, or the Insurance Supervision Act.
Similarly to Germany, Lichtenstein&#8217;s Financial Market Authority has stated that the applicability of securities and financial instrument law depends on the rights attached to the token.
The Canadian Securities Administration (CSA) on the other hand applies a four-factor test to determine whether a cryptocurrency have to be registered as securities. Factors include whether or not a project is soliciting a broad base of investors, including retail investors, if it uses the Internet to reach a large number of potential investors, if its team members attend public events to actively advertise the sale of the tokens, and if the project is looking to raise a significant amount of capital from a large pool of investors.
In 2017, the US was the world leader in terms of the number of ICOs conducted within its borders but Switzerland led in total ICO funds raised. Accordingly, the average project in Switzerland was raising a greater than average amount of funds. This can be attributed to the fact that many of the world&#8217;s most successful ICOs were launched in Switzerland, the report says.

The post New Research Paper Examines ICO Regulation Across 25 Jurisdictions appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-research-paper-examines-ico-regulation-across-25-jurisdictions</link><guid>422</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Regulatory-responses-ICOs.png</dc:content ><dc:text>New Research Paper Examines ICO Regulation Across 25 Jurisdictions</dc:text></item><item><title>Graphik: Überblick der Swiss FinTech Landschaft</title><description><![CDATA[Die Kollegen vom Deutschen Blog paymentbanking haben sich dem Thema Schweiz angenommen und einen Überblick  der Schweizer FinTech Szene gegeben.
Dieses Swiss FinTech Overview widmet sich denen der unbundling banks.
 
Update Stand: Februar 2018

The post Graphik: Überblick der Swiss FinTech Landschaft appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/graphik-uberblick-der-swiss-fintech-landschaft</link><guid>423</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/swiss-fintech-map-feb-2018-1024x576.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Graphik: Überblick der Swiss FinTech Landschaft</dc:text></item><item><title>All Robo Advisors You Have To Know In Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[Robo advisors, a class of financial advisor that provide financial advice or investment management online with moderate to minimal human intervention, are growing in popularity.
These provide digital financial advice based on mathematical rules or algorithms to automatically allocate, manage and optimize clients&#8217; assets. This allows these companies to provide more affordable and accessible services.
Unlike conventional asset management services which require large amounts of investment capital, digital asset management services can be obtained starting with much lower investment capital, sometimes only a few hundred bucks, other times, a few thousands.
Here are some of the most popular robo advisory services in Switzerland:
 
Swissquote ePrivate Banking
ePrivate Banking from Swissquote is one of the largest robo advisors in Switzerland with 170 million CHF in terms of assets under management.
The robo advisor develops a personalized portfolio for clients and then monitors it 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The service costs 0.5% plus an additional administrative fee of between 0.45% and 0.75% based on investment volume. Clients invest a minimum of 20,000 CHF.
 
SaxoSelect
SaxoSelect, by Danish bank Saxo Bank, is a fully digital and automated investment service that enables clients to invest in a wide variety of investment and trading strategies directly from their trading platform.
SaxoSelect offers three types of strategies for clients to choose from according to their wealth management goals and risk appetite: Trading Strategies for accomplished traders, Equity Portfolios, which contains stocks and managed by portfolio managers, and Balanced Portfolios for long term investors containing portfolio of Stock and Bond ETFs built on BlackRock research.
Saxo Bank charges a service fee of 0.9% per year.
 
True Wealth
Founded in 2013, True Wealth is an online wealth management platform based in Zurich.
True Wealth uses a questionnaire to determine a client&#8217;s risk tolerance. The platform recommends the asset mix that matches one&#8217;s risk tolerance on the basis of modern, scientific methods. It charges an asset management fee of 0.50% a year.
True Wealth manages more than 100 million CHF of assets.
 
Descartes Finance
Zug-based Descartes Finance is a Swiss digital wealth management firm providing products and services to individuals, family offices, charitable organizations, banks, and asset managers.
The platform uses client information to generate a personal investor profile and provide an investment proposal matching their needs. The portfolio proposal is based on many individual factors, including risk tolerance, expected investment horizon and financial situation.
Descartes Finance offers a wide range of financial instruments in different asset classes including bonds, equities and ETFs. It charges clients quarterly management or usage fees of 0.3% to 0.8% per year depending on their selected model. Clients can start investing with 20,000 CHF.
 
Selma Finance
Selma Finance is a regulated independent financial advisor in Switzerland that provides an online investment service that combines online wealth management and online asset management.
The platform crafts a client&#8217;s portfolio based on their life and finances. Selma constantly analyzes, buys and sells clients&#8217; investments to make sure they are not taking too much risk. Selma charges a fee of 0.72% per year. The investment products (mainly ETF&#8217;s) have their own costs of about 0.22% in average.
The Swiss-Finnish company was founded in the spring of 2016 by four entrepreneurs from Switzerland, Austria and Finland.
 
Simplewealth
Simplewealth is a personal investment advisor service. Based on a client&#8217;s background and risk profile, the platform creates a diversified portfolio of ETFs which it periodically rebalance to match preferences and investment goals.
Simplewealth charges an annual advisory fee of 0.5% of a client&#8217;s total investment. This includes management fees, custody fees, account opening fees, stamp duty tax, etc.
Customers can start investing with a minimum of 6,000 CHF.
 
Meetinvest
Baar-headquartered Meetinvest provides digital B2B2C investment solutions for the wealth management industry. The company claims it has built the world’s first single-stock, expert-based, algorithm-driven robo advisor, consisting of an expert team builder, portfolio builder and a portfolio management tool to make better and more systematic investment decisions.
Meetinvest made its US debut at FinovateSpring 2016, a financial technology show in San Jose, California.
 
Elvia eInvest
Elvia was the first Swiss insurer to launch its own robo advisor back in October 2017. The service, called Elvia eInvest, was developed with the help of Additiv, a Zurich-based fintech startup.
The service lets customers invest with a minimum of 5,000 CHF. It mostly invests in ETFs and charges a fee of 0.55% of the average deposit.
The identification process is video-based and contracts are signed electronically.
 
Investomat
Investomat is an online asset management tool provided by Glarner Kantonalbank GLKB.
Users first need to respond to an online questionnaire to gauge their personal investment profile. They then receive an investment proposal based on their responses. Automatic monitoring rules are used to track individual investments in the portfolio, and automated or manual rebalancing permits continuous adjustment of the portfolio to suit the optimum individual strategy.
The Investomat platform is designed for experienced investors and beginners. It enables customers with a portfolio upwards of CHF 5,000 to invest in ETFs and benefit from all the latest in portfolio theory.
Through the dashboard, users can simulate investments, view transactions and track investment progress.
 
Scalable Capital
Scalable Capital is a digital investment founded in 2014 with offices in Munich and London.
Its platform uses proprietary software to offer portfolios which are dynamically optimized with a primary focus on risk management. Leveraging cutting-edge technology, the company offers a first class investment service, previously only available to large institutional investors, to individuals at a fraction of the cost.
Scalable Capital began serving the Swiss market in January 2018, the fourth country in which the firm offers its service, alongside the UK, Germany and Austria.
 
Werthstein
Werthstein is a Swiss digital wealth management startup founded by former Credit Suisse top bankers.
The platform allows customers to create a Werthstein portfolio, which consists of a base portfolio that the company continuously adjusts to market conditions, and &#8220;Zeitgeist investments.&#8221;
Zeitgeist investment themes are developed by the fellows of the Werthstein Institute and are derived from economic, technological or social trends with &#8220;great investment opportunities.&#8221; Current Zeitgeists include &#8220;Phoenix from the ashes&#8221; which focuses European banks, &#8220;Let me entertain you&#8221; which focuses on sports, and &#8220;Ignored and undercooled&#8221; which focuses on Scandinavian economics.
Werthstein operates in Switzerland and Germany.
 
Digifolio by BLKB
Digifolio is an online wealth management of Basellandschaftliche Kantonalbank (BLKB). Clients can start investing with as little as 5,000 CHF. The platform generates a personalized portfolio of ETFs based on a customer&#8217;s risk profile and investment objectives, and automatically adjust a portfolio&#8217;s composition according to market fluctuations. The bank charges a 0.75% annual fee of asset under management and the registration process is done entirely online.
Digifolio was introduced in 2017 and is the result of a collaboration between Zurich-based fintech True Wealth and BLKB.
 
Robo-Advisors in Switzeraland in one list
Check out also the usefule overview from moneyland from last November, they included VZ, which we think its not a Robo-Advisor.
Featured image via Freepik
The post All Robo Advisors You Have To Know In Switzerland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/all-robo-advisors-you-have-to-know-in-switzerland</link><guid>424</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Swissquote-300x150.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>All Robo Advisors You Have To Know In Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>venbona lanciert neues Feature</title><description><![CDATA[Die meisten Immobilienverkäufer stehen vor der Veräusserung vor schwierigen Fragen: Den Verkauf selber abwickeln? Das Geschäft an einen Makler delegieren?
Und wie kann der bestmögliche Preis für die Immobilie erreicht werden? Die Antwort: venbona.
venbona, die digitale Handelsplattform für Immobilien, bietet den Verkäufern mit ihrem allerneusten Feature die Lösung. Einen spezialisierten Makler finden und die Immobilie über die venbona-Handelsplattform zum höchsten Gebot &#8211; und damit zum besten Preis &#8211; verkaufen lassen.
Das Ziel von venbona ist es, mit dem neuen Feature den Verkäufern die Möglichkeit zu geben, Ihre Immobilie über die venbona-Handelsplattform und damit zum bestmöglichen Preis zu verkaufen &#8211; ohne sich selbst um die Planung, Vorbereitung und den Verkauf kümmern zu müssen. Den richtigen Makler zu finden ist jedoch für einen Hausverkäufer eine trickreiche Aufgabe.
Im Vordergrund des neuen Features steht die Vermittlung eines geprüften, unabhängigen und auf digitale Bieterverfahren spezialisierten Maklers. Anhand des kurzen und schnell erfassten Auftrages mit den wichtigsten Immobiliendaten erhalten Immobilienverkäufer einen passenden Maklerkontakt, welcher für den Verkauf der Immobilie mit der venbona-Handelsplattform vertraut ist. Mit einem echten Profi an der Seite, der gekonnt Bieterverfahren als Vermarktungsstrategie anwendet, kann mittels Bieterverfahren von venbona ein 5-20% höherer Verkaufspreis erzielt werden.
 
Bieterverfahren vs. Fixpreisverkauf
Die optimale Preisfindung einer Immobilie ist von vielen Faktoren wie Zustand, Lage, Grösse, Alter, Wirtschaftslage, Emotionen usw. abhängig. Dadurch ist es schwierig, den Preis über persönliche Einschätzungen oder Statistiken zu ermitteln. Mit der herkömmlichen Verkaufsweise &#8211; Erstzusage zum Fixpreis &#8211; kann der beste Preis somit nicht gewährleistet werden.
Bei einem Immobilienverkauf mit venbona, also mittels Bieterverfahren ab Startpreis, erhält der Höchstbietende den Zuschlag und es resultiert immer der bestmögliche Marktpreis.
 
Eintrag im Maklerverzeichnis

Immobilienmakler können nach erfolgreicher Prüfung in das venbona-Maklerverzeichnis aufgenommen werden und anschliessend potenzielle Verkaufsaufträge erhalten. Interessierte Makler können sich auf venbona.com registrieren
 
 
The post venbona lanciert neues Feature appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/venbona-lanciert-neues-feature</link><guid>425</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/venbona-logo-300x88.png</dc:content ><dc:text>venbona lanciert neues Feature</dc:text></item><item><title>New Paper Calls For “Swiss Crypto Franc”</title><description><![CDATA[In a new paper released earlier this week, Swiss club Fintech Rockers advises for the creation of a national cryptocurrency and details the specifics of the project.
According to the document, the introduction of a national blockchain and corresponding cryptocurrency would &#8220;enable and bring the Swiss industries to the international forefront of the digital age,&#8221; bringing &#8220;significant and multifaceted benefits required for a modern economy.&#8221;
&#8220;Switzerland will become part of a group of leading digital nations, with blockchain and cryptocurrency bringing the Swiss market to new efficiency levels,&#8221; the paper says.
The initiative would be jointly carried by all Swiss cantons and would enable local as well as foreign entities and all people with an interest and/or business relation with Switzerland to hold genuine Swiss cryptocurrency and execute transactions via legal compliant smart contracts.
Swiss Crypto Franc
&#8220;The &#8216;Crypto Franc&#8217; and the Swiss Blockchain will serve as the enablement for a prosperous healthy financial industry with advanced governmental systems, including e-government, national digital identities and distributed ledgers, helping our nation to adapt to the challenges of the digital age,&#8221; it says.
&#8220;Crypto Franc&#8221; could be implemented as a cryptocurrency on a hybrid blockchain with a protocol that focuses on low energy usage, high throughput, security and stability. By allowing for the deployment of smart contracts, the platform could be used for a variety of business and e-government purposes.
The Swiss National Bank would guarantee the exchange of Swiss Francs against &#8220;Crypto Francs&#8221; 1-to-1.
A dedicated working group comprising of a specialist team would be appointed to create the protocol. A national task force with representatives from government, business and industry and technical associations would provide advisory and guidance during the deployment of the blockchain and national cryptourrency.
The release comes on the heels of statements made by Romeo Lacher, chairman of the SIX Group that operates the Swiss stock exchange, encouraging for the creation of a blockchain-based national cryptocurrency.
“An e-franc under the control of the central bank would create a lot of synergies &#8211; so it would be good for the economy,” he told the Financial Times. An &#8220;e-franc&#8221; backed by the Swiss central bank would boost the local economy and provide the country with a competitive lead in digital technologies, Lacher said.
Venezuela and Marshall Islands
Around the world, countries such as Venezuela and the Marshall Islands have already deployed their own national cryptocurrency.
Venezuela&#8217;s oil-backed &#8220;petro&#8221; cryptocurrency raised US$735 million in the first day of its presale. Each unit of the petro is pegged to the price of one barrel of Venezuelan oil, according to Caracas. The country&#8217;s cryptocurrency regulator has said it hopes the petro will draw investment from Qatar, Turkey and other Middle Eastern countries, as well as European nations and the US.
Earlier this week, the Marshall Islands unveiled its very own &#8220;sovereign&#8221; cryptocurrency, which is set to supplement the US dollar as its legal tender. Legislators of the Pacific island nation passed the Declaration and Issuance of the Sovereign Currency Act 2018 on February 26.
Estonia is reportedly planning the &#8220;estcoin&#8221; cryptocurrency and Sweden is looking to issue so-called &#8220;e-krona&#8220;.
The post New Paper Calls For &#8220;Swiss Crypto Franc&#8221; appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-paper-calls-for-swiss-crypto-franc</link><guid>426</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Swiss-Crypto-Franc-300x300.png</dc:content ><dc:text>New Paper Calls For “Swiss Crypto Franc”</dc:text></item><item><title>Nein, ich geh nicht ins Valley. Das Valley kommt zu mir in die Schweiz</title><description><![CDATA[Fintech Startup Gründer Alain Veuve mit einem kritischen und höchst lesenswerten Blog-Beitrag zum Startup Funding in der Schweiz.
Erst als ich eines Tages mit einem neuen BMW „nach Hause“ kam, war das Thema vom Tisch.
Ich gebe zu, ich habe vor 2 Jahren ein wenig geflunkert, als ich schrieb, die nächste Zeit in der Schweiz und die Politik werde für mich persönlich darüber entscheiden, ob ich hier weiter bleibe oder in ein ausländisches „Start-Up-Valley“ auswandere. In Tat und Wahrheit, war die Sache für mich eigentlich klar, ich werde abhauen.
 
Physische und geistige Mobilität
Irgendwann habe ich damals erkannt, dass das Umfeld ganz entscheidend dazu beiträgt, was man als Start-Up Unternehmer bewegen kann. Deutschland und die Schweiz waren kein so tolles Pflaster. Investoren die nicht sehr risikofreudig sind, massenweise sehr gute potentielle Mitarbeiter, die aber null Anreiz und Motivation haben, ihre sensationell bezahlten und angenehmen Jobs gegen ein Start-Up Abenteuer zu tauschen.
Und eine Kultur, die irritierend skeptisch gegenüber jenen ist, die selber etwas auf die Beine stellen wollen. Mein Vater selig, hat mir selbst 2 Jahre nach der Gründung meiner ersten Firma, die dann schon Mitarbeiter hatte und sich selbst tragen musste (weil es eben keine Investoren gab), beim sonntäglichen Mittagessen jeweils ans Herz gelegt, doch bitte einen tollen Job in der Pharmaindustrie anzunehmen. Erst als ich eines Tages mit einem neuen BMW „nach Hause“ kam, war das Thema vom Tisch.
Zug, Switzerland
Und so hatte ich über die Jahre das Gefühl, dass wenn eine geistige Mobilität nicht vorhanden ist, man selbst eine physische Mobilität entwickeln muss. Sich in jene Gebiete zu verschieben, in welchen das Umfeld für unternehmerische Aktivitäten der Zukunft (um das mal so zu nennen) besser aufgestellt sind. Dass dort auch der Wettbewerb ganz ein anderer – nämlich sehr hart – ist, vergisst man in der Regel komplett.
 
Silicon Valley – nein, danke.
Dass es zu diesem Schritt nicht gekommen ist, hat zum einen ganz banale, praktikable Gründe. Die interkontinentale Verschiebung einer 5-köpfigen Familie ist, wenn sie eben nicht durch einen Großkonzern komplett organisiert wird, ein doch eher aufwändiges Ding. Nichts was einen von einer guten Idee abbringen würde grundsätzlich. Aber auch nichts was man mal eben so macht.
Zum anderen, und das ist schlussendlich das Entscheidende, bildet sich in der Schweiz gerade so etwas wie das Epizentrum einer neuen (Digitalen) Finanzindustrie. Wenn man sich das Wertschöpfungs-Volumen ansieht, welches die globale Finanzindustrie sozusagen für Start-Ups bereithält, um mit neuen Geschäftskonzepten modelliert zu werden, ist das schlicht immens.
Ich habe mir den Fintech-Bereich bewusst ausgesucht, als wir uns entschieden Machine-Learning in RPA zu machen. Dass das Potential riesig ist, war klar. Dass die bestehenden Player zwischen verzweifelt und krampfhaft nach einem Weg in eine digitalisierte Zukunft suchen werden war auch klar. Aber dass die Schweiz dafür zukünftig nahezu ein perfektes Umfeld bieten würde – nein darauf hätte ich vor 2 Jahren nicht gerade gewettet.
 
Wealthtech-Nation, Risiko Crypto Nation Schweiz
Dass es dazu kam, hat ganz verschiedene Gründe. Einer der Hauptgründe ist sicher, dass die Schweiz eine sehr ungewöhnliche Kombination von totaler politische rund sozialer Sicherheit bei gleichzeitig sehr minimaler Regulierung bot. Zudem haben Kantone und der Bund für Fintech-Start-Ups eine gewisse Willkommenskultur gelebt. Natürlich nicht alle und auch zwischendurch mit, sagen wir mal, „Schluckauf“. Vielleicht war vieles auch ein wenig Glück und Zufall. Sei’s drum.
Heute ist da aber immer offensichtlicher ein Plan dahinter. Wenn Bundesrat Schneider-Ammann verkündet, die Schweiz werde eine „Crypto-Nation“, dann hat das, sozusagen extern wie auch intern enorm Signalwirkung.
Ich hätte zwar fast lieber gehabt, er hätte die Schweiz als Wealthtech-Nation proklamiert – zu unseriös erschienen mir die weltweit meist weitgehend unregulierten ICOs. Das Risiko, sich als Nation und Standort damit den eigenen wirtschaftspolitischen Ruf zu versauen war und ist noch immer nicht unerheblich.
Mit dem 16. Februar jedoch wurde meiner Meinung nach durch die Schweizerische Finanzmarktaufsicht (Finma) nach ein wichtiger Schritt gemacht: Man hat bekannt gegeben wie ICOs/ITOs in Zukunft behandelt werden sollen. In dem Papier, nach meinem Gusto noch etwas vage und schmal, wurden die entsprechenden Grundsätze verankert. Wie das im Detail gehandhabt wird, ist dabei erstmal gar nicht so wichtig.
 
Ein Signal an die Welt
Viel wichtiger ist die Botschaft dahinter:
Wir begrüßen ICOs/ITOs und wir wollen Regulatorien anwenden,  die sicherstellen, dass ein ICO, der in der Schweiz stattfindet eine vertrauenswürdige, belastbare Angelegenheit ist.
Damit wurde ein Schweizerischer, regulierter ICO quasi über Nacht auch für unser Unternehmen eine ernsthaft zu evaluierende Funding-Alternative. Denn risikobehaftete und gewagte Geschäftsmodelle umsetzen ist das eine. Dabei vertrauenswürdig und seriös zu bleiben, ist die Basis auf der man aufbaut.
Das ist gutes Timing. Die Schweizer Behörden haben allgemein einen guten Lauf bei der Förderung und Portierung eines Finanzplatzes der Zukunft. Eben dieser Wealthtech-Nation.
 
Nix da.
Und so kommt es, das ich erstmal nirgends hingehe. Sehr zum Leidwesen meiner Frau, die gerne mal von hier weg möchte. Im Mindesten einen Tapetenwechsel. Eine unserer Firmen, Accounto, ist seit Anfang 2018 ja bereits in der Region. Vielleicht ziehen wir in absehbarer Zeit tatsächlich auch in die Innerschweiz. Mit Firma, Kind und Kegel.
Denn für eine Firma die sich den Leitsatz „Accelerating paradigm shifts in the financial industry by leveraging new technologies“ auf die Fahne schreibt, gibt es gerade keinen besseren Standort als die Schweiz. Und wohl gerade auch keinen besseren Zeitpunkt. Die Bedingungen für Fintech resp. Wealthtech-Startups waren in der Schweiz noch nie besser. Und wir sind erst am Anfang.
Wenn es die Politik jetzt noch schafft, im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes unternehmenslustige Fintech-Menschen aus aller Welt willkommen zu heißen und einen einfachen Zugang zum Standort zu ermöglichen, dann wird das „Crypto-Valley“ dem Silicon-Valley in ein paar Jahren in nichts nachstehen.
 
Dieser Artikel erschien zuerst auf dem Blog von alainveuve.ch
Alain Veuve ist Gründer des AI Fintech Startups Parashift.
The post Nein, ich geh nicht ins Valley. Das Valley kommt zu mir in die Schweiz appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/nein-ich-geh-nicht-ins-valley-das-valley-kommt-zu-mir-in-die-schweiz</link><guid>427</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/valley.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Nein, ich geh nicht ins Valley. Das Valley kommt zu mir in die Schweiz</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 10 Most Innovative Finance Companies</title><description><![CDATA[Fastcompany has selected the most innovative Finance companies for 2018:
 
10. Wealthfront

Redwood City, CA &#8211; based company encourages its customers to experiment with life scenarios (retiring early, paying for college, buying a home) on an ongoing basis using its interactive online tools.
As of January 2018, the company had attracted $9.5 billion in assets under management, putting it in the same league as rival Betterment.
 
 
9. LenddoEFL
LenddoEFL (formerly EFL Global) emerged out of research on psychometric credit scoring at the Entrepreneurial Finance Lab within the Harvard Center for International Development.
The organization has now helped lend $1.5 billion to over 1 million entrepreneurs in 15 countries around the world. Using LenddoEFL’s psychometric scores, which take into account knowledge, abilities, attitudes, and personality traits, bank partners report that they have lowered default rates by 40% while increasing loan volume.
 
8. Ladder
Ladder, which has developed a mobile-first user experience and an underwriting system capable of approving customers within minutes. In addition, Ladder makes it possible for its term-life customers to adjust their coverage over time, as their circumstances change.
eThe company launched in California, in January 2017, and is now available in over 40 states. It raised $30 million in Series B funding to fund further growth in January 2018.
 
7. LendUp
LendUp, founded in 2011 by stepbrothers CEO Sasha Orloff and CTO Jake Rosenberg, aims to help those Americans build better credit by offering credit products that reward good behavior and encouraging education. The company provides short-term loans of up to $250 and credit cards with minimal fees.
 
6. TransferWise
TransferWise is a cheap and reliable way to send money internationally. In recent months, TransferWise has started laying the groundwork for a multi-currency current account geared toward international freelancers. It also makes its core transfer service available via API in Facebook Messenger.
The company raised $280 million in Series E funding in November 2017.
 
5. Cadre
Cadre, a New York-based startup, has set out to make alternative assets more investor-friendly by building a platform that streamlines deal sourcing, due diligence, and reporting.
In June 2017, the company raised $65 million in Series C funding, with Andreessen Horowitz leading the round.
 
4. Kakao Bank
KakaoBank is an internet bank launched by Kakao. The banking services was launched in 2016 with integration with KakaoTalk and KakaoPay to let users connect with people in their contact list and make financial transactions with them.
Kakao Bank, Kakao Talk’s sister app, attracted more than 300,000 customers in its first 24 hours. After just four days, the mobile-first bank had lent out KRW 260 billion ($232 million) and accepted KRW 275 billion ($245 million) in deposits.
 
3. Stripe
Stripe is the best way to accept payments online and in mobile apps. We handle billions of dollars every year for forward-thinking businesses around the world.
The company is also increasingly active overseas, with operations in most of Europe and a growing portion of Asia, including Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore.
 
2. Social Capital
The firm, an early backer of companies including Slack and Yammer, uses sophisticated data techniques to evaluate investments and coach portfolio companies on growth. Its current portfolio is diverse, spanning consumer, education, enterprise, healthcare, and frontier technologies.
Starting in 2017, Palihapitiya began laying the groundwork for Social Capital to be able to invest in companies at any stage&#8211;pre-launch, early venture, growth, or public. He also began building an automated investment tool, named Capital-as-a-Service, designed to remove bias from the investment decision process.
 
1.Square
Square, founded in 2009, is a payments company dedicated to serving micro-entrepreneurs and growing small businesses.
Square has become a major force in payments worth around $16 billion. In addition to its signature card reader, Square now offers an iPad point-of-sale system and a larger register that retails for $999. The company also operates Square Capital, which provides loans to its merchants, and a consumer-facing mobile wallet, Cash App.
 
The 2017 List can be found here.
This article first appeared on FastCompany.com, Featured image via Pixabay
 
The post Top 10 Most Innovative Finance Companies appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-10-most-innovative-finance-companies</link><guid>428</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/wealthfront-300x116.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 10 Most Innovative Finance Companies</dc:text></item><item><title>Vom Hype zur Realität: Die Schweiz hat sich zu einem führenden globalen FinTech-Zentrum entwickelt</title><description><![CDATA[Das Institut für Finanzdienstleistungen Zug IFZ der Hochschule Luzern hat zum dritten Mal eine umfassende Bestandesaufnahme des Schweizer FinTech-Markts vorgenommen.
Die Studie zeigt, dass sich die Schweiz dank optimalen Rahmenbedingungen für den FinTech-Sektor zu einem global führenden FinTech-Zentrum entwickelt hat, besonders für Unternehmen im Bereich Blockchain und Kryptowährungen.
Die heute erschienene «IFZ FinTech-Studie 2018» der Hochschule Luzern gibt einen umfassenden Überblick über den Schweizer FinTech-Sektor (Definition siehe Box). Diese zeigt, dass die FinTech-Branche hierzulande wie schon im Vorjahr sehr gute Rahmenbedingungen vorfindet: Im globalen Vergleich von 30 untersuchten Städten liegen Zürich und Genf wiederum auf Platz 2 und 3, nur Singapur erzielt noch höhere Werte.
«Die Schweiz hat ihr Potential noch nicht ganz ausgeschöpft»,
sagt Studienleiter Thomas Ankenbrand. Luft nach oben ortet er vor allem im technologischen Bereich. Das Ranking basiert auf 72 Indikatoren, welche die Rahmenbedingungen des politischen und rechtlichen, ökonomischen, sozialen sowie technologischen Umfelds abbilden.
«Crypto Valley» in Zug ist kein Zufall
Die exzellenten Rahmenbedingungen haben, zusammen mit der Ansammlung von innovativen Unternehmern, den proaktiven Behörden und führenden Forschungsinstituten, zum Aufblühen des sogenannten Crypto Valley geführt. Dieses Zentrum lässt die Schweiz vom globalen ICO-Boom profitieren: 271 Millionen Schweizer Franken haben hiesige FinTech-Unternehmen im Jahr 2017 über diese alternative Finanzierungsform erhalten (siehe Grafik 1). Aber auch die Investitionen über die traditionelle Finanzierungsform des Venture Capitals sind im Jahr 2017 bedeutend angestiegen, auf ein Total von rund 130 Millionen Schweizer Franken.

FinTech-Unternehmen: Wachstum und Reife
«Der FinTech-Sektor ist über die letzten drei Jahre hinweg stetig gewachsen»,
sagt Thomas Ankenbrand.
Ende 2017 waren hierzulande 220 Unternehmen tätig, was einem Wachstum von 16 Prozent gegenüber dem Vorjahr entspricht. Die durchschnittliche Grösse der Unternehmen, gemessen an der Anzahl Vollzeitmitarbeiter, wie auch an der Kapitalisierung, hat sich im Vergleich zum Vorjahr erhöht.

«Die Branche ist nicht nur reifer geworden, sie wird auch als reifer wahrgenommen: Der Hype ist Realität geworden»,

so Ankenbrand. Schweizer Banken nehmen FinTech-Unternehmen nicht mehr als Konkurrenz wahr, sondern streben die Zusammenarbeit an.
Kundenakquisition als grösste Herausforderung
Trotz des Wachstums sehen sich Schweizer FinTech-Unternehmen gemäss der durchgeführten Umfrage mit Herausforderungen konfrontiert. Die Schwierigkeiten, neue Kunden zu finden, scheint hierbei das grösste Hindernis für weiteres Wachstum im Sektor darzustellen. Hingegen bereitet der Zugang zu externen Finanzmitteln wenig Mühe (siehe Grafik 2). Dies wird auch durch den signifikanten Anstieg im Venture Capital-Investitionsvolumen bestätigt.

 
Weiteres Wachstum erwartet
«2017 war wiederum ein erfolgreiches Jahr für den Schweizer FinTech-Markt»,
sagt Thomas Ankenbrand.
«Wir erwarten, dass sich dieser Trend auch 2018 fortsetzt.»
Dazu gehörten noch höhere Unternehmenswerte, weitere Jobs in der Branche sowie die Stärkung bestimmter FinTech- Produkte. Zudem scheint der gesamte Finanzsektor von diesem Wachstum und den damit verbundenen technologischen Innovationen zu profitieren.
 
Featured image via Pexels
The post Vom Hype zur Realität: Die Schweiz hat sich zu einem führenden globalen FinTech-Zentrum entwickelt appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/vom-hype-zur-realitat-die-schweiz-hat-sich-zu-einem-fuhrenden-globalen-fintech-zentrum-entwickelt</link><guid>429</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Venture-Capital-und-ICO-Volumen-im-Schweizer-FinTech-Sektor.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Vom Hype zur Realität: Die Schweiz hat sich zu einem führenden globalen FinTech-Zentrum entwickelt</dc:text></item><item><title>New IFZ Report Highlights Switzerland’s Emergence As A Global Fintech Center</title><description><![CDATA[Switzerland has become a global fintech center with Zurich and Geneva in particular emerging as world-renowned fintech hubs, according to a new report by the Institute for Financial Services Zug IFZ of the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences.
The thriving Swiss fintech industry has been supported by &#8220;excellent general conditions for fintech companies&#8221; including the political stability and the progressive regulatory environment, according to the IFZ Fintech Study 2018.
However, several improvements can be made. Among the main drawbacks, the report cites the high labor costs and living costs, the low level of tertiary enrolment, and the lack of online governmental services.
 
Fintech sector matures
2017 was the year that the Swiss fintech sector matured, according to the report, with fintech becoming widely acknowledged as an important innovation drivers and startups penetrating the financial system on different levels.
The last months have seen a variety of cooperation and partnerships in the financial sector. These include partnerships between Crowdli and PwC, Contovista and Raiffeisen, Descartes and Deutsche Asset Management, Raizers and Banque Piguet Galland, True Wealth and Basellandschaftliche Kantonalbank, Squirro and Synpulse, Payrexx and WIR Bank, and Veezoo and AXA, among others.
2017 was also marked by the emergence of the Crypto Valley in 2017 in the city of Zug, which is now widely recognized as a global hub for cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.
&#8220;The combination of the good conditions in Switzerland and the clustering of innovative entrepreneurs, a business-friendly administration and the presence of leading research institutes in and around Zug, resulted in a lively and self-enforcing ecosystem,&#8221; it says.
&#8220;This in turn allows Switzerland to profit from the global [initial coin offering (ICO)] boom, as it is one of the leading places globally in terms of capital raised through this alternative form of financing.&#8221;
Besides the large growth in the ICO volume, the traditional venture capital volume invested in the Swiss fintech sector also increased significantly in 2017, amounting to a total of CHF 130 million.

 
Swiss fintech startups
The Swiss fintech sector has been growing steadily in the past two years. By the end of 2017, there were a total of 220 incorporated fintech companies in Switzerland, against 162 in 2015 and 190 in 2016.
Some product areas have grown more than others. For instance, the number of companies in the blockchain and investment management spaces has increased in the last year.

Startups surveyed cited finding customers as the most pressing challenge, followed by the availability of skilled staff or experienced managers. On the other hand, access to financial capital does not pose a major problem to most fintech companies.

In 2018, growth is expected to continue and the maturity level is set to increase, leading to higher company valuations, additional jobs in the sector, and consolidation in some fintech product areas.
 
Fintech adoption remains low
Despite the thriving startup scene, fintech adoption remains relatively low in Switzerland.
According to a report by EY, only 30% of Swiss residents regularly use fintech solutions for money transfers and payments, financial planning, savings and investment, borrowing, or insurance. The global average for the adoption of fintech solutions is slightly higher with 33%. Emerging markets such as Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa have an even higher adoption rate of 46%.

The report claims that one of the main reasons for the relatively low adoption in Switzerland could be the lack of need for fintech solutions due to the strong presence of established financial institutions. However, fintech adoption in Switzerland is expected to increase to 44% in the future.
The post New IFZ Report Highlights Switzerland&#8217;s Emergence As A Global Fintech Center appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/new-ifz-report-highlights-switzerlands-emergence-as-a-global-fintech-center</link><guid>416</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/VC-funding-and-ICOs.png</dc:content ><dc:text>New IFZ Report Highlights Switzerland’s Emergence As A Global Fintech Center</dc:text></item><item><title>Why HODL Is The Bankruptcy For Many Crypto Owners</title><description><![CDATA[The cryptocurrency market has lost nearly 50% of its value since its peak of US$840 billion in early January 2018, yet believers are advising to &#8220;hodl&#8221; despite the dramatic drop.
 
&#8220;Hodl&#8221;: what does it mean?
Hodl is a term derived from a misspelling of &#8220;hold&#8221; that refers to buy-and-hold strategies in the context of cryptocurrencies.
The term hodl originated in 2013 with a post called &#8220;I AM HODLING&#8221; to the bitcointalk forum in which a drunk, semi-coherent, typo-laden user named GameKyuubi rant about his poor trading skills and determination to simply hold his bitcoins from that point on, despite the serious fall that had just happened.
GameKyuubi&#8217;s rationale is as such: novice traders are likely to botch their attempts to time the market and lose money, or make less than they would simply holding onto their coin.
Within hours, hodl had made its way into memes and quickly became a mantra for an approach to cryptocurrency investing.
In economics and decision theory, this approach can be explained by the loss aversion phenomenon which refers to people&#8217;s tendency to prefer avoiding losses to acquiring equivalent gains: it is better to not lose US$5 than to find US$5.
The prospect theory too describes well the mindset of cryptocurrency&#8217;s most fervent believers. Basically, the idea is that people value gains and losses differently, and, as such, will base decisions on perceived gains rather than perceived losses. According to prospect theory, losses have more emotional impact than an equivalent amount of gains.
If a person were given two equal choices, one expressed in terms of possible gains and the other in possible losses, people would choose the former &#8211; even when they achieve the same economic end result.
 
Crypto bubble
The fact that most cryptocurrency investors have that hodl thinking is worrisome and many experts are warning of the risk of turning a blind eye on the obvious.
Vitalik Buterin, the creator of Ethereum, twitted earlier this month:
Reminder: cryptocurrencies are still a new and hyper-volatile asset class, and could drop to near-zero at any time. Don&#8217;t put in more money than you can afford to lose. If you&#8217;re trying to figure out where to store your life savings, traditional assets are still your safest bet.
— Vitalik Buterin (@VitalikButerin) February 17, 2018


Jordan Belfort, the real &#8220;Wolf of Wall Street,&#8221; told CNN Money in December that bitcoin was essentially a scam.
&#8220;I think it&#8217;s a huge danger right now that people are looking at this as the next great thing,&#8221; he told CNN Money. &#8220;It&#8217;s a bubble for sure.&#8221;
In March 2014, the American business magnate Warren Buffett advised: &#8220;Stay away from [bitcoin]. It&#8217;s a mirage, basically.&#8221;
According to securities regulator Joseph Borg, bitcoin is in the &#8220;mania&#8221; phase with some people even borrowing money to get in on the action.
&#8220;We&#8217;ve seen mortgages being taken out to buy bitcoin. … People do credit cards, equity lines,&#8221; Borg, president of the North American Securities Administrators Association, told CNBC in December 2017.
&#8220;You&#8217;re on this mania curve. At some point in time there&#8217;s got to be a leveling off.&#8221;
Recently, a new category of startups targeting cryptocurrency investors has emerged. Over the past year, around half a dozen of new online platforms have been launched with the sole purpose of providing cryptocurrency traders with the ability to get a cash loan secured by cryptocurrencies as collateral. These include Salt Lending, Sweetbridge, MoneyToken, and EthLend.
Bitcoin rose 1,300% in 2017. The cryptocurrency is now trading at 10,000 USD/BTC, down 26% since the beginning of the year.
 
Featured image: Cryptocurrency, Pixabay.
The post Why HODL Is The Bankruptcy For Many Crypto Owners appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/why-hodl-is-the-bankruptcy-for-many-crypto-owners</link><guid>410</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/hodl-300x168.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>Why HODL Is The Bankruptcy For Many Crypto Owners</dc:text></item><item><title>The Swiss Blockchain Ecosystem</title><description><![CDATA[We came across of 2 new Blockchain and Swiss Crypto Maps.
Let us know in the comments who is missing.

The Swiss Blockchain Ecosystem January 2018

Investments, Asset Management, Payments
Blockhaus
Bity
Bancor
Xapo
Lykke
Lakeside Partners
Smart Valor
Corion
Melonport
SwissBorg
Shapeshift
Metaco
Grydl
Tend
myBit
Monaco
Fluon
 
Data, Supply Chain, Trade, Energy, ESG
Ambrosus
Climatecoin
Energy Web Foundation
Hdac
Gatechain
IBT
ixo Foundation
Modum
Prosume
 
Insurance, Entertainment, Mobility
Etherisc
Singular DTV
DAV
Decent
 
Media, Events
Blockchain Summit Crypto Valley
Fintech Switzerland News
Crypto Finance Conference
Bitcoin News Schweiz
Blockchain &amp; Bitcoin Conference Switzerland
 
Consulting, Legal, Tax
Brand leadership circle
iprotus
MME
Consensys
IBM
Fineac Treuhand
ti&amp;m
Grunder rechts-Anwalte
Cognizant
papers.ch
Blockchain Source
Swisscom | Blockchain
 
Platforms, Protocol
Nimiq
Status
Tezos Foundation
Cosmos
Cybertrust
ethereum
Token commons
BOScoin
ICON
Cardano
qiibee
Cardstack
Lisk
 
Associations, Communities, Regulators, Institutes
digitalswitzerland
CryptoValley
Blockchain hub
Six
Bitcoin Association Switzerland
Blockchain Society
Blockchain X
Bitnation
Swiss Finance +Technology Association
ValidityLabs
Finma
Bitcoin Suisse AG
 
Swiss Bitcoin Ecosystem February 2018 Edition presented by Oyoba

 
Banking Services
OYOBA
Falcon Private Bank
 
Misc
Metaco
Proxeus
Procivis
Alethena
KOINA
Digital bitbox
 
Exchange &amp; Investments
Crypto Finance
SwissBorg
Base58Capital
Lykke
SCX
Bitcoin Suisse AG
Melonport
Bity
Grydl
Shapeshift
 
Service Provider
ValidityLabs
Swisscom | Blockchain
 
Associations &amp; Community
CryptoValley
Stutz
Swiss Blockchain Associations
Cryptovalley LABS
Bitcoin Association Switzerland
 
Infrastructure
Quant
Forctis
 
Supply Chain
Ambrosus
Gatechain
Modum
 
Tokenized Assets
SwissRealCoin
Smart Valore
TEND
 
Conferences
Crypto Finance Conference
Crypto Valley Conference
Finance 2.0 Crypto 17
The post The Swiss Blockchain Ecosystem appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-swiss-blockchain-ecosystem</link><guid>411</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/SwissBlockchainEcosystem_v4January2018.png</dc:content ><dc:text>The Swiss Blockchain Ecosystem</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 5 affordable Business Laptops for Fintechers</title><description><![CDATA[Fintechnews Switzerland tried to select 5 good and affordable Business Laptops for Fintech Startups, entrepreneurs and global Fintech Nomads.
Let us know in the comments in case we have missed a good version.
1. HP Spectre X360 Quadcore Laptop

Experience technology at its very best. Refined craftsmanship meets unquestionable power for a machine that does more than meet expectations – it transcends them. With the latest hardware, unbelievable battery life, and a 4K display, this laptop excels at every turn, elegantly sliding into just the mode you need.
 
2. Xiaomi Mi Notebook Pro 15.6 inch

Xiaomi Pro notebook&#8211;More powerful professional laptop.The latest 8th generation intel core CPU. Nvidia MX150 discrete graphic card 2GB GDDR5.Dual-channel Memory(DDR4 2400MHz).
 
3. Razer Blade Stealth 13.3 inch

The Razer Blade Stealth Ultrabook sets the new standard for ultra-mobility and extreme performance. The incredibly thin 0.52 inch CNC aluminum chassis encases an Intel Core i7 processor, and the most visually stunning 13.3 inch QHD+ display.
 
4. Google Pixel Book (i5, 8gb of RAM)

Meet Google Pixelbook, the high-performance Chromebook. It’s the first laptop with the Google Assistant built in.
 
5. Microsoft Surface Pro 4

Microsoft Surface Pro 4 is the tablet that can replace your laptop. Featuring a 6th Gen Intel Core i5 processor with 8GB memory and a 256GB solid-state drive, it is more powerful than its predecessor yet lighter than ever before at 1.73 pounds.
The post Top 5 affordable Business Laptops for Fintechers appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-5-affordable-business-laptops-for-fintechers</link><guid>415</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/HP-Spectre-300x213.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 5 affordable Business Laptops for Fintechers</dc:text></item><item><title>Lykke adds Litecoin, more than 30 new assets to Lykke Exchange</title><description><![CDATA[Lykke, a Swiss FinTech company building a regulated, blockchain-based global marketplace, has added the market-leading Litecoin cryptocurrency to the Lykke Exchange, along with many other digital assets.
Lykke started to actively expand the list of assets from the beginning of February, 2018, and has added more than 30 new tokens since then.
Litecoin is one of the top five cryptocurrencies in the world by value, with a market capitalization in excess of $2 billion. It is renowned for its faster transaction speeds relative to bitcoin and its ability to handle higher transaction volumes.

Richard Olsen
“The maturation of the Lykke Exchange continues apace with Litecoin,”

said Richard Olsen, Lykke founder and CEO.

“This important expansion to our offerings brings an investment opportunity to our community on a par with Ethereum and bitcoin. We’re especially proud of the Litecoin integration.


Thanks to the modular software architecture of our platform, which provides an abstract integration layer, bringing Litecoin onto our exchange was a smooth and painless process.”

This ingenious integration scheme enables Lykke to adapt new cryptocurrencies to the Lykke Exchange through partial automation. The integration layer handles common tasks across blockchains, including cash flow operations and client wallets, so that Lykke can incorporate new assets on the exchange simply by deploying the appropriate software connectors.
Following in the success of Litecoin, five additional blockchain integrations are currently in the testing phase with the support and participation of Lykke’s crowdsourcing community.
Litecoin is just one of more than 30 new additions to the Lykke Exchange. For the most up-to-date listing of tradeable tokens and coins, visit https://www.lykke.com/cp/tokens-and-coins-traded
The post Lykke adds Litecoin, more than 30 new assets to Lykke Exchange appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/lykke-adds-litecoin-more-than-30-new-assets-to-lykke-exchange</link><guid>412</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Lykke adds Litecoin, more than 30 new assets to Lykke Exchange</dc:text></item><item><title>World Fintech Report 2018: Partnerschaft ist das neue Paradigma der Branche</title><description><![CDATA[Verbraucher sind die grossen Profiteure des starken Fintech-Wachstums im Finanzdienstleistungsbereich.
Sie geniessen breitere Angebote, neue Technologien und ein besseres Kundenerlebnis. Doch trotz der guten Service-Leistung müssen Fintechs auf Kooperationskurs mit den traditionellen Finanzinstituten gehen, um selber erfolgreich zu sein. Zu diesem Ergebnis kommt der neue World Fintech Report 2018, der heute von Capgemini und LinkedIn in Zusammenarbeit mit der Efma veröffentlicht wurde.
Während beide Seiten zunächst konkurrierten, lautet das Paradigma der Branche heute Partnerschaft. Die symbiotische Zusammenarbeit von Fintechs und Finanzinstituten betont die komplementären Stärken beider Seiten und hilft, ein Gegengewicht für den möglichen Markteintritt der sogenannten BigTechs im Finanzdienstleistungssektor zu bilden.
Types of Fintech Firms:
Source: Capgemini Financial Services Analysis,2018
 
Fintechs revitalisieren die Kundenerfahrung bei Finanzprodukten
Fintechs sind mit neuen Technologien innovativ und stellen das Kundenerlebnis bei Finanzdienstleistungen in den Mittelpunkt. Mit immer höheren Erwartungen auf Kundenseite und wachsendem Konkurrenzdruck steigt auch der Anspruch an Komfort und Individualisierungsmöglichkeiten. Hierzu entwickeln Fintech-Unternehmen personalisierte Angebote auf Basis von Kundendaten und offerieren schnelle, rund um die Uhr verfügbare Online-Dienste, auf die Kunden von jedem Gerät aus zugreifen können.
Laut dem World Fintech Report 2018 geniessen die traditionellen Finanzdienstleister jedoch ein grösseres Vertrauen bei Kunden als die neueren Start-ups. Für den Erfolg in der Zukunft müssen Finanzdienstleister also darauf achten, sich weiterhin stark nach den Wünschen ihrer Kunden zu richten, Vertrauen zu bewahren und digitale, agile und effiziente Prozesse bereitzustellen.

Penry Price
„Fintech-Firmen sind stark kundenorientiert und schliessen damit die Lücke, die traditionelle Firmen hinterlassen haben. Für Fintechs öffnet sich dadurch eine Tür, das Vertrauen in traditionelle Firmen bleibt für die Kunden aber weiterhin wichtig&#8221;,
sagt Penry Price, Vice President, Global Marketing Solutions, LinkedIn.
 
 
Die Gelegenheit zum Win-Win
Fintechs sind unbelastet von alten Legacy-Systemen und den Unternehmenskulturen vergangener Tage. Sie können neue Technologien direkt zum Wohl und Wunsch ihrer Kunden einsetzen. Laut World Fintech Report betrachten über 90 Prozent der Fintechs Agilität und ein neues Kundenerlebnis als Schlüsselfaktoren für eine bessere Wettbewerbsposition. Darüber hinaus sehen mehr als 76 Prozent die Fähigkeit, Neues zu entwickeln und Bestehendes zu verbessern, als erfolgsentscheidend an.
Die grosse Herausforderung ist, höhere Skalierbarkeit sowie finanziell tragfähige Geschäftsmodelle zu schaffen. Hier kommen die traditionellen Finanzdienstleister ins Spiel. Obwohl Fintechs seit 2009 mit 110 Milliarden US-Dollar finanziert wurden, sieht der Bericht die meisten von ihnen scheitern, weil sie kein effektives Partner-Ökosystem aufgebaut haben.
Gleichzeitig adaptieren traditionelle Finanzinstitute viele Weiterentwicklungen des Kundenservice aus dem Fintech-Bereich und behalten dabei ihre Stärken wie Risikomanagement, Infrastruktur, regulatorische Expertise, Kundenvertrauen, Zugang zu Kapital und vieles mehr bei. Von einer symbiotischen, kooperativen Partnerschaft können letztlich also beide Seiten profitieren.

Tobias Wolf
„Drei Viertel der Fintechs sehen ihr primäres Geschäftsziel in der Zusammenarbeit mit traditionellen Finanzfirmen. Daher ist es unerlässlich, dass beide ihre Geschäftsmodelle für die Kooperation miteinander öffnen, um gemeinsame Innovationen voranzutreiben und dabei das Vertrauen der Kunden weiterhin zu erhalten“,
so Tobias Wolf Leiter Banking bei Capgemini Consulting in der Schweiz.
„Fehlt es an einem agilen und engagierten Kooperationspartner – egal von welcher Seite – könnte der Erfolg auf der Strecke bleiben.“
 
Die Suche nach dem richtigen Partner ist erfolgskritisch
Laut dem World Fintech Report 2018 gaben mehr als 70 Prozent der Fintech-Führungskräfte an, dass ihre grösste Herausforderung bei der Zusammenarbeit mit traditionellen Finanzunternehmen deren mangelnde Agilität sei. Gleichzeitig nahmen traditionelle Unternehmen negative Auswirkungen auf das Kundenvertrauen, die Marke und die Veränderung der internen Kultur als ihre grösste Herausforderung wahr.

Vincent Bastid
„Für eine erfolgreiche Partnerschaft müssen beide Seiten aufgeschlossen bleiben und sich auf die Zusammenarbeit konzentrieren. Die Finanzinstitute müssen die Kultur der Fintechs respektieren, damit diese ihre Agilität nicht verlieren – ihre wichtigste Mitgift für gemeinsame Projekte. Eine grosse Herausforderung ist auch die Auswahl des Fintechs, mit dem man am besten zusammenarbeiten kann&#8221;,
sagte Vincent Bastid, Generalsekretär bei Efma.
 
BigTechs am Horizont geben Anlass zum schnellen Handeln
Die Zukunft der Finanzdienstleistungen liegt sowohl in den Händen der Fintechs als auch in denen traditioneller Unternehmen, da sich ihre Stärken gegenseitig ergänzen und sie den Kundenbedürfnissen gemeinsam besser gerecht werden können. Schon jetzt zeichnet sich ein Umbruch der Branche durch BigTechs – den grossen, multinationalen Technologieunternehmen mit einem riesigen Kundenstamm im Einzelhandel – am Horizont ab.
Höchste Zeit also für Fintechs und traditionelle Unternehmen, den richtigen Kooperationspartner zu finden und den Weg zum Erfolg neu zu definieren. Als Hilfestellung für die Branche und um deren Bestrebungen nach Zusammenarbeit und symbiotische Beziehungen zu fördern, hat Capgemini das sogenannte ScaleUp-Zertifizierungs-Werkszeug entwickelt. Dieses Instrument schafft ein Modell für Kooperation und gegenseitige Verifikation, das die Partnerschaft zwischen traditionellen Firmen und Fintechs fördert.
The post World Fintech Report 2018: Partnerschaft ist das neue Paradigma der Branche appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/world-fintech-report-2018-partnerschaft-ist-das-neue-paradigma-der-branche</link><guid>413</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Types-of-Fintech.png</dc:content ><dc:text>World Fintech Report 2018: Partnerschaft ist das neue Paradigma der Branche</dc:text></item><item><title>FINMA sign Fintech Cooperation Agreement with Hong Kongs SFC</title><description><![CDATA[The Securities and Futures Commission Hong Kong (SFC) entered into an agreement with the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) to establish a framework for cooperation on Fintech.
Under the agreement, the SFC and FINMA will cooperate to share information on emerging Fintech trends, developments and related regulatory issues as well as on organisations which promote innovation in financial services.
In addition, the agreement provides for a bilateral mechanism for referrals of innovative firms seeking to enter one another’s markets.

Ashley Alder
&#8220;This agreement with the FINMA strengthens cooperation between our two markets,&#8221;

said Mr Ashley Alder, the SFC’s Chief Executive Officer.

&#8220;It will help both regulators keep abreast of innovation in financial services while providing innovative Fintech firms seeking to develop and grow their businesses internationally enhanced channels for communicating with regulators.&#8221;

The agreement follows the creation of the SFC’s Fintech Contact Point in 2016 and FINMA’s Fintech Desk in 2015.
 
 
Featured image via Pexels
The post FINMA sign Fintech Cooperation Agreement with Hong Kongs SFC appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finma-sign-fintech-cooperation-agreement-with-hong-kongs-sfc</link><guid>414</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>FINMA sign Fintech Cooperation Agreement with Hong Kongs SFC</dc:text></item><item><title>A new Inclusive Internet Index, Switzerland only Number 22!</title><description><![CDATA[The new edition of the Inclusive Internet Index, published , reveals a healthy increase in internet access since last year, amid expanding 4G coverage and falling mobile costs.
Compiled by The Economist Intelligence Unit and sponsored by Facebook, The Index provides an international benchmark of internet inclusion across four categories: availability, affordability, relevance and readiness. Its aim is to measure the extent to which internet use promotes positive social and economic outcomes.
Among the 70 countries included in both the 2017 and 2018 Indices, the average percentage of households connected to the internet grew by 44.9% to 48.6%, an 8.3% increase. Progress on this front was fastest among low-income countries included in the Index, where the average percentage of connected households increased from 8.0% to 13.2%, a 65.1% improvement.
The index also identified rapid expansion in the availability of mobile internet services. Coverage of 4G mobile services grew significantly, especially in countries including Guatemala, where it grew 3,935.0%, and Indonesia (658.8%). Meanwhile, the average price of a 500MB prepaid mobile broadband data plan as a percentage of monthly income fell from nearly 3.3% last year to 2.9% in 2018, an improvement of 10.1%.
Enhancements to the measurement of the gender gap in internet access prevent year-on-year comparisons, but it is inarguably still too high: among the countries included in the Index, the proportion of men that access the Internet is, on average, 33.5% higher than the proportion of women. Among low-income countries, the gender gap is 80.2% in favour of men.
However, a number of low-income countries, including Nepal, Malawi, and Mozambique, stand out for policies designed to promote internet inclusion among women and girls, specifically digital skills training and STEM education.
The 2018 Index is accompanied by a new Value of the Internet survey, which canvassed 4,267 internet users across 85 countries to assess the impact it has on their lives. The survey reveals that the internet is a source of empowerment, especially to citizens in Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
Just under six in ten respondents in the Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia agree that the “use of the internet has helped me become more independent”.
However, the survey also reveals that privacy and security concerns are limiting internet use, especially in Europe. In all, 85% of respondents say privacy concerns have limited their use of the internet to some degree.
Switzerland ranks only on 22th place.
Top 20 Inclusive Internet Index: Measuring Success 2018

How the rankings work
 
For more information and to explore the index, visit http://theinclusiveinternet.eiu.com
 
Featured image via Pexels
 
The post A new Inclusive Internet Index, Switzerland only Number 22! appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/a-new-inclusive-internet-index-switzerland-only-number-22</link><guid>409</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Overall-index-Ranking.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>A new Inclusive Internet Index, Switzerland only Number 22!</dc:text></item><item><title>F10 Announces Final Selection Process For Batch 3</title><description><![CDATA[Switzerland’s leading FinTech space, F10 Incubator and Accelerator, announces the final selection of fifteen startups for Batch 3 of its praised P2 Prototype to Product Program.
Successful startups have undergone one of the most rigorous selection processes in the industry.
Andreas Iten, F10’s co-founder and board member, states
“startups with innovative ideas from around the world – fifty countries in total – applied to be a part of Batch III of our P2 Program. The quality of entrants was incredibly high and deciding on who to pick was not an easy effort”.
“Our process saw F10 go on a world tour to scout talented startups in their native environment, before returning to our corporate members to present the cream of the crop. Selecting the top twenty-five was then done through a corporate member vote – and was whittled down to the final fifteen through a competitive ‘speed dating’ event’ where we distilled the selection to a smaller number of even higher quality participants.”
 
The startups include:
Anansi
Anansi is an insurance platform for high-growth SMEs with an international supply chain of physical goods.
 
 
Baasis
Baasis ID all-in-one identity verification (KYC) platform for FinTechs, crypto wallets and exchanges, and government agencies.
 
BDEO
BDEO streamlined operational processes for insurance claims for companies in Europe and South America.
 
 
Borderless
Borderless blockchain-powered international payment systems for businesses, governments, and banks.
C2SEC
C2SEC cyber risk analytics for insurance companies and enterprises.
 

Dynametrics
Dynametrics modernized credit processes for banks and credit institutions.
 
eHyve
eHyve is a centralized, a consolidated financial overview for consumers.
 
Luminant
Luminant is an analytical platform using external data for Insurers.
 
Monday
Monday is a platform which enables small businesses to manage administrative tasks simply and efficiently.
Qard
Qard is a data collection and insights for small online e-commerce.
 

Safeside
Safeside is a 3-click life insurance purchases for consumers.
 
SIX IoT
SIX IoT is a programmable eCommerce platform, neutral for suppliers, personalised for consumers.
 
Susfinteq
Susfinteq is an EU-China ESK risk assessment using AI for banks and financial institutions.
Target Insights
Target Insights is an advanced analytics for wealth managers.
 
Vestberry
Vestberry is a SaaS information management for the private equity industry.
 
Startups in the P2 program benefit from having their own office space in F10’s Zurich location, as well as the full support and assistance of expert F10 coaches and specialists from F10’s corporate members.
Outside the acceleration process, events such as investors’ night and pitch days are held, giving the startups exposure to the financial press and interested companies.
Startups will be assisted by some of the country’s leading banking and financial institutions, including SIX, ERI Bancaire, Julius Bär, PwC, the Baloise Group, eny Finance, Generali, and its latest members, Zürcher Kantonalbank, and Raiffeisen.
The successful startups will begin the P2 Program on March 5th, working through until the final Demo Day scheduled for August 23rd, where they will present their MVP (Minimum Viable Product) to the world. The intensive, six- month program offers six grueling masterclass weeks.
 
This article first appeared on f10.ch, Featured image via Pixabay
The post F10 Announces Final Selection Process For Batch 3 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/f10-announces-final-selection-process-for-batch-3</link><guid>408</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/anansi2-300x181.png</dc:content ><dc:text>F10 Announces Final Selection Process For Batch 3</dc:text></item><item><title>Mietzins-Depot via Blockchain</title><description><![CDATA[
Im Immobiliensektor bieten Blockchain-Anwendungen sowohl im Bereich Büro wie auch Wohnen bedeutendes Potenzial.
Wincasa, die grösste integrale Immobiliendienstleisterin der Schweiz, bewirtschaftet CHF 65 Mrd. Assets under Management und schliesst alleine im Wohnsegment jährlich über 16 000 Mietverträge ab.
Bisher war die Errichtung und Auflösung eines Mietzinskautionsdepots ein aufwändiger Prozess, in welchen drei Parteien involviert waren. Hinzu kamen zahlreiche Bearbeitungsschritte mit entsprechenden Nachweisen und Unterschriften.
In Zusammenarbeit mit inacta konnte aufgezeigt werden, dass die Hinterlegung und anschliessende Rückzahlung der Mietzinskaution für Immobilienobjekte mit der Blockchain-Technologie äusserst effizient und direkt zwischen Mieter und Vermieter möglich ist. Für Schulungen und Blockchain-Audits wurde inacta’s Netzwerkpartner Validity Labs zugezogen.
Durch die noch junge Technologie der Blockchain entsteht für Mieter und Kunden von Swiss Prime Site und Wincasa ein echter Mehrwert. Urs Baumann, Head Sustainability &amp; Innovation bei Swiss Prime Site erklärt:
«Den ersten Anwendungsfall sehen wir als Einstieg, um die Vorteile des dezentralisierten Büchführungssystems uns und unseren Kunden konkret nutzbar zu machen. Sogenannte ‘Smart Contracts’ werden künftig stark an Bedeutung gewinnen.»
 
Featured image via Freepik
The post Mietzins-Depot via Blockchain appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/mietzins-depot-via-blockchain</link><guid>407</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Logo_Swiss_Prime_Site-300x277.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Mietzins-Depot via Blockchain</dc:text></item><item><title>44 Best Books To Know All About Fintech</title><description><![CDATA[

If you want to be informed about Fintech, we want you to read the below list of books.
In this article, we have accumulated all the books in different fields of Fintech such as Blockchain, Digital Banking, Payments, P2P lending, Factoring, etc.
 








A Guide to Factoring and Invoice Discounting
Tim Lea and Wendy Trollope
Read More








Artificial Intelligence in the Capital Markets
Roy S. Freedman
Read More








Bank 3.0
Brett King
Read More








Bankruption
John Waupsh
Read More








Bit by Bit
Jeffrey Tucker
Read More








Blockchain Revolution
Don Tapscott and Alex Tapscott
Read More








Blockchain: 4 Manuscripts
Oscar Flynt
Read More








Blockchain
Jeff Reed
Read More








Blockchain
Tony Scott
Read More








Quick Start Guide to Understanding Blockchain
Seth Ramsey
Read More








Comprehensive Guide to Blockchain
Timothy Short
Read More








Breaking Banks
Brett King
Read More








Bye Bye Banks?
James Haycock and Shane Richmond
Read More








Digital Bank
Chris Skinner
Read More








Digital Banking Tips
Tolga Tavlas
Read More








Digital Gold
Nathaniel Popper
Read More








Financial Inclusion at the Bottom of the Pyramid
Karl Mehta and Carol Realini
Read More








Financial Markets, Banking and Monetary Policy
Thomas D. Simpson
Read More








Financial Technology
Jacob William
Read More








FinTech Innovation
Paolo Sironi
Read More








Beginner’s Guide to FinTech
Jacob William
Read More








FINTECH
Richard Hayen
Read More








Frontiers of Financial Technology
Alex Pentland and David Shrier
Read More








Great Chain of Numbers
Tim Swanson
Read More








Machine Learning for Financial Engineering
Laszlo Gyorfi ,Harro Walk and Gyorgy Ottucsak
Read More








Mastering Bitcoin
Andreas M. Antonopoulos
Read More








Modern Portfolio Management
Paolo Sironi
Read More








Money
Felix Martin
Read More








Next Generation Finance
Paul D Stallard and Robert Lempka
Read More








Payment Systems
Dominique Rambure and Alec Nacamuli
Read More








Peer-To-Peer
Charles Zone
Read More








Smarter bank
Ron Shevlin
Read More








Age of Cryptocurrency
Paul Vigna and Michael J. Casey
Read More








The Book Of Satoshi
Phil Champagne
Read More








The Business Blockchain
William Mougayar
Read More








The Digital Money Game
Charmaine Oak
Read More








The End of Banking
Jonathan McMillan
Read More








The FINTECH Book
Susanne Chishti and Janos Barberis
Read More








The Lending Club Story
Peter Renton
Read More








The Power of Mobile Banking
Sankar Krishnan
Read More








The Science of the Blockchain
Roger Wattenhofer
Read More








ValueWeb
Chris Skinner
Read More








Virtual Banking
Dan Schatt
Read More








Factoring Or Invoice Discounting
Mark Blayney
Read More






The books were selected by habiletechnologies.com, Featured image via Pexels

The post 44 Best Books To Know All About Fintech appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/44-best-books-to-know-all-about-fintech</link><guid>404</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>44 Best Books To Know All About Fintech</dc:text></item><item><title>Tickets Give-Away to Finance 2.0 Conference ’18</title><description><![CDATA[Switzerland&#8217;s first and leading fintech conference returns this 20th March 2018, running since 2013 the conference is typically fully booked very quickly. The Fintech News team managed to secure 3 free tickets to share with you, our readers.
.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }

Focusing on shifting paradigms of customer relationship, this year&#8217;s Finance 2.0 conference will take a look at a wide range of topics from Augmented Intelligence, Open Banking, Crowdfunding, Wealth Management to ICOs.
In order to stand a chance to win the tickets all you&#8217;ll have to do is fill up the form below or at this link. 3 lucky emails will be chosen and announced (via email) as winners on the 2nd March. Submission closes on the 1st March, so act now!
Our readers are also entitled to  a 20% discount with code: FINENEWS-F20-20. Register now
FREE PASSES TO ATTEND Finance 2.0 Conference&#8217;18!



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The post Tickets Give-Away to Finance 2.0 Conference &#8217;18 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/tickets-give-away-to-finance-20-conference-18</link><guid>405</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Finance-2.0-Key-Topics-e1519619699700-1024x402.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Tickets Give-Away to Finance 2.0 Conference ’18</dc:text></item><item><title>The Most Significant Event Of March 2018. Don’t Miss Out On Datarius Cryptobank ITO</title><description><![CDATA[Only a week is left until one of the major events of Spring 2018.
On March 5 at 12:12 UTC Datarius, the first social p2p cryptobank, launches its Main ITO Round. The project has already experienced more than a year of preparatory work, attention from key personalities and companies, crypto-community support, highly successful pre-ITO round, gap analysis, a fivefold increase in the number of community members since the beginning of the year, and high ratings of the rating agencies.
What is Datarius?
Datarius is the first social p2p cryptobank. The main idea of the project is to provide the consumer with the widest range of financial instruments.
The widest possible. To bring the maximum number of financial consumers together. To give freedom of choice and action. To provide a high level of automation.
To create a truly social fintech product. We will prove by ourselves that the decentralization and lack of borders are benefits, and a financial company can and should be a partner and a friend. No one fintech project has thus far paid so much attention to socialization and direct interaction between the participants.
The project team decided to completely eliminate the strict regulation, preserving only the technical support of the platform and providing a wide range of the related services on an equal basis with other project partners.
Users will have the right to choose the most appropriate cost and terms of borrowing funds. They will always be able to call on analysts, risk managers, databases, credit and user ratings, the entire history of transactions and expert opinion – not one and not just of the project’s staff.
Why participate in ITO?
DTRC token is a unique key and the only tool to access all the benefits of the Cryptobank: loans with the most favorable terms, joint investments, personal piggy cryptobank, trust limits, trust management and much more.
The ITO round, which runs from March 5th to April 5th, is the last chance to become the key holder and get significant bonuses. The emission of tokens will end together with the round.
The number of people, willing to gain access to the most complete set of financial instruments, will continuously grow and the number of tokens will remain the same forever. This is the last unique opportunity to become an active user of the bank of the future and start earning money with the project’s team.
What to do?
It is rather simple to become a part of the future. You have only to:

Visit the Datarius official website and register as a future member at ito.datarius.io
Subscribe to any project’s official social media to stay abreast of the latest news, updates and to follow the Datarius development.
Participate in the Referral Program of the project and share your vision and information with friends to get an additional 5% bonus.
Come on March 5 at 12:12 UTC to participate directly in ITO and get a 30% bonus.

 
And speaking of bonuses, note that following the ITO restructuring, the project’s bonus grid is as follows now:
30% &#8211; 0-6 hours;
25% &#8211; 6-12 hours;
20% &#8211; 12-24 hours;
15% &#8211; 24-48 hours;
10% &#8211; 48h (hours) -15d (days)
Since the 15th day and until the round completion no bonuses will be available.
Outlook
In January, the team decided to bring the product to market as soon as possible. The launch will be effected through the integration of the DTRC token into a classic core, which has been under the development of the large studio аrtARTERY with an extensive experience in developing classical banking applications since mid-2017.
Though the main round hasn’t finished yet, the company has already submitted an application for a license, which completely covers the legal framework for implementing and launching a commercial version of an ecosystem with its basic functionality. The strategic objective of the team is to celebrate 1,000,000 users as early as 2019.
Are you sick of lobbism, opacity, greed, classical financial systems banality? Do you aspire to freedom of choice and financial services? Do you believe in the future of decentralization and blockchain technology? Do you want to make money with your bank? We too! Datarius is your social p2p cryptobank. March 5, 12:12 UTC at datarius.io.
 
 «We believe in what we are doing and we are confident that the format of the fintech we propose is the format of the future #Cryptorize!»
(с) Datarius Team



 
Disclaimer: this is an article written by Datarius. Fintechnews does not endorse and is not responsible for or liable for any content, accuracy, quality, advertising, products or other materials on this page. Readers should do their own research before taking any actions related to the company. Fintechnews is not responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in the press release.
Please note this is no investment advice.
The post The Most Significant Event Of March 2018. Don’t Miss Out On Datarius Cryptobank ITO appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-most-significant-event-of-march-2018-dont-miss-out-on-datarius-cryptobank-ito</link><guid>406</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>The Most Significant Event Of March 2018. Don’t Miss Out On Datarius Cryptobank ITO</dc:text></item><item><title>credX. Ein digitaler Marktplatz für Fremdkapital-Emissionen</title><description><![CDATA[Ein digitaler Marktplatz für Fremdkaptal-Emissionen hat in Deutschland den Betrieb aufgenommen.
Gleich zum Start emittierte die Deutsche Telekom ein Schuldscheindarlehen im Volumen von 50 Millionen Euro und 10-jähriger Laufzeit an Versicherungsgesellschaften des AXA-Konzerns.
Ab sofort können sich Emittenten mit guter bis sehr guter Bonität einerseits und professionelle Investoren andererseits registrieren.
Als Mitglieder können sie auf der Web-basierten Plattform Emissionen und Darlehensvergaben anbahnen, verhandeln, abschliessen und die Abwicklung steuern.
Für Privatplatzierungen von Anleihen, Schuldscheinen und Krediten bietet credX als neutraler Vermittler eine Alternative zur vorherrschenden Platzierung und Syndizierung über Banken.
Positiv äussert sich Markus Schäfer, Leiter Kapitalmarkt der Deutschen Telekom:

Markus Schaefer Deutsche Telekom
„credX hat die Emission von Schuldscheindarlehen endlich vereinfacht. Das Schuldschein-Segment war bislang den Anleihemärkten in Bezug auf Preis und Effizienz unterlegen.
Die credX Plattform ergänzt unsere vorhandenen Kapitalmarktzugänge und ermöglicht es nun bei Schuldscheindarlehen Angebot und Nachfrage mit deutlich weniger Aufwand zueinander zu bringen.“
 
Ralf Kauther
Das credX-Team um CEO Ralf Kauther freut sich nicht nur über den gelungenen Produktionsstart,
„Wir sind auch sehr stolz darauf, dass der erfahrene Industriemanager Wolfgang Reitzle (Aufsichtsratschef bei Linde AG) als Aktionär eingestiegen ist“,
sagt Kauther.
 
Featured image via credxmarkets.com
The post credX. Ein digitaler Marktplatz für Fremdkapital-Emissionen appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/credx-ein-digitaler-marktplatz-fur-fremdkapital-emissionen</link><guid>402</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/credX-300x98.png</dc:content ><dc:text>credX. Ein digitaler Marktplatz für Fremdkapital-Emissionen</dc:text></item><item><title>Innovativer Service – direkt vom Erfinder</title><description><![CDATA[Bis heute konnte die WebID die Identität von 2,5 Millionen Endkunden per Live-Video verifizieren, bis zu 10.000 Personen am Tag – und die Nachfrage wächst ständig.
Als wir mit den hochsensiblen Abläufen bei der Personenidentifikation angefangen haben, gab es jedoch keine Vorlage.
Unsere WebID hat sie also selbst erfunden: Heute wirkt alles eingespielt und simpel, und gerade das ist das Ergebnis mehrjähriger Forschungs- und Entwicklungsarbeit.
Die minutiösen Abläufe bei der Personenlegitimierung haben meine Mitstreiter und ich selbst entwickelt und stetig verfeinert.
Für alle Fälle – besonders Betrugsversuche – haben wir Szenarien skizziert, die unseren Mitarbeitern klare Entscheidungsvorlagen an die Hand geben. Allerdings kann nun die ganze Branche von unserer Vorarbeit profitieren. Unsere kreativen Leistungen sind inzwischen in amtlich-verbindliche Vorgaben und Maßstäbe für die gesamte Branche eingeflossen sind. Wir jedoch übererfüllen sie längst, dank weiterer Innovationen.
Von der Idee zum Patent
Kontoeröffnung, Onlineversicherung oder die neue Mobilfunknummer – bei vielen Dienstleistungen müssen Sie sich ausweisen. Früher mussten Sie sich umständlich vor Ort identifizieren, selbst wenn Sie nur Onlinedienste nutzen wollten. Die patentgeschützte Video-Identifizierung der WebID erfolgt nun für den Kunden denkbar einfach, und zwar über ein beliebiges internetfähiges Endgerät.
WebID
In nicht einmal drei bis fünf Minuten hat er sich rechtskonform identifiziert, ist als offizieller Kunde registriert und kann das Produkt oder die Dienstleistung seines Anbieters kaufen. Auf diese Weise bieten wir höchste Sicherheitsstandards beim Datenschutz und der Betrugsabwehr, während unsere Kunden sich auf ihr Geschäft konzentrieren können.
Unser WebID-Online-Verfahren haben wir zunächst vor allem für die Finanzbranche entwickelt. Inzwischen greift nahezu jede Branche auf unsere Expertise zurück, ob Mobilfunkunternehmen, Autovermieter oder Firmen, die das Alter ihrer Klientel checken müssen. Doch bis unsere Technologie so flächendeckend vom Markt angenommen wurde, war es ein langer Weg, bei dem wir viele Hürden überwunden haben:
Nach monatelangen Recherchen kam ich im Jahr 2011 auf die Idee der „geldwäschegesetzkonformen, höchst sicheren Online-Identifikation per Videocall“.
In Gesprächen mit Juristen, Bankern und Behörden erkannte ich, dass sich dieses Konzept erfolgreich am Markt umsetzen lässt. Gemeinsam mit den anderen Gründungsgesellschaftern finanzierten wir unsere Innovation mit rund einer Million Euro aus eigenen Mitteln. Dabei investierten wir zwei Jahre lang vor allem in den hohen technologischen und rechtlichen Aufwand.
Im August 2013 konnten wir den gesamten Prozess der Videoidentifizierung als Patent beim Deutschen Paten- und Markenamt anmelden. Das Patent „Verfahren zum Verifizieren der Identität eines Nutzers“ wurde schließlich im Juni 2016 offiziell vom Deutschen Patent- und Markenamt erteilt und war damit das Erste dieser Art.
Erfolgreich am Markt
Parallel mussten wir das Bundesfinanzministerium und die Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht überzeugen, unser Video-Identifizierungsverfahren für den Praxiseinsatz zu genehmigen, was uns im Januar 2014 gelungen ist. Erstmalig in der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik hat damit das Bundesfinanzministerium ein alternatives Identifikationsverfahren erlaubt.
Kurz darauf veröffentlichte die Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht ihr wichtiges Rundschreiben 1/2014 (GW), das in diesem Jahr mit dem BaFin-Rundschreiben 3/2017 (GW) seine Fortsetzung gefunden hat. In ihm werden der gesamten Branche verbindliche Vorgaben gemacht – auf der Basis unserer Idee.
Mit der SWK Bank haben wir im April 2014 begonnen und gezeigt, wie sicher und bequem unsere Technologie funktioniert. Heute arbeiten die meisten großen Banken in Deutschland mit WebID zusammen.
Zudem haben wir unsere Erfindung in andere Märkte getragen, nach Österreich, in die Schweiz, in andere europäische Länder und zeitnah auch nach Übersee. Schließlich ist unser Patent auch bei anderen für uns wesentlichen Patentämtern weltweit angemeldet, um den rechtskräftigen Patentschutz auf alle dazugehörigen 38 Länder zu erweitern.
The post Innovativer Service – direkt vom Erfinder appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/innovativer-service-direkt-vom-erfinder</link><guid>403</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/WebID-Solutions-300x176.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>Innovativer Service – direkt vom Erfinder</dc:text></item><item><title>Tezos Board Reorganized: Johann Gevers Departs</title><description><![CDATA[The Tezos Foundation has unanimously appointed Ryan Jesperson and Michel Mauny to the Board.
The two new members will replace Johann Gevers and Diego Olivier Fernandez Pons, who decided to voluntarily step down to optimally support the Foundation for the advancement of its mission.
The two new members of the Board will join Lars Haussmann, who was appointed to the Board on 31 January 2018.  Ryan Jesperson will replace Johann Gevers as
Ryan Jesperson
President.He plans to relocate with his family to Zug, Switzerland.
Ryan Jesperson and Michel Mauny, who will join Lars Haussmann as new members to the Board,. Ryan Jesperson is a dedicated member of the Tezos community. Most recently he was the Chief Operating Officer at Divvy, a FinTech company.
 
 
Featured image via Pixabay
The post Tezos Board Reorganized: Johann Gevers Departs appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/tezos-board-reorganized-johann-gevers-departs</link><guid>401</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Tezos Board Reorganized: Johann Gevers Departs</dc:text></item><item><title>10 Jahre Cashare – Start der Fintech-Zeitrechnung</title><description><![CDATA[Vor rund 10 Jahren war die Geburtsstunde von Cashare und damit auch von FinTech in der Schweiz wie wir es heute kennen! Damit nahm die Digitalisierung im Finanzmarkt Schweiz stark an Fahrt auf und ist heute nicht mehr aus dem Ökosystem wegzudenken.
Als Fintech noch kein Begriff war
Am 22. Januar 2008 wurde das Unternehmen offiziell  im Handelsregister Zug eingetragen. Per 21. Februar 2008 ging anschliessend die erste Version der Crowdlending-Plattform online.
Zu dieser Zeit existierten weder die Begriffe Crowdfunding, Crowdlending oder Fintech und selbst der Kanton Zug war nicht als Crypto Valley bekannt. Die Finanzkrise war noch nicht offiziell ausgebrochen und die Bankenwelt schien völlig in Ordnung zu sein.

Dementsprechend wurde auch im Bekanntenkreis befürchtet, dass es mit diesem Projekt schwierig werden könnte, da Banken ein sehr grosses Vertrauen in der Bevölkerung geniessen. Zudem muss man sich in Erinnerung rufen, dass sich zu dieser Zeit das Internet selber in einer frühen Phase befand.
Facebook war gerade mal 3 Jahre alt und wenn im Internet eingekauft wurde, dann nur gegen Rechnung &#8211; wenn überhaupt. Eine Kreditkarte in einem Shop zu hinterlegen, war für die meisten praktisch ausgeschlossen.
Viel hat sich getan in den letzten 10 Jahren und der Firma Cashare sowie dem gesamten Team eine spannende Reise beschert. Wie die Zeitung Finanz und Wirtschaft bereits in einer Grafik würdigte, war Cashare mit der Crowdlending-Plattform ein massgeblicher Wendepunkt für den Schweizer Finanzmarkt.
Als erstes Fintech-Unternehmen, das nicht Banken als Kunden bedient wie z.B. Softwareanbieter, stellt Cashare den Kunden ins Zentrum aller Mühen und Anstrengungen und richtet das Produkt konsequent auf deren Bedürfnisse aus.
Cashare kann nicht ohne Stolz für sich beanspruchen, mit diesem Fokus und der neuen Technologie sowie Prozesse den einzigartigen P2P-Ansatz in die Schweiz gebracht zu haben. Selbst in Kontinentaleuropa war Cashare unter den Pionieren für eine digitalisierte Finanzwelt, um neben den damals gängigen Online-Banking-Lösungen ein neues Level an Digitalisierung zu bieten.
Von null auf über 350 Mio. an angefragtem Kreditvolumen


Im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes haben wir bei null angefangen. Cashare hatten im Januar 2008 null Kunden, zwei Gründer, ein bescheidenes Budget von gerade mal CHF 100‘000, ein Shared Office, einen gemieteten Server und die erste Applikation war zu dieser Zeit noch im Endspurt bei externen Entwicklern. Mit diesen Mitteln hat Cashare es in den vergangenen zehn Jahren geschafft, die grösste Crowdlending-Plattform der Schweiz aufzubauen.
Mit mittlerweile über 23‘000 registrierten Usern, einem verarbeiteten Kreditantragsvolumen von über CHF 350 Mio. und über 1‘700 erfolgreich finanzierten Kreditprojekte, konnte Cashare eine beachtliche Grösse erreichen. Auch die Produkte haben sich laufend weiterentwickelt. Gestartet ist die Crowdlending-Plattform mit Privatdarlehen.
Über die Jahre kamen KMU-Kredite sowie Kredite mit zusätzlicher Sicherheit in Form von Grundpfand oder Bürgschaft dazu. Ganz neu wurde das Produkteportfolio Hypothekarprodukten erweitert.Auch das Team ist auf mittlerweile über 15 Mitarbeiter angewachsen und ein sehr renommiertes Advisory Board konnte aufgebaut werden.Selbstverständlich war es kein einfacher Weg und so mussten mehrere Rückschläge hingenommen werden.
Sicher geglaubte Finanzierungsrunden platzen noch kurz vor der endgültigen Unterzeichnung, Kooperationen kamen nicht zustande aufgrund von externen Einflüssen (wie beispielsweise einer schwarzen Liste in Amerika, die alle Management-Ressourcen bei Banken blockierten), Vernehmlassungen die schlussendlich anders als erhofft ausfielen (Stichwort 20er-Regel) oder Produkte, die vom Markt nicht gut angenommen und wieder eingestampft wurden sind ein paar Beispiele.
Aber alle diese Erfahrungen gehören zu einem Unternehmerleben und wir  sind nach jeder Enttäuschung mit neuer Stärke und Kenntnissen zurückgekehrt, um unsere Ziele noch besser zu formulieren und zu verfolgen.
Fintech wird erwachsen

Wenn wir zurückblicken, erfreuen wir uns an jedem bisher erreichten Etappenziel und sind allen Personen, die wir auf dieser spannenden Reise kennengelernt haben und die das Unternehmen Cashare auf die eine oder andere Art und Weise unterstützt haben, sehr dankbar.
Unter anderen auch den Behörden. So durfte Cashare den Digitalisierungsprozess im Finanzmarkt Schweiz von Anfang an begleiten und sich an diversen Roundtables sowie Meetings einbringen und das lange bevor diese Aufgabe von mehreren Vereinen für das gesamte und erwachsen werdende Fintech-Ökosystem übernommen wurde. Wenn wir 10 Jahre zurückblicken,  hätten wir nie mit einem solch grossen und prosperierenden Umfeld gerechnet.

 
Es freut uns zu sehen, wie die Finanzwelt sich seit dem Eintritt von Cashare verändert und die Schweiz sich aktiv bemüht, eine Pionierrolle in diesem Wandel einzunehmen.
Auch bei Cashare haben wir noch viele weitere Ziele, die wir erreichen wollen und Ideen, die wir umsetzen werden mit der geballten Erfahrung aus den letzten 10 Jahren. Was sich aber nicht verändern wird ist der konsequente Fokus auf unsere Kunden, um diesen ein noch besseres Erlebnis in der Finanzierungswelt mithilfe der Digitalisierung bieten zu können.
 
Featured image via Cashare Facebook page
The post 10 Jahre Cashare – Start der Fintech-Zeitrechnung appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/10-jahre-cashare-start-der-fintech-zeitrechnung</link><guid>400</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/01-von-den-Anfängen....jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>10 Jahre Cashare – Start der Fintech-Zeitrechnung</dc:text></item><item><title>Regtech 2.0 Enters New Growth Phase As Sector Moves From Niche To Mainstream</title><description><![CDATA[Regtech is entering a new phase of development and adoption as the sector evolves from niche to mainstream, according to new study by Burnmark and Alvarez &amp; Marsal.
The report, titled Regtech 2.0, focuses on the emerging trends in regtech and explores the sector landscape from the perspectives of startups, regulators and banks. It has been compiled using interviews of industry participants.
According to the study, more collaboration between regtech firms and banks as well as regulators are expected to take place in the years to come as the sector transitions into a new phase of growth.
&#8220;Implementation success in &#8216;Regtech 2.0&#8217; will come from nurturing wider-ranging and value-added collaborations across all parties,&#8221; the report says.

Among the 352 regtech startups studied, 84 companies were specialized in regulatory compliance, making it the most crowded segment, followed by risk management with 69 companies, and identity management with 53 companies. While compliance support was the less populous with only 16 companies, the segment is expected to experience the biggest growth in the years to come.

These startups cited the main appeals of using their services as cost savings as well as better and faster compliance.

Some of the early regtech firms have already worked with 10+ banks but mostly in a proof-of-concept deployment model, the survey found. Entrepreneurs cited the main challenges when working with a financial institution were the long and bureaucratic sales process as well as the many silos within a bank.
&#8220;It is very easy to criticize traditional banks but you have to appreciate just how large these organizations are, the pressures they are under and the many facets of regulation they have to deal with,&#8221; US-based regtech firm Kompli-Global, said during its interview. &#8220;However, key to a successful working relationship with regtechs will be appreciating that your regtech solution is almost certainly only addressing a single piece of the complex compliance pie. The challenge for many of these institutions is knitting all of these solutions together.&#8221;

Almost all respondents said the underlying technology for their regtech solutions was related to data analytics, whether that was for KYC, onboarding, fraud, crime or reporting. The study also found a wide adoption of technologies supporting artificial intelligence (AI). Distributed ledger technology on the other hand was far less involved in their solutions.

 
Rise of &#8220;suptech&#8221;
The new phase of growth will also see the emergence of a new breed of &#8220;suptech&#8221; startups that will work alongside regulators in meeting challenges. Suptech, or technology for supervision, refers to regtech solutions deployed by regulators.
&#8220;In Regtech 2.0, regulators, especially in the regions with fintech hubs, will become significant users of regtech themselves (unlike in Phase 1.0 where direct involvement with regtechs was minimal except via accelerators) to keep up with the supervision challenges,&#8221; the report says.
&#8220;Suptech, the emerging segment of regtech, can enable regulators to take a data-driven approach to supervisory process and shift from a retrospective to a forward-looking approach.&#8221;
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) defines the concept as &#8220;essentially the other side of the same coin &#8211; applying technology to enhance the way MAS carries out its financial supervision functions.&#8221; The term was reportedly coined at the Singapore Fintech Festival in November 2017.
At the event, MAS managing director Ravi Menon, detailed the authority&#8217;s own suptech efforts and goals: first, ensure that all regulatory reporting can be achieved machine-to-machine with structured; second, eliminate duplication within their structured data collections.
&#8220;We have set a goal: all data requests from MAS will eventually be in machine-readable templates,&#8221; Menon said. &#8220;The requested data will flow seamlessly from financial institutions’ databases to our forms and ultimately to the supervisory dashboards of MAS officers.&#8221;
He continued:
&#8220;A major source of pain for financial institutions is regulators requesting the same data more than once under different data collection exercises […] By taking a more cohesive approach to data, MAS will aim to achieve zero duplication in our data requests to financial institutions.&#8221;
The post Regtech 2.0 Enters New Growth Phase As Sector Moves From Niche To Mainstream appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/regtech-20-enters-new-growth-phase-as-sector-moves-from-niche-to-mainstream</link><guid>399</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Collaborations-regtech-report-2018.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Regtech 2.0 Enters New Growth Phase As Sector Moves From Niche To Mainstream</dc:text></item><item><title>SFTI and inacta Partner to Promote Blockchain for Finance</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss FinTech Innovations (SFTI), the leading Swiss association of financial institutions supporting innovation in the financial sector has announced a partnership with inacta AG to explore and promote blockchain technology in Switzerland.
The first step in the cooperation between SFTI and inacta will be the former’s sponsorship and engagement in the 2018 edition of the Blockchain Competition – Blockchain for Finance, initiated and organized by inacta and Lakeside Partners.
The past year has seen exponential growth in the number of blockchain- and crypto-based startups settling in the area in and around Zug, where inacta is located. Many of these companies bring new and sometimes revolutionary applications of distributed ledger technology to the areas of micro payments, lending and asset management. As a founding member of the Crypto Valley Association and Genesis Member of the Crypto Valley Labs, inacta is uniquely situated in the middle of these happening.
The partnership between SFTI and inacta will allow the former’s more than 17members – of banks and insurance companies – to access this dynamic ecosystem and learn from the most innovative companies coming to Switzerland from all over the world.
Patrick Baumberger
 
Patrick Baumberger, president of SFTI commented on the cooperation,
“Some of the greatest, most dynamic innovation in finance is coming from the blockchain and crypto world – and we see this as a valuable opportunity to engage with it and learn from it.”
 
 
The first edition of the Blockchain Competition focused on the insurance industry attracted applications from more than 30 different countries. Its second edition promises to provide an even greater international reach and opportunity for SFTI members to see first-hand what innovations are being developed for the finance industry and engage in an effective screening process of those companies which it may invest in using blockchain-based crowdfunding.
Furthermore SFTI and Inacta are working together on educational Events on Blockchain technology for the co-workers of the members.
Daniel Rutishauser
Daniel Rutishauser, Head of Blockchain and Financial Services at inacta sees this as great benefit for both parties,
“Things change so fast in the blockchain space – we all have to keep up with the latest developments. So we look forward to bringing our first-hand experience of working with startups to bear and give the SFTI a closer look at what is happening ‘on the ground’ so to speak.”
 
 
This article first appeared on swissfintechinnovations.ch, Featured image via Pixabay
The post SFTI and inacta Partner to Promote Blockchain for Finance appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sfti-and-inacta-partner-to-promote-blockchain-for-finance</link><guid>398</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Swiss-Fintech-Innovations-300x75.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>SFTI and inacta Partner to Promote Blockchain for Finance</dc:text></item><item><title>Hochschule Luzern berät EU in Fragen zu Blockchain</title><description><![CDATA[Die Blockchain-Technologie könnte die Art und Weise, wie wir die Wirtschaft oder staatliche Verwaltungen organisieren, komplett verändern.
Auch die Europäische Union hat das Potenzial von Blockchain erkannt. Mithilfe des von ihr gegründeten«EU Blockchain Observatory and Forum» möchte sie die Entwicklung dieser Technologie beobachten und mitgestalten. Dabei handelt es sich um einen internationalen Forschungsverbund, der die politischen Entscheidungs-träger beraten soll. Mit dabei: das Departement Informatik der Hochschule Luzern.

Alexander Denzler
«Unsere Aufgabe ist, der Politik jene Informationen über Blockchain zu liefern, die sie benötigt, um fundierte Entscheidungen treffen zu können»,
sagt Alexander Denzler, Leiter des Projektteams an der Hochschule Luzern. Denn die Politikerinnen und Politiker befänden sich in einer schwierigen Situation:
«Sie müssen gesetzliche Rahmenbedingungen für eine Technologie schaffen, die sehr komplex ist und die sie als Laien bisher schlecht verstehen.»
Das kann von Diskussionen über die Einführung von Blockchain im Energiemarkt bis zu allfälligen Verboten Blockchain-basierter Kryptowährungen wie Bitcoin oder Ethereum gehen.
Damit solche Debatten nicht im luftleeren Raum stattfinden, wird das Observatorium künftig als Bindeglied zwischen Technologie, Forschung und Politik fungieren. Es soll zudem die diversen nationalen Blockchain-Forschungsinitiativen vernetzen und Europa – die Schweiz inklusive – eine Führungsrolle bei der Entwicklung und dem Einsatz der Blockchain-Technologie sichern.
Einzige Schweizer Institution im Verbund
Die EU-Kommission hat das EU Blockchain Observatory and Forum Anfang Februar lanciert. Das mit 1.5 Millionen Euro dotierte Projekt ist Teil des EU-Forschungsrahmenprogramms Horizon 2020. Es ist vorderhand auf vier Jahre befristet. Die Hochschule Luzern ist als einzige Schweizer Institution daran beteiligt.
Neben dem Departement Informatik gehören dem Observatorium das Imperial College London, das Knowledge Media Institute at Open University und die University of Southampton (alle aus Grossbritannien) an. Industriepartner ist die in der USA beheimatete Blockchain-Softwarefirma ConsenSys.
 
Featured image via Hochschule Luzern
The post Hochschule Luzern berät EU in Fragen zu Blockchain appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/hochschule-luzern-berat-eu-in-fragen-zu-blockchain</link><guid>396</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Hochschule Luzern berät EU in Fragen zu Blockchain</dc:text></item><item><title>Robeco legt FinTech-Aktienfonds auf</title><description><![CDATA[„Um mit dem rapiden Wandel in ihrer Branche – wie digitalem Bezahlen, Blockchain oder Robo-Advice – Schritt halten zu können, müssen Finanzunternehmen in den kommenden drei bis fünf Jahren erhebliche IT-Investitionen tätigen.
In nicht allzu ferner Zukunft werden Online-Zahlungen der Standard und Barzahlungen die Ausnahme sein. Fintech-Unternehmen dürften von diesem Trend profitieren”,
erwarten Patrick Lemmens und Jeroen van Oerle, Fondsmanager des Mitte November 2017 aufgelegten Robeco Global FinTech Equities Fonds [ISIN: LU1700711077].Damit gehört Robeco zu den ersten Asset Managern, die einen aktiven Fonds für die Anlage in Fintech-Unternehmen für Endanleger anbieten.
Robecco Fintech Aktienfonds
Der neue Robeco-Fintech-Aktienfonds kann unabhängig von einer Benchmark (Referenzindex: MSCI All Countries World) investieren und besteht aus einem konzentrierten Portfolio. Das selbstentwickelte Investmentuniversum besteht aus Unternehmen der folgenden drei Kategorien: Gewinner von heute (today’s winners), Fintech-Entwickler (Fintech enablers) und Herausforderer (challengers).
„Today’s winners“ sind Unternehmen, die bereits einen deutlichen Wettbewerbsvorteil aufweisen. „FinTech enablers“ erleichtern den Trend zur Digitalisierung und „challengers“ sollten in Zukunft vom Digitalisierungstrend profitieren. Mit dieser Aufstellung ist der Fonds im Hinblick auf Investmentopportunitäten und Risikocharakteristika breit diversifiziert.
Börsennotierte Fintech-Unternehmen und neue Marktimpulse
Nach wie vor investieren zwar überwiegend private Risikokapitalgeber in Fintech-Unternehmen. Im Fintech-Segment kann man aber auch schon jetzt in börsennotierte Titel investieren, die eine durchschnittliche Marktkapitalisierung von mehr als zehn Milliarden US-Dollar aufweisen. Zu den Vorteilen börsennotierter Fintech-Unternehmen gehört beispielsweise ihre höhere Liquidität.
Dagegen sind die Anlagen privater Risikokapitalgeber meist für bis zu sieben Jahre oder länger fest gebunden und damit für die Investoren nicht verfügbar.
„Wir erwarten für die nächsten Jahre zahlreiche Fintech-Börsengänge, insbesondere im Softwarebereich und in Asien“,
so Lemmens, der auch den Robeco New World Financial Equities managt. Zudem wollen Banken, Versicherer, Asset Manager und Technologieunternehmen Finanzplattformen schaffen, die den Kunden einen einfachen Zugang zu einer umfassenden Palette an Finanzlösungen bieten
„Dies sollte zu Kooperationen zwischen grossen Technologiefirmen und Finanzunternehmen führen“,
erklärt van Oerle, der wie Lemmens zum Trends-Investing-Team von Robeco zählt.
 



Fonds
Robeco Global FinTech Equities


ISIN
LU1700711077


Fondsvermögen
Grösse der Anteilsklasse
71.790.748 EUR (per 31 Jan. 2018)​   5.004.317 EUR (per 31 Jan. 2018)


Fondstyp
Globaler Aktienfonds


Rechtsform
Investmentgesellschaft mit veränderlichem Kapital nach luxemburgischem Recht (SICAV)


Domizil
Luxemburg


Fondsauflage:
17.11.2017


Fondsmanager
Patrick Lemmens und Jeroen van Oerle


Verwaltungsgebühr p.a.
0,75 %


Servicegebühr p.a.
0,12 %


Laufende Gebühren
0,94 %


Ertragsverwendung
thesaurierend


Währung
Euro



 
Featured image via Freepik
The post Robeco legt FinTech-Aktienfonds auf appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/robeco-legt-fintech-aktienfonds-auf</link><guid>397</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Robeco legt FinTech-Aktienfonds auf</dc:text></item><item><title>European Commission Launches the EU Blockchain Observatory and Forum</title><description><![CDATA[
The Commission launched today the EU Blockchain Observatory and Forum with the support of the European Parliament, represented by Jakob von Weizsäcker responsible for the recent report on virtual currencies.


The Blockchain Observatory and Forum will highlight key developments of the blockchain technology, promote European actors and reinforce European engagement with multiple stakeholders involved in blockchain activities.
Blockchain technologies, which store blocks of information that are distributed across the network, are seen as a major breakthrough, as they bring about high levels of traceability and security in economic transactions online. They are expected to impact digital services and transform business models in a wide range of areas, such as healthcare, insurance, finance, energy, logistics, intellectual property rights management or government services.
Vice-President for the Digital Single Market Andrus Ansip said:

Andrus Ansip
&#8220;Technologies like blockchain can help reduce costs while increasing trust, traceability and security. They have huge potential for making social and economic transactions more secure online by guarding against an attack and removing the need for any middleman.
We want to build on Europe&#8217;s substantial talent base and excellent startups to become a leading world region that will develop and invest in the rollout of blockchain.&#8221;
Valdis Dombrovskis
Valdis Dombrovskis, Vice-President responsible for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union said:
“Among the many technologies that are driving digital innovation, blockchain has the potential to be truly transformative for financial services and markets. The Blockchain Observatory and Forum will monitor developments and also inform our policy making.”
 
Mariya Gabriel
Commissioner for the Digital Economy and Society Mariya Gabriel said:
&#8220;I see blockchain as a game changer and I want Europe to be at the forefront of its development. We need to establish the right enabling environment &#8211; a Digital Single Market for blockchain so that all citizens can benefit, instead of a patchwork of initiatives.
The EU Blockchain Observatory and Forum is an important step in that direction.&#8221;
 
The European Commission has been funding blockchain projects through the European Union&#8217;s research programmes FP7 and Horizon 2020since 2013. Up to 2020, it will fund projects that could draw on blockchain technologies for up to €340 million.
 
Encouraging governments, European industry and citizens to benefit from blockchain opportunities
European innovators and entrepreneurs are already offering blockchain-based solutions. Major players from traditional sectors, like banks, insurances, stock exchanges, logistics or companies are engaged in pilot projects. Many Member States have announced initiatives as they seek to reinforce their use of blockchain technology.
The European Commission wants to build on the existing initiatives, ensure that they can work across borders, consolidate expertise and address the challenges created by the new paradigms enabled by blockchain (such as disintermediation, trust, security and traceability by design).
The EU Blockchain Observatory and Forum will play an active role in helping Europe to seize new opportunities offered by blockchain, build expertise and show leadership in the field. It will be gathering information, monitoring and analysing trends, addressing challenges and exploring blockchains&#8217; socioeconomic potential.
It will enable cross-border cooperation on practical use cases, bringing Europe&#8217;s best experts together and promoting an open forum for blockchain technologists, innovators, citizens, industry stakeholders, public authorities, regulators and supervisors, to discuss and develop new ideas in order to learn, engage and contribute in an open way.
ConsenSys, a global player now well established in Europe, has been selected as partner to support the Observatory&#8217;s outreach in Europe following a call for tenders launched last year. As an important actor in the blockchain community, ConsenSys will bring strong commitment to blockchain development, solid expertise and connections with the global blockchain ecosystem, and an entrepreneurial approach to engage with stakeholders and experts in the EU and worldwide. It will work in close cooperation with Commission services to run the EU Observatory and Forum, after having signed the contract on 29 January 2018.
 
Background
The European Commission wants to provide more visibility to blockchain actors and build on existing initiatives, consolidate expertise and address the challenges created by the new paradigms enabled by blockchain, such as supporting the European Industry, improve business processes and enable new business models. The Blockchain Observatory and Forum was created as a European Parliament pilot project proposed by MEP von Weizsacker and is intended to support the Commission&#8217;s work of FinTech.
Fintech is a policy priority of the European Commission since it can and will play a major role in achieving the objectives related to the development of the single market, Banking Union, the Capital Markets Union and retail financial services.
Recognising the cross-sectoral transformation of the sector, the Commission set up in November 2016 a Task Force on Financial Technology, which builds on the Commission&#8217;s goal to develop a comprehensive strategy on Fintech. The Commission is currently working on a FinTech Action Plan, which will be presented in the spring.

 
 Featured image via ec.europa.eu
The post European Commission Launches the EU Blockchain Observatory and Forum appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/european-commission-launches-the-eu-blockchain-observatory-and-forum</link><guid>393</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>European Commission Launches the EU Blockchain Observatory and Forum</dc:text></item><item><title>P2P Lending Providers In The UK</title><description><![CDATA[Peer-to-peer (P2P) lending has become an increasingly important source of funding for individuals and businesses in the UK, especially smaller businesses. Lending volumes among the country&#8217;s major P2P lending platforms increased by two thirds in 2016, and by the end of 2017, the cumulative total surpassed £8 billion, according to data from trade body the Peer-to-Peer Financial Association (P2PFA).
Image: London, England, Pixabay
Out of the £2.9 billion lent through online platforms in 2017, £1.9 billion went towards businesses, highlighting the growing importance of the alternative financing method for SMEs in the UK.
&#8220;P2P lending has brought about real benefits, not only for the UK&#8217;s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), but our economy at large,&#8221; said Stephen Barclay, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury. He added that it was crucial for the government to ensure that the industry can continue to thrive and innovate, notably by proposing favorable regulation.
Echoing Barclay&#8217;s statements, Kevin Caley, the founder of UK P2P lending platform ThinCats, noted:
&#8220;SMEs employ the majority of people in the UK, and their performance has a profound effect on the health of the economy. By giving thousands more small businesses vital access to funding, the P2P sector has a crucial role to play in the UK.&#8221;
 
The UK P2P lending industry
Zopa CEO Jaidev Janardana, Oct. 2017, via Twitter
Since the launch of Zopa, the first company in world to offer peer-to-peer loans, back in 2005, hundreds of other platforms have emerged in the UK.
Funding Circle is undoubtedly one of the first significant online lending platforms for businesses, launching in 2010. Funding Circle offers small business loans from investors via its online platform and had lent over £3.2 billion to UK businesses, as of February 2018.
ThinCats and MarketInvoice are two other leading platforms for alternative business finance in the UK. ThinCats allows investors to make loans directly to businesses and focuses on secured loans. Since the platform&#8217;s launch in 2011, ThinCats had facilitated more than 900 loans providing funds to over £260 million to UK businesses, as of late-2017.
Meanwhile, MarketInvoice allows businesses to sell their unpaid invoices to a pool of global investors. This gives businesses instant liquidity and the buyers a healthy return. MarketInvoice also provides business loans. Since launching in 2011, the platform had funded more than £1,9 billion worth of invoices
In the consumer lending space, Zopa and RateSetter are two of the country&#8217;s most prominent platforms.
RateSetter wins Best Peer-to-Peer Provider of the Year at the Moneyfacts Consumer Awards, Jan. 2018, via Twitter
RateSetter was founded in 2009 and is known for having introduced into P2P lending the concept of a &#8220;provision fund,&#8221; an internal fund to insure against borrower default. It launched its platform in 2010 and had matched more than £2 billion in P2P loans and with over 400,000 investors and borrowers, as of May 2017.
Meanwhile, Zopa, which has been operating for more than 10 years and which is considered one of the largest P2P lending platforms in Europe, is looking to expand the range of financial products it offers to UK consumers by launching its own bank.
Zopa&#8217;s bank is scheduled to launch some time this year and will sit alongside the P2P lending business. The company plans to offer FSCS (the UK&#8217;s Financial Services Compensation Scheme) protected deposit accounts to savers, and personal loans, car finance, and overdraft alternatives to borrowers.
The company raised £32 million in funding last year to help support the build-out of the new bank&#8217;s technology infrastructure. It opened a developer center in Barcelona to work on coding for payment gateways, credit card processing and deposit systems.
But while numerous online P2P lenders have risen to the top, others have gone bust and exited the market. One example is Quakle, a UK P2P lender founded in 2010 that closed down just a year after with a near 100% default rate. Other platforms that closed down include BigCarrots, Squirrl.com and YES-secure.
YES-secure, which lured savers by promising returns of up to 18%, shut down in March 2014 before a regulatory crackdown. The company returned all the money it had attracted.
The post P2P Lending Providers In The UK appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/p2p-lending-providers-in-the-uk</link><guid>392</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/london-england-300x206.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>P2P Lending Providers In The UK</dc:text></item><item><title>Stellungnahme zu Open Banking und PSD2</title><description><![CDATA[Mitte Januar 2018 veröffentlichte SFS ein Positionspapier, worin vorgeschlagen wird, in der Schweiz eine Selbstregulierungsorganisation zu gründen, welche sich der Ausarbeitung einer Schweizer Open Banking Lösung widmet.
Dabei sollen einerseits die Standardisierung (Standard-APIs) und andererseits die Öffnung von Schnittstellen für Dritte (unter definierten Kriterien, ohne individuelle Selektion) am Finanzplatz Schweiz den Kern der Selbstregulierung bilden.
Stellungnahme von SFTI
Standardisierung von Schnittstellen (Standard-APIs) als Grundlage für Open Banking Genau wie SFS ist auch SFTI der Überzeugung, dass Open Banking ein grosses Potential für Innovationen und die Digitalisierung einer Vielzahl von Geschäftsprozessen im Finanzbereich schafft.
Dementsprechend unterstützt SFTI im Rahmen seiner Arbeitsgruppe „Common API“ die Standardisierung von Schnittstellen im Finanzmarkt seit bald zwei Jahren tatkräftig.
Mit an Bord sind hier neben namhaften Banken und Versicherungen unter anderen auch die vier Kernbankensoftware-Hersteller, Avaloq, Finnova, Finstar und Temenos. Ziel sind frei verfügbare „Common API“-Spezifikationen, über deren Nutzung (insbesondere auch Öffnung, Monetarisierung etc.) jedes Unternehmen selbst bestimmen kann. Die gemeinsam erarbeiteten Spezifikationen werden auch europakompatibel (insb. Austausch mit „Berlin Group“) und mit weiteren Schweizer Projekten abgestimmt sein.
Verpflichtung zur Öffnung von Schnittstellen über Selbstregulierungsorganisation
Der Vorschlag von SFS zur Gründung einer Selbstregulierungsorganisation anstelle einer Regulierung, ähnlich der europäischen PSD2, berücksichtigt nur die eine Seite der PSD2, nämlich den Zugang zu Zahlungskonten bei Banken, welcher standardisiert und unter definierten Kriterien, aber ohne individuelle Selektion, auf Kundenwunsch ermöglicht werden soll.
Die PSD2 hat jedoch zwei Seiten, welche aufeinander abgestimmt sind und ein Gleichgewicht
zwischen erzwungener Öffnung von Bankenschnittstellen und (Konsumenten-) Schutz sowie Stabilität der Finanzmärkte herstellen sollen. Neben dem regulatorischen Zwang zur Öffnung von Schnittstellen enthält die PSD2 Regeln für die Regulierung von Third Party Providern (insb. Zahlungsauslösedienste, Kontoinformationsdienste).
Diese sind unter der PSD2 grundsätzlich bewilligungspflichtig und unterstehen aufsichtsrechtlichen Vorschriften, die den operationellen und finanziellen Risiken dieser Institute gerecht werden sollen, wie beispielsweise Anforderungen an das Anfangskapital und die laufende Kapitalausstattung, die Berufshaftpflichtversicherung zur Deckung der Haftungsverpflichtungen, Vorschriften zur Rechnungslegung und Prüfung der Jahresabschlüsse.
Um dieses Gleichgewicht über eine Selbstregulierung abbilden zu können, müssten erst die
gesetzlichen Grundlagen für letztere geschaffen werden. Zwar könnten allenfalls gewisse Kriterien für die Gewährung des Zugangs zu Bankkonten innerhalb der vorgeschlagenen Selbstregulierungsorganisation auch ohne gesetzliche Grundlage gemeinsam definiert werden.
Dies betrifft allerdings vorab technische Voraussetzungen (z.B. zur Verwendung der API’s, Authentifikationsmethoden u.ä.), welche auch über die Schnittstelle direkt adressiert werden könnten. Konkrete aufsichtsrechtliche Vorschriften, wie die PSD2 sie zum Schutz von Konsumenten und Finanzplatz vorsieht, können in einem solchen Rahmen bzw. über eine Selbstregulierung, welche erst in einem späteren Zeitpunkt allenfalls eine gesetzliche Grundlagen erhalten soll, aber nicht erreicht werden.
Fazit
Open Banking wird auch in der Schweiz die Innovation vorantreiben, weil die Kunden die damit
verbundenen Möglichkeiten von ihren Banken fordern werden. SFTI hat das Potential von Open
Banking längst erkannt und arbeitet bereits seit fast zwei Jahren intensiv an den entsprechenden „Common API“-Spezifikationen.
Allerdings muss in der Schweiz, in welcher die Third Party Provider nicht aufsichtsrechtlich reguliert sind, jede Bank selbst beurteilen und entscheiden können, ob und welche Anbieter genügende Sicherheit und Stabilität gewährleisten können und zu welchen Bedingungen diese die zur Verfügung gestellten Schnittstellen entsprechend nutzen dürfen. Über eine Selbstregulierung ohne gesetzliche Grundlage kann dieses notwendige Gleichgewicht nicht hergestellt werden.
 
Stellungsnahme von swissfintechinnovations.ch
 
The post Stellungnahme zu Open Banking und PSD2 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/stellungnahme-zu-open-banking-und-psd2</link><guid>389</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Stellungnahme zu Open Banking und PSD2</dc:text></item><item><title>Schweizer FINMA will Sicherheitsstandards bei Online-Identifizierung erhöhen</title><description><![CDATA[Die Eidgenössische Finanzmarktaufsicht FINMA will die Vorschriften zur Video- und Online-Identifizierung anpassen.
Die beiden Identifizierungs-Experten IDnow und Intrum AG begrüssen die geplanten Anpassungen zur Erhöhung der Sicherheit dieser begehrten Verfahren und stehen der FINMA erneut beratend zur Seite.
Vor knapp zwei Jahren ist das FINMA-Rundschreiben 2016/17 &#8220;Video-und Online-Identifizierung&#8221; in Kraft getreten. Mit Blick auf die bisherigen Erfahrungen aus der Praxis und den technologischen Fortschritten seither führt die Eidgenössische Finanzmarktaufsicht FINMA in der Schweiz nun eine Anhörung bis zum 28.
März durch, um danach die Vorschriften entsprechend anzupassen. Die Identifizierungs-Anbieter der ersten Stunde IDnow und Intrum begrüssen das Vorhaben als wichtigen Schritt, die Sicherheit bei der Online-Identifizierung weiter zu erhöhen.
 
Geplante Neuerungen beider Verfahren
Nach derzeitigem Stand soll künftig nun auch in der Schweiz bei beiden Verfahren das Ausweisdokument anhand mindestens dreier zufällig ausgewählter optischer Sicherheitsmerkmale überprüft und „mit Referenzen aus einer Ausweisdatenbank bezüglich Sicherheitsmerkmalen, Zeichenart sowie -grösse und Layout“ verglichen werden.
Bei der Identifizierung mittels elektronischer Ausweiskopie kommen aber nur jene Sicherheitsmerkmale in Betracht, die sich auf einem Standbild überprüfen lassen. Ferner entfällt bei beiden Verfahren die Prüfung via einer TAN (Transaktionsnummer) und der Identifizierungs-Vorgang darf auch bei Hinweisen auf erhöhte Risiken fortgeführt werden.
 
Revisionen zur Online-Identifizierung
Besonders interessant für die Finanzbranche sind die Änderungen bezüglich der Online-Identifizierung mittels elektronischer Ausweiskopie. Zunächst will die FINMA nur Aufnahmen in einer bestimmten Bildqualität zulassen. Ferner gelten nur noch Ausweisdokumente als Identifizierungs-Nachweis, die über eine MRZ (Machine Readable Zone) und optische Sicherheitsmerkmale wie bspw.
holografisch-kinematische Merkmale oder Druckelemente mit Kippeffekt verfügen. Darüber hinaus wird bei der Online-Identifizierung eine Lebenderkennung verlangt, um sicherzustellen, dass das Lichtbild des Nutzers im Rahmen des Identifizierungs-Vorgangs erstellt worden ist.
 
Mehr Sicherheit durch Technologie
Die kooperierenden Identifizierungs-Experten IDnow und Intrum begrüssen die Revision als „wichtige Weichenstellung für einen zukunftsfähigen KYC-Prozess (Know Your Customer)“, da somit die Sicherheit in der Online-Identifizierung massgeblich erhöht wird, ohne die Nutzerfreundlichkeit einzuschränken.
Viele der Neuerungen haben sich in der Praxis als effektive Massnahme zur Betrugsprävention bewährt.
Insbesondere die randomisierte Auswahl der Sicherheitsmerkmale und eine höhere Bildqualität schrecken Betrüger schon im Voraus ab, da somit die technischen Hürden für eine Fälschung – besonders mit Blick auf die holografisch-kinematischen Merkmale – um ein Vielfaches steigen. Auch die Ausweisüberprüfung im Abgleich mit einer Datenbank erhöht das Sicherheitsniveau massgeblich.
Speziell dafür hat IDnow eine intelligente Software entwickelt, die bereits kleinste Normabweichungen treffsicher erkennen und somit das Betrugsrisiko signifikant senken kann. Diese teilautomatisierte Überprüfung hat ausserdem den Vorteil, dass sie den Identifizierungs-Vorgang erheblich beschleunigt.
 
Mehr Kontrolle
Dass der Identifizierungs-Vorgang zukünftig bei Hinweisen auf erhöhte Risiken nicht mehr abgebrochen werden muss, ist nach IDnow und Intrum zwar schon ein Schritt in die richtige Richtung, greift aber im Sinne einer nachhaltigen Betrugsprävention noch nicht weit genug.
Erfahrungen mit der Video-Identifizierung haben gezeigt, dass es sich auf lange Sicht auszahlt, den Identifizierungs-Vorgang auch im Verdachtsfall auf Betrug nicht abzubrechen, da somit erstens keine Daten für wertvolle Auswertungen im Nachhinein verloren gehen und zweitens Kriminelle die Schwachstellen ihrer Betrugsversuche nicht lokalisieren können.
Dazu bedarf es natürlich speziell geschulten Personals, das die Nutzer entsprechend professionell durch den Identifizierungs-Prozess führt. Bei der Online-Identifikation hingegen gibt es keinen direkten Austausch zwischen Nutzer und Prüfer. Daher ist hier die Lebenderkennung als neue Sicherheitsmassnahme notwendig. Entsprechende Prozesse bieten heute schon die Sicherheit, den Unterschied zwischen einem echten Menschen und Aufnahmen einer Person zu unterscheiden.
In Anbetracht der rasanten technologischen Entwicklungen sieht das Identifizierungs-Duo für die Online-Identifizierung noch Potenzial zum regulatorischen Nachjustieren, um auch dieses Verfahren noch sicherer zu machen.
Aber auch diesbezüglich schauen IDnow und Intrum mehr als optimistisch in die Zukunft und setzen den konstruktiven Austausch mit der FINMA fort. Schliesslich wollen alle Seiten die regulatorischen Vorschriften sowohl im Sinne der Schweizer Wettbewerbsfähigkeit als auch der Nutzerfreundlichkeit optimieren.
Den aktuellen Entwurf des FINMA-Rundschreibens 2016/17 &#8220;Video-und Online-Identifizierung&#8221; finden Sie hier.
 
The post Schweizer FINMA will Sicherheitsstandards bei Online-Identifizierung erhöhen appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schweizer-finma-will-sicherheitsstandards-bei-online-identifizierung-erhohen</link><guid>390</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/FINMA-Logo-300x68.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Schweizer FINMA will Sicherheitsstandards bei Online-Identifizierung erhöhen</dc:text></item><item><title>FINMA Publishes ICO Switzerland Guidelines</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA sets out how it intends to apply financial market legislation in handling enquiries from ICO organisers.
The guidelines also define the information FINMA requires to deal with such enquiries and the principles upon which it will base its responses, creating clarity for market participants.
FINMA has seen a sharp increase in the number of initial coin offerings (ICOs) planned or executed in Switzerland and a corresponding increase in the number of enquiries about the applicability of regulation. ICOs are a digital blockchain-based form of public fund-raising for entrepreneurial purposes.
Given a legal and regulatory framework with partially unclear applicability, FINMA is today publishing guidelines, which complement its earlier FINMA Guidance 04/2017, setting out how it intends to treat enquiries from ICO organisers. Creating transparency at this time is important given the dynamic market and the high level of demand.
 
Each case must be decided on its individual merits
Financial market law and regulation are not applicable to all ICOs. Depending on the manner in which ICOs are designed, they may not in all cases be subject to regulatory requirements. Circumstances must be considered on a case-by-case basis.
As set out in FINMA Guidance 04/2017, there are several areas in which ICOs are potentially impacted by financial market regulation.At present, there is no ICO-specific regulation, nor is there relevant case law or consistent legal doctrine.
 
FINMA&#8217;s principles focus on the function and transferability of tokens
In assessing ICOs, FINMA will focus on the economic function and purpose of the tokens (i.e. the blockchain-based units) issued by the ICO organiser. The key factors are the underlying purpose of the tokens and whether they are already tradeable or transferable. At present, there is no generally recognised terminology for the classification of tokens either in Switzerland or internationally. FINMA categorises tokens into three types, but hybrid forms are possible:

Payment tokens are synonymous with cryptocurrencies and have no further functions or links to other development projects. Tokens may in some cases only develop the necessary functionality and become accepted as a means of payment over a period of time.
Utility tokens are tokens which are intended to provide digital access to an application or service.
Asset tokens represent assets such as participations in real physical underlyings, companies, or earnings streams, or an entitlement to dividends or interest payments. In terms of their economic function, the tokens are analogous to equities, bonds or derivatives.

 
Focus on anti-money laundering and securities regulation
FINMA&#8217;s analysis indicates that money laundering and securities regulation are the most relevant to ICOs. Projects which would fall under the Banking Act (governing deposit-taking) or the Collective Investment Schemes Act (governing investment fund products) are not typical.
The Anti-Money Laundering Act contains requirements for financial intermediaries including, for example, the need to establish the identity of beneficial owners. The law aims to protect the financial system against the risks of money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
Money laundering risks are especially high in a decentralised blockchain-based system, in which assets can be transferred anonymously and without any regulated intermediaries.Securities regulation is intended to ensure that market participants can base their decisions about investments on a reliable minimum set of information. Moreover, trading should be fair, reliable and offer efficient price formation.
On the basis of the above-mentioned criteria (function and transferability), FINMA will handle ICO enquiries as follows:

Payment ICOs: For ICOs where the token is intended to function as a means of payment and can already be transferred, FINMA will require compliance with anti-money laundering regulations. FINMA will not, however, treat such tokens as securities.
Utility ICOs: These tokens do not qualify as securities only if their sole purpose is to confer digital access rights to anapplication or service and if the utility token can already be used in this way at the point of issue. If a utility token functions solely or partially as an investment in economic terms, FINMA will treat such tokens as securities (i.e. in the same way as asset tokens).
Asset ICOs: FINMA regards asset tokens as securities, which means that there are securities law requirements for trading in such tokens, as well as civil law requirements under the Swiss Code of Obligations (e.g. prospectus requirements).


ICOs can also exist in hybrid forms of the above categories. For example, anti-money laundering regulation would apply to utility tokens that can also be widely used as a means of payment or are intended to be used as such.
 
Blockchain technology has innovative potential
Following further consolidation of this supervisory practice, FINMA may in future decide to publish its interpretation in the form of a circular. FINMA recognises the innovative potential of blockchain technology and therefore supports the federal government&#8217;s Blockchain/ICO Working Group in which it is participating.
Clarity about the underlying civil law framework will be a decisive factor in establishing this technology sustainably and successfully in Switzerland. FINMA CEO, Mark Branson comments:

Mark Branson, CEO of FINMA, Photo: ©Philipp ZInniker
&#8220;The application of blockchain technology has innovative potential within and far beyond the financial markets. However, blockchain-based projects conducted analogously to regulated activities cannot simply circumvent the tried and tested regulatory framework.
Our balanced approach to handling ICO projects and enquiries allows legitimate innovators to navigate the regulatory landscape and so launch their projects in a way consistent with our laws protecting investors and the integrity of the financial system.&#8221;
Information for investors FINMA has several times drawn attention to the risks that ICOs can pose for investors. Tokens acquired in the context of an ICO are likely to be subject to high price volatility. Since many ICO projects are at an early stage of development, they are subject to numerous uncertainties. Furthermore, it is uncertain under current civil law whether contracts executed via blockchain technology are legally binding.
Investigations into ICOs will continue As announced in September 2017, FINMA is conducting investigations into a number of cases involving ICOs. If FINMA becomes aware that ICO business models have breached supervisory law, were intended to circumvent regulation, or were fraudulent in their intent, it will launch enforcement proceedings.
 
 
The post FINMA Publishes ICO Switzerland Guidelines appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finma-publishes-ico-switzerland-guidelines</link><guid>391</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/FINMA-Logo-300x68.png</dc:content ><dc:text>FINMA Publishes ICO Switzerland Guidelines</dc:text></item><item><title>Schweizer auch dank hoher Sicherheit Vorreiter bei der mobilen Bezahlung</title><description><![CDATA[Die Schweiz nimmt bei der mobilen Bezahlung in Europa eine Spitzenstellung ein. Dafür gibt es diverse Gründe. Zum einen liegt die Popularität der Lösung in dem stetig wachsenden Anteil des Onlinehandels.
Hier sind einfache wie technisch ausgereifte und vor allem sichere Lösungen gefragt. Zu diesem Schluss kommt eine Studie der Wirtschaftsprüfer von Deloitte.
mobile payment image via Pixabay
Demnach bezahlt inzwischen fast jeder fünfte Schweizer wenigstens gelegentlich per Smartphone, während es in Deutschland lediglich drei Prozent sind. Vergleichbar niedrig sind die Zahlen auch in übrigen europäischen Staaten wie Frankreich, Italien oder Belgien.
Nur in Skandinavien ist der Anteil der Nutzer von Mobile Payment höher. Zwar zahlt nur etwa ein Prozent der Befragten regelmässig mobil, doch die Anzeichen sprechen dafür, dass der Anteil der Mobile Payment-Nutzer in naher Zukunft stark wachsen wird.
Das liegt daran, dass immer mehr grosse Anbieter mit ihren Lösungen in der Schweiz aktiv sind. Zu den Marktführern gehören hier das Angebot der hiesigen Banken, Twint und Apple Pay. Deloitte zufolge nutzen 40 Prozent der Kunden die Twint-App für mobile Zahlungen, während 33 Prozent auf Apple Pay zugreifen.
Neben den beiden Anbietern bringt sich aktuell Alipay in Stellung, welches seit 2016 in der Schweiz präsent ist. Bisher richtete sich das Angebot bevorzugt an chinesische Touristen im Land, doch mit zunehmender Verbreitung des Onlineangebots des chinesischen E-Commerce-Giganten ist davon auszugehen, dass auch bei ihm die Nutzerzahlen steil nach oben gehen werden.
Ein weiterer Grund für die hohe Akzeptanz der mobilen Zahlung sind die hohen Sicherheitsstandards, die mittlerweile in der Branche herrschen. Die Anbieter der Lösungen wissen nur zu gut um die herausragende Stellung, die ein umfassender Schutz bei potentiellen Nutzern geniesst. Aus diesem Grund wurden in der Vergangenheit grosse Anstrengungen unternommen, um die Einfallstore für Manipulationen durch unbefugte Dritte zu schließen.
Dies hat die Branche mit der der Finanzdienstleister gemein. Denn auch bei Kapitalanlagen legen nicht nur die Schweizer neben einfacher Handhabung grossen Wert höchsten Schutz. Hierbei helfen ihnen Onlineanbieter wie Weiss Finance, auf deren ebenfalls top verschlüsselten Plattformen Details zu Kursen und Hintergrundinformationen einer Vielzahl von Investitionsformen zu finden sind.
Selbstverständlich lassen sich die Werte von Aktien, Anleihen, Fonds oder Devisen aus aller Welt leicht und in Echtzeit handeln. Denn dies ist ein weiterer wichtiger Faktor, den Kunden bei Ihrer Entscheidung für oder gegen einen Finanzdienstleister berücksichtigen: Die Möglichkeit, direkt und ohne Zeitverzug tätig werden zu können.
Dabei ist es egal, ob es sich um den Kauf oder Verkauf einer bestimmten Aktie oder eben die Nutzung von Mobile Payment-Lösungen handelt.
Gleiches gilt für die Sicherheit: Rundum verschlüsselte SSL-Verbindungen bei sämtlichen Datentransfers, mobile TAN-Verfahren und Sicherheitsfeatures wie ausgeklügelte Wege zur Zwei-Faktor-Authentifizierung haben dazu geführt, dass die mobile Zahlung inzwischen sehr sicher ist. Leider kommt es noch immer zu Hacks, bei denen beispielsweise Kreditkartendaten entwendet werden.
Dieses Problem trifft jedoch nicht nur Mobile Payment, sondern den gesamten Onlinehandel. Eine tiefergehende Problematik stellen Fishing-Versuche dar, bei denen mittels gefälschter E-Mail-Absender versucht wird, Kunden ihre Passwörter bei den Zahlungsdienstleistern zu stehlen.
Hier kann nur an die Aufmerksamkeit jedes Einzelnen appelliert werden, auf derlei Tricks nicht hereinzufallen &#8211; und sich bei der Passwortvergabe eine sichere Alternative zu „123456“ oder „Meinpasswort“ zu überlegen. Ist dies geschehen, spricht wenig gegen die unbeschwerte Nutzung von Mobile Payment.
 
Featured image via Pixabay
The post Schweizer auch dank hoher Sicherheit Vorreiter bei der mobilen Bezahlung appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schweizer-auch-dank-hoher-sicherheit-vorreiter-bei-der-mobilen-bezahlung</link><guid>388</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/mobile-payment-300x211.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Schweizer auch dank hoher Sicherheit Vorreiter bei der mobilen Bezahlung</dc:text></item><item><title>Win 3 free tickets to FinTech 2018 Conference and Awards in Zurich</title><description><![CDATA[The age of digitisation has caused fundamental shifts in how banking is done is this day and age. Bankers need to rethink their business models and strategies to remain relevant. This is especially true when it comes to open banking, no bank is able to offer precise personalisation of their services as much as the tech giants like Apple, Google or Tencent and Alibaba can with their platforms.
Open banking provides an avenue for banks to thrive in today&#8217;s competitive landscape, the PS2D regulation will further propel banks towards and open banking concept, the question is are Swiss Banks ready and how should they strategise in response?
These are questions we do not have an immediate answer to, fortunately all those questions and more will be answered by a panel of fintech and finance leaders during Fintech 2018  conference at The Dolder Grand in Zurich on the 15th March 2018.
For our readers who might be interested we have free passes for 3 lucky winners all you have to do is fill up the following form and the winners will be announced via on email in our bi-weekly newsletter on the 22nd February 2018.
Submissions close on 22nd February, act now to secure your free passes. Should you not be among the 3 lucky winners you can still enjoy a 25% discount with the following code &#8220;25Fintech18&#8221;
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The post Win 3 free Tickets to FinTech 2018 Conference and Awards in Zurich appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/win-3-free-tickets-to-fintech-2018-conference-and-awards-in-zurich</link><guid>387</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Win 3 free tickets to FinTech 2018 Conference and Awards in Zurich</dc:text></item><item><title>Die Disruption bei Immobilien-Verkauf, neues Schweizer Proptech Startup</title><description><![CDATA[Ein an der ETH Lausanne (EPFL) gegründetes Unternehmen nimmt das lmmo­bilienmaklergeschäft ins Visier, namentlich die sehr hohen Kommissionen bei einem Verkauf.
Nach der digitalen Revolution im Arbeits- und Finanzmarkt rechnet die Fachwelt damit, dass diese Entwicklung auch im lmmobiliensektor Einzug hält.
Während jedoch &#8220;Immobilien 2.0&#8221; in gewissen Nachbarländern bereits eine enorme Bedeutung erlangt hat, steht dieser Prozess in der Schweiz noch ziemlich am Anfang.
Var diesem Hintergrund haben vier Unternehmer aus Lausanne die Firma Neho gegrundet, die lmmobilienbesitzer beim Verkauf ihrer Liegenschaft begleitet &#8211; ohne ihnen Zehntausende van Franken in Rechnung zu stellen.
Wer beim Hausverkauf einen Makler heranzieht, bezahlt heute in der Regel eine Kommission von rund 3% des Verkaufspreises. Dass dieser Betrag für die Hauseigentümer so hoch ist, liegt im Wesentlichen an zwei Marktineffizienzen :

Eigentümer, die ihre Liegenschaft verkaufen wollen, wenden sich häufig an mehrere Mak/e­ ragenturen. Die direkte Falge : Ourchschnittlich führt nur jedes dritte Mandat zu einem Vertrag­ sabschluss, weshalb der Makler die entstandenen Ausgaben mit den abgeschlossenen Vertragen &lt;&lt;wettmachen&gt;&gt; muss.
Makleragenturen haben ausserdem sehr hohe Fixkosten &#8211; repräsentative Büros an bester Lage, Papierdokumentationen, wenig automatisierte Prozesse, Fixkosten für einen Tei/ der Makler/ohne.

Neho hat eine Lösung entwickelt, die auf digitale Prozesse setzt und gleichzeitig ein traditionelles Element bewahrt, das für den Auftraggeber zentral ist : die Begleitung durch einen Experten in jeder Verkaufsetappe.
Kurz gesagt bleibt die gesamte Wertschöpfungskette bestehen, die dazu beiträgt, eine Liegenschaft zu möglichst vorteilhaften Bedingungen zu verkaufen (Schätzung der lmmobilie, lnserate auf allen grossen Websites, virtueller Besuch, Verhandlungshilfe sowie rechtliche, finan­ zielle und steuerliche Beratung &#8230;). Neu wird der Prozess jedoch so ausgestaltet, dass die Kosten drastisch sinken und der Anteil der Mandate mit Verkaufsabschluss fast 100% erreicht.
Der Eigentümer bezahlt eine sehr günstige Pauschale in Höhe von weniger als 1% des Verkaufs­ preises, da der Vermarktungsaufwand nicht vom Wert der Liegenschaft abhängt (basierend auf dem durchschnittlichen Verkaufspreis von Immobilien in der Schweiz).
Der grösste Teil davon wird ausserdem erst fällig, wenn der Verkauf abgeschlossen ist.Über die Online-Plattform kann der Verkäufer überdies sämtliche lnformationen &#8211; Dokumente, Termine, Feedbacks, Angebote, Statis­ tiken &#8211; jederzeit und uberall einsehen.
Im aktuellen, seit einigen Jahren stagnierenden lmmobilienmarkt mit sinkender Wertschöpfung beim Verkauf, bietet sich Neho als willkommene Alternative an.
 



The post Die Disruption bei Immobilien-Verkauf, neues Schweizer Proptech Startup appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/die-disruption-bei-immobilien-verkauf-neues-schweizer-proptech-startup</link><guid>383</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Die Disruption bei Immobilien-Verkauf, neues Schweizer Proptech Startup</dc:text></item><item><title>Enormes Potenzial für die Digitalisierung der Kundenbeziehungen</title><description><![CDATA[Die Digitalisierung der Kundenbeziehungen steht in vielen Bereichen noch am Anfang, dabei würden sich die Kunden eine Ausweitung wünschen.
Noch fehlen aber die entsprechenden Angebote.
Besonders gross ist das Innovationspotenzial in der Versicherungsbranche (inklusive Krankenversicherer), aber auch die Banken haben in einigen Bereichen noch Nachholbedarf. Dies sind einige der zentralen Erkenntnisse aus einer Umfrage, die das Marktforschungsunternehmen GFK im Auftrag des Digitalisierungsspezialisten ti&amp;m in der Schweiz und in Deutschland durchgeführt hat.
Spitzenreiter unter den digitalisierten Diensten in der Schweiz ist das Onlinebanking: 91 Prozent der Umfrageteilnehmer nutzen eine entsprechende Dienstleistung. Ebenfalls hoher Akzeptanz erfreuen sich Online-Tickets für den Personenverkehr (75 Prozent) und Online-Payment (73 Prozent).
Die Positionierung dieser seit längerem verfügbaren Services zeigt, dass sich Prozesse nicht von heute auf morgen transformieren lassen. Ihre Durchsetzung benötigt Zeit und Geduld. Etwas weniger fortgeschritten ist der digitale Kundenkontakt zwischen Bürger und Verwaltung: Immerhin drei von fünf Befragten füllen ihre Steuererklärung online aus und 54 Prozent nutzen einen Onlineschalter für Transaktionen mit öffentlichen Ämtern.
Noch weniger genutzt werden die digitalen Services der Versicherungsbranche wie die Onlineabwicklung von Schadensmeldungen (42 Prozent) und Leistungsabrechnungen (39 Prozent).
Innovationsrückstand bei den Versicherern
Neben der reinen Nutzung der Dienstleistungen untersuchte die Studie auch, inwiefern die Dienste subjektiv den Alltag der Kunden vereinfachen und wie zufrieden diese mit der aktuellen Umsetzung sind. Ein Vergleich dieser Werte macht deutlich, wo sich die grössten Potenziale für die Digitalisierung verbergen.
Über die besten Wachstumschancen verfügen demnach das mobile Banking und Bezahlen sowie das Management der persönlichen Finanzen. Einen grossen Innovationsrückstand weist der Versicherungsbereich auf: Hier würden sich viele Kunden zusätzliche Angebote wünschen, die heute noch weitgehend fehlen.
Weiteres Verbesserungspotenzial offenbart sich in branchenübergreifenden Themen des digitalen Kundenservice wie Onboarding (d. h. Neukundenaufnahme), Kundenportal, Chat und Terminvereinbarung.
Die grösste Kluft zwischen Wunsch und Realität findet sich beim E-Voting. Über siebzig Prozent der Umfrageteilnehmer würden gerne online abstimmen und wählen, doch erst vier Prozent können es – ein klarer Auftrag an die Politik!
Die Untersuchung zeigt auch, welche Anbieter bei den Kunden gut abschneiden. Und sie verdeutlicht, dass es bei der Nutzung von Onlinediensten eine Diskrepanz zwischen den Geschlechtern gibt: Alle untersuchten Dienstleistungen werden mehr von Männer genutzt als von Frauen.

Thomas Wüst
„Digitalisierung scheint bisher vor allem ein beliebtes Schlagwort bei Strategieberatern zu sein“,
sagt Thomas Wüst, Gründer und CEO von ti&amp;m.
„Die Studie wagt nun endlich die Tuchfühlung mit den Benutzern und Nutzniessern der neuen digitalen Dienstleistungen. Und sie trennt die Spreu vom Weizen, denn sie zeigt, was nützlich, erforderlich und wünschenswert ist – und zwar aus Sicht der Kunden.“
 
The post Enormes Potenzial für die Digitalisierung der Kundenbeziehungen appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/enormes-potenzial-fur-die-digitalisierung-der-kundenbeziehungen</link><guid>384</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/tim-Studie-Digitalisierung-im-Alltag_Schweiz-06-1024x768.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Enormes Potenzial für die Digitalisierung der Kundenbeziehungen</dc:text></item><item><title>Die erste Kreditkartenterminal-App für Android Mobiltelefone und Tablets</title><description><![CDATA[Das Schweizer Startup Payrexx aus Thun startet das neue Jahr mit der Herausgabe einer Neuheit: Eine Point-of-Sale Bezahl-App. Es ist wie mit den traditionellen Kartenlesegeräten in den Einzelhandelsgeschäften.
Der Unterschied ist, dass keine zusätzlichen kostspieligen Geräte für die Abwicklung von Kartenzahlungen angeschafft werden müssen. Es erfolgt alles über das Mobiltelefon. Damit können die verschiedensten Zahlungsmethoden kombiniert und ohne zusätzliche Hardware auf jedem Android Mobiltelefon akzeptiert werden.
Um loszulegen muss nur ein kostenloses Payrexx Konto eröffnet und die App auf einem Android Gerät installiert werden. Anschliessend können Kreditkartenzahlungen einfach, schnell und sicher akzeptiert werden.
Für wen ist die App geeignet?
Die App eignet sich für alle Firmen und Organisationen, die am Point-of-Sales eine einfache Lösung zum Akzeptieren von Kartenzahlungen benötigen. Insbesondere für Aussendienst und Montage Mitarbeiter, Taxidienste, Kleine Geschäfte, Coiffeursalons, Sportvereine, Veranstalter, uvm.

Entstehung
Die neue Bezahl-App wurde im Jahr 2017 von Payrexx in einer ersten Version entwickelt. Als Vorlage diente die bestehende Cloud Lösung: Das einfachste All-in-One Tool für Online-Zahlungen! Die vermehrte Nutzung des Mobilgeräts hat die Entwicklungsabteilung dazu gebracht, eine App als vereinfachte Version der Payrexx Software zu entwickeln.
Funktionen und Vorteile
Mit der Payrexx Bezahl-App können in Verbindung mit einem Payrexx Konto überall und jederzeit alle verfügbaren Zahlungsmittel und sämtliche von Payrexx unterstützten Zahlungsanbieter mit Ihrem Smartphone oder Tablet akzeptiert werden. Mittels NFC-Unterstützung können Kreditkartendaten kontaktlos eingelesen werden.
In Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz werden die beliebten Zahlungsmittel Mastercard, VISA, AMEX, PayPal, Giropay, Bitcoin, SOFORT, Apple Pay, PostFinance, TWINT, WIRpay und viele mehr unterstützt.
Hinter der Payrexx Bezahl-App steht eines der vier Tools von Payrexx; Das virtuelle Terminal. Damit können Zahlungen überall akzeptiert werden. Es ist wie mit den traditionellen Kartenlesegeräten in den Einzelhandelsgeschäften.
Der Unterschied ist, dass keine zusätzlichen Geräte für die Abwicklung von Kartenzahlungen angeschafft werden müssen. Es erfolgt alles über den Internetbrowser. Der Zugang ist mit jedem Gerät möglich.
Wo finde ich die App?
Die Bezahlapp von Payrexx finden Sie kostenlos im Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.payrexx.virtualterminal

 
 
 
Featured image via Freepik
The post Die erste Kreditkartenterminal-App für Android Mobiltelefone und Tablets appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/die-erste-kreditkartenterminal-app-fur-android-mobiltelefone-und-tablets</link><guid>385</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/demo-payrexx.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Die erste Kreditkartenterminal-App für Android Mobiltelefone und Tablets</dc:text></item><item><title>Dragon Coin’s Public Token Sale is Open</title><description><![CDATA[Dragon Inc., which is on track to drastically transform the high-stakes and the junket gambling marketplace through its blockchain-based solution, launched its Public Token Sale today.
The sale is set to run for 30 days from February 15th until March 15th, 2018, or until the allotted 83 million tokens are sold.
The price during this stage of the token sale is set at 0.005 ETH per 1 DRG, while it is currently selling at a rate of 0.006+ ETH per 1 DRG on the CoinHub exchange.
Dragon, to the trust of its community, has continued on its planned roadmap with the listing of the DRG token on exchanges prior to their public token sale &#8211; with CoinHub.io being the first exchange onboard.
They have further received confirmation that DRG will be listed on HitBTC as of February 27th. Dragon is also in late-stage talks with a number of other top-ten exchanges. The company will release more on exchanges as information becomes available.
Paul Moynan, Co-Founder of Dragon explains:

Paul Moynan
“Dragon is the first benchmark Token Sale that has a live monthly multi-Billion dollar business attached to us, which requires our clients (high rollers) to be able to purchase the Dragon Token to access the platform, so like EOS we have listed on exchanges prior to our public token sale.”
Dragon continues to see growth in the multi-billion dollar per month market of high-rollers and junkets globally, especially in the ASEAN markets that have a population of over 4.5 billion people.
Dragon’s accelerated growth is most evident in markets like Macau, Singapore, South Korea, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Philippines, and Malaysia.
 The company is also on an ongoing drive to secure key strategic partnerships including one with Expay, one of the largest payment gateways in Asia.  ExPay will be working with Dragon to complete the development of the Dragon wallet, ensuring ease of use and cost efficiency.
With all the momentum that Dragon is experiencing, it continues to be not only one of the largest token sale to date with over $320 million raised before the public token sale, but also one of the most promising real business opportunities in the blockchain ecosystem to date.
 
Disclaimer: this is an article written by Dragon Inc.. Fintechnews does not endorse and is not responsible for or liable for any content, accuracy, quality, advertising, products or other materials on this page. Readers should do their own research before taking any actions related to the company. Fintechnews is not responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in the press release.
Please note this is no investment advice.
The post Dragon Coin’s Public Token Sale is Open appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/dragon-coins-public-token-sale-is-open</link><guid>386</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Dragon Coin’s Public Token Sale is Open</dc:text></item><item><title>The Forbes Fintech 50 List For 2018, 1 Swiss Fintech selected</title><description><![CDATA[Forbes have selected their Top 50 Fintech List for 2018. With Shapeshift also one Swiss Fintech made it into the list.
 
Acorns, Irvine CA
Category: Investing, Personal Finance, Consumers
Funding: $101 million
Acorns is the first company to offer micro investing to the world. The proprietary financial engine allows customers to roundup spare change from everyday purchases and invest these sub-dollar amounts into a professionally managed portfolio of index funds.
 
Addepar, Mountain View, CA
Category: Investing, Data &amp; Analytics, Wall Street
Funding: $215 million
Cloud-based software that allows financial advisors to track and analyze all of a client’s holdings and more easily bring new ones on board. Extended its range last year with acquisition of AltX, a data provider covering more than 17,000 hedge funds.
 
Adyen, Amsterdam
Category: Consumers, Small Business, Payments
Funding: $266 million
A global payments platform that allows businesses to accept payments from major credit and debit cards, as well as mobile apps, Apple Pay and Google Pay. Expanded its services last year through a partnership with China’s Alipay.
 
 
Affirm, San Francisco
Category: Consumers, Small Business, Payments, Lending
Funding: $450 million
At Affirm, we’re using today’s technology to bring significant disruptive innovation to the financial industry. We focus on improving the lives of consumers by delivering simple, honest and transparent financial products.
 
 
Ayasdi, Menlo Park, CA
Category: Data &amp; Analytics, Wall Street
Funding: $106 million
Ayasdi is a machine intelligence software company that offers a software platform and applications to organizations looking to analyze and build predictive models using big data or highly dimensional data sets.
 
 
Betterment, New York City
Category: Investing, Personal Finance, Consumers
Funding: $275 million
Betterment is an online investment company based in New York City, registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
 
 
Better Mortgage, New York City
Category: Consumers, Lending
Funding: $65 million
Better is a direct lender dedicated to providing a fast, transparent, and online mortgage experience backed by superior customer support.
 
 
 
The Bitfury Group, Amsterdam
Category: Wall Street, Blockchain &amp; Bitcoin
Funding: $90 million
The Bitfury Group is the leading full service Blockchain technology company and one of the largest private infrastructure providers in the Blockchain ecosystem.
 
 
Blend, San Francisco
Category: Consumers, Wall Street, Lending
Funding: $160 million
At Blend, we’re dedicated to improving consumer lending. We partner with banks and lenders to power frictionless, compliant, and more accessible lending— starting with mortgages.
 
 
Blockchain, London
Category: Blockchain &amp; Bitcoin, Investing, Consumers
Funding: $70 million
Blockchain is the world&#8217;s leading software platform for digital assets. Offering the largest production blockchain platform in the world, we are using new technology to build a radically better financial system.
 
 
Cadre, New York City
Category: Investing, Consumers, Wall Street
Funding: $130 million
Cadre is a technology-enabled real estate investment platform that provides qualified individuals and institutions access to fully vetted commercial real estate opportunities.
 
 
Chain, San Francisco
Category: Blockchain &amp; Bitcoin, Wall Street
Funding: $43.7 million
Chain is an infrastructure technology company that enables its partners to issue and transfer financial assets on permissioned blockchain networks.
 
 
Chainalysis, New York City
Category: Data &amp; Analytics, Wall Street, Blockchain &amp; Bitcoin
Funding: $1.6 million
Chainalysis is the leading provider of investigation software and financial data for digital currencies.
 
 
CircleUp, San Francisco
Category: Investing, Small Business, Consumers, Lending
Funding: $53 million
CircleUp is the investment platform providing capital and resources to innovative, early-stage consumer brands with a modern, scalable approach to private markets.
 
 
Coinbase, San Francisco
Category: Blockchain &amp; Bitcoin, Investing, Consumers
Funding: $217 million
Coinbase is a digital currency wallet and platform where merchants and consumers can transact with new digital currencies like bitcoin, ethereum, and litecoin.
 
 
CommonBond, New York City
Category: Consumers, Wall Street, Lending
Funding: $86.2 million
CommonBond is a marketplace lender that lowers the cost of student loans for borrowers and provides financial returns to investors.
 
 
Credit Karma, San Francisco
Category: Personal Finance, Consumers, Data &amp; Analytics, Lending
Funding: $368.5 million
Credit Karma provides truly free credit scores to consumers direct from the credit bureau. Your scores are retrieved securely with no hidden fees.
 
 
Digital Reasoning, Nashville
Category: Investing, Data &amp; Analytics, Wall Street
Funding: $76 million
Digital Reasoning is a leader in cognitive computing. We build software that understands human communication &#8211; in many languages, across many domains, and at enormous scale. We help people see the world more clearly so they can make a positive difference for humanity.
 
 
Earnin, Palo Alto, CA
Category: Personal Finance, Consumers
Funding: $65 million
Access your pay any time you want for the hours you work. You don&#8217;t have to wait a week or two for your direct deposit. Get the pay you already earned instantly in your bank account.
 
 
Ellevest, New York City
Category: Investing, Personal Finance, Consumers
Funding: $44.5 million
We’re on a mission to close the gender-investing gap. Join the movement and get in financial control today.
 
 
Enigma, New York City
Category: Investing, Data &amp; Analytics, Wall Street
Funding: $34.6 million
Enigma is an operational data management and intelligence company. We place data into the context of the real world and make it connected, open, and actionable.
 
 
Feedzai, San Mateo, CA
Category: Consumers, Data &amp; Analytics, Wall Street, Payments
Funding: $82 million
Feedzai is a data science company that detects fraud in omnichannel commerce. The company uses real-time, machine-based learning to analyze big data to identify fraudulent payment transactions and minimize risk in the financial industry.
 
Forter, New York City
Category: Consumers, Data &amp; Analytics, Small Business, Payments
Funding: $50 million
Forter is a company that helps retailers prevent identity fraud, internet fraud and phone fraud.
 
 
Fundrise, Washington, D.C.
Category: Investing, Consumers
Funding: $50 million
Fundrise was born from the belief that everyone deserves a simpler, smarter, more reliable way to invest. Using technology, Fundrise has created the first low-cost, direct private market investment platform built for you.
 
 
GreenSky, Atlanta
Category: Consumers, Wall Street, Small Business, Lending
Funding: $560 million
Greensky provides technology to banks and merchants to make loans to consumers for home improvement, solar, healthcare and other purposes.
 
 
Guideline, San Mateo, CA
Category: Investing, Personal Finance, Consumers, Small Business
Funding: $24 million
Guideline is the only 401(k) provider that doesn’t charge participants any fees on investments, regardless of the value of their assets or retirement account balance. And for employers, Guideline charges a low, flat rate fee per participant, in contrast to the asset-based fee model predominant in the industry.
 
Gusto, San Francisco
Category: Consumers, Small Business, Payments
Funding: $176 million
Gusto is a company that provides a cloud-based payroll, benefits, and human resource management solution for businesses based in the United States.
 
 
iCapital Network, New York City
Category: Investing, Consumers, Wall Street, Data &amp; Analytics
Funding: $55 million
iCapital Network is a powerful financial technology platform that provides modular alternative investment solutions for registered investment advisors, broker-dealers, private banks, family offices and other sophisticated investors.
 
 
IEX, New York City
Category: Investing, Wall Street, Data &amp; Analytics
Funding: $100 million
IEX is a fair, simple, transparent stock exchange dedicated to investor protection.
 
 
Kabbage, Atlanta
Category: Data &amp; Analytics, Small Business, Lending
Funding: $500 million
Kabbage Inc. has pioneered the first financial services data and technology platform to provide fully automated funding to small businesses in minutes.
 
 
Kensho, Cambridge, MA
Category: Investing, Wall Street, Data &amp; Analytics
Funding: $150 million
Kensho deploys scalable machine learning and analytics systems across the most critical government and commercial institutions in the world to solve some of the hardest analytical problems of our time.
 
 
Lemonade, New York City
Category: Personal Finance, Consumers, Data &amp; Analytics
Funding: $180 million
Lemonade Insurance Company is a licensed insurance carrier, offering homeowners and renters insurance powered by artificial intelligence and behavioral economics.
 
 
LendingHome, San Francisco
Category: Investing, Consumers, Small Business, Lending
Funding: $166 million
LendingHome is a modern mortgage lender. We offer short-term hard money loans and home mortgage loans, and easy access to a portfolio of high-return real estate investments.
 
 
Metromile, San Francisco
Category: Personal Finance, Consumers, Data &amp; Analytics
Funding: $205.5 million
Metromile is a car insurance startup that offers pay-per-mile insurance and a driving app.
 
 
Plaid, San Francisco
Category: Consumers, Data &amp; Analytics, Wall Street
Funding: $60 million
Plaid powers innovation in financial services with technology that provides access to and analytics for financial data.
 
 
Qapital, New York City
Category: Investing, Personal Finance, Consumers, Data &amp; Analytics
Funding: $17.3 million
Qapital is building a new way to bank as an app designed to help people achieve their unique financial goals. Combining behavioral economics and technology—across Android and iOS—allows Qapital to not only help people better understand their spending and saving habits but put their money towards things that make them truly happy.
 
 
Quandl, Toronto
Category: Investing, Wall Street, Consumers, Data &amp; Analytics
Funding: $20 million
Designed for professional investors, Quandl delivers financial and economic data to over 250,000 users, including analysts from the world’s top hedge funds and investment banks.
 
 
Remitly, Seattle
Category: Consumers, Payments
Funding: $200 million
Remitly is the largest independent digital remittance company headquartered in the United States, transferring over $4 billion in annualized volume from its customers in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada to loved ones throughout the world.
 
 
Ripple, San Francisco
Category: Wall Street, Payments, Blockchain &amp; Bitcoin
Funding: $93.6 million
Ripple provides one frictionless experience to send money globally using the power of blockchain.
 
 
 
Robinhood, Palo Alto, CA
Category: Investing, Consumers, Blockchain &amp; Bitcoin
Funding: $176 million
Robinhood, is a U.S. based financial services company.The company offers the Robinhood smartphone mobile app, which allows individuals to invest in publicly traded companies and exchange-traded funds listed on U.S. stock exchanges without paying a commission.
 
 
Shapeshift, Zug, Switzerland
Category: Investing, Consumers, Blockchain &amp; Bitcoin
Funding: $12.2 million
ShapeShift.io is the leading instant digital asset exchange, supporting dozens of blockchain tokens including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Monero, Zcash, Dash, Dogecoin and many more!
 
Stripe, San Francisco
Category: Consumers, Wall Street, Small Business, Payments
Funding: $450 million
The complete toolkit for internet business. Stripe builds the most powerful and flexible tools for internet commerce.
 
 
Symbiont, New York City
Category: Wall Street, Investing, Blockchain &amp; Bitcoin
Funding: $15.4 million
Symbiont is the market-leading smart contracts platform for institutional applications of blockchain technology
 
 
Symphony, Palo Alto, CA
Category: Investing, Data &amp; Analytics, Wall Street
Funding: $234 million
Symphony is the cloud-based messaging and collaboration platform that connects markets, organizations and individuals, securely.
 
 
Tala, Santa Monica, CA
Category: Consumers, Data &amp; Analytics, Lending
Funding: $44 million
Tala is a mission-driven mobile technology and data science company that’s opening up financial access for underserved people globally.
 
 
TransferWise, London
Category: Consumers, Small Business, Payments
Funding: $397 million
TransferWise is the clever new alternative to banks and brokers, that allows people to transfer money abroad at a lower cost than ever before.
 
 
Trumid, New York City
Category: Investing, Data &amp; Analytics, Wall Street
Funding: $82 million
Trumid is a financial technology company bringing efficiency to credit trading through data, technology and beautifully simple products.
 
 
Upstart, San Carlos, CA
Category: Consumers, Data &amp; Analytics, Wall Street, Lending
Funding: $110 million
Upstart is the first lending platform to leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning to price credit and automate the borrowing process. Upstart has demonstrated unparalleled credit performance and the industry’s highest consumer ratings.
 
Veem, San Francisco
Category: Consumers, Small Business, Payments, Blockchain &amp; Bitcoin
Funding: $40 million
Veem is a next generation platform for business to business payments. We enable businesses to send and receive payments in local currency via a simple and inexpensive manner by using our unique multi-rail technology across several global networks.
 
 
Xapo, Palo Alto, CA
Category: Investing, Consumers, Blockchain &amp; Bitcoin
Funding: $41 million
Xapo is the world&#8217;s most secure bitcoin wallet. Buy bitcoins, make purchases and send money anywhere around the world with Xapo&#8217;s convenient, secure bitcoin wallet.
 
The post The Forbes Fintech 50 List For 2018, 1 Swiss Fintech selected appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-forbes-fintech-50-list-for-2018-1-swiss-fintech-selected</link><guid>380</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>The Forbes Fintech 50 List For 2018, 1 Swiss Fintech selected</dc:text></item><item><title>FINMA revidiert Rundschreiben Video- und Online-Identifizierung</title><description><![CDATA[Die Eidgenössische Finanzmarktaufsicht FINMA passt die Sorgfaltspflichten bei der Aufnahme von Geschäftsbeziehungen über digitale Kanäle an die technologischen Weiterentwicklungen an.
Sie führt hierzu eine Anhörung bis zum 28. März 2018 durch.
Seit der Inkraftsetzung des FINMA-Rundschreibens 2016/7 &#8220;Video-und Online-Identifizierung&#8221; sind knapp zwei Jahre vergangen. Die ersten Erfahrungen mit der digitalen Identifizierung sind positiv. In der Zwischenzeit ist der technologische Wandel weiter fortgeschritten und die Finanzintermediäre haben teilweise ihre Abläufe angepasst.
Nicht zuletzt zeigen sich zudem neue Missbrauchsrisiken. Die Teilrevision trägt diesen Entwicklungen Rechnung, um die Innovationsfähigkeit, Technologieneutralität und effektive Geldwäschereibekämpfung weiter sicherzustellen. Die FINMA führt bis zum 28. März 2018 eine Anhörung durch.
Konkret schreibt die FINMA im Prozess der Videoidentifizierung nun kein Vorgehen mittels Einmalpasswort (TAN) mehr vor. Dafür müssen neu mindestens drei zufällig ausgewählte optische Sicherheitsmerkmale der Identifizierungsdokumente überprüft werden.
Für die Online-Identifizierung verlangt die FINMA nicht mehr zwingend eine Überweisung von einer Bank in der Schweiz, um die Einhaltung der Sorgfaltspflichten sicherzustellen.
Unter bestimmten Voraussetzungen ist nun auch eine Überweisung von einer Bank aus einem FATF-Mitgliedsstaat zulässig. Zudem braucht es als weiteres Sicherheitselement eine Lebenderkennung bei der Überprüfung von Lichtbildern.
 
 
The post FINMA revidiert Rundschreiben Video- und Online-Identifizierung appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finma-revidiert-rundschreiben-video-und-online-identifizierung</link><guid>378</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>FINMA revidiert Rundschreiben Video- und Online-Identifizierung</dc:text></item><item><title>FINMA revidiert Rundschreiben Video &amp; Online-Identifizierung</title><description><![CDATA[Die Eidgenössische Finanzmarktaufsicht FINMA passt die Sorgfaltspflichten bei der Aufnahme von Geschäftsbeziehungen über digitale Kanäle an die technologischen Weiterentwicklungen an.
Sie führt hierzu eine Anhörung bis zum 28. März 2018 durch.
Seit der Inkraftsetzung des FINMA-Rundschreibens 2016/7 &#8220;Video-und Online-Identifizierung&#8221; sind knapp zwei Jahre vergangen. Die ersten Erfahrungen mit der digitalen Identifizierung sind positiv. In der Zwischenzeit ist der technologische Wandel weiter fortgeschritten und die Finanzintermediäre haben teilweise ihre Abläufe angepasst.
Nicht zuletzt zeigen sich zudem neue Missbrauchsrisiken. Die Teilrevision trägt diesen Entwicklungen Rechnung, um die Innovationsfähigkeit, Technologieneutralität und effektive Geldwäschereibekämpfung weiter sicherzustellen. Die FINMA führt bis zum 28. März 2018 eine Anhörung durch.
Konkret schreibt die FINMA im Prozess der Videoidentifizierung nun kein Vorgehen mittels Einmalpasswort (TAN) mehr vor. Dafür müssen neu mindestens drei zufällig ausgewählte optische Sicherheitsmerkmale der Identifizierungsdokumente überprüft werden.
Für die Online-Identifizierung verlangt die FINMA nicht mehr zwingend eine Überweisung von einer Bank in der Schweiz, um die Einhaltung der Sorgfaltspflichten sicherzustellen.
Unter bestimmten Voraussetzungen ist nun auch eine Überweisung von einer Bank aus einem FATF-Mitgliedsstaat zulässig. Zudem braucht es als weiteres Sicherheitselement eine Lebenderkennung bei der Überprüfung von Lichtbildern.
 
 
The post FINMA revidiert Rundschreiben Video &#038; Online-Identifizierung appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finma-revidiert-rundschreiben-video-online-identifizierung</link><guid>381</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>FINMA revidiert Rundschreiben Video &amp; Online-Identifizierung</dc:text></item><item><title>Ashton Kutcher wird Investor bei Schweizer Insurtech</title><description><![CDATA[Die wefox Group, zu der die Serviceplattform wefox und der Erstversicherer ONE gehören, hat erneut eine Finanzierungsrunde erfolgreich abgeschlossen und gibt einen prominenten neuen Investor bekannt: Hollywood-Schauspieler Ashton Kutcher.
Insgesamt wurden bereits 55 Millionen Euro in das Start-up investiert. Die deutsch-schweizerische Vermittlungsplattform für Versicherungen wefox wurde 2014 in Zürich gegründet und wächst seither stetig. Heute hat das Unternehmen seinen Hauptsitz in Berlin und beschäftigt rund 150 Mitarbeiter in vier Ländern.
Anfang Februar lancierte die wefox Group in Deutschland das eigene, absolut digitale Versicherungsprodukt ONE, der Markteintritt in der Schweiz ist in Planung. ONE bietet Hausrats- und Haftpflichtdeckungen an, plant aber, das Sortiment stetig zu erweitern.
 
Neuer Investor: Ashton Kutcher
Das Insurtech hat bereits mehrere Finanzierungsrunden erfolgreich abgeschlossen, im September 2016 konnte es 25 Millionen Euro raisen. Insgesamt flossen bereits 55 Millionen Euro Investmentgelder in das Unternehmen.
Julian Teicke
«Ashton Kutcher ist sehr technologieaffin und hat bereits in verschiedene Tech-Startups investiert. Dass wir ihn als Investor gewinnen konnten, macht uns stolz»,
sagt Julian Teicke, Mitgründer sowie CEO der wefox Group. Das Investment wird grösstenteils in die Weiterentwicklung von ONE sowie in den Rollout des Versicherungsproduktes fliessen.
 
 
 
Featured image via wikimedia
 
The post Ashton Kutcher wird Investor bei Schweizer Insurtech appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ashton-kutcher-wird-investor-bei-schweizer-insurtech</link><guid>377</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Ashton Kutcher wird Investor bei Schweizer Insurtech</dc:text></item><item><title>Crowdfunding Players In Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[Crowdfunding is on the rise in Switzerland. Both the number of successfully funded campaigns and the volume of funds raised have experienced strong growth in recent years.
In 2016, CHF 128.2 million was raised through 3,098 campaigns. That&#8217;s a 362% increase from 2015, according to the Crowdfunding Monitoring Switzerland 2017 report by the Institute of Financial Services Zug IFZ of the Lucerne School of Business. The volume has risen more than tenfold in comparison to 2013.
The highest growth between 2015 and 2016 was posted by crowdlending with 597% to CHF 55.1 million, followed by crowdinvesting with 453% to CHF 39.2 million, reward-based crowdfunding and crowddonating with 37% to CHF 17 million as well as invoice trading at CHF 17 million.

 
The Swiss crowdfunding market
Since Cashare launched the first crowdlending platform in Switzerland in 2008, a lot of companies have entered the market.
New entrants in 2016 included creditworld, Funders, Hyposcout, Hypotheko, ideenkicker.ch, Lend, Lendico, letshelp.ch, Swisslending and swisspeers.
The first three months of 2017 witnessed the entry of real estate crowdinvesting platforms Crowdli and Foxstone, and crowdlending platforms Crowd4Cash and Lendora.
But several startups have also exited the market including Starter and Masspurse. In March 2017, the platform Gemeinsam unterwegs, run by an individual Raiffeisenbank branch, closed down to make way for the Raiffeisen Group&#8217;s Lokalhelden.
Overall, the number of crowdfunding platforms in Switzerland at the end of 2016 had risen by nine compared to 2015, and as of early 2017, around 50 crowdfunding platforms were operating in Switzerland.

 
Crowdfunding platforms
Crowdfunding is a broad term which covers various different activities.
Reward-based crowdfunding includes creative, cultural or commercial projects as well as sport projects. With this type of funding, those providing funds usually receive one-off consideration in the form of products, works of art or services.
In a crowddonating campaign, the contributions made are simple donations that are usually not associated with any consideration. Examples include social, charitable and cultural projects. Crowddonating can also be used to raise funds for political campaigns.
Reward-based crowdfunding and crowddonating platforms in Switzerland include 100-days, Causedirect, OneMillionSparks (formerly Fairfundr), fundeego, GoHeidi, ideenkicker.ch, letshelp.ch and wemakeit.
Crowdlending refers to the financing of businesses or private individuals by means of loans. It is also known as peer-to-peer or marketplace lending. Lenders receive interest payments in return for their loan.
Consumer and/or business crowdlending platforms in Switzerland include Cashare, CreditGate24, creditworld, Lend, Lendico, student loan platform splendit and SME loan platform Swisspeers.
Crowdinvesting focuses on acquiring a stake in a business or property via equity or mixed forms of equity and mezzanine (borrowed) capital. Crowdinvesting provides small investors with the opportunity to support startups in their growth phase. In return, these investors typically receive shares in the business and/or a share in the profit it generates.
Real estate crowdinvesting is also part of the crowdinvesting segment. Such platforms allow investors to become co-owners of a property. As a result, the investors take a stake in the rental income and in any rise in value of the property itself.
Business crowdinvesting platforms in Switzerland include c-crowd, investiere.ch and Raizers. Real estate crowdinvesting platforms include Crowdhouse, Crowdli, Foxstone and Swiss-Crowd.
Invoice trading helps SMEs in need of liquidity at short notice by allowing investors to purchase unsettled business invoices at a discount. This direct linking of lender and investor creates a new investment class.
There is only one invoice trading platform in Switzerland, which is Advanon.
 
Featured image: Switzerland flag, Pixabay.
The post Crowdfunding Players In Switzerland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crowdfunding-players-in-switzerland</link><guid>376</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Successfully-funded-campaigns-by-funding-volume-and-number-2008-2016.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Crowdfunding Players In Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Bye-Bye Roaming! Swiss Start-Up Qynamic Launches Q-Travel For Worldwide Mobile Internet</title><description><![CDATA[Mobile surfing around the world at an attractive price &#8211; that&#8217;s Qynamic&#8217;s statement. Realized by the world&#8217;s first fully digitized onboarding with a mobile app, &#8220;anyone – anytime &#8211; anywhere&#8221;.
High roaming bills and tedious paperwork are definitely a thing of the past! Qynamic, a Swiss start-up founded in March 2017, launches Q-Travel, a worldwide mobile high-speed internet access.
It is simple, inexpensive and does not require any contractual obligation. Travel across multiple countries with uninterrupted connectivity is easier than ever with the unique Q-SIM.
Q-Travel is the answer to the growing global demand for mobile internet access. Qynamic convinces with simple, transparent and innovative products at an attractive price. Q-Travel is based on the Qynamic App and the Q-SIM including an initial data package. If there is a higher demand for data, additional data packages, so-called Q-TopUps, are available in the mobile app.
 
The standard portfolio of Q-Travel, which is available as of now, includes:

Q-SIM with 1GB initial data package for the Zone Global (Europe, USA, Russia, South Africa, Turkey, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong and Singapore) at the price of EUR/CHF29.
Q-TopUp 1GB data for the Zone Global at the price of EUR/CHF 15.
Q-TopUp 3GB data for the Zone Global at the price of EUR/CHF 39.
Q-TopUp 1GB data for the Zone Global+ (Zone Global supplemented with China, Canada, Central and South America, Japan, and other parts of Asia) at the price of EUR/CHF 29.


During the introductory phase of Q-Travel, Q-SIM is offered with a 250MB initial data package for the Zone Global for a promotion price of EUR/CHF 9.90.
Simplicity and user-friendliness were the focus of Q-Travel&#8217;s development. The Qynamic App enables the user to create the account, activate the Q-SIM and purchase additional data packages (Q TopUps) or Q-SIMs if required. The entire service can be easily and conveniently managed via the mobile app. With just a few steps you are worldwide in the mobile Internet:

Download the Qynamic App
Create user account
Insert Q-SIM into the device, register and off you go

The Q-SIM, including the initial data package, can be purchased directly over the Qynamic App, Amazon and Ebay.
The Qynamic App was developed in close cooperation with the Swiss software company Comerge from Zurich. It is available for both iOS and Android. The go-to-market of Q-Travel is accompanied by the marketing agency Jonlinio from Baar.
The post Bye-Bye Roaming! Swiss Start-Up Qynamic Launches Q-Travel For Worldwide Mobile Internet appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bye-bye-roaming-swiss-start-up-qynamic-launches-q-travel-for-worldwide-mobile-internet</link><guid>374</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Q-Zone-Global.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Bye-Bye Roaming! Swiss Start-Up Qynamic Launches Q-Travel For Worldwide Mobile Internet</dc:text></item><item><title>Public Sale Date Set For Social Engagement Innovator Making Waves In Blockchain World</title><description><![CDATA[TODAY JET8, a leader in social engagement innovation, announced the public sale date of their new utility token, the J8T. On the 28th FEBRUARY, Singapore-based JET8 will open the floodgates for what is expected to be a hugely popular public sale.
The pre-sale phase was completed early having secured over 70% of the total token sale goal. This was due to intense interest from investors, convinced, no doubt, by JET8’s impressive advisory team, which includes Jon Matonis, Founding Director of the Bitcoin Foundation.
JET8 has spent the last 4 years transforming the influencer marketing industry with their tokenized social engagement platform, fueled by their proprietary social currency for peer to peer influence. With over 4 billion JETS already in circulation, JET8 is now positioned for global accessibility and diversity, allowing influencers and brands of all sizes to benefit from a decentralised ecosystem of peer to peer communities. In essence, JET8 has been allowing brands to compensate micro-influencers using tokens long before the recent ICO craze.
Matonis serves as an independent board director to companies in the Bitcoin, the Blockchain, mobile payments, and gaming sectors and as a prominent fintech columnist. As such he is well acquainted with the current glut of token launches, meaning his decision to support the J8T puts the token in a different league.
Other advisors driving the launch include industry heavyweights Uriel Peled (CEO of Cointree Capital), Eyal Herzog (Founder of Bancor), Sefi Golan (CEO of BlockchainIL), Roger Lim (Co-founder of WebVision), as well as JET8 founding team members Joshua Thomson, CSO (formerly Marketing Director APAC at FC Barcelona), Shannon Cullum, CMO (formerly CEO of Saatchi &amp; Saatchi Singapore), Mike Allen, CCO (formerly of Naspers), and Victor Zabrockis, CEO.
To date JET8 has worked with leading multinationals such as Nestle, Pepsi, Coca Cola, Danone, Avon, Friesland Campina, P&amp;G, Unilever, Indofoods, and Heinz Group to utilise the JET8 ecosystem in order to engage and compensate users for social influence.
Currently, JET8’s biggest app, Fotoku, boasts over 15 million app installs and over 1.5 million users across the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam and South Africa can trade in JETS for products at 20,000 points of sale (including 7Eleven, CircleC, and Watson’s).
The initial coin offering will scale the use and value of the J8T token to a global audience. The result is a win-win for everyone involved &#8211; a token on a proven, multi-million user social engagement platform, accessible to anyone, anywhere.
JET8’s platform, products and services allow brands and agencies to target, publish and track the engagement of peer to peer branded content, via selfies with sponsored frames and stickers that are shared via JET8 apps to social media platforms such as Tumblr, Facebook and Instagram. Through a tokenized social engagement ecosystem, relationships between brands and users become reciprocal and highly valuable to both parties.
As JET8 continues to scale, in part through the integration of the blockchain, their App as a Service, known as the JET8 Full Stack App (FSA), provides brands and individual influencers their own customised app in which to host their own communities, communicate with their followers, carry out campaigns, and sell directly to consumers.
With a reach of over 391 million mobile social accounts, increased earning potential and data ownership for influencers, the platform is seeing steady upward growth. The introduction of the J8T Token will serve to further democratise influence and expand a decentralised ecosystem of social engagement for a more competitive, transparent and diverse marketplace.
 
Disclaimer: this is an article written by JET8. Fintechnews does not endorse and is not responsible for or liable for any content, accuracy, quality, advertising, products or other materials on this page. Readers should do their own research before taking any actions related to the company. Fintechnews is not responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in the press release.
Please note this is no investment advice.
The post Public Sale Date Set For Social Engagement Innovator Making Waves In Blockchain World appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/public-sale-date-set-for-social-engagement-innovator-making-waves-in-blockchain-world</link><guid>375</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Public Sale Date Set For Social Engagement Innovator Making Waves In Blockchain World</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Events In Switzerland To Attend In 2018</title><description><![CDATA[2018 promises to be another great year for fintech in Switzerland. This year again, Switzerland will be hosting some of the largest and most anticipated fintech events and conferences in the world.
Here are some of the top fintech events to attend in 2018:
 
Panel discussion with Switzerland&#8217;s Top Fintech Accelerators
Spaces, Zurich Bleicherweg
February 13, 2018

This panel discussion with Switzerland’s leading fintech accelerators will explore together their models, their experiences, and discuss the key learnings over the past two years, debate around sustainable models for programs, explore the relative strength of each program, and share tips for entrepreneurs about getting in and making the most of the programs, as well as insights from international participants about what makes Switzerland attractive.
Speakers will include Katka Letzing of Kickstart Accelerator, Markus Graf of F10 FinTech Incubator and Accelerator, and Sal Matteis of Fintech Fusion.
 
Can fintech improve financial inclusion for refugees in Switzerland?
Thomson Reuters, Zurich
February 15, 2018

AsyLex, a charity providing free legal aid to refugees, has teamed up with the Swiss Finance + Technology Association and the think tank foraus, to organize a roundtable on how fintech can improve financial inclusion.
The event will be hosted by Thomson Reuters. Panelists will include Colin Waugh, who is currently researching investment in socially inclusive financial services in Southern Africa, Daniel Tsegai, an Eritrean citizen seeking for asylum in Switzerland, Michael Diaz, a member of the managing board of the Alternative Bank Switzerland (ABS), Karim Maizar, a lawyer and partner at Kellerhals, specialized in startup/finance and personally interested in refugee topics.
 
IFZ Fintech Conference
Lucerne School of Business, Institute of Financial Services Zug
February 28, 2018

The IFZ Fintech Conference will cover some of the hottest trends in fintech including robo-advisors, cryptocurrency, blockchain and initial coin offerings, among others. It will feature a presentation of the results of the IFZ Fintech study, and participants will hear about recent developments in the field of fintech from speakers from Saxo Bank, IFZ, IBM Research, Bancor, and more.
The event is targeted at managers and decision-makers in banks, or anybody involved in the field of financial services or IT.
 
China-Swiss Fintech Forum
UBS Grunenhof, Zurich
March 07, 2018

At the inaugural China-Swiss Fintech Forum, hosted by Asia Society Switzerland and UBS, three speakers will provide insights into China‘s fintech scene and the trends that shape it.
These speakers are Carl Yeung, CFO of Qudian, one of China’s largest P2P lending companies, Zhao Hongqiang, CFO of 100Credit, a company specializing in big data analysis for banks and other financial institutions, and Wei Hopeman, co-founder and managing director of Arbor Ventures, one of the largest fintech focused venture funds in Asia.
 
Blockchain Summit Zurich
Zurich
March 07-08, 2018

The Blockchain Summit Zurich will be a two-day event featuring a series of high-level tutorials and a multi-speaker conference with presentations and interactive discussions.
Blockchain experts and thought-leaders will examine the emerging blockchain technology and its contributions to settlement systems in multiple industry sectors. They will analyze the impact of blockchain on various industries, as well as the challenges and opportunities that the technology presents.
Topics covered will include blockchain systems, blockchain applications, initial coin offerings, digital tokens, blockchain regulation, cryptocurrencies, and more.
Register now and get 15% off with code: FT15
 
Going beyond the proof of concept
Blue Monkey, Zurich
March 13, 2018

This panel discussion, organized by the Swiss Finance + Technology Association, will go beyond the standard &#8220;proof of concept&#8221; to look at what are the most effective approaches for startups to acquire large corporate clients. The event will also look at how companies can effectively manage their engagements with startups.
Three panel experts with years of experience will cover the topic: Oliver Werneyer of ImBurse, Barbara Wagner of Zurich Insurance, and Bernard Lunn of Daily Fintech Advisors.
The panel will be moderated by John Hucker, the president of the Swiss Finance + Technology Association.
 
FINTECH 2018 Paradigmenwechsel Open Banking
The Dolder Grand, Zurich
March 15, 2018

The FINTECH 2018 Paradigmenwechsel Open Banking event will focus on the future of financial services in Switzerland as new regulations such as PSD2 come into effect.
The event will feature industry experts and thought-leaders from Saxo Bank, Swisscom Blockchain, Credit Suisse, and more.
 
Swiss Fintech Awards Night 2018
The Dolder Grand, Zurich
March 18, 2018

The annual Swiss Fintech Awards event aims to promote regional development while helping create the strongest possible Swiss fintech ecosystem underpinned by unprecedented international network links.
The awards specifically recognize outstanding Swiss based fintech startups and influencers. The winners are chosen by a renowned jury consisting of a network of partner organisations and fintech experts.
The award categories are Early Stage Startup of the Year, Growth Stage Startup of the Year, and Fintech Influencer of the Year.
 
Finance 2.0
Schiffbau Zurich
March 20, 2018

The Finance 2.0 conference is coming back this year and will focus on the change of paradigm: from CRM, the classic Customer Relationship Management, to CRM, a Customer-Managed Relationship.
 
Blockchain Summit &#8211; Crypto Valley
Zurich
April 25-26, 2018

The 2nd edition of the Blockchain Summit &#8211; Crypto Valley will bring together innovative startups and cutting-edge corporations using distributed ledger technology in a multi-industry themed event.
This year&#8217;s summit will focus on the intersection of enterprise and startup approaches to building new things with distributed ledger technology – with special guests from the Middle East as well.
Topics will include blockchain in the Middle East, real estate, blockchain for social good, banking and finance, government and identity, and more.
 
 
Crypto Valley Conference 2018
Zug
June 20-22, 2018

The Crypto Valley Conference on Blockchain Technology 2018 will bring together leading researchers, entrepreneurs, startups and established companies from all over the world to share and discuss state of the art advances and developments in the blockchain technology ecosystem.
The event will cover topics ranging from fintech, healthtech, medtech and insurtech, to cryptocurrency, energy and the Internet-of-Things.
The post Fintech Events In Switzerland To Attend In 2018 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-events-in-switzerland-to-attend-in-2018</link><guid>369</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Panel-discussion-with-Switzerlands-Top-Fintech-Accelerators.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech Events In Switzerland To Attend In 2018</dc:text></item><item><title>Baloise startet innovative Kooperation mit der Bank Cler</title><description><![CDATA[Am Flughafen noch rasch eine Gepäckversicherung abschliessen oder kurzerhand das Handy versichern? Zak, fertig!
Denn Bank Cler -Kundinnen und Kunden, welche die neue Banking-App &#8220;Zak&#8221; nutzen, können auch von Versicherungsangeboten der Baloise profitieren. Die Baloise investiert damit weiterhin in innovative Wege des Versicherungsabschlusses – wann und wo der Kunde es braucht.
Die Baloise bietet in der Schweiz zusammen mit der Baloise Bank SoBa bereits erfolgreich innovative Versicherungs- und Banklösungen an.
Mathias Zingg
&#8220;Wir sind jedoch überzeugt davon, dass digitale Angebote ein wichtiger Wachstumstreiber sind und wir über vielfältige Kanäle auf dem Markt präsent sein müssen&#8221;,
so Mathias Zingg, Mitglied der Geschäftsleitung. Die Kooperation mit der Bank Cler stellt einen weiteren Schritt in der Implementierung der &#8220;Simply Safe&#8221; -Strategie der Baloise dar.
Mit der App &#8220;Zak&#8221; lanciert die Bank Cler im Februar die erste Smartphone-Bank der Schweiz. Derzeit wird die App von zahlreichen Testern geprüft. Kunden haben mit &#8220;Zak&#8221; jederzeit die komplette Übersicht über ihr frei verfügbares Guthaben.
Sie können Zahlungen bequem und rasch per App tätigen und mittels Kategorien, bzw. sogenannten Spartöpfen, Geld beiseitelegen. Auch steht den Nutzern ein Chatbot für Fragen mit Rat und Tat zur Seite. Als Kooperationspartnerin ist die Baloise mit dabei und bietet den &#8220;Zak&#8221;-Nutzern innerhalb der App innovative Versicherungslösungen an, die unkompliziert und mit nur wenigen Klicks abgeschlossen werden können.
Diese Einfachheit im Abschlussprozess ist dabei ein entscheidender Erfolgsfaktor. Zu Beginn wird den Kunden auf der App eine Reisegepäck-, Handy- oder Cyberversicherung angeboten. Ein Ausbau auf weitere Versicherungsprodukte ist geplant.

Michelle Gamper
&#8220;Wir freuen uns ausserordentlich über die Kooperation mit der Bank Cler. Für den Kunden entsteht mit der App Zak hinsichtlich Flexibilität und Schnelligkeit ein echter Mehrwert&#8221;,
freut sich Michelle Gamper, Produktmanagerin Sach/ Haft bei Baloise, über die neue Kooperation.
 
 
Featured image via Pixabay
The post Baloise startet innovative Kooperation mit der Bank Cler appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/baloise-startet-innovative-kooperation-mit-der-bank-cler</link><guid>370</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Baloise startet innovative Kooperation mit der Bank Cler</dc:text></item><item><title>Digitaler Treuhänder «Accounto» geht nächsten Entwicklungsschritt</title><description><![CDATA[Das in Sissach BL ansässige Machine-Learning-Startup Accounto Technology AG lagert sein operatives Digitales Treuhandgeschäft in eine separate Tochtergesellschaft aus und firmiert neu unter dem Namen Parashift AG.
Für den Digitalen Treuhänder «Accounto» konnte Alessandro Micera als CEO gewonnen werden.
Vor etwas mehr als einem Jahr mit dem Ziel die Buchhaltungsprozesse radikal zu automatisieren gegründet, hat die Accounto Technology AG bislang Basistechnologie im Machine-Learning Bereich geschaffen und als erstes Produkt im Markt den Digitalen Treuhänder «Accounto» lanciert.
Mit diesem Service können KMU-Kunden ihre gesamte Buchhaltung an einen Digitalen Service auslagern und profitieren von mehr Aktualität, durchgängiger elektronischer Dokumentenablage bei mindestens 50 % Kostenersparnis, sowie einer massiven Reduktion des eigenen Arbeitsaufwandes.
Um die Bedürfnisse der Kunden, Partner und Investoren besser abzudecken, werden nun, rund ein Jahr früher als geplant, der Technologie- und der der Treuhand-Teil operativ separiert.
Die operative Treuhandfirma wird neu «Accounto AG» heissen und hat Anfang Jahr neue Büros in Root, Luzern bezogen.
Alain Veuve, Gründer und VRP:
Alain Veuve
«Die Auftrennung der beiden Branches in eigene Gesellschaften ermöglicht es uns, die Technologie auf verschiedene Produkte und Kunden auszurollen und das Digitale Treuhandmodell, welches wir schlichtweg für die Zukunft dieser Branche halten, vehement zu forcieren.
Neben der Plattform auf welcher der digitale Treuhänder Accounto betrieben wird, lizenzieren und integrieren wir nun Robo-Accounting auch für ERP-Hersteller und Großunternehmen.
Weitere Produkte auf Basis von Machine-Learning- und Distributed Ledger Technologien für den Finanz- und Treuhandbereich sind in der Pipeline und werden 2018 gelauncht. Wir denken, dies ist ein wichtiger strategischer Schritt um das rasche Wachstum der Unternehmen auf ein komplett neues Level zu bringen.»
Der Digitale Treuhänder Accounto wiederum ist seit rund 3 Monaten daran, das Geschäft zu skalieren und verzeichnet stark steigende Neukundenzahlen.
Alessandro Micera, CEO von Accounto, sagt dazu:

Micera Alessandro
«Alle Bereiche und Branchen digitalisieren sich zunehmend. Der Treuhandbranche steht diese Entwicklung grösstenteils noch bevor. Als Treuhand-Startup definierten und definieren wir weiter das Geschäftsmodell neu und setzen dabei konsequent den Kunden in den Mittelpunkt.
Dies führt zu einer komplett neuen und stark verbesserten Kundenerfahrung. Wir sehen, dass wir damit das Modell «Auslagerung an den Treuhänder» im Vergleich zu anderen Möglichkeiten die Buchhaltung im KMU zu erledigen, wieder kompetitiv machen.»
Der 46-jährige Micera hat vor seinem Wechsel zu Accounto die in Hünenberg ansässige Littlebit Technology AG aufgebaut und mit seinen Partnern zur internationalen Firmengruppe mit mehr als 400 Mio. Umsatz ausgebaut.
Als diplomierter Buchhalter mit Treuhanderfahrung verfügt er zum einen über die fachliche, aber auch die unternehmerische Basis, um den Digitalen Treuhänder «Accounto» erfolgreich durch die nächste Phase des schnellen Wachstums zu führen.
Alain Veuve, neu CEO von Parashift, konzentriert sich auf die Mitarbeit im Engineering Team, der strategischen Akquisition und Entwicklung von Technologie- und Softwarekunden in der Finanzindustrie und weiteren Finanzierungsrunden für die junge Firmengruppe.
 
 
The post Digitaler Treuhänder «Accounto» geht nächsten Entwicklungsschritt appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digitaler-treuhander-accounto-geht-nachsten-entwicklungsschritt</link><guid>371</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Digitaler Treuhänder «Accounto» geht nächsten Entwicklungsschritt</dc:text></item><item><title>Die Kehrseite der Krypto-Medaille</title><description><![CDATA[Image via Pixabay
Einblick in den Markt der Kryptowährungen von Nicolas Roth, Head of Alternative Assets von Bank Reyl:
Ende 2017 waren Kryptowährungen in aller Munde und auf allen Bildschirmen präsent. Bitcoin, Ripple und Ethereum verzeichneten erstaunliche Wertentwicklungen und legten über das ganze Jahr um 1’400%, 36’000% bzw. 9’100% zu.
Diese Zahlen verursachten Schwindelgefühle: Die Furcht, etwas zu verpassen, trieb die Nachfrage, die Kontoeröffnungen und das Handelsvolumen an.
Es verging kein einziger Tag ohne Nachrichten zu diesem Thema. Alle wollten mit dabei sein, von professionellen Investoren bis zu Studenten. CNBC strahlte sogar eine spezielle „Krypto-Show“ aus und zeigte den Zuschauern Schritt für Schritt, wie sie Ripple kaufen konnten – die heisseste Kryptowährung Ende Dezember.
Die Börsen wurden von Anträgen zur Eröffnung neuer Konten überschwemmt; die Anleger mussten lange Wartezeiten in Kauf nehmen. Das Feld der Kryptowährungen ist jedoch mit zahlreichen Fallstricken gepflastert, die Anleger sorgfältig beachten sollten. Welche Nachteile und Probleme kommen auf die Anleger zu?
Nur wenige Produkte verfügbar
Die erste Hürde für jeden, der sich in Kryptowährungen zu engagieren will, ist die Wahl des Instruments. Ähnlich wie bei Gold haben Anleger die Wahl zwischen einem indirekten oder einem physischen Engagement.
Ein indirektes  Engagement  kann durch den Kauf eines ETF oder Fonds erreicht werden, der ein Engagement in Kryptokursen bietet. Angesichts der hinter Kryptowährungen stehenden Ideen – Schutz der Privatsphäre, Absicherung und Dezentralisierung – ist es etwas widersprüchlich, einen ETF zu kaufen und ihn einer Depotbank zu überlassen.
Dies ist der gleiche Grund, der Dauerpessimisten schon immer dazu trieb, Barrengold zu kaufen und es in speziellen Tresoreinrichtungen zu verwahren, statt Gold zu erwerben. Zu Beginn dieses Jahres ist es nicht so leicht, das richtige Finanzinstrument zu finden, um ein Engagement in diesem Bereich aufzubauen.
Im Gegensatz zu den gängigeren  Anlageklassen  gibt es nur eine Handvoll von Produkten. Die meisten Fonds werden von Anfängerteams verwaltet , die kaum Erfahrung mit der Geldverwaltung haben. Zudem sind sie an Offshore- Standorten wie den Britischen Jungferninseln (BJI) und Cayman registriert. Im Zeitalter von UCITS und AIF scheint eine Anlage auf einer BJI für den Aufbau eines Kryptoengagements eine drastische Kehrtwende in Bezug auf Risiko- und Governance-Grundsätze!
Die Alternative zu einem ETF wäre die Eröffnung eines Kontos auf einer Plattform, die den Handel mit Kryptowährungen bietet. In den Medien haben Plattformen und Börsen nicht den besten Ruf, da sie als anfällig für Hackerangriffe und Betrug gelten. Erst vor kurzem wurde die japanische Plattform Coincheck um die stattliche Summe  von  400 Mio.
US-Dollar in Bitcoins und anderen Kryptowährungen beraubt. Bei den meisten Anlegern ist die Furcht, etwas zu verpassen, jedoch oft grösser als die Angst, alles zu verlieren. Dies trieb die Marktteilnehmer dazu, Konten auf Plattformen zu eröffnen, ohne ihre Seriosität und ihre Fähigkeit zur Abwehr von  Hackerangriffen zu überprüfen.
Darüber hinaus gibt es zwei Arten von Plattformen: Die einen bieten einen einfachen Geldtransfer von einem Kreditkarten- oder Bankkonto auf das Börsenkonto für den Kauf der vier wichtigsten Kryptowährungen: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin und Bitcoin Cash.
Wer mit alternativen   Kryptowährungen wie Iota, Ripple, Augur oder Faktor handeln möchte, muss ein Konto auf einer Plattform eröffnen, das nur in Kryptowährungen dotiert werden kann. Börsen für alternative  Coins sind in der Regel etwas undurchsichtig und die Kontoeröffnung kann ein mühsamer Prozess sein.
Verwahrung als Coins, Wallets oder ausserhalb
Image via Pixabay
Die Verwahrung von Coins ist ein reales Problem, mit dem grosse Anleger konfrontiert sind. Angesichts der notorisch geringen Zuverlässigkeit der Börsen müssen Anleger, die bedeutende Mengen von Coins angesammelt haben, eine sicherere Lösung suchen – ähnlich einem Tresor in einer Bank.
Die Verwahrung kann in etwa in drei verschiedene Risikoklassen eingeteilt werden. Das risikoreichste Verwahrungssystem besteht darin, die Coins auf der Börse zu lassen.
In diesem Fall befinden sich die Coins technisch im Besitz der Börse und sind nur über die Börse zugänglich. Ist die Plattform ausser Betrieb, ist kein Zugriff möglich.
Das zweite Verwahrungssystem wird als Wallets bezeichnet. Wallets sind Anwendungen, die dafür geschaffen wurden, private Schlüssel zu verwahren. Damit werden die Coins ausserhalb der Börse aufbewahrt, bleiben aber im Netz und sind nach wie vor möglichen Angriffen ausgesetzt. Das sicherste Verwahrungssystem wird als „kalte Lagerung“ bezeichnet. Effektiv bedeutet das „vom Netzwerk getrennt“.
Die einfachste Form der kalten Lagerung ist ein Stück Papier mit dem privaten Schlüssel. Komplexere Systeme für die kalte Lagerung beinhalten vom Internet getrennte Festplatten, die in physischen Tresoren verwahrt werden. Obwohl die kalte Lagerung als sicherste Form der Verwahrung gilt, ist sie auch die Form, welche die Liquidität des Anlegers am stärksten beeinträchtigt, da der private Schlüssel zu den Coins vom Netzwerk getrennt ist. Für Anleger, die einen schnellen Zugriff auf ihre Kryptowährung benötigen, ist die kalte Lagerung nicht der beste Kompromiss.
Die steuerliche Behandlung von Kryptowährungen ist ebenfalls ein Thema, das noch gelöst werden muss. Für Privatanleger, die ein paar Tausend halten, ist das natürlich kein grosses Problem, aber anderen Marktteilnehmern kann ein anderes Schicksal blühen.
Denken Sie sich den Fall eines Schürfers, der grosse Mengen von Coins geschürft hat. Um sie zu monetisieren, müssen Kryptowährungen gegen Fiatgeld wie Euro und US-Dollar getauscht und anschliessend auf einem Bankkonto deponiert werden. Das steuerliche Problem ergibt sich mit der Offenlegung, dass dieses Bankkonto besteht.
Ist das Guthaben auf dem Konto das Ergebnis von Arbeit, sodass es als Einkommen behandelt und entsprechend besteuert werden soll? Oder ist es ein Vermögen und mit dem entsprechenden Satz zu besteuern? Dies bleibt eine offene Frage. Es steht aber ausser Zweifel, dass sich die Steuerbehörden bald mit diesem Thema befassen werden.
Teil einer technologischen Innovation
Die erwähnte Liste ist keineswegs erschöpfend. So könnte man zum Beispiel die geringe Ausführungsqualität an einigen Börsen, die Dauer bis zur Bestätigung einer Transaktion in der Blockchain in Zeiten der Überlastung und die hohen Transaktionsgebühren in der Bitcoin-Blockchain hinzufügen.
Kryptowährungen sind jedoch der sichtbarste Teil einer technologischen Innovation, welche die Art und Weise der Geschäftstätigkeit in einigen Bereichen verändern dürfte. ICO (Initial Coin Offering) und Tokenisierung können den Zugang neuer Unternehmen, die Finanzmittel benötigen, zu Wagniskapital revolutionieren.
Die Blockchain dürfte eine Reihe von Branchen umkrempeln – auch Finanzdienstleistungen. Zugegeben, Kryptowährungen sind volatil, eine Reihe von ICO sind reiner Schwindel und der Handel mit Kryptowährungen ist mit Fallstricken gepfl astert. Letztlich sind Kryptowährungen aber ein Ausdruck der tektonischen Verschiebung bei der Art und Weise, wie Geschäfte abgewickelt werden. Folglich kommt es zu kleineren Erdbeben …
 
Featured image via Pixabay
The post Die Kehrseite der Krypto-Medaille appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/die-kehrseite-der-krypto-medaille</link><guid>364</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/cryptocurrency-3085139_1920-300x185.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Die Kehrseite der Krypto-Medaille</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Awards Unveil 2018 Finalists</title><description><![CDATA[The four finalists for the 2018 Swiss Fintech Awards have been announced. Proxeus and VIAC are competing for the 2018&#8217;s Early Stage Startup Of The Year award, and Loanboox and PriceHubble are competing for the Growth Stage Startup Of The Year award.
This is the third edition of the Swiss Fintech Awards, a competition that aims to recognize the most innovative startups and influencers in the Swiss fintech space.
The four finalists were selected amongst the ten nominees that made the cut in late-December. These cover varied areas ranging from from regtech, insurtech, to blockchain and proptech.
The winners will be announced on March 15, 2018 at the Swiss Fintech Awards Night at the Dolder Grand in Zurich. They will be chosen by a renowned jury consisting of a network of partner organizations and fintech experts. Our Fintech News readers can get 25% off to the conference, workshops and Awards Night by using our code: 25FinTech18
 
The finalists for Early Stage Startup Of The Year award are:
Proxeus
The Proxeus project started in 2015. The Swiss startup is building a platform that would let anyone create blockchain applications that are affordable and compatible with current enterprises systems. It would enable even non-developers to build decentralized applications.
&#8220;We are the WordPress for the blockchain,&#8221; said Antoine Verdon, CEO and co-founder of Proxeus. &#8220;No one today has to build his own blockchain to develop a blockchain project.&#8221;
Proxeus has been testing its technology with a series of industry leaders, developing use cases in verticals including trade finance, tokenization of assets, and legal and compliance.
VIAC
VIAC is a mobile application that lets users create a pillar 3a account in an instant. VIAC provides the platform while the pension foundation is provided by Basel-based WIR Bank.
There is no minimum investment amount and users can withdrawal their balance anytime. The registration process is done entirely online and takes less than 10 minutes, the VIAC claims.
&#8220;We want to launch the most flexible and cost-effective third-pillar solution on the market,&#8221; said Daniel Peter, co-founder of VIAC.
In just two months, VIAC attracted over 2,000 clients and assets in excess of 15 million CHF.
 
The finalists for Growth Stage Startup Of The Year award are:
Loanboox
Loanboox is a peer-to-peer financing platform that connects public-sector borrowers with institutional investors. Loanboox is only open to verified financial managers, CFOs of public corporations and investment specialists of institutional investors.
Loanboox does not charge any fee for using its platform. If financing is arranged, Loanboox charges the borrower one basis point (0.01%) per maturity year of the funding. Transactions are free of charge for investors.
In 2017, the company&#8217;s platform provided loans totaling 7 billion CHF to cantons and municipalities and banks are already using the platform to exchange liquidity.
Loanboox claims 900 users in Switzerland. In Germany, where the platform launched last year, there are already 150 users. The startup is now looking to launch in France.
PriceHubble
PriceHubble is a proptech startup that develops tools leveraging machine learning and Big Data technology to offer various data-based real estate services, such as online real estate valuations.
The company offers solutions for lenders, mortgage intermediaries, and real estate brokers, helping them generate leads, offer advise, and create lasting engagements. It also serves real estate investors, enabling them to take better-informed investment decisions, forecast the future performance of their asset, and identify potential investment opportunities.
PriceHubble also caters to other parties in the real estate value chain, such as real estate portals, banks, asset managers, insurance companies.
The post Swiss Fintech Awards Unveil 2018 Finalists appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-awards-unveil-2018-finalists</link><guid>365</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Proxeus-300x87.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Awards Unveil 2018 Finalists</dc:text></item><item><title>Investieren in Immobilien: 5 Tipps für Erstkäufer</title><description><![CDATA[in Zeiten tiefer Zinsen ist es sinnvoll Immobilien zu kaufen und ein eigenes Immobilienportfolio anzulegen. Nun stellt sich oftmals die Frage, wie man in den Immobilienmarkt investieren sollte. Real Estate Crowd Funding ist dabei eine Möglichkeit, die in der Zukunft immer interessanter werden wird.
 
Was ist Real Estate Crowd Funding?
Mit Crowdfunding kann jeder Einzelne direkt in Immobilien investieren. Eine Crowdfinanzierung bietet Crowdinvestoren einzigartige Vorteile. Bei der Finanzierung von Immobilienprojekten erwarten Banken, dass das Projekt mit mindestens 20% Eigenkapital ausgestattet ist. Crowdinvesting bietet den Projektentwicklern die Möglichkeit über die Crowd Kapital einzuwerben.
Dies stellt eine Mischform aus Eigenkapital und Fremdkapital dar. Aus Sicht der Bank zählt das nachrangige Crowdkapital zum Eigenkapital und bedeutet damit eine zusätzliche Sicherheit für die Bank. Die Darlehensforderung der Bank steht dadurch im Rang vor den Forderungen der Crowdinvestoren.
Crowdfunding sollte für den Immobilienmarkt eine Selbstverständlichkeit sein, da es die einfache Zugänglichkeit grosser Netzwerke zu Freunden, Familie und Kollegen über Social-Media-Websites wie Facebook, Twitter und LinkedIn nutzt. Dadurch wird der Pool von Investoren erweitert. Crowdfunding erlaubt es, Zugang zu finanziellen Mitteln über den traditionellen Kreis von Eigentümern, Verwandten und Risikokapitalgebern hinaus zu erhalten.
 
Was sind die Vor- und Nachteile von Crowdfunding für Investoren?
Vorteile:

Investoren erhalten mit kleinen Geldbeträgen Zugang zum Immobilienmarkt
Investoren können direkt mit Immobilienentwicklern zusammenarbeiten und haben dabei eine eigene Stimme
Anleger können wählen, in welche Immobilienprojekte sie ihr Geld investieren möchten
Investoren haben Zugang zu unzähligen Projekten, daher sind Auswahl und Optionen kein Problem

 
Nachteile:

Anleger haben die gleichen Probleme wie jeder Immobilieninvestor
Das Risiko von Investitionsausfällen (von Immobilienentwicklern) ist bei Crowdfunding höher als bei Peer-to-Peer- und direkten Immobilieninvestitionen
Mangel an Liquidität, da das Fehlen eines Sekundärmarktes den einfachen Verkaufszugang für Investoren einschränkt

Neben der Investition mittels Crowdfunding, besteht natürlich weiterhin die traditionelle Möglichkeit der Immobilieninvestition. Die Investition in die erste Immobilie ist oftmals eine emotionale Sache. Um jedoch aufgrund der Aufregung keine Fehler zu machen, lohnt es sich wie bei jeder Investmentstrategie vorab mit kühlem Kopf zu planen und dann in die Durchführung zu gehen.
Da die Investitionen in Immobilien mit einem grossen finanziellen Risiko verbunden sind, lohnt es sich die Immobilien, die man kaufen möchte, genauer anzuschauen. Nachfolgend 5 Tipps die dabei helfen können.
 
Tipp 1 – Fragen Sie eine Liegenschaftsanalyse an
Das Ziel einer Liegenschaftsanalyse ist es, den fairen Marktwert einer Immobilie durch neutrale Experten bestimmen zu lassen. Die Verkaufsverhandlungen können mit einer solchen Analyse wesentlich effizienter und emotionsloser geführt werden. Basierend auf der Marktwertanalyse hat sowohl der Käufer als auch der Verkäufer die gleiche Informationsbasis und kann dementsprechend sachlich in die Verhandlung treten.
Die Immobilien Börse AG bietet eine kostenlose Liegenschaftsanalyse mit inkludierter Marktwertanalyse an. Dabei bewerten die Experten die Immobilien basierend auf einer Vielzahl von Merkmalen. Danach wird der Marktwert ermittelt. Es werden Informationen ähnlicher Transaktionen im Markt herangezogen, um den fairen Marktwert zu ermitteln. Im Abschluss der Analyse wird ein Expertendossier erstellt und dem Auftraggeber zur Verfügung gestellt.
Tipp: Schlagen Sie dem Verkäufer vor, eine solche kostenlose Liegenschaftsanalyse zu tätigen. Dadurch erhalten Sie ebenfalls Zugang zu wertvollen Informationen, für die sie normalerweise bezahlen müssten (wie bspw. Zustand des Gebäudes etc.).
 
Tipp 2 – Verbringen Sie Zeit bei der Liegenschaft
Setzen Sie sich von 6.00 bis 9.00 Uhr und 21.00 Uhr bis Mitternacht ausserhalb der Liegenschaft in Ihr Auto.  Dies ist die Zeit, in der normalerweise die meisten Menschen Zeit in einer Wohnung verbringen. Sie werden sehen, was in dieser Zeit wirklich im Gebäude und in der Nachbarschaft geschieht – böse Überraschungen werden so vorab vermieden.
 
Tipp 3 – Rational Entscheiden
Erstanleger haben nicht den Luxus, eine Anlageimmobilie &#8220;gut&#8221; zu kaufen. In der Tat müssen Sie wahrscheinlich als Erstanleger einen grösseren finanziellen Spielraum einkalkulieren, da Sie nicht die Erfahrungswerte haben,  wie jemand der schon regelmässig Immobilien gekauft hat. Der Kauf von Anlageimmobilien kann teuer sein, also können eine oder zwei schlechte Entscheidung Sie aus dem Spiel nehmen. Kaufen Sie nur, wenn die Zahlen wirklich Sinn machen.
 
Tipp 4 &#8211;  Der Standort ist alles
Image via Pixabay
Lage, Lage, Lage – eine eigentlich simple und dennoch schwierige Regel. Als Erstkäufer von Anlageimmobilien sollte der Standort der wesentliche Entscheidungsfaktor sein. Ziel der Investition in eine Immobilie sollte es sein, dass sich die laufenden Kosten wie Steuern, Versicherung, Wartung und Abzahlung aus den Mietzahlungen finanzieren.
Anlagerenditen entstehen dann mit der Wertsteigerung. Die Wahrscheinlichkeiten einer guten Wertsteigerung hängt massgeblich von der zukünftigen Nachfrage nach der Immobilie zum Zeitpunkt eines Verkaufs ab&#8230;und diese Nachfrage wird hauptsächlich vom Standort getrieben.
 
Tipp 5 &#8211; Geduld
Image via Pixabay
Die Immobilienbranche lebt in Zyklen. Selbst bei fallenden Vermögenspreisen verliert man Geduld mit bring nicht unbedingt Geld oder den Gewinn aus der Anlage. Mit der Zeit werden die Preise wieder steigen – Geduld ist alles.
The post Investieren in Immobilien: 5 Tipps für Erstkäufer appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/investieren-in-immobilien-5-tipps-fur-erstkaufer</link><guid>366</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/real-estate-300x225.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Investieren in Immobilien: 5 Tipps für Erstkäufer</dc:text></item><item><title>5 Tipps zum effizienten Schutz beim Handeln mit Kryptowährungen</title><description><![CDATA[Viele smarte Menschen arbeiten daran, die Nutzung von Cryptocurrencies so sicher und einfach wie möglich zu machen.
Jedoch gibt es einen Feind und eine Sicherheitslücke, die auch smarte Menschen nur selber ausschalten können. Die grösste Sicherheitslücke bei Kryptowährungen ist der Mensch selber. Nur sein eigenes Geschick und verantwortliches, sicherheitsbewusstes Handeln beeinflusst letztendlich seine Sicherheit.
Cryptotrading erfordert ein Grundwissen über die Zusammenhänge, sodass man sicher und verantwortlich handeln kann und um zu verhindern, dass man nicht eines Tages aufwacht und feststellt, dass jemand die Maschine gehackt hat und mit CHF 10.000 des hart verdienten Geldes abgehauen ist.
Kryptowährungen sind dezentralisiert organisiert und das macht sie auf einem Metalevel so sicher im Vergleich zu zentral organisiertem Währungen. Zudem gibt es keine Mittelsmänner, kein zentralisiertes &#8220;vertrauenswürdiges&#8221; Wesen, das plötzlich „böse“ wird und jedermanns Leben zu einem Albtraum macht.
Aber die dezentrale Organisationsstruktur bürdet jedem Teilnehmer auch viel Verantwortung auf. So gibt es niemanden, den man anrufen kann, wenn das Geld plötzlich nicht mehr da ist. Keine Institute, die das Geld abgesichert haben. Einmal getätigte Transaktionen sind bei Kryptowährungen unumkehrbar und Transaktionen sind nicht bestreitbar. Es gibt niemanden, der das Passwort zurücksetzt, wenn man es vergessen hat.
Daher ist es beim Handeln mit Kryptowährungen umso wichtiger, dass man sich der Vorteile aber auch der daraus entstehenden Verantwortung bewusst ist und dementsprechend sicherheitsbewusst handelt. Anbei 5 Tipps, die dabei helfen sollen ein sicheres Trading zu ermöglichen.
Quelle: PrimeComputer.ch – Der PrimeMini 3
Tipp 1 Nutze einen sicheren PC
Das Traden von Cryptowährungen ist ein digitaler Prozess, der nur unter Nutzung eines PCs oder eines Smartphones möglich ist. Was zunächst trivial klingt, sollte aber Auswirkungen auf die Art des PCs haben, der für die Transaktionen mit Kryptowährungen genutzt wird.
Sollte man Laptops oder Smartphones nutzen, die regelmässig mit öffentlichen WLAN Netzen verbunden werden? Grundsätzlich besteht bei solchen Geräten eine höhere Gefahr mit Viren, Trojanern und Malware befallen zu werden als bei einem Heim Desktop-PC. Daher ist die Nutzung eines Heim PCs wahrscheinlich sicherer als die Nutzung eines mobilen Laptops oder Smartphones.
Neben der Auswahl der Hardware ist auch das OS zu bedenken. Auch wenn die einfache Verwendbarkeit von Windows ein Vorteil ist, ist Windows das für Viren und Sicherheitslücken anfälligste System. Unter keinen Umständen sollte man seine Kryptowährung auf einem PC halten, der täglich genutzt wird und auf dem z.B. laufend neue Flash Spiele installiert werden.
Zudem sollte ein PC genutzt werden, der ausfallsicher und wartungsarm ist, so dass unnötige Reparaturen, bei denen Drittanbieter ggf. unbeaufsichtigt mit dem PC in Kontakt treten können, vermieden werden.
Der Schweizer Computerhersteller Prime Computer bietet einen PC an, der alle diese Anforderungen erfüllt. Der Hersteller bietet neben Serversystemen vor allem leistungsstarke PCs an. Das Flagship des Anbieters ist der PrimeMini 3.
Dank des lüfterlosen, nicht mechanischen Systems fallen bei dem Mini-PC keine Wartungskosten an. Der Mini-PC überzeugt nicht nur durch die unzähligen technischen Vorteile, die er gegenüber herkömmlichen PCs mit sich bringt, er ist sehr umweltfreundlich und hilft gemäss Prime Computer bis zu 2330 CHF innerhalb Von 5 Jahren zu sparen.
Mehr zu Prime Computer hier.
 
Tipp 2 Backups, Backups, Backups
Auch wenn man einen sicheren PC wie den PrimeMini 3 nutzt kann immer etwas passieren. Man sollte immer daran denken: ohne Passwort kein Zugang zu der Kryptowährung. Ein Backup oder mehrere Backups sind daher empfehlenswert.
Wie macht man am besten das Backup und wo sollte man es sichern?
Zu empfehlen ist ein Backup auf einer Harddrive und zusätzlich Backups auf ein paar USB-Sticks. Die Backups von Krypto Wallets brauchen nicht sehr viel Speicherplatz daher reichen 16 GB. Am besten verwahrt man diese Backups an getrennten Orten und legt einen der USB Sticks zum Beispiel in ein Bank Safe. Je mehr Kryptowährung man besitzt desto diversifizierter sollten die Backups sein.
 
Tipp 3 Nutze Encryption Software
Verschlüsselung von vertraulichen Daten macht immer Sinn. Es empfiehlt sich mehrere verschlüsselte Dateicontainer zu erstellen &#8211; für Wallet-Backups und Passwörter.
 
Tipp 4 Wallets
Bei der Wahl des richtigen Wallets sollte man daran denken, dass man ggf. seine Währung längere Zeit auf einer Hold Strategie platziert. Sobald man die Coins dann wieder einlösen möchte – ein, zwei, drei Jahre später – sollte der Wallet Anbieter auch noch existieren und die Wallets auch auf den neuesten OS Versionen laufen.
Daher empfiehlt sich die Nutzung von sogenannten Core Wallets. Jede Währung hat ein Core Wallet Anbieter. Core Wallets sind konservativ designed und einzig allein auf Haltbarkeit ausgelegt. Gerade bei länger ausgelegten Strategien sollten solche Wallets denen mit vielen Features vorgezogen werden.
 
Tipp 5 Anti Virus Software
Achtung: Kostenlose Virensoftware ist keine Virensoftware. Der Kampf gegen neue Viren beschäftigt ein ganzes Team an teuren Experten. Kostenlose Virenprogramme haben oftmals nicht die Manpower wie bezahlte Programme. Daher sollte man dies im Hinterkopf behalten und in Viren Software etwas investieren.
 
The post 5 Tipps zum effizienten Schutz beim Handeln mit Kryptowährungen appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/5-tipps-zum-effizienten-schutz-beim-handeln-mit-kryptowahrungen</link><guid>367</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/PrimeComputer.ch-–-Der-PrimeMini-3.png</dc:content ><dc:text>5 Tipps zum effizienten Schutz beim Handeln mit Kryptowährungen</dc:text></item><item><title>Schweizer Fintech Investment Navigator qualifiziert sich für Hong Kong Accelerator SuperCharger</title><description><![CDATA[SuperCharger, Asiens führender Fintech Accelerator, mit Sitz in Hongkong und Malaysia wählte das Schweizer Fintech Investment Navigator als eines von zehn aufstrebenden Unternehmen für das Accelerator- Programm aus.
SuperCharger erhielt 277 Bewerbungen aus 43 Ländern, eine Rekordzahl, die die Attraktivität Hongkongs als Basis für Fintech-Unternehmen widerspiegelt. Investment Navigator wird durch Standard Chartered, dem Hauptpartner seit Gründung des Accelerator-Programms, gesponsert werden.
Das Technologiethema Künstliche Intelligenz (KI) beschäftigt dieses Jahr die Mehrheit der Teilnehmergruppe, gefolgt von Unternehmen im Bereich Regulatory Technology (RegTech). Die Mehrheit der Teilnehmergruppe sind umsatzgenerierende, etablierte Unternehmen, die eine Expansion ihrer Geschäftstätigkeit nach Asien ins Auge fassen.
Standard Chartered beabsichtigt die von den teilnehmenden Fintechs entwickelten Lösungen zu erforschen, um Bankdienstleistungen auf eine nächste Stufe zu heben.
Carol Hung, Chief Information Officer von Standard Chartered Hongkong, sagt:
&#8220;Unsere Partnerschaft mit SuperCharger war in den letzten zwei Jahren ein großer Erfolg. Unser Erfahrung im Bankwesen, kombiniert mit innovativen Ideen von Fintech-Unternehmen, hat der Bank die Möglichkeit eröffnet, noch mehr Spitzentechnologien und Dienstleistungen unseren Kunden anbieten zu können.
Als Hauptpartner des Programms freuen wir uns sehr auf die Zusammenarbeit mit den ausgesuchten Unternehmen in diesem Jahr.&#8221;
Julian Köhler, Mitgründer und Verwaltungsratspräsident von Investment Navigator sagt:

Julian Köhler
«Die Aufnahme ins SuperCharger Accelerator-Programm ermöglicht uns einen optimalen Start in den asiatischen Markt. Es bietet die Chance unseren Suitability-Service für Asien gezielt weiterzuentwickeln und nachhaltig erfolgreich zu positionieren.
Nachdem wir uns in der Schweiz in den letzten dreieinhalb Jahren etablieren konnten, ist der richtige Zeitpunkt gekommen den strategischen Schritt nach Asien – dem eindeutig wichtigsten Wachstumsmarkt der Finanzindustrie – zu gehen. Wir wollen unseren Kunden in allen wichtigen Finanzzentren in Suitability-Fragen kompetent zur Seite stehen.»
 
Featured image via Pixabay
The post Schweizer Fintech Investment Navigator qualifiziert sich für Hong Kong Accelerator SuperCharger appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schweizer-fintech-investment-navigator-qualifiziert-sich-fur-hong-kong-accelerator-supercharger</link><guid>362</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/fintech-supercharger-300x112.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Schweizer Fintech Investment Navigator qualifiziert sich für Hong Kong Accelerator SuperCharger</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 10 Fintech Incubators And Accelerators In Europe 2018 Update</title><description><![CDATA[Fintech has exploded over the past couple years. Several successful fintech startups have emerged and fed the trend, fueling at the same time the rise of fintech accelerators and incubators.
Below are a few of the top fintech accelerators and incubators in Europe.
 
Startupbootcamp Fintech
Startupbootcamp is a global network of industry-focused startup accelerators. It currently has 17 accelerator programs across 11 cities.
In Europe, Startupbootcamp runs annual programs in locations such as Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, Dublin and Haifa. Each program of Startupbootcamp focuses on a specific industry.
The Startupbootcamp Fintech Accelerator program runs in Singapore, Mumbai, New York, Amsterdam, Mexico City and London. The London program is an intensive 3+3 month program that provides ten selected fintech companies with hands-on mentorship from over 100 industry experts, office space in the heart of London, seed funding, and access to a global network of investors and corporate partners from across the fintech industry.
 
Fintech Innovation Lab
Fintech Innovation Lab is a 12-week program by Accenture that helps early-to growth-stage startup companies refine and test their value proposition with the support of the world’s leading financial service firms. The mentorship program runs in London, Dublin, Hong Kong and New York.
Selected companies receive mentoring from leading firms and VCs, as well as the Lab’s Entrepreneurs Network and Industry Advisors, insights from senior figures and user groups in the financial sector – covering product feedback and potential deployment of proofs-of-concept, weekly workshops and panel discussions on wide ranging topics from procurement and technology architecture to bank regulation and industry trends, and more.
 
F10 Incubator and Accelerator
F10 Incubator and Accelerator is the innovation center of SIX, a financial services provider that operates the infrastructure of Switzerland&#8217;s financial center. The Zurich-based incubator and accelerator aims to support and guide startups in transforming their ideas into successful companies while stimulating worldwide collaboration with international finance organizations.
Twice a year, F10 offers a 6-month &#8220;Prototype to Product&#8221; program (P2) in which startups are supported in transitioning their prototype to a sellable product. Each team is supported by a coach from the F10 team as well as an external mentor.
F10 also offers an &#8220;Idea to Prototype” program (P1) and a Product to Market (P3) for support throughout the developmental cycle of new products, from their genesis as an idea through to emergence to the marketplace. Programm opening this year will be March 5th, more information here.
 
Level39
Level39 claims to be Europe’s largest technology accelerator for finance, retail, cyber-security and futures cities technology companies.
Owned wholly by the Canary Wharf Group, Level39 launched in March 2013. Since then, Level39 has grown from a simple idea into a three-floor, 80,000 square foot accelerator space.
Since its inception, Level39 has hosted over 1,200 events, 100,000 visitors and countless global organizations and financial players.
 
Barclays Accelerator
Powered by Techstars, the Barclay Accelerator is a 13-week program focused on fintech run by a full-time, dedicated Techstars team. The program runs in four locations: New York, London, Cape Town and Tel Aviv.
The program is designed to give the enrolled entrepreneurs access to the bank’s network and mentorship from some of the smartest people in the Fintech world.
Startups are given up to US$120,000 investment from Techstars as well as other corporate partner perks.
 
Citi Ventures Fintech Accelerator
Located in Tel Aviv, Citi Ventures&#8217; fintech accelerator program aims to accelerate innovation through comprehensive programs and partnerships for entrepreneurs.
Launched in 2013, the program has since supported six classes, with over 55 startups graduating from the four-month program.
Citi Ventures also supports proof-of-concept tests for startups, both within and outside of its venture investing portfolio, many of which involve partners’ solutions that, if successfully validated, progress to in-market pilots and ultimately commercialization.
 
Copenhagen Fintech
Denmark welcomed its very own fintech hub in late-November 2016. Copenhagen Fintech, a joint initiative by the Danish Bankers Association, the City of Denmark and Financial Services Union Denmark, is a non-profit organization with partners from different sectors.
The member-driven organization aims to connect its entrepreneurs with regulators, policy-makers, educators, researchers, policy-makers and Fintech companies both in Denmark and abroad.
Copenhagen Fintech offers a wide range of programs in order to help companies scale and expand globally, as well as several initiatives and events to connect Danish startups with international stakeholders and investors.
 
Kickstart Accelerator
Kickstart Accelerator claims to be Europe&#8217;s largest multi-corporate and equity-free accelerator program welcoming every year some 60 founders from around the world.
The 11-week program is an initiative of Impact Hub Zurich in partnership with digitalswitzerland and is open to early-stage startups with a promising prototype within six verticals: fintech, smart cities, robotics and smart systems, healthcare, edtech and food.
Kickstart Accelerator provides founders with up to CHF 15,000 seed funding per startup and a chance to get an additional grant of up to CHF 25,000, top mentoring, a shared office space and fast-track access to relevant industry partners and the Swiss startup ecosystem.
 
ING Fintech Village
The ING Fintech Village is an initiative powered by ING Belgium in strong collaboration with ING Luxembourg, ING Netherlands, the ING Group and other key partners.
Located in Diegem, Belgium, the 16-week program is targeted at technology-driven startups that offer solutions relevant for financial institutions and/or which can help the firm provide superior financial services to its customers.
The program is open to startups that are close to the Proof of Concept stage, with the intention that they can conduct a Proof of Concept or pilot with ING and/or Fintech Village partners to further fine tune their technology, as well as scale-ups that are already in the commercial phase but that want to expand into a completely new way for them and learn from a collaboration with a top tier bank such as ING.
 
FinLab
Established in late-2014, FinLab is a German early stage investor and incubator specializing in the fintech sector.
FinLab focuses on developing German fintech startups and providing venture capital for their financial needs, whereby in each case the aim is a long-term participation and ongoing support of the investment. FinLab also invests globally, as part of venture rounds, in fintech companies, primarily in the US and Asia.
The post Top 10 Fintech Incubators And Accelerators In Europe 2018 Update appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-10-fintech-incubators-and-accelerators-in-europe-2018-update</link><guid>363</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/SBC-FinTech.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 10 Fintech Incubators And Accelerators In Europe 2018 Update</dc:text></item><item><title>Advanon Launches Online Factoring Platform in Germany</title><description><![CDATA[Wirecard is supporting Advanon&#8216;s entry into the German market. As the leading platform for invoice financing in Switzerland, Advanon offers small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Germany the opportunity to digitally pre-finance their invoices.
Advanon buys all of a company&#8217;s receivables against third parties and settles the outstanding amount in real-time. As a cooperative partner, the Wirecard Bank supports Advanon by placing its German full bank licence at the company&#8217;s disposal as well as by assuming responsibility for payment processing.
The German factoring market is quite dynamic. In 2016, the German factoring industry recorded turnover of approximately EUR 216.9 billion. Nearly 30,000 customers took advantage of factoring for funding purposes as an alternative to short-term bank loans. This represents a year-on-year increase in customers of around 33.8% in 2015. Advanon has recognised this trend.
After a successful launch and track record in the Swiss market, the company will now offer German SMEs cost-efficient, rapid invoice financing. Advanon&#8217;s online factoring platform is an online marketplace where SMEs can secure funding from investors for outstanding customer invoices in real-time.
Phil Lojacono, CEO and Co-founder at Advanon:

Phil Lojacono
&#8220;Late payments are one of the main problems that SMEs face. At the same time, short-term bank loans can be quite costly in terms of time frame and conditions. Many banks only accept claims starting from a six-figure sum; however, at Advanon, we welcome invoices with small amounts.
We have the vision of enabling SMEs to fully focus on their growth and we look forward to implementing the business model with a strong partner like Wirecard.&#8221;
Thorsten Holten, Executive Vice President Sales Financial Institution and FinTech Europe at Wirecard, adds:

Thorsten Holten
&#8220;Current statistics reveal that the factoring industry is undergoing a huge transformation, above all in the SMEs segment. As a leading supplier of digital financial technology, we are delighted to play a part in shaping this development.&#8221;
In comparison with conventional factoring service providers, Advanon does not have a minimum funding amount nor any blocking periods in place. SMEs benefit from immediate liquidity which allows them to exploit their growth potential.
Furthermore, Advanon has developed an own database that increases security on both, the investors&#8217; and debtors&#8217;, ends. Applying machine learning methods, the company&#8217;s own &#8216;Nectar&#8217; is a meta search engine that assesses the financial and economic standing of SMEs by using machine learning technology.
Visit Wirecard at the Paris FinTech Forum from 30th to 31st January 2018, a one-of-a-kind digital finance and FinTech event in Europe. Over 2,000 exhibitors are presenting their innovations with Wirecard talking about how digitalization leads financial technology companies to success.
 
This article first appeared on finanznachrichten.de, Featured image via Pixabay
The post Advanon Launches Online Factoring Platform in Germany appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/advanon-launches-online-factoring-platform-in-germany</link><guid>352</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Advanon Launches Online Factoring Platform in Germany</dc:text></item><item><title>Toronto’s Street Contxt Helps Asset Managers Navigate Through The Content Chaos</title><description><![CDATA[Canadian startup Street Contxt has developed a platform that aims to address the current inefficiencies in the flow of information in the capital markets by bringing clarity to the current content chaos.
Founded in 2012, Street Contxt provides a content management platform that allows traders, sales people, desk analysts and research analysts, to easily organize, manage, distribute and track engagement in their desk commentary, research reports and news updates.
Using proprietary, smart data technology and machine learning, the platform allows sell side content producers to figure out what research is resonating with clients, and match the right people with the right content.
Content providers send their research to a firm&#8217;s virtual inbox where users within the organization can mark it up, make comments on it and share it with colleagues.
&#8220;This can be a formal research but also a desk notes, traders notes, morning-call notes, macroeconomic pieces as well as everything in between,&#8221; explained Blair Livingston, CEO and founder of Street Contxt.
Street Contxt built a content contextualization index system into the platform that suggests available content to which the user is entitled.
&#8220;Any piece of content that is delivered by Street Contxt gets scanned in real-time for keywords, names, ticker symbols, asset classes and named entities then scored,&#8221; Livingston said. &#8220;Instantly, the machine knows what the topic is, how important the article is to people and will recommend it to users based on analysis of what content to which they subscribe, receive and consume.&#8221;
This allows buy side participants such as hedge funds, pension funds and institutional asset managers, to easily subscribe to the right content and only get research offerings that are pertinent to them.

According to Livingston, portfolio managers and buy side analysts are oversubscribed to formal and informal research offerings and have trouble separating the wheat from the chaff. &#8220;Whether a portfolio manager or buy side analyst, they will not consumer content from half the people who provide it,&#8221; Livingston said.
This is mainly because of the buy side&#8217;s lack of content management capabilities or reliance on point solutions that are designed to manage individual inboxes.
&#8220;Our goal is to make sure the entire investment community has the right tools to manage content efficiently, effectively and intelligently,&#8221; Livingston said.
Street Contxt has attracted support and investment from a roster of retired Wall Streeters JP Morgan’s former head of business development and strategy Jay Mandelbaum and the former chief technology officer of UBS Andy Brown.
The startup has raised US$12 million in funding so far.
 
Featured image by Pixabay.
The post Toronto&#8217;s Street Contxt Helps Asset Managers Navigate Through The Content Chaos appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/torontos-street-contxt-helps-asset-managers-navigate-through-the-content-chaos</link><guid>353</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/sellside-features.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Toronto’s Street Contxt Helps Asset Managers Navigate Through The Content Chaos</dc:text></item><item><title>Can Blockchain handle this too? SWIFT Annual Payment Traffic To Exceed 7 Billion Message Mark</title><description><![CDATA[SWIFT’s FIN traffic rose to an all-time high of 7.1 billion messages in 2017, fuelled by double-digit growth in global payments. While SWIFT’s FIN traffic grew by 9% over the year, FIN Payment traffic rose by 12%, driven by growth across all regions and the adoption of SWIFT’s gpi service.

With an average of 28.14 million messages a day SWIFT also recorded new peak traffic days in 2017, processing 32.84 million FIN messages on 30th November – 8% above the 2016 peak of 30.4 million messages. At the same time, SWIFT continued to deliver on its day-to-day mandate: operational availability performance during 2017 exceeded targets.
SWIFT achieved 99.999% availability both for FIN and its SWIFTNet messaging services, against the backdrop of growing volumes and the completion of the FIN Renewal project – as well as the roll out of new products and services and the ongoing implementation of the Customer Security Programme.
Gottfried Leibbrandt
“Traffic growth, and payments traffic growth in particular was exceptionally strong in 2017, reflecting the Community’s trust in the cooperative and the wider growth in the global economy”,
said SWIFT CEO, Gottfried Leibbrandt.
“SWIFT maintained the high security and reliability performance our community expects, while investing for the future, developing innovative new services, working to help the community reinforce its security through the Customer Security Programme, and continuing to return the benefits of its economies of scale to users.”
 Growth in SWIFT’s payments traffic was strong across all regions as well as in domestic and cross-border segments, both of which experienced double-digit growth during the year. Momentum was partially driven by the go-live of SWIFT’s gpi service in January 2017, which already accounts for nearly 10% of cross-border payment instructions carried on the network.
A total of 100 country corridors are already live with gpi, including all the major country corridors such as the US-China route, where gpi payments already account for 25% of traffic. End-users are already seeing the significant impact of gpi: all gpi payments can be tracked end-to-end and most of them are already credited in a few hours or less.

Luc Meurant
“The success of gpi in 2017 exceeded expectations”,
said SWIFT’s Chief Marketing Officer, Luc Meurant,
“With more banks going live, additional banks signing up to the service, and fast-growing demand from corporates, volumes will continue to rise dramatically. Offering speed, transparency and safety, we expect gpi will become the new norm within the next two to three years.
SWIFT has led the way in innovation, to provide our customers with an enhanced level of performance, and will continue to be at the forefront of introducing new technological solutions. The gpi service, combined with ourFinancial Crime Compliance suite and the Customer Security Programme, will transform international payments.”
In SWIFT2020, SWIFT’s strategic five year plan, the cooperative committed to a new long-term, structural price reduction programme. In 2017 SWIFT made measurable progress in delivering on that commitment, reducing average message prices by 12% year-on-year. This resulted in an overall 20% price reduction just two years into the 5-year programme.

The post Can Blockchain handle this too? SWIFT Annual Payment Traffic To Exceed 7 Billion Message Mark appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/can-blockchain-handle-this-too-swift-annual-payment-traffic-to-exceed-7-billion-message-mark</link><guid>354</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/SWIFTNet-messaging-services.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Can Blockchain handle this too? SWIFT Annual Payment Traffic To Exceed 7 Billion Message Mark</dc:text></item><item><title>Tezos Foundation President To “Step Back … As Soon As Things Are On Track”</title><description><![CDATA[Johann Gevers, the president of the Tezos Foundation, has committed to &#8220;step back&#8221; from his role once the project is back on track with a new board.
The statement comes after months of tensions and public feud with the project&#8217;s founders.
Blockchain project Tezos raised more than US$230 million in July 2017 in one of the year&#8217;s most successful initial coin offerings (ICOs). But the project was quickly derailed by quarreling between founders Arthur and Kathleen Breitman, who control the code, and the Tezos Foundation, which controls the funds.
Meltem Demirors (left), Arthur Breitman (center) and Kathleen Breitman (right), Money 20/20 Conference at The Venetian in Las Vegas, NV, October 24, 2017. (Photo Credit: Insider Images)
The feud between Gevers and the Breitmans dates back to October 2017 and became public when the couple demanded that Gevers step down as the president of the foundation. The Breitmans had initially hired Gevers to help set up the Tezos Foundation and manage the ICO as well as the project funding.
Responding to the move, Gevers stated that &#8220;the Breitmans have attempted to bypass the Swiss legal structure and take over control of the foundation, and have acted destructively, causing months of delays in the Tezos project,&#8221; according to a Wall Street Journal article.
The Breitmans fired back, accusing Gevers of sabotaging the project and mishandling funds for self-gain. Kathleen Breitman wrote in an email quoted by Fortune:
&#8220;Gevers has acted as a roadblock to the mission of the Foundation—to launch the Tezos network and support the Tezos ecosystem. Johann consistently failed to meet deadlines, was unwilling to hold or attend council meetings, and failed to hire employees to help launch the network or pay people he committed to paying, and was constantly unavailable to handle foundation matters…
 
&#8220;Johann attempted to pressure the other members of the foundation council to award him a contract that would, among other things, grant himself a bonus worth US$1.5 million at then-current valuation of the Tezos token. He misrepresented this as being worth only US$300,000. After Arthur and Kathleen brought this behavior and a number of other issues to the attention of the council, the Tezos Foundation suspended Johann from his operational role.&#8221;
Tezos Foundation board member Guido Schmitz-Krummacher resigned from the Tezos Foundation in December because of the conflict.
In his first interview since stepping down from the three-member board, Schmitz-Krummacher blamed the project&#8217;s creators for delays in writing computer code and setting up infrastructure that would allow the cryptocurrency to launch.
Siding with Gevers, Schmitz-Krummacher told Reuters:
&#8220;Until today, I do not have any result which substantiates or supports the accusations made in the letter in such a way that it would provide – according to the legal rules for foundations – an important reason for dismissing Johann Gevers. The results didn’t please the Breitmans and, on that basis, they tried in various ways to threaten me and put me under pressure.&#8221;
Meanwhile, some Tezos supporters have attacked Gevers on social media and demanded his departure from the foundation.
&#8220;We are gravely concerned about Mr. Johann Gevers and his failure to realize the purpose of the Tezos Foundations,&#8221; read an online petition released by a group of contributors in December.
 
Controversial ICO
Since the ICO ended, Tezos has been slapped with at least six class-action lawsuits, many of which charge Tezos with violating federal security law as well as defrauding and misleading contributors.
Although structured as donations for a technology project, some contributors believed they were investing in an asset similar to Bitcoin.
One lawsuit alleges that contributors to the fundraiser were not told that it could take more than three years for the Swiss foundation, which holds the funds to purchase Dynamic Ledger Solutions, the Breitmans&#8217; Delaware-based company, and the project&#8217;s source code. This time frame was not disclosed to investors, the lawsuit alleges.
Contributors have still not received any Tezzies.
 
Moving forward
The Tezos Foundation regained access to banking services in December 2017 after its accounts were frozen for two months. This has allowed it to pay creditors and software developers again, Gevers said in a blog post on Sunday, which was removed on Monday for &#8220;prudential reasons.&#8221; The foundation has also made progress in recruiting a new law firm and is working on finding an accounting firm.
&#8220;I have consistently communicated &#8230; my intention to honor [my] commitments, and my intention to step back from the foundation as soon as things are on track with a new board that is independent and has the support of the Tezos community,&#8221; Gevers wrote.
The foundation is now focusing on building a full-time operational team. It has recruited an interim executive to set up basic operations while it looks for a long-term CEO.
 
Featured image: Johann Gevers, May 2016, via Monetas.
The post Tezos Foundation President To &#8220;Step Back &#8230; As Soon As Things Are On Track&#8221; appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/tezos-foundation-president-to-step-back-as-soon-as-things-are-on-track</link><guid>355</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Money2020-October-2017-Breitmans-300x201.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Tezos Foundation President To “Step Back … As Soon As Things Are On Track”</dc:text></item><item><title>YUKKA Lab gewinnt Falcon Private Bank als Kunden für den SENTILab Newsanalyzer</title><description><![CDATA[YUKKA Lab AG, das FinTech für Realtime News-Analytics, hat mit Falcon Private Bank einen weiteren Kunden aus dem Bereich Private Banking &amp; Wealthmanagement gewinnen können.
Fact-Based Actionable Insights als Unterstützung für den Anlageprozess
Falcon Private Bank, ein Schweizer Traditionshaus mit mehr als 50 Jahren Erfahrung im Private Banking, arbeitet seit Anfang 2018 mit dem SENTILab News &amp; Trend Cockpit des FinTechs aus Berlin und Zürich mit dem Ziel, frühzeitig mögliche Korrekturen an den Aktienmärkten auszumachen und die Portfolios dafür zu positionieren.
Augmented Language Intelligence als Ergänzung des Research im Assetmanagement
Die Augmented Language Intelligence von YUKKA Lab analysiert und interpretiert Finanznachrichten in Englisch und Deutsch vollautomatisiert und bildet deren Einfluss auf die Entwicklung der Finanzmärkte ab.
Die Software zur kontextbasierten Analyse von Sprach- und Textinhalten macht dadurch Stimmungen am Finanzmarkt erstmals messbar und generiert auf Basis von arithmetischen Finanzmodellen ein Früherkennungssystem für Trends und Trendwenden an Aktienmärkten.
Daniel Egger
Daniel Egger, Chief Strategist, Falcon Private Bank, äusserte sich dazu:
&#8220;Mit dem neuen Früherkennungssystem ergänzt SENTILab unseren breit abgestützten Anlageprozess auf einem wichtigen Gebiet:dem Marktsentiment. Dank der innovativen Herangehensweise von YUKKA Lab weisen wir mit unserem Anlageprozess einen Vorsprung gegenüber herkömmlichen Ansätzen auf.&#8221;
 
 
Featured image via Yukka Lab Facebook page
The post YUKKA Lab gewinnt Falcon Private Bank als Kunden für den SENTILab Newsanalyzer appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/yukka-lab-gewinnt-falcon-private-bank-als-kunden-fur-den-sentilab-newsanalyzer</link><guid>356</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/yukka-lab-300x92.png</dc:content ><dc:text>YUKKA Lab gewinnt Falcon Private Bank als Kunden für den SENTILab Newsanalyzer</dc:text></item><item><title>Michael Hartweg neuer VR Präsident vom Fintech Evolute</title><description><![CDATA[Mit Michael Hartweg hat die Evolute Group AG seit dem 1. Januar 2018 einen neuen Verwaltungsratspräsidenten.
Hartweg übernimmt den Vorsitz von Peter A.C. Blum, der seit der Gründung von Swisscomply 2013 das Präsidium innehatte und der Evolute Group AG als Mitglied des Verwaltungsrates weiterhin erhalten bleibt.
Sowohl Blum als auch Hartweg prägten den Zusammenschluss der beiden Unternehmen sowie den erfolgreichen Aufbau der neuen Struktur. Aufgrund des schnellen Wachstums, beabsichtigt Evolute den Verwaltungsrat mittelfristig zu erweitern.
Als Mitgründer vom Derivate-Spezialisten Leonteq ist Hartweg kein Unbekannter für den Schweizer Finanzmarkt. Von den wertvollen Erfahrungen des gebürtigen Deutschen im Aufbau von Fintech Unternehmen wird die Evolute profitieren können, wobei Hartweg mit dem Zürcher Start-Up einiges vorhat:

Michael Hartweg
«Vermögensverwalter, die auch zukünftig erfolgreich sein möchten, werden zwingend auf technologische Unterstützung zurückgreifen müssen. Mit der Weiterentwicklung ihrer Wealth Management Plattform und der einzigartigen hybriden Technologie für massgeschneiderte Portfoliooptimierung ist Evolute hervorragend positioniert».
«Ich bin sehr zuversichtlich für die Zukunft der Firma und packe die Herausforderung mit viel Optimismus an»,
so Hartweg.
Neben seinem FinTech-Engagement ist der dreifache Familienvater unter anderem Inhaber von MICA Ventures AG wie auch Verwaltungsratspräsident der Biathlon Arena Lenzerheide AG. Sowohl Hartweg, wie auch Blum, als ehemaliger Regional Director EMEA von Microsoft, trumpfen mit einem eindrucksvollen Netzwerk, das Evolute in vielerlei Hinsicht zugutekommt.
 
The post Michael Hartweg neuer VR Präsident vom Fintech Evolute appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/michael-hartweg-neuer-vr-prasident-vom-fintech-evolute</link><guid>357</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Michael Hartweg neuer VR Präsident vom Fintech Evolute</dc:text></item><item><title>Metaco launches SILO – Allowing Banks to take Secure Custody of Crypto Assets</title><description><![CDATA[At its gala launch event at the Metropole Hotel in Geneva, Metaco, a Swiss leader in the field of distributed ledgers and digital currencies, announced the launch of its new solution, SILO, which allows banks to take safe custody of their clients’ cryptocurrency assets.
Even though cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, have become much more popular over the last 12 months, they remain extremely difficult to store. Individual holders are required to keep safe a private key, which many forget, lose or have stolen, while many cryptocurrency exchanges have gone of business, committed fraud or been hacked. It is estimated that, just for Bitcoin, over 2 million coins have been stolen at least once, representing more than USD22bn at today’s prices.
Metaco, a Swiss company with clients such SIX Group and Postfinance that has been operating in the cryptocurrency market since 2014, aims to solve this issue, which remains one of the last major hurdles for more widespread adoption of cryptocurrencies.
The SILO© solution, launched to an audience of over 80 senior bankers in Geneva last night, brings together cutting-edge software from Metaco with cutting edge hardware from Guardtime, a company which specializes in protecting firms and nation states from cyber attacks.

The patented multi-wallet solution deployed partly on-premise and partly in the cloud is designed to manage multiple accounts with different currencies and includes security protocols such as multi-signature and transaction flow limits. In short, it allows banks to provide clients with the highest-grade protection of their assets while still giving them liquidity to trade and make payments.
Adrien Treccani, CEO of Metaco, commented as follows on the launch,

Adrien Treccani
“There is no question that cryptocurrencies represent the future of money. However, there remains one major flaw, which is likely to get worse now that microprocessor issues have been uncovered: that cryptocurrencies are so difficult to store.
The world abounds with examples of bitcoin millionaires who lost their keys or had them stolen. SILO©, built exclusively for financial firms, solves this problem and allows individuals to trade cryptocurrencies with true peace of mind while extending the role of banks as custodians into the future.”
Ben Robinson, Chief Strategy Officer of Temenos which offers SILO© to its customers through MarketPlace, its app store, said:

Ben Robinson
“Already an important store of value and an important asset class for trading and investing, cryptocurrencies will increasingly act as a means of democratizing asset ownership through tokenization.
Metaco offers the best, most secure platform for banks wanting to provide cryptocurrency services. Our partnership is key to ensuring Temenos’ clients will play a meaningful role in the future of money.”
 
Mike Gault, CEO of Guardtime, commented:
“Cryptocurrencies are an important new asset class demanding highly specialist, secure technology. By combining our experience and expertise with that of Metaco, together we have developed the most secure cryptocurrency platform on the market.”
 
Featured image via Pexels
The post Metaco launches SILO – Allowing Banks to take Secure Custody of Crypto Assets appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/metaco-launches-silo-allowing-banks-to-take-secure-custody-of-crypto-assets</link><guid>358</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/silo-logo-300x90.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Metaco launches SILO – Allowing Banks to take Secure Custody of Crypto Assets</dc:text></item><item><title>Neue Investoren Beim Online Investment Assistenten Selma Finance</title><description><![CDATA[Selma holt sich neue Kompetenzen mit erfahrenen Investoren aus der Schweizer Banking-, Marketing- und Immobilienbranche.
Das Schweiz-Finnische Fintech Startup Selma Finance gibt per Oktober 2017 den Abschluss einer Angelrunde mit Schweizer Investoren bekannt.
Zu den Investoren gehören der ehemalige Oliver Wyman Partner Dr. Stefan Jaecklin (u.a. Lend, Lykke), die Unternehmer Gerhard und Marianne Walde (Walde &amp; Partner Immobilien), der Unternehmer Oliver Eglin (Eglin Holding) sowie die Brüder Michael (ehem. Gutenberg Group / Eurex) und Andreas Widmer (ehem. Futurecom / Y&amp;R Group).
Selma phone chat
Neben dem Aufbau einer Kapitaldecke für die Finanzierung der nächsten 1-2 Jahre baut das Startup mit der Finanzierungsrunde auch seine Kompetenz für ein forciertes Wachstum in der Schweiz deutlich aus.

Patrik Schär
“Wir sind sehr stolz, mit dem Einbezug unserer neuen Investoren jahrezehntelange Erfahrung in den Bereichen Unternehmensführung, Banking und Marketing zu gewinnen. Sie werden uns helfen, Selma Finance zum führenden digitalen Investmentassistenten in der Schweiz zu machen”
meint Patrik Schär CEO von Selma Finance zum Abschluss der Finanzierung.
 
 
 
 
The post Neue Investoren Beim Online Investment Assistenten Selma Finance appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/neue-investoren-beim-online-investment-assistenten-selma-finance</link><guid>359</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Selma-phone-chat-1-300x194.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Neue Investoren Beim Online Investment Assistenten Selma Finance</dc:text></item><item><title>Unternehmen setzen auf Künstliche Intelligenz für Wachstum und Innovation, Mitarbeiter erhoffen sich Vorteile im Arbeitsalltag</title><description><![CDATA[Der Einsatz von Künstlicher Intelligenz wird das Wachstum von Unternehmen ankurbeln und neue Jobs schaffen, so eine zum Weltwirtschaftsforum in Davos veröffentlichte Studie des Beratungsunternehmens Accenture.
Diese prognostiziert, dass die Umsätze von Unternehmen durch die Technologie weltweit bereits bis 2022 um durchschnittlich 38 Prozent steigen könnten.
How higher AI investment can boost revenues and employment by industry, 2018 to 2022. Source: Accenture Future Workforce Study 2017
Zudem gehen die Studienautoren davon aus, dass die Zahl der Arbeitnehmer in den untersuchten Unternehmen in diesem Zeitraum um insgesamt 10 Prozent wachsen wird.
Allerdings hängen diese positiven Effekte davon ab, ob es den Firmen gelingt, ihre Belegschaften fit für den technologischen Wandel zu machen und die Zusammenarbeit von Mensch und Maschine voranzubringen.
Für die weltweite Studie befragte Accenture Strategy 14.078 Arbeitnehmer und Selbständige sowie 1.201 Führungskräfte in elf Ländern zu ihren Einstellungen und Erwartungen an Künstliche Intelligenz.
Die Unternehmenslenker messen dieser Technologie grosse Bedeutung zu: So glaubt mehr als zwei Drittel von Ihnen (72 Prozent), dass die Einführung intelligenter Technologien entscheidend für die Fähigkeit ihrer Organisation ist, sich auf dem Markt zu differenzieren.
Zudem sind 42 Prozent überzeugt, dass zukünftig jegliche Innovation auf Künstlicher Intelligenz basieren wird. Nicht zuletzt deshalb wollen mehr als die Hälfte der Unternehmen (61 Prozent) in den kommenden drei Jahren weitere Aufgaben und Prozesse in grossem Stil automatisieren.
Der Studie zufolge wird die Automatisierung vor allem in den USA (92 Prozent) und Grossbritannien (84 Prozent) sehr konsequent vorangetrieben, während in China nur etwas mehr als die Hälfte der untersuchten Unternehmen (56 Prozent) dies anstrebt.
Angestellte und Freiberufler sehen dem Wandel der Arbeitswelt und dem Einsatz intelligenter Technologien mit grosser Zuversicht entgegen: Deutlich mehr als die Hälfte (62 Prozent) der befragten Arbeitnehmer und Selbständigen erwartet innerhalb der nächsten drei Jahre positive Auswirkungen durch Künstliche Intelligenz auf ihren Arbeitsalltag. Die Befragten heben sogar hervor, dass intelligente Technologien neue Möglichkeiten für ihre Arbeit schaffen werden (62 Prozent).

Thomas D. Meyer
„Die Künstliche Intelligenz hat das Potenzial, insbesondere in den Industriestaaten Wachstum und Beschäftigung weiter anzukurbeln. Die Unternehmen werden aber nur profitieren, wenn sie die Technologie so einsetzen, dass ihre Mitarbeiter neue Aufgaben übernehmen können”,
sagt Thomas D. Meyer, Country Managing Director von Accenture Schweiz.
„In der Arbeitswelt der Zukunft werden Menschen und intelligente Maschinen eng zusammenarbeiten. Viele Aufgaben können dadurch besser erledigt werden, weil menschliche Fähigkeiten durch Künstliche Intelligenz unterstützt werden. Entscheidend für den wirtschaftlichen Erfolg von Unternehmen wird sein, ob es ihnen gelingt, die Mitarbeiter zu qualifizieren und bisherige Jobprofile an die neuen Gegebenheiten anzupassen.”
Fast jedes dritte Unternehmen (29 Prozent) hat laut Studie die Aufgabenbereiche und Rollenbeschreibungen von Mitarbeitern in erheblichem Masse neu definiert, um den technologischen Veränderungen im Arbeitsalltag gerecht zu werden.
Fest definierte Rollenbeschreibungen gehören gemäss den Führungskräften bald der Vergangenheit an, da die Arbeit zukünftig viel stärker projektbasiert sein und neue Technologien ein ständiges Aneignen von neuen Fähigkeiten erfordern werden. Unter diesen Voraussetzungen sind fest definierte Aufgabenfelder und starre Arbeitsroutinen ein Auslaufmodell.
Source: Accenture Future Workforce Employee and C Suite Survey 2017
Umso überraschender ist es, dass Unternehmen bisher grosse Investitionen in die Vorbereitung ihrer Mitarbeiter auf diese neue Arbeitswelt scheuen. Nur drei Prozent planen in den nächsten drei Jahren erhebliche Mehrausgaben für die Qualifikation der Belegschaft. Im Gegensatz dazu sind 67 Prozent der befragten Arbeitnehmer und Selbständigen der Meinung, dass sie sich zusätzliche Fähigkeiten aneignen müssen, um das volle Potenzial von intelligenten Technologien im Arbeitsalltag nutzen zu können.
„In der Arbeitswelt der Zukunft wird die Maschine nicht den Menschen dominieren. Vielmehr sind intelligente Technologien der Schlüssel für produktivere Mitarbeiter, die sich Routineaufgaben entledigen und solchen mit höherer Wertschöpfung widmen können“,
so Thomas D. Meyer.
„Die Unternehmen müssen aus eigenem Interesse in die Qualifizierung ihrer Belegschaft investieren, etwa indem sie dafür die durch höhere Effizienz entstandenen zusätzlichen Gewinne nutzen. Damit sichern sie sich langfristig einen Wettbewerbsvorteil, denn nur dort, wo Mensch und Maschine kollaborieren, steigt die Produktivität weiter und entsteht eine Grundlage für die Geschäftsmodelle der Zukunft.“
The post Unternehmen setzen auf Künstliche Intelligenz für Wachstum und Innovation, Mitarbeiter erhoffen sich Vorteile im Arbeitsalltag appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/unternehmen-setzen-auf-kunstliche-intelligenz-fur-wachstum-und-innovation-mitarbeiter-erhoffen-sich-vorteile-im-arbeitsalltag</link><guid>360</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/AI-investment-revenues.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Unternehmen setzen auf Künstliche Intelligenz für Wachstum und Innovation, Mitarbeiter erhoffen sich Vorteile im Arbeitsalltag</dc:text></item><item><title>Coinshares Group – Now Representing Over $1bn In Crypto Assets – Announces Two New Flagship Funds</title><description><![CDATA[CoinShares Group, the group behind the first bitcoin and ether exchange-traded notes (Issued by XBT Provider AB) and the team behind the world’s first regulated bitcoin strategy (GABI), is announcing two new flagship crypto investment funds .
The two funds: CoinShares ‘Active’ Fund &#8211; a multi-coin, alpha-generating, active strategy; and CoinShares ‘Large Cap’ Fund &#8211; a passive, large-cap, basket fund; represent a natural evolution of market approaches based on the current trajectory of the crypto-asset economy.
This announcement follows the group’s October launch of the first Ether Tracking, Exchange Traded Products on Nasdaq Stockholm. These ETPs now comprise more than $350M of assets less than 4 months post-launch.

Daniel Masters
“As a group, we have developed a deep expertise in bringing new, fit-for-purpose crypto-investment products to market; products which offer traditional investors proper, familiar channels to access the crypto-asset ecosystem.
We are particularly excited for these two new funds as they represent the latest evolution of our expertise and are built on key learnings from the last three years of managing crypto-asset investments,”
says Daniel Masters, Chairman of CoinShares group of companies.
In addition to announcing two new funds, the CoinShares Group is also officially announcing the opening of a London-based office. CoinShares is seeking to establish itself in jurisdictions where crypto regulation is evolving and will work with regulators in this area.

Ryan Radloff
“We are excited to establish the appointed representative relationship with Sapia Partners LLP, part of the Lawson Conner Group. As one of the European leaders in crypto-finance, we have a responsibility to lead by example;
and as a group, we believe that the crypto-finance community should seek more regulation, not run away from it; this London office is a proper step in upholding that belief. There is still a lot of work to be done on regulation in crypto-finance and we look forward to working with regulators throughout the process,”
says Ryan Radloff, CEO, CoinShares (UK).
 
Featured image via CoinShares Twitter page
The post Coinshares Group &#8211; Now Representing Over $1bn In Crypto Assets &#8211; Announces Two New Flagship Funds appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/coinshares-group-now-representing-over-1bn-in-crypto-assets-announces-two-new-flagship-funds</link><guid>361</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Coinshares Group – Now Representing Over $1bn In Crypto Assets – Announces Two New Flagship Funds</dc:text></item><item><title>Glarner Kantonalbank lanciert digitale Anlageberatung</title><description><![CDATA[Die Glarner Kantonalbank (GLKB) gestaltet ihre Anlageberatung neu. Die bewährte persönliche Anlageberatung wird ab dem 1. April 2018 mit einem innovativen, softwaregestützten Anlageprozess kombiniert.
Anlageerfolge unterstützen das Erreichen von Spar- und Vorsorgezielen sowie den gezielten Vermögensaufbau. Entsprechend wichtig ist eine massgeschneiderte Anlagestrategie, die optimal auf die persönlichen Anlageziele ausgerichtet ist. Die neuen Anlageangebote der GLKB kombinieren das umfassende Wissen der Anlageberater mit einem innovativen, softwaregestützten Prozess. Sven Wiederkehr, Bereichsleiter Direktvertrieb der Glarner Kantonalbank, zum neuen Anlageangebot:

«Modernste Technologien und der Zugriff auf weltweite Finanzdaten unterstützen die Anlageberatung und bieten unseren Kunden einen echten Mehrwert. Schlüsselkompetenz bleibt jedoch die persönliche Beratung unserer Anlagespezialisten».
 
Die neue Anlageberatung – digital und persönlich
Ab April profitieren Anleger bei der GLKB von einem neuen Beratungserlebnis. Mit modernen Visualisierungen können verschiedene Anlagestrategien simuliert werden. Mit dem Einsatz der digitalen Möglichkeiten wird aufgezeigt, wie sich eine gewählte Strategie in der Vergangenheit entwickelt hätte.
Basierend auf den daraus gewonnenen Erkenntnissen, simulieren Kunde und Berater gemeinsam die künftigen Erfolgsaussichten verschiedener Anlagestrategien. Daraus wird das gewünschte Zielportfolio zusammengestellt. Die dynamische Darstellung hilft, die Anlageziele bestmöglich mit der persönlichen Risikobereitschaft in Einklang zu bringen. Modernste Technologie und persönliche Beratung ergänzen sich mit der neuen Methode ideal.
Für jedes Bedürfnis das passende Angebot
Mit «GLKB Index Plus» und «GLKB Premium» bietet die GLKB schon heute Vermögensverwaltungsmandate ab 50’000 Franken an. In der Anlageberatung führt sie per 1. April 2018 drei attraktive Anlagepakete ein. Sie unterscheiden sich in der Intensität der Betreuung und im Leistungsumfang. Das Paket «GLKB Kompakt» eignet sich für Anleger, die sich selbstständig mit der Entwicklung der Finanzmärkte auseinandersetzen und keine Beratung nutzen möchten.
Beim Dienstleistungsangebot «GLKB Komfort» profitiert der Kunde von der GLKB Anlageexpertise durch regelmässige Empfehlungen zu einzelnen Anlagen. Für Anleger, die sich auf eine strategiebezogene und gesamtheitliche Beratung ihres Portfolios verlassen möchten, bietet die Bank das umfassende Paket «GLKB Komfort Plus» an. Hier trifft der Kunde den Anlageentscheid aufgrund portfoliobezogener Optimierungsvorschläge und Anlageempfehlungen seines persönlichen Anlageberaters.
Portfolioqualität durch kontinuierliche Überwachung
Je nach gewähltem Anlagepaket werden die Portfolios mit der neuen Software kontinuierlich überwacht. Damit können die Anlagen unverzüglich den Marktveränderungen angepasst werden. Ebenso kreiert das GLKB Advisory Team laufend Anlageideen, die der Anlageberater mit seinen Kunden aufnimmt. Hier profitiert die GLKB von ihrem breiten Netzwerk und einem direkten Zugang zu weltweiten Analystenmeinungen und Unternehmensstudien.
 
Featured image via twitter.com/GlarnerKB
The post Glarner Kantonalbank lanciert digitale Anlageberatung appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/glarner-kantonalbank-lanciert-digitale-anlageberatung</link><guid>329</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Glarner-kantonalbank-300x60.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Glarner Kantonalbank lanciert digitale Anlageberatung</dc:text></item><item><title>KMU P2P Lending Swisspeers spannt mit Futurae Zusammen</title><description><![CDATA[Die beiden Fintech Startups Swisspeers und Futurae haben eine Zusammenarbeit verkündet. Durch die Zusammenarbeit erhöht Swisspeers die Usability und Sicherheit ihrer Crowdlending Plattform.
Die beiden Technologiefirmen Swisspeers und Futurae haben eine Zusammenarbeit vereinbart. Swisspeers ist eine unabhängige Crowdlending Plattform, die es Unternehmen erlaubt, bei Investoren direkt – also ohne Zwischenschaltung eines Finanzinstituts – Fremdkapital zu beschaffen.
Mit der Futurae Integration bietet Swisspeers ab dem 18.1.2018 ihren Plattformnutzern neu eine Authentifizierungslösung an, die höchsten Sicherheitsanforderungen entspricht und gleichzeitig mit einer beispiellosen Benutzerfreundlichkeit überzeugt.
Futurae bietet eine umfassende innovative Authentication Suite an; Kernprodukt bildet die Zwei-Faktor-Authentifizierung „SoundProof“, die ohne Nutzerinteraktion funktioniert. Die Technologie basiert auf einem Machine Learning-Algorithmus der den User mittels Umgebungsgeräuschen sicher authentisiert.

 
&#8220;Mit Swisspeers gewinnen wir nicht nur einen neuen Kunden, sondern stärken gemeinsam das Schweizer Fintech Ökosystem&#8221;,
sagt Sandra Tobler, CEO von Futurae.

 
&#8220;Die Zusammenarbeit mit Futurae unterstreicht unsere Ambition, stets durch einfache Produkte den grösstmöglichen Mehrwert für die KMUs und Investoren zu bieten&#8221;,
kommentiert Alwin Meyer, CEO von Swisspeers.
The post KMU P2P Lending Swisspeers spannt mit Futurae Zusammen appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/kmu-p2p-lending-swisspeers-spannt-mit-futurae-zusammen</link><guid>330</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>KMU P2P Lending Swisspeers spannt mit Futurae Zusammen</dc:text></item><item><title>Digitale Spendenplattform letshelp.ch stellt Betrieb ein</title><description><![CDATA[Seit Mitte 2016 bringt letshelp.ch Spenderinnen, Spender und zertifizierte Hilfsorganisationen auf einer digitalen Plattform zusammen.
Nach 18 Betriebsmonaten zeigt die Bilanz klar: Die Spendenplattform wird zu wenig genutzt. Daher wird der Betrieb von letshelp.ch per 31. Januar 2018 eingestellt.
Die Schweiz gehört zu den spendenfreudigsten Nationen weltweit. 2016 haben gemäss ZewoStatistik die Hilfswerke in der Schweiz fast 1.8 Milliarden Schweizer Franken Spenden erhalten. Mitte 2016 lancierte Swisscom in Partnerschaft mit Zewo und Swissfundraising die Schweizer Spendenplattform letshelp.ch.
Zertifizierte Hilfsorganisationen konnten ihre Projekte auf der Plattform mit wenig Aufwand und wirkungsvoll einem breiten Publikum präsentieren.Spenderinnen und Spender erhielten einfach Zugang zu vertrauenswürdigen Projekten und konnten online spenden.
Zu wenig Spenden via Onlineplattform
Gemäss Zewo-Statistik erhalten zertifizierte Hilfswerke 99 Prozent der Spenden über klassische Zahlungskanäle wie Post- oder Banküberweisungen und nicht digital.Nach 18 Betriebsmonaten von letshelp.ch zeigt die Bilanz klar: Die Spendenplattform wird zu wenig genutzt und die Nachfrage bei den rund 500 Hilfsorganisationen mit Zewo-Gütesiegel ist zu gering.
Der Aufwand für Unterhalt, Betreuung und Akquisition ist für alle Beteiligten unverhältnismässig hoch. letshelp.ch wird deshalb per 31. Januar 2018 eingestellt.
 
Featured image via Letshelp.ch Facebook page
 
The post Digitale Spendenplattform letshelp.ch stellt Betrieb ein appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digitale-spendenplattform-letshelpch-stellt-betrieb-ein</link><guid>331</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Digitale Spendenplattform letshelp.ch stellt Betrieb ein</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech in Switzerland: How Are We Seen From Abroad?</title><description><![CDATA[Switzerland has a world-renowned reputation for its financial services and banking sector. Now, with the Swiss fintech scene accelerating and the impressive quality of its startups, foreign players and industry experts have taken notice.
An internationally-oriented financial center
Switzerland has a strong, internationally-oriented financial center and has maintained close financial relations with its peers. According to Deloitte, in Europe, only the UK, French and Swiss regulators have signed fintech cooperation agreements with other regulators across the globe.
These agreements aim to deepen bilateral cooperation and enable regulators from the two countries to exchange views on domestic and international financial market developments and policies.
These agreements also intend to facilitate the expansion of fintech startups from one country to the other. And for Swiss startups, having a strategy to expand globally has become a top priority considering the country&#8217;s limited venture ecosystem and the market&#8217;s small size.
Switzerland has signed such agreements with the likes of Australia, Israel and Singapore.
Zurich, a global fintech hub
Image credit: Zürich, Switzerland, Wikipedia
As an innovation nation positioned in a central location geographically, Switzerland has nurtured a thriving fintech ecosystem and boasts excellent infrastructure, a solid legal system and protection for consumers.
In particular, Zurich, the country&#8217;s largest financial center, has become a global fintech hub, according to a Deloitte report.
The report names Knip and Temenos as Zurich&#8217;s notable fintech success stories. Insurtech startup Knip had raised over US$18 million in funding from Swiss and foreign investors before merging with Komparu to create the Digital Insurance Group in June 2017.
Temenos, a provider of banking software, is the classic story of a great entrepreneur becoming an industry leader with core banking platforms.
In 2016, it was a highlight to see Eric van der Kleij bring his expertise to the Kickstart Accelerator in Zurich. Van der Kleij is a notable British tech entrepreneur and the Chairman of the Advisory Group and Adviser on Fintech and Blockchain for The UK Government&#8217;s (DIT) Global Entrepreneur Programme.
According to Deloitte, the future for Zurich&#8217;s fintech space will focus on strengthening the vibrant ecosystem, expanding internationalization with visits to/from other hubs and doing more to promote the many advantages of Switzerland as a fintech hub.
Zug or the &#8220;Crypto Valley&#8221;
Image credit: Zug: Zytturm, Wikipedia
In recent years, another hub has emerged not so far from Zurich. The Canton of Zug, also known as the &#8220;Crypto Valley,&#8221; has seen a growing number of blockchain and cryptocurrency startups settling in. All have considered proximity to the financial center of Zurich, the availability of specialized labor and proximity to universities as important factors.
Today, Zug is home to cryptocurrency-powerhouses the Ethereum Foundation, ShapeShift, Xapo, Tezos and Melonport, among numerous others.
Xapo, a bitcoin wallet and vault services provider, moved its headquartered from Palo Alto, California, to Zug in 2015, citing the country&#8217;s long history of neutrality and stability.
&#8220;With its traditions of international neutrality, national sovereignty and regulatory stability, we believe that among a variety of potential locations, Switzerland offers the world’s best operating, financial and regulatory environment and consequentially the greatest level of protection for our customers’ bitcoins,&#8221; the company wrote in a blog post.
In August 2017, popular decentralized mobile bitcoin wallet Breadwallet closed a funding round and announced it had moved its headquarters to Switzerland.
&#8220;Switzerland has emerged as a hotbed of digital currency startup activity, and we were attracted by its leadership in conservative financial legislation,” said Adam Traidman, CEO of Breadwallet. &#8220;Its strong reputation for financial privacy for consumers is the ideal fit for our charter to empower individuals with the benefits of bitcoin.&#8221;
The Crypto Valley Association was launched in January 2017 to bring various specialists in the blockchain and cryptocurrency space together. From an initial tally of 16 at launch, the organization now counts over 550 corporate and individual members.
However, one important open question remains: Why is Switzerland position its country not as THE WealthTech Knowledge center/hub instead of taking the  potential reputational risk position Switerland as a Crypto country?
Featured image via Pixabay.
The post Fintech in Switzerland: How Are We Seen From Abroad? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-in-switzerland-how-are-we-seen-from-abroad</link><guid>332</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Zürich-Switzerland-Fintech-300x163.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech in Switzerland: How Are We Seen From Abroad?</dc:text></item><item><title>Open Banking and Fintegration: Die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg AG lanciert virtuellen Geldautomaten</title><description><![CDATA[Sonect und die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg beschreiten in Sachen Bargeldbezug neue Wege: Die Lenzburger Bank fügt die Finanzapplikation des Zürcher Fintech-Unternehmens ihrem Kernbankensystem Finstar® hinzu.
Damit können Kunden der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg bei ausgewählten Geschäften und Ladenlokalen mit ihrem Smartphone Bargeld beziehen. Die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg erweitert so das bestehende Netz ihrer 25 Geldautomaten auf innovative Weise.
Die ersten Bezugspunkte werden bis Ende des ersten Quartals aktiviert. Danach wird das Netz kontinuierlich ausgebaut. Der neue Service ist für Kunden der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg kostenlos. Nötig für die Nutzung der neuen Dienstleistung ist der Zugang zum E-Banking der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg und zur Smartphone-App von Sonect.
In ihrem E-Banking können die Kunden den neuen Service freischalten. Damit erteilen Sie ihre Einwilligung, dass zwischen dem Kernbankensystem der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg und der Sonect-App diejenigen Kontodaten ausgetauscht werden können, die es für die Nutzung des virtuellen Geldautomaten braucht.
Der Datentransfer findet über eine sichere Schnittstelle statt, die die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg im Rahmen ihrer Open-API-Initiative im vergangenen Sommer in den Testbetrieb genommen hatte. In den vergangenen Monaten haben ausgewählte Fintech-Unternehmen die Technologie auf Ihre Praxistauglichkeit hin geprüft.
Mit der Inbetriebnahme der neuen Geldbezugsfunktion wird die Testphase erfolgreich beendet und die offene Schnittstelle wird im operativen Finstar®-System aktiviert. In den kommenden Monaten soll Finstar® mit weiteren Fintech-Angeboten ergänzt werden.
Marianne Wildi
 
«Die Kooperation mit Sonect freut uns speziell, da wir damit beweisen, dass sich zwischen Fintech und klassischem Banking auch sinnvolle Synergien ergeben können: Unser digitales Geldbezugssystem füllt nämlich eine Lücke, vor allem in Gegenden, wo herkömmliche Geldautomaten fehlen und so ein Bedarf nach Bargeldservices besteht»,
sagt Marianne Wildi, CEO der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg.
 
Grundsätzlich steht das Sonect-Programm allen Geschäften offen (weitere Informationen unter www.sonect.net). Als erster Kooperationspartner im Gebiet der Hypothekarbank Lenzburg konnte Sonect die Lindenapotheke gewinnen.
«Hypi»-Kunden können in den Lindenapotheken-Filialen nach erfolgter Freischaltung bis Ende des ersten Quartals 2018 in Dornach, Füllinsdorf, Kaiseraugst, Ober- und Unterentfelden, Rupperswil, Schöftland und Suhr Bargeld beziehen.

Sandipan Chakraborty
«Kunden sollen in Lenzburg, Aarau oder Zürich mit unserer App Geld beziehen können, ohne nach Bancomaten zu suchen. Wir werden das Bezugsnetz auch im Aargau mit neuen Geschäften kontinuierlich ausbauen und sind überzeugt,
dass wir dort das bestehende Netz der 25 ‹Hypi›-Geldautomaten in den kommenden Monaten mehr als verdoppeln können. Darüber hinaus können bereits über 100 weitere virtuelle Geldautomaten in der Schweiz kostenlos genutzt werden»,
sagt Sandipan Chakraborty, CEO von Sonect.
 
Featured image via sonect.net
The post Open Banking and Fintegration: Die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg AG lanciert virtuellen Geldautomaten appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/open-banking-and-fintegration-die-hypothekarbank-lenzburg-ag-lanciert-virtuellen-geldautomaten</link><guid>333</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Open Banking and Fintegration: Die Hypothekarbank Lenzburg AG lanciert virtuellen Geldautomaten</dc:text></item><item><title>Crowdlending meets Cryptos: Crowd4Cash accepts Bitcoins and Litecoins</title><description><![CDATA[The provider for Crowdlending Crowd4Cash located in Zug is one of the first in the market who enables lenders to invest into Peer-to-Peer loans with an attractive return rate with cryptocurrencies.
Investors may easily pay their invested amounts with Bitcoins or Litecoins. Crowd4Cash collaborates with one of the market leading Swiss Crypto Currency Traders.
The company is ready to convert cryptocurrencies into CHF quickly, low-priced (only around 1% &#8211; 1.25%)  and for the best exchange rate available. Crowd4Cash does not add any fee for this service (only external transaction costs are allocated).

 
“As a digital marketplace for lending, it goes without saying that we also have to accept digital currencies. Investors, and thus lenders, can place their earnings generated by investing in cryptocurrencies with a yield of 4 to 9%&#8221;
 
 
says Roger Bossard, CEO and founder of Crowd4Cash. The lawyer was working for different Swiss banks for 15 years, 7 years in Senior Management.
Crowd4Cash offers cryptocurrency-investors a whole new alternative to their cryptocurrency exchange valued in CHF on a Swiss bank account with zero interest rate. Thanks to the attractive interest returns and monthly interest payments on the loan portfolio, it is possible to generate a stable income in CHF with cryptocurrencies gains.
Compared to the attractive return there is a rather low risk. Only 20% of the potential borrowers manage to be published on the platform. Private borrowers are obliged to prove they are creditworthy and solvent enough for pay-back. Internal as external data on solvency provide information for an independent credit rating. The strict check serves everyone:
&#8220;The default rate at Crowd4Cash is currently 0%&#8221;
says Roger Bossard. Furthermore platform fee is surprisingly low. Lenders just pay 0.5% p.a. of the invested amount p.a. thanks to a lean staff structure, low marketing effort and the lack of agencies.
 
Featured image via Pixabay
The post Crowdlending meets Cryptos: Crowd4Cash accepts Bitcoins and Litecoins appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crowdlending-meets-cryptos-crowd4cash-accepts-bitcoins-and-litecoins</link><guid>334</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Crowdlending meets Cryptos: Crowd4Cash accepts Bitcoins and Litecoins</dc:text></item><item><title>Payment Services: Consumers To Benefit From Cheaper, Safer And More Innovative Electronic Payments</title><description><![CDATA[
European consumers will be able to reap the full benefits of paying online for goods and services, thanks to new rules that will it make it cheaper, easier and safer to make electronic payments.


The revised Payment Services Directive (PSD2), which applied as of 13 January 2018, aims to modernize Europe&#8217;s payment services to the benefit of both consumers and businesses, so as to keep pace with this rapidly evolving market.
Valdis Dombrovskis, Vice-President responsible for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union said.
&#8220;This legislation is another step towards a digital single market in the EU. It will promote the development of innovative online and mobile payments, which will benefit the economy and growth. With PSD2 becoming applicable, we are banning surcharges for consumer debit and credit card payments. This could save more than €550 million per year for EU consumers. Consumers will also be better protected when they make payments.&#8221;
 
The new rules will:

Prohibit surcharging, which are additional charges for payments with consumer credit or debit cards, both in shops or online;
Open the EU payment market to companies offering payment services, based on them gaining access to information about the payment account;
Introduce strict security requirements for electronic payments and for the protection of consumers&#8217; financial data;
Enhance consumers&#8217; rights in numerous areas. These include reducing the liability for non-authorised payments and introducing an unconditional (&#8220;no questions asked&#8221;) refund right for direct debits in euro.

These rules will be applicable as of 13 January 2018 through provisions that Member States have introduced in their national laws in compliance with the EU legislation. The Commission calls on Member States who have not yet transposed the Directive, to do so as a matter of urgency.

 
Article first appeared on http://europa.eu/
The post Payment Services: Consumers To Benefit From Cheaper, Safer And More Innovative Electronic Payments appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/payment-services-consumers-to-benefit-from-cheaper-safer-and-more-innovative-electronic-payments</link><guid>335</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Payment Services: Consumers To Benefit From Cheaper, Safer And More Innovative Electronic Payments</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Events in London in 2018</title><description><![CDATA[A globally fintech hub, London has been on the forefront of financial innovation, fueled by its supportive government, advanced financial services sector and burgeoning tech ecosystem.
This year again, London will be hosting some of the world&#8217;s largest fintech gatherings and events that are set to bring together major stakeholders in the space.
Here are some of the most anticipated fintech events to take place in London this year:
 
Fintech for Social Good: A Look at Property Crowdfunding
January 16, 2018
Birkbeck, University of London, Torrington Square, Clore Management Centre

Zeeshan Uppal, co-founder of Yielders, a crowdfunding property investment platform, will speak about how technology is changing the financial landscape, and how fintech can enable change for the greater good, and how Yielders is using technology to offer ethical alternative for investment.
Uppal began his career in financial crime working on one of the largest transformation projects in the city. He is a certified anti-money laundering specialist which combined with his experience in the banking sector, ensures that Yielders minimizes its risk profile and aligns to all FCA requirements.
 
Deep Dive into Blockchain and its Use Cases
January 18, 2018
The Helicon, 1 South Place

This month&#8217;s edition of London Women In Blockchain meetup will go deeper into blockchain and explore its uses cases. The event will be hosted by Oracle in their London office. This meetup is appropriate for women at all levels.
The speakers will be Marta Piekarska, the director of ecosystem at Hyperledger, and Diana Biggs, the head of digital innovation for HSBC Retail Banking and Wealth Management, UK &amp; Europe.
 
Fintech Social: Embracing Digital Identity in Financial Services
January 18, 2018
Techspace Shoreditch, 25 Luke Street, London

Rainmaking Colab Fintech Social and Startupbootcamp Fintech are presenting an event focused on the latest trends and technologies in identity impacting the financial services sector.
The event will cover KYC, AML, biometrics, anti-fraud and identity theft technologies as well as advanced authentication solutions to increase customer insights and service relevance, while reducing fraud and market abuse.
 
Fintech Visionary: Anthony Thomson
January 18, 2018
Mason Lecture Theatre, Francis Bancroft Building, Mile End Campus, Queen Mary University of London

The Fintech Visionary series of talks by Queen Mary Business &amp; Enterprise Society welcome fintech professionals who share their vision on the future of fintech, as well as their experience.
For this talk, Anthony Thomson, Founder &amp; Chairman of Atom Bank and Founder and Former Chairman of Metro Bank, will speak about challenger banks and neo banks in the UK, and share his insights on this new era of banking.
 
The Blockchain Trap
January 23, 2018
Rise London, 41 Luke Street

talent.io and Tallysticks are teaming up to present the Blockchain Trap, an event that will cover blockchain technology and its different uses to disrupt the financial industry.
Tallysticks will share their firsthand experience of falling into the Blockchain Trap and their journey beyond the hype.
 
London Blockchain Week 2018
January 19-26, 2018
 

Organized by Fintech Worldwide, the London Blockchain Week 2018 is a week-long event dedicated to blockchain technology.
The event will kick-off with the Hack-The-Block Blockchain Hackathon at Cocoon Network, followed by the Blockchain London Conference and Expo, which will feature 40-60 startups, workshops and a conference that will explore blockchain technology, smart contracts, Ethereum, among other key topics.
 
Robo-Investing Europe 2018
February 01, 2018
King&#8217;s Place, 90 York Way, Kings Cross

Europe&#8217;s leading digital wealth event for industry professionals, returns for the 3rd year, showcasing the latest automated propositions, such as micro-saving, pensions and hybrid platforms, exclusive features including chatbots, onboarding and next-generation customer engagement, and an in-depth look at how to systematize, scale and design asset management strategies using AI and ETFs.
The event will also explore how Open Banking, APIs and the cloud will transform data, connectivity and distribution, and turn competition into collaboration across fintechs, wealth management and banking.
 
Metro Bank Tech Breakfast: Integrating Physical &amp; Digital in Retail Banking
February 08, 2018
Metro Bank Holborn, 1 Southampton Row

In this panel discussion, hosted at Metro Bank’s flagship London store, participants will hear from experts from across banking, retail and telecoms to discuss the latest thinking on how best to deliver integrated physical and digital experiences.
The panel includes Paul Riseborough, the chief commercial officer of Metro Bank, Tunde Olanrewaju, a senior partner of McKinsey &amp; Co., Miranda Clarke, the strategic account manager of O2 Digital, and Mark Elkins, the ex-VP digital sales and marketing of Coco-Cola Enterprises.
 
Digital Advice Summit 2018
February 21, 2018

Finance Edge&#8217;s Digital Advice Summit will bring together global perspectives on building a digital advice proposition and ensuring it yields long-term benefits.
Key topics will include building a digital advice offering, integrating it into your firm and delivering ROI, how GDPR, Pension Freedoms report, Project Innovate and FAMR are impacting digital advice, using AI and behavioral economics to inform your digital advice proposition, mitigating the compliance and governance risks of offering digital advice, and more.
 
KYC &amp; AML Summit Europe 2018
March 07, 2018

Finance Edge’s KYC &amp; AML Summit Europe will explore how firms can reinvent identity authentication and KYC for the digital age to enable cheaper, quicker and more user-centric onboarding, for both individual and corporate clients.
The program will also address how firms can collaborate on KYC, AML and sanctions issues, using the latest technologies to amalgamate client data and make these processes more streamlined and more secure.
 
Impact Investing World Forum 2018
March 21-22, 2018
The Great Hall, Kensington Conference and Event Centre London

The Impact Investing World Forum 2018 is one of leading social impact investment events in the UK. The event focuses on social impact of all types of investments including social impact bonds, stocks, private equity, investment banking, fintech, banking technology, social finance, blockchain, sustainability, responsible investing, social entrepreneurship, philanthropy, among other topics.
This year&#8217;s speakers represent the likes of Barclays Wealth, Deutsche Bank, the United Nations, KPMG, and more.
 
AltFi London Summit 2018
March 26, 2018
etc. venues, 155 Bishopsgate

The AltFi Summit London returns for the fifth time, in a new venue, with new topics to explore and brand new audience segments.
Open Banking and PSD2, each set to go live in early 2018, will form an important part of the discussion, as will the ongoing maturation of the online lending sector.
As ever, the increasingly overlapping web of platforms, banks, platforms-becoming-banks and banks-becoming-platforms will be scrutinized in depth. The event will also explore the latest opportunities for fintechs to coalesce, with a focus on the digital banking, digital wealth and insurtech sectors.
 
Banking on the Future
April 04, 2018
WeWork Moorgate, 1 Fore St
The Banking on the Future panel discussion will explore the disruptive new technologies that are changing the face of the banking industry and unravel the hype from what is here to stay.
Speakers will include Julian Wilson, the head of mobile innovation at Barclays, Jonny Dawson, partner at ATC Management, and others.
 
Fintech Design Summit 2018
April 20, 2018
Cavendish Conference Center, 22 Duchess Mews, Marylebone

The world&#8217;s first Fintech Design Summit will take place on Friday, April 20, and will be a full day of thought-provoking discussion and insights on the ever-changing financial landscape.
The event will feature some of the world&#8217;s leading fintech companies, both here in the UK and around the world, which will be exploring how traditional financial products are being disrupted through clean, innovative, experience-led design.
The Fintech Design Summit is targeted exclusively at senior design and product professionals, as well as business and fintech startup leaders.
 
Open Banking Summit 2018
April 25, 2018

Finance Edge’s 3rd Open Banking Summit is the year’s most crucial and focused flagship event, dedicated to providing business clarity and regulatory certainty around Open Banking, and to helping UK and European firms navigate the evolving open API landscape.
The event will cover the most popular use cases coming to market using APIs, how Open Banking is impacting firms today and the 2018 roadmap, how banks and fintechs are successfully partnering to deliver Open Banking, how to use open APIs to reach new consumers, offer personalised services and encourage loyalty, and more.
 
Global Regtech Summit
May 22, 2018

The Global Regtech Summit is Europe&#8217;s leading regtech event. This year, the summit is expected to be attended by up to 600 relevant delegates, 100+ CCOs, CTOs, MDs and directors from the financial institutions, and 100+ regtech company CEOs and company leaders.
The event will explore what strategies the leaders of financial institutions are taking to address the threats and opportunities they face, what regulators expect and what plans they have to support the development of regtech within their jurisdictions, the latest innovations and the range of regtech solutions in the market place, and more.
 
Fintech World Forum 2018
May 30-31, 2018
The Great Hall, Kensington Conference and Event Centre London

Fintech World Forum 2018, by Fintech Conference, will take place in London on May 30 and 31, and bring together the global financial, finance and banking technology industry.
The event will focus on mobile payments, lending, insurance, blockchain, cryptocurrencies, insurtech, regtech, proptech, investment, wealth management, and more.
The post Fintech Events in London in 2018 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-events-in-london-in-2018</link><guid>336</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Fintech-for-Social-Good-A-Look-at-Property-Crowdfunding.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech Events in London in 2018</dc:text></item><item><title>London Blockchain Week announces DreamTeam, IBM, BTCC, IOTA Foundation and Gibraltar Stock Exchange as event headliners</title><description><![CDATA[London Blockchain Week is pleased to announce that DreamTeam, IBM, BTCC, IOTA Foundation and Gibraltar Stock Exchange will be headlining the event in January 2018 in London.

Now in its fourth year, Blockchain Week will bring together between 800-1400 leading Blockchain thinkers throughout the week comprising of senior audience from enterprise, start-ups, VC firms, media, government and academia. With an international audience of 40-50 percent, companies, individuals and governments who are affected by and are taking full advantage of the disruptive technology will discuss the trends and issues they are seeing.
London Blockchain Week takes place in the context of soaring digital currency prices and accelerating testing and implementation of Blockchain platforms in financial services, legal, healthcare and many more sectors.  It is becoming vital for companies to understand the amazing possibilities that come from embracing this technology.
The conference will feature 50 international companies exhibiting over the course of the week, and an additional 25 ICO and Blockchain companies will be pitching during the conference, including Viola.AI, Bethereum, Chainium, CharityStars, Atonomi, Lucyd, Bitcar, NEM Foundation, DeepRadiology, All Public Art and Viewly.
The event will kick off with the Hack-The-Block Blockchain Hackathon at Cocoon Networks on Friday 19 January for the weekend, culminating into a three-day exhibition and conference with networking drinks each evening starting on Monday 22 January, and then a series of Blockchain/DLT workshops on Thursday 25 and Friday 26 January. The exhibition and conference will be taking place at Grange Tower Bridge Hotel in 45 Prescot Street, London.
Commenting on the announcement, founder of London Blockchain Week, Luis Carranza, said:
“With bitcoin and other digital currencies’ price rocketing, and the underlying blockchain technology having a huge impact on all sectors, now is the time to come and meet the companies that are driving these changes, and discuss and debate the future of Blockchain.”
CEO and &amp; Founder of DreamTeam, Alexander Kokhanovskyy added:
“DreamTeam is proud to be among the leaders of the blockchain industry and join over 50 international companies at London Blockchain Week. This event will let us showcase the latest advances in the application of smart contracts and blockchain technology in esports and its prospects for the industry to an international audience.”
 
Featured image via https://www.blockchainweek.com/home
The post London Blockchain Week announces DreamTeam, IBM, BTCC, IOTA Foundation and Gibraltar Stock Exchange as event headliners appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/london-blockchain-week-announces-dreamteam-ibm-btcc-iota-foundation-and-gibraltar-stock-exchange-as-event-headliners</link><guid>337</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/london-blockchain-week-300x103.png</dc:content ><dc:text>London Blockchain Week announces DreamTeam, IBM, BTCC, IOTA Foundation and Gibraltar Stock Exchange as event headliners</dc:text></item><item><title>Digital First: Digitale Transformation bei der Basler Kantonalbank</title><description><![CDATA[Wer die digitale Transformation vorantreiben will, steht vor der Frage, wie die Softwareentwicklung schneller und flexibler werden kann.
Die Basler Kantonalbank  hat sie beantwortet. So konnte die Bank die Entwicklung ihrer Core-Banking-Plattform Avaloq verbessern und neue Services wie „myBKB“ erfolgreich an den Start bringen. Denn die Zukunft der Bankgeschäfte ist digital.
 
ANALOG UND DIGITAL GESCHICKT VERBINDEN
online services via www.bkb.ch
Kunden von heute wollen Bankgeschäfte unabhängig von Ort und Zeit bequem und schnell erledigen. Für die BKB Grund genug, zusätzlich zu ihren 14 physischen Filialen eine digitale zu eröffnen.
Über myBKB  können Kunden online Informationen abrufen, Konten eröffnen, Bankpakete bestellen, Geld anlegen und die Kundenberatung kontaktieren.
Digitale Services und Kommunikationsmittel sind auch bei der laufenden Modernisierung der BKB-Filialen ein „Must-have“.
myBKB ist in der digitalen Transformationsstrategie der BKB ein grosser Meilenstein. Bis es soweit war, durchlief myBKB umfangeiche Testphasen und musste auch in die Core-Banking-Plattform Avaloq integriert werden. Ebenso wie viele andere Schweizer Banken nutzt die BKB Avaloq als
„Plattform as a Service“-Angebot. Die komplexe Cloud-Plattform läuft in einem voll isolierten und hoch abgesicherten Netzwerk beim Provider.Definierte Abläufe, Zeitpläne und zuständigkeiten regeln die Nutzung für alle Beteiligten. Integration und Abnahme von Softwarepaketen zum Beispiel obliegen grundsätzlich dem Betreiber.
„Normalerweise wird direkt auf der Avaloq-Plattform gearbeitet. Aber wir wollten den Entwicklungsteil ins Haus holen, um flexibler und schneller zu werden und um unsere Systeme beim Provider zu entlasten“,
so Jan Rindisbacher, Application Operation bei der BKB.
 
ON-PREMISES ENTWICKELN, IN DER CLOUD VERARBEITEN
Die generelle Machbarkeit bewies ein Proof of Concept. Die zwei Terabyte grosse Datenbank aus der Avaloq Plattform lief nun vor Ort. Jedoch war die Bereitstellung einer einzigen Entwicklungsinstanz mit sechs Stunden zu lang und gemessen am Speicherverbrauch für zahlreiche Instanzen auch zu teuer. Die Lösung war einfach.
„Wir haben mit der Snapshot-Technologie von NetApp sehr gute Erfahrungen gemacht“,
so Frédéric Lepka, Core Operations bei der BKB.
„Dass auch die Inhouse-Entwicklung für Avaloq davon profitieren kann, hat sich schnell gezeigt.“
Zusammen mit der Netcloud AG, langjähriger IT-Partner der BKB, wurde ein All-Flash-System mit direktem Zugriff über NFS getestet. Das Ergebnis hätte besser nicht sein können.
„NetApp liefert genau die Performance und Software Tools, die unser Entwicklungskonzept für Avaloq so erfolgreich machen. Wir können inhouse schneller und flexibler entwickeln, starten erst mit den produktionsnahen Systemen in der Cloud und sparen insgesamt Zeit“,
sagt Rindisbacher.
 
IM SCHNELLDURCHLAUF DURCH DIE INSTANZEN
Drei Teams betreuen zwei Umgebungen, eine für die BKB und eine für ihre Tochter, die Bank Cler. Zwölf Datenbanken sind die Basis für den Aufbau verschiedener Stände als Quellen für die Klone. 14 Datenbanken stehen für die Entwickler als Klonquellen mit diversen Software- und Datenständen bereit. Hinzukommen 28 ständig laufende Entwicklungsinstanzen.
Vier Datenbanken dienen dem Integrationsroboter für die automatisierte Installation der frisch entwickelten Programme. Deutlich mehr Entwicklungsinstanzen als bisher und automatisierte Prozesse steigern die Produktivität der Teams. Softwarepakete werden automatisch auf einwandfreie Installierbarkeit in der Datenbank gecheckt.
Die bestehende Umgebung liess sich schnell und einfach in den Klonprozess integrieren. Als sehr hilfreich erwies sich die Unterstützung diverser Programmiersprachen im mitgelieferten Entwickler-Toolkit. Ein intern programmiertes WebGUI bietet den Entwicklern nach dem Self-Service-Prinzip zahlreiche Optionen, inklusive Provisionierung sowie Erstellen, Speichern und Verwerfen von Klonen.
„Mit der neuen Data Management Software haben wir eine voll funktionstüchtige Instanz in fünf Minuten statt erst nach sechs Stunden“,
so Rindisbacher.
„Jeder Entwickler hat seine eigene Datenbank und ist folglich unabhängiger von den Test- und Produktionssystemen in der Cloud. Das Teilen der Ressourcen mit den sehr rechenintensiven Test- und Abnahmesystemen hat sich erledigt. Es gibt daher keine Wartezeiten und die Performance ist überragend. Unsere Entwickler sind begeistert.“
Auch die Effizienz der Lösung ist beachtlich. Dank All-Flash-Technologie, effektiver Datenkompression und Klontechnologie genügen pro Bank 13 Terabyte physische Kapazität – obwohl 120 Terabyte alloziert sind. So werden im Vergleich mit konventioneller Technologie bis zu 90 Prozent des Storage-Bedarfs und die entsprechenden Kosten vermieden.
Das System agiert ähnlich einem Perpetuum Mobile, was der flüchtigen und sich immer wieder erneuernden Natur der Entwicklungsprozesse sehr entgegen kommt. Denn wichtig sind möglichst viele Versionen und Instanzen des aktuellen Software-Stands. Der effektive Speicherverbrauch ist mit 10-50 Gigabyte für einen Datenbank- Klon sehr gering.
 
DIGITAL IN DIE ZUKUNFT
BKB Mobile Banking via https://www.bkb.ch
Die weitere Digitalisierung des Bankgeschäfts der BKB baut auf myBKB. Künftig sollen sämtliche Basisfinanzdienstleistungen allen Kundensegmenten digital zur Verfügung stehen, mit freier Wahl des Kanals für die Bankgeschäfte.
Dass sämtliche Vertriebskanäle auf der technischen Ebene reibungslos ineinandergreifen, ist die Aufgabe des Entwicklungsteams.
Mit vollständig integrierten, digitalen Lösungen hat die BKB nicht nur den Komfort für die Kunden verbessert. Die Standardisierung und Automatisierung der zugrundeliegenden Prozesse trägt auch dazu bei, die Effizienz der betrieblichen Abläufe zu steigern.
„Unsere Software-Entwicklung an Tempo, Flexibilität und Produktivität gewonnen. Wir können die Markteinführung neuer digitaler Services verkürzen und unsere Kunden überall dort abholen, wo sie gerade sind“,
lautet die Bilanz von Dr. Michael Eisenrauch, Leiter Bereich Service Center und Mitglied der Geschäftsleitung bei der BKB.
LÖSUNGSKOMPONENTEN NETAPP PRODUKTE: AFF A300HA; Data ONTAP 9, Premium Flash Bundle, Manageability SDK, incl. ZExplore, Development Interface (ZEDI) UMGEBUNG: Avaloq, Linux, Oracle Database
„Unsere Software-Entwicklung hat an Tempo, Flexibilität und Produktivität gewonnen. Wir können die Markteinführung neuer digitaler Services verkürzen und unsere Kunden überall dort abholen, wo sie gerade sind.“
Dr. Michael Eisenrauch, Leiter Bereich Service Center und Mitglied der Geschäftsleitung, BKB
 
Die VORTEILE

Bis zu 90 % weniger Storage-Kapazität gegenüber konventioneller Technologie
Kostenoptimierung
Zwei Terabyte grosse Datenbank in fünf Minuten statt sechs Stunden dupliziert
Höhere Entwicklungsproduktivität
Schnellere Entwicklung von Banking-Produkten und Software
Flexible Unterstützung der Digitalisierungsstrategie
Zeitgemässe Abwicklung von Bankgeschäften durch Kunden

The post Digital First: Digitale Transformation bei der Basler Kantonalbank appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digital-first-digitale-transformation-bei-der-basler-kantonalbank</link><guid>338</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Basler_Kantonalbank-300x69.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Digital First: Digitale Transformation bei der Basler Kantonalbank</dc:text></item><item><title>Switzerland’s First ICO Code of Conduct</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss Crypto Valley Association who is supporting the development of blockchain and cryptographic related technologies and businesses, announced the launch of a Code of Conduct for Initial Coin Offerings.
It is intended that this framework will guide ICOs on proper conduct, taking into account all legal, moral, and security obligations. The ICO Code of Conduct is expected to bring clarity and confidence to the still new, rapidly-growing asset class.
Oliver Bussmann, President of Crypto Valley Association said:
“With the explosion of innovation surrounding blockchain and cryptocurrency technologies, it is unsurprising that organizations are leveraging similarly innovative financial instruments to raise capital.”
 
 
Among other points, the Code calls on all organizations running an ICO to be fully transparent about all details pertaining to the process. Importantly, these details should be disclosed in a manner that can be easily understood even by those that are not technologically sophisticated. This includes being clear about how funds raised are intended to be used and how the token will function, as well as providing a clear risk assessment for the underlying technology.
“The growth in popularity of decentralised applications and ecosystems, often launched as so-called ICOs, has caught the attention of regulators worldwide who want to be technology friendly, but also wish to understand the risks associated with the issuing, selling and transferring of tokens by clarifying their function, as well as their legal and tax status.
In addition, because of the rise in popularity of ICOs, new categories of contributors participate who are often unaware of the true nature of their investment, and the documentation published to accompany token launches often minimizes or ignores the associated risk,”
said Luka Müller, Chair of the Policy &amp; Regulatory Working Group of the CVA, which developed the draft Code along with a panel of experts.
Headquartered in the Swiss canton of Zug, Crypto Valley Association is the independent, government-supported association established to take full advantage of Switzerland’s strengths to build the world’s leading blockchain and cryptographic ecosystem, working with government to foster the development of pioneering digital technologies in Switzerland and internationally.
“The Crypto Valley Association fully supports innovation in the blockchain space. We believe that token sales represent an exciting, sound and innovative approach to raising investment capital. Therefore, we believe Switzerland should support this trend by developing clear, comprehensible, yet flexible regulation that clarifies the legal status of ICOs and the tokens generated,”
added Bussmann.
Along with the ICO-specific Code of Conduct, the document released today contains a general Code of Conduct for CVA members as well as the CVA’s vision and values. The Association  hopes the document will help frame the way its members engage with the industry, thereby protecting their own reputation and that of the CVA.
It is intended that upon joining the CVA, each member will acknowledge having read and understood the Code of Conduct and that it will conduct its business consistent with the values and principles outlined therein. The declaration will be reaffirmed on an annual basis, with each member being asked to confirm that they did not breach the Code. It is intended that those breaching the Code will face disciplinary action. The CVA is currently welcoming comments from members and the general public on the content of the Code of Conduct.
“The rapid development of token launches has raised concerns around stability and security, and as a leader in this field, it’s our responsibility to support the industry. The widespread adoption of this framework, combined with careful supportive regulation would bring stability to an exciting but uncertain trend in blockchain,”
concluded Bussmann.
 
Article first appeared on cryptovalley.swiss, Featured image via cryptovalley.swiss
The post Switzerland’s First ICO Code of Conduct appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/switzerlands-first-ico-code-of-conduct</link><guid>322</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/crypto-valley-300x59.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Switzerland’s First ICO Code of Conduct</dc:text></item><item><title>Lombard Odier Investment Managers completes its first Blockchain Bond Trade</title><description><![CDATA[The Insurance Linked Strategies (ILS) team at Lombard Odier Investment Managers  has completed its first bond transaction using blockchain, the immutable ledger for recording transactions.
The team’s purchase of catastrophe bonds is believed to be among the first secondary market transaction completed on blockchain.
The ILS team acquired the securities for the LO Insurance Linked Opportunities Fund via delivery-versus-payment (DVP) settlement from Solidum Partners, an investment advisory company specializing in insurance-linked securities. Solidum initially issued the bonds in August 2017 using a private blockchain to participants on an invitation-only basis. According to Solidum, the US$15 million Dom Re issuance is the first private catastrophe bond transaction to be settled this way.
Simon Vuille
Simon Vuille, Portfolio Manager, ILS team, Lombard Odier IM, said:
“Using blockchain markedly lowered the transaction costs relative to other DVP settlement methods where costs are prohibitive for transactions of this size. The technology mitigated counterparty risk and accelerated what would have been a partly manual settlement process, reducing what normally takes a few days to a matter of seconds. We hope that this blockchain transaction will be the first of many.”
 
Stéphane Rey
Stéphane Rey, Chief Technology Officer, Lombard Odier IM, added:
“We are always interested in new ways of working and implementing technology that delivers value to the business. Through this blockchain transaction, we have learned more about using the technology and the more practical aspects that needed to be handled, not least legal and compliance to name a few. We are very pleased with the end result.”
 
 
 
The post Lombard Odier Investment Managers completes its first Blockchain Bond Trade appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/lombard-odier-investment-managers-completes-its-first-blockchain-bond-trade</link><guid>321</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Lombard Odier Investment Managers completes its first Blockchain Bond Trade</dc:text></item><item><title>Lykke Switches Trading-Place to Centralized Model: Did Blockchain trading fail?</title><description><![CDATA[As cryptocurrencies gain popularity, scalability issues and high transaction fees have forced Swiss startup Lykke to switch from a semi-decentralized to a centralized operational mode.
The transition for Bitcoin trading wallets occurred in late-December 2017, while the transition for Ethereum trading wallets took place on January 03, 2017.
Lykke iOS mobile app
Lykke&#8217;s decision to breach its own promise of offering &#8220;the world&#8217;s first truly decentralized exchange&#8221; came following scalability challenges that have risen with the surge in cryptocurrency adoption and trading. This has caused mining fees and transaction times to skyrocket.
&#8220;Lykke is currently the only exchange to be semi-decentralized and to offer 0% commission to its users. Both of these are core to our philosophy, but right now our main priority is ensuring that Lykke Exchange is functional and accessible to everyone,&#8221; the company said in a blog post. &#8220;These considerations led us to decide to switch our exchange to a centralized model.&#8221;
Lykke paid 740&#8217;000 USD fees in Bitcoin in 1 month!
Since the Lykke Exchange was launched in June 2016, the company claims that Bitcoin transaction fees have increased by more than 24,000%. In the first weeks of December 2017 alone, Lykke had paid more than 45 BTC (around 740,000 USD) in fees for offchain settlement channels.
&#8220;This is a difficult choice for us, and we did not make it lightly. But we believe this temporary change will improve users’ trading experience while letting us plan our future,&#8221; Lykke said.
Despite the extreme transaction fees, the company said it managed to break even in 2017 &#8211; although it would have preferred to use this money to fund new features and products.
The Bitcoin scalability problem exists because of the practical limit on the maximum number of transactions the network can process. Currently, the network can process a maximum of seven transactions per second.
The one-megabyte limit per block has created a bottleneck in Bitcoin, resulting in increasing transaction fees and delayed processing of transactions that cannot be fit into a block. In December 2017, Bitcoin miner fees rose to above US$25 per transaction, making small payments uneconomical.
As for Ethereum, nobody really knows the limits of the platform but because of a hard-coded limit on computation per block the Ethereum blockchain currently supports roughly 15 transactions per second.
In contrast, Visa handles on average 2,000 transactions per second with a daily peak of 4,000 transactions per second. Visa has a peak capacity of 56,000 transactions per second. Paypal handles on average 10 million transactions per day for an average of 115 transactions per second.
 
Featured image: Bitcoin, Pixabay.
The post Lykke Switches Trading-Place to Centralized Model: Did Blockchain trading fail? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/lykke-switches-trading-place-to-centralized-model-did-blockchain-trading-fail</link><guid>320</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Lykke Switches Trading-Place to Centralized Model: Did Blockchain trading fail?</dc:text></item><item><title>German FinTech Overview and Map 2018</title><description><![CDATA[German Fintech Overview and Map 2018 and link collection provided by our German blogging friends from paymentbanking.

German FinTech Overview Link collection:
Payment
https://www.sumup.de
https://www.izettle.com/de
http://www.go4q.mobi
http://www.ipayst.com/de/
http://www.kesh.de (nur noch bis 30.11)
https://www.mercedes-pay.com/
SQWallet
http://www.payworksmobile.com
https://www.billpay.de
https://www.laterpay.net
http://www.paywithatweet.com
https://www.payorshare.de
https://www.paylax.de
http://www.optiopay.com/de/
https://www.spendit.de
https://payment.billingmaker.com/
http://www.dimoco.at
https://www.transferwise.com/de
https://www.circle.com/de 
https://www.easycarpay.com
Bitcoins
https://www.bitbond.com
https://www.bitcoin.de
https://www.satoshipay.io
https://www.draglet.com/en
www.coinify.com (Acquisition)
http://www.dogecoin.com
https://www.pey.de
https://www.coinsnap.eu/de/public/
https://www.btcexpress.net/DE
https://www.cointed.com/
E-Commerce
https://www.paymill.com/de = http://klikandpay.com/de/ (Acquistion)
https://www.barzahlen.de/de/
https://www.ratepay.com
https://www.payever.de
https://www.betterpayment.de
http://www.allpago.com
https://www.sepaone.com
http://www.fashioncheque.com/de/
http://klikandpay.com/de/
http.//getgrover.con/de-de
 Accounting
https://www.smoice.com
http://www.billomat.com
https://www.weclapp.com/de/
https://www.debitoor.de
Pactas = https://www.billwerk.com (Rebranding)
https://www.fastbill.com/
https://www.zeitgold.com
http://www.smacc.io
https://www.albuswhite.com
http://www.candis.io/de/
http://www.isaac10.com (Insolvency)
http://www.monsum.com (Rebranding)
https://www.salesking.eu/
Factoring / Collection
https://www.billfront.com
http://www.rechnung48.de
https://www.pagido.de
https://www.decimo.de
https://www.ecollect.de
https://www.flexpayment.de
https://www.pairfinance.com
http://www.trustbills.com
https://www.collect.ai/
https://www.innolend.de/ 
http://www.factoringbörse.de
https://www.fundflow.de/
https://www.bezahlt.de/
https://www.bilendo.de/
Donations
https://www.elefunds.de/start/
http://www.twingle.de
http://www.helpingcents.info
http://www.fundraisingbox.com
http://www.altruja.de
Order/Cash
https://www.orderbird.com/de/
http://www.9cookies.com/de/
http://www.gastrofix.com/de/
http://www.roc-kasse.de
https://www.quandoo.de
http://www.qnips.com
https://www.gastronovi.de
https://www.inventorum.com/de/
https://www.mobilabsolutions.com
Credit
www.compeon.de
https://www.kreditech.com
https://www.auxmoney.com
https://www.bankless24.de/de
https://www.smava.de
https://www.lendico.de
https://www.vexcash.com
https://www.companisto.com/de/
https://www.seedmatch.de
https://www.fundingcircle.com/de/ (Acquisition)
https://www.giromatch.com
https://www.spotcap.com
https://www.ferratumgroup.com/de
https://www.finanzcheck.de
https://www.ipfand.de
https://www.valendo.de
https://www.debitos.de
https://www.fundsters.de
http://www.crxmarkets.com/de/
https://www.crosslend.com
https://www.kapilendo.de
https://www.creditshelf.com
https://www.compeon.de/
http://www.tradi.co
Banking
http://www.traxpay.com
http://www.mambu.com
https://www.fidor.de
https://n26.com/
http://www.ementexx.com
https://www.tullius-walden.com
https://www.mamooble.com
https://www.holvi.com/de/
http://www.finreach.de
http://www.fino.digital
http://www.bancalis.de
https://www.tis.biz
http://www.bringcashnow.com
https://www.baningo.com
http://www.dwins.de
http://www.treasuryview.com
http://www.compraga.de
http://www.getpenta.com
https://www.uphold.com/
https://www.kontist.com/
https://de.getzuper.com
Tools
https://www.gini.net
https://www.xpenditure.com/de/
https://edgewonk.com/
https://www.finleap.com
PFM
https://www.kontoalarm.de
https://www.centralway.com/de/
http://www.qontis.ch
http://www.myfeelix.de
https://www.moneygarden.de
https://www.treefin.com
https://www.rentablo.de/
API Banking
https://www.figo.io
https://www.fidor.com  (Rebranding)
http://www.openbankproject.com
https://www.fintecsystems.com
http://www.ebicsbox.com
http://www.finapi.io
https://www.solarisbank.de
https://banksapi.de/
https://nextdigitalbanking.com
https://www.yukkalab.com/
Savings
https://www.yukkalab.de (Rebranding)
https://www.vaamo.de
https://www.bergfuerst.com
https://www.moneymeets.com/
https://www.stockpulse.de/de/
https://www.wikifolio.com/de/de/home
https://www.voola.de
https://www.sharewise.com/de/
https://www.quirion.de
http://www.ayondo.com/de/home
https://www.liqid.de/de (Acquisition)
http://www.modelogiq.com
https://www.bettervest.com/home
comonea = Deposit Solutions https://www.comonea.de (Rebranding)
https://www.zinspilot.de/
https://www.weltsparen.de
https://www.easyfolio.de
https://www.twindepot.de
https://www.united-signals.com
https://www.fairr.de
https://www.justetf.com/de/
http://www.boersenampel.com
https://www.truewealth.ch
https://www.savedo.de
https://www.fintura.de
https://www.ginmon.de
http://www.damantis.com
https://www.greenxmoney.com
http://www.minveo.de
https://www.smartdepot.de
http://www.anyonecan.de
https://www.simplefinance.de
https://www.liqid.de/de
https://www.swipestox.com/de/
https://www.scalable.capital
https://www.swanest.com
https://www.guidants.com
http://www.niiio.de
https://www.toptradeapp.com
https://www.savedroid.de
https://www.venture.kapilendo.de (Acqusition)
http://www.wertios.com
https://www.finatra.de/start/
https://www.whitebox.eu
https://www.investify.de
http://www.clincapp.com
https://www.ir-system.com
http://www.aktienassistent.de
https://www.nextmarkets.com/de/home
https://www.growney.de/
https://www.zinsgold.de/
https://www.visualvest.de/ 
https://www.fintego.de/
https://www.werthstein.com/ 
https://elinvar.de/
Ident
https://www.idnow.de/
https://www.webid-solutions.de
https://www.liveident.com
https://www.verify-U AG.de
https://www.identity.tm (Acquisition)
https://www.authada.de
P2P
https://www.lendstar.io
https://www.cringle.net
https://www.cashcloud.com/de/
https://www.number26.eu (Rebranding)
https://www.payfriendz.com
https://www.kittysplit.com/de/
http://www.tabbt.com
https://www.azimo.com/de/
https://www.payza.com
https://www.elopay.com/
http://www.colleqt.com
Insurance
https://www.schutzklick.de
https://www.friendsurance.de
https://www.appsichern.de
https://www.onlineversicherung.de
https://www.finanzchef24.de
https://www.vertragium.de
http://www.safeme.hamburg
https://www.passt24.de
https://www.knip.ch
https://www.virado.de
https://www.getsafe.de
https://www.communitylife.de/de/
https://www.yoursurance.de
https://www.clark.de/de
https://www.kasko.io
http://www.massup.de
https://www.asuro.de
https://www.wefox.de
https://www.ted-versicherung.de/
http://www.finanzritter.com
http://www.versicherix.ch
http://www.fanage.de/
http://www.mypension.de
https://getsurance.de
https://prio-app.de/ 
http://www.simplr.de/ 
http://www.schadenhelfer.de/
https://haftpflichthelden.de/ 
https://www.fin-klick.de/ 
http://www.myfeelix.de/ 
https://www.covomo.de/ 
http://www.allesmeins.de/
https://mylucy.com/ 
https://etherisc.com/
Immo
Imcheck24 = https://www.maklaro.de (Rebranding)
https://www.zinsland.de
https://www.brickvest.com/en/
https://www.exporo.de
http://www.deutsche-kautionspartner.de/
https://www.ifunded.de
https://www.zinsbaustein.de 
https://www.mezzany.com/ 
https://www.fundernation.eu/ 
https://www.homerocket.com/ 
https://www.immorocks.com 
https://www.groupestate.de/ 
https://www.ev-capital.de/
Risk/Rating
http://www.bonify.de
https://www.scorekompass.de
The post German FinTech Overview and Map 2018 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/german-fintech-overview-and-map-2018</link><guid>319</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/german-fintech-overview.png</dc:content ><dc:text>German FinTech Overview and Map 2018</dc:text></item><item><title>10 Insurtech Game Changers</title><description><![CDATA[Insurtechs enable insurance carriers to innovate much faster than they do today. Their innovative solutions dramatically improve the primary process of insurance carriers; they take away the frictions that customers experience when dealing with an insurance firm.
We believe that connecting insurance executives with insurtech leaders will increase the relevancy of insurers. It will close the gap between what customers expect and insurers offer.
New digital technologies also result in dropping market entry barriers and allow the emergence of new business models. This article features ten insurtechs that look beyond the current frictions and the current primary process. They understand the impact of new technologies on customer behavior and turned these insights into fresh ideas for intuitive concepts in an organizational set-up that lives and breathes innovation.
We believe that the business models these ten introduce are potential game changers. They challenge the conventions of the industry, they inspire incumbents to think beyond the obvious. And by the way, most are more than willing to cooperate with established players.
10. Abracar: professional agent for consumer-to-consumer car sales, not for insurance.

Abracar was developed in 2016 as part of the Accelerator program of Allianz X and is the first spin-off of the incubator. The startup is Germany’s first professional car broker. They help car consumers to sell their car at the highest price without any effort. Abracar takes care of all steps of the selling process starting by creating a professional expert’s report, over 50 pictures, writing an attractive listing, filtering the potential buyers, negotiating the final price and preparing the contract.
The car buyer benefits from the expert’s report, an Allianz warranty, financing solutions and competent consulting. According to Abracar, 84.6 billion euros was spent on used cars last year making this a lucrative market where more and more online car dealers and brokers are doing business. Some examples, include: Mobile.de and wirkaufendeinauto.de. Contrary to other commission based business models, Abracar does not earn money until the car is actually sold–a 4% percent commission is charged to the seller in the event of a successful sale. There are minimum and maximum charges of 399 and 999 euros.
Read more, click here.
Check demo here.
9. VitalHealth: improves health care and reduces costs at the same time.

VitalHealth Software offers solutions to insurers who want to have real impact and solve real problems rather than just paying out claims. VitalHealth Software develops cloud-based eHealth solutions in particular for people with chronic diseases such as Diabetes, Cancer, COPD, Depression and Alzheimer&#8217;s. The impact of VitalHealth software is huge since chronic diseases account for the majority of healthcare costs; approximately 80% of the total costs of healthcare, because worldwide there are more than 2 billion people affected by a chronic disease.  VitalHealth serves a variety of providers in health networks like insurance companies, hospitals, behavioural health and partner networks.
The company is well on its way to improve the health of 10 million people by the end of 2016. Their eHealth solutions are already used in the United States, Argentina, China, Spain, France, Germany, India, the Netherlands and Belgium. Often in close cooperation with insurers that are looking to improve care as well as reduce costs at the same time.
Read more, click here.
8. Tribe: peer2peer insurance that leverages social networks to reduce risk and distribution cost.

Norwegian startup Tribe is also called the Tinder for insurance customers. Tribe makes simple and fair insurance solutions for responsible people and their friends by using their social network. Tribe’s insurance proposition is based on social mechanisms, the sharing economy and claims to give customers up to 50% discounts on their existing insurance, given that the customer and his or her friends and family stay claim-free.
Insurance customers know far more about good and bad risks in their social network than the traditional insurance companies do. Through using social networks Tribe is able to dramatically reduce risk and distribution cost. The concept especially appeals to young people who already have good online experience. In the past, social insurance concepts were based on the fact that users themselves carry the full risk of so-called personal-to-person insurance. Tribe instead rely on the company to move the risk further by signing insurance through the UK Lloyd system &#8211; almost a Finn.no for insurance.
Read more, click here.
7. Kevinsured: blockchain powered chatbot insurance for sharing economy.

Online peer-to-peer transactions are growing exponentially, an extremely attractive market, untapped by insurance. Kevin, Traity’s new chatbot, provides micro-insurance for online P2P transactions. Created in collaboration with Australia’s financial services conglomerate, Suncorp, Kevin protects buyers on online marketplaces such as Gumtree, Facebook and Craigslist. From buying football tickets to renting a bicycle, Kevin insures any P2P transactions against theft, fraud, scams, etc. Anything. Millions of transactions happen between strangers every day. Most of them work out really well, but the small percentage of scams make people fear strangers. Kevin brings trust to people buying, selling and renting from one another, Kevin &#8220;insures the use of internet&#8221;.
Read more, click here.
6. Qover: unlocks the insurance business for any other kind of business.

Many insurers fear competition from other sectors; e.g. retailers, automotive, fmcg and durables brands. And they should. Belgium startup Qover introduced the first ever B2B2C Sliced On-Demand Digital Insurance Infrastructure. Qover’s unique digital library of coverage will soon allow consumer businesses all over Europe to increase their revenues by adding complementary insurance solutions to their product offering, at the point of purchase. All they need is a web-based platform, app or website. They digitally manage the whole stack of insurance; product design, pricing and risk. Claims are settled by a professional independent administrator.
Basically Qover acts as an insurance wholesaler offering &#8220;Insurance As-A-Service&#8221; to digital business partners, the B2B2C business model. The customer receives a price in real time and can immediately purchase an insurance contract which is digitally and instantly issued. Qover also innovates in insurance products, offering &#8220;Sliced On-Demand coverage&#8221; alongside traditional coverage. Cutting conventional products into more targeted by-products and varies the duration of coverage on demand from one day to one year.
Read more, click here.
If you’re interested in on-demand insurance check out our interview with Scott Walchek, the CEO of Trov.
5. Sherpa: a trusted personal guide.

Sherpa is a trusted guide, someone to do all the searching, paperwork and drudgery. Using the consumer’s own data for their benefit. Instilling confidence that consumers have the right insurance at the best price, automatically. Sherpa doesn’t use fear or price to pressure consumers to buy, but rather data and actuarial science to empower the customer to understand what they need. Based on this information Sherpa creates a fully encompassing personal protection package for that customer.
The package is unique, as all customers are unique. They monitor their customers through a series of APIs. Sherpa looks at how their lifestyle, household, career, family, financials, health and travels change and how that change impacts the consumer risks. Protection changes based on this data. Lastly, Sherpa doesn’t take commissions, but rather forfeit them to assure their interests are aligned with their customers. Sherpa is what insurance looks like when it isn’t run by insurance companies.
Read more, click here.
Check demo here.
4. PolicyPal: AI chatbot personal insurance manager.

PolicyPal, based in Singapore is Asia’s first independent app that uses artificial intelligence to simplify and digitize insurance. Users can manage and optimize policies through the AI chatbot and PolicyPal offers personalized recommendations on insurance policies, enabling users to get new protection on the go. The mobile app gives users a convenient digital folder of their policies from different insurers. Users are also able to buy policies through the app.
It allows users to speak with &#8216;Kate&#8217;, PolicyPal&#8217;s digital insurance manager, to know their protection needs before purchasing coverage. The idea came after Val Ji-Hsuan Yap, the CEO, saw her mother’s insurance application rejected. Val’s mom was diagnosed with cancer at the time. She has recovered but the insurance company refused to pay up because the family had missed a couple of payments.
That was just because of sheer forgetfulness. The same year, Val’s father passed away due to a sudden heart attack. The future CEO was unaware of how much insurance he had and needed to visit all the insurer branch offices to find out. That’s when Val saw the need to assist others like her family to manage and track insurance coverage.
Read more, click here.
3. Ladder: instant life coverage online or via mobile in minutes.
Who said life insurance is too complex to offer direct online? DIAmond Award 2017 winner Californian-based Ladder is life insurance built to be instant, simple and smart. They offer direct-to-consumer, term life insurance online. They do not charge fees, and do not employ commissioned sales agents. They allow users to get a quote and apply for instant life coverage online or via mobile in a matter of minutes, with policies that range from $100,000 to $8 million, and from 10 to 30 years. Ladder is for people who value a streamlined process.
Read more, click here.
2. Jamii: micro-health-insurance for underserved low income families.

Jamii Africa is a micro-insurance health startup that provides health insurance targeted at Tanzania’s low income population through their mobile phones. Jamii launched in January 2015 and has built a mobile policy management platform that performs all the administration activities of an insurer, and allows users to access cheap insurance via USSD, starting at $1 per month.
The low income population of Tanzania, 47 million people in total, earns less than $70 a month. For them, income is also dynamic and savings is a luxury. This population ends up facing high rate of maternal deaths, home births and deaths from curable diseases. Jamii comes as the much needed solution to this ignored population. Their mobile technology performs all the administration activities of the insurer. Jamii is matched in strategic partnership with Jubilee Insurance and Vodacom. This helps cut insurance administration cost by 95% and they can offer a health insurance product for as little as $1 a month.
Read more, click here.
If you’re interested in micro-insurance you probably also like the BIMA story.
Read more, click here.
1.SituatiVe: event based insurance for millennials.

Millennials are so difficult to reach out to for established insurers, resulting in low penetration figures in the target audience of the future. SituatiVe taps into the four key millennial trends to strike the right chord: on-demand, don’t lock consumers into a lengthy contract, provide unbundled convenience and if wanted, an agent is optional. The company offers event-based insurance granting consumers hassle free and digital risk transfer at the point of demand, when and where exposed to risk.
The startup uses their own brands for live testing of products and distribution while emphasizing the reduction of customer acquisition costs. In addition, they provide full-service infrastructure and product development as-a-service for insurers and intermediaries to launch, sell and manage new insurance offerings in a fast and customer centric way.
Read more, click here.
 
This article first appeared on digitalinsuranceagenda.com
The post 10 Insurtech Game Changers appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/10-insurtech-game-changers</link><guid>314</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/170825-Abracar-300x183.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>10 Insurtech Game Changers</dc:text></item><item><title>Unsinns-Studie: Jeder zehnte Schweizer möchte 2018 in Bitcoin und Cryptos investieren</title><description><![CDATA[Neun Prozent der Befragten haben bereits Bitcoins oder andere Kryptowährungen gekauft. Weitere elf Prozent gaben an, im kommenden Jahr darin investieren zu wollen. Dabei rechnen nur gerade acht Prozent dieser zweiten Gruppe effektiv mit Kursgewinnen; 92 Prozent möchte das Investment in Kryptogeld im kommenden Jahr einfach einmal ausprobieren.
Vor allem Junge und Männer aufgeschlossen
Bitcoin | image via pixabay
Es ist vor allem die junge Generation, die im kommenden Jahr Kryptowährungen kaufen möchte. Jeder fünfte unter 36-Jährige hat Pläne in diese Richtung. Je älter die Befragten, desto höher die Skepsis hinsichtlich eines Investments in digitale Währungen. Bei den über 55-Jährigen sind es nur noch gerade fünf Prozent, die 2018 Bitcoins &amp; Co. erwerben möchte, bei den 36-55-Jährigen immerhin noch zehn Prozent.
Auffällig ist auch der Geschlechterunterscheid: Bei den Männern liegt der Anteil derjenigen, die im kommenden Jahr Kaufabsichten haben, bei 15 Prozent, bei den Frauen sind es acht Prozent. Diese Diskrepanz zeigt sich auch bei der Frage, ob bereits in Bitcoins oder andere digitale Währungen investiert wurde. So haben bereits 13 Prozent der Männer Kryptowährungen gekauft; bei den Frauen sind es lediglich fünf Prozent.
Die Umfrageresultate legen den Schluss nahe, dass weder Herkunft (Sprachregion) noch Bildungsniveau einen signifikanten Einfluss auf die Kaufabsicht haben.
 
Methodik
Die Befragung wurde im Dezember 2017 vom Marktforschungsinstitut Innofact AG im Auftrag von comparis.ch bei 1’034 Personen in allen Regionen der Schweiz durchgeführt und wurde bevölkerungs-repräsentativ nach Geschlecht, Alter und Wohnregion quotiert. Befragt wurden Internetnutzer von 18 bis 74 Jahren in der Schweiz.
 
Article first appeared on comparis.ch, Featured image via pexels.com
The post Unsinns-Studie: Jeder zehnte Schweizer möchte 2018 in Bitcoin und Cryptos investieren appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/unsinns-studie-jeder-zehnte-schweizer-mochte-2018-in-bitcoin-und-cryptos-investieren</link><guid>315</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Unsinns-Studie: Jeder zehnte Schweizer möchte 2018 in Bitcoin und Cryptos investieren</dc:text></item><item><title>Statement Concerning The Tezos Crowd Contribution And The Tezos Foundation</title><description><![CDATA[In recent weeks there have been reports in various media outlets and publications of differences of opinion and governance issues in regards to the Tezos Foundation internally as well as its founders.
Due to this, many of our clients and concerned contributors, participators and stakeholders from the Tezos Crowd Contribution have asked us to make a public statement on the topic.
Bitcoin Suisse AG (BTCSAG) acted as a crypto-financial service provider and intermediary in connection with the Tezos Crowd Contribution earlier this year, providing services to both individual contributors as well as the Tezos Foundation itself. Since the conclusion of the Crowd Contribution, BTCSAG has continued to provide crypto-financial services to the Tezos Foundation, including acting as a mandatory co-signatory on all crypto-asset transactions.
The terms for contribution in the Tezos Crowd Contribution (document: ‘Tezos Contribution and XTZ Allocation Terms and Explanatory Notes’) to which each contributor agreed in order to participate in the Crowd Contribution, specified that refunds post-contribution and after the close of crowd contribution would not be possible, due to both regulatory reasons as well as practical reasons.
For any potential change in this policy we refer to the Tezos Foundation as BTCSAG in its role as a crypto-financial service provider and intermediary is not part of the agreement between contributors and the Tezos Foundation, except on points which fall under the framework agreement for participation through BTCSAG.
It is not the place of BTCSAG to comment on matters internal the Tezos organization. All such questions should be answered by the Tezos Foundation. Instead we refer to the framework contract for participating in the Tezos Crowd Contribution through BTCSAG which every contributor accepted during the Crowd Contribution when onboarding through BTCSAG, as well as the Terms for participation in the Crowd Contribution from the side of the Tezos Foundation, mentioned above.
From the side of BTCSAG, we made it perfectly clear that Contribution towards the project was to be considered a highly risky proposition, even underlining this fact.
BTCSAG will naturally stand by its commitments towards all of our clients which were contributors in the Tezos Crowd Sale as well as the Tezos Foundation itself.
BTCSAG is currently not aware of any evidence that Contributor funds have been mismanaged, lost or are put at risk by the Tezos Foundation nor any party involved in the project.
BTCSAG also states that to the best of our knowledge, Ether (ETH) held by the Tezos Foundation, are unaffected from the recent issues regarding Parity multi-signature wallets.
We consider it likely that the Tezos project will suffer delays as a result of the internal differences. Nevertheless the crypto assets which were collected through the Crowd Contribution, while to a minor extent hedged/liquidated against various fiat currencies at this stage, for the most part are still being held by the Tezos Foundation with BTCSAG acting as a mandatory co-signatory service provider. As previously stated, to our current knowledge, no funds have been lost, mismanaged, stolen – nor would it seem they are at risk hereof.
Thus from the best of our knowledge, the Tezos Foundation remains one of the most well funded blockchain projects in the history of decentralized services, its current internal issues and disagreements notwithstanding.
 
This article first appeared on bitcoinsuisse.ch
 
The post Statement Concerning The Tezos Crowd Contribution And The Tezos Foundation appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/statement-concerning-the-tezos-crowd-contribution-and-the-tezos-foundation</link><guid>316</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Statement Concerning The Tezos Crowd Contribution And The Tezos Foundation</dc:text></item><item><title>Was die Old Economy von Startups lernt</title><description><![CDATA[Im Zuge des digitalen Wandels sehen sich traditionelle Unternehmen mit einer völlig neuen Konkurrenz konfrontiert: Nicht mehr nur die bisherigen Wettbewerber, sondern branchenfremde Player wie die grossen Tech-Konzerne aus dem Silicon Valley und junge Startups greifen die etablierten Unternehmen der Old Economy disruptiv in ihrem Geschäftsmodell an.
Was die Medienbranche bereits schmerzlich erfahren musste, droht auch anderen Branchen und Industrien. Beispiele wie Uber, Airbnb und Netflix zeigen eindrucksvoll, wie Startups durch intuitive digitale Services die Schnittstelle zum Kunden besetzen und damit bestehende Geschäftsmodelle obsolet machen. Und: nicht nur im Silicon Valley entstehen solche Player – auch in unseren Breitengraden gibt es mit Zalando, Thermondo oder Delivery Hero zahlreiche Beispiele schnell wachsender Startups.

Schnelles Scheitern statt Perfektionismus
Die jungen Digitalunternehmen operieren dabei nach einer völlig anderen Logik. Ideen und Produkte werden mit grosser Geschwindigkeit und 100-prozentiger Nutzerzentrierung entwickelt und getestet. Mithilfe von Innovationsmethoden wie Lean Startup und Design Thinking werden digitale Geschäftsmodelle von Beginn an, also bereits als erste, noch unausgereifte Prototypen, unter realen Bedingungen validiert.
Nach dem Prinzip „fail fast and cheap“ wird auf diese Weise sehr früh deutlich, welche Idee Potenzial hat &#8211; und welche eben nicht. Diese agile Form des Entwickelns und Testens kombiniert mit einer radikal unternehmerischen Herangehensweise und weitreichendem Digital-Know-how verschafft den grossen Tech-Konzernen wie Google, Apple und Co. und jungen Startups entscheidende Vorteile gegenüber traditionellen Unternehmen.
Letztere verharren oft noch immer in ihren althergebrachten Prozessen und Strukturen. Produkte und Dienstleistungen werden bis zur Perfektion entwickelt, ehe sie auf den Markt gebracht werden. Das kostet nicht nur viel Zeit, sondern – falls der Markt die Idee nicht annimmt – auch sehr viel Geld. Unternehmen müssen sich bewusstmachen, dass die Digitalisierung sämtliche Unternehmensbereiche betrifft und bisherige Arbeitsweisen fundamental verändert.
Deshalb reicht es nicht aus, nur einzelne Elemente eines Produkts oder eines Prozesses zu modifizieren. Es braucht eine entscheidende Veränderung im Mindset: Digitalisierung macht aus, Bestehendes in Frage zu stellen und nach radikalen Lösungsansätzen zu suchen.
Doch auch wenn Unternehmen die Bedeutung und Tragweite des digitalen Wandels mittlerweile erkannt haben, bleibt die Frage nach der Umsetzung. Wie starte ich in die digitale Transformation? Was sind die Erfolgsfaktoren und Stolpersteine in der unternehmerischen Praxis? Wie gelingt es, sich die Stärken der digitalen Player zu eigen zu machen und mit den bestehenden Assets zu verbinden?
Raus aus der Kernorganisation
Die zentrale Herausforderung für etablierte Unternehmen besteht darin, das bestehende Kerngeschäft weiterhin erfolgreich voranzutreiben und dabei gleichzeitig das Geschäft der Zukunft zu entwickeln, Innovation ja sogar Disruption zu ermöglichen. Dabei stellt die digitale Transformation bei Weitem nicht nur eine technologische Herausforderung dar, sondern auch einen weitreichenden kulturellen Change-Prozess.
Es sind vor allem die bestehenden Strukturen und Prozesse im Unternehmen, die Digitalprojekte lähmen und schnelle Innovation unmöglich machen. Hinzu kommt die natürliche Skepsis gegenüber Veränderungen. Die Digitalisierung wird in der Belegschaft allzu häufig als Bedrohung denn als Chance wahrgenommen.
Wie lautet die Lösung? Raus aus der Kernorganisation! Innerhalb einer eigenständigen Digital-Einheit können neue digitale Ideen im „geschützten Raum“ – fernab der hemmenden Strukturen und Routinen der Gesamtorganisation – entwickelt und getestet werden. Innerhalb dieses Raumes, der als eigene Einheit nah am Unternehmen aufgebaut oder als eigenständige Digitaleinheit standortunabhängig ausgegründet werden kann, bietet sich die Möglichkeit, Dinge von Grund auf neu zu denken, mit Ideen auch zu scheitern und innerhalb kurzer Zeit prototypisch digitale Geschäftsmodelle zu schaffen.
Dabei ist es nicht das Ziel, perfekte Produkte zu entwickeln. Es geht um die schnelle und agile Umsetzung von Innovationen, nah am Kunden und seinen Bedürfnissen. Scheitern ist dabei nicht nur erlaubt, sondern notwendig, um aus den Fehlern zu lernen. Auf diese Weise können in der Digital-Einheit innerhalb weniger Wochen neue digitale Produkte entstehen, die sich als marktfähig erweisen.
Ohne den CEO geht es nicht
Ideen, die sich „im Kleinen“ als erfolgreich herausgestellt haben, können dann aktiv genutzt werden, um die digitale Transformation auch in der Kernorganisation voranzutreiben. Mithilfe von Weiterbildungen und Workshops gilt es, das Knowhow der Digital-Einheit ins Gesamtunternehmen zu tragen, Mitarbeitern neue Tools und Innovationsmethoden nahe zu bringen und so Verständnis, im Idealfall sogar Begeisterung für die Digitalisierung zu wecken. Klar ist aber, dass so gravierende Veränderungen, wie sie die Digitalisierung erforderlich macht, nur mit der vollen Rückendeckung des CEOs gelingen kennen. Ist der CEO oder der Inhaber nicht Treiber des Digitalisierungsprozesses, wird der tiefgreifende Wandel nicht gelingen.
Autor: Mario Fäh, Geschäftsführer, etventure Schweiz
 
Dieser Artikel erschien zuerst auf pressebox.de
 
The post Was die Old Economy von Startups lernt appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/was-die-old-economy-von-startups-lernt</link><guid>317</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Blog-etventure.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Was die Old Economy von Startups lernt</dc:text></item><item><title>LiveEdu ICO – Future Technologies and Topics in the LiveEdu Ecosystem</title><description><![CDATA[LiveEdu is a decentralized learning ecosystem that teaches people how to build complete products in future technological fields. They are building the YouTube for online education. You can also describe their ecosystem as the next-generation Lynda.com. Unlike existing online education platforms, LiveEdu is not focused on beginners, but mainly intermediates to experts.
People learn on LiveEdu by watching how peers build real projects and can also download all project resources and files. The new LiveEdu platform is set to launch in 2018 and will start with eight main topics which encompasses several subcategories: Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Game Development, Data Science, Cryptocurrencies, Programming, Design, and Augmented and Virtual Reality. Project creators in the LiveEdu ecosystem will build 10,000 projects for these topics.
The LiveEdu public sale starts from Jan 15th, 2018 — Feb 10, 2018. Education (EDU) tokens can be purchased directly using ether (ETH), bitcoins (BTC) and other cryptocurrencies (via Shapeshift). Bonus starts from 20%.
 
Artificial Intelligence
The LiveEdu Artificial Intelligence topic explores the ability of a digital data processor or information processing system-controlled robot to perform tasks commonly associated with intelligent living beings. It is comprised of the following subcategories: Computer Vision, Natural Language Processing, Machine Learning, Robotics, and Self-driving car.
 
Cybersecurity
The LiveEdu’s Cybersecurity topic illuminates why information is constantly at a risk of being exploited and securing data. The subcategories are: Ethical Hacking, Mobile Security, Malware‎/Ransomware protection, Internet of Things Security, Cybercrime and Information Warfare.
 
Game Development
The LiveEdu Game Development topic facilitates the emergence of new technologies to make it possible to develop better and more powerful games. LiveEdu holistically improves game development in the following subcategories of GameDev, Unity, Love2D, Unreal Engine and GameMaker.
 
Data Science
The LiveEdu Data Science topic has a multidisciplinary blend of data inference, algorithm development, and technology in order to solve analytical complex problems. Within this topic they have subcategories of Data Visualization, Data Mining, Data Analytics, Text Processing, Wolfram, Data Warehouse and Big Data.
 
Cryptocurrencies
Under the LiveEdu Cryptocurrency topic we delve into the greatest revolution in the finance industry in the last millennium. The subcategories are Cryptocurrency Basics, Ethereum, Security and Hacking, Blockchain Mining, BitCoin, and ICOs.
 
Programming
 
The topic programming in the LiveEdu ecosystem covers over 100 programming languages and frameworks such as PHP, JavaScript, C-C++, Java, HTML-CSS, C#-.NET, React.js, Python, Django, C++, and Node.js.
 
Design
The LiveEdu Design topic is focused on a specific problem in human experience and endeavoring to improve said experience. It comprises the following subcategories, Art and Illustration, Mobile App Design, Logo design, Web App Design, and UX design.
 
Virtual and Augmented Reality
The LiveEdu Virtual and Augmented Reality topic hurtles you into the great beyond and boldly goes where no other online education has taken VR &amp; AR. It covers the subcategories of VR Games, Desktop and Console VR, Augmented reality and Mobile VR.
ICO investors will have voting rights for every key decision in the ecosystem which includes advising which new topics or product features are to be added.
 
Featured image via https://www.facebook.com/liveedutvlive
 
Disclaimer: this is an article written by LiveEdu. Fintechnews does not endorse and is not responsible for or liable for any content, accuracy, quality, advertising, products or other materials on this page. Readers should do their own research before taking any actions related to the company. Fintechnews is not responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in the press release.
Please note this is no investment advice.
The post LiveEdu ICO &#8211; Future Technologies and Topics in the LiveEdu Ecosystem appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/liveedu-ico-future-technologies-and-topics-in-the-liveedu-ecosystem</link><guid>318</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Artificial-Intelligence.png</dc:content ><dc:text>LiveEdu ICO – Future Technologies and Topics in the LiveEdu Ecosystem</dc:text></item><item><title>Allianz Suisse Lanciert ETF-Basierte Anlagelösung Für Private (ELVIA Einvest)</title><description><![CDATA[Im Niedrigzinsumfeld gewinnen passive Anlageinstrumente an Beliebtheit.
Im Vergleich zu aktiv verwalteten Anlagen bieten sie Renditevorteile durch ihre günstige Gebührenstruktur. Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) sind eine attraktive Kapitalanlage für langfristig orientierte Privatanleger u.a. im Hinblick auf die private Altersvorsorge oder den Immobilienerwerb.
Mit ELVIA eInvest schafft die Allianz Suisse die Möglichkeit, in diese Instrumente zu investieren und dies mit einem voll digitalen und sehr kostengünstigen Abschluss- und Verwaltungsprozess.

Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) stellen eine attraktive Investitionsmöglichkeit dar. Diese haben 2016 weltweit mehr als 375 Milliarden Dollar Neugelder angezogen und finden auch in der Schweiz starken Anklang. Die Allianz Suisse nimmt diesen Trend auf und bietet über ihre Tochtergesellschaft ELVIA eInvest für alle Privatanleger eine voll digitalisierte Anlagelösung in ETFs an.
Die Produkte von ELVIA eInvest werden ausschliesslich online über invest.elvia.ch vertrieben.Die jährliche Verwaltungsgebühr beträgt nur 0,55 Prozent des durchschnittlichen Depotwerts. Sie umfasst die Depotgebühr und alle Handelskommissionen sowie neben Ein- und Auszahlungen auch allfällige Portfolioumschichtungen.
Auch die ETF-Produktkosten von durchschnittlich 0,25 Prozent pro Jahr liegen weit unter herkömmlichen Anlagefonds. Es gibt keine Ausgabeaufschläge oder Retrozessionen.

Klaus Thaler
„Damit haben wir aktuell eines der kostengünstigsten und transparentesten Angebote im Schweizer Markt. Gerade für Privatanlegerinnen und -anleger sind die Gebühren bei ihren Investitionsentscheiden ein wichtiges Argument. Bei einem langen Anlagehorizont macht jeder Prozentpunkt am Ende viel Geld aus“
ist Klaus Thaler, Geschäftsführer von ELVIA eInvest, überzeugt.


 
Das Angebot der ELVIA eInvest richtet sich an langfristig orientierte Privatanleger und -innen mit Wohnsitz in der Schweiz, die vom Anlage-Know-how und den Standards der Allianz als einem der weltweit führenden Vermögensverwalter profitieren wollen. Unter invest.elvia.ch legen die Kundinnen und Kunden ihren Startbetrag (mindestens CHF 5‘000), ihr Anlageziel und ihr persönliches Risikoprofil fest.
Auf Basis der online ermittelten Anlage-strategie investiert die ELVIA eInvest als unabhängige Vermögensverwalterin in entsprechende ETFs. Die Konto- und Depoteröffnung ist einfach und unkompliziert: Die Identifikation erfolgt in wenigen Minuten per Video und die Vertragsunterlagen können mit elektronischer Signatur unterzeichnet werden.
Die voll digitalisierte Abschlussmöglichkeit ist neuartig in der Schweiz. Sie wurde in Zusammenarbeit mit additiv, einem führenden Schweizer Anbieter im Bereich der Digitalisierung von Finanzdienstleistern, entwickelt. Als Depotbank fungiert die Saxo Bank (Schweiz).
„Das voll digitalisierte Angebot von ELVIA eInvest ist ein Aufbruch in die Zukunft. Das Kundenbedürfnis nach einfachen und kostengünstigen Anlagemöglichkeiten ist riesengross“
blickt Klaus Thaler, Geschäftsführer von ELVIA eInvest, voraus.
„Unser Ziel ist es, in weniger als zehn Jahren rund 1 Milliarde Franken an Kundengeldern zu verwalten.“
 
This article first appeared on allianz.ch, Featured image via Pixabay
 
The post Allianz Suisse Lanciert ETF-Basierte Anlagelösung Für Private (ELVIA Einvest) appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/allianz-suisse-lanciert-etf-basierte-anlagelosung-fur-private-elvia-einvest</link><guid>309</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Allianz Suisse Lanciert ETF-Basierte Anlagelösung Für Private (ELVIA Einvest)</dc:text></item><item><title>Gibraltar: Distributed Ledger Technology Regulatory Framework</title><description><![CDATA[The Gibraltar Financial Services Commission’s (GFSC) DLT Regulatory Framework came in to effect on 1st January 2018.
This means that firms in Gibraltar, that use DLT (also known as blockchain) to store or transmit value belonging to others, now have to apply for a licence from the GFSC.
The GFSC offers an outcomes-focused, principles-based regulatory framework for DLT that is objective, targeted and flexible.
Nicky Gomez, Head of Risk and Innovation, said:

Nicky Gomez
“We are really excited to finally welcome applications from DLT Providers. The team expect to be very busy in the coming months, and are looking forward to working on some interesting and innovative ideas with applicants.
Working closely and collaboratively with the financial services industry and the Government of Gibraltar has resulted in the GFSC becoming the first regulator to introduce a DLT Regulatory Framework – it is a very encouraging time and we are also looking forward to the challenge!”
The GFSC holds as its primary objective to protect consumers and the reputation of Gibraltar when considering any licence application and in its supervision and enforcement functions. We have been working to make sure the DLT Regulatory Framework meets the GFSC’s regulatory and strategic objectives, as laid out in the 9 regulatory principles designed for DLT applications.
 
Article first appeared on fsc.gi, Featured image via Pixabay
The post Gibraltar: Distributed Ledger Technology Regulatory Framework appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/gibraltar-distributed-ledger-technology-regulatory-framework</link><guid>310</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Gibraltar: Distributed Ledger Technology Regulatory Framework</dc:text></item><item><title>Top Fintech Events in Europe to attend in 2018</title><description><![CDATA[After an eventful 2017 in Fintech, we begin another new year with fresh expectations as to how some of the hottest trends in the financial technology sector including cryptocurrencies, blockchain, investing, peer-to-peer lending, trade finance as well as the regulatory landscape and Switzerland&#8217;s position in the global fintech landscape will unfold.
With numerous events in the market and more to come, we pick some of our top choices that we think you should be attending in 2018.
January
Crypto Finance Conference
January 17. -19, 2018
St. Mortiz, Switzerland

Crypto Finance Conference ’18 in St. Moritz, Switzerland is the World’s first and largest investor conference on cryptocurrencies and blockchain investments. The CFC’18 brings together both private and institutional investors and the leading providers of the crypto &amp; blockchain universe. The 3-day conference offers expert education, investment opportunities, excellent networking opportunities and last but not least a great setting in one of the World’s best ski resorts in the Swiss Alps. For more information, visit here: https://www.crypto-finance-conference.com/en/
London Blockchain Week 2018 (Get 20% off with code: FNS20)
January 19 &#8211; 26, 2018
London, UK

Blockchain Week kicks off with a Hackathon, followed by a 2-day conference on Bitcoin, Blockchain &amp; DLT then ending the week with focused workshops. For more information, visit https://www.blockchainweek.com/
 
Paris Fintech Forum
January 30 &#8211; 31, 2018
Palais Brongniart, Paris
 

 
February
NextGen Payments Forum 2018 (Get 20% off with code FintechNewsSwitzerland)
February 27 -28, 2018
Le Méridien St. Julian’s Hotel &amp; Spa, Malta

The Forum will host the exclusive meeting point between leading solution providers, experts, regulators and senior representatives from the European banking and merchant industries in an intimate and dynamic 2 days format. The agenda combines keynote sessions and practical case studies for compliance, payments professionals and solution providers on subjects like upcoming regulations, digital transformation and cyber security, mobile banking, customer experience, blockchain, e-wallet, AI, interoperability and many more.
Register here and get 20% off.
March
Finovate Europe 2018
March 6 &#8211; 9, 2017
ExCeL London

 
For more information, visit here: https://finance.knect365.com/finovateeurope
 
Blockchain Summit Zurich
March 7 &#8211; 8, 2018
Zurich, Switzerland

With Blockchain Summit Zurich, planned for March 7 and 8, 2018, you are granted the opportunity to know how specifically Blockchain is applied to all possible spheres. In this two day event, tutorial followed by multi-speaker summit, leading venture capitalists and angel investors will examine the emerging Blockchain technology and its contributions to on-line secure settlement system in multiple industry sectors.
Register now and get 15% off with code: FT15

MoneyLIVE Summit 2018
March 12 &#8211; 14, 2018
Mövenpick Hotel, Amsterdam

MoneyLIVE Summit 2018 brings together leading innovators from all corners of the the European banking, cards and payments landscape. Gain practical, actionable insights with sessions on the hottest topics in the industry. Featuring Retail Banking Europe 2018 and Card &amp; Payments 2018. For more information, visit here: https://new.marketforce.eu.com/money-live/event/retail-banking-europe/
 
Innovate Finance Global Summit 2018
March 19 &#8211; 20, 2018
ExCeL London

 

 

For more information, visit here: https://ifgs.innovatefinance.com/
 
April
Lendit USA
April 9-11, 2018
Moscone West, San Francisco

LendIt USA is the world&#8217;s largest marketplace lending event, bringing together over 4,000 members of the global online lending ecosystem. For more information, visit here: http://www.lendit.com/usa/2018
 
eFintechshow 2018
April 11 &#8211; 12, 2018
Barcelona, Spain

eFintechShow 2018 is a series of conferences and exhibition focused exclusively on presenting the best and the most innovative technological solutions for banking and finance. Visitors can listen and learn from the elevator pitches of the 30 most searched Fintech Startups with the most innovative and disruptive solutions of the world.
For more information, visit here: http://efintechshow.com/
 
May
IFINTEC Finance Technologies Conference and Exhibition
May 8 &#8211; 9, 2018
Istanbul, Turkey

IFINTEC is one of the biggest and most important conferences in EMEA region on Retail Banking, Banking Technologies, Banking Solutions and Finance Technologies. IFINTEC Conference serves a perfect platform to introduce and demonstrate banking solutions and finance technology solutions including system, hardware, software, consultancy, training and service which are developed for banks and financial institutions.
 
June
Money20/20 2018 Europe (Save €200 with code: 18FNSW)
June 4 -6, 2018
The RAI, Amsterdam

An unmissable event for the smartest visionaries and innovators, Money 20/20 is the destination where payments, FinTech and financial services come together to connect and create the future of money. In June 2018, Money20/20 lands in its new home – the Rai in Amsterdam – to once again focus the world’s eyes on Europe. Everyone is here, every time, coming together to explore unique regional insight and trailblazing enterprise, seizing the opportunity to meet the person or land the deal that will change the trajectory of their business.
Register now and save €200 with code: 18FNSW
 
MoneyConf 2018
June 11 &#8211; 13, 2018
Dublin

MoneyConf is organised by the team behind the world’s largest tech conference, Web Summit. Over two days, 5,000 attendees from over 100 countries will network and learn from the industry’s leading lights. Expect insightful keynotes, hands-on workshops and evening networking.
For more information, visit here: https://moneyconf.com/
July
London Fintech Week
July 6 &#8211; 13, 2018
London
Fintech Week is a series of conferences, exhibitions, workshops, hackathons, meetups and parties.
For more information, visit here: https://www.fintechweek.com/
 
September
Fintech.li
September 26, 2018
SAL in Schaan, Liechtenstein

For more information, visit here: http://www.fintech.li
 
October
PayExpo Europe 2018
October 3-4, 2018
Business Design Centre, London

PayExpo Europe is the UK&#8217;s largest and most influential cards and payments event showcasing the latest technology and innovation to banks, retailers, gaming groups, government, transport operators and mobile network operators. Whether your interest is in launching a new payment channel to your consumer audience or scaling the reach and functionality of your existing payments platform, PayExpo Europe will provide you with solutions and inspiration
For more information, visit here: https://www.payexpo.com
 
November
Lendit Europe 2018
November 19 &#8211; 20, 2018
Business Design Centre, London

For more information, visit here: http://www.lendit.com/europe/2018
 
 
The post Top Fintech Events in Europe to attend in 2018 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-fintech-events-in-europe-to-attend-in-2018</link><guid>308</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/crypto_banner_800x313_2.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Top Fintech Events in Europe to attend in 2018</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 2018 Fintech Events and Conferences in Europe</title><description><![CDATA[After an eventful 2017 in Fintech, we begin another new year with fresh expectations as to how some of the hottest trends in the financial technology sector including cryptocurrencies, blockchain, investing, peer-to-peer lending, trade finance as well as the regulatory landscape and Switzerland&#8217;s position in the global fintech landscape will unfold.
With numerous events in the market and more to come, we pick some of our top choices that we think you should be attending in 2018.
January
Crypto Finance Conference
January 17. -19, 2018
St. Mortiz, Switzerland

Crypto Finance Conference ’18 in St. Moritz, Switzerland is the World’s first and largest investor conference on cryptocurrencies and blockchain investments. The CFC’18 brings together both private and institutional investors and the leading providers of the crypto &amp; blockchain universe. The 3-day conference offers expert education, investment opportunities, excellent networking opportunities and last but not least a great setting in one of the World’s best ski resorts in the Swiss Alps. For more information, visit here: https://www.crypto-finance-conference.com/en/
London Blockchain Week 2018 (Get 20% off with code: FNS20)
January 19 &#8211; 26, 2018
London, UK

Blockchain Week kicks off with a Hackathon, followed by a 2-day conference on Bitcoin, Blockchain &amp; DLT then ending the week with focused workshops. For more information, visit https://www.blockchainweek.com/
 
Paris Fintech Forum
January 30 &#8211; 31, 2018
Palais Brongniart, Paris
 

 
February
NextGen Payments Forum 2018 (Get 20% off with code FintechNewsSwitzerland)
February 27 -28, 2018
Le Méridien St. Julian’s Hotel &amp; Spa, Malta

The Forum will host the exclusive meeting point between leading solution providers, experts, regulators and senior representatives from the European banking and merchant industries in an intimate and dynamic 2 days format. The agenda combines keynote sessions and practical case studies for compliance, payments professionals and solution providers on subjects like upcoming regulations, digital transformation and cyber security, mobile banking, customer experience, blockchain, e-wallet, AI, interoperability and many more.
Register here and get 20% off.
March
Finovate Europe 2018
March 6 &#8211; 9, 2017
ExCeL London

 
For more information, visit here: https://finance.knect365.com/finovateeurope
 
Blockchain Summit Zurich
March 7 &#8211; 8, 2018
Zurich, Switzerland

With Blockchain Summit Zurich, planned for March 7 and 8, 2018, you are granted the opportunity to know how specifically Blockchain is applied to all possible spheres. In this two day event, tutorial followed by multi-speaker summit, leading venture capitalists and angel investors will examine the emerging Blockchain technology and its contributions to on-line secure settlement system in multiple industry sectors.
Register now and get 15% off with code: FT15

MoneyLIVE Summit 2018
March 12 &#8211; 14, 2018
Mövenpick Hotel, Amsterdam

MoneyLIVE Summit 2018 brings together leading innovators from all corners of the the European banking, cards and payments landscape. Gain practical, actionable insights with sessions on the hottest topics in the industry. Featuring Retail Banking Europe 2018 and Card &amp; Payments 2018. For more information, visit here: https://new.marketforce.eu.com/money-live/event/retail-banking-europe/
 
Innovate Finance Global Summit 2018
March 19 &#8211; 20, 2018
ExCeL London

 

 

For more information, visit here: https://ifgs.innovatefinance.com/
 
April
Lendit USA
April 9-11, 2018
Moscone West, San Francisco

LendIt USA is the world&#8217;s largest marketplace lending event, bringing together over 4,000 members of the global online lending ecosystem. For more information, visit here: http://www.lendit.com/usa/2018
 
eFintechshow 2018
April 11 &#8211; 12, 2018
Barcelona, Spain

eFintechShow 2018 is a series of conferences and exhibition focused exclusively on presenting the best and the most innovative technological solutions for banking and finance. Visitors can listen and learn from the elevator pitches of the 30 most searched Fintech Startups with the most innovative and disruptive solutions of the world.
For more information, visit here: http://efintechshow.com/
 
May
IFINTEC Finance Technologies Conference and Exhibition
May 8 &#8211; 9, 2018
Istanbul, Turkey

IFINTEC is one of the biggest and most important conferences in EMEA region on Retail Banking, Banking Technologies, Banking Solutions and Finance Technologies. IFINTEC Conference serves a perfect platform to introduce and demonstrate banking solutions and finance technology solutions including system, hardware, software, consultancy, training and service which are developed for banks and financial institutions.
 
June
Money20/20 2018 Europe (Save €200 with code: 18FNSW)
June 4 -6, 2018
The RAI, Amsterdam

An unmissable event for the smartest visionaries and innovators, Money 20/20 is the destination where payments, FinTech and financial services come together to connect and create the future of money. In June 2018, Money20/20 lands in its new home – the Rai in Amsterdam – to once again focus the world’s eyes on Europe. Everyone is here, every time, coming together to explore unique regional insight and trailblazing enterprise, seizing the opportunity to meet the person or land the deal that will change the trajectory of their business.
Register now and save €200 with code: 18FNSW
 
MoneyConf 2018
June 11 &#8211; 13, 2018
Dublin

MoneyConf is organised by the team behind the world’s largest tech conference, Web Summit. Over two days, 5,000 attendees from over 100 countries will network and learn from the industry’s leading lights. Expect insightful keynotes, hands-on workshops and evening networking.
For more information, visit here: https://moneyconf.com/
July
London Fintech Week
July 6 &#8211; 13, 2018
London
Fintech Week is a series of conferences, exhibitions, workshops, hackathons, meetups and parties.
For more information, visit here: https://www.fintechweek.com/
 
September
Fintech.li
September 26, 2018
SAL in Schaan, Liechtenstein

For more information, visit here: http://www.fintech.li
 
October
PayExpo Europe 2018
October 3-4, 2018
Business Design Centre, London

PayExpo Europe is the UK&#8217;s largest and most influential cards and payments event showcasing the latest technology and innovation to banks, retailers, gaming groups, government, transport operators and mobile network operators. Whether your interest is in launching a new payment channel to your consumer audience or scaling the reach and functionality of your existing payments platform, PayExpo Europe will provide you with solutions and inspiration
For more information, visit here: https://www.payexpo.com
 
November
Lendit Europe 2018
November 19 &#8211; 20, 2018
Business Design Centre, London

For more information, visit here: http://www.lendit.com/europe/2018
 
 
The post Top 2018 Fintech Events and Conferences in Europe appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-2018-fintech-events-and-conferences-in-europe</link><guid>298</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/crypto_banner_800x313_2.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 2018 Fintech Events and Conferences in Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>“BORN IN SWITZERLAND” Swiss Original Fintech Overview Map 104 Companies per 1.1.2018</title><description><![CDATA[Luc Schuurmans, Head Private Banking, Executive Management at Bank Linth LLB AG,  put together an updated overview map of Fintech Companies “Born in Switzerland”. Since his last update he collected 15 Startups more
Along with Swisscoms Fintech map (around 200 companies) and Fintechnews list of Top 30 Swiss Fintech Startups To Watch, we now have 3 good overviews of what presents the Fintech startup scene in Switzerland. Stay tuned, our Top List will be updated end of month.
Here are the descriptions of all the startup listed in Luc’s map:
Funding
Verve Capital Partners Ltd. operates investiere.ch, a disruptive early-stage and equity gap financier. Based in Zug, Switzerland, Verve Capital Partners was launched in December 2007, with the aim to develop and implement innovative financing concepts for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) while connecting private investors directly to SME investments.
 
 

 
WeCan.Fund connects investors to the best Swiss SMEs seeking crowdfunded loans. They provide a secure, user-friendly, transparent platform that will revolutionize SME financing.
 
 

 
Swiss Crowdfunding is The First Swiss Real Estate Crowdfunding Platform. They have the right of sale of real estate for a total value of over 2 billions Euros: this includes housing estate, for profit, accommodation facilities and many hotels in spread throughout 8 different countries in Europe.
 
 

 
Bricks &amp; Bytes AG provides with crowdhouse.ch the first real estate crowd funding platform in Switzerland. By democratizing the way of being a real estate owner it makes everyone a happy landlord.
 
 
 

 
wemakeit.com was founded in Switzerland in February 2012 by the communication consultant Rea Eggli, the artist Johannes Gees and the interaction designer Jürg Lehni and within very short time grew into one of the largest crowdfunding platforms in Europe.
 
 
 
Propmatch.ch We are a 2015 founded PropTech Startup from Basel. Our goal is to make B2B real estate transactions (investment properties and real estate) more efficient. We help real estate professionals with our open and free analytics platform to make better decisions. Through the combination of Big Data, GIS and Analytics, we enable intelligent matching between sellers, properties and buyers of all sizes throughout Switzerland.
 
 
Projektstarter ist eine Crowdfunding-Plattform mit Sitz in Solothurn, welche seit dem Jahr 2011 tollen Ideen und ihren Machern eine Möglichkeit zur Finanzierung bietet. Sie ist in Besitz der Designatelier GmbH. ProjektStarter bietet den Menschen im Raum Schweiz die Möglichkeit ihre Idee oder ihr Projekt zu finanzieren.
 
 

 
100-days.net (St. Jakobstrasse 54a, CH-8004 Zurich) is a limited company which is 100% owned by Ron Orp GmbH, based in Zurich. The site’s managers and founders are Romano Strebel, Christian Klinner and Ron Orp.
 
 
 
DealMarket is a global online platform for fundraising and deal flow management – a one‐stop shop for Private Equity &amp; Corporate Finance professionals. DealMarket counts more than 15,000 active private equity professionals from 159 countries and is growing fast. Global leading banks like UBS use DealMarket’s deal flow management tools like hundreds of Investors, Associations and Networks trust our comprehensive service offering for Private Equity.
 
Go Beyond Investing brings together a group of private accredited investors dedicated to providing early-stage capital with entrepreneurs seeking investment capital. Go Beyond Investing enables novice &amp; experienced, small &amp; large investors, to access angel investing as an asset class through its unique platform, tools, training and expert angels.
 
 

 
SoSense is a pioneer in digital social innovation with offices in Zürich (Switzerland) and Berlin (Germany). They design creative and engaging concepts, implement innovative and empowering solutions and help run impactful campaigns with leverage.
 
 

 
CreditGate24 connects borrowers with private and institutional investors and offers an efficient and scalable settlement of loans. CreditGate24 operates exclusively online, with no branches or high administrative expenses in order not to diminish the yields on investment and to minimize the cost for borrowers.
 
 
Advanon is an authorized financial intermediary that is directly subordinated to FINMA (Directly Subordinated Financial Intermediary, DSFI) according to the Anti Money Laundering Act (AMLA).
 
 
 

Suricate Solutions Sàrl a développé GoHeidi, une plateforme web de financement participatif basée sur la précommande d’un produit/service afin d’aider toute personne à réaliser son projet.
 
 
 

Veolis provides a Crowdfunding and Crowdinvesting Platform for sustainable projects in Switzerland, for example: Renewable Energy Projects, Cleantech Company; processes and legal contracts between Project Owner and Investor are simplified and standardized.
 
 
 

c-crowd represents a new way of financing entrepreneurs while democratising the concept of business angels, brings together innovative entrepreneurs and investors.
 
 
 

Loanboox is the independent money and capital market platform for public-sector borrowers and institutional investors. In contrast to conventional brokering, financing and investing through Loanboox is simple, transparent, safe and low cost, benefiting both borrowers and lenders alike.
 
 
 

SWISS STARTER the first equity crowdfunding platform in Ticino (Switzerland), wants to be a real support to help new startup that needed funds to start their project or to carry on existing projects in the critical steps.
 
 
 
Swiss Crowdlending FinTech for private persons and SME. Crowd Solutions is the provider of Crowd4Cash.ch the innovative Crowdlending platform. Crowd4Cash brings investors and borrower together. For better returns for the investors and lower interest rates for borrower. 100% online, easy and simply fair!
 
 
 

swisspeers  ist eine unabhängige Crowdlending Plattform, die es Unternehmen erlaubt, bei Investoren direkt – also ohne Zwischen­schaltung eines Finanzinstituts – Fremdkapital zu beschaffen.
 
 
 
 

creditworld verbindet Schweizer KMUs mit privaten sowie professionellen Investoren. KMUs profitieren von attraktiven Konditionen und fairen Vertragsbedingungen. Investoren erhalten Zugang zu einer neuen Anlageklasse mit interessanten Renditen und unterstützen dabei das Rückgrat der Schweizer Volkswirtschaft.
 
 

Splendit matches students and investor in an auction process, issue documentation and manages payments through the lifetime of the loans.
 
 
 
 
Advice

moneyguru.ch ist der digitale Assistent für private Finanzen in der Schweiz. Der Moneyguru ist von den Gründern von moneyland.ch ins Leben gerufen worden. Die unabhängige Vergleichsseite moneyland.ch ist sozusagen die Mutter, die Datenlieferantin und der Rechner von Moneyguru.
 
 
 

Crowd Trading‘s objective is to bring a revolution to the world wide online financial services being the first on the market to offer a social trading platform to collectively manage portfolios of financial assets through a decision-making system for public groups of investors (herein “crowd”) and an automated trades replication within the crowd.
 
 

adviceonline.ch, the complete and regulatory conform Onboarding, Profiling, Opening Document Management, Advisory and Consolidation Suite for EAM and Banks.
 
 
 
 

Investment Navigator is operated by Investment Navigator AG based in Zurich. Investment Navigator AG works closely with fundinfo, the leading platform for information and mandatory disclosures in the fund sector.
 
 
 

InvestGlass is a 24/7 financial markets platform built with Swiss banking know-how and a predictive algorithm. Their goal is to deliver smart financial information investors need at the right time and in the right format. Equities, Bonds, Forex, ETF, Futures, News and much more…
 
 
 

FLYNT reinvents platforms, services and experiences that put clients in control of their wealth. We see wealth as a means to follow life’s dreams, ambitions and aspirations. Wealth is a gateway to opportunity. Our mission is to transform how our clients realise these opportunities – in the most fluid, dynamic and rewarding way possible.
 
 

Sentifi is a leading Crowd-Intelligence platform for financial markets globally, receiving Swiss FinTech Award 2016. Their unique approach is to structure unstructured financial data from news, blogs and social media, identify and rank the sources for their relevance and apply self-learning algorithms and a financial expert system to extract insights from the content.
 
 

Qumram enables every digital interaction – web, social and mobile – to be recorded and replayed, at any time, providing a complete digital audit trail for financial services organisations, in accordance with key global regulatory requirements (MIFID-II, SEC, FINRA and more).
 
 
 

SwissMetrics is a dynamic startup from Switzerland that has a mission to enhance the way companies monitor their credit risk. As finance professionals, they have developed a SaaS platform with the aim of promoting smarter collaboration within companies to work for a common goal – saving money through risk minimization.
 
 
 

With diverse academic backgrounds ranging from information technology, mathematics, business administration, political sciences and philosophy, economics, design, linguistics and psychology, Adviscent‘s team of experts brings solid domain expertise on board in the banking, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and food industries.
 
 

MeetInvest seeks to democratize stock market investment with a free service that combines a social media platform and an investor toolkit, bringing in one place all the necessary resources for people to start trading like pros.
 
 
 

By leveraging technology, Dein-Anlageberater.ch provides users with personalized investment advisory services and recommendations for asset allocation at a much lower price than traditional investment advisers.
 
 
 
 

CrowdInvest.ch ist die erste Plattform der Schweiz, bei der jedermann die Kursentwicklung von Aktien prognostizieren kann. Denn wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zeigen, dass kollektives Wissen besser ist als einzelne Expertenmeinungen. Werde jetzt Teil von crowdinvest.ch und miss dich mit den Finanzexperten.
 
 

Nectar Financial, formerly Etops, is a Swiss fintech company specializing in wealth and asset management. It provides middle and back office services for more than 30 family offices, independent asset managers and banks and supports them in managing assets in excess of CHF 35 billion.
 
 
 

Riskifier makes investment risk profiling simple, fun and insightful for everyone. Our solution uses latest advances of artificial intelligence to fulfill the requirements of MiFID II/FIDLEG investor risk profiling and KYC data collection, while digitalizing &amp; gamifying user experience as well unleashing advantages of behavior based personalized investment risk profiles.
 
 

Pricehubble a Swiss based company, focusing on international real estate markets. We integrate top academic and industry experience in machine learning, computer science, econometrics, mathematics, statistics, financial services and consulting. We develop innovative solutions to support real estate decision making.
 
 
EdgeLab is a fintech company providing an investment intelligence web platform to help financial institutions taking smarter decisions.
 
 
 
 
Integration
 
Performace Watcher Evaluating and comparing the result of one&#8217;s investment portfolio must be accessible to everyone. Our aim is to popularize and demystify a traditionally opaque field. We believe in explanations that are simple, clear and understandable to everyone. With the disappearance of Swiss banking secrecy, increased competition, the Internet and a new generation of customers the transparency of results is born.
 
 
WealthPort’s artificial intelligence (AI)-driven software helps businesses reduce manual work in product data management by 20x, speed up time-to-market by 90% and increase revenue up to 10%. Wealthport makes this possible by radically improving data quality–automating the data integration, cleaning and categorisation process.
 
 

Additiv develops and implements digital innovations and business models for financial services companies – tailor-made and turnkey.
 
 
 

Qedos designs beautiful &amp; innovative solutions for wealth managers. Their solutions revolutionise the way wealth managers and their client interact. They help wealth managers provide tailored advice, provide a better client experience, achieve superior investment performance, comply with regulations and work more efficiently.
 
 

Founded in 2007, NetGuardians was the first company to emerge from the innovation incubator Y-Parc, in Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland. The company now enjoys a solid international presence with a steadily growing clientele in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
 
 
 
FundBase is a cloud-based platform to ultimately host the complete investment process for high-conviction alternative investments. Fundbase delivers to qualified investors a seamlessly integrated platform to discover, execute and monitor complex investments such as hedge funds, private equity and other high-conviction investments.
 
 

Pure Value Metrics provides active investors with a unique combination of Global Equity Portfolio Selection, Market Insight, Online Trading and discretionary Voice Execution.
 
 
 

ADDFIN is a business solution for professional investors who seek to benefit and leverage on the full potential offered by digitalization and information technology in order to standardize the workflow, processes and procedures.
 
 
 

Centralway Numbrs is a customer-centric financial services company. It enables its customers to manage their existing bank accounts and personal finances and to buy any financial product from every provider at the best possible price.
 
 
 
 

Monetas develops technologies that empower people to live and do business with greater freedom than ever before, and that make financial inclusion a reality.
 
 
 
 

Interaction Partners is a Swiss-based Investor Relations Services firm with a focus on facilitating broker-independent trust-building, live interactions (roadshows) between listed corporates and institutional investors in Zurich, Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lugano, Milan and London.
 
 
 
We believe that great decision makers are the ones that ask the right questions. Veezoo empowers them to find the answers efficiently by themselves. We make complex information easy to understand by answering any question with a clean visualization.
 
 
 
Lykke is a Swiss Fintech company building a global marketplace based on blockchain. It builds on decades of thought and research by company founder Richard Olsen, a pioneer in the field of high-frequency finance. Richard served as co-founder and CEO of OANDA, a leading foreign exchange company. Lykke received initial seed funding in 2015.
 
 
 
Oyoba is a finance-as-a-service platform, providing its users access to a wide range of fintech and blockchain services, including bank accounts, Bitcoin wallets, robo advisory, lending, P2P payments and debit cards. Oyoba’s vision is to turn consumer banking into a modern information service by using personal, financial and other data to create new, personalized and better services.
 

 
Learn/Compare
Anders als bei anderen Lernplattformen arbeitet fintool.ch bewusst mit Kurzvideos. Da auf der anderen Seite der zu behandelnde Stoff ausgesprochen vielfältig aber auch von immenser Breite ist, sind der Anzahl solcher Videos kaum Grenzen gesetzt. Der Stoff wird fintool.ch nicht ausgehen. Nach Erscheinen werden die einzelnen „Street-Videos“ in sogenannten Wissensgefässen „zusammengebunden“.
 
 
nViso provides the most scalable, robust, and accurate cloud service to measure instantaneous emotional reactions of consumers in online environments. We provide real-time and highly actionable information for Market Research, Brands, Creative Agencies and R&amp;D Product Development. Using award winning and proprietary 3D Facial Imaging technology, compatible with ordinary webcams, we uncover the why and how of customer behaviour in real-time, letting brands make smarter business decisions and build more engaging consumer experiences.
 

moneyland.ch is a Swiss comparison service site helping you with your financial needs. On moneyland.ch, you can use independent comparison tools for insurance, loans, credit cards, bank accounts, consumer credits, interest rates, trading and much more.
 
 
 

123vergleich &#8211; the portal for free insurance comparisons, offers and expert advice. 3 steps to the best offer: Compare &#8211; Request an offer &#8211; Save premiums!
 
 
 
 

Comparis is a Swiss Internet comparison service. On comparis.ch, consumers can compare rates and services of health insurances, other insurances, banks, telecom providers, property, vehicles and special offers from retailers – quickly and easily.
 
 
 
Ein Financial Explainer ist ein computergenerierter Erklärungsvideo. Mit Hilfe von Ton, Bild und Bewegung werden komplexe Sachverhalte verständlich erklärt. Gerade in der Finanzbranche, wo die Komplexität der Produkte und Dienstleistungen einen hohen Erklärungsbedarf mit sich bringen, kann ein Financial Explainer durch seine “Step by Step” Erzählweise sein ganzes Potenzial entfalten.
 
 

Simple, Easy and Usefulness are the three pillars of everything that are innovated at Smartie. A team with impeccable entrepreneurship, courage to put a ding in the universe and humility are some of the characteristics of the team members.
 
 
 

bfox ist ein exklusiver Service der fragguido AG mit Sitz in Bergdietikon. Das 2013 gegründete Unternehmen ist 100% unabhängig und wird von einem Expertenteam geführt.
 
 
 
assetinum.com was founded with the goal of offering investors an independent and useful wealth management portal. Assetinum’s special focus is given to the search function for matching Swiss asset and wealth managers, investment consultants, banks and family offices. Users can easily arrange a meeting with experienced investment experts for free and then decide on a provider of their choice.
 
 
FinGuide offers a new service in Swiss Private Banking. So far, private banking customers have been directly acquired by providers, as investors you have been in a passive role. With FinGuide you can take control of yourself without having to spend a lot of effort. The approach: We record your individual needs in detail and show you which banks or asset managers suit you best. FinGuide is available to private individuals with assets available from 500,000 Swiss francs.
 
Payments
 

Monito is a comparison website for international money transfer services. We compare and review more than 450 money transfer operators, to help you find the best option for each of your international transaction.
 
 
 

CashSentinel is a fintech startup that developed an innovative payment solution, which is at the crossroads of escrow agents and mobile wallets, to facilitate vehicle transactions. CashSentinel’s service has opened in April 2014 in Switzerland.
 
 
 

Mobino is a Swiss company incorporated in Geneva in 2011. Their products are integrated with the existing banking infrastructure, for example through the SEPA system in Europe. A version with prepaid accounts is geared to countries where many citizens cannot access traditional banking services.
 
 
 

CashCloud is a mobile payment system, but relies on a system of stability and security. They aim to create transparency and ensure ease of use, in order not to give rise to the scepticism and distrust which has grown between the people and the banks in recent years regarding mobile payments.
 
 
 

milliPay is a Swiss online payment provider. With their patent-pending technology they firstly enable micropayments: their system is optimized for fast and easy access to paid content, and efficiently processes transaction amounts down to EUR 0.001.
 
 
 

After several years of development, the Run my Accounts AG AG was founded in 2008: the Easiest Accounting for SME. And meanwhile run my accounts in Stafa with 25 employees approximately 300 companies in the size of 1 to 220 employees.
 
 
 

SONECT Creating virtual ATMs where users can withdraw cash from any shop that joins the program at over 50% cheaper than the current ATM withdrawal costs.
 
 
 
 
SmartLink is a mobile wallet services provider, offering white-label mobile transaction platform solutions, contactless transaction capabilities, know-your-customer solutions, and prepaid program management.
 
 
 
 
billte digitalize paper invoices and to automate the billing chain for small and medium businesses. Since the deal does not end with a bill, we surround the invoices with a wide range of features that are beneficial for both, companies and their customers. By providing Value Added Services, such as bi-directional communication channel, awarding offers, analytics, forecasting, financial support, we help to maintain existing relationships and gain new customers.
 
SecurionPay, established in 2014 in Switzerland, is a cross-device payment platform that enables businesses accepting online payments in 160 currencies through the checkout translated into 23 languages.
 
 
 
 
Wealth Management

True Wealth AG was founded in 2013 as a Swiss corporation. An automated investment solution that is uncompromisingly cost-efficient so that our clients enjoy bigger returns.
 
 
 

With INVESTORY you can trade direct investments like stocks, etfs, futures, foreign currencies, precious metals, and commodities. Collective investments like mutual funds, structured products, and certificates are not available.
 
 
 

 
Investivity is a boutique investment company dedicated to delivering innovative solutions to the current challenges faced by wealth managers.
 
 
 
 
Leonteq is vertically integrated and is a leading B-2-B partner for digitisation solutions. They cover the entire value chain of structured investment products from structuring to pricing, documentation, issuance, listing, settlement, risk management, market-making, life-cycle management and distribution.
 
 

 
AMNIS provides small and medium enterprises via an electronic platform access on fair terms for currency exchange and foreign currency payments. Various automated systems and APIs (programming interfaces), it also allow the processes involved in dealing with foreign currency easier.
 
 
 

Blockchain software for asset management. Melonport is building multichain capable software for asset management.
 
 
 
 

 
Descartes is a digital Swiss investment advisor bringing together the latest insights in financial theory, leading technology, and successful investment specialists. An easy, low-cost access to strategies and methods of well-known, independent investment specialists, portfolio managers and economists.
 
 
 
mydesq is a swiss startup which provides innovative solutions to wealth managers. We provide a comprehensive workbench which allows wealth managers to do all their daily activities in a single application on their ipad. The application allows wealth managers to truly work from anywhere, anytime and even works fully if there is no internet connectivity. But besides being powerful, the mydesq application has a gorgeous design and can be customised as we believe that each wealth manager is unique.
 

 
 
clever circles is a platform for building and managing your assets. clever circles is a platform for building and managing your assets.
 
 
VIAC  A 3rd pillar solution that above all creates added value for the customer &#8211; not just for the bank.
 
 
 
 
Selma makes investing easy like Sunday morning. Start managing your personalized portfolio with Selma, while keeping your risks under control and your goals on track.
 
 
 
Evolute provides a comprehensive digital wealth management solution for independent wealth managers and banks.
 

 
 
Mortgages
As a fin-tech venture, Hyposcout has managed to make a name for itself in the digital marketing of mortgages in Switzerland. As an online brokerage platform, Hyposcout AG brings together investors (investors) and real estate owners (borrowers). Private investors, as well as institutional clients from all over the world who want to hedge their investment through a Swiss property and benefit from attractive interest rates, are eligible as investors. On the other hand, capital investors have the opportunity to raise capital at a market-oriented interest rate and provide their Swiss property as collateral.
 
Cashare was founded in January 2008 as a public limited company under Swiss law, has its registered office in ]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/born-in-switzerland-swiss-original-fintech-overview-map-104-companies-per-112018</link><guid>311</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Swiss-Fintech-Map-as-of-1-1-2018-1024x555.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>“BORN IN SWITZERLAND” Swiss Original Fintech Overview Map 104 Companies per 1.1.2018</dc:text></item><item><title>10 Startups selected for the Swiss FinTech Awards 2018</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss Fintech Awards have pre-selected 5 Early Stage Fintech Startups and 5 Growth Stage Startups.
This 10 Startups will now join the Accenture Boot Camp in January including a Speed Dating with jury members and sponsors in February.
The Finale – the Swiss FinTech Awards Night &#8211; will take place mid March. (www.swissfintechawards.ch).
Last years winners were Crowdhouse and Qumram.
Good Luck to All.
Top 5 Early Stage Start-up of the Year:
APIAX
Regtech
 
 
 
Finform
Regtech
 
 
 
Proxeus
Blockchain
 
 
 
Sonect
 Personal Finance, (Cash)
 
 
 
 
VIAC
Personal Finance (3th Pillar, Säule 3a)
 
 
 
 
Top 5 Growth Stage Start-up of the Year:
 
FirstYou24
Insurtech
 
 
 
Loanboox
Lending
 
 
 
NetGuardians
Regtech
 
 
 
PriceHubble
Proptech
 
 
 
Stonestep
Micro-Insurance
 
 
 
 
 
 

The post 10 Startups selected for the Swiss FinTech Awards 2018 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/10-startups-selected-for-the-swiss-fintech-awards-2018</link><guid>299</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/top10-swiss-fintech-awards-2018-1024x398.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>10 Startups selected for the Swiss FinTech Awards 2018</dc:text></item><item><title>Index On Bitcoin Futures XBT Launched</title><description><![CDATA[Three weeks after the approval of bitcoin futures by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission in the United States, Solactive is launching the Solactive Bitcoin Front Month Rolling Futures 5D Index, an index tracking the performance of XBT futures listed on Cboe Global Markets (Cboe).
On Sunday, 10 December 2017, Cboe made history by becoming the first regulated exchange to list bitcoin futures, for which Solactive has been granted worldwide exclusivity in index calculations.
Bitcoin, the most prominent cryptocurrency, rose from USD 789 in December 2016 to USD 18,960 in December 20171, an increase in price of more than 2,300% over the course of the last twelve months.
According to coinmarketcap.com, an online platform tracking the performance of cryptocurrencies, the total market capitalization of bitcoin reached USD 320 billion in the third week of December 20172.
The Solactive Bitcoin Front Month Rolling Futures 5D Index can be used to gain exposure to the bitcoin currency through XBT futures contracts that are traded on Cboe’s Futures Exchange (CFE). By trading in futures, investors can reduce exposure to some of the volatility associated with the digital currency. The index is available for licensing and can be used as the basis for structured products and ETFs.
Steffen Scheuble, CEO of Solactive AG, commented:

Steffen Scheuble
“The world is becoming more and more digitalized. Technology is affecting all areas of finance, including payment systems, wealth management with robo-advisors, and now currency with the rise of cryptocurrencies.
We are very pleased to be offering exposure to bitcoins futures through the Solactive Bitcoin Front Month Rolling Futures 5D Index. This is unprecedented in the history of capital markets and clearly opens the door to new Bitcoin-based investment products.”
The index tracks the performance of front-month XBT futures and rolls the exposure over five days from the active contract to the next active contract. The index is calculated as an excess return index and is published in USD.
 
Featured image via Pexels
The post Index On Bitcoin Futures XBT Launched appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/index-on-bitcoin-futures-xbt-launched</link><guid>300</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Index On Bitcoin Futures XBT Launched</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Switzerland 2017 in Review</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss fintech ecosystem experienced significant growth in 2017, aided by a supportive regulatory framework, traditional financial players&#8217; willingness to collaborate with startups, and new international fintech agreements.
As of December 2017, the Swiss fintech scene had 209 startups, according to Swiss Fintech Map by Swisscom and eForesight. Most of these startups are operating in the areas of investing and asset management (57 startups), crowdfunding (46 startups), cryptocurrrency and blockchain (28 startups) and payments (21 startups).
In particular, Zurich is quickly emerging as Switzerland&#8217;s fintech hub. Zurich is the country&#8217;s largest city and the largest financial center. It is already an innovation hotspot that many believe is on the fast track to become a standout European tech hub.
Here are some of the most important events that happened this year in the Swiss fintech space:
 
New fintech regulation
Image: Regulation by Nick Youngson via Creative Commons Images
On July 05, 2017 the Federal Council adopted revised banking regulations. The new regime formally entered into force on August 1st, 2017 and is set to simplify crowdfunding, payment processing services as well as other business models that comprise the acceptance of funds from the public.
The amended rules provides for an special exemption that allows companies to hold funds in a settlement account for 60 days without the operation of such account being deemed an acceptance of public funds subject to licensing under the Banking Act. Additionally, companies are now allowed to hold public deposits of up to CHF 1 million without having to obtain a banking license.
 
Finance minister goes on Asian tour
Ueli Maurer, Switzerland&#8217;s Head of the Department of Finance, via Wikipedia
Swiss finance minister Ueli Maurer traveled across Asia in April to meet with ministries and authorities, state institutions and financial players in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Singapore. Talks and meetings were primarily centered on bilateral and multi-lateral issues, as well as specific fintech cooperation at the state and private sector levels.
The aim of the visit was to foster collaboration with foreign players and jurisdictions to boost fintech innovation and facilitate the expansion of Switzerland&#8217;s fintech startups into the Asian continent.
Along the same line, the Switzerland Greater Zurich Area AG signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Fintech Center of South Korea in September. The agreement aims to enable fintech South Korean startups to expand to Switzerland more easily and build friendly fintech ecosystems in both countries.
Other international collaborations that were signed this year include the alliances between the Swiss Finance + Technology Association and the Abu Dhabi Global Market as well as with the Fintech Association of Hong Kong, a collaboration between the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Swiss Financial Markets Authority (FINMA), and a MOU signed between the finance ministries of Switzerland and Israel.
 
Swiss fintech startups go global
CreditGate24 unveiled plans to expand to Germany, Europe&#8217;s biggest economy. The startup, which offers a peer-to-peer lending platform, is planning to open its first branch outside of Switzerland in Berlin. It has already installed a team in the German capital. Also Loanboox, a lending platform for communal cities recently made the move to Germany.
Zurich-based Avaloq, which provides cloud-based solutions for more than 150 international banks worldwide, is looking to expand to Hong Kong, mainland China and the US in coming years before seeking a stock market listing, possibly in Hong Kong, the company said in October.
 
Financial regulator investigates ICOs
Image via Pixabay
FINMA is closely monitoring ICO activities as Switzerland is quickly emerging as a preferred location for cryptocurrency and blockchain startups to host their fundraisings.
FINMA issued guidance on ICOs in September shortly after the authority shut down the provider of an alleged fake cryptocurrency.
The QUID PRO QUO Association had provided so-called E-Coin for more than a year and had amassed funds of at least CHF 4 million from several hundred users.
At the time, FINMA said it was investigating around a dozen other possible fraud cases.
 
Featured image: Switzerland scenery, Pixabay.
The post Fintech Switzerland 2017 in Review appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-switzerland-2017-in-review</link><guid>301</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Fintech-Regulation-300x200.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech Switzerland 2017 in Review</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintegration: Deloitte and Finform Automate the Process of Opening Customer Bank Accounts</title><description><![CDATA[The Swiss fintech pioneer and automation specialist Finform and the compliance experts from professional services firm Deloitte Switzerland are joining forces to simplify financial service providers’ compliance processes. The integration of the range of regtech services offered by Deloitte Managed Services and Finform makes it possible to almost completely automate the process of opening customer bank accounts (KYC).
Compliance is a bigger challenge than ever for Swiss financial service providers. The high costs and increasing complexity of the market-specific regulatory processes represent a major challenge for banks. This in addition to the cost and innovation pressure which they are already subjected to.
Regulatory compliance is mandatory, but it is also non-differentiating and is very costly. This is the reason why financial service providers are increasingly investing in smart solutions that draw on today’s technology and that spread the costs of regulatory compliance across industry players – regtech.
 
Automating the process of opening customer bank accounts
Fintech companies such as pioneer Finform have begun to successfully offer automated solutions for the process of opening customer bank accounts (“know your client”, KYC). Previously, the potential applications of such digitalised solutions have been focussed on certain customer groups – in particular standard customers without complex structures.
Although it is possible to handle a relatively high proportion of customers and transactions with these solutions (about 80%), there is still potential in terms of the associated time-savings involved (about 20%). To automate the process for more complex KYC cases and thus all client groups, all regulatory requirements must also be integrated into the process in addition to the technical know-how and an efficient processing.
This is where Deloitte comes into play. Deloitte Managed Services (DMS)integrates the regulatory know-how of the worldwide Deloitte network and expands the existing Finform solution using applications from different software partners. Through the DMS platform, Deloitte can ensure compliance with regulatory requirements in different countries and for more complex KYC cases. Customer relationships with increased risks can be identified reliably and the additional investigations carried out effectively.

Micha Bitterli
“Integrating the comprehensive regulatory guidelines into the automated process makes life easier for both the relationship managers and the compliance officers who manage the control activities. And since the process of opening an account is more streamlined, this also increases customer satisfaction”,
says Micha Bitterli, Head of Deloitte Managed Services in Switzerland. He adds,
“Deloitte and Finform complement each other perfectly. With Finform our customers benefit from a partner which is completely dedicated to automating the KYC process. In turn, as part of this partnership Deloitte Managed Services focuses on automating the more complex client relationships, which take up about 80% of the total time needed for handling the process manually.&#8221;
René Oppliger
René Oppliger, CEO of Finform, is convinced,
“The partnership with Deloitte enables us to go one step further in terms of standardising and automating the compliance regulations for banks. The service offered by Deloitte is also now available for wherever we can’t assume responsibility for the regulations being adhered to. This is further proof that the days are gone when every change to the regulations entailed a lot of effort and costs for financial institutions in adopting them.”
Finform was founded with the participation of one of the biggest retail banks in Switzerland with the task of significantly minimising the effort associated with opening a customer account. Finform concentrates on taking the burden posed by the compliance formalities away from the banks as much as possible.
Deloitte Managed Services is a compliance platform whereby all the relevant impacts of worldwide regulatory requirements on financial service providers are identified and solutions to them can be developed. Information on essential compliance processes and functions can be obtained from this platform and the desired cost advantages therefore achieved.
Regulatory compliance is mandatory, but it is also non-differentiating and is becoming costlier. Deloitte believes that the solution to this challenge for banks is in sharing these increasing costs among various market participants.
 
The post Fintegration: Deloitte and Finform Automate the Process of Opening Customer Bank Accounts appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintegration-deloitte-and-finform-automate-the-process-of-opening-customer-bank-accounts</link><guid>302</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintegration: Deloitte and Finform Automate the Process of Opening Customer Bank Accounts</dc:text></item><item><title>German Fintech “Weltsparen” gets funding from Paypal</title><description><![CDATA[Raisin, a financial marketplace that enables savers to access the best deposit rates across Europe, has closed another round of financing.
The company previously has raised a total of EUR 60 million, with investments from Thrive Capital, Ribbit Capital, and Index Ventures. Raisin’s most recent fund raise closed in mid- December is a strategic investment from digital payments platform PayPal (NASDAQ: PYPL), and the investment is intended to accelerate the growth of Raisin in its core European geographies.
Raisin offers individuals and businesses across Europe one-stop shop access to attractive savings products. Currently, 40 banks offer savings accounts through Raisin, ranging from overnight flexible savings to long-term deposits. Raisin has also recently announced that it will launch its first retail investment product in the coming months.
Leading European financial institutions like neo-bank n26 have already integrated these marketplace services for their customers. The company offers its marketplace APIs to banks, wealth managers, and brokers in any country across Europe. Several large financial institutions are currently integrating Raisin white-label services into their desktop and mobile applications. Raisin boasts a high customer appreciation rating with a current NPS score of 73 and TrustPilot rating of 9.3 out of 10.

Stephen Taylor
“Raisin and PayPal share a vision of democratizing access to financial services,”
said Stephen Taylor, VP Consumer Product EMEA.
“Raisin is a pioneering in open cross-border banking deposit and they are clearly providing a unique value proposition in the European market.”
 

Tamaz Georgadze
“More than 100 thousand customers in Europe already use Raisin’s services. We want to further develop our services and make them easily accessible to all Europeans. We are thrilled to work with PayPal in making both the products more relevant and more accessible to hundreds of millions of Europeans who can get more out of their savings and investments,”
says Tamaz Georgadze, CEO of Raisin.
 
Featured image via Raisin Facebook page
The post German Fintech &#8220;Weltsparen&#8221; gets funding from Paypal appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/german-fintech-weltsparen-gets-funding-from-paypal</link><guid>303</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>German Fintech “Weltsparen” gets funding from Paypal</dc:text></item><item><title>Estland is Planning to Launch Estcoin — and that’s only the Start</title><description><![CDATA[The startup world is being rapidly transformed by Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs).
Instead of giving up shares, many startups are now raising finance by issuing their own blockchain-based crypto coins to investors around the world.
The US, Singapore, and Switzerland are currently the leading jurisdictions for entrepreneurs considering where to launch their ICOs, although all governments are still figuring out how to regulate ICOs.
Unfortunately for both entrepreneurs and investors, that means ICOs continue to operate in what could be described as legal grey areas at best, while the lack of clarity and trust is holding back the benefits of this innovation in finance.
Despite this, the amount of money being raised globally by startups through ICOs is now far in excess of the amount being raised through venture capital. Raising finance is only half the story of ICOs though.
People who invest in crypto tokens issued by a startup are then strongly incentivized to support the development of that startup in other ways too and they tend to form an online community.
Estonia’s e-Residency programme is also a fast-growing startup — albeit a government startup — because we are constantly improving it based on the feedback of real e-residents, often with best practices that we’ve taken straight from the private sector. We also have our own fast growing community, which is increasingly looking for ways to connect and gain more value from the programme.
So in August we published an article on our e-Residency blog asking what would happen if a country, such as Estonia, decided to launch its own crypto tokens with an Initial Coin Offering (ICO). We nicknamed these proposed tokens ‘estcoins’ and explained how e-Residency would provide the platform for distributing and trading them globally because it’s a secure digital identity that anyone in the world can apply for.
The article went viral almost instantly, generating a large amount of media coverage globally, including in most major publications. Our best estimate is that around 200 million people around the world read about the idea.
Many people were enthusiastic and wrote about various options for how estcoins could be structured. Many people were also critical, including some who wondered if the whole thing was nothing more than a marketing stunt for the e-Residency programme.
We could have developed the idea behind closed doors first, but openness has always been the best policy for developing the e-Residency programme. Starting an open discussion at the earliest possible stage has been useful to gather both the feedback needed to refine the idea and the support needed to proceed with it. Both the supporters and the critics have been invaluable.
My initial assumption was that the crypto community would be the most critical of any government involvement in their sector, but the opposite was true. Entrepreneurs and investors within the crypto world expressed enormous interest and largely seemed to welcome the idea, while traditional institutions were the most critical. Even European Central Bank President Mario Draghi voiced his concern.
Much of the criticism of estcoin was based on the fact that Estonia simply can’t start its own cryptocurrency even if it wanted to. Estonia’s only currency is the euro and this is an essential feature of our EU membership, which we are proud to have. No one here is interested in changing that.
That’s why we have always referred to estcoin as a proposed ‘crypto token’.
Governments do need to consider the disruptive impact of how crypto tokens can be used as currency because they provide a more efficient means for exchanging value globally. However, crypto tokens have far more significance than their use as a currency and don’t necessarily fall into that category.
From Estonia’s perspective, estcoins were proposed as a way to raise money and support for the development of our digital nation from more people around the world. We would also want to structure the tokens so that they help build our e-resident community and incentivize our own key objective, which is to increase the number of companies started in Estonia through e-Residency.
This activity already has a major positive impact on Estonia as e-residents bring a significant amount of business to the Estonian economy. An independent report released this month by Deloitte revealed that e-residents have already brought €14.4 million back to Estonia in the first three years and this is predicted to rise to €1.8 billion by 2025, which is a return of €100 for every €1 invested in the programme. We will only achieve this though if we continue to provide real value to our e-residents around the world.
The purpose of estcoin is to accelerate this, while also providing additional funds and interest for the development of our digital nation.
The question remains though — What problem does estcoin solve for people who hold estcoins? This is another key and commonly repeated criticism of the proposal that estcoin is ‘a solution looking for a problem’. Since the proposal was published, I’ve been repeatedly asking audiences if they would be interested in purchasing estcoins and the response is a resounding yes, even if they are not always sure why yet.
Image via Twitter
You might be surprised to hear this, but we completely agree with the criticism that estcoin is a solution looking for a problem. However, that is not necessarily a bad thing.
E-Residency was also a solution looking for a problem when the programme was launched. The solution was to enable anyone in the world to apply for an Estonian ID digital ID card and then gain access to our e-services, but even many of the first e-residents were not sure what problems this would solve for them.
Three years (and almost 30,000 applications) later, we now have a very good understanding of the problems that e-Residency solves by helping democratise access to entrepreneurship globally and enabling the rise of location-independence. You can read more about who are Estonia’s e-residents here or learn about some of their problems solved by the programme in this advert we made:
 



Since the estcoin proposal was made, we’ve been carefully reading and listening to feedback from around the world. As a result, we do now have a better understanding of not just how estcoin could be structured, but also why people would want to hold them.
Before I outline that though, I want to explain the one thing that we need to do first (and why) for our vision of estcoin to become reality: we must make e-Residency the best option globally for launching a trusted ICO.
 
Trusted e-Residency ICOs
Blockchain technology has opened up a divide in the way we structure our world. On one side there are governments and traditional institutions, while on the other side is the crypto community. Both of these sides often behave as if the other has no future.
Like most things, the truth is somewhere in the middle and this division is holding everyone back. By not embracing crypto, governments are failing to unlock a powerful driver of economic growth and risk losing relevance entirely. By not embracing public oversight, legitimate crypto investors are tarnished by fraudulent ones, and crypto investors are far less certain about the value and legitimacy of their tokens.
For an overview of the risks and complexities involved, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has just published a comprehensive statement on cryptocurrencies and Initial Coin Offerings that is worth reading.
We all need to acknowledge that blockchain is developing powerful new solutions that are going to disrupt the world, but public authorities can play a key role in supporting this for the benefit of everyone. In effect, we need a peace agreement between these two sides.
That’s now happening in Estonia. After the estcoin proposal was published, I organized a kickoff meeting inside the Estonian Parliament involving representatives from across Estonia’s public and private sector, as well as key crypto entrepreneurs and ‘hackers’ from around the world. It was attended by members of the e-Residency programme team, our advisory committee, Estonia’s Ministry of Finance, Estonia’s Parliamentarians from both the national and EU Parliament, the Bank of Estonia, companies conducting ICOs, and law firms advising them.
I particularly want to thank Trent McConaghy, Anish Mohammed and Bruce Pon for going the extra mile (well, thousands) by flying to Estonia for this.
Together, we began the enormous task of understanding how Estonia could better embrace blockchain and the use of crypto tokens in a way that supports legitimate entrepreneurs and helps grow our digital nation while protecting our public interest and minimising risks to our state and business environment.
We sought to learn from the best practices developed in other countries, but also explore how Estonia’s unique advantages can take us further. Since then, we have continued to work closely together and are constantly exploring solutions and exchanging ideas.
For understandably cautious reasons, Estonia has not so far been a particularly friendly jurisdiction towards crypto. To our surprise then, the first thing that we discovered is that there are many aspects of Estonia’s business environment that crypto entrepreneurs already hugely favor — from 100% online cross-border management to a 0% corporation tax on undistributed profits.
In addition, our secure digital identities can be used as part of the KYC (Know Your Customer) procedures that would otherwise cost companies both more time and more money when they need to verify identities of investors and customers. Everyone’s heard stories about investors losing access to their crypto tokens — perhaps because they forgot their private key for example — but this doesn’t happen to e-residents if their wallets are linked to their government-backed digital identity.
In fact, a number of companies are in the process of launching ICOs in Estonia through e-Residency, while various others are planning theirs and are already exploring how to integrate the e-Residency card into their KYC procedure.
As the ICO phenomenon continues to grow, there will be particular nations that become “havens” for companies launching them. However, we do have concerns about the current state of the ICO market and do not want to attract just any ICOs. Too many ICO investors have already been left disappointed by poor behavior and lack of transparency from those that they have given their money to.
Many ICOs also try to use the reputations of organisations and people who may have no real involvement in the project. With that in mind, please note that any announcements from e-Residency (or other parts of the Estonian state) related to our proposed crypto token or how Estonia is supporting ICOs would always be shared in detail on this blog.
The reality is that a large proportion of ICOs simply won’t have the standards that we desire.
In addition, the value of crypto tokens in general are extremely volatile right now so the rapid gains we are currently witnessing by Bitcoin and others could easily be followed by rapid devaluations in the near future. Many analysts have pointed out similarities between the booming crypto market today and the booming dotcom market of the 90s, which eventually did burst. However, the fundamental technology behind it — the internet in that case — did go on to change the world and open up vast new possibilities so the same thing could happen to crypto, even if it’s also a bubble about to burst.
What people are looking for, in any eventuality, is real value through greater trust. Trust is also the most important value behind e-Residency though because we are offering a secure government-backed digital identity that provides access to our open and transparent business environment. That’s why we will focus on attracting trusted ICOs.
So how can we better support trusted ICOs through e-Residency?
The most obvious solution at first is to change laws. Estonia has certainly shown a willingness to both amend legislation to support e-resident entrepreneurs when appropriate and to amend legislation to support emerging industries. Estonia is, for example, the first country in Europe to legalize delivery robots and ride-sharing apps. There’s even a discussion underway about how Estonia can legalize Artificial Intelligence.
But it’s not always necessary to legislate in order to find solutions. In addition, there are enormous complexities that must be addressed first and some of this is at the EU level.
Those discussions are ongoing, but the first thing we can do is relatively straightforward: We can provide clearer guidance on how to legally and responsibly launch an ICO within our regulatory environment.
The e-Residency programme is keen to support responsible ICOs. Although we would obviously never ‘back’ an organization’s ICO, we can encourage ICOs launching through e-Residency to follow a strict set of best practices outlined in our guidelines in order to provide a higher level of trust and transparency to investors.
We are still working on the details and we would love to read your comments below about what should be added to the guidelines, but it would include, for example, an overview of how to classify crypto tokens, what rules need to be followed to comply with laws and which best practices should always be followed too, such as ensuring that investors can easily monitor how the money raised is spent.
One particularly tricky issue for ICOs at the moment is whether tokens should be classified as security or utility tokens. We need to ensure that our guidance embraces both and encourages entrepreneurs to accept the right classification for their needs, instead of attempting to structure their ICOs in a way that avoids certain responsibilities. We understand that entrepreneurs are wary of having their crypto tokens labeled as securities, but this provides greater trust to investors so we should instead be bold enough to consider how our business environment can be more supportive to entrepreneurs who do this.
Since the estcoin proposal was published, there was a significant spike in applications for e-Residency and we know many of them signed up because they are interested in investing in ICOs. This means that companies that launch their ICOs through e-Residency and integrate our digital IDs have access to a growing community of investors who can be onboarded at lower cost, time and hassle.
Many e-residents already use the programme for investment purposes, but our longer term objective is to create an economy of scale for both investors and entrepreneurs to use our platform together.
The private sector will also need to perform an important role supporting this by providing even more of the services required to support both groups, such as financial and legal services. If you are reading this and think your company can help support this growth then please do get in touch with our team on e-resident@gov.ee.
Our aim is for Estonia to become the best option globally for trusted ICOs as a result of our public and private sectors working together to make the most of our advantages, including our transparent business environment and our e-Residency programme. Estonia has been at the forefront of technological innovation in business ever since engineers in Estonia discovered how to cut out the middlemen of the telecommunications industry by building Skype. We now have the opportunity to cut out the middlemen of central stock registries with a combination of blockchain, crypto tokens and secure digital identities. This would provide truly decentralised and trusted peer-to-peer securities trading globally through e-Residency.
 
How will estcoin work?
As part of these discussions across the public and private sector, we have also examined how Estonia’s own crypto token could function, taking into account the feedback that we have received globally.
This project was initially nicknamed ‘estcoin’, which we have always explained is a working title, but it has rapidly become a global brand so we will continue using it at present.
We have identified not one, but three variants of estcoin that would benefit both our digital nation and those who use them. All three of these models of estcoin are viable and can be introduced (even without alarming the European Central Bank).
We are proceeding with estcoin not despite the criticism aimed at the proposal, but thanks to the criticism because it has enabled us to better understand how to proceed.
It is possible that one of these variants will become a reality or that more than one model would be chosen to operate simultaneously as estcoin in order to meet multiple purposes.
Here’s an overview of the three estcoin variants and the thinking behind them:
 
1.The community estcoin
I mentioned that one of the advantages of crypto tokens is to incentivise behaviour by ensuring that token holders benefit from the growth of their community.
It’s an important point emphasised to us by Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin when we outlined our idea and showed him the first article in advance of publishing it. As we quoted him at the time:
“An ICO within the e-Residency ecosystem would create a strong incentive alignment between e-residents and this fund, and beyond the economic aspect makes the e-residents feel like more of a community since there are more things they can do together.”
The community estcoin would be structured to support the objective of growing our new digital nation by incentivising more people around the world to apply for and make greater use of e-Residency. This includes encouraging investors and entrepreneurs to use e-Residency as their platform for trusted ICO activity.
There are currently an enormous number of e-residents who already volunteer their help to grow our digital nation in different ways, such as by producing content about their experiences or encouraging others to sign up, but it’s been a challenge to understand how we can reward them as well as provide support.
In addition, one of the most valuable activities that e-residents do to grow the value of the programme is to conduct business with each other, as well as Estonians. This means that e-Residency is not just access to valuable services, but also access to an increasingly valuable community of like-minded people who can help you grow your company too.
Fortunately, we are already developing a community platform so we want to ensure then that estcoins could have a real utility value within that platform and that they could be automatically issued in exchange for activities that support the community.
For example, e-residents should be able to earn estcoins if they drive web traffic to e-Residency, successfully sign up a new e-resident, post a tender within our community that provides work to another e-resident or Estonian company, or spend time providing useful advice to other e-residents.
Estcoins will enable that platform to grow faster through a network effect, but it’s possible that any funds raised could also be allocated to further develop this platform, as well as provide investment into companies that operate within Estonia’s business environment.
We would also like to involve private sector service providers in this too because they are a crucial part of the e-Residency ecosystem and they provide some of the ‘scarce resources’ that people would want to use their estcoins to acquire, such as accountancy, banking or virtual offices. There are a growing range of companies offering a growing range of services to e-residents so we could start encouraging them to integrate the exchange of estcoins too.
In fact, a national ICO to launch community estcoins would likely require the creation of a Public-Private Partnership as no single organisation should have control of both the tokens and the allocation of any funds raised.
Although our primary focus for developing estcoin at this stage is their utility, it is also important that those who hold these estcoins are able to benefit in future in return for helping grow our digital nation by developing e-Residency. This will eventually mean that community estcoins should be openly tradable on both traditional and crypto exchanges, but is likely that there will be a lock-up period to discourage speculators during the launch and ensure that estcoin holders gain from the long-term growth of our digital nation.
Transparency is important and not just for e-residents and their companies, but also for the programme. That means we need to be clear about the total supply of estcoins, what they can be used for and their classification in law. A federated blockchain would likely be required to provide leadership of the network to the Estonian government and independent organisations.
Crypto tokens used in this way enable vast numbers of people operate independently to work together for the benefit of everyone. We already know that e-residents want to connect and conduct more business with each other and we already know from the past few months that there are more numbers of people who want to acquire estcoins.
As a digital startup, the e-Residency programme is doing what’s never been done before by scaling up an entire country online. This is currently happening at an ever increasing rate as the benefits of being an e-resident increase. Community estcoins would be the mechanism to accelerate this and radically improve our entire service by increasing the value of joining our community and rewarding those who help us build it.
 
2.The identity estcoin
At the heart of Estonia’s digital nation — and our e-Residency programme — is a secure, government-issued digital identity.
It’s a world leading initiative in digital identity, but the technology that underpins it requires continuous development in order to remain cutting edge. Estonia is already a blockchain nation in many ways so what would happen if we also starting using blockchain technology to tokenise identities?
In this model, estcoins would be the blockchain-based tokens used for activities within our digital society, such as digitally signing documents, logging into services or enforcing smart contracts.
Estonians and e-residents would receive a certain amount of tokens that are personal and attached to their digital identity and can then acquire more when required. Even if these identity estcoins would need to be purchased, this would not raise any additional revenue for Estonia, but merely contribute to the maintenance of the network. In fact, everyone would save money as a result of this proposal.
Here’s where these estcoins differ sharply from the previous model. Identity estcoins can not be exchanged or sold because they are part of your identity. In fact, the value of them would decrease as the e-Residency programme grows and more people join the network. This would create an economy of scale, which constantly lowers the cost of transactions over time.
This system would enable even greater transparency within our business environment, which not everyone in the world might appreciate, but it is the key reason why people become e-residents. Transparency provides them with the trust needed to more easily conduct business globally. In fact, this estcoin model could even provide our partners at the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board with the ability to revoke tokens in certain circumstances where laws have been broken by an e-resident.
Why would Estonians and e-residents want this model to proceed?
Identity estcoins would eliminate some of the technology that is currently required to operate our digital nation and that would also eliminate much of the costs and hassle that this technology brings.
Estonians and e-residents would benefit from these lower costs and be able to do almost anything online using their digital IDs with greater ease.
For example, we recently faced challenges with the certificates used on digital ID cards so they had to be suspended. No one’s digital identities were compromised and new certificates were provided for download as fast as possible, but it wasn’t a smooth process. In addition, this issue highlighted how our digital nation depends on coordinating an enormous range of private sector providers to integrate our digital identities and ensure they function smoothly.
In contrast, identity estcoins would work with any device and never require updates.
For Estonia, this would not just radically improve the reliability, security and transparency of our digital infrastructure, but also enable our country to scale up more effectively. Various parts of the Estonian government work incredibly hard together to ensure our country benefits from e-Residency, from the Police and Border Guard who issue the cards to our embassies around the world who receive them in the diplomatic post then conduct the face-to-face meetings to hand them out.
However, if we can improve and legalise remote verification for acquiring a digital identity then e-residents could join our digital nation almost instantly online instead of having to wait for their card to be administered and then travel to collect it in person.
The introduction of identity estcoins would also help future-proof our digital nation and ensure we are prepared to take advantage of even more possibilities in future as technology and legislation evolves.
 
3.The euro estcoin
We’ve discussed models for estcoin that either increase or decrease in value, but what if we introduced estcoins and simply pegged their value to the euro? That’s how euro estcoins would work.
We would never provide an alternative currency to the euro, but it’s possible that we could combine some of the decentralized advantages of crypto with the stability and trust of fiat currency and then limit its use within the e-resident community.
Banks would be required to move money in and out of euro estcoins, but transactions could then take place independently of them through the blockchain. This means that community-based value exchanges could take place globally for free. All that is required is a digital wallet and the commitment of government to buy back every euro estcoin for one euro.
If I think about our e-Residency programme team as a very small community of 15 people then look at how that would work with something as simple as birthdays. There’s now 15 people on the team so each time there’s a birthday we tend to spend about ten euros each. That’s 13 payments each time, which cost the banks about 40 cents each so that adds up to a hidden payment of over €5, as well as delays in processing it. However, this value is being constantly circulated between us so why should the banks be involved just because we want this exchange to take place digitally? Daily life would be faster and more efficient if we could exchange value independent of the banking network.
Now look at the complexities of our e-resident community who are engaging in cross-border exchanges every day. Our e-residents are world citizens and the ability to conduct business globally with greater ease is one of the main drivers behind the growth of the programme. Euro estcoins within the e-resident community could facilitate this exchange of value globally, while encouraging more business among e-residents and Estonians.
The way euro estcoins operate within the e-Residency community would be similar to how other types of tokens operate within video games or simulated online worlds. E-residents could purchase euro estcoins within their new platform then trade them with other e-residents and cash out when required, while ensuring that all necessary banking and taxations rules are followed. The main difference of course is that e-residents are not playing with these tokens within the platform for fun. Instead, what they can win from the introduction of this variant of estcoin is frictionless global trade with other e-residents.
 
Join the new digital nation
We know that tokenisation through blockchain technology will be an important part of our planet’s future and that ICOs are rapidly transforming the way startups grow, but that issues of trust and legality need to be addressed. We also know that there is demand for our proposed estcoins and that these could help our e-resident community grow more exponentially.
We will continue to develop these proposals with the public and private sector in Estonia, as well as with crypto entrepreneurs, investors and potential private sector partners around the world.
As I’ve previously written in my vision for e-Residency, we are living in a very brief period in human history in which the world’s population is confined in its opportunities by the geopolitical boundaries. For now, a nation is assigned to us at birth then usually stays with us for life. This random allocation of the world’s population determines our life opportunities more than almost any other single factor.
However, change is coming. Crypto tokenisation will alter the nature of our world whether we act or not, so we must ensure we are taking a lead and that is already happening in Estonia. Our focus will remain on our overall objective to grow our new digital nation and democratise access to entrepreneurship globally.
You can read more about my vision for e-Residency here.
Thank you to everyone around the world who has provided their thoughts, encouragement and criticism of the estcoin proposal. You have all contributed to improving it and enabling us to go forward. I look forward to giving you more updates in the new year.
You can join our new digital nation by applying for e-Residency at e-resident.gov.ee. If you want to know how to use the programme to create an EU company with EU business banking anywhere on Earth then there’s a detailed guide here.
 
Article first appeared on medium.com/e-residency-blog/
The post Estland is Planning to Launch Estcoin — and that’s only the Start appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/estland-is-planning-to-launch-estcoin-and-thats-only-the-start</link><guid>304</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/estonias-gift-to-the-world-1024x576.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Estland is Planning to Launch Estcoin — and that’s only the Start</dc:text></item><item><title>Crypto Finance AG schliesst auf dem Weg zur Schweizer Banklizenz eine 16 Mio. Finanzierungsrunde ab</title><description><![CDATA[Die Crypto Finance AG mit Ihren drei Geschäftsbereichen Crypto Fund, Crypto Broker und Crypto Storage beantragt derzeit eine Banklizenz bei der Eidgenössischen Finanzmarktaufsicht FINMA.
Dieser Prozess wird einige Zeit in Anspruch nehmen, deshalb

Jan Brzezek
“ist es von entscheidender Bedeutung, sich frühzeitig strategisch zu positionieren, um Crypto-Investoren eine vollumfängliche Palette an Finanzdienstleistungen anzubieten”,
erklärt Jan Brzezek, CEO der Crypto Finance AG.
 
 
Tobias Reichmuth
 
&#8220;Diese Finanzierungsrunde stärkt unser exzellentes Netzwerk mit Finanzexperten, Investoren und Unternehmern weiter&#8221;,
sagt Dr. Tobias Reichmuth, Verwaltungsratspräsident der Crypto Finance AG.
 
 

Philipp Cottier
&#8220;Mit diesem zusätzlichen Kapital hat die Crypto Finance AG nun ein Fundament geschaffen um die dringend benötigte Professionalität in den Crypto- und Blockchain-Markt zu bringen&#8221;,
ergänzt Dr. Philipp Cottier.
&#8220;Das Unternehmen hat ein enormes Wachstumspotenzial&#8221;.
 
Die Crypto Finance AG wurde im Sommer 2017 gegründet und beschäftigt derzeit 26 Mitarbeiter.
Ihr Trading-Desk, die Crypto Broker AG, ist bereits cashflow-positiv. Die ersten beiden Fonds werden Anfang Januar offshore und im ersten Quartal 2018, nach der Zulassung der FINMA, in der Schweiz lanciert. Die institutionelle Crypto Storage-Lösung, die höchste Sicherheit bietet, geht im April 2018 an den Start
The post Crypto Finance AG schliesst auf dem Weg zur Schweizer Banklizenz eine 16 Mio. Finanzierungsrunde ab appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crypto-finance-ag-schliesst-auf-dem-weg-zur-schweizer-banklizenz-eine-16-mio-finanzierungsrunde-ab</link><guid>305</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Crypto Finance AG schliesst auf dem Weg zur Schweizer Banklizenz eine 16 Mio. Finanzierungsrunde ab</dc:text></item><item><title>Stadt Wien und EY sichern öffentliche Daten mit Blockchain</title><description><![CDATA[Die Stadt Wien hat einen ersten Schritt für den Einsatz der Blockchain-Technologie in Verwaltungsprozessen gesetzt. Ein erstes Pilotprojekt, das in Zusammenarbeit mit der Prüfungs- und Beratungsorganisation EY umgesetzt wurde, steht kurz vor dem erfolgreichen Abschluss.
Blockchain-Technologie sorgt für Transparenz und Effizienz bei öffentlichen Daten
Am 14. Dezember wird eine im deutschsprachigen Raum derzeit einzigartige Plattform gelauncht, die öffentliche Verwaltungsdaten mithilfe der Blockchain absichert. Die Prüfsummen der Open Government Data der Stadt Wien werden auf der öffentlichen Blockchain abgelegt: So können alle Nutzerinnen und Nutzer sowohl die Echtheit überprüfen, als auch den Erstellungs- oder Änderungszeitpunkt der Dokumente jederzeit online nachvollziehen.

Ulrike Huemer
„Durch die Nutzung der Blockchain-Technologie werden Änderungen an den öffentlichen Daten nachverfolgbar und für jede Bürgerin und jeden Bürger einfach überprüfbar. So bauen wir Bürokratie ab und geben ein klares Bekenntnis zu einer offenen und partizipativen Stadt. Das entspricht den Leitmotiven der Digitalen Agenda der Stadt Wien für Transparenz, Offenheit und Beteiligung“,
so Ulrike Huemer, CIO der Stadt Wien.
 
Durch den Einsatz der Blockchain können administrative Prozesse vereinfacht und automatisiert werden. Gerade bei Open Government Data, die stets aktualisiert werden, ist die Technologie ein Hebel, um Dateninformationen stets aktuell zu halten.
Auch bei der Sicherheit der Daten kommt es zu einem beträchtlichen Zugewinn. Durch die fälschungssichere und öffentlich einsehbare Notarisierung von Dokumenten in der Blockchain kann Betrug präventiv unterbunden werden.
Blockchain-Kompetenzzentrum von EY unterstützt Pilotprojekt der Stadt Wien

Ali Aram
„Der Schlüssel für den Erfolg des Projekts ist die vernetzte Arbeitsweise des vielfältig zusammengestellten Projektteams, das sich aus Entwicklern und Innovationsexperten der Stadt Wien, der Magistratsabteilung 14 (MA 14) und dem Blockchain-Kompetenzzentrum von EY zusammensetzt hat“,
erklärt Ali Aram, Partner IT Advisory bei EY Österreich.
Die Plattform wurde von Entwicklern der Stadt Wien innerhalb eines Zeitraums von rund vier Monaten aufgebaut. EY hat das Projekt federführend begleitet, das Projektmanagement verantwortet und die Architektur der neuen Plattform von der Konzeption bis hin zur Integration in die städtische Open Government Data Plattform data.gv.at entwickelt.
„Mit unserem EY Österreich Blockchain-Kompetenzzentrum arbeiten wir bereits jetzt in mehreren Branchen wie der Energie-, der Versicherungswirtschaft oder in der öffentlichen Verwaltung an zukunftsweisenden, innovativen Lösungen.
Zusätzlich können wir aufgrund der engen internationalen Vernetzung von EY auch das Know-how der EY-Blockchain-Experten aus der ganzen Welt gezielt in Projekte in Österreich einbringen. Beim gemeinsam mit der Stadt Wien umgesetzten Pilotprojekt unterstützte unser auf Coding spezialisiertes Blockchain-Team von EY Frankreich die Entwickler der MA14 bei der Programmierung“,
so der durchführende Projektmanager Jonas Jünger, Manager IT Advisory &amp; Blockchain Lead von EY Österreich.
Das Projekt bildet die Grundlage für weitere Anwendungsfälle der Blockchain. Schon jetzt arbeiten EY und die Stadt Wien an einem Folgeprojekt.
CIO Huemer abschließend dazu:
„Das Pilotprojekt, das wir mit Unterstützung von EY umgesetzt haben, macht die Stadt Wien zur Vorreiterin bei der Implementierung der Blockchain in der öffentlichen Verwaltung. Im Rahmen der Digital City Wien setzen wir diesen Weg fort und vernetzen Expertinnen und Experten, um das Wissen zu bündeln und Wien als Kompetenzzentrum für die Zukunftstechnologie Blockchain in Europa und in der Welt zu etablieren.“
 
Article first appeared on ey.com, Featured image via Pixabay
The post Stadt Wien und EY sichern öffentliche Daten mit Blockchain appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/stadt-wien-und-ey-sichern-offentliche-daten-mit-blockchain</link><guid>306</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Stadt Wien und EY sichern öffentliche Daten mit Blockchain</dc:text></item><item><title>German SME-lending platform Finiata closes €18 million financing round</title><description><![CDATA[German P2P Lending company Finiata got  €18 million of fresh capital.
€10 was directly invested by existing investors including Redalpine, DN Capital, Point Nine and Fly Ventures. ENERN, the largest Czech VC, and Kulczyk Investments joined as new investors, adding a wealth of local expertise and network in Finiata’s target markets. An additional €8 million has been raised in the form of debt financing, making it one of the largest financing rounds for an early-stage FinTech company.
Finiata aims at becoming the leading financing platform for SMEs, freelancers, and the self-employed. Founded only a year ago by Sebastian Diemer, co-founder of Kreditech, the company already claims 5,000 customers.

Finiata focuses on customers that are hardly served by traditional providers and therefore requires a new approach to risk and credit scoring.  As a consequence, more than half of the 50-strong team consists of programmers, data scientists and other experts working on the algorithm.
“Finiata is basically the Kreditech playbook for a much larger market segment with less regulations and a higher customer benefit,”
explains Diemer. Thanks to its data-driven technology, Finiata provides fast, fair and uncomplicated financing to its customers, a major driver behind the current average monthly growth of 35 percent.
Article first appeared on Redalpine Newsletter/Blog
The post German SME-lending platform Finiata closes €18 million financing round appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/german-sme-lending-platform-finiata-closes-18-million-financing-round</link><guid>307</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/finiata-team.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>German SME-lending platform Finiata closes €18 million financing round</dc:text></item><item><title>Swissquote bietet Handel mit fünf Kryptowährungen an: neben Bitcoin jetzt auch Bitcoin Cash, Ether, Litecoin und Ripple</title><description><![CDATA[Swissquote hat heute den Handel mit vier weiteren Kryptowährungen lanciert.
Neben Bitcoin können Anleger jetzt auch in Ether, Litecoin, Ripple und Bitcoin Cash investieren. Swissquote bietet den Handel mit Bitcoin bereits seit Juli 2017 an.
Mit jetzt fünf verschiedenen Kryptowährungen ist Swissquote die Bank mit dem grössten Angebot an virtuellen Währungen. Das Angebot macht den Handel mit Kryptowährungen einfacher und sicherer und ist für alle Kunden zugänglich.
Kunden investieren in Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ether, Litecoin oder Ripple gegen Euro oder US-Dollar über ihr Trading-Konto, so wie sie es für jede andere Währung auch machen würden, jedoch ohne die Möglichkeit, zusätzliche Hebel (Leverage) einzusetzen. So laufen sie nicht Gefahr, mehr zu verlieren als sie investiert haben.
Bei der Auswahl der angebotenen Kryptowährungen hat sich Swissquote an der Nachfrage von Kunden sowie der verfügbaren Liquidität der virtuellen Währungen orientiert. Der Mindestbetrag für eine Transaktion in den Kryptowährungen ist 5 US-Dollar oder 5 Euro, der Höchstbetrag 500‘000 US-Dollar oder Euro. Die Kosten richten sich nach der Höhe der Transaktion und liegen zwischen 0,5 und 1 Prozent des investierten Betrags.
Ether (Abkürzung ETH) wurde von der Stiftung Ethereum mit Sitz in Zug in der Schweiz entwickelt und basiert auf der Ethereum-Blockchain, die dafür genutzt wird, sogenannte Smart Contracts auszuführen. Smart Contracts sind dezentrale Programme, die automatisch ausgeführt werden, sobald eine festgelegte Summe ETH überwiesen wurde.
 
 
Bitcoin Cash (BCH) ist eine Kryptowährung, die am 1. August 2017 durch die Abspaltung (Hard Fork) vom Bitcoin-Netzwerk entstand. Bitcoin Cash unterscheidet sich von Bitcoin durch schnellere Transaktionszeiten (achtmal schneller) sowie durch ein anderes Governance-Modell.
 
 
Litecoin (LTC) ist eine Peer-to-Peer-Kryptowährung, die es seit Oktober 2011 gibt. Sie ist Bitcoin technisch gesehen sehr ähnlich. Die Unterschiede sind: eine schnellere Transaktionsbestätigung (Blöcke werden im Litecoin-Netzwerk alle 2,5 statt alle 10 Minuten erzeugt), eine höhere Anzahl an Coins, ein anderer Hash-Algorithmus und eine leicht modifizierte Benutzeroberfläche.
 
 
Ripple (XRP) wurde 2012 lanciert. Nach Marktkapitalisierung ist es die viertgrösste Kryptowährung. Ripple ist Zahlungsnetzwerk (RippleNet, Wettbewerber zu Systemen wie SWIFT) und virtuelle Währung.
 
 
Marc Bürki, CEO von Swissquote:

Marc Bürki
“Der Handel mit Bitcoin über unsere Plattform und unser Bitcoin-Zertifikat sind ein grosser Erfolg und haben unsere Erwartungen übertroffen. Deshalb weiten wir unser Angebot aus und unterstützen Anleger dabei, ihre Investitionen in Kryptowährungen zu diversifizieren, wie sie es von Wertpapieren her kennen.
Virtuelle Währungen sind binnen kurzer Zeit sehr populär geworden, viel schneller als allgemein erwartet wurde. Indem wir den Handel über unsere Plattform anbieten, machen wir das Investieren in Kryptowährungen einfacher, sicherer und für jedermann zugänglich.”
 
The post Swissquote bietet Handel mit fünf Kryptowährungen an: neben Bitcoin jetzt auch Bitcoin Cash, Ether, Litecoin und Ripple appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swissquote-bietet-handel-mit-funf-kryptowahrungen-an-neben-bitcoin-jetzt-auch-bitcoin-cash-ether-litecoin-und-ripple</link><guid>294</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swissquote bietet Handel mit fünf Kryptowährungen an: neben Bitcoin jetzt auch Bitcoin Cash, Ether, Litecoin und Ripple</dc:text></item><item><title>AI, Robo-Advisor und Sentiments. Was bringt 2018 für das Fondsmanangement?</title><description><![CDATA[Während einige noch diskutieren, wie AI und Machine Learning die Zukunft des Aktienhandels verändern werden, gibt es ein Fintech Unternehmen in Berlin, die machen das einfach.
YUKKA Lab sind nach eigenen Angaben Pioniere der Artificial Language Intelligence für den deutschsprachigen Raum und bereits seit 2015 mit ihrem Product SentiTrade auf dem Markt.
YUKKAs Sentiment Technologie ist Basis für das Portfoliomanagement des ersten Nachrichten-Sentiment gesteuerten europäischen Aktienfonds „Sentiment SICAV – Europe 600“. Und auch hinter dem ersten Robo-Advisor mit Sentiment-Frühwarnsystem der Schweizer Banque Cramer steckt YUKKA Lab mit seiner Artificial Language Intelligence Expertise.
Sentiment-Analysen meets AI
Dreh- und Angelpunkt der Arbeit von YUKKA Lab ist die Annahme, dass die Stimmung häufig kurz vor dem Markt dreht. Das ist keine neue Erkenntnis, klassische Sentimentanalysen gibt es schon viele Jahre, jedoch überwogen bisher die Nachteile, wie starke Zeitverzögerung und Ungenauigkeiten in der Messung.
Erst mit dem Aufkommen der Artificial Language Intelligence, einer Verbindung von Data Mining, NLP und Machine Learning, konnte das Potential der Stimmungsanalyse voll nutzbar gemacht werden.

News Cockpit Aktienmärket
Mit den Tools lassen sich deutlich die Risiken minimieren und Verluste begrenzen. Damit ergänzt das Produkt SentiLab Finanzmarkt-Analysen und Research, meist bestehend aus technischer und fundamentaler Analyse, um eine dritte Säule. Das Tool vom Lab bewertet datenbasiert, spart Zeit, ermöglicht es, Marktdynamiken zu antizipieren und beschleunigt damit den Entscheidungsprozess.
News-Analyse ohne Social Media
Anders als andere Newsanalyzer im Finanzbereich setzt YUKKA dabei auf sehr hochwertige Quellen von dpa, awp und anderen deutsch- und englischsprachigen, professionellen Nachrichtenfeeds und schliesst im Gegensatz zum Schweizer Sentif Social Media für die Berechnung der Sentiment Scores aus.
Das erhöht gemäss dem Startup die Qualität der Daten, verringert das Rauschen (Noise)  und die Manipulierbarkeit. Zudem bilden die Sentiment Scores von YUKKA Lab den konsequenten nächsten Schritt: Nicht allein die Menge an aggregierten Nachrichten macht den Vorteil aus, sondern die einfache verständliche Darstellung der Marktstimmung und der Zusammenhänge.
Hinzu kommen die Herausforderungen, vor die der digitale Umbruch die Portfoliomanager zunehmend stellt, noch effektiver, noch rationaler zu arbeiten. Gerade heute, da Zeit und Fachpersonal knappe Ressourcen werden, mit MIFID II Banken und Pensionskassen, Family Offices und Vermögensverwalter vor neuen regulatorischen Herausforderungen stehen, sind Tools wie YUKKAs SENTILab eine Bereicherung.
Trend Cockpit
Vergleich YUKKA Labs benchmark indicator versus DAX 30
YUKKA´s neuestes, in Design und Inhalt deutlich ausgebautes Produkt SENTILab bildet das Herzstück der YUKKA Lab Tools. Im SENTILab News-Cockpit werden Inhalte sämtlicher Finanznachrichten in Echtzeit kontextbasiert auf Stimmungen bewertet, selektiert und visualisiert.
Im Trend-Cockpit werden auf Basis der Sentiment-Scores durch den Einsatz komplexer Finanzmodelle Anlagesignale generiert und Market Overlays dargestellt. Alle Analysen können in Deutsch oder Englisch für verschiedene Nachrichtenformate auf unterschiedlichsten Ebenen aggregiert werden.
Für die besonders nutzerfreundliche und zeitsparende Aggregation von News wurde SentiLab zuletzt im November 2017 in Hong Kong mit dem Best of Show-Preis auf der FinovateAsia prämiert. SENTILab befindet zurzeit noch in der Beta. Im Januar 2018 werden SENTILab News, Trend, Overlay gelauncht und stehen als Cockpit und als API zur Verfügung.
 
Titelbild: via pixabay
The post AI, Robo-Advisor und Sentiments. Was bringt 2018 für das Fondsmanangement? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ai-robo-advisor-und-sentiments-was-bringt-2018-fur-das-fondsmanangement</link><guid>283</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/News_Suisse_Market-Network-1024x577.png</dc:content ><dc:text>AI, Robo-Advisor und Sentiments. Was bringt 2018 für das Fondsmanangement?</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss FinTech Startup Map December Christmas Edition</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss Fintech Startup Map December:
Im Monats-Rhythmus veröffentlicht Swisscom zusammen mit e-foresight eine Marktübersicht der Schweizer FinTech Start-up Landschaft mit einer Kategorisierung nach Handlungsfeldern sowie relevanten Incumbents.
Seit November sind zwei neue Fintechs dazugekommen. Neu dabei sind, planetoffinance und Creadi_AG.
In einem Jahr ist die Swiss Fintech Map von 171 auf stolze 209 Fintech Startups gewachsen (+35 Startups), wie Swisscom per Twitter mitteilt.

The post Swiss FinTech Startup Map December Christmas Edition appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-startup-map-december-christmas-edition</link><guid>284</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/swiss-fintech-map-december.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss FinTech Startup Map December Christmas Edition</dc:text></item><item><title>Lykke Raised 6 Million CHF in 24 Hours</title><description><![CDATA[Lykke, a Swiss FinTech company building a global marketplace on the blockchain, raised almost 6 million CHF in 24 hours of the Lykke 2-year forward (LKK2Y) token sale.
“We are very pleased with these results,”
said Richard Olsen, Lykke founder and CEO.
“We are also heartened by the overwhelming support that we continue to receive for our trading platform and for the long-term goals of our company.”
LKK2Y is a two-year forward, an Ethereum-based token that grants the right to receive digital shares in Lykke Corp exactly two years after execution.
The sale began at 12:00 on December 12 for whitelisted participants and at 14:00 on the same day for all qualified traders and lasted for 24 hours. The secondary market will be started on December 18.

The post Lykke Raised 6 Million CHF in 24 Hours appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/lykke-raised-6-million-chf-in-24-hours</link><guid>285</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/lkk2y_results-1024x536.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Lykke Raised 6 Million CHF in 24 Hours</dc:text></item><item><title>Treasury Fintech Startup Amnis mit starkem Wachstum und neuem Chief Sales Officer</title><description><![CDATA[Die Amnis Treasury Services AG verzeichnete 2017 ein Rekordwachstum. Die unaufhaltsam voranschreitende Digitalisierung der KMU-Landschaft und der technische Vorsprung gegenüber den Mitbewerbern ermöglichten ein Wachstum von fast 300%. Dieses Momentum wollen die drei Gründer nun nutzen und die Weichen für eine erfolgreiche Zukunft stellen.
Für 2018 steht dabei insbesondere die Stärkung der Sales Organisation im Fokus. Mit der Erweiterung des Management-Teams durch Daniel Toggenburger konnte die ideale Verstärkung gefunden werden.
Die clevere Alternative für KMU-Devisengeschäfte
Amnis wickelt monatlich Devisen-Volumen im zweistelligen Millionenbereich ab. EUR/CHF und USD/CHF sind dabei die meist gehandelten Währungspaare. Jeden Monat nutzen mehr als 100 verschiedene Unternehmen die Lösung. Die Vision von Amnis ist es, den Umgang mit Fremdwährungen für Schweizer KMU nachhaltig zu verändern.
Der branchenüblichen individuellen Preispolitik sagt das Amnis-Team den Kampf an und bietet den Zugang zum Devisenmarkt mit transparenten und fairen Konditionen. Nebst der auf kleine und mittlere Unternehmen ausgerichteten elektronischen Plattform und verschiedenen automatischen Schnittstellen (APIs), steht bei Amnis der persönliche Service und die Unterstützung beim Risikomanagement durch kompetente Ansprechpersonen im Vordergrund.
Ehemaliger AFEX-Manager als neues Mitglied der Geschäftsleitung
Daniel Toggenburger
Daniel Toggenburger verstärkt das Management-Team per 1. Februar 2018. Der 33-jährige weist mehr als zehn Jahre relevante Industrie-Erfahrung bei namhaften Unternehmen wie Western Union Business Solutions und AFEX (Associated Foreign Exchange Schweiz AG) aus.
Dabei hat er die letzten vier Jahre als Country Manager massgeblich zum starken Wachstum der AFEX Schweiz beigetragen. In dieser Zeit prägte er durch seine Erfahrungen und sein Know-How die Handhabung von kommerziellen Devisengeschäften und des Zahlungsverkehrs von Schweizer KMU und Startups nachhaltig.

Michael Wüst, CEO
«Mit Daniel haben wir einen in der Branche bekannten Namen als Chief Sales Officer gewonnen. Er ergänzt unser Management durch seine Erfahrung und seine Fähigkeiten in idealer Weise. Mit diesem Schritt legen wir die Basis zur Erreichung unseres langfristigen Zieles die erste Adresse für KMU-Devisengeschäfte in der Schweiz zu werden.»,
sagt Michael Wüst, CEO und Mitgründer von Amnis. Gemäss Daniel Toggenburger war der Zeitpunkt für eine Neuorientierung ideal. Der technologische Vorsprung der KMU-Plattform von Amnis, das Know-How des Gründerteams und die Möglichkeit Schweizer Unternehmen eine Schweizer Lösung zu bieten, waren dabei seine Hauptbewegründe. Der Aufbau eines branchenerfahrenen Sales-Teams wird in den kommenden Monaten der Schwerpunkt des neuen CSO sein.
Nach einem bereits sehr erfolgreichem 2017, ist durch die Stärkung der Sales-Organisation der Weg für die Erreichung der ambitionierten Ziele somit geebnet.
The post Treasury Fintech Startup Amnis mit starkem Wachstum und neuem Chief Sales Officer appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/treasury-fintech-startup-amnis-mit-starkem-wachstum-und-neuem-chief-sales-officer</link><guid>286</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Treasury Fintech Startup Amnis mit starkem Wachstum und neuem Chief Sales Officer</dc:text></item><item><title>Digitalisierung 2017? In diesen Volkswirtschaften werden Milliarden für Briefpost ausgegeben!</title><description><![CDATA[Die Portokosten für den Briefversand sind in Europa höchst unterschiedlich. Während in Deutschland mindestens 70 Cent für den Versand fällig werden, sind es in Dänemark bereits 3,63 Euro.
So weit, so bekannt. In welcher Nation jährlich jedoch am meisten Geld für die Schriftstücke ausgegeben wird, hat der Digital-Post-Experte CAYA anhand des jeweiligen Briefaufkommens und den Portokosten für 20 Nationen exemplarisch berechnet. Demnach zahlt Deutschland mit 13 Milliarden Euro am meisten für Briefporto in ganz Europa.

2016 entfielen auf jeden Deutschen durchschnittlich 160 Euro Briefporto
In der Schweiz fielen pro Kopf durchschnittlich 248 Euro Portokosten an
In den USA erreichten insgesamt 142,1 Milliarden Briefe ihr Ziel

Portokosten für Briefaufkommen im Vergleich

In den USA wurden im Jahr 2016 weltweit mit Abstand die meisten Briefe verschickt: über 142 Milliarden an der Zahl. Mit Portokosten in Höhe von 58,26 Milliarden Euro belegen die Staaten somit unangefochten den ersten Platz im internationalen Vergleich. Für jeden Standardbrief werden hier umgerechnet 41 Cent Porto berechnet. Zum Vergleich: Der Durchschnitt aller 20 untersuchten Nationen liegt bei 74 Cent.
Die zweithöchsten Ausgaben für Briefpost werden in Deutschland getätigt. Im vergangenen Jahr wurden in der Bundesrepublik für rund 19 Milliarden Schriftstücke ca. 13,04 Milliarden Euro an Portokosten bezahlt. Damit holt sich die Bundesrepublik einen Pokal, der ihr im Fußball aktuell nicht vergönnt war: die Europameisterschaft.
Dicht dahinter platziert sich jedoch Grossbritannien. Während auf der Insel ca. 2,5 Milliarden Briefe weniger verschickt wurden, belaufen sich die Kosten für die nötigen Briefmarken umgerechnet jedoch auf 79 Cent. Insgesamt wurden somit 12,77 Milliarden Euro für den Briefversand bezahlt – Platz 3 im internationalen Vergleich.
Frankreich belegt für mit Kosten in Höhe von 9,80 Milliarden für 11,5 Milliarden Briefe den vierten Platz. In Italien wurden hingegen nur knapp 3 Milliarden Briefe versendet – 15 Milliarden weniger als in Deutschland. Da für einen einzigen Briefversand hier jedoch 2,80 Euro anfallen, wurden in Italien 2016 ca. 8,28 Milliarden Euro für Porto bezahlt, was für einen klaren fünften Platz im Ranking sorgt.
Insgesamt versendeten alle 20 Nationen im letzten Jahr 206.461.252.719 Briefe mit Portokosten in Höhe von rund 115 Milliarden Euro.
 
Portokosten pro Einwohner, Schweizer verschickt 269 Briefe im Jahr!

In einer weiteren Berechnung wurde von CAYA das jeweilige Briefaufkommen ins Verhältnis zur Bevölkerung gesetzt. Zuzüglich der Portokosten ergeben sich somit die durchschnittlichen Kosten für den Briefversand je Einwohner. Unangefochten auf Platz 1 liegt dabei die Schweiz. Je Einwohner wurden hier 269 Briefe verschickt mit Portokosten in Höhe von 248 Euro. Der Durchschnitt aller 20 Länder liegt hingegen bei 144 Euro.
Den zweiten Rang beansprucht das Königreich Dänemark. Während hier pro Einwohner nur 58 Briefe aufkommen, liegen die Kosten hingegen durchschnittlich bei 210 Euro. Geschuldet ist dies allerdings den hohen Portokosten von 3,63 Euro.
Großbritannien belegt auch in diesem Ranking den dritten Platz. Auf jeden Einwohner entfielen 2016 194 Euro an Portokosten. Deutschland belegt mit 159 Euro den siebten Platz unter allen 20 Nationen. Hier erhielten die Bürger durchschnittlich 227 Briefe.
Alle weiteren Ergebnisse der Untersuchung finden Sie in den beiden nachfolgenden Tabellen:
 
Kosten für Briefpost im internationalen Vergleich



Land
Briefaukommen
Porto*
Kosten


USA
142.104.000.322
0,41 €
58.262.640.132 €


Deutschland
18.628.000.082
0,70 €
13.039.600.057 €


Großbritannien
16.158.541.368
0,79 €
12.765.247.681 €


Frankreich
11.529.000.065
0,85 €
9.799.650.055 €


Italy
2.954.984.156
2,80 €
8.273.955.638 €


Schweiz
2.261.200.008
0,92 €
2.080.304.008 €


Niederlande
2.213.000.017
0,78 €
1.726.140.013 €


Schweden
1.970.438.010
0,74 €
1.458.124.127 €


Poland
1.718.337.221
0,73 €
1.254.386.171 €


Dänemark
331.000.006
3,63 €
1.201.530.021 €


Tschechien
2.013.853.694
0,59 €
1.188.173.679 €


Finnland
778.000.006
1,30 €
1.011.400.007 €


Norwegen
665.500.005
1,40 €
931.700.007 €


Portugal
662.800.010
0,58 €
384.424.006 €


Ungarn
663.859.010
0,50 €
331.929.505 €


Slowakei
470.842.084
0,70 €
329.589.459 €


Slowenien
875.654.111
0,37 €
323.992.021 €


Kroatien
315.846.376
0,86 €
271.627.884 €


Luxemburg
99.153.299
0,70 €
69.407.309 €


Zypern
47.242.869
0,41 €
19.369.576 €


Summe
206.461.252.719
    &#8211;
114.723.191.357 €


Durchschnitt
1.296.995.666
0,74 €
1.194.851.850 €



*Porto für den Standardbrief Quelle: Universal Postal Union, Statista
 
Briefaufkommen und Kosten pro Einwohner im internationalen Vergleich



Land
Briefe pro Einwohner*
Kosten pro Einwohner


Schweiz
269
248 €


Dänemark
58
210 €


Großbritannien
246
194 €


Finnland
141
184 €


USA
441
181 €


Norwegen
127
177 €


Deutschland
227
159 €


Slowenien
421
156 €


Frankreich
178
151 €


Schweden
200
148 €


Italy
50
139 €


Luxemburg
172
120 €


Tschechien
190
112 €


Niederlande
130
102 €


Kroatien
75
64 €


Slowakei
86
61 €


Portugal
64
37 €


Ungarn
68
34 €


Poland
45
33 €


Zypern
40
17 €


Durchschnitt
136
144 €



*Briefaufkommen im Verhältnis zur Bevölkerung Quelle: Universal Postal Union, Weltbank
Zur Untersuchung: Um vergleichbare Werte zu ermitteln, wurde für das jeweilige Land das Porto für den Standardbrief genutzt. Abweichungen, wie Unternehmensrabatte oder teurere Frankierungen, konnten nicht miteinbezogen werden.
 
 
The post Digitalisierung 2017? In diesen Volkswirtschaften werden Milliarden für Briefpost ausgegeben! appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digitalisierung-2017-in-diesen-volkswirtschaften-werden-milliarden-fur-briefpost-ausgegeben</link><guid>287</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Digitalisierung 2017? In diesen Volkswirtschaften werden Milliarden für Briefpost ausgegeben!</dc:text></item><item><title>Sogar Kirchgemeinden setzen auf digitalisierte Buchhaltung</title><description><![CDATA[Run my Accounts führt neu auch die Buchhaltung von evangelisch-reformierten Kirchgemeinden.
Die Lösung von Run my Accounts konnte die evangelisch-reformierte Landeskirche des Kantons Zürich überzeugen. Diese empfiehlt die digitale und automatisierte Online-Buchhaltungs-Lösung der Stäfner Run my Accounts AG ihren Kirchgemeinden als Alternative zur eigenen Buchführung oder bei Ablösung der bisherigen Buchführungsstelle.
Unbestritten ist wohl, dass die Digitalisierung in den meisten Lebensbereichen unaufhörlich voranschreitet und viele Branchen bereits davon profitieren. Dank der neuen Produktlinie von Run my Accounts können nun auch Körperschaften wie Kirchgemeinden von der digitalen Buchhaltung profitieren &#8211; noch bevor manches KMU seine Buchhaltung digitalisiert hat.
Sabrina Gisiger, Mandatsleiterin bei Run my Accounts, betreut das Projekt und erklärt:

Sabrina Gisiger
„Die Kirchgemeinden müssen im Bereich Finanzen aufgrund des neuen Gemeindegesetzes und der damit verbundenen Einführung von HRM2 viele Anpassungen vornehmen. Daher ist seitens einiger Kirchgemeinden der Wunsch entstanden, eine moderne und zukunftsgerichtete Lösung zu finden.
 
Die reformierte Landeskirche ist vor gut eineinhalb Jahren mit einer sehr spannenden Anfrage an uns herangetreten: Die Buchhaltungsprozesse sollten völlig neu organisiert und digitalisiert werden.“
 
Das vor einem Jahr gestartete Pilotprojekt hat neben dem Papiersparen auch eine wesentliche Arbeitserleichterung für Kirchenpfleger und Mitarbeiter zum Ziel. Durch Digitalisierung, automatisierte Abläufe und sehr viel Know-how kann dies den Kirchgemeinden ermöglicht werden. Eine Zusammenarbeit zwischen den reformierten Kirchgemeinden und dem Online-Buchhalter wurde durch ein Gremium der Kirchgemeinden und der Landeskirche geprüft und schliesslich mit den beiden Pilotprojekt Partnern Herrliberg und Meilen offiziell per 01. Januar 2017 gestartet.
Dieter Zaugg
Dieter Zaugg, der Leiter Ressourcen der evangelisch-reformierten Landeskirche, ist begeistert, denn:
„Run my Accounts verknüpft automatisierte Online-Buchhaltung mit persönlicher Betreuung. Das hat uns überzeugt.“
Dies führte letztlich zur Empfehlung, sodass die  reformierten Kirchgemeinden im Kanton Zürich den Schritt in die digitalisierte Buchhaltungswelt machen und vom administrativen Aufwand entlastet werden. Dadurch können sich die Kirchgemeinden aufs Wesentliche fokussieren.
Gemeinsam mit dem Run my Accounts Team wurde ein standardisierter Prozess erarbeitet, welcher genau auf die Belange der Kirchgemeinden zugeschnitten ist. Sabrina Gisiger betont:
„Da jede Kirchgemeinde anders organisiert ist, haben wir selbstverständlich viel Raum für die individuellen Bedürfnisse gelassen.“
Derzeit werden Projekte mit weiteren Kirchgemeinden aufgegleist und die Digitalisierung der kirchlichen Buchhaltung vorangetrieben.
 
Featured image via Run my account Facebook page
The post Sogar Kirchgemeinden setzen auf digitalisierte Buchhaltung appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sogar-kirchgemeinden-setzen-auf-digitalisierte-buchhaltung</link><guid>288</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Run-my-Accounts-AG-300x104.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Sogar Kirchgemeinden setzen auf digitalisierte Buchhaltung</dc:text></item><item><title>Das creditworld-Team wird verstärkt: neuer Partner für Schweizer Lending Platform</title><description><![CDATA[Mit dem Erfolg wächst auch das Team bei der creditworld AG. Nun steigt mit Philipp Schnyder ein weiterer erfahrener Partner an Bord.
Anfang Dezember 2017 ist Philipp Schnyder zu creditworld, einer der führenden Peer-to-Peer Lending Plattformen der Schweiz, gestossen. Seine Kernaufgaben beim Fintech-Unternehmen beinhalten das Business Development auf der KMU-Seite sowie den Kredit-Prozess.
 
Mit langjähriger Erfahrung bestens ausgerüstet
Vor seiner Zeit bei creditworld war Philipp Schnyder im Private Equity Bereich als Investment Director bei Cross Equity Partners tätig. Dort hat er Unternehmen mit Eigen- und Fremdkapital ausgestattet sowie Management Teams bei der Umsetzung ihrer unternehmerischen Pläne unterstützt.
Davor war Philipp Schnyder über 9 Jahre im Bereich M&amp;A für Alantra (ehem. Swiss Capital Group) und Morgan Stanley tätig und hat börsenkotierte und private Unternehmen bei Übernahmen und Finanzierungen begleitet.
Mit seinem Hintergrund und langjähriger Erfahrung kann der neue Partner den Bedürfnissen des creditworld Klientels bestens entgegenkommen. So gewinnt die Unternehmung mit Philipp Schnyder eine weitere, starke Kompetenz für ihre Tätigkeit im KMU-Lending.
 
Featured image via Creditworld Facebook page
The post Das creditworld-Team wird verstärkt: neuer Partner für Schweizer Lending Platform appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/das-creditworld-team-wird-verstarkt-neuer-partner-fur-schweizer-lending-platform</link><guid>289</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Das creditworld-Team wird verstärkt: neuer Partner für Schweizer Lending Platform</dc:text></item><item><title>CREALOGIX Investiert in den Asiatischen Markt</title><description><![CDATA[CREALOGIX baut mit speziell für den asiatischen Markt zugeschnittenen Softwarelösungen seine Geschäftsaktivitäten im Raum Asien/Pazifik aus.
Pascal Wengi leitet ab sofort die Niederlassung in Singapur. Als Managing Director Asia/Pacific (APAC) zeichnet er für die langfristige strategische Entwicklung des Fintech Top 100 Unternehmens in der Region verantwortlich.
Beim Ausbau der Aktivitäten im Raum Asien/Pazifik kooperiert CREALOGIX mit etablierten Partnern vor Ort, wie etwa Cognizant, einem der führenden Anbieter von Business- und Technologie Dienstleistungen weltweit. Neben regionalen Retail-Banken und aufstrebenden Finanzdienstleistern unterstützt das Fintech-Unternehmen darüber hinaus europäische Privatbanken bei der Umsetzung von Softwarelösungen speziell für den asiatischen Markt.

Pascal Wengi
«Im Vergleich zu Europa ist die Digitalisierung im asiatischen Raum bereits deutlich weiter fortgeschritten. Insbesondere in den Finanzzentren geht es darum, die richtigen state of the art-Frontend-Lösungen für Bankberater und –kunden einzuführen. In Südostasien dagegen stehen Banken vor der enormen Herausforderung, potenzielle Kunden im ländlichen Raum überhaupt zu erreichen»
erklärt Pascal Wengi.
 
CREALOGIX Financial Advisory und CREALOGIX Branch in a Mobile im Fokus Mit der Lösung «CREALOGIX Financial Advisory» können Client Relationship Manager alle Dienstleistungen, die sie im Rahmen ihrer Kundenberatung benötigen, digital aus einer Hand abdecken. Insbesondere im Private Banking und Wealth Management ermöglicht diese zentrale Übersicht dem Berater, die hohen Erwartungen der digital-affinen asiatischen Kunden an ihre Bankgeschäfte zu erfüllen.
CREALOGIX Branch in a Mobile via https://crealogix.com/sg
Mit «CREALOGIX Branch in a Mobile» können Finanzinstitute mobile Filialen aufbauen. Dies ist insbesondere im ländlichen Gebiet Südostasiens mit eingeschränktem Zugang zu Bankdienstleistungen ein Vorteil. Das komplette Angebot – vom Onboarding bis zur Finanzberatung – steht ressourcenschonend via Smartphone oder Tablet zur Verfügung, ohne dass eine physische Filiale unterhalten werden muss.
Vor seinem Start in Singapur war Pascal Wengi drei Jahre für CREALOGIX am Hauptstandort in Zürich tätig. Hier war er für die Integration von Digital-Banking-Lösungen im Umfeld unterschiedlicher Core-Banking-Systeme in Europa, im Mittleren Osten und im Raum Asien/Pazifik verantwortlich. Insgesamt verfügt Wengi über mehr als 15 Jahre Expertise in verschiedenen Projektmanagement-Positionen in Europa und im asiatischen Raum und war beim Aufbau der ersten Schweizer Online-Tradingplattform beteiligt.
 
Featured image via Pixabay
The post CREALOGIX Investiert in den Asiatischen Markt appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crealogix-investiert-in-den-asiatischen-markt</link><guid>290</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/crealogix-mobile-300x128.png</dc:content ><dc:text>CREALOGIX Investiert in den Asiatischen Markt</dc:text></item><item><title>Schweizer Vermögensverwalter bei der Digitalisierung im Rückstand</title><description><![CDATA[Die Digitalisierung verändert auch das Vermögensverwaltungsgeschäft, dank modernen Technologien entstehen aktuell komplett neue Geschäftsmodelle.
Im Gegensatz zur internationalen Konkurrenz haben Schweizer Vermögensverwalter diese Entwicklung jedoch noch nicht erkannt und tun sich schwer mit dem Wandel: Jeder sechste Vermögensverwalter in der Schweiz (17 Prozent) hat bislang noch keine Schritte in Richtung IT-Strategie für die digitale Transformation unternommen.
Während rund 50 Prozent dabei sind, eine Strategie für den technologischen Wandel zu entwickeln, haben nur knapp ein Drittel der Vermögensverwalter eine Digitalstrategie bereits im Einsatz. Diese Ergebnisse einer Studie des Beratungsunternehmens EY sollten die betroffenen Firmen aufhorchen lassen.
Ähnliches zeigt sich bei der Anwendung von Robo-Advice in der Vermögensberatung. Gemäss der globalen EY Studie sind weltweit über 70 Prozent der sehr vermögenden Kunden (High Net Worth Clients) bereit, Robo-Advice für die Verwaltung ihrer Vermögen zu nutzen. Entsprechend drängen viele neue Robo-Advice-Anbieter auf den Markt und verdoppeln ihre verwalteten Vermögen alle paar Monate.
Konträr dazu steht die Entwicklung in der Schweiz: Bislang nutzen oder planen lediglich 17 Prozent der Schweizer Vermögensverwalter den Einsatz von Robotic Process Automation (RPA) und künstlicher Intelligenz zur Automatisierung ihrer Prozesse. Robert Rümmler, Spezialist für Vermögensverwaltungstechnologie bei EY in Zürich, sieht den Grund bei der Priorisierung:

Robert Rümmler
«Schweizer Vermögensverwalter sind nach wie vor mit der Umsetzung von sich ändernden Regulierungsanforderungen beschäftigt und kümmern sich zu wenig um zukünftige digitale Geschäftsmodelle.»
Andere Zentren setzten stärker auf digitale Technologien
Die Schweiz galt in der Vergangenheit unbestritten als eines der führenden Vermögensverwaltungszentren. Mittlerweile haben ihr jedoch andere Zentren den Rang abgelaufen, weil sie ihre Dienstleistungsmodelle digitalisieren und eine höhere Innovationskraft an den Tag legen. Das ist schade, denn der Wandel wird vom Markt international erwartet.
Der Grossteil der weltweit – von APAC (Asien-Pazifik) über EMEA (Europa, Mittlerer Osten, und Afrika) bis Nord- und Lateinamerika – befragten Vermögensverwalter (63 Prozent) erwartet von IT-Innovationen im Zuge des angestrebten Ertragswachstums eine transformative Wirkung auf die Geschäftsstrategien. In der Schweiz haben die Vermögensverwalter diesen Trend jedoch noch nicht erkannt; nur 33 Prozent der Befragten teilen die Prognose.

Bruno Patusi
«Die Schweizer Akteure riskieren, bei der Innovation und Digitalkompetenz ins Hintertreffen zu geraten, während aufstrebende Märkte wie Asien-Pazifik Innovationen und Digitaltechnik mit Hochdruck vorantreiben»,
sagt Bruno Patusi, Managing Partner im Bereich Wealth and Asset Management bei EY Schweiz.
«Schweizer Vermögensverwalter zögern nach wie vor, in die Integration von externen Applikationen und anderen technologischen Möglichkeiten zu investieren. Stattdessen beschränken sie sich nur auf die nötigsten Ausgaben im IT-Bereich. Dies steht im scharfen Gegensatz zu den aggressiven Investitionsstrategien, die wir anderswo sehen.»
Fehlende Wertschätzung von IT-Mitarbeitern
Die meisten Branchen sehen IT und Technologie zunehmend als zentrale Bausteine der Unternehmensstrategie. In krassem Gegensatz dazu nehmen die Schweizer Vermögensverwalter, die IT jedoch nicht als wesentlichen Bestandteil ihres Kerngeschäfts wahr, sondern weiterhin als blosse Unterstützungsfunktion.
Diese Haltung spiegelt sich auch in der mangelnden finanziellen Wertschätzung von IT-Mitarbeitenden wider: Während die Zahl der IT-Fachkräfte im Verhältnis zum Gesamtpersonalbestand in Unternehmen seit 2013 um nahezu 7 Prozent zugenommen hat, sind ihre Gehälter etwa im selben Mass gesunken. Da zugleich die Gehälter anderer Mitarbeitenden in der Vermögensverwaltung stabil geblieben sind, hat sich die Schere zwischen der Vergütung von IT- und Nicht-IT-Mitarbeitenden weiter geöffnet (von 56 Prozent 2013 auf 64 Prozent 2016). Robert Rümmler erläutert:
«Vermögensverwalter, welche die Markttrends bei Vergütungs- und Anreizfragen ignorieren, werden Probleme bekommen, den Rückstand bei den Technologietalenten aufzuholen. Der scharfe Konkurrenzkampf mit anderen Branchen um diese gefragten Spezialisten ist bereits im Gang.»
Um die fehlenden internen Kompetenzen auszugleichen, wenden sich die Unternehmen zunehmend an externe IT-Anbieter. Nur wenigen Unternehmen gelingt es jedoch, ein optimales Gleichgewicht zwischen internen IT-Ressourcen und Auslagerung zu finden. Dies belegt auch die enorme Kluft zwischen Unternehmen, die bezüglich Outsourcing führend sind, und dem Grossteil der Vermögensverwalter.
Erneuerung der IT-Infrastruktur dringend nötig
Die meisten Vermögensverwalter haben die längst fällige Modernisierung ihrer IT-Kernsysteme aufgeschoben. Dazu gehören nicht nur die Infrastruktur, sondern auch andere kritische Bereiche der IT – zum Beispiel die Cybersicherheit: Der Angriff mit der WannaCry-Ransomware belegt, wie wichtig das Einrichten von Schutzvorkehrungen gegen Cyberangriffe ist.
Obwohl die Unternehmen immer häufigeren und schwerwiegenderen Cyberangriffen ausgesetzt sind, steht die Risikobegrenzung (einschliesslich Cybersicherheit) weit unten auf der Liste der Unternehmensprioritäten. Der Grossteil der Schweizer Vermögensverwalter legt den Fokus der IT-Strategie nach wie vor auf die Einhaltung der Regulierungsvorschriften (80 Prozent), während sich nur rund die Hälfte (53 Prozent) auch auf die Risikobegrenzung, einschliesslich Cybersicherheit, konzentriert. Tom Schmidt, Cybersecurity Leader bei EY in der Schweiz, sagt:

Tom Schmidt
«Schweizer Vermögensverwalter unterschätzen den Bedarf an effektivem Schutz vor Cyberbedrohungen in ihrem Geschäftsfeld. Infolge der Digitalisierung und Hyper-Connectivity wird diese Gefahrenquelle jedoch auch in Zukunft immer wichtiger werden.»
 


Um keine Marktanteile zu verlieren, sind Sofortmassnahmen erforderlich
Schweizer Vermögensverwalter sollten die folgenden entscheidenden Schritte in Betracht ziehen, um zu vermeiden, dass weitere Marktanteile verloren gehen, und um eine erfolgreiche digitale Strategie umzusetzen:

Digitale Ziele und Erfolgskriterien definieren, wie z.B. eine Erhöhung der Kundenzufriedenheit oder Reduktion der Betriebskosten.
Die weiteren Auswirkungen der digitalen Strategie auf das gesamte Unternehmen und das Betriebsmodell festlegen.
Die erforderlichen digitalen Fähigkeiten beurteilen und deren Implementierung auf kurz-, mittel- und langfristige Sicht priorisieren.
Eine allgemeine Roadmap für die Digitalisierung ausarbeiten.

 
 
The post Schweizer Vermögensverwalter bei der Digitalisierung im Rückstand appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schweizer-vermogensverwalter-bei-der-digitalisierung-im-ruckstand</link><guid>291</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Schweizer Vermögensverwalter bei der Digitalisierung im Rückstand</dc:text></item><item><title>Schlechte Nachricht für Challenger Banks: Schweizer wechseln ihre Bank nur selten, Mobile Payment: Langsames Wachstum ist normal</title><description><![CDATA[In der sechsten Studie zum Schweizer Retail-Banken-Markt zeigt das Institut für Finanzdienstleistungen Zug IFZ der Hochschule Luzern auf:
Die Kundinnen und Kunden sind mit ihren Banken zufrieden. Sie wechseln die Hauptbank nur selten. Auch die Banken schätzen ihre Leistungen als gut bis sehr gut ein. Im jährlichen Ranking der erfolgreichsten Retail-Banken schwingen wiederum kleine Banken oben auf.
Häufig wird angenommen, dass Kundinnen und Kunden von Schweizer Banken mit deren Leistungen unzufrieden sind. Eine breit angelegte Befragung des Instituts für Finanzdienstleistungen Zug IFZ der Hochschule Luzern von rund 2&#8217;500 Personen zeigt hingegen, dass die Kundenzufriedenheit mit der jeweiligen Hauptbank sehr hoch ist. Das geht aus der «IFZ Retail Banking-Studie 2017» hervor (siehe Kasten).
Treue Kundschaft, zufriedene Banken
Für die Kundenzufriedenheit sind drei Faktoren besonders wichtig: Das «Preis-Leistungs-Verhältnis», die «Transparenz der Bank» und die «Wertschätzung des Kunden». Diese warden zwar nicht von allen Banken in der gleichen Qualität angeboten. Trotzdem wollen nur wenige Kundinnen und Kunden ihre Bank wechseln: Nur gerade ein Prozent der Befragten plant einen Wechsel der Hauptbank. Weitere fünf Prozent überlegen sich, eine neue Hauptbankbeziehung aufzubauen. Die tiefste Wechselwilligkeit zeigt sich bei Kundinnen und Kunden der Raiffeisenbanken, die höchste bei Grossbanken.

Prof. Dr. Andreas Dietrich
«Überraschend ist, dass auch unzufriedene Retail-Bankkunden in der Regel die Bank nicht wechseln»,
sagt Studienautor Andreas Dietrich. Auch die Banken sind mit ihren Leistungen zufrieden und zeigen insgesamt wenig Selbstkritik. Die zwei negativsten Einschätzungen machen die Bankenrepräsentanten zu den Themen «kundenfreundliche Öffnungszeiten» und «Filialgestaltung».
 

Kleinbanken weiterhin mit den besten Kennzahlen
Für das Ranking der besten Schweizer Retail-Banken wurden Kennzahlen von 94 Instituten analysiert. Der Fokus lag dabei auf zehn Kennzahlen, welche das Risiko, die Rentabilität sowie die Struktur von Bilanz und Erfolgsrechnung erfassen. Berücksichtigt wurden die Jahresabschlüsse 2015 und 2016.
Auf den ersten drei Rängen platzieren sich drei Kleinbanken, welche allesamt eine Bilanzsumme von weniger als 400 Millionen Franken aufweisen (Spar- und Leihkasse Wynigen AG, Caisse d&#8217;Epargne d&#8217;Aubonne société coopérative, Ersparniskasse Affoltern i.E. AG).Gerade Kleinbanken gelingt es trotz Tiefzinsumfeld weiterhin hohe Zinsmargen zu erwirtschaften. Eine weitere Stärke ist die starke Eigenmittelauslastung.
«Zudem scheinen die gelebte Kundennähe, regionale Verwurzelung und die treue – meist ältere – Kundschaft auch heute noch wichtig zu sein»
sagt Andreas Dietrich. Die Schwyzer Kantonalbank folgt im Ranking auf Platz 4 (siehe Anhang für Top 5 der Banken). Insgesamt weisen mittelgrosse Banken gute Kennzahlen aus. Diese profitieren möglicherweise von gewissen Skalenerträgen, können aber durch ihre noch überschaubare Grösse die Komplexitätskosten, die bei einer grösseren Bank anfallen, weiterhin tief halten.
 
Nachhaltigkeit wichtig für die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit
Zum ersten Mal wurde auch die Nachhaltigkeit der Retail-Banken umfassend und aus drei Blickwinkeln analysiert: Einerseits wurde der operative Bankbetrieb auf Nachhaltigkeitskriterien untersucht. Andererseits stand die Produktseite der Banken im Fokus. Weiter wurde erhoben, wie die Banken selber das Thema beurteilen und was deren Nachhaltigkeitsüberlegungen antreibt. Das IFZ schätzt die Nachhaltigkeitsbestrebungen von 15 der 73 untersuchten Banken (21%) als «mittel bis hoch» ein.
Diese Banken verfügen über eine Berichterstattung und Zielsetzungen zur Nachhaltigkeit sowie über entsprechende Produkte in den Bereichen Anlegen und Finanzieren. Insgesamt 43 Banken (59%) können nur wenige Nachhaltigkeitsbestrebungen vorweisen. Zudem planen 40 Prozent der 73 Banken konkrete strategische Nachhaltigkeitsinitiativen.
 
Mobile Payment: Langsames Wachstum ist normal
Image credit: Pexel
Die Autoren des IFZ untersuchten, welche Merkmale für den Erfolg von Mobile Payment Applikationen wichtig sind. Beim Bezahlen mit mobilen Endgeräten wie Smartphones oder Tablets ist es zentral, dass die Applikation vertrauenswürdig ist. Zudem müssen Mobile Payment Apps günstiger und einfacher sein als herkömmliche Zahlungsvorgänge.
Insgesamt ziehen die Studienautoren ein positives Fazit: Das Transaktionsvolumen über Mobile Payment in der Schweiz ist mit einem Marktanteil von ca. 0.2 Prozent zwar noch gering. Gleichzeitig verläuft die Adoptionsgeschwindigkeit von Innovationen im Bereich des Bezahlens vor allem in der Anfangsphase aber immer sehr langsam.
«Dass die Marktentwicklung von Mobile Payment in der Schweiz teilweise belächelt wurde, hängt primär mit überhöhten Erwartungen zusammen»
sagt Andreas Dietrich.
«Wir gehen davon aus, dass im Jahr 2020 monatlich etwa 2.5 bis 3 Millionen Transaktionen via Smartphone getätigt werden.»
 
Frauenanteil in den Verwaltungsräten steigt – aber langsam
Im letzten Teil der Retail Banking-Studie wurde die Corporate Governance von 73 Banken analysiert. Wie sich zeigt, steigt der Frauenanteil in den Bankverwaltungsräten, allerdings nur langsam und auf tiefer Ausgangsbasis. In den Verwaltungsräten der 73 Institute sind 101 Frauen tätig, was einem Anteil von 19 Prozent entspricht.Zwei Jahre zuvor waren es noch 90 Frauen (Anteil von 17 Prozent). Viele Banken haben sich zum Ziel gesetzt, den Frauenanteil in ihren Verwaltungsräten zu erhöhen.
Die 230-seitige «IFZ Retail Banking Studie 2017» kostet 290 Franken und kann unter ifz@hslu.ch bestellt werden.
 
IFZ Retail Banking-Studie 2017
Die «IFZ Retail Banking-Studie 2017» des Instituts für Finanzdienstleistungen Zug IFZ der Hochschule Luzern setzt fünf Schwerpunkte: Der erste Teil der Studie befasst sich mit dem Thema Kundenzufriedenheit. Dafür wurden sowohl Bankkunden als auch Geschäftsleitungsmitglieder befragt. Im zweiten Teil werden die Kennzahlen der Schweizer Retail-Banken analysiert und die besten Banken gekürt.
Im dritten Teil präsentiert das IFZ die erste breit angelegte Studie zum Thema Nachhaltigkeit. Analysiert wurden mehr als drei Viertel aller Schweizer Retail-Banken. Im vierten Teil fokussiert die Studie auf den Mobile Payment Markt Schweiz. Der fünfte Teil schliesslich beschäftigt sich mit der Corporate Governance der Schweizer Retail-Banken.
Weitere Informationen unter: www.hslu.ch/retailbanking

The post Schlechte Nachricht für Challenger Banks: Schweizer wechseln ihre Bank nur selten, Mobile Payment: Langsames Wachstum ist normal appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schlechte-nachricht-fur-challenger-banks-schweizer-wechseln-ihre-bank-nur-selten-mobile-payment-langsames-wachstum-ist-normal</link><guid>292</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/pexels-photo-54284-300x200.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>Schlechte Nachricht für Challenger Banks: Schweizer wechseln ihre Bank nur selten, Mobile Payment: Langsames Wachstum ist normal</dc:text></item><item><title>FINMA Aspires to Enable Blockchain Innovation but Remains Vigilant of ICOs, Cryptos</title><description><![CDATA[With countries likes China and South Korea are cracking down on cryptocurrencies and initial coin offerings (ICOs) activities, Switzerland is quickly emerging as the favored location for entrepreneurs to host their crypto businesses and conduct token sales.
Switzerland is already known for being a global blockchain and cryptocurrency hub, aided by supportive regulations, the business-friendly environment, advanced infrastructures and the large pool of highly-educated and highly-skilled finance and tech talents.
This year, the country hosted four of the six largest ICOs, as of September 2017, according to PwC Strategy&amp; report, and that number is growing fast. And while the country seeks to further grow its blockchain industry and foster blockchain and cryptocurrency innovation, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) remains wary of ICOs and cryptocurrencies.
Mark Branson, CEO of FINMA, Photo: ©Philipp ZInniker
&#8220;Switzerland has positioned itself as a hub for blockchain related activities. This success will be maintained if Switzerland welcomes innovative and serious projects,&#8221; Mark Branson, CEO of FINMA, said in a recent interview with le Temps.
But while blockchain technology has given birth to great projects, it has also opened the door to fraudulent activities.
&#8220;Our work consists in distinguishing the innovations that deserve to have a chance for success from the ones that are fraudulent,&#8221; said Branson.
&#8220;We have cracked down on a crytocurrency project that was relying on nothing and are currently examining others. Actors who are looking to make money rapidly in an illegal manner will be stopped. But investors also must be prudent.
 
&#8220;We are mobilizing more and more of our existing resources towards virtual activities that are subject to strong craze.&#8221;
Branson said FINMA is constantly monitoring the ICO sector and will closely examine the cases which it believes are potentially problematical. &#8220;With experience, we will develop a practice that will be known by players in this industry.&#8221;
Branson added that not every cryptocurrency business are required to have a license from FINMA, but some players need to be supervised to help prevent money laundering. Others must be regulated by current rulings on investment funds, banking, or securities.
FINMA issued guidance on ICOs in September shortly after the authority shut down the provider of an alleged fake cryptocurrency.
The QUID PRO QUO Association had provided so-called E-Coin for more than a year and had amassed funds of at least CHF 4 million from several hundred users.
&#8220;Unlike real cryptocurrencies, which are stored on distributed networks and use blockchain technology, E-Coins were completely under the providers&#8217; control and stored locally on its servers,&#8221; FINMA said in a release.
&#8220;The providers had suggested that E-Coins would be 80% backed by tangible assets, but the actual percentage was significantly lower. Moreover, substantial tranches of E-Coins were issued without sufficient asset backing, leading to a progressive dilution of the E-Coin system to the detriment of investors.&#8221;
At the time, FINMA also said it was investigating around a dozen other possible fraud cases.
The move puts Switzerland in line with other authorities around the world that are casting a sharper eye on ICOs and cryptocurrencies. Earlier this week, the UK and other European governments announced that they are cracking down on cryptocurrencies amid growing concerns that these can be used for money laundering and tax evasion.
Under the proposed plan, traders will be forced to disclose their identities and cryptocurrency exchange platforms will be required to carry out due dilligence on customer and report suspicious transactions. The rules are expected to come into effect in the coming months, according to the Guardian.
 
Featured photo: © Philipp Zinniker via FINMA
The post FINMA Aspires to Enable Blockchain Innovation but Remains Vigilant of ICOs, Cryptos appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finma-aspires-to-enable-blockchain-innovation-but-remains-vigilant-of-icos-cryptos</link><guid>279</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/branson-300x200.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>FINMA Aspires to Enable Blockchain Innovation but Remains Vigilant of ICOs, Cryptos</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss F10 Fintech Incubator and Accelerator Prepares for Demo Day</title><description><![CDATA[F10, a fintech incubator and accelerator in Switzerland, is preparing for Demo Day. On December 07, the 14 startups currently part of its P2 &#8220;Prototype to Product&#8221; accelerator program will present their solutions to an audience made of some of the country&#8217;s top financial services leaders, investors and corporates for potential investment and partnerships.

Sponsored by SIX, the operator of Switzerland&#8217;s stock market and a leading financial services provider, F10 is one of the largest and most successful startup accelerators in the country focusing on fintech, regtech and insurtech. It operates as a non-profit organization that aims to support promising startups together with its corporate membership board and partners which include SIX, PwC Switzerland, Julius Bär, Baloise Group, Generali Group Switzerland,  ERI Bancaire, eny Finance, and most recently Zürcher Kantonalbank.
This year&#8217;s P2 batch includes 11 startups from Switzerland and three startups from other countries in Europe including the UK, Germany and Portugal. These cover varied areas from payments and digital banking, to insurtech, digital identity and investing.
Appetita, for instance, is a Swiss startup that provides a virtual artificial intelligence waiter that learns consumer behavior to continuously improve service. Other Swiss players include CashSentinel, a payment service for large transactions, Oyoba, a consumer-focused digital banking service, and Riskifier, an investment risk-profiling tool with gamified elements.
Portuguese startup Data XL provides a price-optimizing insurtech product that searches out the best prices for consumers, while Brainalyzed, is a German company that offers an artificial swarm intelligence algorithm that scans and reacts to market movements 24/7.
As these startups prepare to graduate from the six-month P2 program, F10 has already begun accepting applications for its 2018&#8217;s first round of P2. Startups have until December 15, 2017 to prepare and submit their application. The program will start on March 05 and run until August 23, 2018.
Looking back at 2017, Markus Graf, the co-founder and head of F10, said the year has already proved to be a big success.
&#8220;2017 has been an exciting year in the world of fintech – looking at the creative tech solutions that we are seeing from our startups, the future is looking even brighter,&#8221; said Graf. &#8220;As the best accelerator in Switzerland, we’re excited to be at the front of these new developments, fostering the ideas and leveraging the skills that these startups have by helping them collaborate with industry leaders and build a network of connections.&#8221;
Graf said in a recent interview that for almost all of F10&#8217;s corporate members, there has been a collaboration that was more than a proof-of-concept, but an actual product.
Alongside its P2 program, which focuses on offering lessons and workshops in the areas of marketing and sales, legal and regulations, and business, product and technology, F10 also offers other programs for startups at different stages of development.
The P1 &#8220;Idea to Prototype&#8221; program aims to transform an idea into a validated prototype, and the P3 &#8220;Product to Market&#8221; program, aims to foster collaboration between startups and F10&#8217;s corporate members and support the development of proof-of-concepts.
F10 also offers worldwide collaboration with international financial institutions and works in cooperation with Swiss companies in the finance, insurance and consulting sectors.
Previous graduates of F10&#8217;s P2 program include Sonect, a startup that&#8217;s creating virtual ATMs where users can withdraw cash from any shop part of the network, WealthInitiative, a platform that allows wealth management institutions to recognize and exploit synergies amongst their clients and, in a further step, amongst their peers, and Enterprise Bot, an automated customer support system for banks that is able to understand and act upon customer queries.
 
Featured image: F10.
The post Swiss F10 Fintech Incubator and Accelerator Prepares for Demo Day appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-f10-fintech-incubator-and-accelerator-prepares-for-demo-day</link><guid>268</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/demo_day-f10-2017-300x212.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss F10 Fintech Incubator and Accelerator Prepares for Demo Day</dc:text></item><item><title>Boerse Stuttgart acquires Fintech Predictive Data Analytics Startup</title><description><![CDATA[Boerse Stuttgart has acquired 100 percent of Sowa Labs GmbH with effect from 30 November. The fintech company, which is based in Ulm, Germany, specialises in predictive data analytics and has been analysing data by using proprietary artificial intelligence since 2013.
Its core area of business is a real-time analysis of the rapidly growing amount of diverse financial market information on the internet. The technology is designed to assist customers &#8211; including exchanges, major banks, insurance groups and financial market data providers &#8211; in their professional financial decisions.
Alexander Höptner
Alexander Höptner,  a member of the Management Board of Boerse Stuttgart GmbH, states:
‘Sowa Labs is a perfect complement to the Group, and will boost our innovative strength. Thanks to this strategic step, we are able to fulfil a key task that forms part of our digital strategy: in expanding the areas of artificial intelligence and data analysis, we are focusing fully on the retail investor.’
Sowa Labs is part of Boerse Stuttgart Digital Ventures GmbH, which is currently working on innovative products in the areas of equities, cryptocurrencies and blockchain. The Board member added:
‘We warmly welcome our new colleagues from Sowa Labs to the Boerse Stuttgart Group, and look forward to developing customised digital products for our customers together.’
A seven-digit figure changed hands in the transaction.
 
Featured image via Sowalabs.com
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/boerse-stuttgart-acquires-fintech-predictive-data-analytics-startup</link><guid>269</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Boerse Stuttgart acquires Fintech Predictive Data Analytics Startup</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss-Chalet  to Accept Bitcoin and Ether</title><description><![CDATA[Restaurant and hotel guests of the Swiss-Chalet Merlischachen can pay with cryptocurrencies as of today. The Swiss-Chalet Merlischachen is the first hotel and restaurant in the Crypto Valley to accept cryptocurrencies Bitcoin and Ether for payments.
Swiss-Chalet Merlischachen, a traditional hotel and restaurant company with its over 400 years old farmhouse, is accepting Bitcoin and Ether for payments in their outlets from today onwards. The Directors, Jeannine and Karel Noelly, are certain that
“cryptocurrencies will be used more and more and therefore it fulfils the needs of our existing guests and the blockchain community to be able to pay with Bitcoin or Ether &#8211; and from today they can do that.”
Merlischachen is located in the middle of the innovative Crypto Valley, the worldwide leading place for developing and deployment of the blockchain technology. Jeannine and Karel Noelly say,
“cryptocurrencies are becoming everyday life and as an innovative company in the middle of the Crypto Valley it is natural for us to take the pioneering role by accepting cryptocurrencies.”
Swiss-Chalet Merlischachen Ltd. operates the Swiss-Chalet Restaurant, the Chalet Bar, the Schloss-Hotel and the Hotel Jagd-Schloss. It is known for its restaurant in the over 400 years old farmhouse where Swiss fine food meets delicious dishes from the grill.
The unique accommodations of the Swiss-Chalet Merlischachen regularly host a variety of meetings and events.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-chalet-to-accept-bitcoin-and-ether</link><guid>266</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss-Chalet  to Accept Bitcoin and Ether</dc:text></item><item><title>US Cities Dominates for Millennial Millionaires</title><description><![CDATA[There are more than twice as many millionaires under the age of 35 – so-called millennial millionaires &#8212; in US cities than in any other countries’ cities, research from economics and business website Verdict and compiled by GlobalData Wealth Insight has shown.
In total, US cities take seven of the top 20 spots while only two Chinese cities feature in the top 20, with Shanghai and Hong Kong both in the top 10.
The ranking – the first time millennial millionaires have been calculated – suggests which cities are attracting the most young millionaires and are likely to grow in importance in coming years.
The ranking also sheds light on which cities are made up of older millionaires, with Tokyo, Japan dropping from first place for overall millionaires out of the millennial millionaires top 20 entirely.
Asian cities generally perform badly for millennial millionaires, with Hong Kong, China; Osaka, Japan; Beijing, China, and Seoul, South Korea all dropping or disappearing from the millennial millionaire rankings compared to their total millionaire position.
WealthInsight’s head of research Oliver Williams said:
“The west coast of the US features highly on this list thanks to the tech start-up culture found around Los Angeles, San Jose, San Diego and San Francisco. These areas are also home to some of the world’s largest companies, offering big pay packages for skilled millennials. However, with recent accusations of ageism in Silicon Valley, some might question whether their position here is a good thing.
 
“London is home to far more millennial millionaires than its European rivals Paris and Rome. This is as much down to its entrepreneurial economy as the City’s financial clout. Its nearest rival, Shanghai, has less than a third of London’s millennial millionaires, affirming position of these top three cities for years to come.
 
“Riyadh and Mumbai are financial capitals of countries with extremely young populations so we can expect to see them climb the ranks as more millennials earn their millions. For the same reason Tokyo, which has the largest total population of millionaires, does not feature on this list. Japan has the oldest population of any country.”




Rank


City


Country


Millennial Millionaires


All Millionaires




1


Los Angeles


US


25,249


Tokyo, Japan




2


New York


US


19,966


New York, US




3


London


UK


19,750


London, UK




4


Shanghai


China


6,111


Beijing, China




5


Paris


France


5,920


Frankfurt, Germany




6


Rome


Italy


5,906


Paris, France




7


Mumbai


India


5,889


Hong Kong, China




8


Hong Kong


China


5,573


Osaka, Japan




9


San Jose


US


5,001


Shanghai, China




10


Moscow


Russia


3,743


Singapore




11


Riyadh


Saudi Arabia


3,465


Seoul, South Korea




12


Berlin


Germany


2,898


Munich, Germany




13


Barcelona


Spain


2,752


Los Angeles, US




14


Toronto


Canada


2,557


Toronto, Canada




15


Sydney


Australia


2,248


Chicago, US




16


Singapore


Singapore


2,193


Houston, US




17


Phoenix


US


2,137


Mumbai, India




18


San Francisco


US


2,049


Taipei, Taiwan




19


San Diego


US


1,967


Hamburg, Germany




20


Houston


US


1,723


Hangzhou, China




Source: Verdict.co.uk and WealthInsight
 
Some well-known millennial millionaires and where they live

Hind Hariri, daughter of Lebanese businessman Rafic Hariri – Lebanon
Miley Cyrus, singer – US
Taylor Swift, singer – US
Kunal Bahl, co-founder of Snapdeal – India
Eric Trump, son of US president Donald Trump – US
Daniel Ek, co-founder of Spotify – US
Nathan Blecharczyk, co-founder of Airbnb – US
Athina Onassis Rousse, heir to the Onassis fortune – Sao Paulo
Chris Hughes, co-founder of Facebook – US
Tom Persson, shareholder and heir to Hennes &amp; Mauritz (H&amp;M) – Sweden
Bobby Murphy, co-founder of Snapchat – US
Evan Spiegel, co-founder of Snapchat – US
Jean, Frederic, and Alexandre Arnault, children of Bernard Arnault and shareholders of LVMH – France
Arash Ferdowsi, co-founder of Dropbox – US
Drew Houston, co-founder of Dropbox – US
Tamara Ecclestone, daughter of Bernie Ecclestone – UK

 
Featured image via Pixabay
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/us-cities-dominates-for-millennial-millionaires</link><guid>264</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>US Cities Dominates for Millennial Millionaires</dc:text></item><item><title>4 Promising P2P-Lending Countries</title><description><![CDATA[According to the study of the growing market of the alternative finance, conducted by the European P2P platform Robo.cash, Switzerland, Latvia, Russia and Argentina are expected to join the global alternative lending market in the coming 2-3 years.
According to the results of the Swiss market of the alternative finance, Switzerland is among those countries which are expected to show remarkable growth. In 2014 the University of Cambridge estimated its volume of transactions to ca. €12 million per year and put Switzerland after Sweden, the Netherlands, Estonia, Finland, etc. In 2015 the volume of the local P2P market grew to €25.2 million and had been expected to reach €60 million in 2016.
There are more than 40 peer-to-peer platforms which provide the market growth and gain momentum thanks to the long-standing traditions, fine reputation of the banking system and the high-quality of life standards of the country.
The second country in focus is Latvia with its platforms gaining weight in the European FinTech market. In 2015 its market volume was estimated at €15 million and lagged far behind the leading countries. In 2016 KPMG Baltics put the Latvian platforms after the German and French thanks to the highest dynamics in the continental Europe.
Its geographical position with a barrier-free access for the European investors to a broad variety of platforms played a great role here. The specialized legislative regulation expected until the end of 2017 promises to give an additional impulse for the development of the local P2P sector.
With regard to Russia, there are several major P2P-players and the sectoral growth is extremely low today. The main problems are the quality of borrowers and the lacking demand on the alternative lending. In 2015, the Bank of Russia estimated the market volume to ₽ 111.3 million ($2.8 million). The key factor for a qualitative breakthrough is expected to be given by clear regulation of the internal P2P market.
However, the major contribution of Russia to the global alternative lending promises to be realized through the growing popularity of micro-loans here. The annual volume of the lent amounts increased from 131 to 195 billion rubles and the contracts number grew from 8.7 to 19 million from 2014 to 2016.
In 2016, the Cambridge Center of Alternative Finance reported the total volume of the P2P-market of Argentina to be equal to $12.6 million. Although the leaders of the South American and the Caribbean online lending market are Mexico, Chile and Brazil, Argentina stands out greatly at the moment. It is one of the largest countries of the region but its P2P lending market volume is 10 times lower than in Mexico, 8 times — Chile, and 5 times — Brazil.
There are no more than 20 peer-to-peer platforms. Taking into account the standard of living, nation specifics and demand for loan funds and the attraction for foreign companies, Argentina will demonstrate the greater dynamics of the market in comparison to its neighbours in a coming couple of years.
 
Featured image via Pixabay &amp; Wikimedia
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/4-promising-p2p-lending-countries</link><guid>270</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/LAC-Alternative-finance.png</dc:content ><dc:text>4 Promising P2P-Lending Countries</dc:text></item><item><title>Bitcoin, Crypto and Blockchain Courses Around the World</title><description><![CDATA[Bitcoin, Ethereum and the overall blockchain space have gained much traction these past years, with startups raising billions of dollars to disrupt the way we conduct business.
As cryptocurrencies and blockchain thrive, it has become primordial for professionals to understand the potential and implications of these emerging technologies in their respective industries and keep up with the burgeoning space.
Here&#8217;s a list of some of the top courses available out there to learn and better understand this rising space:
 
Introduction to Digital Currencies &#8211; University of Nicosia

The University of Nicosia, the leading university in Cyprus and one of the largest English language universities in the Mediterranean region, is known for being the first accredited university in the world to accept bitcoin payments and launch an MSc Degree in digital currency.
The first course in the degree, DFIN-511: Introduction to Digital Currencies, is offered as a free, online and open enrollment MOOC. The course is taught by renowned Bitcoin experts Andreas Antonopoulos and Antonis Polemitis and includes 12 live online sessions covering both a technical overview of decentralized digital currencies like Bitcoin, as well as their broader economic, legal and financial context.
 
Masterclass FinTech &amp; Blockchain &#8211; University of Amsterdam

The Masterclass FinTech &amp; Blockchain by the University of Amsterdam, is a two-day masterclass that introduces participants to digital currencies, emerging mobile payment systems and blockchains, and helps them stay-up to date on the essentials of these emerging technologies.
The course covers the history, growth, strengths, and weaknesses of digital currencies, blockchains, and distributed ledger technology, as well as their potential applications to new products and services.
It is targeted at entrepreneurs or emerging growth companies, online retailers who are considering the use of these technologies in their business, as well as financial, legal and government professionals looking to better understand the implications of blockchain and cryptocurrencies.
In 2018, the masterclass is scheduled on May 31 and June 01.
 
Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies

The Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies course, created by Princeton computer science professor Arvind Narayanan, is an online course that covers mechanisms, uses and mining of bitcoin in addition to the wider concepts surrounding it such as community and regulation. It also provides students with the conceptual foundations needed to engineer secure software that interacts with the Bitcoin network.
The course lasts 11 weeks and includes 12 lecture videos and 11 lecture slides. It starts at regular intervals and is free of charge.
 
Fintech &#8211; Innovative Banking

The Fintech &#8211; Innovative Banking course by the Imperial College Business School in London, offered in partnership with the Centre for Global Finance and Technology, was designed to encompass thought leadership from academic experts, tech developments from leading disruptors and also practical insights from industry.
The two-day course focuses on key areas: distributed ledger technology also knows as blockchain, digital identity, digital money and cryptocurrencies, and digital payments.
It includes presentations, individual learning, group work, and high impact discussions encouraging all participants to challenge the status quo in their business.
 
The Complete Ethereum Blockchain Mastery Bundle

The Complete Ethereum Blockchain Mastery Bundle is a collection of four online courses taught by Certified Bitcoin Professional Ravinder Deol.
The program is one of the largest, most in-depth Ethereum development courses online. Participants get to work with the Ethereum blockchain on a practical level, with step-by-step instructions guiding them through the entire process.

Ethereum Blockchain Developer, a 74-lecture course that allows participants to work with Ethereum on a practical level and build projects using tools like Mist, Geth, and Ethereum Studio.
Blockchain Technology, a 18-lecture class that breaks down everything participants need to know about blockchain technology and the ecosystem.
Ethereum Developer, a course with 38 lectures that teaches participants how to develop their own decentralized blockchain apps using Solidity 3, Truffle 2, and Angular.
Ethereum Developer Masterclass, an advanced (yet student-friendly) class that teaches how to develop a complex, real-world, Ethereum-based distributed application using Solidity.

 
The ULTIMATE Bitcoin and Blockchain Course (Cryptocurrency)

The ULTIMATE Bitcoin and Blockchain Course (Cryptocurrency) provides an overview of these emerging technologies, teaching participants the growing importance of cryptocurrencies in our lives as well as the world of cryptocurrency mining, cryptocurrency trading, and the blockchain technology ecosystem.
The course focuses on providing straight facts, techniques and methods.
 
Blockchain essentials &#8211; IBM developerWorks Courses

The Blockchain essentials course, by IBM, focuses on blockchain applications in the business world and explores key use cases that demonstrate how the technology adds value.
In this course, participants learn about some of the common challenges facing business networks and how a new approach to recording and processing transactions that uses blockchain technology can solve some of these challenges.
It covers blockchain and distributed ledger systems in a business environment, the important concepts and key use cases of blockchain for business, as well as how assets can be transferred in a blockchain network.
 
Blockchain 101: The Basics

The Blockchain 101: The Basics is an online course that covers the fundamentals of blockchain technology, including the three core layers of a blockchain and the three types of blockchains.
This course is targeted at technologists who are interested in the technology, as well as business owners who are looking to understand the technology on a deeper level.
 
Blockchain for Finance Professionals

Blockchain for Finance Professionals covers the essential areas and use cases regarding blockchain technology, how it’s disrupting the finance industry and how it can also generate new opportunities.
The course provides professionals with a solid, overall, understanding of blockchain technology and how it relates to the finance industry. It aims to prepare participants to understand the changes that are, and which will be occurring in various industries due to the revolutionizing aspects of this technology.
 
Blockchain University
 

Founded three years ago in California by a group of experienced cryptocurrency executives, Blockchain University offers courses designed with a multi-disciplinary approach to empower developers to designers to corporations.
The Accelerated One Week Intensives is a one-week immersive course providing an overview and in depth explorations of the emerging field of distributed digital assets using blockchain.
Participants get to learn about Bitcoin, the continuously evolving blockchain landscape, the basics of cryptography, as well as to program transactions to the Bitcoin blockchain (and other altcoin ledgers, such as Ethereum) and understand other related technologies.
 
B9lab Academy

B9lab, a fee-charging institution based in London and Hamburg, offers online training in blockchain and decentralized applications for developers, technical experts and analysts.
The courses are delivered through a mixture of reading material, videos, screencasts, exercises and graded midterm and final examinations. Each week, B9lab offers new content for students to learn at a time that is suitable for them.
Participants also get access to expert blockchain tutors through multiple communication channels including forums and a dedicated slack channel. If they achieve an average grade of 80% or higher in the final exam, they receive a certificate on the blockchain, proving they have taken the course in full and have acquired abilities in blockchain development. The certificates have been integrated into LinkedIn.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bitcoin-crypto-and-blockchain-courses-around-the-world</link><guid>265</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/University-of-Nicosia.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Bitcoin, Crypto and Blockchain Courses Around the World</dc:text></item><item><title>Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann at Crypto Finance Conference 2018 in St.Moritz</title><description><![CDATA[Johann N. Schneider-Ammann
The founding fathers of the soon to be held Crypto Finance Conference 2018 are proud to announce that Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research of Switzerland Johann N. Schneider-Ammann confirmed his participation as guest and speaker at “Crypto-WEF”.
The extraordinary line-up of top tier investors and internationally renowned influencers in the crypto sphere will be complemented by one of Switzerland’s most influential figures in politics and administration.
As the Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann is one of the seven members of the Federal Council, Switzerland’s executive body. After visiting Crypto Valley (Zug) in August, the Swiss government underlines the relevance that the fast-growing Crypto- and Blockchain economy has in Switzerland.
Mr Daniel Gutenberg, super angel investor, venture capitalist and one of the creators of Crypto Finance Conference, is recognizing these efforts:
“I appreciate a lot that Federal Councillor Schneider-Ammann signals a welcoming political environment for actors involved in the Blockchain sphere. Eventually, this is also about creating a lot of new employment possibilities in Switzerland.”
The conference will take place on January 17 to 19, 2018, in Suvretta House in St. Moritz, a glamorous setting in the Swiss Alps that is familiar territory for this exceptional gathering of the global invest community.
The program will deliver investment opportunities as well as profound insights into the regulatory and tax environment. At this point of time, there are already more than 10 billionaires among the accepted attendants.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/federal-councillor-johann-schneider-ammann-at-crypto-finance-conference-2018-in-stmoritz</link><guid>260</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann at Crypto Finance Conference 2018 in St.Moritz</dc:text></item><item><title>Digital Piggy Banks Teaching Kids to Save</title><description><![CDATA[The iconic piggy bank is getting a digital makeover with now several smartphone apps on the market designed specifically for children to teach them about savings, spending and responsibility.
Most money apps for kids act like virtual banks and offer lessons on how to budget and sock away money for spending goals. They tend to emphasize child-parent interaction and often have a common feature that tracks chores the child needs to accomplish before receiving an allowance from parents.
Digipigi app, Credit Suisse
According to Credit Suisse, financial literacy and financial education of children is a real concern for parents in Switzerland. A recent study shows that 90% of parents in the wealthy Alpine nation want their children to learn how to handle money.
The study, conducted by the amPuls market research firm on behalf of Credit Suisse, also found that most children in Switzerland not only receive pocket money but &#8220;are frugal with it.&#8221;
In response to the demand, the bank launched earlier this year a banking package for children below 12 years of age designed to guide them in their &#8220;first steps towards financial responsibility &#8211; from pocket money to their own Maestro card.&#8221;
The package, called Viva Kids, comes with a Digipigi money box, the Digipigi apps, on Private and one Savings account with account management and a Maestro card (from the age of seven and if their parents provide their consent).
Viva Kids banking package, Credit Suisse
The piggy bank has built-in apps which allow children to set savings goals, check their balance and make payments. The accompanying Kids app and separate Parents app give the child and the parents control over all balance transactions. This ensures that the child is always guided by the parents.
Florence Schnydrig Moser, the head of product management and investment services at Credit Suisse, was in charge of creating Viva Kids with her team.
&#8220;It soon became clear that what we wanted to do was bring the old-fashioned money box into the digital age – after all, kids must learn to use digital tools at a very early age now to keep up with the world,&#8221; she explained. &#8220;We also designed Viva Kids as a way for parents to help their children from the very start, and throughout their lives, with all of the financial needs they will face.&#8221;
Another digital piggy bank is Ernit, the brainchild of a team of creative technologists based in Denmark.
Ernit consists of a connected, physical piggy bank and an app. It aims to teach kids to give, save, and spend money wisely, even if that money is all virtual.
As money becomes an increasingly abstract concept, Ernit co-founder Søren Nielsen says it is important for kids to feel like they can experience money physically, through sight, sound, and even touch.
And so, the Ernit piggy bank has been designed to be a sensory experience. When money is deposited in the piggy bank, it lights up and makes a sound. Through the app parents, grandparents and other family members can transfer money directly into the kid’s Ernit piggy bank, which then notifies the child through light and sound.
In the app, kids can set multiple goals at once. This way they will have to decide where to put the latest contribution each time Ernit lights up.
Ernit piggy bank
Viva Kids and Ernit joins the growing list of financial and banking products targeted at young kids.
Bankaroo, for instance, was developed in 2011 to help children track their savings and what their parents owe them for chores. Designed for kids ages five to 14, the free app features tools for learning how to budget, save, set goals and do basic accounting.
Bankaroo claims it is used in more than 2,000 schools and has 100,000+ members from over 100 countries.
iAllowance is another app that tracks allowance for parents and their kids. Parents can push alerts to children to get chores done, and set up automatic allowance payouts and rewards when kids meet certain goals. They also can create an unlimited number of piggy banks for each of their kids.
The app costs US$3.99 and is only available on iOS.
 
Featured image: Child with glasses using a tablet by Ollyy via Shutterstock.com.
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/digital-piggy-banks-teaching-kids-to-save</link><guid>259</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/digipigi-credit-suisse-app-chores.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>Digital Piggy Banks Teaching Kids to Save</dc:text></item><item><title>EPFL Studenten gewinnen Blockchain Competition</title><description><![CDATA[Zwei 23jährige EPFL-Studenten, Hugo Moreau und Paul Nicolet setzen sich in der finalen Ausscheidung der diesjährigen Blockchain Competition durch. Die feierliche Vergabe des Preises fand in Zuger Theater Casino statt – mitten im Crypto Valley.
Die auf Ethereum basierte Peer-to-Peer Versicherung der zwei Master-Studenten der École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) wurde von der hochkarätigen Jury als bestes Projekt erkoren.
ShieldIT überflügelte dabei weitere neun Blockchain-Teams aus Deutschland, England, USA und Italien. Zweitplatzierter wurde Dennis Knochenwefel von Reportix (D-Mannheim) und den dritten Platz erreichte LoyaltyCoin vom Schweizer Team um Thomas Götschmann.
Mathias Ruch, Managing Partner von Lakeside Partners, zeigt sich vom Ergebnis und den Zukunftsaussichten begeistert:

Mathias Ruch
«Die beiden Studenten von ShieldIT rissen mit ihrer Präsentation und der unternehmerischen Hingabe das Publikum und die Jury gleichermassen mit. Es ist genau diese geballte Energie, welche das Crypto Valley Ökosystem ausmacht – und das macht es so unglaublich beeindruckend – wir können es kaum abwarten, ShieldIT in die Crypto Valley Labs zu integrieren und sie erfolgreich wachsen zu sehen.»
 
 
Der Gewinner des Wettbewerbs erhält US$ 100&#8217;000 und ein Inkubations-Paket, bestehend aus Coaching und kostenlosen Büroräumen in den Crypto Valley Labs während einem Jahr.
Das Blockchain Summit – der zurzeit grösste Blockchain Event in der Schweiz – überzeugte auch mit hochstehenden Referaten und spannenden Panel-Diskussionen mit national und international bekannten Persönlichkeiten wie William Mougayar, General Partner bei Virtual Capital Ventures und Autor von «The Business Blockchain», Mona El Isa, CEO von Melonport, Vasiliy Suvorov, Vize-Präsident der Crypto Valley Association und Lukas Müller von MME Legal.
Der Zuger Stadtpräsident, Dolfi Müller, begrüsste die über 600 Anwesenden mit einer motivierenden Einleitung. Darin beschrieb Müller die Dynamik und die Vorteile der Region Zug sowie die Präsenz vieler Startups und Investoren knapp und bündig: « Justs do it».
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]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/epfl-studenten-gewinnen-blockchain-competition</link><guid>258</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>EPFL Studenten gewinnen Blockchain Competition</dc:text></item><item><title>26 Zertifikate in Digital Finance</title><description><![CDATA[Zum dritten Mal überreichte die HWZ Hochschule für Wirtschaft Zürich am 22. November den Absolventinnen und Absolventen des CAS Digital Finance ihre verdienten Zertifikate. Die Studiengruppe zeichnete sich besonders durch hervorragende Abschlussarbeiten aus.
Die Absolventinnen und Absolventen erhielten in den 18 Kurstagen einen vertieften Einblick in die Digitalisierung der Finanzwelt und lernten aus erster Hand, wie Digital Finance die Geschäftsprozesse verändert. Zudem lernten sie während einer 2-tägigen Study Tour in London diverse Fintech-Unternehmen kennen und besuchten den Barclays Accelerator und den Level39, Europas grössten Fintech Accelerator. Studiengangsleiter Rino Borini:

Rino Borini
&#8220;Die Digitalisierung in der Finanzindustrie ist unaufhaltsam. Die Schweiz hat in diesem Bereich grosses Potenzial. Genau deswegen ist es unabdingbar, dass Finanzexperten die neue Realität in Digital Finance verstehen. Wir können bereits zum dritten Mal 26 weitere ‹Digital Finance›-Experten auszeichnen, was mich sehr freut.&#8221;
Ebenfalls begeistert zeigte sich Rino Borini über die Zertifikatsarbeit «Durchführung eines ICO und Analyse der wesentlichen Erfolgsfaktoren» von Simeon Belopitov, Malte Holzberger und Alain Morf. Sie alle arbeiten in der Finanzindustrie; im Asset Management oder im Payment Bereich.
In Ihrer Arbeit analysierten die drei Studenten ein eigens durchgeführtes Initial Coin Offering. ICO ist eine Methode, um Kapital in Form eines Token für Projekte im Blockchain-Ökosystem via Crowdfunding zu erwerben. Rino Borini:
&#8220;In diesem Lehrgang wurden auch ausgezeichnete Zertifikatsarbeiten abgeliefert. Unter anderem haben drei Studenten ein eigenes ICO durchgeführt. Das beweist: Das Konzept des praxisorientierten Unterrichts ist der richtige Weg, um Digital Finance Leaders hervorzubringen.&#8221;
 
Christian König , Gründer Fintechnews.ch, ist Dozent in diesem Lehrgang.
This article first appeared on fh-hwz.ch
The post 26 Zertifikate in Digital Finance appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/26-zertifikate-in-digital-finance</link><guid>257</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>26 Zertifikate in Digital Finance</dc:text></item><item><title>Major breakthrough in Digital Asset Management. Covesting goes Live with ICO</title><description><![CDATA[Covesting’s ICO is opening to the public on November 24th, following up a very impressive Pre-ICO where they raised over $1.1 million dollars. Covesting is a copy-trading platform for cryptocurrency where regular investors and cryptocurrency trading pros can meet.
Covesting’s platform allows the investors to copy the trades of some of the most successful traders in the world, and profit together.

The platform was built by a group of ex bankers from such global banks as Saxo Bank, SEB Bank, JP Morgan-Chase, and Zurich Insurance. It’s founders, Tim Voronin and Dmitrij Pruglo are very experienced FX and derivatives traders trying to bring the same technology that boomed in traditional financial markets to the crypto world.
Covesting has recently been featured in news around the world and has gained a lot of attention in the crypto industry for its recent developments. Covesting has gone from a community of under a hundred, to a community of over 10,000 fans on Facebook and Twitter, and over 2,200 members in their Telegram channel. They have made waves across the industry by becoming one of the first cryptocurrency projects to incorporate in Gibraltar following the territory’s government announcing very favorable laws to ICOs.
The move is incredibly important for distributed ledger based technology companies because Gibraltar is one of the few places that has officially enacted regulation around what is permitted. Gibraltar’s Financial Services Commission ratified laws pertaining to all distributed ledger based companies to go into effect Jan 1st, 2018
Covesting CEO Dmitrij Pruglo commented:

Dmitrij Pruglo
“As a fin-tech company, there’s no bigger question in the industry today than how individual countries will end up regulating cryptocurrency. The move Gibraltar makes sense for Covesting as well as all our investors and users. We are removing a lot of uncertainty from the equation.”
 
 
 
 
Crypto intelligence
Covesting also recently announced they would be building a Crypto Intelligence Portal, a massive online knowledge base for everything crypto. The knowledge base is slated to contain video tutorials and lessons on cryptocurrency and trading, market news, a community forum, market analysis from traders and news feeds from carefully chosen sources.
ICO
In order to develop the platform within shortest period of time, Covesting team has decided to go for Initial Coin Offering (ICO). The Covesting ICO has already gone through a third-party audit, by Verified ICOs where Covesting was a featured ICO. All contributors will largely benefit from the early discovery of Covesting project, which provides a fantastic opportunity to purchase Covesting Tokens at a significant discount and benefit from the platform growth.
The ICO will start at 13:00GMT, and run for one month, ending on December 24th. The ICO is expected to attract more investors than the Pre-ICO following the recent launch of their MVP. Their MVP is designed to give investors and traders an early glimpse of the Covesting experience. Their community has responded very positively following the initial release of their MVP which was delivered as promised, in between the pre and public ICOs. A rate of 200 COV per 1 ETH will be the highest return for investors and is only available for the first 5,000 ETH contributed to the ICO. Investors are encouraged to invest early to receive the best rate.
 
Disclaimer: this is an article written by Covesting. Fintechnews does not endorse and is not responsible for or liable for any content, accuracy, quality, advertising, products or other materials on this page. Readers should do their own research before taking any actions related to the company. Fintechnews is not responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in the press release.
Please note this is no investment advice.
The post Major breakthrough in Digital Asset Management. Covesting goes Live with ICO appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/major-breakthrough-in-digital-asset-management-covesting-goes-live-with-ico</link><guid>255</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/covesting-interface-1024x512.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Major breakthrough in Digital Asset Management. Covesting goes Live with ICO</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech Courses All Over the World You Should Know</title><description><![CDATA[Fintech has become a global phenomenon. In the past decade, 5,000 new fintech companies were founded, according to a report from Kleiner Perkins.
To stay ahead of the curve, here are several courses to study fintech and better understand the impact of financial technology and digital platforms on the traditional banking and financial services industry.
 
 
Around Fintech in 8 Hours

The Around Fintech in 8 Hours course, by the Centre for Finance, Technology and Entrepreneurship (CFTE), brings together industry experts to share unique insights into the sector and tackle some of the hottest trends and topics.
The online structure course consists of 16 modules ranging from “Why is finance being transformed today” to an overview of technologies such as blockchain, mobile technology and cloud computing.
It features experts and senior leaders from the largest institutions such as HSBC, Citi, Ping An, as well as startup CEOs and renowned academics.
Register here: aroundfintech.cfte.education
Specially for our readers, there is a special £30 discount off the course using code: CFTExFINTECHNEWS
Oxford Fintech Programme

The Oxford Fintech Programme has been designed to equip students with the ability to identify opportunities for disruption in the financial services sector, and enable them to both launch new fintech ventures and harness new technology to build better financial services firms.
The online program includes presentations by industry experts covering the future of money, the future of markets, the future of transactions, infrastructure and regtech, proptech and real estate innovation, among many other topics.
The second program cohort will start on November 27, 2017, and will run for 10 weeks.
 
SMU Certificate in Fintech and Innovation

In this Singapore Management University Certificate in Fintech and Innovation course, participants will learn what exactly is innovation and fintech, how they can enhance products as well as customers&#8217; user experience through technology, and whether or not their company is prepared to compete and/or collaborate with new fintech ventures.
The 3-day intensive and interactive course is targeted at front Ofﬁce/ Back Ofﬁce Managers, IT Managers, and other professionals who play an active role in the innovation journey in a bank or financial institutions.
Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive the SMU Certiﬁcate in Fintech &amp; Innovation issued by the Singapore Management University.
 
Understanding Financial Technology

This online Open University course was the first of its kind, launching in 2015 with Innovate Finance.
The short online course called Understanding Financial Technologies offers 50 hours of module-based learning and examines the origins of fintech and its role in transforming the financial services landscape since the economic crash of 2008.
It also brings in aspects of economics, policy and regulation to give learners a thorough grounding in fintech.
 
Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies

The Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies course was created by Princeton computer science professor Arvind Narayanan.
The online course covers mechanisms, uses and mining of bitcoin in addition to the wider concepts surrounding it such as community and regulation. It also provides students with the conceptual foundations needed to engineer secure software that interacts with the Bitcoin network.
The course lasts 11 weeks and starts at regular intervals. It’s completely free.
 
Fintech &#8211; Innovative Banking

In partnership with the Centre for Global Finance and Technology, the Fintech &#8211; Innovative Banking course by the Imperial College Business School in London has been designed to encompass thought leadership from academic experts, tech developments from leading disruptors and also practical insights from industry.
The program includes presentations, individual learning, group work, and high impact discussions encouraging all participants to challenge the status quo in their business.
The two-day course focuses on key areas: distributed ledger technology also knows as blockchain, digital identity, digital money and cryptocurrencies, and digital payments.
 
Fintech School

Based in San Francisco, the Fintech School offers a number of blended learning courses aimed at introducing professionals to key fintech topics such blockchain, crowdfunding and robo advisors.
The courses are delivered by experienced instructors who are active members of the fintech community. In addition to their online fintech courses, they hold a number of workshops across North America.
Current active courses include Blockchain 101, Crowdfunding 101, Robo-advisors 101, and Insurtech 101.
 
Understanding Fintech Training Course

The Understanding Fintech Trading Course is designed to provide a comprehensive overview for people either working in or interested in innovating in this space creating products and access to services supported by technology.
The course will also cover blockchain, digital signatures and cryptocurrencies and the underlying mechanisms.
The two-day course will take place in London on December 5 and 6, 2017.
 
3-Day Masterclass Blockchain 2.0

The 3-Day Masterclass Blockchain 2.0 course, by Terrapinn, will provide participants with a working understanding of blockchain technology and a grasp of the landscape.
It will also help them navigate the landscape and identify which projects are truly innovative and a unique improvements of the original and most secure Blockchain.
The course will take place in New York from December 11 to 13, 2017.
 
3-Day Masterclass Payments

Another upcoming three-day course by Terrapinn is the 3-Day Masterclass Payments in Johannesburg from March 19 to 21, 2018, an introductory-level course that is aimed at those who are new to the payments industry.
During the course, an expert trainer will walk participants through the complex world of the global cards and payments industry. They will learn about the essentials of the payment industry, different payment options, operational challenges and latest regulations.
The post Fintech Courses All Over the World You Should Know appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-courses-all-over-the-world-you-should-know</link><guid>254</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Around-Fintech-in-8-Hours.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech Courses All Over the World You Should Know</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech-Unternehmen tilbago startet Wissensinitiative zur Digitalisierung im Bereich rechtliches Inkasso</title><description><![CDATA[Pressemeldung
Baden, 23.11.2017. Auf der diesjährigen Swiss e-Commerce Conference in Baden lancierte das Luzerner Fintech-Unternehmen tilbago eine eigenständige Wissensinitiative zur Digitalisierung vom rechtlichen Inkasso. Im Rahmen schweizweiter Brown-Bag-Workshops (Lunch-Seminare über die Mittagszeit) will tilbago den Wissensstand derjenigen Unternehmen steigern, für die Vereinfachungen mit Hilfe der Digitalisierung im Vordergrund stehen.
Führende Politiker wie Bundespräsidentin Leuthard streben aktuell an, dass die Schweiz vom Rang 8 der digitalisiertesten Länder in die Top 5 vorstösst. So sagte Leuthard in ihrer Eröffnungsrede am Zürcher Hauptbahnhof am Schweizer Digitaltag, sie zünde nun die Digital-Rakete Schweiz. Hierbei sei ihrer Meinung nach vor allem auch der Bund gefordert – insbesondere im Bereich des E-Governments. 
E-Government im Bereich Forderungsmanagement
In diesem Zusammenhang ist für das Forderungsmanagement von Unternehmen vor allem das elektronische Schuld- und Konkursgesetz (eSchKG) wichtig, das Gläubigerunternehmen digitale Chancen im Bereich des online-Inkasso bietet. Hierzu bieten alle Schweizer Betreibungsämter elektronische Schnittstellen an, die eine kosten- und zeiteffiziente Online-Betreibung ermöglichen. 
Die tilbago AG hat es sich mit ihrer innovativen Robo-Inkasso-Lösung zur Aufgabe gemacht, diese neuen Möglichkeiten des digitalen Inkassos besser nutzen zu können. Durch tilbago erhalten Gläubigerunternehmen nicht nur einen effizienten Zugang zu den elektronischen Schnittstellen der Schweizer Betreibungsämter sondern werden in der Online-Lösung durch die einzelnen SchKG Prozessschritte geführt.  Betreibungen können mit tilbago somit selbständig online und ohne externe Inkassobüros einfach abgewickelt werden. Der ganze Betreibungsprozess von der Betreibung über die Pfändung bis zur Verwaltung von Verlustscheinen wird soweit sinnvoll intelligent automatisiert. 
tilbago-CEO David Fuss erläutert die Chancen der Digitalisierung im Betreibungswesen: «Im Bereich des rechtlichen Inkassos hat die digitale Disruption voll eingeschlagen und befähigt neu jedes Unternehmen, Betreibungen digital und dadurch schneller und kostengünstiger durchzuführen. Die moderne Art zur digitalen Abwicklung und Verwaltung von Betreibungen ist unser zentrales Anliegen. Wir haben hierzu eine Robo-Inkasso-Lösung entwickelt, die unsere Kunden entlang des gesamten SchKG Prozesses unterstützt und grosse Chancen zur Kosten- und Zeitersparnis bietet.»
Wissensinitiative zur Digitalisierung vom rechtlichen Inkasso 
Damit Gläubigerunternehmen diese Chancen auch realisieren können, unterstützt tilbago interessierte Unternehmen neu durch schweizweite Gratis-Workshops (Anmeldung auf www.tilbago.ch). Im Rahmen sogenannter Brown-Bag-Workshops über die Mittagszeit erhalten Interessenten nicht nur gratis einen «Brown-Bag» (Lunchtüte), sondern vor allem innovatives Wissen zu den Möglichkeiten der Digitalisierung im Betreibungswesen. tilbago bietet hierbei Antworten auf die folgenden Fragen: 

Wie vereinfacht die Digitalisierung das rechtliche Inkasso?
Welche Vorteile resultieren durch die Nutzung von eSchKG?
Welches Know-how ist erforderlich?
Wieso sind keine Investitionen für den Lösunsgssetup erforderlich?
Wieso kann nach der Registration tilbago sofort genutzt werden?

Die Wissensinitiative von tilbago will mit diesem einfachen Beitrag den Vormarsch der Schweiz unter die Top 5 der digitalisiertesten Länder unterstützen.
 
 
Der Beitrag Fintech-Unternehmen tilbago startet Wissensinitiative zur Digitalisierung im Bereich rechtliches Inkasso erschien zuerst auf Swiss Finance Startups.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-unternehmen-tilbago-startet-wissensinitiative-zur-digitalisierung-im-bereich-rechtliches-inkasso</link><guid>253</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech-Unternehmen tilbago startet Wissensinitiative zur Digitalisierung im Bereich rechtliches Inkasso</dc:text></item><item><title>Swissquote Launches First Actively Managed Bitcoin Certificate Traded on SIX Swiss Exchange</title><description><![CDATA[Swissquote, launched the first actively managed Bitcoin certificate. It allows mainstream investors to participate in the cryptocurrency’s boom through a traditional financial vehicle publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange. By buying Bitcoins certificates at a regulated exchange, investors are less exposed to the risks associated with trading and holding actual Bitcoins themselves, but are still benefitting from potential profits.
Already this summer Swissquote became the first European online bank to offer Bitcoin investing on its trading platform.
The certificate’s volatility, and thereby the risk of downturns, is reduced by a machine learning algorithm developed by Swissquote’s Quantitative Asset Management team. The algorithm predicts the short-term direction of future returns by interpreting a variety of technical signals as well as the market sentiment expressed on social media.
The algorithm then manages the certificate automatically. Between 60% and 100% of the certificate’s portfolio is allocated to Bitcoin, depending on the predicted future direction of the cryptocurrency’s price. With the likelihood of a downturn rising, the cash position is increased to up to 40%, thereby reducing volatility. If prices are expected to rise, up to 100% of the certificate is invested in Bitcoin.

Peter Rosenstreich
“Even though we believe that Bitcoin represents the future, the volatility can be very high and considered too much of a risk by the average investor. This is why our strategy focuses on reducing volatility by increasing the amount of cash in periods of uncertainties and downturns”
said Peter Rosenstreich, Head of Market Strategy at Swissquote.
“With the certificate, the average investor gets a regulated and transparent gateway to Bitcoin, without needing a special Bitcoin wallet, managing public and private keys or having to fear theft or hacks. We expect that investors will be willing to accept slightly lower returns in exchange for better protection against downside risks.”
The Swissquote certificate on Bitcoin is denominated in US Dollar. Minimum investment is 1,000 US Dollars, which is also in the initial price of the certificate. Management fees are 1.5% per year plus transaction costs. There is no minimum holding period.
 
 
Featured image via https://www.swissquote.com/bitcoin-certificate
The post Swissquote Launches First Actively Managed Bitcoin Certificate Traded on SIX Swiss Exchange appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swissquote-launches-first-actively-managed-bitcoin-certificate-traded-on-six-swiss-exchange</link><guid>252</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swissquote Launches First Actively Managed Bitcoin Certificate Traded on SIX Swiss Exchange</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss RegTech Start-up Map (Q4)</title><description><![CDATA[Each quarter, Swisscom teams up with e-foresight to publish a market overview of Swiss RegTech start-ups with a categorisation based on areas of activity.
The focus is on the following areas:

Authentication
Fidentity
fidentity provides digital identification with seamless user experience. An API enables integration in 3rd party websites, mobile sites, apps or even messengers. Its ease of use leads to minimal acquisition costs.
 
 
 
Biowatch
Biowatch transforms the user’s wristwatch into a means of identification. A module, which fits  into the strap of any watch, identifies the user  from their unique vein pattern.Watches could  therefore replace passwords, badges and car keys. Biowatch completed a financing round at the beginning of this year and demonstrated a fully functional prototype for the first time in June.
 
 
Futurae
Creating fast, simple and hands-off two-factor user authentication for online applications that require additional security by pairing mobile devices with computers in the vicinity of each other.
 
 
 
Procivis
 

PROCIVIS is a Swiss based start-up offering digital identity solutions and e-government applications and services. Founded in October 2016 by a team of experts in blockchain technology, e-government infrastructure, investment banking as well as by influential academicians, the company aims to spearhead the transition to e-governance in Switzerland and abroad.
 
 
 
OneVisage
OneVisage is a Swiss cyber-security company founded in 2013 with the vision to bring secure and convenient authentication services to mass-markets using standard mobile devices (BYOD).
 
 
 
Synacts
We solve the problem of an increasing amount of data that is created and used by people. Today, this data is locked into silos at companies which leads to unacceptable risks as seen with Equifax and many others but also denies the user to control over what happens with their data.
 
 
Signatys
Signatys is a Swiss company focusing on the quality and security of digital relationships. Signatys offers a new way of exchanging and signing documents based on a level of trust equivalent to an identification made by a bank.
 
 
 
 
 
AML / KYC
KYC Exchange Net AG
KYC Exchange Net provides financial institutions with a secure communication platform, called KEN, for know-your-customer and customer due diligence (KYC/CDD) purposes.
 
 
 
FinForm
Finform, a joint venture of Axon Ivy and PostFinance, was founded in June 2016. The company specializes in standardizing, industrializing and digitalizing compliance formalities.
 
 
 
 
 
Background Check
SwissMetrics
SwissMetrics provides a collaborative credit risk monitoring platform allowing for companies to monitor the financial health of their customers, suppliers and potential acquisitions.
 
 
 
 
 
Crossborder &amp; Tax Solutions
TaxLevel
TaxLevel &#8220;THE NEXT LEVEL IN TAX REPORTING&#8221; With TaxLevel we offer professional services for companies and individuals in the field of tax reporting. Our end products support taxable legal or natural persons abroad.
 
 
 
Indigita
indigita is a RegTech company providing banks with digitized regulatory smart data for cross-border banking. It takes the best from its parent companies, BRP and Orbium, experts in regulatory and IT consultancy, to develop the perfect solution to meet the ever-changing cross-border regulatory challenges.
 
 
 
Confinale
Confinale is a consultancy and software development company that specializes in digitalization projects for the banking sector. We find solutions for current and future challenges either by implementing new functionalities in existing bank software or by developing totally new applications.
 
 
 
 
Enterprise Risk Management / Fraud Detection
NetGuardians
NetGuardians is a fintech company that provides fraud and risk assurance solutions. Its software leverages Big Data to correlate and analyze behaviors across a bank’s entire system, enabling them to target specific anti-fraud or regulatory requirements. A controls update service ensures financial institutions benefit from ongoing protection in the face of the continually evolving risk challenges of a border-free world.
 
AK-5
Ak-5 is an early-stage startup working in the RegTech sub-sector of the FinTech space. Our core solution is an integrated real-time Market Surveillance and Compliance Monitoring (MSACM) system, designed to help investment banks and hedge funds better manage the reputational and financial risks posed by rogue and non-compliant traders. Our system is designed to make the process of digital MSACM more robust by analysing multiple internal and external data feeds on a single integrated platform to generate more sophisticated alerts, and in doing so help to reduce inefficiency, improve communication, and free compliance teams from the burden of having to manually investigate a high rate of false positives.
 
NextPrivacy
Whether to respond to privacy constraints or to manage corporate risk, NextPrivacy Suite (NPS) provides the solutions for sensitive data protection (anonymisation and/or encryption). A company can use these tools to meet the demands of operational excellence. Armed with this new power of anonymisation and/or encryption, the company is not only more effective but can also expand its operating model.
 
 
Swiss Finlab
New solutions are needed for managing personal data and personal wealth &#8211; We explore &amp; build them. We believe that the successful company of the future will have access to customer data, the ability to analyze it and use it for intuitive applications. We at SWISS FIN LAB can help you with exactly that. We are really good at investments, managing and analyzing data and making beautiful and intuitive applications.
 
 
 
Investment Risk Management / Quantitative Analytics
Investment Navigator
Investment Navigator is operated by Investment Navigator AG based in Zurich. Investment Navigator AG works closely with fundinfo, the leading platform for information and mandatory disclosures in the fund sector.
 
 
 
e-foresight
The Swisscom Think Tank e-foresight recognizes, tracks and analyzes trends, behavior and technology developments in the global financial sector and the digital ecosystem. Our clients include more than 20 Swiss and Liechtenstein banks, which we support with regular reports on innovations and individual support in digital transformation
 
 
Protagoras2
We solve massive risk, tax, and compliance issues for financial advisors.
 
 
 
 
 
FinHorizon AG
finhorizon’s portal translates complex investment research results to intuitive decision indicators. This novel approach allows all investors to easily find assets that exactly match their risk tolerance and return goals out of all instruments world-wide. They can automatically compile and manage their own optimal personalized portfolios.
 
 
InvestGlass
Founded in 2014, InvestGlass provides a white-labeled, client and prospect management platform for bankers, wealth managers and advisors. The platform is designed to facilitate more efficient prospecting and onboarding of new clients, as well as the management relationships with existing clients. Components include a content management system, CRM, and client portal.
 
 
EdgeLab
EdgeLab is a fintech company providing an investment intelligence web platform to help financial institutions taking smarter decisions.
 
 
 
 
AAAccell
AAAccell a leading innovation company in asset-and risk management developing cutting-edge high-tech solutions for the financial service market.
 
 
 
 
Riskifier
Riskifier makes investment risk profiling simple, fun and insightful for everyone. Our solution uses latest advances of artificial intelligence to fulfill the requirements of MiFID II/FIDLEG investor risk profiling and KYC data collection, while digitalizing &amp; gamifying user experience as well unleashing advantages of behavior based personalized investment risk profiles.
 
 
Risk Concile
RiskConcile is a provider of technical solutions for the the financial industry. Our DNA consists of three core competences: financial mathematics, machine learning and software development. These values are the backbone of our company. This is strengthened by our long-standing practical experience in the financial markets both in portfolio and risk management.
 
 
Integration Alpha
We are a boutique data strategy consulting firm with a focus on guiding organizations on their journey towards data-driven business and industry models. More than ever before, success at doing business, at keeping clients engaged and at maintaining an edge over competitors is dependent on the intelligent use (and exploitation) of data. Not in the form most businesses are accustomed to today but as continuous streams of specific intelligence.
 
 
 
 
Regulatory Mapping
Apiax
Apiax is an early-stage startup that aims at generating better access to compliance regulations. It provides easily integrated public programming interfaces (APIs) that facilitate access to always up-to-date and verified compliance rules.
 
 
 
Capnovum
Capnovum introduces a new chapter by empowering clients to manage change self-sufficiently.  Asset based services help our clients stay informed and in control of ever more complex regulatory requirements. Our clients, investing in their own resources; mitigate risk, drive down cost of change, and reduce dependence on management consultants for execution.
 
 
Lari
LARI helps businesses to keep track of legal and regulatory changes. Our mission is to promote collaboration and increase workflow productivity of corporate legal departments. LARI is an intelligent issue management platform for legal and compliance departments. It automatically discovers the latest updates in laws and regulations impacting a company. It helps teams to understand those changes and translate them into actionable and auditable items.
 
The post Swiss RegTech Start-up Map (Q4) appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-regtech-start-up-map-q4</link><guid>225</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Regtech-map-Switzerland-1024x568.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss RegTech Start-up Map (Q4)</dc:text></item><item><title>Die günstigste Säule 3a Lösung der Schweiz dank Fintech</title><description><![CDATA[Zu lange haben die Banken &amp; Versicherungen in der Schweiz bei ihren Vorsorge 3a Wertpapierlösungen die hohle Hand gemacht.
Ob aktive oder passiv gemanagte Vorsorgefonds – wenn 3a-Vorsorgelösungen Gesamtkosten (inklusive Depotführung und Produktkosten) von mehr als 1% aufweisen, ist das zu viel! Wer in seiner langfristigen 3.
Säule sparen möchte, der sollte sich überlegen einen Teil seines 3. Säule Vermögens in Wertschriften anzulegen &#8211; mit einer möglichst kostengünstigen Lösung. Denn Gebühren sind letztlich der grösste Renditefresser. Gerade in der Vorsorge mit einem Anlagehorizont von bis über 47 Jahren macht dies einen gewaltigen Unterschied.
Das Start Up VIAC versucht nun gemeinsam mit der Terzo Vorsorgestiftung der WIR Bank Gegensteuer zu geben. Mit der ersten 100% digitalen Vorsorgelösung, die so einfach ist, dass sie jeder versteht; mit der man bereits ab CHF 1.- in tausende Aktien investiert sein kann; und das Ganze konkurrenzlos günstig.
Da die gesamte Lösung App-basiert ist, kann man die Beziehung orts- und zeitunabhängig eröffnen – der Weg zur Bank kann gespart werden. Auch wird es dem Vorsorgenehmer erstmals ermöglicht bis zu 100% seiner 3a Gelder in Aktien zu investieren!
Dass die auf KMU fokussierte WIR Bank und ihre Vorsorgestiftung auf diesen Zug mit VIAC aufspringt, überrascht.
Auf den zweiten Blick wird aber klar, dass hier mit dem innovativen Angebot von VIAC das Sortiment um das Wertpapiersparen in der 3. Säule erweitert werden konnte. So hatte die Terzo Vorsorgestiftung der WIR Bank bisher nur eine sehr gut verzinste Kontolösung im Angebot, gehörte aber mit 850 Mio. CHF bereits zu den Schwergewichten im Markt.
Doch wie ist eine solch günstige Lösung für die 3. Säule überhaupt möglich? Im Schnitt sind die Kosten bei VIAC ja 65% tiefer als bei der Konkurrenz. Dafür gibt es einige Gründe:

Die einfach aufgebaute und schlicht designte VIAC App erlaubt eine bequeme Eröffnung von Zuhause aus – in unter 8 Minuten. So kann der Aufwand für den Kunden als auch für die Vorsorgestiftung gering gehalten werden.
Es werden kostengünstige ETFs und Indexfonds eingesetzt.
Dem Kunden wird es erlaubt in Fraktionen (Bruchteil der Handelseinheit) der Indexanlagen zu investieren. So ist es möglich, bereits ab CHF 1.- breit diversifiziert in ganze Märkte zu investieren.
Der Kunde bezahlt nur auf dem investierten Vermögen eine Verwaltungsgebühr. Der Cashteil ist gebührenfrei, liegt bei der WIR Bank und ist mit aktuell 0.3% verzinst. So können negativ rentierende Obligationen, Zinsrisiken und Anlagekosten galant umschifft werden.
Beim monatlichen Handel werden sämtliche Handelsaufträge aller Kunden zuerst zusammengefasst und soweit es geht intern verrechnet. Im Fachjargon spricht man von „Pooling“ und „Netting“.
VIAC verzichtet auf einen kostenintensiven Verkaufsapparat. Teure Bankberater oder Produktverkäufer werden eingespart – daraus resultiert ein Margenvorteil, der dem Kunden durch tiefe Gebühren weitergegeben wird.

Hinter der VIAC App steckt also mehr als nur eine stilvoll umgesetzte Benutzeroberfläche. Neben der intelligenten Verrechnungslogik führt das System bei Bedarf monatlich ein automatisches Rebalancing durch. Dadurch werden die Kundenportfolios immer wieder auf die gewünschte Zielgewichtung zurückgeführt. Dies ist für die meisten Anleger genau das Richtige. Denn so handeln Sie antizyklisch und behalten Ihre Risiken konstant.
Der Kunde kann bequem einen monatlichen Dauerauftrag einrichten und sein Geld wird anschliessend automatisch und ohne Mehrkosten in seine Strategie investiert &#8211;  genauso wie anfallende Zinsen und Dividenden. Weitere Vorteile des Rebalancing werden z.B. auf justETF ausgeführt.
Die Probleme der 1. und 2. Säule sind nicht von der Hand zu weisen. Damit man im Alter weiterhin seinen gewohnten Lebensstandard geniessen kann, ist das private Vorsorgesparen unabdingbar.
Dazu bietet sich das Vorsorgen in der steuerbegünstigten Säule 3a am besten an. Der Ansatz von VIAC ist spannend, und wird doch hoffentlich etwas Bewegung in den trägen Vorsorgemarkt der Schweiz bringen.
Nicht zu Letzt, da oft aufgezählte Argumente wie hohe Kosten oder starre Anlagebandbreiten mit VIAC hinfällig werden.
Ps: im Verwaltungsrat der jungen Firma sitzt übrigens der renomierte Basler Professor Prof.  Dr. Heinz Zimmermann
The post Die günstigste Säule 3a Lösung der Schweiz dank Fintech appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/die-gunstigste-saule-3a-losung-der-schweiz-dank-fintech</link><guid>226</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/viac-300x86.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Die günstigste Säule 3a Lösung der Schweiz dank Fintech</dc:text></item><item><title>The Rise of Wealthtech: Infographic</title><description><![CDATA[Evolving consumer expectations, the rapid adoption of technology and new competitors entering the markets are placing new demands on today&#8217;s wealth management firms. These trends are re-shaping the look and feel of the industry, and the change is happening across all aspects of the value chain, from client acquisition to advice to ongoing portfolio monitoring and decision-making.
According to Ketan Samani, chief digital officer for APAC at UBS Wealth Management, the industry is just at the start of its digital journey. &#8220;Wealth management is taking the lead from the retail banks, which experienced high disruption by start-ups in payments, lending and other products,&#8221; he said. &#8220;It is just waking up to the fact that the robo-advisers will do the same. There is a way to go, but the journey has begun.&#8221;
Image by Tatiana Shepeleva via Shutterstock
Yet, robo-advisors can be traced back to around 2008, in the wake of the financial crisis. Since then, a myriad of startups have launched tech-focused solutions for investment and wealth management, including robo-advisors.
For those who aren&#8217;t familiar, robo-advisors are digital platforms that provide automated, algorithm-driven planning services with little to no human supervision. The appeal of robo-advisors over traditional firms is easy to see, notably for Millennials: they offer personalized, data-driven investment advice, use ETFs or other low-fee financial institutions which minimize expense, and will happy accept younger investors&#8217; smaller portfolios.
The most popular robo-advisors include Betterment, a company founded in 2008 that&#8217;s now the largest online investment advisor in the US, and Wealthfront (formerly kaChing), another American robo-advisor founded in 2008 that now has more than US$7.5 billion of assets under management (AUM).
While these are most common in the US, they are also present in Canada, Europe, Australia, India and Asia.
Notorious brands that are not from the US include Nutmeg, the leading UK-based robo-advisor with over US$750 million AUM, Germany&#8216;s Scalable Capital with over US$360 million AUM, Wealthsimple, Canada&#8217;s top robo-advisor with US$574 million AUM, Stockspot, an Australian robo-advisor launched in 2013, MoneyFarm, an Italian platform, True Wealth, a Swiss online wealth management platform launched in 2013, and 8 Securities, Asia Pacific&#8217;s oldest private social network, global trading and automated wealth management platform founded in 2010.
Financial institutions have responded to the trend and launched similar platforms, some by collaborating with tech partners, others by developing their own in-house solutions.
For instance, Fidelity Investments and Betterment announced a partnership in late-2014 to make the startup&#8217;s tech and platform available to financial advisors who used Fidelity Institutional to custody client assets. Then, in February 2015, Fidelity acquired eMoney Advisors for US$250 million. Later that year, the firm ended its year-long partnership with Betterment only to launch.
In 2017, Fidelity eventually launched its very own robo-advisor called Fidelity Go, which marked a long-term strategic move for the financial services giant. With this new product, the firm said it aims capture the assets of Millennial and Gen X investors.
&#8220;We think there’s a real opportunity to help emerging or younger investors who have been primarily saving in cash,&#8221; said Rich Compson, head of the retail managed accounts business for Fidelity, in Wealth Management. &#8220;It’s a great way for them to get started with Fidelity and grow with us over time.&#8221;
Wells Fargo started collaborating with SigFig in late-2016. SigFig, which started as Wikinvest in 2006, is an online portfolio manager with a focus on transparency and accessibility. The startup raised US$40 million from various investors and partnered with UBS in May 2016. Later that year, UBS rolled out its own SmartWealth robo-advisory solution.
While B2C robo-advisors are the most cited product in the wealthtech space, other categories exist including B2B robo-advisors such as Bambu from Singapore and AdvisorEngine, robo-retirement platforms such as Blooom and ForUsAll, micro-investing platforms like Stash and Acorns, digital brokerages like eToro and Artivest Holdings, portfolio management solutions such as Grisbee and Addepar, among many others.
 
The Evolution of Digital Wealth Management, infographic by Thomas Brand:

 
 
Featured image: Artificial intelligence, via Pixabay.
The post The Rise of Wealthtech: Infographic appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-rise-of-wealthtech-infographic</link><guid>227</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Report-robo-advisors-for-the-insurance-market-300x180.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>The Rise of Wealthtech: Infographic</dc:text></item><item><title>Apply for Best European Student Project in FinTech</title><description><![CDATA[The Best European Student Project in the field of FinTech will be rewarded on April 12th in Paris, the very same day the Morpheus Cup will take place at the Palais Brongniart. This unique graduate schools and universities championship rewards the best talents and aims at promoting innovation in terms of financial technologies, mobile payments or cryptocurrencies.
Supported by the European commission from its first edition in 2015, and by the Paris City Hall since the event has been relocated in the French capital for the next edition, the event aims at bringing together more than one thousand students from 20 pays representing more than 120 campuses, and major innovative brands. Since its launch, hundreds of projects have been submitted, dealing with more than 20 topics and have been judged by experts from different industries.
Participation is free for students, who can enter the championship individually or in teams. It is mandatory for them to upload a 10-slide presentation explaining their project on www.morpheuscup.com, before March 30th, 2018.
The event will consist of the projects, live challenges featuring tech, business, science, marketing and creativity, which will take place on April 12th, meetings with employers through more than 50 stands, startups, etc…. Students will be able to win up to €50,000 worth of prizes.
Many brands have already confirmed their participation and will select the best startups projects, or offer student the opportunity to solve innovative challenges: Expon Capital, European Investment Fund, Leroy-Merlin, PwC, Davidson, Daimler X lab, etc.
 
More information: www.morpheuscup.com
 
Featured image via Morpheuscup Facebook page
The post Apply for Best European Student Project in FinTech appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/apply-for-best-european-student-project-in-fintech</link><guid>228</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Apply for Best European Student Project in FinTech</dc:text></item><item><title>Bitcoin – the Mother of All Pyramids?</title><description><![CDATA[Some people call Bitcoin a Ponzi scheme. I tend to disagree as I do not believe that the inventors of Bitcoin intended to operate a fraudulent investment operation.
But Bitcoin does bear some commonalities with a Ponzi scheme. What is more, Bitcoin has the potential to bring down not only one major investment scheme, but multiple ones. Eventually it may turn out to be the Mother of All Pyramids (MOAP).
Common wisdom has it that a Ponzi scheme requires an initial investment and the incentive for above-average returns. Moreover, the early investors and promoters of Ponzi schemes typically profit from the lack of investor knowledge. As far as Bitcoin is concerned, the anchor investors and supporters certainly benefited from the bandwagon effect they had been creating. Moreover, as a second characteristic of a Ponzi scheme, high returns typically attract new investors.Without any doubt this is also the case with Bitcoin.
Thirdly, existing investors in the Ponzi scheme typically remain loyal to the system as they see their investments growing. If at all, only fractions of the investments are withdrawn. Here, too, I suspect that this is the case with Bitcoin. Hence, whilst Bitcoin may not be precisely a Ponzi scheme, the exponential inflow of money into the system in recent times are highly reminiscent of a pyramid.
If Bitcoin shares some characteristics with a Ponzi scheme, it is worth looking at how Ponzi schemes typically unravel. First, if authorities do not stop the scheme, the promoters of the scheme oftentimes just disappear, pocketing as much of the investments as possible.
A second possibility is that the continuous inflow of investment slows down and that therefore incumbent investors do not make the monetary gains that they were expecting, leading to a larger withdrawal of funds. Thirdly factors external to the scheme, such as an abrupt decline in the overall economy forces investors to withdraw funds, rendering the entire scheme unsustainable.
Again, giving the founders of Bitcoin the benefit of doubt, let us assume they do not suddenly just vanish after swiftly trading their Bitcoins into real assets. However, it cannot be ruled out that we either witness a slow-down in the investment flow into Bitcoin or a downturn in the overall economy. So what is going to happen next then?
 
The Collapse of the MOAP
Expressed in US Dollars Bitcoin has currently a market capitalization of appr. 134 bn. Given that this sum is larger than the governmental budget of Finland it is quite sizeable. A loss of these funds would represent a severe blow to many investors. But that is “only” Bitcoin. Taken together the twenty largest cryptocurrencies in terms of market capitalization make up an investment sum of more than USD 222 bn. which is appr. the governmental budget of Russia.
But what has Bitcoin to do with these other cryptocurrencies? I would argue a lot: Anyone who has invested in Bitcoin early on must have been positively surprised about the development of his or her investment. It is furthermore likely that these investors have kept a close eye on other initial coin offerings. After learning the rather positive lesson of investing in a cryptocurrency, these investors may have invested parts of the gains they made with Bitcoin in other cryptocurrencies.
So, if we assume that Bitcoin resembles a pyramid with investment inflows at the bottom and only fractional outflows at the top which are reinvested in other Cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin investors are likely to have created “clones” of their Bitcoin pyramid. These clones are likely to exist with other cryptocurrencies.
In other words, the pyramid is most likely not a simple pyramid any longer, but by now it most likely resembles a Sierpinski pyramid. This structure named after the Polish mathematician Wacław Sierpiński, is a showcase example of self-similar sets. In a rather scary fashion it reminds me of what we are potentially dealing with in terms of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency phenomenon. I therefore call this formation the Mother of all pyramids or “MOAP”.
Sierpinski pyramid, Wiki
 
Aftermath
Being largely an unregulated field only very little solid data is available on cryptocurrency investments. Yet, it is fairly safe to say that the afore mentioned USD 222 bn. invested in the twenty largest cryptocurrencies is not the entire sum that may be at stake. Not only have cryptocurrency ETFs and hedge funds been developed in the meantime, but investors can also put their money behind Bitcoin derivatives, such as options, futures and OTC forwards.
If we bring to mind that during its best times Lehman Brothers had “only” a market capitalization of USD 60 bn., its bankruptcy nevertheless marked a seminal event that intensified what later on became known as the Global Financial crises. This string of events eventually wiped out assets of appr. USD 1300 bn.
What will further fuel this process in the case of Bitcoin is the lack of liquidity: whilst it is unknow who precisely owns Bitcoins it is a fair assumption that the wealth distribution in the world of Bitcoin is even more uneven that in the world at large. In a major downturn the few owners of vast amounts of Bitcoin are unlikely to become buyers, but are more likely to join the selling party for diversification purposes. This lack of liquidity which could also be observed in the recent Bitcoin upswings will intensify the downward spiral.
On a positive note, however, some things are here to stay. The concept of the Blockchain which represents the underlying infrastructure for virtually any cryptocurrency will survive even the worst fallout. Even after Bitcoin and co. are gone, this seminal piece of technology will continue its triumphal procession in virtually any field of business across the globe.
 
 
Featured image via Pixabay
The post Bitcoin – the Mother of All Pyramids? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bitcoin-the-mother-of-all-pyramids</link><guid>229</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/pyramid-300x188.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Bitcoin – the Mother of All Pyramids?</dc:text></item><item><title>Macro-Economic Trends, Regulation, Fintech Changing Corporate Banking: Report</title><description><![CDATA[Major change drivers, including macro-economic trends, regulation, more demanding customers, digitalization and fintech, are transforming the corporate banking ecosystem, according to a new research paper from Finextra produced in association with Oracle.
The paper, called Digital, Connected, Client-Centric: A New Model for Corporate Banking, sheds light on how corporate banks are evolving their businesses in this current climate and change. It is based on in-depth interviews with a range of corporate banking leaders and brings together their views on some of the critical issues facing corporate banks today.
 
Partnerships are essential
For corporate banks to stay relevant and grow, they must partner with the right fintech companies and find the right role within emerging ecosystems, leveraging both their native strengths and the latest technologies to deliver what customers need.
&#8220;In commercial banking, fintechs are often solving very specific painpoints, and can deliver more value in the context of a relationship model,&#8221; says Vivek Ramachandran, Head of Growth and Innovation, Commercial Banking, HSBC.
Unlike retail banks, corporate banks face less of a threat from fintech new entrants and have a stronger natural franchise in emerging ecosystem economics. They also have more time to experiment with and work out how to leverage new technology innovations, the report says.
Marc Delbaere, Head of Corporates and Supply Chain, Swift, agrees that fintech companies don&#8217;t represent a direct threat to corporate banks. Instead, their presence &#8220;is keeping the banks honest and making them think about how they can innovate.&#8221;
 
The Asian opportunity
Asia presents specific opportunities to corporate banks, the report claims, and for Patricia Hines, Senior Analyst, Corporate Banking, Celent, the region &#8220;continues to be a key driver.&#8221;
&#8220;The region is growing and its banks are growing,&#8221; she says.
Yet, there are still many challenges, including regulation, which is very fractured. &#8220;Initiatives like ASEAN are trying to pull it all together and make the environment better, but, at the moment, that fragmentation makes it difficult for banks to on-board corporates in the region,&#8221; Hines says.
&#8220;We have seen some banks pull out on the basis they think it is too risky, while others are stepping up to the grab the opportunity.&#8221;
But more interestingly, a critical element of developments in Asia is the growth in intra-Asia trade. This has implications for the capabilities of corporate banks looking to capitalize on the region’s buoyancy, the report says.
&#8220;A lot of trade in Asia is among Asian companies, often smaller corporates, so to participate as a corporate bank requires presence not only in the mega trade flows, but also a local presence,&#8221; says Carsten Baumgaertner, Global Leader, Corporate Banking Practice, Boston Consulting Group (BCG).
&#8220;To be able to participate in local trade flows, banks need to get deeper into the respective countries to participate. This favors banks with real networks in the region and leaves those with a limited regional and local presence struggling – because to be present in a country like China, you have to be really present.&#8221;
The report advises corporate banks to align their technology strategies and leverage their core strengths to achieve financial excellence and remain a valued partner to their corporate customers.
But most importantly, corporate banks need to continue to respond to the changing needs of their customers and continue the process of bringing their own technology shops up as cutting-edge technologies including Big Data, the Internet-of-Things and blockchain are rapidly entering the corporate banking world.
The post Macro-Economic Trends, Regulation, Fintech Changing Corporate Banking: Report appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/macro-economic-trends-regulation-fintech-changing-corporate-banking-report</link><guid>230</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Macro-Economic Trends, Regulation, Fintech Changing Corporate Banking: Report</dc:text></item><item><title>The Swiss Fintech Startups PostFinance Is Backing</title><description><![CDATA[PostFinance, the financial services unit of Swiss Post and one of the leading financial institutions in Switzerland, has been an active investor in the fintech space as it seeks to become a digital powerhouse in the country.
PostFinance Mobile App © PostFinance Ltd 2017, all rights reserved
In an interview with venturelab, Jens Schulte, the head of corporate venture capital of PostFinance, explained that in the current market environment with low and in some cases negative interest rates, tapping into new sources of income that do not depend on interest rate levels has become a top priority for PostFinance. And one of the many ways it has found to achieve this goal is by making investments in innovative, young growth companies.
&#8220;Our corporate venture capital commitments must fit into our strategy,&#8221; Schulte said. &#8220;We look into whether and how a potential investment would complement our product and service portfolio, and we pay particular attention of course to aspects such as business model, market, product image, team and technology.&#8221;
And to discover relevant startups, PostFinance uses various channels such as its own network, market research or participation at relevant events. Another channel is through partnerships with external support programs such as venturelab, to identify opportunities for cooperation.
Separately, Swiss Post, which invests in a much broader range of startups including those operating in the e-commerce, mobility, digital trust and business process outsourcing spaces, in addition to digital financial services, is working with investiere.ch, one of the leading startup investors in Switzerland, to discover relevant startups.
 
PostFinance investments and joint ventures
PostFinance&#8217;s investment portfolio is made of startups covering varied segments ranging from payments and investing, to insurance and fundraising.
Moneymeets app, via https://www.moneymeets.com/
One of its earliest deals was moneymeets, a social trading platform where members can recommend investment strategies and products to one another. The investment, which took place in June 2016, was intended to help PostFinance expand its know-how in the area of mobile banking, the firm said.
Another investment went towards Sonect, a location-based on-demand platform for cash withdrawal that lets users get cash using their smartphone from neighborhood stores, restaurant, delivery service and even other individuals. Sonect said it had been in touch with PostFinance since it won the PostVenture business idea competition back in 2015.
PostFinance has also invested in Lucerne-based Tilbago, a startup that provides software for processing debt collection proceedings. This deal, which took place in October last year, allowed PostFinance to combine the solution with its accounts receivable management tool, PostFinance SmartBusiness, enabling the firm to provide its SME customers with a solution that makes handling accounts receivables much easier, from creating offers and billing to controlling open receivables.
In May 2016, PostFinance acquired a minority stake in RaiseNow to have a foot in the growing digital fundraising market. RaiseNow provides online and mobile fundraising solutions to charities and other non-profit organizations as well as companies engaged in social activities and had over 200 customers in ten countries at the time of the deal.
The investment in leading crowd intelligence provider Sentifi last month was &#8220;an acknowledgement of the scientific approach, high technological product maturity and major market potential of the solution,&#8221; said PostFinance CEO Hansruedi Köng. Sentifi analyzes unstructured data from social media such as news feeds, blog posts or Twitter messages to provide financial market insights to investors.
Lendico Switzerland, a joint venture between Lendico and PostFinance
PostFinance&#8217;s activities also take the form of joint ventures with local and international fintech startups. For instance, PostFinance&#8217;s collaboration with German peer-to-peer lending platform Lendico sought to bring the SME crowdlending platform to the Swiss market through the establishment of Lendico Switzerland.
Meanwhile, PostFinance&#8217;s partnership with Axon Ivy, saw the launch of Finform, a joint venture that provides software for efficient processing and real-time verification of formal compliance-relevant documents.
Besides investments and partnerships with players in Switzerland, PostFinance has also invested in several foreign startups, including German ventures Wikifolio, a social online trading platform that has since expanded to Austria and Switzerland, and Getsurance, a robo-advisor for insurance specializing in biometric risk.
 
Featured image: PostFinance Headquarters © PostFinance Ltd 2017, all rights reserved.
The post The Swiss Fintech Startups PostFinance Is Backing appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-swiss-fintech-startups-postfinance-is-backing</link><guid>231</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/PostFinance-mobile-app-300x200.png</dc:content ><dc:text>The Swiss Fintech Startups PostFinance Is Backing</dc:text></item><item><title>Erstes Schweizer Peer-To-Peer-Lending Fintech Im Deutschen Markt Live</title><description><![CDATA[CreditGate24 hat in den letzten beiden Jahren gezeigt, wie notwendig und nachgefragt digitale Finanzierungsalternativen sind.
Seit der Gründung im März 2015 wurden bisher über 1&#8217;000 Kredite von Privaten und KMU finanziert. Das angefragte Kreditvolumen übersteigt 250 Millionen Schweizer Franken. Insgesamt wurden bereits Kredite mit einem Gesamtvolumen von knapp CHF 55 Millionen finanziert.
Diese Erfolge möchte CreditGate24 nun auch in Deutschland erzielen. Mit einem Büro in Berlin erschliesst CreditGate24 den deutschen Markt für digitale Finanzierungen und Investitionen. Mit einem eigenen Team vor Ort werden die Kreditanfragen von Privaten, Selbstständigerwerbenden und KMU geprüft und innerhalb von wenigen Tagen erhalten Kreditnehmer ihr persönliches Kreditangebot.
Mit einem effizienten Kreditprüfungsprozess können die Kosten auf ein Minimum reduziert werden. Vor allem Kreditnehmer profitieren von einem günstigen Zins. Mit dem Finanzierungsangebot von Geschäftskrediten werden vor allem auch kleine bis mittelständische Unternehmen angesprochen, welche die immer höheren Regulierungen klassischer Finanzinstitute nicht mehr erfüllen können.
KMU können bei CreditGate24 in Deutschland bereits einen Unternehmenskredit ab einem Kreditvolumen von EUR 10&#8217;000 beantragen. Modernste Technologie ermöglicht einen einfachen und sicheren Weg, Kreditfinanzierungen heutzutage zu realisieren. Ganz unabhängig von Öffnungszeiten können Kreditnehmer ihren Kredit online beantragen.
Die Kreditfinanzierung wird von privaten und institutionellen Anlegern übernommen. Innerhalb von 14 Tagen wird der angefragte Kredit finanziert und Kreditnehmer erhalten die Kreditsumme per Überweisung auf das angegebene Konto.
Negativzinsen auf immer mehr klassischen Anlagen bei Banken und Finanzinstituten erhöhen die Nachfrage für lukrative Anlageklassen. Mit der Finanzierung von Krediten können Anleger ab sofort von vielen Vorteilen profitieren.
Ergänzend, dass die Finanzierung von Krediten eine komplett neue Anlageklasse für viele Anleger darstellt und sie dadurch das eigene Portfolio weiter diversifizieren können, erhalten Anleger in Deutschland die Möglichkeit, eine attraktive Rendite zu erzielen.
Für CreditGate24 stehen Diskretion und Sicherheit an oberster Stelle. Das Risiko eines Totalausfalls wird durch die Solidaritätsvereinbarung zwischen den Anlegern minimiert. Alle gespeicherten Daten werden nach deutschem Recht verwaltet.
 
Featured image via Pixabay
The post Erstes Schweizer Peer-To-Peer-Lending Fintech Im Deutschen Markt Live appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/erstes-schweizer-peer-to-peer-lending-fintech-im-deutschen-markt-live</link><guid>232</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Erstes Schweizer Peer-To-Peer-Lending Fintech Im Deutschen Markt Live</dc:text></item><item><title>Official Founding of the International RegTech Association’s Swiss Chapter</title><description><![CDATA[Today, the International RegTech Association (IRTA) announced the foundation of its Swiss Chapter. The IRTA is a united community of individuals and organizations, with a shared vision to innovate, advance, and influence the future of Regulatory Technology (RegTech) globally.
The Swiss Chapter of the International RegTech Association (IRTA CH):

Fosters an open and innovative RegTech ecosystem across industries in Switzerland and abroad,
Promotes the exchange of views and the collaboration between RegTech providers, regulators, industry organizations, science, professional advisors, service providers and consumers and
Is open to private persons and legal entities as well as organizations under public law and represents the interests of its members.

A significant number of Swiss RegTech industry professionals and companies such as Apiax, Finform, indigita, Riskifier, and TaxLevel, together with corporate members such as Orbium have already joined the IRTA as founding members, strongly believing in the need of industry-wide, global collaboration to foster standardization in the regulatory space.
Ralf Huber
“With RegTech taking an increasing role in Financial Services, the IRTA is now more needed than ever. We’re excited to be part of an organization that is helping to shape the future of the space and move the industry forward.”
Ralf Huber, President of the IRTA CH and Co-Founder of Apiax
 
 
 

 
“Our Swiss Chapter will play an integral role in helping us create a globally integrated, hybrid ecosystem for RegTech.”
Subas Roy, Global Chair of the IRTA
 
 

Gino Wirthensohn
“The global IRTA has been incorporated as a Swiss association. I am delighted that we can further expand our activities within Switzerland and foster the exchange between local and global RegTech initiatives.”
Gino Wirthensohn, Board Member of the IRTA and Co-Founder of Riskifier
 
 

David Bundi
“RegTech will be everywhere in the future. Not only because it will significantly reduce costs and risks, but because it will improve health and transparency in all industries through a higher maturity of compliance – and that’s the real beauty of RegTech.”
David Bundi, Member of the IRTA CH team and Chief Compliance Officer at Hypothekarbank Lenzburg AG
 
 

Urs Bolt
“RegTech will not only enable an automated and a more efficient compliance function but also propel client services into the 21st century. The IRTA will help to coordinate and align activities but also act as the voice for industry concerns.”
Urs Bolt, Member of the IRTA CH team and FinTech &amp; RegTech Advisor
 
 
For more information, please visit https://regtechassociation.org.
 
Featured image via https://regtechassociation.org/
The post Official Founding of the International RegTech Association’s Swiss Chapter appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/official-founding-of-the-international-regtech-associations-swiss-chapter</link><guid>233</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Official Founding of the International RegTech Association’s Swiss Chapter</dc:text></item><item><title>Wenn Blockchains Die Filmindustrie Beflügeln</title><description><![CDATA[Award gekröntes eMovie Venture Filmprojekt feiert Weltpremiere in Hollywood. Drei Awards konnte der erste Ethereum-finanzierte Film bereits gewinnen, die letzten beiden sogar in Hollywood.
Nun ist das Pilotprojekt der eMovie Venture Produktionsplattform für vier weitere Auszeichnungen am KaPow Intergalactic Filmfestival nominiert. Die Welt-Kinopremiere folgte Mitte November im Kino des legendären Hollywood-Mitbegründers Carl Laemmele.
Mittels eines Smart Contract, gefolgt von einem ICO Anfang des Jahres konnte eMovie Venture mehr als eine Million USD einnehmen. Das initiale Filmprojekt The Pitts Circus feiert nun in Hollywood seine Weltpremiere. Der Film rund um Produzent Toni Caradonna und Director Ken Fanning wurde erstmals im September 2017 beim Around Films International Festival (ARFF) in Amsterdam mit dem Award zum Besten Experimentalfilm geehrt.
Im darauffolgenden Oktober konnte der Film rund um die real existierende Zirkusfamilie dann beim Los Angeles Independent Film Festival zwei weitere Auszeichnungen für Best Producer und Best Director gewinnen. Wer sich für Hollywood interessiert, stößt unweigerlich auf den Namen „Carl Laemmle“: als Begründer der Universal Studios zählt er zu den mächtigsten Studiobossen seiner Zeit. In dem von Laemmle gegründeten Kino in Hollywood feierte die preisgekrönte Filmproduktion jetzt am 14. November 2017 ihre Weltpremiere.
Die Idee, Blockchain und Filmindustrie miteinander zu vereinen, ist ein weiterer Schritt wie die digitale Innovation Einzug in diverse Wirtschafts- und Lebenbereiche findet. Entgegen zahlreicher ICOs beweist das Ethereum finanzierte Indie-Projekt eMovie Venture mit dem Erfolg des Pilotprojekts The Pitts Circus frühzeitig, wie eine dezentrale Blockchain an der Schnittstelle zu unterschiedlichsten Branchen wie etwa jener der Filmindustrie, als Wunderpille mögliche Anwendung finden kann.

Der Communitygedanke steht bei diesem Ansatz besonders im Vordergrund. So beteiligt eMovie Venture seine Crowd-Investoren am finanziellen Erfolg des Initialprojekts bis 2036. Außerdem erhalten alle Tokenbesitzer Mitspracherecht an zukünftigen Produktionen: kürzlich wurde demokratisch darüber abgestimmt, welches Projekt im Jahr 2018 realisiert wird. Später können Blockchain-Nutzer die Token dazu verwenden, um den Film u.a. auch online sehen zu können.
Langfristig soll mit eMovie Venture ein Ökosystem basierend auf Real-Life Anwendungsszenarien der Blockchain geschaffen werden, welches Indie-Media-Produzenten die Umsetzung ihrer Ideen ermöglicht. Gänzlich ohne jegliche Mittel gestartet, beweist der Erfolg des Projekts, welches bereits in der Produktionsphase mit seinem Fundraising und zahlreichen Kooperationen für Aufmerksamkeit sorgte, wie es auch zukünftig möglich sein könnte, eine Brücke zwischen der Realwelt und der digitalen Blockchain zu schlagen.
 
Unkonventionelle Schweizer Filmproduktion feiert Premiere in Hollywood:
Ursprünglich wollte das Team rund um Produzent Toni Caradonna einen bescheidenen Independent Film realisieren, doch am Ende schrieben sie Blockchain-Geschichte. Mit befreundeten Künstlern aus Irland und Australien sollte eine Geschichte über eine australische Zirkusfamilie und deren täglichen Abenteuern erzählt werden.
Zur Produktion des Filmes wählte das Team einen unkonventionellen Weg via Blockchain-Crowdfunding, das in dieser Form weltweit erstmalig umgesetzt wurde. Der Projekterfolg, die unkonventionelle Finanzierung der Filmproduktion und das proof-of-concept der Blockchain-Technologie anhand eines konkreten Projekts, führte zu einem unerwartet großen Interesse an The Pitts Circus.Dieses ist zwischenzeitlich bereits zu wesentlich mehr, als nur einem Filmprojekt herangewachsen und zieht Folgeprojekte im eMovie Venture Ökosystem nach sich.
 
Unabhängiges Filmprojekt, welches weltweit Wellen schlägt
Die Einladung zur Premiere im legendären Laemmle’s in Hollywood, ist nur eines der verschiedenen Highlights, mit dem The Pitts Circus zurzeit Aufsehen erregt. Nachdem der Film schon einen Award in Amsterdam am „Around International Film Festival“ gewonnen hatte und u.a. bei den „DINACon Awards“ für digitale Nachhaltigkeit nominiert wurde, begann er auch in Hollywood Wellen zu schlagen.
Im Oktober konnte The Pitts Circus beim Los Angeles Independent Film Festival erfolgreich zwei Awards für sich beanspruchen, und weniger später folgten bereits die nächsten Nominierungen, diesmal sogar vier an der Zahl. Am KaPow Intergalactic Film Festival ist der Film für Best Feature, Best Mockumentary, Best Foreign Film und Best Musical Comedy nominiert.
Diese geben einen kleinen Einblick darauf, wie vielseitig das Projekt angelegt ist. In Hollywood scheint man ein Auge auf die ungewöhnliche Erfolgstory des ersten mithilfe der Blockchain finanzierten Films geworfen zu haben. Die Idee, die Blockchain-Technologie zu nutzen um Kapital einzusammeln und alle vom Produktionsteam bis zu den Zusehern aktiv in den Prozess mit einzubringen, könnte auch bald in anderen kreativen Branchen angewandt werden.
 
Das Geheimnis des Erfolgs
Den Projekterfolg verortet Toni Caradonna zu einem grossen Teil bei der technologischen Komponente, welche dem eigentlichen Filminhalt allerdings bisweilen etwas die Show stiehlt. Wieso eigentlich dieses große Interesse an der Blockchain? Dazu Toni Caradonna:
”Die Blockchain- Technologie verändert unsere Welt und die Gesellschaft genauso wesentlich, wie zuvor das Internet. Zum ersten Mal in der Geschichte der Menschheit delegieren die Menschen Vertrauen weg von Institutionen und Personen, hin zu Maschinen und Prozessen. Die Schweiz ist auch bei diesem Innovationsschub wieder vorne dabei.“
Caradonna zu seinen persönlichen Motivation weiter:
“ ich will mit diesem Projekt zeigen, dass die Blockchain eine hohe kulturelle Diversität ermöglicht. Ein Film braucht ein hohes Startkapital. The Pitts Circus ist der beste Beweis dafür, dass auch Geschichten im Schweizer Film erzählt werden können, welche nicht durch die staatlichen Behörden abgesegnet und gefördert werden und dennoch erfolgreich sind.”
dem hätte Carl Laemmle wohl nichts weiteres beizupflichten.
The post Wenn Blockchains Die Filmindustrie Beflügeln appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/wenn-blockchains-die-filmindustrie-beflugeln</link><guid>234</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/4-300x251.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Wenn Blockchains Die Filmindustrie Beflügeln</dc:text></item><item><title>Kostensenkung Im Zahlungsverkehr: Schweiz Auf Gutem Weg</title><description><![CDATA[Der Zahlungsverkehr ist ein erheblicher Kostenfaktor für die Kreditinstitute im SEPA-Raum.
Jährlich fallen fast 7,5 Milliarden Euro für die Bearbeitung von Transaktionen, für Reklamationen und Vertriebskosten wie Mitarbeitergehälter an.
Das sind Ergebnisse einer Benchmarkstudie von PPI und ibi research sowie einer Hochrechnung und Markteinschätzung. Enorme Einsparmöglichkeiten bieten sich durch die Reduzierung des beleggebundenen Zahlungsverkehrs und eine effizientere Handhabung der kostspieligen SWIFT-Zahlungen. Der Finanzplatz Schweiz ist in dieser Hinsicht auf einem guten Weg.
2015 wurden insgesamt 72,9 Milliarden Transaktionen im SEPA-Raum durchgeführt, die Kosten dafür beliefen sich auf 4,99 Milliarden Euro. Während die rund 68,7 Milliarden elektronisch eingereichten Transaktionen mit nur 1,47 Milliarden Euro bzw. 0,02 Euro pro Vorgang zu Buche schlugen, erwiesen sich beleggebundene Überweisungen und Scheckeinreichungen als echte Kostentreiber.
2,66 Milliarden Schecktransaktionen verursachten mit 2,68 Milliarden Euro beeindruckende 53,7 Prozent der Gesamtkosten. Belegeinreichungen machten 2 Prozent aus und sorgten mit 655 Millionen Euro für einen Kostenanteil von 13,1 Prozent.
Für jede Scheckeinreichung und beleggebundene Überweisung fallen schätzungsweise zwischen 0,28 und 0,92 Euro an, eine SWIFT-Überweisung schlägt sogar mit 4,50 Euro zu Buche. Dies geht aus einer detaillierten Benchmarkstudie zum SEPA-basierten Zahlungsverkehr in Deutschland hervor, die PPI und ibi research für das Jahr der SEPA-Einführung durchgeführt haben und die auf den SEPA Raum auf Grundlage von nationalen Gegebenheiten übertragen wurde (siehe Kasten).
Allein die Zurückdrängung von Scheck- und Belegtransaktionen könnte den Zahlungsverkehr um rund 67 Prozent entlasten. Die Schweiz hat hier bereits einige erfolgreiche Schritte unternommen. Schecks sind praktisch nicht mehr existent, da Finanzinstitute für ihre Bearbeitung hohe Gebühren berechnen. Im Zuge des Projekts „Harmonisierung Zahlungsverkehr Schweiz“ werden ab 2019 QR-Rechnungen, auch in elektronischer Form oder in Anzeigen am Kassenterminal, eingeführt.
Sie enthalten einen scanbaren QR-Code mit allen Informationen für den Zahlungsauftrag und die anschliessende Konsolidierung beim Empfänger. Auch im Hinblick auf den Auslandszahlungsverkehr baute die Schweiz von Anfang an auf ISO 20022 als Standardformat und setzt dieses bereits heute um.
Carsten Miehling, Geschäftsführer PPI Schweiz
Eine vom Finanzplatz Schweiz in Auftrag gegebene Studie des Beratungsunternehmens Deloitte prognostiziert nach erfolgter Systemumstellung eine Senkung der jährlichen Prozess- und Kapitalkosten um 271 Millionen CHF. 197 Millionen CHF bzw. 75 Prozent der Einsparungen entfallen dabei auf Privatunternehmen, 9 Millionen Franken auf den öffentlichen Sektor.
Die Finanzinstitute selber können jährlich 65 Millionen Franken einsparen, tragen aber mit 550 Millionen Franken auch einen Grossteil der Investitionskosten. Die Privatwirtschaft muss mit einmaligen Kosten von 500 Millionen CHF rechnen, der öffentliche Sektor wird 80 Millionen CHF aufbringen müssen.
Auch in Nachbarländern der Schweiz wie Österreich und Deutschland nehmen Belegeinreichungen aufgrund der wachsenden Bedeutung von Online-Überweisungen ab. Lediglich Frankreich fällt aus dem Rahmen. 2015 wurden dort laut einer Statistik der Europäischen Zentralbank (EZB) rund 84 Prozent aller Scheckzahlungen in der Eurozone abgewickelt.
Weniger Reklamationen und SWIFT-basierte Zahlungsaufträge
Einen wichtigen Beitrag zur Kostensenkung im Zahlungsverkehr leistete auch die Einführung von SEPA. In der Folge sank die Zahl der Reklamationen: Auf rund 14.000 Zahlungsaufträge entfiel im Schnitt nur noch ein Fall; gleichzeitig vereinfachte sich der Reklamationsprozess für grenzüberschreitende Transaktionen deutlich. Allerdings verursacht die Reklamationsbearbeitung weiterhin rund 190 Millionen Euro an Kosten. Abhilfe schaffen kann laut PPI- Studie eine moderne IT-Infrastruktur.
SEPA führte zudem zu einer deutlichen Reduzierung der SWIFT-basierten Aufträge im Auslandszahlungsverkehr. Ihr Anteil sank von 1 Prozent auf 0,4 Prozent. Allerdings sind die Kosten (rund 1,8 Milliarden Euro bzw. 24,3 Prozent der Gesamtkosten des SEPA-Zahlungsverkehrs), die Reklamationsquote (rund 1 Prozent) und die Reklamationskosten (80 bis 90 Euro pro Fall) immer noch unverhältnismässig hoch.
ZUR STUDIE:
Die Schätzungen basieren auf PPIs Marktexpertise sowie auf einer Benchmark- Studie zum SEPA-basierten Zahlungsverkehr in Deutschland. Diese führte PPI zusammen mit dem Beratungs- und Forschungsinstitut ibi research für das Jahr der SEPA-Einführung durch. An der Studie haben acht Banken teilgenommen, die für zirka 45 Prozent aller Zahlungsverkehrstransaktionen in Deutschland verantwortlich sind. Auf dieser Basis haben wir eine Abschätzung der Gesamtkosten des Zahlungsverkehrs aller Banken im SEPA-Raum vorgenommen – darunter auch Frankreich. 
Dies beinhaltet sämtliche SEPA-Transaktionen, alle Transaktionen im SWIFT-Format im SEPA-Raum sowie die den SEPA-Raum überschreitenden SWIFT-Zahlungen, sogenannte Auslandstransaktionen. Die Kosten der SEPA- Transaktionen der nicht-deutschen Banken wurden auf Basis der Werte in Deutschland geschätzt. Dabei wurden nationale Gegebenheiten miteinbezogen. Die Kosten der SWIFT-Transaktionen wurden auf Basis der Transaktionskosten einer mittelgrossen sowie einer Grossbank geschätzt und anschliessend auf Europa hochgerechnet. Hinzu kommen die Kosten für den Zahlungsverkehrsvertrieb, für den – mangels fehlender statistischer Informationen – vorsichtige Schätzungen zu Grunde gelegt wurden.
 
The post Kostensenkung Im Zahlungsverkehr: Schweiz Auf Gutem Weg appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/kostensenkung-im-zahlungsverkehr-schweiz-auf-gutem-weg</link><guid>223</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/PPI-Anschauung_Kosten-des-ZV-300x169.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Kostensenkung Im Zahlungsverkehr: Schweiz Auf Gutem Weg</dc:text></item><item><title>Redalpine Invests In Taxfix – The Mobile-First Tax Assistant</title><description><![CDATA[Redalpine announce to invest int Taxfix, the mobile tax assistant that’s finally making the submission of your tax return and claim of refunds easy. Redalpine leads the € 2 Mio Seed round together with Swedish investor Creandum.
Taxfix founders Lino Teuteberg, Mathis Büchi
Billions of tax refunds remain unclaimed because the tax refund submission process is too cumbersome and intransparent. In Germany alone, millions of tax payers rather waive their right of a € 935.- average tax rebate per year than jump through the hoops of current submission and refund claim processes.
Through an intuitive and automated mobile-first approach, the company’s founders Mathis Büchi and Lino Teuteberg aim to fundamentally change the way people go about their taxes. Their mobile app allows everyone to file taxes 12 times faster and 10 times cheaper than current solutions:
In a chat-like interface and language without all the technical clutter, Taxfix guides users through a personalized questionnaire. Smart algorithms ensure that all data is entered completely and correctly. The application then directly calculates the outstanding refund, automatically compiles the tax return and, with one click, users can submit it directly from the smartphone to the tax authorities.
Mathis, Lino and the team have developed uniquely scalable technology that allows for fully automated communication with the user and easy accommodation of fiscal differences across countries for future internationalization.
The Berlin-based company was founded in 2016 by the two Swiss serial entrepreneurs Mathis Büchi and Lino Teuteberg. They bring extensive experience from their highly successful previous company Smallpdf which currently serves over 11 mio. users.
 
Article first appeared on redalpine Blog
Featured image via taxfix facebook page
 
The post Redalpine Invests In Taxfix – The Mobile-First Tax Assistant appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/redalpine-invests-in-taxfix-the-mobile-first-tax-assistant</link><guid>213</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/taxfix-founders-300x200.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Redalpine Invests In Taxfix – The Mobile-First Tax Assistant</dc:text></item><item><title>Tothemoon Project: The Merits Of Cryptocurrency Mining On The Tothemoon Farm</title><description><![CDATA[Mining is one of the most popular ways of making money on the Internet today. Having appeared not so long ago, it is rapidly gaining popularity, because it creates ample opportunities for obtaining additional incomes of impressive sizes.
Mining is the process of generating a crypto currency in the &#8220;World Wide Web&#8221;, for which it is necessary to install the appropriate video card and software on the computer or buy special equipment. Carrying out some mathematical calculations, you can earn crypto currency, the output of which is carried out through the electronic wallets or other convenient ways for the user.
In order to create the conditions for professional mining, minimize the risks and costs associated with the individual generation of crypto currency at home, ToTheMoon (Winthrop, Washington, USA) has developed and launched a project of the same name aimed at providing hosting services for mining on the mining farm ToTheMoon.

About the project
ToTheMoon is a project within the framework of which a service for organization of mining on a turnkey basis is provided for representatives all over the world. To minimize customer’s costs, the company introduces a tokenization procedure. Based on the existing capacities of the mining farm, 51.75 million TMT tokens will be issued during the ICO, of which 45 million will be issued for potential customers.
What is a TMT token and what is its purpose?
Each bought TMT token provides the right to use the facilities of the ToTheMoon mining farm without paying a rent for the next 25 years and is an equivalent to 0.5 W of energy consumption of the miner (equipment for mining). It means that in order to get a place on the mining farm it is necessary to buy the number of tokens that will be obtained when multiplying 0.5 W by the figure representing the total amount of energy consumption by the customer&#8217;s equipment.
When can you buy a TMT token?
You can buy tokens within 56 days:

September 5-19, 2017 – pre-sale;
September 20 – October 31, 2017 – the initial offer (primary official sale).

Depending on the date of purchase, the cost of one token will be from 0.5 to 1.1 dollar USA.
What kind of crypto currency can be mined on a ToTheMoon mining farm?
ToTheMoon Company offers its clients the opportunity to generate the following crypto currencies:

ETH;
BTC;
BCH;
LTC;
DASH;

Their list can be further revised and expanded.

What is Included in the Standard Package of Services?
The standard service package includes:

purchase of equipment and its installation;
hosting on the mining farm ToTheMoon;
maintenance and repair of equipment;
maintenance of personal blockchain.

ToTheMoon Company provides customers with the opportunity to place on the ToTheMoon mining farm miners, purchased from the company&#8217;s official website, as well as the customer&#8217;s own equipment. Installation of miners bought on the company&#8217;s website is free of charge. The advantage of cooperation with ToTheMoon is the lack of expenditure of maintenance and electrical energy charges due to bought tokens. The minimum hosting pay is 3.5 cents per 1 kW/hour for the token holders.
ToTheMoon project official website tothemoonimus.com
 
Disclaimer: this is a press release written by ToTheMoon. Fintechnews does not endorse and is not responsible for or liable for any content, accuracy, quality, advertising, products or other materials on this page. Readers should do their own research before taking any actions related to the company. Fintechnews is not responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in the press release.
Please note this is no investment advice.
The post Tothemoon Project: The Merits Of Cryptocurrency Mining On The Tothemoon Farm appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/tothemoon-project-the-merits-of-cryptocurrency-mining-on-the-tothemoon-farm</link><guid>214</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/tothemoon-300x176.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Tothemoon Project: The Merits Of Cryptocurrency Mining On The Tothemoon Farm</dc:text></item><item><title>Cooperations between Banks and Fintechs in Germany</title><description><![CDATA[Our German blogging friends from paymentbanking regular publish their German Bank and Fintech Cooperation Update.
In terms of Cooperation and Fintegration Germany is an extraordinarily example. Especially emerging Fintech Market should learn from it.
They also publish a useful mindmap connected to the infographic.
Cooperation beetween Banks an Fintech in Germany

 
The post Cooperations between Banks and Fintechs in Germany appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/cooperations-between-banks-and-fintechs-in-germany</link><guid>215</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Bildschirmfoto-2017-09-28-um-20.06.36.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Cooperations between Banks and Fintechs in Germany</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Regulator FINMA Is Investigating ICO Procedures</title><description><![CDATA[The Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA has observed a marked increase in initial coin offerings (ICOs) conducted in Switzerland. It has therefore issued FINMA Guidance 04/2017 on this topic. FINMA has also indicated that it is investigating a number of ICO cases to determine whether regulatory provisions have been breached.
In recent times FINMA has observed a marked increase in initial coin offerings (ICOs), either conducted in or offered from Switzerland. ICOs are a digital form of the initial public offerings that businesses carry out but which, by contrast, exclusively take place using blockchain technology. FINMA recognises the innovative potential of such technology and has been supporting efforts in developing and implementing blockchain solutions in the Swiss finance industry for several years.
ICOs may come under existing regulatory legislation
How ICOs are structured from technical, functional and business standpoints varies markedly from offering to offering. ICOs are currently not governed by specific regulations, either globally or in Switzerland. Swiss legislation on financial markets is principle-based; one such principle is technology neutrality. Collecting funds for one’s own account without a platform or issuing house is unregulated from a supervisory perspective in cases where repayment is not obliged, payment instruments have not been issued and no secondary market exists.
Depending on how an ICO is structured, however, some parts of the procedure may already be covered by existing regulations. As specified in FINMA Guidance 04/2017, published today, this concerns the following areas in particular:

provisions on combating money laundering and terrorist financing;
banking law provisions;
provisions on securities trading;
provisions set out in collective investment scheme legislation.

FINMA is investigating ICOs
Given the close resemblance, in some respects, between ICOs/token-generating events and conventional financial-market transactions, one or more aspects of financial market law may already cover ICO campaigns according to their various models. FINMA is currently looking into a number of different cases. Moreover, whenever FINMA is notified about ICO procedures that breach regulatory law or which seek to circumvent financial market law it initiates enforcement proceedings.
Information for investors
Coins or tokens acquired through an ICO may be subject to high price volatility. Additionally, many cryptocurrency projects are still in early stages of development. Consequently, considerable uncertainty remains as to how they will be financed and implemented in the future.
FINMA cannot rule out that ICO activities may be fraudulent, especially in light of current market developments. A few days ago, it therefore published a press release informing the general public about enforcement proceedings currently in progress and how it deals with fake cryptocurrencies. It also issued a general warning about increased fraudulent activity by fake cryptocurrency providers.
 
 
The post Swiss Regulator FINMA Is Investigating ICO Procedures appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-regulator-finma-is-investigating-ico-procedures</link><guid>216</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/FINMA-Logo-300x68.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Regulator FINMA Is Investigating ICO Procedures</dc:text></item><item><title>Schweizer Proptech-Startup Lanciert Plattform Für Immobilienauktionen</title><description><![CDATA[vendom, der digitaler Marktplatz für Immobilienauktionen, gestaltet den Kauf und Verkauf von Immobilien einfach, effizient und transparent.
Das Schweizer PropTech-Startup wurde am 8. August 2017 lanciert.
Durch spezifische Auktionsverfahren ermittelt die Plattform den aktuell besten Marktpreis und ebnet den Weg zu einem erfolgreichen Immobiliengeschäft – für Verkäufer wie Käufer. Die Ziele von vendom sind es, den gesamten Vermarktungsprozess einer Immobilie effizienter zu gestalten und dem Immobilienmarkt zugleich mehr Transparenz zu verschaffen.
Die optimale Preisfindung einer Immobilie ist von vielen Faktoren wie Zustand, Lage, Grösse, Alter, Wirtschaftslage, Emotionen usw. abhängig und dadurch schwierig über persönliche Einschätzungen oder Statistiken zu ermitteln. Durch die verschiedenen Auktionsverfahren bei vendom soll die Wettbewerbssituation realitätsnah abgebildet werden und ein Marktpreis im Gleichgewicht von Angebot und Nachfrage resultieren.
John Philip Stalder
Die Preisfindung bei Immobiliengeschäften wird mit vendom entpersonalisiert. Firmengründer und CEO John Philip Stalder sagt über die Beweggründe zur Lancierung von vendom:
«Wir sind der Meinung, dass der Markt über den Preis entscheidet und nicht meist schwierig nachvollziehbare Statistiken oder Spekulationen. Mit unserer Plattform wollen wir die marktgesteuerte Preisdynamik bei Immobilien anstossen.»
 
Funktionen und Vorteile von vendom
Käufer können auf vendom über die hilfreiche Suchfunktion nach Immobilien suchen und direct mit dem Verkäufer für weitere Informationen und Besichtigungen in Kontakt treten. Wenn ein Interesse an einer Immobilie besteht, sendet der potentielle Käufer eine Anfrage zur Auktionsteilnahme an den Verkäufer.
Nachdem der Verkäufer den Käufer geprüft und zur Auktion zugelassen hat, kann ab dem Auktionsstart auf die gewünschte Immobilie geboten oder diese durch die Sofortkaufoption erworben werden, sofern diese Option durch den Verkäufer angeboten wird. Im Anschluss an die Auktion bespricht der Verkäufer mit dem Käufer das weitere Vorgehen für die Vorbereitung und den Abschluss des Kaufvertrages.
Die Auktionsverfahren auf vendom bieten den Käufern den grossen Vorteil, dass eingegangene Gebote online verfolgt und unmittelbar darauf reagiert werden kann. Gegenüber dem herkömmlichen Bieterverfahren sind die Auktionsverfahren auf vendom transparent, da alle abgegebenen Gebote mit Datum und Zeit ersichtlich sind. Zu den persönlichen Daten der Bietenden hat aus Datenschutzgründen lediglich der Verkäufer der Immobilie Einsicht.
Internationale Plattform für alle Immobilienarten
image:The First Real Estate Auction on vendom.com was created | via Vendom Facebook page
International: Sogar auf Chinesisch und Russisch!
vendom bietet einen Marktplatz für alle Arten von Immobilien wie Wohnen, Gewerbe, Industrie, Grundstücke, Parkplätze usw. Alle Immobilien können zusätzlich als Anlageobjekt deklariert und die zu erzielende Bruttorendite angegeben werden. Investoren können mittels Filterfunktion explizit nach Anlageobjekten auf vendom suchen.
Die Plattform vendom ist international ausgelegt und soll die länderübergreifende Vermarktung von Immobilien vereinfachen. Dafür wird die Plattform neben Deutsch und Englisch bald in Französisch, Spanisch, Russisch und Chinesisch angeboten.
Durch Prozess- Standardisierung und länderspezifische Übersetzungen wird die Kommunikation sowie die Interaktion zwischen Anbietern und Interessenten vereinfacht.vendom ist die Antwort auf dynamische Märkte im Zeitalter der Digitalisierung im Immobilienmarkt.
Besuchen Sie vendom unter www.vendom.com
The post Schweizer Proptech-Startup Lanciert Plattform Für Immobilienauktionen appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schweizer-proptech-startup-lanciert-plattform-fur-immobilienauktionen</link><guid>217</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/vendom-auction-300x226.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Schweizer Proptech-Startup Lanciert Plattform Für Immobilienauktionen</dc:text></item><item><title>When will Switzerland or FINMA organize a Fintech and Blockchain Week ? (Follow Hamburg, HK, MAS Singapore)</title><description><![CDATA[Several Fintech Week events are scheduled to occur in the coming months in Germany, Australia, India, Hong Kong, Singapore and San Francisco, promising to gather global fintech leaders and industry participants to share insights on the state of the industry.  For a Swiss Fintech Week we are still waiting&#8230;
The Fintech Week Hamburg will take place in the German city from November 06 to 12, 2017 and will bring together numerous industry participants to cover topics related to fintech.
The Fintech Week Hamburg aims to provide the framework for a diverse program of different experts from fintech, banking and corporate consultancy. The platform will enable industry participants, experts and enthusiasts to connect, share, network and learn from one another.
About 30 sessions and events will be organized specifically for fintech companies and banks, in addition to startups/investors networking sessions, and consumer oriented events. Hamburg Fintech Week is set to bring together some 2,000 participants.
Topics covered will include the evolution of asset and wealth management, &#8220;the next generation of financial services providers,&#8221; and fintech in Asia, among others.
The event comes at a time when the German fintech scene is growing rapidly with numerous homegrown startups gaining international recognition.
Currently, Germany&#8217;s top fintech locations in terms of number of startups and venture capital investment are Berlin with over 170 startups and €734 million in investment between 2012 and 2016, Munich with more than 60 startups and €155 million in investment, and Hamburg with over 50 startups and €212 million raised.
Image credit: A panoramic view of the Hamburg skyline of the Binnenalster taken from Lombardsbrücke, via Wikimedia Common
The Fintech Week Hamburg is unrelated to the Fintech Week series organized by Fintech Worldwide, a company based in London that run conferences, exhibitions, workshops, hackathons, meetups and parties, each focused on a different topic that take place all over the world. Fintechworldwide is organizing Fintech and Blockchain Weeks in Tel Aviv, London and Toronto.
The concept of a &#8220;Fintech Week&#8221; has been applied all around the world in locations that include New York, Hong Kong, San Francisco, Dublin, Amsterdam, India, Washington D.C, Chicago and Tel Aviv.
In October, a similar event will be taking place in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Fintech Week, organized by InvestHK, will occur from October 23 to 27, and will cover startups funding in IPO, China fintech, blockchain, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, regtech, insurtech and wealthtech, among other hot topics.
Speakers will include representatives from the likes of Dianrong, Ant Financial, Deloitte, Baker McKenzie, Goldman Sachs, Finnovasia, NexChange, and the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission, among others.
Then in November the Singapore Fintech Festival kicks off for the 2nd time. More then 10&#8217;000 attendees will be expected for this festival. MAS as an organizer (Imagine the Swiss FINMA would organize a Swiss Fintech week!)  bringing you exciting discussions, stimulating demos and insightful debates over the period of 13-17 November 2017.

 
On this week we will also expect to get some news regarding ICO Regulation in Singapore.
ICOs have raised more than US$2 billion this year so far despite a recent major crackdown by authorities in China. Yet, ICO activity continues to rise with some of the largest fundraising taking place in Switzerland.
Out of the six largest token sales, four were hosted in Switzerland, according to a PwC Strategy&amp; report, highlighting the growing local cryptocurrency and blockchain scene.
These ICOs are Tezos, which raised over US$238 million, Bancor, with US$156 million, The DAO, US$142 million, and Status, US$95 million.
&#8230;. So what about a Crypto and Blockchain Week in Switzerland together with the FINMA Zurich Fintech week?  This would help to position Switzerland as on of the Top Fintech Countries. 
 
 
The post When will Switzerland or FINMA organize a Fintech and Blockchain Week ? (Follow Hamburg, HK, MAS Singapore) appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/when-will-switzerland-or-finma-organize-a-fintech-and-blockchain-week-follow-hamburg-hk-mas-singapore</link><guid>218</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.sg/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Hamburg-Germany-Fintech-Week.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>When will Switzerland or FINMA organize a Fintech and Blockchain Week ? (Follow Hamburg, HK, MAS Singapore)</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Fintech Nationalteam pitched to US investors in New York</title><description><![CDATA[Since more than a decade, venturelab runs the “Swiss National Startup Team” program called venture leaders with international roadshows to the Silicon Valley, Boston, New York, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Beijing and South Africa.
The venture leaders jury has selected the first Swiss fintech team in the venture leaders history. This new ‘Swiss National Startup Team Fintech’ joins the Technology, Life Science and China 2017 selections. The 10 high potential Swiss startups went on a business and financing roadshow to New York last week.
The 10 selected entrepreneurs reflect the acceleration of the Swiss fintech scene in the recent years and the impressive quality of its startups. The intense journey took place from September 10 to 16 in New York. The roadshow offered an accelerated learning curve and a solid network through exchanges with their peers in the team, as well as market exposure, pitching to investors and experts, and hands-on business development.
Not only did they attend Finovate, the largest Fintech conference, but also met with several US investors and had an open demo night, to show the New York audience that Switzerland does not need to hide when it comes to the quality of its startups.
This roadshow was supported by PostFinance, digitalSwitzerland, EPF Lausanne, ETH Zurich, Canton of Vaud, Swiss Finance Startups and Immomig.

Jens Schulte
&#8220;The venture leaders roadshow is a great chance for startups to network and pitch to investors in New York. To me it was very interesting to get to know the entrepreneurs behind the startups and have a deeper insight into their startups.&#8221;
says Jens Schulte, Head of Corporate Ventures at PostFinance, who accompanied the group.
 
Barbara Stamm
digitalswitzerland supporter, Barbara Stamm, Head of Group M&amp;A at Ringier, decided to join the week in New York too.
“I find it extremely interesting to see, how the startups have changed and become more professional in just one week. It’s great that they are doing these steps together, as a team, and not as competitors”, says Stamm.
 
Patrick Barnert
Patrick Barnert, CEO of Qumram, one of the ten startups participants, had a similar impression:
“the venture leaders Fintech week in New York was tremendously valuable to Qumram and myself. We as organizations and single individuals learned and evolved in improving our business and skills.”
 
Teddy Amberg
 
Teddy Amberg, Partner at startup CreditGate24 added,
“the roadshow allowed to demonstrate the quality and innovation of our Swiss companies and innovations to a global crowd at the Finovate conference”.
 
 

On Friday night the 10 Swiss fintech startups pitched at Barclays Accelerator Rise at the first Swiss Fintech Night in cooperation with swissnex and Swiss Business Hub in New York in front of investors, corporates and fintech influencers. François Briod from Monito who won the pitch competition summarizes the week:

François Briod
 
“The roadshow in New York organized by venturelab not only helped me to connect with experienced investors and driving Monito&#8217;s global expansion to the next level. It also gave me the chance to build relationships with great individuals behind Switzerland&#8217;s best fintech startups.”
 
 
 

Seven startups are from the Zurich area: Advanon&#8216;s online platform for pre-financing was represented by Phil Lojacono. Andy Flury traveled for AlgoTrader (algorithmic trading software) from Schindellegi to the US. The climate risk specialist, Carbon Delta, was represented by Oliver Marchand. Teddy Amberg of CreditGate24, with their fully automated lending platform was also on the roadshow. Futurae is providing a secure two-factor authentication (2FA) for web security and Qumram seamlessly records all digital interactions, across all channels. These two Zurich startups sent Samuel Berger and Patrick Barnert to the US. SONECT was represented by Sandipan Chakraborty, the startup enables every shop in the neighborhood to act as a virtual ATM.
The rest of the participants are based in Lausanne. KiWi (eBOP) is providing a digital platform of micro-merchants and sent Christian Sinobas to investors in New York. With Francois Briod of Monito (Global Impact Finance) you can send money abroad as it is the Booking.com for money transfers. OneVisage is the first to offer 3D facial biometry on standard smartphones and was represented by Christophe Remillet.
The week in New York was not only of high importance to the startups and their future development but may as well have served its supporters with insights, contacts to investors and corporates. They are unique ambassadors of the thriving Swiss startup scene, Switzerland’s innovation power and focus on real technology. The next chance to join the venture leaders around the globe will arise in 2018.
Additional Links
Here is a short description of the venture leaders Fintech team 2017
Meet the 300+ venture leaders alumni
 
Article first appeared on http://www.venturelab.ch/
The post Swiss Fintech Nationalteam pitched to US investors in New York appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-fintech-nationalteam-pitched-to-us-investors-in-new-york</link><guid>219</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/swiss-fintech-startups-300x192.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Fintech Nationalteam pitched to US investors in New York</dc:text></item><item><title>PSD2 Wird Das Kreditgeschäft Revolutionieren</title><description><![CDATA[
Ein Kommentar zur PwC-Studie zu PSD2 von Robin Buschmann, Gründer und Geschäftsführer der Frankfurter Banking-Plattform Giromatch.
Am 13. Januar 2018 wird die von der Europäischen Kommission überarbeitete ‚Payment Sercice Directive‘ (PSD2) in Kraft treten. Die neue Regelung wird Banken dazu verpflichten, Kontodaten Drittanbietern zugängig zu machen &#8211; die Zustimmung des Kunden vorausgesetzt.
Im Juni dieses Jahres hat PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) 1.000 Deutsche befragt, um ein Stimmungsbild dazu zu ermitteln. Die Ergebnisse zeigen eine große Bereitschaft der Deutschen, Drittanbietern ihre Kontodaten zugängig zu machen.
Besonders groß ist diese Bereitschaft bei den unter 30jährigen.Vor allem junge Leute haben verstanden, dass digitales Banking viele Prozesse erleichtern kann. Dies zeigt sich insbesondere im Kreditgeschäft. Wo es bereits heute auf bilateraler Ebene eine Zusammenarbeit zwischen Banken und digitalen Lösungsanbietern gibt, profitieren Kunden von Sofortkrediten in Echtzeit.
Statt lange Wartezeiten und umständliche Bonitätsprüfungen auf Basis von papiernen Dokumenten können bereits heute Decision Engines durch Zugriff auf persönliche Kontodaten innerhalb von wenigen Sekunden eine Bonitätsprüfung ausführen, einen Rating Score erstellen und im Falle der Kreditgewährung den gewünschten Betrag automatisiert auf das Kundenkonto auszahlen.
Durch dieses so genannte API-Kredit- Prinzip wird über Schnittstellen auf alle relevanten externen Datenlieferanten zugegriffen, gegenseitig auf Fehler überprüft und so in Sekunden eine Kreditentscheidung getroffen werden.
Robin Buschmann CEO Giromatch
Die Studie ergibt aber auch, dass Banken gegenüber Fintechs einen Vertrauensvorschuss genießen. Das bedeutet, dass die Nachfrage nach digitalem Banking zwar hoch ist, im Zweifelsfall aber immer noch die Bank erster Ansprechpartner sein wird. Damit ist die weitere Entwicklung vorgezeichnet: Eigenständige digitale Bankdienstleister werden es neben Banken in Zukunft schwerer haben.
Dafür öffnet PSD2 digitalen Dienstleistern die Tür, ihre Produktentwicklungen als White-Label- Lösung in bestehende Bankprozesse zu integrieren.
Giromatch hat bereits Lösungen entwickelt, die Kreditvergabe über Schnittstellen zu digitalisieren und liefert Finanzinstituten die Möglichkeit, Kosten einzusparen und gleichzeitig die eigene Servicequalität zu erhöhen. Anstatt weiter an der Gebührenschraube zu drehen, sollten sich Banken mit der Frage auseinandersetzen, welche Kernkompetenzen künftig für das Ertragsgeschäft von Bedeutung sein werden.
Ist es noch nötig, die gesamte Bandbreite des Bankings anzubieten oder bringt eine dezentrale Denkweise mit der Einbindung von Fintechs in die eigene Wertschöpfungskette nicht für alle Beteiligten die größeren Vorteile.
 
 
The post PSD2 Wird Das Kreditgeschäft Revolutionieren appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/psd2-wird-das-kreditgeschaft-revolutionieren</link><guid>220</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/pwc-studie-einverständnis-bankkonto.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>PSD2 Wird Das Kreditgeschäft Revolutionieren</dc:text></item><item><title>Book Publishing Is About To Change – Redalpine Leads $3.9 Mio Investment In Inkitt</title><description><![CDATA[Not Fintech but very interesting for publishing future fintech book bestsellers.
Inkitt is the world’s first reader-powered book publisher by analysing reader behaviour with sophisticated algorithms in order to predict future bestsellers.
The Berlin-based company offers an online platform where authors can post their manuscripts and readers can read them for free for a limited amount of time. Authors with well-performing books are offered a publishing deal. When Inkitt identifies a potential best-seller, the book is marketed pre-launch by Inkitt’s in-house team and then published, along with full marketing support to ensure the maximum chance of success.
To date, Inkitt has 43,000 writers and over a million readers on their platform. The team around serial entrepreneur Ali Albazaz has published 24 books, of which 22 have become Amazon bestsellers.
Founder and CEO at Inkitt, Ali Albazaz, commented:

Ali Albazaz
“When we started Inkitt we wanted to give every author an equal opportunity to succeed whether they be a 15-year-old schoolgirl or a retired policeman. Inkitt is about author equality not about what you have done before or the network you have. Three years later we are proving that our approach works. We are able to predict bestsellers with incredible accuracy. What we are doing is democratizing publishing by taking out subjectivity and luck.”
 
 
Inkitt has raised $3.9 million in pre-series A funding. The round is led by Redalpine with Frontline Ventures, Speedinvest and a number of private investors also participating. The investment will be used to further scale Inkitt’s publishing platform globally.
 
information appeared first on the Redalpine Blog 
The post Book Publishing Is About To Change &#8211; Redalpine Leads $3.9 Mio Investment In Inkitt appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/book-publishing-is-about-to-change-redalpine-leads-39-mio-investment-in-inkitt</link><guid>221</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Book Publishing Is About To Change – Redalpine Leads $3.9 Mio Investment In Inkitt</dc:text></item><item><title>Inaugural ICO Summit Confirms Switzerland’s Leading Role in Crypto Finance</title><description><![CDATA[Hundreds of people gathered in Zurich, Switzerland earlier this month to hear leading experts discuss the current state of crypto finance, and share their experience and best practice for successful initial coin offering (ICO) execution.
ICO Summit 2017 Smart Valor
The inaugural ICO Summit, which took place on September 15, 2017, was Switzerland&#8217;s first conference dedicated to crowdfunding in the blockchain industry and most likely the world&#8217;s first truly global crypto event to take place in Switzerland.
&#8220;It was thrilling to hear that among the 500 attendees, the majority were not from Switzerland,&#8221; said Olga Feldmeier, CEO of Smart Valor, the organizer of the event.
Highlighting the international traction, she noted:
&#8220;30 countries were represented and another 2.000 joined us via our live stream. In addition, 85% of speakers were also not from Switzerland. The largest country represented in ICO summit was surprisingly: Brazil.&#8221;
Blockchain and cryptocurrency startups have raised over US$2 billion through the novel fundraising method this year alone with some of the largest ICOs occurring in Switzerland. ICOs have proven to be a successful way for young entrepreneurs to get capital, but are still in a regulatory grey area in most jurisdictions.
Furthermore, the ICO craze has raised concerns over the formation of a bubble ready to burst, in addition to the numerous scams and fraudulent schemes that have been surfing on the trend.
Despite the controversy, the fundraising method has gained support from renowned investors and thought leaders who all see ICOs as a way to fill the funding gap for young startups.
&#8220;I am aware of the skeptical take some people have regarding ICO. However, I see it in a positive way,&#8221; said Feldmeier. &#8220;I think the crowdfunding enabled by cryptocurrencies and blockchain-based business models is a big rescue, at least for us here in Europe.&#8221;
&#8220;For years now, you hear all these disappointing stories about how in Europe we are excluded of funding and how we have to move our startups to US to survive beyond the seed phase. Now, with the blockchain-based crowdfunding, it enables entrepreneurs who are not lucky enough to be based in Silicon Valley to have a fair chance to succeed too.
&#8220;The opportunity is too big for us to ignore it. No doubt, this opportunity will be taken and squandered by some people who should never get funding in the first place.&#8221;
The ICO Summit kicked off with a keynote from William Mougayar, an author, researcher and investor in the Bitcoin and blockchain space.
Presentations and discussions covered topics such as tokens generation best practices, Switzerland&#8217;s position in the global crypto finance scene, and how blockchain technology is transforming venture capital and investment banking.
Eric Van Der Kleij, Charles Hoskinson, Richard Muirhead, Olga Feldmeier, Panel Discussion, ICO Summit 2017
In the second half of the day, 25 startups including Globcoin pitched their token-oriented business model in front of the Swiss traditional and crypto investors.
ICO Summit 2017 Pitch Session
Given the success of the ICO Summit, Feldmeier said Smart Valor will host a second edition beginning of 2018. This one will have higher capacity for &#8220;more robust program of parallel tracks and roundtables.&#8221;
&#8220;Smart Valor&#8217;s mission is ultimately to make investment accessible via its blockchain-based decentralized network, which enables users to create and distribute tokenized investments,&#8221; she said. &#8220;We’d like to build on the success of this year’s ICO Summit and establish it as a truly global crypto event.&#8221;
Smart Valor is a blockchain startup that aims to reinvest private banking. The company is building the protocol for the Smart Valor Network, a distributed public ledger for issuance and distribution of investment solutions.
The platform intends to provide a decentralized network in which asset issuers can create and distribute tokenized investment solutions, enabling investors to easily access a broad variety of liquid assets.
The post Inaugural ICO Summit Confirms Switzerland&#8217;s Leading Role in Crypto Finance appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/inaugural-ico-summit-confirms-switzerlands-leading-role-in-crypto-finance</link><guid>222</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ICO-Summit-Zurich-Switzerland-2017-300x199.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Inaugural ICO Summit Confirms Switzerland’s Leading Role in Crypto Finance</dc:text></item><item><title>Die Digitalisierung im Controlling ist ausbaufähig</title><description><![CDATA[Die Hochschule Luzern hat den Einfluss der Digitalisierung auf das Controlling in Schweizer Unternehmen untersucht.
Insgesamt schätzen in einer Umfrage 40 Prozent der Unternehmen den Digitalisierungsgrad ihres Controllings als mittelmässig ein. Dabei könnten mit der Standardisierung und Automatisierung der Controllingprozesse die Qualität, die Geschwindigkeit und die Effizienz gesteigert werden.
Das Institut für Finanzdienstleistungen Zug IFZ der Hochschule Luzern hat in einer Umfrage 223 Schweizer Unternehmen nach dem Digitalisierungsgrad ihrer Controllingabteilungen befragt.
Die Ergebnisse haben die Forschenden in der Studie «Digitaler Wandel im Controlling» zusammengefasst. Die Studie zeigt einerseits das grosse Potential zur Steigerung der operative Effizienz und Effektivität im Controlling, andererseits die Unsicherheit, die hinsichtlich digitaler Technologien in vielen Unternehmen noch besteht.
Potential von Big Data wird nicht ausgeschöpft
Die prägendste Dimension der Digitalisierung im Controlling sind die digitalen Technologien. Die Unternehmen sehen Big Data, Cloud-Technologien sowie künstliche Intelligenz als die einflussreichsten digitalen Technologien für das Controlling an. Diese bestimmen die Rahmenbedingungen und Möglichkeiten, auf denen die Anwendungen im Controlling aufbauen.
Obwohl die teilnehmenden Unternehmen das Potential von Big Data Analytics erkennen, nutzen nur wenige die Auswertungsmöglichkeiten. Insgesamt schätzen 40 Prozent der befragten Unternehmen den Digitalisierungsgrad ihres Controllings als mittelmässig ein (siehe Abbildung).Dabei ist die Digitalisierung je nach Unternehmensgrösse sehr unterschiedlich ausgeprägt: Während grosse Unternehmen ihren Digitalisierungsgrad im Controlling zu 37 Prozent eher hoch bis sehr hoch einschätzen, sind es bei den kleinen Unternehmen nur gerade 14 Prozent.
Die Gründe dafür sind vielschichtig: Gerade in grösseren Unternehmen stehen oft Budgets zu Verfügung, um das Controlling zukunftsfähiger zu machen. Die kleinen und mittleren Unternehmen warten oft ab, weil ihnen nicht immer die notwendigen Ressourcen zur Verfügung stehen. Dies ist allerdings nicht erfolgsfördernd: Digitale Anwendungen wie Big Data Analytics dienen der Sammlung, der Analyse und der Visualisierung von Daten. Sie ermöglichen vertiefte Auswertungen und eine mehrdimensionale Darstellung der Kosten- und Erlössituation, um Wettbewerbsvorteile zu generieren.
Data Scientist im Controlling noch nicht angekommen
Die Studie zeigt, dass ein systematisch-methodisches Vorgehen die geforderte Hauptkompetenz eines Controllers im digitalen Wandel ist. Wurde ein Controller in den 90er- Jahren vorwiegend als Zahlenlieferant gesehen, rückt er nun näher ans Management und steht ihm als Business Partner zu Seite. Er übernimmt Aufgaben des sogenannten Data Scientists, d.h. eines Spezialisten, der sich auf die Analyse von Big Data zur Verbesserung von Entscheidungen im Unternehmen konzentriert.
Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Eigenschaften des Data Scientists (wie z. B. Statistik- und Programmierkenntnisse) bisher nur vereinzelt gefordert werden. Um effektiv und effizient arbeiten zu können, wird das Controlling in Zukunft nicht darum herumkommen, sich diese Kompetenzen anzueignen um digitale Auswertungsmöglichkeiten, wie beispielsweise jene von Big Data Analytics, ausschöpfen zu können.
Controllingaufgaben nehmen zu
Wie in allen Unternehmensbereichen werden auch im Controlling die Prozesse durch die Digitalisierung beeinflusst. Mit der Standardisierung und Automatisierung der Controllingprozesse sollen die Qualität, die Geschwindigkeit und die Effizienz gesteigert werden. Während die Anzahl der Mitarbeitenden im Controlling innerhalb der nächsten 3 bis 5 Jahre weitgehend gleich bleiben wird, steigt gemäss den Befragungsergebnissen der Aufgabenumfang an. Durch eine effiziente Organisation muss der erwartete Mehraufwand im Controlling abgefangen werden.
Vielfach wird nach Möglichkeiten gesucht, die wiederkehrenden Tätigkeiten zu industrialisieren. In einem ersten Schritt warden dabei möglichst viele Tätigkeiten automatisiert. Ist dies nicht möglich, wird in einem zweiten Schritt nach anderen Optimierungsmöglichkeiten gesucht. Einfache oder repetitive Tätigkeiten können beispielsweise in sogenannten Controlling Factories gebündelt werden.
Abbildung: Digitalisierungsgrad im Controlling nach Unternehmensgrösse
 
Featured image via pixabay
The post Die Digitalisierung im Controlling ist ausbaufähig appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/die-digitalisierung-im-controlling-ist-ausbaufahig</link><guid>211</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Digitization-degree-in-controlling-by-company-size-300x106.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Die Digitalisierung im Controlling ist ausbaufähig</dc:text></item><item><title>Procivis und Universität Zürich entwickeln gemeinsame E-Voting-Lösung auf Blockchain-Basis</title><description><![CDATA[Das Schweizer E-Government-Startup Procivis und die Communication Systems Group CSG am Institut für Informatik der Universität Zürich haben ihre Zusammenarbeit bei der Entwicklung einer Lösung für die elektronische Stimmabgabe bekanntgegeben.
Die angestrebte E-Voting- Plattform soll den vollständigen Stimmabgabeprozess, von der Wähler-Information bis zur Auswertung, durchgängig elektronisch abbilden. Das auf Blockchain-Technologie basierende System soll nach erfolgreicher Entwicklung als Open Source-Lösung frei verfügbar gemacht werden.
Das heute bekanntgegebene Projekt wurde vom Schweizer E-Government-Spezialisten Procivis und der CSG, unter Leitung von Prof. Dr. Burkhard Stiller und mit technischer Unterstützung von Dr. Thomas Bocek, an der Universität Zürich lanciert.
Ziel der Zusammenarbeit ist die Entwicklung einer gesamtheitlichen Lösung für die sichere elektronische Stimmabgabe, die neben der eigentlichen Stimmabgabe auch vorgelagerte Schritte, wie die Information der Bürger über Abstimmungsvorlagen, sowie die nachgelagerte Auszählung nahtlos integriert. Bei erfolgreichem Projektverlauf wird für die so entstehende E-Voting-Plattform ein möglicher Einsatz bei internen Wahlen an der Universität Zürich im Rahmen eines Pilotbetriebs für das Frühjahr 2018 abgeklärt.
Für eine sichere elektronische Stimmabgabe wird die Blockchain-Technologie von Ethereum zur Anwendung kommen. Nach abgeschlossener Entwicklung soll die Lösung unter Open Source- Lizenz frei zugänglich gemacht werden, um eine möglichst hohe Transparenz zu gewährleisten und die unabhängige Überprüfbarkeit zu ermöglichen. Als Basis für die Registrierung der Wählenden kommt die von Procivis entwickelte Plattform für die Ausgabe und Verwaltung elektronischer Identitäten, eID+, zum Einsatz.
Procivis-Gründer und CEO Daniel Gasteiger sagt:

Daniel Gasteiger
 
“E-Voting ist ein zentrales Element elektronischer Behördendienstleistungen. Doch leider stockt gerade in der Vorzeigedemokratie Schweiz die Entwicklung in diesem Bereich. Nachdem der Bundesrat nun einen konkreten Fahrplan für die Einführung von E-Voting vorgegeben hat, freuen wir uns, gemeinsam mit der Universität Zürich zur Lösungsfindung beizutragen.”
 
 
Dr. Thomas Bocek, Leiter des Bereichs „P2P and Distributed Systems“ innerhalb der CSG an der Universität Zürich und auf Seite Universität für das Projekt verantwortlich, sagt:

Dr. Thomas Bocek
„E-Voting auf Basis der Blockchain-Technologie erhöht einerseits die Transparenz und ist andererseits technisch sehr anspruchsvoll. Gerade deshalb ist es ein sehr interessantes Gebiet, und wir freuen uns auf dieses spannende Projekt.“
Für den weiteren Projektverlauf werden zusätzliche Partnerschaften mit akademischen Institutionen und Unternehmen im In- und Ausland angestrebt.
 
Featured image via wikimedia
The post Procivis und Universität Zürich entwickeln gemeinsame E-Voting-Lösung auf Blockchain-Basis appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/procivis-und-universitat-zurich-entwickeln-gemeinsame-e-voting-losung-auf-blockchain-basis</link><guid>210</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Procivis und Universität Zürich entwickeln gemeinsame E-Voting-Lösung auf Blockchain-Basis</dc:text></item><item><title>Online-Identifikation in Deutschland: Wer hat’s erfunden?</title><description><![CDATA[Der Identifikationsspezialist WebID soll ein Patent für Video-Identifikationsverfahren des Wettbewerbers IDnow verletzt haben.
So lautet ein Urteil des Landgerichts Düsseldorf von Ende August. Die WebID ist daraufhin in die Berufung gegangen. Trotzdem stellt sich die Branche die klassische Frage: Wer hat’s erfunden? Um es vorwegzunehmen, wer den Ablauf des Erfindungsprozesses durchdekliniert, kommt zu einem eindeutigen Urteil pro WebID. Doch der Reihe nach.
Nach langen Recherchen kam Firmengründer Frank Jorga im Jahr 2011 auf die Idee einer Online Identifikation per Videocall, die GwG-konform und sicher ist. Er setzte sich mit Juristen, Bankvertretern und Behörden zusammen und erkannte die Möglichkeit,  das Konzept erfolgreich zu vermarkten.
2012 gründete er als Hauptgesellschafter gemeinsam mit Franz Thomas Fürst und Tim-Markus Kaiser die WebID, etwas später kam Sven Jorga in die Gründerrunde hinzu.
Rund eine Million Euro investierten die Unternehmer in ihre Innovation, die besonders hohe technologische und rechtliche Herausforderungen bereithielt. Fast zwei Jahre forschte und entwickelte die Mannschaft. Schließlich konnte die WebID im August 2013 den Prozess der Online-Identifikation beim Deutschen Patent- und Markenamt als Patent anmelden.
Parallel führte die WebID langjährige Gespräche mit hochrangigen Beamten des Bundesfinanzministeriums zur Genehmigung ihres Video-Identifizierungsverfahrens. Im Januar 2014 erteilte der zuständige Ministerialrat im Finanzministerium, Michael Findeisen, mündlich die Genehmigung für das Verfahren.
Einen Monat später bekräftigte er diese Entscheidung schriftlich. Erstmals in der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik ist damit ein alternatives Identifikationsverfahren offiziell genehmigt worden. Ein ähnliches Schreiben des Ministeriums für die IDnow ist dagegen nirgendwo zu finden, selbst auf der Internetseite der IDnow nicht.
Die Verhandlungen und die Genehmigung der Innovation ebneten schließlich den Weg für das berühmte BaFin-Rundschreiben 1/2014 (GW) zur Video-Identifizierung, an deren Vorgaben sich auch alle Wettbewerber halten mussten. Mehr noch: Es ist das einzige Patent der Branche, das die Basis für gleich mehrere BaFin-Rundschreiben darstellt. Denn in diesem Jahr aktualisierte die BaFin ihre Regularien mit dem Rundschreiben 3/2017 (GW).
Die weltweit erste Bank, die die WebID-Videoidentifizierung einsetzte, war die SWK Bank im April 2014. Heute arbeiten fast alle großen Banken in Deutschland mit der WebID zusammen und nutzen das patentierte Identifikationsverfahren. Interessant ist, dass es sich bei dem Rechtsstreit vor dem Landgericht Düsseldorf gar nicht um die WebID-Erfindung „Video- Identifizierung“ dreht, sondern vielmehr um technische Details bei den Steuerungsdaten der Videoübertragung.
Diese Daten sind laut Branchenkennern nichts Besonderes und waren bereits vor den Patenten von IDnow und WebID in der Videotelefonie üblich, also längst anerkannter Stand der Technik. Dieser Aspekt lasse sich somit nicht durch ein Patent schützen.
Daneben hat die WebID sogar Einspruch gegen das Patent von IDnow eingelegt  und ebenso die Deutsche Post, ein weiterer Wettbewerber. Das Patent enthält laut Auffassung der Patentkanzlei Boehmert &amp; Boehmert gravierende Fehler und hätte nicht erteilt werden dürfen. Daher sieht es die WebID nur als Frage der Zeit an, bis dieses Patent widerrufen wird.
Alles in allem hat die WebID offenbar gute Karten in dem umkämpften Markt und ist auch aus diesem Grund in die Berufung gegangen. Aus Sicht des Unternehmens wird das Düsseldorfer Urteil keinen Bestand haben, ohnehin arbeite man „vollumfänglich weiter.“
 
Featured image via webid-solutions
The post Online-Identifikation in Deutschland: Wer hat’s erfunden? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/online-identifikation-in-deutschland-wer-hats-erfunden</link><guid>209</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/webID-300x176.gif</dc:content ><dc:text>Online-Identifikation in Deutschland: Wer hat’s erfunden?</dc:text></item><item><title>ZKB und TA Medien finanzieren Influencer Marketing Platform</title><description><![CDATA[Picstars vermarktet die Social Media Reichweite von Sportlern und Eventbesuchern in Zusammenarbeit mit Marken. Mit dem Wachstumskapital der neuen Investoren wird die stark wachsende Plattform zum grössten digitalen Sponsoring-Marktplatz ausgebaut.
Mit Picstars nutzen Marken die Social Media Reichweite ihrer Markenbotschafter. Das Sponsoring wird für die Unternehmen damit digitalisiert und die Leistungen der Markenbotschafter werden transparent und kontrollierbar.
Im Picstars-Cockpit können Unternehmen direkt Kampagnen erstellen und zur Marke passende Botschafter finden sowie ein Budget für die Kampagne festlegen. Die Unternehmen profitieren dabei von der qualitativen Picstars-Cockpit live überprüfen. Die Markenbotschafter verdienen leistungsbasiert nach den erzielten Interaktionen ihrer Social Media Beiträge. Aktuell fokussiert Picstars auf Sportler als Markenbotschafter, die Social Media aktiv nutzen und mit ihren Beiträgen beachtliche Reichweiten und Interaktionen erzielen.
Samuel Hügli
Samuel Hügli, Mitglied der Unternehmensleitung und Leiter Technologie &amp; Ventures von Tamedia:
«Picstars trifft mit seinem Geschäftsmodell im Bereich des Influencer Marketings den Zeitgeist und bringt eine spannende Innovation, die wir gerne aktiv begleiten. Das Start-up bringt mit seinen Gründern zudem ein überaus erfahrenes und erfolgserprobtes Team mit.»
 
 
Daniel Schoch
Daniel Schoch, Leiter Start-up Finance bei der Zürcher Kantonalbank, kommentierte:
„Picstars hat mit den ersten B2B-Kunden bewiesen, dass das Modell des digitalen Sponsorings funktioniert. Sehr spannend finden wir die Weiterentwicklung zu einem digitalen und automatisierten Marktplatz für das Matching von Brands und Talenten.“
 
 
Mark Sandmeier
Mark Sandmeier, CEO und Mitgründer von Picstars, hat bereits als Mitgründer des Job-Portals jobs.ch eine der erfolgreichsten Schweizer Online-Plattformen mit aufgebaut:
«Wir freuen uns enorm über das Investment von Tamedia und der Zürcher Kantonalbank. Damit können wir in Zukunft auf ein grosses Know-how zugreifen und haben zwei starke Partner zur Seite.»
 
 
Featured image via Picstars facebook page
The post ZKB und TA Medien finanzieren Influencer Marketing Platform appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/zkb-und-ta-medien-finanzieren-influencer-marketing-platform</link><guid>208</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>ZKB und TA Medien finanzieren Influencer Marketing Platform</dc:text></item><item><title>Crowdwiz — A Peek Into The Future Of Financial Services</title><description><![CDATA[CrowdWiz is the first of its kind, self-governed investment ecosystem, aiming to reshape today’s financial industry by combining the latest blockchain technologies and the concept of ‘crowd wisdom’.
Built on the Ethereum blockchain, our technology will make financial services safer, smarter and accessible. Investors will benefit from them in a new, transparent way, and will be in full control of their investments. All of this will happen with no middlemen and no hefty fees.
CrowdWiz will develop a suite of investment products all centered on the concept of the wisdom of crowds.The first products to roll out will be CrowdWiz Fund and CrowdWiz Exchange but will be soon followed by Crowdwiz Lending, Crowdwiz Insurance, CrowdWiz Real Estate and many other financial investment platforms.
What is the ‘wisdom of the crowd’?
The concept of ‘Wisdom of crowds’ can be dated back to 1907, but it’s James Surowiecki that has most recently studied the concept in depth. According to the theory, crowds often reach conclusions that are more accurate than those taken by an individual, even if that individual is an expert in his field. The reason why crowds are smarter is because of their diverse range of views, open-mindedness, and culture of sharing.
CrowdWiz Fund
Image: How does the WizFund work? | via CrowdWiz Facebook page
A crowd wisdom crypto fund which enables its members to decide independently how and where the fund should invest. All of this is done through a fully transparent voting process on the blockchain. Through the platform investors are granted the necessary tools to create a crowd wisdom fund of their own or join and invest in newly created ones.
A crowd wisdom crypto fund does not have a central power of authority; there is no fund manager to make decisions on behalf of investors. All participants can vote and the wisdom of the crowd determines what the fund’s next investment is going to be.

CrowdWiz Exchange
An exchange platform managed by the crowd, where token owners are empowered to determine, through a voting process, which tokens are going to be listed or removed from the exchange. The platform also enables them to delete assets, if they suspect any fraudulent activity. Token holders share the income from the exchange fees: listing fees, yearly fees, and spread fees.

The WIZ token
Image: Why it&#8217;s crucial to get our #WIZtoken on time? It gives you voting rights across the entire ecosystem and you can trade it on the WizExchange | via CrowdWiz Facebook page
The WIZ Token is the beating heart of the CrowdWiz Ecosystem. WIZ token owners have access and voting rights in all the WizCrowd investment products and are also granted with a share of the profit made by the fund, the exchange or the other financial services provided by the community. There is also a mechanism in place to incentivize the activity amongst the Community, by rewarding those who participate in the voting and those who put forward new investing opportunities. Every newly created CrowdWiz fund and investment product, will increase the Wiz Token’s value for everyone’s benefit.

Who is behind the CrowdWiz
CrowdWiz is powered by Krypton Software, part of the Tradologic Group — a leading FinTech software developer since 2008. Tradologic has a user base of over 5 million registered users; with a cryptocurrency wallet opened for their benefit at launch, the WIZ token will be one of the most popular cryptocurrencies among mainstream users. Upcoming ICO Soon we will be launching our token sale, for more information visit us at www.crowdwiz.io or join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Telegram.
 
Featured image via CrowdWiz Facebook page
Disclaimer: this is a press release written by CrowdWiz. Fintechnews does not endorse and is not responsible for or liable for any content, accuracy, quality, advertising, products or other materials on this page. Readers should do their own research before taking any actions related to the company. Fintechnews is not responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in the press release.
Please note this is no investment advice.
The post Crowdwiz — A Peek Into The Future Of Financial Services appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crowdwiz-a-peek-into-the-future-of-financial-services</link><guid>207</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/wizfund-work-300x212.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Crowdwiz — A Peek Into The Future Of Financial Services</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Regtech Apiax’s $1.5 Million Seed Round Led by Industry Veteran Peter Kurer</title><description><![CDATA[Apiax, a Swiss RegTech startup transforming complex regulations into easy-to-use digital compliance rules, today announced its Seed Round raise of more than $1.5 Million.
The funding was led by Peter Kurer, DIventures, and the Swiss ICT Investor Club (SICTIC) followed by Zürcher Kantonalbank and Tugboat.
Facing an ever-growing list of regulations that disregard country boarders and mounting pressure from regulators, financial institutions are facing surging costs, increased operational business risks, and decelerated innovation.
With no end in sight, Apiax was founded to initiate and lead a paradigm shift on how external legal experts and in-house legal and compliance teams collaborate, making it a digitized process to best handle the complexities of the industry.
Apiax combines legal and compliance expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients, from banks to FinTech companies, transform complex regulations into digital compliance rules and manage regulations digitally. The platform consists of digital rule sets, which are kept up-to date and verified; and, a regulatory cockpit for legal and compliance teams to manage regulatory updates, review and deploy them.
The rule engine is based on machine-learning practices and is infrastructure independent, running in a private or public cloud. The rules can be easily integrated into any system or process over an API.
“Apiax’s founding team has been able to identify and come up with a solution to a major pain point that has plagued the industry for nearly a decade,”
stated investor Peter Kurer.
“ This approach has the potential to save everyone from big banks to startups substantial savings every year.”
 
The founding Apiax team is comprised of legal, technology, and marketing veterans, understanding the need for speed and increased efficiency in the space. In its founding phase, Apiax participated in the F10 Accelerator program, graduating in April of 2017 and has since become part of Kickstart Accelerator as it prepares to go to market.With this round of funding,
With this round of funding, Apiax will focus on continuing product development and market entrance, as well as further building a strong interdisciplinary team of legal and technology experts. Additions are also being made to Apiax’s Board of Directors and Advisory Board to work with the management team on the further growth.
Peter Kurer
 
Peter Kurer is a Partner at BLR &amp; Partners AG, Chairman of both Sunrise and Kein &amp; Aber, sits on multiple boards, and acts as an advisor. He was previously the Chairman of the Board at UBS. Peter Kurer will join the Advisory Board.
 
 
 
Ralph Mogicato
 
Ralph Mogicato the SICTIC Lead Investor; a current lecturer at the University of Zurich, Board Member of Crealogix, and Advisory Board Member of Unblu and Sonect; and previous CEO &amp; partner of the Management Consulting firm Synpulse. He will be joining the Board of Directors.
 
 
 
Jürg Steiger
 
Jürg Steiger, the DIventures Lead Investor, previously a Managing Director at UBS and Swiss Re in Switzerland and USA, startup coach and WealthTech entrepreneur. He will be joining the Board of Directors.
 
 
 
“The financial industry needs an easy, lean, and efficient compliance solutions in order to be competitive and innovative again. This seed funding will help us continuously improve our product and bring it to market,”
stated Ralf Huber, Co-Founder of Apiax.
“We look forward continuing to collaborate with our great partners and customers to change the way of how regulations are managed today.”
Apiax strongly believes in the need of industry-wide, global collaboration to foster standardization in the regulatory space; the startup is a founding member of the IRTA (International RegTech Association) and actively supports communities such as Legal Hackers.
The post Swiss Regtech Apiax’s $1.5 Million Seed Round Led by Industry Veteran Peter Kurer appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-regtech-apiaxs-15-million-seed-round-led-by-industry-veteran-peter-kurer</link><guid>206</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Swiss Regtech Apiax’s $1.5 Million Seed Round Led by Industry Veteran Peter Kurer</dc:text></item><item><title>ICO Activity Surges In Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[Switzerland&#8217;s business friendly regulatory environment, legendary banking system, and political stability, have allowed the nation to emerge as a preferred location for cryptocurrency and blockchain startups.
With the launch of the independent, government-supported Crypto Valley Association earlier this year, Switzerland further stressed its intention to become a global leader in the blockchain and cryptocurrency space.
Now with the global initial coin offering (ICO) craze that&#8217;s been undergoing since the beginning of the year, Switzerland has seen several successful ICOs taking place inside its borders.
Out of the six largest ICOs, four were hosted in Switzerland, according to a PwC Strategy&amp; report. These are Tezos, which raised over US$238 million, Bancor, with US$156 million, The DAO, US$142 million, and Status, US$95 million.
An ICO is a limited period in which a company sells a predefined number of digital tokens to the public, typically in exchange for major cryptocurrencies &#8211; typically bitcoin or ether.
ICO activity has surged since the beginning of the year, raising over US$2 billion in 2017 so far and surpassing traditional venture capital investment in blockchain startups.
But the fundraising method is still largely unregulated in most jurisdictions, and it often remains unclear whether a token represents a security, utility token or digital currency.
The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) has not yet officially announced any regulations or investor protection around ICOs, but has informally voiced support for blockchain developments and said it was looking into ICOs.
FINMA currently treats an ICO depending on the functionality of the token.
Furthermore, as most ICOs raise money in bitcoin and ether, high-volume transactions provide an attractive target for criminals.
The ICO craze has attracted many scammers and thieves, and in July alone, two major hacks during ICOs took place: Veritaseum, which lost US$8 million, and CoinDash, which lost US$7 million.
This week, FINMA closed down what it said what the provider of a fake cryptocurrency. The QUID PRO QUO Association had provided so-called E-Coins for more than a year and had amassed funds of at least 4 million CHF from several hundred users.
&#8220;This activity is similar to the deposit-taking business of a bank and is illegal unless the company in question holds the relevant financial market license,&#8221; FINMA wrote in a press release.
&#8220;FINMA found that the three legal entities [involved] had seriously breached supervisory law by failing to obtain the required authorization. As is usual in serious cases of unauthorized activity, FINMA has liquidated the association and the two companies. Since the three legal entities are insolvent, FINMA has also launched bankruptcy liquidation proceedings against them.&#8221;
In addition, the authority is conducting 11 investigations into other presumably unauthorized business models related to cryptocurrencies.
The successful ICO Summit, which took place last week in Zurich and brought together more than 400 people, was a clear sign that ICOs have a future in Switzerland.
The event was organized from Smart Valor, a Blockchain based company which tries to re-invent Private-Banking. Smart Valor  is building a network protocol,  a distributed public ledger for issuance and distribution of investment solutions. Furthermore they aim to combine the privacy and security of a leading private banking center with the accessibility and diversity of the blockchain-based open network.
At the event, experts and industry participants representing the likes of Pantera Capital, Bitcoin Suisse, and Swisscom Blockchain, shared the inside view of recent dynamics and their vision of cryptofinance of tomorrow.
A startup pitch event presented some interesting projects including Swiss Romandie based Globcoin, a startup that offers a comprehensive multi-currency digital wallet.
The Globcoin account includes a Mastercard debit card, and a digital wallet that allows users transfer money and pay for goods. Globcoin lets users access six different currency wallets denominated in EUR, USD, GBP, CHF, CAD, and PLN. The service works similar then Revolut. Globcoin is currently preparing their ICO.
A recent Swiss ICO Modum, a blockchain based IOT supply chain solution startup, raised 4mio CHF in only 10 minutes.
 
Featured image: Bitcoin coins, by Antana, via Flickr.
The post ICO Activity Surges In Switzerland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/ico-activity-surges-in-switzerland</link><guid>205</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Largest-ICOs-Switzerland-PwC-report.png</dc:content ><dc:text>ICO Activity Surges In Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Artificial Intelligence Startup Map and Link to Fintech</title><description><![CDATA[Swisscom published a great 2nd Swiss Artificial Intelligence Startup Map.
Out of this list we have listed below for your convenience all the Startups out of the Fintech/Insurtech and the Virtual Assistants/Chatbots Category. Click on the Logo to get to the Startup Webpage.

 
Fintech &amp; InsurTech


























 
Virtual Assistants/Chatbots














First Swiss Artificial Intelligence Startup Map&#8221; (Date September 2017)

The post Swiss Artificial Intelligence Startup Map and Link to Fintech appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-artificial-intelligence-startup-map-and-link-to-fintech</link><guid>194</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Swiss-Artificial-Intelligence-Startup-Map-March2018-1024x512.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Artificial Intelligence Startup Map and Link to Fintech</dc:text></item><item><title>FinTech Übersicht Österreich</title><description><![CDATA[Die Kollegen von Paymentbanking haben versucht die Österreichische Fintech Startup Szene in einer Grafik abzubilden.
Die Autoren sind erstaunt, dass die österreichische FinTech Szene nur aus  95 Unternehmen besteht,
Fintech Startup Österreich Map 
 
 
The post FinTech Übersicht Österreich appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-ubersicht-osterreich</link><guid>195</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/austrian-fintech.png</dc:content ><dc:text>FinTech Übersicht Österreich</dc:text></item><item><title>FINMA Closes Down Coin Providers And Issues Warning About Fake Cryptocurrencies</title><description><![CDATA[The Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA has closed down the unauthorised providers of the fake cryptocurrency &#8220;E-Coin&#8221;. The developers of E-Coin had accepted some million Swiss francs in public deposits without holding the required banking licence. FINMA has also launched bankruptcy proceedings against the legal entities involved.
For over a year since 2016, the QUID PRO QUO Association had been issuing so-called “E-Coins”, a fake cryptocurrency developed by the association itself. Working together with DIGITAL TRADING AG and Marcelco Group AG, the association gave interested parties access to an online platform on which E-Coins could be traded and transferred.
Via this platform, these three legal entities accepted funds amounting to at least four million Swiss francs from several hundred users and operated virtual accounts for them in both legal tender and E-Coins. This activity is similar to the deposit-taking business of a bank and is illegal unless the company in question holds the relevant financial market licence.

FINMA liquidates the companies
FINMA has taken action to protect creditors by launching enforcement proceedings against those involved. In its proceedings, FINMA found that the three legal entities had seriously breached supervisory law by failing to obtain the required authorisation. As is usual in serious cases of unauthorised activity, FINMA has liquidated the association and the two companies.
Since the three legal entities are insolvent, FINMA has also launched bankruptcy liquidation proceedings against them. FINMA has been able to seize and block assets to the value of approximately two million Swiss francs. The final amount of liquidation proceeds will not be known until bankruptcy liquidation proceedings have been concluded and all relevant liabilities have been identified.
Not an actual cryptocurrency
Unlike real cryptocurrencies, which are stored on distributed networks and use blockchain technology, E-Coins were completely under the providers&#8217; control and stored locally on its servers. The providers had suggested that E-Coins would be 80% backed by tangible assets, but the actual percentage was significantly lower. Moreover, substantial tranches of E-Coins were issued without sufficient asset backing, leading to a progressive dilution of the E-Coin system to the detriment of investors.
FINMA issues a warning about unscrupulous cryptocurrency providers and intervenes if regulations are breached
FINMA welcomes innovation, but when innovative business models are misused for unauthorised activities, FINMA intervenes. FINMA has evidence of attempts by unauthorised parties to persuade former E-Coin users to invest in two new, presumably fake, cryptocurrencies. FINMA has also placed the following companies on its warning list due to suspicious activity in the same field:

Suisse Finance GmbH in Liquidation
Euro Solution GmbH
Animax United LP.

In addition, FINMA is conducting eleven investigations into other presumably unauthorised business models relating to such coins. As with any other investment opportunity, market participants should carefully weigh up the risks before they invest in instruments of this kind. FINMA publishes advice on its website suggesting ways in which market participants can protect themselves.
 
Featured image via pixabay
The post FINMA Closes Down Coin Providers And Issues Warning About Fake Cryptocurrencies appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/finma-closes-down-coin-providers-and-issues-warning-about-fake-cryptocurrencies</link><guid>196</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/FINMA-Logo-300x68.png</dc:content ><dc:text>FINMA Closes Down Coin Providers And Issues Warning About Fake Cryptocurrencies</dc:text></item><item><title>Switzerland and Hong Kong Convene a Finance and Fintech Dialogue</title><description><![CDATA[The State Secretariat for International Financial Matters (SIF) under the Swiss Federal Department of Finance and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) launched on 19 September 2017 in Berne a financial dialogue to promote cooperation on financial market issues of common interest. At the margin of the Dialogue, the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA) and the HKMA facilitated an open seminar for the private sector.




The financial dialogue between the HKMA and Swiss authorities aims to enhance official exchanges between Hong Kong and Switzerland on policy issues of mutual interest, especially those relating to financial services developments at bilateral and multilateral level. The two sides also exchanged views on current policy development and areas of future collaboration at bilateral and multilateral level, such as RMB internationalisation, wealth management and Fintech.
The meeting was chaired by Ambassador René Weber, Head of the Markets Division at SIF, and Mr. Vincent Lee, Executive Director of the HKMA, with representatives from the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA), the Swiss National Bank, SIF and the HKMA attending.
Preceding the financial dialogue, an open seminar for the private sector was hosted by the SBA to exchange views on the latest financial trends and developments in Switzerland and Hong Kong including RMB internationalisation, private banking as well as Fintech, and to explore further collaboration.
 
Featured image via pixabay
 
 
The post Switzerland and Hong Kong Convene a Finance and Fintech Dialogue appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/switzerland-and-hong-kong-convene-a-finance-and-fintech-dialogue</link><guid>197</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Schweizerische-Eidgenossenschaft-300x150.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Switzerland and Hong Kong Convene a Finance and Fintech Dialogue</dc:text></item><item><title>The Digital Will Is Now Reality</title><description><![CDATA[More than 4 million Bitcoin have been lost forever. Two key aspects of Bitcoin are its production schedule and supply cap.
Firstly its supply is capped a 21 million Bitcoin.  Second, the number of Bitcoin released in a block is halved every 4 years. This provides it with a clear and discernable production schedule, but also means each Bitcoin becomes increasingly difficult to mine.
This means that every 4th Bitcoin has been/will be lost forever. Most often this is due to the loss of the access key. Without it, owners can no longer access or use their cryptocurrency.  However, sometimes the death of the wallet’s owner is the cause.
Imagine, a quarter of Bitcoin gone, providing no value to their owners. Out of the 4 million Bitcoin that remain to be mined – 1 million will be written off, forever lost from the digital economy. What good is that?
We know how to protect people from losing control over their cryptocurrency assets. Whatever happens, with LastWill you won’t lose control of your wallets.
The MyWill platform provides access to its services through various projects and products. The platform is open to third-party developers who can add their own smart contracts. MyWill takes care of everything else: verification of contracts, their implementation, launch and execution. The basis of the service is contracts developed by MyWill’s programmers. The planned number of first stage users is 50.000 people.
The first project has already been launched on MyWill’s platform. The “LastWill” contract will transfer the user’s savings to their family or friends in case of sudden illness or death. There are already a number of smart contracts developed for a range of other circumstances: the loss of a private key, the transfer of money for a particular time or date etc.
The combined framework of third-party developers, decentralization and multi-currency services provides fertile ground for this new era of smart contracts. We expect many of the systems and services in place in the financial sector to become available on MyWill’s platform.
Every user will be able to create their very own tailored smart contract. Thanks to templates on MyWill’s library. You won’t even need any programming skills. The service helps to create, test and deploy your smart contracts. More importantly, it regularly monitors them, checking the condition of user’s contracts.
A cryptocurrency wallet is not a bank asset that you can bequeath to your loved ones. LastWill solves this problem. It distributes savings between your family and friends in the case of the owner’s incapacitation or death. They provide wills for the modern era.
The MyWill platform provides the infrastructure for solutions to prevent the further loss of cryptocurrencies through the use of secure smart contracts.
Example:
If a wallet is inactive for three years (forgot password, lost key) – the funds are then transferred to the backup wallet. In later stages of development it is planned to implement the following activities: payment of inheritance, marriage contracts, and agreements, educational allowances.
ICO Conditions.
MyWill starts its ICO on September 20th. 84.6% of all issued tokens are to be sold. The sale will last 20 days, unless tokens sell out earlier. Token WIL will be used for raising capital for the project during the ICO. After the ICO (and reaching the soft cap) the token will be placed on cryptocurrency periods free trade. The exchange rate of the token will be regulated by the market.
Questions

Has been/will be: have you calculated that this has already been lost or is this the forecast that includes the total end supply? (if total end supply then use will be)
Still not too happy with this highlighted chunk, let me know if you’re happy with how it sounds (it could just be my lack understanding of the platform)




 
Disclaimer: this is a press release written by MyWill. Fintechnews does not endorse and is not responsible for or liable for any content, accuracy, quality, advertising, products or other materials on this page. Readers should do their own research before taking any actions related to the company. Fintechnews is not responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in the press release.
 Please note this is no investment advice.
The post The Digital Will Is Now Reality appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-digital-will-is-now-reality</link><guid>198</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>The Digital Will Is Now Reality</dc:text></item><item><title>10 Top Fintech Startups in Germany</title><description><![CDATA[Germany is increasingly establishing its credentials in the European fintech scene, and for many experts, it could very soon replace the UK as the region&#8217;s fintech leader.
Investment in German fintech startups jumped to US$421 million in 2016, up 118% from 2015&#8217;s US$193 million, highlighting the tremendous growth of the industry.
Today we look at some of the top fintech startups that are helping put Germany on the fintech map. Sure we missed many, so just comment if you think you belong to this list.
 
N26
N26 is a German direct bank that enables its customers to manage their bank accounts though their smartphones. Headquartered in Berlin, N26 offers services throughout the Eurozone, with the exception of Cyprus and Malta, and has some 500,000 clients.
N26 provides for free a basic current account and a debit Mastercard card to its customers. Customers can also request an overdraft, investment products and premium current accounts.
N25 has raised over US$52 million in funding from the likes of Axel Springer Plug and Play Accelerator, Early Bird Venture Capital and Horizons Ventures.
 
Kreditech
Founded in 2012, Kreditech is an online lender that uses machine-learning technologies to provide access to better credit for the unbanked.
Kreditech&#8217;s product offerings include consumer loans, a digital wallet and a personal finance manager designed to help customers manage their credit score and play their spending.
Kreditech covers more than five markets worldwide, including Russia, Mexico, Spain and Poland. It has raised over US$495 million in funding from Rakuten, the International Finance Corporation, and Global Founders Capital, among others.
 
Figo
Figo develops a Banking-as-a-Service platform that aggregates financial data from over 3,100 banks and financial institutions. The platform connects modern services with more than 55 million online banking accounts in Germany and Austria, and allows users to access the sources of finance, notification services, security, as well as user and customer management services.
Figo does not only provide an established banking API, but also an entire banking service platform supporting a vast number of innovative banking solutions.
Figo has raised over US$10 million in funding so far from Deutsche Borse, Berliner Volksbank Ventures, and others
 
Auxmoney
Auxmoney owns and operates an online portal for peer-to-peer money lending services. The platform matches individual lenders with individual borrowers, and has enabled over 50,000 investors fund more than 80,000 loan requests with a total volume of over €500 million. Private savers and institutional investors directly invest in approved borrowers of different score classes.
Auxmoney is integrated into N26 Credit, serving the bank&#8217;s customers. The company has raised over US$198 million in funding from the likes of Union Square Ventures and Index Ventures.
 
Raisin
Raisin is a leading pan-European marketplace for savings products. The company lets customers open deposits at attractive interest rates across Europe free of charge. All deposits are 100% guaranteed up to €100,000 per saver and bank by each national Deposit Guarantee Scheme in accordance with EU directives.
Raisin operates several localized platforms for the German, French, Spanish and Austrian markets. It has more than 90,000 registered clients with over €4.3 billion in deposits, and 35 partner banks from 17 countries with more than 140 products.
Raisin has raised over US$64 million in funding from investors that include Index Ventures and Ribbit Capital.
 
Scalable Capital
Scalable Capital is a digital investment service that uses proprietary software to provide portfolios that are dynamically optimized with a primary focus on risk management.
The company leverages technology to offer first class investment services, previously only available to large institutional investors, at a fraction of the cost.
It provides clients with personalized, globally diversified portfolios designed to create long-term wealth. It monitors and manages their portfolios continuously with its proprietary risk management technology.
Scalable Capital has raised over US$45 million in funding so far.
 
Spotcap
Spotcap lends to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), offering applicants a loan decision within 24 hours after its algorithm rates their creditworthiness. The company uses an innovative credit scoring technology that directly evaluates real-life business data to provide fast and flexible financing.
Spotcap has enabled thousands of SMEs to innovate, remain competitive and grow. Its mission is backed by top investors including Rocket Internet, Access Industries, Holtzbrinck Ventures, Kreos Capital, Finstar Financial Group and Heartland Bank.
Headquartered in Berlin, Spotcap operates in Spain, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. The company has raised over US$66 million in venture capital so far.
 
Smava
Smava is loan portal that seeks to make consumer loans transparent, fair and affordable.
The company, based in Berlin, provides a market overview of 70 loan offers, ranging from 1,000 to 120,000 EUR from 25 banks, enabling consumers to choose which offers suit them best. The company claims that on an average loan of 10,000 EUR, a consumer can save up to 2,000 EUR.
In 2017, Smava originated more than 1 billion EUR in loans, with a total of over 3 billion EUR altogether.
So far, the startup has raised 60 million EUR in funding from the likes of Earlybird, Verdane Capital, and Runa Capital.
 
Aevi International
Aevi International develops an ecosystem and marketplace for payments, value added services, B2B apps, and more. It provides banks, acquirers, and merchants with a white-label, hardware-independent and fully integrated end-to-end solution portfolio which extends merchants’ cross-border capabilities.
Aevi International is a subsidiary company of Diebold Nixdorf and is headquartered in Germany with operations in the United Kingdom and the Czech Republic.
The company has raised more than US$33 million in funding.
 
Orderbird
With over 8,000 business clients in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Orderbird is one of the leading point-of-sales (POS) systems for the hospitality industry in Europe.
The award-winning iPad POS system Orderbird POS is a complete POS solution that is ideal for bars, restaurants and clubs. The cash register system can be individualized according to a business&#8217; needs. It provides detailed reports per day, month, waiter and shift.
The system operates via WiFi with pre-configured printers that the company sells on its website.
 
Featured picture via pixabay
 
The post 10 Top Fintech Startups in Germany appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/10-top-fintech-startups-in-germany</link><guid>199</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/n26-300x158.png</dc:content ><dc:text>10 Top Fintech Startups in Germany</dc:text></item><item><title>Falcon Private Bank erweitert Krypto-Asset-Management in Zusammenarbeit mit der Bitcoin Suisse</title><description><![CDATA[Die Falcon Private Bank hat in Kooperation mit der Bitcoin Suisse AG ihr Blockchain-Asset-Management-Angebot um die Kryptowährungen Ether (ETH), Litecoin (LTC) und Bitcoin Cash (BCH) erweitert.
Damit wird sie zur ersten Bank weltweit, die vermögenden Privatkunden (High Net Worth Individuals) Zugang zu einer ganzen Reihe der am höchsten kapitalisierten Krypto-Assets neben Bitcoin bietet.
Bereits im Juli hatte die Falcon Bank als erste Schweizer Privatbank überhaupt eine Krypto-Asset-Management-Lösung in ihr Angebot aufgenommen, indem sie es ihren Kunden ermöglichte Bitcoin direkt über die Bank zu kaufen, verkaufen und zu halten.
Die im schweizerischen Zug ansässige Bitcoin Suisse AG ist ein weltweit führender Krypto-Asset-Broker und Krypto-Asset-Manager, unterliegt den Anti-Money-Laundering-Regularien (AML) der Schweizer Bankenaufsichtsbehörde FINMA, fungiert als Broker für die Falcon Private Bank und stellt die Infrastruktur für deren Krypto-Asset-Angebot zur Verfügung.
Das Unternehmen ist ein führender Dienstleister für Crowdfunding-Projekte (ICOs) und unterstützte Projekte wie Bancor, Status, TokenCard, Tezos, aeternity, OmiseGo, Melonport, Matchpool, Decentraland, Moeda und andere.
&#8220;Bitcoin Suisse ist stolz, das Produktangebot der Falcon Private Bank im Bereich der Krypto-
Niklas Nikolajs
Assets weiterhin zu unterstützen“,
sagt Niklas Nikolajsen, CEO der Bitcoin Suisse AG.
&#8220;Die Falcon Private Bank war das erste Bankhaus, das seinen Kunden einen direkten Zugang zu Bitcoin geboten hat und hat damit Geschichte geschrieben. Die Entscheidung, dieses Angebot nun um Ether und andere Krypto-Assets zu erweitern, macht die Bank zur ersten Anlaufstelle für Besitzer von Krypto-Assets und Investoren in diesem Bereich.“
Als Krypto-Broker und Infrastrukturpartner hat die Bitcoin Suisse AG die Bank dabei unterstützt, alle Produkte und Dienstleistungen anzubieten, die nötig sind, damit vermögende Privatkunden und institutionelle Investoren Krypto-Assets kaufen, sichern, nachverfolgen und handeln können.
Die im August 2013 gegründete Bitcoin Suisse AG bietet ein Spektrum von Finanzdienstleistungen und Produkten für Privatkunden, Unternehmen und Institutionen im noch jungen Bereich Krypto-Finanzen und dezentralisierte Märkte an.
Featured image via Reuters
The post Falcon Private Bank erweitert Krypto-Asset-Management in Zusammenarbeit mit der Bitcoin Suisse appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/falcon-private-bank-erweitert-krypto-asset-management-in-zusammenarbeit-mit-der-bitcoin-suisse</link><guid>200</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Falcon Private Bank erweitert Krypto-Asset-Management in Zusammenarbeit mit der Bitcoin Suisse</dc:text></item><item><title>Bitcoin-Blockchain and Crypto Startups DACH Map</title><description><![CDATA[The German Blog Paymentbanking published the updated DACH (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) Blockchain/Bitcoin/DLT and Crypto Map.
The map counts more then 100 startups in this region and are categorised into Broker, Ledgers, Asset Management, Identity, Wallets and Infrastructure Startups.
We listed them for your convenience including a link and logo below the map.
Update DACH Blockchain/Crypto Map June 2018
BROKER / EXCHANGE


Bitcoin.de


Bitcoin Suisse


BitPanda




Bity


BTC Express


Coinfinity




Cointed
 


Ecurex


Leondrino Exchange




Lykke


ShapeShift


Vaultoro




Blockbay


Gatechain


Core Ledger




Coinvest


Coinnecting


Bitpocket




Crypto Management


Crypto Finance


Herdius


BANKING


Bitbond


Bitwala


Koina


LEDGERS


Aeternity


Ethereum


Lisk




Iota Support


Monax


SMART CONTRACTS


IBT


GNOSIS


Blockpit




Blockchain Hub


ascribe


Conjoule




Conda


Cry Cash


Herocoin




Hicky


MineSpider


Madana




Weeve


Xain


TRADE


Gatechain


Core Ledger


SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT


Draglet


Iprotus


Verso Solutions




Brainbot


Salamantex


Grid Singularity




Cosmos


CryptoUniverse


Chainstep




Capacity


OSAlliance


Blockserv




Blocklancer


IDENTITY


Blockchain Helix


CryptoCash


Jolocom




Procivis


Authenteq


INFRASTRUCTURE


20|30


Inpher


IPDB




Minebox


Monetas


Slock.it




Swiss Blockchain Technology


OTC Swiss Blockchain


Bigchain DB




Wings


Toshi


Apollon




Blockchain Holding


Hydrominer


Coin Factory Austria


IP


Bernstein


WALLET


Digital Bitbox


Electrum


Xapo




Parity


PAYMENT


ALl4BTC


Coinsnap


Metaco




Moneygrid


Pey.De


Satoshi Pay




XTECH


Cardano Foundation


INVESTMENTS / ASSET MANAGEMENT


Melonport


Neufund


Brickblock




Genesis Mining


savedroid


Smart Valor


INSURANCE


etherisc


 
MEDIA


Addendum


futurezone


trending topics




der brutkasten


resonate


The post Bitcoin-Blockchain and Crypto Startups DACH Map appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bitcoin-blockchain-and-crypto-startups-dach-map</link><guid>201</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Bitcoin-Blockchain-and-Crypto-Startups-DACH-Map2.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Bitcoin-Blockchain and Crypto Startups DACH Map</dc:text></item><item><title>Börse Stuttgart treibt Digitalisierung voran</title><description><![CDATA[Boerse Stuttgart Digital Ventures GmbH entwickelt innovative Geschäftsmodelle für den börslichen und ausserbörslichen Handel.
Die Boerse Stuttgart GmbH hat zum 15. September 2017 eine neue Tochtergesellschaft gegründet: Die Boerse Stuttgart Digital Ventures GmbH baut innovative Geschäftsmodelle für den börslichen und ausserbörslichen Handel mit fungiblen Produkten auf.

Alexander Hoeptner
„Ziel ist es, den Endkunden mithilfe innovativer, digitaler Technologien noch stärker in den Mittelpunkt der Geschäftstätigkeit zu rücken und ihm dadurch signifikante Mehrwerte zu bieten“,
erklärt Alexander Höptner, Geschäftsführer der Boerse Stuttgart GmbH. Besonderes Augenmerk der neuen Gesellschaft liegt auf dem Bereich Predictive Data Analytics, der von einem eigenständigen Team aus Programmierern und Produktmanagern aufgebaut wird
„Zusätzlich investiert Boerse Stuttgart Digital Ventures in vielversprechende Start-ups und geht gezielt Partnerschaften für die Umsetzung ihrer Digitalisierungsstrategie ein“,
so Höptner.
Geschäftsführer der Boerse Stuttgart Digital Ventures GmbH ist Dr. Ulli Spankowski. Der 35-Jährige verfügt neben zehn Jahren Börsenerfahrung über eine ausgewiesene Expertise in der Start-up- und FinTech-Szene. Zuletzt machte er sich als Leiter der Finanzplatzinitiative Stuttgart Financial für die Gründerszene in Baden-Württemberg und Deutschland stark.
Dazu baute er unter anderem federführend VentureZphere at Boerse Stuttgart mit auf: Auf der kostenlosen Online-Plattform unter www.venturezphere.com sind aktuell rund 200 Start-ups registriert, um Netzwerke zu Kapitalgebern und etablierten Unternehmen als potentiellen strategischen Partnern knüpfen. Unterstützt wird Spankowski im Geschäftsbereich Ventures von Matthias Ick, der als Venture Partner für digitale Geschäftsmodelle und VC-Finanzierung gewonnen werden konnte und der große unternehmerische sowie Venture Capital-Erfahrung mitbringt.
Sitz der neuen Gesellschaft ist Stuttgart. Die Geschäftsaktivitäten sind von Anfang an international ausgerichtet. Ein Schwerpunkt wird – aufgrund der dortigen hohen Affinität zu Börsen- und Digitalisierungsthemen – auf Skandinavien liegen:
„Wir verbinden nordeuropäischen Innovationsgeist mit schwäbischem Unternehmertum“,
so Höptner. Die Grundlage dafür wurde schon vor Jahren geschaffen: Die zweitgrösste schwedische Börse, die Nordic Growth Market NGM AB (NGM), ist ebenfalls eine Tochtergesellschaft der Boerse Stuttgart GmbH.
 
featured image via pixabay
The post Börse Stuttgart treibt Digitalisierung voran appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/borse-stuttgart-treibt-digitalisierung-voran</link><guid>202</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Börse Stuttgart treibt Digitalisierung voran</dc:text></item><item><title>FinTech-Hub Abu Dhabi attracts 166 global startup applications for its  Innovation Challenge</title><description><![CDATA[Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the International Financial Centre in Abu Dhabi, announced that it had received 166 applications from over 39 countries for its inaugural FinTech Abu Dhabi Innovation Challenge.
 The impressive global participation was achieved in under two weeks of outreach activities coordinated by both ADGM and KPMG.
All applicants have proposed game-changing innovations that address real-life business issues which affect the financial services industry in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region.
They have also included solutions that cover a range of concepts including Financial and Investment Management, Financial Inclusion, RegTech, Trade Finance, InsurTech and Private Capital Markets.
The majority of applications were from major international FinTech markets and emerging centres, such as the UK, Singapore, India, the USA, Hong Kong, China, Australia, the UAE, Africa, to name a few.
Wai Lum Kwok
Mr. Wai Lum Kwok, Executive Director of Capital Markets, Financial Services Regulatory Authority of ADGM, commented:
“We are excited to have received such strong support from the global FinTech community in response to our call for innovative solutions to address real business challenges in this region. What is equally impressive is the quality of the solutions that have been proposed and their stage of readiness for production or implementation.”
He continued:
“FinTech is about integrating the latest cutting-edge technologies into everyday financial services, and normalising them.  At ADGM, we want to walk the talk when it comes to innovation. By working closely with our FinTech partners, the FinTech Abu Dhabi Innovation Challenge will help to foster a conducive ecosystem that is will both support our growth today and will build the economy of tomorrow.”
Jan Reinmueller
Mr. Jan Reinmueller, Head of Digital Village, KPMG in Singapore, commented:
“The FinTech Abu Dhabi Innovation Challenge opens the doors for FinTech startups around the world to enter the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia region. This collaboration between ADGM and KPMG aims to facilitate and enable co-innovation between start-ups and financial institutions, and guide them on their innovation journey. We are very encouraged by the response from the global network of startups, and look forward to working with the 10 finalists in this programme.”
The FinTech Abu Dhabi Innovation Challenge, organized by ADGM and KPMG, is part of the first FinTech Summit in the region, between 22 and 23 October 2017. ADGM and KPMG are currently assessing all the 166 applications, following which 10 successful start-ups will be shortlisted and will be put forward to benefit from a five-week training.
Estimated to launch on 17 September 2017, this program has been designed as an intensive five-week training with the objective to enable the successful applicants to contextualise and enhance their solutions, while being mentoring and guided by industry champions.
Successful applicants will showcase their solutions at the Innovation Challenge Demo Day in Abu Dhabi, featuring distinguished regional and international leaders from the world of FinTech.
Applicants will also receive mentorship from industry experts and will be able to explore commercial opportunities within Abu Dhabi and the wider region. The top two teams will be invited to attend and give a demo at the Global FinTech Hackcelerator in Singapore in November.
 
The post FinTech-Hub Abu Dhabi attracts 166 global startup applications for its  Innovation Challenge appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-hub-abu-dhabi-attracts-166-global-startup-applications-for-its-innovation-challenge</link><guid>203</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/image002-300x60.png</dc:content ><dc:text>FinTech-Hub Abu Dhabi attracts 166 global startup applications for its  Innovation Challenge</dc:text></item><item><title>Notable Fintech Startups in the Swiss Romandie</title><description><![CDATA[Switzerland currently counts over 200 fintech startups, many of which are unsurprisingly tackling investing and asset management (+50), crowdfunding (+45), and insurance (+25), according to Swisscom&#8217;s latest Swiss Fintech Startup Map.
The Swiss region of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Western Switzerland, hosts a few dozens of these, according to a startup map by the Swiss Finance + Technology Association.
These fintech startups are mainly located in, or around, the cities of Geneva and Lausanne. We&#8217;ve listed for some of the most notable ones covering varied areas including crowdfunding, investing, digital currency and blockchain technology.
 
CashSentinel
Founded in 2012, CashSentinel is a fintech startup with offices in Lausanne Switzerland and Paris, France. CashSentinel has developed an innovative payment solution, which is at the crossroads of escrow agents and mobile wallets that facilitates vehicle transactions.
Partnerships with leading vehicle-listing platforms AutoScout24, Reezocar, L&#8217;Argus, and 01Flat, bring the safety of CashSentinel’s service to most of the market in Switzerland and France.
 
B-Sharpe
Incorporated in 2006 and based in Geneva, B-Sharpe is a fintech startup providing currency exchange services at a lower cost – an average saving of 70% compared with traditional exchange services providers. The solution is targeted at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), expats, migrant workers and frontier workers in Switzerland seeking to exchange currencies at a better rate.
B-Sharpe is financial intermediary auto-regulated under the supervision of the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA).
 
NetGuardians
NetGuardians is a fintech company that provides fraud and risk assurance solutions. Its software leverages Big Data to correlate and analyze behaviors across a bank&#8217;s entire system, enabling them to target specific anti-fraud or regulatory requirements. A controls update service ensures financial institutions benefit from ongoing protection in the face of the continually evolving risk challenges of a border-free world.
Headquartered in Switzerland, NetGuardians has offices in Kenya, Singapore, and Poland.
 
InvestGlass
Founded in 2014, InvestGlass provides a white-labeled, client and prospect management platform for bankers, wealth managers and advisors.
The platform is designed to facilitate more efficient prospecting and onboarding of new clients, as well as the management relationships with existing clients. Components include a content management system, CRM, and client portal.
 
Be-Cash
Be-Cash, which aims to revolutionize the distribution of cash and payment terminals, sells payment terminals from CHF 129, providing instant credit to merchants.
These payment terminals are 100% and autonomous, and integrate various types of connection including Bluetooth, Wifi and SIM Card. The terminals support numerous payment cards such as Visa, Mastercard, V-Pay, JCB, and UnionPay, as well as Apple Pay and Android Pay. Companies get a prepaid Mastercard, and there is no monthly fee and no subscription.
Be-Cash charges a transaction fee that varies depending on the sales: debit cards 1.5% (min 25cts Maestro &amp; 60cts V-Pay) and credit cards 2.5%.
 
Grydl Analytics
Grydl Analytics is a startup based in Geneva that specializes in blockchain, Big Data and artificial intelligence technologies.
The company provides cryptocurrency investors with an online platform that allows them to find investment opportunities by evaluating different strategies.
Grydl Analytics allows users to create investment strategies and validate them, quickly evaluate the expected return of a strategy over a given period of time, and receive custom investment recommendations.
 
SmartLink
SmartLink is a mobile wallet services provider, offering white-label mobile transaction platform solutions, contactless transaction capabilities, know-your-customer solutions, and prepaid program management.
SmartLink&#8217;s user-friendly platform allows for secure transactions in physical, virtual and proximity environments. It supports mobile banking, money transfer and allows for bill payments, mobile recharge, peer-to-peer transactions, proximity transactions (NFC, QR/Bar Code), and more.
 
KeeSystem
KeeSystem designs and deploys KeeSense, a complete tool for independent asset managers, family offices and private banks. The solution enhances asset managers&#8217; performances allowing them to match their clients requirements while drastically reducing all constraints linked to compliance.
KeeSystem aims at providing financial services companies with the essential tools they need for their daily activity.
 
WeCan.Fund
WeCan.Fund offers a white-label crowdfunding platform software for donations, rewards, loans and equity.
The solution allows clients to easily create a crowdfunding platform and benefit from integrated KYC, an electronic escrow account, automated cash flow management, specific contracts management (commissions, bond, mortgage, etc.) as well as blockchain features.
 
EZYcount
EZYcount, a trademark of SuperVX, is a web-based accounting system for self-employed and small Swiss companies.
EZYcount focuses on offering a simple solution that requires no installation and which can be accessed anytime, anywhere, with any electronic device.
Plans start at CHF 15.5 per month for a one-year subscription.
 
Bity
Bity is a Swiss digital currency company that provides users with solutions to buy and sell bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies with CHF and EUR.
Alongside its web platform, the company also has several Bity Kiosks, or Bitcoin ATMs, located across Switzerland in cities such as Geneva, Lausanne, Montreux, and Zurich, that allows users to easily buy and sell bitcoins with cash.
 
Metaco
Metaco is a software provider specializing in distributed ledgers. The company serves financial institutions, enabling them to exploit blockchain technology.
Metaco offers an ecosystem of products for issuing, transferring and trading securities on the blockchain. The company&#8217;s products are open, secure, and trusted by thousands of companies and developers.
 
Crowd Trading
Founded in 2014 by Swiss engineers, Crowd Trading provides financial services in the social trading industry. Its platform lets users share their trade ideas, connect with other traders, as well as make &#8220;Collective Decisions&#8221; by asking the crowd to vote on proposals.
Crowd Trading&#8217;s objective is to revolutionize the industry by offering a social trading platform to collectively manage portfolios of financial assets through a decision-making system for public groups of investors, as well as an automated trades replication within the crowd.
 
Hiboutik
Hiboutik is web-based point of sale software, inventory management, customer loyalty and retail reporting platform that&#8217;s accessible through any online device.
Hiboutik aims to provide retail software that is affordable and easy to use. The solution is free but can be upgraded with premium features.
 
Featured picture via pixabay
The post Notable Fintech Startups in the Swiss Romandie appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/notable-fintech-startups-in-the-swiss-romandie</link><guid>181</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/CashSentinel-300x180.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Notable Fintech Startups in the Swiss Romandie</dc:text></item><item><title>Qumram Upgrades Social Media Surveillance Tool with WhatsApp and WeChat Recording</title><description><![CDATA[Qumram, the pioneer in RegTech, risk management, customer engagement, and analytics, has extended its social media surveillance offering to enable fully-compliant, mobile-to-mobile WhatsApp and WeChat conversation recording, regardless of the location and devices of either party and despite end-to-end encryption.
In the past, employees wanting to communicate compliantly via WhatsApp, WeChat, Facebook Messenger, Skype, LinkedIn, or any other popular messaging platform, would need to access the social media channel via a company computer. Qumram is the only firm able to deliver seamless, transparent and highly-user-friendly social media recording, from mobile-to-mobile.
Qumram enables every digital interaction, web, social, and mobile, to be recorded and replayed on demand. The movie-like replay displays every motion, mouse movement, click and swipe, exactly as the customer or employee saw it.
Financial institutions governed by global regulators (SEC, FINRA, ESMA, FFSA, and others) are provided with a complete digital audit trail and analytics that deliver deep customer experience insights.
Patrick Barnert, CEO at Qumram, commented:
Patrick Barnet
“Social media is a blind-spot for many financial institutions. They routinely record voice and email communications, and are under the mistaken belief that this makes them compliant. However, MiFID II, for example, requires all relevant e-communications to be recorded, including websites, client portals, mobile apps, and social media.
Those who have left it late to address digital compliance are under great pressure to source a compliant recording solution, to avoid penalties.”
“In some cases, a firm’s employees are already utilizing instant messaging tools like WhatsApp and WeChat to communicate with colleagues and customers, and are in breach of compliance every day,”
continues Barnert.
“These firms have three alternatives: do nothing and continue operating at risk, ban social media usage and risk client loss, or source a compliant solution that can be implemented quickly. Most are pursuing the latter course of action.”
 
Key features:

Records both mobile-to-mobile and desktop (web) conversations
Displays and searches recorded chat data across users and conversations
Supports all corporate and ‘Bring Your Own Devices’ (iOS, Android, Blackberry, Windows)
Captures all employee conversations (text, images, emojis, video, voice, document attachments)
Does not require user credentials, and recording is not interrupted by end-to-end encryption
Complies with labor and data privacy rules
Stores captured data in original format (messages); all data is machine readable and can be analyzed electronically
Integrates into CRM environments (whitelist, blacklist, all recording)
Integrates captured data with any leading monitoring solution and legal archive, for lifecycle management and long-term preservation

 
Article first appeared on quamram.com
 
 
The post Qumram Upgrades Social Media Surveillance Tool with WhatsApp and WeChat Recording appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/qumram-upgrades-social-media-surveillance-tool-with-whatsapp-and-wechat-recording</link><guid>177</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Qumram Upgrades Social Media Surveillance Tool with WhatsApp and WeChat Recording</dc:text></item><item><title>S&amp;P Global Announces Strategic Investment in Algomi</title><description><![CDATA[S&amp;P Global announced it has formed a strategic partnership and taken a minority stake in Algomi, a fintech company with offices in New York, Hong Kong and London.
Algomi is the second minority fintech investment this year for S&amp;P Global, following its stake in Kensho. S&amp;P Global will have a seat on the Algomi board.
Algomi is an innovative fintech company that has created a bond information network that enables buy side and sell side firms, as well as exchanges, to harness data to improve financial trading decisions via greater transparency and artificial intelligence-powered trade facilitation. S&amp;P Global’s partnership with Algomi will help facilitate product collaboration and enable future business expansion.

Douglas L. Peterson
“We think very highly of Algomi and are excited about the opportunity to bring our data, technologies and deep analytics into additional market segments,”
says Douglas L. Peterson, President and CEO of S&amp;P Global.
“By partnering with Algomi, we will further leverage the power of big data and artificial intelligence to create even more opportunities to deliver value to our and Algomi’s customers.”
 
Algomi’s technology empowers fixed income professionals to fulfill their targeted informational needs on both sides of a transaction by maximizing the relationships between salespeople, traders and investors over a suite of scalable software.
Algomi’s technology greatly increases the opportunities and velocity in larger and less liquid corporate bond trades between banks, institutional investors and exchanges.
 
Feature image via pixabay
The post S&#038;P Global Announces Strategic Investment in Algomi appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/sp-global-announces-strategic-investment-in-algomi</link><guid>178</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>S&amp;P Global Announces Strategic Investment in Algomi</dc:text></item><item><title>Die Anmeldung Für Das Nachste F10 Fintech Incubator Accelerator Programm ist Eröffnet</title><description><![CDATA[Der Schweizer FinTech Startup Accelerator F10 gibt den Start der nächsten Anmelderunde für das erfolgreiche P2 Programm bekannt.
Die aktuelle Anmelderunde beginnt ab sofort und lädt alle FinTech-, RegTech- und InsurTech-Startups ein, teilzunehmen.
Potentielle Kandidaten des P2 2018 Programms haben bis zum 15. Dezember Zeit, sich für die Bewerbung vorzubereiten und zu bewerben. Das P2 Programm selbst startet am 5. März 2018 und endet am 23. August 2018.
“2017 war ein aufregendes Jahr für die FinTech-Szene &#8211; wenn man sich die kreativen Tech-Lösungen unserer Startups anschaut, sieht die Zukunft noch aufregender aus,”
Markus Graf
sagt Markus Graf von F10.
“Als führender Accelerator der Schweiz, sind wir stolz darauf an der Front der neuen Entwicklungen zu stehen, die Ideen der Startups zu begünstigen und sie mit Hilfe unseres Netzwerkes aus Branchenführern zu unterstützen&#8221;
 
Dank der engen Beziehungen mit nationalen Finanzinstitutionen und dem Sponsorship der SIX Group, ist das F10 P2 Programm das erfolgreichste in der Schweiz. Die unterstützten Startups profitieren von engen Kooperationen mit führenden Unternehmen, wie die Baloise Group, Generali und der PwC Schweiz, die dadurch die Unternehmensentwicklung der Startups beschleunigen sowie die Innovationskraft der eigenen Finanzdienstleistungen und Produkte ermöglichen.

Sylvain Bertolus
“Es ist ein grossartiges Accelerator-Programm!”
sagt Sylvain Bertolus, CEO von Cash Sentinel, ein Bezahlsystem für grosse Transaktionen und ein Startup des diesjährigen P2 Summer Batches.
“P2 ist die perfekte Mischung aus Ungezwungenheit und Seriosität. Ich kann den F10 Accelerator jedem weiterempfehlen, insbesondere in einer Zeit, in der man von sehr vielen Accelerator umgeben ist.”
 
Mehr Informationen über das 2018 P2 Programm und wie Sie sich bewerben können, erfahren Sie auf http://www.f10.ch 

The post Die Anmeldung Für Das Nachste F10 Fintech Incubator Accelerator Programm ist Eröffnet appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/die-anmeldung-fur-das-nachste-f10-fintech-incubator-accelerator-programm-ist-eroffnet</link><guid>179</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Die Anmeldung Für Das Nachste F10 Fintech Incubator Accelerator Programm ist Eröffnet</dc:text></item><item><title>VR and Blockchain – Technologies of the future in the Russian Startup VRCoin</title><description><![CDATA[The Russian project VRCoin launches ICO with the aim of developing the international network of gaming parks using its own virtual reality technologies.
The technological solution of the instant transfer of human movements VRCoin is a breakthrough in the industry of VR-games. The originality of the development lies in the fact that the player is completely immersed in virtual reality.
He can either see his own body and other players in the game space or interact with them. This effect is achieved by the sensors that are installed throughout the body. These sensors were created with help of special Motion Capture cameras and active position markers system.
Due to the compactness of the equipment, the participants are not limited in movements and can completely immerse into the game process without being distracted by external stimuli.

In the end of September, there is going to be the launch of the first VR-park in Moscow, that a group of four people can play simultaneously in. This location will be the first gaming VR park of a new generation, where all of the cells will be linked together by a single block-infrastructure.
Blockchain will be used to monitor the ratings and achievements of players, as well as to organize and manage e-sports tournaments and the project ecosystem.
There are 13 key countries in the initial phase of the implementation plan: the UAE, China, USA, Japan, Canada, Germany, England, France, Italy, Spain, Argentina, Australia, South Korea.
Furthermore, the crowdsale will be launched as well. Also, the involved funds will be used to develop new content and create its own streaming platform. In the future, VRCoin developers see the creation of their own e-sports league of VR games built on an international network and regulated by the Blockchain system.

According to the general director of VRCoin Konstantin Negachev’s words, ICO will be held in three stages. The pre-sale phase will begin on September 15 and will last 10 days. In late September &#8211; early October, the pre-ICO stage will be held, and in late October – ICO itself. Within the ICO, it is planned to release 100 million VRCoin tokens. 500 VRCoin will cost 1ETH.
According to the calculations of the creators, each of the open VR-parks will be self-supporting in four months after the opening. In addition to the profit that VR-parks will bring, the profitability of the project will be formed from the paid services of the VRCenter service. This  is going to be a monthly subscription, which will allow users to have access to the advanced functions of the service.
Since December 2018, holders of tokens will be able to purchase game time, and the cost of the session that is paid in VRCoin tokens will give a discount of up to 50%. VRCoin holders will have access to bonus missions early access to new game settings.
Besides, the VRCoin token will give the opportunity to have a discount for those people who wish to purchase a franchise. Owners of tokens who have merged into groups can get the right to purchase a master franchise or to implement their representative in the company&#8217;s board of directors, but only if they have enough tokens available.
And for business owners, it will be possible to pay for the creation of personal VR stimulants and training products using VR.
Talking about business owners, it will be possible for them to pay for the creation of personal VR stimulators and training products using VR.
 
The Project Team:
Konstantin Negachev
 
Konstantin Negachev &#8211; General and Executive Director of 4 international projects, one of the founders of the group of companies &#8220;ILN&#8221; which is specializing in the creation of various Digital projects;
 
 
 
Dmitry Livshin
 
Dmitry Livshin &#8211; CTO in ILN Softlab company, consultant of digital agencies on the issue of creating IT projects with complex infrastructure;
 
 
 
 
Mentors:
Eric Benz
 
Eric Benz &#8211; the Managing Director of CryptoPay. For 10 years of his work, Eric has been implementing of innovative SaaS-systems in the largest financial institutions, payment systems and banks.
 
 
 
Iskander Sultanov – the General Director of the Corporate Project Co-Investing Center, Head of the Working Group at the Agency of Strategic Initiatives (ASI) that deals with social entrepreneurship;
Sergey Chernyshev – the Professor, co-author of the Digital Platform Foundation. Expert of the expert council under the Government of the Russian Federation, scientific supervisor of the Laboratory of Institutional Project Engineering.
Dmitry Machikhin
 
Dmitry Machikhin &#8211; expert on legal issues in blockchains and business, CEO of Gmt Legal
 
 
 
 
Disclaimer: this is an article written by VR Coin.  Fintechnews does not endorse and is not responsible for or liable for any content, accuracy, quality, advertising, products or other materials on this page. Readers should do their own research before taking any actions related to the company. Fintechnews is not responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in the press release. Please note this is no investment advice.
The post VR and Blockchain &#8211; Technologies of the future in the Russian Startup VRCoin appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/vr-and-blockchain-technologies-of-the-future-in-the-russian-startup-vrcoin</link><guid>180</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Screen-Shot-2017-09-10-at-8.37.31-PM.png</dc:content ><dc:text>VR and Blockchain – Technologies of the future in the Russian Startup VRCoin</dc:text></item><item><title>BNP Paribas Asset Management Acquires a Majority Stake in a Robo-Advisory Investment Solution</title><description><![CDATA[BNP Paribas Asset Management  is adding state-of-the-art digital-advisory services to support and enhance the digitalisation of its distributors through the acquisition of a majority stake in Gambit Financial Solutions (Gambit), in line with its objective to further expand its innovative offerings.
Gambit, a well-established Belgian Fintech, has developed a unique capability to significantly transform client journeys with advisory-guided or fully autonomous interfaces.
Gambit will maintain its independence, which has led to its success. It will extend its client footprint by becoming the preferred partner for robo-advisory solutions for BNP Paribas Group’s Retail and Wealth Management networks.
The digital revolution has transformed clients’ expectations with regard to discussing their financial savings plans with their investment advisors. This has led to a major rethink of the customer experience across all client
The digital revolution has transformed clients’ expectations with regard to discussing their financial savings plans with their investment advisors.
This has led to a major rethink of the customer experience across all client segments, and involves constantly adapting to clients’ changing needs. These requirements can now be addressed by optimising the client experience using reliable, user-friendly and adaptable digital interfaces.Launched in 2007 as a spin-off from HEC &#8211;
Launched in 2007 as a spin-off from HEC &#8211; University of Liege by renowned academics, Gambit has successfully developed its expertise in investment advisory solutions and in the digitalisation of customers’ engagement with financial institutions. Gambit has also recently launched Birdee, a proprietary B2C roboadvisor.
These solutions, which have regulatory approval, are being rolled-out by a growing number of private and retail banks, asset managers and insurance companies in Belgium, Luxembourg, France and Switzerland.
With a team of more than 50, Gambit capitalises on deep-rooted experience in innovative solutions, characterised by a strong educational and intuitive spirit, bringing science-augmented services to investors.
To enhance BNP Paribas’ client journeys, Gambit’s solutions will be leveraged within BNP Paribas’ Retail and Wealth Management networks.
These solutions combine engaging advisory-guided or fully autonomous interfaces with an efficient, scalable and modular framework that optimises the power of algorithms and the expertise of investment specialists.
Geoffroy de Schrevel, Chief Executive Officer of Gambit Financial Solutions:

Geoffroy Deschrevel
“We are proud to have entered into a strategic partnership with BNP Paribas Asset Management, the investment management arm of BNP Paribas. Since the creation of Gambit 10 years ago, our development has been substantial, based on our capacity to deliver innovative solutions in a timely manner.&#8221;
&#8220;It has enabled us to serve a large number of European financial institutions already. This partnership marks a critical step in our development, with the support of a major financial institution and additional resources to fuel our growth. This will be instrumental for our future development, while allowing us to maintain our autonomy, governance and culture.”
Frédéric Janbon, Chief Executive Officer of BNP Paribas Asset Management:

Frédéric Janbon
“The partnership with one of the most advanced robo-advisory solutions available in the market is a key milestone in our digital transformation and marks our commitment to delivering quality investment solutions to our clients. Gambit and its management have built an impressive track record and a strong client base, and we are securing the talents that have driven its success.&#8221;
&#8220;Moreover, we bring our asset management expertise and client knowledge to Gambit and this powerful combination will lead us to quickly move along the digital experience curve in this field. This will significantly accelerate the pace of development and enrichment of our customer journey in the area of financial savings.”
Within the framework of this partnership, Gambit Financial Solutions will remain independent from BNP Paribas, keeping its own governance, culture and management unchanged.

Featured image via pixabay
The post BNP Paribas Asset Management Acquires a Majority Stake in a Robo-Advisory Investment Solution appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bnp-paribas-asset-management-acquires-a-majority-stake-in-a-robo-advisory-investment-solution</link><guid>176</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/BNP-PARIBAS-300x84.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>BNP Paribas Asset Management Acquires a Majority Stake in a Robo-Advisory Investment Solution</dc:text></item><item><title>RegTech Switzerland Startup Map August</title><description><![CDATA[Swisscom put together a nice overview about Swiss Regtech Startups.
 

The post RegTech Switzerland Startup Map August appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/regtech-switzerland-startup-map-august</link><guid>175</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Screen-Shot-2017-09-08-at-4.26.55-PM-1024x519.png</dc:content ><dc:text>RegTech Switzerland Startup Map August</dc:text></item><item><title>Veezoo sicher sich Pilotprojekt von Axa</title><description><![CDATA[Das Zürcher IT-Startup Veezoo ist mit der AXA Winterthur eine Partnerschaft für ein dreimonatiges Proof of Concept-Pilotprojekt (PoC) eingegangen.
Veezoo hat eine intelligente, dialogbasierte Software entwickelt, mit der Nutzer die Daten ihres Unternehmens besser verstehen können. Das im Juli lancierte PoC ermöglicht es Veezoo, sein Produkt im Unternehmensumfeld zu testen und neue Möglichkeiten zu untersuchen, wie Mitarbeiter einfacher auf grosse Mengen komplexer Daten zugreifen können.
Gleichzeitig bietet die Partnerschaft der AXA die Chance, sich intensiv und praxisnah mit dem Thema des maschinellen Lernens auseinanderzusetzen.
Das PoC wurde diese Woche bei der Eröffnungszeremonie des Kickstart Accelerator Programms offiziell kommuniziert . Für die nächsten drei Monate werden 30 Startups aus aller Welt in Zürich leben und arbeiten. Sie erhalten dabei bestmögliche Unterstützung durch das Kickstart Accelerator Programm.
Marcos Monteiro
Veezoo-Gründer Marcos Monteiro sagt:
&#8220;Wir möchten aufzeigen, wie Veezoo bei der AXA den Aufwand der Datenanalysten aufgrund angestauter Datenanfragen monatlich um hunderte Stunden reduzieren und damit Kosten senken kann. Zugleich erhält das Management selber neue Möglichkeiten, Daten strategisch sinnvoll zu nutzen. Der Kickstart Accelerator hat bei dieser spannenden Partnerschaft zwischen Startup und Grossunternehmen eine entscheidende Rolle gespielt, dafür sind wir sehr dankbar.”
 
Digitale Transformation im Versicherungssektor 
Carola Wahl
Carola Wahl, Head Transformation &amp; Market Management der AXA Winterthur sagt:
«Unser Engagement am Kickstart Accelerator bietet uns die Möglichkeit, innovative Startups und neue Technologien kennenzulernen und dadurch Ideen zur Erweiterung unseres Kerngeschäfts zu erhalten. Gleichzeitig profitieren die teilnehmenden JungunternehmerInnen in der Zusammenarbeit von unserem umfassenden Produkte-Know-how sowie dem grossen Kundennetzwerk der AXA».
Die Partnerschaft kommt zu einer Zeit zustande, in der die Versicherungsindustrie eine digitale Transformation erlebt. Neue Technologien eröffnen derzeit eine Vielzahl neuer Möglichkeiten: Regierungsstellen sammeln Open Data, Suchmaschinen werden immer wichtiger und Unternehmen stellen die Digitalisierung ins Zentrum ihrer Geschäfte.
Vielen Firmen reicht es nicht mehr aus, lediglich Daten zu sammeln – sie wollen sie verstehen und auf Basis solcher Daten Entscheidungen treffen, die auf ihr Unternehmen, aber auch auf die breitere Versicherungsbranche anwendbar sind.
 
The post Veezoo sicher sich Pilotprojekt von Axa appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/veezoo-sicher-sich-pilotprojekt-von-axa</link><guid>174</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Veezoo sicher sich Pilotprojekt von Axa</dc:text></item><item><title>Schweizer Fintech Devisenwerk AG macht den Devisenumtausch für KMU bis zu 90 Prozent günstiger</title><description><![CDATA[Schweizer Unternehmen, die Geschäfte mit Kunden im Ausland abschliessen, brauchen oder erhalten ausländische Währungen. Bei jedem Umtausch von Schweizer Franken (CHF) in eine andere Währung entstehen nicht unerhebliche Kosten, die für den Kunden sehr intransparent bleiben.
Im Durchschnitt stellen Schweizer Banken eine Gebühr von mindestens ein Prozent des zu tauschenden Betrages in Rechnung zuzüglich des Differenzbetrags (Spread) zwischen dem Ankaufs- oder Verkaufskurs und dem Mittelkurs der jeweiligen Währung.
&#8220;Bislang haben Bankkunden dies mangels alternativer Lösungen mehr oder weniger klaglos hingenommen, doch das wird sich schon recht bald ändern“
ist Robin Luckau, Gründer der Devisenwerk AG, überzeugt.
Über die Handelsplattform www.devisenwerk.ch wird die Devisenwerk AG KMU- Unternehmen, die in der Schweiz ansässig sind, den Umtausch von Devisen um bis zu 90 Prozent günstiger als der Branchendurchschnitt offerieren.
&#8220;Statt 1,0 Prozent plus weiterer, oft wenig transparenter Kosten stellen wir Geschäftskunden lediglich 0,1 bis maximal 0,4 Prozent für den Devisentausch in den großen gängigen Währungen wie Euro, US-Dollar, britisches Pfund ohne zusätzliche Kosten wie dem Spread zwischen Ankaufs-/Verkaufskurs sowie dem Mittelkurs als Gebühr in Rechnung“
sagt Luckau.
&#8220;Unsere Gebühren sind also gewissermaßen All-in-Fees und somit sehr kundenfreundlich gestaltet.&#8221;
Als Partner für die Abwicklung der Zahlungen kooperiert die Devisenwerk AG mit mehreren namhaften Banken wie der Zürcher Kantonalbank.
Der Devisentausch ist denkbar einfach und für den Kunden jederzeit transparent nachvollziehbar: Das Unternehmen registriert sich mit wenigen Schritten auf der
Handelsplattform www.devisenwerk.ch. Nach einer telefonischen Legitimation und kurzen Einführung durch einen Mitarbeiter der Devisenwerk AG, wird der umzutauschende Betrag
auf ein Treuhandkonto, beispielsweise bei verschiedenen Kantonalbanken, überweisen.
Der grosse Vorteil für den Kunden: Der aktuelle Umtauschkurs wird bis zu fünf Tage garantiert, sofern dieser die Schwankungsgrenze von 0,4 Prozent nicht übersteigt. Der getauschte
Geldbetrag wird danach sofort auf ein beliebiges Konto des Empfängers überwiesen.
Featured image via  devisenwerk.ch
The post Schweizer Fintech Devisenwerk AG macht den Devisenumtausch für KMU bis zu 90 Prozent günstiger appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schweizer-fintech-devisenwerk-ag-macht-den-devisenumtausch-fur-kmu-bis-zu-90-prozent-gunstiger</link><guid>173</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Schweizer Fintech Devisenwerk AG macht den Devisenumtausch für KMU bis zu 90 Prozent günstiger</dc:text></item><item><title>Partners Group und inacta realisieren konkrete Blockchain-Anwendung</title><description><![CDATA[Der Hype rund um Blockchain hält weltweit und in der Schweiz weiterhin an. Doch es gibt auch konkrete praktische Anwendungen im Geschäftsalltag.
Zu den enthusiastischen Diskussionen über das schier unbegrenzte Zukunftspotential mischt sich auch eine gewisse Unsicherheit bezüglich Sicherheit und Anwendungsmöglichkeiten der Blockchain-Technologie. Zusätzlich heizt die steigende Anzahl Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) &#8211; eine Art Crowdfunding auf der Blockchain &#8211; die aktuelle Stimmung weiter an. Die Schweiz steht bei dieser neuartigen Kapitalbeschaffung durch Herausgabe einer Kryptowährung an erster Stelle.
Trotz dieser Umstände setzen etablierte Unternehmen wie die Partners Group konkrete Blockchain-Anwendungen in der Praxis ein. Partners Group ist ein global tätiger Manager von Privatmarktanlagen mit einem Kundenportfolio von weltweit über 900 institutionellen Anlegern.
In Zusammenarbeit mit inacta, einem unabhängigen IT-Beratungsunternehmen mit Sitz in Zug, hat Partners Group eine auf Blockchain-basierte Lösung zur prozessoptimierten Dokumentenüberprüfung implementiert. Diese intelligente Vertragsabwicklung nutzt die smart contracts von Ethereum.

Ralf Glabischnig
«Obwohl Blockchain sich immer noch in der Forschungs- und Entwicklungsphase befindet, ist bereits jetzt der positive Einfluss auf Unternehmungen sichtbar»
sagt Ralf Glabischnig, Managing Partner von inacta.
 
 
 
Die Blockchain-Anwendung verschafft dank Zeitstempel und Zeichnungsidentifizierung mehr Sicherheit sowie Vertrauen zwischen Partners Group und ihren Geschäftspartnern. Zudem erhöht Partners Group mit smart contracts massgeblich die Prozesseffizienz. Die Lösung ist als Komponente entwickelt worden, als Basis für weitere smart contract-Anwendungsfälle.

Raymond Schnidrig
«Wir richten unseren Blick in die Zukunft und sehen bei unseren operativen Prozessen viel Potenzial für die Blockchain-Technologie. Unsere Kunden profitieren bereits beim ersten Anwendungsfall von einer höheren Sicherheit beim Austausch von geschäftsrelevanten Dokumenten. Dies ist in unserem Geschäft von enormer Wichtigkeit.&#8221;
stellt Dr. Raymond Schnidrig, Partner und CTO der Partners Group in Aussicht.
 
Es überrascht nicht, dass diese Entwicklung in Zug stattfindet, dem internationalen Zentrum von Crypto- und Blockchain-Technologien sowie dem Sitz der Crypto Valley Association. Inacta ist Gründungsmitglied der Crypto Valley Association und auch Initiator der Blockchain Competition, einem Wettbewerb für Blockchain-Startups mit dem weltweit höchst dotierten Preisgeld von 100’000 Dollar.
 
Featured image via pixabay
The post Partners Group und inacta realisieren konkrete Blockchain-Anwendung appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/partners-group-und-inacta-realisieren-konkrete-blockchain-anwendung</link><guid>172</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Partners Group und inacta realisieren konkrete Blockchain-Anwendung</dc:text></item><item><title>Volles​ ​Haus​ ​beim​ ​Swiss​ ​Fintech​ ​Day​ ​2017 mit Bundesrat</title><description><![CDATA[​Am 4. September wurde der zweite Swiss Fintech Day erfolgreich begangen und mit über 200 Gästen war volles Haus im Startup Space in Schlieren.
Die Veranstaltung wurde im letzten Jahr vom Schweizer Fintech-Startup-Verein Swiss Finance Startups (SFS) ins Leben gerufen und setzte Fintech- und Startup-Themen erstmalig im grossen Stil auf die höchste politische und öffentliche Agenda in der Schweiz. In diesem Jahr wurde der Swiss Fintech Day auf die nächste Stufe gehoben und stand ganz im Zeichen des Ökosystems im Zeitalter der Digitalisierung​.
Programm und Publikum spiegelten die Vielfalt des modernen Ökosystems wieder. In einem Mix aus Präsentationen, Workshops, Paneldiskussionen und Talks ging es den Veranstaltern von SFS vor allem darum, Denkanstösse zu bieten, sich auszutauschen und Inspirationen zu sammeln.
Christina Kehl
Christina Kehl, Geschäftsführerin und Vorstandsmitglied von SFS:
“Ziel war es, den Tag so interaktiv wie möglich zu gestalten. Ob Speaker auf der Bühne oder Zuschauer im Publikum, jeder war eingeladen mitzudenken und mitzudiskutieren. Dies hat wunderbar funktioniert und wurde sehr gut angenommen. In unserem Networkingbereich, dem sogenannten Playground wurden die Agendapunkte weiter besprochen und genau dieser intensive Austausch und Diskurs ist es, was ein modernes Ökosystem voranbringt.”
Wie auch im letzten Jahr war Bundesrat Johann N. Schneider-Ammann nicht nur Gast, sondern aktiver Teilnehmer der Veranstaltung. Bereits vor offiziellem Programmstart traf sich er im Rahmen einer Innovationstour im sehr kleinen Kreis mit Startups und Innovatoren. Der Bundesrat machte sich mit dem Bitcoin ATM vertraut, erfuhr mehr über die Einsatzmöglichkeiten der Bezahl-App TWINT und lief per Virtual-Reality-Brille durch die Anlagen des Startups Climeworks, die mit ihrer Technik CO2 aus der Atmosphäre filtern, um daraus Energiequellen zu gewinnen.
“Die Digitalisierung ist für die Schweiz eine riesige Chance. Aber sie stellt Wirtschaft, Wissenschaft und Gesellschaft auch vor neue Herausforderungen. Innovation und Unternehmertum werden noch wichtiger – unsere Fintech-Startups sind ganz vorne dabei.”,
so Bundesrat Johann N. Schneider-Ammann.
“ Veranstaltungen wie der Swiss Fintech Day fördern die Vernetzung und helfen uns zu erkennen, wo der Schuh drückt. Die Politik kann und muss mit stetig verbesserten Rahmenbedingungen zu einer positive Entwicklung beitragen.”
Ganz im Sinne des Mottos kam an diesem Tag des gesamte Ökosystems zusammen. Startups, Banken, IT-Unternehmen, Beratungsgesellschaften sowie Vertreter aus Politik und Verwaltung nahmen aktiv an der Programmgestaltung teil. Die UBS Schweiz trat als Hauptpartner von SFS und Unicorn Sponsor des Swiss Fintech Days auf. Mit den Rocket Sponsoren Abacus​, AdNovum und KPMG konnte SFS weitere wichtige Unterstützer gewinnen, die den Tag auch inhaltlich mitgestalten.
The post Volles​ ​Haus​ ​beim​ ​Swiss​ ​Fintech​ ​Day​ ​2017 mit Bundesrat appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/volles-haus-beim-swiss-fintech-day-2017-mit-bundesrat</link><guid>171</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Volles​ ​Haus​ ​beim​ ​Swiss​ ​Fintech​ ​Day​ ​2017 mit Bundesrat</dc:text></item><item><title>The 15 Largest European Fintechs</title><description><![CDATA[Forbes Magazin published recently the 10 largest Fintech companies from the US.
Our German blogging friends from paymentbanking tried to research the most valued European Fintechs. In their disclaimer they clearly state that the valuation is sometimes hard to find and comes from different sources, however, we think its a pretty good list.
 
1.Klarna

 
Value: $2,5 Mrd  | Employee: 1.000-2.000
Founded: 2005 |    | HQ: SWE
 
 
2. Adyen

 
Value: $2,3 Mrd | Employee: 500-999
Founded: 2006 | HQ: NE
 
 
3. Transferwise

 
 
Value: $1.1 billion | Employee: 250-499
Founded: 2011 |   | HQ: UK
 

 4. Funding Circle

 
Value: &gt;$1 billion | Employee: 500-999
Founded: 2010 |     | HQ: UK
 
 
5. iZettle

 
Value: $500 Mio | Employee: 250-499
Founded: 2010 |   | HQ: SWE
 

 
6. WorldRemit

 
Value: $500 Mio | Employee: 250-499
Founded: 2010 |     | HQ: UK
 
 

7. Starling Bank

 
Value: ca $466.67 Mio | Employee: 50-99
Founded: 2014 |    | HQ: UK
 
 
8. Raisin

 
Value: ca $400 Mio | Employee: 55-99
Founded: 2013 |     | HQ: DE
 
 
9. Revolut

 
Value: ca $386 Mio / £300 Mio | Employee: 20-49
Founded: 2015 |     | HQ: UK
 
 
10. Kreditech

 
Value: $354-$590 Mio / €300-€500 Mio  | Employee: 250-499
Founded: 2012 |     | HQ: DE
 
 
11. N26 

 
Value: ca $260 Mio -&gt; Juni 2016 | Employee: 100-249
Founded: 2013 |     | HQ: DE
 
 
 
12. RateSetter

 
Value: ca $260 Mio / £200 Mio | Employee: 50-99
Founded: 2010 |     | HQ: UK
 
 
13. Scalable Capital

 
Value: ca $223 Mio | Employee: 20-49
Founded: 2014 |     | HQ: DE
 
 
14. Nutmeg

 
Value: ca $185 Mio | Employee: 20-49
Founded: 2010 |    | HQ: UK
 
 
15. Spotcap

 
Value: ca $133 Mio | Employee: 50-99
Founded: 2014 |    | HQ: DE
 
 
ca=approx.

The post The 15 Largest European Fintechs appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-15-largest-european-fintechs</link><guid>169</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>The 15 Largest European Fintechs</dc:text></item><item><title>How New ICO Rules Affect ICO Marketing</title><description><![CDATA[Initial coin offerings (ICOs) have raised more than US$1.6 billion so far this year, surpassing traditional venture capital money. As the novel fundraising method gains popularity, the practice and processes of marketing ICO campaigns, too, have been on high demand.
Image credit: Crowdfunding concept by Rocio Lara via Flickr
ICO marketing consists in designing and developing ICO campaign assets to give a project a professional look and build trust. It blends practices of both public relations and investor relations, and involves creating a white paper, building social media presence, and establishing credibility, among many other things.
But as jurisdictions around the world are looking to regulate the controversial fundraising practice, the days of marketers easily entering and operating within the ICO space are over.
In fact, the US Securities and Exchange Commission&#8217;s statements about ICOs issued in July imply that from now on, there will be greater regulatory and legal issues for those promoting the sector. One particular concern for marketers is to properly determine whether a given ICO is considered or not as a securities offering.
Like the US, Hong Kong&#8216;s chief securities regulators issued a warning on ICOs earlier this week, remarking that some tokens may constitute securities, echoing similar statements from authorities in Singapore and Canada.
&#8220;The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has observed that that function of digital tokens has evolved beyond just being a virtual currency. For example, digital tokens may represent ownership or a security interest over an issuer&#8217;s assets or property,&#8221; reads an official MAS release.
&#8220;Such tokens may therefore be considered an offer of shares or units in a collective investment scheme under the Securities and Futures Act (SFA). Digital tokens may also represent a debt owed by an issuer and be considered a debenture under the SFA.&#8221;
The new ICO ruling in China, which strictly forbids the practice, has just made the country a forbidden space for ICO promotion and marketing.
Similarly, South Korea, which is looking to regulate digital currencies, stated earlier this month that it will punish ICO fundraising platforms for violating the capital market act by raising funds through stock issuance using cryptocurrencies.
Meanwhile, other countries have taken the opposite stand and quickly emerging as favored ICO destinations for blockchain startups. The Isle of Man, for instance, has created a regulatory framework it believes will allow for token sales that are compliant with anti-money laundering and know-your-customer regulations.
&#8220;Our understanding and analysis of the ICO market is that it represents a massive vertical market for us,&#8221; Brian Donegan, head of operations for fintech and digital development at the Isle of Man&#8217;s Department of Economic Development, told CoinDesk.
In Canada, Quebec&#8217;s regulator for financial institutions, the Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF), is looking to better understand ICOs. The authority recently determined that a token sale by Impak Finance, a platform for investing in socially responsible enterprises, was a security. The AMF also accepted the company into its regulatory sandbox.
But for most jurisdictions, ICOs are still in a legal grey area. In Russia, the central bank published a notice this week warning about the &#8220;high risks&#8221; of exchanging cryptocurrencies, as well as participating in ICOs. The authority said that at this stage, it will neither authorize any cryptocurrency trading on any official exchanges, nor approve the use of the tech for infrastructure purposes.
In Israel, a committee established by the Israeli Securities Authority (ISA) is to assess the need for ICO regulations, and determine whether or not the practice fall under the purview of securities legislation. The ISA committee is expected to submit its assessments by December 31, 2017.
For Switzerland we haven&#8217;t yet seen any regulation comment yet. Watching the ICO records, Switzerland seems still one of the top countries for Initial Coin offerings and marketing.
Nevertheless, as jurisdictions around the world are working out regulations for ICOs, ICO marketers should familiarize themselves with the legalities of securities marketing worldwide as laws of this nature can be intense.
It is crucial for these professionals to research and study the information that exist on investor relations legislation because an ICO may be subject to them all. An ICO that&#8217;s marketed incorrectly can result in both civil and criminal charges.
 
Featured image via Pixabay.
The post How New ICO Rules Affect ICO Marketing appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/how-new-ico-rules-affect-ico-marketing</link><guid>170</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Initial-coin-offering-300x209.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>How New ICO Rules Affect ICO Marketing</dc:text></item><item><title>The Top 6 Swiss Fintech Startups 2017</title><description><![CDATA[Startup.ch publish every year a list of Top 100 Best Swiss Startups 2017.
6 Fintech Startups made it into the list. Bexio and Advanon even into the Top 10. Bexio was already in the Top 10 last year, Advanon made it from rank 25 to rank 10. Best newcomer is Creditgate24, Knip is not listed as a Startup anymore.
Compared to 2015 Swiss Fintechs are clearly moving forward!
 
Founded: December 2013
#4 &#8211; bexio AG
bexio develops and sells an accounting software for small and medium companies. In June 2014, the Rapperswil based startup seduced UBS as a strategic partner. For the clients of bexio this means that their accounting data can be automatically streamlined with the bank&#8217;s account information and transactions.
 
 
 
Founded: March 2015
 
#10 &#8211;  Advanon AG
Advanon is an Online Platform for invoice financing for Small- and Medium Businesses. By selling invoices on our platform, companies can easily manage their cash flows in a quick and flexible way allowing them to focus on their core business.
 
 
Founded: November 2014
#26 &#8211; CreditGate24 (Schweiz) AG
CreditGate24 relies on peer-to-peer financing, a  concept that brings borrowers and investors together  via a platform. The company is on a steep  growth trajectory: after needing almost a year  to reach 100 loans, it can now achieve this milestone  in just a few weeks. With the Venture Leaders  fintech programme, the team is now testing  the US market as well.
 
 
 
Founded: February 2015
#38 &#8211; Biowatch SA
Biowatch transforms the user’s wristwatch into a means of identification. A module, which fits  into the strap of any watch, identifies the user  from their unique vein pattern.Watches could  therefore replace passwords, badges and car keys. Biowatch completed a financing round at the beginning of this year and demonstrated a fully functional prototype for the first time in June.
 
 
Founded: May 2013
#44 &#8211; Contovista AG (acquired by Aduno Group)
Contovista is a Swiss FinTech company with the mission to facilitate the transition to data-driven banking. The company specialises in big data analytics, business intelligence and visualisation of financial data. Our product portfolio includes a Personal Finance Management (PFM) solution, a Business Finance Management (BFM) solution for SMEs as well as an Advanced Data Analytics Engine.
 
 
Founded: March 2015
#83 &#8211; Bricks &amp; Bytes AG (crowdhouse.ch)
Before Crowdhouse came along, the possibility of becoming a co-owner of an investment property was previously available only to institutional investors and wealthy individuals. Users of this crowdfunding platform can become co-owners (including entry in the land registry) with an investment of just CHF 25,000. Crowdhouse is growing quickly: since its launch, properties with a total value of more than CHF 200 million have been placed on the platform.
 
08.09.17: We are sorry, we forgot Monito on Rank 92, the Money Transfer Comparision page.
The Full Startup List
can be found here
Fintech Ranking 2016 here
3.Knip, 7.Bexio, 25.Advanon, 47.Contovista, 70.I Believe in You, 80.Cashsentinel
Fintech Ranking 2015 here
6.Knip, 53.Cashsentinel, 73.Contovista, 75.I Believe in You, 78.Investglass, 90.Dealmarket
The post The Top 6 Swiss Fintech Startups 2017 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-top-6-swiss-fintech-startups-2017</link><guid>168</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>The Top 6 Swiss Fintech Startups 2017</dc:text></item><item><title>The 10 Biggest Fintech Companies In America</title><description><![CDATA[The U.S. is now home to 13 Fintech unicorns who have scored valuations of at least $1 billion. This year Robinhood, AvidXChange and Symphony joined the billion-dollar club.
Here are the ten most valuable private venture-backed Fintech players based in the U.S. The list is from Forbes.
1. Stripe
Value: $9.2 billion* | Founded: 2010
Founders: Patrick and John Collison
CEO: Patrick Collison | 
Stripe allows merchants to accept online and mobile payments
2. SoFi
Value: $4.3 billion | Founded: 2011
Founders: Mike Cagney, Dan Macklin, James Finnigan, Ian Brady, Andy Carra
CEO: Mike Cagney |    
SoFi offers student loan refinancing and other services to Millennials
 
3. GreenSky
Value: $3.6 billion | Founded: 2006
Founders: David Zalik, Larry Smith
CEO: David Zalik |   
GreenSky provides on-the-spot financing for home-improvement projects via its network of contractors. (For more, check out Forbes&#8217; cover story on GreenSky.)
 
4. Credit Karma
Value: $3.5 billion | Founded: 2007
Founders: Kenneth Lin, Nichole Mustard, Ryan Graciano
CEO: Kenneth Lin |     
Credit Karma offers free credit scores and recommendations for credit cards and loans
 
5. Oscar
Value: $2.7 billion | Founded: 2013
Founders: Josh Kushner, Mario Schlosser, Kevin Nazemi
CEO: Mario Schlosser |   
Oscar makes it simpler to buy and use health insurance under Obamacare
 
6. Avant
Value: $2 billion | Founded: 2012
Founders: Al Goldstein, John Sun, Paul Zhang
CEO: Al Goldstein |  
Avant make quick online loans to consumers with lower credit scores
 
7. Zenefits
Value: $2 billion | Founded: 2013
Founders: Parker Conrad, Laks Srini
CEO: Jay Fulcher |   
Zenefits sells a cloud-based human resources platform for businesses
 
8. Prosper
Value: $1.9 billion | Founded: 2005
Founders: Chris Larsen, John Witchel
CEO: David Kimball |   
Prosper connects borrowers and investors for unsecured personal loans
 
9. AvidXchange
Value: $1.4 billion | Founded: 2000
Founders: Michael Praeger, David Miller
CEO: Michael Praeger |   
AvidXchange automates invoicing and bill payments for businesses
 
10. Robinhood
Value: $1.3 billion | Founded: 2013
Founders: Baiju Bhatt, Vladimir Tenev
Co-CEOs: Baiju Bhatt, Vladimir Tenev |   
Robinhood offers free trades of stocks and ETFs via mobile app
 
 
Valuations are from PitchBook and CB Insights.
 
 
 
The post The 10 Biggest Fintech Companies In America appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-10-biggest-fintech-companies-in-america</link><guid>166</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>The 10 Biggest Fintech Companies In America</dc:text></item><item><title>Hackspace Capital Set to Revolutionize CrowdFunding</title><description><![CDATA[In 2002, a wall street analyst working on a side project had trouble raising money for a side project, a off-Broadway production of an Arthur Miller play. The play was a critical success, and a commercial failure. The analyst decided it was time to find alternative ways to fund things like this.
Out of that seed, Indiegogo was founded, one of the first of the crowdfunding sites that have sprung up in the last decade and transformed how we think about funding projects. They have democratized the funding of arts, sciences, entrepreneurship, and even in some cases, paying medical bills or taking the family on a long-wished-for vacation.
Hackspace Capital is a new initiative hoping to join this great innovation with blockchain technology and begin funding the development of ideas and technology that will revolutionize the world, again and again.
So What Does HackSpace Capital Do?
They are an investment firm focusing on providing funds and support for projects that have developed their products to be near-ready to launch to the broader public, but lack the funds and expertise necessary to really get themselves going. HackSpace Capital stands ready to provide help in getting production lines ready, create branding and advertising campaigns, provide managerial consulting and organizational support, provide legal support, and more.


Where Does HackSpace Find Out About the Projects They Support?
Hackspace has partnered with a EnCata, short for engineering catalyst, a worldwide product development support service, geared to taking products from the ‘good idea’ phase through mass market production. EnCata specializes in creating one-stop shops for development that combine all the talent and equipment necessary to design, prototype, test, and perfect any type of product.
Once a product has gotten to near-production level quality, they require an infusion of cash to do all the things mentioned above – set up factories, create advertising, handle legal and business issues, etc. Hackspace has an agreement with Encata to get a first look at projects coming out of their pipeline and stands ready to provide the cash and expertise to get those projects over the finish line.




Good for them. What’s That Got to Do with Me?
Well, each of these projects will require a capital infusion of between five-hundred- thousand and two-million dollars. Hackspace plans on raising the necessary capital by offering an ICO of their HAC token. Unlike KickStarter or IndieGoGo, an investor who buys HAC tokens is not investing in one project, which may or may not ever get to the production stage. He or she is investing in all the future projects supported by Hackspace as long as they own HAC tokens.
As the different products begin to roll off the assembly line, HAC holders will have the ability of purchase them 3 months before the official release and at 20% off the price they’re being offered to everyone else. This is a significant advantage over the KickStarter model where you only get what the project promises if it ever comes to fruition. Further, the 20% discount on sale price will provide a solid backing to the continued value of the token, which will also be freely tradeable for any other digital currency.
Wait. How do I Know These Projects Will Be Any Good?
That’s another advantage of working with EnCata. In order to be eligible to work with Hackspace, a project’s team must work with EnCata and Hackspace for three to six months so that that their maturity, acumen and commitment can be gauged. Also, but working the EnCata development and production teams, by the time a project is Hackspace ready, everything possible to be known about the product and its potential will be known. These project managers are not simply doing a 20- minute presentation for investors Shark Tank style. No, they will be known inside out.
What Kind of Projects are They Working on Now?
Right now, projects include innovative ways to generate energy, powered exoskeleton suits, sleep capsules, drones etc. HandEnergy &#8211; One of the first Hackspace Capital startups.
How do I get ahold of the HAC tokens?
On September 19, Hackspace will be holding an ICO. 51% of all token will be offered for purchase to the public. A further 29% will be distributed across the fund’s current and future projects. 5% will be distributed to advisors and consultants and to create bounties and marketing campaigns. The remaining amount will be reserved for Hackspace management and employees.

Hackspace has set its sights on revolutionizing the crowdfunding system, and to give a critical boost to geniuses and entrepreneurs with the ideas but not the resources of expertise to get their ideas ready for the market. This is not multinationals developing in-house what they think we need. This is people developing what they know we need, and being able to keep the rights to and profits from their hard-developed ideas.
As with any ICO, we have to remind all potential investors to do their due diligence and caveat emptor.
 
Disclaimer: this is an article written by Hackspace  and Fintechnews does not endorse and is not responsible for or liable for any content, accuracy, quality, advertising, products or other materials on this page. Readers should do their own research before taking any actions related to the company. Fintechnews is not responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in the press release. Please note this is no investment advice.
 
The post Hackspace Capital Set to Revolutionize CrowdFunding appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/hackspace-capital-set-to-revolutionize-crowdfunding</link><guid>167</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Screen-Shot-2017-09-04-at-9.31.38-PM.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Hackspace Capital Set to Revolutionize CrowdFunding</dc:text></item><item><title>Swisspeers integriert Bexio: KMU Kredite per Knopfdruck</title><description><![CDATA[Durch die Integration von Swisspeers und Bexio ist die Beantragung eines Firmenkredites für kleine und mittlere Unternehmen (KMU) in der Schweiz nun einfacher als je zuvor.
Die Crowdlending-Plattform für KMU Swisspeers und das cloudbasierte Fintech Buchhaltungs Unternehmen Bexio vereinfachen den Prozess der Beantragung eines Firmenkredites und ermöglichen Bexio-Kunden „das Ausfüllen eines Swisspeers-Kreditantrages automatisch durch einen Knopfdruck zu erledigen.“
Erst kürzlich erfolgte der Soft-Launch einer neu gestalteten Schnittstelle zwischen den beiden Plattformen, dank der die Kreditnehmer bei der Kreditbeantragung über die Crowdlending-Plattform von erheblichen Zeiteinsparungen profitieren.
Die 2016 gelaunchte Swisspeers Peer-to-Peer-Kreditplattform ermöglicht es KMU, eine Finanzierung über die Crowd zu erhalten. Der Online-Marktplatz verbindet Unternehmen, die auf der
Gründungs-Team Swisspeers
Suche nach Fremdkapital sind, mit Investoren, die eine attraktive, alternative Investitionsmöglichkeit suchen.
Bislang hat die Plattform mehr als 70 KMU-Kredite mit einem Gesamtvolumen von etwa 9,5 Mio. CHF vermittelt. Mehrere Hundert Investoren erhalten auf ihre investierte Summe einen Zinssatz zwischen 3 % und 9 %, je nach Risikoprofils des Kreditnehmers.
Bei Swisspeers hängt der Zinssatz auf einen Kredit von einem Kreditnehmer-Rating ab, das von Swisspeers durchgeführt wird. Er wird mittels einer Auktion festgelegt und wird folglich direkt von Angebot und Nachfrage geregelt. Somit ergibt sich für Kreditnehmer und -geber ein angemessener und fairer Zinssatz.
Die Integration mit Bexio folgt verschiedenen anderen Partnerschaften und Funktionalitäten, die in diesem Jahr von Swisspeers bereits eingegangen und umgesetzt wurden. Sie ermöglichen es dem Unternehmen, durch Erweiterung seiner Reichweite seine Nutzergemeinde auszubauen und gleichzeitig die Vergabe von Krediten zu verbessern und Schweizer KMU mehr Optionen anzubieten.
Im April gab Swisspeers die Zusammenarbeit mit dem Devisenmarktplatz Amnis bekannt. Diese Partnerschaft eröffnet KMU neue Finanzierungs- und Rückzahlungsmöglichkeiten. Kreditnehmer können nun insbesondere die Währung wählen, in der sie den Kredit ausgezahlt haben möchten: Schweizer Franken oder Euro.
Integration von Swisspeers und Bexio: so funktioniert es
Swisspeers-Kreditnehmer durchlaufen bei der Kreditbeantragung über das Internet einen vierstufigen Prozess. Dieser umfasst Angaben zu dem beantragten Kredit, dem Unternehmen und seinen Finanzen sowie einen Investitionsplan zum zu finanzierenden Projekt. Zum Schluss müssen einige Dokumente hochgeladen werden, u. a. auch zwei Jahresabschlüsse.
Dank der Integration können sich Kreditnehmer, die Bexio nutzen, nun über die Swisspeers-Plattform direkt auf Bexio anmelden und die Übermittlung ihrer Jahresabschlüsse an Swisspeers veranlassen. Die Zahlen werden dann von Bexio automatisch übernommen, in einer Swisspeer-Bilanz zusammengefasst und in das entsprechende Online-Formular eingetragen.
Sobald die Kreditbeantragung abgeschlossen ist, erhalten die Kreditnehmer ein vorläufiges Rating sowie die Kreditbedingungen. Sie können sich dann für oder gegen eine Übermittlung ihres Kreditantrages an Swisspeers entscheiden.
Bexio ist ein führender Anbieter von cloudbasierter Software und bietet Tools und Lösungen an, mit denen KMU ihre Geschäftsabläufe effizienter gestalten können. Das Start-up erweiterte seine
Bexio team via Twitter
Plattform kürzlich durch Übernahme von Elohna, eines Anbieters von cloudbasierter Lohnbuchhaltung, nachdem es 7,5 Mio. CHF über Swisscom Ventures und andere Investoren eingeworben hatte. Im Juli unterzeichnete es eine Partnerschaft mit der Thurgauer Kantonalbank, wodurch Nutzer in die Lage versetzt wurden, über die Schnittstelle auf ihr Konto bei der Bank zuzugreifen.
Mehr als 8.000 Unternehmen nutzen die Firmensoftware von Bexio. Das Unternehmen gibt an, dass es in den letzten Monaten durchschnittlich etwa 500 neue Kunden pro Monat gewinnen konnte.
&#8220;Es freut mich sehr, dass Swisspeers unsere Standard-Schnittstelle einsetzt um den Kreditantragsprozess für KMU zu beschleunigen&#8221; sagte Jeremias Meier, CEO von Bexio. &#8220;Die Integration ist ein tolles Beispiel wie standardisierte und offene Schnittstellen Mehrwert für KMU stiften können.“
 
Featured image: Business connections concept by ByEmo via Shutterstock.com.
The post Swisspeers integriert Bexio: KMU Kredite per Knopfdruck appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swisspeers-integriert-bexio-kmu-kredite-per-knopfdruck</link><guid>155</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Founders-of-Crowdlending-Platform-Swisspeers-1-300x200.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Swisspeers integriert Bexio: KMU Kredite per Knopfdruck</dc:text></item><item><title>Lykke opens Latin American subsidiary in Mexico</title><description><![CDATA[Lykke, a Swiss Fintech company building a global marketplace on the blockchain, announces the grand opening of Lykke de México S.A. de C.V., a Mexican subsidiary designed to bring the unique Lykke trading experience to the Latin American market.

Erwin Fedier
“We are thrilled to be in Mexico,”
said Erwin Fedier, CEO of Lykke de México S.A. de C.V.
“As the first carrier to serve Latin America directly, we are making the global marketplace available to millions of people.”
 
 
This new subsidiary is the direct result of Lykke Streams, Lykke’s innovative platform for crowdsourcing contributions to projects of all kinds. A project called “Set up a new Lykke venture in your city,” posted by Lykke founder and CEO Richard Olsen, brought the team that would eventually become Lykke de México to the attention of senior leadership.

Richard olsen
“After reviewing the various proposals that we received,”
said Dr. Olsen,
“we became convinced that Latin America was the right place for Lykke and that Erwin Fedier was the right person to head up our efforts there.”
 
Zero commission , instant settlement
In the spirit of Lykke’s vision, Lykke de México will be more than just a branch office. It will be a localized, responsive, and fully integrated part of the Latin American financial community and a vital point of entry to the Lykke Exchange.
“Projects for our first institutional clients are already underway,”
said Mr. Fedier.
“We are also localizing our Lykke Wallet app, and we are getting ready to trade in Mexican pesos. The Lykke hallmarks of instant settlement and zero commission will, of course, be an integral part of our operations.”
 
Featured image via pixabay
The post Lykke opens Latin American subsidiary in Mexico appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/lykke-opens-latin-american-subsidiary-in-mexico</link><guid>156</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Lykke opens Latin American subsidiary in Mexico</dc:text></item><item><title>Euronext Expandiert in Die Schweiz, um das Wachstum Europaischer Technologie-Unternehmen zu Unterstutzen</title><description><![CDATA[Euronext, die führende paneuropäische Börse in der Eurozone, kündigte heute die Eröffnung eines neuen Büros in Zürich und in vier weiteren neuen Städten – Frankfurt und München in Deutschland, Mailand in Italien und Madrid in Spanien an.
Ziel ist es, Technologieunternehmen dabei zu unterstützen, ihr Geschäft mit Hilfe der Kapitalmärkte weiterzuentwickeln und sie bei ihrem Wachstum zu unterstützen. Diese vier Märkte wurden wegen ihrer guten Wachstumschancen im Technologiesektor ausgewählt.
Die Rekorde der letzten Jahre haben demonstriert, dass Europa für bahnbrechende Innovationen zu einem entscheidenden Standort wird. Um aus Europa einen weltweiten Innovationsknotenpunkt zu machen, will Euronext dabei helfen, die Finanzierungslücke im späten Stadium zu überbrücken.
Dies stellt ein fortwährendes Hindernis für europäische Technologie-KMUs dar, die globale Ambitionen haben. Euronext bietet auch eine Lösung für die Liquiditätslücke, mit denen Business Angels und Risikokapitalgeber konfrontiert sind. Diese streben häufig nach einer attraktiven Kapitalmarktoption in Europa, um ihre Investitionen in europäische Technologieunternehmen zu verkaufen.
Euronext wird seine Expertise und die Initiativen nutzen, die in den letzten Jahren in seinen heimischen Kernmärkten umgesetzt wurden. Mit derzeit mehr als 330 börsennotierten Unternehmen, die in den Sektoren Technologie, Medien &amp; Telekommunikation, Cleantech und Life Sciences tätig sind und eine konsolidierte Marktkapitalisierung von über 50 Mrd. Euro darstellen, hat Euronext die grösste Anzahl von Technologie-KMUs in Europa und ist somit weltweit die grösste Börse für den Medtech- und der zweitgrösste für den Biotech-Sektor.
Euronext ist auf dem besten Wege, der Referenz-Börse für Technologieunternehmen in Europa zu werden und hat auf seinen Märkten seit 2014 über 80 Technologieunternehmen aufgenommen, davon acht aus den vier neuen Ländern in Europa.
Dank seiner tiefgreifenden Erfahrung bei der Finanzierung und dem Management von KMUs und seinem tiefen Verständnis des Technologiesektors und des Schweizer Ökosystems wurde Søren Bjønness zum Direktor und Schweizer Vertreter von Euronext in der Schweiz ernannt. Er wird in der Schweiz Unternehmen dabei helfen, ihre Finanzierungsoptionen besser zu kennen und Zugang zu den Kapitalmärkten zu erhalten. Søren Bjønness, der Direktor von Euronext in der Schweiz, sagt:

Søren Bjønness
 
«Meine Rolle ist es, lokal mit Partnern in den diversen Ökosystemen hier in der Schweiz zusammenarbeiten, um zu demonstrieren, dass es möglich ist, unabhängig und über die Schweiz hinaus große Pläne zu schmieden und die Welt zu verändern. Euronext möchte diesen Internationalisierungsprozess von der starken Basis der Schweizer Technologieentwicklung aus erleichtern».
 
 
Er wird von einem neuen europäischen Team von Analysten und Kommunikationsexperten unterstützt. Das neu benannte Team engagiert sich für eine kooperative Zusammenarbeit mit allen Akteuren des lokalen Ökosystems.
In den nächsten Monaten wird Euronext folgende Technologieinitiativen auf die Schweiz und die drei zusätzlichen neuen Länder ausweiten:

TechShare: Ein einzigartiges paneuropäisches Ausbildungsprogramm, das Managern von Technologie-KMUs dabei helfen soll, besser zu verstehen, wie sie Kapitalmärkte und die Herausforderungen einer Börseneinführung nutzen können.
Dieses 2015 gestartete Programm erlaubt es Unternehmen, die Möglichkeit, einen Börsengang parallel zu ihren spezifischen Geschäftsprojekten zu erkunden und Herausforderungen im Zusammenhang mit einer Börseneinführung zu verstehen. Dieses Programm wird bis September 2018 für Unternehmen aus Deutschland, Italien, Spanien und der Schweiz angelaufen sein.
Morningstar® Equity-Research-Programm: Eine Partnerschaft von Euronext mit Morningstar, einem führenden Anbieter von unabhängigem Research in Europa, um die Sichtbarkeit von Technologie-KMUs für Finanzanalysten zu verbessern. Das Programm wird aktuelle synthetische Analysen von an der Euronext notierten Technologieaktien bieten, die Anzahl potentieller Investoren erhöhen und die Sichtbarkeit des Sektors verbessern.
Tech 40 Label and Index: Die Initiative stellt die an der Euronext notierten Technologieunternehmen mehr in den Vordergrund und bietet Zugang zu umfangreicheren Dienstleistungen (Investoren Roadshows, ein eigener Index usw.).

2018 wird Euronext zwei neue speziell für europäische Technologie-KMUs konzipierte Programme umsetzen

Get to know your investors: Unternehmen werden nach ihrer Börseneinführung sechs Monate lang von hausinternen Marktforschungs-Dienstleistungen profitieren. Die Dienstleistungen werden auf ihr Geschäft zugeschnitten und werden ihnen helfen, ein besseres Verständnis ihrer Anlegerbasis zu entwickeln.
Trade and leverage: Unternehmen werden nach ihrer Börseneinführung in den Genuss von von Euronext finanzierten Programmen für den Investorenzugang kommen, wie etwa Equity Research, Investorenveranstaltungen und -Foren, usw.. Top-Level-Anbieter werden vorab ausgewählt, um die besten Ergebnisse und Dienstleistungen zum besten Preis anzubieten.

Stéphane Boujnah, Geschäftsführer und Vorstandsvorsitzender der Euronext, sagte:

Stephane Boujnah
«Im Einklang mit Euronexts Strategie ‚Agility for Growth’ wollen wir unsere Erfahrung mit der erfolgreichen Finanzierung von Technologieunternehmen, die wir in unseren vier Kernmärkten in den letzten Jahren gesammelt haben, nutzen, um ausgewählten dynamischen Märkten in Europa zu dienen. Wir glauben, dass Euronext gut positioniert ist, um Manager von lokalen Technologie-KMUs auf dem gesamten Kontinent dabei zu unterstützen, die Finanzierungs- und die Liquiditätslücke zu überbrücken, und einen Beitrag zu leisten, um Europa zu einem globalen Knotenpunkt für Innovation und Wachstum zu machen».
The post Euronext Expandiert in Die Schweiz, um das Wachstum Europaischer Technologie-Unternehmen zu Unterstutzen appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/euronext-expandiert-in-die-schweiz-um-das-wachstum-europaischer-technologie-unternehmen-zu-unterstutzen</link><guid>157</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Euronext Expandiert in Die Schweiz, um das Wachstum Europaischer Technologie-Unternehmen zu Unterstutzen</dc:text></item><item><title>CREALOGIX erwirbt Machine Learning Technologie für Daten- und Videoanalytics</title><description><![CDATA[CREALOGIX übernimmt die führende Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Technologie von Koemei. Die Lösung des Schweizer Startups und Spinoffs des Forschungsinstituts IDIAP (Partner der Eidgenössischen Technischen Hochschule Lausanne EPFL) ermöglicht dank Machine Learning die automatisierte Umsetzung von Audio- und Videoinhalten in Textdaten für Analytics und die Optimierung. Dadurcherleichtert sie insbesondere die Verwertung multimedialer Inhalte.
Datenkategorien, die in Zukunft massiv wachsen und deren Analyse heute bei Unternehmen noch stark vernachlässigt werden, können so effizient genutzt werden. Eine umfangreiche Konzeptsuche sowie Benutzungsanalytics vereinfachen das Handling zusätzlich. Der Digital Banking und Digital Learning Spezialist ergänzt mit diesen innovativen AI-Funktionen sein bestehendes digitales Produkteportfolio.
Koemei entwickelte eine skalierbare Plattform im Umgang mit grossen multimedia Datensätzen, zur medienübergreifenden Suche und Analytics von Audio- und Videoinhalten. Ab Herbst 2017 wird die Technologie die Produktepalette des Anbieters für Digital Banking und Digital Learning Services bereichern. Mit dieser Integration können die ständig wachsenden Datenmengen für die Benutzer schnell verwendbar gemacht werden. Urs Widmer, CEO Digital Learning bei CREALOGIX:

Urs Widmer
 
«Wir sind begeistert, dass wir die marktführende Plattform von Koemei erwerben konnten. Kombiniert mit unseren Digital Banking und Digital Learning Produkten, verhilft diese neue Technologie unseren Kunden zu Mehrwert und Wettbewerbsvorteilen.»
 
 

Machine Learning Software für optimale Datenanalyse
Die Lösung von Koemei erreicht eine der weltweit besten Erkennungsqualitäten bei der Inhaltsanalyse von Audibles, Podcasts und Videos. Die Inhalte werden hierfür über Automated Speech Recognition (ASR), also der automatisierten Spracherkennung, in Texte umgewandelt. Anschliessend werden mit Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools und Natural Language Processing (NLP) die Texte analysiert und die Inhalte gemäss vordefinierten Taxonomien und Themen automatisch klassifiziert, wobei die Datensicherheit zu jeder Zeit gewährleistet ist. In den Videos werden spezifische Schlüsselbegriffe automatisch erkannt und mit Tags versehen.
Nutzer können dank diesen die für sie relevanten Aussagen in jedem Video finden und direkt dort hinspringen. Dies steigert den Wert von Video- und Audio Content enorm und spart Zeit bei der Recherche. Die Universität Genf hat bereits über 5&#8217;000 Stunden Vorlesungen mit der Technologie in benutzerfreundlicher Weise aufbereitet und diese nahtlos mit der Suche von Textdokumenten integriert. CREALOGIX passt die intelligenten Funktionen mit Konzeptsuche, Inhaltsanalytics und Statistiken den spezifischen Anforderungen seiner Kunden an.
 
Featured image via Crealogix website
The post CREALOGIX erwirbt Machine Learning Technologie für Daten- und Videoanalytics appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/crealogix-erwirbt-machine-learning-technologie-fur-daten-und-videoanalytics</link><guid>158</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>CREALOGIX erwirbt Machine Learning Technologie für Daten- und Videoanalytics</dc:text></item><item><title>Die Top Startup-Städte für Arbeitnehmer / Zürich auf Rang 7</title><description><![CDATA[Nestpick, eine Vermittlungsplattform für möblierte Wohnungen, hat eine Rangliste erstellt, in der 85 Städte weltweit in Bezug auf die Lebensqualität für Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeiter in der Start-up-Branche miteinander verglichen werden.
Als Unternehmen mit einem natürlichen Interesse an dem Umzugsverhalten von jungen Fachkräften auf der ganzen Welt verbindet Nestpick seine Fachkenntnisse mit diesem aufschlussreichen Forschungsprojekt, indem die Städte im Hinblick auf 13 Faktoren gemeinsam mit Start-up-Experten untersucht wurden. Die Faktoren sind in fünf wichtigen Kriterien zusammengefasst:
Das Start-up-Ökosystem einer Stadt, die angebotenen Gehälter vor Ort, Steuern und Sozialleistungen, welche die Stadt bietet sowie die Lebenshaltungskosten und die Lebensqualität.
 Aus diesen Kriterien konnten folgende Unterkategorien abgeleitet werden: Bei den Gehältern wurden die Durchschnittsgehälter von Berufseinsteigern und erfahrenen Angestellten in den Feldern Projekt Management, IT und Marketing aufgenommen. Bei dem Kriterium Steuern und Sozialleistungen flossen die Kategorien Einkommensteuer, Qualität des Gesundheitssystems und Urlaubstage ein, während bei Lebensqualität die Gleichberechtigung der Geschlechter und die Sicherheit einbezogen wurden. Die Lebenshaltungskosten beinhalten schließlich lediglich die Bezahlbarkeit einer Stadt.
Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Singapur der attraktivste Ort für diejenigen ist, die einen Job in einem Start-up suchen. Der asiatische Hub erreicht eine hohe Punktzahl in Hinblick auf die Kategorien Gesundheitssystem sowie Sicherheit und bietet eine dynamische Start-up-Szene mit vielen Karrierechancen.

Ömer Kücükdere
&#8220;Auch wenn einige Städte mit höheren Gehältern locken, ist nach Abzug von Steuern und Lebenshaltungskosten oft nicht viel davon übrig. Wer Arbeit in einer Stadt sucht, sollte daher auch Faktoren wie Lebensqualität berücksichtigen: Werden die Urlaubstage ausreichen, um das Heimatland zu besuchen? Ist der Zugang zum Gesundheitssystem so gut, wie man sich ihn wünscht?&#8221;,

sagt Ömer Kücükdere, Geschäftsführer von Nestpick.

&#8220;Wir sind davon überzeugt, dass bei der Suche nach potentiellen Arbeitgebern auch die Wahl der am besten geeigneten Stadt eine Rolle spielen sollte. Wir hoffen, dass wir mit unserer Studie einen Beitrag dazu leisten, dass Menschen, die auf der Suche nach einem Start-up-Job sind, die für sie am besten geeignete Stadt finden.”

Ausgewählte Ergebnisse für Zürich, Schweiz:
Hinweis: In einigen wenigen Fällen teilen sich Städte einen Rang. Wo nötig, haben wir versucht dies kenntlich zu machen. Die vollständige Rangliste kann auf der Ergebnisseite eingesehen werden.
Es folgen die zehn Start-up-Städte mit der höchsten Punktzahl. Die Unterkategorien wurden in fünf Hauptkategorien zwecks Übersichtlichkeit zusammengefasst.
Vollständiges Ranking unter: https://www.nestpick.com/de/best-cities-for-startup-employees/
Zusätzliche Erkenntnisse


In San Francisco (USA) werden die höchsten Gehälter in allen untersuchten Branchen sowohl bei den Berufseinsteigern als auch bei den erfahrenen Angestellten gezahlt. San Francisco belegt in puncto Bezahlbarkeit einen Platz unter den teuersten 10 Städten.


Von den 10 Städten mit den höchsten Gehältern liegen 70% in den USA.


In Kairo (Ägypten) werden die niedrigsten Gehälter in allen untersuchten Branchen bei den Berufseinsteigern gezahlt, während es in Tunis (Tunesien) die geringsten Verdienstmöglichkeiten für erfahrene Angestellte gibt.


Dubai (Vereinigte Arabische Emirate) erreicht die höchste Punktzahl bei Steuern &amp; Sozialleistungen* mit dem besten Ergebnis bei der Einkommensteuer; die Stadt rangiert dafür aber bei Gleichberechtigung auf dem letzten Platz. Lagos (Nigeria) weist die niedrigste Punktzahl bei Steuern &amp; Sozialleistungen auf mit jeweils dem letzten Rang in Bezug auf die Qualität des Gesundheitssystems und Urlaubstage.


Von den Städten mit den niedrigsten Platzierungen in Hinblick auf die Qualität des Gesundheitssystems liegen 50% in Asien.


Wien (Österreich) und Valetta (Malta) teilen sich die Spitzenposition in der Kategorie Urlaubstage, während sechs französische Städte (Nizza, Toulouse, Marseille, Lyon, Nantes und Paris) sich den ersten Platz für die Qualität des Gesundheitssystems teilen.


München (Deutschland) weist die höchste Punktzahl in der Kategorie Lebensqualität auf, wohingegen São Paulo (Brasilien) hier den geringsten Wert erreicht; ebenso nimmt diese Stadt den letzten Platz in der Kategorie Sicherheit ein.


Bangalore (Indien) liegt in Hinblick auf Bezahlbarkeit vorne, während New York (USA) hier den letzten Platz belegt.


Helsinki (Finnland) hat die Spitzenposition bei der Gleichberechtigung inne, indessen Singapur (Singapur) bei der Sicherheit auf dem ersten Platz rangiert.


 
Featured image screengrab from nestpick.com
The post Die Top Startup-Städte für Arbeitnehmer / Zürich auf Rang 7 appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/die-top-startup-stadte-fur-arbeitnehmer-zurich-auf-rang-7</link><guid>159</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Screen-Shot-2017-08-28-at-9.37.56-PM.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Die Top Startup-Städte für Arbeitnehmer / Zürich auf Rang 7</dc:text></item><item><title>Verfrühter Jubel über die neue Fintech- Regulierung / 20er Regel nur für KMU Darlehen</title><description><![CDATA[Über die Aufhebung der 20er Regel bei KMU-Darlehen bis zu CHF 1 Mio. hat Cashare erst im Juli berichtet und das System auf den 1. August angepasst. Es wurde deutlich angemerkt, dass die Aufhebung dieser Regel nicht für Privatpersonen gilt.
Eine Stellungnahme vom Staatssekretariat für internationale Finanzfragen hat dies bestätigt. Somit bringt die neue Fintech-Regulierung bedauerlicherweise nur eingeschränkte Verbesserung mit sich. Private Darlehensnehmer können von dieser sinnvollen Anpassung bisher nicht profitieren.
Cashare setzt sich weiter dafür ein diesen Umstand zu ändern, damit alle Kunden die Vorteile der neuen Fintech- Regulierung nutzen können.
Am 1. August 2017 traten die vom Bundesrat verabschiedeten Änderungen der Bankenverordnung in Kraft. Wie wir bereits am 20. Juli 2017 berichteten, freuen wir uns über den Umstand, dass die sogenannte 20er Regel im Crowdlending für KMU-Darlehen aufgehoben wurde und sich die Behörden für einen zukunftsorientierten Finanzplatz Schweiz aktiv einsetzen.
Wir haben aber auch darauf aufmerksam gemacht, dass dies bisher nicht für Privatpersonen gilt. Als umsichtiger Plattformanbieter sind wir deshalb nicht in den verfrühten Jubel anderer Plattformen eingestiegen. Als Crowdlending-Pionier und grösster Kreditmarktplatz der Schweiz, arbeiten wir seit rund 10 Jahren im Dienste unserer Kunden.
Um diese bestmöglich zu schützen haben wir von Anfang an höchsten Wert auf die Einhaltung aller Gesetze und deren korrekten Anwendung gelegt und uns aktiv für die Verbesserung der gesetzlichen Rahmenbedingungen eingesetzt.
Aus diesem Grund haben wir auf der Cashare Plattform die 20er Regel nur für KMU-Darlehen bis zu 1 Mio. aufgehoben. Bei Darlehen an Privatpersonen besteht sie nach wie vor. Um Unklarheiten vollständig zu beseitigen, haben wir ergänzend eine Anfrage für eine Stellungnahme beim EFD (Eidg. Finanzdepartement sowie in Kopie an die FINMA) eingereicht.
In der Stellungnahme des Staatssekretariat für internationale Finanzfragen (SIF) wurde erfreulicherweise bekräftigt, dass der Abbau von unsachgerechten Markteintrittshürden für Fintech-Unternehmen ein grosses Anliegen ist. Leider bestätigten sie aber auch unsere Feststellung, dass die 20er-Regel für Privatpersonen NICHT aufgehoben wird.
Aus Sicht von Cashare ist deshalb festzuhalten, dass die Verordnungsrevision keine vollständige Erleichterung für Crowdlending gebracht hat. Auch können wir der Auffassung, wonach „eine Ungleichbehandlung von gewerblich-industriellen und privaten Zwecken im Rahmen des Innovationsraums nicht zuletzt aus Anlegerschutzgründen klar gerechtfertigt sei&#8221;, nicht folgen. Anleger, die als Darlehensgeber das Kreditrisiko übernehmen, haben ein Interesse daran, als Anlageschutz ihre Investitionen auf möglichst viele Darlehensnehmer zu verteilen, was durch die 20er Regel verhindert wird.
Aus diesen Gründen haben wir die Behörden gebeten, unsere Überlegungen bei der nächsten Gelegenheit angemessen Gehör zu verleihen. Idealerweise beim Vernehmlassungsentwurf der Bankenverordnung im Rahmen der vorliegenden Revision des Bankgesetzes. Erneut haben wir unsere Unterstützung als Plattform mit dem längsten Erfahrungswert angeboten. Zudem erhoffen wir uns, dass andere Crowdlending-Plattformen die neuen Fintech-Regeln kritischer hinterfragen.
Denn fälschlicherweise kursiert momentan die öffentliche Annahme, dass durch die neue Regulierung alle Missstände vollständig gelöst wurden. Insbesondere den privaten Darlehensnehmern empfehlen wir ausdrücklich, nur Plattformen zu wählen, die besagte 20er Regel weiterhin anwenden, um nicht in einen gesetzlichen Konflikt zu geraten. Denn auch heute gilt noch, dass ein privater Darlehensnehmer mit mehr als 20 Darlehensgeber über eine Banklizenz verfügen muss.
Durch diese immer noch bestehende Regulierung werden aus unserer Sicht primär die Kunden bestraft, die dadurch nicht die Möglichkeit haben von einem noch besseren Zinssatz zu profitieren oder nur beschränkt eine Diversifikation vornehmen können, Es ist deshalb ein wichtiges Anliegen von Cashare, gemeinsam mit anderen Plattformen, den Kunden und den Behörden zusammen zu arbeiten, um diese Sachlage zu lösen.
The post Verfrühter Jubel über die neue Fintech- Regulierung / 20er Regel nur für KMU Darlehen appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/verfruhter-jubel-uber-die-neue-fintech-regulierung-20er-regel-nur-fur-kmu-darlehen</link><guid>160</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Cashare-300x120.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Verfrühter Jubel über die neue Fintech- Regulierung / 20er Regel nur für KMU Darlehen</dc:text></item><item><title>Lancierung der “Crypto Valley Labs – the Home for Blockchain Startups“</title><description><![CDATA[Lakeside Partners, Blockhaus und das Crypto Team von MME, die treibenden Kräfte in der Weiterentwicklung der globalen Blockchain-Community, lancieren die Crypto Valley Labs.
Das Crypto Valley Lab ist ein komplett digitalisierter und auf Blockchain- und Crypto-Technologien basierter Coworking-Space mitten in der Stadt Zug. Mehr als 30 internationale Blockchain-Startups finden hier ein neues Zuhause und bilden die erste Stufe weiterer weltweit geplanter Hubs. Ziel ist der Aufbau eines dezentralisierten Startup-Ökosystems.
Zug &#8211; der erste Hub von vielen
Dieser erste Hub in Zug, der sogenannte Genesis Hub, wird mit Unterstützung seiner Gründungsmitglieder, der Blockchain-Firmen Singular DTV, Bancor, und Melonport, Etherisc Herbst/Winter 2017 seine Tore öffnen. Der Zugang zum Ökosystem steht auch anderen Unternehmen offen, die Interesse am Zugang zu Blockchain-Startups haben.
Diese haben die Möglichkeit, Accelerator-Programme durchzuführen oder interne Innovationsteams temporär auszugliedern. Bereits haben sich erste lokale Firmen wie Grunder Rechtsanwälte, Fineac Treuhand oder der Brand Leadership Circle für die Crypto Valley Labs registriert, um früh vom rasch wachsenden Ökosystem zu profitieren.
Auch die drei Gewinner der Blockchain Competition werden in die Crypto Valley Labs einziehen. Der Startup-Wettbewerb ist mit 100&#8217;000 USD der derzeit höchst dotierte Startup-Wettbewerb dieser Art. Teams aus über 25 Ländern haben sich beworben, die Sieger werden am 22. November im Rahmen der Award-Show im Theater Casino Zug von einer renommierten Jury ausgewählt. Lakeside Partners und inacta sind die Initiatoren der ersten Blockchain Competition der Schweiz
Wie funktioniert es?
Das Coworking-Netzwerk der Crypto Valley Labs ist das erste seiner Art. Es bringt mobile, &amp; &#8220;dezentralisierte&#8221; Startups und etablierte Stiftungen wie Ethereum und Tezos mit multinationalen Konzernen und Dienstleistern zusammen.
Alle haben ein gemeinsames Interesse: Blockchain- und Crypto-Technologien. Die Einzigartigkeit dieses Hubs ist das Token-basierte Zahlungssystem und die globale Vision. So erfolgen Zahlungen für Dienstleistungen und Raummieten mit dem Crypto Valley Labs Token.
Mit der Entstehung weiterer Hubs können Startups unabhängig vom individuellen Standort der Teammitglieder in den global verteilten Crypto Valley Labs von diversen Dienstleistungsangeboten aus Bereichen wie Marketing, Recht und Softwareentwicklung profitieren und gemeinsame Arbeits- und Büroflächen nutzen. Dazugehörige Zimmer und Wohnungen ermöglichen temporäre Aufenthalte für Workshops und auch langfristige Ansiedlungen.

Mathias Ruch
“Unsere Labs vereinen etablierte Coworking-Modelle mit den Vorzügen der Blockchain- und Crypto- Technologie“
erklärt Mathias Ruch, Managing Partner von Lakeside Partners.
&#8220;Talentierte Teams gibt es überall auf der Welt, aber Ideen werden erst dann umgesetzt und realisiert, wenn ein gegenseitiger Austausch stattfindet. Es braucht ein Ökosystem, damit Grossartiges entsteht.&#8221;
 

Luka Müller
„Blockchain und Crypto-Währungen werden die Welt verändern. Also muss das neue Zuhause der Blockchain-Startups diese revolutionären Veränderungen auch sicht- und erlebbar machen&#8221;
sagt Luka Müller, Mitgründer von Blockhaus und Legal Partner bei MME.
&#8220;Es ist grossartig, der Welt auf diese Art zu zeigen, was mit einem komplett Token-basierten Ökosystem möglich ist.&#8221;
 
Crypto Valley – das Blockchain-Mekka
Zug und Umgebung, auch bekannt als Crypto Valley, sind seit einiger Zeit ein beliebtes Ziel für Blockchain- und Crypto-Unternehmen. Teams aus Japan oder den Vereinigten Staaten kommen regelmässig ins Crypto-Mekka, um ihre Ideen zu präsentieren und umzusetzen. Sie entscheiden sich bewusst für Zug, dies aufgrund des einzigartigen Ökosystems bestehend aus spezialisierten Juristen, Investoren und Logistikdienstleistern sowie einem stabilen Rechtssystem, attraktiven Steuerbedingungen und vereinfachten Behördengängen.
Bisher war jedoch ihre Beziehung zur Schweiz eher virtuell, da es dem Ökosystem an Infrastruktur wie zum Beispiel einem massgeschneiderten Coworking-Space fehlte. Diese Thematik wurde vor kurzem auch während des Besuchs von Bundesrat Schneider-Ammann bei Lakeside Partners intensiv diskutiert. Das wachsende Bedürfnis nach einer solchen Infrastruktur war schliesslich der Auslöser für die Idee der Crypto Valley Labs.
Das Ökosystem der Crypto Valley Labs unterstützt nicht nur die Blockchain-Community, sondern ist mit seiner Infrastruktur auch für andere Startups aus dem In- und Ausland attraktiv. Die neu entstehenden Arbeitsplätze bestärken die Attraktivität der Schweiz als Standort für innovative Projekte und Firmen.
The post Lancierung der “Crypto Valley Labs – the Home for Blockchain Startups“ appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/lancierung-der-crypto-valley-labs-the-home-for-blockchain-startups</link><guid>161</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Lancierung der “Crypto Valley Labs – the Home for Blockchain Startups“</dc:text></item><item><title>Schweizer FinTech Tilbago lanciert Robo-Inkasso</title><description><![CDATA[Die Digitalisierung im Finanzmanagement geht weiterhin mit Riesenschritten voran. In den verschiedensten Finanzbereichen wurden in den letzten Jahren innovative digitale Ideen und Geschäftsmodelle verwirklicht: Unternehmen können nun digital Kredite aufnehmen, Ihre Buchhaltung in der Cloud digital abwickeln und Rechnungen und Zahlungseingänge digital managen und sogar Gelder mit dem Robo-Advisor digital anlegen.
Das Prinzip ist immer ähnlich: durch die intelligente Automatisierung im digitalen Finanzmanagement werden Finanzprozesse zielorientierter, schneller und kosteneffizienter.
Diese intelligente Automatisierung bietet nun das Luzerner FinTech tilbago auch im Bereich des rechtlichen Inkassos. Am 30. August lancierten tilbagos CEO David Fuss und Verwaltungsratspräsident Harley Krohmer auf dem Digital Summit in Zürich (www.digital-summit-kmu.ch) eine innovative Robo-Inkasso-Lösung.
Nach dem Siegeszug der Robo-Advisor wie Truewealth.ch oder Wealthfront.com in der Vermögensanlage nun also auch Robo-Inkasso auf dem Vormarsch im rechtlichen Inkasso?
Innovative Robo-Inkasso-Lösung
Kaum jemand bleibt ein Leben lang davon verschont, einen Forderungsausfall verzeichnen zu müssen. Insbesondere im geschäftlichen Umfeld birgt es Gefahren, Forderungen nicht konsequent durchzusetzen. Schnell spricht sich herum, welche Unternehmen beispielsweise kleinere Forderungen ausbuchen, anstatt diese auf dem Rechtsweg geltend zu machen.
Dennoch haben viele Unternehmer mit dem rechtlichen Inkasso Berührungsängste. Inkassofälle sind meistens mühsam und benötigen viel Zeit und Geduld, so dass viele Unternehmen Inkassobüros mit der Durchsetzung ihrer Forderungen beauftragen.
In der Schweiz werden pro Jahr ca. 2.9 Millionen Betreibungen durchgeführt. Für Gläubigerunter­nehmen stellt sich hierbei die Herausforderung, kosten- und zeiteffizient ihre Forderungen durchsetzen zu können. Hier setzt die Robo-Inkasso-Lösung von tilbago an, welche die Leistungen von Inkassobüros konkurrenziert. Betreibungen können einfach, sicher und online ohne Inkassobüros abgewickelt werden. Der ganze Betreibungsprozess von der Betreibung über die Pfändung bis zur Verwaltung von Verlustscheinen wird so intelligent automatisiert.
tilbago-CEO David Fuss fasst die Idee des Robo-Inkasso wie folgt zusammen:
David Fuss

«Mit unserer Lösung können Gläubiger eigenständig und schnell die Zahlung offener Rechnungen mit Nachdruck durchsetzen oder zu einem Agreement mit ihren Schuldnern kommen. Insbesondere überwacht unser Robo-Inkasso ohne Zutun des Gläubigers den Fortschritt jeder einzelnen Betreibung und leitet bei Bedarf selbständig notwendige Aktivitäten ein. Durch diese intelligente Automatisierung von Betreibungen erzielen wir für unsere Firmenkunden erhebliche Kosteneinsparungen und Zeitgewinne. Mit dem Robo-Inkasso von tilbago gibt es für Kunden keinen Grund mehr, das Einfordern unbezahlter Rechnungen an teure Inkassobüros zu delegieren.»

Erste Betreibung für Neukunden gratis
Die Robo-Inkasso-Lösung von tilbago benötigt keine teure Softwareinstallation bei den Gläubigerunternehmen. Gläubiger registrieren sich einfach bei tilbago.ch und können direkt online Betreibungen auslösen und den ganzen Betreibungsprozess online managen.
Eine Schulung der Anwender ist nicht notwendig, alles ist „Plug and Play“. Dieser einfache Zugang hat dazu geführt, dass tilbago mittlerweile Schweizer Marktführer für Online-Betreibungen ist. Damit sich interessierte Neukunden unkompliziert von den Vorteilen von tilbago überzeugen können, bietet tilbago die erste Betreibung gratis an.
Betreibungsauskünfte für alle tilbago-Kunden gratis
Idealerweise kommt es natürlich erst gar nicht zur zeit- und kostenaufwendigen Betreibung. Daher holen viele Unternehmen bei Neukunden oder bei grösseren Aufträgen eine Betreibungsauskunft über potentielle Kunden ein. Auch hier unterstützt die Robo-Inkasso-Lösung von tilbago ihre Anwender. CEO David Fuss:

«Die Nutzer unserer Lösung können über unser Robo-Inkasso gratis und online Betreibungsauskünfte einholen. Natürlich fallen weiterhin die Gebühren des Betreibungsamtes an, die von diesem in Rechnung gestellt werden. Dadurch warden Betreibungsauskünfte für unsere Kunden nicht nur schneller, sondern auch sehr viel kostengünstiger.»

Wir unterstützen somit unsere Kunden nicht nur bei der Forderungsdurchsetzung, sondern auch bei der Anbahnung von Neugeschäft.
Robo-Inkasso: Geschäftsmodell mit grosser Zukunft?
Und wie sieht die Zukunft des digitalen Inkassos aus? CEO David Fuss zeigt hierzu eine spannende Perspektive auf:

«Unser Robo-Inkasso wird permanent weiterentwickelt. Die Lösung basiert auf einem Kern, welcher Daten in ähnlicher Weise verarbeitet wie das menschliche Gehirn. Soziale Netzwerke verwenden ähnliche Technologien. Dieser Ansatz ermöglicht es tilbago, zukünftig völlig neue Wege im Inkasso zu gehen. Unsere heutigen und zukünftigen Möglichkeiten werden den Inkasso-Markt revolutionieren.»

 
The post Schweizer FinTech Tilbago lanciert Robo-Inkasso appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/schweizer-fintech-tilbago-lanciert-robo-inkasso</link><guid>162</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Tilbago_w200px.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Schweizer FinTech Tilbago lanciert Robo-Inkasso</dc:text></item><item><title>Hamburgs Fintech Startups – Infografik</title><description><![CDATA[Hamburg etabliert sich mehr und mehr als Fintech-Standort. Rund drei Dutzend Fintechs machen den Kern der Hamburger Fintech-Szene aus. Um einen guten Überblick über die Fintech-Szene zu verschaffen, hat Clas Beese auf Finanzplatz Hamburg die ansässigen Fintechs  kategorisiert und in einer Infografik aufbereitet.
 


The post Hamburgs Fintech Startups &#8211; Infografik appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/hamburgs-fintech-startups-infografik</link><guid>163</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Fintech-Hamburg-Startups-Infografik-1.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Hamburgs Fintech Startups – Infografik</dc:text></item><item><title>Online Hypotheken Anbieter in der Schweiz</title><description><![CDATA[Die Digitalisierung des Hypothekar-Kredit-Prozess hat für Banken an Bedeutung gewonnen, da eine zunehmende Zahl an Kunden einen schnelleren, noch komfortableren und vollständig digitalen Antragsprozess wünschen. Heute bieten zunehmend mehr Kreditgeber digitale Tools an, die es Hauskäufern erlauben, eine Hypothek zu beantragen, Papiere zu übermitteln und den Vergabeprozess zu verfolgen.
Die meisten schweizerischen Banken haben ihre Onlinekredite als Unterabteilungen in Partnerschaft mit einer anderen Marke oder digitalen Onlinepartnern eingeführt.
Eine Studie von der Hochschule Luzern von 2016 zeigt eine schöne Übersicht zu Hypotheken. Wir zeigen untenstehend die wichtigsten Online-Hypotheken-Anbieter für den Schweizer Markt.

Homegate

Homegate betreibt den schweizerischen führenden Immobilienmarktplatz Homegate.ch, der mehr als 10 Millionen Besucher und 180 Millionen Seitenaufrufe monatlich verzeichnet und derzeit mehr als 85.000 Immobilien gelistet hat.
Homegate.ch bietet Online-Hypotheken in Zusammenarbeit mit der Zürcher Kantonalbank an, einem Anteilseigner im Unternehmen. Homegates Onlinekreditangebot konzentriert sich auf Geschwindigkeit und Komfort, indem es Kunden eine schnelle und einfache Möglichkeit bietet, Kredite zu beantragen. Die Kredite können variabel, fest oder als Libor-Kredit abgeschlossen werden – mit einer Höchstsumme von 1,2 Millionen CHF für privates Immobilieneigentum.
Lesen Sie dazu auch: &#8220;Homegate: Von der Online Immobilien Vermittlung zur Online-Hypothek&#8221;
Swissquote

Die schweizerische Bankengruppe Swissquote spezialisiert sich auf die Bereitstellung von Onlinefinanz- und Tradingdienstleistungen.
Eine im Jahr 2011 unterzeichnete Partnerschaft mit der Basellandschaftlichen Kantonalbank ermöglicht es dem Unternehmen, über seine Website Onlinekredite zu sehr attraktiven Konditionen anzubieten, deren Anfragen vollständig online bearbeitet werden.
Die Kredite werden von der Basellanschaftlichen Kantonalbank zur Verfügung gestellt. Angebote und das Branding werden im Rahmen einer White-Label-Vereinbarung von Swissquote verwaltet. Die Kunden sind verpflichtet, ein Konto bei Swissquote zu eröffnen
 
Hypomat

Die von der Glarner Kantonalbank im Jahre 2012 gegründete Hypomat ermöglicht es Nutzern, eine Eigenheimfinanzierung in Höhe von 100.000 CHF bis zu einer Million CHF zu beantragen. Die Angebote beinhalten feste Kreditraten mit Laufzeiten zwischen 2 und 10 Jahren, Libor-basierte Kredite (sowohl einmonatliche als auch dreimonatliche Raten) und variable Kredite.
Die Glarner Kantonalbank bietet außerdem über seine Hypomat-Plattform das White-Labelling für diverse Partner an, einschliesslich der Freiburger Kantonalbank und MoneyPark oder Pax Versicherung.
 
e-hypo.ch

e-hypo.ch der Schwyzer Kantonalbank wurde 2014 eingeführt und zielt hauptsächlich auf Eigenheimbesitzer, die Kredite aufstocken oder bei anderen Kreditgebern refinanzieren möchten.
ehypo.ch bietet feste Kreditraten mit Laufzeiten von 2 bis 10 Jahren an, die Kredite basieren auf dreimonatigen Libor-Raten. Für Erstkredite ist eine Eigenheimfinanzierung von bis zu einer Million CHF möglich.
Bestehende Kunden der Schwyzer Kantonalbank können den Kreditantragsprozess vollständig online abwickeln. Neue Kunden müssen ihre Identität offline oder beispielsweise an einem Bankschalter persönlich bestätigen lassen.
 
EasyHypo

EasyHypo von der Basler Kantonalbank wurde 2015 gegründet und bietet über die Laufzeit von 5 bis 10 Jahren feste Kreditraten zwischen 100.000 und 1,6 Millionen CHF. Die Kredite können 66,6 % des Marktwertes des Eigentums entsprechen.
EasyHypo ist für Immobilieneigentümer der deutschsprachigen Schweiz verfügbar, die nach einer Erstfinanzierung für ihr erstes Eigenheim suchen. Bestandskunden der Basler Kantonalbank können direkt online über die Website einen Kreditantrag stellen und diesen vollständig digital abwickeln lassen.
 
Swiss Life Direct

Der grösste Lebensversicherer der Schweiz und einer von Europas führenden Anbietern für Lebensversicherungen, Pensionen und Finanzlösungen begann 2013, seine Kreditdienstleistung Swiss Life Direct online anzubieten – ein Vorreiter im schweizerischen Versicherungswesen.
Swiss Life Direct bietet variable und feste Kreditraten für Erstimmobilien, Investitionsobjekte, Feriendomizile und Neubauprojekte, aber auch Umschuldungen. Die Kreditlaufzeit kann sich auf bis zu 25 Jahre belaufen.
 
Migros Bank

Wettbewerbern entsprechen bei der Migros Bank die Onlinekreditangebote den standardmässigen Kreditprodukten, welche auch die Bank selbst anbietet.
Egal, ob Kunden online oder offline einen Kredit beantragen: Bei den Dienstleistungen und Bedingungen gibt es keinerlei Unterschiede.
 
Wer übrigens die verschiedenen Hypotheken vergleichen will, für den stehen in der Schweiz mehrere Vergleichs-Anbieter im Angebot. Die bekanntesten sind Hypoplus/Comparis, Moneyland  oder Moneypark. Lesen dazu auch: &#8220;Es lohnt sich Hypotheken zu vergleichen&#8220;.
The post Online Hypotheken Anbieter in der Schweiz appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/online-hypotheken-anbieter-in-der-schweiz</link><guid>164</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/online-hypotheken-schweiz.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Online Hypotheken Anbieter in der Schweiz</dc:text></item><item><title>Thomson Reuters Launches Fintech Startup Incubator in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[Thomson Reuters  announced in July the launch of Thomson Reuters LabsTM – The Incubator.
Located in Switzerland, the Incubator will host early-stage entrepreneurs building next-generation products in big data, advanced analytics, distributed ledgers, artificial intelligence, machine learning and other transformational technologies.
As part of the official program, startups will receive access to Thomson Reuters data and content sets, mentoring from experienced executives and networking opportunities for investment and commercialization.
The Incubator is the next horizon of the company’s significant investment in the Thomson Reuters Labs network. With locations in innovation ecosystems around the globe, the Innovation Labs collaborate with customers, universities and startups to rapidly prototype and validate solutions using data science and lean experimentation to develop products and solutions to quickly meet evolving market demand.
Mona Vernon
Mona Vernon, Chief Technology Officer for Thomson Reuters Labs, commented,
“Technology is evolving at an unprecedented rate and corporations need to keep pace. Partnering with startups and other market disruptors is essential for us to be agile and responsive to our customers. The Incubator will become an essential part of our corporate strategy to drive organic growth through innovation.”
The Incubator has officially enrolled two startups focused on Fintech.
&#8211; Open Mineral is an early stage Swiss start-up disrupting the commodities market. The team has developed a multi-sided platform which will directly connect the mines and smelters of physical commodities such as copper, zinc and lead, increasing transparency and lowering fees.
&#8211; WealthArc is a cloud-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform for the $120 trillion investment management industry offering digital client interaction and real-time new generation investment management for family offices, wealth managers and private banks. The platform handles the integration of data, consolidation of assets and digital reporting as well as a robo-advisor offering to clients.
Måns Olof-Ors, Head of Thomson Reuters Labs – Zurich Region and the Incubator added,
“Our ultimate goal is to help our entrepreneurs realize their vision and get their solutions to market. In turn, we gain valuable insight, working with creative disruptors to identify new opportunities and ensure we are providing our clients with the most up to date trends impacting their professional markets.&#8221;
The team is currently reviewing a pipeline of additional applicants for the six month program. Applications can be submitted direct through the online website here.
 
The post Thomson Reuters Launches Fintech Startup Incubator in Switzerland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/thomson-reuters-launches-fintech-startup-incubator-in-switzerland</link><guid>152</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Thomson Reuters Launches Fintech Startup Incubator in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>Introducing the Insurance Nexus Global Trend Map</title><description><![CDATA[Despite its little-deserved reputation as the sleepy corner of financial services, insurance can be a disorientating industry to work in as Insurers and Insurtechs alike contend not just with cyclical adjustments but massive seismic shifts in the business.
Low interest rates continue to constrain carriers’ investment profits, while, in our globalising and increasingly interconnected societies, risks are becoming trickier to understand and price. Meanwhile, the growth of digital distribution – in financial services and much more broadly – is driving a far-reaching re-evaluation of the insurer-customer relationship. And, as every challenge is also an opportunity, we find Insurtechs and outside-of-industry players waiting on the wings.
29% of (re)insurers report losing market share to new entrants…
With the industry at a crossroads, Insurance Nexus set out to comprehensively map the state of insurance in 2017. After 50 interviews with the industry’s leading influencers and an international survey attracting over 1000 responses, the Insurance Nexus Global Trend Map is finally ready and available to download free of charge.
Get your copy of the Insurance Nexus Global Trend Map here
Contributing to the Trend Map are representatives of fifteen major (re)insurers, brokers, associations, VCs and, of course, Insurtech, with insights from Spiros Margaris, Cindy Forbes, Sabine VanderLinden, Charlotte Halkett, Matthew Josefowicz, Steve Tunstall, Stephen Applebaum and others.

In this brief intro we highlight, through a range of stats, the overarching themes of the Trend Map: low interest rates, the complexification of risk and insurers’ overwhelming move towards customer-centricity.
The majority of carriers have diversified their investment portfolios in the face of low interest rates…
Cutting across all the world’s insurance markets are the low interest rates that have endured since the 2007/8 financial crash. The poor investment climate this creates is forcing carriers to seek higher underwriting margins, which is difficult in today’s soft market where excess competition is putting strong downwards pressure on premiums. This is driving investment into new technologies, such as robotics and analytics, many of which are essential not just for cost-cutting but also to deliver the service levels demanded by today’s ever more demanding customers.
The top three 3rd-party service types for carriers are: Digital Innovation, Analytics and Internet of Things…
On top of adverse market conditions, we also point towards the steady complexification of risk: the world is moving fast for people and businesses alike, hastening us towards a more turbulent, less predictable future. We need look no further than the ballooning global population and the ongoing shift towards megacities to see that the future will bring higher pollution levels, increased political instability and greater movement of people; in these circumstances, existing liability classes will likely become more problematic, with greater accumulation risk.
Commercial currently trails other insurance lines on IoT platform implementation…
The above consideration applies also to global supply chains, which come with numerous points of failure and ample chaos potential. IoT can expedite risk management and mitigation in this field, although it is early days for the technology still.

Providing adequate cover to enterprises is becoming harder, due to the volume of customer data in play and the proliferating attack vectors (especially through IoT). Cyber incidents and data breaches are rising year on year (take this year’s high-profile Wanna Decryptor and Petya ransomware attacks), so Cyber represents a massive, albeit challenging, new product opportunity. At the same time though, insurers must ensure they keep their own shop in order from a security perspective.
75% of carriers are confident they are adequately protecting customer privacy &amp; data security…
As the nature of risk evolves, and the insurance market and interest rates move through their time-honoured cycles, the ground on which carriers fight is changing. This is not all though; the way they fight must change too. If we had to pick, the overriding theme throughout the Trend Map, regardless of the specific topic under discussion, would be: customer-centricity.

Only 45% of (re)insurers believe their organisations are truly customer-centric…
The advent of digital channels has broken what was formerly a captive market wide open, fuelling competition both among incumbents and from new entrants. Especially in the personal lines, insurance customers can easily shop around – and if they don’t like the prices, the products or the services offered by their existing insurer, they can easily churn to another.
Nearly three quarters of insurers have a direct-to-customer offer…
Today’s customers expect strong digital offerings from all their brands, and financial services are no exception. The impact of digital far exceeds raw sales figures given consumers’ widespread use of multiple touchpoints across their research and buying cycle – so, in addition to being available both online and face-to-face, today’s insurers must also be consistent across these channels.
Customer experience (CX) in claims is ‘very important’ for over two thirds of carriers…
Positive customer experience starts with marketing and distribution but encompasses the entire customer journey, from underwriting through to claims and renewals. The stakes are particularly high with claims, where positive customer experiences, regardless of outcome, can count double.
So what insurance paradigm do we see emerging in response to these industry pressures? Broadly speaking, we are moving towards usage-based models wherein client and insurer are ‘risk partners’ and it is in each party’s interest to share as much information with the other as possible, so as to work together proactively to reduce exposures.
32% of insurers have Usage-Based Insurance (UBI) strategies…
Personalisation, especially on price – an area naturally fraught with regulatory hurdles – is as much a part of customer-centricity as consistent, positive experiences across channels, and this all goes together with insurers’ quest for lower-cost operating models. AI, IoT and Blockchain all have roles to play realising this new model.
28% of carriers are using machine-learning/AI…
In addition to covering the ‘megatrends’, the Trend Map addresses functional and technological developments across all the world’s major regions, through a blend of influencer commentary, industry analysis and shareable infographics.
 
The post Introducing the Insurance Nexus Global Trend Map appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/introducing-the-insurance-nexus-global-trend-map</link><guid>151</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/image1.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Introducing the Insurance Nexus Global Trend Map</dc:text></item><item><title>Binäre Optionen: Verbessert mehr Regulierung das Angebot?</title><description><![CDATA[Seit einigen Jahren erfreut sich der Handel mit den sogenannten binären Optionen großer Beliebtheit. Bei diesen Digitaloptionen, wie binäre Optionen ebenfalls bezeichnet werden, handelt es sich um eine Variante der klassischen Optionen, die seit Jahrzehnten im Derivate-Bereich beheimatet sind.
Binären Optionen zeichnen sich insbesondere durch ihre Einfachheit aus, sodass diese Produkte aus dem Fintech Bereich auch für Kleinanleger bzw. spekulativ eingestellte Privatanleger bestens geeignet sind. Eine wichtige Eigenschaft sehen viele Kunden bei den Brokern für binäre Optionen, die den Handel mit digitalen Optionen zur Verfügung stellen, in deren Regulierung.
Werden Binäre Optionen Broker reguliert?
In den Anfängen, als die ersten Binäre-Optionen-Broker am Markt auftraten, wurden die Anbieter selten reguliert. Mittlerweile existieren über 50 dieser Broker am Markt, von denen inzwischen die meisten durch die zuständige Finanzaufsichtsbehörde reguliert werden. Die Lizenzierung und anschließende Regulierung soll dafür sorgen, dass die Broker ein transparentes und &#8220;faires&#8221; Angebot offerieren. Ferner soll vor allem ausgeschlossen werden, dass es sich um unseriöse Methoden handelt, die der Broker gegenüber seinen Kunden anwendet. Die Regulierung eines Brokers ist also letztendlich durchaus ein Sicherheitsmerkmal, weshalb sich nicht wenige Anleger bewusst für einen Broker entscheiden, der reguliert wird. Doch bedeutet stärkere Regulierung gleichzeitig ein verbessertes Angebot?
Stärkere Regulierung führt nicht automatisch zu einem besseren Anbieter
Das Angebot der Binäre-Optionen-Broker ist mittlerweile sehr umfangreich und beinhaltet unter anderem die folgenden Merkmale:

Handelsoberfläche
Kundenservice
Weiterbildungsbereich
Bonus (optional)
Demokonto

Das Angebot setzt sich also aus verschiedenen Leistungsmerkmalen zusammen. Eine stärkere Regulierung der Broker würde zunächst einmal nur bedeuten, dass die Einhaltung bestimmter Vorgaben sowie gesetzlicher Auflagen stärker kontrolliert wird. Diese Regulierungen betreffen allerdings fast ausschließlich eine Informationspflicht seitens des Brokers, beispielsweise, dass der Kunde über mögliche Verlustrisiken aufzuklären ist. Zudem darf der Broker natürlich nicht bewusst falsch abrechnen oder mit undurchsichtigen und intransparent Methoden arbeiten. Eine stärkere Regulierung bedeutet allerdings keineswegs automatisch, dass es sich in der Folge um einen &#8220;besseren&#8221; Broker handelt.
Regulierung wirkt sich nicht auf Angebot und Service-Umfang aus
Auf das Angebot selbst hat die Regulierung im Normalfall keine Auswirkungen. Der Vorteil, den eine stärkere Regulierung hätte, würde darin bestehen, dass die Vertrauenswürdigkeit der Broker steigt. Ob der Broker allerdings beispielsweise ein Demokonto zur Verfügung stellt oder einen kostenlosen Weiterbildungsbereich anbietet, bleibt ihm nach wie vor selbst überlassen.
Regulierung wirkt sich nicht auf Angebot und Service-Umfang aus
Auf das Angebot selbst hat die Regulierung im Normalfall keine Auswirkungen. Der Vorteil, den eine stärkere Regulierung hätte, würde darin bestehen, dass die Vertrauenswürdigkeit der Broker steigt. Ob der Broker allerdings beispielsweise ein Demokonto zur Verfügung stellt oder einen kostenlosen Weiterbildungsbereich anbietet, bleibt ihm nach wie vor selbst überlassen.
Einen Überblick über die Top-Anbieter zeigt ein Test für Binäre Optionen, der die Vorzüge der Anbieter vergleicht. Zudem hat die Transparenz und Seriosität des Brokers auch keine Auswirkung darauf, dass der Handel mit binären Optionen für den Kunden zwar mit einer Chance auf überdurchschnittliche Renditen verbunden ist, aber gleichzeitig das Risiko eines Totalverlustes besteht.
The post Binäre Optionen: Verbessert mehr Regulierung das Angebot? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/binare-optionen-verbessert-mehr-regulierung-das-angebot</link><guid>149</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Binäre Optionen: Verbessert mehr Regulierung das Angebot?</dc:text></item><item><title>Choosing the right trading platform in Forex market</title><description><![CDATA[A lot of traders do not know how to trade in Forex. They get wrong information about the market and they begin to follow the other traders. This is a no place for the inexperienced traders in the financial market.
If you want to trade the market with your own money, you will have to use your brain and mind to make a profit. This is the largest financial market in the world and no trader is simply going to tell you their secret. If you even take education from the professional Forex traders in Switzerland, they will also not tell you everything. This market is of great mystery and you are on your own to solve this. You need to have strong patience and dedication to this industry or else you will quit trading after facing few losing trades. If you want to consider trading as your full-time profession then you also need to find a reliable broker like Saxo and a robust trading platform.
In this scenario, many traders do not know which trading platform to choose for their trades. Different brokers offer different trading platforms to their traders. If you like to trade in met trader but your broker is not offering this popular trading software, there are chances that you will not invest in Forex with that broker.
Our article is going to focus on the different types of Forex trading platform for different types of Forex traders. Some of you might think that finding the perfect trading platform is not necessary as this market is totally unpredictable. But without having the advanced trading tools it will be hard for you to do the perfect technical analysis.
Trading platforms has different bonuses
Not all trading platforms are the same. Do not get the idea that all these trading platforms perform the same role in Forex sector when it comes to managing and planning your strategy and trades in the largest financial and investment market. There are many types of trading platforms in this investment sector and each trading platform specializes in one area.
For example, you will see that some trading software is boasting to be the first to launch their platform with integrated Forex artificial intelligence. Some trading platforms give the traders the past analysis of the market with the live market trend. Some trading platforms also offer you the expected price level of the currency pair in future to help you in taking decisions. But the good thing is that you can easily open a Swiss demo trading account to test each platform. So make sure that you demo trade the market with your new platform and assess its performance thoroughly before getting fully invested with a certain broker.
There are also difference in bonuses
Bonuses mainly depend on your brokers. As your trading platform is given by the broker when you open your account with them, the trading company will give you many bonuses through the brokers. You can get these bonuses from trading platforms. Also, the leverage is not the same in all trading platforms. It varies from platform to platform and broker.
There is also a difference in the last amount of deposit. As you get to know the market, you will get the market idea of different types of trading platforms. But at the end of the day, you are the one who will select the trading platform. So do some extensive study and see whether your trading platform is well equipped with all the advanced charting tools.
Summary: Trading with a robust platform can dramatically improve your winning edge. Most of the professional traders always suggest the new traders find a perfect trading environment before they get fully invested. However, if you are not sure which broker to trade with, then use their demo account to get the taste of their offered service.
The post Choosing the right trading platform in Forex market appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/choosing-the-right-trading-platform-in-forex-market</link><guid>150</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Choosing the right trading platform in Forex market</dc:text></item><item><title>Revolution in Freelancing Job market powered by Blockchain</title><description><![CDATA[A professional group of Austrian programmers and entrepreneurs has launched an attempt at changing the way the job market works on the Internet. Their solution’s name for the problem: Blocklancer – the first Decentralized Autonomous Job Market.
The Blockchain technology has already taken over many parts of today’s financial world and has entangled the minds of many people around the globe. But in order to establish acceptance among the general public, it is in desperate need for a real-world application.
This is where a new Austrian start-up plans to take the steering wheel into their hands. Blocklancer is an attempt to change the current freelancing and online job market ways by utilizing the Blockchain as its foundation and using the advantages this lends for solving the underlying problems of freelancing.
The Benefits of Collectiveness
By using the Blockchain, every entry to the platform will be visible to every participant, and these entries are completely immune to manipulation. Not even the owner of Blocklancer could change the entries in their favor and at the cost of somebody else.
This aspect of the Blockchain is used in order to create trust, on the one hand for the site itself, and on the other hand between clients and freelancers.
But Blocklancer also introduces an innovative and ingenious way of settling disputes. Clients and freelancers can bring forth their disagreements to the token holder tribunal, which – as the name suggests – consists of all the token holders of the platform. This tribunal then decides which of the two parties is right.
This procedure circumvents the need for an in-transparent, single authority figure, which – in theory – could make decisions based on their own personal desires.
Furthermore, the tribunal is authorized to make changes to the platform itself, e. g. the height of the fees – which are, by the way, distributed among the token holders.
As you can see, the platform is not run by a single company, but by the collective of the token holders.
And the aforementioned points are only scratching the surface of what is to come when Blocklancer has its release.

Sparking the Revolution
But when does this project start? At which date is it launched?
The ICO for Blocklancer starts on the 5th August and lasts for one month, until the 5th September. Anybody can invest into this project; a total of 1,000,000,000 Lancer Tokens (LNC) are sold during the ICO at maximum, and for every 10,000,000 LNC sold the price will rise. On top of that, during the first day of the ICO LNCs are sold at a reduced price.
All in all, it is to note that this project is surely an innovative way of using the Blockchain to solve a real-world issue, and hopefully this act of applying these technologies to real problems will catch onto the crypto-community.

The post Revolution in Freelancing Job market powered by Blockchain appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/revolution-in-freelancing-job-market-powered-by-blockchain</link><guid>147</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Revolution in Freelancing Job market powered by Blockchain</dc:text></item><item><title>Infographic: Will 2017 be the year that Blockchain is regulated?</title><description><![CDATA[In an earlier article on the World Economic Forum&#8217;s report (Read here), it&#8217;s mentioned that the WEF advocates a multi-stakeholder approach to govern blockchain and cryptocurrencies. Recognizing the nature of distributed ledgers, stewardship by stakeholders and not a heavy-handed approach is recommended.
Curious of how regulation is going to take shape in Europe going into 2018? Address legal uncertainties and concerns at the 2nd annual Blockchain for Finance Conference Europe.
It is set to be the European meeting point for finance and technology professionals who are working to move blockchain projects from proof-of-concept to full-scale deployment.

The conference will cover the most pressing topics for financial services, and will seek to help enterprises and organizations “move their blockchain projects from hype to prototype.” Topics will also include digital identity on blockchain, blockchain in trade finance, blockchain for cross-border payments, and more.
Register here  and get 100 EUR Discount with Code “FINNEWS100”.
 
Blockchain Regulation Infographic
However, what do regulators worldwide really think? Based on an infographic by Gary Nutall, most countries are adopting a wait-and-see approach. While cautious, there are countries such as the US and Singapore who are proactively seeking use cases for the technology, especially in the public sector. All seem to agree that the potential of blockchain technology to transform economies and industries cannot be ignored.
 
 

 
The post Infographic: Will 2017 be the year that Blockchain is regulated? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/infographic-will-2017-be-the-year-that-blockchain-is-regulated</link><guid>148</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/123.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Infographic: Will 2017 be the year that Blockchain is regulated?</dc:text></item><item><title>Proper Regulation Needed For Fintech To Thrive And Fix Our Financial System</title><description><![CDATA[Fintech has the potential to improve both financial stability and access to services. But for the sector to thrive, there needs to be significant changes in the focus of regulation, according to a new Bank for International Settlements (BIS) Working Paper.
The paper, written by French economist and professor of finance at New York University, Stern School of Business, Thomas Philippon, explores the potential impact of fintech on the finance industry.
Titled &#8220;The Fintech Opportunity,&#8221; the report argues that the current financial system is rather inefficient. Many advanced economies have reached a point where &#8220;&#8216;more finance&#8217; is not helpful.&#8221; Yet, significant welfare gains from improvement in financial services are technologically feasible with the entry of new firms.
Information technologies have benefited the financial and banking sector more than other industries. However, these improvements have not been passed on as lower costs to the end users of financial services.
&#8220;Financial services remain expensive and financial innovations have not delivered significant benefits to consumers,&#8221; the report says.
&#8220;The point is not that finance does not innovate. It does. But these innovations have not improved the overall efficiency of the system.&#8221;
Furthermore, the lack of entry and competition has been an endemic problem in finance in recent decades.
These have fueled the emergence of fintech. Fintech companies leverage digital platforms and cutting-edge technologies to improve access to financial services, provide much cheaper products, and offer solutions that are more appealing to younger, digitally-savvy generations.
&#8220;The key advantage of startups is that they are not held back by existing systems and are willing to make risky choices,&#8221; the report says.
&#8220;Fintech startups have the chance to build the right systems from the start. Moreover, they share a culture of efficient operational design that many incumbents do not have.&#8221;
 
Fintech regulation
Image: Regulation by Nick Youngson via Creative Commons Images
The documents argues that the current regulatory approach is subject to significant political economy and coordination costs, therefore unlikely to deliver much structural change.
It suggests considering an alternative approach to financial regulation that focuses on the idea that encouraging entry and shaping the development of new systems might be the best way to solve the remaining challenges in financial regulations.
This involves focusing on new entrants and taking advantage of the ongoing development of fintech. The main idea would be to achieve bottom-up structural change by encouraging, for instance, firms that provide transaction services without leverage, and trading systems that are cheap, transparent and open-access.
In particular, the document advises the following guidelines for fintech regulation:
Encourage entry and beware of &#8220;a narrow approach to level-playing-field&#8221;: regulators should encourage entry in regions of the financial system where incumbents are entrenched, where entry is difficult, and where change is particularly needed.
Promote low leverage: today&#8217;s new technologies open new possibilities. We can assess the value of many financial assets in real time, and we can settle payments almost instantly. New systems would not need to rely on fixed nominal value deposits like the old system did.
Keep incumbents in check: we need to make sure that incumbents are not large enough to prevent entry. Incumbents will try to acquire fintech firms. They will also try to turn open system such as blockchains into closed ones. It is already happening but should be discouraged. Fintechs need to create new systems to reduce the industry&#8217;s reliance on the old ones.
Perfect is the enemy of good: even in the best-case scenario, fintech is likely to create new issues. Robo-advisor for example does not need to be perfect; it only needs to be better than the current system.
 
Featured image: Fintech, by CafeCredit under CC 2.0, via Flickr.
The post Proper Regulation Needed For Fintech To Thrive And Fix Our Financial System appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/proper-regulation-needed-for-fintech-to-thrive-and-fix-our-financial-system</link><guid>146</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Bank-for-International-Settlement-Fintech-Opportunity-Report-271x300.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Proper Regulation Needed For Fintech To Thrive And Fix Our Financial System</dc:text></item><item><title>Bitconnect Coin (BCC) Hits New All-Time High at $115, as Bitcoin Price Surges</title><description><![CDATA[​​​Throughout last week, during the strong rally of bitcoin, Bitconnect Coin (BCC) gained upward momentum, surpassing the $100 mark for the first time in history and establishing a new all-time high at $115.
According to cryptocurrency market data providers including Coinmarketcap, the trading volume of BCC peaked at $10 million, reaching a market cap of $742 million and a price of $115.
Over the past two weeks, the price of bitcoin continued to reach new highs primarily due to the imminence of the activation of the Bitcoin Core development team’s scaling solution Segregated Witness (SegWit), increasing adoption from institutional investors and rising tension between the US and North Korea, as investors seeked for safe haven assets to protect their wealth from economic uncertainty.
Naturally, as the value of bitcoin increased, BCC followed its upward trend. A rising number of bitcoin traders and users started to demonstrate growing demand towards BCC.
In the upcoming weeks, as adoption from institutional investors continues and large-scale financial institutions including the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) pursue their plans of integrating bitcoin, the value of bitcoin and BCC will likely rise at a consistent rate.
CBOE, the largest US options exchange with an annual trading volume of 1.27 billion contracts, is set to integrate bitcoin within 2017. CBOE CEO Ed Tilley wrote:
“We very much look forward to responding to the growing interest in cryptocurrencies through the creation of bitcoin futures traded on a regulated derivatives exchange, with the many expected benefits that this brings, including transparency, price discovery, deep liquidity and centralized clearing.&#8221;
As liquidity for bitcoin trading and opportunities for major investors rise within the bitcoin sector, leading cryptocurrencies like BCC that offer services related to the main bitcoin blockchain will highly likely see mid-term success.
Already, BCC has evolved into the 12th largest cryptocurrency in the market, surpassing Monero, EOS, Zcash and Waves in market cap. For years, Monero had remained within the top 10 largest cryptocurrencies list and this week, as BCC recorded a historic rise in value, Bitconnect overtook some of the largest cryptocurrencies in existence.
In addition to the rapidly growing value of BCC, it is important to acknowledge the depth of the BCC market. Bitconnect has a substantially high daily trading volume of $9.2 million, which is significantly higher than that of Waves, Lisk, Augur and Golem, prominent cryptocurrencies that have been around for a long period of time.
 
The post Bitconnect Coin (BCC) Hits New All-Time High at $115, as Bitcoin Price Surges appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/bitconnect-coin-bcc-hits-new-all-time-high-at-115-as-bitcoin-price-surges</link><guid>145</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/bitConnect-Chart.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Bitconnect Coin (BCC) Hits New All-Time High at $115, as Bitcoin Price Surges</dc:text></item><item><title>6 New Swiss Fintech Startups to Watch</title><description><![CDATA[The rapid development of fintech around the world is leading to significant shifts in the global financial industry and forcing banks and financial institutions to rethink their growth strategies.
Compared to leading fintech hubs such as London and Silicon Valley, Switzerland is still behind expectations in regards to fintech. Yet, Switzerland&#8217;s financial center offers a promising starting point for fintech ventures, supported by a government that&#8217;s been pushing for financial innovation and new regulations intended to provide more clarity and confidence.
Switzerland&#8217;s fintech startup scene is growing steadily, with now 207 startups tackling various segments such as payments, crowdfunding, data analytics, insurance, and investing, according to Swisscom&#8217;s Swiss Fintech Startup Map.
Today, we look at six new entrants that are worth keeping an eye on. (You can submit your own startup here.
 
Modum
Modum develops systems to improve supply chain processes. The company combines Internet-of-Things sensor devices with blockchain technology to provide data integrity for transactions involving physical goods.
Modum&#8217;s sensors record environmental conditions while the physical products are in shipment. When a change of ownership occurs, the collected data is checked against the specific smart contract in the Ethereum blockchain. This contract validates whether the transaction meets all of the standards promised by the sender to the client and the regulator and then triggers appropriate actions such as notifications to the sender, confirmation of payments or release the goods.
 
PriceHubble
PriceHubble, a proptech startup, leverages Big Data technology to make valuations and predictions, allowing customers to make better-informed real estate decisions. Its technology collects large volumes of multidimensional data to deliver actionable, easy to read and visually appealing insights.
PriceHubble focuses on international real estate markets, and integrates top academic and industry experience in machine learning, computer science, econometrics, mathematics, statistics, financial services and consulting.
 
FirstYou24
FirstYou24, an insurtech startup, has developed the Insurance-Auction-Technology, called I.A.T., which allows it to offer users a unique way of managing their insurance policies and provide the world&#8217;s first auction platform for insurance policies.
The platform lets users administer their insurance policies online and profit from lower insurance policy rates. For insurance firms, it gives them access to new customers.
FirstYou24 is only available in the Swiss market, but plans to expand to Germany and Austria in the near future.
 
Finform
Finform, a joint venture of AXON IVY AG and PostFinance AG, standardizes, industrializes and digitalizes compliance formalities. The company has developed a modularly designed solution to allow clients to use it in all sales channels, for instance front-end, mobile or online. It supports rapid adaptation to new regulatory requirements and technical developments, and allows for uncomplicated custom configuration.
Finform combines software and services to ensure efficient processing. Complex cases which cannot be automated by the Finform application are dealt with by the company&#8217;s specialists in real-time.
 
Carbon Delta
Carbon Delta is an environmental fintech startup that produces equity research focused on identifying and analyzing the climate change resilience of publicly traded companies.
The company has developed a proprietary evaluation system that exposes climate risks in the financial markets, enabling companies to protect assets, optimize performance and reach sustainability goals, while helping investors assess climate risks in their portfolios.
Carbon Delta currently focuses on risks related to regulations, technology, extreme weather, climate trends and the Paris Agreement&#8217;s 2°C target.
 
Tradeplus24
Tradeplus24 provides insurance and receivables financing solutions to the Swiss market.
In particular, the company offers trade credit insurance policy to protect small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) against non-payment of their global invoices. It also provides a finance facility to support SMEs with both working and growth capital.
Tradeplus24&#8217;s loans are backed by SMEs&#8217; invoices and a Basel III compliance non-payment policy provided by the company&#8217;s insurer.
The post 6 New Swiss Fintech Startups to Watch appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/6-new-swiss-fintech-startups-to-watch</link><guid>143</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/niche-player-fintech-switzerland-300x179.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>6 New Swiss Fintech Startups to Watch</dc:text></item><item><title>A Scientific Definition of Fintech</title><description><![CDATA[ Professor Patrick Schueffel from the Institute for Entrepreneurship &amp; Small and Medium Enterprises in Switzerland defines the word Fintech in his article, featured in Volume 4 in the Journal of Innovation Management. The article, which was published last year, attempts a definition, drawing from more than 200 scholarly articles referencing the term over a period of 40 years.
“The term Fintech has been applied in various business contexts, often inconsistently and ambiguously,”
wrote Schueffel.
“But if Fintech is truly meant to be meaningful and comparable, then the methodology and definitions used must be precise and uniform,”
he continued. He added that a definition must be set in order to create a solid foundation for scientific research. Besides, the definition would need to be understood by practitioners and policy makers.
What really is fintech?
Despite the consensus on the major impact that Fintech will have on the financial industry, little academic literature has explored this area. Schueffel wrote that there has been a significant increase in Google searches for the word Fintech in the last five years.
Popularity of Search Term &#8220;Fintech&#8221; on Google
Google receives monthly an average of 201,000 searches worldwide for the term. The term&#8217;s origin can be traced to an early 1990s project  by Citigroup to facilitate technological cooperation efforts. An article published by media outlet American banker mentioned the project by the name Fintech.
Schueffel decided to conduct semantic analysis on the word Fintech. He did a systematic search for all major literature databases related to Management Sciences as well as Economics for all papers published until October 16 last year, using the keyword Fintech.
After analysing the literature, he found that they have claimed Fintech to be a sector or industry, a technology, as well as a type of action, be it a business, a service. It was also described as new, emerging, innovative or disrupting, and enhancing the efficiency of facilitating financial services.
The article concludes that Fintech is indeed a new financial industry that applies technology to improve financial activities. But such a definition itself could have some implications. He noted the term is not all-encompassing and there may be varying definitions of Fintech that are useful depending on the differing circumstances.
Definitions themselves will change over time, too. It was previously applied to the technology of back-end work of financial institutions. Now it Fintech has expanded to include even financial literacy and education and crypto-currencies like bitcoin. It is also limited in its use solely in the English language, when Fintech is a worldwide movement, said Schueffel.
With the shap rise in Fintech, some observers say there may be a bubble coming up. If the bubble were to burst, the technology would still remain and be adopted and turned into a business standard by the financial industry, in a similar vein to what happened in the Dot-com bubble, wrote Schueffel. “A good share of of innovations brought forward by Fintech firms will be aborbed by other players, such as incumbent banks, insurers and software companies and be kept alive,” he noted.
The post A Scientific Definition of Fintech appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/a-scientific-definition-of-fintech</link><guid>141</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/google-trends-fintech.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>A Scientific Definition of Fintech</dc:text></item><item><title>The Evolution of the Bitcoin Economy and Analyzing the Network of Payment Relationships</title><description><![CDATA[Has there been a week in 2017 where you didn’t read, or at least scrolled by, an article on blockchain or Bitcoin and its various potentials for the future? Chances are, you will come across an article today after finishing reading this one.
In its short history the Bitcoin economy has undergone various shifts, in fact, as Tasca, Liu, Hayes analyze in their paper published in June 2016, the Bitcoin economy traversed through three distinct phases, growing from 1,0000 daily transactions in 2011 to 300,000 in 2016. Before delving deeper into their analysis we’d like to advise our readers that for an in-depth look about the de-anonymizations method used, there is no way around actually reading the paper here as this article will focus on the results of the de-anonymization.
But here’s the gist of it: Mapping Bitcoin addresses to identifiable IP addresses as done previously is greatly limited through the easy usage of proxy services, thus the authors have used a cluster method in, which Bitcoin addresses are grouped together if they can be linked to the same entity using the “input address heuristic”. After clustering they have then been labeled into the following categories: exchange, mining pool, online gambling, black market. The analysis thus builds on the Bitcoin network’s pseudonimity, as Nakamoto recognized when writing “[s]ome linking is still unavoidable with multi-input transactions, which necessarily reveal that their inputs were owned by the same owner. The risk is that if the owner of a key is revealed, linking could reveal other transactions that belonged to the same owner”. (Tasca, Liu, Hayes p.4)
So what does the study, using data from January 2009 to May 2015, actually reveal about the Bitcoin economy, its users and patterns?
Unsurprisingly the average volume of transaction differs substantially between each business category, transactions from/to traders to/from exchanges in 20 BTC, while from/to gamblers to/ from gambling services is 0.5 BTC, and from/ to user-dealers to/from black market services is 3 BTC. In addition the study reveals that all users and entities tend to use rounds numbers. Gamblers place bets using 0.1, 0.2. 1.0 BTC in high frequency, similarly as they would do in casino’s, argue Tasca, Liu, and Hayes.
Traders similarly tend to wait until they accumulated an even amount, most commonly 1.0 BTC before selling them at exchanges, just like black market sellers and miners tend to use round amounts. Miners, interestingly most commonly sell their rewards on a daily basis, which could indicate, argue the authors that they “are operating for-profit and are not doing so
in order to accumulate and hoard bitcoins”.
Bitcoin inflows for each business category (Tasca, Liu, Hayes p.23)
The authors then continue by analyzing the evolution and shifts among usage for each business category and find three phases that occurred in the Bitcoin economy.
From January 2009 to March 2012 the “proof-of-concept” period was dominated by miners with very little commercial activity. This period was followed by the “early adopter” phase, or as some might call it “the period of sin” from April 2012 until October 2013. According to the authors’ data “…51% of all transaction inflows on the Bitcoin blockchain” came from gambling and black market businesses. The unique features of Bitcoin, such as its “relative anonymity, lack of regulatory and legal oversight, and borderless transactions… absent from taxation” attracted these types of businesses first. While the Silk Road, the largest black market at the time, raid and shutdown occurred in October 2013, coinciding with the end of “the period of sin”, the authors argue that this event only partially explains the shift because while the “…relative amount of gambling has declined, the absolute amount wagered in dollar terms has risen…”. Instead, Tasca, Liu, and Hayes argue that the increase in value of one Bitcoin significantly affected the drop in gambling as a percentage of overall bitcoin transactions.
Tasca, Liu, Hayes p.35
The third period, in which we currently live, started in November 2013 and is characterized by the maturing of the Bitcoin economy by diversifying into legitimate payments, commerce, and services. This is furthermore supported by looking at VC investments into the Bitcoin space, which has risen from $2 million in 2012 to $95 million in 2013, followed by $361.5 million in 2014, and more than $500 million in 2015.
While the authors acknowledge that more research is needed in regards to the Bitcoin economy, they argue that their results are of interest to not only Bitcoin enthusiast but also finance professionals, and social scientists as well as regulators and policy makers as their results suggest that “…recent concerns regarding the use of bitcoin for illegal transactions at the present time might be overstated,…”.
 
The post The Evolution of the Bitcoin Economy and Analyzing the Network of Payment Relationships appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-evolution-of-the-bitcoin-economy-and-analyzing-the-network-of-payment-relationships</link><guid>142</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/bitcoin-inflow.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>The Evolution of the Bitcoin Economy and Analyzing the Network of Payment Relationships</dc:text></item><item><title>Europe’s Peer-to-Peer Lending Market</title><description><![CDATA[Peer-to-peer (P2P) lending has become a popular alternative to traditional bank loans for both businesses and individuals. The global P2P lending market was valued at US$26 billion in 2015 and is projected to reach US$460 billion by 2022, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 51.5% from 2016 to 2022, according to Research and Markets.
Image by venimo via Shutterstock.com
P2P lending allows companies and individuals to borrow directly from tens, sometimes hundreds, of people who are ready to lend. Lenders often bid for loans by offering an interest rate at which they would lend. Borrowers then accept loan offers at the lowest interest rate. Internet-based platforms are used to match lenders with borrowers.
The P2P lending industry has seen robust growth in developed economies of Europe and North America. The US has the largest P2P lending market in the world followed by Europe.
2016 marked a significant year for Europe&#8217;s online alternative finance market, which demonstrated clear signs of continued strong growth and increased maturation in the sector as a whole.
The European online alternative finance market, including crowdfunding and P2P lending, grew by 92% in 2015 to €5.4 billion, according to a survey conducted by the Cambridge Center for Alternative Finance At the University of Cambridge Judge Business School, in partnership with KPMG and supported by the CME Group Foundation.
The UK dominates the European online alternative finance landscape, representing 81% of the overall market in 2015 with a volume of €4.4 billion. Top P2P lending platforms by volume include Funding Circle, Assetz SME Capital and Folk2Folk for business lending, and Zopa, Rate Setter and Funding Secure for consumer lending, according to data provided by AltFi Data.
 
Continental Europe catching up on P2P lending
According to Jevgenijs Kazanins, CEO of Twino, while the UK still leads the way for alternative finance, Continental European lenders are quickly catching up.
&#8220;We believe that alternative finance will continue to grow quickly in Continental Europe, potentially to the detriment of the UK as the effect of the Brexit vote begins to weigh on the British economy,&#8221; he said.
Image by koya979 via Shutterstock.com
France, Germany and the Netherlands are the top three countries for online alternative finance by market volume in Europe, excluding the UK.
The French market reached €319 million in 2015, followed by Germany with €249 million, the Netherlands with €111 million, Finland (€64 million), Spain (€50 million), Belgium (€37 million) and Italy (€32 million). Nordic countries collectively registered €104 million, and Central and Eastern European countries totaled €89 million.
P2P consumer lending is the largest market segment of alternative finance in Europe with €366 million in 2015. P2P business lending is the second largest segment, collecting €212 million in 2015.
Online alternative business funding increased by 167% year-on-year, with startups and SMEs across Europe raising €536 million. Total debt-based funding for SMEs reached €349 million in 2015 with 156% year-on-year growth, driven largely by the growth of P2P business lending.
Top P2P lending platforms for business lending in Continental Europe include Lendix, a French firm that also serves the Spanish and Italian markets, the Netherlands&#8217; Geldvoorelkaar.nl, and Spain&#8217;s LoanBook Capital.
Leading consumer lending platforms by volume in Continental Europe are Latvia&#8217;s Mintos, Germany&#8217;s Auxmoney and France&#8217;s Younited.
Auxmoney recently joined hands with Europe&#8217;s challenger bank N26. The partnership allows the bank to expand its range of loans on offer, opening up options for the self-employed, freelancers and students.
The loans will range from €1,000 to €25,000 with terms range from 12 to 60 months and interest rates beginning at 3.95% per annum.
N26 is a fully-licensed, mobile-first challenger bank from Germany serving over 300,000 across Europe.
Twino, a P2P lending platform from Latvia, began serving Kazakhstan in July. Kazakhstan is the sixth country listed on the platform, which included the UK, Spain, Russia and Poland.
&#8220;The expansion to Kazakhstan is a hugely important milestone for us and we’re proud to be the first European peer-to-peer platform to expand to Central Asia,&#8221; said Jevgenijs Kazanins, P2P platform lead at Twino.
 
Biggest Lending/Fintech Conference in London
LendIt, one of the largest conferences series dedicated to connecting the global online lending and fintech communities, is coming to London on October 09 and 10, 2017 for an event that is expected to gather over 1,000 participants, 500 companies and 150 investors from all around the world.
This year’s conference will cover the hottest topics in the fintech industry from blockchain technology and insurtech, to digital banking and more. Confirmed speakers include representatives from Zopa, IBM, UBS Smartwealth, RateSetter, Microsoft, and more.
The event will also feature the PitchIt startup competition, which will allow startups from across EMEA to present their solution in front of the LendIt audience of international investors and industry leaders.
Get 15% Discount with Code “FNSwitzerlandVIP”. Register here!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Featured image by Julia Tim via Shutterstock.com.
The post Europe&#8217;s Peer-to-Peer Lending Market appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/europes-peer-to-peer-lending-market</link><guid>140</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/P2P-lending-in-Europe-300x169.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>Europe’s Peer-to-Peer Lending Market</dc:text></item><item><title>Aduno Gruppe übernimmt Mehrheit an Contovista</title><description><![CDATA[Die auf bargeldloses Bezahlen spezialisierte Aduno Gruppe übernimmt die Mehrheit an Contovista.
Nach der erfolgreichen Lancierung der PFM-Lösung 2015 und der damals erfolgten Beteiligung von 14 Prozent, übernimmt die Aduno Gruppe nun mit 70 Prozent die Mehrheit.
30 Prozent von Contovista bleiben im Besitz der Gründungsaktionäre, welche auch weiterhin für das operative Geschäft verantwortlich bleiben.
Über den Kaufpreis wurde Stillschweigen vereinbart. Martin Huldi, CEO der Aduno Gruppe:
«Die Digitalisierung erfasst die gesamte Finanzbranche und gewinnt laufend an Bedeutung. Mit innovativen Produkten und Dienstleistungen entwickeln wir unser Geschäftsmodell weiter und wollen eine Vorreiterrolle einnehmen. Zusammen mit starken Partnern wie Contovista schaffen wir echten Mehrwert für unsere Partnerbanken und Kunden. Wir haben Freude an der hervorragenden und fruchtbringenden Zusammenarbeit mit Contovista, die wir noch weiter vertiefen konnten.»
Contovista bietet mit Data Analytics intelligente Lösungen, die sich vollständig in bestehende E-Banking und deren mobile Systeme eingliedern lassen. Dadurch lässt sich ein einheitliches Kundenerlebnis sicherstellen.
 
Firma wird weiter als Start-up geführt
Das Schweizer FinTech Start-up Contovista AG ist spezialisiert auf die Auswertung und Visualisierung von Finanzdaten. Das 2013 gegründete Unternehmen entwickelt Technologien und Algorithmen zur Analyse grosser und unstrukturierter Datenmengen. Contovista eröffnet der Finanzindustrie damit umfassende Möglichkeiten im Bereich des Personal Finance Managements, Business Finance Managements und Data Analytics. Finanzinstitute können die Lösungen von Contovista einfach in ihre bestehenden Bankapplikationen integrieren und dadurch kanalübergreifend innovative Produkte und Dienstleistungen anbieten.
Als FinTech-Start-up, welches sich in der Schweiz mit 18 Banken als Kunden als Spezialistin für Data Driven Banking etabliert hat, konnte Contovista seine Lösung bereits bei sieben namhaften Schweizer Banken aufschalten, weitere folgen laufend.
Gian Reto à Porta, Mitgründer und CEO von Contovista AG:
«Wir freuen uns sehr, die bestehende enge Zusammenarbeit mit der Aduno Gruppe weiter zu vertiefen. Wir haben mit ihr eine Partnerin erhalten, die sowohl die dynamische Umgebung einer Softwarefirma kennt, als auch mit der Komplexität der Bankindustrie umzugehen weiss. Unsere Agilität und Innovationskraft als Start-up können wir im Markt weiterhin nutzen und unsere Produkte somit rasch neuen Kundenbedürfnissen anpassen.»
Martin Huldi, CEO der Aduno Gruppe, wird neu Verwaltungsratspräsident von Contovista, während Daniel Anders, Chief Operations Officer, im Verwaltungsrat von Contovista Einsitz nimmt. Roland Zwyssig, Chief Marketing Officer der Aduno Gruppe, war bereits seit 2016 Verwaltungsratsmitglied von Contovista. Weiterhin im Verwaltungsrat vertreten bleiben die Gründer Gian Reto à Porta und Nicolas Cepeda.
 
Business Angels verkaufen ihre Anteile
Die Angel Investoren Dr. Thomas Dübendorfer, Luzius Meisser und Myke Näf verkaufen ihre Anteile an die Aduno Gruppe. Thomas Dübendorfer, Präsident vom Swiss ICT Investor Club, freut sich über diese Transaktion mit Signalwirkung: «Der Aufbau und Verkauf des Schweizer Start-ups Contovista innert nur vier Jahren, stärkt nicht nur die Innovationskraft der Banken.
Es beweist auch, dass Angel Investoren als Risikokapitalgeber mit ihrem Netzwerk und ihrer Erfahrung für den schnellen Erfolg eines Start-ups eine Schlüsselrolle wahrnehmen können. Damit das Start-up-Investoren-Oekosystem in der Schweiz schneller wachsen kann, brauchen wir mehr Leute, die bereit sind, als Angel Investoren top motivierten Unternehmern zu helfen, die nachhaltig Wert schaffen und auch den Angel Investoren einen guten Exit ermöglichen.»
Nach dem Verkauf von Dealmarket and Drooms (siehe hier) ist dies ein weiterer Exit in der Schweizer Fintech Szene. Sowohl Contovista also auch Dealmarket wurde von Fintechnews.ch im 2016 in die Top 30 Fintech Startup Liste gewählt.
The post Aduno Gruppe übernimmt Mehrheit an Contovista appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/aduno-gruppe-ubernimmt-mehrheit-an-contovista</link><guid>139</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/7-300x300.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Aduno Gruppe übernimmt Mehrheit an Contovista</dc:text></item><item><title>Top 13 Fintech Startups From Austria</title><description><![CDATA[Fintech has become a true global phenomenon, attracting US$17.4 billion in venture capital in 2016, an 11% increase compared to 2015, according to data provided by PitchBook.
While China, the US and the UK remain the clear leaders in the field, other unexpected countries are seeing their domestic fintech sector rapidly grow.
In Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), Austria is home to very successful fintech ventures. Some are already global leaders in their field of expertise, while others have just begun expanding to other parts of Europe.
Today, we look at some of Austria&#8217;s hottest fintech startups.
Wikifolio
Wikifolio is a leading social trading platform with the goal of &#8220;democratizing&#8221; the investment business that brings together traders and individual investors.
All registered users can compare themselves with others and are provided with access to financial data in real-time. At the same time, they can identify and follow the best investors.
Traders can turn their wikifolios into financial products listed on the Stock Exchange. So far, the solution is only available in DACH-region (Austria, Germany and Switzerland) countries. Over 10,000 wikifolios are available to customers.
 
Baningo
Founded in 2015, Baningo is a Vienna-based fintech startup that offers a browser for finding online banking advisers.
For bank advisors, Baningo provides a completely new sales-pipeline. All advisers have a profile outlining their competencies, expertise, previous career and availability. Customers can filter the database by location, bank, area of expertise and language.
Current partners of Baningo include Bank Austria, Raiffeisen, WSK Bank and Oberbank.
 
PredictR
PredictR is a consumer financial forecasting platform. The solution turns personal transaction lists into cash flow forecasts and lets users explore their &#8220;financial future&#8221; in interactive graphs.
Users can create specific events in the future to investigate their implication on personal cash flow.
PredictR is a product of Mantigma GmbH, predictive analytics and software development company based in Vienna.
 
Cashpresso
Cashpresso works like the overdraft on a bank account. Once users register, they gain access to as much as €1,500 and there are no fixed costs or fees. The company only charges an interest rate of 9.99% on the amount users actually borrow, and users can choose among various repayment models.
Cashpresso is a brand of Credi2 GmbH, a fintech startup founded in 2015. It serves customers with German and Austrian nationalities.
Cashpresso is a partner of Deutsche Handelsbank, a fully licensed German bank.
 
Coinfinity
Coinfinity is a Bitcoin and cryptocurrency startup based in Graz, Austria. Coinfinity creates products and solutions around Bitcoin and operates Austria’s first Bitcoin ATM.
With Bitcoinbon, Coinfinity provides a way to quickly and securely purchase Bitcoin in more than 600 retail outlets throughout Austria. Coinfinity also offers consulting services and helps merchants accept Bitcoin payments.
 
Conda
Conda is Austria&#8217;s largest crowdinvesting platform. It has attracted EUR 8.47 million in invested capital to date and claims to have successfully funded 42 projects.
On Conda, investors can allocate amounts starting from EUR 100 to support businesses of their choice that are currently seeking funds.
In return, investors receive the right to future dividends and can also become entitled to additional bonuses from startups such as gifts, discounts and special offers.
 
NF Innova
Headquartered in Vienna, NF Innova is a software company specializing in omni-channel customer interactions products.
NF Innova provides banking clients with iBanking, an interactive banking online portal. In addition to improved financial modules and integration with heterogeneous systems, iBanking enables data collection and analysis for the purpose of quality reporting and use in marketing campaigns.
The information display is adaptable to customer preferences, segments and the channels used, and the app design can be adapted to the bank&#8217;s corporate standards.
Key clients of NF Innova include Raiffeisen Bank, Societe Generale and Banca Intesa Sanpaolo.
 
L&#8217;amie Direkt
Founded in 2015, L&#8217;amie Direkt is the first 100% online direct insurance provider in Austria, offering Atomversicherung (insurance against nuclear accidents) as well as home and household insurance products.
Besides offering insurance products, the startup also offers free consultation for those who are facing issues with their premium collection from other companies.
L&#8217;amie Direkt maintains a blog with tips on how to act in cases of emergency, natural catastrophes and other insurance-due situations.
 
kWallet
kWallet combines a digital wallet with loyalty card storage. Mobile payments are processed using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). The app offers bonus features, such as the collection of kPoints, which can be redeemed against gifts, and a special functionality for tipping at restaurants.
Customers can protect access to kWallet with Touch ID (fingerprint recognition) or with a five-digit kWallet code.
kRegister, the kWallet application for merchants, aims to complement Apple Pay, Google Wallet, SAMSUNG Pay and kWallet, by enabling businesses to accept payments from mobile wallets without the need of any additional hardware.
 
Smart Engine
Founded in 2011, Smart Engine provides digital loyalty marketing solutions for banks and financial services firms.
The Smart Engine loyalty platform is based on a mobile strategy that aims to drive card spend, boosts card usage and increases card income. It securely analyses and matches data from the sources given by the loyalty program owner such as a bank, financial services company or merchant, to create relevant offers
The platform allows clients to attract new customers, build up long-term customer relationships, and improve customer experience.
 
Blue Code
Blue Code, previously known as Veropay, facilitates mobile payments with a smartphone using a barcode that is accessed in a dedicated app.
The payment method is available to all customers, regardless of their banking services provider, but Erste Bank and its Sparkassen have recently become the solution’s strategic partners.
Blue Code is steadily expanding its acceptance network and is currently available at over 4,500 outlets and partnered businesses, 18,000 cash registers at various retailers spread across Austria, and covers approximately 80% of the country&#8217;s food retailers.
 
DaoPay
Founded in 2012 and based in Vienna, DaoPay is payment solution provider for online payments.
Daopay operates in more than 70 countries and its services are used by online games and social media platforms, amongst others.
With DaoPay consumers can pay for goods and digital content online using a variety of payments methods including mobile payments, SEPA, SOFORT Banking, VISA, MasterCard, Paysafecard, iDEAL, Przelewy24 and PayPal.
 
Kompany
Founded in 2012, Kompany is a leading regtech firm that provides real-time access to official and authoritative commercial register information, including company filings covering more than 100 million companies in 150+ jurisdictions.
Its proprietary core engine ARTSS (Adaptive Real-Time Semantic Search) connects government registers and other KYC &amp; AML sources.
Kompany currently serves 35,000 business customers from over 100 countries, including large international banking groups, Eurozone central banks as well as the &#8220;Big 4&#8221; consulting firms.
The post Top 13 Fintech Startups From Austria appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/top-13-fintech-startups-from-austria</link><guid>137</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/baningo-300x65.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Top 13 Fintech Startups From Austria</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech in Iran: An Overview</title><description><![CDATA[Fintech is gaining steam in Iran as the country&#8217;s central bank, financial institutions and government agencies are taking steps to make Tehran a regional hub for financial innovation.
This comes as part of the Iran Vision 2025, which seeks to turn Iran into a developed country by 2025, as well as &#8220;the first economic, scientific and technological power of the region.&#8221;
As part of the plan, the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) has proposed its 2025 Roadmap which aims for the development of a strong future for the banking system. The roadmap is set to define an appropriate role for fintech companies in the Iranian banking system, including a separate regulatory body for monitoring and supporting innovative services.
 
Fintech events in Iran
Several fintech events have been organized in Iran in recent months, including the Fintech Festival sponsored by Bank Pasargad Iran earlier this year. The bank also held the Second Fintech Trig-Up during the festival wherein 45 experts help startups develop their ideas.
In April, the four-day FINEX 2017 exhibition gathered more than 250 Iranian entities from the banking and financial sector. In a speech at the event, Iran&#8217;s vice president for science and technology Sorena Sattari, urged authorities to move from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-based economy adding that it would be a “strategic mistake” if authorities keep relying on oil and gas as a major source of revenue. “We need to adopt an entirely new culture in the financing industry to make startups and tech companies grow,” he said, as quoted by Al-Monitor.
At the event, a hall for emerging fintech companies called Finstars 2017, was set up to connect tech-based startups with investors. It gathered some 70 fintech startups and 22 investors.
In February, Bank Ansar and Tosan Company hosted 25 startups, giving them 5 minutes each to present their ideas and take part in Tosan Innovation Challenge. Among the most notable startups, Chakad and Trade Off introduced innovative blockchain-based solutions. Chakad allows users to issue checks, and Trade Off is a platform for peer-to-peer transactions based on blockchain technology.
Other startups included IP Way, a forex wallet, PBS Wealth 360, a wealth management application, Sharif Disrupter, a platform for assessing loan applicants’ behavior, and Mandeg, a personal finance app, according to a report by the Financial Tribune.
Urs Bolt a Swiss Fintech expert and advisor added: &#8220;The vibrant Fintech Community in Iran helps democratising banking, financing and investing&#8221;.
Fintech Iran regulation underway
Image credit: Central Bank of Iran, Tehran, by Ensie &amp; Matthias, via Flickr
The CBI is planning to launch a new regulatory body specifically for fintech firms. The authority has also been working on a regulatory framework for fintech companies since 2015.
&#8220;We are planning to develop an ecosystem to authorize the operation of financial startups and fintech firms,” said Ali Kermanshah, the director of CBI’s Office for Innovative Technologies, as quoted by the Financial Tribune.
&#8220;A heavy project is underway at CBI. A safe and healthy environment would lower risks for innovators and fintech firms, and result in their development. [&#8230;] Redefining regulations to make them more efficient and launching a new body to watch innovative firms’ operations are key challenges for CBI.&#8221;
 
Iranian fintech association launched
In March, a group of Iranian fintech companies joined hands to form an association representing the industry. Called Fintech A, the organization is set to bring industry players under one roof, mainly to find a solution to their problems and boost innovators&#8217; relations with regulatory bodies.
Online payment services provider ZarinPal, peer-to-peer payment app Bahamta, online invoicing service Hesabit, money transfer service PayPing and crowdfunding platform Mehrabane are among founding members of the association.
Mostafa Amiri, the founder of ZarinPal, said they are ready to negotiate with regulators.
&#8220;We need to form a unique voice today, otherwise we would lose the market to foreigners once they enter the Iranian market,&#8221; he said. &#8220;It is our task to come up with solutions for meeting regulators’ concerns and prevent inefficient regulations.&#8221;
 
Featured image: Aerial View of Tehran and Tochal, Wikimedia.
The post Fintech in Iran: An Overview appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-in-iran-an-overview</link><guid>138</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Finstars-Iran-300x124.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech in Iran: An Overview</dc:text></item><item><title>Was nützen Crowdlending-Kredite im Wertschriftenportfolio?</title><description><![CDATA[Wir werden oft gefragt, wie  Peer to Peer Lending Kredite in ein Wertschriftenportfolio passen. Deshalb möchte ich dazu eine Orientierungshilfe geben.

Traditionellerweise wird ein Wertschriftenportfolio auf die drei Anlageklassen Geldmarkt, Anleihen und Aktien verteilt. Die Gewichtung dieser drei Klassen hängt von der Risikofähigkeit und dem Risikoappetit des Anlegers ab. Je risikofähiger und -williger er ist, desto höher wird in der Regel die Aktienquote.
 
Alternative Anlagen locken Anleger an
In den vergangenen Jahren wurde es wegen der immer tieferen Zinsen zunehmend schwieriger, am Geldmarkt und bei Anleihen Investitionsmöglichkeiten mit einer ansprechenden positiven Rendite zu finden. Deshalb erhalten diverse Alternative Anlageklassen zunehmend mehr Aufmerksamkeit. Ihr strategisches Ziel ist eine positive Rendite, während die Risiken möglichst tief und in geringer Korrelation zum Kapitalmarkt sein sollen.  Zu den bekanntesten Alternativen Anlageklassen gehören Hedge Fonds, Private Debt und Private Equity.
Die UBS empfiehlt bis zu 20 Prozent der Financial Assets in Alternativen Investments zu platzieren. Laut Studien des Vermögensverwalters Blackrock können Alternative Anlagen zur Stabilisierung im Portfolio beitragen. Sie sind eine von den Kapitalmärkten vergleichsweise unabhängige Renditequelle und können eine langfristige Outperformance erzielen. Allerdings sind die meisten Produkte nur wenig transparent und ihre Kosten vergleichsweise hoch. Trotz ihrer grundsätzlich interessanten Eigenschaften meiden viele Anleger deshalb Alternative Anlagen.
 
Einfache Struktur, tiefe Kosten, feste Zinsen
Die Kredite von swisspeers sind in diesem Sinne “Private Debt” und gehören damit zu den Alternativen Anlagen. Sie sind jedoch kein verschachteltes Finanzprodukt, sondern haben eine einfache und transparente Struktur. Sie sind ein Kreditprodukt mit mittlerer Laufzeit. Dadurch bieten sie Anlegern eine besonders vorteilhafte Kombination von Eigenschaften in der Anlageklasse Private Debt:


Einfaches Kreditprodukt.
Regelmässiger, stabiler Zinsertrag.
Tiefe Kosten.
Die Kreditnehmer sind oft Inhabergeführte KMU, die mit einer anderen langfristigen Optik agieren als angestellte Manager.
Tiefe Korrelation zu den Finanzmärkten, da in der Regel weder Kunden noch Lieferanten direkt am Geld- und Kapitalmarkt teilnehmen.
Vollständige Transparenz der Konstruktion und Eigentümerstruktur.
Kein Fremdwährungsrisiko.
Die eingegangenen Kredit- und Zinsrisiken werden mit einem attraktiven Coupon entschädigt.

Fazit: Wertschriftenportfolio mit “Private Debt” anreichern
Damit darf man swisspeers-Kredite als eine neue Möglichkeit betrachten, im Bereich Private Debt zu investieren. Anleger können von den interessanten Eigenschaften dieser Alternativen Anlageklasse profitieren, ohne unbekannte und teure Vehikel kaufen zu müssen. Wegen ihrer relativ tiefen Korrelation zu den traditionellen Finanzmarktanlagen wie Aktien oder Anleihen fördert bereits ein erste Tranche swisspeers-Kredite die risikostreuende Diversifikation im Wertschriftenportfolio. Man kann sein Portfolio deshalb auch schrittweise mit swisspeers-Kredittranchen ausbauen.

Dieser Beitrag erschien zuerst auf dem Swisspeers Blog
The post Was nützen Crowdlending-Kredite im Wertschriftenportfolio? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/was-nutzen-crowdlending-kredite-im-wertschriftenportfolio</link><guid>136</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://blog.swisspeers.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Investitionsplan-296x300.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Was nützen Crowdlending-Kredite im Wertschriftenportfolio?</dc:text></item><item><title>WEF Blockchain Report: Multi-Stakeholder Approach is the Best Way to govern Blockchain</title><description><![CDATA[The World Economic Forum (WEF) said governing blockchain appropriately will bring out its best qualities. It compares the blockchain era to the first era of the Internet.
The blockchain era should not be governed by nation states, state-based institutions or corporations, said the WEF in a white paper titled Realizing the Potential of Blockchain A Multi-stakeholder Approach to the Stewardship of Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies. Blockchain needs to be governed through a multi-stakeholder approach using what the WEF calls “global governance networks” &#8211; a concept developed in its previous programme investigating multi-stakeholder networks for global problem-solving.
Blockchain should be governed by an open network of stakeholders so as to develop it to its fullest and most inclusive, said WEF.
WEF notes that the genius of distributed ledgers is that the technology (and everything that happens with it) is and must be distributed. Power is distributed. Heavy-handed government intervention would kill this embryonic technology in its egg, it adds.
Seven types of networks that can govern blockchain
The WEF discusses seven types of networks that operate by consensus, that could govern blockchain effectively. They are:
Standards networks, such as the Internet Engineering Task Force, who spearhead technical specifications and standards, the building blocks of the product, and infrastructure development that leads to mass adoption.
Knowledge networks, such as the IIntternet Research Task Force. The primary function of knowledge networks is to conduct research and develop new ideas that can help solve global problems
Delivery networks, such as the International Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. This class of networks actually delivers the change it seeks, supplementing or even bypassing the efforts of traditional institutions.
Policy networks, such as the Internet Policy Research Initiative at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which works with technologists and policy-makers to increase the integrity of interconnected digital systems. These networks support policy development or seek alternatives for policy, whether governments support them or not. The goal is to inform, if not shape, the policy-making process of corporations and governments so that it is more transparent, shared and inclusive.
Advocacy networks, such as the Alliance for Affordable Internet. Advocacy networks seek to change the agenda or policies of governments, corporations and other institutions.
Watchdog networks, such as the Electronic Freedom Forum. These networks scrutinise organisations to ensure that they behave appropriately. Topics range from human rights, corruption and the environment, to financial services and commercial practices. In the process, they drive public debate, boost transparency and ignite movements for change.
Networked institutions, such as the World Economic Forum. Some networks provide such a wide range of capabilities that we describe them as “networked institutions”. They are not state-based but true multi-stakeholder networks. The value they generate can range from knowledge, advocacy and policy to the actual delivery of solutions.
Stewardship, not top down regulation
By governance, the WEF means stewardship, which involves collaborating, identifying common interests and creating incentives to act on them, not government, regulation or topdown control.  There are governance needs at three levels: blockchain platforms (such as Bitcoin and virtual currency exchanges), application and the ecosystem as a whole. Unlike the internet of information, which is a vast network of similar networks, this internet of value requires stewardship at not just one level but three.
The eight stakeholders in the WEF ecosystem are innovators, venture capitalists, banks and financial services, developers, academics, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), government bodies, and users or citizens.
The WEF also urges stakeholders in the space to harmonise their activities, such as to codify their common ground through standards networks, as well welcome stakeholders with radically diverse views of what needs to be done through networked institutions.
The post WEF Blockchain Report: Multi-Stakeholder Approach is the Best Way to govern Blockchain appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/wef-blockchain-report-multi-stakeholder-approach-is-the-best-way-to-govern-blockchain</link><guid>135</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/the-big-bitcoins-short-300x225.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>WEF Blockchain Report: Multi-Stakeholder Approach is the Best Way to govern Blockchain</dc:text></item><item><title>Blockchain in Capital Markets: What Has Been Done So Far</title><description><![CDATA[The success of blockchain, the technology underlying Bitcoin, has grown each year as angel investors, VCs and banks continue to inject millions in investments to fuel the development of systems based on blockchain, attracted by the technology&#8217;s potential to streamline processes, cut out intermediaries and significantly reduce operational costs across various industries.
Around the world, financial institutions, corporations and government agencies have begun either deploying blockchain solutions or exploring the use of the technology in various applications and areas, ranging from diamond supply chain tracking, governmental land title recording, to cross-border payments, and securities clearing and settlement.
According to Goldman Sachs Investment Research, the implementation of blockchain technology could streamline the clearing and settlement of cash securities, saving capital markets US$2 billion in the US alone and US$6 billion globally on an annual basis.
 
Blockchain in capital markets
Chart via Pixabay
Capital markets, the markets for buying and selling equity and debt instruments, have developed complex global network of interconnected banks and intermediaries that enable the vast global flow of capital across borders.
Each transaction passes through multiple intermediaries, each maintaining their own data silos. This process results in the duplication of data entry, unnecessary reconciliation errors, inefficient use of capital and delays to settlement, costing money and creating greater risk.
Blockchain has the potential to radically address these issues, eliminating intermediaries as well as reducing settlement times, says PwC, and can be applied to different use cases, ranging from securities settlements to syndicated loans, derivatives valuations to confirmations.
For settlements, blockchain can cut out intermediaries and provide a trusted and shared view of permissioned data, enabling reduced costs, faster settlements, increased resilience and improved transparency.
For collateral management, blockchain can solve new collateral requirements, eliminate operational complexity and costs, and increase flexibility.
For confirmations, a smart contract on a blockchain can automate confirmed lifecycle contracts, enabling increased trust and transparency, reduced costs, reduced operational risk, and enable better measurement of contingent risk.
 
What has been done so far
Image via Pixabay
The capital markets sector has taken real notice of blockchain.
In Switzerland, post-trade infrastructure operator SIX Securities Services has teamed up with distributed ledger technology developer Digital Asset, to develop a proof-of-concept to demonstrate the commercial viability of blockchain technology across the Swiss financial market.
An initial prototype for securities lifecycle processing is currently being developed but the two firms are also planning to formulate a roadmap for future opportunities spanning the whole market infrastructure value chain.
SIX and Distributed Leger / First real blockchain transaction in fund distribution
 The long-term goal here is for SIX Securities Services to develop and deploy a distributed ledger-based solution covering the entire bond lifecycle, from issuance to settlement.
Thomas Zeeb, SIX Securities Services&#8217; division CEO said that &#8220;distributed ledger technology and its potential role in post trading is key to our business.&#8221;
&#8220;We need to understand it, and more importantly, its applicability and future flexibility in order to keep ahead of the game.&#8221;
In Luxembourg, KPMG, Fundsquare, a subsidiary of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, and InTech, teamed up to develop and deploy a blockchain-powered platform for fund managers.
Called FundsDLT, the platform enables asset managers to sell funds directly to investors, thereby significantly reducing the cost of administration and the time needed to process transactions.
&#8220;We believe these are the first fund sales using a blockchain-based platform, which were carried out in the world&#8217;s second largest market for net assets under management,&#8221; said Eamonn Maguire, global leader for KPMG&#8217;s Digital Ledger Services.
&#8220;It is a major breakthrough in validating blockchain as a technology to enable funds trading and has the potential to reshape the investment industry, bringing important commercial benefits to industry participants.&#8221;
Government Bond / Schuldscheine and Credit Default Swaps
In January, Commonwealth Bank of Australia claimed a world-first, announcing it had issued the first-ever government bond using blockchain. The bank said its capital markets blockchain platform was used to arrange a &#8220;virtual cryptobond&#8221; for Queensland Treasury Corporation. The firm was able to use blockchain to generate a bond tender, view investor bids in real time, finalize investment allocation and settle instantly with investors, the bank said.
At the end of June, German car manufacturer Daimler floated part of its €100 million (US$114.1 million) German bond (Schuldschein) using blockchain technology. The pilot project was among the first of its kind, the company told the Wall Street Journal.
American post-trade provider the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation (DTCC) said earlier this year that it will use blockchain technology to rebuild its platform that processes US$11 trillion worth of credit default swaps.
IBM Corp. and blockchain startups Axoni and R3 CEV have been selected to work on the project which kicked-off in January. DTCC expects the new blockchain-enabled Trade Information Warehouse (TIW) to go live in early 2018.
European blockchain startup BlockEx is developing a digital asset issuance platform with an aim to issue the first blockchain-powered bond.
The bond platform enables issued to create smart contracts that specify coupons, payment dates and maturities, with the flexibility to create real-friendly payout structures such as monthly or even daily coupons.
A full lifecycle platform, it aims to settle trades within 30 seconds and leaves a secondary market that generates an indelible history of buying and selling activity using distributed ledger technology.
BlockEx hopes to become a leading exchange for the issuance of digital assets including bonds, equities and syndicated loans.
In June, BlockEx announced that it has been selected for the UK Financial Conduct Authority&#8217;s Regulatory Sandbox cohort 2. The startup will be testing its blockchain-based products and services within the authority&#8217;s sandbox with an aim to reduce time-to-market at potentially lower cost, develop appropriate consumer protection safeguards built into new products and services, and create better access to finance.
Blockchain Finance Event in Dublin
All those topic will be discussed on a blockchain for finance summit to be held in October in Dublin. Fintechnews user will get 100EUR Discount when using the Code &#8220;FINEWS100&#8221;. Check out the program here . Register before August 11th and safe an additional 600EUR.
Featured image: Blockchain via Wikimedia Commons.
The post Blockchain in Capital Markets: What Has Been Done So Far appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/blockchain-in-capital-markets-what-has-been-done-so-far</link><guid>133</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Blockchain-capital-markets-1-300x225.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Blockchain in Capital Markets: What Has Been Done So Far</dc:text></item><item><title>Private Banking and Wealth Management are still stuck in the past</title><description><![CDATA[Wealth management has now reached a point where a mind shift has become essential, as the gap between profitability and market share has widened to unsustainable levels, said Deloitte.
In its report Innovation in Private Banking and Wealth Management: Embracing the Business Model Change, it noted that he profitability of European Wealth Managers has been in constant decline in recent years, with profit margins falling by 40 percent between 2000 and 2015.
It pointed out that in 2015, the indices for market volume and wealth managers’ profitability have diverged by more than 100 percentage points from their individual levels of 2000 indicating that a low point for wealth management had been reached.
This calls for a dramatic shift in business strategy for the wealth management and private banking businesses. “Wealth managers are failing more and more to serve clients successfully with their existing business models of an integration value chain,” said the report.
During the same period, the market size for private banking measured by the bankable assets of European millionaire households has grown by more than 60 percent, noted Deloitte.
This increasing gap between profitability and market size shows that wealth managers are failing more and more to serve clients successfully with their existing business models of an integrated value chain. This suggests that the industry is facing an innovation gap, since industrialisation and M&amp;A – the other two main strategic growth levers – have already been employed for years.
More adoption of innovation needed.
Innovations can be found today in the wealth management industry. Deloitte found that  an increasing number of FinTechs active in wealth management, at a 300 percent increase in in the past three years is disrupting traditional industry structures. It also found that millennials will form 50 percent of the global workforce by 2020, creating demographic change.
Deloitte noted that most innovations are a response to existing business challenges, and far fewer exploit opportunities to create value in a new way. Wealth managers are mainly digitising their traditional business model to reduce their cost base; and FinTechs are either offering digital solutions to support wealth managers or are providing digital offerings to compete for digitally-aware private clients.
Deloitte concluded that the innovation efforts of wealth managers are therefore concerned mainly with industrialisation efforts. Fintechs, on the other hand, are focusing on disruption.
“Neither are focusing on innovation to embrace a change of the wealth management business model,”
it said.
What kind of innovation will change wealth management for good?
Currently, innovation efforts in wealth management concentrate mainly on digitising processes and structures in the existing business model.
Instead, wealth managers could exploit innovation opportunities in a more transformational way by re-designing instead of reorganising their infrastructure (e.g., through Cloud Computing, Open APIs, Orchestrating), deepening their understanding of client needs (e.g., through Social Listening, Instant Client Feedback), identifying new sources of revenue (e.g., supplementary Client Care Services, Digital Security Services) and refreshing their brand (e.g., through Sub-branding, Ingredient Branding).
Deloitte urges wealth managers to be open to the new realities of today’s world and the future, by monitoring trends and their implications, and recognising the urgency and importance of innovation.
This requires leadership to be onboard. It further noted that  innovations should be managed as a portfolio, supported by and rewarding the appropriate talent according to their contributions.
The post Private Banking and Wealth Management are still stuck in the past appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/private-banking-and-wealth-management-are-still-stuck-in-the-past</link><guid>132</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/profitability-of-wealth-managers-1024x851.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Private Banking and Wealth Management are still stuck in the past</dc:text></item><item><title>3 Fintech Conferences in Europe to Attend</title><description><![CDATA[The massive growth of the fintech industry has been matched by the rapid increase in the number of international conferences.
Below, we&#8217;ve listed three upcoming fintech events and conferences in Europe that anyone in the financial services should attend in order to keep with the burgeoning sector.
Fintechnews readers will get for all this events generous discounts.
 
Blockchain for Finance Conference Europe 2017
October 03-04, 2017
Dublin, Ireland
The 2nd annual Blockchain for Finance Conference Europe is set to be the European meeting point for finance and technology professionals who are working to move blockchain projects from proof-of-concept to full-scale deployment.
The conference will cover the most pressing topics for financial services, and will seek to help enterprises and organizations &#8220;move their blockchain projects from hype to prototype.&#8221; Topics will include digital identity on blockchain, blockchain in trade finance, blockchain for cross-border payments, and more.
Speakers will include representatives from the likes of Deloitte, Barclays, State Street, Credit Suisse and Fidelity, but also blockchain startup Wave, as well as the Enterprise Ethereum Alliance.
Get 100 EUR Discount with Code &#8220;FINEWS100&#8221;.  Register here!
 
LendIt Europe 2017
October 09-10, 2017
InterContinental O2 Hotel, London, the UK
LendIt, one of the largest conferences series dedicated to connecting the global online lending and fintech communities, is coming to London on October 09 and 10, 2017 for an event that is expected to gather over 1,000 participants, 500 companies and 150 investors from all around the world.
This year&#8217;s conference will cover the hottest topics in the fintech industry from blockchain technology and insurtech, to digital banking and more. Confirmed speakers include representatives from Zopa, IBM, UBS Smartwealth, RateSetter, Microsoft, and more.
The event will also feature the PitchIt startup competition, which will allow startups from across EMEA to present their solution in front of the LendIt audience of international investors and industry leaders.
Get 15% Discount with Code &#8220;FNSwitzerlandVIP&#8221;. Register here!
 
NPF &amp; Regtech Leaders Forum
September 06-07, 2017
Hotel Le Plaza Brussels, Belgium

The NPF &amp; Regtech Leaders Forum is one of the world&#8217;s premium gatherings for senior executives responsible for compliance and payment strategies.
The event will bring together key market players including regulators, compliance and payments executives with leading solution providers and tech experts.
The forum will focus on leveraging technology while coping with changing regulations, helping both businesses and institutions to boost compliance and adding value by embracing innovative solutions, in payments and beyond.
Topics will include the future of payments and compliance, blockchain technology, machine learning, digital threats, financial crime, insurtech, and many more.
Get 20% Discount with Code &#8220;FintechSwitzerland&#8221;. Register here!
The post 3 Fintech Conferences in Europe to Attend appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/3-fintech-conferences-in-europe-to-attend</link><guid>125</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/blockchain-finance-dublin.png</dc:content ><dc:text>3 Fintech Conferences in Europe to Attend</dc:text></item><item><title>Smart Home, Intelligent Living: The Next Hot Trend Comes To Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[Smart home solutions are increasing in popularity in Switzerland, yet only few consumers are actually using these products, according to a recent study by Homegate.ch.
Smart home, one of the biggest trends in the past few years, promises to make our living space more comfortable, more convenient, and more secure. It involves the control and automation of lighting, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and security, as well as home appliances.
A survey conducted the Swiss startup found that 53% of 1,507 respondents are interested in smart home solutions with Switzerland&#8217;s Italian-speaking region coming on top with 65%.
16% of Italian-speaking Swiss are already using smart home solutions for security purposes &#8211; that&#8217;s three times more than the Switzerland&#8217;s average usage rate. For other applications such as energy, climate and comfort, usage in Switzerland is very low, ranging between 1 to 5%.
Interest in smart home technologies on the rise
Image credit: Smart House Device Illustration by Alexander Kirch via Shutterstock.com
There&#8217;s a real interest in smart home solutions in Switzerland with about half of the respondents stating they would use connected devices and appliances in the future for use cases in the areas of energy, climate and healthcare. In Switzerland&#8217;s Italian-speaking region, interest is even higher: up to 70% are considering connected solutions for healthcare.
&#8220;In all parts of the country, the affinity for technology, the pleasure of technological gadgets as well as progressivism, are the key reasons cited for using smart home solutions,&#8221; Homegate.ch said in a press release. &#8220;This suggests that such devices and appliances are still primarily used by tech-savvy people, and that general endorsement is still very low and hasn&#8217;t reach the mainstream audience yet.&#8221;
Among the key challenges to adoption, the report cited concerns about cybersecurity, data privacy and high costs as the top issues. Furthermore, smart home solutions are lacking maturity and the fragmentation in the industry make it difficult for providers to offer a full smart home ecosystem, highlighting the need for further progress from the suppliers&#8217; side.
All respondents said the key interest in using smart home solutions was for the potential cost savings as well as to increase home security.
One third of respondents said they would be willing to pay more for smart home solutions for home security, as well as to control and automate lighting and air conditioning.
In 2016, 80 million smart home devices were delivered worldwide, a 64% increase from 2015, according to IHS Markit.
MarketsandMarkets estimates that the smart home market will grow from US$46.97 billion in 2015 to US$121.73 billion by 2022, at a CAGR of 14.07% between 2016 and 2022.
The large players in the market include Comcast, AT&amp;T, as well as security providers like Vivint. Notable startups include Nest, a company that develops smart home products that was acquired by Google in 2016 for US$3.2 billion, Gideon, a connected home app, and Roost.
Swiss players in the smart home and intelligent living sector include Neeo, a hardware startup that has developed a remote with hand recognition for smart homes that allows to control the TV, lighting, heating and more, eSMART, a smart home management system, Smart Home Technology, which specializes in custom hardware and software development for businesses, and Adhoco, a company that has developed an integrated home automation system that optimizes comfort, saves energy and increases security.
 
Featured image by ariadna de raadt, via Shutterstock.com.
The post Smart Home, Intelligent Living: The Next Hot Trend Comes To Switzerland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/smart-home-intelligent-living-the-next-hot-trend-comes-to-switzerland</link><guid>124</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Smart-Home-Intelligent-Living-Switzerland-300x209.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Smart Home, Intelligent Living: The Next Hot Trend Comes To Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>PSD2: How EU Banks And Fintechs Are Responding To Open Banking/APIs</title><description><![CDATA[The Payment Services Directive (PSD2), established by the European Commission and currently pending the adoption by the EU Counsel of Ministers, is a major policy development set to impact the payments industry across Europe.
The PSD2 seeks to standardize and make interoperable card, Internet, and mobile payments. It is expected to accelerate open banking as it will require banks to open up data and transactions to certain new payment market entrants (per the PSD2 XS2A rule).
By January 2018, all financial institutions in the 28 EU member states need to be PSD2 compliant while meeting stringent requirements for strong authentication and secure communication.
According to Jeremy Light, managing director, Accenture Payment Services, regulatory changes in Europe could accelerate payments innovation to &#8220;a new phase of development for EU banks.&#8221;
 
EU banks respond
Several banks in Europe have already opened their core banking systems, including Spanish banking group, BBVA which was amongst the first banks to do so.
Image: ScandinavianStock via Shutterstock.com
Between September and December 2013, while the Innova Challenge Big Data &#8216;datathon&#8217; was being held, BBVA opened data on banking transactions to third parties for the first time in Spain. Through an open API that received 6.7 remote calls over two months, it provided a community of 780 programmers with anonymized and aggregated data on card transactions in customer segments in Madrid and Barcelona.
In September 2015, Saxo Bank form Denmark opened access to its trading infrastructure. The move, which covered Saxo&#8217;s multi-asset trading and back office infrastructure, allowed its partners, clients and external developers to access over 20 years of trading infrastructure innovation and enabled them to customize their trading experience and create new revenue streams.
Similarly, German bank Fidor is allowing startups and other entities that want to offer banking services to its customers to connect with the bank&#8217;s capabilities via its APIs.
In February, San Francisco-based startup Token rolled out a live demo iOS app integrated with Fidor. Through the integration, customer account data is aggregated in a single place and payments can be made from multiple sources instantly and securely from within a single environment.
Token aims to create the world&#8217;s first bank-hosted payment system specifically designed for the digital era.
In the UK, digital bank Monzo Bank released a prototype API in February 2016 to allow developers to view transactions and accounts, receive notifications for events via webhooks and create their own items to appear in the app.
Earlier this year, Nordic financial services group Nordea Bank released the first version of its open banking and open API portal. The move made Nordea one of the first movers in the Nordics to openly state its open banking vision, with the bank ready to embrace the opportunities presented by the banking landscape and through collaboration with fintechs.
For Peter Ware, director of the SWIFT Institute, &#8220;open APIs are a great example of how banks today are actively involved in the innovation and evolution of financial services.&#8221;
Earlier this week, the SWIFT Institute released a new working paper on open banking. The paper looks at the possible impact of the adoption of APIs on the financial services industry and advises incumbents &#8220;to start the change process now.&#8221;
&#8220;It is clear that regulatory changes taking effect in the banking sector in the near future will require the traditional players to change their mind-set from a closed model to an open but secure one,&#8221; the report says.
&#8220;Those who move early to establish an attractive platform will obtain a customer base that is increasingly unwilling to switch to competitors as more and more third party developers offer services as part of the platform. And in turn, their growing customer base will attract even more developers, turning this virtuous cycle of growth further.&#8221;
 
Switzerland&#8217;s &#8220;common standard&#8221;
Last year, an ambition project emerged. Called the Swiss Open Finance API (SOFA), the project aims to create a common API and a standard for the Swiss financial services industry.
Led by the Swiss Fintech Innovations Association in Zurich, it seeks to support the development of an open app ecosystem.
Jürgen Petry, co-director of Swiss Fintech Innovations
Jürgen Petry, New Business Innovator at RAI Lab and Project Leader Open API work group for Swiss Fintech Innovations, said in an interview last year that a common standard could have &#8220;huge implications&#8221; and benefit the overall financial sector.
&#8220;This will lead to a win-win situation for all customers, as well as for all financial institutions involved,&#8221; Petry said.
&#8220;In addition, the &#8216;Swiss open finance API&#8217; will help to showcase Switzerland as an innovation-orientated international financial center with a leading edge app(lication) ecosystem.&#8221;
Alongside the SOFA initiative, several Swiss financial institutions have begun opening their systems. Although the PSD2 is not directly relevant to Switzerland because it is a European directive, Swiss payment transaction providers will be sooner or later confronted with new payment transaction providers from the EU, according to industry experts.
Switzerland&#8217;s Hypothekarbank Lenzburg, announced that it was opening its core banking system for fintech providers and solutions. The bank has supplemented its core banking system Finstar with an API from NDGIT, turning Finstar into an open banking platform.
Marianne Wildi, CEO of Hypothekarbank Lenzburg, said that the bank chose NDGIT because of its “convincing, easy-to-integrate technology and the long experience of its API specialists.”
Hypothekarbank Lenzburg has some fintech collaborations in place with Qontis, Advanon, Finform, EdgeLab, CreditGate24, Payrexx and Datalizard. These existing Finstar partner companies can also use the new open banking platform.
Hypothekarbank Lenzburg said that the open banking platform will be made available to Swiss Fintech Innovations (SFTI), an independent association, as a sandbox.
 
The startups
Besides the banks and financial institutions, startups as well as have begun developing and launching banking APIs. Polish startup Kontomatik is specialized in this area. The company&#8217;s solution allows financial organizations to perform know-your-customer procedures, credit scoring and contextual offers online. Kontomatik Banking covers several locations including the UK, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Spain, Portugal, Mexico, Brazil and Russia.
Another player is Figo, a German startup, which provides banking services. The company&#8217;s platform technology allows financial institutions to integrate existing XS2A (Payment Initiation and Account Information Services) solutions into their own systems.
 
Featured image: Wooden Gavel On Book With Golden Scale On Table, by Andrey_Popov, via Shutterstock.com.
The post PSD2: How EU Banks And Fintechs Are Responding To Open Banking/APIs appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/psd2-how-eu-banks-and-fintechs-are-responding-to-open-bankingapis</link><guid>123</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Open-APIs-Banking-EU-300x150.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>PSD2: How EU Banks And Fintechs Are Responding To Open Banking/APIs</dc:text></item><item><title>Fehlen KMUs Geld für weiteres Wachstum?</title><description><![CDATA[Rund zwei Drittel der Schweizer KMU wirtschaftet ohne Bankkredite. Eine HSLU Studie im Auftrag des SECO zur Finanzierung der KMU in der Schweiz schafft aber nur wenig Klarheit, warum das so ist und welche Wachstumschancen dadurch verloren gehen. Immerhin können KMU immer öfter auf alternative Finanzierungsangebote zugreifen.

Rund 68 Prozent der insgesamt 576’000 Schweizer KMU greifen nicht auf Bankfinanzierungen zu. Das zeigt die „Studie zur Finanzierung der KMU in der Schweiz 2016“ welche das Institut für Finanzdienstleistungen IFZ der Hochschule Luzern (HSLU Studie) im Auftrag des Staatssekretariates für Wirtschaft SECO erstellt hat. Sie haben entweder andere Geldgeber oder genügend Eigenkapital.
Vielen KMU fehlt das Geld um geschäftliche Chancen wahrzunehmen
Aus unserer eigenen Praxis in der Unternehmensfinanzierung wissen wir, dass vor allem kleinere KMU stark von der Finanzierung durch die Eigentümerfamilie oder Freunde abhängen. Positiv daran ist der Aspekt der Selbstversorgung des Systems. Andererseits werden durch die vermutlich recht limitierten Finanzmittel, die den KMUs so zufliessen können, viele Wachstumschancen vergeben. Den Firmen fehlt im entscheidenden Moment einfach die Finanzkraft, geschäftliche Gelegenheiten wahrzunehmen. Und vor Bankkrediten schrecken sie – wie von mir bereits beschrieben – wegen der drohenden Abhängigkeit und der aufwändigen Informationslieferung zurück.
„Insbesondere KMU (sind) stark von einem gut funktionierenden Kreditmarkt abhängig, da valable Alternativen zu Bankkrediten für sie noch immer nur einem eher beschränkten Mass verfügbar sind“, heisst es in der eingangs genannten HSLU Studie. Über drei Viertel der KMU haben jedoch höchstens zwei Bankbeziehungen und nur eine Kreditbeziehung. Aus meiner Sicht wäre es viel besser, wenn die KMU ihre Finanzierungsquellen breiter diversifizieren könnten, um nicht von einer einzigen – den Banken – abhängig zu sein.
Viele KMU schrecken vor Bankkrediten zurück
Meist suchen Unternehmen einen Kredit von weniger als 1 Mio. Franken. Auf Basis von 112 Auskünften zeichnet die HSLU Studie folgendes Bild von der Höhe des Kreditbedarfs: Rund ein Viertel der Firmen braucht mehr als 1 Mio. Franken. Der Löwenanteil der Firmen, rund 41 Prozent, verlangt nach Finanzierungen zwischen 100’000 und 1 Mio. Franken. Etwa ein Drittel der Firmen möchte gar weniger als 100’000 Franken Kredit aufnehmen
Zudem gibt es eine weitere Gruppe von KMU mit Kreditbedarf, die aber keinen Kreditantrag bei einer Bank gestellt haben.  Die Gründe dafür zeigt folgende Tabelle:

Grafik: Zu hohe Sicherheiten und ein mühsamer Kreditprozess der Banken schrecken Kredit suchende KMU ab (Quelle: Studie zur Finanzierung der KMU in der Schweiz 2016, SECO)
 
Und dann gibt es noch die restlichen 32 Prozent der KMU, welche einen Bankkredit haben. Das Gesamtvolumen dieser KMU-Kredite liegt bei 295 Mrd. Franken gemäss Schweizerischer Nationalbank. In den meisten Fällen stellen die Firmen eine hypothekarische Sicherheit. Lediglich rund 13 Prozent der Kredite werden ohne Sicherheit vergeben, primär Exportfinanzierungen oder Kontokorrentkredite.
Für mich ist die Situation unbefriedigend.Oberflächlich erscheint die KMU-Finanzierungswelt in Ordnung. Gräbt man aber etwas tiefer, sieht es ganz anders aus. Die meisten KMU mit Kredit sind stark von einer Bank abhängig und können ihre Finanzquellen nicht diversifizieren. Von der grössten KMU-Gruppe gibt es nur schwach abgestützte oberflächliche Einblicke, warum sie keine Fremdfinanzierung nutzen und was die Folgen davon sind. Hier wäre weitere Forschungsarbeit notwendig.
Die meisten KMU suchen relativ tiefe Kreditbeträge von weniger als 1 Mio. Franken. Das ist ein Zeichen dafür, dass mit vergleichsweise geringem Mitteleinsatz wirtschaftlich viel bewegt werden könnte. Es gibt einen grossen Anteil entmutigter KMU, die zwar Kreditbedürfnisse haben, aber erst gar keinen Kreditantrag bei einer Bank stellen.
Die gute Nachricht ist jedoch, dass Crowdlending als alternative KMU-Finanzierungsform erfreuliche Wachstumsraten aufweist, wie eine frühere HSLU Studie gezeigt hat. Die Finanzierungseinöde könnte allmählich überwunden sein. Dies nicht nur durch Crowdlending, sondern ganz generell durch ein immer breiteres Angebot an alternativen Finanzierungsformen – ausserhalb der Bankbilanz. Hier wären beispielsweise das von mir kürzlich beschriebene Direct Lending oder Private Debt zu nennen. Die laufende Entwicklung aus der Finanzierungs-Monokultur heraus braucht noch viel Aufklärungsarbeit.

Dieser Artikel wurde vom Swisspeers Blog übernommen
The post Fehlen KMUs Geld für weiteres Wachstum? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fehlen-kmus-geld-fur-weiteres-wachstum</link><guid>121</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >https://blog.swisspeers.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/KMU-1024x486.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Fehlen KMUs Geld für weiteres Wachstum?</dc:text></item><item><title>Jetzt kann jeder Schweizer Taxifahrer Bitcoin handeln. Die Bubble kann kommen!</title><description><![CDATA[Swissquote, die führende Schweizer Online-Bank, bietet als erste europäische Online-Bank das Anlegen in der Kryptowährung Bitcoin an. Das Angebot, das ab heute allen Kunden mit einem Swissquote Trading-Konto zugänglich ist, macht die Investition in Bitcoins einfacher und sicherer.
Die Kryptowährung Bitcoin ist eine von zentralen Finanzinstitutionen unabhängige Währung. So unterliegt sie weder einer von Zentralbanken verfolgten Währungspolitik, noch deren Leitzinsen. Die Preisbildung setzt sich aus Angebot und Nachfrage zusammen.
Investoren können auf der Swissquote-Plattform Euro oder US-Dollar in Bitcoins umtauschen. Die Lösung bietet Kunden die Möglichkeit, mit Bitcoins zu handeln oder damit ihr Portfolio zu diversifizieren.
Kunden investieren in Bitcoins gegen Euro oder US-Dollar über ihr Trading-Konto, so wie sie es für jede andere Währung auch machen würden, jedoch ohne die Möglichkeit, zusätzliche Hebel (Leverage) einzusetzen. So laufen sie nicht Gefahr, mehr zu verlieren als sie investiert haben.
Der Mindestbetrag für eine Bitcoin-Transaktion ist 5 US-Dollar oder 5 Euro, der Höchstbetrag 100&#8217;000 US-Dollar oder Euro. Die Kosten richten sich nach der Höhe der Transaktion und liegen zwischen 0,5 und 1 Prozent des investierten Betrags.
Für dieses Projekt arbeitet Swissquote mit dem luxemburgischen Unternehmen Bitstamp zusammen. Das Unternehmen ist seit 2011 auf den Handel mit Bitcoin und anderen virtuellen Währungen spezialisiert und verfügt über fundierte Erfahrung in diesem Bereich. Bitstamp ist die erste und einzige Börsen-Plattform, die von der EU eine Lizenz für den Bitcoin-Handel erhalten hat.
Bitstamp stellt Preisinformationen bereit und führt die Transaktionen für Swissquote-Kunden aus. Die Partnerschaft zwischen Bitstamp und Swissquote ist ein wichtiger Meilenstein in der Entwicklung der Bitcoin-Währung, die immer mehr Teil des bestehenden Finanzsystems wird.
Marc Bürki, CEO von Swissquote:
„Viele Investoren interessieren sich für Kryptowährungen, trauen sich aber nicht so recht einzusteigen, da die Anbieter nicht sehr bekannt sind und häufig eine Überweisung auf ein ausländisches Konto verlangen. Als Schweizer Bank garantieren wir unseren Kunden einen für alle zugänglichen, vereinfachten und transparenten Prozess.“
Link zur Website:
https://de.swissquote.com/online-trading/markets-and-products/products/bitcoin-trading

The post Jetzt kann jeder Schweizer Taxifahrer Bitcoin handeln. Die Bubble kann kommen! appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/jetzt-kann-jeder-schweizer-taxifahrer-bitcoin-handeln-die-bubble-kann-kommen</link><guid>118</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/bitcoin-handeln-schweiz-1024x715.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Jetzt kann jeder Schweizer Taxifahrer Bitcoin handeln. Die Bubble kann kommen!</dc:text></item><item><title>The Big Coin Short</title><description><![CDATA[Observers are saying that there is a Bitcoin bubble, and that the virtual currency has risen to such high levels that the a bubble burst is imminent. Shorting coins is one way to profit from falling prices as well as using hedging to protect Bitcoin investments.
In July last year, Bitcoin was valued at levels of around US$600. Today, the value of one Bitcoin has shot up to US$2500, making it seem as though Bitcoin is the easiest way for buyers who just want to get rich quick.
This has prompted fears that a Bitcoin bubble is just around the corner. Would the creators of Academy Award-nominated film The Big Short, which chronicled how a few renegade fund managers bet against the housing market in the lead up to the 2007 subprime crisis, make a sequel about Bitcoin?

Is there a bubble to begin with?
The term bubble is something most asset owners and investors try to avoid. When one acknowledges that there is a bubble, it is almost inevitable that prices would come plummeting down. According to former Bear Stearns banker and now finance blogger Jesse Felder, comparing recent Google searches for the term Bitcoin to its price surges imply that Bitcoin has indeed reached bubble status.
In his blog The Felder Report, Felder notes that “initial coin offerings” (ICOs), the unregulated means of raising funds for cryptocurrency ventures, are nothing more than thinly-veiled ponzi schemes. In the graphic below, he suggested that there is a direct connection to  spikes in Google searches on housing bubbles to spikes in housing prices.

“Now some will make the argument that it can&#8217;t be a bubble when so many are calling it a bubble. These folks should have learned this lesson during the housing bubble,” wrote Felder. “The fact is it&#8217;s only a bubble once everyone acknowledges it&#8217;s a bubble. And by the time they do the game is up.”
There is also word of an impending “fork”, wrote Wealth Daily, where new software updates introduced to the system are expected to increase the number of blocks to the existing blockchain. This would require modifying the program in order for Bitcoin to trade. The move was in response to scaling issues, which have caused slow transaction speeds for BitCoin, according to WealthDaily.
What if it bursts?
Unlike the housing crisis of 2007, or the dot-com bubble burst, Bitcoin Skeptic Mark Cuban argues that there is value for Blockchain technology, which gave rise to the Bitcoin cryptocurrency. The Economist also argued that are real uses for Bitcoin, with its increasing legitimacy and usefulness in the tech marketplace. “Cryptocurrencies both embody innovation and give rise to more of it,” wrote The Economist.
They are experiments in themselves of how to maintain a public database (the “blockchain”) without anybody in particular, a bank, say, being in charge,” wrote the Economist. ICOs, for instance, can generate interesting innovations. “Fans hope that they will give rise to decentralised upstarts taking aim at today’s oligopolistic technology giants, such as Amazon and Facebook.
While it might be a risky way to innovate, the article also argues that Bitcoin functions in a self-contained system, and the effects would not be as widespread as a more openly-traded assets such as housing, stocks or foreign exchange.
How do you short a Bitcoin?
For those who want to profit from the potential backlash form Bitcoin&#8217;s inflated position, there are only a handful of avenues for them to do so. Bitcoin can&#8217;t be shorted in pairs, like how you would with stock trading, where you can “borrow” stock at a certain price to sell in the market, buying back the asset at a lower price so you can pocket the difference.
With a shortage of bitcoins and their trading exchanges, there is also a limited number of bitcoins being produced at the moment, so its low liquidity has not drawn more established institutional traders. For now, platforms that allow for shorting include Bitfinex, which leverages margin trading to short-sell Bitcoins. Trading can also be done through ETFS, CFDs and binary options.
 
The post The Big Coin Short appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-big-coin-short</link><guid>102</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/bitcoin-bubble.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>The Big Coin Short</dc:text></item><item><title>Grössere Kredite von mehr Investoren: Bundesrat reguliert Crowdlending besser</title><description><![CDATA[
Die Schweiz macht Fintechs das Leben leichter. Der Bundesrat hat neue Fintech-Regeln in Kraft gesetzt, die wichtige Wünsche der Branche erfüllen.
Für Crowdlending-Plattform wie Swisspeers ist vor allem eine Veränderung relevant: Ab dem 1. August fällt die so genannte 20er-Regel, welche bisher die Anzahl Investoren pro Kreditprojekt auf höchstens 20 limitiert hat. Ohne diese Einschränkung verbessern sich unsere Rahmenbedingungen massgeblich und erlauben uns grössere Kredite zu vergeben.
Was heisst das ganz praktisch? Es ist einfach:
 
1. Für Unternehmen: Grössere Kredite
Insgesamt sind grössere Kredite möglich. Ein einzelner Kredit darf jetzt von mehr als 20 Anlegern mitfinanziert werden. Eine breitere Investorenschaft kann in grössere Kredite investieren und die Erfolgschancen für diese Projekte steigen.
So handeln Firmen, die eine gewerblich-industrielle Haupttätigkeit ausüben und im Publikum Kredite bis zu einer Million Franken aufnehmen, nicht mehr “gewerbsmässig” gemäss Bankengesetz und fallen damit nichtmehr in den Geltungsbereich der Bankenregulierung. Gemäss einer letzte Woche veröffentlichten Studie des SECO, nehmen drei Viertel der KMU schon heute lediglich Kredite mit weniger als einer Million Franken Gesamtvolumen auf. Künftig haben diese Firmen freie Bahn für die Kapitalbeschaffung bei Privatanlegern.
 
2. Für Investoren: kleinere Investitionstranchen
Sie können sich neu mit kleinen Tranchen auch an grösseren Krediten beteiligen. Bisher entsprach das notwendige Mindestinvestment dem gewünschten Kreditbetrag geteilt durch 20. Das waren rasch einmal 10’000 Franken. Das muss jetzt nicht mehr sein. Auch bei grösseren Krediten kann man mit kleineren Investitionstranchen einsteigen. Investoren können ihr Kreditportfolio damit wesentlich leichter und besser diversifizieren, was das Anlagerisiko besser verteilt. Damit kann der Zugang zu der Anlageform des Crowdlendings auch für Investoren mit kleineren Portfoliozielgrössen interessant werden.
 
 
3. Für die Volkswirtschaft: Höhere Stabilität
Crowdlending ist gesamtwirtschaftlich gesehen eine risikoärmere Tätigkeit als das Bankgeschäft. Es wird kein hoher Leverage eingesetzt und es erfolgt keine Fristentransformation. Anders als im Bankgeschäft hantiert man nicht mit einlagengesicherten und praktisch unverzinsten Spargeldern von Anlegern, aus denen mit marginalem Eigenkapital langfristige Kredite entstehen. Beim Crowdlending fliesst das Geld direkt von den Investoren an die Unternehmen. Die Investoren wiederum erhalten einen marktgerechten Zins für die Übernahme des Kreditrisikos. Das Geld fliesst in den produktiven Einsatz für die Volkswirtschaft. So wird das Gesamtsystem nicht mit neu geschaffenen Risiken belastet.
 
Fazit: Besten Dank Frau Leuthard, wir bleiben dran!
Wir bei swisspeers und unsere KMU-Kunden sind mit der neuen Regelung sehr zufrieden. Mein Wunsch vom vergangenen November ist wahr geworden. Damals hatte ich die Hoffnung einer verzögerungsfreien und pragmatischen Umsetzung der neuen FinTech-Regulierung geäussert. Das kann ich jetzt als erfüllt bezeichnen – ein Dankeschön nach Bern!
Wir haben jetzt gute Voraussetzungen, um unser Geschäftsmodell auf Flughöhe zu bringen. Der Kreditzugang für Schweizer KMU wird einfacher und wir leisten zusammen mit unseren Investoren einen starken Beitrag zum Werkplatz Schweiz.
Da das mit dem Wünschen so gut funktioniert hat, wäre nun die „Banklizenz light“ (bitte auch für über CHF 100 Mio.!) der nächste Kandidat für eine zügige Umsetzung. Wir bleiben dran!
Dieser Artikel erschien zuerst auf dem Swisspeers Blog

The post Grössere Kredite von mehr Investoren: Bundesrat reguliert Crowdlending besser appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/grossere-kredite-von-mehr-investoren-bundesrat-reguliert-crowdlending-besser</link><guid>100</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Grössere Kredite von mehr Investoren: Bundesrat reguliert Crowdlending besser</dc:text></item><item><title>Smart Homes: Intelligentes Wohnen, Der nächste Super Trend wird auch in die Schweiz kommen</title><description><![CDATA[Smart-Home-Lösungen werden auch in der Schweiz immer beliebter, auch wenn derzeit noch wenige Verbraucher die Produkte für intelligentes Wohnen tatsächlich nutzen, hat eine Umfrage des Immobilienportals homegate.ch ergeben.
Smart-Home-Produkte, also vernetzte „intelligente“ Produkte, die unsere Häuser und Wohnungen komfortabler, praktischer und sicherer machen sollen, sind einer der grössten Trends der letzten Jahre. Im Mittelpunkt des Interesses steht dabei die Steuerung und Automatisierung von Beleuchtung, Heizung bzw. Belüftung und Klimaanlage, Sicherheitseinrichtungen und Haushaltsgeräten.
In einer Umfrage des Schweizer Unternehmens bekundeten 53 % der 1.507 Befragten Interesse an Smart-Home-Lösungen – die Tessiner rangierten dabei mit 65 % ganz vorne.
16 % der Befragten in der italienischsprachigen Schweiz setzen bereits Smart-Home-Sicherheitsprodukte ein – das sind dreimal so viele wie der restliche Landesdurchschnitt. Bei anderen Anwendungen, etwa Energieversorgung, Klima und Lebensstil haben sich Smart-Home-Lösungen in der Schweiz noch nicht durchgesetzt: Sie werden nur von 1 bis 5 % genutzt.
Interesse an Smart-Home-Lösungen steigt
Die Schweizer sind offensichtlich an Smart-Home-Lösungen interessiert: Etwa die Hälfte der Befragten würde den eigenen Angaben zufolge in Zukunft vernetzte Geräte und Instrumente in den Bereichen Energie, Klima und Gesundheitsvorsorge verwenden. Auch hier ist das Interesse in der italienischen Schweiz besonders hoch: Bis zu 70 % ziehen vernetzte Lösungen für den Gesundheitsbereich in Betracht.
Image credit: Smart House Device Illustration by Alexander Kirch via Shutterstock.com
„In allen Landesteilen sind die generelle Technikaffinität, die Freude an technischen Gadgets sowie die gewünschte Fortschrittlichkeit die drei meistgenannten Gründe für die Nutzung von Smart-Home-Lösungen“, heisst es in einer Pressemitteilung von Homegate.ch. „Das lässt vermuten, dass sie bisher vor allem von sehr technikaffinen Menschen genutzt werden, die Akzeptanz ansonsten noch eher minim und bislang nicht beim Massenmarkt angekommen ist.“
Die nur zögerliche Akzeptanz von Smart-Home-Technologien, so der Bericht, ist in erster Linie auf Bedenken hinsichtlich Cybersicherheit und Datenschutz sowie auf die hohen Kosten zurückzuführen. Darüber hinaus scheint das Smart-Home-Angebot noch nicht ausgereift zu sein und die Technologie zu fragmentiert, so dass die Firmen kein ganzheitliches smartes Ökosystem anbieten können. Hier ist eindeutig Handlungsbedarf auf Seiten der Anbieter.
Alle Befragten nannten potenzielle Kosteneinsparung und mehr Sicherheit als die wichtigsten Gründe für ihr Interesse an Smart-Home-Lösungen.
Ein Drittel der Befragten ist bereit, mehr Geld für Smart-Home-Sicherheitsprodukte sowie für Anwendungen zur Steuerung und Automatisierung von Beleuchtung und Klimaanlage auszugeben.
2016 wurden weltweit 80 Millionen Smart-Home-Geräte verkauft, ein Anstieg von 64 % gegenüber dem Vorjahr, so IHS Markit.
Schätzungen von MarketsandMarkets zufolge wird der Smart-Home-Markt von 46,97 Mrd. USD  auf 121,73 Mrd. USD im Jahr 2022 wachsen, was einer jährlichen Wachstumsrate von 14,07 % zwischen 2016 und 2022 entspricht.
Die grössten Player im Markt sind unter anderem Comcast, AT&amp;T und Sicherheitsanbieter wie Vivint. Zu den vielversprechenden Startups gehören Nest, ein Unternehmen, das Smart-Home-Produkte entwickelt und 2016 für 3,2 Mrd. USD von Google übernommen wurde, sowie Gideon, eine App für vernetztes Wohnen und GetRoost.
Die Schweizer Akteure im Bereich Smart Home und intelligentes Wohnen sind unter anderem Neeo, ein Startup, das die Hardware für eine Fernbedienung mit Handerkennung für die Steuerung von TV, Beleuchtung, Heizung etc. entwickelt hat.  eSMART, ein Managementsystem für intelligentes Wohnen, Smart Home Technology, ein Spezialist für massgeschneiderte Hardware- und Softwarelösungen für Unternehmen und Adhoco, ein Unternehmen, das ein integriertes Automatisierungssystem für Haus und Wohnung entwickelt hat, das den Energieverbrauch senkt und die Sicherheit optimiert.
 
Mehr Informationen zu Smart Homes in finden Sie auch hier:
Wohnen 2.0, NZZ am Sonntag, https://www.nzz.ch/nzzas/nzz-am-sonntag/wohnen-20-ld.1495
Megatrend Smart Living, Intelligentes Wohnen, https://blog.homegate.ch/de/megatrend-smart-living-intelligentes-wohnen-und-leben-der-zukunft/
CES Smart Homes, Alexa, http://www.bild.de/digital/multimedia/ces-las-vegas/ces-smart-home-alexa-49665972.bild.html
 
Featured image by ariadna de raadt, via Shutterstock.com.
The post Smart Homes: Intelligentes Wohnen, Der nächste Super Trend wird auch in die Schweiz kommen appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/smart-homes-intelligentes-wohnen-der-nachste-super-trend-wird-auch-in-die-schweiz-kommen</link><guid>99</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Smart-Home-Intelligent-Living-Switzerland-300x209.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Smart Homes: Intelligentes Wohnen, Der nächste Super Trend wird auch in die Schweiz kommen</dc:text></item><item><title>Die digitale Werkzeugkiste für Bankkunden</title><description><![CDATA[Die Digitalisierung hinterlässt im Bankensektor zunehmend Spuren. Gewinner sind die Kunden, welche von digitalen Innovationen profitieren.
Banken stehen aufgrund gestiegener Kundenbedürfnisse vor grossen Herausforderungen. Die Finanzindustrie ist aber nicht die erste Industrie, die Umwälzungen zu meistern hat. So hat sich die Erkenntnis durchgesetzt, dass man neben einer verstärkten Zusammenarbeit die Produkte und Dienstleistungen kompromisslos auf die neuen Kundenbedürfnisse ausrichten muss.
Nur so gelingt es, auch zukünftig kompetitiv zu bleiben. Kunden erhalten mehr und individuellere Möglichkeiten und können jederzeit auf Bankdienstleistungen zugreifen. Zudem wird Banking durch die Digitalisierung einfacher.
Das beginnt beim Zugang zu den Dienstleistungen. Musste man früher zur Kontoeröffnung in eine Filiale gehen, lässt sich dies heute bequem vom Sofa aus per App machen. Und auch den Gang zum Bancomaten kann man sich häufig ersparen, gibt es doch mit TWINT die Möglichkeit, Geldbeträge mit dem Mobiltelefon in Echtzeit zu überweisen. Dies sind nur zwei Beispiele, die zeigen, wie die Banken auf die veränderten Kundenbedürfnisse und die rasch voranschreitende Digitalisierung reagiert haben.
Kunde kann selber entscheiden
Das E-Banking hat sich von einem einfachen Zahlungsportal zur umfassenden Dienstleistungsplattform weiterentwickelt. Der Kunde kann auf der digitalen Plattform immer mehr Bankprodukte auf seine Bedürfnisse zuschneiden. So lassen sich Ausgabelimiten und Ländereinschränkungen für Debit- und Kreditkarten aber auch für Konti individuell einstellen und dazu die gewünschten Benachrichtigungen für Zahlungen einrichten.
Damit trägt die Bank dem individuellen Sicherheitsbedürfnis der einzelnen Kunden Rechnung. Jeder Kunde kann selber entscheiden, wie hoch respektive tief er seine Limiten setzt oder wann er eine Benachrichtigung erhalten möchte. Und auch beim Login kann der Kunde zwischen verschiedenen Möglichkeiten wählen. Sehr bequem und dennoch sicher geht es mit der Access App, die jederzeit auf dem Mobiltelefon griffbereit ist.
Im letzten Jahr wurde zudem das Bankschliessfach ins digitale Zeitalter transferiert. So können Kunden im E-Banking nicht mehr nur Bankdokumente wie Abrechnungen oder Zahlungsaufträge einsehen, sondern auch wichtige persönliche Dokumente und Passwörter speichern.
Dank entsprechender Applikationen haben sie über das Mobiltelefon jederzeit und überall Zugang auf die Passkopie, eine Versicherungspolice oder das Passwort für einen Online-Shop. Im Gegensatz zu den vielen bekannten Cloud-Diensten sind die Daten aber in der Schweiz gespeichert und unterliegen den hohen Sicherheitsbestimmungen des E-Bankings

 
Papierkram ade
Eine der jüngsten Innovationen im E-Banking ist die digitale Signatur. Bankverträge müssen nicht mehr von Hand unterzeichnet, sondern können seit Januar digital signiert werden. Mit erheblichem Nutzen für die Kunden: Dieser kann sich das Ausdrucken, den Weg zur Post oder das Einscannen eines unterschriebenen Vertrages sparen. Zudem ist das unterschriebene Dokument sogleich im E-Banking abgelegt und jederzeit wieder auffindbar. Eine Innovation, die auch ausserhalb der Bankenwelt auf Anklang stossen wird.
Und auch andere Plattformen werden ständig weiterentwickelt. So ist im Bereich Hypotheken vor kurzem eine neue Dienstleistung auf den Markt gekommen, mit welcher potenzielle Hypothekarkundinnen und -kunden gewünschte Kaufobjekte online beurteilen und vergleichen können. Auch diese digitale Dienstleistung bietet dem Kunden kostenlos einen grossen Mehrwert, musste er bis anhin stets mit einem Bankberater Kontakt aufnehmen.

 
Der Einfluss von TWINT
Schliesslich wäre da noch das Thema Mobile Payment: Seit kurzem steht die neue TWINT Plattform bereit, die zahlreiche neue Bezahlmöglichkeiten mit dem Mobiltelefon bietet. Neben dem Überweisen von Geldbeträgen unter Privatpersonen oder dem Bezahlen am Terminal akzeptieren neu auch eine Vielzahl von Automaten und Online-Shops das Mobiltelefon als Zahlungsmittel.
Die Kunden- oder Stempelkarte wird dabei auf dem Mobiltelefon hinterlegt, so dass sich der Kunde einen Griff ins Portemonnaie sparen kann.
Die Umwälzungen im Bankensektor sind sichtbar geworden,  weitere digitale Innovationen werden Einzug halten und die digitale Werkzeugkiste der Kunden erweitern.
The post Die digitale Werkzeugkiste für Bankkunden appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/die-digitale-werkzeugkiste-fur-bankkunden</link><guid>97</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Die digitale Werkzeugkiste für Bankkunden</dc:text></item><item><title>Online Kunden-Onboarding für Asset Manager &amp; Banken</title><description><![CDATA[




Für Asset Manager und Banken &#8211; 100% papierlose Konto/Depot-Eröffnung, Identifikation, KYC, Risikoevaluation, automatisierte Anlageempfehlung und Vermögensverwaltungsmandat.
Im dritten Quartal 2017  startet in Deutschland die erste Bank mit dem Investory White Label Online-Onboarding-Prozess. Depoteröffnungen und Vermögensverwaltungsmandate in Papierform sind Vergangenheit.
Das gesamte Client-Onboarding ist zu 100% papierlos, dauert nur 15  bis 20 Minuten und erfüllt alle regulatorischen und vertragsrechtlichen Anforderungen. Vorteil: Das Vertragswerk wird auf jeden einzelnen Vermögensverwalter angepasst.
Damit erhalten Asset Manager ein Tool, mit welchem sie zukünftig Kunden vollständig digital und papierlos onboarden können, damit sie viel Zeit und Aufwand sparen und sich neue Wachstumsmöglichkeiten schaffen können.
Vorteile für Asset Manager:

Integration in eigene Webseite.
Minimierung des Verwaltungsaufwands, u.a. durch integrierte Prüfungsmechanismen (IBAN, Identifikation, Datenprüfung, etc.).
Zeitersparnis: Kunden können den KYC-Fragebogen und Kontoeröffnung in weniger als 20 Minuten eigenständig ausfüllen.
Kunden haben die Möglichkeit, ihre Daten jederzeit zu speichern und den Prozess zu einem späteren Zeitpunkt fortzusetzen.
Effizienz und Prozessbeschleunigung: Gleiche Informationen müssen nur einmal eingegeben werden.
Integrierte Legitimation online, z. B. via Video-Chat.
Das Onboarding-Modul ist anpassbar (eigenes Logo, Farbschema, Adap-
tion von Fragen, z. B. im Bereich der Risikotragfähigkeitsermittlung).
Auf Wunsch kann eine Risikoabklärung im Online-KYC implementiert werden.
Video- oder Video-Chat, um mit dem Kunden interaktiv zu kommunizieren.








The post Online Kunden-Onboarding für Asset Manager &#038; Banken appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/online-kunden-onboarding-fur-asset-manager-banken</link><guid>101</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Online Kunden-Onboarding für Asset Manager &amp; Banken</dc:text></item><item><title>Switzerland Welcomes New Startup Fund To Support Entrepreneurship</title><description><![CDATA[The newly launched Swiss Entrepreneurs Foundation aims to raise a fund worth CHF 500 million to support young Swiss startups. So far, around CHF 300 million has been committed, according to a report by NZZ am Sonntag. The fund is expected to be operational from 2018.
15 representatives of banks, insurance firms and organizations including UBS and Credit Suisse, gathered last week at a meeting with Johann Schneider-Ammann, the Swiss minister of economic affairs, education and research, to sign an agreement to commit to the Swiss Entrepreneurs Foundation.
A Credit Suisse representative commented:
&#8220;Credit Suisse sees itself as a bank for entrepreneurs and supports the goal of fostering growth financing in Switzerland. Credit Suisse has been providing capital [&#8230;] to venture capital firms and Swiss SMEs and young entrepreneurs, amounting to up to CHF 100 million, and we are now actively contributing our expertise to the establishment of the Swiss Entrepreneur Foundation.&#8221;
Johann N. Schneider-Ammann, Federal Councillor, Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research
Schneider-Ammann played a key role in the establishment of the organization. Lorenz Furrer of Furrer Hugi, who also is involved in the initiative, said that &#8220;without Johann Schneider-Ammann, we would never be where we are now.&#8221;
Schneider-Ammann said he &#8220;would welcome it if the initiative were taken over permanently by the competent federal council.&#8221;
The Swiss Entrepreneurs Foundation intends to support Switzerland’s young talents and improve the framework conditions in order to develop a startup culture. It is part of the broader &#8220;Digital Switzerland,&#8221; an initiative to promote digitalization led by FDP councilor, Ruedi Noser, and business attorney Christian Wenger.
Schneider-Ammann said that a change of mentality was needed in Switzerland. He noted that while in the US, business failure is greeted with a &#8220;better luck next time,&#8221; in Switzerland, &#8220;if you fail with your business idea here everyone points the finger at you. You are branded a looser.&#8221;
“This stifles entrepreneurship – and we want to change this,&#8221; Schneider-Ammann said.
&#8220;We want to create an environment in which young people are prepared to take risks. We want to breed entrepreneurs.”
Bridging the funding gap
Christian Wenger, Attorney at Law, Wenger &amp; Vieli AG
According to Wenger, while it is easy for young entrepreneurs to raise between CHF 1.5 and 3 million for the development of a prototype, it is &#8220;difficult for Swiss startups in the second phase of development when amounts between CHF 3 and 15 million are needed to bring a product to market.&#8221;
According to a survey, over 80% of the money that flows into Swiss startups comes from abroad, notably from the US and Germany. Wenger said that this entails the risk &#8220;that new developments, be it concrete products or technologies, will sooner or later be withdrawn abroad.&#8221;
Schneider-Ammann added:
&#8220;I don’t want good ideas that are developed in Switzerland to be exported to California, and create jobs there. I want them here, with us.&#8221;
Hence, the fund will focus on the segment between CHF 3 and 15 million. As the project lead, Wenger said that he would expand the foundation in the coming months.
The Swiss Entrepreneurs Foundation doesn&#8217;t intend to compete against the likes of Zukunftsfond Schweiz (Swiss Future Fund) but rather &#8220;supplements and harmonizes the offers&#8221; that are already available in Switzerland, Wenger said.
 
Featured image by Igor Samoilik, via Shutterstock.com.
The post Switzerland Welcomes New Startup Fund To Support Entrepreneurship appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/switzerland-welcomes-new-startup-fund-to-support-entrepreneurship</link><guid>96</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Johann-N.-Schneider-Ammann-Swiss-minister-of-economic-affairs-education-and-research-300x199.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Switzerland Welcomes New Startup Fund To Support Entrepreneurship</dc:text></item><item><title>VIAINVEST reaches milestone of 10 million EUR loans funded through its platform</title><description><![CDATA[Merely seven months after the launch, peer-to-peer lending platform VIAINVEST has reached a milestone of 10 million EUR loans funded through its platform.
Listed consumer loans issued by the alternative financial services provider VIA SMS Group in Czech Republic, Poland, Latvia and Spain were funded by investors from more than 30 countries.
Peer-to-peer lending platform VIAINVEST was launched in December 2016 and has grown significantly since then.
“We are excited to be a part of a continuously growing peer-to-peer and fintech community,”
says Eduards Lapkovskis, CEO of VIAINVEST.
“Success of VIAINVEST shows that we have set the right goal – to deliver outstanding investor support service and bring added value instead of focusing on quantity. Currently, VIAINVEST offers unique investment portfolio and provides a solution to help investors manage tax issues arising from investing in the platform.”
While Germany remains the capital of peer-to-peer investors amounting to 44% of the total number of investors registered on VIAINVEST, Latvia and Estonia has also proved their interest in fintech and ranks, respectively, second with 11% and third – with 9% of the total number of investors. The average deposit on the platform is EUR 4136, and to date, VIAINVEST has paid out almost EUR 85 000 in interest.
In the nearest future, VIAINVEST is planning to expand its investment portfolio with new loan originators as well as developing several features to make investing more convenient, even when using mobile devices.
VIAINVEST is a part of the alternative financial services provider VIA SMS Group operating across Europe. VIAINVEST offers both private individuals and legal entities to invest in consumer loans originated by VIA SMS Group subsidiaries in Latvia, Czech Republic, Poland and Spain.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The post VIAINVEST reaches milestone of 10 million EUR loans funded through its platform appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/viainvest-reaches-milestone-of-10-million-eur-loans-funded-through-its-platform</link><guid>92</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/viainvest-1024x683.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>VIAINVEST reaches milestone of 10 million EUR loans funded through its platform</dc:text></item><item><title>Apple, Facebook Take On Payments And Digital Banking</title><description><![CDATA[The rise of smartphones and the emergence of a new app-only ecosystem are transforming the way we borrow, lend and spend.
Steven P. Jobs present Apple&#8217;s phone : the iPhone, MacWorld Conference &amp; Expo 2007 &#8211; San Francisco
One firm that&#8217;s been driving this change is Apple, which has &#8220;revolutionized the smartphone landscape&#8221; with the iPhone, according to Anne Boden, CEO and founder of mobile-only digital bank Starling Bank.
&#8220;Prior to the rise of the app, mobile banking was almost unheard of and payment technologies were pretty much exclusively online rather than mobile,” she told City A.M.
For Alain Falys, co-founder and CEO of Yoyo Wallet, a multi-brand mobile payment and loyalty app, &#8220;innovation happens when disparate things get connected.&#8221;
&#8220;With the iPhone, advances in tech got connected to the increasing number of devices and platforms needed to perform day-to-day habits – texting friends, taking photos, checking emails, listening to music, going online,&#8221; Falys said.
&#8220;The genius of Apple was in successfully joining the dots between their tech to solve such an ambitious problem.&#8221;
The rise of mobile banking has given many people access to financial services who otherwise would have been excluded from the traditional financial system. While many fintech startups have so far been relying on these devices to reach consumers of all backgrounds, now Apple too is looking to capitalize on the trend it has helped pioneer.
Just a few days ago, the tech giant requested Australia&#8217;s Big Four bank Westpac to remove a feature from its mobile banking app that allowed customers to make payments through population messaging and social media platforms including Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Snapchat, Twitter and WeChat.
The move was a blow to the bank, which is attempting to appeal to the younger generations by providing new mobile and digital services. It also hinted at Apple&#8217;s desire to have iPhone users make payments routed through its own service, Apple Pay.
Apple Pay, Apple.com
Apple Pay is a mobile payment and digital wallet service that lets users make payments using Apple mobile devices. It allows users to make transactions on the App Store and at retail stores that are equipped with contactless terminals.
Users can also send money from the debit or credit card stored in Apple Wallet, and it will be deposited into the recipient&#8217;s Apple Pay Cash account, which is a new digital debit card.
According to Craig Federighi, the senior vice president of software engineering at Apple, Apple Pay is already the number one contactless payment service on mobile, and by the end of the year, Apple Pay will be available at more than 50% retailers in the US.
Social payments on the rise
Highlighting the firm&#8217;s commitment to boost adoption and usage of its mobile and digital payment service, Apple said earlier this month that Apple Pay will be coming to Messages in iOS 11. Soon, users will be able to send fellow Apple users money through an app that&#8217;s integrated into Messages, the default messaging app on Apple&#8217;s devices.
The firm said it will not route money through a user&#8217;s debit or credit card but through an Apple Pay Cash Card.
Another tech giant that&#8217;s been merging social media and payments is Facebook, which started offering a payment feature through its Messenger app in early 2015.
Since then, the firm has expanded its offering to support group payments. M Suggestions, Facebook&#8217;s artificial intelligence assistant, offers recommendations to users for messages to write and actions to perform including send payments.
Facebook eyes Indian market
Earlier this month, news broke that Facebook was seeking an Indian patent for an electronic payment system running on a messaging app.
The move comes at a time when Facebook is looking to unveil its mobile payments service in India. In the US, Facebook has filed a patent for the system which is currently pending approval.
The filing reads:
&#8220;The present disclosure relates to systems methods and devices that provide a transactional payment system. In particular, the transactional payment system allows users of messaging systems to send and receive electronic payments to and from other users of the messaging system.
 
&#8220;The messaging application can send a payment message, including the payment information, to a messaging system and the messaging system co-ordinates a payment process based on the payment information.&#8221;
WhatsApp app via Pixabay
According to Kartik Puttaiah of InvnTree IP Services, the patent application suggests that Facebook is planning to start offering &#8220;peer-to-peer payment between users of a messaging application such as WhatsApp.&#8221;
Facebook-owned mobile messaging app WhatsApp is reportedly preparing to enter India’s booming digital payments industry. The company is said to be in talks with the State Bank of India (SBI), the National Payments Corporate of India (NPCI) and a few other financial institutions in the country to facilitate instant payments via Unified Payment Interface (UPI) for users.
Launched in 2016 by Raghuram Rajan, the governor of the Reserve Bank of India, UPI facilitates instant fund transfer between two bank accounts on the mobile platform.
&#8220;We are currently at the ‘proof of concept’ stage, looking at ways to integrate it with our back-end,&#8221; a SBI official said.
 
Featured image: Facebook Login page application on Apple iPhone 6, by 10 FACE, via Shutterstock.com.
The post Apple, Facebook Take On Payments And Digital Banking appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/apple-facebook-take-on-payments-and-digital-banking</link><guid>87</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Steve_Jobs_presents_iPhone-2007-300x201.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Apple, Facebook Take On Payments And Digital Banking</dc:text></item><item><title>NEM Press Release – DIMCOIN announces a 10% additional Bonus when paying with XEM</title><description><![CDATA[Only two days until the DIMCOIN PRE-ICO launches.
DIMCOIN is announcing a 10% additional ICO Bonus when paying with XEM. The DIM TOKEN and DIMCOIN will be sent back to the sender‘s XEM address after a successful payment.
There will be six payout rounds. The first payout round will start on July 10th, second round July 20th, then July 30th, August 10th, August 20th, and the final round on August 30th.
Because the DIM cryptocurrency is built upon the NEM Blockchain, DIMCOIN wants to incentivize XEM coin holders to participate in the PRE-ICO with an extra 10% Bonus.
The PRE-ICO is starting on 1.07.2017 at 12:00 CET, please visit dimcoin.io for more information. Don‘t miss this lifetime opportunity to earn income from net fees generated within the DIM Ecosystem
 
Disclaimer: This is a press release from Dimcoin. This is not an investment advise and Fintechnews.ch expressly disclaims from investing into Dimcoin or any other ICO.
The opinions expressed in this article do not represent the views of Fintechnews.ch or any of its team members.  Fintechnews.ch is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied in Sponsored Stories/Press Releases such as this one.
The post NEM Press Release &#8211; DIMCOIN announces a 10% additional Bonus when paying with XEM appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/nem-press-release-dimcoin-announces-a-10-additional-bonus-when-paying-with-xem</link><guid>91</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>NEM Press Release – DIMCOIN announces a 10% additional Bonus when paying with XEM</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech in Qatar and Bahrain</title><description><![CDATA[While places like the US, the UK and China have long been leaders in digital finance, new fintech companies are starting to pop up in unexpected locations such as Poland, Slovakia, as well as the Middle East, underscoring fintech&#8217;s global diversity.
View on Doha skyline, Qatar, Wikimedia
One of these places is Qatar, where Omar Mahmood, partner and head of financial services at KPMG in Qatar, said there&#8217;s been a significant push to promote the country as a regional fintech hub.
“Qatar offers the right regulatory environment, extremely competitive operating costs, government support, funding support and a ready financial services sector to work with,&#8221; he said.
&#8220;We do see a lot of potential of fintech companies collaborating with financial services players to transform the financial services sector in Qatar and the region.”
Fintech is heating up in Qatar as the financial services sector is increasingly looking at the potential benefits of financial technology and digital platforms.
Earlier this year, the Qatar Financial Center (QFC) Authority organized a fintech event that gathered business and financial professionals from Qatar&#8217;s public and private sectors. The event was dedicated to discussing emerging trends in the financial services sector and how fintech is disrupting current practices and creating completely digitalized methods and ways of banking and financing.
Speaking at the event, Kamal Naji, QFC Authority&#8217;s chief strategy and business development officer, highlighted how fintech has transformed the financial services industry over the past few years.
He stated:
&#8220;Now more than ever before, the financial industry is relying on cutting-edge technology and technological innovation to provide its consumers with the highest levels of service.
 
&#8220;For so long, the financial industry refrained from resorting to technology as it continued using traditional methods to manage assets, provide commercial and retail loans, raise funding and transfer money. All of this is now changing across the globe.&#8221;
The event came as part of the QFC&#8217;s efforts to push forward the Qatar National Vision 2030, a development plan launched in 2008 to &#8220;transform Qatar into an advanced society capable of achieving sustainable development&#8221; by 2030.
Compared to other locations such as the United Arab Emirates, the fintech startup scene in Qatar remains rather small. Yet, several startups have emerged in recent years with innovative products. These include for instance Hasalty, a mobile application dedicated to improving the financial literacy for kids, and Rinfo, a real-estate mobile app for finding places to rent or buy. Both are incubatees startups of the Qatar Business Incubation Center. Another startup is MaktApp, which provides an all-in-one cloud-based solution for accounting, offices and team management.
Bahrain aspiring to become a fintech leader
Bahrain World Trade Center, Wikimedia
Alongside Qatar, the tiny Gulf country of Bahrain, too, is aspiring to become a leading fintech hub in the Middle East.
Last week, the Central Bank of Bahrain announced that it will create a regulatory sandbox for startups and fintech firms to test their products. The sandbox will be open to both local and foreign companies, and is aimed at attracting fintech businesses from around the world to &#8220;expand and thrive in the Gulf, and strengthen Bahrain&#8217;s position as a fintech and financial services hub in the Gulf Coopration Council,&#8221; the bank said.
The move followed the recent announcement of a partnership between the Bahrain Economic Development (EDB), Singapore Fintech Consortium, a fintech incubator and ecosystem builder, and Dubai-based asset management and advisory firm Trucial Investment Partners, to develop a fintech ecosystem and regulatory framework for Bahrain.
The collaboration seeks to boost interaction between fintech startups in the Middle East and those in the ASEAN region, as well as facilitate the entry of Singaporean companies into Bahrain.
Earlier this year at the two-day 6th GCC Financial Forum in Manama, David Parker, executive director of financial services at the EDB, stressed the necessity to launch a fintech fund for local and foreign entrepreneurs in Bahrain.
&#8220;I would like that fund to be available to entrepreneurs outside of Bahrain as well as inside,&#8221; Parker said.
&#8220;We need to acknowledge if Bahrain is going to be a player within this space. Bahrain is a small country (and) there is a limited market. We want to encourage Bahrain to be… where entrepreneurs come to test their ideas and services. Maybe in some cases we need to acknowledge the need to move on to a bigger market.&#8221;
According to Khaled Al Ahli, CEO of Eazy Financial Services, Bahrain is fertile ground for fintech startups like his because the national mindset is aligned with strategies supporting fintech development, he told Nuwait.
Eazy Financial Services, a Bahraini startup focusing on providing innovative technology solutions to financial institutions, is looking to introduce the region’s first Biometric Payment Network.
 
Featured image: Museum of Islamic Arts park in Doha, Qatar, via Flickr.
The post Fintech in Qatar and Bahrain appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-in-qatar-and-bahrain</link><guid>77</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Doha-Qatar-300x200.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech in Qatar and Bahrain</dc:text></item><item><title>11 Fintech and Startup Accelerators and Incubators in Switzerland You Have to Know</title><description><![CDATA[Switzerland, a country famed for its quality, reliability, security and stability, has nurtured a thriving financial services and fintech sector, thanks to excellent infrastructure, a solid legal system and a supportive government.
For startups, Switzerland has several top-notch acceleration and incubation programs.
Here&#8217;s our pick of the top accelerators and incubators in Switzerland that will help you bring your startup to the next level and connect with potential partners.
 
Fintech Fusion

Fintech Fusion is a 12-month acceleration program based in Geneva. Every year, the firm selects ten fintech startups from all over the world.
Each startup is paired with one of Fintech Fusion&#8217;s mentors. Mentors help refine strategy, provide insights and assist in developing a viable operating plan.
Fintech Fusion doesn&#8217;t take equity. Fintech Fusion aims to create a thriving ecosystem of fintech startups and reinforce Switzerland&#8217;s reputation as a financial hub.
 
F10 Incubator and Accelerator
Based in Zurich, F10 is startup incubator and accelerator sponsored by SIX that focusesdfcr on fintech, insurtech and regtech. The six-month accelerator program (2 times a year) aims to transform startups from teams with promising ideas into successful growing companies with paying customers.
Supported by its corporate members consisting of financial infrastructure provider SIX, banks, and insurances, F10 seeks to foster collaboration between startups and big international financial players.
 
Kickstart Accelerator
Kickstart is a startup program that aims to put Switzerland on the map by bringing some of the most promising early-stage startups from different fields to Switzerland during eleven weeks.
Kickstart is one of Europe&#8217;s largest multi-corporate and equity-free accelerator program that has welcomed over 80 founders from around the world. It focuses on ventures within five verticals: fintech, food, robotics and smart systems, smart cities, healthcare and edtech.
 
Nexussquared
Nexussquared is a fintech platform focusing on blockchain technology. The firm offers fintech research and consultancy services, and is the organizer of Nexuslab, a three-month acceleration program.
Nexuslab takes place predominantly virtually and is organized in collaboration with Startupbootcamp Fintech, which provides participants with access to its network and experts. It has accelerated the likes of Taqanu Bank from Norway, ProofOfYou from Estonia and Paymeabit from Italy.
 
Thomson Reuters Labs &#8211; The Incubator
The Incubator, hosted in Thomson Reuters Labs Zurich region, offers a 6 to 12-month program aimed at facilitating the interaction of early stage startups with the firm&#8217;s network of customers and investors.
The program offers office space, mentoring from a diverse group of seasoned executives and entrepreneurs, and access to Thomson Reuters data and technology capabilities. It does not take equity.
The Incubator focuses on startups tackling the fintech, regtech and legaltech markets for partnership opportunities.
 
Swiss Startup Factory and Helvetia Insurtech Accelerator
Launched in December 2016, the Insurtech Accelerator Program by SwissStartupFactory and Helvetia Insurance is aimed at startups in the insurance segment and for partnership opportunities with Helvetia.
The three-month accelerator program offers coaching, mentoring, working space in the heart of Zurich as well the outstanding network to a wide range of corporations.
 
BlueLion
BlueLion is a non-profit organization aimed at supporting startups tackling information and communications technology and clean tech.
The incubation program is a tailor-made development program in four phases running over a maximum period of 36 months. It offers in-house coaching, partnership network and the basis for incubation.
BlueLion was founded in 2012 by the City of Zurich, ETH, UZH, Swisscom, ZKB, Stiftung Effort and Christian Wenger.
 
The Rising Star Accelerator
The Rising Star Accelerator is a program for Swiss and European cybersecurity startups.
The program offers introductions to an extensive network of key industry players and aims to take Europe’s most promising Cyber Security start-ups from proof of concept to market entry.
Each selected startup receives CHF 15,000 to cover their expenses during the 24-week program. They undergo a 13-week education program which culminates in a Demo Day. For the remaining 11 weeks, the Rising Star Accelerator helps and provides practical support to help the startups close their funding round.
The Rising Star Accelerator takes a 5% equity.
 
The International Create Challenge
The International Create Challenge is a free of charge, three-week immersive super accelerator program that selects around ten teams of two to three people, composed of developers, researchers, entrepreneurs and/or designers to help them develop their ideas.
The program gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to drive their projects to a Minimum Viable Product. It combines state-of-art technologies and cutting edge research, mentors-lead coaching, micro-seed investment and a star prize of more than CHF 100,000.
 
The Swiss Startup Factory
Launched in 2014, the Swiss Startup Factory aims to help create global disruptive companies, products and business models.
The company offers a three-month accelerator program that provides early-stage startups with financing, coaching, mentoring, office space and access to a large entrepreneurial and investor network.
 
MassChallenge Switzerland
MassChallenge is a global non-profit startup accelerator and competition that focuses on high-impact, early-stage entrepreneurs. So far, it has accelerated over 1,200 startups which together have raised US$1.8 billion in funding.
Each year, MassChallenge admits over 300 finalists to its three- to four-month accelerator program across its five locations: Boston, Israel, Mexico, the UK and Switzerland.
These accelerators provide startups with free office space, mentorship and more. At the end of the program, the most promising startups are awarded equity-free cash prizes.
 
Featured Picture via Pixabay
The post 11 Fintech and Startup Accelerators and Incubators in Switzerland You Have to Know appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/11-fintech-and-startup-accelerators-and-incubators-in-switzerland-you-have-to-know</link><guid>71</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/fusion-fintech-accelerator-logo-300x200.png</dc:content ><dc:text>11 Fintech and Startup Accelerators and Incubators in Switzerland You Have to Know</dc:text></item><item><title>Vom Bankgeheimnis zum Kryptobanking</title><description><![CDATA[Vier Thesen für den Aufstieg des «Internet of Money» und dessen Auswirkung auf das Geschäftsmodell der Banken.
In Zeiten der Digitalisierung verschmelzen die beiden Welten der Güter und der Daten. Viele physische Güter werden digitalisiert – man denke an Bücher, Musik oder Filme – und werden damit integraler Bestandteil des Internets. Und mit dem Internet of Things werden die alltäglichsten Haushaltgeräte wie Kühlschrank, Heizung oder Auto ebenfalls zu Internet-Geräten.
Mehr noch: So, wie sich die Welt der Waren von der Physik abkoppelt, lässt sich auch beim Geld ein Abkopplungseffekt beobachten. Nicht erst seit 2007/08 mit der Abkopplung vom gesunden Menschenverstand, sondern zunehmend durch Digitalisierung hin zu Kryptowährungen und «echtem» digitalem Geld.
Die klassischen elektronischen Zahlungssysteme basieren nach wie vor auf realem, wenn auch «stoffwertlosem» Geld, das in letzter Instanz vom Zentralbankensystem gesteuert wird. Doch digitales «Krypto-Geld» besteht nur noch aus Daten; diese Daten repräsentieren das Geld nicht – sie sind das Geld. Solches Geld unterscheidet sich im Prinzip nicht mehr von einer E-Mail, einer Whatsapp-Nachricht oder gar einem Katzenvideo.
Internet of Things wird zum Internet of Money
Bis 2020 werden 40 Prozent des Datenverkehrs auf Machine-to-Machine-Kommunikation beruhen. Das Revolutionäre wird sein, dass in diesem Datenverkehr nicht nur Informationen ausgetauscht, sondern auch Transaktionen abgewickelt werden. Unser Backofen wird den günstigsten Stromanbieter auswählen und in regelmässigen Intervallen nach Gebrauch bezahlen.
Das autonome Auto fährt selbstständig in die Waschanlage und löst an der Barriere zur Ausfahrt die Zahlung aus.
Die Finanzdienstleistung wird in den gesamten Convenience-Prozess eingebettet. Das Internet of Things wird zum Internet of Money. Der smarte Kühlschrank oder das Fitnessarmband werden mich besser kennen als meine Bank. Und sie werden mit jeder neuen Aktion und Transaktion meine Bedürfnisse dank Deep Learning und Künstlicher Intelligenz immer besser kennenlernen.
Was bedeutet das für unser Banken- und Finanzsystem? Vier Thesen:
     i.        Die IoT-Anbieter, Hersteller smarter Haushaltsgeräte und persönlicher Assitenten, werden die Kundenschnittstelle beherrschen und nicht mehr die Banken. Denn die smarten Geräte sammeln Daten, analysieren sie und erkennen Muster, die viel über das Kundenverhalten und die Zahlungsströme aussagen.
     ii.        In echtes digitales Geld werden Algorithmen eingebaut, in diesem Zusammenhang «Smart Contract» genannt. Kryptowährungen können demnach mit Wenn-Dann-Formeln versehen werden, die einen Verwendungszweck oder ein Verfallsdatum in sich tragen. Über kurz oder lang werden die Zentralbanken und Regierungen diese Instrumente als Hebel die Wirtschaftsförderung einsetzen.
    iii.        Mit Smart Contracts und künstlicher Intelligenz werden Back- und Middle-Office-Prozesse weitgehend automatisiert. Die Automatisierung geht jedoch noch viel weiter: Mit der zugrundeliegenden Blockchain-Technologie, die mittels kryptografischer Verschlüsselung Information vor Manipulation schützt, kann auch die Herstellung von Vertrauen zwischen Geschäftspartnern «automatisiert» werden.
    iv.        Wesentliches Kernelement der Blockchain ist ihre dezentrale Organisationsstruktur. Jeder Marktteilnehmer kann Smart Contracts entwickeln, diese an die Blockchain andocken und als Dienstleistung im Inernet of Money bereitstellen.
Es liegt an den Banken, ihre Ressourcen so zu allozieren, dass sie in diesem Wettlauf um die künftigen Finanzströme nicht abgehängt werden, sondern sich neu positionieren. Inventx bietet Beratung und Systemintegration zu Digital-Banking- und Fintech-Innovationen an und betreibt IT-Infrastrukturen sowie Bankingapplikationen, auf Wunsch auch in ihrer hochsicheren Swiss Financial Cloud.
Mehr Informationen dazu finden Sie auch hier.
 
The post Vom Bankgeheimnis zum Kryptobanking appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/vom-bankgeheimnis-zum-kryptobanking</link><guid>70</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Vom Bankgeheimnis zum Kryptobanking</dc:text></item><item><title>The 6 Hottest Mortgage Tech Companies in Europe</title><description><![CDATA[Although the mortgage industry remains largely dominated by banks, tech startups are starting to attack industry. These players leverage technology and digital platforms to upgrade the mortgage process and are developing a variety of tools and services to improve poor customer service.
With the rise of mortgage tech, we take a closer look today at some of the hottest startups in field from Europe.
 
Trussle (UK)
Trussle, an award-winning online mortgage broker, was first to introduce the concept to the UK in 2015.
By using proprietary automation and a mortgage monitoring service to compare and track more than 11,000 mortgage products from over 90 lenders, Trussle harnesses technology to secure the most suitable mortgage deal for borrowers.
Trussle’s mortgage “matchmaking” service is free to the end-customer. The platform makes money via a mostly flat fee from the mortgage provider.
 
Homegate (Switzerland)
Homegate, a Swiss online real estate portal, has been providing online home financing services since 2012 in collaboration with Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB). The platform aims to provide clients with greater transparency, lower interest rates and a simple and fast application process, as well as handling of initial and follow-up financing.
Mortgages issued by Homegate can cover up to 80% of a property&#8217;s purchase price, up to a maximum loan of CHF 1.2 million for a residential property. The company also offers forward mortgages.
The service is available to people residing in Switzerland full time, with enough income and resources, and no inheritance.
 
Landbay (UK)
Landbay is a peer-to-peer lending platform that allows lenders to loan money to property investors. The platform enables retail and institutional investors to invest in the UK&#8217;s buy-to-let mortgage market. All loans are secured by first-ranking mortgages over tenanted residential properties across England and Wales.
As of February 2015, Landbay was the fastest growing peer-to-peer lending platform in the UK, and as of March 2015, the platform was lending £2 million per month.
 
LendInvest (UK)
LendInvest is a marketplace lending and investing platform for residential and commercial mortgages created by Montello, a specialist financier based in London. It offers a crowdsourcing alternative to bank-backed mortgages.
The platform lets investors find and invest in new loans and facilitates an online market for completed loans. Unlike most peer-to-peer lenders, LendInvest secures all loans against real estate and is the first peer-to-peer lender in the UK for originating and funding new residential and commercial loans.
Launched in 2013, LendInvest was the first live peer-to-peer lending platform in the world to focus specifically on mortgage loans.
 
bijBouwe (Netherlands)
bijBouwe is the first online mortgage lender in the Netherlands. It offers high quality origination and management of customized mortgage portfolios.
bijBouwe was launched by Dynamic Credit, an innovative asset management firm and one of the leading direct lending firms in Europe.
Founded in 2003, Dynamic Credit has offices in Amsterdam, New York City and Jakarta.
The firm is working on setting up a mortgage platform bridging investors and the upcoming Indonesian mortgage market.
 
Interhyp (Germany)
Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Munich, Interhyp is a German mortgage broker that provides its services via Internet and telephone, serving over 300,000 customers.
The company offers access to a variety of mortgage lenders and facilitates the loan application process between borrowers and lenders. Interhyp provides its services directly to customers and also through third party financial advisors.
Interhyp is a subsidiary of ING Direct in the Netherlands and employs over 1,000 people.
The post The 6 Hottest Mortgage Tech Companies in Europe appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/the-6-hottest-mortgage-tech-companies-in-europe</link><guid>72</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/trussle-300x78.png</dc:content ><dc:text>The 6 Hottest Mortgage Tech Companies in Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>Regulation of Payment Initiation Service Providers (PISPs)</title><description><![CDATA[With the market entry of third party provid­ers of the FinTech-branch, new technological challenges have arisen. Since payment initiation services were no subject to the European Union’s PSD (Directive 2007/64/EC), they are not necessarily supervised by a competent European authority and not required to comply with PSD. A new regulation should thus respond to: consumer protection, security, liability, competition and data protection.
Therefore «PSD2» (Directive 2015/2366), a «Fintech-Regulation» which replaces the PSD, will try to ad­dress these legal issues. However, five points of the extended field of application should be highlighted:

Inclusion of PISPs
PISPs’ authentication towards the account servicing payment service provider
Handling of personalised security credentials and customer data
Capital requirements
Liability

Switzerland as a non-EU Member State is not bound by the PSD resp. PSD2. However, Swiss financial institutions participate in the SEPA. In order to achieve this, they must, inter alia, provide evidence that the provisions of Titles III and IV PSD2 are implemented in Switzerland either by statutory law or based on a substantially equivalent binding practice. Therefore, if Switzerland wants to remain part of SEPA-participation they must implement Titles III and IV of the PSD2 which regu­lates, inter alia, PISPs.
Current Swiss Legal Situation
Switzerland does not have a specific regulation which contains Titles III and IV PSD2. The relationship between PISPs and their customers can be qualified as an agency contract, whereby no other special law interacts within the rela­tionship. Banks have ensured their duties by contractual means, i.e. a PISP shall every time a payment is initiated, identify itself towards the payer’s bank. However, one of the most important points is the handling of personalised security credentials and customer data. Swiss law has a lack of security regarding personalised security credentials because of the customer’s disclosure and the bank’s terms and conditions. Whereas customer data is fully regulated by the Data Protection Act. Further analysis of Swiss regulations regarding capital requirements and liabil­ity have shown that they are not equivalent to the Titles III and IV PSD2.
Thus it can be concluded that Swiss law lacks in the covering of personalised secu­rity credentials, capital requirements and liability.
Federal Council’s Three-Pillar Approach
The Federal Council’s proposal mentions payment systems at two points, but explic­itly in the third pillar. However, it probably does not consider “payment systems” like PISPs. The comments to the banking licence light lead to this conclusion. Moreo­ver, PISPs are not regulated by the Banking Act or Banking Ordinance, i.e. PISPs do not need a banking licence in any way. As a consequence, the Federal Council’s FinTech-Model will probably not contain provi­sions which implements the Titles III and IV PSD2.
Regulatory Suggestion
Besides a contractual alternative, the advantages a Swiss principle-based regulation pro­vide should be used to adapt the law to the new challenges with FinTech-companies.
At the first glance, payment systems according to Art. 81 f. of the Financial Market Infrastructure Act (FMIA) are not in the sense of “payment systems” like PISPs. However, the Swiss approach could allow for PISPs to be interpreted as a “payment system” in the sense of FMIA. The parlia­mentary debates are an important factor which leads to this proposal. It seems that payment systems and services were not a big issue, if any, in the parliamentary de­bates and that the importance of PISPs and another payment systems were not con­sidered in anyway. The same for the PSD2. The reason for such is unknown. Maybe, it was too new and PSD2 was still in consultation process or the legislator is simply not aware of the problem.
However, the option to integrate PISPs into the FMIA could be a pretty elegant solu­tion, which could regulate the remaining points (E.g. Art. 12 FMIA [minimum capital], Art. 14 FMIA [IT systems], Art. 16 FMIA [protection against confusion and deception], Art. 19 FMIA [documentation and retention duties]) and PISPs as a whole. According to Art. 81 FMIA a payment system is an entity that clears and settles payment obliga­tions based on uniform rules and procedures. But, the Federal Council’s Dispatch tends to not included PISPs, although, it was not discussed in de­tail. This leads to an open question about an inclusion of PISPs into the FMIA.
Important is to mention, that according to Art. 81 FMIA the Federal Council may de­fine specific duties for payment systems, namely in terms of capital adequacy, risk diversification and liquidity, if this is necessary for implementation recognised inter­national standards. This could allow to consult FinTech-expert parties regarding an equivalent implementation of the Titles III and IV PSD2.
 
 
The post Regulation of Payment Initiation Service Providers (PISPs) appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/regulation-of-payment-initiation-service-providers-pisps</link><guid>68</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Regulation of Payment Initiation Service Providers (PISPs)</dc:text></item><item><title>Revolut Expands Banking Offering; Launches Business Accounts in UK and Europe</title><description><![CDATA[London-based fintech startup Revolut has launched a new banking product targeted at companies in the UK and Europe. The company said that over 12,000 businesses had pre-registered to participate in the program prior to the public launch.
These include Emirates airlines&#8217; UK operation and Virgin Atlantic. Startup companies such as AirSorted, Airbnb&#8217;s host management service, and Market Invoice have also expressed an interest. Market Invoice enables businesses to sell their unpaid invoices to provide working capital.
Revolut for Business enables companies to sign up for a multi-currency account, and hold and transfer money across 25 supported currencies at the interbank exchange rate. A MasterCard contactless corporate card is also issued to business end users. No fee is charged for transactions when it is used abroad to make transfer between fellow Revolut clients.
Three packages are currently available to business clients. These range from £25.00 to £1,000 per month, with the first month free.
The company plans to add more features in the future including free and instant money transfers between companies that are signed up to Revolut for Business, real-time spending notifications, and dedicated customer support.
 
Revolut to launch in Switzerland &#8220;in a few weeks&#8221;
In a tweet shared last week, Revolut said that it planned to launch its full services to Swiss users in the coming weeks.
 
@RevolutApp, Twitter
In November 2016, Revolut cancelled all cards for Swiss residents citing a &#8220;request from our issuing partner.&#8221; Swiss customers voiced their frustration on the Revolut community forum and social media. &#8220;This is such a disappointment,&#8221; said one user. &#8220;I spoke highly about Revolut in the past but how they treat the customer starts to bug me,&#8221; said another.
In a message sent to customers, the company explained:
&#8220;We expect this to be a temporary measure whilst we migrate to a new issuing bank at the beginning of next year, alongside adding CHF and a number of other top-up currencies. The good news is that you can still top-up and use your Revolut account to exchange and transfer currencies globally at interbank rates.&#8221;
Despite the card interruption, Revolut has been able to provide all the in-app features to Swiss users including signup, top up, exchange and transfer money services.
 
Expanding beyond money transfer
Since launching to the public in July 2015 as a peer-to-peer payments and money transfer app, Revolut has significantly expanded its portfolio to encompass current accounts and fast loan deals. Today, the startup serves over 650,000 customers.
&#8220;Revolut has literally reinvented the way in which people spend and send money abroad, and so launching a business service was the next logical step for us,&#8221; said Nik Storonsky, founder and CEO of Revolut. &#8220;We can apply the same innovation to help businesses across the UK and Europe eliminate unfair banking fees.&#8221;
Prior to Revolut, Storonsky worked as a trader at Credit Suisse and Lehman Brothers. He launched the startup with Vlad Yatsenko, former Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank developer, and Tom Reay, former developer at Expedia and Ocado, and quickly raised US$3.5 million from investors such as SeedCamp and Balderton Capital.
Revolut launched the Current account functionality in February, and began offering credit through a partnership with Lending Works. The recent launch of the Business account complements the startup&#8217;s banking services offering and signals a broader desire to expand beyond the money transfer business to become a neo-bank.
Money transfer platform TransferWise triggered a similar push this year with the launch of the Borderless account last month.
TransferWise currently offers account numbers for the UK, Europe and the US and lets users store money in 15 other currencies. The product is aimed at freelancers and small companies who do business across borders or in multiple currencies.
 
 
The post Revolut Expands Banking Offering; Launches Business Accounts in UK and Europe appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/revolut-expands-banking-offering-launches-business-accounts-in-uk-and-europe</link><guid>64</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Revolut-launch-Switzerland-tweet.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Revolut Expands Banking Offering; Launches Business Accounts in UK and Europe</dc:text></item><item><title>DIMCOIN, die Zukunft von Equity auf Blockchain. Stolze Ankündigung des ICOs</title><description><![CDATA[Das Blockchain Equity Start-Up DIMCOIN offeriert das DIM Eco (Data Interchange Modul Ecosystem) mit einer Auswahl von Dienstleistungen und kündigt seine ICO Daten an.
DIMCOIN hat die Termine für den bevorstehenden Pre-ICO und ICO Crowdsales, zusammen mit anderen Details für die Teilnahme daran, bekanntgegeben. Der Crowdsale ermöglicht den Investoren die Beteiligung
am digitalen Ecosystem und erlaubt damit Privatpersonen, sowie Unternehmen verschlüsselte Transaktionen durchzuführen (Senden/Empfangen), einschliesslich dem Handeln und Verwalten von Unternehmensaktien, sowie Equity durch Online-Wallets.
Das auf der DIM Blockchain basierende Ecosystem erlaubt den Aktienhandeln mit Kryptowährungen und die Umwandlung von Equity in Tokens auf Computern, mobilen Geräten oder mit verschlüsselten Papierzertifikaten. Das DIM Ecosystem bietet den Nutzern eine breite Palette an Finanzprodukten und -dienstleistungen, welches den Nutzern ermöglicht in einer Vielzahl von digitalen Interaktionen zu agieren.
Die Plattform wurde für die Benutzung aus zwei verschiedenen Arten von digitalen Coins konzipiert: DIMCOIN und DIM Currency. DIMCOIN ist, wie Bitcoin und andere Altcoins, ein spekulativer Coin, welcher mit ebendiesen gehandelt werden kann. DIM Currency, hingegen, ist eine Kryptowährung, dessen Wert sich an das jeweilige Pendant ihrer Fiat Währung orientiert.
DIM TOKEN Investoren, welche mehr als 50 Token besitzen, haben einen Anspruch auf einige einzigartige und exklusive Privilegien bezüglich der Entwicklung des DIM Ecosystem. Die Besitzer bekommen neben Stimmrechten, auch einen Anteil (30%) vom Gewinn aller Gebühren, die durch das Ecosystem eingenommen werden. Damit eröffnet der DIM TOKEN die Möglichkeit lebenslang wiederkehrende Einnahmen auf Grundlage der Transaktionen zu erzielen.
DIMCOIN basiert auf der NEM Blockchain Technologie. Diese bietet eine einzigartige zweiseitige Auslegung mit Knotenpunkt-Reputation, Spam Schutzfunktion und Zeitsynchronisation. Durch sogenannte „Super-Knotenpunkte“ wird ein transparenter und sicherer Online-Handel, sowie Transaktionen gewährleistet. Mit NEM als Fundament wird DIMCOIN die Industrie der Finanzdienstleistungen revolutionieren und eine hochmoderne Plattform für Vermögenswerte und Dienstleistungen des Ecosystem schaffen.
DIMCOIN ICO
Der von DIMCOIN angekündigte Pre ICO wird vom 1. Juli (12:00 Uhr MEZ) bis zum 15.Juli 2017 (23:59 Uhr MEZ) stattfinden. Dies gibt frühen Investoren die Chance, sich intensiv mit dem Projekt zu beschäftigen. Weshalb DIMCOIN beschlossen hat, dass diese Investoren mit einem Bonus von 30% belohnt werden. Zudem erhält jeder Investor für 100 erworbene DIMCOIN, während des Pre ICOs, einen DIM TOKEN und einen Bonus von 30 DIMCOIN. Der Preis für 100 DIMCOIN wird 1 USD betragen.
Der offizielle ICO findet, anknüpfend and den Pre-ICO, vom 16.Juli (00:00 Uhr MEZ) bis zum 27. August 2017 (23:59 Uhr MEZ) statt. Die maximale Ausgabe ist hierbei auf 10 Millionen DIM TOKEN und eine Milliarde DIMCOIN begrenzt.
Nachdem der Pre ICO am 1.Juli 2017 eröffnet wurde werden die offerierten Bonusse kontinuierlich geringer. Gestartet wird mit einem Bonus von 30%, während des Pre ICOs (1.Juli &#8211; 15.Juli).
Darauf folgt Phase 1 des offiziellen ICOs (16.Juli &#8211; 29.Juli) mit 20% Bonus. Phase 2 (30.Juli &#8211; 12.August) wird 15% Bonus beinhalten, Phase 3 (13.August -19.August) 10% Bonus und abschließend Phase 4 (20.August &#8211; 27.August) 5% Bonus.
Nachdem das erste Kapitalbeschaffungsziel von 10 Millionen US Dollar erreicht wurde, wird der fixierte Preis von 0,01 US Dollar pro DIMCOIN zu einem dynamische Preis, welcher sich zwischen 0,02 und 0,12 US Dollar bewegen wird, bis das nächste Ziel von 30 Million US Dollar erreicht wurde.
Der Preis pro DIMCOIN beträgt dann weiterhin 0,12 US Dollar bis alle Tokens verkauft wurden. Kurze Zeit nach dem ICO wird die Kryptowährung auf den wichtigsten Exchange Plattformen gelistet sein und bildet damit den Grundstein zum Handeln, welches für das 4. Quartal 2017 vorgesehen ist.

 
Website – http://www.dimcoin.io/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/DIMCOIN_ICO
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/DIMCOINICO
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/dimcoinico_
 
Die Quelle des Inhaltes ist die DIMCOIN Foundation. Virtuelle Währungen sind keine gesetzlichen Zahlungsmittel und werden daher nicht von der Regierung unterstützt. Die Konten und Kontogutständen fallen daher nicht unter die Verbraucherschutzbestimmungen des FDIC oder anderen Kundenschutz. Diese Pressemitteilung gilt nur für Informationszwecke. Die gegebene Information stellt keine Investitionsberatung oder ein Angebot zur Investition dar.
Disclaimer: Hierbei handelt es sich um eine Pressemitteilung von Dimcoin und Fintechnews.ch distanziert sich hier ausdrücklich von Kaufempfehlungen.
The post DIMCOIN, die Zukunft von Equity auf Blockchain. Stolze Ankündigung des ICOs appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/dimcoin-die-zukunft-von-equity-auf-blockchain-stolze-ankundigung-des-icos</link><guid>89</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>DIMCOIN, die Zukunft von Equity auf Blockchain. Stolze Ankündigung des ICOs</dc:text></item><item><title>Lykke, the Undiscovered Coin Made in Switzerland</title><description><![CDATA[Initial coin offering (ICO) has surge in popularity in the cryptocurrency world as an effective method for blockchain startups and projects to quickly and easily raise funding by distributing a percentage of the initial coin supply.
According to CoinDesk, US$103 million was raised in 2016 through 64 ICOs. Notable ones that year included Iconomi, which raised US$10 million, Waves at US$15.9 million, and SingularDTV at US$7.5 million.
But the ICO craze has also sparked concern among experts who warn that the lack of transparency around the issuance of cryptocurrencies is a concern for both investors and regulators. The US Securities and Exchange Commission is reportedly taking a hard look at the phenomenon.
The overall value of the cryptocurrency market is estimated at over US$90 billion. Critics have likened the phenomenon to the dotcom bubble in the 1990s.
Another startup that raised funding in 2016 through an ICO is Lykke, a Swiss startup seeking to disrupt the retail trading market using blockchain technology to enable near instant settlement and lower costs.
The company ran an ICO that raised 1.161 million CHF through the selling of over 23 million Lykke Coins (LKK) to some 700 investors. On this time ICO were not yet that popular and it took quite a while until they got the funding.
Lykke Coins are currently trading at around 0.37 USD/LKK for a market capitalization of 60 million USD, a 640% increase compared to the price in April of 0.05 USD/LKK. But globally still not many know Lykke, Probably as they have with Richard Olson a Swiss founder, the Swiss mentality is deliver first, then speak.
Lykke is building a global marketplace where users are able to trade all classes of financial instruments issued in the form of Colored Coins, a technology that allows to associate real world assets with addresses on the Bitcoin network.
By leveraging blockchain technology, Lykke provides users direct ownership and immediate settlement. The Lykke Exchange doesn&#8217;t charge any commission fee.
The exchange currently lets users trade conventional currencies such as CHF, EUR, GBP and USD, as well as cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, SolarCoin, WorldView and Chronobank&#8217;s Time token.
New: Trade Ether or a Student via Lykke
Lykke added ether trading earlier this month. Ether (ETH), the cryptocurrency of the Ethereum network, is the world&#8217;s second largest cryptocurrency with a market capitalization of 31 billion USD. Ether is currently trading at 344 USD/ETH, a 2,193% increase compared to the price in March of 15 USD/ETH.
Lykke has also deployed offchain settlement at Lykke Exchange. Offchain settlement allows for even cheaper and faster settlement time. In the process, counterparties freeze funds as a collateral on the blockchain and provide so-called &#8220;commitments&#8221; to each other. When both parties agree to the terms of the new trade then commitments are updated. Commitment transaction can be broadcasted at any time on the blockchain to get frozen funds back and close the channel.
Also now in theory even student loans can be settled via Lykke. Swiss based Splendit announced a partnership to settle via Lykkes Blockchain. This means thanks to this partnerhisp Splendit will be able also to finance students in other countries as Switzerland.
This examples shows in the future nearly everything might be traded and settled via the Lykk Platform
The company further announced that by end of summer, Lykke will be an ERC20-token wallet and will be able to engage with all smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain.
These include for instance much-popularized Gnosis, a prediction market, Aragon, a platform that creates software and solutions to manage companies, and Golem, a project that aims to create a global decentralized market for computing power.
In Europe, Lykke is currently applying for a European Investment Firm (CIF) license and an Electronic Money Institution license for its subsidiary in Cyprus.
In Singapore, Lykke is in the final stages of choosing legal council to assist it with Singapore regulatory applications and enable it to launch &#8220;a fully tokenized securities exchange.&#8221;
&#8220;This would allow us to handle security related ICO/ITOs as well as provide a venue for secondary trading,&#8221; the company said.
Lykke is working on adding margin trading to the Lykke Exchange.
Lykke Road map:
Source: Trello
The post Lykke, the Undiscovered Coin Made in Switzerland appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/lykke-the-undiscovered-coin-made-in-switzerland</link><guid>62</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Lykke-coin-price-chart.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Lykke, the Undiscovered Coin Made in Switzerland</dc:text></item><item><title>9 Upcoming Fintech Events In Switzerland to Mark in your Calendar</title><description><![CDATA[As fintech continues to gain momentum, several events are scheduled to take place later this year in Switzerland to discuss the hottest trends in the sector including peer-to-peer lending, robo-advisors, blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies.
These events all aim to provide a platform for industry stakeholders to meet and connect, and will bring together fintech startups, entrepreneurs, financial institutions and policy makers to discuss the future of finance.
Here’s a list of some of the key fintech events that will take place in the coming months in Switzerland.

Blockchain Valley Conference
Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute in Rüschlikon, Zurich
June 13, 2017

IBM Research, Swiss Re and the Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute have joined forces to organize the Blockchain Valley Conference, an event aimed at connecting networks of blockchain research and practice with thought leaders and decision makers from society, business and the media.
The event will approach the blockchain topic from different points of view at and will cover several topics including technology and innovation, business, and society.

Swiss Finance + Technology Association Town Hall
Impact Hub – Loft Corner, Zurich
June 21, 2017

The inaugural Swiss Finance + Technology Association Town Hall event will take place on June 21 in Zurich and will consist of a 90 min evening workshop for the association’s members, volunteers and the board to share progress on their initiatives.
As the Swiss Finance + Technology Association is growing fast, the event is aimed at strengthening levels of commitment and increasing the quality of what the association can deliver towards internal and external stakeholders.

Summer Social Event – Swiss FinteCH Meetup (Zurich)
Impact Hub, Zurich
June 21, 2017

The Summer Social Event, an annual tradition by the Swiss FinteCH Meetup group, will gather fintech enthusiasts and experts to connect and socialize around drinks before the summer break.

FinDating
Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues, Geneva
June 22, 2017

FinDating proposes a unique networking opportunity to meet and develop synergies with a wide range of financial professionals based in the Canton of Geneva. The event is targeted at private bankers, independent wealth managers, multi family offices, financial advisors and high net worth individuals.
The theme of this edition is ‘FinTech: “New technology for a digital finance: exchange your perspective!”‘
Findating will end with an after-business party during which all the exhibitors, sponsors and attendees will have the opportunity to share contacts and ideas in a very sophisticated atmosphere, enjoying food, champagne, music and an exclusive fashion show.
The event is reserved only to qualified investors. The admission is free.

Hackathon: “Gaming on the Blockchain”
Route de Drize 7, Carouge
June 22, 2017

The Hackathon: Gaming on the blockchain will focus on creating a game (or any simple service) using blockchain tokens to allow users to unlock new features. Participants will need to connect a user account to a blockchain wallet to offer them the true ownership of digital assets.
The purpose of this hackathon is to discover how Counterparty assets, Ethereum ERC20 tokens, or any other blockchain technology can enrich users’ experience.
The event is open to any developer, game designer or anyone who would like to take part in this unique experience.

Artificial Intelligence – The next revolution without options
ETH Zurich
June 27, 2017

Artificial Intelligence – The next revolution without options is set to be a unique event gathering several global leaders to share their insights on AI. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate on some of the most burning issues on AI. Which are currently the biggest identified risks, what are the causes and the consequences and can we mitigate them respectively. What can be done today or tomorrow?
Confirmed speakers include representatives from IBM and Google, among other leading firms.

Swiss Fintech Day 2017
Startup Space, Schlieren
September 04, 2017

The Swiss Fintech Day 2017 is scheduled on September 04 and will feature Swiss businessman and politician Johann N. Schneider-Ammann.
More information should be released soon.

Finance 2.0 Crypto ’17
Kaufleuten Zurich
September 14, 2017

Finance 2.0 Crypto ’17 will be an event entirely dedicated to the world of Bitcoin, blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies.
While Bitcoin is still the most popular digital currency, many different alternative cryptocurrencies (altcoins) have been attracting considerable amounts of capital. Because of this ever-growing interest in digital currencies, the goal of this conference is to discuss their long-term capabilities and impact.
On September 14, 2017, leading experts will come together to talk about these topics and tackle some of the most urging issues surrounding cryptocurrencies at Kaufleuten Zürich.

Finance 2.0 Insurtech ’17
Kosmos, Zurich
October 24, 2017

As insurtech shakes up the insurance industry, Finance 2.0 Insurtech ’17 aims to act as a platform connecting the traditional insurance sector with new tech-enabled entrants.
The conference will cover some of the hottest trends in insurtech including blockchain technology, and the Internet-of-Things, among many others.

Did we missed an important one? Please contact us, we are happy to hear from you and support your event.
Featured picture via pixabayb, https://pixabay.com/en/stanserhorn-switzerland-mou...
The post 9 Upcoming Fintech Events In Switzerland to Mark in your Calendar appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/9-upcoming-fintech-events-in-switzerland-to-mark-in-your-calendar</link><guid>1</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Blockchain-Valley-Conference.jpeg</dc:content ><dc:text>9 Upcoming Fintech Events In Switzerland to Mark in your Calendar</dc:text></item><item><title>Accelerators, Incubators and VCs for Fintechs in London</title><description><![CDATA[London has the world&#8217;s largest financial services sector, supported by a booming tech sector. The city has all the key ingredients for fintech success: capital, talent, regulatory and government support.
Image credit: London, Tower Bridge, via Pixabay
In 2016, the UK&#8217;s Financial Conduct Authority launched its fintech regulatory sandbox, which allows businesses to test innovative products, services, business models and delivery mechanisms in a live environment.
In November last year, it announced its first cohort, which comprised big banks like HSBC and Lloyds Banking Group, but also young startups. These included blockchain companies BitX, which specializes in cross-border money transfers, and Tramonex, which provides an e-money platform that leverages blockchain to facilitate donations to charities, as well as Oval, an app that helps users build up savings by putting aside small amounts of money, and Nextday Property Ltd., an Internet-based property company.
Some of the world&#8217;s leading fintech companies are based in London. Atom Bank launched in 2016 and is known for being the UK&#8217;s first digital-only bank. The app-based bank doesn&#8217;t have any branches and focuses on transparency, convenience, and low cost banking services. In December 2016, Atom Bank began offering residential mortgages.
Another notable fintech company is Funding Circle, one of the world&#8217;s leading marketplaces exclusively focused on small businesses based in the UK. More than £1.3 billion (US$2 billion) has been lent to 20,000 businesses in the UK, USA, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands through the platform. Businesses can borrow directly from a wide range of investors, including more than 40,000 individuals, the UK government, local councils, a university and a number of financial organizations.
In 2015, UK payment processing company Worldpay Group PLC launched the country&#8217;s largest tech IPO of the year. The success story demonstrated that the UK is a great place to start a fintech business and that has all the resources to help companies scale, be successful and achieve a world-class exit.
 
London&#8217;s biggest fintech investors
Image credit: Reception, Level39, London, via Level39.co
In 2015, the UK VC-backed fintech investment activity reached an all-time-high with US$962 million through 61 deals, according to KPMG and CB Insights’ The Pulse of Fintech 2015 in Review report.
Top fintech investors in the UK include Accel, which has invested in the likes of Circle, Card Spring and Lenddo, as well as Anthemis Group, which has invested in Betterment, Moven, Simple, Fidor Bank and Currency Cloud, Balderton Capital, which has backed Zopa, Nutmeg and Crowdcube, among others, as well as Index Capital, Octopus, Aviva Ventures and Passion Capital.
 
Top fintech acceleration and incubation programs
London also hosts the some of the world&#8217;s leading acceleration and incubation programs, among which the notorious Startupbootcamp Fintech accelerator program, Barclays RISE, Techstars and Accenture&#8217;s Fintech Innovation Lab.
Canary Wharf&#8217;s Level39 is Europe&#8217;s largest technology accelerator for finance, retail, cybersecurity and smart cities. It hosts several notable fintech companies including blockchain companies Coinfirm, Ripple and BABB, as well as Silk Ventures, a tech accelerator and venture catalyst, and Yodlee, a leading tech and applications platform for digital financial services, among many others.
 
Fintech Week London
The fourth annual London Fintech Week, which will take place from July 07th to 14th, 2017 in London, will comprise a series of conferences, exhibitions, workshops hackathons, meetups and parties, dedicated to financial innovation.
The London Fintech Week 2017 is expected to bring over 3,000 participants throughout the week to discuss the future of money and payments, capital markets and insurance, among other topics.
Speakers will include representatives from Techstars, the Royal Bank of Scotland, Passion Capital, Starling Bank, BBVA, and many others.
 
Featured image: London bridge photo from hot air balloon, via Wikipedia.
The post Accelerators, Incubators and VCs for Fintechs in London appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/accelerators-incubators-and-vcs-for-fintechs-in-london</link><guid>2</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Fintech-London-300x199.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Accelerators, Incubators and VCs for Fintechs in London</dc:text></item><item><title>UAE Poised To Become The Fintech Nexus In MENA</title><description><![CDATA[In financial centers around the world, fintech has attracted large amounts of investment and attention from the private and public sectors as banks seek to maintain their competitive edge amid growing competition from new entrants, and governments aim to position themselves as hubs for innovation.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is no exception, having expressed its intention to modernize the country through the National Innovation Strategy, a nationwide initiative aimed at creating an innovation-friendly ecosystem.
 
Fintech in the UAE&#8217;s innovation and technology push
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and the ADGM&#8217;s Financial Services Authority CEO (FSRA), via Twitter
Fintech is set to play a key role in the UAE&#8217;s ambition to become a center of excellence for technology. For that reason, the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) launched last year the Regulatory Laboratory (RegLab), the first fintech regulatory sandbox and framework to launch in MENA which aimed to encourage fintech startups and provide regulatory assistance and advice.
The RegLab welcomed its first batch in May consisting of five startups: two local UAE fintechs (Now Money and Titanium Escrow), two Indians (CapitaWorld and Rubique) and one American (Finalytix).
In Dubai, the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) too has moved forward with fintech regulation, launching in May the Innovation Testing Licence (ITL).
The new class of financial services license allows fintechs to develop and test innovative concept between six to 12 months from within the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC) without being subject to all the regulatory requirements that normally apply to regulated firms.
 
Attracting talents
DIFC Governor, HE Essa Kazim proudly launches FinTech Hive at DIFC, via Instagram
The launch of the Fintech Hive in January by the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) marked a key development in the region&#8217;s fintech sector as it welcomed its first fintech-focused accelerator.
Aimed at &#8220;transforming DIFC into a global fintech innovation hub linking the US, European and Middle East, African and South Asian (MEASA) markets,&#8221; Fintech Hive at DIFC is a three-month acceleration program that provides mentorship and support to startup entrepreneurs.
It intends to act as a platform connecting financial and technology firms to develop solutions that improve customer experience and drive operational efficiencies in the financial services sector.
 
Top fintech companies in UAE
When compared to the likes of the UK or the US, the UAE&#8217;s fintech startup scene is still at an early stage. Regardless, there are a number of local ventures that are worth keeping an eye on.
These include for instance Bridg, a consumer-to-merchant smartphone payment platform that works over Bluetooth. Bridg targets tourists, developing nations and allows for in-flight mobile payments.
Another payment startup is Payfort, an online payment service provider serving businesses, government, airlines, SMEs, startups and institutions across the region. The Payfort payment gateway is built with the most sophisticated and latest anti-money laundering technology to eliminate the risk on both the buyer and seller side of online payments.
In insurtech, Democrance works with insurers, mobile operators and other industries to offer insurance and protection to the 99% uninsured population in the region. The company operates in MENA.
Beehive is a regulated peer-to-peer lending platform launched in 2014. Beehive connects investors with businesses looking for capital.
Eureeca was the first equity crowdfunding platform to get an official license from the DFSA back in November 2016. Eureeca works with government in the region to connect SMEs looking for expansion capital with international angel investors.
But besides fintech startups, banks and financial institutions as well have been pushing financial innovation.
For instance, the National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) was the first bank in MENA to go live on blockchain for real time cross border payments by leveraging the Ripple network.
Other examples are the Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), which partnered with Fidor Bank to launch the region&#8217;s first ‘community based digital bank’ back in October 2016 or the Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD), announced late in November that it is launching “CBD Now”, Dubai’s first digital-only bank. They aim to target millennials and digitally connected customers.
Featured image: Dubai landscape city skyscraper, via Pixabay.
The post UAE Poised To Become The Fintech Nexus In MENA appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/uae-poised-to-become-the-fintech-nexus-in-mena</link><guid>3</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/RegLab-Abu-Dhabi-UAE-300x186.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>UAE Poised To Become The Fintech Nexus In MENA</dc:text></item><item><title>Switzerland’s Top Fintech Investors</title><description><![CDATA[The fintech sector continues to attract the attention of investors. In 2016, global venture investment in fintech grew by 11% to US$17.4 billion with a large portion of this amount going towards Chinese (US$7.7 billion) and American (US$6.2 billion) ventures.
Nevertheless, Swiss startups managed to raise US$34 million in 2016, surpassing the likes of Spain (US$12 million), Italy (US$9 million), Luxembourg (US$2 million), Denmark (US$32 million) and Norway (US$4 million). And when you consider Switzerland&#8217;s relatively small market of only eight million people; that&#8217;s really not bad.

But who exactly are driving the growth of the Swiss fintech industry?
Today, we look at some of the most active Swiss venture capital firms and investors in the fintech space.
 
Swisscom Ventures
Swisscom Ventures, the corporate venture arm of Switzerland&#8217;s leading telecom operator, invests in growth companies with emerging business models and technologies that are relevant to Swisscom&#8217;s core business.
More precisely, the firm focuses on fintech, software, cloud computing, analytics, communications, entertainment, Big Data, the Internet-of-Things, telecommunications and security.
Last year, Swisscom launched a CHF 10 million fintech investment fund. The firm&#8217;s fintech portfolio includes cloud-based business software bexio and invoice financing platform Advanon, among others. Just this days Swisscom closed an investment into Netguardian.
 
Lakestar
Lakestar invests in Internet and technologies companies, and focuses on business models that can quickly achieve global scale.
With a presence in Berlin, London and Zurich, Lakestar makes early and growth stage investments in tech-enabled businesses predominantly in Europe and the US driven by &#8220;exceptional&#8221; entrepreneurs.
Lakestar&#8217;s fintech portfolio includes Bitcoin exchange platform ShapeShift, American insurtech company Oscar, Hong Kong&#8217;s leading Internet finance firm WeLab, and online personal finance company Social Finance (SoFi).
 
Redalpine
Redalpine provides venture capital to highly scalable European startups with disruptive business models in the fields of information technology and life science, in seed and early stage.
Redalpine&#8217;s funds are registered in Luxembourg and backed by dozens of experienced entrepreneurs and investors from various countries representing a broad range of industries.
Redalpine&#8217;s fintech portfolio includes Germany&#8217;s digital bank N26, Switzerland&#8217;s insurtech startup Knip, and Swiss business software bexio.
 
Swiss Startup Invest
Swiss Startup Invest, formerly CTI Invest, is a non-profit organization and a leading financing platform for investors and startups in Switzerland. The platform aims to bring together business angels and venture capitalists in Switzerland to invest in promising local tech-enabled companies.
Investor members of Swiss Startup Invest include Google Switzerland, Novartis Venture Funds, Swisscom Ventures, Redalpine, Technopark Luzern, and Zürcher Kantonalbank, among many others.
Swiss Startup Invest has backed the likes of Tawipay, a remittance platform, and Apiax, a regtech startup.
 
Go Beyond
Go Beyond is a fintech startup that aims to transform angel investing into a new scalable asset class for small and large, novice and experienced investors. It offers a platform, portfolio tools, syndication/pooling, due diligence, investment monitoring services, training and certified deal leaders.
Go Beyond invests in five industries: technology, Internet and mobile, industrial, consumer and impact. Its clients are individuals, family offices, professional groups and corporations. The company is active in the EU, Switzerland and the US.
Go Beyond has backed the likes of Loot, a new banking service in the UK, CashSentinel, a payments startup, and Startupbootcamp, Europe&#8217;s leading accelerator for startups.
 
SICTIC
The Swiss ICT Investor Club (SICTIC) is a non-profit organization that connects &#8220;smart money investors&#8221; to Swiss early stage tech startups.
SICTIC does not invest itself nor does it hold shares in startups. Instead, SICTIC organizes the dealflow and match making of startups and investors, and facilitates the process until the investment round closes.
SICTIC&#8217;s fintech vertical called SICTIC Fintech Angels was launched in June 2016 to connect investors to Swiss early-stage fintech startups.
 
btov Partners
btov Partners is a European venture capital firm focused on early stage investments in digital and industrial tech-focused startups in early and later stage. The firm invests in several areas including fintech, consumer Internet, software, marketplaces, industrial artificial intelligence, the Internet-of-Things, cybersecurity, and more.
btov Partners operates its own funds, manages partner funds and offers direct investment opportunities to private investors.
btov Partners has invested in Germany&#8217;s Raisin, a leading deposit marketplace in Europe, invoice financing platform Advanon, and German online financial comparison site Finanzcheck.de.
 
Investiere
Investiere is an online investment platform and one of Switzerland&#8217;s most active and experienced venture capital investors. The platform offers accredited private and institutional investors direct and professional access to startup investments, and seeks to open up the asset class venture capital to a wider audience.
So far, Investiere has successfully closed over 50 financing rounds and has built a diversified portfolio across the different sectors that compose the Swiss innovation landscape.
In fintech, Investiere has invested in Qumram, a cybersecurity startup serving heavily regulated industries including banking, insurance, healthcare and government, and Sherpany, a web-based e-voting and investor relations platform.
 
Featured picture via pixabay
The post Switzerland&#8217;s Top Fintech Investors appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/switzerlands-top-fintech-investors</link><guid>4</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Global-Fintech-VC-deals-2016.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Switzerland’s Top Fintech Investors</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech and Banking Solutions for Freelancers and Digital Nomads</title><description><![CDATA[Fintech startups are coming up with ingenious solutions to serve freelancers and small businesses around the world that work internationally and demanding sophisticated, yet affordable digital banking solutions.
Image by Eugenio Marongiu via Shutterstock.com
For frequent travelers or digital nomads who spend most of their time abroad, banking fees and bad exchange rates for international card use can quickly become a real problem. But in Europe and all around the world, digital banks have emerged to serve our evolving way of life and changing consumer behavior.
While some fintech startups, such as N26 and TransferWise, have expanded their offerings and developed products especially dedicated to freelancers and remote workers, others have launched to serve specifically these segments.
This is the case of Coconut, formerly Monizo, a relatively new venture from the UK that seeks to launch the &#8220;first&#8221; banking service targeted solely at freelancers.
According to CEO and co-founder Samuel O&#8217;Connor, the needs of freelancers are unique. &#8220;They are pursuing something they love and want to concentrate on that. But they get caught up in the moment and a lot of freelancers don’t realize what’s going to happen down the line,&#8221; O&#8217;Connor told Banking Technology in an interview.
With 5.4 million freelancers in the UK and 53 million freelancers in the US, the community is growing rapidly. This is because &#8220;people want to be more flexible and companies want people to be more flexible,&#8221; he said.
Kontist is a mobile banking service for freelancers in Germany offering a business banking account that comes with a number of unique features including automatic calculation of tax and VAT for each invoice, timely notifications about new transactions, and more. Kontist launched in February after a successful beta testing phase.
In Estonia, the e-Residency program announced this week a milestone partnership with Finnish fintech company Holvi that will launch borderless digital banking for its borderless digital nation.
Holvi will allow location-independent entrepreneurs who are e-residents of Estonia to open a fully digital EU IBAN business account from anywhere with an Internet connection via the e-Residency program.
 
Other digital banks
The UK, one of the world&#8217;s top fintech hubs, hosts the greatest number of digital challenger banks in Europe. These include for instance Atom Bank, Monzo, Starling and Tandem.
Image by Georgejmclittle via Shutterstock.com
Like most challenger banks, Atom Bank works through a mobile app. In addition to offering classic banking services such as banking accounts and payment cards, Atom Bank also provides residential mortgages through selected independent advisors.
Atom Bank launched in full after its regulatory authorization restrictions were lifted in April 2016.
In Germany, challenger bank N26 recently expanded its offering to provide freelancers and self-employed people with a special business account. Called N26 Business, the new banking product is essentially a consumer account with one additional feature: a 0.1% cash-back on all spending with the N26 Business Mastercard automatically deposited every quarter. The company plans to add more business features soon.
N26 already has 300,000 customers and serves people residing in Europe.
 
TransferWise expands beyond money transfer
With the recent launch of the Borderless account, TransferWise has signaled an interest in expanding its offering &#8220;beyond money transfer.&#8221;
TransferWise Borderless
Available in the UK and Europe, with a gradual rollout for US businesses beginning in June, the Borderless account is a new type of banking account aimed at freelancers and small businesses who do business across borders or in multiple currencies.
Businesses can keep money in 15 different currencies and manage their money internationally. The company said that the account will be offered to consumers later this year and a corresponding debit card will be made available as well.
Taavet Hinrikus, CEO and co-founder of TransferWise, said:
&#8220;We&#8217;re building one of the few new global financial services brands that are coming out now. We started out with international money transfer; first for consumers and then businesses. Creating the Borderless account is the next step.&#8221;
&#8220;With the unique platform we&#8217;ve built, we&#8217;re looking forward to creating a new kind of financial services for the future. The infrastructure we&#8217;ve built can help people do more than just transfer money. It can help them manage their international finances completely differently, giving them more freedom and control.&#8221;
London-based TransferWise launched in 2011 a peer-to-peer money transfer service that has rapidly grown in popularity. Today, people transfer over US$1 billion every month through the platform, saving over US$2 million every day compared to using other providers, the company claims.
 
Featured image: Smartphone with finance and market icons and symbols concept, by By ESB Professional, via Shutterstock.com.
The post Fintech and Banking Solutions for Freelancers and Digital Nomads appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-and-banking-solutions-for-freelancers-and-digital-nomads</link><guid>5</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Fintech-solutions-for-freelancers-and-remote-workers-300x198.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Fintech and Banking Solutions for Freelancers and Digital Nomads</dc:text></item><item><title>Online Financial Services Comparison Platforms: Are They Useful?</title><description><![CDATA[Online comparison platforms allow consumers to find, compare or review all sorts of products and services. These platforms, which typically aggregate product listing from many different providers and vendors, facilitate greater transparency and improved matching, helping consumers save time and money. Access to more information, including ratings and reviews, improves the consumers’ ability to find what they are looking for.
Image credit: Ollyy via Shutterstock.com
In the case of a comparison marketplace for financial and insurance products, customers no longer have to struggle with information gathering from various sources, and no longer have to make a decision based on a gut feel or a one-sided recommendation of a representative. They now have access to important information – all in the comfort of their home.
Online comparison portals have been around for a while. But newcomers and cutting-edge technologies are disrupting the industry.
On these platforms, comparison tools are often free of charge. Companies would typically earn revenues and compensate the comparison portal on a per-click basis (a fee paid for every click), per lead (a commission for contact requests), per closed sale (a signed contract or a successful online application), as well as web advertising.
UK-based Moneysupermarket.com was one of the first online financial services comparison portals. Since the business was established in 1993, Moneysupermarket.com has grown into one of the most profitable comparison-based businesses in the world.
Alongside the UK, Germany as well hosts several successful businesses. These include Check24, Verivox, and Biallo. Verivox launched its comparison services in Switzerland in 2015.
Switzerland, which is home to no less than 200 banks, 100 insurance firms and thousands of financial products, has its own homegrown online comparison portals. Notable ones are comparis.ch, an award-winning platform, and bonus.ch, which primarily focuses on insurance, banking and finance, telecommunications and consumer products.
Another platform is moneyland.ch, one of the leading financial comparison portals in Switzerland.
Founded in 2013, moneyland.ch specializes in providing comparisons of financial and insurance products, and uses intelligent algorithms that can compare more than 100 cost and rate variables per product.
The platform lets users find the health insurance policies, insurance coverages, mortgages, credit cards, personal loans, online stock brokers, private banks or bank accounts (including private, business, savings, retirement or vested benefits accounts) that best matches a customer&#8217;s financial situation and expectations.
Moneyland.ch also provides Moneyguru, an independent financial assistant.
 
Featured image: Man holding digital tablet, closeup, by Peshkova, via Shutterstock.com.
The post Online Financial Services Comparison Platforms: Are They Useful? appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/online-financial-services-comparison-platforms-are-they-useful</link><guid>6</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Online-financial-services-comparison-portals-Switzerland-300x197.jpg</dc:content ><dc:text>Online Financial Services Comparison Platforms: Are They Useful?</dc:text></item><item><title>Steemit, the Blockchain-Powered Social Network</title><description><![CDATA[Inspired by Reddit, Steemit is a blogging and social networking website running on top of a blockchain that pays users and content creators for posting and curating the best content.
Founded in 2016, Steemit is the brainchild of Ned Scott and Daniel Larimer, creator of BitShares. The platform is relatively new but has nevertheless grown rapidly in community size and content. As of May 2017, Steemit had over 168,000 registered accounts.
 
Steemit: how it works?
Steemit uses an algorithm to determine the value of each user&#8217;s contribution: the more a user contributes to the platform, the more his or her influence grows.
Users can be curators, contributors or both, and can write about most any topic, from mainstream to niche subjects. Like Reddit, content on Steemit is organized into sub-groups and topics.
The social network runs on top of a decentralized network called Steem. Like Bitcoin, Steem is a blockchain with transferable tokens. In the case of Steem, there are two tokens: the Steem token and the Steem Dollar.
The Steem token is the network&#8217;s base token used to reward users who upload articles, images and commentary, as well as those who source and upvote popular content. Steem is traded on multiple cryptocurrency exchanges and markets, and its value determines the value of posting rewards on Steemit. Its value also backs the value of Steem Dollars.
The Steem Dollar is an asset intended to be pegged to the US dollar which can be used for payments for goods and services. Like Steem tokens, Steem Dollars can be traded at cryptocurrency exchanges.
Steem can also be converted into Steem Power, which locks up its value for a two-year period. During that period, Steem Powers in one&#8217;s account grow through a process referred to as staking, a method for validating and confirming data on the Steem blockchain.
While Steemit.com is the reference front-end website interface for the blockchain content of Steem, the network also allows third-party websites and apps to connect and interact with the Steem database.
Several developers have already done so and numerous alternative interface designs and features currently exist such as Instagram-style image posting, as well as Busy.org, a Steem-interacting social network, and eSteem, a Steem-interacting Android and iOS app.
 
A rocky start
Despite a price surge during Steemit&#8217;s first three months of existence, a hack in July 2016 raised questions about security. At the same time, the craze surrounding the new social network draw attention from the cryptocurrency community.
Some members of the community voiced their concerns publically and pointed out the &#8220;ponzi scheme aspects&#8221; of Steemit, among other issues. The negative publicity pushed the price of Steem down by 98%+ from 4 USD/STEEM in mid-July 2016 to 0.07 USD/STEEM as of mid-March 2017.
And as if that were not enough, co-founder Dan Larimer resigned as CTO of Steemit two months. Larimer&#8217;s two-sentence post gave no explanation or reason for the departure.
Nevertheless, Steemit still remains and apparently has a growing user base.
The Steem token is now trading at around 1.30 USD/STEEM and has a market capitalization of over US$310 million, making it the 16th largest cryptocurrency by market cap behind more popular ones such as Bitcoin (market cap: US$39 billion) and Ethereum (market cap: US$18 billion).
Steem chart via http://coinmarketcap.com/
The post Steemit, the Blockchain-Powered Social Network appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/steemit-the-blockchain-powered-social-network</link><guid>7</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/steemit-logo-blockchain-social-media-platform-300x157.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Steemit, the Blockchain-Powered Social Network</dc:text></item><item><title>Saudi Arabia and Japan’s SoftBank Launch World’s Largest Tech Fund</title><description><![CDATA[An investment group that includes Japan&#8217;s SoftBank and Saudi Arabia&#8217;s main sovereign wealth fund, has announced a major close with over US$93 billion of committed capital for the tech-focused SoftBank Vision Fund.
SoftBank Vision Fund Announces First Major Close, via SoftBank Group
The fund, which is targeting a total of US$100 billion of committed capital with a final close within six months, is expected to be the largest technology investment fund ever. It aims to invest in companies and &#8220;foundational platform businesses&#8221; that seek to enable &#8220;the next age of innovation.&#8221;
&#8220;Technology has the potential to address the biggest challenges and risks facing humanity today,&#8221; said Masayoshi Son, chairman and CEO of SoftBank Group Corp.
&#8220;The businesses working to solve these problems will require patient long-term capital and visionary strategic investment partners with the resources to nurture their success. The SoftBank Vision Fund is consistent with [the bank&#8217;s strategy as to invest in transformative technologies and support disruptive entrepreneurs]. It will help grow businesses creating the foundational platforms of the next stage of the Information Revolution.&#8221;
Alongside SoftBank and the Public Investment Fund of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, other investors include the Mubadala Investment Company of the United Arab Emirates, which has committed US$15 billion, Apple Inc., Foxconn Technology Group, Qualcomm Incorporated and Sharp Corporation.
SoftBank has pledged US$28 billion over the next five years, while Saudi Arabia is planning to contribute up to US$45 billion over the same period.
Kingdom Tower, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, via Wikipedia
Saudi Arabia&#8217;s Public Investment Fund began signaling an interest in the tech sector last year when it invested US$3.5 billion in Uber. Last month, the fund injected US$500 million into noon.com, a startup based in Riyadh that wants to be the Amazon of the Middle East.
Commenting on the launch, Yasir Al Rumayyan, managing director of the Public Investment Fund of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, said that the investment in the SoftBank Vision Fund was &#8220;an important part of our overall investment strategy.&#8221;
&#8220;We are building a portfolio that is diversified across sectors, asset classes and geographies, and expect the Vision Fund to act as a platform to access of exciting, emerging opportunities in the technology sector,&#8221; said Al Rumayyan.
&#8220;We expect that this will, in turn help enable the Public Investment Fund&#8217;s role in supporting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia&#8217;s Vision 2030 strategy to develop a diversified, knowledge-based economy.&#8221;
Saudi Arabia&#8217;s Vision 2030 is a plan to reduce the country&#8217;s dependence on oil and rely on alternatives diverse economy and the development of service sectors such as health, education, infrastructure constructive, recreation and tourism.
Details were announced in April 2016 by Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud and include 80 projects costing as least US$3.7 million and also up to US$20 million implement the Saudi Vision 2030.
According to experts gathering for the Euromoney Saudi Arabia Conference earlier this month, Saudi Arabia’s financial sector is likely to encounter significant disruption from new fintechs in the coming years, but could emerge stronger and more streamlined.
Fintech development in Saudi Arabia has been slow so far but new initiatives are being set up to create a positive ecosystem for fintech. These will be designed to enhance the business environment, reform regulatory support and provide access to capital, according to reports.
 
Featured image by zimmytws via Shutterstock.com.
The post Saudi Arabia and Japan&#8217;s SoftBank Launch World&#8217;s Largest Tech Fund appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/saudi-arabia-and-japans-softbank-launch-worlds-largest-tech-fund</link><guid>8</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Saudi-Arabia-and-Japans-SoftBank-Launch-Worlds-Largest-Tech-Fund-300x174.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Saudi Arabia and Japan’s SoftBank Launch World’s Largest Tech Fund</dc:text></item><item><title>Swiss Banks And Swiss Fintechs Are Undergoing A Serious Customer Trust Issue</title><description><![CDATA[Swiss banks and financial institutions are facing many challenges as new, tech-focused entrants are trying to disrupt their businesses. Customer behavior and expectations have changed dramatically and trust in the financial services market is on an all-time low, an issue that needs to be overcome rapidly for both incumbents and startups, according to a new report by consulting firm EY.
Building trust digitally has become a priority in the financial services industry, notably in Switzerland where financial services customers are among the most digitalized customers when compared to other countries.
Fintech startups are radically transforming the industry&#8217;s business and marketing practices. These companies integrate digital media and technology to make services and interactions more transparent, simple and convenient, and address previously unmet needs of customers.
Fintech startups excel in digital customer experiences, but at the same time, are challenging an industry that typically relies on building customer relationship through personal face-to-face interactions between the customer and an advisor.
EY, which interviewed 12 experts and senior managers representing both incumbent and startup companies, reported its findings in a paper called &#8220;Is trust powered by a heartbeat or a beep?&#8221; in which the firm shares recommendations for fintechs and banks to build trust in an increasingly digitalized environment.
Insights gained from these interviews, in addition to the results of a qualitative survey with over 400 Swiss citizens, were used to formulate recommendations on how trust can be built through digital interactions.
For incumbents, the report says that although these firms have a competitive advantage, this advantage can be reduced by startups that are following a &#8220;hybrid strategy&#8221; which combines personal and digital interaction in different phases of the customer process.
It recommends banks to expand their digital presence to meet customer expectations and consider carefully where to reduce personally contact if necessary. Furthermore, a convenient deployment of new technologies and elaborated digital interactions are needed to keep up with startup companies.
For new entrants and tech-focused startups, the report claims that the lack of existing trust is an undeniable constraint that needs to be overcome. Trust-building measures should be put in place in digital interactions in order to compensate the lack of personal contact. Also, personal elements in the customer interaction can contribute to reduce their strategic disadvantage.
 
Partnering with Fintech Startups
In Switzerland, 70% of the bankers are expecting price competition because of fintechs and 56% predict a loss of market share, according to PwC&#8217;s Global Fintech Report 2017.
The response to fintech by Swiss incumbents is predominantly monitoring fintechs and engaging in partnerships. However, banks named the biggest hurdles in engaging with fintechs as IT security, differences in management and cultures, and regulatory uncertainties.
Despite the challenges, 82% of Swiss respondents plan to increase partnerships over the next three to five plans.
&#8220;In Switzerland, we have a relatively small, fragmented market, with intense competition and high barriers to entry. The perceived threat by fintechs is comparatively less dramatic than in other markets,&#8221; said Daniel Diemers, Partner Financial Services PwC Strategy and Switzerland.
&#8220;The focus here is more on wealth management, an area that sees disruption today as less imminent than retail banking or payments. However, the trends will clearly disrupt all areas of financial services in the coming 5-10 years, including Swiss private banking and wealth management.&#8221;
Swiss respondents named payments (73%), wealth management (62%), mortgage loans (58%), and funds transfers (54%) as the four areas that will be the most impacted by fintech.
The report says that the Swiss financial services industry can benefit from fintech innovation in a number of areas. Advanced data analytics can improve risk models, identification and quantification. Financial technology also enables firms and banks to target, reach and service clients in a more personalized and engaged manner.

Featured image: Handshake by pikcha, via Shutterstock.com.
The post Swiss Banks And Swiss Fintechs Are Undergoing A Serious Customer Trust Issue appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/swiss-banks-and-swiss-fintechs-are-undergoing-a-serious-customer-trust-issue</link><guid>9</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Is-trust-powered-by-a-heartbeat-or-a-beep-EY-report-300x231.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Swiss Banks And Swiss Fintechs Are Undergoing A Serious Customer Trust Issue</dc:text></item><item><title>Customers Welcome Artificial Intelligence</title><description><![CDATA[A Consumer Intelligence report by PwC revealed that most consumers believe artificial intelligence (AI) will help humankind. In February 2017, PwC conducted an expert salon in New York City to capture ideas from thought leaders in AI and emerging technologies across media, entertainment, communications, and consulting.
More than half of the 2,500 individuals surveyed agree AI will help solve complex problems that plague modern societies (63 percent) and help people live more fulfilling lives (59 percent). On the other hand, less than half believe AI will harm people by taking away jobs (46 percent). When it comes to a blockbuster-movie-style doomsday, only 23 percent believe AI will have serious, negative implications.
The survey was conducted among adults 18 and older. Business decision makers were identified as being managers or leaders within their organisations who influenced key choices on technology, service development, and other critical aspects of developing the business.
Forms of AI in use today include digital assistants, chatbots, and machine learning. With a market projected to reach US$70 billion by 2020, AI is poised to have a transformative effect on consumer, enterprise, and government markets around the world, said the report.
Consumers are rooting for AI
Despite the way the film industry and news media largely portray AI, most consumers see how it could benefit their lives.
At PwC&#8217;s panel discussion with AI thought leaders, Kaza Razat, an AI developer, theorised that AI will help humans overcome their own shortcomings: “As humans, there’s a lot we’re not good at. When we’re making machines that are better at certain things than we are, it’s still an extension of us. From an evolution standpoint, there are places where we’ve reached the end of our capacity.”
Most consumers believe that AI will provide solutions to major issues they’re concerned with today. Cybersecurity, privacy, cancer, and other diseases rank among their chief concerns. For instance, with the enormous amount of DNA data being recorded today, AI could revolutionise personalised healthcare by analysing that data; wearables and ingestibles could monitor and correct human behaviour to maximize life expectancy and enhance wellbeing.

But what do consumers think about AI’s impact on their immediate future? In the next five years, more than half can imagine AI assistants replacing humans as tutors (58 percent), travel agents (56 percent), tax preparers (54 percent), and office assistants (52 percent). However, consumers still have reservations about consciously adopting AI as home assistants, house cleaners, financial advisers, chauffeurs, health coaches, and doctors.
Over 40 percent of consumers also believe AI will expand access to financial, medical, legal, and transportation services to those with lower incomes. This democratisation has already been popping up with services like DoNotPay, a bot that appeals parking tickets for free.
However, the report found that 77 percent would prefer to visit a doctor in person than to take an assessment at home with a robotic smart kit. Sixty-one percent would rather have universities with human teaching assistants than universities with chatbot assistants that lower the cost of tuition. It seems like consumers still crave human insight and connection when it comes to more long-term or impactful decisions on their health and education.

People love their Digital Assistants
AI programs that can help individuals perform tasks or services, called digital assistants, have already become common and acceptable shoulders to lean on in daily life and work environments. Forty-two percent of consumers already use digital assistants, while 72 percent of business execs and 53 percent of millennials are using them. Combining user input, location awareness, and other information across a variety of online sources, they’re shedding any negative perception of being just frivolous apps, said the report.
But as the line between humans and bots becomes more blurred, so too do consumer preferences for customer service. Thirty-five percent said their biggest concern with an AI customer service was a loss of human touch. They’re looking for the best of both worlds. In fact, 43 percent of millennials and 28 percent of business execs would pay a premium for a hybrid service run by AI that offers direct access to humans, versus a human-only service.

Businesses investing in AI
Businesses are betting big on AI: 54 percent of business and IT executives in PwC&#8217;s Digital IQ survey said their companies are making substantial investments today; in three years, that number should jump to 63 percent.
In their own roles, business execs see huge potential for AI to alleviate repetitive, menial tasks such as paperwork (82 percent), scheduling (79 percent), and timesheets (78 percent). In fact, 78 percent agree it will free all employees from such tasks at all levels across their organisations. Already, 34 percent of business execs say that the extra time freed up from using digital assistants allows them to focus on deep thinking and creating.
“In the last few decades, we as mankind have made our systems much more complex. As a result, no one person can cumulatively know what is involved in any given system or solution. Our machines are becoming smarter by learning and embodying the collective experience of mankind, or a group of experts.” &#8211; Anand Rao, Innovation Lead, Data &amp; Analytics, PwC“In the last few decades, we as mankind have made our systems much more complex. As a result, no one person can cumulatively know what is involved in any given system or solution. Our machines are becoming smarter by learning and embodying the collective experience of mankind, or a group of experts.”
&#8211; Anand Rao, Innovation Lead, Data &amp; Analytics, PwC

Seventy-two percent of business execs believe AI will be the business advantage of the future. More than half believe that utilising AI in business settings could boost productivity, inform business strategy, and generate growth which far outweighs the potential downside of employment concerns, the report noted.
The post Customers Welcome Artificial Intelligence appeared first on Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/customers-welcome-artificial-intelligence</link><guid>10</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content >http://fintechnews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/AI-report-pic-4.png</dc:content ><dc:text>Customers Welcome Artificial Intelligence</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #182</title><description><![CDATA[How safe are Monzo, Revolut or N26? Do you trust them with your salary? How to navigate the competing regulations GDPR and MiFIDII. And did you know almost no financial insitution can deliver on personalization? Enjoy another issue of your weekly fintech news roundup.
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-182</link><guid>768</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #182</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #335</title><description><![CDATA[
Banks found a strong competitor: FinTech. FinTech is faster, can be personalized, is more accessible, and is easier to use. 
It doesn’t only offer financial management tools, but also cards, electronic payments, insurtech and online borrowings. If fighting were to break out, we would know the winner.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-335</link><guid>2306</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #335</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #144</title><description><![CDATA[Oh, hi there. Had enough of discussing Uber's data breach? 
Here comes: a guide to regulating cryptocurrencies and ICOs. CX should be your top priority as a bank. Why we still need bank branches and the essentials of regtech. Among loads of different news and insights. Enjoy this week's news issue.
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-144</link><guid>261</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #144</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #164</title><description><![CDATA[Big news: our very own Fintech Magazine has moved from our own domain to Medium. Same content, different look and now open to even more authors. Add your piece to our contribution with just a click! We're excited and hope you check out the new magazine on Medium.
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-164</link><guid>518</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #164</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #319</title><description><![CDATA[Can you find the next corona with new technologies? 
The smart healthcare team of Ping An Smart City utilizes big data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and other cutting-edge technologies to transform and upgrade urban public health management platforms so that city managers can track the epidemic conditions in the city in real-time, accurately assess epidemic development trends and improve tracking and deployment of emergency resources.
The Ping An Smart Healthcare team has developed more than 70 AI disease prediction models, 90 smart medical image models, 2,000 disease diagnosis models, 120 disease treatment models, 50 disease Q&A models, and two end-to-end management models, so that it is as prepared as possible to put the new platform into operation. Read more further below in our InsurTech Section.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-319</link><guid>2055</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #319</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #355 - What To Do When Inflation Rises</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-355-what-to-do-when-inflation-rises</link><guid>2567</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #355 - What To Do When Inflation Rises</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #207</title><description><![CDATA[The future of fintech is new business models, Chris Skinner discusses techfin and customer centricity and then we have some great events and webinars coming up. Enjoy!]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-207</link><guid>1033</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #207</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #381 - Anonymous, But Together – And Driven By Data</title><description><![CDATA[
Blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies became an important part of the fintech industry. Especially for what concerns Gen Z, the demand for cryptocurrencies is quite high, and the reasons behind this are mainly related to pseudonymity or anonymity – depending on the crypto project, decentralization, and a major control over financial assets. 

But the same generation is also interested in major social and economic issues like climate change. How can the two interests coexist in the same person if Bitcoin consumes more energy than Pakistan? To address this green finance-related question, Tim Lea wrote an in-depth article for FinTech Weekly, analyzing the correlation between consumptions and cryptocurrencies – and the Proof of Stake trend, also considering Ethereum’s transition.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-381-anonymous-but-together-and-driven-by-data</link><guid>2826</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #381 - Anonymous, But Together – And Driven By Data</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #356 - Game of Banks</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-356-game-of-banks</link><guid>2573</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #356 - Game of Banks</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #165</title><description><![CDATA[Closing the first third of 2018 with a cynic's guide to fintech, the bank's view of open banking and why becoming a digital bank is more than just lipstick on a legacy pig.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-165</link><guid>526</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #165</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #320</title><description><![CDATA[More and more companies are choosing direct stock exchange listings over traditional listings. By that companies save on fees for underwriting the IPO offering and avoid mispriced shares as it is estimated by investment banks and not the market. In direct listings, no new shares and additional capital are raised. However, Wise is still being advised by banks like Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-320</link><guid>2066</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #320</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #166</title><description><![CDATA[Time flies. The first May issue is about Open Banking, an outlook to the banking industry 2018 and confidence in third-party services. Enjoy!]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-166</link><guid>531</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #166</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #167</title><description><![CDATA[An executive's primer to understand the implications of Open Banking and PSD2. Data Analytics is killing modern banking and Regtech 101 – what it is, why now & why it matters. Enjoy another roundup on what's essential to know in the FS industry.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-167</link><guid>532</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #167</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #121</title><description><![CDATA[Today, it's mostly about the banks. What they can and should do, what successful digital innovators in banking have done and what fintechs have failed to do. On top, there we gathered some insights on blockchain adoption, where blockchain disruption might evolve further (spoiler: Europe) and a potential crypto crash. 
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-121</link><guid>21</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #121</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #184</title><description><![CDATA[Most people want an Amazon bank, why you should care that fintech banks are coming and how AI is changing banking. ]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-184</link><guid>789</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #184</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #382 - Is Regulation Vital For Inclusion?</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-382-is-regulation-vital-for-inclusion</link><guid>2837</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #382 - Is Regulation Vital For Inclusion?</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #120</title><description><![CDATA[As sunny as the weather, this week's issue will brighten up your day. Here are the latest news from the fintech industry and some insights from the fields of insurtech and AI. ]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-120</link><guid>22</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #120</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #119</title><description><![CDATA[Well, well, well. See who came in a day early this week. We apologize for the earlier-than-expected email. To make up for it, this week's news roundup is especially good. See for yourself and have a wonderful rest of your week!
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-119</link><guid>23</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #119</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #118</title><description><![CDATA[Will banks ever learn? Will augmented reality transform banking? Will there be an issue in the future without any questions in the headlines? Stay tuned and find out!
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-118</link><guid>24</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #118</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #145</title><description><![CDATA[Don't we all just love the time when there are forecasts here, retrospects there, predictions everywhere? It has begun. Enjoy the first December issue. 
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-145</link><guid>280</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #145</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #268</title><description><![CDATA[The Corona crisis continues to accompany us this week and is the subject of many articles in the latest issue of FinTech Weekly.
We also have a very interesting article about Google, the next big fintech vendor.
Have fun with these and many more interesting articles. 
Stay healthy - Max and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-268</link><guid>1304</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #268</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #336</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-336</link><guid>2328</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #336</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #117</title><description><![CDATA[Enjoy the next fintech news roundup. Everything in one spot!]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-117</link><guid>25</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #117</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #116</title><description><![CDATA[May the 4th be with you, brothers and sisters. Read why business banking sucks, why regulation may threaten fintech and why baby boomers are THE new emerging segment of banking consumers. Save big on conference tickets and enjoy the podcasts. Thanks for reading!
–Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-116</link><guid>26</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #116</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #146</title><description><![CDATA[The future for banking is bright. With 2018 sneaking up, you can enjoy more and more predictions for the upcoming year. But time doesn't stand still, so get updated on everything that happened in the past week. 
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-146</link><guid>282</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #146</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #115</title><description><![CDATA[Cash. Do you use it? Britain could become completely cashless by 2043 according to a new study. Also: does a bank need an innovation lab? And how can financial inclusion prompt social change? Let the latest issue answer these questions. Enjoy the read!
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-115</link><guid>27</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #115</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #114</title><description><![CDATA[Welcome to the FinTech Fight Club. Enjoy your weekly dose of fintech news!
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-114</link><guid>28</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #114</dc:text></item><item><title>FinTech News Issue #113</title><description><![CDATA[The internet of things in finance, the fourth industrial age and options for banks narrowing down in terms of competing with fintechs. Whats more? Quite a few new FinTech Magazine articles by our great contributors. Enjoy!]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-113</link><guid>29</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>FinTech News Issue #113</dc:text></item><item><title>FinTech News Issue #112</title><description><![CDATA[Here we are again with another issue of the latest news in fintech, finance and technology. Enjoy!]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-112</link><guid>30</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>FinTech News Issue #112</dc:text></item><item><title>FinTech News Issue #111</title><description><![CDATA[Pardon us, we are enjoying our well-earned holidays. As we were not able to curate any articles this week, we proudly present you our best and most viewed FinTech Magazine articles from the past 6 months. –Michael and the FinTech Weekly team
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-111</link><guid>31</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>FinTech News Issue #111</dc:text></item><item><title>FinTech News Issue #110</title><description><![CDATA[Here comes the latest news in fintech, finance and technology. Why you shouldn't compete with fintechs, why banking should be opened and more articles worth reading this week. Enjoy! – Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-110</link><guid>32</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>FinTech News Issue #110</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #109</title><description><![CDATA[Financial inclusion, branches vs. apps, the pitfalls of blockchain and which segments of fintech will grow the most this year. What's more? Some podcasts and events, of course. Enjoy another issue of FinTech Weekly.
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-109</link><guid>33</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #109</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #108</title><description><![CDATA[The struggles of banks in the digital age is real. Banking as a service, emerging technologies, customer loyalty, AI...these are only a few topic covered by this week's featured articles in FinTech Weekly. Enjoy!]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-108</link><guid>34</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #108</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #107</title><description><![CDATA[The increasingly important role of APIs, security concerns and some interesting insights on AI and deep learning. Enjoy the latest issue of FinTech Weekly!
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-107</link><guid>35</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #107</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #168</title><description><![CDATA[It's about time for a rebundling of financial services. Why being successful today means disrupting yourself (yes, talking about you!) and Open Banking as a once in a generation opportunity. As usual, there's the best conferences and a lot more to catch up on from the past week. 
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-168</link><guid>547</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #168</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #208</title><description><![CDATA[Do banks still need branches? Ron Shevlin says no! What dating apps can teach us about Open Banking and what the Brexit vote means for banking and fintech. So much to catch up on, we've got your back. 
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-208</link><guid>1059</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #208</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #358 - Fintech Around The World</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-358-fintech-around-the-world</link><guid>2595</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #358 - Fintech Around The World</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #106</title><description><![CDATA[Here comes your weekly fintech news update packed with only the very best and informing articles and events. Don't waste any more time. 
And as we start off into the somewhat crazy critical phase of Karneval here in Cologne, we hope you will enjoy a calm day!
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly Team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-106</link><guid>36</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #106</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #321</title><description><![CDATA[Big tech is taking another bit of the banking pie by soon adding another service to their payment offering. After Apple Pay and Apple Card it's a logical next step to offer different payment options and enrich the experience. Soon you will be able to pay in 4 or more installments. No need for an additional step to take a loan and by that fewer steps for the customer and less business for classic banks and lending companies.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-321</link><guid>2084</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #321</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #104</title><description><![CDATA[Banks need to innovate differently. Read this and much more from the last week in fintech. Enjoy!]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-104</link><guid>37</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #104</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #169</title><description><![CDATA[Does banking fail to serve the older ones of digital native customers? About Google, Apple, Facebook and Amazon in war with banks and the European experience of building the future of banking. Everything worth knowing in our weekly roundup. Enjoy!
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-169</link><guid>549</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #169</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #103</title><description><![CDATA[Who will survive the digital banking revolution? Find out and get informed on everything important in fintech. Thanks for reading FinTech Weekly!
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team ]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-103</link><guid>38</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #103</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #185</title><description><![CDATA[Strategies to create a future-proof digital bank, when the ICO market turns into a bazaar and how true digital account opening eliminates the need for branches. ]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-185</link><guid>806</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #185</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #337</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-337</link><guid>2342</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #337</dc:text></item><item><title>FinTech News Issue #102</title><description><![CDATA[Bots and RegTech and UX and blockchain and a whole lot of quality input from your weekly fintech briefing. Enjoy!
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-102</link><guid>39</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>FinTech News Issue #102</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #147</title><description><![CDATA[Let's bring 2017 to an end in a worthy way. The past twelve months were amazing in terms of innovation in financial services. Weren't you amazed by the speed of new developments in the fields of AI, blockchain, payment, ...even regulation? Next week I will manage to assemble a little Xmas special. If you're happy enough to enjoy a little break until next year, here's your reading material for the holidays. For those, like me, who will throw in a few office days or who don't celebrate Christmas, enjoy a few moments of quality insights. 
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-147</link><guid>295</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #147</dc:text></item><item><title>FinTech News Issue #101</title><description><![CDATA[The latest news from the fintech industry and some events you cannot miss. Enjoy the latest issue #101!]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-101</link><guid>40</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>FinTech News Issue #101</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #100</title><description><![CDATA[It's our 100th issue! One hundred weeks of FinTech Weekly, that's something special to us. Thanks for being a reader, follower, fan, fintechie. Enjoy the past days' news and upcoming events.
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-100</link><guid>41</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #100</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #148</title><description><![CDATA[The last issue of 2017 is exactly what you would it expect it to be. Reviews, predictions and just what you need after these merry Christmas days. Enjoy and come back for more...next year.
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-148</link><guid>297</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #148</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #99</title><description><![CDATA[Let's kick off 2017 with a post-holidays news roundup on fintech. Enjoy the first issue of this year. We hope you will stick with us and make 2017 as special for us as 2016 has been. Thanks for being a reader!
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-99</link><guid>42</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #99</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #98</title><description><![CDATA[Before you leave for your well-earned Christmas holidays, let us bring you the latest news once more. Of course, there are predictions for 2017, but there's also a lot more left to say. Enjoy and await the last newsletter of this year next week.
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-98</link><guid>43</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #98</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #186</title><description><![CDATA[Where to start with digital banking transformation, why "banking solutions for millennials" is a label of doom and three trends to watch in fintech. Check out the upcoming top conferences in finance and enjoy issue #186 of your weekly fintech news roundup.
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-186</link><guid>811</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #186</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #97</title><description><![CDATA[Let's bring this year to an end with great news and great events. Here's your fintech news update #97. Thanks for reading and sharing.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-97</link><guid>44</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #97</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #187</title><description><![CDATA[Sorry to be the one to tell you, but you will have to learn to love the blockchain. Innovation in banking depends on supportive culture from above and open banking is opening up business everywhere.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-187</link><guid>812</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #187</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #96</title><description><![CDATA[Get updated on what's happened during the last seven days. A lot of topics need to be discussed. Start with us and enjoy the latest issue of FinTech Weekly.
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-96</link><guid>45</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #96</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #359 - Shaping A New Economy</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-359-shaping-a-new-economy</link><guid>2605</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #359 - Shaping A New Economy</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #95</title><description><![CDATA[...why banks don't understand their customers and what Ghandi would have thought about Bitcoin. Plus four Top Conferences happening in the first half of December - visit FinTech Weekly for discounted tickets.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-95</link><guid>46</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #95</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #94</title><description><![CDATA[This week: Banks stealing ideas from fintechs, where we are heading in the next few years and which changes fintech will undergo as it matures. 

Conferences? Check! More great articles? Check! Podcasts and Videos? Check!  An, of course, a few noteworthy news in the ticker.

– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-94</link><guid>47</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #94</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #93</title><description><![CDATA[Welcome to issue #93 of FinTech Weekly. There are a few things special about this issue. 

**First of all**, **WE TURNED TWO YEARS TODAY!** 
That's right, 24 months of fintech news. Thanks to all newsletter subscribers and website users for sticking with us. We're giving our best to offer you the best of news from the world of fintech, banking, finance and innovation. 

**Secondly**, we were at the WebSummit last week. Today, we present you two interviews we did at the WebSummit and will bring you a lot of fintechs which exhibited at the WebSummit next week. Stay tuned! 

**Thirdly**, we introduce a new section. Now we bring you not only new insights and general developments in the business, but also the latest news in numbers, regulation and actions you must not miss. Tell us what you think about it!

– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-93</link><guid>48</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #93</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #209</title><description><![CDATA[Exceptional Customer Experiences Depend On More Than Data Alone, why now is the time to scale-up your fintech business and what the new business models of banking might look like. This and a lot more to get you updated on everything what's happened in fintech. Enjoy! – Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-209</link><guid>1072</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #209</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #92</title><description><![CDATA[Another week – **another FinTech Weekly newsletter**. Enjoy the latest news roundup, more conferences (including exclusive discounted tickets) and our worldwide fintech companies overview. 

– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-92</link><guid>49</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #92</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #91</title><description><![CDATA[Issue #91 will update you on the importance of customer centricity. Design thinking, relationship building – and how does Watson help here?
Enjoy the latest fintech news and don't forget to check for top fintech events happening nearby.
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-91</link><guid>50</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #91</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #90</title><description><![CDATA[Here is your weekly fintech roundup – we've made it 90 weeks in a row. Enjoy the latest news!]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-90</link><guid>51</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #90</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #89</title><description><![CDATA[FinTech Weekly Issue #89. How is the industry doing as 2016 has entered the last quarter? Change is in the air! Enjoy the latest news and take a look at the upcoming conferences.
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-89</link><guid>52</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #89</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #88</title><description><![CDATA[Issue #88 is here. Enjoy a fine selection of the latest articles and information on conferences you should attend – not just because you can find discount vouchers on our website. Stay fintechy and come back for more next week.
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-88</link><guid>53</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #88</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #87</title><description><![CDATA[Another week is in the books. And - my god - look at all these fintech events we're heading towards! It's autumn and that means conference season.
Don't miss out on the chance to learn, network and have a few drinks with like-minded people there. Until then, enjoy the articles featured in our issue #87.
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-87</link><guid>54</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #87</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #86</title><description><![CDATA[Where is the blockchain heading? Which segments will it revolutionize? Can it live up to its expectations? This issue will answer some of your questions. What's more? Conferences, news, articles – just the best from the world of fintech. Thanks for reading.
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-86</link><guid>55</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #86</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #188</title><description><![CDATA[After some issues with our hosting provider last week and the last issue #177 mysteriously disappearing from the website, never to return, it's all back to normal now. Enjoy issue #188 – hopefully also on fintechweekly.com
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-188</link><guid>823</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #188</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #360 - The World Needs Decentralization</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-360-the-world-needs-decentralization</link><guid>2615</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #360 - The World Needs Decentralization</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #85</title><description><![CDATA[It's conference season! Check out our partners' events and visit our website for discounted tickets. As if this wasn't enough, we found a lot of great articles which we can now present you here. Enjoy, learn and come back for more next week.
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-85</link><guid>56</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #85</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #149</title><description><![CDATA[Happy new year 2018! We hope you enjoyed your well-deserved break and are off to a fresh start. How about some insights into the future world of fintech? What does 2018 hold for the financial services industry? After this issue, you will know. 
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-149</link><guid>312</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #149</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #210</title><description><![CDATA[The three phases of change when transforming the bank, the true meaning of open banking and what bank CIOs think of most tech firms. A Chris Skinner triple feature in the Top Stories. Also, I'm sad to announce it's my last week at FinTech Weekly, I am off to new endeavours, leaving all you people in the fantastic hands of Max and Jan who will do an exceptional job taking care of curating the best content each week. Enjoy my last issue!
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-210</link><guid>1080</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #210</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #269</title><description><![CDATA[A new week a new issue of FIntechWeekly. This week we have a selection of interesting articles about Fintech for you. It's about high-street players versus digital banks, the future of Fintech and Shopify which is on its way to become a bigger Fintech player. 
That was a small excerpt from this week's issue - enjoy reading.
Max and the FinTech Weekly team ]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-269</link><guid>1336</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #269</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #84</title><description><![CDATA[Here comes FinTech Weekly #84. The past week was packed with insightful articles from the industry. What's more? IoT, insurtech and AI. 
Also check out the new version of our iOS app. We added some features and improved overall performance. Thank you!
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-84</link><guid>57</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #84</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #83</title><description><![CDATA[The future of payments in Europe, AI, robots and the overbanked. Enjoy issue #83 of your weekly fintech news.

– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-83</link><guid>58</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #83</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #82</title><description><![CDATA[Welcome to issue #82 of your weekly fintech news roundup. This week, we lay the focus on conferences, because the upcoming months are going to be packed with the most exciting events all around the world. Meet influencers and business partners there. 
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-82</link><guid>59</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #82</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #81</title><description><![CDATA[A fintech news issue packed with really insightful articles is awaiting you: community currencies, microservices, open APIs, China's fintech, blockchain and bitcoin, PSD2 implications, and more. Enjoy your weekly roundup.
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-81</link><guid>60</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #81</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #338</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-338</link><guid>2364</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #338</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #122</title><description><![CDATA[What is holding back fintech? Find out and discover more latest news in this week's issue. Some insights on EdTech and InsurTech are also part of this news summary. Thanks for reading!
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-122</link><guid>61</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #122</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #170</title><description><![CDATA[Regtech will be a huge game changer for financial service providers, key takeaways from the 2018 Internet Trends Report and the most promising startups emerging from the Fintech Spacerace 2018. Enjoy another collection of the best articles in fintech from the past week.
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-170</link><guid>573</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #170</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #211</title><description><![CDATA[Bank strategy in the world of fintech, Banks and Fintechs: Why the future looks brighter together and the changing landscape in banking business. 
This and a lot more to get you updated on everything what's happened in fintech. Enjoy my first issue - Max and the fintech weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-211</link><guid>1090</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #211</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #123</title><description><![CDATA[Banks can't help but help fintechs, 12 reasons why banks don't innovate and many more insightful articles. Thanks for subscribing!
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-123</link><guid>67</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #123</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #150</title><description><![CDATA[The new year is a couple of days old. Time to ditch the predictions? Au contraire! Here's more strategic advice on how to tackle this exciting new year in finance and tech. Your little helper will be ... FinTech Weekly! Thanks for reading.
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-150</link><guid>323</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #150</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #361 - Big Success For Blockchain Tech</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-361-big-success-for-blockchain-tech</link><guid>2627</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #361 - Big Success For Blockchain Tech</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #189</title><description><![CDATA[Breaking new ground in fintech: which revenue models create value AND build trust? Asking Alexa what's next in terms of voice UIs and how, where and when to build the digital bank of the future. 
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-189</link><guid>836</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #189</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #270</title><description><![CDATA[Also this week there is a new issue of FinTech Weekly. The first top story of the week is about Monzo. If the economic situation doesn't improve, 120 employees will be laid off. We also have an interesting article about the role of women in the recovery of Fintechs in the Covid-19 crisis.
Have fun with these and many other interesting articles from the world of Fintechs.
Max and the FinTech Weekly Team
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-270</link><guid>1348</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #270</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue 322</title><description><![CDATA[The decade of regulation started. Microsoft recently increased its legal team by 20%. China is cracking down on Big Tech and wiping out significant amounts of the market cap in a few days. RegTech funding records in H1. Binance CEO "CZ" wants to step down from his role to be replaced by a new CEO with a background in regulation. Meanwhile, the "King of Regulation" aka EU introduces new rules to trace crypto transfers to reduce money laundering. What does all that mean: Perfect job perspectives for all the legal students :)]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-322</link><guid>2117</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue 322</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #151</title><description><![CDATA[Being usual will keep you afloat only for so long. Once you stop moving, you're doomed – at least in banking. Says Chris Skinner. This and a lot more insights on how to excel (or at least not fall behind) in the ever changing world of financial services is waiting for you below. Have a great week.
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-151</link><guid>328</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #151</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #171</title><description><![CDATA[Want to know how to become a digital bank? Chris Skinner will tell you! Also, Token-as-a-License will be Blockchain's next evolution and what the way people pay around the world will mean for the future of payments. Everything you missed in the past week in one place. Enjoy! – Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-171</link><guid>586</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #171</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #362 - New Warnings From The Crypto Space</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-362-new-warnings-from-the-crypto-space</link><guid>2634</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #362 - New Warnings From The Crypto Space</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #190</title><description><![CDATA[Dear readers, please apologize this issue coming a bit late. But despite the delay, there's great news in this issue, as usual:
Bankenstein: a story of APIs and monoliths. Brett King talks about simplifying banking with a distinctive digital solution and what we mean when we talk about legacy. 
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-190</link><guid>843</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #190</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #212</title><description><![CDATA[Technology trends the banking industry must react on in 2019, Fintech for good, London startups to take the fintech unicorn crown from San Francisco.
This and a lot more to get you updated on everything what's happened in fintech. Thanks for reading - Max and the FinTech Weekly team.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-212</link><guid>1100</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #212</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #271</title><description><![CDATA[In the three Top Stories of this week you will find articles on the topics: The New Face of Banking for Generation Z, the Second Wave of Disruption, and Amazon's progress in the loan business. 
Thanks for reading - Max and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-271</link><guid>1360</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #271</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue 323</title><description><![CDATA[People have too many accounts these days. 20 years ago most people just had an account at one bank to fulfill most of their financial needs like paying, saving and investing. It was insured and the standard way to go. Today deposit accounts are like money hubs that funnel money away to specialized services the minute it arrives. Be it a crypto account, P2P lending, crowdfunding, de-fi, robo advisors, secondary bank accounts, Paypal, reward wallets you name it. That increased complexity can only be handled by additional aggregators to help monitor and to manage these accounts. Those were the days when things were simple.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-323</link><guid>2128</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue 323</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #152</title><description><![CDATA[Blockchain in the open banking era, existential crisis of 'agile' in banking and the neobank threat to incumbent banks. Quite some exciting topics. Enjoy another issue of our fintech news roundup.
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-152</link><guid>339</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #152</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #191</title><description><![CDATA[Looking back won't pay for the FS industry because banking's past does not dictate its future. Fintech and APIs are a match made in heaven and how to turn risk into opportunity. Enjoy another issue, brought to you live from Web Summit in Lisbon.
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-191</link><guid>851</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #191</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #363 - Is Debt Glamorous?</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-363-is-debt-glamorous</link><guid>2644</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #363 - Is Debt Glamorous?</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #213</title><description><![CDATA[Brett King predicts banking becomes Embedded 'experiences', the key benefits of robo-advisors in fintech and the biggest deals in fintech history happening now. 
Enjoy another issue of FinTech Weekly. – Max and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-213</link><guid>1109</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #213</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #339</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-339</link><guid>2389</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #339</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #124</title><description><![CDATA[Blockchain ist growing. And it's growing up. World Bank is launching a blockchain lab, the World Economic Forum published a blockchain governance taxonomy and Ethereum is getting ready to handle billions of users – or is it?
ENjoy this week's issue!]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-124</link><guid>86</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #124</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #192</title><description><![CDATA[Quantum computing should teach bankers to think fast and act fast, can banks keep up with customer expectations and do we need to consider a central bank backed cryptocurrency? Find out in this week's fintech news roundup! – Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-192</link><guid>856</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #192</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue#324</title><description><![CDATA[Compensation for employees in finance will be up by the end of the year. Is this because of higher funding rounds and expectations of slightly higher interest rates that would increase margins of financial institutions? We don't know for sure. Hopefully, this might make younger investment bankers feel better during their 80h workweek - although this is not the case everywhere. 
Compensations are not the only thing increasing also crypto markets are hitting a record $1.9T market cap after the bill passed the US senate and Ethereum proofed their ability to execute with their "London" (eip-1559) update making them the most sophisticated, mature and adopted blockchain after Bitcoin. 
Have a nice day ahead (and enjoy the rest of the summer depending on where you live)]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue324</link><guid>2136</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue#324</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #193</title><description><![CDATA[As banking changes, neo-banks are on the rise, Bradley Leimer on the current state of fintech and how the SEC hasn't understood crypto. Enjoy another issue of FinTech Weekly.
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-193</link><guid>857</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #193</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #214</title><description><![CDATA[The first financial revolution, Why fintech should the fourth industrial revolution and what can banks learn from fintechs about strategic messaging?
Enjoy these and more topics in FinTech Weeklys latest issue - Max and the FinTech Weekly team. ]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-214</link><guid>1116</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #214</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #340</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-340</link><guid>2397</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #340</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #172</title><description><![CDATA[How often do you use PayPal? A lot. How frequently do small businesses use PayPal? All the time! What's more? The Amazonisation of Banking and MIT's proposal for a more stable financial system. Enjoy! 
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-172</link><guid>606</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #172</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #272</title><description><![CDATA[This week in FinTech Weekly: Which fintech sectors will benefit most from Covid-19? In addition, Ride now allows its customers to pay with Bitcoin. 
Our third top story this week is about Fintech's White Privilege. 
Enjoy reading - Max and the FintechWeekly Team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-272</link><guid>1374</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #272</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #153</title><description><![CDATA[The first month of 2018 is in the books. How has the sector changed and which strategies will shoe to be most effective for banks and companies in the FS industry? This and tons of events to attend in 2018 in this week's issue.
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-153</link><guid>351</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #153</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #364 - Did Terra Luna Disrupt The Queen’s Plans?</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-364-did-terra-luna-disrupt-the-queens-plans</link><guid>2655</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #364 - Did Terra Luna Disrupt The Queen’s Plans?</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #125</title><description><![CDATA[The latest news in fintech, finance and digital industries: VR and AR might be the future bank branch. UX learnings and trends for banks and how the World Economic Forum is limping behind blockchain-wise. Plus a lot more!
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-125</link><guid>98</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #125</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue 325</title><description><![CDATA[China closed 11 crypto companies (see link below). What's the strategy behind that move? The local government wants to be the leader of the delivery process of digital services for capital projects, with the help of China Merchants Bank. The bank will also carry out online businesses that will allow local citizens to use foreign exchanges. Additionally, commercial banks will face mandatory implementation of different services developed by the Central Bank.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-325</link><guid>2146</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue 325</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #173</title><description><![CDATA[The future of fintech, why Blockchain isn't a revolution and why banks cannot just partner themselves to relevancy. Enjoy your weekly news roundup. – Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-173</link><guid>611</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #173</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #365 - What If Competition Rises?</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-365-what-if-competition-rises</link><guid>2659</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #365 - What If Competition Rises?</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #215</title><description><![CDATA[How artificial intelligence and fintech can work together. Which myths preventing more fintech+banking partnerships? Which Startup wants to be a Bank now too? 
Enjoy another issue of your weekly fintech news roundup.
– Max and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-215</link><guid>1126</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #215</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #194</title><description><![CDATA[The best issue ever. So many good articles this week that it was hard to put this newsletter together. Platformification, how FIs stack up against your favorite brands and how M&A is shaping the future of finance. Less events than usual, but so many more good reads to keep you busy today. Enjoy!]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-194</link><guid>876</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #194</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #195</title><description><![CDATA[5 Innovations trends in banking, 4 questions regarding AI and 5 trends for customer experience. This and A LOT more in this week's issue. Enjoy the last days before Christmas madness kicks in completely. 
— Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-195</link><guid>879</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #195</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #366 - What Goes Up, Must Come Down</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-366-what-goes-up-must-come-down</link><guid>2671</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #366 - What Goes Up, Must Come Down</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #154</title><description><![CDATA[Let's make this short. News, events, podcasts, press releases –  a beautiful roundup of what happened in the past week. Enjoy!
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-154</link><guid>368</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #154</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #196</title><description><![CDATA[Let the time of 2019 predictions and 2018 reviews begin. We're officially heading towards the end of the year. Time to sit back and take in everything that happened in fintech in the past year. ]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-196</link><guid>880</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #196</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #273</title><description><![CDATA[This week at FintechWeekly: A very interesting article about the Wirecard scandal. Furthermore it is about Mastercard sliding deeper and deeper into the world of Fintechs. In the third top story this week we have a contribution to 3 APIs that could revolutionize banking. 
Thanks for reading - Max and the FintechWeekly Team ]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-273</link><guid>1395</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #273</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #216</title><description><![CDATA[This weeks issue is about the next step for banks and fintechs, about the question if Amazon will have the same success with Blockchain as they did with cloud and about the Oracle of Omaha who is searching for gems in Asia's fintech Business.
This and a lot of more topics keep you up to date in the world of Fintech - Max and the FinTech Weekly Team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-216</link><guid>1140</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #216</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #126</title><description><![CDATA[The latest fintech news: Where banks fit in the fintech stack, reasons for consolidation in the fintech ecosystem and what's holding back blockchain in FS. 
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-126</link><guid>117</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #126</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue 326</title><description><![CDATA[
While most BTC wallets are in profit, it’s also important to point out that the high values of the indicator may suggest that the traders will take profit soon because the market is getting oversaturated and they do not want to be victims of a potential market retrace.

Additionally, while Bitcoin’s development activity rises (according to Santiment’s data) and it highly correlates with its price, the 35-day intensive price increase may lead to skepticism among market influencers and participants. In conclusion, both technical indicators and market data suggest a slight overheat in the market.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-326</link><guid>2165</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue 326</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #174</title><description><![CDATA[Another week has passed, another fintech news roundup is here. Enjoy!
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-174</link><guid>630</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #174</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #367 - The Effects Of Competition </title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-367-the-effects-of-competition</link><guid>2680</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #367 - The Effects Of Competition </dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #340 - Between Adoption and Rejection</title><description><![CDATA["FinTech Weekly wants to provide you with the most useful news about fintech, and we often cover the success of fintech firms. 

But it is also true that most of the small businesses we deal with every day are still not well integrated with the new digital economy, founded on financial technology. Why does this happen?

Fintech companies around the world raise funds - with third-party investments worth millions of dollars, Visa continues working on its project to make cryptos more popular, regulators try to find a way to allow people to use DeFi services while keeping the financial system safe, Apple is “getting into what was once purely a government domain”, people are loving the experience economy; but how many times you find a mini-market that accepts cryptos?

Enjoy the issue

Rosalia
Editor at FTW

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-340-between-adoption-and-rejection</link><guid>2425</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #340 - Between Adoption and Rejection</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #127</title><description><![CDATA[The secret of ICOs explained with oranges and soup, how branding branches can yield opportunities and quite a lot on AI. Enjoy this week's latest news from the fintech and digital industries.
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-127</link><guid>122</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #127</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #155</title><description><![CDATA[Incumbent banks feel like strangers in a foreign land once they go digital. What else is going on in banking and how finance can be both sacred and profane – find out in the latest issue.
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-155</link><guid>379</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #155</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #197</title><description><![CDATA[The last issue of the year is here. Before we leave for our well-deserved holidays (and you, too) we tried to spare you as many reviews and predictions as possible. At least in the Top Stories. Enjoy some real insights and have a wonderful Christmas time. ]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-197</link><guid>894</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #197</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #217</title><description><![CDATA[This weeks issue is about JP Morgans latest invest in an Indian fintech, banks waking up to threat throw billions into digital and fintech cos vs banks. Enjoy these and a lot more topics which inform you about the latest fintech news.
Thank you for reading - Max and the FinTech Weekly team.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-217</link><guid>1150</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #217</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #198</title><description><![CDATA[Hello and welcome to 2019 in fintech. We gathered all the important things you might have missed over the past two weeks, so relax, sit back and enjoy the first issue of a brand new year. ]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-198</link><guid>895</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #198</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #368 - Investors At A Crossroads</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-368-investors-at-a-crossroads</link><guid>2690</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #368 - Investors At A Crossroads</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue 327</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-327</link><guid>2181</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue 327</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #128</title><description><![CDATA[The next bubble: ICOs? How are bans doing with preparations for PSD2? And how will chatbots evolve in FS? Find out in this week's briefing.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-128</link><guid>134</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #128</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #175</title><description><![CDATA[Six months after PSD2 came into effect, we're asking: how is it going? Is shopping without cash fake news? And are your ready for the tectonic forces rocking the banking industry? Enjoy another weekly fintech roundup.
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-175</link><guid>648</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #175</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #314</title><description><![CDATA[The decade just started but the main theme will be climate change. Either humanity is tackling the challenge or will face serious trouble in the years to come. This transformation is not only about electric cars and solar roofs. All industries have to transform and adjust their business models as regulators and consumers increase their demand for solutions. If you want to stay in business you better comply.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-314</link><guid>1928</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #314</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #341 - Between Adoption and Rejection</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-341-between-adoption-and-rejection</link><guid>2441</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #341 - Between Adoption and Rejection</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #342</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-342</link><guid>2442</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #342</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #156</title><description><![CDATA[Another issue arrived. More predictions for the year (perhaps the last ones?) and customer experience lessons from Amazon. What's more? Ever wondered what a digital human looks like? Find out in this week's issue of FinTech Weekly.
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-156</link><guid>395</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #156</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #218</title><description><![CDATA[Facebook forms Swiss fintech firm with payout focus, the five phases of fintech presented by Chris Skinner and the best fintech stocks to buy in 2019 and beyond.
 Enjoy another collection of the best articles in fintech from the past week.
– Max and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-218</link><guid>1163</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #218</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #369 - Green, Easy, Inexpensive: 3 Keywords For The Future</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-369-green-easy-inexpensive-3-keywords-for-the-future</link><guid>2700</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #369 - Green, Easy, Inexpensive: 3 Keywords For The Future</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #199</title><description><![CDATA[Young 2019 already has some great stories in store. Find out what happened in fintech during the past week. – Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-199</link><guid>911</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #199</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #129</title><description><![CDATA[The end of fintech as we know it is around the corner with the boundaries between banks and fintechs vanishing. Also: blockchain explained so that anyone can understand and the fintech god particle. Enjoy the news roundup and stay tuned for next week's issue. ]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-129</link><guid>144</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #129</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #315 - Banking = Stress?</title><description><![CDATA[Every week or month a new neobank is popping up somewhere across the US, Asia or the EU. Each targeting a segment of humans like freelancers, students, conscious people, underbanked, kids, Women you name it.
But why? Because one of the most fundamental pains people feel with banking in unsolved to date.

Alex Johnson (@AlexH_Johnson) puts it like that in a recent survey of the FinTech Collective: "Banking isn’t broken because the UIs are ugly. Banking isn’t broken because fees, as a generic concept, are evil. Banking isn’t broken because it didn’t come with enough glow-in-the-dark debit cards. Banking is broken because, for far too many people, money = stress. 85 million Americans believe that ‘developing a healthier relationship between money and happiness is crucial to their future financial success. So, let’s build that!"]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-315-banking-stress</link><guid>1942</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #315 - Banking = Stress?</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #296</title><description><![CDATA[We wish all our readers a Merry Christmas and a few peaceful hours with their families.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-296</link><guid>1687</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #296</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #370 - Shocks &amp; Solutions: A FinTech Modern Story</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-370-shocks-solutions-a-fintech-modern-story</link><guid>2712</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #370 - Shocks &amp; Solutions: A FinTech Modern Story</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #130</title><description><![CDATA[Blockchain has become the new hotspot for spam, scams and phishing. How to make friends with fintech and why banks should be afraid of Amazon and Facebook. Enjoy another issue of FinTech Weekly.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-130</link><guid>153</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #130</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #219</title><description><![CDATA[This weeks issue will answer questions like what the future of fintech looks like? Who are the Payment and FinTech experts you should follow in 2019?
And when will the Fintech bubble burst?
We hope our latest issue will keep you updated in the world of fintech -
Max and the FinTech Weekly team.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-219</link><guid>1177</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #219</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #131</title><description><![CDATA[Here's your weekly news update on news and developments in finance. Enjoy!]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-131</link><guid>154</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #131</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #343: Gifts, Penalties and Predictions</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-343-gifts-penalties-and-predictions</link><guid>2458</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #343: Gifts, Penalties and Predictions</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #344 - Towards A New Year</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-344-towards-a-new-year</link><guid>2459</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #344 - Towards A New Year</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #176</title><description><![CDATA[In 1999, Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers sang about a “Parallel Universe”, unencumbered by the natural laws of the known universe. Around the same time, banks were dealing with the most disruptive technology shift since the introduction of the microchip. It was the dawn of Internet banking and newly-minted Internet banks, backed by reputable brands, began to draw customers out of the branch and onto the Internet. This and quite a bit more in issue #176.
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-176</link><guid>668</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #176</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #371 - Metaverse Makes People Scratch Their Heads</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-371-metaverse-makes-people-scratch-their-heads</link><guid>2717</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #371 - Metaverse Makes People Scratch Their Heads</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #328</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-328</link><guid>2206</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #328</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #220</title><description><![CDATA[This weeks issue is about the question where all the fintech IPOs are, the possible match of fintech and cleantech and about next-generation payments in e-commerce business.
Enjoy the latest fintech news, thanks for reading the issue - Max and the FinTech Weekly team.
 ]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-220</link><guid>1183</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #220</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #200</title><description><![CDATA[200 issues. 200 weeks of fintech with FinTech Weekly. We're thankful for such a long period of being part of this fascinating industry. We're not giving away anything for our anniversary ... but endless gratitude! Enjoy this very special issue. See you in #201 next week ]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-200</link><guid>928</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #200</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #345 - Let's Welcome 2022</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-345-lets-welcome-2022</link><guid>2464</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #345 - Let's Welcome 2022</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #157</title><description><![CDATA[February is in the books and so is the era of unregulated crypto assets. AI continues to be one of these buzzwords but slowly makes its way into practice. This and a lot more in this week's issue. Enjoy!
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-157</link><guid>418</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #157</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #132</title><description><![CDATA[Sorry. We cannot not include tons and tons blockchain-related articles. Not possible. The upside: they are still highly relevant. Go for it, give blockchain another chance. 
Thanks for reading! – Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-132</link><guid>165</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #132</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #201</title><description><![CDATA[David vs. Goliath, the online banking bubble is about to burst and how to keep customers for life. Much more strategic advice, some lines on celebrities in fintech, regulation in the US vs. Europe...so much content. Enjoy! – Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-201</link><guid>939</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #201</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #221</title><description><![CDATA[This weeks issue is about Ubers latest fintech push. Another theme is the fintech leaders who are calling for regulations to foster a cashless society and why fintech is more than just startups.
Enjoy the latest issue of FinTech Weekly and feel updated with the latest news from the world of fintech - Max and the FinTech Weekly Team.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-221</link><guid>1197</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #221</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #346 - Did you know? Digital residencies, remote working and much more</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-346-did-you-know-digital-residencies-remote-working-and-much-more</link><guid>2478</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #346 - Did you know? Digital residencies, remote working and much more</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #372 - Jewels &amp; Cars: That's What They Have In Common</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-372-jewels-cars-thats-what-they-have-in-common</link><guid>2735</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #372 - Jewels &amp; Cars: That's What They Have In Common</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #158</title><description><![CDATA[The next financial crisis cannot possibly be triggered by digital disruption. Or can it? Blockchain, after having gotten used to it, has revealed quite a few weak points and Amazon might be offering checking accounts soon. Enjoy another week of news from the ever-changing fintech industry.
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-158</link><guid>432</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #158</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #316</title><description><![CDATA[While in the 90th credit card companies core business was to let people buy now but pay later (BNPL). Then Affirm and Klarna came and optimized the principle for eCommerce. Now well funded imitators are entering the space in different verticals like healthcare, air travel, expensive everyday products and B2B. We fly over the biggest funding rounds and news in BNPL this week.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-316</link><guid>1970</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #316</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #329</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-329</link><guid>2226</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #329</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #202</title><description><![CDATA[Trust us, it's going to be a great issue this week. And It's a lot about trust. Also, FIs are seeing huge payoffs for digital investments and you'll see what the difference between good and great is. Great, isn't it? 
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-202</link><guid>949</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #202</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #133</title><description><![CDATA[Here comes the love train. APIs will shape the future of the financial services landscape. How to navigate through the financial storms – and we would like to ask a little favor of you. But first, learn what the past week held news-wise. Thanks for reading. 
Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-133</link><guid>182</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #133</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #159</title><description><![CDATA[Payment trends, how fintechs help banks and are starting to behave like them. This and more to get updated on the industry's developments in this issue of FinTech Weekly.
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-159</link><guid>440</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #159</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #373 - The Other Way Around</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-373-the-other-way-around</link><guid>2745</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #373 - The Other Way Around</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #222</title><description><![CDATA[This week's top stories are about the first principles of investing in fintech, Facebooks latest news about its own cryptocoin Libra and about Tally which raises $50 million to automate peoples finances.
Find out what happened in fintech during the past week. – Max and the FinTech Weekly team
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-222</link><guid>1210</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #222</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #347 - Cryptocurrencies Can Now Solve The Enigma</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-347-cryptocurrencies-can-now-solve-the-enigma</link><guid>2494</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #347 - Cryptocurrencies Can Now Solve The Enigma</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #374 - Let’s See The Glass Half Full</title><description><![CDATA[
An increasing number of finance executives are acknowledging the benefits of blockchain, digital assets, and smart contracts – both for their organisation and for wider society. But the unfamiliar landscape requires vigilance and thorough investigation.

Blockchain in Finance 2022 is written for finance executives who want to understand how the financial services sector is approaching blockchain, how much progress is being made, and what the most common challenges and opportunities are.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-374-lets-see-the-glass-half-full</link><guid>2752</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #374 - Let’s See The Glass Half Full</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #134</title><description><![CDATA[We were Kings. GAFA are posing major threat to banks. How to prepare for the age of AI and so much more. Enjoy another issue of FinTech Weekly. 
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-134</link><guid>193</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #134</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #330</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-330</link><guid>2242</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #330</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #348 - Understanding FinTech: From The Elon Effect To Klarna’s Physical Card</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-348-understanding-fintech-from-the-elon-effect-to-klarnas-physical-card</link><guid>2498</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #348 - Understanding FinTech: From The Elon Effect To Klarna’s Physical Card</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #178</title><description><![CDATA[Shout-out to all those people in big banks actually getting $h!t done! A much needed reality check about blockchain and Europe as a fintech hub. Enjoy yet another issue of your weekly fintech news summary. – Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-178</link><guid>708</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #178</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #262</title><description><![CDATA[A new week a new edition of FintechWeekly. This week we have an article in our Top Stories about the strong increase in usage of Fintech apps. There is also news from Plaid. They plan to make a Fintech App out of Excel. In our last Top STory we get to see how Fintech can accelerate the stimulus if they get support from the government. 
Thank you for reading - Max and the FinTech Weekly team 
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-262</link><guid>1225</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #262</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #261</title><description><![CDATA[In our current issue, we have as always three top stories for you. It's about the challenges and possibilities of fintech resulting from the coronavirus. We also have an interesting article about fintech companies that provide you with free technology. 
At the end of this week's issue, you will find two very interesting podcasts. 
Thank you for reading - Max and the FinTech Weekly team
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-261</link><guid>1226</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #261</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #260</title><description><![CDATA[Could the Coronavirus Be a Catalyst for Fintech? Who’s Better: Digital Banks Or Traditional Banks? Is fintech getting a boost from the coronavirus outbreak? 
Find answers to these and more interesting questions in our latest issue. 
Take care of yourself and enjoy reading - Max and the FinTech Weekly team 

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-260</link><guid>1227</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #260</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #259</title><description><![CDATA[It's time again for your weekly droning on Fintech articles. This week you will find articles about the coronavirus and its positive and negative influence on Fintech. We also have an interesting article about 4 hurdles that every fintech startup has to overcome. 
We wish you as always a lot of fun reading, wash your hands and take care of yourself - Max and the FinTech Weekly team ]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-259</link><guid>1228</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #259</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #258</title><description><![CDATA[In our latest issue, we couldn't get past the Corona-Virus either. So in our Fintech articles you will find some interesting articles about the Corna-Virus.
Our top stories start this week with an article about the good fintech founder. You can also read an article about the unique challenges of scaling fintech in emerging markets. 
Thank you for reading - Max and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-258</link><guid>1229</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #258</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #375 - The Going Gets Tough</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-375-the-going-gets-tough</link><guid>2765</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #375 - The Going Gets Tough</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #203</title><description><![CDATA[The first month of 2019 is in the books and we already gathered the most important news in fintech from the first week of February for you. Enjoy!
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-203</link><guid>974</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #203</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #257</title><description><![CDATA[In this issue, we have again found a lot of interesting articles for you. We start as usual with our top stories where this week we talk about fintech's role in stakeholder capitalism. Another article answers three interesting questions for a Fintech product manager. Read the article and see for yourself which ones are. 
Thank you for reading - Max and the FinTech Weekly team ]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-257</link><guid>1230</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #257</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #317</title><description><![CDATA[Mixed sentiment this week in the alternative finance sector. While some question NFTs and the culture at Coinbase others are more positive about innovation. We will wait and see if retail investors really adopt hedge fund strategies packaged into an ETF wrapper and if other countries really adopt El Salvador's example of adding Bitcoin into their stack of officially accepted currencies. At least Bitcoin state it like that: "the first domino has fallen".

Enjoy this week's issue ✌️!]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-317</link><guid>1998</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #317</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #349 - Fintech Is Conquering The Market</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-349-fintech-is-conquering-the-market</link><guid>2510</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #349 - Fintech Is Conquering The Market</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #256</title><description><![CDATA[In this issue we have again found a lot of interesting articles for you. In the top stories we present you an article Goldman Sachs whose goal is to become one of the leading digital consumer banks. 
We also have a vetting guide for banks mulling a fintech partnership.
Our last top story is about Visa, which allows Coinbase to issue Bitcoin debit cards.
Enjoy our latest issue - Max and the FinTech Weekly team ]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-256</link><guid>1231</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #256</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #179</title><description><![CDATA[People are still wondering if fintech is just a hype. Now they've examined 6 key sectors to answer this mystical question. Chris Skinner wonders if we need a blockchain and why you should or should not be planning like a banker. Also: Conference season is in full swing. Five top events in UK, the U.S. and Germany featured in this newsletter issue]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-179</link><guid>720</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #179</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #255</title><description><![CDATA[Our latest issue is significantly influenced by the highly recommended Fintech 50 Report from Forbes. But we also found many other interesting articles for you, such as one about new blockchain-based methods for fundraising.
Enjoy reading - Max and the FinTech team ]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-255</link><guid>1232</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #255</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #160</title><description><![CDATA[Is the future uncertain for the fintech industry? How will quantum computers make all our current digital security measures look like a joke? And how will Amazon shake the banking industry? All these questions will (almost) be answered in this issue. 
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-160</link><guid>465</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #160</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #254</title><description><![CDATA[Hello everybody, in our latest issue we will introduce you to Payboutique - our company of the week. We have also some interesting top stories, for example, the five hottest technologies in banking for 2020. Another interesting story is about privilege and peril in fintech.
Enjoy reading - Max and the FinTech Weekly team ]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-254</link><guid>1233</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #254</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #253</title><description><![CDATA[We have to start this issue with a pretty sad article. Clayton Christensen died. In honor of him find an interesting article about some of his most interesting achievements in this weeks top stories. Find a lot more news and a pretty good podcast in our latest issue.
Thank you for reading - Max and the FinTech Weekly team
























































































































































































































































































































 ]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-253</link><guid>1234</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #253</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #252</title><description><![CDATA[Our first top story of the week gives an answer on how Google keeps changing financial marketing. Another interesting story deals with the question if every company will be a fintech company. These two and a lot more interesting stories keep you updated in the world of fintech.
Thanks for reading - Max and the FinTech Weekly team ]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-252</link><guid>1235</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #252</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #135</title><description><![CDATA[We must learn from Nokia's demise. Selling banking shovels in the digital gold rush. Apply to be accelerated and why the fintech game has just begun. A whole lot of developments and news from the fields of banking, technology and their somewhat beloved child: fintech. Enjoy!

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-135</link><guid>212</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #135</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #161</title><description><![CDATA[We've suspected it: financial institutions aren't prepared for the digital revolution. We talked about turning the business model upside down and you will also find out this week what the real difference between a challenger bank and an incumbent is. Enjoy!
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-161</link><guid>468</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #161</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #251</title><description><![CDATA[This weeks issue starts with an early contender for the M&A deal of the year. Visa acquires the fintech Startup Plaid for $5.3 Billion. Another interesting top story of the week will show you 10 fintech forecasts for the '20s.
These two and a lot of other interesting Stories will keep you updated in the world of fintech - Max and the FinTech Weekly team ]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-251</link><guid>1236</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #251</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #250</title><description><![CDATA[Are we living in a golden decade of banks and technology? That's Mike Mayo of Wells Fargo says. Find the answer in this weeks top stories. 
Another interesting article will answer the question of how banks can beat fintechs in the fight for millennials. 
Thank you for reading - Max and the FinTech Weekly Team 
 ]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-250</link><guid>1237</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #250</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #249</title><description><![CDATA[It's time for our first issue of the new decade. It will include an overview of 2020 fintech and a look back about the most important fintech deals of the last year. 
Thank you for reading - Max and the FinTech Weekly Team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-249</link><guid>1238</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #249</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #376 - Making The Existing Model Obsolete</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-376-making-the-existing-model-obsolete</link><guid>2774</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #376 - Making The Existing Model Obsolete</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #248</title><description><![CDATA[The last issue before Christmas will show you an outlook about fintech in 2020. We present you also a look back about the fintech winners and losers in 2019. 
Thanks for reading - we wish you a blessed Christmas - Max and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-248</link><guid>1239</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #248</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #247</title><description><![CDATA[This issue shows you how to find the good fintech investments.
Related to the first top story you will find another about the corporate venture deals which hit new records.
Enjoy reading - Max and the FinTech Weekly Team ]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-247</link><guid>1240</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #247</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #246</title><description><![CDATA[This weeks first top story will tell you something about the biggest technology trends that will disrupt banking in 2020. Another story of the week is about California's fintech Startups which are invading in New York.
Enjoy your latest update about the world of fintech - Max and the FinTech Weekly Team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-246</link><guid>1241</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #246</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #245</title><description><![CDATA[This weeks top stories show you the top fintech trends entrepreneurs must watch in 2020. Another interesting topic is how traditional institutions can fight back when direct banks attack. Our last top story is about fintech myth-busting. 
Thanks for reading - Max and the FinTech Weekly team
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-245</link><guid>1242</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #245</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #204</title><description><![CDATA[8 trends the banking industry must act on, why VCs love fintech, webinars, events close to you and the most important developments to keep you posted on what's happening in the industry. Enjoy! – Michael and the Fintech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-204</link><guid>987</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #204</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #244</title><description><![CDATA[Is AI really supposed to have an impact on high-skill U.S. jobs, including finance? Have we reached the peak fintech? Platform fintechs are coming - how should Startups respond?
These and a lot more interesting topics keep you updated in the world of fintech - Max and the FinTech Weekly Team.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-244</link><guid>1243</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #244</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #243</title><description><![CDATA[This weeks issue is about how fintech can save us from ourselves. 
Also, we found a really interesting article about Singapore which will extend its fintech funding after the latest success. Our last top story this week shows you the 7 biggest technology trends to disrupt banking and financial services in 2020.
Thank you for reading - Max and the FintechWeekly Team ]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-243</link><guid>1244</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #243</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #332</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-332</link><guid>2268</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #332</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #242</title><description><![CDATA[This week's top stories contain two hit lists about fintech trends in 2020 and retail banking technology trends of 2019. The third top story is about Curve which allows using Google Pay now. 
Enjoy reading - Max and the FinTech Weekly Team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-242</link><guid>1245</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #242</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #377 - FinTech (&amp; Covid) Reshaped Priorities</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-377-fintech-covid-reshaped-priorities</link><guid>2781</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #377 - FinTech (&amp; Covid) Reshaped Priorities</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #241</title><description><![CDATA[This weeks issue is about fintechs next trillion dollar opportunity, five fintech solutions for refugees and how to tech fintech to the next generation.
Enjoy reading - Max and the FinTech Weekly Team.

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-241</link><guid>1246</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #241</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #240</title><description><![CDATA[This weeks top stories are about Blockchain, AI and big data in finance and about the question if fintech startups are more ethical than banks?
Thank you for reading - Max and the FinTech Weekly Team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-240</link><guid>1247</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #240</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #331</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-331</link><guid>2271</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #331</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #136</title><description><![CDATA[The best issue ever. The past week held so many great articles and insights that today we send you more news than ever before – all worth reading, we guarantee. We also give away 5 free tickets for APISays in Berlin. Thanks for reading FinTech Weekly. – Michael and the team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-136</link><guid>224</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #136</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #239</title><description><![CDATA[This weeks issue includes a great movie about rise of UK fintech. 
Also, we have top stories about how banks use AI, Revolt which is leading a fintech revolution … or destroying it?
Enjoy your latest fintech update - Max and the FinTech Weekly team ]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-239</link><guid>1248</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #239</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #162</title><description><![CDATA[The world has changed since the 2008 financial crisis – but how has it for banking? More on the limitations of legacy systems and how to save up for retirement with crypto. Enjoy another roundup on the past week in fintech.
– Michael and the Fintech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-162</link><guid>481</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #162</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #238</title><description><![CDATA[This week's top stories are about the next step for fintechs growth, a guide what's happening in the fintech revolution and about the new oil (data) and how banks can use it most efficient. 
Enjoy reading - Max and the FinTech Weekly team  ]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-238</link><guid>1249</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #238</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #237</title><description><![CDATA[This week's first top store is about revolt which is hiring 3500 staff. Another interesting article is about fintech for the aging. The third top story of our latest issue is about the global innovation supply chain.
Enjoy reading - Max and the FinTech Weekly team.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-237</link><guid>1250</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #237</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #351- Even the Oracle of Omaha Invests In Crypto-Friendly Companies</title><description><![CDATA[
Mary Ann Azevedo (TechCrunch) interviews 10 investors to know what they look for when investing in startups: Anish Acharya (Andreessen Horowitz), Christina Melas-Kyriazi (Bain Capital Ventures), Ethan Choi (Accel), Pete Flint (NFX), Munish Varma (SoftBank Investment Advisers), Nigel Morris (QED Investors), Tyler Griffin (Financial Venture Studio), Mark Fiorentino (Index Ventures) and Sheel Mohnot (Better Tomorrow Ventures).

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-351-even-the-oracle-of-omaha-invests-in-crypto-friendly-companies</link><guid>2530</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #351- Even the Oracle of Omaha Invests In Crypto-Friendly Companies</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #236</title><description><![CDATA[This week's top story is about London which overtook New York for fintech investment. Also, we have another Fintech Company of the week for you. At the end of this weeks issue, you can find a very interesting podcast.
Enjoy reading- Max and the FinTech Weekly team.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-236</link><guid>1251</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #236</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #234</title><description><![CDATA[This week's top stories are dealing with trends shaping fintech in 2020, fintech companies making waves in 2019 and some reasons why investment in Indian fintech is a lucrative option.
Thank you for reading - Max and the FinTech Weekly team. ]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-234</link><guid>1252</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #234</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #233</title><description><![CDATA[This weeks top stories are about fintech 4.0 - how technology is reshaping the insurance sector. Another top story is about 10 fintech startups to watch out for in 2019 and beyond. 
Find out in this week's fintech news roundup! – Max and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-233</link><guid>1253</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #233</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #232</title><description><![CDATA[This weeks issue is about how fintech is reshaping the financial services industry. Michael Gilroy says that all big brands will become fintechs, read why. The third top story is about UKs risk of losing global fintech crown.
Enjoy our top stories and a lot of more interesting articles which keep you updated in the world of fintech - Max and the FinTech Weekly Team.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-232</link><guid>1254</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #232</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #180</title><description><![CDATA[Relationship Lending, Cognitive Banking and the threats AI poses to the financial system. Plus a whole lot of top fintech events and conferences. Enjoy issue #180 of out FinTech Weekly newsletter.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-180</link><guid>743</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #180</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #231</title><description><![CDATA[This week in fintech: Visa doubles down on fintech, five technologies that will transform fintech in 2020 and should fintechs be more regulated? 
Enjoy our top stories and more interesting articles from the world of fintech - Max and the FinTech Weekly Team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-231</link><guid>1255</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #231</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #230</title><description><![CDATA[This weeks issue is about the future of digital banking. Also, it deals with the mega VC rounds which happened in the second quarter and our third top story this week is about the question if fintech unicorns are worth it?
Enjoy these and more interesting stories from the eventful world of fintech - Max and the FinTech Weekly Team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-230</link><guid>1256</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #230</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #229</title><description><![CDATA[This weeks issue is about major trends in retail banking. Another topic is how fintech is eating the world and the last top story of the week deals with five technologies worth investing in for the banking industry.
We want to present you two really great events this week!
Enjoy the latest fintech news - Max and the FinTech Weekly Team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-229</link><guid>1257</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #229</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #352- Will Fintech Break New Records in 2022?</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-352-will-fintech-break-new-records-in-2022</link><guid>2537</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #352- Will Fintech Break New Records in 2022?</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #228</title><description><![CDATA[This weeks issue deals with fintechs future in 2020. Another interesting article is about the new competitors in fintech and who they actually are. Our last top story of the week is about a new fintech bank that invests itself in a bolt brand position.
Enjoy these and more topics in FinTech Weeklys latest issue - Max and the FinTech Weekly Team.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-228</link><guid>1258</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #228</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #378 - The Aggressive Fed</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-378-the-aggressive-fed</link><guid>2794</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #378 - The Aggressive Fed</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #205</title><description><![CDATA[Another update right to your inbox. Get ready to shine when discussing last week's developments with your colleagues. We've got you covered. Thanks for reading!]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-205</link><guid>1003</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #205</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #227</title><description><![CDATA[This weeks issue is about three fintech innovations that create real value. Also, it deals with the question why fintech companies keep launching their own banking products. Our third top story this week is about the question how advances in fintech are helping financial advisors.
These and a lot more topics keep you updated in the world of fintech - Max and the FinTech Weekly team ]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-227</link><guid>1259</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #227</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #333</title><description><![CDATA[
Changpeng Zhao wants Binance to become the first blockchain with one billion users. 

The CEO of Binance announces that the company launched a $1 billion Growth Fund for Binance Smart Chain adopters, to help fintech companies who want to use BSC to build their projects. 

Binance focuses on blockchain-rich regions like Russia, India, South East Asia, Europe, the US and South America, to manage the growth of blockchain adoption regionally. 

The BSC will work closely with fintech comapnies, crypto advisors, blockchain researchers and influencers. 

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-333</link><guid>2283</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #333</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #226</title><description><![CDATA[FinTech Weeklys latest issue is about the german fintech N26 which valued at $3.5 billion. Also, it deals with the five pivotal technology trends in retail banking. Another highlight is our new category fintech company of the week. 
Enjoy our recent issue - Max and the FinTech Weekly team.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-226</link><guid>1260</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #226</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #225</title><description><![CDATA[This weeks issue shows a really interesting infographic about regtech. Also. you will find the latest stories from the world of fintech, for example: where the Ex-Goldman chief Sherwood joins and how technology is changing the banking industry.
Enjoy the latest issue - Max and the FinTech Weekly team. ]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-225</link><guid>1261</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #225</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #379 - Stronger USD? Yes, But It’s Not That Good</title><description><![CDATA[
FinTech World Forum 2022 (https://fintechconferences.com) is based in London UK Europe as one of leading fintech events 2022 for global financial services, finance and banking technology industry. Its focuses on Mobile Payments, Lending, Insurance, Blockchain, Bitcoin, Investment, Money, Crypto, Cryptocurrency, Digital, Innovation, Wallet, Pensions, Funds, Payment, Tech, Financial Services, Technology, Bank, Wealth Management, Insurtech, Regtech and Wealthtech. For more info visit: https://fintechconferences.com/

]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-379-stronger-usd-yes-but-its-not-that-good</link><guid>2798</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #379 - Stronger USD? Yes, But It’s Not That Good</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #163</title><description><![CDATA[Plenty new ideas, strategies and best practices to make you a better self in this week's issue: why banks will be an ecosystem of services, how time is the most undervalued resource and how to overcome common cognitive biases to improve your innovative power. Also, the best fintech books you must read. Enjoy!]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-163</link><guid>495</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #163</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #318</title><description><![CDATA[Last week, the French President Emmanual Macron said he hoped that Europe will produce at least 10 companies worth €100 billion each by 2030. European start-ups have raised €45.9 billion so far this year, according to Dealroom data, already surpassing total investment for all of 2020. Indeed, we've read about a lot of deals in FinTech recently. Let's see if there will be a handful of €100 billion FinTechs in Europe by 2030. The Dutch startup Molli ($800 million ), the German whitelabel bank Solarisbank ($67,5 million ) and the IPO of the UK startup Wise.com might be a good sign! Whereas Nutmeg (UK) and Tink (Sweden) are not European at all after takeover by JP Morgan and Visa. But what does that mean in a small world? ;).]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-318</link><guid>2033</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #318</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #353 - FinTech Against War</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-353-fintech-against-war</link><guid>2547</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #353 - FinTech Against War</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #142</title><description><![CDATA[Welcome to another fintech news issue. We spent a week at WebSummit in Lisbon again and came back with a couple of short interviews. Please watch and also enjoy quite a few fresh articles in our FinTech Magazine. Apart from this, we have your usual weekly briefing ready for you. Thank you for reading.
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-142</link><guid>245</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #142</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #141</title><description><![CDATA[We literally send you warm greetings from Lisbon. We are at the Web Summit doing interviews, getting to know the people who shake the industry and enjoying a little taste of summer in November. Next week will be a special issue with a number of video interviews with most interesting startups and established companies in fintech. Until then, enjoy more news and event announcements in the industry. 
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-141</link><guid>246</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #141</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #266</title><description><![CDATA[This week in the latest issue of FinTech Weekly: Three top stories and each one is a podcast. 
We figured with so many people at home and more time to spend with them, a podcast is just the thing. In the Top Stories you can find Podcasts on the topics: "Is Libra 2.0 good enough?", "COVID-19 Impact on the Future of Retail Banking" and "I'm fed up with people saying banks are stupid.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-266</link><guid>1270</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #266</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #140</title><description><![CDATA[First of all: Congratulations if you own Bitcoin and please excuse this issue coming in a little later than expected. Secondly: Another week has passed and many people have written down valuable thoughts you should not miss. Enjoy this issue, check out the upcoming events and have a wonderful rest of your week.
– Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-140</link><guid>247</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #140</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #206</title><description><![CDATA[Non-banks are looking like banks, acting like banks and are regulated like banks, what Amazon is doing in FS and the Big Tech/Fintech disruption. Enjoy another issue of your favourite newsletter. Thanks for reading. – Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-206</link><guid>1015</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #206</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #139</title><description><![CDATA[We've suspected it, haven't we: large banks make terrible partners. Why fintech will banish free services and how banks are using blockchain already. Also, it's the first time we show our FinTech Press Releases to the world. Find updates on who does what in the fintech industry. Enjoy another issue of your weekly fintech briefing. —Michael and the Fintech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-139</link><guid>248</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #139</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #181</title><description><![CDATA[This week is all about the number five. 5 technology trends, 5 ways to accelerate digital transformation and 5 ways AI is changing banking. That's a mere 15 facts to keep in mind this week – it won't get any easier than that.
Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-181</link><guid>760</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #181</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #138</title><description><![CDATA[Is this the way to do Digital Transformation in Banking? Open Banking must break banks and why you should focus on data, not technology.]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-138</link><guid>249</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #138</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #137</title><description><![CDATA[The market does not hold potential for all fintechs to succeed. Why collaboration is king, more insights on the consequences of PSD2 and how to prepare for the future. Enjoy the issue and check out the upcoming events and conferences. – Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-137</link><guid>250</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #137</dc:text></item><item><title>Fintech News Issue #143</title><description><![CDATA[May we introduce: FinTech Weekly Jobs. We now offer a section for job openings in the fintech industry (and related sectors). For now, jobs are limited to Germany to assure the highest quality of job openings which we hand pick and approve. Enjoy the news and please let us know if you liked it! – Michael and the FinTech Weekly team]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/fintech-news-issue-143</link><guid>251</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Fintech News Issue #143</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #354 - What Is FinTech? Financial Technology Becomes Even Broader</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-354-what-is-fintech-financial-technology-becomes-even-broader</link><guid>2555</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #354 - What Is FinTech? Financial Technology Becomes Even Broader</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #334</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-334</link><guid>2302</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #334</dc:text></item><item><title>Issue #380 - The Contradictions Of A Phygital World</title><description><![CDATA[

FinTech Weekly is ©
2022
and published by the

Jan Kus



An der Bottmühle 5
50678 Cologne
Germany


+4922199999701
contact@fintechweekly.com

Inhaltlich Verantwortlich gemäß TMG und Paragraph 55 Abs. 2 RStV: Jan Kus (Anschrift wie oben)
Haftungshinweis: Trotz sorgfältiger inhaltlicher Kontrolle übernehmen wir keine Haftung für die Inhalte externer Links. Für den Inhalt der verlinkten Seiten sind ausschließlich deren Betreiber verantwortlich.
]]></description><link>https://www.fintechnews.eu/issue-380-the-contradictions-of-a-phygital-world</link><guid>2815</guid><author>Administrator</author><dc:content /><dc:text>Issue #380 - The Contradictions Of A Phygital World</dc:text></item></channel></rss>
